Bleacher Report - Articles by Michael Peres

Texas Rangers in 2009: Trading Catchers for Pitchers

Michael Peres — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 05:35:16 -0400

If you're a fan of a Major League Baseball team, the moment your team records its last out, your mind starts to wander towards next season and how to fix all the things that went wrong with the season that just ended.

For Rangers fans, it's the same thing every year. Pitching problems.

If you wander into Ameriquest Field, it's almost comical to look at the banners down the first-base side that read: A.L. West Division Champs 1996, 1998, and 1999. That is it. They have the distinct honor of being the only MLB franchise to not have ever won a playoff series since the team's inception in 1970.

There has got to be a way to right the ship, and for the Rangers, it all starts and ends with pitching.

This past season, the Rangers finished second in the A.L. West, a cool 21-games back from the Angels. Offensive production was no problem. Milton Bradley finished third in the A.L. in batting, and Josh Hamilton has become one of the premier power hitters in all of baseball.

The Rangers scored 901 runs this year, good for first in the majors, and after doing the math, it comes out to a little over 5.5 runs a game. Obviously the bats and firepower have been well addressed, and the team is young and thriving at the plate.

On the flip side of that coin is the pitching. The Rangers gave up a major-league high 967 runs and went through so many starting pitchers I can't even figure out an exact number The "ace" of the staff is Kevin Millwood, who made $10.3 million for his 5.07 ERA and will be turning 34 in a few months.

The good news for Texas fans is that there is a solution. The Rangers have a bevy of young talent behind the plate, and when there's a list of teams that need young catching, now is the best time to parlay that talent into re-energizing the pitching staff.

Currently, the Rangers have FOUR catchers who could start for most major-league teams. Why not trade two of them and pick up two solid starters?

For 2009, name Taylor Teagarden the No. 1 catcher, with Gerald Laird being the backup, then trade Max Ramirez and Jarrod Saltalamacchia. The Red Sox, Tigers, and Padres could all improve their team with some young above-average catching.

All the Rangers have to do is trade for an above-average starting pitcher, say a guy like Bronson Arroyo, Kyle Lohse, or, stretching it, Clay Buchholz. Now it's time to hit the free-agent market.

Ignore big-name field players, such as: Carlos Delgado, Mike Cameron, and a washed up Vlad. Go after just one big-name starter who has shown consistency over the years. Among those available target guys like Derek Lowe, Mark Mulder, Jon Garland, or even Ryan Dempster.

After it's all said and done, this is your 2009 starting rotation: Derek Lowe, Vicente Padilla, Kevin Millwood, Bronson Arroyo, and Kasan Gabbard. That is a rotation that can compete! The Rangers also have a promising farm system of pitchers that includes Derek Holland, who pitched four games in the AAA playoffs for Frisco, with an ERA of .069, 29 K's, and zero HRs allowed.

Signing and trading for some veterans while holding on to their top, young, pitch prospects might just be what this organization needs to jump-start their winning ways and shed the franchise's tag of being the only major-league team not to win a playoff series in the past 38 years.

Week Eight Picks: Beware the Underdog

Michael Peres — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 04:22:00 -0400

Last week I went a decent 8-5 against the spread with one of those eight coming on the miraculous 94=yard cover courtesy of Calvin Johnson AKA Megatron. With the exception of the Cowboys leaving their game face in Week Four, Matt Ryan, and the Chargers i feel like I have a pretty good handle on the league.

West coast teams traveling to the east and playing the early game always seem to get killed, the home teams in the surprisingly good NFC South always seem to cover, and the Texans have only covered one game all year. With all that said lets get to the picks for Week Eight:

Home teams in CAPS:

Raiders (+8) over the RAVENS

I know I know, I just got through talking about how badly west coast teams play when they travel cross country for the early game. However, eight points is a lot and the Raiders did look decent against the Jets last weekend. Maybe the pride of Idaho is just the type of coach needed to restore the Al Davis regime.

