Sports Shakes

Braves on the Move

2010-06-02T13:13:00.001-07:00

Check out more over at sportsshakes.wordpress.com

http://bit.ly/aopYpJ

Sports Shakes Subscription

2010-05-31T01:56:00.001-07:00

You can subscribe to the blog at sportsshakes.wordpress.com so you don't have to keep checking back here. Get emails whenever we post an article there.

Previewing the 2010 NBA Finals

2010-05-31T01:55:00.001-07:00

Lakers vs. Celtics, take 2.

http://sportsshakes.wordpress.com/2010/05/31/just-another-ho-hum-finals-appearance/

Soccer Time

2010-05-31T00:55:00.001-07:00

http://sportsshakes.wordpress.com/2010/05/31/10-reasons-soccer-isnt-catching-on-in-the-united-states/

Experimenting: Testing Out Readership Numbers

2010-05-27T02:36:00.000-07:00

So we've spent awhile over at wordpress now, and I'm going to do a little experiment and see which site is getting me more readership.

http://bit.ly/caJKCr

There's the link to my latest story.

Don't Forget, New Home!

2010-05-01T12:14:00.001-07:00

Head over to sportsshakes.wordpress.com to subscribe to the blog!

Thanks!

Break out the moving van...for now.

2010-04-30T11:34:00.003-07:00

Sports Shakes is moving sites! We've had a great run at blogspot, and may return in the future if the change doesn't work. But we're pickin' up and movin' out.

Here's the new wed address:

sportsshakes.wordpress.com

The blog name is still the same. The URL should be easier, too. I hope you've enjoyed my work here and you will continue to follow the new site as well!

Thank you,

Kendall Salter

Um, How Does This Make Sense?

2010-04-29T14:01:00.000-07:00

I refuse to believe that the Yankees are not the most hated team in baseball. Just like I refuse to believe that the Giants and A's (the OAKLAND ATHLETICS) are the most popular teams. A careful look at what this study is actually talking about makes it seem like it doesn't necessarily decide whether fans like or dislike a team, but rather how they merely respond to the brand. You be the judge:

With 27 World Series championships, baseball's highest payroll and some of the most boastful fans in sports, the New York Yankees have to be the team other baseball fans love to hate, right? Wrong.

No one HATES the Astros or Reds or Nationals. Maybe their own fans hate the franchise because of their disregard for the fans. But EVERYONE hates the Yankees.

Right?

Phillies Roll, An Allegheny Splashdown, and More Early Impressions from Opening Day (Part I)

2010-04-05T15:05:00.000-07:00

~When Ryan Zimmerman doubled in Nyger Morgan in the first inning, you could just feel the city of Philadelphia's blood pressure rising. After all, wasn't this Halladay guy supposed to be unstoppable? Sports Illustrated seems to think so. But after that minor blip, let's just say everything went back to normal. The Nats started flailing, the Phils started clubbing, and before you knew quite what had happened, the National League champs had stormed their way to an 11-1 win. Halladay would scatter 6 hits through 7 solid innings, striking out 9 and letting the bats do the talking. Good strategy.

~Not a bad day for baseball in the state of Pennsylvania. Also not a bad day for kayaks in the Allegheny river. One lucky nautical drifter was on the receiving end of a tremendous home run blast from Pirates' Garrett Jones. The ball cleared both the right field fence, the yard, and the early deficit for the home team, which rallied for a relatively easy 11-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. In case you didn't notice, the evidence shows that Torre's Opening Day gamble didn't pay off. Vicente Padilla looked, well, like Padilla usually looks, allowing 7 runs in just 4.1 innings, and the pair of home runs to Jones. The real ace, Clayton Kershaw, is set to take the mound on Wednesday.

~Everyone knew Aaron Harang got away with a mistake to Albert Pujols after a first inning fastball caught too much of the plate. Unfortunately for the folks in Cincy, he reared back and did the same thing again. As Vin Scully might say, it was like "trying to throw a lamb chop by a wolf." Pujols kick-started his campaign for another MVP award by launching two home runs against the Reds in an easy Cardinals victory. Despite giving up a pair of home runs himself, ace Chris Carpenter was largely effective in the 11-6 win.

~In what was probably the best of the early games, Toronto's Shaun Marcum carried a no-hit bid into the sixth inning against the home-side Rangers. Unfortunately for the Blue Jays, everything is bigger in Texas, especially the endings. Nelson Cruz would tie the game in the bottom half with a 3-run blast before the Jays retook the lead a half-inning later. But a final rally would see the Rangers walk off with a dramatic 5-4 victory, thanks in large part to a bases loaded, walk-off single from catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

~Elsewhere, Mark Buhrle was awesome, as usual...David Wright is already 1/5th of the way to matching his 2009 home run total...the Rockies got off to a good start, despite some nervous moments from the bullpen.

Can the Butler Do It?

2010-04-05T14:24:00.000-07:00

National Championship Game Preview

Butler vs. Duke

Matchup to watch: Gordon Hayward vs. Kyle Singler. Hayward was one of the lone offensive standouts in a dire semifinal against Michigan State, and is the Bulldog's go-to scorer. His play against the Spartans shows that he can play against the toughest defenses, but Duke's D seems to be on another level right now. Singler was awful in the Elite Eight, but rebounded with a productive game to help oust West Virginia. Hes just one of the Big Three that--if clicking--has the potential to produce a rout--but perhaps the most crucial. Scheyer will stay on the perimeter with Nolan Smith, so it could be up to Singler to cut to the basket and feed the bigs underneath.

Can I see some ID?: Butler coach Brad Stevens looks 18, but coaches like he's 58. He seems to have the necessary savvy to outwit even the best coaches in the game, including Boeheim and Izzo. Next up: Coach K, who took over the Duke job when Steven's was all of 3 years old. A title tonight would give him his fourth national championship, and first since 2001, which would go along nicely with that Olympic Gold Medal.

Fenced In: Prepare for a low-scoring final. Both of these squads are two of the best defensive units in the country, and have shown it during the tournament. In its five tournament games, Butler has yet to allow more than 59 points. The Blue Devils did allow 71 points to Baylor, but that game was a drubbing, a lot more than the final tally indicates. Their length and quickness could really disrupt a methodical Butler offense, much like Florida was able to do in the 2006 final against slow-it-down UCLA.

Board Exam: The Duke big men--Lance Thomas and Brian Zoubek--should be able to control the rebounding statistics much as they have throughout the tournament. As such, it will be crucial for the Bulldog's to keep second-chance points to a minimum. The Blue Devils aren't the most prolific three-point shooting team around, but are streaky and have caught fire over the past two games. Butler will be vulnerable to some of those second-chance long-range bombs, so having a bit of luck and a ton of bricks could keep them close.

Prediction: Duke 68, Butler 59.

Peavy and Guillen are Pretty Fired Up: Rest of AL Takes Cover

2010-04-01T14:57:00.000-07:00

Offseason Profile
Chicago White Sox

Once, when attending a Dodgers-Padres game in Los Angeles, I had the distinct pleasure of watching Jake Peavy pitch in an important, September baseball game. For those who may be confused, there was in fact a time (not too long ago, in fact) when the Padres were contending for playoff spots. Of course, I use the word pleasure loosely, because the man was for years a chief tormentor of the boys from L.A., a nearly unhitable fortress of craft and power.

His effect was on display that night. And countless others. Aside from the blazing fastball and devastating array of curves, cutters and sinkers, one of Peavy's trademark characteristics is his fiery personality on the mound. Like most great pitchers, he carries an intensity unmatched by the mediocre brethren of his craft. It is good to see, then, that an injury that cost him most of 2009 hasn't dampened that enthusiasm in any way. From ESPN's Buster Olney:

The man is fired up. He's fired up about the White Sox. He's fired up about the starting rotation. He's fired up about Gavin Floyd and John Danks. He's fired up about pitching in the American League Central. He's fired up about facing the Minnesota Twins while respecting the depth of their lineup.

It's as if Peavy stored up all the energy from the months he spent on the disabled list last summer, after joining the White Sox. "I think we can do some damage," he says...

Oftentimes, an injury makes the casual fan forget just how good a player is. Such was the case with the otherwise remarkable Peavy, who by the way has a Cy Young Award to his name. The relative anonymity offered by pitching in San Diego didn't help any in terms of national recognition, but if Peavy can rebound to old form in a big-time market like Chicago, one suspects that people will take notice.

Peavy's pitching could reap lucrative rewards for a re-tooled Sox team in what looks to be a winnable central division. The Twins are the clear favorite, Joe Nathan or not, but do not by any means looks invincible. In fact, the White Sox may have the better pitching staff, with Buhrle (he of no-hitter and perfect game) and Peavy at the top. Following the big two are a pair of promising hurlers that should only get better with another year of experience: John Danks and Gavin Floyd.

More after the jump...

I've already detailed Peavy's fiery personality, one that no doubt will go well with his new manager. After all, given some of the quotes that have made an appearance in this week's news, it's clear that the star pitcher isn't the only one in the organization chomping at the bit to get the season underway. After all, Ozzie Guillen is nothing if not vocal. From the Chicago Tribune:

"A lot of people hate me. I want them to hate my team, too. Because we want to kick some (butts). Nobody hates anybody when you're horse(bleep). When you're horse(bleep), nobody cares about you. When you're good, that's the people you want to beat, the people you hate the most. It's so many things. People give people attention when they have success."

"That's what I want. I want every day to show up and kick people's (butts). Show every day we're ready to fight."

Right then. Guillen was never one to mince words.

For the opponents to start drinking the hater-ade in earnest, however, the Sox will need to, er, score a few runs. The offense remains one of the biggest unknowns exiting the spring. On paper, one can see how this club can manufacture enough runs to win a boatload of games. But paper and practice are completely different animals altogether, and the South Siders' lineup is littered with players coming off poor seasons or capable of astounding inconsistency. Juan Pierre could be a nice pickup, given the way he performed in Los Angeles last season, but could just as easily revert to an underwhelming, if likable, outfielder with no power and a weak arm. Andruw Jones appears to be the projected DH--and he's not exactly a sure bet.

There are few doubts about what Guillen can do as a manager. So if he can whip his team into some sort of offensive shape, it isn't a stretch to conclude that this bunch can top the Twins and Tigers in what should be a very close affair. Should the club put on a reprise of their underachieving 2009 campaign, the outspoken skipper could find himself on the hot seat at season's end.

Oh Yeah, the Padres Play Baseball Too

2010-03-31T17:29:00.000-07:00

Offseason Profile
San Diego Padres

For a Padres preview, check out my article at www.hotstove.com.

Oh yeah, and people are still hounding on the idea of Adrian Gonzalez's supposedly inevitable move to Boston.

The Red Sox pushed hard before the trading deadline in July to acquire Gonzalez, right to the final day, but every time they thought they were close to a deal, former Padres GM Kevin Towers asked for more...The Sox made inquiries again this winter, this time to Hoyer, who last summer was on the same side of the negotiating table, trying to persuade the Padres to part with Gonzalez.

[...]

Fenway Park's Green Monster was built for a hitter with Gonzalez's opposite-field swing. And he's plenty strong enough to reach the right-field bullpens with regularity. The Sox missed out on Mark Teixeira, who spurned their offer for a bigger one from the New York Yankees. It's rare to have a chance at a similar prize. The pressure will be on not to miss again. The Sox don't need another scouting report to know what's at stake.

Not sure that this is actually going to happen. Despite what some may think, the rest of the league isn't beholden to the needs of the Yanks or Red Sox. This is getting a little out of hand, don't you think?

Dear D'Backs: Will Someone Please Help Dan Haren?

2010-03-31T14:33:00.000-07:00

Offseason Profile
Arizona Diamondbacks

Dan Haren is a great, All Star caliber pitcher. Everyone knows that. But at some point, the rest of his team will have to lend a helping hand. The biggest potential assist, however, is currently shelved with an injury. Not a good sign for a team that struggled mightily in 2009.

The biggest question mark revolving around the Diamondbacks this spring is Brandon Webb.

Will he be ready? Won't he? Will the sinker still work? Does his shoulder still work?

Soemtimes, it doesn't seem like even Webb knows. After all, he looked to be on track for Opening Day earlier this winter. But one bullpen session and a feeling of stagnancy later, and it seems to be more of the same for the injury-plagued Diamondbacks. Without Webb in 2009, Arizona staggered to just 70 wins, lost a manager, hired a young, inexperienced one, and ended the season worse off than the Padres.

Not exactly what management had in mind.

So hopes were a little higher this offseason, with the knowledge that Webb would return, no longer hampered and ready to dominate as he did in his Cy-winning season in 2007, when he lead the league with 22 wins. But the problem persists, and manager A.J. Hinch has had to scramble to arrange a hodgepodge mix of talent and mediocrity in a minimized rotation. It looks as if the team will go with just four starters until the last possible moment, which appears to be around late-April. Coincidentally, Webb himself feels like that is the target for his return, despite the warning words of his doctor. From ESPN:

The late April target is "definitely not set in stone or anything. It's, I guess, a goal maybe," he told reporters.

[...]

"He pretty much said that, 'You just weren't ready to get after it and get on the mound,' " Webb told reporters. "He was like, 'I never had you pegged as an April [return] guy.' He might have told me that before, so he retold me, I guess."

So where are the bright spots for a team that will msot likely struggle to keep pace with the likes of the Rockies, Dodgers and even the Giants in the West? Well, Justin Upton has developed into one of the most powerful hitters in all of baseball, scorching the Arizona night will jaw-dropping bombs. He and the equally powerful (if feast-or-famine prone) Mark Reynolds are as dangerous a 3-4 lineup comination as you'll find in Los Angeles or Colorado. The problem here is depth and consistency. The once-promising Chris Young has flattered to decieve in center, Conor Jackson is coming off an injury, and will have to play well to keep the surprising Gerardo Parra from grabbing his job. Parra was a rare pleasant developement in Phoenix during the 2009 season.

The rotation, aside from Haren, is a huge question mark. Edwin Jackson has all the necessary talent, but after those two, no one knows what to expect. Rodrigo Lopez (who?) has landed the fourth spot in the rotation, while former Yankee castodd Ian Kennedy clinched the third spot, at least until Webb returns. The bullpen is nothing to write home about either. After all, Chad Qualls hardly strikes fear into late-game batters as a closer.

Expect another long season in the desert, unless Hinch can work some previously unfound magic, Webb returns, and Upton and Reynolds launch a plethora of well-timed dingers.

Braves' Future Reflecting Their Past

2010-03-31T14:04:00.000-07:00

Offseason Profile
Atlanta Braves

You know the names: Maddux, Glavine, Avery, Smoltz. The fearsome foursome, and for many years, the best rotation in baseball. Using that quality quad of hurlers and timely power bats, Atlanta dominated the NL East division for well over a decade. Recent seasons have seen the club fall on harder times, with the Phillies taking advantage. The folks down south have had to bear with the idea of another division rival making a run to the World Series, and winning the same number in two years (one) as Bobby Cox managed in those fabulous 14 seasons that the blue and red sat atop the standings.

After a few seasons spent (somehow) under the radar, it looks like the Tomahawk Chop could be back, with a vengence, in 2010. And it starts with a new set of quality arms.

If there is one thing that an NL East team can take for granted, it's that the title will go through Philadelphia. And with that charge comes the task of neutralizing the power bats in the red pinstripes. In Derek Lowe and Tim Hudson, the Braves have a pair of sinkerball pitchers who may be able to do just that, especially in a smaller ballpark like Citizen's Bank. Lowe has proved especially effective as a veteran of the late-season pressure cooker, and Hudson is a veteran arm that will look to provide one of the league's more capable 1-2 punches.

But if there is one guy that will make the Braves push to the front, it's the best pitcher you've never heard of: Jair Jurjjens. Jurrjens can be a dominant player, and proved it a season ago. Sure, the 14-10 record may not look very impressive, but the corresponding 2.60 ERA. That mark was third best in the league, and fifth best in all of baseball. The other guys in that top 5? Zack Greinke (Cy Young winner), Chris Carpenter (Cy Young winner), Time Lincecum (Cy Young winner), and Felix Hernandez. Could Jurrjens be next? The point is, if this guy is your third starter, you have a pretty formidable rotation. Not only that, but he stikes out enough (152 last season) without walking many (75). Oh, and by the way, he's just 23.

But youth with star power is nothing unusual for this organization. The team that brought you young sensations (at the time) Chipper and Andruw Jones has developed its share of promising youngsters in recent seasons as well. Tommy Hanson, who will fill the fourth spot, was outstanding as a rookie in 2009. If he can avoid any sort of sophomore slump, or even come close to replicating (much less improving) last year's stellar numbers--11 wins, 2.89 ERA, .225 bating average against in just 21 starts--the Braves may have one of the best rotations in the game.

If the Braves' lineup (including Chipper, McCann, and phenom Jason Heyward) can provide the necessary pop to keep pace with the Phillies, Atlanta could surprise in the last season on manager Bobby Cox's illustrious (and possibly Hall of Fame caliber) career.

Duke Hate: National Birthright

2010-03-28T17:42:00.000-07:00

There are times when I'm sure that most of us roll out of bed wondering if we were born hating Duke. It's so easy, isn't it?

But why do we despise the Devil so deeply?

There's the jealousy factor: smart guys hoopin' it up with the best of them, and still winning.

There's the arrogance factor: refs whistles go silent in Cameron Indoor, and the Crazies' chants are almost as annoying as Dickie V's unending love.

Coach K: The longer he coaches in Durham, the more he appears to look like the mascot itself, that nose sneering down at the officials in a "how dare you" fashion.

OK, so it's clear that there isn't a lot to like. But deep down, you have to admit, it is nice to see the Dukies back in the Final Four again. (Alright, Chapel Hill. I hear you disagreeing.)

In a year such as this one, with the tournament turned topsy-turvy by a plucky group of who-are-theys, a familiar face is always a welcome one. There's Butler, the great team that somehow no one has ever heard of. West Virginia, the school that hasn't seen hoopa success since Jerry West commanded the back court. Michigan State: one player short, one outstanding coach strong, has been there before, too, but don't have the star power to make them nationally noticeable.

That's where Duke comes in. You may not know the players this time. You may not know the record. But you probably don't care. All that matters are those four letters on the front of the uniform: D. U. K. E. And you despise them. You'll pull for the Mountaineers. You'll care, because you have to. You'll root for the hometown Bulldogs, Sparty, or WVU. Anything to avoid seeing the blue and black lift the ultimate trophy.

But you'll watch, and that's all that matters. Enjoy the hate, and enjoy the fun.

Talking Dodgers, NL West on Hot Stove

2010-03-10T23:28:00.000-08:00

Twins Gear Up for 2010 in the Great Outdoors

2010-03-10T13:00:00.000-08:00

In case fans in Minnesota are confused by that chilly, breezy feeling they may feel when taking in a ballgame in 2010, a quick reminder: that's just the elements. No need to be concerned. Unless, of course, it snows. In that case, finding a baseball may be harder than catching a pop fly lost in the Metrodome roof.

But all things considered, this season looked like it was shaping up well for the AL Central's most consistent team. At least, until this happened.

Let the doom and gloom begin. Writers and fans are already jumping off the wagon, believing that Nathan's bad elbow has positively wrecked Minnesota's season before it even began. But to do so would be unwise. After all, they guy pitches one or (at most) two innings every other day or so. Minnesota is not at a loss for possible replacements for Nathan. Former Nationals closer and Diamondbacks reliever Jon Rauch appears to be the frontrunner if the Twins' All-Star hurler needs surgery.

Should Minnesota decide to look internally for a replacement, there are several arms who could potentially be asked to step up and fill in.

Jon Rauch has the most big league closing experience on the team. The right-hander has 26 career saves in 44 attempts. Most of those came in 2008, when he went 17-for-22 in save opportunites with a 2.98 ERA for the Nationals before being dealt to the D-backs. He went 5-1 with a 1.72 ERA for the Twins over 17 games after coming via trade last August. Rauch isn't ready to consider stepping into that role just yet.

"He's our closer," Rauch said of Nathan. "As of right now, he's still our closer. We expect him to hopefully make a speedy recovery and be back in the bullpen for the start of the season."

The Twins are not ready to panic, because they have a core in place that could challenge even the Yankees and Red Sox for a pennant. So what about the guys that help out in the other eight innings? Well, they look pretty darn good.

More after the jump.

Lest we forget, the Twins have two former Most Valuable Players at their disposal. First baseman Justin Morneau is bouncing back from an injury, but will be a focal point of Ron Gardenhire's offense. And then there is, of course, Minnesota's Golden Boy Joe Mauer, the heart throb of Target Field. (And subject of some great Playstation commercials.)

In addition to those two, the Twins now have a pretty good up-the-middle combination in J.J. Hardy (a former Brewer from just across the border) and Orlando Hudson, who signed with Minnesota as a free agent. Hudson and Hardy give the team a pair of younger options than the departed Orlando Cabrera. Hudson is also great with the leather, having garnered a Gold Glove award in 2009 despite being dropped from the Dodgers' lineup for much of September and the postseason. The Twins are getting a great character guy in Hudson (as if this team could be any more likable), as well as a still-productive bat and another veteran. Hudson and Hardy--aside from sounding like a 70's cop duo TV show--are the kind of role palyers that make a good team great.

Another bit of upside for the team is that they didn't lose much in the offseason. The speedy Carlos Gomez was traded away to get Hardy. Boof Bonser--he of great name but not-so-great stuff--is also gone, but the pitching staff looks to be in decent shape. Outside of Carl Pavano (who most people know for all the wrong reasons), there aren't many recognizable names on this staff. But arms like Scott Baker, Brian Duensing, and Kevin Slowey were good enough to rally the Twins to a division title. Slowey's 10-3 performance was especially surprising.

Despite Nathan's untimely injury, this is a team that has reason to be optimistic. It's playing in one of the weaker divisions in baseball, and will probably only face a concentrated challenge from the Tigers. The Royals and Indians are a long way from contending, and the White Sox are always a question mark. Target Field is brand new and sparkling, and will promote interest and national recognition for a franchise that tends to do things the right way. And it's got a whole year of Joe Mauer to look forward to.

How could anyone not love that?

Talkin' Hot Stove

2010-03-10T07:16:00.000-08:00

I will be making an appearance on www.hotstove.com today at 12PST to talk about all things Dodgers and NL West. Please join me. As for posts here, more will be coming starting tomorrow. Traffic will be a little slow due to academic commitments, but I'll do the best I can.

Red Sox Re-Arm, But What About the Bats?

2010-03-03T00:16:00.000-08:00

Offseason Profile
Boston Red Sox

The New York Yankees won the 2009 World Series. You know, just in case you'd been living under a rock for the past year. But you can bet your bottom dollar that the folks on the Massachusetts Turnpike have that pin-striped celebration etched deeply in their troubled minds. The evil empire (or at least one of them) did it with their bats, sure. But when it came down to the big outs, they did it with the guys on the mound. Tiny stadium? The opponents get that advantage, too. So the Yanks offered up C.C. Sabbathia, A.J. Burnett, and the ageless wonder Andy Pettite. Oh, and that one closer they have out there...Mariano.

