Sorry Phillies fans.
Your team made a good move... and it may even get them to the playoffs and another world series... but it has to be bitter-sweet
Gose > Gillies
JA Happ > JC Ramirez
Aumont probably better than Villar, but about even
Of course it wasn't as bad as rumored when they were giving up a guy like Worley or Singleton in the deal instead of Villar...
but Oswlt vs Lee?
Oswalt is a good pitcher to be sure. A good vet too.
But Lee actually wanted to play in Philly and Oswalt doesn't really want to.
Plus they could have had Lee the whole season. They'd be a lock for post-season now... They could haved used Happ to get a good reliever, which is what they really need...
How much money does it end up saving them? They still have to pay Oswalt 12 million.. couldnt they have paid Lee his 9 mil this season and got a cheap FA for 3 mil next year... not to mention they then would have got some draft pick compensation for Lee...
Of course they could have saved some money by not signing Polanco. He has been good, but is he worth 6 mil/year the next 3 years. Pedro Feliz likely would have signed a 2 yr 6 mil deal to stay in Philly... and they could have traded Blanton and his 7.5 mil contract to Sea for one of those prospects... they then could have had a bit of money to resign Chan Ho Park...
Even better would have been if they didn't give Raul Ibanez a 3 year 30 mil contract... or vastly overpaid Ryan Howard (whose contract made me say are you serious?)
i will give the Phils this: they're able to get other teams to pay for people to play for them. How they do that i don't know...
Let someone else develop prospects, that's ok, get players when they're good during free agency or trade works out pretty well...
As for other GM's?
i thought the Astros could have got more - but trading Gose for Wallace was a big win... i'm surprised they were willing to pay so much of Oswalt's contract though, it seems like if you're gonna pay a guy so much, let him make some money for you- he was still a popular player in Houston... trading Berkman makes more sense
i can't believe the twins gave up Ramos for Matt Capps. i like Capps, he's on my fantasy team and working wonders for me, but still... they should have gotten more for Ramos, even if they don't plan on using him as more than a back-up...
i think i would have made a move for Prince or Hart from Milwaukee... and if i was Milwaukee i would have tried to trade them as much as possible - i'm surprised they couldn't work out a deal with the braves - who have a ton of pitching and need some hitting...
one of these years i'd love to see a team in no contention make some of these trades. Haren & Oswalt were had cheap... Smoak & Ramos were traded for crap...
Friday, July 30, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Mook vs good & bad teams
There are good teams and there are bad teams.
Good teams generally stay good and bad teams generally stay bad.
There have been exceptions. There were a few years the Yankees couldn’t do anything, and a while that the Celtics sucked. The Cowboys were notoriously bad, then ridiculously good. The Dolphins have had their slumps… and it is hard to remember the Raiders ever being good.
But the tendency is good teams stay good, while bad teams stay bad.
We know the Clippers will be bad. We know the Lakers will be good.
People often criticize the Yankees. “They buy their championships.” It’s unfair.”
But the Twins are continually contenders. The A’s are usually decent. And neither spends any money. The Padres, Rockies, Giants aren’t known for spending. The Cardinals spend some, but they’re not known for their spending.
If you look at the Yankees though, when they were winning consistently, it wasn’t b/c of free agent signings.
A Rod didn’t help them win. Neither did Jason Giambi. In fact those guys ruined the team.
The core of their championships ran up the middle: Jeter, Rivera, Bernie Williams, Jorge Posada, Andy Petitte – all homegrown. Heroes were guys like Paul O’Neil acquired in a minor trade or little know guys like Scott Brossius or Jim Leyritz.
The team that bought their world series were the Red Sox: getting guys like Manny Ramirez & David Ortiz and pumping them up with steroids. And Curt Shilling & Johnny Damon. None of these guys came from their system or in smart trades.
Meanwhile the Orioles tried going after free agent after free agent and never could get out of the cellar. The Mets are awful, no matter who they sign or who they trade for.
Money doesn’t make the difference between a good team and bad team.
It’s all about how you spend the money.
This summer we’ve seen NBA GM’s spend lavishly on bench players, underachieving players, and guys who just aren’t any good. The T-Wolves, the Bucks…. They aren’t getting any better.
The Twins haven’t made all the right moves (getting practically nothing for Johan was a waste, esp when they could have got a Jon Lester or Jacoby Ellsbury or a Phil Hughes), but they reload and get the players on their team that play their style, buy into their philosophy and play hard and play well.
Issiah Thomas was a horrible judge of talent, and never formed teams. They would be a good fantasy team, but not a championship team.
The Mets pay huge chunks of money who no one else is willing to pay – like Jason Bay. They could have saved $15million. Why did the Orioles spend so much money on a closer- who wasn’t even that good?
The Angels recent trades and free agent signings show this too.
Don’t blame the Yankees or the Heat or the Lakers because they make good trades, wise draft picks, and sign the right players.
It’s not about the money, it’s about how they spend it.
In life it is similar. We can't just throw money at something to fix a problem. It doesn't solve anything and sometimes makes things worse, especially in the long-run.
A lot also has to do with the atmosphere & attitude of the team. You can create a winning environment on a team.
And you don't just want a bunch of all-stars, you want a team. People filling different roles and working together.
If it is professional sports team or a ministry team or an office. We need people who can work together to be successful. We need to create an environment for success. And we need to be wise in spending and selection of personal.
Good teams generally stay good and bad teams generally stay bad.
There have been exceptions. There were a few years the Yankees couldn’t do anything, and a while that the Celtics sucked. The Cowboys were notoriously bad, then ridiculously good. The Dolphins have had their slumps… and it is hard to remember the Raiders ever being good.
But the tendency is good teams stay good, while bad teams stay bad.
We know the Clippers will be bad. We know the Lakers will be good.
People often criticize the Yankees. “They buy their championships.” It’s unfair.”
But the Twins are continually contenders. The A’s are usually decent. And neither spends any money. The Padres, Rockies, Giants aren’t known for spending. The Cardinals spend some, but they’re not known for their spending.
If you look at the Yankees though, when they were winning consistently, it wasn’t b/c of free agent signings.
A Rod didn’t help them win. Neither did Jason Giambi. In fact those guys ruined the team.
The core of their championships ran up the middle: Jeter, Rivera, Bernie Williams, Jorge Posada, Andy Petitte – all homegrown. Heroes were guys like Paul O’Neil acquired in a minor trade or little know guys like Scott Brossius or Jim Leyritz.
The team that bought their world series were the Red Sox: getting guys like Manny Ramirez & David Ortiz and pumping them up with steroids. And Curt Shilling & Johnny Damon. None of these guys came from their system or in smart trades.
Meanwhile the Orioles tried going after free agent after free agent and never could get out of the cellar. The Mets are awful, no matter who they sign or who they trade for.
Money doesn’t make the difference between a good team and bad team.
It’s all about how you spend the money.
This summer we’ve seen NBA GM’s spend lavishly on bench players, underachieving players, and guys who just aren’t any good. The T-Wolves, the Bucks…. They aren’t getting any better.
The Twins haven’t made all the right moves (getting practically nothing for Johan was a waste, esp when they could have got a Jon Lester or Jacoby Ellsbury or a Phil Hughes), but they reload and get the players on their team that play their style, buy into their philosophy and play hard and play well.
Issiah Thomas was a horrible judge of talent, and never formed teams. They would be a good fantasy team, but not a championship team.
The Mets pay huge chunks of money who no one else is willing to pay – like Jason Bay. They could have saved $15million. Why did the Orioles spend so much money on a closer- who wasn’t even that good?
The Angels recent trades and free agent signings show this too.
Don’t blame the Yankees or the Heat or the Lakers because they make good trades, wise draft picks, and sign the right players.
It’s not about the money, it’s about how they spend it.
In life it is similar. We can't just throw money at something to fix a problem. It doesn't solve anything and sometimes makes things worse, especially in the long-run.
A lot also has to do with the atmosphere & attitude of the team. You can create a winning environment on a team.
And you don't just want a bunch of all-stars, you want a team. People filling different roles and working together.
If it is professional sports team or a ministry team or an office. We need people who can work together to be successful. We need to create an environment for success. And we need to be wise in spending and selection of personal.
Mook vs the California Angels
In the past i have criticized the Angels for their trades- or rather their lack of trades.
i thought they should have gone after Roy Halladay this off-season. Wood was the equivalent of Wallace, they have a couple good pitching prospects and could have given up Mathis or Napoli which would have been more than enough...
a few years ago i thought they should have got Miguel Cabrerra considering they could have offered a better package than detroit...
It seemed like they have these top prospects... who don't pan out...
but then Kendry Morales and Erick Aybar have excelled after years of mediocrity... as did Howie Kendrick - but he was still young and had some success, so his success wasn't as surprising...
The signing of Gary Matthews still goes down as the worst free agent signing ever (5 years 50 mil, when they didn't need an OF, for journeyman who had one barely-above-average season? Ridiculous)!
Still, they just got Danny Haren for practically nothing. And he will be around a couple more years for a reasonable price.
i know Haren's ers is up, but he is still striking out a ton...
