Swimming In The Rains Of Summer

Could this be called the Father's Day Miracle?
(blog.masslive.com)

Welcome to summer folks! Couldn't really tell with all this rain that's seemed to have crashed every pool party on the East Coast this weekend. What's worse than that is the forecast seems to call for only one dry day for the next ten days. Well, so much for the beach. Now I'm wondering if it's the second coming of Noah's Ark. Anyway, there was a few things worth pondering in the world of sports, combined with a lot of time to think about these little tidbits. First, how 'bout that Nicky Green? Many would call this guy a "quadruple A" player, or a career utility specialist. But we are also seeing a guy who is improving right in front of our eyes, blossoming in the opportunity given to him as a result of injuries to Lowrie and Lugo. The latest highlight you ask, a walk-off homerun against the team that drafted him 11 years back. Of course, it is a case of bizarro deja vu, as he hit a walk-off almost five years back as a Brave, against the Red Sox's Anastacio Martinez (remember him?). Most importantly, Green has improved on the part of his game that had every one wishing for Lugo to be back (surprisingly enough), his defense. After making 9 errors in his first couple months, he has worked himself into being a solid defender while hitting a solid .293 in 52 games. Green's performance makes the shortstop dilemma in Beantown a little more intriguing as Lowrie gets closer to a return date, while Lugo still seems less than one-hundred percent. Can't wait to see what will formulate in the middle of the infield in the next few months. I'm guessing it will involve the Red Sox pulling a "Dice-K" by putting Lugo back on the DL for "weakness" in his knee. But who knows. Maybe some team will take the remaining year of his 4 year, $36 million dollar contract. Or maybe I'll just put that sentence in the "wishful thinking" box. But believe it or not, the Sox weren't the only thing on my mind in the world of sports. Of course, you will see some more baseball related topics. However, you're also gonna see some entries about golf and believe it or not, soccer. Get excited ladies and gents!

A-Rod*: Not exactly the brightest bulb.

(americansportsblog.files.wordpress.com)

Let's start off with a quick look at the Yankees. Including the Boston sweep, they're 4-8 in their last 12 games, which includes the Mets (also only have won 4 of their last 12), the Nationals (enough said), and the Marlins. And just to think it could have been one game worse hadn't Luis Castillo forgotten a few fundamentals about catching a pop-up (two hands everybody!). On top of that, Alex Rodriguez* hasn't found his groove yet since his hip surgery, at least on the baseball field. After a hitless Washington series, Yankee skipper Girardi decided to bench the slugger for 2 games for fatigue. But the kicker came when I read some sensational news on all things, my Rotoworld widget. Apparently, the former Mr. Madonna was caught canoodling (I love that word.) with Kate Hudson on Friday night/Saturday morning. Hmmmm, might explain some of that lack of energy, as well as the reason why I can't stop laughing. For a man who hires all of these Hollywood types to protect his image, he seems to be one, very oblivious individual. Between the pictures of him making out with himself and his highly publicized chases of celebrity females, A-Rod* doesn't exactly make things that much easier on himself. Add that with his .213 average and the Yankees recent funk, I don't think New Yorkers are necessarily being supportive of Mr. A-Rod* lately. Along with all the fatigue, it seems like the left bicep of C.C. Sabathia has encountered a bit of exhaustion from the 355 IP since the beginning of '08. Even though the injury seems to be minor, it does put up a red flag due to the fact that the beefy hurler has thrown an average of about 214 1/3 innings in the last five seasons previous to '09. For $161 million dollars, I bet the Yanks and their fans hoped to avoid as many of these scares as possible. But then again, watch the Bronx Bombers turn it up another level like they always do. A-Rod* will hit two homers tomorrow, the bullpen will get on a roll, and Sabathia will throw a complete game in his next start. And you can thank me for the reverse jinx.

