Wonder no longer about whether your favorite slugger was on steroids, because we have the list of players who tested positive for steroids in 2003 along with David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez.  Thanks to an MLB source of ours who got to sneak a peek at the list, you no longer need to play the guessing game of whether your favorite star wasn’t playing fair. Take a look:

1.Nomar Garciaparra
2. Manny Ramirez
3. Johnny Damon
4. Trot Nixon
5. David Ortiz
6. Shea Hillenbrand
7. Derek Lowe
8. Pedro Martinez
9. Brian Roberts
10. Jay Gibbons
11. Melvin Mora
12. Jerry Hairston
13. Jason Giambi
14. Alfonso Soriano
15. Raul Mondesi
16. Aaron Boone
17. Andy Pettite
18. Jose Contreras
19. Roger Clemens
20. Carlos Delgado
21. Vernon Wells
22. Frank Catalanotto
23. Kenny Rogers
24. Magglio Ordonez
25. Sandy Alomar
26. Bartolo Colon
27. Brent Abernathy
28. Jose Lima
29. Milton Bradley
30. Casey Blake
31. Danys Baez
32. Craig Monroe
33. Dmitri Young
34. Alex Sanchez
35. Eric Chavez
36. Miquel Tejada
37. Eric Byrnes
38. Jose Guillen
39. Keith Foulke
40. Ricardo Rincon
41. Bret Boone
42. Mike Cameron
43. Randy Winn
44. Ryan Franklin
45. Freddy Garcia
46. Rafael Soriano
47. Scott Spiezio
48. Troy Glaus
49. Francisco Rodriquez
50. Sean Weber
51. Alex Rodriquez
52. Juan Gonzalez
53. Rafael Palmeiro
54. Carl Everett
55. Javy Lopez
56. Gary Sheffield
57. Mike Hampton
58. Ivan Rodriquez
50. Derrek Lee
60. Bobby Abreu
61. Terry Adams
62. Fernando Tatis
63. Livan Hernandez
64. Hector Almonte
65. Tony Adams
66. Dan Smith
67. Roberto Alomar
68. Cliff Floyd
69. Roger Cedeno
70. Jeromy Burnitz
71. Moises Alou
72. Sammy Sosa
73. Corey Patterson
74. Carlos Zambrano
75. Mark Prior
76. Kerry Wood
77. Matt Clement
78. Antonio Alfonsaca
79. Juan Cruz
80. Aramis Ramirez
81. Craig Wilson
82. Kris Benson
83. Richie Sexson
84. Geoff Jenkins
85. Valerio de los Sanlos
86. Benito Santiago
87. Rich Aurilia
88. Barry Bonds
89. Andres Galarraga
90. Jason Schmidt
91. Felix Rodriquez
92. Jason Christiansen
93. Matt Herges
94. Paul LoDuca
95. Shawn Green
96. Oliver Rerez
97. Adrian Beltre
98. Eric Gagne
99. Guillermo Mota
100. Luis Gonzalez
101. Todd Helton
102. Ryan Klesko
103. Gary Matthews

Take a look a the top of that list, do those players have anything in common? Oh that’s right, they were all members of the World Champion Red Sox. Most major leaguers of consequence made the list and it’s actually interesting to see who has fallen off in the last few years, potentially due to stricter testing policies.   

Now I’d imagine that this isn’t the entire list because I recognize all the names on this list and I find it hard to believe that only the good players were on roids.  Instead, this list is probably more a who’s who of who actually tested positive.  Either way, it’s unbelievable how prevalent this stuff became.  At the same time, should we be so surprised about anyone’s name coming out at this point.  Many of the games greats have admitted to steroid use and if the players with the most talent were using, it stands to reason that players with less talent were using as well.

It was good to not see Ken Griffey Jr.’s name on this list.  The Kid is still clean…for now.

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Outside of Steven Strasburg, I can almost guarantee that you know o% of the rest of the drafted in the first round of the MLB draft.  As always, The Angry T is making the uninteresting more interesting by drafting some players you do know, namely the best 10 digital baseball players ever to be digitized. Here’s the first 10 picks of the MLB draft using the best of video games baseball.

1. The Entire New York Team – Little League Baseball:Championship Series – The Nationals need a lot of help and what better way to restock the team than with the greatest hitting, fielding and pitching force in the history of NES Little League baseball games.  For some reason, this team was five times better than any other team in the game.  Expect a world series in the nation’s capital as soon as these digital youngsters hit puberty.

2. Ken Griffey Jr. – Ken Griffey Jr. Baseball – Super Nintendo – Seattle Mariners – The real Ken Griffey is inching ever closer to retirement.  An ageless, tireless and digital version of Griffey in his prime should help the Mariners break out of their doldrums.

