The Best of 2011

Today is a special milestone: the 300th article posted in The Daily Hat Trick!!! YAY!!! Thank you all for your continued support!

The Daily Hat Trick does things a little differently than out media outlets. I personally think that it is better to run a piece reviewing the biggest stories of a year after the year is over. Often, the slowness of the sports news cycle in the final week of a calendar year can necessitate such pieces being run in late December. This year, however, I think there was plenty to talk about before the calendar went from 2011 to 2012.

The following are what I think were the biggest sports stories in each month of 2011. Enjoy your look back on the year that was!


January

Auburn wins the BCS National Championship

The Southeastern Conference won its fifth consecutive BCS National Championship as the Auburn Tigers outlasted the Oregon Ducks. Auburn shot to the top of the college football polls like a rocket on the strength of their Heisman Trophy winning quarterback, Cam Newton. In spite of a slough of controversy regarding Newton's eligibility due to an alleged play-for-pay scandal, Newton rose above the fray and guided his team to its first national championship since 1957.

Newton would be the first player chosen in the 2011 NFL Draft. 1

February

The Green Bay Packers win Super Bowl XLV

The Packers won their first Super Bowl in 14 years after a late regular season and playoff surge. Aaron Rodgers returned to the Packers' lineup from injury in December and the Cheeseheads never looked back. The Packers secured the final seed in the NFC playoffs then won three games on the road to advance to Super Bowl XLV to face the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Steelers, in their third Super Bowl in six seasons, lost their first Super Bowl in 15 years as Ben Roethlisberger was unable to rally the Steelers all the way back from an early deficit. The Packers demonstrated that they would be a contender for the next several years, winning 15 regular season games and securing the top seed in the NFC in the following, 2011, season.

A star was born last February. 3

March

Virginia Commonwealth (11) stuns Kansas (1), 71-61, in the southwest Regional Final to advance to the Final Four.

VCU Head Coach Shaka Smart, then age 33, became a household name among college hoops fans in the month of March. The Rams had to play their way into the field of 64, playing one additional game than 60 other teams in the field in the First Four round of the tournament. The 11th seeded Rams continued to deliver upset after upset.

Virginia Commonwealth put themselves on the radar with a second round upset of Georgetown. Then they stunned Purdue, followed by a win over fellow upstart 10th seeded Florida State. Many teams become tournament Cinderellas only to fall in the Sweet 16 or Elite Eight Round. Facing Kansas in the Southwest Regional Final, all bets were that the clock would strike midnight against the #1 seeded Kansas Jayhawks. The Rams won by 10 and advanced to their first, ever, Final Four.

Shaka Smart and the Rams shocked the world last March. 2

April

Connecticut defeats Butler to win the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament

The Daily Hat Trick detailed this NCAA Tournament Final game back in April. In one of the ugliest performances in the history of the NCAA Tournament, the Connecticut Huskies defeated Butler, 53-41.

Connecticut shot 35% from the field. This would often be an omen of doom in a championship game. Fortunately for UConn Coach Jim Calhoun and the Huskies, Butler shot less than 20%.

Butler lost its second consecutive NCAA Tournament Championship Game, having lost to Duke in 2010. Their coach, 34 year old Brad Stevens, would lose several seniors, including his best player, forward Matt Howard. Howard, incidentally, shot 1 for 13 in the game. It was Calhoun's third National Championship at Connecticut (1999, 2004).

Connecticut's Kemba Walker, the Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament, cuts down the net. 4

May

Dan Wheldon (died, October 2011) nips J.R. Hildebrand as Hildebrand hit the wall in the final turn, to win the Indy 500.

In one of the most exciting and improbable finishes to the signature race of the IndyCar Series, the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 offered a finish for the ages. J.R. Hildebrand led by more than a a full car length in the final lap, only to crash into the wall on the final turn, just feet away from the finish line. Hilderbrand's car would slide across the finish line under its own power and he would finish second. But England's Dan Wheldon would pass Hildebrand after the crash and win the Indy 500, the final win of his career.

