Headlines
Red Sox outslug Yankees 16-11
Despite the Red Sox best efforts to lose the game yesterday, the Yankees proved once again that currently, they are the inferior team in this rivalry. At no point during the game did I think the Yankees were going to win. Even at 6-0 I knew that Boston was going to somehow crawl their way back into it. They always do. New York was handed a gift in the seventh inning when a ball went through Dustin Pedroia's legs and two runs scored. At that point they led 10-9. But wouldn't you know it, Mike Lowell hits a three-run homer the next inning. And that's all they would need. Tonight, Andy Pettitte faces off against Justin Masterson looking to avoid the sweep. I feel stupid being so emotionally invested into an April baseball game.
Day 2 of the NFL Draft starts...now!
Day 1 had a few surprises. My team, the Jets, traded their first round pick, their second round pick, and three players to the Cleveland Browns for the #5 overall pick. With that pick they chose USC quarterback Mark Sanchez. In the days and weeks leading up to the draft, I became more and more enamored with Sanchez. He seemed to be more mature than any quarterback coming out of the draft in recent years. Also, he is mobile and has a fairly accurate arm. The one question on him was regarding his arm strength. That may have been an issue with another team, but with Jets west-coast style offense, downfield passes are a rarity. Bottomline, the Jets needed a quarterback. They must have felt that Kellen Clemens will never rise above holding a clipboard for his entire career and that Sanchez was worth what they traded for him. There will be a lot of pressure on Sanchez as the football season nears closer. As a top 10 pick he will be expected to win the quarterback's job and lead the Jets into the playoffs in one year. He'll have in his shadow Joe Namath, who Jet fans still stand at attention for every time his name is uttered. But at the risk of sounding like a "typical football analyst guy", I think he has "it". Whatever "it" may be.
UPDATE: The Jets have traded up to draft Iowa running back Shonn Greene. Here are some of his finer college moments. Oh, I'm excited.
Rangers coach Tortorella suspended for Game 6
In case you decided not to watch the third period of Game 5 when the Rangers were down by four goals, New York head coach John Tortorella got into a verbal confrontation with a fan behind the bench and then throwing a green water bottle at the fan. For his actions, the NHL has suspended him for one game. Makes sense. Because if players take a swipe at an unsuspecting opponent, they get a few minutes in the box. But throwing a water bottle at a fan because he was being antagonistic calls for an immediate one game suspension. Though, I guess I understand the NHL in this case. Fighting with a fan is never a good idea and the NHL needs to keep every fan they can get.
MLB Attendance Study (Day 6):
Pittsburgh Pirates at San Diego Padres (Petco Park)
Attendance: 41,665
San Francisco Giants at Arizona Diamondbacks (Chase Field)
Attendance: 37,253
Los Angeles Dodgers at Colorado Rockies (Coors Field)
Attendance: 31,476
Philadelphia Phillies at Florida Marlins (Dolphin Stadium)
Attendance: 26,412
Milwaukee Brewers at Houston Astros (Minute Maid Park)
Attendance: 31,335
Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals (Busch Stadium)
Attendance: 46,707
Washington Nationals at New York Mets (Citi Field)
Attendance: 39,960
Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds (Great American Ballpark)
Attendance: 33,015
Tampa Bay Rays at Oakland Athletics (McAfee Coliseum)
Attendance: 15,432
New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox (Fenway Park)
Attendance: 37,699
Texas Rangers at Baltimore Orioles (Oriole Park at Camden Yards)
Attendance: 41,160
Toronto Blue Jays at Chicago White Sox (U.S. Cellular Field)
Attendance: 30,383
Minnesota Twins at Cleveland Indians (Progressive Field)
Attendance: 23,186
Detroit Tigers at Kansas City Royals (Kauffman Stadium)
Attendance: 37,647
Seattle Mariners at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Angel Stadium)
Attendance: 43,542
Average: 34,459.47
Video of the Day
Boston falls to Oakland 6-5 in 12 innings
With that loss, that puts the Red Sox at 2-6 for the year. I know that the Yankees starting pitching has been shaky lately (Wang), but Boston have been equally as bad, if not worse. Daisuke Matsuzaka has a robust 12.79 ERA in two starts this season and yesterday, he did not even make it to the second inning. Coupled with Jon Lester's 9.00 ERA and Beckett's one start suspension, things are starting to look a little shaky in the Nation. Not to mention they have 65-year old Tim Wakefield taking the ball for tonight's game. Of course, with those type of pitchers, they are sure to turn it around. But with as frail as their offense is, the Sox are going to need every inning out of them. I could write about the struggles of the Red Sox all day. Was that objective?
