A rare thing is (hopefully) about to happen in the White House. Sen. John McCain and Rep. Peter King are pushing for a posthumous pardon for the world’s first black heavyweight boxing champion, Jack Johnson. The Senate passed a resolution on June 24 and the House followed a month after with a unanimous vote on July 29.
Johnson was convicted in 1913 and went on to serve ten months in prison for having a relationship with a white woman. Ridiculous, right? Well, it was no laughing matter in the early 1900’s, even for a sports-superstar such as Johnson was.
Johnson earned the heavyweight title in December of 1908 by beating the Canadian World Champion. As he went on to continue his dominance, the American public was in overall disgust that the title belonged to an African-American. Finally, in 1910, the whites brought a star of their own out of retirement to face Johnson.
Called “The Battle of the Century,” the “Great White Hope” Jim Jeffries took on Johnson on July 4th. Johnson came out victorious, which should have proved an independence day for the persecuted blacks in America who still couldn’t find equal rights, years after President Lincoln granted them freedom. But, it was not so.
Since Johnson couldn’t be beaten in the ring, the U.S. government charged him in accordance of the Mann Act in 1912. The Mann Act, passed in 1910, was to:
“further regulate interstate commerce and foreign commerce by prohibiting the transportation therein for immoral purposes of women and girls, and for other purposes.”
In the words of the Justice Department, it was a “crime against nature” for a black man to have sexual relations with a white woman. (I’ll get into the hypocrisy of this statement later).
After the decision from an all-white jury, Johnson fled the U.S. in 1913 while free on appeal and travelled the world as a fugitive before turning himself in to the U.S. government in 1920; he then served his 10-month sentence.
Johnson was known for being in relationships with white women. His first marriage was to a black woman, but five other women he was known to have relationships with, including three marriages, were all to white, most of them prostitutes. Johnson clearly had some magnetism. In a few instances, he was seeing more than one woman at once, and the women knew about it and accepted it. His last wife said of him, “I loved him because of his courage. He faced the world unafraid. There wasn’t anybody or anything he feared.”
It may seem completely ludicrous today to think of prosecuting a black man for being in a relationship with a white woman. And it should have been just as crazy back in 1912. How could the U.S. Government be so hypocritical to persecute a man for something one of their great founding fathers did? It is widely known that Thomas Jefferson had a relationship and many children with a slave of his whom was partially black.
Just put this rule into effect in today’s time to see its absurdness; there are many athletic stars with one black and one white parent. If laws were still around today stopping biracial relationships, Jason Kidd would not being tearing up the hardwood; Derek Jeter wouldn’t be leading his team to his 5th World Series title; and the world’s most known athlete, Tiger Woods, would not only not exist, but he would not have the beautiful family he has now.
So, Obama, it is in your hands. As America’s first black president, it is now up to you to liberate the wrong against one of the greatest athletes known in his sport. Jack Johnson paved the way for some of today’s superstars and stood up to injustice when he knew it was wrong. He gave hope for his fellow man, just as you have. He was persecuted for a crime that should have never even garnered legal status.
Please, fix the wrong that your predecessors did against him; give him pardon.
For more information, visit these Sites I used as references:
PBS
CNN
ESPN
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Championship Series Predictions
The playoffs are now really heating up after the Division Series are over. I went 2-for-4 in my predictions; I definitely did not expect three series sweeps. Anyway, here’s what I think will happen in the pennant races:
NCLS: winner = Dodgers in 5 I can’t foresee a sweep, but I do see LA taking this one pretty easily. Even though the Phillies return to the postseason with the majority of their squad from last year’s World Series-winning team, they just don’t seem to have the same gusto in 2009. The Dodgers, on the other hand, took care of business with a very tough St. Louis team, and I think they will continue on in the same fashion. Dodgers will take the first two at home followed by the first in Philadelphia. The Phils will hold on to take game four, but LA will take the NL pennant in game five.
ALCS: winner = Yankees in 6 This is gearing up to be a good one. The Angels played the Yanks tough in the regular season, but New York seems to be a different team late in the season and now in the playoffs. New York will start off the series taking both at home, but LA will come right back to take their first two on the West coast. However, New York will untie it in the last bout in LA and bring home an AL crown at home in the new “House that Jeter built.”
