Hoping to improve on my 7-6 record...
Altanta
Arizona
Baltimore
Indy
Jacksonville
New England
Green Bay
New Orleans
DETROIT
New York Giants
San Francisco
Dallas
Pittsburgh
Here's hopin!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Nov 5
Getting back to 100%...
-Was anyone else cold just watching the fans sitting in the new Yankee Stadium last night?
-The New York Yankees are World Series Champions for the first time since 2000 and the 27th time in franchise history. Congrats and enjoy. For Derek Jeter and a few others, it's #5...for A-Rod, Teixeria and a few others, it's #1. The baseball world's Lex Luthor or Darth Vader has the trophy for another year. The hate-on for the Yankees is obvious, frustrating and motivated - but it's also unjustified. The only word I come up with when I concern myself with the Yankees is jealousy. People say New York tries to buy a World Series every year...and they do...but there is nothing stopping them. Baseball needs a salary cap as much as it needs a diamond to play on. It is still the only professional league without one and this is what happens when one is not in place. The Yankees spend 201 million dollars this year on payroll...a number that actually went DOWN from 2008 (their payroll was 209 million)...and why not...no one is telling them they can't.
-If you are given 500 dollars to buy a suit, and someone else is given 100 dollars to buy a suit...who will get the nicer suit? You, of course, cause you can afford it. Well...the Yankees can afford a closet full of $500 dollar suits...so why the hate on?
-If you look at the list of MLB teams owners you will see guys who own 18 hotel and resort properties around the world (Oakland's Lewis Wolff) or the former President and CEO of WAL-MART (Kansas City's David Glass) and you'll see men with MILLIONS to spend on their baseball product - but don't. George Steinbrenner isn't the richest owner in baseball...not by a long shot...but he spends all his money on the team.
-You're telling me the guy who ran Wal-Mart from 1984-2000 doesn't have the money to put a decent team on the field? KCs payroll this year was 70 million (21st in MLB) by the way.
-And paying for Championships doesnt always work. Look at the Top 10 in the MLB payroll this year:
-Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Red Sox, Tigers, Angels, Phillies, Astros, Dodgers, Mariners.
-Five of those teams made the playoffs...one of them choked their way out of it...and the other four were disasters!
-The Twins were a 65 million dollar team that won the Central this year...last year, the Rays were a 43 million dollar team that went to the World Series.
-But baseball is the only league on the planet which has five or six teams you can write-off once the year begins...because they just can't afford the talent to compete (Pittsburgh, Washington are great examples).
-I don't hate on the Yankees for "buying" a World Series...I hate Major League Baseball...and I've said it a thousand times and I will say it a thousand more:
-Baseball's biggest problem is NOT steroids...it's biggest problem is not having a payroll.
At least my hair is real Andre!!
-Was anyone else cold just watching the fans sitting in the new Yankee Stadium last night?
-The New York Yankees are World Series Champions for the first time since 2000 and the 27th time in franchise history. Congrats and enjoy. For Derek Jeter and a few others, it's #5...for A-Rod, Teixeria and a few others, it's #1. The baseball world's Lex Luthor or Darth Vader has the trophy for another year. The hate-on for the Yankees is obvious, frustrating and motivated - but it's also unjustified. The only word I come up with when I concern myself with the Yankees is jealousy. People say New York tries to buy a World Series every year...and they do...but there is nothing stopping them. Baseball needs a salary cap as much as it needs a diamond to play on. It is still the only professional league without one and this is what happens when one is not in place. The Yankees spend 201 million dollars this year on payroll...a number that actually went DOWN from 2008 (their payroll was 209 million)...and why not...no one is telling them they can't.
-If you are given 500 dollars to buy a suit, and someone else is given 100 dollars to buy a suit...who will get the nicer suit? You, of course, cause you can afford it. Well...the Yankees can afford a closet full of $500 dollar suits...so why the hate on?
-If you look at the list of MLB teams owners you will see guys who own 18 hotel and resort properties around the world (Oakland's Lewis Wolff) or the former President and CEO of WAL-MART (Kansas City's David Glass) and you'll see men with MILLIONS to spend on their baseball product - but don't. George Steinbrenner isn't the richest owner in baseball...not by a long shot...but he spends all his money on the team.
-You're telling me the guy who ran Wal-Mart from 1984-2000 doesn't have the money to put a decent team on the field? KCs payroll this year was 70 million (21st in MLB) by the way.
