Cubs Season Opener

Chicago Cubs Opening Day

1:33 PM- The game was supposed to start at 1:20, and like typical Chicago weather in March-it’s raining. The game is going to start soon, they are chalking the infield and Big Z (Carlos Zambrano) is warming up in the outfield. I am enjoying listening to the replay of Ernie Banks’ statue ceremony. His quote, “I am proud to be the only player to play his entire career in one city, Chicago, one mayor, one owner, one stadium and under one light, God’s light”

1:53 PM: Ernie Banks throws out the first pitch. Its low and just a touch inside (probably would have hit a right handed batter). Hopefully Zambrano will have better control.

1:59 PM: Zambrano throws out the first pitch, strike one! The season is under way.

2:00 PM: Three pitches, three strikes- Sit down Rickie Weeks!

2:06 PM: Top of the first in the books. Zambrano looked fairly sharp. The lone hit came on a Tony Gwynn infield single. Lets see how this new and improved lineup looks.

2:12 PM: Three up three down. This entry is being fueled by Bud Light.

2:24 PM: Kosuke Fukudome’s first at bat. First pitch ripped into Center Field for a double! Hopefully there is more of that to come. Felix Pie strikes out swinging to end the inning, same shit-different year.

2:25 PM- 3:30 PM: Zzzzzzzz’s and beers. Rain delay again!

3:32: And we are back. Baseball again. Good to see Zambrano is still on the mound.

3:44 PM: Fukudome gets a walk. He is on pace to set the On-Base Percentage record (1.000). I’m having a hard time keeping up with both the blog and the beers and my homework. After four innings its still tied at zero, could call it a pitchers duel or shitty hitters, I’ll go with the latter.

3:55 PM: It seems as though this game is dragging on. It is only the fifth inning and the game was scheduled to start two and a half hours ago. That’s what rain does I guess. Felix Pie goes down looking. Same shit, different year. Lets go Zambrano take care of it yourself.

4:01 PM: Zambrano is looking real good. He has only given up one hit so far and even that didn’t leave the infield. I would not want to be a hitter against him in this weather. Ah, hit number two against Zambrano and fat ass Fielder is up to bat.

4:22 PM: Zambrano exits the game with cramping in his forearm. His first strong opening day outing going 6 2/3 innings without allowing a run. Cubs get their first look in 2008 at their bullpen as Carlos Marmol enters the game. It’s good to see him start the year off right. Marmol strikes out Hardy on one pitch! Sing it Ernie! The Bud Lights are starting to kick in.

4:29 PM: Fukudome with another hit! He has been the offense for the Cubs thus far. He is 2-2 with a walk. Ben “I wet my” Sheets is out of the game finally. Maybe the Cubs can start something now.

4:36 PM: DeRosa just got beaned by Torres, that’ll leave a strawberry tomorrow. They have two on, one out lets see if Soto can get something started. Ah shit, Kendall gets lucky on a passed ball that hits Soto and Fukudome is thrown out. Soto walks and now Pie is up again. Pie grounds out to second base. Well, a moral victory-he put the ball in play.

4:46 PM: Marmol looks very sharp. Four hitters faced, four hitters retired. It’s nice to have a solid end to the bullpen to complement good pitching performances by the starters. Hopefully this continues for the duration of the season. Going to the bottom half of the eigth. Hopefully we can push a run across and bring in Kerry Wood for his first save of the season!

4:59 PM: The Cubs go down three up three down in the bottom of the eighth. Daryle Ward had a nice pinch-hit at-bat but “The Riot” and Soriano go down on strikes. Now we get our first look at the 2008 Kerry Wood and PLUNK! First pitch nails Rickie Weeks with a 95 MPH fastball right between the 2 and the 3. Wood had showed good command in the Spring, lets hope this is not a sign of things to come.

5:07 PM: Ah, shits. Wood hits Weeks, Gwynn bunts him to second and they walk Fielder. Braun hits a single and the Brewers take the one run lead in the top of the ninth. Not a good start to Kerry’s season.

5:10 PM: Well, another double and the Brewers lead 3-0. Kerry’s spring isn’t an indication of how he is going to do in the regular season apparently.

5:16 PM: Eric Gagne comes in to try and close it out. Lets get something going.

5:20 PM: Gagne is having trouble. Two on, none out. Fukudome is working the count as well.

5:21 PM: FUKUDOME!!!!!! THREE-RUN HOME RUN! He’s 3-3! And the curtain call!!!! Tie ball game. There is still no one out and DeRosa up at the plate.

