Did not even notice that Darrell Rasner was replaced today in the starting rotation by Dan Giese. Although Rasner was initially sent to the bullpen for long relief, the uncertainty of Joba Chamberlain's "sore right shoulder" may open another rotation spot. Ian Kennedy may get the call and should based on his 4-0 record with an ERA of 1.33 in his last four starts.
Joe Girardi was worried about Kennedy's ability to throw strikes. He may have no other choice than to face the demons Saturday in Anaheim.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Favre Conversation Continues
The 9:15 P.M. ET Mike McCarthy press conference never happened tonight, extending the Brett Favre saga one more day as the Packers and Favre continue to discuss his role with the team.
It is not correct to even write "discuss his role with the team" and tonight's extended deadline is just another example of the distance between the two sides. Favre, as it has been well documented, wants to play in Green Bay as the starting quarterback. The Packers want their Hall of Fame quarterback to be in Mississippi throwing to high schoolers and watching the NFL on his big screen television.
The Packers cannot and will not win. They will either have an "open competition" between Favre and Aaron Rogers or they will trade Favre. If they trade him the organization will be forced to trade within the NFC North since Favre continues to refuse to speak with any team outside of the division.
If the competition takes place, and if it is a fair competition, then there is no way Rogers will take over for Favre as quarterback. Based on what he did last year on the field no one can argue that a 17th season will be productive for the future Hall of Famer. Add a serious chip to his shoulder after being told that he was not welcome in the only place he knows, Brett Favre will have an amazing training came and win the starter job.
Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy are handcuffed. Play the old man and risk losing the kid emotionally and physically when his contract expires in 2010. Play the kid and risk losing games, player's confidence in the quarterback and management, and be held responsible for ending Favre's consecutive game streak.
Another key factor is that lack of experience Rogers has as a quarterback. Besides a game last season where he took over for Favre against Dallas, number 12 has lined up behind center and attempted only 31 career passes. Sure the numbers looked great against Dallas, 20-28 218 yards and a touchdown, but no one can guarantee how the fourth year player will perform over an entire season.
Thus its simple. Play to win, play the gunslinger.
It is not correct to even write "discuss his role with the team" and tonight's extended deadline is just another example of the distance between the two sides. Favre, as it has been well documented, wants to play in Green Bay as the starting quarterback. The Packers want their Hall of Fame quarterback to be in Mississippi throwing to high schoolers and watching the NFL on his big screen television.
The Packers cannot and will not win. They will either have an "open competition" between Favre and Aaron Rogers or they will trade Favre. If they trade him the organization will be forced to trade within the NFC North since Favre continues to refuse to speak with any team outside of the division.
If the competition takes place, and if it is a fair competition, then there is no way Rogers will take over for Favre as quarterback. Based on what he did last year on the field no one can argue that a 17th season will be productive for the future Hall of Famer. Add a serious chip to his shoulder after being told that he was not welcome in the only place he knows, Brett Favre will have an amazing training came and win the starter job.
Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy are handcuffed. Play the old man and risk losing the kid emotionally and physically when his contract expires in 2010. Play the kid and risk losing games, player's confidence in the quarterback and management, and be held responsible for ending Favre's consecutive game streak.
Another key factor is that lack of experience Rogers has as a quarterback. Besides a game last season where he took over for Favre against Dallas, number 12 has lined up behind center and attempted only 31 career passes. Sure the numbers looked great against Dallas, 20-28 218 yards and a touchdown, but no one can guarantee how the fourth year player will perform over an entire season.
Thus its simple. Play to win, play the gunslinger.
August Heats Up
Been away and really busy recently so unfortunately I have not been able to write as much as I would like to.
Moments ago Joba Chamberlain had to leave his start against the Texas Rangers, pointing to his shoulder as Manager Joe Girardi and the Yankee trainer joined Chamberlain on the mound. Yankee fans are praying right now that is nothing and Joba will be on the mound in five days. Chances are, serious or not, Chamberlain's next start will be taken by another member of the Yankee organization as Brian Cashman will not want to risk additional damage.
