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John Perrotto |
On the Beat: Harping on Harper |
Though Bryce Harper's reputation leaves many questioning his maturity, his Nationals teammates have embraced him.
When Bryce Harper stepped into the batter's box for his first major-league plate appearance April 28 at Dodger Stadium, the usually laid-back LA crowed booed the Nationals rookie outfielder lustily.
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May 3, 2012 3:00 am
On the Beat: The Prince and the Pauper Numbers |
Albert Pujols isn't concerned about his slow start, and a chat with Rockies manager Jim Tracy.
Getting Albert Pujols to provide a window on his soul is about likely as Joe Morgan extolling the virtues of VORP. The Angels first baseman will talk about baseball and hitting, but he will never reveal what's going on the inside. Thus, it is not a surprise that Pujols professes to have no concern over the fact that he has yet to hit a home run in 107 plate appearances this season after signing a 10-year, $240 million contract as a free agent in the offseason. The zero homers are coming from a man who went deep 445 times in 11 years with the Cardinals while becoming a franchise icon and the game's most feared slugger.
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April 26, 2012 3:00 am
On the Beat: Amazin' Moyer |
The Rockies use one word to describe Jamie Moyer's return to the major leagues, and a conversation with Mike Matheny.
Jim Tracy is a man of many words. The Rockies manager can wax poetic about many of his players, both past and present, and is more than willing to give long and thoughtful answers to all baseball-related questions. However, when it comes to describing his number-two starter, Tracy keeps coming back to one word.
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April 19, 2012 3:00 am
On the Beat: Freese Frame |
David Freese did major damage during the postseason, but scouts still have mixed ideas about what his future holds. Joe Maddon also sits down for a chat.
The Cardinals had just won an improbable World Series championship, and the on-field celebration was barely over last October when David Freese was ushered into the media interview room at Busch Stadium. The third baseman sat on the stage with a look of disbelief on his face as he answered questions about living out a dream. The St. Louis area native was the named the Most Valuable Player of the Cardinals' win over the Rangers in the World Series, adding to the MVP trophy he won in the National League Championship Series.
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April 12, 2012 3:00 am
On the Beat: Who is the Great Unknown? |
Which player do scouts feel is the best unknown major leaguer?
The question was posed to a dozen front-office types and scouts during the final days of spring training: Who is the best player in baseball that nobody knows about? The winner of the highly informal poll was a bit of a surprise, especially since he entered this season having played in just 43 major-league games. Yet there is a strong feeling that Blue Jays third baseman Brett Lawrie won't be a secret much longer.
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April 5, 2012 3:00 am
On the Beat: The Phillies' Achilles |
Though they're down two stars, the Phillies believe they have the support they need to make it through the season.
The Phillies certainly aren't going to begin the season with a bullpen-by-committee approach. They are paying Jonathan Papelbon $50 million over the next four seasons to serve as their closer. It is the largest contract ever given a relief pitcher and a deal that been criticized for overpaying someone who will likely pitch no more than four percent of the team's innings this season.
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March 29, 2012 5:00 am
On the Beat: The Division-Winning Royals and Padres |
Why the Royals and Padres will win their divisions, and four questions with Dustin Ackley.
The emails and tweets have been most interesting in the days since our staff predictions were posted on the website. Most people think I am nuts for picking the Royals to win the American League Central and the Padres to win the National League West. Perhaps they will be proven right. After all, I was the only one of 27 staff members to pick either team to win its division. Remember, though, that 29 of the 30 people who were on the staff at this time last season picked the Red Sox to win the AL East. The one person who predicted the Red Sox not only wouldn't win the division but also fail to qualify for the postseason? Well, I was a taught at an early age that it's impolite to brag.
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March 22, 2012 3:00 am
On the Beat: Pettitte Returns to the Big Apple |
Thoughts on Andy Pettitte coming out of retirement plus some notes from spring training
TAMPA, Florida—The biggest question facing the Yankees through much of the offseason was if they would have enough starting pitching to carry them through the American League East race this year.
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March 15, 2012 3:00 am
On the Beat: Posey's Giant Comeback |
What Buster Posey means to the Giants, how Brandon Belt fits into the picture, and five questions with Adam Dunn
Matt Cain may be just 27 years old, but he understands the importance of having a big bat in the middle of the lineup more than most pitchers.
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March 8, 2012 3:00 am
On the Beat: Yumania |
Yu Darvish's first spring start, Mat Latos on being a red, and a few random spring training observations
PEORIA, Arizona—On a cool and breezy afternoon at the Peoria Sports Complex, the Japanese media members nearly outnumbered the 2,910 fans in the stands.
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March 1, 2012 3:00 am
On the Beat: Rethinking PED Testing |
Thoughts on PED testing, five observations from the Grapefruit League, and a chat with Bobby Valentine
Back in the days when drug testing had yet to be negotiated into the basic agreement between Major League Baseball’s owners and players, I had a long and interesting discussion with a player vehemently opposed to testing.
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February 23, 2012 10:31 am
On the Beat: American League Spring Training Battles |
A look at five AL position battles that will be decided during spring training, plus an interview with Joe Girardi
Last week, we looked at five spring training job competitions in the National League. This week, it is time to look at five job battles in the American League. We have a scout who follows each team closely break down the competition.
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On the Beat: Harping on Harper
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