We are now 28 games into this new season of baseball and the New York Yankees are sitting 2 games below 500. They went on a nice 4 game run to then turn around and now currently ride down a 5 game skid. Is this how it is going to be all year? Streak for the good, then one for the bad even worse. I certainly hope not. Joe Girardi I believe is confused. He has never had to deal with so many injuries before in his short years managing and not only with the Yankees.
Chien Ming Wang is a huge disappointment. He had a rough year last year spending most of the season on the DL after injuring his leg running the bases. Stuff like this happens. But what I don't understand is why his sinker just forgot how to sink. He now rides the DL with somewhat of a questionable injury because the Yankees had to basically make up what he had wrong with him so they could send him down to AAA to work on his mechanics. You can't option a player who has been in the Majors to AAA after they have spent 3 full seasons in the bigs. That is the rule. Not sure if it is an unwritten rule or if it was in his contract but non the less he needed to go to Scranton and work out his problem.
Jorge Posada going to the DL is hurting big time as well. He was a strong bat in the middle of the lineup with A-Rod out and now they are paying the price. Posada also missed a lot of last year with shoulder problems. The issues just keep growing for Girardi and his staff.
Put on top of that, Jose Molina now probably going to the DL as well with a strained hamstring. WONDERFUL! Now Francisco Cervelli is the starting catcher for the Yankees. See you in last place! I'm sorry but this kid was just in AA Trenton not even a week ago and now he has to play everyday catching guys like Andy Pettitte, A.J. Burnett and C.C. Sabathia. Girardi will have his hands full just keeping the Bombers out of last place at the All-Star break.
I believe the main problem has not been the inconsistent starting pitching because I don't see any big issue besides Wang to point out. It obviously is the bullpen. Mariano comes in last night with a 6-6 tie in the top of the 9th and gives up back-to-back bombs, first time in his career. Moe isn't even the worst of it. The only consistent reliever they have is Phil Coke and that is saying a lot. Albaladejo sucks. Claggett sucks. Shall I go on? If Moe can't even get 3 outs anymore it is time for a 2nd "42" to go out in the center field monument park. His career is bar none Hall of Fame caliber. I love Mariano but right now, he is struggling. He doesn't have the same stuff he used to and that is the flat out truth.
If Wang can come back and be a solid starter in this rotation one of the remaining 5 will have to go to the bullpen and possibly for good cause. It is not going to be Burnett or C.C. They are paying these guys way too much. There have been talks about Hughes or possibly Pettitte going to the pen when Wang gets back. Let me know what you think.
All I know is that the Yankees need to start playing the market for some relief pitchers because our starters can't throw 9 innings every game. Girardi in my mind right now gets a C- for his Manager grade this season. Yes he has had a lot of crap to deal with and he gets A-Rod back today but some of the decisions he has made in these first 28 games have just left me with my jaw on the floor. He brings in Mariano in the 8th to try for a 4 out save. Ya like that ever happens. Doesn't bunt Gardener with a runner on 2nd and none out down by a run. This is just poor coaching by the skipper. Where is Torre? Oh yea, filling Manny's PED prescription.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Saturday, May 2, 2009
LAX Falls, Softball pressing on...
After an incredible comeback in the 2nd half of action yesterday, the bombers men's lacrosse team could not pull out the victory over NAZ and fell 13-12 in OT. If you were tuned in for this game you would have been on the edge of your seats. At the end of the 3rd quarter, the power went out at the field due to the huge rain storm that passed over so the game went off the air for a few minutes and with a little quick thinking in the studio, I had Greg call the studio on his cell phone and i put him on air over his phome to call the rest of the game. And boy am I glad we did. Because we had a nail bitter of a 4th quarter with Matt Cutter scoring 5 goals and getting IC tied with the Golden Flyers 12-12 to force OT. But it was NAZ that scored with under 1 minute left in the 1st OT but sudden death OT ends on the first score and IC goes down in the huge upset.
As for softball, the games yesterday got rained out after game 2 and now the remainder of the tournament will be played today. IC is currently up 2-0 on RIT who beat them in game 2 yesterday. St. John Fisher beat RIT this morning at 11 am and now this game going on right now will have the 2nd team eliminated from the double elimination tournament.
Listen in right now to the game on VIC Radio. All games featuring the bombers will be coverd on VIC so tune in. The winner of this game will take on St. John Fisher at approximately 3 pm. If Fisher loses at 3 pm to either of these teams, that will force a second Championship game and that game will be at 5 pm.