Baltimore defeats Rangers in extra innings
If the Orioles were in any other division (AL Central), they would be considered a feasible threat. But as well as they are playing so far this season, they is no way they will be able to get through the gauntlet of division rivals that faces them. Arguably, the three best teams in the majors (Tampa Bay, Boston, New York) reside in the AL East and Baltimore has to play them 18 times each this season. I also refuse to believe a team with Koji Uehara as their number two starter will be above .500 when the season ends. Bright Side: Adam Jones for Eric Bedard looks rather nice (Look at his picture).
I'll be back...
Headlines…
Connecticut routs Louisville on way to National Championship
I'll assume you were not watching the Women's NCAA Basketball Tournament over the past few weeks (Neither was I), but apparently the Huskies from Connecticut went 39-0 on the season. They were flat out dominate all season. And that is taking nothing away from Louisville who went 34-5 and made it all the way to the final as a three seed. Impressive. It's nice to see the Big East actually live up to its billing as the best conference in the nation. Too bad the men could not respond in kind. They were too busy worrying about declaring for the draft...
Dejuan Blair of Pittsburgh declares for NBA Draft
He may have been the Co-Big East Player of the Year. He may have averaged a double-double for the 2008-2009 season. It may be a thin draft. But this is the wrong move for the sophomore from Pittsburgh. Some players regardless of success in college need as much time in the NCAA as possible. Dejaun Blair is too unrefined as a basketball player to even think about going to the NBA. He's a 6'7 power forward with no jump shot and average passing skills. That skill set barely passes in the developmental league. And that is where he is headed when he inevitably gets drafted in the mid to late second round. Or not at all.
Red Sox defeat Rays on rescheduled Opening Day
There is nothing harder than trying to sound objective when discussing the Red Sox. Even when talking to friends I start out saying things like, "Well Lester looked terrific last night striking out eight and going seven innings". But inside my head I'm screaming, "Red Sox suck! Go Yanks!" But clearly if I said those things, I would be considered a homer and thusly, not objective. That being said, everything went right for the Red Sox yesterday. Beckett went seven innings while yielding only 2 hits and 1 run. Reigning AL MVP Dustin Pedroia hit a homerun in his first at bat of the season. And god help us, Jason Varitek hit a homerun. It's going to be a long season.
2009 Masters starts tomorrow
I'm not sure what station has been whoring out their coverage of the Masters more, ESPN or CBS. It's essentially a tossup. I remember seeing advertisements for it on CBS back in January. At the same time, it seems as if ESPN has an ad for the Masters every 30 seconds. This year, ESPN has the first two days of the event (the ones most people don't care about), while CBS has Saturday and Sunday (The ones where people say, "Is this almost over? Where's Two and a Half Men). The favorite to win this year, and every year since 1997 is Tiger Woods. However, the Hefty Lefty Phil Mickelson is coming off two straight wins and might have actually lifted a dumbbell since the last Masters (He wasn't really lifting it, he was just moving it out of his way so he could get to the vending machine). And the man with the best accent on the Tour, Padraig Harrington is looking for his third straight major title. Of all the golfers that enjoyed Woods's absense from the Tour last year, Harrington definitely enjoyed it the most. Notching two major titles in 2008 and placing himself among the game's elite.
I'll be back...
Winter Hot Stove Meetings?