Chargers (-3) over the Saints

I'm really hoping Pacman gets reinstated and the Cowboys get the London game next year. Pacman going into a British pub with his body guards right before an Arsenal game finishes and the hooligans spill in sounds like something that needs to be televised and could lead to an international incident. Have no real thoughts on this game other then the Chargers have to win to stay competitive.

JETS (-14) over the Chiefs

In my mind the Chiefs are easily the worst team in football and I don't care if they do have one win. I refuse to back a team that plays three quarterbacks a game and is benching their one good player in Larry Johnson.

Bills (-2) over the DOLPHINS

Trap game. This line is way too low for no blatantly obvious reasons such as injuries or suspensions. I don't get this line at all and feel like everyone will load up on the AFC East leading Bills, which gambling rules say to go against the crowd. On that note I'm going with the crowd.

Buccaneers (+2) over the COWBOYS

The Cowboys look terrible and the Bucs are on the rise. I really hope I'm wrong on this one.

Falcons (+9) over the EAGLES

I think the Falcons are a lot better then people think and the Eagles are not as good as people think. The Falcons only losses are to the Buccaneers and Panthers and they have two really good wins against the Bears and Packers. Mark this one as my upset special as well.

PATRIOTS (-7.5) over the Rams

This is a weird game. The Pats looked like they might have figured it out Monday night against Denver, then again it was the Denver secondary that Matt Cassell solved so who knows. The Rams come off consecutive wins against the Redskins and Cowboys, yet I need to see one more big game before I believe.

Cardinals (+4) over the PANTHERS

Both of these teams are showing signs as playoff contenders and whoever wins this game should get some legitimate buzz around the league as a NFC favorite. This game will depend on which Panthers defense shows up. With a bye week to rest I'll take the points and the Cards.

Redskins (-8) over the LIONS

The Lions fall into the same category as the Chiefs, just an atrocious team. I don't like the Redskins and the Lions could pick up a cheap cover like last week, but I'll take my chances.

Browns (+8) over the JAGUARS

The Browns aren't playing terrible football, but just bad enough to lose every week. Romeo Crennel and Herm Edwards seem to be trying to get fired at this point. Like the Jags to win, but the Browns to cover.

Bengals (+9) over the TEXANS

Big week for Ohio. Both teams losing but moral victories after both teams cover their enormous spreads. In a related note I really like the over at 44.5 here. The Texans have gone over in every game this season.

Giants (+2.5) over the STEELERS

I think the Giants defense will do enough to disrupt Roethlisberger and fragile Willie Parker. If Dominic Hixson or Steve Smith step up I believe the Giants will get a huge road win here.

49ERS (-5) over the Seahawks

Seneca Wallace on the road with no receivers and a shell of Julius Jones. I'll take the 49ers please.

TITANS (-4) over the Colts

The only team left in the league that is perfect against the spread. I'm riding them until proven otherwise.

Record last week: 8-5

Get Out and Vote! Harrell-Crabtree '08

Michael Peres — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 03:51:30 -0400

When the 2008 college football season started and the experts sent in their requisite "Who is going to win the Heisman this year?" articles, most believed that Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree would split votes, therefore cancelling each other out.

That still may be the case, but one thing stands out as a good sign for Tech fans in this regard.

Instead of refusing to comment or dodging the media, the two Red Raiders have chosen to take a fun and comical approach at all the hoopla. Their message, you ask? Just check out the campaign site passorcatch2008.com and listen to why each player deserves the trophy.

Through this one of a kind website, both Heisman hopefuls deliver their message to America on why each one of them deserves the prestigious award. The website, as well as their on the field chemistry, shows the unique relationship between two of the most highly touted athletes in Texas Tech history.

Their willingness to always try to make the other person look better has created gaudy stats over the past year and a half for both players.

Some argue that it's the system, and as long as Mike Leach is around, that argument most certainly deserves some merit. However, Texas Tech is in a position over the next four games to make or break their program. They win all four or even three of the four, and they have a legitimate chance at a BCS bowl and possibly a national title.

