The Last True All-Star Game

In honor of baseball's Centennial Celebration, the 1969 All-Star game was held in the Nation's Capital, Washington, D.C. Hosted by the Washington Senators, who were led by their new manager in Ted Williams and slugger Frank "The Capital Punisher" Howard, the game is now remembered as the last true All-Star game.

For in 1970, voting for the players was turned over to the fans, once and for all. Baseball had experimented once before with fan voting, (1946-1957), an idea which ended in controversy when fans of the Cincinnati Reds voted seven of the their eight starters to start the game, with only St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Stan Musial being the only non-Red to win the vote. Commissioner Ford Frick overturned the vote for two players, outfielders Wally Post and Gus Bell, replacing them with Willie Mays and Hank Aaron. Voting was returned to the players, where it would remain until 1970.

The 1969 game also has the distinction of being the only All-Star game to be rained out. Originally scheduled for Tuesday, July 21st, the game was played on Wednesday, the 22nd. With players now having to scramble with travel arrangements, ensuring they would arrive on time for the resumption of the season, MLB decided the game would be played during the day, making it the last All-Star game not played under the lights. This decision had an immediate impact on the game, and not for a good reason.

While 45,259 fans had no problem with the change in game time, American League starting pitcher Denny McLain did. Apparently forgetting the switch, McLain, the ace of the Detroit Tigers staff and coming off his 31 win season of 1968, arrived at RFK Stadium in the third inning. Tigers teammate Mickey Lolich was none too happy with McLain's seeming indifference to the situation, the two of them got into it and had to be separated, all this before McLain got dressed.

AL manager Mayo Smith went with the Yankees Mel Stottlemyre to start in McLain's absence. The NL scored an unearned right off the bat in the top of the first inning, Pittsburgh's Matty Alou singled, and after a groundout and wild pitch, Hank Aaron hit a fly ball to left field which was dropped by Frank Howard, scoring Alou. An infield single by the Mets' Cleon Jones preceeded a tape measure homer off the facing of football broadcast booth in left field by Johnny Bench.

St. Louis Cardinals lefthander Steve Carlton started for the National League, and after retiring the first four AL hitters, touched off a lengthy celebration in the second inning, allowing a solo homer to hometown hero Frank Howard.

Oakland Athletics righthander Blue Moon Odom replaced Stottlemyre in the third inning and immediately allowed the Nationals five runs, making the score 8-1. Highlights of the inning were a two-run bomb to the upper deck in right field by San Francisco's Willie McCovey, and a run scoring double by Carlton himself.

A solo homer by the Tigers Bill Freehan in the third inning ended Carlton's afternoon. McLain replaced Odom in the fourth inning, and after striking out Aaron, allowed McCovey's second homer of the game, to almost the same spot as his first one, a blast which also ended the NL scoring for the day.

The American League's third and final run came in the fourth on singles by Howard, Oakland's Sal Bando, and Freehan.

The 9-3 win stretched the NL's All-Star winning streak to seven games. McCovey was named MVP, with Carlton and Stottlemyre receiving the win and loss, respectively.

The American League was represented by seven future Hall of Famers, (Earl Weaver, Rod Carew, Harmon Killebrew, Reggie Jackson, Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson and Carl Yastrzemski). The National League had double that amount, with fourteen future HOF'ers, (Red Schoendienst, Leo Durocher, Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Johnny Bench, Roberto Clemente, Steve Carlton, Bob Gibson, Juan Marichal, Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Phil Niekro, Tony Perez and Tom Seaver.

