Bleacher Report - Articles by Stamati Horiates

Divine Intervention? Peavy and the Padres Are Inspired

Stamati Horiates — Thu, 28 May 2009 10:38:12 -0400

Winners of 11 of their last 12, the San Diego Padres are the hottest team in Major League Baseball and are currently in possession of second place in the NL West.

Not bad for a team that attempted to dump any big name player they could this past offseason.

A week after almost trading Jake Peavy to the Chicago White Sox, the San Diego Padres fans must be thanking their lucky stars for the opportunity to attend baseball games that still matter. While Peavy's no-trade clause had a lot to do with that, perhaps there is something more than just divine intervention which can explain this phenomenon.

Before the Peavy deal that would have certainly ended their season, the San Diego Padres were losers of six in a row and 19 out of 23. Who could blame the front office for scratching the season, cutting their losses, and attempting to rebuild for the future?

I guess the players.

Once in a while in team sports, an opportunity comes along which unites a team and makes the impossible, all of a sudden, seem a lot more possible. While the Padres were dwindling in the bottom of the rankings and about to get rid of their best player, all of a sudden something strange happened. Something strange that we never see in sports.

The best player said no.

While his decision for rejecting the trade can be explained in a variety of ways with regards to the reasons, consequences, and the situation, the truth is that this never happens in sports, especially when you are talking about the best player on one of the worst teams in the league.

Usually, great players are demanding to be traded away when their team is not being competitive.

However, it seems that when Jake Peavy refused to be traded, his teammates decided that they were not ready for their season to be over, that they were not ready to build for the future, that they wanted to win now.

Known around the league as the most competitive player in the game, Jake Peavy is apparently rubbing off on his teammates who, for the first time this season, have been playing up to their potential.

Now, standing behind their staff ace, the Padres are a team possessed, which is the most dangerous type of team in all of sports.

While the season is still early and the fate of Peavy and Padres is yet to be determined, the inspirational message is clear. The best players to watch in any sport are those that are playing for more than their paycheck, more than their jobs, and more than themselves. They are the ones who are playing for each other.

Maybe it is divine intervention after all.

Stamati Horiates
BaseballInformant.com

Giant Win for Big Unit

Stamati Horiates — Thu, 28 May 2009 09:34:38 -0400

Randy Johnson seemed to pitch almost effortlessly on Wednesday night to earn his 299th victory of his career. Through six innings, the Big Unit was locked in giving up only three hits, allowing no walks, and striking out five.

Three of those strikeouts came via Chipper Jones who despite striking out a total of four times yesterday still remains one of the most feared and technically sound hitters in the majors.

The outing is Johnson's second productive performance in a row and reiterates how devastating of a pitcher he has been throughout his career.

The win is a big one for the Giants who even up there record at .500 after having won their last three in a row.

While the NL West division seems to be out of their reach thanks to the Major League leading LA Dodgers, the Giants are still in the hunt for a Wild Card spot and potentially one big bat away from being a very dangerous team.

Randy Johnson, despite a few poor outings this season, has looked dominant at times and has given the SF Giants exactly what they were looking for when they signed him during the offseason; a quality fifth starter who has brought countless intangibles to this young, promising pitching staff.

Next week, Johnson will go for his milestone 300th win in Washington against the team with the worst record in Major League Baseball, the Nationals. After that, Johnson will pitch in Florida against the Marlins before returning home to San Francisco.

If all goes as well for Randy Johnson, the next time he is greeted by Giants fans it will be to a thunderous ovation for a lifetime's worth of achievement and the opportunity to win another game for the orange and black.

Stamati Horiates
BaseballInformant.com

Toronto Blue Days: Falling Fast in the AL East

Stamati Horiates — Thu, 28 May 2009 08:50:52 -0400

Two weeks ago, the Toronto Blue Jays were on top of the world. About to start their longest road trip of the season, the Jays had just swept the Chicago White Sox in four games, and were leading the mighty AL East while contending for the best record in Major League Baseball.

