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Gwynn and Ripken Enter Hall Without A Hitch
By Joe McDonald | Pro Baseball Central Co-host | on Monday, July 30 2007
 COOPERSTOWN, NY – The hot sun shining over the record crowd was a welcome relief for the Hall of Fame, which worried about heavy rains that hit south. But it was only one of many things that went right in front of 75,000 as the 2007 class was inducted without a hitch. “It was a beautiful day,” Tony Gwynn said afterwards, as he was asked about Barry Bonds record. “75,000 people; couldn’t have been a better day for baseball.”
-- Read More.
Gwynn and Ripken Set To Enter The Hall
By Joe McDonald | Pro Baseball Central Co-host | on Sunday, July 29 2007
 COOPERSTOWN, NY – Today, the capital of baseball has become Cooperstown, NY. But in all actuality, it has become the capital of the state of Maryland as well. Tens of thousands of Baltimore Oriole fans crowded the upstate New York hamlet in anticipation of favorite son Cal Ripken, Jr's induction into the Hall of Fame. “I think the best way to count is to see how many people are left in Baltimore and subtract,” quipped Mets great Tom Seaver.
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The WBC Can Be A Classic
By Michael Avallone | Pro Baseball Central | on Thursday, March 9 2006
 If you look at it in black and white, the 16-team World Baseball Classic is an excellent initiative. The idea by Commissioner Bud Selig, the concept of having the best players in the world represent their countries in a two-week tournament patterned after soccer's World Cup, is intriguing. It’s an idea that has been toyed around with for some time, and after the Olympics decided to drop baseball for the 2012 games, it took on even greater importance in Selig’s mind.
-- Read More. Baseball Loses A Legend As Puckett Dies At 45
By John J. Buro | Pro Baseball Central - NYSportsDay.com | on Tuesday, March 7 2006
 It could be said that, in the case of Kirby Puckett, the beginning of the end occurred on September 28, 1995. The Minnesota Twins’ All-Star centerfielder was wrapping up his last brilliant year [23 HR/99 RBI/.314 in 137 games] when he was hit in the face by a pitch thrown by the Cleveland Indians’ Dennis Martinez. The impact broke Puckett’s jaw and burst an artery in his mouth. Though Puckett was able to recover from the beaning, -he was hitting .360 during the spring of ’96-, another setback awaited him. Six months to the day, he awoke, unable to see out of his right eye. He was, subsequently, diagnosed with glaucoma and required several surgeries. Still, his vision could not be saved and, that July, he retired from baseball at 35.
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Wagner Puts The Close On New York
By Joe McDonald | Pro Baseball Central Co-host | on Wednesday, November 30 2005
FLUSHING, NY – If the New York Mets are trying to corner the market on press conferences this winter, they are off to a good start. For the second time in two days, New York introduced another big name acquisition, closer Billy Wagner. "I'm very excited to be here," Wagner said. "Anytime you get to see Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltran and get to play with these guys, it's always a plus. I expect great things" The 34-year old inked a five year, $50 million contract, which has a full no-trade clause for the first four guaranteed seasons. Wagner said the addition of deal moratorium was the key to him finally accepting New York’s money, but he also had help from former catcher Ron Hodges and ex-manager/coach Mike Cubbage, since they are from the same area in Virginia and eased the Wagner family’s worries about New York. "Cubbage had a lot to do with the influence, because he answered a lot of question I had," Wagner explained. "He was here for 16 years and getting to pick his brain told me I would do well here."
-- Read More. All Smiles As The Mets Introduce Delgado
By Joe McDonald | Pro Baseball Central Co-host | on Wednesday, November 30 2005
FLUSHING, NY - Nothing could stop Carlos Delgado’s million dollar smile at his press conference at Shea - not any question from about his political views, nor any inquiry about his handling of the New York media. But there was nothing to frown at, because the slugging first baseman went from the fire sale Florida Marlins to a contender in Flushing. "I'm very open to the idea of coming to New York," Delgado said. "I'm here because I want to be part of the New York community. I've never had the opportunity to play in a playoff race." The first baseman now gets to be the centerpiece of a lineup which boasts hitters he calls "Mr. Wright and Mr. Reyes" along with Cliff Floyd and his friend Carlos Beltran, who Delgado was in touch with numerous times since the trade was consummated last Wednesday. And it was the thought of that lethal lineup which made manager Willie Randolph light up on a warm late November day. "When you add a Carlos Delgado, it stretches out your lineup," Randolph said. "And it gives you another solid foundation piece. The thing about Carlos is he hits lefties and righties very well."