After yesterday's game it appeared that Darrell Rasner would lose his spot in the rotation to Ian Kennedy. Kennedy has pitched well for the Scranton Yankees and is still looking to regain his form that he showed last September, but after Chamberlain's early exit it appears Rasner will remain and Kennedy will take over for Joba.
Moments ago Joba Chamberlain had to leave his start against the Texas Rangers, pointing to his shoulder as Manager Joe Girardi and the Yankee trainer joined Chamberlain on the mound. Yankee fans are praying right now that is nothing and Joba will be on the mound in five days. Chances are, serious or not, Chamberlain's next start will be taken by another member of the Yankee organization as Brian Cashman will not want to risk additional damage.
After yesterday's game it appeared that Darrell Rasner would lose his spot in the rotation to Ian Kennedy. Kennedy has pitched well for the Scranton Yankees and is still looking to regain his form that he showed last September, but after Chamberlain's early exit it appears Rasner will remain and Kennedy will take over for Joba.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Yankees Search for Options
With the loss of Chien-Ming Wang until at least September 1, the New York Yankees start the search for a way reach the playoffs for the 14th straight year without their ace and winner of 46 games in 2 years and 2 months. The first man given the chance to keep the Empire's head above water seems to be journeyman Dan Giese.
Giese cannot be expected to be the inning eater that Wang is nor can anyone expect Giese to be as dominate as Wang pitches during the regular season. No one can doubt Wang's ability to be a number one starter for the Yankees during the season, it is the playoffs that is another story, and no one will fill those shoes for the Bronx Bombers.
What Giese can provide the Yankees is someone who will go out to the mound and throw strikes. He should try and pitch with the same approach he has used throughout his career in AAA, get through at least the fifth inning, and hope that the Yankees offense can carry him to victories. If he cannot do the job, Brian Cashman will be searching for other answers.
Ian Kennedy should be coming off the disabled list within the next two or three weeks and has to be the Yankees first option after Giese. Although his struggles so far this season have been well documented, Kennedy has shown the ability to pitch at the major league level by going 1-0 with a 1.89 ERA in three starts last September.
If Kennedy's return is slowed, and Giese does not get the job done, the Yankees may also look at the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Kei Igawa's name will always appear when the Yankees are searching for pitching because of his salary, but Igawa's lack of command on a fastball that tops out around 90 should be evidence enough that he has zero future in the Bronx. Sadly for Yankee fans Cashman has not realized Igawa's lack of ability at the highest level.
Other options include...
- Jeffrey Marquez: 6-7 4.69 ERA in 14 starts for Scranton (AAA)
- Daniel McCutchen: 1-4 3.62 ERA in 5 starts for Scranton (AAA)
- Alan Horne: 2-0 3.44 ERA in 4 starts for Scranton (AAA)
- James Jones: 8-2 2.30 ERA in 13 starts for Trenton (AA)
- Chase Wright: 6-1 2.56 ERA in 10 starts for Trenton (AA)
Defense Wins Championships
An old cliche rings true once again as the Boston Celtics won the 17th championship in franchise history last night while dismantling the Los Angeles Lakers 131-92.
The Celtics pulled away from the Lakers in the 2nd quarter led by their big three who combined for 69 points, over half of the champion's total, without playing much of the final quarter.
Despite the 131 points Tuesday night, the Celtics can credit their team defense for another banner to hang from an already crowded rafter section. League MVP Kobe Bryant struggled to have any open looks and finished the game with 22 points on 7-22 shooting with only one assist and three rebounds.
From the opening tip Bryant was smothered by defenders. After hitting a fade-away three early in the first quarter, his third of the game, the MVP could not find any separation. Doc Rivers continued to switch different defenders on Bryant hoping that he would get tired and it appeared he did as Kobe pressed and finished with four turnovers.
