btothec99

2009 MLB All Star Game
 

The starting lineups as voted by the fans:

American League Starters                                                   National League Starters

Catcher - Joe Mauer, Twins                                     Catcher - Yadier Molina, Cardinals
First Base - Mark Teixeira, Yankees                        First Base - Albert Pujols, Cardinals            
Second Base - Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox                    Second Base - Chase Utley, Phillies
Short Stop - Derek Jeter, Yankees                           Short Stop - Hanley Ramirez, Marlins
Third Base - Evan Longoria, Rays                            Third Base - David Wright, Mets

Outfielders                                                                               Outfielders
Jason Bay, Red Sox                                                Ryan Braun, Brewers
Josh Hamilton, Rangers                                          Raul Ibanez, Phillies
Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners                                           Carlos Beltran, Mets

Reserves                                                                                    Reserves
Victor Martinez, Indians                                           Brian McCann, Braves
Justin Mourneau, Twins                                           Prince Fielder, Brewers
Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox                                          Adrian Gonzalez, Padres
Aaron Hill, Blue Jays                                               Ryan Howard, Phillies
Jason Bartlett, Rays                                               Orlando Hudson, Dodgers
Michael Young, Rangers                                          Freddy Sanchez, Pirates
Carl Crawford, Rays                                                Miguel Tejada, Astros
Curtis Granderson, Tigers                                        Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals
Torii Hunter, Angels                                                Brad Hawpe, Rockies
Adam Jones, Orioles                                               Hunter Pence, Astros
Ben Zobrist, Rays                                                   Justin Upton, Diamondbacks

Pitchers                                                                                     Pitchers
Andrew Bailey, Athletics                                           Heath Bell, Padres
Josh Beckett, Red Sox                                            Chad Billingsley, Dodgers
Mark Buerhrle, White Sox                                        Jonathon Broxton, Dodgers
Brian Fuentes, Angels                                             Matt Cain, Giants
Zack Greinke, Royals                                              Francisco Cordero, Reds
Roy Halladay, Blue Jays                                          Ryan Franklin, Cardinals
Felix Hernandez, Mariners                                       Dan Haren, Diamondbacks
Edwin Jackson, Tigers                                             Josh Johnson, Marlins
Joe Nathan, Twins                                                  Ted Lilly, Cubs
Johnathon Papelbon, Red Sox                                 Tim Lincecum, Giants
Mariano Rivera, Yankees                                         Jason Marquis, Rockies
Justin Verlander, Tigers                                          Francisco Rodriguez, Mets
Tim Wakefeild, Red Sox                                         Johan Santana, Mets


Good to see that 6 Red Sox made the midsummer classic. Congrats to Wake for making his first allstar appearance. I usually watch the homerun derby, and parts of the actual game. I'll watch to see if Halladay gets the nod for the American league, and should be Lincecum for the National league. I don't agree with all the selections, but every year someone gets disappointed. I will predict that the NL finally will one of these games.

Round 2

Eastern Conference

Bruins def. Hurricanes in 6
Penguins def. Capitals in 6

Western Conference

Red Wings def. Ducks in 5
Canucks def Blackhawks in 6


The most intriging series for me is the Pens vs. Caps. Two of the NHL's brightest Stars on the biggest stage. Good for the league and it's fans. The makings of a playoff classic. Again i'm hoping to be at either game 2 or game 5 of the Wings vs. Ducks series.

NHL Playoffs Round 1 Recap

My predictions for Round 1 were just that, i should have really taken the Ducks i like that team.

Eastern Conference

The Boston Bruins really had no problems handling the Montreal Canadiens sweeping the series in four straight. Phil Kessel, David Krejci, and Milan Lucic had good regualr seasons and has continued into the playoffs. Carey Price had been subpar after the allstar break, and never regained form. Not that Price is solely to blame here, the team never rallied around each other all year long.

The Pittsburgh Penguins ousting the Philadelphia Flyers in 6 games, i actually had this one bang on. Martin Biron couldn't steal a game for the Flyers, all the while outplaying the Penguins in a couple games. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are a handful, and the Flyers could not contain them, couple that with Marc Andre Fluery returning to his playoff form of old make the Penguins a favourite to return to the cup finals.

The New Jersey Devils had the series all but wrapped up, until they give up 2 goals in 1:21 with under 3 min to play. Eric Staal ripped the winner by Marty and quickly it was over. A great playoff rivalry forming there. Hurricanes now face the top seeded Bruins.

The New York Rangers had a stranglehold on this series leading 3-1 heading back to New York. Simeon Varlamov, the russian goaltender making his 7th NHL start , got the Capitals back into this series. Lundquist held the Rangers in, but in the end Rangers scoring was anemic. A great 7th game! Thus leaving a classic match up, Sidney,Geno,Marc Andre vs. Ovechkin,Semin,and Varlamov. I look foward to watching this series.

Western Conference

The San Jose Sharks showed their playoff teeth again, this time being the Presidents trophy winner, then being swept in the first round. Granted i doubt you find a tougher #8 seeded team. The Anaheim Ducks showed their championship poise, by controlling this series from the onset. The Ducks are in good shape, no injuries, two starting goaltenders, second line scoring. Anaheim and Detroit Red Wings should be an epic series.

The Detroit Red Wings showed the Blue Jackets that beating them in the regular season is one thing, trying to beat the defending cup champs in playoffs is another. I was at game 2 of this series and it was really men against boys here. No offence to the Jackets, congrats on the first playoff appearance but now you know what to expect. The Jackets have a good young team forming but clearly overmatched by the champs.

