It's being reported that Mark Teixeira has been traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim! With Vlad and Teix hitting back-to-back mixed with that pitching rotation and bullpen, I think we've got a new World Series favorite.
Ernie has a new reason to hate the Angels.
And there goes my pick for NL MVP.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
The BoSox won't trade Manny.
Period.
He's too much of an integral part of that team, regardless of his attitude or his off-field remarks. He knows how to do his job, and he knows that he needs to perform in order to get paid. It's not like he's going to stop playing like he always does just because he's pissed off at Boston's front office.
On the side of the front office, they'd be absolutely insane to trade him. When you're a buyer at the trade deadline, you don't trade your stars--you don't even trade any of your starting eight (unless you're the 2006 Mets. Trading Xavier Nady did land them Oliver Perez, but I still don't think it should have been the starting right fielder that should have been used for bait, the Pirates would have taken farmhands.).
The Red Sox need Manny. He obviously doesn't need the Sox, but he's not the one in control of his own destiny. Whatever happens in the offseason will happen in the offseason, but Manny isn't going anywhere until then.
*UPDATE 6:00 p.m.*
I have to back off a little bit. The media is tearing the Manny storyline to shreds. If he does, in fact, get traded, I'll be completely shocked--but if he does get traded, it's probably because the media won't leave it alone and is making a much bigger story out of it than it should be.
He's too much of an integral part of that team, regardless of his attitude or his off-field remarks. He knows how to do his job, and he knows that he needs to perform in order to get paid. It's not like he's going to stop playing like he always does just because he's pissed off at Boston's front office.
On the side of the front office, they'd be absolutely insane to trade him. When you're a buyer at the trade deadline, you don't trade your stars--you don't even trade any of your starting eight (unless you're the 2006 Mets. Trading Xavier Nady did land them Oliver Perez, but I still don't think it should have been the starting right fielder that should have been used for bait, the Pirates would have taken farmhands.).
The Red Sox need Manny. He obviously doesn't need the Sox, but he's not the one in control of his own destiny. Whatever happens in the offseason will happen in the offseason, but Manny isn't going anywhere until then.
*UPDATE 6:00 p.m.*
I have to back off a little bit. The media is tearing the Manny storyline to shreds. If he does, in fact, get traded, I'll be completely shocked--but if he does get traded, it's probably because the media won't leave it alone and is making a much bigger story out of it than it should be.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
I LOVE TITLE IX!!!!
As much as I love and respect women's sports, there is still the other half of me that loves some aspects for all the wrong reasons. You know...Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic, Natalie Gulbis, Paula Creamer, etc...
Well I may have a new love on my dark side! The NCAA announced the newest women's sport being considered at schools is Sand Volleyball! I don't know if the implications include bikinis, but I'll take my chances.
Credit solely and completely goes to Title IX here, since colleges are RARELY Title IX compliant, meaning the ratio of male-to-female athletes is not consistent with the ratio of male-to-female students. The only instances where schools can even become close to being Title IX compliant are when a school a) doesn't have a football team, b) is all girls or all guys, or c) is a tech school where the male population actually dominates.
The only reason it is uncommon for schools to be sued or investigated over Title IX violations is because there are loopholes. As long as a school is "making progress" towards becoming Title IX compliant, they're given a break. Plus, these lawsuits are long and arduous. However, if ONE female student wants to compete in ANY sport, the school is required to offer it, risking the chance of being sued, a suit which the school has a slim-to-none chance of winning.
Well I may have a new love on my dark side! The NCAA announced the newest women's sport being considered at schools is Sand Volleyball! I don't know if the implications include bikinis, but I'll take my chances.
Credit solely and completely goes to Title IX here, since colleges are RARELY Title IX compliant, meaning the ratio of male-to-female athletes is not consistent with the ratio of male-to-female students. The only instances where schools can even become close to being Title IX compliant are when a school a) doesn't have a football team, b) is all girls or all guys, or c) is a tech school where the male population actually dominates.
The only reason it is uncommon for schools to be sued or investigated over Title IX violations is because there are loopholes. As long as a school is "making progress" towards becoming Title IX compliant, they're given a break. Plus, these lawsuits are long and arduous. However, if ONE female student wants to compete in ANY sport, the school is required to offer it, risking the chance of being sued, a suit which the school has a slim-to-none chance of winning.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
I forgot a word
"Bullpen"
I hate the Phillies.
and p.s. I hate the Yankees, Mariano Rivera, and his one-out, four-run saves.
I hate the Phillies.
and p.s. I hate the Yankees, Mariano Rivera, and his one-out, four-run saves.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Do I really have to get into this?
Jayson Stark has apparently jumped aboard with Skip Bayless on the "hate the Mets" bandwagon.
We can go through the Mets', Phillies', and Marlins' rosters, position by position and add it up...but that doesn't do us much good because somebody will get hurt down the stretch. Somebody will slump. Somebody will get hot. The Marlins lead the majors in home runs, the Phillies have Utley, Howard, and Rollins, and the Mets have Wright, Reyes, and Beltran. All three teams have role-players. Bottom line is all of these teams can score runs.
But offense doesn't win championships.
Johan Santana
John Maine
Oliver Perez
Mike Pelfrey
Pedro Martinez
Cole Hamels
Joe Blanton
Jamie Moyer
Kyle Kendrick
Brett Myers
Ricky Nolasco
Scott Olsen (my boy!)
Josh Johnson
Chris Volstad
That takes care of step one, the Marlins can be crossed off this list if I asked you to eliminate one cluster of names.
Now let's cross Brett Myers and Pedro Martinez off because those two will have more health issues than starts in the second half.
Cross off Santana and Hamels because I don't feel like getting into that discussion. That leaves us with six names.
Mike Pelfrey
Oliver Perez
John Maine
Joe Blanton
Jamie Moyer
Kyle Kendrick
Say what you will about Pelfrey's track record, and how Perez and Maine have pitched this year, but Pelfrey finally seems to be coming around and Maine and Perez can come up huge in big-game situations. They've proven it. That's why I'll take the Mets' mid-three any day.
