2011 ALDS Game 5 Live Blog

Game 5.  2011 ALDS.  Tigers vs. Yankees.  Doug Fister vs. Ivan Nova.  Just how everyone pictured it would go in April.

Game 5: Tigers vs. Yankees 8:07 (TBS - Brian Anderson, Ron Darling, and John Smoltz, SR: Tom Verducci)

2011 NLDS Game 3/ALDS Game 4 Live Blog

Playoff baseball all day and all night.  This will be a fun night.  It will be an even funner night if the Phillies win.

Game 4: Rangers vs. Rays 2:00 (TBS - Don Orsillo and Buck Martinez, SR: Jamie Maggio)

Game 3: Phillies vs. Cardinals 5:07 (TBS - Dick Stockton and Bob Brenly, SR: Craig Sager)

Game 4: Yankees vs. Tigers 8:37 (TBS - Brian Anderson, Ron Darling, and John Smoltz, SR: Tom Verducci)

Game 3: Brewers vs. Diamondbacks 9:37 (TNT - Victor Rojas and Joe Simpson, SR: Sam Ryan)

2011 ALDS Game 3 Live Blog

It's taken awhile, but we are finally going to see the full Sabathia-Verlander showdown.  Wait, there are showers in the forecast in Detroit tonight?  Son of a.....

Game 3: Rangers vs. Rays 5:07 (TBS - Don Orsillo and Buck Martinez, SR: Jamie Maggio)

Game 3: Yankees vs. Tigers 8:37 (TBS - Brian Anderson, Ron Darling, and John Smoltz, SR: Tom Verducci)

NFL Week 4/ALDS Game 2/NLDS Game 2 Live Blog

Football and playoff baseball, woohoo! Wait, what?  Ron Pitts and Dick Stockton are each announcing a Philly game, respectively?  NOOOOO!!!!!!!

Game 2:  Tigers vs. Yankees 3:07 (TNT - Brian Anderson, Ron Darling, and John Smoltz, SR: Tom Verducci)

Game 2: Diamondbacks vs. Brewers 5:07 (TBS - Victor Rojas and Joe Simpson, SR: Sam Ryan)

Game 2: Cardinals vs. Phillies 8:37 (TBS - Dick Stockton and Bob Brenly, SR: Craig Sager)

2011 NLDS Game 1/ALDS Game 1/ALDS Game 2 Live Blog

Who is ready for 9 hours of Tinie Tempeh's Written In The Stars and advertisements for re-runs of , er, I mean, the second day of the MLB Playoffs!  

Game 1: Diamondbacks vs. Brewers 2:07 (TBS - Victor Rojas and Joe Simpson, SR: Sam Ryan)

Game 1: Cardinals vs. Phillies 5:07 (TBS - Dick Stockton and Bob Brenly, SR: Craig Sager)

Game 2: Rays vs. Rangers 7:07 (TNT - Don Orsillo and Buck Martinez, SR: Jamie Maggio)

Game 1: Tigers vs. Yankees 8:37 (TBS - Brian Anderson, Ron Darling, and John Smoltz, SR: Tom Verducci)

CLICK HERE TO GO TO LIVE BLOG!

2011 ALDS Game 1 Live Blog

The playoffs are finally here!  The 2011 ALDS kicks off tonight with Game 1 of both series.  And yes, in the mind of Bud Selig, it makes perfect sense to play the game in Arlington, Texas three-and-a-half hours before the game in New York.

Game 1:  Rays vs. Rangers 5:07 (TBS - Don Orsillo and Buck Martinez, SR: Jamie Maggio)

Game 1: Tigers vs. Yankees 8:37 (TBS - Brian Anderson, Ron Darling, and John Smoltz, SR: Tom Verducci)

Re-live September 28, 2011 In One Awesome 12-Minute Video

Has there ever been a more dramatic, chaotic, and improbable 20 minutes in the history of sports?  There have been classic games in the past, but what happened last night, was not just one classic game.  It was the finale of a 162-game season like no finale ever before.  The chaos of last night was more than just one game, it was the frantic switching back and forth between stations ultimately culminating with two historic collapses coming complete in the span of twenty minutes and two walkoffs literally separated by three minutes.  There are few times where it feels like time just stops.  Last night was one of those nights.

