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THIS WEEK’S TOPICS

Gonzalez Dismissed, Hoffman Just Dissed

We begin with the news that the Marlins dismissed Manager Fredi Gonzalez as manager. Delusional owner Jeffrey Loria thinks he can re-create 2003 simply by changing leaders. Remember, this is the guy who fired Joe Girardi after his Manager of the Year season simply because Girardi asked him to stop baiting the umps during the games.
Earth to Loria: This is not the same club as 2003 who had Derrek Lee, Pudge Rodriguez, Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell, Juan Pierre, Miguel Cabrera, Dontrelle Willis, Brad Penny, and AJ Burnett.
You have a good young rotation and one bona fide All-Star in Hanley Ramirez. You still have the makeshift field that draws more flies than people. You have the third lowest payroll. You think you are better than the rejuvenated Mets, Braves and Phillies. Mr. Loria, you don’t need a new stadium  you need a dose of reality pills.

Brewers RP Trevor Hoffman

Meanwhile, in my home locale, Brewers Manager Ken Macha continues to diss Trevor Hoffman refusing to put him back in the closer role that he has earned by virtue of his 592 career saves. Yes, Hoffman went through an abnormal stretch where he seemingly couldn’t get anyone out. What veteran closer hasn’t gone through such a stretch? Based on his recent outings, Hoffman appears ready to assume the closer’s role ,one which no one else has performed better. Is this the way to treat a Hall of Famer, like some untested rookie? Sure, John Axford has been light’s out but he’ll get his chance. You just don’t banish the career leader in saves to the corner of the bullpen only to be summoned to pitch in a situation that will have no bearing on the outcome of the game. That’s for rookies. Is Macha, starved for wins, doing this to save his own sorry butt? If this continues, just trade him to a club who will appreciate him. They gave the washed-up druggie Eric Gagne more of a chance!

Gonzalez Dismissed, Hoffman Just Dissed

In Tampa this weekend the Rays imploded having been no-hit for the third time in less than a year and lost the series to an inept Diamondbacks team. On top of that, BJ Upton went on a rampage in the dugout when Evan Longoria questioned him about his lack of hustle. Upton did appear to dog it while jogging down a ball that became a triple for Rusty Ryal. Of course, Upton took exception and challenged Longoria. Upton’s skills have been described as effortless but in the manner in which he has been playing – effort-less.

CARLOS ZAMBRANO

Meanwhile in the city with a team we love to mock Carlos Zambrano took out another Gatorade cooler when he went berserk in the Cubs dugout blaming Derrek Lee for his latest ineptitude. All Lee tried to do was to field a ground ball while playing with an aching back. Zambrano makes over $18,000,000 this year. The club and its fans deserve better both in performance and behavior. Now he says he was just trying to pump the club up. Sure. And Brett Favre will retire this year. What he needs is lengthy treatment for anger management. If he repents like Milton Bradley then all will be forgotten. Until then, let him see what it feels like to be unemployed.

Another No-No?

What in the name of Bob Gibson is going on here?  This certainly has been the year of the pitcher. There have already been four no-hitters, two of which were perfect games and we have not reached the All-Star break. The latest was Friday’s was  “gem”  tossed by Edwin Jackson that included 8 walks and 149 pitches.

Ubaldo: It’s 2010!

Meanwhile, Ubaldo Jimenez’s season is being compared to Gibson’s filthy 1968 season when he went 22-9 with a 1.12 ERA. As of his last start Jimenez is 13-1 but his ERA soared to 1.55 after giving up 6 runs in 5 2/3 innings against the Red Sox. It is going to be a challenge to match Gibson’s ERA because the mound was lowered after that season and few pitchers have broken 2.00 for an entire season since. Still what Jimenez is accomplishing in this day of pitch counts and five man rotations is laudible.

Close Your Ears

Finally, hold your ears if you listen to the Cubs who recently called up a pitcher named Brian Schlitter. Here’s hoping Ron Santo has learned to use the mute button or the engineer puts him on a three-second delay because you KNOW he is going to say it…….