-And paying for Championships doesnt always work. Look at the Top 10 in the MLB payroll this year:
-Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Red Sox, Tigers, Angels, Phillies, Astros, Dodgers, Mariners.
-Five of those teams made the playoffs...one of them choked their way out of it...and the other four were disasters!
-The Twins were a 65 million dollar team that won the Central this year...last year, the Rays were a 43 million dollar team that went to the World Series.
-But baseball is the only league on the planet which has five or six teams you can write-off once the year begins...because they just can't afford the talent to compete (Pittsburgh, Washington are great examples).
-I don't hate on the Yankees for "buying" a World Series...I hate Major League Baseball...and I've said it a thousand times and I will say it a thousand more:
-Baseball's biggest problem is NOT steroids...it's biggest problem is not having a payroll.
At least my hair is real Andre!!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Nov 4
My computer and I have something in common...we both have some kind of virus...
-Sometimes people look too deep into stats to justify giving a big-name star an award...MVPs, Silver Sluggers, Rookie of the Years and alike are offensive awards...you've never heard of an MVP that won the award because of his defense. The only award for defense is the Gold Glove. And offense should have NOTHING to do with it.
-Case and point - American League Catcher...Gerald Laird is the Gold Glove Award winner for catchers in the AL. This season, he had a .997 fielding percentage (1st in the AL), played 135 games (1st in the AL), BY FAR caught the most runners trying to steal (42...next highest - Posada 31...PS - Mauer 19), made only 3 errors (tied for 1st with Mauer...but played 26 more games) and had 78 assists (1st in AL - Mauer 31). Mauer will win the AL Gold Glove for catchers - because of the love-in he gets from sports writers across the country, bigger star power and the fact that he will win the AL MVP as well. But with the glove, the award is not Joe's...it's Gerald's...and it's obvious when you look at these numbers.
Here's the way the list of winners SHOULD read out - from stats alone:
AL
C - Gerald Laird, Detroit
1B - Paul Konerko, White Sox
2B - Placido Polanco, Detroit
3B - Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay
SS - Derek Jeter, New York
OF - Jason Bay, Boston...David DeJesus, Kansas City...Torii Hunter, Anaheim
P - Brett Anderson, Oakland
NL
C - Yadier Molina, St. Louis
1B - Adam LaRoche, Atlanta
2B - David Eckstein, San Diego
3B - Kevin Kouzmanoff, San Diego
SS - Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia
OF - Jeff Francoeur, New York Mets...Shane Victorino, Philadelphia...Matt Kemp, Los Angeles
P - Matt Cain, San Francisco
Keepin Vitamin C in business!
-Sometimes people look too deep into stats to justify giving a big-name star an award...MVPs, Silver Sluggers, Rookie of the Years and alike are offensive awards...you've never heard of an MVP that won the award because of his defense. The only award for defense is the Gold Glove. And offense should have NOTHING to do with it.
-Case and point - American League Catcher...Gerald Laird is the Gold Glove Award winner for catchers in the AL. This season, he had a .997 fielding percentage (1st in the AL), played 135 games (1st in the AL), BY FAR caught the most runners trying to steal (42...next highest - Posada 31...PS - Mauer 19), made only 3 errors (tied for 1st with Mauer...but played 26 more games) and had 78 assists (1st in AL - Mauer 31). Mauer will win the AL Gold Glove for catchers - because of the love-in he gets from sports writers across the country, bigger star power and the fact that he will win the AL MVP as well. But with the glove, the award is not Joe's...it's Gerald's...and it's obvious when you look at these numbers.
Here's the way the list of winners SHOULD read out - from stats alone:
AL
C - Gerald Laird, Detroit
1B - Paul Konerko, White Sox
2B - Placido Polanco, Detroit
3B - Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay
SS - Derek Jeter, New York
OF - Jason Bay, Boston...David DeJesus, Kansas City...Torii Hunter, Anaheim
P - Brett Anderson, Oakland
NL
C - Yadier Molina, St. Louis
1B - Adam LaRoche, Atlanta
2B - David Eckstein, San Diego
3B - Kevin Kouzmanoff, San Diego
SS - Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia
OF - Jeff Francoeur, New York Mets...Shane Victorino, Philadelphia...Matt Kemp, Los Angeles
P - Matt Cain, San Francisco
Keepin Vitamin C in business!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Nov 3
I'm fightin a cold...and I'm winning!
