For Starters, Chico Looks Like One – The Post
Chico kicks it old school – The Wash. Times
Last year, Matt Chico led Washington in starts, innings and wins. His pitching didn’t exactly inspire anyone, but his toughness impressed his coaches. Now, having gone back to his natural, high leg-kick, pitching motion there is reason to believe he can be a much better pitcher. The leg-kick puts a few miles on his fastball, lets him throw his curve again and puts less stress on his arm. All of this and the end of the John Patterson experiment seem to ensure that Chico has a spot in the rotation.
López Could Go From the Bench To Cubs’ Infield – The Post
Lopez playing his way out of job – The Free Lance-Star
IF Felipe Lopez is batting average is around the Mendoza Line and he has made four errors this season. Yet, he insists that he is “not a bench player” even though the two other middle infielders are batting no less that .100 more than him. Despite this bad attitude, the Cubs are interested in acquiring Lopez. I wonder how Lou Pinella would deal with FLop’s attitude. By the way, Manny Acta is dealing with it by saying “I’m going to try to keep my best team on the field and do what I can to keep as many guys involved, but attitude is a choice and I can only control mine. . . . I’m not going to make my decision based on what a guy says in the paper, or what [is written in the media] or what any of those guys think.”
Mets overpower Nationals – Florida Today
The Mets beat the Nats 8-2. Two of those Mets runs came on a David Wright homer after a FLop error. Paul Lo Duca caught his first Grapefruit League game of 2008.
Johnson doesn’t let bad break end career – South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Do you want to read another Nick Johnson recovery article? Of course you do!
My Conversation With Nizam Ali–Ben’s Chili Bowl – Nats320
Ben’s Chili Bowl – Nats320
SBF speaks with the owner (and son of the founder) of Ben’s Chili Bowl, Nizam Ali. Centerplate, the food vendor, realized that getting Ben’s in the park was a no-brainer. Ali says that he feels like Centerplate has partnered with Ben’s. Hopefully, this will be a long, fruitful relationship for all involved.
Mmmmmm, half-smokes.
More: Ben’s Chili at Ballpark Means Big Business – WJLA