1. The DH
2. Turf
3. Humidor balls
4. Congress intervening in baseball when there are more pressing issues than Steroids
5. Fans who scream for a balk, when clearly, there was no balk. Most fans don't know what a balk is
6. Fans who boo pick-off moves
7. Fans who boo intentional walks
8. Maple bats
9. Really baggy pants
10. No salary cap
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
My Response
Over at The Shooter's Take, Shooter wrote an entry about 50 things in sports that have been on his mind. Here is my take on each of points:
1. Disagree
All 3 of the rivalries usually have big impacts in each of their respective sports. The Yankees and Red Sox are always in the hunt for the World Series title. The excitement during the regular season (barring games in September) is overhyped because of how many games are played. UNC and Duke are always in the top 10 and the passion of each school makes the games very exciting. Ohio State and Michigan haven't been too impressive on a national scope as of late, but this game often decides the Big-10. I understand that each of these rivalries are over-publicized by ESPN, which can be very annoying. But, that doesn't mean the games are not of importance and plenty of people care.
2. Sort of agree.
Yes, it would be nice if the refs made more correct calls and lessened the allowance of traveling, but often, they call too many ticky-tack fouls in the lane. I would like to see LESS of that.
3. Agree.
Blame Vlade.
4. Agree
There is too much flopping, but its a part of the game. Soccer will never be big in America. Baseball, basketball, and football will never be overcome by soccer. If ESPN bought the rights to the English Premier League, the popularity would take over hockey.
5. Mixed
Some of them ARE athletes (cheerleaders, X-Games competitors, swimmers) and some ARE sports, but they should not get the coverage they do on ESPN when the network could spend that money on something more useful, like English football.
6. Agree
Although I believe that kids should look towards their parents and people they personally know as role models, there are certain kids who don't have real role models in their life and look up to athletes.
7. Agree with all except less bowl game.
More bowl games helps local economies right now and we know our country needs it.
8. Who cares?
Both are boring.
9. Absolutely.
Do not get me started.
10. Disagree.
Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson, Greg Maddux, Derek Jeter, and Vladimir Guerrero are just a few of many to be remembered.
11. Duh.
12. Chin music has always been a part of the game and always should be. Pitchers establish their territory this way and if the batter doesn't want to be hit in the head, don't crowd the plate. They are taking their own risk.
13. Sort of agree.
Gambling does make horse racing what it is and I am a big horse racing fan, but it does not improve the quality of entertainment for football, basketball, or baseball.
14. Agreed.
Sadly though, they are the 3 consistent college programs on the west coast.
15. Agreed.
16. Disagree.
Kiper is Joe Montana, but it's not the 80's anymore, it's the mid-90's and McShay is Steve Young. It's McShay's world now. He is the better analyst. Kiper has lost his touch.
17. Hahaha....so true.
18. Pac-10 and Big-10 are talked about plenty when they prove their worth. Sadly, this year isn't one of those years.
19. A-Rod WILL be in the hall-of-fame.
20. Ya, it's tacky, but would you turn down that money? I think not.
21. Agreed full-heartedly.
22. John Kruk does NOT know baseball.
23. David Stern turned the NBA into a multi-billion dollar enterprise from a lower-tier sport in America. That is obsurd. Yes...Selig must go.
24. Agreed on McCain. Cuban...sure?
25. It's far too early to call him a bust. Was he over-hyped? Yes. Has he lived up to expectations? No. But he hasn't even finished a season in the NBA and he is having injury issues. It is far too early to call him a "bust."
26. The Clippers should move to San Diego, IMO.
27. Thanks for stating the obvious, Shooter.
28. Most likely, the 49ers. That's where his numbers are. As a 49er fan...I don't want him.
29. You and everyone in Westwood. I'd rather Willie Mays.
30. To make soccer popular in America, it would take a lot to happen. First, ESPN would have to get rights to show English Premier League and expose great soccer to America. After numerous years of doing so, the fanbase for soccer will increase. After which, MLS franchise will have to start spending big money to get big players out of Europe and spend big money to create stadiums more suitable for soccer. The MLS would need a commisioner like David Stern to make the magic happen.
