Sweep

Another chapter in the ultimate rivalry in all of sports started this past weekend.  The Yankees and Red Sox sqaured off in Fenway park for a 3 game series, the first of many to come in the season of 2009.  The Red Sox took all three games against the Yankees, coming back from a deficit in every game of the series.  The most painful… as a yankees fan… was game one Friday night.  The Red Sox won 5-4.  Mariano Rivera blew a 2 run lead in the bottom of the ninth.  He gave up a two run bomb to Jason Bay, Kevin Youkilis would later hit a walk off homer in the 11th.  Mariano Rivera is by far the best closer in the history of the game, he is lights out against any team he faces.  But when he gets onto the rubber in Fenway Park, he becomes human.  This guy is not a regular man when he pitches against other teams, he is perfect.  But the Red Sox have had his number in Fenway Park since 2004.

Game two was supposed to be an ultimate pitchers duel.  Newly acquired pitcher A.J. Burnett was set to face off with Josh Beckett.  These two guys have some of the most electric stuff in all of baseball and the game was definitely a disappointment.  Final score of 16-11.

The final game of the series gave the Yankees and opportunity to win one for the sake of their pride.  Andy Pettitte pitched for the Yanks.  He had a 17-1 record going into tonight’s game when he was trying to prevent the Yankees from being swept.  That record is now 17-2.  Justin Masterson got the win for the BoSox.

You can read more highlights of the series here:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=290426102

The Yankees lost game one and two both towards the end of the game and it was from a member of the bullpen.  The Yankees now have the worst bullpen ERA in all of baseball.  In tonight’s game Mark Melancon made is MLB debut out of the bullpen for the yankees and he did a stand up job.  He did what he was supposed to do out of the bullpen.  When he was finished the score remained the same.  The Yankees are struggling desperately right now and they need to mke some moves if they plan on winning this year.  Joba Chamberlain needs to be the 8th inning guy for the Yanks and a guy like Phil Hughes should be called up and take his spot in the starting rotation.  Either way the gameplan needs to be shaken up.

Interview

For my video project I interviewed John Peterson. John works at KFYI/KGME radio station in Phoenix, AZ. He produces and also board ops for the station. He orginally was hired to work at the station as an intern with KGME also known as XTRA Sports 910. He managed to turn an internship to a part time job with the station. He has worked there for around a year and says he enjoys working at the radio station.

John hopes to make a career out of his experience in the radio industry. His dream is to call play-by-play for the NHL (National Hockey League). John currently was announced as the Sports Director at KASC the Blaze 1260 AM, the college radio station. He plans on using both the Sports director’s job and and his job with KFYI/KGME as a jump start for his career. You can see the interview below:

2 Week Rundown

It’s been two weeks since the start of the 2009 MLB season and man has it been awkward. The New York Mets and New York Yankees both opened their “new” stadiums in the last two weeks and the only thing “new” to these teams were loses… and boy were some of them bad. Both teams are .500 at home, the Mets (3-3) and the Yanks (2-2). Both teams lost their home opener but the Yankees were embarassed 10-2. Then they followed up that embarassing loss with a ten times disgusting loss two days later… 22-4. The Yankees gave up 14 runs in the second inning which is the most runs in the second inning in the history of Major League Baseball. The Yanks debut a new stadium and accomplish something that won’t happen for probably another 100 years!

Other shocking events that have occured in the MLB since the beginning of the season include the league best Florida Marlins (11-1) and only two teams who won their division last year are leading their division outright currently, the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers. The other four division leaders finished dead last or second to last during the 2008 season, with the exception of Florida who finished third and the White Sox who finished first. The Toronto Blue Jays lead the AL East, The Kansas City Royals are tied with the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago White Sox in the AL Central and the Seattle Mariners are leading the AL West. I already mentioned the Marlins holding down the NL east. What is going on right now?

If you want to see the complete standings click here:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/standings?year=2009&type=reg&br=3&column=gamesBehind&order=false&st=2

Now teams have only played 14 or 13 games and the season is very young but some of these teams have shown some ability to really contend to this point. The Marlins pitching staff is young and filthy which means they could be in the hunt all season long. The last time they started this hot was in 1997 when they went 8-1 and won the whole thing. Could they repeat history? They did win their second championship 6 years after their first (1997-2003) and if my math is correct 2003 to 2009 is six years. They were young and talented then and they are young and talented now.

Another standout team is the Kansas City Royals, the perennial team in the cellar in the central for since I can remember. They are definitely showing some ability up to this point in their year. There pitching has been solid and we all know pitching wins championships. There is no way they win it but they could give their fans a season they could remember.

