The Power Zone

My 2011 World Series Prediction

2011-10-19T17:13:00.003-05:00

The World Series is set to get under way in just a few hours. The Texas Rangers have a repeat trip to the World Series thanks to their amazing bullpen, and the St Louis Cardinals have finished off an improbable rally in the standings just to get to the World Series.

Here is my prediction as to who will win:

I think the Texas Rangers are going to take advantage of their second trip to the World Series. The Rangers can score with any man in their lineup. Nelson Cruz had a historic ALCS with six homeruns. He will need to hit some homeruns with men on base in this series if the Rangers are to win this thing. I pick the Rangers to pull it out in five games.

My Thoughts on The Cubs

2011-09-25T21:36:00.000-05:00

Yes, I am back for now posting about sports again. The layoff has been long and baseball's postseason picture has become clearer by the day. As we all know, the Chicago Cubs have had an awful season under manager Mike Quade. Carlos Zambrano had another meltdown, and hopefully never pitches for the Cubs again. The guy is a super talented pitcher, but his anger problems have been well documented on this team since he became the Ace of the staff in 2007. The Cubs made the first step torward respectability again by firing General Manager Jim Hendry. Hendry had been at the helm of the Cubs GM slot since 2002. Under Hendry, the Cubs won the NL Central in 2003, 2007, and 2008, but suffered unexpected postseason exits every time. Now that Hendry is gone, I will tell you what I would want to see with the Cubs come 2012.
1. I Want A GM Who has put together a title winning team.
I think this is imperative that the Cubs hire a guy who has put together a title winning team?. Why? Because the Cubs have the longest title drought in Sports history! I would like to see the Cubs go after a guy like Brian Cashman or Theo Epstein, two guys who have experience in putting together championship teams. Epstein built that 2004 Red Sox team that shocked the world in 2004. Facing elimination down three games to none in the American League Championship Series to the New York Yankees, The Red Sox became the first team in baseball history to win four straight games to go on to the World Series! The Red Sox then made quick work out of the St Louis Cardinals, pulling off a four game sweep to win the World Series! Epstein was also on board when the Red Sox retooled with Florida Marlins castoffs Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell, went back to the World Series in 2007, sweeping the Colorado Rockies to win it all again. Cashman led the Yankees to finally win the World Series again in 2009.
2. NO Big Free Agent Signing!
Albert Pujols is a big Power hitting first baseman. While most Cubs fans have dreamed about him signing with us this offseason, I have been dead set against the Cubs signing him. The Cubs already have signed guys to contracts for too many years and too much money (I'm looking at you Alfonso Soriano.) And with Pujols, I think his inevitable decline has started as a hitter. You can usually always count on him for a .300 season with 40 homers and 100 RBIS, he as of right now is right at .300 with a 37 homer mark with 97 RBIS. Pujols is 31. I don't want to sign a guy to a seven, eight year contract. This team needs to focus on starting pitching. I know that big C.C. Sabathia of the Yankees has an opt out clause after this season, but I don't think he's going anywhere.
New Manager, Pitching Coach as well.
As hard a pill as it was to swallow that Ryne Sandberg would not be returning in Cubbie Pinstripes to manage the team after spending three years managing Cubs minor league teams (each year finishing with a winning record and playoff appearance,) I decided to embrace Mike Quade as Cubs manager. However, it seems like the only players that respect him are the players. The umpires don't respect him (He is tied for the Cubs record for manager ejections) and the fans seemed mad that Ryno is now managing the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs of Philly's Triple A system. He hates taking out pitchers and would rather watch a guy implode than take him out when it looks like he doesn't have his best stuff. Check out closer Carlos Marmol's ten blown saves, the most in baseball by Three! Larry Rothschild was the Cubs pitching coach for many seasons. He then left the team for greener pastures, as he is now the pitching coach for the New York Yankees. The Cubs replaced him with bullpen coach Mark Riggins. Riggins seems to have done more harm than good as a pitching coach to me. The starters are in the games too long, to the point where they're worn down stamina wise, and the relievers don't have the ability to shut guys down, especially in the late innings, that is required to get wins and save ballgames! In a dream world, Greg Maddux would be my choice for Cubs pitching coach,but he will probably stay in the Cubs front office. He is currently an apprentice to assistant Cubs GM Randy Bush.

