Ok, since the season begins tomorrow morning according to MLB, but we in these parts know the season begins at the Stadium on March 31, 2008 at 1:05 p.m, against Toronto ... Anyways here are my picks for the 2008 season, most will probably be wrong, but hey what the hell.
AL East
1. Red Sox--yeah, I have to pick them, but they might get off to a slow start with all the travel.
2. Yankees--They might get off to a slow start, thanks to the young pitchers on the staff. They might take a hit record wise this year, but 2009 and 2010 look out.
3. Blue Jays--Could make a run at the top of the division, and could get a wildcard spot if things with one of the top two teams falls apart.
4. Tampa Rays--New name, still in fourth
5. Baltimore Orioles--It'll be a long year for the O's
AL Central
1. Detroit Tigers--Big pickups in the off season could prove to be just what the doctor ordered.
2. Cleveland Indians--Will be fighting it out with the Tigers all year, my pick the wildcard is coming out of this division.
3. Chicago White Sox--Middle of the pack
4. Kansas City Royals--Saw a highlight on Sports Center tonight, one of the Royals was coming down the first base line, and hurdled the first baseman and avoided the tag, great play.
5. Minnesota Twins--Tough year, but future looks bright.
AL West
1. Seattle Mariners--Look for good things from the M's this year.
2. (Pick a town) Angels--Good lineup, and strong arms in pen, just what you would want.
3. Texas Rangers--Can't name one
4. Oakland A's--It'll be a long year.
Picks
Wild Card: Yankees with my heart, but it'll probably be whoever doesn't win the AL Central
ALCS Winner: Cleveland
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I'll have National League picks and major award winner picks later.
Monday, March 24, 2008
10 Things For A Monday
It's been a busy couple of days around here lately, so here is the first of the good ole bloggin' standby, 10 things. Well actually it's taken from Peter King's Monday Morning Quarterback column on SI. It's a good read, and I'd suggest that you take a gander, even in the off-season there is some stuff. I use to be big on the NFL, but the gig is crazy in the fall, so I read this every Monday to catch up on the NFL.
Anyways onto the thoughts of the day
1. It looks like Pettitte will miss his next spring training start with back spasms. This could be tricky with the rotation this season if one of the older starters goes down, then you will have to rely on one of the younger and unproven rookies.
2. Good luck Graig Nettles who will undergo surgery for prostate cancer. Growing up I was a big fan of him, had his poster on the wall and all of that.
3. The LoHud Yankees Blog has a projection on the makeup of the bullpen, it looks like there will be a long-man, which could be either Jeff Karstens, Darrell Rasner or Kei Igawa. Here is another look at what could be part of the bullpen.
4. Okay, who has the remaining 16 teams in the NCAA men's basketball tournament?
5. North Carolina has scored something like 200 points in two NCAA Tourney games, but for some reason I don't think they will win it.
6. Memphis is a favorite in many but I don't see them winning it either.
7. Same for Tennessee.
8. Nice job by the former rent provider in putting on a good show in the women's shindig.
9. Sorry for no live blog on Friday, took the chance to enjoy the day and get out and take a road trip. I will try to do something for the Sweet 16 games.
10. Since the MLB season starts tomorrow, later I will post my predictions, division-by-division, and the major awards as well. Look for those later tonight.
Etc. By the way which assistant coach at a big time program passed up Stephen Curry, he has scored at least 30 points in the last three NCAA Tourney games, and scored 30 in the second half in the first game this year.
Anyways onto the thoughts of the day
1. It looks like Pettitte will miss his next spring training start with back spasms. This could be tricky with the rotation this season if one of the older starters goes down, then you will have to rely on one of the younger and unproven rookies.
2. Good luck Graig Nettles who will undergo surgery for prostate cancer. Growing up I was a big fan of him, had his poster on the wall and all of that.
3. The LoHud Yankees Blog has a projection on the makeup of the bullpen, it looks like there will be a long-man, which could be either Jeff Karstens, Darrell Rasner or Kei Igawa. Here is another look at what could be part of the bullpen.
