AGRI Biz

With the Philadelphia Phillies batting in the bottom of the fourth inning of Game Six of the World Series against the New York Yankees, Pedro Martinez sat alone in the Phillies dugout. Then manager Charlie Manuel came over. The 65-year-old manager with a Southern drawl talked to the 38-year-old Dominican and future Hall of Famer. He said something amusing, and Martinez cracked a smile. He tapped him on the chest, and another ...

New York Yankees starting pitcher A.J. Burnett, their $82 million man, shut down the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Two of the World Series. His fastball was lively, and his off-speed pitches had their bite, sharpness, and were perfectly located. He tossed seven stellar innings, allowing just one run on four hits, walking one while striking out nine. Manager Joe Girardi hoped for a repeat performance in Game 6, choosing him in ...

Philadelphia Phillies lefthander Cliff Lee took the mound to begin Game 1 as Yankees stadium bustled, anticipating the start of the World Series. The relaxed 31-year old looked in at catcher Carlos Ruiz, nodded his head yes, and pumped in a fastball that New York Yankees captain and leadoff hitter Derek Jeter fouled off. His outing was underway, and what an outing it would be for Lee. Jeter fouled off a ...

Behind by two in the eighth inning with the speedy Chone Figgins on second base, Anaheim AngelsÆ slugger and future Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero took what may have been his final swing as a member of the franchise, slicing a cut fastball from New York Yankees famed closer Mariano Rivera into right field. Figgins sped around third and scored. It was the first run Rivera had allowed at home in ...

Derek Jeter (left) and Alex Rodriguez stand in disbelief as their Yankees batted in the ninth. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi) The Anaheim Angels held a 4-0 lead when manager Mike Scioscia walked out to the mound in the seventh inning. Starting pitcher John Lackey had just retired New York Yankees left-fielder and second-place hitter Johnny Damon on a weak flyout after loading the bases. The ace talked to catcher Jeff Mathis on ...

Jeff Mathis reacts after his double scored Howie Kendrick all the way from first for the winning run, giving the Angels life in their series against the Yankees. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) In the bottom of the 10th inning of Game Two of the American League Championship Series, Anaheim Angels backup catcher Jeff Mathis clocked a ringing leadoff double into the left-field gap against New York Yankees reliever Phil Hughes. After ...

Who would have thought it would come down to a balaclava? Expecting a cold and rainy night in New York, Los Angeles Angels second baseman Maicer Izturis dressed warmly for Game Two of the American League Championship Series. He wore long-sleeves underneath his jersey and a balaclava, a form of headgear that covers the whole head and exposes only the face. Bundled up, he was ready for a long night ...

With one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, Minnesota Twins shortstop and second-place hitter Orlando Cabrera stepped to the plate. His team was behind by one run to the Detroit Tigers in the seasonÆs 163rd game, and running out of outs with which to work. Cabrera, 34, has always been a dependable player, but also a winner. ThatÆs why the Twins traded for him midseason. They needed someone with ...

On the scoreboard in the Metrodome, it read, ôTigers 4, White Sox 0, Fifth inningö when Minnesota Twins right fielder Jason Kubel strode to the plate with one out in the first inning. Two men were on, as Denard Span and Joe Mauer both walked in between Orlando CabreraÆs groundout. The sold-out crowd was buzzing, hoping Kubel could continue his magnificent season and put their Twins in front. He took a sinker ...

On September 6, the Detroit Tigers held a seven game lead over the Minnesota Twins. Then, all hell broke loose. They started playing mediocre, while the Twins, at the time an even .500 (68-68), caught fire. Since that day, Detroit is just 15-14, while Minnesota has managed to go 16-8. Translation: The Twins stood just a game back of the Tigers in the American League Central entering the second to ...