Offseason Plans-Reds
Next up is the Reds. Let's see.
REDS OFFSEASON PLANS:
Who will they bring back?:Catching could be an issue, as Paul Bako and, potentially Javier Valentin won't be back. Jerry Hairston Jr's been pretty good. I could see him back. Goodbye Corey Patterson. Same with Jeremy Affeldt. Same with David Weathers.
Who will they get?: Catching, so look for them to target Miguel Olivo, Michael Barrett, or Rod Barajas. Shortstop could be targeted as well, with Rafael Furcal and Cesar Izturis on the radar.Some outfielders are needed.
Projected '09 Rotation:
Volquez
Harang
Cueto
Arroyo
Owings
Projected '09 Lineup:
Olivo, C
Votto, 1B
Phillip, 2B
Furcal, SS
Encarnacion, 3B
Jason Michaels, LF
Bruce, CF
Freel, LF
Relievers/Other Acquisitions:
Damaso Marte, RP
Dennys Reyes, RP
They have a lot of young talent to contend in a few years. Next: St. Louis Cardinals.
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Debate Nonsense
Forgive my tone: I hate debates. I despise them. I want to throw up. I don't care what they say, because half the time they'll just do the opposite. What I do care about is, the petty, and careless attacks on the other candidate. Enough already. When one enters political office, they do so to better the country. This? Not bettering the country. It's worsening it. I want this country to be equal, together, united. If we fight over who said this, who said that, we're just making what we have as a nation worse. I don't care what McCain said last week, or what Obama said the other day. I want to know who the best man for the job is. My wish, and regular readers know, is to eliminate pundits, eliminate debates, eliminate this crap. Because if you sit in front of the TV, with MSNBC in the background, you're going to make rash decisions. Look at the financial crisis. People panicked. They did it during the Great Depression and are doing it now. If one person panics, and takes their money out, the whole nation panics. It's a vicious cycle. So, if you turn on the news, and see that Obama flipped flopped, you'll panic and go to McCain, or vice versa. It's an indelible act. Because once one does it, another does it. I turned off the debate, threw my notepad down, and slammed my door. All in anger. Cause I can't stand it. I can't stand John McCain having his sly smile every-time he's about to diss Obama. And I can't stand it when Obama corrects McCain, citing his own policy, only to have it disagreed upon by McCain, and vice versa. Now, you can read this, and you can think 'Man, this guy is crazy. He doesn't care about who is elected.' But that's not true. I almost care too much about who's elected. I care too much about this country to see someone who I utterly think will hurt America be elected. I can't sit back and allow it. If I continue to listen to 'pundit speak' I will go crazy. If I continue to sit back and listen to petty criticism that has absolutely nothing to do with who can run the country better, I will go crazy. I'm going crazy. I'm going crazy sitting and listening to my television, going on the Internet. It's everywhere. This whole notion of listening to 'experts' ramble on is leading to what I call 'the dumbing down of America'. Now, you might think I'm going off on a huge tangent. I am. Sort of. But it's all connected. I wish I could articulate it better but I can't. Americans are forming opinions from Fox News, from CNN, from MSNBC, from bloggers, from the Internet. No. It has to stop. Make your own opinions. Don't listen to what I have to say, or what a pundit has to say. Listen to what's important to you. Listen to that voice that nags at you, telling you what is wrong, what is right. That's what's important. You could listen to the debate, and, probably form your own opinions. But the second its over, and those pundits come one, your moral compass is turned off. Not on purpose. Gosh no. It's a subconscious feeling that takes over. Americans, in general, are captivated by sensationalism. News is sensationalism. It, by the form it takes, draws you in with captivating headlines, with breaking news, with controversy. There's a simple formula in America: News=Decisions. No. Let's stop. Let's turn off the pundits, and really listen to what's important: yourself.
NFL Power Rankings
Here we go:
1. Cowboys
I'm still worried about that D, but offense is unstoppable.
2. Giants
Pulled one from out of nowhere against the Bengals, but pass rush is fearsome, and Eli Manning is as cool as the other side of the pillow.
3. Broncos
Read Cowboys
4. Titans
Defense is stifling, but can they score?
5. Bills
A young, fresh, energetic, exciting team, that has to be salivating over the new look AFC East
6. Eagles
Impressive win over the Steelers
7. Packers
Tough loss Sunday night, but Aaron Rodgers is the real deal.
8. Panthers
Have a look of determination about them.
9. Bucs
Gritty, gutty win by Griese and Co.
10. Cardinals
Kurt Warner is on fire.
11. San Diego
Was Monday night the break out win they needed?
12. Baltimore
Don't look now, but they're leading the division. Not sure about Flacco though.
13. Pittsburgh
Big Ben looks really hurt.
