The Arizona Diamondbacks have just officially signed free agent pitcher Jon Garland.  Garland will now step into his comfortable number-three hole to balance a top-heavy staring rotation featuring Brandon Webb and Dan Haren.  Given his previous postseason success with the 2005 champion Chicago White Sox, he adds another dimension to this team aching to get back to the World Series for the first time since 2001.

But is the Garland signing enough?  Sure, Garland is solid.  In the hitter-friendly American League, Garland has posted a career mark of 106-89 with a 4.47 ERA.  Most notable about Garland is his consistency and unflappable calm on the hill during pressure situations, as he has made at least 32 starts and pitched 191 innings in each of his last seven seasons. (more…)

Coaches, GMs, owners, players and fans are calling for monumental changes to America’s game.

Most likely will be the addition of instant replay so we don’t have any Jeffrey Maier situations, and the regulation of maple bats as they have been shattering at a record pace and it is only a matter of time before someone get seriously injured.

Less likely (but still on the plate) are new draft regulations that will put a cap on how much power top prospects like Seton Hall’s Rick Porcello and their agents Scott Boras has over teams vying for talent.

Oh sh*t, I forgot about Hank Steinbrenner who has a strong opinion of the NL after the Yankees’ star pitcher Wang was injured running the bases saying, “My only message is simple: The National League needs to grow up and join the 21st century. I’ve got my pitchers running the bases, and one of them gets hurt. He’s going to be out. I don’t like that, and it’s about time they address it. That was a rule from the 1800s.”

But what about banning over sized body armor or pointing to the sky after crossing home plate? Or the $2 hot dog rule and outlawing sushi from concession stands?

These are the New Rules Of Baseball that have been submitted by fans across America and outlined by CBS Sportsline. Although ridiculous, some of these rules make a lot of sense–and should be tested in the minor leagues.

If I had my way, I’d implement a Boni Jovi rule that would call the music legend to perform during the 7th inning stretch of every game Yankee game until the end of the season. That’s a little unrealistic and being from New Jersey, I’m biased. So for now, we’ll just have to settle for a free Bon Jovi All-Star game concert at Central Park.