Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Ole - The Turning Point
Well the Buccos are the big MLB story of the day after getting hosed last night in Atlanta. There's not much you can say. But I'll try. It's over, there's no changing the call, no getting the win, no way to make up those crucial points in the NL Central standings. It's history. And will go down in Pirates' history as the worst play since another Brave, Sid Bream, ruined a shot to go to the World Series.
Seems like a very fitting series of events to memorialize I'll Be Frank's 200th post.
Some other 200s: (Thanks Dom)
July 19 - 200th day of the year
.200 - The Mendoza line - the goal of Dan Uggla
Chris Stroud - 200th ranked golfer in the world
200 - number of cocktail waitresses tag-teamed by Tiger Woods and Stevie Williams
200 - the number of Nascar Cup Series races won by Richard Petty
#200 - Roustabout (Performs routine physical labor and maintenance on oil rigs and pipelines, both on and off shore) in the Top 200 jobs of 2011
200 - combined IQ of the 2004-05 Indiana Pacers
$200 - the amount of money given to a player before starting a game of Monopoly.
1970 Rayfield Wright Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl ring ($12,196) #200 highest paid sports collectable of all time
A cholesterol level of 200 and below is considered "Desirable level corresponding to lower risk for heart disease"
200 - pounds of french fries and cheese pizza consumed by vegetarian Prince Fielder each year
#200 - Dial M for Murder (1954)on IMDB's Top 250
200 - number of dead cows found on a farm in Wisconsin in Jan. 2011
The E.N.D by the Black Eyed Peas currently ranks #200 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums
200 people killed by being stared at by Chuck Norris
#200 - Loser by Beck in Rolling Stone Magazines 500 greatest songs of All-Time
#200 - Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in the World Rankings of top universities
200 - Total number of white football players in the entire SEC
200 - Danario Alexander in ESPN's 2011 Fantasy Football rankings
Now back to baseball.
Jerry Meals, flat out got the call wrong. He did. He admitted it later, but just like Jim Joyce and his screw up for Armando Galarraga's perfect game last year, its too late, apologies are what they are, just words.
I watched every inning of this game. All 19 innings. Started watching at 7:10 p.m., and didn't stop until well after 1 a.m. One thing that was consistent throughout the game was the Braves berating of Meals behind the plate. It got to the point where he had to eject outfielder Nate McLouth and manager Freddi Gonzalez for arguing balls and strikes. Braves' players were throwing bats and helmets, pitchers, including Braves' star of the game Chrishian Martinez blatantly and theatrically showed up Meals after he called a pitch a ball. So what does this man do after getting an ear full from a team for 19 innings, he hands them a game, literally.
Obviously this game will be remembered for Michael McKenry's "ole" tag of Julio Lugo in the 19th inning and the missed called by Meals, but in reality this game should never have gotten this far.
First off, let's get this out of the way, I like McKenry. He's one hell of a defensive catcher. He shows constant hustle, emotion, and enthusiasm; you can tell this guy loves the game. He should be the Pirates' catcher for the remainder of the season.
What about Ryan Doumit?
Well, Doumit who made a start in Triple-A last night will be back up soon, but he shouldn't be behind the plate. He's better offensively than McKenry, but even Mike has picked it up lately, including a homer off of Tommy Hanson last night. Doumit is a true liability behind the plate. He can't throw, he couldn't block a beach ball in the dirt, and with the way our pitchers like to finish off hitters with off-speed junk, we need a catcher who will get dirty and stop everything.
That catcher is Fort McKenry.
Doumit will be in the lineup. He will be at first base where he's played multiple times before. Lyle Overpay will be somewhere in the Allegheny River. No I don't want him to die, not by any means, but he shouldn't be on the field. He's making $5 million this season. $5 million to do what? Go 1 for 8 in a 19 inning game. Hit .231 for the season, with a whopping 7 home runs and 35 RBIs? He should be off the field. Numerous times he came up with runners on and a chance to take the lead with just a base hit. It's gotten to the point where you would rather just give the other team the out, rather than stress over seeing him swing through 2 pitches and then weakly ground to second.
Many chances for the Bucs last night. Their issue is that they can't get the leadoff man on. Once or twice they were able to get that leadoff man on, move him over, but then he would be stuck at second. It seemed like once the game got later and later, everyone wanted to be a hero. Wanted to end the game with one swing. Yes, that's great and everything, but we haven't hit a homerun since July 16. Ten days without one single homerun. This team has no power. They shouldn't be looking for the long ball. They should choke up and Ichiro the ball into the outfield. They are their best when they are running and doing the little things.
I love the suicide squeeze. Greatest play in baseball. Worked once this year for the Pirates, but as we found out last night, if a team is ready for it, it won't work. The Braves sniffed out the squeeze, pitched out and thwarted a Buccos first and third effort with 1 out and the top of the order up. What can you do? Had to try something.
Again all it took was one run. One measley run. Atlanta was hurting. Outside of Freddie Freeman, and Dan Uggla, who is on a 17-game hitting streak and still hitting under .200 (usually people when they go on extended streaks like this raise their average 20-40 points, and this dude is still hitting below the Mendoza line, WOW) were the only two players in the lineup that scared me. Chipper was only able to pinch hit, McCann ruined his oblique (didn't know fat people had obliques), and Heyward should relax on the ESPN commericals and figure a way out of his sophomore slump. They had noone who could hurt the Pirates, as evident by the fact that they didn't score between the 3rd and 19th innings. But then again, the Pirates didn't score since the 2nd so I guess it's all relevant.
