-I guess I better respond to Pratt's post. I do believe that the Sox should make a deal for Sabathia, not because they need the starting pitching as much as other clubs (Cubs, Phillies, Yankees, to name a few), but because it would make them without a doubt the best team in the American League. Clay Buchholz is a stud prospect, but he is not with the major league club now. I make the deal, but I can understand why the Red Sox wouldn't. I had read plenty of blurbs over the last few years, where scouts from clubs all over baseball have said that Masterson and Justin Bowden may be as good if not better prospects than Buchholz.
-The Tigers went 18-8 in June. An amazing feat that has brought them over .500 for the first time this year. I said earlier this month that they were working their way back into the conversation in the AL Central. But, that's where they are now: back in the conversation, they are not in Minnesota or Chicago's class yet. If only because they've gone on this tear against NL opponents they won't have the pleasure of seeing the rest of the way.
-Meanwhile, Minnesota only has a +9 run differential and they are 8 games over .500 at 45-37. Ron Gardenhire, in my mind, has no serious competition for AL Manager of the Year. The Twins went 12-2 in interleague play from June 11th to June 29th. Kevin Slowey has been lights out, not allowing an earned run in his last two starts, and only three over his last four starts. Either Slowey or Scott Baker will have to step up for this club, and be an ace, because Opening Day starter Livian Hernandez is the luckiest 8-5 in the league, he of the 5.22 ERA and 1.60 WHIP.
-Patriots DB/ST Willie Andrews has been arrested yet again for allegedly pointing a gun at his girlfriend. It's a shame, he was a solid contributor on specials teams, making spectacular open-field tackles. He had an opportunity this season maybe to return kicks, and maybe eventually get on the field during defensive reps, a la Tully Banta Cain a few years back.
-Our good friend Padraig Shea had an interesting op-ed piece in The Boston Globe today, concerning the Rays-Red Sox brawl, its representation of bench-clearing brawl behavior in baseball, and its similarities to gang warfare in American inner-cities. Check out the article. If the URL goes blank, make a comment, and I'll post the text. Shea basically advocated for baseball teams designating veteran players as "interrupters [who could] act as liaisons between feuding clubs to prevent the next day's starters from renewing ill will." He went on to discuss the NBA's policy of not allowing players on the benches onto the court under any circumstances. I agree MLB should create a rule similar to the NBA's, suspending players not on the field from going onto the field from the dugout or the bullpen. But, the "interrupters" idea seems a bit excessive, and unrealistic. Perhaps more could be done by players' union representatives from the respective clubs, but it would probably be informal. Besides, often retialatory strikes are called for by GM's or managers, not the players themselves.
-What's the bigger individual surprise in baseball: Mike Mussina (10-5, 3.90 ERA) or Dioner Navarro (.317 BA)?
-Sam Presti has apparently gotten off to a rough start as GM of the Seattle Supersonics. Over the last two years, the Sonics have had six second-round picks, and have netted Devon Hardin, "half of DJ White," and "Jeff Green's arm." The two second rounders last year ended up being Carl Landry and Glen Davis, two nice players. I don't want to steal the argument made by my friend Peter Nussbaum over at supersonicsoul.com. Check out the site for more. The pressure isn't on Presti yet, because the team isn't expected to be good, but perhaps he is getting too much credit for lucking into Durant via the lottery, and making an easy dump deal in acquiring Jeff Green for Ray Allen. Nussbaum is rightfully peeved about Presti moving Szczerbiak and Delonte West for Ira Newble and Donyell Marshall. When the West-Szczerbiak platter, and this year's fourth pick (Russell Westbrook), could have netted the Sonics either O.J. Mayo and Kevin Love. Check it out, its a great read, and an important read because the majority of sports media outlets seems concerned with the Sonics' relocation situation. And in the process giving Presti a pass as the GM of a very important rebuilding process.
-I'll be doing a liveblog for the finale of the Rays-Red Sox series, Wednesday night, 7:10pm...
Miscellaneous Video of the Day:
Battle of the Batmans
Very cool stuff. All of the four Batmans since 1989 spliced together in a tidy clip. Yeah, I'm pumped for the new movie.
Old School Rap Video of the Day:
Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz- Deja Vu (Uptown Baby)
A guilty pleasure old-school pick today. Question: Do New York people enjoy this song more than people from places elsewhere? Does it instill them with a sense of hometown pride? Or do they hate it like I hate "Shippin' Out to Boston" by Dropkick Murphys?
Monday, June 30, 2008
Since We Can't Argue on The Radio...
My esteemed colleague yesterday suggested that the Red Sox should trade future #1 starter Clay Buccholz to the Cleveland Indians for C.C. Sabathia. I'm here to tell you why he's wrong.
Ignoring Sabathia's impending free-agency this winter, not to mention the money he's likely to command, the Sox have in Buccholz a young (23 years old), cost-controlled starter with the potential to supplant Josh Beckett as the team's ace for perhaps the next decade.
Buchholz, who's thrown just 65 big-league innings in his short career, mixes in a 93 MPH fastball -- widely considered his 3rd best pitch -- with a knee-buckling, 12-6 curveball and one of the best right-handed change-ups in the game. Although it involves a particularly small sample of innings, Buccholz' 9.0 K/9 in the big leagues portends success for his future. He has walked a few too many batters, made evident by his 4.15 BB/9, but much like power for young hitters, control is historically the last tool pitchers develop.
Sabathia is enjoying an excellent half-season after a horrendous April, during which he posted an astronomical 7.76 ERA and walked 14 batters in 26 innings, despite issuing just 37 free-passes in all of 2007 (241 innings).
But Sabathia, 27, the reigning Cy Young award winner, is a free-agent at season's end and will likely garner Johan Santana money, somewhere in the vicinity of 6 years and $120 million. Given the Red Sox organizational philosophy of avoiding long-term contracts with pitchers, it's safe to assume they won't re-sign, or even pursue, Sabathia, unless it's to drive up the price once the Yankees predictably involve themselves in the bidding.
Which means Sabathia is likely a 3-month rental, and the Red Sox are far too smart, rational and dedicated to a long-term plan to sacrifice such a valuable commodity in Buccholz for a short-term gain. The Red Sox do have a deep farm system, and Bowden and Masterson are nice prospects, but they have limited ceilings, and mid-rotation starters -- which they could wind up being -- aren't hard to find.
But Buccholz is a horse of an entirely different color. He represents the most valuable and rarest of big league commodities -- a bona-fide, top-of-the-rotation starter. Sometimes the return isn't worth the price. And that's certainly the case here.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
The Daily Grind
-When will Nick Cafardo stop writing the baseball notes in the Sunday Boston Globe? Gordon Edes is on the staff after a strange contract tussle with the Globe. Cafardo seems like a nice enough guy, but Edes is the superior writer and should be writing the notes and commentary pieces during the week.
-If I haven't mentioned it already: I love the blogosphere, but I love the newspaper as well. Pick up a paper everyday, keep that industry running.
-The Red Sox could trade for Sabathia. It would probably cost them Clay Buchholz. I believe Buchholz to be expendable with Michael Bowden about to join Pawtucket and Justin Masterson pitching well in Boston. Buchholz is a nice player, a top prospect who did throw a no-hitter in the majors last year. A Sabathia deal, though, would really help solidify the Red Sox's position as the best team in the American League. Boston has the resources to sign him long-term, as well. If there is a deal to be made that can win your team a championship, you should always make it if you are the GM.
-The NHL free agent market opens up on July 1st. There are a lot of exciting names out there. Marian Hossa seems after all to be just a rental for Pittsburgh, it seems like he could jump ship to Detroit, the rich just got richer. The New York Rangers love to throw money at any name that comes on the market, and I'd be surprised if they didn't at least take a flier on Hossa. Mats Sundin might sign with the Canadiens. Mr. Maple Leaf, the embodiment of Toronto hockey, suiting up for the Habs? It feels wrong. This is ten times worse than Wade Boggs and Johnny Damon leaving Boston for New York. This could kill hockey in Toronto next year, only to be revived when Brian Burke comes aboard as GM next year (Worst kept secret in professional sports).
-Sergei Federov managed to revive himself last year playing with Ovechkin in Washington. It is doubtful that another team will offer him one last undeserving bloated contract, but if it happens, I hope he doesn't take it (Not that I wouldn't if I were him), because it was great to see him relevant again last year.
-Ray Emery is a pretty unpopular name in personnel circles right now, but he is only 25 and a free agent after clearing waivers courtesy of Ottawa. He had a strong run for a Stanley Cup finals team not too long ago. There are greater risks to take, at what should be short money... Right? I am waiting for Carty to correct me here... Oh right, it's just me here... Let's just move on...
-The Mets and the Yankees split a four-game series this weekend, with the Yankees winning the two middle games. If you are a Mets fan, I think should be encouraged. And Yankees fans should be disappointed. The Yankees currently seem like the better team, going 15-11 so far this month, and the Mets began the month at 28-27, and are currently 40-41, so they've been treading water. Pitching match-ups, be damned, this was a weekend for the Yankees to take the big stage of a Subway Series and prove they are the stronger team, and they didn't do it. Let the debate continue.
-With the Tampa Bay win today, coupled with the Boston loss, Tampa Bay is now in first place in the American League East by .5 games. And starting tomorrow, the Rays and the Sox will begin a three game series in Tampa. It's biggest series of the year so far for both teams. Both Tampa and Boston have held court over their home fields. It will be interesting to see how the Rays respond to a rivalry that has grown more contentious with every passing game this season. Also, with summer in full swing, Tropicana Field should be filled with Red Sox fans. I would think the Rays' players would be even more perturbed to have the crowd rooting against them in the heat of a pennant race than they are when they play meaningless series this late in the season in previous years. After this, the Red Sox head to Yankee Stadium for the 4th of July weekend. Huge week for the Sox, no other way to put it.
-Marc J. Spears (The Boston Globe) had a quote from an anoymous scout regarding the James Posey free agency situation: "Players don't leave a team after they won a championship with them." I hope he is right. And I have a misleadingly high level of confidence concerning the situation after reading that statement.
-Some other series to keep a close eye on this first half of the week: Oakland-LA Angels, Milwaukee-Arizona, Washington-Florida, and NY Mets-St Louis. Los Angeles has the A's at home with a five game lead, can really put away the AL West with a tidy three-game sweep. It will be a tough task for LA in the second game facing Rich Harden, who has been sensational to begin his season at 5-0 with a 2.15 ERA.
-Florida needs to beat up on the crappier teams in the NL if they are going to hang around in the race, they are not as strong as their record indicates. The Marlins now have a -18 run differential, and their starters rank 14th in the league with a 5.03 ERA. The weaknesses for Florida will become more evident if they don't continue to dominate their sub-.500 portions of the schedule. The starting pitching figures to receive an upgrade when Josh Johnson is activated, maybe as soon as after the All-Star break.
-Milwaukee has crept into the picture in the NL Central, two back of the Cardinals, five back on the Cubs, it's a three-team race now. I didn't see that happening. Milwaukee faces a slumping Arizona team that despite a 3-7 slide is still atop the NL West by 2.5 games with only one serious contender in the Dodgers.
-The Mets and the Cardinals are three games back in their respective divisions. Both teams have picked up ground not because they've played especially well, but because their divisional front runners have hit rough patches. The Phillies are an abysmal 2-8 in their last ten, and the Cubs have been underwhelming at 4-6. Whichever team, the Cards or the Mets, win the series, figure to pick up some ground in their divisional races.
-Last year Carlos Quentin began his season with the Diamondbacks, he hit .210, with 5 HR, and 28 RBI in 66 games. He was demoted and never heard from again that season, as Eric Brynes was permanently installed as the team's left-fielder, and finished the year leading the team in RBI with 83. This offseason, Arizona decided to offer Byrnes a hefty extension, 3 years and 30 million dollars, and part with Quentin for a top-shelf prospect in Cris Carter from the White Sox. Byrnes has a .205 BA, and a horrific .263 OBP in limited time this season (he has been injured). Quentin has matured into the big-time slugger the Diamondbacks thought they had last year as he has hit .288 with 19 HRs and 61 RBI. If the Arizona slide continue and they lose the pathetic NL West, a lot of people will point to this trade.
Miscellaneous Video of the Day:
J.R. Giddens and the most original post-dunk celebration
I love the first two picks for the Celtics this year in Giddens and Bill Walker. Two freakish athletes with mean steaks defensively. Check out the clip: Giddens following up a dunk with the Carlton Banks dance from Fresh Prince. I love him already.
Old School Rap Video of the Day:
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - The Message
I couldn't possibly go more old school than Kurtis Blow, could I? Well, I did it. I hadn't heard the song in a while. Love it. Still one of the best hooks ever. Some credit it as the first socially conscious rap/hip-hop song ever. I don't know if that is fair, but it's a milestone nonetheless because of its popularity.
-If I haven't mentioned it already: I love the blogosphere, but I love the newspaper as well. Pick up a paper everyday, keep that industry running.
-The Red Sox could trade for Sabathia. It would probably cost them Clay Buchholz. I believe Buchholz to be expendable with Michael Bowden about to join Pawtucket and Justin Masterson pitching well in Boston. Buchholz is a nice player, a top prospect who did throw a no-hitter in the majors last year. A Sabathia deal, though, would really help solidify the Red Sox's position as the best team in the American League. Boston has the resources to sign him long-term, as well. If there is a deal to be made that can win your team a championship, you should always make it if you are the GM.
-The NHL free agent market opens up on July 1st. There are a lot of exciting names out there. Marian Hossa seems after all to be just a rental for Pittsburgh, it seems like he could jump ship to Detroit, the rich just got richer. The New York Rangers love to throw money at any name that comes on the market, and I'd be surprised if they didn't at least take a flier on Hossa. Mats Sundin might sign with the Canadiens. Mr. Maple Leaf, the embodiment of Toronto hockey, suiting up for the Habs? It feels wrong. This is ten times worse than Wade Boggs and Johnny Damon leaving Boston for New York. This could kill hockey in Toronto next year, only to be revived when Brian Burke comes aboard as GM next year (Worst kept secret in professional sports).
-Sergei Federov managed to revive himself last year playing with Ovechkin in Washington. It is doubtful that another team will offer him one last undeserving bloated contract, but if it happens, I hope he doesn't take it (Not that I wouldn't if I were him), because it was great to see him relevant again last year.
-Ray Emery is a pretty unpopular name in personnel circles right now, but he is only 25 and a free agent after clearing waivers courtesy of Ottawa. He had a strong run for a Stanley Cup finals team not too long ago. There are greater risks to take, at what should be short money... Right? I am waiting for Carty to correct me here... Oh right, it's just me here... Let's just move on...
-The Mets and the Yankees split a four-game series this weekend, with the Yankees winning the two middle games. If you are a Mets fan, I think should be encouraged. And Yankees fans should be disappointed. The Yankees currently seem like the better team, going 15-11 so far this month, and the Mets began the month at 28-27, and are currently 40-41, so they've been treading water. Pitching match-ups, be damned, this was a weekend for the Yankees to take the big stage of a Subway Series and prove they are the stronger team, and they didn't do it. Let the debate continue.
-With the Tampa Bay win today, coupled with the Boston loss, Tampa Bay is now in first place in the American League East by .5 games. And starting tomorrow, the Rays and the Sox will begin a three game series in Tampa. It's biggest series of the year so far for both teams. Both Tampa and Boston have held court over their home fields. It will be interesting to see how the Rays respond to a rivalry that has grown more contentious with every passing game this season. Also, with summer in full swing, Tropicana Field should be filled with Red Sox fans. I would think the Rays' players would be even more perturbed to have the crowd rooting against them in the heat of a pennant race than they are when they play meaningless series this late in the season in previous years. After this, the Red Sox head to Yankee Stadium for the 4th of July weekend. Huge week for the Sox, no other way to put it.
-Marc J. Spears (The Boston Globe) had a quote from an anoymous scout regarding the James Posey free agency situation: "Players don't leave a team after they won a championship with them." I hope he is right. And I have a misleadingly high level of confidence concerning the situation after reading that statement.
-Some other series to keep a close eye on this first half of the week: Oakland-LA Angels, Milwaukee-Arizona, Washington-Florida, and NY Mets-St Louis. Los Angeles has the A's at home with a five game lead, can really put away the AL West with a tidy three-game sweep. It will be a tough task for LA in the second game facing Rich Harden, who has been sensational to begin his season at 5-0 with a 2.15 ERA.
-Florida needs to beat up on the crappier teams in the NL if they are going to hang around in the race, they are not as strong as their record indicates. The Marlins now have a -18 run differential, and their starters rank 14th in the league with a 5.03 ERA. The weaknesses for Florida will become more evident if they don't continue to dominate their sub-.500 portions of the schedule. The starting pitching figures to receive an upgrade when Josh Johnson is activated, maybe as soon as after the All-Star break.
-Milwaukee has crept into the picture in the NL Central, two back of the Cardinals, five back on the Cubs, it's a three-team race now. I didn't see that happening. Milwaukee faces a slumping Arizona team that despite a 3-7 slide is still atop the NL West by 2.5 games with only one serious contender in the Dodgers.
-The Mets and the Cardinals are three games back in their respective divisions. Both teams have picked up ground not because they've played especially well, but because their divisional front runners have hit rough patches. The Phillies are an abysmal 2-8 in their last ten, and the Cubs have been underwhelming at 4-6. Whichever team, the Cards or the Mets, win the series, figure to pick up some ground in their divisional races.
-Last year Carlos Quentin began his season with the Diamondbacks, he hit .210, with 5 HR, and 28 RBI in 66 games. He was demoted and never heard from again that season, as Eric Brynes was permanently installed as the team's left-fielder, and finished the year leading the team in RBI with 83. This offseason, Arizona decided to offer Byrnes a hefty extension, 3 years and 30 million dollars, and part with Quentin for a top-shelf prospect in Cris Carter from the White Sox. Byrnes has a .205 BA, and a horrific .263 OBP in limited time this season (he has been injured). Quentin has matured into the big-time slugger the Diamondbacks thought they had last year as he has hit .288 with 19 HRs and 61 RBI. If the Arizona slide continue and they lose the pathetic NL West, a lot of people will point to this trade.
Miscellaneous Video of the Day:
J.R. Giddens and the most original post-dunk celebration
I love the first two picks for the Celtics this year in Giddens and Bill Walker. Two freakish athletes with mean steaks defensively. Check out the clip: Giddens following up a dunk with the Carlton Banks dance from Fresh Prince. I love him already.
