Something must be said about the terrific Euro 2008 tournament. I'm not a fan of the sport of Soccer, but it's hard to not like what you saw. To see a team not win a major event for 44 years and take victory yesterday, is tremendous. Congrats to the people of Spain, you're victory I'm sure means a very large party.
Now, I'm not the biggest NBA fan but the NBA draft did occur recently. In the draft, number one went to the hometown kid. Any of the top five picks in the draft were incredible picks, but Rose and Beasley both had a tremendous upside, and were by far the best choices, as was made clear by ESPN, Foxsports, and every other sports network you watch.
My favorite team of years ago, who I will not even pretend to have followed in years, gave me no reason to follow them again. The New York Knicks drafted Danilo Gallinari. I personally don't give that Gallinari's father played with the current Knick's coach. All I know is there were better picks available.
I am not a fan of picking people whom haven't played in the American version of the sport yet in any sport, and the same goes for the NBA. Europeon players don't always work out, and I just don't see this one working out well for the Knicks. Prove me wrong, I'm fine with that, but you're going to have to for me to watch the Knicks again.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Too bad the Yankees are Pedro's daddy.
After a slugfest like the one that went on this afternoon, the Mets should be eating, drinking, and breathing pure, 100% adrenaline.
Two homers and nine runs batted in for Carlos Delgado, five runs scored for Luis Castillo, four hits for David Wright, a bunch of two-out hits, 14 hits total, and 15 runs as a team.
Unfortunately, Pedro is pitching tonight. Granted, the opposing pitcher is SIDNEY PONSON, but Pedro is 11-10 career vs. the Yankees, the only team he has double-digit losses against. The Yankees know how to hit--and the Yankees know how to hit Pedro. Tonight will be a short night for Pedro and a long night for both bullpens.
Johan Santana, on the other hand, is 4-0 career against the Yanks. I look forward to tomorrow.
Yes, I left this wide open for the baseball gods to strike irony upon my blog yet again.
Two homers and nine runs batted in for Carlos Delgado, five runs scored for Luis Castillo, four hits for David Wright, a bunch of two-out hits, 14 hits total, and 15 runs as a team.
Unfortunately, Pedro is pitching tonight. Granted, the opposing pitcher is SIDNEY PONSON, but Pedro is 11-10 career vs. the Yankees, the only team he has double-digit losses against. The Yankees know how to hit--and the Yankees know how to hit Pedro. Tonight will be a short night for Pedro and a long night for both bullpens.
Johan Santana, on the other hand, is 4-0 career against the Yanks. I look forward to tomorrow.
Yes, I left this wide open for the baseball gods to strike irony upon my blog yet again.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
You're the men now, 'Dogs.
I won't lie, I'm not a huge college baseball fan. I did, however, follow this year's College World Series, and I'm glad I did. It was a dandy.
Fresno State won the best-of-three series against the nation's #8 squad, Georgia. Fresno State was not ranked. If they didn't win their conference tournament in May, they wouldn't have even been considered for the regional tournament. In the field of 64, where there are 16 brackets of four teams, Fresno St. was the #4 seed in theirs. To put this into perspective, it's basically being somewhere from a 13-16 seed in the NCAA men's or women's basketball tournament. Only MARIST can pull this kind of stuff off!
Fresno St. didn't exactly run the table, but since it's double-elimination in each bracket, the Bulldogs were able to go 10-4 down the stretch, beating the likes of Long Beach State (top 30), San Diego (top 10), Arizona St. (#4), Rice (#6), North Carolina (#2), and then topping it off by taking two out of three from Georgia (#8).
For a team that lost 12 of its first 20, that's not too shabby.
The only thing I question is why Fresno St. 3b Tommy Mendonca was named Most Outstanding Player instead of OF Steve Detwiler. Medonca hit .281 for the CWS...I don't know his full stats, but he must have had a huge game in the 19-10 game two win over Georgia, because Detwiler went 4-for-4 with two homers and all six runs batted in for the Bulldogs in the decisive game.
Oh well.
I think this is the greatest Cinderella story of all time--only because of the improbability of it. Just like any sport, any team can beat any other team on any given day, but to take out so many of the nation's best in this span is nearly unfathomable. ESPN gives some choices--I still have trouble comparing college sports to professional sports, because the ability kind of evens out, especially when playoffs come for professional sports. It's difficult to get into, so I'll just take Fresno St.
Fresno State won the best-of-three series against the nation's #8 squad, Georgia. Fresno State was not ranked. If they didn't win their conference tournament in May, they wouldn't have even been considered for the regional tournament. In the field of 64, where there are 16 brackets of four teams, Fresno St. was the #4 seed in theirs. To put this into perspective, it's basically being somewhere from a 13-16 seed in the NCAA men's or women's basketball tournament. Only MARIST can pull this kind of stuff off!
Fresno St. didn't exactly run the table, but since it's double-elimination in each bracket, the Bulldogs were able to go 10-4 down the stretch, beating the likes of Long Beach State (top 30), San Diego (top 10), Arizona St. (#4), Rice (#6), North Carolina (#2), and then topping it off by taking two out of three from Georgia (#8).
For a team that lost 12 of its first 20, that's not too shabby.
The only thing I question is why Fresno St. 3b Tommy Mendonca was named Most Outstanding Player instead of OF Steve Detwiler. Medonca hit .281 for the CWS...I don't know his full stats, but he must have had a huge game in the 19-10 game two win over Georgia, because Detwiler went 4-for-4 with two homers and all six runs batted in for the Bulldogs in the decisive game.
Oh well.
I think this is the greatest Cinderella story of all time--only because of the improbability of it. Just like any sport, any team can beat any other team on any given day, but to take out so many of the nation's best in this span is nearly unfathomable. ESPN gives some choices--I still have trouble comparing college sports to professional sports, because the ability kind of evens out, especially when playoffs come for professional sports. It's difficult to get into, so I'll just take Fresno St.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Are you there, God? It's me...Seattle...
Dear God,
As you may know, we finished 88-74 last season. We just missed the playoffs, but it was quite an accomplishment for a squad whose marquee names are Richie Sexson and Adrian Beltre. You know, players who make $13-15 million a year but play like they earn $400,000. Of course we had the always reliable Ichiro Suzuki, but let's be honest--he can't carry a team for a week, a month, or a year. Beltre and Sexson are the ones getting paid to do the heavy damage. We only had one starter with a sub-4.00 earned run average, and only one with more than 15 wins. J.J. Putz was a nice surprise with 40 saves and a 1.38 e.r.a. With Felix Hernandez only 21 years old and ever improving, and almost our entire starting roster returning, we were pretty confident going into the offseason.
