Bleacher Report - Articles by Will Norton

Diamond Deliberations: Some 2009 'What Ifs' for the Average Fan

Will Norton — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:54:01 -0400

It's almost July. That means we have almost three months of MLB highlights, wins, losses, and data at our disposal. From this we can draw conclusions, project outcomes, and try to figure out the Rubik's Cube that is the 2009 baseball season.

Some may find this exercise pointless seeing as how three months and more 90 games of baseball remain. Well, if NBC can find substance and an audience while airing the abomination that is "I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here," then nothing—I mean NOTHING—is pointless.

Here are some what-if scenarios that got me thinking as we approach the dog days of summer and the onslaught of pennant races:

1. What if the World Baseball Classic did not exist? Would we be seeing a different baseball landscape in 2009?

I’m inclined to say yes, and I feel that a few specific teams and players have been adversely affected by that particular nonsensical March exhibition.

Red Sox, for one, surely have felt the wrath of the Classic. Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia both suffered injuries while playing for Team USA, and two-time WBC MVP Daisuke Matsuzaka now looks like a Double-A pitcher trying to sweat out innings late in September.

Dice-K has been a certifiable disaster for Boston this year thanks to his lofty salary and corresponding dead arm—the latter of which is directly related to the WBC. Matsuzaka geared it up a bit too early for the love and pride of his homeland, and because of that the Red Sox are looking at a financial investment that’s about as healthy as downtown L.A. after a major sports championship.

Lacking command of any kind and the zip of his heater, Dice-K is on the DL for the second time this year, a stint that manager Terry Francona described as “much more than a two-week deal." Super.

You may ask, “What’s 14.2 innings in March? Wouldn’t Matsuzaka have thrown those innings in spring training anyway?” You’re missing the point.

The WBC has a sentimental, nationalistic pull that prevents teams from protecting, conditioning, and—at times—limiting the early work load of their stars. Quite simply, the games mean more and the athletes exert themselves further than they would in Florida or Arizona.

You can’t tell me Houston wanted Roy Oswalt throwing three times for Team USA in early March, or that the Reds are particularly happy that their prize gem Edinson Volquez—last year’s NL All-Star starter coming off his first season of 200-plus major-league innings—has had a litany of arm and back injuries. Those have perhaps stemmed from an early acceleration into meaningful games.

And it’s not just hurlers who have fallen victim to the Classic. Hitters face a different problem altogether, as Chipper Jones articulated back in March: “Just way too many days off… You’re not getting the work in that you should. You’re getting reps, but you’re not getting the at-bats that you need.”

Quite simply, Major League Baseball is losing assets and devaluing the quality of its product, especially early in the season, during years in which the WBC is played. They either need to scrap the exhibition entirely or restructure it like the NHL does with the Olympics (occurring mid-season).

2. What if Atlanta hadn’t overpaid like a naïve teenager trying desperately to acquire booze from a homeless man when they gave the Rangers four high-quality prospects for two half-seasons of Mark Teixeira?

Let’s go back to that deal in 2007, shall we? The Braves were anxious not to lose their grip on the NL East, a division that had been owned by the Tomahawk Chop for over a decade. They were in contention but desperately needed power and a lefty specialist.

Enter Texas. And enter they did.

The Rangers somehow convinced Atlanta to swap their first-, second-, fourth-, and 18th-ranked prospects (in what was as strong a development system as any in baseball at the time) for Big Tex and Ron Mahay. Those prospects were Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Elvis Andrus, Matt Harrison, and Neftali Feliz. Yikes.

What’s more baffling is the abandonment Atlanta demonstrated in terms of a philosophical approach. They always built from the ground up during their title years. Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Chipper Jones, Javier Lopez, Andruw Jones: all homegrown talent that served as the foundation for dominance.

The braves had to know they were not in a position to sign a big Scott Boras client when he was up for monster money following the ’08 season.

So why deal a centerpiece catcher and feel safe with Brian McCann? Could they afford to part with a legitimate cornerstone shortstop because they had Yunel Escobar? And why give up two talented arms for a guy who was essentially a rent-a-player?

Two years later, Texas is reaping the rewards, while Teixeira got his big deal in New York and Mahay moved on to pitch solidly for Kansas City. Salty and Elvis are big reasons why Texas sits in first place behind an explosive offense and improved defense. Harrison has shown marked potential this year, and Nolan Ryan loves his mentality and bull-dog approach.

The No. 18 prospect in the 2007 Atlanta farm system (according to Baseball America) is perhaps the brightest gem of all. Feliz has been compared to a young Pedro Martinez, an arm much like what we saw last year with Volquez.

Coming off a simply dominant 2008, Feliz has struggled a bit with command this year. Still, given his K/9 rates, his four-pitch repertoire, and the fact that he’s just 21, the Rangers have plenty to look forward to down the road.

This is yet another example of desperation netting the Rangers some Texas-sized returns (see Gagne, Eric, Boston, 2007).

3. What if the Cubs had paid significantly less money for Bobby Abreu or Adam Dunn, or equal money for Raul Ibanez, instead of signing Milton Bradley?

This is a heart-breaker for Cubs fans. I sat beneath the press box for Uncle Milty’s Wrigley debut, which came via a pinch-hit appearance in the seventh because he was hurt, of course. He strode to the plate against the rival Cardinals with the Cubs trailing by two and the bases loaded with one out.

Ball one. Ball two. Ball three. Sitting in the catbird seat.

Strike one looking. Strike two looking. Strike three looking on a questionable inside slider.

Bradley turns, screams some choice words to the ump, and gets the ol' heave-ho while simultaneously making borderline contact with the ump—contact that would net him a suspension in the weeks to come. Six pitches, six takes, one big strikeout, one petulant temper tantrum, and an image that will last a lifetime.

It’s been that kind of year for Bradley. The mega-talented, enigmatic outfielder has battled inconsistency, controversy, and injuries all year. Here we sit on June 23, and the $30 million man has 16 RBI and is on pace to see less than 400 at-bats.

I know hindsight is 20-20, but what were the Cubs thinking? They were desperate for a lefty; I get that. They wanted a fiery leader; I sort of get that. As we saw with Atlanta, however, desperation will do bad things to you.

Fiery personalities rarely come without a certain degree of volatility and inconsistency. Dunn, Abreu, and Ibanez were all upgrades on the left side, and all of them brought less baggage and injury history than Bradley, a guy who has never survived a whole year in the NL away from the designated hitter spot.

And what’s more, Abreu and Dunn signed one-year deals ranging from $5-$10 million per annum. Ibanez got similar money to Bradley but has been the NL MVP thus far and is on pace for 54 home runs and 144 RBIs.

What if the Cubs hadn’t overpaid early in the offseason for their coveted left-handed bat? The on-base-percentage-friendly Abreu would have enhanced their run production. The big bopping Donkey would have mashed at Wrigley. The quiet and underappreciated Ibanez would, needless to say, have changed the landscape of the NL Central drastically.

The North Side boys swung and missed on this one, and because of it the Cubs' offense just doesn’t add up this year.

4. What if Joe Maddon stepped outside of the norm and, much like with his All-Star coaching appointments of Seattle’s Don Wakamatsu and Kansas City’s Trey Hillman, wrote in Boston’s Tim Wakefield for his first ever All-Star appearance?

Hear me out on this one.

Wakey has been around longer than hangovers. The guy is a pure baseball vet, a player Boston fans appreciate but don’t quite cherish entirely, and a legitimate professional.

And in case you think this would be a total charity move that ignored actual on-field production, consider these statistics:

Wakefield is 19 wins away from passing Cy Young and Roger Clemens as No. 1 on Boston's all-time career wins list. Yes, you read that correctly. If he stays healthy for 2009 and 2010 and is given the ball every fifth day, he will be the winningest pitcher for one of the most storied, successful organizations in baseball history.

In 2009, Wakefield has posted above-average numbers regardless of his age and knuckleball specialty. Dan Haren, Chad Billingsley, and Josh Johnson lead the majors with 13 quality starts (six innings or more, three runs or less). Wakefield has a very respectable nine, while his nine wins are second in baseball, trailing Doc Halladay and Kevin Slowey, who have 10 apiece.

While not as spectacular or talented as Josh Beckett or Jon Lester, Wakefield has actually been the rock of Boston’s dynamite staff to this point. Beckett and Lester had atrocious starts to the year, Matsuzaka has been a disaster, and Brad Penny was a five-inning depiction of mediocrity earlier in the year. Wake has held it all together.

Only two active pitchers have 130 or more career wins but have never been elected to participate in an All-Star game: Jeff Suppan and Wakefield.

What if the 43-year-old class act could soak in the All-Star festivities from field level and be able to claim he was once an all-star caliber player in the eyes of his competitors?

What if indeed.

New England Formation Fluctuations: Pats' Alter Looks in '09

Will Norton — Thu, 28 May 2009 23:03:18 -0400

Becoming familiar with Bill Belichick’s playbook tendencies is one of the most difficult things to do in football due to the amount the "Hooded One" alters his schemes, realigns his looks, and constantly tries to keep teams off balance.

We’ve seen lineman line up at fullback, linebackers catch touchdown passes, and wide receivers play cornerback.

It’s a never ending contest of cat and mouse as Belichick pulls the strings, constantly trying to gain a competitive edge by implementing unorthodox formations and using schematic rarities with the depth and personnel available to him.

That being said, there are several alterations that Belichick and his staff might implement in the coming season due to the personnel ushered in during the offseason.

I will briefly touch upon several ways in which the Patriots staff might tweak with formations, coverage schemes, and personnel usage within the playbook in the upcoming season.

I, for one, believe we may see even more trickery and diversity within the New England offensive playbook this year. The Patriots are loaded at wide receiver and have also complimented an already deep backfield with the signing of Fred Taylor.

When you factor in the deception and attention to detail used by Brady under center, the possibilities are endless.

During their 18-1 campaign, the Patriots abused opposing defenses by spreading Randy Moss and Donte Stallworth wide on the outside, and then using Wes Welker and Jabar Gaffney in the slot, with Kevin Faulk out on the flat.

As Benjamin Watson used his exceptional speed for a tight end down the seams, Brady basically just had to read and react which pass catching option would maximize yards.

We all saw what happened that season.

This year, the Patriots arguably have even better personnel.

Joey Galloway brings improved speed and dependability on the outside. He and Moss are going to demand safeties deep routinely. Greg Lewis, acquired from Philly, is an upgrade over Gaffney in the slot.

Given the efficiency and reliability of Kevin Faulk in the flats, Brady will easily be able to spread defenses in a four-wide set and pick his poison with upgraded weapons at his disposal.

This isn’t much different from what we saw last year or the year before, but I believe the Patriots might go with several five-wide looks, flanking Kevin Faulk into the tight slot in a bunched formation with Welker and Lewis.

As I see it, no defense with the exception of maybe Pittsburgh will be able to handle the amount of speed and talent the Patriots are going to spread across the field.

Given the amount of speed and explosiveness Belichick has in his secondary, I believe this may be the first season we see him revert to the occasional 3-3-5 formation.

Seymour, Wilfork, and Warren on the front line; Mayo, Thomas, and Bruschi in the middle; Meriweather, Sanders, Wilhite, Butler, and Chung at the last level.

This look would allow Belichick to commit to—or simply deceive with—a myriad of blitzing schemes.

Thomas is adept at getting around the edges and pressuring the exterior of the pocket, and the speed of a Darius Butler or Brandon Meriweather could be used through the middle to disrupt the interior line calls of opposing offensive lines. Or, as he loves to do, Belichick could simply sink his five defensive backs deep after bluffing with heavy blitz reads.

The difference between this year and the last few is youth and depth.

The Patriots have never had this many serviceable defensive backs, even though none of them are exceptional. And they certainly have never possessed the type of athleticism that guys such as Butler, Chung, and Wheatley possess.

Yes, they are all young and yes the Patriots may get burned on occasion for implementing so many young players into a complex system. But getting to the quarterback or at least shortening the amount of time and comfort an opposing quarterback has is half the battle.

Given his personnel groupings, Belichick should be able to creatively mix and match his back seven and get to the quarterback more effectively by varying his traditional formations.

Lastly, the Patriots might finally be able to get back to what made them truly dominant during their Super Bowl runs of ‘01, ‘03, and ‘04; the bruising running game.

We may finally see Belichick revert to the two running back formations that have been so effective for many teams in past years. Fred Taylor, Laurence Maroney, Kevin Faulk, Sammy Morris, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis constitute a group of ball handlers that have plenty of pop, ample experience, and a good amount of diversity in terms of running style.

In years past, the Patriots have been hampered by injuries and inconsistency in the backfield.

I know this sounds ridiculous considering the team has posted a 29-6 record over the last two years. Logic would posit those teams had solid running games.

While the averages and numbers may speak to that, any true Patriot fan knows that the offense has been too “pass happy” in recent years.

Morris and Maroney were banged up, and there’s only so much we can ask of Kevin Faulk, whose most redeeming qualities are maximized through shotgun hand-offs and flanker screens.

We’ve seen the Patriots get very creative and efficient with the talent and health they’ve been dealt. But, I think back to the days of Antoine Smith and Corey Dillon and remember a Patriots team that used to pound the ball at will, even when good defenses defended against it.

That is what the playbook could reveal this season. If Maroney is healthy and Fred Taylor can plug away like he did in Jacksonville, the Patriots will have healthy, fresh legs throughout the depth of their backfield, with Morris and Green-Ellis serving as experienced complimentary short yardage backs.

This will not only allow Belichick to rotate his ball handlers more efficiently, it will maximize blitz protection for Brady and add improved potency in the receiving game out of the backfield.

Simply put, if the Patriots running backs can stay healthy, the formation diversity with which Brady uses could be at an all time high.

Laurence Maroney: Linchpin Or Fringe Player? His Take

Will Norton — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:20:44 -0400

It is the opinion of this writer that the health and productivity of Laurence Maroney will greatly dictate the success, or relative failure, of the 2009-10 New England Patriots. A much misunderstood, oft-injured running back who some Pats fans have grown tired of, it's time for Maroney's take on his past, present, and future. Here's a ten-pack of questions for #39.

1. You are entering your fourth season as a Patriot; how would you describe your career to this point? Have you met or fallen short of your personal goals thus far?

2. Many Patriots fans simply do not feel confident in your ability to last the entire length of a grueling sixteen game schedule, plus post-season play. How do you explain the injuries you’ve experienced, and how would you counter the doubts of New England fans?

3. Running backs such as D’Angelo Williams, Joseph Addai, and Maurice Jones-Drew were taken after you in the 2006 Draft and have enjoyed considerable success. Do you measure yourself against these backs, and if so, how would you say your style and production compares?

4. As most of us know, the Patriots and Bill Belichick enforce a strict, tight lipped policy regarding information of injured players. Do you think this compromises the integrity of injured players? Is it frustrating to stay silent when you are sidelined with a broken shoulder, as you were last year, and subsequently questioned as being a soft player?

5. Corey Dillon was an excellent veteran role model for you early in your career. Are you looking forward to learning and developing in the same way alongside Fred Taylor? What about his game do you admire?

6. The Patriots work out of a lot of shotgun, spread formations with an emphasis on stretching the field and attacking the seams. Do you prefer these formations as a running back, or do you think you’re more effective out of power formations?

7. How does your shoulder feel currently, and has rehab gone as you hoped?

8. Some people feel as though you’re a budding star who simply hasn’t been healthy enough to showcase his talents regularly; others view you as a fringe player who may be running out of chances in New England. How do you assess your value to any NFL team going forward?

9. First-and-goal from the three yard line for the Patriots: what play would you most like to see called in this scenario?

10. Lastly Laurence: many Patriot fans and media members feel that despite the inconsistency you've shown, you are a linchpin to the overall success and balance of the offense. What can they expect this season?

Brady, Buffalo, and The Wildcat: Breaking Down The AFC East

Will Norton — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:39:08 -0400

Forecasting the AFC East: Balanced Division Will Depend on Brady’s Return

In a division that has shifted from a one horse race to a balanced field in just a year, the battle for AFC East supremacy in 2009-10 hinges on the return of Tom Brady and his supposedly healthy knee. While New England has dominated the division since 2001, we all witnessed on-field improvements from virtually every team in the division a year ago, and going into 2009 this looks to be the best top to bottom, competitive division in football..

Last year, with Matt Cassel under center, the Patriots lost a first place tie-breaker with those upstart Fish and missed out on the playoffs, while Buffalo and New York were unable to maintain their quick starts. Belichick’s crew is, however, 33-9 in the division since 2002, and you can be sure that New England will be eager to reclaim the AFC East crown from Miami.

Let’s take an in depth look at the key additions and departures each team has experienced this off-season and how those changes affect their offensive and defensive units. Then, I’ll make some predictions and we’ll sort out which team should rise to the top in 2009.

Buffalo Bills:

2008-9 Record: 7-9

Key Additions: WR Terrell Owens, DE Aaron Maybin, CB Drayton Florence, C Geoff Hangartner

Key Losses: OT Jason Peters

2008 Assessment: The Bills started fast a year ago, getting to 5-1 before losing eight of their last ten games and finishing the year in disappointing fashion at 7-9. Buffalo finished in the bottom third of the league in both offensive YPG and passing YPG, while they held their own defensively despite a lack of big play ability. Offensive depth and explosiveness were big questions after Buffalo’s second half fizzle of a year ago.

Offensive Outlook: Buffalo believes they’ve remedied their lack of big play ability with the arrival of Terrell Owens. We all know how destructive Owens can be off the field, but assuming he keeps his head on straight and plays with a purpose, he’s a guy who will help stretch the field vertically for the Bills and offensive play caller Turk Schonert. His speed and presence at the second level will open up the slot for Lee Evans, Roscoe Parrish, and Josh Reed, and the Bills should more effectively be able to maximize their play-action calls given Owens’ height and size advantage on the outside. Alongside Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson at running back, Trent Edwards under center, and a fortified offensive line, Owens compliments what should constitute an improved offensive core for the Bills.

Defensive Outlook: Defensively, this is a solid unit that is only going to get better under defensive-minded coach Dick Jauron. The Bills finished 2008 with a solid, but not spectacular, defensive resume. As a team they were right in the middle of the pack in YPG and PPG, but they sometimes struggled turning other teams over, as they finished tied for third worst in the AFC with just 22 takeaways.

However, just like with the vertical passing game, this is something they feel they’ve addressed in a big way during the off-season. With the 11^thoverall selection in the draft, Buffalo nabbed Penn St. DE/LB standout Aaron Maybin. Maybin is a big, physical athlete with quickness around the edge and should be a real asset and weapon for Jauron to use in a number of different formations. While he’s not quite the playbook whiz that Jerod Mayo was last year for New England, I feel Maybin could have a similarly impactful season with Buffalo. The Bills also addressed their secondary in acquiring Drayton Florence from Jacksonville and drafting Jairus Byrd out of Hawaii, while LB Paul Posluszny, a first round pick three years ago, returns from a knee injury.

Thing that worries me most: Is Trent Edwards “the” guy? He started strong a year ago, showing promise, poise, and impressive reads throughout Buffalo’s fast start. Then injuries and a lack of weapons were cited as the main reasons for Edwards’ regression during the second half of the year. Edwards did battle concussion issues, which can be very taxing mid-season. The addition of Owens, a dedication to pounding the ball with Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch, and improved health shouldcreate an atmosphere conducive to optimal production for Edwards. If, however, Edwards fails to get Owens the ball and create things down field, things could spiral downward quickly. Buffalo simply cannot afford that.

2009-10 Prediction: I like what Buffalo has done in the off-season, and I generally believe Dick Jauron is a sound football coach. There are no weeks off in the AFC East, and getting to 3-3 in the division would be viewed as a success for this Bills team. Outside of the division, Buffalo has to battle three playoff teams from a year ago on the road, and they also draw Indianapolis. I think they have an unfavorable schedule, but they made undoubted improvements on their roster from a year ago. Their season will hinge on Edwards and the offensive line. With New England back at full strength, I think a wild card berth is Buffalo’s most realistic shot at playoff play, but that is an attainable goal.

2009-10 Record: 9-7

New York Jets:

2008-9 Record: 9-7

Key Additions: LB Bart Scott, QB Mark Sanchez, S Jim Leonhard, CB Lito Sheppard, RB Shonn Greene

Key Losses: QB Brett Favre, WR Laveranues Coles

2008 Assessment: Acquiring Brett Favre, in the end, was a relatively lateral move for the Jets. Favre and the Jets raced out to an 8-3 record, and after big wins on the road at New England and then undefeated Tennessee, some people thought the aging Favre could lead a Broadway renaissance. As the end of the year illustrated, however, Favre’s arm turned out to have just slightly more juice in it than Chad Pennington, who had been lambasted n New York for his lack of down field ability. Favre played banged up, the Jets defense turned into a fairly mediocre unit, and the Jets lost four of their last five games en route to third place in the division. By all accounts, 2008 was a disappointment, and the firing of Eric Mangini demonstrates that.

Offensive Outlook: This is a unit in flux. If the reigns are handed to rookie Mark Sanchez, can we honestly assess the Jets offense in May? If Kellen Clemens wins the starting job and Rex Ryan elects to give Sanchez a year of tutelage on the sideline, then it’s fair to say the Jets will be trying to win games with a below average quarterback under center. One thing is for sure: Thomas Jones, Leon Washington, and Shonn Greene (assuming the first two get their contracts finalized) will form a three headed monster at running back that should be extremely hard to contain, especially playing behind one of the better offensive lines in the AFC. Jerricho Cotchery, Chansi Stuckey, and Brad Kelly constitute a below average group at WR, but young tight end Dustin Keller emerged late in 2008 and could be very special. Keller gets down the seams better than most with good route running and plus hands, and when in fact Sanchez wins the job, the chemistry of those two will be something to watch closely.

