Minor-leaguer charged after clubhouse altercation with teammate
Associated Press
TOLEDO, Ohio -- Minor-league pitcher Roman Colon was charged with punching a teammate at Triple-A Toledo during a locker room scuffle that left the other player with severe facial injuries.
Colon was charged with felonious assault, according to an indictment filed Thursday.
The Detroit Tigers suspended Colon for seven days on June 14 after the altercation during his rehabilitation stint with Toledo.
Colon was fighting with a teammate on June 12 before a game when Mud Hens pitcher Jason Karnuth tried to break it up, according to a police report. Colon hit Karnuth, breaking several bones in his face, the report said.
Karnuth, the team's closer, could miss the rest of the season because of the injures, his wife said.
Colon said afterward that he had no idea he hit Karnuth. He said he apologized to Karnuth and the team's interim manager, Mike Rojas.
Paul Kinzer, Colon's agent, said Friday that he could not comment on the charges.
Colon is now with Detroit's Double-A affiliate in Erie, Pa. He had been on the disabled list most of the season after having neck surgery.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
Monday, July 16, 2007
Big Lions Move
Lions sign Redding to monster deal before franchise-player deadline
By John ClaytonESPN.com(Archive)
Updated: July 16, 2007, 2:49 PM ET
Last year, Rod Marinelli moved Cory Redding from defensive end to defensive tackle in the belief he could be one of the best defensive tackles in football.
On Monday, the Lions backed up that belief by making him the highest-paid defensive tackle in football. Redding, the team's franchise player in 2007, agreed to a seven-year, $49 million contract that included $16 million in guarantees, including $13 million in signing bonus and roster guarantees.
Redding will receive a little more than $20 million over the first three years of his contract.
Redding's agreement beat a 4 p.m. Monday deadline for franchise players. Had he not reached an agreement, Redding would have been forced to only accept a one-year deal with no chance of an extension until next season. Under those circumstances, Redding might have held out the entire training camp.
Now, he will be present for the start of camp and will work with Shaun Rogers in what Marinelli believes will be one of the more dominating interior defensive lines in football.
Redding's agent, Kennard McGuire, was unavailable for comment while he worked out the final paperwork to submit to the league before the deadline.
Initially, Redding wanted to hit the free-agent market and leave the team. Marinelli and the organization decided to franchise him and try to talk him into taking a long-term deal. Last Monday, both sides had a major breakthrough in negotiations when the Lions came within $400,000 a year of Redding's demands.
Talks slowed down last Friday and Saturday and the possibility of no long-term deal existed. On Monday morning, the Lions increased their offer and signed him for $7 million a year.
The Redding deal tops the five-year, $33.24 million contract given to Vikings defensive tackle Kevin Williams.
The 6-foot-4, 290-pound Redding was taken in the third round of the 2002 draft and started nine games as a defensive end as a rookie. In the past three years, he had 48 starts. Last year, he had career highs in tackles (47) and sacks (eight).
Senior writer John Clayton covers the NFL for ESPN.com.
By John ClaytonESPN.com(Archive)
Updated: July 16, 2007, 2:49 PM ET
Last year, Rod Marinelli moved Cory Redding from defensive end to defensive tackle in the belief he could be one of the best defensive tackles in football.
On Monday, the Lions backed up that belief by making him the highest-paid defensive tackle in football. Redding, the team's franchise player in 2007, agreed to a seven-year, $49 million contract that included $16 million in guarantees, including $13 million in signing bonus and roster guarantees.
Redding will receive a little more than $20 million over the first three years of his contract.
Redding's agreement beat a 4 p.m. Monday deadline for franchise players. Had he not reached an agreement, Redding would have been forced to only accept a one-year deal with no chance of an extension until next season. Under those circumstances, Redding might have held out the entire training camp.
Now, he will be present for the start of camp and will work with Shaun Rogers in what Marinelli believes will be one of the more dominating interior defensive lines in football.
Redding's agent, Kennard McGuire, was unavailable for comment while he worked out the final paperwork to submit to the league before the deadline.
Initially, Redding wanted to hit the free-agent market and leave the team. Marinelli and the organization decided to franchise him and try to talk him into taking a long-term deal. Last Monday, both sides had a major breakthrough in negotiations when the Lions came within $400,000 a year of Redding's demands.
Talks slowed down last Friday and Saturday and the possibility of no long-term deal existed. On Monday morning, the Lions increased their offer and signed him for $7 million a year.
The Redding deal tops the five-year, $33.24 million contract given to Vikings defensive tackle Kevin Williams.