We made our big move when we traded our number one prospect, Adam Jones, and a few other players, for Erik Bedard. This gave us two number one starters, one lefty and one righty. Our one-two punch on paper was as good as any other team's. Considering our 88 wins in '07, we expected at least 90, if not more, in '08. Definitely a contender for the division.
When the Angels lost their top two pitchers before the season even started, we instantly became favorites to take the A.L. West.
Let's skip further detail and get to the present. We're the worst team in baseball, fired our General Manager, fired our manager...now we're on our fourth in two seasons, Putz is on the DL for only you know how long, our top offseason acquisition is less than impressive in his starts so far, and injury seems imminent as he's been scratched from a few starts.
The lone bright spot has been our boy, Felix Hernandez. His e.r.a. is 2.83, and though the run support isn't there, he gives it his all each and every start.
God...I might start to get a little pissed talking to you now. I've used your name in vein more times than I can count since the bottom of the 5th inning tonight.
The game started out fine. We were facing Johan Santana and the Mets with our ace, King Felix, going for us. We capitalized early, loading the bases on an error, for Felix, who is 1-8 batting in his career. He served one out two deep right-center, and it sailed over the fence. We led 4-0, and even extended it to 5-0 before Felix gave up a leadoff double to Carlos Beltran in the bottom of the 5th. Carlos Delgado popped out, Beltran stole third, but Trot Nixon struck out swinging on a NASTY slider for the second out. With a 1-2 count on Ramon Castro, Felix threw one in the dirt and it got away. Beltran broke for home, and Felix ran in to cover the plate. Beltran slid, and caught Felix's knee. It twisted, his opposite foot stuck in the ground, and twisted the ankle on that leg. One strike away from being eligible for a win which he clearly deserved, given the masterpiece he was throwing against his fellow countryman and mentor.
What did we do to deserve this, God? What did we do? This isn't like the 90's Seattle teams with Randy Johnson, Ken Griffey, Jr., Randy Johnson, etc...We have a humble team, a young team, full of role players and few stars. These guys play their hearts out every day. They don't complain, they don't quarrel within. The chemistry is exceptional, so why the hell are we victims? WHY? WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY?!
What's next? Will you somehow manipulate us into trading Ichiro to the Yankees?
Humbly your ragdoll,
The Seattle Mariners
As you may know, we finished 88-74 last season. We just missed the playoffs, but it was quite an accomplishment for a squad whose marquee names are Richie Sexson and Adrian Beltre. You know, players who make $13-15 million a year but play like they earn $400,000. Of course we had the always reliable Ichiro Suzuki, but let's be honest--he can't carry a team for a week, a month, or a year. Beltre and Sexson are the ones getting paid to do the heavy damage. We only had one starter with a sub-4.00 earned run average, and only one with more than 15 wins. J.J. Putz was a nice surprise with 40 saves and a 1.38 e.r.a. With Felix Hernandez only 21 years old and ever improving, and almost our entire starting roster returning, we were pretty confident going into the offseason.
We made our big move when we traded our number one prospect, Adam Jones, and a few other players, for Erik Bedard. This gave us two number one starters, one lefty and one righty. Our one-two punch on paper was as good as any other team's. Considering our 88 wins in '07, we expected at least 90, if not more, in '08. Definitely a contender for the division.
When the Angels lost their top two pitchers before the season even started, we instantly became favorites to take the A.L. West.
Let's skip further detail and get to the present. We're the worst team in baseball, fired our General Manager, fired our manager...now we're on our fourth in two seasons, Putz is on the DL for only you know how long, our top offseason acquisition is less than impressive in his starts so far, and injury seems imminent as he's been scratched from a few starts.
The lone bright spot has been our boy, Felix Hernandez. His e.r.a. is 2.83, and though the run support isn't there, he gives it his all each and every start.
God...I might start to get a little pissed talking to you now. I've used your name in vein more times than I can count since the bottom of the 5th inning tonight.
The game started out fine. We were facing Johan Santana and the Mets with our ace, King Felix, going for us. We capitalized early, loading the bases on an error, for Felix, who is 1-8 batting in his career. He served one out two deep right-center, and it sailed over the fence. We led 4-0, and even extended it to 5-0 before Felix gave up a leadoff double to Carlos Beltran in the bottom of the 5th. Carlos Delgado popped out, Beltran stole third, but Trot Nixon struck out swinging on a NASTY slider for the second out. With a 1-2 count on Ramon Castro, Felix threw one in the dirt and it got away. Beltran broke for home, and Felix ran in to cover the plate. Beltran slid, and caught Felix's knee. It twisted, his opposite foot stuck in the ground, and twisted the ankle on that leg. One strike away from being eligible for a win which he clearly deserved, given the masterpiece he was throwing against his fellow countryman and mentor.
What did we do to deserve this, God? What did we do? This isn't like the 90's Seattle teams with Randy Johnson, Ken Griffey, Jr., Randy Johnson, etc...We have a humble team, a young team, full of role players and few stars. These guys play their hearts out every day. They don't complain, they don't quarrel within. The chemistry is exceptional, so why the hell are we victims? WHY? WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY?!
What's next? Will you somehow manipulate us into trading Ichiro to the Yankees?
Humbly your ragdoll,
The Seattle Mariners
Sunday, June 22, 2008
OOOOVERRAAAAATED!
Seems as thought I'm not the only one who thinks Derek Jeter is overrated. In a poll conducted by Sports Illustrated, 495 current MLB players were asked who the most overrated player is. The winner of this illustrious award? Derek Jeter. The captain garnered 10% of the votes, beating out household names like Barry Zito and Alex Rodriguez.
Unfortunately, this survey seems flawed. Alex Rodriguez is not overrated. Manny Ramirez is not overrated. David Wright is not overrated. These names all appeared on the list.
I've got to be honest. I don't think Jeter is the MOST overrated player in the game. He's up there, but not the most. This poll isn't very reliable, it's just funny that Jeter came out on top. I love it.
Notes from today's NYY-CIN game:
Michael Kay is an idiot.
-He mentioned that the Reds' starting pitcher, Johnny Cueto, is among the league leaders in home runs allowed. Kay went into a rant about how it isn't fair for Cueto and Brett Myers, as well as other pitchers who pitch in hitters' parks, because a routine fly ball in other parks is 10 rows up in Cinci or Philly.
Uhh...so every park should be designed like Yankee Stadium? Where a 315-foot pop up to left field earns you four bases, and if you hit it 350 feet, it's in the upper deck? Just shut up.