Even though the system will always produce high-powered offense, Harrell and Crabtree deserve the lion's share of the credit for taking it to the next level.

Texas Tech's first real test of the season comes at 12:00 ET this Saturday in Lawrence against another potent offense. While Kansas isn't known for its lockdown, defense they do have some players with the ability to wreak havoc on Tech's offense.

Jake Laptad is a sophomore defensive end who already has five sacks and six tackles for a loss. Last weekend, when the Red Raiders had trouble on offense, it was because of pressure on Graham and the inability to run the ball early.

Laptad will have a key role in helping ignite both of those sparks, and if the Red Raiders hope to rock the Jayhawks defense, containing Laptad is at the top of the to do list.

Even though half the season is already over, the true campaign for the Texas Tech Red Raiders will begin this weekend in Kansas. Vegas has Kansas as one-point favorites going into Saturday, and although the tough stretch is just starting for Texas Tech, I think this weekend will show the nation why I am voting Harrell-Crabtree '08—and why you should too.

Does Texas Tech Have a Chance If Defense Wins Championships?

Michael Peres — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:18:57 -0400

When people hear the name Texas Tech in the football world the last thing that probably comes to mind is defense.

College fans think about high scoring offenses, Michael Crabtree, or maybe even the very unique "mad genius" coach Mike Leach, but never defense. As a lifelong Texas Tech fan myself, I have spent many springs yelling at anyone who would listen that if Texas Tech even had a halfway decent defense they would be contending for a BCS bowl and possibly a national championship.

That year is now.

This Saturday is what the experts call a trap game. Texas Tech goes on the road to play an over-matched Texas A&M team before playing at Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma State, then at Oklahoma. If you have watched Texas Tech over the last several years one thing the defense always has a problem doing is stopping the run.

The last time Tech played at College Station Tech fans watched as Javorski Lane got the ball in the second half, gashing the Red Raiders defense as he picked up between four and 10 yards a carry every play in the second half. Nothing is more frustrating as a fan then knowing exactly what the other team is about to do as you watch helplessly, unable to stop it.

Tech ended up winning on a last second fling to Robert Johnson, and to this day A&M's football program has taken giant steps back as Texas Tech has only moved forward.

As for this Saturday’s matchup, Tech opened as a 21-point favorite and in my eyes it will be even worse than that. Since Ruffin McNeil has taken over the defense, the Red Raiders are allowing 104 yards a game on the ground and will certainly stack the defense against Mike Goodson and the running game.

This will force Stephen McGee or Jerrod Johnson to beat them through the air and with Tech's improving secondary this game could get out of hand early. Final score from College Station: Texas Tech 52, Texas A&M 24.

As long as Tech continues to target the high-powered offensive recruits the way they do, none of the big name defensive high school players will ever come to Lubbock, but that doesn't matter.

Under new defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeil, Texas Tech hasn't turned into a menacing single digit allowing defense, but there is a new direction and a new feel around the team. Tech fans no longer moan and groan when the offense actually has to punt, but instead start screaming to get the ball back.

Last week with Tech playing one of their worst games of the season, it wasn't the offense that sealed the victory in overtime, it was junior cornerback Jamar Wall with the pick after a pass rush forced Ganz out of the pocket.

With offensive guru Mike Leach at the helm, Texas Tech will always be an offensively oriented team that will try to outscore its opponents through the spread offense. But this year with Texas Tech sitting in the top 10 and facing a grueling stretch of games, the defense gives Lubbock hope that they might be watching their team play on Jan. 8 in Miami.

Open Mic: Why College Athletes Should Get Paid...and Paid Well

Michael Peres — Tue, 13 May 2008 03:48:23 -0400

There are certain topics that get under my skin as a sports fan. I love reading headlines and seeing recaps from games that went into triple overtime, saw a player hit three home runs in the same game, or created a new record while an old one was broken.

However, it drives me crazy to read about things like Roger Clemens having a relationship with a 15-year-old girl, Marvin Harrison saying he did not shoot a certain gun, and OJ Mayo taking illegal benefits.

