New York State of Mind...

So Matty Matt and I took part in our annual fantasy draft with the New York baseball crew yesterday. Matt's Father in law, bro in law, and his buds have been running this league for ages now and, I must say, it's a brilliant league. Ricky does a great job managing, along with "Bulldog" Kevin Kline. AL Only, auction, keeper is the format and it's been running for maybe 10 years now.

With substantial outfield talent on our roster heading into the draft, and the bulk of the talent available also in the outfield, we were presented with a tricky "supply vs demand" scenario: How can we get guys to blow their cash on the available outfielders (without getting stuck with a position we don't need), leaving us with more money to spend on our needs: 2B, 1B, and Starting Pitching. It just so happened that the leanest positions for available players were, yes, 2B/SS, 1B, and Starting Pitching... so what to do???

First, Rick allows 3 National League players to be put into the player pool. Fortunately, underrated stud 1B Adrian Gonzalez was one of those players. We expected Albert Pujols to be offered up (and we were prepared to spend probably 55 dollars on Pujols) but Kevin threw the league a curveball and put Gonzalez out there instead. Gonzalez was going to be ours... and he ended up with us for a cost of 43 dollars. Fantastic! We knew our other 1B target, new Yankee Mark Teixeira, was going to be priced in the mid 50's, particularly in a NY comp... and sure enough he went for 57 dollars. Too much. The difference between Adrian Gonzalez and Mark Teixeira is, well, about 30 more strikeouts from Gonzalez. That's it. Gonzalez has proven he is a masher, even in a cavernous park like San Diego's Petco (plus, he may, down the road, be trade bait for the cash strapped San Diego Padres... Boston perhaps? We know Theo Epstein loves him.) For the difference of 14 dollars between Gonzalez and Teixeira, we added another guy we ranked high: Mike Aviles. He's got eligibility at both SS and 2B and will slot nicely into 2B for us. While we could be proven wrong, we think having Gonzalez and Aviles (particularly at a thin 2B position) for the price of Teixeira is smart, astute drafting. Plus, Aviles, assuming he produces, will slide nicely into the SS spot for us in 2010.

Our other high priced expenditure was SP John Lackey. Happy to acquire him, even if we paid maybe 5 dollars too much (max. At 32 dollars, he could be just about right, relatively speaking.) Then I woke up to the news that he's being shut down for a while with tightness in his forearm... let's hope he doesn't visit Dr James Andrews anytime soon. For now, he's getting a cortisone shot. Let's hope that works.

We took a "shopping at Costco" approach to the rest of our draft, picking up SPs Andy Pettite, Brad Penny, John Smoltz (love him for 3 dollars; let's hope Boston gets him a spot in the rotation come late May), plus a flyer on Edwin Jackson (time to succeed Edwin, Detroit needs you... and so do we.) These guys will slot in nicely next to Jon Lester and Joe Saunders.

The bullpen is led by Jonathan Papelbon. We were priced out of the closer auction but picked up Grant Balfour and Fernando Rodney. Balfour, the Thunder from Down Under Australian reliever, is likely first in line to close for Tampa Bay should Percival get hurt (which he will at some point.) And Rodney is supposedly going to split the closer job with Brandon Lyon in Detroit, so we should pick up some saves there. Presumably, he'd be line to get all the saves, should Lyon be ineffective or get hurt. Otherwise, we'll need to be active on the waiver wire for saves.

Lastly, picked up a couple of offensive bench players with big upside: Ty Wigginton, Wilson Betemit (let's hope he gets the start at 3b for Chicago), and Josh Fields (the likely starter in Chicago at 3b) who has nice power but strikes out, well, 1 time every 3 ABs... not good. But Wiggy was the prize bench pickup here and we hope he gets the start in Baltimore. Eligible at multiple positions, Wigginton can mash and we hope Baltimore do the right thing and start him. Also picked up Rod Barajas to catch... not much to say there.

