AL MVP
This was a tough call. There were a lot of good candidates, but I am going to go ahead with Dustin Pedroia of the Boston Red Sox. While many other Sox were injured or quitting on their team, Pedroia was a constant hitting .326 with 17 homeruns and 83 RBI's. Pedroia raised his batting average from .279 to .326 since June 1 and helped the Red Sox get back to the playoffs. Pedroia also led the league in hits and swiped 20 bases.
NL MVP
Albert Pujols should be a no doubter. Pujols kept the Cardinals in the Wild Card Race down the stretch by hitting .357 with 37 Home Runs and 116 RBI's. Now, Ryan Howard had a great September to help improve his mediocre average with ended up at .251 with 48 HR's and 146 RBI's. The difference between Pujols and Howard (mainly 100 points) also includes strikeouts (Howard's 199 to Pujols 54) and Walks (Howards 81 to Pujols 104).
AL Manager of the Year
Joe Madden, Tampa Bay. Is there really a need to explain it?
NL Manager of the Year
I was gonna give this award to Joe Torre. Then I realized the Dodgers only improved 2games from last year's record. So I'm gonna roll the dice and give the award to Cecil Cooper. Now, you will probably ask me, who is Cecil Cooper? Well, he is the Manager for the Houston Astros. Cooper took over last year in the middle of the year for Phil Garner and the Astros finished 73-89. This year, the Astros got off to a terrible start and even lost Carlos Lee to a season ending hand injury. All the Astros did was finish 3.5 games out of the Wild Card Slot while finishing RED HOT down the stretch. With the Cubs and Phillies expected to make playoff runs, and the Brewers firing their manager two weeks ago, I'll go with Cooper.
AL Rookie of the Year
Despite missing part of the year, Evan Longoria led all AL Rookies in nearly every hitting statistical category (.272, 27 HR's, and 85 RBI's) helping lead Tampa Bay to their first playoff berth ever en route to the AL East title.
NL Rookie of the Year
Geovanny Soto, Cubs, Catcher. (.286, 23 HR, 86 RBI's). Should be unaminous, no debate here
AL Cy Young Award
With all due respect to Fransisco Rodriguez and his 66 saves, he didn't even have the best year for an AL Reliever (Mariano Rivera did). I'll go with Cliff Lee here who went 22-3 with a 2.54 ERA with 170 strikeouts in 223.1 IP. He also had a very impressive 1.11 WHIP.
NL Cy Young Award
CC Sabathia was incredible for Milwaukee. He went 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA and an unreal 7 complete games for Milwaukee. Unfortunately for Sabathia, Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants had an overall superb season for a subpar team throwing 265 strikeouts in 227 innings, while going 18-5 with a 2.62 ERA
Monday, September 29, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
No posts this week
Been a little busy this week. I'll be back on Tuesday of next week with my predictions for the MLB Playoffs and I will also rundown my picks for the MVP, Rookie of the Year, and Manager of the Year for both leagues.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
no Beanie? didn't matter....
If you listened to Ohio State fans this week, they would argue that if Beanie Wells was able to play last Saturday against USC that it would have made a difference. Yeah, maybe instead of losing 35-3 you would lose 35-10. Maybe instead of recruiting one blue chip running back, Ohio State should recruit 5 or 6 like USC does. That way when one guy gets hurt, the next guy can go right in (see 1995 Nebraska for example). Now, i'm not goig to sit here and crown USC the National Champion after that performance. The Buckeyes once again showed they were slow and stale in a matchup with a big time school outside the Big 10. If USC were to make it to the BCS title game, they will likely face an undefeated or one less SEC school (which has a lot of power in speed). USC will have an easy road as all major games the rest of the year are at home. Furthermore, the Pac 10 is looking very very mediocre after their performance last Saturday.
Holy Crap. Did BYU really beat UCLA 59-0? The same UCLA team that beat Tennessee on Labor Day? Let me tell you something Vol fan, you have a home game against Florida this week. Get ready for potentially the worst home loss in the history of your program. I will have the pleasure of seeing it in person as I am flying down to Knoxivlle on Friday.
Elsewhere in the spors world. JB Sez that the Milwaukee Brewers made the right decision in firing Manager Ned Yost. Although Yost has let the Brewers from the bottom of the Major Leagues to playoff contention, it appeared that the Brewers were in the midst of giving away a playoff spot for the second straight year after getting swept by the Philadelphia Phillies in 4 games this past weekend. The Brewers looked lifeless in that 4 games series and something had to be done to shake things up. Not only is this a wake up call to the team, but it has to be a wakeup call to the players as well. The Brewers have the finest minor league system in baseball and there is a lot of young talent ready to go. With CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets likely leaving after this year, the Brewers may not have a shot to make the playoffs for a couple years when all the young minor league talent is playing too its potential.