As for softball, the games yesterday got rained out after game 2 and now the remainder of the tournament will be played today. IC is currently up 2-0 on RIT who beat them in game 2 yesterday. St. John Fisher beat RIT this morning at 11 am and now this game going on right now will have the 2nd team eliminated from the double elimination tournament.
Listen in right now to the game on VIC Radio. All games featuring the bombers will be coverd on VIC so tune in. The winner of this game will take on St. John Fisher at approximately 3 pm. If Fisher loses at 3 pm to either of these teams, that will force a second Championship game and that game will be at 5 pm.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Bombers Men's LAX Halftime Update
It is hard to believe that the Bombers are trailing by 4 goals at the end of the 1st half. IC has struggled at times this season in the 2nd quarter as they have scored 39 goals this year in the 2nd quarter, their lowest total for any one quarter. 3rd quarter will have to be their time to crawl back. They have a lot this season netting 51 3rd quarter scores this year. The bombers have out-shot the Golden Flyers 21-16 in the 1st half. The faceoff X has been owned by Hennessy and the bombers as well winning 8 of 12.
The one stat that stands out most...PENALITES!! Bombers have given the Golden Flyers 3 man up opportunities with NAZ scoring on 2 of them. IC has given up 180 seconds of penalties in the 1st half and countered with a clean half from the Golden Flyers.
2nd half predictions:
IC will make a run coming out of halftime. They have been a 2nd half team all season and NAZ is a very solid team. They have been in and out of the top 25 in the nation this year. An upset would be an understatement if Ic falls to NAZ. Bombers will make a run tieing things up in the 3rd quarter...Bombers pull it out 9-8...possibly OT.
**Keep checking my Twitter for more live updates... Twitter
The one stat that stands out most...PENALITES!! Bombers have given the Golden Flyers 3 man up opportunities with NAZ scoring on 2 of them. IC has given up 180 seconds of penalties in the 1st half and countered with a clean half from the Golden Flyers.
2nd half predictions:
IC will make a run coming out of halftime. They have been a 2nd half team all season and NAZ is a very solid team. They have been in and out of the top 25 in the nation this year. An upset would be an understatement if Ic falls to NAZ. Bombers will make a run tieing things up in the 3rd quarter...Bombers pull it out 9-8...possibly OT.
**Keep checking my Twitter for more live updates... Twitter
Twitter Page...I know, I know, I couldn't help it
Check out my twitter page... Mike Hibbard
Live updates of the LAX game at Upper Terrace Field on the South Hill
Semi Final of the Empire 8 tournament
ALSO...
Softball Empire 8 tournament updates...
Ithaca falls in a marathon game with RIT 1-0 in 16 innings...College softball normally goes 7 innings in regulation...crazy! Now they turn around and have to play Alfred in the 1st elimination game of the Double Elimination tourney.
Live updates of the LAX game at Upper Terrace Field on the South Hill
Semi Final of the Empire 8 tournament
ALSO...
Softball Empire 8 tournament updates...
Ithaca falls in a marathon game with RIT 1-0 in 16 innings...College softball normally goes 7 innings in regulation...crazy! Now they turn around and have to play Alfred in the 1st elimination game of the Double Elimination tourney.
Long Break...IC action this weekend
It has been quite some time since I have had a free second to sit down and just right my thoughts on the world of sports so I figured I had some time so I am trying to get back in the swing of things.
First things first, I have been named VIC Sports Director here at Ithaca College so my duties at school now stem out even further than just being a student and a student broadcaster. I am thrilled to be named to this position and I am thoroughly ready to take on the jobs and responsibilities of the position. One week left and I am home for the summer and away from the busy scene of Ithaca. I need a nice long break.
Alright, enough crap about myself and onto sports. We will start out here in Ithaca where the spring season is coming to a close for all the D3 teams here at IC.
The softball team won their conference and are hosting the double elimination tournament for the top 4 teams in the Empire 8 this weekend starting today. Game 1 is complete as St. John Fisher took down Alfred in an extra inning game 3-2 in the opener. That now puts Alfred in the first chance for elimination at 2 pm today from Kostrinsky Field. IC, the #1 seed, is taking on the #4 seed RIT right now and the winner of that game will play SJF at 4 pm with the loser taking on Alfred at 2 pm. IC is favored to win this first game against RIT but if they do lose, it could be interesting as Alfred is the #2 seed and really gave IC a run for their money in the regular season. Very close games between the two schools both falling in Ithaca's favor but could have easily went the other way. Tomorrow will leave the 3 teams left. If IC wins both games today, they will play at 1 pm tomorrow for their first chance at the title. If they go 1-1 today, they will have to play at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm tomorrow to win the tournament. Check back later for updates.