-David Cone (I think) was talking about Joey Votto and how his great season is flying under the radar (I called this, but I don't want to talk about the Nick Johnson thing). Cone then starts to talk about how Cincinnati's roster is full of great names.
Cone: "Joey Votto, Johnny Cueto...sounds like a bunch of guys trying out to be on the Sopranos!"
Kay: "Edinson Volquez..."
Cueto is from the Dominican Republic and Votto is Canadian, but the names at least sound Italian. But Volquez? Just shut up.
HE'S BAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!
-Sidney Ponson is expected to be named the Yankees' starting pitcher for the second game of Friday's split-stadium doubleheader. Maybe the Mets will sign Jose Lima again so we can have a real dandy of a game. Now that I've said this, Ponson will probably throw 7+ of shutout ball.
Willie always welcome in the Bronx
-I never thought I'd be hoping that Joe Girardi KEEPS his job in New York, but now that Willie Randolph has been fired, the chances of him going back to the Bronx in some way, shape, or form, are great. I'd be torn if Willie were to manage the Yankees. I'm incapable of rooting for Willie to fail or do bad. In a perfect world, Girardi won't deliver Hank's desired results, and Willie will find a new managing job before one opens up on 161st street.
Unfortunately, this survey seems flawed. Alex Rodriguez is not overrated. Manny Ramirez is not overrated. David Wright is not overrated. These names all appeared on the list.
I've got to be honest. I don't think Jeter is the MOST overrated player in the game. He's up there, but not the most. This poll isn't very reliable, it's just funny that Jeter came out on top. I love it.
Notes from today's NYY-CIN game:
Michael Kay is an idiot.
-He mentioned that the Reds' starting pitcher, Johnny Cueto, is among the league leaders in home runs allowed. Kay went into a rant about how it isn't fair for Cueto and Brett Myers, as well as other pitchers who pitch in hitters' parks, because a routine fly ball in other parks is 10 rows up in Cinci or Philly.
Uhh...so every park should be designed like Yankee Stadium? Where a 315-foot pop up to left field earns you four bases, and if you hit it 350 feet, it's in the upper deck? Just shut up.
-David Cone (I think) was talking about Joey Votto and how his great season is flying under the radar (I called this, but I don't want to talk about the Nick Johnson thing). Cone then starts to talk about how Cincinnati's roster is full of great names.
Cone: "Joey Votto, Johnny Cueto...sounds like a bunch of guys trying out to be on the Sopranos!"
Kay: "Edinson Volquez..."
Cueto is from the Dominican Republic and Votto is Canadian, but the names at least sound Italian. But Volquez? Just shut up.
HE'S BAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!
-Sidney Ponson is expected to be named the Yankees' starting pitcher for the second game of Friday's split-stadium doubleheader. Maybe the Mets will sign Jose Lima again so we can have a real dandy of a game. Now that I've said this, Ponson will probably throw 7+ of shutout ball.
Willie always welcome in the Bronx
-I never thought I'd be hoping that Joe Girardi KEEPS his job in New York, but now that Willie Randolph has been fired, the chances of him going back to the Bronx in some way, shape, or form, are great. I'd be torn if Willie were to manage the Yankees. I'm incapable of rooting for Willie to fail or do bad. In a perfect world, Girardi won't deliver Hank's desired results, and Willie will find a new managing job before one opens up on 161st street.
Friday, June 20, 2008
I like the Angels.
I was fortunate enough to finally be able to watch the Angels play this week, an opportunity I only get about six times a year...when the Yankees are playing them, so I don't pay too much attention. This time around, however, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were playing my Mets.
Early in the season, I openly questioned how the Angels were performing so well without their top two pitchers, John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar. The unwritten trends of baseball indicate that when a good team's top players go down, the children of a lesser god step up (see: Yankees since Wang injury, Cardinals since Pujols, injury not including the last three games). But after watching games one and three of the series (and about three innings of game two), I have a much clearer picture of how good this team actually is and why they're so good.
The Mets may have won two of three in the series, but the Angels were clearly the better team.
The Angels aren't the most powerful team, representing the bottom 10 in the entire MLB in both runs scored and home runs. They aren't in the top 10 in staff earned run average, either. Somehow, Anaheim has the fourth best winning percentage in baseball. Right behind the Rays, I might add.
The team chemistry is amazing. They have so much fun out on the diamond. They remind me of the '04 Red Sox, the only difference being the '08 Angels don't have a chip on their shoulder. It's debatable whether that makes them better or worse, but I don't think it's right to compare because of the intrinsic and extrinsic motivation for the '04 Red Sox. Basically I'm saying the Sox of that season were better, but it would be counterproductive to this blog to admit it. Oops.
Anyway, let's start on offense. A star-studded outfield consists of the most intimidating batter in baseball, Vladdy Guerrero, gold glover Torii Hunter, and the overpaid but valuable Gary Matthews, Jr. Garrett Anderson is the backup outfielder/DH. To put it in terms Mets' fans can understand, it's like not having to depend on Moises Alou to start everyday, but just using him in certain situations.
Chone Figgins and Casey Kotchman highlight the infield, with uber-role players Howie Kendrick, Reggie Willits, Robb Quinlan, and Erick Aybar chipping in here and there. None of these guys hit for an overly impressive average, but this team is more capable than any other of stringing together three or four hits or getting a two-out hit with runners in scoring position.
The starting pitching, as I said before, is not amazing, but with Lackey having just returned, it's going to get a lot better and take a lot of pressure off of the guys who have stepped up early in the season. Joe Saunders has 10 wins, Ervin Santana, who was a disaster last year, is 8-3, and Jon Garland and Jered Weaver each have six wins.
The bullpen has weakened over the years, with the loss of Brendan Donnelly, Kevin Gregg, Troy Percival, etc...but it is still strong with Scot Shields and of course, Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez to seal the de
This team swings 2-0, is not afraid to steal second, and they know how to get people out. The Angels are the second most complete team in baseball right now. Red Sox/Angels is going to be a fantastic ALCS and should probably be considered the World Series, because whoever wins that series is taking the whole thing.
Early in the season, I openly questioned how the Angels were performing so well without their top two pitchers, John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar. The unwritten trends of baseball indicate that when a good team's top players go down, the children of a lesser god step up (see: Yankees since Wang injury, Cardinals since Pujols, injury not including the last three games). But after watching games one and three of the series (and about three innings of game two), I have a much clearer picture of how good this team actually is and why they're so good.
The Mets may have won two of three in the series, but the Angels were clearly the better team.
