Some pitchers just don't have any luck. Here's the third feature on Matt Cain of the San Francisco Giants.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/22075-Cain-gets-run-support-but-still-loses
Speaking of lack of run support, fittingly, as I am writing this, Jesse Litsch and the Jays are down 3-0 going into the last of the ninth against the Rays at Rogers Centre...
The Hockey Farmer / Showing Their Scales
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Marcum + Litsch = BJs contend for wild card?
Shaun Macum did the job once again on Wednesday night, picking up his 4th win of the year--tied with Jesse Litsch--and Toronto won for the sixth time in seven tries.
How about this young duo for the Blue Jays?
If both Marcum and Litsch continue to pitch this well and get the run support, and mix in Roy Halladay, shouldn't this team be contending for a wild card spot?
And Marcum was impressive for sure--in his previous start, he pitched shutout ball against the White Sox despite his sickness, and Wednesday he took a one-hitter into the ninth inning against the Rays. Impressive.
Here are my thoughts:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/21938-Toronto-Tampa-Bay-Shaun-Marcum-Comes-Up-Big-Against-the-Rays-070508
How about this young duo for the Blue Jays?
If both Marcum and Litsch continue to pitch this well and get the run support, and mix in Roy Halladay, shouldn't this team be contending for a wild card spot?
And Marcum was impressive for sure--in his previous start, he pitched shutout ball against the White Sox despite his sickness, and Wednesday he took a one-hitter into the ninth inning against the Rays. Impressive.
Here are my thoughts:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/21938-Toronto-Tampa-Bay-Shaun-Marcum-Comes-Up-Big-Against-the-Rays-070508
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Where were all the zonk mates?
Well, I was trying to see if the regular house residents on the zonk (or, resident friends, as Rick calls it) were available on Tuesday night, but they all seemed to have their own things going on.
Saw Rick on MSN, but he didn't reply to my messages. Oh well.
Didn't see House or Cliff on FB either.
And the Trouts? Well, no idea how to contact them, but perhaps The Trout may not be that useful anyway, given its negativity at times.
Well, trying to round these guys up to give some feedback about the book cover I was assigned. But with no focus group of Rick, House, and/or Cliff around, I had to just go along with what the graphic designers proposed.
Though it would have been interesting if everyone else was around to give suggestions... oh well, maybe next time!
Saw Rick on MSN, but he didn't reply to my messages. Oh well.
Didn't see House or Cliff on FB either.
And the Trouts? Well, no idea how to contact them, but perhaps The Trout may not be that useful anyway, given its negativity at times.
Well, trying to round these guys up to give some feedback about the book cover I was assigned. But with no focus group of Rick, House, and/or Cliff around, I had to just go along with what the graphic designers proposed.
Though it would have been interesting if everyone else was around to give suggestions... oh well, maybe next time!
Update...after 2 rounds
Okay, two rounds are done, and Cliff was the big winner on our OA picks by nailing three of four series in the conference semi-finals.
Taking a look, though, at our friendly OA pool on Sportsnet, Cliff is tied with Slats (ie. Rick) for LAST place! Holy smokes, how is Slats in last place?
Will there be a comeback from the perennial champ? Or is he over the hill?
We'll find out.... but here are the standings:
1. kp 134 points
2. i_pick_corners 127
3. splatking 121
T4. slacks 120
T4. cliff 120
Taking a look, though, at our friendly OA pool on Sportsnet, Cliff is tied with Slats (ie. Rick) for LAST place! Holy smokes, how is Slats in last place?
Will there be a comeback from the perennial champ? Or is he over the hill?
We'll find out.... but here are the standings:
1. kp 134 points
2. i_pick_corners 127
3. splatking 121
T4. slacks 120
T4. cliff 120
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Am I getting tame? No ruthless comments on Crede
Joe Crede cost the White Sox two straight games at Rogers Centre. Somehow I decided not to take shots at the third baseman in my somewhat clean recap.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/21225-Blue-Jays-White-Sox-Litsch-wins-Crede-wears-goat-horns-again
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/21225-Blue-Jays-White-Sox-Litsch-wins-Crede-wears-goat-horns-again
Friday, May 2, 2008
Philly should have ...
