I feel a tingling sensation in my loins...
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Mench - Team Player
Kevin Mench has a strange way of endearing himself to Brewers fans, with his second published hissy fit of spring training. Some of Mench's gems:
"If I'm only going to play against lefties, what is that, 20 starts a year, 150 at-bats a year? I have proven I can play every day so I don't know why I should sit for a year, get 150 at-bats, and have them take away from my livelihood. I couldn't care less about the money, I just want to play."
and...
"I still don't know what is going on here," Mench said. "Early on, they said 'it might be like this,' but nobody has said one word to me since, so I'm basically still in the dark. I can read between the lines, I guess. But this is my sixth year in the big leagues and I think I have done enough to be told what is going on either way."
and...
"I don't know how Geoff has handled it so well," Mench continued. "He's been in the same organization for nine years and they don't tell him about what they are going to do. Leaving him in the dark is just not right. That should not be how business is done."
In summary, Kevin thinks that the Brewers are taking away his livelihood (but he doesn't care about money), and have not been straight with him regarding whether he is going to be in a platoon. (Hint: you're going to be in a platoon). Reading between the lines, Kevin is trying to be a pain in the ass so the Brewers trade him. Thanks for being a team player, Kevin.
This guy sure creates some drama for somebody who hit .230 last year for the Brewers, and has never really been able to nail down an every day job.
And what about Jenkins?
"It is what is and you just have to go and do your job when you are asked to," he said. "That's it. We just have to move forward."
So there's a right way to handle this situation publicly (Jenks) and a wrong way to handle it (Mench).
"If I'm only going to play against lefties, what is that, 20 starts a year, 150 at-bats a year? I have proven I can play every day so I don't know why I should sit for a year, get 150 at-bats, and have them take away from my livelihood. I couldn't care less about the money, I just want to play."
and...
"I still don't know what is going on here," Mench said. "Early on, they said 'it might be like this,' but nobody has said one word to me since, so I'm basically still in the dark. I can read between the lines, I guess. But this is my sixth year in the big leagues and I think I have done enough to be told what is going on either way."
and...
"I don't know how Geoff has handled it so well," Mench continued. "He's been in the same organization for nine years and they don't tell him about what they are going to do. Leaving him in the dark is just not right. That should not be how business is done."
In summary, Kevin thinks that the Brewers are taking away his livelihood (but he doesn't care about money), and have not been straight with him regarding whether he is going to be in a platoon. (Hint: you're going to be in a platoon). Reading between the lines, Kevin is trying to be a pain in the ass so the Brewers trade him. Thanks for being a team player, Kevin.
This guy sure creates some drama for somebody who hit .230 last year for the Brewers, and has never really been able to nail down an every day job.
And what about Jenkins?
"It is what is and you just have to go and do your job when you are asked to," he said. "That's it. We just have to move forward."
So there's a right way to handle this situation publicly (Jenks) and a wrong way to handle it (Mench).
Grady Little is Cunning
Ned Yost gives his thoughts on his old friend, Dodgers manager Grady Little:
He's a very smart guy. Very cunning. He kind of, like, lays in the weeds and then jumps up and gets you.
Kind of like a lion, Ned? Or maybe a crocodile? Or a cougar?
Will Farrell, with Dodgers manager Grady Little
Ask Red Sox fans how cunning Grady was in the 2003 ALCS...
He's a very smart guy. Very cunning. He kind of, like, lays in the weeds and then jumps up and gets you.
Kind of like a lion, Ned? Or maybe a crocodile? Or a cougar?
Will Farrell, with Dodgers manager Grady Little
Ask Red Sox fans how cunning Grady was in the 2003 ALCS...
Friday, March 30, 2007
CBS NCAA Theme Song Has Words?
More good stuff from Czabe. Sing along to the CBS College BBall theme song with the made-up lyrics (bottom). Funny. Song.
Czabe:
"About a week ago before I went off to Vegas to go 1-7 on the Sweet 16 (again, thanks for f’ing NOTHING, U.S.C!!) I was feeling a little bit silly. So decided to author the “lost lyrics” to the CBS basketball theme. Of course, there ARE no lyrics, but it didn’t prevent me from jotting down some idiotic booze-fueled diddies in my hotel room, and attributing it all to the “Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass” with a fictional “original” version of the song called… “Come On And Watch Some Basketball…” I knew that 98% of my radio audience would see it for what it was: a complete, stupid, and perhaps slightly funny lark. And then we’d have the 2%-ers, that would amuse me because they would surely have not been fully awake, or perhaps just too damn easily suckered."
Lyrics:
Come on and watch some basketball…You’ll watch it all…. DAY … LONG
Come on and watch some basketball…Til your, pool sheet is done!
Come on and watch some basketball…It’s got it all…Tournament Madness
Throw in a few parlays…Gambling is fun!
Walton and Wooden own the court Don’t try them out……. YOU’LL… LOSE
Packer and Nantz call all the games, just watch… Billy be wrong
Come on and watch more basketball
Your wife is mad…Send her out shopping…
Coach K is gay…Duke really sucks!!
Czabe:
"About a week ago before I went off to Vegas to go 1-7 on the Sweet 16 (again, thanks for f’ing NOTHING, U.S.C!!) I was feeling a little bit silly. So decided to author the “lost lyrics” to the CBS basketball theme. Of course, there ARE no lyrics, but it didn’t prevent me from jotting down some idiotic booze-fueled diddies in my hotel room, and attributing it all to the “Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass” with a fictional “original” version of the song called… “Come On And Watch Some Basketball…” I knew that 98% of my radio audience would see it for what it was: a complete, stupid, and perhaps slightly funny lark. And then we’d have the 2%-ers, that would amuse me because they would surely have not been fully awake, or perhaps just too damn easily suckered."
Lyrics:
Come on and watch some basketball…You’ll watch it all…. DAY … LONG
Come on and watch some basketball…Til your, pool sheet is done!
Come on and watch some basketball…It’s got it all…Tournament Madness
Throw in a few parlays…Gambling is fun!
Walton and Wooden own the court Don’t try them out……. YOU’LL… LOSE
Packer and Nantz call all the games, just watch… Billy be wrong
Come on and watch more basketball
Your wife is mad…Send her out shopping…
Coach K is gay…Duke really sucks!!
Thursday, March 29, 2007
NL Central Preview - Chopper
Here’s an amalgamation of all my Brewer Breakdowns along with a NL Central preview.
2007 Crew - The GOOD:
- Starting Pitching: The rotation is deep, experienced and healthy…for now.
- Depth: It wasn’t too long ago reserves like Gabe Gross, Craig Counsell, Zach Jackson and Damien Miller would be everyday starters.
- Youngsters: Although not completely polished, guys like Weeks, Prince, Hall and Hart all have all-start potential…and should get better, not worse.
- Position Upgrades: The ’07 version of the Brewers should be better at C, CF, Closer (A full year of CoCo), and #3 starter (Suppan).
- Closer: CoCo Cordero was lights out in a Crewr uniform. No more 9th inning meltdowns by Turnblow.
- Health: Knock on wood, JJ, Ricky and Ben are out of the infirmary and onto the ball yard.
- Butch Wyneger: He’s gone, which can only help Brewer hitters.
- Dale Sveum: Last year’s 3B coach and his windmill-esque left arm is now the bench coach.
- Johnny “Eric” Estrada: How nice is it to have a good hitting catcher? It’s been a while.
- NL Central: Yes, the NL Central is wide open.
2007 Crew - The NOT SO GOOD:
- Strikeouts. This lineup is going to whiff a TON. 5, count ‘em 5, guys have a good shot at 100 Ks: Hall, Weeks, Prince, Jenks, and Hart. That’s reminiscent of the Sexson, Burnitz, Jose Hernandez days.
-Injuries: We are talking about the Brewers….they will have injuries.
-Defense: Only JJ and Jenks can be considered above average with the glove.
-Bullpen: Capellan and Turnbow have to have big years.
-Fundamentals: I’m talking about getting picked off bases, airmailing the cut off man allowing the opponent to take an extra base, errors, leaving a leadoff double go to waste, the pitcher not putting down a good bunt, etc. The Cardinals don’t do these things, the Brewers do.
-What about power: Prince and Hall can mash, but who else remembers this team scoring like 1 run a game after the Lee trade?
-Yost is still managing. I don’t like his moves.
- Schedule: Of course it all evens out in the end, but check out the first and last months of the season…brutal.
-Expectations: 4 ESPN “experts” pick Milwaukee to win the Central. Everybody seems to think they have 85+ win talents. I’d rather be under the radar and sneak up on teams.
- Jim Powell: He’s annoying.
All NL Central Team:
C – Michael Barrett (Cubs). Wow, not a lot to choose from here.
Honorable Mention: Johnny Estrada (Crew), Yaddy Molina (Cards)
1B – Albert Pujols (Cards). They say he's 27. Whatever...then how did he play with Jack Clark? HM: Lance Berkman (Astros), Derrek Lee (Cubs)
2B – Freddie Sanchez (Pirates). Who knew this guy won the NL batting title?
HM: Brandon Phillips (Reds), Rickie Weeks (Brewers)
SS – David Eckstein (Cards). Yikes! I’m looking for the best smelling pile of poop here…
HM: Jack Wilson (Pirates), Cesar Izturis (Cubs)
3B – Scott Rolen (Cards). If healthy, almost the best in the biz.
HM: Aramis Ramirez (Cubs), Edwin Encarnacion (Reds)
OF – Alf Soriano (Cubs). Might have roller skates in CF, but 40-40 is hard to argue against.
OF – Jason Bay (Pirates). The most underrated player in baseball. Period.
OF – Carlos Lee (Astros). Might hit 50+ bombs with that LF fence.
HM: Billy Hall (Brewers), Adam Dunn (Reds)
SP – Chris Carpenter (Cards)
SP – Roy Oswalt (Astros)
SP – Carlos Zambrano (Cubs)
SP - Bronson Arroyo (Reds)
SP – Benny Sheets (Brewers)
HM: Aaron Harang (Reds), Jeff Suppan (Brewers), Ian Snell (Pirates)
RP – Francisco Cordero (Brewers)
HM: Jason Isringhausen (Cards)
1) St Louis: 84-78
They win by default. Just can’t pick Milwaukee or Houston. The Cards still have the best hitter in baseball (Pujols), he best pitcher in the NL (Carpenter), the best defense in the division, a defensive catcher (Molina) who completely eliminates the opponents running game, and a manager (LaRussa) who can out-drink a camel.2) Milwaukee: 83-79
I just can’t do it. Just can’t give them 2 more wins and the division.3) Houston: 80-82
The Berkman/Lee duo is potent. Just pencil in Lee for: .280, 38 bombs, 115 RBI, 14 SB…it’s like clockwork. That 120 foot LF wall might get him 52 homers. I’m betting on bounce back years from Brad Lidge and Morgan Ensburg. Jason Jenning’s sub 4.00 ERA at Coors Launching Pad was impressive, but the end of the rotation sucks.4) Cubs: 79-83
I don’t buy the hype. I still see Zambrano and a bunch of guys in the rotation…overpaid guys at that. Alf was a good signing. Everyone else they was iffy. Aramis is a perfect guy if he’s in a contract year after the club’s 15 games out. Lilly and Marquis are junk. Seriously, who would you rather have: Marquis for $7 million per (6.02 ERA in 06, Career: 4.48), or Tomo Okha for $2 million per year (4.84 ERA in 06, Career: 4.04)? Ryan Dempster is a 9th inning gas can. Everybody raves about the lineup, but they’ve got Jacque Jones and Michael Barrett hitting 5 and 6…yawn.5) Pittsburgh: 76-90
I’ve picked the Buccos to break out for about 6 straight years now, why not make it 7? Looking at the numbers you would think the rotation is straight junk. It’s not. In fact, it’s full of young talent that just needs innings. The bully is also better than you think, even without Mike Gonzalez. He was traded for…your new Pirates starting first baseman, Adam LaRoche! Fred Sanchez, LaRoche and Jay Bay makes for a solid 3-4-5.
6) Reds: 73 – 89
80 wins last year was a small miracle. This team isn’t that good. Bronson Arroyo and Aaron Harang won’t replicate their 2006 seasons. Bet on it. The lineup has a few bats with some thunder, but nobody scares you. I like the gritty Ryan Freel in CF, he’s a straight up “baseball player.” Their top 3 relievers are named Majewski, Stanton, and Stormy Weathers. That’s a problem. Look for plenty of 9-8 line scores involving the Reds this year.
ESPN Brewers Preview
ESPN unveiled their Brewers preview today. Interesting that 5 of the 10 ESPN "experts" picked Milwaukee to win the NL Central. Even Chopp's guy Peter Gammons picked the Crew in '07. Jim Caple thinks they're going to win 90 games.
For the record, the Cardinals got three 1st place votes, and the Cubs and Astros got 1 first place vote each from the panel of experts.
For the record, the Cardinals got three 1st place votes, and the Cubs and Astros got 1 first place vote each from the panel of experts.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
NL Central Preview - McManus
I decided to craft a little NL Central preview to educate all of you mopes - because I'd much rather cheer alongside an educated baseball fan base. So, without further ado, here's my view from the couch regarding where the Central teams stack up. First, a couple of pre-season thoughts:
Best Off-Season Acquisition: Alfonso Soriano, Cubs
Not saying this was a great signing for the long term (I think the Cubbies are going to regret the last 2-3 years of that deal), but for 2007, no newcomer will have a greater impact than Soriano. The Cubs are getting a guy who hit 46 bombs, stole 41 bases, and hit nearly .280. He's miscast as a leadoff hitter, and miscast in CF, but he'll hit - that's for sure. He could easily go for 50 homers in Wrigley. Nagging question: was he just playing for a contract? I say no.
