Thursday, May 25, 2006

Quick Hits

You know, it’s been a couple weeks since I’ve put anything up here, so y’all are due.  Here’s some of what I’ve been thinking about related to sports, at least in one form or another.

  1. Rob pointed this out:  Would any other 26-19 team, that’s only a half game out of first place, be taking as much heat as the Yankees are?  And if you’re listening to the mass media (including ESPN), has there ever been a worse pitching staff that has the 3rd best ERA in the AL?

  2. And since everyone is convinced the Yankees pitching staff is so terrible, does this just drive up what Steinbrenner might offer to Clemens?  The combination of desperation and nearly unlimited resources could create some unreal offers, like promising to draft all of Roger’s remaining kids (since one is already in the Astros system), plus any future grandchildren, male or female.

  3. I still hate NASCAR.  Thank heaven I’m not traveling this weekend.

  4. I will watch one race this weekend, though:  The Indy 500.

  5. Karol pointed out that Danica Patrick might be a good match for me.  Unfortunately, she got married late last year, so the odds of that happening are not good.

  6. My dream right now:  That the Red Sux will collapse and become worse than this year’s Royals.  In the meantime, I’ll have to enjoy the fact that the Yankees took 2 of 3 in Boston.

  7. In the grand scheme of things, if you’re Kelvin Sampson or IU, making too many phone calls to recruits is really not that bad.  It sucks that he’s got the restriction, but it’s not like he was paying players or bringing in prostitutes for the recruits like at Colorado.

  8. I’m REEEEEEALLY hoping Bonds retires at the end of the season.  He’s got less business playing left field for the Giants than I do, and it’s been 3 years since I’ve played shortstop for my softball team on a regular basis.

  9. I really don’t care much whether Reggie Bush gets to wear #5 or not (the NFL has said no).  However, the rule that says certain positions can only wear certain numbers is pretty dumb.

  10. I hate to admit this, but I’m nervous about the Yankees heading into Detroit for 3 games starting Monday.  Normally, I’d be pissed if they didn’t take 2 out of 3.  I’d be thrilled with that this year.

  11. I know it’s early, but Melky Cabrera is starting to look like a decent hitter.

Sunday, May 14, 2006

The Trouble with Randy

A year ago at this time, I was ready to trade Jason Giambi to Detroit for Bobby Higginson.  The funny part?  The Tigers fans I knew wouldn’t take the deal.  This year, it’s Randy Johnson.  It’s frustrating watching a pitcher who doesn’t have the same zip on his fastball or break on his slider refuse to acknowledge this fact.  It’s been this way for the better part of a year now.  And that’s not even taking his salary into account.  Of course, I’m not paying that bill.

If it was only Randy that was having problems, I probably wouldn’t be as worried.  However, most of the bullpen is having issues as well.  A fact that Dad constantly points out when I talk to him.  Tanyon Sturtze (who Dad calls Tanyon Sucks) just went on the DL, as clearly something’s wrong with him.  He doesn’t like Randy Myers, who I’m not a fan of either, though somehow his ERA is just over 1.00.  Aaron Small, who along with Wang an Mo were the best pitchers the Yankees had last year, has been shelled each time he’s pitched since coming off the DL.  Shawn Chacon hasn’t been consistent.  Jaret Wright looks like crap, though he did finally get a win the other day.  Farnsworth looks good some days, bad on others, but that’s probably going to be the case with him.  Scott Proctor has pitched pretty well, and I like the way Mussina has been pitching.  He looks much better than he did last year.

But getting back to Randy, the thing that I’ve noticed (and guys like Jeff Brantley and Harold Reynolds have as well) is that he’s not challenging hitters inside.  He throws a lot of soft stuff (and his slider is becoming soft stuff) away from both lefties & righties.  No offense, but if you’re afraid to come inside on Mark Loretta, clearly you don’t think you’re able to intimidate anymore.  He’s doomed unless he can get that edge back.  I missed his bad first inning today, but I’m not terribly disappointed about that.

Here’s the bright spot.  With Sturtze now on the DL, the Yankees called up Scott Erickson.  Yep, the former Twin & Oriole (and Ranger & Met & Dodger).  OK, he gave up a run in his 1-2/3 innings of work today, but at least it was only one.

How they’ve still managed to be tied with Boston for first place, I’ll never know.

Friday, May 05, 2006

Charlotte Knights Game

Last night, I went to a Charlotte Knights game with a few guys from TNG.  As usual, I had a good time just relaxing and taking in a live baseball game.  It’s really a pretty good deal.  Parking is $2 (I dare you to find that uptown), lower level reserved seats are only $9, and Thursdays are “Thirsty Thursdays” with $2 beer and $1 soft drinks.

There were a few interesting things that happened.  First, I got picked for an on-field promotion.  Chad will be ticked off because of all things I could have ended up doing, I get the one sponsored by Advance Auto Parts, asking me a car maintenance question.  It had something to do with mixing synthetic oil with regular or something.  Sorry, Chad, but I got it wrong.  But I did still get a $10 gift card, and got to talk to 3 rather cute interns:  Megan, and two others that I didn’t catch their names.  So that was a good way to get things going, even if I did start to feel a little old.

Next, one of the players for the Louisville Bats (the team Charlotte was playing) was Alex Sanchez.  Some of you may remember Alex as the first guy to be suspended last year by MLB for steroid use.  If he keeps playing like he did last night (0-5, including a GDP), he won’t be headed back to the majors any time soon.

I also got to see the Knights catcher, Wally Rosa, allow 5 passed balls.  Yes, Curtis, it was only 5 according to the boxscore, despite what the guys about 10 rows up were yelling (they were up to 10, and starting to applaud when he caught one).

Oh, and the Knights won 8-3, though I left after the 7th inning.  All those passed balls were slowing down the game.

During the week, I know attendance is pretty lousy for these games, but that’s when it’s fun to go.  You can spread out in your seat, and the lines for food (and restrooms) are short.  I know the Knights want to get a stadium built uptown, but I won’t go to games as often if they go up there.  I hate going into uptown Charlotte.