Defensive Outlook: With Rex Ryan coming over from Baltimore, this is a unit that could emerge as one of the ascending groups in the NFL. Ryan brought linebacker Bart Scott and safety Jim Leonhard over with him from the Ravens, two glue guys who should establish attitude and create a comfort with the system. Up front, the Jets are stout with Calvin Pace, Shaun Ellis, and Kris Jenkins. The Jets have developing contributors in the secondary in Kerry Rhodes and Darelle Revis, and the addition of Lito Shepphard from Philly and the aforementioned Leonhard could allow Ryan to be creative and take risks at the second level. Ryan also grabbed special teams veteran Larry Izzo from rival New England. One big development to watch will be how Ryan teaches, engages, and utilizes last year’s first round pick, Vernon Gholston, who tallied just 13 tackles and zero sacks in his rookie campaign. Is he a mega bust, or has he just not been used and motivated properly? That question and the degree to which Ryan can establish his smash mouth Baltimore-style defense will dictate how stingy this group can be.

Thing that worries me most: Even more so than Buffalo, the quarterback position scares me with this team. If Clemens starts, they are going to be challenged in the passing game given their limited receiving resources. If Sanchez starts, he’s going to struggle like any rookie quarterback. Either way they go, New York is going to dig itself a hole behind center.

2009-10 Prediction: The Jets are built to last along their offensive and defensive lines, and usually such strengths lead directly to success. But given the transition of bringing in a new coach and the inherent growing pains of either Clemens or Sanchez, the Jets simply won’t have enough in such a demanding division.

2009-10 Record: 8-8

Miami Dolphins:

2008-9 Record: 11-5

Key Additions: DE Jason Taylor, C Jake Grove, ATH Pat White, CB Vontae Davis,

Key Losses: None

2008 Assessment: Pennington, Parcells, and “The Wildcat” spelled success for Miami a year ago, and year in which the Dolphins won ten more games than the year before. It was a confluence of positive seasons, from the comeback of Pennington to the reemergence of Joey Porter. Although the Fish got trounced in the first round of the playoffs, no team exceeded expectations more than Miami.

Offensive Outlook: The drafting of WVU’s Pat White adds yet another element to a ground attack that already includes Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. Miami’s schemes and short game from a year ago were as sound as any team in the league. My only concern is whether or not Chad Pennington can be counted on to deliver such a stellar season again. His receiving corps is lacking in elite talent, and one would think defenses will be more prepared and acclimated to Wildcat formations this year. And if Pennington struggles or has shoulder issues once again, will Chad Henne be ready when called upon? The line is anchored well with Jake Long in place, and they are going to attack the edges and use deception better than any offense in the NFL. Assuming the health of the quarterback position, Miami should continue to produce with their slashing and scheming abilities.

Defensive Outlook: Bringing back Jason Taylor adds an element of edge pressure and veteran leadership that would make any team better. Do people forget how dominant Taylor was two season s ago? They are built well at linebacker, and the addition of Vontae Davis and CB Sean Smith through the draft could solidify their struggling secondary. The wildly athletic Davis is a bit of a hot head, but he has elite talent that could be harnessed under intense coach Tony Sparano. The Dolphins certainly need shutdown production from their corner-backs, something that was really lacking a year ago. Getting after the football should be a marked strength, and usually that is a recipe for success.

Thing that worries me most: A lack of elite talent at the receiver position is Miami’s most glaring weakness. Ted Ginn Jr. and Davone Bess showed promise a year ago, but in my opinion Miami failed to land a true outside threat during the off-season through the draft or free agency. Draft picks Patrick Turner (3^rd Round) and Brian Hartline (4^thRound) are not going to give them much in 2009-10. If they had a true outside threat, defenses wouldn’t be able to pack it in and protect against the end-around, double reverse, or whatever it is Brown, Williams & White are showing on that given play. Their offensive unit is going to be compromised by a lack of down field production.

2009-10 Prediction: Miami is moving in the right direction and has a spirited group coming back, but I think they take a small step backwards this season. That is easy to do given their glaring success of a year ago. With Brady back and New England healthy, I think Miami’s road to the top is going to be tested more fervently while their strength of schedule is the toughest in the NFL. This could still be a playoff team, but given the fact that the Dolphins went 7-2 last year in games decided by a touchdown or less, I think they’re going to regress back towards the mean a bit in 2009-10.

2009-10 Record: 9-7

New England Patriots

2008-9 Record: 11-5

Key Additions: QB Tom Brady (injured), RB Fred Taylor, CB Shawn Springs, CB Leigh Bodden, WR Joey Galloway, WR Greg Lewis

Key Losses: QB Matt Cassel, LB Mike Vrabel, CB Ellis Hobbs

2008 Assessment: To some, the season was a failure. To others, it was one of Bill Belichick’s greatest successes. Finishing 11-5 while losing a prime future Hall of Famer at the quarterback position is a testament to “The Patriot Way” and the foundation they’ve built. On the other hand, when you’re coming off a season of near perfection with redemption ripe in your mind, 11-5 and no playoff berth can be seen as a failure to some. To this writer, the season turned out as well as it could have after Bernard Pollard’s fateful lunge. For all intensive purposes, the Pats played playoff caliber football while simultaneously converting another late round draft pick in Cassel into future value and roster flexibility.

Offensive Outlook: Perhaps more so than with any other group in this division, the health of Tom Brady and the Patriots offensive core is the focal point of this team. If Brady’s back to his old habits, this unit should be the NFL’s best with a reliable cast of running backs, an above average line, and a comically deep receiving corps. Moss and Galloway on the outside with Welker and Greg Lewis in the slot could be a four-wide set that drives defensive coordinators nuts. Fred Lewis and Sammy Morris provide stability out of the backfield, while Laurence Maroney remains a wild card talent on the fringe. If, however, Brady is less than 100% or he re-aggravates the injury, the Patriots will have to turn to second year man Kevin O’Connell. New England has certainly showcased an ability to produce elite quarterbacks from the depths of the draft pool, but O’Connell is not as developed as Matt Cassel was last year. Patriot faithful are hoping Kevin O’Connell isn’t a name we hear much from this upcoming season.

Defensive Outlook: Usually Bill Belichick’s 3-4 defenses are the backbone of championship runs and the biggest asset of the team. Last year, and in recent years as a whole, if we’re really being honest, that simply wasn’t the case. The Patriots have never been a team that focuses on the sack or pressuring the edges. Belichick has always preferred to sit back and rely on reads and schematic advantages, as well as veteran leadership, to create opportunistic turnovers. A trend that has been developing lately and continued last year, however, is that New England’s second and third levels were exposed and simply couldn’t support the 3-4 philosophy. The likes of Pierre Woods and Gary Guyton were stretched thin at linebacker, while Teddy Bruschi and Adalius Thomas battled injuries. And in the secondary, Rodney Harrison was lost for the year while the biggest concern coming into the year- cornerbacks- were awful.

The Pats still have needs at linebacker after ignoring that position in the draft, but they added depth and skill in the secondary by signing Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden and drafting Patrick Chung and Darius Butler. Coupled with last year’s young nucleus of Jerod Meyo, Brandon Meriweather, James Sanders, Terrance Wheatley, and Jonathan Wilhite, the defense as a whole should be more athletic and much more explosive in passing downs. At the very least, Belichick will have more looks and fresh legs at his disposal. With the foundation of an All-Pro front three in place in Richard Seymour, Vince Wilfork, and Ty Warren, the New England defense should be better than a year ago.

Thing that worries me most: Obviously Brady’s health is perhaps the biggest swing factor for any team in the NFL, and I am also skeptical of the linebacker group. Mayo is an excellent franchise player, but the secondary group on the roster is thin. Pierre Woods, Eric Alexander, Tully Banta-Cain, Shawn Crable, and Gary Guyton lack the necessary athleticism and coverage skills that make Belichick’s defenses click.

2009-10 Prediction: Assuming #12 stays upright and injuries don’t ravage the roster as they did a year ago; this is a team that should be looking at a first round playoff bye. The acquisitions during this past off-season eerily resemble those of two seasons ago, when Belichick added a host of low risk, high reward type veterans and landed on the verge of perfection.

2009-10 Record: 12-4

Man Oh Manny: Ramirez' gaffe further complicates baseball's numbers game

Will Norton — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:09:53 -0400

Grow up and deal, baseball.

The problem, as I see it, with major league baseball’s lost sense of self in the “PED age” is that there is a preponderance of historians, journalists, and pundits within the game who simply can’t seem to cope in a universe where the sanctity of records, mystique of all-time stars, and innocence of baseball’s storied past are threatened by disingenuous, devilish drug users whose very existence in the game and in the record books is reason enough to call in Congress, drown the public in a flood of steroid-related tidbits, and take a huge degree of attention off the real stories of the present season.

I’m sick of it. I’m sick of watching SportsCenter at night and having to watch 35 minutes of Manny coverage, and 25 minutes of crammed highlights, playoff action, and Top 10 highlights. It should be the other way around, to a huge degree.

You lead with the Manny story, and then recognize that by giving it ample coverage and superfluous analysis through legal, medical, and historical lenses, you actually make the story “sports.”

And it’s not. At least it didn’t used to be.

Throughout the last 50 years, sports has taken a violent turn from being a regional, communal dynamic of the larger social framework, to being the central unit of analysis wrapped up in an insane, Internet-driven SPORTS culture of micro-analysis and fanatical fandom.

It has, in short, become more than it was ever meant to be.

I write this as an avid sports fan, a lover of competition and the purity of many different types of sporting events, and, obviously, a passionate follower of baseball.

But don’t you sometimes have to take a step back and wonder why the character, integrity, and moral fiber of a Barry Bonds, a Manny Ramirez, or a Roger Clemens is really the central focus of the game?

Have we turned these athletes (that is what they are, professionals that get paid to be good at sport) into deacons of society, role models everyone should aspire to, icons that kids can depend on?

I understand the steroids coverage is speaking to and reflecting upon a much bigger story within the game, but give me a break.

Circling back to my original point about the preponderance of people surrounding the game today who seemingly can’t get over the numbers game of it all, quite simply they expect too much.

They’ve hoisted these athletes up on a pedestal and now expect them to carry the torch of baseball’s past into the future, but they’ve neglected the fact that the very nature of sports, the very context by which we watch the game of baseball, has changed drastically.

Today, we have AAU. We have junior hockey leagues bigger than some NHL teams. We have coaches, and trainers, and physicians, and strength coaches…for 11-year-olds.

We endorse private leagues, elite all-star camps, and top-tier invitationals for the most amateur athletes at the beginning stages of development.

Sports are no longer a sandlot game, an innocent game of spunky, quirky characters. It’s a business, and for some people, the business of getting paid is all they have. There is nothing else.

So when a supplement comes along that may spike your energy levels over 162 games and it’s being sold at GNC, of course a guy looking for an edge is going to take it.

Why the legendary, absurdly talented mega stars like Ramirez and Bonds feel they need that edge, we’ll never know. But one thing is clear: the culture surrounding users like Man-Ram, BB, and thousands of other diamond professionals is one that was created, embraced, and conveniently ignored for years within baseball's inner circle.

This quiet acceptance of the “enhancement culture” was an umbrella Bud Selig and baseball allowed users to shelter themselves underneath for quite some time following the 1994 strike and lag in attendence figures.

And so I ask you this, historian, analyst, or journalist: why do you care? Why have you allowed yourself to become so bent out of shape?

Why have you elevated these now criminals and let them ruin the game for you? And this is coming from a guy who works with statistics, mainly those relating to baseball!

If you’re ticked off that Ramirez, Bonds, Sosa, and Palmeiro have shoved their way into a historical context they don’t belong in, then just be at peace knowing they’ve been exposed as frauds and their numbers are tainted.

If you think Ruth, Gehrig, Mantle, and Clemente have been slighted and marginalized because of the pump-up effect steroids had on power numbers between 1980 and 2009, then embrace those old-timers as the best talent the game’s ever seen, and leave it at that. They can still be your hero’s, even if the numbers don’t vividly show it.

All of this is part of growing up and dealing with the fact that the record books aren’t as pristine as maybe we’d like them. They’re not straightforward and innocent. Neither are professional athletes.

There is a context and requisite explanation for many of baseball’s eras, from the dead ball era, to the pre- and post-mound lowering time frames, to the color barrier, to steroids and performance enhancers.

It doesn’t have to be the central focus of following baseball in 2009.

Glue Guys: Ten Middle Relievers Who Are Successfully Bridging The Gap

Will Norton — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 20:01:52 -0400

Often times, the difference between a playoff team and a .500 team is how many games each wins and loses in the middle innings.

When the skipper lurches out of the dugout to relieve his starter, it's those six to nine outs to close out games that are the hardest to consistently secure. Playoff teams have guys who can bridge the gap from starter to closer, while average teams often find ways to let other squads back in the game.

Winning the last third of the baseball game is more important than any other singular performance trend across the 162—game season.

The evolution of the save statistic has placed a lot of emphasis and importance on the last three outs of the game. But as any Cubs fan from last year will tell you, Carlos Marmol and his three—to—five outs in the seventh and eighth innings was the glue that held that team together, winning them the NL Central.

Ditto with Philadelphia and Ryan Madson, or Boston and Hideki Okajima.

The problem is, from year to year, it's very hard to predict middle relief success. In fact, it's maybe the most wildly maddening roster dynamic for any general manager to deal with.

Just ask Florida or the Yankees this year: their middle men have had disastrous results of late, and, in turn, their arms on the whole have become overused. Upsetting the balance in the middle innings is something that, more times than not, will derail any team hoping to play into October.

With that, let us take a look at ten middle—men who have successfully embraced their late—inning roles and done so with dominant results:

1. Andrew Bailey, Oakland: 2009 Stat Line: 0.71 ERA, 0.39 WHIP, 15K/12IP, 2 Wins

Bailey was not expected to make the A's roster out of Spring Training. However, after an excellent showing in the Arizona Fall League and the returned health of his right arm, Bailey forced his way into the bullpen.

What a blessing that has been for Bob Geren and the Athletics. While Oakland's starters haven't quite fulfilled their end of the bargain in pitching deep into games, Bailey has been lights out in the later innings. He's a hard thrower whose slider/cutter touches 91-92 mph with good lateral break. He throws consistent strikes as well, which is essential to any relief success.

2. Jim Johnson, Baltimore: 2009 Stat Line: 3.00 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 7.00 K/9, 4 Holds

While his statistics don't quite portray a picture of dominance, trust me here. This guy is going to be nasty all year for Dave Trembley and the Birds.

JJ has filthy movement on his fastball, using it anywhere and everywhere with distinct movement down in the zone. He gets excellent run, sink, and tail on his fastball and really can be unhittable when he commands the strike zone and mixes in his breaking stuff. If George Sherrill were to go down or become ineffective, it would not shock me in the least to see Johnson effectively hold down the closer role.

3. David Aardsma, Seattle: 2009 Stat Line: 2.08 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 8.3 K/9, 4 Holds, 3 Saves

Always a hard thrower with a maddening knack for piling up walks, Aardsma has consistently thrown strikes so far this year and (viola!) the results speak for themselves. Aardsma has been crucial for Seattle during their surprising April run, as he's appeared in eight games, holding down the eighth and ninth inning duties with ease.

Aardsma throws a free and easy 98 MPH fastball. When he simply pounds the zone with strikes, he can be dominant. It's not surprising to see a guy, who so many teams have invested in, finally pitch well given his power stuff. If he continues to pitch under control, the M's will continue to hold down late leads and stay in the AL West race.

4. Ramon Ramirez, Boston: 2009 Stat Line: 0.00 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, 2 Wins, 3 Holds

Acquired in an exchange for Coco Crisp this offseason, Ram-Ram and his power change-up have been downright dominant for Francona and the Bo Sox in 2009. He has yet to allow an earned run and has thus far been more impressive than Okajima, Saito, or DelCarmen in that very talented Boston 'pen.

Ramirez is a strike—thrower who uses his change-up almost like a fastball—often times starting hitters off with the change and then working backwards, finishing them off with his mid-90's fastball or average slider. Some worried whether this KC/COL hurler could handle the pressure of pitching in Boston. So far, Ramirez has proved more than up to the task.

5. Bobby Seay, Detroit: 2009 Stat Line: 0.00 ERA, 0.41 WHIP, 7 Holds

While the AL Central is certainly not a stout division, one big reason Detroit currently stands atop is the effectiveness of Seay in the middle innings.

The Tigers were killed last year in the seventh and eighth frames, often times giving away large leads and extinguishing any momentum or confidence the team had.

Seay was not a part of that problem last year and certainly hasn't been this year. He comes at hitters with an average fastball but a plus slider that he uses effectively down and away to lefties and in on the hands of righties. He's one of many lefties who uses the tilt of his breaking ball with the deception of his arm slot to keep hitters uncomfortable. The results speak for themselves.

6. JJ Putz, NY Mets: 2009 Stat Line: 2.70 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 10 Appearances, 4 Holds

While his stats aren't as dominant as some of these other guys—and certainly not in line with his eye-popping numbers of 2007—Putz has filled a huge void for the 2009 Mets, successfully bridging the gap to Francisco Rodriguez in the ninth. He's appeared in 10 of the Mets' 19 games and has not allowed an inherited runner to score.

As the year progresses, I expect Putz's strikeouts to spike significantly and his effectiveness to become even more pronounced.

7. Rafael Soriano, Atlanta: 2009 Stat Line: 1.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 12K/9IP, 2 Saves, 3 Holds

Soriano has long been derailed by elbow injuries. But this year, the baseball world has gotten a good look at what this guy can do when full health allows him to take the mound consistently.

Soriano used to throw 99 MPH as a youngster in Seattle. While he doesn't light up the radar gun quite like he used to, his fastball has plenty of zip on it and he locates it down in the zone extremely well. He also has a power slider that is downright filthy at times, breaking extremely late in its ball path.

Bobby Cox has started to use Soriano in the ninth because he's been so dominant. That's where he may stay for good if he continues to harness his lightning arm and embrace the late inning role.

8. David Weathers, Cincinnati: 2009 Stat Line: 0.00 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 8.53 K/9, 5 Holds

'Ol Stormy Weathers is out of the closers role for the second straight year, but that doesn't mean he can't be of use to Dusty Baker and the Reds. Weathers has taken the eighth inning and made it his own so far in 2009, dominating lefties and righties alike while utilizing his solid sinker to keep balls in Cincinnati's tiny bandbox of a park.

History would suggest that Weathers will NOT keep this up for the remainder of the season, but through April he's been as effective as anyone. Not coincidentally, the Reds have improved from a year ago and are in the thick of the NL Central.

9. Scott Downs, Toronto: 2009 Stat Line: 0.84 ERA, 0.46 WHIP, 11.81 K/9, 3 Holds, 2 Saves

Much like Soriano, Downs began the year as a primary setup man but has since moved into the closer's role due to the struggles of the incumbent.

Wherever he's pitched, Downs has been downright filthy in '09. His sweeping breaking ball and excellent control, coupled with his deceptive left-handed delivery, are a lot for hitters to handle. Downs keeps the ball low and away from power threats and will work in a lot of favorable counts because of his penchant for throwing strikes. This early start for Downs is no fluke; he was equally effective last season for the Jays.

10. J.P. Howell, Tampa Bay: 2009 Stat Line: 2.16 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 11.88 K/9, 9 Appearances

The Rays have, across the board, not gotten what they expected from several arms so far in 2009. A lot of key contributors from their 2008 World Series team—Grant Balfour, Andy Sonnanstine, Dan Wheeler—have had tough starts. But Howell, who was a surprise lefty in '08, has sustained his success. Howell rarely, if ever, touches 90 MPH on the radar gun, but he thrives using three softer offerings: a sinking two-seam fastball, a big curveball with nasty rotation, and a lolly—pop changeup that is downright unfair to righties.

Logic would say that Howell will get figured out sometime soon. But he's been dominant for over a year now in a tough hitter's division and it looks as though he's here to stay. J.P. is a great example of a guy who doesn't throw very hard but utilizes control, command, deception, and good mixing of his repertoire to keep hitters second guessing.

Wandy, Gamel, and the Bay Side Boys: Five 2009 Breakouts

Will Norton — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:57:13 -0400

Five under-the-radar teams/performers that should enjoy breakout levels of success in ’09.

1. Wandy Rodriguez- A guy known for his disastrous road performances despite pitching in a hitter friendly home park, Rodriguez has all the makings of a breakout season. Just trust the stats: his home/road splits have gotten better two years in a row; his K/9 rate has risen three years in a row; his BB/9 rate has lowered three years in a row; his HR/9 rate has lowered three years in a row; and 2008 was his most complete campaign yet. This guy is trending in all the right directions.

2. The Oakland Athletics- When you add Matt Holliday, Jason Giambi, and Orlando Cabrera to a lineup devoid of any punch, you’re simply going to keep more games close. That part isn’t hard to figure out. Giambi had a quiet 32 home runs in ‘08 and I think he sees a statistical boost across the board going back to the relaxing West Coast. He can now leave pinstripes and steroid talk behind for good.

Holliday is a legitimate star, while Cabrera is a major upgrade over the fragile Bobby Crosby at shortstop. His defense alone will win Oakland some games, and he has an underrated offensive skill set.

Oakland’s pen should be serviceable as well (although Joey Devine’s elbow is troubling), and the influx of young pitching they have coming through the system gives Bay area fans hope. Anderson and Cahill are names that we’ll all know a year from now.

I see Oakland adding 8-10 wins in 2009 and competing out West with the Angels into August.

