One thing's for sure. The Detroit Pistons will look a lot different next year. They'll have a new head coach in Maurice Cheeks, and three new "draftees", notably first round pick Kentavius Caldwell Pope.
Whether any of the draftees actually makes the team remains to be seen, but it's a pretty safe bet at least Pope will stick, at least for a year or two. After all, even if it turns out he doesn't have what it takes to play with the big boys, no NBA team (and in this case -- Pistons Prez Joe Dumars) wants the egg on their face that would come with admitting their first round pick was a bust. Then again, Pope could become the next Dwyane Wade. Stranger things have happened. Hey, once upon a time, over lunch, the sports editor of this paper asked an idiot like yours truly to write for him -- and he was buying!!! So anything's possible.
Further, the above mentioned Joe D went out and snatched former Atlanta Hawk and free agent Josh Smith. This will likely give the Pistons some much-needed scoring help from the "wing". Plus Smith can be a force in the paint at times. Combine him with Detroit's young big men Greg Munroe and Andre Drummond, and this is a significant team upgrade.
In a surprise of sorts, the well-travelled Chauncey Billups is returning to the Pistons as well. Billups will be 37 before the next season gets underway. How much gas he still has left in his tank also remains to be seen, but this could well be a win-win-win situation. In the twilight of his career, Billups likely wanted to return to the team where he experienced his glory years, including winning an NBA title almost a decade ago. The Pistons only gave him a 2-year contract, which sounds prudent and, at that, they've only committed about $5 million to Billups. Sure, that's a ton of money to us normal folks, but it's a bargain basement price in the insane world of professional athlete contracts these days. Besides, Billups will likely contribute a few quality minutes here and there, and having him on the team to "coach up" young point guard Brandon Knight certainly can't hurt.
How all this will come together under new coach Cheeks would seem to be the big question. It would appear the Pistons will be better than they've been in recent years past, but that's not saying a whole lot -- because they've been terrible. So bad, in fact, that a great deal of their former loyal fan base has deserted them. Despite all their gimmicks and promotions, the only time the Pistons can come close to filling their own house (the Palace) is when a premier team comes to town. And those fans are there to see the OTHER guys. Who's kidding who?
Nevertheless, here's wishing Mo, Josh, Mr. Big Shot, the newbies, and the rest of the crew with another year of experience under their belts the best of luck.
If it all comes together right, the Pistons could make the playoffs.
But let's get real. Even if Cheeks gets things to mesh perfectly, and the players perform at their best all year long -- does anybody really seriously think the Pistons will be capable of competing with the current elite teams in the NBA?
I think not, but right now they have nowhere to go but up.
What they have done is a start. It certainly appears "on paper" that they will be better.
We'll see.
Yet in the improbable case they post a record similar to or even worse than last year -- I hope Joe D is either ready to retire or has his job resume in order.
Because if THAT happens -- well -- even nice guys and home town legends have been known to be kicked to the curb on occasion. Such is the cutthroat world of pro sports. It's a business, and even a fine man like Dumars doesn't get a pass forever.
Let's not forget that while Dumars should be given all due credit for building the Pistons into a perennial powerhouse a decade ago, he was also the same man in the same position as that same team has descended into bottom feeders over the last several years. It works both ways.
Idle thought: Why has Joe Dumars become so fat over the last few years? What's up with that? I've heard of eating bad contracts, but this is ridiculous.
Friday, July 12, 2013
Jim Leyland goes berserk
In yesterday's game against the Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers' manager Jim Leyland did something yours truly has never seen before. And I've watched major league baseball for a very long time.
A little background. Likely to no one's great surprise, Tigers' super-slugger Miguel Cabrera hit yet another home run. The very next pitch to the very next batter -- one Prince Fielder -- was high and tight. A little chin music, as they say. Maybe it was intentional -- maybe not -- but even if so, such "ploys", if you will, have been a part of major league baseball since forever. Leyland gestured in protest from the dugout.
Well OK, you just knew a little pay-back was going to come around, because it's always worked that way as well. Sure enough, in the very next inning, the Tiger pitcher threw a ball behind a White Sox batter. And then the trouble started. The batter took a few steps towards the mound, both dugouts emptied, and even the guys in the bullpen came trotting into the potential fray.
After the original perceived wrong had been "avenged", the whole thing probably would have died down in a couple minutes, but evidently a blood vessel had popped somewhere between Jim Leyland's ears. Not only did he charge onto the field, but he launched into a tirade with the umpire crew over what had happened. Granted, this is nothing new for major league baseball managers. Over the years, we've seen many of them throw childish fits and engage in antics we would normally expect of a rich, spoiled, 7-year-old bratty kid on steroids being told "no". Or maybe a member of Congress. A parting shot about that later.
