The LA Sports Blog: Burns ~ Waiting For The Sun

By: Nate Gordon

Also available at –lafanblog.blogspot.com & www.armchairgm.com

Can You Feel It, Now That July Has Come?

So I suppose I am over the NBA Finals hangover and have moved on to MLB and the NBA off-season. I have come to terms with the face that a Bynum-less Los Angeles Lakers are no match for the Boston Celtics (and even with him, likely lose in 7), So we are left at an impasse, a team that is two wins shy of a championship without Andrew Bynum and a team that might still be one win away with him. Los Angeles Radio seems to call for a move of Lamar Odom with 710 ESPN’s Brian Long of the afternoon show’s Dameshek, Denholm & Long going so far as to state: "I’ll drive Lamar to the airport myself." I’m not so quick to ship off a guy that gives you 14 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assist and shot 52% from the floor. His passive style makes him an unreliable offensive option granted. However next season he would be sharing the 3 rd priority in the triangle with Andrew Bynum which fits his style much better. Moreover his long frame and athletic ability makes him a great option to defend the 3 position on defense. I think if you can bring in some veteran depth on the bench you make an off-season signing, but for the most part I would leave this roster unchanged and work on ways to motivate the guys to work just as hard this season, as they did last season.

So What About Armchair?

So what about it fool? No, I’m just playing around – many positive things have transpired in the early summer happenings of ArmchairGM. The chatter and debate over the European Championships really heated up during the final stages. Several users defended they’re choices for the eventual champion and the Spain supporters came out on top. With Fernando Torres goal in the 31 st minute several guys started to look very good on the forums, while others were left to defend themselves. I guess Rawbee has some explaining to do.

The is one of the recent hits of AGM and a favorite of the LASB. Not only because we make frequent cameos in the Q&A section, but also because it is a thought provoking piece of work – even if it is one mans ramblings of several thousand words. If This Douche can reinvent the wheel, then so can this guy. However my suggestion is to switch all his non-baseball fandoms to Philadelphia teams because middle America seems to identify with white guys who suffer with losing teams. Then after he gains popularity and a high paying corporate sports job all the teams can win, and he to can become a douche; because lets face it folks, this game is all about quality of life and obtaining it.

A list of my favorite bloggers in 2008:
Falcon
Meg
Manny
Sports Crack (I LOVE the Sporting Real World)
The Oldest Man and his son, The 2nd Oldest Man

What a Dope Head

To Athletes Who Get Caught With Weed...

Derrick Martin was found with weed allegedly…

…23 years on this earth without an arrest or conflict. I would be willing to train you (for a hefty tariff) how to not get caught with your weed. This is how: make one of your Entourage members carry it. I watch a lot of Entourage and I can tell you the secret to Vince Chase smoking plenty of weed and never getting caught – Turtle always has the pot. It's not hard; if your rich and you have an entourage, you're paying your friends living expenses anyway, make them carry the weed.

Now I should make clear for the kids that you shouldn’t be smoking weed – that wouldn't be a wise lifestyle choice at all. However if you find yourself as a rich professional athlete who is irresponsible and is willing to be a poor role model for children, then have your entourage member hold the weed. But don’t put yourself in that situation in the first place – don't touch the chronic.

Okay… now that your parents aren’t looking, do whatever you want, I really don't care.

Now For The List

5 Baseball Players I'd Want on the Dodgers Today:
Josh Hamilton
Brandon Webb
Prince Fielder
Chase Utley
Evan Longoria

5 Players I’d Want on the Dodgers 5 Years Ago:
Jeff Kent
Jason Schmidt
Juan Pierre
Derek Lowe
Nomar Garciaparra

Players Who Need To Establish Themselves During WC Qualifying

3rd Center Back Jay DeMerit
Left Back Heath Pearce
Midfielder Benny Feilharber
Midfielder Freddy Adu
Forwards Landon Donovan and Jozy Altidore

e-mail: LASportsblog@gmail.com

Top 5: Fantasy Football Rankings

Every once in a little while I've decided to post a top ten list of things in the sports world today. Although it's only July 2nd, why not start with the top 10 Fantasy Football players for this coming year? I mean, who doesn't love Fantasy Football.

