It's Just a Game

"What's the big deal? It's just a game"

If you are a sports fan you have probably heard that phrase before, and I'm here to tell you that sports are a bigger deal than some people give them credit for. Sports are much more than a game. My love for sports is part of who I am. It's a borderline obsession. I know that I'm not alone. I know that there are others out there like me, and it's not a bad thing. It is not a character flaw.

Sports are emotional and can have a profound impact on our lives and society as a whole. If you don't think so, go ahead and Youtube Mike Piazza's home run for the New York Mets days after the 9/11 attacks and tell me it was just a game to those people in that stadium. It wasn't just a game to those people in Fenway Park after the Boston Marathon bombing as they listened to the unifying "This is our *bleeping* city" speech by David Ortiz.

Sports can make us feel the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Sports can unify strangers from all walks of life and can also divide friends and neighbors with the closest ties. Sports can be fiercely loyal or commit absolute betrayal. Whatever it is or whatever the situation, there is no denying that sports make us FEEL. That is what I love about them. It's magical.

Last night I sat down on my couch to watch the Los Angeles Angels, my favorite baseball team, play the Oakland Athletics. My wife had a work meeting so I was about to enjoy 9 innings of uninterrupted baseball viewing bliss. 

As the game progressed the Angels took a 4-2 lead going into the 7th inning and then all hell broke loose. Oakland's Rajai Davis came to the plate with 2 men on and promptly hit the ball down the first base line and careened off the glove of the diving Angels first basemen Marte and into foul territory. As two runs came across the plate to tie the game Kole Calhoun came sprinting in from right field picked up the ball and threw it to 3rd base to try and throw out Davis who was trying to stretch out a triple. Calhoun's throw bounced in front of the bag and ricocheted away from the third basement Yunel Escobar. Davis recognized the errant throw and sprinted home giving Oakland a 5-4 lead. Oakland scored again later in the inning making it 6-4 going to the 8th. I still had hope because the heart of the Angels order was due up in the 8th with Calhoun, Trout, and Pujols. Calhoun singled...we had life...or so I thought. Trout was called out on strikes and Pujols grounded into an inning ending double play.

Then something happened that I never used to do. NEVER. I turned off the TV. I left the game early. I gave up.

I turned off the TV and went into a cursing tirade about the team's failures and my frustrations. My wife looked at me and said "I think sports are making you an angry person."

I went to bed. She was right, I was angry.

I woke up the next day and found several notifications on my phone. The Angel's Danny Espinosa hit a go-ahead 3-run home run in the 9th inning. Angels won 7-6.

I'm ashamed that I gave up on my team. Ashamed that I got angry. Ashamed I didn't believe.

I did the same thing When BYU played the #1 ranked and undefeated Gonzaga Bulldogs in Spokane. BYU was a 20-point underdog. I went in to watching that game thinking there was no way the Cougars would win, but thought it would be incredible if somehow they found a way to do it. After BYU got down by 15 points in the first 5 minutes of the game I had seen enough. I turned off the TV again. I rushed  to turn it back on when I saw on my phone later that night that the game was tied late in the 2nd half. BYU won 79-71 and ended Gonzaga's undefeated season.

What happened to me!? Who have I become!? Turning off a game or leaving a game early is not something I do. To prove it I will tell you a story:

I attended a Salt Lake Bees game many summers ago. I believe I had just graduated high school. I was on a group date with two other couples. After a long night of baseball and awkward -hey I don't really know you that well but I will pretend to think what you are saying is interesting - conversation, we finally arrived at the bottom of the 9th with the Bees down by 2 runs. Everyone wanted to leave...except for me. They wanted to beat traffic because the "game was over" but I insisted that we stay. I tried to explain to them that if they could get a base runner the game was one swing of the bat away from a tie game. They didn't care. Everyone stood up and made their way up the aisle to leave the stadium. I stayed seated. It was as awkward as you can imagine. The girl I was with didn't know what to do because her friends (I have to emphatically specify that they were her friends, because my friends would have never been willing to leave early) were beckoning for her to leave too.

BASE HIT. Man on 1st, 2 outs.

I'm being a jerk at this point. I looked at her and said there is no way I am leaving this game. She reluctantly sat down with me to the disgust of the others.

Next man up hit a game tying 2-run homer. The rest of the group came back to their seats as I carried on about how "I told them so". It was awesome.

SIDE NOTE: Later in life I met a pretty girl that I thought was pretty awesome. Our first date was to a Utah Jazz game. Our second date was to opening night at the Salt Lake Bees. She didn't know that this was a strategic move. She had to know that sports was an essentially important part of my life. She never complained, said it was boring, or wanted to go home before it was over. She is now my wife.

