As of right now, we can safely say that the Detroit Tigers are doing good.
Not great, but good.
6 games above .500 is good. 6 games above .500 means that your team is having an above-average year. 6 games above .500 is a record that many teams would like to have. But 6 games above .500 does not get you into the postseason.
Yes, I'm aware that the Tigers are neck-and-neck with the Minnesota Twins in a race to take the A.L. Central, but the Tigers have been behind in that race for almost the entire season, and don't think we can expect a total role-reversal from last year. The Tigers are playing very well, but they're not cutting it. Even if their current squad ends up being enough to get them into the playoffs, it's doubtful that it's enough to make it past the first round, let alone the World Series.
The Tigers have many of the crucial pieces. They have the hitting. They certainly have the bullpen. The defense could be better, but it's good enough. The only area that they are weak in is the most important area of all: the starting rotation.
Justin Verlander has been mostly phenomenal. But his supporting cast has been far too inconsistent. It has not been terrible, but it could use some work.
Which brings us to trading.
Aces Roy Oswalt and Cliff Lee are among those believed to be available via trade. If the Tigers were to pair one of them with Verlander, they would in the process become not only the favorites to win the A.L. Central, but, in my opinion, favorites to win the A.L. (New York who?).
Either pitcher would be a fine addition. Oswalt's numbers look better this year, while Lee has proven to be dominant in the postseason. Personally, I would take Lee, seeing as he should be good enough to provide the little push the Tigers need to make the playoffs, and would probably help them more once they get there.
That decision, however, is for the Tigers to make. But whatever they do, they better do something.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
2010 U.S. team will not be forgotten
A newspaper poll prior to the 2010 World Cup asked readers what they thought of the 2010 World Cup. The most common answer was "It's soccer. Nobody cares."
Let's be blunt: In a country often known for its dominance in sports, performing well in soccer has always been, well, quite challenging to say the least. You can hardly blame us. After all, Americans love to use their hands, something that has helped us produce fine goalkeepers, but also hurt the skill level of the 10 other players on the field.
For a country in which the world's biggest sport is an afterthought, entering the Round of 16 is quite an accomplishment.
Before you moan and complain about their heartbreaking loss to Ghana, remember the Slovenia match. The U.S. were playing in a huge match. They controlled their own destiny. Win, and they move on; lose or tie, and they would be eliminated.
For what seemed an eternity, the two teams were deadlocked at 0-0. Neither could triumph over the other, which worked to Slovenia's benefit. As the clock ticked, American hopes faded.
Then came the 91st minute. The U.S. rushed to the Slovenian goal. A shot was registered, then turned aside by the goalie. A rebound was produced, and who was there? Who else but U.S. star Landon Donovan, exceptional because of the fact that he is, beyond doubt, the closest thing this country has ever had to a soccer superstar. Donovan kicked. The ball sailed into the net. The star was immediately mobbed by teammates.
Now how's that for an ending?
Those who look back at the 2010 World Cup will remember it as the Cup in which Landon Donovan finally demonstrated some leadership in the clutch. His thrilling goal sent the U.S. to the next round, and forever preserved a place for him in history.
Sure the U.S. was immediately taken down by Ghana, but the fact remains that they did well, especially for being one of the few countries in the world that practically ignores the game.
In the spirit of our indifference towards soccer I'm going to wrap up this article now. Great job, my fellow Americans. And don't worry, we still have hundreds of other sports in which we can crush the competition.
Let's be blunt: In a country often known for its dominance in sports, performing well in soccer has always been, well, quite challenging to say the least. You can hardly blame us. After all, Americans love to use their hands, something that has helped us produce fine goalkeepers, but also hurt the skill level of the 10 other players on the field.
For a country in which the world's biggest sport is an afterthought, entering the Round of 16 is quite an accomplishment.
Before you moan and complain about their heartbreaking loss to Ghana, remember the Slovenia match. The U.S. were playing in a huge match. They controlled their own destiny. Win, and they move on; lose or tie, and they would be eliminated.
For what seemed an eternity, the two teams were deadlocked at 0-0. Neither could triumph over the other, which worked to Slovenia's benefit. As the clock ticked, American hopes faded.
Then came the 91st minute. The U.S. rushed to the Slovenian goal. A shot was registered, then turned aside by the goalie. A rebound was produced, and who was there? Who else but U.S. star Landon Donovan, exceptional because of the fact that he is, beyond doubt, the closest thing this country has ever had to a soccer superstar. Donovan kicked. The ball sailed into the net. The star was immediately mobbed by teammates.
Now how's that for an ending?
Those who look back at the 2010 World Cup will remember it as the Cup in which Landon Donovan finally demonstrated some leadership in the clutch. His thrilling goal sent the U.S. to the next round, and forever preserved a place for him in history.
Sure the U.S. was immediately taken down by Ghana, but the fact remains that they did well, especially for being one of the few countries in the world that practically ignores the game.