Runner Up: Jeff Suppan, Brewers
A professional pitcher for a team that needs a guy they know can take the ball every fifth day. Will show the young guys on the staff what it takes to be a winner. Carlos Lee will also have a large impact on Houston...but $100 million?
Worst Off-Season Acquisition: Jason Marquis, Cubs
What did a 6 + ERA get a starting pitcher last off-season? 3 years, $21 million, that's what. He does hit, however. Somehow, he won 14 games last year. He had been a fairly serviceable starter prior to last year, and it could just be one terrible year..but 33 starts with a 6.02 ERA? Not a good trend.
Runner Up: None
Maybe Alex Gonzalez on the Reds. I'm not even sure which Alex Gonzalez they got, but it doesn't matter - they both suck.
Best Starting Pitching: Milwaukee Brewers
Even considering that this comes from a biased observer (me), this isn't even close. The Brewers have established starting pitchers from 1-4 and a "power arm" (Doug Melvin's term, not mine) manning the 5 spot in Claudio Vargas. They have a #1 in Sheets who is as dominant as any pitcher in baseball when he's on. They picked up Jeff Suppan to stabilize the middle of the rotation, and Dave Bush is primed for a breakout year. And if Vargas falters, or Sheets gets hurt, the Brewers have a couple of options at AAA to fill the spot, including a personal favorite of mine, Carlos Villanueva.
Gone are the days of Rickey Bones as the staff ace for the Crew
Sweet Lou, during happier times.
4. Astros - 79 wins
Carlos Lee brings a much needed bat, they traded for Jason Jennings, who put up very respectable numbers at Coors Field, but this team is sort of treading water. The early part of the season will be dominated by the will he/won't he Roger Clemens story. [Side note: We know how grating the whole Brett Favre retirement/comeback story gets each year. Imagine if Favre didn't make up his mind until Week 4 of the NFL season. Yeah - brutal living in Houston until the Rocket makes a decision.] Berkman and Lee give them two serious threats in the lineup, but the latter part of the rotation and the bullpen leave a lot to be desired. Plus, in years past, this team has forgotten how to hit for seemingly weeks on end. Lee will help there, but the pitching isn't good enough this year.
5. Cincinnati - 75 wins
Best Off-Season Acquisition: Alfonso Soriano, Cubs
Not saying this was a great signing for the long term (I think the Cubbies are going to regret the last 2-3 years of that deal), but for 2007, no newcomer will have a greater impact than Soriano. The Cubs are getting a guy who hit 46 bombs, stole 41 bases, and hit nearly .280. He's miscast as a leadoff hitter, and miscast in CF, but he'll hit - that's for sure. He could easily go for 50 homers in Wrigley. Nagging question: was he just playing for a contract? I say no.
Runner Up: Jeff Suppan, Brewers
A professional pitcher for a team that needs a guy they know can take the ball every fifth day. Will show the young guys on the staff what it takes to be a winner. Carlos Lee will also have a large impact on Houston...but $100 million?
Worst Off-Season Acquisition: Jason Marquis, Cubs
What did a 6 + ERA get a starting pitcher last off-season? 3 years, $21 million, that's what. He does hit, however. Somehow, he won 14 games last year. He had been a fairly serviceable starter prior to last year, and it could just be one terrible year..but 33 starts with a 6.02 ERA? Not a good trend.
Runner Up: None
Maybe Alex Gonzalez on the Reds. I'm not even sure which Alex Gonzalez they got, but it doesn't matter - they both suck.
Best Starting Pitching: Milwaukee Brewers
Even considering that this comes from a biased observer (me), this isn't even close. The Brewers have established starting pitchers from 1-4 and a "power arm" (Doug Melvin's term, not mine) manning the 5 spot in Claudio Vargas. They have a #1 in Sheets who is as dominant as any pitcher in baseball when he's on. They picked up Jeff Suppan to stabilize the middle of the rotation, and Dave Bush is primed for a breakout year. And if Vargas falters, or Sheets gets hurt, the Brewers have a couple of options at AAA to fill the spot, including a personal favorite of mine, Carlos Villanueva.
Gone are the days of Rickey Bones as the staff ace for the Crew
Runner Up: Cardinals
Hard to pick a second place. The Reds have a solid 1 and 2 in Harang and Arroyo, the Cubs have Zambrano, Ted Lilly (another overpaid starter) and a lot of potential in Rich Hill, the Astros picked up Jason Jennings to go along with Oswalt (but lose points for starting a guy named Wandy). That being said, the Cardinals are the pick, based on performance and potential. Carpenter is an ace, and Adam Wainwright is a future ace (at least he better be - he's holding down a rotation spot on my fantasy team). Anthony Reyes looked like Cy freaking Young against the Brewers last year, and Kip Wells has always been a decent pitcher when he's not hurt (don't laugh - it's true).
Best Bullpen: Cubs
This is pretty much by default. The NL Central bullpens are a collective disaster. The Reds and Pirates don't have a closer, the Astros have a closer who was a complete head case last year with an ERA north of 5, the Brewers' closer melted down last year and has been replaced by a guy who had his own early season meltdown as a closer...you get the idea. Oh, and the Cardinals are converting two of their relievers (Wainwright, Looper) into starters. So even though the Cubs have their own shaky closer in Ryan Dempster, they at least have major league arms in Howry, Ohman and Eyre down there to eat up innings. Oh, and Kerry Wood might be a bullpen guy too...if they reattach his arm in time for opening day.
Paging Dr. Andrews, Kerry Wood is on line 3.
Hard to pick a second place. The Reds have a solid 1 and 2 in Harang and Arroyo, the Cubs have Zambrano, Ted Lilly (another overpaid starter) and a lot of potential in Rich Hill, the Astros picked up Jason Jennings to go along with Oswalt (but lose points for starting a guy named Wandy). That being said, the Cardinals are the pick, based on performance and potential. Carpenter is an ace, and Adam Wainwright is a future ace (at least he better be - he's holding down a rotation spot on my fantasy team). Anthony Reyes looked like Cy freaking Young against the Brewers last year, and Kip Wells has always been a decent pitcher when he's not hurt (don't laugh - it's true).
Best Bullpen: Cubs
This is pretty much by default. The NL Central bullpens are a collective disaster. The Reds and Pirates don't have a closer, the Astros have a closer who was a complete head case last year with an ERA north of 5, the Brewers' closer melted down last year and has been replaced by a guy who had his own early season meltdown as a closer...you get the idea. Oh, and the Cardinals are converting two of their relievers (Wainwright, Looper) into starters. So even though the Cubs have their own shaky closer in Ryan Dempster, they at least have major league arms in Howry, Ohman and Eyre down there to eat up innings. Oh, and Kerry Wood might be a bullpen guy too...if they reattach his arm in time for opening day.
Paging Dr. Andrews, Kerry Wood is on line 3.
Runner Up: Brewers
This is based purely on potential. Cordero was lights out after the trade from Texas, and he's in a contract year. Turnbow has shown the ability to be a dominant reliever - just not in the last 3 months of last season. Matt Wise can get people out with that changeup, but I wonder if he's a one trick pony that the NL Central has figured out. Don't sleep on Elmer Dessens.
Best Everyday Lineup (Fantasy Baseball): Cubs
The middle infield is a little questionable (never been a big Cezar Isturis fan), but otherwise...wow. Soriano, Lee, Ramirez, J. Jones, Barrett, etc. is an AL East type lineup. Not a fun team to pitch to - I wonder why they don't give Matt Murton an everyday job, however. He's a nice player.
Best Everyday Lineup (Real Baseball): Cardinals
The Cardinals have the right combination of stars and role players to win ballgames. And they have Albert Pujols. The best player in the league. That tips the scales.
Best Defense: Cardinals
Rolen, Eckstein and Kennedy are good infielders. Pujols won a Gold Glove last year, but I always think that's a reward for his offense more than his defense. Edmonds is still a great CF. Encarnacion is decent. And Yadier Molina has a cannon at catcher (he better - he hit .216 last year).
Runner Up: Pirates
They actually led the division in fielding percentage in 2006, and didn't get any worse by adding Adam LaRoche, who is nifty around the bag at first. Jack Wilson is a slick SS.
All this adds up to prediction time. Here goes:
1. Cardinals - 87 wins
Not because Tony LaRussa is their manager (despite bonus points for the DWI story of the spring, with the skipper falling asleep WITH THE CAR IN DRIVE). Not because they got better in the offseason (they didn't). But this is still the team to beat. Their lineup isn't the most visually impressive (see: Cubs) but every guy in there knows what he's supposed to do, and it adds up to a winning ballclub. Eckstein is the most annoying player in MLB, but it's no mistake that he's been a World Champion on two different teams now. Pujols, Rolen, Edmonds and Encarnacion can knock in the runs, and their pitching staff is anchored by the best starter in the NL over the past 2 years and an experienced closer. They underachieved during the regular season last year - and ended up winning the World Series.
This is based purely on potential. Cordero was lights out after the trade from Texas, and he's in a contract year. Turnbow has shown the ability to be a dominant reliever - just not in the last 3 months of last season. Matt Wise can get people out with that changeup, but I wonder if he's a one trick pony that the NL Central has figured out. Don't sleep on Elmer Dessens.
Best Everyday Lineup (Fantasy Baseball): Cubs
The middle infield is a little questionable (never been a big Cezar Isturis fan), but otherwise...wow. Soriano, Lee, Ramirez, J. Jones, Barrett, etc. is an AL East type lineup. Not a fun team to pitch to - I wonder why they don't give Matt Murton an everyday job, however. He's a nice player.
Best Everyday Lineup (Real Baseball): Cardinals
The Cardinals have the right combination of stars and role players to win ballgames. And they have Albert Pujols. The best player in the league. That tips the scales.
Best Defense: Cardinals
Rolen, Eckstein and Kennedy are good infielders. Pujols won a Gold Glove last year, but I always think that's a reward for his offense more than his defense. Edmonds is still a great CF. Encarnacion is decent. And Yadier Molina has a cannon at catcher (he better - he hit .216 last year).
Runner Up: Pirates
They actually led the division in fielding percentage in 2006, and didn't get any worse by adding Adam LaRoche, who is nifty around the bag at first. Jack Wilson is a slick SS.
All this adds up to prediction time. Here goes:
1. Cardinals - 87 wins
Not because Tony LaRussa is their manager (despite bonus points for the DWI story of the spring, with the skipper falling asleep WITH THE CAR IN DRIVE). Not because they got better in the offseason (they didn't). But this is still the team to beat. Their lineup isn't the most visually impressive (see: Cubs) but every guy in there knows what he's supposed to do, and it adds up to a winning ballclub. Eckstein is the most annoying player in MLB, but it's no mistake that he's been a World Champion on two different teams now. Pujols, Rolen, Edmonds and Encarnacion can knock in the runs, and their pitching staff is anchored by the best starter in the NL over the past 2 years and an experienced closer. They underachieved during the regular season last year - and ended up winning the World Series.
2. Brewers - 84 wins
Three major concerns: defense, too many batters striking out, and health. Suppan is a groundball pitcher, and already this spring his infielders have been kicking the ball around behind him. They have a converted SS/3B playing CF, one of the three most important defensive positions on the field. And Hall, Jenkins, Prince and Rickie all strike out way too often, leading to lots of unproductive outs. Still, there is talent here, with good depth on the bench and in the minors for the positional players and pitching staff. The starting staff is the division's best...if they stay healthy. And that's been a major problem for this team. Sheets, Hardy, Weeks, Jenkins, Koskie - all missed major time in the last couple of years due to injuries. If they get wiped out again like last year, this is a 75 win club again. Here's hoping they can stay healthy and put it all together.
3. Cubs - 81 wins
They spent a lot of money, but I'm not sure they really fixed all that much. They needed a leadoff hitter and centerfielder who can get on base and set the table for Lee and Ramirez, instead, they got a converted second baseman/left fielder (who made tons of errors last year)with a career OBP of .325 who is better suited batting third or fourth in a lineup. They spent $63 million on two starters who are, frankly, average pitchers at best. They hired a manager with a notorious short fuse who is going to have to deal with unrealistic expectations from the fans and media (they think this is a 90 win club). I look for a Sweet Lou meltdown by Memorial Day. Maybe not quite a Lee Elia meltdown, but a meltdown nonetheless. The whole thing could work spectacularly...but I don't see it. The Cardinals put together a team. The Cubs are going more of the Peter Angelos route. History has shown us which approach works better.
Three major concerns: defense, too many batters striking out, and health. Suppan is a groundball pitcher, and already this spring his infielders have been kicking the ball around behind him. They have a converted SS/3B playing CF, one of the three most important defensive positions on the field. And Hall, Jenkins, Prince and Rickie all strike out way too often, leading to lots of unproductive outs. Still, there is talent here, with good depth on the bench and in the minors for the positional players and pitching staff. The starting staff is the division's best...if they stay healthy. And that's been a major problem for this team. Sheets, Hardy, Weeks, Jenkins, Koskie - all missed major time in the last couple of years due to injuries. If they get wiped out again like last year, this is a 75 win club again. Here's hoping they can stay healthy and put it all together.
3. Cubs - 81 wins
They spent a lot of money, but I'm not sure they really fixed all that much. They needed a leadoff hitter and centerfielder who can get on base and set the table for Lee and Ramirez, instead, they got a converted second baseman/left fielder (who made tons of errors last year)with a career OBP of .325 who is better suited batting third or fourth in a lineup. They spent $63 million on two starters who are, frankly, average pitchers at best. They hired a manager with a notorious short fuse who is going to have to deal with unrealistic expectations from the fans and media (they think this is a 90 win club). I look for a Sweet Lou meltdown by Memorial Day. Maybe not quite a Lee Elia meltdown, but a meltdown nonetheless. The whole thing could work spectacularly...but I don't see it. The Cardinals put together a team. The Cubs are going more of the Peter Angelos route. History has shown us which approach works better.
Sweet Lou, during happier times.
