No Barry, don’t do it Barry, why do you have to be a self-centered cheater who seems out to destroy the great American pastime’s reputation? You’re to old to be hitting this good and your head is to big for you to claim to be steroid free, we know you lying.
The sad but simple truth is this. No matter how much everyone wishes Barry’s knee would give out one final time leaving him just short of the record, it’s not going to happen. Personally I would be willing to give up my XBOX360, my left elbow, and my pillow to prevent Bonds from breaking the record, but sadly sacrifices don’t really accomplish anything these days.
He is already eleven homerun’s deep into the season and only ten away from Hank Aaron’s precious record do the math. The only thing we can do is to sit back and marvel at his outstanding career.
Barry is second in all-time homeruns, first in walks, and first in MVP’s with seven. He is also the only Major Leaguer in history to hit at least five hundred homeruns and steal at least five hundred bases. An argument in Bond’s defense is no matter how many steroids’ you inject into your ass you need a phenomenal amount of skill to succeed like he has. Like it or not folks, Barry is good, really good.
In all reality it doesn’t matter whether Bond’s breaks the record or not, he will still go down in history as the most hated, disputed, and one of the best baseball players of all-time. So I suppose it would be better to say thanks, Thank you Barry for giving us sports fan’s something to fill up our otherwise dull lives with, we owe you one.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Roger Clemens: The Rocket is back
A good question to ask right now would be does Roger Clemens know he is almost as old as God? Apparently he doesn’t, and neither do the New York Yankees who just signed him to a Major League Record $28,000,000 to pitch half a season.
The Rocket has undoubtedly had an amazing career and is certainly one of the best pitchers in Baseball history; but is he worth the 1 million dollars he will be earning per start? I mean at this pace he mine as well pitch until he is seventy and earn an even more astounding astronomical amount of cash.
This is not to say he does not deserve the recognition he is receiving. After all, he has the more Cy Young Awards, 7, than anyone else ever to step onto the field; he is third on the all-time strikeout list with 4604; and eight on the all-time wins list with 348.
It may come as a surprise but all these amazing numbers is not why people watch Roger pitch. Fans just want to see if in fact some game mid-pitch his arm actually falls off and goes helicoptering towards home plate like the time he threw the bat at Mike Piazza.
You cannot blame the Yankees. There dismal, injury laden April led way to a spotty pitching staff in need of some help; Clemens could well be the deciding factor in a late season run for the playoffs.
Someday The Rocket will fall back into the atmosphere, the question is when? Every year the gamble teams take on him become more and more risky, but every year they also have been paid off more and more.
The Rocket has undoubtedly had an amazing career and is certainly one of the best pitchers in Baseball history; but is he worth the 1 million dollars he will be earning per start? I mean at this pace he mine as well pitch until he is seventy and earn an even more astounding astronomical amount of cash.
This is not to say he does not deserve the recognition he is receiving. After all, he has the more Cy Young Awards, 7, than anyone else ever to step onto the field; he is third on the all-time strikeout list with 4604; and eight on the all-time wins list with 348.
It may come as a surprise but all these amazing numbers is not why people watch Roger pitch. Fans just want to see if in fact some game mid-pitch his arm actually falls off and goes helicoptering towards home plate like the time he threw the bat at Mike Piazza.
You cannot blame the Yankees. There dismal, injury laden April led way to a spotty pitching staff in need of some help; Clemens could well be the deciding factor in a late season run for the playoffs.
Someday The Rocket will fall back into the atmosphere, the question is when? Every year the gamble teams take on him become more and more risky, but every year they also have been paid off more and more.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Red Sox Report: Week 1
The Red Sox opening week has been a rollercoaster of emotions for fans. They are currently 2-3 going into Sunday night’s game, but overall, things look good. There is no bloody sock on Schilling’s ankle and Dice-K looked phenomenal.
Matsuzaka looked like the 103 million dollar man that the Red Sox made him this off-season in his first major league start. He struck out 10 in seven innings and only allowed one run. The Kansas City Royals were baffled by his pitches, which resembled a whiffle ball on a windy day. Some Red Sox pitchers did not have this same success in their first starts.
Curt Schilling’s first start left much to be desired when he pitched only four innings and surrendered five runs. This disappointing opening day start marks the sixth consecutive time that the Red Sox have lost on opening day. Schilling will start Sunday night against the Texas Rangers.