5. Steven Jackson

Gotta go RB. Jackson had an off year in 2007, but he is an animal, so don't expect that to happen two years in a row. The St. Louis Rams are looking for a fresh start out West, and I expect Bulger to hand the ball off to Jackson quite a few times this year, possibly 250+ carries. That means, more yards for Steven. And remember, he's also a threat in the passing game, he caught 38 passes for 271 yards last season, and a healthy Bulger will mean more touches through the air, as well.

4. Tom Brady

After his historic 50 TD pass season in '07, Brady surpassed Peyton Manning as the best NFL QB, and fantasy QB by a long shot. With Randy Moss, and Wes Welker back this year expect more of the same coming from Brady. They will continue to pass the hell out of defenses, and rack up the points. 3. Brian Westbrook

I think Westbrook is the most underrated back in the history of Fantasy Football. He can get it done on the ground, and through the air. Many times he is McNabb's primary target (although that may change with DeSean Jackson in the game this year). Westbrook is a beast. Whoever thought of a RB with 1,333 rushing yards, and 90 receptions, which went for 771 yards?! Westbrook sure does know how to pull in fantasy points.

2. Adrian Peterson

He may only be heading into his second NFL season, but this guy has already been compared to guys like Barry Sanders, and Walter Payton. He won't top "LT the Fantasy King", but he is in for a 1,500+, 15 TD season in Minnesota, which is a run-heavy team to begin with. If you have the second overall pick in your draft this year, don't hesitate to pick this youngster up.
1. Ladainian Tomlinson

He may have gotten off to a slow start last season, but LT surely knows how the game is played, and has had a big regular season every year of his seven-year career. He may not be able to get it done in the postseason, but most fantasy seasons are over by then, so unless your a Charger fan (God bless you if you are), it really doesn't matter how he fares. Tomlinson will continue to top fantasy draft boards again this year.

Next Up: Uh, I actually haven't given it any thought. I'll just let you know what the next list of Top 5 will be when I post it.

The Daily "Linkin' Logs" (7/2/08)

Another additional of the Daily Linkin' Logs. Its a fine morning for my Philadelphia Phillies, who sent their "ace" wife beater down to the minors to rework. Makes me wonder how he took it. Did he "Chacon" Pat Gillick the GM, "Ramirez" the traveling secretary as he planned the trip, or did he take it in silence and just "Myers" his wife when he got home.

I shouldn't discredit Myers too much, since the incident in Boston in 2006, he's be more than willing to do therapy with his wife, has learned to control his anger and also took the move to the minors as a chance to rework rather than the demotion some might think it is.

As a result, the Phils posted a rare W (as of late) over the Bravos last night and called up R.J. Swindle, the electric middle relieve who's posted a 1.93 ERA in just over 20 innings pitched in AAA ball. Still makes me wonder where the next starter (to replace Myers) will come from.

Well enough about the Phils, on to the links!

• I know this one isn't sports related per se (unless you think bullying is a sport) but it was too much to pass up. Pamela Manson of the Salt Lake Tribute reports that yesterday the Utah Supreme Court threw out the manslaughter conviction of Erik Curtis Low on the basis that the jury was instructed that it could convict Low of manslaughter instead of Murder if it so desired. Not such startling news, as bumbling prosecutions aren't all that odd, but I haven't told you what Low did yet. Apparently (and you can read in the article), Low was at his aparment with three other men and they were drinking, ingesting cocaine and horsing around when one man, Jon Michael Hirschey grabbed low and gave him an atomic wedgie (I shit you not, the wedgie was apparently so strong, it lifted low off his feet). Within a few seconds, Low, drew a gun and shot Hirschey twice, once in the shoulder and once in the head, killing him. He was charged with murder and taken to trial. From there, you can see the results and today Low walks free, however I would surmise he'll receive a much smaller charge and probably conviction...


