The New York Yankees lose a second starting pitcher today after Andy Pettitte took a foul ball off his ankle in a game today. Pettitte’s left ankle is fractured and he will be out at least 6 weeks, joining CC Sabathia on the DL. The Yankees have been snakebitten with injuries this season, especially to their pitching staff.
The landscape of the MLB playoffs is set to change forever. According to MLB commissioner, Bud Selig, owners approved 2 more wild-card teams for the postseason. The change will reportedly take place perhaps as soon as 2012.
Detroit Tigers pitcher, Justin Verlander, has unanimously won the American League Cy Young Award. This comes as no surprise whatsoever as Verlander absolutely dominated during the regular season. He recorded an impressive 24 wins with a 2.40 ERA and 250 strikeouts. The real test to how impressive of a season he had will be if he wins the AL MVP award, a feat accomplished by a pitcher only 11 times since 1922, last done by Dennis Eckersley in 1992.
According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Los Angeles Dodgers and OF Matt Kemp are close to completing an 8-year $160 million contract. That’s a serious contract offer from a team that is supposedly bankrupt.
World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals will name former catcher, Mike Matheny, their new manager. He will have some huge shoes to fill as Tony La Russa brought the Cardinals to the promise land twice and is one of the city’s most beloved figures.
It’s official- the Philadelphia Phillies reached an agreement with P Jonathan Papelbon on a 4-year deal. (Are the Phillies watching what’s happening to the Eagles?)
This week’s funny sports picture comes courtesy of Jimmy Rollins of the Philadelphia Phillies. With Spring Training officially underway, the scent of freshly cut grass and $8 hot dogs is in the air. Since everyone is so eager to already crown the Phillies champions before the season even starts, I thought I’d give the Phillies their first victory and that’s being the first baseball Wordless Wednesday on The Sport Scholar. Enjoy!
Taking Balls to the Face