A few years ago they were able to get Texeira for Casey Kotchman (while the Braves sent Neftali Feliz & Elvis Andrus for him)...
They signed Bobby Abreu for 6 mil, while the Phillies gave Raul Ibanez 30 mil...
i still think they should have resigned Vlad & Figgy last year, but Figgons hasn't been very good nor has John Lackey- but i think most people could have seen his downfall coming... the angels do a pretty good job when they let guys go...
Plus they have the best manager in baseball in Mike Sciossia.
This trade could put them over the top and keep their division title streak going.
If i'm a fan of any team in contention i am angry we didn't get Haren.
i could be wrong, we'll see how the prospects do...
Though if the trade helps you win (like when the Tigers traded John Smoltz for Doyle Alexander) is the trade worth it?
i thought they should have gone after Roy Halladay this off-season. Wood was the equivalent of Wallace, they have a couple good pitching prospects and could have given up Mathis or Napoli which would have been more than enough...
a few years ago i thought they should have got Miguel Cabrerra considering they could have offered a better package than detroit...
It seemed like they have these top prospects... who don't pan out...
but then Kendry Morales and Erick Aybar have excelled after years of mediocrity... as did Howie Kendrick - but he was still young and had some success, so his success wasn't as surprising...
The signing of Gary Matthews still goes down as the worst free agent signing ever (5 years 50 mil, when they didn't need an OF, for journeyman who had one barely-above-average season? Ridiculous)!
Still, they just got Danny Haren for practically nothing. And he will be around a couple more years for a reasonable price.
i know Haren's ers is up, but he is still striking out a ton...
A few years ago they were able to get Texeira for Casey Kotchman (while the Braves sent Neftali Feliz & Elvis Andrus for him)...
They signed Bobby Abreu for 6 mil, while the Phillies gave Raul Ibanez 30 mil...
i still think they should have resigned Vlad & Figgy last year, but Figgons hasn't been very good nor has John Lackey- but i think most people could have seen his downfall coming... the angels do a pretty good job when they let guys go...
Plus they have the best manager in baseball in Mike Sciossia.
This trade could put them over the top and keep their division title streak going.
If i'm a fan of any team in contention i am angry we didn't get Haren.
i could be wrong, we'll see how the prospects do...
Though if the trade helps you win (like when the Tigers traded John Smoltz for Doyle Alexander) is the trade worth it?
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Mook vs the Miami Heat
The best FA NBA signings? Not LeBron or Bosh... not Boozer or Stoudamire either...
When the Heat signed Lebron and Bosh to go with Dwyane Wade- I honestly wasn’t that impressed. Big name players and big spending doesn’t guarantee championships.
But when they were able to get Mike Miller and Udolis Haslem? Now I think they are a championship team- and I’m not sure if anyone can beat them. Those were the best signings of the off-season.
Miller is perfect compliment for LeBron- or Wade. He will get a lot of open jumpers, 3pointers, and can play.
Haslem was desperately needed: a worker, a big guy, a goon.
Your really only need 7 or 8 players to win. They have 5… + 2 decent guys. Another Center- maybe Shaq (See previous post) and I don’t see anyone stopping them.
Wade or Bron can handle the point, that Chalmers won’t have to play that much (don’t go comparing him to Rondo- he’s not Rajon Rondo).
They could go ahead and get Penny… and while they’re at it bring back Barkley- we know he is one of Wade’s top five friends… I read somewhere else someone suggesting Reggie Miller- why not? He could hit an open 3…. They don’t need youth… Wade, Bosh & Bron are in this league for a long time!
Barkley & Miller are certainly jokes, and even Hardaway(though he might be in decent shape), but they don’t need much.
They have good offense, and Bron can play defense. Wade is the competitor and I think- like Paul Pierce did- will become a better defensive player now. And Haslem will be the low-post defense guy.
More defense will be better. But they have added some nice pieces to this team.
And that’s what you need: A TEAM!
The Lakers still have the best team – they have 5 guys who could be all-stars. The Celtics have a big 4 now, and a veteran team hungry to win. And the Bulls still have one of the most promising young teams in the league… and never count out Nash & the Suns or Duncan & the Spurs… plus I really like Portland… and Orlando has Dwight… Dallas, Houston, Utah, Denver, OKC and even ATL, will be tough… the NBA is still wide open… of course I hate the nba and I don’t know why I write about it so much…
I don’t think Chris Paul winds up going anywhere, no other team has what N.O. needs… and if the trade was going to happen it would happened before LeBron signed…
Just got off the phone with another Cleveland friend… my apologies go out to you all still…
When the Heat signed Lebron and Bosh to go with Dwyane Wade- I honestly wasn’t that impressed. Big name players and big spending doesn’t guarantee championships.
But when they were able to get Mike Miller and Udolis Haslem? Now I think they are a championship team- and I’m not sure if anyone can beat them. Those were the best signings of the off-season.
Miller is perfect compliment for LeBron- or Wade. He will get a lot of open jumpers, 3pointers, and can play.
Haslem was desperately needed: a worker, a big guy, a goon.
Your really only need 7 or 8 players to win. They have 5… + 2 decent guys. Another Center- maybe Shaq (See previous post) and I don’t see anyone stopping them.
Wade or Bron can handle the point, that Chalmers won’t have to play that much (don’t go comparing him to Rondo- he’s not Rajon Rondo).
They could go ahead and get Penny… and while they’re at it bring back Barkley- we know he is one of Wade’s top five friends… I read somewhere else someone suggesting Reggie Miller- why not? He could hit an open 3…. They don’t need youth… Wade, Bosh & Bron are in this league for a long time!
Barkley & Miller are certainly jokes, and even Hardaway(though he might be in decent shape), but they don’t need much.
They have good offense, and Bron can play defense. Wade is the competitor and I think- like Paul Pierce did- will become a better defensive player now. And Haslem will be the low-post defense guy.
More defense will be better. But they have added some nice pieces to this team.
And that’s what you need: A TEAM!
The Lakers still have the best team – they have 5 guys who could be all-stars. The Celtics have a big 4 now, and a veteran team hungry to win. And the Bulls still have one of the most promising young teams in the league… and never count out Nash & the Suns or Duncan & the Spurs… plus I really like Portland… and Orlando has Dwight… Dallas, Houston, Utah, Denver, OKC and even ATL, will be tough… the NBA is still wide open… of course I hate the nba and I don’t know why I write about it so much…
I don’t think Chris Paul winds up going anywhere, no other team has what N.O. needs… and if the trade was going to happen it would happened before LeBron signed…
Just got off the phone with another Cleveland friend… my apologies go out to you all still…
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Mook vs the Jordan/LeBron debate
Michael Jordan and now Magic have come out and said they would never do what LeBron and Wade have done... of course we didn't need them to say that, we know they never would have. They were fierce competitors.
They were also on good teams. More loyal to their teams. Playing in huge markets. And not very close friends.
This is not the first time a player went to a team to win. Remember Danny Manning?
He led Kansas to the National Championship, as a #6 seed, with no talent around him. He was the first guy who was supposed to be the savior of the Clippers (of course they had the #1 & #3 pick that year - imagine if that was 2003 a team could have had Bron & Bosh or Wade from the get-go!).
He was traded to the Hawks, but then as a free agent signed a one-year deal with the Suns, already a good team(BArkley, KJ, Majerle,Ainge),for just one million dollars. People mocked him then... and worse after he got hurt - but since forgot... especially since they never won...
This article on espn is worth a look. It is very good insight to Jordan... and why people dislike LeBron's choice.
For guys like Jordan & Magic & Bird... it wasn't just about winning, it was aboout being the best... and thus proving themselves... and being a man.
And men like that. We all want to be the best. There is even a book for boys called how to be the best at everything. There is something that resonates with us about "manning up." And winning despite the odds.
But can we blame these kids?
Don't we teach kids to have fun.
Don't tv shows & books - as well as life- tell us: "It doesn't matter what you do, all that matters is who you do it with"?
One of the most interesting comments i saw about LeBron was a reader comment from Bill simmons mailbag (and i'll post it even though it came from Bloomington, In.
City: Bloomington, Ind.
Name: Alan
My wife is a psychologist and after watching the documentary about James' high school years, she is convinced LeBron is trying to recapitulate his high school years with the "five friends" only this time it's with highly paid peers in Miami.
Another wrote
City: St. Cloud, Wis.
Name: Jake
Bill, in your LeBronocalypse column, you said the message LeBron was sending by signing with the Heat was "Help!" Is it possible that this was more about LeBron deciding that what he wanted most was to have fun? Think about it, he never went to college and has been looked upon as a franchise savior since before he was drafted, now he can live in one of most fun cities in America and play ball with two of his best buddies in the league, and he doesn't have to carry the franchise every night...
And this one:
City: Chicago
Name: Ron
I think we're realizing that LeBron was never made up of the same stuff as Kobe or MJ. And the things that we saw him doing in the future were things that we wanted for him, because of his transcendent skills. But in the end, he just didn't want those things. He was abandoned as a kid, if you see his high school documentary, you see all he wants to do is be a part of something, not be something. He just wants to be a part of a group and be wanted. We've just all along wished he was wired for greatness. He's not. And it's a shame.
