Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz and Craig Biggio were elected to the class of 2015 Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.
Johnson, a 5 time winner of the National League Cy young award, had 303 wins and 4875 strikeouts, second only to Nolan Ryan's 5714, and was named on 92.7% of the ballots.
Martinez went 219-100 while striking out 3154 and won the American League Cy Young Award 3 times. Pedro was a big reason behind the Red Sox winning the 2004 World Series and led the Majors in ERA 5 times. Martinez becomes the second Dominican to be named to the Hall of Fame along with Juan Marichal.
"So many people in the Dominican Republic and so many people all over the world got to know me as a player but not as a person," Martinez said during an interview with MLB Network. "What I mean to the Dominican Republic -- it was a great honor to just have the opportunity to go on the first ballot."
Smoltz, named on 82.9% of the ballots, was 213-155 for his career with 154 saves, the only Major League pitcher with 200+ wins and 150+ saves.
"I'm honored, I'm humbled, and when the phone call came I was, for the first time ever, speechless," Smoltz told MLB Network.
Craig Biggio, who played his entire 20 career with the Houston Astros, had 3060 hits during his career and, although not well known outside of Houston, or baseball circles for that matter, was a tireless performer who was always rated in the top 10 of the three positions he played, catcher, outfielder and his permanent nove to 2nd base.
Congratulations to these 4 fine baseball players!
Tuesday, 6 January 2015
Monday, 5 January 2015
Charros Sweep Venados 4 Games to 0
JALISCO ADVANCES TO SECOND ROUND OF PLAYOFFS
Jalisco is into the second round of the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico playoffs with the four game sweep of the Venados de Mazatlan. Orlando Lara pitched an outstanding game, going 7 innings, scattering 5 hits, walking 1 and striking out 5 to earn the win. Timely hitting by the offense turned 8 hits into the 4 runs scored for the victory.
The Charros scored early, plating 2 runs in the 2nd on a single to center by Jon Weber and a home run to left by Marquez Smith. Jalisco took the lead 2-0 and coasted to the win.
Jalisco added to their lead in the top of the 5th. Gabriel Gutierrez singled with one out and moved to second when Eduardo Arredondo was safe at first on an error by the Venados third baseman, Ronnier Mustelier. Manny Rodriguez came through with a single to center that score Gutierrez for the 3-0 lead but Arredondo was thrown out at third for the final out of the inning. Arredondo was hurt on the play and left the game to be replaced by Edson Garcia. No word was given on the extent of the injury to Arredondo.
Leo Heras walked to lead off the 8th for the Charros. He moved to second on an errant pick off attempt, moved to third on a ground out by Japhet Amador and scored on a single to right by CJ Retherford. The insurance run had the Charros up 4-0.
With one out in the Venados half of the 8th, Paul Leon singled to center. Jesus Fabela followed with a single with Leon stopping at second. Ronnier Mustelier singled to score Leon as Mazatlan cut the lead to 4-1.
The Venados threatened in the bottom of the 9th when Blake Gailen and Heber Gomez led off with back-to-back singles. Charros reliever, Manny Acosta got Erick Rodriguez to hit into a double play and Jesus Castillo to ground out to second to end the game.
This series was a team effort from the first game. The pitching was unbelievably good by all four Charros starters but Marquez Smith started the scoring in all four games, either drawing a walk and coming around to score or the home run in game 4. Marquez Smith is my choice for the Most Valuable Player in the first round series.
Jalisco is into the second round of the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico playoffs with the four game sweep of the Venados de Mazatlan. Orlando Lara pitched an outstanding game, going 7 innings, scattering 5 hits, walking 1 and striking out 5 to earn the win. Timely hitting by the offense turned 8 hits into the 4 runs scored for the victory.
The Charros scored early, plating 2 runs in the 2nd on a single to center by Jon Weber and a home run to left by Marquez Smith. Jalisco took the lead 2-0 and coasted to the win.
 |
| Marquez Smith Home Run/Straffonimages |
Jalisco added to their lead in the top of the 5th. Gabriel Gutierrez singled with one out and moved to second when Eduardo Arredondo was safe at first on an error by the Venados third baseman, Ronnier Mustelier. Manny Rodriguez came through with a single to center that score Gutierrez for the 3-0 lead but Arredondo was thrown out at third for the final out of the inning. Arredondo was hurt on the play and left the game to be replaced by Edson Garcia. No word was given on the extent of the injury to Arredondo.
