April 17, 2010
Lock him up
If I’m the Los Angeles Kings, I’m locking up Drew Doughty to one of those crazy 10-year contracts the NHL has. At 20 years old, he may already be the league’s best defenseman. Better to buy out those future big earnings now by paying him a little more now and locking him up for the long haul.
I wish I could have those seven hours back
It’s finally over.
In a game that set my baseball IQ back 50 points just for watching it, the Mets have beaten the Cardinals, 2-1. In 20 innings.
Tim McCarver sounds loopy and might be five or six beers in for all we know. Kenny Albert has run out of things to talk about. Ken Rosenthal actually provided some interesting tidbits for once. I can only imagine what it must have been like to be a part of the broadcast in the production truck. If I, as a viewer, was sticking needles in my eyes watching it, I can only imagine what it must have been as a TV person working on it.
Kyle Lohse played left field. Felipe Lopez pitched an inning. Joe Mather pitched two. Yes, it got to that point. One can only imagine what happened to the poor high school players that were scheduled to take the field after the big leaguers were done.
Tony La Russa is a Hall of Fame manager. Jerry Manuel is one of the worst managers in recent memory. Both of them managed about as poorly as humanly possible in this game. La Russa made Albert Pujols ineffective by double-switching Matt Holliday out of the game and putting the pitcher spot behind the greatest hitter alive. It cost him. Twice.
Manuel steadfastly refused to use his best reliever, Francisco Rodriguez, yet somehow got away with it. Until Rodriguez came in to the game to protect a 1-0 lead in the last of the 19th and, having already warmed up six different times in the game, was too gassed to be effective and blew the save.
Why am I even talking about this? This was a game to both remember and to forget.
Looking forward to the series finale tomorrow.
In a game that set my baseball IQ back 50 points just for watching it, the Mets have beaten the Cardinals, 2-1. In 20 innings.
Tim McCarver sounds loopy and might be five or six beers in for all we know. Kenny Albert has run out of things to talk about. Ken Rosenthal actually provided some interesting tidbits for once. I can only imagine what it must have been like to be a part of the broadcast in the production truck. If I, as a viewer, was sticking needles in my eyes watching it, I can only imagine what it must have been as a TV person working on it.
Kyle Lohse played left field. Felipe Lopez pitched an inning. Joe Mather pitched two. Yes, it got to that point. One can only imagine what happened to the poor high school players that were scheduled to take the field after the big leaguers were done.
Tony La Russa is a Hall of Fame manager. Jerry Manuel is one of the worst managers in recent memory. Both of them managed about as poorly as humanly possible in this game. La Russa made Albert Pujols ineffective by double-switching Matt Holliday out of the game and putting the pitcher spot behind the greatest hitter alive. It cost him. Twice.
Manuel steadfastly refused to use his best reliever, Francisco Rodriguez, yet somehow got away with it. Until Rodriguez came in to the game to protect a 1-0 lead in the last of the 19th and, having already warmed up six different times in the game, was too gassed to be effective and blew the save.
Why am I even talking about this? This was a game to both remember and to forget.
Looking forward to the series finale tomorrow.
Big win for Washington
It’s over! No, not the baseball game. Nicklas Backstrom caps a hat trick with the game-winning goal in overtime. Capitals 6, Canadiens 5.
Heartbreaking loss for Montreal. Season-saving win for Washington. Game 3 is Monday in Montreal.
Heartbreaking loss for Montreal. Season-saving win for Washington. Game 3 is Monday in Montreal.
Remember when the Rockies had no good pitchers?
Ubaldo Jimenez has thrown a no-hitter, the first in Rockies history. A few years ago, the Rockies had no good pitchers and had had no good pitchers since the beginning. Now they have one of the best young pitchers in the game and he no-hit the Braves tonight, 4-0.
The Mets, Padres and Rays are the only franchises to never hurl a no-no.
The Mets, Padres and Rays are the only franchises to never hurl a no-no.
Mets had a scoring threat...but no more
In the 16th inning, the Mets finally get a runner to third base for the first time tonight.
They leave him there.
They leave him there.
Two, um, competitive games
Tomas Plekanec steals momentum back for the Habs, putting them ahead 5-4. The puck may have been put into his own net by Mike Green, in which case it should probably be Andrei Kostitsyn’s fourth of the game.
Plenty of time for the Capitals to score the equalizer and force overtime but that’s the sort of cheap goal that can define a series (sort of like when Marc Bergevin threw the puck into his own net in 2000).
I’m watching this game, full of action and excitement, on one television and an incredibly bad Mets-Cardinals game that is scoreless headed into the 16th inning on the other. Complete contrast in games.
Plenty of time for the Capitals to score the equalizer and force overtime but that’s the sort of cheap goal that can define a series (sort of like when Marc Bergevin threw the puck into his own net in 2000).
I’m watching this game, full of action and excitement, on one television and an incredibly bad Mets-Cardinals game that is scoreless headed into the 16th inning on the other. Complete contrast in games.
Mets-Cardinals lives on
I can’t decide if this is one of the best baseball games I’ve ever seen or one of the worst.
Here comes Ovechkin
Alex Ovechkin is growing up tonight. He sets up Backstrom to tie it, 4-4. The Capitals are alive! Rock the Red!
Ovechkin has put the Capitals on his back in this third period.
Ovechkin has put the Capitals on his back in this third period.
Déjà vu
Albert Pujols is intentionally walked to load the bases for relief pitcher Blake Hawksworth with two outs in the 14th. Tony La Russa doesn’t pinch hit for Motte. Not with his last remaining position player (Bryan Anderson) or with a good hitting starting pitcher (Adam Wainwright).
Predictably, Hawksworth strikes out.
To the 15th.
(That was, almost word for word, the same post I made at 5:14 pm.)
Predictably, Hawksworth strikes out.
To the 15th.
(That was, almost word for word, the same post I made at 5:14 pm.)
Here comes Alex
An Ovechkin sighting! His first goal of the series cuts the Capitals deficit to 4-3. Hang on, it’s gonna be a wild third period.
And their primetime lineup is weak too
When the local ABC affiliates were complaining about all of the sports programming moving to ESPN, I’m pretty sure they did it in an effort to get live games back, not in an effort to get horrific shows like “Winners Bracket.”
The stars aren't out
Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday, David Wright, Jason Bay and Jose Reyes are a combined 0-for-24 with 11 strikeouts and five walks as we go to the last of the 14th in a scoreless tie. Money not well spent on this day (and this day only).
One long game
At long last, last night’s Rays-Red Sox game is finally over. Baseball’s most exciting team wins it in the 12th on a two-run homer by their least exciting player, Pat Burrell.
Time for Ovie to arrive
Andrei Kostitsyn scores another! 3-1 Habs just over half way through it.
Now would be a good time for Alex Ovechkin to lift his team on his back the way Sidney Crosby did for Pittsburgh last night. Until Ovechkin proves otherwise, this is the fundamental difference between the two megastars: when the going gets tough, Crosby keeps going; Ovechkin, well, we’re not so sure about what exactly he does.
By the way, the Washington defense is starting to look a little like they did against Pittsburgh in the playoffs last year—like they have no idea what they’re doing in their own end.
Now would be a good time for Alex Ovechkin to lift his team on his back the way Sidney Crosby did for Pittsburgh last night. Until Ovechkin proves otherwise, this is the fundamental difference between the two megastars: when the going gets tough, Crosby keeps going; Ovechkin, well, we’re not so sure about what exactly he does.
By the way, the Washington defense is starting to look a little like they did against Pittsburgh in the playoffs last year—like they have no idea what they’re doing in their own end.
Devils fans wonder where this was when he was in Jersey
I haven’t see Brian Gionta play this well in five years.
Mismanaging? Overmanaging?
Albert Pujols is intentionally walked to load the bases for relief pitcher Jason Motte with two outs in the 12th. Tony La Russa doesn’t pinch hit for Motte. Not with his last remaining position player (Bryan Anderson) or with a good hitting starting pitcher (Adam Wainwright).
Predictably, Motte strikes out.
To the 13th.
Predictably, Motte strikes out.
To the 13th.
Gotta have the goaltending
The Capitals are a great team with lousy goaltending. And you wondered why I picked Pittsburgh to repeat in the East.
Jose Theodore, it was nice knowing you
2-0 Habs on an Andrei Kostitsyn goal. Semyon Varlamov in as Theodore is yanked having allowed two goals on two shots.
Let the goalie woes begin
Alex Ovechkin comes out flying, hitting everything in sight, trying to get himself and his team fired up…and the Canadiens score the first goal, a minute into the game, anyway.
Is the Jose Theodore watch underway? Semyon Varlamov may want to start stretching.