• Paul Snider of the Tribute introduces us to the next Rick Ankiel


• Jill Painter of the LA Daily News tells us Baron Davis is probably a Clipper (Talk about the poor man's Kobe)


• Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News recruits NBA referees who are in the Army now as the NBA hires a former Army General to head its Referee operations, formerly seperating them from basketball operations.


• Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald proves the Patriots are Hypocrits (and douches!)


• Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald tells us if Ronnie Brown and his (supposed) mentors have their way Ricky Williams will be the Fins opening day starter


• Jack Curry of the New York Times reports that Mark Ecko will donate the 765th home run ball by Barry Bonds to the Hall...and yeah, it'll have an asterisk.


• And as given to us by Deadspin.com, Harold Reynolds apparently is making is graceful return to cable network baseball analysis...hopefully TBS has enough interns for Reynolds' to grab.

Baseball Notebook

Barry "Balco" Bonds 756th Home Run Ball
Being Donated to Baseball Hall of Fame

Barry "Balco" Bonds has stated in the past that he doesn't want to be in the Baseball Hall of Fame if his 756th "Asterisk" ball is displayed and now the Hall of Fame has called his bluff and will have it on display as soon as the exhibit can be set up.

Whether Bonds will even have a chance to reject admission to the Baseball Hall of Fame remains to be seen since he is not a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame and if he is sentenced to prison for perjury before the Balco grand jury he will have even less chance of being admitted. If he does go to prison and is admitted to the Hall of Fame I think Pete Rose should be admitted.

Marc Ecko who bought the ball for $752,467 had the asterisk added after an internet vote by fans that chose that option for the ball. The other two options were to donate it to the Hall of Fame without the asterisk or blast the ball into outer space.

Bonds called Ecko an idiot for branding the ball with an asterisk but Ecko who has his own clothing line that makes a billion dollars annually really didn't care what Bonds wanted done with the ball went ahead with the asterisk branding.

In 2013 Hall of Fame voters will be voting on Bonds admittance if his name is on the ballot. That would depend on whether he plays again or not. If he is voted in and is in prison he would be the first Hall of Fame inductee to make his speech from a prison cell.

Sonnanstine, Kazmir Anchor

Tampa Bay Rays Pitching Staff

Starting Rotation

Not many baseball fans would have thought that Andy Sonnanstine 9-3 would have the best record on the Tampa Bay Rays pitching staff after having a 6-10 season with the Rays last year. He has beaten some very good teams this season with wins over the Cardinals, White Sox, Cubs and Marlins and won his first start of the season against the Yankees. He has not given up more than 3 runs in his last seven starts.

Surprisingly he has given up 21 more hits than innings pitched this season and finished last season with 21 more hits than innings pitched but that doesn't matter that much with the Rays offense hitting the way they have been this season.

Scott Kazmir 7-3 didn't even start his first game this season until May 4th and that makes Rays fans wonder how far the Rays would be ahead of the Red Sox if Kazmir hadn't missed 6 or 7 starts. Kazmir didn't allow a home run until his sixth start of the season. Opposing hitters are hitting only .192 against Kazmir and he is even better when pitching with runners in scoring position as the other teams hit only .163 against him in that situation.

Matt Garza 7-4 was 5-7 after 15 starts with the Twins in 2007 but in 15 starts this year he is 7-4. He pitched his best game of the season in his most important start of the season when he held the Red Sox scoreless last night.

James Shields 6-5 has pitched better than his record indicates. In two seperate starts against the Yankees he gave up a total of 4 runs in 12 innings yet lost both games. He gave up one run in 6 innings against the White Sox and had a no decision. The stat that really stands out is that Shields has had 12 starts in which he gave up one or less walks with 4 starts with no walks.

Edwin Jackson 4-6 won his first two starts of the season against the Yankees and Mariners. Since then he has been 2-6. He has given up 4 or more runs in 7 starts. In 3 of those starts he gave up 6 runs. Jackson has won one game since May 24th. To his credit Jackson pitched 22 innings in three consecutive starts against the Blue Jays, Yankees and Cardinals and only allowed only one earned run but received three no decisions in those games. Earlier this season he pitched 7 innings against the Red Sox and allowed one run but again received a no decision.
So he could easily be 8-6 with any kind of run support in those games.

