My man-crush for Rajon Rondo is probably one of the biggest ones I have had in awhile for a player in any professional sport but c'mon his legend is growing by the game. Rondo last night went off for 18 pts 12 rbs 10 assts, as Bill "The Rock" Schroeder says on a nightly basis, "Are you kiddin' me?" Seriously, it's time to reevaluate the not only is Rondo the best point guard in the NBA, but is he in the top 10 of best right now.
I am not talking like pick a team of 5 v. 5, I am actually talking the ten best players in the league. I mean the classic "Rondo-fake" gets guys every time and no knows how to stop it. It's a lot like LeBron James who would swat the hell out of any lay-up with no one thinking 'Gee what about a pump fake?' Although who was the guy to fake out LeBron? Oh yeah, Rondo. I have trouble coming up with words to describe the rise of Rondo in these NBA Playoffs. To me, that is the story of the postseason. Not that Kobe Bryant might get his fifth title, or where LeBron is going, but a Kentucky point guard who no one believed could be an offensive threat is now taking over games like the other guys mentioned before him.
If I have a chance when I am in Milwaukee for one of my breaks, I am praying Boston is in town because I would like to see Rondo in person. I said a couple weeks ago, that he is a guy I would pay top-dollar to watch perform due to his speed, his attacking ways, and his great defense. Before the playoffs started, my roommate Dan was absolutely mesmerized by Rondo, always making comments about his quickness and agility. I liked him myself, kind of a punk but never really noticed him that much due to the Big 3 out there. Now, he is the star and they are beneath him.
Can anyone remember a team where a role player has become the star overnight for an entire playoffs? Sure, there are those special nights where a guy like Aaron Boone becomes the hero because of one swing of the bat, but the entire playoffs? I cannot come up with one really, I mean you can't use Tom Brady because he wasn't a role player more of a back up, maybe Magic Johnson in the 1980 Finals with his 47 and 15 but even then he was considered an up and coming star. No one projected this for Rondo for reasons of he couldn't shoot or make free throws on a consistent basis.
I have told people this for weeks, if Rondo learns how to make a 15 ft. jumper next season we are looking at a top five candidate off the bat for MVP next season. Hell, we might be already without the jumper. There is no doubt in my mind that Rondo could average a triple-double next season but we will have to wait to see if he can finish off the Lakers before any talk about next season.
-Charlie.
The New Logo
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
Take It Easy LeBrett
I had a couple conversations with people about LeBron James and his free agency especially the day after he got ousted from the playoffs. Some told me how sick they were of all of the coverage, I personally thought that it was fascinating because I consider this the most important story of 2010, the free agency that is not LeBron James himself. But to me, the Larry King interview he did on Friday was the definition of 'over-the-top.'
First of all, this is all happening during the NBA Finals and even with the biggest rivalry in their sport, the focus still remains on LeBron James. People want to know everything that is going on or is about to happen. Like this piece from Adrian Wojnarowski who writes that the Chicago Bulls are making a down payment by getting Tom Thibodeau who just signed an agent from Worldwide Wes' agency. Hmm interesting developments right here, but it doesn't seal it because every team who has a chance will make their pitch at LeBron for why he should come here. Reading and listening to all the different approaches reminds me so much of what it would have been like had James had to go to school for a year. Every school who had a shot would pull out their biggest guns to try to get LBJ for one year.
I think this summer is comparable if not worse than the Brett Favre drama that unfolded in the past couple of years because LeBron is going to do interviews with major news networks, he is going to do things that will keep himself in the news for the sole fact of... he loves the attention. Rumor has it, according to ESPN's Bill Simmons and Ric Bucher that LeBron was going to sit courtside last night, but cancelled 90 minutes before the game started. Thank God his PR people prevented him from sitting courtside, I couldn't even imagine the media outcry if he was there. Finally, someone got in his head last night and said "Look man you can't keep pulling this shit without your fans starting to get mad." Personally, I think it would be embarrassing for him to sit courtside to watch a team that kicked his ass in the playoffs and the Lakers play. I would have no problem if he sat in the press box or something, but to be right in the middle of the action seems a bit contrived.
As excited as I am for July 1st, I think the media's focus should remain on the NBA Finals and talentless hacks like me should be also be held to that standard. But, it's so damn fascinating that you cannot help but talk about LeBron James, maybe that what he desires.
-Charlie.