With the return of Kendrick Perkins the Celtics dominated the offensive and defensive glass, out-rebounding the Celtics 48-29. They also had 18 steals led by the "weakness" of the Celtics starting five Rajon Rando who finished with six steals.
At the end of the night it was the MVP flying across country without the ring many felt would validate his status with the Michael Jordan's of the league. Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and the rest of their undesirable players found a way to get it done let by incompetent head coach Doc Rivers. They did it with defense and found a way to stop the best player in the universe.
The Celtics pulled away from the Lakers in the 2nd quarter led by their big three who combined for 69 points, over half of the champion's total, without playing much of the final quarter.
Despite the 131 points Tuesday night, the Celtics can credit their team defense for another banner to hang from an already crowded rafter section. League MVP Kobe Bryant struggled to have any open looks and finished the game with 22 points on 7-22 shooting with only one assist and three rebounds.
From the opening tip Bryant was smothered by defenders. After hitting a fade-away three early in the first quarter, his third of the game, the MVP could not find any separation. Doc Rivers continued to switch different defenders on Bryant hoping that he would get tired and it appeared he did as Kobe pressed and finished with four turnovers.
With the return of Kendrick Perkins the Celtics dominated the offensive and defensive glass, out-rebounding the Celtics 48-29. They also had 18 steals led by the "weakness" of the Celtics starting five Rajon Rando who finished with six steals.
At the end of the night it was the MVP flying across country without the ring many felt would validate his status with the Michael Jordan's of the league. Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and the rest of their undesirable players found a way to get it done let by incompetent head coach Doc Rivers. They did it with defense and found a way to stop the best player in the universe.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Stern's Fantasy Comes True
David Stern could not have scripted it any better last night in
From the opening tip the Lakers, looking to even the series 2-2, seemed to have complete control over the Celtics. Lamar Odom, who slept through the first three games, started the game 7-7 from the field. League MVP Kobe Bryant did not even take a shot through the entire first half.
With the first half winding down, the Celtics seemed to have life before a Jordan Farmar three pointed that banked off the glass. At that moment it seemed like the Lakers were destined to even the series.
But
Although many have been critical towards Bryant over his relationship with his teammates, this was not the game to allow his teammates to run the show.
Instead the Celtics suffocated the Lakers and now lead the series 3-1. No team in NBA finals history has ever overcome such a disadvantage and the way the Lakers are playing they do not appear to be the first.
Odom played great in the first half but faded as the game went along. Gasol continued to struggle to do anything but dunk the basketball as even his lay-up is not always a guarantee.
Quick thoughts…
How long does it take a Vick to get into trouble? Well now Marcus Vick is back in the news for being arrested on DUI charges and eluding police. It is sad to me that such great athletes never found the right people to guide them.
Joba Chamberlain starts his third game for the Yankees tonight and is allowed to throw up to 95 pitches. The Yankees desperately need to string together a couple of wins and it can start tonight with Joba. If the Yankees can get more than five games above .500 heading into the All-Star break, and if Ian Kennedy can regain his form from last September, the Yankees will be fine.
Tiger may be able to compete with his injured knee, but he will not be able to win with it. Finishing second at the Masters with this knee problem is impressive as well as returning so soon, but even Tiger can’t beat professionals on one leg… I think.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Mussina Belongs in Cooperstown
PREFACE: I wrote this article last week after Mike Mussina had defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 5-1. Since then Mussina has faced the Kansas City Royals on Monday June 9th. The Yankees lost 3-2 but not because of Mussina who did not earn a decision in the game. His final line read as follows:
8 IP; 7 H; 2 R; 2 ER; 3 SO; 1 BB; 1 HR
This outing lowered the Moose's ERA to 3.82 and he will now work for his tenth victory of the season Saturday at Houston...
