The Obsession Continues

Like/Dislike

2005-06-02T00:59:00.000-07:00

In an effort to get back into the swing of things with this online source of opinionated journalistic magic, I am going to go over my current likes and dislikes in the sports world. Some with explanation some without.

I like the SportsCentury series on ESPN Classic. They could do a story on your company's softball team equipment manager and it would be worth watching.

I don't like Malcolm Glazer taking over at Manchester United, he more than likely will put his debt on the United books, and turn a profitable, public and succesful club, into a poor performing, high charging franchise.

I like the Suns, a lot.

I don't like the idea of a Detroit v. San Antonio final. ZZZ. 3 hours of Manu Ginobili flopping like his fellow Argentinians do on the pitch, and Rip Hamilton running around like a mini Reggie Miller, with 3 or four screaming blocks by one of the Wallaces and a monotone double double from Tim Duncan.

Every "analyst" in the world say these teams "play the right way". Since when was boring defensive strangleholds the "right way"? Did the Showtime Lakers somehow play the wrong way by being flashy and fun? Were Bird and D.J. doing the balling Gods an injustice by scoring 2 seconds after a rebound? No. If a team wins the championship, that is simply one of the right ways to play. If we tell every little kid on the playground to set up Isos and stand around setting picks for the little one with the mask we will lose any entertainment left in the game.

I don't like Sportscenter hiring women anchors. Not one sounds like they could talk about sports without a teleprompter, and none add any humor to the show, they only read the stats that are running at the bottom of the screen. Hiring someone with less talent just because they are a woman is far more discriminating than not hiring any at all.

I like the ressurgence of small ball in the MLB. I love to see teams stealing bases, going from first to third on a single, and hit and runs. Speed kills, plain and simple.

I don't like how the Sox refuse to play this "small ball" and how I can't name the best bunter on the squad, or the last time a runner was moved over on purpose and not just by fielder's choices.

I like Maria Sharapova, and I like a 15 year old beating the bad Williams sister.

I like the Yankees being questioned.

I don't like how ANY play Jeter makes is amazing.

I like the San Diego Padres to win the NL West, and the undefeated New England Revolution to win the MLS Championship.

I don't like Joe Buck.

I abhor Tim McCarver.

I like laughing at AHL games.

I don't like the fact that I have to go to AHL games to see hockey.

I like the fact that Darko has more rings than Patrick Ewing.

Sports, as my buddy Dom's T-Shirt says WHAT'S NOT TO LIKE?

Uh Oh.

2005-04-22T23:33:00.000-07:00

Hey All.

Due to a backloaded workload this semester, and finals coming up, I am going to have go on hiatus until the summer. But this summer you can expect : Normal columns, Good Things of The Week, Cotuit Kettleer Reports, and Anything else I can think of.

Maybe a treat with a semi updated running diary of the crazy sports day tomorrow.

NFL Draft. Sox At 5. Celts Game 1 at 8.

MAYBE.

Bye All.

Good Stuff of the Week

2005-04-15T15:30:00.000-07:00

And we're back, could only find one column that stood out to me, but there were some quality stat lines out there, one from a familiar source. Quotes are classic. Have Fun.

Good Columns.

Scoop Jackson of ESPN.com on Jermaine O'neal's honest stance on the proposed NBA age limit.

The fact is that while 76 percent of the players in the NBA are black, almost 100 percent of the players who will be affected by the "delayed entry program" will be black. And more than color or race, economics is at the core of this. Nearly all of the players who make themselves eligible for the NBA draft directly out of high school do so to immediately better their family's financial situation. And now, all of a sudden, with nothing concrete at which to point that says "players under the age of 20 have been bad for professional basketball," a decision is going to be made on their behalf that will directly change the course of their lives?

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=jackson/050414&num=2

Good Stat Lines:

Vinny Castilla 3B- Washington Nationals 5/14 v. The D’Backs. It seems like the Expos de
Washington are attempting to lockdown the offensive baseball spot of the good stat lines. New team next week, guranteed.
3 AB 3 H (Triple, Double, HR) 1 HBP 4 RBIs

Josh Beckett SP- Florida Marlins 5/10 vs. Washington
9 IP 5 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 11 K

Paul Pierce SF- Boston Celtics 5/12 v. Philly
27 Points 13 Rebounds 4 Assists 2 Steals 1 Block in a big win over the Atlantic division rivals.

Good Quotes:

This week’s good quotes all come from members at the Sons of Sam Horn message board regarding the extremely suspicious story of A-rod saving a young boy’s life in Boston.

-I think A-Rod is a hero, Dale Sveum would have waved the kid across the street.

-I also liked A-Rod's quote: "I guess I'm just thankful that the little boy is still around, I guess."
He guesses. :)

-I heard that -- in the Ruthian tradition -- ARod promised the boy he would hit a weak ground out in for him.

-The thing is Jeter would have anticipated the situation and kindly warned him to be careful and watch for cars. Jetes would have been a leader and made the kid a better pedestrian. That's what he does.

-Well, even after flying to the warning track in a critical situation tonight, Alex knows Alex is a hero. And that's all that really matters.To Alex.

-Did he yell at the kid to get a secondary lead?

-So I'm not following this, why was A-Rod out of Limo in Boston? Is he ever out of his Limo?

-Why wasn't little Patrick McCarthy in school?Let's review:The 8-YO son of a Yankee season-ticket holder who works in PR with ballplayers misses school, is walking through downtown Boston, and is coincidentally saved from certain death by the Yankee with the biggest PR problem short of the BALCO Brothers. The only witnesses are Yankee players, the kid, and his dad.Yeah, I buy that.

-The only reason the kid ran into the street in the first place was to chase the ball that A-Rod slapped out of his hands.

-From the SI story.First the author says ARod reached out, grabbed the kid, and pulled him back. Then we have two quotes in quick succession, one each from ARod and the kid, both saying that he just stuck his arm out.

I can’t make this stuff up.

http://p086.ezboard.com/fsonsofsamhornbostonredsox.showMessageRange?topicID=15259.topic&start=1&stop=20

I Feel Obliged

2005-04-15T15:29:00.000-07:00

I am going to use Tito's words to explain how I feel.

I am glad they (the yankees) are leaving town tomorrow.

