It’s a game of mental prowess
Putting your heart on the line
Exasperation, provocation
Rallying from behind
It’s about breaking serve
Waiting on a passing shot
Elevation, maturation
Making each point count
It’s about bending your knees
Meeting the ball with a follow through
Trickery, mystery
Mastering the open court
It’s a game of level-headed quality
Slicing over three foot nets
Gallantry, audacity
Improving with every New York minute
Parting Points: Musician of the day- Van Morrison
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Dan Delivers During Division Demands
The Rays edged the Red Sox 3-2 in St. Petersburg on Saturday, pushing Boston 5 ½ games behind the AL East leaders. Tampa is tied at the top of the division with the New York Yankees, who defeated the White Sox behind C.C. Sabathia’s 18th win of the season. Dan Johnson’s leadoff homerun in the 10th inning sealed the victory for the Rays in front of a sellout crowd at the Trop. It was the fifth walkoff win for the first place Rays this season.
Randy Choate recorded the final out of the 10th and was credited for the win after Johnson’s walkoff shot off losing pitcher, Scott Atchison. The Rays tied the game two times before taking the lead for good in the 10th. Boston went ahead 1-0 in the top of the fourth on Adrian Beltre’s sacrifice fly. The Red Sox pounded out ten total hits, including four from Victor Martinez, but were still parched for production. Martinez drove in both Boston runs and has a lifetime batting average of .425 at Tropicana Field. The Boston slugger has three of the five Red Sox RBIs this series and has scored four of the five runs. Martinez was the only run charged to Tampa hurler, Matt Garza. Garza scattered six hits through seven solid innings before Joaquin Benoit took over in the eighth.
Evan Longoria’s infield single in the fourth was the first hit for Tampa. Longoria also set the stage for the Rays’ first run with a seventh inning leadoff single of starter, Clay Buchholtz. The third baseman was tagged when Carlos Pena reached safely on a fielder’s choice. Pena advanced to third on Buchholtz’s errant pick-off move and scored on Matt Joyce’s sacrifice fly to right.
Martinez launched a solo shot off Benoit in the top of the eighth to give Boston a 2-1 advantage. It was the catcher’s 13th long ball of the year. B.J. Upton made it an even affair again with a homerun off Buchholtz. Upton drove a 1-0 offering into the left field stands for his 13th of the year. Bullet-proof Buchholtz allowed only four hits in just over seven frames. He struck out five batters but his consecutive 26-inning scoreless streak was snapped by Joyce. Both bullpens shut down the bats in the ninth inning, sending the game to extra frames. Choate relieved Chad Qualls with two outs in the tenth and Martinez on first base. Choate induced a fly out from David Ortiz to end the inning. Ortiz finished with three hits for Boston. In the tenth, Johnson ended the game on a 2-2 walkoff homer, the third of his career against the division rival Red Sox.
Parting Points: Disheartning news for the Nats—Stephen Strasburg needs surgery.
Good news for tennis fans—the U.S. Open starts tomorrow.
Randy Choate recorded the final out of the 10th and was credited for the win after Johnson’s walkoff shot off losing pitcher, Scott Atchison. The Rays tied the game two times before taking the lead for good in the 10th. Boston went ahead 1-0 in the top of the fourth on Adrian Beltre’s sacrifice fly. The Red Sox pounded out ten total hits, including four from Victor Martinez, but were still parched for production. Martinez drove in both Boston runs and has a lifetime batting average of .425 at Tropicana Field. The Boston slugger has three of the five Red Sox RBIs this series and has scored four of the five runs. Martinez was the only run charged to Tampa hurler, Matt Garza. Garza scattered six hits through seven solid innings before Joaquin Benoit took over in the eighth.
Evan Longoria’s infield single in the fourth was the first hit for Tampa. Longoria also set the stage for the Rays’ first run with a seventh inning leadoff single of starter, Clay Buchholtz. The third baseman was tagged when Carlos Pena reached safely on a fielder’s choice. Pena advanced to third on Buchholtz’s errant pick-off move and scored on Matt Joyce’s sacrifice fly to right.
Martinez launched a solo shot off Benoit in the top of the eighth to give Boston a 2-1 advantage. It was the catcher’s 13th long ball of the year. B.J. Upton made it an even affair again with a homerun off Buchholtz. Upton drove a 1-0 offering into the left field stands for his 13th of the year. Bullet-proof Buchholtz allowed only four hits in just over seven frames. He struck out five batters but his consecutive 26-inning scoreless streak was snapped by Joyce. Both bullpens shut down the bats in the ninth inning, sending the game to extra frames. Choate relieved Chad Qualls with two outs in the tenth and Martinez on first base. Choate induced a fly out from David Ortiz to end the inning. Ortiz finished with three hits for Boston. In the tenth, Johnson ended the game on a 2-2 walkoff homer, the third of his career against the division rival Red Sox.
Parting Points: Disheartning news for the Nats—Stephen Strasburg needs surgery.
Good news for tennis fans—the U.S. Open starts tomorrow.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Vindicating Violations
If I ever go for my phD., my thesis will read something like this: “The prevalence of academic integrity violations in college athletics”. I will then proceed to break down violations by each NCAA division. Why? Because the disturbing trend of athletic teams committing NCAA infractions continues to haunt college athletics.
The most recent account of academic violations takes us to North Carolina. The Tar Heels’ football program is dealing with academic misconduct involving a tutor and multiple football players. Head coach, Butch Davis, runs a pretty tight ship, despite NC’s mediocre profile status in the ACC. Davis is the leader of the team but has been accused of paying a tutor to act as a nanny to his son. Instead, the tutor was helping Davis’ players with their academic pursuits. The tutor has been accused of writing papers for many players. Obviously, ethical considerations are the major theme surrounding this story. UNC self-imposed an investigation into the infractions. The program is already being eye-balled for previous accusations of violations involving agents. In addition, one of the players named in the tutor investigation has reportedly been interviewed about receiving gifts and benefits.
(It’s time for me to get on my soapbox)
This topic is one I am passionate about because it aggravates me when I see top college programs breaking the rules. They are not cheating the very governing body that was created to enhance their academic opportunities. Besides cheating the system, players and coaches who violate the rules also cheat the university, their teammates and themselves. College athletics should not be represented by people who do not have integrity. In my opinion, academic integrity and athletic integrity go hand-in-hand. Who’s to say breaking an academic standard won’t pour over into athletics. Coaches who permit tutors to write papers for their players are apt to permit recruiting and game tampering violations. Perhaps Davis’ “academic coach” was really hired to help raise his own child. Maybe this woman was led astray by the players themselves or offered to help out only to be taken advantage of by the team. But all parties are to blame, including the tutor and head coach. Three players are being investigated for the single infraction.
In these situations, authority figures tend to turn their head the other way even if they know what’s going on. I can say with accurate credibility that for every team caught breaking the rules, there is one out there who has not been caught. I know what goes on in athletic departments and how professors, coaches and players tend to bend the rules in order to keep players eligible for games. I am all for academic tutors in college athletics. In fact, academic coordinators who specifically help athletes should be a part of every program at every level. I realize not every athlete is going to be a college scholar. Unfortunately for athletes, the majority of professional players go through college before they reach the pros. Even if athletes aren’t cut out for college classes, the age old rule learned in elementary school still applies. Cheating is never right and there is no way to vindicate cheating. It’s never the answer because in the end, you truly do only cheat yourself. I hold firm to that belief because I feel college is an important step in molding the character of adults.
Parting Points: Song of the day-“I’m dying of another broken heart” by Lindi Ortega
The most recent account of academic violations takes us to North Carolina. The Tar Heels’ football program is dealing with academic misconduct involving a tutor and multiple football players. Head coach, Butch Davis, runs a pretty tight ship, despite NC’s mediocre profile status in the ACC. Davis is the leader of the team but has been accused of paying a tutor to act as a nanny to his son. Instead, the tutor was helping Davis’ players with their academic pursuits. The tutor has been accused of writing papers for many players. Obviously, ethical considerations are the major theme surrounding this story. UNC self-imposed an investigation into the infractions. The program is already being eye-balled for previous accusations of violations involving agents. In addition, one of the players named in the tutor investigation has reportedly been interviewed about receiving gifts and benefits.
