It seems like that in every year in Major League Baseball, various players for a number of reasons go through a slump unlike any they have ever experienced in their careers.

In 2011, Adam Dunn of the Chicago White Sox slumbered through a campaign in which he hit just .159, and would have broken the modern MLB record for futility had he qualified for the batting title. Vernon Wells also suffered through a miserable season, hitting just .218 in his first year with the Los Angeles Angels.

Who are likely candidates to suffer through similar slumps in 2012? Let’s take a look.

1. Albert Pujols: Los Angeles Angels

After signing a 10-year, $240 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels, first baseman Albert Pujols has indeed started slowly for his new team in 2012, with no home runs and just four RBI in the first 13 games of the season.

The weight of his lofty contract may be causing Pujols to press in order to show his team the contract was worth the investment. However, the results thus far have been far less than stellar.

2. Jose Reyes: Miami Marlins

Shortstop Jose Reyes also took the money and left for greener pastures after spending nine seasons with the New York Mets, signing a six-year, $106 million contract with the Miami Marlins.

Reyes, the 2011 National League batting champion, is hitting just .227 thus far in the first 13 games of the season, and his .288 on-base percentage thus far is certainly not what the Marlins had in mind for their leadoff hitter.

3. Ryan Vogelsong: San Francisco Giants

Last year, San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Ryan Vogelson won 13 games with a stellar 2.71 ERA. What’s even more remarkable about that achievement is the fact that Vogelsong hadn’t even won a game in the majors since 2005.

While Vogelsong’s 2011 campaign was indeed stellar, he is ripe for a letdown. Relegated to fifth-starter role in San Francisco behind Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner and Barry Zito, Vogelsong could very well see his numbers drastically decline in 2012.

4. Kevin Youkilis: Boston Red Sox

For many years now, Boston Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis has lived and breathed in the majors with his uncanny ability to draw walks and get on base. His production has been terrific as well.

However, after two injury-filled seasons in which Youkilis’ numbers took a nosedive, 2012 could very well see more of the same. Youkilis is hitting just .184 thus far in his first 10 games of 2012, a full 104 points below his career average.

5. Mark Reynolds: Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore Orioles third baseman Mark Reynolds is the classic home run hitter, but that also comes with a ton of strikeouts. Reynolds has led the league with the most strikeouts in four straight seasons, and that trend seems destined to continue.

Reynolds is hitting just .154 thus far in the first two weeks of the 2012 season, with 17 strikeouts in 39 at-bats, nearly once every two times to the plate.

In addition, Reynolds’ defense is less than stellar, so Orioles manager Buck Showalter may have some decisions to make if Reynolds continues his current rate of play.

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This is a guest post submitted by Mike Wright. Mike played all kinds of sports growing up and adamantly follows everything sports. He works with Phoenix Bats, a company that creates world-class wood bats, such as their premier composite wood bats, for amateur and professional ball players around the world. Mike loves writing on different sports topics and is honored to contribute here.

Article source: 5 MLB Players Most Likely to Experience Disastrous Season

The word “rivalry” barely comes close to describing what happens between these two teams. This matchup has become virtual warfare on the field and in the media. Many feel that the hatred between these two teams is at an all-time high. Let’s take a look at the history behind this rivalry and some key moments that have added fuel to the fire of the Yankees and Sox war.

• You must first understand how valuable Babe Ruth was to Boston. The Babe played for the Red Sox from 1914 to 1919, and played primarily as a pitcher. The Red Sox captured the 1918 World Series behind Ruth’s 0.87 ERA. The next year Ruth sported a lofty .322 batting average.

• You should know exactly how Ruth became a New York Yankee. The owner of the Red Sox, Harry Frazee, sold Ruth to the Yankees for a $300,000 loan and $125,000 in cash. He used the money to open a musical called “No, No, Nanette.” The Babe went on to have great success with the Yankees, and a rivalry was born.

• The Red Sox were never able to recover from losing Ruth, and “The Curse of the Bambino” was born. From 1923 to 1932 the Red Sox finished last every year except two, and lost 111 games that final year. Meanwhile in New York, Ruth smacked a then record 60 homers in 1927, a record that stood for 34 years. The Babe ended his career with the Boston Braves in 1935. His home run total while in Boston was 26, while he smashed 688 in the Yankee pinstripes.

• Save for the last eight seasons, there is a stark contrast between each team’s World Series successes. From 1936 to 1962, New York took home 16 World Championships. The Red Sox would reach the Series four times, in 1946, 1967, 1975 and 1986, losing each time. By the time the 21st century was upon us, the Bronx Bombers had 25 championships, while the Red Sox were still searching for their first title since 1918.

• Bear in mind that Babe Ruth wasn’t the only superstar the Red Sox have let get away that ultimately found their way into Yankee championship history. Roger Clemens was a multiple Cy Young award winning superstar for the Red Sox, only to have the Red Sox let him walk away and become a member of the Blue Jays. He went on to win two Cy Young awards as well as the pitcher’s version of the Triple Crown with the Jays. The Rocket moved on to the Bombers and won his first championship as a member of the Yankees in 1999.

Don’t give up on this rivalry just because the Red Sox have won a few World Series and broken the dreaded curse. This rivalry will live on for as long as these two organizations are putting teams on the field.

Fan of Red Sox/ Yankees? Did you know most players have Twitter profiles/Facebook pays? You can perform free people search on them and find their profiles immediately. See it for yourself.

