Running with the Devils

Ilya Kovalchuk is re-signing with NJ, according to ESPN. This isn't a blog that breaks news, so I don't have any other information, but I figured my two readers might be interested in the great news. I'll be interested to see his deal, because this is without a doubt going to affect Zach Parise's deal in a few years. With Marty retiring in a few years, his contract will come off the books, but as long as Marty and Ilya are under contract, Parise is going to need to take less money to stay in NJ. I LOVE Parise. He needs to stay.

[Update: Here's another story from nj.com]

Instant (Over)Reaction: Celtic

My dislike for friendly matches has been previously documented. I wish they didn't happen and I wish I didn't have to talk about them. That being said, yesterday's game against Celtic FC was part of our season ticket package and since we had already paid for it, the wife and I went to cheer on our boys. Interestingly, there were a few moments that need some commentary, so here we go. My first review of a friendly match

• The game was instantly changed when GK Terry Boss was issued a red card for his take down of Georgios Samaras in the 30th minute. It's a decision that I have issues with. I will be the first person to cite the rules of the game; that when the last man back takes down a player with a clear scoring chance, that he will be issued a red card and sent off. The problem is that Samaras still goes on to score. Referee Paul Ward, after the game noted that he did not play the advantage because he did not feel their was one. So the goal comes off the board, Boss gets tossed, the Sounders have to play a man down, and a player with no name on his jersey enters the game for the first time. I understand the rule, but given the situation I think Ward needs to use his discretion - count the goal and give Boss a yellow card. This was a freaking friendly for crying out loud. Celtic traveled to the states for some preseason training. Sounders FC are just trying to make a little more money all while giving their back-ups the opportunity to play. By sending Boss off, Ward made the game even more meaningless than when it started. I know he has no obligation to the fans, but I feel sorry for those who bought tickets for the game. It was exciting at times, but overall was a bust.
  
• I purposely did not mention the back-up goalies name on purpose so that I could give him his proper due here. The kids name was Jordan Jennings, a 25 year old keeper from Seattle University who currently plays for the PDL Tacoma Tides (and actually played the the night before). He was a guest player for the day after Kasey Keller was given the day off to nurse some injuries. Jennings' first duty was to try to save a PK against Samaras, a player fresh off 3 World Cup starts for Greece. His jersey had no name on it. It was a size to big. He appeared to be introducing himself to everyone on the team upon entry. He was without a doubt a little jittery at the start, but overall made some nice plays to keep the team in the game. I have to believe this was the best day of his professional life.
  
• I know he turned the ball over way too many times, but it is great to have Alonso back. I am not surprised that the team has made a mini-turn around since his re-introduction into the team. The guys just appear to have more swagger and confidence with Alonso sprinting from player to player, trying to rip the ball away from them.
• My opinions on the Fred's changes monthly. currently I am on the Montero side, as it is so clear to everyone in the stadium what a different player he is without Ljungberg in the game. His confidence is clearly there and he is such an exciting player (Did you know he has 7 assists on the year??) when the Ljungberg shackles are taken off.
• I understand how and why Sigi is cheating the system with placing David Estrada on the IR, but I have to think it is a little weasley. Placing a player on the IR means they cannot play in an MLS competition for 6 matches (but can be available for US Open Cup and Champions League), thus allowing the team some flexibility in not having to drop him to make room for Blaise Nkufo. But with Estrada playing (and scoring) against Celtic, how can anyone believe he is injured? Obviously the MLS Front Office is watching - look for this rule to be changed next year.
• Speaking of Nkufo, he is good. Man-crush good. Again, it was an exhibition, but he was always a step ahead of his competition in terms of decision making and for being a huling 6'2" always appeared to be more skilled than I envisioned. Somehow the ball never came off his foot.
• Finally, Celtic looked like a rugby team with the collared shirts. I have always thought the hoops were interesting when I saw them on tv, but in person, the collars and the white shorts just didn't do it for me.
  

Sounders now get an actual full week of practice before Sunday night's game against Colorado (look for a Colorado based preview here in the next few days). Then it is something like 5 games in 14 days or something - this is where our depth is going to be tested. But I am back in full belief mode, so I have no doubt they will get it done.

