Rambling Toward the Weekend

It's kind of hard for me to call Friday night through Sunday the weekend considering writing this is my main job. I haven't had a real "weekend" since I was in school over 9 months ago; so the title is just for the benefit of all of you out there who are actually contributing something to society. Anyway here's what's going through my head as we head toward the weekend:

The PGA Nissan Open is this weekend. Two-time defending champion Mike Weir is there along with Tiger Woods who can reclaim the number one ranking in the world with a fourth-place-or-better finish. This may not seem like a big deal because the number one ranking doesn't really matter for getting you into tournaments or getting a higher seed in a tournament; but it does matter to Tiger, Phil, Reteif, Ernie, Veejay, and all of the other golfers who may have a legit shot at getting there. Why? Because only about 10 people have held the title of world number one golfer since it has been a stat.

I didn't even know the NBA ALL-STAR game was this weekend, nor do I know why I just capitalized all-star, but I digress. Gaddis mentioned yesterday that the slam-dunk contest is Saturday night when I will be in Sheboygan; so I figured the all-star game must be this weekend, shows how much I care.

Does it really matter if LeBron competes in the dunk contest or not? This thing hasn't been exciting since Harold Miner was dunking because it was all we knew him to do in his 4 year career.

Congrats to Mariotti on winning his 100th showdown on Around the Horn, and I join him in thanking Tony Reali (stat boy) on not always letting Bob Ryan win like that donkey Max Kellerman.

"You've got to change your evil ways, baby, before I stop loving you. You've got to change baby, and every word that I say is true; you've got me running and hiding all over town, you've got me sneaking and a peepin', and runnin' you down. This can't go on, Lord knows you've got to change, baby."- Carlos Santana (I'm listening to some tunes while typing).

The PBA is in North Brunswick, New Jersey this weekend. What for you ask? Only the U.S. Open, come on! Bowling on ESPN, it's fantabulous. The Finals are Sunday at 11:30 on the Worldwide Leader.

The NFL is over, obviously, so now it can be 50 degrees again for a week before being 65-72 and sunny everyday until Thanksgiving. Isn't this really how weather should go? I'm about ready to clean up the wrenches and take them out to the range, but it's too blasted cold, and I refuse to go to an indoor driving range (unless someone asks me to go and pays for me). Plus, I spend about 90% of my time in my room, so I'm kind of bouncing off the walls with not being able to sit on my deck all day and watch baseball.

Speaking of baseball; it's only 45 days until the Cubs season opener. For the countdown, simply click on our link to the Cubs page on the left of your screen. Next week you will probably see the Gs responses to my outrageous claims about the AL West as well as my prediction for the AL Central. I'm working from coast to coast.

After thinking about it more and talking with Gaddis, I have revised my predictions for the records in the West, which can now be seen at the end of that column.

BBBBBBBBZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ, sorry, I was just trying to help out AndDro and wake him up from my long column today.

The Sports Guy has a great mailbag today including his 90210/ O.C. comparison. Shout out to my boys in Cali right now; Thursdays aren't the same without you, hope you're still having fun with Steve-O.

I would talk about the NHL season ending, but frankly I don't care. Maybe I would if the Pettit's actually would have landed a team in Milwaukee, but I simply don't care about hockey. One of my old roomates liked watching it on occasion and enjoyed playoff hockey, so I watched it then, but never really fell in love with the sport.

In case you missed Marquette's heartbreaking loss to Louisville last night (like I did), Dale Hoffman of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel does a nice job of categorizing it here.

As I'm watching CNN, I realized Soledad O'Brien could tell me our country was being invaded by an alien race led by Carrot Top and I wouldn't care.

Oh yeah, the Daytona 500 is this weekend and Fox will carry the race which begins at 1:00pm. Dale Earnhardt Jr. tries to win for the second time in a row at the course which claimed his father's life. By the way, today is the 4th anniversary of the "Intimidator's" death...moment of silence....

I know Duke lost last night and has not looked well as of late; but considering this was how they were supposed to look all season, I'm not surprised they've lost 4 of 7; nor am I worried about it.

This Saturday is "bubble buster" day on the college basketball scene. Instead of writing all of the games to be seen, click this.