Boston knows what it needs to get done. With one eye on their rivals in the Bronx, the Sox bolstered their starting rotation by acquiring All Star and former World Series winner John Lackey, formerly of the Angels. The Yankees countered with Javier Vazquez. If you had this question put to you, how would you answer? Which move was better?

The quick answer is to go with Lackey, and it may not be an unwise one. After all, this is a guy who won game 7 of the 2002 World Series--an extremely tense affair--as a rookie. This guy has Texas-sized guts to go with his blazing fastball. From 2003-2007, in the years following that epic victory, the Angels' ace started 33 games. In 2007, he won 19 games while compiling a 3.01 ERA. There are a lot of things to like about Lackey.

But another glance at the stats (though sometimes, I understand, stats aren't all that reliable) brings to mind some concerns worth noting. The past two seasons, Lackey has started only 24 (2008) and 27 (2009) games while dealing with some injuries. Even when healthy, Lackey has only won more than 14 games in that magical 2007 campaign, right before his numbers dropped off. His 3.83 ERA, while respectable, is the highest season total for the righthander since 2004, and he is now moving to a more hitter-friendly park in Boston. (The Monster isn't that imposing). One would think that one of the major attractions of acquiring Lackey was not only his top-notch stuff, but his ability to pitch in the clutch for a team that often finds itself in such situations. But since winning his first four playoff appearances (three in the 2002 title run and one in 2005), Lackey has struggled, losing four out of his last five. Not exactly coming through when it matters. To be fair, as the number one pitcher for the Angles, he was often matched up with the opponent's best. But the trend is more than a little concerning.

One thing that the Red Sox did improve was their defense. Adrian Beltre's bat may not be good for too many big hits anymore, but his glove will more than make up for minor discrepancies at the plate. The two-time Gold Glove award winner is renowned as one of the best third basemen in the league, and his bat may find that short (albeit tall) wall in left tempting. Mike Cameron is, frankly, a puzzling signing, but the Sox could do worse, I guess. He has some pop left, but the wheels may be getting a little rusty on the 37-year-old veteran. He probably won't be stealing many bases in Boston, but his work in the outfield could help, although the team would probably be best-served to leave the speedy Jacoby Ellsbury in Fenway's spacious center field.

There is some concern over the Red Sox's lack of hitting prowess, but that may be overblown. After all, this is a team that still boasts Ellsbury's speed at the top of the order, Pedroia's power, and experienced players like Youkilis, Cameron, Victor Martinez, J.D. Drew (when, nay, if healthy) and a (possibly) rejuvinated David Ortiz. There is some punch in that lineup yet. Put it this way: a lot of managers would love to have that kind of a batting order. Also, if the team can get any production out of the newly-acquired Marco Scutaro (taken mostly for his flashy leather) and reclamation project Bill Hall (former Brewers slugger/strikeout machine), that's just gravy.

So do not shed too many a tear for Boston. They'll be ready for the season, and should challenge the Yankees and Rays. It's going to be quite a battle, and there can be no doubt that ESPN will show us quite a lot of it.

The Red Sox may have been the team of the last decade. How will they start off the new one? Only April, and ultimately October, will tell.

Miguel Cabrera Opens Up, Finally

2010-03-02T18:52:00.000-08:00

Offseason Profile
Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers, as nearly everyone knows by now, were on the wrong end of one of the most exciting baseball games in years. But losing to the Minnesota Twins in a playoff play-in game was just the culmination of what had been a horrific September/October collapse. But if the problems on the field--untimely pitching mistakes, lifeless bats--weren't enough, their star first baseman was always there to create more off of it.

It isn't a stretch to call Cabrera's drinking binge/fight/intoxication at the end of the season a staggeringly stupid series of decisions. After all, Detroit was in the midst of trying to cling to their slim division lead in the face of the hard-charging Twins. But instead of being able to focus on the baseball matters at hand, players and management were forced to answer questions about this:

The 26-year-old Cabrera registered a 0.26 blood alcohol content, more than three times above Michigan's legal driving limit. The average person metabolizes alcohol at about the rate of .015 per hour, Fell said in a phone interview. An experienced drinker would metabolize alcohol at about .020 per hour. That means that "the standard person" would have required more than 17 hours to metabolize alcohol that had reached 0.26. An experienced drinker would have required 13 hours to metabolize alcohol at that level, Fell said.

Police answered a 911 call from Cabrera's home at about 6 a.m. last Saturday. Dave Dombrowski picked him up at a police station following a fight with his wife -- apparently over his late arrival from a night out -- about 12 hours before the Tigers' game at 7 p.m.

But now it appears that Cabrera has learned his lesson. And really, it couldn't come at a better time for the Tigers, eager to move forward from the debacle of late-2009.

More after the jump...

Changes have been made, among them the recent signing of free agent outfielder Johnny Damon, who probably still has something left in the tank (and the bat) to give to the club. Curtis Granderson, a staple in the Tigers' outfield, swiftly departed to greener (in more ways than one...$) pastures in New York. The club will be breaking in a new second baseman, rookie Scott Sizemore. But perhaps the greatest change is coming from the previously beleaguered Cabrera, who it appears has become more comfortable with himself, and more responsible. And all it took was a little talking:

Cabrera spent the offseason receiving counseling in an outpatient program in Miami, where he has a home. One goal was to get him to open up and be more honest about his problems.

"What I did with the doctor, we talked about a lot of things," Cabrera said. "I explained myself to him, what is going on with my life. Now I can be more open with people, with my teammates, with everybody. I can say the people can know me, they can know what's inside of me. Before, they don't know what's going through my mind."

The results have been positive. Cabrera has been more open with the media and with people in general since reporting to Spring Training a little more than a week ago.

Well, thank God for him being more open with the media. I would have thought that resolving his issues with alcohol--he says he hasn't touched the stuff since the incident last season--and his family were most important. But it's a long and tough road to travel, that bumpy path to redemption. Reviving--reconstructing might be a better word--his public image may be a difficult task, but at least it appears that Cabrera is taking steps in the right direction.

Of course, Cabrera is most comfortable in the batter's box. It is often befuddling how this player does not gain more recognition for his supreme offensive talents. Perhaps his infamous exploits temper the enthusiasm a bit, but there is no denying that the 26-year-old is something special, at least on the field. After all, he has posted batting averages over .300 in four of his six full seasons. Oh, by the way, the guy has 209 career home runs. Now at first, his defensive deficiencies aren't as amplified, either.

If this is the new Cabrera, then Detroit has a lot to look forward to in 2010. After all, Justin Verlander had a spectacular season in 2009 and should do the same this season. The back end of the rotation has some question marks, but they have a chance to redeem themselves with a postseason appearance. The AL Central appears to be a three-team race, so it's there for Detroit to grab if they can seize the opportunity this time around.

Here, Soccer Fans...Something to Argue About

2010-03-01T23:25:00.000-08:00

Can you feel the World Cup fever already? We've been away for a couple of days, but this was just too good an article to avoid attention. With 101 days until the World Cup kicks off in South Africa, ESPN Soccernet published a list of the 50 best players in the world. And I'll tell you, there sure is a lot to argue about. Granted, this sort of thing is always arbitrary, but there are a couple of important things that you can glean from the well-crafted piece.

1) Spain is really, really good. They have nine...NINE...players mentioned on this list. I'm not sure I would go with Xavi as the best player out of Spain, though. He's been a mainstay, but Torres (when healthy) and Villa are two of the best strikers on the planet, and are younger. So I'll take them. But nine? That's just not fair. This group won the European Championship in 2008, but has consistently underperformed at World Cups. Could this be the squad to turn things around? At least on paper, things look good.

2) They may have struggled through qualifying, but Argentina is loaded with the talent to make a deep run, much to the chagrin of those that wish that coach Diego Maradonna would just disappear. Lionel Messi (#1 on the list) is the main attraction, but the Argentines have a potent strike force at the top. The main question marks are in the defense.

3) Landon Donovan probably got a sympathy vote here. Look, the Americans are good, but not that good. Donovan has been a surprise in the Premier League, where he has more than held his own after previous failed stints overseas. He squeezed in at #50, which leads one to believe that someone at Soccernet just wanted to appeal the American public.

4) Rankings know no scandal! Both John Terry and Ashley Cole, recent tabloid targets (and rightfully so) for their misadventures off the pitch, made the cut. Terry is probably a bit overrated, but deserves a place on the list--just perhaps not this high.

5) Brazil isn't going away. These might not be Ronaldo's Brazilians or Ronaldihno's superstars, but this team will be dangerous--and probably the favorite to hoist the trophy at tournament's end. The player to watch is Kaka, a master with and without the ball, and deadly on a counter. Wouldn't a Brazil-Spain final be a doozy?

When Hot Dogs Go Awry

2010-02-24T15:30:00.000-08:00

And the winner for the Strangest Spring Training Story So Far goes to...

The Royals. Why am I not surprised? From the Kansas City Star:

According to the lawsuit, filed in Jackson County Circuit Court, John Coomer was attending a night game Sept. 8 at Kauffman Stadium and was sitting about six rows up from the third-base dugout.

During a break in the action, Sluggerrr mounted the dugout and began blasting ’dogs into the stands with that awesome air gun.

He finished with the air gun and then began throwing food into the stands with his paws.

“While doing so, (Sluggerrr) attempted to throw a hotdog into the stands with a throw behind his back,” the lawsuit alleged. “Instead of throwing the hotdog at an arch high into the stands, (Sluggerrr) lost control of his throw, or was reckless with his throw, and threw the hotdog directly into plaintiff, who was sitting a few feet away.”

Now that's a tough break. But baseball games are dangerous events. We all know that. It's just that the danger usually involves ducking out of the way of a foul ball, not levitating meat. At least Mr. Coomer will have a great story to tell. But watching losing baseball and suffering eye damage--that's a double-whammy. But seriously, here's hoping he gets better soon, or is compensated for the lasting impacts to his vision.

From a club standpoint, Kansas City needs some good things to happen for a productive, winning season to be even a remote possibility. Flying meat from the always ominous mascot cannons cannot be a good sign.

Tea, Biscuits, Football...and Playoffs? Not Such a Jolly Good Idea

2010-02-24T14:34:00.000-08:00

There was a time that Major League Baseball didn't have a playoff. In this era of Wild Cards and Division Series games it's often hard to remember that. But at one point, where you finished was where you finished. A team earned its way into the World Series by winning more games than any other league squad. It seems like a simple idea, right?

Well if that were tried now, there would be an outcry. Since the breakdown into three divisions, the baseball postseason has developed into one of the more exciting playoff formats. It remains neither watered down or too restrictive. Four teams in each league. The minimal structure guarantees that each team is great at best, competitive at worst. But should Bud Selig, in his infinate wisdom (cough) decide to abolish the current system in favor of a blast to the past, TV bigwigs, owners, players and fans would positively explode.

Now let's take a trip across the Atlantic to visit our tea-swilling, Beatles-loving, monarch-hailing brothers in England. The Premier League is one of the greatest football competitions in the world. It boasts four of the top clubs internationally--in the form of Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Liverpool, and a host of the greatest players alive. But the structure of the league is simple. The champion is the team that earned the most points throughout the course of the season. In fact, there is no "regular season" because there is no "postseason." The winner is, quite simply, the best team over 38 home and away games.

The problem is, the top four teams gain a coveted Champions League spot--and the financial windfall that goes with it. With the advent of the Champions League competition, the top four have formed a quadrant of strength that is virtually impenetrable, even to relatively strong teams in the middle of the table. With increased revenue from these appearances in Europe's most prestigious cup competition, other teams are shut out. In other words, the rich just keep getting, well, richer.

More after the jump...

All of this has spawned the playoff idea, recently proposed and apparently gladly supported by the league's other 16 clubs. The idea is that the 4th-7th place teams would compete for the final Champions League spot, hoping that this will create greater parity in a competition that is growing ever more stifled by the massive power of the four elites. There is hope that the creation of an end-of-season playoff for the final coveted place will create more excitement for fans of the league, who will follow middle-of-the-table (American translation: standings) squads with more at stake. Even the manager of one of these squads, Everton's David Moyes, knows the dangers of instituting such a system:

Everton boss David Moyes said the idea "was something worth looking at".

But the Scot warned against the dangers of making too many changes to the traditional structure of the sport in England.

"I always think your league position is judged over all the games and where you finish is where you finish," said Moyes, whose side have finished in the top seven in five of the last seven seasons.

"So to give a team that finishes three or four places down the table could be a little bit unfair.

But some, like The Guardian's John Ashdown, also see the beneficial side of the idea for a league in desperate need of some fresh blood at the top:

The longer-term benefit would be to spread the wealth (or, at least, to improve the chances of the wealth being spread). The money that the Champions League brings puts the clubs involved in a virtuous circle. Champions League qualification leads to more money and prestige, more money and prestige leads to better players, better players lead to Champions League qualification. This closed shop, threatened though it is this season, has become a turn-off. Any attempt to break the quadopoly at the top is surely to be applauded.

This idea appears to be a good one on the surface, but look deeper and you see a contradiction. This is flying in the face of tradition--which isn't always a bad thing, except when it also flies in the face of logic and reason. A champion is supposed to be the best team, a fourth place finisher, fourth best. What would the incentive be for a team to finish fourth when it can finish 7th, and still have a shot at the payday?

Starting a playoff would just be taking the first step on a slippery slope that could lead to mediocrity. Sure, everyone wants to see that "top four" broken apart--just to save us from the sheer predictability of it all--but teams should do so on merit. That is, if a team wants to make the big time, it has to earn it over the course of 38 games. After all, if that structure is good enough to crown a champion, shouldn't it suffice to crown a fourth-place finisher?

Toronto Tries Adjusting to Life Without Doc

2010-02-23T01:30:00.000-08:00

Offseason Profile
Toronto Blue Jays

To take a line from the once-great Rick Pitino, Roy Halladay isn't walking through that door.

But Ricky Romero and Shaun Marcum are.

Er...

This will be the first time since 1998 that the pitcher so synonymous with Toronto won't be throwing on the Blue Jays pastels for a Sunday afternoon home game. This should be a hard fact for our friends north of the border to deal with. Of course, their attention now is more focused on how to erase the memory of that hockey loss.

For a team like the Blue Jays, there is no set strategy to be followed to create success. There really isn't that much of a game plan for how to conquer a pair of triple-digit million-dollar behemoths that you have to play 18-19 times a year. Is it fair? Of course not. But unfortunately, that is the state of things in the world of baseball. The closest anyone has come to busting the Yanks-Sox monopoly were the '08 Rays. They did it on the backs of young players who all came together for one miraculous effort. Maintaining that, of course, is the tricky part. Tampa slipped to third in 2009.

But that plan required not only a plethora of developing talent, but a great amount of patience--something that generally can not be afforded in the what-have-you-done-for-me-this-inning culture in today's game. Thus, the Jays are in a rather tight spot.

The winds of change are swirling around Toronto as April approaches. Already the ubiquitous Halladay is gone, leaving a large hole in the locker room and in the public image of the franchise. In addition, manager Cito Gaston--the only skipper to bring a World Series to Canada (twice, I might add)--is throwing in the towel following the upcoming season to take a front office job. As such, this is a team in the major throws of a transition movement, an occasion that often portends doom upon a team. But at least he' optimistic:

The manager, almost wistfully, said he will miss the big right-hander, who went 148-76 during his 12 seasons with the Blue Jays, last year tossing 239 innings in 32 starts.

Gaston attended a morning meeting with the close to 40 pitchers in camp and found himself in discussion with Doug Davis, the Blue Jays minor-league field co-ordinator.

“I was saying to Doug, ‘I wonder if we have a couple Docs in this room.'” Gaston said. “That sure would be nice somewhere down the line. You never know.”

Gaston said it would be a bonus if Shaun Marcum and Dustin McGowan are able to return from serious arm injuries and be able to contribute to the starting rotation.

The major questions are plentiful. But most at the forefront of fans' minds is the lack of bankable options on the mound. With the franchise's long-time #1 gone, the Jays are left searching for a viable ace. The southpaw Romero had a better-than-expected rookie season in 2009, going 13-9, but such a role might be putting too much responsibility on a 25-year-old still learning the intricacies of the delicate head game. The problem is, Gaston's other options are coming off significant injuries.

At one point, it looked like Marcum and Dustin McGowan were about to develop into stars alongside Halladay. A season and a pair of injuries later, and the names evoke more questions than answers. If the two can stay healthy, the Jays might be able to hover around the third place spot. But even Baltimore looks more ready for the upcoming challenge than this team does. The changes are underway, and there is a lot of work left to be done.

Stephen Strasburg Descends from Heaven to Spring Training

2010-02-22T00:24:00.000-08:00

There's hype, and then there's hyperbole.

Unfortunately for rookie phenom (we think) Stephen Strasburg--he of the 100+ mph heater and golden arm--has been subjected to both without ever having face major league hitting. Expectations are high (check out the reference to Walter Johnson...whew), and that's putting it lightly. To hear Nationals fans tell it, this guy will strike out 15 a game, compile a sub-2.00 ERA and cure diseases without breaking a sweat. The pressure is enormous.

But at least his teammates have his back. Stephen Strasburg: prospect, fire-baller, determined...divine? Some of his clubhouse brethren have taken doling out reverential praise on the franchise's new poster boy.

...the Washington Nationals divided their players into workout groups, such that Group 2A included right-hander Joel Peralta, left-hander Matt Chico, right-hander Tyler Walker, left-hander Aaron Thompson, and lastly a right-hander known to at least a few of his teammates as Jesus.

Why Jesus? "'Cause what's the first thing you say when you see him pitch?" centerfielder Nyjer Morgan said, excited just to answer his own question. "Jeee-sus!"

Stephen Strasburg now knows how unbounded fascination awaits even the activities he finds routine, so sometimes, he shakes his head at the silliness but plays along anyway. When Morgan hollered, "What's up Jesus?" Strasburg, from the other side of the clubhouse, looked up in acknowledgement. And later, when Strasburg threw an eight-minute, 37-pitch bullpen session on a usually-quiet practice area behind the matrix of ballfields, he witnessed the way in which his typical morning became his franchise's showcase event. His take on all that: "I am comfortable with that," he said.

Talk about high expectations. If Strasburg can perform at even half the level that has come to be expected of him, it will be a very good year for the rookie out of San Diego State. No one should expect him to come out whiffing experienced batters right away. It's more than likely that he will begin the season in the minors, if only to get some more seasoning under his belt. But given the early rave reviews from fellow players, it appears the wait won't be very long for one of the most talked-about young players in recent memory.

Question is, can he turn the dugout Gatorade into wine?

Duck Hunt: Oregon Football Slogs its Way Through the Offseason, One Setback at a Time

2010-02-21T22:49:00.000-08:00

I guess the view from the top isn't so nice, after all.

The Oregon Ducks experience a season of the highest highs and the lowest lows. We all know about The Punch, the rout against USC, the loss to Stanford, and the classic showdown with Arizona. The nation watched as Ohio State overwhelmed the Ducks in Pasadena on January 1st. But despite the roller coaster that was coach Chip Kelly's inaugural season, it was obvious that this was a team on the rise.

In a league that has withered in the giant shadow of USC, the Ducks weaved their way into a patch of sun. They rode the arm, legs and instincts of Jeremiah Masoli. They scored with the speed and cuts of LaMichael James. The defense was did just enough to hold opponents. Kelly rebounded from a terrible opening act to cement his position at the helm of the program.

But with great power comes great responsibility, and Kelly has a lot of tough decisions ahead. The only thing more lively than a sold out Autzen crowd has been the police scanner in Eugene. In the past month, four Oregon players have been arrested, including star running back James, three of them on accusations of assault, and one for driving under the influence. For a school in the midst of a football renaissance, these incidents are threatening to drag the green and yellow back into the dark ages.

The president of the university isn't so pleased, either.

"The University of Oregon has clear expectations of how its student athletes are to behave both on and off the field of play. Lately, several of our athletes have fallen far short of these standards. This is simply unacceptable.

The University of Oregon does not tolerate inappropriate conduct from any of its students. I know Athletics Director Mike Bellotti and Head Coach Chip Kelly share my concern about recent events involving UO players and are working hard to address these incidents. I have every confidence that they will restore the UO athletic program's long and proud tradition of sportsmanship and integrity. Our loyal fans and alumni expect no less and neither do I.

Richard Lariviere
President, University of Oregon

You know that things are bad when a player is going on his Facebook page, posting statuses ripping the coach and then proceeding onward to racist comments. And that's kid stuff compared to the other recent issues plaguing Oregon football. Add to that the ongoing investigation of quarterback Jeremiah Masoli and a receiver (since dismissed from the team) for an alleged robbery at a fraternity house.

That's quite a rap sheet, and the man in charge isn't very happy.

"It's all unacceptable," Kelly said. "This isn't what the university is about or what this football program is about. Nobody is more concerned about that than we are."

[...]

If players on his team "don't think I'm serious about this, they don't get it," Kelly said. "If they don't do things the right way, there is a price to be paid."

Kelly did a wonderful job coaching following the season-opening disaster at Boise State. But handling these controversies may be his toughest job yet. There will certainly be questions about where his priorities lie, especially after dismissing a few players from the team but withholding judgement on others like stars Masoli and James. He's obviously waiting out all of the facts. However, some Oregon fans and media may not be so patient in awaiting the tough decisions to come.

Once you're on top, it certainly is a long way to fall.

Getting to Know You, Pirates Style

2010-02-21T15:00:00.000-08:00

Offseason Profile
Pittsburgh Pirates

I just got done reading a book about the 1960 World Series. You know, the one where Bill Mazeroski downed the evil Yankees with a home run in the bottom of the 9th of Game 7? Well, it got me thinking.

The Pirates are terrible, and it kinda sucks.

We as fans always here that having so-and-so team being competitive is "good for [insert sport here]." For example, the NFL is happy when the Dallas Cowboys are good. Likewise with the Lakers and Celtics and the NBA. Or the Yankees.

Well, the Pirates have been terrible for about 17 years, and it doesn't seem like anyone cares anymore. If fact, it appeared for awhile that not even the guys running the team gave a hoot. They plundered (pun intended) the roster, eliminating just about anyone any fan was even slightly familiar with. It was a massive overhaul toward the greater cause of anonymity. If so, mission accomplished.

For a franchise with such a rich history, it seems an awful shame that the team is so consistently terrible. It only seems right that one of these days, something has to go right for the folks in western PA. They have to win sometime, right? Maybe not.

Just ask Cubs fans.

But upon further review, perhaps the front office folks have some idea what they are doing after all. OK, so the average fan--perhaps even diehards--won't be able to name 3 position players, but the guys they haven't heard of are either decent or developing. In fact, there are some pretty good prospects developing alongside the Allegheny. Here's what you need to know if you run across a Pirate fan--as rare an occasion as that may be.

Four prospects to watch after the jump.

Andrew McCutchen

He's got it all. The speeding legs, the flying hair, the arm, and some pop. Perhaps the Pirates' best prospect, McCutchen was brought up to the bigs on June 4. That day, Pittsburgh blasted the Mets 11-6. His scoreline for his major league debut? 2-4, 3 R, 1 RBI, 1 SB. It was a sign of things to come. The club gave away fan favorite to make room for the rookie speedster, and it looks like the move has paid off. Opponents better be ready for an even better center fielder this time around.

