Top Ten Things Babes Love Baseball is Thankful for in 2011

We're thankful for so many things. Baseball, beer, and shoes being the three most important, obviously. Oh, and family of course... but there are so many baseball-related things to be grateful for that we felt the need to compile a list and share it with all of you. No, Joe Mauer is not one of them. He's disappointed us to no end this season and really, we'd rather not talk about it. Wouldn't want him to land on the DL with hurt feelings.

10. A nice hot stove. Although Marea's favorite NFL team sucks ass this season, Sooze's is doing quite well. The best actually. But there have been other MLB offseasons in which football has not gotten us through the winter. Not even close. And it's because of the NFL's blatant disregard for happiness that we are incredibly thankful for MLB Network. Best. Channel. Ever.

9. The Dugout: The Official Chatroom of Major League Baseball. If you haven't read one of these little gems, you are totally missing out. In fact, we're disgusted with you. Just click the link.

8. Players like C.J. Wilson. Without guys like him to make fun of, this blog would be boring as hell and we probably would've given up a long time ago. Thanks, buddy.

7. The Youtubes. Thank you to all you nerds out there who tirelessly post videos of protected content that you know MLB will be taking down in just a matter of time. We enjoy them while we can.

Ty Wigginton Traded to Phillies; Jim Thome Avoids Imminent Broken Hip

Seriously, if Jim Thome was even considering playing first base for the Philadelphia Phillies until Ryan Howard got better, he had another thing coming. Like hip surgery.

The Colorado Rockies have no use for Ty Wigginton anymore, so they traded him away to the Phillies for some cash or a player to be named later. Not a bad deal for Philly though either, considering all they have to pay the guy is $2 million next season, half of his salary.

Of course, he can't be considered a full-time first baseman either, that would be a disaster. The team is planning on using a platoon of like four guys to play the position, including John Mayberry Jr. and Ben Francisco, and maybe even a little Jim Jam here and there... even though he hasn't worn a glove for like four years.

However, the beauty of Wigginton is that he can play absolutely anywhere all over the infield. He'll be a pretty nice right-handed bat off the bench and a decent replacement for anyone needing a break around the diamond.

The 34-year-old utility player, who is most definitely in the twilight of his career, produced for the Rockies until about mid-season, but finished with a .242 average, 15 homers and 47 RBI. Apparently, that is just not going to get it done in Colorado, so he's been effectively replaced by Jordan Pacheco, who is a decade younger with a better batting average. It will be interesting to see what they end up doing with that extra $2 million this winter, whether it's acquiring another arm for the rotation, or possibly going after Martin Prado to be their everyday second baseman.

[Denver Post]

Jim Thome Signs One-Year Deal to Mash More Taters with the Philadelphia Phillies

It looks like Jim Thome has a little gas left in the tank after all.

The 41-year-old designated hitter signed on with the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday for one last season to the tune of $1.25 million, his second reunion with a former team after leaving the Minnesota Twins last season in August to end the year with the Cleveland Indians, the club he began his career with in 1991. Of course, he must pass a physical first.

Jim Jam joined the 600 Home Run Club this season with the Twins, but that group of sucktards was not going to get him anywhere near a World Series, the only thing missing from his illustrious two-decade Hall of Fame career.

Thome played in Philadelphia from 2003-05, and has remained buddies with Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, who was his hitting coach back in Cleveland. In fact, he refers to Chawley as his "second father."

Jim Thome Crushes Career Homers No. 599 and 600

To celebrate our buddy Jimmers' 600th career longball, which he mashed into tater salad Monday night in the seventh inning of his Minnesota Twins' 9-6 win over the Tigers in Detroit, we decided to be lazy as hell and just link to some of our favorite WordUpThome-related Dugouts. Mainly because we already detailed what an amazing accomplishment it is like two homers ago. Enjoy.

AL Central Folklore

The Upper Deck

A-Rod's Violent Gambling Parties

Jim Thome is About to Go Yard and No One Cares

*except the good folks of Minnesota and Cleveland.

Of course, I'm a Twins fan at heart, but I appreciate each and every club in Major League Baseball. All 30 of them. Even the Yankees. So, if there was a 40-year-old man just four home runs shy of joining the elusive 600 home run club playing in a Marlins uniform, I'd still be way interested. But if the guy was playing for a bigger market team, would it be a bigger market deal? Would more people care? Would there be a Sportscenter countdown?

Um, yes.

CC Sabathia Enters the Field of Dreams

This new Pepsi Max commercial is pretty great when you consider all of the legendary Hall of Famers hanging out. Together. In Iowa.

