The MLB championship series are set to begin tonight with the New York Yankees facing the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and the Los Angeles Dodgers hosting defending champion Philadelphia Phillies. I expect both series to be exciting and closely-fought matches. But as we all know, there can only be one winner.
ALCS - While the Yankees are the sexy choice here with their all-star lineup that can hit almost at will, I like the Angels. I think they are a better-rounded team with a lot of pitching depth. The Yankees’ back of the rotation is suspect, which could be problematic in a long, seven-game series. Also, the Angels have an intangible. The death early in the season of pitcher Nick Adenhart has unified this team. I think that experience, plus overcoming a slow start with injuries to three of their starting pitchers, has made them an emotionally strong team. If any team can get past the Yankees, the Angels can.
NLCS - The NLCS is a tougher call. Like the Yankees, the Dodgers are the sexy choice with their young starters. But they struggled down the stretch and nearly lost their division title. The Phillies also struggled and Brad Lidge is a big question mark as their closer. Still, he performed well in the NLDS. I also like the way the Phillies came back against the Rockies in Game 4 to clinch the series, and I like their lineup. They know how to win the big games. I’m not convinced the Dodgers are able to do that.
So, I guess I’m going against all expert prognosticators with my pick: Angels and Phillies.
Showing posts with label New York Yankees. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New York Yankees. Show all posts
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Friday, March 14, 2008
Crystal’s Day in the Sun
I think every sports fan dreams of the day that they can don the uniform of his or her favorite team and be part of the team for a day.
That dream came true for comedian/actor Billy Crystal when he signed a one-day, minor-league deal with the Yankees. To commemorate his 60th birthday, Crystal wore the number 60 on his jersey and led off Thursday's spring training contest against the Pittsburgh Pirates. After going to a 3-1 pitch count, Crystal struck out. But as he told the New York Times, “it was a great feeling.”
While it’s amusing to watch celebrities like Crystal mingle with the big boys on the baseball field, how many of us wouldn’t mind trading places with them? Why should celebrities have all the fun?
Why not let the average sports fan spend a day with their favorite sports team, wear the team uniform, and have a swing or two in the batter’s box? Naturally, such an honor does not come for free. A generous donation to the team’s favorite charity would work quite nicely. I can’t think of a better way to spend a birthday, can you?
That dream came true for comedian/actor Billy Crystal when he signed a one-day, minor-league deal with the Yankees. To commemorate his 60th birthday, Crystal wore the number 60 on his jersey and led off Thursday's spring training contest against the Pittsburgh Pirates. After going to a 3-1 pitch count, Crystal struck out. But as he told the New York Times, “it was a great feeling.”
While it’s amusing to watch celebrities like Crystal mingle with the big boys on the baseball field, how many of us wouldn’t mind trading places with them? Why should celebrities have all the fun?
Why not let the average sports fan spend a day with their favorite sports team, wear the team uniform, and have a swing or two in the batter’s box? Naturally, such an honor does not come for free. A generous donation to the team’s favorite charity would work quite nicely. I can’t think of a better way to spend a birthday, can you?
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
World Champion Red Sox Set the Standard
Folks may still be celebrating in Boston after the Red Sox clinched their second World Series title in four years, but the rest of the baseball world has already started to look ahead to 2008. Many of them will look to the Red Sox as a model of what their team should look like -- one built on a balance of offensive power, strong defense and gutsy pitching. They also combined the experience of players like Mike Lowell, David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and Jason Varitek with young players from their farm system such as Jonathan Palpebon, Dustin Pedroia and Jacoby Ellsbury. With this balance of talent, the Sox appear to be set to compete for several years. One wonders if they have become the new "evil empire" especially as the Yankees appear to be rebuilding under new manager Joe Girardi.
But the difference between the Red Sox "empire" and the Yankees version is how the mega bucks the Red Sox spent were allocated. The Yankees threw money to whoever was available on the market, regardless if they really needed the player or whether they fit in with the team. Some speculated that they recruited players just to prevent the rival Red Sox from taking them. I don't know if that's true or not, but let's just say, the Yankees did not always invest wisely in their personnel. The Red Sox, on the other hand, spent money where they needed to. They filled the holes that needed to be filled and recruited quality players who understand how the game is meant to be played and know how to be a team player. How the Sox put their title team together was an example of smart planning. Yes, they spent money on quality free agents, but if Palpebon, Pedroia and Ellsbury are any indication, then their farm system must be pretty good too.
Championship teams are not built overnight (take note Chicago Cubs). But you can bet other MLB teams are watching the Red Sox' success as a model to follow as they plan for 2008. The Sox have set the bar high, but can any team come close to matching their success?
