Question of the Day (8/30/09)

Who gets the blame for the way the Mets 2009 season has gone so far?

It is hard to blame the players since most of the big name stars and everyday starters haven't even played enough to get the blame for underachieving or under performing. Not since opening day have the Mets looked like the "Mets" with guys like Reyes, Beltran, Delgado, Putz, Wright, Santana, Maine, Perez and newly acquired Francoeur all on the DL.

Jerry Manuel gets the pass for the season since he basically was coaching the minor league Brooklyn Cyclones against the rest of the big league clubs. He had no tools, no players and no choice but to deal with it and try to put out the best lineup he could on a daily basis. He actually had some success with the B team.

Omar Minaya looks like the culprit, but not according to the Wilpons. Apparently Minaya has done his job and he has done it well enough to have the owners publicly come out and endorse him for next year. On the flip side to that, Minaya has the say on what happens to the players, coaches, amateur players, trades and contracts. He is responsible for making sure there are a bevy of healthy guys ready to play in the farm system, should something like this year occur (the entire team going on to the DL). He has the last word on giving older players long contracts, not offering younger players opportunities and on making deals to tighten up the bench or bullpen or starting lineup. He has gotten away with it this year since he didn't actually pull Reyes' hamstring or break Delgado's hip, but fans and writers all know that he is skating on thin ice and that his days could be numbered if next year starts off as bad or worse then this year.

The Medical Staff of the New York Mets seems to have won the role of "the scapegoat". Since everyone on the team, including Mr. Met has broken, pulled, separated or concussed some part of their body, there has to be a problem with the training methods or lack there of coming out of the medical offices at Citi Field. How is it possible for almost an entire team to be hurt???
It was like dominoes, one by one players went down with an injury. It was beyond laughable how bad it got this year with the injuries. While the Yankees were hitting home runs out of every corner of their new stadium, across town the Mets were leaving their new ballpark on stretchers and in ambulances headed for doctor's appointments. No one outside the organization could have imagined the inaugural season at Citi Field to look like the ER at Methodist Hospital, nor could they have imagined seeing a lineup featuring Anderson Hernandez, Corey Sullivan and Jeremy Reed.

The list is long and full of names when it comes to tyring to figure out who gets the blame for this year's Mets meltdown. The last two seasons were easily pinned on the heartless play of the Mets, but this year is a bit more tricky to understand how it all happened. The worst part about this is that the fans really do lose out the most. With so much hype and so much promised to them this year while paying so much to go to the brand spanking new stadium, fans are let down once again and this time they don't even know by who.

Question of the Day (8/28/09)

What should the NFL do about the Pre-Season?

A. Cut down the amount of games the teams play to 2?

B. Cut down the amount of games the teams play to 3?

C. Leave it alone?

D. If A or B was the answer, should they add the removed games to the regular season and extend it to a possible 18 games?

The NFL Pre-Season has become a long winded and boring part of an exciting start to a new NFL regular season. Only one of the 4 games the teams play showcase the talent fans look forward to seeing. Most of the other games are really for the coaches and scouts, so they can weed out the players that won't make the rosters and to trim down the depth charts. Season ticket holders and non-tickets holders have to pay full price to see these games and they only get to see their favorite players for a full quarter or sometimes only for a couple of series. In game 3 of the pre-season, teams usually give their first stringers the entire first half to work out any kinks and see how they mesh. Otherwise it is a fact that the other 3 games of the NFL pre-season are more like tryouts. There should be a new formula considered by the NFL to either make the regular season longer or cut out some games in the pre-season while simultaneously lowering the ticket prices so fans can actually enjoy these exhibitions. MLB spring training games are drastically lower in price and fans get to experience the fun like they would at minor league games. It's understandable that the NFL would like to make as much money as possible, so lowering the ticket prices could be hard, but Roger Goodell could show some sympathy for the average fan and just consider an alternate option. Also, changing the pre-season and having less games can help teams avoid injuries before the regular season and give teams a fighting chance with a healthy core.

Question of the Day (8/27/09)

In Minnesota, beyond the drama of Favre joining the team and causing chaos amongst the desks of sports writers across America, there is another problem that needs to be addressed....

What will Minnesota do with their other Quarterbacks???

