Now that dust has settled we can look back on what has to be the biggest self aggrandizing, self loving, me, me, me individual I have ever seen hit free agency in professional sports. He was able to drag his feet for about a month in free agency. He talked with several teams both at home and traveling to their locale. He ended up signing with a team that he liked because he felt comfortable there. The team also had a bunch of his friends on it. It is obvious that he couldn't win a title on his own so he had to go another team that has won a title in the last five years to finally win a championship. I can't believe the audacity of Cliff Lee.
What a warrior. He is gritty and cares so much
Oh, you thought I was talking about Lebron James. No, you see, Lebron actually did something with his month long ordeal. He raised $3 million for the Boys and Girls Club with his Public Auction. Cliff Lee didn't do anything for anyone other than himself. In all seriousness, I actually have no problem with what Cliff Lee did. He was a free agent and he knew this was going to be his last major contract. He wanted to do what we all want to do. He wanted to get the most money he could while being happy and comfortable. If someone wants to do what is best for them and their family, I will never fault them. No one else is going to look out for you. Get what you can get while you can get it. But the fact of matter remains that Cliff Lee essentially did the same thing that Lebron did. He strung along a couple of teams, took the offer that he thought was the best to win a championship in a city he liked. Lebron went on TV. Yes. But he also raised money for kids that needed it. Cliff Lee did not.
He is so selfish. All he cares about is himself.
The people of Cleveland and everyone else that despises Lebron I ask why? Because he took less money to play in a warmer climate, with no state income tax? Or because he wanted to play for a GM named Pat Riley? Is it because he went on TV and in doing so he raised $3 million for kids? No the hate is because you can't relate. You aren't the best at what you do so you are never courted by a major company for work. You never have had options. You just took the best thing that came along at the time. You can get by doing that but you will never be great or special.
So now I ask you to turn your frustrations to Cliff Lee. Take to the message boards and complain about him. Rip him on your twitter and facebook pages. Go after him with the same angst that you went after Lebron James. Because if you fail to do so you can put yourself into one of two camps. That of "hypocrite" or "jock envy". Or maybe it is something else. Maybe it is something deeper and dark, more sinister than you think. Maybe, just maybe, it has nothing to do with Lebron James at all. Maybe it has to do with you know who. YOU.
It has become a tradition. Every December we decorate for the holidays, eat way too much, buy presents and complain about the BCS. Count me as one who will abstain from the last one on that list. Since its inception the goal of the BCS has been to get the top two teams together in the National Championship Game. For the 11th time in 12 tries it has succeeded. The other BCS games are just showcases. The six member conferences have a partnership with the major bowls. The jobs of the other BCS bowl games isn't to be fair or impartial. It is to fullfill their agreement with their business partners. The individual bowl games pick the teams they want in their particular game. People hate the BCS for several reasons and one is the utopian thought of a tournament. Individuals clamour for a playoff although they can't agree how to get one done.
The top factor in determining a champion!
4 teams? 8 teams? 16 teams? Where are you playing games? Regional sites? Home sites? Does TCU host a game with 40,000 seats in their stadium? Are we always going to play games at bigger venues to make more money? How long before the small schools throw a fit because they never get to host? Are we still using the BCS to determine at large teams? Will we use every conference champion? Do we expect fan bases to travel for four straight weeks to watch games? What about the Bowls? Scrap them! How do you make up the $1 billion in revenue? You need a plan to make up all that lost money..... and no it just isn't going to happen. And before you start saying that a playoff is the only "fair" way to determine a champion then don't we need to make the playing field "fair" as well? How is it "fair" that Texas has a recruiting budget of $5 million and San Jose State's in only $300,000. Do we need to have revenue sharing? How far do we take this whole "fair" thing? I have been saying for years if you want this system to suffer a catastrophic scenario root for Alabama, Notre Dame, and Texas to all go unbeaten. Then you will get your playoff. You want change? You need someone with deep pockets and a ton of power to be effected. TCU, Boise, and UTAH don't wield either of these things.
Complain to Complain Crowd
The other gripe you will hear is that "there are way too many bowl games this year". My response to that...So What! What would you rather have fill the sports vacuum on a Tuesday night the last week of December? MEAC Conference Basketball? How about regular season NBA games featuring the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors. Are you pining for more weekday NHL showdowns between the Ottawa Senators and Phoenix Coyotes? The people who get worked up about "too many bowl games" are the same people who get mad when they can't find a parking spot, at the mall, the Saturday afternoon before Christmas. GET OVER IT.