First of all, this is all happening during the NBA Finals and even with the biggest rivalry in their sport, the focus still remains on LeBron James. People want to know everything that is going on or is about to happen. Like this piece from Adrian Wojnarowski who writes that the Chicago Bulls are making a down payment by getting Tom Thibodeau who just signed an agent from Worldwide Wes' agency. Hmm interesting developments right here, but it doesn't seal it because every team who has a chance will make their pitch at LeBron for why he should come here. Reading and listening to all the different approaches reminds me so much of what it would have been like had James had to go to school for a year. Every school who had a shot would pull out their biggest guns to try to get LBJ for one year.
I think this summer is comparable if not worse than the Brett Favre drama that unfolded in the past couple of years because LeBron is going to do interviews with major news networks, he is going to do things that will keep himself in the news for the sole fact of... he loves the attention. Rumor has it, according to ESPN's Bill Simmons and Ric Bucher that LeBron was going to sit courtside last night, but cancelled 90 minutes before the game started. Thank God his PR people prevented him from sitting courtside, I couldn't even imagine the media outcry if he was there. Finally, someone got in his head last night and said "Look man you can't keep pulling this shit without your fans starting to get mad." Personally, I think it would be embarrassing for him to sit courtside to watch a team that kicked his ass in the playoffs and the Lakers play. I would have no problem if he sat in the press box or something, but to be right in the middle of the action seems a bit contrived.
As excited as I am for July 1st, I think the media's focus should remain on the NBA Finals and talentless hacks like me should be also be held to that standard. But, it's so damn fascinating that you cannot help but talk about LeBron James, maybe that what he desires.
-Charlie.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Celtics. Lakers. No Clever Title Needed.
After a pretty lackluster NBA Playoffs, we have arrived at the NBA Finals which begin tonight and we are blessed with the best rivalry in all of professional basketball, the Boston Celtics versus the Los Angeles Lakers. Many people are excited for this series because even though, the Lakers have home court, many believe this series is up in the air. I thought of 10 things to consider when watching Game 1 and I think they all will be big factors.
10. Artest-Sheed- I talked about this earlier this week but how great is it that we have two biggest ticking time bombs playing each other for the NBA Finals? Not to mention, the hatred that stems from all of the talk of the rivalry is sure to get them fired up. I am praying for a Sheed-Artest brawl because we haven't seen a good professional sports fight in awhile and it would be just awesome. Also if the WWE were smart, they would bring on Artest and Sheed a la Rodman/Malone for WCW to have them fight in a tag-team match for July's PPV... I can only dream.
9. Phil vs. Doc- An interesting coaching match up because in reality, Phil has all the titles so he is immediately heralded as this great coach. I personally think he is pretty good but right now, I think he lets Kobe Bryant control and dictate the game more than he even let Jordan do on the court. But I think he does a great job with adjustments in-game and after the game, also he is fantastic finding match ups that work for the Lakers. Rivers is sort of the same way letting his players run things and he has been improving on making in-game decision. Also a guy who deserves a ton credit is the defensive mastermind Tom Thibodeau and helps Rivers with the defensive end. I do not believe one game will be decided by "x coach out coached y coach."
8. Front Line Play- Pau Gasol was going to fit this top 10 but seriously, the front lines of each teams will be crucial in this series. I will continue thoughts on Lamar Odom later in the post but for Gasol and Andrew Bynum, they are in for a complete battle. I really think people are underplaying the fact Bynum probably will give the Lakers maybe 20 minutes at most. He will be getting beat up by Kendrick Perkins and Kevin Garnett continuously will be too much for him. In addition, I feel Garnett dials it up a notch for the Lakers for a variety of reasons and I expect a big series from KG.
7. Refs- I put the refs in the mix because this will be physical series. Nobody is getting an easy lay-up and the question will be how tight is the game going to be called? I hope they allow some physicality and as I called it last week, a happy medium of calls and non-calls. Unlike the coaching match up, I think the refs could contribute to swinging one of the games of the Finals. I will set the over/under on technical fouls at 7 and that Perkins gets suspended for one game for going over the limit.
6. Lamar Odom- The most intriguing man in the Finals because he is the Wesbter's definition of inconsistency. He will have a game where he goes off for 15 and 15 then disappear during the next game. The Lakers need Odom to be strong every game and not fall into a sugar low. When he is playing effectively, Los Angeles really seems to play that much better. Odom is the Lakers X factor in this series.
