The Big Game in the Desert

Here we are the next to last day in January. Pitchers and catchers report in two weeks, and before we know it the winter will be a distant memory. Before the big thaw...we have some unfinished business to take care of. The football season must be wrapped up with a bow. I have been thinking about the match up since Championship Sunday. I tried to guess what the best match up would have been. All things considered, including the sidebar stories that would have made our collective hearts flutter. That being said this is without question the best match up that could have possibly been ordered up.

The two headed monster of the Patriots looked like a juggernaut for most of the season, but have been brought down like the crippled American spy satellite back into our atmosphere. There is only the New York Football Giants that can finish the plunge hopefully into the vast deepness of the Pacific Ocean.

The Giants started off 0-2, and proceeded to finish 10-4. The dichotomy of these two teams and franchises is quite remarkable. The Giants have been the road warriors, and the Patriots have been the Goliath of the league. The only thing I have left to do to make a reasonably intelligent decision as to who will win the game is break it down.

Offense: Giants: Eli, Plexico, Amani, Kevin Boss, Jacobs, Bradshaw, Smith, S. Moss oh and by the way Reuben Droughns. Not bad, not bad at all.

Patriots: Brady, Moss, Maroney, Welker, Gaffney, Stallworth, Faulk.
No run all pass will hurt the Patriots this week. The Giants can run and pass. If Eli holds his own, and just manages the game instead of trying to win the game, this will be fun.
Edge: Giants

Defense: Giants: Strahan, Umenyiora, Pierce, Mitchell, Torbor, Ross, McQuarters, Tuck.
Two of the best pass rushers in the league, and a third that will not be playing in the game. Solid linebackers that can all bring the lumber.
Reasonable defensive backfield with good cover guys.
Patriots: Bruschi, Vrable, Seau, Seymour, Thomas, Samuel, Harrison, Warren.
Great veteran line backing corps, decent cover guys. "May" be a little long in the tooth.
Edge: Giants

Special teams: Patriots: Hanson, Gostkowski, Welker, Hobbs. Nice special team guys. Welker could run through the eye of a needle if he got a good block.
Giants: McQuarters, Feagles, Tynes, Bradshaw, Droughns, Ross, Moss.
All can get the job done. I am a little worried about the lack of big game experience of Tynes. This game will probably be close, and a kick could decide it. We shall see.
Edge: Patriots

Coaching: Belichick will some day go down as one of the premier head coaches. He will be in
the Hall of Fame. Coughlin is tough, gritty, at first hated by his players, but is now loved.
Edge: Patriots

Intangibles: Anthony wright and Jared Lorenzen are way better than Matt Cassell. If Brady goes down, this game could be over early. The Giants defense will decide this game.

My pick: Giants: 42 Patriots: 28 The 14 point victory is not a reflection of a blowout. Brady will be hobbling late in the 4th quarter, he has to force up an ill advised pass. It is intercepted, and the Giants go up by 14 instead of the tenuous 7 point lead they had.

One of the best Super Bowls in history. That is the only thing I am willing to guarantee this week.

The Patriots season will in fact be history.

Santana Claus is coming to Queens

I was going to write about my thoughts on the Big Game in Glendale today, but that will have to wait for another day. What does the big trade between the Mets and Twins mean? Well it is not really a simple answer. Mr. Santana brings a great resume with him to the Big Apple that's for sure, but along with that resume comes a little baggage. Some of that baggage is in the form of his desire for a seven year deal for about 20 million per. Investing seven years into a pitcher is quite a risky proposition.

Santana has chewed up a lot of innings through his career with little or no major issues....there's always a first time. It also adds a lot more star power on a team that already has it's share of stars. Let's hope the chemistry thing works out.

Let's just say that the "little" things fall into place....what kind of a season can we expect from the METS? Let me see if I can take a shot at this.

Rotation: Santana, Martinez, Maine, Hernandez, Perez (Pelfrey)
This certainly looks like a force to be reckoned with. There are question marks with Martinez' shoulder, and as of late, Heranadez has been prone to silly little injuries that allow him to miss four weeks of the season. If they stay healthy ( a big if) they could have three 20 game winners easy. Chances are that won't happen, so let's see if Mr. Pelfrey can step up.

Line up (at least it's my lineup): Reyes, Castillo, Wright, Delgado, Beltran, Alou,
Church, Schneider. Very impressive to say the least, but it seems that this team will have to rely on speed more than power.

Bench: Easley, Anderson, Castro, Chavez. A backup catcher that will hit 15-20 homers. Easley can play anywhere on the diamond. Anderson still has some pop in his bat, and is a reliable defender. Very impressive for sure.

Bullpen: Heilman, Wagner, Sosa, Vargas, Smith, Schoeneweis, Wise.

What does it all mean? Only 162 games will tell. If they make it to the playoffs...and I mean if....they are virtually impossible to beat in a five game series.....I also love their chances in a seven game series or two as well.