4. Okay, who has the remaining 16 teams in the NCAA men's basketball tournament?
5. North Carolina has scored something like 200 points in two NCAA Tourney games, but for some reason I don't think they will win it.
6. Memphis is a favorite in many but I don't see them winning it either.
7. Same for Tennessee.
8. Nice job by the former rent provider in putting on a good show in the women's shindig.
9. Sorry for no live blog on Friday, took the chance to enjoy the day and get out and take a road trip. I will try to do something for the Sweet 16 games.
10. Since the MLB season starts tomorrow, later I will post my predictions, division-by-division, and the major awards as well. Look for those later tonight.
Etc. By the way which assistant coach at a big time program passed up Stephen Curry, he has scored at least 30 points in the last three NCAA Tourney games, and scored 30 in the second half in the first game this year.
Friday, March 21, 2008
The reason why I read SI
The reason why I read Sports Illustrated in the late 90's to recently was the Air and Space column penned by Steve Rushin. I read his book, Road Swing and became a fan of his writing. It was funny, insightful, Witty, and one of the best reads in any given issue. He left to pursue other things, and my SI reading experience has not been the same since. It took another hit when the Life of Reilly moved to the Worldwide Leader, but I digress
But back to Steve Rushin, or Stretch as Tim Kurkjian called him. I stumbled across his blog today, and suddenly the void in my life has been fulfilled. So life is good now, and
But back to Steve Rushin, or Stretch as Tim Kurkjian called him. I stumbled across his blog today, and suddenly the void in my life has been fulfilled. So life is good now, and
Slackin'
Sorry no live blog today, running around and was away from the laptop.
But a few notes: Big win for Siena, there are good people up in Loudonville, and good luck the rest of the way ... Also UConn got knocked off and it makes me happy, since my team is not in it, and all of the UConn fans I work with can suffer like me now ... It seems that everyone's bracket took a hit today, with all the upsets.
Baseball Stuff: The Yankees added Morgan Ensberg to the 40-man roster, and put Pavano on the 60-day DL ... CMY is the opening day starter ... Joba is in the Pen, I think it is good for the short-term, as it helps the Yankees this season, and limits his innings for the future, but I do see him as a starter down the line.
But a few notes: Big win for Siena, there are good people up in Loudonville, and good luck the rest of the way ... Also UConn got knocked off and it makes me happy, since my team is not in it, and all of the UConn fans I work with can suffer like me now ... It seems that everyone's bracket took a hit today, with all the upsets.
Baseball Stuff: The Yankees added Morgan Ensberg to the 40-man roster, and put Pavano on the 60-day DL ... CMY is the opening day starter ... Joba is in the Pen, I think it is good for the short-term, as it helps the Yankees this season, and limits his innings for the future, but I do see him as a starter down the line.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
College Hoops Day 1, Part 2
3:13 p.m.: Wow, the day is just flying by, as we get set for round two of the live blog thing. The second games of the day have already begun, as Marquette is up 23-19 on Kentucky, it's 6-6 Pitt and Oral Roberts, and 16-6 UNLV over Kent State A note from the Xavier-Georgia game, XU trailed by 11 points in the second half, but used a 22-6 run to come back ... Xavier was 27-of-33 from the charity stripe, while Georgia was just 3-for-5.
3:20 p.m.: Listening to the Pitt game, as I have friends who are Pitt fans. Pitt is up 15-13 early in the first half. Let's hope it stays that way, as my friend said on Selection Sunday after I told her who and when the Panthers will be playing, "Oh they will lose, everytime they win a big game or a game they were'nt suppose to win, they go out and lose the next game." Way to have faith.
3:33 p.m.: Pitt is up eight after scoring 11 straight points ... Pitt is out rebounding ORU by 10 ... Meanwhile, it is 29-10 UNLV over Kent State with about two minutes left in the first half ... It's 33-29 Marquette over Kentucky.
3:41 p.m.: So far I thought work would be a problem, but apparently things have gone well, watch I just jinxed it ... It's 31-10 UNLV at the break? Well, that's what it says on the NCAA March Madness on Demand scoreboard ... Kentucky takes the lead over Marquette, 34-33.
