Several pitchers have put up good numbers, but no one has been nearly as good as Zack Greinke.
At the end of April, the Royals, Mariners, Pirates and Marlins were some of the top performing teams.
That's nowhere near the case any longer.
So let's take a look at the Power Alley now that May has come to an end.
There was something magical about being at Camden Yards on Saturday.
There was a feeling that hasn't been there in quite some time.
The fans are beginning to believe in the Orioles again.
And that made the game fun.
Watching Matt Wieters come to bat and feeling the expectation from the crowd was special. They weren't just hoping he would get a hit. And it wasn't that they expected him to either. They just knew it would be fun. A let's watch and see what happens type of thing.
But it's not just the rookie who was playing his second game - collecting his first career hit, a booming triple off the centerfield wall.
The Wolf is on the hunt.
And what happens when a pack of T-ballers spend four hours at the ballpark? The go more crazy than Carlos Zamrbano. Minus the anger issues.
And how did an umpire toss so many people for so few issues?
Manny Ramirez if fourth in All-Star voting. That means the guy who's been suspended for 50 of the season's first 100 games.
No doubt LA fans will want to get him over the threshold.
However, one has to wonder if the commish would let Ramirez start.
For one day, young Orioles fans know what it feels like to win a World Series game. To be down as much as they were and come back is a glorious feeling.
The Orioles had their most exciting win of the season.
The Nats react to a steroid story.
We're seeing less of Charlie Manuel.
And why is Carlos Zambrano going absolutely batcrap crazy?
From The Associated Press:
"SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) -- A grand jury has indicted the man accused of killing Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two others when a minivan smashed into their car last month.
Orange County prosecutors say Andrew Gallo was indicted Wednesday on three counts of murder and three other felonies for the April 9 crash.
Gallo already faced similar charges, but prosecutors say the indictment will help expedite the case by skipping the preliminary hearing.
Police say Gallo had nearly triple the legal blood-alcohol level when his minivan ran a red light and crashed in Fullerton.
Adenhart died hours after he made his season debut by pitching six scoreless innings. Two others were also killed and a third was critically injured."
From 1980 to 1991, Rickey Henderson led the American League in stolen bases every season but 1987.
Who was the temporary Man of Steal that season?
A man busted for selling drugs has apparently told police he sold steroids to members of the Nationals.
The Associated Press story is on the jump.
ESPN baseball guru Jayson Stark will be in York on Saturday to promote his new book, "Worth the Wait: Tales of the 2008 Phillies."
According to Stark's Facebook page, he will be at Bookland, 2114 S. Queen St.
The appearance will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
If you haven't read his book, read the review here.
Pirate Jack Wilson gets brushed back Wednesday.
Eric the Wreck returns, and was anything but a wreck.
David Ortiz was dropped.
And streaks, streaks and more streaks.
It's Weiters time.
From The Associated Press:
"WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama tapped federal appeals judge Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court on Tuesday, officials said, making her the first Hispanic in history picked to wear the robes of a justice.
"If confirmed by the Senate, Sotomayor, 54, would succeed retiring Justice David Souter. Two officials described Obama's decision on condition of anonymity because no formal announcement had been made. "
Here's the baseball significance.
"In one of her most memorable rulings as federal district judge, Sotomayor essentially salvaged baseball in 1995, ruling with players over owners in a labor strike that had led to the cancellation of the World Series. "
Vlad is back.
The Pads are on fire.
And Jerry's in trouble.
We here at The Southpaw hope you don't mind us sleeping in on Memorial Day.
Now, let's begin the weekend's roundup.
Which of course included Bobby Abreu taking your favorite southpaw deep.
Inside, we have a video about baseball and World War II
Spent a wonderful day in and around the nation's capital with my wife, my father-in-law and his girlfriend. Well, it was wonderful until Bobby Abreu took me deep to left.
It started out in Manassas, where we took in the battlefield and did the audio car-tour thing.
It ended with a walk through downtown D.C. that culminated in an 11 p.m. visit to the Supreme Court. I thought of many cases and the importance of the decisions that have come out of those chambers. Plessy v. Ferguson, Brown v. the Board of Education of Topeka, Kans., Bush v. Gore, Tyson v Spinks.