LeBron (And the other boys) just want to have fun.
They want to win, of course- that's the best way to have fun. But more than just winning, they want to win together and they want to have fun doing it.
In my original LeBron post, i questioned how good of friends they are. It seems like they really are good friends. Then why should we be so bitter about them?
Maybe we should be praising them for valuing fun over winning; praising them for valuing friendships over competition, fame & pride; praising them for putting their values above what everyone else thinks they should do
LeBron wanted to have fun. He wanted to be with his friends. Those are good things.
They just aren't Jordanesque.
Sportsfan have neen looking for the next Jordan for years: Vince Carter, Jerry Stackhouse, Kobe, LeBron...
But if you're LeBron why would you want to be the next Jordan? Wouldn't you want to be the first LeBron?
Many are saying he is now the next Pippen instead of the next Jordan.
i don't think there will be any comparison when his career is done.
What if he can go on to average 20-10-10 and be the defensive player of the year, and win a championship? and what if he does that 3 times?
And LeBron is not afraid of taking the big shot. He has done it, and he has made them. As an 18 year old kid he was leading teams.
Sure this will be Wade's team, but that doesn't mean Wade will always take the last shot. Sometimes it will be Wade, sometimes it will be LeBron. It will never be Chris Bosh.
LeBron doesn't need to be the next Jordan. He can be his own person, and that is why he's doing this.
So, why do we hate him so much? Why do we get so angry?
1st we want that next Jordan. We like cycle. And like i wrote about we want the man's man.
i read another person who compared the Heat signings to kids coming the playground and stacking their team. You know, they miss their free-throw on purpose... or like some of my friends in college, would show up 20 minutes late and even if we hadn't started yet, would just say "Oh we just got here, we got next."
i remember being furious at those guys. They weren't that great- one guy was a Tight End for the Purdue football team, and the other guys good- but you better believe we played our hearts out to beat them.
No one likes it when people stack teams.
And of course, it was all about "The Decision"
If they came out on day 1 of free agency and said we're 90% going to lay with each other in Miami, we just want to consider our options, it would have been better. But they played with people's hearts.
And then LeBron went on air for one hour to announce his decision.
He should have gone to Cleveland management, let them know is intentions. He should have made a small announcement in Akron about his intentions to play with the Heat. He should have been honest. He shouldn't have made such a big deal out of himself.
The Fans were going to be somewhat bitter anyway, but they would have gotten over it more quickly and not have felt so betrayed.
Meanwhile Jordan & Magic should stay out of this.
Jordan and Bird did commercials together and made video games. Bird & Magic had a lot of history together - but are any of these guys friends?
Bird & Magic played on the tow most storied franchises. Michael played in Chicago.
And Jordan doesn't have any friends at all.
Though we all want another Jordan on the court, do we want another Jordan in life? His life is marked by bitterness, greed, pride and foolishness.
Maybe LeBron winds up a better person for this decision.
His legacy was ruined because of the decision, but it can be reconciled, and i think it will.
They were also on good teams. More loyal to their teams. Playing in huge markets. And not very close friends.
This is not the first time a player went to a team to win. Remember Danny Manning?
He led Kansas to the National Championship, as a #6 seed, with no talent around him. He was the first guy who was supposed to be the savior of the Clippers (of course they had the #1 & #3 pick that year - imagine if that was 2003 a team could have had Bron & Bosh or Wade from the get-go!).
He was traded to the Hawks, but then as a free agent signed a one-year deal with the Suns, already a good team(BArkley, KJ, Majerle,Ainge),for just one million dollars. People mocked him then... and worse after he got hurt - but since forgot... especially since they never won...
This article on espn is worth a look. It is very good insight to Jordan... and why people dislike LeBron's choice.
For guys like Jordan & Magic & Bird... it wasn't just about winning, it was aboout being the best... and thus proving themselves... and being a man.
And men like that. We all want to be the best. There is even a book for boys called how to be the best at everything. There is something that resonates with us about "manning up." And winning despite the odds.
But can we blame these kids?
Don't we teach kids to have fun.
Don't tv shows & books - as well as life- tell us: "It doesn't matter what you do, all that matters is who you do it with"?
One of the most interesting comments i saw about LeBron was a reader comment from Bill simmons mailbag (and i'll post it even though it came from Bloomington, In.
City: Bloomington, Ind.
Name: Alan
My wife is a psychologist and after watching the documentary about James' high school years, she is convinced LeBron is trying to recapitulate his high school years with the "five friends" only this time it's with highly paid peers in Miami.
Another wrote
City: St. Cloud, Wis.
Name: Jake
Bill, in your LeBronocalypse column, you said the message LeBron was sending by signing with the Heat was "Help!" Is it possible that this was more about LeBron deciding that what he wanted most was to have fun? Think about it, he never went to college and has been looked upon as a franchise savior since before he was drafted, now he can live in one of most fun cities in America and play ball with two of his best buddies in the league, and he doesn't have to carry the franchise every night...
And this one:
City: Chicago
Name: Ron
I think we're realizing that LeBron was never made up of the same stuff as Kobe or MJ. And the things that we saw him doing in the future were things that we wanted for him, because of his transcendent skills. But in the end, he just didn't want those things. He was abandoned as a kid, if you see his high school documentary, you see all he wants to do is be a part of something, not be something. He just wants to be a part of a group and be wanted. We've just all along wished he was wired for greatness. He's not. And it's a shame.
LeBron (And the other boys) just want to have fun.
They want to win, of course- that's the best way to have fun. But more than just winning, they want to win together and they want to have fun doing it.
In my original LeBron post, i questioned how good of friends they are. It seems like they really are good friends. Then why should we be so bitter about them?
Maybe we should be praising them for valuing fun over winning; praising them for valuing friendships over competition, fame & pride; praising them for putting their values above what everyone else thinks they should do
LeBron wanted to have fun. He wanted to be with his friends. Those are good things.
They just aren't Jordanesque.
Sportsfan have neen looking for the next Jordan for years: Vince Carter, Jerry Stackhouse, Kobe, LeBron...
But if you're LeBron why would you want to be the next Jordan? Wouldn't you want to be the first LeBron?
Many are saying he is now the next Pippen instead of the next Jordan.
i don't think there will be any comparison when his career is done.
What if he can go on to average 20-10-10 and be the defensive player of the year, and win a championship? and what if he does that 3 times?
And LeBron is not afraid of taking the big shot. He has done it, and he has made them. As an 18 year old kid he was leading teams.
Sure this will be Wade's team, but that doesn't mean Wade will always take the last shot. Sometimes it will be Wade, sometimes it will be LeBron. It will never be Chris Bosh.
LeBron doesn't need to be the next Jordan. He can be his own person, and that is why he's doing this.
So, why do we hate him so much? Why do we get so angry?
1st we want that next Jordan. We like cycle. And like i wrote about we want the man's man.
i read another person who compared the Heat signings to kids coming the playground and stacking their team. You know, they miss their free-throw on purpose... or like some of my friends in college, would show up 20 minutes late and even if we hadn't started yet, would just say "Oh we just got here, we got next."
i remember being furious at those guys. They weren't that great- one guy was a Tight End for the Purdue football team, and the other guys good- but you better believe we played our hearts out to beat them.
No one likes it when people stack teams.
And of course, it was all about "The Decision"
If they came out on day 1 of free agency and said we're 90% going to lay with each other in Miami, we just want to consider our options, it would have been better. But they played with people's hearts.
And then LeBron went on air for one hour to announce his decision.
He should have gone to Cleveland management, let them know is intentions. He should have made a small announcement in Akron about his intentions to play with the Heat. He should have been honest. He shouldn't have made such a big deal out of himself.
The Fans were going to be somewhat bitter anyway, but they would have gotten over it more quickly and not have felt so betrayed.
Meanwhile Jordan & Magic should stay out of this.
Jordan and Bird did commercials together and made video games. Bird & Magic had a lot of history together - but are any of these guys friends?
Bird & Magic played on the tow most storied franchises. Michael played in Chicago.
And Jordan doesn't have any friends at all.
Though we all want another Jordan on the court, do we want another Jordan in life? His life is marked by bitterness, greed, pride and foolishness.
Maybe LeBron winds up a better person for this decision.
His legacy was ruined because of the decision, but it can be reconciled, and i think it will.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Mook vs Innings pitched limits
When i write Mook Vs... titles it is an homage to the tv show Chuck, not that i'm against it... but not with this post. This is something i have a problem with...
News came out that Strassberg will have an inning limit this year…. Meaning he’ll be done pitching by September… We’ve already heard of the Joba rules- which means nothing now, though we also see the Yanks handling Phil Hughes with kid’s gloves…
And there were many who critiqued AJ Hinch for letting Edwin Jackson throw his no-hitter despite his high pitch count.
But why are we babying players so much these days?
Is it because they take so many substances, they’re not able to endure… or because kids don’t know how to play sports anymore? I don’t get it.
Pitchers used to pitch 200 innings easy. Complete Games was a category we looked at to determine how good a pitcher was, and many would pitch 10+ CG /year.
Maybe they would have been better if they hadn’t. Maybe there would be no debate about Jack Morris or Bert Blyleven.
But all their complete games didn’t shorten their career (though they may have had better numbers).
Prior & Wood got hurt. Doc Gooden didn’t last. He picthed 218 innings as a 19 yr old and 276 as a 20 year old... Maybe if they had pitch counts with him we'd be talking about him as the greatest pitcher of all time.
But what about pitchers who just run out of gas and who aren’t as good as they used to be… what if we let them pitch more and be even that more outstanding?
And what about all the pitchers who didn't have pitch counts and had long careers?
i say let 'em pitch!
There is no need to keep a pitcher in if he’s struggling, or if there is a huge lead even… but I think we need to stop babying players.
News came out that Strassberg will have an inning limit this year…. Meaning he’ll be done pitching by September… We’ve already heard of the Joba rules- which means nothing now, though we also see the Yanks handling Phil Hughes with kid’s gloves…
And there were many who critiqued AJ Hinch for letting Edwin Jackson throw his no-hitter despite his high pitch count.
But why are we babying players so much these days?
Is it because they take so many substances, they’re not able to endure… or because kids don’t know how to play sports anymore? I don’t get it.
Pitchers used to pitch 200 innings easy. Complete Games was a category we looked at to determine how good a pitcher was, and many would pitch 10+ CG /year.
Maybe they would have been better if they hadn’t. Maybe there would be no debate about Jack Morris or Bert Blyleven.
But all their complete games didn’t shorten their career (though they may have had better numbers).
Prior & Wood got hurt. Doc Gooden didn’t last. He picthed 218 innings as a 19 yr old and 276 as a 20 year old... Maybe if they had pitch counts with him we'd be talking about him as the greatest pitcher of all time.
But what about pitchers who just run out of gas and who aren’t as good as they used to be… what if we let them pitch more and be even that more outstanding?
And what about all the pitchers who didn't have pitch counts and had long careers?
i say let 'em pitch!
There is no need to keep a pitcher in if he’s struggling, or if there is a huge lead even… but I think we need to stop babying players.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Mook vs the next generation of pitchers
Pitchers are dominating this year. There have been 3 perfect games (if you count Galaraga) and 2 more no-hitters. Plus a bunch that went 8+ innings. And not only that, but there are more shut-outs than I can remember.
Young pitchers are particulary dominating
In anticipation of Stephen starssberg’s debut, ESPN did an article on the top pitchers of the next decade(not including Starssberg).
(This was pretty interesting in one of my fantasy leagues where Strassberg (and some others) were traded for Felix… and then this article ranks Felix #1)
Interesting that Lincecum didn’t even make the cut. And neither did Zach Greinke who was ridiculous last year.
Here are my top 12 pitchers in the next 5 years
1. Wainright
(he reminds me a lot of Greg Maddux- a complete player. He performed under pressure in the playoffs, and has Dave Duncan as his coach)
2. Lester
(Take out his April this year and his numbers would be mind-blowing. A lefty for a perennial contender… he already has a perfect game to his name and overcame cancer
3. Lincecum
(Scouts don’t like his unusual technique, but it has been working)
4. Halladay
(He still has 5 good – great- years left in him)
5. Ubaldo
(he’s coming back to earth, but he’s still pretty incredible)
6. David Price
(like many of the others before him I like his playoff experience… we forget how much hype he had last year)
7. Strassberg
(he will be great, but he’ll also have some growing pains)
8. Josh Johnson
(he is often mentioned as one of the top 3 pitchers in the NL- but usually for shock value… but he has been darn good this year, again no one notices).
9. Cliff Lee
(Seems to be coming into hiw own these last 3 years)
10. Verlander
(does anyone throw harder?)
11. Phil Hughes
(has gone thru some growing pains, I think he’s ready to bloom
12. Clayton Kershaw
(he’s stil 21 and improving a lot)
Honorable mentions
13. Mat Latos
14. Clay Buchholz
15. Bret Anderson
Noticeably missing
1. Felix
(he has a lot of wins, big deal. He reminds me of CC or Bartolo Colon
2. CC
(I’ve never been impressed by CC- expect for his brief tenure with the Brewers which was incredible. He is extremely inconsistent though, and due for a breakdown)
3. Greinke
(he looked like the next Saberhagen… but maybe that is what he is, a couple amazing years, and a decent career, but nothing special)
4. Tommy Hanson
(I’m sure he will be good, but I think others will be better)
Top Ten in the next ten years?
1. Strassberg
2. Price
3. Wainright
4. Bret Anderson
5. Lester
6. Kershaw
7. Ubaldo
8. Josh Johnson
9. Lincecum
10. Some guy we haven’t heard of yet
Of course no one knows what will happen. We all saw what happened with Prior & Wood with the Cubs. Any one of these guys could blow their arm out (though Johnson & Lester already went thru major surgeries). Or we could recall guys with funky deliveries like Fernando, D-train, or Nomo and assume Lincecum is bound to fail too.
Of course we don’t know. Only God knows.
But we like making predictions. We like preview magazines. We like picking our brackets for march madness and we like playing fantasy sports. And if we’re right, we can say “I knew it” or at least “I called it/ predicted it”
Just like only the writers of LOST actually knew the ending (ok maybe they didn’t either, those bastards… liars…idiots), no one knows how things will turn out.
I mean if anyone was going to have a great career it was Doc Gooden. Check out his stats! He was 24-4 with a 1.53 era and 16 complete games & 8 shut-outs, 268 k's- as a 20 year old!... 276k's as a 19 year old!
Only God knows. He knows the future, He knows all outcomes. He foreordained it. Does God really care about baseball? I guess He must be a fan… Some of His children are playing, so…
Yeah, God knows. And these guys may feel like a god on the mound…. But they’re not. And the same God who gave them that talent, can take it away.
This reminds me of the comedian when Kirk Gibson showed up in LA, some were calling him Jesus, and the stand-up joked could you imagine… Jesus up to bat, hits a routine grounder to the thirdbaseman and… he goes blind! The ball goes thru… Or… there’s popup to left field should be an easy out…. Wait a second! There comes a bird! HE has the ball and… yes! It’s a homerun!
OF course Jesus wouldn’t do that, it would be cheating, and God doesn’t cheat… Of course… He wouldn’t have to…
Anyway, I know we may not know, but it’s fun to predict. What are your predictions?
Young pitchers are particulary dominating
In anticipation of Stephen starssberg’s debut, ESPN did an article on the top pitchers of the next decade(not including Starssberg).
(This was pretty interesting in one of my fantasy leagues where Strassberg (and some others) were traded for Felix… and then this article ranks Felix #1)
Interesting that Lincecum didn’t even make the cut. And neither did Zach Greinke who was ridiculous last year.
Here are my top 12 pitchers in the next 5 years
1. Wainright
(he reminds me a lot of Greg Maddux- a complete player. He performed under pressure in the playoffs, and has Dave Duncan as his coach)
2. Lester
(Take out his April this year and his numbers would be mind-blowing. A lefty for a perennial contender… he already has a perfect game to his name and overcame cancer
3. Lincecum
(Scouts don’t like his unusual technique, but it has been working)
4. Halladay
(He still has 5 good – great- years left in him)
5. Ubaldo
(he’s coming back to earth, but he’s still pretty incredible)
6. David Price
(like many of the others before him I like his playoff experience… we forget how much hype he had last year)
7. Strassberg
(he will be great, but he’ll also have some growing pains)
8. Josh Johnson
(he is often mentioned as one of the top 3 pitchers in the NL- but usually for shock value… but he has been darn good this year, again no one notices).
9. Cliff Lee
(Seems to be coming into hiw own these last 3 years)
10. Verlander
(does anyone throw harder?)
11. Phil Hughes
(has gone thru some growing pains, I think he’s ready to bloom
12. Clayton Kershaw
(he’s stil 21 and improving a lot)
Honorable mentions
13. Mat Latos
14. Clay Buchholz
15. Bret Anderson
Noticeably missing
1. Felix
(he has a lot of wins, big deal. He reminds me of CC or Bartolo Colon
2. CC
(I’ve never been impressed by CC- expect for his brief tenure with the Brewers which was incredible. He is extremely inconsistent though, and due for a breakdown)
3. Greinke
(he looked like the next Saberhagen… but maybe that is what he is, a couple amazing years, and a decent career, but nothing special)
4. Tommy Hanson
(I’m sure he will be good, but I think others will be better)
Top Ten in the next ten years?
1. Strassberg
2. Price
3. Wainright
4. Bret Anderson
5. Lester
6. Kershaw
7. Ubaldo
8. Josh Johnson
9. Lincecum
10. Some guy we haven’t heard of yet
Of course no one knows what will happen. We all saw what happened with Prior & Wood with the Cubs. Any one of these guys could blow their arm out (though Johnson & Lester already went thru major surgeries). Or we could recall guys with funky deliveries like Fernando, D-train, or Nomo and assume Lincecum is bound to fail too.
Of course we don’t know. Only God knows.
But we like making predictions. We like preview magazines. We like picking our brackets for march madness and we like playing fantasy sports. And if we’re right, we can say “I knew it” or at least “I called it/ predicted it”
Just like only the writers of LOST actually knew the ending (ok maybe they didn’t either, those bastards… liars…idiots), no one knows how things will turn out.
I mean if anyone was going to have a great career it was Doc Gooden. Check out his stats! He was 24-4 with a 1.53 era and 16 complete games & 8 shut-outs, 268 k's- as a 20 year old!... 276k's as a 19 year old!
Only God knows. He knows the future, He knows all outcomes. He foreordained it. Does God really care about baseball? I guess He must be a fan… Some of His children are playing, so…
Yeah, God knows. And these guys may feel like a god on the mound…. But they’re not. And the same God who gave them that talent, can take it away.
This reminds me of the comedian when Kirk Gibson showed up in LA, some were calling him Jesus, and the stand-up joked could you imagine… Jesus up to bat, hits a routine grounder to the thirdbaseman and… he goes blind! The ball goes thru… Or… there’s popup to left field should be an easy out…. Wait a second! There comes a bird! HE has the ball and… yes! It’s a homerun!
OF course Jesus wouldn’t do that, it would be cheating, and God doesn’t cheat… Of course… He wouldn’t have to…
Anyway, I know we may not know, but it’s fun to predict. What are your predictions?
Friday, July 16, 2010
Mook vs Stephen Strassberg & Jason Heyward
Strassberg pitched another 6 shutout innings tonight. He clearly is a phenomenon. For all the hype, i didn't think he'd live up to it. But her has- and has been much better than expected even! Sure the Nationals set him up for success having him pitch against some awful teams- one of the smartest things ever if you ask me- but i still expected some slip-ups. He has been great. And of course he could be like Mark Prior, but you gotta think his career will be something special.
Heyward of course got the starting job out of spring training as a 20 year old. All th critics said no 20 year old could do well. The best comparison i thought though, was Ken Griffy Jr. Heyward has all the tools. He can hit, and hits for massive power. His first month he was leading the league in rbis. And i gotta think he is a big reason why the Braves are in 1st place. He has struggled lately, but he has played a big role in the team's success.
Heyward was voted in by the fans, and if they could vote for pitchers Strassberg may have made it too! There was much debate if Strassberg should make it, even though he only played for one month before the break.
These guys will have plenty of chances to play in All-star games. But i think the all-star game is for the fans. It is not a real game- no matter what Bud Selig says.
Why not create another game: oldies vs newbies.
Then we could have had a game with players like:
1. Buster Posey (who should also be in many all-star games),
2. Starlin Castro(another 20-year old),
3&4. Buchholz & Hughes (who made the AS team anyway),
5&6. Car Go & Colby Ramsus (who should have made it)...
7. Casey McGehee (a surprising 2nd year star who deserves some props)
8. Brennan Boesch (who should be the ROY)
along with Strssberg & Heyward among others on the Future stars team
And the old vets team we could have
1. David Ortiz (who undeservedly made the AS team)
2&3. Andy Petitte & Tim Hudson (who should have been automatics on the AS team anyway)
4. Billy Wagner (Another guy who got screwed
5. Michael Young (see my all star post)
6. Chipper (a HOF who is retiring)
7. Mags... Roy Oswalt...Omar Ifante
10. Jamie Moyer (simply b/c he is so old)
Wouldn't that be fun to watch?
Maybe it wouldnt work every year...
This year has been an incredible year for young stars. If you were going to join a dynasty fantasy baseball league, this would have been the year to do it.
Heyward of course got the starting job out of spring training as a 20 year old. All th critics said no 20 year old could do well. The best comparison i thought though, was Ken Griffy Jr. Heyward has all the tools. He can hit, and hits for massive power. His first month he was leading the league in rbis. And i gotta think he is a big reason why the Braves are in 1st place. He has struggled lately, but he has played a big role in the team's success.
Heyward was voted in by the fans, and if they could vote for pitchers Strassberg may have made it too! There was much debate if Strassberg should make it, even though he only played for one month before the break.
These guys will have plenty of chances to play in All-star games. But i think the all-star game is for the fans. It is not a real game- no matter what Bud Selig says.
Why not create another game: oldies vs newbies.
Then we could have had a game with players like:
1. Buster Posey (who should also be in many all-star games),
2. Starlin Castro(another 20-year old),
3&4. Buchholz & Hughes (who made the AS team anyway),
5&6. Car Go & Colby Ramsus (who should have made it)...
7. Casey McGehee (a surprising 2nd year star who deserves some props)
8. Brennan Boesch (who should be the ROY)
along with Strssberg & Heyward among others on the Future stars team
And the old vets team we could have
1. David Ortiz (who undeservedly made the AS team)
2&3. Andy Petitte & Tim Hudson (who should have been automatics on the AS team anyway)
4. Billy Wagner (Another guy who got screwed
5. Michael Young (see my all star post)
6. Chipper (a HOF who is retiring)
7. Mags... Roy Oswalt...Omar Ifante
10. Jamie Moyer (simply b/c he is so old)
Wouldn't that be fun to watch?
Maybe it wouldnt work every year...
This year has been an incredible year for young stars. If you were going to join a dynasty fantasy baseball league, this would have been the year to do it.
Mook vs George Steinbrenner
George Steinbrenner passed away this week. i think he should be in the hall of fame.
One friend tweeted how come when someone dies we forget how awful they were?
i for one liked George Steinbrenner.
He may be more well-known b/c of Seinfeld (at least Seinfeld was a trending tweet along with Steinbrenner the day he died), but i think he brought a lot to baseball too.
Granted i am a Yankees fan, but some may say i should dislike him more then.
He was a guy who wanted to win. He made a lot of rash decisions. He fired Billy Martin 6 times... but Billy Martin kept coming back! So their relationship couldn't have been that bad... He made some bonehead trades and signed guys to some ridiculous contracts. But in the end he was pretty smart. And he won a lot of championships. And he made the game fun.
Even if creating "The Evil Empire" gave someone to root against, he did a lot for the game.
The eccentric owners like Mark Cuban or Dan Gilbert only have come along b/c of Steinbrenner. And let's face it, sports is more fun with crazy owners. Who likes Bud Selig?
If managers and players are recognized for creating winners, then Steinbrenner should be recognized too.
Still, a hall of fame career, championships, lots of money, fame: but his life is done now. i wonder at the end of his life if he felt all he put his energy was worth it. Or if he found his family more important than his team.
What are you living for?
One friend tweeted how come when someone dies we forget how awful they were?
i for one liked George Steinbrenner.
He may be more well-known b/c of Seinfeld (at least Seinfeld was a trending tweet along with Steinbrenner the day he died), but i think he brought a lot to baseball too.
Granted i am a Yankees fan, but some may say i should dislike him more then.
He was a guy who wanted to win. He made a lot of rash decisions. He fired Billy Martin 6 times... but Billy Martin kept coming back! So their relationship couldn't have been that bad... He made some bonehead trades and signed guys to some ridiculous contracts. But in the end he was pretty smart. And he won a lot of championships. And he made the game fun.
Even if creating "The Evil Empire" gave someone to root against, he did a lot for the game.
The eccentric owners like Mark Cuban or Dan Gilbert only have come along b/c of Steinbrenner. And let's face it, sports is more fun with crazy owners. Who likes Bud Selig?
If managers and players are recognized for creating winners, then Steinbrenner should be recognized too.
Still, a hall of fame career, championships, lots of money, fame: but his life is done now. i wonder at the end of his life if he felt all he put his energy was worth it. Or if he found his family more important than his team.
What are you living for?
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Mook vs Shaq
There are no reports about this happening, but i think a number of fans see it happening: Shaq to the Heat.
Here is why it makes sense
1. From the get-go, news of signing Bron & Bosh to join Wade would work b/c others would join them in Miami b/c they want to win. Shaq already has won, but 5 rings has a nice ring to it. It's not about the money for Shaq, then his best chance to win may be here...
2. IF it is about money, even if he does take the minimum, he'd have plenty of opportunity to make money through advertising, and he would get plenty of more advertising playing for the Heat with the best player in the league, and the most talked about team as well as a winner...
3. If it isn't about money or winning, maybe he just wants to have fun, and his teammates here want to have fun... and being #4 or 5,6... he could just have fun
4. He's played in Miami before. It would be an easy adjustment. Fans there still like him. He knows the management. It would be comfortable
5. Fame. Miami already knows him. Championships garner more fame. Being surrounded by famous athletes give more chance for fame.