3. Anthony Reyes- Once the crown jewel of the Cardinals system, Dave Duncan and Tony LaRussa got tired of Reyes’ post-World Series underachievement and released the youngster out into the wild last year.

Cleveland scooped him up and might have nabbed a hungry young talent with a chip on his shoulder. Reyes put together six impressive starts last August and September and flashed the balanced, potent repertoire that made him a hot commodity in St. Louis. He’s not a flame thrower, but his slurvy breaking pitch and deceptive change-up are plus side offerings. He works backwards in a way, but his “stuff” can make hitters mighty uncomfortable.

The Tribe have very little pitching depth, so Reyes is likely going to get ample time to prove himself in 2009. If he puts it all together, he could be a big part of a Cleveland resurgence.

4. Matt Gamel- Who? Yea, well few people had heard of Ryan Braun in 2007 before his monstrous breakout season.

Gamel is actually fairly similar to Braun: he’s a third basemen by trade who can’t field much and will likely be transferred to the outfield at the big league level. His bat does all the talking though, and at the age of 24, Gamel is less raw and more polished than some of the other big name prospects hitting prospects getting hyped, such as Maybin and Schaefer.

In AA and AAA last year, Gamel’s combined stat line looked like this: .323, 20 HR, 99 RBI, 99 R, .924 OPS. He can flat out hit and the Brewers have no real favorite at third base (Bill Hall?).

Gamel could get a May or June call up, and when he does, he could contribute more than most rookies being talked about this pre-season.

5. Ian Stewart- The biggest factor for Stewart is playing time. The ‘ol PT.

With Helton and Atkins at the corners, and Hawpe/Spilborghs/S. Smith in the outfield, Stewart’s only real place to fit in is at 2B, his natural position. Problem is, Clint Barmes had a nice second half last year and has been tentatively named the starter, so Stewart is likely to platoon.

Most people believe, however, that Colorado is going to eventually have to find a place for this kid to play. He hit 10 home runs in just 266 at bats last year and has had an outstanding spring. He flashes gap power and has an ascending line drive rate, one that has followed him throughout the minor leagues. He’s also not a liability defensively and most scouts agree that he’s a star in the making that simply needs the at bats and experience to thrive.

If Colorado struggles out of the gate, something many believe is likely, they may look to deal Atkins by July 31. This would allow Stewart to shift to 3^rd. An injury to aging vet Todd Helton at 1st baseman would also allow a similar opportunity to open up for the 25-year-old riser.

Stewart will have to either bide his time waiting for a trade/injury, or simply hit his way into the everyday lineup. When he gets a full-time shot, he’s going to make waves.

Kansas City Steamers: Royals May Rise in 2009

Will Norton — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:44:07 -0400

As the 2009 Major League Baseball season rapidly approaches and the second edition of the WBC fades into the rear-view mirror, it’s hard not to look across the league as a whole and notice a distinct alteration from, say, 2004 in regards to the depth and over-arching philosophy guiding the overseers of many low-profile organizations.

Whatever your opinion of the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays, one thing is clear: the worst-to-first boom the boys from St. Pete enjoyed en route to their first division title, playoff win, and World Series appearance has reinforced the foundation of hope from which many small-market teams attempt to compete. Three or four years back, I don’t believe this was the case.

Sure, you had the Red Sox trying to liberate 10 percent of our great country’s states from annual heartache, but they were doing it with a decent-sized payroll and a host of big-name stars.

Now, it’s as if Tampa has signaled a change, one that clearly outlines the path for future underdogs: develop pitching from within, acquire small, intangible strengths (especially on defense) through holes in the free-agent market, and add these elements of youth and part-time efficiency to a core of players hungry to win.

Did any of us think Jason Bartlett, Gabe Gross, Andy Sonnanstine, and Grant Balfour would greatly enhance the product Tampa had coming into 2008? It’s unlikely.

But those four players (at minimal cost) fortified Tampa’s shaky defense up the middle, improved their team speed and left-handed pop, provided depth and consistency at the back end of the rotation, and anchored a pen that was downright disastrous in years past.

Small pieces, big results. Add those dynamics to the pure talents of Scott Kazmir, BJ Upton, Carlos Pena, and James Shields, and you see what happened.

Oh yeah, and having Evan Longoria in your back pocket doesn’t hurt either.

I have said to several people this year that, without a doubt, the Kansas City Royals will be the surprise of 2009 just as the Rays were in 2008. They don’t have the star-studded minor league system of Tampa, nor do they have the pitching depth the Rays flashed en route to October success.

But they’ve upgraded at several areas in the off-season, their young kids are a year more experienced, and they have the confidence and internal belief that is a requisite for any winner.

Beyond anything though, their pitching is young and developing. Zach Greinke has all-world talent and the type of repertoire that can simply dominate on any given day, and now he’s armed with the confidence, comfort level, and long-term security that will put his historically fragile psyche at rest.

This could be a special year for The Grenk. Behind him is Gil Meche, who last year was third in all of baseball after the All-Star break in strikeouts and had an impressive campaign on the whole. He isn’t flashy, but when he throws strikes and trusts all four of his pitches; he is more than serviceable.

After Meche is the once highly-touted Kyle Davies. A hyped product of Atlanta’s system, Davies emerged in September last year and showed the upside and confidence that once made him a big name on the rise. Many suspect he’ll transfer that late-season success into a big 2009.

While KC doesn’t have the depth Tampa had at the back end of their rotation, the AL Central should be wide open, and with Rule 5 super stud Joakim Soria closing things down in the ninth, it just might be the case that Horacio Ramirez, Sidney Ponson, and Luke Hochevar are good enough at the back end.

The development of former No. 1 overall pick Hochevar, who will start in AAA, is especially key.

Offensively, KC acquired Coco Crisp and Mike Jacobs in the off-season, two players who could (just like Bartlett and Garza last year) fill crucial holes Kansas City had the previous year. Crisp underachieved and was buried somewhat in Boston amidst hand injuries, but he offers Gold Glove defense up the middle and 20 HR/30 SB potential.

He also allows David DeJesus to shift over to LF, his more natural position. This will make the Royals more sound defensively and should help their outfield range and zone rating.

Jacobs strikes out a ton and won’t ever wow you with his average (or his glove), but his 32 HRs and impressive Isolated Power point to the type of raw power that the Royals have lacked in years past.

His presence also takes significant pressure off Alex Gordon, Jose Guillen, and Mark Teahen: solid contributors who were being asked to do too much last year.

And just like Tampa and Joe Maddon of a year ago, KC has a manager in Trey Hillman who believes and has his kids believing.

Hillman, a fringe player in the 80s who is known as a grinder and has scouting in his past, is as pure of a “baseball guy” as you’ll find, and many think he’s just the man to turn Kansas City’s fortunes around.

Success, to a large degree, is dictated by actually believing you can take an idea or a product and transfer that into on-the-field success.

Kansas City may not win the division and take down Boston in the post-season en route to a World Series appearance, but I firmly believe that their roster improvements and sense of belief will make them a competitor in a division that has no lead horse.

Musings from Around the Association

Will Norton — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:20:50 -0500

1. While this has been another disappointing season in Charlotte, the optimist in me has to look at several players who have flourished under Larry Brown.

The Bobcats are 19-30 and failing to develop as a cohesive unit, but the maturation of Raymond Felton, as well as the transformation of Boris Diaw since his trade from Phoenix, are two things to examine in a positive light.

Felton has embraced a more efficient tempo under Larry Brown, and has seen his field-goal percentage, free-throw percentage, and turnovers all trend in the right direction. He’s made so many positive strides, the Bobcats are looking to swap him at the deadline since they have DJ Augustin in their back pocket.

While they may receive positive value and achieve better team balance by dealing Felton, I feel as though he’s primed for good things down the road. Of course, if he leaves the nest of Coach Brown, he may regress.

As for Diaw, he looked asleep, lost, and unmotivated playing alongside a Suns team void of any true identity at the beginning of the year. His game averages out in the desert looked like this: 8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 35.7 percent shooting from three.

In Charlotte? Try 14.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 46.2 percent from behind the arc.

Granted, his minutes have spiked since becoming a starter for the Bobcats, but anyone watching Diaw on a regular basis can clearly see he’s morphed back into the player he was in 2005-06, before he got his fat contract. That trade looks better and better by the day for Brown and the ‘Cats.

2. The Lakers bench creates incredible matchup problems for even the best teams in the NBA, as we saw during their overtime win over Boston last week.

Trevor Ariza’s reach and athleticism on the perimeter is a real asset to the second group. Kudos to Mitch Kupchak for swinging Maurice Evans and Brian Cook—guys who simply didn’t mesh with LA’s tempo or makeup—to Orlando last year for the now-blossoming Ariza. Even more kudos to Phil Jackson for getting Ariza to embrace his role and play to his strengths.

Will we soon say the same about Kupchak’s similarly quiet acquisition of the once highly-touted Adam Morrison?

Jordan Farmar gives LA excellent long-range shooting, a definitive slashing presence, and solid perimeter defense/energy. He was a steal at No. 26 in the ’06 draft and embodies the type of collegiate standout who is constantly overlooked in the NBA draft process.

Sasha Vujacic is quickly becoming one of the biggest instigators in the NBA, with his greasy hair and European flare. He simply gets under opponents’ skin. His three-point percentage is markedly down from last year (43.7 to 36.4 percent). Nevertheless, he stretches the defense and forces the issue behind the arc.

Josh Powell, in his third year out of NC State, has started to contribute regularly and adds an element of toughness on the low-block that LA sorely missed last year. He hit several key mid-range jumpers against Boston and battled Leon Powe admirably inside. Much like Ariza, Powell is a guy who has looked lost at times during his NBA career but is now contributing solid minutes for Phil Jackson’s second squad.

Luke Walton—in my eyes—has regressed in the last year or so. He looks uncomfortable, forces shots that aren’t within his comfort zone, and was never a guy who could beat you with athleticism and spunk. His greatest asset remains his interior and zone-passing skills, and his occasional hot hand from the outside.

3. Where was “Big Game LeBron” Sunday verse the Lakers? Five of 20 shooting won’t get it done. Credit the aforementioned Ariza for some of that. The Cavs are a dangerous club—especially at home—but unless LeBron simply takes over an entire series, I still think they’re vulnerable offensively.

4. David Lee is flourishing in New York, and while I know many New Yorkers as well as the Knicks upper management want to save, save, save for the free-agent crop of 2010, they better take a long, hard look at what Lee brings to their team before dismissing his contract wishes. Word has it the Knicks aren’t going to extend the type of money to Lee that he desires, and deserves, come season’s end.

I absolutely love his game though. He’s tough inside, has soft hands, positions himself well wherever he is on the court, and never quits on the play. His 16 PPG and 12 RPG averages don’t hurt either, as he's become a double-double machine (40 of the 51 games he's played in this year have been of the double dip variety). All of his averages are up from a year ago, and he looks like a guy the Knicks should be trying to build around, instead of off-loading.

It’s funny. When he was at Florida, he was thoroughly under-whelming, and the type of guy I couldn’t help but think needed another year or two in college when he declared for the draft.

He was an absolute THEFT at No. 30 of the ’05 draft. Players taken ahead of him: Ian Mahinmi (No. 28, San Antonio, from France), Johan Petro (No. 25, Seattle, from France), and Yaroslav Korolev (No. 12, LA Clippers, from Russia), among others. When’s the last time a late-first round European player panned out in a major way? And imagine those dominant national title Florida teams with Lee...

5. God Bless Birdzilla. Chris Andersen—formerly dubbed “Birdman”—has decided he wants to be referred to as Birdzilla these days instead. You gotta love some of these professional athletes.

Birdzilla, Birdman—whatever you want to call him, Andersen has developed into a high-energy impact reserve for the surging Nuggets. His 2.07 blocks per game (in just 19 minutes) are fourth in the NBA. It’s good to see this grade-A goofball resurrect his career after a two year hiatus from the Association due to serious drug charges.

6. If I’m the Chicago Bulls, I’m doing everything humanly possible to off-load some dead weight for Amare Stoudemire. If the Suns don’t want him and need to seriously consider rebuilding, then now’s your chance Chi-town! Gordon, Hinrich, T.Thomas, Noah, Ben Gordon…whoever it takes.

Despite his less–than-ideal interior defensive prowess and somewhat selfish attitude, Stoudemire is a difference maker and still very young. What’s more—and this is the real selling point—combined with Rose and Deng (the only two players who shouldn’t be on the table in trade negotiations), Stoudemire makes Chicago a very formidable team for a potential big free-agent to relocate to come 2010.

Isn’t D-Wade from Chicago? He is. You put Wade, Stoudemire, Rose, and Deng together and add the necessary complementary ingredients, and you got yourself a shot at the finals in the East for at least a two- to three-year window.

As a resident of the Windy City, and I can also say fans are getting very restless. It’s been a decade since MJ’s glory years and the front office has botched numerous first-round picks (Curry, Chandler, and Tyrus Thomas, among others).

The city and fan base is itching for a serious contender they can get behind. Stoudemire would give that to us.

How Danny Ainge's Draft Success Fueled the Resurgence of Celtic Basketball

Will Norton — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:09:57 -0500

While many will point solely to the acquisitions of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen as the reason Boston has surged back into the NBA's elite group, I like to look at it from a different angle.

This is not to under-score what KG and Allen have brought to the table. Not in the least.

Allen consistently spread defenses thin with his perimeter stroke, while KG's post play and hybrid offensive abilities not only give defenses fits, they also have enabled Kendrick Perkins to elevate his post game to that next level.

And then there's Garnett's intensity and passion, perhaps the single most valuable intangible that any one player has across the four major sports.

Yet I digress, because the topic of this article is not how Ainge pried away two hungry, sure-thing Hall of Famers following the 2007 Draft.

No, this article addresses how Ainge's success and creativity in the draft since becoming GM not only allowed those two block-bluster deals to happen, they also created the supplementary group that, along with the Big Three, has made the Celtics what they are today.

It's important to look at drafting when analyzing the foundation for team success. The draft is the simplest, and most equitable, way to improve your core group from year to year. The guidelines are the same from year to year, each team has a pick that underlies their standing in the league, and trades are open season for all GMs.

Studying systematic draft trends is a practice that yields inconsistent findings, however. It's hard to assess how, and why, general managers and scouts act the way they do on draft day. From a year to year basis, how can certain teams of talent evaluators be so right with one pick, and others can be so wrong with another?

When you study Ainge's work since becoming Celtics GM in 2003, however, there is a measure of consistency to his work. This is not to say Ainge has been perfect, because he hasn't. The Sabastian Telfair nightmare was a horrible usage of the seventh-overall pick in 2006. Gerald Green was taken at No. 18 in 2005 and hasn't materialized into "the next Tracy McGrady," as Ainge once declared.

But here's an important point to remember—no one is perfect in the draft. That isn't a comment from a Celtics fan meant to give token sympathy to Ainge, it's a fact.

In every major sport, every team can celebrate the great bargains of their draft history while also looking at some of the major blunders they've made over the years. No organization can look at a five- or ten-year history of drafting and proclaim the overall process a total success.

So as we look at Ainge's overall body of work, remember that a) the draft, especially in the NBA given the young age of many players and the increasingly potent international dynamic permeating the league, is an imperfect process, and b) the number-one goal of any GM is, realistically, to make picks from year to year that manifest into solid NBA contributors.

In other words, don't waste your picks. Even if a player doesn't fit your scheme or model perfectly, if he's a valuable NBA contributor in some way, he's an asset. Assets are good things.

With those two things in mind, here is a yearly breakdown of Celtics drafts since Ainge became GM of the Celtics in 2003:

2003

Selected Troy Bell No. 16, Dahntay Jones No. 20, and Brandon Hunter (No. 56). He then shipped Bell to Memphis for Marcus Banks (taken at No. 13), and D. Jones to Denver for Kendrick Perkins (taken at No. 27).

So Ainge took the first-round 16th and 20th picks and turned them into the 13th and 27th. Interesting that he moved down, so to speak, sacrificing two players in the top 20 for two in the top 27.

Let's look at what the players have become though. Bell is out of the NBA, Jones is an occasional starter and sixth man in Denver, Perk is a legitmate NBA center with a ring, and Banks is an eighth or ninth man in Miami. The second-rounder Hunter is out of the NBA as well.

So with two first-rounders and a late second-rounder, the Celtics ended up with Perkins, who has taken some years of seasoning and development, but is now the cornerstone of Boston's interior defense.

Considering the players acquired next to the players swapped in the draft day dealings, I'd say Ainge got the better end of the deal. This was a creative draft process, to say the least.

2004

Selected Al Jefferson #15, Delonte West #24, Tony Allen #25, and Justin Reed at #40.

Pretty impressive that Ainge took three guys in the first round who are all solid NBA players today. Al Jeff is a star, Delonte is a starter, and T. Allen is a very solid bench player on the best team in the league—a guy who'd start for 10 or so bad teams out there.

Jefferson and West were used to acquire KG and Allen—and Boston's first title since '86—while Allen is a key part of the current makeup of the team.

In relative terms, this was a hugely successful draft for Ainge. The only other team with multiple picks in the first round that year, Portland, took Sabby Telfair and Sergei Monia. Just an example of how taking reliable NBA contributors is not, in any way, a sure thing.

2005

Gerald Green was taken at No. 18, Ryan Gomes at No. 50, and Orien Green at No. 53.

This was the one year Ainge kind of swung and missed in the draft, as Green has not developed into a starter with either Minnesota or Dallas (his current team). David Lee, Brandon Bass, Monta Ellis, and Nate Robinson were all taken after Green.

Gomes was a find in the second round, though, and was one of the pieces used to acquire KG. O.Green at No. 53 didn't materialize, but few players at that spot do.

2006

Boston had the #7 pick and took Randy Foye, then dealt him to Minnesota via Portland in the Telfair deal.

This was a horrible deal for Ainge and the Celtics. Boston took on Telfair, Raef LaFrentz, and Dan Dickau for the seventh-overall pick.

With not one good player coming Boston's way, this draft day deal could be described as one of the few times in which Ainge's creative mind and penchant for dealing betrayed him. Telfair simply was not, and is not, the player Ainge thought he might be at point guard.

Typically, though, Ainge rescued himself by selecting Rajon Rondo at No. 21, and later got post bruiser Leon Powe via Denver at No. 49. Considering Rondo and Powe's development and their corresponding roles in the Celtics' NBA title, it's hard to knock this draft too harshly, especially considering the overall weakness of the draft class as a whole.

Still, Ainge could have simply taken Rudy Gay or a host of other players at No. 7, along with Rondo and Powe.

2007

Selected Jeff Green at No. 5 after losing out on the Oden/Durant sweepstakes, then shipped him with Delonte West to Seattle for Ray Allen. Ainge later snagged USC graduate Gabe Pruitt at No. 32, who is a decent backup point guard, and then got Big Baby Davis at No. 35 from Seattle in the Allen deal.

This was, essentially, a draft dictated by the changing mindset in Boston. Ainge and the Celtic ownership could have taken Jeff Green and coupled him with Pierce, Jefferson, and West and tried to build upon that.

They elected to deal for the older Ray Allen, knowing they could bait Garnett with the package of Pierce and Allen in place.

This is the draft that saved the Celtics, but it was built upon the drafts of previous years, where solid young assets were stock-piled, assets that gave Ainge enough chips on the table to swing the Seattle and Minnesota deals.

2008

Ainge followed up the Celtics title by taking J.R. Giddens at No.30, Bill Walker at No. 47, and Semih Erden (Turkey) at No. 60.

It's simply too early to judge any of these guys or Ainge's process as a whole.

So if you look at the previous breakdown, I think you'll conclude that Danny Ainge—while by no means perfect—is very talented at taking NBA-ready talent, especially in the later rounds, and assessing collegiate talent on a year-to-year basis.

Look at the guys Ainge has acquired at No. 20 or lower since 2003: Rajon Rondo, Tony Allen, Ryan Gomes, Glen Davis, Leon Powe, and Delonte West. All NBA contributors, all assets.

And while his trading history prior to the Garnett and Allen deals was mixed at best, you have to credit Ainge for acquiring enough young assets between 2003-2006 to make the Seattle trade a possibility, something that then made the blockbuster with Minnesota an attractive enough scenario for Kevin Garnett to bite on.

Econ-O-Ball: How America's Money Crisis May Affect Major League Baseball

Will Norton — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:01:37 -0500

We’re talking about money, here. Dollars and cents.

With America's economy floundering and many cornerstones of our capitalist foundation in flux, this offseason should be an interesting one for baseball's free agent crop.

The operative word here is "should"—but will it be?

The Yankees are, well, the Yankees, and despite all that is wrong in the American auto industry and corporate sector, it appears as though the iconic franchise of America's pastime will do little to alter it's free spending philosophy.

Hank Steinbrenner isn't going to let a global economic meltdown get in the way of CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, and Derek Lowe, god dang it! Besides, we all saw how well developing from within and trusting young arms worked out for the Bronx Bombers last season.

As the boisterous and oftentimes insufferable mini-Stein said recently, "We're going to do what we do every year, and that's try to field a championship team. That's not going to change. We know that we've got some weaknesses, and we're going to fix the problems as best we can. If that means spending money, obviously that means spending money. The philosophy has not changed."

For many other baseball franchises, those with shallow pockets, wary fanbases, and limited marketing resources, the philosophy simply has to change. The dollars just aren't there to invest in over-valued free agents with the current backdrop of our economic downturn and the somewhat precarious future of baseball's biggest trust fund—the fans.

Even John Henry and the Red Sox brass, who spent the fifth most money in baseball last year, have talked about making solid investments with long-term sustainability during such hard times. As a sign of the current financial crisis, the price of admission to the historic Fenway Park for the first time since 1995, will not rise in 2009.

Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino said, "The team could have raised ticket prices this season...but its analysis of focus group research, fan feedback, and the economy led to the freeze."

Baseball teams, just like any other entertainment outlet, should continue to follow what they feel to be the most effective long-term model for success. To the Yankees of the league, spending money, even in perilous economic times, does not alter the greater, overarching model in place.

However to other teams, like San Diego for example, the model for sustainable development and competitiveness has been shaken.

The Padres, coming off a 99-loss season, will likely be losing arguably the two most marketable names on their roster. Franchise legend Trevor Hoffman and Cy Young ace Jake Peavy will inevitably change teams. As a result, the Padres should expect attendance figures to drop for the second straight season.

Kevin Towers, unlike Hank almighty, can't simply spend, spend, and spend some more to remedy the situation. The hardship is real, the challenges great, and the future prospectus muddled.

The reality of the situation is that more teams are like the Padres than the Yankees; more teams are going to have to scale back instead of surge forward with the checkbook, especially now. This could create a bigger divide than ever amongst the league’s haves and have-nots.

This brings me to my bigger point. As the country's deficit soars over $420 billion, our auto sector crumbles to pieces with no help in sight, and our debt to foreign nations becomes a major deterrent to the future of American choice making, at what point do you have to look at baseball, as an industry, and shake your head at the overall lack of equity within the business?

I mean, if an economic earthquake like this one can’t shake the top heavy structure of baseball’s financial Jenga board, what can? Will this crisis merely be a backdrop for the next decade of baseball, an umbrella under which the rich can ignore the rain while the poor get drenched?

The lack of equity in MLB is a large-scale problem that has been exacerbated by the current economic crisis. These problems have been around for over a decade. They have, however, been allowed to manifest themselves by the ludicrous financial landscape of the most out-of-touch business in the entire entertainment industry.

As our country struggles with a new financial reality, a handful of major league teams will continue to throw $15 million per year at a pitcher who had an ERA over 4.00 last year and has experienced several major elbow problems throughout his career. A.J. Burnett, step on down.

But will other teams simply refuse to offer fat multi-year contracts to marginal players? Will they be forced to sit out the majority of negotiations altogether? As I said at the beginning of this piece, the economic crisis should alter the philosophy and inherent risk-reward model caught up in the free-agent process. But will it actually do so?

I foresee a dark immediate future in baseball. The teams at the top, the Yanks, both sets of Sox, Dodgers, Angels, and Mets, among others, will continue to have annual payrolls of over $100 million, while scaling back the risk in some of their investments.

What about the other 20-some teams like the Padres, Pirates, Royals, and Nationals? Well, they are operating on a different playing field altogether. They have a different set of rules governing their resources and limitations, rules that have become all the more strict and imposing, given the economic upheaval of the nation.

This issue of equity and league balance has always been a prevalent one in Major League Baseball, and one can only hope that the current financial sag will shed some light on just how bumpy a road the majority of the league is heading down, and just how absurd the entire industry is.

After all, we’re talking about money here...

Shhhh: Matt Cassel Silences Joey Porter, Dolphins

Will Norton — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 11:05:37 -0500

These are not the New England Patriots of old.

Not this year at least.

Watch New England circa 2008 and you won't see stifling pressure on the quarterback, opportunistic interceptions, big plays on special teams, and a grinding running game that gets it done between the tackles.

The title teams of 2003-04 that thrived on defense-first football are long gone.

It's tough to fathom, but the Patriots are simply not a dangerous defensive team.

Despite the reputation of Bill Belichick, this New England team, and arguably the ones of the last two years as well, are simply not going to win games defensively. They couldn't do it against the San Diego Chargers in Week 6, the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9, last Thursday against the New York Jets, and they wern't going to do it Sunday in a massive divisional battle with the Miami Dolphins.

To me, this realization is the result of two critical weaknesses: first, the Patriots and their 3-4 defensive scheme don't stress sacks and get consistent pressure on the QB.

Second, the Patriots don't have the corners, safeties, and linebackers to mask what is a non-existent pass rush, nor do they have the necessary speed at the second level to cover the flats and seams—levels of coverage that are exposed when a quarterback has four or five seconds to throw the ball.

But don't worry, this Patriots team can still put up points, and the emergence of Matt Cassel as a legitimate NFL asset has become the backdrop for what is becoming an increasingly intriguing regular season for the Pats.

All Cassel and the Patriots did was head down to Miami (their personal house of horrors in years past) and put up 48 points and 530 yards in a 20 point beatdown of Joey Porter's fish.

Silencing that loud-mouth is something that never gets old to this Pats fan.

Once again, Cassel did it with his arm and legs. His progression in recent weeks has been startling and impressive. He's not Tom Brady, but he's a good deal better than half of the QBs in the NFL.

Unlike Tom Terrific, Cassel is not adept at moving laterally in the pocket to avoid pressure and buy time. He doesn't have that sixth sense that makes Brady almost unbeatable.

And given the regression and injuries present on the New England O-line this season, Cassel's inability to buy time created critical protection problems early in the year for the Patsies.

Cassel was holding the ball too long, not moving into protection pockets in between the tackles, and looked confused often.

But as we head into Week 13, Cassel has rounded into form by doing something even Brady doesn't do well: running with the ball and taking yards that are given to him.

Cassel has become extremely effective at recognizing soft spots in zone defenses, stepping up into the middle of the pocket, and scrambling for the five, eight, or sometimes even 20-yards that defenses give him.

Yet again against Miami, Cassel made the defense pay for not recognizing his scrambling ability, rushing for an eight-yard score in the second quarter.

But he isn't all turkey legs, he's got some meat on his arm too.

After throwing for 400 yards and three scores against Favre and the Jets last Thursday, Cassel loaded up for 415 yards and another three touchdowns against the Fish, with his only interception coming on a tipped ball. That gives him 13 TDs and eight INTs on the season.

The degree to which Josh McDaniels and the offensive scheme have begun to trust Cassel is reflected in his increasing pass attempts per game as the season has progressed.

Most analysts thought that with Brady down, the Pats would use Laurence Maroney, Lamont Jordan, and Sammy Morris, along with game management throws from Cassel, to dictate tempo. That would be the offense: run first, pass later.

But Cassel's attempts have risen consistently, going from 18 and 23 in Weeks one and two respectively, to 24 in Week seven vs. the Denver Broncos, to as many as 51 last week, and 43 this week.

The trust in Cassel's arm, and decision making, is clearly there. Cassel has rewarded that trust by morphing into an elite quarterback at times.

What does the future hold for Patriot Matt? Who knows. It's safe to say that he is going to command a decent contract from a number of teams this offseason who are in dire need of a NFL-ready quarterback who has shown progress in a good system.

Cassel is the best free-agent option out there, and I could see the Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, among others, comin' a sniffin' Cassel's way this off-season.

Will the Patriots make an effort to pony up significant cash for a guy who is clearly a backup in New England as soon as Brady gets healthy?

Not likely, unless skepticism continues to grow regarding Brady's recovery.

For now, however, Matt Cassel is the replacement QB for Hall-of-Famer Tom Brady. That won't change over the course of the next five weeks and (maybe) into the playoffs.

And as long as Cassel continues to patch up the significant holes in the Patriots defense, this New England team will be a fun, albeit different, one to watch.

Turkey Time: A Hodge-Podge of Sports Fodder for the Hungry Sports Fan

Will Norton — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:16:22 -0500

Sometimes there’s so much going on in the world of sports, you just can’t write about one game, one team, or even one sport. You have to attack it all, with a whimsical, dart throwing philosophy.

Although baseball is my true love, I always enjoy the sporting season right before Thanksgiving. Baseball is in free agent frenzy, with the winner of the previous season a distant memory and the prospects for next spring front and center. What big stars will relocate, what teams will make big splashes, what will the winter meetings bring?

Meanwhile, the NBA and NHL are just reaching the quarter mark of their respective regular seasons, and with that comes a certain level of retrospective analysis; what teams look loaded, what teams are on the fringe, and what teams are already talking about next year’s projected draft stars?

And, of course, what would the pre-Thanksgiving sports season be without the mother of all talking points, the Hurricane Katrina of the athletic landscape: the BCS.

Ah yes, college football; the one sport that leaves me thirsting for a system that actually gives the average fan some semblance of closure at season’s end. No seriously though, Obama said it himself; cut the crap, let’s get a playoff system in place already.

And with that, I give you my hodge-podge sports rundown…

1. Here’s to rooting for Oklahoma and Florida from here on out. Why? Well, if OU beats Texas Tech this Saturday, and UF triumphs over ‘Bama in the SEC title game, then all BCS haters will have the perfect storm brewing.

Just dream with me here for a second. If OU and UF win those two games, then the college football landscape will have six one-loss teams (count ‘em, six!) with a legitimate claim to the BCS title game: Alabama, Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, USC, and Florida.

How would the BCS possibly sort that out? Well, it would probably have to look at the quality of the loss for each team. Except in this case Florida, who would be coming off a victory against then-No. 1 Alabama in the SEC title game, has the worst loss of the six, a home defeat at the hands of now 6-4 Ole Miss. Texas lost to Tech, OU lost to Texas, and assuming my dream comes true, Tech will have lost to Stoops’ boys. How does that Big XII quagmire sort itself out?

And then you still have USC, whose only loss came on the road against a formidable Oregon State team, as well as Alabama, who prior to losing to UF on the last game of the season, would have been No. 1 in the BCS for 5 weeks.

So if you hate the BCS like I do, you gotta sing some “Boomer Sooner” and do the Gator chomp. If those two pivotal games play out like I described and none of the other teams suffer any hiccups along the way, the BCS will have a mess on its hands that will surely end its tyrannical reign of terror on the college football season.

2. Cheers to Dustin Pedroia, the shortest MVP ever. As a Red Sox fan, I simply can’t believe that man has a AL Rookie of the Year and AL MVP in his trophy case after two seasons. Truly remarkable.

In a wide-open field, the mighty mouse (or “Little Pony,” if you love Chip Caray) of the American League claimed what can only be described as sweet justice for all short athletes out there.

While any rational sports fan could make the argument that Dusty wasn’t even the MVP on his own team (see Youkilis, Kevin), he certainly earned the award with a balanced game, Gold Glove defense, and a supernatural August (.374/.425/.635 with 6HRs, 20RBI, 33R, 5SB, 43H, and just 9 strikeouts).

3. A quick Kelvin Sampson check-up: good to see you’re in Milwaukee eating stale cheese assisting Scott Skiles and the last-place Bucks, Kelvin! You just have to love the perseverance of some people...

Call recruits illegally and get caught once, shame on me. Call recruits illegally and get caught twice at my next job, shame on…me?

4. Are the Boston Bruins the best team in the Eastern Conference? Did I really just type that sentence?

The B’s are 10-1-1 in their last 12 games and are simply scorching. Muchos kudos go out to Claude Julien, Tim Thomas, and the development of the young kids, mainly Phil Kessel, Milan Lucic, and David Krejci.

Julien has them believing in a defensive-minded system, Thomas supports said system by playing out his mind in net, and Kessel and Lucic have teamed up with Marc Savard to form one of the most aggressive, potent first lines in the East.

I have always felt that hockey (like many sports) hinges greatly on the health of your club. One injury can force multiple lines to be shifted around, which puts players out of their comfort zones and ruins their routine.

It’s like the bullpen in baseball; if the closer goes down, everyone has to move up a slot in terms of inning responsibility, something that can make a normally reliable seventh-inning man a terrible eighth-inning man, and so forth.

So here’s hoping the suddenly red-hot Bruins stay healthy and keep clicking.

5. Congrats to Mike Mussina for knowing when to hang ‘em up. Brett Favre and Michael Jordan: take some notes.

Stuck on a season-high 19 wins for much of his Hall of Fame career, The Moose finally notched 20 in 2008 (one of his most overlooked campaigns) and hung the Moose antlers up for good. Good for him. 270 wins and an extremely durable resume should be enough to put the Stanford grad in the Hall.

6. If you’re a T-Wolves fan, do you boo, cheer, or just cry when The Big Ticket returns Friday night in Celtics green?

7. Hard to believe that Patriots-Dolphins would be such a huge Week 12 matchup, eh?

Make no mistake though, in terms of playoff implications, this is the biggest game across the league this week (unless you believe either of the 5-5 Saints/Packers matter).

8. From a Boston-based perspective, I love the Coco Crisp deal in oh so many ways. Crisp was unhappy as a fourthoutfielder (as he should have been), the Red Sox needed relief pitching badly, and Crisp was due $5.75 million in 2007. Ramirez had a 1:1 strikeout to inning ratio in 2008 and gave up just two home runs, and the move allows the Sox to transition Justin Masterson into the rotation without losing anything in the ‘pen.

My only question mark is whether Ramirez will be as good in ’09 in pressure-packed Fenway as he was in the silence of Kauffman Stadium in ‘08. Was 2008 a reasonable expectation moving forward for him, or was it an aberration? We all know how fluky and volatile relief pitching is from year to year.

But regardless, Crisp wasn’t in the 2009 big-picture, and the Sox swung him for a 27-year-old power arm with strikeout stuff. That’s good enough for this guy.

9. Davidson v. Oklahoma in Norman this last past Tuesday was a Final 4 quality game with two sure-thing firstteam All-Americans on the floor. Consider yourself lucky if you stayed up and watched that baby.

Steph Curry may have to prove himself at the NBA level, but he’s a dominant shooter at the college level. So was JJ Redick though, right? Blake Griffin dropped one of the more physically imposing 25-point, 21-rebound performances in recent memory.

10. And finally, with Turkey Day a week away, here’s hoping Hank Steinbrenner becomes as gluttonous and greedy as me at the Thanksgiving Day dinner table. Six helpings of Sabathia? Load it on! A few more buttered rolls of AJ Burnett for $15 million a year? I ain’t scared! Derek Lowe slathered on top of it all? Sure, why not?

Go ahead Hank, spend away. This is America, after all….

Five Major Disappointments in Major League Baseball

Will Norton — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 07:30:44 -0400

Disappointment in sports is a funny thing.

It's a term that is dictated by so many tangential factors: expectations, salaries, past performance, historical success, and potential.

In baseball, we can quantify and systematically break down just how much of a disappointment someone is more than in any other sport.

Heck, a statistic even exists (VORP, Value Over Replacement Player) to quantify the number of runs a player contributes beyond what a replacement-player (at the same position, with the same amount of ABs) would contribute.

In essence, VORP is measuring just how much a player produces beyond what would be considered a marginal, or disappointing, stat line.

Take J.D. Drew, for example. Always a good player, never a great one. But what makes J.D. Drew an annual disappointment and, say, Casey Blake a serviceable utility-man? Expectations, salary, and potential.

The same basic principles can be applied to teams.

How can an 85-win season be a massive disappointment for the New York Yankees, while a similar season would be a historic success for the Tampa Bay Rays?

Historical success and team payroll are two factors that directly influence how we perceive success and, thus, failure from a team-centered analysis.

What’s a success for some is a failure for others. What’s a career year for some is a down year for others. In other words, the term “disappointment” has everything to do with what the public expects, and hardly anything to do with rational, realistic expectations.

With this, I give to you my top five disappointments as we near the halfway mark of yet another great baseball season.

1. Erik Bedard, SP, Seattle Mariners

Look no further than Major League Baseball's worst team, and you'll find one of the biggest disappointments of the '08 season.

Bedard cost the Mariners their crown jewel of a prospect, Adam Jones, but was thought to be a power arm that, alongside Felix Hernandez, would vault the M's past the Angels in the AL West. Those are some expectations.

From the get go, things haven’t worked out.

Bedard dealt with some elbow issues early in the spring, and one has to wonder, given his statistics, whether the lefty hurler who notched 221 Ks in 2007 is really 100 percent.

Bedard is on pace to register under 30 starts, whiff less than 130 batters, and win just 10 games as we enter the second week in June. What's more, the Mariners are just 5-5 in games when Bedard takes the bump.

I, for one, thought Bedard would have a monster campaign by moving out to the spacious confines of Safeco Field, a notoriously favorable pitchers park. Also, Bedard would no longer have to deal with divisional heavy-hitters New York and Boston, something that would make a percentage of his starts less prone to high pitch counts and heavy workloads.

Everything pointed to a repeat of what we saw in 2007.

Thus far, it's just been a pile of disappointment for Seattle fans, as their team sits in the basement of the AL West and their supposed "ace" continues to struggle.

Bedard is a disappointment because he put up a career year in 2007, signed a massive free-agent deal, and has yet to look that much different than, say, Carlos Silva or Jarrod Washburn.

Whenever you combine a huge decline in production with a huge incline in wealth, you’re gonna get the label of a disappointment.

2. The New York Mets

The Mets (34-35, 6.5 GB in the NL East) are an interesting case study in disappointment.

It began in 2006, when they made the NLCS and lost in a close and highly contested Game Seven to St. Louis. They had signed Billy Wagner that year, and Pedro Martinez and Carlos Beltran the year before, in the hopes of out-shining their cross-city rivals and competing for a World Series.

And yet, Martinez was under the knife and out for the year when the playoffs rolled around in 2006. Omar Minaya had signed Pedro to anchor his team in just this type of a series, but his ace wasn’t healthy during the Mets' best chance at a ring.

So the Mets fell a tad short. But coming into 2007, expectations were sky high. Many felt the Mets were the better team and that they, not the Cardinals, should have won the World Series that year.

So basically, an outside panel of fans, radio talking-heads, and analysts deemed the Mets the favorites in 2007 because many believed they should have won in 2006. Dubious indeed.

Never mind the fact that Pedro would be out the whole year, or that the core group of talent Minaya brought in (Beltran, Wagner, Delgado, Alou, O.Hernandez) were aging and reaching the end of their prime years, or that the Phillies were becoming real threats in the NL East.

People decided from day one that the Mets were the team to beat in ‘07, and those expectations—as well as their skyrocketing payroll—affect how we look at this team today.

We all know what happened in ’07. The Mets suffered one of the worst collapses in baseball history, failed to make the playoffs, went out and signed Johan Santana to compensate for it, and entered 2008 with even higher expectations.

With Pedro returning from his late ’06 surgery, Oliver Perez and John Maine emerging as reliable starters a year earlier, Wagner still effective, and the core offensive nucleus of Reyes, Wright, and Beltran around for at least one more year, Minaya invested big bucks in Johan. He knew he had to compensate for failed expectations a year earlier (those expectations that were perhaps too lofty in the first place).

Thus far, that investment has been most disappointing.

Martinez suffered another injury early in the year and has been a non-factor in ’08. Oliver Perez has been awful. Carlos Delgado, Moises Alou, and Luis Castillo are old and past their production lines, while young star Jose Reyes has become somewhat of a liability in the leadoff spot, due to his plate approach and flyball rate.

Even Santana has been somewhat average. It’s all unraveling in front of Minaya like a nightmare, and it’s clear he’s trying to mix things up, starting with the firing of skipper Willie Randolph.

The Mets are a huge disappointment for two reasons: one, they spent a lot of money on aging talent, and that aging talent is starting to catch up with them; two, they play in a highly-competitive division, and they just aren’t that much better than either Philadelphia or Atlanta (we’ll leave the Marlins on the side of this debate for now).

Perhaps it’s unfair that we label the team from Queens a disappointment, but it comes with the territory of having a high payroll, multiple big-name stars, and little to show for it.

3. Andruw Jones, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

2008 Salary: $18 million

2008 Home Runs: 2

2008 Strikeouts: 45

2008 Average: .165

2008 DL Trips: 1

The numbers speak for themselves. I don’t need to explain why Jones—he of the 118 home runs since 2005—is a massive disappointment.

Breathe Dodgers fans...breathe.

4. Miguel Cabrera, 3B, Detroit Tigers and Dontrelle Willis, SP, Detroit Tigers

I lump these two together because, well, that’s how they arrived in Detroit—together.

The two players Florida sent to Motown in exchange for Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin have been a big reason why Detroit—preseason AL Central favorites—sit six games under. 500 and 6.5 games out of first place.

Let’s start with the herky-jerky hurler.

Many knew that Willis—once a 22-game winner and Cy-Young candidate—needed work after a horrible 2007.

The deceptive delivery that once made Willis so effective had betrayed him, and his mechanics were paying for it. His walk rates had risen, his command was erratic, and the results were pretty ugly.

But many thought a change of scenery would right what went wrong for the man they call D-Train. Many believed that with a few tweaks to his delivery, some increased run support, and a new environment, Willis would be able to contribute nicely to a somewhat unspectacular Detroit rotation.

But none of the optimistic projections have been anywhere close to correct. Willis has struggled mightily from the get-go, posting a 10.32 ERA and logging just 11 innings of work in four starts through June 10.

Read those stats again: four starts, 11 innings, June 10. Yes, he’s been that disappointing.

In his first start since coming back from a hyperextended knee, Willis was pounded by Cleveland, and he looked positively hopeless on the hill. The Tigers— recognizing they have a truly serious problem on their hands in regards to the future confidence and production of Willis—sent him to Single-A Lakeland after the game.

O-U-C-H.

Cabrera, meanwhile, hasn’t been that much of a train wreck, but he certainly hasn’t been the all-world, 24-year-old slugger Detroit thought they were adding behind Magglio Ordonez last winter.

Cabrera is on pace for career lows in HR (20), RBI (96...not too shabby), R (70), and average (.277). Out of all of those statistical regressions, the dip in batting average—nearly 50 points off his three-year average—is most troubling.

Cabrera just hasn’t looked comfortable since moving to the American League. He looks overweight and out of shape, and he has had to move to first base due to his lack of mobility at third. He’s had to adjust to a host of new pitchers and ballparks, and he’s had to adapt socially to a much more rigid clubhouse under Jim Leyland than the one he enjoyed under Fredi Gonzalez.

