On-Base Perception
Newsday's new all-encompassing baseball blog on the Yankees, Mets, MLB and more from around the sport.
Mark La Monica
All-Star Game starting lineups
Photo credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
All-Star Game managers Bruce Bochy and Jim Leyland revealed their starting lineups Monday in preperation for Tuesday's main event at Citi Field.
In addition to Matt Harvey being named starting pitcher, Mets third baseman and Home Run Derby captain David Wright will bat cleanup for the NL. Bochy said in a press conference, "If you're captain of the HR Derby, you have to bat cleanup."
Here...
Read more »Make your All-Star Game predictions
Photo credit: Jim McIsaac
When Citi Field opened in 2009, hopeful Mets fans predicted that the ballpark would soon host MLB's All-Star festivities. With the All-Star break finally here, it is time for those festivities to kick-off with the 2013 Home Run Derby and All-Star Game hosted at Citi Field this week.
Anything can happen in the Home Run Derby. We could see a record-breaking performance like Josh Hamilton in...
Read more »Carly Rae Jepsen throws (maybe) worst pitch ever
Photo credit: Getty Images
Will the Tampa Bay Rays call Carly Rae Jepsen back to throw out another ceremonial first pitch? Maybe not. The Canadian recording artist, whose hit song “Call Me Maybe” dominated the airwaves last summer, is the newest addition to the list of celebrities who have thrown embarrassingly bad ceremonial first pitches. Jepsen’s pitch barely cleared the pitcher’s mound, never mind reaching home plate,...
Read more »Baseball magic numbers
Photo credit: AP
$125,000 - Expected top bid for Warren Spahn's 1957 Cy Young award, which will be among 800 items of memorabilia put up for auction by the late Spahn's 65-year-old son, Greg. Spahn won 20 or more games 13 times, a National League record that is unlikely to fall in the foreseeable future.
1,690 - Career hits as a DH for David Ortiz, who passed Harold Baines this week for the top spot. Ortiz...
Read more »Mets prospect rankings
Photo credit: AP
1. TRAVIS D’ARNAUD, C, Las Vegas 51s (AAA)
.250 BA, .429 OBP, .472 SLG, 1 HR, 8 RBIs
Recovering from a fracture in left foot.
2. NOAH SYNDERGAARD, RHP, Binghamton Mets (Class AA)
5-3 (16 starts), 2.69 ERA, 90 K, 20 BB
2-0 with a 1.35 ERA in four starts since being promoted to AA.
3. RAFAEL MONTERO, RHP, Las Vegas 51s
8-5, 3.07 ERA,...
Read more »Matt Harvey in superior class despite his record
Photo credit: Jim McIsaac
Stats are a better indicator of talent than the "eye test," but they have their flaws. Especially when it comes to pitching numbers.
Case in point: Matt Harvey has consistently pitched brilliantly, yet he takes a 7-2 record into the All-Star break. The seven wins ties him for 31st in MLB among qualified pitchers.
Wins have long been used to measure a starter, dating to when...
Read more »Bernie Williams to play free concert in Oyster Bay
Photo credit: Jim McIsaac
It's only right with All-Star Weekend set to kickoff in New York that former Yankee and five-time All-Star Bernie Williams gets in on the action.
Before playing in the Legends and Celebrity Softball Game on Sunday at Citi Field, Williams and his All-Star Band will play a free concert at 8 p.m. Saturday at John J. Burns Town Park in the Town of Oyster Bay. The show is appropriately titled "From...
Read more »Yankees' HOPE Week continues at animal rescue
Photo credit: Jim McIsaac
Three Yankees were in a different kind of doghouse before their game against Kansas City.
Ichiro Suzuki, Brett Gardner and Shawn Kelley surprised volunteers Wednesday at New Beginning Animal Rescue in the Bronx as part of the Yankees’ HOPE Week Initiative.
HOPE Week was established in 2009 and spends five days spotlighting five different individuals, families or organizations each year.
Pedro...
Read more »Shaun Marcum done for season with thoracic outlet syndrome, according to reports
Photo credit: Jim McIsaac
Shaun Marcum has been diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome and will undergo season-ending surgery Monday, according to multiple reports.
The Mayo Clinic describes TOS as such: "Thoracic outlet syndrome is a group of disorders that occur when the blood vessels or nerves in the thoracic outlet — the space between your collarbone and your first rib — become compressed."
The...
Read more »Yoenis Cespedes named to AL Home Run Derby team
Photo credit: AP
Robinson Cano waited an extra day to make his final Home Run Derby conestant selection. He didn't disappoint with his choice.
The Yankees second baseman, who will captain the American League squad in Monday's Home Run Derby, went with Oakland A's outfielder Yoenis Cespedes as his final selection Tuesday afternoon.
Cespedes joins Cano, Prince Fielder of the Detroit Tigers and Chris Davis...
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