Most of the off-the-field stories consist of real news that as sports fans, we would like to know. But I personally don't care if OJ Mayo, or any other college athlete for that matter, gets a secret amount of cash to spend as he sees fit.

The only time something becomes a big deal and causes SportsCenter to interrupt with breaking news is if the news involves a high-caliber athlete. To me, there isn't a difference between OJ Mayo getting a house in his name and some University of Texas player drinking at a bar for free during his whole college career.

They are both getting something that they didn't pay for. They are both using their status as a college athlete to get what they want. On top of all that, neither one of those examples helps them play football on the field.

These guys aren't using steroids or going to jail on drunken driving charges. They are poor college students who will take anything thrown at them to make college more fun and a little easier. If some random agent wants to buy a player a BMW to drive around in while he's in college, who is that hurting?

I do realize that if this started, it will open the floodgates, and pretty soon the high-profile collegiate athletes will be no different from Lebron James or Peyton Manning.

One of the reasons I love college sports is the purity of the game. While there are several players out there who are playing just for the scouts, for the most part everyone on the field or court is playing to win and only for that reason.

Paying college athletes is the best solution. I know it sounds wrong and feels like I should be slammed for just writing that, but why not?

Sometimes, the athletes put in more time and work than some people do at full-time jobs. They do receive a scholarship, but at the same time if they didn't most of them could apply for financial aid and grants to cover most of their expenses anyway.

Paying athletes on a yearly basis is a lot different than one athlete in particular getting a new hummer or cash under the table, I'll be the first to admit that. I just think it would be easier to differentiate who is abusing the system if all athletes got something for their time.

If every athlete out there is making $400 a week, there should be no reason for any "superstar" to want special treatment. As it is now, most college athletes are broke because they can't get a job with their practice schedules and travel time.

Athletes should be well compensated for their time. Paying athletes under the table with money or material things will never stop. As long as the players aren't getting paid and don't think they will get caught, there will always be someone with too much money or too much ambition that will give them whatever they need knowing it will come back ten fold down the road.

Collegiate athletes provide entertainment for the whole country and put in countless hours a week to make sure they play up to society's standards. It's about time we pay athletes what they deserve so we can start turning on the TV and hearing about how close the NBA playoffs are and stop hearing about 19-year-olds taking money.

2008 NBA Draft with a Twist

Michael Peres — Fri, 09 May 2008 04:42:28 -0400

Everyone wishes that they could draft their own NBA team.

I'm sure that building a team from scratch and turning it into a championship contender has to be one of the best feelings in the world. This explains why every time you go into franchise mode in any of the major sports games on Xbox360 or PS3, it gives you the option to dump every player into the draft pool and just build your team from the bottom up.

Sure it's weird seeing Kobe Bryant playing for the Denver Nuggets or Stephon Marbury stuck in Salt Lake City, but it also provides hours of entertainment, laughs and endless scenarios of what if's.

Without further ado I give you the 2008 NBA Draft predictions if every player was available. To determine the draft order I just clicked on ESPN's lottery generator and whatever came out first is how it was decided. Today is picks 1-10, Monday picks 11-20, Tuesday is the rest!

1. Memphis Grizzlies—Chris Paul—I personally would take Chris Paul over anyone else just because he has such a unique talent. I know that some would crucify me for not taking Lebron or Kobe, but here's my reasoning. Chris Paul is only 23-years-old and just had the greatest season of all time as a point guard. He is very likable, makes everyone around him play better, and most of all is a stand up citizen who will give you years of entertainment as well as the cornerstone to a future championship dynasty.

2. Los Angeles Clippers—Lebron James—Talk about an unreal scenario here. The Clippers get lucky and draw the number two spot and take the biggest superstar in the NBA. Not only do they put the Lakers on the back burner in Los Angeles, but they also inherit the biggest merchandise seller in the NBA. Most of all, at 23-years-old, James has his best years ahead of him and that's very scary for the rest of the league.