31. Tony Reali just might. I think Michael Wilbon and Tony Cornheiser might considering that they not only discusses sports on PTI but they travel to big sporting events. Jim Rome is a tool.
32. Yup.
33. I hate the Superdome, but for New Orleans' economical benefit, I'll agree.
34. The Padres asked the city of San Diego for a stadium shortly after reaching the World Series and when the Chargers were one of the worst teams in the league. By the time Petco park was finished, the Padres were decent, although they are terrible now, and the Chargers have consistently become one of the better teams in the league. Unfortunately, San Diego just does not have the money to fund another stadium right now. It's just bad timing and it has nothing to do with what they deserve.
35. New stadiums and arenas are being built up instead of out.
36. He might turn into a prominent porn-star.
37. In this day and age, good commentators are very rare.
38. Barry Bonds HAD the biggest ego in sports. In the early 90's he was just like T.O. As he got older and became a father, he toned it down, but the media played it up. The media bugs him about steroids and he always said during his press conferences that he was there to talk about the game and not steroids. He doesn't go looking for publicity like Curt Schilling, who I think has the biggest ego in sports, and he doesn't make outlandish statements that distract a team.
39. Who cares?
40. Eh, so did Gary Payton.
41. You forgot about Pacific Northwest sports fans being to delusional and biased.
42. No.
43. Agreed.
44. Agreed.
45. No. There are at least 100 nicknames of baseball players that are better.
46. Agreed.
47. Always thought about that.
48. Jack Nicholson...that's about it.
49. He was too young to call him a first-ballot, but he was definitely a hall-of-famer. And yes, they deserved to be put away for life, regardless of the fact that Sean Taylor was a tremendous athlete.
50. So true.
1. Disagree
All 3 of the rivalries usually have big impacts in each of their respective sports. The Yankees and Red Sox are always in the hunt for the World Series title. The excitement during the regular season (barring games in September) is overhyped because of how many games are played. UNC and Duke are always in the top 10 and the passion of each school makes the games very exciting. Ohio State and Michigan haven't been too impressive on a national scope as of late, but this game often decides the Big-10. I understand that each of these rivalries are over-publicized by ESPN, which can be very annoying. But, that doesn't mean the games are not of importance and plenty of people care.
2. Sort of agree.
Yes, it would be nice if the refs made more correct calls and lessened the allowance of traveling, but often, they call too many ticky-tack fouls in the lane. I would like to see LESS of that.
3. Agree.
Blame Vlade.
4. Agree
There is too much flopping, but its a part of the game. Soccer will never be big in America. Baseball, basketball, and football will never be overcome by soccer. If ESPN bought the rights to the English Premier League, the popularity would take over hockey.
5. Mixed
Some of them ARE athletes (cheerleaders, X-Games competitors, swimmers) and some ARE sports, but they should not get the coverage they do on ESPN when the network could spend that money on something more useful, like English football.
6. Agree
Although I believe that kids should look towards their parents and people they personally know as role models, there are certain kids who don't have real role models in their life and look up to athletes.
7. Agree with all except less bowl game.
More bowl games helps local economies right now and we know our country needs it.
8. Who cares?
Both are boring.
9. Absolutely.
Do not get me started.
10. Disagree.
Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson, Greg Maddux, Derek Jeter, and Vladimir Guerrero are just a few of many to be remembered.
11. Duh.
12. Chin music has always been a part of the game and always should be. Pitchers establish their territory this way and if the batter doesn't want to be hit in the head, don't crowd the plate. They are taking their own risk.
13. Sort of agree.
Gambling does make horse racing what it is and I am a big horse racing fan, but it does not improve the quality of entertainment for football, basketball, or baseball.
14. Agreed.
Sadly though, they are the 3 consistent college programs on the west coast.