4. Astros - 79 wins
Carlos Lee brings a much needed bat, they traded for Jason Jennings, who put up very respectable numbers at Coors Field, but this team is sort of treading water. The early part of the season will be dominated by the will he/won't he Roger Clemens story. [Side note: We know how grating the whole Brett Favre retirement/comeback story gets each year. Imagine if Favre didn't make up his mind until Week 4 of the NFL season. Yeah - brutal living in Houston until the Rocket makes a decision.] Berkman and Lee give them two serious threats in the lineup, but the latter part of the rotation and the bullpen leave a lot to be desired. Plus, in years past, this team has forgotten how to hit for seemingly weeks on end. Lee will help there, but the pitching isn't good enough this year.
5. Cincinnati - 75 wins
I was dead wrong about the Reds last year. They hung around until the final weeks in the putrid NL Central. I'm not seeing it this year. Their starters, after the top 2, are a collective train wreck. They should just release Eric Milton and let Homer Bailey sink or swim. Phillips and Encarnacion are nice young infielders, and Adam Dunn will put up Rob Deer type numbers for you, but overall, there just isn't much here. 75 wins seems to be about right for them this year.
6. Pittsburgh - 71 wins
I actually sort of get where the Pirates are going now. They have Bay and now LaRoche to build around on offense, and are grooming lots of young starting pitchers. They might have a bit of a plan. But it won't happen in 2007. Too many guys competing for everyday jobs that nobody has ever heard of.
I actually sort of get where the Pirates are going now. They have Bay and now LaRoche to build around on offense, and are grooming lots of young starting pitchers. They might have a bit of a plan. But it won't happen in 2007. Too many guys competing for everyday jobs that nobody has ever heard of.
I'm just kidding. The Pirates have no plan. They will peddle Bay for a bunch of prospects within 2 years.
Prior Sent To AAA
Mark Prior was sent down to AAA Iowa today. Remember when this guy was the next Roger Clemens? Hell, he's not even the next Cal Eldred.
Tom Crean Debate
Anytime there is a job opening, Tom Crean’s name is mentioned. Now it’s Michigan and Kentucky. He’s been good to MU, no doubt. He took a perennial NIT team to multiple NCAA tournaments. Granted, he hasn’t won a bracket game without Superman/Wade (not only have they lost, they’ve lost to a lower seed in his other 3 trips to the dance.), but he’s still been an asset to Marquette.
The questions to you are: has the program peaked? If no, can Crean coach MU to multiple Sweet 16s/Great 8s? Would you really care if he went to Kentucky? Debate!
My views: If you want someone to get great recruits, win 20 games, get in the dance, and lose in the first round…Crean’s your guy. If you want someone to coach up talent and lead them deep in the tourney, get a new coach.
My views: If you want someone to get great recruits, win 20 games, get in the dance, and lose in the first round…Crean’s your guy. If you want someone to coach up talent and lead them deep in the tourney, get a new coach.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Grambling in the Final 4?
My dad is getting up there in age...thus, he often gets sports teams/player names mixed up (my personal favorite is when he calls Yao, "Yang.") Yesterday he referred to Georgetown as "Grambling," which is funny on multiple levels.
Mike Flowers, Optimist
Badger guard Mike Flowers on the 2008 season:
"I think it set the bar high," Flowers said. "Next year, less than 30 wins is going to be a disappointment."
Maybe Flowers doesn't know Alando ran out of eligibility?
"I think it set the bar high," Flowers said. "Next year, less than 30 wins is going to be a disappointment."
Maybe Flowers doesn't know Alando ran out of eligibility?
What a Racket!
So, I have a friend from Chicago (the esteemed author of Wrigleyworld , a book about living around Wrigley for a season, highly recommended for Cubs fans and those who like to see my name in print in the acknowledgements section) coming to town next weekend and he wanted to check out the Brewers/Cubs game on Friday night. So, yesterday, I decided to pick up 4 tickets on the Brewers web site. Since the Cubs are in town, I will already be paying more for tickets due to marquee pricing. That's fine, didn't bother me. What did bother me was that I was being charged $3.50 per ticket as a "convenience charge" and then the kicker was that I had to pay a $2.00 processing charge to print the tickets out on my own on my home computer! If I wanted them mailed to me that was 3 bucks. What a freaking rip.
I randomly checked out some other teams on mlb.com and the Brewers actually had one of the lowest surcharges around. So, after work, I headed down to Miller Park and picked up 4 tickets with no extra fees. Honestly, a $2.00 service fee for me to print the tickets out myself using my ink and my paper, WTF?
Brewer Breakdown - Relief Pitching
Thanks in large part to Derek Turnbow’s second half implosion, the Brewer bullpen was one of the worst in the NL. Jokers like Chris Mabrus, Joe Winklesas (pictured, looking dapper sporting a cheesy mustache) and Dana Eveland didn’t help either. Neither did Yost’s moronic management of they bully.
2006 stats:
CoCo Cordero: 1.69 ERA, 27 innings
Derek Turnbow: 6.87, 56 IP
Jose Capellan: 4.40, 71 IP
Matt Wise: 3.86, 44 IP
Brian Shouse: 3.97, 34 IP
The Good: Once again the Crew has another position with pretty good depth. (Here comes the big “if”)...If Turnbow can come somewhat near the strike zone, the Crew would have three guys with closer stuff and power arms: CoCo, Turnbow and Capellan. Wise and Shouse are pretty good change of pace guys. Wise continues to get batters out with his 70 mph change up. How he does it, I have no idea. Shouse, a soft tossing lefty, was a great find by Melvin.
The Bad: I’ve used this line before…do you really feel confident in any of these guys other than Cordero? I don’t. Capealln has good stuff and was a work horse last year, but gave up homers by the truckload. Turnbow is a meltdown waiting to happen, and when hitters are waiting for Wise’s change, it gets destroyed. The Brewers could use a power lefty, then again who couldn’t? It’s hard to expect CoCo to have a sub 2.00 ERA again.
2007 Predicted Stats:
CoCo Cordero: 2.20 ERA, 38 saves
Derek Turnbow: 5.45 ERA
Jose Capellan: 4.50 ERA
Matt Wise: 4.30 ERA
Brian Shouse: 3.85 ERA
Grade: C+. This is lower than most would grade them, but unless Turnbow has a major turnaround and Capellan keeps the ball in the park, they are only slightly above average.
2006 stats:
CoCo Cordero: 1.69 ERA, 27 innings
Derek Turnbow: 6.87, 56 IP
Jose Capellan: 4.40, 71 IP
Matt Wise: 3.86, 44 IP
Brian Shouse: 3.97, 34 IP
The Good: Once again the Crew has another position with pretty good depth. (Here comes the big “if”)...If Turnbow can come somewhat near the strike zone, the Crew would have three guys with closer stuff and power arms: CoCo, Turnbow and Capellan. Wise and Shouse are pretty good change of pace guys. Wise continues to get batters out with his 70 mph change up. How he does it, I have no idea. Shouse, a soft tossing lefty, was a great find by Melvin.
The Bad: I’ve used this line before…do you really feel confident in any of these guys other than Cordero? I don’t. Capealln has good stuff and was a work horse last year, but gave up homers by the truckload. Turnbow is a meltdown waiting to happen, and when hitters are waiting for Wise’s change, it gets destroyed. The Brewers could use a power lefty, then again who couldn’t? It’s hard to expect CoCo to have a sub 2.00 ERA again.
2007 Predicted Stats:
CoCo Cordero: 2.20 ERA, 38 saves
Derek Turnbow: 5.45 ERA
Jose Capellan: 4.50 ERA
Matt Wise: 4.30 ERA
Brian Shouse: 3.85 ERA
Grade: C+. This is lower than most would grade them, but unless Turnbow has a major turnaround and Capellan keeps the ball in the park, they are only slightly above average.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Bye Bye Brady
The Brewers finally unloaded Captain Popup (aka Brady Clark), trading him to the Dodgers for Elmer Fudd. Or Dessens. Or whatever.
The important thing is, I won't have to watch Brady Clark play baseball for my team any longer. I don't know who the backup CF will be. I don't care. Since Brady is not a good defensive outfielder, does not hit for power, is not a good pinch hitter, has no speed, and has no other discernible talent on the baseball diamond, I am glad he is off the roster.
I forgot - Brady was good at getting hit by pitches
The FSWA - Looking Out for Fake Journalists Everywhere
This could be one of those Sports Illustrated "signs of the apocalypse" - I just discovered that the people who write about fantasy sports actually have their own association. The Fantasy Sports Writers Association , or FSWA.
Its mission? According to the website, FSWA will:
"function as an advocate for fantasy writers' concerns and seek to address any adverse issues that may arise. Moreover, the FSWA will strive to promote and acknowledge the hard work and dedication shown by fantasy sports writers throughout the industry."
Wow. That's priceless. Good thing the FSWA is around to protect the downtrodden, the vulnerable, the... fantasy writer. Ha.
Its mission? According to the website, FSWA will:
"function as an advocate for fantasy writers' concerns and seek to address any adverse issues that may arise. Moreover, the FSWA will strive to promote and acknowledge the hard work and dedication shown by fantasy sports writers throughout the industry."
Wow. That's priceless. Good thing the FSWA is around to protect the downtrodden, the vulnerable, the... fantasy writer. Ha.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Is That Legal?
If you are shooting a buzzer-beater, apparently you can now: take 4 steps, change pivot feet in the process, and not get called for it. That’s exactly what Jeff Green did to beat Vandy on Friday night. This was easily the worst non-call I’ve ever seen. Worse than Chris Webber dragging his pivot foot about 3 feet just seconds before calling the time out Michigan didn’t have. No, that call didn’t ruin my brackets (those were done a couple rounds ago), and no, I'm not a huge Commadores fan (Vandy or the band)…I’m just here to place a giant asterisk on G-Towns Final Four season. Oh, and old man Ewing needs to mix in a salad.
For whatever reason, the game video looks more like the Zapruder film than a basketball game.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Playoffs?
The Journal Sentinel has officially run out of things to write about in Spring Training, as evidenced by this morning's warm and fuzzy feature story on Tony Graffanino. One notable quote from Graffy:
"If everybody stays healthy, our vision is playoffs, deep into the playoffs, and hopefully World Series. I'm not making a prediction or anything, but I think we have the pieces."
Whoa...easy there buddy. Let's try to get above .500 before we start talking about playoffs in Spring Training.
"If everybody stays healthy, our vision is playoffs, deep into the playoffs, and hopefully World Series. I'm not making a prediction or anything, but I think we have the pieces."
Whoa...easy there buddy. Let's try to get above .500 before we start talking about playoffs in Spring Training.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Greater Chuckie Hacks Open Update
Well, halfway through the Sweet 16, it looks like Tone Loc is in the lead with 120 points. Good job Tony. McManus is in second with 116 and there is a 3-way tie for third between Matera, me and our east coast entrant and Steve Alford fan, Brad Cohrs. However, when we dig a little deeper and look at the best possible score, I take the cake. Some (Lindsay) may say that is because I took the safe route by selecting plenty of favorites. My response was that it was obvious there were about 8 good teams this year and everyone else was a bastion of mediocrity. Thus this was the year to not go out on a limb. Anyhow, in honor of Tony's lead, I present you a photo of an inflatable bag of Fritos.
Chopp: Still Popular
Continuing the exciting life of a transportation planner, I was out along the I-94 corridor this morning in Milwaukee County determining how far away you have to be from the interstate until you can't hear it anymore. While exploring some of Oak Creek's and the south side of Milwaukee's finest neighborhoods, I was listening to the best of Bob and Brian. Lo and behold, Chopp' ranking of the shape of states segment made it on during the Czaben segment. That thing has legs man. Way to go Chopp.
Random Thoughts...
Random thougths by loyal reader/future Bucks correspondent Keith Greiveldinger:
"...did you notice the other night when K-state was playing that if you drew one of those crazy mustaches on Bobby Huggins I think he would be a spitting image of Hitler. Also.....why was Greg Oden continuallly being brought in and out of the game last night in the final minutes.....how do you not leave your best big man on the floor for the final minute.....I know it all worked out cause he finished the game with that sweet block....but what if the possesion before when UT scored without Oden on the floor THAT was the final difference.....just random thoughts for the day."
"...did you notice the other night when K-state was playing that if you drew one of those crazy mustaches on Bobby Huggins I think he would be a spitting image of Hitler. Also.....why was Greg Oden continuallly being brought in and out of the game last night in the final minutes.....how do you not leave your best big man on the floor for the final minute.....I know it all worked out cause he finished the game with that sweet block....but what if the possesion before when UT scored without Oden on the floor THAT was the final difference.....just random thoughts for the day."
Thursday, March 22, 2007
College Hoops News
Three notable College Hoops stories today:
Tubby Smith quits Kentucky for….Minnesota? Talk about a downgrade. That’s like going from Sam Adams to Olympia Ice. I guess he saw the writing on the wall in Lexington. My question is, why not take the Michigan job? That’s got to be a better job than Minny? Also, who takes the coveted Kentucky opening? I herd Tom Crean’s name bantered about. I don’t buy that. My prediction: Bruce Pearl. Just a hunch.
Steve Alford quits Iowa for New Mexico. Another downgrade. Does he really have that much pressure at Iowa to justify leaving (before getting fired) the Hawks for the last place team in the Mountain West? Actually, I bet he succeeds there.
Finally…Duke’s Josh McRoberts is going pro. Bwahahahahaha!!!! Good luck with that.
Tubby Smith quits Kentucky for….Minnesota? Talk about a downgrade. That’s like going from Sam Adams to Olympia Ice. I guess he saw the writing on the wall in Lexington. My question is, why not take the Michigan job? That’s got to be a better job than Minny? Also, who takes the coveted Kentucky opening? I herd Tom Crean’s name bantered about. I don’t buy that. My prediction: Bruce Pearl. Just a hunch.