3:49: In the first half, Kent State was 5-of-23 from the floor, for a 23.8 percent clip.
3:53 p.m.: I'm tired just thought you all would like to know.
4:01 p.m.: Interesting stat from a reader on Dan Wetzel's blog Each of the losing teams in the first three games finished with 61 points and all three of the teams losing at the half had 26 points.
4:06 p.m.: Big game tonight, as Syracuse faces Maryland in the second round of the NIT ... Well it may not be the biggest game of the day, it is the one I care about the most.
4:17 p.m.: Haven't been into the later games too much, been in and out, doing some other things.
4:33 p.m.: Well since the afternoon games are winding down, and I am wrapping up things here, I will take a little break and return live from blog headquarters for most of the night games. It's been fun and hope you have enjoyed reading along. We will be back later tonight, and tomorrow for the second day of the first round games. thanks
3:20 p.m.: Listening to the Pitt game, as I have friends who are Pitt fans. Pitt is up 15-13 early in the first half. Let's hope it stays that way, as my friend said on Selection Sunday after I told her who and when the Panthers will be playing, "Oh they will lose, everytime they win a big game or a game they were'nt suppose to win, they go out and lose the next game." Way to have faith.
3:33 p.m.: Pitt is up eight after scoring 11 straight points ... Pitt is out rebounding ORU by 10 ... Meanwhile, it is 29-10 UNLV over Kent State with about two minutes left in the first half ... It's 33-29 Marquette over Kentucky.
3:41 p.m.: So far I thought work would be a problem, but apparently things have gone well, watch I just jinxed it ... It's 31-10 UNLV at the break? Well, that's what it says on the NCAA March Madness on Demand scoreboard ... Kentucky takes the lead over Marquette, 34-33.
3:49: In the first half, Kent State was 5-of-23 from the floor, for a 23.8 percent clip.
3:53 p.m.: I'm tired just thought you all would like to know.
4:01 p.m.: Interesting stat from a reader on Dan Wetzel's blog Each of the losing teams in the first three games finished with 61 points and all three of the teams losing at the half had 26 points.
4:06 p.m.: Big game tonight, as Syracuse faces Maryland in the second round of the NIT ... Well it may not be the biggest game of the day, it is the one I care about the most.
4:17 p.m.: Haven't been into the later games too much, been in and out, doing some other things.
4:33 p.m.: Well since the afternoon games are winding down, and I am wrapping up things here, I will take a little break and return live from blog headquarters for most of the night games. It's been fun and hope you have enjoyed reading along. We will be back later tonight, and tomorrow for the second day of the first round games. thanks
College Hoops Day 1, Part 1
Why not, as it is 12:01 p.m. ET, and I am number 57,833 in line to get into the NCAA On Demand service to watch the games online at work. First game tips off at 12:20 p.m. with Georgia and Xavier, should be a good one. Oh I have moved up to 42,825.
12:06 p.m.: work is going to get in the way of this, but I will try to keep at it.
12:16 p.m.: I'm in and waiting for the games to start. Here is the godfather of the bloggin' the NCAA Tournament, Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports. His is far better than mine, because he is at a sports bar and I am at work. Think I'll start out with Georgia and Xavier.
12:20 p.m.: And we're off, at least that's what I think, internet is slow. FYI downloaded "One Shinning Moment," on my ipod last night to get into the swing of things.
12:24 p.m.: Still buffering and from the looks of it, it's a sparse crowd at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C. I would have posted some picks, but since that type of thing is frowned upon in my profession, and since I was busy all of last week and part of this, I didn't really fill out a bracket. Yeah I know I'm slackin'.
12:27 p.m.: Now we're working, but it appears I am only getting crowd noise. They also have the Westwood One feed for all of the games as well.
12:35 p.m.: Message alert, CBS is aware of the audio problems. Good now fix it, I need my Raff fix. I don't know what game he is doing but any voice will do.
12:38 p.m.: Have to step away, Subway is calling, be back in shortly.
