Bleacher Report - Articles by Nick Caso

The Top Five Most Hated Sports Franchises

Nick Caso — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:10:58 -0500

Every sports fan has those teams that you just can't stand. Those teams that you hate everything about. Well I am no different and I decided to share my hatred with all of you and to see what you think. I am not taking anything from some of these teams, I understand their talent, I just hate the very existence of their franchise and those who play for them. Let the hating begin!

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MLB: New York Yankees-Philadelphia Phillies World Series Preview

Nick Caso — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:28:55 -0400

Well folks, we are finally here; the World Series. This has been a long season that has been filled with some pretty interesting moments. Whether it was Alex Rodriguez admitting to steroid use, Randy Johnson winning his 300th game, or Ichiro collecting his 2,000th hit in only 1,402 games, it has been a great season.

Now that all is said and done, we have our two remaining teams: The New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies. The Yankees will try and continue to re-write history as they go for their 27th World Series Championship. The Phillies, on the other hand, will try to make history by being one of the few teams to win back-to-back World Series Championships.

I decided to do a position by position analysis for both teams to see who has the upper hand. I did this last year for the Rays/Phillies series and I thought it would be a great idea to keep up with the tradition. So let's get started.

Catcher

Jorge Posada - One of the four remaining Yankees from the Championship days of the '90s and 2000. Posada had a great bounce-back season after his 2008 season was cut short due to shoulder problems. Jorge will be making his sixth World Series appearance and has plenty of postseason experience. He is only a .238 hitter in the postseason, but does have 11 home runs; so while his average is not great, he can still hurt you with the long ball.

Carlos Ruiz - What a surprise Ruiz has been for the reigning World Champs. He is currently hitting .346 this postseason and has come up with numerous clutch hits. There are a couple drawbacks with Ruiz in the postseason: inexperienced in comparison with Posada, and does not have the pop in his bat that the Phillies would probably like. While the postseason experience is kind of irrelevant in the sense that every player has to start somewhere, the lack of power could become an issue.

Advantage - Yankees

First Base

Mark Teixeira - The Yankees scored big with the offseason signing of Teixeira. After a slow start, he got hot fast once A-Rod came off of the disabled list. Tex has provided gold glove defense, but has not been the big bat in the postseason that the Yanks hoped for.

He is hitting an abysmal .205 this postseason, but has come up clutch when the Yanks have needed it. He hit a walk-off home run against the Twins and had a bases-clearing double against the Angels in Game Five. It is just a matter of time before Tex gets the bat going, but until then it is hard to give the Yanks the advantage here.

Ryan Howard - The Phillies slugger has been a beast this postseason, as he is hitting .355 with two home runs and 14 RBI. He was so good that he was named the NLCS MVP and in the process tied a major league record for most consecutive postseason games with an RBI (8). Howard is a .295 career postseason hitter and has more experience in the playoffs than Tex.

Advantage - Phillies

Second Base

Robinson Cano - Where to start with Robbie Cano? Some days this kid looks like The Natural, other days he looks like Tony Womack (when he was with the Yankees). Cano is only a .238 hitter in the postseason throughout his young career; however, we all know he is capable of hitting about 100 points higher. His defense was always a question mark, but this year he greatly improved his play in the field. It will be interesting to see how Cano plays in his first World Series.

Chase Utley - Utley has become the best all-around second baseman in the game. Whether you want defense or offense, he delivers. While he is only a .245 career hitter in the postseason, like Cano, we know he is capable of much more. The thing that concerns me is that Utley has more protection before and after him in the lineup. Cano generally hits in the seventh spot, so he has Posada and Swisher around him, which at times can be great, but not always the case.

Advantage- Tied

Third Base

Alex Rodriguez - Is this the same guy at third base from the last few postseasons? A-Rod has been on a tear in the playoffs and has been the hero for the Yanks, who have needed several clutch hits. A-Rod is much more relaxed with Tex in the lineup to take some pressure off of him. He is hitting .438 this postseason, with five home runs and 12 RBI. A-Rod will be making his first World Series appearance and hopes to finally exorcise his demons and help the Yanks win a championship and finally become a ''Yankee."

Pedro Feliz - .161 postseason average thus far, enough said.

Advantage - Yankees

Shortstop

Derek Jeter - The Captain is a career .308 hitter in the postseason and has been the face of the Yankees franchise for well over a decade now. Jeter had a great bounce-back season and even made a case for AL MVP this year. He is hitting .297 this postseason and has surprised many by adding in three home runs. Jeter is one of the remaining four from the glory days and will try to get his fifth World Series ring.

Jimmy Rollins - The NL MVP from 2007 seems to take a step backward when the postseason comes around. He is a career .234 hitter in the playoffs and is hitting .244 this postseason. Those are not exactly the numbers the Phillies want to see from their leadoff hitter. It is his job to get on base for the rest of the guys behind him, something he has not done.

Advantage - Yankees

Outfield

Johnny Damon, Melky Cabrera, Nick Swisher - After a terrible ALDS, Damon responded nicely by hitting .300 in the ALCS to go along with two home runs. The Melk Man has had a great postseason by hitting .314. He hit an astounding .391 against the Angels and any team will take that from their number nine hitter. Nick Swisher has been a headache this postseason for the Yanks. He has hit only .125 and has not even been drawing the walks that he usually gets.

Raul Ibanez, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth - Ibanez was on pace to win the NL MVP until a groin injury sidelined him for about a month. He has not been very effective this postseason, as he has only hit .226. Victorino has been such a boost for the Phillies offense, as he has hit a whopping .361 this postseason along with three home runs. Werth has hit .281 this postseason with five home runs thus far and has an OBP of .395. Yankee fans would love to have that type of production from their right fielder.

Advantage - Phillies

Designated Hitter (Only Games in NY)

Hideki Matsui - Godzilla had a great season as he was the full-time DH for the Bombers. He hit 28 homers and drove in 90 RBI. He has struggled so far this postseason, but is a career .292 hitter in the playoffs and should turn it around in the World Series.

Matt Stairs - In limited playing time this year, Stairs only hit .191 and has yet to get a hit this postseason. He is a career .125 hitter in the playoffs and has not been productive at all, to say the least.

Advantage - Yankees

Starting Pitchers

CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettitte - The Yanks will once again go with a three-man rotation. Sabathia was almost unhittable in the ALDS and ALCS and was named the MVP of the ALCS. Burnett has been a wild card all year for the Yanks and it will be interesting to see how he responds to the pressure of a World Series game. He pitched great in his first two starts this postseason, but was knocked around in his final start.

Pettitte is now the all-time leader in postseason wins. He pitched a gem in Game Six against the Angels and will have a chance to cement his legacy as one of the greatest big-game pitchers of all-time this year. Like Jeter and Posada, he has seen this all before and should step up and be the beast the Yanks need him to be.

Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Pedro Martinez, J.A. Happ - Lee has been unhittable since being traded to the Phillies at midseason. He has been even better this postseason. Hamels has struggled so far and it will be interesting to see how he does against a potent Yankee lineup.

We all remember Pedro calling the Yankees his daddy a few years back when he was with the Red Sox. Add a few years onto a shoulder that already had quite a few miles on it and let’s see what we get. Happ was a great surprise this year and will most likely be the NL Rookie of the Year. He has not pitched well thus far, having an ERA of 7.36. He could be writing his own death-wish, as he will face a monstrous Yankee offense in the World Series.

Advantage - Yankees

Bullpen

Yankees - The Yanks' bullpen was their biggest strength once they put Phil Hughes in the setup role. He has struggled during the playoffs to the point where Joba Chamberlain was given the 8th inning spot in Game Six. Alfredo Aceves was a huge surprise as he won 10 games out of the pen. The Yankees still have the great Mariano Rivera, who you can always count on for a save in the postseason.

Phillies - With the struggles of closer Brad Lidge this season, you have to think that the Phillies have a backup plan just in case he struggles again. He does have a great track record in the playoffs, but anything can happen. Joe Blanton has pitched decent out of the bullpen, but is really a starter; and many starters do not like coming out of the bullpen, as they say it messes with their mechanics.

Advantage - Yankees

From the looks of it, the Yankees have the clear advantage. While this is just a preview, as we all know anything can happen, it still just seems as if it is the Yankees' year to win it all. I am looking forward to the start of the series and I also look forward to anyone’s comments or concerns. I will also make my World Series prediction.

Yankees Win Series 4-1

World Series MVP: A-Rod

NFL: Can the Patriots Go 16-0 Again?

Nick Caso — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:28:00 -0400

It has been awhile since I have written an article on Bleacher Report, but with the NFL Preseason under way I thought now was a good time. I know baseball is just starting to heat up with intense pennant races and self-induced headaches after watching your team lose a game they should have won.

With that said, I have been thinking lately, "can the Patriots go 16-0 again?" So I figured I would break down their schedule and see if it really is a possibility.

Let's get started.

Week One-Buffalo at New England

This could arguably be the biggest game of the season for the Patriots. No, I am not crazy; hear me out on this one! This game will be the return of Tom Brady, who as we all know, missed last season due to a torn ACL.

The first time the Brady drops back to pass and is forced to move in the pocket, all of Patriot Nation will be holding their breaths. However, this should not be a tough game because, well, it is Buffalo. I know they improved with the acquisition of Terrell Owens, but seriously, they are not that good. Prediction: Win (1-0)

Week Two-New England at New York Jets

It seems as if the Jets finally found a "Franchise Quarterback" in Mark Sanchez. However, I do not think that will be enough to beat the Patriots in Week Two. Last season the Jets ranked 29th in passing yards allowed per game, and as we all know passing is the Patriots specialty.

The only thing that may work in the Jets favor is a strong defensive line that may be able to get Brady moving in the pocket, which is what teams want to do this season. Even with that said, I do not see a rookie quarterback out-playing Tom Brady. Prediction: Win (2-0)

Week Three-Atlanta at New England

Last season Matt Ryan gave Falcons fans hope when, as a rookie, led them to the playoffs and gave them the confidence they needed to finally move on from Michael Vick. He also performed well enough to win Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. While he improved the offense, the defense is still a big question mark.

They finished 21st in the NFL in passing yards per game last season and 27th in interceptions. I am a big fan of Matt Ryan and have been since his college days but his defense will fail him in Week Three. Prediction: Win (3-0)

Week Four-Baltimore at New England

For the second straight week The Patriots will take on a 2008 rookie sensation. Like Ryan did with the Falcons, Joe Flacco led the Ravens to the playoffs and as far as the AFC Championship Game.

As we all know by now, the Ravens rely heavily on their defense and have more playmakers on defense than they do offense. The Ravens finished 1st in the NFL last year in interceptions and second in passing yards allowed per game last year. This could be one of the best defensive battles of the season.

However, the Ravens finished 28th in the NFL in passing yards and that just will not be enough to beat the Patriots. Prediction: Win (4-0)

Week Five-New England at Denver

Now Patriots fans will understand when I say how they always have trouble playing in Denver.

Last year, however, the Patriots did steamroll the Broncos with Matt Cassel as the quarterback, so that makes me feel a little better. The Broncos have a new Head Coach, Josh McDaniels, who was the Pats Offensive Coordinator, so he knows how New England runs their offense.

The biggest problem with the Broncos is at quarterback. Kyle Orton is entering his first season as the Broncos starter and while he does win, he usually had to rely on the Bears defense. That will not work in Denver. Prediction: (5-0)

Week Six-Tennessee at New England

The Titans were a big surprise last year starting 10-0 and finishing 13-3. Their defense was one of the best in the league last year finishing in the top-five in almost every category.

However, they took a huge hit when starting DT Albert Haynesworth left and signed with the Redskins. It is going to be tough to replace a man of Haynesworth's stature as his presence alone creates fear in quarterbacks.

With Kerry Collins as the Titans starter, I have to feel pretty confident if I am the Patriots because while he is a great game manager, usually teams are playing from behind and are forced to throw against the Pats and if that is the case, they could be in trouble. Prediction: Win (6-0)

Week Seven-New England at Tampa Bay (London, England)

I could rant on and on about how dumb of an idea it is to play a game in London but that is not what I am here for. The Bucs used to have a defense that put fear in anyone that stepped onto the field. Over the last few years they just do not seem to have that same intimidation factor that they once had. This should be an easy win for the Pats. Prediction: Win (7-0)

Week Eight-Bye Week

Week Nine-Miami at New England

In the first meeting between these two teams last season the Dolphins unveiled their version of the "Wild Cat Offense." It caught every Patriot by surprise and the Dolphins had one of the greatest upsets in NFL History. The Patriots have studied the film from that game and will not be caught off guard again.

Chad Pennington did a great job leading the Dolphins to the playoffs last year but without a legitimate number one receiver I cannot see them making a big impact this season. Prediction: Win (8-0)

Week 10-New England at Indianapolis

This could very well be the game of the year. These games seem to have it all, great quarterbacks, great receivers, great defense, great coaching, you name it, and these games have it.

This will be the first time since 2001 that the Colts will not have Tony Dungy as their head coach, which could play a factor. The Colts biggest weakness is their rush defense.

Last season, they finished 24th in the NFL against the run. They may luck out because the Pats generally do not rely on the run, however, with Fred Taylor that may change. I think this is a game that will come down to the wire.

You may call me bias, but when it comes to making the better decisions, I have to go with Tom Brady. Prediction: Win (9-0)

Week 11-New York Jets at New England

As I said previously for this matchup, I cannot see a rookie quarterback and a subpar defense out-playing Tom Brady. The Jets are without a legitimate No. 1 receiver and that will play a big factor in the outcome. Prediction: Win (10-0)

Week 12-New England at New Orleans

If you like offense then you are in for a treat. Last season Drew Brees came within a first down of breaking the single season passing yards record. There is no doubt that the Saints can score at will and can drive a defensive coordinator crazy. The Saints' defense, however, is not nearly as dominate.