Josh Beckett and Tim Wakefield both added excellent starts this week. After week one the Red Sox starting rotation has two wins and three losses with a 4.61 ERA.
The Red Sox line up had difficulty producing this week, averaging fewer than four runs a game. Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz had slow weeks, and you can expect that when they start hitting the runs will follow.
Overall the first week was disappointing, but there were glimpses of brilliance.
First week grade- C
Matsuzaka looked like the 103 million dollar man that the Red Sox made him this off-season in his first major league start. He struck out 10 in seven innings and only allowed one run. The Kansas City Royals were baffled by his pitches, which resembled a whiffle ball on a windy day. Some Red Sox pitchers did not have this same success in their first starts.
Curt Schilling’s first start left much to be desired when he pitched only four innings and surrendered five runs. This disappointing opening day start marks the sixth consecutive time that the Red Sox have lost on opening day. Schilling will start Sunday night against the Texas Rangers.
Josh Beckett and Tim Wakefield both added excellent starts this week. After week one the Red Sox starting rotation has two wins and three losses with a 4.61 ERA.
The Red Sox line up had difficulty producing this week, averaging fewer than four runs a game. Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz had slow weeks, and you can expect that when they start hitting the runs will follow.
Overall the first week was disappointing, but there were glimpses of brilliance.
First week grade- C
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Opening Day Glory
Tom Glavine toes the rubber and glares in at the catcher. He nods, and sets for his windup. The batter is digging in, kicking the dirt like he is trying to get gum off his shoe. The whole stadium is silent. Waiting. Anticipating. Glavine winds up and whips the ball over the outside corner of the plate…STREEEIKE 1! A new Season has begun.
It is opening day, the greatest day of the sports year. The grass is cut in elegant designs and is waving joyously in the soft breeze. The stadiums are packed and throbbing with intensity. It is a new beginning. Hope is a not a lingering scent in the air, but a reality that everyone can grasp. The excitement in palpable.
Baseball is not a sport; it is a way of life. A religion; a creed to live by. This is baseball. The great American past time.
There is truly nothing better than going to the ballpark, whether it is the Damn Yankees or the beloved Red Sox. There are few things in this world that compare to walking down Yawkey Way and entering Fenway Park for the first time. The Green Monster looms over the field ominously and the green walls make it appear as though the stadium arose out of the ground centuries ago. The famous Coke Bottle atop the green monster stands porter between the stadium and the real world. It is a magical place, where history is thickly intertwined with the present.
This is why Baseball is great; the rich history, which follows us into every season; the records, which ache to be broken. The myths, and the truths, the legacies. For baseball is all about remembering the past, remembering Kirk Gibson’s epic homerun, or the hit heard world round. And it makes sense, for what is the present and future without the past? Nothing.
It is opening day, the greatest day of the sports year. The grass is cut in elegant designs and is waving joyously in the soft breeze. The stadiums are packed and throbbing with intensity. It is a new beginning. Hope is a not a lingering scent in the air, but a reality that everyone can grasp. The excitement in palpable.
Baseball is not a sport; it is a way of life. A religion; a creed to live by. This is baseball. The great American past time.
There is truly nothing better than going to the ballpark, whether it is the Damn Yankees or the beloved Red Sox. There are few things in this world that compare to walking down Yawkey Way and entering Fenway Park for the first time. The Green Monster looms over the field ominously and the green walls make it appear as though the stadium arose out of the ground centuries ago. The famous Coke Bottle atop the green monster stands porter between the stadium and the real world. It is a magical place, where history is thickly intertwined with the present.
This is why Baseball is great; the rich history, which follows us into every season; the records, which ache to be broken. The myths, and the truths, the legacies. For baseball is all about remembering the past, remembering Kirk Gibson’s epic homerun, or the hit heard world round. And it makes sense, for what is the present and future without the past? Nothing.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Jonathon Papelbon: Closer of the Future?
With a devastating split-fingered fastball that sinks into oblivion Jonathon Papelbon dazzled the American League and solidified his spot as the Red Sox closer of the future.
