“Over the hill”, a term that a gander at a dictionary procures the definition of “too old to be useful.” A term that is used loosely by baseball writers and analysts to describe players that are no longer effective and no longer can endure the grueling baseball season. I tried to think of the top 10 players who strike me as “over the hill”. The list I compiled is as follows:

Note: The criterion is based upon player’s age, inability to succeed at the major league level and potential injury level.

10. Jason Isringhausen, Pitcher, St. Louis Cardinals. Age 35

The 35 year old Righty no longer has the zip on his fastball that he once possessed. In 2006 he blew a league high 10 saves, while 2007 was actually a very productive year for “Izzy” 2008 showed blasts from the past and it might be getting to the point where 2 more seasons will be all for the seasoned vet.

9. Keith Foulke, Pitcher, Oakland Athletics, Age 35

Flashback to the 2004 World Series; Boston closer Keith Foulke is the man no one wants to face, with a stifling .094 ERA and 19 K’s in only 14 innings of work, Foulke is a force not to be reckoned with. Back to the present; after battling a series of injuries Foulke lost the closer role in Boston to rising star Jonathon Papelbon and is now just a setup man with faltering numbers in Oakland. His susceptibility to injuries has really stained the once dominant closer’s career and a recovery to his old self is highly doubtful.

8. Steve Trachsel, Pitcher, Baltimore Orioles, Age 37

Selected as an All-Star in 1996 Steve Trachsel’s career has had many ups and downs, recently however more downs than ups. When healthy Trachsel proved to be an effective finesse pitcher and when unhealthy Trachsel just did not make the grade. During the last few years Trachsel has spent time in both the major and minor leagues. He was signed in 2008 to provide a veteran presence to a young pitching staff, but his 6.75 ERA does not appear to be teaching the young pitchers much at all.

7. Mike Piazza, Catcher, Free Agent, Age 39

Considered one of the best hitting catchers of all time, Mike Piazza provided us with numbers never before seen from a catcher. The problem; at age 39, Piazza can no longer provide the offensive spark he was once able to. His present day numbers do not do the future Hall of Famer justice. If and when he retires he will leave the game with a plethora of awards including 14 All-Star appearances and a Rookie of the Year award.

6. Mike Mussina, Pitcher, New York Yankees, Age 39

Inability to perform in the playoffs turned Peyton Manning into a goat for so many years, and the same syndrome plagues Mike Mussina. His performances have been so bad in the playoffs; he even relinquished the starting role in the 2007 playoffs. His regular season statistics are also taking a plunge, and his fastball has lost nearly 5 MPH.

  5.   Jim Edmonds, Outfield, Free Agent, Age 37

Affectionately dubbed “Jimmy Baseball”by Cardinal fans, Jim Edmonds, during his prime, hit 35-40 Home runs while maintaining a respectable .280 Batting Average. Since then, dark times have loomed for the once Gold Glove center fielder. In the last 4 years he has hit below .265 and has not racked up 10 assists in any one season. On May 9, 2008 the Padres released Edmonds after he hit a measly .178.

4. David Wells, Pitcher, Free Agent, Age 44

Nearly ten years removed from being only the 15^th pitcher ever to throw a perfect game, David Wells has more or less vanished. Battling injuries and ineffectiveness, Wells has had stints with five teams in five years. He is actively trying to sign a contract with the Yankees to make his 3^rd appearance there, but it may be too late as 44 year old pitchers are no longer a hot commodity in the MLB.

3. Jaime Moyer, Pitcher, Philadelphia Phillies, Age 45

Jamie, you have had a great run throughout your 22 year playing career. However, your consistent 5 ERA and throughout the last 5 seasons we have seen close to 35 HR’s a season with you on the mound. Your resume no longer fits that of a Major League pitcher, “Hit the showers, Jaime.”

2. Frank Thomas, Designated Hitter, Oakland Athletics, Age 40

Needless to say “the big hurt” has been getting a little hurt far too often to sustain an MLB career. Thomas, can no longer play the field and his batting statistics are on a serious decline. His brief stay with the Blue Jays came to an abrupt halt when Thomas complained about playing time and was subsequently released. He is now the fill in DH for the Oakland Athletics, I guess until they get sick of his complaining….

1. Barry Bonds, Outfield, Free Agent, Age 43

No list of “over the hill” players would be complete without the inclusion of Barry Bonds. Considered by many to be the best player to ever play the game, Barry’s time has come. With a laundry list of off the field issues, including a pending perjury trial, Bonds is a free agent that no team will partake in. As attractive as your 762 Home runs, his 7 MVP awards, and his numerous All-Star Game appearances are, the cleats have already been hung up for you, Barry.

Fe Fi Fo Fum! Those were the supposed words heard echoing from 6′ 8″ Mariners Monster first basemen Richie Sexson as he thundered towards Rangers pitcher Kason Gabbard in a fit of rage. Gabbard let loose a pitch that was high and inside crossing the eye level of Sexson, the Iron Giant. The pitch would have easily cleared any other baseball players head but not Sexson.

It started in the second inning when Mariners Starter Felix Hernandez hit Rangers Catcher Gerald Laird with a pitch, and then in the fourth hit Ian Kinsler, who had homered in his previous at bat, with a pitch. That’s when Kason Gabbard ultimately figured this is a great time to throw at the biggest position player in baseball. Great thinking Gabbard!  