Is the Jose Theodore watch underway? Semyon Varlamov may want to start stretching.
Not fearing the deer
The Bucks are a different team without Andrew Bogut. The Hawks are toying with them today.
Hal McRae's laughing on his couch
Through the eighth inning today, the Cardinals have scored just seven runs in their last 34 times at-bat.
Are we sure Mark McGwire knows what he’s doing as a hitting coach?
Are we sure Mark McGwire knows what he’s doing as a hitting coach?
At least they still keep score
When Cardinals fans start on about how they’re “the best fans in baseball,” all others need to do to try and refute the argument is mention that they still do The Wave in St. Louis
And he'll celebrate with Mary Jane tonight
It’s unfair how good Tim Lincecum is. The Dodgers are helpless today.
Shuttin' them down
Cardinals starting pitchers have allowed two earned runs in 36 innings this week.
Super pitching in St. Louis
Jaime Garcia through two starts: 13 1P, 0.69 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, 6.9 K/9
How many teams have a better fifth starter than the Cardinals do?
How many teams have a better fifth starter than the Cardinals do?
Maybe Chicago isn't the right fit for LeBron
Derrick Rose was great today, if you manage to conveniently forget that his turned the ball over seven times in Chicago’s loss to Cleveland. No wonder they lost by the 13.
The solution is clear
When I see stories like this, I am left to think that there’s only one solution left for Ben Roethlisberger to save himself in the public eye: the time-tested solution for all rich womanizers, sex rehab!
He ain't pretty in HD either
If there is a worse national broadcaster alive than Dick Stockton, I don’t know who it is.
(Then again, it’s questionable that Stockton is still alive.)
His father wouldn't ever do this
Is Joe Buck really so lazy that he cannot work today’s Mets-Cardinals game on Fox? The game is in hometown. He probably lives 20 minutes from the stadium and the analyst is his usual partner, Tim McCarver. He really has better things to do?
Keepin' score
Kenny Albert’s scorecard today on Twitter. Cool seeing the notes these announcers have for a broadcast.
Conflict of interest
Watched a little of the Alabama spring game on ESPN. Craig James was one of the announcers. Indefensible that he’s still employed after his involvement in the Mike Leach/Texas Tech fiasco. Embarrassing.
Inconsequentially irrelevant NBA playoff predictions
East 1st Round
Cleveland over Chicago in 4: The Cavaliers are on a mission. They will be focused every night out.
Miami over Boston in 6: Dwyane Wade has been possessed lately and the Celtics have looked disinterested since Christmas. Old too but, worse, disinterested.
Atlanta over Milwaukee in 7: I think this is the best first round series in the league this year. I'd be really tempted to pick the Bucks if Andrew Bogut was healthy.
Orlando over Charlotte in 6: The Larry Brown factor will prevent the Bobcats from going quietly. The year has been a good first step for Charlotte. Next step: change the team name.
East Semifinals
Cleveland over Miami in 6: Wade will steal a game or two and I really look forward to those moments when LeBron and Wade have a scoring duel for four or five minutes at a time. It will happen. Multiple times.
Atlanta over Orlando in 6: The one team the Magic doesn't want to play is Atlanta. The Hawks play the Magic really, really well. Plus, Vince Carter will bring Orlando down at some point.
East Finals
Cleveland over Atlanta in 4: The Hawks brief moment of prosperity ends in a hurry as LeBron demolishes them and Joe Johnson flees in July as a free agent.
West 1st Round
Los Angeles over OKC in 6: I think this is a better series than people expect because the Lakers have played horribly over the last month and Ron Artest is no longer a good defender, meaning Kevin Durant will have a game or two where he goes nuts and wins it for his team.
Denver over Utah in 7: George Karl's absence could actually help the Nuggets. They can play more inspired ball for him and Karl's postseason history suggests a different coach on the bench may actually help them.
Phoenix over Portland in 5: Brandon Roy's injury eliminates any chance for the Blazers.
San Antonio over Dallas in 6: Try as I might, I don't trust the Mavericks. At all. And I think the Spurs, while old and at the end, have one last hurrah in the Duncan-Ginobili era in them. They've played better of late.
West Semifinals
Los Angeles over Denver in 6: The only type of player that Artest can still effectively check is the wing scorer who relies more on being physical than being quick. Fortunately for Los Angeles, that's exactly what Carmelo Anthony is.
San Antonio over Phoenix in 6: Again, the last hurrah for Duncan-Ginobili. Plus, the Steve Nash Suns never beat the Spurs. You still have to play some defense to win in the spring and the Suns don't do it.
West Finals
Los Angeles over San Antonio in 4: The last hurrah ends with a thud.
NBA Finals
Cleveland over Los Angeles in 7
Everyone wants to see a LeBron-Kobe matchup. No one even acknowledges that it would be a Shaq-Kobe matchup too. That tells you how far Shaq has fallen and how sick of the Shaq-Kobe soap opera people are. Anyway, the one thing that gives me pause with picking the Cavaliers against the Lakers is that the coaching matchup couldn't be anymore lopsided. However, if Doc Rivers can beat Phil Jackson in an NBA Finals, so too can Mike Brown. I really like the size the Cavaliers bring, with all of their guys who are 6'8" or bigger (LeBron, Shaq, Antawn Jamison, Anderson Varejao, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, J.J. Hickson). The Lakers offer the same sort of size but not the same toughness down low.
But more importantly, this is the moment where the torch gets passed. Once LeBron wins his first title, he's probably going to win a few more (so long as he doesn't sign with the wrong team this summer like, you know, the Knicks). He has been the best player in the league for four solid seasons now and now he's possessed to do what the best player is supposed to do. I don't see the Lakers having any shot of even making him work to score and those big bodies inside will make it harder and harder for Kobe to get to the basket as the series progresses.
It just feels like its time. We will all witness.
April 16, 2010
How good are the Twins?
I know it's early in the season but I'm starting to wonder just how good the Twins can be.
They beat an awful Royals team 10-3 today. Yawn. But they took two of three from Boston this week and their lineup is absolutely loaded. Other than the Yankees, is there any AL team with a better middle of the order than Mauer-Morneau-Cuddyer-Kubel? And they're surrounded by some excellent table-setters.
It's important that Francisco Liriano becomes an ace but if he continues on his early-season path, that thought isn't far-fetched. Imagine how good they would be with Joe Nathan healthy and Jon Rauch setting things up along with Matt Guerrier. As it is, I think this could be a 100-win team.
Tyson Nash is a nut
Wish I had a photo handy but Tyson Nash, announcing the Red Wings-Coyotes game on Fox Sports Arizona with Dave Strader, has joined in the Arizona White Out by wearing an all-white tuxedo.
April 15, 2010
Playoff overtime
Watching Canadiens-Capitals and Kings-Canucks tonight reminded me how much I hate shootouts and how much I love continuous overtime. One can only hope the NHL is smart enough to never eliminate postseason overtime (and I know better than to put it past them).
Big weekend ahead
The Penguins (defending champions), Capitals (best record in the league), Sharks (best record in the West), Red Wings (perennial power since 1992 and two-time defending West champ) and Devils (perennial power since 1994) are all down a game. Desperation time this weekend for some of the league's marquee teams.
One-goal hockey
Kings-Canucks is about to go to overtime. Thus, all seven Game 1s played thus far (Predators-Blackhawks kick off tomorrow and I have no good reason why it's starting so late) will be decided by one goal.
Full season suspension
If testimony provided by the friends of the alleged victim are accurate, Ben Roethlisberger is extremely lucky that he wasn't charged with rape and the NFL should suspend him for one season.
Based on the released evidence since Monday, I think Roger Goodell should hire his own investigators to try and find out just how accurate their testimony is before making a ruling. But the testimony is pretty damning. If this is true, he should be gone for a year.
I feel really bad for Steelers fans. How can they root for Roethlisberger knowing that he's basically scum? And yet, he's their meal ticket to more Super Bowls. He's on the short list of quarterbacks who is capable of elevating his team to a championship level yet they're going to feel dirty rooting for him.
Based on the released evidence since Monday, I think Roger Goodell should hire his own investigators to try and find out just how accurate their testimony is before making a ruling. But the testimony is pretty damning. If this is true, he should be gone for a year.
I feel really bad for Steelers fans. How can they root for Roethlisberger knowing that he's basically scum? And yet, he's their meal ticket to more Super Bowls. He's on the short list of quarterbacks who is capable of elevating his team to a championship level yet they're going to feel dirty rooting for him.
Portland, it was nice knowing you, see you next season
Brandon Roy will have knee surgery tomorrow and will miss the Blazers first-round series against Phoenix.
