Bleacher Report - Articles by Tyler Mascaro

Eric Bruntlett Ends Game With An Unassisted Triple Play

Tyler Mascaro — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 16:30:32 -0400

Eric Bruntlett has struggled all season for the Phillies. He is a career .227 hitter and is batting lower than that this year. Many Phillies' fans, including me, thought he should be sent down to AAA after the Phils acquired Ben Francisco and Cliff Lee.

The Phillies kept him up because he was the only backup middle infielder they had. If Rollins or Utley got hurt, he was their man at second or short.

On Sunday, Bruntlett got the start over Utley to give him a day off.

Bruntlett took advantage of his start. He went 3-5, and would have been 4-5 but the umpire called him out on an obvious hit.

In the ninth inning, Bruntlett made two errors. There was two on with no outs, Castillo on second, Murphy on first.

Francouer was up to bat, and hit the ball up the middle in the air. Bruntlett catches the line drive, for one out. The runners were moving, so he steps on second to get Castillo, and Murphy was right there to be tagged by Bruntlett. UNASSISTED TRIPLE PLAY TO END THE GAME.

He really bailed out Lidge and himself there. Its the first time a Phillies player has pulled off an unassisted triple play in the ninth inning, and its only the second time it has ever happened (the other was in 1927).

Travis Shelton: The Next Great Kick Returner?

Tyler Mascaro — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 20:19:09 -0400

Born in Florida, Travis Shelton was born fast. He is the cousin of the infamous Devin Hester, who holds several NFL records for kick returning.

He is also the cousin of Broncos linebacker, Andra Davis. Being an NFL player is in his blood.

At high school in South Florida, he was both a football player and a track runner. He placed in the top ten in almost every running category for the state.

He also returned four kicks/punts back for touchdowns in his great high school career.

His 40 speed is 4.27, an amazing time for any position.

After Travis' high school career, he decided to enroll at Temple as his college choice. In his freshman year, he scored one touchdown, and ran in the 100m for Temple.

He was redshirted his sophomore year.

As a third-year sophomore, he set the record for longest kick return in the Owls' modern era. He also had 311 all purpose yards vs. Northern Illinois.

He finished the year with 778 return yards and a touchdown; he was breaking out.

In 2007, his junior year, he did not have a touchdown despite his great return numbers. He also tied his career high in receptions that year, but again, did not have a touchdown.

His senior year was arguably his best. He led the NCAA in average yards per kick return, and again, tied his career reception record, 20.

Finished his career at Temple with the most career return yards in school history.

Travis was undrafted, but signed by the Broncos. After minicamp, the Broncos dropped him, only to pick him up again.

In the Broncos' first preseason game, Shelton did not play, but was suited, as I saw No. 13 on the sidelines. He hopes to play in a couple of preseason games so he can show off his speed.

In fact, he is so fast that he even beats his cousin, Hester, at the annual family picnic. They race in the 100m, and more often than not, Travis Shelton takes all the marbles.

So, the question for everyone is: Will Travis Shelton get a chance to show off his speed as a returner in Denver?

The Broncos have a great returner already, in Eddie Royal, so what will happen to Travis?

First of all, Travis Shelton is a class act. He is one of the nicest NFL players I have known. He's not like so many other athletes who just blow you off.

I believe that he will get his shot, and show everyone that he is one of the fastest guys around, and can return kicks. Even if it's not with the Broncos, who knows, he may help someone with his all-purpose ability.

He did not play in the Broncos first preseason game against the 49ers, but we are hopeful he will get his chance.

In the second preseason game, he got in on five plays. He did not get the ball, but he did go in motion once (ooooo).

If you don't believe me, believe this video.

He is number 22 on Temple in the highlight video, if you didn't see him because he was moving so fast. ;)

As of Monday, August 24, Travis has been cut by the Broncos in order to make room for another cornerback.

Edinson Volquez Out For Season: Curse of My Jersey?

Tyler Mascaro — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:32:32 -0400

I am one of Edinson Volquez's biggest fans. I bought a Reds jersey with Volquez's name on the back on May 21. I wore it the next day, because Edinson was pitching. In the game, he goes into six inning after only letting up two runs and the Reds are winning 6-2. Volquez then suffered from pain in his back and left the game.

I'm thinking to my self, "Its okay, he'll only miss one start at most, and he will get the win today anyway."