(It’s time for me to get on my soapbox)
This topic is one I am passionate about because it aggravates me when I see top college programs breaking the rules. They are not cheating the very governing body that was created to enhance their academic opportunities. Besides cheating the system, players and coaches who violate the rules also cheat the university, their teammates and themselves. College athletics should not be represented by people who do not have integrity. In my opinion, academic integrity and athletic integrity go hand-in-hand. Who’s to say breaking an academic standard won’t pour over into athletics. Coaches who permit tutors to write papers for their players are apt to permit recruiting and game tampering violations. Perhaps Davis’ “academic coach” was really hired to help raise his own child. Maybe this woman was led astray by the players themselves or offered to help out only to be taken advantage of by the team. But all parties are to blame, including the tutor and head coach. Three players are being investigated for the single infraction.
In these situations, authority figures tend to turn their head the other way even if they know what’s going on. I can say with accurate credibility that for every team caught breaking the rules, there is one out there who has not been caught. I know what goes on in athletic departments and how professors, coaches and players tend to bend the rules in order to keep players eligible for games. I am all for academic tutors in college athletics. In fact, academic coordinators who specifically help athletes should be a part of every program at every level. I realize not every athlete is going to be a college scholar. Unfortunately for athletes, the majority of professional players go through college before they reach the pros. Even if athletes aren’t cut out for college classes, the age old rule learned in elementary school still applies. Cheating is never right and there is no way to vindicate cheating. It’s never the answer because in the end, you truly do only cheat yourself. I hold firm to that belief because I feel college is an important step in molding the character of adults.
Parting Points: Song of the day-“I’m dying of another broken heart” by Lindi Ortega
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Conquered
I have so many things to say to you
All of which have been assumed
Because my soul you have consumed
There’s nothing else for you to do
It’s my turn to watch you fall
A weighty game you cannot win
The spinning of the heart within
Love will always conquer all
Lost buried on your crying shoulder
The shrugging and the pain
With closed arms and nothing to gain
I can let you go because now I’m bolder
I’ve made my way with my final say
Facing you only makes me stronger
One last word before we’re no longer
You’ve been the reason to find my way
All of which have been assumed
Because my soul you have consumed
There’s nothing else for you to do
It’s my turn to watch you fall
A weighty game you cannot win
The spinning of the heart within
Love will always conquer all
Lost buried on your crying shoulder
The shrugging and the pain
With closed arms and nothing to gain
I can let you go because now I’m bolder
I’ve made my way with my final say
Facing you only makes me stronger
One last word before we’re no longer
You’ve been the reason to find my way
Monday, August 23, 2010
Lou's Last
Cubs’ skipper, Lou Piniella has retired from baseball after a half-century of being involved in the game. The abrupt announcement occurred Sunday at Wrigley Field, where Chicago was rocked 16-5 by the Atlanta Braves. Piniella’s Cubs are 23 games under .500 with 47 contests remaining, but the manager’s farewell has more to do with his ailing 90 year old mother. Piniella turns 67 this week and wants to spend more time with his family.
The Cubs’ enigmatic skipper was hotter than a deep dish pizza when he arrived in Chicago in 2006. Piniella led the Cubs to back-to-back postseason appearances in 2007 and 2008 for the first time in 100 years. The climax of Piniella’s tenure with Chicago was perhaps the 2008 NL division series with the Dodgers. Los Angeles swept the Cubs in three games, leaving fans to ponder what could have been for the hapless franchise.
Piniella is a former major league outfielder who spent time with the Orioles, Indians, Royals and Yankees. The Tampa, Florida native won the 1969 Rookie of the Year award. His New York days are most memorable because leadoff hitting Sweet Lou helped the Bombers win two championships while he donned the pinstripes. Piniella went on to coach the Yankees after his playing days were over in 1986 and had a brief stint at the general manager. Piniella also managed the 1990 World Series winning Cincinnati Reds before moving on to coach the Mariners, Rays and Cubs. One of the players most influenced by Sweet Lou was Paul O’Neill.
The Cubs did not make Sunday special on the field for their departing skipper. Chicago hurler, Randy Wells was charged with the loss after being tagged for seven runs. The Braves were led by rookie, Jason Heyward and Omar Infante as the division-leaders took two out of three at Wrigley. Infante and Heyward each blasted two homeruns as Atlanta piled on 11 runs over the final three innings. Derrek Lee, the former Chicago first baseman, drove in three runs to back pitcher Mike Minor. Minor allowed three runs on seven hits over five frames for the win.
Chicago third base coach, Mike Quade, was promoted to interim manager. Speculation is that Ryne Sandberg will be the next Cubs skipper, and nobody could be more thrilled about this than I am. I was an enormous fan of the former Chicago second baseman. It will be hard for any modern day manager to accumulate the accolades of Sweet Lou, however. Piniella finished his career with 1,835 managerial wins, trailing only active managers Joe Torre, Bobby Cox and Tony LaRussa. Piniella was a three-time manager of the year winner but despite his greatness, could not shake the curse of the Chicago Cubs. That challenge remains for the next skipper.
Parting Points: Song of the day- “Forever” by Mariah Carey
Good read- Ray Bradbury’s “Dandelion Wine”
The Cubs’ enigmatic skipper was hotter than a deep dish pizza when he arrived in Chicago in 2006. Piniella led the Cubs to back-to-back postseason appearances in 2007 and 2008 for the first time in 100 years. The climax of Piniella’s tenure with Chicago was perhaps the 2008 NL division series with the Dodgers. Los Angeles swept the Cubs in three games, leaving fans to ponder what could have been for the hapless franchise.
Piniella is a former major league outfielder who spent time with the Orioles, Indians, Royals and Yankees. The Tampa, Florida native won the 1969 Rookie of the Year award. His New York days are most memorable because leadoff hitting Sweet Lou helped the Bombers win two championships while he donned the pinstripes. Piniella went on to coach the Yankees after his playing days were over in 1986 and had a brief stint at the general manager. Piniella also managed the 1990 World Series winning Cincinnati Reds before moving on to coach the Mariners, Rays and Cubs. One of the players most influenced by Sweet Lou was Paul O’Neill.
The Cubs did not make Sunday special on the field for their departing skipper. Chicago hurler, Randy Wells was charged with the loss after being tagged for seven runs. The Braves were led by rookie, Jason Heyward and Omar Infante as the division-leaders took two out of three at Wrigley. Infante and Heyward each blasted two homeruns as Atlanta piled on 11 runs over the final three innings. Derrek Lee, the former Chicago first baseman, drove in three runs to back pitcher Mike Minor. Minor allowed three runs on seven hits over five frames for the win.
Chicago third base coach, Mike Quade, was promoted to interim manager. Speculation is that Ryne Sandberg will be the next Cubs skipper, and nobody could be more thrilled about this than I am. I was an enormous fan of the former Chicago second baseman. It will be hard for any modern day manager to accumulate the accolades of Sweet Lou, however. Piniella finished his career with 1,835 managerial wins, trailing only active managers Joe Torre, Bobby Cox and Tony LaRussa. Piniella was a three-time manager of the year winner but despite his greatness, could not shake the curse of the Chicago Cubs. That challenge remains for the next skipper.
Parting Points: Song of the day- “Forever” by Mariah Carey
Good read- Ray Bradbury’s “Dandelion Wine”
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Untitled
The dust of the pedals clear the gray bars
Flying to the bark of an evergreen stub
The spokes in the shadow speak to the tree
Telling about trudges it never will travel
The dusk forays freely on the fallow field
Leaving the chains fixed for the day
The dismay from the tires depresses the ground
Crying in cycles with parched grass tears
Flying to the bark of an evergreen stub
The spokes in the shadow speak to the tree
Telling about trudges it never will travel
The dusk forays freely on the fallow field
Leaving the chains fixed for the day
The dismay from the tires depresses the ground
Crying in cycles with parched grass tears
Friday, August 20, 2010
The Final Set
Making the most of what you have
Is an idea embraced near and far
Give it your all and give it your best
Don’t ever settle for even par
But when you’ve finally had enough
When life pulls and tugs and tears you down
You feel tired, threadbare and tattered tough
Take it to the court for the feeling of last
There in the eternal lifelong sport
Where nimble hands meet harmless nets
For an altruistic love of play
You’ll find yourself with few regrets
Ageless is the face of fear
Attacking us from everywhere
We hear the questions in our ear
What will we become in our final set
Is an idea embraced near and far
Give it your all and give it your best
Don’t ever settle for even par
But when you’ve finally had enough
When life pulls and tugs and tears you down
You feel tired, threadbare and tattered tough
Take it to the court for the feeling of last
There in the eternal lifelong sport
Where nimble hands meet harmless nets
For an altruistic love of play
You’ll find yourself with few regrets
Ageless is the face of fear
Attacking us from everywhere
We hear the questions in our ear
What will we become in our final set
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Subjectivity & Stories
Greatness and guts aside, Brett Favre is an easy target. Travesty has thumped his talent. He has become one of the most “mockable” professional athletes of this past decade because of his constant attention-seeking and fickle behaviors. Granted, the media should take half the credit for Favre Fever, much like the press is to blame for the equally oppressive, Bieber Fever that has swept through teenage nation. I admit it is amusing to poke fun at Favre because his “retirement” is so outplayed it’s hilarious. It’s like the obnoxious Bieber croons in “You can’t make up your mind, mind, mind…Please don’t waste my time, time, time”. Favre should take a good listen to “Eenie Meenie” because it certainly applies to his inconsistent approach to retiring from the NFL. I’m just waiting for Favre to pull a Michael Jordan and appear in some “Space Jam” knock-off. Oh, wait. Favre already made his big screen debut and it was actually funny. Maybe he should get into acting more.
