Tagged: World Series

Dazed, Confused, and Defeated

                As
I sit here writing, I am still trying to figure out exactly why the New England
Patriots had to lose to the New York Jets. I mean any team but the trash
talking, cocky, annoying Jets. I would have rather gotten killed by the Steelers
next week, murdered in the Super Bowl by the Packers or Bears, heck even lose
in the divisional round to a team like the Seahawks then lose to the foot
loving Jets.

Now I know that when I turn on Mike and
Mike tomorrow, Mike Greenberg will be sitting there saying how much he loves
Mark Sanchez and how good the Jets are.

Any team but the Jets. Any team. Any
team. I would have just loved the Jets to shut up. I mean after the week
thirteen loss, the Jets actually shut up! That was arguably the best two days
of the football schedule, the two days when the Jets were absolutely quiet.

 

 

But now though I think I’m beginning to
understand why exactly the Patriot loss still stings so badly and why it is
still keeping me up at night, two nights later.  My conclusion is, Boston sport fans have been spoiled since
2001.

Name one other city with just one NFL,
NBA, and MLB with stars like Tom Brady, Paul Pierce, and David Ortiz. You just
can’t.

Since 2001 the Patriots have won three
Super Bowls (2001, 2003, 2004), The Red Sox have won two World Series (2004,
2007), and the Celtics won the NBA Finals back in 2008. That’s six
championships out of the possible twenty-seven, or over 22%, of all the possible
championships in the NFL, MLB, and NBA, since 2001.

 

Red Sox Tickets: Red Sox 2007.jpg


No offense to anyone, but many Boston
sport fans, myself included, can be brats when it comes to sports.

 Oh this guy isn’t doing good trade him. We have a weakness at
this position, so we have to get the best guy out there. When we don’t get what
we want, we let people hear it. Same thing for New York, Philadelphia, Chicago,
etc. fans. Again, no offense.

However, that’s part of the “beauty” of
large marker sports. In Kansas City and Baltimore fans are more laid back for
the most part. Again, no offense. Fans are so dedicated and passionate about
winning. They accept nothing but the best. Look at the crazy fans at football
games that paint their whole body. They are either Raider fans, or fans of the
Patriots, Jets, Giants, Eagles, Bears, etc. When you grow up around a winning
culture, you don’t know how to deal with defeat. Do you get angry or sad? Does
it last a few days or a few weeks?

 


Recently though, I’ve been learning how
to deal with defeat (unfortunately). The Celtics lost game seven of the NBA
Finals, the Red Sox didn’t even make the playoffs, and now the Patriots are
potentially “done” with their dynasty.

When you’re a kid, you can’t imagine that
your team will lose. I mean they’re your team.
When your team does lose it teaches you a great lesson in sportsmanship and how
to deal with defeat. I am just now getting that lesson though.

I have a friend who is a Cleveland sports
fan and trust me he has got that lesson . . . big time. Today though, I realize
that when I’m practically screaming at the TV after a Kevin Garnett alley oop,
or a Tom Brady touchdown, or a David Ortiz home run. There is some ten-year-old
kid either upset or mad that that had to happen against his team. But he doesn’t know that he is learning maybe the most
valuable lesson in sports.

Looking back, I wish there was a time
when I was that ten-year-old kid. I wish I had learned that lesson sooner then
latter. The “bad” news is that the Celtics look to be making another title run
and the Red Sox have restocked to win another ring. On second thought, I think
that lesson can wait another year. J

When you don’t know how to deal with
defeat and accept nothing but the best and you don’t get the best it stings more
then anything.



-Photo Credits

1.) http://www.cantstopthebleeding.com/tomase-pats-spied-on-the-rams-before-sbxxvi

2.) http://connect.in.com/red-sox-tickets/photos-1-1-1-                    72693d71aaca1b6b9cf5cbfeec0dac4d.html

3.) http://gallery.neoseeker.com/Lesley%20Pro_04/photostream/2020860158


P.S. Rex Ryan owes me for not making the title Dazed, Confused, and De-feet-ed

Jon Garland, The Most Overrated Pitcher in  Baseball

Today the Arizona Diamondbacks signed right hander, Jon Garland to a one year deal, worth about $7 million dollars. The deal also includes an option for 2010. Garland will replace Randy Johnson who signed with the Giants this offseason. Garland is a sinkerballer, who played last season with the Angels were he went 14-8, with a 4.90 ERA, and 90 strikeouts. The Angels were the A.L. West champions and the only team to win 100 games last season. Now some idiots (no offense) might say, why is Garland overrated then if he was on the Angels? You just answered your own question. Garland won only 14 games for one of the best teams in baseball last year. Imagine what he would have been like if he played for the Mariners, Pirates or even Astros. If he was with the Mariners then maybe seven wins. If he played for the Pirates then ten wins. If he played for the Astros, he would have helped them get the wild-card spot but he would have only won eleven games. Yet, Garland gets treated like he has won 20 games. At least the front offices know he is overrated by not giving him say a $20 million dollar contract. Garland is a good pitcher but not an all-star. He was one in 2005 though with the White Sox when they won the World Series. So I don’t want to have any comments saying the Garland is underrated or that I’m wrong. Garland will most likely be the second or third starter in the D-Backs rotation. Right now it looks like Brandon Webb will be the ace, followed by Dan Haren, then Garland, next is Doug Davis, and in the fifth spot Max Scherzer or Yusmerio Petit. It will most likely be Scherzer though. Garland is 29 years old and has played nine major league seasons with the White Sox and Angels. His first eight years were with the White Sox. His carer stats are 106-89, a 4.47 ERA, and 851 strike outs. He also has one save and a .971 fielding percentage at pitcher. Garland is overrated by the fans but this should be a good move for the Diamondbacks.

