Pre-game notes
The White Sox's bench for the suspended game includes Jermaine Dye and Ken Griffey, Jr., so I'm giving them the edge.
Manager Dave Trembley indicated that the Orioles probably would have brought up another position player if Daniel Cabrera hadn't failed to get through the fourth inning yesterday. The bullpen is stretched thin. They couldn't afford to reduce the staff.
Speaking of Cabrera, he will be checked today by team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens after refusing to disclose yesterday whether he's injured. He certainly hasn't told Trembley or pitching coach Rick Kranitz that he's hurt, and Trembley said he doesn't have any concerns.
Cabrera offered a "no comment" earlier today when approached by reporters and asked about his health. I believe the Orioles want some answers.
Cabrera remains scheduled to start Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Fla. Jeremy Guthrie will go Friday and Chris Waters Sunday.
Trembley isn't sure who will serve as "the closer" for the suspended game if one is needed.
George Sherrill is scheduled to play catch tomorrow. He told me earlier that his shoulder feels much better.
Has anyone read the book "The Last Lecture" by the late Carnegie Mellon professor Randy Pausch? Trembley strongly recommends it.
Perhaps reading a non-sports book would do me some good - as if my family hasn't been telling me this since I was 12.
Roch, do you think that it is time for the O's to move on when it comes to cabrera, I was at the game yesterday and i couldn't help but think enough is enough.
Hey Roch,
I went to Carnegie Mellon up until this spring (just graduated and moved to UVA for grad school), and the book, like the lecture, is outstanding. Some of the stories are the same as what he told in the lecture, but there is some new stuff as well. Pausch spoke at our graduation and was an inspirational guy who just understood what was important in life.
Roch, I hope this qualifies as an educated question. Why does anyone think Cabrera is hurt. He has either been hurt for the last four years or, he, quite simply, stinks. My money is on the latter. Just think, a couple of years ago he could have been the center piece in a package that would have brought us Adam Dunn. Oh, that's right, I forgot, we don't need a 40-50 HR/year guy.
Again, another Daniel Cabrera error that hurts the team once again. Can we put this guy somewhere and forget about him?
I saw the video of the now-late Randy Pausch (he died about a month ago) giving his last lecture some time ago. If you want to be inspired (and cry), watch it. The link is below. I am sure the book is terrific.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo
If you haven't seen Pausch's lecture Archiving your Childhood Dreams check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo
He is an amazing speaker.
Biz Markie--Include me among those who think D-Cab's been pitching hurt. Evidence? How about a 10 mph drop in the speed of his fastball? When he's stuggling to hit 90 there's definitely something wrong with his arm (some say it's his back). Daniel doesn't suddenly develop a Brian Burres level heater if he's okay; that simply isn't going to happen. (Apologies to Brian, but Cabrera isn't going to reinvent himself as a finesse pitcher out of choice.)