At any rate, whatever Leyland said got him ejected from the game. "Yer outta here", said an ump. After a while, Leyland finally stormed off the field.
At that point in time, by rule, Leyland's not even allowed to stay in his own dugout, let alone return to the field of play. It is mandatory that, once given the heave-ho and, having left the field of play, a manager (or player) must retire to the clubhouse/locker room located beneath the stands in the bowels of the stadium.
Yet a scant few minutes later, Leyland charged onto the field again to rant some more. And at THAT point in time -- he crossed a line. A big red one. Leyland was exhibiting not only a lack of personal control and professionalism, but utter contempt for the umpires and the game of baseball itself. Eventually, he left the field again.
Incredibly, a short while later, he did it yet a THIRD time. This sort of behavior is WAY over the line and borders on lunacy.
It's hard to say what, if anything, major league baseball will do after they've talked to the umps and reviewed the tapes of what happened, but if they don't smack Leyland hard for his actions, then they have nobody to blame but themselves when the next manager or player feels "enabled" to spit in the face of the game.
In my opinion, Leyland should be suspended for at least 10 games, with that portion of his salary donated to charity. Further, he should not be allowed any contact whatsoever with the Tigers during this period. In other words, no hanging out in the clubhouse, or anywhere else in the stadium(s). This would send a message to those that might consider trying such a stunt in the future. Respect the game, or pay a heavy price. If Commissioner Bud Selig and his henchmen REALLY wanted to send a strong message, as part of his punishment, they could ban Leyland from managing the All-Star game which is coming up soon. Now THAT would be an attention getter. Can you imagine how the media would run with that? It would be a feeding frenzy with Leyland being the bloody piece of meat in piranha infested waters -- but I betcha nobody else would try what he did again.
For that matter, it's about time major league baseball started reeling in these managers that occasionally make a mockery of the game with their childish hissy-fits. If a manager wishes to dispute a call on the field with un umpire, then fine. Dispute it, but do it like an adult -- not a berserk 3rd grader. The final ruling will likely be the same, but which do you think an umpire might be more receptive to? A raving lunatic in his face, or a thoughtful argument pointing out a perceived wrong?
If an attorney pulled such outrageous stunts in a courtroom, they'd quickly find their butts in jail for contempt of court. No judge wouldn't tolerate it. Nor should they. Is it asking too much for baseball people to adhere to the same standards of professionalism? It's bad enough they spit tobacco and bubble gum juice all over "turf" fields (somebody has to clean that up), and such things as sunflower seeds all over the dugouts. When frustrated, they can break bats, smash coolers, and chuck Gatorade every which way. I'm even OK with their age-old tradition of scratching their nether regions for some mysterious reason. But dammit -- there's certain lines that aren't supposed to be crossed. And Leyland trampled all over them. It's ironic that he purports to be an old-schooler, then turns around and disrespects the game in such a way.
Oh yeah. The Congress thing. While manning the podium at the US Senate, majority leader Harry Reid of Nevada issued a startling revelation to his "illustrious" Senate brethen. It might fairly be assumed a US Senator spends a lot of time in Washington DC in the course of their job. When referring to the major league baseball team that plays it's home games just down the road -- Reid thought they (the Washington Nationals) were called the National Mets.
And you wonder why this country has so many problems?
I think Reid should be suspended as well -- for felonious cluelessness. Lock him in a room with Leyland for a couple weeks. In the interest of fairness, throw speaker of the house John Boehner in there too. One TV. One remote. Close the door and let them all slug it out. Methinks when they emerged, maybe all three of them would have undergone an epiphany, and start acting right.
Couldn't hurt. Just a thought.
A little background. Likely to no one's great surprise, Tigers' super-slugger Miguel Cabrera hit yet another home run. The very next pitch to the very next batter -- one Prince Fielder -- was high and tight. A little chin music, as they say. Maybe it was intentional -- maybe not -- but even if so, such "ploys", if you will, have been a part of major league baseball since forever. Leyland gestured in protest from the dugout.
Well OK, you just knew a little pay-back was going to come around, because it's always worked that way as well. Sure enough, in the very next inning, the Tiger pitcher threw a ball behind a White Sox batter. And then the trouble started. The batter took a few steps towards the mound, both dugouts emptied, and even the guys in the bullpen came trotting into the potential fray.
After the original perceived wrong had been "avenged", the whole thing probably would have died down in a couple minutes, but evidently a blood vessel had popped somewhere between Jim Leyland's ears. Not only did he charge onto the field, but he launched into a tirade with the umpire crew over what had happened. Granted, this is nothing new for major league baseball managers. Over the years, we've seen many of them throw childish fits and engage in antics we would normally expect of a rich, spoiled, 7-year-old bratty kid on steroids being told "no". Or maybe a member of Congress. A parting shot about that later.