Wheldon is as good an example as anyone of why we should seek and savor the good times of life. Wheldon would die in a crash five months later. 5

June

The Dallas Mavericks beat the Miami Heat in six games to win the NBA Finals

Former league MVP Dirk Nowitski shed the label that he was a great regular season player and a great scorer but couldn’t lead a team to a championship. Nowitski came through in the clutch repeatedly in the NBA Playoffs.

The signature moment of the Mavericks’ championship run was Game 2, in which Nowitski spearheaded a furious comeback, from 15 points down with less than seven minutes remaining, to avoid a deep 0-2 hole in the series and, instead, tie the series at one game apiece. The Mavericks would go on to win the series in six games.

Dirk delivered the dagger to the Heat in Game 2. 6

July

The United States Women's World Cup team advances to the Finals, losing to Japan

The Unites States Women’s World Cup soccer team had sports fans in the Unites States partying like it was 1999, the last time the women won the World Cup. The 1999 tournament was hosted in the United States and brought unprecedented attention to women’s soccer.

For a fortnight, American goalkeeper Hope Solo and clutch scorer Abby Wambach became household names among sports fans. The United States would advance to the Finals in dramatic fashion, scoring a last minute goal in extra time against Brazil to force, and win in, penalty kicks. The United States would lose to Japan in similar fashion in the Finals in the penalty kick frame.

Hope Solo: Beautiful young woman...too many corny Star Wars jokes elicited by her name. 7

August

NFL preseason football commences, after the end of the NFL lockout

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s “Back to football,” declaration became music to the ears of millions of American sports fans. After a lockout that lasted more than five months, depriving America of its favorite sport and football junkies of mini camp, training camp, free agency, and trade updates (and some preseason action), the lockout came to an end. Preseason games enjoyed strong ratings, with nationally televised games drawing better ratings than critical pennant race games in Major league Baseball. Twenty-first century America’s pastime was back!

Preseason football was never bigger. 8

September

St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays clinch improbable playoff berths on the final night of the regular season in dramatic fashion

The Hat Trick ran a piece following the final night of the MLB regular season. Four games decided the playoff fates of four teams. Adding to the drama, the Cardinals came back from a seemingly insurmountable 8.5 game September deficit to clinch the Wild Card. The Rays, who also were in a deep September hole, trailed the Yankees by seven runs in a must win season finale. Never in my lifetime could I recall so much being at stake on one single night, possibly the greatest night in the history of regular season baseball.

MLB on Wednesday, September 28, 2011: Last name, "Ever", first name, "Greatest" 9

October

St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series

The St. Louis Cardinals completed the most improbable run to a World Series Championship in decades. Not only were they hopelessly behind in the playoff race at the beginning of September, but twice, in Game 6 of the World Series, the Cardinals were down to their last strike. In one of the most memorable conclusions to a potential World Series closeout game (i.e. an elimination game), Cardinals third baseman David Freese delivered a pair of clutch, run scoring hits with the game hanging in the balance. Freese would deliver a walk-off homerun in the11th inning. The Cardinals would comfortably win Game 7 the following night and win the World Series.

If you never heard for David Freese before, you'd better recognize! 10

November

LSU 9 Alabama 6, OT

This game was billed the “Game of the Century”, likely to decide the winner of the SEC West Division and the representative of the SEC in the BCS National Championship Game. The winner did in fact win the division, the conference and a spot in the National Championship Game. The loser won a spot in the big game too.

The “Game of the Century” looked like a page from the middle of last century. The game was a bruising match of running attacks versus ferocious defenses. With the score tied after 60 minutes of play, the game was decided in the first overtime as Alabama failed to score in its possession and LSU’s Kenny Hilliard broke a long run inside the Alabama five yard line to set up a chip shot game winning field goal by LSU’s Drew Alleman.

