World Series Notes
Josh Beckett
Around 7 years ago my friend stole a pack of baseball cards from the local sports collectible store. It was one of those expensive Upper Deck packs, which usually came with at least one great insert card. He was kind enough to give me this hot pack of cards, which I was ecstatic to open since I was usually relegated to buying the more economically friendly ones. Inside was a Josh Beckett, special edition draft day baseball card. I had never heard of Beckett at the time since he was yet to pitch in the major leagues. When I checked the card in the baseball card price guide, I was surprised to see the card was amongst the most valuable in the set. This told me Beckett must be a highly touted MLB prospect. As the owner of this prized card, I now had a financial stake in Beckett's career. I've since followed Beckett' with a keen eye from his 2001 rookie season with the Marlins. This means I've seen this baseball card go from diamond to coal on numerous occasions. For example, I was all but ready to cash in on what seemed like the start of a Hall Of Fame career after his brilliant 2003 postseason and World Series. His appearance on the Jay Leno show after Game 6 sealed it for me. But instead of riding the momentum from 2003 into a what should have been a CY Young year, injuries and inconsistencies were the story of his following season (9-9 record in 2004). In 2005 he bounced back, having the best year of his career and making 30+ starts for the first time. He was hitting his stride again and appeared poised to be the dominant pitcher I dreamed he would be in 2000. But then 2006 rolled along and Beckett was traded to the Red Sox and had an abysmal season by his standards (5.01 ERA). He bounced back again in 2007 though, as the MLB's only 20 game winner and he then put on a show for the ages AGAIN in his first trip back to the postseason since 2003.
Last night was Game 1 of the 2007 World Series. Beckett seemed unbeatable in the first 2 rounds of the playoffs and proved again last night why he is the best big-game pitcher in MLB. He gave up one run last night against a Rockies team that has been hotter than any team since the A's won 20 straight in 2002, and probably would have held them scoreless if he mixed in his curveball more early on. He was essentially blowing away top-notch MLB hitters, MVP candidate Matt Holliday included, on one pitch in the early innings and making them look like Little Leaguers with his 12 to 6 curve down the stretch. So right now I'm stuck at that crossroads again on whether I should sell my prized Beckett rookie card off his postseason success OR wait to see if he'll have a Hall of Fame career. I feel like I've been here before...
Manny & Ortiz
Around 7 years ago my friend stole a pack of baseball cards from the local sports collectible store. It was one of those expensive Upper Deck packs, which usually came with at least one great insert card. He was kind enough to give me this hot pack of cards, which I was ecstatic to open since I was usually relegated to buying the more economically friendly ones. Inside was a Josh Beckett, special edition draft day baseball card. I had never heard of Beckett at the time since he was yet to pitch in the major leagues. When I checked the card in the baseball card price guide, I was surprised to see the card was amongst the most valuable in the set. This told me Beckett must be a highly touted MLB prospect. As the owner of this prized card, I now had a financial stake in Beckett's career. I've since followed Beckett' with a keen eye from his 2001 rookie season with the Marlins. This means I've seen this baseball card go from diamond to coal on numerous occasions. For example, I was all but ready to cash in on what seemed like the start of a Hall Of Fame career after his brilliant 2003 postseason and World Series. His appearance on the Jay Leno show after Game 6 sealed it for me. But instead of riding the momentum from 2003 into a what should have been a CY Young year, injuries and inconsistencies were the story of his following season (9-9 record in 2004). In 2005 he bounced back, having the best year of his career and making 30+ starts for the first time. He was hitting his stride again and appeared poised to be the dominant pitcher I dreamed he would be in 2000. But then 2006 rolled along and Beckett was traded to the Red Sox and had an abysmal season by his standards (5.01 ERA). He bounced back again in 2007 though, as the MLB's only 20 game winner and he then put on a show for the ages AGAIN in his first trip back to the postseason since 2003.
Last night was Game 1 of the 2007 World Series. Beckett seemed unbeatable in the first 2 rounds of the playoffs and proved again last night why he is the best big-game pitcher in MLB. He gave up one run last night against a Rockies team that has been hotter than any team since the A's won 20 straight in 2002, and probably would have held them scoreless if he mixed in his curveball more early on. He was essentially blowing away top-notch MLB hitters, MVP candidate Matt Holliday included, on one pitch in the early innings and making them look like Little Leaguers with his 12 to 6 curve down the stretch. So right now I'm stuck at that crossroads again on whether I should sell my prized Beckett rookie card off his postseason success OR wait to see if he'll have a Hall of Fame career. I feel like I've been here before...
Manny & Ortiz
Jeff Francis is a very good major league pitcher. He's also been terrific this postseason. But no left-handed pitcher that struggles to hit 90 mph on the radar gun is going to get Manny Ramirez out, especially in a big game, especially at Fenway Park, especially in the World Series, especially when Manny's locked in, especially when the likes of Sabathia and Carmona couldn't get him out in ALCS. Ramirez is putting on a show right now and nobody should be surprised if he wins his 2nd World Series MVP award.
