Picking out the perfect jersey

The holidays are quickly approaching and whether you celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, or Festivus, gift giving and receiving is on the mind. One essential item every baseball fan must have is the jersey from his/her favorite team. When selecting a jersey to buy there is an important set of guidelines to follow to ensure you sport a jersey that will let you fellows fans know - this is a real fan of (Insert your favorite team name here).

1. Avoid any player who has just signed/been traded to your team. Example - you are a die hard Brewers fan - don't buy the Sabbathia jersey. It looks like you are on the band wagon and chances are you jersey will be obsolete in a few short seasons.

2. Don't buy a jersey of the most popular player on the team. Everyone has a Jeter, Ortiz, Howard, Ichiro, etc jersey. You want to stand out as a true fan, not as someone who picked up their jersey at Target.

3. Select a player that is integral of your team's success, but does not necessarily get all the national spotlight. As my wife would put it, you want the "sneaky trendy" player. Fans of your team will see you as the die hard fan, who really knows the team. Some examples would include Carlos Guillen for the Tigers, Brian McCann for the Braves, or Kevin Youklis for the Red Sox. Be careful here, you don't want to pick someone too obscure - for instance if you start wearing the Tim Brydak jersey in Detroit - people will assume you are strange or related to Tim Brydak.

4. Avoid the Man-Crush/Flash in the pan jersey. Everyone has had this moment. An up an coming player catches fire for your team and everyone is comparing him to the next (insert cliche player here Ruth, Mantle, etc.). You get caught up in the moment and buy a jersey. Great move? Not so much. Remember these players often fizzle out, imagine how silly I would look going to games in my Chris Shelton jersey. Make sure your player has some staying power.

5. Home vs Away jersey. Now I am not going to even talk about alternative jerseys or alternative colors - they are simply a no. As for Home and Away jerseys, I believe it really comes down to preference. Take a careful look at your team's options and make the best call.

6. Jerseys of players no longer with the team. This is a tough one. There are two categories here 1. Retired players - these jerseys are fair game, enjoy your status as a long standing fan of that team. 2. Players who leave the team for another team. Sadly, your jersey will have to go into the closet for 5 years. Wearing this jersey anytime before then will advertise yourself as someone who really isn't that into the team, but still likes wearing the jersey. Don't be at a Toronto game this year in your AJ Burnett jersey - allow that wound to heal. After 5 years your jersey will be a tribute to time this player was with your organization. Example - it would totally be acceptable to wear the Mariners Griffey Jr jersey these days -its retro and shows you have been a fan for quite some time.

Best of luck with your holiday shopping and remember only 6 more shopping days until Christmas.

- In the interest of full disclosure I should add - I own a Jeremy Bonderman Tigers home jersey.

How to Fix the AL East in 2009

I must start this post with an apology. I had aspirations of previewing every team individually this off season. Unfortunately, December has not afforded as much free time as I had once hoped (seriously, who's Christmas tree falls over twice? And for the record, I didn't see it and it did make a sound - so at least we can settle that debate). So my compromise to you, the loyal reader (if you are out there), is an abbreviated preview of each team. So we will start out east, because we all have that east coast bias. So here it is, your AL east preview.

Tampa Rays -
2008 recap - Everything went right. No one had a career year, but everyone played well. They spent the entire year with everyone waiting for them to fall apart during the regular season, they didn't. Then we thought they might stumble in the playoffs against the more experienced White Sox, the didn't. We were sure the Red Sox would stomp them out in the ALCS, again the didn't. They put Tampa baseball on the map and at least 7,000 fans a night were there to witness it.
Bright Spots of 2008 - Well, everyone. Especially David Price, Rocco, and most of all the introduction of the Ray-Hawk
How to fix the Rays in 09' - A great mechanic once told me, "never question success". This should be the Rays mantra. They have a well rounded team. They have a future ace in David Price. The Rays need to tweak a few things, but no major changes. Just keep on keeping on. They picked up some power in the outfield by trading for Matt Joyce. It wouldn't hurt to sure up the bullpen - Troy Percival could be next year's Todd Jones. It may have been a fluke last year, but until we know for sure - don't break up the best team in the AL east.

Boston Red Sox
2008 Recap - It was a strange season for Boston. They had the emergence of an Ace in John Lest. Matsusaka never seemed to lose. Their gritty second baseman won the MVP. Youklis had a breakout season. Jason Bay proved he could handle the big stage. But not all was well in Mudville. Manny basically held Boston hostage until he was sent packing, David Ortiz looked very old very quickly. Josh Becket had a fairly pedestrian regular season - and shockingly a rather pedestrian post-season as well. Mike Lowell was hurt. It almost seemed like the Red Sox were underachieving all season - and yet they were one game away from the world series.
Bright Spots of 2008 - I'll keep this rather short. Pedroia and Lester give Boston fans hope for life after Manny and Ortiz
How to fix the Red Sox in 2009 - Don' get complacent. The Yankees are re-loading with one thing in mind - beat Boston. If Ortiz can't find his stroke, Lowell remains hurt, and Beckett is a 0.500 pitcher - you can almost convince yourself this is a 3rd place team. They really need to sign Teixeira. One more solid, steady bat to go with Pedroia and Youk. The rotation could use some depth after Lester, Matsusaka, and Beckett -but that's not as important as the offense.

New York Yankees
2008 Recap - I have never seen more stories written about failures and disappointments from a team that won 89 games. Last year, for the first time I can remember, the Yankees decided not to mortgage the future to go for the world series this year. The refused to trade Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes for Johann Santana. They were going to keep and develop Melky Cabrera. This was the first season of the new Yankees mantra.
Bright Spots of 2008 - There were many nice stories this year, but Mussina winning 20 for the first time in his career, one year after everyone pronounced his arm dead, take the cake.
How to fix the Yankees in 2009 - Well, as your probably know the Yankees have invested 240 million in AJ Burnett and CC Sabathia. This may prove to be just what the Yankees need to reach October baseball in 2009 - However, in 2011, 12, 13, etc. I imagine CC and AJ are going to be the highest paid duo who live on the DL. The Yanks really still need a bat - Giambi is gone and Teixeria makes sense, but someone other than A-rod and Jeter have to hit on this team.

(I am running a bit short on time - so the Jay and O's will be done in Haiku)

Toronto Blue Jays
2008 Recap
Two aces threw well
However other three stunk
Spahn and Sain of 08'
Bright Spots of 2008
86 wins great
Alex Rios rising star
Doc is fantastic
How to fix the Blue Jay in 2009
Someone needs to score
Cito brings back 90s ball
Young arms come through soon

Baltimore Orioles
2008 Recap
Miles away from 4th
Staff is all fifth starters but
At least Huff can hit
2008 Bright Spots
Few and far between
5 guys with 20 plus bombs
Meet next great closer
How to fix the Orioles for 2009
Offense needs anchor
Pitching staff needs everything
At least park is great

Thoughts on the Hot Stove

Here are a few thoughts on what's happened so far.

1. CC - to the Yankees for 160 million dollars. Ok Sabathia was phenomenal down the stretch. Each of his starts, and at-bats for that matter, were must watch TV this summer. That being said, I think this deal is going to be the beginning of the end of Brian Cashman's reign as GM In NY. I love CC - I just can't imagine signing a 300 lb guy to a 7 year contract. He threw 10 complete games last year. He threw well into October. I know he has 8 straight seasons of around 30 starts, but I would be absolutely shocked if he had 7 more. I know the Yankees had to do something, they are opening the new Stadium and they missed October baseball last year. If all they do is sign CC then the risk is worth the reward. If they also sign Burnett -then they are just asking for Carl Pavano all over again. As for CC, can anyone really blame a guy for signing a 7 year 160 million dollar deal?

2. K-rod - to the Mets for 3 years. I like this deal for the Mets. They are coming off 2 historic September collapses. Their bullpen was terrible. Solution? Sign the guy who just obliterated the single season save record. K-rod should add some great stability to their bullpen and if he should falter - see #3.

3. JJ Putz - traded to the Mets. Ok this one was extra sour for me - I had sold myself on the Tigers trading for Putz. Again - Mets needed to sure up the bullpen and when healthy this guy has been dominant. I think he will flourish in the 8th inning role with less spotlight.

4. Ryan Freel to the O's. Call me crazy. But this is actually an off season move of the Orioles that I like. Freel is an all around player, he can run when he gets on base, and he seems to be a class guy. These are all good qualities to look for when trading for a player. Baltimore could be a bit feisty this year, especially if they get the mercenary Mark Texeria.

5. Kerry Wood to Cleveland. First of all, this ends the Wood/Prior era in Chicago. I am sure in 2003 many Cubs fans envisioned these two anchoring the rotation for the next decade plus. For the Tribe - they roll the dice a bit on a guy who has had chronic health problems, but really re-invented himself as a closer this year. If he can stay healthy I think he will be a great addition to the Jake...sorry the Prog, or whatever its now called.