Add it all up and this is not what Detroit thought they were getting when they initiated the mega-deal of the offseason.

Most scouts thought Cabrera would thrive in the Detroit lineup, one that could offer him much more production, and many more RBI chances, than he ever had in Florida.

But Miggy has hit just .238 with RISP and has just one HR against left-handed pitching. He’s had ample opportunities to deliver in the clutch and give his slumping squad a boost, but it just hasn’t clicked.

I am more confident in Cabrera regressing back towards his statistical mean than I am of Dontrelle. Heck, I dunno if Dontrelle will even sniff the big leagues again this season. That’s how lost he looked in his last start.

Detroit has disappointed this year due to a lot of elements that have nothing to do with these two ex-Marlins (relief pitching being the most blatant).

But there’s no denying that Willis's inability to pitch to Single-A teams, and Cabrera's failure to provide a power punch in the middle of the lineup, are two huge factors contributing to the demise of the ’08 Tigers.

5. The Colorado Rockies

This disappointment was, perhaps, a bit more predictable than the other four on this list.

Colorado surpassed all expectations—even those they set for themselves—en route to a Cinderella World-Series appearance in 2007. They did it with good young pitching, an emerging star closer, and the always-influential Lady Momentum.

But coming in to 2008, I heard almost no one predicting a repeat of Mile High success.

It wasn’t the personnel (Colorado returned virtually everyone from their pennant winning squad), it wasn’t injuries or contract disputes, and it wasn’t tougher competition from their National League foes.

It was the simple fact that most saw Colorado as the .500 team they were for 80 percent of last season, not as the nearly unbeatable force that won 28 of 29 games before getting swept in the World Series.

But this year’s performance still has to be a disappointing one by any standards.

Currently, the Rox sit in the basement of the NL West, 14 games under .500 and tied for the second worst record in all of baseball.

They’ve lost rookie sensation Troy Tulowitski for much of the season with a leg injury, but even when he was playing, he showed every sign of a sophomore slump. Other sluggers Holliday, Hawpe, and Atkins have battled injuries.

Their ’07 stopper, Manny Corpas, lost his job as closer and has been relegated to middle relief, where he’s been just as awful. Their crop of young pitchers who helped them piece together win after win late in 2007—Jeff Francis, Ubaldo Jimenez, and Franklin Morales—have been significantly less effective in ’08, with Morales down in AAA and showing no signs of returning to the big-league club.

It’s all gone wrong for Colorado, and while some might call last year a fluke, and this year hardly a disappointment, I think this team is capable of much better baseball.

There is simply no excuse to go from National League champs to last place in one of the worst divisions in baseball.

James Posey, Paul Pierce, All Celtics Return to '08 Season Form; Dominate Game 3

Will Norton — Mon, 26 May 2008 11:27:32 -0400

With the proverbial monkey off their backs (in the case of the Celtics playoff road woes, it was probably a 250 lb. Silverback Gorilla), the Boston Celtics can smell blood.

After being told they couldn’t win a meaningful road game against a quality opponent, the Celtics waltzed into the Palace at Auburn Hills on Saturday night and thoroughly outplayed the Pistons in front of their home crowd.

From the opening tip, the Celtics looked more and more like the team that boasted a 31-10 road record during the regular season, good for first in the NBA.

They made the extra pass, clamped down defensively, dictated pace, and stole back the home court advantage they’d lost in the previous contest.

In short, they looked like the team that won 66 games in the regular season by playing a distinctive style of hard-nosed, defense-first basketball with a penchant for offensive balance and versatility.

If you watched the Celtics huge Game 3 win on the road, a few things stood out and deserve notice heading into Game 4:

One, is Chauncey Billups at all healthy? While Detroit utilized Rodney Stuckey as an effective, athletic scoring threat, Billups warmed the bench. Even in the beginning of the fourth quarter, Billups was a spectator as the Pistons tried to make one last push to get the deficit into single digits.

As productive as Stuckey has been thus far in the series, the Pistons and their postseason pedigree just aren’t the same without their floor general out there.

You can point to any number of things that Chauncey does effectively as a reason for this: the way he establishes tempo, the way he seemingly always hits amazingly difficult shots with the shot clock winding down, the way he bullies Rajon Rondo down on the low block.

Whatever you like most about Billups' well-rounded game, Detroit needs him, at the very least, to distribute the ball and get open looks for his floor mates.

Billups was quiet and passive in Detroit’s two losses, assertive and dominant in Detroit’s one win. Coincidence? Not at all.

Two, the Celtics finally played with poise and identity on the road. In their previous six road losses in these 2008 playoffs, the Celtics seemed to wither from adversity and a hostile environment.

They were totally out of rhythm on offense, struggled to communicate on defense (their strong suit all year), and were easily frazzled by even the No. 8 seed Atlanta’s home crowd.

No one—not even Garnett or Pierce—wanted to take the ball and reverse the momentum. They simply looked nothing like the team that won 66 games together as a cohesive unit throughout the regular season.

But in Game 3 against Detroit, it was as if every player on the floor had the confidence to deliver a big time shot. James Posey took, and made, the open looks provided to him, Paul Pierce answered several Detroit bursts with huge threes in the fourth quarter, and the Celtics as a whole stayed active on the glass and created second chance opportunities that seemed to deflate Detroit on defense.

They were quicker to every ball and just seemed to believe that they could, and would, make a play down the stretch. Again, when comparing this effort to those previous six road debacles, it was like night and day.

Three, the Celtics got much better balance from their role players. Game 2 saw Boston’s “Big Three” score 75 points but Detroit escape with a victory. So much for the theory that Boston can win solely by leaning on Garnett, Allen, and Pierce alone.

No, as we all know, basketball is a team sport and you rarely win by getting limited production from your supplementary contributors. The ever-important role players often times play a bigger part in the deciding of who wins and loses than the media and fans would like to think. They are a huge reason why the Celtics are where they are today.

Just check the Game 3 box score and the stats speak for themselves:

Kendrick Perkins outscored Paul Pierce, Sam Cassell added some instant offense off the bench, James Posey notched 12 big bench points, and P.J. Brown logged 21 steady minutes.

If you’re Doc Rivers, you have to love the way nine players filled up the stat sheet, as opposed to essentially just three in the Game 2 loss. These role players were all critical factors in why the Celtics answered those road worries with an authoritative, aggressive road win.

These three points I bring up are all critical going into Game 4: How effective will Chauncey Billups play and how many minutes will he log down the stretch? How will the Celtics respond to the pressurizing obstacles inherent in winning a road game where the home team is in a must-win situation? How will Celtics not named Allen, Pierce, or Garnett supplement their star-studded teammates?

You better believe Detroit will be playing with an increased sense of urgency tonight. You have to believe Chauncey Billups and Rasheed Wallace will respond from weak Game 3s with poised, productive Game 4s. You would be wise to believe the Detroit crowd will be revved up and ready to give their aging squad that sixth man presence of a great playoff crowd.

The Boston Celtics can neutralize all of that if they just believe in what’s gotten them here.

Red Sox Review: Champs Are Starting to Take Form

Will Norton — Thu, 08 May 2008 12:52:12 -0400

For the Boston Red Sox these last few weeks, it’s been business as usual. The formula which the Red Sox have utilized each of the last two years—solid starting pitching and timely hitting—is taking shape yet again in 2008.

It hasn’t been an easy first few laps out of the gate, though. Not by a long shot.

The Red Sox, coming off a long, emotional 2007 season, saw the franchise raise its second World Series banner in the last four years. The Red Sox started off 2008 with some unique distractions.

They first flew to Tokyo for an MLB extravaganza in front of thousands of Japanese fans. Marketing exposure is all well and good, but you can be sure this is not quite how Terry and the boys wanted to start their title defense.

The trip involved a lot of miles, restricted the early season usage of Josh Beckett, and was a circus for the players involved. Two baseball clinics and a trip to the U.S. military base were squeezed in between two exhibition games and two regular season games; the latter of which the Red Sox split 1-1.

So, in essence, there was a lot of extra-curricular activity happening right out of the gate for the Sox.

From Tokyo, they flew home—sort of. Home, as in the United States, yes. But home as in Boston, no.

The Sox arrived back in Oakland and played two more games with the A’s, then flew to Canada to play three more with the Blue Jays. If you’re keeping score at home, that makes seven games in three different countries in the span of 10 days.

Unique distractions, indeed.

So by the time the Red Sox got back home, received their 2007 World Series Rings, raised the banner at the Fens, and got settled, it was already mid-April. They had been traveling around the world for the better part of three weeks.

And then a team-wide flu bug hit the team, side-lining Josh Beckett, Manny Delcarman, Coco Crisp, Dustin Pedroia, and Jason Varitek (among others) for varied amounts of time. What’s more, World Series MVP Mike Lowell (120 RBI in 2007) hit the DL with a bruised thumb and missed 20 of the team’s first 25 games.

Naturally, we saw a slow start to the season. A little bit of the ‘ol tired legs syndrome, if you will.

But now, a month into the season, the Red Sox finally seem to be getting healthy, rested, and focused on playing the type of baseball Boston fans have come to enjoy over the last four or five years.

Most importantly, the always crucial starting rotation is beginning to round into form.

Josh Beckett has not been as sharp as in ’07, but has looked better of late. Tim Wakefield has been a reliable rock in the starting five, just as he’s been for the last 10-plus years.

Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz—the young guns—have had their bumps in the road, but both have pitched exceptionally well over the last two weeks.

And Dice-K, despite his infuriating walk rate and sometimes painfully slow pace on the mound, is 5-0 with a 2.43 ERA.

Add it all up, and you get sparkling numbers. Over the last 10 games, the Red Sox rotation is 5-3 with a 1.69 ERA and has given up just 36 hits in nearly 70 innings. Impressive stuff.

We all, know, however, that baseball is a team sport, perhaps more than any other of the major sports.

Good pitching is something to build on, but it won’t get you to October unless you have an effective bullpen to protect late game leads. You'll also need an offense capable of carrying the team on nights where your arms simply don’t shine.

And that is what has been the most gratifying thing about watching the Red Sox thus far. Despite all the distractions, all the travel, all the sickness, and all the heightened expectations, the team as a whole has played a good amount of well-rounded baseball games.

By that, I mean they have competed and executed in all three facets of the game: pitching, hitting, and the intangibles (base running, timeliness, situational effectiveness, etc.)

Manny Ramirez is off to his best start in years. David Ortiz has battled knee issues and a dreadful start, but has four homers in his last 10 games. Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis have contributed their normal scrappiness and on-base savvy.

The young legs of Jacoby Ellsbury, Jed Lowrie, and Brandon Moss have all pitched in somewhere along the road. And now Mike Lowell is back from the DL, supplying his capable bat, gold glove defense, and immeasurable locker room presence to a team that looks as though it’s getting its second wind.

The only glaring weakness I see on this squad is a lack of middle-relief. It’s a hard thing to measure, middle relief, and I bet if you asked all 30 managers across the big leagues at least 20 of them would say, “We could use another arm in the pen.”

But the group of Mike Timlin (42 years old), Manny Delcarman (7.30 ERA through May 8), David Aardsma, Julian Tavarez, and Javier Lopez makes me a tad bit nervous.

The team has relied on lefty specialist Hideki Okajima and crazy-legs Papelbon heavily thus far in ’08, and that is a trend that has to change if you expect Okajima and Papelbon to be effective and healthy come September.

Perhaps first round pick Craig Hansen (once considered the best minor league arm the Red Sox had amongst a group that included Buchholz, Papelbon, Lester, and Delcarman) can emerge as a valuable late-inning righty.

If he can control his psyche on the mound and utilize his biting slider inside to lefties and away from righties, I believe he can aid the one weakness in what is otherwise a darn near complete team.

The good news is that the Red Sox—as a team—have begun to take shape despite their less than ideal start. They sit at 22-14 and 3.5 games ahead of those pesky "Rays" in the AL East.

More importantly, however, they’ve begun to play the type of ball that made them champions in 2007.

They’ve begun to take care of business.

"Rooter" Analysis: A Breakdown of the 2008 New England Patriot Draft Class

Will Norton — Tue, 06 May 2008 07:39:56 -0400

I can remember when Drew Bledsoe and Terry Glenn were fresh looking rookies, ready to make their mark on the NFL. I remember when Ben Coates was virtually unstoppable and Bruce Armstrong was a brick wall along an otherwise porous offensive line.

I remember these older Patriots teams because I have been a “rooter” of New England Patriots football since I was young. “Rooter” probably isn’t even a word, much less a term that resonates with the average sports fan.

But to me, as child, being a “rooter” meant waking up every Sunday at 12:30 p.m. (hey, I was a growing boy who needed his sleep!) and anxiously awaiting the 1:00 p.m. kickoff. It meant throwing the pig-skin at halftime and having several fellow rooters over to my family room to watch the games. It meant getting seriously bent out of the shape when those horrible Patriots teams of old would find ways to fumble away leads and miss last second chip shots. It meant letting football dictate your Sunday, so much so that the inevitable Sunday night date with the homework I had put off all weekend was an upbeat conquering of academic assignments if the Pats had won, but a depressing, fruitless battle with concepts I couldn’t understand if the Pats had lost.

No one remembers these old Patriots teams. No one remembers the 4-12 seasons, the countless Bledsoe interceptions, the wasted 1^st Round draft picks, and the realization that this year- whatever year it was in the 1990s- probably wasn’t the year of Pat the Patriot.

Being a Patriots fan now is completely different. We all know about Mo Lewis’ hit, Tom Brady’s rise to super-stardom, the 3 Super Bowls in 4 years, and the regular season dominance that has come to define the boys in Foxbrough. Complain about anything as a 2008 Pats fan, and people will say, “What the hell you got to whine ‘bout, eh?”.

They are right in many ways. Watching #12 is a joy. Knowing you will make the playoffs is an absolute luxury. Owning the Jets- a team that used to torment me annually, especially when The Tuna came back to New England wearing green and white- is a point of pride.

But most assume that Patriots fans weren’t there for the bad days too. They think we all jumped on the band-wagon when Brady’s Bunch upset the Rams and their plethora of offensive weapons and pizzazz. That just isn’t true.

And I have to say, the last two seasons of Patriots football have left me with a sour taste of morning breath in my mouth. They have been inexplicably painful.

Losing to the rival Colts and the Manning-that-could-never-win-the-big-one in the AFC title game- a game which the good guys led 21-3 at one point- was painful and sobering. Going 18-0….no, let me put that another way: not suffering defeat until the last minute of the season was a punch to the gut I’ll never forget.

Truth be told, these last two seasons of Patriots football have been exponentially more painful than those past seasons of undisciplined football, 1^st Round playoff exits, and Pete Carroll shenanigans. 2007 and 2008 have been seasons devoid of closure and satisfaction for Pats fans.

Quick Note: You’ll notice I don’t mentioned 2006, when the Patriots lost in the 2^nd Round to the Broncos at Mile High. I don’t mention it because we might have been the better team that night, but we played undisciplined, poor football. We turned it over 5 times and simply didn’t execute. That will happen to even the best of teams. That I can accept, that I can cope with, that I can move on from with time.

It’s not like the act of losing a football game is something I as a Pats fan can’t accept or deal with. I can. No one can win all the time, and no one probably should. It’s losing the way we’ve lost the last two years that has been painful and almost unbearable to watch.

In both playoff loses, the Patriots have been unable to get the other team off the field in the most important drive of the game. Defense- something that used to be the hallmark of Patriots football- has failed the boys in red, white, and blue. Slow, aging, and unable to keep up, the lovable but clearly vulnerable core of New England’s defense has let us down against both the Manning brothers.

But hope springs eternal, especially for us rooters, and the April NFL Draft is a time for every football fan to dream of rebuilding, of rebirth, of new fate and new hope. Some teams have more to build around, some teams have more needs to fill, but every team gets to add at least one projected impact player and optimistically look forward to the coming season.

For Pats fans, this Draft meant the opportunity to get younger and faster on defense. We could have drafted zero offensive players, and that would have sat fine with me.

Watching Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli run the Patriots draft operations over the last 7 years has been a treat. They always seem to trade down to get more value, they almost never waste picks on guys they know they won’t be able to financially afford, and they are two of the best at assessing whether or not a college star will be able to adapt to the schematic difficulty and demanding versatility inherent in New England football.

Coming into this year’s draft was a bit, uh, different. A top 7 pick for the team that was 2:00 from 19-0? Okkkkk. I could hardly remember the last time the Pats picked in the top 10. That said, I and many other “rooters” knew that the Pats would more than likely trade down to save cap space and would be wheeling and dealing all weekend.

What Belichick and Pioli managed to lock up from what was, by all accounts, a fairly average 2008 draft class both excited and confused me. Here’s my take on the Patriots 2008 Draft class:

1^stRound: LB Jerod Mayo, Tennessee: With Teddy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel aging, and Adalius Thomas clearly more effective on the edge as a rusher as opposed to in coverage, the Patriots primary need entering the draft was fresh legs in the line-backing corps. I like everything Mayo brings to the table: versatility within the position, film room intelligence, top-notch SEC competition in college, and sound tackling technique. He will be able to stabilize the middle of the field and should bring an element of closing speed and athleticism not seen in a New England line-backer in a long while.

2^ndRound: DB Terrance Wheatley, Colorado: Defensive back was another glaring need for the Patriots entering the draft. With Asante Samuel departing to Philly and not a lot of proven talent remaining in the mix, the Patriots clearly needed to assess secondary depth through the draft. But Wheatley- by all accounts- was a bit of a reach in the 2^ndRound. Under-sized and a bit soft against the run, Wheatley was someone I thought they could have gotten later in the draft. His blazing speed attracted Belichick, and the Patriots do indeed need to get faster in coverage. But I view this pick as a reach, one that might not yield production in the next two years. In essence, I was surprised that the Patriots went so early on a guy who didn’t stand out in college and would have been available later in the draft. That said, Wheatley and 2007 1^st Rounder Brandon Meriweather could develop into a lethal speed/power combination down the road.

3^rdRound: LB Shawn Crable, Michigan: I love this pick. Crable is an under-valued, athletic linebacker who should fit nicely into the Pat’s 3-4 schemes. I thought this was a steal at #78 overall and I view Crable as a guy who could step in and contribute as a rookie. If not, he will be able to offer a lot on special teams with his strength and explosion through blocks. This pick filled a position of need and targeted a player who will be able to adapt to the Patriots system. Mayo and Crable could form a very nice line-backing duo for years to come.

3^rd Round: QB Kevin O’Connell, San Diego State: This pick is indefensible to me. I know having depth is always good, and I know taking the “best player available” (which O’Connell wasn’t) is a strategy the Patriots like to follow, but I can’t support this pick in any way. You have the best QB in the league and you’re drafting a 3^rdstring backup with a top 100 pick? There will come a day where acquiring a QB to fill #12’s shoes will be a huge priority for this franchise, but last Sunday was not that day! As I see it, the Patriots had an obligation to fill a surplus of other needs before even looking at the QB position. Backup Matt Cassell will be up for free agency after this year, but who cares? There are always capable backups out there. I would have liked to see the Patriots add more depth with their defensive backs or take a lineman of some sort with this pick. I was shocked and disappointed to see Belichick and Pioli target a position of abundance and proven NFL production with this high of a pick.

4^thRound: DB Jonathan Wilhite, Auburn: A Junior College transfer, Wilhite was a decent selection at #129 overall. I like his speed, his one-on-one skills, and his experience coming out of Auburn. He isn’t the biggest of guys, and I would love to see the Pats add a tall, more physical corner sometime soon, but Wilhite’s ability in the slot and in transition are adequate strengths. Again, defensive back was an area of extreme need for the Patriots, and this is a pick I simply trust our draft experts with. I personally think Terrance Wheatley would have been available with this selection.

5^thRound: WR/KR Matt Slater, UCLA: Slater had a great senior year returning kicks for the Bruins, and he might be able to assist an area that was surprisingly average for the Patriots during their 18-1 season: special teams. Slater has great speed and excellent break-away ability, something that should allow him to hit holes and keep running. Who knows how he will adjust to the NFL game and the increased overall speed that is implicit in the special teams game, but I like the selection this late in the draft because it addresses an area the team was weak in the year before. Slater has NFL genes in his blood (son of former Rams great Jackie Slater), and I always like when the Pats add guys with that dynamic.

6^thRound: LB Bo Ruud, Nebraska: Hey, speaking of NFL genes, ever heard of MLB Barrett Ruud of the Tampa Bay Bucs? Little brother Bo comes out of Nebraska with excellent intangible strengths and good coverage skills. This is just the type of guy I could see being a factor on special team for the Patriots. A great worker with an intense work ethic, Ruud will add some energy and depth to New England’s line-backers and special teams. We’ll see how far he makes it out of camp.

So the Patriots ended up with 7 total picks from the draft. They took 3LB, 2DB, 1KR/WR and 1QB. I would call that an appropriate balance given the team’s needs, but I stress again that the QB selection- their 4^th highest pick of the 7- was a wasted opportunity to add another young lineman or skill player.

The crop should add precisely what Belichick and Pioli targeted, however: speed and youth.

This writer hopes the injection of youth and athleticism can help the Patriots gain closure in what should be another competitive and highly anticipated 2008-9 campaign.

One Month Down, Five to Go: 10 April Surprises from Around Major League Baseball

Will Norton — Tue, 06 May 2008 07:25:49 -0400

Well, we’re into May and the Major League Baseball season is a little over 1 month old.

