So, someone hacked the Marlins’ Facebook page — oh, and six other MLB pages. And the hacker apparently has a major sense of humor. Must read.
Harry Reid tries to co-opt “clown question, bro”: Only days after The Daily Caller tried to take Bryce Harper as their own, the Senate Majority Leader is getting in on the Bryce Harper action. But that’s not the only reason why. Harper is a Las Vegas native, giving him a tie to Reid’s home state of Nevada, and the Senator is apparently a huge fan (his spokesman claims to have spent “literally zero minutes” convincing Reid to use the line). In classic Reid fashion, he hardly cracks a smile. Either way, it’s gonna be funny when the Washington Nationals star rookie reveals himself to be an anarcho-socialist. source
Roger Clemens found not guilty of perjury: The former baseball pitcher faced a seven-week long trial over whether he lied to a Congressional panel on his steroid usage back in 2008. Accusations that Clemens (among other players) used steroids date back to the Mitchell Report, produced by former Sen. George Mitchell in 2007. After a few days of deliberations, which largely hinged on the word of his former strength coach Brian McNamee, the jury sided with Clemens, finding him not guilty of all charges. More as we get it.
In a surprise announcement made by the comedian and political commentator before Sunday night’s game against the Cardinals, Maher said that he purchased one of the reported 12 minority stakes available to investors over the winter.
“First of all, I think it’s a great investment,” Maher said. “People sometimes forget that there’s only one National League franchise in New York City and they’re not making anymore. I’m a Met fan my whole life and I think it would be a great place.”
Odds that Johan Santana’s no-hitter played a role in this: Even. And Bill, if you have some cash lying around, buy a second minority stake and give it to these guys.
It is the first step in restoring my good name and reputation. We were able to get through this because I am innocent and the truth is on our side. We provided complete cooperation throughout, despite the highly unusual circumstances.Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers • On the reversal of his 50-game suspension. Braun, the most recent NL MVP, challenged a recent drug-related penalty and was successful in overturning it. Because his urine sample was not sent to the testing facility on the same day it was collected, the MLB Players Association announced the decision’s reversal. Not everyone agrees with this decision; Travis Tygart, the CEO of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, claimed this reversal to be ”a real gut-kick to clean athletes.” source (via • follow)
Former San Francisco Giants star Barry Bonds was sentenced to 2 years probation and 30 days home confinement for his obstruction of justice conviction.
Later, the judge agreed to stay her sentence while Bonds appeals his conviction. - San Jose Mercury News
Photo: Barry Bonds enters the Federal Courthouse in San Francisco. (Gary Reyes / Mercury News)
Think the punishment fits the crime? Bonds’ reputation is already in tatters. But 30 days in home confinement sounds kinda weak for an obstruction of justice conviction.
notnadia asks: I heard this morning on the radio that Major League Baseball's new labor deal includes the addition of another wild card game. Is that true? How would that work exactly?
» SFB says: Here’s how it’d work: Each league will get a new wild-card team, and at the end of the season, each league would play a one-game playoff to decide which team would go to the postseason. Here’s why baseball purists may not like this: The end of this year’s regular season was made interesting by the Tampa Bay Rays and St. Louis Cardinals (who won it all) coming from behind to overtake the Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves, respectively, for the wild-card slots. Under the new scenario, the Braves and Red Sox would have one last shot to redeem themselves, effectively taking a couple of weeks of excitement and putting it into a single game — kinda like sudden death at the end of a hockey game. What do you think? Like? Dislike? — Ernie @ SFB (It’s our Office Hours! Shoot us a question over here.)
I was super scared, and even though they did not hurt me physically, it was something that was very painful. I didn’t think I was ever going to see my family again, and that hurt me so much. But now, I am with them again and it feels tremendous to be back.Washington Nationals player Wilson Ramos • Discussing his kidnapping ordeal, which ended last night amidst a storm of gunfire. Ramos claims that, despite his kidnapping, his kidnappers treated him well. “They wanted money and they said they were not going to hurt me if they got their money,” he said. “They actually treated me well. They never hurt me. They fed me. They knew who I was and said it was not about hurting me. It was about money.” Ramos, who is from Venezuela, is the first known MLB player to be captured in this way, though it’s happened before with players’ relatives. source (via • follow)
The vehicle was found, but Ramos is still missing: In a harrowing incident sure to bring attention the the spate of armed kidnappings in Venezuela, four armed kidnappers took Wilson Ramos, who just finished his rookie season with the Washington Nationals, from his home in Santa Ines. The 24-year-old is one of hundreds of people captured in recent years — including 619 in 2009 alone. It’s gotten to the point where the wealthy in the country — including baseball players, who take part in winter leagues — pay for security detail. “Every Major League player has his own security, but we don’t know if at that time he had his security there,” notes Domingo Alvarez, vice president of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Our thoughts are with Ramos, his family, and his team. (photo by Keith Allison on Flickr) source
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The New York Times Co. said it has sold more than half its holdings in the Fenway Sports Group, which includes the Boston Red Sox, for $117 million.
This related story seems at least somewhat relevant.
This has gotta be the best fan on the field incident since George Costanza’s moment of glory as bodysuit man. I mean c’mon, this dude scaled multiple outfield walls!?! It took place at an Astros game and it’s being dubbed: The Great Fan Escape.
What’s the big deal? We do this all the time at baseball games.
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