Old School Rap Video of the Day:
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - The Message
I couldn't possibly go more old school than Kurtis Blow, could I? Well, I did it. I hadn't heard the song in a while. Love it. Still one of the best hooks ever. Some credit it as the first socially conscious rap/hip-hop song ever. I don't know if that is fair, but it's a milestone nonetheless because of its popularity.
Friday, June 27, 2008
The Daily Grind
-My head still hurts from last night. It is probably going to continue to hurt. The number of trades are out of control. Darrell Arthur, the big slider in the draft, got traded three times. A rough, rough night for him.
-Mike Conley, Marko Jaric, Javaris Crittendon, O.J. Mayo and Kyle Lowry. All point guards/combo guards, all acquired by the Grizzlies in the last 2 and a half years. What are they thinking? I guess some of these guys, probably Lowry and Crittendon should be on the move soon. O.J. Mayo is probably going to be a better pro than Kevin Love, so you can't (or at least I can't) knock that part of the swap. Jaric's contract was an ugly one for them to take on, but I guess they really wanted to see Brian Cardinal out the door.
-I have accepted that Jarrett Jack is a career back up. So, he is a nice fit behind T.J. Ford at the point guard position in Indiana. Indiana has completely made over their team in the last 48 hours. Hopefully they can drum up some more fan support in a great basketball state, where incidents from players like Jamaal Tinsley (on his way for sure) have eroded fan support and trust over the last few years. Rasho Nestorovic, Jeff Foster and Roy Hibbert should all get some serious run in the Indiana front court. Bill Walton doesn't like the look of this slow-footed group. ESPN has to have one Indiana game next year, picture the pre-game show, Walton will be going nuts, "Message to the Pacers forwards: MOVE YOUR FEET!"
-I hate the Clippers getting Gordon. I've talked too much about that. He is too small (6'3'', and thats being generous) to play the 2 in the NBA.
-Cannot say enough about the Nets and the last 24 hours. A-PLUS for them. They move Jefferson's big contract, which is fair, because they aren't winning for a little while, why pay for an elite player they are not stuck with (VINCE CARTER!!!!). Yi may be a bust, but who cares? This team is willing to go into the tank in preparation for the move to Brooklyn. Brook Lopez and Chris Douglas-Roberts were great value picks for the Nets. I don't really like the Ryan Anderson pick. Rod Thorn wanted to get tougher inside, and both Anderson and Yi seem like face-to-the-hoop PFs. Seems like D.J. White from Indiana would have been a nice pick there. Lopez is a tough kid with great hands, love this pick, so that speaks to the toughness Thorn wanted.
-The Celtics selected two former McDonald's All-American J.R. Giddens and Bill Walker. The Giddens pick surprised me, I thought they could have gotten him later. Would have like to have seen Douglas-Roberts there. Giddens, if he is as good defensively as Danny Ainge seems to think he is, he'll fit right in and take Tony Allen's spot immediately. Bill Walker, if he can get his knees right, will be a great value pick at #47 (they traded for the pick). Remember, Bill Walker came into Manhattan, Kansas as heralded as Beasley.
-The Rockets had a weird draft. Very weird. They draft Nicholas Batum at #25, then flipped him to Portland for Darrell Arthur and Joey Dorsey. Then flipped Arthur for Donte Green. Why didn't they just draft Green if that was the guy they wanted? Dorsey could be the next Ben Wallace. How many athletic big men with limited offensive games have come into the league since Wallace, and been deemed "the next Ben Wallace?"
-Brandon Jacobs seems set to sign a big four-year extension with the Giants. It seems like they are preparing for life without Ahmad Bradshaw, who just could not seem to stay out of trouble after stealing Playstations in college. It is too bad, it seemed like the two of them could have had a really potent 1-2 running back punch for 4-5 years (the shelf life of an NFL RB).
-Jeremy Shockey is off the market and stuck with the Giants. Maybe he'll say the right thing next time he is asked about it. It won't last. I give him three to four weeks before he says something stupid. Trey Wingo and ESPN are waiting on the edge of their seats.
-Albert Pujols is back with St. Louis. And not a moment to soon, the team went 5-8 in his absence. The Cardinals did not lose much ground to the Cubs, but the Brewers are now only a game behind the Cards for second place. That's the bigger problem the Cardinals had in Pujols' absence.
-Only 100, 000 or so people went to the six games of the Sunshine State rivalry. It was pretty lopsided with Tampa Bay winning 5 of 6, capping off the domination with a brilliant Matt Garza performance on Thursday. He struck out ten, and faced only 28 batters. A great trade for the Rays, he is much more valuable to them than Delmon Young could have been.
-Not my longest, not my shortest either. I am still burnt out from the live blog. More later this weekend.
Miscellaneous Video of the Day:
Knicks and Celtics Fans React to the Knicks' First Pick
Knicks fans hating it, and Celtics fans loving it. I am not sure either reaction is warranted. I mentioned it last night. I cannot remember the last time Knicks' fans actually liked their pick.
Old School Rap Video of the Day:
Mac Mall-Ghetto Theme
-Mike Conley, Marko Jaric, Javaris Crittendon, O.J. Mayo and Kyle Lowry. All point guards/combo guards, all acquired by the Grizzlies in the last 2 and a half years. What are they thinking? I guess some of these guys, probably Lowry and Crittendon should be on the move soon. O.J. Mayo is probably going to be a better pro than Kevin Love, so you can't (or at least I can't) knock that part of the swap. Jaric's contract was an ugly one for them to take on, but I guess they really wanted to see Brian Cardinal out the door.
-I have accepted that Jarrett Jack is a career back up. So, he is a nice fit behind T.J. Ford at the point guard position in Indiana. Indiana has completely made over their team in the last 48 hours. Hopefully they can drum up some more fan support in a great basketball state, where incidents from players like Jamaal Tinsley (on his way for sure) have eroded fan support and trust over the last few years. Rasho Nestorovic, Jeff Foster and Roy Hibbert should all get some serious run in the Indiana front court. Bill Walton doesn't like the look of this slow-footed group. ESPN has to have one Indiana game next year, picture the pre-game show, Walton will be going nuts, "Message to the Pacers forwards: MOVE YOUR FEET!"
-I hate the Clippers getting Gordon. I've talked too much about that. He is too small (6'3'', and thats being generous) to play the 2 in the NBA.
-Cannot say enough about the Nets and the last 24 hours. A-PLUS for them. They move Jefferson's big contract, which is fair, because they aren't winning for a little while, why pay for an elite player they are not stuck with (VINCE CARTER!!!!). Yi may be a bust, but who cares? This team is willing to go into the tank in preparation for the move to Brooklyn. Brook Lopez and Chris Douglas-Roberts were great value picks for the Nets. I don't really like the Ryan Anderson pick. Rod Thorn wanted to get tougher inside, and both Anderson and Yi seem like face-to-the-hoop PFs. Seems like D.J. White from Indiana would have been a nice pick there. Lopez is a tough kid with great hands, love this pick, so that speaks to the toughness Thorn wanted.
-The Celtics selected two former McDonald's All-American J.R. Giddens and Bill Walker. The Giddens pick surprised me, I thought they could have gotten him later. Would have like to have seen Douglas-Roberts there. Giddens, if he is as good defensively as Danny Ainge seems to think he is, he'll fit right in and take Tony Allen's spot immediately. Bill Walker, if he can get his knees right, will be a great value pick at #47 (they traded for the pick). Remember, Bill Walker came into Manhattan, Kansas as heralded as Beasley.
-The Rockets had a weird draft. Very weird. They draft Nicholas Batum at #25, then flipped him to Portland for Darrell Arthur and Joey Dorsey. Then flipped Arthur for Donte Green. Why didn't they just draft Green if that was the guy they wanted? Dorsey could be the next Ben Wallace. How many athletic big men with limited offensive games have come into the league since Wallace, and been deemed "the next Ben Wallace?"
-Brandon Jacobs seems set to sign a big four-year extension with the Giants. It seems like they are preparing for life without Ahmad Bradshaw, who just could not seem to stay out of trouble after stealing Playstations in college. It is too bad, it seemed like the two of them could have had a really potent 1-2 running back punch for 4-5 years (the shelf life of an NFL RB).
-Jeremy Shockey is off the market and stuck with the Giants. Maybe he'll say the right thing next time he is asked about it. It won't last. I give him three to four weeks before he says something stupid. Trey Wingo and ESPN are waiting on the edge of their seats.
-Albert Pujols is back with St. Louis. And not a moment to soon, the team went 5-8 in his absence. The Cardinals did not lose much ground to the Cubs, but the Brewers are now only a game behind the Cards for second place. That's the bigger problem the Cardinals had in Pujols' absence.
-Only 100, 000 or so people went to the six games of the Sunshine State rivalry. It was pretty lopsided with Tampa Bay winning 5 of 6, capping off the domination with a brilliant Matt Garza performance on Thursday. He struck out ten, and faced only 28 batters. A great trade for the Rays, he is much more valuable to them than Delmon Young could have been.
-Not my longest, not my shortest either. I am still burnt out from the live blog. More later this weekend.
Miscellaneous Video of the Day:
Knicks and Celtics Fans React to the Knicks' First Pick
Knicks fans hating it, and Celtics fans loving it. I am not sure either reaction is warranted. I mentioned it last night. I cannot remember the last time Knicks' fans actually liked their pick.
Old School Rap Video of the Day:
Mac Mall-Ghetto Theme
Thursday, June 26, 2008
NBA Draft Live Blog
-Some pre-draft notes to get us going...
-The Bucks-Nets trade was a nice splash prior to the draft. Richard Jefferson is on the move to the Nets in exchange for Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons. A couple of things here: I like the deal for both sides, probably less so for the Bucks. The Bucks get a nice player in Jefferson, if he stays healthy. Yi gets the big market he coveted so much when he came overseas last year. Simmons, again, if healthy, would be a good plus for the Nets. I heard Rod Thorn on the radio just now, he apparently likes Yi at the 4, because he is 7-feet tall. I am not so sure, because he is so skinny and hates defense and rebounding. Either way, the Nets clear out some cap room to sign a big free agent in 2010 for the move to Brooklyn. The team might stink for the remainder of their time in East Rutherford, but that's okay, they need to contend in Brooklyn.
It is mildly amazing how many trades there are around the draft, like the Nets-Bucks deal, that don't even involve picks. The NBA draft is to the NBA what the winter meetings are to MLB.
-It seems that Courtney Lee has been promised to fall no further than #22 to the Magic. He's a good fit there. I would have liked to have seen him in Celtics green, but the Celtics won't hesitate to pick Memphis' Chris Douglas-Roberts, who can also help get the pressure off of Ray Allen. But, you could see Douglas-Roberts go to the Pistons right before the Celtics pick, another good spot for him. I guess I am just getting more nervous that the Celtics will end up picking another big.
-The Sonics (#4) and the Clippers (#7) might be swapping picks, with the Sonics picking up a 2009 lottery-protected pick. This gives the Clippers pretty much guaranteed shot at Indiana's Eric Gordon. I hate Gordon's game, he just looks like a loser. So yeah, he'll look great in a Clippers uniform.
-Be back for the draft. Maybe more before.
-First live post: 7:03pm: None of the top picks seem to be wearing ridiculous outfits/suits. O.J. Mayo's spectacles caught me by surprise.
-7:09pm: Giving a huge Mike Francesca-style hand-wave to ESPN and their 30 minutes of pre-show that I was not warned about. I am not quite irate, but this night will be long enough without a half hour of Stu Scott/Van Gundy/Bilas/Jackson banter. I am trying to find the ESPN.com Video page where Bilas "analyzes" the top 20-or-so prospects. He just seems to believe every player to be "explosive," "rangy," "incredible strength," etc. I know it's been written a lot. I jut had to change the time stamp on this post because I was searching for the videos to no avail.
-7:33pm: The WNBA plug was inexcusable by David Stern. When will it end? What does the NBA stand to gain by plugging the WNBA non-stop. Begin the five minute deliberation before selecting Derrick Rose. Stern mentions the Celtics and gets booed by the Knicks/Nets fans in attendance for a minute straight. It's almost embarrassing how much this guy is getting booed these days.
-7:40pm: I guess Derrick Rose didn't pass out after being selected by the hometown Bulls. The whole five minutes were used. At the bottom crawl on ESPN, after every run-through of the draft order, the league/ESPN (blame should go around) works in a plug for the Phoenix-Atlanta WNBA matchup. I don't know when its on. I'm sure by the end of the night I'll know the day and time.
-7:42pm: Apparently Rose has a "Poohdini" tattoo on his shoulder. ESPN explains that it is because his grandmother nicknamed him "Pooh." I'm glad I got an explanation. This is the first explanation I have ever received regarding an NBA player's tattoo. I hope it's not the last. I got more info: He was nicknamed "Pooh," because he loves sweets, candy, etc. Love the info from my friend Joe...
-7:43pm: After all the smoke and mirrors, Beasley is selected second overall. O.J. Mayo looks a little disappointed, so maybe Miami deliberated well into the afternoon.
-7:48pm: According to Beasley, the Heat are getting a "great player." Apparently they are getting a modest one too. A great stat from ESPN on Beasley: 6 schools between grades 8-12. That's a great stat if you're going to talk about character issues for Beasley.
-7:52pm: O.J. Mayo is selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves. I guess Sebastian Telfair's days as a starter are over. Brook Lopez could slide a little bit in the draft. The picture of Mayo makes him look a fifty year old. Even in person, with the glasses, the five-piece suit. He looks like Bill Russell. This is not a compliment, because Mayo is 21 years old and Russell is 74.
-7:58pm: I thought the Sonic were going to trade down, and allow the Clippers to select choke-job/definite bust Eric Gordon. Andy Katz just said that the Clippers coveted O.J. Mayo, not Gordon. Russell Westbrook is the fourth pick. No one thought even three weeks ago he would be selected this high. This makes me think he'll be a bust, but I'm not so sure. Memphis and New York coming up after the first break. Over to the Yankees game!
-8:05pm: Kevin Love has a great basketball IQ. I just don't think his athleticism warrants a pick this high. He'll be in the league for 10-12 years, as a serviceable player. I think we'll look back on Love and say, "We like him, but he really was drafted fifth overall?" The Knicks are up next. Bayless or Danilo? Love does seems like a well-spoken fellow during his Stephen A. Smith interview. Not a lot of "y'knows" in his interview.
-8:09pm: The Knicks select Danilo Gallinari the Garden goes nuts... with boos. I think the room wanted to see Bayless here. I really can't remember the last time I saw the Knicks fans cheer about a Knicks pick in a draft. Fran Fraschilla promises that Danilo won't be a "superstar," its a good thing because the Knicks don't need that. The fan grade is in! "F." God, it must be great to be a Knicks fan.
-8:16pm: Jay Bilas said Danilo needs to improve his athleticism. No one in the history of the world has ever improved their athleticism! It's physically impossible. Eric Gordon goes seventh to the Clippers. Hey, the Clippers get their next great bust. There is a reason this team has picked in the lottery more times than any other team in the NBA. Stephen A. Smith asks the tough questions. Not one question about Gordon and quitting on one of the best teams in the NCAA in Indiana. Smith defends the puff questions, Gordon, after all, is "a bad man."
-8:21pm: Joe Alexander goes 8th to the Bucks. Jerryd Bayless is the slider of this year's draft. Charlotte (Raymond Felton), New Jersey (Devin Harris), and Indiana (T.J. Ford) are all going to pass on him. I think Bayless now goes to Sacramento at twelve. Meanwhile, two white guys in the top 8... Bizarro world.
-8:29pm: Big surprise with D.J. Augustin to Charlotte at number nine. Stanford's Brook Lopez can't believe it. He buries his head in his hands. Raymond Felton cannot be happy about this pick. Maybe Larry Brown doesn't like Felton, and he is notoriously hard on his point guards. Big shock, no other way to say it. I love Augustin's game, but he is only 6 feet tall, and that's being generous. I guess I still like Bayless for the Kings, but I thought he'd go before Augustin. The Nets are up next, Lopez could be the pick.
-8:34pm: A solid pick by the Nets, picking Brook Lopez. They had a need in size, and got good value with the pick. I guess when the pick makes total sense, I don't have a ton to say. Robin Lopez sounds kind of dumb being interviewed by an unreasonably unattractive sideline reporter in Doris Burke. Wow, in the Stephen A. interview Brook sounds just as dumb as his brother. That is twins for you. Indiana is up next, they'll probably look at one of the Kansas players, either Brandon Rush or Darrell Arthur.
-8:42pm: The Pacers selected Jerryd Bayless with their first 11th overall selection since Reggie Miller. He's got a classy white suit on. Bird must be loving his Ford-Bayless backcourt. I mean, Jim O'Brien (Obie) has to start both of them together, right? Its an insanely athletic back court for Indiana. Obie loves to run, press, and shoot threes, Bayless is a great fit there. I thought the Pacers would look for size to replace O'Neal, but its a nice fit. 11 picks in, and five Pac-10 players selected. I'm sure ESPN/ABC wishes they had a real TV contract with that contract as it may be the best conference in the NCAA. Certainly the most marketable conference. NBA alumni=marketability of college programs.
-8:44pm: I should complete the formula. Greater marketability=higher visibility=more TV dollars=more TV viewers=better recruits=better basketball teams. It's not a perfect formula. I just made it up right now. But the Pac-10 commissioner must be doing the waltz. The Kings selected Jason Thompson out of Rider. I know nothing about him. A rare admission of ignorance by me. Don't get used to it.
-8:49pm: Brandon Rush, I think, rounds out a Portland starting lineup that also includes Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Greg Oden, and Sergio Rodriguez. I think this team should make the playoffs. Should be a 4-6 seed in the Western Conference. Nate MacMillan will be a contender for Coach of the Year. I really like the pick. And Blazers fans like it too, giving it an "A."
-8:58pm: Marc Jackson thinks the Warriors are going to go "big" and "versatile," but didn't want to make a prediction. Gotta love sports journalism, don't say anything definitive. Anthony Randolph is the last lottery pick to the Warriors. I think the Warriors continue their string of busts, shades of Patrick O'Bryant. 6'10'', 197 lbs. That is just atrocious. Inexcusable. I don't care about how long and athletic he is, his body is going to get thrown around like a rag doll. Hate the pick. Dick Vitale is in! I honestly had no idea what he was talking about for thirty seconds. He doesn't like the Danilo pick. He talked about the Jason Thompson pick for forty-five seconds. I can't tell you whether or not he liked the pick.
The Sun selected Lopez. He's an energy guy who looks to push the ball off steals and swats. What do the Suns need him for? Steve Kerr, I thought, wanted to slow the game down to a snail's pace.