There will be a few fanbases that will be up in arms about what bowl game they will be playing in. (See Michigan State and Boise St.) Look this is a sport where style points matter. If you only beat one ranked team all year, and that applies to you both, then you had better run the table. Boise's big win is Va. Tech and Sparty took down Wisconsin. Other than that who'd you beat? Boise's plays a WAC schedule and their opponents combined record was 75-76. MSU opponent's combined record 76-72 and that includes a game against Portland State, an FCS School. If your schedule consists of weak squads then you had better dominate teams down the stretch (see Wisconsin) or you won't get the benefit of the doubt and I am fine with that.
"Capital"ism at its finest!
I also enjoy complaints about the sponsorships of games. Why did they change the name from the Citrus Bowl to the Capital One Bowl? Why is it the Chick Fil A Bowl now instead of the Peach Bowl? Look, if I am the President of Capital One or Chick Fil A and I am overseeing the forking over of tens of millions of dollars to a bowl game you had better believe that I would want my company's name all over it. Listen the schools benefit from this. The more money in the game the higher the payout. This helps YOU! The more money a school brings in the less likely they are to raise ticket prices that next season. Would you rather have universities make money from YOU or from a business. That's what I thought. GET OVER IT.
And my favorite gripe is that of the 'long" layoff from now until the games. When should they play the BCS games? Two weeks? Christmas Day? If you are going to play 35 bowl games and do it over the Holiday Season you need time to plan these out. How do you expect to mobilize all these fan bases during the most hectic time of year for not only travel, but work and business as well. Let's look at the economics of this. It comes back to money. Games that are on TV in prime time get more money. The more spread out the games, the more they are showcased. The more showcased games, the more eyeballs on that single game. Therefore your advertising rates can be higher. More people watch and the schools get more exposure. But poor YOU. YOU had to wait two more weeks than you wanted to. Please do me a favor this Holiday/Bowl Season. Enjoy the games and keep the complaining to a minimum. I, for one, am tired of your cliched arguments and I don't know what you are yelling about?
The leaves have changed, the temperature has dropped and the shorts and t-shirts are now hibernating. Oh and college football fans are in full panic mode. Every year in August people start to throw a tantrum about pre-season polls and how they are unfair and a waste of time. Every year I tell them to chill out. Look at it this way if there were no pre-season polls and you had to rank teams for the first time today how much of a difference would there be? That's what I thought. NONE. Two weeks ago the initial BCS poll made its debut and the Panic Posse was up to their usual tricks. There are 13 unbeaten teams! What happens if they all continue to win? What are we going to do? Who's going to play in the national title game? HRUMPH, HRUMPH, HRUMPH....
College Football Fans are the
Modern Day 'Chicken Little'
Heading into the last weekend in October and the first week of November those 13 unbeaten teams have now become seven. Even if everyone of them wins this weekend that number will fall to six next week when #9 Utah hosts #4 T.C.U. #1 Auburn still has to go to #7 Alabama, # 2 Oregon travels to #23 USC and has to play #15 Arizona, #3 Boise St. is the exception. They won't lose. #5 Michigan St. has #19 Iowa left and #6 Mizzou has #14 Nebraska and another likely meeting with #11 Oklahoma in the BIG 12 Title Game. So it's time to do what I do. ENJOY THE SEASON. I know we live in a NOW world but good grief. This is why the BCS makes this sport crazy and constantly entertaining. Could you imagine any other sport that has fans that panic about its championship two full months before it takes place?
The most watched player
in NFL History
Brett Favre is having a bad season. Brett Favre is dealing with scandal and two fractures in his right ankle. Brett Favre has never been more interesting and more polarizing. I had someone tell me a little while back that I was "DEAD WRONG" in my assessment that Brett Favre was the most popular player to ever put on a helmet. Some people let their dislike for an athlete or team cloud their overall judgement. I was right and still am right. This past weekend's game between the now 2-4 Vikings and 4-3 Packers was the highest rated Sunday Night Game in the history of the NFL. So just for he record in the last 14 months Brett Favre has played in the most watched game in the history of cable TV (Packers @ Vikes). The highest rated Non-Super Bowl Playoff Game ever (Vikes @ Saints) and now the most watched Sunday Night game of all time. I guess my definition of popular must be different than everyone else's.
