MLB Drawing Parallels to NBA

Let the favorites be the favorites. The post-season hardware will speak for itself. The only thing that goes hand in hand with exorbitant expectations is failure and disappointment. 

A handful of superstars uniting on one team with one goal -- draw the attention of the entire league and fans everywhere. Oh, and win a couple of championships in the process.

Sound familiar? More than likely, you would expect I was going to go on a rant about The Big Three 2.0, you know, the Miami Heat?

Actually, I was referring to the Philadelphia Phillies, the automatic favorite to represent the National League in the World Series come October once they emerged from the shadows to sign the the most clamored free agent pitcher on the market this off-season, Cliff Lee.

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It is ironic how a year ago at this time, Lee was ousted from Philadelphia so the team could sign on then-newest acquisition, Roy Halladay. A year, a mid-season trade and a premature defeat in the playoffs later, the Phillies now boast the most intimidating starting rotation in all of Major League Baseball, including the aforementioned Lee.

The combination of Lee, Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels is rivaled by few rotations in the league. One group that hopes to have their say, however, is that of the San Francisco Giants. You know, the World Series champs?

Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Jonathon Sanchez and Madison Bumgarner make up the Giants rotation, one that defeated the Phillies in the playoffs en route to their title this past fall.

Yet being champions seemingly means zip when it comes to picking pre-season favorites. Like the Phillies were suddenly granted the right to play for the championship this past winter, as were the Heat when LeBron James and Chris Bosh joined forces with Dwyane Wade in South Beach.

The Heat trio promised fans multiple championships; I could have sworn I heard King James suggest not five, not six, not even seven. Pretty bold of a prediction if you asked me, as the team never played a pick-up game before Halloween, not to mention a playoff series.

Sure, basketball poses a bit more of a chemistry problem than does baseball. I mean, let the pitchers throw the ball down the pipe and let the batters knock in runs, right? There's no offensive plays to practice or comfort level to develop like on the hardwood.

Yet there are stories of catchers and pitchers not on the same page -- one calling for the curve ball and the other demanding that the fastball is the correct choice to get an out. Quite a dilemma, especially if chemistry is not part of the equation.

There is also that one thing that seems to not really matter come post-season: the regular season. Whether you had 80 wins or 105 wins in the regular season, as long as you're in the big dance your record is essentially meaningless. The Phillies could set a N.L. record for wins between April to August, but all is fair when it comes to the first round of the playoffs.

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The bill is not out yet on the Miami Heat, who will likely seize one of the top three seeds in the Eastern Conference and challenge for the conference crown. But their road will not be any more or less easy in their playoff series, as they play seasoned teams like the Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic on their road to try and get a match-up with the NBA champions. Because of all the hype their off-season transactions the team created, lofty expectations were tagged on the franchise, and anything short of a championship will be considered ultimately a failure.

So sure, the Phillies will look invincible when they play clubs like the Mets and Nationals (or "Natinals"). Anoint them champions of the baseball world then.
All I want to do is caution you to think twice come October. They are probably the most talented team in all of baseball, just like the Heat sport three of the top 10 players in all the NBA. Still, the Heat cannot conquer the veteran Celtics, and at times they are challenged by the all-mighty warriors, the Detroit Pistons and the Indiana Pacers.

In the pre-season, the New York Jets proclaimed that they were "the Miami Heat of the N.F.L.," as brilliantly stated by the often outspoken cornerback Antonio Cromartie. Well, their Week 1 opponents, the Baltimore Ravens, shellacked them. Poetically, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis answered back if Gang Green were supposedly the Heat then his team had to be the Lakers.

Warning: it is may not be a good idea to try and be like Miami.

Far and away, the Phillies are the proverbial favorites to bypass the shortage of competition in the N.L. and make their way to the Fall Classic. For every contender, a gaping weakness. And to be both honest and realistic, it would be idiotic not to put my money on the Phillies in 2011.

yazmar.com

But if you were to take a chance, make a leap of faith, stand out from the majority and believe that the World Series champion Giants will once again take the N.L. crown, or that Ubaldo Jimenez and the Colorado Rockies can score runs with anyone, or that the St. Louis Cardinals one-two punch of Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright can't go pitch-for-pitch with any Lee and Halladay -- think again.