15. Agreed.
16. Disagree.
Kiper is Joe Montana, but it's not the 80's anymore, it's the mid-90's and McShay is Steve Young. It's McShay's world now. He is the better analyst. Kiper has lost his touch.
17. Hahaha....so true.
18. Pac-10 and Big-10 are talked about plenty when they prove their worth. Sadly, this year isn't one of those years.
19. A-Rod WILL be in the hall-of-fame.
20. Ya, it's tacky, but would you turn down that money? I think not.
21. Agreed full-heartedly.
22. John Kruk does NOT know baseball.
23. David Stern turned the NBA into a multi-billion dollar enterprise from a lower-tier sport in America. That is obsurd. Yes...Selig must go.
24. Agreed on McCain. Cuban...sure?
25. It's far too early to call him a bust. Was he over-hyped? Yes. Has he lived up to expectations? No. But he hasn't even finished a season in the NBA and he is having injury issues. It is far too early to call him a "bust."
26. The Clippers should move to San Diego, IMO.
27. Thanks for stating the obvious, Shooter.
28. Most likely, the 49ers. That's where his numbers are. As a 49er fan...I don't want him.
29. You and everyone in Westwood. I'd rather Willie Mays.
30. To make soccer popular in America, it would take a lot to happen. First, ESPN would have to get rights to show English Premier League and expose great soccer to America. After numerous years of doing so, the fanbase for soccer will increase. After which, MLS franchise will have to start spending big money to get big players out of Europe and spend big money to create stadiums more suitable for soccer. The MLS would need a commisioner like David Stern to make the magic happen.
31. Tony Reali just might. I think Michael Wilbon and Tony Cornheiser might considering that they not only discusses sports on PTI but they travel to big sporting events. Jim Rome is a tool.
32. Yup.
33. I hate the Superdome, but for New Orleans' economical benefit, I'll agree.
34. The Padres asked the city of San Diego for a stadium shortly after reaching the World Series and when the Chargers were one of the worst teams in the league. By the time Petco park was finished, the Padres were decent, although they are terrible now, and the Chargers have consistently become one of the better teams in the league. Unfortunately, San Diego just does not have the money to fund another stadium right now. It's just bad timing and it has nothing to do with what they deserve.
35. New stadiums and arenas are being built up instead of out.
36. He might turn into a prominent porn-star.
37. In this day and age, good commentators are very rare.
38. Barry Bonds HAD the biggest ego in sports. In the early 90's he was just like T.O. As he got older and became a father, he toned it down, but the media played it up. The media bugs him about steroids and he always said during his press conferences that he was there to talk about the game and not steroids. He doesn't go looking for publicity like Curt Schilling, who I think has the biggest ego in sports, and he doesn't make outlandish statements that distract a team.
39. Who cares?
40. Eh, so did Gary Payton.
41. You forgot about Pacific Northwest sports fans being to delusional and biased.
42. No.
43. Agreed.
44. Agreed.
45. No. There are at least 100 nicknames of baseball players that are better.
46. Agreed.
47. Always thought about that.
48. Jack Nicholson...that's about it.
49. He was too young to call him a first-ballot, but he was definitely a hall-of-famer. And yes, they deserved to be put away for life, regardless of the fact that Sean Taylor was a tremendous athlete.
