(Pre)historic changes in Seattle and a minor one in New York
2006-07-26 12:44
by Bob Timmermann
The Mariners have DFA'd Carl Everett and brought up Chris Snelling as his replacement. Snelling is expected to be part of Seattle's DH platoon with Eduardo Perez.
And, in a move of greater news to the Bronx Banter folks, Kelly Stinnett had met Everett's fate and the Yankees new Jorge Posada caddy is the inimitable Sal Fasano, acquired in a trade for minor league infielder Hector Made.
With Snelling, the Mariners now have players from seven different countries: USA, Japan, Colombia, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Australia.
Discuss the status of Puerto Rico amongst yourselves and report back to me.
Wow, I knew that there was still a lot of debate about what Puerto Rico should be, but I didn't realize that there's still debate about what it is right now. Even the U.N. doesn't have a definitive answer. That's messed up.
They're only a Shin-Soo Choo and a Wladimir Balentien call up from representing 9 countries. Also, I think they need to call up Blackley to qualify for Australia.
Well, the Mariners just lost their South Korean. Seattle acquired Ben Broussard (who was born in Texas) for Shin-Soo Choo and a PTBNL, so now Seattle has both parts of the Indians' season-opening 1B platoon.
I don't think North Koreans play baseball. South Korea did not even play baseball in earnest until the 70's. I grew up in SK in the 70's and alleyway soccer was the most popular sport for kids.
A toy company came out with a plastic bat and ball combo that also came equipped with a spring-loaded tee. You put the ball on the tee and pushed down on it to cock it. Then, you step on a bulb that was attached to the tee via a plstic tube, and that triggered the tee, making the ball pop up to about waist level. With that contraption, we played a game that was similar to baseball, with concrete blocks serving as bases. We might have had only a couple of bases beside home plate, rather than the customary three.
I don't know if that is what did it, but professional baseball is the most popular spectator sport now. Of course, the national soccer team has the most rabid following, but the professional soccer league has pretty pathetic attendence.
Puerto Rico is a commonwealth. More autonomy than a state, less than an independent nation. I follow the Olympic standard and count it is a country.
FWIW, even though Eduardo Perez was born in Cincinnati to a Cuban father, he considers himself Puerto Rican. He spent much of his youth there and played for PR in the WBC. I met him once when he was playing in Japan for the Hanshin Tigers (in 2001). He was a nice guy and very proud to be Puerto Rican. He had a horrible year though, and was sent home early with a bum knee. Nice to see him comeback strong since then.
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Sort of like Nicole Kidman being born in Honolulu.
A toy company came out with a plastic bat and ball combo that also came equipped with a spring-loaded tee. You put the ball on the tee and pushed down on it to cock it. Then, you step on a bulb that was attached to the tee via a plstic tube, and that triggered the tee, making the ball pop up to about waist level. With that contraption, we played a game that was similar to baseball, with concrete blocks serving as bases. We might have had only a couple of bases beside home plate, rather than the customary three.
I don't know if that is what did it, but professional baseball is the most popular spectator sport now. Of course, the national soccer team has the most rabid following, but the professional soccer league has pretty pathetic attendence.
FWIW, even though Eduardo Perez was born in Cincinnati to a Cuban father, he considers himself Puerto Rican. He spent much of his youth there and played for PR in the WBC. I met him once when he was playing in Japan for the Hanshin Tigers (in 2001). He was a nice guy and very proud to be Puerto Rican. He had a horrible year though, and was sent home early with a bum knee. Nice to see him comeback strong since then.
Comment status: comments have been closed. Baseball Toaster is now out of business.