Archive for December, 2009

Clippers Close 2009 and Look to 2010 With Hope and a Plan in Place

Posted: 31st December 2009 by Jose Salviati in NBA
Lisa Dillman is the Clippers beat writer for the L.A. Times.á She recently called the squad "the most perplexing team in the NBA."á With apologies to Clipper broadcaster Ralph Lawler, "BINGO!". Dillman hit the nail squarely on the head.á I used the phrase "Clipper two-step" a while back ago to explain how the Clippers seem to never build on success or wallow in failure for too long.á It seems ...

Marcel Reece Given an Early Chance To Make the Raiders’ 2010 Roster

Posted: 31st December 2009 by Ramone Brown in NFL
Despite the loss to the Cleveland Browns, there may have been a bright spot in the game: the early emergence of FB Marcel Reece. Sure he didn't have the greatest game, but it wasádecent, with one reception for nine yards and two kick returns each for 23 yards. That 23-yard average on his two returns is actually better than the Raiders' other five return men.áConsidering that it was his first NFL ...

Top 10 Latin Starting Pitchers: The Legacy of Our Latin Legends

Posted: 31st December 2009 by Jonathan Stilwell in MLB
á During my childhood, when I was first learning about baseball, I can remember asking my father, ôWho is a good pitcher?öá We lived near Washington D.C., and the hapless Senators offered little to root for, but my father answered, "Now Camilo Pascual, heÆs a good pitcher.á But itÆs hard on him, because Washington is never very good.öá I can vaguely remember him saying something about Pascual keeping a good ERA ...

Report: Philadelphia Phillies To Sign Danys Baez

Posted: 31st December 2009 by Scott Malone in MLB
According to Jon Heyman of SI.com, via MLBTR, the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to sign right handed reliever Danys Baez. Baez, who pitched for the Baltimore Orioles last season, allowed 22 walks to 40 strikeouts and 59 hits for a 4.02 ERA in 71.2 innings pitched. MLB.com's Todd Zolecki has reported that Baez has agreed to a two-year deal pending a physical which Baez has yet to take. The common assumption ...

NHL Power Rankings: Week Ending January 1, 2010

Posted: 31st December 2009 by Ed Cmar in NHL
Happy New Year to all! á Big day, tomorrow, with the NHL's Winter Classic game between Boston and Philadelphia. á With that, here are the power rankings for the week ending January 1, 2010: á 1. ChicagoùWinners of seven of their last nine games, the 'Hawks do it with offenseùleading the league in shot differentialùas well as defenseùleading the league in blocked shots and second in the league in goals against.á á 2. New JerseyùAlso winners of seven ...

Baltimore Ravens Would Be Wise To Consult Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Posted: 31st December 2009 by Jake Rubin in NFL
Although the names and faces have changed, the storyáreads eerily the same. As the Baltimore Ravens prepare to take on the Oakland Raiders this Sundayùa win to get in scenario for a postseason berthùit might just be in their best interests to seek some consulting advice from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers team of last year. For those that donÆt remember, let us reflect on the happenings of Dec. 28, 2008 at Raymond ...

New England Patriots: History Review of The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

Posted: 31st December 2009 by C Douglas Baker in NFL
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly: Heart-Pounding, Jaw-Dropping, and Gut-Wrenching Moments from New England Patriots History by Sean Glennon Triumph Books 2009 There are many books now available detailing the history of the New England Patriots. Having read many of them, I find that nobody has really come up with anything new to say. The typical ôstories ofö books essentially tell the same tales and I am not sure ...

The Wait Is Over: Danys Baez Signs With The Phillies

Posted: 31st December 2009 by Victor Filoromo in MLB
Finally, the mystery is over.á Eight days ago it was reported that the Phillies had come to terms with a bullpen pitcher, believed to be either Danys Baez or Mike MacDougal.á Now we have learned that the Phillies have agreed to a two-year deal with Baez, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki and SI.com's Jon Heyman.á It's no shock, seeing that the Phillies have long held interest in Baez, back to his days with ...
Joe Mauer is one of the most highly-anticipated free agents of this decade. He has won three batting titles, two gold gloves, and one MVP all before the age of 27. In his MVP season of 2009, Joe showed that he is entering into his prime. With at least six to eight more years of highly productive baseball stored up in his six-foot, five-inch stature, Joe Mauer might be the best ...

Chicago Cubs Find Their Center Fielder in Marlon Byrd

Posted: 31st December 2009 by Adam Bernacchio in MLB
Center field as really been a black hole for the Chicago Cubs during the 2000Æs. They started off the decade with the legendary Damon Buford and over the last 10 years have had players like Gary Matthews Jr., Corey Patterson, Juan Pierre, Jacque Jones, Alfonso Soriano, Reed Johnson, Jim Edmonds, and Kosuke Fukudome patrol center field. Either players they had playing center werenÆt very good overall (Patterson), or not very good ...