A-Rod hears it in Boston

I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you that every Red Sox fan in the world hates Alex Rodriguez, but just in case you had any doubts check out this video of his last appearance at Fenway Park.

No Room For Haters: Time To Jump On Blue Jays’ Bandwagon

“Hollywood is crazy… ‘The Last Samurai’ starring…Tom Cruise? He’s the last samurai? Give me a break … First they had ‘The Mexican’ with Brad Pitt and now they have ‘The Last Samurai’ with Tom Cruise. Well I’ve written a film, maybe they’ll produce my film: ‘The Last N****r On Earth’ starring Tom Hanks… how about that?” – Comedian Paul Mooney from a 2004 episode of Chappelle’s Show

Things don’t always have to make sense in order for us to enjoy them. The fact that the Toronto Blue Jays hold down the best record in Major League Baseball makes about as much sense as Paul Mooney’s casting choice for his prospective movie. The Jays starring as front-runners in the AL East? That role is supposed to be filled by the Red Sox or Yankees every year. But baseball can be crazy too. Who could have predicted the Tampa Bay Rays winning the American League pennant after finishing dead last nearly every season prior to last? Herein lies the beauty of sports, and this is why Jays’ fans should not be embarrassed to showcase their optimism going forward.

Baseball experts like to point to the “bigger picture” as if they have a good sense of what will unfold over the course of 162 games. In that respect, I’m glad I’m not a baseball expert, because as a fan, all I can do is look at the evidence through the first 20 games of the season:

• #1 in the entire league in runs scored with 124 (9 more than 2nd place St. Louis).

• #1 in hits with 218 (26 more than 2nd place St. Louis)

• #2 in home runs with 29 (behind only Texas).

• 3rd best ERA in the American League.

• Best mustache in the entire league (Brian Tallet, pictured below).

The realists (or haters, as I like to call them) will start running their mouths about why this can’t continue for the Jays, but right now, they’re just being annoying. Here are some arguments for why the early-season success could continue:

• A full season of Aaron Hill will continue to make a huge difference from last season. Until now, I never realized how good the guy is and how valuable he is to the team.

• Travis Snider and Adam Lind aren’t just blue-chip prospects anymore; they appear to be potential all-stars.

• The 14-6 start was accomplished without significant contributions from Alex Rios. Wait until he gets going…

• The Jays are 65-43 since Cito Gaston took over last June (a .602 winning percentage). Consider that the Rays won the AL East last year with a .599 mark.

There are plenty of reasons to suggest that the Jays’ great start is purely a mirage and that they’ll fall back down to earth once the usual balance of power in the American League takes its shape. I’m choosing to ignore them and simply enjoy the ride. We’re all used to seeing our Toronto teams suck the bag anyway, so setting ourselves up for more disappointment shouldn’t scare us too much. I like to think we’ve been beaten down so many times before that we’ve developed really thick skin no matter what happens. From that perspective, there is nothing left to lose. Go Jays – this is the year! Who’s with me?

Written by: Sin City

The Sex – Fantasy Baseball Edition

Being the company man that I am, I’ll follow Goat’s lead and talk a little baseball – particularly fantasy baseball sleepers.  The very mention of sleepers sends legions of fantasy players into a tizzy.  Of course, with losers like me pumping out stuff like this all over the interwebs (not to mention a gazillion legitimate sports websites) there’s not really such a thing as a true sleeper anymore.

With that in mind, the focus here is value.  Players on this list may not fit traditional definitions of “sleepers”, but they will likely outperform their draft position (and hopefully for me in my leagues, drastically so).

Side note: my man Goat had some trouble getting me on here, so I’ve trimmed the list down to guys owned in less than 50% of Yahoo! leagues since most drafts are already done.  If you’re in a late draft, keep these names in mind in the mid-to-late rounds:

SP Yovani Gallardo, MIL (Yahoo! Rank: 112)
SP Daisuke Matsuzaka, BOS (Yahoo! Rank: 114)
LF Andre Ethier, LAD (Yahoo! Rank: 131)
SP Scott Baker, MIN (Yahoo! Rank: 166)
CF Adam Jones, BAL (Yahoo! Rank: 181)
SS Khalil Greene, STL (Yahoo! Rank: 184)
CF Cameron Maybin, FLA (Yahoo! Rank: 201)
SP Chris Carpenter, STL (Yahoo! Rank: 236)

As for guys who may be sitting on waivers right now:

C Jarrod Saltalamacchia, TEX (Yahoo! Rank: 258)
The payoff for Teixeira, and supposedly chased by Boston in the offseason.  Should play 5 days a week in a nice ballpark surrounded by a stacked lineup.

3B/LF Chase Headley, SD (Yahoo! Rank: 267)
Gets the everyday LF job in SD – not a hitter’s paradise, but .290-20-80 isn’t out of the question for this up-and-comer.

2B Aaron Hill, TOR (Yahoo! Rank: 289)
Healthy and looking to make up for a lost season, will be a key part of the Jays offense.

