4.10.2004
The NASCAR ballet? Are you kidding me? this is some horrid practical joke right? This is my favorite section:
At the wave of the starting flag, 30 dancers will round an oval-shaped stage to New Age music punctuated with the sounds of revving engines. Their suits will be festooned with logos from the show's sponsors. Above, three giant TV screens will show the action from different camera angles while a local sports anchor gives a live play-by-play
FESTOONED with logos? Perfect...
Even better: One of the dancers described this as "a love letter" to NASCAR drivers.
At the wave of the starting flag, 30 dancers will round an oval-shaped stage to New Age music punctuated with the sounds of revving engines. Their suits will be festooned with logos from the show's sponsors. Above, three giant TV screens will show the action from different camera angles while a local sports anchor gives a live play-by-play
FESTOONED with logos? Perfect...
Even better: One of the dancers described this as "a love letter" to NASCAR drivers.
Okay, this one should have been expected. Tim Hudson has owned the Mariners over the years. Still, fellas, could you make him work a little harder than 86 pitches over 9 innings? The bright spot was Gil Meche, who pitched very well. That and Freddy's performance against the Angels makes me a tad hopeful.
I love the Saturday newspapers. Nobody reads 'em, so they run any story they can think of. Like this: Les Carpenter on the Canuckleheads playoff heartbreak.
I've been so wrapped up in baseball opening and troubles at work, I didn't even realize the NHL Playoffs had started.
I've been so wrapped up in baseball opening and troubles at work, I didn't even realize the NHL Playoffs had started.
As you might expect with a team that's 0-4, the numbers are really ugly. On offense: the M's are last in walks, last in HR, 11th in SLG, 12th in OBP and (odd for a team that hates K's) 2nd in strikeouts, only 1 behind Baltimore and they've played 5 games. Pitching is atrocious too: dead last in ERA, 1.8 points worse than then anyone, 11th in K's, and last in WHIP. Ugly, ugly ugly. I'm also glad to see I'm not the only one growing concerned. Peter over at Mariner Musings, has a very worried muse: If the M's are scuffling later in the season, will Edgar just give it up? Say it ain't so..
During this time of troubles, we all search for somewhere to belong. And I've found this: The Church of Toasterology. This may save me.
I was wandering around online newspapers, and I came across this. It’s yet another lawsuit against tobacco companies, this time claiming that “light” cigarettes are fraudulent and may do more damage to smokers. It’s a different twist, but the idea is the same: I did something I knew was dangerous and it hurt me and it’s your fault. Look, I’m no fan of tobacco companies, they seem to be significantly more evil than most corporations, but this is ridiculous. If you’ve started smoking in the last 39 years (surgeon general warning have been around since 1965), and you get sick, it’s your own damned fault. It doesn’t matter if your brand is “light” or “low tar”, cigarettes will kill you. And you know it.
Jayson Stark has his first Useless Info column up. As always, it's interesting stuff. Most interesting to me: Brave 1B Adam LaRoche becoming only the 4th player in history to get his first 2 ML hits in the same inning.
4.09.2004
Well, the Frinklin is a Loser Factor (FILF) struck again. The M's are now 0-2 in games I see, and 0-4 overall. This game, we see what the OF defense downgrade does. Look, let's be honest: Mike Cameron catches that ball. Other thoughts..
Rich Aurillia might be scuffling a bit defensively, but he's off to a nice start with the bat.
Rafael Soriano didn't seem to have anything tonight.
Bret Boone does seem smaller than last year. Not that that means anything!
The Angels aren't going to go undefeated either, they were killed in Texas 12-4. Still, they looked markedly better than the Mariners. I'm still really nervous. Meche against Hudson tomorrow. Good luck guys....
Rich Aurillia might be scuffling a bit defensively, but he's off to a nice start with the bat.
Rafael Soriano didn't seem to have anything tonight.
Bret Boone does seem smaller than last year. Not that that means anything!
The Angels aren't going to go undefeated either, they were killed in Texas 12-4. Still, they looked markedly better than the Mariners. I'm still really nervous. Meche against Hudson tomorrow. Good luck guys....
4.08.2004
Okay.. triple UGH
it's only 3 games right? In the long run it isn't any big deal?
So why am I so damned nervous right now? This is just about the worst way to open the season I can think of, that's why. 0-3 and looking at nothing but division foes for the next month. The M's performance seemed to validate what the blogospheria has worried about since the beginning of spring training. They were blown out and they lost close. Raul (who seems freakishly popular at Safeco) showed shaky at best OF defense. The bullpen imploded. Now they have games at Oakland. Is it too early for must win games?
Well, I guess we will find out. I'm off to watch the first game at Petco Park.
it's only 3 games right? In the long run it isn't any big deal?
So why am I so damned nervous right now? This is just about the worst way to open the season I can think of, that's why. 0-3 and looking at nothing but division foes for the next month. The M's performance seemed to validate what the blogospheria has worried about since the beginning of spring training. They were blown out and they lost close. Raul (who seems freakishly popular at Safeco) showed shaky at best OF defense. The bullpen imploded. Now they have games at Oakland. Is it too early for must win games?
Well, I guess we will find out. I'm off to watch the first game at Petco Park.
Well, this one makes sense, especially since I was born and raised there.
Take the quiz: "Which American City Are You?"
Seattle
Your dark exterior masks a caffeine driven activism. You'll take up a cause and you'll get ugly to advance it.