12:56 p.m.: Back from the subway run, so I'll be fueled for the rest of the afternoon session. Two of the three games appear to be close, as the Kansas and Portland State game will end up in a route, unless PSU can get a run together.
1:07 p.m.: Georgia is on an 10-0 run and lead 35-26 with under a minute to play in the first half. The wild ride for the Bulldogs has carried over. At the half, Georgia is shooting 55.2 percent from the field, hitting 16-of-29 from the field, and 50 percent from 3-point range, netting 3-of-6. They have not taken a free throw.
1:22 p.m.: Sorry, work stuff, and looking for some more info.
1:24 p.m.: Temple is off to a slow start in the first half against Michigan State. The Owls are shooting below 25 percent and the Spartans went on a 13-2 run to go ahead 28-17. Meanwhile, Kansas is up on Portland State, the Jayhawks built an early double-digit lead, but the Vikings pulled it to 24-17, but KU went on a run, thanks to a few dunks leading 31-18 at the 7:37 mark. At one point Kansas was 13-of-18 from the field.
1:32 p.m.: Since this is a baseball blog first, the Yankees play the Blue Jays in a spring training game in Dunedin, Fla. The Journal News has it covered.
1:36 p.m.: In addition to Wetzel's live blog, CSTV, err CBS College sports has running updates from around the country, with reporters on press row, where beer is not allowed, although I wish it was when I was on press row a few years back.
1:41 p.m.: Check in from the wife, and she wants me to run an errand for her tomorrow, told her it had to be before the first game, and she was good with it! Yankee update Ian Kennedy allowed two hits but no runs, while throwing 17 pitches in the first inning, 10 where for strikes ... Meanwhile, Georiga has turned the ball over for the seventh time in the game ... Michigan State is moving away from Temple.
1:49: It's 44-28 MSU in the second half, the Spartans scored the first seven points of the second half.
1:54 p.m.: If Georgia were to prevail, they would be the third 14-seed to advance in the last four seasons ... Kentucky will play its 49th NCAA Tournament in school-history ... Xavier is on a 6-0 run and trail 46-42 with 11:47 left to play.
2:13 p.m.: It's gotten bad in Denver, as Michigan State is having very little problems with the Temple zone press ... ESPN's Andy Katz left to watch the UGA and Xavier game in the press room according to the Post up blog ... Speaking of the best game of the day, it's 59-51 Xavier with five minutes left.
2:17 p.m.: 61-56 Xavier 3:20 to go.
2:19 p.m.: This is by far the best game of the day, as Kansas is winning 82-59 with 2:09 to play, and Michigan State is up 64-48 with 5:53 left ... UGA has taken only four free throw attempts, while Xavier is 15-of-19 from the charity stripe.
2:24 p.m.: 63-59 Xavier ... Final 85-61 Kansas over Portland State ... 64-61 Xavier ... It's 4-1 Yankees in Dunedin, Fla. Ian Kennedy has allowed one run on five hits and one walk in five innings, while striking out five.
2:31 p.m.: Think I jinxed Georgia with that note from before ... Kentucky and Marquette just tipped off ... Looks like Xavier has become the first surrive and advance of the tournament ... XU is plus-20 in free throw attempts.
2:37 p.m.: As Xavier puts the finishing touches off on the win, Here is a quote from one of the players from St. Mary's on the NCAA Tournament, and how it is seen in his homeland of Australia
Saint Mary's freshman Patrick Mills (an Australia native) on how big the Tournament is in his homeland:
"To be honest I had no idea what the NCAA Tournament was until a couple years ago when Saint Mary's actually mad ethe tournament. So I'm still kind of learning the rules and regulations of what happens in the tournament. I don't understand why there's so many teams in tournaments, you know, right across the country, but, you know, I'm just going along with the ride."
2:41 p.m.: Well since there is only one game, I need to step out and go to the bank, be back in a bit, with a new entry.
12:06 p.m.: work is going to get in the way of this, but I will try to keep at it.
