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Poor Jordan Walden: Triple Digits Seem So Ordinary Now

The Angels recently called up 22-year old fireballer Jordan Walden, and he has impressed in his short time. Through all of three games, he has averaged 98.9 mile per hour on his fastball (per Fangraphs), so he’s throwing some serious heat. In tonight’s game in Seattle, Walden booked another scoreless frame, and in the process threw five pitches at 100 m.p.h., and seven more at 99.

However, that seems so ordinary now, thanks to Cuban sensation Aroldis Chapman, who made his major league debut Tuesday night, and threw another inning tonight for the Reds, and he hit 104 on the gun…twice! He also hit 102 four times.

I remember reading the Guiness Book of World Records as a kid — what can I say? I lived a sheltered life as a child — and for years Nolan Ryan’s 100.9 m.p.h. was the number to shoot for. It seemed unreal, like something out of a novel.

Now? With Chapman lighting up radar guns everywhere, the exploits of Walden’s golden arm will fly under the radar. Albeit at very high speeds.

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by Eric Stephen • Sep 1, 2010 9:38 PM PDT

Ron Artest Just The Right Kind Of Crazy

Ron Artest, who shone in Game 7 of the NBA Finals for the Lakers, helping them to their 16th title, is a different dude. His postgame celebration was an outstanding mix of honesty, emotion, and outright unbridled joy. That stream of consciousness style serves Artest well, as he simply says anything that’s on his mind at any time.

Last Friday, he was on KHTK radio in Sacramento, promoting his television show, when the movie Twilight was brought up. Artest delivered this delicious quote (per Sports Radio Interviews):

"I wish I could be in the movie and be like the villain. I want to be the big bad one that just eats everybody. … I want to eat Edward and Jacob."

It’s not quite Mike Tyson saying after a fight that he wanted to eat his opponent’s children, but it works just the same. For more Artest wisdom, watch his show "After The Brawl" on TV One:

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by Eric Stephen • Sep 1, 2010 7:19 PM PDT

Xavier Paul Ends His Season On A Sour Note

Dodger outfielder Xavier Paul got some disappointing news today, as he is out for the rest of the season with a neck injury, per Ramona Shelburne of ESPN Los Angeles:

"It's disappointing. As a player you want to play through it, because you feel like you can play through it. But I'm not a doctor and if the doctors think it's better to rest then that's what I should do."

The 25-year-old Paul had a solid season in Triple A Albquerque this season, hitting .325 with 20 doubles and 12 home runs in 57 games. He had a minor league on-base percentage of .384 and a slugging percentage of .579 this year. He was called up to the Dodgers on three separate occasions this season, but struggled, hitting .231 in 44 games with a .277 on-base percentage and .314 slugging percentage. He was considered a lock to be called up as soon as this week, as active roster limits have expanded from 25 to 40.

Paul battled injuries in 2009 as well. He was recalled from Triple A when Manny Ramirez was suspended for 50 games, but soon developed a skin infection and then injured his left ankle during rehab, and Paul missed the remainder of the season.

The former fourth-round pick in 2003 has amassed 885 plate appearances in Triple A, and will be out of options next year so the Dodgers would have to keep him on the major league roster or expose him to waivers and risk losing him. Paul is a candidate for the open left field spot next season.

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by Eric Stephen • Sep 1, 2010 6:59 PM PDT

Perhaps Kobe Bryant And Pau Gasol Can Play For The Saints

The Saints, as reigning Super Bowl champions, are in uncharted waters in the history of their franchise. They want to know what it takes to repeat, so naturally, they called on…Derek Fisher? From TMZ:

Sources close to the deal tell TMZ that Derek “has been asked by the Saints to address the team before their home opener in N.O. on September 9.”

We’re told the team especially wants Derek to talk about what it takes to lock down consecutive championships “as he did with the Lakers.”

It’s nice to see Derek Fisher parlay his success — the Lakers have reached the NBA Finals in seven of his last eight seasons with the club — into a motivational speaking gig of sorts.

However, my suggestion for the Saints is this: call Memphis GM Chris Wallace and see if you can trade for a All-Star, or Pro Bowler, I guess, from Spain.

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by Eric Stephen • Aug 31, 2010 8:32 PM PDT