Last night was an Fredi Gonzalez incredibly allowing Scott Linebrink to pitch to Hunter Pence who would ultimately hit the game-winning RBI with Michael Martinez on deck.  Last night was a last place Baltimore Orioles going nowhere way too fast celebrating like they won the World Series.  Last night was Dan Johnson, he of the .119/.187/.202 slash line in 31 games in 2011 hitting the game-tying home run with the Rays down to their last out and their last strike.  Last night was Evan Longoria.  Last night was the mathematically improbable coming to fruition.

And this is last night, condensed into one 12-minute, 5-second video.



Given the numbers in the above link, to say this was the most improbable night in sports history is not that much of a stretch.  In fact, it may be a reality.  For the Cardinals and the Rays, it is a comeback they will always remember.  And for the Braves and the Red Sox, it is a collapse they will never be able to forget.

MLB Last Day Of The Season Live Blog

Has there ever been a last day of the MLB Season better than this?  Two races, both tied up, with both the Braves and the Red Sox trying to survive a collapse of Mets-ian proportions.  If not on your regional sportsnet, all these games can be seen on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNJIP, ESPNThe17th, and I am pretty sure ESPN Français will pick up some exclusive footage as well.  Join us for the fun!

2010 MLB Playoffs Day 15 Live Blog

Yankees vs. Rangers 8:00 (TBS - Ernie Johnson, Ron Darling, and John Smoltz, SR: Craig Sager)

MLB Playoffs Day 13 Live Blog

Game 5: Rangers vs. Yankees 4:00 (TBS - Ernie Johnson, Ron Darling, and John Smoltz, SR: Craig Sager)

Game 4: Phillies vs. Giants 7:30 (Fox - Joe Buck and Tim McCarver, SR: Ken Rosenthal)

MLB Playoffs Day 12 Live Blog

Game 3: Phillies vs. Giants 4:00 (Fox - Joe Buck and Tim McCarver, SR: Ken Rosenthal)

Game 4: Rangers vs. Yankees 8:00 (TBS - Ernie Johnson, Ron Darling, and John Smoltz, SR: Craig Sager)

MLB Playoffs Day 11 Live Blog

Game 3: Rangers vs. Yankees 8:00 (TBS - Ernie Johnson, Ron Darling, and John Smoltz, SR: Craig Sager)

2010 MLB Playoffs Day 9 Live Blog

Game 2: Yankees vs. Rangers 4:00 (TBS - Ernie Johnson, Ron Darling, and John Smoltz, SR: Craig Sager)

Game 1: Giants vs. Phillies 7:30 (Fox - Joe Buck and Tim McCarver, SR: Ken Rosenthal)

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE LIVE BLOG

2010 MLB Playoffs Day 8 Live Blog

Game 1: Yankees vs. Rangers 8:00 (TBS - Ernie Johnson, Ron Darling, and John Smoltz, SR: Craig Sager)

2010 LCS Schedule

Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, New York Yankees. In just over 3 weeks time, one of these teams will be calling themselves Champions. (all times ET)

National League Championship Series

NL East: Philadelphia Phillies vs. NL West: San Franisco Giants

Game 1: October 16: Giants vs. Phillies 7:30 (Fox - Joe Buck and Tim McCarver, SR: Ken Rosenthal)
Game 2: October 17: Giants vs. Phillies 8:00 (Fox - Joe Buck and Tim McCarver, SR: Ken Rosenthal)
Game 3: October 19: Phillies vs. Giants 4:00 (Fox - Joe Buck and Tim McCarver, SR: Ken Rosenthal)
Game 4: October 20: Phillies vs. Giants 7:30 (Fox - Joe Buck and Tim McCarver, SR: Ken Rosenthal)
Game 5: October 21: Phillies vs. Giants 7:30 (Fox - Joe Buck and Tim McCarver, SR: Ken Rosenthal)
Game 6: October 23: Giants vs. Phillies 3:30 (Fox - Joe Buck and Tim McCarver, SR: Ken Rosenthal)
Game 7: October 24: Giants vs. Phillies 7:30 (Fox - Joe Buck and Tim McCarver, SR: Ken Rosenthal)

