Craig Biggio, Frank Thomas hit career milestones

Frank Thomas and Craig Biggio both hit career milestones at the plate tonight. An amazing day for Major League baseball that saw The Big Hurt mash his 500th career home run, and Craig Biggio hit is 3,000th career base hit.

Thomas, is the 21st major leaguer to reach the milestone. He didn't wast any time tonight in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins in their park. He sent Carlos Silva's 1-2 pitch an estimated 396 feet into the left-field stands for a 3-run HR.

Before the at-bat, Thomas looked at the scoreboard and saw that his average with runners in scoring position was .182. Not something you will want to put on promotional pens by any means.

"I said, 'Let's just get a hit right here.' That's when home runs happen, when you're really not trying to do too much. He hung a slider over the corner and I stayed with the pitch," he said.

Frank actually got ejected in this game after striking out in th 9th. He was arguing a called strike from the dug out and got tossed.

Craig Biggio JUST got his 3,000th hit. In the bottom of the 7th with a man on 2nd, Biggio drove a single into the outfield for his third hit of the night, and his 3000th in his career. Before getting the 3000th hi, Biggio told reporters that he wanted to get a double for #3,000 because that says what he is all about. Biggio tried for the double on the hit, but was gunned down at 2nd base on the play. That would have also been his 1,000th career extra base hit.

Other milestones this year: Sammy Sosa hit his 600th HR earlier and Ken Griffey, Jr. is well on his way as well sitting at 584 career dingers. Of course, Barry Bonds is still pursuing the ultimate HR mark in Henry "The Hammer" Aaron's at 755. Bonds sits at 749 career home runs.

Maroth Traded to St. Louis

Mike Maroth, starting pitcher for the Detroit Tigers was traded to the Cardinals earlier for a player to be named later. Maroth, one of the fixtures in the Tigers line up over the last 5 years was finally dealt away to make room for Kenny Rogers, and possibly Andrew Miller in the rotation.

I can't say I'm sad to see him go. He has always been a stand up guy here in Detroit, but market research woudl likely indicate taht the majority of fans think the guy stinks and is not the type of pitcher you want in your rotation. Good luck, Mike.

Tigers Trade Ledezma

About time they made a move for the bully. Not sure this was all that special though. Ledezma was traded to the Atlanta Braves, who have a ton of bullpen help for anyone, but the guy they got was left-handed reliever Macay McBride. Who? I wondered the same thing. Either way the financial reporting software is in overdrive for these two teams as they change the financial report for their teams after the trade.

As for McBride...McBride, 24, was a first-round pick of the Braves in 2001. He has appeared in 112 games in the majors over the last three years, all in relief. This season, McBride is 1-0 in 18 appearances covering 15 innings. He has a 3.60 ERA.

Macay McBride Profile

Ledezma has been with the Tigers since the 2003 season, when the club lost 119 games. He was 3-1 this season with a 4.79 ERA. HE has starting experience and has some decent stuff, but still isn't a very reliable pitcher. HE can serve as a long reliever, or spot start for Atlanta which is basically why they would want him. HE was always one of our decent "prospects", but he never really put it all together and it looks as if he isn't destined to ever do great things.

Wil Ledezma Profile

I guess this is either something they were looking to do to replace the lefty we lost in the off season, JAmie Walker, or the fact that LEdezma has no minor league options left and we can keep the young stud Andrew Miller on the roster. I suspect he will be in our bully right away and that Miller will go back down. Miller has some things to learn still and if we can dump Maroth off on someone it won't make much sense to hav ehim up here when Kenny and Nate Robertson come back off the DL. Miller will be the first one back with any other injury, but he needs to pitch his starts and not from the bully.

Sammy Sosa Can't get to 600 HRs

Out of all the guys in this range I don't have any love for this guy. First of all, the dude used a corked bat in a game. Second, I am pretty sure he used roids just like everyone else. This guy is a terrible hitter really and hit the majority of his HRs in the last 5 or 6 years of his career after he got really big. I hope Ken Griffey, Jr. Gets there before he does and Sammy is at 599. Jr. is about 17 shy at this point ai think, but he is one of my favorite players of all-time. He's a guy that you know didn't use roids. IF it wasn't for all his injuries the guy may be a head of Barry Bonds already. He's just that good. I hope they have a nice set sound machines when Sammy and Barry hit their respective marks. No one on the road is going to be cheering I hope.