ESPN

Brett Lawrie was ejected after his helmet hit umpire Bill Miller in the hip after Lawrie slammed it to the ground. Should he be punished further?

• ericwingard: "'passion' plus stupidity = suspension. "
• ibanez77: "Two terrible calls, and the ump will not be disciplined or otherwise held accountable for them, but the player will be held responsible for his reaction. Throwing the helmet was over the top, but I'd be pissed too. "
• joebud258: "Lawrie deserves to be suspended for throwing his helmet--that's the reality. But that is the sort of thing that can happen when an ump makes one bad call then intentionally makes an even more obviously horrendous call so he can teach the player a lesson. "
• 70champs "I think both of those pitches were balls, but showing up an umpire is never going to help your cause. And while I doubt Lawrie intended to hit him with his helmet, he deliberately spiked it in his direction. Pete Rose got a 30 day suspension for bumping an umpire. Lawrie should get 10 games, minimum. "
• rponulak24: "While Lawrie was definitely out of line, that ball was nowhere close to a strike. Funny that a player will get suspended for doing something wrong, but nothing will happen to the ump whose WRONG call caused Lawrie's outburst."
• Jareddspence: "Lawrie was completely justified in his actions. Terrible calls should be challenged. He threw his helmet at the ground, not at the ump, it happened to hit the ump. He was going to be ejected immediately for challenging strike three, so why not make a good argument and yell and make your point. "



Join the conversation or respond by signing in or creating a profile and blogging.

Opening Day -- well, Opening Night, really, and we technically already had one of those in Japan, but who's counting? -- is finally here, as the Cardinals will take on the Marlins tonight in the first stateside regular-season MLB game. It's bound to be an exciting season with so many players having changed teams, but has the power structure been altered significantly?

Vote: Pick each division and pennant, and the winner of the World Series

Rank: Baseball's best teams? | Top players in the game?

Which team is more likely to make it back to the World Series?

•  
  21%
  Cardinals
•  
  79%
  Rangers

(Total votes: 63,581)

Which of these players would you most want on your team?

•  
  6%
  Miguel Cabrera
•  
  17%
  Roy Halladay
•  
  6%
  Felix Hernandez
•  
  39%
  Albert Pujols
•  
  31%
  Justin Verlander

(Total votes: 64,564)

Which of these AL East teams is most likely to miss the playoffs?

•  
  30%
  Rays
•  
  54%
  Red Sox
•  
  15%
  Yankees

(Total votes: 38,308)

Which is the best team in the American League?

•  
  21%
  Angels
•  
  21%
  Rangers
•  
  21%
  Tigers
•  
  23%
  Yankees
•  
  14%
  Another team

(Total votes: 66,943)

Which is the best team in the National League?

•  
  10%
  Marlins
•  
  10%
  Giants
•  
  46%
  Phillies
•  
  8%
  Reds
•  
  26%
  Another team

(Total votes: 63,887)

We can understand if you don't want to take the time to grade your tech-support help on the other end of the telephone, but when we're talking about the dollars and emotion you've invested in sports, we think it's worth the effort. It's time for ESPN The Magazine's Ultimate Standings, in which SportsNation grades organizations on everything from ticket prices and stadium experience to the talent on the field, court or rink. Which team will end up on top this year? It depends on what you say.

Take part in the 2011 MLB survey
2010 MLB Ultimate Standings
1. Los Angeles Angels (Overall: No. 3)
2. Tampa Bay Rays (Overall: No. 6)
3. Colorado Rockies (Overall: No. 13)
4. Minnesota Twins (Overall: No. 14)
5. Atlanta Braves (Overall: No. 15)

Take part in the 2011 NFL survey
2010 NFL Ultimate Standings
1. New Orleans Saints (Overall: No. 1)
2. Indianapolis Colts (Overall: No. 4)
3. Green Bay Packers (Overall: No. 9)
4. Arizona Cardinals (Overall: No. 19)
5. Baltimore Ravens (Overall: No. 20)

Take part in the 2011 NBA survey
2010 NBA Ultimate Standings
1. Orlando Magic (Overall: No. 2)
2. San Antonio Spurs (Overall: No. 7)
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (Overall: No. 10)
4. Dallas Mavericks (Overall: No. 24)
5. Oklahoma City Thunder (Overall: No. 25)

Take part in the 2011 NHL survey
2010 NHL Ultimate Standings
1. Pittsburgh Penguins (Overall: No. 5)
2. Detroit Red Wings (Overall: No. 8)
3. Washington Capitals (Overall: No. 11)
4. San Jose Sharks (Overall: No. 12)
5. Chicago Blackhawks (Overall: No. 16)

• Rank 'Em: Will the Rays slip out of the top five in SportsNation's Power Rankings?
• Vote: Which division leads are most likely to change hands down the stretch?

