Saint Diego

San Diego is winning the West. They have to be a big surprise to you. Their record, 22-12, is an outstanding ten above .500! What has got into them?
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You can talk basics, Adrian Gonzalez has a handful of homers and RBIs. They have that killer bullpen that every good teams yearns for. But the big surprises are the guys we have no idea who they are. Take Chase Headley. Last year he was a .260 outfielder at one point. Now he’s over .300 and plays third. Jon Garland is back to rare form with a low ones ERA and a 4-2 record. We know who he is I guess but I sure didn’t think he had a lot left in the tank.
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Who is Wade LeBlanc? Well he’s Allowed five earned runs in 28 innings. I do know who Clayton Richard is but I didn’t think he’s already have 40 plus innings pitched with an ERA of 3.21. Oh, and I guess Scott Hariston has six home runs this year too.

I don’t know how they are winning really because the team batting average is terrible. Nevertheless, Strike One!
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I saw a recent poll on Yahoo asking whether Lawrence Taylor should be stripped of his Hall of Fame status because of his recent predicament. Let’s debate.
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If he’s convicted, meaning if he did it, then I’m not so sure he shouldn’t have to return that gold jacket. You see, some things in sports are held to a high standard. When you are in that hall you are there because you did it and fore the most part did it the right way.

Yeah, there are some jackasses out there. Hotdogs, cocky young guns, and bitter old veterans all sometimes get in the Hall because of gaudy numbers. But are we saying cold hard criminals should too. If he raped this girl, which isn’t very debatable because of the age factor, than why does he get to keep his honors. I’m not in charge and I’d hate to be the one who is but I wouldn’t be too shocked if Mr. Goodell looks into this. STRIKE TWO!

I’m often told I never admit when I’m wrong. Well, that’s because I consider to be right about a lot of sports stuff. But for fun, I read through some old articles to see what I’ve been wrong about so far…
The Cavs won’t win in five or six games versus the Celtics.
The Seattle Mariners are struggling now in shape for an AL West title.
The Astros just swept the Cardinals.
Brandon Marshall will not be in Denver and in the same article Washington was not that tough in the tourney.
Willy Taveras has been ineffective.
Brian Giles didn’t have a good year, he retired instead.
And of course like every analyst, I thought the Colts would win it all.

Milton Bradley- Good Board Games, Bad Attitudes

Milton Bradley’s problem wasn’t Chicago (although we all knew it was a horrible fit. He’s up to his old antics after being pulled from a game yet again. Bradley decided to storm out of the stadium. Oh brother!
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I guess he is buying into the “stress-anxiety” disorder that’s been popping up around the MLB. I’ll tell you what, I’m going to take Milton’s side on this. He’s the type of guy that blows up when something goes against him. He has that intensity which can backfire. I know he has had his fair share or run-ins, but this guy got his ACL blown out by his first base coach.
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He needs to get it under control and after 12 seasons it’s a little ridiculous. Yet, Bradley is one of those athletes that lets the heat of the moment get to him and he starts to feel like everyone is out to get him. The media hates him and if he could go back to those little outbursts and change them I’m sure he would. But he can’t.

So I say cut the guy a little break. He’s admitting that he needs a little help with his stress and anger. Finally, maybe he can get it worked out. STRIKE ONE!

A couple of young guns in each baseball league have been hot hot hot. Austin Jackson has been on fire for the Tigers.
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He has the second highest batting average going into Thursday. A 369 batting avereage with a 421 OB%. He’s toasty. He isn’t a power hitter but he has nabbed five bases already this year. I’ve enjoyed his progress.
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Then there is the Cardinal David Freese. Nineteen RBIs and three homers in his first true month as a starter. The team anticipated a guy to fill a hole left by Mark DeRosa. La Russa was most likely hoping for a 270 type guy. He got a 360 one so far. Hats off to these two young players. STIKE TWO!

Tebows jersey is selling like a cold beer in hell right now. He was the number one jersey in April and everybody wants one. But here is the kicker. Is he really going to where number 15?
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Yep. Brandon Marshalls reign in Denver is over. But so is his number. Tim will take it right out of his hands and everyone with a MArshall leftover jersey is SOL. I guess that’s just the way it is. STRIKE THREE AND I’M OUT!

Cleveland LeBrons, Chitown grumbles, The McDaniels Years

Wow. A 40 point, eight rebound, eight assist effort for James against the Bulls. It was fun to watch if you missed it.
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A three in Noah’s eye, Kirk Hinrich’s eye, and a game to remember. You can stick a fork in the Bulls because they’re done. LeBron was scorching hot. Every shot he took was on and he’s proving that he wants that hardware (MVP and NBA title) more than anyone else.
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He’s slashing through the lane, drilling free throws, and hitting the big jumpers. I tell you what, this NBA playoff might be over before it began. STRIKE ONE! (more…)

Unwanted WRs, Torres Tired, A Tough Team

It’s hard to believe but there are teams out there that are finally done with Terrell Owens. The days of T.O. getting what he wants have ended. He’s old and is becoming irrelevant. But there’s a more interesting spin to this. Do team’s already have the same hang-ups on Brandon Marshall?
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Yup! Seattle was less than impressed (not with his ability). AND Miami coaching personnel is syndicating the same kind of reaction. BM is young, athletic, tall, strong, and fast (for a big guy). He’s a drop-pass guy but you’d take it all with the ability. BUT he’s a player problem and today’s coaches just won’t put up with it.

Marshall isn’t happy with his contract and I wouldn’t be either. He deserves more but the way he has gone about it has made him less attractive. McDaniels is the coach everyone wants to hate yet he’s keeping number 15 grounded. Hey, there’s no hurry with the way this system is working now. Can you believe he might be in Denver for another year!? STRIKE ONE!

Joe Torre isn’t talking about the future with the Dodgers. Hard to believe this will be his third year away from New York. I personally think he is one of those guys that doesn’t want to step away from the game. Tony La Russa has the same thing going and so does Lou Piniella in Chicago. If you have the talent you want to stay.
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Don Mattingly could be waiting another year. He was a great hitter and could be a nice manager too. Torre is doing a good job but he looks tired. He doesn’t have that fire he used to have. I remember when the guy with the flat brim pulled down with the big overcoat was intimidating. Now, Torre is a tired coach that looks to be heading to retirement. Maybe L.A. will get a world series trophy in Manny’s last year there, and Joes too. STRIKE TWO! (more…)