Links of the Day + Papelbon en Espanol

Here’s video of Jonathan Papelbon trying to do a public service announcement in Spanish (Hat-tip to Center Field). Papelbon doesn’t exactly speak the language fluently.

To Papelbon’s credit, he does try and seem to actually want to pronounce the words correctly. How many ballplayers who can’t speak the language would try to do it?

Your links of the day:

A team lost because its fans rushed the court before the game was actually over. I’m sure they’re proud of themselves. (Storming the Floor)

The Devil Rays really should be going after Barry Bonds. I agree completely with David Chalk on this one. I’m not on the “Devil Rays are competitive” bandwagon, but I’d hop on board if they signed Bonds. (Bugs & Cranks)

Could the Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers be darkhorse teams in the NL? Anything can happen in the league of parity. (Baseball Mastermind)

Remembering Ron Neccai, who once struck out 27 batters in a minor-league game. (Knuckle Curve)

Tony La Russa still doesn’t think Mark McGwire used performance-enhancing drugs. (Larry Brown Sports)

Jon Stewart played soccer at William & Mary. (Hugging Harold Reynolds)

Looking at the most consistent and inconsistent teams in college basketball, and showing that consistency isn’t always a good thing. (Vegas Watch)

Clemens did report to the Astros camp. No, not that one. (Walkoff Walk)

A reminder that Darren McFadden is really good. (Rumors and Rants)

So even though the trading deadline has passed, Sam Cassell could still wind up on another team this year. What a league. (SportsHubLA)

33 days ’til Opening Day: Justin Speier

There are 33 days left until that best day of the year, MLB’s Opening Day.

33 is also the number Angels’ reliever Justin Speier wears. Despite missing over two months of the season due to injury, Speier had a solid 2007, with an ERA of 2.88 (0.96 WHIP) in 50 innings, striking out 47 batters and walking only 12.

It was Speier’s first season on the Angels after signing a very reasonable contract (4 years, $18 million) for a relief pitcher who has three-straight seasons with sub-3.00 ERAs and good sabermetric stats as well.

A healthy Speier on top of a bullpen that already features Francisco Rodriguez and Scot Shields would be huge for the Angels.