Last season, the Saints finished 23rd in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game. The Saints' offense is one of the best in the league but without a decent defense, they will not beat top-tier teams. Prediction: Win (11-0)

Week 13-New England at Miami

Like Denver, the Pats always seem to have trouble playing in Miami. However, last season Matt Cassel went into Miami and won big, so if Matt Cassel can do it, then Tom Brady definitely can. Prediction: Win (12-0)

Week 14-Carolina at New England

This is an interesting matchup. If the Panthers have the Jake Delhomme of the Super Bowl season then they could be a tough opponent, but if they have the Jake Delhomme from the last few years (excluding last year) then it is an easy win for the Pats.

The Panthers finished 18th in the NFL in total yards allowed per game last year and 16th in passing yards allowed per game. A huge factor in the outcome of this game will be Julius Peppers and whether or not he is with the team.

The Patriots had inquired about Peppers and he said he would like to go there, but as of now it does not look like he is going anywhere. The Panthers also finished 19th in passing yards per game, which I do not think is good enough to beat a high-powered offense like that of the Patriots. Prediction: Win (13-0)

Week 15-New England at Buffalo

Like I said before, the Bills just are not good enough to beat the Patriots and I cannot see it happening. Prediction: Win (14-0)

Week 16-Jacksonville at New England

The Jaguars were one of the biggest disappointments last season. David Garrard just could not develop a rhythm with his receivers and had trouble moving the ball. During the off-season the Jags signed Torry Holt to add some depth to their receiving corps.

The Jags finished 24th last year in passing yards allowed per game and 20th in total points allowed. This is just another match up I cannot see the Pats losing. Prediction: Win (15-0)

Week 17-New England at Houston

If the Pats are playing for an undefeated season, then you will see the starter out there until the game is out of reach. If not then this game will be predominately backups. While the Texans will probably be playing for nothing, they will throw everything they have at the Pats as they will try and send a message.

However, the Pats are much better than the Texans and should easily win this one. Thus concluding a perfect regular season. Prediction: Win (16-0)

I know all of you non-Patriot fans will disagree with me and I understand why. I am just saying that with what the Patriots have and after doing some research, I think they have a legitimate shot at 16-0. I do not even want to begin touching on the playoffs yet, we will save that for another day.

Feel free to comment and tell me why you agree/disagree. I just ask that you back up your statements please.

Celtics-Lakers: Not So Fast, Lakers Fans...

Nick Caso — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:44:18 -0500

Ok, before all you Laker fans start yelling and screaming, you have to hear me out on this one. Yes, I know the Lakers have beaten the Celtics twice this season. Yes, I know they snapped both a Celtics 19 and 12-game winning streak. Yes, I know they came into Boston and won a nail-biter. But I am not impressed.

If you think that the Lakers have proved anything to the Celtics, think again. If you have watched both games this season, you probably think that the Lakers are the real deal, think again. If you think the Celtics are worried about going into L.A. in the playoffs and having to steal a game or two, think again.

On Christmas Day, the Celtics went into L.A. for a rematch of the 2007-'08 NBA Finals. (Just a quick side note: Why are the losers hosting the first rematch of the Finals?) However, there is no doubt that there was a playoff-type atmosphere as the Lakers were faced with a must-win situation. While the Lakers were victorious, I am still not sold on their performance.

First of all, if you watched the game you would see some of the most suspect officiating in recent memory. The Celtics had 25 fouls called against them, while the Lakers only had 18. I am sure that it is only a coincidence that the home team had less fouls called against them.

The suspect officiating led to the Lakers going to the free throw line 18 times, while the Celtics only went to the line eight times. The Celtics average about 26 free throws per game, which is good for about fourth in the NBA. Now, I am just curious, how does a team that averages that many free throws per game only go to the line eight times?

Secondly, it was a game in December! There is no reason to get hyped-up about a win in December against the best team in the league. Do you think that the losing team is going to dwell on it all year? Of course not. They are going to treat it like any other loss just like the Lakers should treat it like any other win.

Unless you’re Sasha Vujacic and ban your teammates from wearing green until you beat the Celtics. Ok, and who is Sasha Vujacic? Is he the guy who has averaged 5.3 points for his career? I think so, so shut your mouth you ugly clown.

Now, on to the most recent game between the two. The Celtics and Lakers met on Feb. 5, 2009 at the TD Banknorth Garden. This was the first time that the Lakers were back in Boston since the Game Six massacre at the hands of Ray Allen and the Celtics.

In case you do not remember, this is the game where Allen shot 7-9 from the three-point line and the Celtics cruised to a 39-point series clinching victory.

The Lakers were without Andrew Bynum and still managed to pull out the victory. So wow, they come into Boston without one of their best players and still pull out a win. Impressive? Not so much.

While the officiating was still very poor, at least the free throws were a little bit closer to normal. The Celtics went to the line 20 times and converted 17 times, and the Lakers went to the line 29 times, they also converted 17 of the shots. There was one play however, that sticks out in my mind more than anything.

Late in the fourth quarter, Pierce drove to the lane, got hit by about three guys, fell to the floor, and waited for the whistle to blow. There was no whistle. Then, to make matters worse, KG got called for his sixth foul, which meant he had to leave the game. I am still curious where the foul was.

As bad as the officiating was, Glenn "Big Baby" Davis was even worse. If not for him trying to be the hero, the Celtics easily win this game. Down the stretch, Big Baby took four shots from about 15-20 feet away, only hitting one of them. If not for the minuscule brain capacity of Davis, the Celtics close out the game in the fourth quarter and send the Lakers home with their tails between their legs.

It is actually kind of funny because Big Baby literally threw the game for the Celtics, and the Lakers only won by one point. Here is your prototypical power forward taking shots that even some of the best shooting guards in the league do not hit.

So go ahead Lakers fans, rejoice. Congratulations, you won a game in February and it took one of the most incompetent players in the NBA to actually hand you the win, and the best you could do is a one-point victory.

If I remember correctly, the Celtics won the last four games that actually mattered and they have a trophy to prove it.

Brett Favre: Most Overrated Career?

Nick Caso — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 13:08:36 -0500

Does NFL Iron Man Belong with Greats?

When most people think of Brett Favre, they think of durability, big numbers, and a player who's always fun to watch. When I think of Brett Favre, I think a little differently. There is but one thing that comes to mind when I hear his name: Overrated.

Many people would rank Favre among their top five quarterbacks of all-time. Favre would barely make my top ten. I know what you may be thinking, and no, I did not eat paint chips as a child nor was I dropped. I feel as if he has been given way to much credit throughout his career and here is why:

(After talking to many people, the general consensus for top five greatest quarterbacks of all-time, in no order, were Joe Montana, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Dan Marino, and Johnny Unitas)

Interceptions

There is a reason that Favre is the all-time leader in interceptions. Throughout his career, he has made many poor decisions that have caused his team to lose possession. Favre has thrown 310 career interceptions, 33 more than the next guy on the list, George Blanda. In my opinion, great quarterbacks keep turnovers to a minimum, which helps give their team the best chance to win.

Choke Artist

Favre is one of the last QBs I would ever want to lead my team down field late in the game. We have seen him try many times over the years to be the hero, but more often than not, we see him fail by throwing a game-ending interception.

We expect the elite quarterbacks to lead their teams down field, regardless of the situation, and win. Tom Brady and Joe Montana would be to considered two QBs who could handle that pressure, while Favre cannot. Take Week 17 of the 2008-09 season, when the Jets absolutely needed a win to have a shot at the playoffs. Favre threw three picks.

Not A Winner

Now some of you may disagree with me on this one, but hear me out. In all of Favre's "glory days" he only won one Super Bowl, and that was against the Patriots. Also, you could make a very convincing argument that Desmond Howard actually won that game with his kick return. Favre has a career record of 169-99, a winning percentage of 63 percent. Brady's is 78 percent, Manning's is 66 percent, and Montana's is 71 percent. Brady, Manning, and Montana have all made a living by being winners, unlike Favre.

QB Rating

Favre has a career QB Rating of an 85.4, which puts him well below the top QBs. Steve Young owns the highest career rating with a 96.8, and Manning's is 94.7%. The reason for Favre's low rating is the high number of mistakes that he has made over the course of his career. As previously stated, great QBs do not make many mistakes, and Favre makes tons of them.

Plays For Himself

There is no doubt that Favre puts on his uniform every week for himself, not the team. A perfect example is this season. Favre knows he is not the player he once was, yet he came back anyways, seemingly just to pad his stats. There is going to be a day when Peyton Manning breaks just about every record imaginable, and then what does Favre have? Nothing, that's what. If he really cared about the team, he would have sat himself down on several occasions to bring in someone who could really help the team. Even a Jets player, who remained unnamed, came out and said that he spends all of his free time away from the team. He is out there for himself.

Good, Not Great

All that being that said, there is no doubt Favre has had some incredible seasons. The man won 3 straight NFL MVP Awards from 1995-97, has started 269 straight games, and is the all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns. However, Manning will probably win his third MVP this year, is on pace to shatter the touchdown and passing yards records, and could very well break the consecutive start streak.

I am not saying that Favre is not a good quarterback, because he is good. But he is not great. He will get into the Hall of Fame one day when his name shows up on the ballot, but he does not belong in the same sentence as Montana, Brady, and Manning.

MLB: Team Man Crush

Nick Caso — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 19:16:50 -0500

Every male sports fan has their "man crushes." This is perfectly acceptable and does not bring into question your sexual preference. A man crush is a player that the fan loves to watch play and is one of said fan's favorite players. In this list, I will give my "Team Man Crush" which will consist of my favorite players in the MLB. Here we go...

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MLB: Same Faces, New Places?

Nick Caso — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:24:05 -0500

Now that the MLB season is over we can focus on the Winter Meetings and free agent signings. This is the first time in recent memory that the free agent pool is this deep and there are plenty of teams ready to open their wallets for these guys. I am just going to go with the top-tier free agents; otherwise we would be here all day. So with that said, here we go.

Catcher

Jason Varitek-Boston Red Sox

The Captain became a free agent and I cannot see him in any other uniform. Tek is a Scott Boras guy and that means he will get top-dollar. Boras said that he wants a contract somewhere in the range of what Jorge Posada got from the Yankees last year, four years $60 million. While I highly doubt that a .220 hitter is worth $15 million per season, I think that the two sides will work something out.

Ivan Rodriguez-New York Mets

Pudge had the worst season of his career splitting time between the Tigers and Yankees. At 37 years old, he is clearly on the decline but will still be looking for substantial playing time no matter where he goes. The Mets have some good young pitching and could use a guy like Pudge to help them develop. The Mets used Brian Schneider and Ramon Castro behind the plate last year, neither of which is the future at that position.

First Base

Mark Teixeira-New York Yankees

While watching the ALDS between the Angels and Red Sox I could have sworn I saw Teixeira take a calculator out of his back pocket and add up all the money he is going to make. After hitting .467 against the Sox, Teixeira is going to sign one of the biggest contracts in sports history, and who better to pay it than the Yankees? With Jason Giambi gone, the Yankees are going to need a big bat in their lineup and to fill a hole at first.

Tex is going to get a contract somewhere in the range of $22-25 million per season. There are very few teams that can afford that and with the way last season ended, expect the Yanks to go all out.

Sean Casey-Florida Marlins

"The Mayor" had an interesting season with the Sox this year. He hit .322, his highest since 2004, in 69 games for the Sox. Casey was used mainly as a left-handed bat off the bench and occasionally a defensive replacement. He is still a .302 career hitter and still capable of playing every day. The Marlins have a young team and could use a leader in the clubhouse like Casey. Florida just traded first baseman Mike Jacobs and will need someone to take over.

Jason Giambi-Oakland Athletics

After signing with the Yankees in 2002, there were reports coming out that Giambi was unhappy in New York and wanted to go back to Oakland. Well, here is his chance. The A's could use power bat in their lineup and why not welcome back one of the best players in their franchises history?

While he did get booed as a member of the Yankees in Oakland, I am sure he will be welcomed back with open arms. Oakland allows him to express himself as the "rock star" type with the long-hair. This could be just the place where he could end his career.

Nomar Garciaparra-Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

"Nomah" pretty much ruined any chance of getting into the Hall of Fame the day that he gave up on the Red Sox. He failed with the Cubs and Dodgers and is looking to resurrect his career. The Angels are going to need someone to replace Teixeira and Nomar may be that guy. While he is for the most part limited to first base, he could occasionally play third to give Figgins a day off and would fit perfectly with the Angels.

Second Base

Orlando Hudson-Arizona Diamondbacks

The "O-Dawg" will return to the D'backs. Hudson has established himself as one of the best second basemen in the NL and the D'backs cannot afford to lose him. He is a Gold Glove caliber second baseman and will get a long-term contract that is rightly deserved. Hudson will be coveted by many teams but will most likely return to the environment that he is familiar with.

Jeff Kent-Cleveland Indians

After a terrible season which saw the reigning AL Central champs finish at .500, the Indians saw that they need an answer at second base. Asdrubal Cabrera and Josh Barfield struggle the whole season, the Indians may look for some more power in their lineup.

This will allow Cabrera to pinch run and become a defensive replacement. Kent is not going to be around for much longer but if the Indians want to win now, it could not hurt to have one of the greatest hitting second basemen of all-time on their roster.