We can go through the Mets', Phillies', and Marlins' rosters, position by position and add it up...but that doesn't do us much good because somebody will get hurt down the stretch. Somebody will slump. Somebody will get hot. The Marlins lead the majors in home runs, the Phillies have Utley, Howard, and Rollins, and the Mets have Wright, Reyes, and Beltran. All three teams have role-players. Bottom line is all of these teams can score runs.
But offense doesn't win championships.
Johan Santana
John Maine
Oliver Perez
Mike Pelfrey
Pedro Martinez
Cole Hamels
Joe Blanton
Jamie Moyer
Kyle Kendrick
Brett Myers
Ricky Nolasco
Scott Olsen (my boy!)
Josh Johnson
Chris Volstad
That takes care of step one, the Marlins can be crossed off this list if I asked you to eliminate one cluster of names.
Now let's cross Brett Myers and Pedro Martinez off because those two will have more health issues than starts in the second half.
Cross off Santana and Hamels because I don't feel like getting into that discussion. That leaves us with six names.
Mike Pelfrey
Oliver Perez
John Maine
Joe Blanton
Jamie Moyer
Kyle Kendrick
Say what you will about Pelfrey's track record, and how Perez and Maine have pitched this year, but Pelfrey finally seems to be coming around and Maine and Perez can come up huge in big-game situations. They've proven it. That's why I'll take the Mets' mid-three any day.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Gotta give 'em credit
Brian Cashman made one of the best moves by ANY team this season by picking up Richie Sexson. He was terrible with Seattle since they signed him, but with the kind of lineup around him that he's going to have in the Bronx, I expect him to put up impressive numbers in pinstripes. He's hitting in between Jorge Posada and Robbie Cano tonight and already has a hit.
The roster move is also paying other dividends as Cano is actually hitting! Sexson provides ample protection for Posada, and if Can, o starts hittingit's a "pick your poison" type of lineup expected of Yankee squads. Straighten out that pitching and this is a team poised to make a run. Even if they don't straighten out the pitching, we all know they can win 15-14 day-in and day-out.
They're also lucky to be facing the A's coming out of the All-Star break. Oakland is only six games out of the division, four and a half out of the Wild Card race, and they're seven games over .500, yet they dump Rich Harden and Joe Blanton as if they're 20 games under .500 and in last place. I'd criticize the moves more, but let's be brutally honest--Oakland isn't going anywhere this season, even if they make the playoffs. Maybe GM Billy Beane is facing that reality and preparing for his next move, whatever it may be. You never know with him. A's fans have pretty much learned just to accept that his roster moves work out eventually, more often than not...the championship banners hanging from the rafters is the only hole in his tenure.
The roster move is also paying other dividends as Cano is actually hitting! Sexson provides ample protection for Posada, and if Can, o starts hittingit's a "pick your poison" type of lineup expected of Yankee squads. Straighten out that pitching and this is a team poised to make a run. Even if they don't straighten out the pitching, we all know they can win 15-14 day-in and day-out.
They're also lucky to be facing the A's coming out of the All-Star break. Oakland is only six games out of the division, four and a half out of the Wild Card race, and they're seven games over .500, yet they dump Rich Harden and Joe Blanton as if they're 20 games under .500 and in last place. I'd criticize the moves more, but let's be brutally honest--Oakland isn't going anywhere this season, even if they make the playoffs. Maybe GM Billy Beane is facing that reality and preparing for his next move, whatever it may be. You never know with him. A's fans have pretty much learned just to accept that his roster moves work out eventually, more often than not...the championship banners hanging from the rafters is the only hole in his tenure.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
July predictions
1) Tiger will win the British Open
[quote of the week] "I just hope they've taught the engraver how to put an asterisk on [the Claret Jug]. Then everyone will know what the tournament was all about." - Geoff Ogilvy
2) Lance Armstrong will win the Tour de France
3) Britney Spears' new album will reach #1 whenever it is finished and released
[quote of the week] "I just hope they've taught the engraver how to put an asterisk on [the Claret Jug]. Then everyone will know what the tournament was all about." - Geoff Ogilvy
2) Lance Armstrong will win the Tour de France
3) Britney Spears' new album will reach #1 whenever it is finished and released
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Respect.
Marist Red Foxes: Charlie Creme's preseason #20. What now? He probably knows squat about this team, but hopefully because of this, the coaches and writers will have the same respect for proven mid-majors such as the Red Foxes coming into the season.
The '08-'09 schedule isn't out, but when it comes out we'll have a pretty good idea of how close Marist can come to repeating that 32-3 mark from the '07-'08 season.
My humble guess is that Marist goes undefeated and brings the NCAA title to Poughkeepsie.
The '08-'09 schedule isn't out, but when it comes out we'll have a pretty good idea of how close Marist can come to repeating that 32-3 mark from the '07-'08 season.
My humble guess is that Marist goes undefeated and brings the NCAA title to Poughkeepsie.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Live All-Star blogging
Disclaimer: If you can't handle extreme scrutiny of Joe Buck and the New York Yankees, chances are good that you probably shouldn't read this.
8:52 p.m. - The game finally started at 8:47, I guess they warned us that the ceremony would take so long, but they probably could have cut it in half while getting their point across. I'm really dejected about how the game is going so far. Not only did the pre-game ceremonies take too long, but there was WAY too much Joe Girardi. I understand he's the Yankees' manager, but please. Also, the New York fans are booing 75% of the players who are announced. Ridiculous. They even booed Terry Francona, who just announced that Mariano Rivera would close the game for the AL if the opportunity arose. They should at least show some respect for everyone involved in the game, especially considering they're all kind of on the same side here.
Cliff Lee had a DOMINANT first inning. He deserves to pitch another.
Joe Buck announced Derek Jeter as the man who has "done nothing but win" since putting on pinstripes. Then Tim McCarver states that the Yankees haven't won the World Series since 2000. Good teamwork, guys.
8:55 p.m. - DAMNIT why did Jeter have to get the first hit? That was the last thing I wanted to happen. Great, now he stole a base. Showoff. May-Rod probably just got booed for not driving in the captain.
9:07 p.m. - Great work by Lee. I am not going to see "Swing Vote," nor will I rent it, nor will I watch it if it is ever on TV.
