The Golden Sombrero presents Rookie Card Corner: Nomar Garciaparra 1992 Topps Traded Team USA

Fun Fact: The only shortstop in history to win more consecutive batting titles than Nomar was Honus Wagner, who won four straight from 1906 to 1909.

As we have already mentioned on this site, the selections for the Gold Glove were confusing.  With guys like Jeter winning this once prestigious award, it may be best to now consider it completely meaningless.  What a joke.  Papi’s option was picked up and will inevitably be regarded as a gross overpayment.  This is the one that baffles me, though: Cliff Lee is asking for 7 years at over $160 million.  What?  This guy is 32.

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On Wednesday night, David Ortiz thought he was being sneaky when he attempted to bunt for hit against Freddy Garcia and the Chicago White Sox.  With the shift on like usual against the lefthanded slugger, Ortiz dropped down a bunt that landed next to Garcia, who fielded the ball cleanly and easily threw out Big Papi at first base.  While Garcia chuckled after the play, manager Ozzie Guillen simply could not contain himself:

In baseball, one of my all-time favorite expressions has always been, “the ugly finder.” When someone ripped a foul ball into the opposing team’s dugout, it was “the ugly finder;” an expression that is a true testament to both the hilariousness and competitiveness of baseball players.

During last Friday’s game against the Yankees, the Red Sox Mike Lowell redefined the term “ugly finder,” after receiving one of the worst hops that I have witnessed on a baseball field.

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On Wednesday, left-handed power hitters Adam LaRoche and Brad Hawpe cleared waivers and it appears that they will be traded in the coming days.  Although neither the Arizona Diamondbacks nor Colorado Rockies seem close to a deal involving either player, there are several organizations that will undoubtedly express interest.

The fact that LaRoche was placed on waivers should come as no surprise as the Diamondbacks openly expressed his availability, as well as anybody not named Reynolds or Upton, during July’s trading frenzy.  Prior to the 2010 season, the Diamondbacks signed LaRoche to one year, $4.5 million contract that has a $7.5 million mutual option for 2011, and would increase to a $9.5 mutual option if he is traded.  The Diamondbacks also have the ability to buy out LaRoche’s contract for $1.5 million.

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