So far the Phillies game is better than the NHL Playoffs (Caps v. Pens). Best playoffs of the 4 major sports, huh?
I don't think either the Pens or the Caps played very well today. The goalies were both pretty shaky.
Varlamov didn't even move on Crosby's goal.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Top of the tenth
Mets are threatening. Runners at the corners. I wonder if that NY Times article jinxed the Phils. DOUBLE PLAY!
Big sports Saturday 2
Is there any other kind of Saturday?
Looking forward to see how the Caps v. Pens shakes out. I will admit that I am not as down on Crosby as I have been in the past. Much of my dislike for Crosby has been in reaction to his being anointed the chosen one to save hockey by morons like Bettman and Don Cherry, and the obvious favoritism that has been bestowed upon him by the refs. I just have to scratch my head when the supposed experts parrot that either he, malkin or even ovechkin is the best player in the league. It is a kind of disinformation that is floated by the powers that be, to serve some marketing purpose. Of those 3, it is clear who the league wishes would rise to the occasion, simply because of his North American heritage. The other two are obviously Russian. Malkin can barely speak English and Ovechkin's only other fault in the league's eyes (other than being Russian) is that he doesn't happen to play for a team that might fold...at least not imminently.
Of course, with the Pens new stadium, that will supposedly all change, but with the crappy economy, is Pittsburgh capable of supporting an NHL team?
Looking forward to see how the Caps v. Pens shakes out. I will admit that I am not as down on Crosby as I have been in the past. Much of my dislike for Crosby has been in reaction to his being anointed the chosen one to save hockey by morons like Bettman and Don Cherry, and the obvious favoritism that has been bestowed upon him by the refs. I just have to scratch my head when the supposed experts parrot that either he, malkin or even ovechkin is the best player in the league. It is a kind of disinformation that is floated by the powers that be, to serve some marketing purpose. Of those 3, it is clear who the league wishes would rise to the occasion, simply because of his North American heritage. The other two are obviously Russian. Malkin can barely speak English and Ovechkin's only other fault in the league's eyes (other than being Russian) is that he doesn't happen to play for a team that might fold...at least not imminently.
Of course, with the Pens new stadium, that will supposedly all change, but with the crappy economy, is Pittsburgh capable of supporting an NHL team?
Former Phils
Was just glancing at the box scores from yesterday and kept noticing how many ex-Phils were floating around. All of them seem to be doing pretty well for the most part:
Bourn (Astros) .284 avg hitting second
Geary (Astros) 4.91 era
Rowand (Giants) .266 avg
Dellucci (Indians) .800 avg (you read that right -- think he's only played 1 game)
Polanco (Tigers) .256 avg, 15 RBIs
Burrell (Rays) .253 avg
Rolen (Rays) .318 avg
Barajas (Rays) .319 avg, 12 RBI
Thome (White Sox) .220 avg, 13 RBI
Byrd (Rangers) .314 avg hitting second
Abreu (Angels) .356 avg
Wolf also doing ok for Dodgers.
Bourn (Astros) .284 avg hitting second
Geary (Astros) 4.91 era
Rowand (Giants) .266 avg
Dellucci (Indians) .800 avg (you read that right -- think he's only played 1 game)
Polanco (Tigers) .256 avg, 15 RBIs
Burrell (Rays) .253 avg
Rolen (Rays) .318 avg
Barajas (Rays) .319 avg, 12 RBI
Thome (White Sox) .220 avg, 13 RBI
Byrd (Rangers) .314 avg hitting second
Abreu (Angels) .356 avg
Wolf also doing ok for Dodgers.
Big Sports Saturday
Looks like TV will be on most of the day. Haven't decided whether to buy Pacquiao fight or just wait for next week. Told Todd didn't want to spend the money and he said he would pay for it.
Some predictions:
10 am: Pens vs Caps -- think Caps learn a lesson about falling behind from their Rangers series and make effort to get off to better start. Varlamov outplays Fleury and helps big time make that happen. Pens will have difficulty with Caps tougher checking style than Flyers, and faster forwards than Flyers had. Caps win 4-2. Note: Keep your eye on the Caps I want the Flyers to get -- Erskine, Fehr and Fleishmann.
12:30 pm: Mets vs Phils -- Oliver Perez pitching for his life and Moyer coming off a strong last outing. Phils bounce back to even series, 7-4.
