Archive for September, 2007

Gagne… ugh

Wednesday, September 19th, 2007

Gagne blew another one.  For those who missed it, Sox are up 2-1 in the 8th thanks to a wonderfully-pitched game from Jon Lester, who gave them 6.2 IP.  Francona called upon Delcarmen to get the last out (Vernon Wells) in the 7th - but didn’t keep him in for the 8th for some reason, turning to Gagne instead.  (more…)

Best rotation heading into AL playoffs

Tuesday, September 18th, 2007

I separately posted on the AL Cy Young race - which highlights that the Indians have the best “top-two” starters in the AL (maybe in baseball… although the Padres with Peavy and Young have an argument).  That post highlighted the top pitchers on each of the four AL teams - Boston (Beckett), NY Yankees (Wang), Angels (Lackey, Escobar), and Indians (Carmona, Sabathia).

What about the #3 starters?  Let’s look at each of the four teams and their candidates for #3 starters:

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AL Cy Young: Beckett vs. Wang… um, really?

Monday, September 17th, 2007

So the buildup to Saturday’s Fox telecast of the Sox-Yanks was that it was the two leading candidates for the AL Cy Young - and the winner of that game would go onto win the AL Cy Young (or at least should).

Um… really?

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Francona

Saturday, September 15th, 2007

Friday night’s loss to the Yankees was clearly frustrating and disappointing.  But as I thought about the game, I thought of a couple moves that Francona made - which to me, were the right moves, even though they didn’t work.  There may be others, but these two stuck out:

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Goodell penalizes Belicheck, Pats

Friday, September 14th, 2007

So it comes down $750k total, and a first-round draft choice (as I’ll go out on a limb and say the Pats will make the playoffs this year):

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3019280

(more…)

I’m officially a Rory Sabbatini fan

Friday, September 14th, 2007

Okay, I’m now officially a card-carrying member of the Rory Sabbatini Fan Club.  Actually, it may be that I’m the *only* member of the Rory Sabbatini Fan Club, but if so, so be it.  He’s my favorite golfer now - pushing aside the immortal Morris Hatalsky… always loved that name, Morris Hatalsky.  Morris Hatalsky has three career victories, most recently the 2006 Puerto Vallarta - so in addition to his name, he’s got that going for him… which is nice.  But he doesn’t have the stones that Sabbatini has, so I’m moving on.

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Buchholz no-no in 2nd start - career indications?

Thursday, September 13th, 2007

On 9/1, Clay Buchholz filled in for the injured Tim Wakefield against the Orioles.  Making his second ML start, he threw a no-hitter.  He reacted like your dad might after striking out the side in a father-son game… happy for the accomplishment, but seemingly too embarassed to express much emotion.

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$100 million fine for cheating

Thursday, September 13th, 2007

The Patriots “cheating” has gotten a lot of press this week here in the States.  But I don’t think they’ll be getting fined $100 million dollars for their misdeeds:

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2007/9/6767.html

And we think Roger Goodell rules with a heavy hand?

Patriot/Camera-gate… I don’t get it

Thursday, September 13th, 2007

I’m not being facetious, and freely admit, I just may be obtuse.  But… I don’t get why videotaping an opponent’s defensive signals is such an issue.

I understand its an explicit rule, and when the Pats chose to break the rule (even after what was apparently several warnings), they earned whatever penalty/consequence(s) is/are handed down by the Long Arm of the Law, Roger Goodell.  I understand that, and happen to agree with it.  Shame on the Patriots for ignoring the warnings.  They deserve their fate.

But I don’t understand why the rule is in place.  (more…)