As mentioned before Christhian Martinez was the star of the game. He went 6 scoreless innings of relief, only giving up 2 hits on 88 pitches. Unbelievable. Lucky for the Braves they had a guy in their pen, who only a week ago, was a starter in Triple-A. After him, they only had Scott Procter left to pitch.
The Pirates got a valiant effort from their pen who pitched 13.1 scoreless innings. Daniel McCutchen went 5.1 innings before getting nabbed with the loss. He threw 92 pitches. His previous season high was 52. All-Star Joel Hanrahan was still in the pen, but I guess Clint Hurdle, a man I will never second guess, was hoping for that save opportunity to arise. It never did.
While praise goes to one McCutchen, criticism goes to the other. Andrew McCutchen, our "best player", the future of the franchise, needs to do more. An 0 for 6, with a caught stealing is totally unacceptable in a game this, where one game makes all the difference in a microscopically close division race. Granted he is not a clean-up hitter, but has to be because of necessity. Since the break he has done nothing. In June, he couldn't stay off the bases. His average skyrocketed to the high .280s, he was dominant and deserved to be named to the All-Star team. Don't know if his braids or doo-rag are too tight but he needs to have a sit down and figure out what's wrong.
So here we are. Third place in the NL Central. Only 1 game out of first. We will see what kind of character this team has. The Battlin' Bucs have been thrilling the fans of Pittsburgh all year long. The preseason goal of reaching .500 would be a disappointment at this point. The division crown is the new goal, it's the only goal.
After last night's mess, this season could go one of two ways: It could be the spark needed to rejuvenate this team. Get them pumped up, provide that chip on their shoulder that propels teams to glory. That loss could be the wind that sails this Pirate ship into the postseason.
OR
It could have the total opposite effect and take the wind from the sails. Get this team to start thinking too much about past failures, missed opportunities, and delegating blame to others.
We'll see.
But if Clint Hurdle is the manager I think he is, I believe he will have this team energized and fired up to put a hurting on the Braves tonight and pillage and plunder the rest of the National League for the next 60 games.
Let's Go Bucs
Friday, July 22, 2011
Rivals: Midseason
It took 5 episodes and a lost under bet, but Jenn finally got back to being the Jenn we know and love last night on "The Challenge" Rivals. The series began as a giant party with a couple of physical challenges during the day to kill time, but over the years has turned into America's fifth professional sport and with it we lost some of the fun of the show. As any midget football coach will tell you sometimes you got to get back to the basics and that is what Jenn did last night with her pool antics and hook up with Adam. As Jenn said, "Sometimes you have to forget about the game and enjoy being in Costa Rica". With that in mind below are my thoughts and some high and low points for the first 5 episodes of the season.
Breakout stars:
MTV taking the advice of their viewers and going with the "Rivals" angle along with automatically sending the last place team in that day's challenge to the elimination. Both are well needed additions to the production and the added element of working with someone you dislike and performance mattering more than votes from friends keeps things as interesting as possible.
LeRoy and Mike: They are rookies from the latest Real World (Vegas) and have handled themselves decently for their first challenge. LeRoy looks like a lifer in these games (nice improvement from sanitation engineer) and he received a huge break when his original partner (Adam) was booted during the first episode and replaced by his good friend Mike. Mike is by far the least athletic of all the contestants (females included), but his good guy personality and fish out of water presence on the show is much needed. He is feared as the smartest person in the game, but that is a pretty big curve with this crew. Their performance in episode #3 during the Sync and Swim challenge was memorable as LeRoy fell on Mike and cracked his ribs as Mike finished the challenge moaning like a dying farm animal and spitting up blood.
Jonna and Jasmine: The team I knew the least about when the show began, because even I couldn't bring myself to watch Real World/Cancun which is the biggest oxymoron since Jumbo Shrimp. They pulled the biggest upset of the season so far by eliminating Sarah and Katelynn (good riddance) in the jungle during episode #5 and I couldn't have been happier. I wasn't expecting much from this squad, but I would pay double for what I have seen so far. Jasmine might be the craziest person on the show which is as impressive as being the biggest thug on the Steelers roster. In only 5 episodes she has hooked up with Ty, repeatedly fought with her partner, repeatedly threatened to quit the show, fought with most other female teams, broke at least one mirror and a couple of plants, cried, used the line "She doesn't know how crazy I am, I am from Houston" which gave me a new appreciation from the craziness of Houston, and vowed to really turn things up if she survived elimination. Meanwhile, Jonna has shown the ability to compete and not be pushed around, her performance in the puzzle aspect of the elimination and her ability to work with and fight with Jasmine at the same time has been crucial I don't know what the second half of the season holds for this team, but I know it will be fun to watch.
Mandi: Her full court press on CT has been as subtle as an Anthony Weiner text message and it culminated with her telling CT how much she looks to be choked when hooking up. She has always been a pretty face who liked to party on the show, but she is having a D-Rose like breakthrough this season. Until this past week Mandi was doing most of the heavy lifting, but with Jenn getting back to basics during episode 5 I think this team is like the 04' Pacers, they will either be a major contender or go down fighting in the stands.
Camilla: Though she was eliminated with partner Theresa in the 3rd episode, she managed to have some extremely funny "disagreements" with Jasmine without backing down. Just like in surfing, this show needs good waves and Camilla creates more than most.
The Dennis Green "They are who we thought they were"
CT: He was the favorite coming in and is still the favorite after episode 5, he is feared by all and loved by two. He has been the most consistent contestant during the challenges and has shown you really don't need friends and votes when you can dominate the challenges. He hasn't had a chance in a physical challenge yet, so there is still a lot more to see from him.
