NUGGETS AROUND MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

Here are some nuggets that I wanted to bring up to you.  Sometimes when the Yankees aren't winning, it's nice to take your mind off it for a few and read about other players around the Majors. Check it out:

Lance Berkman: According to FOX 26 Sports Houston, Berkman said he may retire in the off season and if he does, he may go back to Rice University.  Read HERE.  Says Berkman: "If I do decide to retire my next move is going to be to enroll at Rice and to be a student assistant for the baseball team... The best time I ever had in my life playing baseball was when I was at Rice. To be able to help those kids that are in that situation that I was in 15 years ago,is exciting to me."  Look, I have always been a fan of Berkman and I loved his few moments on the Yankees.  Whatever he decides, I wish him the best.

Ichiro Suzuki: There's an interesting nugget in the Seattle Intelligencer about Bobby Valentine and Ichiro Suzuki.  Apparently before the Red Sox, the Mariners interviewed Bobby and Ichiro was "pushing for him", according to Larry Stone. He writes that Peter Gammons of all people came up with that story, read HERE. Stone writes: "One Mariners person says Ichiro has talked to ownership about hiring Bobby Valentine, Suzuki's preference." Hmm, one Mariner person.  Geez, that could have been a vendor in Safeco Field for all we know... and Gammon's a baseball analyst and I'm a blogger. Go figure.

David Aardsma: Good news for the Animal, he's close.  Aardsma was in Trenton last night and allowed 1 run, 3 hits and a walk. Read HERE. In my gut, with all the trouble lately involving our bullpen, I would bet you Aardsma will be up sometime this month.  I just have a feeling, especially if he's healthy and making progress. I love this guy, I can't wait to see him pitch in pinstripes.

Cal Ripken Jr: The Baltimore Orioles unveiled his statue which will now be displayed at Camden yards.  He is such an incredible man and was such a terrific ballplayer, you have to love this.  Hell, I love statues of athletes.  Any time that happens, I couldn't be happier for these guys. I remember when Rod Carew had his statue unveiled, I loved that too, (Read WHEN HONORING BASEBALL HEROES GOES REALLY WRONG.) Put it this way, I'd rather a statue in front of the stadium they called home for years and not a dirty highway like New York did for Joe DiMaggio. Congrats to Cal, you deserve everything that comes your way.

RA Dickey: I don't know about you, but I love RA Dickey and his story this season and I'd love for him to win the Cy Young in the NL? The guy is 18-4 with a 2.64 ERA.  He's truly the ace of the New York Mets right now and for him to be shafted would be a mistake.  I'm crossing my fingers for you Dickey.

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