Olympics
A few weeks ago, I completely forgot that it was an Olympic year.It hasn't been in the news or talked about much. I guess that happens when it's not being hosted in the US. But it kicked off this weekend and is now all over the news, commercials and Internet. I watched on and off, channel surfing events most of the time. Ana Ivanovic won her opening round against an American. The USA Basketball team blew out France as expected. Michael Phelps lost to Ryan Lochte and actually finished 4th... the first time he's failed to medal since he was 15 years old.
Yankees
The Yankees lost their series to the Red Sox 2 games to 1, but the concern is their record since the break. They've just been losing series. They used to have a 1-game lead over the 2nd place Orioles and now it's dwindled to 5 or 6. They're really going to have to make up some ground this week if they want to get into the playoffs safely.
2012-07-30
2012-07-27
Yankees vs Olympics
It's going to be a crazy sports weekend as the Olympics opens up tonight as well as Ichiro's first game in the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry. It's going to be tough to keep up with both events. NBC announced a few days ago that they will be showing every single event in one form or another, whether it be on one of their many cable stations, through their app or steaming online. They're really going to show every event, even the minor ones like badminton! I'll definitely check it out on the iPad and laptop. It'll be interesting if I can sustain multiple streams across my standard cable connection... depends on how well they did their compression.
2012-07-26
Long Trip West
What a trip the Yankees just got back from! First they get swept by the A's in 4 games... all by a single run. These were games they would win for sure if Gardner had been on the team... the extra hit... the fast guy causing confusion to the opposing defense. Then The Yankees walked into Seattle, stole their star and played him right in the same game as trade day! In the next game, they lose A-Rod to a broken hand as he was the 3rd player beaned by King Felix. Yesterday, they had a come-from-behind victory on Jason Nix's bases-clearing double in the 8th. Overall, it was a bad road trip. All we can take away from it is one of baseball's best hitters & outfielders in Ichiro.
2012-07-24
Olympian Ana
The tennis season is going to lengthened this year with the addition of the Olympic tournament. So hats off to anyone competing in the Olympics. Good luck to Ana Ivanovic!
2012-07-23
Ichiro!
I just heard after I posted the weekend wrapup! The news that the Yankees signed Ichiro caught me by surprise. Sure... Gardner's out for the year and they needed to find speed. But Ichiro's the best player in baseball! It's crazy to have him and Jeter on the same team.
This is great. An outfield spot gets filled as well as the need for speed on the offensive side. I wonder if the 4-game sweep had anything to do with it.
This is great. An outfield spot gets filled as well as the need for speed on the offensive side. I wonder if the 4-game sweep had anything to do with it.
Weekend Sports Wrapup
Yankees
The Yankees had a terrible start to their road trip, getting swept by the A's in a 4-game set. All games were by 1 run, including an extra inning walkoff in yesterday's finale. Before the series,they had a nice, comfortable 1st place lead. Now it's been cut to a 5 or 6 game one with the O's playing a little better. Big leads can go away easily in baseball. Because they play almost every day, a winning streak and losing streak can make them disappear. The other reality check for the Yankees is that Gardner will likely not return this season. Their offense operates differently without him as they don't have that leadoff runner. They're also losing outs from Gardner's field coverage. They're pretty much in the same position as the Bulls last year. They may have enough of a bench to get 1st place and even the best record in baseball, but they won't win a championship with workarounds.
Bulls
Omer Asik signed the offer sheet with the Rockets and the Bulls will likely stretch the deadline and then decline. So far, all of the moves the Bulls have made are downgrades. With Rose injured most of the season, it feels like management is throwing away the 2012-2013 season. They pretty much broke up the bench mob who carried the team last year.
The Yankees had a terrible start to their road trip, getting swept by the A's in a 4-game set. All games were by 1 run, including an extra inning walkoff in yesterday's finale. Before the series,they had a nice, comfortable 1st place lead. Now it's been cut to a 5 or 6 game one with the O's playing a little better. Big leads can go away easily in baseball. Because they play almost every day, a winning streak and losing streak can make them disappear. The other reality check for the Yankees is that Gardner will likely not return this season. Their offense operates differently without him as they don't have that leadoff runner. They're also losing outs from Gardner's field coverage. They're pretty much in the same position as the Bulls last year. They may have enough of a bench to get 1st place and even the best record in baseball, but they won't win a championship with workarounds.
Bulls
Omer Asik signed the offer sheet with the Rockets and the Bulls will likely stretch the deadline and then decline. So far, all of the moves the Bulls have made are downgrades. With Rose injured most of the season, it feels like management is throwing away the 2012-2013 season. They pretty much broke up the bench mob who carried the team last year.
2012-07-22
More Fall
The weather this weekend was perfect. Yesterday was nice and breezy and stayed in the low 70's. I even had to close my window at night because it was a little too cold. Today was a little warmer, but not even close to normal Summer temperatures. All this came after the Friday thunderstorms.
The 5-day forecast shows thunderstorms again, but they'll have the opposite effect when temperatures shoot up on Tuesday to 90 degrees.
The 5-day forecast shows thunderstorms again, but they'll have the opposite effect when temperatures shoot up on Tuesday to 90 degrees.
2012-07-20
Bulls Movement
Yesterday, the Bulls acquired Vladimir Radmonovic after losing Kyle Korver. That fills a 3-point shooter role, but Korver was the league's best. So the Bulls are currently downgraded. Korver has also become a good defender in his years as a Bull. Radmonovic would be starting from scratch since he's known for offense only. The Bulls are still waiting on closure of the Asik offer sheet, but it seems like everyone is expecting him to go to Houston. After that move, the Bulls can go ahead with the Hinrich contract officially. They'll also need to look for a low salary big man if they end up letting Asik go. One guy with potential could be Darko Milicic... he guy that kept the bench warm for the Champion Pistons!
2012-07-18
Houston... We Have Linsanity
As expected, Jeremy Lin will play for the Houston Rockets next season as the Knicks fail on their promise to match the offer sheet. I'm very happy for Lin. He'll be in a better organization. There will also be less media distraction than NYC, so he can improve his basketball better there.
The Rockets are taking a gamble, signing a 3-year $25 million contract based on the partial season Lin played last year, but they have the money available and I think it's a good bet that he can be an effective starter and core player. The Knicks had no intention of resigning Lin, so they were just looking for an excuse to cover themselves when Dolan mentioned he didn't like how Lin restrucctured the deal with the Rockets. It didn't matter. They weren't going to match anyway! And Lin wouldn't havee gotten the playing time. It's a new start and I think he'll do fine in the defense-lacking Western Conference.
The Rockets are taking a gamble, signing a 3-year $25 million contract based on the partial season Lin played last year, but they have the money available and I think it's a good bet that he can be an effective starter and core player. The Knicks had no intention of resigning Lin, so they were just looking for an excuse to cover themselves when Dolan mentioned he didn't like how Lin restrucctured the deal with the Rockets. It didn't matter. They weren't going to match anyway! And Lin wouldn't havee gotten the playing time. It's a new start and I think he'll do fine in the defense-lacking Western Conference.
2012-07-17
Subway Tales: Chasers
This is actually a bus story, but the Subway Tales series is about the morning commute in general. Often when you're getting on a bus, there will be one guy chasing after it, hoping the driver will wait up for him. It's a 50/50 shot. Sometimes the driver will and other times, he will just pretend he didn't see the chaser. I'm OK with either. The bus needs to run on schedule to benefit everyone. So I'm cool if I miss a bus that's in sight. It's also nice of the driver to stop for someone running. But here's another thing that's common with chasers... they'll run fast and then slow down when they realize the driver is waiting for them. They should hustle out of respect for the driver's kindness... and also everyone else on the train that they are delaying!
2012-07-11
MLB All-Star Game
I say it every year, but it's really nice to have an All-Star game that counts for something. It ends up being fun to watch. The showboating of the NBA All-Star game has made it as boring as the Celebrity or Freshman/Sophomore game. You know a team is playing for keeps when they put a lot of thought into the starting pitcher. RA Dickey is hands down the best pitcher in baseball at the break, but yet the NL could not start him because they needed to match the knuckleballer with a specialist catcher. This angered Mets fans, but people have to realizee that this is not an exhibition. If they started everyone based on votes and performance, Dickey could have thrown wild pitches to a catcher who can't handle his pitches. Despite the bad press, La Russa made the right decision and it played out... the NL won 8-0. If the Mets make make the World Series, they get homefield. I don't think fans will be complaining if that happens.
On a side note, the game was pretty much decided in the first inning when the NL knocked 5 runs in off Justin Verlander of all pitchers!
On a side note, the game was pretty much decided in the first inning when the NL knocked 5 runs in off Justin Verlander of all pitchers!
2012-07-09
Weekend Sports Wrapup
Yankees vs Red Sox
While it wasn't quite the Boston Massacre I wanted, I'll certainly take 3 out of 4. The series got of to a quick start as both clubs came out swinging in the early innings. It was a hitters game from the beginning and all the way throughout. Both clubs nearly emptied their entire pens in the 10-8 Yankees win. Yankees won 6-1 in Saturday's day game and dropped the night game as the Red Sox came from behind. The Yankees then capped the series by taking the closer 7-3 on Sunday.
Wimbledon
OK... so I tried to watch this tournament, but only ended up seeing the finals because Nadal had an early exit. There wasn't really anything exciting about it. Andy Murray played a good match against Roger Federer, winning the first set and keeping it close for the next two. He really wanted to finally win one in front of his home crowd, but Federer was also hungry. He hadn't won a major in some time. And it's been Nadal or Djokovic at the 1 spot.