14. Washington
Tough test against Dallas.
15. Colts
Who would've thought that they would be 1-2?
16. Jags
See above
17. Vikings
See above
18. 49ers
Who would've thought that they would be 2-1?
19. Bears
Need a QB. Badly.
20. Pats
Bad, bad loss against the Dolphins.
21. Falcons
Don't get too riled up. They beat the Lions and the Chiefs.
22. Saints
So much talent, too many injuries.
23. Seahawks
Need receivers, fast.
24. Houston
I'm still a believer. But I'm not holding out much hope.
25. Oakland
McFadden's the real deal. JaMarcus? Not so much.
26. Browns
They need to go to Brady Quinn
27.Jets
How is Brett Favre workin' for ya?
28. Dolphins
Impressive win, but they're still a while away.
29. Lions
They need a ton of help.
30. Bengals
Almost won one against the champs.
31.St. Louis
They're terrible. Just awful.
32. Chiefs.
Tyler Thigpen. 'Nuff said.
Offseason Plans-Pirates
I've been terrible keeping up with this. My fault. Summer ended, more work, just haven't gotten around to it. I apologize. Now, we go the pitiful Pirates.
PIRATES OFFSEASON PLANS:
Who will they bring back?: Doug Mientkewicz is a good guy. But he won't be back. Jack Wilson won't be back; it seems like we've been saying that forever, though. Jason Michaels might not be back either.
Who will they get?: Not many guys. They have to stick to the farm, build through the draft. I've heard rumblings from baseball sources that Nate McLouth might be gone; Andrew McCutchen seems like his likely replacement. A shortstop on the cheap is needed to replace the void of Wilson.
Projected '09 Rotation:
Duke
Gorzelanny
Maholm
Snell
Karstens/Olendorf
Projected '09 Lineup:
Doumit/Paulino, C
Ad. LaRoche, 1B
Rivas, 2B
Adam Everett, SS
Sanchez, 3B
Morgan/Moss, LF
McCutchen, CF
Michaels, RF
Relievers/Other Acquisitions:
None.
A ton of rebuilding for this team. Next up, Cincinnati Reds.
The Final Days of Yankee Stadium
It's here. And I'm sad. Yankee Stadium is closing. It's an end of an era. I have mixed feelings. I'm fortunate enough to have experienced the Stadium at its finest. But, it's sad to see something that had such an impact on my life go away. It's like a funeral. My first Yankee Stadium visit came when I was 3 or 4 years old. It was a birthday party in the Bleachers. They were playing the Indians. The party, including the birthday boy, left after the third inning. I left after the 7th. Yankee Stadium isn't just a stadium. It's a member of my family. It lives and dies with us. It hurts us. It consoles us. It experiences the good times, the bad times. Yankee Stadium is a symbol. It's gotten my family through adversity. It's always there. And now, as the Stadium closes its doors, I'm losing a friend, a family member. The New Stadium ,however gorgeous and modern, is like the black eye on the family. You want to ignore it, but it's always there. The Yankees are the fifth member of my family. We can argue with them, we can disagree. But always we love them. And with the Stadium closing, a part of me dies inside. A part of my life that can never be revisited. I'm losing the Babe, the Mick and, Joe D. Yogi, Whitey, Scooter, and Thurman. Mattingly, Rivera, and Jeter. When I leave the Stadium tomorrow night, I will surely be crying. And I won't have the Stadium, my Stadium, our Stadium, there to console me.
Why the Brewers made the wrong move
Ned Yost was fired. Dale Sveum, third base coach took over. This would've been a fine move--in July. Look, firing a manger can be the right thing to do, a lot of the time (see Randolph, Willie). But to do it in September, with the postseason so close, you can almost taste it for the first time since 1982? No. It's asinine. It's akin to going your whole life with a PC, then, at the first sign of panic, switching to a Mac, only to find that you missed your PC. It's like a couple years back, when the New Jersey Devils fired coach Claude Julien- with three games left. They were soundly in the playoffs, but lost in the first round. It's never a good thing to shake things up so close to the finish line. Yost can be blamed for the bad bullpen. Yost can be blamed for the slump. But he can't be blamed for turning this team around in the past two years, and using CC Sabathia effectively. He can't be blamed for bringing excitement to Milwaukee. Ned Yost is a good manager. Dale Sveum has never managed before. What about him makes your team better, Doug Melvin? Does he add fire. Does he give you a renewed sense of purpose? We don't know. The stakes have never been higher for this team. And to replace the man who guided them there, now? Well, that's just wrong.
Fantasy Picks
Who are the best pick-ups for your fantasy team?
1. Chris Johnson
Titans rookie will be the focal point of the Offense without VY.