What a difference a road trip can make.

After East Coast stops in Boston, Atlanta, and Baltimore, the Toronto Blue Jays are finding that the only thing harder than making it to the top is staying there. Losers of nine straight, the Blue Jays go into Thursday with a much needed day off—needed if for no other reason than to lick their wounds.

Now sitting at third place in the division (behind Boston and NY), and a game and a half out of first, Toronto embarks on a nine-game homestand in hopes of turning it back around. But it won't be easy.

The Jays will face the Boston Red Sox, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and the Kansas City Royals for three games each. This should prove to be a tough task for Toronto this week.

However, in order to stay in contention and prove that they belong in the AL East conversation, the Blue Jays will have to pull themselves together once again and regain their early season form.

If not, Toronto will be in for a much longer season than they planned, and there will be many more blue days to come.

Stamati Horiates
BaseballInformant.com

Tampa Bay Rays: What's in a Name?

Stamati Horiates — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:33:28 -0400

Change your name and your image will follow. It worked for Puffy or Puff Daddy or P. Diddy, why shouldn’t it work for a baseball team too?

From their inception, the baseball franchise in Tampa Bay has pretty much been the laughing stock of Major League Baseball. However, six weeks into the season the new-look Rays are in first place in their division and showing no signs of letting up.

Was it really all in the name?

To find the answer to this question, one must start at the beginning.

First of all, baseball is unlike any of the other three major sports, in that a draft pick takes a lot of time and commitment to develop before he can add value to the team.

Thus, when drafted, each baseball player has less immediate impact on his team than any other player in any other sport.

Given this factor alone, Tampa Bay has been able to turn losing season after losing season into excellent draft position year after year.

The Rays have in turn used these picks mainly on high-potential high school players—which often take even more time to develop than their counterparts out of college.

Players such as Carl Crawford and BJ Upton are just two offensive selections drafted out of high school by the Rays that have now come into their own as All-Star caliber players.

Mix that with capitalizing on key trades for more young, talented players such as Scott Kazmir, Matt Garza, and Dioner Navarro and eventually a pretty good team starts to shape up.

The last ingredient is in developing these players. Tampa Bay has done an incredible job in this area—as exemplified by current number-one starter and former 16th-round selection James Shields.

Perhaps the only team in the league better at developing young talent is the Arizona Diamondbacks, who hold the best record in the majors, and carry only two starters over the age of 27.

It also never hurts to know when to cut your losses on problematic players and so called ‘locker-room plagues’ like Delmon Young either.

As evidenced time and again in baseball, a team with great chemistry has just as much chance to win as a team with the highest payroll, and that is certainly what Tampa Bay has developed into—a team with great chemistry.

Up and down the lineup, Tampa Bay has that unique blend of veteran leadership and young, unpredictable talent.

Players like Evan Longoria, Edwin Jackson, and Andy Sonnanstine are playing carefree baseball, while gaining valuable locker-room wisdom from age-old vets like Troy Percival and Cliff Floyd.

Finally, add a few scrappy players like Akinori Iwamura, who has switched positions for the good of the team, and Dioner Navarro, who can capitalize on opportunities, and you have a team whose play has garnered the envy of even Hank Steinbrenner.

Not to mention—with more young pitchers like Wade Davis, Jacob McGee, and David Price on the horizon, the Rays look like a team just beginning to shine.

So, was it just a change in the name? Hardly.

Consider the new name a byproduct of the change in the organization and a glimpse of things to come.

Chase Utley vs David Wright: You Decide the MVP

Stamati Horiates — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 08:19:17 -0400

With nine home runs through less than four weeks of the season including five in his last five games, Chase Utley is seeking out the Philadelphia Phillies third MVP award in the last three years.

Not far behind him, if at all, is New York Mets third baseman David Wright. With four homers, 3 stolen bases, a .343 batting average, and 19 rbi to go with 19 walks, Wright is at the top of every offensive category.