The 6-foot-4, 290-pound Redding was taken in the third round of the 2002 draft and started nine games as a defensive end as a rookie. In the past three years, he had 48 starts. Last year, he had career highs in tackles (47) and sacks (eight).
Senior writer John Clayton covers the NFL for ESPN.com.
Monday, June 25, 2007
What a week!
The past week has proven a couple of things to me. First and foremost, interleague play is amazing. There has been a buzz around baseball this past weekend unlike there has been this season thus far. We got Beckett vs. Peavy, A-Rod vs. Bonds, and the Tigers were fantastic.
That brings me to my second point. The Tigers are hitting their stride and at the perfect time. Most teams say that if they can come out of tough road trips playing 500 ball they're happy. The Tigers took it a step further and finished their tour of national league ballparks with a 8-1 record, making them 14-4 in interleague play, tied with the Angels for the best in baseball. Both the managers of the Nationals and the Braves were quoted as saying that the Tigers are the best team they have seen so far. These are both teams that have played the Red Sox and Indians.
The Tigers have made some interesting moves in the past week as well. Getting rid of Wilfredo Ledezma was a must, there was no space for him on the roster, and if they sent him to AAA they would lose him. He is really a starter anyways. They also dealt Mike Maroth to the St. Louis Cardinals, another necessity in order to make room for Kenny Rogers to return, and they won't send down Andrew Miller because he's been pitching too well. I feel bad for Maroth though. He's a great guy, and unfortunately missed the playoff roster last year, and now is traded a cellar dweller. The pitching moves have allowed Leyland to move Chad Durbin to the bullpen, where he was spectacular last night.
Watching Tigers baseball this weekend did bring one glaring thing to my attention. It made me realize how lucky we are in Michigan to be able to listen to the commentary of Mario Impemba and Rod Allen. The junk we heard on the Tigers games on Fox on Saturday and ESPN on Sunday was a disgrace. The announcers were stepping on each others feet, throwing out statistical cliches left and right, and were not interesting or insightful. Thanks Mario and Rod, you should be calling every important game, and every Tigers game year round.
It's amazing where the Tigers stand right now. Their bullpen is still not healthy, and won't be till a trade is made or Zumaya returns. The one reason they are staying afloat: Leyland is amazing at managing a bullpen and keeping his players rested. At the same time, even while not be 100 percent, the Tigers hold a two game lead in the Central. They really are an improved team from last year, and will continue to get better. Look for great baseball in the future Tigers fans.
That brings me to my second point. The Tigers are hitting their stride and at the perfect time. Most teams say that if they can come out of tough road trips playing 500 ball they're happy. The Tigers took it a step further and finished their tour of national league ballparks with a 8-1 record, making them 14-4 in interleague play, tied with the Angels for the best in baseball. Both the managers of the Nationals and the Braves were quoted as saying that the Tigers are the best team they have seen so far. These are both teams that have played the Red Sox and Indians.
The Tigers have made some interesting moves in the past week as well. Getting rid of Wilfredo Ledezma was a must, there was no space for him on the roster, and if they sent him to AAA they would lose him. He is really a starter anyways. They also dealt Mike Maroth to the St. Louis Cardinals, another necessity in order to make room for Kenny Rogers to return, and they won't send down Andrew Miller because he's been pitching too well. I feel bad for Maroth though. He's a great guy, and unfortunately missed the playoff roster last year, and now is traded a cellar dweller. The pitching moves have allowed Leyland to move Chad Durbin to the bullpen, where he was spectacular last night.
Watching Tigers baseball this weekend did bring one glaring thing to my attention. It made me realize how lucky we are in Michigan to be able to listen to the commentary of Mario Impemba and Rod Allen. The junk we heard on the Tigers games on Fox on Saturday and ESPN on Sunday was a disgrace. The announcers were stepping on each others feet, throwing out statistical cliches left and right, and were not interesting or insightful. Thanks Mario and Rod, you should be calling every important game, and every Tigers game year round.
It's amazing where the Tigers stand right now. Their bullpen is still not healthy, and won't be till a trade is made or Zumaya returns. The one reason they are staying afloat: Leyland is amazing at managing a bullpen and keeping his players rested. At the same time, even while not be 100 percent, the Tigers hold a two game lead in the Central. They really are an improved team from last year, and will continue to get better. Look for great baseball in the future Tigers fans.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Kobe Wants a Trade
The ongoing relationship between Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers has reached a boiling point. In an interview this morning with Stephen A. Smith on 1050 ESPN radio, Bryant announced he wants out of L.A.
There seems to be many factors that has gone into Kobe's decision. And note that he does still have two years left on his contract, and has a no trade clause so he can virtually choose where he gets traded to.
