No doubt much of the weight of the Sox inability to produce or perform on the mound falls on Francona. He has proven himself to be one of the best player's managers not to lose complete control of his team by year 2 but for some reason its not working, or it wasn't. I think today's game against the Jays when considered against yesterdays represents the awakening. They finally are scoring, Jed Lowrie is leading hitting statistics, Daisuke is starting to pitch well, and Crawford got a hit... A HIT!
These two games bode well for the future if we can continue to split series at the very least or even build off from these three games we'll be back to .500 before anyone forgets about the beginning of the season. Overall I think this team will start to look like '04 when they were 0-3 facing elimination and everyone said it couldn't be done... it happened and this year is a good chance for something similar to happen again.
CELTICS
This close win with so much emotion is exactly what this team needed to start the playoffs. This is an emotional team that thrives on pressure situations and big moments to find their stride. With half the team filing for social security within the next 3 years they needed a team of younger versions of themselves to come in a challenge their authority. And then there is Jermaine O'neal, yeah him, he showed up with the talent he used to have and put up a good stat line which is a necessity in Shaq's absence. I believe this is the first time we've seen this team truly click since we sent Perk into exile (Oklahoma is about as close to exile as you can get... Texas)Just kidding.
We got quality minutes from everyone that played in the second half and came back to battle back and forth with an emerging titan in New York. Like Doc said when that final shot went up I think we all thought it was over, but it wasn't. Billups is out for Game 2 so they just lost Mr. Big Shot in a pivotal game. We're going to finish this series in 5 at most and Spike Lee can suck it.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Sox Talk Continued...
I agree Bam, this is an adjustment period for Crawford. Things can be ok, if we win four straight against the Blue Jays, or even three, 6-9 would places us above the Jays in the division and 5-10 is not the end of the world. The O's are facing the Yankees and have lost four straight bringing them back down to earth and turning them back into the Orioles we have come to know and love as Sox fans. The issue I want to talk about is Terry Francona.
We he has done in Boston will make him one of the greatest Red Sox mangers of all-time. We have won two championships with him at the helm and I don't think we had any business winning it in 04, but that team was special. It is almost blasphemy as a Sox fan to call out Francona, but this team was simply unprepared for the season. The sox have excelled in management throughout the recent years, and that is a big part of their success. Yet, this season, after eleven games, we have the worst record in baseball, sit at the bottom of the Al east, and as a team have the worst era in baseball. This team was not ready for the 2011 season, there is no other explanation. With a little inspiration we won 2 out of three against the Yankees but have no beat any other team in baseball. The team has no passion. They have no determination to win. Even sox dirt dog Youklis is hitting .182 after a horrible spring. Get the boys ready to go Terry!!
I really think the Sox will turn it around, I just hope that this little fiasco at the beginning of the year doesn't cost a playoff spot by a game and a half in October.
We he has done in Boston will make him one of the greatest Red Sox mangers of all-time. We have won two championships with him at the helm and I don't think we had any business winning it in 04, but that team was special. It is almost blasphemy as a Sox fan to call out Francona, but this team was simply unprepared for the season. The sox have excelled in management throughout the recent years, and that is a big part of their success. Yet, this season, after eleven games, we have the worst record in baseball, sit at the bottom of the Al east, and as a team have the worst era in baseball. This team was not ready for the 2011 season, there is no other explanation. With a little inspiration we won 2 out of three against the Yankees but have no beat any other team in baseball. The team has no passion. They have no determination to win. Even sox dirt dog Youklis is hitting .182 after a horrible spring. Get the boys ready to go Terry!!
I really think the Sox will turn it around, I just hope that this little fiasco at the beginning of the year doesn't cost a playoff spot by a game and a half in October.