Imagine that, a Yankees-Dodgers World Series. Not only will Joe Torre face his former club that he coached to four World Series titles, but he would also be pitted against his former World Series winning catcher Joe Girardi, the new Yankees skipper. Not to mention historically, LA originated as the Brooklyn Dodgers before they made the move west in 1958. Oh, this could be one for the ages.
NCLS: winner = Dodgers in 5 I can’t foresee a sweep, but I do see LA taking this one pretty easily. Even though the Phillies return to the postseason with the majority of their squad from last year’s World Series-winning team, they just don’t seem to have the same gusto in 2009. The Dodgers, on the other hand, took care of business with a very tough St. Louis team, and I think they will continue on in the same fashion. Dodgers will take the first two at home followed by the first in Philadelphia. The Phils will hold on to take game four, but LA will take the NL pennant in game five.
ALCS: winner = Yankees in 6 This is gearing up to be a good one. The Angels played the Yanks tough in the regular season, but New York seems to be a different team late in the season and now in the playoffs. New York will start off the series taking both at home, but LA will come right back to take their first two on the West coast. However, New York will untie it in the last bout in LA and bring home an AL crown at home in the new “House that Jeter built.”
Imagine that, a Yankees-Dodgers World Series. Not only will Joe Torre face his former club that he coached to four World Series titles, but he would also be pitted against his former World Series winning catcher Joe Girardi, the new Yankees skipper. Not to mention historically, LA originated as the Brooklyn Dodgers before they made the move west in 1958. Oh, this could be one for the ages.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Muckdogs in the MLB Playoffs
Seven previous players from the Batavia roster have worked their way up the ranks and have taken part in the Major League playoffs this season.
Nick Punto was a big part of the Twins team, even though they were swept by the Yanks in the ALDS. He batted .444 with an on-base percentage of .583. However, he may be best remembered in the series for being picked off when rounding too far off third in the 8th inning when Minnesota was down by just a run.
Randy Wolf, however, will play on. Wolf got the game one start for the Dodgers and gave up six runs on two hits and five walks with two strikeouts. He lasted 3.2 innings with no decision in the game.
Since they were the previous parent-team of the Muckdogs, the Philadelphia Phillies have five former Muckdogs on their postseason roster. Ryan Madson earned himself the save in game three, working 2.2 innings of relief with four strikeouts. All-Star Chase Utley finished up the NLDS with a batting average of .429 and slugging percentage at .643. He had one RBI on a solo homerun. Fellow All-Star Ryan Howard did his part with six RBI and three doubles. Starter J.A. Happ got roughed up in game 3 before teammate Madson bailed him out. Happ went three innings with six hits and three runs. Lastly, 2004-2005 Muckdog Kyle Kendrick was a last edition to the Phillies’ postseason roster. He has yet to hit the mound.
Make sure to keep supporting the Batavia Muckdogs and all other minor league teams to enjoy watching these young players grow into Major League All-Stars.
Nick Punto was a big part of the Twins team, even though they were swept by the Yanks in the ALDS. He batted .444 with an on-base percentage of .583. However, he may be best remembered in the series for being picked off when rounding too far off third in the 8th inning when Minnesota was down by just a run.
Randy Wolf, however, will play on. Wolf got the game one start for the Dodgers and gave up six runs on two hits and five walks with two strikeouts. He lasted 3.2 innings with no decision in the game.
Since they were the previous parent-team of the Muckdogs, the Philadelphia Phillies have five former Muckdogs on their postseason roster. Ryan Madson earned himself the save in game three, working 2.2 innings of relief with four strikeouts. All-Star Chase Utley finished up the NLDS with a batting average of .429 and slugging percentage at .643. He had one RBI on a solo homerun. Fellow All-Star Ryan Howard did his part with six RBI and three doubles. Starter J.A. Happ got roughed up in game 3 before teammate Madson bailed him out. Happ went three innings with six hits and three runs. Lastly, 2004-2005 Muckdog Kyle Kendrick was a last edition to the Phillies’ postseason roster. He has yet to hit the mound.
