Derek Jeter just did something that Dimaggio, Gehrig, Berra, and Mantle could never do. Yet, Jeter is almost not on their level. I was watching the Yanks/ Rays game today and the announcers were talking about if the Yankees had a Mt. Rushmore. So that means 4 players. 4 players that did so much for the Yankees franchise and so much for baseball. The Yankees are the most successful sports franchise in America, period. There is no argument on that. 27 championships speak for themself.
So who would make it onto the Yankees' Mt. Rushmore? Well the first would be Babe Ruth. Little argument could be made there. He is baseball and he changed baseball in the 20s. After Ruth you would have to save a spot for Lou Gehrig. He was the second best player in the 20s and if Babe Ruth never happened, we would look at Gehrig as the man that changed baseball. He was the original Iron Man and gave one of those most memorable speeches in American history. Mickey Mantle would fill the 3rd spot on the mountain. Most home runs from a switch hitter and he fueled the second great Yankees run during the 50s and 60s. I personally think Mantle is underrated in the greatest of all time discussion.
So who fills number 4? Well you could throw on, Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra, Roger Maris, Phil Rizzuto, Reggie Jackson, Mariano Rivera, and yea that man Derek Jeter. Ford is the Yankees best starter ever, but the Yanks have never been known for pitching. Berra is quotable and loveable, that's it. Maris had one great season and a bunch of alright seasons. Rizzuto is extremely underrated but not good enough. Jackson didn't play long enough for the Yanks but boy does he come close. Rivera comes so close. He is lights out. Still you have Derek Jeter.
He started the 3rd Yankees dynasty. He came up in 1995 and has been destroying baseballs since. The Yanks have been on a roll since then and in case you forgot, 1998 which was baseball's last great season supposedly, the Yanks won 114 games. That is second best all time but they did what the Mariners in 2001 couldn't do when they won the World Series. He had a baseball game named after him for a few years. It was sweet! he is the captain of the Yankees. He is Mr. November. He leads baseball in most offensive playoff stats. He is the first player to get 3,000 hits in a Yankees uniform. He deserves to be on the Mt. Rushmore of Yankees greats. I also think 50 years from now, he might be at the top of this mountain too. He is that good and means that much to the Yankees.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
Please Go Overseas
The NBA is stupid. Let's get that straight. David Stern is ready to lock the players out the entire year. Remember when hockey did that? That was a great life choice right Gary Bettman? the NBA had its best season since the last time they locked out the players. Michael Jordan shoving Bryon Russel was the last time the NBS was on the mountaintop. LeBron James leaving Cleveland put the NBA back on that mountaintop and they stayed there all season. Basketball was huge this past year, so it only makes sense to not play this next season, right?
The NBA is preparing to be in this for the long haul. Charles Barkley is now a reliable source saying that it could be for the entire season. I think the players hold the key to getting this done. Deron Williams pulled out the atomic bomb of offense against a lockout. He might take his talents to Turkey. He is a basketball player. He wants to play basketball, so it only makes sense for him to play somewhere else. I wish more of the big time NBA players would do this. I want to see Kobe go to Turkey, and Lebron go to Spain and D-Wade play it up in Greece. Dirk could even go back home to Germany to play for a season.
I think that could make this lockout go a whole lot faster. Could you imagine ESPN covering Euro league games because there is no NBA? I actually can.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Fantasy Football Anyone?
Normally this is the time when dudes across the country are getting pumped for Fantasy Football in the fall. The summer just feels weird. People are preparing for Fantasy Football, but no one is really sure how this is all going to work out with the Lockout going down. Football drives many of the men across our country. To my surprise the fake football game has been happening for years! Recently it has become a vital part of footballs growth. The NFL needs to thank ESPN and CBS, not for televising games but for having fantasy football to pump the game up so much.