-9:26pm: It's always good to see that the NBA Cares. Mareese Speights goes 16th, the first player not to be at the Garden. "The Big Stiff" Roy Hibbert goes 17th, technically to Toronto, but they were picking for Indiana as part of the O'Neal trade. I thought Indiana was going to take Brook Lopez to fill the gap in size, I guess they felt Hibbert was going to do just fine. I don't agree. The Charlotte Bobcats traded for the 20th pick from Denver to try to get Roy Hibbert. They have to be disappointed.
The Indiana/Portland trade is weird to me. Indiana still has a dynamic new back court in Ford and Rush. Jarrett Jack is an interesting fit. I guess Jack is a career backup now. Officially. Bayless and Roy will start in Portland. My new Portland starting lineup: Roy, Bayless, Aldridge, Oden, and Rodriguez. Bayless and Rodriguez are both 6'3'', so that is good size for the 1 and the 2. Brandon Roy, I guess, is the 3 at 6'6'', which isn't tiny, but he plays a guard's game. I still thnk this is a good team. I am curious to see how MacMillan makes all the pieces fit.
The J.J. Hickson pick for Cleveland feels kind of like a "meh" pick for me. I thought Hickson should have stayed in school. He's a impressive talent, but he seemed over-matched at times in college, because he is undersized at the power forward position. He figures only to be more over-matched in the NBA. If I am a Cleveland fan, I am not inspired by this pick. Then again, when you're drafting this late every year, its hard to feel inspired by an acquisition through the draft. I guess I would have liked to have seen Darrell Arthur get picked there.
The massive gap in time stamp/updates on the blog was due to me enjoying some delicious wings. I'm back now.
-9:31pm: The Bobcats selected Alexis Ajinca at twenty. The Bobcats have a need inside, but I thought Koufas would have been a better pick here. The Bobcats have a roster that is close to making the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, and they draft a player that can't help them for at least few years. It absolutely does not make sense to me.
Stuart Scott cuts right to Ric Bucher for an update on the Portland/Indiana trade. I guess Josh McRoberts was also shipped to Indiana. None of the on-air talent wants to comment. You can hear a pin drop over the air for 10-15 seconds. The NBA Draft. Very Funny.
-9:33pm: I hate to do the Simmons thing. But, Carty is here and had a great comment after seeing the Lopez twins' gargantuan mother: "I think we should stay in for the second round, someone should take a flyer on that mom."
-9:39pm: Ryan Anderson goes to the Nets. I like it for the Nets. A scoring forward, and scoring is the biggest need for the Nets. Good pick. So far, I am loving the draft for the Nets. ESPN will be taking a commercial break before the Magic selected Courtney Lee 22nd overall, maybe the worst kept secret of the draft after Rose going first overall.
I am not sure why David Stern keeps mentioning to the audience when a draftee is not present. I think Darrell Arthur is the last one still in the building. A real awkward job by Stern. But, that's what he does well. Darrell Arthur to the Celtics at #30? I can dream still...
Courtney Lee was the pick, of course. And Stern again reminds us that he is not there. I love the pick. He was huge for WKU in the tournament. Love it.
-9:45pm: The Nets. You really cannot say enough about their day. The starting lineup should be: Devin Harris, Vince Carter... Okay, I am not sure after that. They've got a lot of players that they can give some burn to, and try out. Boone, Krstic, Lopez, Yi, and Anderson should all get a chance to step up and prove they can start if the league.
I loved the awkward silence after Jeff Van Gundy ripped on his brother with the "buffet" comment. I can imagine the next commercial break, Van Gundy turned to the other guys and say something like, "Come on guy, my brother's a huge fatso. Don't look at me like I'm a monster. The man cannot put the fork down."
-9:54pm: My lap is sweaty. Can I get something for that? My laptop has been on my... lap for four hours.
The Sonic continue the tradition started by Charlotte earlier in the evening of bad teams desperate to sell tickets drafting international projects with the selection of Serge Ibaka out of Congo. Fran Fraschilla knows about him, and all the other international players. Does Franny like being shipped overseas? Does he miss his family? Is he dragged kicking and screaming out of Bristol onto planes to anywhere an international project may be playing?
-10:00pm: The Rockets pick Nicholas Batum. Franny compares him to Rudy Gay. He is going to be staying overseas. The Rockets still look like a team losing in the first round of the playoffs.
Poor Darrell Arthur is still falling in the draft. The kid is just sitting there in green room. Apparently he has a kidney issue that has been keeping teams away. How could this information not be released prior to the draft? It seems like all the rumors/trades that actually affect the flow of draft day are kept wrapped up. I spent 0 minutes reading about Arthur's health concerns that made him fall. I spent 1000000 minutes reading about trade rumors involving Miami in the #2 pick. Much ado about nothing.
-10:11pm: Darrell Arthur and Chris Douglas-Roberts still on the board. I am always amazed at how many good, college players are passed up for foreign guys. I know, its not an original observation. But, year in and year out, I can never shake that thought.
The Spurs drafted George Hill out of IUPUI. The Spurs continue their tradition of drafting a player that ESPN didn't see coming with the pick at all. But, just like the Patriots, the Spurs have proved to be very successful drafting the guys they like, not the guys other people liked for them. But, on the other side of the coin, check out the Spurs' draft history: http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/draft.html . Not a ton of success since drafting Barbosa in 2003. Remember, they expected big things out of Beno Udrih. A big disappointment for them.
Portland just bought the 27th pick from New Orleans. And Darrell Arthur finally gets drafted. I don't know where he fits in with Trailblazers. I have a headache from trying to project starting lineups. Good for him.
-10:19pm: Can the Memphis Grizzlies draft a player worth Pau Gasol? Because the other players in the Pau Gasol trade probably aren't worth much. Donte' Green could be a nice player down the line, he's a pure scorer. But, he could have used more seasoning in college, he really doesn't seem to have a position yet. I am slowing down. Two more picks to go. Chris Douglas-Roberts seems to be a lock for Detroit. It'd be nice if he'd fall to the Celtics, but I don't see it happening.
-10:25pm: If you ask Mark Jackson, he seems to think everyone needs a big guy. Has he recommended that a single team draft a guard? I guess the Celtics can draft Chris Douglas-Roberts if they want because the Pistons just took D.J. White. I love D.J. White, should be a good fit for Detroit. A workhorse power forward who loves to grab boards and run the floor. He could be a good fit in the second and third units with Amir Johnson and Jason Maxiell. I think the Celtics are debating between DeVon Hardin and Chris Douglas-Roberts.
-10:39pm: J.R. Giddens closes out of the first round going to the Celtics out of New Mexico. I had three names in mind for the Celtics: DeAndre Jordan, Chris Douglas-Roberts and Mario Chalmers. I don't know much about Giddens, so I'll read up on him, and put forth a more articulate thought tomorrow.
My last comment tonight: Chris Douglas Roberts not going to Detroit seem to be an indication to me that Chauncey Billups might be done in Detroit. I know, it seems crazy. I could see Douglas-Roberts and Rodney Stuckey paired together as a dynamic second string back court. But, I think Detroit couldn't see Douglas-Roberts playing well on the second squad without Stuckey, if Stuckey is starting. Of course, there is a good chance I am just creating a conspiracy theory in my head.
I know, it lack finality. But that should be it for me tonight. Thanks for reading. Much more tomorrow and this weekend.
-The Bucks-Nets trade was a nice splash prior to the draft. Richard Jefferson is on the move to the Nets in exchange for Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons. A couple of things here: I like the deal for both sides, probably less so for the Bucks. The Bucks get a nice player in Jefferson, if he stays healthy. Yi gets the big market he coveted so much when he came overseas last year. Simmons, again, if healthy, would be a good plus for the Nets. I heard Rod Thorn on the radio just now, he apparently likes Yi at the 4, because he is 7-feet tall. I am not so sure, because he is so skinny and hates defense and rebounding. Either way, the Nets clear out some cap room to sign a big free agent in 2010 for the move to Brooklyn. The team might stink for the remainder of their time in East Rutherford, but that's okay, they need to contend in Brooklyn.
It is mildly amazing how many trades there are around the draft, like the Nets-Bucks deal, that don't even involve picks. The NBA draft is to the NBA what the winter meetings are to MLB.
-It seems that Courtney Lee has been promised to fall no further than #22 to the Magic. He's a good fit there. I would have liked to have seen him in Celtics green, but the Celtics won't hesitate to pick Memphis' Chris Douglas-Roberts, who can also help get the pressure off of Ray Allen. But, you could see Douglas-Roberts go to the Pistons right before the Celtics pick, another good spot for him. I guess I am just getting more nervous that the Celtics will end up picking another big.
-The Sonics (#4) and the Clippers (#7) might be swapping picks, with the Sonics picking up a 2009 lottery-protected pick. This gives the Clippers pretty much guaranteed shot at Indiana's Eric Gordon. I hate Gordon's game, he just looks like a loser. So yeah, he'll look great in a Clippers uniform.
-Be back for the draft. Maybe more before.
-First live post: 7:03pm: None of the top picks seem to be wearing ridiculous outfits/suits. O.J. Mayo's spectacles caught me by surprise.
-7:09pm: Giving a huge Mike Francesca-style hand-wave to ESPN and their 30 minutes of pre-show that I was not warned about. I am not quite irate, but this night will be long enough without a half hour of Stu Scott/Van Gundy/Bilas/Jackson banter. I am trying to find the ESPN.com Video page where Bilas "analyzes" the top 20-or-so prospects. He just seems to believe every player to be "explosive," "rangy," "incredible strength," etc. I know it's been written a lot. I jut had to change the time stamp on this post because I was searching for the videos to no avail.
-7:33pm: The WNBA plug was inexcusable by David Stern. When will it end? What does the NBA stand to gain by plugging the WNBA non-stop. Begin the five minute deliberation before selecting Derrick Rose. Stern mentions the Celtics and gets booed by the Knicks/Nets fans in attendance for a minute straight. It's almost embarrassing how much this guy is getting booed these days.
-7:40pm: I guess Derrick Rose didn't pass out after being selected by the hometown Bulls. The whole five minutes were used. At the bottom crawl on ESPN, after every run-through of the draft order, the league/ESPN (blame should go around) works in a plug for the Phoenix-Atlanta WNBA matchup. I don't know when its on. I'm sure by the end of the night I'll know the day and time.
-7:42pm: Apparently Rose has a "Poohdini" tattoo on his shoulder. ESPN explains that it is because his grandmother nicknamed him "Pooh." I'm glad I got an explanation. This is the first explanation I have ever received regarding an NBA player's tattoo. I hope it's not the last. I got more info: He was nicknamed "Pooh," because he loves sweets, candy, etc. Love the info from my friend Joe...
-7:43pm: After all the smoke and mirrors, Beasley is selected second overall. O.J. Mayo looks a little disappointed, so maybe Miami deliberated well into the afternoon.
-7:48pm: According to Beasley, the Heat are getting a "great player." Apparently they are getting a modest one too. A great stat from ESPN on Beasley: 6 schools between grades 8-12. That's a great stat if you're going to talk about character issues for Beasley.
-7:52pm: O.J. Mayo is selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves. I guess Sebastian Telfair's days as a starter are over. Brook Lopez could slide a little bit in the draft. The picture of Mayo makes him look a fifty year old. Even in person, with the glasses, the five-piece suit. He looks like Bill Russell. This is not a compliment, because Mayo is 21 years old and Russell is 74.
-7:58pm: I thought the Sonic were going to trade down, and allow the Clippers to select choke-job/definite bust Eric Gordon. Andy Katz just said that the Clippers coveted O.J. Mayo, not Gordon. Russell Westbrook is the fourth pick. No one thought even three weeks ago he would be selected this high. This makes me think he'll be a bust, but I'm not so sure. Memphis and New York coming up after the first break. Over to the Yankees game!
-8:05pm: Kevin Love has a great basketball IQ. I just don't think his athleticism warrants a pick this high. He'll be in the league for 10-12 years, as a serviceable player. I think we'll look back on Love and say, "We like him, but he really was drafted fifth overall?" The Knicks are up next. Bayless or Danilo? Love does seems like a well-spoken fellow during his Stephen A. Smith interview. Not a lot of "y'knows" in his interview.
-8:09pm: The Knicks select Danilo Gallinari the Garden goes nuts... with boos. I think the room wanted to see Bayless here. I really can't remember the last time I saw the Knicks fans cheer about a Knicks pick in a draft. Fran Fraschilla promises that Danilo won't be a "superstar," its a good thing because the Knicks don't need that. The fan grade is in! "F." God, it must be great to be a Knicks fan.
-8:16pm: Jay Bilas said Danilo needs to improve his athleticism. No one in the history of the world has ever improved their athleticism! It's physically impossible. Eric Gordon goes seventh to the Clippers. Hey, the Clippers get their next great bust. There is a reason this team has picked in the lottery more times than any other team in the NBA. Stephen A. Smith asks the tough questions. Not one question about Gordon and quitting on one of the best teams in the NCAA in Indiana. Smith defends the puff questions, Gordon, after all, is "a bad man."
-8:21pm: Joe Alexander goes 8th to the Bucks. Jerryd Bayless is the slider of this year's draft. Charlotte (Raymond Felton), New Jersey (Devin Harris), and Indiana (T.J. Ford) are all going to pass on him. I think Bayless now goes to Sacramento at twelve. Meanwhile, two white guys in the top 8... Bizarro world.
-8:29pm: Big surprise with D.J. Augustin to Charlotte at number nine. Stanford's Brook Lopez can't believe it. He buries his head in his hands. Raymond Felton cannot be happy about this pick. Maybe Larry Brown doesn't like Felton, and he is notoriously hard on his point guards. Big shock, no other way to say it. I love Augustin's game, but he is only 6 feet tall, and that's being generous. I guess I still like Bayless for the Kings, but I thought he'd go before Augustin. The Nets are up next, Lopez could be the pick.
-8:34pm: A solid pick by the Nets, picking Brook Lopez. They had a need in size, and got good value with the pick. I guess when the pick makes total sense, I don't have a ton to say. Robin Lopez sounds kind of dumb being interviewed by an unreasonably unattractive sideline reporter in Doris Burke. Wow, in the Stephen A. interview Brook sounds just as dumb as his brother. That is twins for you. Indiana is up next, they'll probably look at one of the Kansas players, either Brandon Rush or Darrell Arthur.
-8:42pm: The Pacers selected Jerryd Bayless with their first 11th overall selection since Reggie Miller. He's got a classy white suit on. Bird must be loving his Ford-Bayless backcourt. I mean, Jim O'Brien (Obie) has to start both of them together, right? Its an insanely athletic back court for Indiana. Obie loves to run, press, and shoot threes, Bayless is a great fit there. I thought the Pacers would look for size to replace O'Neal, but its a nice fit. 11 picks in, and five Pac-10 players selected. I'm sure ESPN/ABC wishes they had a real TV contract with that contract as it may be the best conference in the NCAA. Certainly the most marketable conference. NBA alumni=marketability of college programs.
-8:44pm: I should complete the formula. Greater marketability=higher visibility=more TV dollars=more TV viewers=better recruits=better basketball teams. It's not a perfect formula. I just made it up right now. But the Pac-10 commissioner must be doing the waltz. The Kings selected Jason Thompson out of Rider. I know nothing about him. A rare admission of ignorance by me. Don't get used to it.
-8:49pm: Brandon Rush, I think, rounds out a Portland starting lineup that also includes Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Greg Oden, and Sergio Rodriguez. I think this team should make the playoffs. Should be a 4-6 seed in the Western Conference. Nate MacMillan will be a contender for Coach of the Year. I really like the pick. And Blazers fans like it too, giving it an "A."
-8:58pm: Marc Jackson thinks the Warriors are going to go "big" and "versatile," but didn't want to make a prediction. Gotta love sports journalism, don't say anything definitive. Anthony Randolph is the last lottery pick to the Warriors. I think the Warriors continue their string of busts, shades of Patrick O'Bryant. 6'10'', 197 lbs. That is just atrocious. Inexcusable. I don't care about how long and athletic he is, his body is going to get thrown around like a rag doll. Hate the pick. Dick Vitale is in! I honestly had no idea what he was talking about for thirty seconds. He doesn't like the Danilo pick. He talked about the Jason Thompson pick for forty-five seconds. I can't tell you whether or not he liked the pick.
The Sun selected Lopez. He's an energy guy who looks to push the ball off steals and swats. What do the Suns need him for? Steve Kerr, I thought, wanted to slow the game down to a snail's pace.
-9:26pm: It's always good to see that the NBA Cares. Mareese Speights goes 16th, the first player not to be at the Garden. "The Big Stiff" Roy Hibbert goes 17th, technically to Toronto, but they were picking for Indiana as part of the O'Neal trade. I thought Indiana was going to take Brook Lopez to fill the gap in size, I guess they felt Hibbert was going to do just fine. I don't agree. The Charlotte Bobcats traded for the 20th pick from Denver to try to get Roy Hibbert. They have to be disappointed.
The Indiana/Portland trade is weird to me. Indiana still has a dynamic new back court in Ford and Rush. Jarrett Jack is an interesting fit. I guess Jack is a career backup now. Officially. Bayless and Roy will start in Portland. My new Portland starting lineup: Roy, Bayless, Aldridge, Oden, and Rodriguez. Bayless and Rodriguez are both 6'3'', so that is good size for the 1 and the 2. Brandon Roy, I guess, is the 3 at 6'6'', which isn't tiny, but he plays a guard's game. I still thnk this is a good team. I am curious to see how MacMillan makes all the pieces fit.
The J.J. Hickson pick for Cleveland feels kind of like a "meh" pick for me. I thought Hickson should have stayed in school. He's a impressive talent, but he seemed over-matched at times in college, because he is undersized at the power forward position. He figures only to be more over-matched in the NBA. If I am a Cleveland fan, I am not inspired by this pick. Then again, when you're drafting this late every year, its hard to feel inspired by an acquisition through the draft. I guess I would have liked to have seen Darrell Arthur get picked there.
The massive gap in time stamp/updates on the blog was due to me enjoying some delicious wings. I'm back now.
-9:31pm: The Bobcats selected Alexis Ajinca at twenty. The Bobcats have a need inside, but I thought Koufas would have been a better pick here. The Bobcats have a roster that is close to making the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, and they draft a player that can't help them for at least few years. It absolutely does not make sense to me.
Stuart Scott cuts right to Ric Bucher for an update on the Portland/Indiana trade. I guess Josh McRoberts was also shipped to Indiana. None of the on-air talent wants to comment. You can hear a pin drop over the air for 10-15 seconds. The NBA Draft. Very Funny.
-9:33pm: I hate to do the Simmons thing. But, Carty is here and had a great comment after seeing the Lopez twins' gargantuan mother: "I think we should stay in for the second round, someone should take a flyer on that mom."