The funny thing is that both of these players could have won this award last year but were each overlooked for different reasons out of their control.

Utley, who was hit in the hand by a pitch, missed 32 games towards the end of the season which basically eliminated him from contention for the award while Wright was left out of the discussion mostly because of the implosion that the rest of the Mets team suffered from last year.

This year, Utley and Wright have each started off on fire and are currently annihilating National League pitching from the three hole on their respective teams.

Although the season, much like the rivalry between these two NL East power-houses, is still blossoming, I wanted to get your opinion on who you would rather have on your team and why as well as who has the better chance of winning the MVP this year.

NCAFF: San Jose Predators vs Central Coast Barnstormers

Stamati Horiates — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:32:30 -0400

Looking to avenge last year’s defeat at the hands of their bitter rivals, the San Jose Predators took the field on Saturday against the Central Coast Barnstormers in a match-up to determine first place in the South division.

After routing the Alameda County Knights to go 2-1 for the season, San Jose headed into the bye-week on a positive note. A topic of concern for the Predators however proved to be, would they continue to improve on their previous victory or come out rusty?

As it turns out, the Predators showed a little bit of both. In a game that was highlighted by plenty of big hits and trash talking, in the end it was the miscues that made the biggest difference for San Jose.

After (#0) Matthew Barquira returned the opening kick-off 75 yards, the Predators drove down to the Barnstormers 4 yard line before dropping a sure-fire touchdown pass in the end-zone. The Barnstormers escaped the drive allowing only a field goal.

In another almost famous moment in the first half, quarterback (#4) Andrew Vasquez came inches from hooking up with wide receiver (#1) Bobby Adams streaking towards the end-zone uncovered. The drive stalled and San Jose finished the half behind 6 to 3.

The Predators defense remained stout once again forcing the Barnstormers to earn every yard they got. A forced fumble and a blocked extra point, however, were just not enough to hold off the reigning NCAAF champs from taking the game.

Although the game ended 25-3, it was a much closer contest than the final score indicated.

The San Jose Predators (2-2) play their next game away against the Salinas Spartans (4-0) on 4/26/2008. Kick-off is at 5pm.

Is Kobe Bryant Better Than Michael Jordan: The Gap Is Shrinking

Stamati Horiates — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:44:33 -0400

How far is the gap between Michael Jordan and the man many say is the best player in the NBA today, Kobe Bryant?

Well, as of now, pretty big...but all that could change real quick.

Think of it, one of the few awards Michael has garnered during his tenure which Kobe has yet to achieve is League MVP. However, in what may have been his finest season ever as a pro, Bryant is looking more and more like a lock for that piece of hardware.

Granted, Jordan did earn this award five times during his career, but in all fairness to Kobe, that was a completely different era in the sport with a completely different type of athlete. To win that award five times nowadays would be virtually impossible, even for Michael.

The most notable thing Jordan accomplished as a player was in leading his team to two different three-peats, which truly established his greatness over the course of his career.

Now, on the eve of the NBA Playoffs, Kobe finds himself, I dare say, in the position to match that feat as well. If Bryant can travel this path, the ever-shrinking gap between MJ and Kobe will be virtually nonexistent.

As Kobe Bryant embarks on this journey, be sure to remember that Michael Jordan never had to contend with a conference as competitive as the Western Conference is today.

The Golden State Warriors, who finished with 48 wins didn't qualify for the playoffs and the eighth seeded team, the Denver Nuggets, have the top three and four scorers in the NBA.

Kobe's Lakers finished first in a highly competitive West and did a lot of that with injuries to key guys throughout the season. Andrew Bynum only played 35 games this year while Pau Gasol logged a meager 24.

Now, the Los Angeles Lakers are relatively healthy heading into the playoffs and could be poised to show their true dominance.

With Derek Fisher running the point and Lamar Odom averaging a double double from the power forward position, they have all the pieces in place to win now.