Make sure to keep supporting the Batavia Muckdogs and all other minor league teams to enjoy watching these young players grow into Major League All-Stars.
Monday, October 12, 2009
A Lesson in Heartbreak: My Four Years of Kent State Football
My last homecoming as a Golden Flash was nothing out of the ordinary – Kent lost by one point with five seconds remaining in the game. Let’s face it, this one was just ugly.
Kent looked so promising to start off the game. At the end of the first quarter, we were up 14-0. We also only had a season-low three penalties in the game.
However, that’s about all the positives we can take from this one. Yeah, we had the lead after the first, but that was on a total of six offensive plays. Our offense only saw the field for a total of 8:47 in the first half! No wonder our defense burned out in the end.
Wait. Defense? What’s defense? With the numbers Bowling Green’s Tyler Sheehan and Freddie Barnes put up, KSU’s defense seemed invisible. Barnes was named the College Football Performance Awards Wide Receiver of the Week with school-records of 22 receptions and 278 yards. He also had three touchdowns and beat his career high in yards at the half.
With a receiver like that, BG quarterback Sheehan had school records of his own, going 22-for-63 with 505 yards. That is the most passing yards a Kent State team has ever had against them.
But, like I said, this is nothing new in my four-year experience of Kent State football. Let me just reminisce on all our other let-downs…
2008 Season (my 3rd year): First in the season, we were delivered a 27-30 double overtime loss against the nemesis Akron Zips. KSU kicker Nate Reed nailed a 32-yard FG to notch the game at 24 as time expired. Both teams made a FG in the 1st overtime, and after Akron’s kicker made one more at 25 yards, Reed missed a 23-yarder to lose the game (wide right…why must Buffalo fans always be tortured with that phrase!). It’s no wonder Reed is sidelined this season…
Anyways…then there was homecoming against Miami where we had no chance. We dropped to 1-6 overall, 0-3 in the MAC after the 26-19 loss.
2007 Season (mi ano numero dos): The Wagon Wheel was lost yet again to the Zips, this time by a touchdown. Kent got the ball and drove down the field to the 36-yard line with 1:36 left in the game before Julian Edelman threw a prayer that was intercepted in the endzone. Game over.
Homecoming was another one-touchdown loss, again to Miami. The flashes got the ball with less than a minute to go. With 4th and goal, Edelman broke loose but was tackled just short on the one-yard line.
And let’s not forget the last game of the season, senior night at home against Buffalo. 14 seniors suffered a 30-23 loss in overtime. The Bulls tied the game up with less than five minutes left in regulation and Reed missed a FG with 1:54 to go that would have probably been the game-winner. In overtime, Buffalo scored a touchdown and then their defense held the KSU offense to four downs.
2006 Season (my rookie season): As a bright-eyed Freshman headed to her school’s first home football game, I was decked out in my Kent State blue and gold looking forward for some spectacular, Division-I college football. Well, Minnesota delivered – a 44-0 loss to the Flashes.
But, my inaugural season was the bright spot in four years (which really isn’t saying much). Kent lost their next game 17-14 in OT, but then went on to win five straight, including a 37-15 win over Akron and a 40-14 homecoming win versus Toledo (which was our first homecoming victory since 2001).
Nonetheless, one season isn’t too satisfactory when the rest have been so disheartening. And I am just preaching to the choir of all Kent State alum. Overall, KSU is 21-41 in homecoming games, including just 2-8 in the last ten years, and we sit 29-20-2 against the “A-K Rowdies,” who we have yet to face this season.
We still have six more games left this season, which leaves plenty of room for a MAC East win. But, let’s be honest, the one thing I’m looking forward to: Kent State Men’s basketball season opener, November 13th.
Kent looked so promising to start off the game. At the end of the first quarter, we were up 14-0. We also only had a season-low three penalties in the game.
However, that’s about all the positives we can take from this one. Yeah, we had the lead after the first, but that was on a total of six offensive plays. Our offense only saw the field for a total of 8:47 in the first half! No wonder our defense burned out in the end.
