Bleacher Report - Articles by Steve

Jeff Gordon Is Really a Six-Time Sprint Cup Champion

Steve — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 09:07:25 -0500

Why do I say this, you wonder.

Well ever since this thing called the Chase for the Sprint Cup was implemented, Jeff Gordon has been robbed of two championships.

First back in 2004, he would have beaten his teammate Jimmie Johnson by 47 points if the traditional points system was being used. Instead, he finished third behind Johnson and the man I call the Chase Champion, Kurt Busch.

Then it happened again in 2007 when he would have dominated, winning his sixth title by 353 points over Johnson.

So why would I bring this up, because Jeff Gordon is by far the greatest driver driving today. Yes, I know he had an off year in 2008, but he would have won six titles the way that Richard Petty and the late Dale Earnhardt won their seven titles.

Well with this said, Kurt Busch should not be a NASCAR Champion and Jimmie Johnson should only have two titles, oh wait, make that one. In 2008 Johnson was 16 points behind Carl Edwards with the traditional points system.

Congratulations, Brian France. You're ruining the sport of auto racing.

There is no way that you can even compare Jimmie Johnson to Cale Yarborough, because he didn't win his titles the same way Yarborough did.

NASCAR is the only form of auto racing that uses the last 10 races of the season to determine a champion.

I believe it is time to get rid of the Chase and let the driver who actually deserves the title win it.

2009 NASCAR Predictions

Steve — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:47:01 -0500

I will be predicting the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, race winners, and Raybestos Rookie of the Year. I will also be predicting the 2009 Nationwide Series champion and the 2009 Camping World Truck Series champion.

Daytona 500

Winner: Tony Stewart

Tony finally gets that elusive Daytona 500 win in his first race as a car owner.

Auto Club 500

Winner: Jeff Gordon

I believe that Jeff will have a bounce-back season as he ends his winless drought.

Shelby 427

Winner: Greg Biffle

Roush Fenway Racing has just been dominant at Vegas.

Kobalt Tools 500

Winner: Carl Edwards

Carl will continue his dominance at Atlanta.

Food City 500

Winner: Jeff Gordon

The king of the short track will regain that name this year.

Goody's Cool Orange 500

Winner: Denny Hamlin

Samsung 500

Winner: Jeff Gordon

Jeff finally gets his first win at Texas.

Subway Fresh Fit 500

Winner: Jimmie Johnson

Same place where he swept both races the year before.

Aaron's 499

Winner: Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Bounce-back year for JR.

Crown Royal Presents The Your Name Here 400

Winner: Jeff Gordon

Jeff wins here for the first time since 2000.

Southern 500

Winner: David Ragan

David gets his well deserved first career win.

Coca Cola 600

Winner: Reed Sorenson

Reed picks up his first win in a race that has produced many first time winners.

Best Buy 400

Winner: Matt Kenseth

Kenseth finally ends his winless drought.

Pocono 500

Winner: Kasey Kahne

Kasey won this race the year before.

Lifelock 400

Winner: Kyle Busch

Kyle gets his first win of 2009 after having eight in 2008.

Toyota/Save Mart 350

Winner: Sam Hornish Jr.

Sam did well at road courses in the IRL so this is where I think he gets his first win.

Lenox Industrial Tools 301

Winner: Jeff Gordon

Coke Zero 400

Winner: Dale Earnhardt Jr.

LifeLock.com 400

Winner: Jeff Burton

Allstate 400 at the Brickyard

Winner: Jeff Gordon

Pennsylvania 500

Winner: Jimmie Johnson

Centurion Boats at the Glen

Winner: Tony Stewart

3M Performance 400

Winner: Carl Edwards

Sharpie 500

Winner: Carl Edwards

Pep Boys Auto 500

Winner: Kyle Busch

Chevy Rock & Roll 400

Winner: Jeff Gordon

Sylvania 300

Winner: Ryan Newman

Ryan gets his first win since the 2008 Daytona 500.