The Starting Lineups:

National League

1) Matty Alou, Pittsburgh Pirates, CF
2) Don Kessinger, Chicago Cubs, SS
3) Hank Aaron, Atlanta Braves, RF
4) Willie McCovey, San Francisco Giants, 1B
5) Ron Santo, Chicago Cubs, 3B
6) Cleon Jones, New York Mets, LF
7) Johnny Bench, Cincinnati Reds, C
8) Felix Millan, Atlanta Braves, 2B
9) Steve Carlton, St. Louis Cardinals, P

American League

1) Rod Carew, Minnesota Twins, 2B
2) Reggie Jackson, Oakland Athletics, CF
3) Frank Robinson, Baltimore Orioles, RF
4) Boog Powell, Baltimore Orioles, 1B
5) Frank Howard, Washington Senators, LF
6) Sal Bando, Oakland Athletics, 3B
7) Rico Petrocelli, Boston Red Sox, SS
8) Bill Freehan, Detroit Tigers, C
9) Mel Stottlemyre, New York Yankees, P

When the players elected the participants, the All-Star game had more meaning. Being shown respect by your peers is the ultimate competetive sign of respect, guys didn't jake it when they got there. The appearance of not taking the honor seriously was dealt with accordingly, as shown by Lolich confronting his Tigers teammate McLain over being late and missing his start. Guys played hard, too, the American League was pissed off at losing six games in a row, (the streak would reach eight before the AL won the 1971 game in Detroit). With the score 9-3 in the sixth inning, Carl Yastrzemski climbed the leftfield wall to make a remarkable catch, robbing Johnny Bench of his second homer of the game. Today, guys don't climb walls losing 9-3 in a regular season game.

The adding of the homerun derby, and having the World Series home team determined by the winner has further turned the All-Star Game into the exhibition that it is. Free agency and inter-league play has cheapened the game as well, players no longer cross paths with their rivals only during Spring Training and the All-Star game.

If baseball wants the fans to vote, that's fine. The players vote on the reserves, essentially fixing the fans screw-ups. But giving home field advantage in a World Championship series to the winner of an exhibition game is ridiculous. Put it back where it rightfully had been for a gazillion years, alternating years. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Keep on Truckin' Daily "Linkin' Logs" (7/10/08)

• We're now less than one week away from the All-Star game, where many of us can witness the greatness of Jason Varitek. But there are good things too...okay, other cool things to talk about. So if you're an AL fan and you're in the baseball doldrums because those asshole Sox and Yanks fans voted half their (undeserving team) into the game, take solice in this:
• Vote Burrell
• With Ryan Howard batting something that represents an average, at first glance you have to wonder why I would even suggest he be in the All-Star game. Howard now leads the league in Home Runs and RBIs. Our friends at Recondite Baseball have even more interesting facts about Howard and his quest to be the best "Power Only" hitter of all time
• Continuing the Phillies trend, Mark Mulder started for the Cards yesterday. The result of the game was an aforementioned Howard blast in the 8th to win it. In Mulder's starter however, he threw 16 pitches prior to leaving and his status is now in serious doubt...forever
• I think Adam Rubin's of the NY Daily News headline works best: "Not a Joke: Moises Alou Hurt Again"
• I wonder of the Harden trade included bubble wrap?
• Wait...Trent Dilfer wasn't retired before?
• Not only is the Elton Brand Deal Official, but he took less money to be in Philly (who wouldn't?!)
• Ha! Chris Henry is poor...
• Elton Brand understands why those Philly folks booed Santa...
• No Pants? No Problem!
• Let the rumblings begin...Brett Myers isn't happy (too bad its not because he sucks)
• Look: Something you don't care about! (Seriously, its stupid...don't click)
  

A Journey Through The NFL With Some Burning Questions - Part 2

Continued from Part 1..

Miami Dolphins

Question: Can Ronnie Brown recover from his injury and repeat the flashes of greatness he showed last year?

Answer: Ronnie Brown was on pace for well over 1,500 yards and 10 TD’s before his season was ended by an ACL tear last year. While all reports of his recovery have been good (are they ever bad?) the one thing Brown needs is time. Having suffered the injury in Week 7 last year, Brown is lucky to have gotten a significant amount of time to heal his injury and begin rehabbing back to full strength. The major concern, besides having Ronnie become good friends with Ricky Williams, is that he’ll aggravate the injury, so he’ll likely get more and more carries as the season progresses.

Minnesota Vikings

Question: Will Tarvaris Jackson expose himself as the weakest link on the team this year?