Here are four things in sports I find more annoying/less interesting than Number 4:
1) NASCAR
2) Red Sox fans
3) Nick Saban
4) LeBron James tweets
Here are four current sports topics that should be ranking higher than the Favre-mobile backing into Minnesota:
1) The Little League World Series- I don’t know about anyone else, but I enjoy the LLWS. I especially like seeing Tom’s River take over Williamsport, PA. The Tom’s River team has a history of success in Little’s League’s version of the Fall Classic. This accomplishment is nothing new for the frequent visitors to the LLWS. The Mid-Atlantic champs open play Saturday versus the Great Lakes champs, Hamilton, OH. at Lamade Stadium. The Jersey boys advanced on Monday after topping Newton, Pennsylvania 8-5. Pinch-hitter, Michael Tiplady, led the charge with some big hits. (love that kid’s name so I had to give him a plug)
2) Bobby Thomson’s legacy- There are countless references to Thomson’s 1951 homerun throughout literature and film. The former New York outfielder died Monday at the age of 86, but will forever be remembered for the famed “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” that gave the Giants the pennant. Thomson’s one swing is often cited as the greatest homerun ever. Many people don’t recall it was Ralph Branca who yielded the famous homerun. Branca’s Brooklyn Dodgers lost the National League pennant in Game Three because of Thomson’s three-run, bottom-of-the-ninth walk-off at the Polo Grounds. How could any sports fan not get goose bumps just thinking about the feat?
3) C.C. Sabathia’s league –leading win total stands at 16. Yep, the Yankees stocky ace pitched another masterpiece last night against Detroit. Sabathia is undefeated in his last 14 starts. The line last night against the Tigers: 7 innings, 5 hits, 2 runs, 9 strikeouts. You can’t really ask for more than that.
4) Interesting story from college football: Clemson’s Kyle Parker reached an agreement with the Colorado Rockies. Parker, the Rockies’ top draft pick, can still play quarterback for the Tigers. He’s the first D-I athlete to throw 20 touchdown passes and knock 20 homeruns out of the park in the same academic year. The Rockies are no strangers to drafting quarterbacks. Todd Helton and Seth Smith were both college signal-callers who now call the Colorado diamond home. Smith was Eli Manning’s backup at Ole Miss. See how much you can learn about sports when the focus isn’t on Favre?
Parting Points: Today is National Bad Poetry Day!
Here are four things in sports I find more annoying/less interesting than Number 4:
1) NASCAR
2) Red Sox fans
3) Nick Saban
4) LeBron James tweets
Here are four current sports topics that should be ranking higher than the Favre-mobile backing into Minnesota:
1) The Little League World Series- I don’t know about anyone else, but I enjoy the LLWS. I especially like seeing Tom’s River take over Williamsport, PA. The Tom’s River team has a history of success in Little’s League’s version of the Fall Classic. This accomplishment is nothing new for the frequent visitors to the LLWS. The Mid-Atlantic champs open play Saturday versus the Great Lakes champs, Hamilton, OH. at Lamade Stadium. The Jersey boys advanced on Monday after topping Newton, Pennsylvania 8-5. Pinch-hitter, Michael Tiplady, led the charge with some big hits. (love that kid’s name so I had to give him a plug)
2) Bobby Thomson’s legacy- There are countless references to Thomson’s 1951 homerun throughout literature and film. The former New York outfielder died Monday at the age of 86, but will forever be remembered for the famed “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” that gave the Giants the pennant. Thomson’s one swing is often cited as the greatest homerun ever. Many people don’t recall it was Ralph Branca who yielded the famous homerun. Branca’s Brooklyn Dodgers lost the National League pennant in Game Three because of Thomson’s three-run, bottom-of-the-ninth walk-off at the Polo Grounds. How could any sports fan not get goose bumps just thinking about the feat?
3) C.C. Sabathia’s league –leading win total stands at 16. Yep, the Yankees stocky ace pitched another masterpiece last night against Detroit. Sabathia is undefeated in his last 14 starts. The line last night against the Tigers: 7 innings, 5 hits, 2 runs, 9 strikeouts. You can’t really ask for more than that.
4) Interesting story from college football: Clemson’s Kyle Parker reached an agreement with the Colorado Rockies. Parker, the Rockies’ top draft pick, can still play quarterback for the Tigers. He’s the first D-I athlete to throw 20 touchdown passes and knock 20 homeruns out of the park in the same academic year. The Rockies are no strangers to drafting quarterbacks. Todd Helton and Seth Smith were both college signal-callers who now call the Colorado diamond home. Smith was Eli Manning’s backup at Ole Miss. See how much you can learn about sports when the focus isn’t on Favre?
Parting Points: Today is National Bad Poetry Day!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Costly Cuts & Cruising Cruz
The NFL season is knocking on the door step, but there are still several notable and intriguing preseason contests. That means, there is still time to access your favorite team before opening kickoff. Last night, Gang Green lost the battle of New York when they were defeated 31-16 in the new stadium at the Meadowlands. Big Blue quarterback, Eli Manning, was battered and bloodied as the Giants beat up the Darrelle Rivas-less Jets to christen their new home.
Monday night football in August began with both teams dominating on defense. Rivas’ holdout aside, Gang Green prevented Manning from completing a pass on the opening drive of the game. Mark Sanchez, the former USC signal-caller and sophomore quarterback for the Jets, threw an interception on his first snap of the game. Giants’ cornerback, Antrel Rolle, snagged the pickoff and ran it back 59 yards to the one yard line. From the one yard line, it took Brandon Jacob three carries to reach the end zone for a 7-0 Giants lead.
Sanchez settled down after his opening interception to tie the game on the Jets’ next drive. Wideout, Brad Smith, grabbed a four yard pass from Sanchez to complete a 68 yard drive at 8:42 in the first quarter. Gang Green added a Nick Folk field goal to forge ahead 10-7 at the end of the first quarter. Manning orchestrated a drive in the second quarter that left him stunned and knocked him out of the game. Manning faked a handoff to Jacobs on a third and two from the Jets five yard line but the ball popped in the air, causing Manning to crash with Calvin Pace. Pace, the sturdy Jets defensive end, sent the quarterback face first into Jim Leonhard. The brutal exchange with Leonhard occurred without Manning’s helmet protecting his head. Manning exited the game with a cut, finishing an uninspiring 4-for-8 behind center. The Giants did recover the fumble, however, and on fourth down tied the game on a 32 yard field goal.
Gang Green carried a 13-10 advantage into halftime following Folk’s second field goal. The Jets’ kicker added a third field goal seven minutes after the break. Jim Sorgi, Manning’s backup, hit free agent receiver, Victor Cruz for a one-handed 64 yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. Cruz helped Big Blue increase their lead with a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns. Sorgi struck Cruz in the end zone after the speedy wideout raced past a Jets defender. Cruz hauled in six receptions for 145 yards during the win, including a five yard pass from Rhett Bomar to finish the fourth quarter scoring. It was arguably the best preseason receiver performance since Terrell Owens’ 49er days. Sanchez completed 13 of 17 passes for 119 yards. The Jets’ signal-caller does have poise and accuracy, but I don’t see him becoming a gunslinger any time soon. I think Rex Ryan should enact more running plays on offense. As for Tom Coughlin and the Giants, they won the game, but may have suffered the bigger loss. Preseason games are essentially meaningless and for Big Blue to lose Manning for even a game would be an incredible setback. Chewing up their cross-town rivals in August is one thing. Missing Manning for the real deal is quite entirely another.
Parting Points: The Rays are hanging around—to nobody’s surprise. I can’t wait for September baseball. The AL East is up for grabs and the NL West looks like another tight pennant race to the finish.
RIP Bobby Thomson.