6. Edwin Jackson to Detroit. Well Detroit missed out on Putz (rumored to be because they wouldn't trade Matt Joyce) and the same day trade Joyce to Tampa Bay for Jackson. Jackson has great stuff, but has never really had great control. If he's on his game his is unhittable, if not - well he's Rick Vaughn pre-glasses. I really see him as Jeremy Bonderman lite, which isn't a bad thing. I think if Detroit asks Bonderman, Jackson, and Gallaraga to be solid 2-4 starters and Verlander can regain his form as an ace - the Detroit rotation will be very deep.

Those are the big trades/signings so far. We are still waiting on Fuentes (come on Detroit!), Texeria, Burnett, Randy, Sheets, etc to all find homes.

Rickey being Rickey

There have been a lot of great articles about Rickey Henderson recently. He is headlining the 2009 HOF eligible list. There are many great Rickey stories out there and this article ranks the top 25. I was heart-broken to learn number 17 was untrue.

One story that did not make the list I remember from Baseball Tonight several years ago. I think this was around the time Henderson was retiring and HR told his favorite story. I am going to mess this up a bit but here was the basic gist.

Reynolds led the league one year with 60-some stolen bases.

He said he received a phone call from Henderson after the season.

Rickey: "Reynolds, its Rickey"

HR: "Hey Rick, what's up!"

Rickey: "60? You should be ashamed of yourself. Rickey had 60 at the break."

How to fix the Washington Nationals for 2009

2008 recap
The 2008 Washington Nationals season: 59 wins and 102 losses. Not exactly the way you want to open a new stadium. Amazingly, this was a bit of a step back from the 73 win team in 07' and the 71 win team from 06'. This year's Nationals team lost their feistiness. Previously, the Nats were a below average team that you really did not want to play in late September with playoffs on the line. This year they just phoned it in. There were injuries Ryan Zimmerman, Nick Johnson, and Austin Kearns, all missed significant time due to injuries. When you are a young team - you can't afford to have the veteran presence of your team going down. They are the glue that supposed to hold the ship together. When they go down - you lose 102 games. The pitching staff was only 2 deep, which also meant that 60% of the time the Nationals were faced with having to try and create a weird 8-7 win in the late innings. The good news on the mound was Jon Rauch emerged as a legitimate late inning guy converting 17 saves. The bad news is - he now plays for the D'Backs.

Bright spots of 2008
1. Rauch was a decent closer and brought a decent prospect from the Diamondbacks in return. They traded him to the Marlins. From the Fish they brought in Josh WIllingham and Scott Olsen. This turned out to be a great set of deals for the Nationals. They know have a solid lefty starter and a power outfielder.
2. The Nationals minor league system gets better the further down you go. Their single A teams had very good records. Their double A team had an average record, and the triple A team was bad. That means there is talent. It just may take a little bit.
3. They opened their new stadium in style. They had the opening night in baseball. Packed house, GW on hand, and they put together a walk-off win against the Braves
4. A few names emerged as decent starting pitching Tim Redding and John Lannan
5. Christian Guzman is a really solid major league shortstop. He can hit, he has a bit of a glove, and he plays hard.

How to fix the Nationals in 2009

Don't try to fix the Nats in 09'. This sounds strange, but the best thing for the Nationals will be to build with youth. Don't try for the quick fix. We have seen the quick fix fail for bad teams over and over again. The Pirates, Royals, Nationals, etc. always over pay for older veterans and it results in 70 wins instead of 65. Nationals fans, 08' is going to be tough. You need to let the young guys develop. Look at the Twins, Rays, and A's as model teams. Have a starting rotation of Lannan, Redding, and Olsen. Find out if the middle of the order with ZImmerman, Willingham, Guzman, and Nick Johnson can score some runs.

2009 Outlook
Things are bleak, but hopefully they have bottomed out. An improvement to 70 wins with the young guys will be a great start.

How to fix the Detroit Tigers for 2009

Ok, I am a bit delayed in my off season preview of teams, but I am determined to get all teams in the near future. I thought I would start with the team nearest and dearest to my heart - The Detroit Tigers

2008 Recap:
Complete and total disaster. This is a team that finished behind the Royals in last place. The took a team that had won 95 and 88 games in 2006 and 2007. They added Miguel Carbrera, Edgar Renteria, and Dontrelle Willis - and then went out and won 74 games. Ouch. In retrospect the deals were greedy. This team had a good offense and Dave Drombrowski thought Miguel Cabrera was the missing piece. I can't kill him for this. The moves were all made with the intention of making the team stronger. Everything just happened to implode starting with the 0-7 start.

Ok, I have vented. When you take a step back there was a perfect storm of problems Detroit dealt with. The starting pitching looked like the walking wounded - with Dontrelle, Bonderman, Robertson, and Rogers were all non-factors in the 08' rotation. Todd Jones finally hit the wall as a closer and no one seemed eager to step into that role. There were 13 Tigers that had a save opportunity in 2008 - only 5 different Tigers converted a save.

The offense - I have written about this before - all star teams don't work. While on paper Pudge, Guillen, Polanco, Renteria, Cabrera, Grandersen, Ordonez, Sheffield, and Thames sounds fantastic. In practice its a disaster. Everyone wants to be that guy who hits the 7-run home run to fix the season. No one lays down a bunt. No one moves the runners over.

Bright Spots of 2008
Few and far between.
1. Carbrera - I know he's over weight. But he has a Manny like ability to absolutely hit anyone at any time. He has DH written all over him. But I think you can also jot down 0.300 30 and 125.
2. Armando Gallaraga - so Detroit trades Jair Jurrgens and Andrew Miller in the off-season, depleting our minor league pitching. Dontrelle Willis pulls a Wild-Thing and suddenly Gallaraga is thrown into the mix. Final stats 13-7 3.43 126 K's. A true diamond in the rough. I have him penciled in for quite some time.
3. Zach Miner - another guy who got the opportunity to throw because of pitching woes and did great. Miner went 8-5 with a 4.27 ERA. Those number may not sound impressive, but he was incredibly versatile - 13 starts 32 relief appearances. And when that sinker is worker you can almost convince yourself of Derek-Lowe-Lite.

How to fix the Tigers for 2009.

1. Get the starting rotation in order. You can write in Verlander, Gallaraga, and Bonderman. That leave's Dontrelle, Nate, Zach Miner, and Feddy Garcia in the mix to fill out the rotation. I am not convinced that the Tigers need to chase AJ Burnett, Derek Lowe, or any of the other big names. If healthy I think the above 7 pitchers can create a formidable 5-man rotation.
2. Closer. Get a closer! Rodney and Zumaya have had their chances and neither has impressed. When healthy they can be the best 7th and 8th inning guys in the game. But they just don't seem to have the I-don't-give-a-crap mentality that Todd Jones had. There are a lot of closers on the market this off season. I would avoid K-rod like the plague, but someone like Jose Valverde who has closed before would be perfect.
3. Someone to field and throw at short stop. Renteria was a miss. I don't think the Tigers need to pay a big name. They need a gritty guy who knows how to handle the bat and can field the position. Jack Wilson, Adam Everett, Orlando Cabrera are all names to fill in. They need someone.
4. Get rid of Sheffield. He is a cancer. Besides being in the news everyother day for the wrong reasons, he really puts a hamper on the lineup. Bottom line - he is no where near good enough to be an everyday DH anymore. With Sheffield demanding playing time that means Leyland can't give Maggs or Cabrera or Guillen or Thames a day at DH to rest. I don't care if they cut him - the team will be much better w/o Gary Sheffield. Bottom line - guys with his stats don't play for 7 teams because they are great teammates.

2009 Outlook:
I think 2009 is going to let us know whether this Tigers team is really the 95 win team from 06' or the 75 win team from 08'. If the starting rotation comes together and they get someone to close out games - I am a believer in October baseball for Detroit in 2009.

The Moose heads out to pasture

Mike Mussina announced his retirement from baseball today.

Naturally, the hall of fame debate for Mussina began minutes after he announced his retirement.

I thought I would begin by apologizing to Mussina. As a kid growing up in Maryland, Mussina was the best pitcher I got to see on TV on a regular basis. He was fantastic for the O's and unfortunately one night I learned an unspoken baseball rule: Never talk about a perfect game. Never. Never.
It was the 8th inning, Moose hasn't allowed a base runner against the Indians. I decide to inform all my friends at the bowling alley that Mussina was working on a perfect game. Naturally, as everyone gathered around the TV Sandy Alomar Jr singled off Mussina breaking up the perfect game.

Now does Moose deserve a plaque in Cooperstown? Absolutely. He won 270 games. In 15 years 250 is going to be the milestone for pitchers. His career record was 270-153. 117 games over 500. Between 1991 and today the best pitchers of the generation were Randy, Clemens, Glavine, Smoltz, Maddox, Schilling, Pedro and Mussina. That list represents the HOF pitchers from the 90s (with some possible steroid exemptions) and Mussina belongs on that list.

I don't vote, but Mussina would get mine. (for the record so would Lee Smith, Jack Morris, Alan Trammell, among others).

The envelope please......