I did not expect the Vancouver Canucks to sweep the St. Louis Blues, not because of the Canucks talent, but the Blues had been one of the hottest teams after the break. Vancouver looks good, a deep team with arguably the best goaltender in the world. I see a deep run for the Canucks.

The Calgary Flamed decimated by injuries run into one of the most talented young teams. I expected the lack of experience in the Chicago Blackhawks to cost them this series, but clearly i under estimated the speed and talent of the young guns, Toews, Kane,Barker,Seabrook,Kris Versteeg. The Bulin wall was dominant.

 NHL Playoffs

Well the best time of year has arrived, the chase for the Stanley Cup. Although my Maple Leafs will not be participating for the 4th consecutive year, i'm still excited for this time of year. I have tickets to game 2 involving the Blue Jackets vs. Red Wings. Hopefully the Wings can make it to the cup finals so i can have a chance to witness. Can get tickets to Joe Louis Arena fairly easlily.

Ok my predictions for round one:

Eastern Conference

Bruins def. Canadiens in 6
Capitals def. Rangers in 5
Devils def. Hurricanes in 7
Penguins def. Flyers in 6

Western Conference

Sharks def. Ducks in 6
Red Wings def. Blue Jackets in 5
Canucks def. Blues in 7
Flames def. Blackhawks in 7

I'll update my second round predictions.

 

 

 

 

 MLB Opening Day 2009

I've grown tired of all the Red Sox vs. Yankees threads on here, you know who you are. I'm ready for this  to  be settled on the diamond. My predicitons for the AL East are as follows: 1ST Boston Red Sox
                                                                                        2nd New York Yankees
                                                                                        3rd Tampa Bay Rays
                                                                                        4th Toronto Blue Jays
                                                                                        5th Baltimore Orioles

I'm just ready for the season to begin and whatever happens, happens. I just hope that the Sox play to their capabilities, and that should lead them to another divisional crown. Having said that i will be in attendance for a home opener, just not the game i would like to be at. I live 45 minutes west of Toronto, and my fiance scored tickets to someone's seats behind the plate, via work kickbacks! So thanks for the tickets. I will also be in attendance for the Red Sox on may31, they have an all you can eat day, so that will be a boys trip. My goal for that day is to do a hotdog and a beer every inning, with the food being free, it should get a little messy, the chili dogs there are great!      

Feel free Yankee fans to comment and tell me how wrong i am, and how the Red Sox suck, goodluck and lets get this season going already!!                                                     

 

 World Baseball Classic '09

 

While others show their displeasure for the "Classic" i myself have experienced it, and enjoyed it! Some want/expect players to stay in ST with their MLB club, so they're not injured and/or should be honoring contracts. Now ask yourself this, would you rather not watch the best from your respective country or would you rather watch games between split squads, prospects, or minor league contracts trying to make the club? If i'm paying to watch a live game in march i know i choose the WBC.

Canada vs. USA at the Rogers Centre.
40,000+ in attendance national support from both sides, plenty of flags, jerseys, the game meant something. I doubt you find a meaningfull game in FLA, or AZ. Moreso for the players than the fans anyway. Great atmosphere, of course i had a hotdog, and 6 tall cans of budlight! It felt good to be at the ball park again, being a canadian i'm ready for some warmth. The game was tight all the way, with the US prevailing 6-5. I'm a Red Sox fan so i've already got a sneak peak at some of the guys, Bay, Youkilis, and Pedroia. That right there was good for me, but i got more. Adam Dunn hitting bombs, the biggest being 454 ft, but that was the second game i went too. Canada lost but i had a good time, as did the 40K plus i'm sure.

USA vs. Venezuela same venue.
This game was a little different, thats where the "Classic" is better than ST. The Venezuelans had tremendous support at the game, they all sang their National Anthem, and were louder than any American fans. They chanted, cheered, and danced til the end of the game, all the while been stomped buy the Americans (did i mention that i'm seeing great players as opposed to watered down ST?) 15-6. Again second day in a row of watching meaning ful games, great players, good atmosphere, bud lights again. But this time there was something different than the North American match-up that i witnessed the day before, this one had around i would say 1,000 or more dancing Venezuelan girls, what more could you want at a ballgame?  Anyway thats my experience from a couple WBC games, there was much more to the games but you get the idea, its a good time!

I've also read a few threads about the WBC, i get the feeling its almost split but moreso i get the feeling it's not for everybody. But for the guy who already had drafted a few fantasy teams, or just has the itch to see some ball, it's gotta be better than grapfruit league no?

A few posts that i liked were from a Tampa Bay Rays fan too, thats not easy for me too say!

 

SUPERBOWL

Another great season coming to an end. For me personally my team performed way beyond expectations which i'm proud of. Go Dolphins. I think this is going to be one of the better bowl games over the last decade. Classic match up Big D vs. High Octane offense. I think the little things will make the difference field position, turnovers. I think the Cardinals have enough D to keep the Steelers O honest, thus outscoring the Steelers for their first ever Lombardi trophy. Either way i'm ok with who wins, but i'm rooting for the dog in this one. Arizona Cardinals 24 Pittsburgh Steelers 21.

St. Pierre vs. Penn 2

This is gonna be an epic tilt. Champions in their prime. Georges "rush" St. Pierre wins the split decision in the first meeting. I'm totally psyched for this bout. Being Canadian i'm pulling for Georges, however BJ is one scary dude, can take and give beatings like nobody else. Either way this fight is gonna be a win win situation for the UFC. The winner of this fight becomes a legend and a certain HOF'er!