Habs take Game 1
Couldn't have been more impressed with the Canadiens tonight as the eight-seed in the East beat the Capitals in overtime, 3-2. Yes, they allowed an incredible amount of shots (47, to be exact) but they completely bottled up Alex Ovechkin.
Will they be able to do that all series? One wouldn't think so. Bruce Boudreau has to find a way to shake Ovechkin loose or the other players are going to have to step up. Alexander Semin, Nicklas Backstrom, Mike Knuble and Tomas Fleishmann can make Montreal's "Stop Ovie" gameplan moot if they put the puck in the net. For one night, they didn't do that often enough and, as a result, Tomas Plekanec's overtime goal puts the Habs in the series lead.
Will they be able to do that all series? One wouldn't think so. Bruce Boudreau has to find a way to shake Ovechkin loose or the other players are going to have to step up. Alexander Semin, Nicklas Backstrom, Mike Knuble and Tomas Fleishmann can make Montreal's "Stop Ovie" gameplan moot if they put the puck in the net. For one night, they didn't do that often enough and, as a result, Tomas Plekanec's overtime goal puts the Habs in the series lead.
One person's NBA awards choices
Most Valuable Player
1. LeBron James, Cleveland. The most obvious choice since Shaq in 2000. And the scary thing is we're just scratching the surface. So long as he doesn't sign with the wrong team this summer (like, you know, the Knicks), it would come as no surprise if he is the most deserving of the next six MVPs after this one, although I know the voters will get bored and give one or two to someone else (like Karl Malone in 1997, for example).
2. Kevin Durant, OKC
3. Dwight Howard, Orlando
4. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers
5. Carmelo Anthony, Denver
Sixth Man of the Year
1. Jamal Crawford, Atlanta. It's amazing that he went from being part of the problem with the Knicks to being part of the puzzle for the Hawks.
2. Anderson Varejao, Cleveland
3. Jason Terry, Dallas
(I'm not including Manu Ginobili as a candidate. Though he has been a bench player most of the season, he's been at his best lately, during which time he was starting.)
Rookie of the Year
1. Tyreke Evans, Sacramento. I love Steph Curry and think he will likely have the best overall career but I cannot deny the impact Evans has made on the Kings. He has a surprisingly well-rounded offensive game.
2. Stephen Curry, Golden State
3. Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee
Defensive Player of the Year
1. Dwight Howard, Orlando. He might be the only remaining player in the league whose presence in the paint alters an opposing offense.
2. Gerald Wallace, Charlotte
3. Thabo Sefolosha, OKC
Most Improved Player
1. Aaron Brooks, Houston. Never thought a team could have a winning record with Brooks as their best player the way the Rockets did.
2. Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee
3. Marc Gasol, Memphis
Coach of the Year
1. Scott Brooks, OKC. Maybe he just was the right coach at the right time but the franchise became an instant contender, one of the most exciting teams in the league and the team of the future this season. With Durant leading the way, they could improve by another 8-10 wins next season.
2. Scott Skiles, Milwaukee
3. Rick Adelman, Houston (it's a shame that the Rockets missed the playoffs because I always enjoy seeing another great Adelman postseason collapse)
OT for OV
The Canadiens and Capitals are going to overtime, the first overtime game of the 2010 playoffs. The Habs have done a great job of containing Alex Ovechkin, having not allowed him a shot all game.
But all it takes is one...
But all it takes is one...
April 14, 2010
Searching for air with a monkey on their back
That gagging sound you hear? It wouldn't be the San Jose Sharks again would it? The biggest playoff chokers of the last decade still have plenty of time to go in their series but the top seed in the West has lost Game 1 to the Avalanche, 2-1. The eighth-seeded Avalanche scored the winner with under a minute left in the third when Chris Stewart threw the puck in front of the net and it deflected off the skate of Rob Blake and into his own net.
The booing in Shark Tank at that moment was insane. Those fans have to feel like they've seen this movie before. No one knows how to fold in the playoffs quite like the Sharks although, in fairness to them, I think they have a lot of players who really enjoy golfing.
The booing in Shark Tank at that moment was insane. Those fans have to feel like they've seen this movie before. No one knows how to fold in the playoffs quite like the Sharks although, in fairness to them, I think they have a lot of players who really enjoy golfing.
Pitching and defense
Tonight against Oakland, the Mariners are starting four players hitting below .200 this season and players with an on-base percentage below .300.
Hockey Central
Watching the Versus NHL studio show, I noticed that Darren McCarty forgot to put in his teeth today.
Trying to decide whether to watch Sharks announcers Randy Hahn and Drew Remenda or Avalanche announcers Mike Hayes and Peter McNab for the Sharks-Avalanche game on NHL Center Ice. Problem: both sets of broadcasters are gawdawful.
Trying to decide whether to watch Sharks announcers Randy Hahn and Drew Remenda or Avalanche announcers Mike Hayes and Peter McNab for the Sharks-Avalanche game on NHL Center Ice. Problem: both sets of broadcasters are gawdawful.
Senators win the opener
Very impressed by the Senators tonight in their 5-4 win over the Penguins. The game wasn't nearly as the one-goal score indicated; Ottawa was clearly the better team tonight. They completely bottled up both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in five-on-five situations and clogged the neutral zone as if it were 1999 and that sort of thing was encouraged in the NHL.
The Senators have to stay out of the box though. Malkin scored a pair of power play goals to keep Pittsburgh in it, but if Ottawa can avoid the penalties and play similarly to how they did in Game 1, the defending champions could be in real trouble.
The Senators have to stay out of the box though. Malkin scored a pair of power play goals to keep Pittsburgh in it, but if Ottawa can avoid the penalties and play similarly to how they did in Game 1, the defending champions could be in real trouble.
Charissa Thompson
It's a good thing she's hot because, my goodness, does she ask some bad questions. Sidney Crosby just found this out the hard way, although I'm sure looking at her made it a little easier on him.
Irrelevant and most likely incorrect Stanley Cup playoff predictions
West Quarterfinal
San Jose over Colorado in 5
Chicago over Nashville in 6
Vancouver over Los Angeles in 7
Detroit over Phoenix in 5
West Semifinal
Detroit over San Jose in 6
Chicago over Vancouver in 7
West Final
Chicago over Detroit in 7
East Quarterfinal
Washington over Montreal in 5
Philadelphia over New Jersey in 6
Buffalo over Boston in 6
Pittsburgh over Ottawa in 5
East Semifinal
Washington over Philadelphia in 6
Pittsburgh over Buffalo in 6
East Final
Pittsburgh over Washington in 6
Stanley Cup Final
Pittsburgh over Chicago in 6
Conn Smythe Trophy: Sidney Crosby
Let the Zen games begin!
Phil Jackson is already trying to get into the head of the officials and the head of Kevin Durant. Is it any wonder he's the best postseason coach of all-time?
April 13, 2010
2010s: a pitcher's decade?
I'm really excited at the future of pitching in baseball because of...
Brett Anderson, Oakland
Homer Bailey, Cincinnati
Brad Bergesen, Baltimore
Dallas Braden, Oakland
Matt Cain, San Francisco
Johnny Cueto, Cincinnati
John Danks, Chicago (AL)
Yovani Gallardo, Milwaukee
Matt Garza, Tampa Bay
Zack Greinke, Kansas City
Cole Hamels, Philadelphia
Tommy Hanson, Atlanta
Felix Hernandez, Seattle
Luke Hochevar, Kansas City
Edwin Jackson, Arizona
Ubaldo Jimenez, Colorado
Josh Johnson, Florida
Jair Jurrgens, Atlanta
Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles
Mike Leake, Cincinnati
Jon Lester, Boston
Tim Lincecum, San Francisco
Francisco Liriano, Minnesota
Brian Matusz, Baltimore
Ricky Nolasco, Florida
Rick Porcello, Detroit
David Price, Tampa Bay
Ricky Romero, Toronto
Max Scherzer, Detroit
Justin Verlander, Detroit
Jered Weaver, Los Angeles of Anaheim
All are 27 or younger. All have enjoyed various levels of success in the Big Leagues that have impressed me to some high degree. And this list doesn't even include Adam Wainwright (just barely too old to qualify), Stephen Strasburg (hasn't reached the majors), Aroldis Chapman (ditto) or Phil Hughes (still waiting to see if his eighth inning dominance translates into excellence as a starter).
It makes me wonder if baseball might headed toward a pitching-dominated decade. Sure, some of these guys won't make it but I have seen so many pitch at such a high level and, in some cases, on such huge stages that I cannot help but wonder where this is going. I hope the pitching dominance continues as the likes of Strasburg, Chapman, Madison Bumgarner and Shelby Miller make their way to the majors.