Article source: Red Sox/Yankees Rivalry Still as Strong as Ever

Dustin Pedroia of the Boston Red Sox, provides a baseball training how to, addresing the importance of hard work and the difference between high school and college training. Pedroia: “”I went to Arizona State, and in the fall there, when we weren’t playing, it was always, get as strong as you can as fast as you can for the season. I try to take that into professional baseball as well. That’s why I train at ABI and get ready for the season, because I feel like it’s the best fit for me, and …

Article source: Dustin Pedroia Baseball Training Tips

Here are five reasons why the Red Sox are well-positioned to re-assert themselves and finish on top of a very competitive AL East Division.

1. Solid Lineup Core Remains Intact

The Red Sox finished in the top three in most major offensive categories in the American League in 2011, despite a lack of production from their corner outfield positions. This year, the core remains largely intact, with Ryan Sweeney and Cody Ross added to infuse production in right field, and Carl Crawford looking to bounce back from a miserable first year in Boston. This is a team that will score runs in bunches.

2. Strong Starting Rotation

With a front three starting group of Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and a healthy Clay Buchholz, the Sox easily have one of the better top three groups in the American League. Add to that Daniel Bard, who moves from his setup role to the No. 4 slot, and the Sox have the potential to put up a boatload of quality starts.

3. The Bobby Valentine Effect

New manager Bobby Valentine returns to the dugout for the first time since 2002, and although he has been out of the major league trenches for a decade, there’s no question that he is more than adept at getting the most out of his roster. Valentine’s biggest challenge will be changing the clubhouse culture, after reports last year of the shenanigans that left many wondering who was running the ship. Make no mistake about it, this is Valentine’s team, and the players will buy into his way of doing things.

4. Quality Depth Added to Enhance Roster

While new GM Ben Cherington didn’t go out and spend tens of millions on free agents, he quietly added quality depth, acquiring Mark Melancon to assume the setup role, Kelly Shoppach to back up catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Nick Punto, who played a key role as a utility infielder last year for the World Series-winning St. Louis Cardinals, and a series of minor-league signings for pitchers (Vicente Padilla, Aaron Cook, John Maine) who could provide value at the back of the rotation.

5. The Contrite Factor

The Red Sox are clearly on a mission to earn back the trust of their fans and to show that they can overcome what happened last September. Josh Beckett and Jon Lester have already made admissions to the media that their actions last year were in bad form, and they’ll be out to prove that they can be leaders by example. Last year’s collapse left a bitter taste in the mouths of Sox veterans, and their resolve to right last year’s wrongs can’t be overlooked.

This is a guest post submitted by Mike Wright. Mike played all kinds of sports growing up and adamantly follows everything sports now that he is too old to contribute at a high level. He works with Phoenix Bats, a company that creates world-class wood bats for amateur and professional ball players around the world, and loves writing on different sports topics.

Image credit: H Michael Karshis

Article source: Boston Red Sox: 5 Reasons They Can Win AL East

Bobby In Beantown

Coming off an epic collapse to finish last season without a playoff berth, the Boston Red Sox made a change at manager. Disgruntled, in part, by the alleged lack of discipline under former manager Terry Francona, the Red Sox decided to make a U-turn and hired the polarizing, notoriously hard-nosed Bobby Valentine. With some players already grumbling about the new spring training policies imposed by Valentine, it’s no sure thing that the gamble will pay off. Valentine has a reputation as a stubborn, eccentric disciplinarian; attributes that may not go over well in the traditionally relaxed Red Sox clubhouse.

Miami Marlins

Like the Heat in the NBA last year, Miami was far and away the biggest noisemaker during the offseason. With high-profile additions in Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, Carlos Zambrano and Heath Bell, as well as a much-publicized courtship of Albert Pujols, the Marlins appear to have committed themselves to becoming the National League’s version of the New York Yankees. Combined with an already talented roster featuring the likes of Hanley Ramirez, Mike Stanton, Josh Johnson and others, the future looks bright indeed on South Beach.

To complete the transformation, along with the influx of talent and the new “Miami” branding, the Marlins will have a shiny new home to play in beginning this season. Located on the former site of the Orange Bowl, Marlins Park will be the sixth stadium to feature a retractable roof. It also boasts several attractions, such as aquariums built into the backstop, a swimming pool, and a large home run celebration feature. Whether the traditionally low profile, low payroll Marlins can succeed with their new high-roller persona remains to be seen.

Old Faces, New Places

In addition to the rash of moves made by the Miami Marlins, this offseason also featured a number of major transactions involving some of the game’s best players. Most notable, of course, was the mammoth, 10-year contract signed by Albert Pujols with the Anaheim Angels. For the first time in 11 years, Albert will don a uniform other than the Cardinals’ this spring. While his production is expected to hold steady over the first several years of his deal, serious questions remain as to whether even the best player in the game is worth such an outlandish contract.

In one of the more surprising twists of the offseason, the Detroit Tigers will take the field this spring with new first baseman Prince Fielder. Former first baseman Miguel Cabrera is expected to switch back to his original position, third base, which has many analysts wondering whether the bulky slugger is physically capable of playing the position. In fact, rumors have circulated that the Tigers may plan to rotate Cabrera and Fielder at first base and designated hitter, alleviating the concerns about Cabrera’s fielding skill.

Yu Darvish

Perhaps the most highly touted Japanese prospect since Daisuke Matsuzaka, 25 year old fireballer Yu Darvish is expected to bolster a Texas Rangers rotation left devoid of aces after Cliff Lee and C.J. Wilson departed in successive years. The young prospect has been dominant in recent years while pitching in Japan, and the Rangers are hoping his size, at nearly six and a half feet, and his command of six quality pitches will translate to the Major Leagues. The highly publicized signing will have the added benefit of detracting some of the attention away from Josh Hamilton’s most recent relapse once position players report.

Rich Spaulding is President of Gold Star Games, offering cornhole bags and games.

Article source: 2012 Spring Training – What’s Hot