So the starting lineup looks like this:

C Rod Barajas
1B Adrian Gonzalez
2B Mike Aviles
SS Jed Lowrie
3B Carlos Guillen
OF Jacoby Ellsbury
OF BJ Upton
OF Carlos Quentin
UTIL Magglio Ordonez

SP Jon Lester
SP John Lackey
RP Jonathan Papelbon
RP Grant Balfour
P Fernando Rodney
P Brad Penny
P Andy Pettite

Pitching Bench: Edwin Jackson, Joe Saunders, John Smoltz
Offensive Bench: Ty Wigginton, Wilson Betemit, Josh Fields

Pleased with the team, excited to have Adrian Gonzalez joining us. Season starts in a week... I wish it was yesterday!

Another World title for the Japanese... and Ichiro, who'd otherwise stunk out the joint with his hitting, drives in the winning runs. Matsusaka MVP of the tournament again... basically a replay of 2006.

It's back to the drawing board for the US team. I'm not a Davey Johnson fan, for what it's worth. I think playing Jeter at shortstop was foolish. He's done at shortstop. Average. Jimmy Rollins is a better defender, yet against the Japanese, there was Jeter again, at shortstop... let's make sure "The Captain" is happy, let's not rock the boat... whatever. Let's focus on defense at shortstop in 2012.

Nothing wrong with the majority of the team selection really. Youk, Pedroia, Wright at 3rd, a beautiful infield. And Oswalt/Peavy make a nice1-2 punch, although Oswalt didn't fool the Japanese.

Shoulder to shoulder...

Irleand won the 6 Nations Rugby today and, in the process, won the "Grand Slam" for the first time since the late 40's. It was a tight game, sloppy at times, but hard hitting and fitting for the two top teams in the Six Nations tournament. A late Ronan O'Gara drop goal won it for the Irish (about all O'Gara did well on the day) and it finished up 17-15. Well done to the Boys In Green.

The US take on Japan tomorrow for the right to face Korea in the final of the World Baseball Classic. Oswalt (over Peavy, I like the decision) vs Matsusaka, two strikeout guys, should be a nice battle. The Japanese, the defending champions, will continue to play their version of baseball (Yakyu as it's known in Japan) which appears to resemble American "small ball": Lots of bunting, sacrifice bunts, moving runners along... I'd like to discuss with a Japanese baseball fan sometime. Anyway, for now, time to dispose of the Japanese and to, as Tommy Lasorda said, take "our game's title" back home.

Rugby league, Roosters v Rabbitohs...

Wow, what a beating the Bunnies gave Roosters. It was honestly like men against boys out there, with the Rabbitohs and Russell Crowe destroying the Chooks. Little Chris Sandow is awesome, what a, well, Rabbit... quick and untouchable.

The US isn't looking too good in the WBC. Yes, they should be the Dutch. But then what? Not sure what the problem is, as I missed today's game. But the Puerto Ricans handed out an ass whooping to the US. Pedroia is done, hopefully just nursing a small oblique injury, nothing that will last long.

Had my first fantasy baseball draft today with Alex, his bro, and his mates. A good crew, into it, know their stuff. I certainly don't know much about the NL but am pleased picking up Prince Fielder, Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Andre Ethier, and other NL studs. Loving fantasy baseball and looking forward to the real thing.

Little Baby is still thumping away in there, practicing his/her judo chops on Gill's internals. Can't wait to meet the little one!

Lastly, nice seeing Liverpool hammer United, at Old Trafford no less. The Merseysiders are back in it...

A Rod

While A Rod rehabs his hip labrum tear, just a few thoughts on the A Rod phenomena:

• When did he start using the juice? Could he have been using in high school? Why not?
  
• How naive is the media to declare certain players "steroid free" and "model players" as opposed to Bonds, Sosa, Clemens (yes, Clemens did them), etc? I don't get it. Ok, one guy I'm comfortable saying is clean is Jeter. But Manny? Junior Griffey? Rickey Henderson? I'm not being a chicken $hit and saying they did. But to make a blanket statement that they didn't? Foolish statement to make this day in age.
  