Kansas (the band, not the basketball team) is playing this summer at my counties annual county fair (they are sharing the stage with Joan "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" Jet). My question is will everyone under 30 shout out, "You're my boy Blue!!! You're my boy!" at the proper time, or will the band work it into its performance? This will bother me until Friday, July 29.

Finally, if you're not doing anything this weekend, come to Sheboygan, Wisconsin to party with the creators of this blog. We will be celebrating my last reffing assignment of the year and my 23rd birthday. I mention that here because I leave you with a line from the song playing right now on my computer...

"I'm only this far and only tomorrow leads my way."- Dave Matthews.

Whatever you're doing this weekend, have a happy and a healthy.

-Until next time...

Simmons Internship

Well I didn't get into the round of finalists for the Bill Simmons Internship, but I never really expected to. I'm not a Red Sox fan and don't live nor have I ever lived in New England. I don't have a journalism degree, I only wrote for my school paper and am a blogger. I have never seen "Faith Renewed" and didn't have a great story about Vegas, The World Series, how my life was directly effected by the Red Sox last two post seasons, and I hate the Celtics. I guess I didn't have much going for me, but I'll let you judge as here is my application:


I started writing a semi-weekly column for our college paper The Racquet with one of my college roommates during our junior year. After about two months of this, we decided it would be better if I wrote by myself and I started writing a weekly column, which continued until I graduated in 2004.

I have what has been called an unhealthy love of music, movies, and sports. If I would have spent a quarter of the time I spent on those three things in college, on my studies, I would be wearing a suit and sitting behind a desk from 9-5 everyday. Actually, maybe it’s a good thing I didn’t spend that much time studying, then I wouldn’t be able to apply for this job, or write a blog with the same old college roommate.

Having nothing to do during the day except plan what to write on my blog, pretty much all I do is go to sports websites and watch whatever sporting event is on television that night. I also listen to a lot of music and try to watch a movie a day. Basically I am your average out of work college graduate, except my dream is to write for the Cubs one day.

This internship would be a great springboard towards that career, and I would do anything and everything I would need to do, in order to help that dream become reality. My favorite teams are; The Green Bay Packers, Duke Blue Devils, Alabama Football, and Cubs. I have to say that since 1991, when I played the saxophone and Steve Sax played for the Yankees, they have been my favorite AL team. However, Steinbrenner not keeping my favorites, Tino (even though he’s now back), Wells, Soriano, and others has led my loyalty to the Yankees falter. Don’t get me wrong, I cheer for NY when they play the Red Sox, but I may be the only Yankees fan on the planet who cheered for the Red Sox in the World Series. Why? Because, now we (Cubs fans) are the only ones left.

Through my devotion to the Yankees, I believe Bill and I could have some great conversations, plus it would give him one more person to chant, “Year Two-Thousand!” to.

Lastly, I have a talent and passion for this, and would be great at it. 400 words, you just read all of them.

-Until next time...

AL West

It is quite fitting that I begin the baseball preview considering I probably won't get any of these right. If my predictions come first, people will forget about them by the time Gaddis and Garcia (who will be referred to as the Gs for the rest of this column) give us their prediction. The rankings of where each of us stand in baseball knowledge goes a little something like this:

1. Garcia (because of his inside experience)
1a. Gaddis
2-32. Other parts of the Gs bodies and their families.
33. Me

That's the list. While I like baseball a lot and have had a revival of my enjoyment of the game over the past 3 years (probably from living with Gaddis), I do not contain the encyclopedic knowledge of the game as the Gs do. However, I wouldn't be a sports columnist if I didn't have and share an opinion on everything, so here is how I see the AL West playing out in 2005.

In what may be the toughest division in baseball; all four teams could be playing for something come August. With the Yankees and Red Sox pretty much each being garaunteed a playoff spot by everyone in the world, the four teams of the West will be in a heated competition all year for the West crown, and as the weather gets hotter, so will the games. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, and Texas Rangers all have a real shot at winning the division.