Sox Talk, Continued
So far the best thing to happen this season is the rain out yesterday evening. For what it's worth maybe they'll actually win that game if it comes in mid June because as of now they are doing just about everything necessary to lose. Daisuke can't pitch a good inning which isn't uncharacteristic of previous years intermittent woes but now with a high-powered offense on paper it seemed like he would at least be able to win the occasional game with a reasonable ERA. We got enough runs to take the first series from the Yankees which is a small victory but unfortunately to compliment Daisuke, we have had some run support issues in several gems thrown by Beckett, Lester, and Lachey (2 Wins). We did start the season off against two teams that were hot and have continued to perform very well so we can at least write the first two series off as bad luck. That said, hopefully, we can recover from two crippling losses at the hands of the now Crawford-less Rays led offensively in game 1 by none other than Johnny Damon (insert expletive and Benedict Arnold reference).
As Chuck pointed out, most have hit the panic button far too soon but some frustration is warranted. The panic button will still be there blinking red until we rattle off a reasonable streak and get back to .500 baseball but let's give this team some time to adjust to the pressure placed upon them. The die hard fans of Boston, well reputed drinkers I might add, are not always the most receptive group for a new acquisition yet to adjust. Imagine going from a place where you had only about 100 people regularly in attendance (and about half of them staying awake) to 35,000 people watching intently and screaming the entire time. Tropicana does not compare to the bright lights of Fenway, let's allow Crawford a small adjustment period before we condemn him. Once Crawford finds a comfort zone and this line up clicks there wont be an issue in many of these tight games. The missing piece of this puzzle is the fun and grit of Sox teams of old (i,e. the "Cowboy Up" era). Once this team finds their stride and clubhouse balance there will be no question where the power lies in the AL East.
As Chuck pointed out, most have hit the panic button far too soon but some frustration is warranted. The panic button will still be there blinking red until we rattle off a reasonable streak and get back to .500 baseball but let's give this team some time to adjust to the pressure placed upon them. The die hard fans of Boston, well reputed drinkers I might add, are not always the most receptive group for a new acquisition yet to adjust. Imagine going from a place where you had only about 100 people regularly in attendance (and about half of them staying awake) to 35,000 people watching intently and screaming the entire time. Tropicana does not compare to the bright lights of Fenway, let's allow Crawford a small adjustment period before we condemn him. Once Crawford finds a comfort zone and this line up clicks there wont be an issue in many of these tight games. The missing piece of this puzzle is the fun and grit of Sox teams of old (i,e. the "Cowboy Up" era). Once this team finds their stride and clubhouse balance there will be no question where the power lies in the AL East.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Sox Talk
Red Sox fans made unofficial history by hitting the panic button sooner than anyone else in history. Yet, it was hard to blame them after ever magazine and website picked them to be World Series Champions like it was nothing. As we went down to 0-6 and watched our pitchers give up homer after homer it seemed our exciting lineup couldn't cover our inability to get people out. When Josh Beckett took the hill today he did exactly what Sox fans needed. He pitched. The Sox struggled to score with RISP, and Crawford is yet to find his stroke, but the Sox played their best game of the VERY young season. Pedroia finished the series red hot, and taking two out of three from the Yankees will give the Sox confidence moving forward. With a struggling Tampa Bay team coming to Fenway (1-8) the Sox are in perfect position to turn the season around by winning two series in a row against their most hated rivals. April is too early panic. Let's GO
The Masters
Finally Tiger got his s*** together. Finishing at -10 and being within striking distance all day was a rejuvenating masters experience. I wanted so badly for a 5 player play-off with all those stuck at the -10 mark. Watching someone I've never seen or heard of was not what I had imagined when the day started.
Rory was another intriguing story considering he's only 21 and was on top of the leader board and in control. Unfortunate shots on the back 9 ended his day a bit early.
I believe golf and golf fans all want Tiger to finally win a tournament. Without him being the winner every other week I could care less. Watching today I wanted in my heart of hearts for Tiger to win. It just isn't the same without him. I like the Red shirt on Sunday and the oddly quiet confidence he exhibits. Most exciting shot of the day for me was on 15 when Tiger hit it and started walking expressionless and the ball landed within eagle distance, he would birdie the hole but it seemed like another little representation of his renewed presence.
Rory was another intriguing story considering he's only 21 and was on top of the leader board and in control. Unfortunate shots on the back 9 ended his day a bit early.
