New Year's Resolutions

The ball is dropping soon, so it's time to look ahead to 2011. Next year I promise to...

• Grow a Bob Brenly moustache
• Wear my Oakland Raiders apparel more often (there's still time to order your Jacoby Ford jerseys)
• Go to as many sporting events as humanly possible
• Stop saying "call me crazy"
• Study harder for my fantasy baseball and football drafts
• Watch the movie "Avatar" (OK, maybe not)
• Improve my NFL upset picks
• Drink beer for the first time (I hear it's pretty tasty)
• Perfect my Bruce Weber impression
• Finish my "Saved by the Bell" inspired screenplay (the working title is "Bayside on All Sides")
• Run with scissors
• Win the lottery, or at least annoy the person in line behind me by purchasing like 100 different scratch-off tickets
• Skate tough or go home

An ambitious list to be sure, but if you're going to dream, dream big!

More Fun With Ozzie

The one good thing I can say about Ozzie Guillen is that comedy follows him like a hungry dog.

In case you missed it, here's what new Red Sox reliever Bobby Jenks had to say about his former skipper:

"Why would I come back to that negativity? I'm looking forward to playing for a manager who knows how to run a bullpen."

Tremendous! Bobby's dig was countered with, you guessed it, a "Tweet," but not from Ozzie. No, that would be too easy. Rather, his son fired away on Twitter, calling Jenks "an ungrateful punk" who used to "cry in the manager's office." I can't imagine that's true, but it's pretty damn funny.

Very nice work gentlemen. Hollywood movie writers couldn't come up with this stuff. I can't wait until Boston and Chicago meet this May. A cage match can't be far behind.

Illini On The Mend

Nothing cures a hoops slump like a trip to Iowa! Looking forward to a serious black-and-gold beating tomorrow night.

It's not that I think Illinois is that good. Iowa is simply that bad. Wednesday should be a nice confidence builder to begin the Big Ten season. Then it gets interesting, as the Badgers travel to Urbana on Sunday.

Holiday Upsets

I'm giving the gift of wisdom this season. Enjoy a couple of holiday upsets for week 16...

• Titans over Chiefs: Call me crazy, but I STILL don't believe in the Kansas City Chiefs. I'm out on a limb here, as it's a home game for KC, but I like Tennessee to shut down Jamaal Charles and the Chiefs' running game. Look for the Titans to slow down the KC playoff train.
• Browns over Ravens: Baltimore is obviously the better team, but I love what Cleveland is doing this year. The defense is improving, and the offensive line is rock solid. This one should be an ugly game, but I like the Browns to grind one out at home.

I'd really like to pick the Raiders (America's team) over the Colts, but that's nothing more than a wish list. Oakland is finally on the rise, but it will take one more year for a return to the postseason. Get your Jacoby Ford jerseys while you still can!

Perspective

This story simply amazes me...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?page=hotread15/MikeHeimerdinger

All the best to Mike and his family.

Bonehead Move

File this one under "selfish and stupid."

In case you've been on the moon, Terrelle Pryor and four Ohio State teammates have been suspended for five games in 2011 for accepting illegal benefits. According to ESPN.com, the players sold awards, gifts, and university apparel, including Pryor's Big Ten title ring.

I'm not an expert on the NCAA rulebook, but this kind of violation is probably on page one. So much for next season's national championship ideas, Buckeye fans. Happy holidays.

And can somebody please tell me why these athletes get to play in the upcoming Bowl game?

Better Look Out For The Brew Crew

They didn't quite make the same splash as signing Cliff Lee and Carl Crawford, but the Brewers' off-season moves propelled them back into contention.

By adding starting pitchers Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum, Milwaukee is powering up for a run at the NL Central title. The offense is still solid, and now the rotation (including Yovani Gallardo and Randy Wolf) is no longer a liability.

If new manager Ron Roenicke can develop a reliable bullpen, the Brewers should challenge the Cardinals and Reds in 2011, which will likely be Prince Fielder's final season in Milwaukee.

A Friendly Reminder

Don't forget to follow your favorite writer (me) at...

http://viewfromthebleachers.com

The Soap Opera Continues

Today the Redskins announced that Donovan McNabb has been benched in favor of Rex Grossman. You heard me, Rex Grossman. What in the name of Jay Schroeder is going on in Washington?

Look, we all know it's been a struggle for McNabb this year, as he's thrown a career-high 15 interceptions. But McNabb on his worst day is twice as good as Rex Grossman or John Beck, the next QB on the depth chart.

Mike Shanahan is a proven NFL head coach, but the way he's handled this situation boggles the mind. McNabb is 34, so his best days are obviously behind him. However, he's still more than talented enough to lead a team to the postseason. It all comes down to the quality of players around him.

I hope he gets a fresh start in another city next year.

High Noon

It's put-up or shut-up time for the San Diego Chargers.

As usual, the Bolts dug themselves a big hole early in the season. As usual, they have a chance to finish strong and make the playoffs.

I simply don't understand how this team underachieves so often. The roster is loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. At some point Norv Turner has to be held accountable.

On paper, tonight's match-up with San Francisco looks like an easy victory for Rivers and company. However, the Chargers keep reminding us that there's no such thing.

The Streak Is Over

I simply can't believe it. Who would have guessed that it could end this way?

In case you missed the big news, today is the official end of my coffee streak. For 297 days, I bravely consumed at least one cup of black coffee--McDonald's coffee, office coffee, vending machine coffee, bank coffee. You name it, I drank it.

I'd like to thank everyone who supported this challenging endeavor. I won't lie to you, there were days that I simply didn't feel like drinking another cup. But it was during those difficult times that I remembered all the kids who were counting on me. I gave it my best shot for 297 grueling days, and now it's done. I hope that I made you proud.

Oh yeah, that Brett Favre thing ended today, too. Maybe I'll buy a pair of Wrangler jeans in his honor. Then again, maybe not.

Don't Look Now

It's no surprise to me, but the Miami Heat are on a roll. Last night's win over Golden State was seven in a row, which runs their record to 16-8. Hands off the panic button, please.

So what happened to the so-called experts who were calling for Erik Spolestra's head on a plate? Did he suddenly get smart? It's always amazing what a little patience and perspective will do.

Having said that, the Pat Riley rumors won't go away, which is really too bad. Spolestra looks like an up-and-coming NBA coach to me. Then again, I thought the Knicks would be terrible this year, so what do I know?

The Return Of The Weekly Upsets

I'm back on the upset train! Admit it, you missed my "can't-miss" NFL picks. OK, maybe not, but here are two bold predictions anyway...

• Minnesota over NY Giants: To quote Orel Hershiser, Leslie Frazier has "turned this ship around." It's amazing what a healthy does of Adrian Peterson can do for an offense. Look for the Vikings to slow down the Giants' running game and squeak out a hard-fought victory.
• Washington over Tampa Bay: As much as I like Raheem Morris and QB Josh Freeman, I simply don't believe in the Bucs. The Redskins certainly aren't world beaters, but they're good enough to knock off an overrated Tampa team at home. McNabb and company will get it together this week.

I really want to take Houston over Baltimore, but I just can't pull the trigger. It's been another disappointing season for the Texans, who looked like a playoff team coming into the season. Gary Kubiak will likely be looking for work this spring.

Lennon

In case you've been stranded on an island somewhere, it's been 30 years since John Lennon's death. Time certainly goes by too fast.

In addition to being one of the world's greatest songwriters, Lennon was always an entertaining interview. Here's a link to an interview he did with Tom Snyder in the 1970s. Enjoy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58hSFj_9Gfs&feature=related

Cubs Prospects

In case you missed it, here is John Sickels' updated list of the Cubs top 10 prospects:

1) Brett Jackson
2) Trey McNutt
3) Chris Archer
4) Hak-Ju Lee
5) Chris Carpenter (no, not that one)
6) Jay Jackson
7) Hayden Simpson
8) Brandon Guyer
9) Reggie Golden
10) Josh Vitters

A few random thoughts...First, it's hard to believe how far Vitters has fallen. It's too soon to give up on him, but right now he looks like another big-time bust. Next, I absolutely love Brett Jackson. Hopefully he's patrolling CF in the very near future. Finally, the system seems to be loaded with arms. Obviously they won't all pan out, but it's not a stretch to think that one or two from the list of Jackson (Jay), Archer, Carpenter, Mc Nutt (great name), and Simpson will be useful.

Overall, I'm encouraged. It will be interesting to see if the Cubs develop these players or use some of them as trade bait. As always, I vote for option two.

Harold Reynolds Strikes Again

I'm watching "Hot Stove" on MLB Network, and I just heard Harold Reynolds describe Carl Crawford as "the Rickey Henderson of his generation."

Well, Rickey's career on-base percentage was .401. Guess what Carl's career number is? A whopping .337. His all-time high in walks is 51. Rickey hit the century mark seven times. He drew 80-99 walks 13 more times.

This is yet another example of a player turned analyst who doesn't understand even the most basic aspects of the game. Solid work, Harold.

Another Nice Move

According to MLB Network, the Cardinals have signed Lance Berkman to a one-year deal. Assuming that Berkman is reasonably healthy, this is another solid move by a team that usually makes plenty of them (with the possible exception of trading for Ryan Theriot).

Berkman's knee troubles make playing the outfield a risky endeavor, but this is a classic example of the "low-risk, high-reward" mentality that so many teams don't understand.

As a Cubs fan, I really wanted to see Berkman at 1B in 2011. Hopefully the Northsiders will go get Carlos Pena or Adam LaRoche. With my luck, they'll bring back Derrek Lee with a long-term deal.