'
5. Paul Pierce- A lot of people are talking about how Pierce could have a similar series like the one in Cleveland because he will be guarded by Ron Artest. To me, I think Pierce is crafty enough to score baskets against Artest and he loves playing at home in Los Angeles (born and raised). Pierce lived in the moment last time in 2008 with the 'wheelchair game' and his MVP performance. Pierce will do some things but to me, he will not be the biggest factor like in 08.
4. Bench play- Sadly, I am not talking about Brian Scalabrine but honestly, I believe whoever's bench plays the best will probably win the series. Who knows how good Big Baby Davis will be after his concussion, even though he played Game 6 you have to wonder. I am curious if Nate Robinson will be factor and if Tony Allen can recover from a sprained ankle. The Lakers bench of Jordan Farmar, Odom, Shannon Brown and Sasha Vujacic can all provide a spark for Los Angeles.
3. Rajon Rondo- He is now acclimated as the best Boston Celtic and people are worried about Rondo's back spasms, something he told the Associated Press that he was 'fine'. I have gushed about Rondo this playoffs about how incredible he has been throughout and especially in the Cleveland series. He will be utterly dangerous if fully healthy in this series because nobody can guard him on L.A. Maybe Kobe for a good amount of minutes but I do not believe he will be able to contain Rondo. If the Celtics win, I believe he will be the MVP of the NBA Finals.
2. Kobe Bryant- Other than Rondo, I have been all over Kobe and I do think he is playing on a level we haven't seen from him since his first NBA Finals run with Shaq, but this one is completely different. In the fourth quarter, nobody wants Kobe to have the ball and I have the feeling that Bryant will hit a shot every time he shoots the ball. If the Lakers were to win, Kobe would have his fifth title in seven tries and people will once again have to re-evaluate his legacy. It's stupid to even think of his legacy until his career is said and done. Kobe can deliver the Lakers a championship and if he loses, he will have a cloud of haze that like Magic Johnson hasn't got over the Boston hump. Another prediction here, Kobe will hit a game-winner or two in this series.
1. Prediction- I do not believe that one game will be a blowout. I think every game will be down to wire and yes, some games might involve a team pulling away in the final two minutes of a game. I have been wavering the whole week about how will actually win the series and I honestly believe it will be as close as they come in the NBA Finals. The Lakers will win it in seven games, I think they split the first four games and Boston will take Game 5 but the 2-3-2 format will benefit the Lakers as they come back to win the final two.
-Charlie.
10. Artest-Sheed- I talked about this earlier this week but how great is it that we have two biggest ticking time bombs playing each other for the NBA Finals? Not to mention, the hatred that stems from all of the talk of the rivalry is sure to get them fired up. I am praying for a Sheed-Artest brawl because we haven't seen a good professional sports fight in awhile and it would be just awesome. Also if the WWE were smart, they would bring on Artest and Sheed a la Rodman/Malone for WCW to have them fight in a tag-team match for July's PPV... I can only dream.
9. Phil vs. Doc- An interesting coaching match up because in reality, Phil has all the titles so he is immediately heralded as this great coach. I personally think he is pretty good but right now, I think he lets Kobe Bryant control and dictate the game more than he even let Jordan do on the court. But I think he does a great job with adjustments in-game and after the game, also he is fantastic finding match ups that work for the Lakers. Rivers is sort of the same way letting his players run things and he has been improving on making in-game decision. Also a guy who deserves a ton credit is the defensive mastermind Tom Thibodeau and helps Rivers with the defensive end. I do not believe one game will be decided by "x coach out coached y coach."
8. Front Line Play- Pau Gasol was going to fit this top 10 but seriously, the front lines of each teams will be crucial in this series. I will continue thoughts on Lamar Odom later in the post but for Gasol and Andrew Bynum, they are in for a complete battle. I really think people are underplaying the fact Bynum probably will give the Lakers maybe 20 minutes at most. He will be getting beat up by Kendrick Perkins and Kevin Garnett continuously will be too much for him. In addition, I feel Garnett dials it up a notch for the Lakers for a variety of reasons and I expect a big series from KG.
