Sports Chips...Fielder Goes nuts

Prince Loses It After Dodgers Embarrass The Brewers

LOS ANGELES -- Not even Prince Fielder really knows what he might have done if a phalanx of security guards and teammates hadn't prevented the furious Milwaukee Brewers slugger from entering the Los Angeles Dodgers clubhouse after a ninth-inning beaning.

And nobody is sure how the Brewers and the Dodgers will react in Wednesday's season finale after Los Angeles' impressive 17-4 victory Tuesday night degenerated into retaliation, recrimination and a regrettable charge through the Dodger Stadium tunnels by the Brewers' All-Star first baseman.

The trouble started when Manny Ramirez was hit by a pitch in the seventh while Los Angeles had a nine-run lead, but it didn't boil over until Guillermo Mota was ejected for drilling Fielder with two outs in the ninth. Dodgers catcher Russell Martin acknowledged it was a response to Chris Smith hitting Ramirez with what appeared to be a much less purposeful pitch.

"It's just part of the game," Martin said. "Our premier hitter gets hit, and he gets protection. I understand [Fielder] is frustrated, but you don't take care of that after the game."

Mota and Fielder were teammates in Milwaukee last year, but the veteran reliever and the burly power hitter are no longer on friendly terms. Fielder took off for the Dodgers' side of the stadium after the final out, shouting obscenities all the way to the clubhouse door.

Several teammates trailed behind him in a surreal scene, but Bill Hall and Casey McGehee got a firm grip on Fielder while a wall of security blocked his way.

Most of the Dodgers didn't know about Fielder's march, since the door he reached is at least 30 feet down a hallway from the clubhouse. They'll all hear about it before Jason Schmidt takes the mound Wednesday.

"We don't want the same situation as last year in the playoffs, when Philly threw at Manny and we didn't retaliate," Martin said, referring to last fall's NL championship series against the Phillies. "We don't want to be known as a team that doesn't have each other's backs."

The late shenanigans marred Los Angeles' highest-scoring home performance in 30 years. Brewers manager Ken Macha felt Mota's two-out pitch could have added injury to the insult of a 13-run loss.

"[Fielder] has been hit a lot, but he digs right in there and doesn't budge," Macha said. "He just doesn't like when somebody does it on purpose. I don't blame him. Everybody's trying to make a living, and this type of mentality puts everybody in jeopardy -- myself, the other team, the players on the other team. So, to me, giving a guy a $500 fine and a two-day suspension is not enough. This type of stuff should be cleaned up."

Moments after his trek through the tunnel, Fielder had calmed down enough to reply sarcastically to questions. Macha said he planned to have Fielder in the lineup Wednesday.

"He came inside. It just got away from him," Fielder said. "It happens. That's baseball. He tried to come inside."

When asked about his postgame march to the other side, he deadpanned: "I don't remember that."


I appreciate Prince's intensity as his Brewers continue to fall out of the playoff race, but to run into the opposing teams clubhouse is taking it too far. It is pretty standard when a top player gets hit on one team, you can expect another stud hitter to get hit in response. It seemed pretty like a pretty normal confrontation, until I heard about Prince freaking out. It would have been interesting if he had gotten into the clubhouse, and taken on the whole Dodgers team. More importantly tonite is the last time the Brewers and Dodgers play each other, so there could be some fireworks..nice.- SF 58


Manning Cashes In

Eli Manning has agreed to a new six-year, $97 million contract extension with the New York Giants that will make him the highest-paid player in the NFL with an average salary of roughly $15.3 million.

A person close to the talks who asked not to be identified says Manning is guaranteed $35 million under the deal that will keep him with the Giants through the 2015 season. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was not signed and had not been announced.

There is a chance the deal could be signed Wednesday, but both sides wanted to review the contract, the person said.

Tom Condon, Manning's agent, was not immediately available for comment. Giants general manager Jerry Reese was hopeful that Manning's contract would be completed, adding it's always important to get the quarterback signed.

"He is a franchise quarterback," Reese said. "He has done everything we asked him to do. He has come in, taken a lot of flack from you guys (the media) and he just keeps going. He does what we ask him on the field and he does what we ask him to do off the field. He is a good football player."

Manning declined to talk to the media at lunch.

This deal will give Manning an average salary that is roughly $200,000 higher than the one earned by All-Pro cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha of the Oakland Raiders, who agreed to a three-year, $45.3 million contract this year.