As the awards are going to start trickle in the next few days. I thought would weigh in on some of the less popular awards for the 2008 season. I will leave the MVP, Cy Young, etc to the "real" sports writers.


- The I have completely checked out award - Andruw Jones Los Angeles Dodgers - 18 million bought the boys in blue a 0.158 AVG and 3 HR. Imagine how much better the Dodgers would have been if they had signed anyone else with the 18 million (seriously - Bonds would have been a better investment).

- The Maybe we should watch them play one game before we induct them into Cooperstown award - tie Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes. The Yankees decided not to trade for Johan because giving up either Kennedy or Hughes was too high of a price tag.

- The worst trade of 08' - this may be a bit of a homer pick - but when the Tigers picked up Edgar Renteria for Jair Jurrjens I was skeptical. When Jurrgens won 13 games and Renteria looked like a 60 year old man playing SS I had John Smoltz flashbacks. If Jurrjens with 200 games and saves 150 I may just cry.

- The 08' Man Crush - there were many good candidates this year. David Price almost stole the show in October, but Tim Lincecum had the windup and the strikeouts to take home the hardware. * Tim Lincecum cannot be here tonight to accept this award. Accepting on his behalf is 1987 Man Crush winner Andre Dawson.

- Top Moment(s) of the year - tie Josh Hamilton and Josh Hamilton. 28 first round home runs in the Derby and receiving an intentional walk with the bases loaded.

Warm up the hot stove

Well the 2008 season has officially been put to rest. I really hope the Chase Utley play in the 8th inning of game 5 is remembered historically. It was one of the better heads up plays I have seen in the playoffs in quite sometime. Congrats to the Phillies - that makes one more team I don't have to hear the belly aching from their fans (its now down to the Tribe, the Cubs, and a few others).

What I plan on doing over the next few weeks is going through each team's offseason needs. What is likely to happen, what is a fantasy, and what do that team's chances look like for next season. I would like to have fans from different teams weigh in on their team's offseason outlook (as the fans have a much better inside grasp of their team that I do), so I will be soliciting friends of mine to voice their opinions. If you would like to analyze your favorite team in the offseason drop me an email or leave a note in the comments section.

And now, as always, we all start counting down the days until pitchers and catchers report.

Still holding!! Still holding!!

Wow. What a complete mess. I love it. Suddenly a World Series with two smaller market teams that has been highlighted by low scoring games that no one was watching has our attention. Game 5 was fantastic. Seeing Pena go the other way in a monsoon with two outs was phenomenal.

The suspension was great. Suddenly we have a 3 and 1/2 inning game to decide the World Series. Everything is huge at this point. There is not getting into the flow of the game. The game is on the line once the players take the field tonight, or tomorrow, or sometime in early 09'. The story lines are great. Who is on the mound for each team? Who is up first for the Phils (Cole Hamels spot is due up first when play resumes)? Do the Rays go back to the David Price well? Will Brad Lidge enter in a tied game?

Unfortunately for the Phils, the suspension really favors the Rays. The basically get to play a 3 inning game without Cole Hamels for a chance to go back home. I know the Phils have a good pen, but Hamels is the dominant pitcher of this post-season. The most important thing for the Rays is going to be getting out of the bottom of the 6th without allowing any runs. If Philly should happen to push a run or two across in the 6th I think you will have the Santa booing, battery throwing, faithful starting to believe.

For the Rays the game plan is simple. Get 1 run and hope David Price still doesn't quite realize how big of a moment this is.
If the Rays can comeback and win game 5, I really like their chances to win it all.

And I have to say for as much slack as Bud Selig takes, granted he deserves a bunch of it, I really think he handled this about as well as could be expected.

I know the 2004 Red Sox. I watched the 2004 Red Sox. The 2004 Red Sox were a team I could cheer for. You sir are not the 2004 Red Sox.

Since we are up to our necks in the political season I thought the title of this entry was fitting. However, I promise you will get no political opinions here.

How bout them Rays!

Wow. This had all the makings of a Red Sox comeback.

1. The Red Sox have comeback from 3-1 and 3-0 deficits before.

2. Game 5 was an emotional 7-run comeback in the final three innings.

3. Former playoff superman Josh Beckett had been shalacked this year in the playoffs....until now. He went out and won game 6, in Tampa, where the Red Sox had only won 2 other times this year.

4. Current ace, Jon Lester, had the ball in the game 7 for the Sox. Lester looked absolutely unhittable for the first 3 innings.

5. Matt Garza, noted head case, gave up a lead off home run to 2008 MVP candidate Dustin Pedroia

6. Even the announcers started softening the blow in the early innings. "Even if Tampa loses its been a great season...." etc. etc.

Apparently the Rays weren't paying attention. They were able to grind out an impressive 3-1 win and move on to Fox's nightmare of a World Series: Rays vs Phillies.

* Side note - every time Rocco Baldelli is up the announcers talk about his mitochondrial disorder and for once in my life the only two things I consider myself knowledgeable on, science and baseball, meet.

Here's to you Tampa...Ummm St. Petersburg.... whatever. Congrats on the pennant, now bring one home for the American League.

We got ourselves a ball game

1. Finally, a series with some drama worth watching! This series has given us our first game 7, and there is really nothing better in baseball playoffs than game seven.

2. ABC Tampa, ABC. Always Be Closing. Seven outs, seven run lead. You never want to let the defending champ get up off the mat and have a few more rounds. Now the Rays face a Jon Lester in game 7 with something to prove.

3. Boston fans - please turn in your reputation for being hard core baseball fans. Any respect I had for Boston fans went out the window in game 5. And not for the reason you think. Sure 10,000 people left when the Sox were down 7-0 in the 7th. But what really got to me - Boston fans were booing Jason Varitek and David Ortiz. Really Boston?!? Look, there are certain people that should NEVER hear boos at their home stadium. For Boston - anyone who was on the 2004 team AND the 2007 team should be immune to home boos. I don't care if Varitek he hit 0.220 and didn't throw out a single runner all year. He is your Captain. And the Ortiz booing is just embarrassing. Here is your most clutch hitter in the playoffs the past 5 years. He is the face of your franchise. He is having a bad ALCS and the entire stadium turns on him. Wow. I guess when you win 2 WS in 3 years you get a bit spoiled.

Look Boston - if you want to boo Jason Bay, Pedroia, or Ellsbury - go ahead. At Wrigley they can boo whomever they like because no one on that field has broken the 100 year curse. They can boo A-rod at the stadium. But no way can you ever boo the following people in Fenway - Dave Roberts, Terry Francona, Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, David Ortiz, Manny, Varitek, etc.

4. This pro-longed ALCS is going to be bad for Philly. It really hurt Colorado last year and Detroit the year before. Cole Hamels has that much more pressure to throw a gem in game 1 - because his teammates may be a bit flat.

ALCS game 4: Tim Wakefield doing his best Christmas tree impersonation

Currently the Rays lead the Sox 5-1 on 3 early home runs off the knuckler. I feel bad for Wakefield - he has been a very solid pitcher for his entire career and everyone is going to remember him for one moment Aaron "bleeping" Boone.

It looks like the dream World Series of Manny heading back into Fenway Park (along with Nomar and Lowe) for game 1 is becoming a pipe-dream. I hope Fox is getting ready for some sad ratings with a possible/probable Rays/Phils World Series.

Possible Rays and Phillies story lines

- Jamie Moyer is older than all of the Rays, and is actually Evan Longoria's father.

- Rays fans don't want to hear the belly-aching from the Phillies fans. You may not have won a World Series since 1980, we haven't won a World Series ever, and we have employed Jose Canseco.

ok I am struggling here. Either the Red Sox or the Dodgers need to make a trip to the WS.

Never saw it coming.

I'll admit it, I never thought the Rays would be in this position. I am not surprised the Rays won the east, beat the White Sox, or even salvaged a split in Tampa. I am shocked that the Rays beat the Red Sox 9-1 tonight, in Fenway, with John Lester on the mound. I keep waiting for the Rays to play like the young team who is just happy to be there. John Lester had been annoited this year's Josh Beckett, and I had bought into the hype. All day today I saw articles praising Theo Epstein's genius for not trading Lester for Johan Santana. I guess the Rays weren't reading the same articles.

Now the Red Sox are down 2 games to 1 with Tim Wakefield on the hill to save the season.

The best thing that can happen when you are losing 6-1

The playoffs are all about momentum. Last night the Phillies started game three of the NLCS with a 2 games to none lead over the Dodgers. Before Jamie Moyer could get out of the first inning the Dodgers had a 5-0 lead and all the momentum. The game was basically over, yet both teams had to play out the last 8 innings. Typically, a game like this would be a huge boost to the Dodgers while deflating the high flying Phils. However, Kuroda (the Dodgers starting pitcher) decided to buzz the tower of the 'Flyin' Hawaiian' Shane Victorino. It was not totally uncalled for: Russell Martin had already been drilled that night and Manny had his tower buzzed the game before. Even Victorino knew it was coming - complaining that the Dodgers throw at his body, not his head. These things are part of baseball. However in the case of last night, I think it was the worst thing the Dodgers could have done. Now all anyone is talking about is the incident. The Phillies are fired up. They were dead in the water about to face Derek Lowe in game 4 - it looked like a perfect scenario for the Dodgers to tie the series. Now who knows.

