Around The League: Lincecum’s SI cover, Manny Ramirez, Yunel Escobar, J.R. Richard and more…

December 26, 2010 | Posted by Mike Rosenbaum

Baseball fans loved Tim Lincecum’s suit and bowtie look so much that Sports Illustrated thought that it would make the perfect cover to cap the year. Lincecum has now graced the cover of SI twice in recent years, both of which are among my favorites.

Apparently the New York Yankees do not have any interest in signing Manny Ramirez. As Spring Training rolls around, Ramirez, who really hasn’t been the same player since returning from suspension for PEDs, will surely receive some consideration from American League teams. However, as someone who is represented by Scott Boras and also accustomed to receiving gigantic contracts, I wonder whether Ramirez will be on a Major League roster to start the 2011 season. Could Man-Ram be the next Jermaine Dye?

NESN constructed a team of players that are poised to have breakout campaigns in 2011. One of the players on that list is shortstop Yunel Escobar, and I couldn’t agree more. At 28-years old, it will be interesting to see whether he thrives in Toronto, hitting at the top of a powerful Blue Jays’ offense.

According to Fox Sports Midwest, St. Louis Cardinals third basemen David Freese narrowly avoided serious injury at the Blues game after an errant puck whizzed right over his head. The puck ultimately drilled the guy sitting directly behind Freese; it hit the unsuspecting fan flush in the forehead and required seven stitches to close. It wouldn’t have been all that surprising had Freese been the one injured considering that he dropped a weight on his foot this past summer.

Before there was Stephen Strasburg, there was J.R. Richard. In his major league debut, the 6-foot-8 flamethrower notched 15 strikeouts and seemed destined for a brilliant career; he could also grip eight or nine baseballs (depending on who you ask) in one hand. However, Richard suffered a stroke in 1980 due to a blood clot in his pitching arm, collapsing on the ground of the Astrodome and never regaining form. Seamheads reflects on his career and asks, “what if?”

Our friends at Diamond Hoggers had to say goodbye to Arthur Rhodes this week, as the free agent signed a 1-year deal – with a vesting option for 2012 – with the Texas Rangers. Maybe it is his tremendous girth, but Rhodes has always struck me as a guy with an incredibly strong lower back, much like fellow southpaw Ray King.

Other than Yuniesky Betancourt, Luis Castillo is without a doubt my least infielder in baseball. I was actually at the Yankees/Mets game where he dropped A-Rod’s pop up and waddled off the field in total shame. I’d take Ronnie Belliard any day of the week over Castillo, and that in itself says enough. Citi Field Nine, a Mets blog, elaborates on the frustrations that stem from him on your team.

ted.swedalla says:

December 29, 2010 at 6:22 am

Thanks for the link and for letting me know that non-New Yorkers despise Luis Castillo too.

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