In the 6 month, 162 game marathon that is the MLB season, nothing we know up to this point can be taken as gospel. For instance, is Tampa Bay going to finish above the Yankees in the AL East standings? Probably not. Is Josh Hamilton going to drive in 190 runs? Most definitely not.

But that is what’s so fun about projecting and forecasting with such a small sample size: anything is possible.

With that, I give you my Top 10 surprises of the young, yet exciting, 2008 MLB season:

1. The Bay Side teams aren’t playing nearly as bad as I thought:

I asked a friend before the season, “Hey, do you think you could take the rosters of Oakland and S.F. and make a competitive team out of their combined personnel?”. He laughed. Then he thought about it for a minute. Then he answered “No, absolutely not” with a serious look on his face.

And, honestly, their rosters, in terms of personnel, still aren’t pretty to look at. But winning is all that really matters, and both Oakland and San Francisco have far surpassed this guy’s pre-season expectations.

Oakland is 20-14 and 1GB of division leading Los Angeles, while San Fran is 14-18, a clear 2 games better than last year’s National League Champion Colorado Rockies.

A cumulative 34-32? Not bad at all, considering what they’ve got to work with.

2. Cliff Lee and Ervin Santana have been legitimate staff aces:

Both Lee and Santana came to The Show with a fair amount of hype. Both enjoyed early success, with Lee notching 46 wins between 2004-2006, and Santana registering a 16 win season in 2006.

But both guys had horrendous 2007 campaigns, landing in AAA at separate times and entering ’08 with decreased expectations.

But here we are, on May 6^th, and they are a combined 11-0 and both rank in the top 5 American League ERA leaders.

After watching them both throw recently, it’s the improvement of control and command that has reversed the fortunes of these young guns.

Both Santana and Lee have dynamite “stuff”, but if you can’t locate in the majors, you are going to get hit. Improved control and trust of their secondary pitches has really been the difference between 2007 and 2008 for these two.

Case and point: in nearly 90 combined innings, these two have issued just 11 walks. That will go a long way in improving the always overrated W-L record.

3. Tampa Bay is 13-10 against AL East opponents:

Wow. I didn’t really realize this until just now looking it up.

Long time whipping boys of their division, Tampa Bay has more then held its own this year. While many estimated that Tampa would make strides offensively with Carl Crawford, BJ Upton, and Carlos Pena entrenched in the lineup, few could have predicted just how reliable Tampa Bay’s pitching has been.

Despite injuries to front line starters Scott Kazmir and Matt Garza, the Rays pitching is undoubtedly the reason for their early season success. James Shields has anchored the staff, while former 1^stRounder Andy Sonnanstine has emerged of late with three straight quality starts. As a staff, the Rays’ arms rank 2^nd in the AL in ERA, WHIP, and BAA.

What’s more, long time stopper Troy Percival (39 years young) has been lights out at the end of games, free-agent acquisition (2007) Dan Wheeler has been a dependable set-up man, and Tampa Bay is no longer finding ways to lose games in the late innings. This improved pitching should only get better with staff ace Kazmir back in the mix.

4. Nate McLouth has almost twice as many home runs as Alex Rodriguez.

Ok, so A-Rod has endured some quad problems, but he wasn’t exactly mashing before the injury either.

McLouth- the blond-haired spark plug at the top of Pittsburgh’s lineup- has been a very pleasant surprise for Pirates fans thus far. With 7 long balls, 3 steals (he’s faster than that), and a batting average in the .320s, McLouth has virtually carried the Pirates on his back through the month of April.

McLouth is on pace for 36HR and 130RBI, and while I don’t think there is ANY way he’ll reach those A-Rod like projections, I do think that he’s in for a career year, something along the lines of 25HR and 35SB.

Something tells me A-Rod will out-produce the little guy in the long run, but for now anyway McLouth has been one of the biggest surprises of the 2008 season.

5. The White Sox are much better than most thought they’d be.

While everyone was busy hyping the Tigers and Indians this spring, I think some people over-looked the 2005 World Series Champs.

After their long-awaited title in ‘05, GM Kenny Williams and the South Siders have endured two painfully bad seasons, culminating in last year’s pillow fight with Kansas City for last place in the division on the final weekend of the season.

So in the off-season, Williams made some big moves: He signed OF Nick Swisher for his attitude and on base percentage; signed RP Octavio Dotel and Scott Linebrink to solidify the atrocious bullpen of’07; off-loaded SP Jon Garland for SS Orlando Cabrera to improve defensively; pried once top-shelf outfield prospect Carlos Quentin from Arizona, and kept his other major pieces intact.

As we stand right now, the White Sox are mired in a 6 game losing streak, yet still sit at 14-16 and 2 games back in the AL Central.

Much of this has to do with the emergence of their #4 and #5 starters, John Danks and Gavin Floyd. Both have flirted with no-hitters and have been surprisingly dominant at times. Falling in line behind Mark Buehrle and Javier Vazquez, these two have made a once shaky White Sox rotation quite formidable.

Although the bats have been the cause of several low-scoring losses, their lineup should come around with the warm weather. Look out for this experienced squad that follows their brash GM and manager: the more they win, the more confident and productive they will become.

6. The Yankees highly touted young guns- Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy- have greatly disappointed

For years, the Yankees relied on their monstrous payroll when it came to building a pitching staff. We all remember the signings of Kevin Brown, Javy Vazquez, and the infamous Carl Pavano. How’d those work out again?Many of these financial gambles crippled the Yankees fiscally while simultaneously hurting the club on the field. Whether or not the New York pressure was simply too much for these talented arms is hard to measure, but what we do know is that a small percentage of these lucrative free-agent signings led to success on the field. Conversely, they hand-cuffed manager Joe Torre and minimized the amount of cost-effective roster space being used.But GM Brian Cashman vowed to change. Realizing that the rival Red Sox, among other teams, were developing young talent to mesh with their sizable payroll, Cashman started off-loading some of his disgruntled veterans, many of whom were making in excess of $10 million per year. He put more of an emphasis on development and trading for prospects, and this was the year it was supposed to pay off. Well, Brian…maybe next year?We all know what Joba Chamberlain has done out of the bullpen for New York, but righties Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy were supposed to inject youth and stability to an aging Yankee rotation. Filling in behind veterans Wang, Pettitte, and Mussina, these two heralded youngsters came into 2008 with big expectations. Simply put, they aren’t ready. Not yet. Phil Hughes- probably the more touted of the two- went 0-4 with an ERA over 9.00 in 6 starts before being placed on the DL with a mysterious broken rib injury. Unable to locate his fastball, which was a definitive strength in the minor leagues, Hughes struggled mightily and is now out until July.Meanwhile, Kennedy didn’t fare much better. In 5 starts, the righty with the smooth delivery went 0-2 with an almost frighteningly similar ERA (8.37) and struggled with his secondary pitches. Kennedy won’t blow you away with his velocity, but he can combine pin-point location and arm angle deception to be effective. For now, however, it appears these intangibles need some fine-tuning in AAA. So that is a combined 0-6 in 11 starts from the kids who were supposed to signal the rebirth of developmental success for the Yanks. These two will be heard from down the road, believe me, and it’s important to note that Hughes was the second youngest player pitching in the bigs (20 years old), while Kennedy is still just 24. But Cashman and Yankee fans expected success and growth this year, and that just might not be in the cards. A surprise indeed.

7. Long time stars in the outfield, Carlos Beltran and Vladimir Guerrero are looking old in ‘08

For almost a decade now, there are certain players you just know will produce. Manny Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols…the list goes on. Vlad Guerrero and Carlos Beltran have long been a part of that list of annual all-star performers. The statistics (3-year averages) speak for themselves: Guerrero (.325avg, 31HR, 116RBI, 92R, 10SB) and Beltran (.271avg, 30HR, 102RBI, 101R, 19SB) have been perennial studs.But early on in 2008, these two have begun to show some of the rust and wear and tear that comes along with aging in professional baseball. Beltran has dealt with troubling knee issues for several years now, while Guerrero has always had chronic back problems, and it appears as if these red crosses are starting to affect the production of these two Dominican power threats. Beltran- a career .280 hitter- is down at .221 with just 2HR and 13RBI. That is not what you’d expect from a long-time productive cleanup hitter in the middle of the fearsome Mets lineup.Guerrero- a career .323 hitter- is down at .256 with only 3HR and 14RBI to show for himself. While Guerrero’s power stats have declined just slightly over the last 3 or 4 years, his average and RBI output have not. So this sudden drop-off is troubling to say the least. Baseball is a marathon, and these guys still have plenty of time to right themselves, regress back towards the mean statistically, and boast impressive totals come years end. But to this writer, this is the beginning of the end. These two have logged significant mileage on their bodies over the years and it’s starting to hamper their all-star caliber abilities. It may come as a surprise, but I wouldn’t expect normal production lines from these two moving forward.

8. St. Louis is sitting atop the NL Central.

Coming in to the year, most thought it would be the Cubs and Brewers battling for NL Central supremacy. Although the Cardinals won it all in 2006 despite winning just 83 games, they regressed as a unit last year and didn’t seem to make any significant additions that would warrant great expectations in ’08. What’s more, Albert Pujols complained of elbow issues in spring training, saying if the pain he experience in ’07 re-surfaced, he would not delay surgery and would shut it down for the season. Couple that with the fact that Chris Carpenter and Mark Mulder- once thought to be the 1-2 punch atop the Cards’ rotation- both entered the year on the 60-day DL, and it simply looked like LaRussa’s run was over in the ‘Lou. But things don’t always unfold like they should. The Cardinals enter May 6^th with a 21-12 record and a 2.5 game lead on the Cubs in the division. They are getting steady production out of Pujols, their somewhat make-shift rotation has been reliable and consistent, and some of their “unknowns” are chipping in. One such unknown is Skip Schumaker. This spark plug has been a key cog in the Cardinals lineup, hitting around .300 and scoring runs at a record clip. He has provided a lot of intangible strengths to this fundamentally sound ball club and perhaps best epitomizes the over-achievment St. Louis has enjoyed thus far. In the long run, it’s hard to see the Cardinals out-lasting the talent on Chicago and Milwaukee’s respective rosters. The Cubs have hardly gotten anything out of Alfonso Soriano to this point, while the Brewers have dealt with a rash of injuries. In other words; those two teams are going to play better.I fully expect St. Louis to slow down, but this fast start has injected confidence into this group of grinders, and LaRussa is one of the all-time greats at getting a lot out of a little. We’ll see if their surprise start can last into the dog days of summer.

9. Kosuke Fukudome has transformed the Cubs offense and made a name for himself all in just one month.

You never know what you’re going to get from Japanese imports.Daisuke Matsuzaka, Hideki Irabu, Ichiro Suzuki, Hideo Nomo, Hideki Matsui, Kaz Matsui; all Japanese imports who were touted as legitimate stars at their position. And all have experienced varied levels of success in America. Fukudome came to the Cubs advertised as a cross between Ichiro and H.Matsui: a good spray hitter with excellent contact skills, marginal speed, and a powerful, accurate arm in right. I thought: this kid will be a nice fit for a sometimes undisciplined Cubs team, but it’ll probably take him a year or two to settle in.Boy was I wrong.Derrek Lee’s absolutely scalding start aside, Fukudome has probably been the Cubs’ best hitter. Through April, Fukudome was batting .327 with a .436 on-base percentage. What’s more, he was hitting at a .370 clip with men in scoring position and saw the second most pitches per plate appearance in the entire majors. He hit in four different lineup spots, played an excellent right field at Wrigley, and won over the die-hards at The Friendly Confines, all in one month’s work!”This guy has truly been a surprise. Perhaps the best barometer of how essential Fukudome has been to the Cubs? The fact that their entire offense- with the exception of Soriano- has started to adopt a more patient and disciplined approach at the plate. The Cubs lineup- 1 through 8, or 9 when Zambrano is pitching- is an elite unit this year.While I predict that, eventually, pitchers will develop a “book” on him and figure out how best to pitch this tough out, Fukudome has already supplanted himself as the patient lefty bat missing from the Cubs’ lineup in years past.

10. Ben Sheets and Rich Harden have already gotten injured, Barry Zito has been absolutely atrocious, and Roger Clemens still hangs over baseball like a black cloud of death.

Ok, these things didn’t surprise me at all.

Boston Bruins on the Brink: Game 4, and Likely the Season, Slips Away

Will Norton — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 07:49:06 -0400

Well, here we are: Game 5 in Montreal with the season on the line.

While this is certainly a position no Bruins player, fan, or coach wants to be in, it's a situation many knew we would more than likely face after drawing season-long bully Montreal in Round 1.

I have said all season, however, that losing in the first round of the playoffs would be nothing for the B's to hang their heads about.

This is a team that probably shouldn't be where it is today. It's a team that has struggled through injury, hardship, and a lack of scoring punch all year. It's a team that lost arguably its best playmaker in Patrice Bergeron back in October, but found a way.

It's a team that saw Marc Savard and Chuck Kobesew—the two best offensive playmakers all season—suffer serious injuries in the regular season's last eight games, but still found a way to get into the playoffs. It's a team that has a lot to be proud of.

And even in this series, despite being down 3-1, the Bruins have shown a lot of spunk and pride.

After a disappointing and uninspiring 4-1 loss in Game 1, the Bruins fought back down 2-0 in the third Period of Game 2 to force overtime. They rallied on the road and made Montreal work for it.

Although Alexei Kovalev netted the OT winner, sending Montreal back to Boston up 2-0, you could tell the Bruins were sustaining longer stretches of pressure skating and checking. They were forcing the action much more, rather than sitting back on their heels and waiting for Montreal to bring the pressure to them.

This translated into a win—the first of the year against Montreal—in Game 3, one that many Bostonians say brought life and passion back into the place we used to call "The Garden."

Sentiments and emotions tied to old Boston hockey teams—ones with Orr, Esposito, Neely, and Bourque—were conjured up in that emotional Game 3, almost so much so you could feel momentum swinging. Almost...

With the season realistically hinging on Game 4 from The Garden, the B's season-long struggle to score goals reared its ugly head once more.

Tim Thomas and the defense played admirably, save for a Patrice Brisbois goal with 42 ticks left in the second period. It was a shot that Thomas didn't seem to see clearly, as it was shot behind a cluster of bodies in front of the net. It was a shot that deflated the home crowd and ignited those imposters in The Garden wearing red, white, and blue sweaters and waving Canadian flags.

The Bruins couldn't recover from that goal. The boys in Black and Gold were unable to sneak one past Carey Price and the Canadiens hopped on their plane back home with a 1-0 win.

Maybe with a healthy Bergeron and Savard the Bruins would have been able to create more high percentage scoring opportunities. Maybe with one more free agent scorer the B's would have been able to more effectively pressure the Montreal defense.

They just needed that extra intangible strength that makes playoff teams click, and they didn't have it.

So for now the B's will just have to just settle for what they have in the locker room: a tireless, prideful bunch that has grinded passionately through the rigors of a long season and brought some passion back to an Original 6 hockey town.

That said, they are just too banged up and too marginal a group to break out of a 3-1 choke hold from a team that has tormented them all season.

But, like I said, that's nothing to hang your head about. Not with this year's bunch of over-achievers.

Bruins-Maple Leafs: Boston Gains Two Points in Toronto, Gears Up for Playoff Push

Will Norton — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 02:29:19 -0400

Injured, offensively inept, and in danger of losing hold on a playoff spot they have coveted all season, the Boston Bruins traveled to Toronto Tuesday night with one objective: get some points.

Six much-needed goals later, and the B’s were celebrating a four-goal win on the road against divisional foe- and playoff hopeful- Toronto.

For anyone watching the Bruins of late, these were two huge points.

After winning six straight and looking like one of the more healthy and hot squads in the East about a month ago, the Bruins haven’t been able to buy a solid effort, let alone a win, since the beginning of March.

It started off with a 10-2 debacle against the Capitals, a definite harbinger of things to come. That embarrassment started off a string of 11 games in which the Bruins gained just six points and saw their cushion as the East’s sixth-seeded team vanish before their eyes.

The biggest reason for this sharp decline in productivity was the sudden mediocrity of the team’s rock: Tim Thomas. The goaltender who has helped this overachieving bunch stay in the race all year had a rough go of it, getting pummeled in multiple starts and actually getting yanked from two games and eventually given some rest while Alex Auld patrolled the pipes.

Auld served admirably in Thomas’ absence, but this Bruins team is only truly effective when Thomas is locked in and focused in net. Without superb goaltending, Boston’s somewhat mediocre defense can be exposed by the leagues better offenses.

This is not to say Auld didn’t perform up to his ability as the team’s backup, but the fact of the matter is this Bruins team is just better with a productive Tim Thomas in net. His style fits the defensive schemes Julien relies on and his ability to get better as the game goes on is a definite strength the Bruins play to.

Coupled with the downturn of Thomas were injuries to the Bruins two best players, captain Zdeno Chara and sniper Marc Savard. With Patrice Bergeron out for the year, the Bruins simply do not have the talent to lose two of their most consistent contributors this late in the season. The loss of Chara particularly hurt, as it coincided simultaneously with Thomas’ slumping ways and made the collective defensive stature of the Bruins altogether disappear.

This B’s team has thrived all year by being opportunistic in their opponents zone, sticking to the defensive system of Claude Julien, and relying on Thomas to bail them out two or three times a game. Without Chara and Thomas healthy and productive, two of those three elements of success crumbled.

And without the pure scoring punch needed to sometimes lift a sub-par defensive effort, the Bruins found themselves struggling to score goals. They went through a stretch of six games where they scored just six goals, losing 1-0 twice in that span.

And this is why the Bruins 6-2 win in Toronto on Tuesday was such a huge turn for this team trying to hang on to one of the East’s final playoff spots.

Not only did the win give the Bruins two absolutely massive points, it also prevented the Maple Leafs from moving within two points of the Bruins as the eighth seed. What’s more, the game saw Tim Tomas turn in his first solid performance in nearly a month, something that Julien and the boys hope is a sign of things to come.

It was a game the Bruins simply had to have, much like the upcoming six games the black and gold have against Ottawa (2), Buffalo (2), New Jersey, and Buffalo.

The road doesn’t get any easier, but that is what the Bruins should want at this juncture of the regular season. The previous two seasons have seen the Bruins flail about at the bottom of the East, the playoffs a mere afterthought.

Now, despite their recent struggles, the Bruins are still in good shape to make the playoffs and bring post-season hockey back to an Original Six hockey town. They have a game in hand against the team right above them (Philly, 88 points, No. 7 seed), and right below them (Washington, 84 points, No. 9 seed).

They simply need to continue to grind offensively and stay within their system defensively, the latter being something that should come easier with Big Z returning to the lineup soon.

With the Ovechkin-led Capitals charging fast behind them and the Flyers threatening to pull away in front of them, the Bruins must rally the troops and give one last hard-fought effort in order to secure that playoff spot they have occupied- and earned- for most of the season.

Tommy John Kids: Baseball's Development Problem and a Few Sleepers for '08

Will Norton — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 08:09:53 -0400

The medical procedure known as “Tommy John” surgery has become just another common feature of the jargon surrounding today’s brand of professional baseball.

In my eyes, the frequency of this surgery—and our newfound familiarity with the term—is the product of short-sighted errors made throughout the development process of young pitchers.

So many young kids are urged to develop violent, explosive breaking balls at a very young age. Instead of focusing on mechanics, technique, first-pitch strikes, and the deadliness of a deceptive change-up, young pitchers facing improved competition are urged to develop their breaking stuff.

Faulty mechanics and fatigue tend to set in as pitch counts rise—factors that make throwing breaking balls even more strenuous on joints and tendons. Many kids over-compensate instead of anchoring their delivery with a strong lower frame

For those lucky enough to progress up in the professional ranks, premature development of breaking stuff can be a mistake that follows them forever.

By the time they are 20 years old and playing in college, the minors, or the pros (and still maturing physically, I might add), they have significantly damaged their physical development and have caused irreparable damage to their prized arms.

What follows sounds all too familiar: torn rotator cuff, torn labrum, strained elbow tendon...

Tommy John.

I bring up this procedure and its ill-conceived precursors both because I find it troubling that so many young kids develop such serious arm injuries early in their careers, and because we have a number of Tommy John-ers returning to the hill this year with mixed expectations.

In 2006 B.J Ryan absolutely dominated opposing batters en route to 38 saves and a paltry 1.37 ERA.

One year later he saved zero games, pitched a total of four innings, and was scheduled for Tommy John surgery.

Similarly in ’06, Francisco Liriano came out of the pen midseason for the Twins and immediately drew comparisons to a young Johan Santana. Liriano dazzled on the bump, notching 12 wins in just 16 starts while striking out 144 batters in 121 innings pitched.

At the end of the season, however, it was revealed that all those exploding sliders had taken a toll on young Liriano's elbow. Tommy John was needed to reconstruct his elbow, and his 2007 was lost.

Ryan and Liriano both have immense upside when healthy and they highlight some intriguing rebound candidates coming into the 2008 season.

Here’s a look at four players who were banged up ’07 but could be great in ’08.

Pedro Martinez, SP, New York Mets

Pedro isn’t going to gas it up at 98 mph anymore, and his overall stuff is unquestionably less explosive than it once was. But don’t lose all faith in the Gheri Curl just yet.

Last year was, essentially, a test run for Pedro, following complete reconstructive surgery on his right rotator cuff.

He went through a drawn-out rehabilitation process, a tight pitch count when he returned, and a whole lot of skepticism from the Mets' upper management regarding the health of his shoulder.

All that said, and Pedro still managed over 1K/INN and put together an impressive string of starts to end the year. He has also looked impressive and sharp this spring.

And never forget this important intangible tidbit: no one operates on the rubber with more pride than Pedro.

A big bounce back year is in the cards.