It wasn't until now that Curt Flood's case popped into my mind. Of course, Flood lost his case against baseball's reserve clause, but the Players' Union eventually won. All the evidence you need is to know a ticket to a Nationals' (14 wins) game costs $20 bucks.
The evening was spent taking in a ballgame at Nationals Park.
So, I bet you're wondering what the whole Bobby Abreu thing is.
It's about time.
The Orioles finally dropped Adam Eaton.
For two years, Phillies fans watched helplessly as Adam Eaton held them hostage with his three-year, $24 million deal. He didn't pitch like a pitcher who earned $8 mil. He pitched like a batting practice hurler during the Home Run Derby.
Eaton went 10-10, which is respectable enough, in 2007. And he was on a division-winning club in the Liberty City.
However, he complied a 6.29 ERA, gave up 192 hits in 161 innings and tossed 30 home run balls.
While the Phillies were becoming World Champs, Eaton proved to be better than a one-year wonder. His ERA plummeted to 5.80. Yeah. He also went 4-8.
The Phillies released him shortly after the parade.
Then the Orioles picked him up.
Why, who knows. Maybe the hoped his ERA would drop to 5.40.
Really, it was because like all MLB executives, people like his "stuff."
You know what type of "stuff" he has? The stuff of a career 4.94 ERA. It's not that he walks people. It's that batters see him take the hill and think, "Power arm right over the plate. Yippee."
So, after compiling a 8.56 ERA, Eaton was released.
Maybe he can make the Revolution. We here at The Southpaw doubt he would even last in the Atlantic League.
Maybe the South Penn League. But it's doubful.
The World Champs are in The Bronx.
All is right with the world. There's going to be a Gwynn in San Diego.
And a Peavy too. For now.
Editor's note: This was scheduled to post Wednesday, May 20, but didn't go live until Thursday because we here at The Southpaw forgot to change it's status.
I must have selective memory. My father swears I once threw a bat at him. This incident, that I strongly deny ever occurred, allegedly happened when he was pitching batting practice.
But the apple must not fall far from the tree because my father has selective memory too.
He doesn't recall the many brushbacks he threw under my chin. Or the time I didn't listen when he said I should correct the hitch in my swing - see I admit to some things - and he drilled me in the back on back-to-back pitches.
The purpose of these to tales is not to say my father and I had a combative relationship, but that we care so much about each other we're more than willing to forgive and forget.
And that's why I want to wish him Happy 70th Birthday.
Our prayers are with Scott Schoeneweis and his family.
Is the future of the Nats injured?
What's going on in Manny's mind?
Is Nick Johnson returning to New York?
"I don't know exaclty what's inside Buck O'Neil, but I know we need more of it." - Bob Costas.
If baseball has a King Arthur, it's Buck O'Neil.
He was a man who never saw justice: Because of the color of his skin he never played in the Major Leagues. He should have been baseball's first black manager, but never got the nod. He should have been inducted into the Hall of Fame, but never got the call. He's a man who should have grown bitter, downright angry, and even resentful.
Instead, he passed along an infectious love for the game, smiled for the cameras, warmed peoples hearts, stirred compassion in the minds of fans and made Real Life Big League Ballplayers - who are often treated as and think of themselves as minigods - to look up to him.
He brought out idealism in hardened men, made young women feel like they'd met a knight, and signed balls any kid handed him.
If you get the chance, you must read his book, "I Was Right On Time." It will make you smile, laugh, cry.
It's not April anymore. In fact, it's almost June, but all of these facts are true.
And they're shocking.
Zack Greinki is 7-1 with a 0.60 ERA.
The American League division leaders are: Toronto, Detroit and Texas.
The National League batting leader is Christian Guzman, who's batting .373.Milwaukee leads the NL Central.
Chad Billingsley is 6-1 with a 2.51 ERA.
Could Barry be the Mets' answer?
Chan Ho got the Heave Ho.
Seven wasn't the O's lucky number.
And you'd better get off the tracks. The D-Train is rolling, rolling rolling.
The Bronx Bombers can do no wrong.
Baltimore has warmed up to Aubrey Huff.
And Carlos Delgado is going under the knife.
Gary Sheffield's numbers and legacy state he belongs in the Hall of Fame. His image, however, could keep him out.
