Blue Jays will finish third, again!

With only a week until players report to spring training, questions have already risen about the starting rotation and if J.P. Ricciardi has done enough to make this team a contender again.
Are we destined for another third place finish? Maybe that is a role that all Blue Jays fans must accept; at least for one more year. The Jays are very close to being able to take this division. With the roster as is right now, the Jays would need the bats to do what they should and the starting pitchers to stay healthy. I really just don’t see that happening until ’08. Not because the Jays don’t have a good team assembled, but because the Yankees are really, still better. And even if they are not to begin with, they will certainly buy their way back into contention. Oh ya, and those Red Sox kinda improved too. How are we to compete in a division that has the two highest spenders in baseball? Will Teddy “Ballpark” Rogers ever give J.P. $200 million a year to spend? Probably not…and we shouldn’t get our hopes up. Although, he has been wetting our appetites and raising payroll every season over the last four years. He has made major improvements to the SkyDo..err..Rogers Centre, to give it more of an American baseball feel. He has even showed up to a few games here and there! This all coming from the man who once saw Carlos Delgado walk on four pitches and asked “Who is that?” “That is the man we pay $16 million a year.” “Why are we paying him so much? He didn’t even swing the bat!”

Okay J.P., our fate is in your hands.

The Rotation

1. Roy “Doc” Halladay- RHP
If the best pitcher in baseball gets at least 35 starts, 20-22 wins and a Cy Young is his.
2. A.J. Burnett- RHP
Health will always be an issue, but a nasty, 98mph fastball is fun to watch and should be good enough for 16 wins.
3. Gustavo Chacin- LHP
Being scary looking doesn’t make you a scary pitcher. I’ll be surprised with 14 wins.
4. John Thomson-RHP
Could provide some valuable innings. He did win 14 games in ’04 with the Braves. He’ll give us 12.
5. Tomo Ohka- RHP
Will start the season as number 5, but look for another busy year for this position from guys like Janssen, Marcum, Towers and Zambrano.

The Line-up

1. Reed Johnson-LF
Left is all his now with the Cat gone. Look for him to lead the league in getting beaned and be one of the best players on the Jays in ’07.
2. Alex Rios-RF
Could still get traded early on. In the meantime, look for his power numbers to increase along with his running.
3. Vernon Wells-CF
I usually dislike guys coming off massive contract signings( $126 million for 7 yrs ), but look for V-dub to carry this team on both sides of the field.
4. Troy Glaus-3B
I just don’t trust this guy’s knees. 30 and 100 should be there, but he’s gotta bat better than .250 for me to be a fan.
5. Frank Thomas-DH
He went from a base salary to over 9 million a year. If he even gets close to last year’s numbers, J.P. will save face.
6. Lyle Overbay-1B
Smart move locking this guy up for another 4 years. Who wouldn’t want this guy batting sixth in their order?
7. Greg Zaun-C
After negotiating is own contract and wearing amazing suits on TV during the playoffs, the real leader of the team finally comes in as the number one catcher.
8. Aaron Hill-2B
No O-Dog, but is great student of the game that can play anywhere in the infield.
9. Royce Clayton-SS
This looked like one of the Leafs signings. Closer to 40yrs old but I’d rather him then Russ Adams.

The Pen

Closer: B.J. Ryan- LHP
• Look for another All-Star performance from the man who runs out like Wild Thing.
Set-up: Brandon League-RHP
• Guys who tattoo their last name across their backs can throw hard. This Hawaiian throws 100mph
Mid and Long Relief:
• Jason Frasor and Scott Downs will again be the go-to guys here. The rest are young but with plenty of upside.

Final Standings

TEAM WINS LOSSES GB

NY Yankees 103 59 --
Red Sox 96 66 7
Blue Jays 94 68 9

A Little Bit of Love

Looks like the American sports reporters have finally noticed what is happening here in Toronto. Have a look around the big sports websites today and you will see Bosh and the Raptors everywhere. Ian Thomsen on CNN/SI, ESPN.com, NBA.com and www.realgm.com all have articles about the recent Raptor success. These are the same haters that picked Toronto to finish 13-15th in the Conference. These are the same haters that bad mouthed Villanueva/Ford trade and now these haters are falling over themselves with praise. They all want to be the first one to recognize the Raptors and the amazing work done by the entire organization….bums.


Maple Leaf Sports Entertainment, owners of the Leafs and Raptors, is by no means a great company. They have made it impossible for the middle class to see a game and are starting to phase in both Leafs and Raptors TV to make even more money. I understand that it costs a lot of money to run a professional sports franchise but I don’t appreciate feeling like I am being taken advantage of.