Manning's older brother, Peyton, earns an average of $14.17 million annually with the Indianapolis Colts.

Eli Manning led the Giants to a Super Bowl upset of the New England Patriots in February 2008 and was named the MVP of the game. He was in the final year of the contract he signed as the No. 1 overall pick in 2004 and will make $9.4 million under that deal this season.


The guy is a heck of a player, probably a little overpriced with this deal. However, when you lead your team to a Super Bowl Victory, and are one of the most durable QBs in the league you deserve the big pay check. Eli also has done an amazing job dealing with the painful NY press, and I applaud him for that.
The only QB drafted in the first round without a super bowl title is Philip Rivers, Big Ben has 2 and Eli 1, pretty impressive. - SF 58



NFL Training Camp Notes

- Reggie Bush Left practice today to ice his surgically repaired knee, Reggie says it feels fine and there is nothing to worry about.
I love Reggie in college, and he is looking like a great college player and a good NFL player, but he is not durable and can't take the ball every down. Look for Pierre Thomas to have a big year for the Saints in the backfield. I personally would mainly use Bush out of backfield as a receiver or line him up wide, he just can't be trusted- SF 58

-Braylon Edwards returned to practice after missing the fist four days of camp with an undisclosed injury.
All I can say is Braylon Edwards better have a big bounce back year, just when you thought a Michigan Grad could actually play receiver in the NFL Braylon comes back last year and couldn't catch a cold. Big year for Braylon or he gone! - Sf 58

Tavaris Jackson Gets Hurt In Practice

Just days after Brett Favre turned down the Vikings, Tavaris Jackson hurt his leg in the morning practice at Vikings camp. The extent of the injury is not known, but the Viking have another practice tonite so hopefully we will get more information later in the day.
Now the Vikings must put their faith in Sage Rosenfels, until Tavaris gets back or for the season. Either way I don't thik either of these guys can get it done, the Vikes need to look at a trade or probably hit the redial button and try to get Old Brett back in camp. Maybe this will make Brett change his mind, we know he likes to do that. Vikings better do something or they are in trouble. - SF 58

Breaking News.. Red Sox Acquire Victor Martinez

Striking late and dramatically, the Boston Red Sox bolstered their lineup by acquiring All-Star catcher Victor Martinez from Cleveland less than two hours before Friday's non-waivers trade deadline, CBSSports.com has learned.

The blockbuster deal comes following several days during which the Red Sox were hot on the trail of Martinez, San Diego slugger Adrian Gonzalez and Toronto ace Roy Halladay. Martinez, a three-time All-Star, was batting .284 with 15 homers and 67 RBI in 99 games for the Indians this season and arrives in Boston with the Red Sox having fallen into second place in the AL East, two games behind the New York Yankees.

The addition of Martinez is a huge boon for the Red Sox, who are concerned with the health of catcher Jason Varitek, 37, and who have watched slugger David Ortiz regress some this season. Martinez can catch, play first base and, of course, serve as designated hitter.


This is a huge move, and reportedly the Red Sox gave up three prospects to the Indians. This also means Jason Varitek can used to sitting on the bench. Red Sox always find a way to pull off these deals, and getting Martinez is big. - SF 58


Apparently now Jake Peavy is ready to go to the South Side Of Chicago. The Padres agreed to trade Peavy and will be getting Clayton Richard and three other prospects from the White Sox
Peavy is currently on the DL with a bad ankle but should be back soon, and I assume it is someone the Sox hope they can sign to an extension
Not sure what happened since the last time Peavy turned down this deal, but a big move for the Sox. Let's just see if Peavy can be a factor once he comes back. - SF 58

MLB Trade Alert....Washburn To Tigers

The Detroit Tigers have acquired Jarrod Wasburn From the Seattle Mariners for two relief pitchers. Great move by the Tigers, and they have separatred themselves from the other pitching staffs in the AL Central. Apparently, Seattle has decided not to go for it, and by dealing Washburn they are pretty much saying we have overachevied this season, and be happy with it. I wouldn't be too happy if I was a Mariners fan, or if I was Griffey jr or Ichiro. Stay Tuned more trades t0 Come.- SF 58

Manny And Ortiz Busted For Performance Enhancing Drugs.. Cubs Get Stronger in Bullpen

NEW YORK -- David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez, the sluggers who led Boston to a pair of World Series championships, were among the more than 100 Major League Baseball players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003, according to a report in the New York Times.