Bulls
The Bulls erased one of their mistakes during "The Decision" a couple of years ago by bringing Kirk Hinrich back. It all seems like this was meant to happen. Hinrich never moved from his off-season home in Chicago and now returns when they Bulls really need his skills as a combo guard. Taking Derrick Rose's spot during his injury puts the Bulls back on the playoff map. Then sharing the point with Rip when Rose returns will make them a stronger team than last year. Next up, the Bulls have to match the Rockets' offer to Asik. He's an important piece because having Asik off the bench means there's no step back in the event of a Noah injury or off-night.
NBA Movement
In other NBA free agency moves:
- Jason Kidd signed with the Knicks
- Deron Williams signed with the Nets
- Steve Nash signed with the Lakers
While it wasn't quite the Boston Massacre I wanted, I'll certainly take 3 out of 4. The series got of to a quick start as both clubs came out swinging in the early innings. It was a hitters game from the beginning and all the way throughout. Both clubs nearly emptied their entire pens in the 10-8 Yankees win. Yankees won 6-1 in Saturday's day game and dropped the night game as the Red Sox came from behind. The Yankees then capped the series by taking the closer 7-3 on Sunday.
Wimbledon
OK... so I tried to watch this tournament, but only ended up seeing the finals because Nadal had an early exit. There wasn't really anything exciting about it. Andy Murray played a good match against Roger Federer, winning the first set and keeping it close for the next two. He really wanted to finally win one in front of his home crowd, but Federer was also hungry. He hadn't won a major in some time. And it's been Nadal or Djokovic at the 1 spot.
Bulls
The Bulls erased one of their mistakes during "The Decision" a couple of years ago by bringing Kirk Hinrich back. It all seems like this was meant to happen. Hinrich never moved from his off-season home in Chicago and now returns when they Bulls really need his skills as a combo guard. Taking Derrick Rose's spot during his injury puts the Bulls back on the playoff map. Then sharing the point with Rip when Rose returns will make them a stronger team than last year. Next up, the Bulls have to match the Rockets' offer to Asik. He's an important piece because having Asik off the bench means there's no step back in the event of a Noah injury or off-night.
NBA Movement
In other NBA free agency moves:
- Jason Kidd signed with the Knicks
- Deron Williams signed with the Nets
- Steve Nash signed with the Lakers
2012-07-05
Humpday 4th
What's bad about July 4th on a Wednesday is the day after. One day off in the middle of the week doesn't really give you a pure vacation day because you have to schedule your night preparing for work the next day. It especially affects this holiday because July 4th is all about nighttime events. Falling on Monday or Friday creates a nice long weekend. On Tuesday and Thursday, it's close enough to the weekend that some nice companies will give the extra day.
On the bright side of things, July 5th is also a good workday. With the 4th falling right in the middle of the week, many employees take Thursday and Friday off. It was almost like December in the office today!
On the bright side of things, July 5th is also a good workday. With the 4th falling right in the middle of the week, many employees take Thursday and Friday off. It was almost like December in the office today!
2012-07-03
Parr Vs. Tai
Here's John Wayne Parr's cage match vs. Jordan Tai. I think this is going to be a new trend starting up. We likely won't see it in the US though... at least in NYC.
2012-07-02
Weekend Sports Wrapup
Yankees
Down 2 aces and the Yankees are still hanging in their as they won the series against a division leading Chicago White Sox. It was also their first look at Kevin Youkilis after the trade last week. Game 1 on Friday would have been CC's game, but the Yankees brought up Adam Warren to start in the injured ace's place. This was pretty mucha throw away game based on that, but I had no idea Warren would get knocked out so early (3rd), especially after being given a 4-0 lead. He gave it right back. Phelps came in and gave up a few more. Then Wade, who has done a 180 since the beginning of the season got clobbered as well. In the loss, the Yankees placed Dewayne Wise in relief of Wade and he got the final 2 outs! Saturday and Sunday were a lot different as Kuroda and Hughes stepped up and pitched the way they were supposed to. Cano's hot HR streak continued as well.
Bulls
The Bulls picked Marquis Teague at #29. While that would be no news to most clubs, everyone on the Bulls always makes in impact. The hard work from the existing team always carries over to the kids. Look for his name next season!
Down 2 aces and the Yankees are still hanging in their as they won the series against a division leading Chicago White Sox. It was also their first look at Kevin Youkilis after the trade last week. Game 1 on Friday would have been CC's game, but the Yankees brought up Adam Warren to start in the injured ace's place. This was pretty mucha throw away game based on that, but I had no idea Warren would get knocked out so early (3rd), especially after being given a 4-0 lead. He gave it right back. Phelps came in and gave up a few more. Then Wade, who has done a 180 since the beginning of the season got clobbered as well. In the loss, the Yankees placed Dewayne Wise in relief of Wade and he got the final 2 outs! Saturday and Sunday were a lot different as Kuroda and Hughes stepped up and pitched the way they were supposed to. Cano's hot HR streak continued as well.
Bulls
The Bulls picked Marquis Teague at #29. While that would be no news to most clubs, everyone on the Bulls always makes in impact. The hard work from the existing team always carries over to the kids. Look for his name next season!
2012-07-01
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