Wait. Defense? What’s defense? With the numbers Bowling Green’s Tyler Sheehan and Freddie Barnes put up, KSU’s defense seemed invisible. Barnes was named the College Football Performance Awards Wide Receiver of the Week with school-records of 22 receptions and 278 yards. He also had three touchdowns and beat his career high in yards at the half.
With a receiver like that, BG quarterback Sheehan had school records of his own, going 22-for-63 with 505 yards. That is the most passing yards a Kent State team has ever had against them.
But, like I said, this is nothing new in my four-year experience of Kent State football. Let me just reminisce on all our other let-downs…
2008 Season (my 3rd year): First in the season, we were delivered a 27-30 double overtime loss against the nemesis Akron Zips. KSU kicker Nate Reed nailed a 32-yard FG to notch the game at 24 as time expired. Both teams made a FG in the 1st overtime, and after Akron’s kicker made one more at 25 yards, Reed missed a 23-yarder to lose the game (wide right…why must Buffalo fans always be tortured with that phrase!). It’s no wonder Reed is sidelined this season…
Anyways…then there was homecoming against Miami where we had no chance. We dropped to 1-6 overall, 0-3 in the MAC after the 26-19 loss.
2007 Season (mi ano numero dos): The Wagon Wheel was lost yet again to the Zips, this time by a touchdown. Kent got the ball and drove down the field to the 36-yard line with 1:36 left in the game before Julian Edelman threw a prayer that was intercepted in the endzone. Game over.
Homecoming was another one-touchdown loss, again to Miami. The flashes got the ball with less than a minute to go. With 4th and goal, Edelman broke loose but was tackled just short on the one-yard line.
And let’s not forget the last game of the season, senior night at home against Buffalo. 14 seniors suffered a 30-23 loss in overtime. The Bulls tied the game up with less than five minutes left in regulation and Reed missed a FG with 1:54 to go that would have probably been the game-winner. In overtime, Buffalo scored a touchdown and then their defense held the KSU offense to four downs.
2006 Season (my rookie season): As a bright-eyed Freshman headed to her school’s first home football game, I was decked out in my Kent State blue and gold looking forward for some spectacular, Division-I college football. Well, Minnesota delivered – a 44-0 loss to the Flashes.
But, my inaugural season was the bright spot in four years (which really isn’t saying much). Kent lost their next game 17-14 in OT, but then went on to win five straight, including a 37-15 win over Akron and a 40-14 homecoming win versus Toledo (which was our first homecoming victory since 2001).
Nonetheless, one season isn’t too satisfactory when the rest have been so disheartening. And I am just preaching to the choir of all Kent State alum. Overall, KSU is 21-41 in homecoming games, including just 2-8 in the last ten years, and we sit 29-20-2 against the “A-K Rowdies,” who we have yet to face this season.
We still have six more games left this season, which leaves plenty of room for a MAC East win. But, let’s be honest, the one thing I’m looking forward to: Kent State Men’s basketball season opener, November 13th.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
ALDS Preview and Predictions
Red Sox vs. Angels:
Head-to-Head: The Angels nudged the Red Sox in the regular season by 5 games to 4. LA took the AL West title 10 games up in first with a 97-65. Boston clinched the Wild Card pretty easy with a 95-67 record, 8 games up of the next-best contender. The Angels ended their regular season taking 7 of their last 10 games, while the Bo Sox lost 4 of 10.
On the Mound: Boston is sending Jon Lester to the mound for game 1, who went 15-8 with a 3.41 ERA and 225 strikeouts in the regular season. The Red Sox also have Josh Beckett (17-6, 3.86) and Clay Buchholz (7-4, 4.21 in 16 games) who are making a tough trio with Lester in the starting rotation. John Lackey gets the start in game 1 for the Angels. He finished 11-8 with a 3.83 ERA on the season. LA’s pitching staff may be a little less notable than Boston’s, but they do have closer Brian Fuentes who led the AL with 48 saves.
My pick: Angels: When it has mattered most at the end of the regular season, Boston just hasn’t seemed to come through. With the chance to still clinch the AL East, the Red Sox were swept by rival Yankees in New York and then also were swept at home by the Blue Jays. They did end the season with a 4 game sweep of the Indians, but sweeping a 65-97 ballclub who lost 25 of their last 27 games isn’t saying much. Boston needs to come out of their slump in order to take down the Angels, and I just don’t see that happening.