But the difference between the Red Sox "empire" and the Yankees version is how the mega bucks the Red Sox spent were allocated. The Yankees threw money to whoever was available on the market, regardless if they really needed the player or whether they fit in with the team. Some speculated that they recruited players just to prevent the rival Red Sox from taking them. I don't know if that's true or not, but let's just say, the Yankees did not always invest wisely in their personnel. The Red Sox, on the other hand, spent money where they needed to. They filled the holes that needed to be filled and recruited quality players who understand how the game is meant to be played and know how to be a team player. How the Sox put their title team together was an example of smart planning. Yes, they spent money on quality free agents, but if Palpebon, Pedroia and Ellsbury are any indication, then their farm system must be pretty good too.
Championship teams are not built overnight (take note Chicago Cubs). But you can bet other MLB teams are watching the Red Sox' success as a model to follow as they plan for 2008. The Sox have set the bar high, but can any team come close to matching their success?
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Yankees' Future in Limbo
Would Mariano Rivera Exchange Yankee Pin Stripes for Cubbie Blue?
In the three days since the Cleveland Indians defeated the New York Yankees in the American League divisional series, manager Joe Torre’s career with the Yankees has been in limbo. Yankees' owner George Steinbrenner made it clear during the series that the Yankees needed to win in order to save Torre’s job. Now the world waits for the hammer to fall.
Today, reliever Mariano Rivera told reporters he hoped Torre would stay with the team. Rivera, who becomes a free agent after this season, said his decision to stay with the team hinges on whether Torre also stays. If Torre is fired, Rivera says he may decide to play elsewhere.
If that’s the case, I can think of one team on the north side of Chicago that might consider pursuing Rivera. Granted, the Cubs already have a closer in Ryan Dempster, but he has been adequate at best, but isn’t overpowering or dominant like Rivera. I would think that if a team has the money and the opportunity to bring in arguably the best closer in the game, they should take that chance. Can you imagine Mariano Rivera in blue pin stripes?
In the three days since the Cleveland Indians defeated the New York Yankees in the American League divisional series, manager Joe Torre’s career with the Yankees has been in limbo. Yankees' owner George Steinbrenner made it clear during the series that the Yankees needed to win in order to save Torre’s job. Now the world waits for the hammer to fall.
Today, reliever Mariano Rivera told reporters he hoped Torre would stay with the team. Rivera, who becomes a free agent after this season, said his decision to stay with the team hinges on whether Torre also stays. If Torre is fired, Rivera says he may decide to play elsewhere.
If that’s the case, I can think of one team on the north side of Chicago that might consider pursuing Rivera. Granted, the Cubs already have a closer in Ryan Dempster, but he has been adequate at best, but isn’t overpowering or dominant like Rivera. I would think that if a team has the money and the opportunity to bring in arguably the best closer in the game, they should take that chance. Can you imagine Mariano Rivera in blue pin stripes?
Monday, October 08, 2007
Is Torre’s Job on the Line - Again?
George Steinbrenner did it again. He publicly threatened to fire Yankee manager Joe Torre if the Bronx Bombers do not win the divisional series against the Cleveland Indians. His plan worked for Game 3 of the ALDS when the Yankees beat the Indians 8-4. But I seem to recall that Steinbrenner pulled this stunt a few years ago when the Yankees struggled during the post season. His plan wasn’t successful then, and I honestly hope it doesn’t work now. When will Steinbrenner learn that public threats and humiliation aren’t very good motivational tools?
Monday, May 07, 2007
The Rocket Rejoins the Bronx Bombers
Future Hall of Famer Roger Clemens announced he is returning to his former team, the New York Yankees, for the remainder of this season. The 44-year-old ace made the announcement to a crowd of more than 52,000 fans at Yankee Stadium Sunday during the seventh inning stretch. After spending a few weeks training and getting into pitching shape, Clemens is expected to join the team sometime in early June. He will earn $28 million, or $4.5 million per month through the rest of this season.
The acquisition of Clemens is a huge shot in the arm for the Yankees, who clearly were desperate for starting pitching. Whether or not that boost lasts through the season and helps manager Joe Torre keep his job remains to be seen. It’s not good news for the AL Central either where many figured one of the four top teams -- the Tigers, Twins, Indians and White Sox – could win the Wild Card. That may not be the case anymore. If both the Yankees and Red Sox make the playoffs, the AL Central – arguably the best division in baseball -- would only have one team going the playoffs. And that means a more intense fight to the finish.
The acquisition of Clemens is a huge shot in the arm for the Yankees, who clearly were desperate for starting pitching. Whether or not that boost lasts through the season and helps manager Joe Torre keep his job remains to be seen. It’s not good news for the AL Central either where many figured one of the four top teams -- the Tigers, Twins, Indians and White Sox – could win the Wild Card. That may not be the case anymore. If both the Yankees and Red Sox make the playoffs, the AL Central – arguably the best division in baseball -- would only have one team going the playoffs. And that means a more intense fight to the finish.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)