Boomer's Diamond Notes: MLB Trade Deadline

With just under 2 hours left before, the trade deadline, which teams will make a deal before the hour-glass runs out? Looks like the Dodgers have acquired Shane Victorino from the Phillies. The Phillies also look to deal away OF Hunter Pence (SF Giants) and possibly left-handed SP Cliff Lee. The Cubs and Dodgers are in talks of a trade involving right-handed SP Ryan Dempster. Over the weekend, the LA Angels improved (their already, solid starting rotation) when they acquired right-handed SP Zach Greinke from the Milwaukee Brewers. So, continue to check out ESPN.com and/or MLB.com for the lastest news on deadline trades, and see which teams improved their rosters and which teams are looking down the road to next season.
MLB Standings

Training Camp Review: My visit to Browns Training Camp

My 2nd trip to Browns Training Camp

I mean seriously, they couldn't run one drill/play over by us, but on a positive note it was nice seeing the amount of fans there, dressed up in the ORANGE & BROWN. Here we go Browns, Here we go!!!

Training Camp Preview: Cleveland Browns

The beginning of another football season.

Amongst the rumor news or official news, here is the official press release from Browns owner Randy Lerner, in regards to an investor coming on board. Now, whatever that means, that is up to you to decide, but more news I'm sure will be released as we get closer to the start of the season, fingers crossed Lerner is selling the team. :) Anyways, the Browns open up training camp tomorrow morning (8:45-11:15) with a two-hour practice in helmets then again on Sunday in full pads.

Boomer Report: Indians & Reds at the Trade Deadline Part 1

MLB Trade Deadline Update:

• Hamels becomes 2nd-highest paid pitcher, signs Phillies extension
• Yankees will go with Eric Chavez as A-Rods replacement, won't trade for fill-in
• Hanley Ramirez dealt to the Dodgers

More moves I'm sure will happen in the next week, and when everyone else knows about it, thats when the "The Rock" will make sure to mention it, haha.

The Wall: Ohio Athletes

Congrats, to Barry Larkin the long-time SS of the Cincinnati Reds, who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame over this past weekend. For this installment of Ohio Athletes, The Wall features the the 12x All Star and Baseball Hall of Famer.

Boomer's Diamond Notes: Ichiro switches dugouts

Ichiro says, "Sayonara", to Mariners fans and the city of Seattle.

Like any Hollywood script, last night the "evil empire", again stole another good guy from his home and ironically did it RIGHT in front of his home fans. Just before the Mariners/Yankees Game last night in Seattle, the Yankees made a trade with the M's to acquire RF Ichiro Suzuki for a couple RH minor league pitchers. In a unusual way Ichrio went from the top of the Mariners line-up card for the nights game to the 8th spot of the Yankees fierce battling order. At 38, Ichiro, who had played for the M's since 2001, switched dugouts/clubhouses, and found himself playing for the visitors in the stadium he called home the previous 11 years going 1-4 last night in his Yankee debut with a stolen base. Ichiro now at the end of his career has another chance to play for a World Championship. Updated MLB Standings

The Wall: Ohio Athletes

The newest feature on "The Rock", due to an overall change in format and fresh look, my Wednesday articles will now be centered around, "The Wall: Ohio Athletes". Similar to Boomer's Wall of Fame articles, but I will now be talking about one athlete that was born and raised in the great State of Ohio that became a well known athlete in the collegiate and/or professional level. I hope all you Ohio followers enjoy a little history from some of the most legendary athletes to come out of the Buckeye State. The inaugural athlete, Mr. Middletown/Buckeye himself, Jerry Lucas.

Boomer's Diamond Notes: The 1st Week of the 2nd Half

What is in store for the Reds during the 2nd half, get back quick Joey!

The MLB 2nd half kicked off this past weekend, meaning theres still 73 games left for most teams and the trade deadline is right around the corner (July 31st). Some big named guys that might be on the trading block: Justin Upton, Cole Hamels, Carlos Quentin, Brandon Lyon, Kelly Johnson, Ryan Dempster, and Zack Greinke. I would keep an eye on these guys, because they could all have different jersey's to put on during the month of August and into the playoff push. The additional 5th playoff spot (2nd Wild Card) in each league will make the rest of the season very interesting with 6-7 teams in each league battling for 2 spots. Updated MLB Standings

Boomer Report: Tribe & Reds at the break

Change brings opportunity. -Nido Qubein

"The Rock". Ha, that just sounds right. Well, after this week's announcement that Gainer will be stepping aside from writing on the "The Rock" for a little bit (lets hope the NHL doesn't go on strike), whats next? "The Rock", I'd like to give you my honest/bias opinion on my favorite teams along with some general information on the world of sports in my writing. We will see how it all goes, but for today I'd like to introduce the "Boomer Report". In this installment, I will give you my bias opinion on the 1st half of the season from the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds, and give you a BOLD prediction for both teams as the MLB rolls into the 2nd half of the season starting tonight.

That is the sound of inevitability...

... It is the sound of your death... Goodbye, Mr. Gainer...

My name... is COREY!

Changes abound in the look here at the newly coined "the rock"
You'll notice the new name and overall face lift.  We hope you like it!

Boomer's Wall of Fame Wednesday

Boomer's Fantasy Baseball Team

Doing things a little different today, for this week's installment of the Wall of Fame. Due to the All-Star Game that was just last night (NL hammered the AL, 8-0) and all the festivities that go along with it all, I thought I would put together a "fantasy/all-star" team of my own. How this will work is that I will have one lifetime player that I have watched growing up and one all-time great at each position around the diamond, sorry no DH. Well, here goes nothing, and remember this is my fantasy baseball team, so YOU WILL LISTEN TO EVER DAM WORD I HAVE TO SAY! Thank you, and Enjoy!

Boomer's Diamond Notes: 2012 MLB All-Star Game

2012 Home Run Derby Champion, Prince Fielder.

Well, 2.5 hours of seeing how far and how many baseballs you can hit out of the park, the winner of the State Farm 2012 Home Run Derby was Prince Fielder with a total of 28 HR's (including 12 coming in the final round) beating out HR King, Jose Bautista in the finals 12-7. My favorite to win it all, Mark Trumbo finished 3rd (13 HR's), after losing a swing-off to Bautista (2-1), to see which guy would join Fielder in the finals. The two team captains were all but non-existent with NL cap, Matt Kemp hitting ONE home run (one less than a year ago) and AL cap/defending champion, Robertson Cano coming up empty (ZERO!) this time around while receiving a wave of boo's from the fans at Kauffman Stadium during his turn.

2012 MLB Home Run Derby

Back from my week long stay down in Florida (Anna Maria Island) for some sunshine and beach activities (most notability attending my brothers wedding, beautiful), so back here today back where I belong, blogging from the basement in good 'ole O-H-I-O. This week I will discuss the MLB All-Star festivities (Home Run Derby, 2012 All-Star Game, etc.), another Wall of Fame Wednesday and later in the week give you my preview/picks for the 2nd half of the MLB season. Ahhh, its good to be home #HomeSweetHome.

Back...Back...Back...Gone!!!

You can all catch the slug fest tonight (July 9th) from Kauffman Stadium on ESPN at 8 PM EST.