7. Refs- I put the refs in the mix because this will be physical series. Nobody is getting an easy lay-up and the question will be how tight is the game going to be called? I hope they allow some physicality and as I called it last week, a happy medium of calls and non-calls. Unlike the coaching match up, I think the refs could contribute to swinging one of the games of the Finals. I will set the over/under on technical fouls at 7 and that Perkins gets suspended for one game for going over the limit.
6. Lamar Odom- The most intriguing man in the Finals because he is the Wesbter's definition of inconsistency. He will have a game where he goes off for 15 and 15 then disappear during the next game. The Lakers need Odom to be strong every game and not fall into a sugar low. When he is playing effectively, Los Angeles really seems to play that much better. Odom is the Lakers X factor in this series.
'
5. Paul Pierce- A lot of people are talking about how Pierce could have a similar series like the one in Cleveland because he will be guarded by Ron Artest. To me, I think Pierce is crafty enough to score baskets against Artest and he loves playing at home in Los Angeles (born and raised). Pierce lived in the moment last time in 2008 with the 'wheelchair game' and his MVP performance. Pierce will do some things but to me, he will not be the biggest factor like in 08.
4. Bench play- Sadly, I am not talking about Brian Scalabrine but honestly, I believe whoever's bench plays the best will probably win the series. Who knows how good Big Baby Davis will be after his concussion, even though he played Game 6 you have to wonder. I am curious if Nate Robinson will be factor and if Tony Allen can recover from a sprained ankle. The Lakers bench of Jordan Farmar, Odom, Shannon Brown and Sasha Vujacic can all provide a spark for Los Angeles.
3. Rajon Rondo- He is now acclimated as the best Boston Celtic and people are worried about Rondo's back spasms, something he told the Associated Press that he was 'fine'. I have gushed about Rondo this playoffs about how incredible he has been throughout and especially in the Cleveland series. He will be utterly dangerous if fully healthy in this series because nobody can guard him on L.A. Maybe Kobe for a good amount of minutes but I do not believe he will be able to contain Rondo. If the Celtics win, I believe he will be the MVP of the NBA Finals.
2. Kobe Bryant- Other than Rondo, I have been all over Kobe and I do think he is playing on a level we haven't seen from him since his first NBA Finals run with Shaq, but this one is completely different. In the fourth quarter, nobody wants Kobe to have the ball and I have the feeling that Bryant will hit a shot every time he shoots the ball. If the Lakers were to win, Kobe would have his fifth title in seven tries and people will once again have to re-evaluate his legacy. It's stupid to even think of his legacy until his career is said and done. Kobe can deliver the Lakers a championship and if he loses, he will have a cloud of haze that like Magic Johnson hasn't got over the Boston hump. Another prediction here, Kobe will hit a game-winner or two in this series.
1. Prediction- I do not believe that one game will be a blowout. I think every game will be down to wire and yes, some games might involve a team pulling away in the final two minutes of a game. I have been wavering the whole week about how will actually win the series and I honestly believe it will be as close as they come in the NBA Finals. The Lakers will win it in seven games, I think they split the first four games and Boston will take Game 5 but the 2-3-2 format will benefit the Lakers as they come back to win the final two.
-Charlie.
Jim Joyce: Hated More Than Honda
My roommates and I started using people's last names to describe a tendency that said person does a lot. For instance, one of them tends to expand the truth a wee bit so his last name gets inserted into anything we believe to be a lie. Anyways, there is a new last name that we can put in that category, Joycin it also known as missing something big. For example, "Hey did you catch the new Entourage?!" "Nope, I really Joyced that one guys. Or "Dude she flashed the whole party, where were you?!" "I was in the bathroom, man I really Joyced it tonight."
If you didn't hear already from ESPN, Brian Anderson, talk radio, or your grandmother... Jim Joyce called Jacob McDonald safe on a close play in the 9th inning of a perfect game being spun by Armando Galarraga. People were pissed to say the least after the game let out, and manager Jim Leyland who likely was drunk just became irate at Joyce and for good reason. He missed a call that would have gave the Tigers a perfect game performance and our third perfect game this year plus two in one week. All of those stats would be phenomenal and something to talk about for the coming days. Instead, we have to listen to people talk about Galarraga should be awarded a no-hitter or a perfect game and how this is the clear-cut example to add instant replay in baseball
Of course, a ninny like Keith Olbermann believes Galarraga should get a perfect game but to be honest, I do not think he wants that sort of treatment. He had the best reaction after McDonald was called safe, almost like my buddy Eric's look of "Yeah that would happen to me." After the game, both sides were complete class acts about the whole ordeal. Joyce apologized profusely in his post-game interview and Galarraga talked to him ending it with a bromance hug. That is the reason why it should just be a one-hitter, mistakes happen all the time in various fields of work and both parties seemed to understand that tonight. Nothing made me happier than Joyce owning up to his mistake and Galarraga acting like he pitched a helluva game with no chance of a perfect game.