Leo Heras walked to lead off the 8th for the Charros. He moved to second on an errant pick off attempt, moved to third on a ground out by Japhet Amador and scored on a single to right by CJ Retherford. The insurance run had the Charros up 4-0.
 |
| Arredondo Injury/Straffonimages |
With one out in the Venados half of the 8th, Paul Leon singled to center. Jesus Fabela followed with a single with Leon stopping at second. Ronnier Mustelier singled to score Leon as Mazatlan cut the lead to 4-1.
The Venados threatened in the bottom of the 9th when Blake Gailen and Heber Gomez led off with back-to-back singles. Charros reliever, Manny Acosta got Erick Rodriguez to hit into a double play and Jesus Castillo to ground out to second to end the game.
This series was a team effort from the first game. The pitching was unbelievably good by all four Charros starters but Marquez Smith started the scoring in all four games, either drawing a walk and coming around to score or the home run in game 4. Marquez Smith is my choice for the Most Valuable Player in the first round series.
Sunday, 4 January 2015
Jalisco Bests Mazatlan In Game 3 of the Series
CHARROS HANG ON TO BEAT VENADOS 3-2
Jalisco scored 3 runs in the first five innings and hung on to defeat the Venados de Mazatlan 3-2 and take a commanding 3 games to none lead in the first round best of seven series in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico playoffs.
The Charros used another lead off walk to Marquez Smith to open the scoring in the top of the 3rd. After a Gabriel Gutierrez ground out moved Smith to second, Eduardo Arredondo singled to center to drive in Smith for the 1-0 Charros lead.
In the 4th, Leo Heras led off with a single and Japhet Amador walked. A sacrifice bunt by Jon Weber advanced the runners and Heras scored on a CJ Retherford ground out to first for the 2-0 lead.
Gabriel Gutierrez started the 5th for Jalisco by reaching on an error by the Venados shortstop. After Jesus Lopez flied out to center, Gutierrez moved to third on a grounder to first and scored on a Manny Rodriguez single to right to put the Charros up 3-0 through five innings.
The Venados scored a run in the bottom of the 6th on a single by Jesus Fabela and consecutive walks to Oswaldo Morejon, Blake Gailen and Ronnier Mustelier that scored Fabela. Reliever Carlos Vazquez got Jesus Castillo to ground into a fielder's choice for the third out and Jalisco maintained a 3-1 lead.
Heber Gomez drew a walk to start the bottom of the 7th for the Venados and went to second on a ground out by Erick Rodriguez. After a pitching change by the Charros, Albino Contreras singled to score Gomez and the Venados had cut the lead to 3-2 Charros.
Mario Mendoza came in to pitch the 9th for the Charros and set the Venados down to preserve the win for Jalisco starter Juan Delgadillo and pick up his 3rd save of the series.
Delgadillo went 5 1/3 innings giving up 3 hits and a run while walking 2 and striking out 5. Hugo castellanos, Carlos Vazquez, Manuel Flores, Ivan salas and Adrian Rameriz were credited with holds and Mendoza picked up the save.
Eduardo Arredondo, Manny rodriguez and CJ Retherford had RBIs for the Charros.
Jalisco scored 3 runs in the first five innings and hung on to defeat the Venados de Mazatlan 3-2 and take a commanding 3 games to none lead in the first round best of seven series in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico playoffs.
The Charros used another lead off walk to Marquez Smith to open the scoring in the top of the 3rd. After a Gabriel Gutierrez ground out moved Smith to second, Eduardo Arredondo singled to center to drive in Smith for the 1-0 Charros lead.
 |
| Marquez Smith Scores from Charros Facebook |
In the 4th, Leo Heras led off with a single and Japhet Amador walked. A sacrifice bunt by Jon Weber advanced the runners and Heras scored on a CJ Retherford ground out to first for the 2-0 lead.
