Manny Parra has no chance batting against this guy.(espn.com)
Hint: Shocks aren't supposed to be taped for stability.(CEB II)
It's been a while, huh? Why haven't I written in the past fortnight? I kinda don't really have a clear answer. Maybe because I felt a little monotonous after a while talking about two things for the past couple months. Maybe it was the hard drive that suddenly decided to take a permanent vacation on me last week. Or maybe it's me trying to concentrate more on this never-ending job hunt, which has finally gained some serious steam and will hopefully end in the next couple of weeks. It'll be clutch, considering I am literally preserving the performance of my Jeep with tape at this point. This car has almost made me go all Shawne Merriman, but transportation is important for someone like me who has drives an average of 20 miles to hangout. Speaking of Merriman, he's now taking out his roid rage on reality TV stars? Might be "Lights Out" for you in San Diego, buddy! Since everything is more clear in retrospect, I'll write about a few events in the past couple of weeks that have been swirling through my mind since I wrote my last entry two weeks ago. Go go gadget, cobweb remover!
Thanks for the nightmares, Bradley.
(espn.com)
- The Sox officially beacme participants in the "take a Penny, leave a Penny" program, and like the Smoltz and Lugo debacles, apparently had immediate bite-back repercussions. Here we had a guy who didn't even complete 7 innings all year easily goes 8 with 5 hits allowed against the Phillies lineup, which is probably the closest thing in the NL that resembles an AL batting order. Not to mention our old buddy Mark Kotsay went 6/11 with 2 HRs and 6 RBI's in this recent hiccup in the Windy City. Why can't we get guys like that? Anyway, don't take all of this seriously, Sox fanatics. Just to remind everyone that National League pitchers still throw to their counterparts, which is an effective jam buster in itself (kinda like the AL throwing to Varitek the last few years). After facing the Padres and the Nats, Smoltz struggled a bit against a stronger Milwaukee lineup in his last start to receive the loss. In short, these moves won't play a destructive role in our playoff hunt. Not everyone can play in the pressure cooker markets, in the AL, or both. Which reminds me.........
Wish we got guys like this.
(espn.com)
- Losing 3 out of 4 in Chicago this weekend doesn't exactly have me doing somersaults, but the Red Sox are gaining more traction as they push for the postseason. Beckett threw his first quality start since Aug. 12th, but it wasn't enough as Mark Kotsay wrapped up his player of the series award. But hey, no homers allowed, right? To keep reminiscing about the brighter news, we remember that both series against Chicago and Toronto last week were no doubt beneficial to the cause. But the series at the Trop was huge mentally, considering we hadn't won a series there since Bush was still the prez. With the recent doubleheader debacle, it seems as if the Rays' season is as healthy as Carlos Peña's broken fingers. Meanwhile, those pesky Texas Rangers are hanging in there like Harrison Ford when he was President Marshall fighting Russian terrorists in the action flick Air Force One. However, the Rangers have been bit hard by the injury bug as Michael Young and Josh Hamilton have become late casualties in the AL Wild Card battle. Before the next series in the Bronx 3 weekends from now, the schedule has a eclectic blend of high caliber teams (Angels, Rays) that will measure how the Sox will play strong teams that could determine their postseason path and/or if they make it there at all. The contenders are fused with some also-rans (Orioles (twice), Royals) that if they are who we think the Sox are, shouldn't lose any games to these clubs.
Thanks for the nightmares, Bradley.(espn.com)
- The Sox officially beacme participants in the "take a Penny, leave a Penny" program, and like the Smoltz and Lugo debacles, apparently had immediate bite-back repercussions. Here we had a guy who didn't even complete 7 innings all year easily goes 8 with 5 hits allowed against the Phillies lineup, which is probably the closest thing in the NL that resembles an AL batting order. Not to mention our old buddy Mark Kotsay went 6/11 with 2 HRs and 6 RBI's in this recent hiccup in the Windy City. Why can't we get guys like that? Anyway, don't take all of this seriously, Sox fanatics. Just to remind everyone that National League pitchers still throw to their counterparts, which is an effective jam buster in itself (kinda like the AL throwing to Varitek the last few years). After facing the Padres and the Nats, Smoltz struggled a bit against a stronger Milwaukee lineup in his last start to receive the loss. In short, these moves won't play a destructive role in our playoff hunt. Not everyone can play in the pressure cooker markets, in the AL, or both. Which reminds me.........