If you don't believe me, ask LeBron how it feels in May.

Recap: Joe Cip and The Bull

http://www.wmucradio.com/media/joesippintheball.mp3

New York Yankees Doing It Old School

It's become a trend in sports -- adding veterans to the roster, hoping their experience and hunger for one last championship will be enough to lead your team to The Promised Land.


The Celtics did it. The Patriots did it. Even the Detroit Red Wings did it. All have created a dynasty, or at least a year in, year out reputation from being at the top in their respective sports. I guess that is why the Yankees are taking a page out of their book. 

Here are some of the monumental signings on behalf of the Yanks in the past month:

• Mark Prior
• Andruw Jones
• Bartolo Colon
• Freddy Garcia

There is also confidence within the organization that if there is enough money on the table, they can persuade Andy Pettitte to put on the pinstripes for one more year. And if their efforts fall short, they are holding out hope that they can pull David Cone and Paul O'Neill out of the Y.E.S. broadcast booth.

thesportshernia.typepad.com

My objection is that although I do understand what the Yankees are attempting to do, they are going about it in the wrong way. Essentially, it's trying to fight a fire with baking powder instead of baking soda. Sure it sounds similar but does produce the same results, Jeremy Giambi.


New York obviously swung and missed on prized free agent starting pitcher Cliff Lee, and rightfully kept their distance with former Yank Carl Pavano. Jorge De La Rosa opting to remain with the Colorado Rockies, meaning the top three free agent starters were off the markets. With Pettitte seeking to hang up the pinstripes and Javier Vazquez exiled to Florida, the Yanks were left to three in the rotation.


This is the Yankees though; can't they just go out and trade for The Freak? Maybe they can pry Albert Pujols away from St. Louis and hold him hostage for Adam Wainwright. Trust me, the movement is already underway. 


Maybe the more conventional move would to someone a veteran, someone who could come at a cheap rate, under the radar. One candidate: Kevin Millwood. Sure he played like a scrub in Baltimore. Can you blame him? Still, I would consider his season with the O's a one-year blip on the radar. The dude pitched well down in Texas for a long time; the same can't be said about Prior. 


Or why wasn't a trade made for Armando Galarraga, you know, that guy who really did throw a perfect game last year? Nah, getting old chubsters seemed like the better option, right?


Along with Prior, as I mentioned earlier, the Yankees went out and signed 2005 Cy Young Award winner Colon, who hasn't thrown a pitch in the Majors since 2009, and Garcia, who once helped the Chicago White Sox to a World Series title before injuries hampered in his career. Last season Garcia threw 157 innings, the most since 2006 in the South Side of Chi-Town.


While the Garcia signing is somewhat qualified, Prior and Colon have combined to toss just over 300 innings since in the past five seasons. Compare that to Yankees workhouse CC Sabathia, who has accounted for over 237 last year and more than 1400 in that same span of time.


I hope you don't have high expectations.


It's hard to argue against the signing of Jones, who will replace Marcus Thames as a designated hitter and right-handed pinch hitter off the bench. Jones hit seven more out of the park than Thames did last season, although Thames seemed pretty clutch, especially his two-run homer against Brian Duensing in the A.L.D.S. Oh well.

So the swapping of role players, invitations of elders to Spring Training is what the Yankees are all about in 2011 -- rolling the dice and hoping for the best.


Once Lee resided in Philly, once the rival Red Sox added Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez to their arsenal, all expectations for a new beginning in the Bronx faltered. Why bother, asked Brian Cashman or the Steinbrenner brothers. Now that is why the G.M. did not want to waste his money on that relief pitcher. 


Instead, N.Y. spent their money on overpaying Derek Jeter to be the first Gold Glove winner at shortstop while splitting time in left field and a catcher with a bad knee that drove in all of 26 runs in 2010. Simply brilliant.


