Suffice it to say, I think I am suffering baseball withdrawal and it has only been three days since the season ended. I think that is bad news seeing as how baseball doesn't return with meaningful games till the beginning of April. Of course there is another way to look at this: the offseason is exciting because it sets up how those meaningful games are going to play out. Not exactly of course, just look at the last couple Yankee teams, which have looked like sure-fire World Series winners and haven't made it out of the first round. Once the offseason is done though, we are usually sure who is NOT going to be good and a pretty idea of who is and I guess in a way that makes it exciting. Plus, although it sucks to think about it, the A-Rod sweepstakes are going to be exciting. Last week at this time I was almost 100% sure that he was going to stay with the Yankees and sign an extension but a lot can happen in 7 days...unfortunately.
Of course there is more to the offseason already in baseball, stuff that has just come to the surface in the last couple days. I made a short post yesterday discussing Joe Girardi's hiring as the new Yankees manager but there have been other developments: Grady Little's apparently personal resignation from the Dodgers, though we all know that this Joe Torre to LA talk really drove him away. Little's resignation sets the stage for Joe to take his Green Tea and early-90's sunglasses to LA where he can really mingle with today's who's who. The Dodgers and Torre apparently are very close to a deal and I am very happy for Joe. Lately a lot of people have asked me what I think about that and I respond the same way: I'm not bitter at Joe Torre, and I'm not bitter at the Yankees. Would I have liked Joe to maybe suck it up and deal with the "incentives" in his contract and stay to manage the Yankees? Yes. Would I have liked the Yankees to have offered him a contract straight up without the special "incentives"? Yes. But just cause those things didn't happen doesn't mean I'm distraught and frightened about the Yankees chances in '08. I think they're going to be just as good as any other team in baseball except maybe the Boston Red Sox who, unfortunately look like the class of baseball at the moment. But all of that can change. Brian Cashman is a shrewd GM and he knows what to do and he wants to win. I think he's going to do some smart things this offseason that really put the Yankees back up in the discussion. Anyway, that was a digression. Joe Torre was what I was talking about. I'm not mad that Joe left. It's a little depressing since he is the only manager I have known for the Yankees but change is not a bad thing in the sports world. New managers and coaches happen all the time, just look at the turnover every year in the NFL and even MLB, even among good teams. Joe wasn't winning in the postseason and as I have already said, it wasn't his fault, but when winning doesn't happen as it should, it's time for a change. Joe Girardi I think is the perfect person to take over in this instance. He knows NY. He knows George. He has experienced winning ('96, '98, and '99) and losing ('97, damn Indians again...). And he did so with some of the players currently on the Yankees. I think both Posada and Rivera will be back after the Yankees offer them boatloads of money and Girardi will be set with his team. I'll be rooting hard for him and I'll be rooting hard for Torre in LA if he ends up there. I mean, he's bringing Mattingly and some others with him, there's nothing wrong with that.
Another interesting offseason question for the Yankees is Andy Pettitte. He was resigned last offseason and came back to his true home, after he felt disrespected by Steinbrenner in the 2003 offseason and departed for the Astros. The contract he signed with the Yankees was a one year deal with a player option for 2008. In recent internets developments that I have been keeping tabs on, Andy supposedly announced that he is either staying with the Yankees or retiring. He isn't going anywhere else. I think that is good news for Yankee fans cause unlike mercenary Clemens, who I do love, but is obviously a mercenary, I think Pettitte is genuine. He was hurt that Steinbrenner cared more about negotiation with Sheffield personally in 2003 and with the attention paid to A-Rod and he felt slighted and left. This time, it is obvious the Yankees want him back. Plus, he pitched very well this year. With some better bullpen performance at the beginning of the season, he could've ended up with 17, 18 maybe even 19 wins. In the end he finished a respectable 15-9 with a 4.05 ERA. There's nothing wrong with that. In addition, he didn't have his trademark elbow issues. All those should be signs that he returns to the Yankees in 2008. I know he was tight with Joe Torre, but he also had experience pitching to and playing with Joe Girardi and I think that is a bonus. He wants to win again, I know that. Look at his virtuoso performance in Game 2 of the ALDS this year. That was vintage Andy Pettitte and I KNOW he still has that left in him.
Looking back on my early blog so far, most of what I have predicted has NOT come true. I would like to believe that I haven't jinxed any of this stuff, I mean, I'm not Sports Illustrated or Madden (I hope you know of those supposed cover jinxes). Therefore, against my better judgment I guess I'll have to keep posting...By the way, have you people seen the new Red Sox World Series ball mystery? If you all remember, which I'm sure you do, after the 2004 World Series, Dougie Mientkiewicz, yeah, I can spell it, caught the final flip from pitcher Keith Foulke and then didn't give the ball back to the Sox for a long time. This time, the final out was a strike out, and catcher Jason Varitek apparently put the ball in his back pocket, then supposedly gave it to closer Jonathan Papalbon. Of course, neither of them knows where the ball is, and it is still missing. If the trophy weren't so big and shiny I'm sure they would lose that too....yikes. Well, if you want to know more, check this story out: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-redsox-lastball&prov=ap&type=lgns. Oh, and one more thing: Curt Schilling, even if you love him, he is a douche bag too. One of the more attention-grabbing/seeking players in MLB. I like his new list of teams that he would play for, he included 12, not including the Yankees. Good, I don't want him there. We don't need another old former power pitcher who relies on the splitter...
Well that's all for this Halloween, be safe out there, and catch some of those classic scary movies on AMC. I have the last couple nights, and they are great. I mean, Michael Myers, Pinhead from Helllraiser, Jason and Freddy Krueger? You can't be those guys, much better than that goofy Ghost Face from Scream, I can tell you that much.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Girardi Officially the New Yankee Skipper
According to reports at both ESPN and the LoHud Yankee Blog, run by Yankee Beat Writer extraordinaire Peter Abraham, Joe Girardi has accepted the offered job of Yankee manager and has signed on for a three year deal worth $7.5 million. Less than Torre's proposed deal, obviously, but pretty good pay for a guy to sit on the bench and routinely watch 162 (hopefully more) baseball games a season. I think this is a good start for the Yankees. When looking at the big 3 of free agents for the team: Posada, Pettitte and Rivera, they all have connections to Girardi. Girardi was Posada's mentor, and he had good rapports with Pettitte and Rivera, catching for both of them. Although Mattingly was the favorite, I think going with Girardi, who has had recent managerial success with an inferior team in the form of the 2006 Florida Marlins, is a good choice. We'll see who makes up his coaching staff but I think this is a great start for the Yankees.
Oh, and by the way, me being from Vermont, I like to hear about hunting trips gone wrong (as long as nobody dies) and here's a great one from ESPN: http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/hunting/news/story?id=3086588 . Just check that out, it'll give you a good chuckle I think. I was never planning on teaching my dog how to "shoot".
Alright, we'll see what happens. Red Sox Victory parade in Boston today, hopefully the city will be standing afterwards. Congrats again to the Red Sox and their "Nation". Pathetic? Yes. But loyalty is beautiful no matter where you sit, even if it makes you sick....
Oh, and by the way, me being from Vermont, I like to hear about hunting trips gone wrong (as long as nobody dies) and here's a great one from ESPN: http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/hunting/news/story?id=3086588 . Just check that out, it'll give you a good chuckle I think. I was never planning on teaching my dog how to "shoot".
