Baseball and Stuff – Mariano Rivera, Carlos Martinez, Buster Olney

Baseball and Stuff –  Mariano Rivera, Carlos Martinez, Buster Olney

Giants No. 1 prospect Gary Brown goes 3-for-3 in the nightcap of a doubleheader for Double-A Richmond

Maybe it will be this season, maybe not. But long before Mariano Rivera came undone in a 7-6 defeat Friday, even the most optimistic Yankees fans had to concede that 2012 could be the year when hitters start crushing the cutter the way the Tampa Bay Rays crushed the one-and-only's one and only pitch.And that is a sobering thought. As much as the payroll gulf between the Yanks and the wannabes have kept the ticker-tape flying, Rivera has been the living, breathing difference between his team and everyone else's. link

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Yoenis Cespedes’ second home run of the young season went 462 feet.

Word out of Japan is Brad Penny could already be heading to DL after just one start for Hawks



Unless there is a major snafu, Frank McCourt will pass the ownership of the Los Angeles Dodgers to a group led by Magic Johnson on April 30. While many now know that the deal (actually two. One side deal is for the land and parking lots around Dodger Stadium) totals $2.15 billion, the details around the sale are just now coming to light. Here’s the latest: - How Much Debt is in the Deal? - According to controlling owner Mark Walter, the answer is zero. The new owners will not be adding debt, just taking on $400 million that the Dodgers current have. That means the deal sees a staggering $1.6 billion in cash, or nearly twice what competing bidder Steven Cohen had on the table ($900 million). BOB

A.J. Pollock had a huge day at the plate for AAA Reno going 5-5, with 3 Doubles an RBI and a Stolen Base

ABC flagship WABC-TV New York announced the death Thursday (4/5) of broadcasting legend Gil Noble, producer and host of the station’s groundbreaking public affairs program “Like It Is.” Noble was 80 and had suffered a devastating stroke last July which ended his long career.

Carlos Martinez RHP (Cardinals) - He signed for $1.5 million.  His fastball is one of the hardest in baseball, hitting the triple digits, but coasting in the mid-90s.  At 6′0″ he may not have the height to support that velocity over the long haul, with durability concerns an issue.  So far, in his two year career he has not thrown more than 85 innings.  He has a sinker, an inconsistent curveball and a change.  When promoted to High A last year he lost his command, walking 30 hitters in 46 innings, resulting in a disappointing 5.28 ERA.  In low A, when his command was better his ERA sat at a 2.33.  He will have to repeat High A and show that he can get it done. mwob

St.Louis Cardinals Placed RHP Scott Linebrink on the 15-day DL

Houston Astros Placed INF Jed Lowrie on the 15-day DL

Tigers to place RHP Doug Fister on 15-day DL effective Sunday with left costochondral strain.

Anthony Rendon hurt himself rounding third base tonight with Single-A Potomac and left the game

Buster Olney:‏       

Some of you asking about pitchers who walk out after their runners score.  A lot of position players -- and some P -- say they really hate it. The vast majority of pitchers who are relieved DO wait in the dugout until the half-inning is over, supporting teammates