Tadahito Iguchi-Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers are coming off a very successful season and will look to improve from last year. Kent is a free agent and will look to find a replacement that will be around for a few years. Iguchi would be a nice fit because of the environment he would be going into. The Dodgers have several Asian players on their team and this would make it an easy transition for Iguchi.

Third Base

Joe Crede-San Francisco Giants

Most people would agree that Joe Crede is out and Josh Fields is in. The Giants need some offense and Crede can still provide it. Crede is known for his defense but is still very capable of hitting. The Giants have some money to dish out and Crede could cash in. San Fran has possibly the worst offense in the Majors and Crede could finally help them put some runs on the board.

Hank Blalock-Texas Rangers

The 2003 All-Star Game hero has a team option and will most likely return to the Rangers. When healthy, Blalock is one of the best hitting third basemen in the game. The problem is, he is never healthy. The Rangers are going to want to bring back the fan favorite if they want to keep their offense as potent as ever.

Shortstop

Orlando Cabrera-Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers are going to do a complete overhaul of their middle infield this offseason. After watching Furcal make error after error during the playoff, I have a feeling that the Dodgers are going to want a better defensive player at shortstop. Cabrera is still a very good hitter and can get on base for the big bats in the lineup. OC will be switching leagues as he will be going from the Angels to the Dodgers.

Rafael Furcal-Chicago Cubs

Furcal had an interesting three seasons with the Dodgers. He hit .300, .270, and .357. When healthy, Furcal is one of the best shortstops in the game and can change a game with his speed. The Cubs are coming off a disappointing end to last year will look to add to their offense and Furcal could be the answer.

The Cubs don't have much confidence in Theriot to be their everyday shortstop so they may have to go outside the organization to fill that void.

Maybe the Cubs will finally win a World Series! Just kidding.

Edgar Renteria-Baltimore Orioles

I know this seems like kind of a random pick but hear me out. The O's have a history of throwing big money at guys (Javy Lopez and Rafael Palmeiro) who just don't seem to work out. They need a shortstop desperately and possibly a guy who can help coach the prospects. Even though the whole American League thing really has not worked out for Renteria (2005 and 2008) the Orioles are just desperate enough that this could happen.

Left Field

Manny Ramirez- Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers have already offered Manny a two-year deal worth $45 million with an option for the third year. The Dodgers owe their playoff run to Manny and need him back if they plan on contending next year.

Manny was not a distraction, but more like a blessing for the Dodgers. He hit, he ran, he fielded, he led, he did basically everything that the Sox tried to get him to do before they traded him. Whether or not he will go back to his old Manny ways is another question.

Garret Anderson-Toronto Blue Jays

The long-time Angel had his contract bought out and it looks like his tenure with LA is over. He is one of the greatest hitters to ever wear an Angels uniform, but it looks like he will be suiting up for someone else.

I think the Jays could be in the market for a left handed bat, especially with rumors going around that Lyle Overbay will be traded to the Mariners. He can DH and occasionally play the field when Adam Lind needs a day off.

Pat Burrell-Atlanta Braves

The Braves have been in sort of a rebuilding stage the last couple seasons. The Braves have two huge gaps in left field and center field. They could use another bat in the lineup to compliment Chipper Jones. Burrell is still relatively young and the Braves could sign him before he starts his decline. Pat "The Bat" has eight straight years of at least 21 home runs and that is exactly what the Braves could use.

Adam Dunn-Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

With the loss of Garrett Anderson the Angels will need a new DH. If you watched the Angels play the Sox in the ALDS, you noticed the same thing I did: no one could drive in runs!

Adam Dunn is not a great fielder and with the Angels plethora of outfielders this would allow Dunn to take over as the DH. Dunn is going to be looking for contract probably somewhere in the $15-17 million per season range. There are not many teams that can afford this, the Angels happen to be one of the teams that can.

Raul Ibanez-Seattle Mariners

Ibanez has been one of the few good hitters for the Mariners over the last couple years. Seattle needs as much offense as they can get which means they need to hang onto Ibanez. He is an above average fielder with good power and hits for a decent average. At 37 years old he is definitely getting close to the end of his career but is still a very productive player.

Milton Bradley-Texas Rangers

See what can happen when you play a full season? Well, kind of. Bradley played in 126 games, the second most of his career and put together a nice little season for himself. He hit .321, with 22 home runs, and had 77 RBI. The Rangers are going to want to bring back Bradley if they want a chance to win some games next year. They have no pitching and need all the offense they can get.

Center Field

Rocco Baldelli-Tampa Bay Rays

Baldelli had quite a story last year. He was diagnosed with Mitochondrial Disease that made him feel tired much quicker than others. This forced him to DH most of the time. He is still able to play the field but not on a daily basis so not many teams will be knocking on his door. I think Rocco will stay with the Rays as they will try and bring back the team that almost won them the World Series.

Right Field

Bobby Abreu-St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals got some unexpected help from Ryan Ludwick last year but they could use some more help. There are rumors of Rick Ankiel being traded and the Cardinals could use a guy like Abreu to get on base for Pujols. I cannot see the Yankees bringing Abreu back because they have other needs to address. Abreu adds a new dimension with his speed and high on-base percentage.

Ken Griffey Jr.-Seattle Mariners

Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back, Ken Griffey Jr. The Mariners need to bring in fans and what better way to bring back the greatest player in their history. Griffey is still a productive player and I am sure would love to go back to where he became one of the best hitters of all-time. He would return as the DH which would allow him to focus just on hitting and continue to build his legacy.

There you have it, my free agent predictions. There is a lot of money that will be spent, some wisely, some not so wisely. As always there will be some busts (Julio Lugo), and some players will surprise us all.

I will have my pitching predictions out within the next few days. Feel free to comment and tell me what you think. Thank you!

Rays-Phillies: Position-By-Position Analysis

Nick Caso — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 18:58:34 -0400

Well, well, well, the World Series is finally here. If, at the beginning of the season someone told you that the Rays would be in the World Series, you probably could have had that person taken away in a straightjacket.

But the truth is, the Rays and the Phillies are the best teams in Major League Baseball right now. After one of the most intense Game Sevens in recent memory, I could not wait to get right into my first World Series article.

In this article, I will be breaking down each team, position by position, seeing who has the advantage. I will be taking into consideration the player's regular season, their postseason, and their history. I don't know about you, but I'm ready, are you? Here we go.

C-Dioneer Navarro/Carlos Ruiz: Without a doubt, I give the edge to the Rays. Navarro has developed into a legitimate everyday catcher for Tampa Bay. During the regular season, he hit .295 and in the postseason he has hit .268. These numbers do not jump out at you, but that is the case with the majority of catchers in baseball. Ruiz has hit just at the Mendoza line this postseason, batting a minuscule .200. That is not going to get it done against the Rays.

Advantage: Rays

1B-Carlos Pena/Ryan Howard:Wow, here is an interesting matchup. Neither man hits for a high average, but both can absolutely crush the ball. Howard has struggled throughout the playoffs, but we know what he is capable of. Pena, on the other hand, has been red-hot this postseason. He is hitting .333, compared to Howard's .258 average. This is possibly the toughest matchup to call. I am going to give the edge to the Pena, but as I said, it could go either way. I think the momentum and adrenaline are on the Rays side.

Advantage: Rays

2B-Akinori Iwamura/Chase Utley: Chase Utley is the best overall second baseman in the game, hands down. He was the front-runner for the N.L. MVP in the first half of the season, which would have given the Phillies three-straight MVPs. Iwamura has been a solid player for the Rays, but he really cannot even be used in the same sentence as Utley, which I just did, and I apologize to all you Phillies fans.

Advantage: Phillies

3B-Evan Longoria/Pedro Feliz: Hard to believe that Longoria is still a rookie. This kid shows no fear and is going to be a beast for years to come. He has hit six home runs already this postseason and has been an RBI machine. Feliz has struggled and has only hit .192 thus far. Greg Dobbs may get the majority of the playing time, but I chose Feliz because he had more at-bats in the NLCS. No matter which way you look at it, Longoria is better than both Feliz and Dobbs. Hell, he's better than both of them put together.

Advantage: Rays

SS-Jason Bartlett/Jimmy Rollins: Tough decision here. Rollins is an MVP while Bartlett came close to getting crucified had the Red Sox capitalized on his error in Game Seven. There really is no comparison here. Some people may give the defensive edge to Barlett, but guess again. Rollins made only seven errors all year and is most likely going to win a Gold Glove. I have already given Bartlett too much credit by talking this long.

Advantage: Phillies

LF-Carl Crawford/Pat Burrell: This is a pretty good matchup. Crawford has been a huge part of the Rays' organization for years, whereas Pat Burrell has been somewhat underrated out in Philly. They have two completely different styles of play. Crawford relies mostly on his legs, while Pat "The Bat" relies on, you guessed it, his bat and hitting the long ball. Do chicks still dig the long ball?

Well if you are Burrell, then you hope so, because they would be the only ones giving you some love. I give the edge to Crawford because of his speed and the ability to change a game in the blink of an eye.

Advantage: Rays

CF-B.J. Upton/Shane Victorino: These two men could arguably be the reason that both teams have made it this far. "Bossman Junior" Upton, yes that is what B.J. stands for, has hit seven home runs this postseason after hitting only nine during the regular season. He has played very good defense and robbed the Red Sox of extra-base hits on several occasions during the ALCS.

"The Flyin' Hawaiian" Shane Victorino has been solid for the Phillies so far. He has picked up the slack for the big bats in the Phillies' lineup, namely Howard and Feliz. However, with that said, I think B.J. Upton means more to the Rays than Victorino means to the Phillies. Not to mention, I'll take a guy named "Bossman" any day.

Advantage: Rays

RF-Rocco Baldelli/Jayson Werth: Both men have not performed up to their fullest so far in the playoffs. Baldelli is hitting .214 while Werth is hitting .243. Baldelli did however, come up with a clutch hit against the Red Sox in Game Seven to give the Rays a lead that they were able to hold...cough, Game Five, cough.

I still do not think that gives him the edge, as Joe Maddon needs to lift him in just about every game for a defensive replacement. I give the advantage to Werth because of the power that he brings to the lineup and the fact that he plays stellar defense. Oh, by the way, he is a 20-20 guy. Yeah, that surprised me, too.

Advantage: Phillies

SP-Rays Rotation/Phillies Rotation: The Rays' rotation was almost untouchable against the Red Sox. Outside of Game Two, in which Scott Kazmir surrendered five runs in four-and-a-third innings, their starters were spectacular. I mean, their worst nightmare came true when the greatest pitcher in their history (yes, a 24-year-old pitcher is the greatest pitcher in the Tampa Bay Rays history) got shelled, and they still won!

Matt Garza looked like the second-coming of Roger Clemens, minus the steroids. "Big Game" James Shields was solid but lost both of his starts. Andy Sonnanstine pitched great in his only start going seven-and-a-third, allowing three runs at Fenway Park.

The Phillies rotation was not as impressive, with the exception of Hamels. Cole Hamels was 2-0 with an ERA of 1.93 in two starts and struck out 13 in 14 innings. Jamie Moyer got rocked in his only start, allowing six runs in one-and-a-third innings. He did not look like the "Ageless Wonder" that we saw win 16 games during the regular season.

Joe Blanton was decent, as he pitched five innings and allowed three runs, not great but the Phillis pulled out the win. Brett Myers took some time away from his domestic disturbances to pitch in this series, and not well, mind you. He did get the win, but he went five innings and allowed five runs.

Advantage: Rays

RP-Rays Bullpen/Phillies Bullpen: The first thing that comes to mind when you think of the Rays' bullpen is Game Five. They had a 7-0 lead in the seventh inning and lost. That just goes to show you that the Red Sox are a great team and that you can never assume a game is over.

However, the Rays now know they have a go-to guy in David Price as he showed no fear, going right after the Sox in Game Seven. He threw fastball after fastball, as he got the save in the series clincher. The Rays had the best bullpen in the A.L. during the regular season, but until J.P. Howell and Grant "Ball Four" can take the mound in a big situation and not soil themselves, I am not sold on those guys.

The Phillies' bullpen was outstanding against the Dodgers. Their bullpen allowed a total of two earned runs in the NLCS! Somehow, the Phillies turned other teams' trash into their treasure, as the majority of their bullpen is made up of other teams' rejects.

Brad Lidge was never the same in Houston after Albert Pujols took him deep in the playoffs a few years back. A change of scenery and the guy does not blow a save all year. J.C. Romero, if you remember, was traded to the Phillies after he struggled in Boston. He has yet to allow a run this postseason. Scott Eyre signed a hefty contract with the Cubs a couple years ago and was awful. Like Lidge, all it took was a change of scenery and he started to produce.

Advantage: Phillies

Manager-Joe Maddon/Charlie Manuel:Well, these are most likely your Manger of the Year winners. Maddon is without a doubt the winner in the A.L. and Manuel will probably win the award in the N.L.

Maddon adopted the saying, "9=8." This means, "9 players will make you one of the 8 teams in the playoffs." I know that math goes against everything I have ever learned in school but, hey, none of my math teachers ever coached a team to a World Series.

Charlie Manuel took a different approach than Maddon. On at least two occasions, he benched MVP Jimmy Rollins for not hustling. This showed that everyone is equal and that everyone needs to play their hardest. This method worked as well, now that the Phillies are representing the N.L. in the World Series. All season, people have doubted Joe Maddon and the Rays, and I cannot make that mistake again.