Sports are magic. I have no other way to describe them. They make you feel things that only they can make you feel. Things happen in sports that shouldn't happen...what feels like impossible becomes possible. It's magic.

Just this past year we have witnessed things in sports that people wouldn't believe unless they witnessed it. For example:

- The Chicago Cubs came back from down 3 games to 1 and won the World Series for the first time in over 100 years

- The Cleveland Cavaliers overcame a 3-1 deficit to win the NBA Finals for the first time. No team had ever come back from down 3 games to 1 in the Finals.

- The New England Patriots overcame a 28-3 deficit and beat the Atlanta Falcons in overtime 31-28 in Super Bowl XLI.

That was JUST THIS YEAR.

Think of all the amazing and seemingly impossible things that have happened in the history of sports.

The US Olympic hockey team beating the Russian Federation at the Lake Placid games. That was not supposed to happen. It was a bunch of young armatures for the Americans against seasoned veterans for the Russians. It was a miracle. It still gives me chills to hear Al Michaels yell "Do you believe in miracles!?"

I despise the Boston Red Sox. Hate them. However, their 2004 ALCS victory over the New York Yankees can't be described any other way than...magic. After years and years of heartbreak and the "Curse of the Bambino" staring at them right in the face, they were up to an impossible task: Down in the series 3-0 and behind by a score of 4-3  in the 9th inning of game 4 with the greatest closer of all-time, Mariano Rivera on the mound. Most people would assume the game was over...but it wasn't. 

Kevin Millar walks to lead off the inning. Dave Roberts pinch-runs and steals 2nd with the entire world knowing he was going to attempt it. Bill Mueller hits the game tying RBI single. David Ortiz hits a walk off homer in the 12th.

Ortiz went on to hit a walk off the next night. Schilling pitched the game of his life in game 6 with a bloody sock. Johnny Damon's grand slam in game 7. Sox win the series 4-3. Magic.

Game 6 of the 2011 World Series where David Freese became a sports legend in St. Louis. It is still one of the most amazing things I have ever witnessed in sports.

"John Stockton sends the Utah Jazz to the NBA Finals!" will ring in every Utah Jazz fans ears until the end of time.

Tanner Mangum coming off his LDS Mission and improbably beats Nebraska and Boise St. on two ridiculous Hail Mary throws.

The David Tyree catch against the undefeated Patriots in the Super Bowl.

The music city miracle "There are no flags on the field! It's a miracle!"

Of course there are a countless number of examples of incredible moments in sports. These are the moments that give us goosebumps. Moments that make us cry, feel disappointed, or heartbroken just to turn around and make us feel elation, excitement, and joy. Moments that help us, for maybe just a moment, forget about things happening around us in the world. Forget about problems that we are having, whether it be serious or trivial. Forget about the political climate in the country. Forget about the bad things that happen in the world, and come together to experience something...magical.

Two summers ago I decided to take my family to Disneyland. It is known by many as the happiest place on earth. A place full of magic. Little does everyone know that the most magical place on earth is just a short 5 minute drive away.

The day before we went to the Disney parks I decided to go to an Angels game by myself. My wife stayed at the hotel with our 3 year old and 4 month old boys because we decided they weren't quite ready for the big leagues. I won't lie, it was odd being there alone and surrounded by strangers. I felt like the people around me were trying to figure out who the weirdo was that was sitting by himself. 

The Angels were playing the Boston Red Sox and it was a defensive battle. Tied 0-0 in the bottom of the 9th Mike Trout came to the plate...

I was a grown man that felt like a little kid. I imagine I felt like my 3 year old son did when he met Mickey Mouse for the first time the next day. I was giving high-fives to the same complete strangers that probably thought I was a crazy person. In that moment it didn't matter where you came from, what ethnicity you were, what your economical status was. In that moment everyone was the same.

A similar experience happened when me and my sweet wife traveled to Miami to go on a cruise. Of course I planned to arrive a day early so I could get to a Miami Marlins game, a vacation move my wife has come to anticipate. As we took our seats my wife befriended a couple that was seated next to us. The man was from Cuba and one of the most interesting people I've ever met. He had a story for everything from Deer hunting with former Marlins pitcher Josh Beckett (he had photographic evidence) to telling us about his son that works in accounting for Disney. We talked to them about our families, careers, goals, their hatred for the owner of the Marlins (which is a shared hatred among the entire Marlins fan base), and future plans we had. He recommended a Cuban restaurant for us to visit after the game. However, what I truly took away from talking with this man was that he wanted us to love his city and his team as much as he did. Our experience at the stadium was important to him.

