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07/13/2010 -
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -Tim Hudson remembers when throwing fastballs registering in the upper 80s and low 90s was considered impressive. Now, in baseball's Year of the Pitcher, that kind of speed is almost laughable.
Youngsters like Ubaldo Jimenez and Josh Johnson are routinely blasting the strike zone with severe heat, reaching near 100 mph.
``I do know the caliber of arms coming up these days are better than the '90s and early 2000s,'' said Hudson, a three-time All-Star with Atlanta who made the majors 11 years ago.
``You kind of scratch your head and you wonder what's changed? Are the pitchers better or are the hitters worse? Now a 91, 92 fastball is bottom of the barrel. Guys just have better stuff nowadays.''
Indeed, pitchers dominated the first half of the season. Roy Halladay and Dallas Braden threw perfect games three weeks apart in May. Armando Galarraga came within a blown call of matching their feats. Edwin Jackson tossed a no-hitter. Rookie Stephen Strasburg struck out 14 in his major league debut. Heck, even a Cubs pitcher got into the act, with Ted Lilly taking a no-no into the ninth a month ago.
``Right now the influx of young pitching in baseball is incredible, and not just guys with stuff - guys that know how to pitch in tough division series at a young age,'' said New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi, who will guide the American League team in Tuesday night's All-Star Game at Angel Stadium.
Jimenez will start for the National League, which will try to end a 13-year drought in the Midsummer Classic. He is 15-1 with a 2.20 ERA in 18 starts for Colorado. NL manager Charlie Manuel figures to get Florida ace Johnson into the game, too. He is 9-3 with a 1.70 ERA - tops in the major leagues.
He's also got Halladay and two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum in the bullpen.
``You're seeing some of the better arms in the history of the game,'' Hudson said.
The AL counters with Tampa Bay lefty David Price, who is 12-4 with a 2.42 ERA.
``There's a lot of young guys like Josh Johnson, Lincecum, me,'' Jimenez said. ``We're learning how to pitch. Every year we get better and better.''
Those young guns were a big part of why offense was down in the first half, while shutouts and strikeouts were at their high point, making for a lot of close contests.
``If you're a true baseball fan, you embrace and you enjoy pitchers' duels,'' Hudson said. ``The 1-0 games, the 2-1 games, the well-pitched games that are played without physical errors.''
So what's led to the current arms race?
Lincecum said pitchers are making improvements like never before, including throwing four types of pitches.
``Guys are just becoming perfectionists with their art,'' he said. ``That plate is our canvas and we want to hit the spots that we want to.''
Hudson believes the game's younger arms put more time into year-round preparation, whether it's working out or fine-tuning their command.
``You got guys with great stuff. You're talking about guys who are smart and guys who aren't scared,'' St. Louis ace Chris Carpenter said.
Halladay, traded from the AL's Toronto Blue Jays to the NL's Philadelphia Phillies in the offseason, believes the current trend is cyclical.
``Those things can easily turn around. It always seems like things end up being even at the end of the season,'' he said. ``To be able to see guys succeeding and pitching well, it's fun as other pitchers to watch. It's definitely more fun than seeing all the runs scored every night.''
Hudson can envision offense improving as the summer goes by.
``It may sway a little bit more toward the hitter because pitchers are going to wear down once you start getting innings under your belt,'' he said.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
<< Jazz appear ready to acquire Al Jefferson
Salt Lake City, UT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Utah Jazz are close to acquiring
forward Al Jefferson from the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to multiple
reports.
"I just approved a Jazz roster move that I'm very excited about. Planning to
<< Report: Raptors, Bobcats close to deal
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Toronto Raptors appear ready to deliver the
first big deal to try and replace Chris Bosh as they close in on a trade with
the Charlotte Bobcats.