Volquez didn't get the win that day, as the Reds bullpen gave up four runs in the last three innings. And he did not miss just one start. He missed two with back spasms.

He came back on June 1 and I am siked. I wore my jersey in preparation for his start against the Cardinals. He is dealing to the first two batters, striking out one and making another ground out. Pitching to the third batter, he gets hurt.

Who knows what's wrong. He finished the inning, but didn't come out for the second. Right then, I'm saying, "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU EDINSON? STOP GETTING HURT." I was kind of joking around, thinking that he was only going to be out another week.

Volquez was still out after a week, and even a month. The team doctors decided to get him Tommy John surgery for his right elbow. He will be out the rest of this season, and most of next season all because of my stupid jersey!

Many people blame Dusty Baker for using his young arm too much. I don't. What was Dusty supposed to do? Not pitch him? In fact, he only used him once out of the bullpen last year. Stats from that game: 0.1 inning, 1 ER, L! I guess Dusty learned quick that Edinson is not a bullpen pitcher. But it is not Dusty's fault.

It is my jersey's fault. Ever since I got it, he has pitched 6.2 innings. I GOT THAT JERSEY IN MAY! Right now, as I'm writing this, I'm thinking to my self, "What shall I do with that jersey?"

Edinson: I'm sorry if its my jersey that got you hurt. It is not funny your hurt, but it is funny that this jersey is cursed!

Breaking News: Philadelphia Eagles Sign First-Round Pick Jeremy Maclin

Tyler Mascaro — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:07:07 -0400

In the 2009 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles traded up two picks to draft Jeremy Maclin at No. 19. Every Eagles fan was happy. We got a guy who can run, catch, and return kicks, something we really haven't had since Brian Mitchell.

Maclin caught 102 passes with 1,260 yards and 13 touchdowns as a redshirt sophomore last season at Mizzou. The year before, he caught 80 with 1,055 yards and nine touchdowns as a freshman.

Returning the ball, Maclin had five career touchdowns in two years. He also had over 2,000 career return yards in just those two years.

Maclin also throws the ball. Not well, but he can. His stats are as follows: 1/2, one interception, 0 yards. OK, so maybe we won't use him as quarterback, but he is a very versatile person who will help the Eagles a lot. He won't give Donovan McNabb a run for his money at the quarterback position.

Rushing wise, he had 40 carries and two touchdowns as a sophomore, and 51 rushes with four touchdowns as a freshman. This shows that he can also run the ball if LeSean McCoy is not what he is said to be and if Brian Westbrook gets hurt. He may be a bit small to take all those crushing blows from linebackers, but he may do well if he takes just a couple carries a game.

Today, the Eagles finally signed Maclin to a five-year deal with $9.5 million guaranteed. The signing happened after Maclin was a no-show to camp for a week. On Tuesday, he should be at camp, and be ready for his duties as an Eagle.

I, and my fellow Eagle fans, expect many great things from Maclin. He should be a dual kick returner with DeSean Jackson, and also be a slot receiver. He may be what puts the Eagles over the line and leads them to victory.

Adrian Peterson: Best Running Back Ever?

Tyler Mascaro — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 22:01:07 -0400

Emmitt Smith holds both records for most rushing yards in a career and most touchdowns in a career. He has 175 touchdowns and 18,355 career yards on the ground.

Adrian Peterson will smash the yards record and give the touchdown record a run for its money.

Drafted out of Oklahoma seventh overall, Peterson was known for his amazing NCAA career. He could have broken many records in college, but he opted out of his senior year to enter the NFL draft. His size, 6'1", and his speed, 4.4-second 40-yard dash, is why he was chosen so high, along with his great skill with the ball.

In his rookie season, Peterson showed everyone who's boss. On Oct. 14, 2007, he rushed for 224 yards, breaking a franchise record and surpassing the NFL record for most yards from scrimmage, 361. He finished the year rushing for 1,341 yards, second in the league behind the one and only LT.

He received many honors including NFC Rookie of the Year, and Pro Bowl Honors. In the Pro Bowl, he won MVP, becoming the second player ever to win MVP of the Pro Bowl and Rookie of the Year in the same year, as did future Hall Of Famer Marshall Faulk during his rookie year.

His 2008 season was also eventful, as he rushed for 1,760 yards and had 10 touchdowns. He was once again named to the AP All-Pro team for the second straight year. He was also named to the Pro Bowl again, and led the league with his 1,760 rushing yards.

