The Return Of The Dark Lord...With Rants A Blazing
Lots to go over tonight.
Anibal Sanchez's no-hitter makes me giggle for a couple of reasons.
First of all, Sanchez was one of the minor-leaguers the Red Sox gave up to get Josh "Chicks Dig The Long Ball" Beckett. The other was Hanley Ramirez. Think they could use him right now? Bill Simmons five year grace period has officially ended at two.
The other is the fact that the Marlins have four no-hitters in their history. While the Mutts, with all of their great pitchers in their history, have a great big goose-egg. Something this guy, is now painfully aware of right now.
Mets fans...Ryan Howard or Albert Pujols is winning the MVP. Deal with it.
A while back I wrote that Beltran would probably finish second to Prince Albert this year. Now he's a distant third. Take a look at the numbers.
Pujols
G-119 AB-442, Runs-102 Hits-142 HR-44 RBI-116 BB-77 SO-40 BA-.321 OBP-.424 SLG-.686 OPS-1.109
Howard
G-135 AB-502, Runs-89 Hits-155 HR-53 RBI-134 BB-78 SO-154 BA-.309 OBP-.403 SLG-.665 OPS-1.069
Beltran
G-122 AB-455, Runs-113 Hits-130 HR-39 RBI-112 BB-75 SO-87 BA-.286 OBP-.386 SLG-.626 OPS-1.013
I love big Ryno, but to me, Pujols is the MVP hands down. His power numbers are comparable to Howard's despite playing in 16 less games. He has a better batting average and better OPS numbers. And look at the strikeouts, Pujols has 4O punchouts compared to 44 dingers. Just sick. Beltran? His numbers are great and he plays at a premium defensive position. But he also plays in one of the best lineups in the majors and his numbers still don't stack up to those two. He's the best player on the best team in the senior circuit. But he'll have to settle for an appearance in the Fall Classic.
And Mets fans, spare me with A-Rod-Papi defense analogy because it doesn't work in this instance. A-Rod had equal or better stats than Ortiz in every category except for RBIs. He also played on a team that won the division, beating Ortiz's Red Sox. Alex also had several huge hits to win games against the Sox last year. So even if he didn't play an excellent third base last year, he more than made his case for AL MVP.
You'd never know they had the best record in baseball with the way they whine.
Bill Parcells has always had his sycophants in the media. The late Will McDonough, Mike Francessa, Peter King and Gary Myers being the most high profile among them. But what has he been feeding all these idiots this off-season, that he's got them picking his Cowboys to win the NFC East? Are we forgetting that Drew Bledsoe is still their QB? That one of the most divisive players in the history of the game is their number one receiver? That the Giants had one of the better front seven units in the league until every one of their LB's and their backups got hurt. And the Giants strengthened all of their weakenesses from last year (Secondary and LB depth). And that my boy Eli is going to be a year wiser?
The 'Boys should have gotten swept last year by Big Blue. They lucked out a couple wins versus Philly and Washington. I concede that Terrell Owens can help their offense and that their defense will be tough. But as George Foreman says, everyone has a plan until they get hit. Knock around Bledsoe a couple of times and Drew will become the interception ATM he's always been. He's Kerry Collins with a higher IQ. Nothing more.
Here's how I have the NFC East going this year.
Giants 11-5
Eagles 10-6
Cowboys 9-7
Redskins 7-9
Despite a killer schedule, I think the Giants are poised to repeat as NFC East champs and join Seattle and Carolina as the Conference elite. I think Big Blue is better than Seattle and can give Carolina a run for their money this year. McNabb is going to have a big rebound year and getting Donte Stallworth was huge. The Redskins are horrible and Brunnell will show his true colors in '06. Arrington will get his revenge. Eli takes his place as one of the elite QB's in the game this year.
