Attention Sports Fans: RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU AGREE WITH ME!
Tampa Bay Rays finish over .500 this year? The Rays have never finished above .500 in their history. Last year they were 30 games under .500 and finished last for the 9th time in the last 10 years. They have some nice pitching and solid young players. I believe they will finish third in the east and end up 82-80. Do you agree? If so raise your hand!
Lance Berkman hits over .350 this year? Lance is currently around the .400 mark. Yes he is having a great year and is a career.304 hitter - clearly a solid player. I believe he will come back to life and finish around .330. Do you agree? If so raise your hand!
The Boston Celtics don’t need to win on the road to win the NBA Championship? The Celtics have won back to back seven game series. Each win ending with a victory in Boston. The “Garden” has changed its name but don’t underestimate what the fans can do to help a team down the stretch of a game. The Celtics had a great home record this year at 35-6 (2nd best behind Utah). They haven’t lost at home in the playoffs and WON’T! In fact they will win the NBA championship this year with the most playoff losses in one year. Do you agree? If so raise your hand!
Do you miss Barry Bonds? Short and sweet. NO! Glad you aren’t part of the game and hopefully it stays that way! Do you agree? If so raise your hand!
Brett Favre comes out of retirement? Let the debate begin. I really like Brett Favre. Over the years I have become a big fan of his. I always liked the way he went about his business. He made things happen all the time on the field and is a winner and one of the all-time greats! I go back and forth with this one. I think we will hear some rumblings of Brett getting itchy and that he might reconsider but at the end of the day I say “no” he stays retired. Do you agree? If so raise your hand!
I look forward to your comments and seeing if your hand is raised.
P.S. Please also let us know if you have a burning question or comment about anything else you have thought of in sports.
May 21st, 2008 at 7:58 am
All of my posts are written in advance so yes today’s was written before The Celtics played the Pistons last night.
In case you missed the game it was played in Boston on their home court and as predicted another Celtic victory!
Only 7 more home wins and my prediction will come true.
Merrill
May 21st, 2008 at 8:20 am
I agree with most of your thoughts (that’s a first time for me).
Not sure about Brett, but at the end of the day you reach a certain age and the body just can’t do it anymore…..I raise my hand on this one as well.
The Celtics, now that is a different story. I think they can take the east w/o winning a game on the road, but not the NBA championship. that’s just to much to ask any team…even with three great players
May 21st, 2008 at 8:27 am
3rd, why not 2nd? (wishful thinking)
Who cares about Lance Berkman? (you must have him in a fantasy league)
I would prefer the Celts to the Lakers, but think the Lakers will win.
Agree, don’t miss Barry at all.
I think Brett will stay retired.
May 21st, 2008 at 10:07 am
Tampa Bay: Yes. They also have the #1 rated farm system in baseball. The questions is when will they make the playoffs?
Lance Berkman: Merrill I thought you worked in Research. Extrapolating from low n sizes creates a lot of sports talk in the first two months of the season. Nobody will bat .350
Celtics: They don’t need to but they will
Barry Who?
Brett Favre. Sounds like a nice guy but I hope he stays retired.
May 21st, 2008 at 10:11 am
I’m with you on three out of five of these:
- Berkman won’t hit over .350. We always see someone bust out early and fall back to earth. He’s a career .300 hitter and doesn’t have the team around him to keep this up.
- Don’t miss Bonds at all.
- Favre is done, and is best to leave good enough alone.
As for the others:
- Rays will, like Girardi’s Marlins a couple of years ago, play tough through July and then youth and pitching inexperience get the best of them and they win around 75 games for a respectable fourth place finish.
- Celtics are good enough and CAN win the Championship without winning on the road, but my gut says that the Lakers will beat them.
May 21st, 2008 at 10:27 am
Owen,
Good question about when Tampa bay makes the playoffs. With all the young talent their window might be about 5 years. If they were in another division it would happpen sooner but my sense is they will do it in 3 years.
