Just the other day I was copied on a series of e-mails. These e-mails were about who’s the better baseball player: Manny Ramirez or A-Rod. Those of you who read here often know my take on this situation, at least from my opinion of A-Rod.
Aside from the fact that Manny is just flat out clutch, I went on to talk about Manny and his ability to be a professional hitter. What Manny brings to the table is so much more than the home runs and the RBI’s. His presence makes that lineup what it is. My key comparison between Manny and A-Rod was the following:
Say the hitter in front of each of the players at question leads off the inning with a double. What is the approach at the plate for each player?
This is what differentiates the two hitters. Manny’s thought process is to look to the right side and try to get the runner over at all costs. Sure if he gets a pitch he can crush, he’ll turn on it but his focus is the runner. A-Rod however, is looking to pull a ball down the line to that short porch. That’s even a low percentage play for him. Manny’s game is taking balls the other way and if he gets a pitch he can handle, going deep. A-Rod doesn’t think like that.
Not to mention, Big Papi gets a lot of the credit for clutch hits. Rightfully so. But what you also have to remember is that the best right handed hitter in baseball is sitting in that on deck circle. I’d rather face Papi any day. Manny’s presence has made Ortiz such a big name in the game.
So now, we’re talking about two guys on the Red Sox. We’re now talking about a lineup that is being affected by perfect placement of players. And this is what I’m getting at. It’s really hard to argue that there is a better franchise in sports right now than the Boston Red Sox.
Sure, they have a large payroll, but you know they’re going to sell the tickets. You know they’re going to make the money back in merchandising that they pay their players. So we could talk business all day, but they get that aspect and you know that. But what differentiates them from the Yankees?
After all, that is their competition. Their job is to beat the Yankees. Coincidentally, beating the Yankees does wonders for your chances of winning titles. But it’s no different than Army’s job or North Carolina’s job. So if we are talking about the two most powerful franchises in America, what makes the Red Sox so superior?
It’s this simple. They know the business of baseball. They understand structure….not only in the board room, but in their lineup. The Yankees, aside from what business cards say, are run by the ownership group. The Red Sox let the titles from their business cards mean something, and that creates expertise opposed to egoism.
That expertise does what? Well, the Yankees have the highest payroll. We know that. But I’ve been saying forever that they don’t have the right players. They think in most cases, the most expensive players, the ones with the best stats, are the ones to have. I see the point. But look at their recent pitchers….guys like Kevin Brown, Unit, Mussina, the recent Andy Petite. They paid a lot of money for these guys who couldn’t stay healthy at the back ends of their careers. The Red Sox pick their spots. Sure Schilling isn’t getting younger, but he doesn’t have the complicated motion of Kevin Brown, nor does he put stress on his elbow like Unit.
So then you look at their lineup. And this is what I love about the Red Sox. The Yankees say, we need someone to play this position, who’s the best I can get? So they end up with guys who hit 3-4-5 in lineups but hit 7-8 for the Yankees. I mean, A-Rod was hitting in the 7 spot in his first post season. Seriously. The Yankees say, who’s the best player, let’s throw him in there. Damon was a liability. End of his career. Beat up. There’s a reason the Red Sox didn’t try too hard to keep him.
When they knew they couldn’t afford him, or really want to, what’d they do. They said, “We need a CF to play in our ball park. We have a huge centerfield…we need a guy with reckless abandon. We have our future in this Ellsbury guy, but who can we go and get.” Coco Crisp was that guy and though he didn’t do what was expected of him offensively, he provided the defense that oh…won a championship. Plus, he was a good guy to have at the bottom of the order to do the little things.
Take a look at the lineup. It is absolutely perfect. Today, you have a rugged blue collar centerfielder at the top who’s going to be the face of that franchise for years. A second baseman who goes the other way and makes great contact. Then Papi and Ramirez…a first baseman who hits in the gaps, and has an OBP up around .400 ever year. Lowell to drive in runs, Varitek who can do whatever you need him to, throw in a nice left-handed JD Drew in there somewhere and a shortstop and you have a balanced lineup of guys who can do all the right things for you. Not a bunch of guys who are going to hit 50 jacks, but guys who have the ability to do what you need to win games in the post season.
