Even though I have been gone for the past ten days, I figured why the heck not, right? Roy Halladay and Jered Weaver are the starting pitchers. Unlike other All-Star games, in this one, the winning league gets home field advantage in the 2011 World Series, so there is something to be played for. Live from Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, it is the 2011 MLB All-Star Game! Join us for the live blog.
American League vs. National League 8:00 (Fox - Joe Buck and Tim McCarver, SR: Ken Rosenthal)
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
My Ten Pre-Vacation Predictions Re-Visited
I'm back! Please, please, hold your applause.
Before I left on vacation I decided to make ten predictions of things I think will happen while I go on vacation. These were not the most well-thought out predictions I have ever made, but I wanted something to look back on once I got back. And looking back, I am glad I did this, as looking back on these predictions will touch on everything I wanted to touch on as I learned the news of what did happen while I was (mostly) deprived of news.
So let's see how well/poorly I did!
1. Steven Stamkos will sign a long-term contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Steven Stamkos is still a restricted free agent. The Flyers and the Maple Leafs may be sorta kinda maybe in the mix to send an offer sheet his way. No points for me on this one.
2. The NFL will agree to a new CBA.
From what little knowledge I gathered while I was away and when I got back, the NFL and NFLPA have been one week away from an agreement for the past week. No new CBA. No points for me.
3. The NBA will not agree to a new CBA.
No new CBA here, either. Point for me this time.
4. Cole Hamels will be named NL All-Star Starter.
Cole Hamels can't pitch in the All-Star Game because he pitched on Sunday. Justin, you are an idiot for not looking ahead and seeing this could happen. Instead, it is Roy Halladay who will be the 6th Phillie to pitch the start of an All-Star Game. No points here.
5. Roy Halladay will receive a standing ovation in Toronto.
They practically worship Halladay like a god of all things awesome in Toronto. Naturally, Rogers Centre gave him a standing ovation. Point here.
6. The Phillies starters will not achieve any historic in-game achievements.
Confession: When I first wrote this, I was only hinting at a no-hitter. But while I was gone, Cliff Lee homered (if you don't click that for the homer, click to hear Jair Jurrjens's call of the homer; it's the stuff of legends) making him the first Phillies pitcher to do so since Chan Ho Park in April 2009. While this prediction mentions only starters, it is worth noting that little known Phillies relief pitcher Juan Perez threw the 46th immaculate inning in baseball history. For comparisons sake, there have been 271 no-hitters thrown, 20 perfect games, and one imperfect game. But again, I specifically said starters. Is a pitcher hitting a home run a historic in-game achievement? Half a point.
7. Paul Holmgren will overpay for someone.
In the truest sense of the word, no, he did not overpay anyone. He got a great deal for Max Talbot which may or may not have circumnavigated the cap and at least as of yet, he has not given Stamkos eighty bajillion dollars. But, Homer does not get off free on this one. He signed Bryzgalov to a long-term deal at a cap hit of $5,666,667. The Washington Capitals signed Tomas Vokoun, a better goaltender, for a $1,500,000 cap hit. That is a difference of $4,166,667. And the goaltender getting $4,166,667 less per year is the better goalie. That underpay by the Caps of Vokoun pointing out how much the Flyers overpaid Bryzgalov, even though it happened before I went away, deserves half a point.
8. JP Dellacamera will tell everyone who will listen that BIMBO Bread is "packed with goodness and baked with love."
The Union played the San Jose Earthquakes on CSN three nights ago. Poor guy gets paid to say that every time. Score one.
9. Simon Gagne will sign with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Well he signed with theLos Angeles Kings Flyers West. That should count for something, right? Hello? Hello? No? Oh well. I said Philadelphia Flyers, not Flyers West. There is a difference, in spite of the fact you can't really tell that at the moment. No points here.
10. 49er16 and kt1000 will do a much better job than myself at consistently posting here.
Absolutely. They are welcome anytime. Point here.