So now, as he gets ready for the 2009 season, the question for you is: Will Adrian Peterson be the greatest running back ever?

My answer: Yes.

In his first two years, he averaged 1,550 yards per year. If he plays 12 years in the NFL with that average, he will end up with 18,600 yards, almost 300 more yards than Emmitt, and shattering the yards record.

Also, he has averaged 11 touchdowns per year. At that rate for 12 years, he will have 121 touchdowns. That is nowhere close to Emmitt's record, but I imagine him scoring more than 11 per year. If he scores 14 per year, at 12 years, he will have 168 touchdowns, leaving him within seven of the record, and second overall.

Those stats say to me that he will be the best running back ever, if, of course, he plays for 14 or more years. There is no lying when people say he is the best running back in the game right now, because he is.

Thank you for the read. I appreciate it!

Gabe²: Gabe Kapler and Gabe Gross

Tyler Mascaro — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 22:24:13 -0400

Two teams in the history of Major League Baseball have had more than one player named Gabe on their roster. Those two teams are: the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays. Ironically, both teams had Gabe Gross and Gabe Kapler as their two Gabes.

The Brewers had both of them in 2008 and early on during '09; the Rays have both on their roster currently.

Gabe Gross, 30, started his career in 2004, playing 44 games for the Toronto Blue Jays. After his 2005 season with the Jays, where he batted only .250, he was shipped to the Brewers where he played another two years. He spent a year down in Tampa, which was arguably his breakout season, where he hit 13 home runs.

After this breakout, he was sent back to the Brewers. Here he would be teammates with the other Gabe, Gabe Kapler. Gross only played in 16 games and posted a horrible .209 average. He was later picked up again by the Rays for the 2009 season. Here, he once more became teammates with Gabe Kapler, making the Rays the second team ever to have more than one player named Gabe.

Gabe Kapler, now 34, started his career way back in '98 with Detroit. He did not play enough games to qualify as a rookie, so the '99 year was his official rookie season. That year he broke onto the scene by hitting 18 home runs and amassing 49 RBI.

He was picked up by Texas the next year, and had 66 RBI. Still with Texas for the '01 season, he hit 17 homeruns and had 61 RBI.

The next 7 years were very uneventful for Kapler, as he never hit over six home runs and never had more than 33 RBI.

The Brewers took a chance on him in 2008, and he joined Gabe Gross on their roster. Kapler was a great bench player for them the whole year, notching eight home runs and 38 RBI off the bench for the Brew Crew.

After that comeback season, he was shipped to the Rays, once more joining Gross, and the Rays became the second team ever to have more than one player named Gabe. Both the Gabe's platooned in right field most of the first half of 2009.

It is unusual that only two teams ever have had two guys named Gabe because Gabe is not that unusual name. It is actually very common. Both guys are very talented and serve well as platoon players or bench players. Both can fill in for a guy if someone is injured and both can DH for the Rays.

Who Got The Better Of The Hamilton--Volquez Trade?

Tyler Mascaro — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:31:07 -0400

There's a lot that separates Josh Hamilton and Edinson Volquez. The cities they play in are some 2,000 miles apart. One (Volquez) relies on a dazzling changeup, while the other (Hamilton) prefers not to see it. One was exiled from the game of baseball and forced to clean up his act, while the other was on the fast track to the big leagues.

It's been almost a year-and-a-half since that groundbreaking trade. It was a trade that moved a 24-year-old Houston righty with incredible potential to Cincinnati for a cleaned-up 25-year-old, who was given another chance after being kicked out of professional baseball for drug abuse.

The Josh Hamilton-Edinson Volquez trade will go down as one of the biggest in recent baseball history. But who go the better of the deal?

They swapped teams back in late 2007, Volquez going from Texas to Cincinnati and Hamilton heading in the opposite direction. The trade, at the time, felt like a no-brainer for the Rangers, as Hamilton was ripping up the National League in his rookie year while Volquez was struggling in Triple-A.

The Rangers soon found out what Volquez could do for a major-league ballclub.

In 2008, the first season after the trade, Volquez started the year dealing to hitters with his nasty changeup. He broke the record for most consecutive quality starts (a stat that I, personally, don't agree with), and made the All-Star team.