Thanks.
Merrill
May 21st, 2008 at 10:48 am
Tampa will win 86, Berkman hits .345, the Celts will NOT win a championship unless they get a road win, Barry who?, and Brett goes hunting and stays retired.
If LeBron had anything more than an 8th grade team as a supporting cast, The Big Two Featuring Ray Allen would be doing exactly what you and I are doing — watching the conference finals on TV. (Except I guess I’m no longer watching).
Of all of these, Tampa is the most intriguing to me. Take the name off the jersey and I don’t even think we’d be having this conversation — they are a legit squad top to bottom.
May 21st, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Pete,
Good comments. Ray Allen is certainly not having a good playoff run but Kevin Garnett is nothing short of awesome and WILL carry this team all the way. The Laker’s have Kobe (assuming they get past the Spurs which is a tall feet) and not much else. Seems like the Cavs need to have a solid off season to get some complimentary players for LeBron James.
I agree about the Rays - they are playing great and I for one hope it continues.
Speak to you soon.
Merrill
May 21st, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Rays do not finish over .500. AL is too tough. 18 games with Red Sox and 18 with the Yankees (yes I know a rough start) will doom them.
Berkman does not hit .350
Pistons will win 1 in Boston. Back to back 7 game series will come back to hurt the Cs against Detroit (sorry ABC) as the Pistons meet the Lakers.
I don’t miss Bonds
Farve comes back. These guys cannot stay away. Some QB starved team (Bears???) will pay him to come back mid-season (similar to Clemens). I know they NFL has a salary cap but there are plenty of ways to be creative and get around it.
May 21st, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Tampa has great young pitching which I believe will only get better. They also have some talented position players and are playing in a depleted AL East. Every team but the Bosox are beatable for them. I think they have a legit shot at 2nd place and 80 to 85 wins. Playoffs certainly in the next 3 years.
Celts are going to have to win on the road. And I think they’ll have to do that against the Pistons to advance.Can’t overlook either team in the West.
Good riddance to barry ( small b )
I think Favre is done for the upcoming season. I can see him coming back after a year off.
Berkman is a really good hitter but his lack of speed ( infield hits ) will hold him back from hitting 350. They’ll start to pitch around him as well. The bandbox he plays in will make him a player in the Home Run Derby.
Questions????
Can anyone beat Big Brown ?
How many 20 game winners do we think there will be ? Who ?
Is the AL truly superior to the NL ? I think there are a lot better pitching prospects in the NL.
Can Garnett and the Celts contain Kobe ? ( if they meet )
What impact will the NFL feel with no CBA going forward ?Who will blink ?
How long will it be before the Knicks are contenders ? I personally think that with some personnel tweaking and a new system it could happen in the next 3 years.
Will Willie Randolph last the year ? If not who replaces him ?
Joe
May 21st, 2008 at 4:06 pm
John,
Thanks for your thoughts. So the big question is do you believe Brett Favre comes back to Green Bay or another team?
Look forward to hearing from you.
Merrill
May 21st, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Tampa will finish over .500 this year.
Berkman will fall below .350.
Celtics will need a road win to have a chance to win it all this year…but don’t think they will win it all.
Barry who?
Favre should stay retired but have no idea if he will.
Question:
Does Greg Maddux have enough left in his career to get 24 more wins and move up to number 3 on the all time wins list? What other pitchers out there have a shot at top 5 in wins?
May 21st, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Joe,
Thanks for your comments and questions…….. here are my answers:
Can anyone beat Big Brown ? No TRIPLE CROWN WILL HAPPEN for sure -
How many 20 game winners do we think there will be ? Who ? Only TWO……Daisuke Matsuzaka and Brandon Webb
Is the AL truly superior to the NL ? I think there are a lot better pitching prospects in the NL. That might be true but AL will win the All Star game and world Series again this year!
