Sunday, May 30, 2010

Halladay and the Phillies are perfect

Phillies big trade to get pitcher Roy Halladay in the offseason already paying off with quality starts, wins, and ERA barely below 2. On Saturday history was made as Halladay pitched the 20th perfect game in league history against Florida Marlins in 1-0 victory with amazing 11 strikeouts. It was first time in 130 years two perfect games tossed in a season. It too happened in the same month. Halladay and Phillies continue to sizzle on the NL East. Will there be another no hitter/perfect game this season? Still got four months left to go in the season.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Seahawks casts LenDale White out to sea

Barely a month with the his new team not even his college coach want him around. After giving up 4th and 6th round picks, Seattle Seahawks realize it was a mistake releasing LenDale White. White suspended for four games for violating NFL substance policy. Good player in goal line situation but struggled with weight and attitude issues. Despite coming in best shape he out of a team. Hopefully this wakes him up and get his attitude adjusted.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Raiders wants a refund from Russell

Raiders filed a grievance against former quarterback JaMarcus Russell trying to recoup $9.55 million from him. According to Yahoo Sports, his contract was changed during his stint. Al Davis trying get back his cash from a mistake he made. Actually hope he gets it. Somewhere Lane Kiffin is telling him, "I told you, Al."

Friday, May 21, 2010

Heavy price of divorce

Elin Nordegren Woods demands $750 million and full custody of the couple two kids in the divorce package. Tiger Woods you made your grave sleeping around with 10-15 women. Go lie in it. He should have gotten a prenuptial before getting hitched.

Why now Floyd?

After four years of denial with two years of trying to clear his name getting back his Tour du France win and writing a book Floyd Landis admits to doping. Came along with it were accusations and blasting of Lance Armstrong and US Cycling for doping and turning a blind eye. Why now Floyd? After years trying convince everyone you are not guilty to doping you finally came out you did. This reeks of Pete Rose denying on betting on baseball til he admit it on his book. Floyd admitted of having no backup on the accusations. After missing the limelight and attention from his failed test and stripping of his Tour du France win he decided to make his name relevant opening a can of worms. While this is serious subject this belongs on fail when he should have admitted while caught instead four years later.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Dallas Braden is perfect

Oakland A's pitcher Dallas Braden enter in the history books pitching Major League Baseball 19th perfect game of all-time against Tampa Bay Rays. What made it special it happened at the team's home stadium on Mother's Day. I saw Dallas Braden played when he was at A's Double A club Midland Rockhounds (2005) along the time Texas Tech played at then new stadium (2004). He came a long way to make it on A's roster being the team ace and putting his name on the history books. Congratulations to Dallas Braden for pitching a special moment on Mother's Day.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Raiders release JaMarcus Russell

Ryan Leaf has competition as the worst NFL draft pick ever. JaMarcus Russell could and is likely surpassed him as the biggest NFL draft bust. Oakland Raiders cut him after three erratic lazy seasons with the team. The former no. 1 overall pick quickly made himself unwelcoming holding out til after first game of the 2007 season for more money. Instead of showing he deserved the money paid to him he showed lack of dedication on the field and was lazy and aloof that the Raiders' fans quickly turned on him. Last year his play was so poor even Russell no. 1 supporter owner Al Davis gave the okay for coach Tom Cable to bench Russell and start Brad Gradkowski. To show his dedication he skipped a game to be in Las Vegas. It was the end when Raiders traded for Jason Campbell and gave him a contract extension. He showed up to camp out of shape along with his continual sloppy practice owner Al Davis finally had enough. During his three seasons with the team:

- lead the team to 7 wins in 25 starts

- threw for 18 touchdowns, 23 interceptions, 4,083 yards completing 52% of his passes with a QB rating of 62.5.

- in 12 games last season along starting in 9 completed less than half of his passes with a whopping 3 touchdown passes, 11 interception, and 1,287 yards.

- paid $36 million during this time along with $3 million owed from the team.

