climbing the chart

Cliff Lee’s 100th career win on Friday night wasn’t cause for great celebration among his latest batch of teammates, the Texas Rangers. It’s a nice milestone but nothing more, really. The former Meridian Community College standout has seen his career take off in recent years (22 wins in 2008, 14 in ’09, 10 so far this year) and will likely win a lot more before he’s done. A relevant target for the 31-year-old left-hander is 176. That’s Aberdeen native Guy Bush’s career win total, which is the highest for any Mississippi-connected pitcher. Claude Passeau (Waynesboro) is next in line at 162, then Roy Oswalt (Weir) with 143 (and counting). Oswalt has indicated he might not play much longer, so Bush’s mark may withstand his rise.
P.S. Matt Tolbert, who seemingly dropped off the radar, will begin a rehab assignment in rookie ball this week. The Ole Miss alumnus has been on the disabled list for Minnesota since July 3 with a finger injury. The Twins, hot on the heels of the Chicago White Sox in the American League East, might need the versatile infielder for the stretch run.