Ho Ho Ho!!!!!!

Walk a mile without shoes

I heard a story this morning about a wonderful human being doing a wonderful act of kindness for people he doesn't even know. I know that ESPN can often tug at the heartstrings, but this kind of story is exactly what this blog is about. The beauty of sports...but not only the activities of sports, but the human beings that are apart of the sports world.

Coach Ron Hunter of IUPUI is going to coach the sidelines this evening in the Jaguars game against Oakland completely barefoot in hopes that he may bring attention to the fact that there are kids in this world that don't have any shoes at all. The coach of the Jags had started out with a goal of either collecting shoes or receiving donations to buys shoes for those underprivelaged children that are doing without. His number was 40,000 new pairs of shoes.

Coach Hunter said that they haven't even played the game yet, and they had raised enough for 30,000 pairs of shoes. It seemed to me that Coach Hunter was right on target to reach his modest goal. I call it modest because he had no idea how great and giving people can be. A representative of Converse was on another line, and she (Molly) had said that as soon as Converse heard of the efforts of the coach, they wanted to be a part of it immediately. Sure enough...much to coach's delight, Converse doanted 15,000 pairs of sneakers to the cause.

Coach Hunter's response to the generous gift was at first shock (you could hear it in the silence), then he realized that hey maybe I have something potentially big here. I might have the ability to make a difference in this world. A difference in 40,000 young lives out there in this world. I only wish I could touch so many people in a positive way such as that.

I would ask anyone who wonders what it would be like without shoes to walk around barefoot for a mile, a block, a couple of hundred feet. I know that you know it is going to hurt and feel like crap. But just thnk. You have the ability to go into your houses and put on a pair of shoes, and be comfortable. Those children without them will just have to "live" with it.

This Year Baseball Gives Us the Isle of Misfit Toyz

Here we are just twenty-four days until pitchers and catchers are to report to their team's respective training camp. While the 2008 major league baseball season is rapidly approaching, there are some big time free agent names that still don't have a home for the upcoming campaign. When I saw some of the names that were still left out there, it immediately reminded me of the Christmas classic Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, and the Isle of Misfit Toys. Rudolph stumbles into the land of misfit toys, you know the ones that are just a bit off, or not "right". Well at the end, Rudolph promises them that he will bring back Santa and he would find them a home where the kids will love them. Here are my match ups:


"The Train with square wheels" (Mike Piazza): Yes, as we grow older our wheels no longer have the correct amount of air pressure in them to carry us around as swiftly as they once could. You'll will end up somewhere for one last go 'round...uhem....square.

"Sad Dolly" (Sammy Sosa): If you remember the show, the doll cries, which dolls usually don't do. She is crying because she just wants to be loved. Sammy...you would be loved if you didn't leave the clubhouse in the second inning of a game, and you didn't cork your bats. Maybe one last hurrah for you too.

"Charlie in the Box" (Barry Bonds): Charlie is a misfit because no one wants to play with a Charlie in the Box. How true that is Barry? No one wants to play with you because you are rude, obnoxious, a cheater, a liar and narcissistic. Hmmm..... can't say I would blame anyone for not wanting to play with you.

"The Water Pistol that Squirts Grape Jelly" (Livan Hernandez, Steve Trachsel, Jeff Weaver): Ahh yes, a water pistol usually reminds us of being cooled off on a hot summer's day with some nice clean water. The reason these fine hurlers are linked to Mr. Pistol is that when they take the mound, as of late, what you are left with is a big sticky mess.

Don't get me wrong, I wish all of the perspective free agents well in their endeavors to sign with a new team before the air is filled with the smell of freshly cut dew covered grass. But if not this year....maybe Santa can do you a favor and just drop you anywhere next season (GO Kansas City Royals)!!

Mama said there'd be days like this....

For all of you professional libation technicians out there. Please be sure to look after the less than experienced tea totters this up coming XLII Sunday. We wouldn't want to hear about a stories like these now would we??????

Don't mess with the Bull's BALLS.......

While this is a little off topic for a sports blog..... I just read an article where a lawmaker in Virginia is looking to emasculate those who have male genitalia hanging from their trailer hitch. The lawmaker says that there has to be limits on what people can display on their vehicles.

OH REALLY!?!? I guess those HEY IRAN FUCK YOU bumper stickers with Mickey Mouse showing the Ayatollah the "BIRD" were in just fine taste. People...here's the message. If this is something that is taking up time and Virginia's tax dollars, we really need to get a life.

Two Words....GROW UP!!!!!!!!!!!!

For the Dallas Cowboys....Monday came a day early.

You can identify with me regarding the pain of a Monday. You know, you don't want to get out of bed, the coffee maker wasn't set on automatic, traffic sucks, you forget your network password and have to wait for IT to reset it for you. The tricky thing about Monday's are that they don't always occur when they should. Sometimes all the crap happens on a Tuesday, Thursday or even a playoff Sunday. Let's face it, that's what happened to Dallas yesterday....... Monday came a day early.

