MLB Hall of Fame Time: Why is it the Most Miserable Time of the Year?

Finding out which players, executives, announcers, etc. were elected to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame used to be one of the most exciting, highly anticipated days of the year. Then the Internet and social media took off and suddenly a day that should be joyous for a number of people became overshadowed by the disdain nominees, fans, and media - specifically the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) had for one another.

With the announcement coming up tomorrow, Wednesday, the fury has already gotten off to a great start thanks to MLB.com beat writer Ken Gurnick. As part of this year's process, all of the MLB.com writers made their ballots public on Tuesday which put a bullseye right on Gurnick's back due to this statement by the Dodgers' beat writer:

"(Jack) Morris has flaws -- a 3.90 ERA, for example. But he gets my vote for more than a decade of ace performance that included three 20-win seasons, Cy Young Award votes in seven seasons and Most Valuable Player Award votes in five. As for those who played during the period of PED use, I won't vote for any of them."

With that simple act Gurnick threw the baby out with the bathwater. It means he completely ignored legitimate candidates like pitcher Greg Maddux and slugger Frank Thomas. It also means there will still be no unanimous electee to the Hall. It's also an embarrassment to the game and to those are tasked with the privilege of electing the Hall entrants.

While I agree that players that were caught or admitted using performance enhancing drugs should not gain entrance to the Hall, you cannot lump other players (i.e. Jeff Bagwell) that you believe were PED users in with the "bad guys". And you certainly shouldn't be leaving out those, like Thomas, who have been anti-PED activists.

This year's election process also became farcicle when one voter sold a ballot to Deadspin.com, which then allowed its readers to fill out the ballot. Deadspin is trying to make a point of how much the process has degraded over the years, but the anonymous seller of the ballot should be permanently stripped of the honor of being part of the vote.

My ballot, if I had a vote, would look like this:

Greg Maddux
Frank Thomas
Jack Morris
Craig Biggio
Jeff Bagwell
Mike Piazza
Tom Glavine

Spring Training Notes - 2/20

We got some catching up to do as the old day job got us tied down the last couple of days.

Ken Griffey Jr. did indeed return to Seattle after all. After reports came out that he was going to Atlanta, Junior said he hadn't made up his mind yet. He would know best. The current Mariners are excited to have him back.

Brian Roberts, who has been the subject of trade rumors the last couple of years, inked a 4 year, $40 million extension with the Orioles.

Tom Glavine will be going back to Atlanta for one more year.

The Rays signed veteran second baseman Adam Kennedy to a new 1 year deal.

Here's one Red Sox fan who doesn't believe in a salary cap.

Around the Horn - 5/21

Whatever good feelings the Mets and their fans may have had after the weekend sweep of the Yankees went out the window yesterday when the Braves took both ends of a doubleheader from the Flushing crew.

Mets fans are still mad at Tom Glavine's horrid performance in the season finale last year and are probably pissed off even more now after Glavine retired the last 17 men he faced in beating the Mets in game 1, 6-1. Jorge Campillo earned his 1st major league win in the nightcap when the Bravs won again, this time 6-2.

The Phillies and Nationals hooked up in a scoreless pitching duel until Greg Dobbs' pinch-hit RBI double gave the Phillies a 1-0 win in the 9th. Tom Gordon got the win after Cole Hamels struck out 11 in 7 innings.

The Brewers bounced back from their awful weekend in Boston with a 7-2 pasting of the Pirates. Mike Cameron and Corey Hart homered to help Manny Parra win his 2nd of the season. Eric Gagne had to leave the game in the 9th with shoulder stiffness.

Tim Lincecum improve to 6-1 after the Giants edged the Rockies 6-5. Lincecum has a road best ERA of 0.39. Rich Aurilia and Fred Lewis each homered. Rockies injured shortstop Troy Tulowitzki took fielding practice for the first time since ripping a quad muscle at the end of April.