3:00 pm: Kentucky Derby -- who cares? Horse racing ain't a sport. Race already marred by bad weather and the favorite was scratched this morning. Ha ha rich people. Hope your linen suits get ruined.
4:00 pm: NASCAR -- Richmond night race -- one of my favorite races of the year, but making predictions in NASCAR is a joke. Think you gotta look at Gordon, Hamlin and Johnson as favorites. Edwards does not bounce back from last week's unscheduled end of the race flight and struggles all night.
5:00 pm: Bulls vs Celtics -- refs undoubtedly will get highly involved to ensure Celtics advance. Look for too many calls on Bulls' Gordon, and not enough on Paul Push-Off Pierce, Rajon Right-Hand Rondo and Kendrick "The Hacker" Perkins. Will be pulling mightily for Bulls, but afraid refs too much to overcome. Celts win, 104-100.
6:00 pm: Black Hawks vs Canucks -- Blackhawks playing well, and hope they can tie this series up to extend our viewing pleasure. But don't think it will happen -- Canucks on a roll and win 3-2. Note: keep an eye on Black Hawks coveted for Flyers -- Duncan Keith, Sammy Pahlsson and Troy Brouwer.
6:00 pm: Pacquiao vs Hatton -- Pacquiao is a 2-1 favorite, but would bet Pacquiao if I had any money. Hatton the naturally bigger man, but I think where Pacquiao surprised De La Hoya was not only his speed but his strength. Crucial tale of the tape? How about Pac man's 12" forearms compared to Hatton's 9.5" comparative twigs? I think Manny has speed advantage, and surprising pop that helps get his punches through even good defenses. Manny by KO in the tenth.
Read that 25,000 Britons had flown into Vegas for the fight. Last time Hatton fought, Vegas set a record for beer sales at the venues. Wonder how many out of town prostitutes have also made the pilgrimage.
Some predictions:
10 am: Pens vs Caps -- think Caps learn a lesson about falling behind from their Rangers series and make effort to get off to better start. Varlamov outplays Fleury and helps big time make that happen. Pens will have difficulty with Caps tougher checking style than Flyers, and faster forwards than Flyers had. Caps win 4-2. Note: Keep your eye on the Caps I want the Flyers to get -- Erskine, Fehr and Fleishmann.
12:30 pm: Mets vs Phils -- Oliver Perez pitching for his life and Moyer coming off a strong last outing. Phils bounce back to even series, 7-4.
3:00 pm: Kentucky Derby -- who cares? Horse racing ain't a sport. Race already marred by bad weather and the favorite was scratched this morning. Ha ha rich people. Hope your linen suits get ruined.
4:00 pm: NASCAR -- Richmond night race -- one of my favorite races of the year, but making predictions in NASCAR is a joke. Think you gotta look at Gordon, Hamlin and Johnson as favorites. Edwards does not bounce back from last week's unscheduled end of the race flight and struggles all night.
5:00 pm: Bulls vs Celtics -- refs undoubtedly will get highly involved to ensure Celtics advance. Look for too many calls on Bulls' Gordon, and not enough on Paul Push-Off Pierce, Rajon Right-Hand Rondo and Kendrick "The Hacker" Perkins. Will be pulling mightily for Bulls, but afraid refs too much to overcome. Celts win, 104-100.
6:00 pm: Black Hawks vs Canucks -- Blackhawks playing well, and hope they can tie this series up to extend our viewing pleasure. But don't think it will happen -- Canucks on a roll and win 3-2. Note: keep an eye on Black Hawks coveted for Flyers -- Duncan Keith, Sammy Pahlsson and Troy Brouwer.
6:00 pm: Pacquiao vs Hatton -- Pacquiao is a 2-1 favorite, but would bet Pacquiao if I had any money. Hatton the naturally bigger man, but I think where Pacquiao surprised De La Hoya was not only his speed but his strength. Crucial tale of the tape? How about Pac man's 12" forearms compared to Hatton's 9.5" comparative twigs? I think Manny has speed advantage, and surprising pop that helps get his punches through even good defenses. Manny by KO in the tenth.
Read that 25,000 Britons had flown into Vegas for the fight. Last time Hatton fought, Vegas set a record for beer sales at the venues. Wonder how many out of town prostitutes have also made the pilgrimage.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Dux-Red Wings Game 1
Watching game on Versus.
Franzen would be the perfect beast for the Flyers. I'd give up anyone except Richards and Timonen for him.