The face of the NBA
Speaking of someone that everybody says they are sick of and tired of hearing about....Lebron James and the "Big Three" made their debut on Tuesday Night. By the way this game set a cable television record for most watched NBA game.....ever. Look, back in the early 90's I wasn't a big fan of the Cowboys. But I watched them. In the late 90's I didn't particularly like the Yankees. But I watched them. In the 80's I didn't like Mike Tyson and in the 00's I didn't like USC...I think you see the trend we have going here. There is one thing for certain about being the villain or the "bad guy". People will not cheer for you but they sure will be captivated by your mere presence. It is much better in the entertainment world to be disliked while being watched than to be liked and often forgotten.
Where have you gone
Obannion? Our nation turns its
lonely eyes to you
Woo, Hoo, Hoo......
The San Francisco Giants have scored 20 runs the first two games of the World Series. They scored a grand total of 21 runs in all six games of the NLCS against the Phillies. The Giants are just clicking at the right time. This World Series was the first Fall Classic I can remember that there wasn't a clear cut favorite. The Rangers took out the Big Bad Wolf (Yankees) and the Giants disposed of the Three Headed Beast (Phillies-Halladay, Oswalt, Hamels). Both feats were impressive in and of themselves. Now there will be a mass exodus from the Rangers train and an influx of patrons on the Giants Bus. In the year of the pitcher the first two games of the World Series has been anything but with the notable exception of Matt Cain. The Rangers will bounce back. They hit far to well not to. I can't think of a year that baseball has needed a Game 7 more than this. Viewership is down and interest is waning. We need a storyline. I suggest Ben Affleck get his paddle and wait for Lincecum behind the first base dugout for Game 5 (if necessary) in Arlington.
As we embark on Halloween here are my five biggest NIGHTMARES that we could face in the next week.
5) Giants Sweep the Rangers. The division series and LCS were very good. What a shame if the World Series lasted less than 5 days.
4) Auburn loses to Ole Miss. The SEC would have no undefeated teams left. This conference could have a three loss champion and they would feel they deserve a slot in the BCS Title Game over an unbeaten Oregon and unbeaten Mizzou.
3) The Cowboys win, at home, against Jacksonville. With their next two games after the Jags @ Green Bay and @ The Giants. What would 1-8 look and feel like in "BIG D"?
2) Brett Favre's consecutive game streak comes to an end. Everyone that hates Brett Favre will cheer and celebrate. Then they will proceed to talk about Tavaris Jackson finally getting his shot. Then those same people will forget the Vikings play the Patriots this weekend and not watch the game.
1) I see someone I respect dress up on Halloween. Certain things come to an end when you become a teenager: Wearing your glove at a baseball game, having a birthday party and wearing a Halloween Costume/Trick or Treating. It's Grown Up Time! Nothing is more manly than a 40 year old man dressed up as "The Joker".
The debate seems to arise now and again. What is the best month in sports? I think you have two options.
The first of which is the month of April. The Major League Baseball season is underway, the Final 4 is set, The Masters jump start the golf season and the NFL Draft is the cherry on the sundae at the end of the month.
The second option is the month of October. Conference play begins in college football, baseball gives us its post-season, the NFL starts to hit its stride and the NBA starts. So now that we are only 90 days away from watching the ball drop in Times Square here are a few things I want to see happen before Ryan Seacrest and Co. welcome us all to 2011.
Tiger Woods sharpens his Claws
How much will Tiger help the U.S.?
The Ryder Cup presents the perfect opportunity for Tiger Woods to get everything back on track. It has been over a month since his divorce was finalized. Love him or hate him golf is exponentially better when Tiger Woods is playing well. A good showing would propel Tiger into 2011 and get him back on track in his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus and 18 majors.
Dream Scenario: Tiger Woods defeats Rory McIlroy, on Sunday in individual play, to clinch the Ryder Cup for the United States.
Phillies and Yankees square off in World Series again
The instant the Phillies acquired Roy Oswalt they became the most formidable team in baseball. Roy Halladay is 21-10, Oswalt is 7-1 since joining Philadelphia and Cole Hamels (the ace of this staff when they won the series in 2008) is 12-11 with a 3.09 ERA. The Yanks have had to deal with the Rays all season and have been carried by Cano, Texiera and Swisher. Their pitching doesn't match up well with Philly at all. With another win in the "Fall Classic" the Phillies would be well on their way to building a mini-dynasty.