Paula: Is there anyone outside of Cubs fans more desperate for a title? She was forced to bond with partner Ev during the first elimination challenge and has been her typical self since then. Her total focus is self preservation through the voting process and why wouldn't she hook up with Mike? Slight favorites over Johnny/Tyler as the first set of teammates to hook up.
Annesa/Robin: You know you are in line for a good season when this is the first team sent packing. They have been in more challenges than Jamie Moyer has pitched innings, and maybe it is a problem when you aren't surprised that Robin would leave her children for one more go around in a Challenge?
Davis/Ty: The Real World Denver team look like athletes and this season we found out that Ty played football at Nebraska, but like recent Nebraska squads, every year they are better on paper.
Sarah: She thinks she is a star and one of the best competitors on the show only her results never match her inflated self ego, sounds like she should have a star on her helmet.
Brandon: Every week he seems like he is in an elimination challenge and he always seems to be one win away from a game changing upset. This season he put Wes/Kenny on the brink of elimination with a win in the first round of their elimination challenge, but then he gave up in the final round.
The Adam Dunn's and Oakland A's
Jenn: Like I previously stated she battled back in episode 5, but she was nowhere to be found in the first four episodes. She is the Lebron of the Challenge and 20/8/8 isn't enough, she needs to be the focal point and she has giving us way too many 40 degree days so far this season and this has nothing to do with her non-existence athletic and challenge ability. Maybe she is waiting for the right moment to get into it with Jasmine, if that is the case I take it all back.
Kenny: The biggest no-show performance wise and his total disappearing act has made his rivalry with Wes the biggest let down of the season. This was supposed to be one of the most compelling storylines of the season, instead Kenny looks like Rick Ankiel on the mound and we are left with Wes keeping the team afloat and his ego on the biggest steroid cycle of the show.
Evan: I hate to put a Canadian on the list, but do we need another Wes/Kenny/Johnny disciple who doesn't win anything or have a personality.
Adam: He has the best partner on the show in CT, who wants to win this more than anything, but Adam is more concerned with being friends with Wes/Kenny/Johnny/Evan who are only using him because they are scared of CT. All he has to do is not completely lose it for his team and he is in the money, sort of like Terry Franconia. Just when you think he can't make himself look worse he reveals that he has been in love with Jenn for years and wants to marry her. The "Can't Hardly Wait" romantic comedy angle worked with fictional Jennfier Lover Hewitt, but it doesn't seem to have the same sway with real life Raider-ette Jenn.
Maybe the challenges are fun to participate in, but for the most part they have come across to the viewer like a Kardashian spin off reality show. Obviously MTV is making way too much money on Jersey Shore advertising time that they can afford all the production crews needed to have in depth detailed challenges like crushing cars and kayaking. Crawling across hammocks and broad jumping with bungee cords doesn't make for exciting TV. They need to get back to physical challenges were they compete against each other and not against a clock. They have become so detailed that most of female teams don't finish them or even attempt them and more complicated does not equate to better in these instances.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Vincent Jackass
So it looks like the NFL lockout is set to end: that means a rabid few weeks of free agency, training camps, preseason, and most importantly a fantasy football season.
Right now it looks like everything is headed in the right direction; however, there seems to be one speed bump on the NFLs highway to a 2011-12 season; a 6'5" 238 lb speed bump.
After being franchised this season, following a year when the San Diego Chargers tendered him a 1-year $3.8 million offer, Vincent Jackson was named one of the 10 plaintiffs in the Brady suit versus the NFL. The NFLPA decided that they would not seek compensation for these 10 plaintiffs if that meant the moving along of negotiations. For the majority of the 10 plaintiffs, like Drew Brees and Peyton Manning, they weren't seeking compensation, just the avoidance of another franchise tag.
Not V-Jax.
Jackson's agents had requested that the receiver would become either an unrestricted free agent or receive $10 million when the lockout ended as part of a settlement.
$10 million!
So right now this single player could be holding up an agreement that affects over 1600 players, the owners, team employees, fans, and most importantly fantasy owners in keeper leagues who want to see the free agent movements before they decide who they will keep.
Jackson refutes these demands in a Tweet in which he says, "Preciate the support guys! Can't believe all u read or see in media. I have made no demands, I wanna play ball like the rest of my peers!"
Sure ya do Vince. Just like when you held out all of the preseason and then the beginning of last season when you didn't like Chargers short term offer.
If this guy doesn't sign off on the deal, causing the loss of the first week of the preseason, and costs the league the estimated $200 million that they generate for each exhibition game, couldn't you just see Goodell turning a blind eye to a helmet to helmet hit to #83 of the Chargers.
We will see.
One thing I know is that the Buccos are in first place. Even ESPN is catching the fever. Thanks for jinxing everything Bristol.
Right now it looks like everything is headed in the right direction; however, there seems to be one speed bump on the NFLs highway to a 2011-12 season; a 6'5" 238 lb speed bump.
After being franchised this season, following a year when the San Diego Chargers tendered him a 1-year $3.8 million offer, Vincent Jackson was named one of the 10 plaintiffs in the Brady suit versus the NFL. The NFLPA decided that they would not seek compensation for these 10 plaintiffs if that meant the moving along of negotiations. For the majority of the 10 plaintiffs, like Drew Brees and Peyton Manning, they weren't seeking compensation, just the avoidance of another franchise tag.
Not V-Jax.
Jackson's agents had requested that the receiver would become either an unrestricted free agent or receive $10 million when the lockout ended as part of a settlement.
$10 million!
So right now this single player could be holding up an agreement that affects over 1600 players, the owners, team employees, fans, and most importantly fantasy owners in keeper leagues who want to see the free agent movements before they decide who they will keep.