Steve Alford quits Iowa for New Mexico. Another downgrade. Does he really have that much pressure at Iowa to justify leaving (before getting fired) the Hawks for the last place team in the Mountain West? Actually, I bet he succeeds there.
Finally…Duke’s Josh McRoberts is going pro. Bwahahahahaha!!!! Good luck with that.
Worst Free Agent Signings Ever
Cletidus making plays As requested by a loyal Chuckie Hacks reader, here are the worst free agent/contract extension signings by Wisconsin teams. Actually, the JS beat me to the punch and ranked the 10 worst Packer signings. Ranking these abortions was actually harder than the research. Let’s countdown from bad to worst:
9) Geoff Jenkins: Approx 4 years, $38 million
I respect Geoff Jenkins. He’s been with the organization from the start, through thick and thin. He always plays hard and never complains (until this spring). That said, $7 million a year was a TON of cash for the Brewers for a middle of the order guy who never had a 100 RBI season before, or since the contract. Its not surprising that his name regularly comes up in trade talks….it also isn’t shocking there were no takers this winter.
8) Bobby Simmons: 5 years, $47 million
Obviously playing for a contract, Simmons went from a career 7 ppg scorer to 16 a game in his free agent year with the Clipps. It paid off as the Senator opened his vault and gave Bobby a massive deal. He was disappointing last year and hasn’t played a minute this season. There’s still time to turn this one around but, as for now, it hasn’t been good.
7) Sean Berry: 2 years, $3.5 million
Here’s one that wasn’t a financial disaster, but a disaster none the less. Berry was brought in to be a middle of the lineup hitter, batting 5th behind Jeromy Burnitz…that lasted about 2 weeks. He started out on a tear hitting .350, 1 HR, 4 RBI in his first week as a Brewer prompting Matt Vasgersian to yell “For those of you in rotisserie baseball, GO PICK UP SEAN BERRY!” I distinctly remember this quote, because listened to his advice. Well, Berry would cool off considerably and hit just .217-1-19 the rest of the year.
6) Anthony Mason: 4 years, $20 million
Here’s a terrible idea: We have a fun, fast, high-scoring, up-and-down, free-flowing, guard-orientated ballclub. How about we add a slow, plodding, past his prime, ball-hogging malcontent? Great idea.
5) Cletidus Hunt: 6 years, $25 million
Hunt was actually a decent, active DT before he got his money. At the time, I remember they almost had to sign him…Joe Johnson was always hurt, KGB was just 3rd down guy so Hunt was the only guy anybody herd of…GB couldn’t lose him! Too bad he made about 2 plays per season after the big deal.
4) Dan Gadzuric: 6 years, $36 million
If you are 7 feet tall with a pulse, NBA GMs will give you a lot of cash. Big Gadz is exhibit 1A. He showed promise (7 pts, 8 boards) in his contract year while shooting 54 from the field. Danny’s numbers are now down to 4 pts, 4 boards and 44% shooting. This is especially troubling considering 97% of his shots are within 3 feet from the basket.
3) Cal Eldred: 4 years, $13 million.
This was big time money (especially for the Brewers) back in 1992. It's one thing to sign a guy before he has arm issues...but Milwaukee gave Eldred this deal AFTER he blew out his arm. Bad times.
9) Geoff Jenkins: Approx 4 years, $38 million
I respect Geoff Jenkins. He’s been with the organization from the start, through thick and thin. He always plays hard and never complains (until this spring). That said, $7 million a year was a TON of cash for the Brewers for a middle of the order guy who never had a 100 RBI season before, or since the contract. Its not surprising that his name regularly comes up in trade talks….it also isn’t shocking there were no takers this winter.
8) Bobby Simmons: 5 years, $47 million
Obviously playing for a contract, Simmons went from a career 7 ppg scorer to 16 a game in his free agent year with the Clipps. It paid off as the Senator opened his vault and gave Bobby a massive deal. He was disappointing last year and hasn’t played a minute this season. There’s still time to turn this one around but, as for now, it hasn’t been good.
7) Sean Berry: 2 years, $3.5 million
Here’s one that wasn’t a financial disaster, but a disaster none the less. Berry was brought in to be a middle of the lineup hitter, batting 5th behind Jeromy Burnitz…that lasted about 2 weeks. He started out on a tear hitting .350, 1 HR, 4 RBI in his first week as a Brewer prompting Matt Vasgersian to yell “For those of you in rotisserie baseball, GO PICK UP SEAN BERRY!” I distinctly remember this quote, because listened to his advice. Well, Berry would cool off considerably and hit just .217-1-19 the rest of the year.
6) Anthony Mason: 4 years, $20 million
Here’s a terrible idea: We have a fun, fast, high-scoring, up-and-down, free-flowing, guard-orientated ballclub. How about we add a slow, plodding, past his prime, ball-hogging malcontent? Great idea.
5) Cletidus Hunt: 6 years, $25 million
Hunt was actually a decent, active DT before he got his money. At the time, I remember they almost had to sign him…Joe Johnson was always hurt, KGB was just 3rd down guy so Hunt was the only guy anybody herd of…GB couldn’t lose him! Too bad he made about 2 plays per season after the big deal.
4) Dan Gadzuric: 6 years, $36 million
If you are 7 feet tall with a pulse, NBA GMs will give you a lot of cash. Big Gadz is exhibit 1A. He showed promise (7 pts, 8 boards) in his contract year while shooting 54 from the field. Danny’s numbers are now down to 4 pts, 4 boards and 44% shooting. This is especially troubling considering 97% of his shots are within 3 feet from the basket.
3) Cal Eldred: 4 years, $13 million.
This was big time money (especially for the Brewers) back in 1992. It's one thing to sign a guy before he has arm issues...but Milwaukee gave Eldred this deal AFTER he blew out his arm. Bad times.
2) Joe Johnson: 6 year, $33 million.
Ah yes, the Michael Sherman GM era. Where to begin? (Yes, there will be an upcoming post on “Worst Draft Picks”…and yes, Sherman will be anchoring this post). How about with the JJ signing? Actually, it wasn’t a terrible idea at the time. He had some outstanding seasons playing DT in New Orleans (50 sacks in 7 seasons). It just didn’t work out in Green Bay as Joe couldn’t stop the run, rush the passer, or stay healthy.
1) Jeffrey Hammonds: 3 years, $21.75 million
Ugh. Terrible on all fronts. Not only was this waaaaaaay too much money for the injury prone Hammonds, everyone saw it coming. His only good (and healthy) season was in a contract year playing in Colorado’s launching pad known as Coors Field. This move not only cost Dean Taylor his job but set the already cash strapped franchise into even more financial peril.
Debate
Chicago Tribune Likes the Brewers
Seems like many people like the Brewers chances this season. However, a lot of that has to do with the fact that most people think the Central will blow donkey dick. I think the Brewers have a chance. However, a lot of hope is based on the potential of the young players. All of these guys need to have breakout seasons. Plus, I think the bullpen is just awful. By no means am I writing the Brewers off, I just don't have the optimism that many people seem to have heading into this year. However, as long as Chris Barnwell does not see the big league roster, we should be fine. Based on my high school playing and minor league batting practice experiences, I am sure I could put better swings on the ball than that guy. Now a random Paul Molitor photo. He may or may not have just done a line.
LaRussa gets DUI
Card's manager Tony LaRussa was charged with a DUI last night after cops found him passed out at a stop light with his foot on the brake. Well...at least it wasn't on the gas. Story
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Doug Davis Update
Damaged goods? The results might show it, but Dougie says he feels good...a little fantasy baseball news from CBS Sportsline.
Diamondbacks SP Doug Davis pitched one inning allowing five earned runs on 10 hits with four walks and two strikeouts in a 'B' game Tuesday.
But...
"The results were terrible, obviously, but I got my work in and I felt healthy," Davis said. "I fell behind a few batters and that's what really hurt me."
Diamondbacks SP Doug Davis pitched one inning allowing five earned runs on 10 hits with four walks and two strikeouts in a 'B' game Tuesday.
But...
"The results were terrible, obviously, but I got my work in and I felt healthy," Davis said. "I fell behind a few batters and that's what really hurt me."
Sportsline Brewers Preview
CBS Sportsline's preview of the Brewers focuses on sewage and strikeouts.
The Brewers so conscious [sic] of the two-strike approach this spring that they wage daily competition during batting practice. A hitter collects one point for drilling a ball off the screen in front of the pitcher's mound. He gets two points for a ball off of the screen placed in front of second base during BP, three for banging it off the screen in shallow center field, four for a ball off the center-field wall and eight for depositing a BP pitch over the center-field wall.
I wonder what Brady Clark gets for popping out to left field?
Forgive me for yawning. Just like the Bucks pre-season "focus on defense" story that the Journal recycles annually, I think we've heard the Brewers "we're going to cut down on strikeouts this year" refrain before...
The Brewers so conscious [sic] of the two-strike approach this spring that they wage daily competition during batting practice. A hitter collects one point for drilling a ball off the screen in front of the pitcher's mound. He gets two points for a ball off of the screen placed in front of second base during BP, three for banging it off the screen in shallow center field, four for a ball off the center-field wall and eight for depositing a BP pitch over the center-field wall.
I wonder what Brady Clark gets for popping out to left field?
Forgive me for yawning. Just like the Bucks pre-season "focus on defense" story that the Journal recycles annually, I think we've heard the Brewers "we're going to cut down on strikeouts this year" refrain before...
Brewer Breakdown - Starting Pitching
Owner Mark Antanasio opened his thick wallet and dolled out major cash for former Cardinal Jeff Suppan. Soup bolsters a Brewer rotation which is easily the strongest they’ve had in at least a decade. Gone are the days of Matt Kinney, Rueben Quevedo (pictured), Allen Levralt, and Jeff Juden.
2006 Stats:
Ben Sheets: 6-7, 3.82, 106 IP
Jeff Suppan: 12-7, 4.12, 190 IP
Chris Capuano: 11-12, 4.03, 221 IP
Dave Bush: 12-11, 4.41, 210 IP
Claudio Vargas: 12-10, 4.83, 167 IP
The Good: 1-4, it’s about as deep a rotation as there is in the NL. Suppan was a very good addition. He never gets hurt (knock on wood), has playoff experience, you can pencil him in for 190 innings and has a great track record at Miller Park. Cappy made the All-Star team last year. Bush came from Toronto in the Overbay trade and pitched better than most expected. His 12 wins lead the Brewers while logging an solid 210 innings. As for Vargas, the good thing is we have Carlos Villanueva to fill in. But this whole party starts with Sheets. He’s a bona fide ace with Cy Young potential. …
The Bad:…if he can stay healthy. It’s always something with this guy: back, ear, shoulder…nothing major, which makes it even more annoying. I just can’t count on this guy for a full season. Cappy was terrible after the break. I like the Suppan signing, but did they overspend? St. Louis is a pretty shrewd organization. Reports had them only offering him a max of $20 million (the Crew gave him double that amount). Do they know something we don’t? Will Bush repeat his breakout year? Vargas sucks, here’s the proof. The sooner Villanueva replaces him, the better.
2007 Predictions:
Ben Sheets: 9-6, 3.19, 130 IP
Jeff Suppan: 11-10, 4.32, 198 IP
Chris Capuano: 14-11, 4.13, 217 IP
Dave Bush: 10-13, 4.31, 201 IP
Claudio Vargas: 2-6, 5.21, 78 IP
Carlos Villanueva: 7-5, 3.72, 135 IP
Grade: B. If you guaranteed me Sheets will pitch 190+ innings and Villanueva is the 5th starter, I’d bump it up a bit.
Let's stop this before it gets outta control!
Someone yesterday refered to Jason Bohannon as “J-Bo.” Noooooooooooooo! Please, please, please tell me I don’t have to hear people call him J-Bo for the next 3 years. Please. I beg you. The "first letter of the first name, hyphen, shortened last name" trend is one of worst ideas in the history of the English language.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Ozzie Guillen Speaks...
...when Guillen speaks, I listen. You never know what's coming. I stole this straight from Deadspin.com. I hope they don't mind.
This might be our favorite quote from him in a while, actually. Guillen was asked, while talking about a past reunion of the 1983 White Sox team, if he thought there would ever be a 20-year reunion of the White Sox 2005 champions. His response was achingly true to life, which is why it was hilarious:
''Those ceremonies -- 'Oh, let's bring back those guys from 2005,' we're all crippled and fucked up, pushing wheelchairs, kids crying because his dad was on the ballclub -- fuck that,'' Guillen said. ''I don't need that bull. A bunch of fat guys, another one is broke. 'Hey, where's your ring?' 'Oh, I don't know, I sold that son of a bitch two years ago.'''
This might be our favorite quote from him in a while, actually. Guillen was asked, while talking about a past reunion of the 1983 White Sox team, if he thought there would ever be a 20-year reunion of the White Sox 2005 champions. His response was achingly true to life, which is why it was hilarious:
''Those ceremonies -- 'Oh, let's bring back those guys from 2005,' we're all crippled and fucked up, pushing wheelchairs, kids crying because his dad was on the ballclub -- fuck that,'' Guillen said. ''I don't need that bull. A bunch of fat guys, another one is broke. 'Hey, where's your ring?' 'Oh, I don't know, I sold that son of a bitch two years ago.'''
What if?
CNNSI.com has a cool "what if" bracket. You can fill out a bracket based on if everyone stayed in college 4 years. LeBron would be a senior at Ohio State, Marvin Williams would still be at UNC, Shannon Brown at Michigan State...and so on.
What if Bracket
What if Bracket
Braun, Yo sent to Nashville
The Brewer's top two prospects are headed to Nashville. Braun's robust .353-5-15 spring could not overcome his 4 errors. Article
Monday, March 19, 2007
Yo
Got my first look at Yo Gallardo in the Cubs game today...and got to see the Cubs B-team go Yo-11 on Gallardo in the first inning. Jacque Jones had the big bomb - a 3-run shot on a high meatball. Of course, the defense didn't help him out either.