Enjoy Lance Berkman, Cardinal fans. And take a little time to appreciate the leadership your team has. Not every franchise is so fortunate.

Dunn Deal

ESPN is reporting that the White Sox signed Adam Dunn to a four-year, $56 million deal. This is a solid move by a team desperate for offense.

If (when) Dunn hits and the White Sox don't win, what percentage of their fans will say that it's because the team doesn't have enough "grinders"? I'll go with 95 percent.

The Heat Is On The Heat

It's simply amazing to watch everyone pile on LeBron James and the Miami Heat.

Yes, they're off to a so-so start (11-8 as of this posting). And yes, the coaching situation is messy, but what did you expect with Pat Riley in the background?

All I can say for sure is that, if healthy, the Heat will get it together very soon. So enjoy the underachieving while it lasts.

I've Got A Feeling

Not to jinx our favorite College Basketball team, but I have a good feeling about the Illini's match up with North Carolina. Prediction? Pain! Also, Illinois gets the win, 78-71.

Ouch

After going 0-2 with my upset picks last week, I've been ordered to take a break (even though I really like Seattle over Kansas City). Adding insult to injury, I picked Boise State over Nevada on Friday. The Burwitz Curse is alive and well.

OSU President Talks BCS

In case you missed it, here's what Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee had to say about schools like Boise State and TCU possibly playing for the title:

"I do know, having been both a Southeastern Conference president and a Big Ten president, that it's like murderer's row every week for these schools. We do not play the Little Sisters of the Poor. We play very fine schools on any given day...So I think until a university runs through that gauntlet that there's some reason to believe that they not be the best teams to be in the big ballgame."

Just for the record, this is the same Ohio State team that played Ohio, Marshall, and Eastern Michigan earlier this year. They also played conference games against Indiana (4-7), Purdue (4-7), and Minnesota (2-9). That's some "gauntlet."

Giving Thanks

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to the thousands of readers who view this "microwriting site" each and every day. Your countless letters and emails warm my soul. During this time of gratitude and appreciation, I'm extremely thankful that the Cubs didn't give Victor Martinez four years, $50 million.

The Money Round

My apologies for the recent lack of activity, but I've been locked away furiously studying NFL statistics and trends. You think it's easy picking weekly upsets? This is a serious job, performed by serious people. OK, maybe not. Anyway, my crack team of advisers is helping me get ready for the last few weeks of this bizarre but compelling season. I don't want to toot my own horn, but this feels like the week I achieve perfection. So ladies and gentlemen, I present "the money round:"

• San Francisco over Tampa Bay: Who would have dreamed that a third-string quarterback could save Mike Singletary's season. Troy Smith has the 49ers back on track, eliminating many of the mistakes of his predecessors. Despite an embarrassing 0-5 start, the Niners are back in the playoff hunt. A win over the Bucs today will get them one step closer.
• NY Giants over Philadelphia: Mike Vick has to come back to Earth sooner or later. I pick sooner, and I think the Giants athletic front four will frustrate and harass the Comeback Kid. Look for Eli and company to control the clock and the game with a balanced attack.

Color Me Confused

So let me get this straight.

First, the Redskins bench Donovan McNabb with two minutes to go in a close game. After the loss, they tell the media that he wasn't as familiar with the two-minute offense as Rex Grossman (yes, that Rex Grossman). Next, they inform reporters and fans that McNabb wasn't in good enough shape to run the two-minute drill. Finally, they blame the benching on a hamstring injury.

Now, just when it looks like the Skins have soured on McNabb as their present and future QB, they turn around and hand him a $78 million contract extension. And you thought the Randy Moss story was strange?

Two More For Week 10

You gotta love those Cleveland Browns. Great win over New England last week. So, if it ain't broke...

• Cleveland over NY Jets: I'm all in with the Browns! I love the defense. I love the running game. I don't love the idea of starting a rookie QB, but Colt McCoy is hanging in there so far. As for the Jets, you know my feelings about Mark Sanchez. I'll take Cleveland in a field goal fest.
• Denver over Kansas City: The Chiefs are obviously better than the Broncos, but playing on the road in Denver is usually tough sledding (the Oakland Raiders may not agree, but that's OK). Logic suggests that KC will run all over the orange and blue, but my Spidey Sense is tingling on this one. The young Chiefs are on the move, but they'll hit a speed bump this week.

So Many Stories

For some strange reason the NFL media is focused on the same tired stories: Randy Moss, the underachieving Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings, helmet-to-helmet hits. Here are a few "no-brainers" they must have missed...

• The 6-2 Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan and company are undefeated in the dome and have a good shot at home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Falcons remaining schedule includes St. Louis, Seattle, and Carolina twice.
• The 5-3 KC Chiefs: I knew Todd Haley was a good coach, but I never thought he would turn this team around so quickly. The upstart Chiefs lead the league in rushing and feature a lightning-quick defense. A division title could be right around the corner.
• Philip Rivers: This guy is simply amazing. His receiving corp is racked with injuries, but Rivers keeps piling up Marino-like numbers. Or maybe Marino piled up Rivers-like numbers.
• Arian Foster: Did you know that the Texans RB leads the NFL in rushing yards with 864? Oh yeah, he's also scored 10 touchdowns and is averaging 5.5 yards per carry. Foster has to be in the MVP conversation.
• Clay Matthews: Despite missing Green Bay's week-six match up with Miami, Matthews leads the NFL with 10.5 sacks. The sky is the limit for this rising star. Now if he could just find a decent barber.

Where Will Lee Land?

I know everybody is on the Yankees' bandwagon, but my money is on the Rangers re-signing Cliff Lee. Despite a goofy manager, this team has the potential to be very good for a very long time. Look for the Rangers front office to throw the bank at their lefty ace and bring him back to Arlington.

Week 9 Upsets

We're really shaking things up this week. After all, you have to bet big to win big!

• Detroit over NY Jets: As talented as the Jets are, Mark Sanchez is still a big question mark to me. If the surging Lions front line can slow down the Jets running game, the turnovers will be there for the taking. I love the Lions (led by superstar WR Calvin Johnson) at home this week.
• Cleveland over New England: The Browns seem to be improving every week, and the Pats are due for a clunker. Cleveland's D should keep this one close, so look for the Man-Genius to steal one from his mentor.

I almost took Dallas over Green Bay, but I just couldn't pull the trigger. Sooner or later the Cowboys are going to erupt. Maybe it will be week 10 vs. Eli and the Giants.

NBA Round-Up

A few standout story lines so far this season (in no particular order)...

• The 5-0 Atlanta Hawks: The balanced Hawks have six players averaging double figures, plus a seventh at 9.0 PPG. Josh Smith and Al Horford are becoming quite a tandem, and Joe Johnson is solid as usual. I know the "experts" are handing the East to Boston or Miami, but this should be a dangerous squad come playoff time.
• The 3-1 Dallas Mavericks: Why do we always forget about these guys? They still have Super Dirk, Caron Butler, and the two Jasons (Kidd and Terry), plus they added the always intriguing Tyson Chandler. They won't take the West, but another 50-win season looks likely.
• Monta Ellis: Through four games, Ellis is averaging 30 points and six assists for Golden State. He's shooting it at a 55-percent clip, including 40 percent from three-point land.
• Rajon Rondo: I had to include a Celtic. How about 17 assists per game? Forget the "Big Three." Rondo is the key to Boston's success this year.
• John Wall: So far so good for the Wizards rookie point guard (24 PPG, 10 APG, 4 SPG). He needs to cut down on the turnovers, but the sky is the limit for Mr. Wall. It's hard to believe that he just turned 20.

Who Wants Moss?

It gets a little stranger every day in Minnesota. Three weeks after acquiring Randy Moss for a third-round pick, the Vikings cut him loose. After Sunday's debacle, I can't really blame them.

So who's lining up for his services? One team that better be in the mix is the Chicago Bears. Cutler's receiving corp is truly awful. Moss may not be the player he used to be, but he would definitely help the dying Cutler.

This Week's Picks

Turnovers kill a football team, and they killed my week seven upset picks. Two inexcusable fumbles kept San Diego from knocking off New England, and I can't even think about color-blind Brett Favre and Minnesota.

Anyway, enough about the past. With renewed confidence I bravely accept this week's upset challenge!

• Detroit over Washington: Matt Stafford is back, which is great news for the Lions and their all-world receiver Calvin Johnson. I like everything this team is doing, and I look for a nice second half in Detroit. That run starts today with a win over the Redskins.
• Arizona over Tampa Bay: I love the Bucs Raheem Morris. In fact, he might be may favorite NFL coach. Having said that, his team isn't this good. On the flip side, the Cardinals aren't this bad. Yes, the QB situation is messy, but the Cards have plenty of talent. Maybe you can't win a title with a weak signal caller, but you sure can win a home game vs. an over-rated opponent.

No Regrets

Cavs owner Dan Gilbert is standing by his reaction to this summer's LeBron James situation:

"I don't regret it. I think that's the feeling that I had and most of Cleveland had. ...I can't back off on that."

In case you forgot, Gilbert sent a fiery letter to fans that labeled LeBron as "cowardly" and "disloyal." While I still disapprove of his tactics, I have to give Gilbert credit for sticking to his guns. He could have easily put a revisionist spin on his actions.

It will be interesting to see how fans support what should be a rotten team in 2010-2011. And going forward, what will free agents think about working for such an emotional owner?

Even More Favre?

Just when you thought there couldn't possibly be more Favre coverage, the guy hurts his ankle and dramatically limps off the stage after a press conference. America is on pins and needles! So now it's his age, his elbow, his texting habits, his wife, his bad ankle, and of course, his consecutive game streak. Why doesn't ESPN start a 24-hour Favre network and get it over with?

