Jarrod Saltalamacchia is looking in great shape and form  here in the Dominican League and in just a week has become something like a hero because before him, Los Leones del Escogido (Lions), my team by the way, had lost 5 games in a row, and post season aspiration was not looking good.

Just came Jarrod and the team has 4 wins in a row, and many things that were not working now we are the lucky team, everything is in our side.

This year MLB players are starting to play early because they want to be ready for the Baseball Classic in March.

I hope the Lions go to Post Season (at least the round robin), David Ortiz just say that if the team is still after ad the end of regular season he will participate for the round robin and final series.

This season is being very competitive with only one team already down with 6 wins and 25 loses (Robinson Cano and Fernando Tatis are playing for that team as well as other MLB guys)... But the next 5... are fighting realy hard. 

This year have being suspission of  "cheating" with the bats because of many HRs and runs, and a high ERA for pitchers, but until now no one have being catched, the league is ramdonly checking bats and at the request of managers.

Some people say that is because this years the MLB batter guys started early but no the MLB pitchers... but now the pitchers are debuting... Fausto Carmona is pitching... Francisco Liriano will do the same in days...as will do others of their caliber.

This year have being the ASIAN IMPORTER ones... with as many as 10 players from the Japan Nippon Professional Baseball, mostly pitchers with some with real success.

An exclusive leak from Dominican Republic, The New York Yankees Signed Damaso Marte for 12 millions and 3 years.

The Yankees had declined the 2009, but now they were after Marte who have a lifetime ERA of 3.29

Marte is a solid lefty with post season experience, something the Yankees valued.

More leaks from Dominican Republc as they arrive....  :-)

Let´s go Yankees...

Leak Leak Leak Leak Leak Leak Leak Leak Leak Leak Leak Leak Leak Leak

For those interested in the Bartolo Colon Watch...
He is pitching right now live in the Dominican Republic Winter League.
He is looking really good, with his usual fast ball.
He will be limited to 60 pitches or 5 innings in this first start.
............... ............. ............ ........... ......... ...

From The Chicago Tribune

Ryan Jaster @ 1:43 p.m.

For a guy whose name is always listed among the suspected steroid abusers, former Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa has never been directly linked to a scandal. No failed tests. No BALCO. No shady clinics in Florida. No checks to clubhouse attendants moonlighting as drug dealers. No paper trail whatsoever.

Even Jose Canseco had nothing but speculation on Sosa in "Juiced."

And now you can add "No Mitchell Report" to that list.

Sure, his name is in there. Once. On the 133rd page of the 409-page pdf document on our site. And it's only in a reference that he was among several players whose lawyers received questionnaires that were not returned. As is almost always the case with many of the allegations, the names of Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, Rafael Palmeiro and Gary Sheffield were listed alongside Sosa's.

But they've all been linked directly to steroids in one way or another. Sosa hasn't.

You can call Sosa a cheater. He is. He used a corked bat. You can keep him out of the Hall of Fame for that if you so choose, but not for steroids.

Sosa just hit 21 home runs for the Texas Rangers on top of 91 RBIs in what eventually became a part-time role in an allegedly "steroid-clear" era. A far cry from his three seasons of 60-plus in four years, no doubt. But he's also 38. In those seasons he was in his peak years between age 29 and 32. His 609 homers puts him in a club with only Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth and Willie Mays. And of course Bonds*. A Hall of Fame number for anyone not of this era. Yet it still sounds like he might get the McGwire treatment.

You can criticize Sosa's performance in front of Congress if you like. But I have never understood why he took heat for speaking his native language. If I had to talk to a foreign government I'd certainly speak English, no matter how many years of Spanish classes I might have taken.

It's time to take Sosa out of the shadow of steroids suspicion.

And anyone who thinks otherwise needs to do some investigating and deliver the proof.

*

List of americans that have played in the Dominican Winter League...  NOT INCLUDING MEXICO, VENEZUELA, PUERTO RICO. Only Dominican Republic.  If you include those other three countries the list grow greatly.

At first I wanted to make a list of Texas Rangers only, but it is too complicated...

(This is NOT A COMPLETE LIST..and I know I am missing many more including some MLB Hall of Famers. For example Willie Mays and Roger Maris played for the "Estrellas Orientales" team here, but I cannot find a full roster year by year from that team, that same thing happen for other teams...)

I am not including all the cubans stars that have played in DR nor players from Panama, this is an all american list.