Answer: Many people have given up on Jackson and called for the Vikings to put in a QB who can take better advantage of a Peterson/Taylor backfield. But with arguably the best running back duo in the game, Jackson will benefit from a lot of defenses failing to pay him much attention and he will have plenty of opportunities to make some big plays. If Jackson can find a balance between playing conservatively but also taking some risks and learning on the job, he may be a perfect fit for the Vikings offense.

New England Patriots

Question: With one of the easiest schedules in the league, how long will it take until the Patriots lose their first game and end all of the undefeated talk?

Answer: While the realist in me is saying the Patriots may lose a shocker early in the year, I would likely be beaten in my parking lot, labeled a traitor and left in a dumpster if I formally admitted it. And since I don’t like dumpsters and I’m an unabashed Patriots fan, I say the absolute earliest they will lose will probably be in Week 6 against the Chargers or Week 7 against the Broncos. If the Chargers can march out a healthy offense, they can go score for score with the Patriots whose weak points this year will all be on the defensive front. As for the Broncos, Mike Shanahan has had Bill Belichick’s number these past couple years and they have the combination of a strong running game and a talented defense that gives the Patriots fits.

New Orleans Saints

Question: Have we already witnessed the ceiling of Reggie Bush?

Answer: It’s only been two years and crazier things have happened, but it’s obvious that Reggie’s slash and dash style that was so successful in college isn’t quite as flattering in the pros. While he’s best paired with a Deuce McAllister type bruiser back, don’t be surprised if he builds on his power game as time passes and ends up finally transforming into a legitimate starting running back a la Brian Westbrook.

New York Giants

Question: Will Eli Manning’s Super Bowl win help him improve upon a mediocre regular season performance or will he fuel speculation that he just managed to get lucky at the right time?

Answer: It is more of a credit to the entire Giants team than Manning himself that he managed to win a Super Bowl. Although he’s a solid QB, and his on-the-money pass to David Tyree definitely wasn’t ‘lucky’, Eli will have to improve a bit overall if he wants another shot at the Lombardi trophy (See: The NFC East). Or at least not nearly match his large touchdown total to an equally large interception total. Regardless of the statistics, though, a Super Bowl win definitely counts for something and may have completely smashed the shell that Eli had been slowly emerging.

New York Jets

Question: Will Alan Faneca’s arrival provide the spark that Thomas Jones needs or will we learn this year that the Jones’ brothers just might not be starter material?

Answer: Although at first glance, Jones’ 1,119 rushing yards in 2007 may look impressive, it gets slightly less so when you factor in his 310 carries. Add in a mere 1 rushing TD and what you’ve got is a mediocre season. And with that, comes more excuses than an Odell Thurman court appearance. While quarterback play, the defense and the Jets team in general have been used to explain TJ’s sub-par season, the one that makes the most sense and was the biggest factor was the offensive line. They sucked and they sucked bad. Free agent acquisitions Alan Faneca and Damien Woody look to change that and will assure 2008 as the year that Thomas Jones can finally prove his doubters wrong… or right.

Oakland Raiders

Question: Can Jamarcus Russell learn quickly enough to help the Raiders compete, or will 2008 just turn out to be an NFL 101 learning experience for Darren McFadden?

Answer: Since he only played in four games last year, Russell will likely continue to struggle this season, working out the kinks and learning through in-game experience. With McFadden on the field, the Raiders will essentially have a rookie QB and rookie RB on the same field for much of the season. So 2008 should be NFL 101 for both Russell and Run DMC, with McFadden getting the worst of it due to all of the eight-plus-in-the-box defenses they’ll be facing.

Philadelphia Eagles

Question: Will the cornerback-by-committee experiment work out for the Eagles or will the receiving corps’ performance have them wishing they had gone and traded Lito Shephard for a wide out?

Answer: Lito Shephard was one of the biggest names this past off-season who was rumored to be changing teams. However the Eagles decided upon keeping him, leaving them with three top-tier cornerbacks and some major question marks at receiver. While having three Pro Bowl caliber cornerbacks could never be a bad thing, it’s going to come down to whether or not the benefits of improving the defense with the CBBC will outweigh the effectiveness of the wide receivers. If Kevin Curtis can step up on a more consistent basis, Jason Avant can continue to improve and Desean Jackson can make a splash than the Eagles refusal to deal Shephard may turn out to be the exact opposite and be the smartest move of the off-season.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Question: If everyone plays up to potential can the Steelers offense be on par with the mighty Patriots?