Night at the Ballpark: Salem

The final night of our two game , two city Oregon baseball tour rolled into Keizer, OR as the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes hosted the Boise Hawks. Now, I have been to probably 15 different minor league stadiums in my life and seen upward of 30 games. I can say with confidence that tonight's game may rank in the top three. It was an overall amazing night - here are the highlights

• Thursday nights at Volcanoes Stadium are $1 beer nights. No kidding. $1 beers. Luckily I was with my family, so I was able to hold back, but had I been with Jay, I probably would have spent the night in the car. I heard a guy who just graduated from college talk about how slow the service was and it made me laugh. To him, $1 beer is a right, not a privilege. It happens. But when you're 30 with a kid, $1 beer night is like the holy grail.
• I'm not sure I have ever been to a stadium closer to the freeway than I was tonight. I-5 I think was no more than 50 yards from the right field wall. The stadium was in stark contrast to PK Park - no frills at all. really felt like a minor league ballpark.
• $18.25. Thanks to the $1 beer night, I bought 4 beers, 3 hot dogs, kettle korn and a baseball for $18.25. The hot dogs were $2.75 and made me forget the decision to not buy the bacon wrapped hot dog last night. It was amazing.
• At about the 3rd inning, I got word of the Sounders win. The wife and I were the only ones excited in the stadium. Love ya Roger
• My daughter didn't know what to make of Crater, the volcanoes mascot. She couldn't even muster a wave, which for her is hard to do.
• When the Volcanoes hit a home run, smoke came out of the scoreboard
• Volcanoes Stadium had an amazing selection of food - Kielbasa, Rice Bowls, Wraps, Nachos, Salad...enough to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters
• Once again, we bought bleacher seats and got to sit behind home plate. Credit the small crowds and the baby stroller.
• The Volcanoes played Super Mario Bros. music after several at bats
• I am really old. Now I know that 21 is a lot younger than 30, but I was shocked at how young kids looked when standing on the beer line. Seriously, it was amazing. I later found out that one kid sitting in front of me was using a fake, but still..it was ridic.
  

Overall, it was an amazing night. I think the ball game was good too - 4-2 Salem-Keizer when I left, but it was hard to determine with the amount of time I spent on the beer line. I have no report on any prospects, but will leave you with this bit of knowledge: my boy D-Lib used to be an intern for the Volcanoes. I was interested in finding out whether he was a good employee or not, but no one had heard of him. Way to make an impression, D.

Night at the Ballpark: Eugene

Tonight my wife and I took our daughter to her first minor league baseball game as the Eugene Emeralds hosted the Tri-City Dust Devils. Overall it was like most other games that I have been to (95% of which have been with my boy Jay - sorry you couldn't be here buddy), but it did have the following highlights.

• The game was played right next to Autzen Stadium in the brand new PK Park. It was unspectacular on the outside, but was really beautiful inside with its cedar roof.
• The first thing I encountered when I walked in the stadium was an amazing smell. It turned out to be a bacon wrapped hot dog. Seriously, bacon wrapped hot dog. I didn't have one, because I'm cheap, but it smelled great.They have a promotion twice a game where the announcer says that if the Ems' pitcher strikes out the batter, beers will be $3 for the next 15 minutes. In the third inning, the batter grounded into a double play that got the Ems out of the inning. I was sad that he didn't get the strikeout. The usher heard me say this to the wife and made fun of me for having the wrong priorities. In the 6th the batter struck out. The stands were cleared of all men in less than 15 seconds.
• The charm of Single A baseball is undeniable. It is simple and pure. As you walk in, they have the league standings updated on an erasable board with the team names printed off a computer. When the relief pitcher was ready to come in from the bullpen, they pitching coach didn't use a phone. Rather, the players in the bullpen raised their hats to signal when he was ready.
  