-- Read More. 2005 Washington Nationals Preview
By Ben Sanchez | Pro Baseball Central - DCSportsDay.com | on Monday, April 4 2005
Not since the Senators moved to Texas to become the Rangers in 1971 has the Nation’s Capital had their own baseball team. The 33 year drought finally came to an end this past off-season when the former Montreal Expos were relocated to Washington. Despite the new name, the new city, and new big name players – the Nats still find themselves the worst team in possibly the best division in baseball. Normally an off-season that saw the Nats ink Christian Guzman, Esteban Loaiza, and Vinny Castilla as well as trade for Jose Guillen, would be considered a relative coup – especially for a smaller market team like the Nationals. Unfortunately players like Pedro Martinez, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, and Tim Hudson joined the NL East – and overshadowed a terrific off-season for the Nats.
-- Read More. 2005 Philadelphia Phillies Preview
By Jeff Lamana | Pro Baseball Central Co-host | on Sunday, April 3 2005
The familiar smell of hot dogs and peanuts will again succumb the Phillies’ phaithful as they make their way through the turnstiles of Citizens Bank Park for Opening Day 2005 when the Phightin Phils take on the Washington Nationals. Coming into the 2005 season, the Phillies look to improve on last years 86-76 mark under the reigns of new laid back skipper Charlie Manuel. From the moment they signed Jim Thome and hired the former Cleveland Indians manager as a special advisor, it was apparent Larry Bowa’s job was his for the taking. -- Read More. 2005 Chicago Cubs Preview
By Steve Swingle | Pro Baseball Central - ChicagoSportsDay.com | on Sunday, April 3 2005
The Chicago Cubs made only minor changes this off-season, but should be a very different team than they were in 2004. Despite what was considered by most a disappointing season, they managed to win more games than in 2003, having their first back to back winning seasons since 1971 and 1972. Last season, the team lived by the home run, and unfortunately died by the home run. In 2005 they could be very different with the loss of perennial All-Star and former MVP Sammy Sosa, as well as veteran Moises Alou.
-- Read More. 2005 Chicago White Sox Preview
By Ryan Prasek | Pro Baseball Central - ChicagoSportsDay.com | on Sunday, April 3 2005
After a long off-season that contained a plethora of moves, the White Sox are now halfway into Spring Training. The "new look" Sox now built around speed and defense, rather than power, are ready to once again, challenge the Minnesota Twins for the American League Central Title.
-- Read More. 2005 Baltimore Orioles Preview
By Gary Harding | Pro Baseball Central - DCSportsDay.com | on Sunday, April 3 2005
Last season, Orioles Manager Lee Mazzilli received his managerial baptism. A young Oriole team, with its share of injuries and struggles, still managed to have a respectable 78 win season; good enough for third place in the American League East. The goals for this season are a little higher, and with the right amount of talent and luck, the O’s are hoping for a three-team race to win the division. Let’s look at the starters at each of the positions, look at the projected starters and bullpen, along at some other intangibles. Then, we will make our prediction for the Orioles.
-- Read More. 2005 New York Yankees Preview
By Mark Healey | Pro Baseball Central - GothamBaseball.com | on Sunday, April 3 2005
"Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is." - Bob Feller. The New York Yankees aren't supposed to lose to the Boston Red Sox, and especially aren't supposed to blow a three games-to-none lead in postseason play in doing so. Don't worry, Bombers fans, it won't happen again.
-- Read More. Going Nine: AL Preview 2005
By Mark Healey | Pro Baseball Central - GothamBaseball.com | on Sunday, April 3 2005
"I don't like the Yankees. I don't think anybody does, except the Yankees."--new Boston reliever Matt Mantei, on the Red Sox/Yankees rivalry (New York Post). Well, got bad news for you, Matt; the New York Yankees are back. Going Nine's analysis of the American League East is quite simple, the Yankees are the class of the league and the 2004 World Series winners had a terrible off-season.
-- Read More. Going Nine: NL Preview 2005
By Mark Healey | Pro Baseball Central - GothamBaseball.com | on Friday, April 1 2005
"I never thought home runs were all that exciting. I still think the triple is the most exciting thing in baseball. To me, a triple is like a guy taking the ball on his 1-yard line and running 99 yards for a touchdown." - Hank Aaron Even the current steroid nonsense cannot mar what should be a very interesting baseball season. At the very least, it sure is nice to see some good come out of it like Mr. Aaron and the late Mr. Maris getting a little renewed respect. Shame it takes a scandal to do that. In any event, Aaron's former team is getting a lot of attention — as usual — as Opening Day gets closer.
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