RF Kendry Morales, LAA (Yahoo! Rank: 298)
Was huge news when he signed with the Angels and then disappeared.  He’ll play and he’ll hit… maybe not too much power yet, but .300 with 100 RBI’s is a distinct possibility.

RP Jason Motte, STL (Yahoo! Rank: 346)
Not necessarily the full-time closer, Motte will get save chances with the Cards and was a strikeout machine at AAA (14.9 K/9) and in a brief stint with the big club (13.1 K/9) last season.  Word’s out on him by now though.

RF Marcus Thames, DET (Yahoo! Rank: 630)
I used to work in the International League, so I’ve seen a lot of Marcus Thames.  He may finally get his shot to play every day (or close to it), and if he gets 500 AB’s he’ll hit 35 home runs.  At least.

CF/RF Jody Gerut, SD (Yahoo! Rank: 632)
Hey, I remember you!  Weren’t you Sporting News Rookie of the Year once?  What’s that, you might play everyday and go .280-20-75-12?

3B Scott Rolen, TOR (Yahoo! Rank: 671)
Past his prime, but healthy again and being actively shopped.  If his back and shoulders cooperate (as they have been late in the spring), he’ll hit enough for a team to bite on his contract and enough to be worth a spot on mid-to-deep league rosters.

CF Jordan Schafer, ATL (Yahoo! Rank: 778)
Strong spring nets a likely starting gig in center.  Not quite ready for stardom yet, but can be useful while playing everyday.  (This was written before he hit a dinger in his first MLB at-bat… nice looking swing).

CF Felix Pie, BAL (Yahoo! Rank: 888)
One time gem of the Cubs system should start against righties despite a horrendous spring, and look for the O’s to work him in more against lefties as they fall out of contention.  With last picks in very deep drafts, why not take a guy who might have some promise.

SP Andrew Miller, FLA (Yahoo! Rank: 1051)
Speaking of promise, Miller may struggle through another MLB season, but he’s put together a couple of decent outings to end the spring and may yet reach some of the lofty expectations thrust upon him a few years back.

Hopefully a few of these pan out for you and me both.  Oh and by the way, UNC by 16 tonight.  Sorry Izzo, your boys played their balls off but this Carolina team is just too good.  What was I thinking picking Memphis to win it all?

I apologize…Except to Coletrain

I’mmmm baaacccckkkkkk…So if it hasn’t become evident to you lately,I have been off in a far away land but I have returned twice as smart and almost impossibly, 3 times better looking.  Yes, this may all have to do with the fact I have been on the “sauce” more often, thus making my trips past the mirror a tad bit skewed but know this for sure, until long weekends in the summer I am going to be on everyday and I am bringing friends.  So for all of you that have been coming back only to be let down day after day for the last week, I am SORRY, except to Coletrain that ball buster.

During my trip through beerland, I had some pretty good ideas most of which disappeared along with my Euphoria, yet some (probably the realistic ones) stuck with me and now I intend to act on them.  While watching countless games of college basketball over the last few weeks with a few friends of mine I realized one of them had an enormous amount of sports knowledge and he himself used to keep a blog on the internets in times past.  Yes, at first my instinct was to destroy this mans life but I soon came to the realization I needed to unite forces with him. Not only because when I tried to overpower him he bested me but because the sport that needs the largest coverage is about to start and it is also his forte, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL.  STJ will be your guru for all things baseball all summer long whether it be what games to watch, who’s hot and who’s not, trade rumours and especially Fantasy Baseball help.  This man has endless knowledge of not only blue chip Major leaguers you need on your fantasy roster but guys who might not be as well known.  Have a trade proposed to you or a player you want to pick up off waivers in your Fantasy League and you don’t know whether its worth it?  Just ask the Greek Sheik and he will let you know!  So check back soon for STJ AKA “the Greek Sheik” AKA “The Sex” first post: Fantasy Baseball Sleepers.

Peace!

More Breaking News: Yankees Sign AJ Burnett

Seemingly slapping the thoughts of a recession in the face, the New York Yankees have spent almost $243M in 5 days.  First they spend a reported $161M on food lover C.C Sabathia then unable to satisfy their urge to spend money and acquire pitchers with acronyms for names.  They waltz into my backyard and steal A.J Burnett and sign him to his desired 5 years for $82.5M.  Unable to process what it must be like to root for a team that spends mega millions willy nilly. I will just show my emotion in contempt and say I hope AJ’s wife gets stuck in a traffic jam in her limo ride to the game and C.C eats himself into the inability of leaving his SoHo condo.

Peace!

Breaking News: Mets Sign K-Rod

Apparently blowing 29 saves is a big deal?  At least the Mets think so.  Today they have signed energetic closer/slight d-bag Francisco Rodriguez for $37M over 3 years.  Setting the league record last season with 62 saves, K-Rod seems to be the man the Mets need.  Will this to get them out of the Yankees shadow in the 5 boroughs?  Probably not but look how excited he is!