5:27 PM: DeRosa and Soto get sat down in a row. Pie grounds to first and Gagne doesn’t cover. Fielder steps over the bag to tag Pie and he’s safe. Fielder needs a burger. Maybe this is a sign the Cubs luck is turning around.

5:37 PM: Top of the tenth starts off with a Counsell double off Howry. They bunt him to third with one out. Zambrano and Marmol looked good but Howry and Wood, not so much. Haha, weeks gets hit again! Serves him right for holding his hand right over the plate. Gwynn gets the RBI sacrifice fly, looks like we need some more Fukudome magic.

5:50 PM: Cubs go down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the tenth. Cubs fall to 0-1, Brewers go to 1-0. Sluts.

AL Preview

With the season starting tommorow night I thought I should get my picks for the AL before it was too late. I am not as confident on the AL as the NL so no quarantees. The more I think about these picks though the more I really appreciate the system the MLB has. Sports Illustrated has the Tigers winning it all, ESPN doesn't even have them making the playoffs. That doesn't happen in the NBA or NFL where a team in competition for a championship also has to fight their butts off just to make the playoffs. Going off topic for a little bit, the NBA playoff system is rediculous. Half the teams make the playoffs, including a few in the Eastern Conference with losing records. Ah, there is nothing like celebrating mediocrity. I hear all sorts of people raving about the race in the Western Conference. Just think if only four of those teams got into the playoffs. Wow, now that would be intense. Only one team will be left out in the NBA, many many more are left out in the MLB. I will write about my innovative plan to change the NBA playoffs later.

AL East
Boston
New York
Toronto
Tampa Bay
Baltimore

Summary: I really struggled whether to pick the Yankees or the Red Sox. I chose the Red Sox because the Yankees have finally begun to use their farm system a little bit. This will pay huge dividends for them in the next few years and maybe this year but I think it will result in a division crown for the Red Sox this year. Team to look for is the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. They have some quality young players and could make a run at .500 this year and play a huge role in who wins the AL East. They could make a run at third in the division over the Blue Jays.

AL Central
Detroit
Cleveland
Minnesota
Chicago
Kansas City

Summary:
This division in my opinion has the best two teams in the AL in Detroit and Cleveland. Detroit has one HELL of a lineup wiht Pudge hitting ninth. Their pitching is quality but not amazing. I think Detroit is built to have a great regular season but not necessarily built for the playoffs. I think Detroit will win with Cleveland right on their heels. The rest of the division is just average at best.

AL West
Seattle
Anaheim
Oakland
Texas

Summary:
My pick for this division has changed in the past few days with the injury to Escobar. Without him, the Angels aren't nearly as strong. Seattle thus becomes my favorite to win the division. Oakland will surprise a lot of people. No one knows any of their players now but they will, Billy Beane can pick out talent like nobody's business.

Division Series:
Seattle vs Detroit
Red Sox vs Cleveland

Championship:
Detroit vs. Cleveland

World Series:
Cleveland over Arizona in six games

Cleveland avenges their choke job against Boston last year. Detroit gets past a week Seattle. Cleveland behind C.C. and Fuasto get to and win the World Series.

Cy Young:
Fuasto Carmona
Dark Horse:
Erik Bedard
Best Pitcher on a bad team:
Rich Harden

AL MVP:
Miguel Cabrera
Dark Horse:
Grady Sizemore
Best Player on a bad team:
Carlos Pena TB

Im too lazy to explain these. I have to watch some basketball and admire my bracket some more.

My bad...top.8 percent of all entries and top ten of ISU fans!

Bracket Bragging

Top 11 of ISU Fans!!! Top .9 pecent of the 3.65 million entries

National League Preview +

I forget to list my predictions for individual awards.

MVP: Jose Reyes NYM
Darkhorse MVP: Ryan Braun MIL
Best Player on Bad Team: Hanley Ramirez FLA

The NL East has three of the best shortstops in the game with Reyes, Rollins and Ramirez (nickname needed). Reyes is the most exciting player in the game and the most valuable player to his team. If the Mets win the NL East, Reyes should win the MVP, but his teammate David Wright will probably steal some votes. Ryan Braun will be playing a full season for the Brewers and like the Nationals did with Soriano they moved him to Left Field so his god awful filed skills won't be as much of a problem. Hanley Ramirez, who came to FLA in the Josh Beckett trade has been putting up MVP like numbers on a bad team. If Ramirez is lucky like most Marlins, ownership will ship him out and he will be an instant MVP contender assuming he is dealt to a good team.