Every time Giancarlo Stanton came to the plate I would take out my phone and begin recording, hoping that he would crush a homer. He didn't his first 3 at-bats. During his final at-bat in the 8th inning I did the same. Phone out. Recording. Our new friend yelled out to Stanton to "hit a home run for the Utah people!" and what do you think happened next?

Yep. Home Run Stanton. Deep to left-center. Magic.

I will never forget that experience because of how it brought people together who couldn't be more different. Backgrounds, religion, ideas...all different. What was common? Sports was common...and that's all that mattered.

Rise and Shou...oh crap

KICK THE BALL!!!

That's what I was screaming at my TV when I saw the BYU offense stay on the field to attempt a 2-point conversion after Freshman QB Tysom Hill finally scored the Courgar's first touchdown of the night that was supposed to tie the game against Boise St.

I said to my wife, "this is bad, this is bad, there is no way they get this." (of course my wife gave me the, "I hope not, so this dumb game doesn't go into over time and I can watch The Office" face)

and of course...they didn't get it. and just like that, BYU fell to 2-2 on the season.

In the ensuing moments Twitter and Facebook exploded with, "what was Bronco thinking?" and "this is unbelievable" and other frustrated comments that we Cougar fans have become so accustomed to having and venting through social media.

I still can't fathom why BYU didn't just take the point.

For once in his life, Bronco Mendenhall showed some emotion and life on the sidelines, pumping his fist after an emotional goal line stand after BYU fumbled the ball on their own 1 yard line to keep the score 7-0. Cougar fans have been begging for that emotion to come out for some time, but I think this time it backfired. I believe it was that emotion that persuaded Bronco to go for the 2-point conversion and the win Thursday night.

Hindsight is always 20/20, and we would be praising Mendenhall right now if the 2-point conversion went BYU's way. However, sometimes reality needs to set in and the logical decision needs to be made.

If the Cougars kick the extra point, it ties the game at 7-7 with about 3 minutes remaining. BYU's defense had been lights out all night, not allowing a single point to Boise St. (Their 7 points came on the defensive end). Boise St. doesn't have a reliable kicker, so a field goal on their end wasn't an option. If BYU's D holds, they get the ball back for a possible field goal try at the end of regulation, or go to overtime in the worst case scenario. Without a kicker for Boise, I like BYU's chances in overtime to stop Boise and at least get a field goal themselves (unless it was getting close to midnight of course, then all bets were off...)

After the game, Coach Mendenhall said that he plans to start Riley Nelson next Friday against Hawaii after an abysmal game from Nelson where he completed 4/9 passes for 19 yards and 3 INT's. There are still 7 days until game day, and with a stellar 2013 schedule to prepare for, lets all hope that Bronco has a change of heart and starts the Taysom Hill era earlier than expected.

Moneyball 2.0

I have never been more exited for a Major League Baseball season than I was for the 2012 season. I am an Angels fan and the team was coming off an offseason where they signed Albert Pujols to a major contract. They also signed C.J. Wilson from the rival Texas Rangers, and it looked like the rotation would be one of the best in baseball as Wilson joined fellow starters Jered Weaver, Dan Haren, and Ervin Santana.

It looked like everything was on the way up for the Angels and that they would contend with the Rangers again for the AL West title. That's what was supposed to happen, but as you know, that isn't what actually happened.

And that's why, ladies and gentleman, they play the game.

Granted, the Angels aren't completely sunk yet. They are currently 3 GB of the Wild Card, but during an off season that everyone picked you to win the AL West and go to the World Series, it's been disappointing season to say the least.

Baseball is a team game. Yes, the Angels signed one of the best hitters to ever play the game, but Albert Pujols can only do so much damage with 4 at bats per game. He has to rely on the other 8 guys in the lineup to hit in front of, and behind him consistently.

Yes, the Angels signed C.J. Wilson, the top free agent pitcher available, but there is only so much he can do when he only plays every 5 days.

The Angels looked great on paper...but that's the problem.

Money doesn't win baseball games. Pitching and timely hitting throughout the lineup wins baseball games, and it always has.

And that brings us to the Athletics, who are in my opinion,  the surprise team of the year. Brad Pitt....I mean Billy Beane really knows what he's doing out in the bay area, which just gives more validity to the movie Moneyball. If you haven't seen Moneyball and you are a baseball fan, you need to run to your nearest redbox or blockbuster as soon as you can.

The A's have an extraordinary talent for grooming young prospects, signing cheap players, and playing on a budget. They currently have the lowest payroll in the entire league ($49,137,500), yet they currently lead the AL Wild Card and are 3 GB of the Rangers in the AL West.

The A's have made several moves to help them save money, and get production at the same time. For example, they signed Josh Reddick from the Boston Red Sox who is having a breakout season with 28 HR and 75 RBI. Pretty good production for someone who is only making $485,000 this season.

