Thursday, March 23, 2006
Full Speed Ahead for Josh Barfield
The captain of the USS Mark Bellhorn has been advised to keep up a full head of steam, but the reality is that the chance of making the San Diego Padres starting lineup is taking on heavy water in the forward and aft compartments. Just as sure as San Diego is a Navy town, the opening day 2B job will go to Josh Barfield, son of former Blue Jays slugger Jesse Barfield. Josh Barfield batted .310 with 15 homers and 20 steals last year for Triple A Portland. But what has really made the brass decide to pipe Barfield aboard has been his play the spring, which has been surprisingly strong not only offensively, but defensively, which really floats their boat.
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Doctor X -- the 'Baseball Medic' -- is an anonymous U.S. government trauma specialist with a Duke University sports medicine background and more than 20 years experience in emergency medicine. From time to time he considers MLB rumors, events and news reports as they pertain to baseball players' injuries, illnesses and various other disabilities, both on the field and off.
MLB Rumors editor Greg Fieg is a former sports news editor and award-winning writer whose bylines have appeared on the wires of the Associated Press and in numerous publications, including San Antonio Express-News, San Antonio Light, Houston Chronicle and Philadelphia Bulletin. He formerly was posted in various positions on the U.S.-Mexican border with Freedom Newspapers, and was a regular, independent contributor to United Press International.