Jackson refutes these demands in a Tweet in which he says, "Preciate the support guys! Can't believe all u read or see in media. I have made no demands, I wanna play ball like the rest of my peers!"
Sure ya do Vince. Just like when you held out all of the preseason and then the beginning of last season when you didn't like Chargers short term offer.
If this guy doesn't sign off on the deal, causing the loss of the first week of the preseason, and costs the league the estimated $200 million that they generate for each exhibition game, couldn't you just see Goodell turning a blind eye to a helmet to helmet hit to #83 of the Chargers.
We will see.
One thing I know is that the Buccos are in first place. Even ESPN is catching the fever. Thanks for jinxing everything Bristol.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
British Open Preview
I love the British Open, yeah links golf on TV is about as exciting as an E reality show and this year's course (Royal St. George) is the worst in the Open rotation meaning good shots turn bad and vice versa more than the normal 50% and the last time the Open was here "gentle" Ben Curtis became a major champion, but early starts and a winner by 1:00 pm eastern time on Sunday is the way to go. The forecast calls for more wind than normal which is like saying there is a heat wave in the desert and I don't know if you heard but Ben Curtis is a major champion because he won at this course. The course is in Sandwich England which seems about right for a country that still has a Queen. Rory will make his first appearence on a course since running away with the US Open at an equally unimpressive course and the American's will look to end their Cubs like drought in majors, so lets take a look at the odds and a few suggestions.
(150/1) Streelman, Love, Colsaerts, M.A. Jimenez, Byrd, Barnes, M. Wilson, Immelman, C. Campbell, A. Hansen, Lowry, Crane
Again Ben Curtis won a major here so a 150/1 shot is far from out of the question. I could see the veteran Jimenez contending even at 47 years of age and Barnes plays well in the wind and was in the top 8 until Sunday last year at St. Andrews and Crane shares the same first name with the aforementioned Curtis (very scientific).
(125/1) Sabbatini, Woodland, Rock, Ishikawa, Clarke, Glover, B. Haas, Holmes, O'Hair, Allenby, Howell, Bjorn, E. Molinari, Aiken
Robert Rock won the Italian Open this year and the Englishman is coming of a 7th place finish last year, at 125/1 he has a ton of value. Speaking of value Eddie Molinari could easily be half the price and no one would blink. I would personally love to see Clarke contend, but four rounds under major pressure is probably too much. You heard it hear first, Thomas Aiken will be the next South African to win a major and Gary Woodland has the game to contend across the pond, but probably needs a few under his belt.
(100/1) Laird, Z. Johnson, Kim, Villegas, Baddely, Simpson, Van Pelt, Curtis, Cink, Cabrera
Van Pelt has contended at every major and should be half the price, Z. Johnson is playing well and has the ball flight to play well in the wind. I wanted to like Marty Laird, but two Missed Cuts in two starts at the British doesn't breed confidence. At the 3rd major of the year it is not too early to talk about underachievers, come on down Kim and Villegas. Cink already stole one British so the odds against stealing two are about the same as A-Rod not taking a few months off during the regular season. If Cabrera wins this week he will be a PGA short of a career Slam and that would be more amazing than Ben Curtis becoming a major champion.
(80/1) Overton, Yang, Moore, Furyk, Quiros, P. Hanson, Wood, Ogilivy
Furyk is in the midst of a Jake Delhomme like fall and even 80/1 seems too optimistic, on the other hand Peter Hanson seems to contend every time he plays and isn't a Swede always in contention on the weekend? Quiros has played well in both majors this year until Sunday and Ogilivy has missed 6 of 8 cuts in the British. Wood and Overton are interesting young guys with potential, but a major would be big steps for guys who haven't won regular events.
(60/1) Snedeker, Karlsson, F. Molinari, Fisher, Fowler, Watson, Els
Snedeker has played well this year, but hasn't made in cut in two starts at the Open. Robert Karlsson is as overrated as Chris Bosh and his odds being lower than countryman Peter Hanson is a bigger joke than Bosh being called a superstar. Fowler and Watson will fit in with their outifts, but neither of their games are well suited for high wind. Fisher has contended three straight years and always has decent value in a major. Els is having a Furyk like year and a top ten would be his first of the season.
(50/1) Scott, Harrington, Goosen, Manassero, Mahan, Casey, Oosthuizen
Casey screams out value at this number until you look at his results this year, but he is worth a play at 50/1. This might be the last chance to get Manassero at such a nice number, while on the other hand I can't see Oosthuizen repeating or a return to glory from Goosen or Harrington. Mahan and Scott both play well in the Texas heat, a bit of a change in conditions from the English coast. The PGA in Atlanta seems like a better bet for both.
(40/1) Schwartzel, Kuchar, Stricker, Rose
Kuchar is the best bet on tour to finish in the top 10, but at the same time it is hard to see him winning. With that said at this number he is worth a play, Rose is on the list of underachievers this season and Stricker seems much more suited for conditions at the Deere.
(30/1) McDowell, D. Johnson, Mickelson, Choi
McDowell has contended this year but has been one bad round away from winning. His game is coming together and I like him the most of the group at this number. DJ and Mickelson are the best examples of why American golf is currently in a Houston Astros like state and I don't see two guys who like to hit driver and hit high shots contending in the wind. Unlike Phil and DJ, Choi is in the midst of a great season, but a one dimensional ball flight could be costly in brutal conditions.
(20/1) Watney, Day, Kaymer
The course is built for a scambler and there is no better scambler in the game currently than Day, he has two second place finishes in the majors so far this season and is good value at this number. Watney has always been a great ball striker, but his putting has led to his breakthrough and putting is one of the biggest differences on a links course that isn't discussed as much as it should be. Kaymer has been a dissapointment in the majors this year as he works on his swing and a player working on their game is too much of a risk for me on a links course.