Aside - also when the benches cleared last night it was Manny who was front and center in the altercation. If he had thrown a punch or shoved someone - he may have been suspended. We would have had a similar situation to when Amare Staudameire and Boris Diaw were suspended for coming to the support of Steven Nash, who had just been cross checked into the scorers table by Robert Horry.

Bottom line - what may have been a bad win for the Dodgers is great for the fans.

The 2008 ALCS preview

I am hoping the terribly lame LDS will result in a memorable ALCS this fall.

The ALCS already has a few things working in its favor.

1. David vs Goliath. I know the Rays won the east. And the Rays made the White Sox look like the White Sox. But, if you are playing the defending champs in the playoffs - you are the underdog. Especially, if this is the first time in October there have been baseball games in the city of Tampa. Everyone wants to see Rocky knock out the Russian.

2. These are inter-division rivals that plain don't like each other. Even when the Rays were a joke, they were never a team the Red Sox wanted to face. Even if the Sox were winning, chances were a brawl was only an up and in fastball away.

However, the ALCS has a few things working in the direction of making a lame series.

1. The Rays don't have 'that guy'. There is no one who terrifies you in the lineup (granted there is also no easy outs), there is no dominant October pitcher......yet (remember Josh Becket coming into the 03' playoffs?).

2. The Red Sox are missing Manny, Schilling, Pedro, Damon, and David Ortiz is only a shadow his former self. In other words - there are very few people to root against on this team. That doesn't mean I like them, but I have no real disdain for Jacoby Ellsbury or Jason Bay or Kevin Youklis. Good stories need good villians. This team is made up of a bunch of great ball players, but not one Lex Luther.

3. There is a chance we will wake up tomorrow and the Rays will realize - "We are the Rays, we have no business being here" - and disappear into the cold New England night.

To ensure this will be a great series I have created a top 5 list - David Letterman-esque:
"Top 5 ways to make a great 2008 ALCS"

5. Put Mike Lowell on the roster. He doesn't need to start, but he needs a chance to have his Kirk Gibson moment - "I don't believe what I just saw"

4. Grant Belfour and Youk get into a shouting match during the game. Youk doesn't like Balfour yelling after pitchers so he calls his shot to left field. Belfour doesn't want to be shown up - so he calls his shot - Youklis' left ear. Welcome to October

3. Game one, first at-bat for Big Papi and James Shields buzzes the tower. He doesn't need to hit Ortiz, but he needs to announce his presence with authority. Let the benches empty. Perhaps a shove or two. You know, really set the tone for the series.

2. Eric Hinske and Carlos Pena hit back to back home runs of Papelbon in Boston reminding Red Sox fans they should have never let them leave Boston. In the bottom of the 9th Pedroia hits a walk-off home run reminding the Rays that they are the Rays.

1. Super Rays fan Dick Vitale and Red Sox "fan" Ben Affleck get into a fist fight in the stands. Fight is broken up by Matt Damon who sides with Vitale, pulls off his Red Sox hoodie and reveals a Rays jersey.


Prediction: Rays in 6

NLCS preview

aka "The Battle to be Larry Bowa's Favorite Son"
Both the Dodgers and Phillies made the NLDS look like a stroll through the park. I don't believe either team will have it so easy in this round. On paper this looks like a great series that should go 7. Each team is stong all-around with the Dodgers have the slight edge in starting pitching, and the Phillies sporting the more potent offense.

Most important player for LA - someone other than Manny has to hit. It could be Loney, or Martin, or Furcal, but someone on that team must give Phillies pitchers something to think about or Manny is going to spend this series walking down to first.

Most important player for the Phils - Brad Lidge. Its true Brad Lidge has not blown a save this year, but he is getting shakier and shakier as the season progresses. If the Phils have a lead late, he must come in and close the door - or the swagger this team has built up could be lost.

I had trouble picking this one, when in doubt always go with the home team - Phillies in 7

Dear Cubs..........

I am very sorry you were not able to break the curse after 100 years. But its your own fault. I have never seen a 97 win team look more sad and beaten down 4-2 in the sixth inning in my life. AND THIS WAS GAME ONE!!!!!! Look, the curse is cute, its nice, it sells tickets, and it gives 20-something Cubs fans something to belly ache about (even though they haven't been alive for 80 years of the misery, they somehow feel all the pain). The curse is supposed to be for the fans - and you have let it into the clubhouse - and until you extradite it, you will never win. There is really only one way to break this curse. I can't believe I am saying this, but you must act like the 2004 Red Sox. You have to not care about curses or fans or media or anything of the sort. That team, and it was a team by all definitions of the word, cared about each other and winning games, period. And that is why they were able to break the curse of the Bambino. That is the only way they came back from a 3-0 deficit to the Yanks - one year removed from Aaron "bleepin" Boone. Look its understandable for Cubs fans to pack it and start talking about next year when you were down 4-2 in the sixth inning of game one, its what Cubs fans do best. But you can't listen to them! I have outlined a fool proof plan to for breaking the curse of the goatcatbartman.
1. Fire Lou. He is a great manager, but you are never going to break this curse with a well-known great manager. If Lou never wins another game, he is still going to Cooperstown. You need a manager who is hungry
2. Hire Ryan Sandberg or Alan Trammell or Mark Grace or some up and coming next generation manager. And when he breaks the curse - he will have left his mark in Chicago forever.
3. Cut or trade anyone who can't win a game, or at least play like they are going to win a game, when you are losing. Zambrano, Soriano, etc. These guys are both great players when you are winning and headaches when things aren't going well. Its going to be tough and people will think you are crazy, but trust me - you are not going to break this curse by sweeping your way through the playoffs. There is going to be adversity, and you need some fox hole guys.
4. Get the foxhole guys. Get you talented guys who are going to give 150% whether the score is 1-0 or 0-35. If you need any examples look at the 2008 Rays team. When they are down 2 runs everyone still believes they are going to win the game, and they do.
5. Embrace the curse. Seriously. Have Steve Bartman throw out the first pitch of the playoffs while a black cat crosses his path. Laugh at the curse.
6. Sneak into the playoffs. You need to break this curse by fighting and clawing your way into October. That will give the players no time to think about the curse. You won't even have time to catch your breathe - just go out and win.

So there you have it Chicago. A sure fire way to break the curse.

NRS

A playoff update

Its been quite a weekend of boring games and 2-0 series. Thankfully Dave Bush pushed the series in Milwaukee to at least 4 games (game 4 is 1 pm today). I am really hoping that Jeff Suppan can find a way to send the series back to Philly. I think all baseball fans need to see CC in a game 5 against Cole Hamels. It would be an amazing game and I think baseball fans deserve at least 1 really good game in the first round.

- The Cubs are going to have to wait at least 101 years before breaking the black cat- billy goat - Bartman - woe is me curse. I have never seen a team look so amazing in the regular season and look so bad in the post season. Everyone on that team was trying to hit the 8-run homer, and they never got anything going .

- With 4 pretty lousey (so far anyways) LDS - I think there are two really good LCS lining up. Red Sox vs Rays - should be a long drawn out series with plenty of bean ball wars, walk-off wins, and fist pumping. And I really think Philly vs LA could be a great series. Both teams can pitch and hit. Both teams have a fairly solid bullpen.

- So keep hope alive baseball fans. Even if 3/4 series end in a sweep - the next round is looking up.

Playoff preview

NRS apologizes for not providing a thorough playoff preview. Since I missed out on previewing the other 3 series, I thought I would preview Sox vs Rays in an NBA style commercial

Overly-dramatic music cued up in the background.

AJ/Carlos: "162 games and it all comes down to this. Win or go home."

Carlos: "We have no choice but to win. We have no history, no fans, and are no longer possessed by the devil. This is our time to show 30 million dollars and dream can lead to a world championship."

AJ: "No one likes me. People hate my coach. Our best player is out for the season. Everyone wants to see Chicago in the World Series, just not the White Sox. Its us against the world, and we all know I will find a way to the center of the controversy."

AJ/Carlos: "This is what its all about - welcome to October"

Prediction: Rays in 5

The debacle that is the 2008 NL MVP

What a great finish to the regular season. And as we take a quick breathe before the playoffs begin I am left pondering - who is going to win the NL MVP this year. This is a strange year. I think there are really 5 candidates for NL MVP (my apologies to those of you in the Johann Santana camp). I see the race between Pujols, Berkman, Howard, Manny, and CC.

You can break this race into three different groups.

1. The amazing numbers, but subpar team group - Pujols and Berkman. Both had amazing seasons, but both teams ended up a bit short of a playoff run. There is some precedent for MVPs coming from non-playoff teams, but its not very often.

