Game 1 of the Stanley Cup is tonight on NBC and don’t leave your seat because Game 2 is tomorrow night agian on NBC. The reason why they are on back to back nights might baffle you.
Stanley Cup Finals in a Hurry
– May 30, 2009Posted in: NHL
Archive for May, 2009
Rachel Alexander Out of Belmont
– May 30, 2009Posted in: Other
Rachel Alexander owner Jess Jackson announced yesterday that Preakness Stakes winner Rachel Alexander will not race in the Belmont Stakes
next week. While this was expected the no decision on Monday fueled hopes that the filly might race in the Belmont. Jackson said in a press release “We know the media and many fans would have liked to see her run in the Belmont Stakes – we feel the same. But all of us sincerely interested in the horse must agree that we only want to see her run when it is best for her. While she is in great shape, having strong works, and recovering well from her amazing performances, we feel Rachel deserves a well-earned vacation…”
Who else was on the Juice? Part 2
– May 30, 2009Posted in: MLB
Yesterday I listed seven players whose stats were suspicious and may have used steroids. You can read that here. Today I’m adding to that list
and honestly you can go on forever throwing out names but these were the most obvious names to me.
I want to note again that I’m not accusing these players of using steroids but rather their statistics seems to show possible suspicious behavior. With that being said let’s get on to the list.
Nomar Garciaparra
In his first full six seasons in the league Nomar hit over 20 homers every years and hit over 30 twice. Then in 2004 and 2005 when testing got stricter Nomar hit only 9 homers in each season. Injuries played a part in his demise but he had a severe loss in power that can’t be explained totally by injuries.
Barry Zito Read the rest of this entry »
It’s very hard to tell with pitchers if they used steroids and I could be way off with this one and Zito is the only pitcher I put on this list. In 2002 Zito win the Cy Young award winning 23 games and had a 2.75 ERA. He pitched good the next few seasons but when he went to the Giants in 2007 in his prime at 29 he was awful. The NL is far easier to pitch in than the AL and the drop-off is shocking considering how good he once was.
Who else was on the Juice?
– May 29, 2009Posted in: MLB
Manny Ramirez is the latest name being accused of using steroids joining the likes of Bonds, Clemens, and McGuire. With Manny being ousted it 
now begs the question of who else was on the juice? In the recent era of baseball it is impossible to say that someone was not on steroids. It’s guilt by association and while it’s unfair to the guys that were clean that’s just the way it is. The only players I can say I’m fairly confident never took steroids or any performance enhancing drugs are Greg Maddux and Derek Jeter. With A-Rod and Manny being the latest big names to be on steroids it’s only a matter of time before everyone starts accusing Albert Pujols of using steroids.
I want to note that I’m not accusing these players of using steroids but rather their statistics seems to show possible suspicious behavior. With that being said let’s get on to the list.
Brady Anderson
In 1996 at the age of 32 Anderson hit 50 home runs more than he hit in the previous three season combined. That season was perhaps the mst out of the blue power surge in MLB history. His previous career high was 21 and the most he hit after that year was 24.
Brett Boone
With the Seattle Mariners from 2001-2004 Boone hit 37, 24, 34, and 24 home runs. Those seasons were when Boone was 32-35 years old. Almost half of his career home runs came during those seasons. In 2005 when baseball had tougher steroid testing Boone hit just seven home runs and never played in the majors again.
Luis Gonzalez
Gonzalez was a below average major leaguer until he came to the Diamondbacks in 1999. He hit 57 home runs in 2001 at the age of 34 and never hit more than 31 any other season. Before coming to the Diamondbacks his career high for home runs was 23 and hit more than 23 home runs six times with the Diamondbacks.
Manny Ramirez in the All Star Game?
– May 28, 2009Posted in: MLB
Currently Manny Ramirez is fourth in the National League outtfielder voting for the All Star Game. Manny is also currently serving a 50 game suspension for violating baseball’s drug policy. Since this news came out fans have put up mock websites to vote for Manny similar to what fans did a few years ago for Sanjaya on American Idol.
