Bowling for Soup Creates Video in Honor of Gary Dell'Abate's First Pitch

Gary Dell'abate First Pitch

Howard Stern show producer Gary Dell'abate was given the honor of throwing out the first pitch at a Mets game this weekend, and ma-ma-monkey took that honor and threw it right out the window.

After practicing in the hallowed Stern Show hallways and working with a Sports Psychologist, Gary launched the first pitch about 6 feet wide (and high) of home plate, plunking the home plate umpire.

It was all for a good cause though, Gary was taking part in "Autism Awareness Day".

Ba Ba Booey First Pitch Mets Game - Bucktoothbooey.com
by jimarcher1977

Manny Banned for 50 Games; "Not Steroids"

According to multiple news sources, Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez has tested positive for a banned substance, and will begin serving the fifty game suspension.

Ramirez, arguably the highest-profile player to fail the test, released the following statement;

Recently I saw a physician for a personal health issue. He gave me a medication, not a steroid, which he thought was OK to give me. Unfortunately, the medication was banned under our drug policy. Under the policy that mistake is now my responsibility. I have been advised not to say anything more for now. I do want to say one other thing; I've taken and passed about 15 drug tests over the past five seasons. I want to apologize to Mr. McCourt, Mrs. McCourt, Mr. Torre, my teammates, the Dodger organization, and to the Dodger fans. LA is a special place to me and I know everybody is disappointed. So am I. I'm sorry about this whole situation.

Gload Traded to Marlins

The Royals traded left hand hitting first basemen Ross Gload to the Florida Marlins for a player to be named later.

According to MLB.com, the Royals also sent cash to the Marlins, apparently to help pay for Gload's $1.9 million salary for this year.

Gload spent the last two seasons with the Royals, batting .288 in 2007 and .273 last year.

Publish Post

Shilling Announces Retirement

Future Hall of Famer (???) Curt Shilling announced his retirement today, according to reports from the Associated Press and Shilling's blog; 38pitches.com:

Curt Schilling retired from baseball Monday after a career in which he won World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks and was one of the game's most dominant pitchers and grittiest competitors.

The 42-year-old right-hander said on his blog he's leaving after 23 years with "zero regrets." Schilling missed all of last season with a shoulder injury after signing a one-year, $8 million contract.

Shilling is most famous for the "Bloody Sock Incident", where he pitched through a ankle injury to win Game 2 of the 2004 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. His sock was eventually enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

Schilling finished his career with 3,116 strikeouts, a 216-146 record, and a 3.46 ERA.

Spring Training Aches and Pains

Midway through the 2009 Spring Training season we're starting to see some significant bumps and bruises piling up around the league.

Whether its because of the World Baseball Classic, poor offseason conditioning, or players trying to work the winter kinks out of their system, some big names are starting to show up on the benches;

A-Rod; in case you missed it. Hip surgery. Out til May. Moving on.

Cole Hamels is experiencing tightness in his pitching elbow, and may not be the World F*cking Champs opening day starter this season.

Brewers closer Trevor Hoffman has been sidelined thanks to a strain in his right side.

Manny's hammy is barking, causing Joe Torre to relegate his dread locked slugger to the bench.

Aaron Boone is going to have open heart surgery to correct a valve disorder. Not sure when or if he'll ever return to baseball. We're wishing him good luck and a speedy recovery.

Star outfielder Ryan Braun was pulled from the WBC thanks to aggravating his right rib cage.

Mariano Rivera threw for the first time this season and looked good.

A's Land Cabrera

The Oakland Athletics found a replacement for oft-injured shortstop Bobby Crosby in the fleet footed Orlando Cabrera:

The A's deal with Cabrera is worth $4 million. He was said to be looking for about $9 million earlier in the offseason.

Bobby Crosby, Oakland's incumbent shortstop, is entering the final year of a deal that will pay him close to $5.25 million this year.

According to multiple published reports, the A's are also close to signing Nomar Garciaparra to a one year deal. Nomar would be expected to play a utility role, backing up at first and third base.

If the A's decide to trade Crosby, Nomar would likely fill in at shortstop as well.