In the spirit of our indifference towards soccer I'm going to wrap up this article now. Great job, my fellow Americans. And don't worry, we still have hundreds of other sports in which we can crush the competition.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Strasburg leaves us speechless
The NBA Finals were on last night, but who cares? Most of America was focused on a much more challenging and much less image-dominated sport, which last night showed why it has been called, for so many years, America's pastime.
The game has been hurting lately. The NFL's continual rise to success has shunned most other sports, and thanks to ESPN's overdose of NBA coverage, baseball's now having a hard time holding out as America's second biggest sport. A discovery that over 100 of the games players, including some of its best, were juiced up on steroids doesn't help either.
So how does the MLB respond to this? In the same way that the NHL responded to the lockout: by the emergence of a young superstar who plays for the nation's capital. In the NHL, that man is Alex Ovechkin, a 2-time MVP who plays for the Washington Capitals.
In the MLB, they've been hoping that that man will be Stephen Strasburg, a pitcher out of San Diego State who last night was called up to make his Major League debut as a Washington National.
To say that Strasburg shined is, well, the understatement of the century. The young star was phenomenal. Seven innings, four hits, two earned runs, no walks, and, oh yeah, fourteen strikeouts.
Fourteen.
How crazy is that? Actually, it shouldn't be that surprising. After dominating the minor leagues after dominating college after dominating the Olympics, I guess it's only natural that the guy would dominate the major leagues. Curt Schilling said that Strasburg could be the best pitcher on baseball on the day he arrives. I'm not sure that you can say that he was last night, but he sure was right up there.
What more is there to say? The performance speaks for itself, and leaves us speechless.
The game has been hurting lately. The NFL's continual rise to success has shunned most other sports, and thanks to ESPN's overdose of NBA coverage, baseball's now having a hard time holding out as America's second biggest sport. A discovery that over 100 of the games players, including some of its best, were juiced up on steroids doesn't help either.
So how does the MLB respond to this? In the same way that the NHL responded to the lockout: by the emergence of a young superstar who plays for the nation's capital. In the NHL, that man is Alex Ovechkin, a 2-time MVP who plays for the Washington Capitals.
In the MLB, they've been hoping that that man will be Stephen Strasburg, a pitcher out of San Diego State who last night was called up to make his Major League debut as a Washington National.
To say that Strasburg shined is, well, the understatement of the century. The young star was phenomenal. Seven innings, four hits, two earned runs, no walks, and, oh yeah, fourteen strikeouts.
Fourteen.
How crazy is that? Actually, it shouldn't be that surprising. After dominating the minor leagues after dominating college after dominating the Olympics, I guess it's only natural that the guy would dominate the major leagues. Curt Schilling said that Strasburg could be the best pitcher on baseball on the day he arrives. I'm not sure that you can say that he was last night, but he sure was right up there.
What more is there to say? The performance speaks for itself, and leaves us speechless.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Hey commish, where's YOUR class?
Armando Gallaraga knew that the runner was out.
He knew that that was the 27th out of his perfect game.
Jim Joyce paused for a moment, then gave the safe signal. Fans cried out in fury. Everyone was stunned. Gallaraga's face bore a look of shock for about a second. What happened next was unthinkable.
He didn't swear. He didn't shout. He didn't make a gesture to the ump. He didn't say a word. Instead, Gallaraga did the one thing that we would not expect any professional athlete in the world to do if placed in his frustrating situation.
He smiled.
After the game, when we can assume, almost beyond doubt, that replays had been viewed again and again, Gallaraga was interviewed. This was his chance. He had the opportunity to create even more of a stir than the one already created by criticizing Joyce's call. He didn't. Instead, Gallaraga defended the umpire, stating that "Nobody's perfect" and making a point of the apology that Joyce issued to him. Gallaraga was not angry. He showed up to the interview looking calm, cool, even happy.
Happy?! After losing a perfect game? What's wrong with this guy? He is a professional athlete playing in the United States. Smiling and forgiving isn't how it's done here. When you lose your tennis match, you beat your racket and make a death threat to the line judge. When your goal gets waved off, you give the official a mouthful. If someone takes a cheap shot at you, you fight back and then use your postgame interview as a chance to bash them.
In a sports world where temper-tantrums thrive, Gallaraga handled his situation very well.
Jim Joyce showed class as well. After viewing the replays, Joyce issued a tearful apology in which he admitted that he blew the call and stated, "I just cost that kid a perfect game."
After Gallaraga and Joyce did their part, a third man had the opportunity to show some class, and, while he was at it, some brains and some guts.
But he didn't.
Bud Selig, commissioner of Major League Baseball, had the power to review and, if he decided to, overturn the call. For a while it looked like he might. But after a few hours of hype, all hope vanished when Selig stated that the call would stand, despite the fact that Joyce himself admitted it was wrong. Selig did say that the league would think about adding instant replay for more than just home runs.
For years, professional football has far outshined other sports in both ticket sales and TV ratings. Part of that has to do with the fact that people enjoy the fast-moving game. Part of it has to do with the once-a-week, 16-game schedule. But the guy in charge also has an impact.
