I haven't exactly been religiously updating this due to extreme laziness all around and too many things clouding my head as of late, despite the end of the regular season nearing, and the excitement heating up. The chase is on. October, as what MLB.com's slogan says: I Live For This!
Tampa Bay is making a strong push to overtake Boston for the AL wildcard, they've been on a hot winning streak for the month of September mostly, taking advantage of the Red Sox's struggles and losing skid. Injuries have been a huge factor. Other than Josh Beckett, the Red Sox starting rotation has not been able to go deep into games, lasting only 5 innings at most before the overworked relievers pitch an inning or a few outs. John Lackey has been an absolute trainwreck and Daniel Bard, the reliever who was once superior and hard to score runs off has an astounding 30 for his earned run average in September. That equates to 3 runs given up in an inning of relief pitching. Holy crap.
My gut feeling is Tampa Bay's youth will outlast the Red Sox, sending them into an early offseason that nobody predicted this would happen. League executives, the media and members of the sporting nation.
Detroit is coming on with a twelve game winning streak that was snapped and they won again about an hour ago to clinch the AL Central division. Justin Verlander for AL Cy Young. That is for sure. If he wins 25 games, he should win AL MVP, in all fairness, as much as I'd love to see Robinson Cano or Curtis Granderson win it for the Yankees. Justin Verlander is dominating and has slayed every oppositions offense, striking them out and having them hit ground balls.
As for the Yankees, the AL East title is in ours to lose. I'm sensing an ALCS rematch vs the Texas Rangers in the ALDS come October, the Yankees hungry for revenge after last year's collapse in what should have been our title and the team to represent the AL in the World Series. With all due respect to Josh Hamilton for being a huge inspiration and an overcomer and conquerer, the Yankees are hungrier to avenge this loss and possibly win another World Series.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
9/11; 10 years on
It's already past midnight in where I live. Not sports related, but I feel the need to make a dedication post. Although I am not an American, my heart goes out to the nation, especially those that have lost a friend, a loved one, a family member or know of someone who lost somebody.
As Celine Dion sings in Fly...
Fly beyond imagining
The softest cloud, the whitest dove
Upon the wind of heaven's love
Past the planets and the stars
Leave this lonely world of ours
Escape the sorrow and the pain
And fly again
Fly, fly precious one
Your endless journey has begun
Take your gentle happiness
Far too beautiful for this
Cross over to the other shore
There is peace forevermore
But hold this mem'ry bittersweet
The memories so clear, like a photograph etched in my mind that I would never forget. I heard the news, that eerie silence with the images of the planes crashing on live tv, the faces of people running for their lives, terrified and in shock. About 1.5 months after I had lost my grandmother to natural causes, the tragedy which would change the lives of thousands, and millions, basically the whole world unfolded beyond our eyes. Something so dramatic, like a blockbuster which had come to reality. Thousands of innocent lives were lost because of evil which came in the form of the hijackers. Many children were left without a parent, or both, parents lost their daughters and sons, families were torn apart, life would never be the same again.
As I vividly recall, it was my drama debut in public (with the private drama school I attended weekly classes at)- at the Substation that fateful night. Excitement consumed me, so much that I did not feel any bit of nervousness to be performing live infront of a crowd of about a hundred and fifty people, as a soon to be fourteen year old. When the first plane struck the North tower, I had no idea it happened, same goes for the second plane and the Pentagon being hit. I was on that stage, set to shine (hopefully!) and enthrall the audience, expressing my best self. The lights came on, curtain call, rush into the audience for congratulatory hugs. Fast forward to packing up, having dinner with the family downtown at a deli... by the time I reached back home it was already close to midnight. First thing I saw when I turned on the tv was reporters talking about a disaster in New York.
They replayed the clips of the planes crashing. I thought to myself, "Are they showing a preview of Con Air the second?", before the sight of the Pentagon and the other United plane going down in a rural part of Pennsylvania finally hit me. Terrorist attack. I stayed up for three hours with the folks to watch the news (had no school the next day) so it was all good. My heart sank. What if it happened in Singapore? Is this the end of the world already? Are they going to catch the mastermind? Are the Yankees going to be okay? What's going to happen to baseball season? What would I do? I started worrying about Cass (my drama teacher who was among the teachers from my drama school in charge of the production; she's got family from NY) and a bunch of other people who were Americans. That night, I couldn't sleep. I kept seeing images of the devil when I closed my eyes, and laid on the couch in my parents room. They too, did not know how to react, other than mom praying for me non stop as I remember. I wasn't really a catholic or believer but at that point in time, I clung on to whatever I could get for comfort.