First of all, Kobe feels like he was lied to when he resigned with the Lakers three years ago. At this point in time, the Lakers had decided that they would trade Shaq and Kobe would be their franchise player. Kobe was told that the team would still be strong and a championship contender. Three years later, the Lakers have told him that they are in rebuilding mode. By these remarks, Kobe feels like he was lied to, and said that he never would have resigned three years ago had he known the team would be rebuilding.
Kobe asked the team at various times to orchestrate deals that would bring him some help. Just a few of those were for Carlos Boozer, Jason Kidd, and Ron Artest. The Lakers couldn't make any of these happen, and Kobe was left to carry the team.
Another issue comes from an article in the Los Angeles Times yesterday that said that is was Bryant who had insisted that the team get away from Shaq, and that O'Neil was the reason the team was a mess. Kobe told Smith today that he had a meeting at the time with owner Jerry Buss, and was told that the team was going away from Shaq because they believe he was deteriorating physically and not worth $30 million a year.
Again it seems that information has be presented in a way that makes the Lakers organization look good and lets Kobe take the blame. Smith spoke with Shaq later today after the interview with Kobe, and O'Niel said that he believed every word that Bryant said.
Kobe is fed up. He feels like he has been made to look like the bad guy in order to protect those in the front office for the teams lack of success. He says there is no way to change his mind. So the question is now, where does he get traded to?
New York? -This market fits Kobe, but the Knicks don't have enough quality young players or draft picks to make it happen.
Philly? -They have the same problem as New York.
Clippers? -He'd be a good fit here, and he likes Southern California. I wouldn't see the Lakers dealing him anywhere that close though.
Denver? -Ha ha. Just kidding. I might not like the guy, but I don't want to see him dead.
Chicago? -This seems like the logical fit. They have probably the most young depth in the league, and for a package deal of possibly Ben Gordon and Ben Wallace, they could make it happen. The question is, do they want to destroy the chemistry that looks like they are a few years away from being a legit championship contender.
The final option is that nothing happens. The Lakers have no obligation to act on Kobe's request. If the team brings back Jerry West Kobe might be happy enough to stay the final two years. But whether he stays or not, look for some heads to roll in the front office. The lack of success by those employees will be on the front page of every newspaper tomorrow. Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak, you have been given your walking papers. But I'll leave you with this. If Kobe does get traded it will be some time this month, and it will make for a very interesting draft this year.
There seems to be many factors that has gone into Kobe's decision. And note that he does still have two years left on his contract, and has a no trade clause so he can virtually choose where he gets traded to.
First of all, Kobe feels like he was lied to when he resigned with the Lakers three years ago. At this point in time, the Lakers had decided that they would trade Shaq and Kobe would be their franchise player. Kobe was told that the team would still be strong and a championship contender. Three years later, the Lakers have told him that they are in rebuilding mode. By these remarks, Kobe feels like he was lied to, and said that he never would have resigned three years ago had he known the team would be rebuilding.
Kobe asked the team at various times to orchestrate deals that would bring him some help. Just a few of those were for Carlos Boozer, Jason Kidd, and Ron Artest. The Lakers couldn't make any of these happen, and Kobe was left to carry the team.
Another issue comes from an article in the Los Angeles Times yesterday that said that is was Bryant who had insisted that the team get away from Shaq, and that O'Neil was the reason the team was a mess. Kobe told Smith today that he had a meeting at the time with owner Jerry Buss, and was told that the team was going away from Shaq because they believe he was deteriorating physically and not worth $30 million a year.
Again it seems that information has be presented in a way that makes the Lakers organization look good and lets Kobe take the blame. Smith spoke with Shaq later today after the interview with Kobe, and O'Niel said that he believed every word that Bryant said.
Kobe is fed up. He feels like he has been made to look like the bad guy in order to protect those in the front office for the teams lack of success. He says there is no way to change his mind. So the question is now, where does he get traded to?
New York? -This market fits Kobe, but the Knicks don't have enough quality young players or draft picks to make it happen.
Philly? -They have the same problem as New York.
Clippers? -He'd be a good fit here, and he likes Southern California. I wouldn't see the Lakers dealing him anywhere that close though.
Denver? -Ha ha. Just kidding. I might not like the guy, but I don't want to see him dead.
Chicago? -This seems like the logical fit. They have probably the most young depth in the league, and for a package deal of possibly Ben Gordon and Ben Wallace, they could make it happen. The question is, do they want to destroy the chemistry that looks like they are a few years away from being a legit championship contender.