With the increased media attention it looks like Manny will get elected to the starting lineup and that will be quite embarrassing for the MLB. Manny is eligible to return on July 3 so there is no way he can’t play. Bud Selig might ask Manny to sit out due to the circumstances but I doubt he would risk the repercussions and most likely will pray that Manny declines to play.
The support for Manny means one thing. The fan don’t care about performance enhancing drugs and steroids. Manny is the biggest name to get suspended for violating the MLB’s drug policy yet the fans still love him. Fans want to see the most talented players and the biggest names play in the All Star Game. Can you really blame them? In the recent era of baseball you can’t tell who was on steroids and who wasn’t. The fans seemed to have moved on but its baseball writers who haven’t are are so outraged about this. But they have their own argument because they feel like they were cheated by the players during the steroid era.
Top 5 Worst Off Season Moves
– May 28, 2009Posted in: NFL
Yesterday I looked at the best acquisitions of the NFL off season which you can see here. Today I’m looking at the worst moves that teams made in the off season.
5. Redskins resign DeAngelo Hall to 6yrs $54million contract
The Redskins signed Hall to a monster contract that includes $24 million of guaranteed money after signing him during the season. This is the second monster contract in the past two off seasons. He signed a 7yrs $72 million contract with Oakland last year but was cut after only eight games. If Al Davis cut him after only eight games after giving him that kind of you have to know something is wrong.
After signing Hall the Redskins then cut veteran corner Shaun Springs because they couldn’t afford both of them. While Springs may be olden that Hall he is still the better cover corner of the two but instead of making the better football decision the Redskins went with the flash and flare of Hall. The Redskins are Hall’s third team and in five seasons. He was run out of both Atlanta and Oakland and we could soon be adding Washington to the list.
Way to early Pre-Season Top 10
– May 27, 2009Posted in: College Sports
It’s never too early for some college basketball. With all the big recruits signed I figured I’d put out an early look of the preseason top 10. Read the rest of this entry »
10. Butler Bulldogs
The Bulldogs return all five starters from a team that was an 8 seed but lost in the first round of the tournament. Matt Howard and Gordan Hayward give them a great 1-2 scoring punch. The Bulldogs will be the heavy favorites in the Horizon league and should go farther in the tournament with another year of experience.
9. West Virginia Mountaineers
West Virginia had a disappointing end to last season getting upset by Dayton in the first round of the tournament. They only lose Alex Ruoff who was a great shooter. Devin Ebanks had a great freshman season and should build on it. The losses of the other Big East teams (Pitt, Louisville, UCONN, Cuse) will also make things easier for West Virginia.
Top 5 NFL Off-Season Acquisitions
– May 27, 2009Posted in: NFL
The NFL off-season is filled with countless trades and free agent pickups with some good and some bad. Today I’ll take a look at the best moves of the off season.
5. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Seattle Seahawks, 5yrs $40 million
The Seahawks were decimated by injuries last year especially at the wide receiver position. Every receiver they were putting in got hurt and they were forced to sign receivers off the street in the middle of the season. Their leading receiver was Bobby Engram who caught only 47 passes for 489 yards.
Over the past five seasons Houshmandzadeh has averaged 89 receptions and over 100 yards. Housh will give the Seahawks a true number one receiver which they have been lacking for years. In his time in Cincinnati Housh improved every year and eventually became a better receiver than his teammate Chad Johnson who got much more media attention. Seattle runs a west coast offense which features a lot of short quick passes which should fit Housh well being a possession receiver. With a healthy Matt Hasselbeck at quarterback and Housh at wide receiver Seattle could make a return to the playoff where they were only two years ago. Read the rest of this entry »
Champions League Final: Key Battles
– May 27, 2009Posted in: Other
Manchester United will be looking to defend it Champions League title against Barcelona who are looking for the second title in four years.
These three battles will be instrumental in who comes out on top in Rome on Wednesday. Read the rest of this entry »