3. Big Al – Dusty Diamond’s All-Star Softball- NES – San Diego Padres – All he does is hit home runs, in every softball related situation possible. What team, Padres included, couldn’t use a guy with this type of power.  The only red flag is that he really only knows how to play softball, which I barely even consider a red flag.

4. Roger Clemens – Roger Clemens’ MVP Baseball – NES – Pittsburgh Pirates - While I thoroughly disliked this game, it was hard to beat the smoke that Roger Clemens was throwing in this game.  Buyer beware, I see some potential legal problems in this guy’s future.

5. Frank Thomas – Frank Thomas Big Hurt Baseball – SNES – Baltimore Orioles - Who’s playing first base for these guys currently? Aubrey Huff? Now I’m not up on my Aubrey Huff statistics, but I have to believe that Frank is an upgrade.

6. Nolan Ryan – Nolan Ryan Baseball – SNES – San Francisco Giants – This is such a great pick I have to imagine that ol’ Timmy Lincecum is concerned about losing his #1 spot.  Matt Caine may as well find another trade because Nolan might kick him right out of the rotation.  I’m not even sure it was possible to hit more than a single off Nolan in this game.  That should carry right over into real ife, and save for a team of Ichiros, this guy would be a 30 game winner ever season.

7. Sammy Sosa – Sammy Sosa High Heat Baseball 2001 – Computer – Atlanta Braves - With the current Sammy retiring, the digital Sammy would be more than happy to step into the fold.  Better yet, the digital Sammy might actually make the Hall of Fame, unlike the real Sammy who has the Dominican athlete Hall of Fame on lock, but that’s about it.

8. The Hawaiian Dude from Adventure Island – Adventure Island – NES – Cincinnati Reds – This guy is a pure athlete in every sense of the word.  Look at him throw the bones, birds and other inaminate objects all over the place in this game at around 113 MPH. Steve Nebraska anyone?  Five-tool doesn’t even begin to describe this baseball talent.

9. Cal Ripken Jr. – Cal Ripken Jr. Baseball – SNES and Sega – Detroit Tigers - Aside from never coming out of the game, Cal was also the only player in this game who actually had a name on his jersey.  Even though this was an awful excuse for a baseball game Cal’s talent shines through in singles and doubles against Pitcher #11, Pitcher #18, and Relief Pitcher #34.

10. Benito Santiago – RBI Baseball – NES – Washington Nationals – With two of the first 10 picks in the draft, the Washington Nationals have found their battery for the next 20 years.  You want power? Check out what Benito can do with only a bunt:

There you have it, the first 10 picks in the draft using only video game characters. Let me know who I missed in the comments.

The Angry T

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We’ve officially passed the quarter pole in the Major League Baseball season and although no one (except maybe the Dodgers) is a shoe in to make the playoffs, quite a few teams have worked hard to play themselves out of the playoffs. At The Angry T, we tend to focus on the positive, so today we’re only going to discuss the division leaders and contenders. Rather than just handed out our blah, and almost always spot on, analysis we’re going to bridge the gap between sports and pop culture like only we, and thousands of other blogs, can.

We took at look at the Billboard Top 40 and coupled all division leaders and current contenders to the Top 40 song that most describes their team and their season thus far. Take a look:

Detroit Tigers 30-251st Place AL Central – Don’t Trust Me – 3Oh!3 – As a Tigers fan, its hard for me not to get excited about the Tigers’ first place start.  I’m still reticent to trust anything that the Tigers have done thus far because Brandon Inge has done a significant portion of the offensive lifting for this team, a trend that I don’t expect to continue.  If Polanco, Ordonez and Guillen (when he returns) don’t produce, this team will have a very hard time making the playoffs.

Minnesota Twins – 28-30 Second Place AL Central – Sugarland – It Happens – Every year, regardless of the names on the back of the uniforms, it just happens, the Twins are in the mix in the central.  Ron Gardenhire for mayor, governer, or Jesus.

Chicago White Sox 26-30 Third Place AL Central – Beyonce – Halo – The circular halo looks a lot like a 0, a score that the White Sox have registered eight times this year. Their eight scoreless games are worst in the league as is their .220 average at home.

New York Yankees 33-23 1st Place AL East – Boom Boom Pow – Black Eyed Peas – The Yankees have been playing long ball as a result of playing in Cape Canaveral north at the New Yankee Stadium.

Chicago Cubs 28-26 Third Place NL Central – Kris Allen – Heartless – The Cubs have shown the world that they have the tools to make the playoffs with their play over the last two seasons.  The question, the eternal question for the Cubs in fact, is whether they’ll have enough heart to translate regular season success into post-season success.

