Sunday, July 17, 2011
Don't Do It!!
To all the baseball "experts" that think shortening the baseball season is good idea, can I offer an opinion? That's a bad idea. I'm the first one in line to say that baseball needs to make some changes, and I agree with those who say that MLB drastically needs to improve its marketing, but shortening the season is not the way to do it. Shortening the season to 154 games or 120 games will have the absolute opposite effect for one major reason: we will never see another record be broken in professional baseball. With no records being threatened, a huge part of marketing of any sport will be completely eliminated. You can market the stars of the game, the all-star game (which is the best of any major sport), the thrilling post season, but fans of all ages will miss out on seeing someone pass Barry Bonds for the home run crown, a pitcher win 300, a hitter reach 3,000, or anybody challenge any career record. The prevailing saying in sports is "records are made to be broken." If Major League Baseball shortens the season, we won't get to say that ever again in reference to the national pastime.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Who's It Gonna Be?
The All-Star game marks the halfway point in the season. A perfect time to predict who will be playing in October with some experience to back it up (not like those preseason predictions that always end up way off base). So without further adieu, my picks for the division and wild card winners....
American League West
The Angels and Rangers play 13 more games against each other in the second half and that's probably what will decide this division. In the end, I give the edge to the potent offense of the defending AL champs.
American League Central
With an ace that's a no-hitter threat every time he toes the rubber and an offense that won't quit, the Tigers take this one while beating out the surprising Indians.
American League East
You can't beat the boys from beantown and that offense. The older by the minute Yankees will have to settle for the wild card this year.
American League Wild Card
The Yankees are great, they just happen to play in the same division as the Red Sox. Once in the playoffs, though, look out for this veteran team.
National League West
The defending World Champs will take this one without a fight this time in the "black and blue" division. Sorry fellow Arizonans, but the D-backs have hit their peak. The only challenger could be the Rockies, but their pitching won't stand up to one of the top pitching staffs in the majors.
National League Central
This is the division to watch this summer. With the Pirates in the thick of it too, that brings the total contender count to four. I give the edge to the Cards, though, with the returns of Pujols, Holliday, and Freese to bolster the offense. Everybody else will have to duke it out for the wild card.
National League East
It's easy to pick the Phillies with that pitching staff and a sleeping giant of an offense, but the boys from the ATL will give them a run for their money.
National League Wild Card
They may sneak in and steal the East but the Braves will be a dangerous wild card after having to beat out the challengers from the Central.
There you go folks. Write it down...oh, wait. I did that. Well then just enjoy the second half of the season and stay tuned for my award predictions.
American League West
The Angels and Rangers play 13 more games against each other in the second half and that's probably what will decide this division. In the end, I give the edge to the potent offense of the defending AL champs.
American League Central
With an ace that's a no-hitter threat every time he toes the rubber and an offense that won't quit, the Tigers take this one while beating out the surprising Indians.
American League East
You can't beat the boys from beantown and that offense. The older by the minute Yankees will have to settle for the wild card this year.
American League Wild Card
The Yankees are great, they just happen to play in the same division as the Red Sox. Once in the playoffs, though, look out for this veteran team.
National League West
The defending World Champs will take this one without a fight this time in the "black and blue" division. Sorry fellow Arizonans, but the D-backs have hit their peak. The only challenger could be the Rockies, but their pitching won't stand up to one of the top pitching staffs in the majors.
National League Central
This is the division to watch this summer. With the Pirates in the thick of it too, that brings the total contender count to four. I give the edge to the Cards, though, with the returns of Pujols, Holliday, and Freese to bolster the offense. Everybody else will have to duke it out for the wild card.
National League East
It's easy to pick the Phillies with that pitching staff and a sleeping giant of an offense, but the boys from the ATL will give them a run for their money.
National League Wild Card
They may sneak in and steal the East but the Braves will be a dangerous wild card after having to beat out the challengers from the Central.
There you go folks. Write it down...oh, wait. I did that. Well then just enjoy the second half of the season and stay tuned for my award predictions.
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