I believe golf and golf fans all want Tiger to finally win a tournament. Without him being the winner every other week I could care less. Watching today I wanted in my heart of hearts for Tiger to win. It just isn't the same without him. I like the Red shirt on Sunday and the oddly quiet confidence he exhibits. Most exciting shot of the day for me was on 15 when Tiger hit it and started walking expressionless and the ball landed within eagle distance, he would birdie the hole but it seemed like another little representation of his renewed presence.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Final Four Review
Butler vs. VCU
I don't care what your seeding is, there is no such thing as a fluke run to the final four. VCU got here by shooting three's, and against a stingy Butler defense they were held to only 36% on 8-22 shooting. You could see some shots rim in and out, but it just wasn't their night. The whole time watching that game I just had a gut feeling Butler was going to pull it out. Butler is just a good team with a great program that knows how to win tournament games. Now 14-3 under Brad Stevens in tournament play. 14-3! which makes them 10-1 in the last two years! You have to love a team that shoots free throws pretty well 20-26 (76.9%) has the winningest coach in his first four years, and is led by two senior stars in Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard. They are a gritty team, and they don't make very many mistakes.
Kentucky vs. Connecticut
The first half showing by Kentucky was disgusting. It was embarrassing to watch star Brandon Knight shoot short on shoot after shoot. They couldn't fall out of a boat and hit water. The announcer at one point even said at halftime the Huskies were twenty minutes away from playing for their third national chmapionship. Not so fast though, UK came flying out in the second half turning the game into the heavyweight battle we all anticipated. BUT, you have to make your free throws. Kentucky finished 4-12 from the line, that is pee wee basketball type percentages. You don't go to a national championship shooting like that. I don't know why Calipari teams can't shoot free throws, maybe it is because he recruits raw athletic street ballers, or because he is to busy yelling at Terrence Jones in practice to make them shoot free throws, but 33% percent from the line is the reason they lost. Everyone says they "should" have won the game, but I feel if you shoot like that from the strip you don't deserve to win.
I don't care what your seeding is, there is no such thing as a fluke run to the final four. VCU got here by shooting three's, and against a stingy Butler defense they were held to only 36% on 8-22 shooting. You could see some shots rim in and out, but it just wasn't their night. The whole time watching that game I just had a gut feeling Butler was going to pull it out. Butler is just a good team with a great program that knows how to win tournament games. Now 14-3 under Brad Stevens in tournament play. 14-3! which makes them 10-1 in the last two years! You have to love a team that shoots free throws pretty well 20-26 (76.9%) has the winningest coach in his first four years, and is led by two senior stars in Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard. They are a gritty team, and they don't make very many mistakes.
Kentucky vs. Connecticut
The first half showing by Kentucky was disgusting. It was embarrassing to watch star Brandon Knight shoot short on shoot after shoot. They couldn't fall out of a boat and hit water. The announcer at one point even said at halftime the Huskies were twenty minutes away from playing for their third national chmapionship. Not so fast though, UK came flying out in the second half turning the game into the heavyweight battle we all anticipated. BUT, you have to make your free throws. Kentucky finished 4-12 from the line, that is pee wee basketball type percentages. You don't go to a national championship shooting like that. I don't know why Calipari teams can't shoot free throws, maybe it is because he recruits raw athletic street ballers, or because he is to busy yelling at Terrence Jones in practice to make them shoot free throws, but 33% percent from the line is the reason they lost. Everyone says they "should" have won the game, but I feel if you shoot like that from the strip you don't deserve to win.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
The NBA
The season is starting to wind down and its somehow becoming less clear to me who is really in control. The Heat go on losing streaks then follow those up with what appear to be their own version of perfect harmonious basketball. The Lakers got Bynum back just in time for him to get suspended as a result of an over zealous foul. The Bulls are still playing very well and with Joakim Noah back look to be championship worthy for the first time since Jordan left and finally my beloved Celtics look like they could be in trouble.
With all the trades right before the deadline most teams changed face completely. The Celtics specifically look like they have invested a lot of stock in the "we must win now" routine. Trading Kendrick Perkins could be a great move if they can get Shaq healthy but that could go awry considering his track record in the last few years. The Thunder however now have the inside force they needed to balance out their stellar perimeter play. Perk only puts up minimal numbers compared to the likes of Gasol, Bynum, and Howard but is among the best at the position for having a deterrent affect.
