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Major League Baseball All-Star Game July 15 Yankee Stadium

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 03:41:42 MST

Yankee Stadium has been the home to the New York Yankees since 1923. My father saw Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio play back in the 1920's and 1930's. My first recollection of Yankee Stadium is from 1954 at a Detroit Tiger- New York Yankee game. Al Kaline was a young rookie, Mantle, Berra, Ford and company were there as well. The Yankees won that day, but lost the pennant in 1954 to the Cleveland Indians.

This year is the last opportunity to see the Stadium. The all-star game is next week, July 15. There is no better venue than Yankee Stadium. Unfortunately this scribe will not be able to be at this game. My last visit to Yankee Stadium was in 1986 with my sons.

Make certain to watch the game on television. Hall of Famers, from as far back as the 1930's will be there (Bob Feller is now almst 90 years old). This is one time I will be glued to the televiison as the next best option to attending the game.

The golden age of baseball was from the end of World War ll to the mid 1960's. Many of the stars of that time will be at Yankee Stadium, Feller, Ford, Berra, Snider, Aaron etc. Don't miss it!

New York Yankees Not a Contender in 2008

Fri, 16 May 2008 06:27:59 MST

The New York Yankees needed more than a change in leadership when the Steinbrenner family unloaded Joe Torre. It is not Joe Girardi's fault that the Yankees are in the basement of the American League East.

The issue is the core group of Yankees is getting older. Rivera, Jeter, Posada and yes A-Rod are all 32 years old to 38 years old. This group has given their best at all times. The young Yankees have not added much punch. Robinson Cano has too many "head" problems. Melky Cabrera is an adequate utility outfielder and Johnny Damon is past his prime.

Bobby Abreu is almost 34 years old as well and Matsui is 34 and always a contirbutor. The problem for the Yankees is that all of the above players are not 24 years old any longer. Jason Giambi was finished as a big time player at least three years ago. The Yankees need some youth all around.

Pitching wins games and championships, the Yankees will not win a World Series with the pitchers on this roster. Pettitte is a mess in the head after the Clemens issue and HGH issue. The young guns are not ready and may never be ready. Mike Mussina is nearing 40 and still gives it a go even without a fastball.

A bit of history, when Whitey Ford came up to the Yankees in 1950 Ford was 21 years old and won 9 games and a World Series game. I do not see this coming from Hughes and Kennedy.

Joba Chamberlain may need to move up to the starting five. Whatever the Yankees do this year will not be enough for them to beat Boston, or even Tampa Bay.

Well there is 2009 and the new Yankee Stadium.

Tiger Woods Out With Knee Surgery

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:12:43 MST

Will the Golfing World survive without Tiger Woods for the next 8 weeks? It would seem by what is being said from nearly every golf analyst that there are no other worthy golfers playing their hearts out trying to win the next tournament.

If memory serves me correct Tiger Woods did not win the Masters. In fact his play was merely average. Tiger could not make the putts necessary to get his fifth Green Jacket.

For that matter Phil Mickelon was no better. Phil crashed and burned in round three. Mickelson wound up finishing fifth.

A young man named Trevor Immelman made it clear that he has game and will challenge Tiger & Phil and all the rest for the next major and beyond that.

So, the golf world will need to provide someone else to rise to the occasion and demonstrate that there are others that can play the game of golf...............

Yankees and Red Sox Slug Fest on Wednesday Night

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:06:10 MST

The Yankees and Red Sox never disappoint. On Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium the Yankees and Boston Red Sox slugged it out for four plus hours with the New York Yankees winning 15-9.

The Red Sox and Yankees made the fifth inning into a game unto itself. The fifth inning was just short of one hour. Some ball games last but two hours.

Tonight Thursday, April 17 the New York Yankees meet the Boston Red Sox for the second and final game of the two game set. Mike Mussina will go for the Yankees and Josh Beckett for the Red Sox. Maybe Mussina and Beckett will be able to quiet the bats of both teams, and maybe not.............

