And it gives us a boost of confidence!

Good point TFIR. I have been happy with LaPorta's work this season. He probably won't ever become a league-leading slugger like we thought we might be getting, but he has power, draws walks and plays first base well.

Now this is not saying much, but I think he's probably going to turn out to be our best first baseman in a decade (comparing him to Garko and Broussard is noting a big challenge.) Am I forgetting someone after Thome? LaPorta may be the best at the position since Hargrove.

Tigers-Bosox game has been PPD

LaPorta has another nice attribute as well - for a power hitter he doesn't strike out a ton.

I also think the power will increase in the coming years as he's only 26. That HR he hit today was a sweet opposite field shot.

I like the way Acta keeps the pressure light on Matt, hitting him way down in the order. Even with Rob Bryson once again on the DL, the Sabathia trade is looking like a reasonable exchange; obviously nothing is as good as the Colon deal, perhaps the best trade ever by anyone.

Big sports day tomorrow.

With Detroit playing hot Boston two games tomorrow, we have a mathematical chance of stretching the division lead to a full 8 games with a win at Tampa.

The starting flag drops on The Indianapolis 500 at 9AM California time. I rarely watch open wheel racing, but like with golf and The Masters I always try to catch the end of The Indianapolis 500. Last year's Winner's Circle celebration was accented with Ashley Judd kicking off her shoes so she could run faster to get to there to meet her victorious husband.


The Coca Cola 600 is one of the bigger races of the year for NASCAR and starts around 3PM California time. I loved the days when some of the NASCAR guys who started in open wheel would drive The 500 early in the day and then hop a small jet to get to Charlotte to drive The 600.

Maybe Danica Patrick will do it one day.

All sports available tomorrow aside.......Beat Tampa!

civ ollilavad wrote:I like the way Acta keeps the pressure light on Matt, hitting him way down in the order. Even with Rob Bryson once again on the DL, the Sabathia trade is looking like a reasonable exchange; obviously nothing is as good as the Colon deal, perhaps the best trade ever by anyone.

now who can forget Frank Robinson for Milt Pappas, for God's sake?

Bryson brook a foot no arm issue Civ. Let's see what he does in the second half....

I hope LaPorta sees that with an average swing on an outside pitch he can hit it well to right. Need to do that because they still pitch him outside a lot.

Yep Lou power to the opposite field is a great sign for LaPorta. He's coming along. I wonder what the Mets would want for David Wright?

Good points loufla and frank.

LaPorta hitting that homer out to right field is really encouraging. With his strength, he could be a really good hitter if he keeps that up.

Look how much Asdrubal learned this year, and that's after quite a few years.

LaPorta is still learning!!

I think what Asdrubal mostly needed was to get over some injuries. I don't find his performance this year surprising.

Watching the video of LaPorta's HR - he doesn't even look like he was trying to crank it, he was just trying to make good solid contact and it went over the wall. That's a very good sign.

I wonder what the Mets would want for David Wright?

Get a clue Frank - we'd have to pay the balance on the $14M he's owed this year and also the $15M he's owed next year. That ain't gonna happen.

We need to go for someone less expensive but still productive like Casey Blake or Ryan Lugnut.