Pedro Alvarez

The third baseman has been hailed as the future of the moribund franchise since being drafted second overall in 2008. He has been patiently biding his time, despite the team's dearth of opportunities at the hot corner. Alvarez is an offensive threat in the making. Actually, he may be the best bat available in the Pirates' system--right now. Without ever having faced a pitch in the major leagues. But the team has high hopes for the developing star out of Vanderbilt, who is willing to be patient for his big call up.

Jeff Clement

Patience is a virtue, especially when one is trying to learn a new position at a major league level. Such is the case for catching prospect turned first baseman Jeff Clement. The former Mariners draft pick was supposed to be a star catcher in the making, but Pittsburgh is trying to use him to fill in a vacant spot at first. Clement will probably be a defensive liability for them, but his bat is the hot commodity. Formerly a 3rd overall pick, Clement, now 26, is trying to finally cement his place in the major leagues after a pair of short campaigns with the Mariners.

Garrett Jones

Every once in a while, baseball provides us with a story to prove that you just never know who will make it--or how long it will take. Most 28-year-old players with just 84 previous plate appearances are not going to get another shot at the big leagues. But this is one of the rare cases where playing for the Pirates is a good thing. After the mid-season purge, Garrett Jones got another chance to fill in for the departed Eric Hinske. What he did was stunning. He socked 21 home runs and hit .293, outstanding production despite coming up in July. His minor league career and previous weak stint with the Twins indicates that there could be a drop off, but Jones is a player to keep an eye on.

Game Overtime: Gagne Attempting to Resurrect Career, and Image, With Dodgers

2010-02-20T21:34:00.000-08:00

Cue the Guns and Roses. See the fans rising as one. The bleachers go nuts. Beer flies, peanuts spill. The opponents' heads drop.

Game. Over.

That was the heyday of Eric Gagne.

Flash forward six years, and what you have is the shadow of a man that once was. Six years, four teams, dozens of bad outings, and one ruined reputation later, you have a man struggling to hang on in a profession he once dominated. No one in the history of baseball has ever converted 84 consecutive save opportunities. No one will ever do it again, probably.

But that record, as we all have come to find out, is itself covered in shadow. Gagne was one of several players mentioned in the Mitchell Report, and since that point, he has plummeted from star to has-been. It's a cruel game, one even more unforgiving to those banking on phony (or enhanced) talent.

Since saving 45 games in 2004, Gagne's stats and career have been in a spiral. In four seasons since (he missed all of 2009), the Canadian Cannon has saved a total of 35 games, with a not-so-flattering 4.28 ERA over that span.

All of which makes one wonder just what the Dodgers are doing in signing him to a contract. An invite to spring training is by no means a binding contract, so this may just be in the hopes that Gagne could provide some arm insurance later in the season. After all, the natural attrition process on pitchers over the course of a 162 game campaign would lend itself to having a veteran arm available in the minor league system. But by all recent accounts, Gagne's talent disappeared with the needle.

The Dodgers have had a recent history of attempted reclamation projects, but most of them have been unsuccessful. Eric Milton springs to mind. This spring, we get Russ Ortiz, Ramon Ortiz, Luis Ayala, Josh Towers, and Gagne. But the Dodgers shouldn't be expecting "Game Over" to return anytime soon.

The former fire baller will have a lot of work to do if he hopes to make the club, much less rejuvenate his spoiled image. It remains to be seen if he can even be a serviceable option out of the bullpen at this point. Given recent history, that doesn't appear likely.

For his sake, it would be a nice story for a clean and fresh Gagne to prove this writer and skeptics otherwise. Perhaps he will come out hurling balls past dazed batters. After all, stranger things have happened in baseball.

Isn't that why we keep watching?

Bryant University WINS!

2010-02-18T19:03:00.000-08:00

This is not a mistake. The previously 0-fer Bryant Bulldogs pulled off the unthinkable with a close win over Wagner on Thursday night.

Poor Wagner. But you never want a team to go winless. Good for Bryant.

Here is the box score, in case you don't believe me.

Three Times and Charmed

2010-02-17T23:40:00.000-08:00

The Olympics are awesome for several reasons, not the least of which is the fact that couch potatoes are inundated with sports for 16 solid days. The event tends to bring out the best in fans and athletes, driven to exceptional heights by personal drive and patriotism.

Wednesday was a day of superlatives for the United States. They fell behind in the overall medal race, conceding to the Germans. But the Americans would respond with a blitzkrieg of their own, storming their way to six medals in Wednesday's events. Three were gold, and each told a different story.

Lindsey Vonn has been the center of the hype in the buildup to Vancouver. An shin injury at the worst possible time sparked concern. If today's run is to be taken as evidence, it didn't seem to matter. She torched the competition with a stunning run, finishing well ahead of second place finisher Julia Mancuso. The extent of the injury may have been overblown, but the tears following her landmark win were full-blown genuine.

Shani Davis used to be an outsider, even among his own team members. But tonight, his stood above and ahead of all. And this time around, the reaction of his coaches and teammates was more heartwarming. And this time, there was no consternation with bronze medalist Chad Hedrick, the target of Davis' ire four years ago.

Shaun white is cementing his legendary status. His moves were so much better, so ridiculous, the other competitors were left gaping and scrambling for second and third. But the best part about watching White is the pure joy that he displayed at the end of his victory. His impromptu scream of U.S.A. pierced the night, and encapsulated everything that Wednesday was about.

Cardinals Stomach a Tough Offseason, Return Ready for 2010

2010-02-17T18:57:00.000-08:00

Offseason Profile
St. Louis Cardinals

With two outs in the bottom of the 9th, things looked pretty good for the St. Louis Cardinals. After all, it looked as if they were about to tie up the division series with the Dodgers. From there, they would head back to St. Louis for two games, during which they could clinch their way into the NLCS.

But as they say, even the best laid plans of mice and men...

No one knows the crushing reality of an unraveling victory better than left fielder Matt Holiday. If he needs any reminders, he could look at his lower stomach, where James Loney's seemingly harmless fly ball struck him and the Cardinals' season with a thud. We all know the rest of the story. St. Louis was left picking up the scraps of confetti left over from their division title celebration, hardly the ticker tape gala they were looking forward to.

But when one looks at the bright side, things certainly don't look gloomy, especially in what many consider the preeminent baseball town in the country. In the chaos of the Cardinals collapse, it was easy to forget that Tony LaRussa's squad boasted the best player in baseball and two of its better pitchers.

All three return for 2010. And you can be sure that Albert Pujols has some dingers left in his bat after a relatively quiet postseason. On the mound, Chris Carpenter has been one of the best pitchers in the National League for the past few seasons, and narrowly missed out on the Cy Young. Likewise for upstart Adam Wainwright, whose baffling curve, fiery fastball, and slicing sinker befuddle batters from San Diego to New York.

Those three make the core of a very good team. Throw in Holiday, revitalized from rest and reflection--and the owner of a giant new contract--and you have the makings of a potent club. One more year of seasoning for a pair of youngsters will undoubtedly help. Oh by the way, Colby Rasmus and Brendan Ryan were already good to begin with. Imagine what another offseason of conditioning will do for their talents. Ryan appears to be a perennial Gold Glover winner in the making, swallowing up grounders and gappers while maddening opposing fans. Rasmus has flashes of Edmonds and Beltran, but needs to improve his batting average to be a consistent lineup threat.

So where are the question marks? Third base appears to be a problem, with only rookie David Freese to hold down the hot corner.

Who?...Exactly.

The Cardinals may still be in the market for a third baseman, but as Spring Training begins, how many options will remain out there?

That being said, some writers are seeing the glass as half-full for this team. From MLB.com writer Matthew Leach:

...on the offensive side, I believe there's much more reason for optimism. Third base was an absolute black hole for the Cardinals last year. Before they acquired DeRosa, nothing could get settled (save for Brian Barden's good month). DeRosa just wasn't that effective at the plate during his Cards tenure. I believe that given 500 or so plate appearances, Freese will quite easily outproduce what the Cards got from third base last season.

Where will this team finish? Probably in first place. The Cubs imploded in 2009, which helped the Cardinals run away with the division. Chicago may be better this time around, but don't appear good enough to overtake LaRussa and Co. A quick glance at the rest of the division doesn't lend itself to foreseeing an upset, although the Reds could surprise people.

Expect the Cardinals to be back in the playoffs, and hopefully--for Cardinals fans, at least--without the body blow of last season's sudden exit.

Starkville Fans Refuse to Bottle Up Their Anger

2010-02-16T23:26:00.000-08:00

It started with a bang, and ended with a disgruntled water bottle.

A missile of frustration hurled to the court by an angry Mississippi State fan after a shoulda-had-that-one loss to No. 2 Kentucky on Tuesday night.

This was one of those games that seems to epitomize February college basketball. The passion was overflowing (no pun intended), the stakes were high, and an underdog team of shooters lacking their leading scorer nearly took down a giant. But this time, Jack didn't quite make it all the way down the beanstalk.

Meanwhile, John Wall, Patrick Patterson and Co. fie-fi-fo-fummed their way to another win. They left the floor showered in catcalls, and in water. It was a disgraceful sight. The excitement of a game arouses the worst in a defeated fan, but for it to get to the point of tossing projectiles is a large step too far. When onlookers begin to interfere in the action of the game itself, there is a problem.

That goes for streakers, tossers, instigators, field rushers, barricade breakers, and the annoying dudes on their bluetooth with home plate seats.

It would be unfair to condemn an entire university or fan base for the thoughtless actions of a few idiots (yes, that is what you are, you tossing mongrels), but it was hard not to lose sympathy for Bulldog fans. The fact is, they earned it with their team's play, and the smash-and-grab job that the officials seemed to pull.

Some, including this writer, often consider it bad form to harp on officiating, but in rare cases decisions need to be taken into account when they are poor and directly effect the outcome of the game. The fourth and crucial foul on Jarvis Varnardo, the Bulldogs' best player and leading defensive stalwart was disappointing. In fact, the fifth foul was iffy. But it was the overtime period that saw the most crucial errors in judgement by the men in stripes. The most egregious was a missed goal tending call on Wall that would have kept Mississippi State in the game.

But if the Bulldogs are looking for a culprit in this defeat, they need not look far. With a 7 point lead late, the home side began to settle for long jumpers, hoping to nail a knockout punch. But the Wildcats knew better, guessing--correctly--that the anxious shooters would be off the mark. The missed shots allowed Kentucky back into the game, something an underdog can never let a favorite do. The Bulldogs had their chance to take the next step--and slipped.

Probably on the water from that wayward bottle.

21 Reasons to Care Aboot the 21st Winter Olympics, Eh?

2010-02-12T13:09:00.000-08:00

21) Canadian accents.

20) To see if Lindsey Vonn can ski hurt...again.

19) Because the USA men's bobsled team has a chance, and are defending world champions.

18) Because the skeleton and luge are dangerous and exciting. (But occasionally extremely--and unfortunately--tragic.)

17) To see the inevitable short-track speed skating pileup, and the unsuspecting guy in back medal as a result.

16) Cross country skiing is long, treacherous and tiring. Even tedious. But these athletes do it better than anyone else can. Tune in for a couple minutes.

15) Downhill skiing. Nothing like people going too fast on two sticks. Unless it's the:

16) Slalom. Because weaving in and out of poles while going too fast on two sticks makes it even better. But talk about the knee damage.

15) Doping controversies. You know it's going to happen. You just don't know when, or to whom.

14) Opening and closing ceremonies. One of the best spectacles--not only in sports, but in the world. Nothing like it.

13) Mounties! Oh, and the torch is pretty cool, too. Unless people are protesting it.

12) Curling. Nothing says sport like sliding a rock down the ice with brooms sweeping along the way. Feel the energy.

11) Ski Jumping. Pure awesome.

10) Shaun White, snowboards, and halfpipes: three things that just go together. Look out for contenders Louie Vito and Scotty Lago. Oh, and don't forget the racing intensity of snowboardcross--coolest invention ever. Now if we can just get those snowmobile jumping events to be included...

9) US Women. Can the snowboarders sweep the medals? Can the ice hockey team upset Canada? Will Vonn dominate as she did the World Cup circuit? Stay tuned.

8) If you watch figure skating, your girlfriend/wife will love you more.

7) Inevitable skating controversies, rumors, stories, potential scandal, etc. (PS--South Korea's "Queen" Kim Yu-na is the favorite.)

6) Those shots of upset, huffy ice dancers, skaters, or pairs after poor scores.

5) Did I mention curling? No really, it's so cool! (Doesn't she look excited?)

4) Because Canada could actually win a gold medal this time!

3) There's a possibility Ovie and Crosby face off on the hockey rink. Who wouldn't want to watch that?

2) Because if the Canadians don't win hockey gold, the whole country will try to drown itself in maple syrup.

1) Do you really need a reason to watch the Olympics? It's the pinnacle of sporting competition.

Why Orioles Will Promise Much, Produce Little in 2010

2010-02-12T12:11:00.000-08:00

Offseason Profile
Baltimore Orioles

The Promise

The Baltimore Orioles can be an exciting team...at the plate. Of the nine players in the regular 2009 batting order, six tallied double digit home run totals. DH Luke Scott led the team with 25, and will return this spring. The ever-underrated Brian Roberts led the majors in doubles, with 56. The power is there, which is always good in the heavy-swinging AL East.

The Problem

The Orioles aren't as great on the mound. They just can't get anyone out with any consistency. Of the hurlers who started at least 8 games for Baltimore in 2009, only three of them came away with a winning record. Those three: journeyman lefty Mark Hendrickson, and rookies Brad Bergerson and Brian Matusz. Only Bergerson had an ERA below 4.00. This weakness has haunted the club for several seasons, and will more than likely doom them again in a prolific hitting division. When Jeremie Guthrie is your go-to guy, you got problems.

The Promise

Young players on the rise. Adam Jones is already crafting himself into a star player in center field. In fact, the Oriole outfield is probably the greatest strength of the team. Little-known rookie Nolan Reimold had a servicable rookie campaign in 2009, and Nick Markakis is an above-average threat in the batting order, and is still just 25 years old. The hyped prospect behind the plate, Matt Wieters, showed flashes of his potential over the course of his nearly 400 plate appearances. Matusz and Bergerson bring some intriguing youth to the mound as well.

The Problem

These guys are all still very young. As such, they are more prone to inconsistency, something the Orioles can't afford. With the three other power teams in the division--Red Sox, Yankees, Rays--Baltimore has little to no wiggle room for any mistakes. This may be a club that is building more toward the future than focusing on winning titles today.

The Promise

Brian Roberts. This writer will never understand just how this guy goes relatively unheralded year after year. Perhaps he has the bad luck to play in the same division as former MVP Dustin Pedroia, or that his career has been spent in underachieving Baltimore. Nevertheless, Roberts is a doubles machine and an All Star caliber player at the top of that lineup. He has hit at least .283 in every year since 2005, when he hit .314. This is the man that makes the Orioles go, but he'll need more support if this club wants to challenge for a top 3 spot in the division.

The Problem

The Orioles are probably a few years away from truly challenging the Red Sox and Yankees. Now with the development of the Rays into a consistently good team, the job becomes even harder for the folks in Baltimore. There are some talented prospects in the organization, but until the O's add arms (Kevin Millwood notwithstanding), they'll continue to struggle making an impact in the American League. Since losing in the 1997 NLCS, the Orioles have yet to finish higher than third (which they did only once--in 2004). Not exactly a team that is trending upwards.

Royal Revival?: 5 Players Not Named Zack Greinke That Need to Produce for Kansas City

2010-02-02T19:16:00.000-08:00

Offseason Profile
Kansas City Royals

Billy Butler: It is startling to note that at just 23 years old, Butler has become a staple at first base, and a key cog in the revitalization of the franchise. Aside from the seeming endless "the Butler did it" comments every time he hits his laser shots into the stands, Butler's power is notable. But perhaps more intriguing is his ability to hit for average to go along with the moonshots. He hit .301, and hasn't hit below .275 in his three seasons in Kansas City. If he can put up those kind of numbers again in 2010, the Royals might find themselves with something besides Greinke to build upon. He could be a breakout star in the American League.

David DeJesus: If it feels like DeJesus has roamed the Kauffman Stadium outfield his whole career, it's because he has. The 30 year old has spent each of his seven major league seasons in Kansas City. Despite flying under the proverbial radar for much of the last seven years, the lefthander out of Rutgers has been quietly productive at the plate and in the field. All Kansas City will be asking for is more of the same. As he enters the prime of his career, DeJesus has found some pop in his bat, smacking a career-high 13 home runs in 2010. Perhaps the most surprising statistic are his 13 outfield assists, or the fact that he didn't commit a single error in 2009.

Alberton Callaspo: Is anyone else surprised that Callaspo batted .300 in 2009? In addition, each of his 11 career home runs came last season. Callaspo is still just 26, so there is room for further development. One thing that will have to improve is his defense. The Royals are woeful with gloves up the middle of the infield. Callaspo committed 17 errors in 2009, a number that will have to decrease. After all, Kansas City has enough problems with the hot-and-cold (mostly cold) Yunieky Betancourt, who committed 18 muffs of his own.

Alex Gordon: The third baseman who was supposed to have it all has not lived up to the huge expecations in his short major league career. Injuries and the burdens of carrying a moribund franchise on his young shoulders probably play an equal part in keeping Gordon from fulfilling his considerable promise. Now with the emergence of star pitcher Zack Greinke, the spotlight may be off him a little bit. Gordon has the attributes to be a successful player, but another year of sub-standard performance in 2010 would indicate that perhaps he isn't capable of being the star some expected. Gordon has power that should play well in what has become a better hitter's park, but he has yet to drive in more than 60 runs. Kansas City will need a lot more than that to compete in the AL Central.

Gil Meche: The numbers aren't impressive. Since coming to the Royals in 2007, the right hander has gone just 29-34. But if the Royals have any hope of having a stronger showing next season, Meche will need to be better. He suffered through injuries a season ago, and as a result he finished the year with a poor 6-10 record. The Royals desperately need a second and third starter who can give them consistent innings and 12-15 wins to back up their Cy Young Award winner, but if Meche is injured, that becomes a lot harder. Right now, the third spot falls to unproven, underwhelming Luke Hochevar, who has shown only brief flashes of brilliance despite being taken first overall in 2006.

Shots of Perspective in Short Supply as Signing Day Approaches

2010-02-02T16:05:00.000-08:00

Close your eyes.

Think back, back to the dorms, the meal plans, the Top Ramen, the late-night talks. Think further back to high school: the pep rallies, the posters in the hallways, and graduation.

Do you remember how old you were?

17. Maybe 18.

Do you remember what it felt like to make that college decision? The feeling of putting pen to paper and finally dedicating the next few years of your life to a single institution, the culmination of years of hard work? If you do, you'll recall that the pick was probably not an easy one to make. You may have thought about it a few times, wavered in your commitment, cried, screamed, or even torn apart an application or two.

And you had until April to decide.

National Signing Day has become somewhat of a national holiday for die-hard football, basketball, and collegiate sports fans, so much so that commitments are made on local and national TV. These are life decisions being carried out under the extremely watchful public eye, a cauldron of pressure, tradition, and youth mixing to create an overwhelming situation. After all, these are big choices that kids must make, and are asked to make sooner (February 3rd) than the average high school senior.

But if you suspect that fans of their respective schools handle this delicate process with respect and understanding, you would find yourself stunned by just one glance at a message board of any major athletic power. Starving for daily, no, hourly updates on the status of these prized youngsters, Internet interlopers stalk the web for any smoke signals available. They scour profiles, videos, Twitter and Facebook pages, blogs, and newspapers--anything to get an idea of whom their school might land.

The 24-hour news cycle has been an incredible force in the recruiting world. Whereas players signed, transferred, or switched allegiances with relative anonymity just over a decade ago, no cyber-trail goes unexplored, no hint left uncovered, no stone left unturned.

But just once, it would be nice if a high school players’ decision to attend a certain institution was not met with the venom and condescension that is so common on message boards or commenting forums. It is so easy for fans to sit in their chairs and rip into a kid they have never met for a decision that is of the utmost personal concern. After all, this is their lives, not ours, that are being truly affected when a player finally determines where he will attend school and play sports.

Roy Williams Plays Hypothetical Limbo

2010-02-01T23:22:00.000-08:00

Roy Williams is, by all accounts, a fine coach and gentleman. Under his guidance, North Carolina have positively stormed their way to a pair of national championships. But this season, the accolades have been much harder to come by.

But don't take it from me. Take it from the folks who follow this team religiously, the writers of Carolina March, a blog devoted to the Tar Heels:

I've found some good in a lot of UNC's recent performances despite their final scores, but there was just no bright side to this game. The entire team shot poorly. The passes were as bad as they've ever been, the defense incredibly porous and the rebounding pathetic.

Damning words if we've ever seen them, but that's what a home loss to Virginia does to you. But what happened to this team? After all, it is filled with blue-chip recruits, littered with McDonald's All-Americans, and practically overflowing with a freakish mix of talent, athleticism, and potential.

If you read the linked article closely, you might spot some telling words from the man in charge. They seem to have a ring of desperation about them. These are the words of a man looking for answers, and right quick:

"How can you go any lower?" Williams asked after the game, according to The Charlotte Observer. "Be honest: How can it be any worse than it is right now?"

How low can you go, Roy? Well, on Sunday, the pole definitely got taken down a notch.

First, to answer Williams' question, there are a lot of ways that things could be worse. After all, traditional powers like UCLA and Connecticut have been struggling, often mightily so. Duke just got slammed on the road in front of the President of the United States. Florida, winners of consecutive titles in 2006-2007, haven't made a tournament since. Northwestern has never made a tournament--ever. Meanwhile, our downtrodden friends over at Bryant and Alcorn State have yet to win a game. A single game. They're a combined 0-44 at press time.

So yes, things could get a lot worse. The bad part is: this may not be the lowest of the lows.

Although Duke has had its share of troubles recently, the Blue Devils appear right now to be the better team. The Debacle in D.C. aside, coach K's team has displayed the ability to overcome its relative lack of post strength with the same familiar combination of stingy defense and sharp-shooting guards that has been a staple in Durham for years. The Tar Heels have two games remaining against their most bitter of rivals, and while a home win may have seemed assured a few weeks ago, the Heels appear to be at their most vulnerable, having lost three of their last four contests in Chapel Hill.

But give the man some credit. He sure is taking his share of the blame for his team's disappointing performances in conference play. This from the official site for UNC Athletics:

"I'm about as frustrated and disappointed as I've ever been in my entire life. I've very fortunate to have some great moments, but this is definitely not one of them. We have to figure out a better way to get our kids focused on doing the things that we talk about. I've gotten awfully dumb in the last six months, is what someone told me, and in some ways it's true."

It may seem bad now, but the reality is that Williams didn't suddenly forget how to coach. The pieces are there, but what Carolina is missing most is experience. After all, this is a program that lost National Player of the Year Tyler Hansbrough and point guard extraordinaire Ty Lawson. That kind of production is not easy to replace, especially when a coach must rely on youth to fill that gap, as Williams is. The future is bright, but alas, one must live through the painful present to get there.