3. Seattle Supersonics—Dwight Howard—I think Howard has to be the third pick overall because of his freakish size, speed, and athleticism. Throw in his age at 22 and his sick ability to throw up 20-and-20's and one could make a strong argument that he should be the first overall pick.

4. Miami Heat—Kobe Bryant—I would be a little hesitant to take Kobe Bean here because he is almost 30 years old which makes me feel like I'm 40 years old even though I'm only 23. However, there is no arguing that as of right now he is one of the top players in the league and has proven that when surrounded with talent, he can score at will.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves—Tim Duncan—One of the top five power forwards to ever to play the game. He provides his team with consistency, fundamentals, leadership and the uncanny ability to whine after every call. With all that aside, Timmy would be one of the sure things with no real downside.

6. New York Knicks—Andrew Bogut—Just kidding, although I would love to see Knick fans react to this.

6a. New York Knicks—Kevin Garnett—Just think of the infusion he gave the Boston Celtics this year. Yes, he is pretty old and will probably start winding down sometime soon, and yes, he has a reputation for not being a big game player. But, KG would thrive in New York and cause Knicks fans to love going to the Garden again which counts for a lot.

7. Milwaukee Bucks—Dirk Nowitzki—One of those super rare players that we really have never seen before. A 7-foot-tall German with his strong suit actually being his perimeter play. Dirk would give the Bucks a go-to player down the stretch and someone who could pour in points night in and night out. Plus, who wouldn't want to see the Dirk in Milwaukee.

8. Charlotte Bobcats—Steve Nash—I think this is the time for Nash to go. The two time MVP has so much to offer and in my opinion is the most creative player in the league. His age and recent injury problems keep him from going higher.

9. Chicago Bulls—Deron Williams—The Bulls have to take Deron Williams here. He has the rare ability to play a true point guard, while at the same time having the size and strength to post up and play lockdown defense. His shooting touch from 3-point land as well as his age make him an ideal selection at the number nine spot.

10. New Jersey Nets—Amare Stoudemire—He's just one of those players who seems like he can dunk from anywhere on the floor. Even though he has had micro-fracture surgery, it seems like he's bounced back with no repercussions and at 26 years old still has a lot left in the tank.

Picks 11-20 Coming on Monday...

What's Wrong with the Texas Rangers? Same Thing As Always...

Michael Peres — Wed, 07 May 2008 09:51:50 -0400

If you go out to The Ballpark in Arlington you'll find many things that you can find in any major league ballpark. A typical baseball fan can enjoy the fireworks after every home run, the wide array of food and drinks the concession stands have to offer, and even fun little games and videos between innings that will make you laugh or sometimes even shake your head.

One thing you won't find at the home of the Texas Rangers is pitching.

The last time the Texas Rangers won the AL west was in 1999. It was their third division title in four years and expectations were up in the Dallas area that their first playoff win was just around the corner.

The Rangers had hot bats in the likes of Juan Gonzalez, Rusty Greer, Ivan Rodriguez, and Rafael Palmeiro. They also had solid pitching with starters Aaron Sele and Esteban Loaiza and closer John Wetteland.

Then for some reason after four years of winning seasons the franchise started going down the drain. If one looks at the numbers or follows Texas Ranger baseball the reason for the demise is very simple. Terrible pitching.

Every year from 1996-1999 the Rangers had at least three pitchers with an ERA under 5 and stellar front end pitching with at least two starters every year breaking double digits in wins.

Since then it has been nothing short of a catastrophe.

Since the new millenium has started the Rangers have never been in the top half of the league in total pitching, and if you just look at the major league rankings in overall pitching it's downright embarassing.

2000: 30th 2001: 30th 2002: 27th 2003: 30th

2004: 18th 2005: 26th 2006: 18th 2007: 24th

Currently: 29th

The real problem is not that the GM Tom Hicks won't spend the money on players as seen by the record signing of Alex Rodriguez in 2001. It's just that he always chooses hitting over pitching.