2. The allow me to carry my team in September after having a subpar year group - Howard. Ryan Howard's final numbers are very impressive, but voters are overly impressed with two things September play and home runs. Howard has both of these in spades. It is true if he wasn't carrying the Phillies in September the Mets would have likely won the NL east, but if Chase Utely and Pat Burrell didn't pick up the slack in earlier months - the Phils would have been the fish. And at the end of the day, I am not ok with an MVP who hit 0.245

3. The trade deadline pickup group - Manny and CC. Neither player was a member of the NL when the season began, however both were intrigal parts to the Dodgers and Brewers making the playoffs. Can you win an MVP by playing only half a season? If either guy was putting up these numbers in this league all year, it would be a two horse race. CC has the added trouble of being a pitcher.

Verdict: Look Pujols and Berkman both had great years and Howard had a great September in a pennant race. But if we look at the term Most Valuable Player - it has to be CC. Everyone else on the Brewers (with the possible exception of Prince Fielder) were folding like tents while CC demanded the ball and pitched like it was the dead ball era. I don't think he will win MVP, but I truly believe he was the most valuable player in the NL this season. Try to imagine where the Brewers are without him, they are the Cardinals - and that is why CC gets the nod over Pujols.

I like to picture the conversation between CC and his agent in September

Agent: CC - you have gone 8-0 for the Brewers, but I am getting worried about all these complete games. What do you think about resting a bit in September?

CC: Give me the ball!

Agent: CC, we are going to sign over 100 million dollar contract - you can be a Yankee, or an Angel, or a Met, but you have to stay healthy!

CC: Give me the ball!

Agent: Look CC the Brewers are just using you. They know they won't re-sign you next year so they want to over-work your arm the rest of the season. Look what they have done to Ben Sheets.

CC: Give me the ball!

A fond fairwell to Todd Jones

In the midst of Yankee Stadium closing, the Rays clinching, the Tigers being swept into last place, and the Mets and Brewers backing into the wild card - Todd Jones announced his retirement. He will retire with 319 career saves. Todd won't get to walk the mound at Comerica one last time, he won't hear the crowd chanting his name, or get to hear the loud speaker play the Counting Crows' 'Mr Jones'. He deserves better. His nickname the last few years in Detroit has been "roller coaster" because he would always have men on base and have to wriggle out of trouble. Yet, he always seemed to get the job done. I think the term "a pro's pro" was coined for a guy like Todd. He never had good stuff - Zumaya, Rodney, Farnsworth, and Leyland all throw harder. Yet, he wanted the ball in the 9th with the game on the line. I think when people look back at the 2006 Tigers team that turned around the franchise, he will be the forgotten man. But he was vital - just ask this year's Mets and Cardinals what they would give to have a reliable closer. Five year's from now Cooperstown won't come calling. I don't even know if Detroit will retire his number. He will retire with 319 career saves, and the most all-time in Tigers history, but he was never flashy, never dominant, but always good. I have decided to start a wall-of-fame here on the blog, and Todd Jones is going to be the first inductee. This wall-of-fame will exist to honor those players that had great careers, not very flashy, and plenty of fantastic facial hair. I think my favorite story of Todd Jones (his impersonation of Maggs during a rain delay would come a close second) is when Jim Leyland was asked about his closer - he referred to Todd as his "pack closer", because every time he took the mound Leyland was going to have to smoke a pack of cigarettes just to get through the outing.

Here's to your Mr. Jones

Best games of the last week

Here we are in the last week of the regular season and only the Cubs, Angels, and Rays are guaranteed a spot playing in October. That means there are many series this week worth keeping an eye on.

1. Cubs vs Mets. The Cubs
- The Cubs have nothing to play for. The Mets are in the midst of a second straight September collapse. The Cubs took the opener on Monday. I am not sure if the Cubs should even want to win these games. If they sweep the Mets that will greatly help the Brewers in the NL wild card - giving the Cubs the Dodgers in the first round. If the Mets win - the Cubs could turn around and play the Mets again in October.

2. White Sox vs Twins
- After being usurped for what seemed like half a month by the Republican National Convention - the Twins return home for the biggest series of the year. The Twins are down two in the standings and must take 2, but a sweep is really what they should have their eyes on. If the twins sweep - they would again control their own destiny. For the White Sox, winning all three would be great, but just a series win would probably wrap up the AL central.

3. Pirates at Brewers
- Best cure for a September collapse? Have the Pirates visit. The Brewers enter this series only one game down to the Mets. The must sweep the Bucs who have nothing to play for and have traded away almost every dangerous bat in their lineup. I love that the Brewers went for it by trading for Sabathia, and making the playoffs would make it all worth it. However, if they should end up the odd team out, this could set back the franchise years.

4. Tigers at Royals
- Ok there are absolutely no playoff implications with this series. However, with Detroits recent free-fall, and after dropping the opener in KC - the Tigers hold only a one game lead over the last place Royals. It would mean a lot for KC not to finish in the basement, and for Detroit - this season has been a complete embarassment, hopefully the guys can save a little face and not finish dead last.

Enjoy the last week of the season!

I was in the show once.......

The playoff races are heating up, its early September, and the Giants have been buried since March. So I am no totally surprised that Scott McClain's story has been a bit buried. Scott McClain is a September call-up for the Giants and he hit his first major league home run on September 3rd. This was not your average September call-up home run. Scott McClain's first major league home run came on the heels of 287 career minor league home runs. His major league debut came 10 years ago - with the Rays, when they were possessed by the Devil. He is 37 years old and hitting his first home run with the Giants - is rather fitting. Despite his age - McClain is still considered young talent by the Bay. He was drafted in 1990 - almost 2 decades before hitting his first major league home run.

"I was in the show once. I was in the show for 21 days, the greatest 21 days of my life."

Daily Musings for September the 2nd

- The Cy Young race is starting to resemble the 08' general election. The media has a lot to do with the public perception and opinion. Today in my readings online and listening to podcasts I heard 4 separate people pitching (again pun totally intended) Tim Lincecum for NL Cy Young, as their dark horse candidates. I have no problem with people supporting Lincecum for Cy Young - he does lead the NL in ERA and strikeouts - two pretty solid categories for a pitcher to lead his league. I just find it funny that all of the sudden Tim Lincecum is everyone's NL Cy Young darling.

- Today Dontrelle Willis and Feddy Garcia threw a simulated game against each other at Comerica. According to the story on detroittigers.com both threw well and looked good. This is encouraging - at their best both guys would be a great addition to the rotation in 09'. However, this reminded me that the 08' Tigers look great on paper, but once they step on the field - suddenly the 08' Tigers are the 62' Mets.

-The Braves are currently leading the Marlins 14-13 in the bottom of the 6th inning. I would be willing to bet if the Falcons and Dolphins played tonight - they would not score 27 combined points. Not to worry the Marlins have 2 on and no one out in the 6th. This has really become a game about field position. Before I could finish writing the sentence the bases are now loaded. Maybe I should head down to Miami - someone is going to need a 26 year old left handed situational reliever tonight.

Enjoy the last month!

You have ruined his moment!!!!

I like to talk a lot about moments. The walk-off home run. The amazing game saving play. Watching the Tigers slowly fade into mediocrity. Yesterday - I saw a great moment ruined. CC Sabathia continued his dominance of the NL yesterday. He threw another complete game shutout against the Pirates (ok that's not the impressive part) and he only allowed one "hit". This is a great start and any pitcher would be happy with a one-hitter. However, the hit was bogus. I first learned of this news by reading CC's line on the bottom line of ESPN. His line was followed by the statement that the Brewers are filing a protest to the league to have that hit reversed to an error. This seemed a bit strange, so I stayed up to see the late Sportscenter to see what the fuss was about. If you haven't seen the "highlight" yet, here it is.

Even if the Brewers are successful in having this call overturned - the moment is gone. A no-hitter is great and something I am sure CC would take with him forever. However, its the build-up that makes the no-hitter great. In my early days of blogging I wrote about the build-up here.

This is what CC will never get back from yesterday.

1. Being isolated in the dugout starting around the 7th. No one wants to be that guy who ruins the no-no (to John Smoltz and Mike Mussina - I am truly sorry)

2. The walk out to the mound in the 9th.

3. The standing ovation from the opposing team. Such a cool event when the other team gives you props because its good baseball.

4. His defining moment of the second half of the 08' season. I have been hearing more and more arguements that CC should be the NL MVP, but not the Cy Young. Voters love defining moments to look at - and his was taken away by a scorekeeper.

5. The amazing akward hug between CC and Kendall. CC is listed at a conservative 6'7" and 290 lbs. Jason Kendall is 6'0" and 200 lbs. I just love the thought of CC jumping into Kendall's arms and crushing him to the ground. This may be as close as we can get today to David Spade and Chris Farley.

Even if baseball reverses that call - the moment is gone. Hopefully he will have another chance at a no-hitter through his career, but you never know.

$207,108,489 can buy happiness....just not in the Bronx

Although the Yanks avoided the sweep today, I think its safe to say their 2008 season is over. No playoffs for the Yankees for the first time since I was 13 years-old. Now the Yankees are not a terrible team - they have been around 10 games over .500 for most of the second half of the year.