All in all it will be an exciting play-off season. The changes made and the performances lately have started to help clear the haze on the top 5 or 6 teams but now its just a matter of who will actually finish out the season on top.
With all the trades right before the deadline most teams changed face completely. The Celtics specifically look like they have invested a lot of stock in the "we must win now" routine. Trading Kendrick Perkins could be a great move if they can get Shaq healthy but that could go awry considering his track record in the last few years. The Thunder however now have the inside force they needed to balance out their stellar perimeter play. Perk only puts up minimal numbers compared to the likes of Gasol, Bynum, and Howard but is among the best at the position for having a deterrent affect.
All in all it will be an exciting play-off season. The changes made and the performances lately have started to help clear the haze on the top 5 or 6 teams but now its just a matter of who will actually finish out the season on top.
Monday, March 21, 2011
March Madness
The tournament is in full swing and little can be debated about it's awesomeness, it's just as exciting as always. With quality quotes from every analyst from Charles Barkley to Jimmy V the action is nonstop and the teams are performing... except for Louisville who decided not to show up to the first round. Ohio State looks dominant, Duke got Kyrie Irving back and Barkley dubbed the term the "Big Least" referring to the wackness that is the Big East conference. With Villanova getting bounced among almost all the other teams they put up that isn't even a good topic for debate. However, Jimmer is.
He continues to perform. He performed all year and now is showing his talents on the big stage in a big way. Teams set up with him in mind on the defensive end and still there is little to keep him from putting up the numbers characteristic of his season. When BYU aquares off on Florida come Thursday there will be two factors; Florida's bigs and Jimmer's big play. He is not just real, he is the deal. When Florida inevitably dominates BYU inside the only real option is for Jimmer to take this game on his shoulders as he has done all year and lead BYU into the final four. If he scores less that 30 they are looking at defeat, but can Florida shut him down? No one has so the outlook is not good.
Besides this match up of BYU and Florida the other big story is Chuck's Wildcats are going to catch a beat down at the hands of my Duke Blue Devil's. Kyrie Irving is playing like he never skipped a game and most of his production against Michigan came from the line or as a distraction for the rest of the team.
He continues to perform. He performed all year and now is showing his talents on the big stage in a big way. Teams set up with him in mind on the defensive end and still there is little to keep him from putting up the numbers characteristic of his season. When BYU aquares off on Florida come Thursday there will be two factors; Florida's bigs and Jimmer's big play. He is not just real, he is the deal. When Florida inevitably dominates BYU inside the only real option is for Jimmer to take this game on his shoulders as he has done all year and lead BYU into the final four. If he scores less that 30 they are looking at defeat, but can Florida shut him down? No one has so the outlook is not good.
Besides this match up of BYU and Florida the other big story is Chuck's Wildcats are going to catch a beat down at the hands of my Duke Blue Devil's. Kyrie Irving is playing like he never skipped a game and most of his production against Michigan came from the line or as a distraction for the rest of the team.
Friday, March 11, 2011
18 Game Schedule
Drew Brees tweeted that not once has a player asked for money in the NFL labor negotiations. The obvious concern is that ten years after playing in the NFL players brains turn into Hellen Keller. It is a violent game. Yet, I believe an 18 game schedule would be better for the NFL.
When Aaron Rodgers got his concussion he came back and played two games later. He got crunched over and over in that game including a head to head hit that looked like it would give any man a concussion. Yet, after the game Rodgers said that his new helmet protected him. It baffles me that I can watch a game on my blackberry, but we can't figure out a way to prevent concussions for the people playing the actual game. Who wants to be the genius who steps into the court room and presents a helmet that is safe? For God's sake I'll let Ray Lewis hit me to test it if it gets me football next season.
Assuming there is football and players feel safe, which is a very large assumption, why wouldn't you want 18 games? 16 is to short, remember the year of Matt Cassell Patriot fans when we went 11-5 but didn't get into the playoffs? Ask the San Diego Chargers if they want 18 games. Pre-season football kind of sucks. Take away two pre-season games, and lets play two more real ones. It would give us a better playoff picture, and just as many players get hurt in the pre-season they just may not be as meaningful. The NFL would make more money from having regular season games, and NFL fans would have two more games to watch. Makes to much sense to me.