Can Garnett and the Celts contain Kobe ? ( if they meet ) Yes they will Kobe will score and score but the Celtics and the defense of Garnett will stop the laker’s - they don’t have a great supporting cast, Gasol is soft and that will be a problem. This is the Celtics year!
What impact will the NFL feel with no CBA going forward ?Who will blink ?
GREAT question - the players will go on strike and…. BLINk… Owners will win out in the long run… This won’t effect the superstars but the average veterans will take the real hit in my opinion.
How long will it be before the Knicks are contenders ? I personally think that with some personnel tweaking and a new system it could happen in the next 3 years. Not sure I believe that - They might contend for the 8th playoff spot but in the eats who cares… If your definition is contend for the NBA championship - wow along time - the time is very messed up.
Will Willie Randolph last the year ? If not who replaces him ? yes Willie gets fired within 6 weeks and please sit down… HE IS REPLACED BY BOBBY VALENTINE!
Joe - keep the questions coming.
Merrill
May 21st, 2008 at 5:01 pm
And I know from a nostalgic point of view everyone wants a Lakers-Celtics final but as Merrill pointed out, Gasol is soft and the Lakers really don’t have an answer for Duncan. And while the Spurs have no answer for Kobe (who does) I would rather have the big man inside with game than the outside man with game in the playoffs. Don’t count the Spurs out just yet.
May 21st, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Ken,
The maddux question is an interesting one. Even though he doesn’t throw hard and he is only 42 I say no he doesn’t reach that milestone. the real question for me about Maddux is what cap is he wearing when he goes into the hall of fame on the first ballot? He spent 11 years in Atlanta and I believe 10 years with the Cubs. I think he leaves San Diego and signs a 1 day contract with the Braves and retires and goes into the hall as a Brave!
Ken - good question. Thanks.
Merrill
May 21st, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Ken,
Don’t get me wrong - I am NOT counting the Spurs out they are great and the defending champs. They have won 4 rings in 9 years and never back to back - they win this year clearly dynasty material.
The akers are a 7 point favorite tonight and are at home - lets see what happens.
Merrill
May 21st, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Rays finishing above .500 is possible, but the making the playoffs will be a true test for this outstanding young team (must admit my current favorite player is Bossman Junior Upton). In the month of September they play 28 games in 28 days, with only one day off. Only 10 are at home and the last 8 are on the road. That is brutal.
As long as there is heat, humidity and 3 time zone travel during the month of August, both Berkman and Chipper Jones will fall short of .400
This has to be the tightest NBA Final Four in a decade. I will be rooting for ABC (Celtic v. Laker final).
As a die-hard Dodger fan, I miss Barry. Sorry Bengie Molina, Rich Aurilla, Aaron Rowland, Ray Durham and Randy Winn, just do not strike the fear, disgust and fervor in Dodgertown as Barry Bones did. How can anyone dislike Omar Vizquel? Without a bona fide jerk in their lineup (see Sal Maglie, Alvin Dark, Dick Dietz, Juan Marichal, Jeff Leonard) the Giant/Dodger rivalry has lost its intensity.
Message to Brett Favre: Stay home dude and count your money. If you cannot beat a wild card team in OT, on a January night in Green Bay, there ain’t no more Super Bowls in your future unless you coach, sit in the broadcast booth or buy a ticket.
Questions from my small brain:
Does anyone think Sidney Crosby and Candace Parker can save their respected sports?
Will someone in MLB finally realize just how bad of an announcer Tim McCarver is?
Who is the biggest disappointment so far in the 2008 basbeball season? Tigers, Mets, or Yankees?
May 21st, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Merrill:
I say either Chicago, Baltimore, or the team that drafted him originally, Atlanta. He’d be a mentor to Matt Ryan.
May 21st, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Merrill, I am a HUGE Bobby V fan. Have spent some personal time with him. He is an ubbelievable communicator and in my mind one of the finest BB minds around.
