Puffs of Smoke

Chapman hits 103 again and snares his 1st MLB win.

Chris Sale scores his 1st MLB save against the tribe.

Whistle Stops

The New Big10 - Michigan, Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan State, Northwestern and Minnesota in one (West) division and Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Purdue, Indiana and Illinois in the (East) other.  The Bucks and Wolves will still meet annually as the conference will play inter-divisional games during the last week of the season.  Thus, OSU and Michigan would meet in back to back games should they both win their divisions and match up in the new Big10 Championship Game @ Lucas Oil.  Also, check out Nike's 2010 Pro Combat jerseys for the Buckeyes.

Other notable call-ups as rosters expand: Freddie Freeman (1B, Atl), Desmond Jennings (OF, TB), Yonder Alonso (1B, Cin), Rocco Baldelli (OF, TB), Tyler Flowers (C, ChiW), Mat Gamel (3B, Mil) and Cory Luebke (LHP, SD).

Cliff Lee sent back to Texas to have his back examined.  In his last 5 starts Cliff is 0-3 w/ an 8.28.

Mark Prior has thrown 11 innings for the Orange County Flyers of the Golden Baseball League, 22K, 5H, 5BB, 0ER, .135 OBA.  I hope someone gives him a bonafide opportunity next spring.  The story calls him Strasburg 1.0.  ;-j

Mo Manny

He went 1-3 today as the age of Germano ended with another sickening loss.  I like the shot with Omar.

Tickets Punched

As predicted, Carlos Carrasco has been recalled by the Tribe.  In fact, he's pitching right now against the White Sox.  He surrendered a 1st inning bomb to Alex Rios.  1-0 Chicago, top of 3.

Jensen Lewis and Jordan Brown joined Carrasco on the I-71 shuttle.

Other possibilities following Columbus' play-off run: Huff, Laffey, Todd, Wes Hodges, Drew Sutton, Nick Weglarz & Ezequiel Carrera.  If it were me, and it's not, I'd call 'em all up.  Maybe not Huff.  No, not Huff.

ManRam: The Man in Black

The Sox have an appearance policy.  Manny had to cut his hair...

Whistle Stops

Former Buckeye and Twins first round pick Alex Wimmers tossed 5 no-hit innings tonight for the Fort Myers Miracle.  The #21 overall selection walked 1 and struck out 6 in his 3rd pro start, before being pulled for hitting his pitch count.  He has yet to allow a run and has yielded just 2 hits over 10 2/3 innings against FSL batters.

Jared Goedert hits his 27th, but I now hear that he will be playing the role of Jordan Brown this September.  For those of you who have blocked out last season, that means Goedert will not be getting a late season call-up.

Anyone who hasn't seen the highlights of Aroldis Chapman breezing through his 1st three MLB hitters while reaching 103 on the gun needs to do so right now.  He's even more impressive live.

Screw AJ Pierzynski.  Screw the White Sox.  Screw Manny waiting on deck.  I'll be rooting for the Twins this month.  Heck, I'll just be rooting for the Reds.

The Rangers acquire Jeff Francoeur for Joaquin Arias.  Francouer will slide into a lefty/righty platoon with David Murphy.

The NCAA denied Jeremiah Masoli's attempt to circumvent the rule system and play this fall.  Screw Masoli too.  I'm so sick of these idiots.  You know what, take your talent and stuff it.  Try not being dumb enough to get caught next time.  Twice.  Jackass.

Shaun Rogers will not be suspended by the NFL for carrying a loaded semi-automatic weapon into Hopkins.  He will be fined a full game check, about $400k.  Shaun's reasoning for the snafu?  Guns aren't edible so he wasn't really paying attention to it.  Cheers.

Pretty Girl 09.01.10 - Mary Louise Parker

Welll...  She sure ain't shy, that's for sure.  Like I need to tell you to watch Weeds.

Whistle Stops

Corey Kluber (Acquired in the Westbrook deal) called to AAA to start.  This indicates both that the Indians are sticking to their hard line that Alex White will not see Columbus this year and that a Sept 1 recall of Carlos Carrasco is likely.

The RedLegs have recalled fireballer Arolids Chapman, recently clocked at 105MPH, a day early.  Chapman adjusted admirably to the 'pen at Louisville, adding 3-4MPH to his top end fastball and producing an excellent stat line: 4-1, 8SV, 2.40 ERA, .156 OBA, 0.97 WHIP, 4.08 K/BB, 14.7 K/9, 1HR in 30IP.  It should be a trip to see him against big leaguers down the home stretch.  Go Reds!

Dude, Jimmy Brown is pissed.  And I would be too.  Jim thought that he had a trustworthy relationship with Randy Lerner, only to have the rug pulled out from underneath him and Mike Holmgren inserted as a direct supervisor.  I don't really think that Brown did very much for the organization except offer his unique perspective on football matters, but he's arguably the greatest player of all-time, an excellent asset for a franchise and a city sorely lacking in sporting superlatives.  The manner in which Brown was relieved of his responsibilities and then offered a glorified greeter position in its stead was tactless and embarrassing.  Now the Browns and the city have lost Jimmy, at least for the foreseeable future, and that, as many things have been this summer on the North Coast, is a shame.

A quote from No Logo Needed on the prospect of DA starting for the Cards - "I would have more confidence in my 2 year old niece making a play on third and 7 than I do Anderson."

Despite some strong minor league numbers, the Nationals informed 44 year old Orlando Hernandez that they do not intend to bring him to Washington for September.  El Duque called it quits again and is now focused on retaining his slim lead over Brett Favre in all-time retirements.

No major MLB transactions are expected on this, the last day to add talent for the postseason.

Here's the Buckeyes Depth Chart for the Marshall game.  Cheers.

Pretty Girl 08.31.10 - Maggie Q

Hey Baby, I'm a RockStar.  Think: Nikita

Puffs of Smoke

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Speaking of smoke... Chris Sale was phenomenal against the Tribe tonight.  Topping out at a brisk 98MPH and using his trademark deceptive delivery, the 6'5", 180lb sidearmer made Shin-Soo Choo and Shelley Duncan look out of their league.  Pronk showed good patience before delivering a solid single up the middle, but Jason Nix went down looking and then promptly got ejected.  Sale looks like the real deal.  The Sox have yet to decide whether he will stick in the bullpen or return to a starting role, but he looks to have the chops either way.  As Manning said, imagine if the 21 year old adds velocity as he fills out his lanky frame.  Jeez.