At any rate, whatever Leyland said got him ejected from the game. "Yer outta here", said an ump. After a while, Leyland finally stormed off the field.
At that point in time, by rule, Leyland's not even allowed to stay in his own dugout, let alone return to the field of play. It is mandatory that, once given the heave-ho and, having left the field of play, a manager (or player) must retire to the clubhouse/locker room located beneath the stands in the bowels of the stadium.
Yet a scant few minutes later, Leyland charged onto the field again to rant some more. And at THAT point in time -- he crossed a line. A big red one. Leyland was exhibiting not only a lack of personal control and professionalism, but utter contempt for the umpires and the game of baseball itself. Eventually, he left the field again.
Incredibly, a short while later, he did it yet a THIRD time. This sort of behavior is WAY over the line and borders on lunacy.
It's hard to say what, if anything, major league baseball will do after they've talked to the umps and reviewed the tapes of what happened, but if they don't smack Leyland hard for his actions, then they have nobody to blame but themselves when the next manager or player feels "enabled" to spit in the face of the game.
In my opinion, Leyland should be suspended for at least 10 games, with that portion of his salary donated to charity. Further, he should not be allowed any contact whatsoever with the Tigers during this period. In other words, no hanging out in the clubhouse, or anywhere else in the stadium(s). This would send a message to those that might consider trying such a stunt in the future. Respect the game, or pay a heavy price. If Commissioner Bud Selig and his henchmen REALLY wanted to send a strong message, as part of his punishment, they could ban Leyland from managing the All-Star game which is coming up soon. Now THAT would be an attention getter. Can you imagine how the media would run with that? It would be a feeding frenzy with Leyland being the bloody piece of meat in piranha infested waters -- but I betcha nobody else would try what he did again.
For that matter, it's about time major league baseball started reeling in these managers that occasionally make a mockery of the game with their childish hissy-fits. If a manager wishes to dispute a call on the field with un umpire, then fine. Dispute it, but do it like an adult -- not a berserk 3rd grader. The final ruling will likely be the same, but which do you think an umpire might be more receptive to? A raving lunatic in his face, or a thoughtful argument pointing out a perceived wrong?
If an attorney pulled such outrageous stunts in a courtroom, they'd quickly find their butts in jail for contempt of court. No judge wouldn't tolerate it. Nor should they. Is it asking too much for baseball people to adhere to the same standards of professionalism? It's bad enough they spit tobacco and bubble gum juice all over "turf" fields (somebody has to clean that up), and such things as sunflower seeds all over the dugouts. When frustrated, they can break bats, smash coolers, and chuck Gatorade every which way. I'm even OK with their age-old tradition of scratching their nether regions for some mysterious reason. But dammit -- there's certain lines that aren't supposed to be crossed. And Leyland trampled all over them. It's ironic that he purports to be an old-schooler, then turns around and disrespects the game in such a way.
Oh yeah. The Congress thing. While manning the podium at the US Senate, majority leader Harry Reid of Nevada issued a startling revelation to his "illustrious" Senate brethen. It might fairly be assumed a US Senator spends a lot of time in Washington DC in the course of their job. When referring to the major league baseball team that plays it's home games just down the road -- Reid thought they (the Washington Nationals) were called the National Mets.
And you wonder why this country has so many problems?
I think Reid should be suspended as well -- for felonious cluelessness. Lock him in a room with Leyland for a couple weeks. In the interest of fairness, throw speaker of the house John Boehner in there too. One TV. One remote. Close the door and let them all slug it out. Methinks when they emerged, maybe all three of them would have undergone an epiphany, and start acting right.
Couldn't hurt. Just a thought.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Major League Baseball's paranoia
And so the witch hunt continues. It's almost like the offices of Major League Baseball have sunk into their own version of the 1936 film Reefer Madness. That flick was originally intended to warn young people of the perils of cannabis (marijuana) use, but was so outrageously "over the line" with it's portrayals of how the "demon weed" would cause people to rape, loot, pillage, murder, and eventually go totally insane, that it eventually became a cult classic. Nowadays, people look back at it and laugh like they would watching a 3 Stooges routine.
Maybe someday our descendants will look back and laugh at what Major League Baseball is doing right now -- but for the time being, it is decidedly not funny. In fact, it appears to be nothing short of an all-out persecution, vendetta, inquisition, crusades, jihad, purge, ethnic cleansing, holy war -- take your pick.
In it's never-ending quest for blood, justice, payback (again take your pick) over the whole steroids and other PEDs fiasco a while back, MLB is trying suspend a whole slew of players for very long stretches of time. Their dirty laundry list consists of any players they can tie to the now defunct Biogenesis, a company that advertised itself as an "anti-aging clinic". And oh, by the way, allegedly did a little business on the side selling a few dubious goodies to professional athletes.