Many ESPN analysts said that he should have started in that game, but he didnt, instead entering in the seventh and blowing a save.

During the second half of the year, he was never quite the same. Hitters figured out his changeup, he was not hitting the strike zone on a regular basis, and he was losing games, something he was not accustomed to in the first half of the year.

He ended the season 17-6 with a 3.21 ERA, which still are some amazing stats, possibly Cy Young Award-level stats in most seasons.

Josh Hamilton also started off the 2008 year on fire. He was launching home runs right and left. He could hit anything you threw to him. He was the comeback story for everyone after his drug addiction. Everyone wanted him to do well, and he did.

He also made the All-Star game, and the Home Run Derby. That is where he would leave his mark on all baseball fans.

If you didn't know his story, you learned it while he was hitting 28 home runs in one round of the Home Run Derby. He may have fallen off a bit after that, but who doesn't fall off after the Home Run Derby? It messes with your swing!

Hamilton ended the year batting .304 with 32 home runs and 130 RBI. Those are MVP-type stats, people.

The 2009 season was a different story for both these players. Both were injured in the first half and were limited in their playing time. Hamilton still made the All-Star team, though most agree with me when I say that he didn't deserve it.

Volquez was on the DL for three different reasons. What will they do in the second half now that they're almost healthy?

That is not the main question, though. The question is: Which team got a better deal in this trade?

I would have to go with the Rangers, just because they got an every day player in the field who can do it all. Volquez is a great pitcher, but he plays every fifth day. For me, a player who plays every day is more valuable than a player who plays every fifth day.

Manny Gives The Other Team Runs When He Is In The Field

Tyler Mascaro — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 11:42:07 -0400

Manny Ramirez is a great hitter for the Dodgers. He drives in runs every year. He can hit anything near the strike zone and can hit most of the pitches over the plate for a home run.

In 2008, with the Dodgers, he hit .396 with one RBI per game, 53, and 17 homeruns. He alone led the Dodgers to the playoffs and led them through the first round on his shoulders. He is one of the greatest right-handed batters of all-time.

His defense is a different story. He does not hustle after balls in the gaps or catch easy fly balls.

He rarely gets close to the ball so balls that should be caught don't count as errors. Because of this, he only had three errors in 53 games with the Dodgers last year. In all 53 games combined, he had one outfield assist, which shows that he has no arm, or is indecisive on where to throw the ball. The question is: Is Manny giving the other team more runs than he produces?

My answer is yes and no. It is true that Manny gives the other team runs by being Manny in left field. It is also true that he is one of the best hitters in the game right now.He offsets his bad defense with his amazing hitting abilities. He may give the opposing team a couple runs here and there, but all and all he redeems himself at the plate. I personally think Manny is a Hall of Famer, despite the steroids.

What do you think?

Just comment on what you think, and if he really helps the Dodgers at all if he is just going to give up the runs he just knocked in.

Reds-Phillies: Cincinnati's Team MVP Kills Philadelphia

Tyler Mascaro — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:26:06 -0400

Brandon Phillips, who has been struggling throughout June and into July, hit two home runs to beat the Phils on Tuesday. One went to the opposite field, and one was pulled.

Going into the ninth, the Phils brought in Mr. Lights Out. He was just not that tuesday as he let up a leadoff double to Joey Votto, a sacrifice by Phillips, a walk to Laynce Nix, then a RBI single by Ramon Hernandez.

The Reds all-star closer, Coco Cordero, came in to shut down the Phils in the bottom of the ninth. Let’s see what we can do against the Reds in the next two games!

The Reds Catching Situation: Ryan Hanigan Or Ramon Hernandez?

Tyler Mascaro — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:57:16 -0400

If you were the Reds manager, who would you start, Ryan Hanigan or Ramon Hernandez? My vote is for Hanigan for many reasons.

Hernandez has started most games this season at catcher, with the occasional off day. On his off days, Hanigan starts. In eight straight games, Hanigan has got a hit. He is batting .333 in limited time, not to mention his arm. He fires the ball to every base, whether he is throwing out a wimpy stealer or throwing behind a runner.

On the other hand, Hernandez is batting just .250 as a starter. He has played in 73 games this year, matched up to Hanigan's 47. Hernandez is also very good at defense. He can block virtually any ball thrown at him.

You could say that Hanigan has not played enough games this year to show what he would do every day, why not give him a chance?