The Cardinals' Joel Pineiro was shutting down the Padres into the 6th when Kevin Kouzmanoff belted a go-ahead 428-ft, 3-run home run. The blast held up in the Padres 3-2 win. Greg Maddux got no decision after giving up 2 runs in 5 innings.

Dan Uggla belted his 14th home run and Mark Hendrickson struck out 7 in 5-plus innings as the Marlins edged the Diamondbacks 3-2. Micah Owings was solid, thought he went hitless, for Arizona, allowing 3 runs in 7 innings while striking out 10.

Chad Billingsley tossed 7 scoreless innings in the Dodgers 4-1 over the Reds. Adam Dunn has his (shared) team record of 5 straight games with a home run stopped, and also had an 8-game RBI streak ended. Ken Griffey Jr. has gone 86 at-bats without a home run.

Hunter Pence belted a 4th inning grand slam in the Astros 4-2 win over the Cubs. Miguel Tejada doubled in the game for his 1,800th career hit to help Chris Sampson even his record at 3-3.

There was no no-hitter for the Red Sox last night, but the KC Royals went down just as meekly. Justin Masterson won his first major league game as he and the Sox bullpen limited the punchless Royals to 5 hits. Sox reliever/spot starterJulian Tavarez passed through waivers and expected an assignment to Pawtucket.

Justin Verlander finally won his 2nd game as the Tigers out scored the Mariners 12-8. Edger Renteria enjoyed a 4-hit, 5 RBI night, as he, Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Guillen, and Curtis Granderson all went deep.

Left fielder Emil Brown lost Dionner Navarro's 8th inning line drive in the lights enabling 3 runs to score to give the Rays a 3-2 win over the A's. Navarro was credited with a 3-run double after the play was initially ruled an error. It ruined a great effort from Greg Smith who was tagged with the loss. Frank Thomas hit his 518th career home run.

John Lackey won his first game of the year with 7 stellar innings in the Angels 3-1 win over the Blue Jays. Francisco Rodriguez walked the bases loaded in the 9th, but escaped with his 18th save. Angels shortstop Erick Aybar dislocated his pinky during the game. X-Rays were negative, but he may miss some time.

The Twins pounded the Rangers 11-4 to earn Glen Perkins his first major league win. Texas expects to activate Hank Blalock this weekend. He'll be starting at his new position, 1st Base.

Jose Contreras won for the 3rd straight time out in the White Sox 4-1 win over the Indians. He lowered his ERA to 3.17 in the process of beating C.C. Sabathia. Carlos Quentin and Jim Thome (#515) homered for the Chisox.

Around the Horn - 5/21

Whatever good feelings the Mets and their fans may have had after the weekend sweep of the Yankees went out the window yesterday when the Braves took both ends of a doubleheader from the Flushing crew.

Mets fans are still mad at Tom Glavine's horrid performance in the season finale last year and are probably pissed off even more now after Glavine retired the last 17 men he faced in beating the Mets in game 1, 6-1. Jorge Campillo earned his 1st major league win in the nightcap when the Bravs won again, this time 6-2.

The Phillies and Nationals hooked up in a scoreless pitching duel until Greg Dobbs' pinch-hit RBI double gave the Phillies a 1-0 win in the 9th. Tom Gordon got the win after Cole Hamels struck out 11 in 7 innings.

The Brewers bounced back from their awful weekend in Boston with a 7-2 pasting of the Pirates. Mike Cameron and Corey Hart homered to help Manny Parra win his 2nd of the season. Eric Gagne had to leave the game in the 9th with shoulder stiffness.

Tim Lincecum improve to 6-1 after the Giants edged the Rockies 6-5. Lincecum has a road best ERA of 0.39. Rich Aurilia and Fred Lewis each homered. Rockies injured shortstop Troy Tulowitzki took fielding practice for the first time since ripping a quad muscle at the end of April.

The Cardinals' Joel Pineiro was shutting down the Padres into the 6th when Kevin Kouzmanoff belted a go-ahead 428-ft, 3-run home run. The blast held up in the Padres 3-2 win. Greg Maddux got no decision after giving up 2 runs in 5 innings.

