It’s that time again my friends. The tomatoes are in place. Now if we’ll just have the deserving individuals in sports please stand up.
Ready… aim… fire!
Throwing Tomatoes – Volume XII
The NBA’s New OKC franchise …for filing six “not-so-OK” nicknames. Per a recent AP report: “The NBA has filed for trademark rights to six nicknames for the league’s new Oklahoma City franchise: Barons, Bison, Energy, Marshalls, Thunder, and Wind.
Why do I picture a team intro to “Earth, Wind, and Fire”? “Shining Star” perhaps? Boy, that one would really pump you up!
As for the nicknames, where do I start? We have Marshalls with ‘two L’s’, and that isn’t even the half of it. Heck, making fun of “Wind” alone would be a breeze.
Julio Castillo …for hitting a fan in the head (with a baseball) during a minor-league brawl. Minor league brawls… boy, you sure don’t hear about those very often. Still, they happen in baseball. That doesn’t make it right for excessive force, and even though brawls aren’t the best way to solve things, a player should never use a baseball as a weapon during a brawl. That’s exactly what Castillo did, throwing a ball at the opponent’s dugout, only to instead injure a fan in the process.
Nice aim Julio.. I guess now we know why you’re in the minors.
Pittsburgh Pirates …for not getting enough value in their recent deal with the Yankees. The talk for weeks was that the Pirates wanted “the farm” for Xavier Nady. By the time the deal arrived, Pittsburgh had not only dealt away Nady, but also Damaso Marte to the Yankees, while only getting four players in return, only two of which cracked Baseball America’s preseason top 10 list of Yankees prospects (Jose Tabata - #3 and Ross Ohlendorf - #9). Not surprisingly, there’s a mutiny against the Pirates after that deal.
ARRR! That’s not quite the booty Pittsburgh fans were likely expecting in return.
Steven Jackson …for missing the opening day of training camp Look at Jackson’s stat line for the Rams in 2007: 1,002 yards rushing, only two 100-yard rushing games, and out ¼ of the season with an injury. Jackson may be a special player, but those numbers are nothing special to me. I don’t think those numbers earn him the right to hold out. In my book, it only earns Jackson a tomato.
The WNBA’s Detroit Shock and Los Angeles Sparks …for their bench clearing brawl early last week. Wait, am I seriously throwing a tomato at a catfight again? I need more sleep.
Goodyear Tires at the Allstate 400 …for not being reliable. Yikes, it was a tough day for Goodyear. I heard Kyle Busch’s tire melted on the track, not in his hand.
Brett Favre …for not showing up at camp. All that talk about how he was going to show up at training camp, and Favre never made it. I sure hope he sent Ted Thompson a text message letting him know.
Green Bay Packers …for denying Favre the opportunity to compete for the starting job. Favre isn’t expecting to start. He just wants to compete for it. If Green Bay can’t land a first round pick for Brett, they may want to think about going back on that little promise – you know, the one where the Packers said Favre won’t compete for that job at all.
Honorary Tomato Throwers of the Week Because those who found success earn a chance to sling one at their opposition New York Yankees – at the rival Red Sox after taking the series at Fenway Park and getting back into the division race.
Colorado Rockies – at the NL West after not only winning nine of ten, but also getting back into the division race. Jimmie Johnson – at the NASCAR field after winning the Allstate 400.
This has been “Throwing Tomatoes”… now don’t blow a tire trying to head to your nearest vegetable stand for ammunition.
It’s the toughest ticket in town. A huge rivalry – emotions soaring, teams scoring, balls flying, tempers boiling – a game that anyone would want to experience live. For me, it’s Yankees vs. Red Sox. For you, it could be the same – or perhaps another rivalry in the world of sports.
The Bronx Bombers are back in Boston this weekend, and countless fans are becoming as broke as Ed McMahon trying to buy tickets.
Eight years living close enough to Fenway Park, and I haven’t even sniffed Sox-Yanks tickets – not that I would, that would be weird.
It has come to the point that in order to get my hands on tickets to this heated rivalry, drastic measures are going to have to be taken…
What I’m Willing to Do for Yankees vs. Red Sox Tickets
-- Wear a Yankees shirt with a bullseye on it outside of Fenway Park.
-- Let Brett Favre decide when I should open my parachute after skydiving.
-- Grow a mustache like the one Jason Giambi has - refuse to wear a gold thong though - you have to draw the line somewhere.
-- Invent and participate in “Wicked Good ‘Chowda’ Wrestling” – as in New England clam chowder. My only request is to keep it at room temperature. I don’t want to burn “my boys”.
-- Run the Boston Marathon backwards in 2009. -- Watch an entire season of Duke football (add in Notre Dame, too).
-- Challenge Johnny Damon to a throwing contest. You’re right… that really isn’t much of a challenge.
-- Make up my own Cynthia Rodriguez t-shirt line. It’ll be @#$% great!
-- Play “bobbing for tickets”… in a tank full of lobsters.
-- Challenge Bartolo Colon, C.C. Sabathia, and Miguel Cabrera to a Boston Cream Pie eating contest.
-- Take credit for Boston’s “Big Dig”.
-- Dress up like Don Zimmer and charge Pedro Martinez while he’s pitching for the Mets.
-- Volunteer to be Godfather to all of Brangelina’s kids. -- Stand in between Rosie O’Donnell and Kirstie Alley at the Hometown Buffet and scream “Five minutes ‘til closing”.
-- Wear one of Sergio Garcia’s outfits in public.
-- Dress up like Jonathan Papelbon and walk throughout New York City.
-- Wear a David Tyree jersey and walk through downtown Boston.
-- Have Sanjaya Malakar sing next to me on a glass bridge.
-- Be Christian Bale’s personal punching bag for a week.
-- Grow hair like Manny.
And finally…
-- Speak with a Boston accent for the rest of the season. Take the following examples: "That pitchah throws a wicked hahhd fastball." "The dater on ‘dis guy says he can smack one ovah the Monstah and outta the pahhk." "You think Papelbon will blow ‘dis game? Whatayou, retahdid?'
There you have it… a few potential options. What would YOU do for the toughest ticket in your town?