This year, it looks as if the Bronx Bombers are yielding the American League to the new-look Sawks. They spend the money, they deserve it. Well, Pujols may be on the market next month anyway.

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Well, at least they let Man-Ram and Johnny Damon settle for Tampa. Dodged a bullet there.




samspiegs@aol.com
Twitter: @samspiegs

NFL: Thank You for the Pro Bowl

There really was only way to improve the Pro Bowl. Moving it to the weekend right before the Super Bowl Sunday: simply brilliant.

A gathering of N.F.L. superstars a month after the conclusion of the regular season, strapping up the pads one more time to play in a game with utmost meaning – to be determined.

Many have suggested that like Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game, the winner of the Pro Bowl should be determine home field advantage in the Super Bowl. There of course would be no better way than this to decide who should wear the home and away jerseys in a neutral stadium in a neutral city. The home field advantage is obviously one thing, but the drag of wearing road whites – simply unbearable. I would hate the thought of calling heads or tails if donned the away team, too.

Fortunately, as the importance of the game has seemingly risen over the years, the game’s level of play and excitement surrounding it has appropriately escalated. From Honolulu to Miami, second-stringers to third-stringers. Next up: defense optional.

Oops.

The move to before the Super Bowl this season is a test run, as if the previous tradition of the week after the big game was a failure. It is now planned for right in the beginning of media week, so the attention can be drawn off of the quarterback comparison between Big Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers, or which defense will bring more heat on third downs, or who among Clay Matthews and Troy Polamalu have better salads.

Instead of that nonsense the attention can be focused on a game, one that will weigh heavily on the outcome of the Super Bowl in 2012. Therefore, it is only logical that the two likely candidates for N.F.L. M.V.P., Tom Brady and Michael Vick, will play field general for their respective conferences in this crucial contest.

Oh, Brady has a sore shoulder? Or is it a sports hernia? No. Wait, a foot? Has got to be the foot!

http://backseatcuddler.com

It seems like this cat has a new injury every time he gets voted on in. It must a coincidence he gets hurt before his annual trip to Honolulu. Oh well. I’m sure there are better things to do at homeanyways.

But even if Brady could play, there’s still too much of a chance the perplexing Pro Bowl defenses would stifle him. Two defensive gurus, Mike Smith of the Atlanta Falcons and Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots, will be licking their chops to go after opposing quarterbacks. House blitzes, press coverage; they might even find a way to block a punt or two.

Offensively, there is no doubt it will be a show. We saw what The Hoodie was able to do with scrubs like Deion Branch, Danny Woodhead and two rookie tight ends. Now factor in that he can really go with some unorthodox formations – three wide-outs, of course lining up on the same side, and of course no players shifting. That would be chaotic.

So this year, when you’re turning on the tube to catch the always exciting, never predictable game of chess that is the Pro Bowl, try to pretend like it is not The League’s gift of an extra week of playoff games. Then, it will all make sense. That’s why you voted your favorite left guard in.

Sam Spiegelman
samspiegs@aol.com
Twitter: @samspiegs
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Connecticut: Tell Robert Burton There's A No Return Policy

Have you heard the one about the booster wanting his money back? Oh my God, it's a classic.


Robert Burton's name is imprinted on the Connecticut football team's training complex. Years back, he donated $2.5M to build the facility. Now he wants his money back.


This cat is unhappy with the school's hiring of former Cuse coach Paul Pasqualoni to replace Randy Edsall after he jet Storrs for College Park, literally.


“We want our money and respect back,” Burton wrote in his letter to Jeff Hathaway, UConn's Athletic Director.


Well, Bob, you can have your money back. But your respect is non-refundable.


I am sure all of your contributions were well appreciated in Storrs. And I am very confident you feel very responsible for the emergence of Connecticut football  into national relevance over the past decade, too. After all, all the checks are signed with your name.


It's not like Edsall deserves any credit for anything.