Hold on to what you have and don't let the moment slip away. Tell everyone whom you love that you really do, give every hug like its your last time hugging them... the things in life we take for granted, cause you might lose it all in a second.
As Celine Dion sings in Fly...
Fly beyond imagining
The softest cloud, the whitest dove
Upon the wind of heaven's love
Past the planets and the stars
Leave this lonely world of ours
Escape the sorrow and the pain
And fly again
Fly, fly precious one
Your endless journey has begun
Take your gentle happiness
Far too beautiful for this
Cross over to the other shore
There is peace forevermore
But hold this mem'ry bittersweet
The memories so clear, like a photograph etched in my mind that I would never forget. I heard the news, that eerie silence with the images of the planes crashing on live tv, the faces of people running for their lives, terrified and in shock. About 1.5 months after I had lost my grandmother to natural causes, the tragedy which would change the lives of thousands, and millions, basically the whole world unfolded beyond our eyes. Something so dramatic, like a blockbuster which had come to reality. Thousands of innocent lives were lost because of evil which came in the form of the hijackers. Many children were left without a parent, or both, parents lost their daughters and sons, families were torn apart, life would never be the same again.
As I vividly recall, it was my drama debut in public (with the private drama school I attended weekly classes at)- at the Substation that fateful night. Excitement consumed me, so much that I did not feel any bit of nervousness to be performing live infront of a crowd of about a hundred and fifty people, as a soon to be fourteen year old. When the first plane struck the North tower, I had no idea it happened, same goes for the second plane and the Pentagon being hit. I was on that stage, set to shine (hopefully!) and enthrall the audience, expressing my best self. The lights came on, curtain call, rush into the audience for congratulatory hugs. Fast forward to packing up, having dinner with the family downtown at a deli... by the time I reached back home it was already close to midnight. First thing I saw when I turned on the tv was reporters talking about a disaster in New York.
They replayed the clips of the planes crashing. I thought to myself, "Are they showing a preview of Con Air the second?", before the sight of the Pentagon and the other United plane going down in a rural part of Pennsylvania finally hit me. Terrorist attack. I stayed up for three hours with the folks to watch the news (had no school the next day) so it was all good. My heart sank. What if it happened in Singapore? Is this the end of the world already? Are they going to catch the mastermind? Are the Yankees going to be okay? What's going to happen to baseball season? What would I do? I started worrying about Cass (my drama teacher who was among the teachers from my drama school in charge of the production; she's got family from NY) and a bunch of other people who were Americans. That night, I couldn't sleep. I kept seeing images of the devil when I closed my eyes, and laid on the couch in my parents room. They too, did not know how to react, other than mom praying for me non stop as I remember. I wasn't really a catholic or believer but at that point in time, I clung on to whatever I could get for comfort.
Hold on to what you have and don't let the moment slip away. Tell everyone whom you love that you really do, give every hug like its your last time hugging them... the things in life we take for granted, cause you might lose it all in a second.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Still considered baseball related...
The new school year has started, first week is almost down in the books. I don't exactly feel like it's a new semester cause I decided to be a hardworking nerd to take 12 weeks of summer school in order to graduate next April, after spending five years in college.
For two out of the three classes that I'm taking, both professors are Phillies fans. One of them is from South Jersey and the other is from Chester, PA. The dude who hails from the latter is someone I've had two classes under the belt with, and got decent grades from him. And it's going to be amazing trash talking him yet again...not sure if I can reveal his name. He did mention something about the Yankees suck. Lets see how it pans out with the trash talk come Rock-tober. Best pitching lineup in the 21st century and beyond. How can any team top that?!
Life is good.