The first two weeks of the MLB season have been very exciting and very unpredictable. As a true fan, I can only hope the magic continues all the way into October…

Disgraced

The New Yankee Stadium made its debut on Thursday April 16th and the former Yankee pinstripes would have been absolutely disgraced. New Signing and ace C.C. Sabathia didn’t disgrace the Yankee greats of the past. Yankee captain Derek Jeter didn’t do anything either. But who caused the deceased legends to roll over in their grave? The most over-looked area in all of baseball… the bullpen.

Sabathia threw a quality start, going 5 and 2/3rd innings pitched giving up only one run. He left the game in the top of the 6th with a 1-1 tie. Then the wheels began to fall off. Righty Edwar Ramirez came in and not get the job done by giving up an error and a single. Phil Coke who has performed dismal at best did end up getting out of the inning untouched.

The Seventh is where it all went downhill. Jose Veras started it off, Veras has been terrible ever since he became a Yankee. Veras gave up three runs. Damaso Marte comes in to control the bleeding. He did nothing to heal the wounded. Marte gave up 6 in the 7th inning. David Robinson threw the last two innings and gave up nothing.

If you want to read about more highlights of the game and even see highlights of the game click here:

http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=290416110

The bullpen struggles among the Yankees have been the achilles heel so far during this young season. If the Yankees plan on winning anything this season they need to answer that problem. But that is beside the point. Let’s get to the big picture. The Yankees lost 10-2 in their opener of the “new” Yankee Stadium.

The only thing “new” to this stadium is losing. Granted it is only one game into the new ballpark but it was an embarassing game. They lost to the Indians of all teams who started off the year 0-5. The Indians are at the lower tier of the American league and to come out and open the new Yankee stadium, with that performance was an absolute disgrace. To be a Yankee is more than flash, fame and riches. It’s about pride. The Yankees is the only organization in all of sports that still keeps contact with its former legends. Yankee players are around greats like Yogi Berra and Reggie Jackson everyday they come to the ballpark. The Yankees need to do a lot of this if they plan on winning the world series, but it first starts with regaining that pride.

Bullpen disaster

The bullpen is the most important aspect of baseball and yet it is completely over looked by most teams. The bullpen is the most underrated area in all of baseball and this is where most of the games are blown. The yankees-royals game on April 12th was a perfect example. The yankees bullpen lost the game in the 8th inning.

Starting pitcher for the Kansas City Royals stater Gil Meche threw a gem and was up 3-1 going into the 7th. The yankees rallied back and tacked on 3 before Meche even knew what hit him. The royals manager couldn’t even call to the bullpen and have them blow the game before Meche gave up the 3 runs. Either way the yankees had a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the seventh.

Yankees righty Brian Bruney who has electric stuff got threw the seventh with ease. He should be named the 8th inning guy for the yankees. He has great stuff but his command is usually in question. Either way even if his command is off he can top at 96 plus so he can get away with pitches. Regardless he got through the 7th.

Damaso Marte started the 8th inning and got two quick outs. Joe Girardi, the yanks manager called another bullpen change to the righty Jose Veras. Verasis battling with Bruney for the 8th inning spot. He walked the batter. He failed… terribly. Phil Coke was then called to get one out to get to the 9th. Coke gave up a game tying double, a one-run leading single, then a two-run leading double, then got an out. The game was blown and the yanks lost 6-4.
If you want to see highlights of the game look here:

There are a few elite relief pitchers in all of major league baseball. Mariano Rivera the closer for the yankees is one of them. But for the last few years except for a bright spot half of last year and the second half of the year before that, the yankees have struggled incredibly in the seventh and eighth inning. These innings have become as important as that ninth inning. The 9th is where all the pressure is and where the top dog closes the game. You need a certain mentality to do it.

To be successful in the 7th and 8th you need to have confidence as well. These guys have the talent to be in the majors but they clearly lack the stuff and swagger to close the game. Even if the yankees name Brian Bruney their permanent 8th inning guy he will most likely begin to struggle. He will eventually feel the pressure and games will be blown. It’s inevitable and it’s a part of baseball.

The bullpen needs to start becoming a focus of interest by all of the general managers in baseball. The game is won by scoring early and pitching great late. And until teams can start to answer this problem in the 7th and 8th teams are going to continue to struggle.

Photo Slideshow

The second adition to the Jasen Little interview is now up.  Jasen has been kind enough to provide me with photos of him courtesy of his facebook.  Thank You Jasen.

Jasen talks about how he became a member of the ASU ROTC Air Force, where he intends on taking this with his career as well as his career aspirations.  Photos are of him being himself as a civilian and as a member of the military.

2009 MLB Predictions

The 2009 MLB season is set to be underway.  The Atlanta Braves open the season at the defending World Champion Philadelphia Phillies.  And before every season one must always give his predictions.  It’s a chance you get before every season in sports to do your best Nostradamus impression.  So without further adieux here are the predictions.