(18/1) Garcia, (15/1) Donald, (7/1) Westwood, (9/2) McIlroy
Hard to believe that a guy who wasn't in the field a month ago is now the fouth choice on the board, but Sergio has been regaining his game as he displayed at the US Open and the month since that tourney. I still find it hard to envision him winning this tournament and though Luke Donald has been the best player of the season he will need a Dirk like weekend to change his reputation.
As for the two favorites; I wish McIlroy would have played last week in Scotland, but he still is the well deserved favorite, I think just like he learned how to win after losing he also might need to learn how to win after winning. Westwood is one of the few who actually likes this course and his ball stricking is built to last in tough conditions. During a run of Euro major winners 7/1 is good value for the best Euro of the last 5 years.
(150/1) Streelman, Love, Colsaerts, M.A. Jimenez, Byrd, Barnes, M. Wilson, Immelman, C. Campbell, A. Hansen, Lowry, Crane
Again Ben Curtis won a major here so a 150/1 shot is far from out of the question. I could see the veteran Jimenez contending even at 47 years of age and Barnes plays well in the wind and was in the top 8 until Sunday last year at St. Andrews and Crane shares the same first name with the aforementioned Curtis (very scientific).
(125/1) Sabbatini, Woodland, Rock, Ishikawa, Clarke, Glover, B. Haas, Holmes, O'Hair, Allenby, Howell, Bjorn, E. Molinari, Aiken
Robert Rock won the Italian Open this year and the Englishman is coming of a 7th place finish last year, at 125/1 he has a ton of value. Speaking of value Eddie Molinari could easily be half the price and no one would blink. I would personally love to see Clarke contend, but four rounds under major pressure is probably too much. You heard it hear first, Thomas Aiken will be the next South African to win a major and Gary Woodland has the game to contend across the pond, but probably needs a few under his belt.
(100/1) Laird, Z. Johnson, Kim, Villegas, Baddely, Simpson, Van Pelt, Curtis, Cink, Cabrera
Van Pelt has contended at every major and should be half the price, Z. Johnson is playing well and has the ball flight to play well in the wind. I wanted to like Marty Laird, but two Missed Cuts in two starts at the British doesn't breed confidence. At the 3rd major of the year it is not too early to talk about underachievers, come on down Kim and Villegas. Cink already stole one British so the odds against stealing two are about the same as A-Rod not taking a few months off during the regular season. If Cabrera wins this week he will be a PGA short of a career Slam and that would be more amazing than Ben Curtis becoming a major champion.
(80/1) Overton, Yang, Moore, Furyk, Quiros, P. Hanson, Wood, Ogilivy
Furyk is in the midst of a Jake Delhomme like fall and even 80/1 seems too optimistic, on the other hand Peter Hanson seems to contend every time he plays and isn't a Swede always in contention on the weekend? Quiros has played well in both majors this year until Sunday and Ogilivy has missed 6 of 8 cuts in the British. Wood and Overton are interesting young guys with potential, but a major would be big steps for guys who haven't won regular events.
(60/1) Snedeker, Karlsson, F. Molinari, Fisher, Fowler, Watson, Els
Snedeker has played well this year, but hasn't made in cut in two starts at the Open. Robert Karlsson is as overrated as Chris Bosh and his odds being lower than countryman Peter Hanson is a bigger joke than Bosh being called a superstar. Fowler and Watson will fit in with their outifts, but neither of their games are well suited for high wind. Fisher has contended three straight years and always has decent value in a major. Els is having a Furyk like year and a top ten would be his first of the season.
(50/1) Scott, Harrington, Goosen, Manassero, Mahan, Casey, Oosthuizen
Casey screams out value at this number until you look at his results this year, but he is worth a play at 50/1. This might be the last chance to get Manassero at such a nice number, while on the other hand I can't see Oosthuizen repeating or a return to glory from Goosen or Harrington. Mahan and Scott both play well in the Texas heat, a bit of a change in conditions from the English coast. The PGA in Atlanta seems like a better bet for both.
(40/1) Schwartzel, Kuchar, Stricker, Rose
Kuchar is the best bet on tour to finish in the top 10, but at the same time it is hard to see him winning. With that said at this number he is worth a play, Rose is on the list of underachievers this season and Stricker seems much more suited for conditions at the Deere.
(30/1) McDowell, D. Johnson, Mickelson, Choi
McDowell has contended this year but has been one bad round away from winning. His game is coming together and I like him the most of the group at this number. DJ and Mickelson are the best examples of why American golf is currently in a Houston Astros like state and I don't see two guys who like to hit driver and hit high shots contending in the wind. Unlike Phil and DJ, Choi is in the midst of a great season, but a one dimensional ball flight could be costly in brutal conditions.
(20/1) Watney, Day, Kaymer
The course is built for a scambler and there is no better scambler in the game currently than Day, he has two second place finishes in the majors so far this season and is good value at this number. Watney has always been a great ball striker, but his putting has led to his breakthrough and putting is one of the biggest differences on a links course that isn't discussed as much as it should be. Kaymer has been a dissapointment in the majors this year as he works on his swing and a player working on their game is too much of a risk for me on a links course.
(18/1) Garcia, (15/1) Donald, (7/1) Westwood, (9/2) McIlroy
Hard to believe that a guy who wasn't in the field a month ago is now the fouth choice on the board, but Sergio has been regaining his game as he displayed at the US Open and the month since that tourney. I still find it hard to envision him winning this tournament and though Luke Donald has been the best player of the season he will need a Dirk like weekend to change his reputation.