This is too goofy to pass up. Happy Easter a little early.
Take the quiz: "Which American City Are You?"
Seattle
Your dark exterior masks a caffeine driven activism. You'll take up a cause and you'll get ugly to advance it.
This is too goofy to pass up. Happy Easter a little early.
Unlike the Mariners, San Diego keeps their Radio announcers separate from TV. I am not entirely sure why this is, but to be honest, I prefer it. Maybe I’m biased (no I AM biased), but the Pads announce teams just aren’t up to par. The radio team is Jerry Coleman and Ted Leitner. Coleman is like everyone’s favorite old uncle. He can be fun, and he tells great stories, but he loses his point every so often and never seems to remember anybody’s name. As an announcer, he’s definitely the excited type, much like Neihaus but lacking the flair. He does have a nice catchphrase (Hang a star on that one!) and enough goodwill built up that I bet he eventually wins the Ford Frick Award. His partner Leitner, on the other hand, is utterly unbearable. Long winded, endlessly opinionated but never informed, utterly charmless; Mrs.Frinklin says he’s some sort of San Diego institution, but I can’t tell why. More than anything, he seems like every bad stand-up comic’s idea of Radio Guy. The TV side is bearable, but nothing special. Matt Vasgersian handles play-by-Play. He practically screams ESPN anchor: blandly handsome, endless pop culture references, and the occasional mediocre impression. Mark Grant is his sidekick, and I like him. I’m not sure why, but I do. He’s very likable, somewhat goofy, and hardly ever throws the “I’m a former athlete” at his viewers
4.07.2004
Ugh, Part 2
I should have known this would be a disaster game. See, I had a chance to watch the M’s. It’s the MLB cable package preview this week (I haven’t ever been able to convince Mrs. Frinklin to let me buy it, and I probably never will), and whenever I watch the Mariners, they lose. Usually rather spectacularly for that matter. I’m going to use this blog to track it. Call this the Frinklin Is A Loser Factor (FILF). So far, I’m hitting 1.000.
And I think Jose-FREAKING-Molina is too.
I didn’t totally give up on the boys tonight, but I did switch over to the Padres-Dodgers after it was 5-0. Another brilliant game, another heartbreaker for the Pads, this really isn’t the momentum they wanted headed into PETCO Park’s opening. I’m beginning to wonder about Bruce Bochy’s managing though. He has this brilliant reputation down here, one for the most part unsullied by the team’s recent lousiness. Anyway, Boch pinch-ran for Phil Nevin in the eighth inning, putting in Kerry Robinson. Robinson doesn’t score; the game stays tied at 1. Instead of moving Klesko from LF to 1B, Bochy pulls Klesko, puts Robinson in left, moves Ramon Vasquez from SS to first and inserts Khalil Greene at SS. The game eventually goes 11 innings, and 2 of San Diego’s best players aren’t in the game. You’re left with Giles-Robinson-Greene as your 3-4-5 hitters. Unbelievably, the announcers (Matt Vasgersian and Mark Grant) inform the audience that this was the correct decision! Even more unbelievably, had yesterday’s game gone extra frames, both Nevin and Klesko had already been pulled then too.
Check out Mrs. Frinklin, and her story of our crazy dog. It’s far more entertaining than mine was.
I should have known this would be a disaster game. See, I had a chance to watch the M’s. It’s the MLB cable package preview this week (I haven’t ever been able to convince Mrs. Frinklin to let me buy it, and I probably never will), and whenever I watch the Mariners, they lose. Usually rather spectacularly for that matter. I’m going to use this blog to track it. Call this the Frinklin Is A Loser Factor (FILF). So far, I’m hitting 1.000.
And I think Jose-FREAKING-Molina is too.
I didn’t totally give up on the boys tonight, but I did switch over to the Padres-Dodgers after it was 5-0. Another brilliant game, another heartbreaker for the Pads, this really isn’t the momentum they wanted headed into PETCO Park’s opening. I’m beginning to wonder about Bruce Bochy’s managing though. He has this brilliant reputation down here, one for the most part unsullied by the team’s recent lousiness. Anyway, Boch pinch-ran for Phil Nevin in the eighth inning, putting in Kerry Robinson. Robinson doesn’t score; the game stays tied at 1. Instead of moving Klesko from LF to 1B, Bochy pulls Klesko, puts Robinson in left, moves Ramon Vasquez from SS to first and inserts Khalil Greene at SS. The game eventually goes 11 innings, and 2 of San Diego’s best players aren’t in the game. You’re left with Giles-Robinson-Greene as your 3-4-5 hitters. Unbelievably, the announcers (Matt Vasgersian and Mark Grant) inform the audience that this was the correct decision! Even more unbelievably, had yesterday’s game gone extra frames, both Nevin and Klesko had already been pulled then too.
Check out Mrs. Frinklin, and her story of our crazy dog. It’s far more entertaining than mine was.
I wrote this during the slow times at work today. I'll be back later, since the Mariners are just getting killed. Again!
I was listening to ESPN radio on the way to work this morning, and John McGrath was a guest on the Colin Cowherd show. Now, I will get to my thoughts on “the Herd” later, but really all you need to know is that the his first to questions for McGrath were concerning the Sonics (Who?) and the Seahawks draft position. Yes, one of baseball’s glamour franchises, the day after it’s opening, was snuck in behind the World’s Most Forgettable NBA team, and the team who’s season opener is a mere 5 months away. Now McGrath was good, even lacking insider knowledge as to the Hawks plan with the 23rd pick. He spoke mostly on the TNT baseball preview focusing in on the Mariner signing of “tough guys”, and mentioned that ½ of said tough guys are currently on the shelf.