Alright, we'll see what happens. Red Sox Victory parade in Boston today, hopefully the city will be standing afterwards. Congrats again to the Red Sox and their "Nation". Pathetic? Yes. But loyalty is beautiful no matter where you sit, even if it makes you sick....
Monday, October 29, 2007
Red Sox Win, A-Rod's Officially a Douche and Other News
Well even though I hate to say it, the Red Sox are world champions again. I don't like Jonathan Papelbon, but this picture next to my writing here really is awesome and it really does show the exuberance every player should show upon winning a World Series, especially such a great one. Papelbon was fantastic by the way, I just assumed with 10.2 scoreless innings he would've set a record, but...Rivera in '98 had 13.1, and then there was Goose Gossage who had 14.1 scoreless innings in 1981. But that's not to take away from what he, or any of the Red Sox accomplished. They really did remind me of the Yankee dynasty of the late 90's. And I'm honestly not just trying to say that to spark my memory of those Yankee teams, which would make me feel better. I offer that as a compliment to the current Red Sox. I mean, they deserved this World Series. It is rare the team with the best record ends up winning the World Series, but the Red Sox proved their best record was not a fluke. They are a complete team, with pretty solid players at every position. I mean, Varitek can't hit as well anymore but he is a rock; as is Lowell, except he can hit. Youkilis is turning into a great player, and the future looks bright for those named Pedroia and Ellsbury. Lugo players his role, as does Drew, a little...And of course there is Ortiz and future HOFer Manny. Then there's the pitching, which looks great next year. I mean, I hate to say it, but the Sox are set up for next season. I don't think they'll necessarily do it, repeats are ridiculously hard, as we have seen, since there hasn't been a repeat winner since the 2000 Yankees, but I would have to say that out of all the teams that have won since 2000, they have the best bet. But good God I hope that doesn't happen....I figured I wouldn't talk about the Game, cause, well, everyone watched it. The Rockies fought hard, Cook pitched very well, but for the second straight night Brian Fuentes couldn't pitch. I mean, Bobby Kielty? Seriously? That's gotta hurt. Holliday played well except for the pickoff of course, Torrealba showed he can catch, then there's old man Helton, Atkins, Hawpe, etc. They definitely looked primed with maybe a little more pitching and really, despite the extension of the lead in Game 3, 3 out of the 4 games were close. I would have to say a big hit in one specific place in each of those games could've changed it around. But the hit never came and the monumental disparity between the AL and the NL was QUITE apparent. In the end the Red Sox, which I hate to say, and type now, it's like a curse word in my mind, deserved this world title. They basically won going away and for that I congratulate their fans. I think they're annoying, but this is there's to enjoy. And I can tell they are doing that cause on my campus (UVM) last night, there were huge riots, again....Well, whatever, if they wanna look like goons, that's ok. Winning is fun.
So that about sums up my feelings on the Red Sox winning, I really would not like to address that, or write about that anymore. So i figured I would talk about the news that in a lot of circles actually upstaged the World Series last night: Alex Rodriguez opting out of his contract with the Yankees. I know I mentioned this in my last blog, but since then I had hoped tha the was just joking or something...but he wasn't. The A-Rod era is done in New York and really, he is such a joke. I mean, I don't care about all of his statements during the season about wanting to stay in New York, there are plenty of phonies out there. What makes it more of a joke is the fact that he didn't even listen to the Yankees' offer and he didn't even call his teammates to let them know he was leaving. The Yankees, reports said, were set to offer him the most lucrative contract ever, 8 years/about $235 million, and he wouldn't even consider it. If he thinks he is going to get more than that elsewhere, I think he is going to be frustrated, especially cause the Yankees won't be there driving the price up. If A-Rod were most interested in the money and fame, which it appears he is, his best bet was the Yankees and in shunning them, he made himself look like more of a douche than was possible. Last night he said he couldn't go to Coors Field to accept the Hank Aaron award because of family obligations, but he was free enough to have his agent call FOX field reporter Ken Rosenthal so he could announce it during Game 4 of the World Series. What a selfish piece of garbage. If there was still a question that this was all about A-Rod, it was answered. MLB was furious with Rodriguez and Boras about this decision, and they should be. I mean heck, the only way last night could have been worse would have been if the Yankees had lost the World Series on the same night the Red Sox won it, and that's not even possible, so last night was it: the team I hate reaching the pinnacle of the baseball world and my team's and baseball's best hitter telling everyone he was testing the open market. We will see what happens though i would advise the Red Sox against going after A-Rod and messing up a good thing and I would hope the Yankees stay true to their word. Don't get me wrong, I would love A-Rod in the lineup, cause he really is the best player in the game right now, maybe ever, but after this whole performance, it would be ridiculous. A-Rod=douche.
Another newsworthy item that came to everyone's attention today was the Yankees announcing they had offered their vacant managerial position to former Marlin manager and former Yankee, Joe Girardi. They didn't offer to to the favorite, Don Mattingly, and that surprised me. However, i think Giardi is a better choice. I think he is a good manager, and he knows about the whole Yankee system, being a player in NY for a good 4 seasons. I like Giardi cause he is a winner, a winner who won without the most talent, he just did what he had to do and was successful. A new era is ushered in, and I can smell the roses....I think.
A lot of people have been talking about how the Yankees are going to stink next year without Joe Torre and without A-Rod. Are you serious? First of all, the managerial thing is really not a big deal. Look at the 04 Red Sox, if you didn't notice, they had a new manager that year. Oh, how about the 96 Yankees? That's right, Joe Torre's first year. 2003 Marlins? Jack McKeon was hired MID-SEASON and they went on to win. And the 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks? Yup, Bob Brenly's first year as manager. So the managerial thing doesn't really matter. Yes, Joe Torre worked magic, or he used to anyway. When you aren't successful in winning with a team, and with the Yankees it is about winning in the playoffs, then it's time to go. And that's what happened with Joe Torre. Ok, so new manager, that's not going to be that big of an issue, the players always want to win. How about those players? So many people out there seem to be talking about the 2008 Yankees as if they switched rosters with the Kansas City Royals...hardly. Chances are they exercise their option on Abreu, and offer Posada and Rivera huge contracts while helping Andy Pettitte exercise his player option for next year. If all that comes true you are looking at a team with position players with the last names of Jeter, Damon, Matsui, Cano, Abreu, Posada, Cabrera, then there's Giambi, who is still solid. Year there are some weak spots, sure, but every team has that, I can point out the Red Sox flaws too. Then there is the pitching, well you roll out a starting rotation of Wang (19 wins), Phil Hughes, Joba and Ian Kennedy, well that's pretty darn good. A still solid bullpen when you add an arm, with Rivera and you still have a playoff team, I'll guarantee it. Sure, with A-Rod they were a lot better offensively, but I think someone out there, who is solid will find their way into pinstripes. The Yankees are going to have a good team next year so all of you who are already predicting .500 baseball from the Bronx Bombers in Yankee Stadium's last season, i think you'll be sorely mistaken....
