We'll Miss You Chipper Jones

It's been a long and wonderful road Larry Wayne, and we'll be sorry to see you go.

The news announced via the Atlanta Braves Twitter account Thursday morning made us a little sad even though we've seen it coming since at least 2010: Chipper Jones is retiring following this season. He held an emotional press conference later on in the day, which every single one of his teammates attended.

The future Hall of Fame third baseman, who has spent his entire career with the Braves, has nothing to be ashamed of. Besides maybe that fling with the Hooters waitress. We all make mistakes. Otherwise, he owns a career .304 batting average with 454 home runs, the 1999 National League MVP Award, two Silver Sluggers, seven All-Star selections, and a World Series ring from 1995. He earned the NL batting title in 2008, a year in which he also owned the highest on-base percentage in baseball at .470. Not bad.

However, injuries have piled up over the past eight years, as the soon-to-be 40-year-old hasn't missed fewer than 25 games in a season since 2004. In fact, he was contemplating retirement in 2009 when he said, "If I back up this year with the same kind of year next year, I don’t want to play the game. The game is not fun to me when I’m not playing up to my standards."

Also, he expressed interest in wanting to experience being a full-time dad before it's too late. The man has priorities.

Anyway, don't be too upset Braves fans. I'm sure as one of the best switch-hitting third baseman of all time, he will be offered a position with the team after he hangs it up so you'll see his adorable face at the ballpark likely until he kicks the bucket. He'll be like the Tommy Lasorda of Atlanta... or the Don Zimmer of Atlanta. You get the drift.

/single tear

[Atlanta Braves]

That Was the Most Ridiculous Game 6 in the History of the World Series

Honestly. Five errors, 11 walks, utter confusion all over the field, and eventual bat brutality completed the Cardinals' 10-9 walkoff win over the Texas Rangers Thursday night in St. Louis to force Game 7 of the 2011 World Series.

Josh Hamilton, who was told by the Lord himself that he would hit a homer in the 10th inning, and his hernia were feeling pretty darn good about that extra-inning longball (about time) until things really started to heat up. This game was a complete shitshow until about the seventh inning. I literally could not stop laughing throughout the early to middle innings, but then things got real serious real quick and shut me the hell up. The game went from a total joke to one of the best games I've ever seen in my life.

There's Always Next Year, Yankees Fans

Moving right along with this season's second edition of There's Always Next Year...

The Detroit Tigers are headed to the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2006 after scraping past the New York Yankees 3-2 Thursday night with an exciting Game 5 victory in the Bronx.

The Texas Rangers, who advanced to the ALCS on Tuesday after taking three of four Division Series games over the Tampa Bay Rays, were ready and waiting and probably didn't give a crap who they faced in the end, as long as they get another shot at the World Series.

But enough about the winners. Let's have an emotional look at the losers. In sad photo montage, of course.

Sad News for Minor League Manager Luis Salazar

I've tried to imagine today what it would be like to actually lose an eye. I would likely lose my mind.

This is why I have a tremendous amount of admiration for the bravery of Luis Salazar, the Atlanta Braves minor league manager who was nailed in the face by a line drive during a Spring Training game on March 9. He ended up losing his left eye.

Salazr, 54, was leaning against the railing on the top step of the dugout during a game between the Braves and the St. Louis Cardinals when Brian McCann fouled one in his direction. Salazar was unable to get out of the way, falling head-first back into the dugout.

There's Always Next Year, Braves Fans

Well that series was definitely torture -- if your idea of "torture" is four incredible baseball games.

The San Francisco Giants are one (really difficult) series closer to fans being able to scream THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT! THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT! But first they must face the hardcore Philadelphia Phillies. While they wait, they'll belt out their catchy rendition of Don't Stop Believing.

There's Always Next Year, Twins Fans

The Minnesota Twins were the first team to enter the playoffs this season, and upon meeting the New York Yankees in the ALDS, they were the first team to make an exit.