The Vikings made Sage Rosenfels a promise that he would be the main competitor for the starting position when they traded for him from Houston. Tarvaris Jackson was coach Brad Childress' big draft pick during his rookie coaching season and has been a starter for most of his time in Minny, and John David Booty is another young and talented QB waiting for his chance to shine. There are only three spots on the depth charts at the QB position and everyone knows that the Mississippi mud slinger (Favre) has one of those spots. Who will take the other two spots?

Tarvaris Jackson looks like the odd man out and can probably get Minnesota the best return in the form of a trade, so it could get interesting as the pre season comes to a close.

Question of the Day (8/26/09)

Did the Yankees make a big mistake by not putting Joba Chamberlain back in the bullpen?

In Joe Torre's last year, the Yankees organization was grooming Joba to succeed Mariano Rivera as the next Yankees closer. He was lights out during the regular and post seasons. If it weren't for the bug incident in Cleveland, there might have been more of a chance to keep him in the bullpen permanently. Joba has been inconsistent this season and despite having a record over .500, it still remains to be seen if he is more effective coming out of the bullpen with his electric fast ball, than starting.

P.S. they also made a big mistake by not keeping Joe Torre...Joe Girardi hasn't lived up to anything.

Question for the Day (8/25/09)

After the performances of Mark Sanchez and Kellen Clemens during the NY Jets' second game of the pre-season, has a starter been determined or is there still a QB controversy?

Watching Mark Sanchez, there were good things and bad things, which are normal for most rookie QBs. Sanchez had two early throws that were both off a bit, one was intercepted and ran back for a touchdown, the other fell off of Ray Lewis' chest and should have been run back for 6 points as well. Sanchez did bounce back right away after being plowed by Lewis and other LBs on the Ravens. He threw a good screen pass to Leon Washington and then a very accurate touchdown pass to Leon again, during the same 64 yard drive. Sanchez reacted well, he took the hits and came right back and drove the team down for a score. Kellen Clemens was also shaky, getting picked off as well, with an interception that was run back for a touchdown, but then got back on track and hit Clowney, who made an acrobatic a touchdown catch. Clemens also hit Brad Smith with a great pass, but Smith dropped it in the end zone and the Jets settled for a field goal. It has been stated by most of the analysts watching the game, that Coach Rex Ryan should have left Sanchez in to finish the first half, so he could experience the 2-minute drill. But Ryan decided to bring in Clemens, which could mean he was not pleased with Sanchez's play.

What should happen? Should Mark Sanchez, the 5Th overall draft pick, sit this season and learn the ropes while Clemens get his much deserved chance to start? Or, will Ryan do what most believe he is leaning towards, will he name Sanchez the opening day starter?

The Jets have a good defense, with strengths at the defensive back positions (Lito Shephard, Darrelle Revis, Dwight Lowery, Kerry Rhodes and Jim Leonhard) the line backer positions (Bart Scott, Calvin Pace, David Harris, Brian Thomas and Vernon Gholston) and the defensive line positions (Kris Jenkins and Sean Ellis). The offense has some questions at the receiver position, otherwise it is solid at running back, tight end and the offensive line. So Sanchez and Clemens have a lot of pressure to step up and balance the offense, if they can succeed and keep the mistakes to a minimum, the Jets should be in the thick of things. Also, they might even be able to keep pace with the Gisele and the mighty Patriots.

The Unassisted Triple Play

How much worse can the Mets season get? Not at all now, since the Phillies turned a game ending unassisted triple play yesterday to take the series lead and push the Mets further into the dumps of the NL East. This season has had its embarrassing moments, like Luis Castillo dropping the pop up from A-Roid's bat, or when Fernando Martinez got his cleats stuck in the grass and fell down missing a routine fly ball or just the overall play of the back ups on a daily basis. But having 2 men on in the bottom of the 9Th inning, with no outs and the go ahead run at the plate is the situation all teams would want to have, giving themselves the best chance to comeback. Although it is not a negative reflection on the Mets, really, it still is just another example of how the team has made mental and physical errors. If Jerry Manuel had not sent the runners with Francoeur up to bat, his hit would have gotten through and the inning would have continued on with either bases loaded or a run in. Just more mistakes from the managers and front office keeping the Mets from achieving anything. Oliver Perez is another example from yesterday, of how the Mets have not made the right decisions throughout this season. Instead of having a quality pitcher out there yesterday, the Mets had to turn to Perez, their biggest bust of a signing since Mo Vaughn, who again was shelled and ineffective. Even the mighty Pedro looked good at Citi Field, going 6 innings and picking up the win. This season has been a big let down for fans and all the players and what really needs to happen is for it all to just end.

