Bye Bye, Junior

I was fortunate to see Junior Griffey play two weeks ago…possibly for the last time?  He approved a trade with the ChiSox today.  This isn’t one of those “never met expecations” or “countdown to the next injury” posts, because those are over-done anyway, but rather, I’m just sad to see him go.  I heard his 600th HR on the radio as it happened, have seen him hit a walkoff double to win a game in extra innings, and saw him make the best defensive play I’ve ever seen in a game vs Detroit (when he was with Seattle, but that’s beside the point).

Farewell, Junior, and may ye get the ring ye seek so heartily.

Team USA Basketball – Likes & Dislikes…

Today I watched Team USA basketball pretty much destroy Team Canada in a warm up game that took place last night out in Las Vegas.  USA put down a Steve Nash-less Canada by a score of 120-65.  I thought I would put together a list of things I like about Team USA, and things I do not like.

Likes.

1) They run like crazy.  They pretty much play a pre-Shaq Phoenix Suns style of offense.  Very up and down and fun to watch.  They take a ton of shots, and so they will likely score a lot.  They have 3 excellent playmakers in Kidd, CP3 (crotch puncher) and Deron Williams, so it should be good.

2) Kobe.  For my money, Kobe is the best player in the world.  He consistently amazes me by the type of shots and plays that he can make.  He is poetry in motion.   Rather than be the scorer we would expect him to be (and that he is on the Lakers), he has chosen to be a defensive stopper, asking to guard the opposing teams’ best perimeter players.

3) The inclusion of role players.  In the 2004 Olympics, where team USA took home a disappointing Bronze medal, the team suffered tremendously for lack of players who could do all the little things (like play defense and hit open jump shots) that often make a team successful.  Enter Tayshaun Prince and Michael Redd.  Tay Tay brought in solely for his defensive prowess, and Redd brought in for his jump shooting (6-8 from 3 point range against Canada with 20 points).

4) Dwayne Wade.  He looked awesome against Canada.  It was a true return to form for Wade, who suffered and played through a pretty lousy shoulder injury last season with the Heat.  There is a reason they call him “the Flash“.  He is so quick, and plays with reckless abandon, and somehow manages to look cool and collected at all times.

5) Our defense.  To call Team USA’s defense “tenacious” would be an under-statement.  They are constantly running and poking at the ball.  They made Team Canada work tremendously hard during every possession.

OK, now Dislikes…

1) Number one has got to be Coach Mike Krzyzewski.  Like most people who attended the University of Maryland (Fear the Turtle), I hate his freaking guts.  I don’t care if he’s a good coach, or if the players are really responding to him.  He is the devil.

2) Lebron James.  O, I hate him too.  He is so cocky and confident, and he seriously thinks he’s the best player on the planet.  You will never be as good as Michael Jordan!  NEVER!!!  Your commercials suck!

3) Lack of front court size.  Even with Dwight Howard on the team, I worry about us down low.  Bosh, Howard and Boozer are our go to guys in the middle and not one of them is over 7 feet.  Howard is the only true center.  I would feel much more comfortable if we had Tyson Chandler instead of Carlos Boozer.  I think we may get abused in the middle.

4) Our Uniforms.  The back of our Unis have some sort of sparkly designy thing going on, and it’s unnecessary and ugly.  Plus, we are rocking the Ohio State-esque small tops with large, baggy shorts/manpris.  I don’t think I like that look.

5) Our egos.  As cool as it is to watch our team completely annihilate the opposing team, do you really need to pound your chest and scream after dunking on guys who are no where near NBA talent?   We should have more class than that.  Also, I think we are more prone to defeat because, in general, I don’t think they think they can be beaten.  They have some players who are capable of making some truly boneheaded plays, and they need to respect these opposing teams, or they will pay for it.

So yeah, overall, its basketball, and its the best team in the world (probably), so I’m into it.  I predict gold.

The Redskins just got a lot better. And dancier.

