Ruh ... Roo ...

6 Posts Today - Good Stuff - Enjoy ... And Possibly Another Post From The Cowboy - I Have Been Very Busy ... :} :} :}

Nice Article - Fun & Fair?? ...

ENSBERG ON BRAUN

Morgan Ensberg checks in with his take on the Ryan Bruan and the collector.

Did He Use a Catchers Mitt? ...

HardballTalk: http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/29/a-pittsburgh-pirates-executives-delivered-a-baby-at-the-friggin-ballpark-last-night/

Mike Stanton Is Giancarlo Stanton, And Awesome - Baseball Nation

Mike Stanton Is Giancarlo Stanton, And Awesome - Baseball Nation

Alex Gordon ...

The "What's next for Alex Gordon?" story is located at http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/21252/whats-next-for-alex-gordon

Ryan Howard Sidelined Indefinitely ...

Howard sidelined indefinitely*

Dreaming Big Dreams About Anthony Rendon - Baseball Nation

Dreaming Big Dreams About Anthony Rendon - Baseball Nation

Some Baseball Question's For a Snowy Rocky Mountain Winters Day ...

7 Posts Today ... We Are Getting Closer To Opening Day! ... Have an Incredible Day!!! ...




Who is your favorite player of all time?  And why?

Who is your favorite player in 2012?  And why?

How good were Josh Gibson & Satchel Paige?

Has Theo Epstein begun to work his magic in Chicago?

Will Strasburg & Darvish win 15 plus games this year? Will they have 200 k's?

Who will fare better in the AL? Pujols or Fielder?

Who is the best fielding shortstop in MLB?

How many home runs will Mike Stanton hit?  Will he lead the National League in this category?

It is snowing very hard right now in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The beauty is absolutely breathtaking; and yet, I long for baseball ...

PLAY BALL!!!   HERE'S THE WIND UP & THE PITCH ...   SWING & A LONG ONE ...   HE STRUCK HIM OUT ...   AND THAT'S A WINNER!!!

Until next time, so long everybody ...

Lee [ Cowboy ] 

David DeJesus - I Love My Truck ...

Don't Cut David DeJesus Off In Traffic

Because this is what he’s driving:

(Via Paul Sullivan)

 What do you think?

by Al Yellon • Feb 23, 2012 11:30 AM PST

Yu-Mazing! ...

Ambidexterity And Yu

by Grant Brisbee • Feb 23, 2012 7:47 AM PST

From the Dallas Morning News:

(Yu Darvish) occasionally plays catch left-handed to keep both of his arms strong and, therefore, equally balanced. It is one of the unique elements Darvish includes in his training.

Bunting; by Mel Ott ...

 

Top Upcoming Young Ballplayers ...

 Jesus Montero, Mike Trout?headline top spring training prospects - Albert Chen - SI.com*

Freddie Freeman To Miss Start Of Spring Training - Baseball Nation

Freddie Freeman To Miss Start Of Spring Training - Baseball Nation

Family Matters: How Do Personal Issues Affect Players' Performances? - Baseball Nation

Family Matters: How Do Personal Issues Affect Players' Performances? - Baseball Nation

A Special Note ...

7 Posts Today ...


Thank you to everyone who has visited Cowboy's Baseball. I enjoy sharing thoughts about the sport that we love. I will continue to do my best to share on this site that which I hope you will enjoy reading & giving thought to. Please know that it will be helpful to me to know that you're enjoying the thoughts & articles. I look forward to your comments & I do look for any ideas that you might share that would make Cowboys Baseball more appealing to you. If you like, feel free to share any ideas w/me @beach-cowboy@hotmail.com. Have a Fantastic Day everyone!

Until next time, so long everybody ...

Lee [ Cowboy ]

Question Of The Day ...

By Request: I would love to hear your Prime 9 ...


Who would be your Prime 9 in 2012? : 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, OF, OF, OF, C, DH [ DH CAN BE ANY OFFENSIVE PLAYER IN EITHER LEAGUE ]  PLUS, LHSP, RHSP, RP


[ When considering your Prime 9, please take into consideration defense & other intangibles, as well as offense ... 




1B Adrian Gonzalez
2B Robinson Cano
3B Ryan Zimmerman
SS Troy Tulowitzki 
OF Jacoby Ellsbury 
OF Carlos Gonzalez
OF Mike Stanton
  C Yadier Molina
DH Albert Pujols
SP Clayton Kershaw
SP  Adam Wainwright
RP Craig Kimbrel

That's my Prime 9, what's your's??

Until next time, so long everybody ...

Lee [ Cowboy ]

Rickie Weeks on Ryan Braun [Video - 2 min's] ...

http://sports.yahoo.com/video/player/mlb/Y_Sports_MLB/28423238

Happy 125th, Bill Frawley

Happy 125th, Bill Frawley

Actor William Frawley, who would have turned 125 yesterday, had a unique clause in his I Love Lucy contract: If the Yankees were in the World Series, he didn't have to work. And in those days the Yankees were in the World Series every year. So Frawley was written completely out of two episodes.