But when you spend 207 million - you get everything that's coming to you.

There were injuries to Posada, Wang, A-rod, Jeter, and Joba. The kids were terrible - Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy have no wins. Zero. This could go down as the worst trade that never happened. Their manager is gone. The Boss is gone. Carl Pavano was hurt (I couldn't resist).

It was a perfect storm of disaster. And now it its final year, the House that Ruth Built is starting to look like the rest of the real estate market.

For some reason I can't stop smiling. Do I feel bad about the injuries? No, not really. Did anyone feel bad when Darth Vader had his hand cut off? My point exactly. Am I sad the stadium is closing? There is a bit of nostalgia - but mostly I am happy to see the Death Star go - because as they close the door on Yankee Stadium they are closing the door on the Joe Torre, George Steinbrenner, and Mariano Rivera era. I have a strange feeling the new era of the Yanks is going to look a lot like the Knicks. There is a new curse of the Bambino - and he lives in the Bronx.

Oceans' 12

How is Albert Pujols still underrated?

He has an MVP - 2005
He has a ring - 2006
He has a moment - I will never forget watching him hit that ball against Brad Lidge. In related news the National Weather Service has reported that the home run ball should be landing sometime in late November

However, this weekend was one of the most miraculous things I have ever seen in the Braves vs Cardinals series.

Coming into the series Chipper Jones of the Braves was leading the NL with a 0.360 batting average, Phat Albert entered the series at a pedestrian 0.348

On Sunday both Chipper and Albert were tied at -0.359. This isn't early May when batting averages can fluctuate by the at-bat, this is late August. And this wasn't a weekend series where Chipper came in hitting 0.360 and went 0 for the series to see his average plummet. Chipper lost 0.001 in three days by going 4-12.

So how did Albert make up 12 points in 3 games with Chipper only losing 1 point?
- He went 8 for 10 in the series. According to the announcers ( I didn't get to watch the entire series) - Pujols could have been 10 for 10 - hitting the ball hard both times he was retired.Now as surprising as it is that anyone can go 8 for 10 in a series, I am more shocked by the concept that the Braves threw at least 10 strikes to Pujols in the series!!

Dear Roger McDowell,

Make Rick Ankiel beat you!

Sincerely,
The Entire City of Atlanta


If I was an opposing team Albert would be given the Barry Bonds treatment - no not that treatment - the never throw him a strike force those other guys to beat you treatment. This guy still doesn't seem to get his due. People are obsessed with A-rod and Madonna, Manny's hair, and Prince Fielder's diet (don't get me wrong I follow all of those things). Albert, when you accept you 2nd MVP this season - know that I will be in awe. Everyone else has decided you are just another boring superstar, and I think that may be your best quality.

A solution to fix the Pirates

If you haven't seen this article - I will summarize it in two sentances. There is a nine-year old pitcher playing in an 8-10 year old little league. He has been banned from pitching for throwing too hard. Wow. He has never hit a batter and apparantly has great control.

Pirates team officials plan to use this tactic the next time they are in Wrigley.

Pirates front office: "Mr Selig we would like Carlos Zambrano banned from throwing tonight."

Bud: "Really are you concerned he may go head hunting, are you worried for the safety of your players?"

Pirates front office: "No sir, he is just too good. And if you can ban him from hitting as well we would really appreciate it."

The Twins are the Anti-Tigers

Their payroll is low. They traded away the best pitcher in the game. And their second best pitcher from 2007 now throws in Tampa. Their left-handed Phenom has been hurt most of the year. Recently, they cut the pitcher on their team with the most wins. Their Gold-glove center fielder left to play elsewhere for more money. This is the recipe for disaster, this sounds like the Reds. However, this is your 2008 Minnesota Twins. Currently 73-54 and only 1/2 game out of the AL Central lead.

How is this possible?

This has been made possible by a combination of things, but mostly - they have a great team, they play hard, and they are managed well.

Sure it helps that the middle of your order has Mauer and Morneau - The best catcher in the AL and the reigning AL MVP respectively. They also have a lights out closer - who may be the most underrated guy in the American league in Nathan. After that, there are a bunch of great pieces and parts - but no one really spectacular. Delmon Young - the big off season pick up has been solid -but 7 HR 53 RBI - not exactly tearing the cover off the ball. Can you imagine if the Yankees had Jeter, A-rod, Rivera, and then a bunch of roll players and a starting rotation held together by band-aids and duct tape? The Yankees complain about injuries more than anyone - but they still have Jeter, A-rod, Rivera, Mussina, Cano, etc, etc. And don't even get me start about the Tigers. After Mauer, Morneau, and Nathan do any Minnesota Twins start for Detroit?

I know Joel Madden is going to win the AL manager of the year - and with good reason. But Ron G. has no shame in finishing second in this race.

From first to third.

And here we go around the horn:

1. Josh Hamilton you are all that is man. No run support's favorite candidate for the AL MVP added an impressive stat to his resume last night. In the 9th inning will the Rays leading the Rangers 7-3 Joel Madden decided to walk Hamilton, oh yeah the bases were already loaded. R-E-S-P-E-C-T. I have never seen this. I have so much more Joel Madden respect today, and I loved him yesterday. He is coaching the surprise team of the season and he was willing to be unconventional, walk in a run and not let Josh Hamilton beat him. Josh Hamilton you weren't going to the playoffs this year anyways - and now you have a story to tell at the bar for the rest of time, "There I was....."

2. Olympic baseball is a complete joke. Earlier this week the United States was playing the heavily favored Cuba. The game went into extra innings and when the game reached the 11th we found out just how dumb the rules in the olympics are. Starting in the 11th inning teams begin each inning with runners on 1st and 2nd and may start the inning at any point in their order. This is brutal, its not baseball. I could even live with having teams start with runners on 1st and 2nd - it seems similar to the college football rule of having to go for 2 point conversions after several overtimes. However, starting at any point in your order completely ruins the game of baseball. Strategy is dead. Having a balanced lineup is pointless. What if you are managing and use you left handed reliever in the 11th to get a tough lefty out - that's ok he will also lead off the 12th, and 13th, and 14th....... Baseball is a great game of strategies and situations and this rule takes both of those elements out of the game. Let's hope that no games in the medal round get to the 11th inning.

3. CC Sabathia is the guilty pleasure of the summer of 08'. Hats off to the Brewers - they haven't been to the playoffs since I was one and they have decide to rent themselves quite a piece of real estate for the playoff push. CC is currently 7-0 since coming to the NL with 4 CGs. If the Brewers make the playoffs CC will be leading that parade through downtown Milwaukee. And thank goodness that CC went to the Brewers - at 6'5" and 295 lbs there are only certain uniforms that really work well for CC - Cleveland was a great fit, as is Milwaukee. I just can't picture him in a Marlins home uniform or in the Astros road uniform. As long Brandon Webb wins 20+ I don't think CC will win the Cy Young, but he has made pitching fun to watch and its an added bonus getting to watch him hit 3 times a night.

As I am writing this and watching the Astros and Brewers the ESPN bottom line has reported that Greg Maddux has been traded to the Dodgers. I predict he will throw an absolute gem in the playoffs - probably against the Cubs. In other news - why does baseball even have a trading deadline?

A plea to Barry Bonds

Dear Barry,


I was great to see you last weekend. I know things haven't been great between us in the past, but I can change, we can make this work. The truth is, baseball needs you Barry. I need you. I miss never missing one of your at-bats because I am equal parts a huge fan and disgusted by what you have done. Every good story needs its heroes and its villains and the 2008 season is turning into one sappy Disney movie. We have a comeback player of the year looking like he may win AL MVP, the Rays (yeah those Rays) are probably going to win the east, the Cubs may actually win the world series, the Yankees are terrible, and Curt Schilling is hurt. Even the White Sox picked up Jr and are becoming much harder to root against. I think I am going to be sick. You see, baseball needs its villains - Yanks, Schilling, steroids, you, etc.

So in the spirit of bringing back my Lex Luther for the good of baseball I have devised a fool-proof plan to ensure you are in a uniform next season: wearing 9 tons of body armor and driving Bud Selig crazy every step of the way. Follow these steps and I ensure you one someone will suddenly need a left-handed DH with power and a 0.500 obp.

Step 1 - Apologize directly and unequivocally. Apologize for everything. Steroids, cheating, ruining children's lives, the high gas prices, the Kennedy assassination.... People just want to see you be humble. Once you apologize, never speak of it again and go back to being your cocky self.

Step 2 - Grow a mustache. And I am not talking about some tiny little manicured piece of facial hair. This needs to be out of control. People love mustaches and no one can be mad at a guy with one - see Jason Giambi.

Step 3 - Show up everywhere. Show up to game in Pittsburgh - sign autographs, thank the fans for all the memories. Show up in Detroit to see Leyland. Show up in Philly, ok bad idea there. Make the rounds of your own personally PR tour. Shake hands, kiss babies, etc.