Well, that's all for tonight. Congratulations again to the Boston Red Sox and their fans. They truly were the best team this year and this title is most deserved.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Breaking News: A-Rod Gone. Not Breaking News: Red Sox 6 outs from World Title
So, reading on several different websites, it appears that Alex Rodriguez will opt out of his current contract with the Yankees. This means, if you have read anything lately, that his tenure with the Yankees, after four years is over. Brian Cashman has stated on several occasions that if A-Rod opts out, the Yankees will not go after him. Interesting developments so far that have made me sick to my stomach a little bit....
Oh, and the Red Sox are currently 6 outs away from their second world title in 4 years or something like that. Maybe it's 3 years, what do I know.
So, it appears that most of what I have hypothesized on this blog so far has NOT come true. Well, that's what happens. Just goes to show you, since I have read on many websites that A-Rod was planning to renegotiate, including the god-like ESPN, that no one really knows what is going on. This of course will make the offseason very interesting...
Oh, and the Red Sox are currently 6 outs away from their second world title in 4 years or something like that. Maybe it's 3 years, what do I know.
So, it appears that most of what I have hypothesized on this blog so far has NOT come true. Well, that's what happens. Just goes to show you, since I have read on many websites that A-Rod was planning to renegotiate, including the god-like ESPN, that no one really knows what is going on. This of course will make the offseason very interesting...
One Sox Win Away from Red Sox Nation-Wide Jubilation
I am currently writing this post while watching Game 3 (it's in the third and it's 1-0 Sox, with Matt Holliday at the plate....this will NOT lead to a run). Anyway, I guess now I'm resigned to the fact that the Red Sox are going to win, not hard to realize that. It's been an interesting series cause (ok, he just struck out, I told you) I feel as though in Games 2 and 3 the Rockies were really close to taking the lead. Game 2 it would've been a little harder, but I mean, they had some chances and just failed to capitalize. Last night, when pinch hitter whomever mcwhomever was hitting against Timlin in the 6th, I mean, he almost made it a 6-3, it was just a SICK play by Julio Lugo that kept it 6-2. Now, of course if he had singled, then Matsui had hit in the 6th and not the 7th, so that would have meant Holliday's 3-run home run wouldn't have necessarily happened but it would've kept the Rockie momentum in the 6th, and if you watched, Timlin was not pitching well. He gave up an RBI hit, and one bomb and one line drive. The bomb to center by so close to going out. Where was the thin air on that one? Of course, despite all of this hindsight predictions, the Red Sox are dominating. Nowhere in the recesses of my mind did I think that Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia would be contributing this much in the World Series. I mean, I watched during the regular season and Pedroia was solid (I would still take Cano 99/100 times, or Chase Utley) but he's a solid player and Ellsbury was really solid, or great, much better than Crisp. But coming into the postseason, I was not sold on either. And boy, they have proved me wrong. Pedroia just works his ass off and it really shows. Ellsbury is fantastic right now with superb bat control, speed and great defense in center. They both are the complete package and without them in the lineup last night, that game does not go the Red Sox way. Right now I look at a join MVP award, shared, like Schilling and Johnson did in '01, between Pedroia and Ellsbury. Heck, Pedroia set the tone for the World Series in Game 1, and it has just all the way gone in the Red Sox favor....
Ok, well, i'm depressed but the Red Sox deserve their due. They've been fantastic and granted they never really faltered when they didn't have a choice in the ALCS. It's impressive. I wanted the Indians to win, and it looked like they were going to, but weird thing is...I never though they would actually pull it off. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I always knew it was going to be the Red Sox, and that does not bode well for me. I shouldn't have that much faith in a team I hate. But, It appears that it is about to get very crazy as it did in 2004 on this campus. I got an e-mail sent out to the entire University community by the provost today letting everyone now that ridiculous shenanigans by students would not be tolerated since in '04, it was absolutely anarchic. The police had to be called in, with rubber bullets, vandalism, etc. So, I hope they can celebrate with some more class this year. But who knows...it is college.
Currently the Red Sox, with a 1-0 lead are about 18 outs away from victory. I hope the Rockies can save a little face by winning one game for their fans who although they are the biggest bandwagon fans EVER (they didn't follow a very good exciting young team in the regular season) they have been very loud during the two games so far at Coors. Coors by the way is really beautiful. I have been there and it is just an unbelievable stadium with awesome views, a sweet playing surface and really nice facilities. I hope people get excited about the Rockies and they get just a little more pitching. Then they'll be ready to compete year in and year out.
Alright, well, I guess I better finish watching game 4. Lester looks good, so does Cook, unfortunately he already gave up a run. What's the deal with Manny knocking his helmet off every time he runs? God, I hate him. He's a first ballot hall of famer, but he's such a wench sometimes...I hope Torrealba goes to tag him in the head next time. Give him a good ringer....Go Rockies.....? We'll see though it's looking as though the Purple and Black are going to get a taste of their own postseason medicine.
Ok, well, i'm depressed but the Red Sox deserve their due. They've been fantastic and granted they never really faltered when they didn't have a choice in the ALCS. It's impressive. I wanted the Indians to win, and it looked like they were going to, but weird thing is...I never though they would actually pull it off. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I always knew it was going to be the Red Sox, and that does not bode well for me. I shouldn't have that much faith in a team I hate. But, It appears that it is about to get very crazy as it did in 2004 on this campus. I got an e-mail sent out to the entire University community by the provost today letting everyone now that ridiculous shenanigans by students would not be tolerated since in '04, it was absolutely anarchic. The police had to be called in, with rubber bullets, vandalism, etc. So, I hope they can celebrate with some more class this year. But who knows...it is college.
Currently the Red Sox, with a 1-0 lead are about 18 outs away from victory. I hope the Rockies can save a little face by winning one game for their fans who although they are the biggest bandwagon fans EVER (they didn't follow a very good exciting young team in the regular season) they have been very loud during the two games so far at Coors. Coors by the way is really beautiful. I have been there and it is just an unbelievable stadium with awesome views, a sweet playing surface and really nice facilities. I hope people get excited about the Rockies and they get just a little more pitching. Then they'll be ready to compete year in and year out.
Alright, well, I guess I better finish watching game 4. Lester looks good, so does Cook, unfortunately he already gave up a run. What's the deal with Manny knocking his helmet off every time he runs? God, I hate him. He's a first ballot hall of famer, but he's such a wench sometimes...I hope Torrealba goes to tag him in the head next time. Give him a good ringer....Go Rockies.....? We'll see though it's looking as though the Purple and Black are going to get a taste of their own postseason medicine.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
A Dull Baseball Friday and A-Rod
Well, yesterday, Friday, was not really that eventful in the baseball world. Of course, after next week, there's a chance that everyday could be without anything eventful baseball-wise, so I'd better get used to it. The World Series resumes tonight in Colorado and the Rockies, and everyone not part of Red Sox Nation is hoping it kind of rejuvenates the Rockies. I think Major League Baseball hopes it does too, ratings wise anyway. An exciting series is much better for them, and much better for the casual baseball fan and a Red Sox win tonight basically elminates all chances of said exciting series.