Lost Tribe: Five Reasons to Write off the Indians in 2010

2010-01-31T12:40:00.000-08:00

Offseason Profile
Cleveland Indians

Reason I: No Ace Up Their Sleeve
It had to be galling for Indians fans to watch Game 1 of the World Series, and wonder just how things got this way. After all, there was C.C. Sabbathia, fresh off a series of dominating postseason performances, walking up to the mound to throw the first pitch. And there was Cliff Lee, Cy Young Award winner from the previous year mowing down opposing hitters. The problem? They no longer play for Cleveland. Their departures over the past two season have left a gaping hole in the Indians' rotation. Jake Westbrook or Fausto Carmona will probably start Opening Day, not the names that fans of the franchise had been envisioning just a few seasons ago.

Reason II: Prospects
The Indians are full of them. Sure, some of the young players that will be forced into playing time are highly-rated talents. Matt LaPorta could be the next face of the franchise at first base, and youngster Michael Brantley played very well in a short call up in 2009. But these players are still extremely young, and the Indians would be lucky to get any semblance of consistency out of them. On the mound, the club is hoping that the acquisition of former bullpen arm Justin Masterson can develop into the type of steady arm the rotation so desperately need. The early returns aren't good. Masterson turned in a 4.52 ERA and a 4-10 record, though there were flashes of brilliance. He gets a lot of strikeouts, and did throw a complete game in 2009.

Reason III: Time for a Change...Or Is It?
Sure, Eric Wedge seemed to have run his course as the manager of the Cleveland Indians. But for a ball club flooded with young or under performing players, the franchise should have landed a bigger name than Manny Acta. Was he in a great situation with the Nationals? No. Of course not. He didn't have the tools to win, and was forced to deal with a wreck of a bullpen. But what does ownership think he will do differently in a similar situation in Cleveland? His overall record as a skipper is 158-252. That's a .385 winning percentage. It doesn't look like he's going to do much better in 2010.

Reason IV: The Strange Saga of Pronk
Travis Hafner looked like the next big star. He could blast monstrous home runs, slug his way to wins, and seemed like an all-around good guy. He was marketable, and the national media pounced. But just as suddenly as fame came, it faded away. Injuries seem to have derailed what looked to be a promising prime of his career. Last season, Hafner hit just 16 long balls, 26 less than his career high in 2006. With only Grady Seizemore to provide a threatening presence in the lineup, Hafner will have to produce if the Indians want to finish in front of the Royals in the AL Central.

Reason V: Closing Time
Kerry Wood can throw a fastball. That much is clear. But can he throw it by people when it counts? The Indians' closer blew six saves in 2009, nearly one blown save for every four chances. He also gave up seven home runs, and finished the season with a 4.25 ERA. That's not exactly a solid stat line for someone who is supposed to shut down opponents with the game on the line.

Sol-Long: Women's Professional Sports Suffers Another Blow

2010-01-28T23:34:00.000-08:00

If you know anything about the early history of baseball, you'll know that it's very hard to start up a sports league. If you don't, just take my word for it.But today, we saw yet another casualty of tough economic times mixed with ambivalence.

Today, the Los Angeles Sol of the Women's Professional Soccer league decided to shut down operations after its ownership, AEG, failed to seal the deal with a new buyer. Thus, one of the most popular teams in the fledgling new league is already out of business. This can't be a very good omen for the rest of the operation.

Of course many of you readers may not care. In fact, most of you didn't even know that this team, or league, even existed. But it speaks to a larger problem. Women's sports receives woeful attention in the national or even local media. Its players are ignored. Its scores forgotten. Its champions uncelebrated.

The Sol leave a league in a state of flux. Women's professional soccer can't afford another blow like this. The all-too-brief reign of the WUSA painted a sad portrait, and now it appears that its successor may be following in its tracks. Women's sports are enough of a tough sell in American society, for whatever reason. Soccer as a sport is more of a fringe occupation once you get past the youth ranks. If the MLS must continue to fight for viewership against overseas leagues, one can only imagine the difficulty that a women's soccer league must come up against.

One can only hope, for the sake of fairness and for several young women around the country, that their remains a professional option for these athletes. Many people won't watch, but the people who follow it passionately deserve that chance.

[Insert Winn Pun Here]: Yankees Discard Damon, Reload for 2010

2010-01-28T10:40:00.000-08:00

Offseason Profile
New York Yankees

So, New York. You "cant afford" Johnny Damon any longer, and you go out and replace him (reportedly) with Randy Winn. Of course, Winn is expected to be a fourth outfielder, whereas Damon would have surely wanted to start. Many fans would argue that Johnny Damon is a better player, at this point in his career--or at any point in his career than Winn. They would have a valid argument, but this deal most likely has more to do with the money than anything.

As it stands, New York's opening day outfield will consist of Nick Swisher, Brett Gardner and Curtis Granderson. This is not exactly a knock-em-dead lineup, but with all of the power bats in the infield, the Yankees don't really need a slugging outfield. That being said, it's obvious that they are taking somewhat of a gamble on letting Damon go. Gardner is a capable player, very quick on the basepaths, and by all accounts a good glove. Should he get hurt, however, New York will have no choice but to turn to a different aging veteren with less power and a worse glove. However, New York's outfield is not as expansive as, say, AT&T Park, Winn's former home, so he shouldn't be any sort of liability if he is indeed a step slower. But Winn won't be coming in as a power option in late innings.

What Winn has to offer is a capable substitute, fill-in, or platoon player that is a cheaper alternate to Damon, who appears to be getting increasingly unlucky on the free agent market. Now that it is clear he won't be returning to the field inpinstripes this April, perhaps teams will feel more free to make offers, knowing that they don't have to compete with the Yankees.

On the bright side, Granderson was a spectacular pickup. He'll fit right in with this team. A left-handed hitter who has yet to turn 30, the former Tiger has shown considerable power as he enters into (what appears to be) the prime of his career. He should feast on that short porch in right field (as all of the Yankees do now), and will inject some speed and versatility into the batting order. Opposing pitchers now have to face a heart of the order consisting of (potentially):

Jeter SS
Granderson OF
Texiera 1B
Rodriguez 3B

That's as good, or better than any team in the league. On the mound, the re-aquisition of Javier Vasquez could be a good move. Vasquez wowed the National League in his time as a Brave, improving enough to even be in the Cy Yound Award discussion for a brief time. But there is always a concern that the pressures of New York could get to yet another Yankee aquisition. Even if Vasquez underwhelms, New York has enough arms--Sabbathia, Burnett, Pettite, and a horde of young, improving arms like Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain--to overcome disappointment.

It can't be a good sign for the rest of the league that last season's dominant World Series champion may have actually improved their team over the course of the winter. And with the Red Sox re-tooling their squad and Tampa Bay on the upswing, the AL East will surely be hosting some barn burners in 2010. These Yankees have all the pieces to make yet another run at the World Series, but it's hard to count out the other two powers in the division. This race could go right down to the regular season's final week.

David Stern Cracks Down: Arenas and Crittendon Suspended

2010-01-27T20:05:00.000-08:00

Many people are of the belief that guns don't have a place in our society. At least not for those not at war or working in security. Some are for greater gun control, and some site the constitution and their right to bear arms.

But wherever you stand on that debate, one thing can certainly be agreed upon: guns have no place in an NBA locker room. Or any locker room, arena, or sports facility. Especially when the players' lives are so vulnerable to public scrutiny. Especially when tensions escalate to dangerous levels. Especially when athletes are looked up to as role models.

It's one thing to say the right thing in front of the lights and microphones. It's quite another to do the right thing behind the scenes, when adoring fans and sponsors aren't watching. You would think that a guy like Gilbert Arenas would have figured that out. After all, he is one of the NBA's most entertaining players: a frequent blogger, an exceptional player, and always good for a quote, nickname, or smile off the court. If anyone knows PR, it's him.

So why would he do something so stupid--and yes, this was truly idioc--like bringing a set of guns, unloaded or not, into a locker room? Apparently it was, in his words, a joke--the extension of a previous disagreement with teammate Javaris Crittendon. But Crittendon didn't find it so funny, actually fearing for his personal safety. In fact, he was so afraid, reportedly, that he brought an unloaded gun with him to the locker room for protection.

Crittendon is clearly in the wrong as well. It is easy to sympathize with the young player who feared reprimand (or worse) from the franchise's star player. Perhaps his fears were legitimate, and it's hard to get on him too much for protecting himself. But bringing a gun into an NBA arena is so clearly a violation of the rules that he should have known he would get in trouble.

Guns result in nothing but trouble, like alcohol or daytime talk shows. The strange case of Plaxico Burress--who not sits in jail for his massive brain cramp--should have thought us, and all athletes, that by now. But apparently Gilbert Arenas believed that due to his star power and franchise player status, he was somehow above the fray. In fact, he mocked the outcry on his Twitter page days after the incident was made public, and took very questionable photos before a game against Philadelphia satirizing the incident.

Mr. Arenas, Mr. Crittendon: Guns aren't cute. They aren't funny. They kill and maim and destroy and tear and ruin people. Happiness isn't a warm gun. This isn't some minor thing you can twist around with a public apology and a PR stunt, a blog entry or a 40-point game.

In fact, you won't be playing any games for a long time. Arenas and Crittendon have been suspended for the entire season. David Stern got this one right. Firearms have no place in an NBA arena. It's bad for the league, it's bad for the fans, and above all, it's dangerous.

Stern's words did the best job summing it all up.

"We mean what we say when we say that guns are prohibited from being in our buildings and on team business...You will be dealt with harshly because it's very potentially dangerous to our players, to the other players and to anyone else who might be involved."

[...]

"I felt that I should do something to keep Arenas from doing even further damage to himself and I told him that," Stern said.

Hopefully this punishment will set a precedent for future athletes who believe that they are outside and above the law. Otherwise, we could end up with an even worse incident on our hands.

A's Prove That Patience is a Virtue

2010-01-27T10:43:00.000-08:00

Offseason Profile

Oakland A's

The financial situation of many major league baseball teams have dictated that the free agent market, which normally was dried up around late December, has over the last few years extended well into January and February. In these changing times, teams are finding it difficult to wait the proceeds out, driven by the pull of quick-fix options and pressure from their fan base to sign available players sooner rather than later.

But then again, Billy Beane has never been one for conventional methods. In a development that has surely surprised it's fans, the Oakland A's have been more than willing to go after some big free agent names this off season, buoyed by large sums of money that are normally kept on reserve by team management. But multiple times, the club has failed to land its primary goals. Cuban prospect Aroldis Champan turned them down. Adrian Beltre said no. Even Marco Scutaro politely declined. And then came Ben Sheets.

When scouts saw Sheets throw last week, many teams were reportedly interested in his services. This is understandable. Sheets is an All-Star, front line starter with a mean fastball and a devastating curveball. The major catch with him is injuries, which have constantly plagued his career, making it nearly impossible for the one-time Team USA standout to make the most of his potential. Now, with all indications that the righty was healthy and ready to go, teams desperate for pitching help (including the more wealthy Mets and Rangers) came calling. New York (NL) were thought to be front runners for Sheets, but in the end Beane got the best of his rivals.

When it came down to it, most teams just didn't have the money to sign Sheets, whose talent would demand a hefty contract from any potential suitor. As it was, the A's made a massive commitment financially to Sheets--a 1 year, 10 million dollar contract. Now that we are so late into the offseason, most teams didn't have the money left over to go after Sheets, but the patient A's were able to pool money from all of the previous rejections to throw at a potential number one starter.

Of course, the A's are taking a huge gamble. With the amount of money Beane threw at Sheets, his injury history becomes even more of a concern. Already the team will be welcoming back All-Star hurler Justin Duchsherer, who missed all of last season with elbow and depression issues. Having two front-of-the-rotation guys as big question marks doesn't exactly bode well for manager Bob Geren's team, which will be trying to keep up with three other talented teams in the competitive AL West. The price may also keep teams from going in on a trade for Sheets midseason, should Beane decide to deal him--as is the A's method.

There was some thought that Johnny Damon would be a good signing for the A's, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen. Yankees GM Brian Cashman claims the team doesn't have the money to re-sign Damon (yeah, right), making him a open commodity for teams looking to add late. But the A's appear pretty well set in their outfield, and Damon's addition would most likely just take away playing time from youngster Ryan Sweeney, who exceeded expectations in 2009.

A's management believes that this team can be competetive in the division, or at the very least "narrow that gap" between themselves and the Mariners/Angeles. With Sheets and a young, talented rotation, they could be a decent outfit, but there are significant holes. The Kevin Kouzmanoff pickup is a good insurance move for oft-injured franchise player Eric Chavez, whose better days appear to be far behind him. The biggest need is at shortstop, where the A's list only one player--Cliff Pennington, a .279 hitter in 60 games with the club in 2009--on their depth chart. The A's probably still have money to spend, so the waiting game could soon pay off for a second time.

Not exactly "Moneyball," but effective nonetheless.

And Verily, It Came To Pass: Thus Spake Sports Shakes

2010-01-26T23:54:00.000-08:00

We here at Sports Shakes are not ones to brag, but when an opportunity such as this arises, it's very hard to restrain. Earlier tonight, these words could be found in our most recent post:

Kentucky is just getting better, but don't expect them to go undefeated. It's hard to buy into the argument that the Wildcats haven't played "anybody," but the level of competition is going to increase as the season drags on. More wins by Calipari's team is only going to motivate opponents more, and one of these nights Kentucky will most likely run into a buzz saw on the road. The Wildcats catch a break by getting Vandy and Ole Miss at Rupp Arena, but upcoming games at Vandy and Mississippi State could provide crucial roadblocks. I also wouldn't be terribly surprised should South Carolina pull off the upset tonight.

Never have I felt like such a soothsayer.

Tuesday night's game in Columbia was what college basketball is all about. An underdog home team rides the fervent wave of the crowd and the heroics of an undersized scorer to an upset victory over the big, bad No. 1 Kentucky Wildcats. Tradition be damned, the football school rose up on the hardwood to take down basketball royalty, largely thanks to one of (in basketball terms) Napoleonic stature.

I'll put it this way. I'm bigger than Gamecocks guard Devan Downey. So were most of the Kentucky players. But his performance in front of an adoring crowd is sure to make him the central figure in Wildcats fans' nightmares for weeks to come. With a dip and a dash, Downey sliced through the 'Cats' undefeated season. With a teardrop he set Kentucky eyes crying. With his crossover, he twisted and turned the slick strategy of John Calipari. It was clear from the outset: the blue and white just didn't have an answer for the mighty-mite from Chester.

And South Carolina needed every one of his improbable baskets to overcome an extremely talented and driven opponent. After all, the Wildcats received a call from Barack Obama before Tuesday's game imploring them to maintain their focus as the new top team in the land. Calipari's bunch came out flashing and slashing their way to a comfortable first half lead. Even when the score was close, one had the feeling that Kentucky was secure in their control of the game. But a slow start to the second half took that quickly feeling away. The 'Cats struggled on offense and Downey took over. Suddenly, the home side was in the lead, and it was the No. 1 team that was left to scramble.

Viewers tuned into this game expecting to see another episode of The Great John Wall and His Merry Men. Indeed, the true freshman sensation didn't disappoint, but it was DeMarcus Cousins who really kept Kentucky close. But Downey was one step, one shot, one cross-over better. As the game wound to a close, one began to get the sense that he wasn't going to lose this game.

So Kentucky won't go undefeated. Perhaps this will put their achievement in perspective. After all, this is still a ridiculously young, incredibly talented team that has really come into its own. Aspirations which may have seemed excessive at the start of the season now seem eminently reasonable.

A shot at the Final Four? Not so far off-the-Wall as most may have thought back in November.

But for tonight, the Wildcats will have to endure visions of Devan Downey and what seemed like the entire University of South Carolina dancing in their heads.

Free Throws: Winless Bryant, Loss-less Kentucky, Buzzer-Beating and More

2010-01-26T17:44:00.000-08:00

What it must be like to go 0-20. Only the folks at Bryant University know this season. The Bulldogs, a former Division II team, are being positively pummeled. The small school from Rhode Island can't even compete with the likes of Brown and Long Island. Their most recent loss was a 24-point drubbing at the hands of Sacred Heart. Bryant is currently in its transition to full-fledged Division I status, which it will gain in 2012. But this is still painful to watch.

The best race in the country might belong to the unheralded Ivy League. Currently, Cornell (16-3) and Harvard (13-3) lead the pack. What makes the title chase all the more intriguing is the fact that the conference is the only one without a postseason tournament. Thus, the regular season champion receives the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. It all comes to a head on Saturday at Cornell. Senior Ryan Wittman leads the Big Red, who have made the tournament the past two years and nearly upset Kansas in Lawrence. Former Michigan coach Tommy Amaker has molded the Crimson into a league power. A little national attention doesn't hurt, either.

UCLA may not make an NCAA tournament appearance this season, but for one weekend fans in Westwood had something to be proud of. Last Thursday, little-used walk-on Mustafa Abdul-Hamid sank a buzzer beating shot to take out Washington. Then on Saturday he followed up with a virtuoso first half performance to push the Bruins past Washington State. In a season full of struggles, the pair of home wins were a good sign. On the other side, the Washington Huskies have yet to win a game outside of Seattle: not an encouraging sign that many tabbed as the Pac 10 favorite when the season began.

Kentucky is just getting better, but don't expect them to go undefeated. It's hard to buy into the argument that the Wildcats haven't played "anybody," but the level of competition is going to increase as the season drags on. More wins by Calipari's team is only going to motivate opponents more, and one of these nights Kentucky will most likely run into a buzz saw on the road. The Wildcats catch a break by getting Vandy and Ole Miss at Rupp Arena, but upcoming games at Vandy and Mississippi State could provide crucial roadblocks. I also wouldn't be terribly surprised should South Carolina pull off the upset tonight.

Somehow, Luke Harangody is still flying under the radar at Notre Dame. No, the Irish aren't very good, but the big man is a former conference player of the year. Harangody is third in the nation in scoring at 24.7 points per game and 17th in rebounding. Anyone who doesn't think that this guy can play at the next level is kidding themselves.

Meet the New Giants, Same as the Old Giants

2010-01-26T12:36:00.000-08:00

Offseason Profile
San Francisco Giants

Baseball fans in the Bay Area have seen this movie before. In fact, they've seen it every year since the final seasons of the Barry Bonds era. AT&T Park has become a haven for old players, slow players, mediocre players, discarded players--anyone who can be pieced into the weathering jigsaw puzzle of a baseball team by embattled general manager Brian Sabean. Anything to whip up some semblance of an offense to go with the All-Star caliber arms on the mound. But that effort is rarely successful.

This year's big signings? Aubrey Huff (career.282/.340/.472), Mark DeRosa (.275/.343/.424) and the re-signing of catcher Bengie Molina. To be fair, all are capable players. But between them, they have a total of zero All-Star appearances. For a team so starved of dangerous bats, this doesn't seem like the kind of offensive revolution they were looking for.

Huff will fit nicely into the San Francisco lineup, if he plays regularly at first. He will add some power behind rising star Pablo Sandoval, who will be looked to to carry much of the burden when the Giants are at the plate. The 33-year-old should also be a steadying clubhouse presence as the Giants try to slowly infiltrate their squad with younger talent. Should he stay healthy, Huff is practically a shoe-in for double digit home run totals, especially with the short distance to right field (assuming he can clear the tall brick wall).But don't expect him to be any kind of game-breaker on a day-to-day basis.

DeRosa made his mark on the Cardinals in 2009 after being traded from the Indians. A solid player over the course of his career, DeRosa helped spur the Cardinals after the trading deadline with 10 home runs. St. Louis would run away with the division, in large part the contributions of it's newcomers (the other major one being Matt Holiday). But DeRosa is not by and large a hit-for-average kind of guy. The Giants desperately need that type of player: people need to get on base for Sandoval and Huff to make a significant impact. This acquisition, however, could end up being the best one of the offeason, especially with the injury concerns surrounding Freddy Sanchez at second base. DeRosa is best known for his versatility--he can play anywhere in the infield or outfield, an invaluable tool for any major league team.

As everybody who follows baseball knows, the strength of this team is in the starting rotation, whcih features two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum, All-Star Matt Cain, and former Cy Young Award winner Barry Zito, who began rounding into his old form after a disastrous first couple of years with the club. The fourth guy in the rotation, Johnathan Sanchez, threw a no-hitter in 2009, despite not having an eye-opening record. Youngster Madison Bumgarner is one of the best pitching prospects in the league, and could hold down the fifth spot, while Brian Wilson and his blazing fastball serves as a capable go-to man in the late innings.

But theses new players and the same old arms will not push San Francisco to the top of a deep NL West. It is one thing to be able to shut down another team, but as the old saying goes: if you can't score, you can't win. the Giants feature an underwhelming lineup littered with aging has-beens, like Huff, Edgar Renteria, Aaron Rowand, and Juan Uribe. That kind of card cannot size up to the more potent batting orders in Los Angeles and Colorado. barring a key acquisition or the substantial development of a young power bat, it's hard to see this team finishing any better than third.

Same movie, same disappointing ending.

On the Shelf: Great Sports Books I've Read Recently

2010-01-26T01:15:00.000-08:00

From time to time, your's truly likes to divert attention from his incessant school work and dive into some literature concerning a more leisurely pleasure. Tiring of Constantine, I find myself drawn toward the very imperial John McGraw, or Billy Martin. Sick of Henry Ford, I absorb the trials of Frank Chance, the greatness of Walter Johnson, and the vileness of Ty Cobb. Having tired of the Christian scholar Eusebius, I reach into another past to catch a glimpse of Eusébio.

In my mind, history and sports intertwine, the former structuring the development of the latter and the latter occasionally transcending its primarily extracurricular status to influence the former. As a history student, one of my primary interests lies in exploring this interplay between socio-cultural, economic, and even religious forces and the development of sport within a city, country, continent, or even globally.

I must admit that I am more attracted to the cultural relevancy and longevity that baseball provides. More than any other American sport (U.S. history being my chosen area of focus), baseball seamlessly weaves itself into the memories, social life, and folklore of so many. The sport reaches back nearly 1 1/2 centuries, comparably long in relation to the development of other professional sports like basketball or football, both of which saw their boom in popularity well into the 20th century. Baseball's pull on me as a writer is the wealth of literature already in circulation on the subject. The "American Pastime" has produced a wealth of both fiction and non-fiction works, all of which provide a greater story: that of a ubiquitous game that captures so well the essence of Americana--a romantic notion that remains alive and well even in today's game.

Baseball does not monopolize my interests, however. I try to read about a wealth of different sports, teams, players, moments, eras and games. All of this is done with a purpose in mind: to piece together in my mind a patchwork quilt of sports history against the backdrop of my ever-increasing knowledge of American and indeed world history. In the past two years or so, I have made an attempt to begin research for a work of my own on baseball, hoping to draw out a previously undeveloped story to tell, one that I must rescue from the fading embers of forgotten history. It is a formidable task, but one for which I am equipping myself, and one which I intend to complete somehow, some way.

Here are some of the sports books I've read recently. I am only including the ones that I would recommend to fellow sports enthusiasts. Many of these are entertaining, informative, and rewarding reads that will please fanatic and casual follower alike.

Completed

Baseball: The Early Years

Harold Seymour

Oxford University Press; 1st edition. May 1961.