Advantage: Rays

Bench-Rays Bench/Phillies Bench: This is another interesting pick. The Rays bench will most likely consist of Willy Aybar, Fernando Perez, Ben Zobrist, and Gabe Gross. Aybar can be a threat at the plate as he owned the Red Sox. Aybar hit .421 with two home runs against the Sox. Perez is on the roster because of his speed and the havoc he can wreak on the basepaths. Zobrist is the utility player of the group as he can play just about anywhere. Gross will be getting some at-bats against right-handed pitchers, but most of his time will be spent as the defensive replacement for Baldelli

The Phillies bench will consist of Greg Dobbs, Eric Bruntlett, So Taguchi, Geoff Jenkins, Chris Coste. I am not counting Matt Stairs as he will most likely DH or play first while Howard DH's. Dobbs has faired much better thus far than Pedro Feliz and Charlie Manuel may not be afraid to let him get a few at-bats. Bruntlett is there more for his versatility than his bat. Taguchi provides a decent bat off of the bench and he can play all three outfield positions. Jenkins has not gotten many at-bats but is a good player and may see a decent amount of time in this series as a pinch hitter. I think the Phillies have the edge here, especially with Jenkins and Taguchi.

Advantage: Phillies

As you can see, I give the Rays the edge in 7/12 categories. I think the momentum is on their side, as they dethroned the champion Red Sox. I am looking forward to seeing how the young Rays respond to being on the biggest stage of them all. Feel free to comment and tell me what you think.

Rays def. Phillies 4-2

MLB: AL Team MVP's

Nick Caso — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:13:33 -0400

The 2008 MLB season is drawing to a close, yet is somehow just beginning.

Every team has that one player that makes all the difference for them. Whether a team is good or not, there is usually one player who stands out. I decided to break down the MVP for each individual A.L. team. So here we go, let's start with the best division in baseball:

American League East:

Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay

I know he missed a total of about two months this season, but he was a beast in the Rays lineup. It took the Rays until May to call up the rookie sensation, but when they did, he produced.

Longoria was second on the team in home runs with 27, second in RBI with 85, fifth in runs scored, and fifth in hits. He played stellar defense while drawing comparisons to Brooks Robinson. I think that may be a little bit of a stretch, but without this kid the Rays do not win the division.

Kevin Youkilis, Boston

I know many of you are going to say Dustin Pedroia and that would be perfectly fine. I am going with Youk because of his versatility. He plays gold glove defense at first, above average defense at third, and can hit anywhere in the lineup.

When the Sox traded Manny, Youk moved to the clean-up spot in the lineup and was on fire from Day One. After the Manny trade, Youkilis hit .313, 11 HR, 45 RBI, 25 R, 17 2B, and his OBP was .414. Manny who?

Mike Mussina, New York

At 40 years young, Mike Mussina finally got 20 victories in a season. He was the most consistent Yankees starter and actually got better late in the season. Before the All-Star Break, Moose had an ERA of 3.61, which is respectable. However, in the second half of the season his ERA was 3.10. Mussina walked the fewest batters of his career minus his rookie year when he only pitched in 12 games. He hinted at retiring following his 20th victory against the Red Sox and if he does retire, what a way to go out.

Roy Halladay, Toronto

Halladay recorded 20 wins for the second time in his career. Teamed up with A.J. Burnett, Toronto made up possibly the best 1-2 punch in baseball this season. They won 38 games combined and accounted for 467 innings of baseball.

Halladay will get some Cy Young votes, but unfortunately will not win it. He was able to stay healthy for the entire season and it showed as he had a miniscule ERA of 2.78. He also set a new career-high in strikeouts with 206. There is no doubt this guy is a stud on a team with plenty of potential.

Aubrey Huff, Baltimore

Well, well, we have reached the cellar-dwellers of the A.L. East. The O's do not have many bright spots. However, Aubrey Huff stood out as he had possibly the best season of his career. He hit .304 which is second on the team, led the team with 32 HR, 108 RBI, 48 2B, and scored 96 runs.

The O's have a few good hitters at the top of their lineup, but once you get past their cleanup hitter, yikes! Huff was a huge part of the Devil Rays for many years and I'm sure he wishes he was still in Tampa.

American League West:

Francisco Rodriguez, Los Angeles

K-Rod had a magical regular season for a closer. He set the all-time single season saves record with 62, surpassing Bobby Thigpen's 57. L.A. was the league's only 100-game winner this season.

On paper, the Angels were possibly the best team in the league, but then the playoffs came and so did the Red Sox. As always, the Angels got manhandled by the Sox and K-Rod was no different. In Game 2 he let up a game-winning home run to J.D. Drew, a guy who had about six at-bats in a month and a half.

Until K-Rod can prove he is not a head-case and make it through the playoffs without imploding, he will not be the best closer in baseball. He is, however, the Angels MVP.

Josh Hamilton, Texas

Ok, so by now I am sure that everybody and their mother has heard Josh Hamilton's story. We get it, the guy did drugs, his life was messed up, now he is an MVP candidate. He led the team with 32 HR, 41 doubles, 102 runs scored, 190 hits, and he led the A.L. with 130 RBI.

There is no doubt that he had a great season, however, he fell off dramatically in the second-half. In the second-half he hit .296, 11 HR, 35 RBI, 13 2B, and his slugging fell to .498. The reason for this drop-off is the fact that he never played a full season of baseball, so I am sure the voters will take this into consideration when they hand in their ballots.

Brad Ziegler, Oakland

You know you have a bad team when your MVP was a middle-relief pitcher. Ziegler guaranteed himself the closer's job next year as he pitched in 47 games and had an ERA of 1.06. When Huston Street got hurt, Ziegler was moved to the closer role and responded by converting 11-of-13 save opportunities and posting a 3-0 record.

The A's will most likely try to trade Street in the offseason and lay down the red-carpet for Ziegler to walk down as "The Next Big Thing" in Oakland. Ziegler does need to cut down on his walks as he walked 22 in 59 2/3 innings.

Ichiro, Seattle

What a disappointment the Mariners were this season. Many expected them to be World Series contenders this year. The only bright spot for the Mariners was Ichiro, as usual. He hit .310, 6 HR, 42 RBI, stole 43 bases, and collected 213 hits. For the eighth time in eight seasons Ichiro surpassed 200 hits.

There is no doubt that he is one of the best hitters in baseball, but he is wasting away in Seattle. The Mariners need to make a decision to either ride out these bad times or do a complete overhaul. If Ichiro was to go to a contender, you would be talking about him breaking his own hits record.

American League Central:

Carlos Quentin, Chicago

Quentin was a huge surprise for the White Sox this season. He hit .288, 36 HR, 100 RBI, and was second in the A.L. in Slugging Percentage (.571). Quentin would have a legitimate shot at the A.L. MVP had he not missed all of September with a wrist injury.

The White Sox had a potent lineup with Quentin, Konerko, Thome, Dye, Griffey, and Ramirez and there would not have even been a one-game playoff if Quentin was healthy. On the bright-side, the White Sox will have a great slugger for years to come.

Justin Morneau, Minnesota

Morneau is most likely going to win the A.L. MVP award this year. Of all the candidates, he was the most consistent of the group. He hit .300, 23 HR, 129 RBI, and 47 2B. He did this all while playing gold glove-caliber defense at first. If Morneau does end up winning the award it will be his second MVP and it will be the second time that it is going to be a close finish for the award.

Along with Joe Mauer, Morneau was able to lead the Twins to within one game of the playoffs. This is impressive considering they traded Johan Santana before the season started.

Cliff Lee, Cleveland

Cliff Lee won A.L. Comeback Player of the Year for 2008. He is also going to win the A.L. Cy Young Award. Lee had a great season, going 22-3 with an ERA of 2.54 and 170 Strikeouts. He also pitched 223 innings, which is a new career high.

The thing that makes his season that much more spectacular is how bad the Indians really were. The Indians won 81 games this season, and Lee won 22 of them. It is a shame that the Indians wasted his great season but they were struck by the injury-bug all season. Don't forget, Lee was demoted to AA last season when he was pitching God-awful.

Joakim Soria, Kansas City

Tough decision. Soria has become possibly the most underrated closer in baseball. He saved 42 games in 45 chances and had an ERA of 1.60. He struck out 75 batters while walking 19. Soria is going to be one of the best closers in baseball for years to come. If the Royals can build around him and get him some help out of the bullpen then he is going to be even better. Royals fans, if there are any, here is your savior!

Miguel Cabrera, Detroit

Cabrera was very productive in his first season in the American League. He finished the year by hitting .292, 37 HR, 127 RBI, 36 2B, and scoring 85 runs. As a team, the Tigers were a huge disappointment as many people expected them to represent the A.L. in the World Series.

Cabrera's transition as a third basemen did not go as planned as he was forced to move to first base after only 14 games. Cabrera is most likely going to see a majority of his time as the DH next season as the Tigers are probably going to try and rid themselves of Gary Sheffield's contract. Remember folks, Cabrera is still only 25 years old.

Well there you have it, my A.L. team MVP's. Feel free to leave comments and leave your selections, I just ask you back-up your argument. Stay tuned as I am going to do the N.L. in the coming days.

MLB: Top 10 Reasons Baseball is the Best Sport

Nick Caso — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 09:22:35 -0400

I, like many Americans, feel as if there are only four major sports: baseball, football, basketball, and hockey. I do not consider soccer a sport, because I couldn't care less about it.

Baseball is without a doubt my favorite sport, and I think that it is by far the best sport. I am not saying that I don't love the others, because I do. I am a diehard Pats fan, as well as a diehard Celtics fan.

However, when it comes to which sport I would rather watch, baseball wins every time. I am going to give my Top-10 reasons why baseball is so much better than every other sport.

10. Baseball is the only sport in which the team that is winning must continue to play the game. Every other sport allows the team that is winning to basically "ice" the game. In football, a team can take a knee. In basketball, a team can dribble out the clock. In hockey, a team can just skate around with the puck.

Baseball forces the winning team to continue to pitch and play defense, which means no game is over until the final out is made. Which brings me to my next point.

9. Any team can make a comeback at any time. With the other sports, it is not necessarily the case. In football, you don't see many teams score five-straight times to tie a game. Sure, it happens, but not very often.

In hockey, if you are down by three goals, the game is basically over. Basketball, however, is a little different. Basketball is all about "runs." Meaning that you capitalize on a team when they get cold; however, it takes much longer and often times the clock runs out before a comeback can be mounted.

There is no clock in baseball, so that means that as long as a team is willing to fight, they are still in the game.

8. The trade deadline is almost like a holiday. Every year, right after the All-Star Game, you hear potential trade talks about some of the biggest names in the MLB. All the rumors have you wondering up until 4:00 PM ET on July 31 if your favorite player will be traded.

Granted, most of the superstars never get dealt, but it is great thinking that your team may get one of the best players in the league to help them during the stretch run.

7. The players’ wives are gorgeous. How many of you guys have seen Anna Benson? She is without a doubt one of the hottest women out there, but she's not even the best of the player's wives. Paul Lo Duca, Mark Kotsay, Nick Swisher, all of them are doing pretty well for themselves.

Of course, Tom Brady has Gisele and Tony Romo has Jessica Simpson, but these women were already in the spotlight beforehand. Hockey is a close second, as many players date or marry supermodels, but take a look at some of those players’ wives that I mentioned, and then you will understand.

6. Hall-of-Fame weekend is one of the best weekends of the year. Every year, we get to show our appreciation to some of the greatest to ever take the field. Last year, I was fortunate enough to go to the induction ceremony for Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn. It was one of the most amazing days of my life.

The amount of people that were there just blew my mind. No other sport honors its greats like baseball does. When players are inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, it just does not seem like there is as much hype or time put into the ceremony.

5. Baseball has the only All-Star Game that matters. The All-Star Game for every other sport is a joke. The NBA uses its game more as a "celebrity weekend." You hear more about what celebrity is going to be there than you do about the game. The NFL Pro Bowl is a mess. They change the rules around to protect the players but what it actually does is ruin the game.

The NHL All-Star game can be exciting sometimes, but most of the time, it is just awful.

The MLB All-Star game is the only one in which both teams MUST play defense. If you do not play defense, you won't even get through an inning.

4. The Winter Meetings can be as exciting as the World Series. For players who make it through the Trade Deadline, they are not always as lucky at the Winter Meetings. Some of the biggest trades or discussions happen during this three-and-a-half day event.

For example, Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis were traded and there were talks about Johan Santana getting traded every other minute. If you are a baseball fan, how can you not appreciate being on the edge of your seat even after the season is long gone.

3. 162-game schedule is great. There are about seven months of baseball for us to watch. Sure, basketball goes from November-April/May, but they play every other day, and the same goes for hockey. Baseball is a daily thing, which means it always gives us games to watch.

Football goes from September-February, but your team only plays once a week. Even after the World Series is over, with the Winter Meetings going on, there really is never a down time for baseball.

2. History is made every season. No matter what, we are guaranteed to see a player reach a milestone in his career every season. This year, we have seen Ken Griffey Jr. join the 600 club, we have seen Manny join the 500 club, and we have seen K-Rod set a new single-season save record.

No other sport gives us milestones as consistently as baseball does. Yes, I know, Peyton Manning breaks records all the time, and last season’s Patriots team broke almost every offensive record known to mankind, but it seems as if it is generally the same record being broken.

The NHL and NBA do not even come close to the MLB or NFL. It is somewhat of a rare occasion to see records broken in the NHL or NBA, and when they are, it is great, but it is too uncommon.

1. Baseball has the best fans in the world. Where else can you go to find fans of a team that has not won in 100 years? Cubs fans have been with their team since day one, and it does not seem like they are leaving any time soon.

Look at the Red Sox; they invented ways of crushing their fans' hopes and dreams year after year, and look at them now. They are the odds-on favorite to make it to the World Series every season now.