Three NHL conference semi-final series saw the first three contests won by the same team, with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Dallas Stars, and Detroit Red Wings all going up 3-0 in their respective series.
Of course, the Red Wings polished off the Colorado Avalanche with ease to complete the sweep, while the Penguins and Stars both lost their fourth games and have to win one more to advance.
What about the Montreal-Philadelphia series?
The Flyers are up three games to one after winning three in a row following their Game One collapse.
Yes, the Habs have dominated the series, and with a few breaks could actually be up 3-1 instead.
In fact, there are some in the media who think the Habs have a chance to make a comeback, based on their strong play thus far.
However, my contention is that this series might well have been over already.
All four series should have been 3-0 after three games.
Don't forget, the Flyers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in Game One, saw the Canadiens rally to tie it, before going back up early in the third thanks to Joffrey Lupul.
But a questionable penalty call late in regulation put the Habs on the power play, and the NHL's best PP team capitalized. Alexei Kovalev tied it with 28.6 ticks remaning, and Montreal went on to win in overtime.
If not for that collapse by Philadelphia, the series might well have ended in a sweep for the Flyers, as they've been riding the hot play of Martin Biron the entire series.
Also, the Flyers have gone up 2-0 in every single game thus far, forcing the Habs to have to play catchup in every game.
Of course, in the third game the Habs totally outplayed the Flyers and outshot them 34-14, including a 17-2 edge in the final 20 minutes, had a long power play thanks to Derian Hatcher's ejection, and still lost.
Still, give the Flyers a lot of credit. They've been able to win three games already, although it should have already been over.
We'll see what they can do when the series resumes Saturday at the Bell Centre.
Of course, the Red Wings polished off the Colorado Avalanche with ease to complete the sweep, while the Penguins and Stars both lost their fourth games and have to win one more to advance.
What about the Montreal-Philadelphia series?
The Flyers are up three games to one after winning three in a row following their Game One collapse.
Yes, the Habs have dominated the series, and with a few breaks could actually be up 3-1 instead.
In fact, there are some in the media who think the Habs have a chance to make a comeback, based on their strong play thus far.
However, my contention is that this series might well have been over already.
All four series should have been 3-0 after three games.
Don't forget, the Flyers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in Game One, saw the Canadiens rally to tie it, before going back up early in the third thanks to Joffrey Lupul.
But a questionable penalty call late in regulation put the Habs on the power play, and the NHL's best PP team capitalized. Alexei Kovalev tied it with 28.6 ticks remaning, and Montreal went on to win in overtime.
If not for that collapse by Philadelphia, the series might well have ended in a sweep for the Flyers, as they've been riding the hot play of Martin Biron the entire series.
Also, the Flyers have gone up 2-0 in every single game thus far, forcing the Habs to have to play catchup in every game.
Of course, in the third game the Habs totally outplayed the Flyers and outshot them 34-14, including a 17-2 edge in the final 20 minutes, had a long power play thanks to Derian Hatcher's ejection, and still lost.
Still, give the Flyers a lot of credit. They've been able to win three games already, although it should have already been over.
We'll see what they can do when the series resumes Saturday at the Bell Centre.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Solving New York's problems...
I weigh in on why Bonds should be a Yankee.
And thanks to the Blue Jays (12-17), New York (14-16) isn't in last place--yet.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/20931-Why-Isn-t-Bonds-a-Yankee-Yet-
And thanks to the Blue Jays (12-17), New York (14-16) isn't in last place--yet.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/20931-Why-Isn-t-Bonds-a-Yankee-Yet-
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Rick's in third place!
Well, looks like Rick's slumping this year with his picks.
I'm leading the way right on the overanything pool with 110 points, followed closely by "I-Pick-Corners", trailing by four points.
Rick, aka "Slacks"? Third place with 102 points.
Haha! I wonder how Rick's taking it with bronze, and with Splatking (Detroit?) just one point back. Rick may not finish in the top three!