The final option is that nothing happens. The Lakers have no obligation to act on Kobe's request. If the team brings back Jerry West Kobe might be happy enough to stay the final two years. But whether he stays or not, look for some heads to roll in the front office. The lack of success by those employees will be on the front page of every newspaper tomorrow. Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak, you have been given your walking papers. But I'll leave you with this. If Kobe does get traded it will be some time this month, and it will make for a very interesting draft this year.
Bullpen Woes
It's always right about this time of the season when a baseball team finds out which players are most important to their success. One area of a team is shown to be the weakest link, and injuries come up to really handcuff teams. The Yankees have struggled without strong starting pitching, and the addition of Roger Clemens isn't likely to help much. The loss of John Smoltz as of last night is likely to leave its mark on the Braves. The absence of impact pitchers like Jason Schmidt and Pedro Martinez have really hindered their team.
And then there's the Tiger's bullpen.
No Joel Zumaya, no Fernando Rodney, and it really showed in the past weekend's series with the Indians. The Tigers have great starting pitching, but that doesn't mean they will hold up and pitch seven innings every game. And when they couldn't this weekend, the bullpen couldn't hold up. In almost every game of the series the Tigers were either up or tied late and blew it in the 7th or 8th inning. Teams like the Braves and Red Sox built up their bullpen in the offseason and we're seeing the results. Jose Mesa isn't the answer, and we're starting to see just how important a guy like Jamie Walker was.
Once Rodney, Zumaya, and Rogers come back the Tigers will be a different team. Until then the bullpen is overworked and understaffed. The team needs to find a way to grind out the close games, unlike they have Friday through Monday. The offense needs to pick up the staff, and it is the perfect chance for a pitcher in the pen (Tim Brydack) to step up.
And then there's the Tiger's bullpen.
No Joel Zumaya, no Fernando Rodney, and it really showed in the past weekend's series with the Indians. The Tigers have great starting pitching, but that doesn't mean they will hold up and pitch seven innings every game. And when they couldn't this weekend, the bullpen couldn't hold up. In almost every game of the series the Tigers were either up or tied late and blew it in the 7th or 8th inning. Teams like the Braves and Red Sox built up their bullpen in the offseason and we're seeing the results. Jose Mesa isn't the answer, and we're starting to see just how important a guy like Jamie Walker was.
Once Rodney, Zumaya, and Rogers come back the Tigers will be a different team. Until then the bullpen is overworked and understaffed. The team needs to find a way to grind out the close games, unlike they have Friday through Monday. The offense needs to pick up the staff, and it is the perfect chance for a pitcher in the pen (Tim Brydack) to step up.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Finally
It took six games (two games more than it should have) but the Pistons finally disposed of the Chicago Bulls.
The reason for why the Pistons finally won is simple: they finally played physical. You saw a team yesterday that was hustling on defense, getting after loose balls, and hitting the boards unlike any game they have played in the playoffs thus far. Chalk this victory up to a McDyess and Webber's rebounding in the second have, Prince's late offense, and Hamilton's and Bullups' ability to hit clutch free-throws.
We did learn something else in this series though. The Pistons will live and die by the play of Rasheed Wallace, whether we like it or not. This is not to say that the rest of the team isn't great. Billups, Hamilton, and Prince are definitely more talented than Rasheed, but Wallace is the key to the offense. His presence down low opens up free looks and rebounds for Webber. And how many times last night did you see Wallace kick the ball up top and around to Billups or Hamilton for an open three, or a high pick a roll that left himself with an open shot. It's not that he's the Piston's number one option, he just opens up the floor for everyone else.
It was nice once again to see the Pistons playing tough defense. They made all the Bulls feel uncomfortable. They swarmed to the ball, and were finally giving help defense to their teammates. Everyone talks about how now the Pistons will cruise to the NBA Finals, but if they play defense like they did in games four and five, they'll be heading home early. I do look forward to what should be an easy series with either Cleveland or New Jersey, but with the Pistons "turn it on, turn it off" style of ball we never really know what we're in store for.
The reason for why the Pistons finally won is simple: they finally played physical. You saw a team yesterday that was hustling on defense, getting after loose balls, and hitting the boards unlike any game they have played in the playoffs thus far. Chalk this victory up to a McDyess and Webber's rebounding in the second have, Prince's late offense, and Hamilton's and Bullups' ability to hit clutch free-throws.
We did learn something else in this series though. The Pistons will live and die by the play of Rasheed Wallace, whether we like it or not. This is not to say that the rest of the team isn't great. Billups, Hamilton, and Prince are definitely more talented than Rasheed, but Wallace is the key to the offense. His presence down low opens up free looks and rebounds for Webber. And how many times last night did you see Wallace kick the ball up top and around to Billups or Hamilton for an open three, or a high pick a roll that left himself with an open shot. It's not that he's the Piston's number one option, he just opens up the floor for everyone else.