LA Dodgers 39-20 1st Place NL West – My Life Would Suck Without You – Kelly Clarkson – Many believed that the Dodgers life would suck without Manny.  All Manny’s replacement Juan Pierre has done is hit .400 and steal 10 bases in his sted.  This song might also apply to Manny’s new life without the juice.  Time will tell.

Texas Rangers 33-23 1st Place AL West – Day N’ Nite – Kid Cudi – The Ranger of last year and this year are like day and night despite the fact that Home Run Derby hero Josh Hamilton has come back to earth in his second season back.  

Milwaukee Brewers 33-24 1st Place NL Central – All-American Rejects – Gives You Hell - Even though I dislike this song  greatly, I had to use it to give credit to the newest member of the Brewers bullpen.  Trevor Hoffman has soldified the Brewers pen with 14 saves and a 0.00 ERA while still employing his trademark “Hell’s Bells,” (see the connection?) entrance music

St. Louis Cardinals 31-26 1st Place NL Central – The Best I’ve Ever  (NSFW)- Drake - We may be watching the greatest hitter of all-time in Albert Pujols.  He’s top 5 in MLB history in OPS and slugging % and is number 12 in on base and so far he hasn’t even been caught with a bottle of winstrol in his locker. YIPPEE.   Not suprisingly he’s having another ho-hum MVP caliber season for his first place Cadinals.

Philadelphia Phillies 33-22 1st Place AL East – Miley Cyrus – The Climb – First and foremost, great song.  Second, the Phillies are in great position to “climb” the mountain again and give themselves a chance to repeat as champions.

New York Mets 30-25 Second in the NL East – Sean Kingston – Fire Burning - While Francisco Rodriguez has shored up the back end of their bullpen, Mets’ set-up man J.J. Putz continues to bring the gas can with him to the mound. Aside from that fire, the Mets have to be hungry as ever to put recent late season collapses behind them. In other words, they are burning with desire to make the post season.

Boston Red Sox 33-24 Second in the AL East – Jeremih – Birthday Sex - Could we get David Ortiz some birthday sex? This guy’s lack of performance has been talked about on every major news outlet in the Western Hemisphere.  He’s getting his eyes checked, he’s getting accused of experiencing the effects of getting off steroids and worst of all he’s being accused, by this writer, of probably being unable to please his wife. Hell, there’s no way I would be able to if the entire world was wholeheartedly doubting me.  David’s birthday is November 18 and that might be too long to wait, so hopefully someone can get this guy half-birthday sex.

There you have it, Major League teams and To 40 songs.  Let me know if you think missed any teams or had any ideas of your own.

The Angry T

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Baseball fans have undoubtedly already read about Timmy Lincecum’s Cy Young victory. What you may not know is that Tim’s victory is not just his own, but it’s also a victory for all of the 20 somethings out there that look like they’re 12.  I know all too well what it feels like to be 25 years old without a hint of any form of chest hair.  When my barber asks, “Where would you like me to leave your sideburns?” I can only thank him for extending me that courtesy, I don’t even have what could be considered a liberal definition of side burns.

So, this post is for Tim and all the other athletes out there that have inspired the hairless and babyfaced to achieve athletic greatness:
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It’s everyone’s favorite time of the year… MLB award presentations.  Stat geeks everywhere rejoice.  Well, this one’s for you guys.  You can’t quite capture how valuable a guy is or who the best manager is on paper.  But, you can determine how good of a defender someone is.  Which makes the annual Gold Glove awards even stranger.  They’re about as meaningful as Pro Bowl appearances, frankly.  This year is no exception as Nate McLouth managed to receive a Gold Glove, apparently because he threw Dioner Navarro out in the All-Star game.  Inspired by McLouth, here is our list of the worst recent Gold Glove winners.

C- Jason Varitek, 2005

Yes, I know Jason Varitek is “known” for his defense.  He’s a good leader and, from most all accounts, he calls a great game.  Unfortunately, he can’t seem to catch a knuckleball and he probably couldn’t throw me out attempting to steal second base.  In 2005, he threw out just 24% of runners, allowing the 9th most stolen bases of all catchers.  Meanwhile, Pudge had more runners thrown out than stolen bases.  This Gold Glove might be even more of a sham than his All-Star appearance this year.

1B- Rafael Palmeiro, 1999

He played in 28 games.  Enough said.

2B- Chuck Knoblauch, 1997

Regardless of how good he was in 1997, Chuck Knoblauch should have had this award revoked as a result of his defensive performance with the Yankees in 1999 and 2000.  Even Rick Ankiel is embarrassed at Knoblauch’s erratic throws.