I'm leading the way right on the overanything pool with 110 points, followed closely by "I-Pick-Corners", trailing by four points.
Rick, aka "Slacks"? Third place with 102 points.
Haha! I wonder how Rick's taking it with bronze, and with Splatking (Detroit?) just one point back. Rick may not finish in the top three!
Sharks lose again!
Here's my editorial on the San Jose Sharks:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/20522-Sharks-going-down-like-92-93-Bruins
All right, zonk mates, no negative comments out of me this time around... ;-)
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/20522-Sharks-going-down-like-92-93-Bruins
All right, zonk mates, no negative comments out of me this time around... ;-)
The Cain Watch Part 2 - April 29, 2008
The Giants' hard-luck Matt Cain finally wins for the first time this season, but his performance was overshadowed by his manager and teammate-starter-turned-reliever.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/20406-Giants-Matt-Cain-Finally-Wins-but-Victory-is-Overshadowed
I'll try to keep track of the "Cain Watch" on here regularly.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/20406-Giants-Matt-Cain-Finally-Wins-but-Victory-is-Overshadowed
I'll try to keep track of the "Cain Watch" on here regularly.
Alou Part 2
...By the way, as far as Alou's San Francisco career was concerned, I don't blame the Giants' failures in 2003 on the manager.
The Jints made it to the post-season after their 2002 World Series berth under former skipper Dusty Baker.
San Francisco would have beaten the Fish (haha, take that- Trout!) in the Division Series, but I blame two people:
- Sidney Ponson
- Jose Cruz, Jr.
Ponson was acquired down the stretch from the Orioles in order to provide an extra dependable arm to follow ace Jason Schmidt in the rotation. Ponson, however, was rocked in Game Two as the Marlins gained a split going to Miami.
Cruz, whom I'm sure all the zonk mates will remember since he's a former Blue Jay, was the goat in Game Three. He failed to get a hit with the bases loaded in the middle innings of the contest, and then dropped an easy fly ball in extra innings--with his team ahead by a run and three outs away from winning--and the Giants lost when Pudge Rodriguez hit a two-run single.
And the muff came after Cruz had failed to get a clutch hit to drive in an insurance run in the top half of the inning.
The Jints made it to the post-season after their 2002 World Series berth under former skipper Dusty Baker.
San Francisco would have beaten the Fish (haha, take that- Trout!) in the Division Series, but I blame two people:
- Sidney Ponson
- Jose Cruz, Jr.
Ponson was acquired down the stretch from the Orioles in order to provide an extra dependable arm to follow ace Jason Schmidt in the rotation. Ponson, however, was rocked in Game Two as the Marlins gained a split going to Miami.
Cruz, whom I'm sure all the zonk mates will remember since he's a former Blue Jay, was the goat in Game Three. He failed to get a hit with the bases loaded in the middle innings of the contest, and then dropped an easy fly ball in extra innings--with his team ahead by a run and three outs away from winning--and the Giants lost when Pudge Rodriguez hit a two-run single.
And the muff came after Cruz had failed to get a clutch hit to drive in an insurance run in the top half of the inning.
What do the Zonk House mates think about Felipe Alou?
Bruce Bochy of the San Francisco Giants moved past Felipe Alou as the winningest foreign-born manager in baseball when his team defeated Colorado 4-0.
Alou, of course, is not managing in the big leagues right now.
Most Zonk mates on OA know that Moises' dad used to be the Montreal Expos skipper during the 1990s, and often had to deal with a lack of talent on the big-league roster. Guys like Ken Hill, John Wetteland, Jeff Fassero, Mel Rojas, his own son Moises, Larry Walker, Pedro Martinez, and on and on, all left Montreal as free agents or via trades because the Expos couldn't afford to pay all of them.
Alou's Expos never made the post-season, although as most remember, they were the best team in baseball when the strike of 1994 wiped out the rest of the season. Then they lost Walker, Hill, Wetteland, and Marquis Grissom. Ouch.