Answer: Santonio Holmes, Willie Parker, Heath Miller, Hines Ward, Ben Roethlisberger and the potentially potent duo of rookies Rashard Mendenhall and Limas Sweed? Uh, I’m going to go on a limb and give an enthusiastic yes to this question.

San Diego Chargers

Question: Whose health do the Chargers need most after two dangerous injuries: Philip Rivers or Antonio Gates?

Answer: On one hand, you can say that the most important player on any given team is the quarterback. But when you have a tight end like Gates, who could not be equaled even if you somehow combined both of the Chargers backup tight ends into one person, you absolutely need him healthy. Don’t get me wrong, Rivers is a great quarterback and very important to the team, but Billy Volek proved in leading a playoff win against the Colts last year that he is at least a serviceable replacement. He may not put up gaudy numbers and the ones he does put up may not be perfect, but he will get the job done. Gates is infinitely more important to the Chargers offensive attack than Rivers.

St. Louis Rams

Question: Will the offensive line be able to remain relatively intact this year so that Marc Bulger can worry about winning instead of fracturing his ribs?

Answer: The malaria-esque outbreak of injuries that the Rams offensive line suffered last year almost seemed to bad to be true. With a ragtag group attempting (and failing miserably, mind you) to protect him, Marc Bulger had a lot more to worry about than completing passes and looking to his check down receiver. Like whether or not he’d have to go to the hospital that night, for instance. With a healthy starting offensive line returning, a rejuvenated Stephen Jackson and the fact that what happened last year had one in a thousand type odds, Bulger should be able to focus on actual quarterbacking this year. Unless of course he now has a phobia of staying in the pocket thanks to last year.

San Francisco 49ers

Question: Will Mike Martz’s arrival put Alex Smith and the 49ers offense on the map?

Answer: Martz is known for the quarterbacks that have blossomed under his watchful eye. Although the gigantic and complicated offensive attack that he brings with him may be just what Alex Smith needs to translate his skills into actual NFL success. Since one of the major reasons the 49ers offense has been so bad these past few years is poor QB play, how Smith (or Hill) adjusts and understands the system will directly impact how much the offense will flourish. Weird how that works..

Seattle Seahawks

Question: Will Julius Jones/Maurice Morris + T.J. Duckett = Vintage Shaun Alexander?

Answer: With Branch’s health a major concern, the Seahawks receiving corps won’t be the best Matt Hasselbeck has ever had to work with. Although Shaun Alexander’s decline was evident to all who watched it last year, the Seahawks may not know what they had until it’s gone. While Jones could do well with a change in scenery, the Seahawks would do well to committee Julius Jones and Maurice Morris for all situations except the goal line and short yardage downs. Those honors would be then given to power back T.J. Duckett. Overly complicated for Holmgren? Maybe. Does it make sense? Yes.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Question: How many Buccaneer quarterbacks could start for another NFL team?

Answer: Of the six currently on the roster, definitely three but maybe four could go and start for other teams. Jeff Garcia (obviously), Bruce Gradkowski and Chris Simms being the obvious ones where Brian Griese could start, but only in an emergency type situation. With only three final QB spots available and the Bucs likely to keep the rookie QB they drafted, Josh Johnson, don’t be surprised if you see some of the Buccaneer castoffs land themselves on another NFL island. And yes, I realize that statement was very corny.

Tennessee Titans

Question: Will the Titans failure to acquire any wide receivers to help Vince Young come back and bite them in the ass?

Answer: The only possible reason the Titans have forgone getting some legitimate receiving help for Vince Young is that they believe the receiving crop they currently have has the potential to mature into a reputable, quality unit. While he hasn’t put up spectacular numbers, Young has proven he can win with sub-par talent. With Young having built a rapport with Justin Gage and Roydell Williams last year, the front office will either get their wish and see the receiving corps take a step forward or they will make themselves look like fools and piss off Vince Young for not giving him anyone good to throw to.