50. So true.
The Most Dominant Football Clubs in the World
1. Real Madrid
League Titles: 31
League Cups: 26
Champions League/European Cups: 9
UEFA Cups, Cup Winner's Cups, and Super Cups: 3
Intercontinental Cups and FIFA Club World Cups: 3
2. AC Milan
League Titles: 17
League Cups: 10
Champions League/European Cups: 7
UEFA Cups, Cup Winner's Cups, and Super Cups: 7
Intercontinental Cups and FIFA Club World Cups: 4
3. Ajax
League Titles: 29
League Cups: 17
Champions League/European Cups: 4
UEFA Cups, Cup Winner's Cups, and Super Cups: 5
Intercontinental Cups and FIFA Club World Cups: 2
4. Bayern Munich
League Titles: 21
League Cups: 23
Champions League/European Cups: 4
UEFA Cups, Cup Winner's Cups, and Super Cups: 2
Intercontinental Cups and FIFA Club World Cups: 2
5. Liverpool FC
League Titles: 18
League Cups: 15
Champions League/European Cups: 5
UEFA Cups, Cup Winner's Cups, and Super Cups: 6
Intercontinental Cups and FIFA Club World Cups: 0
6. Manchester United
League Titles: 17
League Cups: 14
Champions League/European Cups: 3
UEFA Cups, Cup Winner's Cups, and Super Cups: 2
Intercontinental Cups and FIFA Club World Cups: 2
7. Juventus
League Titles: 27
League Cups: 13
Champions League/European Cups: 2
UEFA Cups, Cup Winner's Cups, and Super Cups: 6
Intercontinental Cups and FIFA Club World Cups: 2
8. FC Barcelona
League Titles: 18
League Cups: 33
Champions League/European Cups: 2
UEFA Cups, Cup Winner's Cups, and Super Cups: 6
Intercontinental Cups and FIFA Club World Cups: 0
9. Inter Milan
League Titles: 16
League Cups: 9
Champions League/European Cups: 2
UEFA Cups, Cup Winner's Cups, and Super Cups: 3
Intercontinental Cups and FIFA Club World Cups: 2
10. F.C. Porto
League Titles: 23
League Cups: 17
Champions League/European Cups: 2
UEFA Cups, Cup Winner's Cups, and Super Cups: 2
Intercontinental Cups and FIFA Club World Cups: 2
League Titles: 31
League Cups: 26
Champions League/European Cups: 9
UEFA Cups, Cup Winner's Cups, and Super Cups: 3
Intercontinental Cups and FIFA Club World Cups: 3
2. AC Milan
League Titles: 17
League Cups: 10
Champions League/European Cups: 7
UEFA Cups, Cup Winner's Cups, and Super Cups: 7
Intercontinental Cups and FIFA Club World Cups: 4
3. Ajax
League Titles: 29
League Cups: 17
Champions League/European Cups: 4
UEFA Cups, Cup Winner's Cups, and Super Cups: 5
Intercontinental Cups and FIFA Club World Cups: 2
4. Bayern Munich
League Titles: 21
League Cups: 23
Champions League/European Cups: 4
UEFA Cups, Cup Winner's Cups, and Super Cups: 2
Intercontinental Cups and FIFA Club World Cups: 2
5. Liverpool FC
League Titles: 18
League Cups: 15
Champions League/European Cups: 5
UEFA Cups, Cup Winner's Cups, and Super Cups: 6
Intercontinental Cups and FIFA Club World Cups: 0
6. Manchester United
League Titles: 17
League Cups: 14
Champions League/European Cups: 3
UEFA Cups, Cup Winner's Cups, and Super Cups: 2
Intercontinental Cups and FIFA Club World Cups: 2
7. Juventus
League Titles: 27
League Cups: 13
Champions League/European Cups: 2
UEFA Cups, Cup Winner's Cups, and Super Cups: 6
Intercontinental Cups and FIFA Club World Cups: 2
8. FC Barcelona
League Titles: 18
League Cups: 33
Champions League/European Cups: 2
UEFA Cups, Cup Winner's Cups, and Super Cups: 6
Intercontinental Cups and FIFA Club World Cups: 0
9. Inter Milan
League Titles: 16
League Cups: 9
Champions League/European Cups: 2
UEFA Cups, Cup Winner's Cups, and Super Cups: 3
Intercontinental Cups and FIFA Club World Cups: 2
10. F.C. Porto
League Titles: 23
League Cups: 17
Champions League/European Cups: 2
UEFA Cups, Cup Winner's Cups, and Super Cups: 2
Intercontinental Cups and FIFA Club World Cups: 2
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The Commish
Dear Bud Selig,
You have brought shame to America's pastime. Amidst scandal and detriment to the game of baseball, you take no responsibility for your lack of action in the past and turn your frustration into inappropriate action in the present.