-9:39pm: Ryan Anderson goes to the Nets. I like it for the Nets. A scoring forward, and scoring is the biggest need for the Nets. Good pick. So far, I am loving the draft for the Nets. ESPN will be taking a commercial break before the Magic selected Courtney Lee 22nd overall, maybe the worst kept secret of the draft after Rose going first overall.
I am not sure why David Stern keeps mentioning to the audience when a draftee is not present. I think Darrell Arthur is the last one still in the building. A real awkward job by Stern. But, that's what he does well. Darrell Arthur to the Celtics at #30? I can dream still...
Courtney Lee was the pick, of course. And Stern again reminds us that he is not there. I love the pick. He was huge for WKU in the tournament. Love it.
-9:45pm: The Nets. You really cannot say enough about their day. The starting lineup should be: Devin Harris, Vince Carter... Okay, I am not sure after that. They've got a lot of players that they can give some burn to, and try out. Boone, Krstic, Lopez, Yi, and Anderson should all get a chance to step up and prove they can start if the league.
I loved the awkward silence after Jeff Van Gundy ripped on his brother with the "buffet" comment. I can imagine the next commercial break, Van Gundy turned to the other guys and say something like, "Come on guy, my brother's a huge fatso. Don't look at me like I'm a monster. The man cannot put the fork down."
-9:54pm: My lap is sweaty. Can I get something for that? My laptop has been on my... lap for four hours.
The Sonic continue the tradition started by Charlotte earlier in the evening of bad teams desperate to sell tickets drafting international projects with the selection of Serge Ibaka out of Congo. Fran Fraschilla knows about him, and all the other international players. Does Franny like being shipped overseas? Does he miss his family? Is he dragged kicking and screaming out of Bristol onto planes to anywhere an international project may be playing?
-10:00pm: The Rockets pick Nicholas Batum. Franny compares him to Rudy Gay. He is going to be staying overseas. The Rockets still look like a team losing in the first round of the playoffs.
Poor Darrell Arthur is still falling in the draft. The kid is just sitting there in green room. Apparently he has a kidney issue that has been keeping teams away. How could this information not be released prior to the draft? It seems like all the rumors/trades that actually affect the flow of draft day are kept wrapped up. I spent 0 minutes reading about Arthur's health concerns that made him fall. I spent 1000000 minutes reading about trade rumors involving Miami in the #2 pick. Much ado about nothing.
-10:11pm: Darrell Arthur and Chris Douglas-Roberts still on the board. I am always amazed at how many good, college players are passed up for foreign guys. I know, its not an original observation. But, year in and year out, I can never shake that thought.
The Spurs drafted George Hill out of IUPUI. The Spurs continue their tradition of drafting a player that ESPN didn't see coming with the pick at all. But, just like the Patriots, the Spurs have proved to be very successful drafting the guys they like, not the guys other people liked for them. But, on the other side of the coin, check out the Spurs' draft history: http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/draft.html . Not a ton of success since drafting Barbosa in 2003. Remember, they expected big things out of Beno Udrih. A big disappointment for them.
Portland just bought the 27th pick from New Orleans. And Darrell Arthur finally gets drafted. I don't know where he fits in with Trailblazers. I have a headache from trying to project starting lineups. Good for him.
-10:19pm: Can the Memphis Grizzlies draft a player worth Pau Gasol? Because the other players in the Pau Gasol trade probably aren't worth much. Donte' Green could be a nice player down the line, he's a pure scorer. But, he could have used more seasoning in college, he really doesn't seem to have a position yet. I am slowing down. Two more picks to go. Chris Douglas-Roberts seems to be a lock for Detroit. It'd be nice if he'd fall to the Celtics, but I don't see it happening.
-10:25pm: If you ask Mark Jackson, he seems to think everyone needs a big guy. Has he recommended that a single team draft a guard? I guess the Celtics can draft Chris Douglas-Roberts if they want because the Pistons just took D.J. White. I love D.J. White, should be a good fit for Detroit. A workhorse power forward who loves to grab boards and run the floor. He could be a good fit in the second and third units with Amir Johnson and Jason Maxiell. I think the Celtics are debating between DeVon Hardin and Chris Douglas-Roberts.
-10:39pm: J.R. Giddens closes out of the first round going to the Celtics out of New Mexico. I had three names in mind for the Celtics: DeAndre Jordan, Chris Douglas-Roberts and Mario Chalmers. I don't know much about Giddens, so I'll read up on him, and put forth a more articulate thought tomorrow.
My last comment tonight: Chris Douglas Roberts not going to Detroit seem to be an indication to me that Chauncey Billups might be done in Detroit. I know, it seems crazy. I could see Douglas-Roberts and Rodney Stuckey paired together as a dynamic second string back court. But, I think Detroit couldn't see Douglas-Roberts playing well on the second squad without Stuckey, if Stuckey is starting. Of course, there is a good chance I am just creating a conspiracy theory in my head.
I know, it lack finality. But that should be it for me tonight. Thanks for reading. Much more tomorrow and this weekend.
The Daily Grind
-Remember the NBA Draft Live Blog coming tonight. Should be a great time.
-Shawn Chacon apparently attacked Houston GM Ed Wade during a meeting. He has been suspended indefinitely by the team after he had to be pulled off of Wade with his hands allegedly on Wade's neck. Obviously there is no excuse for Chacon's behavior, and with his performance he will be hard pressed to find work for the rest of this season. But, it seems like general managers and players often have incredibly tumultuous relationships. The Doug Mientkiewicz circus in 2005 comes to mind. The Red Sox were trying to pry the 2004 World Series ball for Doug (I'm just writing "Doug" from now on, you can't stop me), and Doug refused to give it up. When Doug came to Boston in 2005 with the Royals, every interview he gave got on the subject of the ball. Doug always changed the conversation to denigrating the Red Sox management, talking about how Red Sox GM Theo Epstein constantly berated him, calling him a "rental player."
It seems like its a tough professional and personal relationship between players and GMs. The managers have to talk the players up, encourage them, tell them how great they are. There are exceptions to this, like Ozzie Guillen and Lou Piniella. But, for the most part Terry Francona represents the norm. But GMs, I feel like need to take the players down the peg, in order to drive down the price. GMs need to sit at the negotiating table with players, and convince the players that they are not as indispensable as they may believe themselves to be.
-The Heat are selecting Michael Beasley. I know there are a lot of different offers out there. I don't really buy any of them. I know a Marion-Beasley-Haslem front court is undersized, but it is dynamic. The team is still looking for a starting point guard, but Kirk Hinrich or Chris Duhon should be available in a trade after the Bulls select Derrick Rose.
-I just want to take a few moments to talk about a blog much better than our own. If you love baseball and don't read Joe Posnanski's blog. Well, you don't really love baseball. That is harsh, but I feel like it's true. Joe looks at baseball from an angle that find very refreshing. Joe loves the game now, and celebrates it. He loves to talk about the stat-driven game that baseball seems to be now. Also, and this is what really makes Joe special, he has reverence for the game as it used to be, without being like David Halberstam (RIP) and treating sports fans of my generation as if we don't get it. As if we don't remember or haven't experience baseball in its purest form. "You don't remember my day when I had to walk five miles in the snow to watch the Dodgers or Giants!" Anyway, Joe's got great stuff, check it out.
-I am paying very close attention to the #30 pick tonight for the Boston Celtics. Danny Ainge was quick to note that the #60 pick in the current format has never made an NBA roster, so I'll ignore what is currently slotted as the Celtics' second pick. But, the Celtics have a chance to grab a real impact player at #30 to replace the outgoing Tony Allen. Othella Harrington, Anderson Varejao, Trenton Hassel, Marco Jaric and David Lee have been some of the more successful 30th overall picks of late. MARCO JARIC!!! Okay, these guys aren't world-beaters, but there is reason to believe the Celtics could get a good player. Devon Hardin (California) and Ryan Anderson (California) are some names I have been hearing at #30 for the Celtics. I feel like they need more help at the shooting guard position. I professed yesterday in the space my love for Courtney Lee out of WKU. I still really like him for the Celtics, and as a foil for Ray Allen. I do believe PJ Brown will be back next year, maybe not to start the year, but he will be back. Until then, Powe and Davis can hold down the backup duties.
-Don Imus is a clown. That is my comment. I think he should retain his job. He used to be the talk of New York City, an omnipresent name in radio. But now, despite his huge salary, he is a laughing stock. His latest comment, I have no doubt, was intentional, designed to draw attention to his much less successful new show, and he succeeded. Good for him. I didn't listen then. I don't listen now.
-I'm out for now. We'll make with the videos. Look forward to seeing a bunch of you tonight... NBA Draft, motherfuckers...
Miscellaneous Video of the Day:
Dumb Gas Prices Music Video
A classic example of people falling flat on their face trying to get famous for making a silly video in the YouTube era. Don't watch the whole thing, I didn't. It's just a cautionary tale.
Old School Rap Video of the Day:
Kurtis Blow- If I Ruled the World
Members of my generation probably remember this hook best from Nas and Lauren Hill's song of the same name. This is really old school! Rick Rubin is skinny, and his beard is not unkempt. The beats, the record scratching... So fucking raw. I love it.
-Shawn Chacon apparently attacked Houston GM Ed Wade during a meeting. He has been suspended indefinitely by the team after he had to be pulled off of Wade with his hands allegedly on Wade's neck. Obviously there is no excuse for Chacon's behavior, and with his performance he will be hard pressed to find work for the rest of this season. But, it seems like general managers and players often have incredibly tumultuous relationships. The Doug Mientkiewicz circus in 2005 comes to mind. The Red Sox were trying to pry the 2004 World Series ball for Doug (I'm just writing "Doug" from now on, you can't stop me), and Doug refused to give it up. When Doug came to Boston in 2005 with the Royals, every interview he gave got on the subject of the ball. Doug always changed the conversation to denigrating the Red Sox management, talking about how Red Sox GM Theo Epstein constantly berated him, calling him a "rental player."
It seems like its a tough professional and personal relationship between players and GMs. The managers have to talk the players up, encourage them, tell them how great they are. There are exceptions to this, like Ozzie Guillen and Lou Piniella. But, for the most part Terry Francona represents the norm. But GMs, I feel like need to take the players down the peg, in order to drive down the price. GMs need to sit at the negotiating table with players, and convince the players that they are not as indispensable as they may believe themselves to be.
-The Heat are selecting Michael Beasley. I know there are a lot of different offers out there. I don't really buy any of them. I know a Marion-Beasley-Haslem front court is undersized, but it is dynamic. The team is still looking for a starting point guard, but Kirk Hinrich or Chris Duhon should be available in a trade after the Bulls select Derrick Rose.
-I just want to take a few moments to talk about a blog much better than our own. If you love baseball and don't read Joe Posnanski's blog. Well, you don't really love baseball. That is harsh, but I feel like it's true. Joe looks at baseball from an angle that find very refreshing. Joe loves the game now, and celebrates it. He loves to talk about the stat-driven game that baseball seems to be now. Also, and this is what really makes Joe special, he has reverence for the game as it used to be, without being like David Halberstam (RIP) and treating sports fans of my generation as if we don't get it. As if we don't remember or haven't experience baseball in its purest form. "You don't remember my day when I had to walk five miles in the snow to watch the Dodgers or Giants!" Anyway, Joe's got great stuff, check it out.
-I am paying very close attention to the #30 pick tonight for the Boston Celtics. Danny Ainge was quick to note that the #60 pick in the current format has never made an NBA roster, so I'll ignore what is currently slotted as the Celtics' second pick. But, the Celtics have a chance to grab a real impact player at #30 to replace the outgoing Tony Allen. Othella Harrington, Anderson Varejao, Trenton Hassel, Marco Jaric and David Lee have been some of the more successful 30th overall picks of late. MARCO JARIC!!! Okay, these guys aren't world-beaters, but there is reason to believe the Celtics could get a good player. Devon Hardin (California) and Ryan Anderson (California) are some names I have been hearing at #30 for the Celtics. I feel like they need more help at the shooting guard position. I professed yesterday in the space my love for Courtney Lee out of WKU. I still really like him for the Celtics, and as a foil for Ray Allen. I do believe PJ Brown will be back next year, maybe not to start the year, but he will be back. Until then, Powe and Davis can hold down the backup duties.
-Don Imus is a clown. That is my comment. I think he should retain his job. He used to be the talk of New York City, an omnipresent name in radio. But now, despite his huge salary, he is a laughing stock. His latest comment, I have no doubt, was intentional, designed to draw attention to his much less successful new show, and he succeeded. Good for him. I didn't listen then. I don't listen now.
-I'm out for now. We'll make with the videos. Look forward to seeing a bunch of you tonight... NBA Draft, motherfuckers...
Miscellaneous Video of the Day:
Dumb Gas Prices Music Video
A classic example of people falling flat on their face trying to get famous for making a silly video in the YouTube era. Don't watch the whole thing, I didn't. It's just a cautionary tale.
Old School Rap Video of the Day:
Kurtis Blow- If I Ruled the World
Members of my generation probably remember this hook best from Nas and Lauren Hill's song of the same name. This is really old school! Rick Rubin is skinny, and his beard is not unkempt. The beats, the record scratching... So fucking raw. I love it.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
The Daily Grind
-Some housekeeping items:
1. I will be doing a live blog tomorrow for the NBA Draft. I was hoping to do more, like contact other bloggers and such, but I just have not had the time. Stop in, comment, it should be a lot of fun.
2. I am looking into updating the look of this blog, inspired in part by Joe Posnanski's new and shiny layout. Any suggestions are obviously welcome.
-Onto the sports. In Peter Gammons' blog today, he noted that the Yankees, Cubs, Red Sox and Mets are all worth in the range of 800 million-1.2 billion dollars. SNY and NESN are worth 1.5 billion each, with YES being worth 3 billion. I am not sure how Gammons knows this. I don't know much about business, so how are these networks considered seperate from the teams?
-Courtney Lee out of Western Kentucky University could be picked at number thirty by the Boston Celtics. He can really shoot the ball and could do a great job spelling Ray Allen right away.
-I also really like Chris Douglas-Roberts out of Memphis. Rodney Stuckey and Douglas-Roberts could usher in a new, dynamic era for the Detroit backcourt.
-DeAndre Jordan out of Texas A and M is one of the more athletic centers I have seen in quite some time. Chad Ford has him slipping to Memphis at #28. I know he's a major project, but I think he's going to be a stud, and he was talked about as a lottery pick months ago.
-I'm just going to run down a list of busts-in-waiting... Yes, I am prepared to eat my words... Kevin Love (UCLA), Eric Gordon (Indiana)... Wait let me write that last one in capitals, its my lock of the year... ERIC GORDON... Roy Hibbert (Georgetown), J.J. Hickson (North Carolina State), and Donte Green (Syracuse).
-Here a some names from Chad Ford's second round predictions, guys I like: DJ White (Indiana), Sean Singletary (Virginia), and Sasha Kaun (Kansas). Kaun is likely to play in Russia, but he should be a good NBA center with a little more seasoning.
Old School Rap Video of the Day:
Wyclef Jean- President
Does it count? I love this song... Is it stupid? Is it brilliant?
Miscellaneous Video of the Day:
Malibu of American Gladiators
"He took a licking and he's still ticking."
1. I will be doing a live blog tomorrow for the NBA Draft. I was hoping to do more, like contact other bloggers and such, but I just have not had the time. Stop in, comment, it should be a lot of fun.
2. I am looking into updating the look of this blog, inspired in part by Joe Posnanski's new and shiny layout. Any suggestions are obviously welcome.
-Onto the sports. In Peter Gammons' blog today, he noted that the Yankees, Cubs, Red Sox and Mets are all worth in the range of 800 million-1.2 billion dollars. SNY and NESN are worth 1.5 billion each, with YES being worth 3 billion. I am not sure how Gammons knows this. I don't know much about business, so how are these networks considered seperate from the teams?
-Courtney Lee out of Western Kentucky University could be picked at number thirty by the Boston Celtics. He can really shoot the ball and could do a great job spelling Ray Allen right away.
-I also really like Chris Douglas-Roberts out of Memphis. Rodney Stuckey and Douglas-Roberts could usher in a new, dynamic era for the Detroit backcourt.
-DeAndre Jordan out of Texas A and M is one of the more athletic centers I have seen in quite some time. Chad Ford has him slipping to Memphis at #28. I know he's a major project, but I think he's going to be a stud, and he was talked about as a lottery pick months ago.
-I'm just going to run down a list of busts-in-waiting... Yes, I am prepared to eat my words... Kevin Love (UCLA), Eric Gordon (Indiana)... Wait let me write that last one in capitals, its my lock of the year... ERIC GORDON... Roy Hibbert (Georgetown), J.J. Hickson (North Carolina State), and Donte Green (Syracuse).
-Here a some names from Chad Ford's second round predictions, guys I like: DJ White (Indiana), Sean Singletary (Virginia), and Sasha Kaun (Kansas). Kaun is likely to play in Russia, but he should be a good NBA center with a little more seasoning.
Old School Rap Video of the Day:
Wyclef Jean- President
Does it count? I love this song... Is it stupid? Is it brilliant?
Miscellaneous Video of the Day:
Malibu of American Gladiators
"He took a licking and he's still ticking."
Monday, June 23, 2008
Haren, Beckett Delivered
It was supposed to be this way. Aces Dan Haren and Josh Beckett squared off at Fenway Park Monday night in what was a matchup between two of the game's hottest pitchers.
And true to form, neither man disappointed.
Haren pitched 7-shutout innings, limiting the Sox to just 2 hits and striking out 5 in a 2-1 Diamondbacks victory. His counterpart, Beckett, was his usual dominant self, pitching 8 strong innings during which he allowed just 2 runs on 5 hits while striking out 8. According to Yahoo, Beckett allowed two runs or fewer for the 5th time in his last 6 starts, which obviously is a good sign for him and Red Sox fans.
Both Haren and Beckett came into Monday's game scorching hot in the month of June, posting 2-0 records with miniscule ERAs of 1.99 and 2.36, respectively.
But on Monday, Haren did things a little differently. He relied heavily on his fastball in lieu of his devastating breaking pitches, throwing 93-95 MPH heaters with the occasional slider and splitter mixed in.
Beckett looked very sharp through his first 6 innings. He relied primarily on his mid-90s fastball, per usual, and mixed in his sharp 12-6 curve and change-up for good measure. Excluding a Justin Upton opposite field double in the 3rd inning, not one D-Backs hitter managed to make solid contact off Beckett until Chris Young stepped into the box in the top of the 7th and sent a rocket off the Green Monster to score Connor Jackson's with the game's first run.
