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.

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)!

Signing Deadline (Final Update)

 Updated 12:40 8/17
It is all over now.  This is the information as it has been released this evening.  Tomorrow I am sure more information and terms will be released.  Only 3 first rounders weren't signed and 2 of them opted to go to school.  The situation with Loux and the Diamondbacks was not a pretty one after they had concern with his elbow then taking a physical in July.   I wanted to note that Dylan Covey, Brewers 1st Round pick opted for College after being diagnosed with diabetes it was not a rejection of the money or contract terms.  We wish him the best of luck with the Aztecs and hope he can stay healthy.  Bryce Harper got a 5 year Major League contract including $2 million in roster bonuses for 2014 and 2015 in addition to the $9.9 million guaranteed.

UNSIGNED PICKS

6. Barret Loux, Diamondbacks

Failed Physical (Elbow)

9. Karsten Whitson, Padres -

Will attend Univ of Florida

14. Dylan Covey, Brewers -

 Opts for College @ San Diego

SIGNED PICKS

1 . Bryce Harper, Nationals - $6.25 million bonus, 9.9 million guaranteed  (5 year Major League Contract)

2. Jameson Taillon, Pirates - $6.5 million bonus

3. Manny Machado, Orioles - $5.25 million bonus

4. Christian Colon, Royals - $2.75 million bonus

5. Drew Pomeranz, Indians - $2.65 million bonus

7. Matt Harvey, Mets - $2.525 million bonus

8. Delino DeShields, Astros - $2.15 million bonus

10. Michael Choice, Athletics - $ 2 million bonus

11. Deck McGuire, Blue Jays - $2 million bonus

12. Yasmani Grandal, Reds - $ 3.2 million bonus

(Major League Contract)

13. Chris Sale, White Sox - $1.66 million bonus

15. Jake Skole, Rangers - $1.6 million bonus

16. Hayden Simpson, Cubs - $1.06 million bonus

17. Josh Sale, Rays - $1.62 million bonus

18. Kaleb Cowart, Angels- $2.3 million bonus

19. Mike Foltynewicz, Astros - $1.3 million bonus

20. Kolbrin Vitek, Red Sox - $1.36 million bonus

21. Alex Wimmers, Twins - $1.33 million bonus

22. Kellin Deglan, Rangers - $1 million bonus

23. Christian Yellich, Marlins - $1.7 million bonus

24. Gary Brown, Giants - $1.45 million bonus

25. Zack Cox, Cardinals - $3.2 million bonus

(Major League Contract)

26. Kyle Parker, Rockies - $1.4 million bonus

27. Jesse Biddle, Phillies - $1.16 million bonus

28. Zach Lee, Dodgers - $5.25 million bonus

29. Cam Bedrosian, Angels - $1.12 million bonus

30. Chevy Clarke, Angels - $1.09 million bonus

31. Justin O'Connor, Rays - $1.03 million bonus

32. Cito Culver, Yankees - $954,000 bonus

Other players of interest:

Brett Eibner, Royals signed today at Arvest Ballpark 

and will report to the Idaho Falls Chukars.

K-Rod In the Pen and Not the Bullpen..

 $200 or anymore saves for the season!
Tonight following the Mets game there was an altercation between Francisco Rodriguez and his father in law.  Media is reporting that his father in law was taken from Citi Field via ambulance and that Rodriguez was booked into jail.  There is no clear indication of what sparked the outburst.  K-Rod had spoken with reporters simply to tell them to ask the pitchers who pitched in the game questions not him.  He then went into another room where the altercation occurred.  Apparently injuries were not serious but there were abrasions to the father in laws face.  It has been said Rodriguez will be charged with third-degree assault.  I am sure more information will be released in the morning at which time we will post an update here on the blog.

This is the latest of many events to illustrate the painful existence of what being a Met fan is like.  There is no way that the ownership can sit around and let this kind of event play out without taking swift action.  All the time as a Mets fan people joke around with me about how can you like that joke of an organization.  All the Mets have done recently is prove critics right.  There is no leadership, not only on the team but in the organization as a whole.  I have never seen a whole organization go reeling for a strike out looking.  Since the Mets lost in 2006 when Beltran let the third strike go without a flinch, the organization has been in a downward spiral.  I hope that this will be the low point but that never seems to happen.  I will always hold out hope that one day we can be a normal team and hopefully contender.

Update:  When media personnel arrived for pre-game for today's noon game they were told K-Rod is still being held at Citi Field.  Police sources said he was being held at the stadium for security reasons -- so he wouldn't be with other inmates at either the police station house or central booking.  He is supposed to be transfered to Queens Criminal Court today to be arraigned.  Below is a picture of Rodriguez trying to leave Citi Field after the altercation but being directed to go back inside where he was put in custody.