Gary Sheffield has always been controversial. We get the image that he spent a lot of time in the corner during kindergarten.
If Sheffield were a movie star, he'd be Colin Farrell. If he were a director he'd be Oliver Stone. If he were a political topic he'd be abortion.
Gary Sheffield is, with the bat and with his reputation, explosive.
We'll always remember him for that.
It's very rare that we here at The Southpaw feel compelled to thank Bud Selig. Today, however, we will.
The commissioners office and Fox Sports have announced the start times for World Series games will move up 40 minutes.
Now, fans on the East coast will make it to the sixth inning before falling asleep.
Why is the pitcher batting third?
Everyone should be afraid of Prince Fielder.
And David Wills is throwing heat.
Jimmy Rollins, who has actually gotten a hit since the World Series, give President Barack Obama a jersey and ball.
The Phillies, who might have forgotten they're world champs, visited the White House and met President Barack Obama.
Yes that's pinch hit hero Matt Stairs in the background. Sports editor Chris Otto points out Stairs is Canadian.
Also at the ceremony were Sen. Arlen Specter and exiled Phils reliever J.C. Romero.
We have an update on the ump who bumped.
And who the hell is Nestor Chylak
Should the Mets ditch Jose Reyes?
Now that Ryan Zimmerman's 30-game hitting streak is over, something needs to be said. Joe DiMaggio's streak of hitting in 56 straight games is the most overrated feat in the history of professional sports.
What? Are you some sort of idiot? Have you ever watched a game? Do you know how hard it is to get a hit in just one game?
Our answers in order: DiMaggio's streak doesn't mean anything it's pure fluff. Sure it's entertaining to follow, but it doesn't mean diddly squat. In fact, inside, we'll list 10 more impressive streaks. And yes, we watch games, all the time, and yes we know it's hard to hit. Even in a high school game, it's hard to get a hit in four straight games.
Doesn't mean much. What's wrong with you? This is the most unbreakable record in sports.
First off, we'd say Cy Young's 511 wins are more unbreakable, considering Walter Johnson is second on the list and almost a full 100 wins behind. However, we get your point. And if you want to find out the madness behind this logic, read on.
The Giambino struck again. He does have some pop left in his bat, after banging a double for Oakland.
Ryan Zimmerman's streak is over and that's too bad. Things could have gotten very interesting.
We haven't heard much from Lance Berkman this season. He had a loud day Wednesday.
And why are we willing to listen to Peter Edward Rose?
Thursday's first pitch will be up in a bit.
Don't fret, the Southpaw hasn't left you, although the phone is ringing. The Phillies need a pitcher. And, yes, it's getting that bad.
Remember to check back for more later.
This isn't great writing in the Gary Smith vein, but this is great writing in that it is a journalist being fair and honest with the fans about the ethics of sports journalism.
And along the way, he tells us something about ourselves.
That, in an of itself, is always great writing.
Which player got his first career hit on the 24th anniversary of his of Hall of Fame father's first career hit.
Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson says he has been successfully treated for prostate cancer.
The lifelong Oriole began his professional career in York with the White Roses.
Here's hoping Mr. Robinson has a complete recovery.
Check out YorkTownSquare for more information on Robinson's connections to York.
Man, was it a good day to be an Orioles fan.
Roy Halladay emasculated the Yankees. That's the only way to describe it.
Oh, you'll want to stick around for The Closer, where a former Red Sox player talks about being taught to use steroids.
Talk about being overshadowed. Dom DiMaggio grew up in the same household as Joe DiMaggio, so that meant the bespectacled San Franciscan had a brother who hit in 56 consecutive games, married Marylin Monroe and became a baseball icon known as "The Greatest Living Ballplayer."
Then DiMaggio has to share the outfield with Ted Williams. All the Splendid Splinter did was become the last player to hit .400 for a full season, win not one but two triple crowns and become "The Best Hitter Who Ever Lived."
So Dom DiMaggio was towered over by two of the biggest legends in sports history.
Which makes it hard to put his career in perspective.
Roger Clemens gave an interview to Mike & Mike this morning. ESPN hyped it as only ESPN and American Idol can hype something.
The problem is that the Rocket did what was expected: deny, deny deny. So the interview was far from entertaining.