OK, i'm going to flat out say this. The Kansas City Chiefs are the worst organization in pro football. Now, I understand that the Chiefs are committed to a youth movement, a rebuilding phase; however, you cannot go through a youth movement with no real quarterback. The Chiefs planned on playing Brodie Croyle at QB during the year, but to nobody's surprise, Croyle got hurt in week one. What happened last Sunday was embarrasing. The Chiefs trotted out three different QB's against Oakland, including someone who on the practice squad earlier in the week. What makes things worse were reports that Lane Kiffin was about to get fired as Oakland coach, yet the Chiefs were the team playing like its coach was about to get fired. If Kansas City wants to commit to a rebuilding period, they need to draft a quarterback in the first round next year and make a commitment to that QB. As long as Clark Hunt allows Carl Peterson to act as general manager, this team will go nowhere.
Holy Crap. Did BYU really beat UCLA 59-0? The same UCLA team that beat Tennessee on Labor Day? Let me tell you something Vol fan, you have a home game against Florida this week. Get ready for potentially the worst home loss in the history of your program. I will have the pleasure of seeing it in person as I am flying down to Knoxivlle on Friday.
Elsewhere in the spors world. JB Sez that the Milwaukee Brewers made the right decision in firing Manager Ned Yost. Although Yost has let the Brewers from the bottom of the Major Leagues to playoff contention, it appeared that the Brewers were in the midst of giving away a playoff spot for the second straight year after getting swept by the Philadelphia Phillies in 4 games this past weekend. The Brewers looked lifeless in that 4 games series and something had to be done to shake things up. Not only is this a wake up call to the team, but it has to be a wakeup call to the players as well. The Brewers have the finest minor league system in baseball and there is a lot of young talent ready to go. With CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets likely leaving after this year, the Brewers may not have a shot to make the playoffs for a couple years when all the young minor league talent is playing too its potential.
OK, i'm going to flat out say this. The Kansas City Chiefs are the worst organization in pro football. Now, I understand that the Chiefs are committed to a youth movement, a rebuilding phase; however, you cannot go through a youth movement with no real quarterback. The Chiefs planned on playing Brodie Croyle at QB during the year, but to nobody's surprise, Croyle got hurt in week one. What happened last Sunday was embarrasing. The Chiefs trotted out three different QB's against Oakland, including someone who on the practice squad earlier in the week. What makes things worse were reports that Lane Kiffin was about to get fired as Oakland coach, yet the Chiefs were the team playing like its coach was about to get fired. If Kansas City wants to commit to a rebuilding period, they need to draft a quarterback in the first round next year and make a commitment to that QB. As long as Clark Hunt allows Carl Peterson to act as general manager, this team will go nowhere.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
The Republican Party at its finest......
Bravo!!! Bravo!!! Thank you Jon Stewart for running this video.
Nebraska Football Review
In this edition of Husker recap, JB will review the Good, the Bad, and the downright Ugly in the first 2 weeks of Husker football. In order to start this review on a positive note, lets start with "the Good"
The Good
1. Nebraska is 2-0. Pretty short and sweet, but its important. Nebraska ended last year losing 5 of 6 games. Getting wins over anyone at this point helps build confidence in the team. Shouldn't be too much of an issue being 3-0 heading into a bye week and then a home game against Virginia Tech. Although Bo Pelini and Jeff Jamrog don't like the current schedule, its serving as a confidence builder.
2. Niles Paul as a return weapon. Paul exploded through the San Jose Special Teams Unit for a kickoff return touchdown in the 4th quarter. It took the wind out of the sails of San Jose State, setting the stage for a dominant Husker 4th quarter. Paul also has 3 additional kick off returns averaging 25 yards per return, tops on the team. Look for Paul to remain as the main kickoff return threat this fall. Its too bad Bill Callahan burned his redshirt for no reason.
3. Andy Christensen is back on the team. Christensen was reinstated to the team by Bo Pelini after he was cleared of sexual assault charges. Christensen did plead guilty to two misdemeanors and is definitely on a "one more strike and you are out policy" with the program. Christensen will sit out New Mexico State as part of his suspension but will be in the lineup for Virginia Tech. Christensen will hopefully bring some much needed depth and continuity to the offensive line, something it has been lacking.
4. Cody Glenn's play at linebacker. Now, Pelini will admit that Glenn can do better (and Glenn even admitted it himself), but Glenn has been a pleasant surprise at the position this year. He leads the team with 17 tackles including 13 solo tackles. Glenn volunteered to move to the linebacker spot, where depth is a big issue this year.
5. The kicking game. Alex Henery is 4-4 in field goals this year (all over 40 yards) and is 10-10 in extra point attempts. Adi Kunalic has 9 touchbacks in 16 kickoff attempts. Kunalic has been affected by some wind in his face, but overall is doing a good job.
The Bad
1. Barry Turner is out for the year. Now, Turner has not been himself the last two years. After a superb freshman year, he has dissapeared the last two years and struggled a bit through the first game. Don't think for a second that an injury is ever good for a team. Defensive Line is another position where Nebraska is thin and the Turner injury does not help. Right now Clayton Sievers is listed as the backup at the Right End and Left End position. Time will tell if Nebraska can continue to operate 3 players at 2 positions, especially heading into Big 12 play.