Gabriel Gutierrez started the 5th for Jalisco by reaching on an error by the Venados shortstop. After Jesus Lopez flied out to center, Gutierrez moved to third on a grounder to first and scored on a Manny Rodriguez single to right to put the Charros up 3-0 through five innings.
The Venados scored a run in the bottom of the 6th on a single by Jesus Fabela and consecutive walks to Oswaldo Morejon, Blake Gailen and Ronnier Mustelier that scored Fabela. Reliever Carlos Vazquez got Jesus Castillo to ground into a fielder's choice for the third out and Jalisco maintained a 3-1 lead.
Heber Gomez drew a walk to start the bottom of the 7th for the Venados and went to second on a ground out by Erick Rodriguez. After a pitching change by the Charros, Albino Contreras singled to score Gomez and the Venados had cut the lead to 3-2 Charros.
Mario Mendoza came in to pitch the 9th for the Charros and set the Venados down to preserve the win for Jalisco starter Juan Delgadillo and pick up his 3rd save of the series.
Delgadillo went 5 1/3 innings giving up 3 hits and a run while walking 2 and striking out 5. Hugo castellanos, Carlos Vazquez, Manuel Flores, Ivan salas and Adrian Rameriz were credited with holds and Mendoza picked up the save.
Eduardo Arredondo, Manny rodriguez and CJ Retherford had RBIs for the Charros.
Saturday, 3 January 2015
Panthers Use Defense To Stifle Cardinals in NFL Wild Card Game
The smothering Panthers defense held the Arizona Cardinals to 78 total yards on 47 offensive plays to defeat the Cardinals 27-16 in the first of the four wild card games this weekend.
Although Ryan Lindley completed 16 of 28 passes for 82 yards and a touchdown, he was intercepted twice and sacked 4 times for 31 yards.
Cam Newton threw 2 TDs on an 18 for 32 day passing and 198 yards. Newton was intercepted once.
Jonathan Stewart carried the ball 24 times for the Panthers and racked up 122 yards and a touchdown.
Read the entire ESPN recap here.
Although Ryan Lindley completed 16 of 28 passes for 82 yards and a touchdown, he was intercepted twice and sacked 4 times for 31 yards.
Cam Newton threw 2 TDs on an 18 for 32 day passing and 198 yards. Newton was intercepted once.
Jonathan Stewart carried the ball 24 times for the Panthers and racked up 122 yards and a touchdown.
Read the entire ESPN recap here.
Charros First Round Series With Venados Continues
CHARROS TAKE GAME 2, 2-0
The second game of the series between the Charros de Jalisco and the Venados de Mazatlan went to the Charros, 2-0, behind the pitching of starter Ben Koslowski, who pitched seven strong innings, and 3 relievers who held the Venaods scoreless. Mario Mendoza picked up his second save in as many days in the series. The series moves to Mazatlan for the next three games and would return to Guadalajara on Thursday the 8th if necessary.
The Charros opened the scoring in the bottom of the 3rd. As in game 1, Marquez Smith led off the inning by drawing a base on balls. Gabriel Gutierrez singled to center with Smith stopping at second. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch by the Venados starter, Anthony Vasquez. Eduardo Arredondo hit a sac fly to right that scored Smith and Jalisco broke on top 1-0 after three innings.
With two outs in the bottom of the 7th, Jon Weber doubled and came in to score on a double by Marquez Smith. The Charros had their second run and the final score of 2-0.
Eduardo Arredondo was 2 for 3 with an RBI. Jon Weber went 1 for 3 with a run scored and Marquez Smith, hitting .600 for the series, was 2 for 2 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Gabriel Gutierrez, batting .800 for the series, was 1 for 2 with a walk.