I’m happy my first Redskins post is something I’m excited about.  The Redskins traded away two draft picks to get the 2006 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Jason Taylor.  Since the Skins have shown they dislike draft picks so much, that’s like trading away two peices of melba toast for a Star Crunch at the elementary school lunch table.  And I’d have to say, I’m on board with the Taylor Express.  Here’s a list of things that excite me about Jason Taylor:

• 2006 Defensive Player of the Year (I just said that)
• 6-time Pro Bowler
• 117 sacks, 41 forced fumbles, 7 INT’s
• Is the all-time leader in defensive touchdowns for defensive lineman
• 2007 Walter Payton Man of the Year
• When he sacks a QB, he might do this with Fred Smoot as his partner
• He looks like the Silver Surfer

Honestly, who knows how the Redskins are going to do this year?  They have a first time head coach, new coordinators and coaching staff, and a new offensive system.  But the one thing that has stayed relatively the same is the defense.  The D Coordinator, Greg Blache, has at least been coaching with the team for a while and has experience with the players.  The Skins also have Andre Carter on the D Line, who had 10.5 sacks last year should be a great bookend with Taylor.  If the Skins are going to make another run into the playoffs, it’s going to now have to start with the defense.

And while we’re here, I’m taking a peek at the Skins’ schedule and it might be their easiest in the past 10 years.  They play Arizona, St. Louis, Cleveland, Detroit, Baltimore, Cincy, and Detroit.  I mean, both Ohio teams?  How much more of a cake-walk can you get, right Eric?  If we go 3-3 in the NFC East, we’re on our way to at least a 10 win season.  At least. 

That’s exciting!

Heading to the Ballpark Tonight

I’m heading out to the ballpark to see the Reds take on the Mets.  Maybe Frank knows this, but does Mr. Met ever travel with the team?  It would be sweet to see the Reds and Mets mascots duke it out, considering they are both people with a giant baseball for a head. 

Anyway, I was looking for an excuse to post this picture.  The more I think about it, the better it is.

Story of the Year Part II

This is non-sports related, but a fantastic story nonetheless, so I thought I’d share. 

Extreme Makeover/Home Edition just built a house 3 doors down (like the band) from a friend of mine here in Cincy.  Here is the story of the Akers Family, recepients of the new house:

“They had their first child Christian in 1998, and then two years later they had their second child Brooke. When Brooke was only 15 months old, she was diagnosed with Type II Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Ginger and Greg were devastated, but loved their children and knew that their faith in God would help them handle having a child with a life-threatening disease.  In 2004 their third child Faith was born with SMA as well. Once again, Greg and Ginger faced another challenge. As if this wasn’t enough for one family to handle, Christian was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2005.  That’s the same disease that his father had been suffering from since he was diagnosed in 1992.”

So the Akers lived in a Bi-Level house (similar to that on 38th in MD), which you can imagine is probably the worst type of house for two kids with wheelchairs to live in.  The Akers’ new house is much more accessible and should improve the family’s home life dramatically.  The Akers family returns home this morning; Jenna will be at our friends house and hopefully get some pictures when they “move that bus!”

More proof that Cincinnati is a rockin’ awesome place to live…

Story of the Year

Um…did anyone see the Josh Hamilton home run rampage last night?  I did.  I’m trying to think of a word to describe it, but I don’t think that’s possible.  Maybe the closest word to describe it is “impossible.”

Here’s a link to the video compilation of his first round heroism, courtesy of the blog Awful Announcing.

If anyone needs a new favorite player to root for, he’s emphatically made his case.  He’ll also be taking over the ESPN headlines for weeks to come.

Hit Tracker

I came across an interesting website today, Hit Tracker.  Here, home run data are compiled and true home run distances are computed.  I checked out Adam Dunn, who has 26 home runs at the All-Star break.  He plays half of the time at Great American Ballpark, a field known for being a hitter’s ballpark.  Some analysts (no, I don’t have any hard evidence to back it up, but just take my word for it) discount Dunn’s hitting performance, saying that he would have far less home runs if he played in a pitcher’s park.  Checking out this site, though, proves that most of his home runs would be dingers in every ball park. 

Anyway, its a cool site to waste some time on if you’re bored (which you probably are if you are reading this).

Bold Predictions

I made a bold prediction in the comments section of Eric’s post about the Brewers making the playoffs.  I’m just watching SportsCenter right now and Buster Olney, baseball expert, just made his own bold prediction on their “Bold Predictions” segment.  One might think he’s reading this blog and stealing our content, because his bold prediction was that the Brewers will make the playoffs.  Too late, Buster!  Get your own material!  Who calls themselves “Buster”, anyway?  Is that a nickname?  Is that supposed to intimidate me?  Is that a tribute to his favorite shoes he wore as a kid?  Is he a former Newsie?