Evidently, while MLB has found a way to not only access the files of Biogenesis, it wouldn't be much of a stretch to assume Bud Selig's henchmen are also rooting around in emails, phone logs, texts, and have coerced such companies as FedEx and UPS to cough up their shipping records to various addresses they deem relevant.
And now -- surprise!! -- the players they want to implicate aren't willing to talk to MLB. Well, guess what? They'd be crazy if they did. MLB has assumed the role of prosecutors trying to revive "cold cases". Innocent or guilty -- what accused person in his/her right mind would sit down and have a chat with the people that are on a mission to destroy their lives over a "crime" they may or may not have committed several years ago?
What's even more outrageous is at the time some of these "offenses" allegedly occurred, there was no law on the books saying such things were illegal. Worse yet -- the league itself didn't even have rules against it. Yet now MLB wants to go back in time to punish those they have deemed "wrongdoers". Well gee. While they're at it -- why not dig up my dad and give him 40 lashes for the way he used to blister my behind when I got out of line? People frown at that sort of behavior too these days.
Methinks by continuing this steroid witchhunt, MLB is acting like the cops still trying to find Jimmy Hoffa. People need closure, they say. What they fail to realize in their one-track mindset is there will NEVER be closure as long as these zealots keep ripping the scabs off the wounds of the innocent people that are trying to put such things behind them and get on with lives, for no other reason than to say they "closed a case".
Like Hoffa, PEDs don't matter anymore. Despite all the huffing and puffing by some that apparently have nothing better to do -- we'll never know for sure the full extent of either. Why not just move on?
By most accounts, players are tested so often these days for "banned substances" that the chances of anyone being "dirty", at least for very long, is minimal, at best. They'll get busted.
So what's the point in going after ghosts of the past?
Oh wait. Of course. I almost forgot. MLB threw all it's mighty resources at the likes of Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens in two very high profile trials. These were their "poster children". The worst of the worst, they should be made examples of, and duly punished. Oops. Despite all the king's horses, and all the king's legal eagles, Selig's boys couldn't convict either one of them of any kind of substance abuse. Millions upon millions of baseball dollars were devoted to this mission, but in the end, they crashed and burned. The defendants walked.
But now yours truly suspects that, like a typical cop or prosecutor that has been frustrated with their initial efforts, MLB is pissed. No Viagra will be necessary for these guys. They've already got a raging, um, attitude going on. Somebody's going to get screwed somewhere.
To all of which I say -- settle down boys. Let it go. It's over. Or at least it will be if you'll quit with the Hoffa routine and let baseball fans return to the game they love.
Maybe someday our descendants will look back and laugh at what Major League Baseball is doing right now -- but for the time being, it is decidedly not funny. In fact, it appears to be nothing short of an all-out persecution, vendetta, inquisition, crusades, jihad, purge, ethnic cleansing, holy war -- take your pick.
In it's never-ending quest for blood, justice, payback (again take your pick) over the whole steroids and other PEDs fiasco a while back, MLB is trying suspend a whole slew of players for very long stretches of time. Their dirty laundry list consists of any players they can tie to the now defunct Biogenesis, a company that advertised itself as an "anti-aging clinic". And oh, by the way, allegedly did a little business on the side selling a few dubious goodies to professional athletes.
Evidently, while MLB has found a way to not only access the files of Biogenesis, it wouldn't be much of a stretch to assume Bud Selig's henchmen are also rooting around in emails, phone logs, texts, and have coerced such companies as FedEx and UPS to cough up their shipping records to various addresses they deem relevant.
And now -- surprise!! -- the players they want to implicate aren't willing to talk to MLB. Well, guess what? They'd be crazy if they did. MLB has assumed the role of prosecutors trying to revive "cold cases". Innocent or guilty -- what accused person in his/her right mind would sit down and have a chat with the people that are on a mission to destroy their lives over a "crime" they may or may not have committed several years ago?
What's even more outrageous is at the time some of these "offenses" allegedly occurred, there was no law on the books saying such things were illegal. Worse yet -- the league itself didn't even have rules against it. Yet now MLB wants to go back in time to punish those they have deemed "wrongdoers". Well gee. While they're at it -- why not dig up my dad and give him 40 lashes for the way he used to blister my behind when I got out of line? People frown at that sort of behavior too these days.
Methinks by continuing this steroid witchhunt, MLB is acting like the cops still trying to find Jimmy Hoffa. People need closure, they say. What they fail to realize in their one-track mindset is there will NEVER be closure as long as these zealots keep ripping the scabs off the wounds of the innocent people that are trying to put such things behind them and get on with lives, for no other reason than to say they "closed a case".
Like Hoffa, PEDs don't matter anymore. Despite all the huffing and puffing by some that apparently have nothing better to do -- we'll never know for sure the full extent of either. Why not just move on?