Braun continued his big stick no glove ways, with another bomb and another throwing error.
At least we don't have to see Chopp's picture of a gas can again. Matt Wise pitched a scoreless inning.
Braun continued his big stick no glove ways, with another bomb and another throwing error.
At least we don't have to see Chopp's picture of a gas can again. Matt Wise pitched a scoreless inning.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
The Big-11 Sucks
You knew this was coming McManus. After a great first round, Big-11 teams almost completely soiled themselves in the second. Good thing Xavier pissed that Ohio State game away or the Big-11 would have went sweet 16-less for the second consecutive year. Once is a fluke, twice is a pattern. So, not only are Big-11 games excruciating to watch, now its just not very good basketball either. By the way Dougs, the Pac-10 still has 3 teams left and the Mountain West (UNLV is not in the WAC) has just as many as your conference does...one.
Speaking of conferences, the SEC is like 7-2 this year with one of those losses coming from Arkansas, who shouldn't have even been dancing. Last year they sent two teams to the Final Four (LSU, Florida), this year they are 7-2...I guess they are more than a football conference these days.
Speaking of conferences, the SEC is like 7-2 this year with one of those losses coming from Arkansas, who shouldn't have even been dancing. Last year they sent two teams to the Final Four (LSU, Florida), this year they are 7-2...I guess they are more than a football conference these days.
Die Billy Packer
A disappointing end to a disappointing last month of the UW men's basketball season. I'll let other commenters dissect the reasons that UW is heading home, but kudos go to the UNLV squad. That Kruger kid is sure better than Saul Smith was at Kentucky, and UNLV is a tough WAC team. Chopp, you should be proud of your conference.
When does Brewers season start?
What I would like to comment on is the annoying commercials playing during the NCAA tournament. Because I don't watch live TV any more (DVR is a blessing), I don't watch commercials either. However, I found myself watching commercials during the NCAA tourney (which is now over for me, by the way). Some of my least favorites:
1. Lowe's stupid "super college sports fan" commercial. You have people with body painting, half basketball heads, foam fingers...you'd think it would work. It doesn't. Terrible commercial.
2. The Hummer underwater vehicle commercial. Matera especially doesn't like this one. First of all, it's a dumb concept. The guy customized his Hummer to work like a submarine. Dumb. Second of all, it has the legal disclaimer, as the guy is driving it off the dock, saying "do not attempt." Really? I shouldn't drive my Hummer into the ocean? It won't turn into a sub? Plus, it runs every commercial break, and Hummer doesn't have another ad to run. Finally, Matera likes to point out that after the commercial is done, they advertise a special sun roof package that you get for free. Guessing the sun roof is of little use at the bottom of the ocean. Unless you're trying to escape from drowning.
3. Any Pontiac convertible commercial. They're all stupid. None is funny. And there are about 12 of them.
4. I should give kudos to my favorite ad campaign during the tournament - the Cingular/AT&T ads. Several classic lines - "no way, Cingular makes TVs that take phone calls!"; "the joke's on him - we're in Italy, my phone doesn't work here. What about when you get back to the Us? It doesn't work very well there either." Nice work, Cingular.
When does Brewers season start?
What I would like to comment on is the annoying commercials playing during the NCAA tournament. Because I don't watch live TV any more (DVR is a blessing), I don't watch commercials either. However, I found myself watching commercials during the NCAA tourney (which is now over for me, by the way). Some of my least favorites:
1. Lowe's stupid "super college sports fan" commercial. You have people with body painting, half basketball heads, foam fingers...you'd think it would work. It doesn't. Terrible commercial.
2. The Hummer underwater vehicle commercial. Matera especially doesn't like this one. First of all, it's a dumb concept. The guy customized his Hummer to work like a submarine. Dumb. Second of all, it has the legal disclaimer, as the guy is driving it off the dock, saying "do not attempt." Really? I shouldn't drive my Hummer into the ocean? It won't turn into a sub? Plus, it runs every commercial break, and Hummer doesn't have another ad to run. Finally, Matera likes to point out that after the commercial is done, they advertise a special sun roof package that you get for free. Guessing the sun roof is of little use at the bottom of the ocean. Unless you're trying to escape from drowning.
3. Any Pontiac convertible commercial. They're all stupid. None is funny. And there are about 12 of them.
4. I should give kudos to my favorite ad campaign during the tournament - the Cingular/AT&T ads. Several classic lines - "no way, Cingular makes TVs that take phone calls!"; "the joke's on him - we're in Italy, my phone doesn't work here. What about when you get back to the Us? It doesn't work very well there either." Nice work, Cingular.
5. Finally, it should be pointed out that Matera commented that he would enjoy the company of the animated woman on the esurance commercials. Nobody asked, by the way. When questioned about it, his response was "like you wouldn't." Indeed.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Port/Dells State Game Log
(Editors note: If you are not from Port, this article is lame. If you are from Port but not familiar with the basketball program, this might also be lame. Basically, about 5 people in this world will find this amusing. I am among those 5, so here we go.)
Port boys buckets are at state for the first time since the Herbert Hoover administration, a feat that defiantly requires a game log. Considering all my friends are busy watching the Badgers play some Community College fromTexas, I have nobody to go to the game with. Looks like its on the recliner ladies and gentleman!
It’s the Port Washington Pirates vs. the Wisconsin Dells Chiefs in the Division 2 State semi-finals! I feel a small tingling sensation in my loins!
Port starters: Jon DeBoer, Chris Prom, Mike Burmesch, Cameron Heilman, and Josh Gasser (just a Frosh). Chris Prom looks nothing like sister Nikki. That’s probably a good thing for Nikki considering Chris is a 6’-4” power forward/defensive end. DeBoer does the annoying “jersey snap” while being introduced. I hate that. As they introduce the reserves, #50 has the sweetest pair of goggles ever. Kurt Rambis thinks these are cool.
PW is coached by John Bunyan, Paul’s brother. It’s quite refreshing to see some fresh blood on the sidelines instead of the same recycled Harry Tits (Jerry Pittz), Rollie Kitt or Steve Farnsworth on the bench.
Brad Essleman and Ben Loose used to slam a couple beers before games against good teams (because everyone knew we would lose)…lets hope these guys don’t do the same.
The Dells has a weird mix players: tall, skinny, fat, white, Mexican, Indian…whatever. A virtual smorgasbord of shapes, colors and sizes.
-Here’s the tip, we are underway!
-2:30 in, still no score
-Nice runner by the point guard Burmesh, 2-0 PW.
-3 pointer by Burmesch, it’s 5-2 Burmesch over the Dells.
-Prom “down the boulevard” as Don Prueffer would say, 11-4 Port. Bernie Booth would have air balled this layup.
-The Chiefs try to mix up their defense and switch to a zone. Bad idea. Three straight possessions its pass, pass, pass, layup…just how it should be. Back in the day it was Tim Setzer trying to play “zonebuster” and launching shot after shot 3 steps past half court.
END OF 1ST QUARTER: 17-6 Pirates! Free Jaegerbombs at the Grand Ave!
-The Dells with a quick 8-0 run to start the quarter. Harry Tits would have tossed a metal folding chair at this point.
-Rollie is yelling “run the wheel, run the wheel” even though he’s been running that same damn play for 21 years of coaching, he still thinks it will work.
-A smooth 3-pointer by the 6-4 DeBoer ends the drought. 20-14.
-DeBoer is hamming the boards. He’s making up for his early jersey snap.
-24-14 with 3:30 left in the half. Prom has been quiet this quarter.
-The Dells has some lanky Duany Duany look alike…he just doesn’t shoot like him.
- #32 is all the Chiefs have. His reminds me of Brian Butch…tallest guy on the court, but plays 18 feet from the basket.
-The updated unis for PW are sweet, by the way. Long gone are the size small nut-huggers we had to suffer through freshman year. If you forgot athletic tape, that’s your bad. Those burlap jerseys just shredded your nipples like nothing else.
-PW is attacking the hoop at will. The freshman Gasser is playing well, as is the whole team.
-10 seconds left. Here’s where Coach Ross draws up a play for McManus, making sure it was on the opposite side of the climbing net on the ceiling because of his huge arch in his 3 pointers.
-It’s a big 3 for Burmesch to end the half!!!
END OF THE HALF: Port 33, Dells 17. It’s all-you-can-drink during halftime at Schooners!!
It’s a total team effort as the Pirates are showing quick defense, great passing, 8-8 FTs, 3-6 Three pointers and are out rebounding the Dells 19-9. The Chief’s need to “SQUEEZE THE CHARMAIN,” right coach Loose. Burmesh has 12, Prom 10, and DeBoer 9.
I like the two big guy’s, DeBoer and Prom. They are both big, strong, can pass, rebound and play defense. Pretty much just how I played…except the exact opposite.
To start the half, here’s where we would run the “Schnorkle Play.” We would get on the court before the other team and act like we were going towards the same basket as we did in the first half. Sometimes teams would forget about the changing sides at half time. Thus, they would guard us (on the wrong side) setting up a wide open Brad Essleman dunk. This was always awesome to see someone on our team be the dunker, instead of the dunkee. Unfortunately, Essy would always hang on the rim too long and get a technical foul. So our great play (the only good one Farnsworth ever called) would result in minus points for us. Good times.
-33-19, 6 minutes left.
-Cameron Heilman (Old Style) is Port’s “glue” guy. He always guards the other teams best player, dives on the floor, takes charges, and goes 100% at all times. This guy’s obviously whaled on his pecks once or twice in the old, stinky PWHS weight room (not that I would ever know what the PWHS weight room smelled like). This led to the announcers quote of the night: “…looks like this guy eats dumbbell sandwiches for lunch.” Ha.
-Port is now getting called for breathing on the Chiefs. The HoChunk casino must lose tons of money if PW wins or something.
-Old Style is shutting down Dells’ best player. Then again, how good can he be if his name is Augie?
-35-21 Port. If Farnsworth was coaching the Dells, he would be telling them “5 three pointers and we have the lead.” I’m not kidding.
-The broadcasters mention there is only one guy still kicking from Port’s 1936 championship team: Charlie Schaeffer. Freddy’s brother? Fred was about 102 and still teaching in 1995, so it might be.
END OF THE 3RD QUARTER: 42-29 Port after a crafty Gasser put back of his own miss.
-WD’s only scorer (Butch) just picks up his 4th foul.
-Gasser is making plays, 45-33.
-The Dells D is toughning: 45-36.
-DeBoer is DeMan right now with a solid 10-10 night.
-Prom has been quiet until a couple free throws make it 50-36
-It’s the Josh Gasser show with a layup, monster block, and layup in 3 straight trips. Seriously, this guy has a chance to be the best ballplayer ever to come from Port. Of course, this is like being labeled the “worlds tallest midget” or something like that.
-WHOA!!! Burmesch on a run out with a sweet behind the back pass to Gasser for the layup!! Ryan Riley tried to make that play once…it ended up in the 5th row.
-It’s 54-38 with 3:15 left. It’s all over but the crying.
-Getting sloppy, lots of whistles. NOTHING like the games up at Hill School Park, I tell you.
-Prom’s got the proverbial “good motor.”
-#42 enters the game for Dells. He’s a big, fat, flabby Indian who calmly drains his first 3! Basically, the HoChunk version of Jesse Keller.
-#50 and his goggles are in the ball game!!
It’s garbage time now, the Pirates will advance!!
END OF GAME: PW 62, WD 48
Holy Shit. The Port Washington Pirates have a chance to win a basketball state title!! Go crazy Port, go crazy!!!!
Not to go cliché, but it was a total TEAM effort.
DeBoer: 12 pts, 12 rebounds
Prom: 15 pts
Burmesch: 18 pts, controlled the tempo
Old Style: Shut down the Dell’s main guy
Gasser: 12 pts, 7 assists, 2 steals.
Epilogue: I went to the Kohl Center and watched Port take on Monroe for the state title. A rematch of the 1991 football championship game. Unfortunately, the results were the same. The Cheesemakers took home the gold. Port scrapped, but just didn’t make enough plays in the final minute. DeBoer made a nice post move to tie the game at 52 with 1:00 minute left, but was called for traveling. No basket. It was all over after that. What a run! Again, for those of you not from Port…you just won’t understand how unlikely this title run was. Especially for those who donned the Pirate uniform and routinly lost by 25. Nicolet scored a cool 100 against us my junior year. Good times.
Port boys buckets are at state for the first time since the Herbert Hoover administration, a feat that defiantly requires a game log. Considering all my friends are busy watching the Badgers play some Community College fromTexas, I have nobody to go to the game with. Looks like its on the recliner ladies and gentleman!
It’s the Port Washington Pirates vs. the Wisconsin Dells Chiefs in the Division 2 State semi-finals! I feel a small tingling sensation in my loins!
Port starters: Jon DeBoer, Chris Prom, Mike Burmesch, Cameron Heilman, and Josh Gasser (just a Frosh). Chris Prom looks nothing like sister Nikki. That’s probably a good thing for Nikki considering Chris is a 6’-4” power forward/defensive end. DeBoer does the annoying “jersey snap” while being introduced. I hate that. As they introduce the reserves, #50 has the sweetest pair of goggles ever. Kurt Rambis thinks these are cool.
PW is coached by John Bunyan, Paul’s brother. It’s quite refreshing to see some fresh blood on the sidelines instead of the same recycled Harry Tits (Jerry Pittz), Rollie Kitt or Steve Farnsworth on the bench.
Brad Essleman and Ben Loose used to slam a couple beers before games against good teams (because everyone knew we would lose)…lets hope these guys don’t do the same.
The Dells has a weird mix players: tall, skinny, fat, white, Mexican, Indian…whatever. A virtual smorgasbord of shapes, colors and sizes.
-Here’s the tip, we are underway!