In his post game remarks Sexson described how it was “all in the moment” and how he “probably should’nt have done that”. Well, you know who else probably shouldn’t have done that…Kason Gabbard. Maybe next time he’ll think twice before he throws a pitch at a Truck sized baseball player.

Join me in being one of the millions who doesn’t really understand what Roger Clemens is apoligizing for. We have all been assured by the Rocket himself that he “has never used Performance enhancing drugs and or steroids and HGH.” right? Who Knows. I can only wonder what Roger’s intentions were with this apology. If he is trying to boost his Hall Of Fame credentials he is going to have to come out with a full fledged apology or proof that Mcnamee is a liar. On top of that with these Mindy Mcreedy rumors flying around, Clemens character defamation law suit looks like it doesnt even need to be brought to court as Clemens already looks like a huge goat. So Please tell us Rocket what exactly are you sorry for?

I know this is an extremly sensitive topic, but i don’t think I am going out on a limb when i say that Ken Griffey Jr. is being a little overly sensitive about the whole race thing. Griffey in recent comments said “young black players are turned off by the game because of the way they treated Barry [Bonds]”

I get his frustration because yes baseball is just 8.2 percent black, the lowest its been in 20 years. However Barry Bonds is a substance abuser. Enough said.

Roger Clemens is enduring the same career demolishing abuse the Barry Bonds recieved and no one is complaining about how white kids might veiw this. The game of baseball has been Americas past time for nearly a century. For Ken Griffey to go out and bash the integrity of the game and its fan’s is demeaning to me especially on Jackie Robinson day.

All 30 teams participated in Jackie Robinson day, this is just evident of how much the teams and the game apreciates the African American players. It shows how much Baseball appreciates what Jackie Robinson has done for the game. For Ken Griffey to just come out and basically say baseball and its fans were racist against Barry Bonds is both offensive and ludicrous. He needs to stop whining.  

The St. Louis Cardinals are proving the critics wrong.  Albert Pujols is continuing his astonishing career; while, Rick Ankiel is continuing his astonishing comeback.  Skip Schumaker, after a slow start, is replicating his spring training staff.  Heck, even Yadier Molina is on pace for 86 rbi.  This offense hasn’t even wittnessed a homerun by Troy Glaus.  However, hitting isn’t the only thing going for the Cardinals, their, thought to be sub par, pitching staff is dominating.  Wainwright is continuing his dominance, which started at the beginning of the second half last year.  Recent addition, Kyle Lohse, sports a 1.04 era.  Even Anthony Reyes is flourishing in his bullpen role.  Obviously, the Cardinals won’t keep up a .733 winning percentage and Kyle Lohse won’t and the year with a 1.04 era; however, look for them to contend for the division title, especially with Joel Pinero back and Mark Mulder coming back.  This team has clicked in every possible way, and our primed to prove the critics wrong.

Many Detroit Tigers fans are irritated by the continuous kid-like situation their star reliever Joel Zumaya finds himself in. The extremely talented reliever was photographed doing a “keg stand” in which partygoers hold one up as he chugs beer from the tap on the keg. This isn’t the first time Zumaya has jeopardized his career, he previously hurt himself in the playoffs playing too much guitar hero! Zumaya is one of the most exciting players in the league to watch. He has been clocked at over 103 MPH which is an unbelievable talent and it would be a shame to see this go to waste.This whole situation just reminds me of golf pro John Daly who seems to be throwing away his career by always getting drunk. His manager disowned him saying “He’d rather be drunk than play golf.” While Zumaya is not necessarily in the same situation, he could put himself in that situation if he does not mature and start taking care of his body. The Detroit Tigers front office had no comment for their relievers off field habits. They said they will deal with the situation internally however. 

If you are in desprete need of saves pick up Manny Acosta, as Rafael Soriano has been placed on the 15 day DL.

22 years after Bill Buckner allegedly blew the 1986 world series, Buckner was welcomed back with open arms in Boston. Open arms? did I say open arms? I should say a 2 minute standing ovation. In what was a real class act by The Boston Redsox organization and the Red Sox fans, Bill Buckner was invited back to throw out the first pitch of the 2008 baseball season at Fenway Park. Buckner was introduced as a “champion” during a day of champions as the red sox recieved their world championship rings. Buckner wiped away a tear, glad that a ball that went through his legs 22 years ago..can finally be forgiven. 

Again. I know there’s no suprise here, but Chris Henry has been arrested again. The third year Cinncinati Bengals reciever was cut from the roster on thursday after being arrested on assult charges. This is his 5th arrest since being drafted in the 3rd round in the 2005 draft. Many people including myself considered the pick to be a complete steal. Henry has a world of talent but it seems like no intelligence at all, he is completely squandering away his talent. I don’t blame the Bengals at all for cutting Henry, even the judge lashed out at him calling him “a one man crime wave”. The owner of the Bengals pretty much bashed him when he announced Hnerys relase saying “We can no longer tolerate his conduct!” This is just a small percentage of the Bengals legal problems, there players have been getting arrested on a regular basis for a while. Henry however is an extreme liability and faces harsh NFL punishment even if not convicted. Why he has not learned his lesson is beyond me. All I hope is whereever he ends up, he learns his lesson and develops into the football player he was destined to be!