Low & Outside: AL Notes
It's not fair, but athletes have long had to endure comparisons to the greats that preceded them. In baseball, it's a common practice. In this town alone, former Phillies third baseman Scott Rolen suffered from comparisons to Mike Schmidt. How
Who's next?
It's not fair, but athletes have long had to endure comparisons to the greats that preceded them. In baseball, it's a common practice. In this town alone, former Phillies third baseman Scott Rolen suffered from comparisons to Mike Schmidt. However, that pales in comparison - get it? - to the fate of poor Dana Eveland. A 24-year-old lefthander for the Oakland Athletics, Eveland hasn't been likened to Sandy Koufax, Steve Carlton or Warren Spahn since the time he started making headlines. No, Eveland's burden is David Wells. Why? Because he's portly. "If you're a chubby lefty it always gets you the comparison," said the 6-foot-1, 212-pound Eveland, who was the winning pitcher in the A's 9-1 win over Tampa Bay yesterday. At least it's better than being a tall, skinny lefty always compared to Randy Johnson.
What a tease
Former Roger Clemens date Mindy McCready will tell her side of the story in an forthcoming documentary, according to the New York Daily News. Rather than address the details surrounding her relationship with the former pitcher, the country singer has decided to wait until the film is released,
Fallen Angel
producer Blake Freeman said. "She talks about everybody, what happened with Roger," Freeman said to the News. "July is the current target date for release." McCready made a recent YouTube video to her fans and spoke of the hoopla surrounding her affair with Clemens. But rather than address the details surrounding her relationship with the former pitcher, she said she would do so in song. Sense a trend here? "I'm Still Here" will be released online for free. An album is coming. The song was written during McCready's six-month stint in jail after she violated probation. Looking plump in a low-cut black top, the 32-year-old McCready thanked her fans on YouTube. "I would love to say so many things, but mostly I would like to say it to you in song," she said. Plug your ears.
Willis back
Dontrelle Willis was recalled by the Detroit Tigers yesterday, but will initially pitch out of the bullpen before returning to the rotation, manager Jim Leyland said. Meanwhile, some Phillies fans wouldn't mind seeing a similar scenario played out with Brett Myers. Not a trip to the disabled list, but a move back to bullpen.
Notable
The Los Angeles Angels activated infielder Chone Figgins from the 15-day disabled list, but had infielder Erick Aybar land on the 15-day DL with a dislocated right pinky that is expected to sideline him for the next four weeks. . . . Righthanded reliever Franklyn German was designated for assignment by the Texas Rangers, who recalled righthander Kameron Loe from triple-A Oklahoma to take his place. . . . The Boston Red Sox called up Bartolo Colon from Pawtucket and sent righthander Justin Masterson to the triple-A team.