They gave up Josh Willingham, who then opted to sign with the Minnesota Twins and is owed $7,000,000 over the next 3 seasons after 2012. He is having a spectacular year with 33 HR and 103 RBI, but I would take Reddick's numbers if it cost me $6.5 million less per year.

Oakland started the year with Kurt Suzuki at catcher. His contract owed him $5,000,000 this year and $6,450,000 in 2013. In 75 games he batted .218 with 1 HR and 18 RBI. He had a .286 slugging % and a .250 on base %. In a brilliant move by Beane, the A's moved him to the Washington Nationals and traded for George Kottaras, who came from the Milwauke Brewers. Kottaras' salary is $700,000 and is putting up more production than Suzuki, batting .212 with 8HR and 28 RBI with a .376 on base % and a slugging % of .423 and this was in 73 games, two less than Suzuki.

Four pitchers in their starting rotation are rookies...or in other words CHEAP. Not only are they cheap, but they are darn good as well, highlighted by Rookie A.J. Griffin who was called up from the minors in June, since then he is 6-1 with a 2.45 ERA.

Oakland ranks 3rd in ERA (3.38) 8th in quality starts (84) 3rd in WHIP (walks/hits per innings piched, 1.22) and 4th in BAA (batting average against, .244). Those are ENTIRE LEAGUE ranks, not just the American League.

The Offensive side isn't so pretty, they rank near the bottom of the league in every major offensive category, except for one, which is the most important. The A's rank dead last in the entire league in batting average (.236), however, with runners in scoring position they are batting .261, which ranks 10th in the league. They may not hit the ball all over the yard, but when there are men on base, they take advantage.

Pitching and timely hitting wins ballgames and keeps you in playoff races. If you don't believe it just turn your attention to Oakland, California where they are showing all the big market, big money spending teams how its done.

Random Thoughts and Observations: Free For All Edition

NBA DRAFT LOTTERY

THE NBA WON IT'S OWN LOTTERY

Let me start off by saying I am actually a fan of the NBA Draft Lottery. I think it is a good system that doesn't reward teams for throwing their season, because it doesn't guarantee them the top pick like the NFL draft does. It's not a perfect system, it surely has flaws, but I think it is best for the NBA.

Having said that....


Let the conspiracy theories begin! 

We'll never know if the 2012 NBA Draft was actually rigged, but it didn't look good when the Hornets (who had a 13% chance, and are also NBA owned at the moment but are completing a deal to be sold to Tom Benson, current owner of the New Orleans Saints) ended up with the #1 pick.

Before the season started, David Stern vetoed a trade that would have sent Chris Paul from the NBA owned Hornets to the Los Angeles Lakers citing basketball reasons for his decision. Later, Paul was sent to the Los Angeles Clippers.

The basketball reasons for the vetoed trade were that the Hornets would be stuck with big contracts that clogged up cap space which would result in driving away buyers to purchase the franchise. Valid point...but still a little fishy.

When a buyer was found (Benson) was the #1 pick guaranteed to him as part of the incentive to buy the struggling franchise?...possibly. When the pick was announced he didn't seem too excited that he just defied the odds and secured Anthony Davis from Kentucky. Probably because he already knew the pick was his.


Conspiracy theories aside, and in the NBA's defense, the team that finished with the worst record hasn't won the Lottery since the Magic drafted Dwight Howard first overall in 2004. The Bobcats not getting the top pick was just, unfortunately, bad luck.

....or basketball reasons 




NBA PLAYOFFS

REFEREES


I will never say that a referee lost a game for a team...ever. However, they can definitely make an NBA game unwatchable.

The Miami Heat are a better team than the Boston Celtics. They will win the series and move on to the NBA Finals regardless of what the referee calls. Having said that, Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals was a disgrace that I had a hard time watching. 

With the game tied and about 1:30 left, Rajon Rondo drives to the basket and gets clubbed over the head by Udonis Haslem...no call. A GIGANTIC missed call that would have put the momentum on Boston's side. Instead, Miami gets the rebound, and Dwyane Wade finishes a 3-point play on the other end.


of course there is no accountability from the referees, all they have to say is that they missed it. REALLY?! Three NBA officials missed a guy getting wacked across the face as he goes up for a lay up? Three officials, six eyes, and no one saw it....

My biggest complaints with NBA officiating:


1. Fouls are called differently in the 1st quarter than they are in the 4th quarter.


2. Calls are made based on what officials "think" is going to happen, instead of what actually happens. (i.e. LeBron on a fast break is going to be a foul every single time, even if he gets the ball stripped.)