-2:30 in, still no score
-Nice runner by the point guard Burmesh, 2-0 PW.
-3 pointer by Burmesch, it’s 5-2 Burmesch over the Dells.
-Prom “down the boulevard” as Don Prueffer would say, 11-4 Port. Bernie Booth would have air balled this layup.
-The Chiefs try to mix up their defense and switch to a zone. Bad idea. Three straight possessions its pass, pass, pass, layup…just how it should be. Back in the day it was Tim Setzer trying to play “zonebuster” and launching shot after shot 3 steps past half court.
END OF 1ST QUARTER: 17-6 Pirates! Free Jaegerbombs at the Grand Ave!
-The Dells with a quick 8-0 run to start the quarter. Harry Tits would have tossed a metal folding chair at this point.
-Rollie is yelling “run the wheel, run the wheel” even though he’s been running that same damn play for 21 years of coaching, he still thinks it will work.
-A smooth 3-pointer by the 6-4 DeBoer ends the drought. 20-14.
-DeBoer is hamming the boards. He’s making up for his early jersey snap.
-24-14 with 3:30 left in the half. Prom has been quiet this quarter.
-The Dells has some lanky Duany Duany look alike…he just doesn’t shoot like him.
- #32 is all the Chiefs have. His reminds me of Brian Butch…tallest guy on the court, but plays 18 feet from the basket.
-The updated unis for PW are sweet, by the way. Long gone are the size small nut-huggers we had to suffer through freshman year. If you forgot athletic tape, that’s your bad. Those burlap jerseys just shredded your nipples like nothing else.
-PW is attacking the hoop at will. The freshman Gasser is playing well, as is the whole team.
-10 seconds left. Here’s where Coach Ross draws up a play for McManus, making sure it was on the opposite side of the climbing net on the ceiling because of his huge arch in his 3 pointers.
-It’s a big 3 for Burmesch to end the half!!!
END OF THE HALF: Port 33, Dells 17. It’s all-you-can-drink during halftime at Schooners!!
It’s a total team effort as the Pirates are showing quick defense, great passing, 8-8 FTs, 3-6 Three pointers and are out rebounding the Dells 19-9. The Chief’s need to “SQUEEZE THE CHARMAIN,” right coach Loose. Burmesh has 12, Prom 10, and DeBoer 9.
I like the two big guy’s, DeBoer and Prom. They are both big, strong, can pass, rebound and play defense. Pretty much just how I played…except the exact opposite.
To start the half, here’s where we would run the “Schnorkle Play.” We would get on the court before the other team and act like we were going towards the same basket as we did in the first half. Sometimes teams would forget about the changing sides at half time. Thus, they would guard us (on the wrong side) setting up a wide open Brad Essleman dunk. This was always awesome to see someone on our team be the dunker, instead of the dunkee. Unfortunately, Essy would always hang on the rim too long and get a technical foul. So our great play (the only good one Farnsworth ever called) would result in minus points for us. Good times.
-33-19, 6 minutes left.
-Cameron Heilman (Old Style) is Port’s “glue” guy. He always guards the other teams best player, dives on the floor, takes charges, and goes 100% at all times. This guy’s obviously whaled on his pecks once or twice in the old, stinky PWHS weight room (not that I would ever know what the PWHS weight room smelled like). This led to the announcers quote of the night: “…looks like this guy eats dumbbell sandwiches for lunch.” Ha.
-Port is now getting called for breathing on the Chiefs. The HoChunk casino must lose tons of money if PW wins or something.
-Old Style is shutting down Dells’ best player. Then again, how good can he be if his name is Augie?
-35-21 Port. If Farnsworth was coaching the Dells, he would be telling them “5 three pointers and we have the lead.” I’m not kidding.
-The broadcasters mention there is only one guy still kicking from Port’s 1936 championship team: Charlie Schaeffer. Freddy’s brother? Fred was about 102 and still teaching in 1995, so it might be.
END OF THE 3RD QUARTER: 42-29 Port after a crafty Gasser put back of his own miss.
-WD’s only scorer (Butch) just picks up his 4th foul.
-Gasser is making plays, 45-33.
-The Dells D is toughning: 45-36.
-DeBoer is DeMan right now with a solid 10-10 night.
-Prom has been quiet until a couple free throws make it 50-36
-It’s the Josh Gasser show with a layup, monster block, and layup in 3 straight trips. Seriously, this guy has a chance to be the best ballplayer ever to come from Port. Of course, this is like being labeled the “worlds tallest midget” or something like that.
-WHOA!!! Burmesch on a run out with a sweet behind the back pass to Gasser for the layup!! Ryan Riley tried to make that play once…it ended up in the 5th row.
-It’s 54-38 with 3:15 left. It’s all over but the crying.
-Getting sloppy, lots of whistles. NOTHING like the games up at Hill School Park, I tell you.
-Prom’s got the proverbial “good motor.”
-#42 enters the game for Dells. He’s a big, fat, flabby Indian who calmly drains his first 3! Basically, the HoChunk version of Jesse Keller.
-#50 and his goggles are in the ball game!!
It’s garbage time now, the Pirates will advance!!
END OF GAME: PW 62, WD 48
Holy Shit. The Port Washington Pirates have a chance to win a basketball state title!! Go crazy Port, go crazy!!!!
Not to go cliché, but it was a total TEAM effort.
DeBoer: 12 pts, 12 rebounds
Prom: 15 pts
Burmesch: 18 pts, controlled the tempo
Old Style: Shut down the Dell’s main guy
Gasser: 12 pts, 7 assists, 2 steals.
Epilogue: I went to the Kohl Center and watched Port take on Monroe for the state title. A rematch of the 1991 football championship game. Unfortunately, the results were the same. The Cheesemakers took home the gold. Port scrapped, but just didn’t make enough plays in the final minute. DeBoer made a nice post move to tie the game at 52 with 1:00 minute left, but was called for traveling. No basket. It was all over after that. What a run! Again, for those of you not from Port…you just won’t understand how unlikely this title run was. Especially for those who donned the Pirate uniform and routinly lost by 25. Nicolet scored a cool 100 against us my junior year. Good times.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Whew
Some random thoughts from the Wisconsin - Texas A&M Lite game:
1. Number of times Billy Packer said that Texas A&M Lite "didn't look like a 15 seed" in the first 10 minutes: 17.
2. Why isn't that Daniels guy for A&M Lite an NBA prospect? He's 7 foot, he can shoot from the outside, he has post moves, he makes his free throws...the only thing he doesn't have is stamina and conditioning. He was falling down by the end of the game.
3. Shocking that free throws would be the key to Wisconsin salting the game away in the second half. Tucker was especially effective.
4. The tide turned when Goldy, exasperated with the 25-7 lead that A&M Lite had built, went to get a couple of Shamrock Shakes from McDonald's in the first half. Wisconsin immediately went on a nice run. Also, I chucked my jinxed Wisconsin hooded sweatshirt into the other room. Stupid Kohl's sweatshirt.
5. That team sure didn't look like a 15 seed.
6. Suck it Sports Guy. Big 10 4-0 in the first round. [Update: Big 10 is 5-1 in the first round. Illinois choked away their game with Va Tech. Continue to suck it, Sports Guy.]
7. Jim Nantz's go-to stupid Badger story about Len Chappell playing with Billy Packer didn't come until there were only 8 minutes left in the game. Probably due to the fact that Jason Chappell was completely ineffective for the entire game.
8. The game was close enough late in the second half that we got to see the clips of all of the 2 seeds that lost to 15 seeds. Steve Nash's acne has sure cleared up since his Santa Clara days.
9. Cheer, cheer for good old Port High. State finals baby.
1. Number of times Billy Packer said that Texas A&M Lite "didn't look like a 15 seed" in the first 10 minutes: 17.
2. Why isn't that Daniels guy for A&M Lite an NBA prospect? He's 7 foot, he can shoot from the outside, he has post moves, he makes his free throws...the only thing he doesn't have is stamina and conditioning. He was falling down by the end of the game.
3. Shocking that free throws would be the key to Wisconsin salting the game away in the second half. Tucker was especially effective.
4. The tide turned when Goldy, exasperated with the 25-7 lead that A&M Lite had built, went to get a couple of Shamrock Shakes from McDonald's in the first half. Wisconsin immediately went on a nice run. Also, I chucked my jinxed Wisconsin hooded sweatshirt into the other room. Stupid Kohl's sweatshirt.
5. That team sure didn't look like a 15 seed.
6. Suck it Sports Guy. Big 10 4-0 in the first round. [Update: Big 10 is 5-1 in the first round. Illinois choked away their game with Va Tech. Continue to suck it, Sports Guy.]
7. Jim Nantz's go-to stupid Badger story about Len Chappell playing with Billy Packer didn't come until there were only 8 minutes left in the game. Probably due to the fact that Jason Chappell was completely ineffective for the entire game.
8. The game was close enough late in the second half that we got to see the clips of all of the 2 seeds that lost to 15 seeds. Steve Nash's acne has sure cleared up since his Santa Clara days.
9. Cheer, cheer for good old Port High. State finals baby.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Moss deal complete?
Word on the street is that the Packers will announce this afternoon that they have acquired Randy Moss. The deal will go down like this:
Rodgers and a 7th in 2008 for Moss, TE Courtney Alexander and a conditional 2009 pick that could be as high as a 2nd depending how Rodgers fares.
I like this. Now we just need to pick up some RBs and a back up QB. Let's just hope Joey Harrington's name does not come up. At All!
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Brewer Breakdown - Left Field
Check out Jenks snuggling with this fatty-boom-batty. Hey, I Google "Geoff Jenkins," this is what comes up.
Unless Dougie Melvin has a trade in the works, Geoff Jenkins and Kevin Mench are on their way to platooning in LF. Needless to say, neither are very happy with this plan.
The Good: If, somehow, both of these guys are willing to platoon, the numbers are pretty stellar. Jenks is slugging a whopping .511 the last 3 years vs right handed pitching while Mench’s batting average is well over .300 against southpaws…including a mere 2 strikeouts in the last 2 years combine! Hmm, who knew…Mench is on his way to becoming the all time HR king of Delaware natives. Good job Kevin! Mench has showed some pop in his bat with back-to-back 25+ HR seasons. Jenks has always been an underrated fielder. His cannon is one of the best in the NL. Jenkins is in a contract year, that has motivated many a player. When Geoff is on one of his hot streak, he can carry the Crew for weeks…
The Bad: …on the other hand, when Jenks is cold, he’s International Falls-cold. He might as well bust out the 5-iron on anything close to the dirt. Both guys think they are better than they are instead of deferring to the team’s needs, which wont be resolved anytime soon. Mench was downright awful in Milwaukee. He couldn’t hit (.230), hit for power (1 bomb), run, field, tie his shoes, make popcorn...whatever. Maybe his gigantic pumpkin head had something to do with it?
2007 Predictions: Jenkins: .274, 20 HRs, 75 RBI. Mench: .255, 7 HRs, 26 RBI
The Good: If, somehow, both of these guys are willing to platoon, the numbers are pretty stellar. Jenks is slugging a whopping .511 the last 3 years vs right handed pitching while Mench’s batting average is well over .300 against southpaws…including a mere 2 strikeouts in the last 2 years combine! Hmm, who knew…Mench is on his way to becoming the all time HR king of Delaware natives. Good job Kevin! Mench has showed some pop in his bat with back-to-back 25+ HR seasons. Jenks has always been an underrated fielder. His cannon is one of the best in the NL. Jenkins is in a contract year, that has motivated many a player. When Geoff is on one of his hot streak, he can carry the Crew for weeks…
The Bad: …on the other hand, when Jenks is cold, he’s International Falls-cold. He might as well bust out the 5-iron on anything close to the dirt. Both guys think they are better than they are instead of deferring to the team’s needs, which wont be resolved anytime soon. Mench was downright awful in Milwaukee. He couldn’t hit (.230), hit for power (1 bomb), run, field, tie his shoes, make popcorn...whatever. Maybe his gigantic pumpkin head had something to do with it?
2007 Predictions: Jenkins: .274, 20 HRs, 75 RBI. Mench: .255, 7 HRs, 26 RBI
Grade: C+. Neither guy is consistent enough to be ranked any higher. A 100% platoon would bump up this mark, but that’s not gonna happen. One of these two will grumble loud enough to get traded.
Milwaukee Pooers
I'll read any story that's about the Brewers and fecal matter.
Apparently, a sanitary sewer is mistakenly connected to a storm sewer that drains the Miller Park parking lots. If you think about what goes on in those parking lots, is there really much difference?
Apparently, a sanitary sewer is mistakenly connected to a storm sewer that drains the Miller Park parking lots. If you think about what goes on in those parking lots, is there really much difference?
Miller, Usinger's, Culver's, Majerus Gas
This from Rick Majerus in his J-S Online Blog regarding tomorrows Gold-Spartans tilt:
"They get no better on the docket this day so grab a Miller, get your Usinger’s sausage and have some Culver’s ready. Everyone may need some Lipitor, but I fear at day’s end if you’re a Warrior you will need a Tums."
Yup Rick. That is why you are pushing 4 bills. Good Times.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Packer Time
CBS has announced that Jim Nantz and Billy Packer will call the Wisconsin - Texas A & M Lite game on Friday. Ugh.
Look for Jim Nantz's go-to stupid Wisconsin comment ("hey Billy, didn't you play with Jason Chappel's dad Len?") to come out around the 16:50 mark of the first half...and then I'm sure they'll spend the rest of the game talking about Florida and Ohio State.
Look for Jim Nantz's go-to stupid Wisconsin comment ("hey Billy, didn't you play with Jason Chappel's dad Len?") to come out around the 16:50 mark of the first half...and then I'm sure they'll spend the rest of the game talking about Florida and Ohio State.
McNeal Out for MU
In what was already going to be an ugly grinder for Marquette just got worse. Their best player Jerel McNeal is out for Thursday's slugfest with Michigan State. Now they REALLY need James to make some shots...