What happens to fans when their team is down in the dumps, losing and a far cry from the playoffs?

It's been very clear what happens to most fans at stadiums around the country during their favorite teams' losing seasons. Sports fans deserve a lot of credit for being loyal and faithful, even during the worst times.

When the Green Bay Packers were in the midst of a horrendous start to the season and the NY Jets came into town to visit for a little football game, the fans showed more loyalty then anyone could have ever imagined. The Jets had put up 31 points in the first half, creaming the Packers and turning Lambeau Field into their own practice field. But sitting their in minus 19 degree weather, we witnessed something that every sports fan should see. As the Packers came out of the locker room for the second half, the fans began cheering and rooting for their beloved "God" like quarterback, to throw one touchdown pass. If Favre had done so, he was inching closer to beating Dan Marino's record for most TD's thrown. No one in Green Bay that day cared at all about the massacre on the field, all they cared about was watching their favorite guy make history. It was a beautiful sight to see, sports fans just caring and just being able to find something positive to cheer for when things during the season were so negative.

Last night at Citi Field, the Mets were on their way to another loss and the fans had obviously become accustomed to seeing that this season. But as the 8Th inning began, Billy Wagner emerged from the bullpen to pitch and he received a very warm, standing ovation from the crowd, who only a year ago was yelling for his head as he was blowing save after save. Wagner was just activated from the disabled list and had not pitched yet this season, so seeing him was something new for fans. It could be called desperation or it could be called loyalty, whatever it was, it was positive energy. Citi Field lit up as if it were a playoff game and Wagner was out there to hold a one run lead. If you weren't aware of the actual score or had been in a hole all season, you might have thought that were true, just by hearing the cheers from the stands.

Although, these are only two examples of how fans stay true to their teams, surely there are others out there. Even during the Detroit Lions season last year, fans were finding something to cheer for. Because what else is there? Once fans know its over and they usually do before the players do, they re-group and turn their attention to something else. Maybe a record of some sort, a spoiler game, a new rookie making his debut, or just something that will evoke some happy emotions when things seemed so bleak. Sports fans can be happy knowing that they are real and are honest to themselves when it comes to their favorite teams. If this only trickled into real life, our world might be utopia.....

Question of the Day (8/20/09)

What will it take for the main stream sports media to cover something else other then Vick or Favre in the NFL?

There are plenty of other stories out in the NFL during this pre season that deserve to be looked at. For example, Jay Cutler in Chicago. Or Shawn Merriman coming back to San Diego and what the Chargers' chances are this season to go to the playoffs. Or what the Titans will do with Vince Young?

Hopefully the media will give it up by the half way point.

Question of the Day (8/19/09)

What about baseball excites fans on a daily basis?

The NY Mets did something yesterday that they haven't done in over a year. With a starting lineup excluding such stars as Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Jose Reyes and David Wright, the Mets scored 8 runs on 10 hits in one inning, overcoming a 4-0 deficit to pound the Braves into the ground. The last time they scored 8 runs in one inning, was August 13Th of 2008. The Mets did not hit one home run during this offensive surge and the three players with 9 of the 17 total hits, Francoeur, Castillo and Sheffield are the hottest hitters of the teams right now. Most Mets fans would never have thought that Luis Castillo would be hitting so well, consistently through out this season. Francoeur has been the happiest player in the Majors since being traded to the Mets and his play has reflected as much and Sheffield not only leads the whole team in HR's, but has also been a steady, veteran force in the lineup. What this showed to fans yesterday, is that the Mets, even being out of any playoff contention, are still playing baseball. They showed heart and they displayed the thing that draws us all to the sport. That baseball is a game of streaks, winning streaks, losing streaks, hitting streaks and slumping streaks. In one game, a baseball team can exude excitement and tough play and for one day, fans can cheer and forget about the rest of the season. Fans should take pride in a win like yesterday and just enjoy baseball for all it's glory and all that it has to offer.