(Source: Mental Floss)

The Catch ...

via Beyond The Boxscore

Juan Nicasio Making Progress, Hoping To Make Colorado Rotation - Baseball Nation

Juan Nicasio Making Progress, Hoping To Make Colorado Rotation - Baseball Nation

SULLY BASEBALL: I hope Omar Vizquel goes on a hitting rampage this...

SULLY BASEBALL: I hope Omar Vizquel goes on a hitting rampage this...: Omar Vizquel has said that this year, his 24th in the big leagues, will be his last. He is the best defensive shortstop sin...

Cargo Looks Ready ...

7 Posts today / If you missed Video Sunday 3, Just Scroll Down ... Have a Fantastic Day!!!

How YOU Doin, Cargo?

via @TroyRenck


Until next time, so long everybody ...


Lee [ Cowboy ]

H-m-m-m... ??? ...

BRAUN CONFERENCE

I came in at the end of Ryan Braun‘s statement, but in answering a question, he referred to the sample being missing, as opposed to not being mailed.

Update: Here’s more from ESPN:

MLB officials argued that there was no question about the chain of custody or the integrity of the sample, and that Braun’s representatives did not argue that the test itself was faulty.

But multiple sources said the sample was not shipped for testing as soon as possible, as required by the drug testing policy, and instead was kept in a cool place in the sample collector’s home. Sources told Munson that the collector left Braun’s sample on a desk in a Tupperware container and left it there for two days.

Joe Maddon: Rays Won't Ban Beer ...

Maddon: Rays won't ban beer; "we're not the Boston Red Sox"

Unlike a certain other team, the Rays will not ban beer in their clubhouse.

"We're not the Boston Red Sox,'' manager Joe Maddon said.

New manager Bobby Valentine announced his plans, a change for the Sox coming off a season marred by reports that players were drinking beer and eating chicken during games.

Maddon said he feels the players should have the right to have a drink after games.

"I've said it a hundred times,'' Maddon said. "For me at the end of the day, I'd much prefer our players making good decisions, and if you're of legal age, and the game is over, and you've sweated and lost a bunch of pounds and you want to sit down and have a beer, I see nothing wrong with that.''

The Rays allow drinking on team flights at the start and during a road trip, but don't serve on flights coming home at the of a trip, with the theory that some players are then getting in their cars to drive. On the road, they take the team bus.

Maddon was asked about serving fried chicken in the clubhouse.

"Depends if that's what they're serving that night,'' Maddon said. "It kind of goes well with it actually.''

Stephen Strasburg Will Be Limited In 2012 - Baseball Nation

Stephen Strasburg Will Be Limited In 2012 - Baseball Nation

Morneau On The Brain ...

Justin Morneau hopes his concussion problems are behind him, but may leave baseball if they continue:

“I don’t think there will be a career if it’s something I’m dealing with (for the long term),” Morneau said Friday before the Twins held their first full-squad workout of spring training. “That’s the reality of the whole thing. I’m obviously not going to continue to mess around with this if it continues to be a problem.

“There comes a point where you can only torture yourself for so long. It’s something I love to do but you keep preparing and you keep being left out. That’s something that nobody wants to go through.”

It’s good that Justin is realistic about his situation. Mike Matheny stopped playing and his symptoms are rare enough that he can manage a team. Justin doesn’t want a worse situation than that.

Kung Pao Panda ...

Raising Matt Cain chides Pablo Sandoval for not being in the best shape of his career:

Now, with healthy new contract in-hand, he has basically declared that ‘he is what he is’ … which is clearly out-of-shape again, with little intention to get back into shape. Fortunately, he looks better than the 2010 Panda, but nothing like the pre-season 2011 Panda. His supposed workouts were much more secretive this time. Even if his claim about muscle mass is true, he cannot possibly be as nimble in the field. He is a 3B, not a 1B, C, or a DH. Nimbleness is a required tool.

We’ll see. Maybe the Giants will work a few pounds off him during spring training.

Chris Perez Injury: Indians Closer To Miss 4-6 Weeks - Baseball Nation

Chris Perez Injury: Indians Closer To Miss 4-6 Weeks - Baseball Nation

MLB Network - Best of Baseball [1 min. 31 sec's ] ...

Welcome baseball fans to ''Video Sunday 3.'' I have tried to put together a really fun Video Sunday for you. Today's video's are about 26 1/2 minutes in their entirety. They range from 17 seconds to 3 minutes to Ryan Braun's 12 minute ''Press Conference Video'' w/a related article. So-o, grab your favorite snack & your favorite beverage, and, enjoy!!!   /   Thank you for visiting Cowboy's Baseball!   /   Have a Great Week!!!

Until next time, so long everybody ...

Lee [ Cowboy ]

PS/ I have some great plans for articles/blogs for the coming week, plus whatever
Spring Training brings us each day ...   Play Ball!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK7bocrVDMs&feature=colike

Ryan Braun Press Conference Video & Related Article [ 12 min's ] ...

http://www.chadmoriyama.com/2012/02/ryan-braun-what-you-dont-know-about-his-case-is-important/

MLB Diamond Demo: Eric Byrnes & Harold Reynolds [1 minute'ish] ...