The one thing Larry Tannenbaum and MLSE have done is put smart people in the power positions. John Ferguson knows hockey and he will be a good GM once he forces himself to commit to rebuilding the Leafs. Brian Colangelo’s resume speaks for itself. He is an excellent manager who has a clear blueprint for a NBA franchise and isn’t afraid to make the tough decisions. Sports commentators and pundits around the league knew that he would make the Raptors good but no one thought that it would be this year.


The team has gelled extremely quickly for a couple of reasons. Anthony Parker, Jose Calderon and Jorge Garbajosa are seasoned professional basketball players. Most American sports writers seemed to think that because they because they haven’t played a 120 NBA games between them, that it would take a while to adjust. It is this kind of thinking that has resulted in poor performances by US National teams in recent international competitions. Calderon has won a major international championship, how many has James won? These guys know basketball and they know how to be a good teammate. They don’t buy into the superstar mentality that has plagued NBA teams. Iverson is a living legend. How many NBA championships has he won? Garnett? Pierce? A Shaqless Kobe? Colangelo believes in a team and has brought in like minded players. From All Star, Chris Bosh, down to bench warmer Darrick Martin, this is a team that plays together.


I am looking for another win for the Raptors tonight. Bosh is going up against Dwight Howard and should do well. I am looking for Bosh to score 25 with 10 boards. He will need to get to the line in this game and hopefully force Howard onto the bench with foul trouble. If the Raptors can force the Magic to turn the ball over as much as they usually do, this should be an easy W.

Prince. Veni Vidi Vici.

He arose through the rain and fireworks, in the middle of the male/female mash up symbol that he made famous during his legal battle with his former record label. His hair was tied up Jemima style, with a big sloppy bow in the front. He wore a teal high collared suit with an orange – bright orange – shirt. It was a sartorial choice that could only be called conservative when worn by Prince. You heard the Queen classic ‘We will Rock You’ in the background. The message was clear.

Prince was going to fuck with our heads.

Again.

He was the weird star in the eighties – (just look at the trouble wikipedia has in trying to classify his style).
When the rest of North America was loving Michael Jackson and sucking up every hair band the labels could trudge out, Prince Rogers Nelson was doing what he has always done; standing apart from the pack, and showing us – graphically at times - what we were scared to admit.
He had hit after hit – When Doves Cry, Purple Rain, 7, Little Red Corvette, I would Die 4 U, and more than I could possibly fit here.

He started in with ‘Lets Go Crazy’, and pranced up and down the stage as if it wasn’t pouring rain and striking lightening. His Twin Dancers - Maya and Nandy McClean - bracketed his moves while displaying what might be the best hair tossing by dancers in a live performance. (Twin dancers, as in real Twins. Hot real Twins. This is the same guy who wrote ‘Darling Nikki’. Like anyone else could command a stage with twin dancers doing an eleven minute dancing orgasm.)

As he moved into his next song, incredibly, a marching band joined him on the field. His music amplified by the worlds largest horn section, this performance began to gather energy. He went into a groove that started with ‘Baby I’m A Star’ and worked in ‘Proud Mary’ and ‘All Along The Watchtower’ while displaying some one handed guitar magic. Shrieking with the androgynous glee that so attracted and confused us years ago he was rolling now. When he did stole the Foo Fighters ‘Best of You’ and made it his own, you could see that he had the crowd transfixed.

Then came what you knew had to come. With the rain pouring down, you heard the opening of what I consider to be the best song written in the twentieth century: Purple Rain. He strode into his ballad, and the crowd lit their lighters like it was, well, like it was nineteen ninety-nine.

Truth is that ‘Purple Rain’ wasn’t the biggest hit off the album – or movie – of the same name. It never even made it to Number One on the Billboard chart that Prince shared with Michael Jackson in the eighties. But when you see him perform it live, you know that part of him is forever trapped inside of, and set free by this song. It came at a time when all his his other offerings were a legendary mix of raw eroticism and James Brown funky. But this song, with it’s tender lyrics and honest motive was different. Out of the cauldron of raw sex and eros that Prince reveled in at that time, ‘Purple Rain’ was immaculately born.

The lyrics – as always – don’t make literal sense. There is no shared understanding as to what the ‘Purple Rain’ is. But somehow, magically, everyone feels the passion he is trying to convey. It is the ghost in the machine of this song, at once incomprehensible and universal, and forever impossible to describe. It is only possible to feel this song, as you cannot ever understand it.

When the guitar solo came in and the huge billowing image of Prince was projected on it, the crowd was in his hands. The guitar solo itself, a mixture of holler and call back rhythms that have been a part of rock and roll since the Juke joints of the twenties, was a thing of beauty. In the torrential rain, he played it as if we had never heard it before; the call, the guitar wail, the answer and then the refrain.

The screen comes down and Prince asks the crowd if we want to sing tonight, and the answer is a resounding yes. We all know this part, the wailing at the end of the song. We know not because we know the notes or have the voice to sing it. We know it because we feel it.