Week 7 Upsets

Not a bad effort in week six. I nailed Miami over Green Bay and just missed Denver over the New York Jets. This week's slate of games is difficult to say the least. As usual, I have no fear!

• San Diego over New England: There is no rational reason for going this way, except that the Chargers can't possibly be this crappy. Sooner or later they have to start their annual run. However, no Malcolm Floyd and a 50/50 Antonio Gates start will be challenging. Look for San Diego to run the ball for a change and man up on defense. I'll take the Bolts at home.
• Minnesota over Green Bay: As much as I hate to say it, the Vikings are coming together. America's favorite drama king (Brett Favre) is banged up, but not like the entire Packers roster. I see Moss and Peterson racking up big numbers and leading Minnesota to a road win. The playoffs are definitely back in the picture.

Calling It A Career?

According to ESPN.com, Pittsburgh Steeler James Harrison is considering retirement after being fined $75,000 for what the NFL calls an illegal hit. Here's what his agent had to say:

"This is a very serious issue. James is very concerned about how to play football. If James is going to be fined $75,000 for making a legal tackle, then how do you go play football? It's quite frustrating to James, to Coach Tomlin, to me, to everybody."

It was nice of Harrison's agent to speak for Coach Tomlin. In any case, this was predictable based on the intense reaction to the fines and tough talk surrounding Sunday's various helmet-to-helmet hits (although I'm still not sure that the hit on De Sean Jackson was illegal). Other players may threaten the same sort of response in the coming days and weeks.

The good news is cooler heads will prevail. First, what the hell else are these guys going to do for a living? Second and more importantly, this situation is fixable. NFL defenders changed their approach to hitting quarterbacks, so I'm sure it can be done regarding "defenseless players." After all, these are some of the best athletes on planet Earth.

Parity

John Clayton from ESPN recently noted that 56 percent of NFL games this year have been decided by eight points or less. According to the "professor" that is the highest percentage in league history (granted, it's only week six). If parity is the commissioner's goal, he's well on the way. Personally, I love the balance. The league is much more interesting when the title contenders aren't obvious every season.

For the record, my Super Bowl prediction was Baltimore over New Orleans. The Saints have me a little concerned, but I'm confident they'll get things figured out as the season moves along. As for the Ravens, a good team is about to get better. Ed Reed is set to return anytime. Bad news for the rest of the AFC.

Big Talk From MJ

Recently Michael Jordan told ESPN that he could score 100 points in today's NBA. Pretending for a minute that he's right, which he isn't, who cares? Unless he borrowed Doc Emmit Brown's DeLorean, it's a pointless discussion.

I can't stand the "what if" sports debates. How many homers would Babe Ruth hit today? How many sacks would Deacon Jones rack up today? How many rebounds would Bill Russell pull down today? It's a huge waste of time.

And speaking of time, there's nothing worse than an aging athlete crying and complaining about the current state of his sport and bragging about how much better things were "in the good old days." Jordan's comments remind me of Jim Brown in the 1980s. In case you forgot, Brown was so angry about how certain running backs played that he attempted a comeback at age 48. Take a guess how well that worked out.

I don't mean to be a heartless bastard. I'm sure it's very difficult for superstar athletes to get old and become irrelevant. But trust me guys, patting yourself on the back every chance you get doesn't help. Take the high road and keep your mouth shut.

Another Round Of Upsets

Close but no cigar last week. What was I thinking picking the Bills? Anyway, that was yesterday (with apologies to Foreigner). Here are this week's upset specials:

Miami over Green Bay: It's a home game for the Pack, but I still like Chad Henne and company. The Packers are a MASH unit, and the Dolphins are coming off a bye. Look for Miami to run the ball effectively and force a few turnovers (whether Rodgers plays or not).

Denver over New York: It's just going too well for the Jets. Sooner or later they have to hit a speed bump, and I'm calling it this week. I see an implosion by Sanchez and another big game for Kyle Orton. Speaking of the former Bears QB, did you know that Orton is on pace to throw for more than 5,000 yards? Just when you think you've seen it all!

Da Bears

If you're a Bears fan, you have to be excited about what's happening in your division. The Packers are falling apart physically. The Vikings are a weekly soap opera spiralling out of control. The Lions are improving, but the Stafford injury set them back another year. If the Bears can keep Cutler upright, this could easily turn out to be a 10+ win season. How many fans would have predicted that on August 1st?

I've Had Enough

Call me a bad American, but I'm sick and tired of Brett Favre. I'm tired of his "good old boy" routine. I'm tired of how ESPN treats him like royalty. I'm tired of the excuses when he plays poorly. I'm tired of the word "gunslinger." And before long, I'm sure I'll be tired of hearing about his texting habits. Retire already!

Hotter Than Donut Grease

In case you're scoring at home, I was 2-0 with my upset picks last week. Plenty of room on the bandwagon! Here's a three-pack for this week's action...

• Buffalo over Jacksonville: Yes, I know, the Jags just knocked off the Colts. And yes, the Bills have looked terrible so far. But, Jacksonville is loaded with flaws, and the Marshawn Lynch trade means more carries for C. J. Spiller in Buffalo. Trust me, that's a good thing. Besides, the Bills have to beat somebody, right?
• Oakland over San Diego: I may be picking with my heart here, but the Raiders are a missed chip-shot field goal away from being 2-2. Gradkowski has injected life into the passing game, and the running attack is solid. The Chargers road woes continue this week.
• San Francisco over Philly: The 49ers just aren't this bad. Kevin Kolb might be this bad. Look for San Fran's defense to smother the Vick-less Eagles. Hopefully Mike Singletary keeps his pants on.

Moss On The Move

So Randy Moss is going Back to the Future and returning to the Vikings. This may be the move that saves Minnesota's season. I'll bet Brett Favre hasn't been this happy since he got a new pair of Wranglers for Christmas.

On the flip side, why would the Patriots make this deal? I understand that Moss was a pain in the backside, but New England has a shot to win it all this year. Even if Brandon Tate is as good as he's looked so far, the Pats will live to regret this one.

First Round Fodder

Admit it. You're dying to read my round one playoff predictions! Here goes nothing...

Phillies over Reds: This one is as easy as it gets. The Phillies are better in almost every way (with the possible exception of the bullpen). However, let's give the Reds credit. They overachieved all year, which is a credit to their manager (painful for me to admit), their pitching coach, and of course Joey Votto, who will likely win the MVP award.

Braves over Giants: Tough call here, but I still don't completely believe in the Giants offense. This should be a very competitive, very dramatic series led by two great managers and a handful of exciting young players. I can't wait to watch Heyward on the big stage.

Yankees over Twins: Without Justin Morneau, I just don't see the Twins having enough firepower (I hope I'm wrong). Look for the champs to easily move on to the next round. Did I mention that I hope I'm wrong?

Rangers over Rays: I love the Rangers in round one. Cliff Lee, plus a solid bullpen, plus a balanced offense equals bad news for Joe Maddon and company. In fact, I give the Rangers a great shot at knocking off New York in round two.

I know Fox executives would keel over, but I'm rooting for a Rangers vs. Braves World Series. Round two predictions coming soon!

Giants MVP?

I'm watching MLB Network, and Harold Reynolds just said, "Andres Torres is the Giants MVP this year." Really? Torres has been a fine player for San Francisco, but let's look at a few of his more productive teammates...

• Aubrey Huff 1B/OF: 291/.382./.510, 26 HR in 153 games
• Buster Posey C/1B: .311/.364/.504, 16 HR in 104 games
• Tim Lincecum SP: 16-10, 3.43 ERA, 212 IP
• Matt Cain SP: 13-10, 2.95 ERA, 219 IP
• Brian Wilson RP: 3-3, 1.83 ERA, 74 IP, 47 saves

Now compare those numbers with Mr. Torres: .268/.343/.480, 15 HR in 135 games. The fact that he plays CF should be considered, but I would still take anyone from the list above. As per usual, Harold Reynolds has me scratching my head.

This Week's Upsets

I nailed the Cowboys win over the Texans, but missed the mark on the Panthers bumping off the Bengals. If you've read my previous NFL posts, you probably figured out that I'm not too keen on Carson Palmer and company. With that in mind...

Cleveland over Cincinnati: Believe it or not, the Browns had fourth quarter leads in every game this year, and something is definitely wrong with Mr. Palmer. I like Cleveland at home this week, 20-17. Another fearless prediction: Chad and T.O. will start the media-driven drama machine after this frustrating loss.

NY Giants over Chicago: I'm a Jay Cutler fan, but I'm not buying the Bears as a playoff team just yet. The defense looks pretty average to me, and Cutler was awfully close to his 2009 turnover form last week. Look for Jay to give a few away on the road. I'll take the Giants in a shootout, 34-30.

Not Exactly Murderers' Row

Check out the pop-gun lineup Atlanta ran out there for tonight's game vs. Florida:

O Infante 2B
J Heyward RF
B McCann C
D Lee 1B
M Cabrera LF
A Gonzalez SS
B Conrad 3B
R Ankiel CF
T Hudson P

It's sad to see Bobby go out with this hapless crew.

Interesting Free Agents For 2011

As a Cubs fan my season ended a long time ago, so I've spent the last month or two thinking about signings for 2011. Here are a few names for Jim Hendry and company to consider:

1. Adam Dunn-To me this move is beyond obvious. The Cubs have a hole at 1B, and they desperately need offense. Say what you want about Dunn's defense and batting average, but he's a walking machine with big-time power. This move alone would make the Cubs better in 2011.