Didn't Aaron Hill learn anything from watching Vernon Wells? When a no-hitter is on the line, you run through the metaphorical and literal wall to make a play. All right, maybe that's being a little harsh on Hill, the second baseman who couldn't quite come up with a hard grounder in short right field that would have been the final out of Brandon Morrow's no-hitter. Instead, Morrow had to settle for a one-hit, 17-strikeout shutout.

On "Mike and Mike" Monday morning, Buster Olney said more than a few official scorers might have tried to rule the play an error to preserve the no-hitter. An error might be harsh, but SportsNation is far from unanimous in thinking it was a clean hit.

• "Hill should have been able to field the ball. The angle that he approached the ball tells me that he did not want the ball hit to him. That is why the no-hitter was lost. In that situation the fielder MUST want the ball hit to him. Hill appeared to circle the ball and in doing so maybe subconsciously he gave himself a bailout for not getting to it. He should have at least fielded it. If he could not throw him out, it would have stood as a hit. Most other 2b in the league get to that ball. Cano definitely gets there and makes the throw for the out." -- SN commenter JosephMcGreal700

Toronto fans weren't as ready to fault Hill. Then again, he at least got a little leather on the ball. That's more than they're used to seeing out of Maples Leafs goalies.

• "Anyone who thinks that hit wasn't a hit is an idiot. Hill did everything he could. To score it any other way is an insult to everyone on the field. Morrow even knows that was a hit. Great game/great series Jays. Plenty to be excited for as a Jays fan. Tough division, but the Jays are doing pretty damn well. As a Toronto resident, I'm thrilled." -- SN commenter CorruptCamel

“

i think Hill should have had that ball but i don't know if he would have gotten Longo at 1st either way great game by Morrow and the Jays

” -- pinhi3

“

Who the hell cares if it was a no-no or not. No-hitting the Rays = NOT IMPRESSIVE, they get no hit every month it seems like.

” -- hifruco

• Rank 'Em: Who are the biggest prizes rumored to be on the market?
• Vote: How will the playoff race unfold in each league?
• Chat: MLB Insider Keith Law sets you straight in chat, 1 p.m. ET.

There may be plenty of shopping days left until Christmas (163 if you're counting), but time is running out for baseball teams hoping to find that special something for the pennant race. The end of the month brings the non-waiver trade deadline and the opportunity for general managers to make the kind of mark Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. did last summer in trading for Cliff Lee -- or, you know, the kind of impression the Cubs made in trading Lou Brock for Ernie Broglio in 1964.

Perhaps hoping lightning strikes twice, the Rangers made a big splash by landing Lee before the All-Star break, while the Braves used the pause to trade for slugging shortstop Alex Gonzalez. But could a player like Prince Fielder or Roy Oswalt tilt the scales enough in favor of another team willing to make a move?

Kevin Larson (Oak Lawn)

What kind of players are available for Kenny Williams to grab before the trade deadline? What about Adam Dunn coming to Chicago?

ESPN Chicago's Bruce Levine

I have talked about Dunn for a month. the problem is his defense is poor and his baserunning is plodding. That's not exaclty Ozzie Ball type material. The part that Kenny Williams likes is the home run power from the left side. The Sox have lacked offensive balance all season long. When Quentin hits the team seems to score. Full transcript

Brandon (Springfield)

Should the Braves make a move for Corey Hart? Do you believe he is having a fluke season so far?

Rob Neyer

A little bit, maybe. But I think last season was the bigger fluke. Hart's a legitimate power hitter and could help a lot of clubs. Full transcript

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Can you see either Matt Kemp or Josh Willingham going to the Braves for the stretch run?

Jayson Stark

I don't. I keep hearing that the Nationals are telling teams interested in Willingham that they prefer to move Adam Dunn if they move either of them. And it's very unlikely Matt Kemp gets traded. If he does, he'll be very expensive. Also, the Braves can't add much payroll. Full transcript

• Vote: Which MLB surprises are contenders and which are pretenders?