Monday night football in August began with both teams dominating on defense. Rivas’ holdout aside, Gang Green prevented Manning from completing a pass on the opening drive of the game. Mark Sanchez, the former USC signal-caller and sophomore quarterback for the Jets, threw an interception on his first snap of the game. Giants’ cornerback, Antrel Rolle, snagged the pickoff and ran it back 59 yards to the one yard line. From the one yard line, it took Brandon Jacob three carries to reach the end zone for a 7-0 Giants lead.
Sanchez settled down after his opening interception to tie the game on the Jets’ next drive. Wideout, Brad Smith, grabbed a four yard pass from Sanchez to complete a 68 yard drive at 8:42 in the first quarter. Gang Green added a Nick Folk field goal to forge ahead 10-7 at the end of the first quarter. Manning orchestrated a drive in the second quarter that left him stunned and knocked him out of the game. Manning faked a handoff to Jacobs on a third and two from the Jets five yard line but the ball popped in the air, causing Manning to crash with Calvin Pace. Pace, the sturdy Jets defensive end, sent the quarterback face first into Jim Leonhard. The brutal exchange with Leonhard occurred without Manning’s helmet protecting his head. Manning exited the game with a cut, finishing an uninspiring 4-for-8 behind center. The Giants did recover the fumble, however, and on fourth down tied the game on a 32 yard field goal.
Gang Green carried a 13-10 advantage into halftime following Folk’s second field goal. The Jets’ kicker added a third field goal seven minutes after the break. Jim Sorgi, Manning’s backup, hit free agent receiver, Victor Cruz for a one-handed 64 yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. Cruz helped Big Blue increase their lead with a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns. Sorgi struck Cruz in the end zone after the speedy wideout raced past a Jets defender. Cruz hauled in six receptions for 145 yards during the win, including a five yard pass from Rhett Bomar to finish the fourth quarter scoring. It was arguably the best preseason receiver performance since Terrell Owens’ 49er days. Sanchez completed 13 of 17 passes for 119 yards. The Jets’ signal-caller does have poise and accuracy, but I don’t see him becoming a gunslinger any time soon. I think Rex Ryan should enact more running plays on offense. As for Tom Coughlin and the Giants, they won the game, but may have suffered the bigger loss. Preseason games are essentially meaningless and for Big Blue to lose Manning for even a game would be an incredible setback. Chewing up their cross-town rivals in August is one thing. Missing Manning for the real deal is quite entirely another.
Parting Points: The Rays are hanging around—to nobody’s surprise. I can’t wait for September baseball. The AL East is up for grabs and the NL West looks like another tight pennant race to the finish.
RIP Bobby Thomson.
Monday, August 16, 2010
The Payoff Pitch
Decisions do laps inside my head
Zoned in on the home plate corners
The satin hands of the batter ahead
Grip the wood between the mixes of purrs
She chokes up as I wind to throw
A careful focus contrasting a hasty hurl
The momentous release treats the crowds to a show
Where a circling ball choosing how to swirl
It’s the payoff pitch one can’t afford to let pass
The same offering that could draw a walk
Behold the strike zone, for it is not crass
An undefined box inside definitive white chalk
Zoned in on the home plate corners
The satin hands of the batter ahead
Grip the wood between the mixes of purrs
She chokes up as I wind to throw
A careful focus contrasting a hasty hurl
The momentous release treats the crowds to a show
Where a circling ball choosing how to swirl
It’s the payoff pitch one can’t afford to let pass
The same offering that could draw a walk
Behold the strike zone, for it is not crass
An undefined box inside definitive white chalk
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Rodriguez on Repeat
The Bombers skated to an 8-3 victory in the third installment of a four game series with the Royals in Kansas City on Saturday. All-star third baseman, Alex Rodriguez, ripped three homeruns to back another solid performance by pitcher, Phil Hughes. Hughes tossed six innings and allowed all three Kansas City runs to notch his 14th win of the season. The Yankees improved to 72-44 and lead the majors in wins. Rodriguez has 604 career long balls.
Rodriguez stepped to the plate five times and connected for hits on four appearances. After former Bomber, Wilson Betemit, provided the home team with a 1-0 lead in the first inning, the Yankees tied the game in the fifth and took the lead for good in the sixth. The Yankees used some big swings, but it was ARod who carried the team. Rodriguez took Sean O’Sullivan deep on a 1-2 offering in the fifth for his first homer of the game. Jorge Posada went long on a full count and Curtis Granderson contributed a solo shot to put New York ahead by three. O’Sullivan yielded four runs on eight hits through 5 1/3 frames and was dealt the loss for Kansas City.
Betemit went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. The shortstop planted his fifth homerun of the year into the stands during the sixth frame to draw Kansas City one run closer. The Royals added a tally on Chris Getz’s groundout but wouldn’t plate another runner during the contest. The Bombers’ offense beyond the seventh came courtesy of their star clean-up hitter. Batting DH, ARod smoked a pair of two-run homers in the seventh and ninth frames to give the Yankees a five run cushion. His second tater of the game came off Kanekoa Texeira and Greg Holland was the victim of the third. It was the fourth time in Rodriguez’s career he went long three times in one game. Joba Chamberlain induced three consecutive groundouts in the home half of the seventh for New York. Boone Logan and David Robertson combined to throw a scoreless eighth as the Bombers’ bullpen looks more and more efficient through August. Sergio Mitre faced the minimum in the ninth to seal the deal for the Yankees.
Parting Points: The RichRod interrogations have begun. I sure can’t wait for college football season.
Song for Sunday- “Addicted” by Simple Plan
Rodriguez stepped to the plate five times and connected for hits on four appearances. After former Bomber, Wilson Betemit, provided the home team with a 1-0 lead in the first inning, the Yankees tied the game in the fifth and took the lead for good in the sixth. The Yankees used some big swings, but it was ARod who carried the team. Rodriguez took Sean O’Sullivan deep on a 1-2 offering in the fifth for his first homer of the game. Jorge Posada went long on a full count and Curtis Granderson contributed a solo shot to put New York ahead by three. O’Sullivan yielded four runs on eight hits through 5 1/3 frames and was dealt the loss for Kansas City.
Betemit went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. The shortstop planted his fifth homerun of the year into the stands during the sixth frame to draw Kansas City one run closer. The Royals added a tally on Chris Getz’s groundout but wouldn’t plate another runner during the contest. The Bombers’ offense beyond the seventh came courtesy of their star clean-up hitter. Batting DH, ARod smoked a pair of two-run homers in the seventh and ninth frames to give the Yankees a five run cushion. His second tater of the game came off Kanekoa Texeira and Greg Holland was the victim of the third. It was the fourth time in Rodriguez’s career he went long three times in one game. Joba Chamberlain induced three consecutive groundouts in the home half of the seventh for New York. Boone Logan and David Robertson combined to throw a scoreless eighth as the Bombers’ bullpen looks more and more efficient through August. Sergio Mitre faced the minimum in the ninth to seal the deal for the Yankees.
Parting Points: The RichRod interrogations have begun. I sure can’t wait for college football season.
Song for Sunday- “Addicted” by Simple Plan
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Sinking the Sox
It was a Lonestar letdown for the AL East’s third place team Friday in Arlington. Texas topped the visiting Red Sox 10-9 in 11 innings on Nelson Cruz’s leadoff homerun off Tim Wakefield. The Boston knuckleballer had his first pitch crushed into the seats to suffer his third loss of the season. The Red Sox bullpen folded in relief of Josh Beckett, who allowed six runs in five innings. Still, Boston staked to an 8-2 advantage thanks to a seven run fourth inning to lead 8-2. Boston crumbled through the next five frames, allowing Texas to tie the game in the eighth inning. The Rangers went on to win the game to prevent the Sox from gaining any ground on the second place Rays. Both Texas and Boston have 66 wins, but the Rangers hold a sizeable division lead in the West, while Boston trails two teams for the East lead.
Cruz collected a pair of RBI’s for Texas, including a first inning infield single to drive in the Rangers’ first tally. Josh Hamilton scored the first run and was the offensive and defensive star for the home team. Hamilton went 4-for-5 at the dish and scored four runs while making three great outfield snags. Hamilton robbed Jed Lowrie of a possible homerun in the seventh before scoring the tying run in the eighth following his extra-base hit. Hamilton raised his major league leading batting average to .362.