If there's a reason for a need of rookie salary cap you have to take a look at JaMarcus Russell. Gets rich quick and doesn't do shit.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Alex and Billy: A tale of two Royals separate paths to the majors

On the Kansas City Royals roster there are two young players. Their names is Alex Gordon and Billy Butler. Both were highly touted prospects going through the system, but have taken different paths to get to the majors. For Billy, he was drafted 14th overall in 2004 draft out of high school and gone through every Royals minor league clubs. Alex was drafted 2nd overall in 2005 draft out of college and immediately played for Royal AA team. Both were teammates in Arizona league in 2005 as well the Royals AA club in 2006. In 2007 their paths changed. Alex jumped straight to the majors from AA immediately hailed as the face of the Royals franchise. Billy stayed in the minor league system playing for the AAA club and didn't reach to the majors til halfway of 2007 season. Alex was put under pressure to produce immediately for the Royals. Billy took his time to develop as a player before getting the called to the Royals. In their debut season together in the majors they did respectably well.

Alex Gordon: 151 games/134 hits/36 doubles/4 triple/15 homeruns/60 RBIs/41 BB/137 strikeouts/.247 batting average

Billy Butler: 92 games/96 hits/23 doubles/2 triples/8 homeruns/52 RBIs/27 BB/55 strikeouts/.292 batting average

In 2008 both dealt with "sophomore" pains. Billy started the season in a slump and was sent down to AAA for more seasoning. After 26 games he was called back and return to major league form. Alex Gordon making small improvements til he suffered a hip flexor in August forcing him to miss a month. Despite suffering setbacks both produced respectable season numbers again.

Alex Gordon: 134 games/128 hits/35 doubles/1 triple/16 homeruns/59 RBIs/66 BB/120 strikeouts/.260 batting average

Billy Butler: 124 games/122 hits/22 doubles/11 homeruns/55 RBIs/33 BB/57 strikeouts/.275 batting average

In 2009 their paths split into different areas once again with one moving upward while the other going downward. Alex path headed downward battling injuries from first game of the season resulting of him struggling at the plate. For first time in his career he was sent down to AAA to refine his batting for a month before getting called back up with few weeks left in the season. He played 49 games just hitting 6 homeruns with 22 RBIs, 6 doubles and .232 batting average. Heading upward is Billy. He had a breakout season playing with his timely hitting and ability to drive in runs. In 159 games with 183 hits, 51 doubles (second in the league to Orioles' Brian Roberts), 21 homeruns, 93 RBIs, and .302 batting average.

Enter this season it was evident who's rising and who's sliding. A month into a season and its the same thing from last year. Billy continues to make strides with his hitting. Alex broke his thumb during spring training and barely getting on the field. With Albert Callapso doing well in his spot at 3B, he gets sent down to AAA to learn to play left field. Royals has not given up hope on Alex and still hoping he will produce sooner.

Two high prospects, one quickly breezed to the majors becoming face of the franchise, but bitten with bad luck and timing. The other quietly worked his way through and should have become the face of the franchise. Turns out it was Billy Butler that developed as a better player, not Alex Gordon as of this moment. While Alex still has time can he able to match his counterpart Billy and become 1-2 hitting combo for the Royals?

Idiot fan ruins Cole Hamels moment

After a Phillies fan deservingly got tasered for running on the field during play another fan did the same thing. Except it was top of the 9th with no outs and the Phillies winning 1-0 at the time with Cole Hamels on the mound trying to get his first win in three tries. After that idiot fan got dragged out Hamels concentration unraveled as he gave up two doubles on next two batters with one scoring tying the game up 1-1. Hamels was replaced by Brad Lidge who got the Phillies surprisingly out of a jam putting the game into extra innings. Thank goodness for Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz hitting walk-off game-winning homerun at bottom at the 10th to end it with 2-1 Phillies win. Imagine if the Phillies lost after the idiot came on the field. To the idiot fan thank you stupid fuck for ruining Cole Hamels possible win along millions of fantasy baseball owners who needed that win from him.