As much as this rivalry excites me, and as much as I enjoy watching the baseball being played, I am glad to see it take a step back and wait six weeks until it rears its ugly head. Because I have already seen the Yankees six times this year, Here are 10 random thoughts about the series since an organized post would be ludicrous at this point.

1. The ring ceremony was great, I loved seeing Dave "Free Dinner For Life" Roberts again. He is the reason I am rooting for San Diego in th NL West (to be fair, him and the puke colored alternate jerseys).

2. Finally. Before every Sox/Yanks game so far this year, hype/side story driven ESPN didn't remind us of all the flops and collapses of the Red Sox over the years. Its nice to watch a baseball game without having to worry about dying a little bit inside while you watch it.

3. Curt will be ok.

4. Tim Wakefield had it dancin' at the home opener. He deserved the start as well, he was the unsung hero of last year's run to the title, eating up innings whenever he could.

5. Maybe after last night's performance the Boston media/impatient fans will get off of ER's back. He was huge last night with a 2 run shot off The Big Unit and an RBI double. I was most annoyed by the impatience with Edgah (ya i did it.) because he came into the game with an RBI more than darling Manny Ramirez, now he has four more RBIs and a homre run more than the man we EXPECT to be dirving in runs and hitting them out of the park.

6. "The Sheffield Incident". I know it won't happen, but I hope I watched the highlight for the last time last night. All the columnists and analysts in the world are going to talk about this for about two weeks, then complain about having to talk about it all the time, somehow shifting the blame onto RSN or the Empire.

After watching it a million bajillion times, I have come to these conclusions.

The Fan was Wrong (not to mention drunk),
Sheffield was Wrong (not to mention having a roid rage).
The Security was impeccable.

The fan was a comlete doofus, he didn't know what he was doing, but thats no excuse for what he did, he interfered with a fair ball/player, be gone.

Sheffield, however wrong he may be, did exaclty what I would have done in that situation. If I was dribbling down the line in soccer, and some fan, drunk or not, stuck their foot out and tripped me, my firts reaction would be to put my cleats into their shin. Wrong? Yes. Natural? Yes.

In the end the playing field belongs to the players. Even if they are playing a game, its still their job, and no one wants to be hit on their job.

That security guard couldnt be past 20. I am assuming he came from the Yankees bullpen, which isn't terribly close to the incident, and put an end to what could have been a disaterous situation for baseball. Sheffield was half taunting a drunk fan, and this kid jumped in between the two, shoved the fan away, and waited for the reinforcements. Great Job.

7. The fact that David Ortiz scoring from 1st on this play got lost in the ruckus is beyond me. Watching on ESPN, I was waiting for the replay with Boomer going on about "Ortiz rounds third, rumbling tumbling stumbling!". I mean we already got a "WOOOP" out of him when Millar fell at first, why couldn't we fit in some more sweet catch phrases out of the big guy?

8. Jonny Damon also went from first to home on ER's double, but that doesn't make me feel all fuzzy inside like Papi running 270 feet nonstop does.

9. A-Rod. No walks in a whole series? Trying to do too much? Biting off more than you can chew? Choking a bit? I loathe him, although he constantly scares me when he represents the tying run.

10. We don't see the Yankees for another 38 games. Thank Goodness. If we go 24-14 in this span I will be extremely satisfied.

Good Things of the Week.

2005-04-09T12:28:00.000-07:00

This is a new weekly installment. Every weekend I will compile group of my favorite quotes, columns and statlines of the week and put them in a concise area for all of you to see.

Good Stat Lines:

Brad Wilkerson-1B-Washington Nationals

April 6th v. Philladelphia At Bats-4 Runs-1 Hits-4 Singles-1 Doubles-1 Triples-1 HomeRuns-1

Allen Iverson-PG-Philladelphia Sixers

April 3rd v. Toronto 42 points 5 assists, 4 rebounds 5 steals in a 96-84 win at Toronto.

Mariano Rivera-RP-New York Yankees (good for me :) )

April 6th v. Boston- IP-0.2 Hits-5 Runs-6 ER-2 Walks-3 K's-1 Pitches-38 ERA 10.80

Good Quotes:

Brad Mills-Red Sox Interim Manager after Red Sox comeback win.

"I almost needed a bed next to Tito."

Paul Pierce-Celtics Guard on the notes Doc Rivers hands out before games.

"They're kind of collegey," said Pierce.

Jalen Rose-Raptors Guard on LeBron James' 56 points against Toronto.

"Like I told the guys earlier, once he turns 21 and is able to drink, it's over."

Good Columns:

Jackie McCullan wrote a great piece on Doc Rivers and his effect on the Celtics so far this season.

Here's a taste:

What's a coach to do? Rivers isn't sure. He knows this much: If guys don't run the floor, he'll find someone who does. If guys don't get after it defensively, he'll find someone who does. And if the guys don't rebound, he'll . . .

He'll hope Antoine Walker and his bruised knee gets better really, really soon.

http://www.boston.com/sports/articles/2005/04/07/riverss_message_still_being_sent/

Bill Simmons, ESPN's "Sports Guy" wrote an extremely long and entertaining column about the MVP race in the NBA, its filled with jokes and great points.

Here's a taste:

35. Ricky Davis In three months, I went from thinking, "That guy will never, EVER get it" to "That guy is the most important player on a potential No. 3 seed." He's been an absolute revelation, especially since the Antoine trade – a throwback scorer who gets better when it matters. And he's only 25. Seriously, look it up. He's two years older than Tony Allen. Of course, that didn't stop ABC's announcers from taking shots at him for the entire Philly game on Sunday. Some guys just can't win.

25. Manu GinobiliIf I could be any NBA player, I would probably choose Manu if it wasn't for the whole "There's a 90 percent chance my parents would get kidnapped" thing. Instead, I'll choose Mike Miller for the fifth straight year. I just want his jump shot for a week.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/050408

On that note, seeya monday with a post ring ceremony post.

In Need of Some Serious Organ-Eye-Zation

2005-04-08T15:19:00.000-07:00

The Red Sox get their World Series rings on Monday, the Celtics are making a run at Green 17, and the NFL draft is just around the corner. Spring is here, yet all I can think of is why a tiny school like North Dakota can topple the best of Hockey East in Worcerster, and why Joe Thornton is the leading scorer for HC Davos in the Swiss League and not for the B’s, and why
Bob Goodenow and Gary Bettman can’t argue with their wives and not with each other.