3. Delayed fouls are called when the official waits to see if the shot is made or not.

4. "Superstar treatment" LeBron shot 24 free throws in game 2...enough said. I can't stand watching when one player plays by a different set of rules than everybody else. (this goes for everyone: Rose, Durrant, Bryant, etc. not just LeBron.)

TONY PARKER AND THE SPURS

People were complaining that this guy made the All-Star team back in February...they look pretty stupid now. 

As Parker goes, so do the Spurs and this guy is playing out of his freaking mind right now. He did hit a little bump with Thabo Sefalosha guarding him in Game 3, but expect Parker to adjust and bounce back.

My only knock on Tony Parker......How do you cheat on Eva Longoria!?!?

The Spurs are the definition of team basketball, and Gregg Popovich deserves every recognition he has ever received. He gets players to play as a team within his proven system, that has taken his team to a record of 10-1 so far in the postseason.




ERIC SPOELSTRA

I can't figure out how this guy is an NBA coach. I don't think any of his players can either.


If in fact the Miami Heat go on to win the NBA Finals Spoelstra should receive the most minimal credit possible. Anyone can coach this team, and I mean that 100% literally.


If you need proof, listen in when TNT and ESPN to their "wired" segments when you can listen in on the timeout huddle or half time speeches. You will hear relevant basketball strategy from Doc Rivers, Gregg Popovich, and sometimes Scott Brooks. Then you get Spoelstra who says "we gotta play better" or "we have to start making shots" or even one time he said verbatim "let's get it poppin'" no wonder his players don't take him seriously. He is a spectator with a front row seat.




RAJON RONDO

The most underrated point guard in the league hands down.


It's hard to believe that Rondo was in the middle of trade rumors during the season. He is the reason the Boston Celtics are where they are right now making it to the Eastern Conference Finals.


Rondo has cemented his name in the elite point guard conversations with her performance in Game 2 putting up freakish numbers: 44 points on 16/24 shooting, 8 rebounds, 10 assists, and 3 steals.


That isn't a player you look to trade.




MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL


FIRST PLACE TEAMS


Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers, Washington Nationals.


With the exception of the Texas Rangers, if you had predicted any of these teams at first place in their respective divisions then you are awesome. Of course it's still very early in a long season, but these teams are definitely exceeding expectations thus far.




BIG SPENDERS


There hasn't been any team more disappointing than the Los Angeles Angels and the Detroit Tigers.


After their big free agent signing of Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder, both teams have come out of the gate struggling mightily. 


Fortunately for the Angels they have righted the ship and got back .500, but they are pretty much fighting for a Wild Card spot barring a big turnaround and the Texas Rangers coming back to earth.


The Tigers have a bit more pressure on them seeing that they play in a weak division that they should dominate.




UNDER THE RADAR

Of course I am an Angels fan, but I promise I'm not being a homer. Check out these numbers from these Angel relievers/closers by committee. 


Scott Downs: 18 IP, 0 RUNS, 0.00 ERA


0 runs allowed. What more needs to be said? Downs was the only reliable reliever that the Angels had until they made a trade with the San Diego Padres for Ernesto Frieri.


Ernesto Frieri: 23.2 IP, 1.14 ERA, 43 K'S


SINCE JOINING ANGELS: 12 IP, 0 RUNS, 0.00 ERA, 0 HITS


0 runs...not even a single hit. These numbers are ridiculous and are not being talked about at all. 


No reliever has better numbers than Downs or Frieri, and it's a shame that they probably won't make the All-Star team despite having better numbers than anyone who does.


Gotta love that East Coast bias.

MLB Season Predictions

AL East

1. New York Yankees


As much as it pains me to say this, because of my pure hatred for anything in pinstripes, the Yankees are going to be tough to beat.


New York is stacked from top to bottom, with an all-star lineup and a great bullpen featuring David Robertson, Rafael Soriano, and of course the untouchable Mariano Rivera. It's tough to beat a team when the game is over after the 7th inning.


The Yankees only weakness was it's starting rotation...key word "WAS"...


The Yanks beefed up the rotation by adding Michael Pineda from Seattle and Hiroki Kuroda from Los Angeles to go along with CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova. The Yankees really don't have a weakness (and no age isn't a weakness. I would take Jeter at the plate in October over just about anyone) and this is why we hate them.




AL Central

Detroit Tigers


Mark it down. With a sharpie. There is no way anyone wins this division besides the Tigers. 


Justin Verlander is dominant, and has a chance to throw a no-hitter each and every time he steps on the mound. A lot of people argued that he shouldn't have won the MVP because he's a pitcher, but I dare you to name another player that was more valuable to his team.


It will be interesting to see the effect newly aquired Prince Fielder will have on Detroit's lineup. He will bat 4th behind Cabrerra, so pick your poison.