The Steroid Era has occurred under your watch and you have the audacity to try to punish players who are under protection of confidentiality. You have the audacity to try and change baseball's most holy record. Even Hank Aaron thinks you are out of line. What's next? The 1989 A's lose their World Series trophy and hand it to the Giants? Do you take Gaylord Perry out of the hall-of-fame because he used a spitball?
Mr. Selig, this was your watch and you fell asleep. You chose to do nothing in the mid-90's when Steroids was at it's peak because it helped bring popularity back to baseball after the strike. Man up and take responsibility for what you have done to the game. Apologize to the baseball fans of the world for choosing to do nothing as the game was slowly being tarnished. Apologize to the fans for acting only when you were forced by the pressure of the media as news of steroid-use finally broke out in the early-2000's. Apologize to the fans for not doing your job. Do the game a favor, and retire.
Sincerely,
A REALLY PISSED OFF FAN
You have brought shame to America's pastime. Amidst scandal and detriment to the game of baseball, you take no responsibility for your lack of action in the past and turn your frustration into inappropriate action in the present.
The Steroid Era has occurred under your watch and you have the audacity to try to punish players who are under protection of confidentiality. You have the audacity to try and change baseball's most holy record. Even Hank Aaron thinks you are out of line. What's next? The 1989 A's lose their World Series trophy and hand it to the Giants? Do you take Gaylord Perry out of the hall-of-fame because he used a spitball?
Mr. Selig, this was your watch and you fell asleep. You chose to do nothing in the mid-90's when Steroids was at it's peak because it helped bring popularity back to baseball after the strike. Man up and take responsibility for what you have done to the game. Apologize to the baseball fans of the world for choosing to do nothing as the game was slowly being tarnished. Apologize to the fans for acting only when you were forced by the pressure of the media as news of steroid-use finally broke out in the early-2000's. Apologize to the fans for not doing your job. Do the game a favor, and retire.
Sincerely,
A REALLY PISSED OFF FAN
My Predictions for the 2009 Major League Baseball Season
First of all, I think baseball predictions are pretty stupid at the beginning of the year because it is such a long season and many things can change, but I have a light homework load this term and I'm bored.
*Wild Card
AL East
1. New York Yankees
2. Boston Red Sox*
3. Tampa Bay Rays
4. Toronto Blue Jays
5. Baltimore Orioles
The Yankees had the best off-season in the majors, by far. The filled the big void in the starting rotation by getting C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett and got a big bat and glove at 1st base in Mark Texeira. The Red Sox will filled their bullpen woes and added some depth in the field by adding John Smoltz, Mark Kotsay, and Rocco Baldelli. Although the Rays added Burrell, they will drop in production after an abnormal year in success, but only slightly.
AL Central
1. Minnesota Twins
2. Chicago White Sox
3. Cleveland Indians
4. Kansas City Royals
5. Detroit Tigers
The Twins might have the best 1-2 punch in the middle of the order in all of baseball. Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau will have help from up-and-comers Carlos Gomez and Denard Span. The Twins always exceed expectations and even last year with almost zero pitching staff, they fell just 1 game short of the playoffs. The rest of the division did not enough in the off-season to contend with this young and talented Twins ball club.
AL West
1. Los Angeles Angels
2. Oakland Athletics
3. Texas Rangers
4. Seattle Mariners
Do I even need to explain? The Angels are far more talented than anyone in this divison. In fact, they may be the only team to get over .500.
NL East
1. New York Mets
2. Philadelphia Phillies*
3. Florida Marlins
4. Atlanta Braves
5. Washington Nationals
The Mets fixed their big bullpen issue by getting Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz. The Mets were a decent bullpen away from winning the NL East last year, and with their lineup, they should be able to slip past the Phillies for the divison. The Phillies, however, are very strong and should be able to beat out the Cardinals for the wild card. The Marlins should be very productive as well, but with the talent in Philadelphia and New York, they won't make the playoffs.