Twins vs. Yankees:
Head-to-Head: New York has taken all 7 games against Minnesota in the regular season. The Yankees ended with the best record in baseball and the only team with 100 wins with a record of 103-59. The Twins squeaked out an AL Central title by beating Detroit in the season’s 163rd regular season, playoff-tiebreaker game. They ended with 87 wins, 76 losses. Both teams finished the regular season well, taking 7 of their last 10 games.
On-the-Mound: The Yankees are starting AL tying win leader C.C. Sabathia in game 1. Sabathia went 19-8 with a 3.37 ERA. The rest of the rotation includes A.J. Burnett, who finished the season on a good streak, with final numbers of 13-9, 4.04.
Andy Pettitte will bring postseason experience and his 14-8 record, 4.16 ERA. And of course, closing legend Mariano Rivera will provide from the bullpen as he did all season with his 44 saves. The Twins will counteract with Brian Duensing in game 1. Duensing has started just 9 games in the regular season and finished with a 5-2 record and 3.64 ERA. Minnesota also has Scott Baker (15-9, 4.37) and Carl Pavano (14-12, 5.10) in their rotation, and big-time closer Joe Nathan, who was 2nd in the AL in saves with 47.
My pick: Yankees All bias aside, how could I not chose New York in this one? When talking about momentum, both teams have it; but the Yankees take the cake when considering everything else. Not only have the Twins lost to the Yankees every time this season, but they also have not won in Yankee Stadium (new or old) since July 4, 2007. Minnesota will be dragging in game 1 after the 12 inning dramatics last night with travel added on. Joe Mauer is a big help for the club as reigning MLB batting leader. However, Minnesota offense will need more help than that against a New York offense that includes Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez (who just recently had a record 7 RBI in 1 inning). Not to mention guys up and down the line-up that can get hot and produce anytime. I don’t want to bank on a sweep, but I do think the Bronx Bombers will be a shoe-in to the ALCS.
Head-to-Head: The Angels nudged the Red Sox in the regular season by 5 games to 4. LA took the AL West title 10 games up in first with a 97-65. Boston clinched the Wild Card pretty easy with a 95-67 record, 8 games up of the next-best contender. The Angels ended their regular season taking 7 of their last 10 games, while the Bo Sox lost 4 of 10.
On the Mound: Boston is sending Jon Lester to the mound for game 1, who went 15-8 with a 3.41 ERA and 225 strikeouts in the regular season. The Red Sox also have Josh Beckett (17-6, 3.86) and Clay Buchholz (7-4, 4.21 in 16 games) who are making a tough trio with Lester in the starting rotation. John Lackey gets the start in game 1 for the Angels. He finished 11-8 with a 3.83 ERA on the season. LA’s pitching staff may be a little less notable than Boston’s, but they do have closer Brian Fuentes who led the AL with 48 saves.
My pick: Angels: When it has mattered most at the end of the regular season, Boston just hasn’t seemed to come through. With the chance to still clinch the AL East, the Red Sox were swept by rival Yankees in New York and then also were swept at home by the Blue Jays. They did end the season with a 4 game sweep of the Indians, but sweeping a 65-97 ballclub who lost 25 of their last 27 games isn’t saying much. Boston needs to come out of their slump in order to take down the Angels, and I just don’t see that happening.
Twins vs. Yankees:
Head-to-Head: New York has taken all 7 games against Minnesota in the regular season. The Yankees ended with the best record in baseball and the only team with 100 wins with a record of 103-59. The Twins squeaked out an AL Central title by beating Detroit in the season’s 163rd regular season, playoff-tiebreaker game. They ended with 87 wins, 76 losses. Both teams finished the regular season well, taking 7 of their last 10 games.
On-the-Mound: The Yankees are starting AL tying win leader C.C. Sabathia in game 1. Sabathia went 19-8 with a 3.37 ERA. The rest of the rotation includes A.J. Burnett, who finished the season on a good streak, with final numbers of 13-9, 4.04.
