On July 28, 2010, the Philadelphia Phillies gave their fans a taste of the future when they called up 22-year old outfielder Dominic Brown to play right field.  The move was a result of Shane Victorino’s trip to the DL, and the subsequent decision to shift their usual right fielder, Jayson Werth, over to center field.  Although Brown’s playing time drastically decreased after Victorino’s activation, he showed the baseball world that there is a lot to look forward to in 2011.

Ranked by Baseball America as the 15^th best prospect headed in the 2010 season, Brown began the year at Double-A Reading of the Eastern League where he played in 65 games as the team’s right fielder.  There he slashed .318/.391/.602 with 16 doubles, three triples, 15 home runs and 47 RBI.  Brown also managed 29 walks and struck out 51 times in 236 at-bats.  Although the 6’5” outfielder has tremendous speed, he has not yet mastered the art of stealing a base, as evidenced by his 12 stolen bases in 18 attempts.

(more…)

The Golden Sombrero presents Rookie Card Corner: Adam Dunn 1999 Bowman

Fun Fact: In 2009, Adam Dunn was the worst fielder in the Major Leagues with a -35 UZR/150.

The Golden Sombrero presents Rookie Card Corner: Adam Wainwright 2000 Bowman

Fun Fact: Waino hit the first major-league pitch he saw out of the park, a feat only six other players had done before him.  To commemorate the event, the St. Louis Cardinals gave him an engraved Rolex watch.

The Golden Sombrero presents MLB Look-alikes Playoff Edition: Joba Chamberlain and Ryan Ward(“Fake Joba”)

Who is Ryan Ward?

(more…)

On any given baseball team there are endless off the field, inside jokes that permeate the clubhouse and in the end, define the team.  More often than not, the humor is completely spontaneous, childish and crude.  And it has to be.  With 162+ games in a season, it is foregone conclusion that every team will experience ups and downs.

The inside jokes and endless ragging on teammates are what keep a team optimistic  –yes, I know that actually having good players goes a long way, as well– in their darkest hour.  Similarly, when a team is winning and feeling good, the jokes are always more hilarious and enjoyable than they already are.  Every couple of years, there is a team whose jokes gradually become indicative of the team chemistry and synonymous with the overall success of the season.  And it is then that we truly see just how much being a part of that team means to the players.

This season, the Texas Rangers have had their clubhouse humor on full display in the form of the claw and antlers.  And considering that they are headed to the American League Championship Series for the first time in the organization’s history, it’s time that baseball fans familiarized themselves with the gestures and their meaning.

(more…)