I've been watching tennis for over 20 years and I can't remember a worse time for the sport then now. I'm not taking anything away from Federer and Nadal. They're both very good. But who are they beating? The field is as shallow as it's ever been. In the late seventies and early eighties you had Borg, Connors, Gerulaitis, Lendl, McEnroe, Natase and Vilas. In the eighties, you have Connors, McEnroe, Lendl, Becker, Wilander, Edberg and Noah...all Hall of Famers. In the nineties, You have Sampras, Agassi, Chang, Becker, Edberg, Stich, Kafelnikov, Muster, Ivanisevic, Krajicek, Bruguera and Courier. In the late nineties, early 2000's, you have Agassi, Sampras, Kuerten, Hewitt, Safin, Rafter, Roddick and Federer.
Now? There's a field of two. Yeah those two are very good, but I doubt that either of them dominate a deep field like in years past. They've come into prominence during a transition period. The old lions like Sampras and Agassi are gone. Many of the other top players like Safin, Roddick, Federer and other have struggled through injuries and mind games. And the rest of the field is either too young or not good enough to consistently challenge the big dogs.
Federer and Nadal didn't have to face as deep a field as previous number ones like Pete, Lendl, Agassi, Edberg, Becker or Courier have. Clay-courters, Serve and Volleyers, big servers, baseliners. Federer might challenge Pete's record. He's a wonderful player. But in my mind, he's a great player playing in a very weak era for the game. Same with Nadal.
The women's game is a little better, but it's a shame that the two best players in the game can't decide if they're entertainers or athletes. The Williams sisters can no longer sleepwalk their way to finals. The field has caught up and they're ready to get some payback. Serena's fourth round match versus Amelie Mauresmo was a disgrace. She was a ham sandwich away from exploding. She lost that match because she was fat, not because Mauresmo was better.
Mauresmo has to be the worst number one player in recent memory. Congrats on her two Grand Slams this year, but I don't think anyone thinks that she would have the top spot if Henin-Hardenne or Cljisters didn't get hurt or the Williams sisters decided to practice every once in a while. She's there because she plays every tournament. Which in this age of lowered expectations is a big deal.
Until Sharapova wins another Grand Slam, I don't want to hear her name in the conversation.
Try to get me to care about either final this year. Please.
Anibal Sanchez's no-hitter makes me giggle for a couple of reasons.
First of all, Sanchez was one of the minor-leaguers the Red Sox gave up to get Josh "Chicks Dig The Long Ball" Beckett. The other was Hanley Ramirez. Think they could use him right now? Bill Simmons five year grace period has officially ended at two.
The other is the fact that the Marlins have four no-hitters in their history. While the Mutts, with all of their great pitchers in their history, have a great big goose-egg. Something this guy, is now painfully aware of right now.
Mets fans...Ryan Howard or Albert Pujols is winning the MVP. Deal with it.
A while back I wrote that Beltran would probably finish second to Prince Albert this year. Now he's a distant third. Take a look at the numbers.
Pujols
G-119 AB-442, Runs-102 Hits-142 HR-44 RBI-116 BB-77 SO-40 BA-.321 OBP-.424 SLG-.686 OPS-1.109
Howard
G-135 AB-502, Runs-89 Hits-155 HR-53 RBI-134 BB-78 SO-154 BA-.309 OBP-.403 SLG-.665 OPS-1.069
Beltran
G-122 AB-455, Runs-113 Hits-130 HR-39 RBI-112 BB-75 SO-87 BA-.286 OBP-.386 SLG-.626 OPS-1.013
I love big Ryno, but to me, Pujols is the MVP hands down. His power numbers are comparable to Howard's despite playing in 16 less games. He has a better batting average and better OPS numbers. And look at the strikeouts, Pujols has 4O punchouts compared to 44 dingers. Just sick. Beltran? His numbers are great and he plays at a premium defensive position. But he also plays in one of the best lineups in the majors and his numbers still don't stack up to those two. He's the best player on the best team in the senior circuit. But he'll have to settle for an appearance in the Fall Classic.