Prince sang two bars and then tossed his mike aside and let the crowd do what it was dying to do.
He guided them there, and then he let them sing.
In the Purple Rain.

Weekend Wrap Up

So ends another year of the NFL and Fox can put Terry Bradshaw and Mike Ditka back into storage, the cheerleaders can go back to their day jobs and Peyton Manning can finally relax. He will never again be labeled a loser or the guy who is unable to win the “big game”. I am happy that he has won his championship. He knows that he will need to win more than one championship if he wants to be considered among the NFL quarterback greats at least now he won’t be another Jim Kelly.

I am not going to recap yesterday’s game or even give my opinions……No, I can’t resist; I have to say something, just one thing. Someone paid Rex Grossman off. Someone got to him, someone mean and scary, someone who Grossman believed would do what he said. What was the threat? Who knows; but it was serious enough for Grossman to play the worst game ever played by quarterback in a Super Bowl. Prince could have thrown better passes….PRINCE!!! That was disgusting; I am embarrassed for Bears fans.

It was a great weekend for sports. The NHL and NBA made the clever decision to schedule games Sunday afternoon. This allowed sports fans to turn off the endless Super Bowl pre-game show and enjoy a full day of live sports. The Raptors ripped into the Clippers pouring in 122 points and shooting around 75% in the first half. It’s hard to find too many problems with the way they are playing right now, my only complaint would be that they are getting beat up on the offensive boards. The Clippers kept themselves in the game by out rebounding Toronto 13-3 on the offensive glass. At the same time, the Nets were choking one up against the Hawks, I love to see Carter lose.

The hockey this weekend was particularly good. Every game I saw seemed to be in fast forward and the on ice product was excellent. I can only attribute this to the fact that most players had 5 days off due to the All Star break. The NHL should seriously consider reducing the number of games. When players are rested the game is more exciting for the fans and there will be fewer injuries.

Some personal highlights from this weekend action include Sundin giving Emery an earful after he scored. Gaborik going five hole on Cujo for his second straight game winner. Crosby coughing up the puck in OT was a great example of what happens when one player tries to win a team game. Sid the Kid is great but that move he tried was just plain stupid and judging by the look on his face afterwards, he knew it.

Raptors vs Hawks Preview

Raptors are set to throw down in Hotlanta tonight. In the past couple years this match up has been a guaranteed sleeper. They were two teams with nothing to play for and no superstars to watch. Fans would spend the game their numbing their brains with over priced beer, watching saggy boobed cheerleaders do the Macarena. But no longer Raptor fans!

The Raptors and Hawks are two young teams on the up and up. Both have legitimate young superstars, a strong cast of supporting players and bright futures. Their games are exciting and there is a healthy rivalry growing between these two teams. They play with a self respect that wasn’t there in the past. They are demanding more from themselves every night and are learning how to win. This isn’t a Knick-Heat playoff game but there is a sense that both teams step up their games when they meet.

The Raptors are rolling along right now and the won 3 of the monthly awards handed out by the NBA. Bosh was the much deserved player of the month. He shot .547 from the field, had 137 boards and only scored 24 less points than D Wade! Andrea Bargnani won rookie of the month honors. He had a great month but still isn’t a lock for Rookie of the Year. Sam Mitchell pulled a Homer and was awarded with coach of the month honors. That isn’t going to save his job and nor should it. Mitchell will be a good coach someday but he needs more experience.

I am predicting a Raptor win tonight. Bosh will drain 25 points and 10 boards. I want to see T.J. Ford bring his “A” game tonight and get some time on the floor with Calderon. Rob, what do you think? Lets hear your predictions on tonight. You’re getting called out buddy!

National Campaign

There is an undeniable murmur of excitement building in the USA right now.
People are jockeying for position and campaigning in an attempting to gain the attention of the Nation. All in order to jump into that all important position – one of the most important positions in the Western World in fact – a position that only one position can hold.

This position is one that makes enormous demands on the successful person, so much so that most wonder why they put themselves through the ordeal. But nonetheless, people are jumping into the melee willy nilly. (God I have been waiting so long to get willy nilly into a sentence that I think I just got wood. No wait, that’s my belt buckle.)

Yes I’m talking about the Head Coaching position for the Dallas Cowboys.

I will understand if you thought that I was referring to the race to replace Dubya Bush in the White House, that marathon of willful mendacity. That orgy of branding. No, sorry, wrong position. I’m not talking about the position where you take orders from the Bilderberg Group (the shadowy cabal of Billionaires and World leaders who meet in secret) , I’m talking about the position where you take orders from Jerral Jones, (Oklahoma Billionaire who holds many press conferences).