Now, the San Diego sports radio market is a tad oversaturated, though not with any real quality. I was a devout listener of Tony Kornheiser in the morning; mostly due to the respect with which he treated his audience. Too often sports radio jocks assume their listeners are rockheads and act accordingly, but TK was different. He covered sports yes, but not to the exclusion of everything else. He understood that relatively few of us were obsessing on the Redskin’s third-down back, and many of us are concerned about politics, pop culture and the like. Best of all, he was unafraid of his ESPN bosses. He spoke about their failings and never failed to mention the silly things they tried to get him to do.
The new guy? He’s not so good. Of course, due to Kornheiser’s cult-like following, he has an unbelievably hard job, and I do give him credit for taking it. He does drive me nuts sometimes though, and not in a good way. For instance, it’s Tuesday, the day after Opening Day. I get in my car and the first thing I hear him mention is, “America’s love affair with football.” Two damn days into baseball season and this moron is talking about the NFL? I could not believe it. Look, I love football as much as next geek. I’ve been rooting for the Seahawks just as long as I have the Mariners. My entire neighborhood heard me yell when Hasselbeck threw away the GB playoff game. That isn’t the point. The point is that the day after Opening Day, which is also the day after the NCAA championship game, is not the time to be waxing about how much America loves football. The Herd seems obsessed with it, leaving a segment every show focused to football. It’s April for cryin’ out loud.
Unfortunately, for me anyway, ESPN is just about the only sports-option in the morning. San Diego used to be home of the highest rated sports radio station in the country: XTRA Sports 690. XTRA had mammoth ratings, and routinely whacked the LA sports station in its market too. The problem was, Clear Channel (Corporate Motto: We Will BURY You) owns both. The demon children of Clear Channel realized the best way out of this was to merge the channel into the Southern California Sports Leader; Use the resources of both stations to cover a massive region stretching from Bakersfield to the Mexican border. They accomplished this by firing the San Diego morning guys, early afternoon guys, late night guys, and overnight guys. Then they closed the San Diego station offices, fired the entire staff, and focused the new LA based station almost exclusively on the Lakers and the Dodgers. Hey, San Diego feels the love fellas.
There is a third option; many of the old XTRA crew started the Mighty 1090. It’s okay, but to be honest, I was never a fan of the XTRA anyway. I miss the KJR people, well, some of them. Really, the only KJR types I enjoyed were Groz and Gas. Heck, if I am not at work I still listen to them.
This was supposed to be a much angrier rant. Oh well…
I was listening to ESPN radio on the way to work this morning, and John McGrath was a guest on the Colin Cowherd show. Now, I will get to my thoughts on “the Herd” later, but really all you need to know is that the his first to questions for McGrath were concerning the Sonics (Who?) and the Seahawks draft position. Yes, one of baseball’s glamour franchises, the day after it’s opening, was snuck in behind the World’s Most Forgettable NBA team, and the team who’s season opener is a mere 5 months away. Now McGrath was good, even lacking insider knowledge as to the Hawks plan with the 23rd pick. He spoke mostly on the TNT baseball preview focusing in on the Mariner signing of “tough guys”, and mentioned that ½ of said tough guys are currently on the shelf.
Now, the San Diego sports radio market is a tad oversaturated, though not with any real quality. I was a devout listener of Tony Kornheiser in the morning; mostly due to the respect with which he treated his audience. Too often sports radio jocks assume their listeners are rockheads and act accordingly, but TK was different. He covered sports yes, but not to the exclusion of everything else. He understood that relatively few of us were obsessing on the Redskin’s third-down back, and many of us are concerned about politics, pop culture and the like. Best of all, he was unafraid of his ESPN bosses. He spoke about their failings and never failed to mention the silly things they tried to get him to do.
The new guy? He’s not so good. Of course, due to Kornheiser’s cult-like following, he has an unbelievably hard job, and I do give him credit for taking it. He does drive me nuts sometimes though, and not in a good way. For instance, it’s Tuesday, the day after Opening Day. I get in my car and the first thing I hear him mention is, “America’s love affair with football.” Two damn days into baseball season and this moron is talking about the NFL? I could not believe it. Look, I love football as much as next geek. I’ve been rooting for the Seahawks just as long as I have the Mariners. My entire neighborhood heard me yell when Hasselbeck threw away the GB playoff game. That isn’t the point. The point is that the day after Opening Day, which is also the day after the NCAA championship game, is not the time to be waxing about how much America loves football. The Herd seems obsessed with it, leaving a segment every show focused to football. It’s April for cryin’ out loud.
Unfortunately, for me anyway, ESPN is just about the only sports-option in the morning. San Diego used to be home of the highest rated sports radio station in the country: XTRA Sports 690. XTRA had mammoth ratings, and routinely whacked the LA sports station in its market too. The problem was, Clear Channel (Corporate Motto: We Will BURY You) owns both. The demon children of Clear Channel realized the best way out of this was to merge the channel into the Southern California Sports Leader; Use the resources of both stations to cover a massive region stretching from Bakersfield to the Mexican border. They accomplished this by firing the San Diego morning guys, early afternoon guys, late night guys, and overnight guys. Then they closed the San Diego station offices, fired the entire staff, and focused the new LA based station almost exclusively on the Lakers and the Dodgers. Hey, San Diego feels the love fellas.