• I did a term paper in high school (a bloody long time ago) on steroids in sports. That was 20 years ago. Why did people think baseball was immune? The results from a study that was done years ago (as in, 10-25 years) revealed that athletes, when asked "would you take a substance that guaranteed you a gold medal but also only allowed you to live to 50?", overwhelmingly answered "yes." (That's roughly the results of the survey, I'll try and find the official results.) World class athletes are too competitive and would be leaving too much money on the table to resist. Especially if they can use under a doctor's supervision, safely.
  
• Think athletes are clean because they passed a drug test? Think again. Read on. They are called SARMs, they are better than steroids and, imagine, they are undetectable:

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/01/prweb1868364.htm

• I think Alex Rodriguez is a fantastic baseball player. By all accounts, he works incredibly hard at his craft, is a baseball junkie, your prototypical gym rat. He plays the game hard, doesn't take days or at bats off. Ok, he signed a massive contract, comes across as disingenuous with the media (perhaps he's not comfortable with the media, he's not the only athlete in that boat), and hasn't won a title. Baseball is a team game. Texas was AWFUL when he was there, despite Rodriguez putting up MASSIVE numbers. He came close with Seattle. So why does everyone hate this guy so much? It's not steroids; the hatred was there well before this news was uncovered.
• And if 1 guy's positive test is released, they all need to be, all 104. It's unfair otherwise. End of story.
  

For me, when A Rod went to NY, he became the enemy, on the field (as a Sox fan.) But what a player. Sorry, but baseball fans have got to respect his talent. And count me in as someone who wants to see him back at SS (partly because I own him in a fantasy league... but more because I'd like to see if he's still got the skills there. I'm thinking yes.) Just trying to get this thing with A Rod right.

The Mexicans are a good team..

And the Aussies were overmatched today. Too bad too because they had the Cubans on the ropes yesterday. Had they won that one, they were through to the next round.

But they didn't and it's back to their professional club spring training now. A fine showing though and Australia clearly deserves to be taken seriously on the world baseball stage.

The Americans were beaten by the Venezuelans and next up is Puerto Rico. Look, the US would take a best of 7 series against PR. But one game? Who knows, let's see how they go. The Dutch face off against the Venezuelans. Will Holland's ride continue?

Fantasy baseball drafts and auctions ramping up now. First is the Boston AL only league with Barry, Smedile, Nick, Dooher, Matty P and others. It's a good league and the AL only, auction format is fun. The A Rod injury hurts my squad; I should have known better than to trade for him... serves me right!

Also this weekend is the draft with Alex M and his buddies. This is a standard 5X5 format with both Al and Nl players. Head to Head format though, I'm thinking luck plays a much bigger part in this format. We'll see.

It's all about the World Baseball Classic...

And what a massive upset, once again, by the Dutch. Incredible. Over the big bad Dominicans? You've got to be kidding me. As my Dutch coworker said brilliantly (and as dry as a desert in mid summer), "They must be pouring into the streets in Amsterdam." (I bet they are pouring into the streets in the DR... for different reasons. Lookout!) I wonder if the Netherlands people care? I hope so; their boys played with heart and showed real fight, particularly after going down 1-0 in the top of the 11th. Many teams would have caved in that situation. But to score 2 in the bottom of the inning? Just remarkable. Granted, some shoddy defense by the DR helped but that's baseball, end of story.

And my Aussies (yes, my other team), nearly pulled off a massive shocker against the Cubans. A 2 out, 2 run home run by the Cuban pinch hitter spelled doom for the boys from Down Under (off former UNSW pitcher Richard Thompson, played before I played for Uni.) A tough loss. But the Aussie spirits have got to be high. They went blow for blow with one of the best teams in the world. Anyone who questions whether the Aussies deserve to be here is kidding themselves. These boys can play. I fully expect the boys to represent Aus well tomorrow against the Mexicans: Bring the thunder boys!