Though I have been holding daily moments of silence for the death of the 2005 NHL season, hockey has recently found its way back onto ESPN, for all the wrong reasons, and some of the right reasons as well.

CBA

I sat through the bile that is Jim Rome is Burning because he had the mouth of the NHL, Jeremy Roenick on as a guest. I was expecting J.R. to give me a shred of hope for the upcoming season, I mean why else would Rome have him on, right? Wrong. Todd Bertuzzi wrong. Roenick was as pessimistic about the next season as a happy go lucky guy like himself could be. He told Rome that there was so much distrust between the owners and the players that they were as far away from the deal as they have ever been, and there was less than a 50 percent chance of starting the season on time.

Roenick made a good point. The players offered to rollback 24% of their salaries and despite being annoyingly stubborn, finally accepted a salary cap, that’s a lot of money they conceded, and the owners only concession really was to negotiate a higher cap. I am with J.R. on this one, the compromise has to go both ways for this to work, not just the owners punishing the players for managements ludicrous spending in the last couple of years.

That being said, Goodenow and Bettman have done their best to alienate a passionate fan base. Not only have the fans been alienated, but the players as well, he has to be the least popular union head in sports history. All the hope fans held onto for a 28 game season was worthless because the powers that be have decided to rip up everything that happened the past six months and start over, this time their race is uphill in two feet of wet concrete.

Rule Changes

General Managers from all 30 NHL clubs, along with players that included, Rob Blake of the Colorado Avalanche, Trevor Linden of the Vancouver Canucks and Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils, attended a meeting intended to address the defensive nature that has taken over the league. They were in Detroit to discuss rule changes that could open the game up offensively and bring back the style of play that produced five 400 goal seasons from the Edmonton Oilers in the 80’s. Eleven teams didn’t score 200 last season and the leading team was the Ottawa Senators with a whopping 262 goals.

Changes could include cutting down the size of goaltending equipment, limiting the goalie's ability to play the puck behind the net, widening the blue lines and instituting shootouts to eliminate tie games. As a last ditch effort, the teams would discuss an increase in goal size (Which is absolutely ludicrous, would the NBA ever adopt a man-hole sized basket? No. Idiots.).

The decrease in goaltending equipment is probably the most logical rule change being discussed. The pads goalies use now are massive, and they are lighter than the pads used in the past. You used to standup during a breakaway in anticipation of cheering for a great goal, now with the size of the pads, goalies can just lie down and will likely come up with a save.

After the meeting, Red Wings GM, Ken Holland told ESPN that the idea of decreasing the size of goalie equipment was close to a consensus. NHL consultant Kris King also spoke to the worldwide leader and said the proposed equipment would mean 12- to 14-percent less blocking area. This sounds like a good number, it allows forwards and defenders alike more room to operate and still protects the net minders from the even increasing velocity of the frozen cylinder of rubber.

It is, however, in the NHL’s best interest to simply adopt the NCAA’s rule set. I watched two games tonight from the Frozen Four that had decisions of 6-2 and 4-2. If you want offense, do like the kids and make the red line a for-show-only ice decoration, introduce the touch up rule to avoid immediate off-sides calls and put to an end the New Jersey Devil trap and grab defense and anything that emulates that style in any way.

This change would also allow good college players that don’t adapt well to the pro game to make it to the big stage. That means there would be more young Americans, that would otherwise be out of the game, coming into the league for the management to promote and end all of the talk about only Canadians caring about hockey.

Frozen Four

Speaking of the college game. Those aforementioned games were both dominating efforts, but the difference between the Final and Frozen Four is even though North Dakota and Denver were the teams constantly controlling the game, it was still more watchable than a North Carolina blowout. Both of the losing teams, Colorado College and Minnesota never gave up, they played hard, quality hockey until the end of the game. And so did the teams doing the trouncing, they knew they were on national T.V. for the first time all year, and they knew they had a respect they owed their coaches and fans to play as hard as hard as they could to represent their school and their support. I cannot say the same for most of the winners and losers of blowouts in March Madness. Good kids, I just wish there was a North American pro league for them to look forward to.

Euro Hockey

As for pro leagues across the globe, Big Joe Thornton and Rick Nash helped HC Davos of the Swiss Super League win its 26th league title, but only their second in the past 20 years. Thornton who was the league leader in points in the regular season for the regular season runner-up Davos was also the playoff league leader in points with 24. He had 4 goals to go with 20 assists. As point leader in the Swiss League, Thornton wore a different colored helmet than the rest of his team, signifying his scoring prowess. Thornton has yet to lift the Stanley Cup, but hopefully the experience of winning for a team with such rich tradition like Davos will help him win trophies with a team with rich tradition like the Boston Bruins. Congrats to Joe and his silly gold helmet.

If only it were gold and black...

Let Rocco Play. An AL East Preview

2005-04-03T04:18:00.000-07:00

With opening night tonight, I thought it was about time I gave all of you my take on the AL East and how I saw each of the teams playing out their season. All depth charts are from espn.com, all thoughts are from my head.

Baltimore Orioles

Depth Chart
Catcher Javy Lopez (R) Geronimo Gil (R)

1st Jay Gibbons Rafael Palmeiro Javy Lopez David Newhan

2nd Brian Roberts David Newhan Chris Gomez

3rd Melvin Mora Chris Gomez David Newhan

Short Miguel Tejada Chris Gomez Melvin Mora

LF Larry Bigbie B.J. Surhoff David Newhan

CF Luis Matos Larry Bigbie

RF Sammy Sosa Jay Gibbons B.J. Surhoff David Newhan

DH Rafael Palmeiro B.J. Surhoff Javy Lopez David Newhan

SP Rodrigo Lopez Daniel Cabrera Erik Bedard Sidney Ponson Rick Bauer

Closer B.J. Ryan

Record Last Year: 78-84

Alphabetically, the O’s are on top of the A.L. East. At least they’ve got that going for them, which is nice. I see the Orioles hanging around for the first month based on their hitting alone, that starting pitching cannot withstand the power teams in the American League, never mind their division mates, the Sox and the Yankees.