Maybe now that guy from the toy store will finally be schooled to who Mike Schmidt and Von Hayes are...



By the way, we are oh-so close to 1,500 Facebook "likes" -- when we reach that milestone, we'll randomly give away a sweet prize, so click that like button and suggest us to your baseball-loving buddies!

Jim Jam Mashes His First Tater of 2011

Jim Thome went yard Sunday afternoon during his team's 5-3 loss to the Oakland Athletics, crushing a two-run shot in the eighth inning off Jerry Blevins that cleared the 36-foot high batter's eye in straightaway center of Target Field.

The Minnesota Twins designated hitter has made a winner out of Rachel Erickson, who was randomly chosen from last Wednesday's online contest. Rachel, a fellow babe who loves baseball, will receive this sweet Mashin' Taters t-shirt courtesy of DiamondCentric Apparel.

Anyway, keep an eye on Jim Jam. Only ten more bombs until he joins the elite 600 Club!

[DiamondCentric]

Speaking of the Twins, check out Sooze and Marea's interview with Joe and Teresa Mauer. We love him a bazillion times more now that we've touched him.

Babes Love Having Contests!

Hey Readers!

Spring is here, baseball season is upon us, and we're in a giving mood - and the good folks at DiamondCentric are too. You know DiamondCentric - the very same guys who brought you such classic t-shirts as "Thome Is My Homey" and "Cuddy is My Buddy".

In honor of a brand spankin' new baseball season being upon us, and in honor of their newest shirt "Mashin' Taters", we thought we'd have ourselves a little giveaway. Since you all know how much we love Jim Thome, we thought it would be appropriate to give away a sweet Mashin' Taters shirt when Ol' Jimmers mashes his first tater of the season. All you have to do is leave a comment at the end of this post on here or on Facebook, and you're entered to win. Once Jim Jam hits number 590, we'll randomly pick a winner. Easy enough, right? You'd better hurry, too, in case Thome decides to go yard tonight.

Good luck!

P.S. Even if you don't win, you should totally go buy one of their shirts anyway.


[DiamondCentric]

Thome Is Still Minnesota's Homey

Hopefully the Minnesota Twins purchase a little extra flagpole insurance for the 2011 season. Jim Thome, one of BLB's favorite tater-mashing veterans, has signed a one year, $3 million (plus incentives) deal with the Twins. That sound you just heard? A collective sigh of relief by Twins fans everywhere.

The Texas Rangers also had hopes of signing the veteran slugger, who is a measly eleven homeruns away from 600. Thome opted to stay in Minnesota, however, and had this to say about his decision go sign with the Twins rather than the Rangers:

Jim Thome Mashes Taters No. 573, 574

Congratulations to Jim Thome, who tied the legendary Harmon Killebrew for 10th on the All-Time Home Runs list with career longball No. 573 Saturday afternoon.

Jim Jam took right-hander Wade Davis deep in the bottom of the second inning to give the Minnesota Twins a 1-0 lead over the Tampa Bay Rays at Target Field.

Two innings later, on the very next swing, he launched home run No. 574 to take sole possession of 10th place on the All-Time Jacks list. Incredible. Then he hugged every single person in the dugout.

They Say Good Things Come In Threes

Badassery abounded in triplicate last night for Mariners' tradebait hurler Cliff Lee and Twins centerfieder Denard Span.

Lee pitched his third complete game in as many tries, defeating the World Champion Yankees. Despite giving up two homers to Nick Swisher, Lee pitched his little heart out to go all nine last night. He was lights out against A-Rod, who went 0-4 last night, and issued just one walk - his first in thirty eight innings - to drive up his trade value before the deadline. It was his fifth complete game of the season, which is hard to come by these days.

Thome Is Our Homey

Everyone loves Jim Thome, it's a fact. So why not show your love for Jimmers by sporting this awesome t-shirt, courtesy of DiamondCentric Apparel...

Fueled by nothing more than Miller High Lifes and hunks of raw porterhouse, Thome has amassed over 560 home runs the natural way. Watch Jimmers mash taters in your very own navy "Thome Is My Homey" t-shirt.

You should probably go buy one right now.

Congratulations, Minnesota Twins New Guy!

With Nick Punto still on the DL, the Twins called up Aussie infielder Luke Hughes, and today he made his first start at the hot corner. Hughes first came up to the plate at the bottom of the second with two out, but then Delmon Young got caught stealing third. Hughes resumed his plate appearance at the top of the 3rd, and he hit a home run at his very first Major League at bat.