My team last year changed names a couple times. It started as Foxy Grandpa and ended as My Team Sure Stinks. I think that tells it all. The season just didn't go my way. I finished 7-7 and I am lucky to have gotten that. I had the players, just none of them showed up the same week. I released my guy I thought was gonna get me points (Deangelo Williams). I got a big surprise in Darren McFadden and Hakeem Nicks and had so many injuries to deal with. Oh, and I had Peyton Manning, which means I got 250 guaranteed points.
My surprises is where I got a problem. See, my league is a keeper league. This means that I get to keep 2 players from last year's team. I already know that I am keeping Manning. The problem I am seeing now is which player should I keep, McFadden and Nicks. McFadden looks a ton better than he was last season. He had 2 big games and a bunch of ok games. Nicks was basically the same way. He had a couple big games and a bunch of not so great games. This is a tough decision.
My team last year changed names a couple times. It started as Foxy Grandpa and ended as My Team Sure Stinks. I think that tells it all. The season just didn't go my way. I finished 7-7 and I am lucky to have gotten that. I had the players, just none of them showed up the same week. I released my guy I thought was gonna get me points (Deangelo Williams). I got a big surprise in Darren McFadden and Hakeem Nicks and had so many injuries to deal with. Oh, and I had Peyton Manning, which means I got 250 guaranteed points.
My surprises is where I got a problem. See, my league is a keeper league. This means that I get to keep 2 players from last year's team. I already know that I am keeping Manning. The problem I am seeing now is which player should I keep, McFadden and Nicks. McFadden looks a ton better than he was last season. He had 2 big games and a bunch of ok games. Nicks was basically the same way. He had a couple big games and a bunch of not so great games. This is a tough decision.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
A Journey to Where It All Began
Well this weekend I am going to Cincinnati. I'm going get the chance to see the Reds play the Indians and I am excited. I am neither a Reds fan nor an Indians fan but this game has me pumped. Masterson versus Arroyo is a pretty decent pitching match up to watch. The Reds are where baseball began believe it or not. They were the first professional sports franchise in American. Just a few years after the Civil War, the Cincinnati Reds were born. They are most known for being home for "The Big Red Machine". 1970-1976 were the golden times for the Reds. They have had many great players come through and play for them, most notably Barry Larkin and the aging Ken Griffey Jr.
The Cleveland Indians used to have one of the weirder nicknames in American sports, the "Spiders". They have been a club with much mediocrity in their history. They have one World Series Championship coming in 1948 on the arm of Bob Fellers. Growing up as a kid in the 90s, they were who you cheered for if you didn't like the Yankees or the Braves pitching. They were exciting with Thome, Ramirez, and Belle. Vizquel and Alomar flashed their gloves night after night for them. They played well after this point but this is what I consider the end of the Indians run, the 1997 World Series against the Florida Marlins. Livan Hernandez and his 61 MPH pitches crushed the Indians hopes and dreams. The Marlins won the series and sold pretty much every player from that team. The Indians kept everyone and never made it back.
The Reds were alright during the 2000s. The Indians could have been better. Sabathia and Carmona were amazing for them but the Red Sox were better. Lee was alright for them and then became Superman when he left Cleveland. the Reds got Edison Volquez but traded away troubled player Josh Hamilton. The Reds made it back last year. They were the team with swagger. Brandon Phillips tapping Molina's shin guards and all. Votto won the MVP and people thought they were finally back. Then Roy Halladay no-hit them. I don't think they have recovered yet from that personally.
The Indians got off to a 30-15 start this year. Led by Masterson and timely hitting. Now they sit in second place and fading fast. They have one of the games most exciting players and the AL's best shortstop in Asdrubal Cabrera. Hafner was doing good then got hurt. Choo is hurt now. Carmona is back to being wild and crazy Carmona. Sizemore is proving to be kinda overrated.
This is an important series for both teams. Both would love to sweep the other. It is the battle for Ohio. The Reds should be better than their record. The Indians should most likely be worse than their record. Its time to prove people wrong now. I'm excited for this series and hope it shows how good these teams are.
