Boxing should no longer be called a sport. Not after the farce Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr. put on earlier this month. Not surprisingly, Mayweather came out victorious winning a ridiculous split decision in the over-hyped, immediately forgettable bout. Despite the fact that the fight never had a chance to match the hype leading up to it, it was still a must-see event to even the casual boxing fan like myself despite the $55 dollar price tag. Reinforcing that sentiment was news that the fight proved to be the most lucrative in the history of boxing. Well, all 2 million plus buyers should demand a refund. After hearing of his record setting bout, promoter/loser Oscar De La Hoya had this to share:
"I'm ecstatic. Of course, the money makes me really happy, but just having those records and being a non-heavyweight is an accomplishment in itself. To break the 1.99 million mark goes to show you that Golden Boy Promotions likes to do things in a big way. I think everyone targeted the 1.4 million mark, but me and [Golden Boy CEO] Richard [Schaefer] were always shooting for the 2 million mark. It's amazing."
Thank you, Oscar. Maybe you should mention that you lost the fight, but I guess the actual competition comes second to the almighty dollar. Herein lies the problem with having a fighter also be his own promoter. For all I know the De La Hoya-Mayweather “fight” was nothing more than a staged performance. The entire production, from the cross-country promotional tour to the HBO reality show to the fight itself, more closely resembled the WWE than an actual sporting event. The nation bought into the marketing ploy as a record number paid the high price for a low form of "sports enertainment." De La Hoya and Mayweather were laughing all the way to bank before the opening bell. The main goal of these two “fighters” wasn’t to try to win a sport contest, but to create a spectacle leading up to the fight that would entice fans to buy it. Their jobs were done before ever hitting the ring.
Smart. Original. Sports Discussion + Analysis.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Friday, May 18, 2007
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
A Message from the Bleeding Sports GM to his beloved New York Yankees:It is time to grow up, show some guts, play like men and not little leaguers. If you are satisfied with being the laughing stock of Major League Baseball then get off this team. If you sit there in the dugout laugh and tell jokes when losing in the 9th GO HOME. It is time to sack up and stop playing like pathetic bums who drop their heads when they go down one run. Show some fire, get that glare in your eye that says "I am not afraid of you, you can't stop me BRING IT ON". Stop crying like Bobby Abreu after he gets a strike show everyone that you care and win some games. You dug yourself a huge hole in the AL East and today is the day to start the comeback if you still want to salvage the season. If not everyone will be forced to start thinking about the Eli Manning face and that gives me nightmares. So lets go and end this garbage before it is too late. MAN UP NOW!!
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Cano's Strike Zone
The Bleeding Sports GM is a rapid Yankee fan and an avid reader of Nomaas.org, which is where he found this little nugget...
This is a regulation strike zone:
This is Robinson Cano's strike zone:
Monday, May 7, 2007
The 2007 NFL Draft Blog
Last weekend the 2007 NFL Draft was held at Radio City Music Hall in New York. I did not attend. However, I did sit on my couch and watch the coverage on ESPN. I find the draft one of the most entertaining events in all of sports. So I decided to keep a blog of the first ten picks. And it went a little bit like this…
Welcome to Bleeding Sports live coverage of the 2007 NFL Draft. And here’s the commissioner Roger Goodell! This is a historic day since I am too young to remember watching an NFL draft without Paul Tagliabue. You got to give the new commish credit for his enthusiasm. The Raiders are now on the clock and already things don’t look good. Before the last commercial break ESPN cut to a shot of the Raiders table on the draft floor. Sitting there were a lost elderly man and two high school kids who couldn’t figure out how to put on a headset. Did Al Davis hold a raffle to see who got to sit at the Raiders’ draft table?
Another interesting development this year is we are graced by the presence of Keyshawn Johnson who just compared the best player in the draft, Calvin Johnson, as a cross between Randy Moss and himself. For the sake of all mankind let’s hope not. Can somebody please call Mike Ditka and get him over to Radio City, STAT!
The big question is will the Raiders trade the top pick or use it to select the most overrated draft prospect in recent memory, JaMarcus Russell. I don’t know about you, but I would have a hard time passing on a lazy, slow, overweight quarterback who ballooned to 300 pounds just in time for the combine. Oh and we just saw a highlight of Russell throwing the ball 64 yards on one knee!! Because THAT is a necessary skill in order to be successful in the NFL. Just ask Kyle Boller. Before the Sugar Bowl Russell was regarded as a second round pick at best and now he is about to be the first player chosen. Does playing well against the Notre Dame defense constitute that big of jump? Teams get way too excited over these individual workouts instead of focusing on the entire body of work. Throughout the entire season, Brady Quinn was the considered the top quarterback prospect because of his performance on the field and isn’t that what really matters?