The Angels aren't the most powerful team, representing the bottom 10 in the entire MLB in both runs scored and home runs. They aren't in the top 10 in staff earned run average, either. Somehow, Anaheim has the fourth best winning percentage in baseball. Right behind the Rays, I might add.
The team chemistry is amazing. They have so much fun out on the diamond. They remind me of the '04 Red Sox, the only difference being the '08 Angels don't have a chip on their shoulder. It's debatable whether that makes them better or worse, but I don't think it's right to compare because of the intrinsic and extrinsic motivation for the '04 Red Sox. Basically I'm saying the Sox of that season were better, but it would be counterproductive to this blog to admit it. Oops.
Anyway, let's start on offense. A star-studded outfield consists of the most intimidating batter in baseball, Vladdy Guerrero, gold glover Torii Hunter, and the overpaid but valuable Gary Matthews, Jr. Garrett Anderson is the backup outfielder/DH. To put it in terms Mets' fans can understand, it's like not having to depend on Moises Alou to start everyday, but just using him in certain situations.
Chone Figgins and Casey Kotchman highlight the infield, with uber-role players Howie Kendrick, Reggie Willits, Robb Quinlan, and Erick Aybar chipping in here and there. None of these guys hit for an overly impressive average, but this team is more capable than any other of stringing together three or four hits or getting a two-out hit with runners in scoring position.
The starting pitching, as I said before, is not amazing, but with Lackey having just returned, it's going to get a lot better and take a lot of pressure off of the guys who have stepped up early in the season. Joe Saunders has 10 wins, Ervin Santana, who was a disaster last year, is 8-3, and Jon Garland and Jered Weaver each have six wins.
The bullpen has weakened over the years, with the loss of Brendan Donnelly, Kevin Gregg, Troy Percival, etc...but it is still strong with Scot Shields and of course, Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez to seal the de
This team swings 2-0, is not afraid to steal second, and they know how to get people out. The Angels are the second most complete team in baseball right now. Red Sox/Angels is going to be a fantastic ALCS and should probably be considered the World Series, because whoever wins that series is taking the whole thing.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Who Knew...
That the tall, kind of goofy one time backup center for the Red Hook Raiders would take Vegas by storm? As we speak, Matt Vengrin (Veng $) has made it to the final six at event 29 of the World Series of Poker. But wait....there's more. Matt has more than twice the amount of chips as John Phan, who sits in second place. Can Vengrin pull this off? Let's hope so.
Update: 8:09 p.m. by Travis
Vengrin has slipped to third place with four players remaining. He is guaranteed at least a $137,343 payout and can earn $434,789 with a win. His progress can be tracked live here.
Update: 8:44 p.m. by Michael J
The dream is over for Veng$. But a $167,973 payday is not too shabby. Nice job finishing third. Let's see how he does for the rest of the WSOP.
Update: 8:09 p.m. by Travis
Vengrin has slipped to third place with four players remaining. He is guaranteed at least a $137,343 payout and can earn $434,789 with a win. His progress can be tracked live here.
Update: 8:44 p.m. by Michael J
The dream is over for Veng$. But a $167,973 payday is not too shabby. Nice job finishing third. Let's see how he does for the rest of the WSOP.
no. No. NO! NOOOO!
Omar Minaya fired Willie Randolph about six hours ago, despite the Mets winning their second consecutive game, and glimmers of hope shining from the offense and the bullpen. Not only was Randolph fired, but so were pitching coach Rick Peterson and first base coach Tom Nieto. They're bringing up some no-names from minor league squads to take the coaching jobs, and bench coach Jerry Manuel is taking over as manager. He's got experience managing, and a few years under his belt coaching in New York...but seriously. Firing Willie was not the answer.
I'm not excited for the rest of this season and I'm not excited for the new ballpark in 2009. This is absolutely ridiculous.
Beltran is just heating up, and he's one of those players that can carry the team when he's hot...and when he's hot, everyone around him flourishes. Let's watch it all go down the drain now.
I'm not excited for the rest of this season and I'm not excited for the new ballpark in 2009. This is absolutely ridiculous.
Beltran is just heating up, and he's one of those players that can carry the team when he's hot...and when he's hot, everyone around him flourishes. Let's watch it all go down the drain now.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Hank Steinbrenner is a douche
I don't usually laugh at professional athletes' suffering, unless it's Derek Jeter, Michael Beasley, or someone who has rubbed me the wrong way for some childish reason that I can't get over (Tom Brady won me over with his charisma and boyish good looks--maybe if Jeter and Beasley were personable, I'd like them). Don't get me wrong, I like Chien-Ming Wang, even beyond fantasy purposes, but his injury serves Hank Steinbrenner right.
I haven't been watching the Astros/Yankees series, so when I saw the news that Wang was getting an MRI on his foot, I didn't think anything of it. Then I saw the headline that he was out for six weeks. Okay, I'll bench him in my fantasy league that I own him in. THEN just a few moments ago, I saw that he's out until at least September!
That prompted me to actually read the story. I needed to know what happened. Turns out he was injured running the bases. But the story is no longer about Wang being hurt, now it turned into Hank Steinbrenner crying like a two-year old who was injured in a tricycle accident. Apparently the National League "needs to join the 21st century," and implement the designated hitter.
To hell with that. The absence of a DH is the main reason I love the National League so much more than the AL. Yeah, I like watching a nice slugfest every now and again, but if pitchers weren't forced to hit in either league, there would no longer be a need for strategy. There would no longer be sacrifice bunts. Payrolls would skyrocket because every team would have a Frank Thomas or a David Ortiz. Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera would be lifers in the DH spot, as would up and coming players such as Joey Votto, James Loney, and Conor Jackson.
The art of the game would be destroyed.
This is a TERRIBLE idea for Hank to suggest, but of course he loves the idea. It's not about the pitchers, it's about him. Payrolls would go up as I already said, then ticket prices would increase even further, and it would just be more money in his dirty little pockets.
Even more ironic--guess who suffers the most? Pitchers and DHs. The National League would no longer be the "National League." It wouldn't be a safe haven for Roy Oswalt, Jake Peavy, or Johan Santana. No pitcher would even have a shot at a sub-3.00 earned run average. And as the required skill of position players diminishes, the skill of the pitchers will diminish, too. DHs like David Ortiz won't ever need to take fielding practice, because interleague games will no longer have any beauty, they'll just be regular games. Pitchers won't have to run laps to keep their hammys loose. They won't have to swing a bat...EVER. That will hurt teams in extra inning situations where bat-savvy pitchers like Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux have made second careers pinch hitting--and not to mention Micah Owings, who has a great hitting and pitching career ahead of him.