Michigan State 53, Marquette 48
Michigan State 53, Marquette 48
The Real WIAA Predictions
Obviously I have no clue about the teams, players or coaches in the WIAA state tournament. Thus, I’m picking the games based which school’s mascots would win in an actual brawl…cage match style. If we took each mascot (by division) and had them fight to the death, the winner will be my predicted state champ. It’s so easy when you break things down scientifically!
Division 1
Brookfield Central Lancers
Kimberly Papermakers
Madison Memorial Spartans
Milwaukee King Generals
Milwaukee Vincent Vikings
Oshkosh West Wildcats
Verona Wildcats
Wausau East Lumberjacks
You won’t win any fights trying to give guys paper cuts (Kimberly). The two Wildcats are a push as they would fight each other to their deaths. Vincent is out because when I think of Vikings, I think of that big, fat Minnesota Vikings fan who blows that stupid horn all game. He’d be out of breath in about 19 seconds. The Lancers would out-duel the Spartans with their outstanding jousting abilities. So let’s look at the remaining weaponry. East’s Lumberjacks have chainsaws (impressive) and the Lancers have that long sword type thing, but let’s face it, Generals have guns….especially if they go to school at Milwaukee King.
Predicted Winner: Milwaukee King Generals.
Division 2
Monroe Cheesemakers
Port Washington Pirates
Seymour Thunder
Wisconsin Dells Chiefs
Thunder sounds tough until you realize that its lightning that actually causes damage. Thunder is merely the noise lightning makes. As for Monroe, if wheels of cheese are your main weapon of choice…good luck. That leaves the Pirates and Chiefs. A close call. Both come with similar armament. As much as I’d like to take PW, the Pirates’ eye patch hinders its full fighting capabilities. Advantage, Dells.
Predicted Winner: Wisconsin Dells Chiefs
Division 3 (a.k.a. Bible Thumper division)
Eau Claire Regis Ramblers
LaCrosse Aquinas Blugolds
Manitowoc Roncalli Jets
Racine St Catherine’s Angles
This is a no-brainer. St Cat’s has a higher power on its side. What’s a Rambler anyway? And Blugolds...not sure how two colors would fair in a fight.
Predicted Winner: Racine St Catherine’s Angles
Division 4
Eleva-Strum Cardinals
Gilman Pirates
Randolph Rockets
Suring Eagles
The Rockets look like the obvious choice. But a rocket is no good just sitting there…it needs human interaction to work. Thus, Gilman takes the gold ball by shooting the Eagles and Cardinals using said Rockets.
Predicted Winner: Gilman Pirates
Division 1
Brookfield Central Lancers
Kimberly Papermakers
Madison Memorial Spartans
Milwaukee King Generals
Milwaukee Vincent Vikings
Oshkosh West Wildcats
Verona Wildcats
Wausau East Lumberjacks
You won’t win any fights trying to give guys paper cuts (Kimberly). The two Wildcats are a push as they would fight each other to their deaths. Vincent is out because when I think of Vikings, I think of that big, fat Minnesota Vikings fan who blows that stupid horn all game. He’d be out of breath in about 19 seconds. The Lancers would out-duel the Spartans with their outstanding jousting abilities. So let’s look at the remaining weaponry. East’s Lumberjacks have chainsaws (impressive) and the Lancers have that long sword type thing, but let’s face it, Generals have guns….especially if they go to school at Milwaukee King.
Predicted Winner: Milwaukee King Generals.
Division 2
Monroe Cheesemakers
Port Washington Pirates
Seymour Thunder
Wisconsin Dells Chiefs
Thunder sounds tough until you realize that its lightning that actually causes damage. Thunder is merely the noise lightning makes. As for Monroe, if wheels of cheese are your main weapon of choice…good luck. That leaves the Pirates and Chiefs. A close call. Both come with similar armament. As much as I’d like to take PW, the Pirates’ eye patch hinders its full fighting capabilities. Advantage, Dells.
Predicted Winner: Wisconsin Dells Chiefs
Division 3 (a.k.a. Bible Thumper division)
Eau Claire Regis Ramblers
LaCrosse Aquinas Blugolds
Manitowoc Roncalli Jets
Racine St Catherine’s Angles
This is a no-brainer. St Cat’s has a higher power on its side. What’s a Rambler anyway? And Blugolds...not sure how two colors would fair in a fight.
Predicted Winner: Racine St Catherine’s Angles
Division 4
Eleva-Strum Cardinals
Gilman Pirates
Randolph Rockets
Suring Eagles
The Rockets look like the obvious choice. But a rocket is no good just sitting there…it needs human interaction to work. Thus, Gilman takes the gold ball by shooting the Eagles and Cardinals using said Rockets.
Predicted Winner: Gilman Pirates
1st Annual Greater Chucky Hacks Open
OK, I set something up on CBS Sportsline so we can have a little friendly March Madness compitition amongst the Chucky Hacks community. The link is as follows:
http://gcho.mayhem.sportsline.com/e
Password is: robdeer
Best of luck to everyone. I am pretty sure Chopp will pick no Big Ten teams.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Sports Guy Shreds the Big-11
Glad to see someone agrees with me. Of course he also ripped my Pac-10, but I won't add that. Bill Simmons:
As for the Big Ten, its second-best team (Wisconsin) isn't as good as Kansas, Texas or Texas A&M, and I wasn't even remotely impressed by Purdue (a No. 9 seed), Indiana (No. 7) or Illinois (No. 12), although I do think Michigan State (No. 11) has a chance to crack the Sweet 16 because of Tom Izzo and Drew Neitzel. Regardless, how did the Big Ten send six teams to the tournament when most of its games had the same disjointed, scrappy, uncomfortable flow of a woman's basketball game? Did you ever watch a Big Ten game that didn't involve OSU and think to yourself, "Wow, this is some high-caliber hoops!" Oklahoma State would have been the third-best team in that conference and it's headed to the NIT. Same for Kansas State. And Syracuse.
Final note: Anyone who toggled between the OSU-Wisconsin and Texas-Kansas games knows which conference was better this season. That Texas-Kansas game was the most hard-fought basketball game I've seen since the Heat-Mavs NBA Finals last June ... and Texas was running on fumes. Meanwhile, OSU and Wisconsin were having the basketball equivalent of a rock fight on CBS. Gimme a break. The Big Ten is awful. Don't say I didn't warn you.
As for the Big Ten, its second-best team (Wisconsin) isn't as good as Kansas, Texas or Texas A&M, and I wasn't even remotely impressed by Purdue (a No. 9 seed), Indiana (No. 7) or Illinois (No. 12), although I do think Michigan State (No. 11) has a chance to crack the Sweet 16 because of Tom Izzo and Drew Neitzel. Regardless, how did the Big Ten send six teams to the tournament when most of its games had the same disjointed, scrappy, uncomfortable flow of a woman's basketball game? Did you ever watch a Big Ten game that didn't involve OSU and think to yourself, "Wow, this is some high-caliber hoops!" Oklahoma State would have been the third-best team in that conference and it's headed to the NIT. Same for Kansas State. And Syracuse.
Final note: Anyone who toggled between the OSU-Wisconsin and Texas-Kansas games knows which conference was better this season. That Texas-Kansas game was the most hard-fought basketball game I've seen since the Heat-Mavs NBA Finals last June ... and Texas was running on fumes. Meanwhile, OSU and Wisconsin were having the basketball equivalent of a rock fight on CBS. Gimme a break. The Big Ten is awful. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Badgers Getting Overlooked?
If you watched any of the bracket shows last night or read any of the analysis on any of the various sports web sites today, you will notice that many people think Wisconsin could be out in the 2nd Round of the NCAAs. The theory being that without Brian Butch, the team can't score and they don't play good enough defense to win on D alone. The Badgers going out early to Georgia Tech seems to be a trendy pick.
While the offense has struggled lately and does miss Butch, have these pundits noticed that the Badgers have played Michigan State 3 times, OSU 2 times and Illinois in their last six games? MSU and OSU are very good defensive squads and Illinois is no slouch. How many points per game would Florida average against these teams?
Also, people are saying that teams playing a zone will do in the Badgers. Well, take a presence like Oden (aka the father from Boyz in the Hood according to my wife) out of the middle and the offense will run better. The offense really seems to work well when Steimsma gets the Ball at the elbow.
One final thing I noticed at the BTT this weekend, at times, the Badgers offense runs better when Tucker (aka cool Urkel according to Tone Loc) is out. This was most evident in the Illinois game. With Tucker in, guys were afraid to shoot and deferred to Alando. When Tucker went out, Kam started lighting it up. The guys seemed more relaxed and looked for their own shot. Now, I would rather have Tucker in the game, it just appears as if the team can get tentative to shoot at times when he is in the game.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
"Cheer, cheer for good 'ol Port High..."
The Port Washington Boys Basketball team is going to state! No, I’m not kidding. And no, I didn’t accidentally write “basketball” instead of “football” or “wrestling.” For those non-Port alumni, this is about the equivalent of the Brewers winning the World Series…it just doesn’t happen. Check that. At least the Brewers came close. Port? Not since that thrilling 24-20 victory over Niagra back in '35 (peach basket me!) have they been this far. “Annual bottom feeder” doesn’t even describe the sorry state of this program for about the last, oh I’d say, 70 years. Being personally responsible for contributing to its crappyness (1994-95), I am now proud to say that I was “program builder” who helped mold it to a state title contender! Ha.
Reaction to Wisconsin's Region
My knee jerk reaction about Wisconsin's seeding - I kind of like where Wisconsin is at right now. I like the draw - assuming they can sneak by Texas A&M Lite, they get a second round game against either a young Georgia Tech team or UNLV, who is an RPI fraud in my opinion. Then it's probably Oregon, which if nothing else should be an interesting game. Oregon plays small, which Wisconsin can do as well - might be a fun game.
Chopp should love this region - he gets to hope and pray that 2 of his favorite teams (UNLV and Oregon) can knock off Bucky...
You don't like having Florida in your region, however.
Chopp should love this region - he gets to hope and pray that 2 of his favorite teams (UNLV and Oregon) can knock off Bucky...
You don't like having Florida in your region, however.
Ending With a Whimper
A brutal performance by Wisconsin, and by the hack team of "Buckeye" Billy Packer and Jim Nantz, who spent much of the game arguing over whether Florida or Ohio State was the best team in the country (hey guys - isn't that what the tournament is for? Shut up already.)
However, Wisconsin didn't give the announcers much to talk about since they played so terribly. I continue to be amazed at how hopeless they look against a zone defense. Aren't there plays that can be run against a zone? I think Wisconsin will be glad to play somebody outside of the Big Ten.
Number 2 seed it is...after that egg that Wisconsin laid.
I think this egg that Bucky laid was cracked by one of Kam's bricks.
However, Wisconsin didn't give the announcers much to talk about since they played so terribly. I continue to be amazed at how hopeless they look against a zone defense. Aren't there plays that can be run against a zone? I think Wisconsin will be glad to play somebody outside of the Big Ten.
Number 2 seed it is...after that egg that Wisconsin laid.
I think this egg that Bucky laid was cracked by one of Kam's bricks.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Paging Dr. Raasch
Uber-prospect Ryan Braun is making yet another rite of passage as a young Brewers infielder - a scheduled trip to see team doctor William Raasch, according to the club:
Third baseman Ryan Braun added some soft toss to his repertoire late this week, but he is scheduled to see head physician William Raasch this weekend before getting cleared to throw.
Braun has complained of a sore throwing elbow and has not played since March 2.
All of Braun's missed time in spring training means Brewers fans should be prepared for the exciting Graffanino/Counsell platoon at 3B come opening day.
Third baseman Ryan Braun added some soft toss to his repertoire late this week, but he is scheduled to see head physician William Raasch this weekend before getting cleared to throw.
Braun has complained of a sore throwing elbow and has not played since March 2.
All of Braun's missed time in spring training means Brewers fans should be prepared for the exciting Graffanino/Counsell platoon at 3B come opening day.
Somewhere in Wisconsin, a Village is Missing an Idiot
More insightful commentary from the legendary Mike Hunt, the worst sports columnist in the United States...
You would think there would be nothing for a team like Wisconsin to gain or lose from a conference tournament. Win or lose in any round, and the Badgers nevertheless would be bestowed a very high seeding in the NCAA tournament, and most likely would be a return tenant here next week at the United Center when the lunacy begins in earnest.
You would think that but, then again, you are not Bo Ryan. You've got to give it to the man who never misses an opportunity, however seemingly insignificant the stage, to squeeze a little something extra for the Badgers' upcoming march on Atlanta.
Insignificant stage? This is the Big Ten tournament, not some pre-season exhibition game. Nothing to gain or lose? How about a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament? Ask UCLA if their conference tournament was insignificant when they get a #2 seed on Sunday after dropping their last game to Cal. Or how about a little momentum to take into the tournament? Do you really want to go into the dance by losing 3 of your last 4 games? Absolutely not, which is why Wisconsin's win over MSU yesterday was so important and why the conference tournament is so "significant" for Wisconsin.
I swear, Mike Hunt is completely clueless.
You would think there would be nothing for a team like Wisconsin to gain or lose from a conference tournament. Win or lose in any round, and the Badgers nevertheless would be bestowed a very high seeding in the NCAA tournament, and most likely would be a return tenant here next week at the United Center when the lunacy begins in earnest.
You would think that but, then again, you are not Bo Ryan. You've got to give it to the man who never misses an opportunity, however seemingly insignificant the stage, to squeeze a little something extra for the Badgers' upcoming march on Atlanta.
Insignificant stage? This is the Big Ten tournament, not some pre-season exhibition game. Nothing to gain or lose? How about a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament? Ask UCLA if their conference tournament was insignificant when they get a #2 seed on Sunday after dropping their last game to Cal. Or how about a little momentum to take into the tournament? Do you really want to go into the dance by losing 3 of your last 4 games? Absolutely not, which is why Wisconsin's win over MSU yesterday was so important and why the conference tournament is so "significant" for Wisconsin.