There is a third option; many of the old XTRA crew started the Mighty 1090. It’s okay, but to be honest, I was never a fan of the XTRA anyway. I miss the KJR people, well, some of them. Really, the only KJR types I enjoyed were Groz and Gas. Heck, if I am not at work I still listen to them.
This was supposed to be a much angrier rant. Oh well…
4.06.2004
Unfortunately, there is more to life than baseball. With the ever-escalating fear and worry about terrorism in the world, it's good to see our Department of Justice out there fighting for us. What? Oh.. They're going after Showtime and pay per view cable outlets? Oh yes, porn is way more important than terrorists. Gawd...
Now this is why I love baseball. I just finished watching the Padres- Dodgers game, and it was beautiful. Certainly not the best played or best pitched game I've ever seen, but man was it worth it. My impressions...
Jake Peavy pitched well. Not great, but certainly good enough to win, and he should have.
Odalis Perez sucked early on, but recovered, and showed more guts than he gets credit for.
Darren Driefort looked unhittable. So we have about 60 days before he's on the IR?
Eric Gagne looked even more unhittable. Made an absolute fool of poor Ramon Vasquez. 3 pitches, and Ramon never even blinked.
Milton Bradley made a very nice over-the-shoulder catch. As long as he doesn't go completely crazy, LA fans will love him.
Finally... Adrian Beltre looks different, like he's lost the baby fat. And he certainly played will, hitting the game tying HR. Still, you have to wonder why he would go to papers about not being invited to the meeting about getting Bradley.
Jake Peavy pitched well. Not great, but certainly good enough to win, and he should have.
Odalis Perez sucked early on, but recovered, and showed more guts than he gets credit for.
Darren Driefort looked unhittable. So we have about 60 days before he's on the IR?
Eric Gagne looked even more unhittable. Made an absolute fool of poor Ramon Vasquez. 3 pitches, and Ramon never even blinked.
Milton Bradley made a very nice over-the-shoulder catch. As long as he doesn't go completely crazy, LA fans will love him.
Finally... Adrian Beltre looks different, like he's lost the baby fat. And he certainly played will, hitting the game tying HR. Still, you have to wonder why he would go to papers about not being invited to the meeting about getting Bradley.
4.05.2004
Opening day-or Opening Day. Depending on how you feel about it. -Jim Bouton
Well, it the real season is here in full force. And I missed most of it. Worked through the Padres-Dodgers game, saw bits of the pretty good Astros-Giants game and most of Texas-Oakland. Some quick thoughts:
Ozzie Guillen may have totally destroyed Billy Koch's wavering confidence. In fact, I don't think I've seen a manager totally freak out like that so quickly.Oz... you have a 7-5 lead, it's the first game, don't lose it. Maybe he is too high strung to be a manager.
How do the Giants win? They have JT Snow, Marquise Grissom and Michael Tucker in the opening day lineup. Tucker is the #3 hitter for cryin' out loud. Matt Herges is acting closer. I'm baffled, really.
The Pirates, Tigers and Brewers all win. Life is good.
There isn't a better way for the new-look Padres to start the season than by bitch-slapping the Dodgers. Phil Nevin hit a mammoth grand slam off Nomo, good to see him healthy. Oh, and I like the new look road unis, but it seemed everytime they went to a high-angle shot, the "sand" color blended in with the infield dirt.
M's-Angels tomorrow.. YeeHa!
Well, it the real season is here in full force. And I missed most of it. Worked through the Padres-Dodgers game, saw bits of the pretty good Astros-Giants game and most of Texas-Oakland. Some quick thoughts:
Ozzie Guillen may have totally destroyed Billy Koch's wavering confidence. In fact, I don't think I've seen a manager totally freak out like that so quickly.Oz... you have a 7-5 lead, it's the first game, don't lose it. Maybe he is too high strung to be a manager.
How do the Giants win? They have JT Snow, Marquise Grissom and Michael Tucker in the opening day lineup. Tucker is the #3 hitter for cryin' out loud. Matt Herges is acting closer. I'm baffled, really.
The Pirates, Tigers and Brewers all win. Life is good.
There isn't a better way for the new-look Padres to start the season than by bitch-slapping the Dodgers. Phil Nevin hit a mammoth grand slam off Nomo, good to see him healthy. Oh, and I like the new look road unis, but it seemed everytime they went to a high-angle shot, the "sand" color blended in with the infield dirt.
M's-Angels tomorrow.. YeeHa!
4.04.2004
Goodness, two quizzes in one day? This one is HARD, and I'm a bit worried that i've not seen any who get a different result. Maybe I'm just not special.
You are a GRAMMAR GOD!
If your mission in life is not already to
preserve the English tongue, it should be.
Congratulations and thank you!
How grammatically sound are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
You are a GRAMMAR GOD!
If your mission in life is not already to
preserve the English tongue, it should be.
Congratulations and thank you!
How grammatically sound are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
AL West
1-Anaheim Angels
Arte Moreno made the moves Mariner fans were desperate for Howard Lincoln to do. The Halos picked up an Ace (Bartolo Colon), passable #3 starter (Kelvim Escobar) and the best hitter on the market in Vlad Guerrero. Add this to the remains of their 2002 WS champions, and the Angels have a very nice little team. There are concerns of course: Troy Glaus is coming off surgery: Vladie has injury concerns: Troy Percival hasn’t been pitching well this spring: Brandon Donnelly’s horrific nosebleed problems. Mike Scioscia keeps comparing Darin Erstad’s defense to that of JT Snow, without mentioning he hits like him too. Altogether though, this team hits a ton, and has plenty of pitching. Should be just enough to win the division, and maybe more.