For the Men's LAX team, they play this afternoon at 4 pm in the semifinals of the E8 tournament here at IC at the Upper Terrece field. They will be taking on Nazareth and that game can be listened to live on 92 WICB. Greg Torlone and Steve Bond will have the call at 4 pm. http://www.wicb.org
The baseball team does not have a league tournament but will be hoping for an at large bid into the regionals of the NCAA Tournament. I will keep everyone posted.
That's all for now...check back later.
First things first, I have been named VIC Sports Director here at Ithaca College so my duties at school now stem out even further than just being a student and a student broadcaster. I am thrilled to be named to this position and I am thoroughly ready to take on the jobs and responsibilities of the position. One week left and I am home for the summer and away from the busy scene of Ithaca. I need a nice long break.
Alright, enough crap about myself and onto sports. We will start out here in Ithaca where the spring season is coming to a close for all the D3 teams here at IC.
The softball team won their conference and are hosting the double elimination tournament for the top 4 teams in the Empire 8 this weekend starting today. Game 1 is complete as St. John Fisher took down Alfred in an extra inning game 3-2 in the opener. That now puts Alfred in the first chance for elimination at 2 pm today from Kostrinsky Field. IC, the #1 seed, is taking on the #4 seed RIT right now and the winner of that game will play SJF at 4 pm with the loser taking on Alfred at 2 pm. IC is favored to win this first game against RIT but if they do lose, it could be interesting as Alfred is the #2 seed and really gave IC a run for their money in the regular season. Very close games between the two schools both falling in Ithaca's favor but could have easily went the other way. Tomorrow will leave the 3 teams left. If IC wins both games today, they will play at 1 pm tomorrow for their first chance at the title. If they go 1-1 today, they will have to play at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm tomorrow to win the tournament. Check back later for updates.
For the Men's LAX team, they play this afternoon at 4 pm in the semifinals of the E8 tournament here at IC at the Upper Terrece field. They will be taking on Nazareth and that game can be listened to live on 92 WICB. Greg Torlone and Steve Bond will have the call at 4 pm. http://www.wicb.org
The baseball team does not have a league tournament but will be hoping for an at large bid into the regionals of the NCAA Tournament. I will keep everyone posted.
That's all for now...check back later.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Sweet 16 Down South: Tar Heels roll/Sooners will struggle
This years sweet 16 could not be any sweeter. There are 5 Big East schools representing the NCAA in the final 16. And a couple of them don't plan on losing anytime soon. I'm going to focus down in the South section of everyone's brackets and break down what we will see tonight when the final 4 in the south go head to head.
#1 UNC vs. #4 Gonzaga
This match up I am not going to waste too much time on because if Zaga pulls this game out somehow, I think the world will go into shock. This is UNC's game and it is their game to lose. They have an Elite 8 birth right around the corner and with Ty Lawson healthy, I just cannot see the Tar Heels losing this game. Gonzaga is a good team but they choke deep into the tournament. Last night we saw Duke get pummeled by the #3 seeded Villinova by 23 points. I am not going to go out and say that the Tar Heels are going to win by that much but it will be a slaughter in favor of the Heels.
Final Score: 78-63 UNC
#2 Oklahoma vs. #3 Syracuse
Now this game on the other hand could get interesting. This will be the second game starting in the 7 o'clock hour with Louisville and Arizona starting first. I will tell everyone right now that I picked against my home town Orange in advancing past tonight's game with Oklahoma in my Final 4. But with the way things are looking right now, my bracket could be in trouble.
Starting out in the back court, Jonny Flynn is the quarterback for SU who creates plays with his fantastic ball movement and he also has the ability to make plays for himself. Oklahoma is going to have to put their best defender face guarding Flynn if they want to control the lanes and make him use his other options. But SU has more. Eric Devendorf is the hottest 3 point shooter in this tournament. He is shooting well over 40 percent from downtown. Andy Rautins will come off the bench and he is also a pure shooter and if both of these guys get hot, I don't care if Blake Griffen puts up 30, SU will out shoot the Sooners and that in itself could lead them to victory.
Game Changer: Front Court Defense
SU will try and win this game tonight from the perimeter but Oklahoma is going to pick on the big guys for Syracuse. Arinze and Rick are going to have to double team Blake Griffen every time he touches the ball. Oklahoma is not the strong shooting Orange. Their game is in the paint. Kristof is going to be called on as well to play defense down low.
