February 15, 2007 [LINK / comment]
Nationals pitcher John Patterson's reputation reminds me of what they say about Brazil: it (he) is the country (star) of the future, and always will be! Patterson lost his arbitration case, and will therefore only receive $850,000 this year, $1 million less than he had asked for. Ouch! "That's gotta hurt!" If Patterson could only stay healthy for a full season, he would be worth at least $3 million a year. Regarding his crucial spot in the Nats' pitching staff, the Washington Post noted:
No other team in the majors has a rotation in which its only established member has never won 10 games in a major league season.
That shows why the Nationals didn't want to pay him very much, but it also highlights the glaring weakness resulting from the front office's long-term strategy of rebuilding the team's roster from the bottom up. Of course, that risks the loss of the D.C. fan base in the mean time. They are still negotiating with Chad Cordero...
Former Yankee star Hank Bauer has passed away after a bout with cancer at the age of 84. The husky and versatile outfielder played for the Bronx Bombers from 1948 to 1959, almost the same period that Casey Stengel was their manager. He was named an All Star three times, but was traded to the Kansas City Athletics for Roger Maris. Later he managed for the Orioles, leading them to their first World Series title in 1966. During World War Two, he served with the U.S. Marine Corps in the Pacific theater and earned several combat decorations. See MLB.com.