And Mets fans, spare me with A-Rod-Papi defense analogy because it doesn't work in this instance. A-Rod had equal or better stats than Ortiz in every category except for RBIs. He also played on a team that won the division, beating Ortiz's Red Sox. Alex also had several huge hits to win games against the Sox last year. So even if he didn't play an excellent third base last year, he more than made his case for AL MVP.
You'd never know they had the best record in baseball with the way they whine.
Bill Parcells has always had his sycophants in the media. The late Will McDonough, Mike Francessa, Peter King and Gary Myers being the most high profile among them. But what has he been feeding all these idiots this off-season, that he's got them picking his Cowboys to win the NFC East? Are we forgetting that Drew Bledsoe is still their QB? That one of the most divisive players in the history of the game is their number one receiver? That the Giants had one of the better front seven units in the league until every one of their LB's and their backups got hurt. And the Giants strengthened all of their weakenesses from last year (Secondary and LB depth). And that my boy Eli is going to be a year wiser?
The 'Boys should have gotten swept last year by Big Blue. They lucked out a couple wins versus Philly and Washington. I concede that Terrell Owens can help their offense and that their defense will be tough. But as George Foreman says, everyone has a plan until they get hit. Knock around Bledsoe a couple of times and Drew will become the interception ATM he's always been. He's Kerry Collins with a higher IQ. Nothing more.
Here's how I have the NFC East going this year.
Giants 11-5
Eagles 10-6
Cowboys 9-7
Redskins 7-9
Despite a killer schedule, I think the Giants are poised to repeat as NFC East champs and join Seattle and Carolina as the Conference elite. I think Big Blue is better than Seattle and can give Carolina a run for their money this year. McNabb is going to have a big rebound year and getting Donte Stallworth was huge. The Redskins are horrible and Brunnell will show his true colors in '06. Arrington will get his revenge. Eli takes his place as one of the elite QB's in the game this year.
I've been watching tennis for over 20 years and I can't remember a worse time for the sport then now. I'm not taking anything away from Federer and Nadal. They're both very good. But who are they beating? The field is as shallow as it's ever been. In the late seventies and early eighties you had Borg, Connors, Gerulaitis, Lendl, McEnroe, Natase and Vilas. In the eighties, you have Connors, McEnroe, Lendl, Becker, Wilander, Edberg and Noah...all Hall of Famers. In the nineties, You have Sampras, Agassi, Chang, Becker, Edberg, Stich, Kafelnikov, Muster, Ivanisevic, Krajicek, Bruguera and Courier. In the late nineties, early 2000's, you have Agassi, Sampras, Kuerten, Hewitt, Safin, Rafter, Roddick and Federer.
Now? There's a field of two. Yeah those two are very good, but I doubt that either of them dominate a deep field like in years past. They've come into prominence during a transition period. The old lions like Sampras and Agassi are gone. Many of the other top players like Safin, Roddick, Federer and other have struggled through injuries and mind games. And the rest of the field is either too young or not good enough to consistently challenge the big dogs.
Federer and Nadal didn't have to face as deep a field as previous number ones like Pete, Lendl, Agassi, Edberg, Becker or Courier have. Clay-courters, Serve and Volleyers, big servers, baseliners. Federer might challenge Pete's record. He's a wonderful player. But in my mind, he's a great player playing in a very weak era for the game. Same with Nadal.
The women's game is a little better, but it's a shame that the two best players in the game can't decide if they're entertainers or athletes. The Williams sisters can no longer sleepwalk their way to finals. The field has caught up and they're ready to get some payback. Serena's fourth round match versus Amelie Mauresmo was a disgrace. She was a ham sandwich away from exploding. She lost that match because she was fat, not because Mauresmo was better.
Mauresmo has to be the worst number one player in recent memory. Congrats on her two Grand Slams this year, but I don't think anyone thinks that she would have the top spot if Henin-Hardenne or Cljisters didn't get hurt or the Williams sisters decided to practice every once in a while. She's there because she plays every tournament. Which in this age of lowered expectations is a big deal.