Unfazed, Alou led the '96 Expos to within two games of winning the NL wild card, but unfortunately the Padres and Dodgers--who both finished two games better--won the NL West and wild card, respectively.
In 1997, they started out well but collapsed down the stretch when other teams--even the non-contending ones--were acquiring the big stars (ie. the Cards getting Mark McGwire) but the Expos were getting only the immortal Mike Johnson.
Some in the media have said that Alou was not a great manager for failing to win with the Expos. Most notable was Bob Kemp, who used to host his own show on Sporting News Radio, and he would often bash Alou for not being innovative with his lineups, etc. (And this was around 2001-2002, before Alou got the Giants gig.)
So, my question to House, Trout, Rick, and Cliff, is: Was Alou one of the elite skippers in the big leagues? Or was Bob Kemp accurate in his accessment?
Let's hear some answers on the zonk!
Alou, of course, is not managing in the big leagues right now.
Most Zonk mates on OA know that Moises' dad used to be the Montreal Expos skipper during the 1990s, and often had to deal with a lack of talent on the big-league roster. Guys like Ken Hill, John Wetteland, Jeff Fassero, Mel Rojas, his own son Moises, Larry Walker, Pedro Martinez, and on and on, all left Montreal as free agents or via trades because the Expos couldn't afford to pay all of them.
Alou's Expos never made the post-season, although as most remember, they were the best team in baseball when the strike of 1994 wiped out the rest of the season. Then they lost Walker, Hill, Wetteland, and Marquis Grissom. Ouch.
Unfazed, Alou led the '96 Expos to within two games of winning the NL wild card, but unfortunately the Padres and Dodgers--who both finished two games better--won the NL West and wild card, respectively.
In 1997, they started out well but collapsed down the stretch when other teams--even the non-contending ones--were acquiring the big stars (ie. the Cards getting Mark McGwire) but the Expos were getting only the immortal Mike Johnson.
Some in the media have said that Alou was not a great manager for failing to win with the Expos. Most notable was Bob Kemp, who used to host his own show on Sporting News Radio, and he would often bash Alou for not being innovative with his lineups, etc. (And this was around 2001-2002, before Alou got the Giants gig.)
So, my question to House, Trout, Rick, and Cliff, is: Was Alou one of the elite skippers in the big leagues? Or was Bob Kemp accurate in his accessment?
Let's hear some answers on the zonk!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Seattle & Thomas bashing
Thomas is 1-for-10 for the A's. Seattle's DHing stinks. How long will each continue?
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/19976-A-s-Mariners-Bedard-Dominates-Oakland-allowing-two-hits
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/19976-A-s-Mariners-Bedard-Dominates-Oakland-allowing-two-hits
Thursday, April 24, 2008
C i B c SUCKS!!!!!
Another one of these big companies trying to target ordinary people... and this isn't my own post; I saw it online and decided to post the link here. I was gonna say "unbelievable" at first, but then, hey, this is CIBC, so no surprise, actually. Shame.
http://www.shanesworld.ca/cibc-you-suck
http://www.shanesworld.ca/cibc-you-suck
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
History in Denver, NOT in San Diego
Well, zonk mates, history was made in Denver, as the Cubs got win No. 10,000. Out in San Diego, Trevor Hoffman blew Greg Maddux's 350th win, so no history there.
Hopefully no controversy with Thomas or Cliff this time!
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/19470-Hoffman-Blows-Maddux-s-Bid-for-No-350-230408
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/19464-Chicago-Cubs-Baseball-Congratulations-for-getting-No-10-000-230408
Hopefully no controversy with Thomas or Cliff this time!
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/19470-Hoffman-Blows-Maddux-s-Bid-for-No-350-230408
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/19464-Chicago-Cubs-Baseball-Congratulations-for-getting-No-10-000-230408
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Caps lose again!
Amazing--the Washington Capitals choke again.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/19234-Washington-Capitals-Playoff-Failures-Continue
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/19234-Washington-Capitals-Playoff-Failures-Continue
More injustice in the world--Part 4
Well, posting this just to shut Rick up...