It doesn't matter if Tony Romeo went to Cabo with his new squeeze and Jason Witten. They both had pretty good games. What I want to know is where Patrick Crayton spent his vacation time. The way he played, it looked like he was still there. It also looked like the offensive line went on sabbatical during the 4th quarter.

The bottom line is we collectively need to get lives of our own instead of where some athlete and his number one girl go away together. It is really pathetic if you think about it. As for the Cowboys, there's always next year, and now they can enjoy a long vacation together as a "TEAM".

The BCS is GARBAGE and it is non-recyclable!!!

As usual, the "BCS brain trust" got it wrong yet again. I am still trying to figure out how a team that played Akron, Youngstown State and every other nothing school in the state of Ohio is rewarded by playing in the national championship game? So far everything negative that is being said about OSU is absolutely right on point. They are slow, outmatched and outclassed.

Please tell me what it will have to take for the NCAA to realize that the Division 1A championship should be decided on the gridiron and not someone's hard drive.

Any time someone wants to know how to solve this fiasco, just ask. It is not that difficult. I wish the NCAA would show some guts and tell the college presidents to sit down and shut up!!!

Who should have played? The answer is difficult, I will give some names, but the ultimate answer is....."that's why we need a playoff system".

Missouri....sure looked like they belonged.
Kansas...after a stumble with Mizzou, they were real good yet again.
Georgia...looked as strong as any team that I have seen play this year.
West Virginia...at least deserved a look.

Until something drastic changes, this is going to continue to be one of the biggest jokes as far as major NCAA Championships go.

Shame on you NCAA.

Roger's talking part II......and I do mean number 2

I was very disappointed with Mr. Clemens' little secret tape recording of his conversation with Mr. McNamee that was released in the press conference today. The following are my takeaways from that conversation.

1. Absolutely nothing new.

2. Why didn't Roger ask Brian why did you say that I took steroids?

3. Why did Roger lie to Brian and say that he did not know who was on his line after Brian said that nobody was on his line because it was a cell phone, and Roger had his lawyers set up the recording to begin with?

4. How can Roger say that he had no idea that his dear friend Andy Pettite was taking HGH? (that's like saying I know everything about you but that you are taking HGH?)

5. When Brian asked repeatedly what do you want me to do? Roger didn't say come down here and clear my name?

6. Apparently Brian is ready to go to jail for Roger just like Mr. Anderson did for Barry, but it may Brian who would be lying to Congress without the payoff this time.

I will be the first one to recant if Roger is "clean", but until then, I am still convinced that today's little dog and pony show accomplished NOTHING.

2008 MLB Hall of Fame Inductees

I would like to start by saying Happy and Healthy New Year.

It's that time of year fellow baseball lovers. Time to see who will be enshrined and who will be snubbed by the baseball writers of America. I have listed below my thoughts on the new and old candidates for this years induction. The criteria I used to make my decision is pretty simple. Based on numbers, past inductees and longevity. If a player can last for 15-20 years in major league baseball, and has amassed some intriguing numbers, they without question need to be considered as an elite player amongst his peers. So without further delay here is my class of 2008.

Lee Smith: 473 saves. Enough said!! You have to be kidding me that he isn't in yet.

Bert Blyleven: 287 wins, 10 years with 15 or more wins (on some very "mediocre" teams). One of the all time filthiest curveballs I have ever seen. 22 years as a pitcher. Stop already.

Dave Concepcion: 9 Time all star. 5 Gold Gloves. He averaged 130 games played over his 19 year career. His numbers are right there with Rizzuto (except for WS titles). If he's in, so is Mr. Concepcion.

Jim Rice: 1978 AL MVP. Top ten in MVP voting 6 times during 16 year career. .298 lifetime batting average. Led the AL in HR's 3 times, and RBI's twice. 2 Silver Slugger awards. Do I need to keep going?

Andre Dawson: 1977 Rookie of the Year. 1987 NL MVP. 5 times in top 10 of MVP voting on some very bad Cubs teams. 503 doubles, 438 HR's, 314 stolen bases. Hit over .300 four times. Oh, and by the way, had one of the strongest arms in the outfield anyone has ever seen.

Rich "Goose" Gossage": His numbers from 1975-1985 are very impressive. Is there anyone out there would like to face him with two outs in he 9th inning? SOME OTHER FODDER TO CHEW ON...9 time All Star, 5 times in the top 10 for Cy Young Award. 2 times voted in the top10 for MVP voting.


Well that's about it for the class of 2008. I can't believe some of the players on that list that haven't gotten in yet, but I am not a baseball writer. I think the voting should belong to a committee comprised of several different demographic groups. We can discuss that at another time.

Have a great day!