Unsigned 2010 First Round Draft Picks

12 of 32 picks from this years draft have already signed with their teams.  Here is a list of the 20 other draft picks who have not yet signed with a team.

UNSIGNED FIRST-ROUNDERS

Less than two weeks before the signing deadline, 19 first-round Draft picks have yet to sign deals with their respective clubs.

No.	Player	Team
1	Bryce Harper	Nationals
2	Jameson Taillon	Pirates
3	Manny Machado	Orioles
5	Drew Pomeranz	Indians
6	Barret Loux	D-backs
7	Matt Harvey	Mets
9	Karsten Whitson	Padres
11	Deck McGuire	Blue Jays
12	Yasmani Grandal	Reds
14	Dylan Covey	Brewers
17	Josh Sale	Rays
18	Kaleb Cowart	Angels
21	Alex Wimmers	Twins
23	Christian Yelich	Marlins
24	Gary Brown	Giants
25	Zack Cox	Cardinals
26	Kyle Parker	Rockies
28	Zach Lee	Dodgers

Questions of the Day

We have many questions, but we wanted to share a few that we were really pondering.  We are dying for a little  feedback.  So let us know what you think.  

We are puzzled about:

Who is the best player in Utah Jazz History, Malone or Stockton?

Who is more sincere Carlos Zambrano or Chris Paul?

What has more to do with the No-hitters: Great young arms or No Steroids?

There are no wrong answers unless we disagree with you, so leave a comment and let us know your opinion on one or all of the questions.  Your answers just might be the remedy to Cache's PMD.  

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE

Congratulations American League you will again host the All-Star game and subsequently the World Series.  Thanks to a decision that has forever doomed good National League teams Bud Selig's decision in 2002 to have the All Star Game give home field advantage has resulted in the AL hosting the game in 2003-2009.  Since the NL has not won the game since 1996 you might as well pencil in a win & home field for the AL. Come on NL we need to win the Midsummer Classic this Century.  For National League fans everywhere let me be the first to thank you, Mr Commissioner. 

I have tried to come up with alternate activities which might provide the NL with a chance at victory it isn't going well.

Hot dog eating contest:  David Ortiz is nicknamed Big Papi for a reason he and Ichiro Suzuki (who doubles as Kobayashi the professional eater in the off-season) destroy the NL 389 to 112. 

Relay Race:  NL is in the lead until its anchor (literally) Manny Ramirez decides not to hustle (why now he hasn't run to first in over 8 seasons) and then trips over is baggy pants and starts waiving his arms and legs yelling I am making a grass angel (I think I saw this in Boston as he tried to field a ball in shallow left).

Paper rock scissors:  Charlie Manuel dominates, but is later disqualified after Cole Hamels is found in the bullpen with binoculars. 

Well I guess there is always next year... for another AL win.

StePhenom

StePhenom Strasburg was well... Phenomenal in his debut.

Sure it is tough to upset a huge favorite, comeback from a big deficit in a game or series, and overcome insurmountable odds and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.  What Stephen Strasburg did Tuesday night may very well be more difficult.  Pitching 7 innings giving up only 4 hits, 2 earned runs, and striking out 14 all while getting the win in his Major League debut? No, although all that was incredibly impressive.  The most difficult thing the young 21 year old did last night was not to throw the ball 100 mph, but to meet the expectations.

Exceeding expectations that is easy.  Now meeting the astronomical expectations when the weight of an entire franchise is on your shoulders and the eyes of a nation are watching, that is truly something special.  And maybe just maybe this young man of Herculean hype can consistently do what few have done before him and what he managed to do tonight and that is the expected.    

Not So Perfect, But Aren't We All!

Last night, in case you are living in a cave or avoid radios, televisions, and the internet for fear that the government will track you, there was a perfect game...almost.  In the last inning with two outs an innocent ground   to the right side was scooped up by the first baseman who threw the ball to the pitcher covering first.  The runner was out, but Jim Joyce called him safe.  Joyce obviously made a mistake, but it had to stand.  A perfect game was suddenly with one sudden swing of two arms all that was changed.

This game will be remembered for the almost 21st perfect game in major league history lost to a blown call.  However, what it should be remembered for is the game that revealed the true characters of two remarkable individuals.  Jim Joyce has been a major league umpire since 1987 and is highly regarded as one of the best in the game.  Armando Galarraga a young pitcher for the Tigers with his first & likely only shot of his career at a perfect game.  What is remarkable about these two is not who they were or what they did, but how they handled  the imperfection of the almost perfect game.  Jim Joyce owned his mistake something very rare in today's society.  He admitted the wrong.  He apologized. He took responsibility.  Armando Galarraga did something even more rare he forgave.

Joyce cost Galarraga a perfect game because he is human, but because he is better than most he admitted he was wrong and took responsibility.
Galarraga lost something that would have made him live forever in the record books something only a few humans have ever done, but he did something that is against human nature he forgave.