2011 MLB On TBS Early Schedule

2011-03-13T14:53:00.000-05:00

2011 Sunday MLB on TBS Schedule

Date Time (ET) Game
Sunday, April 3 2 p.m. Boston Red Sox @ Texas Rangers
Sunday, April 10 1:30 p.m. Philadelphia Phillies @ Atlanta Braves
Sunday, April 17 1:30 p.m. Toronto Blue Jays @ Boston Red Sox
Sunday, April 24 2:15 p.m. Los Angeles Dodgers @ Chicago Cubs
Sunday, May 1 1 p.m. Toronto Blue Jays @ New York Yankees
Sunday, May 8 2 p.m. New York Yankees @ Texas Rangers
Sunday, May 15 TBA Philadelphia Phillies @ Atlanta Braves
Sunday, May 22 1 p.m. New York Mets @ New York Yankees
Sunday, May 29 1 p.m. Boston Red Sox @ Detroit Tigers

The Complete 2011 MLB On Fox Schedule

2011-03-13T14:43:00.002-05:00

2011 MLB on FOX REGULAR SEASON BROADCAST SCHEDULE
(Note: Schedule Subject to Change; All Times 4:00 PM Eastern Unless Noted)
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Detroit Tigers at New York Yankees
San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers
San Diego Padres at St. Louis Cardinals

Saturday, April 9, 2011 (*1:00 PM ET)
New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox
Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves

Saturday, April 16, 2011
New York Mets at Atlanta Braves
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Chicago White Sox
Minnesota Twins at Tampa Bay Rays

Saturday, April 23, 2011
Atlanta Braves at San Francisco Giants
Cincinnati Reds at St. Louis Cardinals
Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers

Saturday, April 30, 2011 (*1:00 PM ET)
New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies
St. Louis Cardinals at Atlanta Braves
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Tampa Bay Rays

Saturday, May 7, 2011 (*1:00 PM ET)
Minnesota Twins at Boston Red Sox
Cincinnati Reds at Chicago Cubs
Tampa Bay Rays at Baltimore Orioles

Saturday, May 14, 2011 (*7:00 PM ET)
Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees
San Francisco Giants at Chicago Cubs
Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers

Saturday, May 21, 2011 (*7:00 PM ET)
New York Mets at New York Yankees
Chicago Cubs at Boston Red Sox
Oakland A’s at San Francisco Giants
Texas Rangers at Philadelphia Phillies

Saturday, May 28, 2011 (*7:00 PM ET)
Philadelphia Phillies at New York Mets
Boston Red Sox at Detroit Tigers
Cincinnati Reds at Atlanta Braves
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Minnesota Twins
Kansas City Royals at Texas Rangers
St. Louis Cardinals at Colorado Rockies

Saturday, June 4, 2011
Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals
Los Angeles Dodgers at Cincinnati Reds
Colorado Rockies at San Francisco Giants

Saturday, June 11, 2011
Chicago Cubs at Philadelphia Phillies
Cincinnati Reds at San Francisco Giants
Texas Rangers at Minnesota Twins

Saturday, June 18, 2011
New York Yankees at Chicago Cubs
Texas Rangers at Atlanta Braves

Saturday, June 25, 2011
New York Mets at Texas Rangers
Washington Nationals at Chicago White Sox
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Los Angeles Dodgers

Saturday, July 2, 2011
New York Yankees at New York Mets
Chicago White Sox at Chicago Cubs