For me, baseball's offseason does not officially start until the winter meetings. The winter meetings is where all the general managers, agents, reporters, analysts, Peter Gammons's, and etc. go down to a hot, sexy, touristy spot and make ridiculous trades and signings while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. I kid about the last part, but I'm sure plenty a deal was made under those exact circumstances.
This year are meetings are going to be held between December 8th and the 11th in Las Vegas, Nevada. Because when I think baseball, I think Las Vegas, Nevada. Don't be suprised to hear a bunch of retarded puns and analogies from ESPN relating a risky deal to the fact that there is legalized gambling in Las Vegas. "He really ROLLED THE DICE on that signing, right Karl?" "He just went ALL IN on that deal." It will be frustrating, but we'll all get through it.
So far in this offseason for the best sport in America (That's right, I said it), nothing has really happened. Javier Vasquez went to the Braves. Boring. So he'll not live up to expectations somewhere else, big deal. Edgar Renteria signs with the Giants. What is this, his tenth team in three years? Another stellar signing by the Giants. They really know how to pick them. Bonds kept them relevant for the years he was there, now, sometimes I forget they're even a franchise. Come back to New York, Giants, there's plenty of room. And besides, it would be awesome to have two New York Giant franchises again.
But now, the meetings are upon us. A time where small market franchises feel they NEED to make a big splash to be considered important. Even if it means signing A.J. Burnett to a ten year deal. But let me go through some of the more important free agents and make my predictions on where they will sign. Lets do this, shall we?
Still fat
CC Sabathia
It feels like a few months ago when the Yankees offered Sabathia a six-year, $140 million contract. Because, I'm pretty sure it was a few months ago. He has remained silent on whether he will take the deal. The rumor has been that he wants to A) stay on the west coast and B) stay in the national league. Two very reasonable requests. But CC, think this through, please. It's $140 million. No team is going to touch that offer. Are you really going to sacrifice 20 to 30 million just for a few at-bats and a few days at the beach? Hell, for $140 million, I would play in Calcutta. From my point of view, he's waiting it out for no reason. Teams have bluffed monetary interest to him over the past few weeks, but none have made good. So far, there are two offers, the Brewers and the Yankees. I would be shocked if he isn't in pinstripes come spring training. The MLBPA won't let him NOT take it. If he accepts, he sets the standard for ace pitchers in the future, and that is a good thing for the union. The players assocation might have to "make it worth his while", but someone better start knitting him a Yankees jersey.
2009 Team: Yankees
You don't have to read if you're an athlete.
Mark Teixeira
Word on the street is that he enjoys money. Like the rest of us. It's just that, unlike CC, he doesn't care where he plays, just as long as that team gives him the most sacks of money. I got nothing against that, seems like a normal guy trying to get what he deserves. And lets face it, he is in probably the best position for a free agent in the history on the sport. Let me break it down. He will be 29 years old on opening day 2009. He is a corner infielder who hits for average, gets on base, drives in runs, and switch hits. He is a gold glove first baseman. And lest we forget, his agent is, drumroll please...Sata....I mean Scott Boras. If anyone can have a homeless guy give HIM money, it's Mr. Boras. God knows what kind of currency he get squeeze out of these teams fighting for Teixeira's services. He might ask for 25 mil a year for 10 years in EUROS. But who is going to doll out the dough for Marky Mark. Angels? Red Sox? Yankees? Orioles? Nationals? That Nationals rumor is hilarious. But at the same time, I guess that's what you got to do in order to get the ball rolling as a franchise. If the Yankees get CC, they are not touching Teixeira. Even for them that's too much money to sign over in one offseason. My thoughts are leaning towards the Sox. Papi is not what he used to be and Lowell can easily become expendable if Teixeira is signed. They have the money, the appeal, and the need.
