Baseball

It was an ugliest of games for the team in the prettiest of cities. After winning 11 straight games to finish the regular season, the San Diego Chargers came out with a resounding thud at home against the Jets on Sunday. Penalties, missed field goals and turnovers formed a perfect storm of suck for the Chargers and kept the Jets in the game until the final quarter where they took and held onto the lead to advance to the AFC championship game with a 17-14 victory.

Continue reading "Jets stun Chargers 17-14 in San Diego"

Well, the Brett Favre saga appears to be over… for now. 

The routinely flip-flopping quarterback informed ESPN’s Ed Werder of his decision to stay retired  after telling Brad Childress of the Minnesota Vikings.  Favre explained that he was unsure of his body’s ability to withstand another grueling NFL season and the training camp and preseason schedule that accompany it.  

Continue reading "Brett Favre to Stay Retired"

  

Last night, the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 to win the World Series in five games (4-1).  This is the second World Championship for the Phils…they previously won in 1980…28 years ago.  This will be remembered as one of the weirdest finishes in a Series with an unprecedented suspension of a game due to inclement weather.  The game was concluded 48 hours later…in hindsight…it was worth the wait! 

Continue reading "Finally"

NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers, it got me thinking whether Philadelphia is a Football town or a Baseball town?  On Thursday evening on Fox, the Phillies will host the L.A. Dodgers in Game 1 of the NLCS.  I’m not a big fan of baseball, but I do like the Phillies (Mets, and Yankees as well).  I watch about a handful of games a year including the playoffs.  I was never really into baseball…I just don’t get the fascination?  I find it slow, dull, and extremely boring…unless you’re at the ballpark…then it’s a whole different story!  When you’re actually at the game, it’s exciting and much more “family friendly” than football. 

Continue reading "Philly Is Still A Football Town"

ew the modern athlete as arrogant, Babe Ruth may have actually invented athletic braggadocio.  Baseball had never seen anything like Ruth.  He shattered nearly every record the game had ever known.  In the third game of the ’32 Series, Ruth allegedly ‘called his shot’ by pointing to the centerfield bleachers.  The very next pitch he slugged clean over the centerfield fence.

Continue reading "October Moments To Remember (in 750 words or less)"

In my current quest to work as little as possible while also attending premier sporting events throughout Florida, I decided to withdraw a small portion of my dwindling bank account and scalp a ticket to the Monday night Red Sox-Rays game.  Despite having lived in Tampa, I had never been to Tropicana Field.  But let’s be honest, prior to this season, there was never really a good reason to go.  Since their inception, the Rays have never finished in anything other than last place in their division.

Continue reading "Rays Fans Are Baby Taunters!"

It's nice to see Ol' Roy back, and it's even nicer to ponder that Houston dodged a bullet by keeping him instead of trading him.

How did Oswalt do today against the top team in baseball? Against the Chicago Cubs, Oswalt pitched nearly a complete game--going 8.1 innings and giving up four hits, no runs and striking out three. He's a 3.91 on what has definitely been an off-season. Amazingly, he's now 13-9 on the season. If not for his struggles, he might've won 20 games.

Continue reading "Houston 3, Chicago 0"

The sunshine state has long been a hotbed for college football.  With an abundance of high school talent leaving for college every year, Florida schools have their pick of the litter of some of the nation’s best athletes.  For as long as anyone can remember, at least one of the big three (Florida, Florida State and Miami) has been a factor in the national championship picture.  In the past ten years, all three of these schools have won national titles: Florida State in 1999, Miami in 2001 and Florida in 2006.  During that same time period, however, these three schools have traversed dramatically different paths to arrive at their current circumstance.  Furthermore, in a state where most believed that no other schools could compete in either recruiting or ranking, the Universities of Central and South Florida have both become presences in their own right.

Continue reading "College Football in Florida: A Ten ..."

up.  One problem… there’s not four outfield positions in baseball.