Between the lack of hitting, poor pitching, awful base-running, craptastic bullpen management, ridiculous throwing errors, etc. on behalf of the Twins, I'm not exactly sure what happened there.

Happy Trails, Chipper Jones :(

It's not often that we throw a sad face into the title of a post, but upon hearing the news on Chipper Jones, we're super bummed out. Almost inconsolable... we definitely need a hug.

After injuring his knee on a sweet play at third base Tuesday night in the sixth inning of the Atlanta Braves' 4-2 win over the Houston Astros, Jones is out for the season.

Rest in Peace George Steinbrenner

George Steinbrenner, owner of the New York Yankees, died this morning of a massive heart attack. He was 80 years old.

Mr. Steinbrenner bought the Yankees for $8.7 million in January 1973. He saw the team win seven world championships and pretty much dominate the majors time and time again. He's been a colorful and controversial figure within the Yankee organization and Major League baseball, known for his famous feuds, firings, and deep pockets.

Jason Heyward Finally Lands on DL

The Atlanta Braves and Jason Heyward have finally come to the realization that his pesky thumb injury, which he's been dealing with for over six weeks now, is not going to heal on its own.

The rookie right fielder sat out for a third straight game Monday before an MRI revealed a deep bone bruise in his left thumb. His average has slid all the way down to .251 in the midst of his 1-for-16 slump, but I'm sure it's kinda hard to play baseball with a busted digit.

After being placed on the 15-day disabled list, Heyward had this to say:

We're doing the best thing, I believe. Right now is a good opportunity to get it done, get the rest done, get the strength back so I'll be able to come back the second half.

The National League's Rookie of the Month for April and May should be eligible to come off the DL during the All-Star break, July 12-14. Sadly, this means All-Star festivities are pretty much out the question, even though he leads NL rookies with 11 bombs and 45 RBIs.

Matt Diaz, fresh off thumb surgery, has been activated from the 15-day DL to replace Heyward in the outfield. Diaz hit .313 with 13 longballs for the Braves last season, but was batting just .178 on May 15 before going under the knife.

Get well soon, Jay Hey!

[USA Today] | [Braves Blast] | [Fantasy Knuckleheads]

Get Well Soon, Joel Zumaya [Video]

After throwing a 99-mph heater to Delmon Young in the eighth inning of the Detroit Tigers' 7-5 win at Target Field Monday night, Joel Zumaya fell to the ground, clutching his elbow and wincing in pain.

Even his catcher Gerald Laird, who was 60 feet away behind the plate at the time, said he heard a pop. Zumaya was then helped off the field, and more information should be available shortly. However, it doesn't look good so good for the Motor City's Guitar Hero.

Update: According to the Associated Press, ZumZum is out for the season. The team has recalled reliever Casey Fien from the AAA Toledo Mud Hens; the righty will be on hand in the bullpen for game 2 against the Minnesota Twins.

Say It Ain't So, Larry Wayne Jones

Chipper Jones may be keeping quiet about a possible early retirement, but we can all see it coming.

Yesterday, the former man of my dreams (yes, replaced by Man Muscles) met with Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox, general manager Frank Wren and team president John Schuerholz to discuss his future with the club.

At 38 years old, the third baseman has struggled on and off with random injuries and has made it apparent that he's pretty frustrated with the way he's played since winning the 2008 National League batting title with a .364 average.

Jones, who is under contract through 2012, is owed $28 million over the next two seasons, which would buy a pretty sweet fishing boat.

RIP Jose Lima

We here at BLB have been pretty busy lately, but we had to stop a moment and pay our respects to former pitcher Jose Lima, who died on Sunday of an apparent heart attack.

Rest in Peace, Jose.

Get Well Soon Chipper!

We are incredibly bummed to announce that Chipper Jones will be missing out on the upcoming three-game series in San Francisco against the Giants. One small way to show how much we love him is to include in this post a ridiculously large photo of him rocking the eff out after his two-run ding-dong Wednesday night at Turner Field.