2009 Team: Red Sox
I'll get hurt in a few minutes
A.J. Burnett
There is not a pitcher, no, player in professional sports that I trust less that A.J. Burnett. I guess it's because he only has good seasons in walk years. Maybe it's because he's a malcontent. Or maybe it's because he sucks. Yeah, that's it. He sucks. Since the season ended, all I've heard is, "But he's got great STUFF". What the hell is stuff? I have stuff too. A lot of it. But I'm not being paid millions. So what if he occasionally can throw 98 MPH, or that he has a terrific curveball. Does he perform consistently? Absolutely not. "STUFF" is not worth the money he is going to be paid this offseason. I'd rather take Mike Mussina for another 5 years than A.J. Burnett for the next two. Because you know exactly what you are getting with Mussina. Consistency. Not erractic pitching, and anti-social behavior (well, maybe). I was so happy to find out the Yanks were losing interest in this guy. The last thing New York needs is another Carl Pavano, Kevin Brown, Randy Johnson, or Hideki Irabu. Well, the Braves have offered Burnett a 4-year, $60 million offer. Accept AJ! Take it and Run! Get yourself off the market before the Yanks get interested again!
2009 Team: Braves (God willing)
More to come...
Headlines…
Rays win Game 7 against the Boston Red Sox 3-1, advance to World Series
On the back of, Matt Garza? I always find it weird when relatively new teams succeed in sports. Because with new teams, they have weird names that just don't resonate like the Yankees or Red Sox do. I just find it hard to believe that the "Rays" will be considered a legitimate baseball powerhouse 30 years from now. I think it'll be how we think of the Houston "Colt .45's".
But right now, that is besides the point. The "Rays" look like the best team in baseball. Great hitting. Great pitching. Great defense. Great manager. Regardless of ratings, the World Series will be VERY interesting. The Phillies are built just as well for this series as the Rays are. My pick is for the Phillies to win it in six games. They just seem hungrier for it. Beating the Brewers and Dodgers was a mere formality. Their poised to bring a World Championship to the depressing city of the Philadelphia for the first time since Dr. J and his hair did in 1983.
What the Rays did was more remarkable to what the Celtics did in June. The Celtics traded for Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and other role players at the cost of their future as a successful franchise. The Rays took draft savvy, player development, and sound fundamentals, and are now at the precipice of being a legit World Series contender for the next 5 years. It's going to fun to watch the Yankees play the Red Sox and Rays 38 times a year.
Joba Chamberlain arrested for suspicion of DUI in Nebraska
I would really like to know what goes through the head of athletes or celebrities when things like this occur. You make more money that 99% of the population. You have people who are paid to watch and monitor your every move. Yet you risk you future, and more importantly, your life for...nothing. Absolutely nothing. If Joba wanted, he could call someone in New York to pick him up, and I bet that person would hop on a plane and drive him home. He is the cornerstone of the of the future of the most successful franchise in all of sports. He could pay someone to carry him around piggy-back if he wanted to.
Texas beats Missouri
I can't wait when Texas runs the table and then loses to Kansas in the Big 12 Championship. And then they get left out of the BCS Championship because losing a game late in the season is a no-no. So USC will make it into the championship with a loss to Oregon State, while Texas will get left out with a Big 12 Championship loss to Kansas. This is all speculation, but you know my stance on the BCS. It's a joke. And having a computer decide the two best teams in the country is laughable.
Oh yeah, Dick Vitale was at the game.
Red Sox
There is nothing worse that being a Yankee fan in today's baseball world. From 1996 until Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS, we owned all of baseball. We had constant bragging rights. And then Dave Roberts steals a base and my entire world is flipped on my head. Now last night, the Red Sox are down 7-0 in the 7th inning to the Tampa Bay Rays. The last three innings were supposed to be a formality. Then David Ortiz and J.D. Drew remember they have bats in their hands and almost single handedly defeat the Rays. Coco Crisp helped too. As I sat there watching Drew's hit sail over Gabe Gross' head and Youkilis stumble toward home, I realized that these Red Sox are my Yankees. Just with different uniforms.
