Hey All,
The 2011 Homerun Derby was a record setting one at that. It was by far the most entertaining one I have seen. In my mind it tops the 24 first round homers in the 2007 Homerun Derby, which was close to a record but not quite there. And the man who did it, wasn't even the winner of the event. This year David Ortiz picked the best line up that anyone could have picked. The Derby came down to The Yankees and The Red Sox, how fitting. Adrian Gonzalez and Robinson Cano were the two finalist representing the AL. Both men in the second round hit 20 bombs! That's outstanding. The NL didn't fair too well against the power house that is the AL batters. Prince Fielder was the only hope for the NL to win the Derby, and I'm sorry but one man against four isn't going to be enough fire power. In the last round Gonzalez hit 11 homers, 11! That's amazing for having so many swings of a bat. Most anyone would have started to show some fatigue at this point in time; their hands would start to hurt, fingers start to tingle and just wouldn't be able to get any power on the ball. Not these two men. With Gonzalez hitting the 11 homeruns, a record tying for most HR hit in the last round of a Derby, everyone in the stadium knew that in order to win the Derby that Cano would have to break a record and hit 12. He did just that, and what made this event even more special was he had his dad pitching to him. No one could have predicted this went. The fans who were on hand for the event got their moneys worth. Not to mention that they raised a ton of money for charity, the David Ortiz Children's Fund and the Boys and Girls Club. This event was a great one over all, amazing for the kids, fans, and players who all got their moneys worth in this event, and that is what it is all about.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
USA!!!!
Hey all,
Now I don't pretend to be a huge soccer fan, but taday I found myself getting into the World Cup this morning against Brazil. The women of USA scored the first goal against Brizal in this World Cup in the first 74 seconds. They held that lead all the way until the 70th minute of the game where Brazil's Marta scored what would be called a questionable call on the PK. A yellow card given to goal keeper Hope Solo for moving to early on the first try. That makes the game 1-1, and would remain that way till the end, sending the game into overtime. In the first couple of seconds of extra time Brizal's Marta would get a unbelievable goal to give Brizal the lead. This made the score 2-1 in favor of Brizal going into the second 15 minutes of extra time. This is where the game became more questionable to say the least. USA wasn't getting any calls going their way, and it wasn't looking good for the American team. The game was in the 122 minute with 3 minutes of extra time for one of the players for Brizal faking a back injury. They brought out a cart to take her off the field, and once off she then unstrapped herself and ran back onto the field, picking up a yellow card. Now with just one minute left to go in this game USA picks up an unbelievable goal to make it 2-2 sending the game to penalty kicks. This is where USA shined after playing most of the game a player down for receiving a red card. USA was fantastic with penalty kicks not missing one to send them into the semifinals against France on Wednesday. This will be another good tough game for America to move on and try to win the World Cup after being named the #1 team in the world. Be looking for another post after the semifinals on Wednesday.
Now I don't pretend to be a huge soccer fan, but taday I found myself getting into the World Cup this morning against Brazil. The women of USA scored the first goal against Brizal in this World Cup in the first 74 seconds. They held that lead all the way until the 70th minute of the game where Brazil's Marta scored what would be called a questionable call on the PK. A yellow card given to goal keeper Hope Solo for moving to early on the first try. That makes the game 1-1, and would remain that way till the end, sending the game into overtime. In the first couple of seconds of extra time Brizal's Marta would get a unbelievable goal to give Brizal the lead. This made the score 2-1 in favor of Brizal going into the second 15 minutes of extra time. This is where the game became more questionable to say the least. USA wasn't getting any calls going their way, and it wasn't looking good for the American team. The game was in the 122 minute with 3 minutes of extra time for one of the players for Brizal faking a back injury. They brought out a cart to take her off the field, and once off she then unstrapped herself and ran back onto the field, picking up a yellow card. Now with just one minute left to go in this game USA picks up an unbelievable goal to make it 2-2 sending the game to penalty kicks. This is where USA shined after playing most of the game a player down for receiving a red card. USA was fantastic with penalty kicks not missing one to send them into the semifinals against France on Wednesday. This will be another good tough game for America to move on and try to win the World Cup after being named the #1 team in the world. Be looking for another post after the semifinals on Wednesday.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Pirates Cubs
Hey all,
With the Pirates coming off of that big time upset against the Astros, the Pirates are looking to bounce back after a tough loss with the Cubs in town tonight. On the mound for the Bucco's will be James McDonald, who as of late has been struggling. On the other side Lopez takes the hill for the Chicago Cubs. J. Mac will have to have all the right stuff tonight in order to pick up another win for the Pirates, who are just a game back from the lead in the NL Central. With both Milwaukee and St. Louis tied for first in that division the Bucs will be looking for both of them to go down tonight, and maybe squeak into the top spot before the All Star break. The Pirates are making a lot of noise in the majors, and are looking to keep that noise going with another big win tonight against the Cubs. If Pittsburgh can pull of a win of this series or a sweep, there is no reason that they shouldn't be in first place in their division right before the break. The only problem with that is that St. Louis has "The Machine", Albert Pujols back in the starting line up. Quite frankly the Cardinals just aren't that good without him in the line up, but with him epically now that he is stronger than before from his time off, I don't know who will be able to pitch around him. It's going to be a close race to the finish for both teams, I just can't wait to see how this one turns out. The Pirates should be able to take this very weak division, but they need to focus on taking it one game at a time. I will be posting again after the game after the game.