6. Miami needs him more than anyone else. Others may want him more, but no one needs him more. They need muscle. They need a big man. They need a veteran. And for an athlete who has a lot of pride, i think he would want to be with the team that needs him most
7. Where else would he go?
a. i though Dallas was where he would end up. Cuban likes him, and would offer good money and a fun owner and good chance to win. But then they signed Haywood and traded for Chandler. Where is there room for Shaq
b. Houston would be a good choice after they lost out on Bosh. He could tutelage Yao and be insurance in case he gets hurt again. They could even go old school like Sampson and Hakeem and have the twin towers
c. Nothing is bigger than Texas and no one is bigger than Shaq. So if not the above teams, why not San Antonio, where he could team up with Duncan like David Robinson did years ago. Shaq just seems like a giant cowboy
d. Cleveland could take him back, but they already added like every big man they could to go with Bron, and what they really need is youth and someone to replace LeBron, Sha doesn't really fit anymore
e. Clippers- if he wants to be showtime and go back to LA, but not the LAkers, he could go to the Clippers. i don't think they're really interested, and i doubt Shaq is either
f. New York: big market, but he didn't mesh well with D'Antoni before...
g. Orlando: it's where he started his career, so why not end there?
h. OKC: he has played with Penny, Kobe, Dwyane Wade, Nash and LeBron. What other great perimeter player could he play with? How about Kevin Durant? Not likely though
i. Atlanta: makes the most sense. Good team, need, money... we'll see
8. Kobe. i think it really comes down to this. Some people are saying Kobe is one of the greatest ever now(don't include me in the list). Another championship would match Kobe with Jordan. And Kobe now has two rings without Shaq, and he only has one ring without Kobe.
If the Heat are going to beat the Lakers they need a big man. Sure someone else may beat the Lakers before they get to the championship or someone else besides the Heat may have to beat them, but the current Miami team with Shaq as the missing puzzle piece would certainly be hard to beat.
Here is why it makes sense
1. From the get-go, news of signing Bron & Bosh to join Wade would work b/c others would join them in Miami b/c they want to win. Shaq already has won, but 5 rings has a nice ring to it. It's not about the money for Shaq, then his best chance to win may be here...
2. IF it is about money, even if he does take the minimum, he'd have plenty of opportunity to make money through advertising, and he would get plenty of more advertising playing for the Heat with the best player in the league, and the most talked about team as well as a winner...
3. If it isn't about money or winning, maybe he just wants to have fun, and his teammates here want to have fun... and being #4 or 5,6... he could just have fun
4. He's played in Miami before. It would be an easy adjustment. Fans there still like him. He knows the management. It would be comfortable
5. Fame. Miami already knows him. Championships garner more fame. Being surrounded by famous athletes give more chance for fame.
6. Miami needs him more than anyone else. Others may want him more, but no one needs him more. They need muscle. They need a big man. They need a veteran. And for an athlete who has a lot of pride, i think he would want to be with the team that needs him most
7. Where else would he go?
a. i though Dallas was where he would end up. Cuban likes him, and would offer good money and a fun owner and good chance to win. But then they signed Haywood and traded for Chandler. Where is there room for Shaq
b. Houston would be a good choice after they lost out on Bosh. He could tutelage Yao and be insurance in case he gets hurt again. They could even go old school like Sampson and Hakeem and have the twin towers
c. Nothing is bigger than Texas and no one is bigger than Shaq. So if not the above teams, why not San Antonio, where he could team up with Duncan like David Robinson did years ago. Shaq just seems like a giant cowboy
d. Cleveland could take him back, but they already added like every big man they could to go with Bron, and what they really need is youth and someone to replace LeBron, Sha doesn't really fit anymore
e. Clippers- if he wants to be showtime and go back to LA, but not the LAkers, he could go to the Clippers. i don't think they're really interested, and i doubt Shaq is either
f. New York: big market, but he didn't mesh well with D'Antoni before...
g. Orlando: it's where he started his career, so why not end there?
h. OKC: he has played with Penny, Kobe, Dwyane Wade, Nash and LeBron. What other great perimeter player could he play with? How about Kevin Durant? Not likely though
i. Atlanta: makes the most sense. Good team, need, money... we'll see
8. Kobe. i think it really comes down to this. Some people are saying Kobe is one of the greatest ever now(don't include me in the list). Another championship would match Kobe with Jordan. And Kobe now has two rings without Shaq, and he only has one ring without Kobe.
If the Heat are going to beat the Lakers they need a big man. Sure someone else may beat the Lakers before they get to the championship or someone else besides the Heat may have to beat them, but the current Miami team with Shaq as the missing puzzle piece would certainly be hard to beat.
Mook vs Cleveland
Another big player leaves Cleveland for Miami... but in this case, he's really only big in size...
Still this gives me a reason to write about Cleveland.
In one sense i was glad when the Red Sox won b/c the fans stopped whining about how cursed they are... wait no red sox fans still whine and are still annoying... and they never really had reason to complain, White Sox and Cubs had gone longer...
but still no city has been cursed more than Cleveland.
And there is no question about it. LeBron leaving was just normal to them. And reality is, this was one of the least bad things that has happened to them.
When i was in college i met Tim. He struck me as one of the most cynical and bitter persons i ahd ever met... but when thinking of Cleveland sports it made sense.
He wrote this on his blog.
i seriously can't imagine anything worse than a Purdue fan from Cleveland...
JA Adande found this video on youtube.
And if you haven't read Bill Simmons mailbag after LeBron's choice... take a gander, it is quite entertaining
I mean, not only did Cleveland suffer through bad Browns teams- and quite loyal to them anyway, but after they moved, they won the Superbowl!
Teams come close- only to lose in dramatic fashion... and at other times just plain awful. i feel bad for Cleveland fans. i will root for their teams.
There is drama in sports. There is story. There are curses. There are underdogs and heroes and villains. There is crying. And this is why we love sports
Still this gives me a reason to write about Cleveland.
In one sense i was glad when the Red Sox won b/c the fans stopped whining about how cursed they are... wait no red sox fans still whine and are still annoying... and they never really had reason to complain, White Sox and Cubs had gone longer...
but still no city has been cursed more than Cleveland.
And there is no question about it. LeBron leaving was just normal to them. And reality is, this was one of the least bad things that has happened to them.
When i was in college i met Tim. He struck me as one of the most cynical and bitter persons i ahd ever met... but when thinking of Cleveland sports it made sense.
He wrote this on his blog.
i seriously can't imagine anything worse than a Purdue fan from Cleveland...
JA Adande found this video on youtube.
And if you haven't read Bill Simmons mailbag after LeBron's choice... take a gander, it is quite entertaining
I mean, not only did Cleveland suffer through bad Browns teams- and quite loyal to them anyway, but after they moved, they won the Superbowl!
Teams come close- only to lose in dramatic fashion... and at other times just plain awful. i feel bad for Cleveland fans. i will root for their teams.
There is drama in sports. There is story. There are curses. There are underdogs and heroes and villains. There is crying. And this is why we love sports
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Mook vs 2010 baseball all stars
i don't understand how baseball continually gets it wrong when choosing all stars. Even with 34-35 players now, they mess it up. The fans actually did a pretty good job, but still people got screwed.
Joey Votto is probably more famous now because he got left off originally, but how do you leave off the guy who Jayson Stark said (and is probably right) should be the MVP of the NL so far?
i like that they are including some middle relievers, but seriously? Thornton, Meek, Rhodes, and Kuo? What?
What makes me most angry is that A Rod somehow still made it. When i looked at the AL, i saw Evan Longoria- my choice for MVP, Adrian Beltre posting huge numbers likes his MVP season (And his glove is better than his bat) for the Bo Sox, and Micheal Young- the leader of the the first place Rangers who has just hit the ball this year...
Still, A Rod, CC & Ortiz somehow make the All-star team...
How do they leave off guys like Billy Wagner and Andy Petitte- veterans who are making comeback and having phenomenal years...
And Heath Bell and Rafael Soriano only make it as replacements?... and speaking of Padres pitchers- how can a team that is one of the best teams - and has no hitting- have no pitchers originally make the team?
Plus, shouldn't they try to get some players from the home team there- especially when they lead the league in K's and towards the top in whip...
i blame Bud Selig... i mean the guy has messed everything else up...
My All stars
July 5
25 man rosters (10 SP)
AL
1b Miguel Cabrerra
2b Robinson Cano
3b Evan Longoria
SS Derek Jeter
OF Carl Crawford
OF Josh Hamilton
OF Ichiro
C Joe Mauer
BN
1. Michael Young
2. Justin Morneau
3. Paul Konerko
4. Adrian Beltre
5. Vernon Wells
6. Alexi Rios
7. Vlad
Pitchers
1. Andy Petitte
2. Cliff Lee
3. David Price
4. Shaun Marcum
5. Mariano Rivera
6. Jose VelVarde
7. Jon Lester
8. Jerred Weaver
9. Phil Hughes
10. Rafeal Soriano
Marcum is on the team b/c of his comeback combined with season. Petitte is my starter.