The scary thing is that this may be just the beginning. Of all five starters, Fisher is the only one above the age of thirty so it is quite possible that this team is only starting its rise to power.

In addition, the coach steering the ship is none other than Phil Jackson, the only coach in NBA history to lead a team to two different three-peats. Lest we forget, he also coached LA to its 3-peat not too long ago.

With all this fire power, Kobe Bryant and the Lakers could be embarking on a new three-peat of their own, if not more.

The one consolation I can offer to the rest of the NBA - At least you'll have front row seats to experience history in the making...even if it is at your expense.

Forget Eminem: Detroit Has a New MC

Stamati Horiates — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 09:30:39 -0400

Kid Rock and Eminem exploded onto the scene a few years back, increasing popularity and interest in Motown's Hip Hop scene.

Since then, the Tigers have made it all the way to the World Series only to fall just short, swept by the Cardinals.

This season the Tigers started on a six-game losing streak, and as of two days ago had yet to record back-to-back wins.

However, on the bat of their newest M.C., Detroit has once again been reinvigorated.

Miguel Cabrera slammed a home run in the first inning as part of a four for six night. He collected five RBI and scored two runs against reigning division winner Cleveland Indians.

The game finished in a 13-2 rout and marked yet another outing in which last year's AL Cy Young Award winning pitcher C.C. Sabathia was shelled.

Led by Cabrera, the Detroit Tigers showed how devastating they can be even when things aren't going perfectly.

In a game where the top four hitters in the lineup only collected four hits (including an 0-6 night from leadoff hitter Pudge Rodriguez), the Tigers scored 13 runs as Renteria added a little punch of his own with a grand slam in the fifth.

It appears that Detroit has now gotten through their season opening jitters. If last night is any indication of what's to come, the rest of the pitchers in the AL will be in for a long season.

NCAFF Week 2 : San Jose Predators vs. Twin City Cougars

Stamati Horiates — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 07:31:18 -0400

San Jose Predators vs Twin City Cougars

3/30/2008

The San Jose Predators went to Yuba City on Saturday for their second game of the season. After traveling 3 hours and dealing with some last minute ‘sock shock’, the Predators took the field against the Cougars with both teams looking to improve to 2-0.

After a scoreless opening quarter, the Predators struck first blood as RB Stefan Fowler (#3) took a swing pass from QB Andrew Vazquez (#4) for a touchdown. Fowler, who was a late scratch in week one, returned in style as he zigged and zagged his way sixty yards down the field to find pay-dirt.

Fowler also added another touchdown reception in the second half as he bounced off defenders like a pinball on his way to the endzone.

The Cougars, coming off a 42 point win, added some offense to the mix as their RB tandem accounted for 2 touchdowns of their own.

Although the teams battled back and forth, San Jose seemed to have control most of the game despite some questionable officiating. In the end, however, it seemed as if there were just too many things going against the Predators this day.

Ahead 17-13 with about five minutes to play, the Predators gave up a crucial fourth down conversion that would have ended the game and sealed the victory. Instead, the Cougars were able to keep the drive alive and punch the ball in for a 20-17 advantage.

With just under a minute left on the clock, the Predators attempted some last minute heroics but came up short.

A somber moment fell upon the game early in the first quarter when Predators OLB Sam Vizzusi (#31) was carted off the field after being injured on the play. Vizzusi, who had a sack in the game, broke his Humerus (upper forearm) as he attempted to recover a fumble. Vizzusi will be out at leas 6 months. Our prayers are with him.

San Jose Sharks: Is It Safe To Peak?

Stamati Horiates — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:56:07 -0400

Over the past few years, the San Jose Sharks have been a tough competitor heading into the playoffs only to get burned by another team that just happened to be on fire.

Three seasons ago, it was a loss to Calgary in game six of the Western Conference Finals.

In the next season, the Sharks were the highest remaining seed in the Western Conference before the eighth seeded Oilers came out of nowhere to eliminate everyone en route to a Stanley Cup bid.