By most accounts, players are tested so often these days for "banned substances" that the chances of anyone being "dirty", at least for very long, is minimal, at best. They'll get busted.
So what's the point in going after ghosts of the past?
Oh wait. Of course. I almost forgot. MLB threw all it's mighty resources at the likes of Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens in two very high profile trials. These were their "poster children". The worst of the worst, they should be made examples of, and duly punished. Oops. Despite all the king's horses, and all the king's legal eagles, Selig's boys couldn't convict either one of them of any kind of substance abuse. Millions upon millions of baseball dollars were devoted to this mission, but in the end, they crashed and burned. The defendants walked.
But now yours truly suspects that, like a typical cop or prosecutor that has been frustrated with their initial efforts, MLB is pissed. No Viagra will be necessary for these guys. They've already got a raging, um, attitude going on. Somebody's going to get screwed somewhere.
To all of which I say -- settle down boys. Let it go. It's over. Or at least it will be if you'll quit with the Hoffa routine and let baseball fans return to the game they love.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Alex Rios, hats, and Justin Verlander
The platinum sombrero. Ever heard that baseball term before? Me neither, but then I didn't know Miguel Cabrera had donated his entire Detroit Tigers contract to bring Twinkies back to the shelves. Just kidding about Cabrera, but yes, the iconic Hostess products will be coming our way again soon. Forget the wheel, sliced bread, automobile, and cellphones -- cupcakes, Twinkies, and Susie Qs are necessary for the human species to survive. I suppose hohos have their place, and might very well be delicious, but I've never personally sampled such a product. Ahem. Where was I?
Oh yeah. Alex Rios. Back in 2009, when Rios was still a Toronto Blue Jay, he came up to bat 5 times in a game against the Los Angeles Angels -- and struck out all five times. Evidently, this is known as the platinum sombrero. Why a precious metal would be associated with such a miserable performance is beyond me -- but there's a lot of things I don't understand about baseball. Like why does every home-plate umpire seem to have a different "strike-zone"? Shouldn't it be the same for everybody? And what's up with the foul poles being in fair territory? I dunno.
At any rate, Rios, now a member of the Chicago White Sox, obviously changed hats in last night's game against the Detroit Tigers. Everything Cy Young winner Justin Verlander threw up to the plate was getting rocketed all over the park by Rios. Indeed, Rios went 6 for 6 in his at-bats as the ChiSox were routing the Tigers. Wear a sombrero one day, and a crown another day. Funny how that works out in baseball sometimes.
At that, one is left to ponder the current Justin Verlander. Certainly the Fastball Flakes man is still a terrific pitcher, but with a 9-6 record this year, he hardly seems his former dominating self. Yours truly has a theory why this is happening.
Yes, Verlander can still bring the "heater" at close to 100 MPH whenever he feels like it, and hitters still have a hard time catching up with it. But let's not forget -- these are major league hitters were talking about, and if the only thing a pitcher has going is a fastball -- those hitters will adjust their timing, speed it up a tad, and they'll be all over it the second and third time through the batting order. A great pitcher needs other pitches to compliment his arsenal. Verlander had -- and has them -- hence his success in recent years.
In this day and age, pitchers do a lot of homework studying opposing batters' tendencies and trying to identify their weak spots. Conversely, no doubt hitters spend an equal amount of time watching tape of an opposing pitcher they're about to face. It works both ways.
And from what I've seen lately, it appears opposing hitters are sitting on Verlander's off-speed pitches. Sure, those pitches still dive into, or even out of the strike zone -- but if a guy's watched enough tape -- and that's what he's waiting on -- chances are good he's going to hit the ball hard somewhere.
Yes, once in a while, you'll see one of Verlander's 98-100 MPH fastballs go 400+ feet the other way for a home run -- but not too often. He's been mostly getting banged around with his breaking stuff. The other guys are looking for it because they know JV won't throw a fastball every time. And even if he did, as mentioned above, that wouldn't work for very long.
So what's the solution for Verlander? Beats the hell out of me. I'm still trying to get my mind around how his teammate and a former journeyman pitcher like Max Scherzer suddenly turned into Roger Clemens.
No wonder I like the NFL so much better. Like women -- I understand completely what is going on at all times.
Well -- maybe.
Sort of?
Once every 10 guesses?
Hmmm. Nevermind.
Oh yeah. Alex Rios. Back in 2009, when Rios was still a Toronto Blue Jay, he came up to bat 5 times in a game against the Los Angeles Angels -- and struck out all five times. Evidently, this is known as the platinum sombrero. Why a precious metal would be associated with such a miserable performance is beyond me -- but there's a lot of things I don't understand about baseball. Like why does every home-plate umpire seem to have a different "strike-zone"? Shouldn't it be the same for everybody? And what's up with the foul poles being in fair territory? I dunno.