Last week, there was this big story about Telus and how they charged an extra $2.95 for residents in B.C. and Alberta for months and this was for long-distance services that people didn't use or sign up for. Wow.
Again, big companies trying to take money from people. Who can you trust these days?
Translink has these so-called "Fare Zones" on their buses now, but still, drivers are letting these scammers get on on a daily basis. (I see it with my own eyes on daily commutes.) A reader on the free daily "24 Hours" called Translink on that last week, wondering how come he gets to spend hundreds of dollars a month for a two-zone pass while drivers are letting these people get on for free.
So, on Friday night on the #16 downtown bus when transit cops got on and turned away at least a half dozen people, I couldn't help but find satisfaction. For one night, these people weren't allowed on.
"But it's raining," they protested. (Actually, oddly enough, it was snowing--in April, no less.) Tough luck. You don't want to pay for the service, you don't get to get on board.
And, in class again, I was showing a CBC consumer affairs program to encourage debates about street smarts and common sense for consumers. Apparently, one dating service in Ontario decided to charge 60-year-old women $9,000+ for 15 dates, but allowed that price to go down to by half for 35-year-olds, and get this: $2 for women 25 and under because they're reportedly more attractive.
NO, that's not a typo. A toonie.
And looking at the video footage, that dating service's "office" seemed to be a residential house. Well, it appeared to be, anyway.
This company would not budge on the $9,000 price tag for the 60-year-old interviewed on the program.
Welcome to our world of companies--big and small--and people--think of the buses--trying to cheat their way in society. Yikes.
Last week, there was this big story about Telus and how they charged an extra $2.95 for residents in B.C. and Alberta for months and this was for long-distance services that people didn't use or sign up for. Wow.
Again, big companies trying to take money from people. Who can you trust these days?
Translink has these so-called "Fare Zones" on their buses now, but still, drivers are letting these scammers get on on a daily basis. (I see it with my own eyes on daily commutes.) A reader on the free daily "24 Hours" called Translink on that last week, wondering how come he gets to spend hundreds of dollars a month for a two-zone pass while drivers are letting these people get on for free.
So, on Friday night on the #16 downtown bus when transit cops got on and turned away at least a half dozen people, I couldn't help but find satisfaction. For one night, these people weren't allowed on.
"But it's raining," they protested. (Actually, oddly enough, it was snowing--in April, no less.) Tough luck. You don't want to pay for the service, you don't get to get on board.
And, in class again, I was showing a CBC consumer affairs program to encourage debates about street smarts and common sense for consumers. Apparently, one dating service in Ontario decided to charge 60-year-old women $9,000+ for 15 dates, but allowed that price to go down to by half for 35-year-olds, and get this: $2 for women 25 and under because they're reportedly more attractive.
NO, that's not a typo. A toonie.
And looking at the video footage, that dating service's "office" seemed to be a residential house. Well, it appeared to be, anyway.
This company would not budge on the $9,000 price tag for the 60-year-old interviewed on the program.
Welcome to our world of companies--big and small--and people--think of the buses--trying to cheat their way in society. Yikes.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Thomas & Thomas (Bruins & Blue Jays) - invitation for House, Rick, Cliff, and the Trouts
Okay, the Boston Bruins won again on Saturday night and have tied their Eastern Conference Quarter-Finals with the Montreal Canadiens at three games apiece following a heart-stopping 5-4 triumph.
Incredibly, Montreal rookie Carey Price allowed four third-period goals for the second straight game, and five overall in back-to-back outings. Shades of the Bruins' Andrew Raycroft in the 2004 meltdown?
Not that the Bruins' Tim Thomas was stellar himself, allowing four goals, including a seemingly back-breaker with 10 minutes left (which gave the Habs a 3-2 lead) and another with 4:04 left, just 11 seconds after the B's had taken a 4-3 advantage.
But Boston-Montreal, Game Seven? Will the Bruins complete the shocking comeback, or will the Habs put an end to Boston's run?
Either way, Tim Thomas has been brilliant in the series. Had it not been for Thomas, the series might have been over in four straight.