The Golden Game: The Story of California Baseball

Kevin Nelson

Heyday Books; 2nd Edition. June 2004.

The National Game: Baseball and American Culture

John P. Rossi

Ivan R. Dee, Publisher. February 2000.

Baseball Before We Knew It: A Search for the Roots of the Game

David Block

Bison Books; 1 edition. March 2006.

Ball Four

Jim Bouton

The World Publishing Company. 1970.

Summer of '49

David Halberstam

Morrow; 1st edition. 1989.

October, 1964

David Halberstam

Ballantine Books. April 1995.

Crazy '08: How a Cast of Cranks, Rogues, Boneheads, and Magnates Created the Greatest Year in Baseball History

Cait Murphy

Harper Paperbacks. February 2008.

A Civil War: Army vs. Navy

John Feinstein

Little, Brown and Company. 1996.

The Last Dance: Behind the Scenes at the Final Four

John Feinstein

Back Bay Books. February, 2007.

In Progress

Everything They Had: Sports Writing From David Halberstam

Selections and Introduction by Glenn Stout

Hyperion. May, 2008.

The Best Game Ever: Pirates vs. Yankees, October 13, 1960

Jim Reisler

Da Capo Press. February, 2009.

Shades of Glory: The Negro Leagues and the Story of African-American Baseball

Lawrence D. Hogan

National Geographic; First Printing edition. January, 2006.

Baseball: An Illustrated History

Geoffrey C. Ward and Ken Burns

Knopf. August, 1996.

Triumph and Tragedy in Mudville: A Lifelong Passion for Baseball

Stephen Jay Gould

W.W. Norton & Co. May, 2004.

I Never Had It Made: An Autobiography

Jackie Robinson

Ecco Press. April, 1997.

A March to Madness: The View From the Floor in the Atlantic Coast Conference

John Feinstein

Back Bay Books. February, 1999.

The Ball is Round: A Global History of Soccer

David Goldblatt

Riverhead Trade. January, 2008.

To Be Read

The Gashouse Gang: How Dizzy Dean, Leo Durocher, Branch Rickey, Pepper Martin, and their Colorful, Come-from-Behind Ball Club Won the World Series--and America's Heart--During the Great Depression

John Heidenry

PublicAffairs. April, 2008.

The Glory of their Times: The Story of Baseball Told by the Men Who Played It

Lawrence S. Ritter

Harper Perennial. March, 1992

Smithsonian Baseball: Inside the World's Finest Private Collections

Stephen Wong

Smithsonian. September, 2005.

Baseball: The Golden Age

Harold Seymour

Oxford University Press, USA. July, 1989.

Baseball: The People's Game

Harold Seymour

Oxford University Press, USA. May, 1991.

The Teammates

David Halberstam

Hyperion. May, 2003.

Soccernomics: Why England Loses, Why Germany and Brazil Win, and Why the U.S., Japan, Australia, Turkey--and Even Iraq--Are Destined to Become the Kings of the World's Most Popular Sport

Simon Kuper and Stefan Syzmanski

Nation Books; Original edition. October, 2009.

The Book of Basketball: The NBA According to the Sports Guy

Bill Simmons

ESPN; First Edition edition. October, 2009.

If you have read any of these fine works, please leave a comment or brief review and let me know what you thought about them. So far my personal favorites have been Ball Four and Crazy '08, but all of them were good reads, and I have enjoyed researching so deeply into the sporting world.

Rocky Mountain High: Can Colorado Reach the Summit in 2010?

2010-01-25T21:44:00.000-08:00

Offseason Profile
Colorado Rockies

The accepted cliche for describing a staggeringly hot-cold-team would be to call them a "Jekyll and Hyde" ballclub, but that would be too simple to explain the past three years in the (brief) history of the Rockies. It is almost hard for words to describe the full-blown turnaround--nay, gargantuan transformation--that the team from Denver experienced in 2009. What makes the occurrence all the more remarkable is that this was the second spectacular run that the franchise has made in the past three seasons. Which all gives rise to the $64,000 question: why does this happen with the Rockies?

On May 27th, the Colorado Rockies lost, 8-6, to the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was Clint Hurdle's final game as manager, and the start of what would become one of the greatest rallies in major league history. At that point, the Rockies were a stunning 14 games back in the western division, and the only team worse than them in the league were the hapless Washington Nationals. The Colorado management turned to Jim Tracy, the affable, capable leader who guided the Dodgers to a playoff appearance in 2004.

The rest, as they say, is history. The Rockies tried valiantly to chase down the slumping Dodgers late, only to be brought to a halt by the blazing fastball of Calyton Kershaw in the season's final series. Tracy would go on to be named the NL manager of the year, and the Rockies were dumped out of the playoffs by the Phillies.

The inconsistency baffles the mind, but also lends promise to the 2010 campaign. The Rockies have nearly all of the valuable pieces back from that team, but these are also the same players that slumped so poorly in 2008 and at the beginning of the 2009 season. So which version will the fans in Denver see this April? Most likely a very strong team, much like the one that rocked the baseball world last summer.

Colorado has all of the keys to a successful major league baseball team. The have the arms, the hitters, the speed, and perhaps most crucially, the depth to sustain a title drive. It is just a matter of getting them all together. In recent years, this has been a team that has dealt with back-breaking injuries to key players, such as the shoulder injury that deprived the team of ace Jeff Francis in 2009. His return will help an already improving rotation--stacked as it is with young, wicked arms like Ubaldo Jimenez and Jorge De La Rosa. Houston Street is locked down in the bullpen.

The Rockies return most of their potent bench, and have recently re-signed power-hitting Jason Giambi, a good get in the thin Colorado air. Seth Smith and Clint Barmes provide power and defense off the bench, while Eric Young, Jr. brings speed. In the starting lineup, Dexter Fowler is the perfect fit for the vast expanses of Coors Field. The speedy, rangy youngster is a terror on the basepaths, can hit balls in the gaps, and will run down almost any fly ball in the outfield.If he's on, the Rockies are on. Todd Helton--nearly synonymous with the purple and black--continues to anchor the franchise at first base, and budding superstar Troy Tulowitski will be looking to continue his great play from 2009.

This team should be the favorite in the NL West. The Dodgers have largely failed to improve their squad, while the Diamondbacks appear to be a couple of years away. The Padres are not powerful enough to keep up, and the Giants need a better offense to go with their nearly untouchable pitching staff. Can Jim Tracy work his magic for a second consecutive year?

If there's one thing we know for sure, it's that the Rockies will make it an interesting--and possibly historic--affair.

Mark Loretta Hangs 'Em Up

2010-01-25T20:52:00.000-08:00

Game 2 of the 2009 NLDS between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the St. Louis Cardinals will be forever remembered by fans in both cities as one of the strangest contests in each franchise's history. It was the kind of game that defines what makes baseball great: when you go to a game, you just might see something you've never seen before. What few people will remember about that game, however, is hit the walk-off single to send Dodger Stadium into hysteria, and the Cardinals' hopes down the drain.

In a sense, that fact is a microcosm of Mark Loretta's career. The sturdy second baseman was a steadying, contributing presence on major league teams for the better part of 15 years. However, few were ever able to appreciate just how influential he could be over the course of a game or a season. So his last hit may go down as the defining moment in what has to be seen as a successful, if not show-stopping career.

Some background. Loretta broke in with the Milwaukee Brewers at the age of 23, fresh out of Northwestern University. His intelligence and calming demeanor made him a success both on the field and in the clubhouse, the latter of which became a major role of his late in his career. A contact hitter in an era of fence-clearing bashers, Loretta chiseled out a role for six different teams over the course of his career. It was 2004 when it all came together. The former Wildcat hit a scorching .335 for the San Diego Padres, collecting 204 hits, a career-high 16 home runs, and earning his only Silver Slugger Award. He even garnered enough votes to finish 9th in the MVP voting.

But as most fans came to learn late in his career, stats were never a major part of Loretta's approach to baseball. In his final season, he provided an extremely useful veteran presence in a much looser, effective Dodgers clubhouse--a far cry from the animosity that Jeff Kent brought day in and day out. The Padres’ front office officials, who have hired their former All-Star as a special assistant to the general manager, have recognized his contributions.

Loretta was a good ballplayer who experienced several productive seasons in his long career. But perhaps most importantly, he was a gracious, intelligent ballplayer in a normally crass sport. His single up the middle with two out in the bottom of the 9th on October 8th, 2009--his career's final swing--may be his defining moment, but there was a lot more to appreciate about Mark Loretta, the player and the person.

Super Sunday Will Be One Hell of a Party

2010-01-25T16:41:00.000-08:00

Heading into this weekend with the conference championship games just days away, one could feel a palpable sense of worry surrounding the NFL playoffs. Up to Sunday morning, the postseason had been a largely deflated affair. Blowouts by the Saints, Colts, Cowboys, and Ravens certainly didn't help the intensity factor, and the early departure of normal stalwart New England and the flame out of the high-flying Chargers may have taken some of the sex appeal out of these final games.

Fortunately for us viewers, Sunday changed all of that. The semifinals provided fans with two compelling games, one of which was a certifiable classic.

In the Jets and Colts, we had two remarkable contrasts: one the consummate favorite with the all-world quarterback, the other the grittiest Cinderella with a bone-crunching defense and just enough offense to survive. The J-E-T-S ran their traps, the Colts kept theirs zipped. New York carried the swagger of city boys into their contest with the folksy midwesterns, ruffling the feathers of many along the way. But in the end, the MVP had the final say. There is not a soul in the world that can fall back on the "can't win the big one" any longer (if anyone still does), because Peyton Manning has proved that he is always prepared to shred the secondary of any unwitting opponent. Down 11, it looked like we could be in for another shock, but his deep throw down the middle of the field--one of the best throws this writer has ever seen--rejuvenated the team. From that moment on, it was only a matter of time until the home team rallied.

One can't help but feel slightly vindicated. The grumblings about how the Jets eased into the playoffs on the backs of backups were only going to grow louder should they have pulled off the upset again. As the weeks went by and New York kept winning, the Jets were accumulating momentum and enemies at an equal rate, alienating neutrals with their trash-talk and the brash stylings of head coach Rex Ryan. It is with some relief, then, that the Colts managed to come back in the second half. It is unusual in a sporting culture that pines for the success of the underdog, but Indianapolis may be (outside of New England) the most likable, consistently successful team in recent memory. Perhaps that is due to the charismatic, TV friendly personality of Peyton Manning or their reputation as offensive wizards. Regardless, the Colts provide NFL fans (especially neutrals) with a powerhouse they can get behind.

The same underdog status helps us as fans understand what makes the New Orleans Saints so compelling. The obligatory Katrina-related, rebuilding the city focus provides a powerful backdrop against which this team has painted a masterpiece of a season. It seems only fitting that the NFL's final two undefeated teams in 2009-2010 will meet in the seasons' final game, but first they had to somehow survive the Vikings. It must be said, Minnesota did everything it could not to win this game, putting the ball on the ground a remarkable seven times, losing five of them. Favre's interception at the death in regulation was a befuddling decision by a sure-fire Hall of Fame quarterback, but then again, we all make mistakes.

But one thing is for sure: these Saints know how to entertain. With the Colts and the Saints, the NFL lucked out by getting the best possible combination of Super Bowl teams. Both are franchises built from the ground up, and now experiencing the fruits of their efforts. There will be no hired guns in this one, no team that squeaked into the playoffs by virtue of other teams' ambivalence. No, we have pure, exciting, potentially explosive football to come in two weeks' time. The nation is sure to be treated to two outstanding quarterbacks, a bevy of steady receivers, and defenses with big play capabilities on every snap.

For the first time in awhile, I will be looking forward to the Super Bowl with decided (and neutral) interest in the outcome. Either team winning will make an equally good story, though I'm inclined to pull slightly harder for the Saints, knowing that they have never won one before. No matter what the result is, the football world is in for a treat.

Falling Stars: Why the Houston Astros Are In For a Long 2010

2010-01-25T10:48:00.001-08:00

Offseason Profile
Houston Astros

Reason I: Power Outage

Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee. Sometimes Hunter Pence. This is where the power hitting comes in the Astros' lineup. Other than that, the cupboard is pretty bare. In such a great hitter's park like Tropicana Field, this relative lack of offensive potency does not bode well for a team that is struggling to regain the success it knew in the mid-2000's. The addition of Pedro Feliz at third base will add a few more round trippers, but Feliz has always been hit-and-miss at the plate.

Reason II: Nada Tejada

For all the criticism he as received concerning his suspicious past with performance-enhancing drugs and other issues, Miguel Tejada may have been the Astros' most valuable player in 2009. The former AL MVP hit .313 while playing all but four games last season. Defensively, he was somewhat better than expected, and proved himself still a more-than-capable player with an All-Star appearance. His roster leaves a vacuum at shortstop. Right now, the franchise is turning to unheralded Tommy Manzella (7 games, 5 AB in his major league career) or the underwhelming Reds castoff Jeff Keoppinger (.256/.320/.387 in 2009).

Reason III: Throwing in the Towles

In 2007, young catcher J.R. Towles looked like a promising, up-and-coming player in an increasingly catcher-starved game.In 14 games with the Astros that year, Towles hit .375, making the team confortable enough to grant him increased playing time the following year. What followed could be described as nothing less than a disastrous season for the young signal-caller. In 54 games, Towles hit a palty .137, and didn't improve much in short stints with the team in 2009. With Ivan Rodriguez gone, the team has little choice but to re-invest in the erratic prospect, an option many Astros fans may be dreading.

Reason IV: Deep Division

It won't be easy for the Astros to overtake what could be a talented and remarkably improved division. The Cardinals will enter as the favorites, surely, but should be expected to run away with the NL Central crown as they did a year ago. The Cubs have nowhere to go but up, the Brewers are decent, and the Reds are adding some fine pieces to their formula. With that being said, the slow dissolution of the Astros' infield and loss of key veterans is a discouraging sign.

Reason V: Mound of Trouble

Roy Oswalt is great, but only if he stays healthy, something that has been a recurring problem for him. His 4.12 ERA in 2009 was a career-worst, so the team is hoping he'll regain his old form. Wandy Rodriguez is a capable lefthander with a boatload of strikeouts, but new aquisition Brett Myers is a wild card. Houston's starting rotation is thin (like most teams nowadays). The team will rely on veteran Brian Moehler to get them some innings.

Back of the Pac

2010-01-23T09:42:00.000-08:00

I'll preface this article by stating a time-tested fact of sports: success is cyclical. The average team can be on the up for anywhere from five years to a decade and suddenly (occasionally inexplicably) they will enter a down period. A player who is hot one week can't buy a hit the next. The National League used to dominate the American in the All-Star Game. The tide has turned in the last decade, and will more than likely turn again, sooner rather than later.

It's just the nature of the beast. And to be honest, it is part of what makes sports such a compelling socio-cultural phenomenon (welcome to Vocabulary Day, everyone!). As fans, we sign up for the glory that comes from the wins as much as we do the pain that comes from the losses. In fact, one may argue that the occasional losing season only makes the triumphant campaign all the more sweet--imagine how great the next victorious Pittsburgh Pirates season will feel.

This trend applies as much to conferences in college sports as it does to individual programs or players. And this year, the Pac 10 is feeling the heavy side of this cycle more than any in recent memory. Let's get this out of the way now: this conference is just not very good at the moment. With so many struggling teams, the title race is sure to be a tight one, though it comes at the cost of national perception. Such is the way in the dangerous, what-have-you-done-for-me-now modern sporting culture. With such suffocating expectations placed on college athletic programs year in and year out, it is not surprising to see the amount of criticism and condescension leveled at the "Conference of Champions."

After all, no team from the Pac 10 is currently ranked in the top 25 of either major college basketball poll. For a traditional "Big Six" conference, this is nothing short of embarrassing. But the conference is not down as the result of programs losing focus and coaches losing their touch. More than any other, the talent level in the conference has taken a such a hit from early departures to the professional ranks that sustainable success has become momentarily unachievable. The Oregonian newspaper put together a list of current NBA players that, had they exhausted every year of their NCAA eligibility, would still be playing for their respective alma maters this season. The list is a staggering conglomeration of talent, a group that would surely be missed by any conference. But more than anything, the amount of players that have left the Pac 10 early is arresting.

In case you don't want to click on the link, here are a few of the players that the conference has lost: Kevin Love, Jared Bayless, Brook Lopez, Russell Westbrook, O.J. Mayo, Taj Gibson, Jordan Hill, and James Harden. That is quite a roster of legitimate NBA star talent to lose in the short span of two years.

Perhaps no program within the conference has been hit harder by seemingly perennial early defections like UCLA. Under Ben Howland, the Bruins rebuilt a powerhouse, dominating the conference and making three straight Final Fours from 2006-2008. But beginning with Trevor Ariza, early exits under Howland have included Jordan Farmar, Arron Aflalo, Luc Richard Mbah-a-Moute, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love, and Jrue Holiday. The latter three would currently be on UCLA's roster should they have stayed in school.

USC suffered especially hard from Mayo's departure, and we didn't even include forward Devon Jefferson who left early but failed to get drafted. Stanford lost their two big men, the Lopez twins, and have not been the same since. Cal lost talisman Ryan Anderson and are struggling without a significant post presence this season. I'm sure the Wildcats could use a game-breaker like Jordan Hill.

But don't expect this nadir to last for too long. After all, it was only a couple of years ago that the conference sent 6 teams to the NCAA tournament and was considered by many to be the best league in the country. It may take awhile for the Pac 10 to reload with experienced talent, but with a bevy of good coaches and solid programs, west coast basketball will surely be back on the rise before too long.

Queens-Sized Problems: Five Reasons the Mets Might Struggle

2010-01-22T21:59:00.000-08:00

Offseason Profile
New York Mets

Reason I: Citi Field

The new ballpark is undoubtedly nicer than the old barn that was Shea Stadium, but the spacious dimensions of Citi Field created an offensive black hole for the Mets last year. Expect more of the same in 2010. Unfortunately for the Mets, they don't have a lineup that is built for this type of park. There is some speed at the top of the order (Jose Reyes and Luis Castillo spring to mind), but not enough gap hitters to take advantage of the spacious outfield. With hitters that swing for power, you could see a lack of runs for this team.

Reason II: Injury Bug

Centerfielder Carlos Beltran is just coming off knee surgery that will sideline him from baseball for 3 months, meaning that he could be rusty at the start of the season. Jose Reyes was out of the lineup for much of last season, and key pitcher Johan Santana had some elbow problems last season. The Mets were hammered by injuries in 2009, costing them a season of high expectations and exposing a lack of depth. Offseason acquisitions should help, but if any significant players (especially Santana) are hit, there could be a major impact in the standings.

Reason III: New York State of Mess

The Mets, like their fellow New York City brethren the Yankees, are never far from scrutiny. Already controversy has stirred in the organization over the timing and announcement of Beltran's injury. The sheer pressure of playing and living in New York adds to the difficulties, and any lack of success is likely to be met with the typical doom-and-gloom outcry. With the Yankees coming off their 27th World Series win, the pressure is likely to be as high as ever on a team that underwhelmed a season ago.

Reason IV: Pitcher's Problem

The Mets starting rotation is, shall we say, unimposing. After Santana, who is a certifiable ace when he's going well, New York trots out the likes of John Maine, Mike Pelfrey, and the maddeningly inconsistent Oliver Perez. Each has shown flashes of promise throughout their relatively young careers (none of the three are older than 28), but there really isn't a good reason to expect significant improvement in 2010. Perez is perhaps the most troubling. After signing a lucrative three-year deal with the Mets, Perez failed to find the strike zone or many wins in 2009.

Reason V: Rising East

The Braves are re-fortifying after their long stretch of dominance. The Marlins are spending, and the Phils are loaded once again. The Mets are likely to finish no better than third. One the bright side, it's going to be very hard to play worse than the Nationals. The addition of Jason Bay adds some much-needed offensive production, and Gary Matthews Jr. adds depth (but not much else). These moves will help, but probably won't be enough for this team to out pace the rest of a deep division.

UCLA Basketball: Not Dead Yet

2010-01-22T16:27:00.000-08:00

One only has to look up to the rafters at Pauley Pavilion to know that something has gone wrong. Never have the eleven national championship banners looked so distant, so unreachable.

Around campus, you can almost hear the concerned whispers.

The disappointment and doubt are palpable. It has been awhile since the folks in Westwood suffered through a basketball season such as this one. The team is struggling--the hemorrhaging of departing talent finally taking its toll on coach Ben Howland and his squad. Faced with the prospect of slugging through the recent downpour to watch the game or staying home, most chose the latter. But Thursday night, they would be sorry for missing the classic that transpired.

Washington walked onto the floor still lacking a single win away from Seattle this season. Pauley Pavilion has not been historically kind to the Huskies. With only three wins in the history of the arena, it was certain to be no easy task. But this UCLA team was not the one of dominant years past. The team they saw across from them last night was beatable. After all, if USC--the Trojans, for God's sake--could waltz into Pauley and storm away with a 21-point win, surely the Huskies could do the same, or worse.

Unfortunately for them, these Bruins came to play. For one of the first time all season, UCLA successfully executed the way that many have come to expect under Howland. This was the way he wanted to play: tough defense, patient offense, opportunistic in transition. The grizzled head coach must have been happy with the way the game unfolded: exactly according to plan. Sort of.

Ben Howland is not a fan of zone defense. He is a man-to-man enthusiast, through and through. So seeing the Bruins somehow pulling off a suffocating 2-3 defense was unsettling but pleasantly surprising, to say the least. Only it took awhile to work. The Huskies shot over 50% in the first half, and it looked like more of the same for the disappointing Bruins. But then the shots started rimming out, the visitors' patience began to wain, and the turnovers slowly came. And suddenly, this underdog UCLA team was in a position to win.

Down 1 point with 7.6 seconds remaining, senior Mike Roll hit two free throws, the latter of which heeded the prayers of players, fans and coaches alike by bouncing in to put the home team up by a point. What followed was a virtual Tyus Edney flashback. Scatter-quick Huskies guard Venoy Overton drove coast to coast in four seconds, laying the ball up unchallenged to put Washington back up 1. The arena deflated, the fans tempered, and the purple and gold exuberant.

It would probably be correct to say that Mustafa Abdul-Hamid was not the man Howland intended to get the ball to with the game on the line. But Roll found Abdul-Hamid at halfcourt with a bullet inbound pass. Then the former walk-on pulled a perfect Kobe Bryant, pump-faking the defender before sinking a 20-foot jumper as the clock expired.

In sports, the most unlikely can be transformed in a matter of seconds. But in Abdul-Hamid, UCLA basketball may have found its most obscure hero in recent memory. After all, this was a kid who gave up an offer from Harvard to walk on at UCLA, hung with the program for four years, and has rarely seen significant minutes on the floor. The only reason he was even playing was the absence of regular point guard Jeremie Anderson, who sat out with an injury.

It looks like Abdul-Hamid has earned himself more minutes and given UCLA a brief moment of ecstasy in what has otherwise been a dismal year.