Major League Baseball originally established the designated hitter in 1973 to cure then struggling American League offenses.  The ‘position’ has been in existence ever since.  Has it made a difference?  Of course.  The top five hitting teams in the majors this year are all in the American League.  A.L. teams have consistently had higher team batting averages ever since the DH’s inception.  But has it dramatically changed the game?  Probably not.  No true designated hitter has ever won the Most Valuable Player award, although David Ortiz recently came close.  And the position has prolonged the careers of Hall of Fame caliber athletes, allowing fans to see more of Bernie Williams, George Brett, Edgar Martinez and Paul Molitor.

Continue reading "A Case for the Designated Hitter"

Hello, my name is Christopher and I'm a Red Sox fan. Which makes what I'm about to say so difficult.

I could not have written this five years ago. In October 2003, we Sox faithful had once again suffered another devastating defeat to our arch-rival and overall evil-doers, the New York Yankees. This time, the blow came from the bat of Aaron Boone in the American League Championship Series. Game Seven, extra innings, another loss to the Yankees, could things get any worse? Numbness ensued. Another crushing loss meant yet another year of ribbing from Yankee fans everywhere who were, and had always been, our daddies. However, five years, two World Series titles and one Ruthian exorcism later, Red Sox fans can put all that behind them and openly talk about the past, for it is now the Yankees who haven't won in ages.

Continue reading "A Tribute to the Evil Emperor"

Unless, of course, Mario and I were the only two in the stands aware that Major League Baseball still keeps stats like complete games. Or do they?

With modern athletes in better shape than their predecessors, pitchers should have the stamina to go the distance. With the Marlins up 3-1 going into the ninth and the Diamondbacks still reeling from Nolasco's impressive performance, Gregg shut them down in order. That's like Gregg getting to go home with the girl that Nolasco bought drinks for all night long. From this fan's perspective, seeing a CG on the back of Nolasco's baseball card would have been much more impressive, and entertaining, than any S under Gregg's.

Continue reading "The Lost Art of the Complete Game ..."

Jeff Christensen believes the quarterback position is broken. 

And he’s just the guy to fix it. 

“Kids today,” says the founder of Throw It Deep Passing Academy, “and when I say kids I mean 19, 20, 21 years old. They think because they throw a pretty spiral they’ve done something. It’s mind-boggling.” 

Continue reading "THINK FIRST, THEN THROW IT DEEP"

Lakers fans will tell you that the Lakers haven’t hit their stride. That Kobe isn’t playing the same way that he was in the first three series. That he isn’t moving the ball. That he’s taking too many bad shots. They say that Lamar Odom is struggling through nerves and that Pau Gasol is playing soft.

Continue reading "Good or Not?"

It has been a while since my last post, which was bitter to say the least. A month and a half later I can hardly find much to complain about when it comes to the Cubs. They look like the best baseball team in the National League right now (obviously their record doesn't disagree), and after a 7-0 homestand this week, my baseball excitement is at its peak. I can't miss a Cubs game anymore. I make a point to try to watch or listen to every game, and I went to two games during the undefeated homestand. They have just been so entertaining to watch. Their play has been solid all around, and their offense has just been hilarious. Geovany Soto has been incredible, and he looks like he is going to be a legitimate NL all star catcher for years to come in the shadow of Mike Piazza.

Continue reading "Cubs Tearing Up the National League"

04-16-08

After winning 2 straight against the Twins the Tigers entered Cleveland feeling alot better about themselves. Game one of the two game series featured defending Cy Young award winner CC

Continue reading "Tigers pound the Indians 13-2"

I never liked the "Soriano Hop". I never thought it would actually cause him to hurt himself though. I am not a Soriano fan. He's an absolute offensive mammoth when he gets hot, but when he's not hot, he has very little value to this team. And he is a terrible leadoff hitter when he's cold. His on-base is .230. Let's face it: this is one of the worst contracts  in baseball right now, second maybe only to Barry Zito.

