If Sean McAdam was any more of a hack, he'd be wearing a Jason mask. The sub-header to his article today is "The Red Sox pitching is suspect". Yes, so suspect that Bronson Arroyo fired a 3-hitter today to improve to 4-0, and Keith Foulke has pitched two straight perfect innings, and hasn't blown a save in over a week. Overreact much? Yes, Wells had a fluke injury, and Schilling came back too soon, but management knew the risks. We have some guy named Wade Miller coming back Sunday, and while the old guys are out, the Sox can turn to veterans like John Halama and Jeremi Gonzalez, rather than rookies like the Yanks have been doing. The Sox will be just fine.
In addition, I find it hard to take the Orioles seriously. On May5 last year, the Orioles were 13-12. This year they are 18-9, which is a 3 game improvement in the loss column. They have added Bruce Chen to their rotation. Bruce Chen is a decent pitcher, but am I really supposed to believe that Chen, and some improvement on Erik Bedard's part, are the difference between the middling 78 win team they had last year and a division championship in 2005? Why don't I just start believing in unicorns or talking rabbits? No thanks. Adding Sosa was nice, but the fact is that this IS your 2004 Orioles, playing in 2005. They will fall back to the pack eventually.
Unfortunately, writers don't get paid these days to write headlines like "The Sox will be just fine" or "It's only May, calm down!". At least Sean McAdam isn't.
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Saturday, April 30, 2005
Hop on the Railroad
Welcome to the NBA Playoffs ladies and gentlemen!
The Celtics have officially been railroaded.
Antoine Walker is suspended for Game 4 tonight, while Jermaine O'Neal only warrants a fine? Are you f****ng kidding me?
Point 1: Early in the game, Jermaine O'Neal grabbed a ref by the arm as he was walking to the scorer's table to announce a foul. The league said that Antoine's case was clear cut because he made contact with an official. Well...SO...DID...O'NEAL! There's no two ways about it. O'Neal grabbed the ref by the arm, and what's worse is that he KNOWINGLY did it. When Antoine bumped the official after being tossed, he was flailing about, and did not know who he pushed.
Point 2: The reason Antoine got the second technical is because O'Neal elbowed Delonte West in the head. For the league to look the other way on that is simply baffling. O'Neal received a technical on the play the same as Antoine for his shenanigans. But O'Neal is only fined $10,000, and can still play. Really? Because that fine means anything to O'Neal?
The NBA's complete double-standard on a lot of issues usually doesn't bother me. But this is insane. The refs dictated game 3 (38 foul shots for Indy, 17 for Boston) and now they have already dictated game 4. To make matters worse, they waited until after the Celtics had finished practice to announce the suspension. Really Stu? It took you a whole work day to look at some tape and make 5 phone calls? Really? Wow, can I have your job? I'd love to get in 18 holes before I start my work day. Must be tough pal.
All aboard the railroad, next stop, the NBA promoting the "rematch" of the fight at the Palace, the Indiana Pacers and your world champion Detroit Pistons. Let's hope the Celtics can play spoiler, and thwart Stern's master plan. Unreal. We need The Truth, in more ways than one.
The Celtics have officially been railroaded.
Antoine Walker is suspended for Game 4 tonight, while Jermaine O'Neal only warrants a fine? Are you f****ng kidding me?
Point 1: Early in the game, Jermaine O'Neal grabbed a ref by the arm as he was walking to the scorer's table to announce a foul. The league said that Antoine's case was clear cut because he made contact with an official. Well...SO...DID...O'NEAL! There's no two ways about it. O'Neal grabbed the ref by the arm, and what's worse is that he KNOWINGLY did it. When Antoine bumped the official after being tossed, he was flailing about, and did not know who he pushed.
Point 2: The reason Antoine got the second technical is because O'Neal elbowed Delonte West in the head. For the league to look the other way on that is simply baffling. O'Neal received a technical on the play the same as Antoine for his shenanigans. But O'Neal is only fined $10,000, and can still play. Really? Because that fine means anything to O'Neal?