Cy Young: Brandon Webb ARI (I don't want to pick the obvious Santana)
Darkhorse: John Maine NYM
Best Pitcher on a Bad Team: Tom Gorzelanny PIT

The National League Cy Young is wide open. The league is incredibly deep in pitching and some teams have more than one contender on them. I picked Webb because I didn't wnat to pick Santana and his innings will go down as he will be taken out in the later innings now for a pinch hitter. Santana, Webb, Peavy and Zambrano are front runners with many darkhorses shortly behind. John Maine moving down in the rotation with the addition of Santana and Pedro's health should get better matchups and add to his 15 win total of last year. Gorzelanny won 14 games for the Pirates last year with a 3.88 ERA. Keep in mind the Pirates only won 68 games, if my math is right, and its probably not, thats slighty above 20 percent of the teams wins. The Pirates have a surprisingly good young staff with Snell, Duke, Gorzelanny and Matt Morris, who is not young by any stretch of the imagination.

National League Preview

National League

Storylines to follow:

"Beasts" of the east?- After the NY Mets massive collapse and their addition of Johan Santana the question is how will the Mets rebound this year. The Phillies will be just as competitive this year and the Atlanta Braves, although old as hell, should always be considered. The addition of Santana makes the division tougher and the winner should win with around 94-96 wins.

Rockie Repeat?-The Rockies were a huge surprise last year getting to the World Series before getting swept by the Red Sox. The question is whether they can somehow capture the magic and once again get back to the World Series. The Rockies are going to have to battle just to get back to the playoffs. The Rockies had a nice run and I'm happy for Todd Helton but it won't happen again.


NL East:
New York Mets
Philadelphia Phillies
Atlanta Braves
Florida Marlins
Washington Nationals

Summary: Santana is enough to prevent a second choke in two years and Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard aren't quite enough to get past Jose Reyes and David Wright. The Nationals will move to a new stadium in 2008 but will have trouble moving out of the cellar of the NL East

NL Central:
Chicago Cubs
Milwaukee Brewers
Cincinatti Reds
Houston Astros
St. Louis Cardinals
Pittsburgh Pirates

Summary: The only two teams that will really be in contention for a playoff berth are Chicago and Milwaukee. The Reds have some decent pitching and Dusty Baker, although not one of my favorite people alive, will win a few games for them although costing them many more down the road by abusing their young pitching. The Astros will have the offensive firepower to flirt with .500 but with no one behind Oswalt and Qualls in Arizona, they won't be contenders. The Cardinals, much to my delight and hope will be toward the bottom of the division

NL West:
Arizona Diamondbacks
San Diego Padres
Los Angeles Dodgers
Colorado Rockies
San Fransisco Giants

Summary: This, by far is going to be the most competitive division in the NL. Four of the five teams can compete for the division crown. Pitching will also be the story for this division. The Diamondbacks in my mind will win with a potential starting rotation of Webb, Haren, R.Johnson, and Micah Owings. The next three will all compete for a playoff berth and the Giants, well, they just suck.

Playoffs

Division Series:

NY Mets vs Chicago Cubs
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Philadelphia Phillies

Championship Series:

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Chicago Cubs

NL Champion: Arizona Diamondbacks

Summary: Diamondbacks have too much pitching if they reach the playoffs. The Cubs will get by the Mets on a 9th inning 3-run blast by Alfonso Soriano off Billy Wagner. Unfortunately I think the Diamonbacks will sting the Cubs once again in the playoffs. Hopefully I am wrong.

American Idol - Weeks 4 and 5

I've gone 0-2 in picking the losers so far since the top 12 started. And only 2 for 6 in picking the bottom three. Kristi Lee was my pick to leave both the top 12 and top 11. Instead, David Hernandez left last week and Overmyer left this week. They were NOT in my bottom three for either week. Hernandez could sing, even if he did overdo it from time to time and Overmyer was nothing if not for a little different. We won't get anything different or better out of Kristi Lee, Michael Johns, Brooke White, Castro, Ramiele, basically any of them. I had it as a three horse race between Cook, Carly, and David Archuleta, but since Carly was in the bottom three this week, it's evident that no one is safe.

Something seems fishy. It is unlikely, at best, that someone would be the last person to stay three weeks running, especially when the bottom three have been different every week! I've read some articles purporting various conspiracy theories. The two most prevalent: David H was let into the top 12 because of his talent, but then was kicked off because of his past; Overmyer was kicked off just before the top 10 because they (the AI producers) didn't want her on the tour. Both of these are plausible, and I think maybe explain what I see as people in the middle of the pack getting kicked off or ending up in the bottom three.

New Style?
My power poll worked well during the Top 24. Even if I started over after the top 12, I still only would have predicted Kristi Lee in the bottom three. We'll see, I'll start keeping track both using the rankings in the top 24 and a new ranking just using the top 12 ratings.