Hicks will go out and get the big named power hitters like Sammy Sosa or even Josh Hamilton this year, but continue to trade away young pitchers that can help build a foundation for the team. '

It seems like every time I turn on the tv or check scores on ESPN there is another pitcher that used to be a Ranger helping out another team. Adam Eaton is pitching well with the Reds, Chris Young is one of the best young pitchers in the NL with the Padres, and Edison Volquez is currently first in the NL in strikeouts and ERA. Meanwhile the Rangers "ace" Kevin Millwood just dropped his 10th straight road start tying a franchise record.

It's frustrating as a baseball fan to see the Cowboys go 13-3 in the NFL, the Mavericks win 51 games in the NBA, and the Stars battling for the Stanley Cup while the Rangers are just trying not to have the worse record in baseball.

Everyone in Dallas has been complaining of the Jason Kidd signing costing the Mavericks the season and their future while in the meantime the Rangers are still paying the Yankees millions of dollars for A-Rod's contract and over the past 5 years are the same team that gave Chan Ho Park a 5-year 65 million dollar deal.

According to mlb.com at the beginning of the season the Rangers had the 3rd best farm system in the majors. Pitchers like Eric Hurley, Kazuo Fukumori, Neftali Feliz, and Matt Harrison give Rangers fans a hope for the future.

As someone who keeps up with the Rangers and enjoys going to baseball games here in Dallas, I pray Tom Hicks finally opens his eyes and sees what everyone else in the baseball world sees. The key to success and great baseball starts with one thing, pitching.

Sports and YouTube: My Top 10 Can't-Miss Sports Videos

Michael Peres — Mon, 05 May 2008 05:23:24 -0400

Two of my joys in life are sports and YouTube, and sometimes not even in that order. It seems like, with the exception of most MLB clips, you can find anything you want on YouTube and just add it to your own collection to rewatch as often as you like.

Some people get creative and make fun little montages lasting as long as 10 minutes. Other people just post short 30-second clips, recording bits of a live game with their cell phones.

Both types of videos can end up providing hours of entertainment for you, the viewer, at home.

Without further ado, here are my top-10 sports-related videos, listed in no particular order. Keep in mind that most of these clips are partial to players and teams that I love and will not feature Bruce Bowen or Eli Manning.

Danny Green Dance: http://youtube.com/watch?v=JqRmNkygo7k

I love the fact that Danny Green took a God awful song and turned it into one I look forward to because of the UNC bench dance performed before every tip off in Chapel Hill.

Vince Carter's Top-10 Dunks: http://youtube.com/watch?v=qf4H3OR-7IE

Notice all of his dunks except two are either in a Raptors uniform or an all-star uniform from back when he used to drive the lane. I haven't found the top-10 atrocious jumpers taken by Vince Carter in a Nets jersey montage yet.

Hitler and the Dallas Cowboys: http://youtube.com/watch?v=vYu68SHWh64

My favorite YouTube video of the year so far. After suffering a second straight crushing playoff loss, I thought about barricading myself in my house for a week or so and came across this clip recommended by a friend.

I was laughing so hard that I didn't feel as bad about the loss anymore. Apparently Hitler took it a little worse than I did.

David Ortiz Single 2004 ALCS Game Five: http://youtube.com/watch?v=A9ZUK4Ci3cM

One of the top-five sporting moments in my life. The quality isn't great but kudos to the fan who gave me the video that, anytime I'm having a bad day, can immediately have me giving myself a fist pound.

ESPN SportsCentury Montage: http://youtube.com/watch?v=8MIsSmjvDgY

I remember seeing this video sometime around the new millenium at the end of a SportsCenter and could not find it anywhere again for six or seven years. If this video does not make your goosebumps shudder then you are not a true sports fan. Fantastic job by ESPN.

Tiger Woods' Greatest Shots: http://youtube.com/watch?v=qHGcAEJiLcU

Several greatest shots by the greatest golfer of all time, including his first hole-in-one and the immortal chip-in on 16 that is the only time I've dropped a slur of curse words out of delight within ear shot of my mom.