-Chuck
When Aaron Rodgers got his concussion he came back and played two games later. He got crunched over and over in that game including a head to head hit that looked like it would give any man a concussion. Yet, after the game Rodgers said that his new helmet protected him. It baffles me that I can watch a game on my blackberry, but we can't figure out a way to prevent concussions for the people playing the actual game. Who wants to be the genius who steps into the court room and presents a helmet that is safe? For God's sake I'll let Ray Lewis hit me to test it if it gets me football next season.
Assuming there is football and players feel safe, which is a very large assumption, why wouldn't you want 18 games? 16 is to short, remember the year of Matt Cassell Patriot fans when we went 11-5 but didn't get into the playoffs? Ask the San Diego Chargers if they want 18 games. Pre-season football kind of sucks. Take away two pre-season games, and lets play two more real ones. It would give us a better playoff picture, and just as many players get hurt in the pre-season they just may not be as meaningful. The NFL would make more money from having regular season games, and NFL fans would have two more games to watch. Makes to much sense to me.
-Chuck
Monday, March 7, 2011
The 16 or 18 Game Schedule
So I think that Bill Simmons has succinctly summed up and addressed the perspective of the owner in this column (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons%2F110304). The greedy and indifferent owner. That issue aside I agree with the plight of the player.
The 18 game schedule is a horrendous idea. Rather than find a way to profit off the monopoly on Sundays they already own they want to expand what has already dominated our conscious. I for one think injuries are the least of the problems an 18 game season would face. Considering the reduced attendance in some markets its almost obvious that the longer season would force some teams out of the league or worse increase the prevalence of TV Blackouts.
As it stands now the blackout represents the greediest act of any owner or team. As opposed to allowing fans who either cant afford or choose not to brave the traffic and irritations of attending a game to watch the games from the privacy of their own home they choose to attempt a mandate on attendance. Many of these fans who prefer the comforts of their home support the advertisers in the form of their flat screen TVs, cars, beverages, and more importantly in merchandise. I've never met a fan of a team who failed to purchase at least one article of clothing with the team's insignia. These purchases support the teams, the owners, and seems to be unaccounted for when a game is blacked out to the home market.
To address the injury issue its not a matter of being worn down necessarily that worries me its just the pure risk of exposure. When defensive players like Clay Mathews and James Harrison are your opponents its inevitable that people will get injured. By expanding the season you add to more 60 minute sessions of punishment to what already is a 17 week regular season.
With these things in mind I doubt the players can sustain and the fans can pay attention for another two weeks. I'll be willing to watch but it wont mean that my attendance increases any more.
The 18 game schedule is a horrendous idea. Rather than find a way to profit off the monopoly on Sundays they already own they want to expand what has already dominated our conscious. I for one think injuries are the least of the problems an 18 game season would face. Considering the reduced attendance in some markets its almost obvious that the longer season would force some teams out of the league or worse increase the prevalence of TV Blackouts.
As it stands now the blackout represents the greediest act of any owner or team. As opposed to allowing fans who either cant afford or choose not to brave the traffic and irritations of attending a game to watch the games from the privacy of their own home they choose to attempt a mandate on attendance. Many of these fans who prefer the comforts of their home support the advertisers in the form of their flat screen TVs, cars, beverages, and more importantly in merchandise. I've never met a fan of a team who failed to purchase at least one article of clothing with the team's insignia. These purchases support the teams, the owners, and seems to be unaccounted for when a game is blacked out to the home market.
To address the injury issue its not a matter of being worn down necessarily that worries me its just the pure risk of exposure. When defensive players like Clay Mathews and James Harrison are your opponents its inevitable that people will get injured. By expanding the season you add to more 60 minute sessions of punishment to what already is a 17 week regular season.
With these things in mind I doubt the players can sustain and the fans can pay attention for another two weeks. I'll be willing to watch but it wont mean that my attendance increases any more.
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