Steroids in Baseball

Time to touch upon baseball's black eye, steroids. Since the Mitchell Report's release in December there has not been a letdown in coverage by the sports media as it graces front pages of both online and print media everyday. The biggest story to surface has been the naming of Roger Clemens in the report. I have seen his attempts to clear his name, none have been convincing. In little time he has taken the focus from Barry Bonds and it will be a while before he can deflect it from himself.

As a lifetime baseball fan, I was disappointed to see how prevalent steroids has been in the sport. Although, I am not ignorant to the fact that it has been a recurring problem. What I find problematic is the everchanging policy of what is banned and what isn't. Anything that can harm the human body should be avoided altogether and be continuously banned. I am aware that competition breeds cheating since many will do whatever it takes to keep their position. Too many negative things have happened in the sport at many levels that the line has to be drawn somewhere.

I applaud the recent action by MLB to join the NFL in an anti-doping research collaborative headed by the USOC in order to create a drug-fighting partnership. They have also launched a new branch of the Commissioner's Office that will focus into looking into drug use in the sport. I see all this as an attempt to save face and move forward. I am ready to move on and look forward to the 2008 season.

8th Annual Juan Encarnación Softball Classic

On December 9, 2007 the 8th Annual Juan Encarnación Softball Classic took place in Las Matas de Farfán. This is the third one in a row that I attend and they did not disappoint. They hold a softball game played by MLB current and former players as well as locals participating. This year Vladimir Guerrero made a cameo appearance arriving by helicopter, but did not play. Others in attendance were José Rijo, Ricardo Carty, Ronny Paulino, Octavio Dotel, Julio Santana, D´Angelo Jiménez, Julio Mateo, Kelvin Jiménez , Odalis Pérez, Alberto Castillo, Roberto Novoa, Ramón Santiago and Víctor Méndez.



This year the event had more meaning on two different levels. The country had recently been ravaged by two hurricanes and Juan Encarnación is still unaware when he will return to the diamond. Last season he suffered an eye injury while standing in the on deck circle. He was hit by a foul ball that fractured his eye socket.



After the game there were live performances held throughout the town for the people to enjoy.

Spring Training 2008-Key dates for Dodger fans

The Dodgers will play in Vero Beach for the 61st year and possibly their last season there, you can watch them at Holman Stadium up until their last game on March 17, 2008. Their last game in Florida will be on the 18th against the Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium. Some of the team will depart for Asia for a two-game exhibition in Beijing while the rest of the team will reconvene in Arizona on the 20th. They will be in Arizona until the 25th and then come home to Southern California and play in an abbreviated Freeway Series consisting of one game at Angel Stadium on March 27th. They will then face the World Series Champions Boston Red Sox from March 28-30 with a very special 50th anniversary game sandwiched in between at the Coliseum on the 29th.

Round Robin kicks off in the Dominican Winter League

On Wednesday, December 26th, Round Robin play kicked off. I was fortunate enough to be in attendance at the Gigantes and Estrellas Orientales game that took place in San Francisco de Macoris. It was a pitching duel between Colorado Rockies pitcher Jose Francisco Capellan and Jesus Matos. Capellan came away with the loss permitting a homerun in the second inning to Willie Otañez. That would be the only score of the night in a 1-0 game with each team compiling four hits apiece. The Gigantes had a chance to tie the game, but Victor Mendez was out at home in a play where he should have been held at third. Aside from that there were never serious threats throughout the game. The Estrellas taking a 1-0 record and now have to fend without Robinson Cano who was told to stop playing by the Yankees. Round Robin should be a dandy and two of the four teams are playing for greater things. Licey is celebrating their 100th anniversary and the Aguilas are playing for a chance to play at home in the Caribbean Series. How would the fans feel if the Gigantes and Estrellas advance? Imagine that!

Free agency set to begin

As a lifetime Dodger fan, I tend to root for the National League. The Rockies did a real number on the fans winning twenty-one out of twenty-two and now can't seem to put together a victory on the big stage. As much as I would like them to bounce back and make this a series worth watching, I am also a realist and believe that it might be over as soon as tonight (I hope they make me eat my words). When the World Series ends it will signal the beginning of free agency. The biggest storyline is whether ARod is going to remain in pinstripes. Soon we will find out who will be changing zip codes and who will stay put.

Frederich Cepeda desde Caracas, Venezuela

Frederich Cepeda toma parte de su dia para contestarme unas preguntas:

¿Que sientes saber que Peter Bjarkman quien es considerado un experto sobre el béisbol Cubano te considera el mejor bateador activo en la pelota cubana?

Me siento muy contento por eso ya que es una persona que a escrito a visto y analizado el béisbol Cubano e internacional por muchos años...agradecido ademas porque modestamente es muy difícil en mi criterio personal que soy el mejor pues el beisbol cubano tiene excelentes bateadores con grandes numeros tambien y con potencialidades para seguir desarrollandose.

De lo que yo te he visto jugar, admiro tu paciencia al bate. A parte de eso tu has sido el lider en boletos intencionales en la Serie Nacional. ¿A que le atribuyes eso?

Yo trato de poner mi mayor concentracion a la hora de batear para trarar de hacer un buen contacto con buenos lanzamientos y tratar de que el lanzador no me engañe,al ocupar el 5to bate en mi seleccion quizas esto implique el cuidado y la estrategia de picheo que tenga el contrario para cada situacion del juego cada turno es diferente.

¿Que esperas de esta próxima Serie Nacional?

En estos momentos estoy preparndome muy fuerte para la copa del mundo en China para ayudar a mi equipo y tener un buen resultado para lo que necesito gran concentración de la atencion pues estos campeonatos son cortos y de mucha calidad,esto ademas toda esta etapa hasta que culmine el mundial servirá de preparación par la serie nacional que comensara solo unos dias despues del regreso en la cual espero como siempre superarme cada dia mas mi rendimiento personal y sobre todas las cosas ayudar a mi equipo a estar nuevamente en la pos temporada y ahí luchar por el titulo.

¿Cuales son tus metas personales y como equipo?

Mis metas personales: la superación diaria y como equipo, ganar el campeonato.

Birthday Wishes to two of my special friends

My dear friend Antonio Castro Soto del Valle and my godson Lourdes Yunielkis Gourriel both are celebrating birthdays today in Cuba.

My godson (pictured on the far right) turns 14. Wish I could be there to celebrate with them.