Friday, August 21, 2009

A BIG WEEKEND

***YANKS & SOX SQUARE OFF***
This weekend series in Fenway will go a long way to determining the AL East. I believe nothing less than a sweep by Boston is needed for the Sox to continue to contend. One loss keeps them around, two losses would probably keep them from ever catching the Yanks. A Yankee sweep could keep them out of the playoffs entirely. Tampa and Texas are both snapping at the Red Sox' heels. Of course, a Yankees-Red Sox series always generates a lot of heat. I wonder what the odds are that both "Youk" and "A-Rod" get plunked this weekend?

***MAUER FOR MVP?***
It's a little early for this kind of speculation, but right now the big question is, Teixeira or Mauer?
Tex deserves consideration but there is also Jeter and Rivera to consider. I'm not pushing for any Yankee in particular, but Mauer? My problem with his candidacy is well known. AN MVP is the most valuable player, not necessarily the best hitter. How valuable is Mauer? In my mind, the answer is: where would the Twins be without him? Still in third place? Sunk into fourth? 3rd, 4th, what's the difference? Here is a telling stat: When Mauer missed the first month, the Twins were 11-11. Since he came back, they are 47-51.Using just numbers to make a point, you could say he's kept them from being a .500 team. How valuable is that? Bob Matthews (Mr Wrong), who is pushing for him, says that's not his fault. Then he shouldn't get MVP credit either, Bob. Evidently, the voters seem to agree with Picasner's principle: 137 MVP's have been awarded since it's inception and only FIVE have come from a losing team.

***SHEFFIELD IS AT IT AGAIN***
A week ago, he said he wanted to return to the Mets. This week, he said he wants to be traded to a contending team. Then he tried to negotiate an extension with the Mets. When they refused, he pulled himself from the lineup and said he was thinking of walking off the team. This morning I read that he heard that the Mets put him on waivers, someone claimed him and the Mets pulled him off. This kind of thing happens all the time with all the teams. But Sheffield claims the Mets are "...holding him hostage!" Brave talk from a 41-year old fading slugger who plays Right Field Spot - not the field, just the one spot he happens to be standing in.

***HOW DUMB DO I FEEL?***
Toronto pitcher, Brett Cecil, dropped a return throw from his catcher with a man on first. He alertly checked the runner as he casually walked after the errant ball. He picked it up and asked for a new ball and tossed the old one into the dugout. BUT -- he didn't ask for time first and the runner was awarded third base. He subsequently scored on a single up the middle. Better let the umpires throw the ball away from now on, Brett.

***THE NAME IS CASTER SEMENYA***
The gender is...well, we're not sure yet. After coming out of nowhere to destroy the field in the women's 800-meter race at the World Championships, a gender test has been ordered by the Federation, supposedly at the request of the athletes. This will be interesting. From Leftcoastsportsbabe:
South African runner Caster Semenya is facing questions about her gender after winning the 800 meter race at the World Championships. Apparently the question came up after she put on a new track suit and didn’t ask anyone “Do these pants make me look fat?”

Oakland Raiders fans are equally divided over reports that their coach Tom Cable may have fought with an assistant coach and fractured the man’s jaw. Half think the coach should be suspended and the other half think the Raiders should sign him to play defense.





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