9:10 p.m. - Sheets' curveball is nasty tonight. Buck just apologized for screwing up Justin Duchscherer's name in the pre-game ceremony. Then he also mentioned that he was filling in for Bob Sheppard. Too bad Sheppard couldn't make the game, that would have added to the pageantry of the night to have him be the P.A. announcer. I didn't think of that before Buck said it.
9:28 p.m. - Yogi Berra just called Joe Buck "Jack," his father's name. Beautiful.
9:33 p.m. - That's more like it. It turns me on when Jeter grounds into double plays! They really love to be blunt about Josh Hamilton's addictions. Last night it was shooting heroin, tonight it's smoking crack.
9:48 p.m. - I wasn't sure if I wanted to see "Pineapple Express" when it comes out, but the preview just had M.I.A. "Paper Planes" playing in it. Now I'm definitely seeing it.
9:53 p.m. - Good thing Matt Holliday went deep to get the NL on top--Dan Haren is coming in, the AL has seen plenty of him and can feast on his pitching.
10:00 p.m. - I hope they don't keep playing that Heineken Light commercial all night or else I'll be singing "It's love. It's love. It's love. It's la-la-la-la-la-la-la-love!" for the next week.
10:10 p.m. - They need to get Jeter out of there. He's really dragging the AL down. Grounds into a double play then leaves two on base? If they want to win, they need to get Michael Young in there.
10:13 p.m. - I'm normally not an advocate of pimping MLB to movies and such, but the graphics for that "X-Files" segment were pretty cool and apparently Gillian Anderson is as hot as ever despite being 40. Nice.
10:15 p.m. - $20 says Utley goes deep in this at-bat.
10:18 p.m. - I owe someone $20. But the NL is about to break this game open.
10:24 p.m. - And by "break this game open," I mean "take a 2-0 lead." At least Jeter is out of there. George Steinbrenner doesn't belong in the Hall of Fame. Tim McCarver and Joe Buck are tools for thinking that unless Fox has manipulated that idea because of its partnership with the Yankees. Conspiracy? I think so.
10:29 p.m. - Joe Torre should be on Clint Hurdle's coaching staff instead of GlenAllen Hill. Just a thought.
10:41 p.m. - Joe Nathan and Russel Martin got great recognition from Joe Buck for their underrated accomplishments not just this season, but the past several seasons.
Who the hell is Josh Groban? Not that I care, his rendition of "God Bless America" is much better than that excuse for singing in the pre-game when Sheryl Crow performed the National Anthem. That was horrendous. I know it was promoting cancer research, but they could have done better than that.
10:42 p.m. - They just showed Derek Jeter crying in the dugout during "God Bless America." What a terrible facade. He's an ass.
10:48 p.m. - The advantage here in the late innings has to go to the A.L. Even though the N.L. has a 2-0 lead, Terry Francona is sending out seasoned veteran closers out to the mound the rest of the way while Clint Hurdle is still putting young starting pitchers in the game for the late innings.
10:53 p.m. - That didn't take long. 2-2. I don't think they're going to boo J.D. Drew as bad as he rounds the bases.
10:57 p.m. - No. I'm gonna be optimistic. The N.L. is going to break the hearts of all Yankee fans and win the game against Mariano! Rivera will get the loss tonight!
11:00 p.m. - Yankee fans are classless. Booing Papelbon for misconstrued remarks spun by New York media. He was already mad about that, then Yankee fans threatened his pregnant wife during the fan fest. Now they're chanting "Papelbum" and "overrated." This is pathetic and is taking everything away from the game.
11:03 p.m. - Okay, they're half right. He gave up the hit but the run was unearned and was because of the throwing error on Dioner Navarro. 3-2, N.L. and Papelbon is in line to lose. I hope Mariano gets shelled so they forget about Papelbon.
11:16 p.m. - AH! Why is Wagner in?! I know I'm supposed to have faith in my team's closer...but let's be honest. He can blow this thing.
11:19 p.m. - Apparently I'm having techinical difficulties, but this is a sped up version of my reaction to Billy Wagner screwing up. Not sure how this got put on a mega fast forward, but you get the idea.
11:24 p.m. - K-Rod is in, but if he pitches the whole 9th and the A.L. wins in the bottom, Mariano doesn't get in! Drama! Francona will probably put Mo in with two outs or something.
11:26 p.m. - Yeah, yeah, yeah. Here comes Mo with one out and Ludwick coming to bat. If Rivera gives up the game-winning hit, Rodriguez will get the loss since he left a runner on base. This is crap.
11:32 p.m. - New conspiracy theory. This whole game is staged so Mariano would come in and get a huge strike 'em out, throw 'em out double-play. He's obviously gonna get the win in the bottom of the ninth. I hate the Yankees.
11:37 p.m. - Stop showing Derek Jeter. He's not in the game, he has no bearing on the outcome.
11:42 p.m. - Nobody wants extra innings. Blah.
11:48 p.m. - They really want to get Mo the win. Sending him out again? I hope he loses.
11:51 p.m. - Mariano can blow this! You gotta believe!!!!
11:53 p.m. - WHY WHY WHY MUST YOU GROUND INTO A DOUBLE PLAY, DAN UGGLA?!!!
12:01 a.m. - We all know what's gonna happen. I'm done blogging.
12:04 a.m. - WOW! I can't believe Cook got out of that! This is a great game. Too long though. Way too long.
12:12 a.m. - There has got to be some crisis management plan after what happened in Milwaukee a few years back. I can't see this game going much longer if the A.L. doesn't win here in the bottom of the 11th. Advertisers are getting a steal by the game going this late while their commercials get such a huge audience.
12:19 a.m. - This is great baseball now. They're actually using strategy. Navarro thought about a sac bunt, there was a pitch out, a blown call, a walk, and now a base hit. AND NOW...Michael Young is up. This is excellent.
12:22 a.m. - It's moments like these that make you think this whole thing is staged, like the games are scripted. These guys are all proving why they're All-Stars and this is an epic ending. Everyone expected Young to get a hit and win the game, but then Navarro gets thrown out at home. The twists won't stop coming!
12:29 a.m. - This is a great strategy for McLouth. The All-Stars don't have time to go over late inning strategy with each other since the break is so short and there is so much other stuff for the players to do leading up to the game. The miscommunication on playing his bunt may turn out to be crucial if Uggla can come through here, making up for his two errors that nearly cost them the game earlier. You can't write a better story. That's why he'll probably get out! It's not what we expect...but McLouth has proven he's an All-Star since he got in the game. I'd vote for him for MVP is nothing dramatic happens to win the game and the NL prevails.