As for the two favorites; I wish McIlroy would have played last week in Scotland, but he still is the well deserved favorite, I think just like he learned how to win after losing he also might need to learn how to win after winning. Westwood is one of the few who actually likes this course and his ball stricking is built to last in tough conditions. During a run of Euro major winners 7/1 is good value for the best Euro of the last 5 years.
Monday, July 11, 2011
This is the Best They've Got?
The 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game is becoming something of ridicule. Currently 84 players have been named to one of the two squads. What is this the NFL? Injuries, ineligibility, and what have you, is making this a joke. Almost 24% of the players on the rosters are replacements. We can't have this. It used to be an honor to play in this game, but now, as long as you are named and get your contractual bonus, there is no need to play.
Ok so A-Rod just had surgery, Braun has missed a bunch of game recently, but what about Mariano Rivera and David Price. Weren't they just playing?
What about Jeter, if my memory serves me right, I think he was in the news recently, and I believe it had to do with him playing baseball not dating celebrities.
Then there are guys who are ineligible because they pitched yesterday. I guess this makes sense, don't want them to get hurt, but when you lose the likes of Justin Verlander and Felix Hernandez and, instead, have to watch Brandon League and Aaron Crow pitch, doesn't that take the luster out of the game. No offense to League and Crow or Ryan Vogelsong but I'd rather be watching a League of their own, The Crow, or even the Miley Cyrus masterpiece The Last Song than watch these jokesters pitch.
I think it's time to get rid of the representative for each team. Sometimes there are teams that don't have a player that deserves to make the midsummer classic. Take it from someone who has been a Pirates fan for his entire life, SOMETIMES THERE ARE TEAMS THAT DON'T HAVE A PLAYER THAT DESERVES TO PLAY IN THE GAME.
I know, in a year where there is a resurgence for baseball in Pittsburgh, a year when the Buccos are represented by 3 all-stars (granted 2 as replacements, even though McCutchen should have been on from the beginning) I shouldn't be as jaded by this game, but for some reason I am.
Look a guy like C.C. who is 13-4, with a 2.72 ERA in arguably the toughest division in baseball, doesn't even make the team on his first try.
How?
And Paul Konerko who is putting up an MVP-calibur season, .314 BA 22 HR 67 RBI, had to get voted in by fans. I guess Ron Washington was too busy impersonating Scarface to get his roster right the first time.
How is Scott Rolen and Chipper Jones in the game? Yeah if this was somewhere between 1998 and 2006 then yeah they'd have a case but Chipper is hitting .259 with 6 homers and 46 RBI. Rolen, who is starting, is even worse. Is a guy with a .241 batting average, yes, that's right .241, with 5 homers and only 36 RBI. Are you kidding me? There is noone third baseman out there with better numbers? See these are the things that are making me mad.
Granted the game might be awesome, but the roster selection is screwed up. I don't know how to fix it, I'm not going to pretend that I know what will work, but as long as I have this keyboard and this internet access, I can let my opinion be heard.
So now is no better of a time than to unveil the 2011 not-All Stars from sports, Hollywood, and politics.
Athletes:
The Big Three
You must be living under a rock not to know why their 2011 has been terrible. Basically you try to manipulate a league in order to play with your 2 buddies in a move that more than guarenteed an NBA Championship. Instead you run into a David Hasselhoff-loving German who ruined everything. I guess there will always be next season. Maybe.
Terrelle Pryor
Pryor pretty much ruined the Ohio State football program. The nation's top recruit a few years back was the next coming of Jesus in Columbus, but a short 3 years later he is nothing more than a modern day Judas. His highly profiled off the field activities have not only put the team on probation and cost them the entire 2010 season, but the mastermind of the Bucks success in the past decade was forced to pull his sweater vest over his face and cower off into the sunset. Now Pryor is being told that he won't be a pro QB. We will see what the supplemental draft has in store for him, but with the contract he will sign he won't be able to afford too many tats or no longer manufactured Nissans.
USA Golf
Without a healthy Tiger, a manzier needing Phil Mickelson, and a youth movement that is, well, not making much of a movement, United States golf is getting dominated by our neighbors across the Atlantic. Does anyone really feel confident that an American has a chance to win the British Open. Well as long as there is Euros playing, I don't.
Christina Aguilera
Formally one of the hottest women on the planet, Aguilera put on a few too many lbs, Genie in a Bottle? More like Gravy in a Bottle. She also screwed up the national anthem in the biggest television event of the year, and got a publicized DUI with her much younger boyfriend.
Remember the good ol' days
Former New York Representative Anthony Weiner
First off when your name is Weiner, the last thing you need to do is draw attention to little namesake. June 2011 was the month of Weiner. His much publicized online affair with a Vegas blackjack dealer took America by storm. Go figure you can't trust a girl working in Vegas.
Charlie Sheen
Personally I think it was a good year for Sheen, but when you lose the kind of money he was making a CBS, I guess it isn't that good of a year, at least not financially.
Let's Go Bucs!
Ok so A-Rod just had surgery, Braun has missed a bunch of game recently, but what about Mariano Rivera and David Price. Weren't they just playing?
What about Jeter, if my memory serves me right, I think he was in the news recently, and I believe it had to do with him playing baseball not dating celebrities.
Then there are guys who are ineligible because they pitched yesterday. I guess this makes sense, don't want them to get hurt, but when you lose the likes of Justin Verlander and Felix Hernandez and, instead, have to watch Brandon League and Aaron Crow pitch, doesn't that take the luster out of the game. No offense to League and Crow or Ryan Vogelsong but I'd rather be watching a League of their own, The Crow, or even the Miley Cyrus masterpiece The Last Song than watch these jokesters pitch.