Brown put a nasty hit on Hudler a bit (but not a lot) late after he got rid of the puck. But it was a vicious hit, tho hard to tell whether it was Brown's shoulder, elbow or stick, or Hudler's own helmet, that did the damage. Hudler was knocked silly and had a big gash over his eye. It recalled Brashear's hit against the Ranger's Betts, which resulted in a broken eye socket. Again, it wasn't clear exactly what of Brashear's hit Betts. It was similarly late. Brown was given a five minute match and a game misconduct.
In the intermission, Jonesy was adamant that Brown will be suspended for the series and deservedly so, according to Jones. Hudler missed two or three shifts, and returned to the game, although it is hard not to think he is playing with a concussion.
The question in my mind is if the recipients of these checks had not sustained some visible damage, would the penalties have been as severe? Does Brown deserve less than Brashear, since his victim returned to play almost immediately, whereas Brashear's was out at least the rest of that series? Is the NHL cracking down on all shots to the head now, even the so-called "clean" shoulder shots at high speed into unseeing faces?
Cuz the bottom line is that broken eye sockets and head gashes are relatively easily repaired compared to concussions, many of which look like nothing at all at the time. Given the number of careers ended or hampered by concussions, I would like the NHL to move against all shots to the head, just like the NFL does with QBs. It should be the defender/checker's responsibility not to hit them in the head. And if a head shot leads to an injury, then maybe the assailant should be suspended for as long as his victim is unable to play.
Franzen would be the perfect beast for the Flyers. I'd give up anyone except Richards and Timonen for him.
Brown put a nasty hit on Hudler a bit (but not a lot) late after he got rid of the puck. But it was a vicious hit, tho hard to tell whether it was Brown's shoulder, elbow or stick, or Hudler's own helmet, that did the damage. Hudler was knocked silly and had a big gash over his eye. It recalled Brashear's hit against the Ranger's Betts, which resulted in a broken eye socket. Again, it wasn't clear exactly what of Brashear's hit Betts. It was similarly late. Brown was given a five minute match and a game misconduct.
In the intermission, Jonesy was adamant that Brown will be suspended for the series and deservedly so, according to Jones. Hudler missed two or three shifts, and returned to the game, although it is hard not to think he is playing with a concussion.
The question in my mind is if the recipients of these checks had not sustained some visible damage, would the penalties have been as severe? Does Brown deserve less than Brashear, since his victim returned to play almost immediately, whereas Brashear's was out at least the rest of that series? Is the NHL cracking down on all shots to the head now, even the so-called "clean" shoulder shots at high speed into unseeing faces?
Cuz the bottom line is that broken eye sockets and head gashes are relatively easily repaired compared to concussions, many of which look like nothing at all at the time. Given the number of careers ended or hampered by concussions, I would like the NHL to move against all shots to the head, just like the NFL does with QBs. It should be the defender/checker's responsibility not to hit them in the head. And if a head shot leads to an injury, then maybe the assailant should be suspended for as long as his victim is unable to play.
Carter's shoulder hurt; heart tests pending
When Richards' injury was revealed a day or two ago, the Flyers said no other players would require off-season surgery, which I interpreted to mean no one else was hurt. Now it is revealed that Carter had a shoulder injury as well.
Having hurt my shoulder (needed surgery) last year, I am guessing that taking faceoffs might be one of the more stressful things you can do to an ailing shoulder. Which might explain while Richards (in particular) and Carter were so awful in that respect vs Pens. But that begs the question of why Stevens kept throwing them out there, particularly in key situations.
While I still think Carter is too soft, perhaps the shoulder explains his lack of productivity in terms of points. But now I wonder about Stevens' smarts and ability to make in-game adjustments -- Philly never solved the problem of breaking out of their own end, and resorted to 50-yard backhand passes across their own blue line time and time again. Never want to see that again.
Having hurt my shoulder (needed surgery) last year, I am guessing that taking faceoffs might be one of the more stressful things you can do to an ailing shoulder. Which might explain while Richards (in particular) and Carter were so awful in that respect vs Pens. But that begs the question of why Stevens kept throwing them out there, particularly in key situations.
While I still think Carter is too soft, perhaps the shoulder explains his lack of productivity in terms of points. But now I wonder about Stevens' smarts and ability to make in-game adjustments -- Philly never solved the problem of breaking out of their own end, and resorted to 50-yard backhand passes across their own blue line time and time again. Never want to see that again.
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