SB Nation User Blog: dropkicknu

Former Rays pitcher Scott Kazmir thanks the Tampa Bay fans and the Rays organization in a half-page...

dropkicknu — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:53:15 -0000

Former Rays pitcher Scott Kazmir thanks the Tampa Bay fans and the Rays organization in a half-page ad that appears on page 3-A of today's Times.

In the ad, Kazmir writes about first coming to the Rays in a July 2004 trade and the experience of growing with the organization and being part of the World Series team.

The Rays traded him to the Angels on Aug. 28, and he wanted to say thanks publicly:

"Now, as I move to the next chapter in my life and career, I want to thank you, the fans, for all your support and your continued support of the Rays.''

Also, Kazmir thanks the "Rays organization, management, my former teammates and the media, all of whom have been a part of this journey and its memories.''

this documentary from when he was in college is tight.

dropkicknu — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:37:16 -0000

this documentary from when he was in college is tight.

J.C. Romero Cheated

dropkicknu — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:04:27 -0000

NEW YORK -- Philadelphia Phillies reliever J.C. Romero and New York Yankees minor league pitcher Sergio Mitre were suspended for the first 50 games of next season after testing positive for a banned substance.

The suspensions were announced Tuesday by Major League Baseball. Romero earned two wins in Philadelphia's World Series victory over Tampa Bay last season. He has called the penalty unfair, ESPN.com reported Monday night. He contends the supplement he took during the season was legal because he bought it over the counter at a nutrition store in the United States. An arbitrator decided against Romero in November.

Mitre is with the Yankees' Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Triple-A team.

The arbitrator ruled Romero was guilty of negligence. The penalty will cost the left-hander $1.25 million in salary, ESPN.com said.

"I still cannot see where I did something wrong," Romero told the website. "There is nothing that should take away from the rings of my teammates. I didn't cheat. I tried to follow the rules."

The Philadelphia Inquirer also reported Romero's suspension on its website early Tuesday.

"If I'm guilty of something, you know what? I will face it. But I'm not guilty, and I'm not letting people that don't really know me judge me over something and accuse me of something that I didn't do," Romero told the newspaper.

"We strongly disagree with the commissioner's discipline and with the arbitrator's decision," MLB Players Association general counsel Michael Weiner said in a statement.

Romero was the winning pitcher in Game 3 of the World Series and the clinching Game 5 for the champion Phillies.

"We can't comment on the specific facts of the case," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a conference call Tuesday. "What we can tell you is that we're very supportive of what Major League Baseball has done and the policies it has implemented."

Romero, a key member of Philadelphia's strong bullpen, served in a setup role for closer Brad Lidge for most of last season. He went 4-4 with a 2.75 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 59 innings. He appeared in 81 games and had one save.

In the postseason, Romero was outstanding. He didn't allow a run and only two hits in eight appearances, spanning 7 1/3 innings.

Romero is expected to report to spring training with the Phillies next month and is allowed to pitch in exhibition games. He'll likely stay in Florida for extended spring training and could be ready to rejoin the team once his suspension is up.

"The fact of the matter is we're supportive of J.C.," Amaro said. "It's an unfortunate event. We'll deal with it, and we'll move forward from it."

ESPN.com said the pitcher was tested Aug. 26 and Sept. 19, then informed by the players union Sept. 23 of the result. Romero said he immediately stopped taking any supplements. He was tested again Oct. 1 and that test came back negative, according to ESPN.com.

Weiner said the union regards the decision as final but insists the players were treated unfairly.

"Their unknowing actions plainly are distinguishable from those of a person who intentionally used an illegal performance-enhancing substance," he said.

Holliday to A's?

dropkicknu — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:28:57 -0000

Holliday to A's?

Denver, CO (Sports Network) - The Colorado Rockies have apparently traded outfielder Matt Holliday to the Oakland Athletics. CNNSI.com's Jon Heyman is reporting the deal, but did not know who was going back to Colorado in return.

Holliday, a two-time All-Star, hit .321 last season - his fourth straight .300 campaign - but saw his power numbers dip, as he hit 25 home runs with 88 RBI. It was the first time since 2005 that he failed to top 30 HRs and 100 RBIs.

He had been the runner-up to Philadelphia's Jimmy Rollins for the NL MVP Award in 2007 when he set career-highs, hitting .340 with 36 home runs and 137 RBI.

Eligible to become a free agent at the end of the 2009 season, Colorado reportedly had offered Holliday $68 million guaranteed over four years (plus a fifth year option that could have taken it to $85 million), but he turned the deal down, instead wanting to hit the open market.

Holliday is a career .319 hitter and has hit 128 home runs, while knocking in 483 runs in his five years with the Rockies. However, he is a .280 hitter away from hitter-friendly Coors Field with 44 homers and 176 RBI in 339 games.

St. Louis and Philadelphia were also expected to be in the running for Holliday.

11/10 15:44:05 ET

EVAN LONGORIA R.O.Y.

dropkicknu — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:22:17 -0000

EVAN LONGORIA R.O.Y.

Congrats Evan!

Johnathan Papelbon: The Highschool Years

dropkicknu — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 19:26:51 -0000

Johnathan Papelbon: The Highschool Years

have you guys seen this? smh

All-Star Voting

dropkicknu — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:02:12 -0000

All-Star Voting

Just a reminder to everyone to vote for the All-Star Game. I'd love to see some Rays in the starting lineup! It's so easy too, once you fill it out the first time you can just keep clicking "vote again" and it's already filled out for you. You can vote up to 25 times in less than 5 minutes. We seem to have a pretty active blog so if all of us contribute we might be able to make a difference!