The Phillies "Big 3" unstoppable?
Dream Scenario: Roy Halladay and C.C. Sabathia give us a Morris vs. Smoltz like match-up in Game 7 at Yankee Stadium. The Phillies beat Rivera late, getting revenge for 2009 and setting up the final installment to the trilogy in 2011.
Lebron, Wade and Bosh challenge the 1996 Bulls wins record
The 2010-2011 NBA season appears to be shaping up nicely. The Celtics, Heat and Magic in the East and the Lakers, and well that's about it so far in the West. The Heat are going to be the most watched, scrutinized, loved and hated team in the history of the Association. They will sell out every game in every city in which they play. It will be a spectacle and the American sports fan won't be able to resist.
73-9? 72-10? 71-11?
Dream Scenario: LeBron James hits the game winner at the Staples Center, on Christmas Day, as the Heat improve to 29-3 as they keep pace with the Chicago Bulls of 1996.
The Steelers go undefeated
The likelihood of this is almost impossible. With two games against the Ravens, road games in Miami and New Orleans not to mention home games against the Patriots and Jets it would take a miracle. Going into every sports season I always say to myself I want to see something that no one has ever seen before. I almost had it in 2008 with the Patriots.
WWTD? What will Tomlin Do?
Dream Scenario: The Steelers beat the Carolina Panthers on December 23rd to improve to 15-0. It then sets up the following... What does Mike Tomlin do on the road, in Cleveland, on January 2nd in a meaningless game? Play his starters? Rest them?
Boise St. goes undefeated and plays in the National Championship Game
Most logical people know that the chances of Boise St. surviving the week in and week out grind of the SEC, PAC 10, BIG 10, etc...are very low. Chris Peterson and his squad are pretty good this season. They also won't play a single top 10 team all year. They will need to work over everyone on their schedule. Style points have never been so important.
Dream Scenario: The undefeated and top ranked Oregon Ducks destroy Boise St in the Title Game 55-10. A one loss Alabama throttles an undefeated TCU in the Sugar Bowl, 38-10, and we are left to wonder.....
When I was a young spry boy TV wasn't what it is today. I know I sound like I'm 60 years old. I have 6 HBOs now with my Direct TV package and for the most part the movies and shows are legit. However, in the late 80's we had one HBO and on the weekends some of the movies they would show were downright awful. Whether it be "The Boy Who Fly", "The Invisible Kid", or "Teen Witch" you could always count on one movie that was so awful and so terrible that you were baffled that it was ever even green lit.
We just had a Friday the 13th and everyone puts together horror themed stories and articles. Not me... Today I honor one of those terrible movies that I had the pleasure of watching on a Saturday afternoon in the late 80's early 90's. I give you: "Saturday the 14th Strikes Back"! The cover alone tells you all you would want or need to know!
In honor of Saturday the 14th Strikes back we are going to look at the 14 story lines that will dictate and dominate the 2010 NFL Season! These plots and subplots will determine whether or not the party involved will have a great or Horrorible season...get it...horror....*crickets*.......*crickets*....all right...here we go...
14. Cut above the Rest
Can Jay Cutler live up
to expecations?
Will Mike Martz help Jay Cutler take that next step in becoming an elite QB. The acquisition of Chester Taylor will help the ground game but will Cutler be able to avoid the death blow interception that plagued him throughout 2009. Jay Cutler has Phillip Rivers type potential. Last season he threw for 3,666 yards with 27TDs and 26INTs. Now look past the sign of the beast in the yardage totals and look at the picks number. If Earl Bennett and Johnny Knox can both take that next step. Expect the Bears to be not only competitive but a wild card threat in the top heavy NFC North.
13. "Lein"art in the Sand
When the Arizona Cardinals had Matt Leinart fall to them in the NFL Draft back in 2006 they jumped on the chance to get a franchise QB. He hasn't live up to those expectations. He inherits a team that lost a ton on defense and one the top 15 receivers in the game in Anquan Bolden. Kurt Warner took the starting job from him back in 2007 and proceeded to lead one of worst franchises in NFL history to within a lucky break or two from winning the Superbowl. The Cardinals have won the NFC West in back to back seasons. If they want a three-peat Leinart is going to have play like the guy that was one of the greatest collegiate QBs we ever witnessed while at USC.
12. McDaniel's Moving Van
When Josh McDaniel took over the Denver Broncos he had a pretty stocked kitchen. A 4,000 yard QB, one of the best WRs in the Game and a solid Defense. He traded away the QB, WR and proceeded to really make this his own team. Josh McDaniel's success in Denver will rest in one man and one man only. Tim Tebow. The Broncos used the 25th pick in the first round in 2010 to bring in a QB when they already has two in Kyle Orton and Brady Quinn. Now with Knowshown Moreno as the only reliable offensive weapon in the mile high city. T2 will have to develop quickly and efficiently if the Broncos want to compete in a quickly improving AFC West.
How much fuel is left?
11. Landing in D.C.
The Donavan McNabb era is starting in Washington and 'Skins fans should be thrilled. He probably has five good years left but the nation's team finally has what they have yearned for...a franchise QB. Mike Shanahan teams have always been able to run the ball well and he has had success with veteran QBs (Elway and Plummer). The Albert Hayneworth saga has played out like a puppet show with Shanahan controlling all the strings. How long until this team contends for a wild card spot and a post-season birth? Maybe not in year one of the McShanahan era but expect significant strides.
10. Ravens Flying High
The hype on the 2010 Baltimore Ravens is huge. I get it completely. Joe Flacco and Ray Rice are both a year older. This team has lost in the post-season to the eventual AFC champs the past two years. Derrick Mason now has a battery mate, in Anquan Bolden, that will make this team even more versatile. Marc Clayton and Willis McGehee are nice second and third options. If Ray Lewis and the Raven Defense can continue their decade long spell of destruction expect Baltimore to take that next step in 2010.
9. Life without LaDanian
2009 was supposed to be "The Year" for San Diego. Rivers in his prime. Home field up to the AFC Championship game and the Colts, a team which the Chargers owned, as the only seem able threat. Rex Ryan and the Jets spoiled that with a defensive display in which New York took away all of Phillip River's weapons one by one. The Chargers were 31st in the league in rushing in 2009. They drafted Ryan Mathews in the first round to give their ground attack a shot in the arm. Shawn Merriman has ended his holdout and should step back in without missing a beat. Time is starting to run out on these Chargers though. The Raiders and Chiefs will continue to make strides this season. San Diego only plays one team in the first six weeks that had a winning season in 2009. They will need to get off to strong start to ensure that the road to SuperBowl 45 goes through San Diego.
8. Blue Steel
Will Ben's return be too little to late?
The Bengals won the AFC Central in 2009 and the Baltimore Ravens are the consensus pick to win it in 2010. Where does that leave the Pittsburgh Steelers? Ben Roethlisburger is suspended for the first six games (will turn into four). Superbowl 43 hero Santonio Holmes is gone. Five of their first eight games are on the road. Pittsburgh is going to be tested thothoroughly and constantly this season. Getting their house in order is priority #1 for the Mike Tomlin and Art Rooney. That should start taking place when Big Ben finally gets back under center.
7. Rodger That
Is a 2010 MVP award out of the question?
The word 'Elite' is defined as follows: the choice or best of anything considered collectively, as of a group or class of persons. 2010 is the year that Aaron Rodgers joins Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Phillip Rivers as one of the elite (he may already be there). Last season he threw for 4,434 yards with 30TDs and 7INTs. The Packers draft Bryan Bulaga to shore up the Offensive Live. Greg Jennings and Donald Driver are both in their prime. Expect the Frozen Tundra to look more like an International Airport this season. Expect an aerial display week in and week out in Green Bay.
6. Out to Pasture
Dwight Freeney ran out of gas in SuperBowl 44. The Colts Defense was carved up like a pumpkin by Drew Brees in the second half. Freeney is healthy once again and Bob Sanders should be back to full strength but he may last two minutes or two months. He is walking game of OPERATION. The Colts used their 1st and 2nd round draft picks on Linebackers this year. The Colts do this better than anyone else in the league. Q: Where are we weak? A: Linebacker . The recognize their problems and fix them. You don't need to buy a dishwasher if the problem is the refrigerator. Oh and Peyton Manning will throw for 4,000 yards and 30tds again.
5. A Strong Brees
The story that was the 2009 New Orleans Saints was phenomenal. This franchise rags to riches story was great. However this season they go from hunter to hunted. It's easy to be #2. Being #1 is whole different Ballgame. They basically kept the entire SuperBowl winning team entact. Adding Patrick Robinson out of Florida State in the draft will strengthen the Saints secondary. They were in the league's bottom third in run and pass defense a season ago. New Orleans is still the pre-season favorite in the NFC South but life with a bullseye on your back is vastly different.
4. Flying High
Can he now walk the walk?
There is enough drama in everyday life. I have never really saw a reason to create it. That is not the philosophy of Rex Ryan and the New York Jets. Woody Johnson hired Ryan 15 months ago and completed turned this franchise around. They drafted Mark Sanchez and Shonn Greene and played with a swagger we hadn't seen in decades in the Big Apple. They have brought in Santonio Holmes and Antonio Cromartie. What Mark Sanchez will we see? The regular season struggles or the post-season preciseness? This team can and will win. But until Darrelle Revis in on the field this team can't contend on a consistent with the upper echelon in the AFC. No Revis=No Super Bowl Contention
3. Killer B's Bite
Can B2 revert to old form?
Can Bill Belichick and Tom Brady reignite their spark? No one had ever witnessed what we all did back in 2007. Not only did they win but they destroyed anyone or anything in their path. Brady goes down in week one in 2008=Game Over. Last season he a good year. 4,400 yards, 28TDs and 13 INTs! But something was missing. There wasn't that cohesive feel that we usually had with New England. When Wes Welker went down in Week 17 the Patriots Post-Season hopes evaporated in the cold Massachusetts air. The Pats had the steal of the draft with TE Aaron Hernandez in the 4th round. With Welker getting healthy and Randy Moss in a contract year. Expect the Patriots to look more like the Pats pre-Tom Brady injury. They aren't going 16-0 but they will have that killer instinct once again.
2. Boys are Back in Town
The Time is Now!
The Stars are aligned. This has to be the year right? Last season the Cowboys won a Playoff Game for the first time on over 13 years! Let that sink in. The last time Dallas won a playoff game Kobe Bryant hadn't even played his first NBA game yet! Big "D" has never been stronger. Miles Austin, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten and Roy Williams along with Marion Barber and Felix Jones give Tony Romo as many offensive weapons as anyone in the League. DeMarcus Ware and Bradie James anchor a defense that should continue to bring the heat. Wade Phillips in entering his 4th year at the helm. It's time for Dallas to take the next step.
1. Forty 4
One more Round!?!
Brett Favre is the most popular player to ever wear a helmet. I didn't say the most like or beloved. He is more popular than anyone who has ever played football. If he returns to to the Vikings they will be the favorites in the NFC North. If he doesn't the Packers will walk away with the division. I still enjoy the mindless fan chatter that gives us "I'm sick of Brett Favre" and "Why won't he go away". Those statements come from average fans with average minds. Why do you want him to go away? You are foaming at the mouth for the Tavaris Jackson era? I would much rather hear a Brett Favre story or watch a Favre special than any other story on any other player. Brett Favre will continue to be the #1 story in the NFL as long as he plays. Please let it be for 19 more games!
While walking "Miller Manfredo Harp" in the afternoon this week I heard the audible sound that was captivating to not only me but to every single one of us as kids. When you would hear it your ears perked up, you hopped up out of your seat, scoured your house for money and then proceeded to sprint out the door like a banshee without any regard to life. I, of course, am talking about the ice cream truck and it defined summer like BBQs, Swimming, and Baseball!
I was a little upset as "Miller" and I approached the creepy looking dude, peddling ice cream at a 200% markup, to see that the favorites I enjoyed as a kid weren't offered anymore. I know times have changed but the cold and frozen novelties that only the ice cream man offered were like the Holy Grail to a 9 year old. I realized something in my endeavor though. The ice cream man reminded me of someone. A person that was offering all of these options. A man that had quite a selection at different prices to woo me and my hard earned $1 bills. It was then that I realized that the ice cream man was Bud Selig and the Ice Cream Novelties were representative of the franchises in Major League Baseball's playoff hunt.