Good to see our former UNSW teammate Al Angelucci pitching for South Africa yesterday against Mexico. He got hit around and didn't help himself with 3 walks. But don't forget: Al's just turned 20. He's got a live arm and is still learning. Against Mexcio? Many pitchers have gotten hit hard by the Mexicans. Good luck to Al this season with San Diego.

My boys from the US play tomorrow in a rematch with Venezuela. Got to think Venezuela plays better this time around. Both teams are through to the 2nd round. The winner of this game plays the loser of the Puerto Rico vs Holland game. Of course you'd rather play Holland than Puerto Rico... but the US can handle PR too. Let's see how this one plays out. I expect a closer game, maybe 7-5 to the US.

Two posts in a row? Wow...

Feeling like I'm 15 again...

Wow, nearly a year on since my last post. Still not sure what the value of this blog is really... but let's type away and see what happens.

So this past Saturday, 7 March, the boys from Cougars took home our first baseball title together, hammering the N Sydney team 16-4. The mercy rule was employed as we had the 12 run lead after 7 innings complete. Great stuff from the boys all game. While the value of naming an MVP is questionable, I suppose a few names stood out for me

Eventual MVP Dave Kark was a force, smashing a bomb to deep right center that just carried.... and carried... until the CF ran face first into the fence! Got to like that (nice effort, despite the near concussion...). That dinger got us on the board and really got us rolling. And Karky's single to left that cleared the bases was money. Well done to the young springbok!

Chris Corey going 6 strong on the hill against a good hitting team... lethal. Kept the fastball down, had a nice breaking ball, and allowed the boys behind him to make the plays (which they did, read ahead.) Kidd pitches; he doesn't throw. He changes speeds to the point where that fastball, I'm guessing (never faced him, don't really want to, although I'm sure I'd go yard... only messing Kidd) must look very quick when he rears back. He takes a page from the great Warren Spahn: "Hitting is timing. Pitching is upsetting timing." It's fun watching him pitch and I'm glad he's on my team.

Dan Crooks at SS was awesome. While making the routine plays (not to be undervalued), he made the dramatic ones as well, cutting down some aggressive baserunning by N Sydney (hurt them early.) Smeg behind the dish made a nice scoop on a short hop as well. But Crooksy was everywhere in the field. And was on base 4 times offensively... that's having a day for yourself on the big stage (well, in front of maybe 35 people... but you get the point.) Well played mate.

And can't forget "The Ballplayer" Nick Ellsmore. Like former Boston 3B Billy Mueller, Ells deserves the title "Ballplayer." It's truly one of baseball's highest compliments. Ells plays everyhere and plays it well. And rakes with the bat too.

By the time we brought on Pete "Pistol" Hinteregger, it was all over... nice finishing with the 1-6-3 double play though. A bit of style to finish it.

As for me, well, a strikeout (I'll go to my grave knowing that one was low), a swinging bunt hit to 3rd, a walk, and my favorite at bat of my day, a 14 pitch battle against their starter. I lost that battle with a grounder to third... but we won the war. I like to think that those 14 pitches fatigued him on a hot day, maybe even frustrated him a little bit. A coincidence that Karky hit his bomb straight after my at bat? Maybe; maybe not. Baseball, as always, is about the little things.

So Cougars are champions. I can enter temporary retirement on top; time to teach our little one about who Big Papi is, that the Green Monster is nobody to fear but is actually your friend (particularly to the lefty who will take it to opposite field), and that it's ok to have a snuggly security blanket (like Papelbon is to Sox fans.) I'll be back next September to show our little one how it's done, that 37 year olds can hit bombs just like Big Papi (ok, now I'm dreaming...)

Good luck to Div 4 Cougars in their Grand Final this weekend! And got to give a shout out to the Aussie WBC team, big upset of the Mexicans. But the heart is with the USA WBC team... as Tommy Lasorda said: "This is our game! It's our time to win it." Bring it home boys...