And with the first pick the Raiders select…JaMarcus Russell. Ugh, Chris Berman just had to mention how he can throw the ball 64 yards from his knees. I may have to smash my laptop 20 minutes into the draft. This is going to be the shortest draft blog in history. The Raiders didn’t call Russell until after they make pick meaning they were desperately trying to trade down. Instead, they pulled the trigger on Russell and behind that offensive line he can attempt to break David Carr’s times sacked in a season record.
The Lions are now on the clock. I don’t care how many draft picks Matt Millen has blown on receivers, unless Tampa Bay agrees to swap picks and give him both of their second round choices you need to take Calvin Johnson. Actually, scratch that, you take Calvin Johnson no matter what. And the Lions select…Calvin Johnson. You just can’t pass on the best player in the draft.
Now the question becomes do the Browns take hometown boy Brady Quinn. If, I’m Phil Savage I take the Quinn because I don’t see the Charlie Frye/Derek Anderson era lasting much longer. And with the third pick the Browns select…Joe Thomas. Solid pick, you really can’t argue with taking an all-world left tackle to anchor the line. Now the question become where does Brady fall. My money is on Miami, but Chris Mortensen just brought up that Jon Gruden may take Quinn with the fourth pick. The Bucs already have thirteen quarterbacks. Naturally, Gruden’s favorite former player, Keyshawn, agrees with Mortensen’s theory.
I just saw on the ESPN bottom line that the Packers key addition this off-season was Frank Walker. Maybe Brett Favre should rethink returning next season.
After some speculation that the Gruden would take Quinn, the Bucs draft Gaines Adams. He a pass rushing defensive end who weighs 250 pounds, which makes him smaller than some running backs these days. A situational pass rusher taken with the fourth pick of the draft?
The Cardinals make the safe pick and take Levi Brown. They really had no choice, but to draft an offensive tackle. That team is an offensive line away from becoming a threat in the NFC. Though I think people have been saying that about the Cardinals for the past four years.
Is it weird that when the commissioner announces the picks he uses the word "Take" instead of "Select". It just doesn’t sound as proper, but I still like how he addresses the fans before some of the picks. The NFL needed a commissioner with more enthusiasm and passion, someone who is a true a fan. Looks like the No Fun League found the right guy.
As for the draft, we are five picks in with Brady Quinn and Adrian Peterson still sitting in the green room. That has to be a mild surprise.
The Redskins just drafted Redman for WU Tang Clan…oh wait…I mean LaRon Landry from LSU. You can always rely on the Skins to make a questionable personnel decision.
Steve Young just made a comment on how it will be interesting to see how Landry and Redskins’ safety Shaun Taylor will play together since they both prefer playing at the line of scrimmage. No kidding. That’s the reason Adam Archuleta is now in Chicago. Hellooo.
Minnesota TAKES Adrian Peterson. That’s a steal. A good pick for the Vikings except for the fact that they can’t throw the football on offense, can’t stop the pass on defense and it looks like Tarvaris Jackson is the starting quarterback. Peterson better be healthy because something tells me he and Chester Taylor are both going to be getting a lot of work. Just by playing in the same division as Minnesota, Green Bay, and Detroit the Rex Grossman era in Chicago will go on forever.
With Peterson off the board, we just need to wait for Miami to take Brady Quinn. These NFL execs just never learn. How do quarterbacks like Leinart and Quinn fall like this? Doesn’t a guy’s play in actual game situations trump anything else like throwing the ball 64 yards indoors on your knees? Apparently, amongst NFL decision makers the answer is No. Teams seem to forget about a player’s actually performance against competition and become consumed with individual workouts that do little to show how a guy will perform on Sundays. There is so much time from the end of the college football season to the actual draft that teams actually over-evaluate prospects. Personnel departments have so much time to evaluate that it’s inevitable they will find something wrong with a player. By the time the draft rolls around, teams end have talked themselves out of drafting certain guys and end up making bad decisions. They forget about a player’s actually performance against competition and become consumed with individual workouts that do little to show how a guy will perform on Sundays. Ridiculous.
I digress. Anyway, somebody needs to diversify Rachel Nichols wardrobe. I wonder if when she wakes up in the morning and walks over to her closet if she asks herself, “Should I wear the black suit or the black suit?”