Washington Redskins

Question: Will the arrival of youngster Colt Brennan cause Jason Campbell to ‘make the leap’?

Answer: Although it’s not fair to place such expectations on Campbell since he’ll have to learn yet another new system this year, such is life in the NFL. If Todd Collins wasn’t 5,000 years old than we could have had a legitimate QB battle on our hands. Luckily for Campbell, he is the prospect the organization has spent a lot of time, money and hopes on -- so he should have a much longer leash than say, Derek Anderson.

(Less Than)Daily Linkin' Logs (7/9/08)

Perhaps Daily Links was a bit too ambitious...none the less, I apologize for missing yesterday. In my attempts to post, I realized I had a job and that was more important, so y'all missed some fairly good links. Such is life. But today's links will more than make up for that...we have fantastic news:

• I'm really not a basketball fan by any means and pretty much you're welcome to call me out for jumping on the bandwagon, but the LA Times is reporting that Elton Brand has just agreed to a 5 year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. Now, I watched some Sixers games last year (such as their comeback win of the bastard Celtics), but now that the team is in its best form (in my sports watching life) since 2001, I'm prepared to up my basketball watching ante. Additionally, that LA Times article also states that Corey Maggette will head north to the Golden State Warriors. Anyone else wonder when Baron Davis drop out as well?
• Tony Kornheiser's shitty paper is reporting that Gilbert isn't signing any time soon
• The Toronto Star is reporting the Blue Jays are preparing for a fire sale
• I think I speak for everyone when I say...Bonds to Arizona? Hahahaha
• The Houston Chronicle shows us the Baseball equivilant of a Razzie
• I agree, if you can break up with your girlfriend over e-mail, why not apologize to the NBA team that pays you millions that way as well
• Nothing quite like a team trading for absolutely nothing...seriously
• Much like the Pats O-line, Kevin Faulk pleads No Contest
• Not hard to sum this one up: Brandon Marshall is stupid
• I so have more money than Mike Vick...the irony is limitless
• Want good news? Tony Gonzalez knows the Heimlich...good for him!
• Sure Lofa Totupu got a DUI, but I respect his ability to own up to it and pay his debt to society
• And coutesy of Deadspin; Ding dong the witch is dead! (ok, ok...for a while...but still, no more shitty analysis of the NBA in mid-August!)

A Journey Through The NFL With Some Burning Questions - Part 1

As we stand on the precipice of the NFL pre-season and with mock drafts occurring left and right, it’s official: It’s finally okay to talk about football without getting shit on by all of the baseball fanatics. With it still being a tad too early for say, playoff predictions, it’s definitely not too early to take a look at each of the NFL teams, ask ourselves what the biggest question going into the pre-season is about them, then answer it as if we had expert knowledge and should be taken seriously. Sound fun? Your damn right it sounds fun! So let’s disregard the quizzical title and get started!

We’ll go alphabetically around the league because that is what would make our grade school teachers the happiest.

Arizona Cardinals

Question: Will Matt Leinart finally step up this year or will he turn out to be a complete and utter bust?

Answer: After some highly publicized R&R, Leinart will be under many different microscopes this coming season. Although he only played in five games last year before injury, his performance failed to impress anyone and even got him benched. Leinart has the weapons to succeed but will likely need to spend more time and effort in the film room where all young QB’s must put work in to improve. If he can do that, he has the talent and supporting cast to finally claim the Cardinals starting QB spot from the forever young Kurt Warner. If not, Warner doesn’t look to be going anywhere and has no problems utilizing all of the toys the Cardinals have on offense.

Atlanta Falcons

Question: How much have the Falcons regressed due to the Vick fiasco?