Put all of those things together for the Red Sox and you have a tough team to beat. The see what the value is for their players. That’s why they didn’t keep Damon or Derek Lowe around. DICE-K has been worth every penny they paid. And you look at the big money they paid to Varitek. The leadership that he provides, supposedly since I’m not in the clubhouse, is incredibly important, especially from your rock behind the plate.
The Red Sox just get it. They get it in all accounts. They see the angles and they see how the business angles affect the game of baseball. Front office guys like to talk about the “Product they put on the Field.” That product is so well put together, it’s ridiculous. They have a team of ball players, role players, and they all fit together in the right way. You may not like them, but you have to watch them at least once a week because they seem to always be on. But even though you may be sick of it, they do it right on the field. And they have the wins and the rings to prove it.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
Surprise? I Think Not
When you pull up your Internet browser this morning, aside from the obvious political attacks on your homepage, there's bound to be something about the Masters. Along with that, is something using the word "surprise" concerning Trevor Immelman's new wardrobe addition.
Alright, who really thought Immelman would win this thing going in? Probably not you and definitely not me. So maybe we should be a little surprised that he won...if we didn't watch any of the tournament.
Trevor Immelman played so well last week it was ridiculous. He drove the ball better than anyone in the field and subsequently hit more greens than anyone else (those things do go hand in hand whether the putter companies want to tell you it or not). He didn't play 18 from the 9th fairway (Goose) or the 10th (Tiger). In fact, he didn't really do anything spectacular at all other than knock a few approaches to about 5 feet on Sunday and make that long par putt from off the green on...11 was it?
Immelman was a mechanic all week. I got my breaks fixed on Saturday. For all I know Trevor Immelman could have been replacing my rotors. They sound great.
The other thing is he didn't have to play with Tiger on the last day. Which is nice. But playing with Brandt Snedeker can't be too easy. Snedeker constantly looks like a guy who's out with Luke and me playing Gettysvue CC in Knoxville for free and being trashy enough to sneak in our own beers once we lost that little connection. Snedeker is so laid back that for a guy with the demeanor of Immelman on the course, it had to be hard to be with such a free spirit. Not that there's anything wrong with the Nashville native, but how many guys do you see go out there and actually look like they enjoy playing golf? Whenever Tiger steps on the course, he looks like the majority of his portfolio was invested in Bear Stearns. It would have to be tough to play with someone who genuinely was having a good time, don't you think?
Speaking of Tiger. The announcers talked about how poorly he played and still managed to finish second. Well, Tiger played pretty well. Immelman played better. And Tiger didn't make enough putts to win. Sure Tiger made some big shots, but he's going to do that as we all know. But what did he play 13/15 at all week? I mean, he couldn't have been more than -1 on the back's par 5's. Why? He was hitting the ball from the pine needles seemingly every time the camera was on him. And...what's he doing hitting a punch 7 iron at the pin on 12? We all know how hard it is to get at that pin on Sunday, and we've never played there. So he hits a punch 7? He's not going to have the trajectory on the ball to get it to stop...hence why he as off the back. Tiger played well. The course ate him up and he didn't make enough shots. You take the score that he had and you cannot possibly say that anyone with that number played poorly at Augusta...I don't care who it is.
Oh. I finally want to say that obviously there has been someone in the Mickelson camp reading No Owens. Why? Did you see how much weight Phil's lost? I mean, he still can't really wear that cut of golf shirt, but still. Good for him. I guess he played better when he was fat though. Either way, thanks for blowing up on Saturday Phil. I had a GREAT TIME watching it.
Alright, who really thought Immelman would win this thing going in? Probably not you and definitely not me. So maybe we should be a little surprised that he won...if we didn't watch any of the tournament.
Trevor Immelman played so well last week it was ridiculous. He drove the ball better than anyone in the field and subsequently hit more greens than anyone else (those things do go hand in hand whether the putter companies want to tell you it or not). He didn't play 18 from the 9th fairway (Goose) or the 10th (Tiger). In fact, he didn't really do anything spectacular at all other than knock a few approaches to about 5 feet on Sunday and make that long par putt from off the green on...11 was it?
Immelman was a mechanic all week. I got my breaks fixed on Saturday. For all I know Trevor Immelman could have been replacing my rotors. They sound great.