This game yesterday, was a bright spot in a very dark NY Mets season. It is always a pleasure to watch your team explode for 8 runs in one inning, beating a division foe. That is what still excites this fan about baseball.

Question of the Day (8/18/09)

John Smoltz, the only pitcher in MLB with 200+ wins and 150+ saves is currently out of a job. At first blush, this looks like a big mistake by Boston, to part with such a talented pitcher during the height of the playoff battle, but looking deeper, this could be another Brett Favre situation. Smoltz, this season, went 2-5 with an 8.32 ERA in 8 starts for Boston, prior to his release by the team. Historically, John Smoltz has been one of the most dominant pitchers in the league, as a starter and as a closer/reliever. He spent 20 years in Atlanta and only in Atlanta, winning the Cy Young award and making multiple All Star teams.

But at 42 years old, is he past his prime?

Like, Brett Favre, "Smoltzy" has had a hall of fame career, has won championships and MVP awards (Cy Young), while playing for one team up until the end. "The end", meaning when his career was coming to a close. Favre showed football fans and players that he just isn't the same football player he once was. He was only able to keep it up for half of a season for the NY Jets last year, ultimately going 1-5 the last 6 games of the season and missing the playoffs. Favre has told the media, fans and teams that he has retired (AGAIN), which apparently isn't true at all, because Minnesota Vikings' players say differently; that Favre will be on the team before the start of this season. Smoltz, fortunately hasn't gone in and out of retirement like Brett Favre has, but the question still remains....

Should Smoltz take this release by Boston as a sign and hang up the cleats, ending a glorious career, or, should he jeopardize his reputation like Favre, and play past his prime, possibly embarrassing himself?




***It is hard for someone who hasn't played pro sports to understand what it's like to finally quit the only thing you have ever known, but as a spectator and as a fan, it looks to be detrimental to players like Favre and Smoltz's image to continue to try and compete beyond their capacity.

Question of the Day (8/17/09)

Why is Brett Favre continually changing his mind about retirement? A story was leaked from Minnesota's training camp, saying that Favre hinted to some of the players that he is going to come back out of retirement to play for the Vikings. He probably watched the Vikings' first pre-season game and said to himself, "I can do better then that". So, will Brett Favre stay retired or is he going to be wearing the awful purple and gold?

Question of the Day (8/14/09)

How will the NFL play out this year? I know this is a tough thing to predict, but it's fun and it is a great way to get excited for the 2009 season. Here are my predictions (just educated guesses):


NFC EAST

1. Philadelphia
2. New York
3. Washington
4. Dallas

NFC WEST

1. Arizona
2. Seattle
3. San Francisco
4. St. Louis

NFC NORTH

1. Chicago
2. Minnesota
3. Green Bay
4. Detroit

NFC SOUTH (this one is hard)

1. Atlanta
2. Carolina
3. New Orleans
4. Tampa Bay

AFC EAST

1. New England
2. New York
3. Miami
4. Buffalo (TO can't make a team)

AFC WEST

1. San Diego
2. Denver
3. Oakland
4. Kansas City

AFC NORTH

1. Pittsburgh
2. Baltimore
3. Cincinnati
4. Cleveland

AFC SOUTH

1. Tennessee
2. Indianapolis
3. Houston
4. Jacksonville


PLAYOFFS:


NFC

1. Arizona
2. Chicago
3. Philadelphia
4. Atlanta
5. New York
6. Carolina

AFC

1.Pittsburgh
2. New England
3. Tennessee
4. San Diego
5. New York
6. Indianapolis

Question of the Day (8/13/09)

Pedro Martinez has arrived once again. Last night, pitching for his 4th team, the Phillies, he went 5 innings while striking out 5 and only walking 1 batter. Pedro scattered 7 hits and gave up 3 earned runs against the slumping Chicago Cubs. This was a quality start for Pedro, his last Major League start was for the Mets last September and other then that, he had only pitched 3 other times during the World Baseball Classic. Pedro showed little to no rust and was as effective as the Phillies had hoped for, hitting 92 mph on the radar gun. The question of the day here has two parts to it:

1. With the Phillies potent offense behind him, scoring runs in the double digits most of the time, is this the only fit for Pedro as he extends his time in the Majors, before joining the Hall of Fame??