NL Central
1. Chicago Cubs
2. St. Louis Cardinals
3. Milwaukee Brewers
4. Houston Astros
5. Cincinnati Reds
6. Pittsburgh Pirates
The Cubs may still be the most talented team in the National League and should have another great regular season, but will once again choke in the playoffs. The Cardinals should contend, but fall just short of the Wild Card. The rest of the division will have trouble staying around .500.
NL West
1. San Francisco Giants
2. Arizona Diamondbacks
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
4. Colorado Rockies
5. San Diego Padres
Being the weakest division in the majors, the NL West is a 3-way toss-up between the Giants, Diamondbacks, and Dodgers. The Dodgers lost a lot of talent this off-season, especially from their rotation and bullpen. Even if they get Manny Ramirez back, they are going to struggle with their pitching. The Diamondbacks return a good young ball club, however they need to mature if they want to have consistent success, unlike last year. A big loss for the Diamondbacks was Randy Johnson, who was a big role in their rotation. Randy Johnson ended up in San Francisco in what may be the best rotation in the National League. The Giants showed a lot of progress at the end of last year with the success from their young players. The Giants ended their season by winning 3 straight series against the Dodgers and finishing 22-19. Pablo Sandoval will be leading the young squad offensively and will be a big surprise in the National League this year. An 84-win season could very well win this division.
ALDS
New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Angels
The Yankees should handle the Angels pretty easily, especially with their pitching staff and an Angels offense that last year was less than stellar.
Boston Red Sox vs. Minnesota Twins
The Red Sox are getting old and like last year against the Rays, they will have trouble against a young and lively ball club in Minnesota.
NLDS
New York Mets vs. San Francisco Giants
The Giants will have squeaked out an NL West division title but should lose handily to the Mets. The Giants should get their only win in the series from Tim Lincecum.
Chicago Cubs vs. Philadelphia Phillies
The Cubs will make it a step farther this year and take care of the reigning World Series champions. This series will go down to 5 games and the Cubs will win in dramatic fashion in a come from behind win.
ALCS
New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins
It's easy to pick the Yankees to win it all, but the Twins are going to bring a lot of energy and nothing-to-lose attitude to this series. The Yankees are going to have all the pressure on them and the Twins will be the young, naive team who comes in and beats them with speed, hustle, and small-ball.
NLCS
New York Mets vs. Chicago Cubs
The Mets will finally get over the hump, which Cubs fans will scoff at the idea of. Like the Yankees, the Cubs will have too much pressure and the sheer amount of talent of the Mets will be too much.
World Series
Minnesota Twins vs. New York Mets
The New York Mets will come in as the big favorites and the Twins will come in as the Cinderlla story just as the Rays did last year. However, Ron Gardenhire's experience in the playoffs and the energy of this young team is going to overcome the talent of the Mets and their overbearing pressure of the New York media and fans.
World Series Champions
Minnesota Twins
AL MVP
Joe Mauer
NL MVP
David Wright
AL Cy Young
C.C. Sabathia
NL Cy Young
Tim Lincecum
AL COY
Ron Gerdenhire
NL COY
Jerry Manuel
AL ROY
David Price
NL ROY
Cameron Maybin
*Wild Card
AL East
1. New York Yankees
2. Boston Red Sox*
3. Tampa Bay Rays
4. Toronto Blue Jays
5. Baltimore Orioles
The Yankees had the best off-season in the majors, by far. The filled the big void in the starting rotation by getting C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett and got a big bat and glove at 1st base in Mark Texeira. The Red Sox will filled their bullpen woes and added some depth in the field by adding John Smoltz, Mark Kotsay, and Rocco Baldelli. Although the Rays added Burrell, they will drop in production after an abnormal year in success, but only slightly.