The NFL has the craziest fans, especially when you go out to Oakland and you sit in the "Black Hole" or go to Cleveland and sit in the "Dawg Pound." But the fans are not as committed to their team like MLB fans are.

The NBA attracts many fans to a specific player as opposed to a team. For example, many people like Kobe Bryant, (for some odd reason) but they are drawn more towards the player instead of the Lakers. Many NHL fans only follow their team come playoff time and I won't lie, I am guilty of this as well.

There you have it; my Top-10 reasons why baseball is the best sport. I hope you enjoyed reading this and please feel free to comment and tell me why you agree/disagree.

MLB: AL MVP-Kevin Youkilis

Nick Caso — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 08:33:01 -0400

With all the big names in the American League, not many are having spectacular seasons. Don't get me wrong, someone like A-Rod is still putting up huge numbers despite missing three weeks, and Jermaine Dye is having a great bounce-back season. However, this season has been more about the surprise players. The best example of that would be Josh Hamilton. By now we all know his story as ESPN has drilled it into our minds.

There is one guy though, who has far exceeded expectations, he is an All-Star, a Gold Glove winner, and should be this year's A.L. MVP. This man's name is Kevin Youkilis. He was the most underrated player in the American League until he finally got the chance to prove it by starting at first base in the All Star Game.

Youk is without a doubt, the most important part of the Red Sox lineup. He has hit all over, going from the two-spot down to the number six-spot and everywhere in between. Many players do not like to be shuffled around claiming that it distracts them.

Youk does not mind at all. He wants to be put in whatever spot the team needs him to be in. Youkilis just wants what is best for the team and just wants to help the Sox win. Since the trade of Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers, Youk has hit in the clean-up spot and has flourished there. Many pitchers are not giving David Ortiz anything to hit, thinking that Youk will be a lot easier to pitch to; big mistake.

Since the trade of Ramirez, Ortiz has only hit three home runs, while batting an abysmal .237, and has a mediocre OBP of .376. Youk on the other hand is hitting .358, with six home runs, and has an OBP of .409. Ortiz is clearly struggling without Manny in the lineup, but Youkilis is finally getting to show what he can really do. By the way, this guy can play defense too!

A Gold Glove winner last year, Youkilis could win the award for the second straight year this season. He is one of, if not the best defensive first basemen in the majors. He also filled in nicely at third base when Mike Lowell went on the disabled list earlier in the season. He has also played a couple games in the outfield this year as well.

Let's see how he ranks among the other American League hitters:

He is tied for fourth in the AL in batting average with .318. He is 11th in the AL in home runs with 24, not the best but remember, Ichiro won AL MVP and he doesn't hit many. He ranks seventh in the AL with 89 RBI. Youk ranks ninth in doubles with 34 and 10th in OBP with .383.

I know that some of these numbers do not scream out MVP, but where would the Sox be without him? The MVP award is for the "most valuable player," and he is the most valuable player for the Red Sox. I do not believe a player should be able to win an MVP if his team is not at least in contention for the playoffs. The reason is that, with or without him, they would still be terrible. So, sorry Josh Hamilton, you have a great story but no MVP for you.

If you think this is a biased opinion, well think again because I am a Yankee fan. I just understand that with all the injuries the Red Sox have had, they are still in contention because of this man. He has done whatever they have needed him to do and he is having a career year. He is putting up these great numbers and has that "must win" attitude all while making only $4 million this season. Here's to the man that should be this year's AL MVP: Kevin Youkilis.

NBA: Celtics Sign Darius Miles

Nick Caso — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 12:59:36 -0400

After winning the NBA Championship last season, the Boston Celtics knew that they were going to have to work hard to bring back the group that brought them their first championship since 1986. However, things did not go as planned for the Celts.

James Posey, who was without a doubt their biggest contributor off the bench, signed a four-year deal with the Hornets. This was a huge blow to the Celtics as they do not have anyone who can contribute as much both offensively and defensively. The Celtics were able though, to bring back Eddie House and Tony Allen, both who contributed nicely to their Championship run.

The Celtics made a surprising move the other day when they signed former Trail Blazer Darius Miles to a contract. This was an interesting move as Miles has missed the last two seasons due to a knee injury. The Blazers waived him after they believed the knee injury to be career threatening.

If Miles can get back to his old form, the Celtics hope he can take the place of James Posey. Miles is still young and he is a good defensive player, which is what the Celtics need most as it was defense that led them to a Championship. Miles is not the shooter that Posey was, but if he can play defense like Boston hopes, they will not need him to score.

Miles has a very interesting clause in his contract. It states that if he plays at least ten games this upcoming season, the Blazers have to pay out the money he is owed over the next two seasons, which is roughly $18 million. The Celtics were smart in signing a player who is low-risk, high-reward.

If he does not work out as hoped, Boston can release him and not have to pay him a dime. There are still some decent players left in the free agent pool, and it will be interesting to see if the Celtics take a shot at any of them. I am sure that they would like to bolster their bench as it was an integral part of their success last season.

I am sure that they would like to bring back P.J. Brown who was huge off the bench and came up big in the playoffs.

Ozzie Guillen Admits to Throwing at Hitters

Nick Caso — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:41:41 -0400

As usual, Ozzie Guillen had something to say on Sunday afternoon after a bench-clearing brawl between his White Sox and the Royals. Ozzie Guillen told a secret that, even though it is true, Bud Selig did not want to hear.

When asked about intentionally throwing at hitters, Ozzie responded by saying: "I’ve hit people before on purpose...Yes, I have. Because that’s my job. Protect my players."

Managers are cringing all across the league, as a secret that is between them and their pitchers is now out in the open. We all know that pitchers, on occasion, are told to throw at a hitter.

However, now Bud Selig is going to be forced to step in and take action. The league is already very strict when it comes to throwing inside; how will they react now?

Many pitchers have made a living by owning the inside of the plate. For example, Roger Clemens, whom, before the accusations, was considered by many to be the best pitcher ever. He was never afraid to throw inside because he did not want hitters to get comfortable, and he had great success.

The same goes for Pedro Martinez. If he felt a batter was digging in and was not intimidated, he made sure the batter knew who the boss was.

Any time a pitcher is ejected after hitting a batter, he is looking at a suspension. Depending on the situation, a pitcher will generally get either a one game or three-game suspension.

Recently, the managers have also received suspensions for a pitcher getting ejected. Now that Bud Selig knows that managers intentionally throw at hitters, what will the consequences be?

No matter what the league does, pitchers are still going to intentionally throw at hitters. The thing that the league does need to worry about is the timing of the hit batsmen.

For example, in the most recent Yankees/Red Sox series, there was an instance in which Joba Chamberlain threw at the head of Kevin Youkilis.

The first thought that came to mind was the history that the two have. Almost exactly a year ago, Chamberlain threw two straight pitches at the head of Youkilis and received the first suspension of his career.

However, in this instance, it was a 1-0 game in favor of the Yankees, so there was no way that Chamberlain was trying to hit Youkilis. As I said though, with the history that these two men have, one's first thought was that Joba was doing it intentionally.

Umpires will now be forced to make reasonable decisions when it comes to inside pitches.

Whether it is the situation such as the Joba/Youk instance, or the pitcher, such as D.J. Carrasco, who only reached 82 MPH on the fastball that hit Miguel Olivo that prompted the brawl, umpires will be put in a tough spot.

Their current job is hard enough, as baseball is the only sport in which human error is part of the game.

As Ozzie Guillen always does, he created controversy that will affect not only his team, but the whole league. Pitchers will have to be careful when throwing inside, managers will have to play it safe when telling a pitcher to back a guy off the plate, and umpires will have to make a judgment call that can crush a team’s chances of winning a game.

MLB: Does Bernie Williams Belong in the Hall of Fame?

Nick Caso — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:53:43 -0400

On September 13th, 1985, the New York Yankees signed a 17-year old Puerto Rican-born outfielder to a minor league contract. That player’s name: Bernie Williams. Over the next 21 seasons, Williams became one of the greatest Yankees of all-time.

In 1991 the Yankees called up Williams to replace an injured Roberto Kelly for the remainder of the season. In 85 games, Williams hit .238, with three HR, 34 RBI and ten SB, nothing special.

But the Yankees knew they had to give this young player some time to develop. Williams was then recalled the next season when Danny Tartabull was injured and fared much better this time as he hit .280, with five HR, 26 RBI, and seven SB.

In 1993, Williams became an everyday player for the Yankees and struggled a bit. He hit .268, with 12 HR, 68 RBI, and nine SB. Bernie was great in the field as he committed only four errors and was able to showcase his stellar defense.

By the time 1995 came around Bernie had established himself as one of the great youngster of the league. George Steinbrenner was not fond of Williams and wanted to trade him during the '95 season, but manager Buck Showalter pleaded his case for Bernie and he stayed with the team.

This was a good thing too because Williams finished 1995 with a .307 average, 18 HR, 82 RBI, nine triples, and eight SB. This would be just the beginning for the young player who had all the potential in the world.

1996 was a magical season for both Bernie Williams and the Yankees. The Bombers saw the emergence of rookies that would play an integral part to their dynasty. Derek Jeter became the everyday shortstop for the team and won the Rookie of the Year award.

Mariano Rivera became a full-time reliever and was one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball. They also saw Jorge Posada for a short time before he became a starter in 1997.

This was a great season as Bernie hit .305, set a new career high with 29 HR, 102 RBI, and 17 SB. Williams was an integral part as the Yankees went on to win the World Series that year. He hit .344 in the postseason as the Yankees beat the Braves. He was named MVP of the ALCS that year.

1997 saw an even better Bernie Williams as he hit .328, with 21 HR, 100 RBI, 15 SB, his first All-Star team, and he won his first Gold Glove award. The Yankees had a down year as they were eliminated from the playoffs in the first round by the Indians.

Not to be brought down by the Yankees end to the season, Bernie had one of the best seasons of his career in 1998. He hit .339, with 26 HR, 97 RBI, 15 SB, and made his second straight All-Star game and won his second straight Gold Glove award. He also won a batting title that year.

Yet again, Bernie helped the Yankees win the world Series as they swept the Padres in four games.

1999 brought the best season of Bernie's career. He set a career high with a .342 average, 25 HR, 115 RBI, nine SB, and his third straight All-Star selection and Gold Glove award. The Yankees won the World Series for the second straight year. Bernie finished third in the AL in batting average.

The Yankees continued their dominance in 2000 as they won a third straight World Series and the last of their dynasty. Bernie contributed by hitting .307, a career high of 30 HR, career high in RBI with 121, and 13 SB.

He also made his fourth straight All-Star game and won his fourth straight Gold Glove award. In 2001, Bernie again hit .307, with 26 HR, 94 RBI, and 11 SB. This time the Yankees lost the World Series in seven games to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

In 2002, Bernie returned to old form as he hit .333 with 19 HR, 102 RBI, eight SB, and again led the Yankees to the playoffs. This time they lost in the ALDS against the Angels. Williams finished third in the AL in batting for the second time in four years.

2003 was a rough year for Bernie. He suffered a shoulder injury that caused him to miss significant time. While only playing in 119 games, Bernie hit .263, 15 HR, 64 RBI, and stole five bases.

The Yankees made it to the World Series again however, were defeated in six games by the Marlins. In 2004, Bernie hit .262, with 22 HR, and 70 RBIs. The Yankees became the first team in Major League history to have ten players with ten or more home runs in a season. This time the Yanks lost to the Red Sox in the ALCS..

2005 brought the worst season of Bernie's career. He only hit .249, with 12 home runs, 64 RBIs and the Yankees once again lost to the Angels in the playoffs. 2006 was a surprise season for Williams as he saw an unexpected amount of playing time for the Yankees.

Bernie filled in nicely for the injured Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui by hitting .281, with 12 HR, 61 RBI and helped the Yankees get to the playoffs, only this time to lose to the Tigers.

Bernie's contract was now up and the Yankees had to make a tough decision. They did not have room on their roster for Bernie, so they offered him a non-roster guarantee to Spring Training. Williams declined as he thought he deserved a spot on the roster after all he had done for the Yanks. Bernie has not played since and the Yankees have not given out his No. 51 jersey since as it appears they will retire it.

Many Hall of Fame voters will argue that in order to make it to the Hall you have to dominant your era for about ten years. Bernie did not dominate for a full ten years but he was one of the best hitters in the league for about eight years. He also helps his case by winning four straight Gold Gloves.

He made five All-Star teams and led the Yankees to four World Series titles. He is second all-time in postseason home runs and is in the top six for many of the Yankees offensive categories. Bernie is also the all-time leader in postseason games played, doubles, RBIs, and extra base hits.

Hopefully when Bernie's day comes, the voters will get it right and we will see this Yankee great in Cooperstown.

MLB: Bronx Bombers Land Pudge

Nick Caso — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:10:56 -0400

The New York Yankees have been busy the last few days as they have acquired Xavier Nady, Damaso Marte, and now Ivan Rodriguez. Last Friday, the Yankees sent several prospects, including Jose Tabata to the Pirates.

Tabata is a 20-year old outfielder that the Yankees had high hopes for but has dealt with some immaturity issues that has held him back.

The Bombers made a blockbuster trade Wednesday as they acquired future Hall of Fame catcher Ivan Rodriguez from the Tigers in exchange for Kyle Farnsworth. This is a big trade for the Yankees as they learned on Monday that Jorge Posada will be out for the remainder of the season due to shoulder surgery.

Pudge is a huge upgrade over Jose Molina who has been filling in nicely in the absence of Posada. Molina leads the league in throwing runners out at almost 48%. However, he is only hitting .226 with no home runs and 11 runs batted in.

This is mostly under looked as the Yankees have one of the better offenses in the league they can afford to have a below-average hitter in their lineup.