Atlanta selects Jamaal Anderson. Only this one doesn’t play running back, he’s a defensive end from Arkansas. I wonder if he knows the dirty bird.
New commercials for Madden 08 make me happy. Coming August 14th. (Product not yet rated).
When did Michael Smith become an NFL “expert?” It seems like ESPN executives woke up one day and decided to make random sports writers ‘experts’ in a given sport. Now viewers are blessed to have Mike Wilbon NBA “expert” and Michael Smith NFL “expert” grace their television. Shouldn’t Smith have to make at least one relevant point or offer one bit of valuable insight before we deem him an “expert?” Where is my resume.
This has got to be demoralizing for Brady Quinn who has now been interviewed by Suzy Kolber twice while waiting in the green room. Not mention having to take shots from Tong Kornheiser of all people.
And now the moment of truth. With the ninth pick, The Dolphins TAKE…Ted Ginn Jr?!?!?!?! WHAT!!! Even Mel Kiper is outraged! Brady is starting to look worried! What are the dolphins thinking?? Did they give up on trying to replace Marino and come to the decision to play without a quarterback this season? Is 38-year old Trent Green, who isn’t even on the team at this moment, the answer? I can’t believe. The Dolphins pick was so bad the entire ESPN panel is up in arms. I think Mel Kiper just choke slammer Chris Berman through the table! Not only did the Dolphins pass up on a franchise quarterback they reached for an undersized wide receiver who can’t really play wide receiver and has a Lis Franc injury to his foot. And now, Brady Quinn’s slide down the draft board may take on Aaron Rogers’ size proportions.
Houston has the tenth pick. I would be kicking myself right if I were the Houston Texans. You think they would have traded for an unknown commodity in Matt Schaub knowing they could have had Quinn and a full complement of draft picks the next two years?
On that note, let’s end the Draft coverage here. I don’t even care who the Texans pick. I’m still in shock. Stay strong Brady!
Welcome to Bleeding Sports live coverage of the 2007 NFL Draft. And here’s the commissioner Roger Goodell! This is a historic day since I am too young to remember watching an NFL draft without Paul Tagliabue. You got to give the new commish credit for his enthusiasm. The Raiders are now on the clock and already things don’t look good. Before the last commercial break ESPN cut to a shot of the Raiders table on the draft floor. Sitting there were a lost elderly man and two high school kids who couldn’t figure out how to put on a headset. Did Al Davis hold a raffle to see who got to sit at the Raiders’ draft table?
Another interesting development this year is we are graced by the presence of Keyshawn Johnson who just compared the best player in the draft, Calvin Johnson, as a cross between Randy Moss and himself. For the sake of all mankind let’s hope not. Can somebody please call Mike Ditka and get him over to Radio City, STAT!
The big question is will the Raiders trade the top pick or use it to select the most overrated draft prospect in recent memory, JaMarcus Russell. I don’t know about you, but I would have a hard time passing on a lazy, slow, overweight quarterback who ballooned to 300 pounds just in time for the combine. Oh and we just saw a highlight of Russell throwing the ball 64 yards on one knee!! Because THAT is a necessary skill in order to be successful in the NFL. Just ask Kyle Boller. Before the Sugar Bowl Russell was regarded as a second round pick at best and now he is about to be the first player chosen. Does playing well against the Notre Dame defense constitute that big of jump? Teams get way too excited over these individual workouts instead of focusing on the entire body of work. Throughout the entire season, Brady Quinn was the considered the top quarterback prospect because of his performance on the field and isn’t that what really matters?
And with the first pick the Raiders select…JaMarcus Russell. Ugh, Chris Berman just had to mention how he can throw the ball 64 yards from his knees. I may have to smash my laptop 20 minutes into the draft. This is going to be the shortest draft blog in history. The Raiders didn’t call Russell until after they make pick meaning they were desperately trying to trade down. Instead, they pulled the trigger on Russell and behind that offensive line he can attempt to break David Carr’s times sacked in a season record.
The Lions are now on the clock. I don’t care how many draft picks Matt Millen has blown on receivers, unless Tampa Bay agrees to swap picks and give him both of their second round choices you need to take Calvin Johnson. Actually, scratch that, you take Calvin Johnson no matter what. And the Lions select…Calvin Johnson. You just can’t pass on the best player in the draft.