The other thing is he didn't have to play with Tiger on the last day. Which is nice. But playing with Brandt Snedeker can't be too easy. Snedeker constantly looks like a guy who's out with Luke and me playing Gettysvue CC in Knoxville for free and being trashy enough to sneak in our own beers once we lost that little connection. Snedeker is so laid back that for a guy with the demeanor of Immelman on the course, it had to be hard to be with such a free spirit. Not that there's anything wrong with the Nashville native, but how many guys do you see go out there and actually look like they enjoy playing golf? Whenever Tiger steps on the course, he looks like the majority of his portfolio was invested in Bear Stearns. It would have to be tough to play with someone who genuinely was having a good time, don't you think?
Speaking of Tiger. The announcers talked about how poorly he played and still managed to finish second. Well, Tiger played pretty well. Immelman played better. And Tiger didn't make enough putts to win. Sure Tiger made some big shots, but he's going to do that as we all know. But what did he play 13/15 at all week? I mean, he couldn't have been more than -1 on the back's par 5's. Why? He was hitting the ball from the pine needles seemingly every time the camera was on him. And...what's he doing hitting a punch 7 iron at the pin on 12? We all know how hard it is to get at that pin on Sunday, and we've never played there. So he hits a punch 7? He's not going to have the trajectory on the ball to get it to stop...hence why he as off the back. Tiger played well. The course ate him up and he didn't make enough shots. You take the score that he had and you cannot possibly say that anyone with that number played poorly at Augusta...I don't care who it is.
Oh. I finally want to say that obviously there has been someone in the Mickelson camp reading No Owens. Why? Did you see how much weight Phil's lost? I mean, he still can't really wear that cut of golf shirt, but still. Good for him. I guess he played better when he was fat though. Either way, thanks for blowing up on Saturday Phil. I had a GREAT TIME watching it.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
475 Yards, Looks Like He's Got about a 2 Iron I think...
Anyone who doesn't love the Masters can pretty much be termed un-American. And as you know, we are very American here at NO. Like, we don't even deal with prefixes before names. Strong.
The Masters is the most unique sporting event in all of sports. Why? Because it's the only event in a sport that changes it's Majors every year to stay the same. Golfers are challenged every year by rotating tourneys, I mean, is the US Open going to be at Congressional, Winged Foot (East or West) or is it going to be at Oakland Hills? The same goes for the PGA and all of those crazy courses in the UK. But the Masters is constant.
Because it can be. Unless Tiger decides otherwise. Look at the previous scores of the winners. Seldom is the winner about -10. And that's at a course that everyone plays and is completely predictable. I mean, we all pretty much know where every pin placement is going to be on Sunday, and pretty much Saturday. We know where to hit every shot. You don't go for the pin on 12 on Sunday. You just don't. But what Augusta does more than anything is mess with the players' head.
The aura and the mystique get to even the patrons. I've never been, will some day, but from what my parents say, you walk in the gate and it's just silent. The respect that the patron has is astounding. There isn't "Get in the hole" guy there. There aren't people crushing beers and yelling in Tiger's backswing. If I was there, I might yell in Phil's, but it's ok because I am the most adamant anit-Mickelson person in the world. They also said it was amazing when Chris Weinke walked in the door of the house they were staying at. Jeff Sluman referred to Weinke as Weink-Dog. I think they're the same age.
The tournament is just amazing. You can even feel the mystique on TV. Even Jim Nantz brings it to another level on Sunday at Augusta. Who do I like to win? Well, as I've said before. I picked Mike Weir to win in 2003. He did. I don't pick the Masters anymore. But if I did, I'd go with anyone that wears a Mizuno hat. Mizuno makes the hardest to hit clubs ever. And Luke Chill has an amazing Mizuno driver. All this being said, watch out for Mizuno guys to take it. They know how to hit the toughest shots in the game.
On another note, congratulations to the KU fans that read. Bill Self coached his way into that win...while Derrick Rose and CDR basically blew it and handed the game to you, but still, a title is a title and Mario Chalmers isn't really caring that he could make more foul shots blind folded than anyone in Memphis.