Now on to another Thomas: designated hitter Frank Thomas of the Toronto Blue Jays.
I am curious to see what the other OA mates have to say about this (namely House, Rick, Cliff, and the Trouts).
The big story about the Blue Jays on Saturday wasn't about their 3-2 win at Rogers Centre over the Detroit Tigers.
Nope, it was that Frank Thomas was benched in favor of left-handed hitting Matt Stairs, who went 2-for-3 with a run scored in Thomas's usual No. 5 spot in the lineup against Detroit.
Thomas reportedly will see even less playing time in the immediate future.
Thomas, who has 516 lifetime home runs, is mired in a 4-for-35 slump and is batting just .167 with three dingers and 11 ribbies in 60 at-bats this season. Stairs is currently batting .333 with a homer and 3 RBIs in 42 at-bats.
Thomas reportedly didn't shake hands with his teammates after Saturday's contest and didn't stick around to speak to reporters, though he did express his anger prior to the game.
The Blue Jays denied that the decision to sit Thomas was due to the $10 million option for next season in his contract, which kicks in if the veteran DH reaches 376 plate appearances in 2008.
Is the benching of Thomas justified? After all, Thomas has been slumping (zero for his last 13), as had the Blue Jays.
However, all Thomas has to do is look over at the visitors' dugout and see that Tigers veteran Gary Sheffield, hitting just .192 this year, is continuing to be in the Detroit lineup.
Jason Giambi is hitting .116 with two homers for the New York Yankees, and of course the first baseman/DH still has a job.
And wasn't David Ortiz in Boston struggling too? The Red Sox DH cracked a grand slam on Friday night in Boston's 11-3 win over the Rangers, but is batting just .134. Ortiz was hitting a paltry .070 after the Red Sox-Yankees series last weekend.
I am indifferent as to whether or not the "Big Hurt" should remain in the everyday lineup, and am in no way suggesting Thomas is in the same caliber at this point of his career as Ortiz is.
And what can the Jays do when they do have an option in Stairs, who is taking advantage of his playing time?
We'll have to see exactly what Toronto manager John Gibbons intends to do with his platoon of Thomas and Stairs as the Blue Jays try to stay in contention in the AL East.
Thoughts? House, Rick, Cliff, and the Trouts - here's your chance to weigh in.
Incredibly, Montreal rookie Carey Price allowed four third-period goals for the second straight game, and five overall in back-to-back outings. Shades of the Bruins' Andrew Raycroft in the 2004 meltdown?
Not that the Bruins' Tim Thomas was stellar himself, allowing four goals, including a seemingly back-breaker with 10 minutes left (which gave the Habs a 3-2 lead) and another with 4:04 left, just 11 seconds after the B's had taken a 4-3 advantage.
But Boston-Montreal, Game Seven? Will the Bruins complete the shocking comeback, or will the Habs put an end to Boston's run?
Either way, Tim Thomas has been brilliant in the series. Had it not been for Thomas, the series might have been over in four straight.
Now on to another Thomas: designated hitter Frank Thomas of the Toronto Blue Jays.
I am curious to see what the other OA mates have to say about this (namely House, Rick, Cliff, and the Trouts).
The big story about the Blue Jays on Saturday wasn't about their 3-2 win at Rogers Centre over the Detroit Tigers.
Nope, it was that Frank Thomas was benched in favor of left-handed hitting Matt Stairs, who went 2-for-3 with a run scored in Thomas's usual No. 5 spot in the lineup against Detroit.
Thomas reportedly will see even less playing time in the immediate future.
Thomas, who has 516 lifetime home runs, is mired in a 4-for-35 slump and is batting just .167 with three dingers and 11 ribbies in 60 at-bats this season. Stairs is currently batting .333 with a homer and 3 RBIs in 42 at-bats.
Thomas reportedly didn't shake hands with his teammates after Saturday's contest and didn't stick around to speak to reporters, though he did express his anger prior to the game.
The Blue Jays denied that the decision to sit Thomas was due to the $10 million option for next season in his contract, which kicks in if the veteran DH reaches 376 plate appearances in 2008.