AL Central
1. Minnesota Twins
2. Chicago White Sox
3. Cleveland Indians
4. Kansas City Royals
5. Detroit Tigers
The Twins might have the best 1-2 punch in the middle of the order in all of baseball. Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau will have help from up-and-comers Carlos Gomez and Denard Span. The Twins always exceed expectations and even last year with almost zero pitching staff, they fell just 1 game short of the playoffs. The rest of the division did not enough in the off-season to contend with this young and talented Twins ball club.
AL West
1. Los Angeles Angels
2. Oakland Athletics
3. Texas Rangers
4. Seattle Mariners
Do I even need to explain? The Angels are far more talented than anyone in this divison. In fact, they may be the only team to get over .500.
NL East
1. New York Mets
2. Philadelphia Phillies*
3. Florida Marlins
4. Atlanta Braves
5. Washington Nationals
The Mets fixed their big bullpen issue by getting Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz. The Mets were a decent bullpen away from winning the NL East last year, and with their lineup, they should be able to slip past the Phillies for the divison. The Phillies, however, are very strong and should be able to beat out the Cardinals for the wild card. The Marlins should be very productive as well, but with the talent in Philadelphia and New York, they won't make the playoffs.
NL Central
1. Chicago Cubs
2. St. Louis Cardinals
3. Milwaukee Brewers
4. Houston Astros
5. Cincinnati Reds
6. Pittsburgh Pirates
The Cubs may still be the most talented team in the National League and should have another great regular season, but will once again choke in the playoffs. The Cardinals should contend, but fall just short of the Wild Card. The rest of the division will have trouble staying around .500.
NL West
1. San Francisco Giants
2. Arizona Diamondbacks
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
4. Colorado Rockies
5. San Diego Padres
Being the weakest division in the majors, the NL West is a 3-way toss-up between the Giants, Diamondbacks, and Dodgers. The Dodgers lost a lot of talent this off-season, especially from their rotation and bullpen. Even if they get Manny Ramirez back, they are going to struggle with their pitching. The Diamondbacks return a good young ball club, however they need to mature if they want to have consistent success, unlike last year. A big loss for the Diamondbacks was Randy Johnson, who was a big role in their rotation. Randy Johnson ended up in San Francisco in what may be the best rotation in the National League. The Giants showed a lot of progress at the end of last year with the success from their young players. The Giants ended their season by winning 3 straight series against the Dodgers and finishing 22-19. Pablo Sandoval will be leading the young squad offensively and will be a big surprise in the National League this year. An 84-win season could very well win this division.
ALDS
New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Angels
The Yankees should handle the Angels pretty easily, especially with their pitching staff and an Angels offense that last year was less than stellar.
Boston Red Sox vs. Minnesota Twins
The Red Sox are getting old and like last year against the Rays, they will have trouble against a young and lively ball club in Minnesota.
NLDS
New York Mets vs. San Francisco Giants
The Giants will have squeaked out an NL West division title but should lose handily to the Mets. The Giants should get their only win in the series from Tim Lincecum.
Chicago Cubs vs. Philadelphia Phillies
The Cubs will make it a step farther this year and take care of the reigning World Series champions. This series will go down to 5 games and the Cubs will win in dramatic fashion in a come from behind win.
ALCS
New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins
It's easy to pick the Yankees to win it all, but the Twins are going to bring a lot of energy and nothing-to-lose attitude to this series. The Yankees are going to have all the pressure on them and the Twins will be the young, naive team who comes in and beats them with speed, hustle, and small-ball.
NLCS
New York Mets vs. Chicago Cubs
The Mets will finally get over the hump, which Cubs fans will scoff at the idea of. Like the Yankees, the Cubs will have too much pressure and the sheer amount of talent of the Mets will be too much.
World Series
Minnesota Twins vs. New York Mets
The New York Mets will come in as the big favorites and the Twins will come in as the Cinderlla story just as the Rays did last year. However, Ron Gardenhire's experience in the playoffs and the energy of this young team is going to overcome the talent of the Mets and their overbearing pressure of the New York media and fans.
