MLB Bullets Has Come A Long Way

Light list today, but with no (real) games being played and Bud Selig's nearly official blackout on non-All-Star related news, there's not a lot to talk about. You folks got a huge link dump on Monday.

• MLBPA head Michael Weiner believes that any possible suspensions coming out of the Biogenesis case will not be served until next year if the union appeals. He also agrees with Bud Selig that he is not bound by the 50/100/lifetime ban formula negotiated in the last contract, because none of these players have failed a drug test.
• In sadder Michael Weiner news, he admitted that his brain tumor, that was diagnosed last August, is getting worse. Weiner addressed the writers from a wheelchair and is unable to move his right side. He got a 40 second standing ovation from the press. The MLBPA is expected to appoint a deputy to Weiner in the next two weeks and will elect a permanent replacement in December. It will not be former head Don Fehr, who is currently the head of the NHLPA, or former union COO Gene Orza.
• Bob Nightengale says that Weiner's comments mean that baseball is in store for a "nuclear winter" and not a "cruel summer." Cute.
• Bud Selig went on David Letterman on Monday night to talk PED and suspensions, mostly. While Selig didn't name any names or give any dates, he did say that he knew which players he planned to suspend.
• In case you didn't hear, Yoenis Cespedes won the Home Run Derby. David Schoenfield says that Cespedes is just one reason why the Athletics are must-watch baseball. I just wish that people in the Bay Area and across the country felt similarly.
• Confidence is a big part of Cespedes's winning makeup.
• Gregg Doyel says that if you were upset by the interview in Spanish with Cespedes after the Home Run Derby (and many people took to Twitter to complain), get over it because they're here to stay.
• Clayton Kershaw isn't happy that Bruce Bochy said that Matt Harvey would start the All-Star Game even if it wasn't held at Citi Field. This is why I've stopped caring about the All-Star Game. We're not honoring anyone by including them anymore. We're just insulting those we don't, apparently.
• Robinson Cano's father says that he expects his son to re-sign with the Yankees this off-season.
• Alex Rodriguez homered in a minor league game. Rodriguez said he's "about six days" away from returning to the Yankees.
• Despite hitting three home runs in thirty at-bats, the Rangers have no plans to call Manny Ramirez up to the majors yet.
• Matt Carpenter talks about moving to second base and becoming an All-Star. I'd love that guy if he wasn't a Cardinal.
• Dwight Gooden was at the All-Star Game talking about his new book, sobriety, family, the '86 Mets and most importantly, Tuffy Rhodes.
• The Cincinnati Reds will be the home team at a game at AT&T Park on July 23.
• Clay Buchholtz was sore after a bullpen session, setting his rehab schedule back indefinitely.
• The Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating the financing of Marlins Park. Unfortunately, the politicians are the target of the investigation rather than Jeffrey Loria.
• Jordan Conn gives the life story about the best thing about Miami, Cuban hurler Jose Fernandez.
• The White Sox poor first half likely means that big changes are coming to the South Side.
• Matthew Pouliot thinks Buster Olney doesn't make much sense. LEAVE BUSTER ALONE!
• You've probably seen this already, but in case you haven't, Jimmy Fallon sent Matt Harvey out to ask New Yorkers what they think of Matt Harvey. Needless to say, most of them didn't recognize him. Even those who said they were big fans.
• That leads into the final link, in which Jayson Stark has a long essay in which he asks "Who is the face of baseball?" He thinks the lack of stars who are marketable outside the sport is hurting baseball's popularity. A big issue is the culture of baseball says that no player should call undue attention to himelf.

And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster. Maybe they'll leave you alone.