Bosh left last week for Miami via sign-and-trade, causing a b
<< Wall has 18 points, 10 assists in win over Clips
LAS VEGAS (AP) -John Wall, playing his second NBA Summer League game with the Wizards, had 18 points, 10 assists and five steals in Washington's 89-64 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night.Wall, the No. 1 overall pick in this year's
<< Big Papi wins Home Run Derby
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz
won the 2010 Home Run Derby, beating Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez,
11-5, in the final round Monday at Angel Stadium.
Ortiz, who was in the derby fro
Warriors ink Dorell Wright >>
Oakland, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Golden State Warriors have signed free
agent forward Dorell Wright to a multi-year contract. The deal is reportedly
for three years and $11 million.
The 24-year-old Wright appeared in a career-high
New deal in place for Steelers' Tomlin >>
Pittsburgh, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin
has reportedly received a contract extension.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Tuesday that Tomlin has agreed to a
three-year deal that will take him
Line of Scrimmage: NFL GameChangers '10: Defensive Backs >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - When presented with the phrase "Atlanta
Falcons cornerback" in one of those word-association tests, the first term
that might spring to mind is "brash".
The two biggest stars to play that position in the o
NL All-Star Expanded Statistics >>
BATTERS AVG OBA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS ECatcherMolina, StL .223 .301 265 17 59 10 0 3 33 26 30 6 3 4First BasePujols, StL .308 .416 321 55 99 21 1 21 64 60 44
It’s time to see how the biggest NFL free agent signings will perform for their news teams. Some will work out and could be the difference that makes a difference in the win column.
We look at the best off-season signings and if they should influence your NFL betting this season. Julius Peppers – Peppers was the biggest prize available on the 2010 NFL free agent market and the Chicago Bears opened the bank to bring his talents to the south side.
Peppers is explosive, he can get around blockers and cause quarterbacks to lose their minds. We all remember the classic Peppers game last year against the Vikings where he hounded Brett Favre into his worst game of the season. Peppers joining the Bears could be the reason Favre retired for good Tuesday morning. In addition to Peppers, the Bears added Chester Taylor to back up Matt Forte, Forte didn’t have the same intensity in 2009 compared to 2008 and bringing in Taylor will challenge Forte to bring it every game or he’ll risk losing carries to Taylor.
Betting on the Bears is a good option this season because of Julius Peppers and to a lesser extent Taylor. Antonio Bryant and Terrell Owens – The Cincinnati Bengals signed two former number one wide receivers to line up with Chad Ocho Cinco. Antonio Bryant had a huge season in 2008 catching 83 passes for over 1200 yards but regressed last season. Playing for the Tampa Bay Bucs last season was a large part of the regression, everyone was bad in TB last season.
Bryant should have a bounce back season if he can win the number two spot from Terrell Owens. If Bryant wins the number 2 WR spot, it will open up a completely new set of problems for the Bengals. If Owens is forced to the bench in favor of Bryant, his attitude will create trouble for Carson Palmer and head coach Marv Lewis. If Owens is the number two receiver, it means Bryant can’t live up to his past numbers and the Bengals are still limited in the passing game. NFL bettors should be wary of laying their money down on what could potentially be the biggest gong show in the league in 2010. 2010 football betting lines for this can be found at this top online sportsbook. Karlos Danby – The Miami Dolphins have a great running back tandem in Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown, a good young QB in Chad Henne and now the Bill Parcells regime is building a solid defense.
NFL bettors should be wary of laying their money down on what could potentially be the biggest gong show in the league in 2010. Karlos Danby – The Miami Dolphins have a great running back tandem in Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown, a good young QB in Chad Henne and now the Bill Parcells regime is building a solid defense. They signed away the Arizona Cardinals top linebacker Karlos Danby. In the past two seasons, Danby has totaled 228 tackles, 5 sacks, 3 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles. The Dolphins are the forgotten team of the AFC East with the second longest odds to win the division but with the addition of Karlos Danby and a trade for WR Brandon Marshall makes the Miami Dolphins legitimate contenders in the AFC East and in the NFL’s Eastern Conference.
The Dolphins will make NFL wagering fans a lot of money this season, get in early and enjoy the cash.
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Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.
"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."
Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.
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