The very next batter, catcher Chris Snyder, hit a chopper to 1B Brandon Moss, who entered the game before the top of the 5th when Kevin Youkilis exited after getting hit in the face by a warmup throw. Moss, making his major league debut at 1st, bobbled the grounder as he appeared to be throwing toward home-plate to cut down Mark Reynolds, who scored the D-backs' second run on the miscue.
The Sox best chance to inflict damage came in the bottom of the 8th, when they loaded the bases with one out for the game's hottest hitter, J.D. Drew.
Drew ripped a liner right at CF Chris Young, scoring Julio Lugo on the sac-fly to make it 2-1. Manny stepped up next and battled hard-throwing reliever Tony Pena, fouling off 5-6 pitches, until he ripped a scorching line-drive that left 3B Mark Reynolds with two simple choices: catch the ball or die.
Reynolds didn't catch the ball so much as he shielded his face and found the piece of rawhide resting comfortably in his leather mitt after regaining consciousness and picking himself up off the dirt.
I've attended some 60 Red Sox games in my time and have seen my fair share of hard hits -- including a 440-foot laser beam off the bat of Jason Varitek -- courtesy of a hanging slider from Yankees starter Randy Johnson --that cleared the back of the Green Monster by a mere 8-10 feet before sailing into the back end of the Lansdowne Street parking lot -- but never in my life have I seen a ball hit that hard.
The Daily Grind
I haven't updated this space in a while. Not doing the radio show the other night was a huge disappointment for myself and Pratt. I hope we can do it again someday, until then the blog will have to do.
-Felix Hernandez hit a grand slam tonight off of Johan Santana in a pitching duel of maybe the two best Venezuela-born pitchers of all time. In case you were wondering Cleveland's Steve Dunning was the last AL pitcher to hit a grand slam, he did it on May 11th, 1971.
-Very excited for the NBA draft. If I had to pick the next sleeper second rounder, in the Powe/Glen Davis/Ryan Gomes mold, I'd pick Indiana's D.J. White. He has a solid, but not explosive down-low game, and he loves to chew glass. Some people might pick Joey Dorsey from Memphis, he could be an NBA contributor, but he has no offensive game whatsoever.
-Miami might trade Dwayne Wade to the Bulls for the first overall pick to go with the second-overall pick. I'm pretty sure this will never come to fruition. The pressure on the Bulls to draft the hometown hero in Derrick Rose is far too great. Miami should just select Michael Beasley. I know he doesn't really fill a need, but in the NBA draft, teams are much more successful selecting the best player available as opposed to reaching or trading down to "fill a need." The Miami front court of Marion, Beasley and Udonis Haslem will be mighty small, but they should be potent offensively. I'll write a million time over and over, if the Heat make all the right moves, they'll win fifty games next year. The roster should be pretty talented.
-The Indiana Pacers and the Toronto Raptors might swap injury-prone stars Jermaine O'Neal and T.J. Ford. I love the deal for the Pacers if Ford can stay healthy. Ford's got a strong handle, an aggressive move to the basket, and he might be single fastest player in the NBA. Jermaine O'Neal is not a good fit if the Raptors are trying to imitate the Suns' (former, now) seven-seconds-or-less offense. But this trade, coupled with the Raptors' management lack of interest in bringing in Mike D'Antoni, Marc Iavaroni, or Vinny Del Negro, means that Bryan Colangelo may be scrapping the mini-Suns plan.
-Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Kobe Bryant, Deron Williams, Dwayne Wade, Carlos Boozer, Jason Kidd, Chris Paul, Michael Redd, Tayshaun Prince, Dwight Howard and Lebron James. I've already memorized the entire roster for the US National team in the Beijing Olympics. I like it, I even love it. I don't like Jason Kidd at all, but Colangelo and Mike Krzyzewski love him. So, I hope and expect that those two know a lot more about basketball than I do. I would rather see Chris Paul start, but Jason Kidd is going to start. I would have liked to have seen Tyson Chandler on the roster, but picking Boozer over him is probably fair. I just hope the team doesn't get burned for not having a true center.
-Arizona is only 3.5 games in front of the LA Dodgers. The Philadelphia Phillies have lost five straight and are now only one game ahead of the Florida Marlins. Arizona has a weak run differential of +11, but the second-place Dodgers have a putrid -1 run differential... The other NL West teams have run differentials of -58 (Colorado), -46 (San Francisco), and -67 (San Diego). I'm not sure that run differential is the best statistic ever, but in this instance it shows me that NL West is at best a two-team race. For comparison's sake, the Red Sox sport an insane +65 run differential, made all the more impressive by the extended absences for players like Ortiz and Lowell... The Phillies, despite their recent slide and Utley's current 1-27 slide have a wonderful +79 rd (I've decided to start abbreviating it). Meanwhile the second-place Marlins have continued to be more lucky than good with a +2 rd. I like the Marlins team, but they've stayed very healthy, that seems likely to catch up with them. I trust the Marlins management to make an under-the-radar and/or a surprise move to improve the team and become a more serious threat to the Phillies.
-The Atlanta Braves are wasting a solid offensive season. Mark Texiera is starting to come around as an elite power hitter. Chipper Jones, though below .400, is still having a scorching season. Brian McCann may be the best offensive catcher in baseball. Kelly Johnson and Yunel Escobar have been exciting for the Braves up the middle. The pitching has been injury-riddled, my lasting memory of Braves pitching this season: Mike Hampton warming up in the bullpen for his first start in over two seasons, and gets hurt again. He grabbed something. I don't know what, and I didn't care to notice at the time either. It's just pathetic. I would expect Texiera to get traded because he is a free agent this coming off-season. It will be a tough pill for John Schuerholz and Bobby Cox to swallow since they probably want to have a couple more contending seasons before they both retire.
-Shaq was recently videotaped free-styling and dissing Kobe. Shaq noted that "Just last week, Kobe didn't win without me." He also blamed Kobe for his divorce. I thought the two of them were on good terms. I mean, I don't really care, but this may prove that they might have kissed and made up just to try to get ESPN to stop baiting them into trading barbs at one another. I am sure Shaq did not know he was being filmed, but I am sure he didn't really care when found out. When asked for comment, Shaq just claimed he wasn't serious. I am sure this story will die quickly because I am sure both Kobe and Shaq will say the right things, rather than give ABC any juice to promote a Christmas Day match-up between the Suns and the Lakers. You can see the video here.
Miscellaneous Video of the Day:
Snoop Dogg Loves Hockey!
He didn't know they weren't the "Mighty" Ducks anymore...
Old School Rap Video of the Day:
Heavy D and The Boyz- Is It Good To You?
Remember when Heavy D played the guidance counselor on Boston Public? And if you don't remember that. Store it in your trivia bank.
-Felix Hernandez hit a grand slam tonight off of Johan Santana in a pitching duel of maybe the two best Venezuela-born pitchers of all time. In case you were wondering Cleveland's Steve Dunning was the last AL pitcher to hit a grand slam, he did it on May 11th, 1971.
-Very excited for the NBA draft. If I had to pick the next sleeper second rounder, in the Powe/Glen Davis/Ryan Gomes mold, I'd pick Indiana's D.J. White. He has a solid, but not explosive down-low game, and he loves to chew glass. Some people might pick Joey Dorsey from Memphis, he could be an NBA contributor, but he has no offensive game whatsoever.
-Miami might trade Dwayne Wade to the Bulls for the first overall pick to go with the second-overall pick. I'm pretty sure this will never come to fruition. The pressure on the Bulls to draft the hometown hero in Derrick Rose is far too great. Miami should just select Michael Beasley. I know he doesn't really fill a need, but in the NBA draft, teams are much more successful selecting the best player available as opposed to reaching or trading down to "fill a need." The Miami front court of Marion, Beasley and Udonis Haslem will be mighty small, but they should be potent offensively. I'll write a million time over and over, if the Heat make all the right moves, they'll win fifty games next year. The roster should be pretty talented.
-The Indiana Pacers and the Toronto Raptors might swap injury-prone stars Jermaine O'Neal and T.J. Ford. I love the deal for the Pacers if Ford can stay healthy. Ford's got a strong handle, an aggressive move to the basket, and he might be single fastest player in the NBA. Jermaine O'Neal is not a good fit if the Raptors are trying to imitate the Suns' (former, now) seven-seconds-or-less offense. But this trade, coupled with the Raptors' management lack of interest in bringing in Mike D'Antoni, Marc Iavaroni, or Vinny Del Negro, means that Bryan Colangelo may be scrapping the mini-Suns plan.
-Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Kobe Bryant, Deron Williams, Dwayne Wade, Carlos Boozer, Jason Kidd, Chris Paul, Michael Redd, Tayshaun Prince, Dwight Howard and Lebron James. I've already memorized the entire roster for the US National team in the Beijing Olympics. I like it, I even love it. I don't like Jason Kidd at all, but Colangelo and Mike Krzyzewski love him. So, I hope and expect that those two know a lot more about basketball than I do. I would rather see Chris Paul start, but Jason Kidd is going to start. I would have liked to have seen Tyson Chandler on the roster, but picking Boozer over him is probably fair. I just hope the team doesn't get burned for not having a true center.
-Arizona is only 3.5 games in front of the LA Dodgers. The Philadelphia Phillies have lost five straight and are now only one game ahead of the Florida Marlins. Arizona has a weak run differential of +11, but the second-place Dodgers have a putrid -1 run differential... The other NL West teams have run differentials of -58 (Colorado), -46 (San Francisco), and -67 (San Diego). I'm not sure that run differential is the best statistic ever, but in this instance it shows me that NL West is at best a two-team race. For comparison's sake, the Red Sox sport an insane +65 run differential, made all the more impressive by the extended absences for players like Ortiz and Lowell... The Phillies, despite their recent slide and Utley's current 1-27 slide have a wonderful +79 rd (I've decided to start abbreviating it). Meanwhile the second-place Marlins have continued to be more lucky than good with a +2 rd. I like the Marlins team, but they've stayed very healthy, that seems likely to catch up with them. I trust the Marlins management to make an under-the-radar and/or a surprise move to improve the team and become a more serious threat to the Phillies.
-The Atlanta Braves are wasting a solid offensive season. Mark Texiera is starting to come around as an elite power hitter. Chipper Jones, though below .400, is still having a scorching season. Brian McCann may be the best offensive catcher in baseball. Kelly Johnson and Yunel Escobar have been exciting for the Braves up the middle. The pitching has been injury-riddled, my lasting memory of Braves pitching this season: Mike Hampton warming up in the bullpen for his first start in over two seasons, and gets hurt again. He grabbed something. I don't know what, and I didn't care to notice at the time either. It's just pathetic. I would expect Texiera to get traded because he is a free agent this coming off-season. It will be a tough pill for John Schuerholz and Bobby Cox to swallow since they probably want to have a couple more contending seasons before they both retire.
-Shaq was recently videotaped free-styling and dissing Kobe. Shaq noted that "Just last week, Kobe didn't win without me." He also blamed Kobe for his divorce. I thought the two of them were on good terms. I mean, I don't really care, but this may prove that they might have kissed and made up just to try to get ESPN to stop baiting them into trading barbs at one another. I am sure Shaq did not know he was being filmed, but I am sure he didn't really care when found out. When asked for comment, Shaq just claimed he wasn't serious. I am sure this story will die quickly because I am sure both Kobe and Shaq will say the right things, rather than give ABC any juice to promote a Christmas Day match-up between the Suns and the Lakers. You can see the video here.
Miscellaneous Video of the Day:
Snoop Dogg Loves Hockey!
He didn't know they weren't the "Mighty" Ducks anymore...
Old School Rap Video of the Day:
Heavy D and The Boyz- Is It Good To You?
Remember when Heavy D played the guidance counselor on Boston Public? And if you don't remember that. Store it in your trivia bank.
Friday, June 20, 2008
So Long Schill
Curt Schilling will have surgery next week on his ailing right shoulder, ending his 2008 season and likely spelling an end to his 20-year big league career.
Schilling hadn't logged one inning for the Sox this season, and didn't throw a pitch in spring training, after an off-season shoulder injury kept him out of action. He had been attempting to comeback later this season, and even started throwing a few bullpen sessions the past few weeks, but a few setbacks and excruciating pain in his arm left Schilling with no choice but to opt for surgery.
Schilling publicly disclosed the injury this past winter, and feuded with the team over treatment methods. Schilling wanted to have surgery, which would have effectively ended his season, but the Sox suggest rehabilitation as means of healing. After seeking a 3rd opinion, Schill went with the team's advice.
Schilling, who first broke into the big leagues with Baltimore in 1988, earned his 216th career win last September 25th in a 7-3 Red Sox victory over Oakland that now appears to have been the portly right-hander's final regular season start.
His final numbers -- 216 wins, 3.46 ERA, 3,116 K's, 4.38 K/BB ratio -- are good enough to earn him a place in Cooperstown. His 10-2 post-season record, with a gaudy 2.23 ERA in 133 innings pitched, ranks him among the greatest post-season pitchers in baseball history, and may well be enough to get him into Cooperstown on his first few ballots. In the 2001 World Series, Schilling started 3 games against the Yankees, picking up a victory and two no-decisions, and was named Co-World Series MVP for helping lead the Diamondbacks to the franchise's first -- and only -- championship.
On a more opinionated note, you can say what you want about Curt Schilling. He was a blowhard. He loved the limelight a little too much. He couldn't keep his mouth shut. But there's no denying his talent and the fact he did it with integrity.
There's a certain well-known pitcher with whom Schilling has many similarities. Both Schill and Clemens were rather portly right-handers who relied on the same two pitches (fastball and splitter), the same workout regiment and neither man was afraid to step in front of a camera or take the ball in big games. The biggest difference between them is that Schilling actually performed in big games, never allowing himself to be out-pitched by Jeff Suppan in a must-win game, never using sketchy injury excuses to leave a post-season game and certainly never asking out of a potential World Series clincher.
Oh, and Schilling didn't bother shooting up with Winstrol and HGH. I always thought the aged Schilling -- the guy with the 88 MPH heater who couldn't rely on a big-time fastball to blow hitters away anymore, the guy who had to learn how to become a finesse pitcher to get hitters out-- was the perfect example of what Clemens would have looked like had he chosen not to bastardize the game, throw his wife and best friend under the bus and commit perjury in front of the United States government.
During the autumn of his career, Schilling basically reinvented himself on the mound and began throwing change-ups, curveballs and whatever the hell else he could muster to fool opposing batters and keep them off-balanced at the plate. He had to hit all his spots. When you throw 95, you can afford to pitch in the strike zone. You can make mistakes. But when you're throwing 88 and can't dial it up anymore? You don't have that sort of luxury. Almost every pitch needs to be perfect or else you're going to get hit, hard. Schilling understood that, and more importantly, he wasn't afraid of it. He wasn't scared of getting knocked around as he made adjustments to his repertoire, fine tuning his mechanics and pitch selection to survive in the big leagues. He didn't need to take short-cuts to accomplish his achievements. He didn't need to amplify an already over-inflated sense of self-worth like Clemens did. Sure, he liked the accolades, and he loved being on top, but he didn't need to step over anyone to get there.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Late Night Preview 6/19/08
I'm not afraid to say it: tomorrow night's show will be our best one yet. We've already put in a few hours of prep-time, formulating talking points and planning our interviews, which should pay dividends.
We've got resident NBA expert Brian Maurer coming on to talk about the C's improbable victory in Game 6 and how the Men in Green pulled off the upset. We'll also talk about the fate of James Posey, who can either exercise his $3.4 million player option next season or become an unrestricted free-agent.
We've also got Peter Nussbaum, founder of supersonicsoul.com, one of the best Seattle Supersonics' blogs on the internet, coming on to talk about the team's undetermined future, Kevin Durant's development and the now famous Ray Allen trade from last summer.
And I don't want to spoil it, but we're very excited and deeply honored to have one of the nation's leading political/broadcast news analysts join us during the 2nd half of the show. Again, I can't say too much about it, but it may be our best and most exciting interview to date. If you want to know about Keith Olbermann's latest extra-martial affair, or Katie Couric's trip to the hair salon on 5th Avenue, you won't want to miss this.
Join us for all this and much more -- including baseball talk with Old Man Dave Bartlett and a new segment entitled "What The Hell is Bill Walton Talking About?" -- tomorrow night at 10 PM, only on etin.emerson.edu
We've got resident NBA expert Brian Maurer coming on to talk about the C's improbable victory in Game 6 and how the Men in Green pulled off the upset. We'll also talk about the fate of James Posey, who can either exercise his $3.4 million player option next season or become an unrestricted free-agent.
We've also got Peter Nussbaum, founder of supersonicsoul.com, one of the best Seattle Supersonics' blogs on the internet, coming on to talk about the team's undetermined future, Kevin Durant's development and the now famous Ray Allen trade from last summer.
And I don't want to spoil it, but we're very excited and deeply honored to have one of the nation's leading political/broadcast news analysts join us during the 2nd half of the show. Again, I can't say too much about it, but it may be our best and most exciting interview to date. If you want to know about Keith Olbermann's latest extra-martial affair, or Katie Couric's trip to the hair salon on 5th Avenue, you won't want to miss this.
Join us for all this and much more -- including baseball talk with Old Man Dave Bartlett and a new segment entitled "What The Hell is Bill Walton Talking About?" -- tomorrow night at 10 PM, only on etin.emerson.edu
The Daily Grind
-FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Yankees are once again bringing aboard Sidney Ponson. Ponson left the Rangers on bad terms, but he was off to a torrid start with a 3.88 ERA. It's not likely that he'll keep that up. He had a 6.25 ERA in 16 starts, 19 appearances for the Yankees in 2006. This won't stop the Yankees from pursuing a more permanent staple for their rotation. Look for the Bedard, Sabathia, Harang and Arroyo rumors to continue.
-The Mariners apparently will begin the rebuilding process by releasing Richie Sexson. This will lead to Kenji Johjima to get more starts at first base, and that will in turn free up starts behind the plate for prospect Jeff Clement. It's clear the interim management in Seattle is really looking to clean house and get the awful taste of Bill Bavasi out of their mouths as quickly as possible.
-Tiger Woods will now missing the rest of the 2008 calendar year with a torn ACL. I am not a huge golf guy, but watching Tiger this weekend was a pretty cathartic experience. It really finally set in with me that he is the best professional athlete I have ever seen in my life. He's better than Jordan, Gretzky, Brady, Federer, etc... Its a sad day for golf, Tiger will miss the British Open, it'll be the first major he has missed since turning pro in 1996. Very unfortunate situation.
