Ready For A Refuel?

At least he's above ground. As for his team...
(espn.com)

How 'bout that 5 game losing streak at the end of the season? As unhappy as I am that we backed into the postseason with the proverbial beeping noises, a clincher is a clincher, but I don't exactly have that massage chair feeling. Who would have thought that after an 8-0 series edge in June against the Yanks, that we wouldn't even win the season series when it was all said and done? Who would have thought that the Blue Jays would clock 9 homers against us in the last two games? As disconcerting as those last two questions were, there are a few things that make this recent slide not that big of a deal. For one, we won't be trotting the likes of Paul Byrd and Michael Bowden on the bright lights of October. We may not even see Manny Delcarmen hang curveballs to Kendry Morales (yippeeee!). However, they're other issues that have me a bit nauseous. Even though he is on pace for his next start, that Lester line drive did not soothe me in the least. Who would have known that a post-clincher start from a staff stud would be so nerve-racking? Better yet, how about two? Beckett's back spasms didn't exactly have me jumping for joy, which makes it the 2nd time in as many years that he has tweaked a body part before the October push. And don't forget last night's Blue Jay batting practice show when comeback-kid Buchholz allowed 5 bombs against a team who is a minuscule 28 games back in the standings. I realize that we have just humiliated the Angels in the past when the calendar turns to the 10th month of the year, but they're playing inspired baseball this season, and you can never underestimate "fallen-teammate" momentum. They have something to play for, a reason to make this season special, which gets me to this Sox team. What exactly are they playing for? From the way they have been playing this past week and from the lack of that personality vibe from the teams of the past, I don't get the sense that they want it as bad as some of the other AL teams. Not like the Yankees, who haven't won a title since 2000 and want to christen their new launching pad with a championship just like they did the last one. Not like the Angels, who are playing for a teammate whose life ended far too soon. Even the Tigers (if they even hold on) have that underdog chip on their shoulder, not to mention the whole "economy has drastically humbled our city" card and that they need to win this title now more than ever for the residents of Motown. Don't get me wrong, it's good to be in the cool kids' club. But unless we find a motive to boost our way through October, I'm afraid we''ll be back being alone in the cafeteria real soon.

Probably the star of my version of, "Little Giants".
(espn.com)

As some of you soccer fans probably know, Barça defeated Ukranian powerhouse Dinamo Kiev 2-0. It was great to actually watch the game on a full screen, unlike the last Champions League game in which I had to watch Barça - Inter Milan on one of the little game windows on those channels that packages all the games. At least I had the fun experience of listening to the game in Spanish. Anyhoo, in virtually automatic fashion, Messi scored one of the two goals in the contest. It's so amazing not only how dominant he is on the pitch in relation to everybody else, but how little he is (especially beside Ibrahimovic). In a sports world filled with the Dwight Howards, the Orlando Paces and the Randy Johnsons, it's always inspirational to me to see the little guy succeed, considering that I'm one inch shorter than the average male. So here are some of my true athletic idols, my "Little Giants", a list that I will continuously be adding to.

Leo Messi (5'7'')
Soccer's history has been dominated by little men such as Pele (5'8'') and Diego Maradona (5'5''). However, even in "the beautiful game", there has been a recent lust for the bigger and the stronger, which makes players like Messi a dying breed. But that hasn't stopped the Argentinian, who has been the motor in the well-tuned, treble winning Barça machine. He's electric fast, he's moves so well with the ball and just always has the knack to create a game-breaking play. Makes me grateful that I got into soccer in this period of time, for we maybe seeing one of the all-time greats. In fact, Messi's explosiveness has made some soccer pundits to consider him to be the best player in the globe. I'm hoping Argentina ends up qualifying for the World Cup, because the world would be robbed if they don't see this little guy work his magic.

Wes Welker (5'9'')
Who would have predicted that when he left the Dolphins in 2007 that he would be the NFL receptions leader on a undefeated team with Randy Moss in it? That's exactly what the diminutive wide receiver did in a Patriots uniform. Welker caught a league leading 112 passes and was one of Brady's top weapons on that undefeated season (now twitching). He kept the good times rolling by gaining a 2nd consecutive 1,000 + season while catching passes from Matt Cassel. What's amazing about this is that in a sport that size truly dominates, he continues to chug through the opposition with his 5'9'' frame, even after the catch. Makes me want to pick up the pigskin right now. But as I look at my spindly frame, maybe not.

Dustin Pedroia (5'9'')
In the spring of 2007, a dwarf-like 2nd baseman began his rookie season for the Boston Red Sox, and it wasn't exactly world class. Batting as low as .172 in the month of May, many were wondering if it was time for Alex Cora to obtain the starting job. What happened after that? Oh, only a Rookie of the Year, a World Series ring, an MVP, and a Gold Glove! The little man with a big swing has been as important of a cog to the Sox offensive machine as anybody in the past 3 seasons. Not to mention he has been a wizard with the glove, making big plays and saving no-hitters with his small frame, which I believe is a couple inches shorter than what is listed on the programs. Hoping that this little man guides us to the big stage when my birthday comes around.

Mochaman's Fantasy Football Report
- Boston Beersquad - 2-1 (4th, Plax's Got a Gun, 3rd in Division 2, 343.32 Pts.)
So much for that undefeated fantasy season. Little hiccup for this teams as the Holmes-Fitzgerald combination hasn't paid dividends just yet. Clinton Portis still hasn't shown up yet, thus really making me consider whether I should have any Redskins on my team, especially after the loss in Detroit. Hope to pull out a victory this week in what looks to be a tight league all around.

- Killa' Beavaz - 2-1 (2nd, Yahoo Public 179914, 318.60 Pts.)
Not being helped out by Larry Fitzgerald and Tennessee's slow start this season. Not to mention Santonio Holmes's virtual no show after his stellar Week 1 performance. Eli Manning has been a good back up for me, but need some of the other pieces to start gelling if this team is gonna get any better. Facing the last place team this week, so I hope to not make a streak with this losing thing.