A starting pitcher throughout his minor league career, Papelbon, filled in for an injured Keith Foulke last year and pitched phenomenally. For much of the season, up to his injury, he was leading the league in saves. Even though his arm did wear down at the end of the season, the dominance displayed has all of Boston talking.
Papelbon has been working on elevating his arm slot when he pitches. This, he hopes, will help him avoid another injury at the end of the season. He is not concerned about the adjustment, “Mechanically, I’m getting there. It’s a little bit different, not much- enough to get it done.”
Papelbon was originally going to be the fifth starter in an already impressive rotation, which includes Daisuke and Schilling, but a weak bullpen prompted him to ask Coach Terry Francona to be the closer. Francona was happy to facilitate Papelbon’s request, and moved Julian Tavarez to the Fifth Starting spot.
The decision was easy for Francona, as Papelbon’s ERA last year as a closer was 0.92. He also won four games and saved 35 more. He blew six games but a majority came at the end of the season when he began having arm issues.
Boston has full confidence in Papelbon, and will be giving him the ball in the ninth. He is the first reliable closer that the Red Sox have had in many years and the whole league is excited to see what this kid can do; they got a glimpse of it last year, was it the real deal? My bet is yes, and watch them ride his arm to the playoffs.
A starting pitcher throughout his minor league career, Papelbon, filled in for an injured Keith Foulke last year and pitched phenomenally. For much of the season, up to his injury, he was leading the league in saves. Even though his arm did wear down at the end of the season, the dominance displayed has all of Boston talking.
Papelbon has been working on elevating his arm slot when he pitches. This, he hopes, will help him avoid another injury at the end of the season. He is not concerned about the adjustment, “Mechanically, I’m getting there. It’s a little bit different, not much- enough to get it done.”
Papelbon was originally going to be the fifth starter in an already impressive rotation, which includes Daisuke and Schilling, but a weak bullpen prompted him to ask Coach Terry Francona to be the closer. Francona was happy to facilitate Papelbon’s request, and moved Julian Tavarez to the Fifth Starting spot.
The decision was easy for Francona, as Papelbon’s ERA last year as a closer was 0.92. He also won four games and saved 35 more. He blew six games but a majority came at the end of the season when he began having arm issues.
Boston has full confidence in Papelbon, and will be giving him the ball in the ninth. He is the first reliable closer that the Red Sox have had in many years and the whole league is excited to see what this kid can do; they got a glimpse of it last year, was it the real deal? My bet is yes, and watch them ride his arm to the playoffs.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Manny Ramirez: Will Manny be Manny?
Boston Red Sox fans are hard pressed to remember a season that Manny Ramirez hasn’t had one of his notorious “episodes”. These episodes vary from him demanding a trade or refusing to play for games on end. It seems every year the Red Sox front office frantically searches for a team to trade him to, but their attempts always end up unsuccessful.
So the question is, will Manny be Manny again, and more appropriately, how long will it last for this time? Opinions differ on the steps Boston should be taking. Some feel that since Ramirez will be receiving $18 million in 2007 that he should just shut up and play. Others argue that as long as Manny puts up eye popping numbers, an average of 35 homeruns and 100 RBIs a year, let him be Manny.
Regardless of how you feel about Ramirez’s bipolar nature, you can’t ignore his consistency at the plate during the course of his career. He is only 30 homeruns short of 500, and barring an injury, he will pass that number this season. At 34, Ramirez’s age is beginning to show, as last year’s RBI, Run, and Homerun totals were all the lowest since he has come to Boston.
Even though he is slowly declining, Ramirez still holds a key spot in the batting order and will be batting third or fourth this year. The combination of him and David Ortiz batting back to back has proven dangerous for many of the opposing pitchers, as the duo united for 89 homeruns last season.
The simple truth of the matter is that Boston loves Manny. They can live with his “freak outs” as long as they get to see the opposing pitcher’s knees shake every time he steps to the plate. You can bet that when October comes around you will hear the chants of Manny! Manny! Manny! Coming from Fenway.
So the question is, will Manny be Manny again, and more appropriately, how long will it last for this time? Opinions differ on the steps Boston should be taking. Some feel that since Ramirez will be receiving $18 million in 2007 that he should just shut up and play. Others argue that as long as Manny puts up eye popping numbers, an average of 35 homeruns and 100 RBIs a year, let him be Manny.