2-Oakland A’s
The A’s will always be a threat to win everything as long as Hudson, Mulder and Zito are on the team. Add to that Rich Harden and Mark Redman, and this is the best starting staff in the AL. The bullpen isn’t nearly as settled, or as good. Arthur Rhodes has never been a closer, and hasn’t been terribly effective in save situations. The offense is improved, especially at the top. Mark Kotsay should give the A’s their best leadoff hitter since the heyday of Rickey Henderson, and Bobby Kielty should be a quality 2-hole hitter. Hopefully for A’s fans, Eric Chavez won’t overdue it attempting to justify his new contract.
3-Seattle Mariners
More to follow in my M’s only preview, but the short of it: They aren’t good enough.
4-Texas Rangers
Well, they trade the best player in baseball; did they get any better for it? No. Of course, trading HOF talents is NEVER a good thing. Especially when you’re on the hook for almost half of his contract. Well, hopefully for Ranger fans they will fight the impulse to trade Alfonso Soriano and let a talented young infield grow up together. Hank Blalock’s breakthrough year was sort of ignored in the A-Rodmania and Mark Teixeira could have on this season. Of course, as it’s been for several years now, the Ranger’s problems aren’t on offense. The pitching is bad, maybe not as dreadful as previous years, but still bad. Colby Lewis is a quality starter. Kenny Rogers was 4-5 years ago, and Chan Ho Park was when pitching for the Dodgers. It’s bad enough that RA Dickey and Glendon Rusch round out the rotation. The bullpen is just as bad, though Fransico Cordero could be a quality closer. Hey, how long until Jeff Nelson gets traded?
1-Anaheim Angels
Arte Moreno made the moves Mariner fans were desperate for Howard Lincoln to do. The Halos picked up an Ace (Bartolo Colon), passable #3 starter (Kelvim Escobar) and the best hitter on the market in Vlad Guerrero. Add this to the remains of their 2002 WS champions, and the Angels have a very nice little team. There are concerns of course: Troy Glaus is coming off surgery: Vladie has injury concerns: Troy Percival hasn’t been pitching well this spring: Brandon Donnelly’s horrific nosebleed problems. Mike Scioscia keeps comparing Darin Erstad’s defense to that of JT Snow, without mentioning he hits like him too. Altogether though, this team hits a ton, and has plenty of pitching. Should be just enough to win the division, and maybe more.
2-Oakland A’s
The A’s will always be a threat to win everything as long as Hudson, Mulder and Zito are on the team. Add to that Rich Harden and Mark Redman, and this is the best starting staff in the AL. The bullpen isn’t nearly as settled, or as good. Arthur Rhodes has never been a closer, and hasn’t been terribly effective in save situations. The offense is improved, especially at the top. Mark Kotsay should give the A’s their best leadoff hitter since the heyday of Rickey Henderson, and Bobby Kielty should be a quality 2-hole hitter. Hopefully for A’s fans, Eric Chavez won’t overdue it attempting to justify his new contract.
3-Seattle Mariners
More to follow in my M’s only preview, but the short of it: They aren’t good enough.
4-Texas Rangers
Well, they trade the best player in baseball; did they get any better for it? No. Of course, trading HOF talents is NEVER a good thing. Especially when you’re on the hook for almost half of his contract. Well, hopefully for Ranger fans they will fight the impulse to trade Alfonso Soriano and let a talented young infield grow up together. Hank Blalock’s breakthrough year was sort of ignored in the A-Rodmania and Mark Teixeira could have on this season. Of course, as it’s been for several years now, the Ranger’s problems aren’t on offense. The pitching is bad, maybe not as dreadful as previous years, but still bad. Colby Lewis is a quality starter. Kenny Rogers was 4-5 years ago, and Chan Ho Park was when pitching for the Dodgers. It’s bad enough that RA Dickey and Glendon Rusch round out the rotation. The bullpen is just as bad, though Fransico Cordero could be a quality closer. Hey, how long until Jeff Nelson gets traded?
Of course I'm watching Sunday Night Baseball. A couple quick hits:
Pokey Reese walked his first time up. That should be enough for April.
Jon Miller is my favorite announcer not named Dave Neihaus or Vin Scully. Joe Morgan irritates me.
The Orioles have really cool uniforms. They should ditch the ornithologically correct bird and bring back the smilin' oriole though.
Pedro is defiantly not 100%, but he's smart enough to almost cover for it. You have to wonder if he'll ever be what he was.
Pokey Reese walked his first time up. That should be enough for April.
Jon Miller is my favorite announcer not named Dave Neihaus or Vin Scully. Joe Morgan irritates me.
The Orioles have really cool uniforms. They should ditch the ornithologically correct bird and bring back the smilin' oriole though.
Pedro is defiantly not 100%, but he's smart enough to almost cover for it. You have to wonder if he'll ever be what he was.