Sammy Sosa is a hopeful addition, at most. In ‘03 he had one more hit than he had strikeouts. Last year he had 12 fewer hits than strikeouts, and was less liked in Chicago than a man who urinates on himself. You can expect upwards of 300 RBIs from the trio of Miguel Tejada, Javy Lopez, and Melvin Mora, so everything else you get from the declining Sosa is just gravy, and with the extra tickets Baltimore sells for having Sammy in the lineup the owners will be happy.

Pitching will be the Baltimore’s demise. Only two of the starting pitchers, Sidney Ponson, and Rick Bauer have more than four years experience in the Majors. Ponson has a winning percentage under .500 and Bauer has been in the bullpen until this year. None of the starting five have ERAs under four. In addition B.J. Ryan is in his first year as a closer.
The Orioles wont finish anyway near the top, but could be a spoiler for the top teams of the division at the end of the season with their hitting and a rare quality start.

The Orioles made a move to get Sammy Sosa and compete with the new franchise in the capital for fans, but sacrificed their needs of quality starting pitching and will pay dearly for that.

Boston Red Sox

Depth Chart
Catcher Jason Varitek Doug Mirabelli

First Kevin Millar David Ortiz Kevin Youkilis Dave McCarty

Second Mark Bellhorn Ramon Vazquez

Third Bill Mueller Kevin Youkilis Mark Bellhorn

Shortstop Edgar Renteria Ramon Vazquez

LF Manny Ramirez Jay Payton Kevin Millar Dave McCarty

CF Johnny Damon Jay Payton

RF Trot Nixon Jay Payton Kevin Millar Dave McCarty

DH David Ortiz Manny Ramirez Kevin Millar Trot Nixon

SP David Wells Matt Clement Bronson Arroyo Tim Wakefield Curt Schilling

Closer Keith Foulke

Record Last Year: 98-64

We all know the Sox have the best chemistry in baseball, and have the comfort of winning the World Series last year, but chemistry doesn’t win you another 98 games, and that World Series trophy and those rings aren’t used in any aspect of the game, I think the ‘Idiots’ know this and will get to business tonight and defend their title.

Losing Pedro hurts when you first think about it, but bringing in Boomer, Matt Clement, and Wade Miller (to further our pronounciation problems) for the same money will prove to be great move by The Boy Wonder GM. That is of course, if Miller comes back from the DL ready to throw the stuff he had in Houston. Boomer’s hatred for Fenway is well documented, and his reason for hatred is what scares me a bit. He has famously struggled in Boston, and now has to pitch in the friendly confines more than any other stadium. Hopefully his ability overcomes his psyche, and maybe the Fenway Franks will help win over the hefty lefty.

Overall, the starting picthing, with Schilling and Miller back from injury, is still short of the Yankees rotation. However the bullpen is the superior relieving staff in the division. No longer is “Enter Sandman” the most ominous entrance music for opponents in the east, instead its another metal favorite “Mother” by Danzig, Keith Foulke’s closing anthem. Set up men like Alan Embree and Mike Timlin will continue their solid work and Mike Myers will keep KILLING lefties.

At the plate, the Sox are second to none. Ramirez and Ortiz combined for 84 home runs and 269 RBIs last season, becoming the first American League teammates since Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth to each hit .300 with 40 HRs and 100 RBIs. Johnny Damon led all leadoff hitters with 123 runs, which was only 10 behind American League leader Vladamir Guerrero.

Plus you have newly acquired Edgar Renteria, Bill Mueller, Trot Nixon, and all the others picking up where they left off. Of course, by nature of being the Red Sox, Boston will avoid any semblance of small ball, especially with Dave Roberts and Pokey Poke Poke leaving the Bean. What can you say, chicks love the long ball.

It’ll be a dogfight at the top of the division, the Sox should win around their total from last year and contend heavily for the allusive division crown. If they can’t reach that goal, the Wild Card should be well in hand for Terry Francona’s squad.

New York Yankees

Depth Chart
Catcher Jorge Posada John Flaherty

1st Tino Martinez Jason Giambi Andy Phillips

2nd Tony Womack Rey Sanchez Andy Phillips

3rd Alex Rodriguez Rey Sanchez Andy Phillips

Short Derek Jeter Rey Sanchez Alex Rodriguez Andy Phillips

LF Hideki Matsui Ruben Sierra Bubba Crosby

CF Bernie Williams Bubba Crosby Hideki Matsui

RF Gary Sheffield Ruben Sierra Bubba Crosby

DH Jason Giambi Ruben Sierra Jorge DePaula

SP Randy Johnson Mike Mussina Carl Pavano Kevin Brown Jaret Wright

Closer Mariano Rivera

Record Last Year: 101-61

A-Rod has a spine of rigatoni, Mo’ Rivera has revealed his tell, Posada and Williams are over the hill, there is no way The Big Unit’s big back can hold up all season, and Joe Torre can’t manage all those egos at once and still reassure The Boss he has control.

That being said, the Yankees will win 100 games or more this season.

There is no better rival to a team with good chemistry than a $225 million team void of any chemistry whatsoever. In all seriousness though, in the regular season, how many games will chemistry win you? 4 or 5 maybe? But how many games does $16.5 million to bring in a 6’10’’ lefty that deserves to be mentioned in every “Best Ever” conversation win you? 20-25 by my calculations.

Johnson, Mussina, Pavano, Brown and Wright on paper is one of the better rotations in the league, and if only three of them pitch to their expectations they will still be one of the winningest rotations in the American League this season.

The bullpen will be a trouble spot for the staff all year though. With such a thin bullpen, consisting mainly of Flash Gordon and Mike Stanton as consistent relievers, the starters may be forced to go deeper in games then they should and could wear by the end of the year, not to mention the shakiness the bullpen showed during the playoffs due to their own fatigue.

This lineup is still formidable, with Sheffield coming off an MVP candidate year, and A-Rod in his second year in high pressure New York, those two could be a potent 3-4 combination. Jeter will be solid, and the other fringe players will carry their own, but the onus lies in the first base and designated hitter areas. Jason Giambi, the master of vague apologies and Tino Martinez will be sharing these duties and frankly, I can’t see these spots producing much at all. Martinez is near fossilization and Giambi is coming off a year of sickness and deplorable numbers and will face more pressure from fans than anyone else on the team.