The thing is, there is something funny about Good Ole' Rogah's interview.
The Rocket is going to be on Mike & Mike at 8:25 this morning. It will be his first interview since the "60 Minutes" waste-of-our-time chat with Mike Wallace.
Check inside to find out why Johan Santana can only shake his head.
Oh, and the Yankees are having a yard sale.
The streak continues.
And is Manny bigger than the Dodgers?
Rivera gets rocked.
The Mets manhandled the Phillies.
The Yanks are on their way to Baltimore.
Oh and, Johnny Bench had Lefty's number.
It doesn't look like Manny cared. Ever.
If you don't want to read up on all things Manny that's fine with us. Just check back later for the non-Manny first pitch.
But if you need your Manny links, step on into The Southpaw.
MARION, Mass. (AP) -- Dom DiMaggio, a seven-time All Star who still holds the record for the longest consecutive game hitting streak in Boston Red Sox history, has died at his Massachusetts home. He was 92.
DiMaggio, the brother of New York Yankees Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio, died at about about 1 a.m. on Friday, according to his wife, Emily.
Dom was the youngest of three brothers who each became major league center fielders. Vince DiMaggio played for five National League teams in his career.
Check out York's tie to the DiMaggio brothers.
In the span of a season, Manny Ramirez has gone from Major League Baseball's lovable goofball, to a lazy, out-of-touch malcontent who shoves traveling secretaries, and who, now, will forever be linked to performance enhancing drugs.
So where do we go from here?
From The Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) -- Manny Ramirez was suspended for 50 games by Major League Baseball on Thursday, becoming the latest high-profile player ensnared in the sport's drug scandals.
The commissioner's office didn't announce the specific violation by the Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder, who will lose about one-third of his $25 million salary.
"Recently I saw a physician for a personal health issue. He gave me a medication, not a steroid, which he thought was OK to give me," Ramirez said in a statement issued by the players' union.
"Unfortunately, the medication was banned under our drug policy. Under the policy that mistake is now my responsibility. I have been advised not to say anything more for now. I do want to say one other thing; I've taken and passed about 15 drug tests over the past five seasons."
No, this packed house isn't because of the Orioles' play thus far this season. It's because of a torrential downpour.
Right now, Johan Santana could do anything he wants with a baseball. We're serious. He could split an atom, knock a fly off a dime, throw it through Fort Knox without it being seen.
The Orioles played a Little League game.
Only twice in history has either league had the same three starting outfielders in back-to-back-to-back All Star games. Who were the luminaries in those outfields?
Arizona Diamondbacks' Justin Upton bunts and is eventually tagged out at first during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers
A tie. A tie. In baseball. Well, not quite.
Happy Birthday, Willie Mays.
And the Dodgers are still undefeated at home.
The Orioles will host the Yankees this weekend, which means O's fans will get to boo Mark Teixiera again. But Alex Rodriguez will be around, too. Will he diffuse some of the taunting?
They Philadelphia Phillies, the organization that won one whole World Series from 1883 to 2007, have a policy of only retiring the numbers of players who have made it to Cooperstown.
The World Champs need to break that tradition.
There's one player who's not in the Hall of Fame whose jersey needs to be retired this year.
Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz slugs a first inning double off New York Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes. Ortiz collected two doubles in Boston's victory.
Mystique and Aura have yet to move into the new Yankee Stadium.
Zack Greinke is clearly the best pitcher on the planet right now.
The Phillies-Mets series was a dud, but the Red Sox-Rays was very entertaining.
Joe Maddon's team appears to have life. And, if you didn't know, Carl Crawford is quick as a sneeze.
And don't forget, a daily dose of The Southpaw keeps the swine flu away.
We here at The Southpaw had a busy weekend with visits from both sides of the family and Molly's fantastic performances in "A Grand Night for Singing" at the Eichelberger. So we weren't around for updates, despite a fantastic, if soggy, weekend in baseball.
Also, sorry for the delay in today's first pitch. It's been a busy morning and should be up within the hour.
April's over boys and girls.
So crank up the grill, grab a Dr Pepper and check out our month-end look at the most powerful teams and players in baseball.
What a month.
Albert Pujols has out-homered the Athletics.
The Royals are in first place.