The Five Best First Basemen In The Majors

Tyler Mascaro — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:22:49 -0400

I've made a best catchers in the majors article and in that I said I would make one for every position in the field. Here's the 1st basemen one. There are probably 10 great 1st basemen in the league, but I had to choose 5. This was very hard and I could still use help. Just comment on who should be on the list and who they should go over Thanks, enjoy, and get ready for 2nd baseman: coming soon!

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The Five Best Catchers In The Majors

Tyler Mascaro — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:24:59 -0400

I've been busy the last couple of weeks and could not write many articles. Over that time I was thinking of new topics to write on. I thought of making 9 different articles for every position in the field, and the five best players in that position. Today I start with catchers. In a couple of days after this I will make 1st base, then 2nd base and so on. There are many great catchers in the league right now but these catchers stand out because of their great defense or offense. If you want to nominate another catcher just comment and I will probably change him out for #5, since I think Doumit may be interchangeable. Thanks for reading and enjoy!

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Shoeless Joe Jackson Should Be Allowed In the Hall of Fame

Tyler Mascaro — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 01:03:20 -0400

Shoeless Joe was banned from the league after the 1920 season because of his involvement in the Black Sox scandal. I, and many others, believe that he really did not give in to the money, and throw the World Series. His stats show that he didn't.

In that series, he batted .375 and had 12 hits, leading his team in both categories. He never tried to throw the series at all, and risked his life doing so. All of his teammates gave into the money, struck out or booted ground balls to throw the World Series.

The question is: why isn't Shoeless Joe allowed in the Hall Of Fame? I know the answer given is that he was part of the Black Sox, but he really did nothing wrong.

After all, he is third in all-time career batting average.

Put the guy in the Hall Of Fame already.

Top Five Worst Mascots In The MLB

Tyler Mascaro — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:03:55 -0400

These are the worst mascots in the game today. Again, sorry if I missed one of your favorites, or a really bad one. DO NOT say anything about the Phanatic, he is the best. Plus I am a Phillies fan, so just lay off of him. There are some really bad mascots though, in the majors. So many to choose from. Here the top 5 worst mascots in the MLB!

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Who Has The Best MLB Pitching Windup?

Tyler Mascaro — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 01:11:46 -0400

Now, similar to my best stance article, I bring you the best pitching windup article. To start I have to say every pitcher has their own pitching style and they do what works for them. A lot of pitchers over the years have had pitching wind ups that will make you laugh. Here are a few:

Dontrelle Willis: He kicks his right leg up and almost knees himself in the face.

Mitch Williams: The only thing I can say about him is he looks drunk while pitching, and falls off the mound on every pitch.

Cy Young: You can't really make fun of him because he has over 500 wins and there is an award named after him, but his wind up is so bad it looks like his playing softball when he "warms up his arm" and swings it around like a softball pitcher. Of course, he doesn't let it go until he switches to baseball, but that must be annoying for a batter to see him just be a girl for a second.

Fernando Venezuela: Every time he threw a pitch out of the windup, he would look up to see if any birds were taking a poop on him. Just kidding, but really he would look up to the sky, and not the plate when he pitched. I don't know how he did it, but he did and became one of the best rookie pitchers every to play the game.

Chad Bradford: Now many of you guys don't know about him, but he once broke a finger from throwing too submarine style. He throws practically underhand, and it still hits a crisp 85 MPH on the gun. This guy is a beast, but maybe he should work on getting his arm up so he doesn't break anymore fingers.

So who do you think has the best pitching windup ever?

Reds Select RHP Mike Leake From ASU

Tyler Mascaro — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 00:52:36 -0400

With the eighth-overall pick in the MLB draft, the Cincinnati Reds selected RHP Mike Leake. This kid's got crazy stuff. I had a chance to see him three times this year down at Arizona State University beacause I happen to live close to the college.

Leake went 15-1 this year in college with only a 1.23 ERA! So what if his fastball only hits 92 on the gun. He's got plus control and can hit all of his spots with his curve, slider or change.

Mike will fit in nicely in a couple of years with the reds rotation. They'll have three great young starters in Edinson Volquez, Johnny Cueto, and you guessed it, Mike Leake. This kid has a high ceiling and who knows how many Cy Young's he'll rack up over his career.

To see more of Tyler's articles go to: www.harryandwhitey.wordpress.com