The NBA's complete double-standard on a lot of issues usually doesn't bother me. But this is insane. The refs dictated game 3 (38 foul shots for Indy, 17 for Boston) and now they have already dictated game 4. To make matters worse, they waited until after the Celtics had finished practice to announce the suspension. Really Stu? It took you a whole work day to look at some tape and make 5 phone calls? Really? Wow, can I have your job? I'd love to get in 18 holes before I start my work day. Must be tough pal.
All aboard the railroad, next stop, the NBA promoting the "rematch" of the fight at the Palace, the Indiana Pacers and your world champion Detroit Pistons. Let's hope the Celtics can play spoiler, and thwart Stern's master plan. Unreal. We need The Truth, in more ways than one.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
ouch
Yesterday's Celtics game was painful. Very painful. I can't express it better than the Sport's Guys Cowbell post today, so let's link that up.
So far, my Dallas to the Finals and Nets upset picks are looking pretty crappy. Serves me right for banking on Dirk Nowitski and Jason Kidd, aka the Bird wanna-be and the wife beater. Maybe they'll still make me look smart, but it doesn't look good so far.
So far, my Dallas to the Finals and Nets upset picks are looking pretty crappy. Serves me right for banking on Dirk Nowitski and Jason Kidd, aka the Bird wanna-be and the wife beater. Maybe they'll still make me look smart, but it doesn't look good so far.
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Episode III
Got my tickets to Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith today. Then locked them in the safe, so I don't lose them. To say I'm excited about this movie is an understatement, I'm basically expecting it to be the greatest movie I've ever seen. Episode VI: Return of the Jedi was the first movie I ever saw in a theatre, and I've always love the Star Wars movies. I grew up wondering what the Clone War was like. May 18, I get my answer.
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Quick Hits
I'm very tired, but a few things need to get out:
1. Great, great, great, great, great win by the Celtics tonight. Keep whinin' Reggie. Incredible effort. To be up by 30 points before Pierce makes a field goal? Wow. I'll take 15 more of those please.
2. Schilling came back too early. Something is not right there.
3. Jaret Wright is injured, too bad.
4. Not only will Nomar not play again this season, but his career as an elite player is over.
5. Don't look now but the Rockies have won 4 of their last 5, and 5 of their last 8. The Rox split a series in Philly, and have taken 2 straight from the division-leading Dodgers. 6-11 isn't a world-beating record, but it's better than being 2-10. Keep it up.
1. Great, great, great, great, great win by the Celtics tonight. Keep whinin' Reggie. Incredible effort. To be up by 30 points before Pierce makes a field goal? Wow. I'll take 15 more of those please.
2. Schilling came back too early. Something is not right there.
3. Jaret Wright is injured, too bad.
4. Not only will Nomar not play again this season, but his career as an elite player is over.
5. Don't look now but the Rockies have won 4 of their last 5, and 5 of their last 8. The Rox split a series in Philly, and have taken 2 straight from the division-leading Dodgers. 6-11 isn't a world-beating record, but it's better than being 2-10. Keep it up.
Thursday, April 21, 2005
NBA Playoff Picks
Two quick hits:
1) 2 in a row for the Rockies, way to go, keep building on this.
2) Credit due to MLB and the Red Sox for their reactions to the faux-incident with Sheffield and the idiot fan last week.