One big question to be answered is how Miguel Cabrerra will handle the transition to 3rd base. He isn't exactly the same player that played 3rd for the Florida Marlins.


AL West

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim


Welcome to the best pennant race in the league...the AL West. Both the Angels and Rangers will battle for the crown all season long, but I give a slight edge to the Halos.


There is no better starting rotation in all of baseball. Most would argue the Phillies, but they only have 3 great starters...The Angels have 4. 


Don't underestimate the addition of C.J. Wilson, the so called "bust" that went 4-0 in spring training with a 1.33 ERA. It's just spring training, but that doesn't happen by accident.


The Halos weakness is their bullpen. Jordan Walden can throw 100MPH, but doesn't have great control which results in a lot of walks. He led the league in blown saves in 2011, but his potential is through the roof. Scott Downs is a reliable lefty out of the pen, and they added some veteran help in LeTroy Hawkins. If the bullpen can get on track, be consistant, and help the big horses in the starting rotation the Angels will be extremely tough.


Obviously the addition of Albert Pujols was a huge boost to an Angel offense that struggled to score runs last season. His sure presance will help the Angel lineup in many ways. One is Howie Kendrick, who will hit in front oh Pujols. Kendrick had a break out season in 2011 with a career high 18 HR and 63 RBI, and his numbers will only increase as he will get a ton of good pitches to hit batting in front of Albert.


The two players that will play a big role in how far the Angels will go in 2012 are Mark Trumbo and Kendrys Morales. 


Trumbo is coming off a spectacular rookie season with 29 HR and 87 RBI and somehow getting screwed out of the AL Rookie of the Year. He is trying to make the transition over to play 3rd base full time, to be able to keep his big bat in the lineup (because some guy named Albert Pujols took his position). If he makes the transition smoothly, he will have another big year.


Because Morales has missed a season and a half due to a freak accident, where he fractured his ankle stepping on home plate after a walk off grand slam, many have forgotten how good this guy was. In 2009 he was up for MVP consideration when he hit 34 HR 108 RBI and finished the season with a .306 average. If he comes anywhere near those numbers in 2012 watch out for the Angels.




NL East

Philadelphia Phillies


You can't count out a rotation that features Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Cole Hamles who won 50 games in 2012. The big question for the Phillies if they want to continue to win the NL East is the injury concerns with Ryan Howard and Chase Utley. Without them they could lose their crown to the Braves, who I'm sure can't wait to get this season starting after last years debacle.


Many are jumping on the Marlins bandwagon to win this division. My answer to that is look at their lineup. They have an injury prone Jose Reyes and Hanley Ramirez...that's it. The Phillies have better pitching and a more potent offense, even with injuries, than anyone in this division.


The Phillies signed...no thats not the word...VASTLY OVERPAID former Boston closer Jonathan Paplebon. No one is worth $50 million dollars that pitch one inning when their team is up by 3 or less, and don't even think about letting them pitch 3 days in a row because that would just be too much for their arm. Why can't closers pitch more? 3 days in a row equates to 3 innings...pansies. Verlander pitches 8 innings like its no big deal. The save statistic in itself is a stupid and overrated stat. Congratulations you pitched one inning with a 3 run lead and didn't lose...do you get where I'm coming from. Don't pay $50 million dollars to closers.


NL Central

St. Louis Cardinals


Albert Pujols is gone. Cardinal fans can justify it any way they want by saying they don't care and that he is old, but if we be real, it hurts. Losing your franchise player and Future Hall of Famer has to hurt. The Cards quickly signed Carlos Beltran to fill the void, but Pujols isn't a player that can be replaced and the Cards front office and fans will soon realize this.


That doesn't mean the Cardinals won't be a good team. I think they have enough pitching and offense to get by the Fielder-less Brewers and the Reds (because let's face it the Cubs, Pirates, and Astros will be done by June). David Freese is ready for a big season after his postseason heroics last year, and Adam Wainright coming back from injury will be a big boost to the rotation and leadership in the clubhouse. 


NL West

Arizona Diamondbacks


Don't be surprised if Justin Upton wins the NL MVP this year. He had a big year in 2011 with 31 HR and 88 RBI, and expect him to put up bigger numbers in 2012 with a now experienced Diamondback team.


All-Star Ian Kennedy finished 2011 with a 21-4 record and is the ace of the D-Backs' staff. Arizona will be in the race if he has a similar season, but he will need help from fellow starters Trevor Cahill, Joe Saunders, and Josh Collmenter, who have been pathetic in spring training with a combined 1-9 record with no one under an ERA of 4.86. Daniel Hudson finished spring 2-0 with a 2.37 ERA, so if the others can right the ship, expect to see Arizona in October.