The only team that could pull off a ridiculous comeback such as that would have been those late 90s Yankees. Derek Jeter would've started it off with a bloop of a hit. Bernie Williams would line a single up through the middle. Paul O'Neill would then drive a double down the line. And Tino Martinez would probably finish them off with a homer to right. It's like those Yankees' teams didn't function properly unless they were the underdogs. They always have to prove that they were better than you. And since baseball is not a timed game, they could take all the time they needed. And now, that same attitude, has shifted up the coast, to these Boston Red Sox.
I couldn't believe what I was watching last night. 7-0! And 7-6, before you knew it. It felt like Game 7 tonight because of the history Boston has shown. In 2004, they overcame a 3-0 deficit to the Yankees. In Game 4, Dave Roberts stole second in the ninth. At the time it felt inconsequential, but as the past has told us, it was the catalyst that sparked their rally. Last year they overcame a 3-1 deficit to the Indians. And we all knew that the Red Sox were going to comeback somehow. The Indians didn't stand a chance. And now, this year. The momentum has totally changed to Boston's side.
As bad as Beckett pitched in Game 2, I don't believe for a second that he is going to let this team down in an elimination game. He is too seasoned and will find his stuff even if he has to dig deep in his pants' pocket. The Rays have also shown an uncanny ability to comeback this year, but I don't think they know what is coming. This is what its like being a Yankee fan in 2008.
And we all know how painful that can be…
Last night I stayed and watched the entire Red Sox/Angel game. I was switching between that and the Monday Night Football game between the Vikings and the Saints. Considering the potential for it to be an epic 5 hour struggle, the Red Sox and Angels played relatively smoothly and the game went pretty quickly. Suffice it to say, I was utterly disappointed with the outcome. First being I would like to see one division series go the distance, also because I hate the Red Sox with the fire of a thousand suns. So much for objectivity. Jon Lester once again proved that he's a stud on the mound as well as in life. You didn't see it, but last night he overcame tuberculosis in the 3rd inning.
Francona made a mistake by taking out Lester after the 7th inning for Okajima. I'll say this once, but Okajima will be a huge liability in the ALCS if he trusts him in a big spot. The Rays have seen him enough this year to know his weaknesses.
Erick Aybar needs to stop cutting Baseball 101 to play ultimate frisbee on the quad. All you got to do Erick is make contact. No one cares if you don't lay down a bunt. That's a bonus. But of course, the ball goes through his bat and Reggie Willits is left out to dry trying to come home on the squeeze. Beautiful. Just another prefectly timed break for the Boston Red Sox. This is starting to feel a lot like the Yankee run of '96-'00. Just things inexplicably going the Red Sox ways. A three run single. A missed squeeze play. A J.D. homerun. Hopefully the magic doesn't last through the ALCS. Which I do believe will be very interesting.
The Rays and the Red Sox played each other 18 times last year. They know everything there is to know about one another. They're practically dating. So those of you who think that the Rays are too far over their head and that Red Sox will dispose of them quickly have another thing coming. Initially, these team's HATE eachother. Especially that little Coco Crisp character. He and James Shields had a mini scuffle earlier in the season which resulted in a bench clearing discussion. Kevin Youkilis' snarl will be at an all time high.
The Trop (as they like to call it) will finally, officially be sold out. Meaning, every seat will be filled. Those ones near the roof have a hefty amount of dust on them. For the Rays sake, hopefully most of them occupying them will be "Rays fans". I put that in quotations because there is no such thing as a Rays fan.
Except Dick Vitale.
AHHHHHH!
Once again Alex Rodriguez has made a mockery of baseball, the Yankees, and being a man entirely. According the NY Post, A-Rod had a "dinner" date with injured New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
"A-Rod, was running around the clubhouse asking everyone, 'Are we gonna play? Are we rained out? Are we postponed?' Every few minutes he'd come around and ask his teammates - or anyone else who was around - the same thing," according to one of the Herald's "spies." The game, which the Yankees won 19-8 to end the Red Sox's chance of winning the AL East, was played through a steady rain and was delayed another 31 minutes in the top of the fifth inning. "He was all excited," the Herald's "spy" said. "You know he's a big star (expletive) anyway and he was all worked up over his 'date' with Tommy."