The one thing about this World Series, other than the Rockies' 8 day layoff, that I'm SICK of hearing about from every sports media outlet is the debate over what the Red Sox will do defensively with Ortiz and Ramirez when they have to play in the NL park. Do people realize that both these guys play the 2 defensive positions (1st base and LF) with the least amount of impact on a game? Does anybody realize that Big Papi and Manny are 2 of the best hitters of this generation and they're collective bats more than make up for any shortcoming they have in the field. For God's sake, they play 1st base and left field, NOT shortstop and catcher. Kevin Youkilis is a very good 1st baseman, but he's not Keither Hernandez ala 1986. He'll make a good play and won't make mistakes, but he's not going to somehow limit what the Rockies do offensively. Sitting Ortiz for Youkilis would be insane. If anything Youkilis should play RF for that deadbeat JD Drew. Now watch Ortiz have a Bill Buckner-like blunder in Game 5.
The one thing about this World Series, other than the Rockies' 8 day layoff, that I'm SICK of hearing about from every sports media outlet is the debate over what the Red Sox will do defensively with Ortiz and Ramirez when they have to play in the NL park. Do people realize that both these guys play the 2 defensive positions (1st base and LF) with the least amount of impact on a game? Does anybody realize that Big Papi and Manny are 2 of the best hitters of this generation and they're collective bats more than make up for any shortcoming they have in the field. For God's sake, they play 1st base and left field, NOT shortstop and catcher. Kevin Youkilis is a very good 1st baseman, but he's not Keither Hernandez ala 1986. He'll make a good play and won't make mistakes, but he's not going to somehow limit what the Rockies do offensively. Sitting Ortiz for Youkilis would be insane. If anything Youkilis should play RF for that deadbeat JD Drew. Now watch Ortiz have a Bill Buckner-like blunder in Game 5.
Tim McCarver & FOX
Everybody and their mother makes fun of FOX's Tim McCarver. He may be the most hated national announcer this side of Billy Packer. I've been trying to put my finger on what it is, other than his sometimes asinine comments and observations, that distinguish his level of annoyance from all of the other broadcasters. I actually figured it out a couple of months ago when he was assigned to a Mets game and I think if I point it out it will become obvious the next time you hear him. McCarver plays 6-degrees of separation, or 6-degrees of Kevin Bacon, during every broadcast, and he does it the entire game. He has somehow based his entire broadcasting career on playing connect-the-dots. Watch tonight, somehow McCarver will link the life paths of the bat boy from the 1889 Cincinnati Red Stocking to Red Sox manager Terry Francona. And he won't stop there.
Sidenote - It would be nice last night if FOX sideline reporter Chris Meyers knew that the Rockies actually played the Phillies in the first round of the playoffs, not the Cubs. It would also be nice if somebody corrected him. Just a thought.
Concluding the RH Hitter Debate (for now)
I recently wrote to considerable length comparing and contrasting the great right handed hitters in baseball. I think this is how each of the 4 should be remembered.
Vladimir Guerrero:
Concluding the RH Hitter Debate (for now)
I recently wrote to considerable length comparing and contrasting the great right handed hitters in baseball. I think this is how each of the 4 should be remembered.
Vladimir Guerrero:
Calling Card: Most Dangerous Hitter. If you're going to pitch around him you better intentionally walk him because Guerrero can hit anything. This is best illustrated in the 2006 All Star game when Brad Penny was literally mowing through the AL lineup until Guerrero hit a 98mph fastball at his eyes out of the ballpark.
Fatal Flaw: Injury prone, hasn't produced in 16 postseason games.
Albert Pujols:
Calling Card: Best overall hitter in baseball, right or lefty.
Fatal Flaw: When you're having a "bad year" and you're OPS is .997, I don't think you're flawed.
Manny Ramirez:
Calling Card: Most Feared Hitter, on any given night you can't get him out.
Fatal Flaw: Manny Being Manny, sometimes he just doesn't show up to play.
Alex Rodriguez:
Fatal Flaw: Injury prone, hasn't produced in 16 postseason games.
Albert Pujols:
Calling Card: Best overall hitter in baseball, right or lefty.
Fatal Flaw: When you're having a "bad year" and you're OPS is .997, I don't think you're flawed.
Manny Ramirez:
Calling Card: Most Feared Hitter, on any given night you can't get him out.
Fatal Flaw: Manny Being Manny, sometimes he just doesn't show up to play.
Alex Rodriguez:
Calling Card: Most Complete Player of the the group and generation behind Bonds.
Fatal Flaw: Hitting top-level pitching/Postseason shortcomings
Week 9.... In the league where they play for a modest monetary stipend allocated by their school and conference.