No predictions, just the facts

Picking the losers (top 12):
0 for 2 0%
bottom three: 2 for 6 33%

Picking the losers (overall):
8 for 14 57%
bottom three: 15 for 22 68%

Rockets - 22 straight!

In addition to seeing history, I'm excited about this team's chances in this year's playoffs and going forward. No team has done this in 30 some years, and I can say I was there. People want to discredit their streak, but the fact is, this is the most competitive the west has been in a while. The Rockets were 10th in their conference and under .500 well into the season, and now they're in sole possession of first place.

I've said before, and I think it's showing, the Rockets have become better playing without one of TMac or Yao. They are playing both an effective and pleasing style of ball during their streak. Tonight, they scored 58 points in the first half, 0 of which came from Tracy McGrady (or Yao). By playing without them, the 'role' players have been empowered. Playing without Yao, as they have done the past couple of years, they've been able to adapt to playing without a dominant 5 player. Playing without McGrady, as they have done this year, they've adapted to playing without a dominant 2/3 player. The result has been a multi-dimensional offense. Everybody has the green light to take to take the open shot. TMac is still there to run the offense through in the fourth quarter, but the rest of the team can pick up the slack when he's having an off night, like tonight.

Van Gundy's emphasis on defense with Adeleman's offense shouldn't be overlooked, either. The same 'role' players that are capitalizing on the offensive end are winning games on the defensive end. Shane Battier has developed into one of the elite matchup defenders in the NBA. Chuck Hayes and Luis Scola are a couple of the hardest working rebounders in the game. What Houston lacks in physical attributes, the seem to be making up in hustle and general scrappiness.

This could all collapse in a game. Houston could lose to Boston, the Lakers could win and the Rockets could lose all their momentum. However, I don't see that happening. Because they have a team of winners (Battier, Scola, Hayes, Head) I think they can keep this thing rolling. And because they don't have to rely on McGrady to win games, I think they can make a run in the playoffs. And only because I didn't do it for the Texans...

Week Eight

After 8 weeks of my routine I currently weigh in at 214.0 lbs. I've noticed that I tend to go up one week and then down enough the next week to lose weight over the two weeks combined. Having a lack of money these last few weeks has really aided my eating habits, kind of. It eliminated some eating out and beers but it also resulted in me buying 78 cent Totinos frozen pizzas at Super Wal-Mart. The pizzas have like 740 calories in them total. This is significantly less than other pizzas but they are also smaller and less filling. I have found it is easier for me just to eat them and eat the whole thing rather than try to limit myself with the larger pizzas. Working every night has also helped me not snack. After 8 weeks I had hoped to be significantly less than 214.0 lbs but it is still a weight loss of 4.6 pounds, a little over a half pound a week. I think I am going to set a new goal on Calorie Count of 210.0 lbs rather than 200 lbs just to keep focused.
Today Luke and I maxed out on bench press.
Here are the sets I did in order.
205 lbs - 2 reps
205 lbs- 2 reps =211 lb Max
185 lbs- 5 reps =204 lb Max
165 lbs- 8 reps=204 lb Max

Obviously if I would have done reps at 185 or 165 first I coudl have had a higher max but I think doing more weight tests my strength more than my endurance. Next time I max out I will do 205 lbs again, judging my growth by my increase from 2 reps.

After 8 weeks
Start 218.6 lbs
Now 214.0 lbs
Loss 4.6 lbs

Bench Max: 211 lbs

AI Season 7 - paired to the top 12

All in all, not too terribly surprising. I called Kady and Asia'h getting voted off, and it wasn't hard to see that Luke M. should be getting kicked off. The spot that I struggled the most was between Chiekieze and Danny. What's most surprising is that I'm disappointed with Danny leaving the show. He was a little over the top, but the sass and back talking he gave to Simon was a little entertaining. He wasn't a bad singer, either. Chiekieze advanced based on the strength of Week 2's performance.

I've got Carly as the overall favorite (so she gets tagged on posts from now on). She's a good enough singer that she'll give above-average performances every week, no matter the genre and she'll really connect with a song every couple of weeks or so (as she did with Crazy on You). David A. is the favorite for the boys, but David Cook is very close behind. Michael Johns bumped up three spots amongst the boys. No one really fell all that much and no one really got hosed.

It will be interesting to see how the top 12 pan out. I'm excited that the girls will be performing with the boys. The general thought is that the boys are stronger than the girls and I think that will be very evident next week. Looks like one person will be kicked off next week. Kristi Lee Cook needs to have a good performance, I think she's in trouble.

