Home Run Derby

So if you’re reading this, it means my archaic webhost hasn’t shut down the site … yet.

So go read some other fine blogs out there …

• Bugs and Cranks has a list of pitchers who can hit
• Fantasy Pros 911 shows us that the SI Jinx is still alive
• The NY Daily News says A-Roid used steroids more than that one time
• Big League Stew has pictures of what Wrigley Field will look like after the Cubs win the World Series and the Apocalypse happens

Home Run Derby will be represented tonight at 9PM Eastern by Richie Rich (that’s me) in the Sports Blogger Debate Tournament over at Sports2Debate.  We’re about to get spanked in the East Bracket by the guys over at The On Deck Circle.

Head over to Sports2Debate and see what happens.

Some links for you around the baseball web as I tend to my sick daughter.

• Jimmy Traina (from SI’s fabulous Extra Mustard) talked to Derek Jeter about Alex Rodriguez, among other things.  Go and read this.  Now.  If only because Jimmy links to HRD all the time and I can now return the favor.
• I love this idea from the new Dodger Thoughts  – an Inside the Park Home Run Derby. 
• Foul Balls reports that White Sox GM Kenny Williams doesn’t know the difference between a blog and a newspaper
• RAZZBALL gives you 20 risky pitchers for 2009
• I’ve so far ignored doing a 25 Things About You on Facebook, but the one at Big League Stew is Pretty Good

We’ve got some good stuff in the works at HRD coming up.  Stay tuned.

I’m buried with work this morning … so here’s what you should see around the Baseball Blogosphere …

• Big League Stew has some leg tattoos of Pete Rose and Mickey Mantle you need to see.
• Not Qualified for Comment has a great cartoon about the Legend of Mark Derosa
• David Pinto over at Baseball Musings attended a Q and A last night featuring Joba Chamberlain and Jon Lester.
• Biz of Baseball has renderings of the proposed Marlins stadium. 
• UmpBump has pictures of Hideki Okajima’s wife, Yuka.
• Dugout Central thinks that Washington Nationals’ GM Jim Bowden is the worst executive in MLB
• And Fanhouse has declared the 2009 Texas Rangers to be the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays

Pinch hitters is HRD’s link dump – if you have something you think should be here, drop us a line.

Sometimes you just can’t get the job done yourself. 

Which is why I’m sending you to some great baseball stuff around the baseball internets …

• THE BIG LEAD has some issues with the ASA’s “Greatest Sportscaster List”
• This is a little early, but our new friends over at RAZZBALL have the Rickey Henderson Hall of Fame Induction Speech Drinking Game. 
• The Hardball Times’ SHAYSTERBALL reports that everyone one else who voted against Rickey is in the closet
• Free agent Adam Dunn wants to play the outfield in 2009 and beyond.  HRD is on record as saying that’s A REALLY BAD IDEA.
• The ‘ROPOLITANS have a few ways to improve the Mets’ craptastic patch commemorating the Inaugural Season at Citi Field. 
• So does METS GRRL.  I love the name of that blog.
• And SOX AND DAWGS has video of Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice doing the top ten list on Letterman last night.  Here it comes …

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Derby Contest Standings are updated, so here’s a Monday Morning Quickie:

FULL SEASON:  Team Minivan and Belichoke are tied for the lead with 391 Home Runs.  In case you’re wondering, Minivan owns the AB/HR Tiebreaker and it’s not close (16.96 to 17.70).  Sultans of Swat and Herby’s Heroes are tied for 3rd Place with 385 HR.  Sultans own the Tiebreaker – but it’s really close (17.86 to 17.88). 

2ND HALF:  Team Minivan and Russellmania are tied for the lead with 110 Home Runs – Russellmania holds the tiebreaker (16.46 to 16.69).  Poker Pals and Croatian Sensation are tied for 3rd Place with 109 HR (Poker Pals hold the tiebreaker 16.31 to 16.92). 

In other news … Fredbird defeated Pirate Parrot 105-90 in Mascot Brackets. 

• Nick the Greek will love this:  The Nationals are the most consistent team in Baseball.  I expect a follow-up post from Nick.
• Check out Kevin Millar’s Hitler-style Moustache at Mister Irrelevant.
• Last week it was the three ball walk.  Now it’s the five-ball walk.
• Land of Dave Corzine wonders if AJ Pierzynski is the best cheater in MLB History. 

The Home Run Derby Standings have been updated. 

In the Second Half chase, new faces rule the leaderboard. 

Led by the awesomely named Evil Toast, who leads the 2nd season with 66 Home Runs.  The Croatian Sensation (65 HR) trails ET by a single HR with the 62-HR triumverate of the Quebec Nordiques, Snowmashers, and GLUCK FU! in third place. 

For the big money, Belichoke is back in the overall lead with 437 Home Runs.  He’s followed by Team Minivan (342 HR), and Sultans of Swat (337). 

Sultan will have a hard time holding off five teams right on his heels. 

Some Friday reading for you:

• Extra Mustard has the top 25 Must-See Videos for Sports Fans (AWESOME)
• Big League Stew has a special guest writer for the Morning Juice recap
• Red Sox Monster reviews the new Backyard Baseball Video Game
• Epic Carnival has some bad news about Derek Jeter
• The Zoner wonders what the heckhappened to Joe Torre

And it looks like the Nat-o-Sphere came through … as their Racing Presidents are gonna trounce the Swingin’ Friar in the 2nd Round of Mascot Brackets, barring a late comeback from the Pad Squad.  A new Mascot Showdown will be live on Monday. 

Until then … I’ve got a great seat for the ballgame tonight.

A quick race around the world of the baseball blogosphere.

• Bugs and Cranks thinks that the newly goatee-less Kevin Youkilis looks like Sergeant Slaughter. They’re right.
• The 2008 Texas Rangers season is four and a half months away, but people are already sounding gloomy about the schedule.
• Chuck over at Ivy Chat and Andy at Desipio are kinda happy about Jacque Jones leaving the North Side.
• The Fanatnicks are happy about the Twins acquiring Craig Monroe.
• There is proof that the AL Cy Young votes were cast before the playoffs began. Some Sawx fans are not amused.

I got nothing today.  Something good is in the works, but it ain’t ready yet.

So here’s some places to spend your surfing time.

• Roger Clemens cost the New York Yankees $24,766,578 this season.  Was it worth it?
• Speaking of the Yankees’ pocketbook, they’ve spent over a Billion dollars since their last World Championship seven years ago.
• There’s no crying in the press box.
• The Yankees have some fun Hotel psuedonyms.
• Last Yankees link – The Yankees don’t seem to win the World Series when Don Mattingly is around.
• This is the first postseason for the Humidor at Coors Field.
• Ivan Rodriguez will be back with the Tigers next season … for $13 Million.
• George Steinbrenner might replace Joe Torre with Tony LaRussa.
• The Rockies’ farm system is paying off
• Cubs fans knew how bad a broadcaster Chip Caray is.  Now everyone else does.
• Peeing in the bleachers is not limited to men.
• Mark Cuban, Bleacher Bum.
• Okay I lied, there was one more Yankee link.  Video actually …