Let’s begin with the American League

AL East:  Argueably the strongest division in all of baseball.  This division has perrenial powerhouses in all of baseball with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.  The Yankees edge out the BoSox to win the division.  The moves New York made in the offseason puts them on paper as the best team in baseball.  The will probably have a point in time during the season when they struggle but in the end they are just too good this year.  The Red Sox also added some good players in the offseason but the Yankees are just going to be too tough to beat.  You also have the very young and very good Tampa Bay Rays.  They are the defending AL East Champions.  I don’t feel that Cinderella is going to get to dance two years in a row, they finish third.  Toronto is always a team that is talented but is just a victim in a division that is always stacked.   They will be a tough opponent for the big three above them but they just can’t compete for 162 games.  The Baltimore Orioles are also young and they will win some games but they will have the backs up against the wall all season.  They finish last.

1. New York Yankees

2. Boston Red Sox

3. Tampa Bay Rays

4. Toronto Blue Jays

5. Baltimore Orioles

AL Central:  This division is also really strong.  They don’t have as much flash as the AL east but they have some very talented teams.  The division will be very tight between the Twins, Indians and White Sox.  Twins take the top spot, they are always in the run every year and they get the bid this season.  The White Sox give the Twins a run for their money but miss the post season.  The Indians dealt away their best pitcher last season and can’t salvage their loses.  They finish third.  The Tigers have some very talented players but have been injury plagued.  They start the year with some big arms on the DL they won’t be able to compete this year.  The Royals are an interesting team.  I wanted to put them higher in the division race but I just couldn’t.  The other teams are just too talented.  They finish in the cellar.

1. Minnesota Twins

2. Chicago White Sox

3. Cleveland Indians

4. Detroit Tigers

5. Kansas City Royals

AL West:  The Oakland A’s pulled out their wallets this season and capitalized on some free agents.  The A’s are a bold pick to win the division but they always find a way to compete.  The Angels will start off this year with some guys on the DL.  The A’s find a way to upset the Angels and take the division.  The Rangers and the Mariners will battle for the third spot.  They both have some very talented players.  The Rangers have big bats and the Mariners have some good young pitching and one of the best hitters in the game.  The Rangers take third and the Mariners finish off at the tail end of the division.

1. Oakland A’s

2. Los Angeles Angels

3.  Texas Rangers

4. Seattle Mariners

AL MVP:

Josh Hamilton

AL Cy Young:

C.C. Sabathia

The National League:

NL East:  This is the strongest division in the NL.  The Mets picked up some big free agents in the off-season and answered some problems they needed to fix.  As long as they don’t have a colossalchoke like the last two seasons they should win it.  The Phillies are the defending World Champions but the Mets will be the team to beat in this divison.  Phillies take second but also take the wild card.  The Braves lost some guys but picked some other guys up.  They will be a contender for a while but will fizzle when it counts most.  Braves take third.  The Marlins are very young and very talented as well but they are experienced enough to be seriously considered a threat.  They will win some games but not enough to make the playoffs.  They take fourth.  The Nationals are consitent in one thing, losing.  They finish last in the division.

1. New York Mets

2. Philadelphia Phillies

3.  Atlanta Braves

4.  Florida Marlins

5.  Washington Nationals

NLCentral:  The Cubs take the division with easy.  They are too talented for the rest of the teams in the division.  The Cardinals and Reds will battle for the second place spot.  They both will give a run at the Phillies for the Wild Card but in the end they don’t make the post season.  The Brewers and Astros have bats but lack pitching and pitching wins baseball games.  The Pirates finish dead last in all of baseball.

1.  Chicago Cubs

2. St. Louis Cardinals

3.  Cincinnati Reds

4.  Milwaukee Brewers

5. Houston Astros

6.  Pittsburgh Pirates

NL West:  This division has been the weakest division in all of baseball during the past few seasons and it stays the same again.  The Dodgers find a way to not lose the division… barely.  The Arizona Diamondbacks will give a run for their money with good pitching but plainly lack the talent offensively to beat the Dodgers.  The Giants have one of the best pitchers in all of baseball and a very talented pitching staff as well.  The Rockies lost a big bat to a trade in the offseason and their ace is out for the year.  The Giants, Dodgers, D-backs and Rockies will all have a chance to take the division but the Giants and D-backs last the experience and the Rockies don’t have the pitching.  The Rockies finish fourth.  The Padres lost their face to the franchise and closer in the offseason and they don’t have the bats to compete with the rest of the division.  They finish last in the division.

