Coming into Stephen Strasburg’s first Major League start last night there seemed to be more hype than what surrounded the release of ‘New Coke’ or ‘Sega Genesis’ many moons ago. Even with all the hoopla and what seemed to be an inevitable let down Strasburg exceeded expectations of not only the Nationals, but everyone else who watched as well. The Nationals stud rookie KO’ed a stunning fourteen batters from the Pittsburgh Pirates (I know you are thinking, but it’s the Pirates) and allowed a meager two runs in seven innings pitched. Keep in mind the most strikeouts by a pitcher this year was fourteen and Strasburg could have had more if he remained in the game considering he erased the last seven batters her faced on strikes. Strasburg will pitch again on June 13th in Cleveland and the Indians are already expecting an increase of at least 10,000 tickets sold. The Nationals need Strasburg to live up to his potential in almost every way in order to solidify a very shaky franchise, but Major League Baseball could also enjoy a substantial windfall from the Strasburg phenomenon as well.
Archives for June 2010
Stanley Cup Bet of the Day June 9th, 2010
The Blackhawks beat up the Flyers in Game 5 and skated to an easy 7-4 win. Tonight the Blackhawks could hoist the Stanley Cup if they pull of a W in Philly, but they will have to wait. Flyers win. Good luck!
Flyers -115
Overall Record:
NBA 21-14 (2010) 65-50 (overall)
NHL 0-1 (2010) 1-3 (overall)
MLB 14-8 (2010) 104-77-5
College Football 37-24 (2009-10) 142-115-1 (overall)
NFL 35-20 (2009-10) 138-92-5 (overall)
College Basketball 60-46-3 (2009-10) 257-195-9 (overall)
NBA Finals Bet of the Day – June 8th, 2010
Vegas is definitely trying to make a statement with the Celtics only favored by 2 1/2 tonight at home against the Lakers. While I do agree the Lakers will give the Celtics all they want I think the Celts get it done tonight in Boston. Good luck!
Celtics -2.5
Overall Record:
NBA 21-13 (2010) 65-49 (overall)
NHL 0-1 (2010) 1-3 (overall)
MLB 14-8 (2010) 104-77-5
College Football 37-24 (2009-10) 142-115-1 (overall)
NFL 35-20 (2009-10) 138-92-5 (overall)
College Basketball 60-46-3 (2009-10) 257-195-9 (overall)
MLB Bet of the Day – June 7th, 2010
The Reds are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 home games and the Giants are 3-8 in the last 11 meetings against the Reds. Cueto versus Zito is a good pitching matchup, but the Reds will get it done. Good luck!
Reds -130
Overall Record:
NBA 21-13 (2010) 65-49 (overall)
NHL 0-1 (2010) 1-3 (overall)
MLB 14-7 (2010) 104-76-5
College Football 37-24 (2009-10) 142-115-1 (overall)
NFL 35-20 (2009-10) 138-92-5 (overall)
College Basketball 60-46-3 (2009-10) 257-195-9 (overall)
Amber Alert! 6’11 Bald Power Forward is Missing
The Lakers can ill afford to have Odom be the invisible man if they are to repeat as NBA Champs.
“The Wizard of Westwood” May You RIP
Forget the fact that John Wooden was voted the greatest coach in American Sports by Sporting News and forget all the NCAA records that he holds that will never be broken like 38 straight NCAA tournament victories, 88 straight game winning streak as well as 7 straight NCAA titles. Forget the fact that he is the ONLY man to be inducted in the Hall of Fame as both player and coach. Take away all of the accolades that happened many years before so many men and boys this day were not even born yet, but please know the man for his accomplishments.
John R. Wooden has passed and seemed ready to do so many years ago to be with his beloved wife Nell who passed 25 years ago. He continued to write a love letter to her every Sunday as he did when she was alive. Wooden was not disliked by anyone because he was one of the greatest humanitarians of our time and spent his life teaching young men how to be a better person in life rather than just how to play a game.