No touchdowns were scored that night. The low score and the necessity of overtime to decide a winner prompted calls for a rematch in the National Championship Game should no conference winner have a stronger case. In spite of having one loss, like Alabama, and winning its BCS Automatic Qualifier conference (unlike Alabama), the Big XII, Oklahoma State was excluded from the National Championship Game and the Crimson Tide was handed a do-over for its November loss at home by the BCS system. Alabama would win the do-over match, 21-0, and, hence, was handed the BCS Championship trophy.

LSU's Eric Reid wrestles the ball away for a critical interception in "the Game of the Century". 11

December

NBA returns after the end of the lockout

“Back to basketball” did not quite have the same ring as “Back to football” for many sports fans, in the peak of the NFL season, but hoops fans, nonetheless, were relieved to learn that there would be a 2011-2012 season. The NBA would play its first regular season games on Christmas day, always traditionally a day with marquis basketball matchups. The Lakers, Bulls, Heat, Mavericks and other teams with high profile players would play on December 25th.

Reigning NBA MVP Derrick Rose picks up where he left off last season with a last second, game winning, basket, a hook shot floated over Pau Gasol of the Lakers. 12

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Inspiration in Victory and Defeat

This past weekend, champions were crowned in the sports world. PGA golfer Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland, age 42, won his first, ever, major tournament on Sunday, finishing three strokes ahead of the field. In Women’s World Cup soccer, Japan defeated the United States for its first ever World Cup championship.

DARREN CLARKE IN THE 2011 OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

With Tiger Woods’ absence from the 2011 Open Championship due to injury, golf is in greater need of a compelling story than it usually is during a major tournament. After Rory McIlroy’s dominating run at the U.S. Open in June, many eyes were on him for an encore in the British Open. However, McIlroy never mounted a significant challenge for the lead. Instead, Clarke unexpectedly roared out to an early lead after the first two rounds, and would play a game of cat and mouse with American Phil Mickelson during the next two rounds. On Sunday, Clarke completed the improbable goal of winning the Open Championship, by several strokes.

If Darren Clarke won his first major at age 42, it is possible he may never win another during his career. Still, Clarke gave real-life meaning to the expression, “Better late than never,” Being in my mid-30s, I personally am encouraged by examples of how the best has yet to come for a man competing in a game in which the competitors utilize strength and endurance in addition to skill. Golf is a sport in which older participants can compete, but, like all sports, those possessing youth have an inherent advantage.        



2011 Open Championship Winner Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland 1

THE AMERICAN WOMEN'S WORLD CUP TEAM

A few hundred miles away from the British Open, in Germany, the United States women’s team captured the interest of sports fans all across America during its fantastic run to the finals. The #1 ranked Americans earned a dramatic victory in the World Cup Quarterfinals against Brazil with an Abby Wambach goal in the 122^nd minute of play to force penalty kicks. After a Hope Solo save during the penalty kick phase, the Americans were able to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, win the match on penalty kicks and outlast the Brazilians.

Similar drama unfolded on Sunday. Securing late one goal leads in regulation and in extra time, the Japanese penetrated the American defense and, twice, tied the score and survived, forcing penalty kicks. The Americans, however, did not have great fortunes during the penalty kick phase, missing their first two shots and digging themselves into a deep hole from which they could not recover.

In spite of the disappointment, the American women, in a country that watches relatively few women’s sporting events and very little soccer, made many casual soccer observers into fans of their team and stimulated interest in their sport. That is not necessarily an easy task, in a nation with an insatiable appetite for the sports that it traditionally follows (such as baseball and golf), played by men. In its run for a third World Cup, the American women inspired soccer fans, provided a rallying point for America and its sports fans, and provided a model that could inspire aspire young female athletes across the country.

Abby Wambach's goal in extra time appeared to seal a World Cup victory for the U.S. 2

AN INSPIRATIONAL WEEKEND

This past weekend offered inspiration to sports fans. It offered inspiration in victory from a salt-and-peppered man in his forties who demonstrated the value of persistence and perseverance. It offered inspiration, in spite of defeat, from a group of vibrant, energetic and dedicated young women who captured the attention of the masses through one of the least likely mediums in women’s soccer. 