Regardless of how you feel about Ramirez’s bipolar nature, you can’t ignore his consistency at the plate during the course of his career. He is only 30 homeruns short of 500, and barring an injury, he will pass that number this season. At 34, Ramirez’s age is beginning to show, as last year’s RBI, Run, and Homerun totals were all the lowest since he has come to Boston.
Even though he is slowly declining, Ramirez still holds a key spot in the batting order and will be batting third or fourth this year. The combination of him and David Ortiz batting back to back has proven dangerous for many of the opposing pitchers, as the duo united for 89 homeruns last season.
The simple truth of the matter is that Boston loves Manny. They can live with his “freak outs” as long as they get to see the opposing pitcher’s knees shake every time he steps to the plate. You can bet that when October comes around you will hear the chants of Manny! Manny! Manny! Coming from Fenway.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Principia Swim Team Vs. Adversity
Adversity is part of sports, but few teams are challenged with the misfortune that met the Principia College swim team this past season.
Coach Jenny Moeller and the swimmers found themselves without a place to swim, and forced them to commute to Godfrey for practice. Two of the best swimmers on the team were suspended from school and off the team.
“It was hard for me,” Moeller said, commenting on the time of practice, “ but I think it was harder for them.” In February the swim team arrived home from practice after midnight.
Moeller laughed a little, almost in disbelief that she made it through the season. She talks about how this was definitely the most challenging swim season in her six years as a swimmer and coach at Principia. Although the season was difficult, she said she was pleased with the results at the Liberal Arts Swimming and Diving Championship in Coe College in Cedar Rapids Iowa. The Liberal Arts Invitational is the climax of the swim team’s season.
“I wanted everyone to come away happy with how they swam; I wanted everyone to get a lifetime [best].” She said with 42 lifetime bests, 18 season bests, and 26 top 16 finishes at the meet, Moeller’s goal was accomplished. Both the women and men’s teams finished seventh out of 11 and 13 teams.
Moeller cited the performances of two freshman swimmers. Jenny Bailey was two-tenths of a second from qualifying for nationals, and broke two school records in the 50 freestyle with a 24.68 and the 100 freestyle with a 53.89.
Bailey said she is in the best shape of her life and that is evident with her results. “It was the best meet I ever had because I got all my lifetime bests.” She says, “I just wanted to end the season well.”
The other freshman who excelled this year was Aaron Olszeski, who placed sixth in the 500 freestyle with a 4:58.30. He came from a strong background of club teams and a good record in high school. Unfortunately for the Principia swim team he is transferring at the end of winter quarter. To accept a scholarship to swim for Division II Lewis University in Chicago.
“I was offered money to swim at another college where my brother is attending.” Olszeski said adding that, “ It’s hard to do something when you know you can be better at it.”
Jenny Moeller is confident about next year with the new home pool and a recruiting class and she hopes to turn the women’s team into a powerhouse.
Coach Jenny Moeller and the swimmers found themselves without a place to swim, and forced them to commute to Godfrey for practice. Two of the best swimmers on the team were suspended from school and off the team.
“It was hard for me,” Moeller said, commenting on the time of practice, “ but I think it was harder for them.” In February the swim team arrived home from practice after midnight.
Moeller laughed a little, almost in disbelief that she made it through the season. She talks about how this was definitely the most challenging swim season in her six years as a swimmer and coach at Principia. Although the season was difficult, she said she was pleased with the results at the Liberal Arts Swimming and Diving Championship in Coe College in Cedar Rapids Iowa. The Liberal Arts Invitational is the climax of the swim team’s season.
“I wanted everyone to come away happy with how they swam; I wanted everyone to get a lifetime [best].” She said with 42 lifetime bests, 18 season bests, and 26 top 16 finishes at the meet, Moeller’s goal was accomplished. Both the women and men’s teams finished seventh out of 11 and 13 teams.
Moeller cited the performances of two freshman swimmers. Jenny Bailey was two-tenths of a second from qualifying for nationals, and broke two school records in the 50 freestyle with a 24.68 and the 100 freestyle with a 53.89.
Bailey said she is in the best shape of her life and that is evident with her results. “It was the best meet I ever had because I got all my lifetime bests.” She says, “I just wanted to end the season well.”