Just another humiliating day as a Yankee fan. While Dustin Pedroia, Jonathan Papelbon, and the rest of the Boston Red Sox are busy defending their world series championship, the Yankees most talented player is fawning over the chance to snuggle and have "who gets to be the bigger spoon" fights with Tom Brady. After 12 years in the national spotlight, you'd think we'd have a gauge on who Arod actually is. But with each passing season, another creepy layer is revealed.
I know what you're thinking, "How come you're not ripping on Brady for having a date with Arod?" Two reasons. First of all, Tom Brady wasn't seen tickling himself over the chance to see Rodriguez. In a game no less. Brady probably is thinking, "Why not? I've got nothing else to do for the next 6 months." And second of all, Brady is a winner. When you win, crazy personal stuff is ignored, and sometimes revered. When people hear you study Kaballah and have an eerie, intimate relationship with Madonna, and you're a loser, they think you're a freak. If Tom Brady was pulling the same crap, people would say, "That must be his secret".
Ugh, only 9 more years of this...
I'm glad they don't have a shot from behind.
MLB Playoffs Start Today!
That is more of a sarcastic exclamation point. I'm not THAT excited about the playoffs. This is the first time the Yankees haven't been in it since I was 8, so for a majority of my life there has been October baseball on in my house. That being said, there are three games today, and I expect to watch at least two of them.
Brewers at Philles (3:00 ET, TBS, Gallardo vs. Hamels)
Could see a Home Run Derby break out in this one. Howard, Utley, Burrell (if he plays), Fielder, Braun, Hart, Hall. All in the little league field that is Citizens Bank Park. I've been there. You could THROW homeruns from home plate. I would like to see the Phillies do well, but if the Brewers don't make a splash this playoffs, we might never hear from them again. After this year, Sabathia and Sheets are going to RUN from Milwaukee. And when they do, they'll have bags of money in their hands. The Brewers will be based entirely on offense next year. They'll become the Texas Rangers of the NL. Could get ugly.
Dodgers at Cubs (6:30, TBS, Lowe vs. Dempster)
Dempster had a heck of a year, didn't he? 17-6 2.96 ERA. Cubs were smart to put him in as the Game 1 starter. He dominated at home this season. I do want to see what exactly Manny does with his pitches those. I bet he hits one of Dempster's fastballs so far, Dempster will turn around to see it go out, and it'll hit him in the back of the head. But seriously folks, I like the Cubs in this series.
Red Sox at Angels (10:00, TBS, Lester vs. Lackey)
Like I stated once before, Red Sox own the Angels. Even with Beckett starting Game 3. Lester is a future ace and can obviously handle the pressure. Cancer anyone? But I do like Anaheim's nine outfielder set. I think the X factor (whatever that means) for this series will be the bullpens. Usually is for every playoffs series. I said it because it makes it seem like I know what I'm talking about.
White Sox at Rays (Tomorrow 2:30, TBS, Vasquez vs. Shields)
If there's a playoff game at the Trop and no is there to see it, does it really happen? Apparently, it's going to be sold out for tomorrow's Game 1. People might be literally hanging from the catwalks. What an ugly place to host important games. It looks like the inside of a computer. I hope the White Sox take this momentum all the way to the WS. Of all the World Series scenarios, I would like to see Cubs/White Sox the most.
MY OUTLANDISH DIVISION SERIES PREDICTION:
Every Series will go 5 games!
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How is Wesley Snipes in a movie? Work release? [seanbfitzgerald]
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RT @jacko2323: DO YOU BELIEVE IN MINOR UPSETS??? [seanbfitzgerald]
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4-2!!!! #USA [seanbfitzgerald]
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Hockey? Oh yeah! US vs. Canada! When we're done with them, they'll be grateful they have universal health care! [seanbfitzgerald]
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