Answer: A lot. Barring a season for the ages the Falcons will likely be as good as Matt Ryan’s learning curve in 2008. Although Michael Turner will have trouble doing what he does with every defense focused primarily on him, the Falcons offense has lots of young talent that will grow and improve together with time. The defense on the other hand… well, you can’t blame Michael Vick for that mess. It might be hard to admit if you’re a Falcons fan, but 2008 will be a rebuilding year for the franchise -- but at least things are beginning to look up.

Baltimore Ravens

Question: Has the once feared and ferocious Ravens D finally passed it’s prime?

Answer: Don’t bring this up in front of Ray Lewis who is in a contract year and would likely kick the shit of you, but it’s actually looking like a reality. It would seem that after the 2007 performance (See: It was really bad) that the best-in-the-league showing in 2006 was the top of the mountain, with that mountain being a poorly imagined symbol of something’s prime. Barring one last hoorah or some rookies breaking out and carrying on the torch, the once vaunted Baltimore D has likely seen the last of it’s dominant years.

Buffalo Bills

Question: Will Trent Edwards finally give the Bills a competent QB to pair with it’s blossoming offense?

Answer: After repeatedly trying and failing with J.P. Losman, the Bills could have finally found their QB of the future in Trent Edwards. He’s young, he’s talented and he walked the walk last year when Losman went down with an injurt. Although he’s had some injury problems in the past, Edwards is plenty capable of utilizing all of the Bills’ young talent. But in the interests of being short and concise: Yes, Trent Edwards can be what the Bills wished J.P. Losman was but only if he can stave off the injury bug.

Carolina Panthers

Question: Are the Panthers a playoff contender with Jake Delhomme at the helm? Or with Matt Moore?

Answer: Yes, that’s technically two questions but no need to worry! If your really bothered by such a thing than just stop reading now and go sort your clothes out by color and weight -- you’ll like that better. No matter, the key to this question is whether or not it’s a healthy Jake Delhomme. In turn, the key to that key to the original question is that Delhomme is coming off Tommy John surgery. While he may be healthy in the general definition of the word, most front offices in the league would be going: Tommy John Surgery + 33 year old QB = Uh-oh, maybe it’s time for us to start looking at the future?! Despite being thrown into the fire as a rookie last year, Moore looked very impressive. If he becomes the starter and can limit his mistakes, a talented young running game and improved receiving corps (bolstered by Muhsin Muhammad’s return) could help him sneak the Panthers into playoff contention. In reality though, this isn’t going to happen.

Chicago Bears

Question: Are the Bears really banking on Rex Grossman or Kyle Orton as the QB of the future?

Answer: I would like to say no but the organizations failure to select a QB in a draft that was absolutely loaded with them makes one wonder. We’ve seen enough of Grossman to know what he brings to and then immediately takes off the table. Orton on the other hand brings the game management element to the table but then takes off the big play element of Rex and the fact that he doesn’t seem to know how to shave. Regardless, choosing between the two is like having to pick between peas or peanuts for dinner. They might taste good if you talk yourself into it, but in the end your going to be left wanting more. Let’s all hope the Bears have their eyes on some QB’s in the 2009 draft class.

Cincinnati Bengals

Question: Are Carson Palmer’s best years being wasted on an underachieving, passionless team?

Answer: While Palmer likely still has many more solid years under his belt, it’s a shame his talent and performances aren’t translating into wins. Despite being surrounded by drama and being the only Bengal that hasn’t been arrested (What? Has the Bengals criminal thing been killed yet?) Palmer has been putting up Pro Bowl candidate numbers year in and year out. If the Bengals don’t get their act together soon, they may find themselves ready to compete in a few years only to find that Carson Palmer has already thrown his best games.

Cleveland Browns

Question: How well will Derek Anderson have to play to quell all of the impending Brady Quinn talk?

Answer: Very well. Despite having an out-of-nowhere breakout season last year, Anderson trailed off at the end of the year, just when the Browns needed him most. It was also when opposing defensive coordinators finally had enough film to get a feel for him and then start game planning against it. If the Browns had made the playoffs last year, it may be a different story, but since they didn’t, Anderson will need to get back to his stellar play immediately. If not, you’ll be hearing a lot about Brady Quinn everywhere you turn. And by everywhere, I mean ESPN and every single football related site on the internet.