Anyway.  Because there will inevitably be more ESPN talking heads who will blantantly steal my opinions without naming me as their source, I’m going to document some more Bold Predictions, if only to awe and inspire ESPN.  Also, I will be coining the phrase “BoPre”, which, in case you can’t figure it out, is my shortening of “Bold Prediction”.  I hope you all will adopt this term on this blog.

Since the first half of the baseball season literally just ended like an hour ago (with the Mets’ 9th win in a row, I might add…let’s go Mets!), I’m going to make one BoPre for each division in baseball in the second half of the season.  Here we go….wheeee:

BoPre AL East:  The Orioles will finish over .500 this season.  If you don’t think this is bold, you need readjust your antennae and attempt to tune in to this team’s last ten years.

BoPre AL Central:  This is Jim Leyland’s final year as Tigers manager.  The ‘06 WS runners up are making up some ground as of late, but they dug themselves into too big a whole and won’t get out of it.  Leyland takes the hit (or possibly dies of old age).

BoPre AL West:  Ichiro will be traded.  I have done no research to back this up.  I have no idea how viable or possible it would be for Seattle to trade Ichiro, in fiscal terms.  This is pure speculation and, basically, a shot in the dark.  But you cannot argue it isn’t bold.

BoPre NL East:  The Mets reach the World Series.  I did not make this BoPre because I am a huge Mets fan.  I am merely of the opinion that they have the best collection of baseball players on one team in the National League.

BoPre NL Central:  Carlos Zambrano win the NL Cy Young.  He does not lead any significant statistical pitching category right now.  By season’s end, he will lead many.

BoPre NL West:  The Rockies will win the division.  This reeks of straight up what-you-talkin-bout-Willis-ness.  But the Rockies have pretty much the same team as last year and everyone else in this division is craptacular.  Even though they’re 20 games below .500, they’re not that far back.  They’re also quite bold.

44 it is…..

Back in April, I thought it would be zero. In May, I was surprised, and couldn’t imagine us getting to 20. Alas, here we are in July, and it appears we have hit that magic number – a much higher number than any of us O’s fans could have dared to imagine. That’s right boys – the O’s were still a .500 ball club at 44 wins, and I don’t see us getting back there again.

Oh, how they teased us so, with their great young talent and blue collar style. We reveled in their come-from-behind victories, and were amazed by the fact that the stats just didn’t add up. How could they keep on winning with such poor numbers? Well, the day has finally arrived gentleman. Perhaps a win against Cito (yes, that guy who stiffed the Moose in the 90s – I’m still bitter) and the blue birds will push it to 45, but let’s be realistic – we have the Sox away next, and it is the All-Star break. Game, set, match – see ya in 2009, O’s.

Well, at least Mayland baseball is not as bad as those two sad, overrated teams from Ohio (sorry, Eric!)

Will the real slim shady – ergh – playoff contenders please stand up in the AL? Take a seat Rays – it has been fun, but you aren’t ready yet. Here come the usual suspects, making their move – Red Sox, Angels, Tigers (they are making their move – I can’t wait to see Guillen blow a fuse when the White Sox get knocked out), and yes, the Yankees too.

And I depart with this one request – please, please, somebody get the juice boy a razor! The ’stache must go!

Bynum Boots, O’s Lose

I just saw Freddie Bynum watch a grounder slowly roll through his legs to allow the game winning run to score in the bottom of the ninth against the Toronto Blue Jays.  It seems as though he may have been auditioning for the part of “Croquet Wicket #2″ in the Greater Essex Community Center play: Alice in Wonderland Goes to Jail.  Either that or he momentarily forgot how to see.

Whatever the case, I think this game signals the end of the Orioles’ surprising success this year and points toward getting back to the rebuilding phase of the Andy McPhail plan.  Remember, there are 3 phases to that plan:

1.  Trade best players for highly touted, young prospects

2.  Poison Peter Angelos

3.  Win World Series

As much as a feel-good story it would be for the O’s to make a run this year, it’s not worth it.  The bullpen is obviously not goint to hold up as much as it has already and the one run games are going to start to even out against the O’s.  The Rays have already taken the underdog mojo anyway, I don’t think there’s enough mojo juice to go around.  So to piggy-back off the two previous posts, the O’s should keep the plan they had in the offseason and stay the course.  Staying the course worked for George W. Bush, right?

And sorry for the 3rd Orioles post in a row.  Maybe we should have considered starting this blog back up when more than just baseball and tennis is going on.  Although, at least we’re not talking about A-Rod and Madonna, ya know?