Liverpool Hanging On, Barely

2010-01-21T18:22:00.000-08:00

It's been a terribly long season for the boys from the red half of Mersyside. Buoyed by a stunning finish to the 2009 season, manager Rafa Benitez came into this season hoping that perhaps this was his year. After all, this was nearly the same club that finished second in the league, nearly grabbing the title away from Manchester United with a late-season push.

How things went so wrong, few know, or are willing to figure out. Problems have arisen with dizzying rapidity, resulting in what can only be termed (by the club's standards) a nightmare start to the 2009-2010 campaign. On Wednesday night at Anfield, with the Reds floundering mid-table, hopes couldn't have been very high. After all, they had been knocked out of the Champions' League, Carling (League) Cup, the FA Cup and the coveted top four standing, all while developing a nasty habit of allowing late, heartbreaking goals.

As if that weren't enough, Liverpool's embarrassing home loss to lower-division side Reading (resulting in their unceremonious exit from the FA Cup) came at a price greater than lost pride. World-class striker Fernando Torres was hit by the injury bug for the second time this season, and is currently in the midst of a 6-week hiatus to recover. Steven Gerrard was also hurt, and will miss time.

So missing their two best players, on a poor run of form, and lacking any offensive potency, spirits weren't exactly soaring at kickoff Wednesday. The caveat of hope: Tottenham Hotspur, the club currently residing in the desired fourth spot in the table, was visiting, and a win would draw Liverpool within 1 point. Thus, the game was a crucial one, to say the least.

That's where Dirk Kuyt comes in.

The Holland international fulfilled the lone striker role in place of the spectacular Torres, and delivered. His searing drive from just outside the box put the home side up 1-0 inside ten minutes, and the tone was set. Shrugging off their recent collapses, the Reds help Spurs, with a little help from a disallowed goal just after halftime. Kuyt's penalty conversion in stoppage time put the game out of reach late, and netted a crucial three points for the beleaguered Benitez.

Despite the win, there is clearly a lot more work to be done. Manchester City appears to be making a charge under their new manager, Roberto Mancini, while Spurs is sure to rebound. With concerns about finances and troubled ownership circling Liverpool, the funds that would come from an appearance in next year's Champions' League are crucial. If Liverpool can hold without Gerrard and Torres and remain within 4 points of the top four, they could salvage something out of this disastrous season.

Can Rays Shine Again? 5 Reasons to Watch Tampa Bay in 2010

2010-01-21T14:40:00.000-08:00

Offseason Profile
Tampa Bay Rays

Reason I: Evan Longoria

He is the most promising young player in the American League. Already an All-Star, it is only a matter of time before Evan (not Eva) turns himself into a legitimate MVP candidate. His power is incredible, his concentration remarkable, and his defense admirable. He holds down the third base line with aplomb, had has a cannon arm. Why wouldn't you watch? The Rays can only hope that he steers clear of injuries that have hampered him in his first full seasons.

Reason II: Bullpen Bounce Back

In 2008, the Rays stunned the American League by rocketing from worst-to-first, wiping out the seemingly impenetrable fortifications of the Red Sox and Yankees, and captured the most surprising pennant in years. Though much of the credit went to the potent offense and improved defense (both contributing factors, of course), the bullpen was a major--if not the major reason--for the turnaround. 2009 was a disappointing season for the relief core, but manager Joe Maddon has reason to be optimistic heading toward spring training. Many of the same names are here from 2008, including surprises Dan Wheeler and Grant Balfour, while Soriano should prove a capable closer. If these arms can regain their form after sub-par seasons last year, the Rays could challenge in the East again.

Reason III: Underdog Factor

They reside in a Division of Death, to steal a term from the world of football (the real kind). The defending champions reside there, an ever-looming presence of pin-stripped intimidation. The Red Sox are once again re-tooling, with great new pitchers like Jon Lackey and a perennially dangerous lineup. The Rays will always be the underdog in this division, so their attempt to storm the Bastille of the Big Two is sure to be harrowing viewing.

Reason IV: Joe Maddon

He is well-read, intelligent, and intellectual, a refreshing contrast to the course and crass stereotype of baseball managers. He is a character that bursts from the TV screen, is incredibly fun to listen to in interviews, and is more than capable of leading this group to another title. After all, he did it once already. Even Maddon's trademark glasses set him apart. He is the perfect man for this group of young talent and successful veterans.

Reason V: B.J. Upton and Carl Crawford

Talk about a tantalizing talent. Upton constantly flatters to deceive, showing such promise but occasionally living up to it. All the tools are there, and with yet another season (and a trying one at that) under his belt, the Rays could be in for a breakout performance. Meanwhile, Crawford is one of the truly underrated talents in baseball, with blinding speed and a more than capable bat. His wheels make him especially useful in the turfed outfield of Tropicana, a haven for extra-base hits. If Crawford gets on base, just wait for the fireworks to come.

Free Spending Marlins Alarm Confused Fans...All 12 Of Them

2010-01-21T14:13:00.000-08:00

Offseason Profile
Florida Marlins

Ah, just kidding. The Marlins actually averaged 18, 770 fans in 2009, and each one of them probably can't believe what they are reading in the sports page recently. Here are a couple of figures that are sure to be stunning to those used to the meager, miserly, tight-fisted Marlins ownership: $39 million, 4 years. $7.8 million, 1 year.

Florida has suddenly decided to open its pocketbooks, like Scrooge on Christmas Day. Obviously, they were visited by the Ghost of Pissed Off Owners over the course of the offseason. The ordinarily cheap management was facing increasing pressure, especially from larger clubs and the union, for their startlingly low payroll and suspected misuse of their portion of the luxury tax from other teams. Since then, the club has promised to increase their payroll, and have backed it up with these two big deals.

The first goes to Josh Johnson, one of the better young right-handed pitchers in baseball. The deal locks down an already established talent that appears to be cementing himself as a top-of-the-rotation guy (and rugged with a hard hat), a good sign for franchise stability. The Marlins have made quite a good living with developing younger players, using their talents for a concentrated title run (1997, 2003), then subsequently dismantling, reloading, and beginning the whole process again. While it is hard to argue with logic that has created two championships in just 17 years (has it really been that long?), it is a frustrating pattern for the club's fans and baseball followers in general. This decision to retain Johnson for a long period (at least by today's standards) is an encouraging sign.

The second contract belongs to Dan Uggla, the enigma at second base. Uggla has his fair share of critics, both for his fences-or-famine approach at the plate and his glove of iron. The one-year deal may mean that he will still be on the trading block, a place Uggla is no doubt familiar with by now, and the Marlins will have to see how that constant uncertainty will effect his play.

For the most part, though, this significant investment may reflect a culture change that has gotten underway in the Sunshine State. More money being spent and a new stadium on the way could mean prosperous times ahead for baseball's most unlikely two-time champion.

Phil-ing In the Gaps: 5 Reasons the Phillies Could Dominate in 2010

2010-01-19T18:47:00.000-08:00

Offseason Profile
Philadelphia Phillies

Reason I: Happy Halladay

The Doc hits the town of cheese steaks and cracked bells to front-line a potentially lethal pitching staff for the men in red. Roy Halladay came at the expense of team playoff MVP Cliff Lee, who dazzled as a mid-season pickup. Lee's performance and subsequent departure via trade raised some eyebrows among those who believe the best was yet to come. Halladay, however, gives the Phils something they need (as much as a team with two straight NL pennants "needs" anything): a dominant right-hander.

Reason II: Rebirth of Cole Hamels

Playoff darling, World Series hero, dependable. In 2008, all of these applied to the crafty southpaw, who mowed down opponents not so much with speed as with intellect and deception. He was a left-hander in the mold of Greg Maddux. 2009 was less than perfect for Hamels, who struggled to live up to the enormous expectations manifested from his masterful postseason work. He has shown, however, that he can be a dominant player. If he regains his form, there could be a devastating righty-lefty combination waiting in the decidedly un-friendly confines of Citizen's Bank Park.

Reason III: Big Spenders

Ruben Amaro Jr., the heir to former general manager Pat Gillick, has show that he is not afraid to make a deal and a splash. With the momentum of two consecutive Series appearances, Amaro will certainly have the support of management should Philadelphia find it is missing a piece. Amaro landed Lee for the stretch run last year. Could he do it again in 2010?

Reason IV: Big Bats, Small Park

When Pat Burrell's home run barely cleared the left field wall in Game 1 of the 2008 NLCS, the nation was introduced to the rather hitter-friendly dimensions at Citizen's Bank Park. Armed with the knowledge that this advantage could create devastating rallies, the Phillies have stacked their lineup with streaky power hitters and gap specialists. This streaking nature can lend itself to week-long bouts of toothless offense (as occurred a few times in 2009), but also proves extremely potent in the playoffs, when one or two big hits usually always determine the outcome of a game. Just ask the Dodgers.

Reason V: Did We Mention the Lineup Already?

Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Jayson Werth, Raul Ibanez, and the newly-added former Philly Placido Polanco. That's just what opponents wanted to see: a career .300 hitter added to the Phillies' lineup. There are no easy outs in this batting order: even Carlos Ruiz has come up clutch in the most important games for two straight postseasons. Shane Victorino is no fun to deal with, either. With this kind of potency, could this team really make their third straight World Series? The odds are looking pretty good at the moment.

Could Lane Kiffin Be Just What UCLA Football Needs?

2010-01-19T12:14:00.000-08:00

When Mike Garrett made the decision to hire Lane Kiffin away from Tennessee, you could almost hear the laughter coming from Westwood just a few miles away. For many in the Bruins camp, this was a desperate move, and a surprisingly shaky one for what has been the dominant program in the city, the conference, and the country for nearly a decade. But with one move, the Trojans have betrayed cracks in their seemingly impenetrable edifice. And that could be all Rick Neuheisel was looking for.

Take last weekend's halftime speech at the UCLA--USC basketball game as an example. If the coach's words are any indication, the Bruins are more than ready for the dawn of a new era.

"If you've paid attention to anything that's gone on in college football this week, you can see the landscape has slightly shifted..we are not going to rest until we bring back the Pac 10 Championship, the Rose Bowl championship, and the national championship," Neuheisal exclaimed.

Strong words for the leading man at a program that hasn't won consecutive games over it's primary rival since 1997-1998. But perhaps these words aren't as rash as they may seem. The simple fact is: with Carroll now departed for greener grass and rainier skies in Seattle, nothing is certain about USC football.

In Kiffin, Garrett has chosen a rule-bending bad boy for a program already under scrutiny with the NCAA. The fast-talking Kiffin has the character to match the man across town, and the recruiting cache to haul in the big recruits. It has yet to be seen, however, if he can pull the success together as a head coach. The initial returns aren't promising. After all, Kiffin went just 7-6 in his first (and only) year on Rocky Top, while at least Neuheisel has a Rose Bowl appearance (admittedly in a previous incarnation as head coach at Washington) to boast about.

Thus, it seems strange that a program so accustomed to winning, and winning big, in recent years would hire a relatively unproven head man.There can be no doubt that Garrett is hoping for another diamond-in-the-rough hire, much like his lucky break in appointing Carroll. But there are certainly reservations to be had for anyone looking at USC football right now. Of course, the main topic of concern are possible impending sanctions, something that few in the powder blue would shed tears about. Then there are the departing players, like Joe McKnight and Damien Williams. And then Kiffin himself, who has shown a remarkable knack for getting himself into trouble with the NCAA, something USC surely can't afford more of at this time.

Let's set the record straight: UCLA has a long way to go to reach its desired place as the superior municipal football team, a status it last knew in the 1990's. However, recent developments have shown that the shift Neuheisel is referring to is indeed underway, and may not be so far away from completion, after all. Signing day will be a key date for both programs, with Kiffin looking to retain the perennial blue-chip recruits Carroll hauled in and Neuheisel hoping to pull of another 11th-hour coup, much like he did in 2008. Regardless, the Bruins have a lot to look forward to with the retention of Chow and--for the first time in years--a relatively stable quarterback situation. Kevin Prince has suffered through injuries, but when he was healthy, he showed flashes of considerable ability. Now with another year of experience and an improved offensive line, the weapons could be in place for an offensive resurgence.

Combine that with the chaos downtown, and Los Angeles football fans could be in for an exciting, if tumultuous 2010.

10 Most Polarizing Athletes

2010-01-19T00:58:00.000-08:00

Want to see a list of the ten most polarizing athletes in sports today? Check out this link to view the new slideshow over at Bleacher Report.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/328712-10-most-polarizing-active-athletes

What's your top ten?

Sailing Toward a Brighter Future: 5 Reasons to Love the Seattle Mariners

2010-01-18T22:19:00.000-08:00

Offseason Profile
Seattle Mariners

Reason I: Great Acquisitions

After having to look up at the Angels for much of the last eight years, there can be no doubt that the Mariners are moving in the right direction. The Mariners suffered through a disastrously bad 2008, but improved remarkably with an 85-77 finish in 2009.The offseason has been a virtual re-armament for the folks in the great Northwest, both figuratively and literally. Not only did the Mariners add former Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee to their rotation, but they nabbed a crucial piece of their rival's puzzle. Third baseman Chone Figgins, a key component in the Angels' success in recent seasons, makes his way up north to ply his trade for the Mariners, along with the eternal castoff Milton Bradley, picked up off the Cubs' scrap heap.

Reason II: Defense, Defense, Defense

You can't win without gloves, and the Mariners have some of the best. It starts with the steady leather of Jack Wilson at shortstop, the longtime Pirate who made up one half of baseball's best double-play combination in recent memory (along with second baseman Freddy Sanchez). Now he teams up with former all-star Jose Lopez. Casey Kotchman, never known for his bat, is a great defensive presence at first base, and a potential breakout player. Figgins doesn't match up with Adrian Beltre's glove at third, but he is more than capable in the field. The outfield boasts two of the best gloves in the game, with the cannon arm of Ichiro and the fearless flying exploits of the always fun Franklin Gutierrez.

Reason III: Depth

Ever heard of a guy named Ken Griffey, Jr.? He's the backup designated hitter. Granted, he is nowhere near the player he once was, roaming the outfield of the Kingdome, but that's a pretty nice luxury if you're Seattle. The Mariners have veterans Ryan Langerhans and Jack Hannahan to shore up the outfield and infield, respectively, as well as promising prospect Matt Tuiasosopo as a utility player.

Reason IV: Arms Race

Felix Hernandez is a legitimate Cy Young candidate. Cliff Lee makes one of the best 1-2 combinations in baseball. Ian Snell has promise, and the sublimely named Aussie Ryan Rowling-Smith performed well in limited appearances in 2009. David Aardsma holds the honor of being the first name in an alphabetical list of Major League Baseball players.He is also a capable closer, a necessity in the tightly-contested AL West. Should Aardsma struggle or get hurt, Mark Lowe is another capable reliever that Seattle will be able to rely upon. Sean White also showed promise with his most productive season in his career.

Reason V: Don Wakamatsu

In his first season at the helm in Seattle, Wakamatsu guided a team with low expectations to a pleasantly surprising finish. Although they ended up just third of four teams in the division, the new manager handled the situation with aplomb, getting the most out of a beleaguered staff and so-so offense. If the first season is any indication, better things could be on the horizon in the Northwest.

NFL Playoffs: An Excitement-Less Wasteland

2010-01-18T16:05:00.000-08:00

Closest game on the weekend? Chargers-Jets. And even that was an unwatchable mistake-fest.

Other than the Fighting Rex Ryans pulling off a genuine surprise on Sunday, the divisional round was an undeniable flop. And it's not like we didn't have a plethora of exciting storylines going into the weekend.

Baltimore should have provided more of a challenge to the rusty Colts, who instead methodically wore down a team that had just pounded New England on the road. The defense did it's part, successfully containing a potentially lethal Indy offense to just 20 points, surely a manageable situation for an NFL offense. Unfortunately for the Ravens, Joe Flacco was, well, Joe Flacco.

How incompetent was the Baltimore offense? Well, in two forays into the red zone, the Ravens manages...well, nothing. On third and fourth down, the visitors converted just 5 of 15 times. That won't win you a playoff game, home or away. Perhaps the most telling stat was the rushing figures. One week after throttling, stampeding and tromping their way to a rout over the Patriots, the Ravens rush attack managed just 87 yards on the ground. With an injured quarterback and a strong running game, the coaching staff for the men in purple and black chalked up an astounding 35 passing plays, as opposed to just 19 rushing calls. Bad coaching will take you places in the playoffs: home.

Speaking of bad coaching, Wade Phillips looked severely over matched on Sunday. Still feeding off the accolades and resting on his laurels from his 1st playoff win a week before (at home against a banged-up Eagles outfit), Phillips and his Cowboys dropped a complete dud on the nation. Instead of the weekend's most intriguing game, we were treated to a glorified Vikings scrimmage. Newly-established clutch performer Tony Romo reverted into the field-goal botching quarterback all came to know and love.

It's easy for some to hate Brett Favre, but surely few of those critics (including this writer) expected the Ageless Wonder to be this good. His first touchdown pass was a beauty, the throw dropping perfectly into the waiting (and undoubtedly surprised) arms of Sidney Rice. Favre spun a masterpiece, dissecting the Dallas defense with an ease unseen by Cowboys opponents for the past two months. Could it really be that Favre, the ultimate Packer, is being reincarnated as a hero--a true, bona fide, playoff hero--in Minnesota? Only the next three weeks will tell. Should Number 4 bring a Super Bowl win back to Minneapolis, Hell may in fact freeze over.

Meanwhile, the Chargers looked lost against the Jets. No one, and I mean no one (outside of the Jets locker room) could have imagined that after being essentially gifted a playoff berth, New York would knock out two superior teams. All of the credit must go to the defense, though rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez did perform admirably in the final quarter. The defense held the most dynamic attack in the league to just 14 points, the latter 7 of which were rendered meaningless following the final first down conversion. It's hard to foresee the run continuing against an amped up Colts unit, especially in Indy, but we've been wrong before.

And so much for the spiraling Saints theory. In a heartwarming development, the Saints throttled...no, crushed...no, pummeled...the Cardinals, who looked like the Arizona teams of old in falling flat on their face. The defending NFC champs were discarded mercilessly with the strength of Brees' arm and Bush's feet. The Saints suddenly look like the team that went 13-0, not the team that flailed to an 0-3 finish.

The Divisional round, and indeed the Wild Card round, were largely disappointments, but with 3 of the best four teams in the league through, we could see some spectacular conference championships. For all our sake, let's hope so.

Shootaround: Quick Thoughts From College Basketball

2010-01-13T11:15:00.000-08:00

Free Throw: Kansas has been impressive throughout the season. Sure, the Jayhawks have stumbled to victories at times against UCLA and at home to (gasp) Cornell, but they whacked ranked Temple in Philly. The have, in Sherron Collins, perhaps the best point guard in the country to go along with the post presence of the Morris brothers and Cole Alrdich. With all of that in mind, their loss to a depleted Tennessee team was, without a doubt, the surprise of the past weekend. With Tyler Smith gone, the Vols turned to a pair of high-flying guards. Scotty Hopson pitched in 17 points while Bobby Maze's 16 contributed to a balanced attack. The Jayhawks should not be a subject for excessive concern. They still have one of the best collections of talent in the nation, and should continue challenging Texas for supremacy atop the polls.

Layup: Folks better start believing in the Kentucky Wildcats. You may not like John Calipari and his used-car-salesman ways, but he has the fans in Rupp arena feeling positively giddy with glee and ambition. Yes, John Wall is spectacular. He has already had a great piece devoted to him in Sports Illustrated and has been on the receiving end of lavish praise from TV pundits everywhere. But the Wildcats are far from a one-man team.After watching the Kentucky-Florida game last night, one had to come away impressed with the effort of Eric Bledsoe. A freshman himself, Bledsoe not only poses an offensive threat (he broke out for a career high 25 points in Gainesville), but averages over a steal a game. His development alongside Wall and Patrick Patterson is making the Wildcats look and feel like legitimate national title contenders; a prospect many would have scoffed at as too lofty at the start of the season. Better start believing.

Mid-Range Jumper: Iowa State must really be feeling left out. This has to be one of the more amazing stats of the season thus far. Can you believe that, over a third of the way through the college basketball calendar, only one team from the Big XII has lost a home game? One. Iowa State lost to Northern Iowa (state pride for the Panthers!). Otherwise, Big XII teams are a completely befuddling 112-0. Talk about a home court advantage.

Three Point Bucket: Notice anything about the rankings from this week? There is no Pac 10 team in the top 25. This is the ultimate sign that the conference is on a downswing. Fans of west coast basketball can take solace in the fact that these sorts of trends are usually cyclical. Just a season or two ago, many would have argued that it was the strongest, most deep conference in the nation. The league, however, is without a national championship for 12-going on 13-years. The last national champion to come out of the Pac 10? Arizona in 1997. One the bright side, the race is wide open (see: lots of mediocre to bad teams fighting for a tournament spot). Example: Oregon State gets trounced at home to Seattle University (how many knew they even played Division I ball), and then waltzed into the Pit and won a rivalry game over previously hot Oregon. Sport baffles the mind.

Beating the Buzzer: Another reason to never turn off a game if it is even slightly in doubt: Purdue managed to out-play Ohio State for about 36 minutes of a game...and lose. Despite being at home, where they hadn't lost all year. Despite 29 points from Robbie Hummel--in the first half. The Buckeyes were down 10 with 4:10 remaining in the game. But never say never when Evan Turner is involved. The All-American talent put in one of the great performances of the year, scoring 32 points to spur Ohio State onward. The Buckeyes overcame the deficit by capitalizing on a Purdue squad that seemed to become complacent with a big lead late. They also managed to shut down Hummel, allowing him to score only four points in the second half. From a Boilermakers point of view, this has to be seen as one that got away.

The Ruse is Up: 62*

2010-01-11T12:46:00.000-08:00

The summer of 1998 will always be one of the fondest in my memory. Baseball, for the first time since 1995, was really enthralling. And not just for me--for an entire nation, and indeed, for some of the world. The memories flicker back when one recalls the frenzied headlines, the home run counters, the press coverage, flashbulbs and history in the making.

Now, those memories begin to transform, and this time the characters don't seem so wonderful. The edges of right-and-wrong blur, the greatness becomes muted. A lie unravels and at the center sit a pair of defeated, deflated men. Men who were upheld as heroes, now fallen. Their images trod upon, defaced, and torn apart by guesswork, then evidence, then fact, now admission.

There has been a belief that Mark McGwire's home run record saved baseball. Indeed, the home run chase of 1998 brought people back to the American past time unlike anything else could have. It was the story of a pair of lovable characters, McGwire and Sammy Sosa, squaring off in the American heartland for one of the game's preeminent records. The night that Big Mac hit #62, I sat with my family in front of the television. I had recorded the game on a video tape. The home run itself was a bit of an anti-climax: it was the shortest home run he would hit that year, barely clearing the left field wall. It didn't feel right, really, the most powerful hitter--at the time the greatest home run hitter ever--just squeaking by.

Little did I know that over 11 years later, that home run really wouldn't be right. It was a fake, in a manner of speaking. Mark McGwire used steroids, he used performance-enhancing drugs: he cheated. But with the knowledge we have now about the era that he played in, can we really look back and discount the moment? After all, it was the long ball that really did save baseball when it spiraled into decline following the strike. So does the summer of 1998 lose its meaning and importance with today's admission?