Looking at the depth chart, you can see that the Yankees have Rey Sanchez and Reuben Sierra, marked as the backup for six positions between the two. Not to mention Andy Phillips taking up four spots, all third string or lower. Now, as a GM I don’t think I would want either being my first choice off the bench for any position never mind three each, so its safe to say that the Yankees aren’t very deep. Luckily for the Bombers baseball is to athletic activities as Kirstie Allie is to skinny people, they just aren’t one of them.

For the 1828934th year in a row the Yank and Sox will be battling for the A.L. East crown, and eventually the American Leagure title and a trip to the World Series, its inevitable, but still fun as hell.

Toronto Blue Jays

Depth Chart
Catcher Gregg Zaun

1st Eric Hinske Shea Hillenbrand Eric Crozier Frank Catalanotto

2nd Orlando Hudson Frank Menechino John McDonald

3rd Corey Koskie Eric Hinske Frank Menechino Shea Hillenbrand John McDonald

Short Russ Adams John McDonald

LF Frank Catalanotto Reed Johnson Gabe Gross

CF Vernon Wells Reed Johnson Alex Rios

RF Alex Rios Gabe Gross Frank Catalanotto Reed Johnson

DH Shea Hillenbrand Frank Catalanotto Eric Crozier Frank Menechino Reed Johnson

SP Roy Halladay Ted Lilly David Bush Josh Towers Gustavo Chacin

Closer Miguel Batista

Record Last Year: 67-94

The Blue Jays, still suffering from their recent separation with their Canadian brethren are still plugging away in a town that cares more about the paperwork that needs to be done in order to play hockey than their performance on the iceless diamond.

They lost Carlos Delgado to the Florida Marlins and did little to show any interest in rebuilding without him. Vernon Wells will still hit for them and that’s about it, it looks like another basement year for the Jays.

On the bright side, Sox fans will get to see how Shea Hillenbrand has matured since being traded to the D’Backs for Byung-Hyun Kim in mid 2003. How do you think that makes Shea feel? First he gets traded to a team in dissarray for the guy who nearly single handedly handed the Yankees the World Series in 2001, suffers in the desert for a year and half and makes a move to the great baseball town of Toronto, gets to play against his old team who recently traded Kim away after only 56 appearances for the club. Every time he visits Boston he must beg Theo for a second chance, even if its in Pawtucket. But I digress.

Former Cy Young winner Roy Halladay and solid #2 starter Ted Lilly have their work cut out for them, and the least the rest of the Jays could do is try to consolidate their minimal run production to the days when those two start so they can use this season as a bargaining chip for a new team.

As mentioned above, the Jays will be the boiler room attendants of the division, and won’t even be interesting to watch.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Depth Chart
Catcher Toby Hall Kevin Cash

1st Travis Lee Aubrey Huff Eduardo Perez Josh Phelps

2nd Jorge Cantu Julio Lugo

3rd Alex S. Gonzalez Jorge Cantu Aubrey Huff

Short Julio Lugo Alex S. Gonzalez

LF Carl Crawford Aubrey Huff Eduardo Perez

CF Alex Sanchez Carl Crawford Rocco Baldelli

RFAubrey Huff Alex Sanchez Eduardo Perez

DH Josh Phelps Aubrey Huff Eduardo Perez

SP Dewon Brazelton Scott Kazmir Mark Hendrickson Rob Bell

Closer Danys Baez Lance Carter

Record Last Year: 70-92

Looking at the D’Rays depth chart I am shocked and appalled. How Rocco Baldelli, Rhode Island’s finest is not even the backup center fielder is beyond me. He was ranked behind a guy who already has a starting spot. I am writing a letter.

Anyway, Sweet Lou has some work to do with this young crew filled with speed and youthful exuberance. Aubrey Huff and Travis Lee will do their best to knock home the speedsters that are littered throughout the lineup. The speed of the Rays have given the Sox problems before and I am sure Carl Crawford taking a lead off first would put a small scare into any opposing pitcher. Giving up a single to this guy is pretty much like giving him two bases, he is that fast.

Sad part about the Rays this season, and every season before and after, is when they play division rivals Boston or New York visit The Trop, their fans are outnumbered three to one. All the retirees who were kicked out of New England or New York based on their declining driving skills come out of the wood work to root on their teams. Good people of Tampa Bay, please show some pride in your team, your city, and your livelihood.

I am going out on a limb here and saying the Rays will squeak by the Orioles for the third spot in the division on a double steal in which Rocco Baldelli scores in the bottom of the ninth and becomes not only a Rhode Island hero, but a permanent fixture in the D’Rays lineup.

There is a long way to go. Happy Watching.

Random

2005-03-30T23:05:00.000-08:00

Its been a few days, and there hasn't been an update, so here are some quick thoughts I was quickly thinking.

BY-Kim is on his way out according to the Boston Herald. They say he is on his way out to Colorado for another pitcher who is likely to be happy leaving the mile high city. Thats just what a head-case like Kim needs, trying to hack it as a submarine pitcher, with low velocity, in the high altitude of the Rockies. If he makes the Rockies regular season roster he will probably have more home runs per appearance than anyone in the league.

Related to Kim leaving, relief specialist Mike Myers is coming back to the Sox from the St. Louis Cardinals. Myers absolutely KILLS lefties.

Steve Nash has to be the front runner for MVP in the Association. Nevermind how the Suns perform while he is hurt, but they are terrible when he is on the bench taking a breather. Up 29-20 late in the first quarter when Nash sat down with what I presume was foul trouble, Phoenix managed just three points while letting the Sixers score 13 up until the eight minute mark in the second quarter. I don't know anyone else as VALUABLE as the Canadian to his team. (P.S. In the two minutes since Nash returned, the Suns have scored nine straight. Quentin Richardson just broke Dan Marjele's franchise single season record for three's with 200, causing Marjele to turn red, rather than his normal crisp golden brown. Tannest Man Ever. )

United States National team dominated Guatamala in a World Cup Qualifier tonight, scoring two, which should have been three, could have been five. The Guatamalans were diving and clutching all game, sloppy on their part, but a controlling and precise effort by the U.S. I won't lie, I thought the 2002 World Cup was a flash in the pan, but this squad, especially Eddie Johnson (9 goals in 7 games?) are proving me wrong, they can make a run in Germany.

In March Madness, go with Pitino. 'Nuff said.

