Matt Kemp quietly took the field in a half-empty ballpark on his 27th birthday with a chance to do something no National League player has done in 74 years - win a triple crown. The last NL player to win a triple crown was Joe Medwick of the St. Louis Cardinals, who did it when Tom Lasorda was 10 years old. Carl Yastrzesmki of the Boston Red Sox was the last American League player to do it, in 1967.
The homer Kemp hit during Dodgers' 2-0 win over San Diego ties him with Albert Pujols for the NL lead at 37 and strengthens his triple crown bid. His 119 RBIs lead the league, and his .326 average is close to top. Kemp's ranking is near the top of a wide range of hitting categories — he leads the NL in runs (109) and is second in steals (40).
With four games left in the regular season it would seem that Kemp has his work cut out for him but, with three more home runs, Kemp will be part of that exclusive group to have hit (40) or more home runs and stole (40) or more bases. Of the four players to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in the same season — Bonds, Jose Canseco, Alex Rodriguez and Alfonso Soriano — none batted higher than .310.
Go Matt!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
Baseball's New Trend
At least two baseball players who played last season at Orange Lutheran won't be playing high school ball this season, instead choosing to play travel ball, Coach Eric Borba said. One still attends Orange Lutheran and the other has transferred to another school. Several players in the Inland Empire are already following that path.
Parents have the right to choose what's best for their sons and daughters, but don't trust some private coach who doesn't have the education or experience and insists he'll get your child ready for the next level. There is a great deal of money to be made by private clubs, coaches and training centers, so know what you are being drawn into.
UCLA Coach John Savage had this to say about the decision not to play high school baseball. "I don't like it," he said. "I think it sends a poor message. It's about your team and developing on and off the field with your teammates."
Parents have the right to choose what's best for their sons and daughters, but don't trust some private coach who doesn't have the education or experience and insists he'll get your child ready for the next level. There is a great deal of money to be made by private clubs, coaches and training centers, so know what you are being drawn into.
UCLA Coach John Savage had this to say about the decision not to play high school baseball. "I don't like it," he said. "I think it sends a poor message. It's about your team and developing on and off the field with your teammates."
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Ybarra Transfers to Downey
Jordan Ybarra, a top pitcher at Long Beach Millikan, has transferred to Downey, according to Gazettes.com. The transfer was accompanied by a change of address, so Ybarra will be eligible to play this season.
Jordan, will be missed from the mound more than anywhere else at Millikan. His ability to keep his team close, as well as go deep into a game, will be difficult to replace next season.
Athletes moving/shopping for schools has become more and more of an accepted practice in this day and age, as evidenced by a willingness of parents to relocate. However, the uncertainty of coaches/teachers keeping their jobs in most schools in the LBUSD must have many parents unsettled.
Millikan, once again, has more head coaches displaced than any other Moore League School. Jeff Breuklander - Head Basketball coach; Kevin McCarthy - Head Track Coach; Scott Glasser - Head Baseball coach; Jack Murry - Assistant Varsity Football coach/Head Tennis coach, have all been either relocated or not yet re-assigned.
Add to this, two new head coaches in; Water Polo and Cross Country......it is going to be a very challenging year at Millikan to say the least.
Jordan, will be missed from the mound more than anywhere else at Millikan. His ability to keep his team close, as well as go deep into a game, will be difficult to replace next season.
Athletes moving/shopping for schools has become more and more of an accepted practice in this day and age, as evidenced by a willingness of parents to relocate. However, the uncertainty of coaches/teachers keeping their jobs in most schools in the LBUSD must have many parents unsettled.
Millikan, once again, has more head coaches displaced than any other Moore League School. Jeff Breuklander - Head Basketball coach; Kevin McCarthy - Head Track Coach; Scott Glasser - Head Baseball coach; Jack Murry - Assistant Varsity Football coach/Head Tennis coach, have all been either relocated or not yet re-assigned.
Add to this, two new head coaches in; Water Polo and Cross Country......it is going to be a very challenging year at Millikan to say the least.
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