Odd Man Rush

The Rangers top pitching prospect, 20 year old Neftali Feliz, was called up to AA Frisco on Saturday.  He made his first start on Monday, and I had the opportunity to check it out.  He gave up 6 H and 1 BB for 3 ER in 5 IP with 6 K’s.  Not overly impressive by the numbers.  Well here’s a couple number’s that should get you going.  101- The high mph Feliz threw on Monday.  96-98- The consistent range Feliz threw during his start.  He throws so hard, and the impressive thing is that he does it with minimal effort.  I watched the other pitcher try so hard to throw, and he barely touched 90 mph.  Feliz does throw some off speed stuff (like 88-90 mph), but he hasn’t developed that as much yet, but that is the only thing he really needs to do.  His control was excellent, as evidenced by his one walk allowed.  He’s going to spend another year or two between AA and AAA marinating, but when he gets to Arlington, he’s going to be sick.

So the Stars signed Sean Avery.  I hate that guy.  Apparently I am not the only one who feels that way.  Brenden Morrow said that he has used the word hate to describe his feelings for Avery in the past.  He then went on to say that he really didn’t know him that well and would make the effort to get to know him because he is his teammate.  Oh Captain, my Captain!  I love Brenden Morrow’s attitude.  When Morrow says jump the rest of the Stars jump, which is why it’s so important that he has this attitude.  Sean Avery is one of those guys that you’re supposed to hate when they play for the other team.  He also happens to be one of those guys you love to watch when he plays for your team.   Sean Avery’s one of those guys who agitates the hell out of Henrik Zetterberg causing him to take a retalitory slashing penalty.  Then for good measure he’ll score the power play goal.  Brett Hull knew that, and so did Brenden Morrow.  I think he’ll end up being a good acquisition, but, at least for me, he’s going to take some getting used to.  But if he doesn’t work out, we’ve always got Steve Ott to kick his butt.

So Shawn Chacon was sitting in the Houston Astros’ clubhouse just minding his own business.  Then all of the sudden, Ed Wade comes up and asks him to step into his office.  Chacon says you can tell me what you wanna tell me right here.  So he tells him he’s being demoted to the pen.  Shawn Chacon proceeds to choke Ed Wade.  What a retard!  Why would you act like that?  Is choking your GM to death going to get you back into the starting rotation?  This is one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard of!  So now, Shawn Chacon has been demoted even further than the bullpen: the streets.  Are there any teams in the market for someone like this?

So Shaq decided it would be cool to slam Kobe in his free style rap in New York.  It was hilarious.  Is it even worth discussing the Kobe-Shaq feud?  Absolutely not!  What is noteworthy is the fact that Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio was so appalled by Shaq’s language that he is stripping Shaq of his special deputy badge.  Was Sheriff Arpaio right to do something like this?  Of course he is.  He told the media if it had been any of his regular deputies they would be fired.  Bravo for consistency.  Shaq wasn’t necessarily wrong to do what he did.  It was definitely a cheap shot (that Shaq maintains wasn’t a shot at all).  I’m glad that Sheriff Arpaio stripped Shaq of his deputy badge, but not because I think Shaq was wrong.  I’m glad he did it because Shaq needed to be reminded that he can’t get away with everything.