Year by year some 40 americans played in DR.  Some of them played for more than one season like Charlie Hough that played for several reason and is second in all time saves or Eric Byrnes that have come 4 times.

HITTERS:
Alonzo Perry (played in negro league, a Homer Machine...never played in MLB)
Dave Parker
Ralph Garr
Joe Orsulak
Bill Mazeroski
Willie Stargell
Harry Williams
Cy Perkins
Leroy Matlock
Bob Griffith
Roger Maris
Willie Kirkland
Willie Mays
Cool Papa Bell
Josh Gibson (The Black Babe Ruth)
Frank Howard
Bob Robertson
Willie Smith
Jim Dwyer
Larry Parrish
Dick Davis
Jim McDaniels
Dave Cash
Ralph Bryant
Chico Walker
Cecil Cooper
Howard Johnson
Steve Garvey
Butch Hobson
Hal King (played in TEXAS)
Jim Beauchamp
Tim Wallach
Bill Butler
Greg Brock
Tim Raines
Marquis Grisom
Tim Tolman
Fred McGriff
Nelson Simmons
Kevin Mitchell
Mickey Hatcher
Mike Scioscia
Mark Parent
Tony Phillips
Glenn Davis
Mark McGwire (He came as a 3B and released a month later, was replaced by Kelly Gruber)
Kelly Gruber
Ned Yost
Distefano, Benny
Todd Zeile
Ralph Bryant
Dion James
Jeff Conine
Abbott, Kurt
Randy Velarde
Fletcher, Darrin
RJ. Reynolds
Todd Hollandswort
Gerard Williams
Eric Byrnes
Mike Cameron
Stinnett, Kelly
Daubach, Brian
Bragg, Darren
Mike Piazza (didnt played but was like a bullpen catcher a season)
Chad Tracy
Mike Napoli
Ty Wigginton
Joey Votto
Kelly Shoppach
Jason Michaels
(I did not include Alex Rodriguez because in Dominican Republic he played as he legally is here DOMINICAN)

PITCHERS:
Satchel Paige
Gaylord Perry
Charlie Hough (played in TEXAS)
Ed Roebuck
Danny Coombs
Doug Rau
Mickey Mahler
John Tudor
Steve Howe
Ken Howell
Patterson, Bob
Plunk, Eric
Rick Sutcliffe
Kent Tekulve
Ken Mackenzie
Springfield, Dennis
Charlie Hough (played many years is second in all time saves / played in TEXAS)
Juan Berenguer
Rod Beck
Darren Holmes
Sparks, Steve
Orel Hershiser (played in TEXAS)
Rick Reed
Dave Veres
Doug Bair
Jeff Fassero
Rudy Seanez
Jim Ray
Jason Simontacchi
John Wetteland (played in TEXAS)
Jered Weaver (Pitched in the 2003 Panam Gamnes)

MANAGERS:
Tom LaSorda
Del Crandall
Phil Regan
John Roseboro
Terry Francona
Buck Rodgers
Del Grandall
Terry Collins
Art Howe
Bob Geren (It´s funny a local team fired him, days later Oakland hired him)
Tony Peña (dominican MLB Manager)
Felipe Alou (dominican MLB Manager)
Luis Pujols (dominican MLB Manager)
Manny Acta (dominican MLB Manager)
Al  Widmar
Carlos Tosca

Ok, ok. He does not have Rod Carew numbers but, if you consider:

He was an all star 2B a his peak. From an batting point of view only comparable to R. Alomar.

298 career AVE.

1 Batting Title

1 All Star Game MVP

3 All Star Games

2585 Hits.

407 doubles.

1200 RBIs.

1285 Runs.

281 Stolen bases.

.365 career OBP.

4 Silver Slugger as 2B and another as DH

And if you add to that:

He went to Japan at his peak for several seasons and batted 300 there. (Only reason of why he wont hit 3000 hit at MLB

He went to Korea and batted 300 there

He went to Mexico and batted 400

In Dominican Republic he was the last to batted 400 (not a easy league)

He started as a SS, then a 2B a his peak and have played all IF positions.

A good ball player citizen.

All what he has done a his age.

And just think how his numbers would look now if he does not make the mistake to go to Japan a his peak. A really bad decision provoked because of the 1994 strike and that MLB teams didnt want to pay a lot after that. And consider that his actual numbers are diluted because of him extending his career the lasr years.