The debate over whether New York Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina is a Hall of Famer may have just turned into an argument. The 39-year-old, who turns 40 after the season in December, won for the ninth time so far in the 2008 season last night, beating the Toronto Blue Jays 5-1.
Throwing 103 pitches, Mussina completed six innings while only allowing one earned run over five hits. He walked one while striking out six and earning the eighth win in his last nine starts, including a string of three straight victories.
The win is Mussina’s 259th which puts him in 39th place on the all time wins list, during his 18 year career that has seen multiple honors and awards. A few of the major recognitions include:
· Six Gold Gloves
· Five-time All-Star
· 16 straight seasons with at least 10 wins (the only pitcher in American League history to accomplish such a feat)
· Two appearances on the Most Valuable Player ballot
· Eight appearances on the Cy Young Award ballot, finishing second, fourth (2), fifth (3), and sixth (2)
· Nine trips to the postseason
· 2,702 strikeouts (21st all time)
Even with all of the awards, recognitions, and statistics, coming into the 2008 season many experts thought that Mussina was on the outside looking in with regards to the Hall of Fame. They pointed at his lack of a 20-win season, the fact he was still below the 300-win threshold, his three one-hitters and one two-hitter instead of a perfect game or no-hitter, and his lack of a World Series ring or Cy Young title, or MVP title as reasons not to vote him into Cooperstown.
But as the steroid era appears to be ending and home run totals drop, the numbers in order to receive a vote into the Hall also needs to drop. There is a very good chance that no one becomes the 24th pitcher to win 300 games for a long time. Randy Johnson has the best chance as of now with 288 wins.
A player, both in the field and on the mound, needs to be evaluated by examining their longevity and dominance over an era. Numbers will also remain an important part of baseball lore, but they should not be the only indication of a Hall of Fame player.
Without a doubt, Mussina passes the longevity test. Eighteen years as a Major League pitcher including double digit wins in sixteen of those years. This season Mussina should reach at least ten wins again, unless an injury ends his season in the next couple of days.
When examining his dominance over the league throughout his career, Mussina can point at an ERA that stayed within the top five of the league eight times. He has led the league in wins only once during his career (1995 with the Orioles), but fourth among active players and has six top five finishes. The Moose has also finished the season in the top five in strikeouts seven times during his career. In numerous other categories Mussina ranks in the top ten or better multiple times (for a complete list visit http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/mussimi01.shtml)
Some analysts may say that even with the start that Mussina has had for this 2008 season, a 20-win season and/or a World Series ring is the only way Mussina can be elected to the Hall of Fame. That statement is wrong and if that is the case expect very few pitchers reaching Cooperstown for the next 20 years until a new cycle of voters arrive.
Mike Mussina is, without a doubt, a future member of the Hall of Fame. Twenty wins this season, which is very likely when remembering that the Yankee offense should only improve throughout the season, may elect him the first time his name appears on the ballot.
8 IP; 7 H; 2 R; 2 ER; 3 SO; 1 BB; 1 HR
This outing lowered the Moose's ERA to 3.82 and he will now work for his tenth victory of the season Saturday at Houston...
The debate over whether New York Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina is a Hall of Famer may have just turned into an argument. The 39-year-old, who turns 40 after the season in December, won for the ninth time so far in the 2008 season last night, beating the Toronto Blue Jays 5-1.
Throwing 103 pitches, Mussina completed six innings while only allowing one earned run over five hits. He walked one while striking out six and earning the eighth win in his last nine starts, including a string of three straight victories.