Camping World RV 400

Winner: Jimmie Johnson

Camping World RV 400 presented by Coleman

Winner: Jeff Gordon

Pepsi 500

Winner: Kyle Busch

Bank of America 500

Winner: David Reutimann

Another first time winner at Lowe's

TUMS QuikPak 500

Winner: Jeff Gordon

AMP Energy 500

Winner: Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Dickies 500

Winner: Carl Edwards

Checker Auto Parts 500

Winner: Jimmie Johnson

Ford 400

Winner: Jeff Gordon

2009 Top Five in Points

Jeff Gordon-10 Wins
Jimmie Johnson-4 Wins
Carl Edwards-4 Wins
Dale Earnhardt Jr.-3 Wins
Tony Stewart-2 Wins

2009 Rookie of the Year: Joey Logano

2009 Nationwide Series Champion: Brad Keselowski

2009 Camping World Truck Series Champion: Erik Darnell

Simon Gagne's Return Has Flyers Hopeful for Championship Season

Steve — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 21:32:42 -0500

The Philadelphia Flyers have to be glad to have their All-Star left wing Simon Gagne back this season, after he played only 25 games last season due to a concussion.

He is off to a fast start, with eight goals, six assists, and a plus-minus rating of plus-six. The Flyers' record doesn't show it, but with Gagne back this could be the year the Flyers end their drought.

Ever since Gagne has been in the league, he has been one of my favorite players. At age 28 he is still in the prime of his career. He has already scored over 200 goals and recorded over 200 assists in his career, and could be looking at a 100-point season if he stays healthy.

With the players the Flyers have, they could win the Stanley Cup this year. Other core players like Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Braydon Coburn, Joffrey Lupul, Scott Hartnell, and Scottie Upshall are all still very young. Add in the veteran presence of Gagne, Kimmo Timonen, and Mike Knuble and we could have another championship in Philadelphia.

How Good Could the Phillies Be After Trading for Joe Blanton?

Steve — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:35:03 -0400

The Philadelphia Phillies acquired right-handed pitcher Joe Blanton from the Oakland Athletics on Thursday for three prospects: top second-base prospect Adrian Cardenas, left-handed pitcher Josh Outman, and outfielder Matthew Spencer.

This allows the Phillies to move pitcher Adam Eaton to the bullpen. It also bolsters a rotation that already consisted of ace Cole Hamels, veteran Jamie Moyer, and sophomore Kyle Kendrick.

The Phillies hope to have Brett Myers' head on straight when he returns from the minors on July 23. With a rotation that consists of Hamels, Blanton, Moyer, Kendrick, and Myers, the Phillies should be very good down the stretch if Myers does indeed straighten out his ace potential. Blanton will make his Phillies debut on July 22.

The Phillies also have one of the best bullpens in the majors. They've got Chad Durbin coming in early if the starter struggles, then J.C. Romero coming to set up lights-out closer Brad Lidge, who has had to be the story of the Phillies season so far in converting all 21 of his save opportunities.

Lidge, who was acquired during the offseason, along with Eric Bruntlett, for Michael Bourn, Geoff Geary, and a prospect, has been stellar so far this season. He was just recently awarded a three-year $37.5-million contract extension.

Rough and Tough is the Game for Indians Sizemore

Steve — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 16:38:18 -0400

If you’re a young kid who wants to play baseball, follow Cleveland Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore.

He is by far one of the best outfielders in the game today.

He comes to play every night giving his all, diving for line drives and climbing the wall to make a spectacular catch.

The 25-year-old is a great all around player.

Sizemore is closing in on 100 career home runs and just recently reached the 300 RBI plateau.

Grady can also steal bases as he has stolen over 20 bases the last three years. He is by far one of the best lead off hitters in the majors.

Sizemore has the power to knock a ball out of the park, has the speed to steal 30 bases.

He is also a doubles machine; he had 53 doubles in 2006. He was at one time the iron man of MLB with games played streak of 382 before he suffered an ankle sprain and missed 2 games, but he hasn't missed a start since.

Grady was selected to the 2006 and 2007 AL All-Star teams.

At the end of the 2007 season Grady earned his first Gold Glove after having just 2 errors all season.

Sizemore was the 2006 AL doubles and runs scored champion.