Dan Uggla belted his 14th home run and Mark Hendrickson struck out 7 in 5-plus innings as the Marlins edged the Diamondbacks 3-2. Micah Owings was solid, thought he went hitless, for Arizona, allowing 3 runs in 7 innings while striking out 10.

Chad Billingsley tossed 7 scoreless innings in the Dodgers 4-1 over the Reds. Adam Dunn has his (shared) team record of 5 straight games with a home run stopped, and also had an 8-game RBI streak ended. Ken Griffey Jr. has gone 86 at-bats without a home run.

Hunter Pence belted a 4th inning grand slam in the Astros 4-2 win over the Cubs. Miguel Tejada doubled in the game for his 1,800th career hit to help Chris Sampson even his record at 3-3.

There was no no-hitter for the Red Sox last night, but the KC Royals went down just as meekly. Justin Masterson won his first major league game as he and the Sox bullpen limited the punchless Royals to 5 hits. Sox reliever/spot starterJulian Tavarez passed through waivers and expected an assignment to Pawtucket.

Justin Verlander finally won his 2nd game as the Tigers out scored the Mariners 12-8. Edger Renteria enjoyed a 4-hit, 5 RBI night, as he, Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Guillen, and Curtis Granderson all went deep.

Left fielder Emil Brown lost Dionner Navarro's 8th inning line drive in the lights enabling 3 runs to score to give the Rays a 3-2 win over the A's. Navarro was credited with a 3-run double after the play was initially ruled an error. It ruined a great effort from Greg Smith who was tagged with the loss. Frank Thomas hit his 518th career home run.

John Lackey won his first game of the year with 7 stellar innings in the Angels 3-1 win over the Blue Jays. Francisco Rodriguez walked the bases loaded in the 9th, but escaped with his 18th save. Angels shortstop Erick Aybar dislocated his pinky during the game. X-Rays were negative, but he may miss some time.

The Twins pounded the Rangers 11-4 to earn Glen Perkins his first major league win. Texas expects to activate Hank Blalock this weekend. He'll be starting at his new position, 1st Base.

Jose Contreras won for the 3rd straight time out in the White Sox 4-1 win over the Indians. He lowered his ERA to 3.17 in the process of beating C.C. Sabathia. Carlos Quentin and Jim Thome (#515) homered for the Chisox.

Around the Horn - 5/15

C.C. Sabathia kept the Indians starting pitch streak alive - not a run allowed in 43 innings now after Sabathia blanked the A's 2-0 on 5 hits. The big lefty also struck out 11.

For the 2nd straight night the Red Sox blew a 3-0 lead to the Orioles. Luke Scott hit the big home run on Tuesday and last night it was Jay Payton belting a grand slam to give the Orioles a 6-3 win.

The Royals are now 5-0 against the Tigers after Luke Hochevar and company shut them down 2-0. Justin Verlander pitched very well, but dropped to 1-7.

The Seattle bullpen blew a 3-2 lead, but Miguel Cairo bailed them out with the go-ahead RBI single in the Mariners 12-inning 4-3 win. Jarrod Washburn recorded the final outs for his career save.

Carlos Quentin belted an 8th inning grand slam to snap a 1-1 tie as the White Sox beat the Angels 6-1. After a bad start Jose Contreras is 4-2, 2.57 in his last 6 starts.

Matt Stairs belted a grand slam to help Roy Halladay overcome a rough outing in the Blue Jays 6-5 win over the Twins. Justin Morneau hit his 7th home run for Minny.

Look out National League, Alfonso Soriano is red hot. Sori homered for the 3rd straight game and is 10-19 over the last 4 games. The Cubs beat Jake Peavy and the Padres 8-5.

That wasn't Eric Gagne closing for the Brewers yesterday, but Guillermo Mota did his best, or is it worst, imitation. Mota gave up 3 runs in the 9th including a go-ahead to run double by Juan Pierre as the Dodgers pulled out a 6-4 win.

