100: Approximate number of fans who each paid $100 to do yoga with rightfielder Andre Ethier in the Dodger Stadium outfield recently, yet another revenue-increasing gimmick.
UP NEXT:
There's no such thing as a must-win series in early August, but there are some interesting matchups this weekend. Most of the attention, naturally, will be on Yankee Stadium, where the first-place Yankees face the second-place Red Sox. But there are two other 1-2 matchups as well: Rangers at Angels in the AL West and Marlins at Phillies in the NL East.
Should be fun.
Weeklings
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon, scoffing at the idea that the rough treatment by Tropicana Field fans might be contributing to former Phillie Pat Burrell's batting woes: "[He's] been booed by the booingest fans in the world."
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Twins shortstop Orlando Cabrera, 34, is amused by the youthful enthusiasm of 23-year-old centerfielder Carlos Gomez. He even enjoys the intricate handshake routine Gomez goes through in the dugout while congratulating a teammate.
But after Gomez missed a hit-and-run sign, Cabrera was puzzled. "If you can remember all the handshakes, how can you not remember the signs?" he asked Gomez.
PRESS CLIPPING OF THE WEEK:
This was the lead to the New York Post game story this week after Nelson Figueroa gave up six runs in 1 2/3 innings against Arizona:
"Any chance Mets GM Omar Minaya dialed the wrong number and actually called up Ed Figueroa for last night's start?
"Then again, the 60-year-old former Yankees pitcher might have given the Mets a better chance than Nelson Figueroa, who can shuffle his fanny back to [Triple A] Buffalo - or points further north - ASAP."
And people think the Philadelphia media are tough?
TRAVEL NIGHTMARE OF THE WEEK:
The Braves played the Dodgers at Turner Field last Sunday night, a game that was originally scheduled for the afternoon but was moved to accommodate ESPN.
Then the players flew to San Diego, arriving around 3 a.m. - 6 in the morning Atlanta time - before having to play the Padres that night. Not surprisingly, they looked tired and listless in a 4-2 loss.
At least manager Bobby Cox didn't use that as an excuse. "Doesn't matter, still have to play the games," he said with a shrug.
Finally
Wayne Terwilliger, 84, has been in baseball for more than 60 years and is still going strong as a coach for the Fort Worth Cats of the independent Central League.
Asked for the secret to his continued vitality, his response was short and to the point. "I eat a lot of bananas for potassium and drink Budweiser Light," he told the St. Paul Pioneer-Press. "That's the answer."