And compare his numbers with Ryne Sandberg

And more.. consider that he left MLB in the years of inflated numbers and came back after that. So if his numbers were from an All Star before 1994, what his numbers would be in 1998 when he wasnt in MLB but in Japan. He just lost 4 or 5 full MLB seasons for that case and all at hist peak.

2 more homers, and a double...7 RBI.
He now has 9 homers, 29 RBI and 358 AVE
What you think about his comeback, that is unusual.. I heared the last time something similar happens was with Babe Ruth.
With one month an a half can he be the National League comeback player of the year or the last how many years, who knows?

Just found this and looks interesting to discuss about Botts.

Read Here from The Ranger Rundown

Scott Lucas see three problems:

1) Botts leads the team in pitches per plate appearances with 4.4

2) Botts has simply been terrible at turning first-pitch swings into fair balls.

3) Following from 2), Botts lead the team in percentages of plate appearances reaching an 0-2 count.

Check the link above to see the stats.

I can be wrong but my perception is that all this roids crap thing is over-hyped is baseball from a talent and production point of view. Read, not from a health point.

People want to play moral here I think..

My arguments:

1)
All these guys involved or presumly involved had the talent.

2)
Look at Jason Giambi, the guy admitted and before and after the juice, he is a rock when healthy..

3)
Look at Gary Sheffield, he presumly admitted to used some juice to a judge...who can deny this guy is a pitcher killer.

4)
Look at the Canseco's Brothers... TWINS... the next exact thing as CLONE.. Both baseball players... both reached MLB, but only one had real talent. If Jose Canseco was the main juicer you can bet his brother was second.  But no matter how much juice you got if you dont have the talent.

5)
Look at Bonds... The guy hardly can walk in a game. Have play all his career in NL (not DH here), and when playing at his age it is a guy pitchers less want to see.  The guy had the talent.

I personally know Ñao Doñe, perhaps you have heard about him. He was Juan Gonzalez personal phisical trainer and massager. He also did and does the same to many latin baseball players (Pedro Martinez has being all this year with him).  Doñe was accused of doing roids to Juan Gonzalez. Well to going to the point he was talking the other day over here what he think about this... and he said that the juice does not make a player better from a production point of view. The juice just aliaviate the pain during a large season, but if you dont know how to hit a ball, you will never hit it.  If you dont have control several pitchs to pitch well and with control you wont be a good pitcher, you can be a 100 mph pitcher without talent.

Baseball is different than others sports. Example a 100m runner in the olimpics or a swimmer.  To win you need to be resistant during a period of time, not in baseball.

In baseball you have to hit a 90 mph fast ball, that cannot be cheated unless you go to bat with a table.  

You can say that player juiced... but his numbers are fruits of talents, not juice..  and at the end the juice is just bad for their healh (Caminiti, etc, etc.)

My take

Well Hicks already said he wont released Sosa.
and I am happy with that as many are here.
I know Adam and others are only about stats.

Texas is just trying to sign more dominican propects.  They have a new academy over here.

If you think that is just coincidence that the most popular MLB teams (in Dominican Rep.) are the teams that get the best dominican propects, you know nothing.  Those guys love to be a MET (because of Omar Minaya, Pedro Martinez, Jose Reyes, etc.); a Red Sox because of David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez, a Yankee because of A-ROD and Robinson Cano; a Dodger just because is one the most dominican friendly franchise, etc, etc.
They take less money to sign with a dominican friendly team than other. See Carlos Gomez and Fernando Martinez with the Mets.  For an unpopular team here to get those guys they would had to really overpay what what NYM paid (too much).

Japanese teams come here to sign players (OVER PAYING MLB teams), and boys here ONLY sign if that is the ONLY OPTION. They wait and wait and wait for a MLB opportunity.  Just because they want to be the next Sammy Sosa or Albert Pujols and be treated like idols here. It is not only money there.

I remember some few years ago when a neibor just signed with Milwaukee, he was ok because he got the chance... but he told, hey man, no dominican there, no history. I mean he was not happy, just signed because they put the money.  If not other team saw something special in him, you know he is not a premium prospect.

Releasing Sammy Sosa, an icon here. The one people see as the next Hall of famer here, would dramatically abort the Texas plan to get cheap good propects from this side.  

Dominican Republic just have ONE, UNO, 1 Hall of famer Juan Marichal (and it was via the veteran commitee) And if you just count how many dominican super stars had played, that is nothing.

This year at least 2 or 3 Rangers games are broadcasted in national TV Weekly.  That is not because people like to see Wilkerson, or they dont want to see Albert Pujols with the Cards, they just want anything Sammy, and Texas is getting fans.