As for instant replay, if replay is expanded I want to hear people shut up about the length of the game. Because if you add replay, you add vital minutes in a game. I really could care less either way, I mean all professional sports have it except for baseball but what will piss me off are the people who campaigned for replay but also want shorter games. Face it, you cannot make it work in my opinion. Who knows what the outcome will be but to me, it would be shocking if nothing changed after tonight's ordeal.
-Charlie.
If you didn't hear already from ESPN, Brian Anderson, talk radio, or your grandmother... Jim Joyce called Jacob McDonald safe on a close play in the 9th inning of a perfect game being spun by Armando Galarraga. People were pissed to say the least after the game let out, and manager Jim Leyland who likely was drunk just became irate at Joyce and for good reason. He missed a call that would have gave the Tigers a perfect game performance and our third perfect game this year plus two in one week. All of those stats would be phenomenal and something to talk about for the coming days. Instead, we have to listen to people talk about Galarraga should be awarded a no-hitter or a perfect game and how this is the clear-cut example to add instant replay in baseball
Of course, a ninny like Keith Olbermann believes Galarraga should get a perfect game but to be honest, I do not think he wants that sort of treatment. He had the best reaction after McDonald was called safe, almost like my buddy Eric's look of "Yeah that would happen to me." After the game, both sides were complete class acts about the whole ordeal. Joyce apologized profusely in his post-game interview and Galarraga talked to him ending it with a bromance hug. That is the reason why it should just be a one-hitter, mistakes happen all the time in various fields of work and both parties seemed to understand that tonight. Nothing made me happier than Joyce owning up to his mistake and Galarraga acting like he pitched a helluva game with no chance of a perfect game.
As for instant replay, if replay is expanded I want to hear people shut up about the length of the game. Because if you add replay, you add vital minutes in a game. I really could care less either way, I mean all professional sports have it except for baseball but what will piss me off are the people who campaigned for replay but also want shorter games. Face it, you cannot make it work in my opinion. Who knows what the outcome will be but to me, it would be shocking if nothing changed after tonight's ordeal.
-Charlie.
Thanks Junior
On a crazy Wednesday night of sports, one of the best players in baseball retired from the Major Leagues and rides off into the sunset. That man is Ken Griffey Jr. He is probably one of the best cases in baseball of asking ourselves "what if?" because his career obviously was hindered by all of the injuries throughout the years.
I am glad that he finished his career with the Seattle Mariners and not the New York Yankees or the Los Angeles Dodgers. He did it the way that everyone envisions their personal hero to end their career, I mean in the perfect world for me, Brett Favre would have retired on March 4th. The Ken Griffey Jr. everyone has etched in their minds is the guy who made spectacular catches at the Kingdome plus his monster home runs to all fields with his perfect swing. Other than the Ken Griffey Jr. Baseball game for SNES I played religiously, my childhood memories bring me back to his backwards hat.
It might sound funny to you, but as a kid, I always remember him in the backwards hat and found it to be the coolest thing (same goes for Deion Sanders and his bandannas). I thought that Griffey obviously was cooler than the other guys who wore their hats the right way and why couldn't he wear like that the whole the game. If you were a kid growing up in the mid to late 90s you wanted to be Griffey Jr.
Granted, a few impact players of the 90s are still playing but most of the guys I grew up and whose baseball cards I have are long gone from the game. Griffey Jr. was one of the remaining hold outs from that group and I believe he will remembered highly as the years go on because when people look back at the steroid era, they will look for the best player who did the right way... Ken Griffey Jr.
-Charlie.
I am glad that he finished his career with the Seattle Mariners and not the New York Yankees or the Los Angeles Dodgers. He did it the way that everyone envisions their personal hero to end their career, I mean in the perfect world for me, Brett Favre would have retired on March 4th. The Ken Griffey Jr. everyone has etched in their minds is the guy who made spectacular catches at the Kingdome plus his monster home runs to all fields with his perfect swing. Other than the Ken Griffey Jr. Baseball game for SNES I played religiously, my childhood memories bring me back to his backwards hat.