-The Lakers did not play a lick of defense, and no one denies that. But I don't think that Phil Jackson's rotations did the team any favors. Vladimir Radmanovic and Derek Fisher are pretty solid players with the 3-ball. Vlad shot 38% for the series from downtown, Fisher only shot 18%. But, thats not the point. A few names: Trevor Ariza, Jordan Farmar and Ronny Turiaf. Three players who did not get nearly enough burn in the series for the Lakers, and guys who play pretty solid defense with a mean streak.
-I was at the Celtics game last night. The atmosphere was crazy. The crowd started tons of anti-LA/anti-Kobe chants ("Beat LA," "No Means No," "Where's Kobe?" etc), I did not really participate. That is not to say I didn't cheer and/or vocally get into the game, I did, but it was kind of a personal experience for me. While everyone else in the building was seemingly convincing themselves the game and the championship was a wrap at halftime, I was constantly trying to create situations in my head that will get LA back into the game. This continued until there were 6 game-minutes left. I am crazy, I know.
I also felt I kept to myself throughout the game because I feel like I approach being a Celtics fan from a somewhat unique position. I am not a Celtics fan because of the history of the franchise. That is not to say I do not respect the history. I do. And I know quite a bit about it. And I love listening to scribes like Bob Ryan tell great stories about the great history of the Celtics. I am a Celtics fan because of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Eddie House, etc, you get the idea. The last five years I have fallen in love over and over again with the roster. I loved Delonte West, and I loved Al Jefferson. Scratch that, I still love those guys. The point is, I loved to immerse myself in the team, discover what certain players did well, and what they didn't do well. And I loved watching college basketball, ruffling through looking for players I thought could help the Celtics or oppose the Celtics in coming years. I will admit I loved Rafael Arajuo. Yeah, I know he sucks, or sucked... He might be out of the league.
For years prior to this, I loved to talk about the Celtics to anyone who would listen, and there weren't that many of them. I loved to talk about Jefferson, Delonte, Rondo and Perkins. I love to talk about their strengths and weaknesses. I loved to talk about how hard they all played, and how while I wasn't sure they were good enough to bring a banner to Boston, I was sure they would make most Celtics fans proud.
Then this year happened. And I was honestly lost. Suddenly I wasn't the only Celtics expert I knew. Everyone thought they were an expert. Instead of trying to dissect losses, and find the positives. I was forced to try to follow and understand winning, at an overwhelming 80.5% clip. I had to totally change my perspective as a Celtics fan, and as a basketball fan as a whole. I had trouble watching college basketball because, what reinforcements did the team need? Eventually I found my way, and I got on-board, it was harder than it should have been. It all happened so quickly over the last twelve months, it's hard for me to put it in words. It seems like just yesterday I was looking at the Globe the day after the draft lottery and seeing a picture of Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers facing the media with their heads down.
Congratulations to Paul Pierce. My favorite basketball player of all time. I have watched him play more than any other professional athlete in person, and on television. Pierce is a fascinating individual. He is not a petulant superstar, but he's not a team-first, me-second guy either. But he's the captain of the greatest basketball team in the world. It was worth the $450 just to see Paul Pierce on the stage as the MVP of the NBA Finals. Although Ray Allen probably should have been the MVP, if its based just on performance. But we all know there is an element of sentimentality and politics involved in the award.
-Getting into the NBA Draft, because it is time for that. Most reports (including ESPN's Chad Ford) seem to indicate that Chicago will take Derrick Rose with the first overall pick. That would leave Miami in line to pick Michael Beasley. But this is where it gets tricky, because Pat Riley is reportedly not high on either Rose or Beasley. I guess Miami seems to dislike Beasley's motor, worried he might be the next Derrick Coleman. And a lot of people out of Miami seem to think that a Rose-Wade back court might not work out since they are both primarily slashers and sub-par jump-shooters. O.J. Mayo could be the pick, or the Heat could trade the pick to Memphis for Kyle Lowry, Mike Miller and the fifth overall pick. Minnesota, I think, despite a lot of smoke and mirrors, will select whoever remains of Mayo, Rose, or Beasley.
If I am Pat Riley, I need a point guard who can shoot and get the ball to the best slasher in the NBA (when healthy), Dwayne Wade in space. Derrick Rose, though an immense talent, does not seem to fit that description. O.J. Mayo can fit the description, and he's a great talent, but he seems like more a two-guard, and he might not be able to share the ball efficiently with Wade. The Memphis trade intrigues me. I am not saying I love it for the Heat, but it is something to think about. Mike Miller would be a great replacement for Jason Kapono, whose 3 point shooting the Heat sorely missed this year. Dwayne Wade slashes to the hoop, passes out of a double-team to a wide-open Mike Miller. Swish. Heat fans could get used to that. Kyle Lowry is not a great shooter, but he has the makings of a solid NBA point guard. Lowry's AST, a Hollinger stat that measures the percentage of a player's possessions that end in assists was 33% in his 2006-2007 regular season, which would have put him the company of Rajon Rondo and Chris Paul this past year. I'll say it a bunch of times in the coming weeks and months: a healthy Dwayne Wade, a big PF signing/trade in the form of Elton Brand, Shawn Marion, and some polished young players... The Heat could turn things around very quickly.
-I missed Sean Grande's call last night. I guess Cedric Maxwell messed it up by screaming, "I got the ball," after the game ball fell in his lap. That's really too bad. If I hadn't been at the game, I would have muted the TV to hear Grande's call. If anyone's got a link for it, let me know.
-Pratt and I will go pretty in-depth with this tomorrow night, but I'm just gonna drop a quick list of teams that will offer James Posey the full Mid-Level Exception (and it will take the full MLE to sign him): The Celtics, Bulls, Lakers, Heat, Wizards, Cavaliers, Pistons, Magic, Hawks, Jazz and Hornets. I know any team will love to have him, he's a great glue guy, but any team with 0% chance of winning a title or going deep in the playoffs might as well not bother. Posey knows that, and the teams know that as well. The Rockets wont inquire unless they move Shane Battier. The Mavericks, I think, are on the way down. He won't go there, and they'd be fools to even ask. The Spurs, I think would be a good fit, but they like to discover their glue guys, so they'll hold down the fort with Bruce Bowen and Ime Udoku. Much more on this later. It's the biggest plot of the Celtics off-season. Yes, bigger than the draft.
-San Diego and Los Angeles might be big buyers in the trade market. Arizona has begun to falter badly, their young offense has been sputtering. The management of the Padres and the Dodgers may believe they could steal a weak division with a major upgrade or two.
Tune in tomorrow night... http://etin.emerson.edu have ITUNES or Windows Media Player ready. Its going to be a great show. Check back to the blog later tonight/tomorrow for the big preview page.
Miscellaneous Video of the Day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UUBC8NoQgA
The Brian Scalabrine Presser after the Celtics clinched the title. Is he the smartest or dumbest human being alive? Maybe that's not the right question. Is he Bill Walton without the talent? A more open-ended question: What the heck do you make of this guy?
Old School Rap Video of the Day:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1hZKN4AZ63g
The Pharcyde- "Runnin'"
Labcabincalifornia, their 1995 albums is one of my all-time favorite rap albums. A truly unique gem. Check it out if this is new to you. It shouldn't be new to you.
-The Mariners apparently will begin the rebuilding process by releasing Richie Sexson. This will lead to Kenji Johjima to get more starts at first base, and that will in turn free up starts behind the plate for prospect Jeff Clement. It's clear the interim management in Seattle is really looking to clean house and get the awful taste of Bill Bavasi out of their mouths as quickly as possible.
-Tiger Woods will now missing the rest of the 2008 calendar year with a torn ACL. I am not a huge golf guy, but watching Tiger this weekend was a pretty cathartic experience. It really finally set in with me that he is the best professional athlete I have ever seen in my life. He's better than Jordan, Gretzky, Brady, Federer, etc... Its a sad day for golf, Tiger will miss the British Open, it'll be the first major he has missed since turning pro in 1996. Very unfortunate situation.
-The Lakers did not play a lick of defense, and no one denies that. But I don't think that Phil Jackson's rotations did the team any favors. Vladimir Radmanovic and Derek Fisher are pretty solid players with the 3-ball. Vlad shot 38% for the series from downtown, Fisher only shot 18%. But, thats not the point. A few names: Trevor Ariza, Jordan Farmar and Ronny Turiaf. Three players who did not get nearly enough burn in the series for the Lakers, and guys who play pretty solid defense with a mean streak.
-I was at the Celtics game last night. The atmosphere was crazy. The crowd started tons of anti-LA/anti-Kobe chants ("Beat LA," "No Means No," "Where's Kobe?" etc), I did not really participate. That is not to say I didn't cheer and/or vocally get into the game, I did, but it was kind of a personal experience for me. While everyone else in the building was seemingly convincing themselves the game and the championship was a wrap at halftime, I was constantly trying to create situations in my head that will get LA back into the game. This continued until there were 6 game-minutes left. I am crazy, I know.
I also felt I kept to myself throughout the game because I feel like I approach being a Celtics fan from a somewhat unique position. I am not a Celtics fan because of the history of the franchise. That is not to say I do not respect the history. I do. And I know quite a bit about it. And I love listening to scribes like Bob Ryan tell great stories about the great history of the Celtics. I am a Celtics fan because of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Eddie House, etc, you get the idea. The last five years I have fallen in love over and over again with the roster. I loved Delonte West, and I loved Al Jefferson. Scratch that, I still love those guys. The point is, I loved to immerse myself in the team, discover what certain players did well, and what they didn't do well. And I loved watching college basketball, ruffling through looking for players I thought could help the Celtics or oppose the Celtics in coming years. I will admit I loved Rafael Arajuo. Yeah, I know he sucks, or sucked... He might be out of the league.
For years prior to this, I loved to talk about the Celtics to anyone who would listen, and there weren't that many of them. I loved to talk about Jefferson, Delonte, Rondo and Perkins. I love to talk about their strengths and weaknesses. I loved to talk about how hard they all played, and how while I wasn't sure they were good enough to bring a banner to Boston, I was sure they would make most Celtics fans proud.
Then this year happened. And I was honestly lost. Suddenly I wasn't the only Celtics expert I knew. Everyone thought they were an expert. Instead of trying to dissect losses, and find the positives. I was forced to try to follow and understand winning, at an overwhelming 80.5% clip. I had to totally change my perspective as a Celtics fan, and as a basketball fan as a whole. I had trouble watching college basketball because, what reinforcements did the team need? Eventually I found my way, and I got on-board, it was harder than it should have been. It all happened so quickly over the last twelve months, it's hard for me to put it in words. It seems like just yesterday I was looking at the Globe the day after the draft lottery and seeing a picture of Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers facing the media with their heads down.
Congratulations to Paul Pierce. My favorite basketball player of all time. I have watched him play more than any other professional athlete in person, and on television. Pierce is a fascinating individual. He is not a petulant superstar, but he's not a team-first, me-second guy either. But he's the captain of the greatest basketball team in the world. It was worth the $450 just to see Paul Pierce on the stage as the MVP of the NBA Finals. Although Ray Allen probably should have been the MVP, if its based just on performance. But we all know there is an element of sentimentality and politics involved in the award.
-Getting into the NBA Draft, because it is time for that. Most reports (including ESPN's Chad Ford) seem to indicate that Chicago will take Derrick Rose with the first overall pick. That would leave Miami in line to pick Michael Beasley. But this is where it gets tricky, because Pat Riley is reportedly not high on either Rose or Beasley. I guess Miami seems to dislike Beasley's motor, worried he might be the next Derrick Coleman. And a lot of people out of Miami seem to think that a Rose-Wade back court might not work out since they are both primarily slashers and sub-par jump-shooters. O.J. Mayo could be the pick, or the Heat could trade the pick to Memphis for Kyle Lowry, Mike Miller and the fifth overall pick. Minnesota, I think, despite a lot of smoke and mirrors, will select whoever remains of Mayo, Rose, or Beasley.
If I am Pat Riley, I need a point guard who can shoot and get the ball to the best slasher in the NBA (when healthy), Dwayne Wade in space. Derrick Rose, though an immense talent, does not seem to fit that description. O.J. Mayo can fit the description, and he's a great talent, but he seems like more a two-guard, and he might not be able to share the ball efficiently with Wade. The Memphis trade intrigues me. I am not saying I love it for the Heat, but it is something to think about. Mike Miller would be a great replacement for Jason Kapono, whose 3 point shooting the Heat sorely missed this year. Dwayne Wade slashes to the hoop, passes out of a double-team to a wide-open Mike Miller. Swish. Heat fans could get used to that. Kyle Lowry is not a great shooter, but he has the makings of a solid NBA point guard. Lowry's AST, a Hollinger stat that measures the percentage of a player's possessions that end in assists was 33% in his 2006-2007 regular season, which would have put him the company of Rajon Rondo and Chris Paul this past year. I'll say it a bunch of times in the coming weeks and months: a healthy Dwayne Wade, a big PF signing/trade in the form of Elton Brand, Shawn Marion, and some polished young players... The Heat could turn things around very quickly.
-I missed Sean Grande's call last night. I guess Cedric Maxwell messed it up by screaming, "I got the ball," after the game ball fell in his lap. That's really too bad. If I hadn't been at the game, I would have muted the TV to hear Grande's call. If anyone's got a link for it, let me know.
-Pratt and I will go pretty in-depth with this tomorrow night, but I'm just gonna drop a quick list of teams that will offer James Posey the full Mid-Level Exception (and it will take the full MLE to sign him): The Celtics, Bulls, Lakers, Heat, Wizards, Cavaliers, Pistons, Magic, Hawks, Jazz and Hornets. I know any team will love to have him, he's a great glue guy, but any team with 0% chance of winning a title or going deep in the playoffs might as well not bother. Posey knows that, and the teams know that as well. The Rockets wont inquire unless they move Shane Battier. The Mavericks, I think, are on the way down. He won't go there, and they'd be fools to even ask. The Spurs, I think would be a good fit, but they like to discover their glue guys, so they'll hold down the fort with Bruce Bowen and Ime Udoku. Much more on this later. It's the biggest plot of the Celtics off-season. Yes, bigger than the draft.
-San Diego and Los Angeles might be big buyers in the trade market. Arizona has begun to falter badly, their young offense has been sputtering. The management of the Padres and the Dodgers may believe they could steal a weak division with a major upgrade or two.
Tune in tomorrow night... http://etin.emerson.edu have ITUNES or Windows Media Player ready. Its going to be a great show. Check back to the blog later tonight/tomorrow for the big preview page.
Miscellaneous Video of the Day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UUBC8NoQgA
The Brian Scalabrine Presser after the Celtics clinched the title. Is he the smartest or dumbest human being alive? Maybe that's not the right question. Is he Bill Walton without the talent? A more open-ended question: What the heck do you make of this guy?
Old School Rap Video of the Day:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1hZKN4AZ63g
The Pharcyde- "Runnin'"
Labcabincalifornia, their 1995 albums is one of my all-time favorite rap albums. A truly unique gem. Check it out if this is new to you. It shouldn't be new to you.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
The Daily Grind
-The Randolph firing finally came out of the New York Mets early this morning around 3am. I am sure I am not the first to tell you this. It's a truly bizarre situation. The team wins 3 out of 4, they are on the West Coast, its 3AM, and that's when the second shoe drops? No one was surprised to see Randolph's tenure come to an end, but the timing was sketchy. This all leaves a black mark on the Wilpon family and GM Omar Minaya. How could Omar and the owners make him fly to California knowing he was going to fire him? A real classless act.
Jerry Manuel will be the next manager of the Mets. He has previous experience as a manager with the White Sox. I think his tenure in Chicago was a mixed bag, and I certainly don't expect him to wave a magic wand and correct the problem in Queens. I would have brought in a fresh face, but that is tough to do in-season. It's unlikely that Manuel will keep the job going into the 2009 season unless the Mets make the postseason. This team, at 34-35, can turn it around, they haven't played one game with their anticipated 25-man roster. Players like Jose Reyes, David Wright and Aaron Heilman have probably underperformed. So there is hope.
Omar Minaya says on Friday, before the Rangers series that Willie's job was safe. After the team wins 3 of 4, he fires him? It really doesn't make any sense. Two big questions: What could have changed in the mind of Omar over a successful weekend? Since I am sure that ownership had a hand in this, how could they have ratcheted up the pressure on Omar to do this over a successful weekend?
-I am wondering if The Dallas Cowboys should just grant Terry Glenn his release. Glenn has been very adamant about not wanting to sign the team's injury waiver, that would drop his salary from 1.7 million to 500,000 if he gets hurt again. Jerry Jones has stood his ground, demanding the waiver be signed before Glenn steps onto the practice field. With Terrell Owens, Patrick Crayton, Sam Hurd and Miles Austin, the team survived without him last year, they can do it again this year. The Cowboy's achilles' heel last year was their secondary defense, not their receiving corps.
-Rotoworld.com is reporting that Chauncey Billups will be left off the Team USA roster, making it likely that Deron Williams, Chris Paul and Dwayne Wade will all be on the team. I am surprised to see Wade on the team, if I were Pat Riley, I really wouldn't be happy about this. Wade has never played an 82-game regular season in the NBA. Wade has missed 95 games in five seasons. I know Billups' hamstring was a concern, but it shouldn't make Wade a default choice for the team. And I don't care that Pratt doesn't want me to talk about it.
Its a short one tonight, I'm heading to the Garden for a basketball game...
Old School Rap Video of the Day:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=iOJRwfTqWbM
"Time 4 Sum Aksion"-Redman
One of the most underrated rappers of all time. I know, he's made his funny movies, tv specials. But he's recorded some solid tunes.
Miscellaneous Video of the Day:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ccgXjA2BLEY
Bubb Rubb and Lil' Sis. I am sure a lot of you have seen this. It's a great video. The whistle's go woo-woo...
Jerry Manuel will be the next manager of the Mets. He has previous experience as a manager with the White Sox. I think his tenure in Chicago was a mixed bag, and I certainly don't expect him to wave a magic wand and correct the problem in Queens. I would have brought in a fresh face, but that is tough to do in-season. It's unlikely that Manuel will keep the job going into the 2009 season unless the Mets make the postseason. This team, at 34-35, can turn it around, they haven't played one game with their anticipated 25-man roster. Players like Jose Reyes, David Wright and Aaron Heilman have probably underperformed. So there is hope.
Omar Minaya says on Friday, before the Rangers series that Willie's job was safe. After the team wins 3 of 4, he fires him? It really doesn't make any sense. Two big questions: What could have changed in the mind of Omar over a successful weekend? Since I am sure that ownership had a hand in this, how could they have ratcheted up the pressure on Omar to do this over a successful weekend?