Wish we got guys like this.(espn.com)
- Losing 3 out of 4 in Chicago this weekend doesn't exactly have me doing somersaults, but the Red Sox are gaining more traction as they push for the postseason. Beckett threw his first quality start since Aug. 12th, but it wasn't enough as Mark Kotsay wrapped up his player of the series award. But hey, no homers allowed, right? To keep reminiscing about the brighter news, we remember that both series against Chicago and Toronto last week were no doubt beneficial to the cause. But the series at the Trop was huge mentally, considering we hadn't won a series there since Bush was still the prez. With the recent doubleheader debacle, it seems as if the Rays' season is as healthy as Carlos Peña's broken fingers. Meanwhile, those pesky Texas Rangers are hanging in there like Harrison Ford when he was President Marshall fighting Russian terrorists in the action flick Air Force One. However, the Rangers have been bit hard by the injury bug as Michael Young and Josh Hamilton have become late casualties in the AL Wild Card battle. Before the next series in the Bronx 3 weekends from now, the schedule has a eclectic blend of high caliber teams (Angels, Rays) that will measure how the Sox will play strong teams that could determine their postseason path and/or if they make it there at all. The contenders are fused with some also-rans (Orioles (twice), Royals) that if they are who we think the Sox are, shouldn't lose any games to these clubs.
For a new fan, this image never gets old.(11cules.com)
- Make that 5 for 5 for new Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola. On the 28th of last month, Catalonia's team won their 5th trophy in the past year with a Pedro goal in the 115th minute against Ukranian Shakhtar Donetsk in Monaco to win the European Super Cup. Guardiola and his Barça squad have won trophies these past few months that many coaches and teams toil years to achieve. The arguments comparing the English and Spanish Premier Leagues have lingered on as a huge chunk of the world's soccer talent have fled to the emergent Spanish brand of football. But no matter what league you think is more superior, you have to believe that Barcelona has established themselves in a class of their own. The first fixture of the league season was also a success as Ibrahimovic and company tallied a decisive 3-0 triumph against Sporting Gijon at Camp Nou on the last day of August. The upcoming fixture against Getafe has me a little worried as the soccer world is coming off a fatiguing international week where many of the world's best played for their countries and for a World Cup berth. Starting with the Getafe game on Saturday, the squad will play 7 games in 22 days which includes Champions League fixtures with Dynamo Kiev and Inter Milan against old friend Samuel Eto'o. Despite the grueling schedule that awaits, and that rival Real Madrid have spent millions of Euros, these recent triumphs have me confident that Ronaldo and crew won't be yanking away Barça's new found glory anytime soon.
Could a re-make of "Thriller" be in the works?
(img2.timeinc.net)
- Hear about that Michael Jackson tour? Well you might have just missed it. Michael Jackson FINALLY got buried this past Friday. The guy took a more grueling tour dead than he would have taken if we was still breathing and not covered with layers of formaldehyde and autopsy incisions. With him above ground for three months, they should have just tried to revive him a couple more times. Science has improved after all. Might have to start throwing down money in a bet that they decide to preserve his body in wax like Lenin and start paying $50 a pop to see him at Neverland Ranch. Maybe they will wire his body to do the whole "Thriller" routine every hour on the hour. At this point, no though or idea is even slightly ridiculous anymore. After all, there are still some hungry creditors waiting outside Neverland as we speak. Speaking of people who are dead/potentially dead........
I found the new mascot for "California Raisins."
- Looks like the Patriots are going to start the regular season without two defensive anchors from their dynasty years. Tedy Bruschi recently has left the Foxboro gridiron and will now be be one of the suits and ties analyzing the Xs and Os on ESPN. I loved the captain more than anybody, but the years of crashing and bashing seem to have had its effect on him the past couple of years. I will still miss the leadership, selfless attitude and the 100% effort that he provided, you know, the ultimate anti-Brandon Marshall of the league. In a shocker, the Pats also say good bye to Richard Seymour, who apparently is going through some glory withdrawals right now as he still hasn't reported to Raider headquarters, and I kinda don't blame him. A defense that was ranked 27th in YPG last year isn't exactly the main issue. With a head coach that seems to be auditioning for UFC and a quarterback that is in preparation to become a sumo champion, I could see how excitement isn't just rushing through Seymour's veins right now. It seems like every other Pats fan is complaining about this move, but remember when we just tossed Lawyer Milloy? That year ended up being not too shabby, with oh say, a Lombardi Trophy. Plus you see more genius from the Pats' front office, which is foreseeing the inevitable rookie salary cap that will enter the CBA, making that 2011 pick more of a jackpot and a money saver at the same time. As much as I will miss Seymour's presence, that 2011 first-round pick has me pumped up. That, and I am guaranteed another couple years of making fun of the Raiders.