It was a wet one, and I don't mean the kiss on the trophy.
(espn.com)

Continuing on with New York, how 'bout that U.S. Open? I bet it was a good time for Lucas Glover, the 71st ranked player in the world, who captured his first title in a major after not making the cut in any of the previous majors he had participated in. And remember that David Duval guy? The once next-best thing in the sport and current holder of the 882nd best player in the world (they record rankings that low?) made a strong run for the title, which would have been his first since the 2001 British Open. A fellow named Ricky Barnes (a son of a former New England Patriots punter) tallied 132 strokes in the 1st two rounds, an open record. With all that said, this U.S Open was a soaked disaster. Mother Nature took the attention and gusto away from one of the biggest sporting events of the year, which had the potential to be a classic with all the story lines. You had Tiger prowling on another major championship, Sergio trying to win the elusive 1st, and most importantly Phil Mickelson coming out for 72 holes with the well-publicized cancer battle of his wife Amy on his mind. You could just see the emotion pouring out of your plasma screen. All of this, and it was going to be right in Bethpage in Farmingdale, NY, which contains some of the most raucous crowds in golf. An epic tourney was in the making. And then, it turned into a swim meet. Rain soaked the event from minute one, taking away any allure of the event. The story lines were still there and record setting performances were executed. However, the tsunami that hit the Northeast this weekend will be the only thing that this tournament will be remembered for. The golfers spent just as much time battling the elements as they were their competitors. It's a shame, considering that last year's U.S. Open was in the Pantheon of major championships. Nevermind the competitive last round, I think that this year's U.S Open will only be known for the buckets of rain poured, and all the accomplishments will sadly be forgotten in five years.

We're watching soccer? Must be close to the World Cup.
(espn.com)

Let's cap off this entry with (surprise!!) some soccer. While I admit it is not my favorite sport ever, I'm trying real hard to get into it. I'm serious. I've been amped up for every World Cup since 2002, even siding with the Portuguese national team as my main rooting interest. Considering about a third of my town is Portuguese and there is no Puerto Rican team, I may not have too much choice in the matter (Plus have you seen the Americans play on the international stage?). However, I find it real difficult to follow the sport when my country has a mediocre league that needed to pay a 32 year old (now 34) British midfielder (Hint: A movie title has his name in it.) to a whopping sum of $250 million, just so he can part-timer and go play for Milan so he can get in better shape for the 2010 World Cup. So much for marketing the sport. If that isn't any proof of where the talent of soccer is in the world, than I don't know what is. One day, I just have to order whatever soccer package is available on DIRECTV and follow all the teams in the European leagues. In trying to pick a favorite recently, I have been leaning towards F.C. Barcelona. The only criteria I've gone through so far is that I have visited the city twice, and that it is my mother country as a Puerto Rican. However, I'm afraid the choice will come with some bandwagon backlash, considering they just won the Champions League about a month ago (Hey, at least I didn't pick Real Madrid). So I will continue to do my research before I pick something definitive. As for the Americans and the Confederations Cup, it just seems so classic that we would advance it such a dubious way. After having our lack of heart completely exposed against powerhouses Italy and Brazil, we miraculously advance by beating Egypt by 3, while Brazil beat the the Italians by the necessary three goals for advancement. It seems like it always happens this way. The American squad gives ESPN some reason to believe that this is the team that will make soccer relevant, then they promptly exit the World Cup after three passionless matches on the pitch. While I still pull for American soccer, I believe the only way the casual American fan will begin to appreciate the quality and the passion of the sport is if they watch some matches with Manchester United instead of D.C. United. But I'm not gonna let the potential of failed expectations ruin my experience in following "the beautiful game". Anybody want to go to South Africa with me next June?

Mochaman's Fantasy Baseball Report
- Bubba Gump Shrimpz - 86-56-12 (1st, Steroid Freaks' Anonymous, 3.5 GB)
Back on top folks! Dominating week (12-1-1) despite posting my highest ERA and WHIP from my pitchers all season. Hoping the offense can stay as hot as they have been. Derrek Lee has just been a sensational pick up. Huge week for distance, considering the 2nd and 3rd place teams are battling this week.

- Mocha Sox - 36-69-5 (12th, Yahoo Public 38095, 27 GB)
Won another series this week, but barely. Traded Abreu and Loney for Justin Upton and Sandoval to fill up offensive holes, and possibly bulk up for pitching deals. Revamped the destroyed pitching staff that currently has Wandy Rodriguez as the active ace, with Randy Wells, J.P. Howell, Vin Mazzaro, and Ryan Madson, who blew two saves against the Orioles (eeks!). What's worse is that I'm playing the second place team this week. On the bright side, I'm five games away from 10th. Let the madness begin!

- Firehawks - 53-52-5 (7th, Yahoo Public 162279, 9 GB)
Close, tough loss for me last week. Just run into a team that was hotter than me offensively, but the pitching stayed solid. Now in perfect striking distance. Playing the 1st place team (redsox #1) this week, so kind of an important time for the 'Hawks. In a way, that's how it always should be.