Every school needs a Burton, at least money-wise. Even if the UConn program doesn't parallel those of Texas or Florida or Southern Cal, even the most minute versions of Phil Knight can pay dividends. But I don't recall Knight having the final say on the Chip Kelly hire when Oregon was looking for a head coach two years ago.


So if the most recognized booster in the game today isn't choosing coaches, what makes you think you have the right to? Former Terp and Under Armour C.E.O. Kevin Plank was likely campaigning for his friend Mike Leach to take over Maryland football, but A.D. Kevin Anderson opted for your boy Edsall. Did Plank go and take away the team's uniforms?


But you went ahead and took the low road, an illustration of your character. 


Take away the player's scholarships. Refuse to advertise with the program. Stop helping the business school; send your managers elsewhere. 


And while your at it, say goodbye to your luxury box. It's better off empty than with you sipping Mike's Hards on Saturdays.


You're upset because you were not consulted for the head coaching hire. Get over it. You are not an expect, despite what you think. I understand you were drafted by the N.F.L.. But if you haven't noticed, they no longer have 19 rounds; it's for a reason, Bob. 


Pasqualoni hasn't coached a down in Rentschler Field and already you're disgruntled. One of your kids played for the guy at Syracuse, and your other is a former Huskie. Congratulations, now your own sons probably think you're a jerk.


As you keep waiting for your $3M check in the mail, consider this: you have given over $7M to Connecticut. Knight had a new basketball court built for his school a few weeks ago...it cost $220 more than your donations. 


Being a booster does not automatically incorporate you into the school's brain trust. It simply means you are supporting the school, offering them financial assistance for them to succeed. 


You're not even a UConn grad; you went to Murray State. So why don't you bring your checkbook there. I hear their looking for someone to fill their booster, head coach and athletic director jobs. You sound like the guy for the job.




samspiegs@aol.com
Twitter: @samspiegs

Top Five Reasons You Do Not Want to See an N.F.L. Lockout

Have you seen a lot of these Tweets today? The N.F.L. Lockout website has launched a campaign for all of its fans and players alike to sign a petition to stop the potential work stoppage. 

The N.F.L. superstars and Twitter aces haves taken to their laptops and iPhones to get the message across.

The effort is understandable, but is this the best way to exhibit the sense of urgency this problem really calls for? 

An N.F.L. lockout would be detrimental to society. Men everywhere would be clueless to how to spend their weekends. Sunday would become merely just another day of the week, simply the day before we all head back to work Monday.

In a purely gratuitous effort, I have shed some light on the situation. Here are the top five reasons why the N.F.L., specifically its fans across the globe, cannot suffice if there is no football next season.  

5. You will lose weight

Of course this sounds excellent to fatties everywhere. No Sunday, no beers, no planting yourself on the coach from noon 'til midnight and unfortunately no more artichoke dip. You could find yourself so bored to the extent that hitting the weights or the stair-master is a more plausible option.

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This is not 'The Biggest Loser' -- there is no Jillian Michaels on your tail making sure you live to see another day.

Better said, this is you losing your manhood. Sundays are meant for beer and wings, not celery sticks and Vitamin Water -- just ask Yao Ming. 

Soon enough your Sunday workout will turn into a social occasion between you and your new gym buddies -- you know, the guy with those goggles and the always-handy towel, wearing a sweatband around their crown and more often than not those old school headphones. 

It really makes you appreciate your beer belly now, doesn't it?

4. You may realize you are not on God's good side


Without football, there is no purer way to spend a Sunday by reverting to your inner Sunday School student and returning to the house that God built. No I'm not talking about Soldier Field; I mean church, dude. 


Let me be a messenger from up above -- God sees all, and he is aware that you are going to church just because you have lost your top priority on Sunday. And plain and simple he will not approve.


You can't just trade touchdowns for The Old Testament, blitzes for The Bible, play action passes for prayer. 


3. You will  become a better spouse/boyfriend


Again, I am sure this sounds wonderful -- falling in favor with your loved one and perhaps reaping all the benefits that come along with that.