It’s all about things being broken this week. Broken bones, broken hearts, and as painful as it sounds, even a testicular fracture. Before I become a broken record, let’s just get to the tomato throwin’…
Throwing Tomatoes – Volume IX
Seattle SuperSonics and its Ownership …for packing up and moving to Oklahoma City. It’s always tough to see a team move. I feel for the fans of Seattle… for a lot of reasons. The Mariners enter the season with hype and falter. The Sonics never quite got it done in the 90’s. Now they add a potential star in Kevin Durant, only to have their team pack up and leave for the nation’s heartland.
A-Rod’s Love Life …for finding a way to get all intertwined into the sports pages. If I wanted to read about A-Rod and something besides his game (baseball game that is), I would pick up a Cosmo or People, or maybe even turn on TMZ. The only splitting I want to hear about is his bat after a high-and-tight fastball. Unless soon-to-be ex Cynthia has some more vulgar shirts, perhaps directed at Madonna. Maybe A-Rod has one for Lenny Kravitz… such as: “If You Can’t Say No”, then don’t “Dig In” with an “American Woman”. Sorry, I couldn’t resist.
Chris Snyder …for not taking better care of the “family jewels”. Poor Chris Snyder. He’s on the DL. But wait, it gets worse. He’s out with a testicular fracture. A busted nut if you will. The irony is, Snyder was replaced on the Arizona roster by Robby Hammock. Get well soon Chris.
Michael Beasley …for getting injured minutes into the Heat’s opening camp practice. OK fine, so it’s a cracked bone. That still counts as being broken. I get that he can still play, but stemming off the drama that already existed with Pat Riley apparently not being crazy about the pick, now this happens to Beasley in his opening practice? Get ready for some drama on South Beach this year.
George Sherrill …for not trusting his fastball. Blowing a save hurts a closer… and a team. But how about blowing back-to-back games when your team has the lead, two outs, and two strikes in the 9th inning. That’s what Sherrill did last week. I believe both pitches were on hanging sliders too.
The Brett Favre Saga …for not going away. This tomato is not directed at Favre himself, but more so at the rumors and sources that desperately continue to resurrect stories on Favre making a triumphant return to “Cheeseland”. C’mon people, let’s figure this story out and put it to bed.
Aaron Rodgers …for ticking off some of the best fans in football. Aaron Rodgers has upset Green Bay fans already and he hasn’t even taken the field yet. To further explain, Rodgers was quoted as saying “I don’t need to sell myself to fans, they need to get on board now or keep their mouths shut”. I wonder if the Brett Favre rumor came out to try and “stir the pot” more, perhaps making some Green Bay fans long for their Hall of Fame QB to change his mind and return for one more year? Rodgers later apologized, but something tells me he’ll still hear some boos at Lambeau Field when the season starts.
The Colorado and Florida Pitching Staffs …for giving up 35 runs and 43 hits in one game OK, so I throw a tomato at the pitching staffs of the Marlins and Rockies for their Fourth of July slugfest that provided fans with plenty of offensive fireworks. It was like teeball out there. Still, how I wish I was one of the fans sitting in the seats at Coors Field on the night when Colorado walks off with a crazy 18-17 victory over the Marlins. Now that’s exciting!
Troy Tulowitzki …for injuring himself out of frustration. It’s just been one of those years for the Colorado shortstop. This time, he’s visiting the DL due to a cut on his hand (that required stitches). How’d he get it? Try by slamming his bat down, only to have it slice his hand open. That’s call for an extra-large tomato… and a little Neosporin too.
People Drinking Wimbledon “Haterade” …instead of watching the Finals this weekend. Tennis fan or not, if you missed this weekend’s Wimbledon finals, then you missed something special. Especially on the men’s side, where Rafael Nadal was able to knock off five-time Wimbledon champ Roger Federer in a match that lasted nearly five hours.
The Orioles on Sunday … and the fact that they just can’t win. Make that 13 consecutive losses for the Baltimore Orioles on Sundays. Yes, that’s 13. The O’s haven’t won on Sunday since the opening week of the season, with the latest setback being a difficult 11-10 loss to the Rangers at Camden Yards. Maybe the Baltimore faithful can give Adam “Pacman” Jones a call. I hear he can make it rain and he’s free on Sundays until the Fall. Oh wait, that’s… nevermind.
Tyson #### …for only qualifying for the 100m in the upcoming Olympics. #### suffered a severe cramp during the 200 meter Olympics Trials race, therefore knocking him out of the competition for a medal in Beijing. One of the fastest men on the planet, and because of a cramp, he won’t have a shot. Honorary Tomato Throwers of the Week Because those who found success earn a chance to sling one at their opposition
Milwaukee Brewers – at the NL Central after reportedly trading for Cleveland ace C.C. Sabathia Kyle Busch – at the NASCAR field after winning his sixth race of the 2008 season.
This has been “Throwing Tomatoes”… let the countdown begin until the next “Brett Favre to Return” rumor surfaces.
The Tampa Bay Rays are the feel good story of baseball. So why is it that I still feel bad about their chances?
Perhaps my brain is locked in on the Yankees and Red Sox, the two Goliaths of the AL East that each year morph us into Bill Murray’s character from “Groundhog Day”, where life just repeats itself over and over again.
Wake up… Yankees and Sox in the playoffs.
Wake up… Yankees and Sox in the playoffs.
Wake up… Yankees and Sox in the playoffs.
It’s a viciously annoying cycle. I wake up and every day I see a new person diving head first onto the Tampa Bay bandwagon. Yet, every day, I stay behind and watch that wagon leave me in its wake.
Another sweep of Boston at “The Trop”, the best record in baseball, no signs of slowing down, and here I am presenting you with the first “anti-Rays” piece of the year.
Hang on a sec, I have to make sure that my head is screwed on straight.
Yep, it is.
Damn.
I don’t come here questioning Tampa Bay’s stockpile of talent – or purposely attempting to burst their bubble. I am questioning their longevity, as many have… until recent weeks that is.
Tampa Bay’s pitching has been great, the defense solid, the hitting there at all the right moments. Many baseball prognosticators discuss how the youth of the Rays will help the team stay fresh throughout the long baseball season.