Garland_2
Jon Garland Photo Enlargement

Hall of Fame Winners and Losers- Part 8

Mo Vaughn No, Never



Mo Vaughn is on the ballot for his first time. He hit .293, with 328 home runs, drove in 1,064, scored 861 times, had 1,620 hits, stole 30, and was caught stealing 18 times. Vaughn played twelve season with the Red Sox, Angels, and Mets. In 2001 he did not play. If Vaughn does get elected he will go in as a Red Sox. Big Papi, David Ortiz, is compared to as Mo Vaughn Jr. and other things. Vaughn like Papi was clutch. Vaughn will get 7% of the vote and his best will be 55% of the vote.

Matt Williams, No, Never


Matt Williams is on the ballot for his first time. He hit .268, with 378 RBI’s, 378 home runs, scored 997 times, had 1,878 hits, stole 53, and was caught stealing 35 times. He made 191 errors at shortstop, third base and first base. He has a .964 fielding percentage. Williams played 17 seasons with the Giants, Indians, and D-Backs. In 2001 with the Diamondbacks he won the World Series against the Yankees. Williams is a five time all-star. Williams will get 5% of the vote and at his best 35% of the vote. 


Wow eight entries in a day, I’m tired.
I hope you liked Hall of Fame Winners and Losers.

Hall of Fame Winners and Losers- Part 2

David Cone, No, Never



David Cone is up for election for his first time. His carer record is 194-126, with an ERA of 3.46, and 2,668 strike outs. He played 18 seasons with the Royals, Mets, Blue Jays, Yankees, and Red Sox. He played with the Mets two different times and the Royals two different times. If Cone does go in he will probably go in as a Met. Cone was traded twice in midseason. After playing with Boston in 2001 he didn’t play again till 2003 with the Mets. Cone won a Cy Young and four World Series. Cone was pretty good but only 194 wins as a starter. Yes, he was a relief pitcher his first few years in the bis but still. he doesn’t have 3,000 strike out or an ERA under 3.00. Cone will get 5% of the votes this year and at his best 25% of the votes.

Andre Dawson, No, Eventually 


Andre Dawson is up for election for his eighth year. He hit .279, with 438 home runs, 1,591 RBI’s, had 2,774 hits, stole 314, and was caught stealing 109 times. Dawson had 93 carer errors in the outfield with a rocket for an arm. He played 21 years with the Expos, Cubs, Red Sox, and Marlins. He will probably go in as the last Expo in the hall of fame. If not an Expo then a Cub. In 1987 he hit 49 home runs, with 137 RBI’s, and 178 hits as a Cub that year. That year he also won MVP. Dawson was so close to 500 home runs and 3,000 hits. Last year he got 65.9% of the vote this year he will get around 70% of the vote. In 2010 he will get in with 76% of the vote.

Ron Gant, No, Never


Ron Gant is up for election for his first time. He hit .256, with 1651 hits, 321 home runs, drove in 1,008, stole 243, and was caught stealing 102 times. Gant played 17 seasons with the Braves, Reds, Cardinals, Phillies, Angels, Rockies, A’s, and Padres. He played with the A’s two different times. Gant was a great hitter before the dirt bike accident where he broke his leg before the 1994 season then he never was his old self again. Gant had back to back 30-30 seasons joining Willie Mays and Bobby Bonds as the only players to do that. Gant will probably get 5% of the votes this year and at his best 15% of the votes.

The Last Moves of 2008

First- Happy New Year!

Second- You heard it here first at Eat Sleep Baseball, The Red Sox will win the World Series, they have great chemistry, pitchers, fielders, and sluggers.
Third- MLB Network will launch at 6 pm eastern! I have to record it though because I have a dinner to go to. 😦 I hope every one gets to see it. I also hope that it is on at the restaurant! Tomorrow look out for a review of the MLB network. 
The last free agent signing of 2008 was a pretty big one. Brian Fuentes signed with the Angels on a two year deal with a club option for 2011. He would get $17.5 million the first two years and 9 million in 2011,if he stays with them. Fuentes is a three time all-star. Fuentes is coming home to LA which was probably a huge factor for him, and with the Dodgers already having a closer it was kinda obvious, okay well not that obvious. Fuentes played for the Rockies for the last seven seasons for the Rockies. He had his major league debut for the Mariners in 2001. In ten postseason games he is one and o with a 6.52 era. Fuentes is replacing K-Rod who signed with the Mets this offseason.Brian Fuentes
Before I start talking about the DeRosa deal remember how I had him in the roster game in a Cubs uniform. Now the picture is of an Indians uniform, without me changing it. The DeRosa trade was a steal for the Indians. The three prospects traded away, Jeff Stevens, Chris Archer, and John Gaub, will probably have little or no effect at the major league level. Mark DeRosa can play 1st, 2nd, shortstop, 3rd, LF, and RF. DeRosa has played 11 seasons with the Braves, Rangers, and Cubs. He has a .350 postseason batting average. DeRosa has never been an all-star.
Image: Mark DeRosa
HAPPY NEW YEAR! (again)

Red Sox vs. Dodgers World Series

Top 5 reasons it would be awesome

5- It would be a huge test for rising star Andre Ethier
4- Imagine how long the plane ride would be they would be really tired
3-The rotations are about equal with a slight edge to Boston
2- Dodger stadium vs. Fenway 2 of the 3 classic stadiums (now that Yankee is out)
1-Manny, Bay can you hear the BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOS!