The Year of the Injured or Ineffective Closer

Mariano RiveraSome baseball fans and so-called experts discount the importance of closers, insisting that what they do is just one inning of a game, and act like they are no more important than any other pitcher in the game. However, other fans and fantasy baseball team owners may disagree with that assessment. Not only do saves matter when it comes to fantasy baseball, but what a closer does can help protect starters’ wins.

At any rate, what has happened so far in 2012 has shown just how volatile the position is. As of press time, 14 of the 30 Major League Baseball closers at the start of the season have been replaced in the first five weeks of the season. Injury and ineffectiveness are the two culprits.

Closers Lost to Injury

The injury bug has decimated a slew of closers this season, with some of the biggest names in baseball – Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees, and Brian Wilson of the San Francisco Giants – getting hurt. The 42-year-old Rivera, considered to be the greatest closer of all time and a big reason for the Yankees’ success over the past fifteen years, tore his ACL and meniscus while shagging … Read more at FryingPanSports

How to Replace Mariano Rivera in 2012 Fantasy Baseball

Superman is mortal, after all and that applies to our sports stars. New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera suffered a torn ACL, and a torn meniscus, while shagging flies in the outfield before a Yankees-Royals game. Mariano Rivera is out for the season, and given that he is 42 years old, this could be the end of his career.

Since Mariano Rivera is considered the greatest closer of all time, a Superman of baseball, it is going to be very hard to replace him. So what are the implications of Mariano Rivera’s fantasy baseball injury when it comes to your team? Well, you might want to claim either Rafael Soriano or (more likely) David Robertson – one of those two will be closing for the Yankees, or perhaps the Yanks may have them share the role, depending upon how things shake out. At press time, it was not clear who would be the closer, and even then, if one of them falters in the role, the other might get the spot.

In fantasy baseball 2012, if you have Mariano Rivera on your team, you might have to scramble for a replacement. Needless to say, closers like Jonathan Papelbon are probably … Read more at FryingPanSports

5 Reasons Why Everyone Hates the Yankees

Do you hate the Yankees? If you’re not a Yankees fan, then the answer is “yes.” Let’s take a look at five reasons why most people hate the Yankees.

Reason #5 – New Yorkers

People hate New Yorkers. If you’re not sure why people hate New Yorkers, it has everything to do with arrogance. Then again, perhaps it can be called overconfidence. Have you ever been to New York – The Empire State? Everyone has their head held high – too high. New York City might be the greatest city to visit, but this goes to New Yorker’s heads a little bit too much, especially Yankees fans, who have enjoyed more World Series titles than any other team.

Reason #4 – Legacy

Baseball fans might not want to admit it, but there is no chance that any other team will ever catch the Yankees in terms of success. That particular team would need to go on an incomparable run without the Yankees doing anything during that timeframe. This is highly unlikely considering the Yankees often have the most talented players in the league.

Reason #3 – Money

Whatever happened to winning fair and square? Okay, so the Yankees might play … Read more at FryingPanSports

Baseball Stadium Vacations in the Northeast

Plan on packing up the car when the weather turns warm. Head down the east coast on a baseball stadium vacation using Interstate 95 as a major throughway. Don’t worry about accommodations, as budget-minded hotels can be found along the way. Before departing, grab as many free vacation guides of each city as possible to help with navigation.

During the summer it is safe to begin the journey in Boston, Massachusetts to enjoy more consistent warm weather. Consult a travel guide or city map to find famous Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox. Along with game schedules, tourism brochures can be found at most tourism stops and rest areas. Eat lunch at the stadium or plan on grabbing something light at one of many fast food restaurants near the ballpark. After the game, drive or take the subway to the New England Aquarium for the family to experience a centrally placed, 4 story giant ocean tank.

Consult a vacation guide or map for the easiest way to get back on the interstate the next day. Drive about 4 hours into New York City for an experience at Yankee Stadium. Located just outside the city, vacation guides will indicate the … Read more at FryingPanSports