AL Wild Cards

Boston Red Sox


As badly as I want to put the Rays here, I just can't. The Rays have better pitching, but let's face it...the Sox can rake.


Having said that, Boston has some issues.


Does anyone else find it weird that the 2004 Red Sox could drink shots of Jack Daniel's before playoff games and no one had a problem with it, but the 2011 Red Sox pitchers ate fried chicken and drank some beer during games they didn't pitch in and it caused a nationwide uproar?


That's Red Sox nation for ya. They are either the best team in the league, or the scum of the earth. Its euphoria or the apocalypse.


Just for perspective, the 2011 Braves endured the exact same pain the Red Sox did. They were up 9+ games in the wild card standings, imploded in September and missed the playoffs. The only difference is that they didn't freak out, blame everyone but themselves, and clean house.


Terry Francona was one of the best managers in baseball, he helped break the curse of the bambino bringing 2 world championships to Boston, and how is he repaid? His name is drug through mud and is run out of town. In no way was the Red Sox collapse Francona's fualt. I guess we'll see where passing the blame gets someone. Good luck with Valentine, Bean Town.

Texas Rangers


Questions are being asked if Mike Napoli will slow down. I watched Napoli ever since he got to the big leagues with the Angels and I can firmly tell you that he will not. He had a tremendous season and his batting average may drop a little bit, but he will be the same power hitter he has always been, it's just that no one noticed him before. 


The big question for me that should be asked is about Yu Darvish. Can he pitch in the big leagues? There was no Pujols, Fielder, Cano, etc over there and it will be very interesting to see if his game translates to the Majors. If it does, that makes Texas' average rotation great, if not, that was a lot of money to spend on an average pitcher.


The Rangers lineup is one of, if not the most, dangerous in the league from top to bottom. Everyone that comes to the plate is a threat and that is their greatest strength.


Josh Hamilton is my player to watch. All eyes are on him with his much publicized alcohol problem, and rift with the front office over contract negotiations. Hamilton's future in Texas is hanging on this season. 


NL Wild Cards

Atlanta Braves


This is a team with something to prove after last season's epic meltdown. In Chipper Jones' final season, I'm sure there will be many "lets win this one or him" speeches. 


It's no secret that Atlanta has great pitching, and great pitching wins in October...it's getting there that's the problem.


I think the biggest factor in Atlanta's playoff push will be Jason Heyward. After last years sophomore slump  hitting just .227 with 14HR and 42 RBI, Heyward needs to bounce back and have a great season for the Braves. He is what they were missing last year, and with his normal numbers, I think the Braves make the playoff without a problem. If he comes back as his old self, you won't want to face the Braves in October.

San Francisco Giants


Pitching, Pitching, Pitching. When you have a rotation like the Giants you will always be in games. The Giants are known for the anemic offense, and it didn't get any better losing Carlos Beltran, however, they do have Buster Posey back from injury and the always entertaining Pablo Sandoval.


I hope the Giants make the postseason just because Brian Wilson has got to be the most entertaining person on the planet. From the skin tight tuxedos, to the Taco Bell commercials, the more Wilson we can get, the better.




AL MVP: Albert Pujols


NL MVP: Justin Upton


AL CY Young: Justin Verlander


NL CY Young: Roy Halladay






World Series:  Angels vs Phillies

  
Champion: Angels




It may be a biased choice, but it would make me physically sick to say the Rangers, Yankees, or Red Sox would win the World Series. So for my health's sake...Go Angels.  

BYU vs Iona : Random Thoughts and Observations

BYU could not play uptempo with Iona

Seth Davis said it best on the pre-game show when he said that Iona would press the Cougars, and the game would be dictated on how BYU point guard Matt Carlino would handle the pressure.

That was an understatement.

Iona's guards jumped all over Carlino in the first half, casuing turnovers, bad decisions, and fast break points. Iona had 29 fast break points in the first half...29!

Carlino refused to slow the game down and control the tempo, throwing full court passes to big men Davies and Hartsock, which played right into what Iona wanted. They had 2 players waiting for the pass to strip the ball away and push the ball back up the court.

After the turnovers, BYU could not keep up with the athletic backcourt of Iona as they were unable to get back on defense and contest open jumpers. Iona was 5-10 from behind the arc in the first half, all uncontested. BYU coudn't match speed in man defense, so BYU was forced to play zone most of the game. Playing zone wasn't a bad decision (as we saw in the 2nd half) but when the rotations to shooters were as slow as they were, you get exposed.

Iona couldn't play with BYU in a half court game

BYU fans should thank Craig Cusick. He was a huge reason the Cougars were able to come back and win, but sadly, he won't get the credit he deserves.  

