Archive for February, 2010
2010 Red Sox Preview: Will Jonathan Papelbon Regain His Dominance?
Posted: 22nd February 2010 by Jeffrey Brown in MLB
Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon recorded 38 saves and compiled a 1.85 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP last season, yet it always seemed that something just wasnÆt right with him.
Pappy had made an adjustment to his delivery in spring training. Consequently, he posted a career-high walk rate (3.2 BB / 9 IP) and a career-low K-BB ratio (3.2). He frequently seemed incapable of recording a 1-2-3 inning.
Red Sox pitching coach ...
Jose Reyes Wants To Finish his Career with the New York Mets
Posted: 22nd February 2010 by Josh Levitt in MLB
á Good news for Mets fans as long as the injury bug stays away from Jose:
The Mets have an $11 million option on his 2011 contract. He needs to produce. Reyes said he wants to remain a Met his entire career.
Reyes said he thinks if he stays healthy, the marriage will continue for many years.
"I don't want to go anywhere," he said. "I want to finish my career here.
"Right now, ...
Manny Ramirez States That Manny Ramirez Will Not Be With The Dodgers in 2011
Posted: 22nd February 2010 by Josh Levitt in MLB
Dodger fans, enjoy your last season of Mannywood.
Manny Ramirez appeared in the Dodgers' clubhouse for the first time on Monday morning and promptly conceded this would be his final spring training with the club.
"I won't be here next year, so I just want to enjoy myself," Ramirez said. "I don't know [if I'll play next year]. I just know I'm not going to be here. When the season is over, ...
Buffalo Sabres: How the Rest of the Season Will Play Out
Posted: 22nd February 2010 by Matthew Hogan in NHL
With the Olympics in full swing, there isn’t much news from the Buffalo Sabres—but that isn’t going to stop me from writing about them.
It’s been a while since I’ve made some bold predictions—so I am going to attempt to predict exactly where the Sabres will finish in the Eastern Conference and what their record will be at the end of the regular season.
Currently, the Sabres are 33-18-9 and are seeded ...
Three Stars of the Night: Olympic Edition, Feb. 21, 2010
Posted: 22nd February 2010 by Blake Benzel in NHL
This article was originally published on Hockey Primetime .
First Star: Ryan Miller, USA
Ryan Miller could very well go on to win the Vezina and Hart Trophies this season, but last night’s game would be the game for which many hockey fans in the US would remember him.
Miller survived Team Canada’s barrage of shots, making 42 saves to give the US a stunning 5-3 upset victory over the juggernaut Canadians. While ...
A Michigan Thing: Ryan Miller and Brian Rafalski Among Locals Leading US in Olympic Competition
Posted: 22nd February 2010 by Johnny Lawrence in NHL
No state has more ties to US Olympic hockey than Michigan.
Always well-represented, high-level area talents like Mike Modano, Doug Weight, and Pat LaFontaine donned the red, white, and blue in previous Games.
In Vancouver, Michigan sent another accomplished crop of icers.
Forty percent of the squad claims a connection to the Mitten, including the country's two standout participants so farùgoaltender Ryan Miller anddefenseman Brian Rafalski. Some grew up there, while others played ...
2010 Winter Olympics: Finland Falls Hard To Sweden, but Retains Bye
Posted: 22nd February 2010 by Matt Hutter in NHL
On "Rivalry Sunday" hockey fans were treated to a unique set of three games.
The matchup between Russia and Czech Republic, United States and Canada, and Finland and Sweden represented the last three gold medal game match ups from 1998, 2002, and 2006, respectively.
The trends of the day looked promising for Finland as each of the previous sliver medalists (Russia and the United States) won the games.
Unfortunately for Finland, ...
Rivalry Day: Pressure, Hate, and Too Much Talent
Posted: 22nd February 2010 by Mike Lieberman in NHL
A few thoughts two-thirds of the way through Rivalry Day in Winter Olympic hockey…
Intensity
I have watched hockey all my life, and never have I seen an entire period played with the emotion shared by both the Americans and Canadians in the first period Sunday night. In fact, the first 20 minutes reminded me of the opening round of “The War” between Marvin Hagler and Tommy Hearns in ...
2010 Winter Olympics: Czech Team Loses First Real Battle, but Could Win War
Posted: 22nd February 2010 by Doug Gausepohl in NHL
As you probably know by now, the Czech Republic ice hockey team suffered their first loss of the Olympics thus far, falling to the Russians 4-2 on Sunday afternoon.
Therefore, the Russians have earned a first-round bye with their triumph of Group B, while the Czechs will most likely have to play in the first-round to earn their way into the quarterfinals.
This loss was indeed a loss, but it did not ...
2010 Winter Olympics: Time for Canada to Pass the Torch From Brodeur to Luongo
Posted: 22nd February 2010 by Will Jefferson in NHL
Well, now it seems awfullyáclear.
If the Canadian men's hockey teamáwants to wináthe gold at the VancouveráOlympics, itá shouldáput theálocal starábetween the pipes where he belongsùwithout further ado.
Roberto Luongo, in the tourney opener,ádid what Vancouver fans and anyone else who has watched him the last several years expected: He pitched a perfect shutout en route to an easy win.
Then, facing a slightly more credible opponent, the Team Canada brain trust went ...