New York Yankees versus Boston Red Sox

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 07:29:51 MST

The Boston Red Sox will challenge the New York Yankees in another three game set today, Wednesday, tomorrow Thursday and Friday at Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees will send their ace Chien-ming Wang to the mound to face the Red Sox. Will Wang be able to duplicate his two hit performance of last week?

The game will be on ESPN2 at 4pm today Wednesday, April 16, 2008.

Oregon State Beavers Baseball lose Two to California

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 10:53:57 MST

The Beavers Baseball team is not having a good weekend in California. The Beavers have lost the first two ball games to the California Golden Bears and must win the final game of the three game series today in California.

The Beavers are 14-10 so far this season and only 2-3 in the PAC 10. The pitching has not been sharp and the hitting has been weak. If the Beavers have any chance of returning to Omaha for a shot at a third straight NCAA title they must put together a winning streak of seven or eight games. That will build their confidence.

Todays game in California will be played at 1 pm PST....................

New York Yankees off to Slow Start in 2008

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 10:43:09 MST

The New York Yankees look old in this first week of the 2008 Baseball season. Yes, they have some young arms on the pitching staff and that is good. Mike Mussina is past his prime by two years. He is a good guy and I suppose he deserves some loyalty to see what is left in his tank. Pettitte is a big question. I think he can still pitch, however the lingering affects of the HGH and Steroids scandal have taken a toll on him.

The Yankee regulars in the infield are Rodriquez at 32, almost 33, Jeter 33, almost 34 and Giambi at 37. That is a problem. They have performed well over the years, but could break down without notice. Robinson Cano at second base is the future.

In the outfield age is also an issue, Johnny Damon is 34 and Bobby Abreu is also that age. Cabrera is the youngster like Cano. So, Jorge Posada is 36 years of age and I do think he is great; In the same league with Thurman Munson and almost with Yogi............ from my time.

Well, in review that makes six of eight fielders at 32 years old or above. That is why they look old......Maybe they will start hitting wihen the weather turns warmer.

The question is can Cano & Cabrera keep them going until the older guys get the bones warmed up?

Shell Houston Open and Phil Mickelson

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 10:28:34 MST

Phil Mickelson has been stumbling around the golf course at the Shell Houston for the last three days. Will Phil Mickelson make it a fourth day of fumbling and stumbling? It certainly looks like he will do it again today.

Phil Mickelson is a great golfer, except for the fact he never really stays in the zone. He seems to not quite take it serious to perform consistently. That is why Tiger Woods is number one in the world and Phil Mickelson is number two. Tiger is always in the zone and conducts himself that way.

Phil Mickelson has the ability to shoot a 30 on the back nine today. If he does I think he will carry that over to the Masters and will be in the final group next Sunday in Augusta. However, I do not believe Phil will break 70 today. So what was the point of Phil Mickelson coming to Houston to play in this tournament. I have no idea and I think he is of the same notion..............

Boston Red Sox Need To Play Jacoby Ellsbury Permanently

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 10:19:43 MST

The Red Sox need to realize that Jacoby Ellsbury is their center fielder for the next 12 years at least. Manager Terry Francona needs to wake up and either trade Coco Crisp or make him the fourth outfielder. In fact if he wants to do a smart thing he would put Coco Crisp in Left Field and platoon Ramirez & Ortiz at the DH slot. Manny Ramirez never was a good outfielder, Manny never gave a hoot how he was on defense.

If Jacoby Ellsbury can settle in to center field knowing it is his spot he will produce thirty home runs and win a gold glove. So............wake up Red Sox Management and let Jacoby play the position.....

Oregon State Still Looking for a New Basketball Coach

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:00:26 MST

University of San Diego Basketball Coach Bill Grier will not be moving to Corvallis. It is probably the right decision for Grier, but not so for Oregon State Basketball. On Thursday Bill Grier rejected Oregon States offer to coach the Beavers Basketball program.