Picking the losers:
8 for 12 75%
including the bottom three: 13 for 16 81%

AI Season 7 - 8 girls

The girls just haven't been getting any better. The pack here is scrunched together, too. Questionable song choices are hurting some good singers and "good" choices are helping some of the poorer singers.

1. Overmeyer - gave her top spot because the judges did
2. Carly* - the best singer, I'd agree she still hasn't found a song she can hang her hat on
3. Syesha* - pretty good singer, I think she's found her niche (Alicia Keys-ish), which should do well later on in the competition
4. Brooke White - weak singer, good song choice again
5. Ramiele - 2nd best singer, hasn't been picking good songs
6. Kristi Lee - judges are contriving her country gimmick
7. Asia'h
8. Kady

Kady should have been voted off last week. She basically had a second chance, and she squandered it. Asia'h isn't terrible, but I don't think she's going to get any better. I'd rather hear someone with a bigger voice, like Ramiele, sing some Whitney. I think Kristi Lee gets another week (and a makeover) to fit into the role of the country songstress. Otherwise, I think everyone is safe.

Idol Season 7 - 8 guys

Everyone was pretty close this week. No one stood out. Nobody was really terrible, either. It's going to be a close vote this week. Still confused by the song choices, there's got to be some better songs. Cook did something unique, which definitely helps. Michael sang INXS, which is his (very small) niche.

1. David Cook* - this week helped him
2. Michael - this week helped him a lot, but i don't feel like he's getting any better
3. David Archuleta* - came back to the pack a little, still the favorite
4. Castro - judges loved it, but it was a strange song. don't think the public will appreciate it quite as much
5. David H - Celine?
6. Danny
7. Luke M
8. Chiekieze

Luke should finally be done this week. I think Chiekieze is probably out. Danny is close, too.

Stadiums and Public Support

A response to Joe's post.

The study that Joe referenced is pretty good. That publicly financed stadiums don't really add to a city's economy isn't all that surprising. I doubt that most tax breaks for private endeavors ever realize any gain for the public as a whole. As the article points out,

A demonstration of a significant, positive economic effect on a host area
should not be seen as a prerequisite for allowing private sports
investment. Most investment in private businesses - even very
successful ones - would fail to demonstrate this kind of impact.

Another good point brought up by the study, but not really addressed,

Large conventions utilize stadiums and arenas, and super-stations and cable
television broadcast games nationally, increasing the likelihood that stadiums
and teams are successfully marketed to the rest of the country.

Joe's point about the Iowa Events Center is right on. The study was written in 1988, and in the 20 years since then, probably all of the stadiums and arenas are specific to the sport and team they host. Very few pro sports arenas are central to an metropolitan or state's major activities. Indy's RCA dome had an impact because they use it for all major sporting events in the state. They get NCAA tournament games every year, they use it for all divisions of state football championships, the Colts play there and it isn't a monstrosity, meaning it is a versatile venue. The new stadium will not have the impact that the RCA dome had. The Alamodome in San Antonio is the same type of deal. Although no pro team calls it home, it holds a similar importance.

The most prominent example I can think of is the Houston Astrodome - the "eighth wonder of the world." The first and only revolutionary stadium design, the Astrodome was central to the biggest events in the Houston area for over 30 years. The original multipurpose venue, the Astrodome was home at one time or another, four professional football teams, an MLB team, the University of Houston sports teams, nearly 20 years of bowl games, along with a final four. The Houston rodeo was held there for 37 years. Perhaps most importantly, the Astrodome was a Houston landmark. The idea of an air conditioned, indoor stadium was parallel with the over-the-top, booming persona of Houston during the 60's and 70's. The construction of the Astrodome made a lasting impact on the city that few, if any, stadiums have been able to replicate since. The builder and owner of the Astrodome - Harris County, TX.

Seattle shouldn't have to put up money for a new stadium, especially if they build it in the suburbs. It is their right to say no, and for everyone to paint them as the bad guys is ridiculous. The Sonics attendance is poor and there is no reason to think that a new stadium will help that. Besides, the current ownership wants to move the team to OKC, where there seems to be demand. The NBA should be okay with this. The city of Seattle supports the Seahawks fanatically, perhaps there just isn't enough support there for the Sonics, too. One would think that OKC will be supportive of the team for no other reason than there is no competition in the city or in the state. Any pro franchise should do better in a region without any other pro franchises. The OKC Sonics should be a "state team" much like the Indianapolis Colts are. Durant, the good young talent they have and the multitude of draft picks they have in the next few years should provide some additional excitement. If the demand isn't there in Seattle, why would the NBA force them to stay?