12:33 a.m. - You have to appreciate how seriously this game is being taken now. Going to Sherrill, the lefty, to face a lefty, Adrian Gonzalez. It only takes 11 innings for the All-Star game to start to be taken seriously. It should start in the 11th inning every year!
1:28 a.m. [Travis] - Is it just me or does Scott Kazmir have more acne than the front row at Backstreet Boys concert?
1.33 AM [Clark] That was Dioneer Navarro's biggest hit since he left Jane's Addiction.
1:35 a.m. [Travis] - I no longer want nor expect this game to end.
1:36 a.m. [Travis] - Until I found out Michael Young was up. Everything has come full circle. I understand the meaning of life now.
1:38 a.m. [Travis] - Speaking of full circle, I hate my life again because Derek Jeter found his way into the replay. I thought we were over him. HIS REPLACEMENT WON THE GAME! So I should be saying "I'm glad Jeter got voted in so Young could replace him!"
NO! I'm saying Jeter shouldn't even be in the game at all!! Young should have started and played the whole thing! He's earned it!
1:40 am [Barrows] - What a game. There's so many things to say, but nothing that hasn't been said. Amazing.
1:42 a.m. [Travis] - Agreed.
8:52 p.m. - The game finally started at 8:47, I guess they warned us that the ceremony would take so long, but they probably could have cut it in half while getting their point across. I'm really dejected about how the game is going so far. Not only did the pre-game ceremonies take too long, but there was WAY too much Joe Girardi. I understand he's the Yankees' manager, but please. Also, the New York fans are booing 75% of the players who are announced. Ridiculous. They even booed Terry Francona, who just announced that Mariano Rivera would close the game for the AL if the opportunity arose. They should at least show some respect for everyone involved in the game, especially considering they're all kind of on the same side here.
Cliff Lee had a DOMINANT first inning. He deserves to pitch another.
Joe Buck announced Derek Jeter as the man who has "done nothing but win" since putting on pinstripes. Then Tim McCarver states that the Yankees haven't won the World Series since 2000. Good teamwork, guys.
8:55 p.m. - DAMNIT why did Jeter have to get the first hit? That was the last thing I wanted to happen. Great, now he stole a base. Showoff. May-Rod probably just got booed for not driving in the captain.
9:07 p.m. - Great work by Lee. I am not going to see "Swing Vote," nor will I rent it, nor will I watch it if it is ever on TV.
9:10 p.m. - Sheets' curveball is nasty tonight. Buck just apologized for screwing up Justin Duchscherer's name in the pre-game ceremony. Then he also mentioned that he was filling in for Bob Sheppard. Too bad Sheppard couldn't make the game, that would have added to the pageantry of the night to have him be the P.A. announcer. I didn't think of that before Buck said it.
9:28 p.m. - Yogi Berra just called Joe Buck "Jack," his father's name. Beautiful.
9:33 p.m. - That's more like it. It turns me on when Jeter grounds into double plays! They really love to be blunt about Josh Hamilton's addictions. Last night it was shooting heroin, tonight it's smoking crack.
9:48 p.m. - I wasn't sure if I wanted to see "Pineapple Express" when it comes out, but the preview just had M.I.A. "Paper Planes" playing in it. Now I'm definitely seeing it.
9:53 p.m. - Good thing Matt Holliday went deep to get the NL on top--Dan Haren is coming in, the AL has seen plenty of him and can feast on his pitching.
10:00 p.m. - I hope they don't keep playing that Heineken Light commercial all night or else I'll be singing "It's love. It's love. It's love. It's la-la-la-la-la-la-la-love!" for the next week.
10:10 p.m. - They need to get Jeter out of there. He's really dragging the AL down. Grounds into a double play then leaves two on base? If they want to win, they need to get Michael Young in there.
10:13 p.m. - I'm normally not an advocate of pimping MLB to movies and such, but the graphics for that "X-Files" segment were pretty cool and apparently Gillian Anderson is as hot as ever despite being 40. Nice.
10:15 p.m. - $20 says Utley goes deep in this at-bat.
10:18 p.m. - I owe someone $20. But the NL is about to break this game open.
10:24 p.m. - And by "break this game open," I mean "take a 2-0 lead." At least Jeter is out of there. George Steinbrenner doesn't belong in the Hall of Fame. Tim McCarver and Joe Buck are tools for thinking that unless Fox has manipulated that idea because of its partnership with the Yankees. Conspiracy? I think so.
10:29 p.m. - Joe Torre should be on Clint Hurdle's coaching staff instead of GlenAllen Hill. Just a thought.
10:41 p.m. - Joe Nathan and Russel Martin got great recognition from Joe Buck for their underrated accomplishments not just this season, but the past several seasons.
Who the hell is Josh Groban? Not that I care, his rendition of "God Bless America" is much better than that excuse for singing in the pre-game when Sheryl Crow performed the National Anthem. That was horrendous. I know it was promoting cancer research, but they could have done better than that.
10:42 p.m. - They just showed Derek Jeter crying in the dugout during "God Bless America." What a terrible facade. He's an ass.
10:48 p.m. - The advantage here in the late innings has to go to the A.L. Even though the N.L. has a 2-0 lead, Terry Francona is sending out seasoned veteran closers out to the mound the rest of the way while Clint Hurdle is still putting young starting pitchers in the game for the late innings.
10:53 p.m. - That didn't take long. 2-2. I don't think they're going to boo J.D. Drew as bad as he rounds the bases.
10:57 p.m. - No. I'm gonna be optimistic. The N.L. is going to break the hearts of all Yankee fans and win the game against Mariano! Rivera will get the loss tonight!
11:00 p.m. - Yankee fans are classless. Booing Papelbon for misconstrued remarks spun by New York media. He was already mad about that, then Yankee fans threatened his pregnant wife during the fan fest. Now they're chanting "Papelbum" and "overrated." This is pathetic and is taking everything away from the game.
11:03 p.m. - Okay, they're half right. He gave up the hit but the run was unearned and was because of the throwing error on Dioner Navarro. 3-2, N.L. and Papelbon is in line to lose. I hope Mariano gets shelled so they forget about Papelbon.