Oregon State Athletic Director Bob De Carolis has his work cut out for him. The remaining choices for head Basketball Coach are not "keepers". Maybe those in power should have kept Jay John instead of firing him. Frankly, most high level recruits just do not think of coming to Oregon State as a vehicle to the NBA.

Well, it will take at least three to five years to rebuild the basketball program at Oregon State. Football and Baseball are out front in most fans minds. The Baseball team under Pat Casey has won two consecutive NCAA Championships. The Beavers Football team has won a bowl game for the past few years. The challenge is to get recruits from around the country, inner city kids from Philly and New York, believing that Corvallis is the place to be to play basketball.

New York Yankees Win Last Opening Day Game At Yankee Stadium

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:48:05 MST

Yankee Stadium opened in 1923 with Babe Ruth hitting the first homerun in the new ball park. Last Night the Yankees played their last opening day game against the Toronto Blue Jays and won by the score of 3-2. Chien-ming Wang went 7 innings and got his first win of 2008. Joba Chamberlain pitched a scoreless 8th inning and Mariano Rivera picked up his first save of 2008.

Cabrera hitting in the 9th spot in the batting order hit a homer and made two great defensive plays. Jeter, A-Rod and the rest of the team did a good job against a great pitcher Roy Halladay.

Tonight the Yankees take on the Blue Jays in game two of a three game series. Mike Musinna will get the start for the Yanks. Mussina has been mediorce of late and will be watched closely by new Yankee Manager Joe Girardi.

Boston Celtics Have Best record in the NBA

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 06:09:41 MST

The Boston Celtics are 58-15 thus far in the 2007-2008 National Basketball Association season. The Celtics have beaten every team in the NBA this year at least once. That is quite the accomplishment.

The NBA playoffs wil be exceptional this year. The Celtics, Pistons, Lakers, Suns, Mavericks, Hornets will all be tough.

The real season, the playoffs, will start once the regular season concludes. Every team will need to be ready. One or two quick losses in the playoff format will be a disaster for any team.

The MVP race will also be interesting. Will it be Kevin Garnett of the Celtics, or one of the many new stars on any of six or seven contenders.

The Celtics have the chance to finish the season with a 67-15 record, not quite the best all time Celtic season record.

George W. Bush Throws Out First Pitch at Nationals New Ball Park

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 05:55:05 MST

George W. Bush threw out the first pitch at the Washington Nationals New Ball Park tonight. Bush actually did a good job getting the ball Near home plate, "High and Away". If only George W. Bush did that well running the country.

The first home Run at the new Nationals Stadium was hit by Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves. The first RBI (run batted in) at the new ballpark was by Nick Johnson of the Washington Nationals.

Baseball is back in our nations capital. However, no one need worry about the Washington Nationals getting to this years World Series. If the Nationals finish at or near .500 baseball that will be an achievement.

Joe Morgan and Jon Miller begin their 19th year together broasdcasting baseball on ESPN. They are the best announcers in baseball, bar none!

Baseball is back and all is good.................

Opening Day 2008 Major League Baseball Season

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 11:07:04 MST

Today, March 30, 2008 is opening day for Major League Baseball, in the US of A that is. The Red Sox and A's already had two games in Japan last week.

Tonight at approximately 8 pm EST the Atlanta Braves take on the Washington Nationals in Washington D.C.. George W. Bush will throw out the first baseball in the new stadium. Tongue in cheek, I guess he will do better at throwing a baseball than running the country!

Politics aside, Baseball is always great, steroid scandals or no. So enjoy the 2008 baseball season, I know that I will......................

Oregon State Beavers Take Two From Washington

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 10:29:33 MST

The Oregon State Beavers Baseball Team took both games of a doubleheader on Saturday from Washington. The Beavers are now 2-0 in PAC 10 play.

The second game was a 2-1 victory in 10 innings. Pitching and defense will always trump just good hitting. The Oregon State Beavers will once again be very competitive in the 2008 PAC 10 & NCAA tournament play.

On Sunday, March 30, 2008 the Beavers will play Washington in the third game of the series at 2 pm in Corvallis.