I think it's time to get rid of the representative for each team. Sometimes there are teams that don't have a player that deserves to make the midsummer classic. Take it from someone who has been a Pirates fan for his entire life, SOMETIMES THERE ARE TEAMS THAT DON'T HAVE A PLAYER THAT DESERVES TO PLAY IN THE GAME.
I know, in a year where there is a resurgence for baseball in Pittsburgh, a year when the Buccos are represented by 3 all-stars (granted 2 as replacements, even though McCutchen should have been on from the beginning) I shouldn't be as jaded by this game, but for some reason I am.
Look a guy like C.C. who is 13-4, with a 2.72 ERA in arguably the toughest division in baseball, doesn't even make the team on his first try.
How?
And Paul Konerko who is putting up an MVP-calibur season, .314 BA 22 HR 67 RBI, had to get voted in by fans. I guess Ron Washington was too busy impersonating Scarface to get his roster right the first time.
How is Scott Rolen and Chipper Jones in the game? Yeah if this was somewhere between 1998 and 2006 then yeah they'd have a case but Chipper is hitting .259 with 6 homers and 46 RBI. Rolen, who is starting, is even worse. Is a guy with a .241 batting average, yes, that's right .241, with 5 homers and only 36 RBI. Are you kidding me? There is noone third baseman out there with better numbers? See these are the things that are making me mad.
Granted the game might be awesome, but the roster selection is screwed up. I don't know how to fix it, I'm not going to pretend that I know what will work, but as long as I have this keyboard and this internet access, I can let my opinion be heard.
So now is no better of a time than to unveil the 2011 not-All Stars from sports, Hollywood, and politics.
Athletes:
The Big Three
You must be living under a rock not to know why their 2011 has been terrible. Basically you try to manipulate a league in order to play with your 2 buddies in a move that more than guarenteed an NBA Championship. Instead you run into a David Hasselhoff-loving German who ruined everything. I guess there will always be next season. Maybe.
Terrelle Pryor
Pryor pretty much ruined the Ohio State football program. The nation's top recruit a few years back was the next coming of Jesus in Columbus, but a short 3 years later he is nothing more than a modern day Judas. His highly profiled off the field activities have not only put the team on probation and cost them the entire 2010 season, but the mastermind of the Bucks success in the past decade was forced to pull his sweater vest over his face and cower off into the sunset. Now Pryor is being told that he won't be a pro QB. We will see what the supplemental draft has in store for him, but with the contract he will sign he won't be able to afford too many tats or no longer manufactured Nissans.
USA Golf
Without a healthy Tiger, a manzier needing Phil Mickelson, and a youth movement that is, well, not making much of a movement, United States golf is getting dominated by our neighbors across the Atlantic. Does anyone really feel confident that an American has a chance to win the British Open. Well as long as there is Euros playing, I don't.
Christina Aguilera
Formally one of the hottest women on the planet, Aguilera put on a few too many lbs, Genie in a Bottle? More like Gravy in a Bottle. She also screwed up the national anthem in the biggest television event of the year, and got a publicized DUI with her much younger boyfriend.
Remember the good ol' days
Former New York Representative Anthony Weiner
First off when your name is Weiner, the last thing you need to do is draw attention to little namesake. June 2011 was the month of Weiner. His much publicized online affair with a Vegas blackjack dealer took America by storm. Go figure you can't trust a girl working in Vegas.
Charlie Sheen
Personally I think it was a good year for Sheen, but when you lose the kind of money he was making a CBS, I guess it isn't that good of a year, at least not financially.
Let's Go Bucs!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Men's Final
Novak Djokovic arrived today, even with two Austrailian Open titles (the Khloe Kardashian of tennis majors) and only one loss this year he became a true champion with his win over Nadal in the Wimbleon finals. It is one thing to win a best of three sets match over Nadal on a hard court or even a tuneup on clay, but to win a best of 5 and end Nadal's 20 match winning streak at Wimbledon validates Djokovic's #1 ranking and makes him the favorite heading to the US Open. In a golden age of men's tennis the guy who seemed comfortable as the 3rd best player in the world and a player who seemed to lack the belief to beat Federer or Nadal on center court of a major is now the player who heads to New York City with a chance to capture 3 of the 4 majors this season. I don't know if we are witnessing a changing of the guard in men's tennis, but I do know Djokovic has shown how much it means to him by the way he has improved over the last year and half and that Nadal will need more than his competitive spirit to beat Novak in a major.
There was no doubt that Djokovic was the better player today, he was quicker and more explosive off the ground and was remarkably more opportunistic. Nadal had a first serve percent of 91% in the first set until Djokovic took advantage of one break point at 5-4 to steal the first set. After losing the third set 1-6 Djokovic showed the belief that was missing from his game before this year by simply out playing Nadal to take the 4th set and the title 6-1. With his game and the new found belief Djokovic has done the unthinkable by making both Nadal and Federer underdogs.
While the state of the women's game is in flux with no name major winners and part time players the men's game is as good as it has been in the last 30 years. With Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic the final weekend of a major is bound to produce high profile matchups that appeal to more than just tennis fans. All that is missing is a dramatic final, the best match of the year was the Federer/Djokovic semi in Paris and no major final this year has exceeded 4 sets. If we get Djokovic/Nadal rematch in Queens hopefully we will also get 5 sets.
There was no doubt that Djokovic was the better player today, he was quicker and more explosive off the ground and was remarkably more opportunistic. Nadal had a first serve percent of 91% in the first set until Djokovic took advantage of one break point at 5-4 to steal the first set. After losing the third set 1-6 Djokovic showed the belief that was missing from his game before this year by simply out playing Nadal to take the 4th set and the title 6-1. With his game and the new found belief Djokovic has done the unthinkable by making both Nadal and Federer underdogs.