The Mariners finished last season in fourth place in the division with a 63-99 record (good enough for third worst in the league). To try and help improve this outcome, the Mariners had an active offseason signing power hitting infielders Adrian Beltre (3rd base) and Richie Sexson (1st base). These power hitters should compliment Ichiro Suzuki nicely, as he is one of the toughest outs in the league and always seems to be on base, and should get Beltre and Sexson more RBIs. Adding Pokey Reese will also help solidify the defense, but having three new infielders may hurt the team early if the chemistry isn't there. Even though the Mariners added two 40-plus home run hitters, the pitching needs to improve from last year. The pitchers allowed 823 runs in compiling a 4.76 era. The team did do a lot to imrove the worst hitting team in the league from last season, but losing top pitching prospect Travis Blackley for the entire season will not help Mike Hargrove in his first season as manager. Other than Blackley, the Mariners didn't do much to improve on last year's starting pitchers. Returning are Jamie Moyer (7-13, 5.21), Gil Meche (7-7, 5.01), Ryan Franklin (4-16, 4.90), and Joel Pineiro (6-11, 4.67), not exactly post season material. If the pitching can improve a little this team could make a run towards the division title; it will certainly improve on its 698 runs scored last year.

The Texas Rangers were one of the most surprising teams in the leagus last season compiling an 89-73 record and being in the hunt for the division crown until the final month of the season. The Rangers of 2005 will look to improve on that record by having a deep bench and have all five starters returning from last year's squad. Texas was fourth in the league in batting and fifth in the league in pitching last season, and has many of the core players returning. If Rogers (18-9, 4.76) and Drese (14-10, 4.20) can anchor this staff as they are expected to, and Mark Teixeira and Hank Blalock continue to be two of the best at their respective positions, this team has enough pitching and hitting to challenge the A's and Angeles for the title again this season. Another thing the Rangers have going for them is their bench. Guys like Mark DeRosa, Greg Colbrunn, and Sandy Alomar Jr will help anchor this bench and provide leadership on the team. Adding Richard Hidalgo to the outfield which already has David Dellucci coming off a career year, this team has enough offensive firepower to stay close in games when the pitching falters.

The Oakland Athletics will be one of the most interesting teams to watch this season. We all know that two of the big three on their pitching staff have moved on as Mark Mulder and Tim Hudson have found new homes, but do we have any reason to doubt Billy Beane? Barry Zito is still the number one starter and the staff should be filled out by; Rich Harden (11-7, 3.99), Dan Meyer (rookie), Danny Haren (3-3, 4.50), and Joe Blanton (no starts last season). New addition Juan Cruz should also contend for a starting spot and with Jason Kendall coming in to catch, the A's battery should be solid if Beane is right about these players like he usually is. Other than Kendall, Eric Chavez, Bobby Crosby, and Mark Kotsay, the A's don't have another "star" quality player on the team, or atleast another recognizable name. Sure the A's have lost players in the past (Giambi, Tejada, and Damon) and still manage to make the playoffs most years, these were all position players. The question will be, can Beane replace two top-tier pitchers and still be a playoff contender? The moneyball philosophy will perhaps get its biggest test with the 2005 Athletics.

Finally, the defending division champions, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will be a tough team to knock off. Anytime you can have Vladimir Guerrero in your lineup everyday, you have a chance to win. He is one of the most talented hitters in the league and can truly change a game anytime he is at bat. Remember the game against the Brewers in June when Sheets had the perfect game going in the seventh inning and he basically hit a Sheets curve ball off the ground to left field and ended the perfect game bid? Just an amazing at bat by an outstanding hitter, there is no pitch he can't hit no matter where it is in the strike zone. The Angels were seventh in batting and fourth in pitching in the league last season, led by Guerrero and Bartolo Colon. The outfield is solid with Guerrero, Steve Finley, Garrett Anderson, and Jeff DaVanon. Adding Orlando Cabrera to an infield which has Darrin Erstad, Chone Figgins, and Adam Kennedy already in place will improve a defense which already had the least amount of errors in the league in 2004. The offense is good enough to deal with losing Jose Guillen which they proved at the end of last season by still making the playoffs. The starting pitchers are all back except for Aaron Sele (who was probably their worst pitcher at 9-4, 5.05), who is being replaced by Paul Byrd. The bullpen is solid with Fransisco Rodriguez in place to replace Troy Percival as the closer. Perhaps the biggest question facing the Angels is who will be the team's designated hitter. Tim Salmon has held down that position nicely for the past few years, but switch-hitting Jeff DaVanon may get the chance to DH if he is not playing in the outfield. Not a bad question to have. Not only will this team contend for the AL West title again, but if pitching stays healthy, Los Angeles...er... Anaheim...er...whatever the team is now, may indeed hoist another championship trophy over their heads in October... if only it wasn't for those pesky teams on the other coast.

