Play ball! People spring is in the air and it is now time for some baseball. College baseball started their season a little less than 2 weeks ago. And spring training started 2 weeks ago as well with the first spring training games starting earlier this past week on Wednesday. There were many stories heading into the beginning of America’s past time. Will the Minnesota Twins be able to sign reigning AL MVP Joe Mauer to a long term contract? Will Mark McGwire come clean about his steroid usage when he was a player for the Oakland Athletics and Saint Louis Cardinals? Will Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman start the league as the fifth starter for the Cincinnati Reds or start the year in Triple-A affiliate Louisville Bats?
Some of the most recent news on the contract status of Joe Mauer seems to be on the positive. He is entering the year of his contract that he signed back in 2007 that was 4 years and worth $33 million dollars. Current talks as of now have numbers around the $80 million range with 6 years. If there is one thing for sure, Mauer is worth every penny he gets. This past season, Mauer hit .368, along with 28 home runs and 96 RBIs, to win the AL batting title for the third time in four years last season. He also has two Gold Gloves to go along with last year's MVP for his hometown Twins.
Everyone remember Mark McGwire for his home run record that himself and Sammy Sosa both broke the same year. That record was the longest standing record (which was held by Fargo native Roger Maris) to be broken besides Joe “Jolten” DiMaggio 56 game hit streak. Many believed that McGwire had used steroids during that season, but yet nothing was done since steroids weren’t a banned substance quite yet in the league. This offseason he returned to the league with the St. Louis Cardinals as the hitting coach. The league however took action on the move and made him confess to congress that he took steroids during his career before allowing him to return to the league. Many believe and I do to that there should be an asterisk by his home run total just as Barry Bond’s should as well.
Aroldis Chapman defected from Cuba during an international baseball tournament that took place in the Netherlands. When he defected, he took up residency in Andorra. He signed a 6 year deal worth $30.25 million with a bonus of $16.25 million. He was one of the most coveted international players since Ichiro. He has a nasty pitch arsenal and has been clocked at 102 mph. The Red’s were originally not even in the picture to sign this lefty, as the Mets, Marlins and Red Sox were the original teams favored. What made him sign with the Red’s was the strong Hispanic heritage that was on the team before during the “Big Red Machine” days and the current roster has at least 11 of the 25 man active roster including the pitching coach Dick Pole and manager Dusty Baker. His first MLB action comes Monday, when the Reds face the Royals in Cactus League games.
Baseball is a great summer sport to not only play, but also watch. Joe Mauer is one of the best players in the league right now and he proves it day in and day out and doesn't complain about the money he makes. You always hear about the different big time players and what kind of money they are making. Baseball is always a sport that has controversy in it, but keeping the game clean and fair should be in order.
ReplyDeleteMany people don’t think Joe Mauer is worth the money that the Twins are offering, but I believe he is. He is one of the greatest players to ever play in the MLB, with two Golden Gloves, and MVP award, and three batting titles. I think the Minnesota Twins would be making a huge mistake by not signing Mauer. He is an amazing player, along with a huge fan favorite. They would be losing a enormous asset to the team by not resigning him.
ReplyDeleteBaseball is definitely America's past time. Baseball is one of the best sports played in the summer. Joe Mauer is a big help for the Twins. With his defensive and offense abilities. I hope the Twins sign him for the next six years. He is a lot of the fans favorite player for the Twins. He would make a lot of money for the new stadium. I think that is a bunch of bull about Mark McGwire. He should not have the right to hold that record. Even if steriods weren't banned that year. That is still cheating and he knew better.
ReplyDeleteI am ready for some baseball! I am really excited about this year’s baseball season, and all of the stories the media is covering for it. I am a Twins fan, so I am very interested in the Joe Mauer signing. I think he will sign with the Minnesota Twins. The media definitely has a lot of story beginnings from this year’s upcoming baseball season. It will be very fun to see how they all play out.
ReplyDeleteIf Joe Mauer doesn't sign with the Twins there will be a lot of upset Twins fans. Mauer is arguably the best hitter in all of baseball and it would be terrible for the Twins. I am not sure if the Twins could even compete without Mauer especially with the doubts about the Canadian Justin Morneau's health. I think another big story in the MLB is Washington Nationals up and comer Steven Strasberg. There are many questions about him wondering whether or not he will be able to get out the best major league hitters. He was dominant in College but obviously it is a totally different game once you make it to the show. It will be interesting to see whether he makes the team or if he will start the season in the minors.
ReplyDeleteI am also very excited for this baseball season that is coming up! Especially the Twins new stadium. With Joe Mauer back, and the new addition of Jim Thome, I feel that the twins should win their division this year. One thing taht worries me though, is Joe Nathan's injury. He is the best closer in the league, so it really sucks not being able to start off the season with him.
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