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To advertise in The Daily Hat Trick, or to submit a guest column, please contact the editor at eric@thedailyhattrick.info.       

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Word On the Tweet – July 15, 2011

With the second half of the Major League Baseball season underway and the NFL lockout appearing to be close to an end, social media is abuzz with all sorts of news, announcements, and rumors. The Daily Hat Trick, once again, has flexed its all access pass to the top secret Tweets that players and coaches won’t let everyone see.


Every NFL fan, everywhere, upon the announcement of the rookie wage scale, the last major point of negotiations in the NFL lockout:

YESSSSSSSS!

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, the first pick in the 2011 NFL Draft:

NOOOOOOO!

St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford, the first pick in the 2010 NFL Draft:

WHEW!

Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker, who likely would have been a first round pick in 2010, but waited until 2011 to enter the draft:

@docbrown If I give you my entire signing bonus, can you make me one of those special DeLoreans? #BackToTheFuture #IEffedUp

Unfortunately, Doc Brown did NOT invent the time machine for financial gain! 1

Texas Rangers Owner and President, Nolan Ryan, after a fan at the Home Run Derby came dangerously close to falling over a railing reaching for a ball, just days after a Rangers fan died from a fall reaching for a ball thrown to him by Josh Hamilton:

@DrugFreeJosh See, Josh. It wasn’t your fault. He was just stupid. #Darwinism

AGAIN?!? REALLY!!?? I'll bet this guy burned his hand on the proverbial hot stove more than once as a child. 2

Anyone with a sophomoric sense of humor, after USA soccer player Abby Wambach’s last second goal on a header shot against Brazil in the World Cup quarterfinals, followed by a second half goal against France in the semifinals:

Abby Wambach gives the best head on the team! #rimshot #zing #GOAL

Goalkeeper Hope Solo, if she were to play along:

True. But there could be no happy ending without the job I do with my hands. RT @sophomoricSoccerFan Abby Wambach gives the best head on the team.

Best head in soccer! 3

Chicago White Sox Designated Hitter Adam Dunn ($12 million salary, batting .160):

So I walked into a casino and asked the blackjack dealer, “Can I get a hit?” He says, “Not if the day ends in ‘y’!” #VeryFunny #ImStillRich

Bankrupt Los Angeles Dodgers Owner Frank McCourt:

Are they hiring? RT @99ProblemsAndAHitAintOne So I walked into a casino and asked the blackjack dealer, “Can I get a hit?” He says, “Not if the day ends in ‘y’!”

It would be a start to restore balance in the baseball world. 4

OJ Simpson, after reading that Georgia Tech had to vacate its 2009 ACC title due to NCAA rules violations:

@GTAthletics So how does this “vacating” work? If I vacate the stabbings, can I get some of my money back from the Goldmans?

USC President Max Nikias:

@TheJuiceSlicer Could we vacate your transcript?



Former USC QB Carson Palmer (left) and O.J. Simpson (right). OJ: "If the Brown family won't give you that trade you're demanding, I might be able to help you cut around and slice through the red tape. It may require some yellow tape, though." 5

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Must See Sports – Third Weekend of June 2011

The drama in the Major League Baseball season is heating up. The 2011 World Cup women's soccer tournament is winding down, and the British Open is underway. And the countdown to football season continues!

Thursday, July 14

MLB

Texas Rangers at Seattle Mariners
Derek Holland (7-4, 4.68 ERA) - Rangers vs Jason Vargas (6-6, 3.49 ERA) - Mariners

Fresh from the All Star break, these two American League West division rivals begin the second half race with a four game series. The Mariners, and their lights out pitching, have an opportunity to close within three games or less of the AL West lead. This series is somewhat critical for the Mariners because it is the last four game series they will play against the Rangers this season, meaning it is the best chance that they have to pick up multiple games on the Rangers for the rest of this season.