The article posted on the newspaper's website Thursday cited lawyers involved in pending litigation over the testing results who spoke anonymously because the information is under seal by a court order.

Major League Baseball declined to comment on the Times' report, telling the Associated Press it didn't have the list of the 104 players who tested positive six years ago. The players' union also declined comment.

Red Sox owner John Henry did not immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment.

In 2004, Ortiz and Ramirez led Boston to their first World Series championship since 1918. The sluggers helped the Red Sox win another title in 2007.

The results from the 2003 tests were supposed to remain anonymous, but they later were seized by federal agents. Alex Rodriguez admitted using performance-enhancing drugs after he was linked to the 2003 list. And in June, The Times reported that Sammy Sosa also was on the 2003 list.

Not shocked, i just wish they would release all the names at once. I have just come to the realization that most of the baseball I watched was with players on roids, aqnd I've gotten over it. Most of our heros in NFL are on roids so deal with it. - SF 58

CUBS PICK UP PAIR OF PIRATE LEFTIES
The Cubs beefed up their pitching staff on Thursday, one day before the trade deadline, by picking up left-handers John Grabow and Tom Gorzelanny from the Pirates in exchange for right-handers Kevin Hart and Jose Ascanio and third baseman Josh Harrison. Grabow, 29, is 3-0 with a 3.42 ERA in 45 relief appearances this season. Gorzelanny, 27, was 3-1 with a 5.19 ERA in nine relief appearances with the Pirates before being optioned to AAA Indianapolis, where he has gone 4-3 with a 2.48 ERA in 15 starts.- cubs.com

Cubs are on a roll, and now just added two lefties thanks to the decomposing franchise known as the pirates. F St. Louis!- SF 58

Breaking News...Phillies Acquire Cliff Lee

Frustrated in their attempts to acquire Roy Halladay, the Phillies have acquired Cliff Lee from the Indians instead, multiple sources involved in the talks told CBSSports.com.

The teams were in heavy discussions this morning, and as of early afternoon, the deal had come together, pending physicals. The Phillies, who have been searching for a right-handed bat, will also get outfielder Ben Francisco from Cleveland.

The Phillies will send pitchers Jason Knapp and Carlos Carrasco, shortstop Jason Donald and catcher Lou Marson to the Indians, an American League executive told CBSSports.com's Scott Miller.

Halladay was always the Phillies' first choice, but an asking price that began with both Kyle Drabek and J.A. Happ was deemed too high by some in the Phillies front office. Lee, who won the 2008 American League Cy Young award and is having a good follow-up season, was regarded as a reasonable backup plan.

The Indians had also scouted Drabek, but he isn't in the trade. While Knapp is still in Class A, some scouts regard him even more highly than Drabek.


This is big, and unless the Dodgers can pull off getting Halladay, the Phillies are the team to beat in the NL. Great work by the Phillies to get something done after the Halladay trade fell apart. Philly going for back to back titles, and they might get it done. - SF 58

Halladay To Dodgers?

The most interesting Roy Halladay rumor Tuesday involved the Dodgers, who see him as increasing their chance to win a World Series with Manny Ramirez in uniform. Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti, always as aggressive as owner Frank McCourt's budget allows him to be, has made 21-year-old lefty Clayton Kershaw off-limits, but some sources reported them to be weighing the inclusion of right-hander Chad Billingsley, an NL All-Star at age 24. Ricciardi would get serious in a hurry if Billingsley were in play. -- Chicago Tribune

This would obivously put them as the front runners to win the NL if they weren't already. Tough call to trade Billingsley, but to get Halladay would give them the best chance to win a title this year, and maybe next year as well. The Dodgers lineup is loaded, and adding Halladay to the pitching staff would make them real tough to beat. -SF 58


One involving the Cincinnati Reds acquiring third baseman Scott Rolen from Toronto remains alive and kicking. Also there are rumors of the departure of pitcher Aaron Harang, maybe as part of the deal that would bring Rolen to Cincinnati. -- Dayton Daily News

I guess it is a good move for Toronto to dump old man Rolen, who is having a great year, but Harang does nothing for me. He seems to get worse as his career goes on. Both these teams are going nowhere anytime soon, and it seems they are both preparing for next season.- SF 58