One thing that has come to my attention is the A-Rod Update. I have been reading elsewhere on the internets that the Yankees are set to offer A-Rod an extension. The extension, supposedly, would be for 5 years, and 30 million dollars per those extra five years. That deal will keep the current deal that he has, the one originally offered by Texas and signed by A-Rod in 2000, in place. THAT means, that the subsidy the Rangers still offer the Yankees, in paying a hefty amount of A-Rod's current salary will still be in place. That means that with the extension, A-Rods deal will be worth roughly 8 years, $231 million. He would certainly still be the highest paid player, but the Yankees would still have that subsidy for the first three years. That's what is important to the Yankees. If A-Rod opts out of his current contract, and still wants to remain with the Yankees, they would have to sign a whole new deal, and the Yanks would lose that subsidy. That is why the Yankees' management has mentioned multiple times, they will not pursue Mr. Rodriguez if he, in fact, opts out. A-Rod's agent, the infamous Scott Boras has lately been mentioning plenty about A-Rod's plans, but many, including me, think this is just to bulk up the contract. I think both of them know, the Yankees, are really, the ONLY team who has the financial capabilities to give him what he wants. That's why i think in the end, he will remain with the Yanks. I hope it happens, because i worship A-Rod, and he makes their lineup exponentially better, but it's been a while since the best player in baseball wore pinstripes, and I would like that to be maintained.
So basically that's what's going on: not much. There is something I would like to pass on. One of the blogs I have been reading of late, introduced to me by my currently vacant co-writer Mr. Gelbs is called www.firejoemorgan.com. This is a very, very funny, sarcastic blog run by a bunch of guys who believe in sabermetrics and those advanced stats that tell a better story of baseball than batting average, wins, etc. So, i would like to invite anyone who likes baseball, and laughing to head on over there, it's good stuff. Anyway, Game 3 begins in about 40 minutes for me here in Vermont and I'm waiting to see what happens. I'm rooting hard for the purple and black. I really don't know if I could psychologically take another Red Sox World Series title.......of course, i HAVE been watching the World Series, and I certainly know what direction it is taking...
One thing that has come to my attention is the A-Rod Update. I have been reading elsewhere on the internets that the Yankees are set to offer A-Rod an extension. The extension, supposedly, would be for 5 years, and 30 million dollars per those extra five years. That deal will keep the current deal that he has, the one originally offered by Texas and signed by A-Rod in 2000, in place. THAT means, that the subsidy the Rangers still offer the Yankees, in paying a hefty amount of A-Rod's current salary will still be in place. That means that with the extension, A-Rods deal will be worth roughly 8 years, $231 million. He would certainly still be the highest paid player, but the Yankees would still have that subsidy for the first three years. That's what is important to the Yankees. If A-Rod opts out of his current contract, and still wants to remain with the Yankees, they would have to sign a whole new deal, and the Yanks would lose that subsidy. That is why the Yankees' management has mentioned multiple times, they will not pursue Mr. Rodriguez if he, in fact, opts out. A-Rod's agent, the infamous Scott Boras has lately been mentioning plenty about A-Rod's plans, but many, including me, think this is just to bulk up the contract. I think both of them know, the Yankees, are really, the ONLY team who has the financial capabilities to give him what he wants. That's why i think in the end, he will remain with the Yanks. I hope it happens, because i worship A-Rod, and he makes their lineup exponentially better, but it's been a while since the best player in baseball wore pinstripes, and I would like that to be maintained.
So basically that's what's going on: not much. There is something I would like to pass on. One of the blogs I have been reading of late, introduced to me by my currently vacant co-writer Mr. Gelbs is called www.firejoemorgan.com. This is a very, very funny, sarcastic blog run by a bunch of guys who believe in sabermetrics and those advanced stats that tell a better story of baseball than batting average, wins, etc. So, i would like to invite anyone who likes baseball, and laughing to head on over there, it's good stuff. Anyway, Game 3 begins in about 40 minutes for me here in Vermont and I'm waiting to see what happens. I'm rooting hard for the purple and black. I really don't know if I could psychologically take another Red Sox World Series title.......of course, i HAVE been watching the World Series, and I certainly know what direction it is taking...
Friday, October 26, 2007
Game 2: A little more intriguing, but, same result
Game 2 was more intriguing. It was closer, some better pitching from the Rockies, less offense from the Red Sox (direct connection between those two things), but still, the big hit escaped the Rockies. I was one of those who praised the Rockie offense but as we have seen time and time again in the postseason, it really is pitching that works the best. Look at the Yankees of the past couple years, they had ridiculously good offenses and....well, it didn't yield results. The Rockies however, despite what I have said, were not even hitting well coming into this series. Maybe I was just banking my prediction on their ridiculous numbers up and down the lineup from the regular season. They only hit .222 in the NLCS, luckily for them the D'Backs (I always am so close to calling them the D'Bags, is that wrong?) were just as inept. But against the Red Sox, that sort of thing is not going to work. We watched all year as the American League proved it was SO much better than the National League and yet the World Series happened upon us and people still thought the Rockies had a chance (including me). Now looking back on the postseason, and the teams from each league, does anyone actually believe that any of the NL teams could've beaten any of the AL teams (except the Angels who, with their injuries, were playing like an NL team...and I hate them)? I don't think so. Yankees-Phillies? Yankees-Cubs, D'Backs? How about Indians vs. those same teams? I mean, yes, the playoffs are random, for sure, that sort of thing happens. But most of the time the team that is better does win, and that is the case right now. And at this moment, the Red Sox are quite unbeatable right now. But of course, that could change when Dice-K gets on the mound in Coors Field where breaking balls break less and the outfield is monstrous (look for Manny to struggle covering that much ground). But with Okajima pitching like he did in the beginning of the year, and Papelbon just throwing gas, it doesn't look good. I mean, Dice-K is good for what? 110 pitches and about 4 2/3 or 5? Yeah, well, then all you need is one pitcher to get it to the 7th and Oki, and then maybe 2 from him, or 2 from Papelbon, and what does that lead to? Victory. Hey, I'm still rooting for the Rockies and yeah World Series' can change. '96 is the ultimate example for me, since I actually watched it. But for that to happen, the Rockies are going to need some help. Hopefully the expansive outfield and thin air will help them but...oh wait, the Red Sox, who are hitting exponentially better get the same thing...hmmm. That's interesting. I guess we'll just have to play the games, but isn't that always the case?
Oh, and a few notes about the broadcast and other things baseball:
-I am SO sick of shots of the Red Sox bullpen doing their stupid rhythm section crap. How many times do we have to see this? I mean, yes, it was very entertaining, the first time, and yes, it seems like they're having fun....but I get it. Enough.
-I don't know if this is just me, and maybe cause I have experience playing baseball, and catching, and therefore I see pitches from the best possible view, but it REALLY bothers me when so called experts like Tim McCarver cannot correctly tell me what pitch was just thrown. They have that stupid pitch track thing with the MPH of each pitch and everything, but still, they call change-ups breaking balls, and vice versa. They call splitters breaking balls and vice versa. It is just annoying. Give me some money, I'll get in the booth, and tell America what was just thrown.
-Supposedly there is a rule Major League Baseball has that says teams cannot announce important news during the World Series. Consequently, the league's marquee franchise, the Yankees, are currently involved in a high-profile search for their next manager. And supposedly, they are close to closing the deal (it looks like Mattingly with a possibility of Tony Pena as the bench coach, which Joe Girardi headed out west to the Dodgers, even though they have a manager...). Does anyone actually believe the young Steinbrenner's who have taken control will actually wait to announce this information? I don't think so. And even if they don't officially, they'll find a way to leak it out.