11:16 p.m. - AH! Why is Wagner in?! I know I'm supposed to have faith in my team's closer...but let's be honest. He can blow this thing.
11:19 p.m. - Apparently I'm having techinical difficulties, but this is a sped up version of my reaction to Billy Wagner screwing up. Not sure how this got put on a mega fast forward, but you get the idea.
11:24 p.m. - K-Rod is in, but if he pitches the whole 9th and the A.L. wins in the bottom, Mariano doesn't get in! Drama! Francona will probably put Mo in with two outs or something.
11:26 p.m. - Yeah, yeah, yeah. Here comes Mo with one out and Ludwick coming to bat. If Rivera gives up the game-winning hit, Rodriguez will get the loss since he left a runner on base. This is crap.
11:32 p.m. - New conspiracy theory. This whole game is staged so Mariano would come in and get a huge strike 'em out, throw 'em out double-play. He's obviously gonna get the win in the bottom of the ninth. I hate the Yankees.
11:37 p.m. - Stop showing Derek Jeter. He's not in the game, he has no bearing on the outcome.
11:42 p.m. - Nobody wants extra innings. Blah.
11:48 p.m. - They really want to get Mo the win. Sending him out again? I hope he loses.
11:51 p.m. - Mariano can blow this! You gotta believe!!!!
11:53 p.m. - WHY WHY WHY MUST YOU GROUND INTO A DOUBLE PLAY, DAN UGGLA?!!!
12:01 a.m. - We all know what's gonna happen. I'm done blogging.
12:04 a.m. - WOW! I can't believe Cook got out of that! This is a great game. Too long though. Way too long.
12:12 a.m. - There has got to be some crisis management plan after what happened in Milwaukee a few years back. I can't see this game going much longer if the A.L. doesn't win here in the bottom of the 11th. Advertisers are getting a steal by the game going this late while their commercials get such a huge audience.
12:19 a.m. - This is great baseball now. They're actually using strategy. Navarro thought about a sac bunt, there was a pitch out, a blown call, a walk, and now a base hit. AND NOW...Michael Young is up. This is excellent.
12:22 a.m. - It's moments like these that make you think this whole thing is staged, like the games are scripted. These guys are all proving why they're All-Stars and this is an epic ending. Everyone expected Young to get a hit and win the game, but then Navarro gets thrown out at home. The twists won't stop coming!
12:29 a.m. - This is a great strategy for McLouth. The All-Stars don't have time to go over late inning strategy with each other since the break is so short and there is so much other stuff for the players to do leading up to the game. The miscommunication on playing his bunt may turn out to be crucial if Uggla can come through here, making up for his two errors that nearly cost them the game earlier. You can't write a better story. That's why he'll probably get out! It's not what we expect...but McLouth has proven he's an All-Star since he got in the game. I'd vote for him for MVP is nothing dramatic happens to win the game and the NL prevails.
12:33 a.m. - You have to appreciate how seriously this game is being taken now. Going to Sherrill, the lefty, to face a lefty, Adrian Gonzalez. It only takes 11 innings for the All-Star game to start to be taken seriously. It should start in the 11th inning every year!
QUICK ADDITION BY MICHAEL J:
Here's why I love Grady Sizemore. He's got Grady's Ladies, he's not that hard on the eyes, he rakes for my fantasy team, and most importantly, if he ever married Tom Brady, they would become either a) Grady Brady or b) Tom Sizemore. I think I prefer Tom Sizemore.
12:44 a.m.- Still Clark. Kinsler will win this game right here, following on Hank Blalock and Michael Young's footsteps
12:46 a.m.-Please disregard previous prediction. That is why I'm a hack, ladies and gents. (Who am I kidding? Gents.) A few quick questions. Do you think Elvis deserves "Viva Viagra"? How rough of a game is Dan Uggla having? Poor guy. When will Ernie send Russell Martin his promise ring? When did Christian Guzman stop sucking? How crazy would it have been if George Sherrill threw the bat shard at David Wright on his way to first?
12:51 a.m. [Travis] - I have no idea how this game is going to end. But I imagine it will be exactly what we don't want to happen and we'll be really upset with the ending, forgetting about the glamour of this game.
12:53 a.m. - In reference to the Sizemore/Brady affair, I prefer Grady Brady. That would be a good looking love child, no? Guzman didn't stop sucking: Zimmerman, Dmitri Young, Nick Johnson, Lastings Milledge, and Elijah Dukes all got snubbed for the team! Imagine an all Nationals All-Star team! That would be like...the Nationals...eew, nevermind. But if Sherrill threw the shard at Wright, the Yankees would acquire him by the deadline.
12:51 a.m. [Travis] - I have no idea how this game is going to end. But I imagine it will be exactly what we don't want to happen and we'll be really upset with the ending, forgetting about the glamour of this game.
12:53 a.m. - In reference to the Sizemore/Brady affair, I prefer Grady Brady. That would be a good looking love child, no? Guzman didn't stop sucking: Zimmerman, Dmitri Young, Nick Johnson, Lastings Milledge, and Elijah Dukes all got snubbed for the team! Imagine an all Nationals All-Star team! That would be like...the Nationals...eew, nevermind. But if Sherrill threw the shard at Wright, the Yankees would acquire him by the deadline.
12:58 a.m.- [Clark] How much does Rich Harden hate Carlos Marmol after what he did against the Giants? Probably as much as Roy Halladay hates his offense. If I were Halladay, I would never speak to Adam Lind.
1:00 am- [Clark] This isn't fun anymore. This is really Dan Uggla's worst nightmare. He's so much better than what he's doing tonight. I really feel for the guy. I hope he has a huge second half.
1:02 A.M. (Barrows) Dan Uggla's worst nightmare alright. It certainly isn't Josh Hamilton's dream.
1:02 A.M. (Barrows) Dan Uggla's worst nightmare alright. It certainly isn't Josh Hamilton's dream.
1:05 AM (Clark) Hey, Carlos Quentin. You kiss your mother with that mouth?
1:07 a.m. [Travis] - Wow...all those thoughts I had about McLouth having an amazing game wasn't enough to will that ball to 315 feet...only 312. I still have my conspiracy theory that this is scripted to make the legendary Yankee Stadium highlight reel, but I'm truly enjoying this game...don't tell anyone I said that.
