Rockies skipper Clint Hurdle thinks his club was robbed of home runs by umpires in two of the team’s last three games. He recommended to Major League Baseball that they reconsider implementing an instant replay.

Bud Selig has always been against instant reply for some reason. I’m not sure why the umps have any say in who wins games when it’s the players who should really decide that sort of thing, don’t you think?

I think the NFL has it right with the challenge system. I’m not sure offhand what a “penalty” for a mis-challenge would be. Does anyone have any suggestions on this?

Just, out.

It’s the middle of the fifth inning of the White Sox-Twins game and I need to rant about how much I hate Hawk Harrelson.

Can he please not blame the Sox woes on the umps, just once? When Joe Crede goes digging in the dirt and swings at a pitch that touches the plate, it’s not the umps fault! I don’t care if his strike zone is low. That’s Joe’s fault.

If he could go three minutes without being such a homer I wouldn’t have to turn the volume down and turn up the radio every game.

Well, I guess the the thirty seconds of dead air between each pitch counts as not being a homer…

Just, out.

The short answer to this question is “never.” The long answer is more interesting though.

It’s absolutely fine to take players you are a “fan” of, but do it properly. Take them when their value is right.

Why, then, am I bringing this up in early May, when drafts are over? I recently proposed a trade to another owner in one of my fantasy leagues and was surprised at his response.

My pitching staff includes the likes of Johan Santana, Jake Peavy, Ben Sheets, Kelvim Escobar and my wonderful last round pick: Roger Clemens.

Clemens doesn’t really make my staff that much better…he’s pretty much just overkill. So I looked for teams that could use the 44-year-old fireballer. One team fit the description of a contending team in need of some ERA and WHIP support, so I shot him an offer. His reply?

no dice. i have a moral opposition to the rocket.

Well, I’ve never been turned down for the reason before. I was curious, so I e-mailed the owner, who has asked to be referred to as Theo Epstein in this blog post, what exactly his moral opposition was. His reply:

To roger:

Play a full season, douche bag. Pick your team and suck it up and play. When you “retire,” stick to your guns (unless your name is MJ). Don’t ask for special treatment because you can’t handle what it takes to be an MLB player. Don’t announce your return like it’s a wrestling match. And if you’re going to comeback for the 90th time, don’t come back to the Yankees just so you can be with your ******* and Pettitte.

with love,

theo epstein

Wow. It caught me by surprise.

Read the rest of this entry »