Ivan Rodriguez is hitting .295 with five home runs and 32 RBI. Pudge is a .302 lifetime hitter and has won 13 Gold Gloves in 17 full seasons in the league and won the AL MVP award in 1999. He also helped the Marlins win the 2003 World Series as they defeated the Yankees in six games.

The Yankees gave up Kyle Farnsworth in the deal, who will be making his second stint with the Tigers. In 2005, Farnsworth split time between the Tigers and Braves and had the best season of his career, which landed him the big contract with the Yankees.

In 46 games with the Tigers, Farnsworth had an ERA of 2.26 and six saves. Farnsworth has been pitching better of late as his ERA in July was 2.16, by far his lowest of any month this season.

This was a great trade for the Yankees as they will receive a Hall of Fame catcher in exchange for an average middle relief pitcher. The Bombers bullpen has been solid lately and they should be able to replace Farnsworth without a problem.

WWE: Top Five Most Underused Superstars

Nick Caso — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 07:11:13 -0400

We all know that the WWE is full of great talent. However, some of the guys in the company do not get the credit they deserve.

I decided to put together a list of the five most underused superstars in the business. Here it is:

5. Rey Mysterio

We are talking about a former World Heavyweight Champion here.

Mysterio has had his fair share of big pushes throughout his career, however the last year and a half has been more or less a blur. I know he has been hurt for a majority of this time, but when he has been in the ring he has faced the likes of Chavo Guerrero and Santino Marella.

Hopefully now that Rey is on the big stage of Raw, he will get to shine like he did for a long time on Smackdown!.

4. Cryme Tyme

Yo yo yo yo, it's Cryme Tyme coming in at No. 4!

Every week Cryme Tyme finds a way to entertain the fans, whether it's by selling another superstar's property or watching the back of John Cena.

These guys came in as a tag team, but Cryme Tyme spends more time following Cena around than they do in the ring. I know it is a good idea to get their names thrown in with guys like Cena, JBL, Kane, and Batista, but with the tag team division as bad as it is, shouldn't they be wrestling?

I would love to see them take on Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase, Jr. for the tag title. Hopefully soon enough they will start to get the push in the ring that they deserve.

3. Carlito

I spit in the face of people who get undeserved pushes.

Here is a guy that won titles on both his Smackdown! and his Raw debuts. He is very athletic and is great on the mic. Carlito plays the perfect heel, but can also pull off the face character as well.

He was moved to Smackdown! because they thought he would have a better chance to be a main event. When is it going to happen?

They also thought he would be better off on a show that has a larger Hispanic audience. What does that have to do with wrestling? If he is good, then people will watch him no matter what his race is.

Carlito is in need of a push and he deserves to win a title. I would love to see him take on Shelton Benjamin for the U.S. title.

2. Mr. Kennedy

Kennedy!

Mr. Kennedy got stripped of his "Mr. Money in the Bank" title when they thought he was going to be hurt longer than he was.

Soon after winning the MITB match at WrestleMania, he suffered an injury that the WWE thought would keep him out for at least a year. He came back in only a few months and has not been taking a back seat to clowns ever since.

They decided to move him back to Smackdown! after his Raw career did not go as planned. It will be interesting to see how they approach his situation. He is capable of competing for the WWE Championship, but whether they will give him the chance is another story.

He is great on the mic and he keeps people entertained. Whether you like him or not, he deserves a push, and at least a world title shot.

1. Shelton Benjamin

Ain't no stoppin' me!

Unless you are the WWE, who has kept Shelton from reaching his full potential.

When Shelton first became a singles competitor he rose to the top more quickly than anyone. He defeated Triple H three weeks in a row, which is something no one has ever done. Then it all just stopped.

He resorted to bringing his Mama out to the ring to help him get over the slump he was in. Then while he was on ECW he created a new gimmick: The Gold Standard. Shelton dyed his hair gold and became a heel.

He still did not get the push he deserved. Benjamin has stolen the show in every MITB match he has competed in, and what does he have to show for it?

An 0-3 record in these matches.

He is without a doubt the best all-around athlete in the company. He can take on the big guys and has the agility to take on the Cruiserweights.

It looks like the WWE might finally give him the push he deserves, as he just won the U.S. title from Matt Hardy. However, until he wins a world title justice will not be served.

Honorable Mentions

The Miz, Charlie Haas, and Umaga

There you have it, my top five list. Feel free to comment and leave your picks. I just ask that if you leave your picks, please explain why you think they deserve to be on the list.

NFL: What Is Brett Favre's Legacy?

Nick Caso — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 11:54:02 -0400

With all the stories going around of Brett Favre wanting to come back and then changing his mind, it got me thinking: what is Brett Favre's legacy?

Over the last few years, Favre has toyed with the Packers by taking months to decide whether he wanted to play again. After this past season, he retired and we would never see No. 4. Or so we thought.

As usual, Brett Favre has caused the fans and players stress, as they do not know who will be taking the snaps come Week One of this upcoming season. He has asked the Packers to release him so he is able to sign with another team.

Favre is hurting his legacy by doing this. He is basically telling the Packers they have to base their off-season around him, which is not right.

The Packers go out on a limb for Favre every single year, and he repays them by saying, "After all you have done for me, I don't want to play for you anymore."

You may be thinking, "Well, look at his numbers; he is one of the best ever to play the game. He has every right to take as much time as he needs."

Here's the thing: he does not have the right to do this. No matter what Favre's decision is, the season is going to start, and it is not going to wait for him.

It is not fair to the fans or the players that he does this year after year. After all, by the time Peyton Manning and Tom Brady have finished their respective careers, what will Brett's legacy be?

When you look at all of Favre's stats, you are amazed by some of these numbers. He is the all-time leader in just about every category. However, over the next few years, Manning will be breaking many of them.

Manning is 20,000 yards away from Favre's all-time lead in passing yards; that is less than five seasons for Peyton.

Favre holds the all-time touchdown record with 442; Manning has already thrown 306.

Peyton averages 30.6 touchdowns per season and would need to keep that up for just over four more seasons and he will pass Brett.

Favre has always been known as an "iron man." Well, Manning is something of an "iron man" himself. Favre has started 253 straight games at quarterback and has not finished a game only six times due to injury.

Manning is second on the list all-time with 160 straight starts, and has only missed one play in his career due to injury. I know Manning is still 93 starts away from tying this record, but his past shows that it should not be a problem.

Brett is also the all-time leader in interceptions, a stat he is probably not proud of. Manning is on pace to throw fewer interceptions as well.

Until last season, Tom Brady was just a winner; he was not much of a statistical quarterback. However, now Brady has a great offense and will work on his stats.

Favre has only one Super Bowl ring to show for his illustrious career. Brady tied that in his first year as a starter and has three in all.

Favre does have three NFL MVP awards, the most in the history of the NFL. Manning has already won two and has at least one more in him.

Brady won his first MVP award last year, and over the next few years, he will continue to put up big numbers.

Both Brady and Manning have higher career completion percentages, yards per completion, and a higher QB rating by a big margin. Favre as averaged over 16 interceptions per season for his career, Brady and Manning have averaged 11 and 15, respectively.

Now I am not saying that Favre is not a great quarterback, because he is. He is one of the best to play the game. However, I feel as if the last couple seasons of him toying with the hopes of fans and players for months at a time, has tarnished a great career.

Now he wants to rid himself of some of the most dedicated fans in sports. Brady and Manning have never done anything but win, (and in Manning's case, make great commercials), all while being a model for young kids by having that "team-first" attitude.

I think that when it is all said and done, Favre will mostly be remembered for being so indecisive. As his records will soon begin to fall he will be remembered as the quarterback who wanted the world to stop for him. As I said before, it is not fair to all those guys who suit up everyday for practice not knowing if they will even have a job, but Brett takes all the time he wants knowing that his job is always safe. His numbers are great but they will not stand forever, but his head games from the past few seasons will always be remembered.

I personally have had enough of Favre's games and just want them to stop. I want him to retire and walk away from the game forever. His time will come in five years when his name is on the ballot for the Hall of Fame, as no one currently deserves it more. But, as I said, "enough is enough!"

Surprise, Surprise: MLB's First-Half Studs

Nick Caso — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 19:30:51 -0400

Every baseball season is full of surprises. Whether it be Carlos Pena hitting 46 home runs for Tampa Bay last year, or the Tigers making it to the World Series in 2006, every season gives us something new.

This season is no different.

We have seen the new-and-improved Tampa Bay Rays hold a solid lead on first place in the A.L. East, and we have seen history made as Manny Ramirez hit his 500th career home run not long ago.

This season has given us some individual performances that will not be forgotten. We have seen Jon Lester overcome cancer and throw a no-hitter in one of the most unforgettable and emotional nights in Fenway Park's history.

We have also seen the likes of Josh Hamilton, who just a few years ago was out of baseball due to drug-related issues, have one of the best comeback seasons ever.

And we are only halfway through the season!

Here is my list of this season's biggest surprises. (All numbers are as of July 5, 2008)

C—Dioner Navarro, Tampa Bay

This was the guy that was the deal-breaker in the Randy Johnson trade to New York. After Arizona acquired him, he was then traded to the Dodgers and then to Tampa Bay.

Before this season, his career high RBI was 44. He already has 33, and he's only halfway through the season. Also, his career high for doubles was 19, and he will easily surpass that as he already has 14. He is hitting .315 with four home runs, 33 RBI, a .434 slugging percentage, and a .368 OBP.

The Rays have been the biggest surprise of the season, and Navarro has responded by having the best season of his young career.

1B—Kevin Youkilis, Boston

We have seen what this guy can do before, but he is going to be making his first All-Star Game and deserves to be on this list.

He is on pace to break all of his career highs. He will surpass his home run, RBI, and hit total. Not to mention, he is most likely going to set a new career high in batting average, slugging percentage, and possibly a new high in stolen bases.

Don't forget, this guy can play defense too! He won a Gold Glove last year and will probably win one again this year, as he plays stellar defense at first and can fill and do a great job at third. Youk is a huge part of the Red Sox, and he can help carry them to another championship

2B—Ian Kinsler, Texas

Every year this kid gets better and better. He is hitting .325, which is a 62-point turnaround from last year. He has already stolen 23 bases, which equals his total from last year.

Kinsler is only 10 RBI away from matching last year’s number, 21 runs away from tying last season total, and 11 hits away from equaling 2007's total. He has already surpassed last year’s doubles total and is looking to shatter last year’s slugging percentage.

The only thing that this kid needs to improve on is his defense, which is God-awful. He already has 16 errors, and his career high is 18.

There are few bright spots for the Rangers, and Ian Kinsler is one of them.

3B—Mark Reynolds, Arizona

Before anyone yells at me, I know that Reynolds is only hitting .258. But he has 17 home runs! He leads all major-league third basemen in home runs, and he has matched his total from last season in only 80 games.

Reynolds will surpass all of his numbers from last year. He is only 10 RBI away from last year’s total, six doubles away from equaling last year’s number, six runs away from tying last year's, and two walks away from tying his career high.

His average is way down, but the D'backs knew they weren't getting a batting champion when they stuck him into their lineup. He has been a huge part of Arizona's success up to this point, and he will continue to showcase his power as the D'backs look to win another division title.

SS—Yunel Escobar, Atlanta

Escobar was a big surprise last year when he filled in for Renteria, and he was a big enough surprise for him to be handed the starting job after Atlanta traded away Renteria in the offseason.

Escobar has responded nicely, as he has hit .290 and set new career highs in home runs, RBI, triples, and walks. He is also on pace to set new career highs in runs and hits.

He fits in very well in a lineup that has some big power bats with Jones, Teixeira, and Francoeur. He is a great contact hitter that gets on base for the big guys. He has even improved his defense, which was very shaky last year.

OF—Carlos Quentin, Chicago White Sox

Acquired by the White Sox from the D'backs in the offseason, Quentin has put together an astounding season thus far. He is tied for second in the A.L. in home runs, fourth in the majors in RBI, and 11th in the majors in runs scored.

He has surpassed his career highs by a huge margin, as he was not an everyday player in Arizona. Much like Reynolds, he does not hit for a very high average, but he is hitting a respectable .273.

He makes great contact and gets on base a lot, which has helped the White Sox become a contender in the American League once again. Quentin will most likely be making his first All-Star Game after a spectacular start to the season.

OF—Josh Hamilton, Texas

Drug problems kept this highly touted prospect out of baseball for several years. Still, at the young age of 27, Josh Hamilton is finally reaching his potential.

Up to this point in the season, he leads the majors in RBI, is sixth in the majors in home runs, 13th in runs scored, and his hitting is .306. For the majority of the first half of the season, Hamilton was contending for a Triple Crown. It is unlikely that he will win the award, as his average has fallen a bit.

However, he has put together one of the best first-halves of baseball in recent memory. He has already surpassed all of last year’s numbers, in six less games! Hamilton will be making his first All-Star Game, and it is well deserved after the struggles he has gone through.

OF—Nate McLouth, Pittsburgh

Like Texas, there are not many bright spots, and the fans will take what they can get. Nate McLouth has been one of those bright spots.

He is second on the team in home runs, tied for first in RBI, first in doubles, first in runs scored, first in hits, and first in stolen bases. He is on pace to set new career highs in batting average, slugging percentage, and OBP.

He has played great defense as well, as he has not made an error in 81 games. Hopefully McLouth will be able to keep up his numbers. He could potentially be the recipient of the N.L.'s Comeback Player of the Year.

SP—Aaron Cook, Colorado

We all know that the Rockies got hot at the right time last year, as they went undefeated in the playoffs until they hit a brick wall named the Boston Red Sox.