Stay tuned, maybe A.L. East Preview prior to the Sox-Yanks opener.

Van Dam Would Never Have Let This Happen

2005-03-27T12:43:00.000-08:00

If you kick when they're up, you've got to kick them when they are down.

They had their tickets punched in their minds. Salim Stoudemire was thinking of how to handle the Louisville guards. Lute Olsen was biting at the bit to get into a chess match. Salim forgot he had to deal with the three headed monster of a backcourt the Illini have in "The Pit" with him, and Olsen forget that Bruce Weber has a strong handle on the X's and O's as well.

With four minutes left, up by 15, the Arizona Wildcats packed it in against the best team in the nation, and were sent packing for home because of it. In the last two minutes of the game, 'Zona managed to let an intentional foul attempt turn into a steal, throw away an inbound past, and squander another possession to let the boys from Champaigne make a resounding comeback and get the very Illini biased crowd back on their feet.

It isn't just the Cats that have done this, earlier tonight West Virginia let the Louisville Cardinals steal their tickets to St. Louis after a 20 point comeback. There seems to be a lack of composure in these teams that lets the team that is down get hungrier and come roaring back, when their hopes and dreams should have been buried a long time ago. Whatever happened to putting a team away, even at the risk of embarrassing them? These players have seen just as much March Madness Tournaments as I have, they know full well what happens in this month, its uncanny. Why can't they take it upon themselves to get into the timeout huddle, and get their teammates going and put an end to the Madness, for their own dreams?

I'm not and never will be in their situations, but coaches and players on squad's who are vulnerable for memorable March comebacks need to go Van Dam in Bloodsport in the final minutes, stone cold killer with not compassion for his enemies.

Why would you ever let a team like the Illini back in it? You'll only get burned.

Where have all the buzzer beater gone?

Without a single true buzzer beater thus far in the tournament I was itching during the aforementioned 'Zona/Illinois matchup for a reason to run down the hall yelling and screaming.

Salim Stoudemire, Arizona's sharpshooter had the ball at the end of regulation, pretty much guranteeing me my wish, until he made a haphasourd drive the basket, got doubled up and dished it off for someone else to take the glory :Clank:

Down one at the end of overtime, Arizona's coach Lute Olsen, a hall of famer in most people's book called a timeout, looking to get their best shot at the win. Yet when they came out of the huddle, I saw a play being run that involved one player holding the ball for eight of the 12 seconds left, taking one step towards a drive and dishing it to another player who didn't know how much time was left and could only get a highly contested shot off before time expired. :Clank: Neither player was Stoudemire, who two days ago made a shot with 2.8 seconds left to give Arizona a win.

As a completely fan biased argument, the decision by coaches and players to shoot their final shot with a cushion of a few seconds is killing what I like to see in basketball, especially March Madness. I have been looking for someone to step up and show the intertesticular fortitude to take the last shot in the game, risking being the goat, but hunting for glory by denying their opponents any chance of a rebuttal. With the current trend, we see the dramatics, then wait throught a timeout commercial, come back and see lacluster defense and a prayer.

Proponents of the age limit in the NBA have said that these players have all left early for the pros rather than taking over at the end of games. But the fact is that the stars left in the college game just don't want to risk the abuse they could receive on opposing campuses, never mind their own.

We need the player who will hold the ball for ten seconds, wait for a pick and throw up a shot, hear the buzzer, hold the follow through, and wait for the swish, without the clank crossing his mind for a second.

The Kids Are All Right.

2005-03-25T10:34:00.000-08:00

The students at Merriam Elementary School in Acton Massachusetts were experiencing the same thing I was at Coastal Carolina University: Sox/Yankees Burnout. There was so much taunting going on at both schools that the game and the rivalry has lost all of its beauty. Because of the past season Red Sox Nation has reared its ugly sore winning head. Me and my fellow burnout victims in the Commonwealth heard more about how much our players hate A-Rod then about the new players we are supposed to grow and love.

The kids in Acton decided to do something about their playground differences, they went straight to the top, writing Bud Selig, George Steinbrenner and the Sox owners group asking for a cermonial handshake at the Fenway home opener against the Yankees.

Can these two bury the hatchet, for the kids?

"The Merriam School Handshake Project", includes a powerpoint reminding the captains, managers and everyone involved that the students look up to them. There is also a series of photos of kids emulating the recent Boston/New York brawls with a caption reading, "We Follow Your Example".

The call for increased sportsmanship would go against a league rule that says players cannot fraternize while in uniform. If this excuse is used by either camp it will be seen as ludicrous. Not only to players chat and catch up on family matters before games, but full conversations are held on the bases between fielders and baserunners.

A handshake wouldn't solve everything but it might show both teams that what they are doing for a living is a game. Its the same game 10 year olds play just because its fun, and the same game 86 year olds use to bring back memories of their childhood every summer.

Hockey does it after every playoff series, and Larry Walker initiate a post series handshake with the Los Angeles Dodgers during the National League Playoffs last fall.

Sox manager Terry Francona, called the Merriam School officials and told them what a great idea he thought it was, but that he wasn't going to force his players to make amends.

A spokesman for George Steinbrenner said that he also thought it was a great idea and would cooperate in any way to make it work.

A handshake can mean a lot of things, and if the Sox and Yankees choose to oblige with the Merriam School students, it can mean sportsmanship is still relevant in the most vicious rivalry in sports.

And for Sox players, with an extra strong squeeze, they can remind the Yankees of last October. The World Series Rings will be fresh on their ring fingers after the pre-game ceremony.

getting their just due.

2005-03-22T21:22:00.000-08:00

Since I have inexplicably ignored the Celtics torrid run since Antoine came back into the fold (10-1, 6 straight), I will keep a running diary of my last Celtics (versus the hornets) game until the playoffs. Here it goes.

Key Matchup: Tony Allen’s Dunks vs. J.R. Smith’s Dunks

2:12 am (that’s right I am watching the replay): Magloire wins the tip, I was told once that whoever wins the tip wins the game. My brother was a cruel 10 year old.2:15 Despite having the only dunk of the night, Raef’s ranks second behind a slew of lay-ups that are tied for first.