1:09 AM (Clark) I've seen a lot of games at Yankee Stadium. I thought Nate McClouth was going upper deck with that shot. He'll be a Yankee in three years. I can see why Travis hates us.
1:10 a.m. [Travis] - I have to give credit to Buck and McCarver now, too. They're really rising to the occasion and getting into the game.
1:09 AM (Clark) I've seen a lot of games at Yankee Stadium. I thought Nate McClouth was going upper deck with that shot. He'll be a Yankee in three years. I can see why Travis hates us.
1:10 a.m. [Travis] - I have to give credit to Buck and McCarver now, too. They're really rising to the occasion and getting into the game.
1:11 AM (Clark) Joe Buck just asked Tim McCarver if he had Carlton's cell phone number. I know he probably meant Carlton Fisk, but how funny would it be if Tim McCarver had Alfonso Ribiero's phone number?
1:12 AM (Barrows) I still say they can bring in Boggs to pitch if they have to save Kazmir. He threw a scoreless inning once and they say knuckleball pitchers can throw forever...he has one of those.
1:14 a.m. [Travis] -I fully support bringing Boggs in to pitch for the A.L. This game would end QUICK!
1:12 AM (Barrows) I still say they can bring in Boggs to pitch if they have to save Kazmir. He threw a scoreless inning once and they say knuckleball pitchers can throw forever...he has one of those.
1:14 a.m. [Travis] -I fully support bringing Boggs in to pitch for the A.L. This game would end QUICK!
1:16 A.M. (Clark) Very upset about Jake Taylor striking out like that.
1:17 a.m. [Travis] - I finally figured out how this game is going to end. Jeter will be let back in the game because he's the captain and he'll hit a walk off home run.
1:18 a.m. [Travis] - OH! OR WILL JOE GIRARDI BE ALLOWED TO PINCH HIT AND HIT A HOME RUN?! HE'LL FINALLY BE A TRUE YANKEE!
1:17 a.m. [Travis] - I finally figured out how this game is going to end. Jeter will be let back in the game because he's the captain and he'll hit a walk off home run.
1:18 a.m. [Travis] - OH! OR WILL JOE GIRARDI BE ALLOWED TO PINCH HIT AND HIT A HOME RUN?! HE'LL FINALLY BE A TRUE YANKEE!
1:20 a.m. [Clark] Jimmy Leyritz is sitting at home right now incredulous that he's not at this game. Because the All-Star game should be Jimmy Leyritz's greatest concern right now.
1:22 a.m. (Barrows) Don Zimmer is going to storm the AL dugout, and take out Francona for using Kazmir. The Yankee Stadium crowd will go crazy.
1:22 a.m. (Barrows) Don Zimmer is going to storm the AL dugout, and take out Francona for using Kazmir. The Yankee Stadium crowd will go crazy.
1:23 a.m. [Joe Morgan] So I was talking to my good friend Pete Rose who I was on the Big Red Machine with and we think there should be instant replay. Jaret Wright having a great at bat.
1:28 a.m. [Travis] - Is it just me or does Scott Kazmir have more acne than the front row at Backstreet Boys concert?
1:28 a.m. [Clark] I know the State Farm commercial where the guy gives up the ball to young kid is supposed to show selflessness and being a good neighbor, but every time I see it, I totally keep thinking that that selfish little kid has his whole life to catch a home run ball. Freeloading son of a bitch.
1:31 a.m. [Travis] -After that Ludwick catch, that reminded me...is Jeffrey Maier at this game?
1:31 a.m. [Travis] -After that Ludwick catch, that reminded me...is Jeffrey Maier at this game?
1.33 AM [Clark] That was Dioneer Navarro's biggest hit since he left Jane's Addiction.
1:35 a.m. [Travis] - I no longer want nor expect this game to end.
1:36 a.m. [Travis] - Until I found out Michael Young was up. Everything has come full circle. I understand the meaning of life now.
1:38 a.m. [Travis] - Speaking of full circle, I hate my life again because Derek Jeter found his way into the replay. I thought we were over him. HIS REPLACEMENT WON THE GAME! So I should be saying "I'm glad Jeter got voted in so Young could replace him!"
NO! I'm saying Jeter shouldn't even be in the game at all!! Young should have started and played the whole thing! He's earned it!
1:40 am [Barrows] - What a game. There's so many things to say, but nothing that hasn't been said. Amazing.
1:42 a.m. [Travis] - Agreed.
1:45 a.m. [Clark] My theory is that if only Corey Hart embraced his name and wore his sunglasses at night, he would have thrown out Justin Morneau. God damn you, Corey Hart the baseball player! You need to hang out with Adam Jones, the Oriole. Just go by Pacman already.
1:49 a.m. [Travis] - My final thoughts. Jeanie Zelasco would look much better if she were Erin Andrews, and pardon J.D. Drew for not being excited about winning a Hybrid SUV. He has three Hummers sitting in the driveway at home.
1:51 a.m. [Barrows] - I'm going to end on this note. Since JD Drew has a car he has no use for, he should donate it to the Make A Wish Foundation. I'm sure there's a 16 year old who wished he could receive a car from the MVP of the All-Star game.
1:49 a.m. [Travis] - My final thoughts. Jeanie Zelasco would look much better if she were Erin Andrews, and pardon J.D. Drew for not being excited about winning a Hybrid SUV. He has three Hummers sitting in the driveway at home.
1:51 a.m. [Barrows] - I'm going to end on this note. Since JD Drew has a car he has no use for, he should donate it to the Make A Wish Foundation. I'm sure there's a 16 year old who wished he could receive a car from the MVP of the All-Star game.
NFC North power shift
Daaaaaa Bears signed Kevin Jones---that's right, my boy KJ, to a deal today to bring him to Chi Town.
Considering the Brett Favre drama, the inept offensive play calling in Detroit, and the distracting sexy parties in Minnesota, this move gives Chicago a good enough running game to open up WR routes. Chicago's defense is already among the best in the league, so I'm looking for them to take the NFC North this season. Minnesota will finish second, Green Bay third, and Detroit will be in the basement. They deserve it for letting him go and not giving him the ball last season.