He didn't score a single point in the game, but he didn't have to. He brought order back to the game in the second half, controlling the tempo by walking the ball up the floor, which virtually parylized Iona's offense. He had one turnover for the entire game, and he got the ball to BYU's biggest weapons in Hartsock and Davies.

Once the game turned into a half court game, BYU had the advantage inside with Hartsock and Davies. Iona's tallest player is listed at 6'7" and was no match for the Cougars inside.  

I'm still trying to figure out where Iona's pressure went in the second half. Instead of going for the kill, the Gaels dropped back into a half court zone defense with ZERO pressure of the point guard. Fatigue was obviously a factor for this decision, but they played that way for the entire half! The zone helped slow the tempo, and the lack of pressure let BYU off the hook big time and allowed them to make a comeback.


The Cougars never could get into their zone in the first half, because Iona had the ball across half court in no time. Their rotations were bad and it was very helter skelter. The second half was a whole other story. Because of the tempo change, BYU was able to get back on defense, set their zone, and their rotations were crisp and quick. Every Iona shooter had a hand in their face and shots were challenged with much more effort.

Dave Rose heard me screaming through the TV to put DeMarcus Harrison in the game

4-6 shooting from the field, 12 points. You're welcome.


President Obama didn't stick around to see the game


His possible future competition is a Mormon. You don't think that had anything to do with it!?


You live and die by the 3-Pointer


Iona was on fire in the first half going 5-10 from the 3 point line, however, they shot only 1-15 from distance in the second half, which proved fatal for the Gaels.


BYU shot 12 more free throws than Iona, once they started to play from the inside-out. Iona only shot 8 free throws in the game, mostly because they settled for jump shots and didn't attack the basket. Hot shooting won't last forever, and when Iona went cold they should have attacked to get easier shots, or at least get to the free throw line. That is on the coach.


Noah Hartsock is the heart and soul of BYU

At the beginning of the year everyone was talking about Brandon Davies coming back and leading this Cougar team.


They were wrong.


Davies is an important piece to the Cougars, but it's the "bald eagle" Noah Hartsock that is the most important player on the team. Without Hartsock, there is no way BYU is in the tournament. Noah has been great all season and has carried this team to where they are right now. Hartsock MUST have a big game if the Cougars want to get past Marquette tomorrow.






All the bracketologists and experts on ESPN, CBS, etc. have "chalk" all through their brackets. Here are some teams to watch that could make some noise in the Tournament.

Under the radar teams to watch in the Tournament


Florida State


This is my sleeper Final Four team. They are the #3 seed in the East region, but Florida State isn't being talked about by anybody. This team beat North Carolina (twice, and once handily by 33 and the other for the ACC Tournament Title), Duke (twice), Virginia (twice), and NC State. The Seminoles' strength is their defense, especially from their big man Bernard James who averages 2.3 BPG. They are not a great shooting team, so they are vulnerable to a zone defense, but barring any epic cold shooting nights, the Noles can get deep into the second weekend, if not further.


Baylor


A lot of people are down on Baylor because of their losses down the stretch of the season. Let me put their losses into perspective...Kansas, Missouri, Iowa State, and Kansas State (all Tournament teams, two are #2 Seeds in the Tournament.) None of those are bad losses, not to mention they beat Kansas and Kansas State to get to the Big 12 Title Game where they eventually lost to Missouri. With one of the biggest and best frontcourts in the country, led by Perry Jones III and Quincy Acy, they can match up with anybody inside. If Pierre Jackson and Brady Heslip get hot from the outside, opening up the middle for the bigs, Baylor will be an extremely tough out in the South region.


Long Beach State


An experienced team with a starting line up made up of four seniors, led by guard Casper Ware who averages 17.4 PPG, and one junior, the 49ers have what it takes to make a run in the tournament. Long Beach had a brutal schedule playing North Carolina, Kansas, Kansas St, Pittsburgh, Louisville, San Diego St, Xavier, and Creighton, so they are no stranger to the big stage or a power opponent. They open the tournament against Mountain West Tournament Champ New Mexico, if they get past them I think they can get to the sweet 16.


Murray State


It wouldn't be a surprise if  Murray State made a deep run this March. The only weakness on this team is rebounding. They rank 237th in defensive rebounding and could prove fatal if they don't focus on crashing the boards in the tournament. The Racers finished the regular season with a 30-1 record and won the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament. Their star, Isaiah Canaan (This year's Jimmer Fredette, if you have seen him play at all, then you know what I mean) should be a first team All-American averaging 19.2 PPG and is shooting 47% from distance. When Canaan crosses half court, he is in shooting range and he is the heart and soul of this Racers team. Expect Murray State to go as far as Canaan will take them.