Best Hitting Pitchers in MLB

Previously published in Baseball Digest Daily on July 15, 2008.

It’s the bottom of the 6th inning with two outs and a man on base for the Arizona Diamondbacks who trail the visiting Houston Astros 7-5. The raucous crowd of Diamondback fans at Chase Field rise to their feet as the pinch hitter digs in, awaiting the delivery. The pitcher Dave Borkowski, confident, rears back and fires the ball, challenging the hitter.

The ball is greeted with a solid crack of the bat and the crowd erupts as the ball sails into the right field seats for a two-run pinch hit homer to tie the game.

In a matter of seconds, one pitch, one crack of the bat. . . and two runs on the board for the Diamondbacks.

Unusual? This time it was.

Fat Lady Warming Up Her Mic For The Braves

Previously published in Baseball Digest Daily on July 29, 2008.

ATLANTA – At All-Star break the Atlanta Braves were poised to make a run. Their schedule allowed them a realistic opportunity to create a tight, four-way race in the NL East.

Being in the hunt for a playoff spot would put the Braves in the position most analysts expected them to be in throughout this season. Being in the hunt could also convince Braves GM Frank Wren to stop accepting calls inquiring about a Mark Teixeira trade.

On July 16 with the Braves sitting 6.5 games behind first and the last-place Nationals coming to town, it wasn’t time for the Fat Lady to sing just yet.

Stern Must Rebuttal Whistle Blower Ref Donaghy

Tom is an NBA writer whose work has been published in the New York Daily News, Washington Times, Detroit Free Press and 360 Hawks Magazine. Contact Tom at tom@tomferda.com
David Stern is getting more predictable by the interview. When he gets in front of the microphone, he is sounding like an old, [...]

Another Esposito is Hovering over NHL

Although they are not related, Angelo and Phil share the same birth date, wear the same jersey number and as teens possessed the same offensive skills that demanded attention from the NHL. Published in The Hockey News.

Braves Need Early Win Streak To Save Teixeira

Now that we’ve taken a few days to come down from the adrenaline rush provided by the longest game in All-Star history it’s time to take a look at the importance of a strong Braves start in the second half. Can the Braves close the gap and give GM Frank Wren a reason to keep slugger Mark Teixeira past the July 31 trade deadline?

New York native Bogosian fighting for NHL roster spot

After being selected No. 3 overall in the NHL Entry Draft, New York native Zach Bogosian is fighting for a spot on Atlanta’s roster. Published in The Hockey News.

Hollywood Helps NHL Get Mojo Back

After years of hiding in the shadows of the rival NBA, the NHL is making its way back into the ratings and into Hollywood’s spotlight.

California native Brett Sterling eyes NHL spot

When you’re only 5-foot-7, it’s easy to fly under the radar. But after an impressive college career and an award-winning rookie season in professional hockey, Brett Sterling is proving that big things can come in small packages. Published in USA Hockey Magazine.

Tigers’ Dontrelle Willis joined by Francoeur

DETROIT – Despite receiving enormous salaries and long-term contracts, All-Star players and fan favorites are being forced to trade chartered flights to MLB cities for trips to away games on a bus.