2. Lance Berkman, Carlos Pena- If the Cubs don't want to break out the checkbook for Adam Dunn, Berkman or Pena might be a nice one-year fit (no multi-year deals here). Both are coming off down seasons, so the price tag might be Cub friendly. Either would be a low-risk, high-reward acquisition.

3. David Ross- Enough with Koyie Hill already. The Cubs need a solid backup catcher who can actually swing the bat. David Ross has shown decent pop and plate discipline in his nine-year career. A one-year, $1.5 million contract should get the job done.

4. Scott Downs, J.J. Putz, Matt Thornton- The Cubs will have to overpay for one of these plus relievers, but they really don't have a choice. The bullpen was beyond awful in 2010, and that's with career years from Marshall and Marmol. Both are likely to take a step backwards in 2011, so depth is critical.

5. Plan B Relievers- If the Cubs don't land one or more from the list above, these arms (if healthy) probably wouldn't kill them: Jeremy Affeldt, Grant Balfour, Chad Qualls, or Jason Frasor. Not exactly exciting, but potentially useful.

Full Disclosure

The Arizona Cardinals are taking heat for not disclosing Beanie Wells' arthroscopic surgery, even though he was listed "out" with a knee injury on the reports for week one and week two. Isn't this just semantics? The Cards' opponents knew he wasn't going to play, so why is there a problem?

And while we're at it, what's the point of the weekly injury report anyway? How valuable is it for a coach to know that Dez Bryant is "probable." Here's an idea...Get familiar with your opponent's entire roster and prepare accordingly.

Progress

One crappy candidate eliminated...

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/news/story?id=5613688

More Upsets

Despite the Lions and Redskins coming oh-so close last week, I'm 1-2 with my upset picks so far this year. Let's get right back on the bike, shall we? Here's what I see in week three...

Cowboys over Texans: There's way too much talent on the 'Boys for them to start the season 0-3. I don't care who they're playing, or where. Dallas survives a shootout and finally gets in the win column this week.

Panthers over Bengals: This looks impossible on paper. After all, the Bengals were a playoff team last year, and they just knocked off the mighty Ravens. Plus, the Panthers are starting a rookie QB. But for whatever reason, my Spidey Sense is tingling. I say Williams and Stewart run all over the Bengals and lead "Touchdown Jimmy" to his first NFL victory.

What Happened?

Sorry for the lack of "micro-writing." I've been preparing for my managerial interview with the Chicago Cubs. Until that magic day arrives, I thought it might be interesting to look at some of this year's biggest disappointments in MLB. If it's not that interesting to you, at least you didn't spend any of your hard-earned money for the information. Enjoy...

1. Carlos Lee--The numbers are simply ugly: .249/.291./.421. Maybe he has a twin brother, and they decided to trade jobs this summer as a gag. If so, someone please tell Chuck or Bobby or whatever his name is to go back to Wal-Mart and let the talented brother resume his duties in Houston.

2. Jason Bay--I like Bay as much as anyone, but even I thought this was a bad signing. Of course, I never dreamed he would be this terrible: .259/.347/.402. And now for the good news! Bay is only 31 years old and can easily rebound from this disaster of a season.

3. Brandon Wood--Think back to March. If you were like me, you actually smiled when the Angels finally handed a starting job to their long-time IF prospect. "This is the year he puts it together," I thought. Six months later, and Wood's career is in the toilet: .154/.184/.220. Are you kidding me? How could I have been so wrong about this guy?

4. Josh Beckett--It really wasn't so long ago that Beckett was one of the most-feared pitchers in the league. In 2010, he looks like Jamie Navarro. Yes, he's battled injuries, but Beckett is way too hittable these days. Here's hoping he gets it together next year, because a dominating Josh Beckett is fun to watch.

Upset Specials

Since my Washington over Dallas prediction turned out so well, I thought I'd float an upset or two for this week's NFL action. Read 'em and weep:

Detroit over Philly--This is not a typo. It's a home game for the Lions, who have a much-improved defense. Shaun Hill isn't Peyton Manning, but he is a serviceable NFL quarterback. Also, I'm not sold on the "new" Michael Vick. Look for Detroit to win a low-scoring, ugly contest.

Washington over Houston--I'm riding this horse until it throws me. In all seriousness, the Redskins are a playoff contender in my humble opinion. I said it during the preseason, and I'm sticking to my guns. Donovan McNabb combined with a solid defense and running game should be enough to keep Mike Shanahan's crew in the hunt. Look for Washington to slow down the Arian Foster express this week.

"Mitch" In The News

From ESPN.com...

A judge has ordered former National League MVP Kevin Mitchell to stand trial on charges of punching a man several times in the head in July at a golf club in Southern California. The ex-San Francisco Giants and New York Mets slugger faces four years in prison if convicted of battery and assault...The 48-year-old Mitchell has pleaded not guilty and is free on $25,000 bail. Mitchell, who won a World Series ring with the Mets in 1986 and the MVP award three years later as a Giant, is charged with giving another golfer a concussion during an attack at the Bonita Golf Club course.

Those of you who read Dwight Gooden's book know what an angry Kevin Mitchell brings to the table. As a wise man once said, "Anyone who rolls up on 'Mitch' is in big trouble." Amen to that, brother. I don't know who the victim is, but he's lucky to be alive. Just ask the family pet that caught Kevin on the wrong day back in the 1980s.

2011 Cubs

To the surprise of nobody, Aramis Ramirez will be in a Cubs uniform next season. Unlike many Cubs fans, the move doesn't upset me. This year aside, Ramirez has been a productive Cub, and he's only 32 years old. I think there's a good chance that he returns to form in 2011. Now if they could only address the 1B situation.

Gang Green

I don't mind telling you, I can't stand the New York Jets. I can't stand their loudmouth coach, I can't stand their overrated quarterback, and I can't stand their obnoxious fans.

You want some more? As a kid, I couldn't stand Mark Gastineau, and I always thought Joe Namath was EXTREMELY overrated (even though he was great as a guest star on "The Brady Bunch"). If you don't believe me, check out Broadway Joe's career numbers some time.

Having said all that, the New York Jets are great for the NFL. Their coaches and players give the media their weekly sound bytes, and who doesn't enjoy watching the league bully on national television?

The Jets are obviously talented, and I'm sure they'll be in the playoff hunt come December and January. Hopefully they fall just a little bit short. If they do, I'm sure we'll move on to the excuse-making phase of the media hype machine. Either way, it should be a lot of fun.

Typo?

Did Peyton Manning really put it up 57 times today? Also, what's the pass attempt record for a non-OT game? I'm sure it's a lot more than 57, but I honestly don't know the number or who holds it.

Week 1 Upset

The new-look Redskins knock off Tony Romo and the 'Boys this evening. Write it down! Bet the farm! Alert the media! Lock phasers on target! Get to the chopper! These aren't the droids you're looking for! This is the year Fink beats the Stomach! I believe in Harvey Dent!

September 11

Out of respect to those we lost, there will be nothing political or accusatory here. Leave that to the self-serving talking heads, zealots, and conspiracy nuts. However, this photo page is something I think everyone might be interested in seeing. It shows a timeline of restoration at the Ground Zero site:

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/galleries/ground_zero_the_changes_since_911/ground_zero_the_changes_since_911.html

Under The Knife...Again

For the second year in a row, Johan Santana is heading to the operating room. This time, it's a tear in his shoulder (according to ESPN.com). And now for the good news...Santana is only 31, and the Mets expect him to resume throwing as soon as next spring. I hope they're right. Baseball is much more interesting when he's on the mound.

Opening Night

I say Brett Favre gets it handed to him tonight. Saints 34, Vikings 20. That was also my prediction for the Mizzu-Illinois score, so I'll keep trying until I get it right.

Good Comedy

If you really want to see something funny, watch Ryan Howard run the bases. I just saw him try to score from 2B on a single. He looked like a fat old man trying to catch a bus in the rain (to be fair, he did have a sprained ankle earlier in the year). Of course, he was thrown out at the plate.

Fearless Forecasting

At last, the NFL season is upon us. Here's how I see things shaking out in each division, and of course the Super Bowl...

NFC East--Dallas Cowboys: The best team in a tight division. A surprise pick...I think Washington shoots past Philly and the Giants for second place.
NFC North--Minnesota Vikings: Adrian Peterson and a better defense will be enough to hold off the Pack.
NFC South--Atlanta Falcons. That's right, the Atlanta Falcons. Don't worry Harry Connick Jr., the Saints will still make the playoffs.
NFC West--San Francisco 49ers: Unless Alex Smith completely implodes, San Fran is the class of this weak bunch.

AFC East--Miami Dolphins: Bill Parcels has done his usual great job building this team. They're simply more balanced than the Jets and the Patriots.
AFC North--Baltimore Ravens: T.J. Houshmandzadeh just made a good team even better. The Ravens are solid all the way around.
AFC South--Indianapolis Colts: The easiest selection anyone will ever have to make, unless Peyton Manning is abducted by aliens or something.
AFC West--San Diego Chargers: The Chiefs and Raiders are improving, but it's still no contest out west. Also, look for Denver to take a big step backwards.

Super Bowl--I love the Ravens this year. Great coach, great defense, great running game, solid receivers, and a young quarterback on the rise. I'll take Baltimore over the Saints, with Joe Flacco as Super Bowl MVP. Hopefully he shaves that unibrow before leaving for Disneyland.

Another Round Of "Guess The Player"

Hands on buzzers! Who is this A.L. Allstar?

.264/.331/.373
560 AB
10 HR
20 GDP

That's right sports fans, it's "the Captain," Derek Jeter. Could this be the end of the road?

Boise State Is Big Time

In additon to being extremely talented, Boise State is very well coached. Their play calling is exceptional. So far so good for the Broncos vs. Virginia Tech. 20-14 at the half.