There would no longer be a reason for role players like Marlon Anderson, Endy Chavez, or Pedro Feliz to exist. Punished for being exceptional utility men and pinch hitters? Go to hell, Hank.
I don't think I've been this pissed off in a long time.
I haven't been watching the Astros/Yankees series, so when I saw the news that Wang was getting an MRI on his foot, I didn't think anything of it. Then I saw the headline that he was out for six weeks. Okay, I'll bench him in my fantasy league that I own him in. THEN just a few moments ago, I saw that he's out until at least September!
That prompted me to actually read the story. I needed to know what happened. Turns out he was injured running the bases. But the story is no longer about Wang being hurt, now it turned into Hank Steinbrenner crying like a two-year old who was injured in a tricycle accident. Apparently the National League "needs to join the 21st century," and implement the designated hitter.
To hell with that. The absence of a DH is the main reason I love the National League so much more than the AL. Yeah, I like watching a nice slugfest every now and again, but if pitchers weren't forced to hit in either league, there would no longer be a need for strategy. There would no longer be sacrifice bunts. Payrolls would skyrocket because every team would have a Frank Thomas or a David Ortiz. Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera would be lifers in the DH spot, as would up and coming players such as Joey Votto, James Loney, and Conor Jackson.
The art of the game would be destroyed.
This is a TERRIBLE idea for Hank to suggest, but of course he loves the idea. It's not about the pitchers, it's about him. Payrolls would go up as I already said, then ticket prices would increase even further, and it would just be more money in his dirty little pockets.
Even more ironic--guess who suffers the most? Pitchers and DHs. The National League would no longer be the "National League." It wouldn't be a safe haven for Roy Oswalt, Jake Peavy, or Johan Santana. No pitcher would even have a shot at a sub-3.00 earned run average. And as the required skill of position players diminishes, the skill of the pitchers will diminish, too. DHs like David Ortiz won't ever need to take fielding practice, because interleague games will no longer have any beauty, they'll just be regular games. Pitchers won't have to run laps to keep their hammys loose. They won't have to swing a bat...EVER. That will hurt teams in extra inning situations where bat-savvy pitchers like Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux have made second careers pinch hitting--and not to mention Micah Owings, who has a great hitting and pitching career ahead of him.
There would no longer be a reason for role players like Marlon Anderson, Endy Chavez, or Pedro Feliz to exist. Punished for being exceptional utility men and pinch hitters? Go to hell, Hank.
I don't think I've been this pissed off in a long time.
San Diego likes Wood(s)
It's Monday afternoon. After gracing the 20 mile radius of Scranton attempting to get interviews with just about every golf course in existence, I was in the golf mode.
Of course, thanks to Tiger Woods, there is golf on the television today. After his Pierce like comeback[sorry, that was required] yesterday to tie Rocco Mediate on the 18th hole, he and Rocco are in a duel.
Now, I'm not the biggest golf fan in the world. Quite frankly, I'd rather go play the sport. When you look around Torrey Pines in this US Open, however, there isn't an empty spot to stand. It's amazing one one man can do for a sport. And I don't mind a one man wrecking crew like Tiger. It's not like it's a team sport like the NBA where I could careless for Mr. Kobe Bryant.
Woods currently holds a two stroke lead, but is in danger of losing a stroke or two after he drove the ball into the bunker on the 8th hole. Rocco should gain a stroke on this hole, making it a one stroke lead going into the 9th hole.
I'll stick to watching Golf today, and keep you posted on the action as it continues.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So here we stand, the 15th hole and both players are at +2. Tiger held a lead of three strokes not that long ago, and now stands in danger of losing the lead after missing the fair way on 15.
Tiger has given Rocco all the chances in the world today. If Rocco was in the Elite of the golf world, he'd have already won this. Tiger is lucky that he's still in this today. While I'm finding it hard to not cheer for Rocco, it's been frustrating watching him miss huge putts in this tournament. The announcers have it exactly right. Tiger handles the pressure, and he sinks the key putts. That's what truly separates Tiger from the rest of the world.
Oh, he also draws quite a bit of people. I wonder why the PGA likes him so much?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Go Rocco go! Gorgeous putt and now the pressure is on Tiger. It's very rare you see Tiger put under pressure. Three holes left to go go following this putt and Tiger is being given a run for his money.
While in the end, I'd still put my money on Tiger, it's been entertaining. Needless to say, after missing a putt to the right, Tiger is now one stroke down to Rocco Mediate. Three holes to go.
Of course, thanks to Tiger Woods, there is golf on the television today. After his Pierce like comeback[sorry, that was required] yesterday to tie Rocco Mediate on the 18th hole, he and Rocco are in a duel.
Now, I'm not the biggest golf fan in the world. Quite frankly, I'd rather go play the sport. When you look around Torrey Pines in this US Open, however, there isn't an empty spot to stand. It's amazing one one man can do for a sport. And I don't mind a one man wrecking crew like Tiger. It's not like it's a team sport like the NBA where I could careless for Mr. Kobe Bryant.
Woods currently holds a two stroke lead, but is in danger of losing a stroke or two after he drove the ball into the bunker on the 8th hole. Rocco should gain a stroke on this hole, making it a one stroke lead going into the 9th hole.
I'll stick to watching Golf today, and keep you posted on the action as it continues.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So here we stand, the 15th hole and both players are at +2. Tiger held a lead of three strokes not that long ago, and now stands in danger of losing the lead after missing the fair way on 15.
Tiger has given Rocco all the chances in the world today. If Rocco was in the Elite of the golf world, he'd have already won this. Tiger is lucky that he's still in this today. While I'm finding it hard to not cheer for Rocco, it's been frustrating watching him miss huge putts in this tournament. The announcers have it exactly right. Tiger handles the pressure, and he sinks the key putts. That's what truly separates Tiger from the rest of the world.
Oh, he also draws quite a bit of people. I wonder why the PGA likes him so much?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Go Rocco go! Gorgeous putt and now the pressure is on Tiger. It's very rare you see Tiger put under pressure. Three holes left to go go following this putt and Tiger is being given a run for his money.
While in the end, I'd still put my money on Tiger, it's been entertaining. Needless to say, after missing a putt to the right, Tiger is now one stroke down to Rocco Mediate. Three holes to go.
Five reasons to fire Willie
1) The Mets' starters don't go a full nine innings every game
2) The Mets' relief pitchers can't record three outs without giving up three or more hits with rainbow sprinkles on top
3) Moises Alou can't stay healthy
4) Moises Alou's five backups can't stay healthy
5) The Mets are five games out of first (in the loss column). Better fold the season now--IT IS June, afterall.