American League Championship Series

Al West: Texas Rangers vs. AL Wildcard: New York Yankees

Game 1: October 15: Yankees vs. Rangers 8:00 (TBS - Ernie Johnson, Ron Darling, and John Smoltz, SR: Craig Sager)
Game 2: October 16: Yankees vs. Rangers 4:00 (TBS - Ernie Johnson, Ron Darling, and John Smoltz, SR: Craig Sager)
Game 3: October 18: Rangers vs. Yankees 8:00 (TBS - Ernie Johnson, Ron Darling, and John Smoltz, SR: Craig Sager)
Game 4: October 19: Rangers vs. Yankees 8:00 (TBS - Ernie Johnson, Ron Darling, and John Smoltz, SR: Craig Sager)
Game 5: October 20: Rangers vs. Yankees 4:00 (TBS - Ernie Johnson, Ron Darling, and John Smoltz, SR: Craig Sager)
Game 6: October 22: Yankees vs. Rangers 8:00 (TBS - Ernie Johnson, Ron Darling, and John Smoltz, SR: Craig Sager)
Game 7: October 23: Yankees vs. Rangers 8:00 (TBS - Ernie johnson, Ron Darling, and John Smoltz, SR: Craig Sager)

If the Yankees and Rangers series does not go 7 games, Game 6 of the NLCS will be pushed back to night time.

2010 MLB Playoffs Day 4 Live Blog

Game 3: Rays @ Rangers 5:07 (TBS - Don Orsillo and Buck Martinez, SR: Marc Fein)

Game 3: Twins @ Yankees 8:37 (TBS - Ernie Johnson, Ron Darling, John Smoltz, SR: Craig Sager)

LIVE BLOG OVER HERE

2010 MLB Playoffs Day 2 Live Blog

Game 2: Rangers @ Rays 2:37 (TBS - Don Orsillo and Buck Martinez, SR: Marc Fein)

Game 2: Yankees @ Twins 6:07 (TBS - Ernie Johnson, Ron Darling, John Smoltz, SR: Craig Sager)

Game 1: Braves @ Giants 9:37 (TBS - Dick Stockton and Bob Brenly, SR: Tom Verducci)

Live blog is over here.

2010 MLB Playoffs Day 1 Live Blog

Game 1: Rangers @ Rays 1:37 (TBS - Don Orsillo and Buck Martinez, SR: Marc Fein)

Game 1: Reds @ Phillies 5:07 (TBS - Brian Anderson and Joe Simpson, SR: David Aldridge)

Game 1: Yankees @ Twins 8:37 (TBS - Ernie Johnson, Ron Darling, John Smoltz, SR: Craig Sager)

Jibber Your Jabber- Sunday Night Style!

Who's up for some exhibition preseason NFL action tonight? Or maybe it's ESPN's 100th broadcast this season of Yanks/Sawx. Who does Al Michaels have tonight? Will Joe Morgan take credit for the building of New Yankee Stadium? Is Don Draper going to regret banging the new secretary? Leave comments and enjoy the mayhem!

Dallas Cowboys vs Cincinnati Bengals 8:00 (NBC- Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth SR: Andrea Kremer)

Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees 8:00 (ESPN- Jon Miller, Joe Morgan, Orel Hershiser)

Comparing The Phillies To The Mets And Yankees

The Philadelphia Phillies just acquired yet another ace in Roy Oswalt, thus giving them a top 3 rotation of Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, and Roy Oswalt. Naturally, given that, the fact they have won the NLCS in the past 2 years, made the playoffs the last 3, and have a bunch of big names on their team now, the comparisons are going to come that the Phillies are the next, Mets and Yankees, at least in the mind of the casual fan. But the question remains, are the comparisons valid? Are the Phillies the 2nd coming of teams most casual fans hate?

I will answer this by comparing how the Phillies acquired the top players and starting pitchers and closer on their current roster in comparison to the top players and starting pitchers and closer on the other teams' current roster. Up first, how the Phillies acquired their players (yes, I am aware that there are more players than this on the teams; this piece concerns the big names and the regular starters when everyone is healthy, not the role players, bench players and the fill-ins for injury, i.e. Wilson Valdez).

Phillies
Carlos Ruiz: Signed as an amateur free agent in 1998.
Ryan Howard: Drafted in the 5th round of the 2001 draft.
Chase Utley: Drafted in the 1st round of the 2000 draft.
Jimmy Rollins: Drafted in the 1st round of the 1996 draft.
Placido Polanco: Signed as a free agent (for the 2nd time) in 2009.
Raul Ibanez: Signed as a free agent in 2008.
Shane Victorino: Drafted by the Phillies in the 2004 Rule 5 Draft.
Jayson Werth: Signed as a free agent in 2006.
Roy Halladay: Traded by Toronto to Philadelphia in 2009.
Cole Hamels: Drafted in the 1st round 2002 draft.
Roy Oswalt: Traded by Houston to Philadelphia in 2010.
Joe Blanton: Traded by Oakland to Philadelphia in 2008.
Kyle Kendrick: Drafted in the 7th round of the 2003 draft.
Brad Lidge: Traded by Houston to Philadelphia in 2007.