At any rate, Rios, now a member of the Chicago White Sox, obviously changed hats in last night's game against the Detroit Tigers. Everything Cy Young winner Justin Verlander threw up to the plate was getting rocketed all over the park by Rios. Indeed, Rios went 6 for 6 in his at-bats as the ChiSox were routing the Tigers. Wear a sombrero one day, and a crown another day. Funny how that works out in baseball sometimes.
At that, one is left to ponder the current Justin Verlander. Certainly the Fastball Flakes man is still a terrific pitcher, but with a 9-6 record this year, he hardly seems his former dominating self. Yours truly has a theory why this is happening.
Yes, Verlander can still bring the "heater" at close to 100 MPH whenever he feels like it, and hitters still have a hard time catching up with it. But let's not forget -- these are major league hitters were talking about, and if the only thing a pitcher has going is a fastball -- those hitters will adjust their timing, speed it up a tad, and they'll be all over it the second and third time through the batting order. A great pitcher needs other pitches to compliment his arsenal. Verlander had -- and has them -- hence his success in recent years.
In this day and age, pitchers do a lot of homework studying opposing batters' tendencies and trying to identify their weak spots. Conversely, no doubt hitters spend an equal amount of time watching tape of an opposing pitcher they're about to face. It works both ways.
And from what I've seen lately, it appears opposing hitters are sitting on Verlander's off-speed pitches. Sure, those pitches still dive into, or even out of the strike zone -- but if a guy's watched enough tape -- and that's what he's waiting on -- chances are good he's going to hit the ball hard somewhere.
Yes, once in a while, you'll see one of Verlander's 98-100 MPH fastballs go 400+ feet the other way for a home run -- but not too often. He's been mostly getting banged around with his breaking stuff. The other guys are looking for it because they know JV won't throw a fastball every time. And even if he did, as mentioned above, that wouldn't work for very long.
So what's the solution for Verlander? Beats the hell out of me. I'm still trying to get my mind around how his teammate and a former journeyman pitcher like Max Scherzer suddenly turned into Roger Clemens.
No wonder I like the NFL so much better. Like women -- I understand completely what is going on at all times.
Well -- maybe.
Sort of?
Once every 10 guesses?
Hmmm. Nevermind.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Rainouts. There's a better way
While watching the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians play a game in the rain (yes, even an international super-stud like yours truly has his boring days), I had an epiphany.
They've had this thing wrong all along.
Any baseball fan knows that after 5 innings are completed, a major league game is "official". After that point, if the game can't be completed for any reason, it's still going down in the record books as a win for one team and a loss for the other. Whether this was caused by an earthquake, a tsunami, the plague, locusts, nuclear war, or Bieber and Shaq holding hands while parachuting naked into the stadium singing two-part harmony to the banana boat song on their Mr. Microphones, it doesn't matter. Dayo-schmayo, the game's still over. (Just a thought, but given a choice, I'd rather take my chances with the nukes than be in the stadium if the BS combo came floating down from the sky in their birthday suits).
Thing is -- what about the games that don't make it to 5 complete innings? It's happened hundreds, if not thousand of times over the years. Theoretically, if a game has gone 4 and two thirds innings, and Mother Nature decides to turn on some serious waterworks and throw a few lightning bolts around -- that game could be stopped, and never finished that day/night. It's not official yet.
Despite all the pitches thrown, possible hits, strike-outs, walks, errors, home-runs, RBIs, stolen bases, any runs scored, plays made in the field, etc., etc., it's like it never happened. It all gets erased. And that's just wrong.
There's a variety of ways these games can be "made up", or maybe not if it's toward the end of the season and replaying the game wouldn't matter either way to either team. That's happened too. But the vast majority of the time, the MLB braintrust, excuse the oxymoron if you're so inclined, will find a way to squeeze it in.
As mentioned above, the problem with the whole scenario is they start the game over from the beginning. Wouldn't it seem to make a lot more sense to continue the game from where it left off the last time around?
Consider: It would consist of less total innings, hence less wear and tear on the players. Good or bad, the stats they put up when the game originally started would still count -- as they should. More importantly, the score of the original game would reappear. If a team was ahead 10-0 after 3 innings before the rain came or the tectonic plates beneath the stadium suddenly shifted -- why should they have to start a rematch at 0-0? That's not fair.
It's even conceivably possible that erasing the stats from the start of the previous game could have implications on the record books. What if a hitter had a couple hits nullified and came up one percentage point shy of winning the batting crown at the end of the season? Not likely -- but stranger things have happened. Ya never know.
Regardless, if you're at a game, keep an eye out for the Big Aristotle and his dweeby little Canadian buddy. Ya never know when they might drop in either.
Not that I'm a big fan of such things, but that's the best argument for domed stadiums I can think of.
Hi special J. Get better soon. The kids miss you. Me too.