Now the question becomes do the Browns take hometown boy Brady Quinn. If, I’m Phil Savage I take the Quinn because I don’t see the Charlie Frye/Derek Anderson era lasting much longer. And with the third pick the Browns select…Joe Thomas. Solid pick, you really can’t argue with taking an all-world left tackle to anchor the line. Now the question become where does Brady fall. My money is on Miami, but Chris Mortensen just brought up that Jon Gruden may take Quinn with the fourth pick. The Bucs already have thirteen quarterbacks. Naturally, Gruden’s favorite former player, Keyshawn, agrees with Mortensen’s theory.
I just saw on the ESPN bottom line that the Packers key addition this off-season was Frank Walker. Maybe Brett Favre should rethink returning next season.
After some speculation that the Gruden would take Quinn, the Bucs draft Gaines Adams. He a pass rushing defensive end who weighs 250 pounds, which makes him smaller than some running backs these days. A situational pass rusher taken with the fourth pick of the draft?
The Cardinals make the safe pick and take Levi Brown. They really had no choice, but to draft an offensive tackle. That team is an offensive line away from becoming a threat in the NFC. Though I think people have been saying that about the Cardinals for the past four years.
Is it weird that when the commissioner announces the picks he uses the word "Take" instead of "Select". It just doesn’t sound as proper, but I still like how he addresses the fans before some of the picks. The NFL needed a commissioner with more enthusiasm and passion, someone who is a true a fan. Looks like the No Fun League found the right guy.
As for the draft, we are five picks in with Brady Quinn and Adrian Peterson still sitting in the green room. That has to be a mild surprise.
The Redskins just drafted Redman for WU Tang Clan…oh wait…I mean LaRon Landry from LSU. You can always rely on the Skins to make a questionable personnel decision.
Steve Young just made a comment on how it will be interesting to see how Landry and Redskins’ safety Shaun Taylor will play together since they both prefer playing at the line of scrimmage. No kidding. That’s the reason Adam Archuleta is now in Chicago. Hellooo.
Minnesota TAKES Adrian Peterson. That’s a steal. A good pick for the Vikings except for the fact that they can’t throw the football on offense, can’t stop the pass on defense and it looks like Tarvaris Jackson is the starting quarterback. Peterson better be healthy because something tells me he and Chester Taylor are both going to be getting a lot of work. Just by playing in the same division as Minnesota, Green Bay, and Detroit the Rex Grossman era in Chicago will go on forever.
With Peterson off the board, we just need to wait for Miami to take Brady Quinn. These NFL execs just never learn. How do quarterbacks like Leinart and Quinn fall like this? Doesn’t a guy’s play in actual game situations trump anything else like throwing the ball 64 yards indoors on your knees? Apparently, amongst NFL decision makers the answer is No. Teams seem to forget about a player’s actually performance against competition and become consumed with individual workouts that do little to show how a guy will perform on Sundays. There is so much time from the end of the college football season to the actual draft that teams actually over-evaluate prospects. Personnel departments have so much time to evaluate that it’s inevitable they will find something wrong with a player. By the time the draft rolls around, teams end have talked themselves out of drafting certain guys and end up making bad decisions. They forget about a player’s actually performance against competition and become consumed with individual workouts that do little to show how a guy will perform on Sundays. Ridiculous.
I digress. Anyway, somebody needs to diversify Rachel Nichols wardrobe. I wonder if when she wakes up in the morning and walks over to her closet if she asks herself, “Should I wear the black suit or the black suit?”
Atlanta selects Jamaal Anderson. Only this one doesn’t play running back, he’s a defensive end from Arkansas. I wonder if he knows the dirty bird.
New commercials for Madden 08 make me happy. Coming August 14th. (Product not yet rated).
When did Michael Smith become an NFL “expert?” It seems like ESPN executives woke up one day and decided to make random sports writers ‘experts’ in a given sport. Now viewers are blessed to have Mike Wilbon NBA “expert” and Michael Smith NFL “expert” grace their television. Shouldn’t Smith have to make at least one relevant point or offer one bit of valuable insight before we deem him an “expert?” Where is my resume.
This has got to be demoralizing for Brady Quinn who has now been interviewed by Suzy Kolber twice while waiting in the green room. Not mention having to take shots from Tong Kornheiser of all people.
And now the moment of truth. With the ninth pick, The Dolphins TAKE…Ted Ginn Jr?!?!?!?! WHAT!!! Even Mel Kiper is outraged! Brady is starting to look worried! What are the dolphins thinking?? Did they give up on trying to replace Marino and come to the decision to play without a quarterback this season? Is 38-year old Trent Green, who isn’t even on the team at this moment, the answer? I can’t believe. The Dolphins pick was so bad the entire ESPN panel is up in arms. I think Mel Kiper just choke slammer Chris Berman through the table! Not only did the Dolphins pass up on a franchise quarterback they reached for an undersized wide receiver who can’t really play wide receiver and has a Lis Franc injury to his foot. And now, Brady Quinn’s slide down the draft board may take on Aaron Rogers’ size proportions.