I instead stare Tampa Bay’s youth right in the face and can only think about how countless times young players wear down during that first season that features a giant workload.
Take a look at the rotation of the Rays. The oldest player on the starting staff, James Shields, is only 26 years old. Youth usually equals inexperience. Let’s dive in deeper regarding the starting five of the Rays…
Scott Kazmir – 24 years old 2008: 7-3, 2.63 ERA Career Stats: 42-32, 3.50 ERA Best Season: 2007 – 13-9, 3.48 ERA Red Flag: Over 200 innings only once in his career (2007), plus has had injury issues
Matt Garza – 24 years old 2008: 7-4, 3.47 ERA Career: 15-17, 4.06 ERA Career Best: This season Red Flag: Never over 100 innings in one season and no more than 15 starts in one year
James Shields – 26 years old 2008: 6-5, 3.70 ERA Career: 24-21, 4.09 ERA Career Best: 2007 – 12-8, 3.85 ERA Red Flag: Over 200 innings only once in his career (2007) Edwin Jackson – 24 years old 2008: 4-6, 4.33 ERA Career: 15-25, 5.30 ERA Career Best: This season Red Flag: 161 innings last year (Nothing over 40 previously), Never had ERA under 5 (with exception to four game performance in 2003 in LA)
Andy Sonnanstine – 25 years old 2008: 9-3, 4.60 ERA Career: 15-13, 5.31 ERA Career Best: This season Red Flag: Only one other season in majors – 130 plus innings and 22 starts
There you have it, an inexperienced and youthful rotation, in which more than half of the group is experiencing a career year so far.
Still, we haven’t even hit the dog days of summer yet. The All-Star break isn’t even here. There’s certainly a chance that any of these players could begin to struggle as the season winds down. Injuries can and do occur.
As we all know, when a rotation falters, the bullpen usually crashes down with it. The ‘pen doesn’t get its regular rest. With the pitching struggles, quite often the offensive players may start pressing. It’s all a domino effect.
Go ahead and bring up the 2006 Detroit Tigers as an example. Fine, Verlander was a rookie and pitched well, but Jeremy Bonderman had three seasons of 160+ innings before Detroit’s 2006 World Series run. The rest of the team was speckled with seasoned veterans such as Pudge Rodriguez, Kenny Rogers, and Magglio Ordonez. The Tigers are a different story.
Go ahead and talk about baseball’s trading deadline, and some potential moves Tampa Bay can make. I know they have the depth in their farm system to make a deal.
Still, every single one of us knows that both Boston and New York will find a way to refuel at the deadline. Players will drop their no-trade clauses and flock to each of these powerhouses. Plain and simple, the major markets will get deals done.
What I want to know is this: Does the Tampa Bay front office have the “stones” to make a major deal? Tampa Bay teams of the past certainly didn’t. The “Artist formerly known as the Devil Rays” dealt away Aubrey Huff way too late, never getting enough value for him. Then there was the injury prone Rocco Baldelli, who was wanted by most of the league for years. Tampa Bay never moved him. Now, as sad as it is, Baldelli’s career is likely over.
Still, everyone jumps on the wagon, praising those sneaky little “devils” of the game – the Rays. As for me, while the Rays are a fun and unexpected story, I can’t help but admit that I still see a collapse in sight. The rotation is young and inexperienced. If they falter, the bullpen will tire. Following that, the offense could begin to press. All the while, the major markets are restocking their rosters.
Maybe I’m off base. Maybe the Rays can use this piece as bulletin board material. Maybe I’m still stuck in that “Groundhog Day” rut. Wake up… “Rays of light” shining on the game of baseball.
I awake and only see “Rays of plight”.
That’s right, I’m doubting one of the better baseball stories in recent memory.
Has anyone else noticed the river of accusations that seem to keep flowing through Beantown over recent years? Wait, you have no idea what I’m referring to? Take a seat and do your best impression of Auguste Rodin’s “Thinker Statue”, and maybe It’ll come to you. Not yet? Fine, I got you covered.
Remember Tom Brady’s ankle injury late last season? There were a number of individuals out there that accused Brady of faking, to mess with the opposing team and their game plan. Backing that rumor, the media caught Brady away from the New England practice facilities walking just fine. The locals discarded it because at least this time, Brady wasn’t sporting a Yankees hat. Meanwhile, on the practice field, he was in a walking cast and hobbling with a noticeable limp.
If the faking rumor was true, it makes sense. Having a more immobile Brady would change the defensive schemes of the opponent. Having no Brady at all means a different plan for another quarterback, or perhaps more emphasis on the New England running game.
But was Brady faking?
Let’s switch over to baseball. Remember the rumors that came out last year to discuss how Curt Schilling faked the whole “bloody sock” incident? It was Gary Thorne who mentioned it on the air during an Orioles broadcast in 2007. A day later, Thorne was on the air quickly eliminating these rumors, saying that he misheard (or perhaps “misremembered”…) what Doug Mirabelli said about the injury… which was that it was strictly for PR. Did someone get to Thorne?
Sure, if it were true, it also makes sense. The Red Sox were not only trying to eliminate an 86-year curse, but also attempting to overcome a 3-0 deficit from their hated rivals. Schilling’s heroic Game 6 performance was ten thousand pounds of motivation, soaked into one little sock.
But was Schilling faking?
As recently as yesterday, Boston sports has once again been launched into a similar spotlight, this time with Paul Pierce and the Celtics, who are desperately trying to find an additional “kick in the pants” to help knock off the Los Angeles Lakers in this year’s NBA Finals. Some critics have been vocal in stating that Los Angeles head coach Phil Jackson has hinted that Paul Pierce faked his knee injury during Game 1. Certainly, someone nicknamed “The Truth” wouldn’t do something like that?!
It is rather curious though, considering that Pierce was quoted as saying he heard a “pop”, and thought his knee was torn at the time. That plus he was carried off the court, later coming back looking like a million bucks. Let’s face it though… actually, let’s face “the truth”. Pierce’s return to the court not only sparked the crowd, but also his teammates. Hitting the clutch three pointers late in the game just made that enthusiasm and motivation grow even more… so much that the Garden nearly exploded like a popcorn bag left in the microwave for a minute too long. Pierce’s heroic return generated an insurmountable lead… and just like that, Game 1 was Boston’s for the taking, leaving Kobe and the Lakers helpless.