They've had this thing wrong all along.
Any baseball fan knows that after 5 innings are completed, a major league game is "official". After that point, if the game can't be completed for any reason, it's still going down in the record books as a win for one team and a loss for the other. Whether this was caused by an earthquake, a tsunami, the plague, locusts, nuclear war, or Bieber and Shaq holding hands while parachuting naked into the stadium singing two-part harmony to the banana boat song on their Mr. Microphones, it doesn't matter. Dayo-schmayo, the game's still over. (Just a thought, but given a choice, I'd rather take my chances with the nukes than be in the stadium if the BS combo came floating down from the sky in their birthday suits).
Thing is -- what about the games that don't make it to 5 complete innings? It's happened hundreds, if not thousand of times over the years. Theoretically, if a game has gone 4 and two thirds innings, and Mother Nature decides to turn on some serious waterworks and throw a few lightning bolts around -- that game could be stopped, and never finished that day/night. It's not official yet.
Despite all the pitches thrown, possible hits, strike-outs, walks, errors, home-runs, RBIs, stolen bases, any runs scored, plays made in the field, etc., etc., it's like it never happened. It all gets erased. And that's just wrong.
There's a variety of ways these games can be "made up", or maybe not if it's toward the end of the season and replaying the game wouldn't matter either way to either team. That's happened too. But the vast majority of the time, the MLB braintrust, excuse the oxymoron if you're so inclined, will find a way to squeeze it in.
As mentioned above, the problem with the whole scenario is they start the game over from the beginning. Wouldn't it seem to make a lot more sense to continue the game from where it left off the last time around?
Consider: It would consist of less total innings, hence less wear and tear on the players. Good or bad, the stats they put up when the game originally started would still count -- as they should. More importantly, the score of the original game would reappear. If a team was ahead 10-0 after 3 innings before the rain came or the tectonic plates beneath the stadium suddenly shifted -- why should they have to start a rematch at 0-0? That's not fair.
It's even conceivably possible that erasing the stats from the start of the previous game could have implications on the record books. What if a hitter had a couple hits nullified and came up one percentage point shy of winning the batting crown at the end of the season? Not likely -- but stranger things have happened. Ya never know.
Regardless, if you're at a game, keep an eye out for the Big Aristotle and his dweeby little Canadian buddy. Ya never know when they might drop in either.
Not that I'm a big fan of such things, but that's the best argument for domed stadiums I can think of.
Hi special J. Get better soon. The kids miss you. Me too.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Jaws and Matthew Stafford
In a sort of "countdown" that perhaps former radio legend Casey Kasem would be proud of, Ron "Jaws" Jaworski has recently been ranking the current (projected) NFL starting quarterbacks on the 4-letter network.
He has Lions' QB Matthew Stafford rated at #16 -- pretty much smack dab in the middle of the pack. No doubt, some hard-core Lions' fans (and reporters) will scream foul, but Jaworski certainly appears to have done his homework. And let's not forget, Jaworski had a long career as a QB himself in the NFL. Before Brett Favre came along and put the record out of sight, Jaworski once held the mark for most consecutive games started by an NFL quarterback (both Mannings have since eclipsed his former record as well). He even made it to the Super Bowl once, before his Philadelphia Eagles succumbed to the Oakland Raiders -- but at least he GOT there. That's more than a lot of modern QBs can say these days, including Matthew Stafford. In short, Jaws has no axe to grind with anybody, and he certainly has the credentials to rate quarterbacks.
At that, Jaworski made some interesting points regarding Stafford. Yes, he has a strong arm, and yes, he's thrown for a lot of passing yards the last two seasons (over 5000 in 2011, and only a whisker shy at 4967 in 2012). But he's also led the NFL in passes attempted. That's likely due to the fact the Lions haven't had any semblance of a decent running game to compliment their passing attack. They HAVE to throw. It should have come as no great surprise that wide receiver superstar Calvin "Megatron" Johnson broke the all time record for most receiving yards in a year. When in doubt -- heave it in Calvin's direction. He'll go get it.
Jaws also pointed out that while Stafford was much more successful throwing the ball from the "shotgun" formation (roughly 83% of Lions' passing plays), he didn't fare nearly as well when he took the snap from under center on yet other passing plays. Further, Jaworski said (and showed tapes to back it up) Stafford had poor mechanics when it came to being a drop-back passer. Oftentimes Stafford could be seen as off balance, throwing off the wrong foot in desperation, appearing confused and/or panicky, and generally making bad decisions before cutting it loose into the defensive coverage that was going on downfield. Even a Megatron can't get them all. Hence, while Stafford has 80 career TD passes, he's also thrown 54 interceptions. This is not exactly a terrible ratio -- but it's hardly stellar either.
Matthew Stafford has four years of experience under his belt as a Detroit Lions' quarterback. His career QB rating stands at 82.8. Just about average.