SS- Derek Jeter, 2004-2006

Okay, let’s get it out of the way.  Derek Jeter is one of the great captains in the history of sports.  He is tremendously clutch in October.  But a Gold Glove defender?  He’d be lucky to be called above average.  Derek Jeter won the 2006 Gold Glove with the worst Range Factor among all American League shortstops.  He won all of these Gold Gloves over the likes of Omar Vizquel, Orlando Cabrera, and Michael Young.

3B- Adrian Beltre, 2007

Third basemen might have the distinction of having the best selections historically.  Adrian Beltre is the one glaring exception.  It was clearly time to give the AL Gold Glove to someone not named Eric Chavez.  Unfortunately, they gave it to a guy who was DEAD LAST among AL third basemen playing a significant amount of games.  Adrian Beltre was 9th in the AL among 9 “every day” third basemen, including Brandon Inge.

OF- Nate McLouth, 2008

I leave you with the words of Rob Neyer, who sums it up best.  “According to John Dewan’s Fielding Bible data, McLouth was 40 plays worse than average, dead last among major league outfielders. According to Baseball Prospectus, McLouth was 17 runs — runs, not plays — worse than an average center fielder. According to Bill James’ win shares, McLouth’s outfield defense was 46th-most-valuable in the majors. This is exactly the sort of award that only damages the reputation of the honor.”

OF- Vernon Wells, 2006

Player A has a .997 fielding percentage with a Range Factor of 2.66.  Player B has a .988 fielding percentage with a Range Factor of 2.34.  Player B is Vernon Wells.  Player A is Curtis Granderson.  And Vernon Wells won a Gold Glove how exactly?

OF- Larry Walker, 2002

Outfield Gold Gloves traditionally go to center fielders, and with good reason.  They cover the most ground and have the strongest arms.  So, when you see a non-center fielder win a Gold Glove, it is because they are exceptionally better than their peers.  Larry Walker was not significantly better than anyone in 2002.  He had the 4th best fielding percentage and the 5th best Range Factor among all NL right fielders.  Not exactly mind-blowing.

P- Greg Maddux, 1990-2008

Don’t get me wrong.  Greg Maddux is an excellent fielding pitcher.  But has he really been the absolute best fielding pitcher in the National League for each of the last 19 years?  The willingness to give the award to the same guy for 19 consecutive years compromises the integrity of the award greatly.  Johan Santana is just hoping Maddux retires soon.

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You may have heard by not that the Rays are your World Series favorite, going off at 10/13. Whilethat sounds like a fun thing to bet on and make the games a bit more interesting, it is not the most interesting thing you can throw money at to feed the beast.  We have compiled some of the more ridiculous World Series prop bets below.  Now you have no excuse not to throw away your hard earned money. By the way, there are five prop bet on this list that aren’t real.  It should be almost impossible for you to decipher the real from the fake.

Courtesy of Bodoglife.com and Betus.com

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On this Eid al Fitr eve, The Angry T would like to take a moment to celebrate one of the most remarkable accomplishments by any athlete, in any sport, ever.

On this day eight years ago, Detroit Tigers’ utility man extraordinaire Shane David Halter played all nine positions in a single game.

When compared to the rest of this particular era of Tiger baseball, the 2000 season was really a success. The Phil “Scrap Iron” Garner-led team finished 79-83, Bobby Higginson hit 30 home runs, Dean Palmer hit 29, both men drove in 102 runs, CJ Nitkowski had the second-best season of his career, posting a 5.25 ERA, and Deivi Cruz hit 46 doubles (seriously). But all the other highlights pale in comparison to Halter’s inspirational display of mind-blowing athleticism.

Halter played a different position each inning of the game (9 positions, 9 innings, why not?), including one perfect inning on the mound. This staggering performance turned a journeyman best known for his uncanny ability to lay down a sacrifice bunt (the guy was the Vijay Singh of bunting practice) into a national icon the likes of which hasn’t been seen since, and possibly the greatest athlete of all time.

Michael Phelps won 8 gold medals, but I don’t recall seeing him try the long jump or pole vault. Michael Jordan wouldn’t have lasted 10 seconds on the low block against Tim McCormick. That Greek messenger that ran the first ever marathon in the Persian/Greek war died immediately after his 26.2 mile message run. As far as I can tell, Shane Halter is still alive, and so today we all should take a moment to bask fondly in the still radiating glow of his fantastic accomplishment…and in knuckleballer Steve Sparks’ stat line from that year: 7-5, 4.07 ERA, 1 CG, 1 SHO, 1 SV, 1.317 WHIP, 115 ERA+.

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