But is Pierce faking?
Would Boston sports really fake more than Elaine Benes did with Jerry on Seinfeld? Or are the opponents and sports fans out there trying to find a way to deal with their jealousy for the recent stretch of greatness that Boston sports is currently on? That remains to be seen.
If you’re going to go out and call them all classless for such behavior, I invite you to sit and think about this one first. While I personally think there are a plethora of better ways to force motivation on your teammates and fans, there is still nothing wrong with what any Boston sports player has done… if they even did it at all.
The key point we’re missing here is plain and simple. Winning in competitive sports is much more than just skill. Obviously, you do need to have elite talent to compete. However, icy veins, guts, and heart are also important… and most importantly, a team needs cohesion and motivation to push them to the top of the mountain.
Sometimes, getting your team to exhibit all those traits take extreme measures. I certainly am not accusing Boston sports players of faking, but I also wouldn’t be shocked if any of the aforementioned stars did it either.
Faking or not faking, it isn’t cheating. It isn’t like they videotaped anything.
With a 5pm ET deadline looming, Ken Rosenthal of
Fox Sports is reporting that the Mets are inching closer to a record deal with
SP Johan Santana. Certainly, there is
an outside chance that the Mets could botch this deal and fail to sign Santana
to an extension, but I think that chance is slimmer than Mary-Kate Olson’s
waistline. Mets GM Omar Minaya will get
the deal done. Mark my words. After all, a blockbuster deal for an ace is
the perfect way to get the Mets fanbase to forget about last year’s drastic
late season collapse. Well… that is,
until yours truly just reminded them of it.
Once the Santana deal is finalized, the fate of
the Twins will be set in stone. While
Santana for the Big Apple, Minnesota will be left with only the abuse that they
are taking for the return they received for their former ace. Well, that plus the four players they
received, all of which were Top 10 prospects in the Mets organization
(according to Baseball America).
Honestly, the Twins are taking more abuse than
Lindsay Lohan’s car. Minnesota has
caught way too much flack around the industry for the Santana deal. Critics are absolutely thrashing the Twins,
and it just isn’t fair. It isn’t… and
there are a number of reasons why.
First off, plain and simple, you’re talking about
arguably the best pitcher in the game over the last five years. Over the last four seasons, Santana has
eclipsed the 200 inning mark each time, while adding 200+ strikeouts each year,
an ERA under 3.00 three of the four years, and 70 total victories. On top of that, Santana earned two Cy Young
awards. That fact alone is going to
result in most critics feeling that the Twins didn’t receive enough in
return. Let’s face it, NOTHING was ever
going to be enough for arguably the best pitcher in the game. One must also keep in mind that Santana has been
demanding a trade for months. More
recently, Santana became fed up with the Twins dragging their feet on trade
talks, and added a new demand that a deal be completed, or he wouldn’t waive
his no trade clause (if a deal were made during the season). The key point here is with Santana
continuously demanding a trade, Minnesota loses leverage in any deal they were
trying to make, because opposing clubs know that Santana wanted out, and
fast. Therefore, Santana essentially forced Minnesota’s hand. You don’t
think his complaints to be traded didn’t affect Minnesota’s negotiations with
other teams? It keeps the Twins from
allowing other teams to fight over him and up their offers.
Critics are quick to point out that the deals
with the Yankees and Red Sox would have been better. Again, we’re talking about arguably the best starter in the
game. The Twins are going to wait it
out and take the best offer they think they can get. They’re going to wait for the market to unfold, seeing what
exactly they think he is worth. Months
back, the Yankees offered Melky Cabrera and Phil Hughes, and while they’re certainly
talented young players, Minnesota thought they could get more, and I don’t
blame them. On the other hand, the Red
Sox weren’t even willing to include both Jon Lester and Jacoby Ellsbury in the
deal. If Lester, the Sox were only
willing to add Coco Crisp, along with other talented prospects. Are you kidding me? Crisp plays quality defense at times, but
offensively, he has done next to nothing statistically in a very friendly park
for hitters.
The Mets offered four prospects, and while none
of them may carry the name that Hughes or Lester does, there’s still plenty of
potential there. Carlos Gomez and Phil
Humber, while falling somewhat out of the good graces of the New York
organization, still have the talent to emerge into legitimate major leaguers in
Minnesota. Kevin Mulvey and Deolis
Guerra are younger prospects, but projected as potential mid to back end
starters. Certainly, the only
legitimate criticism is Minnesota’s inability to acquire Mets top prospect
Fernando Martinez in the deal. Other
than that, the Twins acquired four players with potential. Sure, prospects are always a gamble, but
as an organization, the Twins have done a stand up job at recognizing young
talent in the past. For example, does
anyone recall a little deal the Twins made with the Giants for A.J.
Pierzynski? Pierzynski was traded from
the Twins to the Giants for Joe Nathan and two minor leaguers. Nathan is still one of the dominant closers
in the game, and the two minor leaguers obtained were Francisco Liriano and
#### Bonser. Enough said.
People must also consider the league
situation. The Twins were able to still
get a fairly legitimate offer, while trading Santana to the National League,
where they will not have to face him nearly as much, if at all. If I’m Minnesota, I make a team like the
Yankees and Red Sox offer slightly more knowing that they will face them during
the regular season, as well as potentially in the playoffs.
And yes, by saying that, I do think that
Minnesota can be a playoff team again… and soon. If you don’t, then you’re just not thinking straight. Sure, the Twins play in a tough division,
but let’s consider the talent that still exists on this team. Francisco Liriano (12-3, 2.16 ERA, 144 K’s
in 121 IP in 2006) is back from injury to stabilize the starting rotation. Star prospect Delmon Young was acquired in a
deal with Tampa Bay. The rest of the
young core is still intact, with C Joe Mauer, 1B Justin Morneau, and OF Michael
Cuddyer leading the way. Even talented
prospects like Nick Blackburn are waiting in the wings, itching to get a chance
to help Minnesota’s major league club.