Continue reading "Soriano Injures Himself Hopping"

After a shaky start to the season the Detroit Tigers seem to have finally come to life. After beating the Twins 11-9 yesterday the Tigers made it two straight with a 6-5 victory tonight.

Everyon

Continue reading "Tigers take two from Twins"

Somebody answer these two mind-boggling questions for me.  How does Julio Lugo get 36 million dollars over four years from the Boston Red Sox?  And why was Theo always drooling over him?  If he continues to get paid for the current brutal baseball clinic he’s been putting on, then that drool is going to turn into spit. 

Continue reading "Lugo: One Shortstop Who Has Been Here Way Too Long"

If your going to wait nearly 5 months for opening day, and have to get up at 6am to watch Dice K turn into Nuke LaLoosh, you better win the game. Well, thanks to the Manny/Moss combo, the Boston Red sox eked out a 6-5 win over the Oakland Athletics. 

Continue reading "Breakfast With The Bo Sox"

In Major League Baseball, 9 teams have not made the playoffs since 1998. The Royals have not made the playoffs since 1985; the Nationals/Expos have not made the playoffs since 1981. How can fans of these two teams have any hope?

Continue reading "Where's the Parity"

There's nothing quite like it. Cheap ticket prices, amazing warm weather, the smell of hot dogs & freshly cut grass on the baseball diamond in February and early March. It's that time of the year again with Spring Training rolling around and getting us all excited for the upcoming 2008 MLB season. It's also time to make some bold predictions for the long season ahead of us. Of course with injuries, the inevitability of a surprise team, and a little lack of better judgement, predicting the MLB season is incredibly difficult to do. However, after looking at all the new free agent pickups, new coaches, and using basic instinct, I've come up with my predictions for the 2008 season. Some of my predictions may sound crazy, but the baseball season usually plays out that way, I mean who predicted the Rockies to go that far last season? Enjoy, because it's sure to cause some argument.

Continue reading "Bold MLB 2008 Season Predictions ..."

With plenty of activity within the past week involving Free Agent signings (& trades) in the NFL, lots of names get lost in the shuffle.  I've taken some time to recap all the free agent signings so far with the big names and the not so big names and briefly analyze if it is a good move, ok move or bad move for the team. Pro Bowl LB Briggs re-signs with Bears

Continue reading "NFL Free Agent Signings & Analysis-Who ..."

And what can we do as Cub or Baseball fans to make sure this change doesn’t occur? Unfortunately, not much.  Cub fans or those against the change can voice their displeasure with petitions and activist groups, like www.keepitwrigley.net but the decision lies in the hand of Darth Zell. The fact is Wrigley Field should be protected as a historic landmark.  Its landmark status should have included the name “Wrigley Field”, but it might be too late.

Continue reading "Selling your Soul: Zell plans to ..."

And what can we do as Cub or Baseball fans to make sure this change doesn’t occur? Unfortunately, not much.  Cub fans or those against the change can voice their displeasure with petitions and activist groups, like www.keepitwrigley.net but the decision lies in the hand of Darth Zell. The fact is Wrigley Field should be protected as a historic landmark.  Its landmark status should have included the name “Wrigley Field”, but it might be too late.

Continue reading "Selling your Soul: Zell plans to ..."

It happens every year.  Someone will make the terrible mistake of filling out their brackets according to ESPN or a network like CBS Sports.  Then they find out that these so called "experts" never seem to get their picks right.  They are "experts" right?  C'mon people they are only human, but if there's one thing March Madness has taught me the past few years, it's that you're probably better off filling in your bracket blindfold than listening to the sports networks. Well, kind of. Just don't be upset if your sisters picks end up being better than yours.

Continue reading "Bracket Buster Weekend: It's that ..."