Todd Wellemeyer threw 2-hit ball for 7 innings as the Cardinals prevented the Pirates from reaching .500, 5-1.

Ryan Zimmerman homered and Tim Redding threw 2-hit ball for 6 innings in the Nationals 6-3 win over the Mets. That Nats have taken 2 of the first 3 games of the 4 game set.

The Astros blew a 3-0, but beat the Giants 6-3. Miguel Tejada (.345) had 3 hits including the game winner. Lance Berkman belted his 14th home run.

The Braves nearly blew an 8 run lead, but held off the Phillies 8-6. Chipper Jones smacked his 397th career home run. Tom Glavine picked up his 304th career win.

Micah Owings went 0-4 to drop his average to .370, but more importantly he threw 6 shutout innings in the Diamondbacks 4-3 win over the Rockies.

The Reds blew a 6 run lead in the 9th inning, but then beat the Marlins in 10, 7-6. Paul Janish had been recalled earlier in the day to replace the injured Jeff Keppinger and singled in the game winner.

Around the Horn - 5/15

C.C. Sabathia kept the Indians starting pitch streak alive - not a run allowed in 43 innings now after Sabathia blanked the A's 2-0 on 5 hits. The big lefty also struck out 11.

For the 2nd straight night the Red Sox blew a 3-0 lead to the Orioles. Luke Scott hit the big home run on Tuesday and last night it was Jay Payton belting a grand slam to give the Orioles a 6-3 win.

The Royals are now 5-0 against the Tigers after Luke Hochevar and company shut them down 2-0. Justin Verlander pitched very well, but dropped to 1-7.

The Seattle bullpen blew a 3-2 lead, but Miguel Cairo bailed them out with the go-ahead RBI single in the Mariners 12-inning 4-3 win. Jarrod Washburn recorded the final outs for his career save.

Carlos Quentin belted an 8th inning grand slam to snap a 1-1 tie as the White Sox beat the Angels 6-1. After a bad start Jose Contreras is 4-2, 2.57 in his last 6 starts.

Matt Stairs belted a grand slam to help Roy Halladay overcome a rough outing in the Blue Jays 6-5 win over the Twins. Justin Morneau hit his 7th home run for Minny.

Look out National League, Alfonso Soriano is red hot. Sori homered for the 3rd straight game and is 10-19 over the last 4 games. The Cubs beat Jake Peavy and the Padres 8-5.

That wasn't Eric Gagne closing for the Brewers yesterday, but Guillermo Mota did his best, or is it worst, imitation. Mota gave up 3 runs in the 9th including a go-ahead to run double by Juan Pierre as the Dodgers pulled out a 6-4 win.

Todd Wellemeyer threw 2-hit ball for 7 innings as the Cardinals prevented the Pirates from reaching .500, 5-1.

Ryan Zimmerman homered and Tim Redding threw 2-hit ball for 6 innings in the Nationals 6-3 win over the Mets. That Nats have taken 2 of the first 3 games of the 4 game set.

The Astros blew a 3-0, but beat the Giants 6-3. Miguel Tejada (.345) had 3 hits including the game winner. Lance Berkman belted his 14th home run.

The Braves nearly blew an 8 run lead, but held off the Phillies 8-6. Chipper Jones smacked his 397th career home run. Tom Glavine picked up his 304th career win.

Micah Owings went 0-4 to drop his average to .370, but more importantly he threw 6 shutout innings in the Diamondbacks 4-3 win over the Rockies.

The Reds blew a 6 run lead in the 9th inning, but then beat the Marlins in 10, 7-6. Paul Janish had been recalled earlier in the day to replace the injured Jeff Keppinger and singled in the game winner.

Around the Horn - 4/8

Astros closer Jose Valverde blew a 3-run lead to the Cards in the top of the 9th, but Miguel Tejada saved his bacon with a walk 2-run HR in the bottom of the 9th (Astros 5 Cards 3). It was the Astros 4th home run of the game. The loss snapped the Cardinals 5-game winning streak.

