Sergio Romo is the shortest-lasting starting pitcher in the big leagues
Rays start the same pitcher two days in a row
Baseball is in an increasingly experimental mood – third basemen shifting to second, or to left field; cleanup hitters leading off, Now we meet the Cameo Starting Pitcher. The Tampa Bay Rays sent a middle reliever, right-handed Sergio Romo, to start in back-to-back weekend games against the LA Angels. Romo thus became the fifth pitcher in 40 years to start consecutive games in the major leagues. He pitched a total of 2 1/3 innings, struck out 7, allowed 2 walks and no hits or runs. Manager Kevin Cash wanted “to play the matchup game in the first inning.” The Angels’ top three hitters are right-handed, and Romo’s sweeping slider is more effective against right-handed bats. Another factor: For all but the elite, pitchers’ effectiveness generally declines when batters get a second look at them. Romo’s brief appearance means the genuine starters can go deeper into the game, which puts less strain on the back of the bullpen. Of course, this new stratagem was not appreciated by all the Angels. Outfielder Zack Cozart said, “It’s bad for baseball.” He doesn’t want the regular season “to be like spring training, having a pitcher go an inning or two and then change it out.”
Between the Lines: This is baseball’s greatest tactical advance since the double switch. It’s hard to believe that in the land of the DH, nobody has thought of it before.
Teixeira ‘not surprised’ his ex-teammate Cano caught in PED scandal
New York Yankees retired first baseman Mark Teixeira, who played next to Robinson Cano in 2009-2013, said on his ESPN radio show that he was “not surprised” that his former teammate, now with the Seattle Mariners, tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Cano, All-Star second baseman, has been suspended by Major League Baseball for 80 regular-season games and the entire postseason. “Robbie Cano’s assistant was on the list for Biogenesis,” Teixeira said, referring to the South Florida anti-aging company that supplied ex-Yankee Alex Rodriguez with the drugs that led to suspension from MLB. “Of course he had his assistant buy stuff for him. Alex Rodriguez got popped by Biogenesis, and Melky (Cabrera) got popped. They’re his best friends. When someone gets lumped in that group, it’s because there’s evidence, there’s a paper trail, there’s a smoke trail.”
Cabrera says fans ‘don’t appreciate’ him, so he will ‘take my time’ healing
Miguel Cabrera, slugging first baseman and future Hall of Famer of the Detroit Tigers, is sitting out games with a hamstring/back injury. He issued a veiled threat that he may not return to the field until fans show him more love. “Nobody appreciates you when you play hurt,” he told reporters. “So I’m going to take my time and play when I’m good. I played hurt a lot of years here in Detroit,” he pointed out. But he had the complaint most of his fellow athletes have: they receive less than their due from unforgiving media and fans. “When you are doing bad, they crush you. They say you’re bad. You should go home.” Cabrera takes that as an invitation to rest: “I say, ‘OK, I’m done playing hurt.’ Now I take my time.” Some who heard his brief media conference said he was speaking in a half-joking manner, but the words suggest possible malingering, a weakness of character. Almost all professional ballplayers are to some extent wounded warriors. If they can play their position better than the backups, and if there’s a painkiller they can legally take, they play.
Dear Miggy: Nobody is more applauded in Comerica Park than you, hitting .323 with .924 OPS. The fans aren’t overly excited about anyone on a team that’s 7 games under .500. Also, your work ethic may not be appreciated by those writing your $240 million of paychecks.
Cowboys O-line coach Alexander uses the ketchup test to determine who plays
Paul Alexander, offensive line coach of the Dallas Cowboys, published a book, Perform, that reveals his theories of evaluating players. Here’s one of his methods: “When I see a large football player turning a bottle of ketchup upside down and pound at its heel with tremendous force yet with limited success, I immediately make the mental note: He must either play defensive line, or if he plays offensive line, he can’t play for me.”
Dear Coach: Your head coach, Jason Garrett, is under increasing fire (latest critic being ex-Cowboy All-Pro receiver Terrell Owens). This does not help his cause. Or yours.
Reuben Foster’s accuser says she lied to extort money from him
The woman who accused San Francisco 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster of sexual assault has recanted her allegations. In a preliminary hearing in San Jose, Elissa Ennis testified that Foster has never tried to harm her, that “it was all a money scheme” that was concocted when she was bitter about their breakup. “I was lying about a lot of stuff,” she said while sobbing. Foster, 24, still faces charges of possessing weapons (felony) and marijuana (misdemeanor).
Between the Lines: The suspicion now arises that she may have recanted because of financial inducement from her ex-boyfriend. One way or the other, this woman has told some serious lies.
Tyreek Hill complains: Madden 2018 underrates his speed
Tyreek Hill, wide receiver and punt returner for the Kansas City Chiefs, felt insulted when Madden 2018 assigned him a speed rating of 97. Hill is widely hailed as the fastest player in the NFL (timed at 4.21 seconds for 40 yards). He felt he should have been graded at least 100 by EA Sports. “I have spoken with someone from EA,” he told Mike Florio on Pro Football Talk. “It was like, ‘We’re gonna change it, we’re gonna change it.’ But . . . The results show I’m the fastest in the league, so if I’m putting in the work, I need my credit, know what I’m saying?”
PGA star Lucas Glover allegedly attacked by his wife after missing the cut at TPC
The wife of Lucas Glover, 38-year-old golfer who won the 2009 U.S. Open, was arrested on domestic violence charges after she berated her husband for shooting a round of 78 and missing the final cut at the Tournament Players Championship in Florida. Krista Glover was also cited for resisting arrest when police investigated a disturbance at the golfer’s house in Ponte Vedra Beach near the tournament at TPC Sawgrass. Lucas Glover told police his wife cursed and yelled at him, calling him “a loser” in front of his mother, Hershey Glover, and his children. According to the police reports, the elder Mrs. Glover was bleeding from “multiple lacerations” to both her arms. The golfer, who also had cuts on his arms, told officers his wife tends to be abusive when he plays poorly. But after she was handcuffed and hauled away, Glover tried to have the charges dismissed.
Dear Lucas: This has the look of a severe case of bipolar disorder, the mental plague of our times. Get your wife some therapy before someone else gets hurt.