Advantages - Game: Rangers, Series: Rangers


Friday, July 15

MLB

St. Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati Reds
Chris Carpenter (4-7, 3.85 ERA) - Cardinals vs Mike Leake (8-4, 4.28 ERA) - Reds

The race in the NL Central could not get much tighter, with four teams (the Cardinals, Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, and Pittsburgh Pirates) all in a dead heat for the division lead. Cincinnati will be in a perilous position if its pitching, which has ranged everywhere from "touch-and-go" to downright "awful", cannot contain the Cardinals' potentially explosive middle of the lineup bats. In a race this close with this many contenders, I think those four teams are very close to, if not already in, the "every game counts" part of the season, even though it is still July.

Advantages - Game: Cardinals, Series: Cardinals


Saturday, July 16

PGA Tour

The Open Championship (British Open) – Round 3

Rory McIlroy, after his absolute domination of the field at the U.S. Open, has been the talk of the golf media in the days leading up to this event. In the absence of Tiger Woods due to injury, I am sure that the PGA is secretly rooting for McIlroy to have a strong showing in the first two rounds so that casual fans will have a compelling reason to tune in over the weekend, when the big ratings can come.

Rory McIlroy seeks to serve an encore to his U.S. Open performance. 1

Sunday, July 17

MLB

Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Rays
Josh Beckett (8-3, 2.27 ERA) vs Jeremy Hellickson (8-7, 3.21 ERA)

The Red Sox were on fire heading into the All-Star break, having won 10 of their last 11 games. The Rays were softened up considerably in their series with the Yankees. Perhaps the rush of energy and euphoria surrounding Derek Jeter's 3,000th hit, over the previous weekend, was working against the Rays as much as the Yankee crowd and the Yankees themselves. In this very tight division race, however the Rays are beginning to lose some ground, six games back heading into the break. Taking this best-of-three series against Boston would be a big step in the right direction for the Tampa, but I simply think Boston is too hot and playing to well right now to not take at least two games in this series.

Advantages - Game: Red Sox, Series: Red Sox

2011 World Cup Soccer – Final

United States at Japan from Frankfurt, Germany

Just one more stop on the way for the Unites States women's soccer team. This team, after its dramatic win last Sunday, followed by the domination of France yesterday, is destined, in the opinion of some in the sports media, to wrap up its mission of winning a third World Cup. As I have said, even if you are not into soccer, the action in this tournament has been more than entertaining for the average sports enthusiast.

Let's hope that American goalkeeper Hope Solo has a few more Jedi mind tricks up her sleeve. Bring the Cup home! USA! USA!

Lauren Chaney (12) fires the opening salvo against France in the semi-final game on Wednesday. 2

PGA Tour
The Open Championship (British Open) – Final Round

Will there be high drama in The Open Championship? Or will it be another "Runaway Rory" story? Or will someone new rise to the top of the pack? It will all be decided on Sunday.


Monday, July 18

Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates
Dontrelle Willis (0-0, 3.00 ERA) - Reds vs Paul Maholm (6-9, 2.96 ERA) - Pirates

I believe this is the first time, ever, that the Pirates have made "Must See Sports". If they continue to play better as the season wears on, however, this will not be the last time. Just one game out of first place heading into the All-Star break, the Pirates have an excellent chance to gain some ground on the Cardinals and/or Milwaukee Brewers and, with a three game series sweep, possibly knock the Reds far behind the pack in the NL Central race.

If you have not heard of Andrew McCutchen (.291, 14 HR, 54 RBI), you'd better recognize! The Pirates have some excellent young talent and have pitched very well this season. I personally find it refreshing for this historic franchise to be making waves again.

It would also be refreshing to see Dontrelle Willis make some waves again. The D-Train has struggled during the past 5 years, never fully regaining the promising form he showed with the Florida Marlins. His only start this season, just before the break, was a quality start. The Reds are hoping that Willis can help fill a hole in their starting rotation. Willis, I am sure, is simply aspiring to be a regular starter in the major leagues again.