Dallas Cowboys

Question: Will the Cowboys season be a disappointment without a Super Bowl win?

Answer: Although it would be a positive if they won just one playoff game, losing in or before the Super Bowl would be a disappointment due to all of the talent they have on the roster. The Cowboys first concern though, is likely how to survive the juggernaut NFC East and will save the Super Bowl thoughts until after they make the playoffs. Well everyone but Terrell Owens, that is.

Denver Broncos

Question: Does Mike Shanahan not like fantasy football or something?

Answer: I’m torn between the beliefs that Mike Shanahan has so many running backs because all the rumors are true that he doesn’t like fantasy football or that maybe he just loves running backs. Do you think he’s like that in everyday life? “What do you want for breakfast darling?” “Uh, I’ll have Apple Jacks. No! No! Give me some Wheaties. Throw some sugar on top. Wait, wait, no! I’m in the mood for some cream of wheat! Ah, screw it just throw everything into one bowl and I’ll eat it all!”

Detroit Lions

Question: How many wins does Jon Kitna likely think the Lions will chalk up this year?

Answer: Many people scoffed at Kitna’s inflated win prediction last year at this time, only to pretend they believed him all along once the Lions started knocking off wins early in the season. It’s safe to assume that Kitna won’t go down on his prediction from a year ago but nine wins is about right for a nice, liberal prediction. Kitna will probably lock in on around the twelve win prediction mark, be off by about three to four wins and never again predict win totals before the season.

Green Bay Packers

Question: If Favre returns to the Packers, what exactly can we expect from poor Aaron Rodgers?

Answer: If Favre returns and returns to the Packers then Aaron Rodgers would do something immediately. The whole, ‘I don’t mind shadowing this Hall of Fame quarterback because I’m just so grateful to be here’ act was put to rest when Favre shed tears at his retirement ceremony. If Favre comes back to Green Bay (and I really hope he doesn’t because that would be a real dick thing to do) than Rodgers will either A.) Demand a trade or B.) Just give up on football altogether and spend the rest of his life forgetting about the whole thing in the Bahamas.

Houston Texans

Question: Can Matt Schaub really lead the Texans through the jungle that is the AFC South?

Answer: Not to try and take away anything from Matt Schaub’s 2007 season, it was very good and he proved himself a suitable starting quarterback and all. However, he was injured for five games in his first full season as a starter and broke even in his touchdown to interception ratio. Opinions have been going either way, with some people believing such a season was very promising for a first year starter, where others think that while he’s going to be good, he’ll need to be better to lead the Texans to an AFC South title. I subscribe to the belief that he needs to get a bit better and that it will only be a matter of time until he does so. But not this year.

Indianapolis Colts

Question: Is it too early to wonder when Peyton Manning’s play will begin to decline?

Answer: Yes? Okay then. My fault.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Question: Will Jerry Porter provide a much needed spark for the Jaguars receiving corps or will it remain as the teams Achilles Heel?

Answer: It certainly won’t hurt to have Porter lined up out wide. The thing with David Garrard is that he’s a game managing quarterback and doesn’t necessarily need big time wide receiver to succeed. While many point out that the wide receiver position has been the Jaguars weak point, the combination of a two-headed dragon of a running game and a game manager if there ever was one QB greatly negate such a weakness. Still, it can’t hurt to have a talented WR on the team. Expect Porter to become Garrard’s new favorite target -- how’s that for a prediction?

Kansas City Chiefs

Question: How badly will Jared Allen’s departure effect the K.C. defense and more importantly, the entire team?

Answer: When you lose one of the best defensive players in the league and you weren’t that good of a defense in the first place, it’s going to hurt. Allen’s departure takes away a lot of credibility from the Chiefs defensive line and it’s highly unlikely they’ll finish as the thirteenth ranked unit without him. Although plugging in Glenn Dorsey at defensive tackle will help and is definitely the best possible rookie they could have drafted to try and salvage the situation.

If you'd like to read Part 2 (and honestly, why wouldn't you?) than Click Here.