Leadoff man, Elvis Andrus, gave the Rangers a 2-0 cushion in the second by driving in his 30th run of the year. Boston answered in the next inning off Texas starter, Tommy Hunter. Lowrie blasted a homerun off Hunter to pull the Sox within a run. Hunter allowed six hits for the gritty AL West Rangers. Boston knocked him around in the top of the fourth and eventually out of the game all together. David Ortiz led off the inning with a game tying solo shot. Adrian Beltre, the next batter, also went deep to give the Sox the lead. Beltre’s 427 foot shot was followed by another homerun. J.D. Drew took Hunter’s 1-2 offering for a ride to give Boston three straight long balls in the span of seven pitches. Scott Feldman came out of the pen, signaling the end of Hunter’s night. Mike Lowell drew a walk off the reliever and Marco Scutaro singled him in. Victor Martinez added a two-run base hit to put Boston ahead by five. Boston batted around in the fourth, completing their high scoring frame with Ortiz’s grounder that scored Scutaro.
The Rangers began to chip away at Boston’s lead beginning in the bottom of the fourth. Texas tallied two runs on Mitch Moreland’s homerun and made it a two-run game in the fifth on Michael Young’s tater. Drew found the seats again for Boston in the seventh inning off Texas’ Darren Oliver. Terry Francona taxed his dismal bullpen, sending seven relievers to the mound to preserve the game. Texas finished with 17 hits and rallied from a 8-2 deficit to close the gap in the seventh. The home team picked up a run on David Murphy’s sacrifice fly off of Felix Doubront. Boston set-up man, Daniel Bard, surrendered a run on Bengie Molina’s double to score Cruz.
Bard faced the dangerous Vlad Guerrero with two outs and a runner on second in the eighth inning. Guerrero grounded weakly to second base, but the Lowrie rushed the throw to first. The Texas slugger was ruled safe after Lowell came off the bag and Hamilton kept running until he crossed the plate. Both bullpens were effective in retiring batters in the ninth and tenth. Neither team connected for a hit until the decisive eleventh. Wakefield’s first pitch was drilled to left to send Boston home losers and handing David O’Day the win. O’Day hasn’t been scored upon since June 1 and has 26 1/3 straight scoreless frames for the Rangers. The teams go at it again tonight with Daisuke Matsuzaka facing off against the Texas southpaw, C.J. Wilson.
Parting Points: It’s great to see Karl “The Mailman” Malone and Scottie Pippin get some recognition.
K-Rod’s suspension is not severe enough. The Mets’ closer should be facing jail time because this is not the second time he’s been involved in off-the-field scuffles.
Cruz collected a pair of RBI’s for Texas, including a first inning infield single to drive in the Rangers’ first tally. Josh Hamilton scored the first run and was the offensive and defensive star for the home team. Hamilton went 4-for-5 at the dish and scored four runs while making three great outfield snags. Hamilton robbed Jed Lowrie of a possible homerun in the seventh before scoring the tying run in the eighth following his extra-base hit. Hamilton raised his major league leading batting average to .362.
Leadoff man, Elvis Andrus, gave the Rangers a 2-0 cushion in the second by driving in his 30th run of the year. Boston answered in the next inning off Texas starter, Tommy Hunter. Lowrie blasted a homerun off Hunter to pull the Sox within a run. Hunter allowed six hits for the gritty AL West Rangers. Boston knocked him around in the top of the fourth and eventually out of the game all together. David Ortiz led off the inning with a game tying solo shot. Adrian Beltre, the next batter, also went deep to give the Sox the lead. Beltre’s 427 foot shot was followed by another homerun. J.D. Drew took Hunter’s 1-2 offering for a ride to give Boston three straight long balls in the span of seven pitches. Scott Feldman came out of the pen, signaling the end of Hunter’s night. Mike Lowell drew a walk off the reliever and Marco Scutaro singled him in. Victor Martinez added a two-run base hit to put Boston ahead by five. Boston batted around in the fourth, completing their high scoring frame with Ortiz’s grounder that scored Scutaro.
The Rangers began to chip away at Boston’s lead beginning in the bottom of the fourth. Texas tallied two runs on Mitch Moreland’s homerun and made it a two-run game in the fifth on Michael Young’s tater. Drew found the seats again for Boston in the seventh inning off Texas’ Darren Oliver. Terry Francona taxed his dismal bullpen, sending seven relievers to the mound to preserve the game. Texas finished with 17 hits and rallied from a 8-2 deficit to close the gap in the seventh. The home team picked up a run on David Murphy’s sacrifice fly off of Felix Doubront. Boston set-up man, Daniel Bard, surrendered a run on Bengie Molina’s double to score Cruz.
Bard faced the dangerous Vlad Guerrero with two outs and a runner on second in the eighth inning. Guerrero grounded weakly to second base, but the Lowrie rushed the throw to first. The Texas slugger was ruled safe after Lowell came off the bag and Hamilton kept running until he crossed the plate. Both bullpens were effective in retiring batters in the ninth and tenth. Neither team connected for a hit until the decisive eleventh. Wakefield’s first pitch was drilled to left to send Boston home losers and handing David O’Day the win. O’Day hasn’t been scored upon since June 1 and has 26 1/3 straight scoreless frames for the Rangers. The teams go at it again tonight with Daisuke Matsuzaka facing off against the Texas southpaw, C.J. Wilson.
Parting Points: It’s great to see Karl “The Mailman” Malone and Scottie Pippin get some recognition.
K-Rod’s suspension is not severe enough. The Mets’ closer should be facing jail time because this is not the second time he’s been involved in off-the-field scuffles.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
The Putout
The preconceived notions occupying her mind
Were of the rudimentary mechanical kind
She remembered how to grip in continental style
While approaching a forehand with crafty guile
Brushing the back of the ball with the strings
Awakened inside her those nervous butterfly wings
She could feel her touch taut and precise
Her concentration connected in accord with her slice
Respiring in the muggy mess of the sultry summer
The slick handle held loosely like the stick of a drummer
She swept a splattering shot ‘cross the net’s chin
A harmonious blend of terseness and acumen
Her opponent, she fell back with a step and a scowl
Undetermined whether to fight or cry foul
This isn’t to say she powerfully performed
But perhaps her stroke proved what others had warned
She embraced the chance to put you out
The lightning pings of her thunderous clout
Were of the rudimentary mechanical kind
She remembered how to grip in continental style
While approaching a forehand with crafty guile
Brushing the back of the ball with the strings
Awakened inside her those nervous butterfly wings
She could feel her touch taut and precise
Her concentration connected in accord with her slice
Respiring in the muggy mess of the sultry summer
The slick handle held loosely like the stick of a drummer
She swept a splattering shot ‘cross the net’s chin
A harmonious blend of terseness and acumen
Her opponent, she fell back with a step and a scowl
Undetermined whether to fight or cry foul
This isn’t to say she powerfully performed
But perhaps her stroke proved what others had warned
She embraced the chance to put you out
The lightning pings of her thunderous clout
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Salvaging the Split
Jon Lester pitched a thrifty six inning game of four hit ball to win his 12th game of the season for the Boston Red Sox. Lester, Daniel Bard and Jonathan Papelbon were an overpowering pitching trio Monday afternoon in the Bronx as the Sox split a four game series with the Yankees. Boston defeated the Bronx Bombers 2-1 to take the middle two games of the set and remain within six games of the division leaders. New York finished 3-4 on their recent home stand and next head to Texas to battle the first-place Rangers.
Phil Hughes was tagged with his fifth loss of the season for New York. Hughes allowed a pair of runs in the second inning, and was essentially blemish-free the rest of the game. The Yankees’ offense did not give their starter much run support, stranding 11 total base runners in the loss. Mark Teixeira drove in the only Bomber run on his team-leading 26th long ball of the year. Teixeira’s crush came in the bottom of the eighth off Daniel Bard. The Red Sox did all their scoring in the top of the second, pounding out three hits and capitalizing on a Jorge Posada throwing error. Lester tossed 6 1/3 innings, limiting the Yankee bats and fanning six. Newly-acquired Yankee, Austin Kearns, was first to break out against the tough Lester. Kearns’ one-out base hit in the fifth was one of six Bomber hits on Monday. Boston also banged out six hits during the contest, struggling after Hughes’ shaky second inning in which he threw over 40 pitches.
The Yankees had an opportunity in the seventh frame after Lester loaded the bases. Lester buckled down to strike out Curtis Granderson for the first out before being replaced by Bard. Bard needed just six pitches to get Derek Jeter and Nick Swisher whiffing on his 98-plus mph heaters to keep Boston clinging to a two-run edge. Teixeira put the Yankees on the board with a towering leadoff homerun in the eighth and pitted runners on first and second with two outs. Papelbon induced a Kearns ground ball to end the threat and struck out the side in the ninth for the save. Boston continues their road trip when they head to Toronto tomorrow, knowing the Yankees squandered a chance to put them in a deeper division hole.