Let's just say SportsNation wasn't bullish on the Padres when the season began. If voters could have slipped some Pacific Coast League teams ahead of the team from San Diego, well, the Fresno Grizzlies look pretty good this season. As it was, voters ranked the Padres behind every team but the Royals, Pirates and Nationals.

Yet here we are with Memorial Day approaching and Bud Black's team is in first in the NL West. In looking at some of the season's biggest surprises, Jerry Crasnick suggests Adrian Gonzalez needs more help but does find some reasons for continued optimism.

• "Two positive signs: The Padres have a run differential of plus-45, second best in the National League. They're also 14-9 on the road, so their staff isn't just a Petco Park mirage. Young Mat Latos, in particular, is earning rave reviews throughout the league." -- Read Crasnick's Starting 9.

It's not just the Padres. Check out the upward mobility of some of the season's biggest surprises through the lens of SportsNation's Power Rankings.

trevor (ca)

which of your top three surprises is most likely to keep surprising?

Jerry Crasnick

Trevor, The only reason I think San Diego can hang around longer than Toronto is that the Padres play in the NL West. But they really need someone to step up and take the pressure off Adrian Gonzalez. Remember, Toronto started off quickly last year, then faded in June and July. That AL East is a bear. Full transcript

It's just like the census, only this one is fun and doesn't come in the mail. And nobody from FOX News or MSNBC will yell at you about it. It's time for ESPN The Magazine's Ultimate Standings, in which SportsNation grades organizations on everything from ticket prices and stadium experience to the talent on the field, court or rink. Which team will end up on top this year? It depends on what you say.

Take part in the 2010 MLB survey
2009 MLB Ultimate Standings
1. Los Angeles Angels (Overall: No. 1)
2. Milwaukee Brewers (Overall: No. 7)
3. Tampa Bay Rays (Overall: No. 16)
4. Minnesota Twins (Overall: No. 23)
5. Philadelphia Phillies (Overall: No. 24)

Take part in the 2010 NFL survey
2009 NFL Ultimate Standings
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (Overall: No. 3)
2. Green Bay Packers (Overall: No. 13)
3. Indianapolis Colts (Overall: No. 14)
4. Tennessee Titans (Overall: No. 15)
5. New England Patriots (Overall: No. 19)

Take part in the 2010 NBA survey
2009 NBA Ultimate Standings
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (Overall: No. 5)
2. San Antonio Spurs (Overall: No. 9)
3. New Orleans Hornets (Overall: No. 12)
4. Houston Rockets (Overall: No. 17)
5. Orlando Magic (Overall: No. 18)

Take part in the 2010 NHL survey
2009 NHL Ultimate Standings
1. Carolina Hurricanes (Overall: No. 2)
2. Detroit Red Wings (Overall: No. 4)
3. Washington Capitals (Overall: No. 6)
4. Pittsburgh Penguins (Overall: No. 8)
5. St. Louis Blues (Overall: No. 10)

Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd call the plays from the sidelines and aren't afraid of audibles during "SportsNation" TV.

Argue the hot topics of the day and vote on the biggest stories from the world of sports. The show airs on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. and midnight ET.

Note: Broadcast voting results as of this afternoon (ET).

How would you rate the Yankees-Jays brawl?
Jorge Posada bumped Toronto reliever Jesse Carlson after crossing home plate. They exchanged words, and the benches cleared.

Could you swim faster than Shaq?
Shaq actually beat Michael Phelps in one of three races (although he swam shorter distances than the Olympian). You get to choose the swimwear.

Will the crowd at the new Cowboys Stadium affect the Giants?
Jerry Jones wants to open his new stadium with more than 100,000 fans. Will they bring the noise or be too busy watching the giant TV?

What do you think of fan vandalism?
The front lawn of a home belonging to cornerback Leodis McKelvin was vandalized following Buffalo's season-opening loss to New England.

Which would you rather wear around your house?
Bill Belichick's hoodie has that casual, day-on-the-sideline appeal, but the Snuggie is warm, cozy and screams, "Home!" with those sleeves.

What is "SportsNation" TV, and how do you make your voice heard? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.

• Vote: Are the White Sox a playoff team? | NL contenders or pretenders?