Season Prediction:

1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 87-75
2. Texas Rangers 86-76
3. Oakland Athletics 76-86
4. Seattle Mariners 69-93

I look forward to seeing how the Gs tear apart my analysis and predictions and will be intrigued to see how they see this division play out.

-Until next time...

The Dog of the Year Is...

It's over and the German shorthaired pointer won the coveted James Mortimer Memorial Trophy after being named best in show at the 129th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show last night. The dog was a five year old named Carlee gave handler Michelle Ostermiller her second straight best in show; winning last year with a Newfoundland. After winning the herding group, the pointer blew away the competition in the best in show category.

The victory was basically sealed when the pointer was given its two minutes in front of the judge to "strut its stuff". However, it was the way the dog didn't strut which made the decision easy. Pointers are of course hunting dogs trained to point at prey when seen, and this dog pointed perfectly infront of the judge, doing nothing but concentrating on the handler and not moving any muscle in its body. A perfect showing provided the perfect ending for Carlee.

Like Bill Simmons likes to say, "there's comedy, there's high comedy, and there there's" the announcers at the Westminster Dog Show. One of the reasons (perhaps the only reason) this event is so enjoyable and entertaining to watch is because you get to hear things like, "this dog has a rollicking temperment" which is like saying kids with caffeine are hyper. Even during the best in show competition; the announcers were providing us with laughs. The "analyst" for the event was cheering for a Norfolk Terrior named Coco because just six months ago, she gave birth to three puppies; Tom, Dick, and Harry. "After taking time off for motherhood, this dog has come back to perform and is doing a great job; a wonderful story", are you kidding me? Lighter moments also came when the two announcers were describing how the dogs would have to perform in the best in show category, how they have to play to the crowd, and what to do when infront of the judge. We were also told many of the dogs, among other things, were funny, mischievous, sweet, caring, friendly, had great senses of humor, smart, and curious. How they can tell these things, I have no idea, but that's why I watch and don't announce. The announcers also have the great ability to state with great conviction that all of the dogs were handsome or beautiful. Now, I like dogs but I can't stand looking at some of them. At any rate, no matter how the competition went, or how funny the announcers were when they weren't supposed to be; I enjoy watching the competition.

To finish, just some jokes about the competition being at Madison Square Garden; I went to a Knicks game and a dog show broke out, It's sad when a two dog dog show brings in more fans than a month of Knick games, Finally Madison Square Garden had the best point in the country in the building (the German shorthair), and There hasn't been that much crap in the Garden since the last Knicks game. Now you all know why I will never have a career in comedy writing!

-Until next time...

This Week

I wish I could say I saw the Kansas/Texas Tech double overtime thriller, but after I got done reffing, I watched the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show with my dad. I know, I know, inexcusable, but it's something we watch every year, so I wasn't going to miss it. Unfortunately I only saw one group so I can't give many details about the first night of the event. However, you can look forward to reading all about it tomorrow as we look at what's coming up this week:

Wednesday: Westminster review.
Thursday: MLB Preview and predictions one division at a time (AL West).
Friday: The weekend.

As always these topics are subject to change.

-Until next time...

The Dream is Dead for Savannah State

Well they did it. Savannah State finished the season 0-28 and extended their losing streak to 55 games. The Tigers were tied with less than two minutes to go, but free throws down the stretch for Florida A&M sealed State's fate. Read more by clicking on the headline.

-Until next time...

Year of the Phil?

The Pebble Beach Pro-Am is always an entertaining tournament. We are able to see people go out there and hack it up a little bit, not a lot, but enough to make us feel better, and we get to watch the pros at the same venue. Last year's Masters champion, Phil Mickelson won his second straight event, shooting a not dominating, 1-over-par 73. What was dominating however, was his wire-to-wire lead which never allowed another golfer within four strokes, which is what he ended up winning by. Not only was it Mickelson's first wire-to-wire of his career, it was the first in the 68 years of this tournament.