NL
1b Albert Pujols
2b Martin Prado
3b Scott Rolen
SS Han Ram
OF Ryan Braun
OF Car Go
OF Andre Either
C Miguel Olivio
BN
1. David Wright
2. Joey Votto
3. Casey McGehee
4. Corey Hart
5. Brandon Philips
6. Jayson Werth
7. I Rod
Pitchers
1. Ubaldo Jiminez
2. Adam Wainright
3. Roy Halladay
4. Josh Johnson
5. Chris Carpenter
6. Tim Lincecum
7. Billy Wagner
8. Heath Bell
9. Mat Latos
10. Jonothon Broxton
Now, add 2-3 P & 2-3 position player make sure each team has a rep, and each All-star team has at least one middle reliever, one back-up Catcher and one back-up middle infielder
AL adds
1. Ty Wiggington (O’s/MI)
2. Craig Breslow (A’s/MR)
3. Carlos Santana (CL/C)
4. Jokiam Soria (KC)
5. Tori Hunter
NL adds
1. Carlos Marmol (C)
2. Roy Oswalt (H)
3. Andrew McCutcheon (P)
4. CB Young (Az)
5. Arthur Rhodes (MR)
Then for fun 4 more players on each team
AL
1. Mags
2. Colby Lewis
3. Jon Rauch
4. Elvis Andrus
NL
1. Tim Hudson
2. Mike Pelfrey
3. Adrian Gonzales
4. Jose Reyes
40-man rosters
AL
1. Youk
2. Carl Pavano/Francisco Liriano
3. Nick Swisher/Bret Gardner
4. Clay Buchholz
5. Ricky Romero
6. Nelson Cruz
NL
1. Colby Rasmus/Matt Holliday
2. Matt Capps
3. Ryan Zimmerman/Josh Wellington
4. Ryan Howard/Troy Glauss
5. Jay Bruce
6. Matt Cain
Did i neglect anyone?
There will always be some good players who don't get selected
Others worthy of considerations
1. Yovanni Gollardo (NL)
2. Jose Bautista (AL)
3. Matt Thornton (AL)
4. Luke Gregerson (NL)
5. Felix (AL)
IF I could name 60 allstars A Rod isn’t on the team… if I could name 100 CC & David Ortiz wouldn’t be there either… and Omar Ifante? Are you kidding me?
They should have picked Carlos Marmol instead of Evan Meek and Andrew McCutcheon instead of Marlon Byrd
Biggest snubs
1. Joey Votto - Howard gets paid, doesn’t mean he’s an AS
2. Michael Young - ARod are you kidding me?
3. Paul Konerko - David Ortiz, what?
4. Billy Wagner - Capps may deserve selection, but Wagner has been better
5. Heath Bell - over Brian Wilson
6. Carlos Gonzales - I like Holliday, but the current rockie has been better than the former rockie
7. Jerred Weaver - CC has had a horrible year
8. Casey McGehee - Omar Ifante? Really?
9. Mat Latos - Gollardo has been good, but Latos better
10. Carlos Marmol - mentioned cubs/pirate switch already
11. Alexi Rios - Bautista may deserve it, but I’d take the former BJ
12. Miguel OLivio - better than McCann or Yadier
13. Ivan Rodriguez - see Olivio
14. Shaun Marcum - middle relievers are valuable, but Marcum is mre deserving than Thornton
15. Rafeal Soriano - you really think Feliz has been better?
16. Andrew McCutcheon - see Marmol
In the end, i think the AL wins again
Joey Votto is probably more famous now because he got left off originally, but how do you leave off the guy who Jayson Stark said (and is probably right) should be the MVP of the NL so far?
i like that they are including some middle relievers, but seriously? Thornton, Meek, Rhodes, and Kuo? What?
What makes me most angry is that A Rod somehow still made it. When i looked at the AL, i saw Evan Longoria- my choice for MVP, Adrian Beltre posting huge numbers likes his MVP season (And his glove is better than his bat) for the Bo Sox, and Micheal Young- the leader of the the first place Rangers who has just hit the ball this year...
Still, A Rod, CC & Ortiz somehow make the All-star team...
How do they leave off guys like Billy Wagner and Andy Petitte- veterans who are making comeback and having phenomenal years...
And Heath Bell and Rafael Soriano only make it as replacements?... and speaking of Padres pitchers- how can a team that is one of the best teams - and has no hitting- have no pitchers originally make the team?
Plus, shouldn't they try to get some players from the home team there- especially when they lead the league in K's and towards the top in whip...
i blame Bud Selig... i mean the guy has messed everything else up...
My All stars
July 5
25 man rosters (10 SP)
AL
1b Miguel Cabrerra
2b Robinson Cano
3b Evan Longoria
SS Derek Jeter
OF Carl Crawford
OF Josh Hamilton
OF Ichiro
C Joe Mauer
BN
1. Michael Young
2. Justin Morneau
3. Paul Konerko
4. Adrian Beltre
5. Vernon Wells
6. Alexi Rios
7. Vlad
Pitchers
1. Andy Petitte
2. Cliff Lee
3. David Price
4. Shaun Marcum
5. Mariano Rivera
6. Jose VelVarde
7. Jon Lester
8. Jerred Weaver
9. Phil Hughes
10. Rafeal Soriano
Marcum is on the team b/c of his comeback combined with season. Petitte is my starter.
NL
1b Albert Pujols
2b Martin Prado
3b Scott Rolen
SS Han Ram
OF Ryan Braun
OF Car Go
OF Andre Either
C Miguel Olivio
BN
1. David Wright
2. Joey Votto
3. Casey McGehee
4. Corey Hart
5. Brandon Philips
6. Jayson Werth
7. I Rod
Pitchers
1. Ubaldo Jiminez
2. Adam Wainright
3. Roy Halladay
4. Josh Johnson
5. Chris Carpenter
6. Tim Lincecum
7. Billy Wagner
8. Heath Bell
9. Mat Latos
10. Jonothon Broxton
Now, add 2-3 P & 2-3 position player make sure each team has a rep, and each All-star team has at least one middle reliever, one back-up Catcher and one back-up middle infielder
AL adds
1. Ty Wiggington (O’s/MI)
2. Craig Breslow (A’s/MR)
3. Carlos Santana (CL/C)
4. Jokiam Soria (KC)
5. Tori Hunter
NL adds
1. Carlos Marmol (C)
2. Roy Oswalt (H)
3. Andrew McCutcheon (P)
4. CB Young (Az)
5. Arthur Rhodes (MR)
Then for fun 4 more players on each team
AL
1. Mags
2. Colby Lewis
3. Jon Rauch
4. Elvis Andrus
NL
1. Tim Hudson
2. Mike Pelfrey
3. Adrian Gonzales
4. Jose Reyes
40-man rosters
AL
1. Youk
2. Carl Pavano/Francisco Liriano
3. Nick Swisher/Bret Gardner
4. Clay Buchholz
5. Ricky Romero
6. Nelson Cruz
NL
1. Colby Rasmus/Matt Holliday
2. Matt Capps
3. Ryan Zimmerman/Josh Wellington
4. Ryan Howard/Troy Glauss
5. Jay Bruce
6. Matt Cain
Did i neglect anyone?
There will always be some good players who don't get selected
Others worthy of considerations
1. Yovanni Gollardo (NL)
2. Jose Bautista (AL)
3. Matt Thornton (AL)
4. Luke Gregerson (NL)
5. Felix (AL)
IF I could name 60 allstars A Rod isn’t on the team… if I could name 100 CC & David Ortiz wouldn’t be there either… and Omar Ifante? Are you kidding me?
They should have picked Carlos Marmol instead of Evan Meek and Andrew McCutcheon instead of Marlon Byrd
Biggest snubs
1. Joey Votto - Howard gets paid, doesn’t mean he’s an AS
2. Michael Young - ARod are you kidding me?
3. Paul Konerko - David Ortiz, what?
4. Billy Wagner - Capps may deserve selection, but Wagner has been better
5. Heath Bell - over Brian Wilson
6. Carlos Gonzales - I like Holliday, but the current rockie has been better than the former rockie
7. Jerred Weaver - CC has had a horrible year
8. Casey McGehee - Omar Ifante? Really?
9. Mat Latos - Gollardo has been good, but Latos better
10. Carlos Marmol - mentioned cubs/pirate switch already
11. Alexi Rios - Bautista may deserve it, but I’d take the former BJ
12. Miguel OLivio - better than McCann or Yadier
13. Ivan Rodriguez - see Olivio
14. Shaun Marcum - middle relievers are valuable, but Marcum is mre deserving than Thornton
15. Rafeal Soriano - you really think Feliz has been better?
16. Andrew McCutcheon - see Marmol
In the end, i think the AL wins again
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Mook vs Cliff Lee
Another big move as Cliff Lee was traded from the Mariners to Texas... despite all the reports he had been traded to the Yankees...
This could serve as another reminder to Cleveland fans of another player who got away.
Lee is posting incredible numbers this season, and is front-runner for the Cy Young despite missing a month of the season. Has has an amazing 89k's vs 6 walks on the season in over 100 IP, while sporting a 2.34 era... WOW!
While it may be sad for Cleveland, maybe sadder for Expos fans who saw him, Brandon Philips and Grady Sizemore traded together for Bartolo Colon... at least the Indians got a few years out of him...
The M's were able to get top hitting prospect Justin Smoak and others. Last year the Tribe only got Lou Marson- a back-up cathcer- Jason Donald - a good utility player- and a couple pitchers who could turn out ok, but nothing spectacular.
Still the losers here are the Phillies. They didn't need to trade Lee when the traded for Halladay. And if they would have waited a bit, they could have got even better prospects. Plus, if you keep him and lose him you get two high draft picks.
It is interesting that teams pay more for half a season than a year & a half...
The lesson though may be this. Everyone was raving about the Mariners off-season moves last winter. But where did it get them. True the prospects they got from Texas were MUCH better than the ones they traded to Philly, but how about Figgons? Letting go of Beltre? Bradley's explosions & Silva's success?