Until Sharapova wins another Grand Slam, I don't want to hear her name in the conversation.
Try to get me to care about either final this year. Please.
posted by Darth Marc at 12:56 AM
5 Comments:
So I see you needed another outlet for your drivel.
Tell me, if Beltran is in the best lineup in the NL (did you really write that, I'm stunned for a moment), what would you call the lineup A-Rod hit in last year?
If not for Howard hitting all the HR's, he would not be mentioned in the same breath as Pujols or Beltran. Since when did hitting the ball over the fence count for so much in the MVP race? McGwire never won. Bonds at least had ridiculous numbers in other stats besides HR's. When the Phillies could have made a run at the Mets, he did not get the job done. Now that the pressure is off to some extent, he is hitting well (I will not deny this), but where was he a couple of months ago?
I have no problem with Pujols winning, he is a great player, but Howard is not even the best first baseman.
As for Beltran, well, he did carry his team while Delgado and Wright slumped for July and August.
All in all, if Beltran does not win, no problem, as long as Pujols wins it. Howard would annoy me a tad. Then again, my team is going to the playoffs, so I am not going to "whine" too much.
Tennis? Who are you, Chris Russo?
What's next, horse racing?
The Rebellion grows stronger every day.
First off, A-Rod has a proven track record of success. Nine straight years with 30 homers and 100 RBIs in lineups of varying ability.
Howard's in the race because his numbers are sick and he's helping to keep the Phillies in the wildcard race after their front office pretty much put up the white flag for this season and next. If you can't see that through your bias than you're not as astute a baseball fan as I thought.
And McGwire didn't win that year because Sosa and the Cubs won the wildcard and the Cards barely finished over .500.
Marc - If you read closer, you will notice I said Pujols over Howard. I did not pick Beltran over both of them. So where's this bias you refer to?
Howard is sick, I grant that, but he has been sick for a few weeks. Not over the entire season.
As for McGwire - um, didn't A-rod win playing for a last place team? If home runs are the big thing, then why didn't Mac win? Because he did not do it all. Howard can't field worth a lick.
You missed my point on Beltran v A-Rod. Last year, A-Rod won the MVP hitting in one of the best lineups in baseball. Why should Beltran's numbers be looked at any less because he does the same this year?
All in all, it seems every couple of weeks the hot guy gets his name mentioned. Wright for a while, Beltran for a while, now Howard. Some people have even put Reyes up there (not me). Its the media. For me, I expect Pujols to take it, and no crying from me if it happens. If Howard gets it over Pujols, it will be disappointing. The award should go to the best player, who means the most to his team over the whole season, not the guy who gets hot for a month and a half, not matter how hot he gets. I recognize Philly threw in the towel, but Howard is not doing it alone. Look at Utley and some of the other guys, they are getting big hits as well, just not over the fence.
A-Rod won with a last place team, yes. Should he have won? Probably not.
Yes A-Rod played/plays in one of the best lineups in the game. But look up his numbers last year and look up Ortiz's from last year. A-Rod has the advantage in almost every category except for RBIs. That's why he won. Beltran is behind in every category to Pujols and Howard in SPITE of the fact of hitting in the best lineup in the NL. That's why the A-Rod-Beltran comparison is bogus...
Whom did pete have to face ? courier, chang who cant last a set against the likes of Federer/Nadal, a declining becker & edberg, agassi who threw away his best years and never could handle pete's serve ?...gimme a break, the field wasnt great then. In fact, I would argue that the depth in men's tennis is more now than the sdmpras era.
sampras serve was 50% of his game. the rest of it was nothing to rave about and it shows, he was a nobody on clay courts.
Some people's resumes are better than them where as some people are better than their resumes. pete belongs to the former category, he just got lucky.
pete's not even in the same league as Federer.
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