Saturday, July 9, 2011
New York Mets at San Francisco Giants
Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies
Minnesota Twins at Chicago White Sox

Saturday, July 16, 2011
Philadelphia Phillies at New York Mets
Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Rays
Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Oakland A’s

Saturday, July 23, 2011
Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
San Diego Padres at Philadelphia Phillies
Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins

Saturday, July 30, 2011
Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals
Tampa Bay Rays at Seattle Mariners
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Detroit Tigers

Saturday, August 6, 2011
New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox
Philadelphia Phillies at San Francisco Giants

Saturday, August 13, 2011
Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees
Texas Rangers at Oakland A’s
Colorado Rockies at St. Louis Cardinals

Saturday, August 20, 2011
St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs
Seattle Mariners at Tampa Bay Rays
Los Angeles Dodgers at Colorado Rockies

Saturday, August 27, 2011
Atlanta Braves at New York Mets
Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins
Colorado Rockies at Los Angeles Dodgers

Saturday, September 3, 2011
Cincinnati Reds at St. Louis Cardinals
Baltimore Orioles at Tampa Bay Rays
Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers

Saturday, September 10, 2011
Los Angeles Dodgers at San Francisco Giants
Cincinnati Reds at Colorado Rockies
Minnesota Twins at Detroit Tigers

Saturday, September 17, 2010
WILD CARD

Saturday, September 24, 2010
WILD CARD

The 2011 ESPN Sunday Night Baseball Early Schedule

2011-01-22T16:39:00.007-06:00

Here is the early part of the ESPN Sunday Night Baseball Schedule. On the TV Side, Dan Shulman, Bobby Valentine, and Orel Hersheiser form the new team of TV announcers, replacing the legendary duo of Jon Miller and Joe Morgan, who did ESPN Sunday Night Baseball for twenty years since it's inception in 1990. On the ESPN Radio side, Jon Sciambi will be joined by Chris Singleton. Singleton is replacing veteran baseball broadcaster Dave Campbell.
April 3 San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers (ESPN 2)
April 10 New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox
April 17 Texas Rangers at New York Yankees
April 24 Cincinnati Reds at St. Louis Cardinals
May 1 New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies
May 8 Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies
May 15 Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees
May 22 Chicago Cubs at Boston Red Sox
May 29 Cincinnati Reds at Atlanta Braves (ESPN 2)
June 5-July 3 TBA
July 10 New York Mets at San Francisco Giants
July 17 Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Rays
It will be interesting to hear the new trio of announcers. Hershiser was a big game pitcher for the Dodgers in the 1980s, and Bobby Valentine played and managed the game for a long time.

Contrary To Popular Belief.....

2011-01-22T16:35:00.002-06:00

This blog is still alive and kicking. So much has happened since the last blog post. I will probably be doing MLB Division Previews again this year. That will probably be my next blog post.

Chicago Cubs Legend Ron Santo Dies

2010-12-04T21:55:00.008-06:00

Ron Santo, one of the greatest players in Chicago Cubs history and a longtime WGN radio announcer, has died of bladder cancer at age 70. Santo was a nine-time all-star in 15 big league seasons.

I am stunned to hear about the passing of one of the greatest third basemen in baseball history, Ron Santo. Santo was a legend in Chicago Cubs lore. In his 14 years with the Cubs and his final season across town with the White Sox, the third baseman hit .277 with, 2,254 hits, 342 home runs and 1,331 RBIs. He won the Gold Glove award five times. (How the man is not in the hall of fame, I will never understand, and they may induct him one day, but they should have given him the honor when he was alive!)

Santo joined the Chicago Cubs radio booth in 1990 and lived with the Cubs and every pitch. He basically was a fan in the booth! He had the energetic calls of "YESSS!" or "Oh Nooo!" were legendary and showed just how much this man loved his team.

I haven't even talked about his fight with diabetes. He was diagnosed with the disease when he was eighteen, undergoing surgery over a dozen times on both legs before ultimately losing both legs to the disease. This man was a warrior.