Brett Anderson, Oakland
Homer Bailey, Cincinnati
Brad Bergesen, Baltimore
Dallas Braden, Oakland
Matt Cain, San Francisco
Johnny Cueto, Cincinnati
John Danks, Chicago (AL)
Yovani Gallardo, Milwaukee
Matt Garza, Tampa Bay
Zack Greinke, Kansas City
Cole Hamels, Philadelphia
Tommy Hanson, Atlanta
Felix Hernandez, Seattle
Luke Hochevar, Kansas City
Edwin Jackson, Arizona
Ubaldo Jimenez, Colorado
Josh Johnson, Florida
Jair Jurrgens, Atlanta
Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles
Mike Leake, Cincinnati
Jon Lester, Boston
Tim Lincecum, San Francisco
Francisco Liriano, Minnesota
Brian Matusz, Baltimore
Ricky Nolasco, Florida
Rick Porcello, Detroit
David Price, Tampa Bay
Ricky Romero, Toronto
Max Scherzer, Detroit
Justin Verlander, Detroit
Jered Weaver, Los Angeles of Anaheim
All are 27 or younger. All have enjoyed various levels of success in the Big Leagues that have impressed me to some high degree. And this list doesn't even include Adam Wainwright (just barely too old to qualify), Stephen Strasburg (hasn't reached the majors), Aroldis Chapman (ditto) or Phil Hughes (still waiting to see if his eighth inning dominance translates into excellence as a starter).
It makes me wonder if baseball might headed toward a pitching-dominated decade. Sure, some of these guys won't make it but I have seen so many pitch at such a high level and, in some cases, on such huge stages that I cannot help but wonder where this is going. I hope the pitching dominance continues as the likes of Strasburg, Chapman, Madison Bumgarner and Shelby Miller make their way to the majors.
No Crossover
Thoroughly enjoyed the Allen Iverson documentary on ESPN tonight. I urge you to check it out. I think you'll learn a lot about his background and why he is, in some ways, the way he is because of it.
Gutting it out
When you look at the numbers, you probably think that this was a darn good performance: 6 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K. And on the surface, sure, you'd be right.
But Brett Anderson really didn't pitch all that well in this game. He got himself into trouble throughout. But I was really impressed with his ability to buckle down and get out of trouble. And, yes, I acknowledge that he was facing the Mariners pop-gun offense but to get into trouble so repeatedly and then get out of it every time is impressive. It bodes well for games against the better lineups in the American League, like the Angels within their own division and the Yankees and Twins in the other divisions.
Sadly for Anderson, the Athletics didn't score a single run for him and thus his six hard innings resulted in a no-decision. When Kevin Kouzmanoff is your cleanup hitter, you probably won't score many runs.
But Brett Anderson really didn't pitch all that well in this game. He got himself into trouble throughout. But I was really impressed with his ability to buckle down and get out of trouble. And, yes, I acknowledge that he was facing the Mariners pop-gun offense but to get into trouble so repeatedly and then get out of it every time is impressive. It bodes well for games against the better lineups in the American League, like the Angels within their own division and the Yankees and Twins in the other divisions.
Sadly for Anderson, the Athletics didn't score a single run for him and thus his six hard innings resulted in a no-decision. When Kevin Kouzmanoff is your cleanup hitter, you probably won't score many runs.
No more no-no
Ricky Romero's no-hitter is gone. He hit A.J. Pierzynski to start the eighth and then Alex Rios, the ex-Blue Jay who has been booed mercilessly by the few remaining Jays fans that still show up at SkyDome, popped a two-run homer into left.
Romero has been dominant tonight though. It's been fun watching him and Brian Matusz tonight, two of the excellent young pitchers in the American League, and I plan to watch Brett Anderson pitch for Oakland tonight.
Romero has been dominant tonight though. It's been fun watching him and Brian Matusz tonight, two of the excellent young pitchers in the American League, and I plan to watch Brett Anderson pitch for Oakland tonight.
Roy who?
Roy Halladay has been arguably the best pitcher in baseball since about 2002 or so but he wasn't the only good pitcher the Blue Jays have had. Lefty Ricky Romero is unheralded but perhaps he can soon become a household name.
I know the White Sox are impressed with Romero, who is dominating tonight. Funny listening to the Blue Jays announcers on Rogers Sportsnet refusing the acknowledge the big goose egg in the Chicago hits column. He's through seven.
I know the White Sox are impressed with Romero, who is dominating tonight. Funny listening to the Blue Jays announcers on Rogers Sportsnet refusing the acknowledge the big goose egg in the Chicago hits column. He's through seven.
One man's picks for the NHL awards
Hart Trophy (Most Valuable Player)
1. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh. With Evgeni Malkin injured and not playing up to standard, Crosby had to elevate his game. Never known as a big time goal scorer before, Crosby took it upon himself to shoot and ended up leading the league in goals. He isn't the most exciting player in the league but if there is anything closer to a model player and leader in the league, I'm not sure who it is (okay, maybe a younger Nicklas Lidstrom).
2. Alex Ovechkin, Washington
3. Henrik Sedin, Vancouver
(Ilya Bryzgalov is also a worthy candidate.)
Vezina Trophy (Top Goaltender)
1. Ryan Miller, Buffalo. Second in the league in both goals-against average and save percentage while playing 24 more games than the league leader.
2. Ilya Bryzgalov, Phoenix
3. Jimmy Howard, Detroit
(Tough to leave off Martin Brodeur who had one of the best seasons of his career. Tuukka Rask led in both goals-against average and save percentage but I wish he had played more games.)
Norris Trophy (Top Defenseman)
1. Duncan Keith, Chicago. Great two-way player who moves the puck well and excels at both ends of the ice. Joel Quenneville's best teams have always been built around great defensemen and Keith is the latest one.
2. Chris Pronger, Philadelphia
3. Drew Doughty, Los Angeles
(Two notes here: Though Mike Green led defensemen in scoring and was second in plus-minus to teammate Jeff Schultz, his shortcomings in his own end made it impossible for me to include him. Second, I sort of feel dirty for not including Nicklas Lidstrom who was his normal outstanding self yet again this season. From the Olympic break onward, he was head and shoulders above all others. He's the best defenseman who ever lived, other than Bobby Orr.)
Selke Trophy (Top Defensive Forward)
1. Jordan Staal, Pittsburgh. He does all of the little things for the Penguins so Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin don't have to.
2. Ryan Kesler, Vancouver
3. Jonathan Toews, Chicago
(Lots of good candidates, among them: Travis Zajac, Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Frans Nielsen, Joe Pavelski and Jay McClement.)
Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year)
1. Tyler Myers, Buffalo. It's rare that a defenseman steps in as a rookie and plays really, really well. Even rarer still is the one who comes in and immediately becomes a top-tier defenseman. That's exactly what the 20-year-old Myers was for the Sabres this season.
2. Jimmy Howard, Detroit
3. Tuukka Rask, Boston
(John Tavares had a strong year in anonymity because everyone who plays for the Islanders plays in anonymity. Matt Duchesne, however, was the best rookie forward.)
Jack Adams Award (Head of the Year)
1. Dave Tippett, Phoenix. Hired in training camp as the Coyotes went through their ownership, he has improbably taken them to their best ever season even as ownership remains unsettled and their home city for next season remains up in the air. Really, a no-brainer.
2. Bruce Boudreau, Washington
3. Mike Babcock, Detroit
(More options: Joel Quenneville, Joe Sacco, Barry Trotz and Terry Murray.)
1. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh. With Evgeni Malkin injured and not playing up to standard, Crosby had to elevate his game. Never known as a big time goal scorer before, Crosby took it upon himself to shoot and ended up leading the league in goals. He isn't the most exciting player in the league but if there is anything closer to a model player and leader in the league, I'm not sure who it is (okay, maybe a younger Nicklas Lidstrom).
2. Alex Ovechkin, Washington
3. Henrik Sedin, Vancouver
(Ilya Bryzgalov is also a worthy candidate.)
Vezina Trophy (Top Goaltender)
1. Ryan Miller, Buffalo. Second in the league in both goals-against average and save percentage while playing 24 more games than the league leader.
2. Ilya Bryzgalov, Phoenix
3. Jimmy Howard, Detroit
(Tough to leave off Martin Brodeur who had one of the best seasons of his career. Tuukka Rask led in both goals-against average and save percentage but I wish he had played more games.)
Norris Trophy (Top Defenseman)
1. Duncan Keith, Chicago. Great two-way player who moves the puck well and excels at both ends of the ice. Joel Quenneville's best teams have always been built around great defensemen and Keith is the latest one.
2. Chris Pronger, Philadelphia
3. Drew Doughty, Los Angeles
(Two notes here: Though Mike Green led defensemen in scoring and was second in plus-minus to teammate Jeff Schultz, his shortcomings in his own end made it impossible for me to include him. Second, I sort of feel dirty for not including Nicklas Lidstrom who was his normal outstanding self yet again this season. From the Olympic break onward, he was head and shoulders above all others. He's the best defenseman who ever lived, other than Bobby Orr.)