-I am wondering if The Dallas Cowboys should just grant Terry Glenn his release. Glenn has been very adamant about not wanting to sign the team's injury waiver, that would drop his salary from 1.7 million to 500,000 if he gets hurt again. Jerry Jones has stood his ground, demanding the waiver be signed before Glenn steps onto the practice field. With Terrell Owens, Patrick Crayton, Sam Hurd and Miles Austin, the team survived without him last year, they can do it again this year. The Cowboy's achilles' heel last year was their secondary defense, not their receiving corps.
-Rotoworld.com is reporting that Chauncey Billups will be left off the Team USA roster, making it likely that Deron Williams, Chris Paul and Dwayne Wade will all be on the team. I am surprised to see Wade on the team, if I were Pat Riley, I really wouldn't be happy about this. Wade has never played an 82-game regular season in the NBA. Wade has missed 95 games in five seasons. I know Billups' hamstring was a concern, but it shouldn't make Wade a default choice for the team. And I don't care that Pratt doesn't want me to talk about it.
Its a short one tonight, I'm heading to the Garden for a basketball game...
Old School Rap Video of the Day:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=iOJRwfTqWbM
"Time 4 Sum Aksion"-Redman
One of the most underrated rappers of all time. I know, he's made his funny movies, tv specials. But he's recorded some solid tunes.
Miscellaneous Video of the Day:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ccgXjA2BLEY
Bubb Rubb and Lil' Sis. I am sure a lot of you have seen this. It's a great video. The whistle's go woo-woo...
Monday, June 16, 2008
The Daily Grind
I am slowly recovering mentally from the LSATs. You don't want my complaints. I have got a job to do and I don't intend to let you guys down.
-I was pretty humbled by Pratt's rebuttal of my bit in my last "Grind." I'll leave it at that. I hate being corrected. Especially when I'm wrong.
-I am currently watching the Mariners-Marlins game (along with five other people). The Mariners are selling Ken Griffey Jr. HR #600 commemorative bats. This is beyond sad. The bat contains all of Griffey's myriad accomplishments printed along with the Mariners logo. Also, the bat makes a point of mentioning that Griffey has not played for the team since 1999. Its sad. Almost as sad as Griffey thinking Tampa Bay really wants anything to do with him. Yes, I have partially contradicted myself after learning Griffey is 1-21 since hitting his 600th home run. He would help the Rays sell tickets, but he would make them a qualified worse baseball team.
-Staying on the subject of the Mariners. Bill Bavasi was finally let go as GM of the team. The team went 322-395 during his tenure. They currently have the worst record in baseball despite a 100-million-plus payroll that is in the top ten in all of baseball. Rotoworld.com had a great rip, as they often do: "We'd list Bavasi's poor decisions, but it'd probably overload the Rotoworld servers." Rob Neyer also had some pretty damning stuff to say: "Bavasi took over after 2003, in which the M's won 93 games and fell two games short of the wild card. In 2004, they lost 99 games, then 93 more in 2005. In '06, they were respectable but still finished last. And last year, they somehow lucked into 88 wins despite being outscored. In fact, here's the most damning fact about Bavasi's five seasons at the helm: The Mariners were outscored in each of those five seasons." Just an awful job all-around, he won't get another personnel job for a while.
-I am going to the Celtics game tomorrow night, at great personal expense. As I have written in this space, I cannot write objectively about the Celtics. Furthermore, I don't to write about what I cannot write about objectively. We'll see what I churn out when the Finals are over.
-Bill Bavasi being ousted at Seattle GM. Chien-Ming Wang spending the majority of the remainder of the regular season on the DL. These two developments may expediate trade talks in the MLB. Seattle probably wont be able to move Sexson's gargantuan contract, but Beltre's looks movable. Also, Erik Bedard is only signed through the 2009 season, don't be surprised to see him moved, even though they traded for him just this offseason. Jose Vidro can be had for nothing...
Also, as mentioned above, look for the Yankees to make a move with Wang out for such a long time. Maybe Pratt can enlighten me, do they have the pieces to go and get C.C. Sabathia? With Wang out, I wouldn't be least bit surprised to see Cashman make a serious push for Sabathia. The team is totally without a top-shelve starter.
-The AP just confirmed a report out of Las Vegas, that I read on rotoworld.com: "Raiders WR Javon Walker was found unconscious with an 'orbital fracture' on Flamingo Boulevard just off the Las Vegas strip early Monday morning. He was the victim of an apparent robbery.
The AP has confirmed a Fox 5 report. Walker was listed in fair condition at an area hospital Monday with 'significant" injuries.' The Raiders were 'gathering information' Monday. The Las Vegas Review Journal spotted Walker Saturday night at the Wynn spraying Dom Perignon champagne he ordered."
Edit: AP is investigating it as a possible robbery.
-A classic "Don't Look Now" scenario. The Detroit Tigers enter tonights game against the San Francisco Giants 8-2 in their last ten, on a six game winning streak. Fernando Rodney is back with the club, and Joel Zumaya is due back for the club's weekend series against Sand Diego. Marcus Thames last seven hits, including tonight have been home runs. The team currently sits six games behind the first-place White Sox, with a win tonight they would move into a third-place tie (5.5 GB) with idle Cleveland.
Miscellaneous Video of the Day:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=M2phGzJUwmo&feature=user
Lyle the Intern, if you haven't seen him yet. One of the best Letterman characters in some time. Played by Jimmi Simpsons of the Carnivale and Always Sunny in Philadelphia fame.
Old-School Rap Video of the Day:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=c-IJ9vbdNfA
The DOC- "The Formula"
A car accident ended his rap career far too soon. Nonetheless, another Dr. Dre disciple. Does anyone have a more impressive list of discoveries than Dr. Dre?
-I was pretty humbled by Pratt's rebuttal of my bit in my last "Grind." I'll leave it at that. I hate being corrected. Especially when I'm wrong.
-I am currently watching the Mariners-Marlins game (along with five other people). The Mariners are selling Ken Griffey Jr. HR #600 commemorative bats. This is beyond sad. The bat contains all of Griffey's myriad accomplishments printed along with the Mariners logo. Also, the bat makes a point of mentioning that Griffey has not played for the team since 1999. Its sad. Almost as sad as Griffey thinking Tampa Bay really wants anything to do with him. Yes, I have partially contradicted myself after learning Griffey is 1-21 since hitting his 600th home run. He would help the Rays sell tickets, but he would make them a qualified worse baseball team.
-Staying on the subject of the Mariners. Bill Bavasi was finally let go as GM of the team. The team went 322-395 during his tenure. They currently have the worst record in baseball despite a 100-million-plus payroll that is in the top ten in all of baseball. Rotoworld.com had a great rip, as they often do: "We'd list Bavasi's poor decisions, but it'd probably overload the Rotoworld servers." Rob Neyer also had some pretty damning stuff to say: "Bavasi took over after 2003, in which the M's won 93 games and fell two games short of the wild card. In 2004, they lost 99 games, then 93 more in 2005. In '06, they were respectable but still finished last. And last year, they somehow lucked into 88 wins despite being outscored. In fact, here's the most damning fact about Bavasi's five seasons at the helm: The Mariners were outscored in each of those five seasons." Just an awful job all-around, he won't get another personnel job for a while.
-I am going to the Celtics game tomorrow night, at great personal expense. As I have written in this space, I cannot write objectively about the Celtics. Furthermore, I don't to write about what I cannot write about objectively. We'll see what I churn out when the Finals are over.
-Bill Bavasi being ousted at Seattle GM. Chien-Ming Wang spending the majority of the remainder of the regular season on the DL. These two developments may expediate trade talks in the MLB. Seattle probably wont be able to move Sexson's gargantuan contract, but Beltre's looks movable. Also, Erik Bedard is only signed through the 2009 season, don't be surprised to see him moved, even though they traded for him just this offseason. Jose Vidro can be had for nothing...
Also, as mentioned above, look for the Yankees to make a move with Wang out for such a long time. Maybe Pratt can enlighten me, do they have the pieces to go and get C.C. Sabathia? With Wang out, I wouldn't be least bit surprised to see Cashman make a serious push for Sabathia. The team is totally without a top-shelve starter.
-The AP just confirmed a report out of Las Vegas, that I read on rotoworld.com: "Raiders WR Javon Walker was found unconscious with an 'orbital fracture' on Flamingo Boulevard just off the Las Vegas strip early Monday morning. He was the victim of an apparent robbery.
The AP has confirmed a Fox 5 report. Walker was listed in fair condition at an area hospital Monday with 'significant" injuries.' The Raiders were 'gathering information' Monday. The Las Vegas Review Journal spotted Walker Saturday night at the Wynn spraying Dom Perignon champagne he ordered."
Edit: AP is investigating it as a possible robbery.
-A classic "Don't Look Now" scenario. The Detroit Tigers enter tonights game against the San Francisco Giants 8-2 in their last ten, on a six game winning streak. Fernando Rodney is back with the club, and Joel Zumaya is due back for the club's weekend series against Sand Diego. Marcus Thames last seven hits, including tonight have been home runs. The team currently sits six games behind the first-place White Sox, with a win tonight they would move into a third-place tie (5.5 GB) with idle Cleveland.
Miscellaneous Video of the Day:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=M2phGzJUwmo&feature=user
Lyle the Intern, if you haven't seen him yet. One of the best Letterman characters in some time. Played by Jimmi Simpsons of the Carnivale and Always Sunny in Philadelphia fame.
Old-School Rap Video of the Day:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=c-IJ9vbdNfA
The DOC- "The Formula"
A car accident ended his rap career far too soon. Nonetheless, another Dr. Dre disciple. Does anyone have a more impressive list of discoveries than Dr. Dre?
A Stat-Geek's Diamond Perspective
I'm reading my esteemed colleague's blog-post yesterday about Tim Russert, something to do with USA basketball (nobody cares, Sammy), and the Yankees-Astros series, when I came across something that caught my eye.
"The offense has some strong names with Berkman, Carlos Lee, and Miguel Tejada, but they're 9th in the NL with 311 runs. The 'Stros are tied with the Phillies at 5th in the NL with a team BA of .264. The difference is the Phillies have scored 381 runs. This Houston team does not make the most of their base hits."
I took the liberty of highlighting his last sentence, because it couldn't be more wrong. Indeed, both Houston and Philly have the same team batting average, and Philly has plated 70 more runners this season, but the significant difference in runs scored isn't due to Houston's inability to make the most of their hits, as Sammy suggests.
Looking at this more critically, you'll notice that Philly has a higher team on-base percentage(.343) than Houston (.322). So while Philly and Houston have indentical batting averages, the Phils have put more runners on base (clogging up the bases is good!), and they've taken advantage of it.
Of course all this underscores the importance of OBP%, the single most important offensive statistic in baseball. It measures how often a player doesn't make an out, which is pretty important when you're limited to just 27 per game.
The Astros are hitting about as well as we expected, but the problem is they don't have runners on base to benefit from these hits. Hitters, like the immortal Lance Berkman, have hot streaks, but they also go into slumps. And it's important for these hitters to find a way on base -- taking a walk -- when mired in a 3-25 slump, because those things happen.
All this is a perfect seque into my post. I think I should point out I'm not trying to pick on Sammy. I'm merely using his unintentionally misguided assertion as an example.
There are some fans, and many more executives within the game, who hate the Sabrmetric movement, which was founded by Bill James in some Kansas City peanut factory more than 30 years ago.
The idea is to use statistics, both numbers and probability, to guide player personnel moves, in-game decisions, draft picks -- for instance, statistics show it's much more prudent to draft college pitcher in lieu of high school hurlers, the latter of which has a long and dated history of flaming out before reaching the big leagues -- and every other pertinent decision involving the construction of a professional baseball team.
My aim is to congenially explain a nerd's perspective of the game, and why stats are important, all without blogging from my mother's basement.
Here's the situation around which I'll base my post:
The Red Sox lead the Yankees, 3-2 in the Bottom of the 7th, but the Yankees have two runners on, with two outs, and Jason Giambi coming to the plate.
Bartolo Colon, already 110 pitches deep into his outing, is pitching well but laboring. Javier Lopez and the 2004 version of Mike Timlin (read: when he was good).
Manager Terry Francona has a decision to make. Does he let Wakefield pitch to Giambi? Does he bring in Lopez? Timlin?
He pulls the spreadsheet. He looks at the matchup and notices that Giambi has had success against Colon, (.286/.375/.536) with 2 HR in 28 career at-bats against the portly right-hander. Colon's already laboring, and having him face Giambi, a hitter who's been relatively successful against him in his career, is too risky.
So he tries to decide which guy, Timlin or Lopez, to bring into the game. He looks deeper into the numbers and realizes that Giambi, a left-handed batter, struggles against southpaws (.238./.370/.473) since 2005. He also knows not to bring Timlin into the game with runners on-base, because his inherited runners % is among the worst in the game.
Francona, like any other manager who's good at managing and wants to remain at the helm, elects to bring in the left-handed Lopez to face Giambi. It's the prudent decision. He used numbers, and probability, to make this decision. He didn't "have a hunch," a lazy man's way of handling the situation. He didn't use his gut-instinct or impulsiveness to make the move. He performed his due diligence and used thought-provoking analysis to come to his ultimate decision.
You see, success in baseball -- and in life, for that matter -- is most easily attained by one who rationalizes his decisions, one who takes into account all variables and chooses the path that's most likely to lead to wealth, fortune, happiness, or in the example above, the path that's most likely to lead to Giambi's walking back to the Yankees' dugout -- head down, sulking, because he just ruined what was perhaps his team's best chance at victory.
The lesson is that often times, especially in this case, ignorance isn't bliss.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
The Daily Grind
I will admit, I got a little choked up, teared up a little during the Meet the Press special remembering Tim Russert. Seemed like a real solid citizen away from the show. The special was solid, Tom Brokaw did a great job narrating. I would have liked to have seen Chuck Todd included in it. I also thought they handled the Imus issue awkwardly, but I don't know what else they could have done there. Moving on to the sports.
-Marc J. Spears wrote a blurb about the US National basketball team in his notes today. He didn't recant his list of locks, but I have it on record (Kidd, Redd, Prince, Bryant, James, Anthony, and Josh Howard). Amare Stoudemire has apparently been removed from the list because of injury concerns. To fill out the roster, it seems that two forwards from a group of Chris Bosh, Tyson Chandler, and Carlos Boozer will be selected. And three guards from a group of Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Chauncey Billups and Dwayne Wade. I select Chandler, giving the team some semblance of a true center. I am not Jerry Colangelo or Mike Krzyzewski (I will never know how to spell or pronounce this name), I don't profess to know which direction they would prefer. Boozer gives them a pure, bruising, on-the-block PF. They can spread the floor a lot more with Bosh. It will be an interesting decision. On the guard side, Dwayne Wade's name is an interesting inclusion. It seemed when Miami's season ended it was a foregone conclusion that Wade would not be suiting up for the national team. He seems to have convinced Colangelo that he is healthy. I am sure Miami and Pat Riley are not happy about him trying to play, but he might be a big enough star that decision is his, not the teams. I would probably like to have all four of these guards, and not have Jason Kidd at all. But, if forced to eliminate one of them, I guess I eliminate Deron Williams. Not because I believe it's necessarily the right call, but I think its the call they will make.
-It seems that the Bruins will opt to get salary cap relief for Glen Murray. Kevin Paul DuPont outlined a number of option the B's have from buying him out to optioning him to Providence. It's very sad to see, but it seems that the game had passed him by. He looks slow and hobbled all last season, scoring 30 points in 63 games. This will be the stat of the day, courtesy of Dupont: 16 NHL seasons, 20 career POSTSEASON goals (EDIT: totally my mistake, a typo). It's a bad situation, but the money the Bruins free up, maybe it can be used to sign Marian Hossa away from Pittsburgh and reunite him with old friend Zdeno Chara. Here's hoping the Bruins and Murray can break it off gracefully.
-I thought the Astros-Yankees series this weekend would have been one of the stronger interleague matchups. And, with the Yanks up 13-0 in the 8th inning of the rubber match, it's been as one-sided as they come. Houston is 2-8 in their last ten going into today. The offense has some strong names with Berkman, Carlos Lee and Miguel Tejada, but they're 9th in the NL with 311 runs. The 'Stros are tied with the Phillies at 5th in the NL with a team BA of .264. The difference is the Phillies have scored 275 runs. This Houston team does not make the most of their base hits. The pitching also stinks, 12th in the NL with 4.50 ERA. There's a reason why I think the NL Central is a two-team division between the Cardinals and the Cubs.
-I just saw on ESPNews that Ken Griffey Jr. is quietly telling friends he might waive his no-trade clause to play for Tampa Bay. There are worse destinations, worse fits, but this isn't a very good one. For Tampa Bay, it might help them sell more tickets, but it's hard to see him being a significant upgrade over Eric Hinske/Cliff Floyd/Johnny Gomes. For Griffey, it could be a nightmare, his confidence as a hitter isn't very high right now, and that's probably not going to be helped by trying to learn a whole new set of pitchers in the AL.
-The Lakers-Celtics. It's so hard for me to comment on this objectively, so I won't really. The Celtics have thoroughly outplayed the Lakers through the whole series. Leon Powe and James Posey have led a valiant bench that has outscored the Lakers bench 108-82. If the Celtics win tonight, whichever member of the "Big Three" plays best tonight will win Finals MVP. Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett were probably already in the Hall of Fame before this series, but with a ring, Ray Allen could solidfy his credentials.
Miscellaneous Video of the Day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FghxweP_HYg
Nothing like watching Sasha Vujacic throw a temper tantrum, and then cry. Go Celtics!
Old School Rap Video:
Ice Cube- "Today Was A Good Day"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=c4RY-eJgHHs
An old favorite from the "Are We There Yet?" star.
-Marc J. Spears wrote a blurb about the US National basketball team in his notes today. He didn't recant his list of locks, but I have it on record (Kidd, Redd, Prince, Bryant, James, Anthony, and Josh Howard). Amare Stoudemire has apparently been removed from the list because of injury concerns. To fill out the roster, it seems that two forwards from a group of Chris Bosh, Tyson Chandler, and Carlos Boozer will be selected. And three guards from a group of Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Chauncey Billups and Dwayne Wade. I select Chandler, giving the team some semblance of a true center. I am not Jerry Colangelo or Mike Krzyzewski (I will never know how to spell or pronounce this name), I don't profess to know which direction they would prefer. Boozer gives them a pure, bruising, on-the-block PF. They can spread the floor a lot more with Bosh. It will be an interesting decision. On the guard side, Dwayne Wade's name is an interesting inclusion. It seemed when Miami's season ended it was a foregone conclusion that Wade would not be suiting up for the national team. He seems to have convinced Colangelo that he is healthy. I am sure Miami and Pat Riley are not happy about him trying to play, but he might be a big enough star that decision is his, not the teams. I would probably like to have all four of these guards, and not have Jason Kidd at all. But, if forced to eliminate one of them, I guess I eliminate Deron Williams. Not because I believe it's necessarily the right call, but I think its the call they will make.