-Something SHOULD happen this year that hasnt happened since 1960. Bobby Richardson won World Series MVP even though his Yankees lost to the Pirates in seven games. This year, the award SHOULD be given to Chase Utley - no matter what. The Yankees will win the World Series tomorrow night and deservingly so - they have been the best team in this series. But Chase Utley has been the best player - and that's what the MVP is. This argument has gone on for a long time...how can a player who's team doesn't win, get the MVP. Because to his team - Utley was the most valuable player. On the Yankees there are two names that come to mind...Rivera and Damon. Both have had key moments and led their teams to victory. So has Utley...and he's done it in historic fashion with 5 HRs in 5 games. Howard, Victorino, Ibanez and Werth are struggling to different extents in this series but Utley has been like a rock and has been the main reason his team won both the games they did. Baseball writers, or whoever votes, will chicken out and give a Yankee the MVP when they win the series...but in the history books, it will be Chase Utley's performance that will be remembered...and should be remembered with a trophy of his own.
-One question though...what's up with Utley's HAIR?? The sliiiicked Pat Riley look has to go...although if he hits like that - maybe the entire Tigers team should invest in some gel....
-First time around with NFL picks...7-6...off to a slow start I guess...but hey...there's a few teams that wouldn't mind a 7-6 record after Week 16.
-Tomorrow: Why the Gold Glove award should NOT be given to Joe Mauer. I can only handle one rant a day...
Mmmm Nyquil!
-Something SHOULD happen this year that hasnt happened since 1960. Bobby Richardson won World Series MVP even though his Yankees lost to the Pirates in seven games. This year, the award SHOULD be given to Chase Utley - no matter what. The Yankees will win the World Series tomorrow night and deservingly so - they have been the best team in this series. But Chase Utley has been the best player - and that's what the MVP is. This argument has gone on for a long time...how can a player who's team doesn't win, get the MVP. Because to his team - Utley was the most valuable player. On the Yankees there are two names that come to mind...Rivera and Damon. Both have had key moments and led their teams to victory. So has Utley...and he's done it in historic fashion with 5 HRs in 5 games. Howard, Victorino, Ibanez and Werth are struggling to different extents in this series but Utley has been like a rock and has been the main reason his team won both the games they did. Baseball writers, or whoever votes, will chicken out and give a Yankee the MVP when they win the series...but in the history books, it will be Chase Utley's performance that will be remembered...and should be remembered with a trophy of his own.
-One question though...what's up with Utley's HAIR?? The sliiiicked Pat Riley look has to go...although if he hits like that - maybe the entire Tigers team should invest in some gel....
-First time around with NFL picks...7-6...off to a slow start I guess...but hey...there's a few teams that wouldn't mind a 7-6 record after Week 16.
-Tomorrow: Why the Gold Glove award should NOT be given to Joe Mauer. I can only handle one rant a day...
Mmmm Nyquil!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Nov 2
Fighting a stuffed nose...that's not swing flu right?
-Streaks are a funny thing...the good ones are never remembered, but the bad ones are more well-kept than the baseball cards in my closet. Alex Rodriguez is the definition of a streak - especially because of the money he makes every year...A-Rod did not have a hit in the World Series until a couple days ago...he was already being branded as a "choke artist", "back to his old self" or "showing his true colours". He went 0-8 in the first two games of the series before he was hit by Cole Hamels and then drove a pitch off a camera lense in his next at-bat. Streak over. He then got a key double yesterday to drive in the winning run and put the Yankees up 3-1. If a team loses 3 in a row...they are in a horrible slump. If a team wins 3 in a row...it's a nice weekend. Streaks are a part of baseball...as they are every sport. And none of them mean anything.
-How did the Lions lose to ST. LOUIS!!! At one point I saw the ticker on the bottom of the screen showed a 3-2 Rams lead...or was that the Cardinals? No matter how many good games there are in the NFL...there's always one bad one...and it doesn't get much worse than a 17-10 sleeper between the two worst teams in the league. The Lions are trying to take a step forward with their franchise...but a loss to a team worse than them...with or without their star WR (and only pro player right now on offense)...is a massive step back.
Back to the couch
-Streaks are a funny thing...the good ones are never remembered, but the bad ones are more well-kept than the baseball cards in my closet. Alex Rodriguez is the definition of a streak - especially because of the money he makes every year...A-Rod did not have a hit in the World Series until a couple days ago...he was already being branded as a "choke artist", "back to his old self" or "showing his true colours". He went 0-8 in the first two games of the series before he was hit by Cole Hamels and then drove a pitch off a camera lense in his next at-bat. Streak over. He then got a key double yesterday to drive in the winning run and put the Yankees up 3-1. If a team loses 3 in a row...they are in a horrible slump. If a team wins 3 in a row...it's a nice weekend. Streaks are a part of baseball...as they are every sport. And none of them mean anything.