Selke Trophy (Top Defensive Forward)
1. Jordan Staal, Pittsburgh. He does all of the little things for the Penguins so Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin don't have to.
2. Ryan Kesler, Vancouver
3. Jonathan Toews, Chicago
(Lots of good candidates, among them: Travis Zajac, Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Frans Nielsen, Joe Pavelski and Jay McClement.)
Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year)
1. Tyler Myers, Buffalo. It's rare that a defenseman steps in as a rookie and plays really, really well. Even rarer still is the one who comes in and immediately becomes a top-tier defenseman. That's exactly what the 20-year-old Myers was for the Sabres this season.
2. Jimmy Howard, Detroit
3. Tuukka Rask, Boston
(John Tavares had a strong year in anonymity because everyone who plays for the Islanders plays in anonymity. Matt Duchesne, however, was the best rookie forward.)
Jack Adams Award (Head of the Year)
1. Dave Tippett, Phoenix. Hired in training camp as the Coyotes went through their ownership, he has improbably taken them to their best ever season even as ownership remains unsettled and their home city for next season remains up in the air. Really, a no-brainer.
2. Bruce Boudreau, Washington
3. Mike Babcock, Detroit
(More options: Joel Quenneville, Joe Sacco, Barry Trotz and Terry Murray.)
The Ol' Ball Coach: RIP
Listened to Steve Spurrier being interviewed on the Dan Patrick radio show today. He really angered me. Whatever arrogance he had is completely gone. And as much as he angered people when he was arrogant, he’s so much less interesting now that he isn’t.
He was so humble it was sickening and, in fact, he showed so much humility that Dan Patrick actually asked him what he thought of Lane Kiffin running his mouth last year at Tennessee. No, seriously.
Really aggravating to me. Part of the fun of following sports is following the characters and I have to say, following college football as a whole and the SEC in particular isn’t as much fun without Spurrier talking a big game and backing it up. Kiffin actually had the chance to be his successor but didn’t win big at Tennessee before bolting and his big talk won’t mean anything at USC because the overall Pac-10 fan base isn’t passionate enough to get really angered by him and the Pac-10 quality by in large is mediocre.
The Ol' Ball Coach, the one we all hated yet respected, I'm afraid is no more.
He was so humble it was sickening and, in fact, he showed so much humility that Dan Patrick actually asked him what he thought of Lane Kiffin running his mouth last year at Tennessee. No, seriously.
Really aggravating to me. Part of the fun of following sports is following the characters and I have to say, following college football as a whole and the SEC in particular isn’t as much fun without Spurrier talking a big game and backing it up. Kiffin actually had the chance to be his successor but didn’t win big at Tennessee before bolting and his big talk won’t mean anything at USC because the overall Pac-10 fan base isn’t passionate enough to get really angered by him and the Pac-10 quality by in large is mediocre.
The Ol' Ball Coach, the one we all hated yet respected, I'm afraid is no more.
The Big Bang Theory goes boom...or, so I think
1. I'm not sure whether or not Kaley Cuoco is hot. My mind changes seemingly every episode.
2. The show is headed down a steep slope and I'm beginning to fear that it's going to become a disaster by following the exact same path that Friends went down. And let there be no doubt that, after three seasons, Friends became a complete disaster.
The Big Bang Theory has had one underlying theme throughout: Leonard's crush on Penny, and subsequently dating Penny. Beyond that and character development, virtually episode has pretty much stood on its own in that you haven't really had to see other episodes to understand what is going on. That's a trait I tend to believe enhances a comedy. The first couple years of Friends were great because of this (and because they hadn't turned the male characters into women yet). Seinfeld and Cheers became the two greatest comedies of all-time largely because of this. But on last night's episode, Penny broke up with Leonard because she couldn't say "I love you" to him after he said it to her.
Uh oh. This has Ross and Rachel written all over it and that's a bad thing. That's a really, really bad thing. That's the sort of thing that can ruin this show. I always felt that once the writers inevitably decided to bring Leonard and Penny together, they had to stay together for the sake of the show. Now? Danger ahead.
April 12, 2010
Western Conference goaltenders
Ranking the playoff goaltenders in the West…
1. Roberto Luongo, Vancouver. Long considered one of the game’s best, Luongo has never gotten to a conference final. He did, however, elevate Team Canada in the Olympics after replacing Martin Brodeur, a key switch that led to their winning the gold medal. In a conference full of young goalies, Luongo is clearly the best heading into the postseason even if he doesn’t have the spring success to prove it (although that says as much about the other goalies as it does about Luongo).
2. Ilya Bryzgalov, Phoenix. A possible Hart Trophy candidate, Bryzgalov was the key to the unexpected success the Coyotes had this season. He actually has a touch of playoff success on his resume, having split chores with Jean-Sebastian Giguere during Anaheim’s 2006 run to the Western Conference Final. Really interested in seeing how he handles the healthy and again powerful Red Wings in the first round.
3. Antti Niemi, Chicago. The constant for Joel Quenneville throughout his coaching career with the Blues, Avalanche and Blackhawks has been questioning goaltending. Many times before Quenneville has entered the playoffs with forwards and defensemen good enough to get to the Stanley Cup Final yet each of those teams has been undermined with shaky goaltenders. That is the case yet again this season in Chicago. Quenneville benched Cristobal Huet down the stretch and handed the reigns to Antti Niemi, a move that coincided with the Blackhawks finishing the season strong. Despite his strong season, Niemi has no postseason experience which leaves this position a question for the Blackhawks.
4. Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles. A major revelation for the Kings in this season of resurgence for the franchise. Quick really stabilized the goaltending position early on and ended up playing a whopping 72 games. Will he wear down after playing so many games? He has never before started a playoff game so there isn’t much to go on when it comes to his postseason pedigree. Like the chemistry he has with his defensemen, notably Rob Scuderi, Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson.
5. Jimmy Howard, Detroit. Possibly the Calder Trophy winner as the rookie really stabilized Detroit’s goaltending situation when Chris Osgood was performing so poorly. He plays behind a strong puck-possession team, which I’m convinced elevates the actual play of a goaltender. I cannot help but wonder if Mike Babcock will go back to Osgood if Howard struggles early. As badly as Osgood has performed this season, he has gotten to the Stanley Cup Final each of the last two years, winning once.
6. Pekka Rinne, Nashville. Yet another goalie in the West without postseason experience. The Predators finished strong and Rinne was a big reason why. The Predators have shuffled from Chris Mason to Dan Ellis to Rinne in the post-lockout NHL and Rinne looks like the best one they have had in goal. Not that that really says much.
7. Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose. The only starting goaltender in the West who has ever gotten as far as the conference final but that happened in 2004. The Sharks have been colossal playoff underachiever this entire decade and goaltending has been a major culprit. No one seems convinced that Nabokov can elevate his game when it matters, as shown many times during his NHL career and also during Russia’s 7-3 loss to Canada in the Olympics. Clearly, this is San Jose’s biggest obstacle in their quest toward finally reaching the promised land.
8. Craig Anderson, Colorado. Playing behind a really young team that has some major mental lapses defensively, Anderson had some impressive moments this season. He also played a lot more than he ever has before and the potential to wear down is there. So too is the possibility of being exposed by his defensively irresponsible teammates. He too has never played in the postseason.
1. Roberto Luongo, Vancouver. Long considered one of the game’s best, Luongo has never gotten to a conference final. He did, however, elevate Team Canada in the Olympics after replacing Martin Brodeur, a key switch that led to their winning the gold medal. In a conference full of young goalies, Luongo is clearly the best heading into the postseason even if he doesn’t have the spring success to prove it (although that says as much about the other goalies as it does about Luongo).
2. Ilya Bryzgalov, Phoenix. A possible Hart Trophy candidate, Bryzgalov was the key to the unexpected success the Coyotes had this season. He actually has a touch of playoff success on his resume, having split chores with Jean-Sebastian Giguere during Anaheim’s 2006 run to the Western Conference Final. Really interested in seeing how he handles the healthy and again powerful Red Wings in the first round.
3. Antti Niemi, Chicago. The constant for Joel Quenneville throughout his coaching career with the Blues, Avalanche and Blackhawks has been questioning goaltending. Many times before Quenneville has entered the playoffs with forwards and defensemen good enough to get to the Stanley Cup Final yet each of those teams has been undermined with shaky goaltenders. That is the case yet again this season in Chicago. Quenneville benched Cristobal Huet down the stretch and handed the reigns to Antti Niemi, a move that coincided with the Blackhawks finishing the season strong. Despite his strong season, Niemi has no postseason experience which leaves this position a question for the Blackhawks.
4. Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles. A major revelation for the Kings in this season of resurgence for the franchise. Quick really stabilized the goaltending position early on and ended up playing a whopping 72 games. Will he wear down after playing so many games? He has never before started a playoff game so there isn’t much to go on when it comes to his postseason pedigree. Like the chemistry he has with his defensemen, notably Rob Scuderi, Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson.
5. Jimmy Howard, Detroit. Possibly the Calder Trophy winner as the rookie really stabilized Detroit’s goaltending situation when Chris Osgood was performing so poorly. He plays behind a strong puck-possession team, which I’m convinced elevates the actual play of a goaltender. I cannot help but wonder if Mike Babcock will go back to Osgood if Howard struggles early. As badly as Osgood has performed this season, he has gotten to the Stanley Cup Final each of the last two years, winning once.
6. Pekka Rinne, Nashville. Yet another goalie in the West without postseason experience. The Predators finished strong and Rinne was a big reason why. The Predators have shuffled from Chris Mason to Dan Ellis to Rinne in the post-lockout NHL and Rinne looks like the best one they have had in goal. Not that that really says much.
7. Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose. The only starting goaltender in the West who has ever gotten as far as the conference final but that happened in 2004. The Sharks have been colossal playoff underachiever this entire decade and goaltending has been a major culprit. No one seems convinced that Nabokov can elevate his game when it matters, as shown many times during his NHL career and also during Russia’s 7-3 loss to Canada in the Olympics. Clearly, this is San Jose’s biggest obstacle in their quest toward finally reaching the promised land.
8. Craig Anderson, Colorado. Playing behind a really young team that has some major mental lapses defensively, Anderson had some impressive moments this season. He also played a lot more than he ever has before and the potential to wear down is there. So too is the possibility of being exposed by his defensively irresponsible teammates. He too has never played in the postseason.
Eastern Conference goaltenders
Ranking the playoff goaltenders in the East…
1. Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh. Let’s see, he’s played in the Stanley Cup Final each of the last two seasons and won it last year. Hands down the leader on this list as no one else in recent seasons has performed as well in high-pressure games.
2. Ryan Miller, Buffalo. The best in the NHL this season, he should win the Vezina Trophy, and showed his big-game ability in the Vancouver Olympics. The only thing lacking from his resume is a Stanley Cup.
3. Martin Brodeur, New Jersey. Once a playoff legend, it must be said that Brodeur hasn’t gotten past the second round of the playoffs since winning the Stanley Cup in 2003. He’s on his way to the Hall of Fame and is a legendary but he hasn’t elevated his play in the big games in recent years. Really, since Scott Stevens retired and Scott Niedermayer moved on. Funny how a goaltender’s ability to win big games drops after losing two Hall of Fame defesemen. Collapse versus Carolina in Game 7 last season cannot be ignored.
4. Jaroslav Halak, Montreal. Had a very strong season for the Canadiens, especially after the Olympics in which he played really well for Slovakia. He held the Slovaks in some games they had no business winning. The Canadiens were clearly a better team when he played as opposed to Carey Price and he could potentially steal some games for the Canadiens. He better be on his game because he will be facing Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals when the playoffs start.
5. Tuukka Rask, Boston. Stole the job from reigning Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas during the regular season and one cannot help but think Thomas could reclaim it in the postseason if Rask gets off to a shaky start. That being said, Rask had a great season for a Bruins team that had little room for error due a depleted offense that was nowhere near as effective as it was in front of Thomas last season (due to personnel losses and injuries). He could be both a Vezina and Calder finalist. He has never made a playoff start.
6. Brian Elliott, Ottawa. Gave the Senators some much needed stability in goal after a few years of major uncertainty. In fact, one could legitimately argue that Elliott just delivered Ottawa their best ever goaltending season. He has never made a playoff start.
7. Jose Theodore/Semyon Varlamov, Washington. You tell me who the man is going to be in the playoffs (and I don’t care who Bruce Boudreau declares his starter). Theodore, who won the Hart Trophy in 2002, was benched last spring and Varlamov played admirably until melting down in Game 7 against Pittsburgh. Theodore has dominated the Penguins for years, which must be acknowledged.
8. Brian Boucher, Philadelphia. I cannot remember the last time the Flyers went into the postseason with goaltending not being a big question mark. That is no different this season, although Boucher should be riding an emotional high after beating the great Henrik Lundqvist in a shootout to get the Flyers into the playoffs. Boucher had a very strong postseason in 2000, unexpectedly. A strong postseason this season would be unexpected as well.
1. Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh. Let’s see, he’s played in the Stanley Cup Final each of the last two seasons and won it last year. Hands down the leader on this list as no one else in recent seasons has performed as well in high-pressure games.
2. Ryan Miller, Buffalo. The best in the NHL this season, he should win the Vezina Trophy, and showed his big-game ability in the Vancouver Olympics. The only thing lacking from his resume is a Stanley Cup.
3. Martin Brodeur, New Jersey. Once a playoff legend, it must be said that Brodeur hasn’t gotten past the second round of the playoffs since winning the Stanley Cup in 2003. He’s on his way to the Hall of Fame and is a legendary but he hasn’t elevated his play in the big games in recent years. Really, since Scott Stevens retired and Scott Niedermayer moved on. Funny how a goaltender’s ability to win big games drops after losing two Hall of Fame defesemen. Collapse versus Carolina in Game 7 last season cannot be ignored.
4. Jaroslav Halak, Montreal. Had a very strong season for the Canadiens, especially after the Olympics in which he played really well for Slovakia. He held the Slovaks in some games they had no business winning. The Canadiens were clearly a better team when he played as opposed to Carey Price and he could potentially steal some games for the Canadiens. He better be on his game because he will be facing Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals when the playoffs start.
5. Tuukka Rask, Boston. Stole the job from reigning Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas during the regular season and one cannot help but think Thomas could reclaim it in the postseason if Rask gets off to a shaky start. That being said, Rask had a great season for a Bruins team that had little room for error due a depleted offense that was nowhere near as effective as it was in front of Thomas last season (due to personnel losses and injuries). He could be both a Vezina and Calder finalist. He has never made a playoff start.
6. Brian Elliott, Ottawa. Gave the Senators some much needed stability in goal after a few years of major uncertainty. In fact, one could legitimately argue that Elliott just delivered Ottawa their best ever goaltending season. He has never made a playoff start.
7. Jose Theodore/Semyon Varlamov, Washington. You tell me who the man is going to be in the playoffs (and I don’t care who Bruce Boudreau declares his starter). Theodore, who won the Hart Trophy in 2002, was benched last spring and Varlamov played admirably until melting down in Game 7 against Pittsburgh. Theodore has dominated the Penguins for years, which must be acknowledged.
8. Brian Boucher, Philadelphia. I cannot remember the last time the Flyers went into the postseason with goaltending not being a big question mark. That is no different this season, although Boucher should be riding an emotional high after beating the great Henrik Lundqvist in a shootout to get the Flyers into the playoffs. Boucher had a very strong postseason in 2000, unexpectedly. A strong postseason this season would be unexpected as well.
Kroenke goes all in
In a surprise move, Stan Kroenke, who has owned 40% of the Rams since their move to St. Louis in 1995, has decided to exercise his option to buy the remaining 60% of the team that co-owners Chip Rosenbloom and Lucia Rodriguez, children of the late Georgia Frontiere, had inherited and agreed to sell to Shahid Khan.
While most will wonder if Kroenke will be successful, given that he owns the Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets and the NFL's cross-ownership rules don't allow owners to own teams in other sports in other markets that also have NFL teams, and others will wonder if this means Kroenke intends to sell the Avalanche and Nuggets (what will this mean for Carmelo Anthony?), my only real concern is this:
Khan's hilarious moustache won't be a part of the sports world.
While most will wonder if Kroenke will be successful, given that he owns the Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets and the NFL's cross-ownership rules don't allow owners to own teams in other sports in other markets that also have NFL teams, and others will wonder if this means Kroenke intends to sell the Avalanche and Nuggets (what will this mean for Carmelo Anthony?), my only real concern is this:
Khan's hilarious moustache won't be a part of the sports world.
Who has the better lineup?