12:16 p.m.: I'm in and waiting for the games to start. Here is the godfather of the bloggin' the NCAA Tournament, Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports. His is far better than mine, because he is at a sports bar and I am at work. Think I'll start out with Georgia and Xavier.
12:20 p.m.: And we're off, at least that's what I think, internet is slow. FYI downloaded "One Shinning Moment," on my ipod last night to get into the swing of things.
12:24 p.m.: Still buffering and from the looks of it, it's a sparse crowd at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C. I would have posted some picks, but since that type of thing is frowned upon in my profession, and since I was busy all of last week and part of this, I didn't really fill out a bracket. Yeah I know I'm slackin'.
12:27 p.m.: Now we're working, but it appears I am only getting crowd noise. They also have the Westwood One feed for all of the games as well.
12:35 p.m.: Message alert, CBS is aware of the audio problems. Good now fix it, I need my Raff fix. I don't know what game he is doing but any voice will do.
12:38 p.m.: Have to step away, Subway is calling, be back in shortly.
12:56 p.m.: Back from the subway run, so I'll be fueled for the rest of the afternoon session. Two of the three games appear to be close, as the Kansas and Portland State game will end up in a route, unless PSU can get a run together.
1:07 p.m.: Georgia is on an 10-0 run and lead 35-26 with under a minute to play in the first half. The wild ride for the Bulldogs has carried over. At the half, Georgia is shooting 55.2 percent from the field, hitting 16-of-29 from the field, and 50 percent from 3-point range, netting 3-of-6. They have not taken a free throw.
1:22 p.m.: Sorry, work stuff, and looking for some more info.
1:24 p.m.: Temple is off to a slow start in the first half against Michigan State. The Owls are shooting below 25 percent and the Spartans went on a 13-2 run to go ahead 28-17. Meanwhile, Kansas is up on Portland State, the Jayhawks built an early double-digit lead, but the Vikings pulled it to 24-17, but KU went on a run, thanks to a few dunks leading 31-18 at the 7:37 mark. At one point Kansas was 13-of-18 from the field.
1:32 p.m.: Since this is a baseball blog first, the Yankees play the Blue Jays in a spring training game in Dunedin, Fla. The Journal News has it covered.
1:36 p.m.: In addition to Wetzel's live blog, CSTV, err CBS College sports has running updates from around the country, with reporters on press row, where beer is not allowed, although I wish it was when I was on press row a few years back.
1:41 p.m.: Check in from the wife, and she wants me to run an errand for her tomorrow, told her it had to be before the first game, and she was good with it! Yankee update Ian Kennedy allowed two hits but no runs, while throwing 17 pitches in the first inning, 10 where for strikes ... Meanwhile, Georiga has turned the ball over for the seventh time in the game ... Michigan State is moving away from Temple.
1:49: It's 44-28 MSU in the second half, the Spartans scored the first seven points of the second half.
1:54 p.m.: If Georgia were to prevail, they would be the third 14-seed to advance in the last four seasons ... Kentucky will play its 49th NCAA Tournament in school-history ... Xavier is on a 6-0 run and trail 46-42 with 11:47 left to play.
2:13 p.m.: It's gotten bad in Denver, as Michigan State is having very little problems with the Temple zone press ... ESPN's Andy Katz left to watch the UGA and Xavier game in the press room according to the Post up blog ... Speaking of the best game of the day, it's 59-51 Xavier with five minutes left.
2:17 p.m.: 61-56 Xavier 3:20 to go.
2:19 p.m.: This is by far the best game of the day, as Kansas is winning 82-59 with 2:09 to play, and Michigan State is up 64-48 with 5:53 left ... UGA has taken only four free throw attempts, while Xavier is 15-of-19 from the charity stripe.
2:24 p.m.: 63-59 Xavier ... Final 85-61 Kansas over Portland State ... 64-61 Xavier ... It's 4-1 Yankees in Dunedin, Fla. Ian Kennedy has allowed one run on five hits and one walk in five innings, while striking out five.
2:31 p.m.: Think I jinxed Georgia with that note from before ... Kentucky and Marquette just tipped off ... Looks like Xavier has become the first surrive and advance of the tournament ... XU is plus-20 in free throw attempts.