-I recently read an article about former Senator George Mitchell's steroid investigation and supposedly when he releases his report in November or December it will be "salacious" and will name names. Is anyone else kind of freaked out about this? I mean, we all know that everyone was on steroids (that is an exaggeration, but is it really?) and yet, will the naming of certain people hurt us as fans more than others? Apparently it is not bothering the regular baseball fan, since baseball set a new record for attendance this year. But maybe there is this mythic aspect we hold for these players and we don't want it to be violated. Maybe I'm a little bitter at some former Senator for potentially being the person to burst that bubble. All i'm hoping for is that my favorite players won't be on it, just for their reputation's sake. I mean, what can MLB actually do? It wasn't against the rules, so can they suspend them ex post facto? I don't think so. The best they can do is submit all of the information to the Feds and see if they can do something about it...though they probably can't. It will be very interesting I say. For our greatest heroes, I hope it ends well for them.
Anyway, that's what I have to say on this Friday morning. Let's see what happens when baseball resumes in the cold of Colorado on Saturday night.
Oh, and a few notes about the broadcast and other things baseball:
-I am SO sick of shots of the Red Sox bullpen doing their stupid rhythm section crap. How many times do we have to see this? I mean, yes, it was very entertaining, the first time, and yes, it seems like they're having fun....but I get it. Enough.
-I don't know if this is just me, and maybe cause I have experience playing baseball, and catching, and therefore I see pitches from the best possible view, but it REALLY bothers me when so called experts like Tim McCarver cannot correctly tell me what pitch was just thrown. They have that stupid pitch track thing with the MPH of each pitch and everything, but still, they call change-ups breaking balls, and vice versa. They call splitters breaking balls and vice versa. It is just annoying. Give me some money, I'll get in the booth, and tell America what was just thrown.
-Supposedly there is a rule Major League Baseball has that says teams cannot announce important news during the World Series. Consequently, the league's marquee franchise, the Yankees, are currently involved in a high-profile search for their next manager. And supposedly, they are close to closing the deal (it looks like Mattingly with a possibility of Tony Pena as the bench coach, which Joe Girardi headed out west to the Dodgers, even though they have a manager...). Does anyone actually believe the young Steinbrenner's who have taken control will actually wait to announce this information? I don't think so. And even if they don't officially, they'll find a way to leak it out.
-I recently read an article about former Senator George Mitchell's steroid investigation and supposedly when he releases his report in November or December it will be "salacious" and will name names. Is anyone else kind of freaked out about this? I mean, we all know that everyone was on steroids (that is an exaggeration, but is it really?) and yet, will the naming of certain people hurt us as fans more than others? Apparently it is not bothering the regular baseball fan, since baseball set a new record for attendance this year. But maybe there is this mythic aspect we hold for these players and we don't want it to be violated. Maybe I'm a little bitter at some former Senator for potentially being the person to burst that bubble. All i'm hoping for is that my favorite players won't be on it, just for their reputation's sake. I mean, what can MLB actually do? It wasn't against the rules, so can they suspend them ex post facto? I don't think so. The best they can do is submit all of the information to the Feds and see if they can do something about it...though they probably can't. It will be very interesting I say. For our greatest heroes, I hope it ends well for them.
Anyway, that's what I have to say on this Friday morning. Let's see what happens when baseball resumes in the cold of Colorado on Saturday night.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Bollocks: Rockies Rocked in Game 1
Hmmm, well, let's just say that the only person I felt worse for last night, other than the Rockies pitching staff was Eric Byrnes. I don't know if anyone caught the pregame show, with the crackhead FOX team of Jeanne "My Hair Is Humongous" Zelasko, Eric "I Speak In A Monotone" Karros, Kevin "I Wish I Had This Good A Team When I Managed In Boston" Kennedy and Eric Byrnes, the charismatic, crazy, semi-overrated because of his "Eckstein Hustle Factor" outfielder from Arizona, but Zelasko would not stop taking shots at Byrnes. I think she mentioned about four times, straight up, that Byrnes is a big reason Colorado is in the WS, cause, well, he and his entire team sucked against the Rocks in the NLCS. She just kept bringing it up and I felt bad for Eric. I mean, he's a fiery guy, and although he obviously has a sense of humor, I have a feeling that sort of thing just felt awkward for him; and me for that matter.
Anyway, the game...ah, the game. Well it wasn't pretty. I haven't seen a team this hot in the Postseason, over an extended amount of time since the '99 Yankees. I would say the '04 Red Sox, but this team is only half way to what that team accomplished winning streak wise. I mean, the '99 Yankees lost only one game in the postseason, and it was to Pedro Martinez, who by the way, arguably had the best season EVER for a pitcher that year and was at the top of his game. I mean, if you're going to lose one game in the postseason, losing it to that guy, well I guess that's understandable. Other than that, the Yankees cruised through that postseason....but not really like these Red Sox are. I mean, the Sox are not even joking around. They are just hammering everything. I knew, watching the first inning, that this would not be Jeff Francis' night. I mean, everything that was hit off of him was smoked, starting with Pedroia's leadoff home run. It was ridiculous. Even Ortiz's ground out was hit pretty hard. He wasn't changing speeds, trying to replicate Josh Beckett's 3 strike out, all fastball virtuoso first inning performance, but...sorry to break it to you Jeff, but you throw 89-91, not 95-97...Beckett can get away with missing his spots on his fastball. You cannot. Never the less, even if Francis had a quality start (at least 6 innings pitched with three runs or less allowed), it wouldn't have mattered cause once again, Beckett proved that he is pitching, well, unbelievably. Just nasty. Spotting his fastball, both four- and two-seamer. When he mixes in the change it dives down and away from lefties, and heck, is curveball is just ridiculous right now. Even when he misses with it, it's not up and out over the plate. It is either in, or way down, and even then, you're going to get some of these Rockies hitters to swing at that.
I don't think I need to write anything about the Red Sox offense. Seeing Pedroia lead off with a home run gave me a bad feeling cause, well, he doesn't hit that many home runs and that ball was smoked. It just got out of Fenway over the Monster, but at a lot of other stadiums (save Yankee Stadium, cause it is like 800 feet to left-center, ok, well 399, but still, that's a monster shot for the power alley), that would've been easily out. There is going to have to be some miracle to slow down the Red Sox offense. Could it be Jimenez tonight for the Rockies? Yes. Will it be...? Probably not. I mean, it's only been a day, and after watching the game last night, do I think that this series has even a chance of returning to Boston? Well, yeah...a chance. The Rockies will have to get it turned around and they all need to get on base for Troy Tulowoidniniski, or however you spell his name. He is ridiculously good, with his glove AND bat. Those two doubles he hit off Beckett were just right on the screws. I mean, the way he hit last night, he would've been better suited for the Red Sox lineup, and let me tell you that I think any Red Sox fan would be fine switching him and Lugo...defense especially. Anyway, so tonight is Game 2, and any baseball person will tell you that momentum is only as good as the next day's starting pitcher. But I'm a baseball person, and regrettably, I'm going to tell you that right now, I don't think it matters who the Rockies put on the mound, the Red Sox are swinging video game bats right now. I mean, double digits in what, three straight games? That's ridiculous. Something is going to have to happen quickly for the Rockies. I am hoping that the 8-day layoff was all washed away last night and maybe they'll be better off facing Curt Schilling, who just doesn't throw 97 anymore. I mean, the Yankees in '96 had a long layoff and lost the first two games of the World Series to the Braves by a combined score of 16-1 (12-1, 4-0), and they went on to win. So anything can happen though all signs are pointing to yet another Red October.