The forgotten point in this whole debate is the
fact that the Twins did make an attempt to sign Johan Santana to an
extension. The Twins reportedly made an
offer of 20 million per year over four years.
This is impressive for a franchise that can’t financially compete with
teams like Boston and New York on a regular basis. In hearing this, some critics may be quick to chime in and say
“If you can offer four years, then why not the six or seven years that Johan
requires”? Put it this way, what if
Santana begins to decline into his 30’s, becomes ineffective, or even injury
prone? That would leave the Twins with
a 20 million dollar man on the books and no team willing to take him off their
hands.
Overall, we should ask ourselves how this deal
will be perceived in a few years. For
Minnesota, will this deal be considered a “Twin Killing”, as in making a
killing on the deal, or instead a “Twin Killing”, as in getting killed and
beaten down by the media? That part
remains to be seen.
All
in all, critics need to give the Minnesota Twins a break. Instead, if you’re going to trash someone,
try the Houston Astros (who first signed Santana) and Florida Marlins (who
originally acquired him), who were the two teams that had their hands on
Santana before he eventually made his way to the Twins via a trade during the
1999 Rule 5 Draft.
The holidays are over with and another year has
flown by. 2008 has arrived, and with
it, comes another batch of New Year’s resolutions, among which many never get
fulfilled. Yet, each year, each of us
try and try to cross each off our personal lists. What about the individuals in sports? Surely they have some resolutions of their own. Let’s speculate on some resolutions for 2008
that should or could have been generated by some of the people in the world of
sports… New Year’s Resolutions in Sports **
City of Cleveland Boycott country music
Matt Hasselbeck Change my appearance. Try to look like a young Dr. Phil. Seattle Seahawks Make sure no one involved with Seattle’s “12th
Man” makes a comment about putting Joe Gibbs in a casket.
Pittsburgh Steelers Buy more grass than Ricky Williams has stashed in
his closet (Only… buy the kind to help Heinz Field).
Bill Parcells Convince Wayne Huizenga to officially change the
name of his football franchise to the Tunafish.
Cam Cameron Get a job.
Win two games. If anything, try
to avoid sitting at home watching Spongebob Squarepants in your underpants.
Rich Rodriguez First things first, beat all 1-AA schools. Lloyd Carr Send a freshly baked “humble pie” to those who had
Florida in a blowout.
Mark Richt See Lloyd Carr, except send to the chumps like Mark
May who thought Hawaii could compete with the ‘Dawgs.
Mike Vick Invest in “soap on a rope”. Colt Brennan Invest in an ice bath.
Joe Paterno Sell my car.
Charlie Weis Eat less, win more.
Bob Stoops Win a BCS game… uhh… in 2009. Yeah, 2009.
Bill Stewart Teach a class on interim coaching.
Detroit Lions Fire the coordinator with the poorest numbers next
time. Detroit’s
defense was last in yards per game and points per game.
Bill Belichick Send Eric Mangini some choppy videotape footage of New
York’s 4-12 season.
Marvin Harrison Remember what it’s like to play football.
Todd Collins Accomplish something great, but this time, wait less
than 10 years. Tom Brady Buy a bigger trophy case. Also, buy a bigger “little black book”.
Mike Martz Find someone who can manage my attitude while
equally appreciating my talented offensive mind.
Eli Manning Duplicate last week’s performance (vs. New England)
in the playoffs.
Kyle Boller Follow Brian Billick wherever he goes.
Boston Bruins Win 20 straight games so we can compete with the
other local franchises.
New FOX show “The Moment of Truth” Invite Nick Saban, Bobby Petrino, and a handful of
players from the Mitchell Report to participate.
Kobe Bryant Learn the Nair jingle (“We wear short
shorts…”). Then call Janet Jackson
to discuss wardrobe malfunctions (just in case the Lakers bring those shorts
back again). Carlos Delgado Get a clue. After
being quoted as saying that the New York Mets were “the best team last
year”… Uh, hello? The Mets fell harder than the Berlin
Wall…
Willie Randolph Learn the Heimlich Maneuver Inspired
by Carlos Delgado… and the stretch run (or lack thereof) of the Mets
Roger Clemens …
where to begin? Or should I say… where
to end?
Barry Bonds Work on perfecting my “head is big because of my
ego” speech.
Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees Learn to share. Like
anyone ever fulfills their resolutions anyway…
And finally…
The BCS Ha
ha, yeah right… like its creators have any.
** Please note the above resolutions are all
fictional, and simply a product generated from the twisted mind of the
author. While many may seem accurate,
in no way are they the words and thoughts of the aforementioned athletes,
coaches, or organizations. With that
being said, I hope they provided some amusement to help spark a great 2008 for
you. Happy New year and thanks for
reading - KP
Since the beginning of the Wild Card era, there have been numerous
surprises and exciting finishes throughout Major League Baseball. From the Diamondbacks winning on the final
at bat against Mariano Rivera, to Aaron Boone hitting a walk off against
Boston, to the Red Sox erasing a 3-0 deficit, the baseball playoffs have become
borderline unpredictable. One could say
that predicting the playoffs is no longer as easy as X, Y, Z… until today, but
for a different reason.
To help my predictions become “as easy as X, Y, Z”, I looked to three
players that will be factors for each team.
I first looked to a potential X-factor for each team. In addition, I’m inventing two additional
factors: a Y-factor (the player you may not think of immediately, but there are
reasons “why” they are a factor more than others) and a Z-factor (symbolizing
sleeping - or catching z’s, therefore the player I think each team shouldn’t
rely upon during the playoffs). I see
each trio of players to be pivotal in each team’s postseason success.
And now… my predictions for each Divisional Series…
American
League
Los Angeles
Angels of Anaheim VS Boston Red Sox
Game 1: Angels – Lackey (19-9) at Red Sox – Beckett (20-7)
Game 2: Angels – Escobar (18-7) at Red Sox – Matsuzaka (15-12)
Game 3: Red Sox – Schilling (9-8) at Angels – Weaver (13-7)
Game 4: If Necessary
Game 5: If Necessary
X-factors:
Boston –
David Ortiz: Injury or no injury,
Big Papi still has the ability to deliver clutch hit after clutch hit, and Boston will need him to do so in this year's playoffs... more so than ever.