Andy Pettitte will bring postseason experience and his 14-8 record, 4.16 ERA. And of course, closing legend Mariano Rivera will provide from the bullpen as he did all season with his 44 saves. The Twins will counteract with Brian Duensing in game 1. Duensing has started just 9 games in the regular season and finished with a 5-2 record and 3.64 ERA. Minnesota also has Scott Baker (15-9, 4.37) and Carl Pavano (14-12, 5.10) in their rotation, and big-time closer Joe Nathan, who was 2nd in the AL in saves with 47.
My pick: Yankees All bias aside, how could I not chose New York in this one? When talking about momentum, both teams have it; but the Yankees take the cake when considering everything else. Not only have the Twins lost to the Yankees every time this season, but they also have not won in Yankee Stadium (new or old) since July 4, 2007. Minnesota will be dragging in game 1 after the 12 inning dramatics last night with travel added on. Joe Mauer is a big help for the club as reigning MLB batting leader. However, Minnesota offense will need more help than that against a New York offense that includes Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez (who just recently had a record 7 RBI in 1 inning). Not to mention guys up and down the line-up that can get hot and produce anytime. I don’t want to bank on a sweep, but I do think the Bronx Bombers will be a shoe-in to the ALCS.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
NLDS Preview and Predictions
Cardinals vs. Dodgers:
Head-to-Head: In the regular season, St. Louis took 5 of the 7 games against LA. The Cardinals won the NL Central with a 91-71 record, 7.5 games up from the second place team. The Dodgers took the NL West , finishing 95-67 with a three game lead.
On the Mound: Postseason is all about pitching. St. Louis is throwing NL Comeback Player of the Year Chris Carpenter in game 1. Carpenter ended the regular season with a 17-4 record and 2.24 ERA, which made him the NL leader in ERA and 2nd most in wins. Joe Torre is sending Randy Wolf to oppose Carpenter. Wolf had an 11-7 regular season record with a 3.23 ERA.
My pick: Cardinals: One of the biggest factors in postseason performance is momentum, and that factor is leaning heavily in favor of St. Louis. First of all, Pujols and the boys are quite familiar with the playoffs. Just four years ago they took the NL Central and NL pennants, followed by the club’s 10th World Series win. While the Dodgers are used to winning the NL West, in recent years, they haven’t seen much postseason play. And if they keep playing like they have in the end the regular season, things aren’t looking too good. The Dodgers won just 4 of their last 10 games, including series losses to Pittsburgh and San Diego – both sub .500 teams. LA is also going to have a lot of trouble with the Cards’ pitching staff. Not only will they have to face Carpenter, but Wainwright will prove troublesome on the mound, too. The tall righty had 19 wins against 8 losses and a 2.63 ERA. He also finished 4th in the NL with 212 strikeouts.
Rockies vs. Phillies:
Head-to-Head: Philadelphia took the season series against Colorado 2 games to 4. The Phillies won the NL East 6 games up with a 93-70 record. The Rockies had a similar record at 92-70 and slid into a playoff spot by winning the Wild Card race.
On the Mound: In game 1, the pitching matchup isn’t anything too remarkable. The Rockies are sending Ubaldo Jimenez, who went 15-12 with a 3.47 ERA, to the mound. The Phillies are starting Cliff Lee, who has struggled after his Cy Young/All-Star 2008 season with the Indians, when he was also named AL Comeback Player of the Year. But Lee has a lot to comeback from after his 2009 record of 14-13, although is ERA is at 3.22. Philadelphia fills out the rest of their rotation with names like Hamels, Happ and Blanton who all were on the World Series winning roster a year ago. They also have Pedro Martinez, a post-season veteran while in Boston. In 9 starts, Pedro is 5-1 with a 3.63 ERA. The Rockies have Cook, Marquis, DeLaRosa, Hammel and their own post-season vet Contreras to fill out their rotation.
My pick: Rockies: I am a firm believer that “the numbers don’t lie” and love to crunch stats, but although the numbers are leading towards Philadelphia in this matchup, I have to go with Colorado. I think I’m going to have some déjà vu in this series. Like the 2007 Rockies clinched the Wild Card and swept the Phillies in the Division Series to go on into the World Series…well, I don’t think it will be exactly the same this season, but a similar start. It will be a close match, but Colorado will prevail. Plus, the Rockies get my award for best postseason slogan: “Rocktober.”
