“What’s the deal” with the Houston Astros in the 9th Inning?
That was a Seinfeld reference…yeah. My last blog was also a reference to the Obama Girl video. I am clever.
What’s up with Astros closers? Serious business. For the last 5 years, the Astros have looked for the next Dave Smith or Billy Wagner to solidify the closer position that these two have dominated for so long. Obviously between Dave Smith and Billy Wagner there was about a four year gap of testing closers before Billy Wagner emerged as the go to guy, but it’s nothing like this. Let’s go through all of the closers the Astros have given the ball to for an extended role since the 2004 season began.
Is your NBA Announcer a homer?
A user over at Flickr has compiled his opinions on a big percentage of the hometown play-by-play and color announcers for NBA teams. He put them into a chart that ranks them on Homerism/Objectivity and NBA knowledge or lack thereof. Check it out and let me know what you think? Wrong? Right? Opinions on people who aren’t listed?
Source
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62498538@N00/2413153215/
Thanks to Ryne over at Odenized.com for pointing this out to me.
I’ve Got a Crush on Ichiro.
Ichiro Suzuki is amazing. He is arguably the second best lead-off hitter of all time behind Rickey Henderson. Most of this, in my opinion, is attributed
to his outstanding batting stance. His stance, unlike most players, places almost all of his weight on the front foot, instead of an even 50/50 weight distribution that most hitters use. The stance not only allows him a 2 to 3 step advantage from contact over other hitters, but allows him almost “place the ball” where he wants it. Batting left handed is also a clear advantage over batting right handed, as you are a step ahead as well. His entire stance in motion is extremely complicated, so I might post a slow motion version later.
Is Tracy McGrady a Hall of Famer?
I was cruising around Yahoo Answers today and found a question that I’ve heard a lot of people ask and debate:
“Is Tracy McGrady a Hall of Famer?”
I don’t try to pretend that I’m not biased, and so I normally just say yes to this instantly. I decided to really look at it and break it down with facts this time, so I set off to do some research. We’ll start off with the highlights and accomplishments:
- 2-time NBA scoring leader: 2003 (32.1), 2004 (28.0)
- 7-time NBA All-Star: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
- 6-time All-NBA:
- Shares NBA record for most three-point field goals made in one half with 8 (January 26, 2004 Orlando vs. Cleveland)
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- First Team: 2002, 2003
- Second Team: 2001, 2004, 2007
- Third Team: 2005
- NBA Most Improved Player Award: 2001
- Career 40+ point games (regular season): 45
- Career 50+ point games (regular season): 4
- Career 60+ point games (regular season): 1
- Career triple-doubles (regular season): 3
Bruce Bowen: Dirtiest player since John Stockton?
So many analysts and bloggers have been talking defense lately. We’re coming up on the playoffs, and the focus is starting to shift from Lebron and Kobe’s 40 point games to good lock down defense and winning. John Hollinger’s All-Defense article today had his picks for his All-Defense team. I was happy to see Shane Battier getting some run, and almost as happy to see someone edge out Bruce Bowen, the man that may be the dirtiest player in the NBA today.
A video posted today on Odenized of Bruce Bowen cheap shotting Amare Stoudemire. As everyone who has any idea who Bruce Bowen knows, this isn’t that surprising, but I decided to take a quick run through Youtube and see what else I could come up with.
Bruce Bowen vs Amare Stoudemire
Earl Campbell’s Heisman Trophy rotting away in the airport?
The guys over at SportsByBrooks spotted a trophy case full of some pretty interesting Earl Campbell memorabilia this week, while in an Austin, TX airport.
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Shea Stadium Meet Mr. Rickroll - Rick Astley
Thanks to thousands of write-in votes on the Mets ill conceived fan poll, we now have video of what might be the single biggest rickroll in world history.
Judging from the hastily added last second rules, it doesn’t look like it will happen every game, but this moment will live on in infamy.
John Daly might be on to something…
Tiger Woods keeps winning tournaments. And yet, people criticize John Daly for not trying hard enough, or for boozing too much. Maybe the rest of the PGA tour should realize they have no chance and become alcoholics as well…
March Madness: Western Kentucky vs. UCLA
How we got here
Western Kentucky
101-99 win over #5 Drake
72-63 win over #13 San Diego
Rookie Power Rankings
5. Thaddeus Young
The 76ers are one of the two NBA teams that has turned their season around on the back of a rookie. Young seemed to break through the wall in January and helped turn his team into a legitimate playoff team in the East.
4. Carl Landry
If not for missing a stretch recently, we would definitely have this man rated higher. Carl Landry has been an amazing force for the Rockets. A second round pick that was written off as a long term project, Carl Landry forced himself into the Houston lineup as a pivotal piece of the 22 game win streak. Look for Carl Landry to improve even more as he gets more and more minutes.
…CONTINUE READING =>
Fun Stuff