Twins regulars:
LF Jason Kubel
CF Denard Span
RF Michael Cuddyer
3B Nick Punto
SS J.J. Hardy
2B Orlando Hudson
1B Justin Morneau
C Joe Mauer
DH Jim Thome/Delmon Young
Red Sox regulars:
LF Jacoby Ellsbury
CF Mike Cameron
RF J.D. Drew
3B Adrian Beltre
SS Marco Scutaro
2B Dustin Pedroia
1B Kevin Youkilis
C Victor Martinez
DH David Ortiz/Mike Lowell (when Terry Francona finally gives in and acknowledges the need to sit Ortiz against lefties)
The teams play the first regular season game at Target Field in an hour. Did you ever think you'd see the day that the Twins had a more imposing lineup than the Red Sox? (Red Sox have significantly better starting pitching and a better bench; Twins have a better bullpen even without Joe Nathan, although Boston may have the better closer. Remains to be seen given how poorly Jonathan Papelbon has pitched since last September.)
LF Jason Kubel
CF Denard Span
RF Michael Cuddyer
3B Nick Punto
SS J.J. Hardy
2B Orlando Hudson
1B Justin Morneau
C Joe Mauer
DH Jim Thome/Delmon Young
Red Sox regulars:
LF Jacoby Ellsbury
CF Mike Cameron
RF J.D. Drew
3B Adrian Beltre
SS Marco Scutaro
2B Dustin Pedroia
1B Kevin Youkilis
C Victor Martinez
DH David Ortiz/Mike Lowell (when Terry Francona finally gives in and acknowledges the need to sit Ortiz against lefties)
The teams play the first regular season game at Target Field in an hour. Did you ever think you'd see the day that the Twins had a more imposing lineup than the Red Sox? (Red Sox have significantly better starting pitching and a better bench; Twins have a better bullpen even without Joe Nathan, although Boston may have the better closer. Remains to be seen given how poorly Jonathan Papelbon has pitched since last September.)
Apparently Americans don't care about Devils-Flyers
Let's see...it's two northeastern market, one of America's most passionate hockey markets, one of America's biggest television markets...so tell me, how is it that the Devils-Flyers series won't be on national television in the United States?
No, no, not just a game or two...all seven games. Not a single one is currently scheduled to air on either NBC or Versus, although that could change if it is a long series and other series currently scheduled for those two channels have already ended. I would have thought that Devils-Flyers would have been considered the No. 1 series featuring two American teams, or perhaps No. 2 at worse given the national following (such as it is) the Red Wings have. NBC and Versus don't agree.
Fortunately, the entire series is available on NHL Center Ice, of which I am a subscriber, so I will be watching on MSG Plus with Mike Emrick and Chico Resch (and whoever Emrick's fill-in is when he is off on weekends doing the NBC games). I have no idea how good the series will be but I will be tuned in.
By the way, every single playoff game will be nationally televised in Canada between CBC, TSN and TSN2.
No, no, not just a game or two...all seven games. Not a single one is currently scheduled to air on either NBC or Versus, although that could change if it is a long series and other series currently scheduled for those two channels have already ended. I would have thought that Devils-Flyers would have been considered the No. 1 series featuring two American teams, or perhaps No. 2 at worse given the national following (such as it is) the Red Wings have. NBC and Versus don't agree.
Fortunately, the entire series is available on NHL Center Ice, of which I am a subscriber, so I will be watching on MSG Plus with Mike Emrick and Chico Resch (and whoever Emrick's fill-in is when he is off on weekends doing the NBC games). I have no idea how good the series will be but I will be tuned in.
By the way, every single playoff game will be nationally televised in Canada between CBC, TSN and TSN2.
It's official: Roethlisberger won't be charged
Fred Bright, Baldwin County District Attorney, announced moments ago that charges will not be brought forth upon Ben Roethlisberger for allegedly sexually assaulting a 20-year-old college student in Milledgeville, Ga. Bright said it could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the crime occurred.
Bright is detailing what he knows right now (you can see his statements right now on the NFL Network).
Bright is detailing what he knows right now (you can see his statements right now on the NFL Network).
Coco goes cable
It's official: Conan O'Brien is going to cable, joining TBS for an 11 pm ET show beginning in November. Get ready for numerous promos during TBS' coverage of the baseball playoffs in October (although for once, I'll actually watch one of these TBS shows).
Conan wrote the following on his Twitter page:
"The good news: I will be doing a show on TBS starting in November! The bad news: I'll be playing Rudy on the all new Cosby Show."
It had been thought Coco (a nickname bestowed upon him by Tom Hanks) would go to Fox but for whatever reason that deal didn't come together. I will be watching Conan on TBS and will continue to watch Letterman on CBS (both will be via DVR, most likely, given other life factors) and will continue to ignore Jay Leno as much as possible. I continue to hope that one day Leno's rating will sink to ridiculously low depths. Like, hopefully tonight.
Here's hoping Conan brings Max Weinberg and Andy Richter to TBS with him.
UPDATE: The Los Angeles Times reports that it is a five-year deal and that Conan will have ownership of the show as opposed to being the host of a show owned by the network. Thus, if he wishes he can take the show with him to another network if things don't work out with TBS. Also, the show airing at 11 pm forces George Lopez out of his timeslot and to midnight. Unlike Conan, who refused to option of moving The Tonight Show to midnight in order to facilitate that weasel Leno's return to 11:30, Lopez is said to have no problem with the move and is happy to have Conan on board with TBS. Plus, I have no idea what TBS' current lead-in to Lopez is but I'm sure it isn't anywhere near as strong as Conan will be, and Lopez has to be thrilled about that.
Worth noting that Conan is bumping Lopez, much like Leno was supposed to bump him, but I won't fault Conan because A) the move has Lopez's blessing and B) I like Conan and hate that weasel Leno.
YET ANOTHER UPDATE: A perusal of my DirecTV on-screen guide tells me that the current lead-in for Lopez is Sex and the City reruns. Blecch.
Holmes to be suspended, Steelers were ready to whack him
Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Steelers apparently were ready to cut Holmes had they not been able to find a trade partner for him and thus called all around the league in an effort to trade him. The fifth-round pick from the Jets was the best they could do, no doubt because Holmes is going to be suspended for the first four games of the 2010 season for a violation of the league's substance abuse policy and is one strike away from facing a year-long suspension. Wake and bake, baby!! If you ain't first, you're last!
And what does it say about Holmes that the best the Steelers could get for a 26-year-old receiver who two seasons ago was the Super Bowl MVP and last season had over 1,200 receiving yards was the 155th pick in the draft?
It's also worth noting that Holmes is about to enter the final season of his contract. Given the numerous legal troubles he has had throughout his short career, and knowing that the Steelers have only occassionally committed big-time money, long-term to players, there is no doubt Holmes would not have been with the team in 2011. It's questionable whether the Steelers would have paid him what he feels he is worth even had he been a model citizen, given the way the Steelers do things.
My big question is this: what is the point of no return for Ben Roethlisberger? District attorney Fred Bright will announce today his decision regarding whether to press charges against Big Ben regarding an alleged sexual assault that took place last month at a Milledgeville, Ga. nightclub. ESPN's Kelly Naqi reported on Friday that he will not be charged. Still, Roethlisberger does face a potential civil suit and potential discipline from Roger Goodell, who is expected to meet with Big Ben this week. Will Goodell suspend Roethlisberger for violating the league's personal conduct policy? Or does he give him one more strike to work with, given this incident following a claim of sexual assault by Roethlisberger last summer in Nevada?
And how many more chances will the Steelers give him? The franchise is very proud of its pristine image and takes it very seriously but incidents in the past couple of years involving Holmes, Roethlisberger, James Harrison, Jeff Reed and the released Cedrick Wilson have caused some in the Pittsburgh media to start comparing the franchise to the Bengals, a team notorious for arrests in recent seasons. This no doubt doesn't sit well with the Rooney family. And I'm sure it wasn't lost upon them that Roethlisberger's favorite receiver was Holmes; the two clearly had on-field chemistry over the last three seasons. Was dumping Holmes a sign to Roethlisberger that a player's stature doesn't really matter and that Roethlisberger will be next if he fouls up again? Or was this another case of the Steelers cutting the more replaceable player, as many alleged when they cut backup receiver Wilson for his issues while keeping defensive player of the year Harrison who had issues of him own at the same time?
It's a key point in the organization's history. No franchise--none--has maintained higher standards of integrity over the years than have the Steelers. It's why they are the model organization in the NFL. That is being severely tested now.
From Kim to Paris
It's been less than a month since Reggie Bush broke up with Kim Kardashian. So who is Reggie partying with now? Apparently, Paris Hilton! The above photo was taken at the Tao nightclub in Vegas over the weekend. I'm not saying Reggie and Paris hooked up (although Paris will hook up with anything that has a penis so I'm sure she was willing and able) but it's funny that Reggie was with Kim's chief rival.
Someone-in-the-know told me recently that one of the things that led to the Bush-Kardashian split (just months after an apparent promise to get engaged if the Saints won the Super Bowl) was that Reggie's parents were uncomfortable with him marrying someone who had a sex tape out on the Internet. So I guess Reggie just has a thing for girls with sex tapes out there?