Pat Burrell hit a pair of home runs to power the Phillies past the Reds 5-3. Brad Lidge earned his first save in a Phils uniform to get a win for Cole Hamels.

Mark Reynolds homered twice and he and Orlando Hudson drove in 3 runs each as the Dbacks topped the Dodgers 9-3. Reynolds is off to a hot start - .333-4-9 and 7 runs scored. Dan Haren picked up his 1st NL win in the process.

Adrian Gonzalez had 4 hits, including a home run, and Greg Maddux won his 348th career game in the Padres 8-4 win over the Giants. The team by the bay has lost 6 of their first 7 games.

Tom Glavine threw 6 scoreless innings for the Braves, but Blaine Boyer surrendered a 2-run HR to Matt Holliday in the 8th to give the Rockies a 2-1 win. Boyer may not be long for the majors- his ERA is nearly 8.00 and he's been tagged with 2 of the Braves 4 losses.

The Cubs blew a 7-0 lead before beating the Pirates in 12 innings, 10-8. Cubs starter Ted Lilly is off to an awful start, having allowed 9 earned runs in 8.1 innings pitched.

Hanley Ramirez homered and drove in 3 in the Marlins 10-7 clubbing of the Nationals. Not a good game for phenom Andrew Miller though. The rookie allowed 6 runs in 3.1 innings. The Nats have lost 5 straight after winning their first 3.

Francisco Rodriguez blew the Angels 2-1 lead to the Indians in the 9th, and then had to leave the game with an injured ankle. But Torii Hunter got K-Rod off the hook, blasting a walk-off grand slam against Joe Borowski in the bottom of the 9th. Borowski and April, not perfect together.

Joe Crede grand slammed the White Sox to their 5th straight win, a 7-4 victory over the Twins. Javier Vazquez struck out 8 in 7 innings of work for his first win of the season.

Aubrey Huff's 8th inning home run snapped a 4-4 tie and gave the Orioles a 5-4 win over the Mariners. It was the O's improbable 5th straight win.

Around the Horn - 4/8

Astros closer Jose Valverde blew a 3-run lead to the Cards in the top of the 9th, but Miguel Tejada saved his bacon with a walk 2-run HR in the bottom of the 9th (Astros 5 Cards 3). It was the Astros 4th home run of the game. The loss snapped the Cardinals 5-game winning streak.

Pat Burrell hit a pair of home runs to power the Phillies past the Reds 5-3. Brad Lidge earned his first save in a Phils uniform to get a win for Cole Hamels.

Mark Reynolds homered twice and he and Orlando Hudson drove in 3 runs each as the Dbacks topped the Dodgers 9-3. Reynolds is off to a hot start - .333-4-9 and 7 runs scored. Dan Haren picked up his 1st NL win in the process.

Adrian Gonzalez had 4 hits, including a home run, and Greg Maddux won his 348th career game in the Padres 8-4 win over the Giants. The team by the bay has lost 6 of their first 7 games.

Tom Glavine threw 6 scoreless innings for the Braves, but Blaine Boyer surrendered a 2-run HR to Matt Holliday in the 8th to give the Rockies a 2-1 win. Boyer may not be long for the majors- his ERA is nearly 8.00 and he's been tagged with 2 of the Braves 4 losses.

The Cubs blew a 7-0 lead before beating the Pirates in 12 innings, 10-8. Cubs starter Ted Lilly is off to an awful start, having allowed 9 earned runs in 8.1 innings pitched.

Hanley Ramirez homered and drove in 3 in the Marlins 10-7 clubbing of the Nationals. Not a good game for phenom Andrew Miller though. The rookie allowed 6 runs in 3.1 innings. The Nats have lost 5 straight after winning their first 3.

Francisco Rodriguez blew the Angels 2-1 lead to the Indians in the 9th, and then had to leave the game with an injured ankle. But Torii Hunter got K-Rod off the hook, blasting a walk-off grand slam against Joe Borowski in the bottom of the 9th. Borowski and April, not perfect together.