The highest rated draft pick in the game was Jedd Gyorko, a 2010 2nd round draft pick out of Texas A&M while the highest rated Padres prospect was CF Rymer Liriano (#12). However, it was 19-year old Keyvius Sampson (Padres #17 prospect), the Padres 4th round draft pick in 2009 that stole the show. He came into the game with a 2-0 record, with a 1.88 ERA and a below 1 WHIP. Tonight he left after 5 innings with a no hitter finishing with 4 K's and walked out the winner.

The weather was beautiful and we had a great time. We can only hope for another great night tomorrow as we watch the Salem-Keizier Volcanoes take on the Boise Hawks.

Mets at the All Star Break

Carlos Beltran has not played a game all season. Jason bay has 6 HR and 44 RBI. Oliver Perez and John Maine are a combined 1-6 with a 6.24 ERA. If you were to tell me this at the start of the season I would have said the Mets would be 10 games under .500. Yet somehow, they sit at 48-40 at the All-Star break which puts them on pace for 88 wins this year.

I always send out an email with yearly projections to my boys; this year I am allowing all of my readers to ponder the stats.

David Wright: 161 games, 188 H, 96 R, 46 doubles, 26 HR, 120 RBI, 179 K, 35 SB
Jose Reyes: 142 games, 163 H, 96 R, 27 doubles, 11 triples, 61 RBI, 35 SB
Angel Pagan: 147 games, 173 H, 85 R, 31 doubles, 11 triples, 74 RBI, 35 SB
Jason Bay: 157 games, 151 H, 85 R, 35 doubles, 11 HR, 81 RBI, 18 SB
Ike Davis: 138 games, 70 R, 29 doubles, 20 HR, 74 RBI
Jeff Franceour: 159 games, 28 doubles, 14 HR, 77 RBI
Rod Barajas: 125 games, 20 HR, 59 RBI

So what do we think? Well, if you ask me, Pagan, Wright, Ike and Barajas are all exceeding expectations while Reyes and Franceour are slightly below. Bay obviously is failing. Not mentioned is Ruben Tejada, who while only hitting .217 has provided the team with some great defense and intelligence. Count me as a fan who thinks he should be playing even once Luis Castillo comes back from injury.

On the pitchers side of things, Maine and Perez are somehow even doing worse than expected - so much so that they have been replaced by Hisanori Takahashi and RA Dickey. Both have been absolute studs since joining the rotation, so our hats go off to Johnny and Ollie for sucking. The other nice surprise has been Jon Niese who is 6-3 with a 3.61 ERA.

Overall, Mets fans should be ecstatic with the pitching and comfortable with the hitting. Obviously we can have more pop in our bats (and hopefully that will increase with Beltran's return) but so far we have played well to the strengths of CitiField. If this can continue, we will be in the hunt until the end. Lets Go Mets Go.

Tuesday Night Five-Pack

I've been MIA from the blogosphere for a few days now, but have no fear - I'm back and coming to you from the Oregon coast. Here is a five pack of thoughts for your consumption

1. I'm really interested to see what happens to the Sounders during the July transfer window. Soccer a sport of constant rumors, but sometimes when there is smoke, their is fire. I have the feeling that the Freddie Ljungberg rumors are more than just rumors. Call it a total gut feeling, but I think there is a 65% chance he is transferred overseas. I put Montero at 50%. If either or both happens, expect to see some new faces in Sounders land
2. I have never been a George Steinbrenner fan, but his passing is a sad day for baseball. Say what you want about the Yanks and George (I have definitely said a lot over the years), you have to been impressed with how much he cared about winning. And while I hated the whole corporate aspect thing (you know, how Jason Giambi and Johnny Damon had to cut their hair and shave their beards), it was his way or no way. Gotta appreciate it.
3. My boys over at Netsarescorching.com have done a great job of getting me into full-blown hope mode recently. I must be crazy to be drinking the cool-aid given their free agent signings: Jordan Farmer, Travis Outlaw, Johan Petro and possibly Anthony Morrow. It is honestly mind boggling how little they got. That being said, the foundation is still there and these new signings give them a distinct flavor - tenacious defense turned into fast break offense. At the very least they will be exciting to watch.
   