-How did the Lions lose to ST. LOUIS!!! At one point I saw the ticker on the bottom of the screen showed a 3-2 Rams lead...or was that the Cardinals? No matter how many good games there are in the NFL...there's always one bad one...and it doesn't get much worse than a 17-10 sleeper between the two worst teams in the league. The Lions are trying to take a step forward with their franchise...but a loss to a team worse than them...with or without their star WR (and only pro player right now on offense)...is a massive step back.
Back to the couch
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Nov 1
Happy November...
-There was no champagne, no fanfare, no parade route planned...but last night the New York Yankees won the World Series. Not only did they weather the storm in Philly (literally and figuratively) they were patient and chipped away at Cole Hamels...they didn't panic when it was 3-0 early for the Phillies and got some timely hitting and pitching as the game went along (both by Andy Pettitte). The Yankees now lead 2-1 and unless they win the next two games (which obviously would make them champs), they have guarenteed themselves another game at Yankee Stadium...they also have CC Sabathia pitching Game 4 tonight and IF NECESSARY in Game 7. Even if New York heads home down 3-2...you have to expect some Yankee magic at The House That George Built...I picked Yankees in 7...it may not take them that long...
-I called the Owen Sound Attack vs Plymouth Whalers game on Saturday on 560 CFOS in Owen Sound and got a real treat - even before Halloween. Not only did I get to call a game again with my good friend Fred Wallace, I got to watch the Attack with a surprisingly dominant performance for the second night in a row...and even most enjoyable...I got to watch Tyler Seguin for the first time this year...Seguin is a Brampton native who is in his 2nd year with the Whalers. He draws deserving comparison to Taylor Hall. He leads the OHL in goals and does everying at top speed...and MIGHT be the fastest player in the O...I'd have to watch both of them a little closer, but in seeing each of them play one game this year...Seguin has a chance to be as good, if not better, than Hall...On November 12th, the Whalers come to the WFCU Centre to play the Spits...I would recommend you get a seat to see this showdown...and make sure you don't blink...you'll miss something special...
Boo-yah!!
-There was no champagne, no fanfare, no parade route planned...but last night the New York Yankees won the World Series. Not only did they weather the storm in Philly (literally and figuratively) they were patient and chipped away at Cole Hamels...they didn't panic when it was 3-0 early for the Phillies and got some timely hitting and pitching as the game went along (both by Andy Pettitte). The Yankees now lead 2-1 and unless they win the next two games (which obviously would make them champs), they have guarenteed themselves another game at Yankee Stadium...they also have CC Sabathia pitching Game 4 tonight and IF NECESSARY in Game 7. Even if New York heads home down 3-2...you have to expect some Yankee magic at The House That George Built...I picked Yankees in 7...it may not take them that long...
-I called the Owen Sound Attack vs Plymouth Whalers game on Saturday on 560 CFOS in Owen Sound and got a real treat - even before Halloween. Not only did I get to call a game again with my good friend Fred Wallace, I got to watch the Attack with a surprisingly dominant performance for the second night in a row...and even most enjoyable...I got to watch Tyler Seguin for the first time this year...Seguin is a Brampton native who is in his 2nd year with the Whalers. He draws deserving comparison to Taylor Hall. He leads the OHL in goals and does everying at top speed...and MIGHT be the fastest player in the O...I'd have to watch both of them a little closer, but in seeing each of them play one game this year...Seguin has a chance to be as good, if not better, than Hall...On November 12th, the Whalers come to the WFCU Centre to play the Spits...I would recommend you get a seat to see this showdown...and make sure you don't blink...you'll miss something special...
Boo-yah!!
NFL Picks - Week 8
Let's see how this goes...
Houston
Chicago
Dallas
Detroit
Indianapolis
New York Jets
New York Giants
Baltimore
Jacksonville
San Diego
Green Bay
Arizona
New Orleans
More to come today...
Houston
Chicago
Dallas
Detroit
Indianapolis
New York Jets
New York Giants
Baltimore
Jacksonville
San Diego
Green Bay
Arizona
New Orleans
More to come today...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)