Houston has the tenth pick. I would be kicking myself right if I were the Houston Texans. You think they would have traded for an unknown commodity in Matt Schaub knowing they could have had Quinn and a full complement of draft picks the next two years?
On that note, let’s end the Draft coverage here. I don’t even care who the Texans pick. I’m still in shock. Stay strong Brady!
Thursday, May 3, 2007
The Last Word on March Madness
Anybody who knows about Karma saw the demise of Ohio St. coming in the NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship game. The Buckeyes rode a wave of extraordinary circumstances all the way to the men’s college basketball title game against Florida. I can’t think of a team that played in more bizarre games over the course of a single tournament and the most mind boggling part about it is that the Buckeyes won every contest. That is until they ran into a Gator team looking to make a little history of their own.
A mad scientist couldn’t have concocted a more polarizing match-up: joyless Mr. Oden and his posse of future Freshman dropouts vs. a team compromised of four first round draft choices all of whom decided to return to school and defend their National Championship because of their love for college and the game of basketball. I wonder who the college basketball gods were rooting for?
While there would not have been a more poetic ending to Greg Oden’s enigmatic college career than his sore loser assault on Xavier’s Brandon Cole, fate had other plans. The Buckeyes somehow, someway made it to the final game. They were oh so close, but alas, it just wasn’t meant to be for the best team Thad Matta could buy.
Take care Greg Oden. Happy trails Mike Conley. Barely knew you Daequen Cook. You boys were successful at killing some time by attending History of Rock n Roll class and playing some college hoops while waiting for your NBA window to open. When it came to winning the big game, however, your team wasn't as successful.
I find it amazing how the majority of the coverage on the National Championship game centered on Greg Oden’s dominance. Yet not once while watching the game did I ever think to myself “this is an all-time great performance!” CBS were lead you to believe it was with all the ranting and raving by announcers Jim Nantz and Bill Packer. You would think that a player as “dominating” as Oden supposed was in the game would at least of had his team IN the game. The Buckeyes were never in the game. Florida took control early on and Ohio St. never mounted a legitimate threat the rest of the way. Others like Mr. Nantz and Mr. Packer may have thought differently, but anyone who knows a little something about Karma knew the Buckeyes never had a chance.
A mad scientist couldn’t have concocted a more polarizing match-up: joyless Mr. Oden and his posse of future Freshman dropouts vs. a team compromised of four first round draft choices all of whom decided to return to school and defend their National Championship because of their love for college and the game of basketball. I wonder who the college basketball gods were rooting for?
While there would not have been a more poetic ending to Greg Oden’s enigmatic college career than his sore loser assault on Xavier’s Brandon Cole, fate had other plans. The Buckeyes somehow, someway made it to the final game. They were oh so close, but alas, it just wasn’t meant to be for the best team Thad Matta could buy.
Take care Greg Oden. Happy trails Mike Conley. Barely knew you Daequen Cook. You boys were successful at killing some time by attending History of Rock n Roll class and playing some college hoops while waiting for your NBA window to open. When it came to winning the big game, however, your team wasn't as successful.
I find it amazing how the majority of the coverage on the National Championship game centered on Greg Oden’s dominance. Yet not once while watching the game did I ever think to myself “this is an all-time great performance!” CBS were lead you to believe it was with all the ranting and raving by announcers Jim Nantz and Bill Packer. You would think that a player as “dominating” as Oden supposed was in the game would at least of had his team IN the game. The Buckeyes were never in the game. Florida took control early on and Ohio St. never mounted a legitimate threat the rest of the way. Others like Mr. Nantz and Mr. Packer may have thought differently, but anyone who knows a little something about Karma knew the Buckeyes never had a chance.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Yankees Still the Team to Beat in AL East
Special by The Bleeding Sports resident GM
I am sick and tired of these baseball idiots year after year saying the Yankees will miss the playoffs then switch over to the National League and pick the Braves every year because "You can't pick against them until they don't make it". The Yankees haven't missed the playoffs since 1993 (1994 was a strike year and they would have won the World Series) but every year since 2001 was supposed to be the year the Yankees miss the playoffs and the Red Sox win the division. Well that hasn't happened my friends because every year those idiots in Boston choke around the All-Star game and the Yankees over take them en route to another AL East Division title.