Francisco Liriano, SP, Minnesota Twins

While there is little doubt that Liriano might take a while getting back to his pre-Tommy John self, there should be little doubt regarding what this kid can do when healthy.

He is a prototypical front of the rotation lefty, and could carry a young Twins' staff to the playoffs this year.

How the Twins handle Liriano’s pitch count and the left-handers command will be key things to watch in spring. I would imagine young Francisco will cut down on the amount of sliders he throws for the entire ’08 campaign.

That was his best, most dynamic pitch during his breakout year, so don’t expect the gaudy strikeout numbers we grew accustomed to in 2006.

Randy Johnson, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks

Okay, let me make this clear. The Big Unit probably isn’t going to make more than 20-25 starts, at very most, this season.

He will at some point go down with injury. And when he does, the chances of him coming back are, well, as tenuous as they’ve always been.

That said, this 44-year-old southpaw showed last year that he can still be his dominant old self. The 10-strikeout games were back, the dominant one-hitters were back, the old Unit was back.

You can’t expect 200 innings out of Johnson at this age, but if he can give the D-Backs even 140 innings of 3.00 ERA ball, that will go a long way in solidifying Arizona as beasts of the NL West.

B.J. Ryan, RP, Toronto Blue Jays

We all know how dominant and filthy Ryan can be when healthy. He operates with that devastating herky-jerky motion, and has pure stuff as powerful and deceptive as it comes.

It’s scary to think how good that Toronto bullpen could have been with a healthy Ryan in 2007.

Now that he has returned—and all reports so far have been positive—the Jays can slot Jeremy Accardo into the eighth inning setup role and extend their top bullpen arms into the middle innings.

This depth added to an already formidable Toronto pitching staff could mean great things for the Jays in ’08.

Where We've Been and Where We're Going: A Look at Past and Future Red Sox Business

Will Norton — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 08:06:17 -0500

A collection of family holiday cards hanging in the bathroom of a Belmont, MA house tell the story perfectly….

2004: “THE YEAR” (family members pictured with Red Sox hats, logo’s, and color schemes brightly painting the 8x11 card).

2007: “2007 Peace” (family members pictured with loved ones, while smaller images of beloved pets assist the empty spaces of the card. A peaceful artistic design serves as a backdrop).

My father’s annual design of the family Christmas card is an event as consistent and unchanging as pitchers and catchers reporting to the sun parched cacti of Arizona and the breezy palm trees of Florida.

Usually the card tells some kind of subtle story. Graduation pictures tell the story of a college career completed; vacation pictures punctuate a serene get-a-way to Mexico; animal pictures illustrate the presence of a new pet in the family, and so on and so forth.

But 2004 was different. 2004 was much simpler. 2004 was the year of the Boston Red Sox.

So in his annual attempt to illustrate, through pictures and design, just what made the year in question special, my father knew the answer was as simple as Beckett for seventh, Okajima for the eighth, and Papelbon for the ninth.

In 2004, the Red Sox stormed back down 3-0 against the hated Yankees, then swept away the Cardinals en route to their first World Series since 1918. That was really all that happened in 2004.

And it made an excellent, poignant card.

Yet the 2007 holiday card hangs on the wall with no visual mentioning of the Red Sox second, and indisputably more dominant, title in the last four years.

Just like in 2004, the Red Sox went 11-3 in the post-season and swept the National League’s best in the fall classic. 2007 also saw the Red Sox boast the league’s best record for much of year, comeback down 3-1 against an excellent Cleveland team, and claim their first AL East division title since 1995.

So why no mention of that championship, Pops? Didn’t that season, culminating in the ultimate barometer of success, send the same ripple of sheer joy through our family?

Sort of.

Before I go on I want to be clear here: any year the Red Sox win it all is a great year to me and my family. I don’t take World Series titles for granted and I don’t feel entitled to success. My childhood as a Red Sox fan/annually crushed adolescent will prevent that mindset from ever creeping in.

But to put it simply, 2004 brought millions of people throughout the New England region a sense of undying happiness for the first time, and that simply can never be matched. Most people still can’t articulate what that World Series and that season meant to them and their loved ones.

2004 was like your first love: it’s a first, it can never really be replaced as an unchangeable part of your memory, and all other loves from that point on will, in some way, be compared to it.

You had millions of die-hahds in Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Connecticut expecting the worst and fully anticipating failure once more at the hands of the Yankees. Losing was just a matter of when and how.

In 2007, that feeling just wasn’t there. The Sox dominated the regular season, had all the key offensive pieces in place, had a more dominant closer and a better bullpen than in 2004, and had an equally potent, although vastly different, clubhouse chemistry that was infectious in its own unique way. Winning was just a matter of when and how.

In short, 2007 was just as sweet and just as special, but far more expected and far less anxiety driven. 2004 was simply more ground-breaking because it was our first love and a love that we expected far less, and anxiously feared far more. That and it had a sense of revenge to it (see: 2004 ALCS) that will never be duplicated. That is the only way I can reasonably discern between the two greatest Red Sox seasons of my lifetime.

Anyway you look at it, I still think my father’s holiday cards articulate best just how much has changed since Foulke flipped that come-backer to Mientkiewicz in St.Louey: Success is an expected process now, not an unattainable curse looming over everyone from your 88 year-old grandfather to your 3 month-old nephew.

And with that in mind, I offer 5 key developments to monitor as my beloved Red Sox shake those kinks out and tweak the ‘ol motor before breaking from Fort Myers in 4 short weeks, with another title in sight:

1.) Can Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz combine to contribute 350 quality innings?

Pitching, most importantly starting pitching, wins games in October. That is something both 2004 and 2007 showed without doubt. We know that Josh Beckett is an all-world ace, that Dice Matsuzaka is a quality #2 with the ceiling of a #1, and that Timmy Wakefield is a fairly durable, albeit old, knuckler who, over the long haul, is going to give you a predictable and consistent effort every fifth day.

But with Curt Schilling’s early arm trouble affecting rotational depth from the get-go, the first question on most Boston baseball minds is: are the young kids ready to handle the load?

Jon Lester took a step towards answering that question with an emphatic “YES!” last year, capping an inspirational comeback from cancer by notching the clinching win in Game 4 of the World Series. The down side is that he still only has 27 big-league starts under his belt, not even a full seasons worth. The good news is more ample: he has packed on some bulk in the off-season, has the prototypical lefty array of pitches, and has great poise and command on the mound.

Buchholz, too, has made steps to suggest that he is ready for the prime-time. He has dominated the minor leagues, thrown a no-hitter in the major leagues, and has as devastating a curve-ball as any young arm in either league.

But the age-old questions of durability, arm strength, and preparation still linger, and it is yet to be seen whether Red Sox brass will let their gem of a youngin’ pitch much over 180 innings in ’08. They capped him in ’07 with his future in mind, and they might make a similar move in ’08 if Schilling can return in the second half. Also, how will Clay adjust to inevitable rough patches along the road? Is he mentally ready for a 6-month season?

Bottom Line: If either Lester or Buchholz don’t deliver, the Red Sox will have to dig into the farm-system early. This has worked in the past, but it’s still a risky proposition in the American League.

2.) Is the bullpen deep enough, and is another 2007-type year realistic for Hideki Okajima?

Beyond Papelbon, I have some questions in the pen.

Is an ERA of just over 2.00, a WHIP under 1.00, and nearly a strikeout-per-inning really realistic to expect from Okajima in 2008? I say no. He simply has to regress a bit, unless the Red Sox plucked the most legendary Japanese reliever since Kazuhiro Sasaki out of no where last off-season.

Mike Timlin is another over-40 guy who has been incredible in years past, but his age and arm worry me. Manny Delcarmen is a nice farm-hand coming off an excellent year, but one power righty in the pen isn’t nearly enough to survive in the AL East. Bryan Corey, Julian Tavarez, Javier Lopez, and long-inning man Kyle Snyder round out the rest of the arms, with several other camp invites (Dan Kolb and David Aardsma) battling for spots.

Bottom Line: Beyond the shut-down closer, I see a good deal of uncertainty and mediocrity here.

3.) Can 2007 FA signees (and busts) Julio Lugo and J.D. Drew rebound and earn their ridiculous contracts?

When you win it all, a lot of guys get free passes. I understand that.

But I still can’t fathom how in the world J.D Drew- hitting in Fenway Park behind David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez mind you- managed to tally just 11 HRs and 64 runs in 2007. He was so bad at the end of the year that Terry Francona actually started sitting him vs. lefties. That is just where you want your $15 million sitting; on the bench.

What’s more, Drew might not have been the worst Boston free-agent signee of the 2007 off-season. Julio Lugo was batting under the Mendoza line (.200) as late as July 8^th and never looked comfortable from the leadoff spot. Despite stealing 33 bags and notching serviceable RBIs from his position (73), Lugo struggled to fit the lead-off role adequately and never looked comfortable. Lugo doesn’t offer much power and isn’t an exceptional fielder, so he must improve in the areas Boston coveted him for: speed and run scoring ability.

Bottom Line: Both guys are capable of much better numbers in 2008. Whether or not they can cash in on that potential production will be essential to the potency of the Red Sox lineup, 1 through 9, in 2008.

4.) Can Jason Varitek have another exceptional season at the age of 36?

With the exception of 2006, when he broke down in mid-August, Jason Varitek has been an absolute rock behind the plate in five of the last six Red Sox seasons. In four of those seasons, the Red Sox have made the playoffs and extended the backstop’s workload, and in two of them he has been the last catcher standing on the field in October.

That is a lot of work for any catcher, even someone as thick and steady as The Captain.

Ask anyone in Boston, from fans to players to organizational personnel, and most will say that Jason Varitek is unequivocally the most essential ingredient to the Red Sox recipe of success. Even if he gives you a .260 average, 17 HRs, and 60 RBIs (his 3-year average), that is a gravy. It’s a bonus. The man’s job is defined by his defense and pitch-calling abilities, and his handling of the staff (from young to old) is impeccable. As 2006 showed, without Varitek the Red Sox simply are not an elite team. He is that important.

Bottom Line: While no imminent signs point to a breakdown, you have to worry about the at bats and extensive workload ‘Tek has amassed over his tenure in Boston, as well as the inevitability of age-related decline. Red Sox fans hope he has anywhere from one to three healthy seasons left.

5.) Will Terry Francona get his much-deserved extension?

The man known as “Tito” has more immunity in Boston than perhaps any skipper in Red Sox history. Since signing on in 2004, Francona has shown an excellent ability to balance emotion, reality, and the sometimes bi-polar Beantown attitudes over the course of a 162-game season and into October.

He is a player’s manager and deals with the pessimistic, paranoid Boston press better than anyone I have ever seen. He also is one of the best at managing late in the game and handling young talent.

Bottom Line: This man deserves however many years and however much money he wants. He has earned that. While most believe Tito will get what he deserves, why hasn’t Theo taken care of business yet? This is not something you want seeping into the season, whether you are a fan, player, coach, or front office executive.

2008 Western Conference Playoffs: A Basketball Fan's Dream

Will Norton — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 11:02:23 -0500

If the playoffs started today, here is a look at what the Western Conference seeding and matchups would look like...

No. 1 Phoenix (34-15) vs. No. 8 Denver (29-19)

If you are the No. 1 seed, do you really want a piece of AI, 'Melo, Camby, and K-Mart in Round 1? No, you don't. Are you even favored by that much? Probably not. Is Denver one of those teams that can beat you at your own game, dropping 135 to your 132? Yes, it is.

This could be another amazing, highly contested No. 1 vs. No. 8 battle in Round 1.

No. 2 Dallas (33-15) vs. No. 7 Golden St. (29-19)

A rematch of last years No. 1 vs. No. 8 upset special, I would probably pick GST to do it again. Dallas is not clicking right now and has shown an inability to get tough wins on the road, something they thrived at last year before bowing out quietly in Round 1.

Golden St. still poses the same matchup problems to the Mavs as they did last year. This series would go 7 and Dallas would certainly not be a favorite by any means, not after last year. That tells you how good these playoffs could be.

No. 3 New Orleans (33-15) vs. No. 6 L.A. Lakers (31-17)

N.O. is the surprise team of the year, but they have some definite play-makers and Chris Paul is my MVP thus far. David West, Peja, and Tyson Chandler represent a more-than-capable supporting cast as well.

L.A., on the other hand, is well equipped to win it all after adding Pau Gasol keeping Kobe and Bynum in tact. Furthermore, role players Jordan Farmar and Luke Walton are blossoming into key cogs out in Hollywood. Again, this series has 7-game classic with no clear favorite written all over it.

No. 4 Utah (32-18) vs. No. 5 San Antonio (31-16)

A rematch of last years Conference Finals, this series is the only one in which I think a clear favorite exists. The Spurs would lean on their triple crown of studs in Duncan, Parker, and Ginoboli to ensure victory. And yet, you can't ignore Boozer, D.Williams, and Utah's other role players as a more than formidable opponent. This series only went 5 last year, so the question is: Has Utah bridged the gap significantly since last June?

I don't think so.

Logic would suggest that S.A. will rise in these seedings once Parker gets healthy, and L.A. might do so as well once Gasol gets fully integrated into the Zen master's system. The possibility of Houston (28-20) or Portland (28-20) sneaking in as the No. 7 or No. 8 seed is by no means out of the question either. There are essentially 10 playoff-caliber teams in the West this year.

Bottom line: The Western Conference playoffs are going to be conference finals quality throughout all three rounds. By my estimation, you have four MVP-caliber studs (Duncan, Nash, Paul, and Kobe) going at it within this eight-team tournament.

And lastly, if you enjoy exceptional point guard play, you don’t want to miss a game in which Paul, Nash, Baron Davis, Parker, and D.Williams are running the show.

Buckle up. This year could be mighty special.

Twins Woes: Bill Smith and the Art of Counterproductive Negotiation

Will Norton — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 13:05:52 -0500

I'm slightly confused here.

Twins GM Bill Smith is generally considered a pretty savvy, clever front office executive...

Johan Santana is a two-time Cy Young winner, the best lefty hurler of the last five years (sorry, Unit), a southpaw who projects out nicely over the latter years of his career given his reliance on a dominant change-up, a 200+ strikeout per year horse...

Simply put, Johan Santana is one of the most enticing, talented assets to hit the free agent market in the last decade, and Bill Smith is supposedly one of the smartest, most efficient general mangers in the game.

So, why, WHY, I ask did the Twins low-ball themselves into accepting a subpar package from the Mets for such an amazing franchise arm?

More importantly, how did the Twins seemingly manage to ratchet down the packages being offered for such a stud, eventually whittling their diamond encrusted gem of a trading piece into a pedestrian piece of synthetic plastic?

Logic would posit the scenario going something like this: Minnesota dangles Johan to the market; Boston, New York (NL and AL), and all the other heavy-hitters throw out offers somewhere in the proximity of market value; Bill Smith chooses between Jacoby Ellsbury and Jon Lester, or Phil Hughes and Melky Cabrera, or other offers of equal upside, slowly drawing his high-rolling competitors into a bidding war and eventually emerging with a franchise outfielder or starter plus some mid-level prospects to boot.

So how, and why, did Bill Smith mess this up?

He started off following the game-plan, ratcheting up the offers by tapping into the divisional and regional paranoia inherent in the Boston-New York dichotomy. He had both juggernauts right there, wavering most of their top-level prospects in his face, asking him to bite.

What Bill Smith didn’t realize, is that those were the best offers he was going to see.

With Santana a soon-to-be free agent, Smith had to deal with the reality that his leverage after the winter meetings was only going down. If he wasn’t going to deal Santana at a slight discount now- which was inherently non-negotiable- then he wasn’t going to be able to deal him at all.

Boston and New York were both content to wait until Johan entered the bidding process after the 2008 season. They could take their chances then, when losing a Jacoby Ellsbury or Phil Hughes was no longer a sacrifice they’d have to make. No loss for them considering the talent they already have.

Furthermore, Boston wasn’t giving up Clay Buchholz or any package that involved Ellsbury plus substantive other developmental talent; the Yankees weren’t giving up Joba Chamberlain or a package involving Hughes AND fellow pitching prospect Ian Kennedy, and that was just the awful truth.

Smith must have been cognizant of the fact that he wasn’t going to get the best prospect plus other mid-range talent from any team’s farm system in return for Santana. He also had to have known the relatively short window of time he had to deal his most prized possession.

And yet, he dealt with these dual realities horribly.

He dilly-dallied. He stalled. He couldn’t get the car started. He didn’t make a move.

Ultimately, we don’t know for sure what Boston or New York definitively put on the table. We heard the speculation, but maybe the package of Ellsbury, Lester, and two minor-leaguers was never a real offer. Maybe Hughes and Cabrera were never a package deal.

Furthermore, maybe Smith didn’t want to deal Santana within the American League. Maybe seeing Santana go to New York (AL) or Boston was counter-intuitive to the overarching goal of the Minnesota Twins: getting to, and then winning, a World Series. I personally don’t agree with that philosophy (shouldn’t you just worry about getting the best players available in return?), but hey, I’m not a major league GM either.

However, if we assume the offers from Boston and New York were in fact real, tangible proposals, and we continue to understand the fact that Johan Santana should have demanded at least eighty cents on the dollar, then it’s hard not to feel like the Twins ultimately came away from this process- two months after the winter meetings- with far less value in return from the Mets.

So what did they get?

The Mets best prospect is 19 year-old infield prospect Fernando Martinez. Maybe he was off-limits like Buchholz and Chamberlain, but the bottom line is the Twins did not get him.

Deolis Guerra is ranked as the Mets #2 prospect, but at 18 years of age, he is a very raw pitching talent several years away.

The Mets #3 prospect- outfielder Carlos Gomez- is the only guy the Twins got in return who has some big-league play under his belt. Many rave at Gomez’ wheels and some compare him- at best- to a Carl Crawford like talent. He should slot into the Twins leadoff spot and start in center-field next season. He is the one returning asset Twins fans can feel good about.

Hurlers Kevin Mulvey and Phil Humber also come Minnesota’s way.

Humber is a former top-three overall pick but has yet to amount to anything in the majors, and he is almost 25. Humber’s name has been thrown around a lot in recent years, but he couldn’t crack the Mets’ rotation last season despite the unit being banged up and old. Also keep in mind Humber’s move from the NL to the deadly AL central: yea, I am not exactly taken aback with this kid’s promise as a Twin.

Mulvey is a finesse, ground ball pitcher who made some impressive strides in 2007, but someone who still doesn’t rank ahead of Kevin Slowey, Scott Baker, or Boof Bonser- all current Twins pitching prospects with similar styles who stand to see more opportunity and production at the big league level in 2008.

I look at what the Twins could have gotten – either a franchise OF in Ellsbury coupled with a solid No. 3 lefty in Lester and two prospects from Boston, OR a solidified major-league OF only getting better in Melky Cabrera coupled with a future No. 1 in Phil Hughes and two prospects from New York- and I can’t help but feel that Bill Smith actually decreased his potential return for Johan Santana throughout the bargaining process.

Minnesota didn’t get anyone with extensive major league experience, they didn’t get more than one game-changer, and they didn’t land enough major league-ready talent to compliment their current composition of players and seriously compete within the division, or the league, during the next two years.

All of that for a the man who has averaged 240 strikeouts over the last three years. That is simply deplorable, especially considering the current state of the Mets: They are coming off the most despicable September collapse in recent baseball memory; they are getting older by the second with tons of high-paid veterans nearing the end of their productivity window (Pedro, Wagner, Beltran, Delgado, Alou etc.); they operate in a city that doesn’t accept failure; and their GM is under intense pressure to deliver something substantial given his payroll costs in recent years.

Advantage, Twins...at least one would think.

Bill Smith failed Executive Baseball Management 101 in my eyes. The Winter Meetings presented an environment under which Johan Santana’s value would never be higher. He had bidders offering substantially better packages than the way he ended up taking, and he balked.

I wrote a similar article a while back, condemning the Marlins for not getting more in return for 24 year-old stud Miguel Cabrera. Maybe I just expect GMs to land comparable talent in return for all-world players.

When Johan Santana gets dealt, I expect it to be for more than one, maybe two, potential difference makers.

The Cabrera article was more a critique on the Marlins philosophical and financial ineptitude as a franchise. This is a critique on GM Bill Smith’s bargaining and bartering skills throughout the Johan Santana sweepstakes and on the marginal, downgraded return one of the supposed smart guys in Major League Baseball got on the best left-hander in the game.

Suckah Bowl XLII: A Dream-Team of Misfits, Degenerates, and Social Parasites

Will Norton — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 07:15:00 -0500

In the not so distant past, a group of friends and I were trying to think up a perfect word to define today’s legal, moral, and professional class of unruly degenerates.

You know, the guys who pop up on ESPN News for all the wrong reasons: assault, battery, possession of narcotics, resisting arrest, possession of a handgun, driving while intoxicated….you get the idea.

In today’s landscape of sports entertainment, you don’t have to hunt far and wide nor dig too deep to find a recent instance of criminal activity or moral ineptitude.

After much debate, we settled on the word “Suckah”. This stems from an infamous statement from the one and only Adam “Pacman” Jones, in which he called some of his numerous accusers “Suckahz." This term needed a definitional framework to truly enter our vocabulary with any real meaning.

Enter Will Norton’s dictionary of make-believe terms:

Suckah (pronunciation: suck-ahh), plural usage = Suckahz.

Definition: An individual, usually one with limited formal education or certified training and one who is often involved in professional athletics or entertainment, who engages in highly unlawful, immoral activities, mostly involving illicit drugs, lewd sexual conduct, or weaponry. Also, there is a likelihood that a lengthy (or legendary) criminal record and/or jail time in his past exists. The term can also be used to describe a type of specified behavior, of which the previous noted behavioral trends are implicit.