The Rockies have been a huge disappointment this season. They are fourth in their division and have been hit with the injury bug. They have seen the likes of Tulowitzki, Holliday, Barmes, Helton, Hawpe, and Francis all land on the DL.

Aaron Cook has been their only upside. He has won 11 games, a new career-high, in the first half of the season. More importantly, his home ERA is more than a run less than his road ERA! At Coors Field his ERA is 2.77 and on the road it is 3.96.

He is on pace to set new career-highs in strikeouts, complete games, and innings pitched. He has also been helping his own cause as he is hitting .278, and has already tied a career high in RBI. If he keeps up these numbers, he will be a contender for Comeback Player of the Year.

RP—George Sherrill, Baltimore

Baltimore has been a big surprise this season as well. Many figured they would be the cellar-dwellers of the A.L. East again, but they have been competitive by their standards.

Sherrill has been very good. He is second in the majors in saves with 27. With that said, only two relievers with as many as 22 saves have higher ERA's. Sherrill has been shaky at times, but impressive nonetheless.

He has recorded a save in 61 percent of the Orioles' wins, which tells you that they do not score much, so he is probably not getting a three-run lead every time he takes the ball, which helps explain his five blown saves already.

Even though he has had his struggles, he has surprised everyone with the amount of saves he has. Baltimore is one of the many teams that do not have much to be optimistic about, but Sherrill has given them hope as a reliable closer at the end of the game.

There it is, my list of surprises for the first half of the 2008 season. There are many players who deserved to be on this list but I just could not find room.

Some of the honorable mentions go to Jason Giambi, J.D. Drew, Jorge Cantu, Ryan Ludwick, Kelly Johnson, Ervin Santana, Edison Volquez, and Joe Saunders.

Feel free to comment on my list and let me know who I left out, or if you disagree with my decisions. I just ask that if you suggest someone that you believe belongs on the list, just back it up. Tell me why they should be on the list.

MLB: Does Curt Schilling Belong in the Hall of Fame?

Nick Caso — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:02:47 -0400

Until Curt Schilling joined the Phillies in 1992, he was a mediocre pitcher, and it seemed that his career would follow accordingly.

That all changed when he became a starter for the Phillies, as he won 14 games in his first season with them and had 10 complete games. In 1998, he led the league in complete games with 15. Throughout Schilling's career, he has been a great pitcher, but many will argue that he is not Hall of Fame worthy.

He has only 216 wins, which ranks him an unimpressive 81st all-time. Schilling ranks 14th all-time in strikeouts, but that won't stand for long as guys like Pedro and Mike Mussina are not far behind.

He has never won a Cy Young Award, which definitely hurts his case. On five occasions, he has been in the top 10 in home runs allowed, and he has never led his league in ERA.

After reading those numbers you will probably say that he isn't a Hall of Famer. However, this is why he deserves to be inducted:

Curt Schilling gets into the Hall of Fame because he will always be remembered for his Game 6 performance in the 2004 ALCS. That bloody sock re-wrote history, as the Red Sox went on to win that game and the next to complete the greatest comeback in sports history.

Schilling has always been known as a great postseason pitcher. In his 20-year career, he is 11-2 with a 2.23 ERA. Even more amazing is that his two losses came 12 years apart, with his first being in 1993 with the Phillies and his last being in Game One of the 2004 ALCS.

He has struck out 120 batters while only walking 25, showing his dominance of the strike zone when it mattered most.

Another impressive stat is Schilling's four complete games, three of which came in the 2001 playoffs. Of those four complete games, he pitched two shutouts.

This shows he is durable and he can give the bullpen a rest at a time when pitching is the most important. He has also won many awards, such as NLCS MVP, Lou Gehrig, NL Babe Ruth, Branch Rickey, Hutch, NL Roberto Clemente, NL Pitcher of the Year twice, and World Series MVP trophies.

One can argue that Schilling is the greatest postseason starting pitcher the game has ever seen. Now don't get me wrong, I am not taking anything away from guys like John Smoltz, Andy Pettitte, or even Josh Beckett, but Schilling has been out of this world during the playoffs.

My argument against Smoltz is that he has made it to the playoffs in what seems like every year, and has only one World Series ring to show for it. That is not necessarily his fault, but that is still taken into consideration.

Pettitte is tied with Smoltz for most wins all-time in the playoffs, and he has four rings. However, his ERA is almost a run and a half more than Schilling's.

Beckett has been to the playoffs twice and has two rings; his ERA is lower than Schilling's. Beckett is one of the best big-game pitchers the game has ever seen, but he is still building his legacy and has plenty of time left in his career.

Love him or hate him, no one can take away Schilling's playoff dominance. He is an above-average pitcher during the regular season, but come playoff time he steps it up.

There is no pitcher in the history of baseball who is as well-prepared for each start, as he is seen in the dugout between innings looking over notebook after notebook of information on each hitter.

It will be interesting to see what the voters say about Schilling's legacy. As I said, his Hall of Fame candidacy can be argued either way.

When his name is on the ballot, hopefully Schilling will get what he deserves and grace the halls of Cooperstown.

NFL Power Rankings: Preseason Top 10

Nick Caso — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:46:46 -0400

I know it is still baseball season, and I know that the NBA Finals are upon us, but all this football talk lately has made me wonder, "Who are going to be the dominant teams in this upcoming season?"

Last season was one of the most interesting the NFL has ever seen. We saw upsets, disappointments, and surprises. With all the players changing teams, trade rumors, and players being released, next season has the chance to top last year.

So, here is how the NFL's top 10 teams stack up:

1. New England Patriots (16-0, Lost in Super Bowl)

After the greatest regular season in NFL history, the Pats were stunned in the Super Bowl. They were one win away from a perfect 19-0 record, but fell just short, as the Giants pulled off the upset.

Expect them to be almost as dominant as last year offensively, as they re-signed Randy Moss and they still have the best quarterback in the NFL in Tom Brady.

They did lose several players on defense, but Bill Belichick is a defensive mastermind and should be able to bring in some replacements. They drafted Jerod Mayo, who should see more playing time as the season progresses.

The Pats still have defensive stars such as Richard Seymour, Vince Wilfork, Ty Warren, Tedy Bruschi, Rodney Harrison, and Mike Vrabel. Expect the Pats to be the best team in the NFL once again.

2. Dallas Cowboys (13-3, Lost in Divisional Round)

After a great start, the Cowboys seemed to get a little flat as the season progressed. Tony Romo started to look human, as he threw 10 of his 19 interceptions after the bye week (9 games). He still finished third in the NFL in passing yards and second in touchdowns.

T.O. finished with his most receiving yards since 2001. He also finished with 15 touchdowns, second only to Randy Moss. They cut ties with Julius Jones, but they drafted Felix Jones, the back-up to Darren McFadden.

With the offseason acquisition and reinstatement of Pacman Jones, the Cowboys look to bolster an already potent defense. The Cowboys could be one of the best teams in the league, as long as their egos don't get in the way.

3. Indianapolis Colts (13-3, Lost in Divisional Round)

The Colts' defense was probably the biggest surprise of last season. They were first in points per game and third in yards allowed. After going into last season losing several defensive stars, many wrote the Colts off right away because of a shaky defense. That was not that case at all.

Of course, the Colts will have their high-powered offense of Manning, Harrison, Wayne, and Addai returning. The biggest question mark is Harrison, who missed the final 10 games of the season and had to leave their lone playoff game early because a knee injury. Expect the Colts to be one of the best teams in the NFL yet again.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6, Lost in Wild Card Round)

Big Ben led the Steelers to the playoffs again, as he had the best season of his career. He finished with career highs in touchdowns, rating, games played, and rushing yards.

Willie Parker was on pace to set a new career high in rushing yards until a broken fibula cut his season short. If the Steelers are going to be dominant Parker, will have to find the end zone more often. He scored only two rushing touchdowns last year.

Santonio Holmes emerged as a deep threat last year as he became the unofficial No. 1 receiver on the team. As always, the Steelers had a great defense and should continue to shut down most offenses.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars (11-5, Lost in Divisional Divisional Round)

Talk about your "Thunder and Lightning." The Jags have the best running game in the NFL with Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor. Jones-Drew is one of the fastest players in the league, and Taylor still has the ability to run through the defenders.

David Garrard was very consistent, as he threw 18 touchdowns and only three interceptions. He set career highs in these categories and finally gave the Jags a quarterback that can stay healthy and win some games.

The Jags finished in the top 15 in the major defensive categories. Reggie Williams finally came into his own, as he set new career highs in all categories.

The Jags looked to add to their offense as they made a trade for wide receiver Troy Williamson. They did make a surprising move as they traded Pro Bowler Marcus Stroud. Look for them to be even more dominant than last year.

6. New York Giants (10-6, Won Super Bowl)

The Giants pulled off the biggest upset in NFL history as they defeated the Pats in the Super Bowl. Now, you are probably wondering why the Giants are not higher on the list?

Here's why. Eli Manning looked like Tom Brady in the last five weeks of the season as he threw 10 touchdowns and only two picks, but until he does this for an entire season, he is not reliable.

Brandon Jacobs finally became the starter and performed well, but he missed five games. The Giants found their "Lightning in a Bottle" when Ahmad Bradshaw came on at the end of the year to give them a great 1-2 punch, but will he be able to do it for a whole year?

Plaxico Burress was as good as ever, as he again led the team in yards and touchdowns. The biggest question mark for the Giants will be a secondary that was banged up all year. Michael Strahan has once again has left the Giants hanging, as he has yet to decide his future with the team.

7. San Diego Chargers (11-5, Lost in AFC Championship)

The Chargers got off to a terrible start at 1-4, but once they got hot, they never looked back, finishing 10-1. The reason they are this low is because of the serious injuries to their "Big Three."

Phillip Rivers suffered an ACL tear, L.T. had a bruised knee that forced him to take himself out of the game against the Colts and Pats, and Gates suffered a broken toe that obviously affected him throughout the playoffs.

The Chargers finally got a legitimate wide receiver when they acquired Chris Chambers. Eric Parker will be returning from an injury that kept him out all year. However, they did lose Michael Turner, who was an integral part of their offense.

The Chargers have had one of the best defenses in the league the past couple years and it seems like that will continue. They saw the emergence of Antonio Cromartie as a shut-down corner, and they expect Shawne Merriman and Luis Castillo to dominate as usual. If the Chargers can get over the injury bug, you will see them in the top three.

8. Cleveland Browns (10-6, Did Not Make Playoffs)

Okay, raise your hand if you saw Derek Anderson being one of the top QB's in the NFL last year. Put your hand down, you liar.

Anderson finished ninth in passing yards, fifth in touchdowns, 12th in yards per game, and first in fewest sacks among QB's with at least 500 pass attempts.

The Browns finally had a solid running back in Jamal Lewis, as he finished fifth in the league in rushing yards. Braylon Edwards established himself as a Top Five wide receiver, while Kellen Winslow became one of the best tight ends in the league. They also signed free agent Donte Stallworth to add some more speed to their receiving corps.

The biggest obstacle for the Browns will be a terrible defense. They finished 21st or lower in all the major defensive categories. They traded for Corey Williams and signed Shaun Rogers to bolster their defensive line. They also signed Terry Cousin to add some depth to a weak secondary. If their defense can step it up, they could be a playoff contender.

9. Seattle Seahawks (10-6, Lost in Divisional Round)

Matt Hasselbeck finally established himself as a top quarterback in the NFL. For years, many people saw the Seahawks as a "run-only" offense, but last season Hasselbeck was forced to throw more, as Shaun Alexander was hurt.

Hasselbeck finished eighth in the NFL in passing yards, tied for sixth in touchdowns, eighth in quarterback rating, and he lowered his interceptions from the previous season.

Maurice Morris was a solid back-up running back, and they signed Julius Jones to become their starter. They cut ties with fan favorite Shaun Alexander after two straight unproductive seasons.

Bobby Engram set career highs in all categories and became a legitimate threat. They hope to have Deion Branch be more consistent, as teams will focus more on Engram.

Their defense wasn't great, but it was solid. Lofa Tatupu, Marcus Trufant, Deon Grant, and Julian Peterson all had great years. They replaced kicker Josh Brown with more experienced Olindo Mare. This is somewhat of a downgrade, but it won't affect them too much. If the Seahawks' running game can become dominant again, they could become a contender.

10. Green Bay Packers (13-3, Lost in NFC Championship)

The Aaron Rodgers era has begun...for now. As it stands so far, Brett Favre is done and Rodgers is the starting quarterback. This is an obvious downgrade, as Rodgers is inexperienced.

The next biggest question mark is Ryan Grant. He was an animal from Week 8 until the NFC Championship, but can he do it for a whole season? Donald Driver was solid but only caught two touchdowns, while Greg Jennings was one of the biggest surprises of the season. He finished 29th in receiving, but more impressively was tied for 4th in the NFL in touchdowns. He also finished 3rd in yards per catch for receivers with 50+ receptions.

Charles Woodson contributed nicely, as he finished with his highest tackle total since 2004. Nick Barnett led the team in tackles and was a great compliment to A.J. Hawk. Aaron Kampman led the team in sacks, and you can expect him to have a similar year. Until Aaron Rodgers proves himself as a legitimate quarterback, don't expect the Packers to be a serious contender.

So that rounds out the Top 10, folks. With minicamps starting up, the NFL season is getting closer. There are still many rumors circling about, whether it be Jason Taylor getting traded, Chad Johnson staying with the Bengals, or Michael Strahan contemplating his future.

As I said before, we could be in for one hell of a ride in this upcoming season. Feel free to comment on my selections and leave your selections.