Phillies totals
Amateur Draft: 5
Amateur Free Agents: 1
Rule 5 Draft: 1
Free Agency: 3
Trades: 4

New York Mets
Rod Barajas: Signed as a free agent in 2010.
Ike Davis: Drafted by in the 2008 draft.
Luis Castillo: Signed as a free agent in 2007.
Jose Reyes: Signed as an amateur free agent in 1999.
David Wright: Drafted in the 2001 draft.
Jason Bay: Signed as a free agent in 2009
Angel Pagan: Traded by Chicago Cubs to New York Mets in 2008.
Jeff Francoeur: Traded by Atlanta to New York Mets in 2009.
Carlos Beltran: Signed as a free agent in 2005.
Johan Santana: Traded by Minnesota to New York Mets
Jonathon Niese: Drafted in 7th round of the 2005 draft.
Mike Pelfrey: Drafted in the 1st round of the 2005 draft.
R.A. Dickey: Signed as a free agent in 2010.
Hisanori Takahashi: Signed as a free agent in 2010.
Francisco Rodriguez: Signed as a free agent in 2008.

Mets totals
Amateur Draft: 4
Amateur Free Agents: 1
Rule 5 Draft: 0
Free Agency: 6
Trades: 3

New York Yankees
Francisco Cervelli: Signed as an amateur free agent in 2003.
Mark Teixeira: Signed as a free agent in 2009.
Robinson Cano: Signed as an amateur free agent in 2001.
Derek Jeter: Drafted in the 1st round of the 1992 draft.
Alex Rodriguez: Signed as a free agent in 2007.
Brett Garnder: Drafted by Yankees in 3rd round of 2005 draft.
Curtis Granderson: Traded by Detroit to New York Yankees in 2009.
Nick Swisher: Traded by Chicago White Sox to New York Yankees in 2008.
Jorge Posada: Drafted by the New York Yankees in the 20th round of the 1990 draft.
Andy Pettitte: Signed as a free agent in 2006.
Javier Vazquez: Traded by Atlanta to New York Yankees in 2009.
CC Sabathia: Signed as a free agent in 2008.
A.J. Burnett: Signed as a free agent in 2008.
Phil Hughes: Drafted by the Yankees in the 2004 draft.
Mariano Rivera: Signed as an amateur free agent in 1990.

Yankees totals
Amateur Draft: 4
Amateur Free Agents: 3
Rule 5 Draft: 0
Free Agency: 5
Trades: 3

I wanted to add the Red Sox in here, but frankly, I need to get up at 6 AM, and it is getting late and I am running out of time. Maybe sometime tomorrow after Oswalt's debut I will add them in here.

But as far as the straight up comparisons with the New York teams, I think the numbers speak for themselves. The Phillies main core of players consist of 3 free agents whereas the Mets have 6 and the Yankees have 5. Halladay and Oswalt were both acquired through trade, whereas Burnett and Sabathia were both signed directly through the dollar-dollar bills (though in fairness, the sticking point of the Halladay trade was the immediate contract extension the Phillies were able to offer him). And while it kind of looks like egg on the face of the Phillies that they got Jayson Werth through free agency, it should be known that when they signed him, no one knew he would end up being such a star that he is. Heck, in 2008 he started the season platooning with Geoff Jenkins in right field before winning the job outright towards the end of the season.

It should be noted that in addition to less free agents, the Phillies have more trades than each of the 2 New York teams and more draft picks than each of the 2 New York teams, though credit must be given as the Yankees really know how to score with the undrafted amateur free agents.

Again, hopefully I will be able to do the Red Sox tomorrow, but I am out of gas and in need of sleep before waking up at 6 AM to go to work for the whole day (I can taste the coffee from here). Unrelated to the Phillies and baseball, but the Eagles have signed their 1st round draft pick Brandon Graham late this evening. Just thought I should let you know before I go to bed.