The other freshman who excelled this year was Aaron Olszeski, who placed sixth in the 500 freestyle with a 4:58.30. He came from a strong background of club teams and a good record in high school. Unfortunately for the Principia swim team he is transferring at the end of winter quarter. To accept a scholarship to swim for Division II Lewis University in Chicago.
“I was offered money to swim at another college where my brother is attending.” Olszeski said adding that, “ It’s hard to do something when you know you can be better at it.”
Jenny Moeller is confident about next year with the new home pool and a recruiting class and she hopes to turn the women’s team into a powerhouse.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Daisuke Matsuzaka: Worth $103 Million?
Speculation has always struck me as futile, but with the arrival of Daisuke Matsuzaka, and all the hype that has followed, you can’t help but be curious about how he will perform. Japanese pitchers in Major League Baseball are relatively new, and their success has been limited, so the question is: have the Red Sox discovered a gem from overseas?
Daisuke, pronounced Dice-K, Matsuzaka has dominated Japanese hitters in the past years with a devastating eight-pitch repertoire. His stats draw comparisons to Pedro during his Boston years and so does his price. The Red Sox coughed up an astounding $51.1 million just for the right to talk to him, outbidding the Yankees and Mets. Boston then signed him to a six-year $52 million contract.
Unlike previous Japanese players to come to America, Daisuke has proven his worth against competition outside Japan, for he was the MVP of the World Baseball Classic. During the WBC he faced powerful teams and was still able to find success, this is a promising sign for the Red Sox.
Matsuzaka is known for his superhuman arm, which seems to never tire. His thirteen complete games in 2006 are unheard of in American baseball since the dead ball era. He regularly throws 170 pitches in a game, roughly 50 more than the average Major League pitcher; and after he will throw another 100 or so pitches in a bullpen toss. It is normal for him to play 300-foot long toss and then complete a 300-pitch bullpen session. The most impressive thing about him is that his shoulder was perfect in all the cat-scan pictures.
The big concern is when will he throw his last pitch, when he is 31 or 40? Japanese pitchers who transfer to the U.S. are infamous for only pitching into their early thirties. Matsuzaka, who is 26, is in his prime now, but how many good years does he have left?
Daisuke has pitched well during spring training and appears to be ready for the season. He is currently 1-1 this spring with a 2.84 ERA and has 13 strikeouts in 12.2 innings pitched.
Boston hopes that Matsuzaka will live up to his reputation and be a key component of what looks to be possibly best starting rotation in baseball. He is prepared for a huge season and all signs are pointing upwards. Speculation is useless, however, as all our questions will be answered opening day.
Daisuke, pronounced Dice-K, Matsuzaka has dominated Japanese hitters in the past years with a devastating eight-pitch repertoire. His stats draw comparisons to Pedro during his Boston years and so does his price. The Red Sox coughed up an astounding $51.1 million just for the right to talk to him, outbidding the Yankees and Mets. Boston then signed him to a six-year $52 million contract.
Unlike previous Japanese players to come to America, Daisuke has proven his worth against competition outside Japan, for he was the MVP of the World Baseball Classic. During the WBC he faced powerful teams and was still able to find success, this is a promising sign for the Red Sox.
Matsuzaka is known for his superhuman arm, which seems to never tire. His thirteen complete games in 2006 are unheard of in American baseball since the dead ball era. He regularly throws 170 pitches in a game, roughly 50 more than the average Major League pitcher; and after he will throw another 100 or so pitches in a bullpen toss. It is normal for him to play 300-foot long toss and then complete a 300-pitch bullpen session. The most impressive thing about him is that his shoulder was perfect in all the cat-scan pictures.
The big concern is when will he throw his last pitch, when he is 31 or 40? Japanese pitchers who transfer to the U.S. are infamous for only pitching into their early thirties. Matsuzaka, who is 26, is in his prime now, but how many good years does he have left?
Daisuke has pitched well during spring training and appears to be ready for the season. He is currently 1-1 this spring with a 2.84 ERA and has 13 strikeouts in 12.2 innings pitched.
Boston hopes that Matsuzaka will live up to his reputation and be a key component of what looks to be possibly best starting rotation in baseball. He is prepared for a huge season and all signs are pointing upwards. Speculation is useless, however, as all our questions will be answered opening day.
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