Young Gun

Unfortunately, Trevor Cahill has no shot at the AL Cy Young Award, but the 22-year-old has been outstanding for Oakland this year:

25 GS
165.2 IP
15-6
2.72 ERA
.210 BAA
1.07 WHIP

Prediction

Mizzu 34, Illini 20

I hope I'm wrong!

More Reavis Fun

Now Darrelle Reavis' grandmother is stepping into the holdout verbal war. I can't wait to hear from his neighbor, his grade school teacher, and a guy who knows a guy who is "familiar with the situation."

Are You Ready For Some (College) Football?

Thank God for Thursday night College Football! This season couldn't have started soon enough for me. Even with what looks like a terrible year for the Illini, this should be a fun campaign.

Dibble Gets The Boot

So let me get this straight. Rob Dibble is paid to give his opinion. He gives his opinion (granted, a pretty stupid one) and is quickly fired. I'm no fan of Dibble's broadcasting, but he deserved the chance to apologize to "the Strasburg" and keep his job.

Check Out These Splits

Guess the player:

HOME- .386/.431/1.212
AWAY- .267/.285/.417

Yes, this player calls Colorado home, but would you believe it's Carlos Gonzalez? Sad but true. That should certainly end the "Car-Go for MVP" talk.

Manny Comes To Chicago

White Sox nation just got even more interesting. The world's nuttiest player and manager side by side? Count me in! This should be great September television.

More Clemens Talk

So if Roger Clemens is proven to be innocent, does he go to the Hall of Fame?

Sidd Finch?

ESPN Radio is reporting that Aroldis Chapman was clocked at 105 mph during his last outing. We're still looking into the rumors that he was born on the planet Krypton, works at the Daily Planet, and has a crush on Lois Lane.

Injury News

It looks like Nationals phenom Stephen Strasburg (a.k.a. "the Strasburg") will need Tommy John surgery, which means he's on the shelf for 12-18 months. Despite the annoying media hype surrounding his rookie season, this is obviously terrible news. It was fun watching Strasburg pitch this year. Here's hoping he makes a full recovery.

Happy Birthday Elvis

Elvis Andrus turns 22 today. He can't sing, but he sure can pick it at SS.

Bad TV

I've seen some rotten sports commercials in my 40+ years on Earth, but that Peyton Manning Reebok spot is by far the worst. Somebody should lose his/her job over that piece of crap.

ESPN Going South

This morning's SportsCenter led with Tiger's ex-wife sitting down for an interview with "People" magazine. I guess two teams coming back from 10-1 deficits isn't newsworthy anymore. The "Worldwide Leader" has really gone down hill.

Rice Injury

So Vikings WR Sidney Rice injures his hip in the playoffs and doesn't have surgery until the following August? Thanks for sabotaging my fantasy team Sidney!

Swing And A Miss

Ryan Howard has fanned five times tonight. Somewhere, Rob Deer is smiling.

Cubs Talk

Have I mentioned lately how great it would be to have Adam Dunn at 1B next year? His lefty bat is exactly what the Cubs need. Who cares how rotten he is defensively? If Frank Thomas and Jason Giambi can man the position, Dunn should be just fine. I'm thinking a three-year deal should do the trick.

"Leaked" MLB Financial Information

Very interesting...

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/24/sports/baseball/24pirates.html?src=mv

Texas No-No

Rich Harden has a no-hitter through six innings. I can't stand Harden, so I don't mind jinxing him.

So Long, Lou

According to ESPN.com, Lou Piniella will step down as Cubs manager after today's game. This year aside, I would call his time in Chicago a success. Three straight winning seasons and two playoff appearances is a nice run. He's easily been the best Cubs manager during my 35+ years as a fan.

Shocking

Did you know that NFL coaches use cuss words during practice? Apparently Tony Dungy didn't, even though he coached in the league forever. All I can say to that is, "What the @$#%?"

Busted

From ESPN.com...

Phillies prospect Tyson Gillies, one of the three players acquired in the Cliff Lee trade this past offseason, was arrested for cocaine possession in Clearwater, Fla., early Friday morning.

"Moron" is the first word that comes to mind.

The Rocket

If Clemens does any time, that will be one talented prison softball team.

My Lunch On The Ground

Brett Favre is back. I'm feeling that pain in my stomach again.

This Just In...

Mat Latos=good. Cubs offense=bad.

Biting The Hand

I said it then, and I'll say it again now. The White Sox screwed up letting Jim Thome walk out of town. Here's what Bartonville Jim is doing vs. RHP in 2010:

.268/.413/.604
12 HR in 149 AB

How would that look for your DH White Sox fans?

A Closer Look

It's August 17th and the Reds are still in first place. Regular readers know that I predicted an implosion several weeks ago. So, what's keeping this team in the hunt?

• Joey Votto: To nobody's surprise, the Reds 1B is having an MVP season. Votto is a special player who should put up big numbers for the next eight to 10 years.
• Scott Rolen: Anyone who says they saw this coming is lying. Two years ago, Rolen looked like he was near the end of the line. In 2010, he's cruising along at .298/.369/.540. He's missed 23 games, so as always, his health is a question mark.
• The Bench: Somehow, Dusty is getting solid contributions from the likes of Miguel Cairo, Ryan Hanigan, Lance Nix, and Chris Heisey. Maybe it's the toothpick.
• The Big Three: Who would have thought that Bronson Arroyo, Johnny Cueto, and rookie Mike Leake would be 31-14 in mid August? Certainly not yours truly.
• The Bullpen: Once again, Dusty is shocking the hell out of me. He's really gotten the most out of a collection of arms that includes Nick Masset, Arthur "Older than Dirt" Rhodes, and Logan Ondrusek. This simply can't continue.

Will the Reds outlast the Cardinals? Smart money says no. However, "Dusty's Dudes" have already exceeded my expectations for 2010.

Quietly Having A Great Year

In case you haven't been following the Oakland A's, check out Trevor Cahill's season:

21 GS
12-5
2.50 ERA
140.2 IP
96 hits (not a typo)
42 BBs
81 Ks

Oh yeah, and he's only 22 years old.

Niners Nab Brian Westbrook

Great signing by the 49ers. Westbrook is the perfect backup to workhorse Frank Gore. If Coach Singletary can keep his pants on, this should be a fun year for Niners fans.

"The Strasburg" Has Spoken

Stephen Strasburg on Bryce Harper potentially not signing with the Nationals:

"If he doesn't want to play here, then we don't want him here."

I usually don't care what players and managers say to reporters, but I have to admit I was impressed by Strasburg calling out Harper. And even if I wasn't, I would say that I was just so "the Strasburg" didn't crush my brain with his psionic powers.

Say It Isn't So

Rich Harden placed on the D.L? No way! Next you'll try to tell me that Brett Favre is thinking about playing football this year.

Cup Of Coffee

After only one season, 49ers RB Glen Coffee calls it a career. So long, Glen. We hardly knew you.

Jose Guillen Traded To Giants

Nothing helps a bad offense like a guy who never gets on base.

"You're Going Down!"

If Jim Gray sets his sights on you, look out! In all seriousness, why would Corey Pavin lie about any of this? Has Gray lost his mind, or is this just another self-promotion exercise? At any rate, I hope the drama continues for a few more days. It's been great television and sports radio. Maybe Pavin will take it to the next level by stealing his lunch money or sticking his head in a toilet.

Hanging Around

Despite a rash of injuries, the Red Sox are only five games out. Terry Francona is doing a tremendous job this year. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see Boston end up with the wild card.

Strasburg Roughed Up In Return

4.1 IP, 6 Hits, 6ER

"You see, he's not a machine! He's a man!"

--Duke Evers, Rocky IV

See You In 2011?

I'm sure Darrelle Revis deserves a raise, but I can't believe he's dumb enough to sit out an entire NFL season. It sounds like he's getting some terrible career advice. Hopefully he'll open his eyes and get his butt on the field soon. By the way, this mess is one of many reasons I'm picking the Jets to miss the playoffs.

Cubs Talk

Be sure to catch your favorite writer (me) at...

http://viewfromthebleachers.com

How Can This Man Still Have A Job?

Joe Morgan just said, "The Yankees aren't living up to their potential on offense this year." Huh? Through 109 games, they lead the league in runs scored, and that's with Granderson and Posada missing significant time. Does Morgan do ANY research before going on the air? Does anyone at ESPN critique his performance?

Not Good

A quick look at Illinois' football schedule tells me Coach Ron Zook might be job hunting in the very near future. Even if things break right this year, five or six wins is probably the best we can hope for. Check out this portion of the schedule:

VS. Mizzu (in St. Louis)
VS. NIU
VS. Ohio State
@ Penn State
@ Michigan State
@Michigan
VS. Northwestern (in Chicago, Wrigley Field)
@Fresno State

I don't know about you, but those feel like losses to me. I hope I'm wrong, but it looks like another tough year in Urbana-Champaign.

Serious Power North Of The Border

Eight more homers for the Jays on Saturday (nice outing James Shields). Toronto's league-leading total is now 175 bombs in 110 games. What's Cito putting in the water up there? Also, I wonder what Bob and Doug McKenzie are up to these days?

Lose Already!

I keep waiting for Dusty's Reds to take a nose dive, but on August 7th they're still in first place. I guess I have to accept the fact that they might be for real. Either way, Joey Votto is a freak of nature. Yet another player I wish the Cubs had.

