Jesmuel Valentin, image- Jay Floyd Switch-hitting infielder Jesmuel Valentin has been a bit of an underrated contributor with the Double-A Reading Fightins. Heading into action on Friday, Valentin was batting .339 over his last 14 games. Overall this season, the 22-year-old is batting .282 with four home runs and 35 RBI in 64 games. Valentin, who plays mostly second base, but dabbles at shortstop a bit also, is the son of former big leaguer Jose Valentin . The Puerto Rico native was a supplementary round pick (51st overall) of the Dodgers in 2012. He was acquired by the Phils as part of the Roberto Hernandez trade in 2014. Recently, I spoke with Jesmuel about his team's success, growing up around the game and more. Read ahead for that full interview. -The Reading team has been great and you've contributed very nicely to the club's success. What are your thoughts on competition in the Eastern League this year? I just came here with the mindset that...
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As for the Myers/Hamels main event, Ken Rosenthau claimed to be 5 feet away, heard the whole thing, and indeed it was just the two busting on each other. I'm buying into that. Hamels will start Game 7 but on a very short leash.
A lot of talk up here about how the Yankees own Pedro, and how they "got to him" in Game 2.
Let's look at his Game 2 start:
6IP, 6H, 3R, 3ER, 2BB, 8K, 2HR, 2.08 ERA.
Compare to CC in Games 1 & 4:
7IP/6.2IP, 4H/7 H, 2R/3 R, 2ER/3ER, 3BB/3 BB, 6K/6K, 2HR/1 HR, 1.52ERA/1.98 ERA
Pedro's numbers in Game 2 were nearly identical to CC's in Game 4, not that far off his numbers in Game 1. Granted, this will be his 2nd start against them, and there's going to be an adjustment, but someone as experienced and crafty as Pedro should make adjustments as well. Petitte will show up, I expect the two to go at it for at least six innings.
If Charlie gives the ball to Lidge with less than two outs again in this series, I may show up with an automatic weapon. Expect a ninth innings combo of Eyre, Meyers, Durbin or Lidge. Madson is possibly the best 8th inning man in the game, but does not have the mental stuff of a closer. 6th-7th innings belong to Park and Durbin. I have faith in all of them but Lidge. I would say the entire roster feels that way.
I have to say I am no fan of hip hop music. Maybe I am just too old.
But, I also have to say NeeKo and Jay Z's lyrics are like day and night.
1,000,000 times better, NeeKo's version, and nobody would have to "sanitize" it for a national audience.
We have a piece lauding NeeKo's lyrics - I enjoyed very much the historical and landmark references in addition to some of Philly's sports heros. He got in all four teams, too.
I understand Neeko's song is quite popular in Philly, which proves you don't have to rap about garbage to get some attention.
Good luck to NeeKo.