FORT McHENRY – Hello Again Everybody…How are you todaaaayy! I could not possibly be more thrilled to fill in for my good pals here after our Meet The Matts Radio bit was sabotaged by Union Protesters, as we all celebrate our nation’s 238th Birthday! I know Short Matt is and Big Al Sternberg are lying on a beach somewhere with Fake Sandy Alderson, with SPF 250 slathered all over their pale, bald carcasses. But hey, I am in no shape, form or way looking a gift dog in the mouth! I am honored to do a guest spot here for The Matts and Happy 4th of July, everybody!
So, with further adieu, let’s get started. My San Francisco Giants were making a mockery of the National League West just a couple of short weeks ago. But injuries and some bad moves by the beach ball-headed Bruce Bochy have allowed those disgusting and disgraceful Dodgers to creep back in the race. At least Mikey’s Yankees are terrible this year. Jeedah, Tusharah-not good jobs by those fellas. And between you and me I wish Short Matt would just quit it already with Muni Meter jokes! It was funny the last time, but after a while…goodness gracious! Ya gotta come up with some new materials there. I thought I’d do something here that I don’t get to do on Satellite radio and NEVER got to do when I was sharing a studio with that fat guy: My Most Memorable July 4th Baseball Moments.
(Forgive me, my writing hasn’t quite caught up with my articulation and elocution skills)
1983: David Righetti, better known as the Pitching Coach of my San Francisco Giants, tossed a no-hitter for the Bombers on Independence Day.
1930: George M. Steinbrenner III was born. Oh, Baby!
1939: Lou Gehrig makes his “I have a Dream Speech”. Not a dry eye in the house.
1976: Doggie sings Elton John and Kiki Dee’s rendition of “Philadelphia Freedom” in the wood paneled basement of his parents’ house in Syosset while neighbors call 911.
1910: Jack Johnson defends his heavyweight title by defeating James Jeffries in the “Fight of the Century.” Johnson would go on to be a Grammy nominated singer, while Jeffries would provide a spark off the bench for the 1988 NL East Champion New York Mets.
2012–Joey Chestnut is named Sportsman of the Decade
https://youtu.be/eACmafPEOe8
And speaking of Independence, last Winter’s free agent signings can now be assessed as we reach the traditional “halfway” point of the MLB season. Here are the Good Job Signings and the Not a Good Job Signings, listed alphabetically by salary and team.
Mad Dog’s Top 5 “Good Job” Signings:
1. Robinson Cano-HRs are down but he’s been very good offensively and also with the bat. Heard he ran hard last Thursday too.
2. Marlon Byrd… His production in 2014 has been All-Star caliber and whatever he’s ingesting, it’s working as he’s been very good.
3. Masahiro Tanaka... No explanation necessary. Though his last few starts have not been good jobs.
4. Jose Abreu.… Wow. Mets didn’t bid on Abreu because “they already had too many First Basemen.”
5. Scott Kazmir… yet another big arm out of the Mets pitching factory has been an ace for the A’s. #Zambrano10minutesPetersen
6.. Nelson Cruz… 1 year for $8M. Shame on you Sandy Alderson. Shame. Shame.
Honorable Mention: Justin Morneau, Casey McGehee, Michael Morse, Jason Vargas
Mad Dog’s Top 5 “Not Good Job” Signings:
1. Carlos Beltran…The Cigar Store Indian is back, and on and off the DL. In between, he’s been terrible.
2. Chris Young… the triple threat OF who can’t hit, field or throw. Nelson Cruz (roughly same money) has 26 HRs already. Young has misplayed 26 fly balls in the outfield.
3. Jhonny Peralta…take away a handful of homers and Ruben Tejada has been better. $13M a year for the PED convict. Rare Cards mistake.
4. Ubaldo Jimenez…couldn’t see this coming, huh? O’s gave him $50M dollars! $50M! $50M!
5. Joe Nathan… Tigers thought he was the last piece of the puzzle, but he’s been worse than Jose Valverde.
Dishonorable Mention: Ricky Nolasco, Brian McCann, Grant Balfour)
Happy Birthday America! Let’s Be Safe out there. Good Job, everybody!
