Ryan Braun Responds to Boos with 3-Homer Day at Citizens Bank Park

In a very Barry Bonds-esque performance at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Ryan Braun was booed and then booed some more. His response? Three home runs.

In the video below, Philadelphia Phillies fans can be heard calling him a cheater from the stands, unwilling to forgive or forget his purchase of PEDs from Biogenesis, denial of said purchase, and the slap on the wrist that followed.

After only three hits in 20 at bats this season, the Milwaukee Brewers right fielder knocked in a career-high seven runs to tie a franchise record in his team's 10-4 victory. He had not gone yard in 98 plate appearances -- the longest drought of his career -- dating back to last summer. However, it was no surprise he ended his homer slump in Philly, where he has 10 longballs in 21 career games.

San Diego Padres Give Mark Kotsay Another Shot for $1.25 Million

Apparently, Mark Kotsay is not done playing baseball.

For whatever reason, the San Diego Padres feel Kotsay will be able to contribute to their outfield situation... because he's certainly not going to do anything for their run-scoring situation. Anyway, he's one of the few big leaguers to more or less beg to play there:

"There was no secret that I wanted to come back and play here... At this point, all signs pointed to coming back to San Diego. It's tied to multiple things. My family is here and it gives me a chance to be part of an organization that's growing. I still have multiple friends in this organization. I even think the clubhouse staff is still the same. I'm excited."

I'm sure you are.

Kotsay was with the team from 2001-03, where he never really did anything spectacular. The 35-year-old, who has bounced around seven different organizations during his 15-year career, is a .278 lifetime hitter.

He took it up a notch with the Milwaukee Brewers during his attempted comeback season last year and batted .270 with three home runs and 31 RBI. Good luck, buddy!

[MLB]

Behold, Your 2011 Comeback Players of the Year: Jacoby Ellsbury and Lance Berkman

The 2011 Comeback Players of the year have officially been awarded to Jacoby Ellsbury and Lance Berkman.

After struggling through an injury-plagued 2010 season, the 35-year-old Berkman has gotten back on track and helped to bring his Wild-Card winning St. Louis Cardinals deep into the postseason. The switch-hitting outfielder batted .301 with 31 homers and 94 RBI to win the National League award. After dropping 20 pounds over the offseason, Fat Elvis ranked in the top 10 in the NL in homers, walks (92), slugging percentage .547) and on-base percentage (.412) this season. Way to go, buddy.

It wasn't that tough for Ellsbury, the recipient of the American League honors, to earn the comeback award. He participated in just 18 games last season due to injuries and hit only .192. However, he did set career highs with the Boston Red Sox in most of the offensive categories this year, batting .321 with 32 bombs, 105 RBI, 46 doubles, five triples, 119 runs scored, and 39 stolen bases. That's 30-30 baby.

The 28-year-old outfielder became the first Boston player to hit 30 homers and steal 30 bases in a season, but unfortunately his Red Sox totally blew it in September and failed miserably at joining the fun in October.

[ESPN]

Vladimir Guerrero Wins Best DH Award

Talk about a comeback.

The Commissioner's Office announced Wednesday that Vladimir Guerrero has won the Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award. The Texas Rangers' big bat helped his team earn not only their first ever trip to the ALCS, but also the first World Series appearance in the team's 50-year history.

Guerrero, a nine-time All-Star, batted .306 with 25 homers, 106 RBIs and 73 runs in 129 games from the DH spot. The most amazing part of the whole thing: he struck out only 56 times in 523 at-bats.

Canseco Goes Yard in Debut, Spaceman Returns

Before Monday night, the last time Jose Canseco had hit a home run was in a Chicago White Sox uniform on October 3, 2001 off Mike Mussina. The former Bash Brother ended his slump by going yard in his first at bat for the Laredo Broncos in their 16-8 win over the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings of the independent United Baseball League.

Welcome Back, Edinson Volquez

Edinson Volquez allowed just three hits over six dominant innings Saturday in his first game back from reconstructive elbow surgery for an 8-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

After undergoing elbow surgery last August and serving a 50-game suspension for taking fertility drugs, the righty was throwing 95 mph heat, fanning nine and walking two for the win.

Just before getting a face full of shaving cream from teammate Johnny Cueto during his post-game interview, Volquez said:

It wasn’t easy, but I felt comfortable after the first inning. That first inning, I was really excited -- big crowd. It felt like my first time in the big leagues. I let my emotions get to me in the first.

How Scotty Got His Groove Back

Minnesota Twins pitcher Scott Baker started the season in a funk. His record and ERA were disappointing coming into June (just 2-6, with an ERA of 6.32). All of the sudden, he's made some "mechanical adjustments" and is now hurling into badassery again.

Mind you, this is the same Scott Baker who had a perfect game going into the ninth on August 31, 2007 (and then after he gave up a walk, the no hitter was busted up by that bastard Twins killer Mike Sweeney). He also has some complete games under his belt, which these days, I must say, is pretty impressive since pitchers can't seem to get past the 5th inning anymore.

Marcus Thames is an Animal

Eight semi-consecutive hits. All home runs.

[Daily Tribune]

Rick Ankiel: We're in Love

Wow, Rick Ankiel.

Chicks really do dig the longball.

The 6'1" 28-year-old, wild lefty turned stud right fielder jacked the first pitch he saw over the right field wall in both the first and seventh innings, giving him three homers in three days since being called up from the AAA Memphis Red Birds.

The St. Louis Cardinals home crowd gave Ankiel a standing ovation and demanded another curtain call after witnessing him go 5-for-12 with 6 RBIs in 3 games for a .417 batting average.

Welcome back.

[STL Today]

Not So Fast, Rickey Henderson

Just because Roger Clemens has decided he's still capable of throwing a baseball into the strike zone, does not mean that every 40-something ex-major leaguer can make a successful comeback.

Rickey Henderson seems to think he's more than capable, hoping some major league team out there will come calling.

"I see Roger can come back and play. I can come back and play," he said. "They say I've done too much. The players they put on the field nowadays, they couldn't make it in my day. They'd get sent back to AAA."

Henderson played in the Independent Golden Baseball League two years ago, unsuccessfully trying to attract the attention of big league clubs. He hasn't played in the majors since appearing in 30 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2003, his 25th year in the game.