Five things that can save Willie:
1) Leave Johan in for 8 innings in his next start
2) Convince Omar Minaya to trade Aaron Heilman. Don't care for who.
3) Trot Nixon.
4) New York media (ha, good luck)
5) Pedro Martinez, Mike Pelfrey, John Maine, Oliver Perez, Jose Reyes, David Wright, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado.
2) The Mets' relief pitchers can't record three outs without giving up three or more hits with rainbow sprinkles on top
3) Moises Alou can't stay healthy
4) Moises Alou's five backups can't stay healthy
5) The Mets are five games out of first (in the loss column). Better fold the season now--IT IS June, afterall.
Five things that can save Willie:
1) Leave Johan in for 8 innings in his next start
2) Convince Omar Minaya to trade Aaron Heilman. Don't care for who.
3) Trot Nixon.
4) New York media (ha, good luck)
5) Pedro Martinez, Mike Pelfrey, John Maine, Oliver Perez, Jose Reyes, David Wright, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
ESPN-ization!
ESPN gets a really bad reputation for taking things that are popular, lacing them with Disney advertisements, and shoving them down our throats until we think we're in hell. Today, though, they got something right.
ESPN is handling their coverage of the U.S. Open exactly how USA, NBC, and CBS want to cover golf, but are afraid to. Almost half the field has teed off, but for the last 45 minutes, they have only shown Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Adam Scott, who are all grouped together. Once, just once, did they show the full leaderboard, and only ONCE did they show a golfer other than those three---and that was after he made an 80-yard chip in for birdie.
I disagree with them not showing the full leaderboard--when I first tuned in, they only showed Woods', Mickelson's, and Scott's scores, leading me to believe they were the only group that had teed off.
All of the other networks that cover golf are afraid to do this, and ESPN is really taking a risk by doing this, but I'm loving it. We need to be honest with ourselves, golf is golf is golf. If you like watching golf, chances are you're either watching because you love the game and don't care who is taking the shot, as long as you get to watch...or you're watching for Tiger.
It will be interesting to see how ESPN handles the rest of the weekend, because none of these three will be flirting with the top of the leaderboard come Sunday.
My pick to win? Mark O' Meara.
*Update - 12:07 p.m.*
I take back my complete and utter praise of ESPN. Though I love that they admit what they're doing, calling it "Coverage of 'The Big Three'," instead of "Coverage of the U.S. Open," this leads to a lot of downtime where rather than showing us the other 153 golfers in action, they maul us with sob stories of the qualifiers and their tragedy-to-triumph tales of how they got here. Oh well. Maybe The Price is Right is still on.
ESPN is handling their coverage of the U.S. Open exactly how USA, NBC, and CBS want to cover golf, but are afraid to. Almost half the field has teed off, but for the last 45 minutes, they have only shown Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Adam Scott, who are all grouped together. Once, just once, did they show the full leaderboard, and only ONCE did they show a golfer other than those three---and that was after he made an 80-yard chip in for birdie.
I disagree with them not showing the full leaderboard--when I first tuned in, they only showed Woods', Mickelson's, and Scott's scores, leading me to believe they were the only group that had teed off.
All of the other networks that cover golf are afraid to do this, and ESPN is really taking a risk by doing this, but I'm loving it. We need to be honest with ourselves, golf is golf is golf. If you like watching golf, chances are you're either watching because you love the game and don't care who is taking the shot, as long as you get to watch...or you're watching for Tiger.
It will be interesting to see how ESPN handles the rest of the weekend, because none of these three will be flirting with the top of the leaderboard come Sunday.
My pick to win? Mark O' Meara.
*Update - 12:07 p.m.*
I take back my complete and utter praise of ESPN. Though I love that they admit what they're doing, calling it "Coverage of 'The Big Three'," instead of "Coverage of the U.S. Open," this leads to a lot of downtime where rather than showing us the other 153 golfers in action, they maul us with sob stories of the qualifiers and their tragedy-to-triumph tales of how they got here. Oh well. Maybe The Price is Right is still on.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
GRIFFEY, GRIFFEY, GRIFFEY!
Through all the steroid fuss, through Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro, and Jose Canseco, there has been Griffey.
Ken Griffey, Jr. has never had a drop of bad media in relation to steroid allegations. He has always played the game the right way, and if it weren't for a plethora of injuries over the last eight years, The Kid could be challenging Barry Bonds for the most coveted and most controversial record in the game.
If Griffey owned that record, there would be no asterisk. Unfortunately, this is why you play the games, and injuries are a part of baseball.
Still, it's great to see The Kid reach the 600 home run milestone. Throughout the 90's with the Mariners, Griffey received the hype that Alex Rodriguez has now. At the time, he was the quickest to many home run milestones (300, 350, 400, 450), now he places second on those lists, surpassed only by A-Rod.
There are other lists that Griffey tops in my opinion, that are more important that quickest to 300 home runs.
1) Sweetest swing in baseball. There's only one swing I've seen come remotely close to as perfect and as beautiful as Griffey's, and that's John Olerud. Both were prolific offensive machines in their prime, both batting from the left side, and both know how to play the game.
2) Most respected player in the game. I can't say Griffey is atop the list, but he belongs up there with the best of them. When he finally made his return to Seattle in '07, the standing ovation he got was only rivaled by the one Mike Piazza received when he returned to New York. Sosa wasn't treated like that when he went back to Chicago. Bonds never got royal treatment when he played as a Giant in Pittsburgh, and the list can go on.
Griffey flies under the radar because of everything else going on in the game, but the list of his accolades are ridiculously long. Here's to Griffey, here's to a few more healthy years, and here's to one of the best players of this generation.
Ken Griffey, Jr. has never had a drop of bad media in relation to steroid allegations. He has always played the game the right way, and if it weren't for a plethora of injuries over the last eight years, The Kid could be challenging Barry Bonds for the most coveted and most controversial record in the game.
If Griffey owned that record, there would be no asterisk. Unfortunately, this is why you play the games, and injuries are a part of baseball.
Still, it's great to see The Kid reach the 600 home run milestone. Throughout the 90's with the Mariners, Griffey received the hype that Alex Rodriguez has now. At the time, he was the quickest to many home run milestones (300, 350, 400, 450), now he places second on those lists, surpassed only by A-Rod.
There are other lists that Griffey tops in my opinion, that are more important that quickest to 300 home runs.