It was nice once again to see the Pistons playing tough defense. They made all the Bulls feel uncomfortable. They swarmed to the ball, and were finally giving help defense to their teammates. Everyone talks about how now the Pistons will cruise to the NBA Finals, but if they play defense like they did in games four and five, they'll be heading home early. I do look forward to what should be an easy series with either Cleveland or New Jersey, but with the Pistons "turn it on, turn it off" style of ball we never really know what we're in store for.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
My Heros: Vernon Wells & Ken Griffey Jr.
Have you ever heckled a player at a baseball game?
Have you ever wondered what would happen if the player heckled back?
A couple of lucky fans got to answer that question last week when their incessant heckling pushed two players over the edge.
Incident #1:
Two fans decided last Wednesday that it would be fun to pick on Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Vernon Wells. Jeff Raycher and Tom Montague had some running banter going back and forth with the Jays star at Jacob's Field. The end result: Wells threw a baseball to them in the stands. It read:
"Dear Mr. Dork,
Here is your ball! Can you please tell me what gas station you work at so when you are pumping my gas I can yell at you! Now sit down, shut-up and enjoy the game!
Your favorite center fielder,
Vernon Wells"
The two trouble makers now plan to travel to the make-up game of Detroit vs. Toronto on September 10th for round two of the heckling.
I give Vernon Wells credit though. He dealt with the fans in a just and harmless manner. He knows the two gentlemen were just having fun at a ballgame and he acted in kind. I congratulate you Mr. Wells on good sportsmanship.
See the story of the incident at: www.homerderby.com/archives/452
Incident #2
This occurrence hits a little below the belt...literally.
A man at an LA Dodgers game decided to have a little fun with Ken Griffey Jr. of the Cincinnati Reds. He was harmlessly taunting Griffey and started getting some looks from the ballplayer around the second inning. By the sixth inning Griffey came over and said, what the heckler claimed was, "He called me some fat references which was hilarious and then he told me I couldn't touch the threads on his jock..."
The debate continued back and forth with shots taken on both sides. After the sixth inning Griffey comes out of the dugout and comes up to the man with a brown paper bag. He says he has something for him and throws the bag to the heckler. Griffey won't leave until the man opens it. The guy reaches in and pulls out the gift, which in fact ends up being Griffey's jock.
I tip my hat to you Mr. Griffey. Good form.
Read this story in full at: http://deadspin.com/sports/great-moments-in-heckling/ken-griffey-jr-knows-how-to-deal-with-hecklers-260239.php
Have you ever wondered what would happen if the player heckled back?
A couple of lucky fans got to answer that question last week when their incessant heckling pushed two players over the edge.
Incident #1:
Two fans decided last Wednesday that it would be fun to pick on Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Vernon Wells. Jeff Raycher and Tom Montague had some running banter going back and forth with the Jays star at Jacob's Field. The end result: Wells threw a baseball to them in the stands. It read:
"Dear Mr. Dork,
Here is your ball! Can you please tell me what gas station you work at so when you are pumping my gas I can yell at you! Now sit down, shut-up and enjoy the game!
Your favorite center fielder,
Vernon Wells"
The two trouble makers now plan to travel to the make-up game of Detroit vs. Toronto on September 10th for round two of the heckling.
I give Vernon Wells credit though. He dealt with the fans in a just and harmless manner. He knows the two gentlemen were just having fun at a ballgame and he acted in kind. I congratulate you Mr. Wells on good sportsmanship.
See the story of the incident at: www.homerderby.com/archives/452
Incident #2
This occurrence hits a little below the belt...literally.
A man at an LA Dodgers game decided to have a little fun with Ken Griffey Jr. of the Cincinnati Reds. He was harmlessly taunting Griffey and started getting some looks from the ballplayer around the second inning. By the sixth inning Griffey came over and said, what the heckler claimed was, "He called me some fat references which was hilarious and then he told me I couldn't touch the threads on his jock..."
The debate continued back and forth with shots taken on both sides. After the sixth inning Griffey comes out of the dugout and comes up to the man with a brown paper bag. He says he has something for him and throws the bag to the heckler. Griffey won't leave until the man opens it. The guy reaches in and pulls out the gift, which in fact ends up being Griffey's jock.
I tip my hat to you Mr. Griffey. Good form.
Read this story in full at: http://deadspin.com/sports/great-moments-in-heckling/ken-griffey-jr-knows-how-to-deal-with-hecklers-260239.php
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