Stay tuned for my ALDS predictions after the completion of the Twins-Tigers tiebreaker.
Head-to-Head: In the regular season, St. Louis took 5 of the 7 games against LA. The Cardinals won the NL Central with a 91-71 record, 7.5 games up from the second place team. The Dodgers took the NL West , finishing 95-67 with a three game lead.
On the Mound: Postseason is all about pitching. St. Louis is throwing NL Comeback Player of the Year Chris Carpenter in game 1. Carpenter ended the regular season with a 17-4 record and 2.24 ERA, which made him the NL leader in ERA and 2nd most in wins. Joe Torre is sending Randy Wolf to oppose Carpenter. Wolf had an 11-7 regular season record with a 3.23 ERA.
My pick: Cardinals: One of the biggest factors in postseason performance is momentum, and that factor is leaning heavily in favor of St. Louis. First of all, Pujols and the boys are quite familiar with the playoffs. Just four years ago they took the NL Central and NL pennants, followed by the club’s 10th World Series win. While the Dodgers are used to winning the NL West, in recent years, they haven’t seen much postseason play. And if they keep playing like they have in the end the regular season, things aren’t looking too good. The Dodgers won just 4 of their last 10 games, including series losses to Pittsburgh and San Diego – both sub .500 teams. LA is also going to have a lot of trouble with the Cards’ pitching staff. Not only will they have to face Carpenter, but Wainwright will prove troublesome on the mound, too. The tall righty had 19 wins against 8 losses and a 2.63 ERA. He also finished 4th in the NL with 212 strikeouts.
Rockies vs. Phillies:
Head-to-Head: Philadelphia took the season series against Colorado 2 games to 4. The Phillies won the NL East 6 games up with a 93-70 record. The Rockies had a similar record at 92-70 and slid into a playoff spot by winning the Wild Card race.
On the Mound: In game 1, the pitching matchup isn’t anything too remarkable. The Rockies are sending Ubaldo Jimenez, who went 15-12 with a 3.47 ERA, to the mound. The Phillies are starting Cliff Lee, who has struggled after his Cy Young/All-Star 2008 season with the Indians, when he was also named AL Comeback Player of the Year. But Lee has a lot to comeback from after his 2009 record of 14-13, although is ERA is at 3.22. Philadelphia fills out the rest of their rotation with names like Hamels, Happ and Blanton who all were on the World Series winning roster a year ago. They also have Pedro Martinez, a post-season veteran while in Boston. In 9 starts, Pedro is 5-1 with a 3.63 ERA. The Rockies have Cook, Marquis, DeLaRosa, Hammel and their own post-season vet Contreras to fill out their rotation.
My pick: Rockies: I am a firm believer that “the numbers don’t lie” and love to crunch stats, but although the numbers are leading towards Philadelphia in this matchup, I have to go with Colorado. I think I’m going to have some déjà vu in this series. Like the 2007 Rockies clinched the Wild Card and swept the Phillies in the Division Series to go on into the World Series…well, I don’t think it will be exactly the same this season, but a similar start. It will be a close match, but Colorado will prevail. Plus, the Rockies get my award for best postseason slogan: “Rocktober.”
Stay tuned for my ALDS predictions after the completion of the Twins-Tigers tiebreaker.
Friday, October 2, 2009
5 Reasons to Love Fall:
It’s official. I know the actual first day of autumn is in September, but now that it is October, fall is undoubtedly upon us (especially in terms of weather…brrr cold and rainy the past few days!) Keep reading for five reasons why the beginning of this season is so great.
1. Football, football, football. Need I say more? Both college and pro football is really underway now. The excitement builds at the end of summer as the seasons get started, but now that they are a few weeks in, the drama really starts to unfold and things begin to get interesting. Farve is going for a record on Monday night (the first QB to ever beat all 32 NFL teams) as he faces his former Packers; Tebow is out of the hospital, getting a lot better and might actually be starting this week as the Gators take on LSU; and that’s just two of the many storylines shaping the 2009 football season thus far.