With the Pirates coming off of that big time upset against the Astros, the Pirates are looking to bounce back after a tough loss with the Cubs in town tonight. On the mound for the Bucco's will be James McDonald, who as of late has been struggling. On the other side Lopez takes the hill for the Chicago Cubs. J. Mac will have to have all the right stuff tonight in order to pick up another win for the Pirates, who are just a game back from the lead in the NL Central. With both Milwaukee and St. Louis tied for first in that division the Bucs will be looking for both of them to go down tonight, and maybe squeak into the top spot before the All Star break. The Pirates are making a lot of noise in the majors, and are looking to keep that noise going with another big win tonight against the Cubs. If Pittsburgh can pull of a win of this series or a sweep, there is no reason that they shouldn't be in first place in their division right before the break. The only problem with that is that St. Louis has "The Machine", Albert Pujols back in the starting line up. Quite frankly the Cardinals just aren't that good without him in the line up, but with him epically now that he is stronger than before from his time off, I don't know who will be able to pitch around him. It's going to be a close race to the finish for both teams, I just can't wait to see how this one turns out. The Pirates should be able to take this very weak division, but they need to focus on taking it one game at a time. I will be posting again after the game after the game.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Pirates Going for the Sweep
Hey All,
The Pittsburgh Pirates have not done well when going for the sweep of any team this year. With the Huston Astros in town, one of the worst teams in the majors, it's looking like the Bucco's might have it in them to pick up the sweep right before the All Star break. The Pirates two previous wins against the Astros has been by healthy margins, 5-3 in the first meeting and 5-1 in the second. With Chris Morton on the mound for the Bucco's, I feel that they have a good chance to pick up the sweep tonight at PNC park. Morton, with a 7-4 record coming into tonight's game, should be able to pick up another win against a relatively strong hitting team in the Huston Astros. I feel that the only reason for the poor season that the Astros are having is because simply they have no pitching. This will play well into the hands are the hot bats of the Pirates. Morton is very capable of putting away the Astros hitters, he just needs to go right at them like they have in the past two games. Hopefully for the Pirates that they can bring out the brooms tonight and "RAISE THE JOLLY ROGER!" Be looking for another post shortly after tonight's game.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have not done well when going for the sweep of any team this year. With the Huston Astros in town, one of the worst teams in the majors, it's looking like the Bucco's might have it in them to pick up the sweep right before the All Star break. The Pirates two previous wins against the Astros has been by healthy margins, 5-3 in the first meeting and 5-1 in the second. With Chris Morton on the mound for the Bucco's, I feel that they have a good chance to pick up the sweep tonight at PNC park. Morton, with a 7-4 record coming into tonight's game, should be able to pick up another win against a relatively strong hitting team in the Huston Astros. I feel that the only reason for the poor season that the Astros are having is because simply they have no pitching. This will play well into the hands are the hot bats of the Pirates. Morton is very capable of putting away the Astros hitters, he just needs to go right at them like they have in the past two games. Hopefully for the Pirates that they can bring out the brooms tonight and "RAISE THE JOLLY ROGER!" Be looking for another post shortly after tonight's game.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Albert Pujols
Hey all,
If you have been following baseball, or even watching Sport Center you know that Albert Pujols has been out on the 15 day DL list due to a wrist injury. The Dr. said that he would be out at least 4-6 weeks, but he is making an amazing comeback without any rehab what so ever. I guess that is why they call him "The Machine" because he does stuff that most players just wouldn't be able to do. Most players would have stayed out for the full 6 weeks to make sure that they were good and healed up, but not Pujols. He is able to come back to the Cardinals without rehab and in half the time. This will be a great help to the St. Louis Cardinals, because they have been struggling without Pujols in the line up. It will be good for them to try and stay in first place in the NL Central over the Milwaukee Brewers and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Seeing how the Cardinals are ahead of the Brewers by 1 game and only 1.5 games ahead of the Pirates, they are going to need to stay strong to stay ahead. With the Pirates playing as strong as they are the NL Central will be shaking up and I think people will be surprised how that division will turn out at the end of the regular season. The Pirates schedule coming up shouldn't be a tough one and they should be able to make a strong run to be #1 in that division after the All Star break. The St. Louis Cardinals sure should be glad that they are getting one of their star players back and sooner than he should be. Some of the players on his team have said that he is looking stronger than before the injury, which should scare most of the teams in the Majors. Pujols was scary good before he got hurt, I'm scared and excited to see how he will do now that it is "stronger than before". Be looking to see how he does and I will be updating after his return.