I'm not starting on my NFL previews yet, but I gotta give KJ some love. His career has been ridden with injury, so he hasn't had a legitimate chance to show off how good he can be.
Considering the Brett Favre drama, the inept offensive play calling in Detroit, and the distracting sexy parties in Minnesota, this move gives Chicago a good enough running game to open up WR routes. Chicago's defense is already among the best in the league, so I'm looking for them to take the NFC North this season. Minnesota will finish second, Green Bay third, and Detroit will be in the basement. They deserve it for letting him go and not giving him the ball last season.
I'm not starting on my NFL previews yet, but I gotta give KJ some love. His career has been ridden with injury, so he hasn't had a legitimate chance to show off how good he can be.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Home Run Hamilton
Josh Hamilton-28 homeruns, 2nd most in Home Run Derby history.
One problem history books, that was only the first round.
If you aren't watching the Home Run Derby, what's wrong with you?
One problem history books, that was only the first round.
If you aren't watching the Home Run Derby, what's wrong with you?
Great A-Rod article
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/allstar08/news/story?id=3487298
He's not such a bad guy!
He's not such a bad guy!
Prediction turns guarantee
I am so confident that the NL is better than the AL this year that I am not just predicting the NL to win the All-Star Game...I'm GUARANTEEING it.
Pitching is better, offense is better, and our manager is...ok well our pitching and offense are superior to that of the American League. The AL doesn't have the Giambi-stache to save it, doesn't have Vladdy, and Michael Young is probably going to ride the bench so Jeter can play the whole game for the fans at Yankee Stadium. The AL has no chance.
Pitching is better, offense is better, and our manager is...ok well our pitching and offense are superior to that of the American League. The AL doesn't have the Giambi-stache to save it, doesn't have Vladdy, and Michael Young is probably going to ride the bench so Jeter can play the whole game for the fans at Yankee Stadium. The AL has no chance.
HR Derby
In my younger, more innocent days, I loved the derby. I looked forward to the HR Derby more than the actual main event, the All-Star Game. Once I found out what the field would look like, I would try to prognosticate who would hit how many dongs. I even loved Chris Berman chanting "BACK, BACK, BACK, BACK, GONE". I think I'm most embarrassed about the Chris Berman thing, considering I see him as the biggest hack on the Worldwide Leader today. Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux were only half right when they famously figured out that chicks dig the long ball. I can't think of anyone who doesn't dig the long ball.
Over the years, the Derby has lost a little bit of spectacle for me. I don't see the joy that I saw on the faces of the participants years ago, with sluggers like Vlad and Albert Pujols treating the event as just another day in the office. I learned that Chris Berman is, essentially, a buffoon. (BTW, who wants to take bets on the following jokes from Boomer: a Evan Longoria/Eva Longoria joke, a Brawny paper towel man reference, and "there sure wasn't anything Uggla with that swing!") I learned that Joe Morgan basically reads from a script. Step one: mention that I was on the Big Red Machine. Step two: suggest that a player who has already locked a spot in the semis or finals to just quit. It's a goddamn exhibition, you pompous ass. If Justin Morneau quits just because he's guaranteed a spot in the finals, he deserves to be booed mercilessly.
Don't ask me why, but I'm amped for this Derby though, probably for the same reasons why T and others are so down on it. These eight guys represent what's good in this league (yes, even the former junkie, Josh Hamilton). There are no superegos here, just the two best second basemen in baseball (apologies to Ian Kinsler) and two of the most underrated stars of the past five years (that is, if an MVP can be underrated. I think he can. I got your back, Justin). Three future studs that, at this rate, will do the unthinkable and make Tampa, Texas, and Milwaukee exciting again, and the dreamy Grady Sizemore. This isn't your father's home run derby. And this guy couldn't be happier. Chicks may dig the long ball, but I dig the studs of tomorrow aiming for the black in centerfield. I was on the Big Red Machine.
Over the years, the Derby has lost a little bit of spectacle for me. I don't see the joy that I saw on the faces of the participants years ago, with sluggers like Vlad and Albert Pujols treating the event as just another day in the office. I learned that Chris Berman is, essentially, a buffoon. (BTW, who wants to take bets on the following jokes from Boomer: a Evan Longoria/Eva Longoria joke, a Brawny paper towel man reference, and "there sure wasn't anything Uggla with that swing!") I learned that Joe Morgan basically reads from a script. Step one: mention that I was on the Big Red Machine. Step two: suggest that a player who has already locked a spot in the semis or finals to just quit. It's a goddamn exhibition, you pompous ass. If Justin Morneau quits just because he's guaranteed a spot in the finals, he deserves to be booed mercilessly.
Don't ask me why, but I'm amped for this Derby though, probably for the same reasons why T and others are so down on it. These eight guys represent what's good in this league (yes, even the former junkie, Josh Hamilton). There are no superegos here, just the two best second basemen in baseball (apologies to Ian Kinsler) and two of the most underrated stars of the past five years (that is, if an MVP can be underrated. I think he can. I got your back, Justin). Three future studs that, at this rate, will do the unthinkable and make Tampa, Texas, and Milwaukee exciting again, and the dreamy Grady Sizemore. This isn't your father's home run derby. And this guy couldn't be happier. Chicks may dig the long ball, but I dig the studs of tomorrow aiming for the black in centerfield. I was on the Big Red Machine.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
All-Star break...finally!
The first half of the season took WAAAY too long this year, and it wasn't just arduous for Mets' fans, but fans of almost every team.
A reminder of my preseason predictions (current standing at break):
AL East: BoSox (half a game up on the Rays)
AL Central: Tigers (7 games behind ChiSox)
AL West: Angels (6 games up on Oakland)
AL Wild Card: Injuns (14 out of Wild Card race, second worst team in AL)--I'll pat myself on the back for that one
NL East: Mets (half a game back of the Phillies)--pardon me for assuming they win tonight. When you're playing the NL West's bottom-feeders, you're allowed to assume the W.