The Cleveland Indians used to have one of the weirder nicknames in American sports, the "Spiders". They have been a club with much mediocrity in their history. They have one World Series Championship coming in 1948 on the arm of Bob Fellers. Growing up as a kid in the 90s, they were who you cheered for if you didn't like the Yankees or the Braves pitching. They were exciting with Thome, Ramirez, and Belle. Vizquel and Alomar flashed their gloves night after night for them. They played well after this point but this is what I consider the end of the Indians run, the 1997 World Series against the Florida Marlins. Livan Hernandez and his 61 MPH pitches crushed the Indians hopes and dreams. The Marlins won the series and sold pretty much every player from that team. The Indians kept everyone and never made it back.
The Reds were alright during the 2000s. The Indians could have been better. Sabathia and Carmona were amazing for them but the Red Sox were better. Lee was alright for them and then became Superman when he left Cleveland. the Reds got Edison Volquez but traded away troubled player Josh Hamilton. The Reds made it back last year. They were the team with swagger. Brandon Phillips tapping Molina's shin guards and all. Votto won the MVP and people thought they were finally back. Then Roy Halladay no-hit them. I don't think they have recovered yet from that personally.
The Indians got off to a 30-15 start this year. Led by Masterson and timely hitting. Now they sit in second place and fading fast. They have one of the games most exciting players and the AL's best shortstop in Asdrubal Cabrera. Hafner was doing good then got hurt. Choo is hurt now. Carmona is back to being wild and crazy Carmona. Sizemore is proving to be kinda overrated.
This is an important series for both teams. Both would love to sweep the other. It is the battle for Ohio. The Reds should be better than their record. The Indians should most likely be worse than their record. Its time to prove people wrong now. I'm excited for this series and hope it shows how good these teams are.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
End of June Baseball Predictions
3 months down, 3 months to go in baseball and by now we should have a good idea of who is going to be in the playoff race. I mean sure a team like the Rockies a few years ago can always sneak up and snag a playoff spot, but usually if you are in it now, you are in it for the long haul. So today I'm gonna give my predictions on who is going to win the divisions and who is going to play in the World Series. I'll start with the NL since it is clearly the lesser of the 2 leagues. Then again the NL has produced the last 2 World Series Champions. We will see about this year though.
NL East:
Listen this one is really simple. The Philadelphia Phillies are going to win the East. Earlier in the season the Marlins were the only shot to win it, but they fell off the face of the planet. The Phillies just know how to pitch and hit. Even with Oswalt going on the DL their pitching is the best. When it comes to playoffs, they are set. Can you say dynasty?
NL Central:
There are 4 teams that can win this division easily. 4 teams and one of them is the Pittsburgh Pirates. Now I am not jumping on that bandwagon just yet, but they have a shot. The Reds are decent and just need to get healthy. Honestly, I still think the Reds haven't gotten over being no-hit by Halladay last fall. The Cards need Pujols bad to be good. Their pitching is suspect and their hitting is more suspect. The Brewers are by default the best in this division. They are good but I just don't know. They fade late every year but this year they have pitching. So I think they will win, but this will be really close.
NL West:
This is a 2 horse race. The defending World Champs and the leagues biggest surprise in my mind. The Giants need to get hitting and the D-backs need some more pitching. I like the Giants in this division and here is why. They can rival the Phillies in pitching. Tiny Tim is great. Matt Cain is consistent. Sanchez just got hurt but he will be back and just as good. Vogelsong has been amazing for them. They can get lucky with hitting and I think they will.
NL Wild Card:
In my mind there are 6 teams still in the running for this spot. I will narrow it down to 3; Atlanta, Arizona, and Pittsburgh. I want Pittsburgh to win but I think Atlanta will beat them out for it. They pitch great. Jair Jurrgens is a great pitcher and reminds me of Pedro Martinez so much. Heyward will heat up and if they get anything out of Ugly Dan Uggla they will do great.
