I am a terrible blogger. Between summer school and campaign work, I just don't have the time to be able to follow baseball to the point where I might have something to say about it.
But watching Robinson Cano ground into yet another force out with men on base, after popping out for the trillionth time this year in an earlier at-bat, I've decided that he of the fifth-worst OPS in all of baseball needs a new name. Hence, I dub him Robinson Cannot. Calling trademark now.
Literally a tough break for the Yankees, as Chien-Ming Wang broke his foot rounding third yesterday. He's likely out until September and joins Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy on the DL.
Given the beleaguered state of his starting rotation, I can understand why Hank Steinbrenner is upset, but I question his response that the National League needs "to grow up and join the 21st century."
Hank continues, "I've got my pitchers running the bases, and one of them gets hurt. He's going to be out. I don't like that, and it's about time they address it. That was a rule from the 1800s."
Now, I'll admit, that the NL rule seems at times a bit, well, quaint. But I like it. There is something satisfying about seeing a fire-balling ace pitcher step up to the plate and a) strike out trying to bunt or b) sending one over fences.
Secondly, I've always been a fan of the pinch hitter: the scrappy player, going out there with chip on his shoulder, looking to prove he deserves to start. Look at the Phillies' Greg Dobbs this year; while pinch hitting he is batting .457 with 16 hits and 11 RBI in 35 at bats...well on his way to breaking all pinch hitting records. Pretty cool and only happening in the NL.