It was an era flooded with steroids, drugs, and crooked intentions. There are worse people in the Hall of Fame, many who played "dirty" before the word meant injecting dishonesty in your body. So do we leave all players from this time out of Cooperstown?

After today's admission, only time will tell.

Space Needled

2010-01-09T12:13:00.000-08:00

Two years ago, a newspaper ad taken out by UCLA declared the football "monopoly" over in Los Angeles.

Over the past two days, it may finally have become a reality. Pete Carroll appears to be on his way out at USC. Carroll is said to have accepted the position of head coach and team president with the Seattle Seahawks, owners of a vacant coaching position after the firing of first-year coach Jim Mora, Jr.

The news is yet another clipping in the scrambled scrapbook of coach-related stories that have exploded on the college football world over the past month or so. Yet this one, more than any other, has the potential to change the landscape of the game. Here's an excerpt from the L.A. Times' Chris Dufrense on the up-and-down year for Carroll:

Carroll is a remarkable 97-19 in nine seasons at USC, winning two national titles and maybe leaving a few more on the table. His services to quality football and the community would be missed.

But the last year was strange from the hut-go. It started with the bizarre Mark Sanchez news conference, continued into summer when Carroll sold out starting quarterback Corp for true freshman Matt Barkley, pushed onward through the nearly-incited player riot at the end of the UCLA-USC game, and concluded at 9-4 and No. 22 in the final Associated Press poll.

Carroll is who he is, but what is USC now? Where would it go?

On a smaller scale, the move has massive implications for the rivalry in Los Angeles, where UCLA will no doubt use the sudden turn of events to gain ground on their long-superior competitors. Carroll's move will effect the Pac 10 as well, most notably with early rumors of overtures to Oregon State coach Mike Riley and recently-minted Washington coach Steve Sarkisian, both of whom are said to be in the running for the Southern California job. The nation as a whole is also going to feel the impact, and most schools will see it as a positive. USC has been a virtual breeding ground for NFL talent over nearly a decade, snapping up the best high school talent in and outside of California. That these recruits were heavily persuaded by Carroll's mystique will not be lost on other programs. Over the next few weeks, we may see a diaspora of Trojan talent as players hesitate with their prior commitments.

But the question that is in everyone's mind is: why now?

Carroll has been offered NFL positions since he began winning BCS bowl games on an annual basis. He had interviews with the Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons in recent years, but always turned them down. The reason for his hesitancy was no doubt his wish to remain in control of an extremely successful traditional power, one where he had the power to make all (or most) decisions in regard to the program. This is not the modus operandi in the NFL, which trends toward more bureaucratic coaching structures.

But now it appears that Carroll has changed his mind. There could be several reasons for this. At the forefront of most people's minds is no doubt the ongoing investigation into the Reggie Bush issue, for which the Trojans' program and the head coach have taken a lot of heat. Recent developments with Joe McKnight, the running back held out of the Emerald Bowl due to issues concerning his use of an SUV have only exacerbated concern within the program. Add to that the recent self-imposed sanctions on the basketball team--levied by AD Mike Garrett--and you have a picture of an athletic department in turmoil. Tensions between Garrett and Carroll have been well-publicized in recent weeks, so given the issues at hand, a departure at this time may be his best opportunity to get out relatively unscathed.

If the NCAA or the university itself comes down hard on the football program (unlikely), what would Carroll's legacy be at USC? Most of the nation would look at this move as a John Calipari-like situation: escaping when the opportunity suits you and leaving the program in the dust to pick up the pieces. But Carroll will always be viewed in Los Angeles (the red half, anyway) as a consummate winner and one of the most dynamic sporting figures the city has seen in recent memory. Without the NFL, USC is football in southern California--along with the contributions of the improving but perennially underwhelming Bruins.

From races with Will Farrell to sideline chest bumps, smiles, taunting, and gesticulating, Carroll has made an indelible mark on one of college football's most storied programs. The departure--which came so suddenly--is certain to raise many eyebrows given the suspicious context of the move. But no one can doubt that, at least where the playing field is concerned, Pete Carroll is leaving the college game a winner.

Crimson Tide Are National Champs, Texas Eyes Are Crying

2010-01-07T21:54:00.000-08:00

When Colt McCoy briskly jogged off the field, it seemed to be a temporary setback. When he didn't return, the life was sucked out of a team, half of a stadium, and television viewers around the country.

Just like that, this game swung from potential classic to a spectacular "what could have been."

Let's get this part out of the way first. Congratulations to the University of Alabama, worthy champions at 14-0, possessors of one of the nation's best defenses and the undying efforts of Mark Ingram. They pounded a deflated Texas into submission after McCoy's departure, responding to a quick 6-0 deficit with a flurry of defensive stops, steady runs, and conversions off turnovers. They won with a helping, shaky hand from true freshman Texas backup Garrett Gilbert, who was thrust (rather cruelly) into the spotlight and took a while to get his stage fright out.

Nick Saban has done a great job of turning around the Crimson Tide after nearly a decade of turmoil, scandal, sanctions, and mediocre (even poor) seasons. Though most will admit it begrudgingly, Saban transcended good college coaches, tonight reaching a level of greatness achieved by so few before him. The relative disaster that was his NFL coaching career aside, Saban has proved that he can call one hell of a football game. Perhaps now people will come to realize that he is worth the massive salary that Alabama used to lure him to Tuscaloosa.

With an experienced team coming back, the Crimson Tide don't look like they are going anywhere anytime soon. McElroy still has a year of eligibility left, and showed temendous leadership and grit in the toughest games. The backfield tandem of Ingram and Richardson will return to terrorize defenses next season as well, and the Tide defense will remain strong. Assuming Saban stays and these players stay healthy, there is no reason that Alabama can't make a third consecutive strong run in 2010.

But even the most fervent of Alabama fans have to feel sorry for what happened to Colt McCoy tonight. That perhaps the best quarterback in the nation was knocked out of the game just a few offensive plays in was truly disappointing. McCoy's post-game interview with ABC was a sorrowful affair, and the nation was privy to the heartbreak of a young man who saw the goal of his college career swept away in the briefest of moments. Asked about the extent of his injury, the quarterback's words were especially harrowing:

"My arm is dead," McCoy said. "I can't feel my arm."

One can only hope that this injury will not threaten his prospects as a professional athlete.

Texas played valiantly in the second half, even as it seemed that the Longhorns would need a near miracle to even get back into the game. Gilbert struggled, with bad interceptions and a series of poor throws, but did as much as he could with the situation being as it was. Indeed, it was his two throws that pulled Texas back into the game--a truly shocking turn of events given the odds stacked against them and Alabama's seemingly dominant performance up front. The strike to Shipley--who seemed determined to honor his fallen teammate by single-handedly taking on the Tide secondary--for the first touchdown was a first class throw. The second came from a broken coverage, but the ball was good enough for Shipley to get under it for the score.

The other Longhorn receivers sure didn't do Gilbert any favors, dropping several passes (including Gilbert's beautiful fade to the endzone in the second quarter). But one should not take too much credit away from an Alabama defense that, despite the few lapses, displayed the talent that has been the subject of so much talk in the buildup to the game.

Fans in Austin and around the country will be left wondering what could have been, especially given Texas' success in the second half. Perhaps if McCoy had been in the game, the turnovers that Alabama took advantage of--including the back breaker to close the first half--wouldn't have provided those extra points. Perhaps the Longhorns would have capitalized on their 6-0 lead.

Unfortunately for the burnt orange, we will never know the answer.

Shameless Plug

2010-01-07T16:45:00.000-08:00

Time for some publicity.

If any of my readers are astute UCLA fans or just want to keep up on the goings on in Westwood, my esteemed colleague and good friend Blair Angulo has a new UCLA Blog for ESPN Los Angeles. Here is a link to the first post:

http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/ucla/post/_/id/12/ben-howland-worn-out-by-close-win-over-cal

Blair is a former roommate of mine, a good friend, and a very talented writer. It's obvious that his career is on the up, and that is great to see. So help a friend out and check back for more.

You can also find Angulo's writing in the Daily Bruin, covering men's basketball, football, and baseball.

Way to go, Blair.

Roll Tide or Hook 'Em Horns? Answers Tonight

2010-01-07T16:30:00.000-08:00

BCS National Championship Game
Alabama vs. Texas

If you were to base your predictions for this game solely on those of experts and others around college football, it wouldn't even be close. According to national consensus, it would appear that Alabama will grab another national championship while breaking only a minor sweat.

The argument for this seems to be based mostly on 2 things: conference bias and most recent performances.

Let's set the record straight: the SEC is good. Everyone knows that. SEC defenses are good, specifically this defense. Teams from this conference have won the last three national titles as the defenses have thoroughly outclassed the supposedly high-octane offense of their respective opponents. But please, please do not put too much stock into this argument.

The conference superiority argument has become one of the most tiresome debates in college football, or indeed in college sports as a whole. The depth and talent in a conference is generally cyclical. Also, so much of how well one league does in comparison to another (in this case, SEC vs. Big XII) has more to do with match ups on a given day than it does a general level of skill across an entire conference. Florida was a poor match up for Ohio State, and Oklahoma's offense had a poor night against the Gators' defense. LSU used a similar diverse offensive attack to overcome the Buckeyes.

But in the opinion of this humble writer, this does not prove that the SEC as a whole is superior, and therefore gives Alabama an edge over a Big XII team. Perhaps the Longhorns match up well with the Crimson Tide, able to counter the strength of their defense with quick strikes, long balls, or a pounding running game. That will only be determined on the field, as it should be, and not by pundits placing one league subjectively over another.

As for recent performances, no one can deny that Alabama looked in fine form in demolishing the aforementioned Gators. The defense shut down a potent offense, and quarterback Greg McElroy delivered one of his best performances as a starter. Meanwhile, Texas was stumbling all over itself against Nebraska. They ended up reaching the title game by one tick of a friendly clock. However, viewers and fans should not make too much of this. As mentioned before, these games are all about match ups. Nebraska had a defense tailored to shutting off the primary weapon Texas possesses: Colt McCoy.

There is an assumption that 'Bama's defense will do the same, and easily, using its super-power SEC abilities to overcome the weaklings from Austin. What people forget, however, is that the Longhorn defense isn't to shabby itself. After all, they did hold Nebraska to 12 points (the Huskers would put up 33 on Arizona) and Oklahoma to 13. This group is not akin to the porous Oklahoma unit that the Sooners saw shredded in last year's game.

The point to be made is that at times our predictions can be based on irrationalities, and that is why we are so often wrong (I should know). No matter how dominant one team looks on paper, what happens on the field could stun us all. There are plenty of examples, as sports fans well know.

So please, do yourself a favor. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the last game of the year. It should be a corker.

Fun side note: My father is not a fan of either of these teams. That became apparent when he was asked who he was picking for the title. And I quote:

"Huge prehistoric carnivorous birds carry both coaches away as a long dormant volcano consumes Rose Bowl."

Stay tuned for that.

The Pick: Texas 24, Alabama 17

Andre Dawson Flies Into Hall of Fame

2010-01-06T12:15:00.000-08:00

The Expos live on. The Hawk is in.

The powerful centerfielder who played half of his career in Montreal found his way into Cooperstown after nearly a 10-year wait today. Dawson received enough voted to vault past the 75% plateau needed to make the cut. It was a proper selection. Dawson was not only one of the best players of his generation, but he provided a mix of spectacular skills, including power, speed and defensive instinct.

Here's a rundown of Dawson's accolades:

In 1977, Dawson was named Rookie of the Year after slugging 19 home runs and batting .282.
Won the first of 6 consecutive Gold Gloves in 1980. By the end of his career, the slick-fielding Dawson would accumulate 8 in total. He would accumulate over 90 outfield assists in his career, including an astounding 17 in 1978.
Eight All-Star appearances.
Was the National League's Most Valuable Player in 1987 after hitting a league-leading 49 home runs and driving in 137 runs, winning a gold glove, a silver slugger, and making an All-Star appearance. For a least place team.

It is unfortunate that Dawson only saw postseason action twice in his Hall of Fame career, though for much of it, the playoffs included only the two division champions from each league. Dawson's Expos lost to the eventual World Series champion Dodgers in 1981. Eight years later, the Cubs were dumped by the Giants in the NLCS. As such, Dawson's .186 postseason batting average (without a home run) may have been one of the few blemishes on his resume. Still, the Hawk is fit to take up his rightful place as a symbol of the contributions of a now-distant franchise that made a fair impact on the game with great players.

Other Expos enshrined in the Hall are manager Dick Williams, outfielder and managing great Frank Robinson, Tony Perez, and Gary Carter. Of those names, only Dawson and Carter (the only member of the Hall enshrined in an Expos cap) spent much of their careers with the Expos. However, current stars such as Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson, and Vladimir Guererro all called Montreal home at one point, so the impact lives on.

Second baseman Robbie Alomar, who won 10 gold gloves and made 12 straight All-Star appearances between 1990-2001 was left out by less than 2%. Alomar is certainly one of the best second basemen the game has ever seen. He had 2724 hits, a very respectable number, great speed, and decent power. That's good. But it is when you factor in the stellar to spectacular defense that he becomes great.

For three years especially, between 1999-2001, Alomar teamed up with Omar Vizquel of the Indians to form one of the greatest double-play combination fans have every laid eyes upon. It was a treat to watch the two at work: all of the cliches apply to the pair that worked seamlessly as one. The glove, the flip, the turn, and the throw were not mechanics, but movements in a tango of sorts. Like clockwork. Like the cogs of a machine fitting perfectly. You name the simile--it can be applied.

Alomar will certainly make it, probably next year, and it couldn't come too soon. His darkest moment--spitting on an umpire--is without a doubt a stain, but an extremely minor one in comparison to some of his future Hall of Fame brethren. After all, John McGraw (the notoriously dirty and often contemptible) is a Hall of Famer.

Orange Bowl Begs You To Tune In

2010-01-05T15:48:00.000-08:00

Orange Bowl
Iowa vs. Georgia Tech

Why watch?: Triple-option galore. Paul Johnson's offense has been a success in the ACC. The Yellow Jackets will pound you mercilessly, gaining seemingly impossible first downs and big plays. Not only can quarterback Josh Nesbitt run the ball with abandon, but he'll toss it up long too. Such a move never fails to startle a defense that has become so accustomed to looking for the run. With the great defense of Iowa, this could be a really interesting (albeit low-scoring) match up.

Why not to watch: Iowa offense. The good news for the Hawkeyes is that starter Ricky Stanzi is back after injury. The bad news: Stanzi is rather...well...inconsistent. Despite the four raised-from-the-dead, stunning fourth quarter comebacks this season, without with Iowa could be 6-6 instead of 10-2, Stanzi has been infuriating for some fans. His 14 interceptions often came in bunches (four in a quarter against Indiana).

Avoiding a repeat: The last time Iowa was in a BCS bowl was in the 2003 Orange Bowl. After going into halftime tied at 10 against USC (at that time an emerging power), the Hawkeyes were blitzed in the second half by Carson Palmer, allowing 28 points and falling 38-17.

The Pick: I've had a terrible run of picks this bowl season, and mostly it has been because I took the team with a seemingly unstoppable/superior offense. So this time, against my better judgement, I'm going to bank on the defense of Iowa.

Iowa 20, Georgia Tech 17

Score One For the Little Guys

2010-01-04T13:17:00.000-08:00

Fiesta Bowl
TCU vs. Boise State

It feels like we've done this before, doesn't it. Oh, right.

So it is a case of familiarity tonight when the Horned Frogs and Broncos meet up in the first BCS bowl ever to pit two non-BCS schools against each other. And to some therein lies the problem.

The whole argument forwarded by these two teams for the duration of the season was that they could play with the big boys. They proved it too, winning 12 games each, losing none, and against some thoroughly tough competition. The Broncos punched out (sorry, couldn't resist) Oregon, a Rose Bowl squad. TCU thumped and routed their way through the Mountain West--a top heavy conference, assuredly, but one that has done remarkably well during bowl season.

So why not, some argue, give these deserved teams a shot at the brand name teams? Why not let them ply their wares against the Gators, Buckeyes, Longhorns, or Crimson Tide?

Because that would make too much sense. And the BCS can't have that. In a way, though, the BCS actually got this one right. After all, it is up to the individual bowls to select their teams in rotating order (ie.Fiesta Bowl selected Boise State and TCU as the best available match up for them). Therefore, this game was not part of a grand conspiracy to deny the little guy a chance at the big time. Rather, the system has cooked up a contest that people will be interested in watching. In addition, if these teams are really as good as most people think they are, then the nation should be in for one hell of a night. After all, what tougher competition has TCU faced all season than the Broncos? The same can be said for Boise State's slate. Perhaps Oregon, but they have shown the ability to implode at times. But the Horned Frogs? Didn't lose.

Yet there is more for the viewers to feast on than the storyline of overlooked, forsaken underdogs. Here we have a tale of revenge, of desire, and a clash of odd uniform colors. Boise wants to atone for their collapse in last season's game. TCU wants to prove it really could play in a national championship game. Best team from Texas? Possibly.

It will be very hard even for Kellen Moore, superstar sophomore quarterback for Chris Peterson's Broncos, to overcome Gary Patterson's outstanding defense. Add to that the challenge of stopping Andrew Dalton and the high-flying Horned Frogs offense, and you got yourself one tough assignment.

The Pick: TCU 31, Boise State 17

One Down, One to Go? USC Basketball Faces the Music

2010-01-03T14:01:00.000-08:00

A move that many felt was a long time in coming finally came this morning. The University of Southern California imposed self-induced sanctions on itself, a decision stemming from the alleged improper benefits received by former star O.J. Mayo during the 2007-2008 season.

The surprise here is that USC lowered the boom itself, after several years of seemingly dodging the NCAA hammer of justice. According the an article in the Los Angeles Times, however, this is relatively standard procedure for schools facing the wrath of the NCAA. Could this possibly mean the the NCAA was finally close to coming to a conclusion with at least one facet of its investigation of wrongdoings at USC?

The penalties, including vacated wins, the return of money from a tournament appearance, and a postseason ban will go into effect immediately. The decision is even more disappointing for the Trojans considering that this season's team has done much better on the hard court than many could have expected.

A turbulent offseason that was witness to the resignation of Tim Floyd (a move more than likely related to the impending sanctions), the departure of key players, and the specter of an NCAA investigation hadn't translated onto the court. New coach Kevin O'Neill had his team playing very well, using suffocating defense and the timely arrival/return of key players to rip off an eight game winning streak. Now, with no chance at a conference tournament title or more, the Trojans will have to settle for personal glory and the role of a spoiler.

It is a black eye for a university with a proud athletic tradition, in both basketball and football, but it may not be the last USC hears from the NCAA. The football program has been under scrutiny for the last 4-5 years a s the result of allegations that former Heisman winner Reggie Bush also received improper benefits while playing for the Trojans. Few people involved with the case, much less Bush and head coach Pete Carroll, have said anything regarding the issue. Yet this recent move by the university could indicate that the NCAA is beginning to make progress in its investigations. Whether or not this is occuring on the football side of things has yet to be seen, but a recent court decision could clear the way for Carroll and Bush to give depositions that they appear to have been avoiding.

The results of the basketball investigation are a bad development for the Pac 10 conference as well. With teams struggling across the conference after massive defections to the NBA over the past 3-4 years, the prospects for NCAA berths appear to be at a nadir. USC's performance was reviving hopes that the conference could get anywhere from 3-4 teams in, but with the Trojans now unavailable, things don't look good from a national perspective.

For the Trojans, however, the most important thing is that it finally clears up the issues with the NCAA, however painful. This is the only way that the athletic department can move forward. Step one has been taken. There can be no doubt that step 2--clearing up the football issues--would be far more painful for the traditional gridiron power.

Eagles, Cowboys Face Off for NFC East Crown

2010-01-03T12:47:00.000-08:00

At roughly 4:15pm eastern time, the invasion will begin.

Both teams are in the playoffs, but there is much more at stake here. Not just a #2 seed, not just a division win, but a title. A chance to rub it in. A chance to exact revenge.

For the Eagles, it is a chance to stroll into Jerry Jones' modern-day kingdom and escape with a most-prized treasure. For Tony Romo, it is an opportunity to free himself of the ghosts of woulda, coulda, and shoulda that have plagued him for two seasons.

A year ago, the Cowboys strutted into Dallas needing a win to make the playoffs. They left with their tails between their legs after a merciless rout. Fast forward to today. The Eagles need a win in Dallas to clinch the division and steal the #2 seed. The Cowboys cannot get the #2 seed after the Vikings' win earlier, but a title would be just as sweet for a team barraged by reports of a "December jinx."

Donovan McNabb, DeSean Jackson and Brian Westbrook will be the Eagles' battering ram against the fortress of Cowboy Stadium. Romo, Roy Williams, and Jason Witten will be the counterattack.

With teams resting players for the playoffs or otherwise, it is a rare sight that Week 17 brings us a match up that football fans can really sink their teeth into. This is a true show-stopper in the making. Frenzied crowd, rivalry, revenge, glory and bragging rights are at stake.

There was similar buildup to last season's finale, but the Cowboys succeeded in deflating it with a spectacular implosion. That failure will no doubt be on their minds when they take the field today. For the Eagles, this is a chance to reclaim the glory of a season ago, and escape the House That Jones Built with his most valued possession--a win.

Give Me Liberty, Or...Actually Just Turn the TV Off

2010-01-02T12:40:00.000-08:00

Liberty Bowl
Arkansas vs. East Carolina

Why to watch?: Arkansas is going to score: that much is for sure. Michigan transfer Ryan Mallett has been a revelation, passing for over 3,400 yards and 29 touchdowns. How lethal is he? In a loss to Georgia, Mallet threw for 408 yards and 5 touchdowns. Coach Bobby Petrino isn't afraid to raise the tempo on offense. Skip Holtz's Pirates have been giant killers before, and the Razorbacks could be vulnerable enough on defense for the men in purple to pull the upset.

Why not to watch: The aforementioned Arkansas defense, which is terrible. The Razorbacks are ranked 90th in the country in total defense. Meanwhile, East Carolina has the embarrassment of a ridiculous pre-game fight on its mind. Two players got into a heated confrontation over a dessert at the pre-game banquet.

Running smoothly: East Carolina has a very balanced rushing attack. Senior Dominique Lindsay carries the bulk of the load, but four players have at least three rushing touchdowns.

The Pick: Arkansas 35, East Carolina 21

Cotton Bowl: Dissapointment Reigns Here. Plus, Pizza Bowl II

2010-01-01T23:45:00.000-08:00

Cotton Bowl
Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss

Why watch?: This has the potential to become a shootout, never a bad thing where bowls are concerned. If you're a Cowboys fan, this will be your last chance to catch Zac Robinson slinging the football down the field. The Rebels are here for the second straight year, and have very fond memories of last year's trip. In 2009, Jevan Snead and Co. thrashed the high flying Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Why not to watch: This could be termed the over-hyped, underwhelmed bowl. Both teams entered the season with top 10 billing and outside shots at a national title run. Yet before the month of September was out, both teams let that chance slip away. Oklahoma State was embarrassed at home in a loss to Houston, and then mailed in the rivalry game against the Sooners. Ole Miss didn't fare much better, getting stomped on the road in the Egg Bowl.