Los Angeles
– Vladimir Guerrero:
Sticking with the potent bats, I’m going with Vlad here, especially considering
the fact that he struggled the last time he faced the Red Sox in the playoffs.
Y-factors:
Boston –
Dustin Pedroia: The potential Rookie
of the Year in the AL has been a spark for the Boston offense. He will need to get on base to not only distract the pitchers, but also to provide RBI opportunities for the potent bats of Ortiz and Ramirez.
Los Angeles
– Reggie Willits: The rookie will be
asked to play CF, replacing the injured Gary Matthews Jr. His defensive play and ability to get on
base will be key for the Angels in this series.
Z-factors:
Boston –
Eric Gagne: Gagne struggled ever
since being traded to Boston at the trade deadline, blowing numerous Boston
leads over the final months. If I’m the
Red Sox, I use him rarely, and not in any close games or tight situations.
Los Angeles
– Gary Matthews Jr.:
Brought in and paid big bucks, Matthews Jr. was supposed to help give the
Angels the extra boost on both offense and defense. However, an up and down season, plus an injury entering the
postseason makes him a non-factor.
KP’s Take:Injuries are key in this series, and the
Angels seem to have more ”damaged goods” heading into Game 1. If the Angels can earn a split at Fenway,
they could have a shot, due to playing so well at home. Either way, I expect this series to go the
distance, and I give a slight edge to the Red Sox.
Red Sox in
5
New York
Yankees VS Cleveland Indians
Game 1: Yankees – Wang (19-7) at Indians – Sabathia (19-7)
Game 2: Yankees – Pettitte (15-9) at Indians – Carmona (19-8)
Game 3: Indians – Westbrook (6-9) at Yankees – Clemens (6-6)
Game 4: If Necessary
Game 5: If Necessary
X-factors:
New York –
Alex Rodriguez: A-Rod is the biggest
X-factor for any team in the playoffs, and the spotlight will be all over him
due to his lackluster playoff performances in the past. After a magical year (possibly his last in
New York), something tells me that Rodriguez is going to break out in a big
way.
Cleveland –
Travis Hafner: Would you call a .266
average, 24 HR’s, and 100 RBI’s a down year?
It is for Hafner, and now more than ever, the Indians need him to step
up and get hot against New York’s veteran pitching staff.
Y-factors:
New York –
Joba Chamberlain: Chamberlain (2-0,
0.38 ERA, 34 K’s in 24 IP) has been dominant thus far, and if New York can keep
the games close against Cleveland’s two aces, it will be necessary for the
fiery rookie to bridge the gap in the late innings, opening the door for the
Yankee bats to take the lead and put the ball in the hands of Mariano Rivera.
Cleveland –
Fausto Carmona: Sabathia is more of a
veteran, and should pitch well. Last
season, Carmona was a young kid, who was painfully wild. This year, he did a complete 180, winning 19
games. However, the playoff atmosphere
is different, and in order to knock off the high octane Yankees offense,
Carmona will need to keep his composure.
Z-factors:
New York –
Johnny Damon: He has played better
of late, but if I’m the Yankees, I would use Matsui, Cabrera, and Abreu in the
outfield more frequently.
Cleveland –
Joe Borowski: I’m not saying “Don’t
pitch him”, but if I’m an Indians fan, I worry as while Borowski had 45 saves,
he also blew eight save opportunities, and had an ERA above 5 on the season.
KP’s Take:The Yankees were dominant throughout most of
the second half of the season. The
Indians have the better overall pitching staff, but the Yankees have the
consistent playoff experience. If New
York can manage to beat either Sabathia or Carmona at “The Jake”, I think New
York can manage to escape and advance to the ALCS in a tight, hard fought
series. It comes down to experience,
and the Yankees have plenty of it… and then some.
Yankees in
5
National
League
Chicago
Cubs VS Arizona Diamondbacks
Game 1: Cubs – Zambrano (18-13) at Diamondbacks – Webb (18-10)
Game 2: Cubs – Lilly (15-8) at Diamondbacks – Davis (13-12)
Game 3: Diamondbacks – Hernandez (11-11) at Cubs – Hill (11-8)
Game 4: If Necessary Game 5: If Necessary
X-factors:
Chicago –
Carlos Zambrano: Struggling often in
the second half, Zambrano is key for Chicago in the playoffs, especially since
he will be asked to defeat Brandon Webb once, and maybe twice.
Arizona –
Chris Young: Someone needs to
spark Arizona’s offense, and while Young hit 32 HR’s during the season, he also
batted .237 and struck out 141 times.
For the Diamondbacks to have a chance, they need him to put the playoff
pressure aside and be efficient at the plate.
Y-factors:
Chicago –
Alfonso Soriano: A .299 average, 33
HR’s, 70 RBI’s, and 19 SB’s is a decent year for many, but for Soriano and his
giant contract, it’s a disappointment.
He has the talent and playoff experience, and that’s why he’s key for
the Cubs.
Arizona –
Doug Davis: Someone has to help
Webb anchor the rotation, and the biggest factor will be Davis, who at times
was solid (144 K’s), but also wild (95 walks).
The D’Backs need him to produce a quality start (or two) in the
playoffs.
Z-factors:
Chicago –
Jacque Jones: After having only 5
HR’s and 66 RBI’s over the season, it’s safe to say that Jones was a major
disappointment, and expect him to be a potential non-factor in the playoffs.
Arizona –
Carlos Quentin: With 5 HR’s and a
.214 average over 81 games, Quentin was a major disappointment on offense. Expect Arizona to rely on others to carry
the team.
KP’s Take: Arizona had a great season with timely
hitting and streaky pitching. Still,
Arizona’s youthful offense has never been in the playoff spotlight, and I
further see little depth in the rotation behind Brandon Webb. On the other side, the Cubs have veterans
with experience, and a manager that can inspire a team and win big games. Therefore, I’ll take the Cubbies to advance
to the NLCS.