The Boston Three Party: Long Road to the Finals for the Big Three

Nick Caso — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 19:23:57 -0400

"Larry Bird is not walking through that door, fans. Kevin McHale is not walking through that door, and Robert Parish is not walking through that door. And if you do expect them to walk through that door, they're going to be gray and old."—Rick Pitino

Rick Pitino is right. None of these Celtics legends will be walking through the door and none of them will be contributing to Boston's drive for "Green 17." For the first time in my life, I read that quote and said, "good!"

The Celtics new "Big Three," which consists of longtime Celtic Paul Pierce and newcomers Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, are three of the best of their time. These three All-Stars will each receive votes for the Hall of Fame. Before this season, all of them had something in common: They had all played for teams that had underachieved. This is the first time that Pierce, Garnett, and Allen are going to the Finals.

Pierce has become one of the greatest Celtics of all-time. He is a six-time All Star and has made the All-NBA Third Team three times in his career. He is second in team history in points per game, only behind Larry Bird. He holds the team record for most career three-point field goals and he is the only Celtic to lead the NBA in total points scored.

The one thing that has haunted Pierce was never making it to the "Promised Land." In 2002, Pierce and the Celtics made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, only to lose to the New Jersey Nets in six games. All that has changed now that the Celtics will make their first trip to the NBA Finals for the first time in 21 years.

Kevin Garnett is a former NBA MVP, the current Defensive Player of the Year, an 11-time All-Star, and has made the All-NBA First Team four times, the Second Team three times, and the Third Team twice. He is the only player in NBA history to record at least 20,000 points, 11,000 rebounds, 4,000 assists, 1,200 steals, and 1,500 blocks.

He, like Pierce, was on a team that did not perform up to its potential. Garnett got frustrated with the T'Wolves as they refused to go out and spend money on players to help him out. The Wolves brought in players such as Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell, but both left after only three seasons because of contract disputes. In the 2003-04 season, KG and the Wolves made it to the Western Conference Finals, and, like Pierce and the Celtics, lost the series, 4-2. Garnett will be making his first trip to the NBA Finals and hopes to bring an end to the Celtics championship drought.

Ray Allen is an eight-time NBA All Star, has made both the All-NBA Second Team and Third-Team once, and won the 2001 3-Point Shootout. In 2006, Allen moved into second place on the all-time list for three-pointers made, trailing only Reggie Miller. Later that year, Allen broke the NBA record for most three-pointers made in a single season.

Like Pierce and Garnett, Allen played for teams that came close to making it to the Finals, but just could not get the job done. Allen and the Bucks made it to the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2000-01 season, coming within one game of making it to the NBA Finals. They lost, 4-3, to the Philadelphia 76ers. After struggling for most of the playoffs, Allen has been hot of late, and hopes to continue his streak against the Lakers in the Finals.

The Celtics' Big Three have combined for zero Finals appearances. They have been three of the best players of this generation and look to add to their legacies.

They could all join the Celtics legends in the Hall of Fame someday. Pierce, Garnett, and Allen have been the cornerstones of their respective teams since Day One, and, now that they've combined forces, they need to continue their greatness for four more games.

Prediction: Celtics def. Lakers, 4-2

Manny Ramirez: 500 Home Runs And a History of "Manny Being Manny"

Nick Caso — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 07:56:02 -0400

April 4, 1994: Manny collects his first Major League hit. However, Manny continues to round the bases as if he just got a home run, when in fact he hit a ground rule double. Manny is unaware until the third-base umpire informs him.

Dec. 10, 2001: Manny says he is uncomfortable in the interview room that the Sox players and coaches use. Ownership builds a room just for Manny.

May 18, 2002: During a rehab stint with the PawSox, Manny loses a diamond stud earring while sliding into third base. After the game, thirteen PawSox players search the infield for the diamond. The diamond was never found; it was reportedly worth $15,000.

Aug. 29, 2003: Manny states that he would like to play for the Yankees. He says that he is a long-time Yankee fan and it has been his dream to play for them.

Aug. 30, 2003: After missing several games because of a sickness, Manny is seen in a hotel bar with close friend Enrique Wilson who, at the time, was playing for the Yankees. The Yankees were in town to play the Sox.

Sept. 1, 2003: Manny refuses to pinch-hit in a game against the Phillies. He is then benched the next day.

July 21, 2004: Manny cuts-off a throw from center fielder Johnny Damon. This allowed David Newhan to get an inside-the-park home run.

July 31, 2005: After a month of speculation that Manny would be traded, Manny comes up to pinch-hit in the eighth inning of a tie game against the Twins. He then hits a single up the middle to break the tie and drive in the eventual winning run. After the game, Manny states that he would like to finish his career with the Sox.

Oct. 17, 2007: With the Sox trailing the Indians 3-1 in the ALCS, Manny says that if the Sox get eliminated, "it won't be the end of the world." Many people saw this as Manny not caring about the team.

Oct. 18, 2007: In Game 5 of the ALCS, Manny crushes a pitch to deep center field on what looked like a home run. Manny thought the ball was gone as he stood at the plate admiring the hit, only to see the ball bounce off of the wall. Manny was held to a long single.

Oct. 27, 2007: Manny is known for flipping off his helmet as he rounds the bases. During Game 3 of the World Series, he flipped his helmet off while rounding third base, causing him to stutter-step and lose speed. He is then thrown out at home. Had he not flipped off his helmet, he most likely would have scored, as he was only thrown out by a step.

May 14, 2008: After making a spectacular over-the-shoulder catch, Manny proceeds to scale the wall and high-five a fan. He then turns and throws the ball to Dustin Pedroia, who then doubled-up Aubrey Huff at first base.

After reading all of the instances of "Manny Being Manny," people tend to forget how great of a hitter Manny Ramirez really is. I myself am guilty of overlooking his greatness at the plate because of his antics on and off the field.

This is a man who just joined the 500-Home Run Club and is a future first ballot Hall of Famer. He is the best right-handed hitter in the American League and has been for years.

As fans, we tend to forget that Manny has made 11 All-Star appearances, won two World Series MVP awards, nine Silver Sluggers, two Hank Aaron Awards, and a batting title.

Manny will go down as one of the greatest hitters the game as ever seen. With all that said, I would like to congratulate Manny on his milestone and I look forward to watching him entertain us with his brain-lapses and miscues.

MLB: Will There Be Another 300-Game Winner?

Nick Caso — Thu, 29 May 2008 18:45:49 -0400

I have been lucky enough over the last few years to see three pitchers get to the 300-win plateau: Roger Clemens, Greg Maddux, and Tom Glavine. This is a remarkable feat that is guarenteed to get someone into the Hall of Fame. It is without a doubt the biggest milestone a pitcher can reach—but will we ever see another 300 game winner?

The pitcher closest is Randy Johnson, who is at 288 wins as of May 30. He is 44 years old, and is nowhere near the pitcher that he once was. He has been injury prone over the last few years because of a bad back, and has spent significant time on the disabled list due to this injury. He only made ten starts last year and could be nearing the end of his career.

However, there is one thing keeping his hopes alive—he pitches in the National League. This is an obvious advantage, but his health is the biggest question mark. I would love to see Randy reach this milestone, but will his back hold up?

Prediction: Future 300 game winner.

After Johnson, the next pitcher in line is Mike Mussina, with 257 wins as of May 30. He is 39 years old, and like Johnson, has made several trips to the DL over the past few seasons. Mussina is off to a very good start, being one of the most consistent pitchers for the Yankees thus far. He is 43 wins away, and could potentially reach 300 wins if he is interested in pitching well into his forties.

Moose is the type of player that will pitch until he is no longer productive. Many players will try and catch on with a team just so they do not have to face the reality of walking away from the game.

Prediction: Will pitch three more seasons, and will finish just over 300 wins

Now, we come to the Young Guns...

Most people will agree that Johan Santana is the most dominant pitcher in baseball. He has 99 wins as of May 30. Now, I know what you are thinking: "He needs over 200 more wins, there is no way."

Well, here is why I think he could potentially do it. First of all, he is now in the National League, which as I said before with Johnson, is a huge advantage.

Second of all, as much as the Mets struggle, they have a very good offense, and will give him very good run support.

Thrid of all, the man is a beast. Last year was his worst season since becoming a full-time starter, and he still won 15 games. Over the last five seasons, Santana has averaged 16 wins—and you can only imagine this number will go up now that he is pitching in the Big Apple.

Prediction: Yes. Johan has a long way to go, but he is just getting started.

Next, we come to C.C. Sabathia. He is 27 years old, and has 103 wins as of May 30. He has been in the big leagues since he was 20 years old, and has been a workhorse since day one. Maybe people say that one day he will reach the 300 win club, but there are a couple things that could stand in his way.

The biggest hurdle he will need to get over is the injury bug. He has landed on the DL several times already in his career, and that has what kept him from being one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball until last year.

Another thing that will play a huge role is where he ends up next year. As we all know, Sabathia is a free agent, and he has probably priced himself out of the Indians payroll. If he ends up on the right team that can score a lot of runs, then 300 is a possibility.

Prediction: Sorry C.C.—until you can go a few years in a row without ending up on the DL, I don't see you joining the club.

The final pitcher we will look at is Roy Oswalt. He is 31 years old, and has 116 wins as of May 30. He is one of the most underrated pitchers in baseball and is almost always overlooked.

Oswalt has averaged 16 wins per season over his career, and has always been a solid ace. The more impressive part of his story is the fact that up until this season, the Astros have not had a very good offense.

There are two things holding Oswalt from this illustrious club—age and durability. He is 31 years old. But in today's game that might not mean much, as most pitchers play until their mid-forties.

Early in Oswalt's career he was an injury risk, but over the last few years he has been very durable. As long as the Astros can keep their high powered offense together for a few years, it is a possibility.

Prediction: Oswalt is going to fall a few wins short of the club. His age is playing a big factor. If he is able to adjust and become a finesse pitcher later in his career, then 300 wins is likely, but until then I say no.

There are still some Young Guns who could have made this list. I feel as if these are the guys who have the best chance of all the active pitchers. If there is anyone that you think belongs on this list, please feel free to let me know. I just ask you to back up your answer.

Joba Chamberlain to the Rotation: Bad Idea

Nick Caso — Fri, 23 May 2008 04:47:24 -0400

We can all agree that Joba Chamberlain has been lights out since he first took the mound in the majors, right? Well, the Yankees have decided to fix something that isn't broken. They announced earlier this week that Joba would go into the starting rotation. The Yankees think this is a good idea, but let me tell you why it is a bad idea.

Joba has been more or less unhittable since the day he threw his first pitch in the major league, so why would you tamper with that?

I understand that the Yankees rotation has been a mess with Ian Kennedy, Phil Hughes, and Kei Igawa. Ian Kennedy pitched a gem against the Orioles, going six strong, and only allowing one run while striking out four. This is the same guy who, in three starts last year, dazzled the Yankees enough to keep him instead of going after Johan Santana.

Hughes is on the DL, but everybody knows he is better than the way he has pitched thus far. Last season he went 5-3 with a 4.46 ERA, and was only a couple innings away from a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers, until a pulled hamstring forced him out of the game. Then there is Kei Igawa...Ok I have no answer for him, but Darrell Rasner has pitched well and has given the Yankees some solid starts.

Now let me ask this question...If Joba goes into the rotation, who gets you from the starters to Mariano Rivera?

It sure is not going to be Kyle Farnsworth, LaTroy Hawkins, or Ross Ohlendorf. Edwar Ramirez has pitched well to this point, but he is still fragile and would crack under the high pressure as the set-up man for the Yankees. Not to mention, none of these guys are the closers of the future in New York.

Whomever takes over the set-up role is being groomed to take over for Rivera when he retires, and none of the guys just mentioned could ever take over for Mo.

The Yankees would be making yet another huge mistake that will keep them from winning a 27th World Series. No team has won a World Series with a bad set-up man and closer. Just look at the Red Sox. They won with the best one-two punch in baseball last year with Okajima and Papelbon. If the Yankees take away the one-two punch of Joba and Rivera, they can consider this a lost season.

LeBron James: Superstar Treatment or LeBron Treatment?

Nick Caso — Thu, 22 May 2008 17:59:11 -0400

First of all, let me congratulate the Celtics on moving on to the Eastern Conference Finals.

I am a huge Celtics fan, and this is the first time in my life I have been able to experience real "Celtics Basketball". I have heard the stories of Bird vs. Magic and the good old days of Celtic Pride, but now I get to experience it for real.

Now, the reason for this article...

I love LeBron James. I think he is, at worst, the second best player in the NBA, behind Kobe Bryant.

With that said, I think LeBron is "protected" by both the league and the referees.

LeBron is the type of player that the league loves to market because he has everything that sells: talent, leadership, dedication, and a great story.

As I said before, I will be the first person to call LeBron the best player in the league, but this has gone on long enough...

During the seven game series against the Celtics, Lebron took 90 free throws! Let me say that again: "LeBron took 90 free throws in seven games."

Does anyone else see something wrong? I watched every game, and on many occasions, I noticed myself screaming at the T.V., "What foul!?"

Now, I understand that a superstar is going to get the benefit of the doubt over an average player, but seriously. I would not consider Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen average players, even though Allen played like it.

There was no reason that those calls should have been made. There were many "phantom calls" that were made, and it was ridiculous.

In the series against Utah, Kobe Bryant took 96 free throws. I watched the majority of that series, and there was a huge difference.

Namely, Kobe was actually getting fouled.

I am not a fan of Kobe at all, but there were actually some hard fouls on him. If the Celtics looked at LeBron the wrong way it was a personal foul, and it seemed like breathing too close was a flagrant.