AL Central
1-Kansas City Royals
Can you win with 5 number 3 starters, 4 of them lefties no less? The Royals will find out. The pitching is mediocre, but if Jeremy Affeldt gets over his injury problems, he could emerge as an ace. The lineup is sweet, especially if Juan Gone can stay reasonably healthy. Matt Stairs hit .292 /.389 /.561 last season, and could give KC more offense then Ibanez did for less than 1/3 the price. Really this division is up for grabs, I can see any of the top three in any order
2-Chicago White Sox
This team will be better then most think. They have holes, but everyone else does too, and I think they have the best chance of fixing them or covering them up. Frank Thomas seems to be responding to Ozzie Guillen’s leadership, he seems primed for a big year. Loiza can’t be as good as he was last year, but Buerhle probably won’t be as bad: they’ll even each other out. The Sox are finally going with Joe Crede at 3B: he’s a plus.
3-Minnesota Twins
The Twins take a bit of a tumble this year; I can’t see their staff being good enough to win the division. Brad Radke will be Brad Radke: 200 IP, 15W, but beyond that they have to rely on some young arms. Johan Santana should be fine, providing he can handle the bigger workload. Kyle Loshe showed flashes of dominance last year. Beyond those two, there are question marks. Carlos Silva is converting to starter after spending his entire big-league career as a reliever. The bullpen looks shaky too; I can’t see Joe Nathan as an everyday closer, especially since his velocity seems to be down 5 MPH from last year. Offensively they are fine, having Shannon Stewart the full year is a plus, and Joe Mauer looks like he can hit. Defensively they are the best in the game.
4-Cleveland Indians
The Tribe is back on the upswing, with as much young talent as any team in the game. Jody Gerut, AL ROY, leads a legion of talented outfielders that the Indians will build their team around. The trade of Milton Bradley weakens them, but the situation had become untenable with the talented CF. Coco Crisp, Alex Escobar and eventually Grady Sizemore will take his place. Sizemore is the most talented of the three, but also the farthest from the majors. CC Sabathia leads a very young rotation, one that will have to deal with a lot of growing pains. David Riske could have a big year as closer.
5-Detroit Tigers
Hey the Tigers are actually still in the game. It didn’t seem like they were last year, with an absolute disaster that ended with 119 loses. The team went out and got some real grown-up players this season, with Ivan Rodriguez, Carlos Guillen, Fernando Vina and Rondell White replacing half the starting lineup. Dimtri Young is the best of the returnees; he would have collected 100 RBI had the other guys been less inept. Jason Johnson was let go by the Orioles and immediately became the Tigers #1 starter. Assuming he gets over the disaster from last year, Jeremy Bonderman will eventually take that mantle. Detroit will be better, but still not very good.
1-Kansas City Royals
Can you win with 5 number 3 starters, 4 of them lefties no less? The Royals will find out. The pitching is mediocre, but if Jeremy Affeldt gets over his injury problems, he could emerge as an ace. The lineup is sweet, especially if Juan Gone can stay reasonably healthy. Matt Stairs hit .292 /.389 /.561 last season, and could give KC more offense then Ibanez did for less than 1/3 the price. Really this division is up for grabs, I can see any of the top three in any order
2-Chicago White Sox
This team will be better then most think. They have holes, but everyone else does too, and I think they have the best chance of fixing them or covering them up. Frank Thomas seems to be responding to Ozzie Guillen’s leadership, he seems primed for a big year. Loiza can’t be as good as he was last year, but Buerhle probably won’t be as bad: they’ll even each other out. The Sox are finally going with Joe Crede at 3B: he’s a plus.
3-Minnesota Twins
The Twins take a bit of a tumble this year; I can’t see their staff being good enough to win the division. Brad Radke will be Brad Radke: 200 IP, 15W, but beyond that they have to rely on some young arms. Johan Santana should be fine, providing he can handle the bigger workload. Kyle Loshe showed flashes of dominance last year. Beyond those two, there are question marks. Carlos Silva is converting to starter after spending his entire big-league career as a reliever. The bullpen looks shaky too; I can’t see Joe Nathan as an everyday closer, especially since his velocity seems to be down 5 MPH from last year. Offensively they are fine, having Shannon Stewart the full year is a plus, and Joe Mauer looks like he can hit. Defensively they are the best in the game.
4-Cleveland Indians
The Tribe is back on the upswing, with as much young talent as any team in the game. Jody Gerut, AL ROY, leads a legion of talented outfielders that the Indians will build their team around. The trade of Milton Bradley weakens them, but the situation had become untenable with the talented CF. Coco Crisp, Alex Escobar and eventually Grady Sizemore will take his place. Sizemore is the most talented of the three, but also the farthest from the majors. CC Sabathia leads a very young rotation, one that will have to deal with a lot of growing pains. David Riske could have a big year as closer.
5-Detroit Tigers
Hey the Tigers are actually still in the game. It didn’t seem like they were last year, with an absolute disaster that ended with 119 loses. The team went out and got some real grown-up players this season, with Ivan Rodriguez, Carlos Guillen, Fernando Vina and Rondell White replacing half the starting lineup. Dimtri Young is the best of the returnees; he would have collected 100 RBI had the other guys been less inept. Jason Johnson was let go by the Orioles and immediately became the Tigers #1 starter. Assuming he gets over the disaster from last year, Jeremy Bonderman will eventually take that mantle. Detroit will be better, but still not very good.
Now the AL: This will be broken down by division, since even I couldn't sit through yesterday’s marathon post. You can see when I started writing this
EAST
1-New York Yankees
Baseball's thermonuclear war continues. The biggest rivalry in professional sports isn't the Yankees vs. Red Sox. It's the Yankees versus the world, and it gets bigger and uglier each year.