The Masters is the most unique sporting event in all of sports. Why? Because it's the only event in a sport that changes it's Majors every year to stay the same. Golfers are challenged every year by rotating tourneys, I mean, is the US Open going to be at Congressional, Winged Foot (East or West) or is it going to be at Oakland Hills? The same goes for the PGA and all of those crazy courses in the UK. But the Masters is constant.
Because it can be. Unless Tiger decides otherwise. Look at the previous scores of the winners. Seldom is the winner about -10. And that's at a course that everyone plays and is completely predictable. I mean, we all pretty much know where every pin placement is going to be on Sunday, and pretty much Saturday. We know where to hit every shot. You don't go for the pin on 12 on Sunday. You just don't. But what Augusta does more than anything is mess with the players' head.
The aura and the mystique get to even the patrons. I've never been, will some day, but from what my parents say, you walk in the gate and it's just silent. The respect that the patron has is astounding. There isn't "Get in the hole" guy there. There aren't people crushing beers and yelling in Tiger's backswing. If I was there, I might yell in Phil's, but it's ok because I am the most adamant anit-Mickelson person in the world. They also said it was amazing when Chris Weinke walked in the door of the house they were staying at. Jeff Sluman referred to Weinke as Weink-Dog. I think they're the same age.
The tournament is just amazing. You can even feel the mystique on TV. Even Jim Nantz brings it to another level on Sunday at Augusta. Who do I like to win? Well, as I've said before. I picked Mike Weir to win in 2003. He did. I don't pick the Masters anymore. But if I did, I'd go with anyone that wears a Mizuno hat. Mizuno makes the hardest to hit clubs ever. And Luke Chill has an amazing Mizuno driver. All this being said, watch out for Mizuno guys to take it. They know how to hit the toughest shots in the game.
On another note, congratulations to the KU fans that read. Bill Self coached his way into that win...while Derrick Rose and CDR basically blew it and handed the game to you, but still, a title is a title and Mario Chalmers isn't really caring that he could make more foul shots blind folded than anyone in Memphis.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Shot at the Title
When I was driving in this morning, Mike and Mike brought up an interesting comment before the break. They were talking about what tonight's game means to the coaches. Both guys with accomplished careers, but no titles to show for it. Does tonight put them over the top?
Coach Calapari has had a great career in college basketball. He's won a LOT of games. So too has Coach Self. But who really cares about either of them if they don't have a title?
Greenie then posed the question, who right now are the top five coaches in college hoops, and while they were at break i was thinking about who I'd have in there. After about two minutes, it was really pretty easy: K, Roy Williams, Jim Calhoun, Billy Donovan and Pitino. After that I had a couple of 1A's, not myself, Pace and Pat Kelley in Bob Daman's eyes, but Izzo and Jim Boehim, then the hot coaches like Ben Howland, Thad Matta and probably Calapari and Self. What do the first seven guys have? Right.
So what does the regular season mean? I mean, Jim Boeheim has how many wins? A million? I guarantee you he would trade every one of those wins for another ring. I don't even think there's an argument. Great regular seasons solidify keeping your job for a while in most places minus UCLA basketball, Notre Dame football, and the New York Yankees. But when it comes down to it, in every other sport other than the three listed, what does the regular season really mean?
In college basketball, you can make the tourney if you're a big program every year. Look at Arizona this year. Even UConn had a terrible start but had the athletes to scavenge for a four spot. In the NBA, you make the playoffs with a losing record in the East. In hockey, the bottom three teams in each conference that make it are usually pretty bad unless they get a hot goalie at the last second.
Even in college basketball, the only thing that really matters is what your perceived ranking is at the end of the year. Example. RPI means nothing. Who had the #1 RPI? Tennessee. What are we doing now? Hoping Memphis wins tonight so we can tell everyone that we were the -1 in their record. RPI only means something if you are in the 50-60's and your fighting for an at large big, that means nothing because you'll be lucky to get out of the first round anyway. And if you do, have fun playing UNC in the second.
If the regular season really meant anything to anyone, people would still be talking about the 16-0 New England Patriots. A great accomplishment. Didn't win the big one. No one cares. Years later when we're talking about Super Bowl champions, we'll probably say, "2008 New York Giants. Oh yeah, that was the year the Pats were undefeated going in and blew it." They're an afterthought and now always will be. Dusty Baker is always referred to as one of the best managers in baseball. I mean, he's good at...having Barry Bonds almost win him a Series against a team that was better and had a superior coach. But again, an afterthought.