AL West:
This division is terrible. There is no team that can be a clear cut winner. Each team has major flaws that they need to address. I still think this is any teams race. Oakland needs hitting desperately, Anaheim needs to play better at home, Seattle needs hitting just as bad as Oakland, and Texas could use some consistent pitching. When September ends I think Seattle is going to be the division winner. They are deep at pitching and could get hot with their bats.
AL Central:
3 teams are in this race. Sadly the White Sox have to make that list because they have heated up in July way too much before to not respect them. Cleveland and Detroit play each other a ton during the last half of the season and that is when I see this thing opening up big for Detroit. They could use another pitcher though. The offense covers that up a lot for them, but past Verlander they don't have much. Look for Detroit to be looking for some kind of pitching during the trade deadline.
AL East:
The top 3 teams in the American League call the East their home. Two of them will most likely make the playoffs and one will be left out all together. I hate to say it, but I think the Red Sox are going to win the East. They can pitch and we know they can really hit. A-Gon has quietly put together a MVP type season and Josh Beckett is pitching dominantly this season. This division is going to be really really tight, which is exciting.
AL Wild Card:
I kind of spoiled this one already. The Wild Card is going to be a team from the East. New York or Tampa will take this one easily. I'd throw Cleveland in this group but they are fading extremely fast from all contention. New York is thin at pitching and Tampa is thin at batting. I think when it comes down to it, New York will win out because they will get healthy at just the right time.
Awards Time:
NL Cy Young:
I have 3 pitchers that I think can win the Cy Young right now. Roy Halladay, Jair Jurrgens, and Cole Hamels have all been lights out this season. I love Cole Hamels as a pitcher, but I just don't see him being as consistent as he has been in the first half. Halladay has been around the block multiple times and flat out knows how to pitch. Jurrgens is new and when you watch him go out their you think Pedro Martinez is wearing a Braves jersey. I'll go with the upset here and pick Jurrgens to beat out Halladay.
NL MVP:
This is as clear as day as to who is leading this and who will win this award. Matt Kemp has been the most valuable player on the Dodgers. If I was almost in contention and needed a bat at this point, I would sell half my farm system for this guy. He is a difference maker and is running away with the MVP award. He could potentially win the Triple Crown. He's 5 points behind Reyes, leads the NL in home runs, and is 6 RBI's away from Fielder.
AL Cy Young:
You might think this one is close, but really it isn't. Sabathia has been consistent throughout his career and is having another fantastic season. Pineda has been a great story. Its good to see Beckett and Weaver doing as well as they have. Shields could win it if he got really hot over July and August. Justin Verlander is going to win the Cy Young this year. He has been dominant and with how well the Tigers offense has been playing, he could really have a special end of the year.
AL MVP:
He was the big trade in the off season and it is going to pay off for the Red Sox and Adrian Gonzalez. I respect the season Curtis Granderson has been having this year. I love the Paul Konerko is proving people wrong yet again. Teixeira has been playing great ball for the Yankees, but A-Gon has been the anchor of the best offense in baseball thus far in the season.
NL East:
Listen this one is really simple. The Philadelphia Phillies are going to win the East. Earlier in the season the Marlins were the only shot to win it, but they fell off the face of the planet. The Phillies just know how to pitch and hit. Even with Oswalt going on the DL their pitching is the best. When it comes to playoffs, they are set. Can you say dynasty?
NL Central:
There are 4 teams that can win this division easily. 4 teams and one of them is the Pittsburgh Pirates. Now I am not jumping on that bandwagon just yet, but they have a shot. The Reds are decent and just need to get healthy. Honestly, I still think the Reds haven't gotten over being no-hit by Halladay last fall. The Cards need Pujols bad to be good. Their pitching is suspect and their hitting is more suspect. The Brewers are by default the best in this division. They are good but I just don't know. They fade late every year but this year they have pitching. So I think they will win, but this will be really close.
