MLB Headlines & Happenings

First and foremost, I am very excited that Bobby Valentine will be returning to ESPN for this postseason. Although he was loved in Japan, apparently the Chiba Lotte Marines, with whom he had tremendous success, could not afford to keep him. Even though I absolutely despise the Mets (well, most of the time – this season I actually feel bad for them), I like Valentine because of his antics. I’ll never forget the time he got thrown out of a game and snuck back into the stands wearing sunglasses and a fake mustache.

Absolutely classic.

Let’s talk magic. The Dodgers remain stuck at one win for their magic number, the Phillies also jumped up to one after a win over the Astros last night and a loss by the Braves, and Detroit will need to go the distance to stave off Minnesota after yesterday’s doubleheader split – their magic number is four games.

The baseball gods have decided that both the Yankees and the Red Sox will be playing postseason baseball this year, but the National League Wild Card remains relevant. Although it is the Rockies’ race to lose, the Braves continue to nip on their heels at three games back. So, let’s for a moment assume the season ended today, and that the Phillies, Dodgers, and Tigers win their division, while Colorado takes the NL Wild Card. The ALDS and NLDS match-ups would be as follows:

Tigers vs. Yankees
Red Sox vs. Tigers

Cardinals vs. Dodgers
Rockies vs. Phillies

Of course, this is all subject to change. Not to mention that the Cardinals are just one game behind the Phillies in terms of overall record, which has major implications on these match-ups.

What happens when a crappy ex-MLB’er is desperate to get back into the headlines? Well, if your Chuck Knoblauch, you choke your common law wife. Deadspin best sums this up with “I think it’s safe to say he didn’t hit her with a baseball.”

A day late and a dollar short, but kudos to the Los Angeles Angels for incorporating Nick Adenhart into their division-winning celebration. Classy move.

After a craptastic year in Cleveland, management has said sayanora to Eric Wedge. They also forgot that you need talent to win. Trading Cy Young winners in consecutive years and relying on flash-in-the-pan Travis Hafner and pitchers like “ace” David Huff isn’t exactly going to get it done.

Those of you who were hoping the Rangers’ Marlon Byrd would be a part of next year’s “So You Think You Can Dance” cast can just stop lobbying now. It’s over.