Weekend Buzz: Handing out midseason awards
Eva's marriage should only have such a bright future.
3. Barry Bonds* and the missing Home Run Derby: Should he participate in Monday's made-for-television event? Yes, if for no other reason than to offer a gesture of thanks for all of the support he's received over the years here in San Francisco, and especially to thank the fans for voting him into the game as a starter. But we all know Bonds* isn't about acknowledging others, even if its his own apologists in San Francisco. Real class.
4. White Sox sign Mark Buehrle to four-year extension: All you contenders looking to add a starting pitcher at the July 31 trade deadline can stop panting now.
5. Brandon Webb replaces Brian Fuentes on NL All-Star team: Being that Fuentes has been removed from the closer's role by Colorado after he became the first pitcher since Dave Righetti in 1988 to blow four consecutive save opportunities, Fuentes deserves some sort of Presidential medal or something for bowing out, doesn't he?
6. The Brewers: First place at the All-Star break is huge news, especially with that division title drought. Why, two members of Milwaukee's current infield -- Fielder and Ryan Braun -- weren't even born then, while the other two were newborns (J.J. Hardy was two months old during the Brewers' '82 playoff run; Rickie Weeks was one month old). Meanwhile, remember when Detroit's Justin Verlander no-hit the Brewers on June 12? Milwaukee has won 12 of its next 14 games and is 15-9 since.
7. Neifi Perez suspended for 25 games: Detroit infielder tested positive a third time for amphetamines, leading to the punishment. Next up if he fails another is an IQ test.
8. Don't loaf, meat: Angry Mets manager Willie Randolph yanks infielder Jose Reyes from Friday's game in Houston for failing to run out a ground ball -- and it was the second time in a week that Reyes was removed for the same reason. If this continues somebody is going to have to hook up the sleepy Reyes with Neifi Perez.
9. E-infielders: Not that it was a rough weekend for infielders, but Oakland's Marco Scutaro became the first third baseman since Edgar Martinez in 1990 to commit four errors in a game on Friday; the Yankees' Miguel Cairo committed three errors at first base Saturday (including a crucial miscue in the 13th inning that blew the game); and St. Louis shortstop Aaron Miles incredibly committed three errors in one inning Saturday against San Francisco. Most bothersome, Cairo and Scutaro each blamed their errors on weird vibrations in the earth from Saturday's 24-hour Live Earth rock concert that spanned seven continents in an effort to create awareness of Global Warming.
10. Erik Bedard's big night: The Baltimore pitcher fanned 15 Texas Rangers Saturday night, tying a club record. Mike Mussina did it twice in 2000. Great, mark Bedard down as another guy the Yankees will target when he's on the downside of his career.