Happy Birthday!
To the incredibly beautiful Brooklyn Decker. For the life of me, I cannot understand why she picked Andy Roddick instead of me.
April 11, 2010
Get those high draft picks now!
1. Henrik Sedin, Vancouver: 3rd, 1999
2. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh: 1st, 2005
2. Alex Ovechkin, Washington: 1st, 2004
4. Nicklas Backstrom, Washington: 4th, 2006
Overall draft positions of this season’s 40-goal club:
1. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh: 1st, 2005
1. Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay: 1st, 2008
3. Alex Ovechkin, Washington: 1st, 2004
4. Patrick Marleau, San Jose: 2nd, 1997
5. Marian Gaborik, N.Y. Rangers: 3rd, 2000 (by Minnesota)
6. Ilya Kovalchuk, New Jersey: 1st, 2001 (by Atlanta)
7. Alexander Semin, Washington: 13th, 2002
In the NHL these days, if you want a big-time scorer you pretty much either have to have a really high draft choice or pay a lot of money to get him (like the Rangers did for Gaborik and the Devils will have to do to keep the newly acquired Kovalchuk).
In fact, other than Detroit it seems like all the top teams have high-scoring forwards that were drafted toward the top of their draft (how about Chicago with Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews; the Capitals big three; San Jose's Marleau, Dany Heatley and Joe Thornton; and the Penguins with Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal as four examples). What does that tell you? It tells me that in the new NHL, where there is more room to skate and show off your skill, the most complete skill-sets are going to be the most effective players and those with the most complete skill-sets usually go really high in the draft.
Steelers give Holmes to the Jets
Holmes is 26 years old. He had 79 catches for 1,248 yards and 5 touchdowns last season. He was the MVP of Super Bowl 43. And the Steelers have traded him. For a fifth-round pick.
Ben Roethlisberger is in the midst of his second sexual assault accusation in a year and ESPN is reporting that charges will not be brought upon him when the DA in Georgia announces his decision tomorrow. Is he the next to go? Probably not.
In America, people that are more difficult to replace get more chances. Replacing Holmes will be relatively easy. Replacing one of the four best quarterbacks in the NFL? Not so much. So Roethlisberger--the first consistently above-average quarterback the Steelers have had since Terry Bradshaw--will be around for the foreseeable future while Holmes is a Jet.
By the way, the Jets have acquired three players of questionable character--Braylon Edwards, Antonio Cromartie and now Holmes--since last October. They're clearly going for it this year (though I don't believe LaDainian Tomlinson will be any help to them at all) if these guys don't bring them down first.
Casey at the bat
And just like that, the Brewers win it. Casey McGehee with a walk-off homer in the last of the ninth off Kyle McClellan.
The good news is that my evening of Joe Morgan is over.
The good news is that my evening of Joe Morgan is over.
Happy Holliday
Holliday ties it up. 7-7.
Rough weekend for Trevor Hoffman, who allowed a game-winning homer to Nick Stavinoha on Friday and back-to-back jacks to Pujols and Holliday to tie it in the ninth tonight.
By the way, the Pujols-Holliday combo is off to a nice start: .500 AVG, 15 R, 7 HR, 16 RBI.
Rough weekend for Trevor Hoffman, who allowed a game-winning homer to Nick Stavinoha on Friday and back-to-back jacks to Pujols and Holliday to tie it in the ninth tonight.
By the way, the Pujols-Holliday combo is off to a nice start: .500 AVG, 15 R, 7 HR, 16 RBI.
Four homers for Pujols in the first week of the season
Albert Pujols just hit his second homer of the game. He has two multi-homer games this season, giving him four homers on the year.
The Cardinals trail the Brewers in the ninth, 7-6, with Matt Holliday up with two outs. A homer here off Trevor Hoffman would be nice.
The Cardinals trail the Brewers in the ninth, 7-6, with Matt Holliday up with two outs. A homer here off Trevor Hoffman would be nice.
It isn't 2009 anymore
Chris Carpenter has pitched seven innings this season and has already allowed four home runs (he allowed seven all of last season).
Fortunately for him and the Cardinals, all four have been solos.
Fortunately for him and the Cardinals, all four have been solos.
The Joe Morgan Experience is underway tonight
After Felipe Lopez leads off the game with a double, Joe Morgan complains that No. 2 hitter Ryan Ludwick didn’t try to move the runner over to third, instead swinging to drive him in.
Morgan, being the idiot that he is, doesn’t acknowledge that had Ludwick moved the runner over to third, Randy Wolf almost certainly would have intentionally walked Albert Pujols with first base open (even with Matt Holliday coming up).
Then, after Ludwick walked and Pujols hit a fly ball to right that advanced Lopez to third, Morgan decides to show how smart he is by pointing out that had Ludwick moved Lopez over to third, that fly ball would have driven Lopez home. Morgan does not acknowledge that had Lopez been on third with one out, Pujols likely would have had the bat taken out of his hands. Nor does he acknowledge that had Lopez been on third with one out as opposed to Lopez being on second and Ludwick being on first with no outs, Wolf would have pitched differently to Pujols.
I really hate Joe Morgan.
Kudos to Wolf, who pitched around the first and second with no outs situation by retiring Pujols, Matt Holliday and Yadier Molina in succession to escape the jam.
Morgan, being the idiot that he is, doesn’t acknowledge that had Ludwick moved the runner over to third, Randy Wolf almost certainly would have intentionally walked Albert Pujols with first base open (even with Matt Holliday coming up).
Then, after Ludwick walked and Pujols hit a fly ball to right that advanced Lopez to third, Morgan decides to show how smart he is by pointing out that had Ludwick moved Lopez over to third, that fly ball would have driven Lopez home. Morgan does not acknowledge that had Lopez been on third with one out, Pujols likely would have had the bat taken out of his hands. Nor does he acknowledge that had Lopez been on third with one out as opposed to Lopez being on second and Ludwick being on first with no outs, Wolf would have pitched differently to Pujols.
I really hate Joe Morgan.
Kudos to Wolf, who pitched around the first and second with no outs situation by retiring Pujols, Matt Holliday and Yadier Molina in succession to escape the jam.
Such a great player, such a bad broadcaster
Crosby and Stamkos net 51 goals
Thoroughly enjoyed the end of the Penguins-Islanders game. Sidney Crosby scored his 50th and 51st goals of the season earlier in the game to take the NHL lead. Then word no doubt trickled down that Tampa’s Steven Stamkos scored his 51st to tie him into an empty net. From that point forward, every time out Crosby was a man possessed, showing off the sorts of moves that make fans enjoy Alex Ovechkin so much. Really, it was the first time I’ve ever seen Crosby play selfishly on the ice.
Alas, he never could bury his 52nd and ends the season tied with Stamkos for the league lead in goals. The Penguins did win the game, 6-5, on Jordan Leopold’s overtime goal.
Alas, he never could bury his 52nd and ends the season tied with Stamkos for the league lead in goals. The Penguins did win the game, 6-5, on Jordan Leopold’s overtime goal.
Lefty wins the Masters, Tiger finishes fourth
Jim Nantz’s contrived call on Phil Mickelson’s winning the Masters? “A win for the family!”
This coming from a guy who just went through a bitter divorce with his wife and “traded up” by dating a 29-year-old.
A win for the family, indeed.
No matter, it was a thrilling and emotional win for Mickelson, who captured his third Green Jacket for his wife Amy who has been diagnosed with cancer. As America comes to grips with Tiger Woods' marital infidelities, it should also appreciate the dedication to his wife that Lefty has shown throughout their relationship and especially in the last year. If Mickelson's triumph didn't provide golf with the proper image it has been lacking since Thanksgiving night, nothing will.
Scott Riggs: the deciding figure in Phoenix
I thoroughly enjoyed the finish to last night's Subway Fresh Fit 600 in Phoenix. Kyle Busch was three laps away from victory, cruising far in front of second-place Jimmie Johnson and the rest of the field and on his way to victory. All he needed was for cars well behind him to get out of his way and all of them were doing exactly that.
Scott Riggs included. With Kyle pushing on him, Riggs tried to slide up the track and out of the 18's way. In doing so, he encountered car trouble that brought out the caution flag and essentially cost Busch the race. Busch had a slow pit stop and Ryan Newman emerged victorious out of the green-white checkered. Jeff Gordon was second, Johnson was third and Busch fell all the way to eighth.
Poor Kyle. Riggs was trying to help him out and it backfired. I can only imagine how angry Busch was, given that he hasn't won a race since last August. And if you're Kyle Busch, aren't you thinking to yourself, "What the hell is Scott Riggs doing out there with three laps to go? He's usually gone to the garage 300 laps ago!"?
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