Overall, I truly think that the Orange of Syracuse outmatch the Sooners in the back court and with some tightly played zone defense on Oklahoma's big men, we could see SU back in the Elite 8. I have said it since day one of the tournament, it is going to take another Big East school to knock out the top teams out of the Big East. Right now, SU is one of those elite teams.
Final Score: 67-58 Syracuse
#1 UNC vs. #4 Gonzaga
This match up I am not going to waste too much time on because if Zaga pulls this game out somehow, I think the world will go into shock. This is UNC's game and it is their game to lose. They have an Elite 8 birth right around the corner and with Ty Lawson healthy, I just cannot see the Tar Heels losing this game. Gonzaga is a good team but they choke deep into the tournament. Last night we saw Duke get pummeled by the #3 seeded Villinova by 23 points. I am not going to go out and say that the Tar Heels are going to win by that much but it will be a slaughter in favor of the Heels.
Final Score: 78-63 UNC
#2 Oklahoma vs. #3 Syracuse
Now this game on the other hand could get interesting. This will be the second game starting in the 7 o'clock hour with Louisville and Arizona starting first. I will tell everyone right now that I picked against my home town Orange in advancing past tonight's game with Oklahoma in my Final 4. But with the way things are looking right now, my bracket could be in trouble.
Starting out in the back court, Jonny Flynn is the quarterback for SU who creates plays with his fantastic ball movement and he also has the ability to make plays for himself. Oklahoma is going to have to put their best defender face guarding Flynn if they want to control the lanes and make him use his other options. But SU has more. Eric Devendorf is the hottest 3 point shooter in this tournament. He is shooting well over 40 percent from downtown. Andy Rautins will come off the bench and he is also a pure shooter and if both of these guys get hot, I don't care if Blake Griffen puts up 30, SU will out shoot the Sooners and that in itself could lead them to victory.
Game Changer: Front Court Defense
SU will try and win this game tonight from the perimeter but Oklahoma is going to pick on the big guys for Syracuse. Arinze and Rick are going to have to double team Blake Griffen every time he touches the ball. Oklahoma is not the strong shooting Orange. Their game is in the paint. Kristof is going to be called on as well to play defense down low.
Overall, I truly think that the Orange of Syracuse outmatch the Sooners in the back court and with some tightly played zone defense on Oklahoma's big men, we could see SU back in the Elite 8. I have said it since day one of the tournament, it is going to take another Big East school to knock out the top teams out of the Big East. Right now, SU is one of those elite teams.
Final Score: 67-58 Syracuse
Monday, March 16, 2009
NCAA Bracket Picks: Big East Steals the Show
This years NCAA Men's basketball tournament made history as the first time 3 teams out of the conference has held 3 #1 seeds. Louisville winning the Big East tournament on top and hold the top spot overall in the big dance. This team has lulled people to sleep all year. They never once were ranked 1st in the nation with their highest being 3rd in the preseason polls as well as weeks 1 and 2. After a few early losses, Rick Pitino and the Cardinals dropped off to 11th and have been clawing their way back ever since. This week, first in America. But a field of 63 other teams all aiming for that bullseye on their backs.