I can't write another post about the Red Sox without mentioning my (and yes, they're mine) Yankees who are in the midst of a managerial search. Now, I am a huge Joe Torre fan. This is probably because he got to the postseason all 12 years he managed, and won 6 pennants and of course 4 World Series. But, I think it was truly time for him to go. I mean, think about it: what is a manager judged on for most teams? Winning games. Well, with the Yankees and the lineup they have put out there over the last 5, 6, 13 years, that's not going to be an issue. I have a feeling a demented monkey could manage that team into the playoffs. What the Yankee managers are really judged on is postseason success and lately, there has not been much of it. And when there isn't success, it's time for a change. No, I'm not blaming Torre for the recent postseason failures, it is all on the players: Jeter and Wang this year, A-Rod and the pitching last year, the pitching in '05, everyone in '04. Those weren't really Joe's fault. But this team was good enough to win in each of those years, and when it doesn't happen, sometimes you just need to make a change. There have been personnel changes, but I think maybe it was time for change at the top. I mean, I'll be honest, I was very depressed when Joe didn't accept the Yankees' terms because he is the only manager i have really ever known for my team. I remember the tail end of the Buck Showalter era, but not much. '96 was really the first year I paid attention and that was Torre's first year at the helm. I think this change is important but now the real questions begin: who will be put in charge. There were three candidates interviewed and apparently the decision as to who is selected could come today (Thursday). The three choices are former Yankees star first baseman, and recent hitting and bench coach Donnie-Baseball Mattingly. Then there is former Yankees World Series star, and 2006 Florida Marlins manager Joe Girardi. And then there is Yankees current first-base coach, catching coach, former Manager of the Year winner with the Kansas City Royals, Tony Pena. Now, I know Mattingly is the front runner, but to be honest, I don't think he's ready. I know George loves him but I don't think that's enough. My top two choices are Girardi or Pena. I think both would be great. Girardi has a relationship with the old guard of the Yankee players (Rivera, Jeter, Pettitte, Posada), and I think that is important. He also has a history of dealing with a young pitching staff, which he did with Florida and right now the Yankees HAVE a young pitching staff including Ian Kennedy, Phil Hughes and Joba of course. I think he would be a great fit as long as he doesn't EVER bunt, or play any version of National League baseball. Then there is Pena who is very popular with the Latin players, especially Jorge Posada, who attributes his defensive improvement to Pena, a former catcher. He is also very popular with the younger players, like Robby Cano and Melk-man Cabrera. I think either of those choices would be a good one. What I need is for Posada, Rivera and Pettitte to stay cause they make up the solid base of this team. I think without Posada they are not as good, and even though I love Mariano, he is getting up there, and although I dont' want him to pitch for anyone else, that is the business and if he wants to leave, maybe it's time. They need Posada, he is the rock and Pettitte would be very helpful. No Clemens please. Whoever is the manager I think will have control over a very good Yankee team, but that team will be much better if it includes Posada, Rivera and Pettitte. I'm leaning towards Pena, but I actually think it will be Mattingly, and that will be very interesting. But as long as he doesn't play "Ozzie Guillen-ball" or bunt, and as long as he just writes out a lineup card, takes out pitchers and deals with the media, I think this team will win games.
Oh, and I figured I should mention something about that A-Rod guy. I think the Yankees should pay him WHATEVER he wants. He would be stupid to opt out because with the Yankees not in the market, and with the Red Sox, in my mind, probably not going after him, the market will be smaller. There just aren't many teams who have the resources to pay him what he wants. His best bet for money and fame, which is probably what he's after, is with the Yankees. And I think he knows that. I mean, there's nothing wrong with that, if that's what he's after, then fine. I just want him in the Yankees' lineup, cause it's ridiculous with him, and less ridiculous without him. Of course World Series victories come with fame, so he'll have to get his hands on one of those. But the Yankees should give him whatever he wants, if they do, well i think he'll stay and like I said, much better team with A-Rod in the lineup.
So there are my thoughts on this Thursday morning. I talked to my cowriter last night, and he said it would be a while before he could get his hands on a post here, he is studying abroad in Mexico this semester, so I'll try and hold down the fort as best I can. Feel free to be make the maiden comment on any of these posts. Just click the comment button on the bottom, you don't have to register or anything and just let me know what you're thinking. We'll see if there's any baseball news (especially Yankee managerial news) today and if not, then I'll probably check back here after Game 2.
MMM
Anyway, the game...ah, the game. Well it wasn't pretty. I haven't seen a team this hot in the Postseason, over an extended amount of time since the '99 Yankees. I would say the '04 Red Sox, but this team is only half way to what that team accomplished winning streak wise. I mean, the '99 Yankees lost only one game in the postseason, and it was to Pedro Martinez, who by the way, arguably had the best season EVER for a pitcher that year and was at the top of his game. I mean, if you're going to lose one game in the postseason, losing it to that guy, well I guess that's understandable. Other than that, the Yankees cruised through that postseason....but not really like these Red Sox are. I mean, the Sox are not even joking around. They are just hammering everything. I knew, watching the first inning, that this would not be Jeff Francis' night. I mean, everything that was hit off of him was smoked, starting with Pedroia's leadoff home run. It was ridiculous. Even Ortiz's ground out was hit pretty hard. He wasn't changing speeds, trying to replicate Josh Beckett's 3 strike out, all fastball virtuoso first inning performance, but...sorry to break it to you Jeff, but you throw 89-91, not 95-97...Beckett can get away with missing his spots on his fastball. You cannot. Never the less, even if Francis had a quality start (at least 6 innings pitched with three runs or less allowed), it wouldn't have mattered cause once again, Beckett proved that he is pitching, well, unbelievably. Just nasty. Spotting his fastball, both four- and two-seamer. When he mixes in the change it dives down and away from lefties, and heck, is curveball is just ridiculous right now. Even when he misses with it, it's not up and out over the plate. It is either in, or way down, and even then, you're going to get some of these Rockies hitters to swing at that.
I don't think I need to write anything about the Red Sox offense. Seeing Pedroia lead off with a home run gave me a bad feeling cause, well, he doesn't hit that many home runs and that ball was smoked. It just got out of Fenway over the Monster, but at a lot of other stadiums (save Yankee Stadium, cause it is like 800 feet to left-center, ok, well 399, but still, that's a monster shot for the power alley), that would've been easily out. There is going to have to be some miracle to slow down the Red Sox offense. Could it be Jimenez tonight for the Rockies? Yes. Will it be...? Probably not. I mean, it's only been a day, and after watching the game last night, do I think that this series has even a chance of returning to Boston? Well, yeah...a chance. The Rockies will have to get it turned around and they all need to get on base for Troy Tulowoidniniski, or however you spell his name. He is ridiculously good, with his glove AND bat. Those two doubles he hit off Beckett were just right on the screws. I mean, the way he hit last night, he would've been better suited for the Red Sox lineup, and let me tell you that I think any Red Sox fan would be fine switching him and Lugo...defense especially. Anyway, so tonight is Game 2, and any baseball person will tell you that momentum is only as good as the next day's starting pitcher. But I'm a baseball person, and regrettably, I'm going to tell you that right now, I don't think it matters who the Rockies put on the mound, the Red Sox are swinging video game bats right now. I mean, double digits in what, three straight games? That's ridiculous. Something is going to have to happen quickly for the Rockies. I am hoping that the 8-day layoff was all washed away last night and maybe they'll be better off facing Curt Schilling, who just doesn't throw 97 anymore. I mean, the Yankees in '96 had a long layoff and lost the first two games of the World Series to the Braves by a combined score of 16-1 (12-1, 4-0), and they went on to win. So anything can happen though all signs are pointing to yet another Red October.