Top Goals in Soccer History: http://youtube.com/watch?v=cHS-lMJUqGQ

Just some of the most fantastic goals and memorable moments in the history of soccer. The only drawback here is that for some reason the creator decided to include Creed to commemorate it.

Tracy Mcgrady's 13 Points in 33 Seconds: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ceLlz7dOOvY

I'm kind of partial to this one because it was the craziest game I've personally been to, but at the same time can't remember anything like it except for Reggie against the Knicks.

Nothing like seeing the few thousand who stayed walking out after the game stunned by what they just saw.

Funny Referee: http://youtube.com/watch?v=YPQ_N4imYVE

Just an all around funny video. How the players in these games take this guy seriously I will never know.

Reggie Bush's High School Highlights: http://youtube.com/watch?v=TO3Q2j8tBVM

There was a rumor going around that the original copies of this thing were going in the high hundreds on Ebay. It would be nice if he would do something similar to this in the NFL, but I guess the defense is a little bit quicker and stronger than the ones in this video.

Feel free to post other YouTube clips you like. I'm always looking for more.

Stars-Sharks Game 6 and a $5 Poker Tourny Running Commentary

Michael Peres — Sun, 04 May 2008 19:01:51 -0400

It's time for one of my favorite past times playing an online multi table tournament while watching a sporting event. Tonight on tap we have Game 6 of the Stars vs. Sharks game, a five dollar tournament on full tilt, a 6 pack of Killians Irish Red and a full bag of Ritz toasted sour cream and onion, and a long night ahead of me. Hopefully the bitching of bad beats and bad hockey from the Stars will be kept to a minimum.

8:17- Our first shot of Mike Grier for the Sharks, whose famous for anytime anyone brings up black people and hockey always gets his name mentioned.

I always wonder how hockey goalies are sooooo quick with their glove and can pick up the puck that fast. I would wet myself if I had a 100 mph frozen piece of rubber coming at me and they just pick it up with their hand.

8:22- The first penalty of the game goes to San Jose for hitting Mike Ribiero in the head as he's about to tap in the sure goal. Nothing is more frustrating then having someone from the other team ruin a sure goal then only having to sit in the box for two minutes. They should determine the punishment based on what the penalty cost the other team.

8:24- AA in the poker tourney......pick up 210 in chips and the Stars all over the sharks right now. All over them.

8:30- One of my favorite things about playing online poker is looking around the table at all the different names that people play under and trying to figure out why they decided on that name. Always fun.

8:40- Hockey is without question the sport I would be worse at.....they do stuff on skates I can't do on my own feet, like when someone pushes me I fall down. Chip count is at 1,255. Not good.

8:44- I always feel like hockey has the biggest bandwagon fans when it comes to the playoffs. Any hockey fan I know is either extremely hardcore or jumps on their favorite team's bandwagon as soon as the playoff starts and yes I am in the latter.

8:46- What a save by Marty Turco! Too bad he can't save the run of cards I'm on.

8:47- First intermission: time to switch to the Cubs Cardinals game on ESPN with the lovely Jon Miller and Joe Morgan and open that first Killians.

8:52- Gotta love the people who talk trash playing online tournaments, it's always fun to picture some 25 year old sitting behind his 4 monitors with his sunglasses on typing angrily at people he doesn't know who obviously don't realize that he plays poker for a living. Then you ask him if he's such a big winner all the time why he's playing a 5 dollar tournament and you never get a response.

8:58- Taken out of the tourney on a horrendous bad beat. I hate hearing bad beat stories so I'm just going to keep my mouth shut, lets just say its caused me to quickly finish the first beer and start on the second.

9:02- Headline telling us that Cedric Benson had a rough day on a boat. It involved alot of pepper spray and drunkeness on Benson's part. Sounds like the end of my night tonight if the Stars don't pull it off and I decide to play another tournament.