The 25-year-old Hughes was signed by the Twins in 2002, and has been hiding out in the Twins' farm system for the last 7 seasons. Which leads us to ask why the hell we haven't called him up sooner???

On a side note, one of our favorite tater-mashers, Jim Thome, hit bomb number 568 tonight. He's just one shy of tying Rafael Palmero for the number eleven spot in all time home runs. Way to go, Jim Jam!

JI- JIM THOME Joins Rival Twins

Jim Thome won’t have to wait too long to return to U.S. Cellular Field, as he’ll be showing up in his spankin’ new uniform on April 9, 2010 when the Minnesota Twins come to town for a three-game series.

The former White Sox slugger has agreed to a one-year deal with his ex-AL Central rival for a reported $2 million plus incentives. Thome, 39, will add some pop to the lineup along with another left-handed bat to the already threatening order including reigning AL MVP Joe Mauer, 2006 AL MVP Justin Morneau, and Jason Kubel, who hasn’t won an MVP, but could get an award if landing on the DL was a contest.

Continue reading and comment on this story at Sports Untapped.

We Can Love Jim Thome Again!

Jim Thome has had an awesome career, and is completely loveable, but for most of his career,  American League Central fans have had to hate him. Well, they may now rejoice, because he's out of the AL again. (Well, rejoice, unless you are a Rockies or Giants fan...)

Thome was traded by the White Sox to the Dodgers last night for minor league infielder Justin Fuller. The Dodgers also aquired right handed pitcher Jon Garland from the Diamondbacks for a player to be named later. The Dodgers are looking to beef up their roster due to the Rockies and the Giants all of the sudden lurking up on them in the standings - as of this morning, both teams are only 5.5 games behind the Dodgers.

It's still unclear what position Thome will actually play for his new team. He's been strictly a DH for the last couple of seasons, and hasn't played first base full time since 2004. I'm sure they'll figure it out somehow, they need his bat (and his 564 home runs).

Welcome back to that little place in my heart, Jimmy.

Jim Thome Is a Big Boy

Jim Thome hit career home run #550 Monday night, smoking a go-ahead three-run shot in the eighth inning of the Chicago White Sox 6-2 win over the Oakland Athletics. Clutch.

This particular longball, a 1-2 pitch to left-center off lefty reliever Craig Breslow, marks Thome's ninth of 2009 and puts the corn-fed designated hitter at 13th on the all-time homer list. He also lifted the Sox to .500 on the season, bringing their record to 25-25 for a 3.5-game deficit behind the Detroit Tigers for second in the American League Central.

Sox Advance, Get Me Drunk

Big thanks to Jim Thome’s old school bat and Ken Griffey Jr.’s older school cannon for making the Chicago White Sox the 2008 AL Central winner.

Lefty John Danks tossed eight impressive innings of two-hit ball on minimal rest, seeing Junior nail Michael Cuddyer at home and Thome smoke one in the seventh to help the South Siders beat the division rival Minnesota Twins 1-0 in their nail-biting, tie-breaking 163rd game of the season.

White Sox Cruising

The Chicago White Sox won their seven consecutive game Wednesday with a 7-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians. Seven straight wins sure makes for fewer f-bombs on Ozzie Guillen's part, which in turn makes for less excitement in the newspapers.

Speaking of the AL Central, I'm off to the Twins game today, where Livan Hernandez will attempt a series win against the Texas Rangers. Yay!

[AP]

Jim Thome Heats Up the Self-Cleaning Oven

Jim Thome nailed his 512th career homer Sunday, tying Hall of Famers Ernie Banks and Eddie Mathews for 19th place on the all-time list.

During the Chicago White Sox 6-0 shutout of the Tampa Bay Rays, Thome went 4-for-5 to tie a career high with four hits; something he has done 10 other times. Furthermore, the 37-year-old designated hitter raised his batting average from a measly .172 to a still-crappy .222.

But reaching milestones always makes up for a slow start. Congratulations, Jim.

[Rotoworld]

Don't Stop Believin'!

...if you haven't already.


The Jim Thome bobbleheads handed out at U.S. Cellular on Sunday couldn't have come at a more perfect time. The Chicago White Sox DH was 0-for-4 when he came to the plate in the ninth and before you knew it, he was rounding the bases, triumphantly raising his arm after his 500th career homer.

Thome became just the 23rd player in history to reach the milestone, driving a 3-2 pitch from Los Angeles Angels reliever Dustin Moseley to faraway left-center for the game-winner.