I swear, Mike Hunt is completely clueless.
Friday, March 9, 2007
MVP
Ned Yost is now on record saying that Bill Hall will one day compete for the NL MVP.
"I think Billy one year will contend for an MVP in the National League, I really do," Yost said Thursday. "Look at the strides he has made in center field already. He's looking like a natural out there."
Um....OK. Somebody better go check Ned's medications. I think he's taking the same goofballs that "Mr. Cy Young" Carlos Zambrano (of the 2007 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs) is taking.
"I think Billy one year will contend for an MVP in the National League, I really do," Yost said Thursday. "Look at the strides he has made in center field already. He's looking like a natural out there."
Um....OK. Somebody better go check Ned's medications. I think he's taking the same goofballs that "Mr. Cy Young" Carlos Zambrano (of the 2007 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs) is taking.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Miller Park Sells Food?
The Journal Sentinel rolled out this year's prices for some key Miller Park concessions, including price hikes as appropriate. A few comments:
1. Beer prices continue to rise. The 24-oz beer cup still looks like the best "deal" (if you consider that a deal), but a more fiscally conservative approach is to have 6-12 beers in the parking lot before the game. [Editor's note: Chuckie Hacks doesn't promote excessive alcohol consumption at Miller Park. We do, however, condone it. There's a difference - go look it up.]
2. The fry cup is always a fan favorite, especially when the fries come in the mini plastic helmet. Fun game - find your drunkest friend, and tell him to put your fry cup helmet on his head when you finish your fries. Don't, however, tell him that there's still leftover ketchup or nacho cheese in the helmet. That's just good times. Also works with the ice cream sundae in a helmet, with the added advantage being that chocolate sauce and ice cream are really sticky.
3. Glad to see that the Polish and Italians are remaining at $4. That's my go-to meal at the park if I buy any food.
4. Who needs a 32 oz. soda? Of course, I am reminded that our section watched a particularly fat person (potentially disabled due to obesity) pound an entire TWO LITER BOTTLE OF SODA (not diet) and a large bag of potato chips at a game last year. How he got either item into the game, I don't know. And yes, he was pulling directly off the bottle - no messing around with a cup with this guy...
1. Beer prices continue to rise. The 24-oz beer cup still looks like the best "deal" (if you consider that a deal), but a more fiscally conservative approach is to have 6-12 beers in the parking lot before the game. [Editor's note: Chuckie Hacks doesn't promote excessive alcohol consumption at Miller Park. We do, however, condone it. There's a difference - go look it up.]
2. The fry cup is always a fan favorite, especially when the fries come in the mini plastic helmet. Fun game - find your drunkest friend, and tell him to put your fry cup helmet on his head when you finish your fries. Don't, however, tell him that there's still leftover ketchup or nacho cheese in the helmet. That's just good times. Also works with the ice cream sundae in a helmet, with the added advantage being that chocolate sauce and ice cream are really sticky.
3. Glad to see that the Polish and Italians are remaining at $4. That's my go-to meal at the park if I buy any food.
4. Who needs a 32 oz. soda? Of course, I am reminded that our section watched a particularly fat person (potentially disabled due to obesity) pound an entire TWO LITER BOTTLE OF SODA (not diet) and a large bag of potato chips at a game last year. How he got either item into the game, I don't know. And yes, he was pulling directly off the bottle - no messing around with a cup with this guy...
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
A Full Load
Funny Mark Grace story that I have to share. I was listening to the Dan Patrick show today. Now I don't really like Patrick - he's as full of himself as anyone on the planet, and he's a blatant name-dropper, but I had some time to kill driving back to work from a meeting.
Patrick was doing his show from Cubs spring training - usually, yet another reason to turn the channel - but I heard Mark Grace was going to be on and I've always enjoyed Grace's work (particularly the slump buster). But first, Patrick had Kerry Wood on the program. Strike three, right - turn the channel? Patrick's first question grabbed me, though - what was Wood's favorite Mark Grace story that can be told on the air?
Wood's story was fantastic. In brief, Wood said that the year before he got to the Cubs, Grace was at first base playing defense and tried to squeeze out some gas. Unfortunately, he got "more than he bargained for" according to Wood. He shat himself.
So he's playing first base with a load in his pants, and to make it worse, he leads off the next inning so he doesn't have time to go empty his drawers between innings. In all, Grace played a full inning plus with a dirty diaper. Grace later came on the program and confirmed the story.
Although I don't like the Cubs, you have to appreciate Mark Grace's contributions to baseball...
Patrick was doing his show from Cubs spring training - usually, yet another reason to turn the channel - but I heard Mark Grace was going to be on and I've always enjoyed Grace's work (particularly the slump buster). But first, Patrick had Kerry Wood on the program. Strike three, right - turn the channel? Patrick's first question grabbed me, though - what was Wood's favorite Mark Grace story that can be told on the air?
Wood's story was fantastic. In brief, Wood said that the year before he got to the Cubs, Grace was at first base playing defense and tried to squeeze out some gas. Unfortunately, he got "more than he bargained for" according to Wood. He shat himself.
So he's playing first base with a load in his pants, and to make it worse, he leads off the next inning so he doesn't have time to go empty his drawers between innings. In all, Grace played a full inning plus with a dirty diaper. Grace later came on the program and confirmed the story.
Although I don't like the Cubs, you have to appreciate Mark Grace's contributions to baseball...
You'll Have to Forgive My Friend, He's a Bit Slow...
Oden for Big 10 POY? Come on Chopp. Greg Oden is an excellent defensive player but is at times nothing but a liability on the offensive end (see the last Wisconsin game, for example). They already have an award for game-changing defensive players who can also score a little bit - the defensive player of the year. Tucker absolutely carried an experienced, but not terribly talented, group of players to a 13-3 record in the league and a top-5 rating for much of the year. Every defense is designed to stop Tucker, yet he still scored nearly 20 a game in the conference season. Oden was a key cog on a very talented, young Buckeyes team - not a conference player of the year.
After Further Review...
...Greg Oden should have been Big-11 player of the year. ‘Do Tucker is a fine player, Oden was better. Sure, Alando averaged about 4 more ppgs, and had a slight edge in steals. Oden, meanwhile, averaged more rebounds and blocks, shot a better percentage from both the field and at the free throw line (with his opposite hand, mind you). Of course stats shouldn’t determine a individual award. Well then, Big Greg was defensive player of the year…and it probably wasn’t even close. How many shots did he alter? Some guys (Tucker included) dribbled into the lane and backed out just looking for him. If the stats are similar, what separates Tucker from Oden…especially if Oden was the Defensive Player of the Year, and played on the team that won the Big-11 title by two games? Was Alando more “valuable?” Probably. But this isn’t the “Most Valuable Player” award; it’s the Player of the Year. It should have gone to Oden…even if he’s 32 years old. Here’s guessing that if they were both Freshmen, the voting would have been different.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Monday, March 5, 2007
D. James Named First Team All-Big East
Huh? Doesn't a league with approximately 27 teams have 5 better players than Dominic James? He's a PG who shoots a lot and doesn't do it very well (from the field, from 3 point - 28%(!), from the FT line, really from anywhere). Other than that he's a terrific player. He did play really well against Pitt, but then again he missed about 1/2 the game...
Whatever. Congratulations Mr. James. I guess.
Whatever. Congratulations Mr. James. I guess.
Fitting Right In
Trying to fit in with the rest of the Brewers' injury-plagued infield, Ryan Braun was withheld from the last two spring training games with an injured elbow.
"He said his elbow is sore, so he's not playing until he says it's OK," said manager Ned Yost, who indicated that Braun might miss several more games.
Welcome to the club, Mr. Braun. Maybe that plan of playing Braun for every inning of spring training wasn't such a great idea.
On a happier note, this means that the great Mike Hunt will have to wait a few more days before slobbering all over himself with another love letter to Braun.
"He said his elbow is sore, so he's not playing until he says it's OK," said manager Ned Yost, who indicated that Braun might miss several more games.
Welcome to the club, Mr. Braun. Maybe that plan of playing Braun for every inning of spring training wasn't such a great idea.
On a happier note, this means that the great Mike Hunt will have to wait a few more days before slobbering all over himself with another love letter to Braun.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Green's Gone
The Packers let Ahman Green walk - allowing him to sign with Houston for $23 million over 4 years. I'm OK with this development. Although I of course appreciate all that Green did for the Packers over the past 6 or 7 seasons, the truth is he's 30 and has a lot of wear on those tires. Crawling into Ted Thompson's shoes, here are some of the reasons why I bet Ted let Ahman go:
1. The Packers run that Broncos running system now. Ted figures if Denver can throw any Joe (or Clinton, Mike, Tatum, or Mike) into the backfield and get 1,000 yards, why can't Green Bay?
2. Like every other Packers fan, he's glad that he doesn't have to listen to announcers talk about how much Ahman's sweating problems affect his ability to hold on to the ball any more.
3. Saves money on rubber elbow sleeves.
4. Apparently, Mike Sherman was heavily involved in convincing Houston to sign Green. Therefore, Thompson figured that signing Green to that contract was a bad personnel move.
1. The Packers run that Broncos running system now. Ted figures if Denver can throw any Joe (or Clinton, Mike, Tatum, or Mike) into the backfield and get 1,000 yards, why can't Green Bay?
2. Like every other Packers fan, he's glad that he doesn't have to listen to announcers talk about how much Ahman's sweating problems affect his ability to hold on to the ball any more.
3. Saves money on rubber elbow sleeves.
4. Apparently, Mike Sherman was heavily involved in convincing Houston to sign Green. Therefore, Thompson figured that signing Green to that contract was a bad personnel move.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Friday, March 2, 2007
Ray Allen Trade Revisited
Thought I would revisit the Bucks 2003 Ray Allen trade. Here is the chain of trades involving Ray Ray and the subsequent players the Bucks got for him:
Bucks get Gary Payton, Desmond Mason for
Ray Allen, Kevin Ollie, Ronald Murray, 2003 conditional first round pick (#14-Luke Ridnour)
Bucks get Jamaal Magloire for
Desmond Mason, 2006 first round pick (#15-Cedric Simmons), cash
Bucks get Steve Blake, Brian Skinner, Ha Seung-Jin for
Jamaal Magloire
Bucks get Earl Boykins, Julius Hodge, $700K for
Steve Blake
So, after the smoke cleared, the Bucks got:
28 games of uninspired ball from Gary Payton, Earl Boykins, Brian Skinner, and 700k.
In Exchange for:
Ray Allen, Luke Ridnour, Flip Murry, Kevin Ollie, Cedric Simmons and Cash
What’s the exchange rate on that? .27 cents on the dollar? Keep up the good work Larry Harris!
Bucks get Gary Payton, Desmond Mason for
Ray Allen, Kevin Ollie, Ronald Murray, 2003 conditional first round pick (#14-Luke Ridnour)
Bucks get Jamaal Magloire for
Desmond Mason, 2006 first round pick (#15-Cedric Simmons), cash
Bucks get Steve Blake, Brian Skinner, Ha Seung-Jin for
Jamaal Magloire
Bucks get Earl Boykins, Julius Hodge, $700K for
Steve Blake
So, after the smoke cleared, the Bucks got:
28 games of uninspired ball from Gary Payton, Earl Boykins, Brian Skinner, and 700k.
In Exchange for:
Ray Allen, Luke Ridnour, Flip Murry, Kevin Ollie, Cedric Simmons and Cash
What’s the exchange rate on that? .27 cents on the dollar? Keep up the good work Larry Harris!
It's Fun to Bash the Cubs, Especially While Remaining Anonymous
Fun little quote out of Jason Stark's latest rumblings & grumblings column talking about MLB free agency:
"To me," one GM says, "if you're heading into free agency, you should either go after the absolute elite players or the filler players. The key is, stay out of the Ted Lilly-, Jason Marquis-type contracts, because those are the ones that kill you."
I'm sure this unnamed GM wasn't taking an intentional swipe at Cubs GM Jim Hendry (who signed both Lilly and Marquis). Yeah, right. Regardless, I think Mr. Unnamed GM would say that the Cubs signed all three types of players last off-season - elite (Soriano), fillers (DeRosa) and "killers" (Lilly, Marquis).
"To me," one GM says, "if you're heading into free agency, you should either go after the absolute elite players or the filler players. The key is, stay out of the Ted Lilly-, Jason Marquis-type contracts, because those are the ones that kill you."
I'm sure this unnamed GM wasn't taking an intentional swipe at Cubs GM Jim Hendry (who signed both Lilly and Marquis). Yeah, right. Regardless, I think Mr. Unnamed GM would say that the Cubs signed all three types of players last off-season - elite (Soriano), fillers (DeRosa) and "killers" (Lilly, Marquis).
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Mini Horse Enemy Cut by Steelers
Miniature horses everywhere rejoice! Joey Porter was released by the Steelers today in a salary cap purge. Does this give Joey more time to make sure his dogs don't get free to terrorize these majestic animals? Alas, probably not - he'll have a new job soon.
Mini horse is pleased with Porter's release
Mini horse is pleased with Porter's release
Spring Training Opens with a Bang
That's about what we expected from Ryan Braun in his first action of the spring, right? In the Brewers' 14-8 victory over the A's, Braun went 4-5 with 2 HRs, 7 RBIs and 1 error. Nice start, youngster - now please go out and win that third base job. I'm not real excited about the potential of a Graffy/Craiggers platoon at third.
Chopp will be pleased to know that his boy C. Vargas spun 1 2/3 terrible innings - 5 earned. Brutal.
Chopp will be pleased to know that his boy C. Vargas spun 1 2/3 terrible innings - 5 earned. Brutal.
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