Hot corner: Wasn't Adrian Beltre a hot young third-base prospect for the Dodgers around the time Ron Cey moved on to the Cubs? It sure seems that way, as Beltre annually frustrated fans and management-team-of-the-moment alike in L.A.
Well, guess what? First, Beltre's still only 25 years old; and he's hitting close to .400 with nine home runs already this season. Of course, the bad news for the Dodgers is that, in the years it took Beltre to develop, he accrued enough major-league service time that he's eligible for free agency after this season - a lesson for fans who want to bring young prospects up early to "learn" in the majors.
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Not-so-hot corner
Turns out, no superhero's deed goes unpunished.
Major League Baseball took it on the chin last week when its plan to plug the new Spider-Man movie with advertising on the bases was swatted away by an outcry of baseball purists.
The whole idea probably would have worked better when they were making Batman movies - BAT-man, get it?
Last Wednesday was a big day for major-league milestones. Mets catcher Mike Piazza finally passed Carlton Fisk for No. 1 on the all-time home run list among catchers. And Houston Astros starter Roger Clemens chugged past Steve Carlton for second on the all-time strikeouts list. Here are the leaders in both categories:
All-time catchers' home runs
1. x-Mike Piazza
352
2. Carlton Fisk
351
3. Johnny Bench
327
4. Yogi Berra
306
5. Lance Parrish
299
All-time strikeouts
1. Nolan Ryan
5,714
2. x-Roger Clemens
4,140
3. Steve Carlton
4,136
4. x-Randy Johnson
3,922
5. Bert Blyleven
3,701
6. Tom Seaver
3,640
7. Don Sutton
3,574
8. Gaylord Perry
3,534
9. Walter Johnson
3,508
10. Phil Niekro
3,342
11. Ferguson Jenkins
3,192
12. Bob Gibson
3,117
13. Jim Bunning
2,855
14. Mickey Lolich
2,832
15. Cy Young
2,819
16. x-Greg Maddux
2,791
17. Frank Tanana
2,773
18. David Cone
2,668
19. Chuck Finley
2,610
20. x-Curt Schilling
2,587
21. Warren Spahn
2,583
22. Bob Feller
2,581
23. Jerry Koosman
2,556
24. Tim Keefe
2,538
25. Christy Mathewson
2,502
x-active
MLB power rankings
1. Anaheim Angels
Might be staying here a while.
2. Houston Astros
Reds series gave them a lift.
3. Texas Rangers
Pitching is holding up - so far.
4. Los Angeles Dodgers
No true ace, but lots of arms.
5. Boston Red Sox
Survived a losing streak.
6. Chicago White Sox
Could start to run away with division.
7. San Diego Padres
Best stadium debut since Tribe in '94.
8. Chicago Cubs
Looking up at Astros and - worse yet - ChiSox.
9. Florida Marlins
No division challenger has emerged.
10. New York Yankees
Starting to make their move.
11. Minnesota Twins
When will they bring up Morneau?
12. Baltimore Orioles
Lost top perch in AL East.
13. Cincinnati Reds
Has bullpen righted itself?
14. Atlanta Braves
Pulled triple play - that's something.
15. St. Louis Cardinals
Looking like middle-of-packers.
16. Oakland Athletics
Could rotation be slipping?
17. Arizona D'backs
Waiting for Sexson to return.
18. Colorado Rockies
Chacon shaping up as nice closer.
19. Milwaukee Brewers
Players doing better than accountants.
20. New York Mets
Big milestone for Piazza.
21. Detroit Tigers
Returning to earth?
22. Cleveland Indians
Betancourt is new closer.
23. Philadelphia Phillies
"Small market" must need more revenue sharing $$.
24. Pittsburgh Pirates
How 'bout that Jose Mesa?
25. Toronto Blue Jays
At least Halladay's back on track.
26. Kansas City Royals
SS Berroa gets 4-year extension.
27. Seattle Mariners
Melvin gets (gulp) vote of confidence.
28. San Francisco Giants
This just in: Catcher A.J. Pierzynski annoys people.
