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Pete Rose holds the record for the most hits in the major leagues. But the title of "The Hit King" is completely made up and can be bestowed on anyone you want. If I want to call Buddy Biancalana "The Hit King," then there's no reason I can't. I'm not claiming he has more hits than Rose. I'm just saying he's "The Hit King."
- With two hits against the Padres on Wednesday, Marlins outfielder Ichiro Suzuki became "The Hit King."
- Jack Moore is on my side: Ichiro is the Hit King. And why does anyone care what Rose thinks?
- Even though the hits that Ichiro got in Japan were undoubtedly against inferior competition, R.J. Anderson explains why Suzuki's 4257 hits are so impressive.
- Tim Healey doesn't place Ichiro on the same plane as Rose, but he still wants to celebrate how wonderful Ichiro's career has been, and continues to be.
- Now on to the trade market, since it's that time of year. Anthony Castrovince tries to play matchmaker on trades between teams. I think we most of us want to see Andrew Miller at Wrigley Field for the right price. As Castrovince acknowledges, Kyle Schwarber is not the right price, the NY media notwithstanding.
- Grant Brisbee points out that the trade deadline is going to be murder for anyone shopping for a starting pitcher. The best available pitcher is likely to be Rich Hill, and he's on the DL. Also, less than a year removed from independent ball.
- Chad Jennings looks at the questions facing the Yankees as they enter the trade season.
- Scott Spratt, in an ESPN Insider article, makes a compelling case for the Pirates to deal Andrew McCutchen this summer. That will go over well in Western Pennsylvania, but I think it's the right call.
- Dave Cameron looks at how poorly teams do trading for declining "buy low" veterans. Almost all of them in recent years turn out terribly for the team acquiring the aging star.
- The Rockies designated shortstop Jose Reyes for assignment. Jay Jaffe looks at why the Rockies decided to cut the former star and looks at the bleak market for his talent.
- Mike Axisa ranks all 30 teams for their likeliness to sign Reyes. Don't worry, the Cubs are way down the list.
- Reyes' former teammate David Wright had surgery to repair a herniated disk in his neck. The Mets aren't giving a timetable on his return, but he's probably out for the season.
- Mike Lupica examines the falls of Wright and Reyes, once the future of the Mets.
- Colby Lewis took a no-hitter into the ninth yesterday. Although he didn't get the no-no, he is a big reason for the Rangers success this season, writes David Schoenfield.
- Rougned Odor gave an interview about his suspension and fight with Jose Bautista. He also talks about his career, his family and his peculiar name.
- Speaking of names, Dayn Perry ranks the best 25 names in the recent MLB draft. Two Cubs on the list, but are you telling me that the Cubs missed ANOTHER chance to draft Handsome Monica?
- Ken Rosenthal talked to Tim Lynch, who spent part of his childhood getting autographs from minor leaguers. Now he's a ninth-round pick of the Yankees and kids will be asking for his autograph. He also has a story about bribing Lorenzo Cain with donuts to get his autograph. Cain doesn't deny the story. He says he loves donuts.
- Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura could use an image makeover. Buying lemonade from kids with a lemonade stand is a good place to start.
- The Royals also designated infielder Omar Infante for assignment. He's currently third in AL voting for the All-Star Game at second base.
- White Sox manager Robin Ventura is reportedly on the hot seat. If he gets fired, former Cubs manager Rick Renteria is the favorite to get the interim job.
- Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman hit for the cycle.
- Braves third baseman Adonis Garcia pulled a "Vladimir Guerrero" and singled on a pitch that bounced off of home plate. Although Guerrero would have doubled.
- Giants pitcher Johnny Cueto picked a runner off of first base without even making a throw.
- Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez is out four to six weeks after breaking his elbow when he ran into the outfield wall.
- Twins closer Glen Perkins is officially out for the season.
- Grant Brisbee argues that the Blue Jays plan to move Aaron Sanchez to the bullpen to keep him healthy isn't based on any evidence.
- There have been calls for Red Sox knuckleballer Steven Wright to make the All-Star team. Jack McCluskey thinks Wright's emergence this year is for real. Also, doubts about him are more about doubts about the knuckleball in general.
- August Fagerstrom writes that the 2016 Red Sox are the best base-stealing team ever.
- A nasty batter's-eye (well, almost) view of a Noah Syndergaard slider.
- Thomas Neumann writes of the emergence of top Rays pitching prospect Blake Snell.
- Jim Caple talks to several major leaguers (including David Ross) about their first baseball glove as a child.
- Stuart Shea gives reviews of all the major league broadcast teams. Ehh, this stuff is mostly subjective. Hawk is objectively terrible though.
- Chris Landers tracks down the origins of 11 obscure baseball terms.
- Look at the massive home run that Yankees minor leaguer Jake Cave hit. It landed on the roof of a three-story building outside the ballpark in Toledo.
- And finally, in honor of National Mascot Day (Huh? How is that's a thing?), Dayn Perry ranks every major league team's mascot.
And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster.