Sunday, June 14, 2009
Why Does God Hate the Nationals?
Just a quick one- I challenge anyone to watch the highlights of today's Nationals-Rays game and tell me that the good Lord does not hate the Nationals. I mean, how freak of a bounce was that off of 3rd to score the winning run? Its not fair I tell you.
Friday, June 12, 2009
FHF
I have decided to give this week's FHF award to Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy. The Stasch is awesome. However, it is also about to get bounced from the NBA Finals. Big meltdown last night, 3-1 Lakers with 2 out of the next 3 in LA. So enjoy this Stan, cause you aren't getting that trophy.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
The NBA Finals
The NBA Finals are currently going on, with the LA Lakers up 2-1 on the Orlando Magic. Unfortunately I have not been able to watch this series. But from what I have heard, it is Pau and Lamar who should be getting most of the credit. They are scoring and keeping Dwight "Superman" Howard from taking games over. In their game three loss, however, Kobe decided he would win it on his own. Not smart Mamba. Pau is an all-world player, and Odem is no slouch. No one ever won a ring alone, and you should know that. Go out there, play as a team, and you should be able to dominate.
As for the Magic, I think they have reached their peak. The Lakers are a tough matchup for them. They can't shoot 62% every game, and Howard isn't able to control the game like he could against Cleveland. I say they are one piece away, like a really good shooting guard. My prediction, Lakers end it at home in Game 6.
As for the Magic, I think they have reached their peak. The Lakers are a tough matchup for them. They can't shoot 62% every game, and Howard isn't able to control the game like he could against Cleveland. I say they are one piece away, like a really good shooting guard. My prediction, Lakers end it at home in Game 6.
Signing Strasburg
My Washington Nationals drafted the greatest pitching prospect ever, Stephen Strasburg of San Diego State. His agent, Scott Boras, is rumored to be asking for a $50 million contract, or more than Washington franchise player Ryan Zimmerman is making, for a pitcher that has never played in the MLB. Here are the 5 things I suggest the Nats do with Mr. Strasburg:
1.) SIGN HIM! Details on the contract next, but you have to sign him if you are the Nats. You failed to sign Aaron Crow last year, and you have a reputation of being cheap. Sure, you offered Tex $200 million, but he didn't take it. You showed your fans you are willing to spend, so do it. Even if it means $50 million.
2.) Here is how I think the contract should work. $50 million guaranteed is too much to ask for if you are Boras. The record is Mark Prior's $10.5 million. I say double it. Offer him a 3-year $21 million contract with 3 years of arbitration. No college kid will pass that up. Who can leave $7 million on the table? If he does really well, those arbitration years will provide him with even more money, or the chance to negotiate a huge second contract. Furthermore, add in incentives. If, in a given season, he leads the Nationals in wins, he gets an extra million. If he wins 20, give him an extra $5 million. If he wins the Cy Young, an extra $10 million. That way, if he lives up to the hype, he will be making much more than what Boras is asking for. If he flames out after a few years like Prior, the Nats aren't stuck with an unmovable contract. It works best for both parties.
3.) Do not bring him straight into the majors, but don't leave him in the minors. If he goes 3-0 in AA, bring him up. If he doesn't, let him come up in September when the roster gets bigger. When he is up in Washington, use him out of the bullpen. See what kind of stuff this kid has at the major league level. Tampa Bay has done it this way with David Price, the Yankees with Joba Chamberlin. We have to as well.
4.) Once he signs, MARKET THE HELL OUT OF HIM! He will put fans in the seats. Get his face out there. Put it in the subways, on TV, in the paper. Put him between Zimmerman and Dunn in a publicity shot.
5.) Watch his arm and his pitch count. ESPN's Steve Phillips is worried about his delivery, says it is a little too much like Prior and not enough like Verlander. If you can't fix it, keep the kid on a pitch count till he can handle the Major League schedule.
There you go Nats. Get it done.
1.) SIGN HIM! Details on the contract next, but you have to sign him if you are the Nats. You failed to sign Aaron Crow last year, and you have a reputation of being cheap. Sure, you offered Tex $200 million, but he didn't take it. You showed your fans you are willing to spend, so do it. Even if it means $50 million.
2.) Here is how I think the contract should work. $50 million guaranteed is too much to ask for if you are Boras. The record is Mark Prior's $10.5 million. I say double it. Offer him a 3-year $21 million contract with 3 years of arbitration. No college kid will pass that up. Who can leave $7 million on the table? If he does really well, those arbitration years will provide him with even more money, or the chance to negotiate a huge second contract. Furthermore, add in incentives. If, in a given season, he leads the Nationals in wins, he gets an extra million. If he wins 20, give him an extra $5 million. If he wins the Cy Young, an extra $10 million. That way, if he lives up to the hype, he will be making much more than what Boras is asking for. If he flames out after a few years like Prior, the Nats aren't stuck with an unmovable contract. It works best for both parties.
3.) Do not bring him straight into the majors, but don't leave him in the minors. If he goes 3-0 in AA, bring him up. If he doesn't, let him come up in September when the roster gets bigger. When he is up in Washington, use him out of the bullpen. See what kind of stuff this kid has at the major league level. Tampa Bay has done it this way with David Price, the Yankees with Joba Chamberlin. We have to as well.
4.) Once he signs, MARKET THE HELL OUT OF HIM! He will put fans in the seats. Get his face out there. Put it in the subways, on TV, in the paper. Put him between Zimmerman and Dunn in a publicity shot.
5.) Watch his arm and his pitch count. ESPN's Steve Phillips is worried about his delivery, says it is a little too much like Prior and not enough like Verlander. If you can't fix it, keep the kid on a pitch count till he can handle the Major League schedule.
There you go Nats. Get it done.
300
A week later, and I am still in awe of Randy Johnson. I was lucky enough to be there at National Park when the Big Unit won his 300th game. He pitched a gem, though his bullpen almost gave it up in the 8th. At the end of the game, all of those who were braving the downpour were chanting "Randy, Randy" as the Giants wrapped up a 5-1 win. I have never rooted harder against my favorite baseball team. I was afraid we would win and deny me a chance to see history.
Johnson's win brought about a great deal of speculation on if we will ever see a 300 game winner again. I am going to say yes, in the persons of CC Sabathia and Roy Halladay. Both are young and extremely talented. If they pitch to their early 40s and average 15 wins a year, they will reach 300. Also, if he continues to pitch into his 50s, 46 year old Jamie Moyer could reach it. He just passed 250 and is on the defending World Series Champions. Just keep playing the Nationals, and you'll get there Jamie.
Again, congrats to The Big Unit. I have been a fan my entire life, and being able to witness 300 was an honor.
Johnson's win brought about a great deal of speculation on if we will ever see a 300 game winner again. I am going to say yes, in the persons of CC Sabathia and Roy Halladay. Both are young and extremely talented. If they pitch to their early 40s and average 15 wins a year, they will reach 300. Also, if he continues to pitch into his 50s, 46 year old Jamie Moyer could reach it. He just passed 250 and is on the defending World Series Champions. Just keep playing the Nationals, and you'll get there Jamie.
Again, congrats to The Big Unit. I have been a fan my entire life, and being able to witness 300 was an honor.
Where Have I Been?
Man, I have missed alot of time on here. Sorry. Between work and grad school, don't have much time to share my sports views and insights. I promise a big chunk of writing today and tomorrow.
Friday, June 5, 2009
FHF
Short FHF this week. About to head out to bars for the birthday. Randy Johnson wins this week. A picture later.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)