Parting Points: Buck’s birds? Buck Showalter certainly has a way of motivating an underperforming ballclub. Perhaps he should take over the Seattle job too.
I don’t understand NFL players who hold out and don’t show up at camp. Aren’t these guys making enough money?
Phil Hughes was tagged with his fifth loss of the season for New York. Hughes allowed a pair of runs in the second inning, and was essentially blemish-free the rest of the game. The Yankees’ offense did not give their starter much run support, stranding 11 total base runners in the loss. Mark Teixeira drove in the only Bomber run on his team-leading 26th long ball of the year. Teixeira’s crush came in the bottom of the eighth off Daniel Bard. The Red Sox did all their scoring in the top of the second, pounding out three hits and capitalizing on a Jorge Posada throwing error. Lester tossed 6 1/3 innings, limiting the Yankee bats and fanning six. Newly-acquired Yankee, Austin Kearns, was first to break out against the tough Lester. Kearns’ one-out base hit in the fifth was one of six Bomber hits on Monday. Boston also banged out six hits during the contest, struggling after Hughes’ shaky second inning in which he threw over 40 pitches.
The Yankees had an opportunity in the seventh frame after Lester loaded the bases. Lester buckled down to strike out Curtis Granderson for the first out before being replaced by Bard. Bard needed just six pitches to get Derek Jeter and Nick Swisher whiffing on his 98-plus mph heaters to keep Boston clinging to a two-run edge. Teixeira put the Yankees on the board with a towering leadoff homerun in the eighth and pitted runners on first and second with two outs. Papelbon induced a Kearns ground ball to end the threat and struck out the side in the ninth for the save. Boston continues their road trip when they head to Toronto tomorrow, knowing the Yankees squandered a chance to put them in a deeper division hole.
Parting Points: Buck’s birds? Buck Showalter certainly has a way of motivating an underperforming ballclub. Perhaps he should take over the Seattle job too.
I don’t understand NFL players who hold out and don’t show up at camp. Aren’t these guys making enough money?
Sunday, August 8, 2010
The Dock
Whenever I need a little inspiration, motivation or self-reflection, I write a poem. Here's one I penned in between yesterday's final exam study sessions.
I can't write without someone or something in mind. "The Dock" is a poem about entering recklessly into love. One of the greatest romantic poets of the 19th century was Sara Teasdale. Teasdale was born August 8th, so it's only appropriate to share my attempt at modeling Teasdale's style.
The Dock
He is a song, a placid sea
Never one to rattle waves at me
I love his voice upon my lips
My hips his careful fingertips
The quayside grins he freely grants
Stir my heart to gingerly dance
He leads me on a bouncy path
Consequences are an aftermath
I need his touch, his tinsel eyes
An inheritance of endless sighs
The only way to describe him true
Would be to climb a cloud, and follow through
He is the rush of August night across a crescent moon
Throttling me with pleasantries, prompting me to swoon
Best kept inside summer’s playful face
Stand the all-consuming shadows of his trace
I think he’s enough to catch my breath
From this dock to the ocean’s breadth
Parting Points: Happy Birthday to Drew Lachey---who's music will always be my sunshine after the rain.
Song of the day- NOFX's "August 8th"
I can't write without someone or something in mind. "The Dock" is a poem about entering recklessly into love. One of the greatest romantic poets of the 19th century was Sara Teasdale. Teasdale was born August 8th, so it's only appropriate to share my attempt at modeling Teasdale's style.
The Dock
He is a song, a placid sea
Never one to rattle waves at me
I love his voice upon my lips
My hips his careful fingertips
The quayside grins he freely grants
Stir my heart to gingerly dance
He leads me on a bouncy path
Consequences are an aftermath
I need his touch, his tinsel eyes
An inheritance of endless sighs
The only way to describe him true
Would be to climb a cloud, and follow through
He is the rush of August night across a crescent moon
Throttling me with pleasantries, prompting me to swoon
Best kept inside summer’s playful face
Stand the all-consuming shadows of his trace
I think he’s enough to catch my breath
From this dock to the ocean’s breadth
Parting Points: Happy Birthday to Drew Lachey---who's music will always be my sunshine after the rain.
Song of the day- NOFX's "August 8th"
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Phillies Pound Parnell
I often wonder how Mets fans sleep at night with their team being as awful as they were last night. The hopeless baseball team that is the New York Mets fell 7-5 to the Philadelphia Phillies Friday after the bullpen allowed six runs in the eighth inning. The two run loss occurred against a beat-up, injured defending NL champion team. The Philly victory pushed them within 1 ½ games of the division-leading Atlanta Braves, while New York erased an encouraging starting pitching performance by Jonathan Niese. The 23 year old lefty tossed seven innings of one-run ball, striking out seven batters. It was the tenth time in twenty starts the young southpaw yielded one run or less in an outing. Niese’s unreliable and shaky bullpen imploded with a one-run lead in hand during the eighth to send the Mets below .500 with a 54-55 record.
Phillies’ pitcher, Joe Blanton, did not stick around for the decision but also pitched a strong game for the home team. Blanton allowed two runs and seven hits for his best outing of the season. Philadelphia scored in the first frame on Placido Polanco’s RBI double. The Mets tied the game two innings later with a run on a Jose Reyes base hit. New York tacked on a second run in the fourth following a string of three consecutive singles. Jose Thole poked home the go-ahead tally, plating David Wright for the backstop’s seventh RBI of the year.
Bobby Parnell began the bottom of the eighth in relief of Niese. Parnell faced four batters, giving up four hits and four earned runs in being tagged with the loss and ruining Niese’s gem. Ben Francisco dumped a single to the outfield to tie the game at 2-2. Carlos Ruiz followed by smacking a single off Parnell for the hometown edge. Pedro Feliciano took over after the Phillies punished pitiful Parnell. Wilson Valdez slapped a bunt base hit to load the bases with nobody out, and Ross Gload drew a walk to pad the Phillies’ lead to 4-2. Shortstop, Jimmy Rollins’ RBI single made it 5-2 in favor of Philadelphia and ended the evening for Feliciano. Manny Acosta entered the game with just one out in the epic eighth. The right-handed reliever from Panama couldn’t prevent the Phillies from extending their lead. Polanco launched a sacrifice fly, scoring Valdez from third to put the Phillies up by four runs. A Mike Sweeney single plated Gload as Philadelphia completed their six run comeback.
Mike Hessman, the Mets’ pinch-hitter, collected a three-run homerun to highlight the ninth inning, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the damage done during the dismal eighth. Closer Brad Lidge was summoned from the bullpen and put an end to the Mets’ night with a strikeout of Jesus Feliciano. The depleted Phillies, playing without Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Shane Victorino, held on to defeat their division rivals in a messy affair at Citizen’s Bank Park. Sweeney, in his first start since joining the Phillies, trigged the decisive rally and finished it off with a base hit in leading the team with two RBIs. The Phillies prevailed, despite stranding 14 runners on base. Chad Durbin was credited with the win, his third of the season. The Mets have dropped nine of their last ten series starters on the road. The Phillies will try to pick up where they left off last night when Cole Hamels opposes Johan Santana in the middle game of a three-game series.
Parting Points: NFL Hall of Fame inductees today include Emmitt Smith and Jerry Rice---two of the greatest players of their decade.
Phillies’ pitcher, Joe Blanton, did not stick around for the decision but also pitched a strong game for the home team. Blanton allowed two runs and seven hits for his best outing of the season. Philadelphia scored in the first frame on Placido Polanco’s RBI double. The Mets tied the game two innings later with a run on a Jose Reyes base hit. New York tacked on a second run in the fourth following a string of three consecutive singles. Jose Thole poked home the go-ahead tally, plating David Wright for the backstop’s seventh RBI of the year.
Bobby Parnell began the bottom of the eighth in relief of Niese. Parnell faced four batters, giving up four hits and four earned runs in being tagged with the loss and ruining Niese’s gem. Ben Francisco dumped a single to the outfield to tie the game at 2-2. Carlos Ruiz followed by smacking a single off Parnell for the hometown edge. Pedro Feliciano took over after the Phillies punished pitiful Parnell. Wilson Valdez slapped a bunt base hit to load the bases with nobody out, and Ross Gload drew a walk to pad the Phillies’ lead to 4-2. Shortstop, Jimmy Rollins’ RBI single made it 5-2 in favor of Philadelphia and ended the evening for Feliciano. Manny Acosta entered the game with just one out in the epic eighth. The right-handed reliever from Panama couldn’t prevent the Phillies from extending their lead. Polanco launched a sacrifice fly, scoring Valdez from third to put the Phillies up by four runs. A Mike Sweeney single plated Gload as Philadelphia completed their six run comeback.