The Ice Cream Truck Man
THE NATIONAL LEAGUE
-WEST-
The Los Angeles Dodgers
They are starting to learn in Chavez Ravine that when you rely on Manuel Aristides Ramirez it is really all or nothing. The guy is the best right handed hitter the past two decades. When he is healthy he is still pretty solid. When he is hurt he leaves a huge void. Clayton Kershaw is solid and Jonathon Broxton may be the best closer in the game but without a healthy Manny and without another front line starter they just aren't strong enough to win the West or Wild Card.
The Dodgers = Regular Cherry Popsicle {Pretty plain, simple}
The Colorado Rockies
Ubaldo Jimenez is having a career year. He will win 20+ games. He has hit the wall as of late and when they next best guy in your rotation is Jason Hamel and his 4.23 ERA and 7-5 record you won't be going that much farther. Getting Troy Tulowitzki back will help but can they stay ahead of the Dodgers and track down the Giants and Padres all at the same time? They just don't have the arms to win the division or wild card in 2010 and they will sour in summer heat.
The Rockies = Lemon Chill {Hit or Miss, Must be in the mood}
The San Francisco Giants
Tim Lincecum will win 18+ games. The question is who amongst his cohorts will take the reigns when he isn't pitching? Matt Cain and Carry Zito both have 8 victories and Brian Wilson's 28 saves are signs of a good staff. The offense doesn't offer up much and is being carried by Aubrey Huff. The Giants pitching staff should keep them in the race until the end but unless they add another stick the dog days of summer will drain the boys in the bay.
The Giants = Heath Ice Cream Bar {Safe, Serviceable, Not a defining choice}
The San Diego Padres
Bud Black is hands down the N.L. Manager of the year. They have the best bullpen in baseball and the best record in the National League. Gregerson and Bell are like Nelson and Rivera in the late 90's. If the Padres are ahead after the 7th inning....ballgame. A classic pitching and defense squad. Adrian Gonzalez continues to be an offensive juggernaut. Mat Latos is a legitimate #1. If they could acquire another quality starter the Padres could make a very deep run into October.
The Padres = Classic Push Up Pop {Flavorful, Constantly Refreshing, Good Time}
-CENTRAL-
The Cincinnati Reds
This is a prime example that over time if you build your team through the draft and patience you can win in this league. They have two 10 game winners in Johnny Cueto and Bronson Arroyo. Mike Leake's 7-1 mark and 3.45 ERA isn't to shabby either. With pitching at a premium now the Reds are built to win games 4-3 and 5-4. Joey Votto is an MVP candidate and Scott Rolen's career resurgence has catapulted Cincy into contention. If the Reds avoid injuries they should win 90-93 games and that should be good enough for a seat at the post-season table.
The Reds = Malt Cup {Serviceable, Not Great, Standard}
The St. Louis Cardinals
Old Faithful continues to gives us what she gives all summer. Calm and quiet and then an explosion. The Cardinals are the gold standard in the N.L. Two top of the line starters in Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainright. Albert Pujols is still the best player in the game. Matt Holiday is a nice Robin to his Batman. If the Cards were to land Roy Oswalt the Central would be over and the N.L. post-season would be just a formality. The Cards are still the team to beat in the N.L.
The Cardinals = Bomb Pop {Solid, Strong, Always Reliable}
-EAST-
The New York Mets
This team continues to be up and down, left and right and everywhere else in between. They are still above .500 and with Johan Santana and Mike Pelfrey they will remain competitive. Offensively they rank in the bottom third of all National League Teams. To expect them to keep up with the likes of the Braves and Phillies in the East just isn't realistic. They should finish above .500 but not much better.
The Mets = Fruit Bar {Option of last resort)
The Philadelphia Phillies
The injury bug has completely decimated these guys. Roy Halladay is having another great year despite a lack of run support. Ryan Howard should hit close to 40 home runs again. If Chase Utley can come back healthy and Jimmy Rollins can get back on track they Phillies will be right in the thick of it until the end. If they can't then expect some new N.L. blood in the Fall Classic for the first time since 2007.
The Phillies = Cookie Sandwich {Consistent, Always an Option, Safe Choice}
The Atlanta Braves
In his last season Bobby Cox has finally gotten things turned around in the ATL. Tim Hudson is back to his ace form. Billy Wagner has been superb in what he says will be his last season. Derek Lowe is on pace to win 17 games. Frank Wren's off season gambles on Eric Hinske and Troy Glaus have both worked out extremely well. In any normal year Jason Heyward would walk away with Rookie of the Year honors but Stephen Strasburg may have that market cornered. The Braves should win 93+ games and be a tough out in October.