I don't think the Bucs are worried about the SI curse.
(i.cdn.turner.com)
- Poor Pirates. After their loss against the Cubs on Sunday, a 17th consecutive losing season was confirmed for a franchise that was an inning away from making it to the Series back in 1992. Think about it, 1992! The Summer Olympics were in Barcelona, Favre (errrrr) started his 1st game for the Packers, Leno hosted his first taping of the Tonight Show, grunge music was all the rage and Barry Bonds's head was actually human sized. So is there any signs at all for a turnaround? The Neal Huntington era has started out with a fire sale of Marlin-esque proportions, and it might be the only thing to do. I realize that the Pirates had players like Jason Bay, Xavier Nady and Nate McClouth, but the Pirates weren't exactly a Murderers Row combo. Cleaning the slate of the Littlefield regime might not bring winning baseball immediately to the Steel City, but it's a necessary start. I'm a huge fan of Andrew McCutchen, however we all know he will not be enough. As we have learned from organizations like the Angels, Red Sox and Rays, scouting and player development will be the main key if this organization is going to ultimately obtain the pieces to rebuild itself into a contender similar to the Stargell years. With the Penguins and Steelers already establishing dominance in their respective leagues, I have a feeling that Pittsburgh sports fans might abandon ship (sorry for the pun) when this streak becomes old enough to drink itself into a rum stupor.
The ball must taste better in Spain.
(blog.lib.umn.edu)
- Oh, oh, Ricky Rubio. It's now official that David Kahn has filed his application for the worst general manager in the whole sport as the Spanish teenager fled Minnesota's grasp and will now play for the Regal Barcelona basketball team for at least the next two years. As idiotic as it was that Kahn wasted a a top-shelf pick, did you really get a sense that Rubio even wanted to play for Minnesota? You can't deny one thing: Rubio wanted to play in the NBA. He got the fever when he played the U.S.A. in the Olympics last year and saw blood in terms of all of the opportunities that come with playing with and against the best in the world. It only might be me, but in the draft, he had that look of a guy who was looking at the door in order to flee from an awkward dinner with the in-laws. You just saw him visualizing a map of the U.S. and guessing 10 million points as to where Minnesota might be. Instead of a New York or even an Oklahoma City, Rubio instead got brought in by a franchise who have rid themselves of a head coach and have not established a clear direction since the Garnett trade. We can't forget the factor of surviving the differences of the Mediterranean-Minnesotan climate and culture, which would just severely humble a guy that has been titled, "The Spanish Pete Maravich." Who rolls the dice on this guy in a couple of years? I'm guessing it will have to be someone higher than the 15th largest media market in the country. Stay tuned!
NY Career Tip: Stay away from the hot tub!
- Could this be another year of emerging rookie quarterbacks? I'm so close now to deleting my AFC East prediction column now that Mark Sanchez has been named the official starting quarterback for the New York Jets this season. Granted Flacco and Ryan were huge rookie success stories in the position last year, but we must realize that they are the exception and not the rule. Even guys like Peyton Manning were 3-13 their first year, so I'm not exactly comfortable now in putting all my money on the roulette table on the Jets as a shocker team. Also don't forget that Sanchez started only one year in USC, which happens to be the "Hype Factory Capital of the World" in terms of drafted talent (see Bush, Leinart). The sports world also witnessed another position battle upset with Matt Stafford snagging the Lions starting job away from the veteran Daunte Culpepper. My response: Why not? You can only go up from a 17 game losing streak, and he is not exactly going to carry the weight of expectations as his counterpart over in the New York will this upcoming season. Starting with a blank slate might be the best thing for Motown's pigskin squad as they try to begin reversing a history of futility and paper bags.