It's really great, isn't it?
I mean, I know I should be bitching about the inequities of baseball, complaining that the Yankees' payroll is several times that of the GNP of say, Uganda. But I really don't care anymore. Baseball's economics are what they are, and they aren't going to change anytime soon. Besides, success in the sport is still based more on smarts than anything else. It's possible to be poor and smart and successful. See Minnesota and Oakland. It's possible to be rich and stupid, and lose every year. Just look at the Orioles. And of course, you can be both poor and stupid, and then you end up the Pirates. It's not really all that different that baseball has always been. The Yankees are almost always good, and baseball is better as a whole when they are. Don't worry, like any reasonable baseball fan, I hate them too.
I just can't turn away from them, this year even more than previous. With all the talk about A-Rod and how much better they are and how many All-Stars they have, people tend to ignore that this team seems deeply flawed. A-Rod is of course out of position. And how long does he stay okay with that? They have a gaping whole at 2B. Giambi will be expected to play the field, and he's a lousy defensive 1B. Lofton is already upset at his spot in the batting order. Kenny Lofton upset? Who would have guessed that? The outfield defense is atrocious. Who will be the fifth starter? Right now they stand at 1-1. If it gets to be 6-6 or 10-10 how crazy does Steinbrenner get? I can't wait. Even with all that, I'll still pick them to win the division. The overall talent, especially on offense, is unreal. And Big Stein gets what he wants. Somebody will send them what they need. Jose Vidro? Carlos Beltran maybe?
2-Boston Red Sox
Two months ago, even without the A-Rod trade, the Sox looked they had an even money chance of ending the Curse. Even with A-Rod in pinstripes they still have a good shot. Or at least, they did. The Curse strikes in many ways, and right now it seems health is the way du jour. Nomar's bad Achilles will keep him off the field for at least a month. Trot Nixon will miss half the season, maybe more. Pedro's velocity has been down, and he's been rocked throughout the spring. Nixon is important to the team, but not irreplaceable. Nomar needs to come back and come back soon though. The Pokey Reese- Mark Bellhorn DP combo is scary for most of the wrong reasons. Still, the Sox should be able to stay in the race long enough for everyone to get healthy, and Theo Epstein proved last year he's willing to make moves.
3-Toronto Blue Jays
How often do you think JP Ricciardi petitions Commissioner Bud to relocate to the AL Central? Four, five times a week? It's a pity that this suddenly very inventive club is stuck behind the big two. It would be a definite contender in the Central, but it's an also-ran here. The Jays have a very nice lineup featuring some young (Josh Phelps, Orlando Hudson, Reed Johnson) and talented players. The pitching is slowly coming around, and they have a lot of nice prospects. The question will be what to do with Carlos Delgado. He’s a free agent, and while he shouldn’t get the same money has now, he still will be out of Toronto’s price range. Do they trade him? He could bring a lot from a contender.
4-Baltimore Orioles
This is another team that seems to be on the upswing. They aren’t on the same level as the Jays, and I wonder if they’ll get there. Miguel Tejada is a great sign; he should solidify the infield and give Baltimore fans someone to identify with the team. Javy Lopez on the other hand was a bad sign, unless the unbelievable happens and he repeats last season. Even if he does he’s a below average defensive catcher. Larry Bigbie and Jay Gibbons give the O’s another set of building blocks. It would also help if Erik Bedard is for real, and Kurt Ainsworth fufills some of the expectations he’s been carrying.
5-Tampa Bay Devil Rays
It really isn’t fair that this team has to play in the AL East. Between the big two and the fast rising Blue Jays, the Rays may have their best team and STILL get buried. Which I think is pretty close to what will happen. This team is better than last years, and next year should be better still. Carl Crawford is the real deal, and Rocco Baldelli will be too, if he learns how to take a pitch now and then. BJ Upton and Delmon Young are hope for the future, Upton could be called up this year. Young is a ways off. Pitching? Don’t ask.
EAST
1-New York Yankees
Baseball's thermonuclear war continues. The biggest rivalry in professional sports isn't the Yankees vs. Red Sox. It's the Yankees versus the world, and it gets bigger and uglier each year.
It's really great, isn't it?
I mean, I know I should be bitching about the inequities of baseball, complaining that the Yankees' payroll is several times that of the GNP of say, Uganda. But I really don't care anymore. Baseball's economics are what they are, and they aren't going to change anytime soon. Besides, success in the sport is still based more on smarts than anything else. It's possible to be poor and smart and successful. See Minnesota and Oakland. It's possible to be rich and stupid, and lose every year. Just look at the Orioles. And of course, you can be both poor and stupid, and then you end up the Pirates. It's not really all that different that baseball has always been. The Yankees are almost always good, and baseball is better as a whole when they are. Don't worry, like any reasonable baseball fan, I hate them too.
I just can't turn away from them, this year even more than previous. With all the talk about A-Rod and how much better they are and how many All-Stars they have, people tend to ignore that this team seems deeply flawed. A-Rod is of course out of position. And how long does he stay okay with that? They have a gaping whole at 2B. Giambi will be expected to play the field, and he's a lousy defensive 1B. Lofton is already upset at his spot in the batting order. Kenny Lofton upset? Who would have guessed that? The outfield defense is atrocious. Who will be the fifth starter? Right now they stand at 1-1. If it gets to be 6-6 or 10-10 how crazy does Steinbrenner get? I can't wait. Even with all that, I'll still pick them to win the division. The overall talent, especially on offense, is unreal. And Big Stein gets what he wants. Somebody will send them what they need. Jose Vidro? Carlos Beltran maybe?