2. Eddie Royal
Yes, rookies are dominating. Look for Royal to have a big game with Cutler throwing to him.
3. Eli Manning
Cincinnati Bengals D is terrible. Plax Burress will have a good game too. Actually the whole Giants Offense.
4. Michael Turner
He's facing the Chiefs. 'Nuff Said.
5. Jerious Norwood
Turner can't carry it all the time.
Surprise stud of the week:
Darren Sproles
LT looks hurt with that toe, and Sproles can fly.
Hope that helps your fantasy team. Good luck!
Football-Power Rankings
Now that the NFL season is fully underway, it's time to start our Power Rankings. Teams 1-30 ranked. Here we go:
1. Dallas
They are just so good offensively. But if last night taught us anything is that the Cowboys Defense has a ton of holes.
2. New York Giants
Did you see that Defense? Osi who? Yeah, the Giants are on fire. You can't run or pass on that D. And the offense is starting to round into form.
3. Denver
Jay Cutler= The New Brett Favre
4. New England
Tom Brady or not, this team knows how to win.
5. Pittsburgh
D looks stifling. Big Ben is playing well.
6. Carolina Panthers
Two gutty wins
7. Buffalo
Two wins against contenders. Not too shabby.
8. Green Bay Packers
Brett Who?
9. Indianapolis Colts
Look for them to build momentum with their great comeback win against Minnesota.
10. Tennessee Titans
Don't need Vince Young. That D is great.
11. Philadelphia
Can score, can't defend.
12. New Orleans
I think they'll round into form really soon.
13. Tampa Bay
Is Brian Griese a sparkplug?
14. Arizona
Yup. Kurt Warner has this team flying.
15. Chicago
Matt Forte is a star, D is still solid. But what about that QB position?
16. Jacksonville
Don't you think they wish they were still under the radar?
17. Minnesota
See above
19. NY Jets
Favre needs time, and didn't look good against the Pats.
20. San Diego
They look awful. But last year they started 1-3.
21. Redskins
Jason Campbell will be a Pro Bowl QB by season end.
22. Raiders.
I wasn't a believer in Darren McFadden--I saw Reggie Bush 2.0. But, man, he's electryfying.
23. Seattle
They need receivers. Fast.
24. San Fransisco.
JT O'Sullivan is looking like the right choice.
25. Baltimore
The Joe Flacco experiment is still up in the air.
26. Houston Texans
I was a believer. I'm not sure anymore. Especially with Hurricane Ike hitting Houston hard.
27. Miami Dolphins
Looks like the Pennington era could be over.
28. Cleveland
See Jacksonville, and Minnesota. Except this team doesn't have the same amount of talent.
29. Cincinnati
Chad Ocho Cinco ain't helping much.
30. Atlanta
Matt Ryan needs some time.
31. St. Louis Rams
No D, offense in shambles. Gonna be a tough year.
32. Kansas City Chiefs
Ouch. They lost to the Raiders. At home.
Lots gonna change in the next couple weeks. Stay Tuned.
Editor's Note: Look for more NFL related stuff in the next couple weeks.
9/11
Today, as you all know, is September 11, the seventh anniversary of the tragic attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. I think it's appropriate for all to take a moment of silence. Reflect on life before and after the attacks. Reflect on what you were doing when you found out. Reflect on the impact it had on you personally. Remember those who were lost. Cherish every moment you have. Cherish it, love it, because, in an instant it can all be taken away. God Bless all who have served us heroically since that day, God Bless the victims, and most importantly, God Bless America.
Offseason Plans-Mets
The Mets are in first place once again. Lets see what they'll do.
METS OFFSEASON PLANS:
Who will they bring back?: Oliver Perez will, most likely, get a big deal, somewhere else. Do they pick up Delgado's option? Tough call. He's been on fire lately. But he's getting up there in age. And the option is for 12 mil. I'm sure they would love to get rid of Luis Casillo. Problem is, no one will take his contract. Looks like they're stuck with him. Fernando Tatis has been great this year, and would be welcomed back. Alou won't be back. Same with El Duque. Pedro, I don't think, will be back.
Who will they get?: They need a closer with Wagner out. K-Rod? Makes perfect sense. Brian Fuentes is the cheaper option. More pitching, like Kyle Loshe, or maybe Jon Garland. Could Manny come here?
Projected '09 Rotation:
Santana
Pelfrey
Maine
Loshe
Niese
Projected '09 Lineup
Schiender, C
Delgado, 1B
Castillo, 2B
Reyes, SS
Wright, 3B
Tatis/Fernando Martinez, LF
Beltran, CF
Church, RF
Relievers/Other Acquisions
KROD, RP
That's a damn good team, right there. Next up: We head over to the NL Central with the Pirates