Elton Brand is a 76'er

According to reports coming from a NBA source, free agent center Elton Brand has reached an agreement with the Philadelphia 76'ers. Although this is still in the verbal stages, it is rumored that Brand's new deal is in the 5 year $80 million range.

If this deal is actually true then the 76'ers have to consider themselves a contender in the East. Late last season Philadelphia made a strong showing and got themselves into the playoffs. Beyond that they gave the Detroit Pistons all they could handle and proved they were a great team in them making. The addition of Brand makes them a great team now. Brand gives Philly a legitimate big man and someone to wrestle with Garnet in the Atlantic Division.

The person who has to be the most frustrated with all of this has to be Baron Davis. Davis signed a $65 million deal with the Clippers last week. The hope was to pair Davis and Brand together and create a dynamic duo. Now the Clippers are in danger of losing Brand and Maggette, leaving them with only Baron Davis, and starring down another lottery pick in 09.

I Guarantee You NO Guarantees

{intro music}
(a voice) ...from the guy who brought you the song "Don't Tell People What To Do!" comes another wacky venture with apathetic braggadoccio and mounds of pompumstance.....!!! (raises eyebrows in mock glee)




I guarantee you no guarantees.
What hath this Sportsworld turned into?
A scrub can come hither and hint to
take a hapless franchise to the promised land
a landscape of playoff bounty
Can any fool be so foolhearty?


But this is the year of the surprise!
The downtrodden franchise,
the underdogs like Fresno State
To the "Celtic Triumnervate"
2008 is making winners out of the meek
the new flavors of the weak
It gives a Buffalo Bill the nerves to speak.


It's baffling that so many say nothing.
It's baffling that so little needs to be said to silence millions.
It's baffling that so short is the attention span of the masses
It's baffling for so long, no one remembers how it began





SportsCenter's 8th "Top Play" was a commercial
for an ABC show.
Hail Disney!
You cuddly-seeming Heartless Conglomeration
All your hardest efforts blow.
You're trying to brainwash a demographic,
force us to look at what you want us to see
and use the disguise of sports...
I spell "Failure" with a silent W-I-P-E-O-U-T.


Instant history THIS as it's the BEST EVER what ever it is.





I'm purposely NOT learning the guy's name
because he made a guarantee and I had never heard of him before
But the guarantees are all guaranteed out these days
it's not even interesting anymore.

Guarantees that the contracts aren't getting paid in full.
Guarantees you might finally learn to read in those mandatory two years of school.
Guarantees you'll be prepared for failure and dread.
Guarantees of a life pushing you onto a faster road to 'former football player dead'.





Perhaps it's one too many bongs of beer and three too many of "other"
and after a half a bottle of Chivas this conversation's over
Yes, perhaps I took one too manny pot shots already
I'll go back to trying to diss Suzy Kolber.


Peace and tidings,
M.Stiles 20080708

Beasley Nearly Flawless in First Pro Outing

The number one overall pick in the NBA's 2008 draft, Michael Beasley, played his first game as a pro today. Beasley's Miami Heat defeated the second overall draft pick, Derrick Rose, and his Chicago Bulls 94-70 in the Orlando Summer League.

Beasley played just 23 minutes, but managed to score a career-high (haha, duh, it's his first game as a pro) 28 points, and was just one rebound shy of a double-double. He hit nearly half his shots from the floor (9 for 21), and flat-out outplayed Joakim Noah, and Tyrus Thomas of the Chicago Bulls. Both Noah, and Thomas are second-year players.

Surprisingly enough, Beasley thought he could have done better. After the game, he said he should've scored more points, and dished out a few more passes. But, altogether I think Beasley should be very proud of himself, he played one hell of a game. I expect to see more from where that came from this upcoming season.

Derrick Rose finished with just 10 points, and hit 3 from 8 on the floor. Worst of all, Rose turned the ball over five times. This was just a small preview of what to expect from the NBA in the next several years, and that is...Many great matchups, and showdowns between these two.

Congrats to Beasley for such a fine debut, and welcome to the NBA!! It gets much tougher from here on out.