The Braves = Choco Taco {Quality, Steady, Enjoyable}
THE AMERICAN LEAGUE
-WEST-
Los Angeles Angels
When it comes to franchises they are strong as almost anyone. They have been in the playoff and post-season hunt almost every year the last decade. You can always count on them to be there. However when push comes to shove they come up a little bit short....a little bit of a let down. But you can rely on them to get you your monies worth.
The Angels = The Ice Cream Sandwich {Traditional, Always a Safe Option}
The Texas Rangers
These guys were the team to beat in the West in the late 90's. But gone are Pudge, Juan Gonzalez, and Kenny Rogers. Now we have Hamilton, Kinsler and Lee. The Rangers are much more of a legitimate post-season threat this year than they have been in seasons past for one primary reason. Cliff Lee=Bonafide #1. But when we get down to it they don't have the guns to get past the ALCS.
The Rangers = Snow Cone {Flashy, Quick Burst, Usually runs out of steam}
-CENTRAL-
The Detroit Tigers
A few years ago after their great run to World Series the Tigers appeared poised to be a real threat in the American League for years to come. They haven't made the playoffs since 2006. Their young arms haven't stayed healthy and the chemistry they had just doesn't click. Now with Magglio Ordonez out for 1-2 months with a busted ankle 2010 will start to go gentle and quietly into that goodnight.
The Tigers = Strawberry Shortcake Bar {Decent Option, Must be in the mood}
The Minnesota Twins
With Carl Pavano looking like the guy we all thought he would be when he signed with the Yankees 6 years ago the Twins are once again right in the think of things. Joe Mauer is still the heart and soul of this franchise. When Justin Morneau gets over his concussion the Twins will be prime for another late season push. Francisco Lariano and Pavano give Minnesota a nice little 1-2 punch. They have the ability to create havoc for a team or two in the A.L
The Twins = Creamsicle {Classic Style, Enjoyable, Fills the void}
The Chicago White Sox
I love Ozzie Guillen. The Southsiders are a quirky group. The offense with the exception of Paul Konerko is average at best. Their pitching staff while not amazing is consistent. They work deep into games and Bobby Jenks is still a door slammer. This team got hot at the right time. If they could get another bat or arm they should give us quite the stretch run with the Twins. Consistency isn't sexy and flashy but it does have its merits.
The White Sox = Ice Cream Bar {Not Great, But Not Horrible, Steady Choice}
-EAST-
The Boston Red Sox
Injuries, Injuries, Injuries...yes...I get it. But this team remains in the A.L. Wild Card Hunt. The question remains this: Can a staff of Beckett, Lester, Bucholtz, Lackey along with Dice-K catch and pass the Rays in September. The A.L. East is the best division in baseball. A team will win at least 92 games in this division and finish on the outside looking in. The Sox are good but are they good enough?
The Red Sox = Fudgsicle {Good, Must be in the mood, Safe Pick}
The Tampa Bay Rays
David Price and Matt Garza are the best 1-2 punch in the American League Right now. Yes, that's right. As of today these two are the best duo in the A.L. Raphael Soriano has been lights out as a closer. Offensively Carl Crawford and Evan Longoria are as solid as you can get. Both will hit .300 20+ home runs and knock in 80-100 runs. Joe Maddon is as good as they come. The Rays are the second best team in baseball.
The Rays = Drumstick {Can't Miss, Safe Choice, Tough to go Wrong}
The New York Yankees
Look, they are going to win 100 games. The will walk away with the East. They are the best team from top to bottom in Baseball. Are they beatable? Of course they are. The Rays, Red Sox and Twins are the three teams in the American League capable of dethroning the Yankees. But as long as Sabathia, Petiite (when healthy) Hughes, and Burnett are your rotation headliners you will play in October. The fact that Derek Jeter currently has the 5th highest batting average on this team right now shows you how solid they are. The team from the Bronx is still the gold standard.
The Yankees= The Pink Panther {Is and Always will be the Best}
Oh and before I forget....."Miller Manfredo Harp's" urgency and curiosity of the Ice Cream Truck aided in the writing of this article.
