Ah Yes-Baseball! How could I possibly think of Baseball? Traditionally, we are 10 days away, but realistically, Baseball starts this week. In Japan. With two American teams. Playing In Japan. Which means, changing sleep, work and nap patterns. March Madness did enough to us; now this?? Well, it is what it is. At least the Red sox will be going. Check this out from mlb.com: http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080319&content_id=2443964&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos


Why do I call it the Cold Stove? Many call the off-season, specifically around trade and free agent time, the Baseball Hot Stove. Being the smartass that I am, March/April is the Baseball Cold Stove. I mean, winter, like it or not, is still around. I remember back in 1981, many games were snowned out or postponed because it was too cold. Beersicles, anyone?? How about carrying a portable microwave for my hot dog. Brrrrrr!


I heard a really great story last week (thanks Bill Sullivan!!), while watching basketball, about the great Earl Weaver. Weaver, as most baseball fans know, was known for his great arguments with umpires. There was one time Weaver went completely nuts, or so it seemed to the general public (in the upmire's face, kicking dirt, etc.). What was really being said to the umpire were actually really nice, complimentary things. Weaver was going nuts just to fire up his team! Who knew? So when Lou Pinella went apeshit last year, he must have said some really great things to the ump! A great story that will stay with me!


Some interesting things are happening the world of Baseball:

-Another mention of the so-called collusion of Barry Bonds*. It's been pointed out that some other former stars of similar status are also out of a job and could contribute: Sammy Sosa and Mike Piazza. Maybe teams don't want the baggage and the focus away from team.

-Kerry Wood was hurt. last Again. (apparently only for a day, but still...)Should we be surprised? At least it's not his arm. Yet. The jinx for the year could be in. I don't think the Cubs do the role of favorites.

Update: Kerry will be the closer to start the season.  Let's hope this is the right move!

-Speaking of the Cubs, I'm hearing again that Brian Roberts could be headed their way. Just don't give up pitching yet.

-Check this out regarding Japanese Baseball and Bobby Valentine. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3303017


-Nomar is hurt. Again.

I'm going to link some past articles I posted about my predictions. I may re-visit this later in the week, but this is what I felt (and may still feel later) at the time:

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Baseball's Fearless Predictions
As promised, here are my Baseball Team Predictions for 2008. It's not scientific, but a beer gut feeling on what will happen in 2008. As in College Basketball, the Jared Jinx could be in play.
N

L East:

NY Mets: 95-67. Not as dominant as people think, but enough to win.

Philadelphia: 90-72. Will make life interesting, but falls short

Atlanta: 83-79. Time to re-tool

Florida: 72-90. Getting there, but still too young

Washington: 71-91: New home, same result. Maybe in 2010

NL Central:

Chicago: 88-74. Bad division. Is jinx over??

Milwaukee: 85-77. Not yet. Not ever??

St. Louis: 78-84. A cloud is over this team

Cincinnati: 77-85. Could win in 2009

Houston: 75-87. Miguel Tejada is a cancer

Pittsburgh: 68-94. Barry Bonds could've juiced here

N

L West:

Arizona: 92-70. Good pitching

San Diego: 91-71. Better pitching

Colorado: 86-76. Will be hard to repeat

Los Angeles: 80-82. Tough Division to compete

San Francisco: 72-90. Bonds did juice here

Playoffs: Chicago over Arizona; San Diego over New York

San Diego over Chicago

AL East:

Boston: 97-65. Will hold off the Yanks again

NY Yankees: 94-68. Good enough for playoffs?

Toronto: 82-80. Time for a change

Tampa Bay: 75-87. Will they ever have a winning record??

Baltimore: 66-96. Cal- are you available??

A

L Central:

Detroit: 100-62. I'm buying into the hype

Cleveland: 94-68. A good team could miss the playoffs

Chicago: 85-77. Wrong division this year

Minnesota: 77-85. Major rebuilding

Kansas City: 70-92. Will they ever win again??

AL West:

Anaheim/California: 93-69. Solid

Seattle: 90-72. This year's surprise

Oakland: 83-79. Moneyball not so money

Texas: 74-88. Does Bush return??

Playoffs: Detroit over New York; Anaheim over Boston

Detroit over Anaheim

World Series: Detroit over San Diego

Also check out: http://www.jaredsportsriff.com/2008/03/field-of-dreams.html

http://www.jaredsportsriff.com/2008/03/all-mendoza-line-team.html

Play Ball!