2-Boston Red Sox
Two months ago, even without the A-Rod trade, the Sox looked they had an even money chance of ending the Curse. Even with A-Rod in pinstripes they still have a good shot. Or at least, they did. The Curse strikes in many ways, and right now it seems health is the way du jour. Nomar's bad Achilles will keep him off the field for at least a month. Trot Nixon will miss half the season, maybe more. Pedro's velocity has been down, and he's been rocked throughout the spring. Nixon is important to the team, but not irreplaceable. Nomar needs to come back and come back soon though. The Pokey Reese- Mark Bellhorn DP combo is scary for most of the wrong reasons. Still, the Sox should be able to stay in the race long enough for everyone to get healthy, and Theo Epstein proved last year he's willing to make moves.
3-Toronto Blue Jays
How often do you think JP Ricciardi petitions Commissioner Bud to relocate to the AL Central? Four, five times a week? It's a pity that this suddenly very inventive club is stuck behind the big two. It would be a definite contender in the Central, but it's an also-ran here. The Jays have a very nice lineup featuring some young (Josh Phelps, Orlando Hudson, Reed Johnson) and talented players. The pitching is slowly coming around, and they have a lot of nice prospects. The question will be what to do with Carlos Delgado. He’s a free agent, and while he shouldn’t get the same money has now, he still will be out of Toronto’s price range. Do they trade him? He could bring a lot from a contender.
4-Baltimore Orioles
This is another team that seems to be on the upswing. They aren’t on the same level as the Jays, and I wonder if they’ll get there. Miguel Tejada is a great sign; he should solidify the infield and give Baltimore fans someone to identify with the team. Javy Lopez on the other hand was a bad sign, unless the unbelievable happens and he repeats last season. Even if he does he’s a below average defensive catcher. Larry Bigbie and Jay Gibbons give the O’s another set of building blocks. It would also help if Erik Bedard is for real, and Kurt Ainsworth fufills some of the expectations he’s been carrying.
5-Tampa Bay Devil Rays
It really isn’t fair that this team has to play in the AL East. Between the big two and the fast rising Blue Jays, the Rays may have their best team and STILL get buried. Which I think is pretty close to what will happen. This team is better than last years, and next year should be better still. Carl Crawford is the real deal, and Rocco Baldelli will be too, if he learns how to take a pitch now and then. BJ Upton and Delmon Young are hope for the future, Upton could be called up this year. Young is a ways off. Pitching? Don’t ask.
Ack.. this isn't pleasant.
The Dante's Inferno Test has banished you to the Third Level of Hell!
Here is how you matched up against all the levels:
Take the Dante's Inferno Test
The Dante's Inferno Test has banished you to the Third Level of Hell!
Here is how you matched up against all the levels:
| Level | Score |
|---|---|
| Purgatory (Repenting Believers) | Very High |
| Level 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers) | Moderate |
| Level 2 (Lustful) | High |
| Level 3 (Gluttonous) | Very High |
| Level 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious) | Very Low |
| Level 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy) | Low |
| Level 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics) | Very Low |
| Level 7 (Violent) | Moderate |
| Level 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers) | Moderate |
| Level 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous) | Very Low |
Take the Dante's Inferno Test
I haven't had the chance to commen on the Milton Bradley case, but mine take is pretty similar to most: A total headcase I'd love to see play for the Mariners. Now it seems he has been traded to Los Angeles for OF prospect Franklin Gutierrez and a PTBNL. At first glance this is a better deal than I thought the Indians would get for Bradley. Gutierrez is a highly-regarded prospect, rated # 3 on Baseball America's list. Then I thought of it: Paul DePodesta took one look at Gutierrez's OBP (lifetime minor leage OBP of .343) and said, "someone is gonna want him more than I do." Gutierrez is a tools player, not yet a results player. It makes sense for LA to trade him. Even with the OBP defiecency, this is the best deal the Indians could get. I wonder if Guiterrez is done moving though, with Jody Gerut, Grady Sizemore, Alex Escobar, Jason Cooper... the Tribe has plenty of young OF prospects.
Okay, I've been silent for a couple days, more will follow. Yesterday was spring cleaning at the Frinklin house, so both the Mrs. and I ended up sleeping really late today. Hard work ya'know?
I do have to register my displeasure with the this though: JOLBERT CABRERA? Now, I don't think Looper or Ketchner are anything real special, but why send two prospects for a utility guy? Guys like Cabrera are available over the waiver wire all the time, and more importantly, is Cabrera anything more than Hiram Bocachica? Perhaps Cabrera is a better player than Bocachica, but two young pitchers worth? This is a terrible, albeit minor trade, one that brings back visions of Woody Woodward.
I do have to register my displeasure with the this though: JOLBERT CABRERA? Now, I don't think Looper or Ketchner are anything real special, but why send two prospects for a utility guy? Guys like Cabrera are available over the waiver wire all the time, and more importantly, is Cabrera anything more than Hiram Bocachica? Perhaps Cabrera is a better player than Bocachica, but two young pitchers worth? This is a terrible, albeit minor trade, one that brings back visions of Woody Woodward.
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