It might sound funny to you, but as a kid, I always remember him in the backwards hat and found it to be the coolest thing (same goes for Deion Sanders and his bandannas). I thought that Griffey obviously was cooler than the other guys who wore their hats the right way and why couldn't he wear like that the whole the game. If you were a kid growing up in the mid to late 90s you wanted to be Griffey Jr.
Granted, a few impact players of the 90s are still playing but most of the guys I grew up and whose baseball cards I have are long gone from the game. Griffey Jr. was one of the remaining hold outs from that group and I believe he will remembered highly as the years go on because when people look back at the steroid era, they will look for the best player who did the right way... Ken Griffey Jr.
-Charlie.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Ubaldo is Unreal
The reason why people love great sports figures is because they are so dominate in their profession that no one can even come close to sniffing their level. Right now, there is one person like that in sports. That man is Ubaldo Jimenez. Let's break down some of his stats and put it into perspective for the month of June 1st.
ERA: 0.78- He has only given up seven runs in 11 starts. That is incredible, he has yet to give up three runs this season and Jimenez only twice against San Diego and Washington has he let in two runs. Other than that, nobody has been able to touch him, six of his starts have resulted in scoreless outings.
Hits Allowed: 46- If you take away his no-hitter performance against the Atlanta Braves, Jimenez is averaging 4.6 hits allowed in his stars. Not to mention, if you spread that out over his innings pitched, basically a team is lucky to get a runner on in an inning.
Walks: 26- Once again dividing that stat by 11, he is only walking a little over 2 batters. So to continue with the prior stat, Jimenez is roughly only allowing six batters to get on base. Somebody please explain to me how anyone will get a win against this guy?
Strikeouts: 70- I think one of the reasons Jimenez is so successful is because he is pitching to contact instead of mowing down batters. He has only one game against San Diego where he struck out 13 but he isn't getting up into the high numbers therefore shortening his pitch count allowing him to pitch deep into games.
Innings Pitched: 80.1- For you math majors out there, he is pitching over 7 innings a start, something that me as a Brewer fan would love to see every five days from one of our starter. Mix all of these basic stats together and you have a guy who is putting together arguably one of the best seasons in the last 25 years from a pitcher.
NOTE: I realize his advanced stats are off the charts as well but personally, I do not know enough about all of them to sound educated talking about them.
In my opinion, he is the MVP of the National League so far. Who else can you make an argument for? No one from the St. Louis Cardinals or the Philadelphia Phillies where most MVPs have come from in the last five years. Jimenez is the Cy Young and the MVP for the first part of the season but he needs to adjust as teams will start to figure him out. I think the sky is the limit for Jimenez and winning 25 plus games is not out of the question by any means.
-Charlie.
ERA: 0.78- He has only given up seven runs in 11 starts. That is incredible, he has yet to give up three runs this season and Jimenez only twice against San Diego and Washington has he let in two runs. Other than that, nobody has been able to touch him, six of his starts have resulted in scoreless outings.
Hits Allowed: 46- If you take away his no-hitter performance against the Atlanta Braves, Jimenez is averaging 4.6 hits allowed in his stars. Not to mention, if you spread that out over his innings pitched, basically a team is lucky to get a runner on in an inning.
Walks: 26- Once again dividing that stat by 11, he is only walking a little over 2 batters. So to continue with the prior stat, Jimenez is roughly only allowing six batters to get on base. Somebody please explain to me how anyone will get a win against this guy?
Strikeouts: 70- I think one of the reasons Jimenez is so successful is because he is pitching to contact instead of mowing down batters. He has only one game against San Diego where he struck out 13 but he isn't getting up into the high numbers therefore shortening his pitch count allowing him to pitch deep into games.
Innings Pitched: 80.1- For you math majors out there, he is pitching over 7 innings a start, something that me as a Brewer fan would love to see every five days from one of our starter. Mix all of these basic stats together and you have a guy who is putting together arguably one of the best seasons in the last 25 years from a pitcher.
NOTE: I realize his advanced stats are off the charts as well but personally, I do not know enough about all of them to sound educated talking about them.