While the state of the women's game is in flux with no name major winners and part time players the men's game is as good as it has been in the last 30 years. With Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic the final weekend of a major is bound to produce high profile matchups that appeal to more than just tennis fans. All that is missing is a dramatic final, the best match of the year was the Federer/Djokovic semi in Paris and no major final this year has exceeded 4 sets. If we get Djokovic/Nadal rematch in Queens hopefully we will also get 5 sets.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Women's Final
I really shouldn't feel bad for Maria Shrapova, she is the highest paid female athlete on the planet, she is a brand that is known around the world and will be collecting million dollar endorsement deals well after her tennis career ends. She is engaged to a NBA player (kind of) and has won three career majors, most notably when as a 17 year old she stunned Serena Williams in the 2004 Wimbledon finals. She is not Anna Kournikova, the model who moonlighted as a tennis player and never won a tournament. She is a major champion whose on court mental toughness exceeds most male professional athletes in any sport.
Even after saying all that it is hard to watch her get so close to a major title after shoulder surgery and come up short. The tennis court is the coldest place of all sporting venues, there are no teammates to help you out and no coaches or corner men to throw in the towel for you. When you don't have it on the tennis court there is no place to hide. What other sport makes the runner up stay on court after losing? Can you imagine Stuart Scott interviewing Lebron on court as the Mav's were celebrating? Sharapova has been playing well lately despite of her serve, she was forced to re-work her serve mechanics after rotator cuff surgery and currently is a coin flip to find the service box. She made it to Wimbledon finals after a straight set semifinal win during which she served 13 double faults, which is like winning the NFC title with Rex Grossman as your QB. Her serving woes put pressure on the rest of her game that is almost unfair, like a pitcher only being allowed to throw fastballs. Watching her miss four consecutive serves to lose a service game is like watching a pitcher walk in four straight without the manager going to the pen. Sharapova's competitive streak is legendary and it is the major reason she has fought so hard to make it back from shoulder surgery and what allows her to win most matches without a serve. Unlike Federer, watching Sharpova you can see how much it means to her and that makes it that much harder to see Sharapova come up just short and is the reason I find myself feeling for her every time she begins her serve.
Maybe Petra Kvitova will go on to a legendary career and win Wimbledon multiple times and we will look back at this year's final as the start of something special (NBC is trying their best to make us think that), but most likely it be remembered for Sharapova's inability to serve overcoming her ultra competitiveness. Most of the times in sports the storybook ending doesn't come true, if this was a movie script Sharapova would have beaten Kvitova and regained her place as the greatest major threat of this era not named Williams. Instead, Sharapova will have to look to the hard court season to improve her serve and womens tennis has another underwhelming major champion and less of a storyline moving forward than a USA drama.
Even after saying all that it is hard to watch her get so close to a major title after shoulder surgery and come up short. The tennis court is the coldest place of all sporting venues, there are no teammates to help you out and no coaches or corner men to throw in the towel for you. When you don't have it on the tennis court there is no place to hide. What other sport makes the runner up stay on court after losing? Can you imagine Stuart Scott interviewing Lebron on court as the Mav's were celebrating? Sharapova has been playing well lately despite of her serve, she was forced to re-work her serve mechanics after rotator cuff surgery and currently is a coin flip to find the service box. She made it to Wimbledon finals after a straight set semifinal win during which she served 13 double faults, which is like winning the NFC title with Rex Grossman as your QB. Her serving woes put pressure on the rest of her game that is almost unfair, like a pitcher only being allowed to throw fastballs. Watching her miss four consecutive serves to lose a service game is like watching a pitcher walk in four straight without the manager going to the pen. Sharapova's competitive streak is legendary and it is the major reason she has fought so hard to make it back from shoulder surgery and what allows her to win most matches without a serve. Unlike Federer, watching Sharpova you can see how much it means to her and that makes it that much harder to see Sharapova come up just short and is the reason I find myself feeling for her every time she begins her serve.
Maybe Petra Kvitova will go on to a legendary career and win Wimbledon multiple times and we will look back at this year's final as the start of something special (NBC is trying their best to make us think that), but most likely it be remembered for Sharapova's inability to serve overcoming her ultra competitiveness. Most of the times in sports the storybook ending doesn't come true, if this was a movie script Sharapova would have beaten Kvitova and regained her place as the greatest major threat of this era not named Williams. Instead, Sharapova will have to look to the hard court season to improve her serve and womens tennis has another underwhelming major champion and less of a storyline moving forward than a USA drama.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Well I Guess Not
The Pens withdrew their offer to Jagr minutes before free agency. Apparently Jagr wasn't that interested in returning to Pittsburgh as he and his agent initially stated. If he thought Pens fans hated him after he jettisoned to D.C., just think how they are going to feel after he flirted with them this past week and now ripped out their hearts.
Looks like the Pens are close to signing Tyler Kennedy. Woo Hoo. Can you sense the sarcasm? I guess if we can't get Jagr we can get his fellow Czech Radim Vrbata. Doesn't the idea of him skating next to Malkin just ooze grandeurs of Stanley Cup dreams.
Let's Go Bucs!
Looks like the Pens are close to signing Tyler Kennedy. Woo Hoo. Can you sense the sarcasm? I guess if we can't get Jagr we can get his fellow Czech Radim Vrbata. Doesn't the idea of him skating next to Malkin just ooze grandeurs of Stanley Cup dreams.
Let's Go Bucs!
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