For two out of the three classes that I'm taking, both professors are Phillies fans. One of them is from South Jersey and the other is from Chester, PA. The dude who hails from the latter is someone I've had two classes under the belt with, and got decent grades from him. And it's going to be amazing trash talking him yet again...not sure if I can reveal his name. He did mention something about the Yankees suck. Lets see how it pans out with the trash talk come Rock-tober. Best pitching lineup in the 21st century and beyond. How can any team top that?!
Life is good.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Yankees won today, beating John Lackey and the Red Sox 5-2. CC Sabathia's first win against the damn Sox in five tries.
Phil Hughes vs Josh Beckett in game 2
AJ Burnett vs John Lester for the finale.
Ouch. Now when I see AJ Burnett having another scheduled start, I feel nauseous.
Ivan Nova for rookie of the year!!!!!!!!!!
Phil Hughes vs Josh Beckett in game 2
AJ Burnett vs John Lester for the finale.
Ouch. Now when I see AJ Burnett having another scheduled start, I feel nauseous.
Ivan Nova for rookie of the year!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Found this from 2005 on my livejournal that I was looking through. Copied and pasted from an ESPN article.
To the tune of Wonderwall by Oasis...
Today is gonna be the day
That Roger's gonna throw at you
By now the Braves somehow
Won a division title or two
Randy believes there's nobody
Who can share his view -- except for Yao
Deadbeats, the word is on the street
That the Padres will surely be out
I'm sure they've heard it all before
Because Pujols has a lot of clout
Papi believes that every game
Can be won with a swing or two -- so take a bow
And all the games we watch are spellbinding
And Vladdy's swing makes comebackers frightening
There are many things that Oz
Would like to say to you
Without being a clown
Because maybe
We're gonna root against the Yankees
And after all
We love playoff baseball
And the Red Sox proudly said that they're not settling for anything less than the AL East crown. The Yankees have been trashed by them in the season series so far. Only 2 wins. Come on bombers, we need to sweep this series. Badly. If we can pelt 22 runs on the Oakland A's with 3 grand slams- Russell Martin, Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson, it's time we put on a show and humble the Red Sox.
Philly will win a hundred games, and Houston will lose the same number or more. It's a fact.
Curtis Granderson is strengthening his case for AL MVP. One month left in the regular season! It's heating up, and at the same time that means... August semester has started in college. My fifth, and final year. Distractions galore.
To the tune of Wonderwall by Oasis...
Today is gonna be the day
That Roger's gonna throw at you
By now the Braves somehow
Won a division title or two
Randy believes there's nobody
Who can share his view -- except for Yao
Deadbeats, the word is on the street
That the Padres will surely be out
I'm sure they've heard it all before
Because Pujols has a lot of clout
Papi believes that every game
Can be won with a swing or two -- so take a bow
And all the games we watch are spellbinding
And Vladdy's swing makes comebackers frightening
There are many things that Oz
Would like to say to you
Without being a clown
Because maybe
We're gonna root against the Yankees
And after all
We love playoff baseball
And the Red Sox proudly said that they're not settling for anything less than the AL East crown. The Yankees have been trashed by them in the season series so far. Only 2 wins. Come on bombers, we need to sweep this series. Badly. If we can pelt 22 runs on the Oakland A's with 3 grand slams- Russell Martin, Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson, it's time we put on a show and humble the Red Sox.
Philly will win a hundred games, and Houston will lose the same number or more. It's a fact.
Curtis Granderson is strengthening his case for AL MVP. One month left in the regular season! It's heating up, and at the same time that means... August semester has started in college. My fifth, and final year. Distractions galore.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
More baseball jabber
Four. That's the number that the Red Sox have right now.
The Red Sox got shut out by the Texas Rangers 0-4 in Texas today. They have yet to win a game played against them this season. Four losses in four games. And the Red Sox only managed four hits, facing CJ Wilson who is a contender for the CY Young award of the year, besides CC Sabathia and Justin Verlander in my opinion. The Red Sox are playing the Rangers in a four game series till Thursday. Then they play them again next weekend in Fenway Park for a three game series.
The Yankees open a three game series at home versus the struggling Oakland A's. They really need to sweep to maintain a lead and stability in the AL East race. The Red Sox cannot overtake them. We need home field advantage. Need to chase for it. Keep the Red Sox in check, they'll likely get the wildcard.