Joe
May 21st, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Joe -
Very good questions. Here are my takes:
I am not a horse racing expert. I will be rooting for Big Brown, but I have the feeling he will not do it. The extra distance at Belmont is a killer. Just as Crosby and Parker mean so much for the NHL and the WNBA, so does Big Brown for horse racing.
Since Brandon Webb Will get half his starts in an AC building, 20 is in his reach. I will be surprised if Daisuke Matsuzaka can do it. Japanese pitchers are not used to “heat, humidity and 3 time zone travel during the month of August” and tend to lose gas at the end of the season.
The NL is not only improving pitching wise, but there are a boat load of young hitters; Corey Hart, Hanley Ramirez, Orlando Hudson, Chase Utley, Andre Either, James Loney, Russell Martin, Matt Kemp, Justin Upton, Dan Uggla, Ryan Braun and Nick McLouth to name a few.
Hey Celtic, Spur & Piston fans - the Lakers have more than just Kobe this year. But go ahead thinking all your team needs to do to beat the Lakers is shutting down Kobe, you will have a big surprise.
I believe everyone knows my stand on the greedy billionaires known as the NFL owners. Until they start taking care of their sick and ailing retired veterans, I have no interest in their brand of professional athletics.
Too early to tell what Walsh will do for the Knicks. As good as the field is for this year’s college draft, not sure Walsh has an impact player at #6. But as Ainge proved this year, if a NBA GM can pull off one or two decent trades, they can turn a club around.
The minute Willie Randolph opened his pie hole to Ian O’Connor his job countdown clock started ticking. If they are not in contention by end of June, he is out. I say Omar tabs Felipe Alou.
Ken - If Maddux stays healthy, he can be number 3 on the list, but it will not be pretty. I think he has enough class not to make a fool out of himself struggling for a milestone victory like Phil Niekro and Early Wynn did.
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:07 am
Ed,
I would not want to see Maddux get it ugly either…but number 3 on the all time wins list is HUGE (at least in my eyes). And I guess what is it we consider ugly…is 10-12 wins a year for another 2 years ugly? If so, I might take that ugly to reach the number 3 spot, heck I might even take 8 wins a year for another 3 years.
As for the Spurs, I think they blew a golden opportunity last night…a win last night might have put doubts in some of the young Lakers that really haven’t been here before…but since San Antonio could not buy a shot in the second half, well it’s a different series now and could very well go to the Lakers in 5 or 6. I would say you can’t ask for more than to have a shot to win it at the end, on the road, against the number 1 seed if you are San Antonio…but the fact they blew a huge lead probably overrides any positives they could have taken out of the game.
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:07 am
John,
Atlanta would be the interesting choice - or here’s a crazy one Chicago…. Same division, nice rivalry - although I really don’t believe that will ever happen.
Merrill
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:39 am
Ed,
Great points - to answer your questions:
Does anyone think Sidney Crosby and Candace Parker can save their respected sports? The short answer is NO and NO. Both athletes are great - can’t disagree with that but with escalating ticket prices the NHL can’t compete and with low TV ratings not much will change. I love sports and most event but don’t watch or care about womens basketball.
Will someone in MLB finally realize just how bad of an announcer Tim McCarver is? I haven’t seen him on TV recently. I have NESN so I watch the sox announcers daily. he always loved and had tons of bias to the NY sports teams thats for sure.
Who is the biggest disappointment so far in the 2008 baseball season? Tigers, Mets, or Yankees? As much as I personally want to say the Yankees it is the Tigers. The Mets and Yankees will finish above .500. the Tigers came out of the box ugly, made a little progress and now still in last. they have talent for sure but they can’t hit, pitch and defensively are a mess. Sorry Jim leyland your time in Detroit is up before the middle of next year - if not sooner.
Keep the questions coming.
Merrill
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:46 am
Ed,
Good point about Alou - I didn’t even think about him. he would be a good choice. Very classy, solid manager.
