Ryno Should Be Grateful

Mike Quade was named as the Cubs new Manager. Quade penned a two-year deal with the North-Side and former second-baseman and current triple-A manager Ryne Sandberg was disappointed.  

Ryno a word of advice, okay maybe two, BE GRATEFUL.  I am not sure if you noticed, but the Cubs are not close to winning any time soon.  And Quade did not sign a two decade deal it was for two years.  Quade can rebuild and then get the team heading in the right direction, lose 85 to 95 games a year and then when the personnel is better you can swoop in go .500 in your first season and you will be called the "long-term solution" and signed to an extension.  So go ahead feel disappointed, let it fuel your fire, be a little insulted, feel unappreciated, and work like you have something to prove, but at the end of the day be grateful it will be Quade getting canned in two-years and not you.  In two years Quade will be wishing he had your job.    

Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures

Desperation permeates New York both at Yankee Stadium and NFL Headquarters.  Rule changes ( enforcement changes as the league is calling it) and lineup changes are abound as both organizations face desperate situations.  Both come after painful events.  For the Yankees the consequences are serious, but not nearly what the NFL is facing.  It is no surprise the NFL's actions come after a weekend of violent hits one of which included Eric LeGrand of Rutgers being tragically paralyzed.  New York is a place where everything is done in a hurry and this is a perfect example of just how fast things can change and be implemented in New York. Maybe baseball should move their headquarters.  Let's hope at least one of these changes is for the better.

USC May End Oregon's National Championship Hopes

The Ducks have never been too saddened by misfortunes in Southern California however USC's problems may cost Oregon a shot at the title.  Thanks to NCAA sanctions USC is not eligible, among other things, to be ranked. This means when the Ducks and Trojans get together for what may be the Ducks toughest test the men of Troy will not be ranked. So, if the Ducks can get by the Trojans and run the table thier strength of schedule and ultimate computer rating may be hurt by the NCAA sanctions. Certainly Auburn & Oklahoma may look to have tougher schedules than Oregon and may in the end be chosen if all three are undefeated at seasons end so ultimately even with a loss the Trojans may still cost the Ducks a shot at the National Championship.

YES, THERE IS A SERIES!

With all three division series at 2-0 it was looking like it would be all four until the eighth inning then the Braves offense decided to break through with a 3-run eighth to tie the game at four.  The Giants appeared to have the game in their grasp again in the bottom of the 10th, with bases-loaded and only one out.  Then an unlikely and seldom used hero emerged off the bench to turn an amazing double play.  Troy Glaus took the one hopper of the bat of Buster Posey and without hesitation sent the ball on its way towards Infante at second.  Infante who started the game at third made an amazing turn on the left-field side throw to get Posey at first.  Derick Lee pumped his fist as the Braves dugout exploded with excitement.  Two hitters later it would explode again as Ankiel went deep sea diving with a no-doubter in the 11th.  The "pinnacle" of his career Ankiel gave baseball fans, excluding Giants fans of course,  something to cheer about.  Yes, there would be a SERIES!

Game one was full of drama as well with the Giants scoring the games only run after a blown call at second base.   Lincecum was masterful and threw a complete game two-hitter and although the Braves were upset about the call it looked unlikely they would ever score off of the "Freak".

The NLDS is now tied 1-1 and even the runs are knotted up at 5 a piece.  It resumes Sunday afternoon in Atlanta and if game three is anything like the first two then baseball fans cannot wait.

Great Pitching & Bad Umpiring Don't Mix

Great pitching and bad umpiring are like water and oil they don't mix well.  Like a bad chemical reaction, the outcome is never pretty and more than likely someone will get burned. Last night it was the Braves.

When pitching dominates games the umpire calls are magnified. This is a fact. Example Braves vs. Giants fourh inning Posey is thrown out stealing second, but called safe basehit two batters later scores Posey and the Giants win  1-0.

When games are dominated by pitching and low scoring small plays can play a huge part in outcomes of games and series. Every run is at a premium and so a walk, error, or blown call can all make that pitcher get one more out or face one more batter and that can make all the difference.  It is a shame that today we are talking about bad umpiring instead of the great games and pitching performances thus far.  Last night Lincecum and Lowe were brilliant the umpiring unfortunatley was not!

MLB POSTSEASON IS BACK & SO IS THE FOUR6THREE

Our one month hiatus is complete!  After being banished to a work camp in Siberia (more about the trip to come), I have returned to find out that my Braves, despite blowing a division lead, have still been wild enough to get a card to the playoffs.  They will travel to the left coast to face off against former NL West Division foe the San Fransisco Giants (Yes, the Braves use to be in the West).  The Phillies will stay on the right side of the map in Philly so the Reds of Cincinnati can come to town.
The Twin Cities will host a playoff series beginnning tomorrow against the favored Yankees whose loss on the last day of the regular season cost them the home-field advantage.  The Rays will take on the Rangers who were the best in the AL West, which leaves doubts about their chances in the playoffs. 

The fun begins tomorrow in a triple-header on TBS, while the Braves & Giants will wait until Thursday to get their series underway.  Tune in because afterall you are a bigger fan of baseball (I am talking to you Mets fans)!