They say you can't get something for nothing, but the White Sox did just that in adding outfielder Alex Rios for the stretch drive. All they had to do was agree to pay a minimum of $61.6 million. Only in baseball, which seems to have roughly the same effect on the laws of economics as black holes have on the laws of physics, could that make some sort of sense.

Taking advantage of the loophole that the trade deadline isn't, in fact, an actual deadline on trades, the White Sox landed the two-time All-Star after claiming him on waivers from the Blue Jays, who were probably looking to trade Rios but willingly handed him over without compensation given the opportunity to escape his contract. Got all that?

The upshot is the White Sox now have another bat, and possibly Jake Peavy's impending return, to chase down the Tigers in the Central or claim the AL wild card.

Of course, with a crowded outfield, Ozzie Guillen just has to find a place to play him. Just what Guillen needs, another mouth to feed and another batter to protect.

• With a healthy Peavy, SN says White Sox would have better pitching than Tigers.
• Rankings: Are the White Sox a top-10 team? Weigh in on MLB Power Rankings.
• Beyond the Nation: ESPN Chicago's Jon Greenberg on Kenny Williams' gamble.
• Groups: Chicago White Sox | White Sux Haters | American League Central

“

This is a genius move by Riccardi. Now during the off-season he can afford to sign an all-star outfielder with around a .300 average who has some power and speed. Sweet. Hey, wait a minute...

” -- daphins23

“

I agree with whoever said Rios might thrive in a change of scenario. Playing meaningful games for the first time in years might result in a drastic improvement in play and attitude.

” -- NumberThirtyFive

• Do the Phillies need Roy Halladay or Cliff Lee? Vote on trade rumors.

J.P. Ricciardi has another day or two to decide if he wants to keep his ace or be flush with prospects, but for its part, SportsNation isn't sure if the Jays' general manager is Austin Powers or Mike McDermott at the table (come to think of it, among Hollywood card players, John Turturro might be a better fit for the Ricciardi role).

Voters ranked Ricciardi a tepid No. 19 in their GM Power Rankings. That's not Omar Minaya territory or anything quite so disastrous, but it's way down the ladder from the affection SportsNation showed Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. at No. 6. And Amaro is very much in the high-stakes game of dealing for a stud pitcher at the deadline.

Perhaps it's a bluff designed to make Ricciardi nervous, but the Phillies seemed to have turned their attention to Indians ace Cliff Lee after finding the price for Roy Halladay prohibitive. Voters in Pennsylvania remain convinced the Phillies will land either Lee or Halladay, but the rest of the country isn't so sure a deal will get done. Not that many outside Red Sox Nation are convinced the Phillies can't win without a big addition.

Edit: We knew Amaro was a big SportsNation blog fan, but that was an impressive turnaround. We post; he reportedly trades. We feel heady with power).

• 54 percent of voters think Phillies are NL favorites with Halladay.
• 43 percent of voters think Phillies are NL favorites with Lee.
• 21 percent of voters think Phillies are NL favorites without either.
• A Phillies fan, blogger Anthony_Fani hears the talk about keeping the farm system stocked and can't help but think of names like Tyler Green, Brandon Duckworth and Adam Eaton. With a core already in place, he says it's time to stick to winning now.

• Groups: Die Hard Phillies Phans | Displaced Philly Fans | Cleveland Indians Fans

“

If the contenders lowball Shapiro, Lee will finish the season in Cleveland. They should have learned their lesson last year. Sabathia's price tag should have included Mat Gamel. The Brewers got away with sending a mediocre LHP with no future in Jackson, damaged goods in Bryson, and two guys that were at least a season away from being big league talent. The Indians will (should) walk away from anyone trying to get Lee at a discount. The worst case scenario is that they deal him at deadline time next year.

” -- Ghostsof1948

“

I don't understand alot of this talk...the only reason we would trade Lee is because we won't pay him after next year....if he is looking for Sabathia or even Zambrano money i think we should get the most that we can for him...i would hold out like Toronto for the best players teams have! We hold all the cards, lee is signed through next year, so we are in no pressure mode.

” -- robytooj

“

if were (the phillies) so worried about not getting rid of drabek then why dont we have him in our rotation already? I mean if were so worried about not dealing him then why aren't we using him since our pitching hasn't been great this year and everyone keeps landing on the dl. i say put him in the deal and lets get hallady who we all know will dominate

” -- mblakes03