Just to treat him well with respect...not to release him and just let him finish the year: DH, in the bench, pinch hitting, what ever.

I just read in MLB.com that Hicks said Sammy will not be released.  Daniels said something like Sammy role will change from now on (with the Botts call up).
So... For Botts to be up... someone have to go down or released...

So, with this 8 ones with a safe spot:

Gerald Laird
Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Ian Kinsler
Michael Young
Marlon Byrd
Frank Catalanotto
Nelson Cruz
Sammy Sosa

There are 5 possible options:

Travis Metcalf : Not with Blalock in DL
Ramon Vazquez : Not being the best IF backup option.

It looks like the logical option coming from this 3 guys:
Adam Melhuse
Jerry Hairston
Brad Wilkerson

Wash... already said Melhouse will stay.

So.. the winner is...Brad Wilkerson

If Jerry Hairston is the Only backup at CF
(Nelson Cruz has CF Experience)

What you think...   Am I ok... Wilkerson DFA?

Engel

With voting for the 78th Midsummer Classic through, fans can watch the All-Star Selection Show today at 3 p.m. CT on TBS to see if slugger Sammy Sosa, the newest member of the 600 home run club, will represent the Rangers in San Francisco on July 10.
----------------
That is in the Rangers website....
And no only that.  There is poll.  Who most deserves to be an All-Star?

Eric Gagne
196 votes (9%)

Akinori Otsuka           
152 votes (7%)

Sammy Sosa      
1111 votes (49%)

Michael Young           
827 votes (36%)

And add to that the fact that Sammy Sosa have received 515,440 votes from fans, the most by any Ranger player.

The problem with M. Young going is that there are 4 SS that are having much better seasons and more votes from fans. Jeter, Orlando Cabrera, Carlos Guillen, Johnny Peralta. Taking MY over them would be rare unless they take 3 or 4 SS to the All Star Game. Kenny Lofton is not even mention in the Rangers website, so he is not in consideration. Gagne and Aki are the only ones that can avoid the Circus going. Do you still think that the Circus will miss San Francisco? No way man! Slammin' Sammy is an AllStar this year.

Coincidence or NOT... but I really think Adam Melhuse have some credit for the Texas Rangers turnaround of the last 10 days.

Perhaps with him Ron Washignton can communicate better with players.

And the pithing... it is much better after him. Some teaching here I guest for Gerald Laird.

Sammy Sosa is the Ranger with the most votes for the Sll Star. If this is a fan day... well :-)

No ther ranger appear in the list.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070626&content_id=2050025&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb&partnered=rss_mlb

1.    Guerrero, V.    Angels    2,043,824
2.    Ordonez, M.    Tigers    1,445,899
3.    Suzuki, I.    Ms    1,409,762
4.    Ramirez, M.    Red Sox    1,386,522
5.    Hunter, T.    Twins    1,085,445
6.    Sheffield, G.    Tigers    957,823
7.    Sizemore, G.    Indians    802,752
8.    Abreu, B.    Yankees    746,290
9.    Damon, J.    Yankees    708,877
10.    Matsui, H.    Yankees    666,546
11.    Drew, J.D.    Red Sox    640,889
12.    Crisp, C.    Red Sox    559,339
13.    Sosa, S.    Rangers    515,440
14.    Crawford, C.    DRays    434,507
15.    Monroe, C.    Tigers    392,096

I have followed your discussion about CF after Kenny Lofton in 2008 and getting younger.

Well I know next year Andruw Jones, Torii Hunter and Ichiro Suzuki are FA, but I have never seen nothing about Arizona's Eric Byrnes.

He is cheaper and younger and a fan favorite wherever he plays.

He is having a career year in 2007 and is FA after that.

He played 3 seasoms in Baseball country Dominican Republic where he is very popular and it is called "Captain America" there.

I see a great fit for him in Texas.  What you think??

Byrnes All-Star worthy, now likely too pricey for D-Backs
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/sports/articles/0623bickleyblog0623.html

Byrnes evolves into consistent hitter
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/sports/articles/0605dbmain0605.html

Arizona's Byrnes doesn't hold back on the field or in the booth
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/diamondbacks/2007-06-13-byrnes_N.htm

D-Backs notebook: Byrnes hit bottom in Baltimore
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/91737

Byrnes might fit better in '08 than before
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-mlbnotes0623,0,7480416.story?coll=bal-sports-basebal l