Peter Gammons weighs in on the opening week of the season, dropping as many names as he can, as usual, including a familar one:
The Reds do love infielder Felipe Lopez as much as they say they do.
The latest rumour out of Cinci (heard it on the Braves game today) is Barry Larkin replacing Junior in CF, opening up a chance for Lopez to prove there's more than a 10-cent head attached to his 5-tool body. The prolific Gammons has two new columns on ESPN today, and in this one, mentions another ex-Jay getting an opportunity:
Brandon Lyon -- claimed off the waiver wire from Toronto last October -- has been (Boston's) best reliever with a win and a hold in two strong outings. As (Theo) Epstein points out, Lyon has some closing tools -- hitting 95 mph in short stints with good command of his fastball, changeup and slider -- but he hasn't yet proven he can bounce back or shoulder a lead.
I don't remember Lyon ever throwing that hard, especially last year. Youneverknow.
News of some excellent developments in the Jays system comes from BB reader Gerry McDonald, and other sources including Baseball America:
Lefty Justin Maureau, the Jays third-round pick in 2002, scattered four hits over six scoreless innings against the Clearwater Phillies in the first start of his pro career. Maureau, who had a 1.44 ERA and allowed opponents just a .158 AVG in 22 relief appearances in the New York-Penn League last summer, fanned eight without issuing a walk. RF Ron Davenport, who had been 0-fer his first eight 2003 at-bats, hit a game-tying homer in the ninth, then doubled in the 13th and scored on a single by CF Tyrell Godwin to give Dunedin a 2-1 victory. Jayson Werth started in CF, but was hitless in three AB for the baby Jays, now 3-1 in the FSL.
For New Haven, C Guillermo Quiroz hit two home runs in one inning during a 14-8 win over the New Britain Rock Cats. Quiroz belted a two-run homer to give the Ravens a 7-4 lead, then connected for a three-run shot to cap a nine-run frame. DH John-Ford Griffin smacked a grand slam to cash in the other runs during the big sixth inning, and RF Gabe Gross contributed with a couple of hits, two runs, an RBI and by gunning out a runner at the plate. More than 2,800 attended the Ravens' final Yale Field opener.
Syracuse is supposed to play in Buffalo today. Yeah, right.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20030407051456999