1) Sweetest swing in baseball. There's only one swing I've seen come remotely close to as perfect and as beautiful as Griffey's, and that's John Olerud. Both were prolific offensive machines in their prime, both batting from the left side, and both know how to play the game.
2) Most respected player in the game. I can't say Griffey is atop the list, but he belongs up there with the best of them. When he finally made his return to Seattle in '07, the standing ovation he got was only rivaled by the one Mike Piazza received when he returned to New York. Sosa wasn't treated like that when he went back to Chicago. Bonds never got royal treatment when he played as a Giant in Pittsburgh, and the list can go on.
Griffey flies under the radar because of everything else going on in the game, but the list of his accolades are ridiculously long. Here's to Griffey, here's to a few more healthy years, and here's to one of the best players of this generation.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
I hate the Yankees
It's always brewing inside of me, but when the Mets lose 2-1 THREE straight days, then I really start to get pissed. I need to take my anger out on something other than my team's inept offense.
I don't really know where to start, so maybe I'll just work my way backwards. Whenever I'm watching the Yankees with my dad, a Yankee fan, we make bets every so often--be it a key point in the game, or any Derek Jeter at-bat since he knows how much I hate him.
Anyway, Joba is starting today on a low pitch count again. He had a decent first inning with a strikeout to end it (OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOH!!) so of course Yankee fans get all hot and bothered. Give him the Cy Young already.
So then Jeter gets up in the bottom of the first and my dad and I make a bet. I say he flies out to right, he says he gets a base hit. Mind you, we're watching on TV, but my dad also has his headphones on and he's listening to Suzyn Waldman and John Sterling on the radio, about five seconds ahead of the image on the televison. So he hears Jeter's single before I do, so he rubs it in that he was right before I even know what's about to happen. Then in typical Yankee fashion, Bobby Abreu steps up and hits it into the upper deck. I've had enough of the Yankees for today and we aren't even through the first inning. I decide to go write a nasty blog about how much I hate the Yankees. Congratulations, you can beat the Royals. Let's throw a party. Michael Kay is a scumbag.
YESTERDAY was a prime example of everything I hate about the Yankees. They won 12-11...AGAINST THE ROYALS. On a walk-off hit by Johnny Damon who went 6-for-6. I give him credit, six hits in a game is impressive. But I still hate the Yankees, and they shouldn't be giving up 11 runs to the Royals. I hate the Yankees.
I didn't watch Friday's game, and of course the Yanks lose. What, you can't beat the big bad Royals? Man, I hate the Yankees!
THURSDAY was probably the worst of the worst. I was in and out of the room...if you know me, you know I'm a pretty supersticious person when it comes to sports. If I wear my Mets hat on a given day and the Mets lose, I'm not wearing that hat again for awhile on days they play. Like many fans, I think the shampoo or deodorant I use affects the outcome of games. If the Mets don't allow a run in the field while I'm watching, I watch every inning they're in the field. It sounds fine, but it gets complicated when I leave the room while they're at-bat and they score. Then I have to leave the room while they're up so they can score, but be in the room when they're in the field so they don't allow any runs.
Back to Thursday against Toronto, the Yankees grabbed a quick 2-0 lead, so I had to leave the room so they would stop scoring. I came back and the Blue Jays had tied it, 2-2. So I left the room again, and I came back and the Jays were winning 7-2! I decided to stay a bit, but then a couple of long balls later, it was 7-6. It lasted that way until late in the ballgame where Farnsworth got in some trouble, allowed a run, could have allowed more but didn't, everyone is talking about how Joba should still be in the bullpen, things are looking good for Toronto.
Then my dad came home.
Bottom 9, this happens, that happens, Matsui gets an RBI, it's 8-7 Jays, and my dad asked if the Yankees would lose or go to extras. I told him it wouldn't come down to extras because Giambi was coming up, swinging for the fences. I don't know what it is about Giambi, but he's like Tino Martinez...you just get that gut feeling when he's about to go deep. Sure enough, it is high, it is far, IIIIIIIIIIIIIIT IS GOOOOOOOOOONE. Game over, congrats, you beat the Blue Jays.
I hate the Yankees.
I don't really know where to start, so maybe I'll just work my way backwards. Whenever I'm watching the Yankees with my dad, a Yankee fan, we make bets every so often--be it a key point in the game, or any Derek Jeter at-bat since he knows how much I hate him.
Anyway, Joba is starting today on a low pitch count again. He had a decent first inning with a strikeout to end it (OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOH!!) so of course Yankee fans get all hot and bothered. Give him the Cy Young already.
So then Jeter gets up in the bottom of the first and my dad and I make a bet. I say he flies out to right, he says he gets a base hit. Mind you, we're watching on TV, but my dad also has his headphones on and he's listening to Suzyn Waldman and John Sterling on the radio, about five seconds ahead of the image on the televison. So he hears Jeter's single before I do, so he rubs it in that he was right before I even know what's about to happen. Then in typical Yankee fashion, Bobby Abreu steps up and hits it into the upper deck. I've had enough of the Yankees for today and we aren't even through the first inning. I decide to go write a nasty blog about how much I hate the Yankees. Congratulations, you can beat the Royals. Let's throw a party. Michael Kay is a scumbag.
YESTERDAY was a prime example of everything I hate about the Yankees. They won 12-11...AGAINST THE ROYALS. On a walk-off hit by Johnny Damon who went 6-for-6. I give him credit, six hits in a game is impressive. But I still hate the Yankees, and they shouldn't be giving up 11 runs to the Royals. I hate the Yankees.
I didn't watch Friday's game, and of course the Yanks lose. What, you can't beat the big bad Royals? Man, I hate the Yankees!
THURSDAY was probably the worst of the worst. I was in and out of the room...if you know me, you know I'm a pretty supersticious person when it comes to sports. If I wear my Mets hat on a given day and the Mets lose, I'm not wearing that hat again for awhile on days they play. Like many fans, I think the shampoo or deodorant I use affects the outcome of games. If the Mets don't allow a run in the field while I'm watching, I watch every inning they're in the field. It sounds fine, but it gets complicated when I leave the room while they're at-bat and they score. Then I have to leave the room while they're up so they can score, but be in the room when they're in the field so they don't allow any runs.
Back to Thursday against Toronto, the Yankees grabbed a quick 2-0 lead, so I had to leave the room so they would stop scoring. I came back and the Blue Jays had tied it, 2-2. So I left the room again, and I came back and the Jays were winning 7-2! I decided to stay a bit, but then a couple of long balls later, it was 7-6. It lasted that way until late in the ballgame where Farnsworth got in some trouble, allowed a run, could have allowed more but didn't, everyone is talking about how Joba should still be in the bullpen, things are looking good for Toronto.