AJ Burnett needs to be demoted. Every day the more I think of it, he really does not deserve a spot in the rotation as a starting pitcher. He makes about 17 million a season and throws too many wild pitches. Reminds me of Jeff Weaver back in the early 2000s, who had a few star outings and the rest of them were starts to forget. The only memorable and worthy start that AJ Burnett has pitched in was in game 2 of the 2009 World Series, when he pitched 7 innings and gave up one earned run to the Phillies. That very year, the Yankees won it all.
The Phillies are really THIS good. With about 30 or so games left in the regular season, they have the highest probable chance of winning a hundred games. 82 games won so far. Next up would be the Yankees, Red Sox, Braves and Brewers (oh really?!) with 77 games won apiece.Possibly the only team in the majors to do so this year. Their pitching has been top notch, signing Cliff Lee has paid off. Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, Roy Oswalt and Cliff Lee will be enshrined in the hall of fame when they retire. Dream team for every general manager. Lets see how they fare in the playoffs.
If Atlanta was not in the NL East, they would easily win their division. Sadly they are relegated to the wild card and will win it for sure, based on the standings so far. The Milwaukee Brewers are extremely strong too. Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks and Ryan Braun are dangerous and could explode for home runs and rack up hits in a jiffy when hot.
Teams likely to lose a hundred games this season: Houston- it will definitely happen. Next up, the Baltimore Orioles.
Predictions for who makes the playoffs: Yankees, Texas Rangers, Red Sox, Phillies, Braves, Brewers
AL Central- Either Detroit or the White Sox. Although Detroit has a 5.5 game lead over the White Sox, anything could happen. The Tigers are an inconsistent team.
NL West- I'm thinking the Giants. Arizona's inexperience due to their youth will have them falter and not be able to withstand the final push through the final weeks of the regular season.
The Red Sox got shut out by the Texas Rangers 0-4 in Texas today. They have yet to win a game played against them this season. Four losses in four games. And the Red Sox only managed four hits, facing CJ Wilson who is a contender for the CY Young award of the year, besides CC Sabathia and Justin Verlander in my opinion. The Red Sox are playing the Rangers in a four game series till Thursday. Then they play them again next weekend in Fenway Park for a three game series.
The Yankees open a three game series at home versus the struggling Oakland A's. They really need to sweep to maintain a lead and stability in the AL East race. The Red Sox cannot overtake them. We need home field advantage. Need to chase for it. Keep the Red Sox in check, they'll likely get the wildcard.
AJ Burnett needs to be demoted. Every day the more I think of it, he really does not deserve a spot in the rotation as a starting pitcher. He makes about 17 million a season and throws too many wild pitches. Reminds me of Jeff Weaver back in the early 2000s, who had a few star outings and the rest of them were starts to forget. The only memorable and worthy start that AJ Burnett has pitched in was in game 2 of the 2009 World Series, when he pitched 7 innings and gave up one earned run to the Phillies. That very year, the Yankees won it all.
The Phillies are really THIS good. With about 30 or so games left in the regular season, they have the highest probable chance of winning a hundred games. 82 games won so far. Next up would be the Yankees, Red Sox, Braves and Brewers (oh really?!) with 77 games won apiece.Possibly the only team in the majors to do so this year. Their pitching has been top notch, signing Cliff Lee has paid off. Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, Roy Oswalt and Cliff Lee will be enshrined in the hall of fame when they retire. Dream team for every general manager. Lets see how they fare in the playoffs.
If Atlanta was not in the NL East, they would easily win their division. Sadly they are relegated to the wild card and will win it for sure, based on the standings so far. The Milwaukee Brewers are extremely strong too. Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks and Ryan Braun are dangerous and could explode for home runs and rack up hits in a jiffy when hot.
Teams likely to lose a hundred games this season: Houston- it will definitely happen. Next up, the Baltimore Orioles.
Predictions for who makes the playoffs: Yankees, Texas Rangers, Red Sox, Phillies, Braves, Brewers
AL Central- Either Detroit or the White Sox. Although Detroit has a 5.5 game lead over the White Sox, anything could happen. The Tigers are an inconsistent team.
NL West- I'm thinking the Giants. Arizona's inexperience due to their youth will have them falter and not be able to withstand the final push through the final weeks of the regular season.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)