Joe Crede grand slammed the White Sox to their 5th straight win, a 7-4 victory over the Twins. Javier Vazquez struck out 8 in 7 innings of work for his first win of the season.

Aubrey Huff's 8th inning home run snapped a 4-4 tie and gave the Orioles a 5-4 win over the Mariners. It was the O's improbable 5th straight win.

Around the Horn - 4/5

The Tigers skid to start the season was extended to 4 games yesterday when the White Sox beat them 8-5. A.J. Pierzynski drove in 5 runs, including the game winning 3-run home run in the 8th. Starters Jose Contreras and Nate Robertson both stunk.

Ramon Hernandez, Kevin Millar, and Melvin Mora homered in the Orioles 7-4 win over the Mariners. Former Mariner set up man George Sherrill picked up his 2nd save as the O's closer.

Shaun Marcum limited the Red Sox to 3 hits over 7 innings in the Blue Jays home opening 6-3 win.

The Twins got a new centerfielder and lead off man, Carlos Gomez, in the Johan Santana deal. Last night he gave the Twins what they were hoping for-3 hits, 2 stolen bases, and a run scored. The Twins beat the Royals 4-3, handing KC their first loss.

Angels starter Dustin Moseley beat out highty touted prospect Nick Adenhardt for the 5th starter's spot. Moseley may be looking over his shoulder after allowing 5 runs in 5 innings while Adenhardt tossed 5 shutout innings inTriple-A. Ben Broussard took Moseley deep for a grand slam in the Rangers 11-6 win.

Justin Duscherer has been a reliable set up man in his brief career, but last night he limited the Indians to 1 run in 5 innings of work before leaving with bicep tightness. The A's beat the Tribe 6-3, but they have to be concerned about closer Huston Street. He's allowed at least 1 run in each of his 3 appearances and has given up a home run in each game.

Bill Hall homered twice and drove in 6 runs in the Brewers 13-4 drubbing of the Giants.

Miguel Tejada tripled in the go-ahead run in the Astros 4-3 win over the Cubs. Rookie of the year candidate J.R. Towles hit his 1st home run of the year.

Micah Owings got a hit as usual, but it was his pitching, 2 hits allowed, 9 Ks in 6.2 innings that dominated the Reds. The Diamondbacks got home runs from Justin Upton and Mark Reynolds in their 8-1 win.

The Dodgers scored 6 runs in the 7th to beat the Padres 7-1 making Hiroki Kuroda's MLB debut a successful one. The Japanese born right-hander limited the Pads to 3 hits in 7 innings.

The Cardinals improved to 3-1, beating the Nats 5-4 behind Rick Ankiel's HR and Braden Looper's pitching.

Chase Utley just keeps on hitting. The 2nd Baseman, off to a .357 start, homered twice in the Phillies 8-4 win over the Reds.

The Mets and Braves were rained out, delaying Tom Glavine's start against his last team.

Around the Horn - 4/5

The Tigers skid to start the season was extended to 4 games yesterday when the White Sox beat them 8-5. A.J. Pierzynski drove in 5 runs, including the game winning 3-run home run in the 8th. Starters Jose Contreras and Nate Robertson both stunk.

Ramon Hernandez, Kevin Millar, and Melvin Mora homered in the Orioles 7-4 win over the Mariners. Former Mariner set up man George Sherrill picked up his 2nd save as the O's closer.

Shaun Marcum limited the Red Sox to 3 hits over 7 innings in the Blue Jays home opening 6-3 win.

The Twins got a new centerfielder and lead off man, Carlos Gomez, in the Johan Santana deal. Last night he gave the Twins what they were hoping for-3 hits, 2 stolen bases, and a run scored. The Twins beat the Royals 4-3, handing KC their first loss.

Angels starter Dustin Moseley beat out highty touted prospect Nick Adenhardt for the 5th starter's spot. Moseley may be looking over his shoulder after allowing 5 runs in 5 innings while Adenhardt tossed 5 shutout innings inTriple-A. Ben Broussard took Moseley deep for a grand slam in the Rangers 11-6 win.