So what's really the point of a great regular season? Regular seasons are only very important in a number of sports: baseball, NFL, college football. The first two because of how difficult it is to get into the post season given the few spots and college football because you can go 9-3, win a conference title, but still end up at best 5th in the country. But with the title comes immortality. You're a legend. A coach that wins a title is one of how many in D1 history? That's a strong fraternity. There are a lot of good coaches out there. But to be great, and be a legend, you have to have a title. Period. And with that, you have great regular seasons. You get the wins. You win as many games as the great ones do, you're going to get your big one. Tonight, two guys have a shot at legendary status. I like Cal.
Coach Calapari has had a great career in college basketball. He's won a LOT of games. So too has Coach Self. But who really cares about either of them if they don't have a title?
Greenie then posed the question, who right now are the top five coaches in college hoops, and while they were at break i was thinking about who I'd have in there. After about two minutes, it was really pretty easy: K, Roy Williams, Jim Calhoun, Billy Donovan and Pitino. After that I had a couple of 1A's, not myself, Pace and Pat Kelley in Bob Daman's eyes, but Izzo and Jim Boehim, then the hot coaches like Ben Howland, Thad Matta and probably Calapari and Self. What do the first seven guys have? Right.
So what does the regular season mean? I mean, Jim Boeheim has how many wins? A million? I guarantee you he would trade every one of those wins for another ring. I don't even think there's an argument. Great regular seasons solidify keeping your job for a while in most places minus UCLA basketball, Notre Dame football, and the New York Yankees. But when it comes down to it, in every other sport other than the three listed, what does the regular season really mean?
In college basketball, you can make the tourney if you're a big program every year. Look at Arizona this year. Even UConn had a terrible start but had the athletes to scavenge for a four spot. In the NBA, you make the playoffs with a losing record in the East. In hockey, the bottom three teams in each conference that make it are usually pretty bad unless they get a hot goalie at the last second.
Even in college basketball, the only thing that really matters is what your perceived ranking is at the end of the year. Example. RPI means nothing. Who had the #1 RPI? Tennessee. What are we doing now? Hoping Memphis wins tonight so we can tell everyone that we were the -1 in their record. RPI only means something if you are in the 50-60's and your fighting for an at large big, that means nothing because you'll be lucky to get out of the first round anyway. And if you do, have fun playing UNC in the second.
If the regular season really meant anything to anyone, people would still be talking about the 16-0 New England Patriots. A great accomplishment. Didn't win the big one. No one cares. Years later when we're talking about Super Bowl champions, we'll probably say, "2008 New York Giants. Oh yeah, that was the year the Pats were undefeated going in and blew it." They're an afterthought and now always will be. Dusty Baker is always referred to as one of the best managers in baseball. I mean, he's good at...having Barry Bonds almost win him a Series against a team that was better and had a superior coach. But again, an afterthought.
So what's really the point of a great regular season? Regular seasons are only very important in a number of sports: baseball, NFL, college football. The first two because of how difficult it is to get into the post season given the few spots and college football because you can go 9-3, win a conference title, but still end up at best 5th in the country. But with the title comes immortality. You're a legend. A coach that wins a title is one of how many in D1 history? That's a strong fraternity. There are a lot of good coaches out there. But to be great, and be a legend, you have to have a title. Period. And with that, you have great regular seasons. You get the wins. You win as many games as the great ones do, you're going to get your big one. Tonight, two guys have a shot at legendary status. I like Cal.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Welcome to April
And also, welcome to baseball. Everything is just better now. I mean, we had how much time between the end of college football and baseball? Too much is the answer. We have eluded a little bit for things to watch for, but before we get to that, let me address college basketball briefly before we get to baseball.
This is probably the most boring NCAA Basketball tournament of all time. The one's just ripped through everyone, other than Kansas, but no offense to the Jayhawk readers, it's about time for their annual choke/running out of gas. Memphis looks like an NBA team. I was doing something on Friday before I got home just before half time to the site of Memphis leading by 30. I mean, it was almost boring. I hope that these teams really are the real deal, because I can't stand to see another blow out.