NL Central: Cardinals (4.5 behind the Cubbies)
NL West: D'backs (1 game up on the Dodgers)
NL Wild Card: Hotlanta (7.5 out of Wild Card race)
Though that is how my results will be judged at the end of the season to decide how much money Barrows owes me, here's what I really think will happen now that we're halfway home. Each race is going to be very interesting in its own right except for the AL West:
AL East: Red Sox will maintain first, Yankees will give it a good run and finish second, Rays will fade to third place, finish about 10 games over .500, yet still not get any respect. They'll be laughing last, however, because they'll have three aces at the beginning of next year, and none of their starting pitchers will be over the age of 27. They're going to be really good for a really long time if everyone in St. Pete stays healthy. Side note: Is Dice-K really 10-1 with a 2.65 era?? WOW.
AL Central: None of these teams can get it together. The ChiSox don't seem like they can keep their swagger, the Twins' pitching isn't good enough, and the Tigers can sneak in and win if they keep playing consistently. With all three teams having a legit chance, I'll take the Tigers. Verlander is starting to pitch really well, and good pitching is contagious.
AL West: Angels. Angels. Angels.
NL East: Mark Teixeira is a second half hitter, so he'll vault the Braves into contention. Ryan Howard is heating up at the wrong time, but Rollins and Utley have yet to have their second winds. Of course I'm picking the Mets because everything seems to finally be coming together, but I know they're going to hit another rough patch, so it should be another good race. Hopefully whichever team wins doesn't win by default because the other teams keep losing.
NL Central: The Cubs are up at the break, but they're also like the only team in all of baseball that hasn't suffered serious heartbreak so far this year. Their suffering will come again, as it has for the last 100 years. Milwaukee and Chicago both made huge acquisitions for front-line starters. Who do I think wins? Sticking with my original pick--the team that hasn't made a move yet. The trades for Harden and C.C. will cancel each other out since these teams are only going to be beating up on each other the rest of the way. The Cardinals will be getting their big pitchers back from the DL, they've got great role players in the form of Ludwick and Ankiel, and oh yeah, they have that guy...what's his name? Albert Pujols.
NL West: The Rockies and Padres are the only teams that want to win this division, but they suck. The Giants are just in a world of hell without Barry Bonds. The D'backs and Dodgers will lose their way to the finish line...I don't see Arizona making a big roster move before the deadline, and the Dodgers have been getting great pitching performances lately. Can they keep it up? Their offense can only get better, so I'll take the Dodgers. Plus, I don't want to see Webb and Haren in the postseason...if I'm even in the postseason.
I'm picking the NL to finally win the All-Star game by a score of 6-2, and I'm picking Lance Berkman to take the home run derby in one of the least impressive fields we'll ever see. Josh Hamilton will be in the finals against him, and the three right handers (Uggla, Longoria, Braun) won't see a second round. I hope Mariano Rivera starts the game like everyone wants him to and then gets lit up for a couple runs. Then I hope Derek Jeter makes a couple errors to allow the other runs. %#$&ing Yankees.
A reminder of my preseason predictions (current standing at break):
AL East: BoSox (half a game up on the Rays)
AL Central: Tigers (7 games behind ChiSox)
AL West: Angels (6 games up on Oakland)
AL Wild Card: Injuns (14 out of Wild Card race, second worst team in AL)--I'll pat myself on the back for that one
NL East: Mets (half a game back of the Phillies)--pardon me for assuming they win tonight. When you're playing the NL West's bottom-feeders, you're allowed to assume the W.
NL Central: Cardinals (4.5 behind the Cubbies)
NL West: D'backs (1 game up on the Dodgers)
NL Wild Card: Hotlanta (7.5 out of Wild Card race)
Though that is how my results will be judged at the end of the season to decide how much money Barrows owes me, here's what I really think will happen now that we're halfway home. Each race is going to be very interesting in its own right except for the AL West:
AL East: Red Sox will maintain first, Yankees will give it a good run and finish second, Rays will fade to third place, finish about 10 games over .500, yet still not get any respect. They'll be laughing last, however, because they'll have three aces at the beginning of next year, and none of their starting pitchers will be over the age of 27. They're going to be really good for a really long time if everyone in St. Pete stays healthy. Side note: Is Dice-K really 10-1 with a 2.65 era?? WOW.
AL Central: None of these teams can get it together. The ChiSox don't seem like they can keep their swagger, the Twins' pitching isn't good enough, and the Tigers can sneak in and win if they keep playing consistently. With all three teams having a legit chance, I'll take the Tigers. Verlander is starting to pitch really well, and good pitching is contagious.
AL West: Angels. Angels. Angels.
NL East: Mark Teixeira is a second half hitter, so he'll vault the Braves into contention. Ryan Howard is heating up at the wrong time, but Rollins and Utley have yet to have their second winds. Of course I'm picking the Mets because everything seems to finally be coming together, but I know they're going to hit another rough patch, so it should be another good race. Hopefully whichever team wins doesn't win by default because the other teams keep losing.
NL Central: The Cubs are up at the break, but they're also like the only team in all of baseball that hasn't suffered serious heartbreak so far this year. Their suffering will come again, as it has for the last 100 years. Milwaukee and Chicago both made huge acquisitions for front-line starters. Who do I think wins? Sticking with my original pick--the team that hasn't made a move yet. The trades for Harden and C.C. will cancel each other out since these teams are only going to be beating up on each other the rest of the way. The Cardinals will be getting their big pitchers back from the DL, they've got great role players in the form of Ludwick and Ankiel, and oh yeah, they have that guy...what's his name? Albert Pujols.
NL West: The Rockies and Padres are the only teams that want to win this division, but they suck. The Giants are just in a world of hell without Barry Bonds. The D'backs and Dodgers will lose their way to the finish line...I don't see Arizona making a big roster move before the deadline, and the Dodgers have been getting great pitching performances lately. Can they keep it up? Their offense can only get better, so I'll take the Dodgers. Plus, I don't want to see Webb and Haren in the postseason...if I'm even in the postseason.
I'm picking the NL to finally win the All-Star game by a score of 6-2, and I'm picking Lance Berkman to take the home run derby in one of the least impressive fields we'll ever see. Josh Hamilton will be in the finals against him, and the three right handers (Uggla, Longoria, Braun) won't see a second round. I hope Mariano Rivera starts the game like everyone wants him to and then gets lit up for a couple runs. Then I hope Derek Jeter makes a couple errors to allow the other runs. %#$&ing Yankees.
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