2. The Overall Play of the Defense. Last year the defense was 112th in the nation in total yards allowed. This year they have given up 351.5 yards per game, good enough for 69th in the nation. Improvement right? Um, wrong. This is Western Michigan and San Jose State doing this to Nebraska. What's gonna happen when Nebraska goes up against the likes of Missouri, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and Kansas? As Carl Lewis would say, UH OH!!!
The Downright Ugly
1. The most dissapointing stat of the last weekend was 12 penalties for 103 yards, including 3 STRAIGHT FALSE STATE/ILLEGAL PROCEDURE PENALTIES. I don't care how bad the contunity is on the offensive line. You can't commit those penalties, especially at home, when the crowd is QUIET while you play on offense. Then again, if we are talking about Memorial Stadium, the crowd has the ability to be quiet when the Husker defense takes the field.
2. Offensive Line/Rushing Game. Nebraska is averaging a paltry 3.0 yards per carry if you take out the 27 yard run by Roy Helu against San Jose State and the 32 yard broken play run by Joe Ganz against Western Michigan. Nebraska has to establish some sort of running game to control the clock and help keep the defense off the field. Quick 3 and out do nothing to help time management and resting the defense. Hopefully the return of Andy Christensen helps fuel a resurgence in the offensive line.
The Good
1. Nebraska is 2-0. Pretty short and sweet, but its important. Nebraska ended last year losing 5 of 6 games. Getting wins over anyone at this point helps build confidence in the team. Shouldn't be too much of an issue being 3-0 heading into a bye week and then a home game against Virginia Tech. Although Bo Pelini and Jeff Jamrog don't like the current schedule, its serving as a confidence builder.
2. Niles Paul as a return weapon. Paul exploded through the San Jose Special Teams Unit for a kickoff return touchdown in the 4th quarter. It took the wind out of the sails of San Jose State, setting the stage for a dominant Husker 4th quarter. Paul also has 3 additional kick off returns averaging 25 yards per return, tops on the team. Look for Paul to remain as the main kickoff return threat this fall. Its too bad Bill Callahan burned his redshirt for no reason.
3. Andy Christensen is back on the team. Christensen was reinstated to the team by Bo Pelini after he was cleared of sexual assault charges. Christensen did plead guilty to two misdemeanors and is definitely on a "one more strike and you are out policy" with the program. Christensen will sit out New Mexico State as part of his suspension but will be in the lineup for Virginia Tech. Christensen will hopefully bring some much needed depth and continuity to the offensive line, something it has been lacking.
4. Cody Glenn's play at linebacker. Now, Pelini will admit that Glenn can do better (and Glenn even admitted it himself), but Glenn has been a pleasant surprise at the position this year. He leads the team with 17 tackles including 13 solo tackles. Glenn volunteered to move to the linebacker spot, where depth is a big issue this year.
5. The kicking game. Alex Henery is 4-4 in field goals this year (all over 40 yards) and is 10-10 in extra point attempts. Adi Kunalic has 9 touchbacks in 16 kickoff attempts. Kunalic has been affected by some wind in his face, but overall is doing a good job.
The Bad
1. Barry Turner is out for the year. Now, Turner has not been himself the last two years. After a superb freshman year, he has dissapeared the last two years and struggled a bit through the first game. Don't think for a second that an injury is ever good for a team. Defensive Line is another position where Nebraska is thin and the Turner injury does not help. Right now Clayton Sievers is listed as the backup at the Right End and Left End position. Time will tell if Nebraska can continue to operate 3 players at 2 positions, especially heading into Big 12 play.
2. The Overall Play of the Defense. Last year the defense was 112th in the nation in total yards allowed. This year they have given up 351.5 yards per game, good enough for 69th in the nation. Improvement right? Um, wrong. This is Western Michigan and San Jose State doing this to Nebraska. What's gonna happen when Nebraska goes up against the likes of Missouri, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and Kansas? As Carl Lewis would say, UH OH!!!
The Downright Ugly
1. The most dissapointing stat of the last weekend was 12 penalties for 103 yards, including 3 STRAIGHT FALSE STATE/ILLEGAL PROCEDURE PENALTIES. I don't care how bad the contunity is on the offensive line. You can't commit those penalties, especially at home, when the crowd is QUIET while you play on offense. Then again, if we are talking about Memorial Stadium, the crowd has the ability to be quiet when the Husker defense takes the field.
2. Offensive Line/Rushing Game. Nebraska is averaging a paltry 3.0 yards per carry if you take out the 27 yard run by Roy Helu against San Jose State and the 32 yard broken play run by Joe Ganz against Western Michigan. Nebraska has to establish some sort of running game to control the clock and help keep the defense off the field. Quick 3 and out do nothing to help time management and resting the defense. Hopefully the return of Andy Christensen helps fuel a resurgence in the offensive line.
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