Step 4 - This may the most important step of all - get a self-deprecating commercial or bit on SNL. We have to see that not only are you sorry, but have some humility as well. Maybe a weekend update with a "really" bit where you can drop in. Laugh it up, the jokes on you.

Follow my plan Barry and I assure we can go back to the way things once were. 29 teams rooting against you on the outside (and cheering for you on the inside) and the 1 team you play for pretending you body naturally changed shape over the years. Best of luck Barry, hope we will be seeing you soon.

Sincerely,
No Run Support

One chance to turn this whole thing around

I was watching the Braves vs. Diamondbacks game last night with my friend. We were both commiserating that our respective teams are in the midst of pretty disappointing seasons. That led to conversations about the future - what do the Braves need to do to get back to the playoffs next year. I think their biggest need is a feared hitter in the middle of the order. Currently, the Braves have a lineup of guys who should be hitting 1-3 and 6-8. They really need at least one of those guys who can drive the ball out of the ball park consistently and you put in the 4 or 5 spot everyday. It is possible that Jeff Francoeur can become a 5 hitter again, but he looks so lost at the plate this year it is hard to tell. And I love Brian McCann, but I have a problem counting on your catcher to be your cleanup hitter. At best the guy is only going to play 140-145 games a year. Ideally, the Braves would want this guy to play left field. My friend and I talked about a few actual options Adam Dunn of the Red, Marcus Thames of the Tigers, etc. Both are fun players and are country strong. Then we realized the perfect person for that spot is Ryan Braun - The Hebrew Hammer himself. Of course the Brewers have no intention of trading Braun. So this takes me to my point of the post - if your favorite team could add one current player from any other team who would it be? Would this be enough for your team to make the playoffs, win the WS, maybe finish at 0.500. I plan to start of list of each team's dream player from around the league. Feel free to add your favorite team and their fantasy draft pick. Remember to take into consideration the age of the person you are drafting and the current makeup of your team.

Atlanta Braves - Ryan Braun - Braun moves right into the cleanup spot and LF and the Brave lineup goes from good to scary. If the pitching can become moderately healthy next year I think this team wins the NL east.

Detroit Tigers - Jonathan Papelbon - Ok, I really wanted Tim Lincecum, but when I am honest with myself - the Tigers need a nasty closer who wants the ball in the 9th inning. With Papelbon, Zumaya and Rodney can hold down the 7-8th innings. I think with JP and a healthy Bonderman the Tigers could win the Central (maybe even a reinvented Dontrelle Willis - ok now I am really am just dreaming).

Playoffs? Playoffs?

Ok. I died a little last week. The Tigers traded Pudge for Kyle Farnsworth.......yes that Kyle Farnsworth. I wasn't even that sad to see Pudge go. Sure he represented the beginning of the turn around in Detroit - but he had become a problem in the clubhouse and has been immune to walks since 2006. It was a bit nostalgic to see him go, but I wish him well in the Bronx. But while I was on vacation last week I kept asking myself the same thing - what did I do to deserve Kyle Farnsworth?

I tried to sell myself on the trade. Maybe he can be the glue that holds the bullpen together down the stretch. Perhaps he will throw with a chip on his shoulder and have a dominant August and September. But I knew the truth, for I had seen this Kyle Farnsworth before.

And so all of my worst fears were realized last night, in what I think may be the worst Tigers loss ever for me personally. The whole season has been one huge disappointment from D-train missing the strike zone, to Bonderman getting hurt, to the Roller Coaster that is Todd Jones, and of course the addition of Farnsworth. Its been a tough year for Tigers fans, especially in a year when expectations were higher than ever. Sure, the Tigers have teased us, gotten us to believe that we are just one or two hot series away from turning this whole thing around. And then the Tigers got swept in Tampa making this current series with the White Sox, in this humble blogger's opinion, Leyland's last stand in 08'. Sweep the White Sox and there is hope again in Detroit - anything else and I think you can safely start making tee times for early October. I am so glad I didn't see this game, instead I saw the Dark Knight. I am sure my nighmares would have been much much worse if I had actually seen the game. Our hero, Farnsworth enters the game with a one run lead and promptly gives up a game-tying home run to Alexi Ramirez is who is 6'3" and 185 lbs (or 1/6th of Prince Fielder). By the way Farnsworth has appeared in 3 games for Detroit this year - 2 BS. Not to worry Tigers fans Fernando Rodney shakes off his recent troubles and throws 3 innings of scoreless relief allowing the Tigers to score twice in the top of the 14th on a Placido Polanco 2-run homer (apparently it was tiny second basemen hit big home runs night in Chicago - first 10 fans get their own Luis Castillo home run ball). And then comes the bottom of the 14th Joel Zumaya in to close the opening game of the series. He gets into trouble, but appears to get out by inducing a ground ball to Renteria with 1 out in the 14th. Edgar boots the ball, as Tigers fans everywhere wonder just how good Jair Jurrgens is going to be, and allows the inning to continue. Nick Swisher then hits a 3-run 2-out home run to send the Sox to a 10-8 win and send me straight for the Jack. As I drink to the high hopes of the 08' season I can almost year taps being played, every so softly. Well - there's always next year.

Over/Under

With PTI taking a break this week I thought I would present the MLB last third of the season over/under. Leave your choices in the comments section - and please no pushes - Wilbon has the week off.

1. Over/Under a second place MVP finish for Josh Hamilton
Everyone's HR derby darling is having a breakout year. And the media, who vote, do love a good comeback story. However, Hamiton's Rangers are permanently stuck in 3rd. On the other hand - who is your AL MVP from a first place team? K-rod?

2. Over/Under a second place finish for the Detroit Tigers
Again - I think this is the line. Are the Tigers going to come all the way back from an 0-7 start to win the central, or will the be held off by the Twins and the White Sox? It really depends which Tigers team shows up in August.

3.Over/Under 81 wins for the first place team in the NL west
I really hope for the sake of baseball that someone in that division puts together a respectable stretch drive and finishes the season on the happy side of par. As of today the D'Backs lead the way at 50-51 (for the record the Rangers would have a 1 and 1/2 game lead on that division - but of course they would lose their DH)

4.Over/Under 10 national league wins for CC
He's 4-0, with three consecutive CGs for CC. I think if he gets to 10-0 in the NL he would have to be considered for the Cy Young, especially if the Brewer's make the playoffs for the first time since I was 9 months old.

That's all from here for today. I leave with the thought of being Ryan Braun - and knowing next time you bat against St Louis you are going to get a pitch in your ear - strutting around the bases as the Crew swept the Cards.

Time to pull off the band-aid and bring on the White Sox

Ok - its July 22nd. The Tigers sit 5 and 1/2 games behind the Sox and 5 behind the Twins. This has been a dramatic improvement over the 0-7 start. For the past month or so the Tigers have been somewhere between 4-7 games out of first place. This is not a terrible spot to be in, and there is still plenty of time to make a run. However, I am entirely sick of being in fringe contention. Thankfully, I believe the next 5 series will really determine if the 08' Tigers are for real.

We have series against KC, CWS, CLE, TB, and CWS. That's 6 games against the division leaders, 3 games against everyone's AL darling Rays, and 6 more games against the basement. I am stoked. I am tired of being on the fringe of contention - its exhausting. If the Tigers are going to be serious about this they are going to have to win these big series over the next few week because if they lose these series it may be time to put this season to bed. This is great - I am sick of beating the KC and BAL while the White Sox beat TEX and SEA. Its no fun always being on the fringe. Let's play the big dogs and see what happens. The boys are hitting, they are pitching (with some minor Nate Robertson road bumps), and the bullpen is coming together. Let's see where we are and bring on the Sox. One way or another I think we will have a good idea of who this team actually is around August 10th. (seriously if they are still 4-7 games out of first on August 10th - I am going to go crazy)

15 innings caps an interesting ASG

A few quick thoughts from the all-star game.

1. Without Josh Hamilton having the greatest round in home run derby history - that is probably the worst derby ever. I mean when the biggest name is Lance Berkman and there are two second basemen it doesn't exactly shape up to be Griffey vs Thomas.

2. Look I hate to see a tie as much as the next guy. But I would have been worried if Verlander threw on Sunday and was asked to take the ball from the 15th inning and throw until the game ended - Kazmir was the last AL pitcher. Baseball is the only sport where you can really affect a team's second half success by having a long exhibition game. To fix the extra inning fiasco in the future I propose the following: (first, I must admit this isn't my idea, but the owner of the idea does not have a blog). To make things fair: Add 2 AAA pitchers and catchers for each league to the all-star roster. You tell the pitchers, "there is no way you getting into the game until we have thrown every all-star, and when you get in the game there is no way you are coming out until the game is over". The catchers would have a similar fate, and they could catch in the bullpen during the game.

Pros: Managers won't have to save a pitcher or two in case of extra innings. Each all-star can have their own moment. Its a great insurance policy. The AAA guys would have a ball. Just being around the All-stars for a few days. I would even be fine with the AAA players coming from the home town's team. This would cost MLB a total of 4 plane tickets.