Last year, it was at the hands of Detroit.

Now, currently in the midst of a 16-game point streak, could this finally be the year of the Shark?

With young leaders and highly skilled talents on the team like Joe Thornton, Jonathon Cheechoo, and Patrick Marleau, it seems this San Jose team is in prime position to contend for that ever so elusive championship it has been searching for.

The addition of Brian Campbell on defense and the tough but lovable Jeremy Roenick help make this a well rounded and unique bunch.

Evgeni Nabokov, with six shutouts and 43 wins (tops in the league), is enjoying his finest season ever, somehow managing to keep his GAA a meager 2.16.

The San Jose Sharks as a unit have been excelling through their deep mix of young stars and veteran leadership. The defense is stout, the offense electric, and the goaltending at times has been downright impenetrable.

However, as many coaches say, in sports it is never about the team that plays its best during the season. The only way to win a championship is for a team to save its best for the playoff run.

So, to answer the question: Will this be the year of the Shark?

Please, let them know I said it is now safe to peak.

Kershaw Rules: Listen to Joe

Stamati Horiates — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 09:28:47 -0400

Kershaw Rules: Destination Dynasty

We saw Joe Torre use them last year in New York as Joba Chamberlain mowed down big league hitters like shredded wheat in his home state of Nebraska. Back then they were called The Joba Rules.

It seems Joe Torre has managed his way once again into the unique position of having the most sensational phenom pitcher in the league in his back pocket. So, should we be expecting to see ‘The Kershaw Rules’ anytime soon?

After pitching three innings of scoreless baseball against the Brewers yesterday, Clayton Kershaw left the game with six strikeouts while giving up just one hit and one walk. He dropped his team leading ERA to 0.90, making quick work of veteran players like Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks, and Bill Hall. In 10 innings pitched this preseason, Kershaw is second on the club with thirteen strikeouts.

Kershaw, at 6ft3, 210 lbs, is a dominating presence on the mound with true ace-caliber stuff. He has devastated hitters in the minors and has been hailed as the second coming of Sandy Koufax.

Did I mention he just turned 20 last Wednesday?

Although blessed with these incredible attributes, it may take some time before the Dodgers really take the reins off Kershaw even despite the fact that he is way better than their next option at the fifth starter. As with any young pitcher, it is extremely important to give him time and not rush his development.

On the other hand, as many scouts will attest to, “When you’re ready, you’re ready”, and this kid may just be there.

As good as he is, it seems inevitable that Kershaw will be called upon to contribute to the big league club by the end of the season and maybe even before the All-Star break.

Remember, due to midseason injuries last year, Joe Torre called up 20-year-old phenom Phil Hughes to take over in the rotation in April as well as 21-year-old Joba Chamberlain for the bullpen in August.

Whether it happens sooner or later though, Dodger fans definitely have something worth getting excited about. With the emergence of Kershaw, Kemp, Loney, and Martin, Joe Torre could just be steering this ship towards a Dynasty similar to the one he engineered in NY not so long ago.

2008 LA Dodgers Line-Up : Well, At Least What It Should Be

Stamati Horiates — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 11:00:54 -0400

2008 LA Dodgers Line-Up

(If I were manager instead of that nut, Joe Torre)

Rafael Furcal (SS)
Russel Martin (C)
Matt Kemp (RF)
J Loney (1B)
A Jones (CF)
J Kent (2B)
A Ethier (LF)
A LaRoche (3B)

Matt Kemp has, by far, the most talent on this team. He can hit for average, power, and steal bases. His only down side is that he makes stupid base running decisions sometimes but that’ll get better with experience. He’s still young.

James Loney had a great half season in the "bigs" last year. He can hit for average and will see a lot of good pitches in that four hole protected by the likes of A Jones and J Kent.

Russell Martin combines a good eye with good speed in the two spot and Furcal can ravage the base paths from the lead-off position. Not to mention, just about anyone with an average over .250 is better than Pierre.