In my opinion, he is the MVP of the National League so far. Who else can you make an argument for? No one from the St. Louis Cardinals or the Philadelphia Phillies where most MVPs have come from in the last five years. Jimenez is the Cy Young and the MVP for the first part of the season but he needs to adjust as teams will start to figure him out. I think the sky is the limit for Jimenez and winning 25 plus games is not out of the question by any means.
-Charlie.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
It's About That Time.
Dan Patrick does something on 1250 AM WSSP where he gives his two cents on some thing and today, he was talking about successful small market teams so far this season and compared the Major League Baseball season as a three act play and June 1st is the start of Act II. Maybe, that will be a good thing for the Brewers this season but my expectations are low.
I am starting to talk myself into the fact that the Brewers just aren't a good team and that I shouldn't expect this team to go off on a 10 game winning streak or win something crazy like 14 out of 16. I want that to happen and there were times these first two months I believed that would actually happen. Any optimistic Brewer fan believed that they could make a run and putting themselves back into the NL Central race.
Currently, they have the NL league leader in RBI (Casey McGehee) even though thats becoming an irrelevant stat, still shows how much production the Brewers are putting on the base pads. Also they have the NL league leader in triples (Alcides Escobar) and home runs (Corey Hart). I think if you looked at the offensive stats, people would believe the Brewers are in the NL Central mix. But sadly, they have no pitching and things will probably not get better.
I tried to think of a team they remind me of and all I could think of is the 2008 Green Bay Packers who could score a ton of points but their defense couldn't stop anyone partly due to the monumental amount of injuries. Thankfully, they fixed the next year and got to the playoffs making a four win turnaround with heighten expectations for this upcoming year. The Brewers aren't dead just yet but can they really win ball games with three starters that have above 4.50 ERAs and the real disturbing thing is the Crew only has four guys who are under four. I know that if you don't have pitching, you won't win many ball games, simple as that. I have no idea how I would fix it and who knows maybe Chris Capuano lights a fire, baseball is a crazy game sometimes.
In January, I buried the Marquette Golden Eagles and they made an unreal run where they figured everything out putting together one of the more incredible seasons I have seen. Looking at their schedule, it's pretty daunting but they just need to keep winning series. The focus shouldn't be the top, just getting to third first by playing better than the Chicago Cubs. If we as fans think of smaller goals and be more supportive (minus Jeff Suppan), it makes things easier.
This team isn't dead but the expectations have been lower. Now it's the Brewers turn to raise the bar again by having a great June. Only time will tell if things will improved but you bet I will watch every game with hopes of a win.
-Charlie.
I am starting to talk myself into the fact that the Brewers just aren't a good team and that I shouldn't expect this team to go off on a 10 game winning streak or win something crazy like 14 out of 16. I want that to happen and there were times these first two months I believed that would actually happen. Any optimistic Brewer fan believed that they could make a run and putting themselves back into the NL Central race.
Currently, they have the NL league leader in RBI (Casey McGehee) even though thats becoming an irrelevant stat, still shows how much production the Brewers are putting on the base pads. Also they have the NL league leader in triples (Alcides Escobar) and home runs (Corey Hart). I think if you looked at the offensive stats, people would believe the Brewers are in the NL Central mix. But sadly, they have no pitching and things will probably not get better.
I tried to think of a team they remind me of and all I could think of is the 2008 Green Bay Packers who could score a ton of points but their defense couldn't stop anyone partly due to the monumental amount of injuries. Thankfully, they fixed the next year and got to the playoffs making a four win turnaround with heighten expectations for this upcoming year. The Brewers aren't dead just yet but can they really win ball games with three starters that have above 4.50 ERAs and the real disturbing thing is the Crew only has four guys who are under four. I know that if you don't have pitching, you won't win many ball games, simple as that. I have no idea how I would fix it and who knows maybe Chris Capuano lights a fire, baseball is a crazy game sometimes.
In January, I buried the Marquette Golden Eagles and they made an unreal run where they figured everything out putting together one of the more incredible seasons I have seen. Looking at their schedule, it's pretty daunting but they just need to keep winning series. The focus shouldn't be the top, just getting to third first by playing better than the Chicago Cubs. If we as fans think of smaller goals and be more supportive (minus Jeff Suppan), it makes things easier.
This team isn't dead but the expectations have been lower. Now it's the Brewers turn to raise the bar again by having a great June. Only time will tell if things will improved but you bet I will watch every game with hopes of a win.
-Charlie.
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