This year is no different with everyone picking the Red Sox on the basis of a pitcher from Japan who hasn't thrown a pitch in the major leagues let alone in the toughest division. I agree, however, that this could be the year the Red Sox win the division because of their starting pitching but don't even try to explain to me that their overall staff is so much better than the Yankees. Yes the Yankees have question marks in Mussina and Pettitte regarding their age and durability especially since Pettitte already has a stiff back and had elbow surgery in the past, but the Red Sox have these problems as well. Schilling and Wakefield, for example, are both 40 years old and have missed time the last few seasons due to injury. Wakefield was put on the DL last season and missed a month and a half because of back and rib cage injuries. Schilling is FAT and out of shape so who says this can't be the year he starts to show his age and hurts his ankle again due to his obesity.
The quality of each team's starting rotation becomes more apparent when you look at the other members of the staff:
Beckett vs. Wang - Red Sox have a very slight edge here for now because Wang will miss the first three weeks of the season because of a grade 1 hamstring strain and even though Beckett had a 5.00+ ERA last year he should be better than that his second time around. Wang, however, has a devastating 94 mph sinker that is un-hittable when he has his good stuff, he just needs to stay healthy.
Dice-K vs. Michael Kay Igawa - Dice-K has the edge here in the unknown of Japanese pitchers (reference Hideki Irabu, Hideo Nomo). All the scouts say that he is a front end of the rotation guy while Igawa is kind of a soft tossing lefty who might struggle to get his fastball by major league hitters.
Pavano (Clemens) vs. Tavarez or Lester - This is a toss up, Tavarez is an ace at punching walls and Lester is coming off chemotherapy so he wont make his '07 debut until the end of April or early May. I will not even address Pavano and his fake injuries and his crybaby attitude that the media created his problems in the clubhouse, but you better pitch well opening day or you will be utterly HATED by all Yankee fans.
I am sick and tired of these baseball idiots year after year saying the Yankees will miss the playoffs then switch over to the National League and pick the Braves every year because "You can't pick against them until they don't make it". The Yankees haven't missed the playoffs since 1993 (1994 was a strike year and they would have won the World Series) but every year since 2001 was supposed to be the year the Yankees miss the playoffs and the Red Sox win the division. Well that hasn't happened my friends because every year those idiots in Boston choke around the All-Star game and the Yankees over take them en route to another AL East Division title.
This year is no different with everyone picking the Red Sox on the basis of a pitcher from Japan who hasn't thrown a pitch in the major leagues let alone in the toughest division. I agree, however, that this could be the year the Red Sox win the division because of their starting pitching but don't even try to explain to me that their overall staff is so much better than the Yankees. Yes the Yankees have question marks in Mussina and Pettitte regarding their age and durability especially since Pettitte already has a stiff back and had elbow surgery in the past, but the Red Sox have these problems as well. Schilling and Wakefield, for example, are both 40 years old and have missed time the last few seasons due to injury. Wakefield was put on the DL last season and missed a month and a half because of back and rib cage injuries. Schilling is FAT and out of shape so who says this can't be the year he starts to show his age and hurts his ankle again due to his obesity.
The quality of each team's starting rotation becomes more apparent when you look at the other members of the staff:
Beckett vs. Wang - Red Sox have a very slight edge here for now because Wang will miss the first three weeks of the season because of a grade 1 hamstring strain and even though Beckett had a 5.00+ ERA last year he should be better than that his second time around. Wang, however, has a devastating 94 mph sinker that is un-hittable when he has his good stuff, he just needs to stay healthy.
Dice-K vs. Michael Kay Igawa - Dice-K has the edge here in the unknown of Japanese pitchers (reference Hideki Irabu, Hideo Nomo). All the scouts say that he is a front end of the rotation guy while Igawa is kind of a soft tossing lefty who might struggle to get his fastball by major league hitters.
Pavano (Clemens) vs. Tavarez or Lester - This is a toss up, Tavarez is an ace at punching walls and Lester is coming off chemotherapy so he wont make his '07 debut until the end of April or early May. I will not even address Pavano and his fake injuries and his crybaby attitude that the media created his problems in the clubhouse, but you better pitch well opening day or you will be utterly HATED by all Yankee fans.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Hoya Heaven, Carolina Blues
After having to come from behind to defeat
The
All season long, the “experts” raved about
Down the stretch, when the game became a half court battle
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