Anyhow. The big stories yesterday as we kicked off the season, because the games in Japan don't count as the teams actually go back to Spring Training upon arrival in the states, really centered around the big acquisitions. We'll start with my first round fantasy pick Miguel Cabrera who hit the first home run of opening day. Cabrera who got a just absurd contract showed everyone that he is all business and ready to take on the task of being the man in Detroit. The only thing is, their lineup is so stacked that he's hitting fifth. Fantasy owners such as myself are loving that right about now.
Kosuke Fukudome certainly made his presence felt at his Wrigley opener going 3-3 with a big homer and 3 RBI. Now, certainly his 3 run jack kept the game alive, but his base running error really was the difference in the game. Welcome to America where we have arms in our outfield.
Johan Santana showed up for the Mets. He lit it up and looked like the Santana that we know and pretty much love unless he's pitching against us. Though Jake Peavy was the most impressive opening day pitcher, it's pretty nice to see Santana get it right and show up in a big way on the biggest stage. Now, I don't even know so I'm going to look it up right now. But who is starting for the Mets today? Oh, it's Pedro Martinez. Probably the two most dominant pitchers of the past 15 years are pitching on back to back days for the same team. If you recall, we are big Pedro fans here with his ability to adjust. Hopefully he can stay healthy for our sake. You want to see Pedro chucking against the Yankees.
Finally. I really expect this to be the year of the injury. Look at recent years and the big names that go down. Pretty much everyone big has spent time on the DL in the past 3 years. Everyone except A-Rod. I'm not wishing injury on anyone, but all of these guys go down and often times see major time on the DL. Look at the percentages...it's A-Rod's time. Pujols is flirting with disaster with the elbow and that thing could very well blow up in his face. The old pitchers are starting to really get into trouble. And what happens when the young guns get back into it? CC Sabathia has seemingly forgotten how to beat people. Usually a sign of major injury. I'm telling you, don't be surprised if some big timers go down for significant time this year. It's coming.
This is probably the most boring NCAA Basketball tournament of all time. The one's just ripped through everyone, other than Kansas, but no offense to the Jayhawk readers, it's about time for their annual choke/running out of gas. Memphis looks like an NBA team. I was doing something on Friday before I got home just before half time to the site of Memphis leading by 30. I mean, it was almost boring. I hope that these teams really are the real deal, because I can't stand to see another blow out.
Anyhow. The big stories yesterday as we kicked off the season, because the games in Japan don't count as the teams actually go back to Spring Training upon arrival in the states, really centered around the big acquisitions. We'll start with my first round fantasy pick Miguel Cabrera who hit the first home run of opening day. Cabrera who got a just absurd contract showed everyone that he is all business and ready to take on the task of being the man in Detroit. The only thing is, their lineup is so stacked that he's hitting fifth. Fantasy owners such as myself are loving that right about now.
Kosuke Fukudome certainly made his presence felt at his Wrigley opener going 3-3 with a big homer and 3 RBI. Now, certainly his 3 run jack kept the game alive, but his base running error really was the difference in the game. Welcome to America where we have arms in our outfield.
Johan Santana showed up for the Mets. He lit it up and looked like the Santana that we know and pretty much love unless he's pitching against us. Though Jake Peavy was the most impressive opening day pitcher, it's pretty nice to see Santana get it right and show up in a big way on the biggest stage. Now, I don't even know so I'm going to look it up right now. But who is starting for the Mets today? Oh, it's Pedro Martinez. Probably the two most dominant pitchers of the past 15 years are pitching on back to back days for the same team. If you recall, we are big Pedro fans here with his ability to adjust. Hopefully he can stay healthy for our sake. You want to see Pedro chucking against the Yankees.
Finally. I really expect this to be the year of the injury. Look at recent years and the big names that go down. Pretty much everyone big has spent time on the DL in the past 3 years. Everyone except A-Rod. I'm not wishing injury on anyone, but all of these guys go down and often times see major time on the DL. Look at the percentages...it's A-Rod's time. Pujols is flirting with disaster with the elbow and that thing could very well blow up in his face. The old pitchers are starting to really get into trouble. And what happens when the young guns get back into it? CC Sabathia has seemingly forgotten how to beat people. Usually a sign of major injury. I'm telling you, don't be surprised if some big timers go down for significant time this year. It's coming.
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