Advantages - Game: Pirates Series: Pirates

The D-Train is back! 3

Tuesday, July 19

Milwaukee Brewers at Arizona Diamondbacks
Yovani Gallardo (10-5, 3.76 ERA) - Brewers vs Zach Duke (2-4, 5.47 ERA)

The Brew Crew is playing as well as any National League team right now. Their pitching also appears to be coming together. The Snakes continue to keep pace with the Giants behind the bats of Justin Upton (.293, 15 HR, 46 RBI) and Chris Young (.262, 16 HR, 50 RBI). I think the Brewers have the pitching advantage in this matchup and that will tip the scales in this second game out of four in Phoenix.

Advantages - Game: Brewers, Series: Diamondbacks

2011 All-Star Game MVP Prince Fielder 4

Wednesday, July 20

New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays
Freddy Garcia (7-6, 3.13 ERA) - Yankees vs David Price (8-7, 3.70 ERA) - Rays

There is plenty at stake for both teams in this third game of a four game series. The Rays could potentially play themselves out of the inner circle AL East race by the end of this series. The bat of Evan Longoria (.239, 11 HR, 42 RBI) has to wake up and provide additional support to the batting order. David Price has not had a quality start against an American League opponent since June 6. The Rays must make second half adjustments of they could be the odd man out, in spite of having the 4th best record in the league as of this morning.

The Yankees are on a roll and with a hot and rested Derek Jeter, there is reason to this the momentum will continue. The Yankees will miss the bat of Alex Rodriguez (.295, 13 HR, 52 RBI), who is expected to miss at least a month following surgery to repair a torn meniscus. A-Rod will be replaced by the young and speedy Eduardo Nunez (.279, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 51 GP).

Price has yet to have an impressive outing against the Yankees this season and is in a bit of a funk, as are the Rays. I like the Yankees in this matchup.

Advantages - Game: Yankees, Series: Yankees

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Miracle on Turf

By now, if you are a fan of sports, you have probably heard about the made-for-the-movies drama that unfolded yesterday at the 2011 Women’s World Cup. After American goalkeeper Hope Solo was handed a questionable, I say erroneous, yellow card while defending a penalty kick and giving up the goal on the rekick, enabling Brazil to send the match into extra time, the Brazilians took the lead with a goal by Marta in the 92nd minute.

The officials added 3 minutes of injury stoppage time after the second half of extra time, what appeared to be a mere formality. The Americans executed what is analogous to a Hail Mary in football, moving all of their players forward in the closing seconds. Their prayers were answered with a header in the 122nd minute by Abby Wambach, tying the score at 2 goals apiece and forcing a penalty kick shootout. American goalkeeper Hope Solo made a clutch save during the shootout, enabling the United States to win the match and advance to the semi-final round against France on Wednesday.


Against all odds, the American women never gave up.  1

Yeah, We Won. So What?

As I have said many times in the past, we love our sports in America. Soccer may have recreational participation comparable to football, basketball, and baseball in the United States. As a spectator sport, however, it is virtually non existent on the American sports fan’s radar. Women’s team sports, in general, take a back seat to men’s sports, with only one significant American professional team sports league for women, the Women’s National Basketball Association.

All of these factors, minimizing the significance of women’s soccer, take a back seat when the United States is on a global stage. Like in the Olympics and the men’s World Cup, American sports fans rally round the flag. Very often, the event itself lacks a compelling storyline. In men’s soccer, the U.S. is often outclassed by a more established soccer power. The women have enjoyed more favorable odds, with 1991 and 1999 World Cup championships and multiple #1 rankings in recent years, including this year.

Destiny?

The lofty expectations of this year’s American women’s soccer team in conjunction with the high drama of yesterday’s match have given the American team an aura of destiny. After executing the narrowest possible escape against Brazil (ranked #3 in the world) and the shocking elimination of the host country, Germany, considered a favorite by many, by Japan, the stars appear to have aligned for the American women for a second World Cup title in 12 years.