Is the benching of Thomas justified? After all, Thomas has been slumping (zero for his last 13), as had the Blue Jays.
However, all Thomas has to do is look over at the visitors' dugout and see that Tigers veteran Gary Sheffield, hitting just .192 this year, is continuing to be in the Detroit lineup.
Jason Giambi is hitting .116 with two homers for the New York Yankees, and of course the first baseman/DH still has a job.
And wasn't David Ortiz in Boston struggling too? The Red Sox DH cracked a grand slam on Friday night in Boston's 11-3 win over the Rangers, but is batting just .134. Ortiz was hitting a paltry .070 after the Red Sox-Yankees series last weekend.
I am indifferent as to whether or not the "Big Hurt" should remain in the everyday lineup, and am in no way suggesting Thomas is in the same caliber at this point of his career as Ortiz is.
And what can the Jays do when they do have an option in Stairs, who is taking advantage of his playing time?
We'll have to see exactly what Toronto manager John Gibbons intends to do with his platoon of Thomas and Stairs as the Blue Jays try to stay in contention in the AL East.
Thoughts? House, Rick, Cliff, and the Trouts - here's your chance to weigh in.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Rockies, Padres, and salaries...
The Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres had another epic on Thursday night to follow up on their one-game playoff last October.
Thursday at Petco Park in San Diego, the Rockies and Padres went scoreless after nine innings as aces Jeff Francis and Jake Peavy both brought their "A" games to the mound.
After the Rockies scored in the 14th to break the deadlock, the Padres responded with a run of their own.
The game dragged on until Colorado got the go-ahead run in the 22nd inning, and hung on for the 2-1 victory.
Interesting game, if you happened to catch any or all of the action. But it only brought on a disagreement on the Zonk on OA (www.overanything.com), which once again had to do with players' salaries.
Someone commented that there was no sympathy for the players on both sides being tired from the 22 innings because they're all highly paid, which brought about the rebuttal as to why fans like to bring up salaries in any sporting discussion.
My question is, why shouldn't salaries be brought up? It's fair game since it's heavily publicized by the media.
Every time a top free agent flops, for example, he gets talked about a lot. Obviously, Barry Zito of the San Francisco Giants has been scrutinized by many already for not giving a lot of quality innings in his brief stint thus far in 'Frisco.
And seriously, shouldn't highly-paid athletes be expected to do more? I mean, if they have to play for over six hours, which was the length of the game in San Diego, so be it.
I mean, after all, a lot of hitters failed in the game to drive home the winning run in the first 21 innings.
So, if they had to play the equivalent of two full games and some, too bad.
How can it not be about money and salaries in professional sports?
Don't tell me that New York Mets fans out there are happy with Johan Santana's 1-2 start in the 2008 season. Yes, Santana has a fine 3.05 ERA and will turn his won-loss record around soon. I'm sure those who root for the Mets, however, expected a 3-0 record and an ERA around 1.50 instead.
I mean, the lefty is expected to be the savior in Queens and is making almost $17 million this season. And a 1-3 record for that money?
I made a big deal last season too about high-priced players' salaries, when Roger Clemens made his mid-season comeback for the cross-town Yankees and was outpitched in his second start by the less heralded Oliver Perez of the Mets. Clemens, by the way, had received a $28-million prorated contract to pitch for the Yanks--which worked out to about $4.5 mil per month--and Perez was just a .500 pitcher making less for the season than what the Rocket was earning in a month.
And throughout the 2007-08 hockey season, I also brought out salary comparisons (thanks to Globe and Mail's NHL salary database) when taking shots at high-priced goaltenders when they get outplayed by rookies or other lesser likes making ten times less money per season.
How can salary not be a factor in talking about athletes?
The Rockies-Padres game was the longest since 1993. And I point out something else that happened 15 years ago too, and it had to do with the feud between former Met ace Dwight Gooden and then manager Dallas Green.
I quote from Champions! The Saga of the 1996 New York Yankees by John Harper and Bob Klapisch, about Gooden recollecting an incident from '93:
Doc had suffered what he called "a real bad game" against Florida and was "hung out to dry" by Green.