Then again, he's never won a single playoff game, and his career record stands at a not-so-respectable 17-28.
Jaws had Stafford at #14 after the Lions posted a 10-6 record two years ago, before getting blown out by the New Orleans Saints in a playoff game. After the Lions went 4-12 last year, including losing their last 8 in a row, Stafford only dropped two spots to #16.
If anything, Jaworski was generous with his appraisal of the modern-day Georgia peach.
He has Lions' QB Matthew Stafford rated at #16 -- pretty much smack dab in the middle of the pack. No doubt, some hard-core Lions' fans (and reporters) will scream foul, but Jaworski certainly appears to have done his homework. And let's not forget, Jaworski had a long career as a QB himself in the NFL. Before Brett Favre came along and put the record out of sight, Jaworski once held the mark for most consecutive games started by an NFL quarterback (both Mannings have since eclipsed his former record as well). He even made it to the Super Bowl once, before his Philadelphia Eagles succumbed to the Oakland Raiders -- but at least he GOT there. That's more than a lot of modern QBs can say these days, including Matthew Stafford. In short, Jaws has no axe to grind with anybody, and he certainly has the credentials to rate quarterbacks.
At that, Jaworski made some interesting points regarding Stafford. Yes, he has a strong arm, and yes, he's thrown for a lot of passing yards the last two seasons (over 5000 in 2011, and only a whisker shy at 4967 in 2012). But he's also led the NFL in passes attempted. That's likely due to the fact the Lions haven't had any semblance of a decent running game to compliment their passing attack. They HAVE to throw. It should have come as no great surprise that wide receiver superstar Calvin "Megatron" Johnson broke the all time record for most receiving yards in a year. When in doubt -- heave it in Calvin's direction. He'll go get it.
Jaws also pointed out that while Stafford was much more successful throwing the ball from the "shotgun" formation (roughly 83% of Lions' passing plays), he didn't fare nearly as well when he took the snap from under center on yet other passing plays. Further, Jaworski said (and showed tapes to back it up) Stafford had poor mechanics when it came to being a drop-back passer. Oftentimes Stafford could be seen as off balance, throwing off the wrong foot in desperation, appearing confused and/or panicky, and generally making bad decisions before cutting it loose into the defensive coverage that was going on downfield. Even a Megatron can't get them all. Hence, while Stafford has 80 career TD passes, he's also thrown 54 interceptions. This is not exactly a terrible ratio -- but it's hardly stellar either.
Matthew Stafford has four years of experience under his belt as a Detroit Lions' quarterback. His career QB rating stands at 82.8. Just about average.
Then again, he's never won a single playoff game, and his career record stands at a not-so-respectable 17-28.
Jaws had Stafford at #14 after the Lions posted a 10-6 record two years ago, before getting blown out by the New Orleans Saints in a playoff game. After the Lions went 4-12 last year, including losing their last 8 in a row, Stafford only dropped two spots to #16.
If anything, Jaworski was generous with his appraisal of the modern-day Georgia peach.
All hail Andy Murray
Wow. Andy Murray is really something. In a spectacular display of tennis skills, Murray defeated Serb Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 to win the 2013 Gentlemen's Wimbledon Championship.
It wasn't exactly what one would normally consider a drubbing or a rout, but it was pretty convincing nonetheless. I doubt many foresaw Murray knocking off Djokovic in straight sets. After all, there's a reason, actually many of them, the Serb has been ranked #1 in the world for a while. He's an all-around fantastic player himself.
In the post-match on-court interviews, both men showed what class individuals they are. In my opinion, they exhibited a perfect blend of thank-yous, appreciation, grace, and humility. Gentlemen indeed.
While Djokovic certainly remains a formidable opponent, let's not forget Murray also won the gold medal at the Olympics a while back.
And now finally -- FINALLY -- after 77 loooooong years, a native son has recaptured his homeland's ultimate tennis prize.
He earned it, he deserved it, well done, and bravo to Andy Murray.
Let the party begin.
It wasn't exactly what one would normally consider a drubbing or a rout, but it was pretty convincing nonetheless. I doubt many foresaw Murray knocking off Djokovic in straight sets. After all, there's a reason, actually many of them, the Serb has been ranked #1 in the world for a while. He's an all-around fantastic player himself.
In the post-match on-court interviews, both men showed what class individuals they are. In my opinion, they exhibited a perfect blend of thank-yous, appreciation, grace, and humility. Gentlemen indeed.
While Djokovic certainly remains a formidable opponent, let's not forget Murray also won the gold medal at the Olympics a while back.
And now finally -- FINALLY -- after 77 loooooong years, a native son has recaptured his homeland's ultimate tennis prize.
He earned it, he deserved it, well done, and bravo to Andy Murray.
Let the party begin.
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