If you have not been tuning in because this is a women’s sporting tournament…if you have not been tuning in because it is soccer…if you are a fan of sports and support the U.S.A. internationally, you are missing out. The good news is that it is not too late. You will have at least one (hopefully two) more chance(s) to watch the women deliver a red, white, and blue World Cup. Don’t miss out on the history of this team of destiny.



The U.S. women are two wins away from partying like it's 1999. 2


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Must See Sports – Second Weekend of July 2011

I am back from vacation, which means Must See Sports is back, too. With the summertime slim pickings of sporting events, you can count on The Daily Hat Trick to help you find the needles in the haystacks of summertime sports fluff. And this week, it's a big heaping serving of baseball, baseball, baseball!

Friday, July 8

MLB

Cincinnati Reds at Milwaukee Brewers
Mike Leake (8-4, 4.03 ERA) – Reds vs Zach Greinke (7-3, 5.66 ERA)

This may not be the sexiest matchup to the casual baseball fan, but if your team is a National League contender, you are (or should be) paying attention. The race in the National League Central division could not be much tighter, with three games separating the first place St. Louis Cardinals, second place Brewers, third place Pittsburgh Pirates, and the fourth place Reds.

Zach Greinke has been an enigma. The former Cy Young award winner has been on a roller coaster in 2011, giving up far more runs than he has in his career, yet he keeps earning wins. The Brewers’ lineup, anchored by slugger Prince Fielder (.302, 22 HRs, 71 RBI) and 5 tooler Ryan Braun (.320, 16 HR, 62 RBI), assuming Braun can play (calf injury), can rack up extra bases and runs when it needs to, providing more than adequate run support for Greinke and the pitching staff.

Mike Leake could also tighten up his consistency on the mound. While he can be counted upon to deliver a healthy pitch count and work a solid number of innings, going six or more innings in his last eight appearances, he has been porous in allowing runs at times. The Reds’ strength, like the Brew Crew, is in their bats. Reigning MVP Joey Votto (.317, 12 HR, 52 RBI) and Jay Bruce (.260, 19 HR, 53 RBI) can bring runs in any time they are at the plate, meaning that the Reds always have a chance in the late innings of a close game.

The Brewers are at home and have been slightly less prone to pitching debacles as the Reds. I think that tips the scale, in this game to the Brewers.

Advantages: Game – Brewers, Series – split

This is likely Prince's last year in Milwaukee, but he is going out swinging. 1

Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies
Brandon Beachy (3-1, 3.23 ERA) – Braves vs Roy Halladay (11-3, 2.44 ERA)

The Phillies may have been anointed NL East champions by many members of the press during spring training, but the Atlanta Braves have quietly kept pace all season. While not likely, the Braves could quietly slip into a tie for first place with the Phillies in the East by sweeping this three game series.

Braves catcher Brian McCann (.314, 14 HR, 48 RBI) has quietly been on a roll, of late. McCann has reached base in 8 of his last 9 games, including five multi-hit games. Offseason free agent acquisition second baseman Dan Uggla (.183, 14 HR, 32 RBI) may be quietly breaking out of a horrendous slump, having hit 2 homeruns in the past week, with a .375 on base percentage and a .600 slugging percentage in July.

Brandon Beachy will get the ball for the Braves. Beachy won his last two decisions and has mowed down opposing batters of late, with 26 strikeouts in his last three starts. He will face, who in my opinion is, National League Cy Young front runner Roy Halladay. Doc Halladay has just kept on trucking, winning his last six consecutive decisions and having pitched complete game wins in his last two starts. While the Phillies’ lack of run support was cause for concern in the month of June, they are averaging six runs per game in July.

The Braves are very good, but the Phillies are better. Halladay is as good as it gets. I like the Phillies.