The Cubs have lost a great ambassador, and more importantly, the world has lost an even better peson.

Rest In Peace Ron.

LeBron's Return....

2010-12-02T12:41:00.003-06:00

Less than 24 hours from now, LeBron James will make his return to Cleveland for the first time since publicly breaking the heart of the Cleveland fans who treated "The King" like royalty.

Video: Derek Anderson Gets Caught, Goes Crazy

2010-11-30T06:35:00.008-06:00

The first memorable moment that the Arizona Cardinals gave us was that legendary speech by Coach Dennis Green over how "The Bears Are Who We Thought They Were!"

The latest Comedy of Errors that is the Arizona Cardinals is Derek Anderson getting caught smilling on the sideline while his team was trailing 18 points to the San Francisco 49ers. He gets caught red handed laughing on National TV, and let's see how he dealt with the question:

Yeah, I know there was a Super Bowl appearance for Arizona in between these two moments, but I would much rather remember the Cardinals for these two Press Conference blowups.

Funny Friday: Somebody's Getting Fired.

2010-11-11T12:03:00.002-06:00

An Ohio power plant's 275-foot tower was demolished on Wednesday, but the blast knocked it the wrong direction. No one was hurt but the collapse knocked out power to 4,000 customers.

The Projected 2011 ESPN MLB Announcing Lineup

2010-11-08T22:56:00.003-06:00

It was announced earlier today that after twenty-one years of doing ESPN Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN, Jon Miller and Joe Morgan will not be coming back next season. Joe Morgan will not even be returning to ESPN Next season. There is talk that Jon Miller may return next season to do the games on ESPN Radio.

With that being said, here are the PROJECTED 2011 ESPN MLB Announcing Lineup.

SUNDAY NIGHT TV: Dan Shulman, Orel Hersheiser, Bobby Valentine
Sunday Night (ESPN Radio:) Jon Miller, Dave Campbell

Monday Night Baseball: Jon Sciambi, Aaron Boone, Chris Singleton
Wednesday Night Baseball: Dave O'Brien, Rick Sutcliffe

2010 World Series Preview

2010-10-27T17:55:00.002-05:00

Well, the 2010 World Series is set to begin later tonight. The Rangers beat the Rays in five games to get to the ALCS, and then beat the Yankees in Six games to get to the World Series. The San Francisco Giants outlasted the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies to get to this point. Who has the edge? Let's start with the men on the mound.

GAME ONE: Cliff Lee vs Tim Lincecum
GAME TWO: C.J. Wilson Vs Matt Cain
GAME THREE: Johnathan Sanchez vs Colby Lewis
GAME FOUR: Madison Bumgartner Vs Tommy Hunter
GAME FIVE: LINCECUM VS LEE
GAME SIX & SEVEN: TBA

Cliff Lee has been a man among boys this postseaon. The man has command beyond his years,and a poise that you just don't see in a whole lot of pitchers. He lives for the big game, and has some of the most dominant stuff baseball has seen. For Lincecum, this is the second year that he led the National League in Strikeouts. "The Freak" will make Childs' Play with the Rangers batters! I fully expect Game one to be determined by the bullpen.

Game Two is a real intriguing matchup. Two guys who aren't as flashy as their game one counterparts, but they get the job done. One run may score, and that may be enough for that team to get the victory.

Game Three, the series shifts locations from San Francisco to Arlington. Colby Lewis pitched the best game of his life during Game Six of the ALCS. Lewis is a guy who spent some years down in Japan. Johnathan Sanchez threw a no-hitter for the Giants last year. Expect both offenses to hit the ground running. Expect a Slugfest.

Game Four, Madison Bumgartner is one of the pleasant suprises in baseball. Tommy Hunter is a capable starter. If the offense gets going, expect Hunter to shut the Giants down.