2. Is this another example (Derek Lowe, Randy Wolf) of Omar Minaya missing the boat on getting a quality pitcher cheaper than other ones he has acquired (Oliver Perez, Tim Redding)?

Question of the Day (8/11/09)

The New York Jets, like many other NFL teams, have a Quarterback competition going on this pre-season. Kellen Clemens, a four-year member of Gang Green and the rookie out of USC, Mark Sanchez will fight to the end for the starting job. New coach Rex Ryan has expressed confidence in both players, giving Clemens credit for being more NFL ready, while also saying that Sanchez's arm is stronger. Both QB's are lacking in other categories, but the team and Ryan are confident that either one can run the Jets' offense. Ryan is a defensive minded coach, who loves the running game. Also, the Jets have downgraded in the wide reciever position with the loss of Laverneous Coles, moving the focus to the running game. So, if you were Rex Ryan, who would you start, Kellen Clemens or Mark Sanchez?

Question of the Day (8/10/09)

Which NFL team, if any, is going to sign Michael Vick? Or will he go to the UFL and take the pay day they are offering him of $2 million?

Question of the Day (8/6/09)

The Yankees and Red Sox are about to begin a pivotal 4 game series in the Bronx tonight and the NY Daily News, in preparation for the series, has attempted to compare the match ups at each position. Is the paper accurate in its prediction and has the Daily News fairly compared each category between the two teams?

The Daily News' picks:

FIRST BASE: Mark Teixeira vs. Victor Martinez/Kevin Youkilis (DN-even)
SECOND BASE: Robinson Cano vs. Dustin Pedroia (DN-even) ?????
SHORT STOP: Derek Jeter vs. Jed Lowrie (DN-Yankees)
THIRD BASE: A-Roid vs. Mike Lowell/Kevin Youkilis (DN-Yankees)
LEFT FIELD: Johnny Damon vs. Jason Bay (DN-Red Sox)
CENTER FIELD: Melky "the milkman" Cabrera vs. Jacoby Ellsbury (DN-even) ????
RIGHT FIELD: Nick Swisher vs. J.D. Drew (DN-Red Sox)
CATCHER: Jorge "rat boy" Posada vs. Jason "tek" Varitek (DN-Yankees)
DH: Hideki "Godzilla" Matsui vs. David "i took steroids...so what" Ortiz (DN-Red Sox)
STARTING PITCHERS: Yankees vs. Red Sox (DN-Yankees)
BULLPEN: Yankees vs. Red Sox (DN-even) ????
MANAGER: Joe "huh" Girardi vs. Terry "nice windbreaker" Francona (DN- Red Sox)
OVERALL: Yankees vs. Red Sox....the series match up gives way to the Red Sox edging out the Yankees because of their 8-0 record against NY this season, but the Yankees have a 2.5 game lead in the division and have been playing their best baseball.

YOU DECIDE!!!!

Question of the Day (8/5/09)

Prominent and big name baseball players have been identified as steroid and performance enhancing drug users. Some have admitted it, some have not. Some were part of the 104 players that tested positive in 2003 and some just look unnaturally like pro wrestlers giving way to the curiosity of how they got to look like that. It has become a way of life for fans and players to find out almost daily that another player tested positive at some point or that he has been linked to BALCO or that he has just drastically grown in size and his power numbers are through the roof. The saddest part is that baseball has been changed forever, it's integrity will never be the same and the time when players and gamers alike gave all they had and exposed their true love for baseball, is now gone.....

Should this current time in baseball really be known as the "Steroid Era"?? And is it an acceptable way to look at the records achieved during this "era" as tainted???

Question of the Day (8/4/09)

How will the AL East play out?

1. Yankees win division, Red Sox get Wild Card.
2. Red Sox win division, Yankees get Wild Card.
3. Yankees win division, Rays get Wild Card.
4. Red Sox win division, Rays get Wild Card.
5. Rays make a comeback and take the division, Yanks/Red Sox get the Wild Card.
6. Only one team makes it with the division title and the Wild Card comes out of another division.