Mike Hessman, the Mets’ pinch-hitter, collected a three-run homerun to highlight the ninth inning, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the damage done during the dismal eighth. Closer Brad Lidge was summoned from the bullpen and put an end to the Mets’ night with a strikeout of Jesus Feliciano. The depleted Phillies, playing without Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Shane Victorino, held on to defeat their division rivals in a messy affair at Citizen’s Bank Park. Sweeney, in his first start since joining the Phillies, trigged the decisive rally and finished it off with a base hit in leading the team with two RBIs. The Phillies prevailed, despite stranding 14 runners on base. Chad Durbin was credited with the win, his third of the season. The Mets have dropped nine of their last ten series starters on the road. The Phillies will try to pick up where they left off last night when Cole Hamels opposes Johan Santana in the middle game of a three-game series.
Parting Points: NFL Hall of Fame inductees today include Emmitt Smith and Jerry Rice---two of the greatest players of their decade.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Tennyson's Tennis
In the stillness of a stranger’s stance
I’m looking for my expedition’s end,
Dear to me as the deepest love
Is the tempest that takes my trials,
And refurbishes them on my racquet.
‘Tis the wise man who wonders why
Progress slows as endurance grows,
Half-hearted attempts, where corners win,
Angles prevail and twisting mangles fail,
The tournament muscles of youth no more.
The earliest taste of titanium sun
Lives inside blood of they who play,
Trying for the next closest sensation to flying,
Overlapping feet with feet, serving free,
Honoring the fancy and frequent wind.
Ah, the strike of the strap vaguely relieves,
But not for they who peer from back,
Languished are the lasting reflections,
Set inside the infected minds of tennis,
So sad, so fresh with garlanded heights.
(Based on “Tears, Idle Tears” by Alfred Lord Tennyson)
Parting Points: I'm an OSU fan, but the number two coaches' poll ranking is very generous.
I’m looking for my expedition’s end,
Dear to me as the deepest love
Is the tempest that takes my trials,
And refurbishes them on my racquet.
‘Tis the wise man who wonders why
Progress slows as endurance grows,
Half-hearted attempts, where corners win,
Angles prevail and twisting mangles fail,
The tournament muscles of youth no more.
The earliest taste of titanium sun
Lives inside blood of they who play,
Trying for the next closest sensation to flying,
Overlapping feet with feet, serving free,
Honoring the fancy and frequent wind.
Ah, the strike of the strap vaguely relieves,
But not for they who peer from back,
Languished are the lasting reflections,
Set inside the infected minds of tennis,
So sad, so fresh with garlanded heights.
(Based on “Tears, Idle Tears” by Alfred Lord Tennyson)
Parting Points: I'm an OSU fan, but the number two coaches' poll ranking is very generous.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Curvy, Complete Celebration in Cali
Vicente Padilla took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, baffling the NL West leading Padres in Wednesday game in Los Angeles. The 32 year old Nicaraguan righty blew away San Diego with a complete game shutout for his fifth victory of the year. The Dodgers routed the Padres 9-0 a night after newly acquired pitcher, Ted Lilly, limited San Diego to two hits over seven innings. Padilla, pitching on an extra day’s rest, fanned nine batters and walked two in a two-hit effort. He tossed 77 strikes, including 10 Eephus slow curve pitches. The Dodgers’ starter also contributed a pair of hits and an RBI during the contest at Dodger Stadium.
San Diego’s southpaw starter, Wade LeBlanc, suffered the loss as the Dodgers tallied their highest run total since the All-Star break. It was the second time this season L.A. has shutout the Padres with LeBlanc on the hill. LeBlanc allowed four runs on eight hits in 6 1/3 frames of work. Scott Podsednik’s two-run base hit capped a three run second inning for the home team. The hosts added a fourth run on a Ronnie Belliard double in the third. Shortstop, Jamey Carroll and third baseman, Casey Blake collected two hits and scored twice, while teammate, Andre Ethier pounded out three hits in the win. Ethier smacked his 17th homerun of the season with one man on base in a five-run eighth inning to increase the Dodgers’ lead to 9-0.
Padilla did not give up a hit until the seventh inning. Ryan Ludwick lined an 0-2 pitch to right field with one out to break up the no-no, but Padilla still finished with his fourth career shutout. He is a satisfactory 4-2 in his last nine starts. Los Angeles backstop, Russ Martin, was placed on the 15 day disabled list shortly after the game. The catcher will be sidelined for the first time in his career with a right hip tear. Surgery could be an option, which would end Martin’s season. Forty-one year old, Brad Ausmus filled in behind the plate for Martin and almost caught a no-hitter. Padilla has a phenomenal 1.69 in his last dozen games.
Parting Points: Oddball pop, white rap song of the day-“Summer Vacation” by The Party
San Diego’s southpaw starter, Wade LeBlanc, suffered the loss as the Dodgers tallied their highest run total since the All-Star break. It was the second time this season L.A. has shutout the Padres with LeBlanc on the hill. LeBlanc allowed four runs on eight hits in 6 1/3 frames of work. Scott Podsednik’s two-run base hit capped a three run second inning for the home team. The hosts added a fourth run on a Ronnie Belliard double in the third. Shortstop, Jamey Carroll and third baseman, Casey Blake collected two hits and scored twice, while teammate, Andre Ethier pounded out three hits in the win. Ethier smacked his 17th homerun of the season with one man on base in a five-run eighth inning to increase the Dodgers’ lead to 9-0.
Padilla did not give up a hit until the seventh inning. Ryan Ludwick lined an 0-2 pitch to right field with one out to break up the no-no, but Padilla still finished with his fourth career shutout. He is a satisfactory 4-2 in his last nine starts. Los Angeles backstop, Russ Martin, was placed on the 15 day disabled list shortly after the game. The catcher will be sidelined for the first time in his career with a right hip tear. Surgery could be an option, which would end Martin’s season. Forty-one year old, Brad Ausmus filled in behind the plate for Martin and almost caught a no-hitter. Padilla has a phenomenal 1.69 in his last dozen games.
Parting Points: Oddball pop, white rap song of the day-“Summer Vacation” by The Party
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Fickle Favre & Wednesday Wisecracks
Brett Favre is bidding farewell to the NFL
Why is that such a hard sell?
Perhaps because fickle number four
Has done this twice before
Sources say this is for real
But probably only until he gets a better deal
Favre’s future is never set in stone
Because you know he’s waiting by the phone
He just can’t stay retired
Hoping he’ll get another call to be acquired
A Shaq attack is headed north
The Boston Celtics are moving forth
Plans are being arranged to ship
The towering center on another trip
Switching teams during his career
Is something O’Neal doesn’t fear
What is scary is how he will play
With the Big Three and their defensive way
He’s old, slow and prone to injury
Seeking a championship in a hurry
He gives new meaning to the Green Monster
Adding a punch and gigantic allure
You have to love Joe Paterno
Every year he sounds more like Don Vito
He’s a staple at Penn State
And a Big Ten coaching great
When will he go away?
If we’re lucky, he’ll always stay
Championships or no
JoPa is a Buckeye’s legendary foe
The conference is growing
But Paterno’s is still all-knowing
About what it takes to succeed
In a game contaminated with greed
Suh snagged a splendid and secure contract
The Lions’ number one pick finalized his pact
It’s about time Detroit delivered more than a car
40 million guaranteed to a tackling star
The Nebraska rookie held out
But an agreement soon came about
The Lions are breaking the bank
On a guy who is likely to rank
But it doesn’t mean a winning season is in order
For that, I wouldn’t even bet a quarter
Parting Points: Finally ARod hit his 600th homerun.
Why is that such a hard sell?
Perhaps because fickle number four
Has done this twice before
Sources say this is for real
But probably only until he gets a better deal
Favre’s future is never set in stone
Because you know he’s waiting by the phone
He just can’t stay retired
Hoping he’ll get another call to be acquired
A Shaq attack is headed north
The Boston Celtics are moving forth
Plans are being arranged to ship
The towering center on another trip
Switching teams during his career
Is something O’Neal doesn’t fear
What is scary is how he will play
With the Big Three and their defensive way
He’s old, slow and prone to injury
Seeking a championship in a hurry
He gives new meaning to the Green Monster
Adding a punch and gigantic allure
You have to love Joe Paterno
Every year he sounds more like Don Vito
He’s a staple at Penn State
And a Big Ten coaching great
When will he go away?