Two individuals that were almost perfect revealed just how close they both might be after all.

Pagan Holiday

It pains me to write about a Met (that is my brother's role here at the Four6Three), but Angel Pagan was celebrating a Pagan holiday yesterday.  He hit an inside-the-park homerun against the Washington Nationals yesterday and if that was not enough he started a triple-play.  This is the first time a team, let alone a player, has had a triple-play and an inside-the-park homerun in the the same game.  Although hitting for the cycle or throwing a perfect game is the hallmark of a terrific game this although maybe easier is even more rare.  Congratulations Mr. Pagan you will forever be the answer to a trivia question.  
The Mets, however, in true Mets fashion still lost the game. It looks like when the Mets are involved it storms even on holidays.

Four6Three Questions of the Week?

It is time for a little reader participation.  We want to know what you think on the following questions so leave us your comments or we will never know.  Comments can be one word or one page, but let us and the rest of the Four6three readership know what you think on this weeks big topics. 

Is Ryan Howard worth $25 million a year for the next 5 years?

Which teams were the NFL draft's biggest winners & losers?

After a week of playoffs what is your NBA Finals matchup?

Answer any or all of them and we will post the answers.  Feel free to debate amongst yourselves too.

Friday Farewells for April 23, 2010

This weeks edition of Friday Farewells is brought to you by higher education or lower education depending on where you attend. 

First Round Hopes. Many draftees saw their hopes and dreams of being a first rounder or even a first day draft pick disappear last night.  Among those were quarterbacks Jimmy Clausen and Colt McCoy, but not Tim Tebow who looked as surprised as everyone else when he was drafted by Denver.  Other notable prospects that were not drafted in the first round this year, ME.  Goodbye Ginormous Signing Bonus! A box of tears for all the stuff I could have bought.

Games.  Big Ben will be missing 6 games with a possibility to have it reduced to 4 while Edison Volquez, pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, will miss 50 games for use of performance enhancing drugs.  The difference between the two suspensions is that Ben will actually miss his games.  Volquez is on the disabled list recovering from surgery and his suspension will be over long before he ever is ready to pitch again.  So if your going to cheat kids, do it while your on the disabled list.  Sad to miss games you won't miss?!? Ben can't complain!

Sweep.  The two number one seeds: the Lakers & Cavs both had hopes of resting up for second round matchups after sweeping the eight seeds, but that was before the Bulls and Thunder came to play.  Can these teams win more than one game and actually make it a series? Time will tell, but my money is on the Thunder to win at least one more game.  As for the Bulls you better enjoy this one.  One tiny tear is forming on the west coast of my face...never mind that is a bead of sweat.

Self Respect. In the middle of the night the Pittsburgh Pirates search for something they never lost something that somebody stole.  That somebody was the Millwaukee Brewers, who beat every ounce of pride out of the Pirates with a 20-0 win (Yes, this is baseball). I know some like to be humble, but there is a difference between being humble and being humiliated.  Sorry this was the latter.  20 tears of pain! 

65.  The NCAA has signed a $10.8 billion contract deal with Turner and CBS to broadcast every Men's Tournament game live.  The Tourney will also likely expand for next year to 68 teams giving us not one, but four play in games.  This expansion is better than the alternative of 96 teams which would have diluted the tournament and killed the NIT.  The 65 format was foolish anyway having one of the one-seeds play a team that already played and the other three not.  It was confusing who played it (it was not always the number one overall seed), when it was (Tuesday night?), and why?  At least this will work equally in all four regions.  A little nervous anytime you mess with perfection.

 

University of Arkansas School of Law.  Third-year law students at this fine institution have attended their last classes EVER.  Congratulations and good luck on Finals and the Bar or whatever else you will be doing! Buckets full of tears of joy, laughter and happiness.

Do you feel about Friday Farewells the way first-year law students do about the law library, cannot get enough? Well we made it easy for you, just click here.

Friday Farewells for April 9, 2010

This edition of Friday Farewells is brought to you by our friends in the Burg: Uncle Dave and our biggest fan Cindy we appreciate your readership and more importantly your subscription fees.
It is Friday once a again so we must say so long to another week in sports.

Farewell:

Spring Training. So long meaningless games. Hello Opening Week! Major League Baseball is back after another winter of hibernation. Every team after the first week is still in the hunt for the pennant. Yes, hope springs eternal. I can’t stop crying I am so happy.

Hoosiers Sequel. Thanks to Duke and Coach K the blockbuster hit of 2010, Hoosiers the College Years has been cancelled. The film was set to feature the Butler Bulldogs and their ball boy/coach Brad Stevens, who was to be played by Zack Ephron. The real Coach Stevens (not Zack) just signed a deal to coach Butler through 2022 at which point they are excited because he will be old enough to drive. Buckets of tears, Hoosiers is my favorite movie.

Break from Football Season. College Spring Football is in full swing Arkansas went outside the box and instead of scrimmaging itself it played St. Louis who it beat 32-8. The Billikens were able to score a touchdown late and add the two point conversion. Oh wait my bad… this was a college baseball game. The game included 30 hits by the Razorbacks and was mercifully, for the fans, called after 6 ½ innings. After playing the hogs the billikens cried boo hoo hoo all the way home.

Hiatus. Tiger resumed playing golf yesterday at the Masters and I resumed writing after a few days off, both monumental breaks with huge ramifications upon the sports industry. This may prove the golf course is the only place he is comfortable and others are comfortable with him. No tears yet, but judging by the way he played the tears are about to return for the other competitors.

Fighting Sioux. University of North Dakota will change its nickname from the Fighting Sioux after a board decision and four year legal battle. The NCAA decided that the name was “hostile and offensive”. Members of the Spirit Lake Sioux however were trying to prevent the change. Fighting is such a derogatory word that I can see why the NCAA called it “hostile and offensive”. I am a member of the OBAGFWC, Organization to Ban All Go Fight Win Cheers. I think these cheers are hostile and offensive to opposing teams and their fans. They incite things like trying to beat (mega hostile) and defeat (ubber offensive) others. I think North Dakota should go with the Olive Branches, the Peace Makers (catchy slogan, “blessed are us”) or the Tying Sioux because clearly Native American names are not offensive or the Native American Tribe members wouldn’t be trying to keep them. It is those darn adjectives like fighting it did in the Illini and now the Sioux. Tears that this used up money in this economy for a four-year legal battle, wait no come to think of it that is exactly where money should go to people with law degrees. How do I sign up?

Perfect Season. After a 2-0 start I had dreams of the perfect season for my Atlanta Braves. Perfection was still possible only 160 more to go. The Cubs dashed all those hopes yesterday with a 2-0 win over the Braves. Don’t worry about me I am sure I will be okay…maybe?!? The Cubs cheated I just know it I don’t have any proof yet, but I know it happened!

If you are like Cindy and cannot get enough of Friday Farewells click here for more.

Friday Farewells for March 12, 2010

This weekly edition of Friday Farewells is brought to you by your local grocery store because groceries are what you eat (you guessed it Jo Gates didn’t pay up).


Farewell:

UConn and UNC. Two very distinguished programs were ousted early in their respective conference tournaments. Neither of these schools will be making the NCAA Tournament this year. Rebuilding year is a nasty word around these two campuses because they so rarely do it, but hopefully they will return to some sort of dignity and the big dance soon. Two Carolina blue teardrops.

Speculation over Jim Calhouns future. He’s back, he says for many more years. This is good news for Husky fans and bad news for the rest of the Big East. We love speculation, but when health issues are factored in we are glad to see it go.

Jose Reyes. First hamstringitis and now thyroid problems, Reyes is 6-8 weeks away from baseball activity. Never good to see someone have health problems. On the other side if you want to hear from someone who truly cares check out TheFour6Three on twitter our TWEETER DJ is Mets fan, because this is one blog where the Mets don’t get much love. I might be sad if I, well, hmmm… nope I got nothing.

Common sense. If common sense were common everyone would have it. Ben Rothelisberger and Allen Iverson wish this were the case. Between drinking themselves into horrible situations and not ever wanting to take responsibility for their actions these two could really use some decision making skills. Life coaches everywhere could be cashing in on these two. Sad to see the state of stupidity of what we call celebrities and stars.

Tourney Losers. Too many to name or even remember you came to your conference tournament needing to win it to get into the big dance. Goodbye too to your hopes and dreams. Hello spring break. One tear for each of you.

Manhood. Remember the days when a football team that was really talented and tough would take any team on, anywhere, anytime. Well apparently the anytime is a problem for Alabama. YES ALABAMA the defending National Champs. They complained to the SEC this week that they play 6 teams coming off bye weeks. SO WHAT? You are the number one team in the country. Last time I checked if you are the best you have to prove it. It really stinks to be number one and a sissy. Curl up tonight and watch a double feature of Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail and cry your elephant size tears on your crimson pillow. Its time to be MEN again.

Cable TV Shows. Running on a schedule no one can figure out, we will sadly watch re-runs or do something productive with our life until you return in two months. Come on you can do it.

Missed last week's Farewells... here you go.

Four6Three Fantasy

Please join the Inaugural (big word for first ever, but hopefully not last) Four6Three Fantasy Baseball League. If you would like to join, please notify us by posting a comment or sending us a tweet. It should be good times and it should provide your boss with one more reason to fire you. Whether that is for not inviting him or her to play or for using work time for fantasy research is up to you. Please play, but please play responsibly!