Game Five, The Repeat. Expect this one to be just as exciting as Game One, although the circumstances will be much different.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Elvis Andrus, Rangers: Elvis is the fastest man I have ever seen on a baseball field! The man is blessed with speed, and can go from first to third about as fast as you can blink an eye. He is in the leadoff spot for a reason. Tell The Giants to Watch for the bunt!

Cody Ross, Giants: Cody Ross was a giant suprise in the postseason to this Giants team. He hit two homeruns off Roy Hallday in Game One of the NLCS, and then homered off Roy Oswalt in Game Two! The Rangers had better pitch to him very carefully.

Who were you expecting, Josh Hamilton and Pablo Sandoval?

Finally, My World Series Prediction:

The Texas Rangers will make the first time they appear in the World Series count. This team is potent in all facets, pitching, defense, and Speed! Nelson Cruz has brought his "Boomstick" with him to the postseason. Sorry Giants fans, your misery since 1954 will have to continue. It will be a great series. I pick the Texas Rangers to win it all in six games.

Funny Friday: "My Name Is Phil Davison!"

2010-10-22T00:00:00.004-05:00

This is one of the funniest videos I have ever seen. Watch it, not just once, but twice. Then forward it to your friends. This is amazing!Phil Davison gives an intense speech to become county treasurer! Watch Below!

Post #1400: Mike Quade Named Cubs Manager

2010-10-21T22:15:00.012-05:00

Well, by now I'm sure you've heard the news. Mike Quade has been named the Cubs Manager. He has signed a two year contract. Of course, the biggest news was that Ryne Sandberg did not get the job, or that the Cubs did not wait until after the postseason to see if Joe Girardi was available.

How do I feel about the move?

In 2006, when the Cubs were interviewing candidates to become their next manager, one of the candidates they interviewed was Ryne Sandberg. Cubs GM Jim Hendry told Sandberg that he needed to start managing down in the minors and work his way up. Sandberg started down at the Peoria Chiefs, then managed the Tennesee Smokies the following year, then managed the Iowa Cubs, winning the Pacific Coast League manager of the year award.

Lou Piniella gets the job to manage the Cubs, leading them to the postseason in 2007 and 2008, but they get swept out of the first round both years. The Cubs regressed in 2009 and 2010. Lou Piniella retired early in the season, replacing him with Mike Quade.

I think I was most suprised to announce that the Cubs did not wait until after the World Series to see if Joe Girardi was available.

I think that it is downright disheartning that the Cubs passed on the obvious heir apparent to the legendary Lou Pinniela, Ryne Sandberg. The man who thought that going all the down from Peoria would help him get a job managing at the Major League Level.

I know that Mike Quade led the Cubs to a 24-13 record in his season managing, but the fact that the Cubs may have lost the chance for a hall of famer like Ryne Sandberg to wear a Cubs uniform again is disheartening to me.

It's a two year deal, so maybe the Cubs don't believe they can contend for the next two seasons.

The biggest question I want answered is:
How in the World does GM Jim Hendry still have a job? He should have been fired as soon as he traded away Mark DeRosa and signed Milton Bradley.

Halladay No-hits Reds; Rangers, Yanks Win

2010-10-07T11:02:00.000-05:00

Funny Friday:Presidential Seal Falls During Speech

2010-10-07T05:37:00.000-05:00

The presidential seal fell off President Barack Obama's podium and clattered to the stage as Obama delivered a speech to a women's conference Tuesday.

The MLB Postseason Is Starting!

2010-10-05T22:12:00.006-05:00

The 2010 MLB Postseason is starting!

The Matchups are:
Minnesota Twins vs New York Yankees
San Francisco Giants vs Atlanta Braves
Cincinatti Reds vs Philadelphia Phillies
Texas Rangers vs Tampa Bay Rays

My postseason choice for the World Series is the same as it was back in April. The Phillies and Yankees will rematch for the third straight year.

My Postseason picks:
Yankees Sweep Twins
Phillies Sweep Reds
Rangers over Rays in Four
Braves over Giants in Five

Twins Morneau Out for ALDS

2010-09-30T21:52:00.002-05:00

Minnesota slugger Justin Morneau has ruled himself out of the first round of the playoffs. Morneau has been out since he suffered a concussion in Toronto July 7th, kneed in the head inadvertently by Blue Jays second baseman John McDonald.

That's bad news for Twins fans, but Jim Thome has really picked up the slack. The White Sox made a big mistake by not bringing him back.

Reds Earn NL Central Title

2010-09-30T21:44:00.002-05:00

Cincinnati clinches its first playoff spot in 15 years by wrapping up the National League Central title. The Yankees and Rays also earn playoff spots in the AL.

Wow! What a way to clinch the division! Congrats to Jay Bruce and the Reds.

The NL Central team has been swept in the postseason since 2007. Look for the young upstart Reds to buck the trend.

Phillies Win NL East Again

2010-09-28T18:05:00.002-05:00

Philadelphia's Roy Halladay nailed down the Phillies fourth consecutive National League East title Monday with a standout performance against Washington.

When Will Baseball Break With Maple?

2010-09-20T20:51:00.006-05:00

There's no other way to ask it.

When is Major League Baseball going to break with Maple?

Yesterday, Cubs rookie outfielder Tyler Colvin, who leads the league in rookie homeruns with twenty, was at third when the bat from teammate Wellington Castillo separated.
He was injured when the fat part of the maple bat impaled him in the chest.

Colvin's season is over. His career was almost ended in an instant, thanks to another runaway piece of maple wood.

Commisioner Selig said the problem has been handled, citing that baseball is down over 50 percent in broken bats.

One problem: This is not like the rest of baseball, where percentages tell the entire story.

Cubs infielder Jeff Baker tells the story of seeing an umpire in Kansas City get slashed in the neck with a maple bat. Don Long was hit in the cheek by the same part of the bat a few years ago.

Is a player going to have to get killed on the field by a bat impaling their heart to get baseball to do something?

Baseball just keeps sitting on their hands, hoping nobody gets hurt by maple bats.

They can't wait anymore.

Joe Torre to retire as Dodgers manager

2010-09-18T12:50:00.003-05:00

Joe Torre announced Friday he will retire as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are mired near the bottom of the NL West, and the team immediately said hitting coach Don Mattingly will replace him.

Three great managers retiring at the end of the year. Lou Piniella, Joe Torre, and Bobby Cox. I can't wait to watch when the three of them are enshrined into Cooperstown. They will have LOTS of stories to tell.

Funny Friday: "Sid The Kid" Homers

2010-09-09T19:23:00.002-05:00

Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby homered into PNC Park's right-field seats while taking batting practice with eight Penguins teammates. Crosby was the only one of the group to reach the seats.

BTW, Vikings get their revenge tonight to open up the NFL Season.

Have a great weekend!

Funny Friday: Snakes In A Cooler

2010-08-27T09:45:00.002-05:00

Pete Caroll was notorious for the pranks he used to pull on his players at USC. It's good to see has taken those pranks with him now that he is with the Seahawks.

R.I.P. Bobby Thompson

2010-08-17T16:09:00.003-05:00

Bobby Thompson, the player that hit a walkoff homerun for the New York Giants back in 1951 to help them win the National League Pennant, has died. He was 86.

That homerun is remembered just as much for the legendary call by announcer Russ Hodges "The Giants Win The Pennant!The Giants Win The Pennant!"

It was discovered later that the Giants had a system that helped them to tell which pitch was coming, leading hardcore Dodgers fans to say "The Giants STOLE The Pennant!"

Bobby Thompson's name is up there with Bill Mazeroski, Joe Carter, Carlton Fisk, Kirby Puckett, Carlton Fisk, and Aaron Boone, players that have hit historic walkoff homeruns.