Steriods,Schmeriods… kids, the real sports-related danger out there lurks at your local Best Buy.

The latest news out is that Detroit reliever Joel Zumaya’s injuries were caused by excessive playing of Guitar Hero, a popular video game the kiddos are playing these days. Supposedly, that caused him to miss 3 games of the ALCS.

I’ve seen the game. My kids like to play the demo when we go to Best Buy. I personally don’t see the attraction. Frankly, I think it would be more fun to pick up a REAL guitar and create your OWN music rather than emulate some digitally created image on the screen.

If you were into that kind of thing.

Moderation is the key there, Joel.

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The University of Illinois baseball team got a boost when Casey Crosby signed a letter of intent with them. Crosby, a pitcher from Elburn, IL, was ranked #1 in the state by the Truth Prep Baseball Report.

“I’m extremely excited by the addition of Casey Crosby to our 2007 recruiting class,” Hartleb said. “Casey is ranked by many publications as the No. 1 player in the state of Illinois, bringing great athleticism as well as a much-needed left-handed arm to our pitching staff. He also has the physical and mental abilities to be an impact player early in his career.

This is big for the Illini who lost some starting pitchers (including Brian Blomquist) to graduation last year. Crosby will join the team in the fall semester of 2007.

Crosby went 2-1 with a 1.40 ERA in his junior year and hit .405. His brother Patrick has been drafted by the Yankees. He’s a tall fellow. He’s 6′4″.

Other Illini news: Chicago White Sox Executive Advisor to the General Manager Roland Hemond has been slated to be the keynote speaker at the 2007 Hot Stove Banquet sponsored by the U of I Baseball team.

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A contact hitter who won’t take a walk. Not much power and certainly no speed.

It’s a batting robot created by a tech firm in Germany called Robocross.

The video is quite humorous. A pitching machine continually pitching to a batting robot. There’s a statement on society here somewhere.

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The MLB.com article headline says, “Pie could start Opening Day at center”.

And there are precious few real details after that. One thing we know is that management is “‘divided” about bringing him up for the start of the season.

On our podcast two weeks ago, I insisted the Pie would not be ready till halfway through 2007. According to this article, it looks like I could be wrong. Or not.

If that does happen, this puts to rest any speculations that Soriano would be playing center. Nobody really believed that, did they?

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Tags: Cubs by The Baseball Zealot
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K What a perfect name for an APBA pitcher!

In the middle of November the Bosox won exclusive negotiating rights with Daisuke Matsuzaka by paying the Seibu Lions $51.1 million dollars. It is reported that Mastsuzaka has come to an agreement to relocate to Fenway Park in a deal that could reach $60 million dollars, that’s alotta YEN! The 26 year old Japanese righthander is expected to become the ace of a rotation which already
includes Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, Jonathan Papelbon, and Tim Wakefield. I’ve been playing APBA Baseball for 35+ years and this guy’s got the perfect name for an APBA pitcher! Play results from rolling a couple of dice and of course K meaning strikeout.

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Tags: Articles by Teddy Ballgame, Hot Stove by Teddy Ballgame
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Kenny Lofton

I know the Chicago Cubs have said Alfonso Soriano can play centerfield, but actually seeing that happen might be another painful story. Last season the defensively challenged secondbaseman was switched to leftfield by the Washington Nationals. I guess the theory was to move him as far away from the play as possible, like the bad fielding kid in Little League, where can we hide him? Surprisingly Alfonso was the leader among NL outfielders in assists, not surprisingly NL runners ran on him every chance they got. Memories of Lonnie Smith, Ralph Garr, & El Caballo popped into my mind as I watched him attempt to catch flyballs. But seeing Soriano in CF seems to be coming closer and closer to reality.

Professional centerfielder & leadoff man Kenny Lofton signed with the Texas Rangers to replace Gary Matthews, Jr. and defensive wizard Jay Payton signed on with the O’s to play LF. Either would have been a good fit on the Northside of Chicago, or the Southside for that matter. For those of you who have listened to Baseball Zealot Radio have heard me repeatedly say, “the Cubs should sign Kenny Lofton”.

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Darren Oliver

DonS is a HUGE Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim fan! And he is VERY happy the Halos have signed his buddy, Darren Oliver. Darren was a long time member of DonS’ Molly Putts Marauders of the Illowa APBA League, and it nearly broke his heart when he had to let Oliver go a couple of years ago. The Angels really haven’t had a lefthander out of the pen in some time, they tried JC Romero, but the results were not good. Oliver is a consumate professional and looks to be a good fit. Primarily he works out of the pen, but can start in a pinch. Darren is the son of former big leaguer Bob Oliver.

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Jason Jennings

Most big league pitchers dread the thought of pitching at Coors Field in Colorado, but just when Jason Jennings seemed to solve pitching in the high elevation, he was traded to the Houston Astros for centerfielder Willy Taveras. Although Jennings is excited about going to his home state (he was born in Dallas), he can’t be too excited about pitching at Minute Maid Park. Jennings hasn’t had much success there. Jennings is 0-3 with a 10.47 ERA in three career starts at the Astros’ home park.

This trade wasn’t just a swap of a pitcher for a centerfielder, far from it! The Astros also parted with PCL Pitcher of the Year Jason Hirsh & righty Taylor Buchholz, while the Rockies tossed back reliever Miguel Asencio. Houston is looking for Jennings to step into the rotation in place of new/old Yankee Andy Pettitte. Asencio will add another hard throwing arm to their bullpen. Colorado didn’t want to lose Jennings for nothing next year, he was looking for a contract extension. The Rockies made a pretty good deal for their veteran righthander picking up a leadoff man centerfielder with great speed in Taveras, a great pitching prospect in Hirsh, and another starter in Buchholz.

This was probably a similar deal to the one White Sox GM Kenny Williams was trying to get for Jon Garland. Too bad we didn’t get it done, as a Sox fan I’d have like to have seen it happen.

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Marcus & Brian Giles

Now it’s all starting to make some sense. I was wondering why the San Diego Padres traded promising rookie secondbaseman to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for thirdbaseman Kevin Kouzmanoff. The Atlanta Braves said goodbye to their secondbaseman Marcus Giles. Although it’s not official yet, the Padres will soon ink little brother Marcus to a contract so he can join big brother Brian in San Diego. Both brothers grew up in El Cajon, CA, and are Southern California boys.

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Take a listen to our latest edition of Baseball Zealot Radio. We take a look at the goings on at the Winter Meetings. Tedd gives a good review of the Rule 5 draft. I’ll be honest, before this year, I was blissfully ignorant of the details.

During the show, Shawn brought up some interesting trivia. As a matter of fact, I pose it in the form of a question. You can listen to the show to find the answer (or probably use Google).

What strange significance does ’90s Atlanta pitcher Ben Rivera have in regards to the Rule 5 draft?

We also hit on the Ford Frick award nominees.

While I’m on the topic of BZR, I want to say thanks to Brandon Rosage of Outsider Radio who plugged Baseball Zealot Radio on his show. Check out Brandon’s show if you get the chance. It’s on my podcast roll for a reason.

If you haven’t checked out our show, give it a whirl. You don’t need an iPod to hear our stuff. Just a computer with sound.

-tbz

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Tags: Awards, Baseball Podcasts, Baseball Zealot Radio, Hot Stove by The Baseball Zealot
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