NL West:
This is a 2 horse race. The defending World Champs and the leagues biggest surprise in my mind. The Giants need to get hitting and the D-backs need some more pitching. I like the Giants in this division and here is why. They can rival the Phillies in pitching. Tiny Tim is great. Matt Cain is consistent. Sanchez just got hurt but he will be back and just as good. Vogelsong has been amazing for them. They can get lucky with hitting and I think they will.
NL Wild Card:
In my mind there are 6 teams still in the running for this spot. I will narrow it down to 3; Atlanta, Arizona, and Pittsburgh. I want Pittsburgh to win but I think Atlanta will beat them out for it. They pitch great. Jair Jurrgens is a great pitcher and reminds me of Pedro Martinez so much. Heyward will heat up and if they get anything out of Ugly Dan Uggla they will do great.
AL West:
This division is terrible. There is no team that can be a clear cut winner. Each team has major flaws that they need to address. I still think this is any teams race. Oakland needs hitting desperately, Anaheim needs to play better at home, Seattle needs hitting just as bad as Oakland, and Texas could use some consistent pitching. When September ends I think Seattle is going to be the division winner. They are deep at pitching and could get hot with their bats.
AL Central:
3 teams are in this race. Sadly the White Sox have to make that list because they have heated up in July way too much before to not respect them. Cleveland and Detroit play each other a ton during the last half of the season and that is when I see this thing opening up big for Detroit. They could use another pitcher though. The offense covers that up a lot for them, but past Verlander they don't have much. Look for Detroit to be looking for some kind of pitching during the trade deadline.
AL East:
The top 3 teams in the American League call the East their home. Two of them will most likely make the playoffs and one will be left out all together. I hate to say it, but I think the Red Sox are going to win the East. They can pitch and we know they can really hit. A-Gon has quietly put together a MVP type season and Josh Beckett is pitching dominantly this season. This division is going to be really really tight, which is exciting.
AL Wild Card:
I kind of spoiled this one already. The Wild Card is going to be a team from the East. New York or Tampa will take this one easily. I'd throw Cleveland in this group but they are fading extremely fast from all contention. New York is thin at pitching and Tampa is thin at batting. I think when it comes down to it, New York will win out because they will get healthy at just the right time.
Awards Time:
NL Cy Young:
I have 3 pitchers that I think can win the Cy Young right now. Roy Halladay, Jair Jurrgens, and Cole Hamels have all been lights out this season. I love Cole Hamels as a pitcher, but I just don't see him being as consistent as he has been in the first half. Halladay has been around the block multiple times and flat out knows how to pitch. Jurrgens is new and when you watch him go out their you think Pedro Martinez is wearing a Braves jersey. I'll go with the upset here and pick Jurrgens to beat out Halladay.
NL MVP:
This is as clear as day as to who is leading this and who will win this award. Matt Kemp has been the most valuable player on the Dodgers. If I was almost in contention and needed a bat at this point, I would sell half my farm system for this guy. He is a difference maker and is running away with the MVP award. He could potentially win the Triple Crown. He's 5 points behind Reyes, leads the NL in home runs, and is 6 RBI's away from Fielder.
AL Cy Young:
You might think this one is close, but really it isn't. Sabathia has been consistent throughout his career and is having another fantastic season. Pineda has been a great story. Its good to see Beckett and Weaver doing as well as they have. Shields could win it if he got really hot over July and August. Justin Verlander is going to win the Cy Young this year. He has been dominant and with how well the Tigers offense has been playing, he could really have a special end of the year.
AL MVP:
He was the big trade in the off season and it is going to pay off for the Red Sox and Adrian Gonzalez. I respect the season Curtis Granderson has been having this year. I love the Paul Konerko is proving people wrong yet again. Teixeira has been playing great ball for the Yankees, but A-Gon has been the anchor of the best offense in baseball thus far in the season.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)