I was greatly affected by this man as not only a UCLA Bruin fan, but as a fan of John Wooden’s life as a whole. He grew up on a farm in Indiana born just 9 years after Naismith’s peach basket, and became a 3 time All-American at Purdue. He coached in high school before taking over at Indiana State and then ultimately at UCLA where he didn’t win his first championship until 16 years thereafter. After that he could not be stopped. He once won a championship with the tallest player on the court at 6’5. His teams were so prepared mentally and physically that he would never adjust his schemes to match another team.
The Wizard’s contribution to everyone who came in contact with was extraordinary and real. Once you had a conversation with him you knew you were not only ready to follow steps to be a better person, but you could not let down such royalty. He will be missed not just because of his presence, but because he was too vital to mankind in this cynical world.
Rest In Peace John R. Wooden I know you are now in the place with Nell you are supposed to and want to be in.
Don’t Blame the Umpire
As we watched the replay of the potential final out of Andres Galarraga’s possible perfect game with our jaws on the ground let’s take notice that although Jim Joyce did make the wrong call we have to ask another question. Why did Miguel Cabrera go into the hole for the grounder when it was clearly the second basemen’s play to make?
The very poor umpire call should never have been an issue and this game would have given MLB it’s first ever 3 perfect game season and it’s only June. The real surprise is this kid Galarraga took it like a man and never once mentioned the call or Joyce as the culprit. Maybe he was lucky to even get that far because there was a play earlier in the 9th inning where Mark Grudzielanek hit the first pitch of the inning to deep left center and Detroit center fielder Austin Jackson made an unbelievable catch over his head to preserve the perfecto.
The call was horrendous and the perfect game along with the no-no went completely down the drain, but right when we are about to forget Roy Halladay’s perfect game (20th in MLB history) we can always talk about the one that got away.
A-Rod Still Has It
Alex Rodriguez and Cameron Diaz were seen out again this weekend at a New York restaurant having dinner with some friends. This can only mean Cameron isn’t just a wham-bam-thank-you-maam considering just a couple of weeks ago she was spotted leaving A-Rod’s love palace the morning after they were seen having a romantic dinner. In the whole scheme of things this really means nothing, but the Cam-Rod clock has started and it will be interesting to see how long it lasts.
MLB Bet of the Day – June 2nd, 2010
San Francisco is 8-3 in their last 11 home games and they have Matt Cain on the mound tonight against the Rockies. The Rockies are hot, but we are going with San Fran. Good luck!
Giants -130
Overall Record:
NBA 21-13 (2010) 65-49 (overall)
NHL 0-1 (2010) 1-3 (overall)
MLB 13-7 (2010) 103-76-5
College Football 37-24 (2009-10) 142-115-1 (overall)
NFL 35-20 (2009-10) 138-92-5 (overall)
College Basketball 60-46-3 (2009-10) 257-195-9 (overall)
Boston vs LA, Again!
How did the NBA get so lucky again? As much as David Stern would love to have a Kobe vs Lebron NBA Finals there is no debate that this is still the marquee matchup that got the NBA a new and exciting audience 26 years ago and is still a ratings magnet to this day.
It is amazing that combined these two teams have 32 total championships between them out of a total number of 62. The NBA Finals have been played every year since 1947. The Lakers have been to the NBA Finals 29 times and the Celtics have been to a total of 20 and have faced each other head-to-head 11 times. Magic Johnson’s Lakers won 11 of 19 games over Larry Bird’s Celts in Finals, but Boston is 9-2 vs the Lakers all-time in the Finals after starting with an 8 game winning streak.
This has all the makings of a great series that could very well go 7 games and I believe that this series will go the distance. This gives us all a reason to embrace the NBA Playoffs so enjoy.
I see at least 1 game going OT and the series being won by LA in 7 with a nail biter at the Staples Center.