Maddux continuing would be potentially ugly. I hope he walks away with dignity although most veteran greats…. Don’t.
Merrill
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:43 am
OK, Merrill, now you sound like the typical Red Sox fan calling into WEEI. McCarver is not biased to the NY teams. All announcers are not biased to the NY Teams in any sport. I know he was an announcer for both the Mets and Yankees but he was fired from both the Mets and Yankees. I seem to remember McCarver waxing poetic about how gutty Schilling was in Game 6 of the 2004 ALCS and the determination of the Socks (pun intended as painful as it still is to write about that series).
I agree though he talks and talks and belabors a point.
When you are watching NESN you can hear the glee in the voices of Orsillo and Remy when the Yankees are losing. Granted the Sox own NESN but they are a little over the top.
I can hear it now. I sound like a typical Yankees fan but this is what makes sports so riveting.
Farve to the Bears is a little far fetched but it would be interesting….
Can you think of two worst potential starting QBs that Grossman or Orton on the same team?
I do agree the Tigers have been the biggest flop.
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:58 am
Merrill, I just want to know how you got Pete Rose to start reading your blog.
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:18 am
John,
Love the passion - even though you are a Yankee fan…… although if they keep losing we have plenty of room at Red Sox Nation for you and frankly we would love to have you come to the other side.
I can recall many of games where McCarver hasn’t been tough on the Yankees/Mets during the game, plenty of times where a hitter isn’t hitting his weight and will say he should be coming out of the slump… very soon instead of telling it like it is……
Rem (dog) and Orsillo are the Sox TV team and you know it but I would argue they could be alot worse. remember the Red Sox have 2 rings out of the last 4 and once again have the BEST record in baseball…. Something that has been common for a number of years. With success like that it could be alot worse.
Grossman and Orton aren’t NFL QB’s - yes Grossman had a nice run but that was really set up because of the defense. He did have some big games but I believe that is out of character for him.
I look forward to more of your comments and questions.
Merrill
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:42 am
I agree I wouldn’t want to see Maddux embarass himself. But he was 14-11 last year and 3-4 this year on a very, very bad Padres team. He needs to get traded to a team that needs a solid 4th pitcher in their rotation, a team that can give him a few runs…hey Rangers, you out there and listening? Nevermind, he’ll stay in the National League (batting .280 this year, lifetime .250). Maddux can still give you 5-6 quality innings (and isn’t that all you can ask from the bottom of your rotation these days?) and imagine what a positive influence he could be on a team with some younger pitchers. I say if he can get out of San Diego, 3rd place is his if he wants it, maybe within 2 years (this year and next if everything falls into place for him). As was stated, Maddux is a class act…and isn’t it about time a good guy finished on top…certainly couldn’t hurt baseballs image problem could it?
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:56 am
Ken,
How about being the number 5 for my beloved Boston Red Sox! He can get a world series ring this year!
I also think he is such a smart guy he would make a GREAT MANAGER some day!
Merrill
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:57 am
Lisa,
Everyone reads the blog - even stars….. except one thing It is a different Pete Rose - although he is a star just in the research industry!
Merrill
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Tampa - I agree
Berkman - I agree
Boston - I disagree; Detroit will steal a game in Boston forcing the Celtics to win on the road. I think Detroit will win the East and they will beat the Spurs to win the title. FYI - as a Bulls fan, I don’t like to admit anything good about the Pistons.
Bonds - I disagree; I miss the old Barry with the Pirates (before he ‘beefed up’), who was one of the greatest players of this generation - he had speed, he could play the field, hit for power & average.
Favre - I disagree; he will return again and cause at least one more heartache for Bears fans.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Merrill:
thanks for the offer to join Red Sox Nation but I’d rather watch paint dry. I won’t quote Hank here as this is a family blog.
Twice in four years is impressive in this day and age of free agency but there is a team that won 3 in a row from 98-00, four in a row from 36-39 and five in a row from 49-53.