4. Pat Reilly continues to defy all the odds with his signings. Everyone assumed the Heat would have 9 minimum salary (and minimum talent) guys playing with them, but instead he has gotten Juwan Howard, Mike Miller, Udonis Haslem and Zadrunas Ilgauskas to come to South Beach. Not a bad group of veterans I would say.
5. I was saddened to watch the type of soccer played by the Dutch over the weekend. The final had the potential to be a free-flowing game, but a MMA event broke out instead. It was brutal. It was ugly. It was a bad representation of our favorite sport. I hope that the record breaking audience did not come away with a bad taste in their mouth as a result.

I am super stoked for the next two days as I have tickets to both a Salem-Keizer Volcanoes game but an Eugene Emeralds game as well. They will be the 3rd and 4th minor league stadiums that I will have visited in my 6 years out here. That is way to low...and something I hope to remedy in the coming years

Deal With It

This will hopefully be my last post about the LeBron free agency spectacle. Obviously I was bummed when LeBron said he wasn't going to New Jersey. But to be honest, there was never a time in the past year when I really thought he was coming. sure, I told everyone about it, but it was always a pipe dream. Stars don't come to Jersey. They just don't.

Nets fans get to move on. I doubt any of us are that angry. However, his decision to go to South Beach has resulted in all sorts of emotions in other parts of the country. I don't know what it's like to go 50 years without a title, to have a homegrown phenom play for my team and become the best player in the league, to have all the hope sucked out of my team. I admit that I just don't get it. That could be the reason why I seem to be the only person not in Southern Florida that doesn't think he made a bad decision.

Say what you want about how narcissistic the spectacle was. It was tacky and reeked of ego. No one can argue that. In my opinion, going to Miami was a perfectly acceptable move by LeBron. staying in Cleveland was the choice most NBA fans preferred, but that decision would have been solely about emotion. He would have stayed because he was comfortable there, because he felt that he the chosen one to bring Cleveland a title. it would have been about loyalty. As I mentioned in a previous post, there is no such thing as loyalty in sports. It doesn't exist among owners, coaches or players - the only loyal people in sports are fans.

LeBron staying in Cleveland was death sentence for his title hopes. In the past years, GM Danny Ferry did an absolute terrible job of acquiring talent. I'm sorry but Mo Williams, Shaq and Antawn Jamison just aren't good enough. Fans and media are ripping on LeBron because he has never won a title. I saw a stat on the bottom line the other day stating that he was the third person to have won two MVP's without an NBA Title. The other two are Steve Nash and Karl Malone. Neither was 25 at the time of their MVP's. People expect a title from LeBron, but no one can win it by himself. Jordan had Pippen. Jamison and Williams can't even sniff Pippen's jockstrap. LeBron left Cleveland to win a title - I know that Ferry is gone, but facts are facts - nothing has been done in his 7 years to put together a title contender. Somehow he is getting killed in the media because he went to a place that could bring him a title.

There were other choices. Chicago, New York, New Jersey, LA. Chicago seemed to be the best fit. Combined with the other pieces - Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng - LeBron would have won a ton of titles. I mean, that team would have been NASTY. New York and New Jersey were fighting each other and I don't think ever had a shot. They could offer LeBron a ton of publicity and would have allowed him to expand his global brand. But neither team is any good and winning a title would have taken a few years. The Clippers, well, why would he want to play for Donald Sterling.

In the end, he decided to go play with in Miami his close friends Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. All are in their mid-20's. How can any guy pass that up? Seriously. You're rich and famous - what better place in this country to go to than Miami?

Aside from that, he is leaving a lot of money on the table and he is putting himself in a good position to win. It may not be the best - they still have to go through Boston, Orlando and Chicago in the East - but it is good. So why is he getting killed by the average fan? I can understand that Cleveland is mad, but why everyone else?

LeBron's decision was obviously going to be an emotional one - too many teams wanted to get him. Too many fan bases were convinced he was coming to their team. It was destined to be a letdown for someone. But when you take a step back, forget the ego trip lead up and get rid of any emotion, it was a sound business decision. Deal with it.