Dodgers

According to The Associated Press’ source, first baseman Jim Thome and Minnesota Twins of the American League Central have agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal. The contract also includes performance bonuses.

The AP’s source familiar with the negotiations between both parties asked for anonymity since the team has yet to make the announcement.

Philadelphia Phillies head into Game 2 of the World Series leading the series against the New York Yankees 1-0, but what’s more compelling about this game outside of the fact that the Yankees were dominated in Game 1 by Cliff Lee’s pitching and Chase Utley hit two home runs off CC Sabathia, is the fact that Pedro Martinez is pitching in Game 2 against New York.

While this is his first World Series start in five years, Martinez plans to lead the Phillies to a two-game lead over New York Thursday night at Yankee Stadium.

If the New York Yankees did not believe Jimmy Rollin’s prediction, maybe they should consider that going forward. Rollins, the Philadelphia Phillies shortstop predicted that the Phillies will win the World Series in five games. They started off on a good note Wednesday night in New York as pitcher Cliff Lee dominated the Yankee batters, while Chase Utley had two home runs to give Philadelphia an initial 2-0 lead as they eventually won game one 6-1.

Last year, the Philadelphia Phillies shortstopper Jimmy Rollin had predicted the team would win 100 games, they ended up with 92 wins along with 11 more wins as they won the World Series last season. This week, Rollins boasts that the Phillies will take care of the New York Yankees in the 2009 World Series of Baseball in five games.

This time, Rollins, playing for back-to-back World Series titles, might be accurate with the number.

When it was announced that Mark McGwire would join the coaching ranks at his former team the St. Louis Cardinals as their new hitting coach, most critics of baseball would have simply pointed to his refusal to answer questions during a March 2005 Congressional hearing on Steroids. But no one can deny the fact that McGwire along with Sammy Sosa in 1998 brought baseball back to its place as America’s past time and his well deserved opportunity to give back to the sport he gave his all.

With Lamar Odom was recently married to a reality TV star and the addition of alleged troublesome player Ron Artest, some pundits have mentioned it would be difficult for the Los Angeles Lakers to repeat as NBA champions.

During the Lakers media day, Artest, who was a free agent this offseason and signed with Los Angeles, had a mask with a Los Angeles Dodgers emblem over his face with a bat in the hand. The criticism by most is maybe he is not stable and they wondered what he would do with it.

Rocktober will once again return to the mile high city as the Colorado Rockies have clinched a playoff berth for the second time in three years.

On Thursday the Rockies beat the Milwaukee Brewers 9-2 to secure a trip to the playoffs with at least a wild card berth, but the Rockies still have a chance to win the division as they open a three game set with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday in L.A.

The Colorado Rockies offense kicked into high gear once again at home versus the Chicago Cubs, taking three-out-of-four in the series.

After dominating the Angles 11-1, the Rockies have won 17 of their last 18 games and are the hottest team in baseball. Since June 4, the Rockies have been piling on the wins, making June the new Rocktober.

The impressive streak ties the franchise record set last year during the Rockies improbable playoff run. Currently, the Rockies sit third in the NL West standings at 37-33, just 8 games back from the LA Dodgers.

The impressive streak comes under new manager Jim Tracy, who replaced Clint Hurdle on May 29. Since Tracy’s promotion, the Rockies are 19-5.

On Friday, May 29, the Colorado Rockies began playing under new leadership. Does that date signal the beginning of a turn-around for the Rockies abysmal 2009 season?