I’ll give you a hint, they play 200 miles to the south.
As for Orsillo and Remy I do agree they could be a lot worse but I am sick of Remy trying to sell anything with his name on it. Ugh!
It’s a long season and if the Yankees have an advantage over everyone else it is money! I can’t picture the Yankees being in last place come the end of September.
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:52 pm
John,
You are correct about the history lesson and the Pistons are playing a team that won 8 NBA Championships in a row and 11 out of 13 years. Not sure they know or care and I doubt that any of the Piston players are shaking when they here those stats.
The Yankees have the most rings in baseball and I doubt that will ever change however the team of TODAY is a mess. I am sure you look at them and see a team that is overpaid, old and not going anywhere anytime soon. It is along season and I agree they won’t be in last place the entire season but I doubt they overtake the Red Sox this year. As for making the playoffs - not sure that happens. They will have the bats but i don’t see them getting the pitchers this year to have big winning streaks. Winning 10-8 every game doesn’t usually work.
You are right about Remy he is trying hard to sell things and needs to get that out of his system.
Enjoy the weekend.
Merrill
May 22nd, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Merrill:
I agree with you in that there are a lot of bad contacts on that team. Namely Giambi and Farnsworth. When they signed Giambi they were bidding against themselves as they outbid the As by quite a bit.
They play in NY and the bottom line is going 65-97 and saying you are rebuilding will not cut it. Look at the Knicks. Now that is a mess.
I will say this after this year Giambi, Mussina, Abreu and Farnsworth’s deals are up and Damon is up after next year.
Your Red Sox would have a tough sell if they went into rebuilding mode for a year or two. I have to say they have a great mix of veterans and young talent. Worked well last year and is working well this year.
Does Manny come back?
May 22nd, 2008 at 4:46 pm
John,
The yanks have many more bad contracts - Pavano, Mussina and maybe AROD to mention a few.
Damon wasn’t a smart signing either. he was great for one year, ok for another and when all the chips are counted will be a bust for the other two years of the contract.
I never thought I would say this - yes the red Sox will pick up his $20,000,000 option…..UGH ok I said it…. if not he might end up being in NY.
Merrill
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:25 pm
TAMPA WILL FINISH OVER .500 BUT THE YANKESS WILL BE AT .500 AND HEADS WILL ROLL
NO WAY LANCE BERKMAN HITS .350, I DO NOT CARE WHAT HE IS BATTING NOW. IN FACT I DO NOT CARE ABOUT LANCE BERKMAN OR THE NL
IF THE CELTS WIN IT ALL THEY WILL HAVE TO WIN ON THE ROAD
I DO NOT MISS BIG HEAD BARRY
BRETT WILL BE BACK IN GREEN BAY AT QB
May 23rd, 2008 at 8:43 am
Ok so i was wrong. I thought the Celtics would win every home game! I still believe they win the series and NBA champioship
Merrill
May 27th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Hi Ed,
I think you may be under estimating Big Brown. This boy was bred to run these long distances. His mother produced two Belmont stakes winners and he’s so handy, the big track at Belmont is suited for his style. He handled the tightness of the Preakness and he’ll have no trouble with Belmont. I think he’ll have tougher competition in NY than he’s seen so far with fresher legs, Casio Drive et al, but that he will be the next triple crown winner!
Thanks,
Fee
May 27th, 2008 at 11:27 am
As a transplanted Pittsburgher that has adopted the Rays since I have been in the Tampa Bay area, I say let you Red Sox and Yankee fans bicker with each other. While you are at each others’ throats, the Rays could sneak right by both teams.
Seriously , though, to go from being the team with the WORST record in baseball at the end of a season to having the BEST record in baseball at Memorial Day the next year is pretty impressive.(TRIVIA-when has that happened before?) Can it last?..probably night, but I like being along for the ride as long as it does!