Advantages: Game – Phillies, Series – Phillies



The Phillies Phanatic is gearing up for the All-Star break! 2


Saturday, July 9

Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees
David Price (8-7, 3.56 ERA) – Rays vs A.J. Burnett (8-7, 4.12 ERA) – Yankees

I could go on all day about how tight the race is in the American League East between the Yanks, Rays, and Boston Red Sox. The Tampa Bay Rays have the third best record in the division, four games back of the Yankees, but also have the third best record in the American League. I could tell you what a great pitching matchup you should expect between two of the better pitchers in the American League. I could tell you how exciting Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson (.274, 25 HR, 62 RBI) has been to watch or how Alex Rodriguez (.299, 13 HR, 52 RBI) continues to be as consistent as ever at age 35.

I could tell you how the Rays have had everything but the kitchen sink thrown at them since last season, losing key players to free agency, getting off to a horrific 0-6 start, and losing slugger Manny Ramirez, in the first month of the season, to a combination of “special vitamins”, “Manny being Manny” and retirement. I could tell you how Rays outfielder Matt Joyce (.291, 11 HR, 40 RBI) has stepped up. In becoming a first-time All-Star, Joyce has helped to fill in the gap left by the games missed in April (and the apparent lingering effects of the foot injury causing the missed games) by franchise third baseman Evan Longoria (.243, 11 HR, 41 RBI).

I could tell you all of that. But there is no more compelling reason to watch Saturday’s game than the fact that Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter has 2,997 career hits. The law of averages tells us that he is most likely to be sitting at hit number 2,999 during either Saturday or Sunday’s game. According to foxsports.com, as of right now, this game is not one of the games that could be televised for Fox MLB game of the week. I personally think someone should be fired should that continue to be the case on Saturday. Should Fox not carry this potentially historic game nationally, I would be very surprised to not see, minimally, coverage of Jeter’s plate appearances on MLB Network and one of the ESPN channels.

This is a rare occurrence in baseball, with the last player to reach the 3,000 hit milestone being Craig Biggio of the Houston Astros in 2007. So I sincerely hope that all fans who wish to witness this historic accomplishment by Jeter have the opportunity to do so. As for the game itself, I could tell you that I think the Rays have a slight edge due to the pitching matchup.

Advantages: Game – Rays, Series – Yankees

Now batting for the Yankees...the shortstop...number two...Derek Jeter...number two. 3 

Sunday, July 10

Women’s World Cup Soccer

WWC Quarterfinals from Germany
United States at Brazil

I won’t pretend to have much technical insight into international women’s soccer. All I will say is that the American women have looked good, thus far, and what action I have seen has been entertaining. Go USA!

GOOOOOOOOAL!!!! 4

Monday, July 11

MLB All-Star Game Home Run Derby

To me, this is often the best event in the All-Star break, with the action in the derby sometimes exceeding the action of the game itself. Even if you do not plan to watch the All-Star game, a three hour exhibition, the home run derby is usually worth one’s time.

Can the big fella duplicate his winning efforts from 2009? 5

Tuesday, July 12

82nd Major League Baseball All-Star Game from Phoenix, Arizona

American League at National League

While this game is an exhibition, it still determines which league has home field advantage in the World Series. I think this is the dumbest rule, maybe ever, in major league American sports. I think it is further evidence that Bud Selig’s retirement as commissioner of Major League Baseball, after next season, will be cause for a celebration. Nonetheless, the All-Star Game is going to have a potentially significant impact on the Fall Classic.

In the Boston Red Sox recent three game series in Philadelphia, the Sox were clearly suffering from the absence of the designated hitter slot, which is only used in American League parks. Considering that the Red Sox and Phillies are considered favorites by many to win their league pennants, Tuesday’s game truly could affect the competitive landscape in October.

The good news, for the Red Sox and other AL clubs, is that the American League has dominated this game in the past decade and a half. The bad news is that the National League finally broke the “curse” last year. The worse news for American League fans is that the game is being played in Arizona, a National League park. No DH….

Advantage: National League, Disadvantage: baseball fans everywhere

Doesn't MLB offer early retirement incentives??? 6

Don’t forget to vote in the fan polls!

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1) Image from bleacherreport.com
2) Image from asylum.com
3) Image from deadspin.com
4) Image from goal.com
5) Image from pennlive.com
6) Image from upi.com