So counting things up, I got a masterful 5/10 predictions right. I fail.
Before I left on vacation I decided to make ten predictions of things I think will happen while I go on vacation. These were not the most well-thought out predictions I have ever made, but I wanted something to look back on once I got back. And looking back, I am glad I did this, as looking back on these predictions will touch on everything I wanted to touch on as I learned the news of what did happen while I was (mostly) deprived of news.
So let's see how well/poorly I did!
1. Steven Stamkos will sign a long-term contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Steven Stamkos is still a restricted free agent. The Flyers and the Maple Leafs may be sorta kinda maybe in the mix to send an offer sheet his way. No points for me on this one.
2. The NFL will agree to a new CBA.
From what little knowledge I gathered while I was away and when I got back, the NFL and NFLPA have been one week away from an agreement for the past week. No new CBA. No points for me.
3. The NBA will not agree to a new CBA.
No new CBA here, either. Point for me this time.
4. Cole Hamels will be named NL All-Star Starter.
Cole Hamels can't pitch in the All-Star Game because he pitched on Sunday. Justin, you are an idiot for not looking ahead and seeing this could happen. Instead, it is Roy Halladay who will be the 6th Phillie to pitch the start of an All-Star Game. No points here.
5. Roy Halladay will receive a standing ovation in Toronto.
They practically worship Halladay like a god of all things awesome in Toronto. Naturally, Rogers Centre gave him a standing ovation. Point here.
6. The Phillies starters will not achieve any historic in-game achievements.
Confession: When I first wrote this, I was only hinting at a no-hitter. But while I was gone, Cliff Lee homered (if you don't click that for the homer, click to hear Jair Jurrjens's call of the homer; it's the stuff of legends) making him the first Phillies pitcher to do so since Chan Ho Park in April 2009. While this prediction mentions only starters, it is worth noting that little known Phillies relief pitcher Juan Perez threw the 46th immaculate inning in baseball history. For comparisons sake, there have been 271 no-hitters thrown, 20 perfect games, and one imperfect game. But again, I specifically said starters. Is a pitcher hitting a home run a historic in-game achievement? Half a point.
7. Paul Holmgren will overpay for someone.
In the truest sense of the word, no, he did not overpay anyone. He got a great deal for Max Talbot which may or may not have circumnavigated the cap and at least as of yet, he has not given Stamkos eighty bajillion dollars. But, Homer does not get off free on this one. He signed Bryzgalov to a long-term deal at a cap hit of $5,666,667. The Washington Capitals signed Tomas Vokoun, a better goaltender, for a $1,500,000 cap hit. That is a difference of $4,166,667. And the goaltender getting $4,166,667 less per year is the better goalie. That underpay by the Caps of Vokoun pointing out how much the Flyers overpaid Bryzgalov, even though it happened before I went away, deserves half a point.
8. JP Dellacamera will tell everyone who will listen that BIMBO Bread is "packed with goodness and baked with love."
The Union played the San Jose Earthquakes on CSN three nights ago. Poor guy gets paid to say that every time. Score one.
9. Simon Gagne will sign with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Well he signed with the
10. 49er16 and kt1000 will do a much better job than myself at consistently posting here.
Absolutely. They are welcome anytime. Point here.
So counting things up, I got a masterful 5/10 predictions right. I fail.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Cliff Lee Can Do It All
On Saturday I was talking with a friend of mine watching the Braves-Phillies game on Fox. We both wondered if Cliff Lee would make the most sense for a pitcher to transition to an everyday player? Lee can obviously field, and he can also hit (His OBP is .233 which is almost as good as Michael Martinez!). Well our question was answered on Saturday when Lee drilled a home run off of Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson.
I guess that answers my question. My favorite part of that home run is Braves pitcher Jair Jurrjens screaming, "No! No! No! Are you kidding me?"
Poor Lee though. Tommy Hanson was just as good as him on Saturday and the game went to extra innings with both pitchers recording the no decision. The Phillies would lose in the 11th inning.