Fantasy Football Sleepers

I have two drafts coming up, which means my eyes are peeled for breakout players. Here are a few to consider as you start your draft prep:

• Matt Stafford, QB, Detroit--I know it sounds hard to believe, but this team is finally heading in the right direction. Stafford struggled as a rookie (no surprise), but he did enough to build on in year two. Plus, he has the luxury of throwing to Calvin Johnson. Look for a big improvement in his numbers this season (3,500 yards and 20+ touchdowns).
• Jason Campbell, QB, Oakland--Yes, my silver-and-black blood is showing here, but Campbell was underrated even as a Redskin. On a truly terrible team with a head coach in limbo, Campbell put up solid numbers (65 percent completions, 3600 yards). If the Raiders can protect him and continue to run the ball, Campbell could flourish.
• Malcom Floyd, WR, San Diego--Another big target for Phillip Rivers, Floyd will benefit from the Vincent Jackson drama. All Chargers receivers take a fantasy hit from Antonio Gates, but Floyd could really take off this year. I see 1,000 yards and eight TD's in his future.
• Devin Hester, WR, Chicago--Somebody has to put up numbers in the new Mike Martz offense. Playing in the Bears ugly 2009 system, Hester still pulled in 57 catches for 757 yards. Those numbers should rise.
• Pierre Thomas, RB, New Orleans--I know, the backfield is crowded. And yes, the Saints throw the ball like crazy. But Thomas showed great upside last year, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. Even if the total yardage isn't there, he should score double-digit TD's.
• C.J. Spiller, RB, Buffalo--He's coming to camp late, but this rookie is a dynamic runner who should make an impact right away. An overall poor offense won't help him, but he's too talented not to produce. I think he'll challenge for Rookie of the Year, which means the fantasy numbers will be there too.

Tough Break For The Braves

Very bad news in Atlanta, as Kris Medlen may need Tommy John surgery. Medlen was having a solid second year for the Braves: 107.2 IP, 108 Hits, 83 SO, 21 BB, 3.68 ERA. The only bright side is the promotion of LHP Mike Minor, who looks like the real deal. Minor joins the Braves' rotation next week. Grab him quick fantasy baseball fans.

Big Z Is Back!

Carlos Zambrano is back in the Cubs rotation. Bolt down the Gatorade coolers!

Shaq Signs

Boston? Really? I don't see how this helps the Celtics at all. However, food sales in the Boston area should explode.

The Seventh Sign

Juan Pierre homered today! Plan accordingly!

Sunglasses At Night

Corey Hart gets a three-year extension worth almost $27 million. Too much? Just right? Your thoughts?

You Call That An Offense?

I know the Astros are rebuilding, but Jeff Keppinger is now hitting third. That is truly embarrassing.

The Empire Strikes Back

Great move by Brian Cashman bringing Lance Berkman to the Yankees. The rich get richer.

Rumor Mill

Ted Lilly and Ryan Theriot to the Dodgers for Blake DeWitt, accroding to MLB Network.

Rough Outing

Brett Anderson's return to the mound was less than successful. The White Sox (not exactly the Yankees lineup) smacked Anderson and the A's around for 10 hits and five runs in five innings. More troubling was the one strikeout. I'm no doctor, but arm surgery might be in Anderson's near future. They've already shut him down twice this year, and the problem doesn't seem to be going away. Too bad, as he is an elite talent.

Welcome To Detroit

New Tiger Jhonny Peralta has gone deep twice against the Red Sox. Maybe my initial reaction was off base. I believe I called the trade, "dealing for the sake of dealing." Here's hoping I was wrong yet again!

The Sox Did What?

Edwin Jackson to the White Sox? I think Hudson would have been just as useful down the stretch. Maybe Jackson is heading right back out of town as part of another deal. Cross your fingers White Sox fans!

Tejada to Padres

I guess Bud Black thought they weren't making enough outs.

Playoffs?

With apologies to Jim Mora, let's talk about the NFL playoffs. Last week we looked at a few postseason participants who may fall short in 2010. On the flipside, here are two teams that will crash this year's playoff party:

1) Miami Dolphins--Last year's 7-9 squad was best known for its use of the "wildcat" (I really hate that word by the way). With Brandon Marshall on board and another year of development for emerging QB Chad Henne, the Dolphins should be less gimmick-oriented this season. Ronnie Brown is still recovering from a foot injury, which means Ricky Williams will shoulder the load early. Williams enjoyed a great 2009 (1121 yards rushing, 11 TD) and should be productive again this year. An improving defense added LB Karlos Dansby from Arizona. And of course, don't forget the Bill Parcels factor. The Dolphins look like a serious wild-card contender to me.

2) Atlanta Falcons--The Falcons were a fun Super Bowl pick 12 months ago, but missed the postseason entirely. A return to January football will be built around a great running game. Michael Turner is a workhorse back who makes fantasy owners drool. A healthy Turner will mean big-time production for an offense that also features rising stars Matt Ryan and Roddy White. Toss in future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez, and the Falcons should be a point-scoring machine. The 2009 defense was a major disappointment, including John Abraham's 5.5 sacks. He and the Falcons D should rebound to at least league average. That should be more than enough help for this explosive offense. Considering their favorable schedule (St. Louis, Cleveland, Cincy, Seattle) Atlanta could easily be a 12-win team in 2010.

Latest Rumors

It seems almost certain that the Diamondbacks will continue to dump salary, which means Adam LaRoche should be on the move. While I've never been the biggest LaRoche fan, he makes a lot of sense for the White Sox. Look for Kenny Williams to grab the Arizona 1B if they can't pull together a deal for Adam Dunn. By the way, MLB Network is reporting that the Nationals will offer Dunn an 11th-hour contract extension just before the deadline. Stay tuned!

The Curse Continues!

Three days ago, I traded Matt Garza in one of my fantasy leagues. A no-hitter later, and I am kicking myself!

Uh Oh

According to Jayson Stark, an unnamed baseball executive recently said that Ben Sheets "looks like Livan Hernandez." Not sure if he means stuff, appearance, shape, or something else, but I can't think of anything positive to take away from that comment.

Trade Partners?

Is it just me, or could the Tigers really use a few Cubs who appear to be heading out the door? I don't know how much Detroit is willing to give up, but Aramis Ramirez would be a nice fit now that Brandon Inge is on the shelf for four to six weeks. Ted Lilly would certainly be an upgrade for their "struggling" (it's funny if you say it like a drunken Joe Namath) rotation. Theriot, Baker, or Fontento would be useful off the bench as well. Hopefully Jim Hendry is already on the phone, but I doubt it.

Are You Ready For Some Football?

It's hard to believe, but the NFL season is right around the corner (woo hoooo). Before we dive into the divisional races, let's quickly review last year's playoff teams:

AFC--Indy, San Diego, New England, Cincy, NY Jets, Baltimore
NFC--New Orleans, Minn, Dallas, Arizona, Green Bay, Philly

If recent history has taught us anything, half of these teams won't make it back to the postseason. Who might be watching the playoffs on TV?

1) Green Bay Packers--First the good news. Aaron Rodgers is a beast. Any Packer fan crying for Brett Favre just isn't paying attention. However, Rodgers takes WAY too many sacks. Add to that a mediocre running game and a schedule that includes New England, Philadelphia, Miami, Dallas, Atlanta, San Francisco, and the NY Giants, and you're looking at 8-8 or 7-9.

2) New York Jets--The Jets will be a trendy Super Bowl pick by the so-called experts, but I see a major market correction in 2010. Unless Mark Sanchez improves by leaps and bounds (20 picks last year), the offense will sputter. A great defense can only take you so far in today's NFL.

3) Cincinnati Bengals--This one is almost too easy. The Bengals were 6th in scoring defense last year, a number that will be very difficult to repeat. On the other side of the ball, Carson Palmer simply isn't the player he used to be. An inconsistent Chad Johnson (I refuse to recognize that other name) and the legally challenged Cedric Benson will spell big trouble in Cincy. Plus, its sister city is Nancy, France. Nancy? Seriously? Dr. Johnny Fever would be ashamed.

Southsiders Looking To Muscle Up

If you believe the latest trade rumors, the White Sox are now in the Adam Dunn sweepstakes. I'm not convinced that Washington will trade him, but if they are willing to deal, this would be a great move for the Southsiders. A lineup that regularly features Juan Pierre, Omar Vizquel, A.J. Pierzynski, Mark Kotsay, Alexei Ramirez, and Gordon Beckham (this year's version) is crying out for help.

Reds Righty Continues To Roll

Johnny Cueto is 9-2. Are you kidding me?

Where Will T.O. Land?

Terrell Owens' agent says his client will sign with an NFL team in the very near future. I'm sure I'll live to regret this, but I really hope it's the Oakland Raiders. Now that the Raiders have a decent QB, they need to get him some help. Louis Murphy isn't a bad option, but Jason Campbell could really use an upgrade at WR. Plus, how much fun would it be watching T.O. interact with the Black Hole crew?

Countdown

Now that LeBron has put his name on the dotted line, how long until "Favre Watch" begins? Personally, I can't wait for reporters to camp out on his front lawn again. Favre taking out the trash and cleaning up dog shi*t is great television.

I Should Have Known Better

John Lennon said it in 1964, and it's just as true today.

Exactly why did I think the Cubs might make some noise in the second half? Didn't I just sit through three+ months of rotten baseball? And even if those 90-ish games weren't enough, haven't I seen this bad movie year after year after year?

Fortunately, their performance against the Phillies on July 17th brought me to my senses. In case you were actually living your life on Saturday, here's a quick review of what you missed...