I can't write another post about the Red Sox without mentioning my (and yes, they're mine) Yankees who are in the midst of a managerial search. Now, I am a huge Joe Torre fan. This is probably because he got to the postseason all 12 years he managed, and won 6 pennants and of course 4 World Series. But, I think it was truly time for him to go. I mean, think about it: what is a manager judged on for most teams? Winning games. Well, with the Yankees and the lineup they have put out there over the last 5, 6, 13 years, that's not going to be an issue. I have a feeling a demented monkey could manage that team into the playoffs. What the Yankee managers are really judged on is postseason success and lately, there has not been much of it. And when there isn't success, it's time for a change. No, I'm not blaming Torre for the recent postseason failures, it is all on the players: Jeter and Wang this year, A-Rod and the pitching last year, the pitching in '05, everyone in '04. Those weren't really Joe's fault. But this team was good enough to win in each of those years, and when it doesn't happen, sometimes you just need to make a change. There have been personnel changes, but I think maybe it was time for change at the top. I mean, I'll be honest, I was very depressed when Joe didn't accept the Yankees' terms because he is the only manager i have really ever known for my team. I remember the tail end of the Buck Showalter era, but not much. '96 was really the first year I paid attention and that was Torre's first year at the helm. I think this change is important but now the real questions begin: who will be put in charge. There were three candidates interviewed and apparently the decision as to who is selected could come today (Thursday). The three choices are former Yankees star first baseman, and recent hitting and bench coach Donnie-Baseball Mattingly. Then there is former Yankees World Series star, and 2006 Florida Marlins manager Joe Girardi. And then there is Yankees current first-base coach, catching coach, former Manager of the Year winner with the Kansas City Royals, Tony Pena. Now, I know Mattingly is the front runner, but to be honest, I don't think he's ready. I know George loves him but I don't think that's enough. My top two choices are Girardi or Pena. I think both would be great. Girardi has a relationship with the old guard of the Yankee players (Rivera, Jeter, Pettitte, Posada), and I think that is important. He also has a history of dealing with a young pitching staff, which he did with Florida and right now the Yankees HAVE a young pitching staff including Ian Kennedy, Phil Hughes and Joba of course. I think he would be a great fit as long as he doesn't EVER bunt, or play any version of National League baseball. Then there is Pena who is very popular with the Latin players, especially Jorge Posada, who attributes his defensive improvement to Pena, a former catcher. He is also very popular with the younger players, like Robby Cano and Melk-man Cabrera. I think either of those choices would be a good one. What I need is for Posada, Rivera and Pettitte to stay cause they make up the solid base of this team. I think without Posada they are not as good, and even though I love Mariano, he is getting up there, and although I dont' want him to pitch for anyone else, that is the business and if he wants to leave, maybe it's time. They need Posada, he is the rock and Pettitte would be very helpful. No Clemens please. Whoever is the manager I think will have control over a very good Yankee team, but that team will be much better if it includes Posada, Rivera and Pettitte. I'm leaning towards Pena, but I actually think it will be Mattingly, and that will be very interesting. But as long as he doesn't play "Ozzie Guillen-ball" or bunt, and as long as he just writes out a lineup card, takes out pitchers and deals with the media, I think this team will win games.
Oh, and I figured I should mention something about that A-Rod guy. I think the Yankees should pay him WHATEVER he wants. He would be stupid to opt out because with the Yankees not in the market, and with the Red Sox, in my mind, probably not going after him, the market will be smaller. There just aren't many teams who have the resources to pay him what he wants. His best bet for money and fame, which is probably what he's after, is with the Yankees. And I think he knows that. I mean, there's nothing wrong with that, if that's what he's after, then fine. I just want him in the Yankees' lineup, cause it's ridiculous with him, and less ridiculous without him. Of course World Series victories come with fame, so he'll have to get his hands on one of those. But the Yankees should give him whatever he wants, if they do, well i think he'll stay and like I said, much better team with A-Rod in the lineup.
So there are my thoughts on this Thursday morning. I talked to my cowriter last night, and he said it would be a while before he could get his hands on a post here, he is studying abroad in Mexico this semester, so I'll try and hold down the fort as best I can. Feel free to be make the maiden comment on any of these posts. Just click the comment button on the bottom, you don't have to register or anything and just let me know what you're thinking. We'll see if there's any baseball news (especially Yankee managerial news) today and if not, then I'll probably check back here after Game 2.
MMM
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
World Series
Alright, so it's Wednesday afternoon and I'm waiting for Game 1 of the World Series. Unfortunately for me, the Yankees are not participating and a team that has existed for all of 14 years is....weird. Nevertheless I am kind of excited for this, maybe because I feel as though the Rockies have a very good team, and a definite chance to get rid of those pesky Red Sox.
By the way, anecdote time: I have grown to hate the Red Sox more than I thought possible this postseason. Maybe that is because my team was dispatched quickly and I had nowhere else to focus my baseball energy (of which there is much) and so I focused it quite negatively on the Red Sox...But that is how I feel currently. I despise this team, very much, and I am very much rooting, and praying for the Rockies and for "Rocktober" (...) to continue.
Ok, I figure that all of the talk is through, i've been watching ESPN and they are going through withdrawal of the NFL and consistent baseball highlights over the last five days. They are obsessed with the most minute stuff. I think Pedro Gomez is having Barry Bonds withdrawal himself. I mean, did he ever expect to be covering the Rockies in the World Series? I dont' think so. I think he expected to spend much of his time sewn on to Barry Bonds' rather bulbous head...All i've been hearing about on SportsCenter and Baseball Tonight is about how the layoff for the Rockies is going to hurt them and althought their timing may be off, I'm thinking that any team that has won 21 out of their last 22 games is still going to be fresh. I would like to think so anyway. Plus, i've been trying to tune out most of the stuff that comes out of John Kruk's mouth and EVERYTHING that comes out of Steve Phillips' mouth, but it's unsuccessful. I'm just amazed at some of the things he says.
