Just because you look like him...

Anyone else think this guy (Texas Rangers Pitcher Ricardo Rodriguez)



Is trying to look like this guy (New York Mets Pitcher Pedro Martinez)?

Only problem: Looking like him does not mean you can pitch like him! Last night, I watched as he was Shelled by Arizona …Check out these Non-Pedro numbers:

R Rodriguez 4 1-3 IP,12 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

Not sure if he is the last man to make the rotation, but if they ever do have a “who most resembles Pedro on the Rangers staff” contest, I will take Ric-Rod…







Rumors are swirling (that I have confirmed) that Carlos Ruiz is soon to be traded to FC Dallas. The 3rd Degree and So Cal Matchnight have both written about the rumors.

Basically, it appears that my favorite US player, Landon Donovan, has had enough of Germany already. According to German press, he wants out of his commitment to Bayer Leverkusen after only returning there in December, and is plotting a return to the USA, and more importantly to him, Southern California. It has always bothered me that he hasn’t cared to excel in Europe, because I believe a player should always want to be the best of the best. Donovan appears to enjoy being the best in the US, reap all the benefits of that, but not seek stardom on the world stage. I am not sure I get that. It would be like Dirk Nowitzki staying in Germany his whole life.

Anyway, how does that affect FC Dallas? They are first in line to receive the next major player allocation that arrives in the MLS. Donovan will not play in Dallas, and since he has all the leverage, as the league needs him, they work it out where Dallas is heavily compensated, and Landon returns to the league under his terms. This is done by virtue of the LA Galaxy sending one of the most lethal strikers in the US today, the Guatemalan Forward, Carlos “the little fish” Ruiz. He has been the leading scorer in the league in 2002 and 2003, and finished 1 goal off the lead in 2004, despite missing 10 games for various reasons.

He is moody, and tough to figure out as a man, but as a player he is flat out genius around the goal. Combining him with Eddie Johnson and Ronnie O’Brien up front gives FC Dallas perhaps the finest strike force in MLS in 2005. We shall see.

I am told there is still a small chance Donovan changes his mind, but if that doesn’t happen, look for this to be officially announced on Monday. On Wednesday, the United States National team will play Guatemala in a World Cup Qualifier which would match Ruiz versus Johnson on ESPN 2.

Ruiz Player Page with the Galaxy …

And if you want to see great soccer, The US travels to Mexico on Sunday at noon, ESPN 2. This will be intense…

Links:

Saints still trying to deal Darren Howard …Dallas still in the mix?

Nascar Ratings up in Dallas big …

In Fort Worth-Dallas, the FOX telecast of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race on March 13 in Las Vegas posted a whopping 6.9 rating, up dramatically over the 3.8 rating in this market in 2004. Through the first three races of the 2005 season, NASCAR ratings locally were up 33 percent from a year ago. The Samsung/RadioShack 500 at Texas Motor Speedway has annually been one of the top-rated sports telecasts on FOX.

The network's coverage of the Las Vegas race was the most-watched sporting event nationally with a 6.4 rating, easily outdistancing NCAA college basketball conference tournament championship games and the NCAA Men's Basketball Selection Show.

Revo suggests Adrian Gonzalez and Ian Kinsler make the team …

Gerrard insists he is not leaving Liverpool …sort of…

Leonard Little’s trial begins …

DeLamielleure says he never roided …

"I never took one in my life, and if Haslett took them like he said he did, he must have been getting placebos because I played against him and he wasn't that strong," DeLamielleure told host Randy Cross, a former All-Pro guard for the San Francisco 49ers.

Hardball Times looks at the Rangers …

Saturday Tournament Selections: Illinois and Louisville
Record to date: After another rough 2-2, I stand at 39-17. Yawn.