2:21: Just reached the six minute mark, Celts down 16-14. Which brings me to one of my biggest gripes. Why are there 12 minute quarters in the NBA, leaving us with a 48 minute game? Wouldn’t two 25 minute halves work a lot better? An even 50 minutes sounds better to me, and the half system works very well for college.

2:28: Smith leads in the dunk category with a hard throw down off an Antoine turnover.

2:31: Ricky Davis tries to revisit his And 1 days. This fails, then Gary Payton shows Ricky he has some street ball left in him with a sweet over the head no look dish to Raef for a dunk , and one.

2:35: After the first quarter, the Hornets are up by seven with a 33-26 lead. For some reason, despite their 15-49 record, it sounds like the stadium is full. Maybe FSN New England cut them some slack and turned up their fan mics, or maybe its because they all seem to be displaced Justin Timberlake fans and they are screaming their little hearts out.

2:39: Really young line up on the floor. Ricky, Allen, Jeffeson, Banks, and Blount. Very fast as well. This could be fun. Delonte West just came in, I havent seen much of him but I have heard great things from the Northeastern boys, more fun.

2:45: Al Jefferson scores on tip. Tommy Heinson says “Al has some family from nearby Mississippi in New Orleans tonight”, followed by a quick cut to two 12 year old white girls holding an Al Jefferson sign.

2:51: Delonte has been fun. Just hit a pull up three for the lead. And to think last year I hated him just because he was on St. John’s.

3:00: Gary Payton lays it in and is fouled to the ground, causing all four players on the court to rush and help Gary up. That is the type of camaraderie and loyalty I like to see in a Boston team.

3:05: Celts up 6 at the half, Davis leads all scorers with 18. I think I am too tired to go on. But I will try.

3: 12: They don’t call traveling in the NBA. (Hornets, ugly)

3:13: They don’t call traveling in the NBA. (Celtics, Pretty)

3:19: Tommy Heinson is to the point where he cannot mention an opposing player without bashing him.

3:20: Two travel calls in two minutes. Get your calendars out.

3:24: Tony Allen takes the lead on dunks with a great anticipation steal and windmill dunk. Then 15 seconds later gets another steal and starts the run. Give this kid a TOMMY POINT!

3:27: “Get off me” -- Paul Pierce after a three pointer.

3:31: I can’t hear the pre-pubescent girls in the stands anymore. That’s what a 20 point deficit will do to your gumption.

3:40: After the third the Celtics are up 20 (92-72). Game is over and I am tired.3:41: Celtics end up winning 113-100. I assume Tony Allen’s steal/dunk is the best of the night. Great game for the C’s and good to keep the streak going at seven.

Gammons.

2005-03-20T17:47:00.000-08:00

Gammons is a man among boys. I don't want to ruin what he did. So here is the link.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/gammons/story?id=2016532

Magical March!

2005-03-18T01:39:00.000-08:00

Bonkers (ncaa) Basketball!
So far, kind of a lack lustre tourney. We had our first 12 over 5 upset. University Wisconsin of Milwaukee beat a shaky Alabama team. We had a few big time teams let some lower seeds hang around only to put them away comfortably in the end. The only Big South team, The Winthrop Golden Eagles hung in there with the Zags. West Virginia had the sweetest ending of the night, with a Mountaineer player blocking a Creighton three point attempt, going the length of the court, and dunking home the winner with 2 seconds left. Good Stuff.

And one espn anchor said "emotionable". This got me thinking. After you make a gaffer like that on screen, live, in front of the entire nation, what is the mood like in the studio when you go off air? Do your co-workers give you a pat on the back and say "don't worry about it, we will get 'em after the break", or do they hold their stat sheets and clipboards in front of their faces and snicker at you, leaving you to melt in your pool of embarrasment?

Bonaza Baseball!
The steroid hearings were today. I personally am sick of anything steroids related because it takes away from the good stories of spring training. But the hearings were worth a glance. Selig and Fehr looked utterly unprepared, stumbling over answers, and claiming that things written in their steroids policy were drafting errors. How can you possibly go before congress, as a former lawyer, and give a bunch of former lawyers a document and say you made a mistake in drafting said document and expect them to take you seriously? Thats like being a major league slugger and not bothering to ask your personal trainer what you are being told to put into your body. Like father like son, like union leader like player.

Also, who didn't want to see a P.O'd Big Mac taking a charge at Jose Canseco? That is the least he could do to the man that (rightly or wrongly) accused the big slugger of taking steroids. I think congress would enjoy this as well.

Sammy Sosa's testimony. "Baseball (Steroids?) been very very good to me".

Football Frenzy!
Plaxico Burress went to the New York Football Giants subsequently ending his career.

Basket-Case (nba) Basketball!

Shaq is the Godfather/Superman. He said it himself, and proved it tonight with a 25/12 game in a 13 point win over Kobe's Lakers. Lakers aren't making the playoffs right now and the Heat are cruising in the East with a one seed. Shaq is better, funnier, and is Superman to Kobe's Lex Luther.

Hectic Hockey!
No Comment. :::begins trembling:::

Ramble On.

2005-03-08T17:32:00.000-08:00

ram·ble-To speak or write at length and with many digressions. Since I do this almost everytime I write, I figured I would go all the way with it and title a piece as a rambling. This way i can get away with it.

On With It.

Larry Bird didn't walk through the Celtics' door, but Antoine did. Now Pierce can stop pouting Danny Ainge can escape MORE ridicule, and Al Jefferson can learn a little more. Jefferson gave up his jersey number, 8 to the returning Walker in exchange for tutelage rather than money.

Its a shame, though, Walker was wearing 88 before this exchange, and double number's thrive in Boston.

Pats lose Andruzzi, Law, Brown, and Patten to free agency and cap cuts. Sad to see them go, but now the Pats can sign Superbowl Tom Brady for the money he deserves. Which makes me feel more comfortable than Anna Kornikova in a beauty contest.

That segment on Sportscenter about how badly opposing fans treat J.J. Reddick will only fuel their abuse. The man writes poetry, as cultured and mature as that is, the "cultured" and "mature" college students of opposing ACC schools will never let "j.j." live that down.

I like poker just fine, I just don't see how it manages to get 2827483 times the airplay of soccer.
(Oh, and Tilt sucks the proverbial biscuit.)

Dee Brown of the #1 Fighting Illinis won the Big Ten P.O.Y. award today. If former Celtic Dee Brown wins the Dream Job contest, we can safely assert that 2005 is the greatest sports year by guys with the same name.