Oh..and someone will pick up Bonds for the stretch run, if he can be assured of all the perks he has been getting in the clubhouse in recent years…and Crosby can’t save a sport right now if his team can’t even score a goal in 2 Stanley Cup finals games…but give him time..
May 27th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Randy,
I hope you are enjoying the success of the Rays and going to a number of their games.
You could be right about Bonds - I thought i heard about some rumblings from the Tigers especially if Sheffield is hurt.
Merrill
May 27th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Fee -
You obviously follow the sport of Kings more that I do. I am curious if you think Big Brown’s recent injury will help or hurt him at the Belmont?
By the way, Big Brown’s trainer is a gentleman by the name of Rick Dutrow Jr. Could he be a distance relative removed from the Dubrow family tree?
May 27th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Ed,
One letter off - certainly a possibility. I hope so - I would love to go to the Kentucky Derby one day.
Merrill
May 27th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
LOL, Yes well I have had my share of falls, being runaway with, winners and losers in the equine world! Suffice to say his cracked hoof, which I briefly read about is the equivalent of a split nail to us humans. It has to be treated and he may have to back off some his workouts, but I’m sure they have the best farriers placing new therapeutic shoes and “painting” it with an epoxy/licquer type finish, to prevent further splitting! If untreated this can make the horse so soar he’ll be lame (hobbling) which will prevent him from running.
The other factor is with the rain we had here in PA and the rain we may get toward the end of the week, the track will be soft and in his favor, not hurting his feet as much.
I’m certain he’ll be fine and rearing to go!
Looking forward to seeing you all in NYC next week at the MRA Annual!
Best,
Fee
May 27th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
I see Tampa Bay finishing with 75-80 wins. But when will people start going to their games?
Berkman won’t make 350 but he’ll finish a strong second to Chase Utley in the MVP race.
Celtics will need at least 2 road victories in this series. Pistons in 7.
Barry who? Don’t miss him at all!
Brett might get a little anxious but I hope he stays retired. Will miss watching him.
If he stays healthy I’d add Cole Hamels to the20 game winner list.
May 28th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Tom,
Appreciate your comments. I hope the Celtics take care of business tonight! I have my fingers crossed - my prediction is Celtics by 11 tonight.
I hope all is well.
Merrill
May 28th, 2008 at 9:52 am
I like taking long shots so i have to say that Tampa Bay will be in the hunt until mid summer and fade but will stay above .500 - i really like this team but they are in a tough division
Lance Berkman will continue to hit well and i like him winning the batting crown but not above .350, more like .335
Barry Bonds - he is dead to me
The Celtics will make the finals but not win the championship - Kobe owns the league right now, is the best player on the floor every night and Lakers will beat the Celts in 6 games
I only hope Brett Favre does not come back - he is one of the great competitors and the game will miss him if he does not. My sense here is he does come back, it is a disappointing situation and then he bows out again with a lot less fanfare. Too bad for such a great champion.
May 31st, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Greetings.
The NBA got the dream match up! The Boston Celtics vs the Los Angeles Lakers…… WOW - I can’t wait to see what happens!
My prediction was all along Celtics in 7 - not changing it now.
Merrill
June 17th, 2008 at 6:38 am
Joe,
Well they fired Randolph last night - lets see if they grab Bobby V. to save their season. I am surprised they did it this way……………
Mets fired manager Willie Randolph, pitching coach Rick Peterson and first-base coach Tom Nieto.
A bizarre ending to what’s turned into quite an embarrassment for the franchise. Randolph’s tactics left a lot to be desired and the Mets may well be better off without him, but he didn’t deserve to be treated this way over the last several weeks. The rumor all day was that Peterson and Nieto were out, but it appeared that Randolph would get another reprieve.
Then the Mets make this announcement in the middle of the night after a victory. Former White Sox manager Jerry Manuel will take over for Randolph on an interim basis. As overmatched as he was in Chicago, it looks like a downgrade
Merrill
June 17th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Did anyone check the box scores from this past weekend’s intra-league games in Tampa?
