Many Yankees fans were underwhelmed at the idea of playing Doug Mientkiewicz, AKA "Scrabble," at first base. But it turned out to be a good move. He was 2 for 3, and more importantly, made some great plays on defense. In particular, he made an amazing diving grab last night that turned a two-run double into an out. Since the Yankees won by one run, Scrabble's glove saved the game. It was a very tough play. I don't think any of the Yankees' other first basemen make that play.
The Reds started their last road trip yesterday. Which of course means it was rookie hazing day:
DRESS UP - Before Sunday's game with the Brewers, Reds reliever Mike Gosling was wearing the traditional Wisconsin headwear of a cheesehead to watch the start of the Green Bay Packers game. A native of Wisconsin, Gosling is a big Packers fan and was rooting on his team. And as ridiculous as it looked, it was much better than his postgame attire.
In the time-honored baseball tradition, the Reds had their rookies dressed up for the bus trip to Chicago after Sunday's game. Gosling was one of the lucky ones - he wore a full-size baby outfit, complete with bonnet. His was at least baby blue, while Bill Bray had to don a pink baby outfit.
Jeff Keppinger, who went 3-for-5 with a run in the game, found a "naughty nurse" costume in his locker. It was the third time Keppinger has been considered a rookie for this particular ritual. Two years ago he dressed as Robin from Batman with the Mets and last season he had to wear a Slim Jim costume with the Royals.
"They don't care on this team," Keppinger said when asked if he'd already paid his dues. "We've got a lot of clowns."
Keppinger, already in fishnet stockings, then looked down at his nurse's uniform.
"They could have at least given me one with pockets," he said. "Well, I guess I do have the purse."
Along with a stethoscope, Keppinger had a first aid box.
Jared Burton looked at the yellow costume in his locker and was asked what it was.
"I don't know," he said. "But I'll probably look pretty good in it."
For the record, it was a chicken outfit, and Burton, 6-foot5, did fill it out well.
Coats had a Dog the Bounty Hunter costume, complete with a wig, Brad Salmon was dressed as the movie character Nacho Libre, Joey Votto had a pilgrim outfit, while Phil Dumatrait wore a turkey costume. Even bench coach Pat Kelly had an outfit, a silver pimp suit complete with hat.
After plenty of pictures were taken, the rookies not only had to ride the bus to Chicago in their outfits but also had to wait for the veterans' bags at the team hotel and then deliver them to their rooms. After delivering the luggage, they were going to be led on a parade down Michigan Avenue.
Very disappointing that there don't seem to be any photos available.
Then there's this....
Fate of Bonds’ historic ball in hands of fansFashion designer Marc Ecko spent $752,467 to buy Barry Bonds’ record 756th home-run ball, and now he wants baseball fans everywhere to decide what to do with it.
Ecko is offering three choices: Donate it as is to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.; brand it with an asterisk and donate it to the Hall of Fame; or put it on a rocket and blast it into space.
“I wanted the ball to democratize the ball and to give the ball to the people, to give the ball to America,” Ecko told TODAY co-host Matt Lauer during an exclusive interview Monday.
Vote
here.