If you have been following baseball, or even watching Sport Center you know that Albert Pujols has been out on the 15 day DL list due to a wrist injury. The Dr. said that he would be out at least 4-6 weeks, but he is making an amazing comeback without any rehab what so ever. I guess that is why they call him "The Machine" because he does stuff that most players just wouldn't be able to do. Most players would have stayed out for the full 6 weeks to make sure that they were good and healed up, but not Pujols. He is able to come back to the Cardinals without rehab and in half the time. This will be a great help to the St. Louis Cardinals, because they have been struggling without Pujols in the line up. It will be good for them to try and stay in first place in the NL Central over the Milwaukee Brewers and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Seeing how the Cardinals are ahead of the Brewers by 1 game and only 1.5 games ahead of the Pirates, they are going to need to stay strong to stay ahead. With the Pirates playing as strong as they are the NL Central will be shaking up and I think people will be surprised how that division will turn out at the end of the regular season. The Pirates schedule coming up shouldn't be a tough one and they should be able to make a strong run to be #1 in that division after the All Star break. The St. Louis Cardinals sure should be glad that they are getting one of their star players back and sooner than he should be. Some of the players on his team have said that he is looking stronger than before the injury, which should scare most of the teams in the Majors. Pujols was scary good before he got hurt, I'm scared and excited to see how he will do now that it is "stronger than before". Be looking to see how he does and I will be updating after his return.
Monday, July 4, 2011
All Star Snubs
There were some players in the Major Leagues who should be playing in the All Star game but aren't. One player for the NL that should be there is Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen. McCutchen's average this season is .294 with 12 HR and 42 RBI. He's also stolen 15 bags this season, and with his speed on the defensive side of things, not a lot of balls get over his head. McCutchen also has a pretty good slugging percentage as well as an on base percentage, his on base is .393 with a slugging of .498. It just blows my mind how you can over look a player like this, who puts up those type of numbers. It just goes to show you that the MLB All Star game is nothing but a popularity contest. Can someone please tell me how Derek Jeter made the AL All Star team being on the DL for the last couple of weeks. That just proves my point that the fans just vote for their favorite players and that's who will play in the game. Don't get me wrong Jeter is a pretty decent player, but has been out with a calf strain. All of his reps the last couple of week have been with the AA team the Trenton Thunder, and I'm sorry if you are going for your 3,000 hit but your playing for a AA team, how does that mean your an All Star?
It's not just the fans who are guilty of voting for their favorite players, the players get a say in who plays in the All Star game as well. They are just as guilty as the fans are for voting in a "big name" player. Since we are on the subject of the All Star game, I think that I should give credit where credit is due. The one and only Bucco that made the All Star game is well deserving of the honor. Joel Hanrahan makes his first All Star game of his career. Possibly the best closer in the Majors with a perfect 24/24 saves, finally one player that should be there who actually made the team. Now I know that the rosters aren't final yet and there still could be some moves, but there is still no way that McCutchen will make it to the game and that's sad because he deserves it. I will be posting again when they have the final rosters in.
It's not just the fans who are guilty of voting for their favorite players, the players get a say in who plays in the All Star game as well. They are just as guilty as the fans are for voting in a "big name" player. Since we are on the subject of the All Star game, I think that I should give credit where credit is due. The one and only Bucco that made the All Star game is well deserving of the honor. Joel Hanrahan makes his first All Star game of his career. Possibly the best closer in the Majors with a perfect 24/24 saves, finally one player that should be there who actually made the team. Now I know that the rosters aren't final yet and there still could be some moves, but there is still no way that McCutchen will make it to the game and that's sad because he deserves it. I will be posting again when they have the final rosters in.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Jagr update
Hey all,
The time has come when Jagr has made his decision on which team he will play for next season. I'm sure, if your like me, you were hoping he'd be playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins. The only problem is that he decided on taking his talents elsewhere in PA, and play for the Phildelphia Flyers. I never thought I'd see the day when he would play for the instate rival of the Penguins. He will be taking less money then he would if he would have played for the Penguins. $1.3 million for one year in Philly, .7 million less. The Flyers will be, in my opinion, will be the team to be with the talent they got in the free agent market. Max Talbat has taken a 5 year deal with the Flyers. The way the NHL free agents played out I can't wait for next hockey season. There is going to be more excitement then this past season, and I can't wait to see how it plays out.
The time has come when Jagr has made his decision on which team he will play for next season. I'm sure, if your like me, you were hoping he'd be playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins. The only problem is that he decided on taking his talents elsewhere in PA, and play for the Phildelphia Flyers. I never thought I'd see the day when he would play for the instate rival of the Penguins. He will be taking less money then he would if he would have played for the Penguins. $1.3 million for one year in Philly, .7 million less. The Flyers will be, in my opinion, will be the team to be with the talent they got in the free agent market. Max Talbat has taken a 5 year deal with the Flyers. The way the NHL free agents played out I can't wait for next hockey season. There is going to be more excitement then this past season, and I can't wait to see how it plays out.
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