The win is Mussina’s 259th which puts him in 39th place on the all time wins list, during his 18 year career that has seen multiple honors and awards. A few of the major recognitions include:
· Six Gold Gloves
· Five-time All-Star
· 16 straight seasons with at least 10 wins (the only pitcher in American League history to accomplish such a feat)
· Two appearances on the Most Valuable Player ballot
· Eight appearances on the Cy Young Award ballot, finishing second, fourth (2), fifth (3), and sixth (2)
· Nine trips to the postseason
· 2,702 strikeouts (21st all time)
Even with all of the awards, recognitions, and statistics, coming into the 2008 season many experts thought that Mussina was on the outside looking in with regards to the Hall of Fame. They pointed at his lack of a 20-win season, the fact he was still below the 300-win threshold, his three one-hitters and one two-hitter instead of a perfect game or no-hitter, and his lack of a World Series ring or Cy Young title, or MVP title as reasons not to vote him into Cooperstown.
But as the steroid era appears to be ending and home run totals drop, the numbers in order to receive a vote into the Hall also needs to drop. There is a very good chance that no one becomes the 24th pitcher to win 300 games for a long time. Randy Johnson has the best chance as of now with 288 wins.
A player, both in the field and on the mound, needs to be evaluated by examining their longevity and dominance over an era. Numbers will also remain an important part of baseball lore, but they should not be the only indication of a Hall of Fame player.
Without a doubt, Mussina passes the longevity test. Eighteen years as a Major League pitcher including double digit wins in sixteen of those years. This season Mussina should reach at least ten wins again, unless an injury ends his season in the next couple of days.
When examining his dominance over the league throughout his career, Mussina can point at an ERA that stayed within the top five of the league eight times. He has led the league in wins only once during his career (1995 with the Orioles), but fourth among active players and has six top five finishes. The Moose has also finished the season in the top five in strikeouts seven times during his career. In numerous other categories Mussina ranks in the top ten or better multiple times (for a complete list visit http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/mussimi01.shtml)
Some analysts may say that even with the start that Mussina has had for this 2008 season, a 20-win season and/or a World Series ring is the only way Mussina can be elected to the Hall of Fame. That statement is wrong and if that is the case expect very few pitchers reaching Cooperstown for the next 20 years until a new cycle of voters arrive.
Mike Mussina is, without a doubt, a future member of the Hall of Fame. Twenty wins this season, which is very likely when remembering that the Yankee offense should only improve throughout the season, may elect him the first time his name appears on the ballot.
Monday, February 18, 2008
February 18, 2008
Today, for the first time in my life, I watched more than twenty laps of a NASCAR race. Every year my friend and I seem to have a talk about how we need to get into the sport that has been tagged at the most popular American sport. Coming home from my Alpha Tau Omega fraternity meeting this afternoon I decided I was going to sit in front of my television and join the crowd.
I must admit that I am very impressed by what I watched today. I believe I heard that there was only one caution the first 150 laps followed by what seemed like hours of watching the drivers go 60 MPH as cautions dominated the final portion of the race.
At the same time, I was excited from beginning to end. Early in the race it was all about positioning as each driver tried to lead a lap for the five bonus points in the standings. Obviously by the end of the race it was about winning the Super Bowl of NASCAR.
Now that I have watched one race and am suddenly an expert, I have one major statement to make: Dale Earnhardt Jr. lost the race on his own. Why would you not pit when everyone else was doing so? I have heard all about the miscommunication between his crew and himself, but this is the biggest race of the year. There should not be any miscommunication. Would Dale Sr. have had this problem? I don't think so.
Just a few other thoughts about the day in sports...
-Defense did not exist in the NBA All-Star game tonight and it is better for the fans that way. It was fun to watch some of the best athletes in the world play a game of pick-up basketball. The players were out there having fun, rooting for each other and provided a show that was a better game than I expected.
-Wake Forest beating Duke was a step in the right direction for this bubble team, but their work is far from over. Right now Wake sits at 16-8 and 6-5 in the ACC but will need at least two more regular season wins and at least one win in the ACC tournament to have a shot. My prediction: They'll finish the season 3-2 and make the tournament.