The buzzer beater celebration has been slipping recently. Pro's and college kids alike seem more angry and upset about their big shot than jubilant. You just won. Smile.

Adam Morrisson of Gonzaga proves the old adage is still true. The most dangerous play in basketball is an open white guy.

Chris Webber on the Sixers looks like the equivalent of Paul Pierce in betweeen 'Toine's stays in Boston (or a 9 year old girl with concerned parent's and ears without earings).

Senator McCain won't take crap from the players who will answer the House Committee, too bad Canseco and most of the others will bring truckloads of to D.C.

Sean McDonough is the best Red Sox commentator AND the best nationa college basketball commentator. So that gives New England the Sox, the Pats, and Sean McDonough, thus crowning us the greatest sports region in all the world.

Half of the Yankees beat the Red Sox 9-2 yesterday while the other half lost to the Indians 3-1. During this time I played P-I-G on a hoop on our wall, put four CD's on my MP3 player, and didn't give a flying @#$%.

March Madness is coming up and I am rooting for Winthrop to be a huge Cinderella. Why? So I can say that a one win Cinderella beat the crap out of Coastal.

Speaking of Coastal, after only 3 years of existence, Coastal's goalposts are doomed for destruction on September 10th when reigning 1-AA football champs James Madison University visits Conway.

(no joke or comment, its just going to happen.)

CATFIGHT!!!!!!

2005-03-05T17:00:00.000-08:00

You know the girls that hate each other in high school? They are the ones that are either going after the same guy or wear the same style of clothing and think the other one dresses trashy. They each have their group of friends defending them even when they say stupid things. They are so much alike they can't stand any competition, so they try to separate themselves No matter how much they hate each other, they remain fixated on the other one, always trying to out do the other in order to impress or show superiority.

That's where the Sox and Yankees are at right now. If the rivalry goes on like this, it won't be classic, it'll be catty.

The guy is the World Series trophy. The clothes? Thats the makeup of the team.

-Two older quality starters (Schilling, Wells:Johnson Mussina) supplemented by some guys with "good stuff" or "great potential" (Bronson, Miller, Clement:Pavano, Wright, Sturtze),

-A superstar or two (Manny, Papi:Jeter, A-Rod) supplemented by hardworking overachievers (Trotski, Millar, Bellhorn:Posada, Bernie)

-A rock solid captain (Varitek:Jeter)

-A solid dependable closer (Foulke:Mo' Rivera).

The teams are the top two spenders in league, the Yanks with $60 million more on the payroll than the Sox in 2004. And the Sox having $25 million more than the third place team.

No matter what either team says or does, their fans and terribly biased media members will back their franchise of choice, by cheering, whining, throwing them softball questions, anything to boost morale.

When this A-Rod bashing nonsense happened, Everyone and their mom's joined in to make a comment about the perrenial all-star. Tabloid-esque newspapers (cough! Herald!) went straight to the most outspoken members of the Red Sox, knowing they would have something to say about A-Rod bragging about his workout regime. Of course the players bit, never liking the man, and the scribes had their PRE-preseason war created. The smartest two out of the two teams were Jeter and Varitek, Jeter chose to focus on baseball and getting ready for the season, and Varitek didn't say a word, and he was the won that FOUGHT Rodriguez.

I woke up the other night to people screaming about the Red Sox and Yankees, all I heard were names, number of championship titles, number of times people have came back from 0-3 deficits. All things still meaningless while minor leaguers are trying to earn spots on each team. During the season I can see these things coming up, when things matter, but each team had played ONE preseason game at this time, it is ridiculous to waste hatred when it is needed in the september and october.

Please, for all of our sakes, everyone think about how OUR team can improve and the beauty of spring training. Wait unitl the first week of April to argue.

Get Well, #54.

2005-03-04T10:17:00.000-08:00

I was watching SC before a test when I read it on the "Coming Up" caption on the bottom of the screen. It read "Patriots LB Tedy Bruschi suffers from stroke like symptons..." I froze. I looked around for someone to confirm what I had seen. No one fearlessly leads one of the greatest teams in the history of sports to a third superbowl in four years then just has a stroke, that just doesn't happen.

So I went to class, took my test and maybe one breath within an hour, on my way back to my room people were filling my head with rumors, I remember "paralyzed", "retired", and "done".

This is not the thing you want to hear when you have dreamed of just seeing the man play live. If there is one mammoth football player I identify with more than anyone its Tedy. He overcomes his small stature (for a football player), and plays with his head and his heart. I like to think thats how I became the soccer player I am today and thats why I admire the man so much.

Anyway, with those three words circling in front of my eyes I made my way to room and turned on every t.v. i could to make sure there wasn't one lying to me. I believe it was ESPN's Mike Werder at Mass General who said Bruschi suffered his mild stroke, had partial paralysis, but was stable at the time. He didn't say "retired" or "done", good man, that Werder.

Later that night my new buddy Mike came on t.v. again to say Bruschi's primary doctor after the stroke had gone home for the night, super news for the superbowl hero.

Rightfully, when Tedy was ready to leave the hospital, he agreed for pictures to be taken but no interviews would be given. I think it might have been the first time the Boston media didn't go up in arms over a turned down interview. Even the most zealous reporters had to be relieved just to see this man walking out a few days later.

"Retired" and "done" came back a few hours later when I read about a hockey player who suffered a similar stroke to Tedy's, tried to come back to the game but couldn't stay with it mentally or healthwise. His teammates were afraid to hit him, and he was afraid to be hit.

For Tedy's sake, I hope no one asks him about "retired", or "done, until he goes to Bob Kraft and tells him he is ready to decide. Football should be the farthest thing from Bruschi's mind right now. His first responsibility is to his family and his health and I my thoughts are with him in a speedy recovery to life as he knew it, nevermind football.

Whether those fateful words come out of Tedy's mouth or not when he makes his decision have no effect on what he has done for his team, his community, and most importantly his family.

His legacy isn't told by numbers, it is told by his effect on the people around him He is the example for Tom Brady, Rodney Harrison, former "malcontent" Corey Dillon, and every little kid in New England.

They don't dance like T.O. in their backyard after a touchdown anymore, they seek out their quarterback and thank them for making him look good.