"I just didn't have it that day. It was just one of those things," Gooden said. "But he (Green) kept sending me out there every inning... After the game, he told the reporters, 'Gooden makes a lot of money, he should pitch a lot of innings.'
Well, I would have to take Green's side here. After all, if you're the ace of the staff and you're one of the highest-paid players on the team--Gooden was No. 2 behind Bobby Bonilla on the '93 Mets--you damn well better suck it up for the team.
So, really, if the Rockies and Padres and any other team out there has to go 20-plus innings to settle a ballgame, that's their job.
No sympathy here.
Thursday at Petco Park in San Diego, the Rockies and Padres went scoreless after nine innings as aces Jeff Francis and Jake Peavy both brought their "A" games to the mound.
After the Rockies scored in the 14th to break the deadlock, the Padres responded with a run of their own.
The game dragged on until Colorado got the go-ahead run in the 22nd inning, and hung on for the 2-1 victory.
Interesting game, if you happened to catch any or all of the action. But it only brought on a disagreement on the Zonk on OA (www.overanything.com), which once again had to do with players' salaries.
Someone commented that there was no sympathy for the players on both sides being tired from the 22 innings because they're all highly paid, which brought about the rebuttal as to why fans like to bring up salaries in any sporting discussion.
My question is, why shouldn't salaries be brought up? It's fair game since it's heavily publicized by the media.
Every time a top free agent flops, for example, he gets talked about a lot. Obviously, Barry Zito of the San Francisco Giants has been scrutinized by many already for not giving a lot of quality innings in his brief stint thus far in 'Frisco.
And seriously, shouldn't highly-paid athletes be expected to do more? I mean, if they have to play for over six hours, which was the length of the game in San Diego, so be it.
I mean, after all, a lot of hitters failed in the game to drive home the winning run in the first 21 innings.
So, if they had to play the equivalent of two full games and some, too bad.
How can it not be about money and salaries in professional sports?
Don't tell me that New York Mets fans out there are happy with Johan Santana's 1-2 start in the 2008 season. Yes, Santana has a fine 3.05 ERA and will turn his won-loss record around soon. I'm sure those who root for the Mets, however, expected a 3-0 record and an ERA around 1.50 instead.
I mean, the lefty is expected to be the savior in Queens and is making almost $17 million this season. And a 1-3 record for that money?
I made a big deal last season too about high-priced players' salaries, when Roger Clemens made his mid-season comeback for the cross-town Yankees and was outpitched in his second start by the less heralded Oliver Perez of the Mets. Clemens, by the way, had received a $28-million prorated contract to pitch for the Yanks--which worked out to about $4.5 mil per month--and Perez was just a .500 pitcher making less for the season than what the Rocket was earning in a month.
And throughout the 2007-08 hockey season, I also brought out salary comparisons (thanks to Globe and Mail's NHL salary database) when taking shots at high-priced goaltenders when they get outplayed by rookies or other lesser likes making ten times less money per season.
How can salary not be a factor in talking about athletes?
The Rockies-Padres game was the longest since 1993. And I point out something else that happened 15 years ago too, and it had to do with the feud between former Met ace Dwight Gooden and then manager Dallas Green.
I quote from Champions! The Saga of the 1996 New York Yankees by John Harper and Bob Klapisch, about Gooden recollecting an incident from '93:
Doc had suffered what he called "a real bad game" against Florida and was "hung out to dry" by Green.
"I just didn't have it that day. It was just one of those things," Gooden said. "But he (Green) kept sending me out there every inning... After the game, he told the reporters, 'Gooden makes a lot of money, he should pitch a lot of innings.'
Well, I would have to take Green's side here. After all, if you're the ace of the staff and you're one of the highest-paid players on the team--Gooden was No. 2 behind Bobby Bonilla on the '93 Mets--you damn well better suck it up for the team.
So, really, if the Rockies and Padres and any other team out there has to go 20-plus innings to settle a ballgame, that's their job.
No sympathy here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