-OJ Mayo is overrated. Ten turnovers in the biggest game of his career to date to go along with four points? Of course, he will leave USC after this season and be a lottery pick but I think it is a big mistake. His numbers are good for the season, but another year of college would serve him well. By the way, does anyone else think Tim Floyd looks like an alcoholic who just found out his wife is leaving him for his best friend? His hair is a mess, his shirt is barely tucked in and he just looks like he would rather be anywhere but coaching Southern Cal.
-One final note. When did David West start averaging 19.8 and 9.2? This was the shocker of the night.
I must admit that I am very impressed by what I watched today. I believe I heard that there was only one caution the first 150 laps followed by what seemed like hours of watching the drivers go 60 MPH as cautions dominated the final portion of the race.
At the same time, I was excited from beginning to end. Early in the race it was all about positioning as each driver tried to lead a lap for the five bonus points in the standings. Obviously by the end of the race it was about winning the Super Bowl of NASCAR.
Now that I have watched one race and am suddenly an expert, I have one major statement to make: Dale Earnhardt Jr. lost the race on his own. Why would you not pit when everyone else was doing so? I have heard all about the miscommunication between his crew and himself, but this is the biggest race of the year. There should not be any miscommunication. Would Dale Sr. have had this problem? I don't think so.
Just a few other thoughts about the day in sports...
-Defense did not exist in the NBA All-Star game tonight and it is better for the fans that way. It was fun to watch some of the best athletes in the world play a game of pick-up basketball. The players were out there having fun, rooting for each other and provided a show that was a better game than I expected.
-Wake Forest beating Duke was a step in the right direction for this bubble team, but their work is far from over. Right now Wake sits at 16-8 and 6-5 in the ACC but will need at least two more regular season wins and at least one win in the ACC tournament to have a shot. My prediction: They'll finish the season 3-2 and make the tournament.
-OJ Mayo is overrated. Ten turnovers in the biggest game of his career to date to go along with four points? Of course, he will leave USC after this season and be a lottery pick but I think it is a big mistake. His numbers are good for the season, but another year of college would serve him well. By the way, does anyone else think Tim Floyd looks like an alcoholic who just found out his wife is leaving him for his best friend? His hair is a mess, his shirt is barely tucked in and he just looks like he would rather be anywhere but coaching Southern Cal.
-One final note. When did David West start averaging 19.8 and 9.2? This was the shocker of the night.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Welcome to the Blizzard
My name is Jack McAuley and I want to be a sports journalist. Some may consider this a childhood dream and they are right, but at the same time, I know that this is what I am supposed to do for a living. I am currently a junior at James Madison University and write for the school paper. The school paper is great experience, but does not allow me to write about any subject I would like to and thus The Sports Blizzard will be my forum to express these thoughts.
This blog is going to come in many formats. I may write articles on one particular subject or game, or I may just discuss many thoughts within one entry. Feel free to email me at mcaulejp@gmail.com with thoughts or if you just want to discuss something I wrote.
I am constantly reading books, magazines, newspapers, and online writing about anything within the world of sports. I'll try to offer some links along the way if I find anything interesting. One of my favorite writer, Bill Simmons of ESPN.com, always provides his readers with interesting clips, readings, and ideas so hopefully I will borrow some of his styles and ideas and make this a fun blog to read.
This first blog was more of an introduction and sounded pretty corny in general so from here on out I'm just going to talk sports all the time. Hope you enjoy...
This blog is going to come in many formats. I may write articles on one particular subject or game, or I may just discuss many thoughts within one entry. Feel free to email me at mcaulejp@gmail.com with thoughts or if you just want to discuss something I wrote.
I am constantly reading books, magazines, newspapers, and online writing about anything within the world of sports. I'll try to offer some links along the way if I find anything interesting. One of my favorite writer, Bill Simmons of ESPN.com, always provides his readers with interesting clips, readings, and ideas so hopefully I will borrow some of his styles and ideas and make this a fun blog to read.
This first blog was more of an introduction and sounded pretty corny in general so from here on out I'm just going to talk sports all the time. Hope you enjoy...
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