Then my dad came home.
Bottom 9, this happens, that happens, Matsui gets an RBI, it's 8-7 Jays, and my dad asked if the Yankees would lose or go to extras. I told him it wouldn't come down to extras because Giambi was coming up, swinging for the fences. I don't know what it is about Giambi, but he's like Tino Martinez...you just get that gut feeling when he's about to go deep. Sure enough, it is high, it is far, IIIIIIIIIIIIIIT IS GOOOOOOOOOONE. Game over, congrats, you beat the Blue Jays.
I hate the Yankees.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Is Josh Hamilton going to slow down??
Now that I've had a day to let the world of MLB sink back into my blood, there's some crazy stuff going on. It has BEEN going on, but now it's June, we might have to start taking some of these things seriously.
Josh Hamilton
.329, 17 hr, 67 rbi
-Last year when I was shadowing Sean T. McMann at a Hudson Valley Renegades' game, the giveaway that night was a baseball with Josh Hamilton splurged all over it from his 15 games with the 'Gades in 1999 and his 16 games with them in '06. He barely hit .200 with them either season, had no homers, and there was really nothing significant about his stay there. He just made the majors so they had to rub it in. At the time, the only significance about the ball was its uncanny ability to yield a joke about advocating cocaine use. Now I might actually be able to pawn it off to a six-year old at a HVR game for like $5. If he wins the triple crown, I'm putting it up on eBay. Now that's a thought.
What happened to the D'Backs?
When I left, they were the best team in the bigs. Now they're only in first because every other team in the West is playing like it's the '05 season all over again. Now the Cubbies are on nine-game run and they're the best team in the majors.
The Rays are HOW MANY games over .500???
12 of them. And in first place! Patience is a virtue when you have to fold your first 10 seasons because you play in the same division as the Red Sox and Yankees. Maybe the Orioles and Blue Jays should take a page out of Tampa Bay's book. A few smart trades (a la Victor Zambrano for Scott Kazmir) and a timely front office change has really changed the fate of the lovable losers.
Or maybe it was just the name change. The old (only) people in St. Pete didn't like the connotation "DEVIL" brought to the team. Maybe they're God's team of the MLB!
Where's the offense?
The Yankees are 7th in the A.L., and 20th, that's right, TWENTIETH in the Majors in runs scored. They won't score 1000 runs this season, nor will the Tigers, nor will any team. I'm not saying 10 pitchers will keep their E.R.A. below 3.00 the entire season, but it's a good year to be on the hill.
LAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
When I left on May 22, he was hitting .412, now he's hitting .409. Is he going to slow down?
If the season ended today:
AL 1 - Angels
AL 2 - Rays
AL 3 - Chi Sox
AL WC - Red Sox
NL 1 - Cubbies
NL 2 - Phils
NL 3 - D'Backs
NL WC - Cards
wait, what??
Oh yeah, and if the Rays stay in the race for the next month or two, look for their 2007 #1 pick, a southpaw, David Price to be called up. He's the real deal. More hype than a young Scott Kazmir, and able to produce similar, if not better, results.
Josh Hamilton
.329, 17 hr, 67 rbi
-Last year when I was shadowing Sean T. McMann at a Hudson Valley Renegades' game, the giveaway that night was a baseball with Josh Hamilton splurged all over it from his 15 games with the 'Gades in 1999 and his 16 games with them in '06. He barely hit .200 with them either season, had no homers, and there was really nothing significant about his stay there. He just made the majors so they had to rub it in. At the time, the only significance about the ball was its uncanny ability to yield a joke about advocating cocaine use. Now I might actually be able to pawn it off to a six-year old at a HVR game for like $5. If he wins the triple crown, I'm putting it up on eBay. Now that's a thought.
What happened to the D'Backs?
When I left, they were the best team in the bigs. Now they're only in first because every other team in the West is playing like it's the '05 season all over again. Now the Cubbies are on nine-game run and they're the best team in the majors.
The Rays are HOW MANY games over .500???
12 of them. And in first place! Patience is a virtue when you have to fold your first 10 seasons because you play in the same division as the Red Sox and Yankees. Maybe the Orioles and Blue Jays should take a page out of Tampa Bay's book. A few smart trades (a la Victor Zambrano for Scott Kazmir) and a timely front office change has really changed the fate of the lovable losers.
Or maybe it was just the name change. The old (only) people in St. Pete didn't like the connotation "DEVIL" brought to the team. Maybe they're God's team of the MLB!
Where's the offense?
The Yankees are 7th in the A.L., and 20th, that's right, TWENTIETH in the Majors in runs scored. They won't score 1000 runs this season, nor will the Tigers, nor will any team. I'm not saying 10 pitchers will keep their E.R.A. below 3.00 the entire season, but it's a good year to be on the hill.
LAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
When I left on May 22, he was hitting .412, now he's hitting .409. Is he going to slow down?
If the season ended today:
AL 1 - Angels
AL 2 - Rays
AL 3 - Chi Sox
AL WC - Red Sox
NL 1 - Cubbies
NL 2 - Phils
NL 3 - D'Backs
NL WC - Cards
wait, what??
Oh yeah, and if the Rays stay in the race for the next month or two, look for their 2007 #1 pick, a southpaw, David Price to be called up. He's the real deal. More hype than a young Scott Kazmir, and able to produce similar, if not better, results.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Maybe something has changed!
Apparently Joba is already being thrusted into the Yankees' rotation! I guess he's on a 65-70 pitch maximum tonight so he'll probably go 4-5 innings.
The Blue Jays are one of those teams that can always give you a hard time. I figure Joba will probably give up two runs and be tagged with a tough loss because the Yanks are facing Roy Halladay. Joba should be up to full strength and going 6-7 innings per start within two or three weeks.
But that leaves a giant hole in the 7th and 8th inning for the Yankees' bullpen now...
The Blue Jays are one of those teams that can always give you a hard time. I figure Joba will probably give up two runs and be tagged with a tough loss because the Yanks are facing Roy Halladay. Joba should be up to full strength and going 6-7 innings per start within two or three weeks.
But that leaves a giant hole in the 7th and 8th inning for the Yankees' bullpen now...
Little has changed.
I left and the Mets were 22-22. I come back and they're 28-28.
Eh.
Pedro's back tonight. About two months sooner than I anticipated. This ought to be interesting.
Eh.
Pedro's back tonight. About two months sooner than I anticipated. This ought to be interesting.
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