Yesterday was "comeback" day in baseball. Some guys came back with thunder in their bats!
I watched the highlights of the Twins game and one of the commentators made a very good point. Jim Thome is the left-handed Harmon Killebrew. Thome plays for the Twins, as did Harmon. Thome is as strong as can be as was Harmon. Both hit tape measure home runs. Thome is one of the nicest guys in the entire baseball world. And of course, so was Harmon.
Thome came back yesterday with a homer to right and a homer to left. He could be at 600 homers before the All Star break. I just hope he goes into the Hall of Fame as an Indian. And of course Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz were a two man wrecking crew for the Rangers. How much did the club miss those two bats? Yikes! Chase Utley certainly helped his teammates like Placido Polanco and Ryan Howard get better pitches to hit because of his presence in the Phillies lineup. Welcome back to some much needed offense.
If you're wondering if the Tiger's big lefty Charlie Furbush is for real, my answer is simple. Yes. He's a big guy with an ability to miss bats. He had Tommy John surgery in the past. Again, for readers new to my column, I am not one that panics about elbow surgery. I fear shoulder problems much more and I feel they are much harder to diagnose and come back from. Furbush could take over Phil Coke's spot in the rotation. It may be good to wait and see if you believe before you run to pick him up. But he'll either pitch long relief or start for the Tigers. That is if they regain their trust in Joaquin Benoit and Jose Valverde at the back end of the bullpen. If not, I can see Furbush fitting there as well.
What in the world is San Diego waiting for regarding Anthony Rizzo? I'll ask that every week. The team just can't score runs. Are they waiting to start his clock? No doubt about it. The answer is yes. He should be in San Diego by June.
Adam Kennedy has turned into a nice piece of the puzzle for Seattle. They can play him at 2nd or first and he produces quality at-bats for them. I don't see his roster spot threatened by Dustin Ackley when Ackley arrives. However, someone has to go. By the way, Kennedy also steals bases.
Michael Bourn's slide into home yesterday was masterful. With the plate totally blocked. Bourn went behind the plate with a hook slide and reached back to squeeze his hand through a small opening. That was some very good work on his part.
Manny Acta was tossed out of the game yesterday against the Red Sox because of a clearly blown call at 1B. I've watched Acta a lot and I've never seen him so angry. Justin Masterson argued as well. They were right.
Man does Carl Crawford look tentative on the bases. He may be thinking too much as opposed to just turning his natural talents loose. He's been thrown out stealing a couple of times and I think it's impacting his entire running game.
With all the pitching depth of the A's, they still need to go find at least two quality starters because of the injuries to Brandon McCarthy and Tyson Ross. I guess I still believe a team can't have enough quality pitching.
Now that Russell Branyan is free once again, will the Indians or Seattle come calling for his services? I forgot who's turn it is. I think it's Cleveland's.
Watch out for the Brewers. I think they have their confidence. The weather in the midwest is better. Their pitching has been bolstered with the addition now of Zack Greinke, and Casey McGehee hasn't started to hit yet. Not to mention that Corey Hart hits homers in streaks! I really like their chances.
Pitching a complete game was another major step in the development of Alexi Ogando as a starting pitcher.
Speaking of Joaquin Benoit (I did above, remember?) Benoit is now back in the set-up role for the Tigers. He has spent his obligatory time in the Jim Leyland doghouse and now he can come out and play. Until he's bad again, at which time he will go right back in. Benoit could get some cheap saves and/or holds for sure. Problem with Tigers relievers? Both Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer are capable of throwing a complete game any time out.
The Mets have to get themselves another, bigger team bus. Why? The owner has thrown half the team under the bus and there isn't any more room for the rest of his damaging public comments.
Ken Kendrick owns the Arizona Diamondbacks. He wrote an article in the Arizona Republic suggesting that MLB ban smokeless tobacco at the big league level. His manager and general manager are often seen on TV chewing. Oops!
My prospect profile on RotoWire this week will feature Yankee AAA first baseman Jorge Vazquez. He's a player we don't hear much about but he's someone I want to profile. I think he'll turn out to be important. Hope you'll give it a read.
Please follow me on Twitter @BerniePleskoff. I'll speak with Chris and Jeff this week on Thursday on Sirius/XM and I'll be on pulsenetwork.com with Butch Stearns on Thursday morning's Sports Buzz.