· The Cubs wasted yet another solid outing by a starting pitcher, as Randy Wells shutout the Phillies for seven innings.
· As good as Wells was on Saturday, the Cubs offense was just as bad. Cole Hamels and company held the Northsiders to one run and only ONE extra base hit. Aren’t the bats supposed to heat up with Chicago’s summer weather? The answer is, not when you have a collection of hitters who are allergic to getting on base.
· Just when it looked like one run might be enough, Carlos Marmol reminded us that the mailman isn’t the only person who walks. Five, count them, five free passes for the Cubs closer. Watching him sabotage the 9th inning was worse than watching that crappy Matt Damon/Iraq film.
· Trailing 4-1, the Cubs were stymied by the usually horrendous Brad Lidge. You’ve got to hand it to our Cubbies. They have a knack for making ordinary closers look like Mariano Rivera.

And just like that, my world makes sense again. Despite what Ted Lilly tells the media, the Cubs are NOT turning this thing around. If Jim Hendry has half a brain (which is debatable), he will use the last two weeks of July to dump salary and infuse some young talent for 2011 and beyond. I just hope Uncle Lou stocks up on whiskey and smokes. It’s going to be a LONG summer.

Brewer To Bulls

Another nice move by the Chicago Bulls:

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nba/news/story?id=5386506

The Eastern Conference should be a slugfest in 2010-2011.

Bad News By The Bay

Let me start by saying I'm a Bruce Bochy fan (for the most part). He may not be the best manager in baseball, but his track record is pretty solid. Through 90 games, his Giants are in the mix for the NL West crown. The bad news for Giants fans is that they don't have a shot in hell! Maybe that's a bit harsh, but at a minimum it looks like a tough road to the postseason. Consider the following:

• THE OFFENSE IS OFFENSIVE: Even with Aubrey Huff's resurgence, the Giants still struggle to score runs (currently 11th in the NL). While Kung Fu Panda is likely to pick up the pace, Huff, Burrell, Posey, and Torres will almost certainly see a drop in production. The consistently empty at bats of Juan Uribe and Aaron Rowand are the final pieces of this inept puzzle.
• THEY OUGHT TO OUTLAW SOUTHPAWS: OK, Mickey was a tad off base when he dropped that bomb on Rocky Balboa, but I do see trouble for two of Bochy's lefty starters. So far Barry Zito (.249 OBA) and Jonathan Sanchez (.214 OBA) have pitched with good fortune and exceeded expectations. Both should see their share of hits allowed in the second half, which means Lincecum and Cain will have to carry the load once again.
• IT'S TOUGH AT THE TOP: Even with the punching bag that is the Arizona Diamondbacks, there's too much competition in the division for San Francisco to overcome. Sooner or later the Rockies will get healthy. The Dodgers certainly have a better 25-man roster. And the Padres? Well, I keep waiting for their ship to sink, but at some point we have to recognize the fact that they might be for real. The Giants simply don't have enough talent to jump over three teams, plus the wild card contenders.

Perhaps Bochy's crew will surprise me and stick in this interesting race. After all, Madison Bumgarner has been solid after four starts, and Brian Wilson is a hammer at the end of the bullpen. But at the end of the day, the Giants sure look like a seriously flawed team playing above their talent level. On the other hand, the National League has plenty of squads fitting that description.

Crystal Ball

No, not that crappy Styx song. Just a few bold predictions for the second half. With apologies to Heath Ledger... "And here we go!"

1. Led by a terrible lineup and their famous loose-cannon manager, the White Sox come back to Earth and finish in third place. Minnesota wins the AL Central, Detroit finishes second.
2. The Cardinals straighten out their bullpen and ride Big Albert (NL MVP once again) and a solid rotation to another division title. Dusty's Reds collpase and miss the playoffs completely.
3. The Rockies finally get healthy and hold off the collection of contenders in the NL West.
4. The Rays lack of offense catches up with them and they finish behind New York and Boston, both playoff teams.
5. In a battle that goes down to the final weekend, Atlanta claims the NL East crown. The Phillies finish a close second and bring home the wild card.
6. Cliff Lee and company bury the Angels and coast to the division title. The Rangers finish 2010 with the best record in the league. Josh Hamilton takes the AL MVP award.
7. After finishing 75-87, Lou Piniella resigns as Cubs manager and is replaced by Ryne Sandberg. During the offseason, GM Jim Hendry is cut loose. Somewhere in Peoria, IL, a grown man weeps with joy.
8. Matthew McConaughey makes another bad movie.
9. Steve Guttenberg and Buba Smith sign on for "Police Academy 10."
10. All reality TV shows join forces to create one mega program that features dancing fat people on a desert island. Each week they will sing against bachelors who are also gourmet chefs pretending to be models in New Jersey. Nearly 200 million viewers tune in for the first episode, then the planet explodes.

Braves, Jays Swap SS

My first thought was, "Yunel Escobar must have REALLY made somebody mad." Otherwise, I don't see the logic of this deal from the Braves standpoint. Alex Gonzalez does have 17 home runs, but those have come in 330 at bats. Add to that his Dunston-like OBP of .296 (above his career average by the way), and congratulations...you've just added another outmaker to go with Cabrera and McLouth.

To be fair, Escobar has been a major disappointment with the bat in 2010, and some writers and analysts question his defense (my two cents...both are solid but not spectacular fielders). The differences are:

1) He's only 27 years old (Gonzalez is 33)
2) He's coming off three productive offensive seasons
3) He's much cheaper than the former Marlin
4) He's still drawing walks, despite the current poor batting average and lack of power (.238/.334/.284, yes .284!)

Unless Escobar is a clubhouse cancer, Braves fans are probably a little confused today. Hopefully a deal for a productive OF (perhaps David DeJesus) is just around the corner.

All Star Game Log

Stardate…OK, I never got the whole “stardate” thing. At any rate, here are a few random thoughts from tonight’s matchup. Don’t forget, “it counts!”

· After 30 minutes of hitters wearing blindfolds, Longoria finally gets a solid knock. Seriously, Price could have thrown three pitches behind Ryan Howard, and he still would have swung.
· Andre Ethier makes his CF debut during the 2010 All Star Game. Perhaps John Buck will see some time at SS.
· Nice to see that Robinson Cano has bad hands in day games as well.
· OK, how many times can they show that creepy Sharp TV/Mr. Sulu commercial? Maybe the next version will include a random Starfleet officer in a red shirt who goes off to investigate a strange noise all by himself (a moment of silence for Ensign Jones).
· Andy Pettitte has gone nine years between All Star appearances. I believe Claudell Washington was the last player with that distinction. Speaking of Mr. Pettitte, is he a Hall of Famer? At the risk of upsetting Yankee Nation, I say “no.”
· The All Star break is always a good time to consider the Anti All Stars, or MLB’s Least Valuable Players. Here’s my quick list: Aramis Ramirez, Carlos Zambrano (don’t hit me big guy), Gordon Beckham, Pablo Sandoval (another burger Mr. Panda?), Trevor Hoffman, Chris Narveson, Carlos Gomez (yes, three Brewers), Oliver Perez (the streak continues), Chad Qualls, INSERT YOUR CRAPPIEST MARINER HERE, Lou Marson (“slugging” .262), Brad Bergesen, and Aaron Hill (how the mighty have fallen)
· With apologies to Stephen Strasburg, is there any pitcher more fun to watch than Josh Johnson? Truly a man among boys.
· Did I mention that this game “counts?” It’s a good thing that Omar Infante and Michael Bourn made the NL roster.
· Another nice play by David Wright. It’s gotta be the shoes!
· Tonight’s pitching-rich contest reminds me of Fernando Valenzuela in 1986. At one point I believe he punched out five straight AL hitters.
· A special thanks to Nike for leaving the White Sox years out of that new Griffey commercial.
· Phil Hughes is warming up in the pen. For some reason, Hughes was booed during the pre-game introductions. Did he make a nasty comment about Bobby Grich or something?
· I’m always amazed by Verlander’s stuff. From his easy windup, you wouldn’t think he pushes 100 mph. Nasty changeup to boot.
· It’s official. Mr. Sulu made my wife cry. The last time she was this upset, Ted Lilly and the Cubs gave up seven homers to Dusty’s Reds.
· The AL is on the board, but Joe Mauer brain cramps on the bases. “Not well-played Mauer.”
· Prediction alert…Ian Kinsler goes off for 20 homers in the second half. Of course, I predicted that “Avatar” would tank at the box office, so what do I know?
· Nice 3-2 pitch by Jon Lester. Personally, I think he’s on his way to this year’s AL Cy Young Award. Write it down! Bet the farm! Be the ball! Rock the vote! Keep it real!
· Solid effort in CF by Marlon Byrd. Back in Spring Training, who would have guessed that Byrd would be the Cubs only All Star? I guess Matt Capps was almost a Cub. Does that count?
· Even at age 35, Scott Rolen can still motor around the bases.
· McCann comes through for the senior circuit! Could the drought FINALLY be over? Remember, it took the Fonz 20 years to conquer Suicide Hill.
· I can’t believe McCarver hasn’t said “An Angel in the Outfield” yet. Time is running out, Tim!
· Brian Wilson…Great stuff, bad haircut.
· Valverde has been absolutely filthy this year. Where would the Tigers be without “Big Potato?”
· Heads up play in RF by Marlon Byrd!
· Broxton pitches through trouble in the 9th, and the NL finally breaks the streak. A victory every 13 years… You can set your watch to it.

Predictions For Tonight's Game

My wife says AL, and Jeter MVP. I'll go NL, and Hanley Ramirez. The winner gets a copy of "Tango and Cash" on Blue Ray.

Cub Busts, Part 2

On the surface, it seemed like a slam dunk: signing a productive offensive catcher who was the son of a former Cub, and a popular Cub at that. Yes, we're talking about Todd Hundley, a name that still sends shivers down our spines.