2:37 p.m.: As Xavier puts the finishing touches off on the win, Here is a quote from one of the players from St. Mary's on the NCAA Tournament, and how it is seen in his homeland of Australia
Saint Mary's freshman Patrick Mills (an Australia native) on how big the Tournament is in his homeland:
"To be honest I had no idea what the NCAA Tournament was until a couple years ago when Saint Mary's actually mad ethe tournament. So I'm still kind of learning the rules and regulations of what happens in the tournament. I don't understand why there's so many teams in tournaments, you know, right across the country, but, you know, I'm just going along with the ride."
2:41 p.m.: Well since there is only one game, I need to step out and go to the bank, be back in a bit, with a new entry.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Back From The Sunshine State
Happy St. Patrick's Day.
Oh boy what a crazy couple of weeks. The gig has been nuts with the end of a run, which should have been, and the trip to Florida, which took years away from my life. All this has led the blog to go dark for a couple of weeks. But fear not I am back and ready to go at this with a vengence.
----
Camp has appeared to be going well with the Yankees, save for the minor flare up against the arch rival, Tampa Rays? It got a little out of line for spring training, and pending appeals three players will miss the start of the season. But, other than that it has been what you had expected, the three young pitchers have had some good outings and some bad, but for the most part looked good. But from reports from what I have read, I like what I see and can't wait for the season to start.
-----
Now onto the notes: Looks like Joba will start the year in the bullpen. At first I like it, but after reading Peter Abraham the other day I would like to see him in the starting rotation ... The Yankees will play Virginia Tech tomorrow and Abraham had a few notes on the game The Yankees-Virginia Tech game will be seven innings and the Hokies will use wood bats donated by Louisville Slugger ... Both teams will use MLB baseballs that the Yankess are brining ... The players on the trip are leaving Legands Field at 8 a.m. for a charter flight, and will arrive back in Tampa at 9:15 p.m. ... In addition, the Yankees are allowing the beat writers on the charter, since comercial flights are a problem.
------
Andy Pettittee who was held out of a start last week allowed three runs and three hits over three and a third innings as the Yankees beat the Red Sox 8-4 on Monday afternoon ... He even went inside on Big Pappi ... lhp Billy Traber has pitched 1 and two-thirds innings, giving up no runs on no hits no walks and two strikeouts since joining the Yankees ...
It's tourney time, will preview it here
Oh boy what a crazy couple of weeks. The gig has been nuts with the end of a run, which should have been, and the trip to Florida, which took years away from my life. All this has led the blog to go dark for a couple of weeks. But fear not I am back and ready to go at this with a vengence.
----
Camp has appeared to be going well with the Yankees, save for the minor flare up against the arch rival, Tampa Rays? It got a little out of line for spring training, and pending appeals three players will miss the start of the season. But, other than that it has been what you had expected, the three young pitchers have had some good outings and some bad, but for the most part looked good. But from reports from what I have read, I like what I see and can't wait for the season to start.
-----
Now onto the notes: Looks like Joba will start the year in the bullpen. At first I like it, but after reading Peter Abraham the other day I would like to see him in the starting rotation ... The Yankees will play Virginia Tech tomorrow and Abraham had a few notes on the game The Yankees-Virginia Tech game will be seven innings and the Hokies will use wood bats donated by Louisville Slugger ... Both teams will use MLB baseballs that the Yankess are brining ... The players on the trip are leaving Legands Field at 8 a.m. for a charter flight, and will arrive back in Tampa at 9:15 p.m. ... In addition, the Yankees are allowing the beat writers on the charter, since comercial flights are a problem.
------
Andy Pettittee who was held out of a start last week allowed three runs and three hits over three and a third innings as the Yankees beat the Red Sox 8-4 on Monday afternoon ... He even went inside on Big Pappi ... lhp Billy Traber has pitched 1 and two-thirds innings, giving up no runs on no hits no walks and two strikeouts since joining the Yankees ...
It's tourney time, will preview it here
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