The old school Atltana Braves third baseman left Thursday night's 2-0 win over the Chicago Cubs in the third inning after straining his right oblique muscle. Jones said that he started to feel a little discomfort during pre-game batting practice, but decided to tough it out like the tough guy he is.

Get well soon Larry!

[USA Today] | [Talking Chop] | [7th Inning Stache]

Sammy Gervacio Out of Commission

It's going to be a while before we see Sammy Gervacio's awesome wind-up again. Hopefully we didn't jinx him with our rave review of his amazing delivery.

The Houston Astros reliever is headed the the 15-day disabled list with his strained rotator cuff.

During the eighth inning of Wednesday's 10-4 loss to the San Francisco Giants at Minute Maid Park, Gervacio fielded a sac bunt by Eli Whiteside awkwardly, allowing Juan Uribe to score and Whiteside to end up at third. After the throwing error, the righty composed himself and got Eugenio Velez to ground out right to him.

After an RBI single by Aaron Rowand, Gervacio threw a wild pitch to Edgar Renteria and his arm pretty much fell off. Wilton Lopez will be called up to take Gervacio's place on the roster, and that bums us out.

Get well soon Sammy!

[MLB] | [Houston Chronicle] | [Crawfish Boxes]

Canadian Crusher Out for the Season

Due to a stress fracture in his lower back, Justin Morneau’s season is over.

The Minnesota Twins first baseman hurt himself while attempting a Nick Punto-style headfirst slide into first base last Friday, but has been playing through the pain much longer than that.

The good news for my Canadian Crusher and the Twins is that he doesn't need surgery. In fact, all he's supposed to do is rest for the next few months. Morneau, batting .274 on the season with 30 bombs and 100 RBIs says he's "99% sure" he'll be ready to play at his team's spankin' new stadium this Spring.

Baseball Says Goodbye to Nick Adenhart

Awful news out of California today, as Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed in a hit-and-run accident in Fullerton early Thursday morning.

According to the LA Times and TMZ, Adenhart was driving home with three others when a mini-van ran a red light and hit his Mitzubishi, causing it to slam into a light pole. Two of his passengers died on the scene and the third, Jon Wilhite, was in critical condition. A trust fund has been set up in his name. One of the passengers was Henry Pearson, a close friend of Matt Clapp from Sharapova's Thigh. Read his heart-wrenching tribute to his best friend here. The driver of the mini-van fled the scene, but was later apprehended by police and charged with felony hit-and-run.

121 days

Although I do like watching the offseason trading, the start of spring training is where it's at.

121 days, 22 hours, 3 minutes, 4 seconds.

But who's counting?

Long Time No See, Buddy!

Iron Maiden's debut self titled album Iron Maiden is released in April.

The film The Elephant Man, directed by my all-time favorite, David Lynch, opens in New York City in October.

All of our mothers wondered who shot J.R.

The year was 1980 and it was the last time -- until now -- the Philadelphia Phillies won a World Series Championship.

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.

Mike Hampton: My Groin Hurts

I'm not sure whether to laugh so hard I pee my pants or feel terrible for the guy, but the oft-injured Mike Hampton has tripped up once again, seeing yet another setback in his recovery from the pectoral muscle he originally injured.

Hampton -- by far the most over-paid pitcher in the history of the game -- was all set to return to the Atlanta Braves rotation after the All-Star break, but left Wednesday’s rehab start for Class-AA Mississippi after just two innings with a strained groin.

"I wish I had a magic cure, a magic pill that I could swallow," he said. "I wouldn’t sell my soul to the devil, but I’d get pretty close."

Well that's just pure laziness. No wonder he can't stay healthy!

Will someone please help this guy get in touch with a new rehab specialist? This is just getting ridiculous... in a depressing, horribly funny way. Pretty sure he could hurt himself just by thinking too hard.

[Major League Report] | [Chop n' Change] | [Sports Shovel]