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Updated May 9
Perhaps the Tigers should simply acquire Arizona's Micah Owings -- as a hitter, not a pitcher. ...
From: James J. Re: These pitchers have earned the right to bear arms
You know, your timing for this article couldn't be any better. Hmm. Were you waiting to submit it, until Micah Owings hit a two-run, pinch-hit home run to tie the Astros-Diamondbacks game at 7-7 in the 6th inning? Good article.
No, I actually had filed the column the night before, and it had been posted on CBSSports.com for roughly an hour or two BEFORE Owings cracked it. And people think Babe Ruth's called shot was something.
From: Joel D.
Don Newcombe was a phenomenal hitter, especially in 1955-56. In '55, when he came in seventh in the MVP voting, he won 20 games and had a higher batting average (.359) than any of the position players. He won the MVP and Cy Young awards in '56, winning 27 games and hitting 7 home runs.
Sure would be nice if pitchers in the AL would have to earn their keep by swinging the pole just like their brethren in the NL, wouldn't it? There's no reason why a pitcher can't help himself.
From: Tim S.
Scott,
You didn't mention the best hitting pitcher -- though not a pitcher anymore -- Rick Ankiel. The man has worked very hard to become a legitimate hitter. Plus he's a pretty darn good center fielder.
You're right, and the reason I didn't mention him is because ... HE'S NOT A PITCHER! I was writing about actual pitchers. Were Ankiel still in St. Louis' rotation, he would have qualified for the column. But I appreciate your suggestion and, man, can Ankiel swing it.
From: Sam C. Re.: At long last, Orioles taking flight.
Hey Scott,
You write this nice column about how the Orioles are back. I would like to know who is paying your salary, because they are not getting their money's worth. You write a story about how the Orioles are back yet they are barely over .500 and they lost two of three to the Angels. Someday you will have to pay back all your salary because your boss will realize that he hired and an idiot who obviously should be working in the Cubs front office. Get a life.
Hey dope, how about enrolling in a reading comprehension class? Here was the key part of the column that you obviously missed: The most important thing right now about the Orioles isn't their record. It's that "a franchise that had grown toxic is in the midst of changing its culture." Repeat after me: The Orioles aren't going to win this year. We all know that. But sometimes in this gig, you look beneath the surface. Maybe you should start reading more than just headlines.
From: Sean
The Orioles will be at least 15 games back by September.
Yeah, but they'll still have the opportunity to drive over to Lexington Market and eat those Faidley's crab cakes. So their lives won't be all bad.
From: Michael M.
Don't want to shock you or anything, but there's a baseball team in St. Louis again this year. They have baseball's best player, manager and the best record in the NL Central. However, the media is so wrapped around the Cubs' 100th anniversary of their last World Series title to realize it. I've never heard such a fuss about Kosuke Fukudome, a .300 hitter with one HR, 13 RBI and a bunch of walks in the NL's 1 offense? I'll take Rick Ankiel anyday. Keep drinking the punch until Kerry Wood's shoulder goes out in July.
It's Hawaiian Punch. Mmmm.
From: Gary M. Re.: Sheff stirs up changes with request to play left
I read your column on the Tigers lineup juggling. You're right, it looks like a bit of desperation there. I question whether there's a workable solution to their lineup problems. Lynn Henning in the Wednesday Detroit News characterized this lineup as top-heavy with potential first basemen/designated hitters. It seems crazy to have the team's best third baseman riding the bench, but if you put him in, who in the world do you take out? Back in December, I thought the Marlins trade was great. Now I'm not so sure.
I read Lynn's column and he made some good points. I still think the Tigers will start hitting, settle in and win the AL Central. But no question, this is one of the oddest sights I've seen, a team this talented that is in this kind of funk.
Mo S.
Hey Scott,
All I can say is there are some serious bats on that Tigers team. And for all the losing, they're still only three games out. Amazing!
That's the whole crux of the matter right there: Nobody in the AL Central is capable of running away with this thing. Cleveland is scuffling, the White Sox just went into a swoon, Minnesota is still finding its identity and Kansas City is too young. The Tigers are not nearly in as bad a shape as it may appear.