World Series Champions
Minnesota Twins
AL MVP
Joe Mauer
NL MVP
David Wright
AL Cy Young
C.C. Sabathia
NL Cy Young
Tim Lincecum
AL COY
Ron Gerdenhire
NL COY
Jerry Manuel
AL ROY
David Price
NL ROY
Cameron Maybin
Monday, January 12, 2009
The First Annual Bay Bloggin' Film Awards: 2008
Best Picture
Winner: Slumdog Millionaire
Runner Up: The Dark Knight
Best Director
Winner: Christopher Nolan for The Dark Knight
Runner Up: Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire
Best Actor
Winner: Sean Penn for Milk
Runner Up: Frank Langella for Frost/Nixon
Best Actress
Winner: Sally Hawkins for Happy-Go-Lucky
Runner Up: Meryl Streep for Doubt
Best Supporting Actor
Winner: Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight
Runner Up: Robert Downey Jr. for Tropic Thunder
Best Supporting Actress
Winner: Kate Winslet for The Reader
Runner Up: Amy Adams for Doubt
Best Animated Film
Winner: Wall-E
Runner Up: Nothing comes close.
Best Screenplay
Winner: Simon Beaufoy for Slumdog Millionaire
Runner Up: Eric Roth for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Best Original Score
Winner: A.R. Rahman for Slumdog Millionaire
Runner Up: Alexandre Desplat for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Best Original Song
Winner: "Down to Earth" for Wall-E
Runner Up: "The Wrestler" for The Wrestler
Winner: Slumdog Millionaire
Runner Up: The Dark Knight
Best Director
Winner: Christopher Nolan for The Dark Knight
Runner Up: Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire
Best Actor
Winner: Sean Penn for Milk
Runner Up: Frank Langella for Frost/Nixon
Best Actress
Winner: Sally Hawkins for Happy-Go-Lucky
Runner Up: Meryl Streep for Doubt
Best Supporting Actor
Winner: Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight
Runner Up: Robert Downey Jr. for Tropic Thunder
Best Supporting Actress
Winner: Kate Winslet for The Reader
Runner Up: Amy Adams for Doubt
Best Animated Film
Winner: Wall-E
Runner Up: Nothing comes close.
Best Screenplay
Winner: Simon Beaufoy for Slumdog Millionaire
Runner Up: Eric Roth for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Best Original Score
Winner: A.R. Rahman for Slumdog Millionaire
Runner Up: Alexandre Desplat for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Best Original Song
Winner: "Down to Earth" for Wall-E
Runner Up: "The Wrestler" for The Wrestler
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Thoughts From The Holiday Bowl
-Oregon adjusted great at halftime.
-Nick Alliotti needs to be fired.
-Masoli is a stud with the ball in his hands.
-Blount is a man among boys.
-Oregon missed out on too many opportunities.
-Great tailgating atmosphere as usual.
-UOAA pre-func sucked.
-Too many annoying marketing schticks during every timeout.
-Terrible halftime show
-Gorillas? Really?
-The Cowboy gun going off at random times was SO annoying and should be illegal as it could cause a false start.
-We filled about 60% of the attendance, the Cowboys filled about 30%, and about 10% were Charger season-ticket holders.
-What was with the 2005 Civil War fog after the game ended?
-OSU fans were class acts from my experience.
-Nick Alliotti needs to be fired.
-Masoli is a stud with the ball in his hands.
-Blount is a man among boys.
-Oregon missed out on too many opportunities.
-Great tailgating atmosphere as usual.
-UOAA pre-func sucked.
-Too many annoying marketing schticks during every timeout.
-Terrible halftime show
-Gorillas? Really?
-The Cowboy gun going off at random times was SO annoying and should be illegal as it could cause a false start.
-We filled about 60% of the attendance, the Cowboys filled about 30%, and about 10% were Charger season-ticket holders.
-What was with the 2005 Civil War fog after the game ended?
-OSU fans were class acts from my experience.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