2. Playoff Baseball. Any baseball is terrific in my book – and I mean any, even Little League. But we get the cream of the crop as October begins pennant races in the MLB. My Yanks clinched the AL East in their 100th win this season by sweeping Boston and were the first to secure a playoff spot. Although the playoff races don’t seem quite as tight this season as in the past, there are still races heating up, like in the AL Central. Nothing beats the crack of a bat on a crisp autumn night when the entire season’s on the line. (I’ll have my post-season predictions when the regular season comes to a close…)
3. Gotta Love Fall Fashion. Even though it’s not too wonderful that the weather’s getting colder, it still isn’t unbearable. I love this time of year when I can throw on a pair of jeans, a cute sweater and some boots. It is so easy to be comfy-casual and still look cute this time of year. Once that wind blows cold with snow, I give up and just bundle up in layers of sweats, half the time looking like I just rolled out of bed right before class. But for now, I have a month or so before I get to that point.
4. Harvest Time. Who doesn’t love being in the country this time of year, taking a drive, seeing all the colorful foliage and crisp cornstalks blowing in the wind. Plus picking pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn and, my favorite, apples! There’s nothing better than warm spiced cider, apple cider donuts or a warm apple crisp. Not to mention the thought of delicious pumpkin pie to come. Fall is a treat for the eyes and the tongue.
5. Television Season Premiers. All I can say is, “Grey’s is back!” Since the weather is cooling down at night, I love coming home, making dinner and then relaxing with some great primetime television. Most sports are on the weekend, so during the week I can now enjoy the return of Grey’s Anatomy, Project Runway, The Office, The Hills and four great, new, hilarious shows on ABC Wednesday nights. Modern Family and Cougar Town are so funny! I recommend checking them out Wednesday at 9:00 and 9:30!
1. Football, football, football. Need I say more? Both college and pro football is really underway now. The excitement builds at the end of summer as the seasons get started, but now that they are a few weeks in, the drama really starts to unfold and things begin to get interesting. Farve is going for a record on Monday night (the first QB to ever beat all 32 NFL teams) as he faces his former Packers; Tebow is out of the hospital, getting a lot better and might actually be starting this week as the Gators take on LSU; and that’s just two of the many storylines shaping the 2009 football season thus far.
2. Playoff Baseball. Any baseball is terrific in my book – and I mean any, even Little League. But we get the cream of the crop as October begins pennant races in the MLB. My Yanks clinched the AL East in their 100th win this season by sweeping Boston and were the first to secure a playoff spot. Although the playoff races don’t seem quite as tight this season as in the past, there are still races heating up, like in the AL Central. Nothing beats the crack of a bat on a crisp autumn night when the entire season’s on the line. (I’ll have my post-season predictions when the regular season comes to a close…)
3. Gotta Love Fall Fashion. Even though it’s not too wonderful that the weather’s getting colder, it still isn’t unbearable. I love this time of year when I can throw on a pair of jeans, a cute sweater and some boots. It is so easy to be comfy-casual and still look cute this time of year. Once that wind blows cold with snow, I give up and just bundle up in layers of sweats, half the time looking like I just rolled out of bed right before class. But for now, I have a month or so before I get to that point.
4. Harvest Time. Who doesn’t love being in the country this time of year, taking a drive, seeing all the colorful foliage and crisp cornstalks blowing in the wind. Plus picking pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn and, my favorite, apples! There’s nothing better than warm spiced cider, apple cider donuts or a warm apple crisp. Not to mention the thought of delicious pumpkin pie to come. Fall is a treat for the eyes and the tongue.
5. Television Season Premiers. All I can say is, “Grey’s is back!” Since the weather is cooling down at night, I love coming home, making dinner and then relaxing with some great primetime television. Most sports are on the weekend, so during the week I can now enjoy the return of Grey’s Anatomy, Project Runway, The Office, The Hills and four great, new, hilarious shows on ABC Wednesday nights. Modern Family and Cougar Town are so funny! I recommend checking them out Wednesday at 9:00 and 9:30!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
SportsCorner Pick 'Em
Check me out on the Pick 'Em segment of TV2's SportsCorner from Tuesday night:
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