Does anybody listen to Collin Cowherd? Hopefully Not

Well, please don't anymore. Earlier today on his (apparently highly rated) radio show he told all his listeners to go to a Web site so that site could crash. Seems like harmless fun, and Cowherd probably doesn't think the site would actually crash. The site for today: The Big Lead.

Only the website that I somehow discovered one day and forever entrenched me into what is known as the sports blogosphere. From there I discovered Deadspin, KSK, and later on The Fanhouse. The rest is history.

For this I hope you pay a steep price Mr. Cowherd. Your freedom.

More on the story here and here.

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Belated MLB Predictions

MVP
AL- David Ortiz
NL- Albert Pujols

Rookie of the Year
AL- Dice-K Matsuzaka
NL- Josh Hamilton

Manager
AL- Mike Scioscia
NL- Jerry Narron

Cy Young
AL- Felix Hernandez
NL- Jake Peavy

Division Winners
AL- Angels, Tigers, Yankees
NL- Padres, Brewers, Mets

Wild Cards
Red Sox, Phillies

World Series
Angels over Padres

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Sorry About That

Wow, its been a while since I've done a post. A quick recap of the things that happened since then:


Finally, I get a prediction right as Vanilla Dong wins the 2007 NOTY Tournament.

Florida wins again.

Baseball started!!!!!!!!!!

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It's About (Tourney) Time

Here are my top few seeds as of 11:45 CST on Friday.

#1 Seeds: UNC, Ohio St., Florida, Wisconsin
#2 Seeds: UCLA, Texas A&M, Kansas, Georgetown
#3 Seeds: Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, Wash St, Memphis
#4 Seeds: Texas, Nevada, So Ill, UNLV


Back with a recap of the day later

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Here We Go Again

Steroids. Baseball. Jose Canseco. Jason Grimsley. Gary Matthews Jr. Wait a second, Gary Matthews Jr. This sounds like your usual steroid bust with the usual names. Except Matthews. Here is a 32 year old who has had a marginal career, mostly as a 4th outfielder. His career stats say so.
The Texas Rangers signed him in 2004. Due to the ineptness of Kevin Mench and more notably Laynce Nix, GMJ was given the chance to play everyday. He proved to be more than your average switch hitter. His defense was superb (highlighted by a Spiderman-esque catch of a Mike Lamb homer last year). But it looks like steroids played a part in it. Its too bad. I like GMJ. I hope the stat rise was more to due with the increase in playing time than the 'roids.
Before I end this post, I would like to say one thing. Jose Canseco, I know you know how to use a computer, come up with a better excuse next time. Baseball preview coming soon.


Gary Matthews Jr. career stats (Baseball Reference)
Lawyer for Canseco says client is computer-illiterate (New York Daily News)

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NBA Top 10

My NBA Top Ten is updated every Sunday night, so check back then for the latest rankings. I will supply my analysis of each team or just a sly comment or jab. But now on to the premiere of my power rankings.

1. Dallas Mavericks
Just a notch above Phoenix right now, but only because they are deeper. (And no Barkley, Phoenix is not deep. If D'Antoni thought Banks or Pat Burke could play, then he would give them minutes. But I think Banks is good, they should play him more.)

2. Phoenix Suns
Interesting stuff from Chad Ford in his chat yesterday about the Suns having 3 first round picks and wanting to give 2 of them away. I thought next year's draft was supposed to have '03 or '96 potential. Mike D'Antoni must hate playing rookies. He does realize that Nash is going to retire at some point (right???).

3. San Antonio Spurs
Why does Ginobili do great against Joe Johnson. He scored a career high 48 against Phoenix in 2005, and now 40 against ATL. DO NOT count them out in the 2nd round.

4. Utah Jazz
Bigger disappointment this season: AK47 or Mike James????? Toss up.

5. Houston Rockets
Without Yao. Incredible. Let's just hope Van Gundy doesn't pull something like this again.

6. Detroit Pistons
Now take the East with ease with Flash out for Miami.

7. Washington Wizards
Wow, that will do it for the quality NBA teams. But be very afraid of Hibachi & Co., Detroit. I would.

8. Chicago Bulls
Should have given up Gordon and Thomas for Gasol or Deng, Thomas, and a #1 for KG. But they will continue to play grind-it-out ball and pay for it.

9. New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets
Yeah, if the playoffs started today, they would be out. I don't care. They're better than the Lakers or Golden St. right now. Plus Peja is due back soon. Just in time to choke in the playoffs again.

10. Cleveland Cavaliers
I'm excited to see how well the Bibby-LeBron pairing works out Eric Snow Era plays out in Cleveland.

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Book Review: Now I Can Die in Peace

Book Review: Now I Can Die in Peace

I am going to start a book review series. This is the first installment. "Now I Can Die in Peace" is written by my favorite sportswriter, Bill "The Sports Guy" Simmons. It is a collection of columns he wrote about the Red Sox from his early days at Bostonsportsguy.com, his old website, to the more recent ones over at Page 2.
The book is just a collection of his columns, but with some insight added in. The only major thing he did was add side notes. About 600 of them. They are hilarious if you ask me. Easily the best part of the book. Most of them elaborate on a topic or he makes in fun of something he said (like the one about calling the Nixon-Matsui match up a toss up, then Matsui proceeded to hit about .800 in the ALCS).
The main reason this book is great is it contains the articles when Simmons was on the top of his game. (Note: I only became a Simmons reader about 10 months ago, but I have tried to read every article on his Subject Archive. That is invaluable.) Some say he has become self-centered the last year. His writing has slipped if you ask me. But if you are interested in becoming a Simmons fan but can't muster up the spirit, I suggest you read the book.

Final Grade: A-

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