On to the playoff picks:
Western Conference first:
1 Phoenix vs. 8 Memphis - This could be a good matchup, but Memphis didn't exactly sail in on a high note. Phoenix has been on cruise control for awhile, I expect them to turn it up a notch here. Suns in 5
4 Dallas vs. 5 Houston - Tracy McGrady has never won a playoff series, and that will not change this year. Look for the big baby to go down with a bad back after game 3. Mavericks in 5
2 San Antonio vs. 7 Denver - The poor, poor Nuggets. As hot as they were, when they had the chance to move up into the 6 or 5 seed and get a Seattle or Dallas team they would match up good with, they choked it off against Houston and Phoenix in the last week. The prize? The well-rested Spurs. Maybe next year. Spurs in 6
3 Seattle vs. 6 Sacremento - This is a situation ripe for an upset. Seattle has struggled, the Kings have a veteran team that has been there before. Kings in 7
Second Round
1 Phoenix vs. 4 Dallas - Steve Nash will soon regret his decision to snub Cubes and the Mavs. Mavericks in 7
2 San Antonio vs. 6 Sacramento - The Spurs are just too good. Spurs in 6
Conference Finals
2 San Antonio vs. 4 Dallas - This will be a fun contrast in styles. In the end, I think this is Dirk's year. He has willed the team to a great record, and Avery Johnson's first season at the helm will be a success.
Eastern Conference
1 Miami vs. 8 New Jersey - Miami is a 2-man team. One of those men is injured. One on five isn't going to be fun for Dwayne Wade. And now the Nets get back Jefferson? I smell upset. Nets in 7
4 Chicago vs. 5 Washington - Boy, is this gonna be a fun series or what? I'm looking forward to this series. Bulls in 7
2 Detroit vs. 7 Philadelphia - The Sixers didn't want this matchup. Boston or Miami would have been infinitely better. Pistons in 4
3 Boston vs. 6 Indiana - A lot will be made of the Pacers 2-1 season edge, as if 3 games is any kind of sample size. First, all 3 games were before the Antoine trade. Second, the first game was the second game of the season, when Indiana still had Ron Artest. And that's really the bottom line. Who do the Pacers have to stop Paul Pierce? Nobody. Earlier when I made my depth comparison, I said that if Artest is in the lineup then the Pacers are deeper. But Artest is not in the lineup, and that gives the edge to the C's. Celtics in 6
Second Round
4 Chicago vs. 8 New Jersey - There will be a lot of people picking New Jersey here, but the baby Bulls will outrun Jersey's old men. Bulls in 6
2 Detroit vs. 3 Boston - Can you wait for all the old '80's highlights of the Bad Boys vs. Larry's crew? Neither can I. This will be a great series. My gut tells me the Celtics can take them in 7. My head tells me the Pistons will prevail in 7, and I'll be bitching about it all summer. Pistons in 7, with game 7 going into 3 OT's
Conference Finals
2 Detroit vs. 4 Chicago - Rematch of the late '80's and early '90's Bad Boys vs. MJ series. That cycle will start anew, as the Pistons prevail in the East for a 2nd year in a row, but next year, the Baby Bulls could rise up and thwart their foes to the north. Pistons in 5
NBA Finals
Detroit vs. Dallas - Dallas won 58 games, Detroit 54, so Dallas gets home court. It won't matter. In the end, the Pistons will take advantage of the fact that Dallas has no point guard with any significant experience. But this should be a fun series, the kind that makes people remember why the NBA can be great. Lots of great passing, lots of scoring despite Detroit's killer D. Drum roll please......Pistons in 7, MVP Rip Hamilton, who will have to provide the scoring punch the Pistons need to win.
1) 2 in a row for the Rockies, way to go, keep building on this.
2) Credit due to MLB and the Red Sox for their reactions to the faux-incident with Sheffield and the idiot fan last week.