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I guess that answers my question. My favorite part of that home run is Braves pitcher Jair Jurrjens screaming, "No! No! No! Are you kidding me?"
Poor Lee though. Tommy Hanson was just as good as him on Saturday and the game went to extra innings with both pitchers recording the no decision. The Phillies would lose in the 11th inning.
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Sunday, July 10, 2011
One Of The Greatest Soccer Matches Ever
The United States took a quick 1-0 lead 74 seconds into the match, after a Brazil own goal by their sweeper Dianae. The USA held that lead at halftime, with help from a Hope Solo save in the 38th minute.
Then, in the 65th minute, controversy erupted after a breathtaking run into the box, by Marta. This video shows both the red card, the distputed PK, and then at 9:35 the incredible goal by Marta at the start of extra time.
I agree with Darke's call in the moment. I do think Marta should have been awarded a PK after her incredible move with the ball. But, a red card was totally unnecessary and harsh judgment from Australian referee Jacqui Melksham. As to the save and re-kick, there have been far worse instances of encroachment not called.
After 55 minutes of only playing with 10 on the field, with only a couple of minutes left in the match (following some spectacular injury milking by the Brazilians, especially from the defender Erika), Megan Rapinoe delivers a perfect ball onto the head of Abby Wambach, who delivered a thunderous header into the net, to force the match into a PK shootout:
For my money, a more stunning goal than the one Landon Donovan scored against Algeria in last summer's World Cup in South Africa.
Wambach's equalizer led to the PK shootout, which was eventually won by the United States 5-3.
The United States advances to the semifinals. They play France at 11:30 AM ET on Wednesday.
Women's World Cup Shocker
Host Nation Germany 0- Japan 1.
Brazil vs the US Women's Team on Sunday morning at 11:30 AM ET.
The Final is next Sunday, July 17th.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Rating NHL Broadcasters
http://www.sbnation.com/2011/7/8/2250696/nhl-broadcaster-rankings-announcers-commentators
Here are the comments about the Flyers CSN announcers:
"Jim Jackson, Keith Jones - Philadelphia Flyers: Keith Jones has become a caricature of the "good Canadian boy" ex-hockey player. On Versus, he's somewhat balanced and talks about things other than physical play.
On the Comcast broadcast, Jones wears his heart on his sleeve. Everything can be improved with toughness and every player having an off night "needs more effort", regardless of the level of effort. "Being more physical" in all aspects of the game is paramount.
Jackson carries a heavy Philadelphia bias and refuses to criticize a Flyer, even when the criticism is obvious."
In the few opportunities I've had to listen to Jim Jackson, I've enjoyed the broadcast. He calls a solid game and his voice doesn't annoy me. I guess calls like this are what accounts for this guy's opinion of Jackson as a Flyers homer. I do agree that Keith Jones doesn't really bring anything to the table.
Now, as some people who read this blog or follow Justin on Twitter know, I'm a Capitals fan. Ranking the team of Beninati and Laughlin as 3 stars is pure insanity, or perhaps he listens to those broadcasts with cotton in his ears. He correctly nails Beninati on the screaming on random plays, but misses how he all too often falls back on his stupid catchphrases and his incessant Comcast promotion. And Laughlin falls back on his hockey player-ese of just attaching "Y's" to every player to serve as a nickname. He also thinks every bad call against the Caps is a conspiracy, and also always has an excuse when the Caps flame out in the playoffs. I deserve a medal for listening to 15 years of these guys doing Capitals games on TV.
Anyway, these lists are always fun for debate as to which crew is the best. My money goes to Randy Hahn and Drew Remenda of the Sharks.
Also, remember to catch Bob Costas and Al Michaels as they work tonight's Mets at Giants game on the MLB Network.
DeSean Jackson Y'all
Desean Jackson was not too thrilled about a question during a recent radio appearance:
Good to see that Cal-Berkeley education in action.
http://deadspin.com/5819135/www.DCFanatic.com
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