Sunday's Links

Beckett managed to hit 100mph on the Comcast gun last night. Absurd.

Anyone else see that Ryan Howard pop-up homerun? That stadium is still a joke. But a funny joke since I have Howard in my perpetual keeper league.

Nick Cafardo with his the Globe's Sunday notes, profiling Bidge. Compare Biggio's career numbers with what Jeter's likely to finish. Now switch their teams for some perspective on why Jeter's not one of the best players in the game. Because Biggio sure wasn't. But a HOFer nonetheless.

Bob Ryan on Bonds. Murray Chass on Bonds. Yawn.

Jim Caple thinks Ruth is bigger than Aaron. And he's right. When reporters go crazy on Bonds and say people hate him because of steroids not because he's eclipsing Ruth, then say there's no tinge of racism because 714 isn't the record, you ever notice that the reporters are nearly all middle-aged white males? Earth to white America: Racism still exists!!!

Armando Wagner has a nice ring to it. Stop ruining Pedro's starts you bitch. Pedro should have 7 wins.

Stick a fork in 'em, the Cubs are done. Go Commies!

When Barrett goes wild. At least Barrett doesn't punch like a pitcher. My question: why did AJ get tossed? He shouldn't get a suspension either.

The rampaging Twins! Cuddyer's getting hot. Maybe he's finally found his stroke. Boof Bonser, acquired with Liriano and Nathan, starts today. He was actually the more touted prospect.

Bond says he's glad we can all watch Albert Pujols now. But he needs a better nickname.

Larry Stone of the Seattle Times lists the free agent class. Is gathering a list of names really journalism?

Meche is pitching better. Hello, Omar?

Buster Olney makes a great point on Russ Springer plunking Bonds:

If, in fact, he actually threw at him with intent, his was among the most gutless acts in baseball in recent memory. Talked to some players this week and they feel that within the unwritten code shared by players, you are allowed one shot at a player in a brushback or retaliation situation, maybe two in extenuating circumstances. If you miss a hitter with one or two pitches, then that's your fault, and you move on. But to throw a baseball at a prone target five straight times is absurd. Let's flip the situation around: What if some hitter decides he doesn't like Russ Springer; is he then allowed to run to the mound and fire his bat at him from 10 feet away, and then do it again and again if he misses the first time?

Delmon Young got a 50-game suspension for throwing his bat at an umpire, largely because he could've seriously injured a mostly defenseless colleague with his irrational action. If Springer intended to hit Bonds, over and over, then I don't know if his act really was any different. The fact that a lot of people don't like Bonds doesn't lend license to risk injuring the guy.

Speaking of which, why hasn't Bernie been suspended for his bat toss at the umpire?