People are quick to praise moves way before we see any results.
(i guess i shouldn't pass judgment on the prospects Philly got yet- that's more of a fact they traded Lee when they didn't need to...)
So all those who think the Miami signings were incredible or horrible - i guess we have to wait & see...
I think the Lee trade is good for both teams. Texas is doing well, but will need better pitching. Seattle needs some power in their lineup and builds their future.
I'd be both happy & sad if i was a Texas fan, but at least i know my team is going for it!
This could serve as another reminder to Cleveland fans of another player who got away.
Lee is posting incredible numbers this season, and is front-runner for the Cy Young despite missing a month of the season. Has has an amazing 89k's vs 6 walks on the season in over 100 IP, while sporting a 2.34 era... WOW!
While it may be sad for Cleveland, maybe sadder for Expos fans who saw him, Brandon Philips and Grady Sizemore traded together for Bartolo Colon... at least the Indians got a few years out of him...
The M's were able to get top hitting prospect Justin Smoak and others. Last year the Tribe only got Lou Marson- a back-up cathcer- Jason Donald - a good utility player- and a couple pitchers who could turn out ok, but nothing spectacular.
Still the losers here are the Phillies. They didn't need to trade Lee when the traded for Halladay. And if they would have waited a bit, they could have got even better prospects. Plus, if you keep him and lose him you get two high draft picks.
It is interesting that teams pay more for half a season than a year & a half...
The lesson though may be this. Everyone was raving about the Mariners off-season moves last winter. But where did it get them. True the prospects they got from Texas were MUCH better than the ones they traded to Philly, but how about Figgons? Letting go of Beltre? Bradley's explosions & Silva's success?
People are quick to praise moves way before we see any results.
(i guess i shouldn't pass judgment on the prospects Philly got yet- that's more of a fact they traded Lee when they didn't need to...)
So all those who think the Miami signings were incredible or horrible - i guess we have to wait & see...
I think the Lee trade is good for both teams. Texas is doing well, but will need better pitching. Seattle needs some power in their lineup and builds their future.
I'd be both happy & sad if i was a Texas fan, but at least i know my team is going for it!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Mook vs LeBron
i've been wanting to start a sports blog for a while now, and what better way to start than in the midst of the LeBron media frenzy?
This year's NBA free agency has been similar to an election year - without the mudslinging and SNL sketches. And it was needed for the NBA after a LAME draft.
The Major League Baseball off-season - referred to as the Hot Stove- produces drama and excitement, but other leagues rarely do. In most cases, i enjoy the baseball offseason more than the regular season. The anticipation, the possibilities- everyone has a chance... and the rumors are more fun than the results.
It's pretty crazy how much we pay attention to the rumors. People even pay extra money just so they can see the rumors, a few days before the actual truth will come out...
And often the results are disappointing, this NBA off-season perhaps more than others. Paul Piece & Ray Allen both re-upped with the C's, Dirk with the Mavs (Which everyone knew) and Rudy Gay with Memphis.
Dwyane Wade tried to create suspense, but we all knew he was going to Miami. There was no doubt. i thought Chicago made more sense for him - his hometown and all... but he ripped on ownership from the beginning and was recruiting Bosh & Bron heavily...
and is anyone surprised Bosh is going to Miami too?
The only major moves look like bad ones... but that is for another post...
Where will LeBron go?
He should stay in Cleveland
1. It is hometown. He is a superstar everywhere, but he means more to Cleveland than any other place.
2. He likes it in Cleveland. His friends are there, his family there...
3. He would be loved country-wide is he stays. Sure, everyone wants him to come to their team & their city- but no one will say anything bad about him if he stays in Cleveland. If he goes to NY, he only cares about the money. If he goes to Miami, he's 1. copping out 2. creating a target. If he goes to Chicago, he's going to the rival of his team and state. IF he stays in Cleveland- he's loyal. He's loyal to the fans and his heart. He's also being a hero- or aiming for it. He's a hero to the city just by staying, he doesn't have to win at all. If he does win, he's a hero the little guy everywhere.
which bring us to...
4. There's less pressure in Cleveland.
5. They still have a good chance to win, perhaps better than Miami.
6. A good chance to play with Chris Paul in the future.
Most reports having him going to Miami.
i guess i don't know how good of friends he is with Wade and Bosh, but i wouldn't want to do it. It will always be Wade's team. He won't be the superstar legend. Sure Kobe won with Shaq, but he wasn't considered great until he won with out him. Only Jordan won without any other good players (i still think Pippen would have been a joke w/o him). He'll need other good players, but it doesn't have to be Wade.
And are they guaranteed to win? 2 great players and one good player does not guarantee a championship.
The Celtics won, but they all had different roles. The man-child Garnet brought energy and amazing defense. Ray Allen was a sharp-shooter, one of the best in the league. Pierce was the scorer, who became their best all-around player. And then they had a great young point in Rondo, and some good vets like Posey... who will the Heat get?
The best pieces for LeBron would be a sharp-shooter like Mike Miller and a slashing PF... then maybe a pass first PG.
At the beginning i thought it would be New Jersey- with his connections to Jay Z, a big market, a lot of money and a situation that wouldn't like betrayal so much.
If the Nets had got that first pick with John Wall, this could be a different story... they could have kept Wall (similar to Derrick Rose) or made a package deal to acquire Chris Paul...they could have got Chris Bosh, esp since they could have made a good sign & trade deal with Devin Haris involved... too bad Nets fans, i think Bron would have looked good in their colors...
i guess we'll all find out in a hour... maybe closer to two... how are they making this an hour long program? i guess we'll have to tune in to find out
Meanwhile read this article from Bill Simmons http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/100708
or watch this link he provided on twitter to portray the LeBron thing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H76DwHgOwpA
This year's NBA free agency has been similar to an election year - without the mudslinging and SNL sketches. And it was needed for the NBA after a LAME draft.
The Major League Baseball off-season - referred to as the Hot Stove- produces drama and excitement, but other leagues rarely do. In most cases, i enjoy the baseball offseason more than the regular season. The anticipation, the possibilities- everyone has a chance... and the rumors are more fun than the results.
It's pretty crazy how much we pay attention to the rumors. People even pay extra money just so they can see the rumors, a few days before the actual truth will come out...
And often the results are disappointing, this NBA off-season perhaps more than others. Paul Piece & Ray Allen both re-upped with the C's, Dirk with the Mavs (Which everyone knew) and Rudy Gay with Memphis.
Dwyane Wade tried to create suspense, but we all knew he was going to Miami. There was no doubt. i thought Chicago made more sense for him - his hometown and all... but he ripped on ownership from the beginning and was recruiting Bosh & Bron heavily...
and is anyone surprised Bosh is going to Miami too?
The only major moves look like bad ones... but that is for another post...
Where will LeBron go?
He should stay in Cleveland
1. It is hometown. He is a superstar everywhere, but he means more to Cleveland than any other place.
2. He likes it in Cleveland. His friends are there, his family there...
3. He would be loved country-wide is he stays. Sure, everyone wants him to come to their team & their city- but no one will say anything bad about him if he stays in Cleveland. If he goes to NY, he only cares about the money. If he goes to Miami, he's 1. copping out 2. creating a target. If he goes to Chicago, he's going to the rival of his team and state. IF he stays in Cleveland- he's loyal. He's loyal to the fans and his heart. He's also being a hero- or aiming for it. He's a hero to the city just by staying, he doesn't have to win at all. If he does win, he's a hero the little guy everywhere.
which bring us to...
4. There's less pressure in Cleveland.
5. They still have a good chance to win, perhaps better than Miami.
6. A good chance to play with Chris Paul in the future.
Most reports having him going to Miami.
i guess i don't know how good of friends he is with Wade and Bosh, but i wouldn't want to do it. It will always be Wade's team. He won't be the superstar legend. Sure Kobe won with Shaq, but he wasn't considered great until he won with out him. Only Jordan won without any other good players (i still think Pippen would have been a joke w/o him). He'll need other good players, but it doesn't have to be Wade.
And are they guaranteed to win? 2 great players and one good player does not guarantee a championship.
The Celtics won, but they all had different roles. The man-child Garnet brought energy and amazing defense. Ray Allen was a sharp-shooter, one of the best in the league. Pierce was the scorer, who became their best all-around player. And then they had a great young point in Rondo, and some good vets like Posey... who will the Heat get?
The best pieces for LeBron would be a sharp-shooter like Mike Miller and a slashing PF... then maybe a pass first PG.
At the beginning i thought it would be New Jersey- with his connections to Jay Z, a big market, a lot of money and a situation that wouldn't like betrayal so much.
If the Nets had got that first pick with John Wall, this could be a different story... they could have kept Wall (similar to Derrick Rose) or made a package deal to acquire Chris Paul...they could have got Chris Bosh, esp since they could have made a good sign & trade deal with Devin Haris involved... too bad Nets fans, i think Bron would have looked good in their colors...
i guess we'll all find out in a hour... maybe closer to two... how are they making this an hour long program? i guess we'll have to tune in to find out
Meanwhile read this article from Bill Simmons http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/100708
or watch this link he provided on twitter to portray the LeBron thing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H76DwHgOwpA
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