But let me remind you, it is far from as fantastic as it may sound.

Getty Images

Consider this: going on regular trips to Bed, Bath and Beyond; starting up a lovely tomato garden in the backyard and becoming her foremost source on how well she looks in her pants suit.  


You used to love to watch your fantasy team rack up the points and talk smack to your brethren about how you knew Arian Foster would be the sleeper of 2010, or that your relentless pursuit of Peyton Hillis on the waiver wire was something you had planned to do all along and that is why you won your league.


Now you talk about how quickly your seeds are sprouting. You can't help but brag about how wonderful it is to get a delish salad and fruit daiquiri at The Cheesecake Factory. Oh, and those trips to the gym -- yeah, now your new workout buddy has become your girl.


Enjoy pilates bro.


2. You will begin to love bowling


Maybe you won't turn down the wrong path of exercise or a girls' day on the town. Perhaps sticking with the tube will remain your top options.


But with no Fox or CBS or NBC at nighttime, you'll fall in love with the ESPN's Sunday afternoon special -- the PBA Tour.


Before long, you can boast to your friends that you are now the foremost expert in everything bowling -- The master of the lanes, the king of the pins, the sultan of strikes.


If you're comfortable with that then so be it. 


1. Your son will follow in your wife's footsteps


You are no Troy Aikman, no Peyton Manning, not even an Eli Manning for that matter. But when it comes to your son, your offspring, you expect to be the one who molds them to be the athlete in your favorite quarterback's image.

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How many hours have you spent watching the throwing motion of Brett Favre mumbling to yourself, "Man, I could do that."


Without the N.F.L. though, your son doesn't know who Favre or Manning is. They see you watch the P.B.A. Tour or plant damn tomatoes on Sundays. For goodness sake, they are begging to accompany you to the mall.


What kind of role model have you become, you monster.


Your son thinks your garden is bad ass, and he's asking for a pair of bowling gloves for Christmas. 


Now tell me this: do you really want to see the National Football League disappear? 




samspiegs@aol.com
Twitter: @samspiegs

It's Only Right N.Y. Jets Must Travel Through Pittsburgh to go to Super Bowl

Brady, Manning and Roethlisberger -- combined 32 playoff victories with Brady leading the way with 14 and Big Ben and Manning with nine apiece, and six Super Bowls in all.

The win was the second of a three-game series in the 2010-2011 N.F.L. season against A.F.C. East foe New England, the third in Mark Sanchez's two-year career. A little over a month earlier the Jets were embarrassed in their regular season series finale in Foxborough 45-3. But on this day, head coach Rex Ryan continued to live up to his defensive resume and stopped one of the all-time greats, Tom Brady.

www.worldcorrespondents.com

When the N.Y. Jets shocked the world Sunday evening by defeating the New England Patriots 28-21, it was Gang Green's all-time winningest post-season quarterback completing his fourth win in the N.F.L. playoffs, all of which have come on their opponents' turf. 




Eight days earlier, Sanchez and Co. traveled to Indianapolis to face off with Peyton Manning and the Colts. A win in Indy granted the Jets the right to play in today's divisional playoff game. 

AP

Now the Jets must once again pack up and hit the road, this time to familiar Heinz Field, better known as 'The Big Ketchup Bottle' to some. Coming off a second half comeback win over the Baltimore Ravens, the Pittsburgh Steelers and their leader, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, look to even the series with New York after the Jets pulled off a road upset against them earlier this season.




Since H.B.O.'s Hard Knocks series, the Jets have anointed themselves Super Bowl champions. In order to live up to their own expectations though, they must travel the path through Pittsburgh and  a two-time winning quarterback. 


If the Jets want to proclaim themselves as 'the team to beat' so be it. Next week they will face a proven winner, yet again, this time for the right to march on the Super Bowl.


But like the Jets proved on this day, the past does not precipitate the future.


samspiegs@aol.com
Twitter: @samspiegs