Mochaman's Fantasy Baseball Report
- Bubba Gump Shrimpz - 158-101-21 (2nd, Steroid Freaks' Anonymous, .5 GB)
DAMN! So close to $200 bucks! Despite pulling off a series win on a terrible last week on offense (.197 average), I was a fingernail short of my 1st divisional crown in only my second year in this league. A part of me wishes that I was just blown away, but my 3-0 record against division champeen and buddy P-Mac make me a little more confident about a solid playoff push. The bye-week is good for my team because I could go on a downward slide and not have to worry about getting knocked out by a Cinderella team in the 1st round. League championship in the near future? This could get exciting, folks!
- Mocha Sox - 101-112-7 (9th, Yahoo Public 38095, 23 GB)
Looks like the "Magic" is gone. The bright side is that I won 8 of the the last 12 series of the year, which gives me at least some confidence in managing a struggling team. It was a good run, but with Sizemore and Lidge not being the same all year and Halladay collapsing as of late, the playoffs would have been a miracle for me. It's the consolation bracket for me, which could be more of a battle of existence as I am considering nixing a team for convenience. Need to find a competition rush somehow!
- Firehawks - 94-111-15 (9th, Yahoo Public 162279, 33.5 GB)
Just when this team was crawling out of the hole in the middle of the season, it got wacked off the head with one of those arcade hammers. Losing 4 out of the last 5 series is pretty much a death sentence for any team (real or fantasy) who is trying to make the playoffs from the outside looking in. Upton and Rios didn't step up this year and the recent woes of a Mr. Beckett didn't help me break through the bottom sector of the division. Like the Mocha Sox, the 'Hawks are possibly playing for a fantasy baseball spot for my 2010 roster. Still hoping for that dubious achievement in a couple of weeks.
In other news, my 2nd Fantasy Football team, the Boston Beersquad, have gone through the draft and are looking strong going into the season. Hoping the the Warner/Fitzgerald combo can guide this team to at least the playoffs. Crossing my fingers that this is the team that finally brings me to fantasy football glory. Are you ready for some football?
Could a re-make of "Thriller" be in the works?(img2.timeinc.net)
- Hear about that Michael Jackson tour? Well you might have just missed it. Michael Jackson FINALLY got buried this past Friday. The guy took a more grueling tour dead than he would have taken if we was still breathing and not covered with layers of formaldehyde and autopsy incisions. With him above ground for three months, they should have just tried to revive him a couple more times. Science has improved after all. Might have to start throwing down money in a bet that they decide to preserve his body in wax like Lenin and start paying $50 a pop to see him at Neverland Ranch. Maybe they will wire his body to do the whole "Thriller" routine every hour on the hour. At this point, no though or idea is even slightly ridiculous anymore. After all, there are still some hungry creditors waiting outside Neverland as we speak. Speaking of people who are dead/potentially dead........
I found the new mascot for "California Raisins."(theking34s.files.wordpress.com)
- Looks like the Patriots are going to start the regular season without two defensive anchors from their dynasty years. Tedy Bruschi recently has left the Foxboro gridiron and will now be be one of the suits and ties analyzing the Xs and Os on ESPN. I loved the captain more than anybody, but the years of crashing and bashing seem to have had its effect on him the past couple of years. I will still miss the leadership, selfless attitude and the 100% effort that he provided, you know, the ultimate anti-Brandon Marshall of the league. In a shocker, the Pats also say good bye to Richard Seymour, who apparently is going through some glory withdrawals right now as he still hasn't reported to Raider headquarters, and I kinda don't blame him. A defense that was ranked 27th in YPG last year isn't exactly the main issue. With a head coach that seems to be auditioning for UFC and a quarterback that is in preparation to become a sumo champion, I could see how excitement isn't just rushing through Seymour's veins right now. It seems like every other Pats fan is complaining about this move, but remember when we just tossed Lawyer Milloy? That year ended up being not too shabby, with oh say, a Lombardi Trophy. Plus you see more genius from the Pats' front office, which is foreseeing the inevitable rookie salary cap that will enter the CBA, making that 2011 pick more of a jackpot and a money saver at the same time. As much as I will miss Seymour's presence, that 2011 first-round pick has me pumped up. That, and I am guaranteed another couple years of making fun of the Raiders.