The Cubs signed Hundley to a $23-million deal on December 19, 2000. At age 31, Hundley was coming off a brief but solid season: 90 games, 24 home runs, .284/.375/.579. A three-time all star, Hundley was never known for his prowess behind the plate. However, the Cubs weren't thinking defense when they inked the former Met and Dodger. The Northsiders needed to improve a lineup that produced only 764 runs the season before (good for 11th in the NL).

Hundley got off to a slow start in April of 2001, batting only .207 with three homers in 66 at bats. Little did we know, that was as good as things would get. His injury-plagued 2001 season ended with numbers that would make Rick Wrona sick to his stomach: .187/.268/.374. The flu-like fun continued in 2002: .211/.301/.421. A few months later, Hundley was sent packing in exchange for 1B Eric Karros (and his rockstar hair) and 2B Mark Grudzielanek, who hit .314 and helped the Cubs win the NL Central in 2003 (let's not discuss that famous postseason).

A decade later, the Hundley years still haunt Cub fans. Once again, I was convinced that the front office had a game plan. Once again, I ended up feeling like the Fonz on roller skates.

First-Half Headscratchers

We're just over half way through a fantastic baseball season that has seen its share of shocks and surprises:

• Pablo Sandoval--I certainly didn't think Kung Fu Panda was as good as his 2009 numbers, but this year's pefrormace is criminal. Through Sunday, Sandoval is choking down a .322 onbase percentage and a .382 slugging percentage (not to mention a few too many chili dogs). The Panda has become an out-making machine, which of course makes his awful defense look that much worse.
• The Chicago White Sox--As much as it pains me to say it, Ozzie Guillen is doing a great job this year. He must be! How else could his team be in 1st place with the worthless Juan Pierre in LF (from an offensive standpoint, maybe the worst everyday corner outfielder in the history of baseball), the ancient Omar Vizquel (with his weak bat and weaker arm) at 3B, Gordon "I hit my head and forgot how to play baseball" Beckham at 2B, plus the usual cast of offensive liabilities (A.J. Pierzynski, Mark Kotsay, etc). Yes, the pitching has been good, but not THAT good. Personally, I had the ChiSox penciled in for sub-.500 in 2010. For the record, I also thought Clear Pepsi was a good idea, so what the hell do I know?
• The Promotion of Pedro Alvarez--Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled to see Alvarez in the majors. However, bringing him up to face two LHP in his first two games seemed like the ideal recipe for a slow start. Couldn't the Pirates have pulled the trigger a few days later?
• The Firing of Fredi Gonzalez--Maybe Hanley Ramirez walked in one day and said "him or me." Anything short of that, and the Marlins made a big mistake by chopping Gonzalez. Their loss will likely be the Braves gain in 2011.

Ouch!

Scott Kazmir's line vs. Oakland last evening:

5.0 IP
11 Hits
13 ER

Did he date Mike Scioscia's daughter or something?

Do You Remember?

Let's turn back the calendar to late March, when the various talking heads were making their annual postseason predictions. Most of the picks were pretty obvious (Rays, Yankees, Red Sox, Twins, Cards, Phillies), but one popular selection struck me as odd: the Seattle Mariners winning the AL West.

At first I thought that I must be missing something. Maybe the Mariner offense is much better than the numbers would suggest. Perhaps the third, fourth, and fifth starters got their hands on some magic pitching dust. Maybe Dave Aardsma and Milton Bradley will beat the odds and not implode before our eyes.

Well, 86 regular season games later, and the Mariners reside in last place, which is right where I thought they would be. In all honesty, I didn't think they would be this bad. However, a lineup built around an old Ken Griffey Jr., an overrated Chone Figgins, a disappointing Casey Kotchman, and the aforementioned Milton Bradley had trouble written all over it.

Yes, Cliff Lee and King Felix were a fantastic one-two punch, but two starters can only take a team so far. With Lee now in Texas, Seattle fans are about to find out what the crappy end of a baseball season really feels like. Hopefully Marty Crane has a healthy supply of Ballantine in the fridge.

Can I Offer You A Cup Of Kool Aid?

Yes, Mr. Hendry. Whatever you say, Mr. Hendry. It was much better than "Cats." I will see it again and again...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-0710-bits-cubs-dodgers-chicago20100709,0,4528617.story

(To be fair, what else is he supposed to tell the media?)

You Know My Name

Boesch...Brennan Boesch:

.341/.393/.595
12 HR in 232 AB

Where would the Detroit Tigers be without this 25-year-old rookie? Now the real question, can he sustain it? His minor league history says probably not.

A third-round pick in 2006, Boesch has 53 home runs in 1807 minor league at bats (a homer every 34 at bats), including a 28-home-run season in AA Erie. To call him a free swinger would be an insult to free swingers. Boesch has walked a whopping 117 times in those 1800+ at bats, good for a .319 career on-base percentage.

Looking ahead to the second half, we should expect a serious market correction for Mr. Boesch. Is it possible for him to keep up this unprecedented pace? Sure. It's possible that I'll win the lottery tomorrow, but I'm not holding my breath. However, if he continues to hit for power, the Tigers will certainly live with the first-pitch outs. After all, this is the team that continues to give at bats to Gerald Laird and Don Kelly.

On The Move

According to ESPN, Cliff Lee is on his way to Texas...

http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/mlb/news/story?id=5367615

I Don't Get It

I keep hearing that it's "good for the league" to have LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade playing together for the Miami Heat. What am I missing? Wouldn't it be better for the NBA if Cleveland was actually competitive in 2010-2011? Wouldn't it be better to have the game's biggest star in New York or Chicago? Wouldn't it be better to have Dwyane Wade and LeBron James competing against each other in the postseason? At any rate, I know one person who doesn't think this is so wonderful. That would be former Heat forward Michael Beasley, who was just exiled to the hapless Minnesota Timberwolves. Sometimes life is cruel.

LeBron's Surprise Choice

A source close to the source who knows a guy who once worked with somone familiar with a hotel near Akron, Ohio, has confirmed that LeBron James will sign a five-year deal with the Los Angeles Clippers. "LeBron has been secretly talking to Chirs Kaman and Travis Outlaw since last summer," says the source. "They're looking forward to being the NBA's next 'Big Three.' Now with Vinny Del Negro calling the shots, the championship pieces are falling into place."

Cub Busts, Part 1

Forty years on this planet have taught me a few things...

1) All reality TV is lousy (except for maybe "Deadliest Catch")
2) There is no such thing as a bad beer or a bad meal
3) The most frightening words in the world are "The Cubs have acquired..."

The list of rotten Cub trades and signings is longer than Lindsay Lohan's rap sheet. Over the next few weeks, we'll revisit some of those stomach-turning transactions (some might call this exercise "therapy").

MEL ROJAS (signed by the Cubs in December of 1996): Nothing scares true Cub fans like a new closer. In 1996, Mel Rojas saved 36 games in 74 appearances for the Montreal Expos. He allowed only 56 hits and five homers in 81 impressive innings, striking out 92 and walking only 25 (unintentionally). So when the Cubs signed Rojas the following offseason, I was actually excited. Sure, previous closer moves had tanked like that "Cavemen" show (see Calvin Schiraldi, Goose Gossage, and Dave Smith), but this was different. Rojas was a powerhouse reliever in the prime of his career. What could possibly go wrong? It didn't take long to find out. Rojas was so bad that he didn't even finish one season in Chicago. After 55 innings, 30 walks, and 11 homers allowed, the Cubs cut their losses in the summer of 1997 and shipped the former bullpen ace to the New York Mets in a deal for Lance Johnson. Two years later, Rojas was out of baseball.

So what's the moral of this story? Appearances can be deceiving? Look before you leap? Know which way the wind blows? Never pet a burning cat? I'm not really sure. However, I do know this...Every time the Cubs acquire a relief pitcher, another year ticks off my life.

Breaking LeBron News

LeBron just drove through McDonalds's and ordered decaf. He must be going to Miami!

Bulls Ink Boozer

Not on the level of signing Wade or James, but a nice move to be sure. Led by an exciting new coach, the Bulls are heading in the right direction.

It's A Fine Line

Before we punch Strasburg's ticket to the Hall of Fame, let's take a look back at a few "can't-miss" pitchers who fell a bit short:

1) Mark Prior (5 seasons, 42-29, 3.51 ERA) As a lifelong Cubs fan, this one is especially painful. How many times did we hear the phrase "perfect mechanics" in regards to Prior? Obviously, there is no such thing.

2) Ben McDonald (9 seasons, 78-70, 3.91 ERA) The original Big Ben actually cracked the 200-inning mark three times, though he never sniffed the postseason.

3) Darren Dreifort (9 seasons, 48-60, 4.36 ERA) For his 48 career wins, Dreifort cashed in a cool $64 million. At least he had a good agent.

4) Todd Van Poppel (11 seasons, 40-52, 5.58 ERA) No, that career ERA is not a typo (4.6 walks per 9 innings will do that to a pitcher). Other than a decent season or two out of the pen, Van Poppel was basically pounded from the word go.

5) Brien Taylor & Ryan Anderson (No MLB experience) Years later, it's still hard to believe that neither of these super prospects made it to the majors. Personally, I would have bet serious money that the "Little Unit" was going to be a star. Very sad, as both had the world at their feet.

6) Dwight Gooden (16 seasons, 194-112, 3.51 ERA) We saved the best for last. Obviously, winning 194 games is a huge accomplishment for any pitcher. However, in say 1989, how many wins would you have predicted for Gooden? I'm guessing 300+.

It goes without saying that we're all rooting for Strasburg. Unfortunately, for every Roger Clemens there are countless Todd Van Poppels. I'm afraid the odds are not in his favor.