All lines graciously provided by sportsbook.com
#21 California @ #4 Arizona State (-3)
Arizona State will attempt to show the nation that they are deserving of the #4 ranking in the country. Notable wins for the Sun Devils are against Washington, Washington St., Stanford, Oregon St, and Colorado. If this were 1997 that would be quite the impressive resume. It is difficult for me to concede that the Cal Bears, who were ranked #2 in the BCS just 2 weeks ago can somehow lose 3 straight Pac-10 games. Elway's son isn't on the ASU roster yet... (Bears +3)
#21 California @ #4 Arizona State (-3)
Arizona State will attempt to show the nation that they are deserving of the #4 ranking in the country. Notable wins for the Sun Devils are against Washington, Washington St., Stanford, Oregon St, and Colorado. If this were 1997 that would be quite the impressive resume. It is difficult for me to concede that the Cal Bears, who were ranked #2 in the BCS just 2 weeks ago can somehow lose 3 straight Pac-10 games. Elway's son isn't on the ASU roster yet... (Bears +3)
#7 West Virginia @ Rutgers (+6.5)
Obviously a huge win for Rutgers last week @ home against then #2 South Florida. Rutgers is an all-together different team in home night games, as seen in the Louisville win last year and the aforementioned USF game. But this game is NOT at night and Rutgers needed 2 fluky special teams plays to win last week. Plus, I'm gonna ride Pat White another week after he covered the 24.5 point line for me in WVU's last game against Mississippi St. (Mountaineers -6.5)
#9 Kansas @ Texas A&M (+2.5)
Kasas made me eat my words last week with their road win in Boulder. But seriously, Kansas has to lose at some point this season and College Station is among the hardest places to play in the college football. A&M was exposed by Texas Tech but they may have gotten their confidence back by decimating Nebraska on the road last week. (Aggies +2.5)
Iowa St @ #13 Missouri (-28.5)
Last week I compared Iowa State to the Little Giants after they were thoroughly embarrassed at home in Week 7 by Texas (56-3). Then somehow Iowa State held Oklahoma, who averaged nearly 49 points/game going into Week 8, to 17 points. I don't know what to think anymore. (Cyclones +28.5)
#10 South Florida @ Connecticut (+4.5)
The gravy train was derailed last week for USF, but don't be fooled. South Florida is a really good team and Rutgers needed 2 special teams plays and a raucous home crowd to squeak out a victory. Connecticut is coming off a nice home win against Louisville but they were helped somewhat by the rainy weather that slowed down the usual Brian Brohm's aerial assault. Needless to say, this is a must win game for both teams if they look to contend with West Virgina for the Big East crown. (Bulls -4.5)
#12 USC @ #5 Oregon (-3)
Oregon has one notable win @ then reeling Michigan. USC has no notable wins, unless you count their beat down of Nebraska, who may of just officially hit rock bottom. A loss for either team takes them completely out of the national championship picture. What we know is that both teams have elite level offenses, especially running games. But USC has more pro prospects on defense (Sedrick Ellis, Keith Rivers, Lawrence Jackson, among others) than the Ducks, and should be able to slow down Oregon more than Oregon can slow down USC. Player to watch: USC Sophomore RB Stafon Johnson, 7.9yds/carry. (Trojans +3)
#1 Ohio State @ Penn State (+4)
Do we really need Ohio State to go undefeated in the Big-10 and get slaughtered in the BCS championship game again? If you're a fan of college football, pray for Penn State to win this game. Save us Joe Pa!
(Nittany Lions +4)
Rest of my Picks...
@ #18 Georgia @ #11 Florida (-8.5)
Mississippi St @ #15 Kentucky (-14)
#15 Virgina (-3) @ NC State
#16 South Carolina (-3) @ Tennessee
Nebraska @ #19 Texas (-21)
Minnesota (+23.5) @ #20 Michigan
Ole Miss (+17.5) @ #22 Auburn
New Mexico St @ Hawaii (-28)
Pittsburgh (+10.5) @ Louisville
Colorado @ Texas Tech (-13.5)
Clemson @ Maryland (+3.5)
Duke (+17.5) @ Florida State
Last week (8-6-0)
I'm an Idiot because......
- I underestimated Kansas last week @ Colorado.
- I overestimated Texas Tech last week @ Missouri.
- I bet against Nick Saban at home.
- I gave too much credit to Penn State's offense.
I'm a Genius because...
- I had Miami over Florida St, outright.
- I nailed my USC @ ND prediction
- My Player to Watch DJ Hall put on a show against Tennessee (13 rec, 185 yds, 2TD)
- I had West Virgina (-24.5) against Miss St and they won by 25.
- Rutgers (+2) against then #2 USF.
Week 8 NFL picks tomorrow.
Suggestions/Comments/Questions are welcome and encouraged.
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