Cons: We wouldn't get to see Bug Selig sweat for making the dumbest rule in sports - the Winner of the ASG gets home field advantage in the WS. I heard Mr Selig defending this on Mike and Mike the other day by claiming that it wouldn't work to award home field advantage to the team with the best record because there wouldn't be enough time to setup accommodations for the world series. What a load of crap. Bud, you don't know where the first game of the WS is going to be played until the LCS is over! Are you telling me Denver really started making game 3 world series plans last year because the AL won the all-star game? Brutal. If Morneau had been thrown out at the plate last night, how long would it have taken for Bud to call the game this time? Would Francona of left Kazmir out to pitch the rest of the game? Pretty convenient for the Red Sox that the last pitcher left for the AL was Kazmir, no? (know that I don't blame Francona, it just interesting)

Thoughts from 8,000 feet

This will be a short post since I am currently in Snowmass, Colorado for a workshop.

1. The players can never again complain about the fan voting in the all-star game. The fans have Joe Mauer as their starting catcher in the AL, the players chose the 0.218 hitting Jason Varitek. Look, Tek has had a pretty solid career, and there really aren't tons deserving backstops in the AL this year, but this is still embarrassing. Why not send Posada (its his home game) or Pudge (this could be his last one). Better yet, send someone else who deserves to go - who is not a catcher. You have 2 young catchers on the AL squad - I am sure they both wouldn't mind catching 4-5 innings each. Do you think Tek feels weird about going? " No really guys I am hitting 0.218, I don't mind a few days off......."

2. For every action there is an opposite and equal reaction. This week the Brew Crew picked up CC (note the lack of '.') Sabathia and then 24 hours later the Cubs picked up Rich Harden. Wow are the Cubs desperate. They have been the best team in the NL all season long, they have a 5 game lead over the Brewers, and they made a risky reactionary move. Rich Harden is a great pitcher, the problem is he is usually on the DL. Although if I was curse by a goat, I would probably be pretty unstable as well.

3. I don't get the Indians. They are having the equivalent of the Superbowl curse, only much much worse. As Yogi said half of this game is 90% mental.


4. Here's to hoping the last 2 AL HR derby participants are Marcus Thames and Jason Giambi's mustache.

Enjoy the last weekend of the first half!

25 million a year does not buy common sense

Its no secret that Alex Rodriguez is not loved in New York. I always felt kind of sorry for him. I mean since coming to the Bronx in 2004 he has hit 36, 48, 35, and 54 homeruns. Just look at his career highlights on mlb.com. They are grouped by year, because each year there is a new chapter in the book of career highlights. He is the reigning AL MVP and I am pretty sure Yankee fans can't stand him. He is the necessary evil of the Evil Empire. He is this generation's Roger Maris. And I am totally convinced all of that would change if he would win the Homerun derby at the all-star game in the last season of Yankee stadium. The homerun derby, in this bloggers humble opinion, is the best part of all star weekend. The fans love it, it appeals to the very nature of being a fan - how far can you hit this.

We fast forward to this week when A-rod (sorry Andy Roddick) says he will not participate in this year's HR derby if invited. Dude, you just don't get it. The fans don't like you because you don't seem like one of them. You are the anti-Derek Jeter. And when you are given a chance on a platter (think of how weak the field may be this year in the derby - no Papi, no Hafner, no Thome, probably no Howard or Prince either) - you look down your nose from Modanna's penthouse and pass. While an admitted steroid using, mustache growing, bad fielding, strikeout prone, former AL-MVP Jason Giambi is jumping at the chance. He is campaigning for a chance. Do the right thing Alex, grab a bat and finally hit a homerun when the whole world is watching!

And its a no-hitter for Weaver!!! (kind of)

Short post this morning. As I have a baseball game at 12:15 (the Atlanta A's look to go 8-1 on the season)

From last night:

1. The Tigers won another game they had no business winning. Ok, they should have won the game going into the 9th with a 5-2 lead. However, Todd Jones was too busy perfecting his Magglio impersonation and gave up 4 runs in the 9th. Not to worry, Miguel Cabrera stepped up in the 9th and doubled home the tying and winning runs. Miraculously, the Tigers now stand at 40-40 after starting 0-7. There is a lot of season left and the Tigers are starting to remember how to win.

2. In probably the best pitch to be the official spokesperson of this blog: Jered Weaver. Weaver's line from last night 6.0 IP 0 H 1 R (0 ER). Weaver was lifted for a pinch hitter in the 7th. Jose Arredondo relieved Weaver and threw 2-innings of hitless relief. Final stats for the game Dodgers 1 Angels 0. For the Dodgers 1 run on no hits. I think Jered Weaver needs a hug.

Top 10 Baseball checklist for the second half of 2008

I feel like I really need Paul Shaffer here for this. Here is tonight's top-ten things to do in the second half of the baseball season (drum roll please). Each baseball season is unique and exciting, and therefore each season creates different summer opportunities. As we approach the halfway point of the season I present you with a top-ten check list for the 2008 major league baseball season.


10. Get to know your Rays. These guys have been the laughing stock of the AL east since they were created in 1998. This year is different the Rays are talented, they are young, and they are really fun to watch. Find time this summer to see Scott Kazmir pitch, watch Carl Crawford play (its the least you can do for the guy - he's been on your fantasy team for years), and get caught up in Ray-fever! Heck buy yourself an Eric Hinske jersey.

9. Attend a bobblehead day. Any bobblehead day. (I checked this one off my list last week by attending Brian McCann bobblehead day). It will give you a reason to attend a random game(Braves vs Brewers Wed at 1 pm. No way I would have gone to this game w/o the Bobbling-incentive) and they will drive you wife crazy. Its win/win!

8. Pick a team that is currently 5-10 games out of the playoff picture. And root like hell they make a run. Get behind their mid season trades and late season call-ups. Your team may already be in this position, however if you are a Cubs or Red Sox fan 1. Seriously - get some imagination 2. Pick a team in the other league to pull for. If you are a fan of the Mariners or Padres - you need something to cheer for this year. I recommend picking a team that has a player that used to be on your team. For me the Braves have both Jair Jurrgens and Omar Infante. Its great getting caught up in magical late season runs. You could jump on the next one early. Imagine if you had picked the Rockies last year. Granted, you may have your heart broken - but as they say its better to have loved and lost.......

7. Attend batting practice. As I have gotten older I find myself showing up to games closer and closer to the National Anthem. As a kid I remember getting to the stadium as the opened the door to watch BP and go for autographs. Watching BP is such a great experience. Sit yourself either in the outfield (hello - cheap HR ball) or down near the field behind the plate. Typically teams will let you go down to the field level. If you have cheap seats this will give you a chance to see the players up close. I still remember watching a steroid juiced Ken Caminiti throwing with Tony Gywnn in Pittsburgh from about 10 feet away.

6. Go to a minor league game. It makes no difference it is A or AAA or independent. If you have never been to a minor league game, shame on you. The tickets are inexpensive, you get to sit close,the stadiums are typically very cool, and most teams spend every minute between pitches trying to entertain you. I once won a 40 dollar gift card to Old Navy because I was holding the ginormous beach ball when the music stopped in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Find a time when there is a great promotion, or better year a major leaguer on a re-hab outing. This year alone in the Tigers minor league systems you could have seen Dontrelle Willis, Joel Zumaya, Fernando Rodney, and Gary Sheffield.

5. Play catch. I don't care how old you are, there is no excuse for not doing this at least once a summer.

4. Stop at a baseball stadium on your summer vacation. Better yet, plan your vacation around a stadium or stadiums you have never seen. There are tons of new parks or if you time it right you could see the last season of Shea and Yankee Stadium on the same day, or at least same weekend. (I highly recommend PNC and the Great American Ball Park as two good Midwestern destinations).

3. Have a hot dog with everything. I mean everything. Look. I am as health conscience as the next guy, probably more so, but at least once a season you have to sit down at a game with a foot-long heartburn-dog on your lap. I am talking about catsup, mustard, relish, chili, jalapenos, cheese, onions, and anything else they may have at the stadium. Its not officially summer until you come home from a baseball game, run directly to the bathroom, and thank God you are live in America.

2. Get caught up with a rookie and have a 'man-crush'. Every year there is a crop of rookies that come up to the majors and take off like gang busters. This year we have already seen Jay Bruce, Armando Gallaraga, Aaron Laffey, etc. There is nothing like watching a rookie in his first weeks in the majors, hitting 0.500, and loving every second.

1. And the number 1 baseball related checklist for 2008 - Find something to cheer for in your favorite team. If you are a Cubs fan, I don't want to hear one word about a goat. If you like the Phillies - who cares if Ryan Howard can't hit his weight - its not his fault we weighs .305. Stay positive on your team - its a long season, but the second its over, you know you will be counting down to 2009. As for my Tigers - I promise not to lose hope - no matter how bad it may seem or how many injuries we incur, I know I will be able to keep my head held high because deep down in my heart I know that the following is true: The White Sox are going to fold like a cheap cheap suit.

Enjoy the second half.