The second game of the series between the Charros de Jalisco and the Venados de Mazatlan went to the Charros, 2-0, behind the pitching of starter Ben Koslowski, who pitched seven strong innings, and 3 relievers who held the Venaods scoreless. Mario Mendoza picked up his second save in as many days in the series. The series moves to Mazatlan for the next three games and would return to Guadalajara on Thursday the 8th if necessary.
 |
| Ben Kozlowski courtesy Charros Jalisco |
The Charros opened the scoring in the bottom of the 3rd. As in game 1, Marquez Smith led off the inning by drawing a base on balls. Gabriel Gutierrez singled to center with Smith stopping at second. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch by the Venados starter, Anthony Vasquez. Eduardo Arredondo hit a sac fly to right that scored Smith and Jalisco broke on top 1-0 after three innings.
With two outs in the bottom of the 7th, Jon Weber doubled and came in to score on a double by Marquez Smith. The Charros had their second run and the final score of 2-0.
Eduardo Arredondo was 2 for 3 with an RBI. Jon Weber went 1 for 3 with a run scored and Marquez Smith, hitting .600 for the series, was 2 for 2 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Gabriel Gutierrez, batting .800 for the series, was 1 for 2 with a walk.
Playoff Baseball Returns to Guadalajara
CHARROS TOP VENADOS 4-1 TO TAKE GAME 1
The 2014 Liga de Mexicana del Pacifico regular season has come to an end and the Charros de Jalisco have finished as the top seed in their first year in the league. Jalisco started off the post season with a 4-1 win over the Venados de Mazatlan to go up 1 game to none in the best of seven series.
Marquez Smith got things going for the Charros in the bottom of the 3rd by drawing a lead off walk. Gabriel Gutierrez followed with a double to move Smith to third. Jesus Lopez then hit a sac fly to center that scored Smith and moved Gutierrez to third. Gutierrez scored when the Venados third baseman threw wild to first on a ground ball off the bat of Manny Rodriguez. The Charros led 2-0 and never looked back.
The Venados got a run back in the top of the 4th on a double by Ronnier Mustelier and a single by Olmo Rosario to cut the lead to 2-1 Charros.
Jalisco scored in the bottom of the 6th on singles by Leo Heras and Japhet Amador and a single by Charros newcomer, Jon Weber, formerly of the Mayos de Navojoa, that scored Heras for the 3-1 Jalisco lead.
The Charros scored their final run on a lead off, solo home run by Marquez Smith in the bottom of the 7th for the final score of 4-1.
Starting pitcher for the Charros, Marco Tovar, picked up the win, going 6 innings while scattering 7 hits, walking 1 and striking out 3. Mario Mendoza notched the save by pitching a perfect 9th inning.
Gabriel Gutierrez was 3 for 3 with a double and a run scored. Marquez went 1 for 3 with the home run, an RBI and 2 runs scored while Jon Weber was 1 for 4 with an RBI
The 2014 Liga de Mexicana del Pacifico regular season has come to an end and the Charros de Jalisco have finished as the top seed in their first year in the league. Jalisco started off the post season with a 4-1 win over the Venados de Mazatlan to go up 1 game to none in the best of seven series.
Marquez Smith got things going for the Charros in the bottom of the 3rd by drawing a lead off walk. Gabriel Gutierrez followed with a double to move Smith to third. Jesus Lopez then hit a sac fly to center that scored Smith and moved Gutierrez to third. Gutierrez scored when the Venados third baseman threw wild to first on a ground ball off the bat of Manny Rodriguez. The Charros led 2-0 and never looked back.
The Venados got a run back in the top of the 4th on a double by Ronnier Mustelier and a single by Olmo Rosario to cut the lead to 2-1 Charros.
Jalisco scored in the bottom of the 6th on singles by Leo Heras and Japhet Amador and a single by Charros newcomer, Jon Weber, formerly of the Mayos de Navojoa, that scored Heras for the 3-1 Jalisco lead.
The Charros scored their final run on a lead off, solo home run by Marquez Smith in the bottom of the 7th for the final score of 4-1.
Starting pitcher for the Charros, Marco Tovar, picked up the win, going 6 innings while scattering 7 hits, walking 1 and striking out 3. Mario Mendoza notched the save by pitching a perfect 9th inning.
Gabriel Gutierrez was 3 for 3 with a double and a run scored. Marquez went 1 for 3 with the home run, an RBI and 2 runs scored while Jon Weber was 1 for 4 with an RBI
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)