9:09- They need to do an experiment where they switch the best announcers for every sport for a few games each season. Dick Vitale probably doesn't know jack about hockey but it would be fun for him to go ballistic and try to say Jere Lehtinen in the same sentence.

9:12- GOAL! Miettenin scores on a rebound with help thanks to a rebound from Nabokov. From here on out hes going to be Nabby. Nabby does not look happy with that goal, he knows if they lose this game its back to mother Russia for him for a couple of months.

9:16- Everytime I see a natty light commercial it makes me cringe that people actually drink that.

9:24- You know a goalie is playing well when he causes an announcer to use the words fantastic netminder and stymie in the same sentence. As in "Marty Turco has been one of the fantastic net minders in the playoffs and that is shown here as he stymies Joe Thornton on that play".

9:30- Icing was probably the last rule in sports that made sense to me. I don't think I understood icing until i was around 18 years old. And if you try to explain icing to someone who doesn't normally watch hockey but is just watching the game it would be much easier trying to explain advanced trigonometry.

9:40- 2nd intermission. I love the playoff beard tradition in hockey and would love for NBA players to try to do this. I could just picture Lebron with a beard twice as long as what he already has while Wally Sczerbiak can't grow one and Ilgauskas looking like a European hit-man.

9:43- The best friend Mccack makes his first phone call wanting a score update and after I tell him the Stars are up 1-0 he nearly falls off the Stars bandwagon in delight, but quickly recovers and goes back to telling people they need to sign 5 types of damage waivers just to rent a freaking car.

9:56- 20 minutes away from going to the Western Conference finals. 15 second close up of the shark's head coach who looks like a cross between Anthony Hopkins and Barry Melrose.

9:59- Goal! 1-1. Sharks even it up which prompts me to go get the 2nd Killians.

10:05- 3rd straight shot on Turco, this is not looking good. Stars are getting no pressure on Nabby and look like they are just dying to give up another goal.

10:09- I really like the NBA playoff commercials that have 2 players and each half of the screen is one half of each players face. The only thing that I would change is they always have the best players from each of the teams. I just want to see one with half of Luke Walton's face and half of Brent Barry's face talking about their love for the playoffs.

10:15- You can just feel the crowd waiting on the Shark's next goal.....Stars just iced the puck for a temporary relief in pressure as the worldwide network power known as Vs. takes us to commercial break.

For the record most of the time I play an online multi table tournament while watching a sporting event I make it past the first half hour.

10:22- I can't say it enough Turco has been phenomenal tonight. If he's not in goal it's at least 5-1 San Jose right now. He just made another HUGE save that delayed the inevitable Dallas collapse. I've always wondered what it takes to get thrown out of a face off. If anyone reading this knows I would love for you to tell me.

10:30- HUGE hit at the end of the 3rd! Good lord that was rough and Michalek for San Jose is out cold along the boards. We are headed for OT but Michalek might not be joining us as he was just blown up in the biggest hit I have seen in a long while.

10:34- The Cialis commercial always gets me when they say you might have a problem if you've had an erection for longer than 4 hours. You think? I think I would keep it to myself instead of going to my Dr. and telling him I've had an erection for a quarter of a day.

10:51- The best save of all time just happened.....Nabby just pulled out the sickest save I have ever seeeen......I really can't describe the save I just saw. Oh my. So sickening.

11:07- Yes the game is still going on. 8:58 left in the first OT

11:23- Headed to double OT, of course the first running commentary and article I write goes to double OT and I have to wake up for work in about 6 hours. Ridiculous.

11:51- More hockey. Lots of tired players now, get that feeling that the game winning goal is going to be more from a mistake then a good play. We've officially gotten the graphic that this is the longest playoff game this season, still alot of the crowd there too. The Dallas bandwagon fans make me proud.

12:07- 2nd OT is just about over......and there's the horn. This game will never end. The final post is going to be the game winner I promise.....

12:55- The end of the 3rd OT and this article.....check espn.com for the final. Goodnight.