1. LA Dogers

2. Arizona Diamondbacks

3.  San Francisco Giants

4.  Colorado Rockies

5.  San Diego Padres

NL MVP:

David Wright

NL Cy Young:

Brandon Webb

Playoffs:

ALDS:

1. Yankees over 3. Oakland A’s

4. Boston Red Sox over 2. Minnesota Twins

ALCS:

1. New York Yankees over 4. Boston Red Sox

NLDS:

1. New York Mets over 3. Los Angeles Dodgers

2. Chicago Cubs over 4. Philadelphia Phillies

NLCS:

1. New York Mets over 2. Chicago Cubs

World Series:

1. New York Yankees over 2. New York Mets

The Second Sub Way Series goes back to the Bronx.

World Series MVP: Alex Rodriguez

For other predictions check out this site:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/preview09/news/story?page=09expertpicks

Jasen Little Speaks!

The other day I interviewed Cadet Captain Jasen Little, who is a very good friend of the blog, about why and how he decided to join the air force.

Cadet Captain Little has been highlighted on the blog in previous posts.  You can see the post here:  Jasen writing his paper.

So without further adieu here is the interview with Cadet Captain Little!

Check out my interview.

Fantasy Baseball

Well there ladies and gentlemen, its time to get down and have a little fun with this blog entry.  With the Major League season set to kick off t-minus 7 days from now, it is time to give you what you really want to know, that’s right, my fantasy baseball team.

First off, I have been drafting a team with my father for the last 3 years.  The draft that I just completed will be our 4th season together.  Our team name is the Isotopes and we play in a money league.  Entry is $110 per team and there are 15 men in the league.  Payouts are pretty hefty.  You make the playoffs you make your money back and if you win you get PAID.  But this is not the main reason why I do this with my father.  Don’t get me wrong, I love that money, but I have the team with my dad because it gives us something to do together.  It gives us a reason to stay in contact and to bond.  But enough of this sappy heart to heart, on to the fantasy.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with fantasy baseball here is some basic info.  Basically, couch potatoes like myself, get to play GM (general manager) for a season.  Leagues typically have 10 or 12 guys.  But real men like myself, play in leagues of more than 12.  This year my league is 15 and two years ago it was 16.  These teams in the league all get to draft their team.  They pick from players in Major League Baseball.

The draft order is set pre-draft and takes place in a serpentine fashion.  So if there are ten players and you have the first pick you will also have the 20th, 21st and so on and so on.

You draft players that will do the best offensively.  You want to build your team with guys that will be successful in all of the main categories.  Homers, RBIs (runs batted in), average, stolen bases.  You get negative points for striking out.  The same goes for pitchers.  You want pitchers that will have a low ERA (earned run average), lots of strikeouts.  You get negative points for pitchers who get rocked or give up hits, runs and basically pitch poorly.

The league I am in is a points based league.  So if you get a hit you get one point.  Same for homers, rbis etc.  Pitching is the same, points for a win, points for a save, a point for a K, etc.

So without further adiuex, the 2009 Isotopes!

Dioner Navarro

Jason Giambi

Brian Roberts

Edwin Encarnacion

Hanley Ramirez

Carlos Beltran

Jermaine Dye

Alex Rios

Johnny Damon

Travis Hafner

Mike Jacobs

Michael Cuddyer

Scott Kazmir

John Lackey

Matt Cain

John Maine

Bronson Arroyo

Mariano Rivera

B.J. Ryan

Andrew Miller

Anabil Sanchez

The winning squad!!!!

Tejada

Miguel Tejada was in court today to recieve his punishment for lying about an old teammates use of performance enchancing drugs. Tejada is the first big-time ball player who has been convicted of a crime that spriraled off of the steroid problem in baseball. Tejada was given one year probation for lying in an interview with Congressman. Even though Tejada was not underoath during the interview he was warned of the significance of telling the truth during the questioning.

Tejada told the judge that he has no one to blame but himself taking full responsibility for his actions. He also apologized to fans, the game but “especially the kids.”

You can read more about the story here:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4017558

This could be warning to other elite ball players in the spotlight including Roger Clemens. Clemens’ sworn testimony is in front of a grand jury right now in the same court house that Tejada was in earlier today. Clemens is being accused of lying underoath about using performance enhancing drugs.

The fact of the matter is, it is good that punishments are being dished out. Although these players didn’t break the rules of baseball they broke the law. And even if they didn’t break any rules in baseball, the goals the accomplished during the steroid era are all tainted. Just because nothing was mentioned in the rules about using these drugs it doesn’t mean it wasn’t ethically wrong. This is the main problem with the whole steroid problem in baseball. It was ethically wrong. These players cut corners and didn’t do it the natural way. And because of this, justice must take place.

Today it was a little slap on the wrist to one player involved with performance enhancers, but it is a good sign of what is set to come.