Dexter: the player, not the TV show: Ole Miss running back extraordinnaire Dexter McCluster is the spark plug of the rebel offense. He has run for 985 yards, accumulated 475 yards receiving, and even passed for 27 yards and a touchdown.

The Pick: Ole Miss 47, Oklahoma State 35

Papajohns.com Bowl
South Carolina vs. Connecticut

Why watch: Because after all Connecticut has been through this season, they deserve to have a little fun and support. And because when the Huskies are involved, the game often goes down to the wire.

Why not to watch: Because watching the Gamecock offense is like watching paint dry. And because Stephen Garcia is Steve Spurrier's quarterback. Because the game is named after a website. For pizza.

Double trouble: A pair of Huskies running backs, Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon, should be a load for the vaunted South Carolina defense.

The Pick: South Carolina 27, Connecticut 23

International Bowl: Boredom on a Global Scale

2010-01-01T23:31:00.000-08:00

International Bowl

South Florida vs. Northern Illinois

Why watch?: Ooooh. This one is tough. Following a tradition of great rushing attacks (remember Garrett Wolfe?), the Huskies have a pair of tough runners in the backfield. Chad Spann will be the featured back tomorrow, and has 19 rushing touchdowns on the season. The other half of the duo, Me'co Brown, will not be going to the International Bowl because of a "family issue," according to the Dekalb Daily Chronicle.

Why not to watch: Former South Florida do-everything quarterback Matt Groethe suffered a season-ending injury against Charleston Southern in the third game of the season, so the job has fallen to B.J. Daniels. Daniels' performance has been erratic.

Entering on a low note: Both teams have lost their last two games, so this game doesn't provide much in terms of intrigue.

The pick: South Florida 24, Northern Illinois 16

Tressel and Terrelle's Throws Are Oregon's Woes

2010-01-01T22:55:00.000-08:00

That didn't turn out quite like anyone expected.

Well, except for Jim Tressel. For once, he broke with everything that he stands for. He shook up his offense, liberated it from the strangling conservatism for which he is so well known, and let it run free on the wide open plains of Pasadena.

Oregon just stood and stared, both shocked and amazed. The Pryor they saw did not hold up to their prior expectations. Yes he ran, and ran well. He eluded, dashed, slithered and dove. But first, he threw.

And threw. And threw, threw, threw.

Tressel-ball evolved, and the new species was faster, stronger and more lethal. Pryor directed the field as if he were the conductor of a symphony, weaving a masterpiece of just-enough to top the Pac 10 champs. Where Oregon came up inches short, Ohio State strode a step beyond. Where the Ducks reach wasn't quite long enough, the Buckeyes grabbed the opportunity.

This was a different team than the one the nation saw stumbling in a haze against Purdue, slogging against USC, or struggling to overcome Navy. The nation was introduced to a quick, accurate, efficient Ohio State. The offense converted and the defense contained. Oregon's speed wasn't enough to counter the intelligence, organization, and physicality of Tressel's defense.

For a man and a program that has faced boatloads of criticism for its shortcomings, the Rose Bowl win must have felt like sweet vindication. The doubts, trepidations, and uncertainties that blossomed in Columbus after the routs against Florida and LSU evaporated in the cool southern California air. They were stomped asunder by Pryor's fleet feet and smashed by a defense's crushing blows.

With the win, Ohio State seemed to reclaim its place as one of the nation's perennial powers; a force to be reckoned with even outside of the Midwest. For a night, the slow, plodding and methodical Big Ten could parry the speed of one of the country's quickest, most potent offenses.

Just the way Tressel knew it would be.

Taking Stock: MEAC, Missouri Valley, Mountain West, Northeast

2010-01-01T16:13:00.000-08:00

Non-conference has wound down for college basketball teams around the country. For the big schools, that means no more cupcakes and fewer easy games as conference play begins. Some leagues have already started with conference play, but it is still early on. For mid-majors and smaller programs in Division I, that means more opportunities to play competition at their own level while gearing up for a drive at the NCAA tournament. Here's a look around each league as conference play gets set to churn into full gear, continuing with Part 5.

Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference

Team on a roll: Morgan State. The Bears have the best record in the conference, and have won three out of their last four games. Guard Reggie Holmes carries the bulk of the scoring load, with 24.8 points a game. The Bears already have a win at Coppin State, so they sit at 1-0 in the conference.

Team in a hole: Howard. The Bison are a miserable 1-12, and are coming off a 48-point loss to Saint Mary's. Howard has not had a winning record since 2001-2002, so at least this is nothing out of the ordinary.

Team with a goal: As the two seed in 2008-2009, South Carolina State was upset in the semifinals of the conference tournament. The program has improved in each of the past two years, and would like to peak at the turn of the New Year to make a run at the NCAA tournament. Jason Flagler and Darnell Porter lead the Bulldogs' balanced attack.

Missouri Valley Conference

Team on a roll: Fresh off a tournament appearance last season, Norther Iowa has won 9 game sin a row. The Panthers have lost only one game all season.

Team in a hole: Drake's magical season in 2007-2008 seems so long ago now. The Bulldogs sit at 5-8, with close losses in their last two game. Even worse: they lost by four at in-state rival Iowa.

Team with a goal: Missouri State sure doesn't look like the team that finished 10th in the conference in 2008-2009. Led by forward Kyle Weems, the Bears' only loss came in overtime against Arkansas. They sit at the top of the conference with an 11-1 record.

Mountain West

Team on a roll: BYU. The Cougars waltzed into the McKale center to face the Arizona Wildcats and walked out with a 30-point victory. The hot shooting of Jimmer Fredette was a large reason why. The junior guard had a school-record 49 points.

Team in a hole: The once-proud Utah Utes, national finalists in 1998, have lost three of their last four. With in-state rival BYU looking strong entering conference play, the Utes will need to turn things around to have a shot at postseason play.

Team with a goal: San Diego State. The Aztecs have lost three road games thus far this season, but want to prove that they are no pushover. San Diego State relies on a balanced offensive attack that boasts four scorers in double-figures. Forward Kawhi Leonard anchors the front line, averaging over 9 rebounds a game.

Northeast Conference

Team on a roll: Sacred Heart. The Pioneers have won 6 out of their last 7 games, and sit at 1-0 in the league with a win over conference foe Monmouth.

Team in a hole: Bryant. The Bulldogs have yet to win a game. They made a move to Division 1 in 2007, and will become eligible for postseason play in 2012, which is good because they aren't coming close this season.

Team with a goal: Last season's conference tournament runner up, Mount Saint Mary's, was within two points of an NCAA tournament berth. The Mountaineers aren't in great shape, with only three wins, but have played a brutal schedule and could be hardened for a second try at the conference crown.

Florida, Cincy Square Off in Tim Tebow Bowl

2010-01-01T13:03:00.000-08:00

Sugar Bowl
Florida vs. Cincinnati

Why watch?: You might have heard, but this is Tim Tebow's last game as a Florida Gator. Expect tomorrow to be declared a national day of mourning. In all seriousness, he's a classy kid, and was great for college football. He'll likely be on a roll tonight against a mediocre Bearcats defense. The storylines are up to the roof for this one. Brian Kelly departing for Notre Dame after leading a school that is always second fiddle to Ohio State to an undefeated season. Urban Meyer stepping down...then not...the sort of taking leave. There should be a lot of offense in this one with Florida's defense not looking so hot against Alabama in the SEC Championship game.

Why not to watch: This one many not be that close. Florida will be amped up, despite the disappointment of missing the national title game. Cincinnati is still adjusting to life without it's successful head coach, and doesn't have the defenders to match up with Florida's multi-faceted scheme. The Gators could run away with this one. Let's hope the Bearcats surprise the country.

One of the greatest?: Tebow has won a Heisman Trophy, been a finalist three times total, won two national championships, and played in 3 BCS games in four years. What a player. He is a polarizing figure, but fans can't deny that he has been very, very good.

War of the Roses

2010-01-01T12:42:00.000-08:00

Rose Bowl
Oregon vs. Ohio State

Why watch?: Outside of the National Championship game, this might be the best bowl game of the season. The key word for this one? Contrast. Chip Kelly's dynamic and free-wheeling Oregon offense will go up against the methodical, conservative Ohio State attack. Behind center are two talented quarterbacks. Jeremiah Masoli: undersized, quick, better on the run, and most importantly, clutch. Terrelle Pryor: potential, big arm, shifty feet. The Buckeyes undoubtedly have the edge on defense, and will have had a long time to prepare for the diverse Oregon attack, while the Ducks are slightly more porous on the other side of the ball.

Why not watch: If you hate good schools playing each other in the most traditional of bowl games in one of the greatest stadiums in America in front of nearly 100,000 people on a sunny New Year's Day, this game is not for you.

Now you see him...: Defensive linemen hate Oregon running back LaMichael James. The speedster is an expert at disappearing behind linemen before re-appearing 50 yards up the field just a few seconds later. In replacing LeGarrette Blount at the start of the season, James has excelled, rushing for 14 touchdowns and breaking the will of opponents across the Pac 10.

The Pick: Oregon 27, Ohio State 24

Bowl Viewers Distracted by Cravings for Chik-fil-A

2009-12-31T00:28:00.000-08:00

Chik-fil-A Bowl
Tennessee vs. Virginia Tech

Why watch?: This is easily the best match up of the day. The Chik-fil-A Bowl brings us a savory treat of two big-name football schools clashing in the last game of 2009. Keep an eye on running back Ryan Williams of Virginia Tech, who has broken out as a star as a true freshman. For the Volunteers, the defense relies upon the leadership and general awesomeness of safety Eric Berry, who was getting some attention for Heisman at the beginning of the season.

Why not to watch: Can't give any good reasons here, especially after the games we'll all be subjected to earlier in the day. Perhaps a battle of two inconsistent quarterbacks would suffice to scare some away, although the much maligned Tennessee QB Johnathan Crompton has rebounded from a dreadful start to regain competence. Tyrod Taylor, for his part, remained maddeningly erratic at times this season, though he has only thrown four interceptions on the year.

Kicking themselves: Volunteers place kicker Daniel Lincoln may be the weak link against a traditionally strong special teams unit coached by Frank Beamer. Lincoln has missed 5 out of 6 field goals attempted between 40-49 yards, meaning his range is severely limited. That could make the difference in what should be a close game.

The Pick: Virginia Tech 24, Tennessee 21

Insight Into Mediocrity

2009-12-31T00:17:00.000-08:00

Insight Bowl
Minnesota vs. Iowa State

Why watch: Iowa State has been a relatively miserable program in recent years, going 2-10 just a season ago, so it's nice to see them in a bowl game. Minnesota quarterback Adam Weber has shown flashes of potential, so tonight could be a breakout performance. And if nothing else, a multitude of traveling Iowa State fans will add some atmosphere.

Why not to watch: 6-6 syndrome plagues this game. Someone will exit with a losing record. This means that neither team is really very good. Add to that the fact that the player with the biggest star potential, Golden Gophers wide receiver Eric Decker, is out with an injury, and we could have one unwatchable bowl game on our hands. Still, tune in. Someone has to watch.

Third time's a charm?: This will be Minnesota's third trip to the Insight Bowl in the last four years. The last two didn't go so well for Tim Brewster's club. The Gophers lost 44-41 to Texas Tech in 2006 and were routed 42-21 by Kansas in 2008.

The Pick: Minnesota 20, Iowa State 13

Catch a Tiger by the Triple-Option

2009-12-31T00:05:00.000-08:00

Texas Bowl
Navy vs. Missouri

Why watch: Navy runs an always intriguing triple-option run offense, led by quarterback Ricky Dobbs. Mizzou is led by super-sophomore Blaine Gabbert, who has picked up right where the departed Chase Daniel left off, churning out yards and scores in Gary Pinkel's offense. Navy will run, and run, and run some more to control the game, but when Dobbs does throw it, he'll likely aim for sophomore Marcus Curry. Curry has caught three of the five passing touchdowns for Navy this season.

Why not to watch: Missouri feels a bit wronged to be here, missing out on their place in the Insight Bowl despite finishing higher than Iowa State in the Big XII standings.

...and run some more: With Dobbs out for an October 24 game against Wake Forest, head coach Ken Niamatulolo decided to keep the ball on the ground. Navy did not attempt a single pass in the game, the second year in a row they pulled off that feat. They won both games.

The Pick: Navy 31, Missouri 27

Toby Gerhat, Meet Rejuvenated Sooner Defense

2009-12-30T22:18:00.000-08:00

Sun Bowl
Stanford vs. Oklahoma

Why watch: Toby Gerhart was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy, so you know he's pretty good. The star running back is a bruiser with deceptive quickness who has been a nightmare for all opposing defenses. Speaking of defenses, Oklahoma's has to feel good about itself after pitching a shutout against hated rivals Oklahoma State in the final game of the regular season.

Why not to watch: Missing quarterbacks. Exciting young quarterback Andrew Luck will more than likely miss the game, though there is some speculation that he may see the field. His injury puts Tavita Pritchard in the starting role, one he is accustomed to. After all, he was the architect of Stanford's unbelievable 2007 upset over USC. On the other side, Landry Jones has done a mostly reliable job as Bob Stoops' signal caller, but there is no doubt that Sam Bradford, out for the season with a shoulder injury, would have created a lot more interest for this game.

At his best against the best: In games against Stanford's toughest competition, Gerhart was nearly invincible. In a four game stretch to close the season against Oregon, USC, Cal and Notre Dame, Gerhart scored 3, 3, 4, and 3 touchdowns, respectively.

The Pick: Oklahoma 28, Stanford 24

Off We Go Into the Wild Armed Forces Bowl

2009-12-30T22:02:00.000-08:00

Armed Forces Bowl
Air Force vs. Houston

Why watch: Oh baby, have we got some offense for you. Let these numbers from Houston quarterback Case Keenum.

5,449 yards passing
43 touchdowns, 9 INT

And oh boy, do we have some defense to sink our collective teeth into. Check this out: Air Force has not allowed more than 23 points to an opponent all season. Sounds fun, no?

Why not to watch: If you don't like rushing football, tune out when Air Force takes the ball. With the Cougars' dangerous passing attack, it is likely that the Falcons will try to wear down the clock with a prolonged ground assault. Air Force ended the regular season as the third best rushing team in the nation, and with Houston's weakness on defense, this game could be closer than some expect.

More Case Keenum: Sorry, the stats are just too crazy to ignore.Keenum has thrown for 101 touchdown passes in his career. Air Force's quarterbacks have combined for 11 in their careers.

Haven't I Seen You Somewhere Before? Houston beat Air Force in last year's Armed Forces Bowl, 34-28. The Falcons have lost two in a row in this bowl game. Expect a third.

The Pick (Granted, 0-4 in the last 4 games isn't promising. But for what it's worth): Houston 38, Air Force 28

Now That Was Nebraska Football

2009-12-30T20:29:00.000-08:00

That wasn't the Holiday Bowl.

That was a smackdown.

That was a turn-back-the-clock game. Those were the Blackshirts. That was a Cornhuskers team from the past, and yet a team of the future.

In Bo Pelini, there was a bit of Tom Osborne. In Zac Lee, there was a bit of (dare I say it?) Tommy Frazier, or at the least Eric Crouch. In Ndamukong Suh, there was a dash of Jason Peter. And in the Nebraska Cornhuskers, there were reflections of 1990's dominance.

But these Cornhuskers were also a beacon of hope for this program. This game a sign of greater things to come. Of contention, of conference championships, of reclaimed national prominence.

Arizona never even had a chance. Not from the first play of the game. Not from the second. Never were they in a rhythm. The defense couldn't rest, the offense couldn't move, and the coaches couldn't adjust.

Nebraska was just that good. And not just the all-world defense, which was as advertised, possibly better. The offense even joined the party, with Zac Lee launching a late bomb down the sideline to seal Arizona's fate. Beaten by the double move, the Wildcat corner slipped and fell, crashing down to the soaked ground, beaten as the triumphant Cornhusker rocketed into the endzone.

33-0.

It was one of the most dominating, suffocating defensive performances this Nebraska program has seen in years. Possibly one of the best defensive efforts of this dying decade. It had been the trend for the entire season, but more than any other game, tonight marked the resurrection of the Blackshirt tradition.

It was as if the rain and fury cleansed the program of the Callahan era. Gone are the embarrassing losses, the hideous score lines, and the disgruntled fan base, at least for now. Bo Pelini has this program on the right track, and if tonight was any indication, the Big XII may have to brace for another wave of dominance on the plains.

Taking Stock: Horizon, Ivy, MAAC, MAC

2009-12-30T16:58:00.000-08:00

Non-conference has wound down for most college basketball teams around the country. For the big schools, that means no more cupcakes and fewer easy games as conference play begins. Some leagues have already started with conference play, but it is still early on. For mid-majors and smaller programs in Division I, that means more opportunities to play competition at their own level while gearing up for a drive at the NCAA tournament. Here's a look around each league as conference play gets set to churn into full gear, continuing with Part 4.

Horizon League

Team on a roll: Loyola (IL) is coming off 6 straight wins. Though they already have a loss in conference play (to Green Bay), the Ramblers are hoping that their hot streak can pay off after a tough season a year ago (14-18).

Team in a hole: Butler entered the season with high expectations, a tough schedule, and national pedigree. While Brad Stevens' club hasn't been a total letdown, they haven't done themselves any favors, with three losses to big six competition (Minnesota, Georgetown, Clemson). Though Butler remains ranked (inexplicably) in the ESPN/USA Today poll, they won't stay there long with their current form.

Team with a goal: During one stretch, Wisconsin-Green Bay won 9 out of 10 games. At the tail end of that run, they defeated in-state rivals and traditional power Wisconsin in Green Bay. The Phoenix have struggled recently, but their 10-4 record and improvement over the last three seasons indicates that a challenge for the conference title may not be too far away.

Ivy League

Team on a roll: Cornell has been on top of the league for the past two seasons. They won the automatic bid in 2007 and 2008, and look to be on their way to a third straight. The Big Red have a series of notable wins: Alabama, Massachusetts, St. Joseph's, Davidson, and St. John's. Forward Ryan Wittman is the talisman, having led the team in scoring each of the last three years.

Team in a hole: In their first season under Glen Miller, Penn went 22-9 in 2006-2007 and made the NCAA tournament. That seems like a long time ago now with the Quakers winless so far. Miller was fired on December 14, and things don't look like they will turn around very quickly for a program that, along with Princeton, was a dominant force in the league for the past decade.

Team with a goal: Former Michigan coach Tommy Amaker has had Harvard basketball trending upwards for the past two seasons. Now the Crimson are 8-3, with a win over Boston College and a close loss to Connecticut. They could pose a viable threat to Cornell and Princeton at the top of the league.

Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference

Team on a roll: The Sienna Saints made the NCAA tournament a season ago, beating Ohio State in the first round, a year after ousting Vanderbilt. The Saints are on top of their game again this season, led by senior swingman Edwin Ubiles, a veteran with enough tournament savvy to guide his team back for a third straight time.

Team in a hole: Marist is not having a good season. One look at the 0-10 record will tell you that much. The Red Foxes lost a closer-than-expected game at Rutgers to start the season, and it's pretty much been downhill since.

Team with a goal: Niagara lost in the MAAC conference tournament title a year ago, and are hungry for another shot at Sienna. With a balanced attack that includes five scorers with double figures averages, the Purple Eagles appear to have the personnel to reach the tournament for the first time since 2007.

Mid-American Conference

Team on a roll: Akron, fresh off an NCAA tournament appearance in 2008-2009, is off to another good start under head coach Keith Dambrot. The Zips haven't challenged themselves much in non-conference play, but have reeled off 9 wins in their last 10.

Team in a hole: Miami Ohio was nearly the toast of the college basketball world, coming within a buzzer beating John Wall jump shot of upsetting Kentucky. Their 3-9 start is most likely indicative of an extremely tough schedule, which has brought them losses to the Wildcats, Dayton, Temple, Cincinnati, and Xavier.

Team with a goal: Once the toast of the conference, Kent State ceded the title to the Zips a season ago. They don't plan on letting it slip away this time around, and are getting hot heading into conference play. Coach Geno Ford and his team have won three straight games, and are led by standout forward Justin Greene.

Did He Just Say That?

2009-12-30T14:52:00.000-08:00

And the winner for funniest sports quote of the day is Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley, speaking out about his team's slim post season chances entering the last week of the NFL regular season.

The Steelers need some help from both New England and Cincinnati, both of whom have clinched playoff berths already and thus have little incentive to play their starters in match ups with Houston and New York, respectively. With a win, the Jets would clinch an AFC playoff berth, leaving the defending Super Bowl champions out in the cold.

It is likely that the Patriots and Bengals will not want to risk injury to their starters, and may follow the Colts' lead by pulling their starters after halftime. This is something that Woodley, who smells a conspiracy afoot, simply cannot stand for:

"All of them lay down," Woodley said Wednesday. "No one wants to see Pittsburgh in it. That's just how it is. Everybody knows we're a dangerous team once we get into the playoffs, no matter how we played the whole year. Once we get into the playoffs, the Pittsburgh Steelers is a playoff team."

Let's read that again, a little more closely, and you'll see why this is funny. (Emphasis mine)

"Everybody knows we're a dangerous team once we get into the playoffs, no matter how we played the whole year. Once we get into the playoffs, the Pittsburgh Steelers is a playoff team."

How about that? One must assume that he was aiming for some sort of tried and true cliche, something along the lines of: this team is built to succeed in the playoffs. Or: if we get into the playoffs, everyone knows that we will be a hard team to beat because of our battle-tested quarterback. Whatever he meant, I don't think it came out the way he wanted to. Who knew that if the Steelers make the playoffs, Pittsburgh will be a playoff team?

All kidding aside, this statement once again brings to light a contentious issue: should NFL teams be allowed to rest their best players in preparation for the playoffs when the games still matter for other teams? The knee-jerk reaction would be no. Every game should count, and should be played on an equal level. If the Jets beat a depleted Bengals team, they will have clinched a playoff spot with two easier-than-they-should-have-been victories over resting teams. Is that fair? Definitely not, especially when so much is at stake for a franchise like Houston--who has never even been to the playoffs.

There is another side to the argument (as there often is). Teams that have done well enough to reach the playoffs have every right to be looking ahead and planning for future success. There is a popular saying now that teams like the Colts have "earned the right" to rest their players, but that is a hard notion to buy into. What about the fans that paid money to park, buy food, and see the game? How much did they spend to see Curtis Painter under center and a chance at an undefeated season slipping out the window?

As for the Steelers, it is hard to be too sympathetic. This has been a great franchise over the past decade, with two Super Bowl wins in the last three years. But Pittsburgh lost five consecutive games from Week 10 to Week 14. Three of those losses came against woeful teams: the Raiders (at home), Chiefs and Browns. The champs really have no one to blame but themselves. In addition, the Steelers don't seem to strike anyone (Ravens, Browns and Eagles fans aside) as a particularly vilified franchise. Hints at a league wide conspiracy against the black and yellow are surely overdone.

So before Mr. Woodley goes about blaming other teams for his team's potential playoff-less end, perhaps he should look at the losses in Cleveland, Kansas City, and Baltimore and realize where it all got away.