Teixeira Can Duck Less This Season

Vicente Padilla does not like Mark Teixeira. Mark Teixeira does not like Vicente Padilla.  'Does not like' is probably an understatement, but I'll keep this clean.

Almost every year Teixeira and Padilla do battle at the plate and each time there is a good chance Padilla will hit or come close to hitting Teixeira. Glares and words are exchanged, etc.  Sometimes Teixeira hits a home run which is the best way to flip off Padilla.

But worry no more sports fans, you won't have Padilla to curse out any more. No he has not retired, but he is moving to Japan. The 35-year old has agreed to terms with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks for $3.25MM.

Padilla made less than half that last year as a member of the Boston Red Sox. The Hawks will be the sixth organization Padilla has pitched for since he signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks as an amateur free agent in 1998.

No, you won't see fireworks in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) either. Teixeira will be playing in the upcoming tournament for the US, but Padilla has passed on playing for Nicaragua.

What was Richie Sexson Thinking?

Richie Sexson instigated a bench clearing brawl after he was hit by a pitch, he was brushed back a pitch didn't come close to him. Kudos to The Big Lead for the find. Pitcher Kason Gabbard, who had just been reactivated, looked like a deer caught in 6'8" headlights.

What was Richie Sexson Thinking?

Richie Sexson instigated a bench clearing brawl after he was hit by a pitch, he was brushed back a pitch didn't come close to him. Kudos to The Big Lead for the find. Pitcher Kason Gabbard, who had just been reactivated, looked like a deer caught in 6'8" headlights.

Farnsworth Suspended for 3

Despite no action from the game's umpires, other than issuing both sides a warning, the MLB front office has suspended Kyle Farnsworth 3 games for, what they feel, was an intentional brush back pitch of Manny Ramirez.

The pitch could actually be considered a "brush forward" since it went behind Ramirez's back. We agree that Farnsworth intentionally threw at Ramirez, but we don't agree with a suspension since the umpires, who were there, did not feel there was enough intent to toss the right-handed reliever from the game.

Farnsworth said he will appeal the decision, so he will be eligible to pitch until a hearing is held.

Farnsworth Suspended for 3

Despite no action from the game's umpires, other than issuing both sides a warning, the MLB front office has suspended Kyle Farnsworth 3 games for, what they feel, was an intentional brush back pitch of Manny Ramirez.

The pitch could actually be considered a "brush forward" since it went behind Ramirez's back. We agree that Farnsworth intentionally threw at Ramirez, but we don't agree with a suspension since the umpires, who were there, did not feel there was enough intent to toss the right-handed reliever from the game.

Farnsworth said he will appeal the decision, so he will be eligible to pitch until a hearing is held.