In fact, the two positions have many similarities: They are at the top of their respective professions.

The USA is Top Dawg on this planet, no two ways about it. They are world leaders in terms of cultural influence, financial strength, and military power.
The Presidency of the United States is the shizzle in terms of American Political Power (and the perhaps in terms of World Political Power for that matter.) You instantly become the most recognizable face in the world. Even those who hate you know your every utterance.

Similarly the Dallas Cowboys are the crème de la crème in the Sporting World. Fully five of the top rated Television shows from 2006 involved the Dallas Cowboys.

(I might have just made that up. Like anyone can get more people in front of the T.V. than American Idol. The appeal is irresistible. It’s like watching a car crash or halitosis on a hot girl. You want to turn your head away, but…..)

The Cowboys were in four of the top 12 sporting events in North America for the year 2006. They are the biggest draw and the most valuable sports franchise in the highest rated league in the world. A league with a 4 BILLION dollar per year television deal.

(Wait, What’s that noise? Oh the Soccer fans are making noise? Shaddup already. Every four years the people in North America take a peek at footy while the flags are waving and then they go back to sports that are actually exciting. How big is that television deal for the African Soccer League? The South American League?
Yeah. I thought so. Stop bugging me already and go back to work at the call center.)

Case in point; who is the only team that could even make the headlines with a marathon like search for head coach? During Super Bowl week?!? That’s right. The Cowboys.

So in that spirit, I thought I would compare the candidates for both illustrious positions.
The Front Runners




Hillary Clinton/Norv Turner

Same deal: Underwhelming record in previous stints at the top.

Brother Difference: Hillary has the balls to deal with T.O.

Chances: At the front of the pack, but it is early.




Running Second

Barack Obama/Mike Singletary

Same deal: Strong presence, great speakers, possible all timers. Is the United States ready for a Black President? Are the Dallas Cowboys ready for a Black Head Coach?

Brother Difference: Obama will get less death threats if chosen for the position.

Chances: We can only hope people, we can only hope.



Best of the Rest

Rudi Giuliani/Wade Phillips

Same Deal: Pattern Baldness oozes wisdom and confidence.

Brother Difference: Rudi won something in New York State.

Chances: Old White Guy wins position of power. Hmmm, I think I have seen this before.



Longshots

Joe Biden/Gary Gibbs

Same Deal: They both have a little crazy in their eyes don’t they?

Brother Difference: Two words – Comb over.

Chances: Biden? For President? C’mon!!! Maybe to help finish off a keg or something. A guy named Gibbs, coach of the Cowboys?? Right. Next you’ll tell me that Bill Parcells is going to coach the Cowboys.




Snowballs Chance in Hell

John Edwards/Jason Garett

Same Deal: Nice Hair Guys!

Brother Difference: uhhh……

Chances: How old are these guys? Shouldn’t they graduate college first?

Smile

It’s a great day to be a sports fan in Toronto. If you watched sports last night you were bound to see the goofy grin of Bosh and the dazzlingly white smile of Sundin. Being a simple man who is easily influenced by others; I tend to take my cues from my favorite athletes. When Sundin is smiling it is usually because he has just scored, or the Leafs are winning. I have Sundin in both my hockey pools AND I am Leafs fan so that means when he is happy I am happy. Sometimes I can’t control myself; when I see him lumber over the blue line on a clean break away and put the puck over the goalies shoulder I lose control. Emotions rise up from the under my hate filled heart, I see that huge smile and all I can do is punch the closest waitress. Needless to say when I am forced to watch games at home I focus my joy filled hate into a wall.



Anyone watching the Raptors game last night should agree that the highlight of the night wasn’t the miracle, three quarter court shot by Bosh but the spin move and dunk at the end of the game. That spin was something out of a video game. The defender was still looking at a long necked silhouette while Bosh jamming the ball home. That move almost made me fall off my couch and the scream I let out scared my wife in the other room. It was a great game and Jose Calderon was lights out. He established his shot early and torched the Wizards inside in the second half. I saw a very nervous T.J. Ford riding a bike on the sidelines. Hopefully this will create a healthy competition at point guard and the Raps will benefit from great play from both guys. Parker, on the other hand, chucked up a 3-8 performance….chucker.



Half of my predictions for last night’s game were wrong; Agent 0 was a zero and didn’t put up 40 but the Raps did win. One of my illiterate buddies who reads this site seems to think that I picked the Raps to lose!?!?! I have challenged him to a contest of choosing the winner of each Raptor game. If we both choose the same team then we will devise another category to predict. I am confident that this will prove that he knows nothing about sports (this guy drafted Bill Guerin in our hockey pool!), especially basketball.



So lets hear it Toronto fans, up onto the band wagon. Both teams looked strong in mid-season wins against good opponents. We can all look forward to more smiles!