HILARIOUS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk8iZ7OyP6I&feature=colike

Jimmy Rollins Does Rickey Henderson [2 min's 57 sec's]

FUN STUFF!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9dLB5UO0As&feature=colike

Best Umpire Ever [17 seconds ] ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIx6YYKoHWg&feature=colike

Umpire Tirade [ 2 minutes ]...

Lou Pinella, Earl Weaver, Bobby Cox, & Ozzie Guillen have often times been fun to watch when once they go on one of their umpire tirades, but this manager's sneak up tactic is Hilarious!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kf9E1zhnFec&feature=colike

MLB Funnies - Video [ 5 min's 32 sec's ] ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcgzdPmQzYw&feature=colike

Josh Hamilton Interview at Spring Training [ 1 min 51 sec's ] ...

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120224&content_id=26838356&vkey=news_tex&c_id=tex

Baseball Infographic via Phoenix Bats

6 Really Great Posts to Start Your Day!!!   /   2 Really Good Ones on Ryan Braun!!!   /   Please Remember Tomorrow is Video Sunday 3!!!   /   Have an Absolutely Fantastic Weekend!!!

Baseball Infographic via Phoenix Bats

Braun Decision: Why Ensuring A Proper Chain Of Custody Matters - Baseball Nation

Braun Decision: Why Ensuring A Proper Chain Of Custody Matters - Baseball Nation

Ryan Braun - Lots Of Info Here ...

Thursday's Very Potent Frosty Margarita

 by Nicole Haase on Feb 24, 2012 6:07 AM PST in Ryan Braun

Opening Day - 42 Days Away

Well folks, it's not quite Greinke-mas, but despite all the hullaballoo and questions that were raised by yesterday's decision that Braun does not have to serve a 50-game suspension, all Brewers fans have to be relieved that the team will not be without it's number one offensive threat and everyday left-fielder. Todd Rosiak points out that this is a best-case scenario for the Brewers.

Let's just jump right in here, there's plenty to cover:

We'll start with all the official statements, since there are kind of a lot of them:

• In case you missed it, here's Braun's. 
• Here's the official Players Association Statement. Short and sweet and giving us the information that both sides agreed to forgo confidentiality and make the decision public.
• MLB Executive Vice President for Labor Relations Rob Manfred is the one that used the now famous "vehemently disagree" phrasing in condemnation of the results.
• Brewers owner Mark Attanasio also had a short, sweet statement that makes a not-so-subtle jab about the confidentiality breach.

Braun will be meeting the press in Maryvale at noon CST. No word yet on if that will be carried live on local TV or radio. Check back with the site for more Braun coverage at that point.

And here's a list of the basic, initial stories from the major sites reporting the news that the suspension had been overturned.

• MLB
• ESPN
• SI
• Hardball Talk
• Covering a bit more than just the basics is the Journal-Sentinel story.

Braun's teammates were obviously very excited about this turn of events:

• Corey Hart went on WTMJ radio in Milwaukee to discuss the decision. Mostly it's just supportive statements about Braun and a weird comment that he did shirtless cartwheels to celebrate the ruling.
• John Axford and Nyjer Morgan took to Twitter to celebrate and express support, as did multiple other players in the league.
• McCalvy had some quotes from teammates in support of Braun 
  - but the most interesting bit in that piece is from new team union repChris Narveson (it was Craig Counsell) who said "Put it this way: This isn’t the first time we’ve had issues with the people [in charge of testing] in Milwaukee. There have been other issues with timing." I certainly hope McCalvy or another local reporter follows up on that dig.

I wasn't sure where to put this one because it makes a pretty bold statement about MLB and the results. This column from a Giants writer on NBCSports.com points out how off base MLB is in their handling of the verdict. He points out that these are MLB's own protocols and procedures they're now decrying, that Braun "played by baseball’s rules, he followed baseball’s procedures, he went through baseball’s process, and he was found not guilty" and that "MLB’s reaction, though, shows that for it, testing isn’t about determining a player’s guilt or innocence, it’s about nailing guys."

The biggest debate that's come out of this is whether or not its appropriate to say that Braun won his appeal on a "technicality."

• The Braun camp, obviously, isn't happy with that summation of the events.
• Ron Roenicke Stole My Baseball gives you some scenarios to consider and points out that the chain of custody failure means the whole sample was compromised.
• Craig Calcaterra calls the notion "bull" and points out that the chain of custody procedure is there to protect "integrity and efficacy of the drug testing process."
• On the flip side, however, South Side Sox calls it "The Ryan Braun Loophole" and takes a look at the MLB-MLBPA joint drug agreement, which just happens to be available online. According to their findings in the JDA, correct procedure WAS followed, leaving you to wonder what exactly the arbitrator heard to make him rule otherwise. So what's the correct answer? Unless Das chooses to speak to the media or issue a statement, we may never know.
• Jeff Passan does a similar breakdown
• as does Drew Silva at Hardball Talk.
• Discples of Uecker point out that the failed chain of custody made the situation incredibly uncertain and therefore Das couldn't "ruin a player’s career and reputation" when he couldn't be sure of the integrity of the sample. They also call the victory bittersweet for Braun.