Phil wasn't supposed to do this this year. After he finished last season finally winning a Major and being in the mix at the end of all of the others; he was supposed to kind of take it easy this year. He really wasn't expected to do much this season after he switched from Titleist to Calloway just before the Ryder Cup. Anyone who follows golf knows what transpired at the Cup. Nothing short of atrocious golf by the team and Mickelson with his new clubs. On the deciding hole, Mickelson hit his drive so far left that Woods could barely get a swing on the ball as it was almost up against the out of bounds fence. His play in the Ryder Cup prompted everyone to question why he changed sponsors and to give up on him winning another Major this year, maybe not even a tournament.

Even though he won last week in Arizona, people again were questioning how many tourneys he would win after he said he was going to go for distance over accuracy from now on. Granted, that usually isn't a great decision, especially for all of us weekend hacks, but Mickelson is a pro, and we should give him the benefit of the doubt. Just like Tiger saying he's "close" all the time, who knows these players better than themselves? Why should we even question their decisions? I guess the reason is because then the people on sports radio and television wouldn't have much to talk about. Shunning accuracy was going to be another bad decision Mickelson would make, just like seemingly always going for the green in two; and always playing aggressively.

The past two weeks however, he has been as dominant as Singh last year or Tiger of the past. If he keeps playing the way he has the past two weeks, Mickelson will be tough to beat this season. Obviously I don't expect him to win every week, but he has the ability to. As far as the Majors go, he could win all of them, and not just because he is playing in all of them. He has already proven he can win at Augusta, so why wouldn't he be able to do it again? The U.S. Open is being played at Pinehurst No.2 this season, the same place it was played in 1999 when he and Payne Stewart dueled to the finish with the late Stewart gaining a one stroke victory. The British Open and PGA Championsip are to be played at St. Andrews and Baltusrol, respectively, and are both courses which Mickelson will be able to manage well and should be in the running to win each of the Majors on Sunday.

After the weight of actually winning a Major has been lifted from Phil's shoulders, I think he will come into this entire year being even more relaxed than he seemingly always is. We saw what happened in the Majors last year after he won in Augusta, he played better than he ever had before and almost won the U.S. Open also. I see him winning at least one more Major this year, and possibly three. As great a year he had last year, this season promises to be even more ful-phil-ing (I couldn't resist).

-Until next time...

Flip the Script

Now that Flip Saunders is out in Minnesota, let the speculation begin. Kevin McHale has taken over for the time being, but he won't coach past this year. Who will the T'Wolves turn to next to lead this group of talented underachievers to the promised land? Phil Jackson anybody? It makes sense.

He has taken his token time off, and the Wolves have that superstar player that you can dominate games, and a good supporting cast around him. Could KG and Spree/Cassell/Wally/or who's ever left on the team be Phil's newest Jordan and Scottie or Shaq and Kobe. Why not, I think this is the perfect scenario for Phil. On the other hand, the team Phil left and was rumored to be a possibility to return to-the Lakers-could possibly be the next destination for Flip Saunders.

Aside from Phil, there are no high profile coaches out there, at least yet. The next Lakers coach will be a high profile guy, contrary to the rumors I don't think it will be Kurt Rambis again. It can't be, won't that be the third time they've tried Rambis as coach? Flip has been a great coach throughout his career, and for the most part has done everything with just KG. I know, I know many teams wish they had just KG but the point is Flip can coach. He just ran into the scenario every coach frets this year. You made major strides last year, and have a veteran team loaded with talent. Anything less than great will more often times than not get you fired, whether it's your fault or not. As we saw this year it wasn't Flip's fault.

Cassell and Spree have played less than admirably and you have to question if they're 100% into this team. In the long run that's what cost Flip Saunders. If Spree would have been moved in the summer, and Cassell would have gotten a new deal we probably wouldn't be discussed where Saunders will coach next.

I know Saunders hasn't been fired yet, just reassigned, but just for the sake of debate...If you are the Lakers and Flip is your guy, do you wait until the Summer to move in, or just hire him now?