Anyway, I was thinking that i was going to breakdown the World Series here and see who was actually going to win, since I obviously know the answer....but then I figured, 'Hey, i think people have heard enough and are just anxious to get the games going and see what happens.' And I agree with that. Prediction wise, I'm going to have to go with what I kinda of think will happen, which is the same as what i REALLY want to happen. I think the Rockies are going to end up winning, in a longer series. I think their offense is playing at a more consistent level than the Red Sox right now, despite the Red Sox absolute domination of the Indians over the last three games of that series. Though it absolutely looked like the Indians just lost interest. Grady Sizemore? Hafner? Sabathia? Carmona? Betancourt? I mean, he was dirty, until Game 7 when it really mattered. I guess that is what happens. I think the Rockies are actually going to be fresh, especially bullpen and pitching wise and I think a Game 1 win would certainly make this series very interesting, handing home field over to the Rockies, and Coors Field is nuts right now. The Red Sox have a very good chance of winning this series. They are a very good team with a very good lineup. Youk is playing out of his mind right now, as is Pedroia and Drew for that matter. But i'm going to go with the upstart Rockies cause in 2003 I saw the same kind of thing: powerhouse Yankees with enough starting pitching against a young team with a lot of energy and a wise old veteran (Pudge), the Marlins. And we know what happened in that series. I consider this series similar to that one. Of course, if the Sox take the first two at Fenway, we're looking at a short series, I think the Rockies would flop, but I'm thinking, and praying for that matter, that that doesn't happen.
Even if we can't agree on who to root for, let's enjoy the Fall Classic for what it is: the bittersweet end to a season that began way back in February. Yeah, our teams aren't playing, most of us anyway, but we can still watch good baseball. And you can't deny that watching the Red Sox play at Fenway is exhilarating. I mean, if you like the mindboggling sound of tremendous cheers, or the sound of silence, whichever side you are rooting, it's a lot of fun. So, let's just enjoy the Fall Classic and hope Tim McCarver doesn't say too much dumb stuff...though I'm not holding my breath.
By the way, anecdote time: I have grown to hate the Red Sox more than I thought possible this postseason. Maybe that is because my team was dispatched quickly and I had nowhere else to focus my baseball energy (of which there is much) and so I focused it quite negatively on the Red Sox...But that is how I feel currently. I despise this team, very much, and I am very much rooting, and praying for the Rockies and for "Rocktober" (...) to continue.
Ok, I figure that all of the talk is through, i've been watching ESPN and they are going through withdrawal of the NFL and consistent baseball highlights over the last five days. They are obsessed with the most minute stuff. I think Pedro Gomez is having Barry Bonds withdrawal himself. I mean, did he ever expect to be covering the Rockies in the World Series? I dont' think so. I think he expected to spend much of his time sewn on to Barry Bonds' rather bulbous head...All i've been hearing about on SportsCenter and Baseball Tonight is about how the layoff for the Rockies is going to hurt them and althought their timing may be off, I'm thinking that any team that has won 21 out of their last 22 games is still going to be fresh. I would like to think so anyway. Plus, i've been trying to tune out most of the stuff that comes out of John Kruk's mouth and EVERYTHING that comes out of Steve Phillips' mouth, but it's unsuccessful. I'm just amazed at some of the things he says.
Anyway, I was thinking that i was going to breakdown the World Series here and see who was actually going to win, since I obviously know the answer....but then I figured, 'Hey, i think people have heard enough and are just anxious to get the games going and see what happens.' And I agree with that. Prediction wise, I'm going to have to go with what I kinda of think will happen, which is the same as what i REALLY want to happen. I think the Rockies are going to end up winning, in a longer series. I think their offense is playing at a more consistent level than the Red Sox right now, despite the Red Sox absolute domination of the Indians over the last three games of that series. Though it absolutely looked like the Indians just lost interest. Grady Sizemore? Hafner? Sabathia? Carmona? Betancourt? I mean, he was dirty, until Game 7 when it really mattered. I guess that is what happens. I think the Rockies are actually going to be fresh, especially bullpen and pitching wise and I think a Game 1 win would certainly make this series very interesting, handing home field over to the Rockies, and Coors Field is nuts right now. The Red Sox have a very good chance of winning this series. They are a very good team with a very good lineup. Youk is playing out of his mind right now, as is Pedroia and Drew for that matter. But i'm going to go with the upstart Rockies cause in 2003 I saw the same kind of thing: powerhouse Yankees with enough starting pitching against a young team with a lot of energy and a wise old veteran (Pudge), the Marlins. And we know what happened in that series. I consider this series similar to that one. Of course, if the Sox take the first two at Fenway, we're looking at a short series, I think the Rockies would flop, but I'm thinking, and praying for that matter, that that doesn't happen.
Even if we can't agree on who to root for, let's enjoy the Fall Classic for what it is: the bittersweet end to a season that began way back in February. Yeah, our teams aren't playing, most of us anyway, but we can still watch good baseball. And you can't deny that watching the Red Sox play at Fenway is exhilarating. I mean, if you like the mindboggling sound of tremendous cheers, or the sound of silence, whichever side you are rooting, it's a lot of fun. So, let's just enjoy the Fall Classic and hope Tim McCarver doesn't say too much dumb stuff...though I'm not holding my breath.
Welcome!
Welcome to Baseball Moguls. This is a blog that my friend Gelbs and I decided to start due to the fact that recently we have both become enamored with the reading of blogs in general, and many specifically about baseball and also due the to the fact that we both are obsessed with the Grand Ol' Game. I will let my comrade speak for himself but I am currently a junior at the University of Vermont and although not a native Vermonter (I was born in NYC), I have lived here for most of my life. I am a huge baseball fan and played it all year round until only quite recently when the rigors of the academic world took over. That of course did nothing to temper my love of the game. It was only during this summer when I became very interested in what other people had to say about baseball on blogs and I always wondered if I could write one myself. But of course I wasn't completely interested in setting it up, so I was just resigned to continue to read what other people had to say. It was Gelbs who suggested it and after a couple of days struggling with what the title should be, we finally launched this sucker (and by we, I mean he, cause I did nothing).
My idea of this blog is simply that I envision it as a forum where Gelbs and I put forth our opinions on baseball and where people can certainly come in and comment. I'm not expecting a tremendous following, especially at the beginning, but after becoming a huge fan of blogs like FireJoeMorgan, per se, I'm hoping maybe one day this thing can really get going. I'll be completely honest though: I am a huge Yankee fan. I consider my religion Yankeeism and that just means that there will be a bias towards the Bronx Bombers. But this is not designed to be just about the Yankees, I feel like I know much about the entire league and I feel as though i'm willing to give credit where credit is due.
I hope this first post is one of many and I hope my fellow baseball fan extraordinaire, Mr. Gelbs can put his first post up and we can move from there.
So welcome to Baseball Moguls. A cleverly thought out name that both reflects our obvious expertise in the subject, and our Vermont roots and love of skiing. Very creative I think.
MMM
My idea of this blog is simply that I envision it as a forum where Gelbs and I put forth our opinions on baseball and where people can certainly come in and comment. I'm not expecting a tremendous following, especially at the beginning, but after becoming a huge fan of blogs like FireJoeMorgan, per se, I'm hoping maybe one day this thing can really get going. I'll be completely honest though: I am a huge Yankee fan. I consider my religion Yankeeism and that just means that there will be a bias towards the Bronx Bombers. But this is not designed to be just about the Yankees, I feel like I know much about the entire league and I feel as though i'm willing to give credit where credit is due.
I hope this first post is one of many and I hope my fellow baseball fan extraordinaire, Mr. Gelbs can put his first post up and we can move from there.
So welcome to Baseball Moguls. A cleverly thought out name that both reflects our obvious expertise in the subject, and our Vermont roots and love of skiing. Very creative I think.
MMM
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