MIDWEST
Round 1
1 Louisville over 16 Morehead St./Alabama St.
9 Siena over 8 Ohio St.
12 Arizona over 5 Utah
4 Wake Forest over 13 Cleveland St.
6 West Virginia over 11 Dayton
3 Kansas over 14 N. Dakota St.
7 Boston College over 10 USC
2 Michgan St. over 15 Robert Morris
Round 2
1 Louisville over 9 Siena
4 Wake Forest over 12 Arizona
6 West Virginia over 3 Kansas
2 Michigan St. over 7 Boston College
Sweet 16
1 Louisville over 4 Wake Forest
6 West Virginia over 2 Michigan St.
Elite 8
1 Louisville over 6 West Virginia
EAST
Round 1
1 Pittsburgh over 16 E. Tennessee St.
9 Tennessee over 8 Oklahoma St.
5 Florida St. over 12 Wisconsin
4 Xavier over 13 Portland St.
11 VCU over 6 UCLA
3 Villinova over 14 American
7 Texas over 10 Minnesota
2 Duke over 15 SUNY Binghamton
Round 2
1 Pittsburgh over 9 Tennessee
4 Xavier over 5 Florida St.
3 Villinova over 11 VCU
2 Duke over 7 Texas
Sweet 16
1 Pittsburgh over 4 Xavier
3 Villinova over 2 Duke
Elite 8
1 Pittsburgh over 3 Villinova
SOUTH
Round 1
1 UNC over 16 Radford
9 Butler over 8 LSU
12 W. Kentucky over 5 Illinois
4 Gonzaga over 13 Akron
6 Arizona St. over 11 Temple
3 Syracuse over 14 Stephen F. Austin
7 Clemson over 10 Michigan
2 Oklahoma over 15 Morgan St.
Round 2
1 UNC over 9 Butler
12 W. Kentucky over 4 Gonzaga
3 Syracuse over 6 Arizona St.
2 Oklahoma over 7 Clemson
Sweet 16
1 UNC over 12 W. Kentucky
2 Oklahoma over 3 Syracuse
Elite 8
2 Oklahoma over 1 UNC
WEST
Round 1
1 UCONN over 16 Chattanooga
9 Texas A&M over 8 BYU
5 Purdue over 12 Northern Iowa
13 Mississippi St. over 4 Washington
6 Marquette over 11 Utah St.
3 Missouri over 14 Cornell
7 California over 10 Maryland
2 Memphis over 15 CSU Northridge
Round 2
1 UCONN over 9 Texas A&M
5 Purdue over 13 Mississippi St.
3 Missouri over 6 Marquette
2 Memphis over 7 California
Sweet 16
1 UCONN over 5 Purdue
3 Misouri over 2 Memphis
Elite 8
1 UCONN over 3 Missouri
FINAL 4
1 UCONN over 1 Louisville
1 Pittsburgh over 2 Oklahoma
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
PITTSBURGH 68
UCONN 65
PITTSBURGH PANTHERS NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
MIDWEST
Round 1
1 Louisville over 16 Morehead St./Alabama St.
9 Siena over 8 Ohio St.
12 Arizona over 5 Utah
4 Wake Forest over 13 Cleveland St.
6 West Virginia over 11 Dayton
3 Kansas over 14 N. Dakota St.
7 Boston College over 10 USC
2 Michgan St. over 15 Robert Morris
Round 2
1 Louisville over 9 Siena
4 Wake Forest over 12 Arizona
6 West Virginia over 3 Kansas
2 Michigan St. over 7 Boston College
Sweet 16
1 Louisville over 4 Wake Forest
6 West Virginia over 2 Michigan St.
Elite 8
1 Louisville over 6 West Virginia
EAST
Round 1
1 Pittsburgh over 16 E. Tennessee St.
9 Tennessee over 8 Oklahoma St.
5 Florida St. over 12 Wisconsin
4 Xavier over 13 Portland St.
11 VCU over 6 UCLA
3 Villinova over 14 American
7 Texas over 10 Minnesota
2 Duke over 15 SUNY Binghamton
Round 2
1 Pittsburgh over 9 Tennessee
4 Xavier over 5 Florida St.
3 Villinova over 11 VCU
2 Duke over 7 Texas
Sweet 16
1 Pittsburgh over 4 Xavier
3 Villinova over 2 Duke
Elite 8
1 Pittsburgh over 3 Villinova
SOUTH
Round 1
1 UNC over 16 Radford
9 Butler over 8 LSU
12 W. Kentucky over 5 Illinois
4 Gonzaga over 13 Akron
6 Arizona St. over 11 Temple
3 Syracuse over 14 Stephen F. Austin
7 Clemson over 10 Michigan
2 Oklahoma over 15 Morgan St.
Round 2
1 UNC over 9 Butler
12 W. Kentucky over 4 Gonzaga
3 Syracuse over 6 Arizona St.
2 Oklahoma over 7 Clemson
Sweet 16
1 UNC over 12 W. Kentucky
2 Oklahoma over 3 Syracuse
Elite 8
2 Oklahoma over 1 UNC
WEST
Round 1
1 UCONN over 16 Chattanooga
9 Texas A&M over 8 BYU
5 Purdue over 12 Northern Iowa
13 Mississippi St. over 4 Washington
6 Marquette over 11 Utah St.
3 Missouri over 14 Cornell
7 California over 10 Maryland
2 Memphis over 15 CSU Northridge
Round 2
1 UCONN over 9 Texas A&M
5 Purdue over 13 Mississippi St.
3 Missouri over 6 Marquette
2 Memphis over 7 California
Sweet 16
1 UCONN over 5 Purdue
3 Misouri over 2 Memphis
Elite 8
1 UCONN over 3 Missouri
FINAL 4
1 UCONN over 1 Louisville
1 Pittsburgh over 2 Oklahoma
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
PITTSBURGH 68
UCONN 65
PITTSBURGH PANTHERS NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)