-It seems that the Bruins will opt to get salary cap relief for Glen Murray. Kevin Paul DuPont outlined a number of option the B's have from buying him out to optioning him to Providence. It's very sad to see, but it seems that the game had passed him by. He looks slow and hobbled all last season, scoring 30 points in 63 games. This will be the stat of the day, courtesy of Dupont: 16 NHL seasons, 20 career POSTSEASON goals (EDIT: totally my mistake, a typo). It's a bad situation, but the money the Bruins free up, maybe it can be used to sign Marian Hossa away from Pittsburgh and reunite him with old friend Zdeno Chara. Here's hoping the Bruins and Murray can break it off gracefully.
-I thought the Astros-Yankees series this weekend would have been one of the stronger interleague matchups. And, with the Yanks up 13-0 in the 8th inning of the rubber match, it's been as one-sided as they come. Houston is 2-8 in their last ten going into today. The offense has some strong names with Berkman, Carlos Lee and Miguel Tejada, but they're 9th in the NL with 311 runs. The 'Stros are tied with the Phillies at 5th in the NL with a team BA of .264. The difference is the Phillies have scored 275 runs. This Houston team does not make the most of their base hits. The pitching also stinks, 12th in the NL with 4.50 ERA. There's a reason why I think the NL Central is a two-team division between the Cardinals and the Cubs.
-I just saw on ESPNews that Ken Griffey Jr. is quietly telling friends he might waive his no-trade clause to play for Tampa Bay. There are worse destinations, worse fits, but this isn't a very good one. For Tampa Bay, it might help them sell more tickets, but it's hard to see him being a significant upgrade over Eric Hinske/Cliff Floyd/Johnny Gomes. For Griffey, it could be a nightmare, his confidence as a hitter isn't very high right now, and that's probably not going to be helped by trying to learn a whole new set of pitchers in the AL.
-The Lakers-Celtics. It's so hard for me to comment on this objectively, so I won't really. The Celtics have thoroughly outplayed the Lakers through the whole series. Leon Powe and James Posey have led a valiant bench that has outscored the Lakers bench 108-82. If the Celtics win tonight, whichever member of the "Big Three" plays best tonight will win Finals MVP. Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett were probably already in the Hall of Fame before this series, but with a ring, Ray Allen could solidfy his credentials.
Miscellaneous Video of the Day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FghxweP_HYg
Nothing like watching Sasha Vujacic throw a temper tantrum, and then cry. Go Celtics!
Old School Rap Video:
Ice Cube- "Today Was A Good Day"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=c4RY-eJgHHs
An old favorite from the "Are We There Yet?" star.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Baseball and the Digital Age
What will the 2008 baseball season be remembered for? Josh Hamilton's triumph over narcotics and the baseball world? The surprising decline in power numbers in baseball's Mitchell Report hangover? Roger Clemens's...err...transgressions?
Of course, we still have four months left to play, but the answer is a revolutionary and abnormal one for a sport that relies on an old-time feel. Major League Baseball is discussing the introduction of instant replay on boundary calls - fair/foul home run calls and balls that are/are not in play.
It seems simple enough; no tall task. That is until we remember that baseball has always been grumpy in the transition to technological introductions to the game. Actually, grumpy doesn't quite describe it...it's more like baseball has been dragged, kicking in screaming to the alter of technology.
When Questec was introduced - technology designed specifically to do...well, nothing really - umpires cried home to momma and technology in baseball was the subject of controversy.
Last November, 25 of 30 general managers voted in favor of exploring the possibility of maybe, kinda-sorta using instant replay at some point that may or may not exist in the future or in another dimension. I jest, but the process was slow going. It seemed that we'd need a rash of questionable calls and ambiguity to gather enough interest in making instant replay a reality.
What happened instead, in 2008, was an outbreak of massive proportions, I'm talking zombie-disease-spreading-around-the-world-and-everybody-dies type of outbreak of iffy home runs, most of which have been called incorrectly. Carlos Delgado, who's been hitting like a member of the undead, was the most notable victim at Yankee Stadium on a nationally televised game, but many more have occurred this season.
It seems we baseball's ready to make the big jump - ready to give in to the fact that maybe human error can be committed by those wearing blue. While it may fly in the face of baseball's attempts to speed up the game, it's a smart decision that seems to be built with controls in place.
Still, doesn't it seem like a slice of baseball is dying? Don't get me wrong, instant replay in baseball is the correct decision, but when you're told for your baseball-watching life that umpires are the ultimate authority, it seems something gets turned on its ear with instant replay.
Here's to hoping instant replay and 2008 are remember as positives down the road.
_______
BTW, it's great to have this blog up and running. I've had my own blog going for sometime that I've tried to keep updating, just so I can keep writing. That being said, I will probably shift over to here and try to update here more often, as difficult as that is given my lack of patience, free time, and coherent thoughts. Since, hopefully, this will be my business in the future (there aren't enough bolds and italics in the world to fully emphasize the "hopefully") I appreciate, welcome, and encourage any and all comments regarding my writing, whatever the hell I'm writing about, or anything else you guys may feel like knocking me down a peg on. Thanks guys.
~Dave
Of course, we still have four months left to play, but the answer is a revolutionary and abnormal one for a sport that relies on an old-time feel. Major League Baseball is discussing the introduction of instant replay on boundary calls - fair/foul home run calls and balls that are/are not in play.
It seems simple enough; no tall task. That is until we remember that baseball has always been grumpy in the transition to technological introductions to the game. Actually, grumpy doesn't quite describe it...it's more like baseball has been dragged, kicking in screaming to the alter of technology.
When Questec was introduced - technology designed specifically to do...well, nothing really - umpires cried home to momma and technology in baseball was the subject of controversy.
Last November, 25 of 30 general managers voted in favor of exploring the possibility of maybe, kinda-sorta using instant replay at some point that may or may not exist in the future or in another dimension. I jest, but the process was slow going. It seemed that we'd need a rash of questionable calls and ambiguity to gather enough interest in making instant replay a reality.
What happened instead, in 2008, was an outbreak of massive proportions, I'm talking zombie-disease-spreading-around-the-world-and-everybody-dies type of outbreak of iffy home runs, most of which have been called incorrectly. Carlos Delgado, who's been hitting like a member of the undead, was the most notable victim at Yankee Stadium on a nationally televised game, but many more have occurred this season.
It seems we baseball's ready to make the big jump - ready to give in to the fact that maybe human error can be committed by those wearing blue. While it may fly in the face of baseball's attempts to speed up the game, it's a smart decision that seems to be built with controls in place.
Still, doesn't it seem like a slice of baseball is dying? Don't get me wrong, instant replay in baseball is the correct decision, but when you're told for your baseball-watching life that umpires are the ultimate authority, it seems something gets turned on its ear with instant replay.
Here's to hoping instant replay and 2008 are remember as positives down the road.
_______
BTW, it's great to have this blog up and running. I've had my own blog going for sometime that I've tried to keep updating, just so I can keep writing. That being said, I will probably shift over to here and try to update here more often, as difficult as that is given my lack of patience, free time, and coherent thoughts. Since, hopefully, this will be my business in the future (there aren't enough bolds and italics in the world to fully emphasize the "hopefully") I appreciate, welcome, and encourage any and all comments regarding my writing, whatever the hell I'm writing about, or anything else you guys may feel like knocking me down a peg on. Thanks guys.
~Dave
Friday, June 13, 2008
The Daily Grind
I'll try to do this at least five days a week... Let's see how it goes:
Miscellaneous Video of the day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHinzCLP4xA
Levar Burton and Reading Rainbow explore Hip Hop dancing. A favorite part: Levar telling all the young aspiring hip-hoppers" "The next time that beat gets you up on your feet, don't just stand there. Dance." I think Ronnie Reagan had more street cred than La Forge over there.
Old School Rap Video of the day:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1TSmbmHHrNs
1999. I know, it is not that old. But, in light of the new Lil' Wayne record, it was worth a trip down memory lane. The Hot Boyz at their finest. Also, I am interested to see what Pratt's response is to this bit. Tom Petty video of the day?
Stat of the day:
From the Boston Globe: Red Sox SS Julio Lugo recorded his 14th RBI last night, he now has one more RBI than he has errors (13).
A couple quick notes:
-It's 10:24pm, MSNBC anchor Keith Olbermann has to have been on for 4-5 hours, and he is still completely distraught and holding back tears on camera. It's really a somber moment of television.
-Joba's start tonight provided an interesting line. 6 IP, 2Ks, 4 BBs, 88 pitches. As a reliever, Joba threw 23.2 innings with 30 Ks. As a starter before tonight Joba has 6.2 IP, 8Ks, 5BBs. So, in Joba's transformation to starter, he needs to work on lowering the walks. But this start Joba seems focused on working in the curveball to induce more flyouts, and just generally be more economical with his pitches. Gotta be encouraged if you are a Yankees fan.
-I meant to mention this in my more formal post. I saw a poll on ESPNews. The question was (and I am paraphrasing): Which league do you believe to have the most integrity in light of recent scandals? The NFL (Spygate), MLB (Mitchell Report) or the NBA (Donaghy)? The results were from most integrity to least: NFL, MLB, NBA. A couple issues here: First, the most pressing scandal/issue in the NFL is Spygate, a ten-month old story? Really? Not the steroids dealer being found dead? Or even the NFLPA/NFL owners mess to come in 2010? The NFL free pass continues.
If anyone knows how I can embed the videos into this blog, let me know.
Miscellaneous Video of the day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHinzCLP4xA
Levar Burton and Reading Rainbow explore Hip Hop dancing. A favorite part: Levar telling all the young aspiring hip-hoppers" "The next time that beat gets you up on your feet, don't just stand there. Dance." I think Ronnie Reagan had more street cred than La Forge over there.
Old School Rap Video of the day:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1TSmbmHHrNs
1999. I know, it is not that old. But, in light of the new Lil' Wayne record, it was worth a trip down memory lane. The Hot Boyz at their finest. Also, I am interested to see what Pratt's response is to this bit. Tom Petty video of the day?
Stat of the day:
From the Boston Globe: Red Sox SS Julio Lugo recorded his 14th RBI last night, he now has one more RBI than he has errors (13).
A couple quick notes:
-It's 10:24pm, MSNBC anchor Keith Olbermann has to have been on for 4-5 hours, and he is still completely distraught and holding back tears on camera. It's really a somber moment of television.
-Joba's start tonight provided an interesting line. 6 IP, 2Ks, 4 BBs, 88 pitches. As a reliever, Joba threw 23.2 innings with 30 Ks. As a starter before tonight Joba has 6.2 IP, 8Ks, 5BBs. So, in Joba's transformation to starter, he needs to work on lowering the walks. But this start Joba seems focused on working in the curveball to induce more flyouts, and just generally be more economical with his pitches. Gotta be encouraged if you are a Yankees fan.
-I meant to mention this in my more formal post. I saw a poll on ESPNews. The question was (and I am paraphrasing): Which league do you believe to have the most integrity in light of recent scandals? The NFL (Spygate), MLB (Mitchell Report) or the NBA (Donaghy)? The results were from most integrity to least: NFL, MLB, NBA. A couple issues here: First, the most pressing scandal/issue in the NFL is Spygate, a ten-month old story? Really? Not the steroids dealer being found dead? Or even the NFLPA/NFL owners mess to come in 2010? The NFL free pass continues.
If anyone knows how I can embed the videos into this blog, let me know.
All Over the Place
I was surprised how quickly the David Jacobs' story died. Jacobs, a convicted steroids dealer claimed to have sold drugs to NFL players, was found shot to death. Police ruled the death a suicide. Jacobs also murdered another woman. Jacobs had met twice with NFL officials, submitting to them names of NFL players he alleges purchased steroids from him. Here's an official story on the matter. This story seems so suspect to me. Why is this man dead? He's just "dangerous," so he offed himself and another woman? No one in the media thinks that this man was under tremendous pressure to no give up names of NFL players who had purchased steroids from him? Another example of the media ignoring or at least brushing aside the steroid problem in professional football, while baseball remains under tight scrutiny. I will quickly remind our readers that when Pro Bowl LB Shawne Merriman was suspended for steroids, I heard almost no discussion of the potential steroids culture in the NFL. No, the only discussion heard concerned how his drug suspension might lead to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell prohibiting steroid abusers from participating in the Pro Bowl. Way to put your foot down, no one wants to play in that game anyway.
In the AL East, last place Baltimore is only 8 games behind the first place Red Sox. In the NL Central, the cellar dwellers are the Cincinatti Reds at 11.5 behind the Cubs. These don't appear to be huge deficits, and in numbers alone, they aren't. But, in both relatively tight divisions, I cannot see anyone winning those divisions except for the top-2 teams. In the AL East, the Rays are 2.5 GB on the Sox, and the third place Yankees are 4.5 back of the Rays. In the NL Central, the Cardinals are 3.5 back of the Cubs, and the Brewers are 4 games behind the Cards. I say the Sox and the Cubs hold their ground and win their respective divisions. I am willing to pencil in the Cardinals as the NL Wild Card team, because of the lack of competence in the NL West, and the maddening, underachieving NL East. The Rays currently lead the AL Wild Card race by 3 games, and they seem likely to hold off a feisty Oakland A's team. It's hard to count out the Yankees this early, and the pitching of the Blue Jays will keep them in the race.
This limited instant replay idea has me intrigued. Anyone have any predictions on what this will entail? It should be instituted sometime in August. I assume it will be used intially to judge home run calls.
I am currently watching the Astros-Yankees game (Pratt's liveblogging it), Minute Maid Park has got to be one of the strangest ballparks in the game. The constantly askew home-run line; the hill in center field; and the dimensions of the outfield (Left Field - 315 ft, Left-Center - 362 ft, Left-Center (deep) - 404 ft, Center Field - 435 ft, Right-Center - 373 ft, Right Field - 326 ft). The field also used to be called "Enron Field." That has to be a good shit-talking point if you're dealing with an Astros fan.
What can I say about the Celtics that hasn't already been said? I'll just say this: James Posey almost signed with the Nets in the offseason, before Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers made a late, impassioned push to get him to sign with the Celtics. And after his 18 point effort last night, it cannot be understated, the impact he has had on this team. 6th man of the year in the NBA will always go to a Manu Ginobli or a Ben Gordon, a starter who rests for the first six minutes of the game. But, if you look at "real" bench players in the leagues: guys whose job it is to come in and provide a spark off the bench playing twenty minutes. There may not be a better guy than Posey. I know, I just made up a title for him, but, man, he knows his role, never tries to over-extend himself, and he came up big on the biggest stage. I hate resorting to cliches, but are the Celtics, 24-58 a year ago, really one game away from clinching a title?
Some awesome bands I have been listening to on my Pandora station "Disarm Radio": Saosin, Morning Runner and The Mountain Goats.
Lastly, a few words about Tim Russert. During my junior year of college, my Political Science professor and mentor Mike Brown introduced me to "Meet the Press" with a fall 2004 interview he did with John Kerry. Russert did a great job dissecting Kerry. Kerry clearly cracked under the pressure. After the video ended, Brown asked me, "Now do you see why Kerry didn't win the election?" I was hooked, and I have rarely missed a show since. I am not good with this type of stuff, and I have gotten more emails, text messages and phone calls concerning Russert's death than I did when Red Auerbach died. He will be missed.
How'd this first post go? Let me know.
In the AL East, last place Baltimore is only 8 games behind the first place Red Sox. In the NL Central, the cellar dwellers are the Cincinatti Reds at 11.5 behind the Cubs. These don't appear to be huge deficits, and in numbers alone, they aren't. But, in both relatively tight divisions, I cannot see anyone winning those divisions except for the top-2 teams. In the AL East, the Rays are 2.5 GB on the Sox, and the third place Yankees are 4.5 back of the Rays. In the NL Central, the Cardinals are 3.5 back of the Cubs, and the Brewers are 4 games behind the Cards. I say the Sox and the Cubs hold their ground and win their respective divisions. I am willing to pencil in the Cardinals as the NL Wild Card team, because of the lack of competence in the NL West, and the maddening, underachieving NL East. The Rays currently lead the AL Wild Card race by 3 games, and they seem likely to hold off a feisty Oakland A's team. It's hard to count out the Yankees this early, and the pitching of the Blue Jays will keep them in the race.
This limited instant replay idea has me intrigued. Anyone have any predictions on what this will entail? It should be instituted sometime in August. I assume it will be used intially to judge home run calls.
I am currently watching the Astros-Yankees game (Pratt's liveblogging it), Minute Maid Park has got to be one of the strangest ballparks in the game. The constantly askew home-run line; the hill in center field; and the dimensions of the outfield (Left Field - 315 ft, Left-Center - 362 ft, Left-Center (deep) - 404 ft, Center Field - 435 ft, Right-Center - 373 ft, Right Field - 326 ft). The field also used to be called "Enron Field." That has to be a good shit-talking point if you're dealing with an Astros fan.
What can I say about the Celtics that hasn't already been said? I'll just say this: James Posey almost signed with the Nets in the offseason, before Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers made a late, impassioned push to get him to sign with the Celtics. And after his 18 point effort last night, it cannot be understated, the impact he has had on this team. 6th man of the year in the NBA will always go to a Manu Ginobli or a Ben Gordon, a starter who rests for the first six minutes of the game. But, if you look at "real" bench players in the leagues: guys whose job it is to come in and provide a spark off the bench playing twenty minutes. There may not be a better guy than Posey. I know, I just made up a title for him, but, man, he knows his role, never tries to over-extend himself, and he came up big on the biggest stage. I hate resorting to cliches, but are the Celtics, 24-58 a year ago, really one game away from clinching a title?
Some awesome bands I have been listening to on my Pandora station "Disarm Radio": Saosin, Morning Runner and The Mountain Goats.
Lastly, a few words about Tim Russert. During my junior year of college, my Political Science professor and mentor Mike Brown introduced me to "Meet the Press" with a fall 2004 interview he did with John Kerry. Russert did a great job dissecting Kerry. Kerry clearly cracked under the pressure. After the video ended, Brown asked me, "Now do you see why Kerry didn't win the election?" I was hooked, and I have rarely missed a show since. I am not good with this type of stuff, and I have gotten more emails, text messages and phone calls concerning Russert's death than I did when Red Auerbach died. He will be missed.
How'd this first post go? Let me know.
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