The Rays played host to the Marlins, their cross state rivals, who are having a pretty good season (3 games behind the Phils and 6 over .500). Here are the attendance numbers:
Friday - 19,312
Saturday - 31,195
Sunday - 28,886 (on Father’s Day!)
If their fans cannot fill more than 70% of their crib during a weekend series, they are going to have problems come August/September.
You can build a high caliber team on the field, but if there are no fans in the stands, the players lose an intangible advantage (see Atlanta Braves 1996 - 2003).
June 18th, 2008 at 6:38 am
Ed,
You bring up a good point. I was actually thinking about writing a blog about wasting money and I was going to include and frankly highlight the Tamp Bay Rays building a new stadium for 400 million dollars. Was it going to be a waste since the Rays consistently aren’t that good and don’t draw large amounts of fans. I know they are building the new stadium on the water downtown so perhaps it will be a destination.
To get back to your direct question - I am shocked they couldn’t draw over 40,000 or even sell out. Funny that you mention the Braves they couldn’t even sell out playoff games….. Amazing.
Good comments.
Merrill
June 18th, 2008 at 6:41 am
So I wasn’t 100% right. I did predict the Celtics would win the NBA title and they did. I also predicted they would do it in 7 games over the Laker’s and they did it in 6 games. I also had stated that they wouldn’t need to win a game on the road and they won three of them. The other prediction I was right on with was they won the NBA title with the most playoff losses.
GO CELTICS GO!!!
Merrill
June 20th, 2008 at 6:37 am
Ok so I am impressed that the Tampa Rays swept the 1st place Chicago Cubs - yes it was at home but still impressive.
In case you aren’t following Lance Berkman and his quest to hit over .350. He was at .388 when this posting came out and has dropped over 20 points since and is currently hitting .366.
Merrill
July 7th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Ok So I might be wrong again!!
SI’s Peter King writes that Brett Favre “wants to play football again” and his agent could ask the Packers to be taken off the league’s reserve/retired list in the next ten 10 days.
It’s the logical next step. King writes the Packers clearly don’t want him back, so this would force the issue. They’d have to let Favre play or get rid of him, both of which sound frightening. They could also try one last time to convince him not to play. King believes that ultimately the Packers would take him back, risking the chance they alienate Aaron Rodgers. Another option would be if Favre agrees not to join one of their NFC North rivals. Jul. 7 - 9:55 am et
Merrill
July 22nd, 2008 at 4:16 pm
I HOPE THIS IS TRUE - he should play for the Packers or no one!
Favre abandoning attempt to play again?
Citing an “unconfirmed tip,” Profootballtalk.com is hearing rumors that Brett Favre will abandon his attempt to play again.
Per the “tip,” the Packers presented three teams they’d trade him to and Favre said no to each. We couldn’t be surprised if Favre gave up on the idea after the melee it caused, as he still hasn’t petitioned for reinstatement and could be having second thoughts. If he truly was committed to playing again, there’s no good reason he’d still be waiting to call the commissioner.
Jul. 21 - 8:53 pm et
August 9th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
ONCE AGAIN I WAS WRONG - BRETT IS NOW A NY JET!!!!
Brett Favre-QB- Jets Aug. 9 - 3:11 pm et
Brett Favre will start the Jets’ second preseason game, next weekend versus the Redskins.
There’s no competition with Kellen Clemens, just to clear that up. The Jets might let Favre play over a quarter because he’s new to the offense. Favre’s first practice was Saturday morning. He received a standing ovation from the 7,000+ fans in attendance and completed his first pass to TE Chris Baker.
September 1st, 2008 at 11:52 am
Another prediction I was wrong abut Tampa Bay has 84 wins and is still in First place with 26 games to go. With a little luck they actually may win 100 games this year. Clearly this is one of the GREATEST turnarounds in sports history.
Good for them.
Merrill