I'm not one to get carried away with facts and figures. But believe it or not, Manny arrived at camp on time (fact) and he showed up looking to be in great shape (figure). I love Manny Ramirez for many reasons, aside from that dreadlock tangled mane thing that he somehow stuffs under his hat.  But other than that, there's nothing else about Manny Ramirez that bothers me or ever has.

Continue reading "Manny May Be Out in Left Field...But ..."

Like the rest of Red Sox Nation, I really like what I saw in Jacoby Ellsbury's play last season and think he's the one to roam Fenway's center stage in 2008. But was it enough to turn Coco Crisp into Coco Crust?  I'm not sure about that yet.  Jacoby's a speedster with pretty good defensive skills, a so so arm, and an exciting bat, but did we see enough to anoint him to your everyday center fielder?

Continue reading "Coco vs Ellsbury: The Center Fielders of Attention"

Finally, the baseball buzz is heating up here in Chicago. I hate the time between the end of football and the beginning of baseball. Especialy this year. I stopped watching Bulls game over a month ago, for obvious reasons- like their absolute suckage causing my eyes to bleed. And as for the Blackhawks and the NHL (RIP), I have been trying to get back into them this year, and the Hawks look like they have a good future ahead of them, but I'm still not to the point of being a raging hockey follower.

Continue reading "Let Baseball Season Begin Already"

If there's one thing I know about Curt Schilling, it's the fact that he's consistent.  No, I'm not talking about the fact that he's won at least 15 games 8 times in his career. Or the fact that he's walked 50 or fewer batters in 19 of his 21 seasons.  What I'm talking about is the fact that since he's been a member of the Red Sox, he's rolled into spring training with more than a few extra Schillings...and we're not talking about British pounds here!

Continue reading "Spring Training is Spring Gaining for Schilling"

Another issue I have is with the impact steroids has on the game of baseball and football.  Baseball is much less of a team sport than football.  Essentially, baseball is a pitcher versus a batter.  If the pitcher is taking steroids that may allow him to throw the ball with a bit more velocity, that is an advantage.  If the batter is utilizing steroids to allow him to hit the ball further, that could potentially turn typical double plays into home-runs.  That is, most certainly, an advantage.  These factors decide games.

Continue reading "Steroids: Contrasting Football and Baseball"

Roger Clemens continues to profess his innocence that he has never used steroids. He has been on 60 minutes and now has had a press conference and released a tape with his former trainer to prove what he has said. Now I'm really torn on this one for a number of different reasons. I've always been a big fan of Roger Clemens but it seems there could be a lot of evidence that he has used them. The worse part about this whole story is no matter what Roger Clemens does he is always and forever going to be associated with steroids even if he is not guilty of it. It seems as a society we all rush to judge someone before we know the whole story. Even if Clemens is found to have never used them their still will be the cloud over his head. How much will it effect his hall-of-fame election is another story. He may not get in for awhile.

Continue reading "Can We Really Trust What Roger Clemens Is Saying?"

Well this should not come as much of a surprise that Jose Canseco has signed a deal to finish his new book on steroids in baseball and according to him and his agent many more names will be dropped in his book that was left off the Mitchell report. Now I'm not one to say Jose always speaks the truth, but so far everything he has said has been right on. Now according to him A-Rod and Ivan Rodriguez were left off that list and should be included plus a few others which of course will be mention in his book.

Continue reading "Juiced 2 The Sequel!"

While attending college at the University of Tampa, I noticed the awesome fact that the area is rich in professional sports! The Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are relatively close to each other and easily accessible. The closest NBA was the Orlando Magic, but I got to catch a pre-season game at the Ice Palace one year. I felt really spoiled since I grew up in a place where everything was much more spread out and harder to get tickets for. To make things even better – there was plenty of golf and tennis around. I only wish the USF Bulls were as good as they are now when I was there. I didn’t complain though, I was able to go to the games free since my school didn’t have football. (They did at one time; John Matuszak is a U Tampa alum!)

Continue reading "Something's wrong with Tropicana Field?"