Cubs in 4
Colorado
Rockies VS Philadelphia Phillies
Game 1: Rockies – Francis (17-9) at Phillies – Hamels (15-5)
Game 2: Rockies – TBD (?-?) at Phillies – Kendrick (10-4)
Game 3: Phillies – Moyer (14-12) at Rockies – TBD (?-?)
Game 4: If Necessary
Game 5: If Necessary
X-factors:
Philadelphia
– Jimmy Rollins: Utley and Howard are
important for the team’s success, but Rollins is the key here, as he’s the
spark that can ignite the offense. Keep
in mind, Rollins had 30 HR’s, 94 RBI’s, 41 SB’s, and a .296 average during the
regular season.
Colorado –
Troy Tulowitzki: The obvious choice is
Holliday, but I’m not worried about him. He will hit. Instead, I consider
the rookie Tulowitzki as the X-factor in the series for the Rockies. As a rookie, there will be a lot of pressure
on him, especially since he has put this team on his back on a number of
occasions.
Y-factors:
Philadelphia
– Brett Myers: While a lot of the
talk will be on the Philly offense, there should be focus on Myers. Converted to a closer due to injuries, Myers
is key to this series, as he could be asked to come in and shut down one of the
best offenses in the league, likely in a tight and high scoring game.
Colorado –
Jeff Francis: This team is all
about potent offense, and playing at Coors Field, pitching is often not
discussed. That’s why I choose Francis,
because in order to slow down the Philly offense, Colorado will need someone to
keep them in games. Who better than the
guy considered ace of the staff, and one that has struggled against
Philly. What better time to finally shut
down the Phillies?
Z-factors:
Philadelphia
– Adam Eaton: Eaton is an obvious
choice, since the Phillies chose to leave him off the playoff roster
entirely. Either way, Eaton was paid a
hefty amount of cash to help the Phillies, and while he pitched 30 starts over
the course of the year, he has struggled often in a Philadelphia uniform.
Colorado –
Jorge Julio: The former Oriole
closer is still wild, and if not for the Rockies offense, he would have blown
the extra-innings game the other night.
Not only did he give up Scott Hairston’s two-run homer in the 13th,
but he also struggled all season, posting an 0-5 record with an ERA above
5. Colorado should focus on other
bullpen arms during key moments in the series.
KP’s Take: This matchup could be the most exciting of
the opening round, if you like high octane offense. Expect some high scoring and close games. The Phillies came in hot, and the Rockies
came in blistering hot. Either way,
something has to give here, and the struggles of Francis against the Phillies,
plus the emotional high Colorado hit the other night are factors here. Therefore, I give Philadelphia the slight
edge.
Late May was only a few short months ago, yet it was a very different time in the city of Boston. The sun would rise like any other day, only this time the birds appeared to be chirping more happily and enthusiastically, people had an extra skip in their step as they went about their daily lives, and the city’s beloved Red Sox had a 14 ½ game lead over the hated rival New York Yankees. You could sum it all up by saying “Life was good”.
Saying that times have changed by now can easily be referred to as the understatement of the year. First off, the New York Yankees are healthier. As a team, the Yankees are also hitting better, pitching better, playing better, and winning more. A lot more. On the other side, Boston has suffered through some injuries, pitchers have showed signs of wearing down, while the clutch hits and big victories are disappearing quicker than the local fanbase could say “Yankees Suck”. Weeks ago, it was revealed that David Ortiz had an injured knee, but would play through the pain. In recent weeks, Manny Ramirez suffered through a few minor injuries that have shelved him for numerous days. Daisuke Matsuzaka, as predicted by many, has shown some signs of wearing down, therefore becoming somewhat ineffective down the stretch. The same goes for Hideki Okajima, who as of today, has been shut down for a number of days due to a tired arm. Finally, there’s Eric Gagne, the prized acquisition at the trade deadline, who was brought in to solidify and steady a very deep bullpen. Only, he has been a disaster since landing in Boston.
With all that being said, as the Summer continued to give way to the Fall, Boston’s division lead continued to diminish. Still, Red Sox fans persevered and remained confident that the team’s lead was large enough to not only still win the American League East division, but also earn home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Now, both are in jeopardy. The Indians and Angels have both caught the Red Sox for the best overall record in the American League, while the Yankees are only 1 ½ games back in the division race.
With their 2004 title in tow, the Boston fanbase was starting to feel pretty good about itself, until recently, when everything began to fall apart. What was once a very promising season could now be just like any other for the Red Sox. Whether any of New England wants to admit it or not, the widespread panic is starting to settle in. All the tell tale signs are there, trust me. I hear it. I see it. Stressed faces, no finger nails, sweaty brows, bitter looks, bickering at the water cooler, angry, aggressive drivers on the streets, honking at anything that moves. Yes, indeed the panic button has been pressed in Boston. Sound the alarms… all hands on deck! It is going to be a wild ride coming in.
It’s time to for you to step in and help a Sox fan in need.
And you ask… KP, what can I do to help?
Whether you like them, love them, or despise them, as a decent human being, it’s your duty to step in and help out. Plain and simple, their nearly 150 million dollar payroll simply isn’t cutting it, and the fans are paying the price. Think about it this way, they’re filling the seats in your team’s stadium too, therefore giving your team money to spend in the offseason, that is… if your team possesses an owner that would actually do that.
Yes, you can make a difference! Help a Sox fan in need! They need suggestions to pass the time, to help not have to think and stress about baseball. They desperately need your help.
Take a minute or two out of your day. Find it in your heart to help a Sox fan today. If you can give a little suggestion each day, you may be able to change the life of a Sox fan.
Yes, you too can help save a Boston fan. Here’s what you can do, send your suggestions to:
Save a Sox Fan P.O. Box 1918 Boston, MA 02004 **
To help contribute to the overall cause, I personally have brainstormed and submitted my own list of 25 ways to help save the Sox fans of the world, some being serious, some semi-serious, and some just downright silly. Either way, they all have the same intention… to help save a Sox fan.
KP’s Ways to Help Save the Sox Fans
Watch highlights of the 2004 Boston Red Sox team.
Stage your own “Boston Tea Party” event, only with boxes of Yankees paraphernalia.
Sit outside of Fenway Park dressed like Paul Revere screaming “The Yankees are coming! The Yankees are coming!”