On to the playoff picks:
Western Conference first:
1 Phoenix vs. 8 Memphis - This could be a good matchup, but Memphis didn't exactly sail in on a high note. Phoenix has been on cruise control for awhile, I expect them to turn it up a notch here. Suns in 5
4 Dallas vs. 5 Houston - Tracy McGrady has never won a playoff series, and that will not change this year. Look for the big baby to go down with a bad back after game 3. Mavericks in 5
2 San Antonio vs. 7 Denver - The poor, poor Nuggets. As hot as they were, when they had the chance to move up into the 6 or 5 seed and get a Seattle or Dallas team they would match up good with, they choked it off against Houston and Phoenix in the last week. The prize? The well-rested Spurs. Maybe next year. Spurs in 6
3 Seattle vs. 6 Sacremento - This is a situation ripe for an upset. Seattle has struggled, the Kings have a veteran team that has been there before. Kings in 7
Second Round
1 Phoenix vs. 4 Dallas - Steve Nash will soon regret his decision to snub Cubes and the Mavs. Mavericks in 7
2 San Antonio vs. 6 Sacramento - The Spurs are just too good. Spurs in 6
Conference Finals
2 San Antonio vs. 4 Dallas - This will be a fun contrast in styles. In the end, I think this is Dirk's year. He has willed the team to a great record, and Avery Johnson's first season at the helm will be a success.
Eastern Conference
1 Miami vs. 8 New Jersey - Miami is a 2-man team. One of those men is injured. One on five isn't going to be fun for Dwayne Wade. And now the Nets get back Jefferson? I smell upset. Nets in 7
4 Chicago vs. 5 Washington - Boy, is this gonna be a fun series or what? I'm looking forward to this series. Bulls in 7
2 Detroit vs. 7 Philadelphia - The Sixers didn't want this matchup. Boston or Miami would have been infinitely better. Pistons in 4
3 Boston vs. 6 Indiana - A lot will be made of the Pacers 2-1 season edge, as if 3 games is any kind of sample size. First, all 3 games were before the Antoine trade. Second, the first game was the second game of the season, when Indiana still had Ron Artest. And that's really the bottom line. Who do the Pacers have to stop Paul Pierce? Nobody. Earlier when I made my depth comparison, I said that if Artest is in the lineup then the Pacers are deeper. But Artest is not in the lineup, and that gives the edge to the C's. Celtics in 6
Second Round
4 Chicago vs. 8 New Jersey - There will be a lot of people picking New Jersey here, but the baby Bulls will outrun Jersey's old men. Bulls in 6
2 Detroit vs. 3 Boston - Can you wait for all the old '80's highlights of the Bad Boys vs. Larry's crew? Neither can I. This will be a great series. My gut tells me the Celtics can take them in 7. My head tells me the Pistons will prevail in 7, and I'll be bitching about it all summer. Pistons in 7, with game 7 going into 3 OT's
Conference Finals
2 Detroit vs. 4 Chicago - Rematch of the late '80's and early '90's Bad Boys vs. MJ series. That cycle will start anew, as the Pistons prevail in the East for a 2nd year in a row, but next year, the Baby Bulls could rise up and thwart their foes to the north. Pistons in 5
NBA Finals
Detroit vs. Dallas - Dallas won 58 games, Detroit 54, so Dallas gets home court. It won't matter. In the end, the Pistons will take advantage of the fact that Dallas has no point guard with any significant experience. But this should be a fun series, the kind that makes people remember why the NBA can be great. Lots of great passing, lots of scoring despite Detroit's killer D. Drum roll please......Pistons in 7, MVP Rip Hamilton, who will have to provide the scoring punch the Pistons need to win.
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Sheff Special
I have to admit that at first, I was angry with Sheffield, because at live action it looked like he took a swipe at the fan for no reason. However, after watching the video slowed down, I have to agree with Boston Dirt Dogs. The fan definitely took a swipe at Sheffield. While I would have made the play first, as a quick throw may have got Varitek at 3rd or made him think about stopping, Sheffield was right to react. In any event, the time has come for fans to get lifetime bans from ballparks and stadiums. Fan behavior like this should not be tolerated. As Varitek hit the ball I yelled "nobody touch it!" While most fans cooperated, that yokel couldn't control himself. If anything is disappointing, it's that the cops just kicked him out, and didn't take him in some backroom, kick the crap out of him, and then arrest him. At least the Sox won.
Rox look to get a little payback tomorrow night against the Giants.
Rox look to get a little payback tomorrow night against the Giants.
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