Posts belonging to Category Players

The Golden Sombrero presents MLB Look-alikes: Mike Morse and Shawn Andrews (Dazed and Confused)

Unlike Morse, Andrews was not drafted as a shortstop.

Bottom 1: Danny Espinosa struck out on a foul tip against Hiroki Kuroda

Bottom 4: struck out swinging against Kuroda

Bottom 6: struck out swinging against Kuroda

Bottom 8: struck out swinging against Ramon Troncoso

Final Line: 0-for-4, 4 K

Notes: Espinosa’s golden sombrero against the Dodgers on Monday was his second in the past week, as the rookie continues to fan at a worrisome rate.  On Tuesday, he struck out in three of his four at-bats, which means that Espinosa has now fanned in seven of his last eight at-bats.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 106

–  As a former student of the University of Nevada, I saw my fair share of drugged out women of the night.  Watching CJ Wilson last night brought back memories.  His cutter and curve were as nasty as the workers of Reno’s 4^th street corners.

–  Speaking of the Rangers, who put firecrackers inside David Murphy?  Homeboy is blowing up right now; making the Rangers say “Nelson who?”

–  I really have to wonder what is in those cigs that Jim Leyland smokes.  Detroit has pulled away from the rest of the division by going 15-4 since August 19^th.

–  Erik Bedard has been scratched from his next start…well of course he has, he is Erik Bedard.

–  Jordan Pacheco made it onto Baseball Tonight last night as part of the Rockies highlight.  Big ups to the kid who is a fellow New Mexican.  He was part of the La Cueva High School (Abq, NM) Bears baseball team that held the national record for consecutive wins.

–  Did anybody else realize that since June 18^th, the Vanimal, Vance Worley, has made 14 starts, and the Phillies have won every single one of them?  I hadn’t realized that either.  Impressive.

–  And I don’t care who you are, watching Stephen Strasburg pitch last night was fantastic.  And to think it was a mere 12 months and 3 days since he was cut on.  Mind-blowing to think about.

Bottom 1: Brian McCann struck out swinging against Nate Eovaldi

Bottom 4: walked against Eovaldi

Bottom 6: struck out swinging against Eovaldi

Bottom 8: struck out swinging against Kenley Jansen

Bottom 10: struck out swinging against Javy Guerra

Final Line: 0-for-4, BB, 4 K

Notes: The Braves’ All-Star catcher recorded his first golden sombrero of the 2011 season on Saturday against the Dodgers.  A slew of Dodger pitchers held the Braves offense in check, as they were able to push across one run on seven hits in the 10-inning loss. Despite missing time due to a strained oblique, McCann still has dropped 23 bombs this season, and should surpass his career high of 24 with ease.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 105

Top 1: Jim Thome struck out swinging against Luke Hochevar

Top 4: called out on strikes against Hochevar

Top 6: called out on strikes against Hochevar

Top 9: struck out swinging against Greg Holland

Final Line: 0-for-4, 4 K

Notes: With his golden sombrero on Saturday, Thome became the second player this season to accomplish the feat for two different teams – Kelly Johnson is the other.  A recent addition to the 600 Home Run Club, I can only imagine how many times Thome has worn a sombrero in his career. It looks like it might be time to subscribe to Baseball-Reference.com’s Play Index…

Total 2011 Sombreros: 104