If we’re lucky, he’ll always stay
Championships or no
JoPa is a Buckeye’s legendary foe
The conference is growing
But Paterno’s is still all-knowing
About what it takes to succeed
In a game contaminated with greed
Suh snagged a splendid and secure contract
The Lions’ number one pick finalized his pact
It’s about time Detroit delivered more than a car
40 million guaranteed to a tackling star
The Nebraska rookie held out
But an agreement soon came about
The Lions are breaking the bank
On a guy who is likely to rank
But it doesn’t mean a winning season is in order
For that, I wouldn’t even bet a quarter
Parting Points: Finally ARod hit his 600th homerun.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Confident Captain
They look at me to take charge
With sturdy hands on a clipboard
Transforming my role into something large
I step up with a dedicated desire
To bring them together in accord
Focusing on igniting an internal fire
I wonder where each one comes from
An eclectic mix of teammates formed
Unified to deliver as one
Some speak out to hear their own voices
But most listen as if they’ve been warned
Acutely aware of all their choices
We put our hands in the middle of a circle
A ritual designed for the formal
Pumping in motion using words so lyrical
It affects me to an unimaginable degree
How inside this group appears charmingly undeniable
Despite what others outside may see
I turn back and look at each set of eyes
Assume my position as captain of the ship
The one who acts straight-faced and wise
I’ve been in their shoes many times before
What they don’t know I hide behind my grip
The sturdy hand on this racquet is shaking at the core
Sole's Sole
You know you’re good
When your shoes are older than your feet
And yet you can still compete
Balls scatter like seeds on a lawn
Reluctantly crowd the ground
Each one with a story, a sound
Before the dust settles and lights dim
You take one more shot on the rise
Feeling the soul in your soles surmise
You guess this is the end
It’s hard to form a final thought
From the spot your anecdotes were wrought
You know you’re sold
When you crush a winner down the line
And you feel a tingle up your spine
They look at me to take charge
With sturdy hands on a clipboard
Transforming my role into something large
I step up with a dedicated desire
To bring them together in accord
Focusing on igniting an internal fire
I wonder where each one comes from
An eclectic mix of teammates formed
Unified to deliver as one
Some speak out to hear their own voices
But most listen as if they’ve been warned
Acutely aware of all their choices
We put our hands in the middle of a circle
A ritual designed for the formal
Pumping in motion using words so lyrical
It affects me to an unimaginable degree
How inside this group appears charmingly undeniable
Despite what others outside may see
I turn back and look at each set of eyes
Assume my position as captain of the ship
The one who acts straight-faced and wise
I’ve been in their shoes many times before
What they don’t know I hide behind my grip
The sturdy hand on this racquet is shaking at the core
Sole's Sole
You know you’re good
When your shoes are older than your feet
And yet you can still compete
Balls scatter like seeds on a lawn
Reluctantly crowd the ground
Each one with a story, a sound
Before the dust settles and lights dim
You take one more shot on the rise
Feeling the soul in your soles surmise
You guess this is the end
It’s hard to form a final thought
From the spot your anecdotes were wrought
You know you’re sold
When you crush a winner down the line
And you feel a tingle up your spine
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Cano’s Clutch Clip Caps Comeback
All-star second baseman, Robinson Cano, belted a tie-breaking ninth inning homerun off All-Star closer, Rafael Soriano, to lift New York over the Rays 5-4 at Tropicana Field on Saturday. Cano’s 21st blast of 2010 gave the visiting Yankees their 34th come-from-behind victory of the season. The second baseman finished 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and a solo shot. It was Cano’s 11th career homerun at Tropicana Field and was enough to snap the Rays’ seven-game winning streak. New York leads the AL East by two games over Tampa.
Mark Teixeira and Nick Swisher added homeruns for New York as the Yankees defeated their division rivals behind starter, Javier Vazquez. The New York pitcher yielded four runs and eight hits through six plus innings. The Rays scored in the bottom of the first on Evan Longoria’s sacrifice fly and threatened to add to their one run lead after Carl Crawford stole his 38th base. Vazquez escaped the first without allowing another tally. The speedy left fielder for Tampa, Crawford, singled in a run in the third inning but not before the Yankees put up a run in the second. Curtis Granderson answered Longoria’s sacrifice fly with one of his own to tie the contest at 1-1. Tampa retook the lead in the third via Crawford’s RBI and increased their edge to 3-1 in the fifth on Jason Bartlett’s sacrifice fly.
Teixeira erased the 3-1 deficit in the sixth inning with a two run tater off Matt Garza. Garza, toeing the rubber for the first time since his no-hitter, lasted seven innings and allowed four hits on five runs. Garza struck out nine before handing the game over to his bullpen. Tampa’s Matt Joyce provided Garza with the lead again heading into the seventh frame. Joyce clubbed a solo homerun on the first pitch he saw in the bottom of the sixth to break a 3-3 tie. Swisher pulled a full count Garza offering to right field in the seventh to make it a tie ball game again. The Yankees’ Boone Logan and Dave Robertson teamed up for a scoreless inning of relief in the eighth. Tampa’s Joaquin Benoit matched the relief duo by tossing a hitless eighth frame to keep the game knotted at 4-4. Cano’s crush off Soriano put the visiting team up by a run and closer, Mariano Rivera made it stand for good in the ninth. Rivera earned his 22nd save of the season, making a winner out of Robertson.
Yankees’ trade-deadline acquisition, Lance Berkman, went 0-for-4 as the designated hitter in his New York debut. New York shipped pitcher, Mark Melancon and infielder, Jimmy Paredes to Houston for Berkman. The Bombers made two more trades in the hours leading up to last night’s deadline. Austin Kearns and Kerry Wood were added to the roster. Kearns and Wood, an outfielder and pitcher from Cleveland, respectively, were traded for players to be named later. Wood’s addition provides a solid veteran in the bullpen and also puts Joba Chamberlain’s role in question. Kearns and Berkman are backup position players who add depth to the bench. Berkman will likely be inserted at first base and DH. Kearns will see time off the bench as a pinch hitter and reserve outfield option for Joe Girardi’s Bombers.
Parting Points: Sunday song- “All My Life” by Foo Fighters
Movie of the day- Brian’s Song
Mark Teixeira and Nick Swisher added homeruns for New York as the Yankees defeated their division rivals behind starter, Javier Vazquez. The New York pitcher yielded four runs and eight hits through six plus innings. The Rays scored in the bottom of the first on Evan Longoria’s sacrifice fly and threatened to add to their one run lead after Carl Crawford stole his 38th base. Vazquez escaped the first without allowing another tally. The speedy left fielder for Tampa, Crawford, singled in a run in the third inning but not before the Yankees put up a run in the second. Curtis Granderson answered Longoria’s sacrifice fly with one of his own to tie the contest at 1-1. Tampa retook the lead in the third via Crawford’s RBI and increased their edge to 3-1 in the fifth on Jason Bartlett’s sacrifice fly.
Teixeira erased the 3-1 deficit in the sixth inning with a two run tater off Matt Garza. Garza, toeing the rubber for the first time since his no-hitter, lasted seven innings and allowed four hits on five runs. Garza struck out nine before handing the game over to his bullpen. Tampa’s Matt Joyce provided Garza with the lead again heading into the seventh frame. Joyce clubbed a solo homerun on the first pitch he saw in the bottom of the sixth to break a 3-3 tie. Swisher pulled a full count Garza offering to right field in the seventh to make it a tie ball game again. The Yankees’ Boone Logan and Dave Robertson teamed up for a scoreless inning of relief in the eighth. Tampa’s Joaquin Benoit matched the relief duo by tossing a hitless eighth frame to keep the game knotted at 4-4. Cano’s crush off Soriano put the visiting team up by a run and closer, Mariano Rivera made it stand for good in the ninth. Rivera earned his 22nd save of the season, making a winner out of Robertson.
Yankees’ trade-deadline acquisition, Lance Berkman, went 0-for-4 as the designated hitter in his New York debut. New York shipped pitcher, Mark Melancon and infielder, Jimmy Paredes to Houston for Berkman. The Bombers made two more trades in the hours leading up to last night’s deadline. Austin Kearns and Kerry Wood were added to the roster. Kearns and Wood, an outfielder and pitcher from Cleveland, respectively, were traded for players to be named later. Wood’s addition provides a solid veteran in the bullpen and also puts Joba Chamberlain’s role in question. Kearns and Berkman are backup position players who add depth to the bench. Berkman will likely be inserted at first base and DH. Kearns will see time off the bench as a pinch hitter and reserve outfield option for Joe Girardi’s Bombers.
Parting Points: Sunday song- “All My Life” by Foo Fighters
Movie of the day- Brian’s Song
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