Create your own Freedom Trail bar tour, and invite fellow Red Sox fans to attend.
Send letters out to the appropriate parties to support the Rookie of the Year campaign for Dustin Pedroia.
The Red Sox are still playoff bound. Therefore, just in case you have to play the Yankees, make early plans by booking a discounted trip to New York via the Fung Wah bus line.
Challenge Takeru Kobayashi to a Fenway Frank eating contest.
Put up a billboard at Fenway Park that not only features a popular local product, but also provides a message to help manager Terry Francona avoid making ill-advised decisions, such as the following: Practice your Boston accent, and use it to talk baseball. Take the following examples: - That pitchah throws a wicked hahhd fastball. - The dater on ‘dis guy says he can smack one ovah the Monstah and outta the pahhk. - You think Papelbon will blow ‘dis game? Whatayou, retahdid?
Send letters out to the appropriate parties to support Mike Lowell in the race for the American League’s Most Valuable Player.
Track down Bill Buckner and apologize. Indulge in the local Boston comfort foods, such as lobster, lobster rolls, cranberries, fried clams, Boston baked beans, Boston Crème Pie, Dunkin’ Donuts, Samuel Adams beer, or a wicked good bowl of New England ‘Chowda’
Sticking with the local comfort foods, gorge on Boston baked beans and Sam Adams beer, and then take a trip to visit some New York fans (It’ll be a gas!).
Brainstorm unique replacements for Boston’s setup man role. Personally, I’m going with Chewbacca.
Replay the Clay Buchholz no-hitter game for good karma.
With Kevin Youkilis (“Youk”) hurt, the fanbase needs a new name to cheer throughout the game. Try and brainstorm the best candidate to replace him. Take the following options: - J.D. Drew – “Dreeewwwwwww” (If he could only get on base…) - Julio Lugo – “Luuuuuuuuuggoo” (see J.D. Drew) - Mike Lowell – “Looowwweeelllllll” (Not the best name option, but will have to do)
Rent “Fever Pitch”.
Play Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline”, and keep the track on repeat.
Create your own recording of Frank Sinatra’s song “New York” only with the word “Boston” dubbed in instead.
Relax, there’s always the Pats, who are absolutely dominating the NFL so far this season.
Relax some more, there’s always the Celtics. Basketball season is coming soon, and Boston finally has something to look forward to for a change, with three All-Stars existing on the team’s roster.
Throw darts at your customized Bucky Dent dartboard.
Throw darts at your customized Aaron Boone dartboard.
Stop playing darts. There are just too many bad memories there.
And finally…
If you’re a Red Sox fan, just think of the 2006 Detroit Tigers. If you will recall, last season, the Tigers went into a free fall down the stretch, and on the final day of the season, Detroit lost the division title to the Minnesota Twins (after getting swept by the Royals). However, come playoff time, the 2006 Tigers were very much a rejuvenated team that eventually cruised by New York and Oakland to make it to the World Series. The same thing could easily happen for Boston, as even though the team has struggled, the talent still exists on the roster.
There, I’ve done my part. I’m doing what it takes, and taking my free time to personally do what I can to “Save a Sox Fan” today. Won’t you do the same? They’re out there, and they need you!
** Address does not exist – do not waste your stamps!
Many have seen the classic comedy Office Space, which is filled with memorable lines, among which include “Show me your ‘O’ face”… and that is where the title of this series of posts comes from. “Show Me Your O’s Face”, a weekly recap of baseball starting in Baltimore, and expanding beyond… but not only to discuss the week in baseball, but also trying to fit in popular culture at times, as well as provide the facial expressions and feelings that come along with each baseball story within the post. Recapping a week of baseball in Baltimore, and sometimes beyond… it’s time to show me your O’s face…
Show Me Your O’s Face: 2007 Volume I
Today’s focus: A recap of last week’s performance by the Orioles, along with discussions on Roger Clemens, Josh Beckett, and home run leaders in the American and National Leagues.
Today’s Intro
Losing happens in baseball. Let’s face it… it happens a lot… even to the elite teams in the league. A team can win 100 games during the regular season and still lose 62 times. That’s a heckuva lot of off nights, especially for the really passionate fans to have to take. I don’t know about you, but when my team loses, I would rather the game be an overall poor performance across the board, say for example, a 10-0 loss. I understand that you can take positives out of solid pitching performances and what not, and I totally get that. Yet, it’s still the heartbreakers that kill me.
It’s one thing to lose late in the game… but another to blow a lead in the 9th… and worse to lose it on a walk-off hit… and even worse to blow a 5-0 lead in the 9th inning with one out, on a two-run error that could have ended the game with a victory. The aforementioned occurrence was the result of what would be a painful 6-5 loss to the division rival Red Sox… and that heartbreaking loss is what happened to the Orioles a week ago yesterday, and worse yet, that wasn’t the first heartbreaking loss of the 2007 season for Baltimore. Yet, that setback, likely hurt the most. The real question remained… how would the O’s respond going into this week?
In Baltimore…
Monday May 14:
Blue Jays 5, Orioles 3
I’m not sure how to respond to the first game the O’s had following the debacle in Boston on Sunday the 13th. I can only say that there was some anger and frustration, and not just on my part, but also that of the Baltimore players. Specifically, there was a dugout altercation between Melvin Mora and Jay Payton. Mora made an unnecessary baserunning move late in the game that distracted Payton. However, what is more puzzling to me at this point are two other topics, o
ial to me. I don’t think those numbers earn him the right to hold out. In my book, it only earns Jackson a tomato.
.
line somewhere.
The Mariners enter the season with hype and falter. The Sonics never quite got it done in the 90’s. Now they add a potential star in Kevin Durant, only to have their team pack up and leave for the nation’s heartland.
oup is experiencing a career year so far. 
in the playoffs. 
s 30’s, becomes ineffective, or even injury
prone? That would leave the Twins with
a 20 million dollar man on the books and no team willing to take him off their
hands.
thusiastically, people had an extra skip in their step as they went about their daily lives, and the city’s beloved Red Sox had a 14 ½ game lead over the hated rival New York Yankees. You could sum it all up by saying “Life was good”.
his season.