I don't think the Bucs are worried about the SI curse.(i.cdn.turner.com)
The ball must taste better in Spain.(blog.lib.umn.edu)
- Oh, oh, Ricky Rubio. It's now official that David Kahn has filed his application for the worst general manager in the whole sport as the Spanish teenager fled Minnesota's grasp and will now play for the Regal Barcelona basketball team for at least the next two years. As idiotic as it was that Kahn wasted a a top-shelf pick, did you really get a sense that Rubio even wanted to play for Minnesota? You can't deny one thing: Rubio wanted to play in the NBA. He got the fever when he played the U.S.A. in the Olympics last year and saw blood in terms of all of the opportunities that come with playing with and against the best in the world. It only might be me, but in the draft, he had that look of a guy who was looking at the door in order to flee from an awkward dinner with the in-laws. You just saw him visualizing a map of the U.S. and guessing 10 million points as to where Minnesota might be. Instead of a New York or even an Oklahoma City, Rubio instead got brought in by a franchise who have rid themselves of a head coach and have not established a clear direction since the Garnett trade. We can't forget the factor of surviving the differences of the Mediterranean-Minnesotan climate and culture, which would just severely humble a guy that has been titled, "The Spanish Pete Maravich." Who rolls the dice on this guy in a couple of years? I'm guessing it will have to be someone higher than the 15th largest media market in the country. Stay tuned!
NY Career Tip: Stay away from the hot tub!(blog.lehighvalleylive.com)
- Could this be another year of emerging rookie quarterbacks? I'm so close now to deleting my AFC East prediction column now that Mark Sanchez has been named the official starting quarterback for the New York Jets this season. Granted Flacco and Ryan were huge rookie success stories in the position last year, but we must realize that they are the exception and not the rule. Even guys like Peyton Manning were 3-13 their first year, so I'm not exactly comfortable now in putting all my money on the roulette table on the Jets as a shocker team. Also don't forget that Sanchez started only one year in USC, which happens to be the "Hype Factory Capital of the World" in terms of drafted talent (see Bush, Leinart). The sports world also witnessed another position battle upset with Matt Stafford snagging the Lions starting job away from the veteran Daunte Culpepper. My response: Why not? You can only go up from a 17 game losing streak, and he is not exactly going to carry the weight of expectations as his counterpart over in the New York will this upcoming season. Starting with a blank slate might be the best thing for Motown's pigskin squad as they try to begin reversing a history of futility and paper bags.
Mochaman's Fantasy Baseball Report
- Bubba Gump Shrimpz - 158-101-21 (2nd, Steroid Freaks' Anonymous, .5 GB)
DAMN! So close to $200 bucks! Despite pulling off a series win on a terrible last week on offense (.197 average), I was a fingernail short of my 1st divisional crown in only my second year in this league. A part of me wishes that I was just blown away, but my 3-0 record against division champeen and buddy P-Mac make me a little more confident about a solid playoff push. The bye-week is good for my team because I could go on a downward slide and not have to worry about getting knocked out by a Cinderella team in the 1st round. League championship in the near future? This could get exciting, folks!
- Mocha Sox - 101-112-7 (9th, Yahoo Public 38095, 23 GB)
Looks like the "Magic" is gone. The bright side is that I won 8 of the the last 12 series of the year, which gives me at least some confidence in managing a struggling team. It was a good run, but with Sizemore and Lidge not being the same all year and Halladay collapsing as of late, the playoffs would have been a miracle for me. It's the consolation bracket for me, which could be more of a battle of existence as I am considering nixing a team for convenience. Need to find a competition rush somehow!
- Firehawks - 94-111-15 (9th, Yahoo Public 162279, 33.5 GB)
Just when this team was crawling out of the hole in the middle of the season, it got wacked off the head with one of those arcade hammers. Losing 4 out of the last 5 series is pretty much a death sentence for any team (real or fantasy) who is trying to make the playoffs from the outside looking in. Upton and Rios didn't step up this year and the recent woes of a Mr. Beckett didn't help me break through the bottom sector of the division. Like the Mocha Sox, the 'Hawks are possibly playing for a fantasy baseball spot for my 2010 roster. Still hoping for that dubious achievement in a couple of weeks.
In other news, my 2nd Fantasy Football team, the Boston Beersquad, have gone through the draft and are looking strong going into the season. Hoping the the Warner/Fitzgerald combo can guide this team to at least the playoffs. Crossing my fingers that this is the team that finally brings me to fantasy football glory. Are you ready for some football?
R.I.P. To Teddy and D.J. AM
Ted Kennedy (February 22, 1932 – August 25, 2009)(slowmuse.files.wordpress.com)
Adam Goldberg (March 30, 1973 – August 28, 2009)(images.eonline.com)
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