Bullpen

J.P. Howell 6-0 has been the most solid performer out of the bullpen. Last season he was 1-6 and was 5-14 lifetime before starting this season. He has pitched 51 innings in both last season and so far this season. He gave up 69 hits in 51 innings last season but in 51 innings this season he has given up only 36 hits so he has given up an amazing 33 less hits in the same number of innings as last year.

Kurt Berkins 0-0 and Grant Balfour 2-0 have pitched a combined 26 innings and have allowed 3 runs and 11 hits.

Dan Wheeler 2-3 has an impressive 1.88 ERA and has only lost once since April 16th. He has the same identical 1.88 ERA this season against both lefthanders and righthanders.

Jason Hammel 3-3 was 3-11 combined in his first two seasons with the Rays. He has a negative stat of having an 8.79 ERA when runners are in scoring position against him but also has a positive stat in that he has a 1.59 ERA in late innings of close games.

Scott Dohmann 2-0 has a winning record but has a team worst 6.14 ERA but those two wins have came against the Red Sox showing he can beat the best teams despite the high ERA. Unfortunately for Dohmann he was sent back to the minors when Al Reyes returned from the disabled list.

Al Reyes 1-2 had an ERA of 10.38 in April before being placed on the disabled list. He returned to the bullpen on May14th and had given up only 2 runs in his last eleven appearances before returning to the disabled list but may be returning again soon.

Troy Percival 1-0 is pitching for his fourth different team in the last four years and has pitched well for the Rays with 19 saves in 21 chances. Percival allowed no runs in his first 11 appearances of the season. His May ERA was 5.11 and his June ERA was 5.40. Percival was placed on the 15 day disabled list yesterday so the Rays will have to decide who will fill the closer spot till he returns.

Around the Bases

Note: Due to the extremely long time it takes to do recaps of 15 games on most days I am going to write a more general recap of the most important events from the games and other baseball news. It was taking over three hours to do the recaps and look up stats. I am sorry to have to cut back on the recaps but hope the new format will be of interest to the readers. There will be no article tomorrow due to out of town trip for post surgery checkup.


Rays are the best team in the majors now as they posted their 51st win and are the only team with a winning percentage over .600 with a .614 mark....Rays, Tigers and Twins are the best teams over the last ten games with 8-2 records....No NL West team has a winning record in their last ten games and the Padres are the worst team in their last ten games with a 1-9 record. The Dodgers are 5 games under .500 and only 2 1/2 games behind the first place Diamondbacks.

White Sox have the longest current winning streak in the majors with 6 consecutive wins....Ian Kinsler is the new batting average leader in the AL with a .324 average....Rich Harden has allowed more than 3 runs in a game only once this season....Richie Sexson had 5 homers and 16 RBI's at the end of April but since then he had only 4 homers and 5 RBI's in May and had no homers and 5 RBI's in the month of June before hitting his 10th homer of the season yesterday. In his first two seasons he had a total of 73 homers but in the 2007 season and so far this season he only has 31 homers.

Kyle Kendrick 8-3 has only lost once since April 16th and that loss was to the Red Sox....Peter Gammons predicted last night that Lance Berkman will win the NL Triple Crown this season. He is only one homer behind the NL home run leaders and is tied for the NL RBI lead. He is close enough to Chipper Jones to have a chance at winning the batting title.

Edinson Volquez has allowed only 4 homers in 104 innings this season after allowing 4 homers in 34 innings last year....Randy Johnson 4-7 lost his sixth start last night in his loss to the Brewers and has not won since May 18th. His May ERA was 3.19, his June ERA was 6.82 and after his first start in July his July ERA is 17.18. Last night's game was the third of his last four starts in which he allowed 7 earned runs. He also gave up 3 homers in a game for the first time this season last night.

Best Pitching Matchups

Daisuke Matsuzaka 9-1 against Scott Kazmir 7-3

Dana Eveland 6-5 against Joe Saunders 11-4