Roger Goodell differs greatly from Selig. Goodell is not afraid to make a move. That's what makes him a great commissioner. Selig, on the other hand, seems to be too afraid and timid to take action in any situation. When complaints surfaced about the unfairness of the overtime system, Goodell changed it almost immediately. If only the same could be said about Selig and instant replay. Rather than submit to the millions of cries for it, Selig has attempted to use the same strategy he used to deal with steroid issues: Ignore it.
Sure, we finally did get somewhere now, but only as the result of a ridiculous incident that cost a pitcher a perfect game. And remember, nowhere in his statement did Selig state that they would expand replay. If Goodell were in charge, chances are that he would've already expanded the system to prevent this kind of thing from happening. But he's not.
Instead, baseball is stuck with a commissioner every bit as clueless as the NHL's Gary Bettman. Selig's argument for not allowing replay for more than just home runs is weak. His argument for not giving Gallaraga the perfect game is weaker. In doing so, the only people Selig satisfies are the handful of diehards who believe that one should not "alter the course of history".
Of course, there's the people who say "Well, what about all the other games?" But if that's the kind of logic we should use, then I guess that's cool. While we're at it, let's ban the use of helmets in professional hockey. I mean they're great for preventing injuries and all, but what about all those players who never got to wear them?
For a brief moment, there was hope that the MLB commissioner would follow Joyce and Gallaraga's leads. Then it vanished.
Curse you, Mr. Selig.
He knew that that was the 27th out of his perfect game.
Jim Joyce paused for a moment, then gave the safe signal. Fans cried out in fury. Everyone was stunned. Gallaraga's face bore a look of shock for about a second. What happened next was unthinkable.
He didn't swear. He didn't shout. He didn't make a gesture to the ump. He didn't say a word. Instead, Gallaraga did the one thing that we would not expect any professional athlete in the world to do if placed in his frustrating situation.
He smiled.
After the game, when we can assume, almost beyond doubt, that replays had been viewed again and again, Gallaraga was interviewed. This was his chance. He had the opportunity to create even more of a stir than the one already created by criticizing Joyce's call. He didn't. Instead, Gallaraga defended the umpire, stating that "Nobody's perfect" and making a point of the apology that Joyce issued to him. Gallaraga was not angry. He showed up to the interview looking calm, cool, even happy.
Happy?! After losing a perfect game? What's wrong with this guy? He is a professional athlete playing in the United States. Smiling and forgiving isn't how it's done here. When you lose your tennis match, you beat your racket and make a death threat to the line judge. When your goal gets waved off, you give the official a mouthful. If someone takes a cheap shot at you, you fight back and then use your postgame interview as a chance to bash them.
In a sports world where temper-tantrums thrive, Gallaraga handled his situation very well.
Jim Joyce showed class as well. After viewing the replays, Joyce issued a tearful apology in which he admitted that he blew the call and stated, "I just cost that kid a perfect game."
After Gallaraga and Joyce did their part, a third man had the opportunity to show some class, and, while he was at it, some brains and some guts.
But he didn't.
Bud Selig, commissioner of Major League Baseball, had the power to review and, if he decided to, overturn the call. For a while it looked like he might. But after a few hours of hype, all hope vanished when Selig stated that the call would stand, despite the fact that Joyce himself admitted it was wrong. Selig did say that the league would think about adding instant replay for more than just home runs.
For years, professional football has far outshined other sports in both ticket sales and TV ratings. Part of that has to do with the fact that people enjoy the fast-moving game. Part of it has to do with the once-a-week, 16-game schedule. But the guy in charge also has an impact.
Roger Goodell differs greatly from Selig. Goodell is not afraid to make a move. That's what makes him a great commissioner. Selig, on the other hand, seems to be too afraid and timid to take action in any situation. When complaints surfaced about the unfairness of the overtime system, Goodell changed it almost immediately. If only the same could be said about Selig and instant replay. Rather than submit to the millions of cries for it, Selig has attempted to use the same strategy he used to deal with steroid issues: Ignore it.
Sure, we finally did get somewhere now, but only as the result of a ridiculous incident that cost a pitcher a perfect game. And remember, nowhere in his statement did Selig state that they would expand replay. If Goodell were in charge, chances are that he would've already expanded the system to prevent this kind of thing from happening. But he's not.
Instead, baseball is stuck with a commissioner every bit as clueless as the NHL's Gary Bettman. Selig's argument for not allowing replay for more than just home runs is weak. His argument for not giving Gallaraga the perfect game is weaker. In doing so, the only people Selig satisfies are the handful of diehards who believe that one should not "alter the course of history".
Of course, there's the people who say "Well, what about all the other games?" But if that's the kind of logic we should use, then I guess that's cool. While we're at it, let's ban the use of helmets in professional hockey. I mean they're great for preventing injuries and all, but what about all those players who never got to wear them?
For a brief moment, there was hope that the MLB commissioner would follow Joyce and Gallaraga's leads. Then it vanished.
Curse you, Mr. Selig.
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