Andruw Jones and Jeff Kent, the veterans of the squad still have some pop left in the bat and should provide a good power threat in the middle of the lineup.

Andre Ethier, although I also like him as a two hole in this line-up, can add some back of the lineup momentum while LaRoche can hopefully start producing up to his potential with an increase in playing time. Otherwise, it’s back to Garciaparra and we all know where that’ll lead…to the DL.

Warriors-Lakers: Why I Hate Basketball

Stamati Horiates — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:07:14 -0400

Let me first start off by saying, I love basketball.

It’s a fast-paced, high-scoring, high-flying action sport with an incredible amount of drama.

However, the reason I will always hate it is because of how much the officiating determines the outcomes of games.

Let’s take last night’s Golden State Warriors-Los Angeles Lakers game, for example.

The score was 121 to 119 in OT and the Warriors had the ball. As they prepared to inbound it, Derek Fisher from the Lakers started falling down and pulled Monta Ellis on top of him.

The ref, who only saw the end of the play, called the foul on Ellis and the Warriors lost the ball and any hope they had of winning the game.

Now, referees do not always blow calls at the end of the game, but it has become often enough where I feel like I am wasting my time watching a 3-hour game end like this.

After all, how many bad calls must a spectator have to suffer through before he gives up on the sport all together?

How many times have you seen the following?

A ref calls a foul when the defender doesn’t even touch the other player. The ref just thinks there will be a foul so he calls one despite not actually seeing one happen.
A team goes down on offense, gets fouled, shoots free throws followed by the other team doing the same thing. Repeat over and over again. I understand the need to call fouls but I did not tune in for a free throw shooting contest.
A player complains because he got touch fouled and the ref didn’t call it. The reason they get mad is because they’re used to the refs calling every little thing.
A player is more interested in trying to draw a foul instead of actually making his shot.
A flop (fake getting fouled). I hate this most of all. Just play the damn game.

As much as I try to forget how much control the refs have over the game of basketball, any combination of the above things happening over and over again keeps reminding me.

It is no surprise that the ref who was fixing games last year for the mafia was a basketball ref. No referee in any other sport could be that effective at determining outcomes of games and get away with it for as long as he was able to.

Until basketball fixes this problem, I am doomed to be a frustrated fan always believing that the final outcome of a game is determined less by the players and more by unnecessary referee influence.

San Jose Predators-Solano Chiefs: Amateur Football Kicks Off in Northern California

Stamati Horiates — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:13:58 -0400

The San Jose Predators took on the Solano Chiefs to kick off their first game of the NCAFF Football season under a clear blue sky last Saturday afternoon. Although the weather remained calm, the action on the field raged with aggression.

The Predators, coming off a 5-3 record last year and a trip to the playoffs, were eager to come out and protect their home turf at Andrew Hill High School. However, the Chiefs, intent to show their improvement over last year’s 1-7 record, had other plans.

The game started off with both teams trading possessions as they searched for their rhythm offensively. However, it was not long before the scoring opened up as Anthony Palomino (#28) of the Predators returned a punt to the house midway through the first quarter.

Led by quarterback Andrew Vasquez(#4), the Predators offense added two more TD’s to the scoring effort with a 20-yard strike to Randy Lambert (#81) and a 30-yarder to Priest Zepherin (#21).

With their backs against the wall, the Chiefs got on the board twice with scores on special teams, once blocking a punt and recovering it into the end zone and the other time returning a punt for a touchdown.

Perhaps the story of the game though was the Predators impenetrable defense. Despite being pinned back deep in their own zone time and again, the Predators cemented themselves like a brick wall in between the opposition and the end zone.

Palomino added to the dominance by intercepting two passes and the defense ravaged through the Chief’s offensive line to block both of their extra point attempts.

#10 Danny Bettancourt of the Predators kicked a field goal in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.

San Jose’s next game is away this Saturday against the Twin City Cougars who beat the SOCA Sharks 42-0.