And so, with Super Bowl XLII only nine pain-staking, media-crazy days away, I thought this might be a perfect time to unveil the first ever Suckah Bowl team. Several arrests or, at the very least, multiple run-ins with the law are inherent traits of this legally and morally inept dream team.

Without further ado, I give you the first ever All-Suckah Super Bowl!

QB: Mike Vick

Although Mr. Vick has only had one real scuffle with the law, given the circumstances of his charges and the fame of his career, he is the easy choice under center in the Suckah Bowl. Vick is currently serving 23 months in prison on charges of conspiring to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and conspiring to sponsor a dog in an animal-fighting venture.

Needless to say, the activities that led up to Vick’s indictment, arrest, and sentencing are of the highest Suckah nature. Imagine the individuals taking part in the dog fighting ring? Fellow Suckahz, I’m sure.

RB: Travis Henry

Mmmmm, let’s see here; not only does Travis “The Father” Henry have nine children from nine different women, he also fails to pay child support for said children. Henry has encountered two run-ins in the past 12 months with the law and the NFL for marijuana use. This man is more than ready to take 25-30 hits, er, hand-offs in the Suckah Bowl.

Quick question Dad, how you planning on handling tickets for the Suckah Bowl? Nine different sets of two tickets placed strategically across the stadium in order to minimize baby's mama-to-baby's mama contact? What a dicey situation...

FB: Najeh Davenport

This a special nomination, one that I won’t permit for any other member of the Suckah Bowl team. But special acts of absolute scum-filled behavior call for a special set of circumstances, so I am making an exception for my personal King of lewd conduct.

During his rookie year in the NFL, Davenport was arrested in Miami for...hold on, let me collect myself here…defecating in the closet of a freshman dorm!

According to police, Davenport crept into a dorm room at Barry University in Miami around 6 a.m. on April 1, 2002. A woman sleeping in the room told police she was startled by a strange sound and saw Davenport squatting in her closet. Davenport then allegedly defecated in a laundry basket.

This is just absolutely classic, prototypical Suckah behavior. Najeh paved the way and set the bar high for Suckah behavior back in ’02, and now he can pave the way for the Suckahz' running game in the Suckah Bowl. What a legend.

WR: Chris Henry

This man has hauled in legal trouble and arrest records, as well as the occasional pig-skin, with the best of them since joining the NFL in 2005.

Possession of marijuana and a stolen handgun broke the ice in Henry’s rookie year. Sexual assault popped up in 2006, as well as an arrest for doing 25 mph over the speed limit while drunk.

But wait, just wait, Mr. Henry is a Super Bowl Suckah for a reason. Still needing to let off some steam, Henry was arrested and jailed for supplying minors with alcohol, and a hotel room to consume it in! What a thoughtful gift! This guy is a difference maker on the Suckah landscape, one capable of making big mistakes resulting in tons of suspended sentences after the charge (his own personal YACO…we’ll call it SACO).

WR: David Boston

The only member of the Suckah Super Bowl squad to have notched the Suckah Triple Crown (three arrests with three different teams), Boston brings an element of veteran leadership and experience to the team.

While with Arizona in ‘02, driving under the influence of cocaine and marijuana let people know what type of game-changer this Suckah was.

Two years later, while with Miami, David hit a gate attendant at a Vermont airport who wouldn’t allow him to board a flight. No words, just fists…I love it David.

And to complete the trifecta as a member of Tampa Bay, Boston was arrested for a DUI when police found him passed out behind the wheel of his SUV. Toss in various steroid allegations that have hounded him throughout his career, and Mr. Boston can easily lay claim to the most hybrid Suckah threat on the field come Sunday.

DT: Tank Johnson

The Tank is a large suckah with an extensive history in illegal shenanigans. Arrested four times since entering the NFL, Johnson has faced charges stemming from aggravated assault, to resisting arrest, to marijuana possession, to handgun possession. Fitting for a man who answers to the word "Tank".

With such an array of different Suckah activities, you gotta love Tank’s passion to try new things. That’s what makes this guy such a dangerous member of the Suckah Bowl team: he can hurt you from so many different places with so many different weapons.

LB: A.J. Nicholson

Nothing spells Suckah quite like breaking into a former college teammate’s apartment and stealing average electronics. I mean, given how little professional athletes get paid these days, it’s an understandable risk-reward gamble taken on the part of Mr. Nicholson. Well played, sir.

In just two years in the NFL, this middle linebacker out of FSU has racked up burglary, grand theft, and domestic assault and battery charges on his record. Way to make every year count A.J.!

This guy will patrol the middle of the field with excellence in the Suckah Bowl, and he might just patrol your neighborhood late at night too, looking for a new HD-DVD player or a pricey piece of jewelry! You just never know, that's the fun!

CB: Adam “Pacman” Jones

Ladies and gentleman, in the red corner, wearing nothing but hundred dollar bills glued to his body, hailing from Atlanta, Georgia and weighing in at 185 pounds, the pride of West Virginia University, the one, the only….Adam Pac-Man Jones!!

Let’s put it this way: the word Suckah was contrived by my friends and I in large part because we needed a word to adequately capture the essence of Mr. Jones. This man has perhaps the most impressive, diverse, and potent array of charges of anyone playing in the Suckah Bowl: assault, felony vandalism, disorderedly conduct (thrice), public intoxication, felony and misdemeanor obstruction of justice, and conspiracy to commit disorderly conduct.

Jones has also been tied to several drug busts, and the shooting of a bouncer outside a Las Vegas strip club.

Currently suspended for the Suckah Bowl due to his numerous infractions, Jones will have to watch the game from his couch at home, which also doubles up as a lap-dance couch for local patrons.

I am confident that Pacman will notch another arrest or perhaps even warrant a full-out raid on his residence, just to let the viewers at home know that he is pure, 100% Suckah material.

K: Sebastian Janikowski

Since arriving from Poland, this man has been nothing but a strong left leg and an even stronger legal nightmare for his various coaches.

He has been charged with bribing police officers, possessing and allegedly using the date-rape drug GHB, assault, vandalism, tampering with evidence, and twice driving under the influence, once with a blood-alcohol level of twice the legal limit. I mean, is there anything this guy can’t do!!

His various infractions have earned him legendary special teams status entering the Suckah Bowl. Beware the Polack, he might be tampering with your Suckah Bowl spread or slipping a roofie in your beer as you read this.

And so concludes the first-ever edition of the All-Suckah Super Bowl Team. While this list of Suckahz certainly doesn't include all of the morally and legally corrupt, I'd like to think it does an adequate job of listing some of the most infamous Suckahz to patrol our sports landscape in recent years.

I hope you have enjoyed taking a stroll down Suckah Boulevard with me. And remember: always be sure to check your local media outlets daily, because you simply never know when, or in what manner, a brand new Suckah will emerge on the scene with a fresh, spanking-new array of deliciously heinous charges.

Lock your doors and hide your children, the Suckah Bowl is about to begin!!

College Basketball: NCAA Conference Rundown

Will Norton — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 10:33:35 -0500

In what may be the most top-heavy crop of college basketball teams in recent memory, there are a few things we know heading into conference play: UNC and Memphis could both plausibly run the table, the ACC is down, the Pac-10 is legit, and the SEC is downright weak. I offer you this conference breakdown as we head into the most intense 6 weeks of the 07-08 college basketball slate:

ACC

A conference that often times sends six or seven teams dancing come March is simply not one of the nation’s elite conferences this year. North Carolina, after coasting through a pretty cupcake non-conference schedule and surviving in overtime at Clemson last week, is a team that could legitimately run the table.

Yes Roy Williams’ unit is stocked with NBA talent, but the ACC boasts 1, maybe 2, other formidable teams this season. The Dukies will be a test for North Carolina, as always, but Coach K’s bunch looks like an Elite 8 team (with upside) at best. Boston College is rebuilding after several years at the top of the conference, while NCST and WF are emerging teams with little big-game experience. You are looking at UNC, Duke, and one of NCST, Wake, or Clemson in the dance. Three teams in the Field of 65? The ACC is most definitely down.

A-10

This isn’t usually a conference that would merit an individual breakdown, but I have to briefly mention that Dayton and Xavier are teams capable of getting in the dance and causing some commotion, Dayton especially. The Flyers have already beaten Louisville, Pittsburgh, and Rhode Island.

Speaking of the Rhodies, they are an outsider at this point but could sneak in as an 8 or 9 seed with strong conference play. Three teams from the A-10 is not something to sniff at. Also, beware of the resurgence going on at UMass. The Minutemen gave Vandy all they could handle on the road last week and could surprise people as the season wears on.

Big 12

As usual, the Big-12 has several teams capable of rocking Final 4 status. That said, this is a top-heavy conference with some seriously inept teams towards the bottom of the barrel. Kansas is another team that has yet to be beaten and is looking like one of the deepest teams in the nation. Bill Self still makes me sweat come Madness time, but there is no doubting the malleable nature of KU’s style. They have proven they can run and gun, or slow it down and pound you to death.

Texas is surging sans Durant, while A&M is feeling just fine without Mr. Gillepsie. The top teams in this conference must be accounted for come March, but I see 3, maybe 4, teams coming out of the Big-12. OU could be that 4th team with a 12-3 record, a quality loss to Memphis, and quality wins over WVU and Gonzaga already under their belt.

Big East

This is one of the most formidable, deep conferences in all the land. Seven Big East teams have already landed in the Top 25 polls thus far, and while injuries have derailed the preseason hopes of both Pitt and Louisville, this is still a conference that could send as many as 7 teams dancing.

Georgetown is doing a nice job replicating their efforts of a year ago. Notre Dame has surprised many, with the return of maligned guard Kyle McAlarney clearly making a difference to Mike Brey’s unit. Marquette continues another respectable campaign, Bob Huggins has West Virginia playing well, and Villanova is a sleeper team worth keeping an eye on. Pitt showed it’s potency with an impressive OT win over Duke, but has since lost starters Mike Cook and Lavance Fields to injury. Still, at 13-2, if the Panthers can stay afloat until they get healthy, they are a dangerous team.

Rick Pitino’s Cardinals are starting to get some healthy bodies back, with David Padgett and Juan Palacios getting up to speed after missing early action. Louisville has a ton of upside and should get better as the year carries on. And then on the bubble you have Jim Calhoun’s young but maturing UConn Huskies. The Big East is back.

Big 10

I am convinced that Tom Izzo has yet another squad in East Lansing that is capable of a Final 4 run. Raymar Morgan has emerged as one of the best players in the country, while Drew Neitzel and Kalin Lucas provide tons of energy and ball-hawking abilities at the guard position.

Indiana is also on the rise, with Eric Gordon complimenting the bruising D.J. White nicely. As long as Kelvin Sampson stays off the phone, the Hoosiers should be a scary team come March.

After those two heavyweights though, the conference is pretty watered down. Wisconsin is a tournament team, but after that I don’t see any heavy hitters. Illinois is down (and may be for a while), and Ohio St. simply doesn’t possess the game-changers it had the last few years. Tubby’s Golden Gophers are actually a team that could surprise some people come March. That said, I see MSU, IU, and Wisconsin dancing, with potentially Minnesota or Ohio St. sneaking in as a higher seed.

Conference USA

Memphis’ depth and athleticism are unparalleled across the board. And with a joke conference schedule, this Tigers team most definitely has the potential and schedule to run the table into the dance. The question is: once they get there, will Memphis be able to adapt their run-and-gun style into a more slow-it-down approach, or will a team like UCLA be able to slow them down and limit their possessions, like they did two years ago? It will be interesting to see. Memphis certainly has the bodies to match up with any team in the country, and should be the #1 ranked squad in the nation at this point.

Houston and UAB are other March Madness hopefuls, but I won’t waste my words or your time breaking down this lackluster pack of squads any further.

Pac-10

Hands down, the best conference in the country, simply because UCLA and WSU are both serious national title contenders. UCLA is a team that is only going to get better as the season progresses and they gel as a unit under Ben Howland. Washington St. is the most underrated team in the country and has multiple weapons that can hurt you. Stanford and Brook Lopez must be reckoned with as well, while Oregon and Arizona have suffered some hiccups but should rebound for the field of 65.

And don’t forget about surprise squad Arizona St. With an impressive 3-0 conference record, the Sun Devils are starting to embrace coach Herb Sendek. Sendek had notable success at NCST and has ASU playing tough-nosed basketball. There simply isn’t an easy win in this conference, with OJ Mayo and Taj Gibson’s Trojans bringing up the rear at 9-6. I see at least 5, maybe 6, tournament teams here.

SEC

Man, has this conference fallen off the wagon or what? Florida represented the SEC very well over the last few years, but this is simply not a powerful conference in 07-08. Tennessee is a scary offensive team that warrants respect, but beyond that, you really have to stretch to find another Sweet 16 caliber team.

Arkansas and ‘Ole Miss are quality squads off to nice starts, Florida is still 14-2 despite losing a plethora of studs from their back-to-back title runs, and Vanderbilt looks quite formidable at 16-0. But don’t be fooled; of those 16 Vandy wins, the most credible one came against….UMass? Wake Forest? Simply put, the Commodores hasn't had a genuine test yet. I see Tennessee, Vandy, and two mediocre teams coming out of the SEC this year. No team other than those first two will challenge late in March.

The Other Notables

Butler, Saint Mary’s, and Gonzaga lead the list of small-conference schools that are worth scouting come March.

Butler has been there before, while Saint Mary’s is riding high behind the lead of freshman point guard Patrick Mills. Mills, an Aussie of aboriginal descent, leads the team in points and assists and is the type of ball-handler who could wreak havoc in the Dance (think Eric Maynor and VCU last year).

Also beware Drake, off to a 13-1 start with their only loss coming to Saint Mary’s in a squeaker. If I had to pick 1 small-conference squad that could be this years George Mason or Southern Illinois, I would take Mills’ Gaels.

Injuries will undoubtedly play a huge role in determining which teams accelerate into the Dance, and which teams have to pull the emergency brake come March.

My Final 4 Picks as of 1-11-08: North Carolina, Memphis, UCLA, Michigan St.

Black 'N Gold Rush: Boston Bruins Still Finding Ways to Remain Relevant

Will Norton — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 10:14:28 -0500

Here we are, 42 games into the NHL season, and the Bruins are still alive.

That’s right, a team with virtually no firepower, several key injuries, and a seemingly disconnected fan base is still hanging around in the Eastern Conference, entering tonight’s game against Montréal as the seventh seed in the conference.

To avid and attentive hockey fans, these Bruins are starting to make their mark. A team that in the season’s first quarter looked more lucky than good is now starting to resonate as a unit capable of playing playoff-caliber hockey. Several notable hockey analysts declared just last week that the Bruins have left lasting impressions on several opponents as a tough, disciplined, and hard-working bunch.

Even amidst the ridiculous success of the Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics, the Bruins are starting to garner, at the very least, some respect in Beantown again.

Zdeno Chara has blossomed in his second season as a Bruin, earning a starting spot on the Eastern Conference All-Star team. He has anchored a defensive unit that is much improved from years past. Let there be no mistake about it—this is a defensively minded team that tries to limit what their opponent can do between the blue lines. Offensively, they are an opportunistic bunch who thrives only when all the intangibles are in order.

Statistically speaking, this just isn’t a team that scares most club. Marc Savard leads the team in points with just 44. Chuck Kobasew—a player that perhaps best personifies this scrappy, over-achieving bunch—leads the team with just 14 goals. Despite having the league’s sixth best Power Play, the Bruins are in the bottom 10 of the league in team scoring, and the bottom five in penalty kill percentage.

So how are they doing it? Why is this team competing as well as they are?

The play of Tim Thomas is a huge reason why the Bruins are situated in the position of playoff contender. Thomas has been absolutely outstanding,—especially given the fact that Manny Fernandez was supposed to carry the load in net this year for the black and gold.

But with Fernandez out for the year with an injury, Thomas (and Alex Auld, when Thomas went down) has kept this team alive and breathing. Thomas has the eighth-best GAA and the best save percentage in all of hockey. The long-time journeyman netminder has been a blessing for a team that often times needs other-worldly goalie play to get two points on any given night.

Look no further than the Bruins 4-3 win over New Jersey last week as a blueprint of how this team has stayed afloat. Outshot 45-25, the Bruins found a way to win—thanks to Thomas’ ridiculous play in net, the ability of their forwards to win face-offs and out-hit New Jersey’s wingers, and some opportunistic goal scoring.

On the flip side, their latest loss to Carolina serves as a microcosm for how tentative and one-dimensional this team can be some nights. The Bruins lost at home, 1-0, and couldn’t muster up any firepower against a struggling Hurricanes squad.

A bad week and the Bruins could plummet right out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture, and be looking up at teams with undoubtedly more talent and depth at nearly every position.

A stretch of bad play between December 18th and 29th, when the Bruins stopped doing the little things that have gotten them this far, showed how little room for error this unit has. They gained one point in six games, and got out-worked and out-classed nightly.

This team cannot forget what’s gotten them here. They simply don’t have the talent to make up for mental mistakes and sloppy puck possession in their own end.

With half of the year left to play, this Bruins fan could see the boys on Causway St. finishing anywhere between the fourth and tenth spots in the East. Success hinges on these little things, and the continued health and production of the team's irreplaceable players: Thomas, Chara, and Savard.

Getting Patrice Bergeron back late in the season would be a huge plus, but don’t count on it. Likewise, a significant move by GM Peter Chiarelli for some offensive firepower would likely boost the team’s confidence and potency in the offensive end a great deal.

But the Bruins upper management has a history of staying still during the trade deadline. I don’t believe this year will be any different. Chiarelli values the development of his young ones and has taken a small-market, cost-effective approach with past transactions. Nothing points to him changing that philosophical approach now and making a big deal at the deadline.

The Bruins simply must focus on grinding out wins with the roster they have. Adhering to Claude Julien’s defensive scheme and the continued dominance of Tim Thomas are two things that will help their playoff push greatly.

But at the very least, this is a team you can get behind due to their workman-like approach to the game and their over-achiever status.

It’s something we haven’t seen in the Hub of Hockey for a few years now. Let’s see how far it carries them…

"Honey, I'll Be on the Couch": Why Live Sports Just Aren't Worth Your Dollar Anymore.

Will Norton — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 05:40:42 -0500

I got a proposition for you:

$70, upper deck seats, New England Patriots football. Live action, Tom Brady & Randy Moss, the cheerleaders, the whole shebang.

Foxboro is about an hour's drive from Boston, and parking in the lots costs $30. Tailgating, if you choose to do so, runs you another $30. Beers are $6.50, food is ridiculously priced, and bottled water is $4. No replays, TV timeouts, lines for the bathroom, you know the drill.

When you consider driving both ways to the game, the time of the game itself, and the inevitable 2-hour wait one must endure in the parking lot once the game is over, you are looking at possibly a 10-hour game day. All costs included, you are looking at easily $100 spent, if you are frugal and don’t make that under-the-influence $7.95 chicken finger basket purchase.

Here's your other option: Sit at home in your sweats, on the couch, with regularly priced food and beverages stocked in your fridge, and watch the game from home.

Maybe you have a flat-screen or HDTV to enhance the game even more. You get instant replays, better views of the most important plays, the car parked in the driveway for $0, no waiting around in the parking lot after the game, minimal costs....

Is it really a choice?

Now don’t get me wrong, I like to attend live sports. Heck, I used to love it.

Seeing a great moment or priceless game live can be a moment to remember for years to come. Smelling the game, being part of the crowd pulse, actually hearing the crack of the bat or squeaking of basketball shoes—these are all sensory experiences completely unique to live sports.

But the live sporting event is quickly losing its lustre in my eyes. In terms of intangibles, you get little in return besides the actual product on the field. Comfort, money, and convenience are sacrificed for the right to say, "I was there when..."

And how often do the games muster up enough merit and memories to balance the scales with what you spend and sacrifice to be in the stands? If you see Lebron clinch a Finals appearance, or the Patriots complete a perfect season, that's one thing.

But more often than not, that simply isn't the case. And the prices don't waver.

I find it sad that going to see live sports has become such a taxing, financially debilitating experience. Gone are the days of family baseball games for those who can’t spring $200+ for the group. Gone is the affordable ticket to see a Sunday game in Foxboro.

Maybe I have grown to feel this way because I grew up in Boston, where standing-room Red Sox tickets to an April game vs. the Devil Rays run you $75. Celtics' tickets are even more, and Patriots tickets even harder to come by.

Maybe the common denominator is winning. When your team wins, you as the fan should expect painful rates and seldom game day appearances. Maybe I should feel lucky that my teams’ games are hard to get into. Pirates or Devil Rays die-hards would probably trade the money for the wins.

But how much money is seeing the game live really worth? When is it just too much? I love my Red Sox—but forking over $75 for a standing-room ticket in April? That is just blatant exploitation to me.

When your team wins, you as the fan are manipulated beyond reason. They suck you in with a good product, and then immediately empty your pockets in exchange for the experience and nostalgia. Some people don’t mind paying $100 to see a baseball game in June, and that’s fine. But I say the experience and nostalgia just ain’t worth it anymore.

Personally, I just don’t care to feed the money machine anymore. I think it’s pathetic that Fenway Park and other popular venues have become a bastion for the rich and privileged, but just a forbidden foreign entity to the middle class.

Even regular season games are becoming more and more off-limits to the average fan and blue collar worker, the very same people who so fervently follow and support the team.

Sports are the heartbeat of American entertainment, right? What portion of America are we really talking about at this point? The upper 5%?

Enough is enough.

Come meet me on the couch. I’ll be there in my sweats, getting a better view of the game and saving my dollar. I suggest you do the same.