SubscribeMish-mosh
I’ll make this quick because I’ve got a plane to catch. Jetting down to Jamaica for a few days as the “plus-one” for my wife’s conference.
So:
For all of you considering Ike Davis for a spot on the big club when the Mets head north, let me be a wet blanket.
Sure, Davis is hitting very well in spring training; it’s great to see that he’s bangin’ the ball out of the yard. But what kind of pitching is he facing? Other rookies? Members of the opponents’ ML roster who haven’t pitched since October? Not that I wouldn’t be happy to see it, but let’s have a little perspective people.
Here’s a list, courtesy of Bob Wechsler (Day by Day in Jewish Sports History) via the Jewish Sports Collectors Yahoo group, of MOT in ST:
- Oakland — Craig Breslow
- Texas — Scott Feldman, Ian Kinsler
- Tampa Bay — Gabe Kapler
- Boston — Kevin Youkilis
- NY Yankees — RHP Jeremy Bleich (non-roster invitee), Jason Hirsh (non-roster invitee; previously played with the Astros and Rockies.
- Milwaukee — Ryan Braun, Scott Schoeneweis (non-roster), Adam Stern (non-roster; previously played with the Red Sox and Orioles)
- Chicago Cubs — Sam Fuld, John Grabow
- LA Dodgers — Brad Ausmus
- NY Mets — Davis (non-roster invitee)
- Washington — Jason Marquis, Josh Whitesell (non-roster invitee)
- San Diego — Adam Poreda
Wechsler’s “progress report”:
Hirsh has pitched 2 2/3 innings over three games and has yet to allow a hit. He has three strikeouts and no walks.
Bleich came in to pitch the final out in a Yankees loss.
Poreda appeared in one game for the Padres, walking one and striking out three in two innings.
Stern had a pinch-hit single in one game and went 0-for-2 in another.
Whitesell went 2-for-2 in Washington’s opener and 0-for-1 in its last game.
Davis is 10-for-15 with two doubles, a grand slam and eight RBIs. He has hit safely in all six games. He also has made four errors at first base.
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In hockey news, Matthieu Schneider — aka, the league’s oldest player — seems poised to rejoin the NHL with his new team, the Phoenix Coyotes (Thanks, again, Ari).
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In basketball, Ron Artest has converted once more, joining the bald brotherhood after his defensive plans went awry.
Carl Costas/Sacramento Bee
Omri Casspi played just four minutes (zero points) in the Kings’ 88-81 loss to the Portland Trailblazers last night.
Seems that fatigue is finally catching up with the Israeli import, according to this story in the Sacramento Bee:
“Omri the competitor wants to play 48 minutes a game for 82 games, but sometimes it’s just impossible for my body,” Casspi said. “Sometimes it’s good to rest, take a day off and come back with energy. Hopefully it will work for me.”
Meanwhile Jordan Farmar scored four points in 15 minutes as the Lakers snapped their three-game losing streak with a 109-107 win over the Toronto Raptors.
See that, Canada? That’s what you get for beating our hockey team in the Olympics!
Anyway, I’m off. See you next week.
Add Brian Horwitz, a former Giants player now a non-roster invitee in the Cleveland Indians’ camp.