Justin Duscherer has been a reliable set up man in his brief career, but last night he limited the Indians to 1 run in 5 innings of work before leaving with bicep tightness. The A's beat the Tribe 6-3, but they have to be concerned about closer Huston Street. He's allowed at least 1 run in each of his 3 appearances and has given up a home run in each game.

Bill Hall homered twice and drove in 6 runs in the Brewers 13-4 drubbing of the Giants.

Miguel Tejada tripled in the go-ahead run in the Astros 4-3 win over the Cubs. Rookie of the year candidate J.R. Towles hit his 1st home run of the year.

Micah Owings got a hit as usual, but it was his pitching, 2 hits allowed, 9 Ks in 6.2 innings that dominated the Reds. The Diamondbacks got home runs from Justin Upton and Mark Reynolds in their 8-1 win.

The Dodgers scored 6 runs in the 7th to beat the Padres 7-1 making Hiroki Kuroda's MLB debut a successful one. The Japanese born right-hander limited the Pads to 3 hits in 7 innings.

The Cardinals improved to 3-1, beating the Nats 5-4 behind Rick Ankiel's HR and Braden Looper's pitching.

Chase Utley just keeps on hitting. The 2nd Baseman, off to a .357 start, homered twice in the Phillies 8-4 win over the Reds.

The Mets and Braves were rained out, delaying Tom Glavine's start against his last team.

Around the Horn (6/11)

Injuries have finally caught up to the Mets, who have lost 6 of 7. Spark plug outfielder Endy Chavez was the latest to go on the DL last week. The Tigers had their way with Oliver Perez and Tom Glavine over the weekend. This is why Met fans who try to act arrogant need to simma.

When Ian Kinsler homered for the Rangers on Friday it was his 11th of the season. Not a bad total all. But considering Kinsler had 9 HRs after play on April 29, it's not such a great accomplishment. Worse though is the dip in his average from .309 to .230.

With a back injury to Joe Crede, prospect Josh Fields is getting a chance to play ever day for the White Sox. Unfortunately for him, he's hitting like the rest of the team. Fields is just 2-18 since his recall.

The A's recalled catcher Kurt Suzuki from the minors over the weekend after dealing Adam Melhuse to Texas. Suzuki could eventually supplant free agent-to-be Jason Kendall as the starting catcher.

When 39-year old Masumi Kutawa debuted for the Pirates yesterday, he became the oldest rookie since 41-year old Diomedes Olivo played for the Pirates in 1960.

The rumor mill has been set in motion. The Rays and Nats are seriously discussing Elijah Dukes and the Reds have let it be known that Adam Dunn is available.

Around the Horn (6/11)

Injuries have finally caught up to the Mets, who have lost 6 of 7. Spark plug outfielder Endy Chavez was the latest to go on the DL last week. The Tigers had their way with Oliver Perez and Tom Glavine over the weekend. This is why Met fans who try to act arrogant need to simma.

When Ian Kinsler homered for the Rangers on Friday it was his 11th of the season. Not a bad total all. But considering Kinsler had 9 HRs after play on April 29, it's not such a great accomplishment. Worse though is the dip in his average from .309 to .230.

With a back injury to Joe Crede, prospect Josh Fields is getting a chance to play ever day for the White Sox. Unfortunately for him, he's hitting like the rest of the team. Fields is just 2-18 since his recall.

The A's recalled catcher Kurt Suzuki from the minors over the weekend after dealing Adam Melhuse to Texas. Suzuki could eventually supplant free agent-to-be Jason Kendall as the starting catcher.

When 39-year old Masumi Kutawa debuted for the Pirates yesterday, he became the oldest rookie since 41-year old Diomedes Olivo played for the Pirates in 1960.

The rumor mill has been set in motion. The Rays and Nats are seriously discussing Elijah Dukes and the Reds have let it be known that Adam Dunn is available.