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Home / Archive: 06. May 2009
By Jeremy Visser… Who knew 21 hours with Central Division powerhouse Cleveland could be so interesting? Since the last time we spoke, the Indians rolled into town, stole a game and were grounded by the bat of the great Adam Lind in the grudge match. All in all, too much heartbreak and elation for one fiscal day.
First, the other night: Brian Tallet takes a no-no into the seventh, only to have it foiled with one out, and in the course of about five minutes, give up three more hits and three runs. This reminded me of one of my favourite exchanges from an edition of Bill Simmons’ mailbag on ESPN.com a few years back:
Q: What would be the best sports equivalent to that moment when you’re talking to an attractive woman who you think you’re hitting it off with, and she casually mentions her boyfriend mid-sentence, and you have to keep the conversation moving without showing disappointment? — Jarrett Fischer, Virginia Beach, Va.
SG: Losing a no-hitter. No question. You’re cruising along, all your pitches are working, you’re trying not to get ahead of yourself, you’re taking it one batter at a time, the crowd’s getting behind you … and then she casually throws out the boyfriend, like a piping-hot stake in the heart. And you have to regroup mentally, finish the conversation, and pretend that you’re not even remotely rattled. Even though you’re reeling inside.
Absolute genius. Well, like I said, Tallet didn’t keep his composure. But the Jays came back. And then Brandon League blew it. And then they came back again, only for Scott Camp to cough up three in the 12th, and that was that.
Yesterday afternoon’s game looked like it was heading down the same road — Jesse Carlson and Brian Wolfe weren’t able to hold a 3-2 lead in the seventh, but the Jays responded with seven in the bottom half, highlighted by Lind’s go-ahead three-run shot. Next thing you know, a 10-6 win and a 19-10 overall mark.
I’ll say this — This team is resilient. They came back twice last night, including from a two-run, two-out deficit in the bottom of the ninth, and put together a rally down three in the 12th. This afternoon they came back from down three in the seventh. These are the type of games that build character, and with four walk-off wins already under their belts, confidence has to be pretty high with this group.
Check out That’s what I’m saying, guy…
By Sheiban Shakeri… In the Red Bull Air Race, two laps around a low-altitude, high-speed track, are performed with a prescribed set of maneuvers. The biggest and most complex maneuver is the half-Cuban eight.
Usually, at the end of a pilot’s first lap, the half-Cuban eight is performed in order for the pilot to re-enter the track and start the next lap. However, this isn’t always the case and the only city where you cannot find a half-Cuban is San Diego.
It’s a very important move to make simply because turning around requires a lot of energy and space, hence critical time will be used up. When completing the gate before the half-Cuban, a pilot must waste no time in pulling the maneuver.
For every second wasted after the exiting gate, a pilot tacks on another second for re-entering the track and thus compromises his race. So, this has to be done with precision and speed. Basically, pull too early and you get a penalty; pull too late and you lose time.
The half-Cuban eight is also the maneuver that subjects a pilot to the most g-forces—sometimes as high as 12. Any higher and you’re disqualified, as was seen with Paul Bonhomme last year in Porto: the result of pulling over-g during a half-Cuban.
To execute this particular maneuver, a pilot goes through the exiting blue gate and once complete, pulls up on the joystick until he’s fully inverted and turning back into the track. While making his descent into the track, the pilot rights the plane from its inverted position and continues on with the race.
It sounds easy, but when looking at the various angles or lines that pilots take to minimize their loop time, they can either go very steep which results in less drag, but more loop time, or they can go for shallow angles which result in less loop time but pulling drag and thus a slower re-entry.
It’s a gamble and no two tracks have the same conditions for performing an effective half-Cuban. Abu Dhabi requires a shallow loop with a bit of deviation while other places like Porto require a steep angle.
It is examples like this that show how much wiggle room the Red Bull Air Race has in its tracks and how much, for lack of a better word, creativity, pilots can use when it comes to air racing.
By Mark “The Hard Hitter” Ritter…
There is nothing more exciting than NHL playoffs, the hard hits, the great saves, the late period heroics, the heart the players exude, the sacrifice the players make, the importance of every minute, every shift, every play, add it all up and you have the recipe for great hockey. NHL playoff hockey is (As they say) the “Shizzle my nizzle”, it drips with intensity and passion, you can’t beat it…or can you? Well, there is one way, throw in a little overtime and you have yourself the ultimate in a playoff game, “Sudden death” (As it is also known) adds a whole other dramatic dimension to an already tense affair, and I for one hope they never change it.
Recently, there has been some debate as to weather or not the NHL should “Tweak” their overtime policy in the playoffs. The argument is that while many NHL fans love the dramatic finishes overtime brings about, they would like the finish to be quicker. Some have proposed the NHL should go to 5 on 5 overtime for the first overtime period, 4 on 4 for the second and 3 on 3 for the third overtime. The rationale is that games that go to double or triple overtime are just too long and ultimately take away from the strong play that got the teams to this point. Fans don’t want to spend 4+ hours watching hockey, especially when it happens during a late West Coast tilt. If the games were settled in a more timely manner the level of play would be greater and the fans would be more apt to stay awake and watch the match until the finish. What? Who’s coming out with this crap? Why the heck would you want to ruin the great thing that IS overtime in the playoffs? If you ask me, the people that are suggesting this (Probably full-time hockey helmet wearers who took short buses to school) ought to have their collective heads examined,
Overtime has been a part of the NHL playoffs since Heinz started making ketchup, there is nothing wrong with the ketchup and there is nothing wrong with endless overtimes in the playoffs. If you can’t stay awake to watch the game use your PVR and record the game. Don’t have a PVR? Get out the old VCR, record the game and watch it in the :Am, or better still, rest up the night before “Sally”, this is the NHL playoffs, there is no time like overtime and there is no time for sleep, get your priorities straight, will ya?
Why is it the non-traditionalists are always trying to take away the best parts of our game? Changing the foundation of what has always been a part of the games heritage would be an act of stupidity and should be vigorously fought. Have you ever seen the players smile more than in the grips of double overtime? Have you ever heard a louder crowd than game seven of a playoff series that goes to OT? Have you ever seen an empty house when a playoff game goes to OT? The answer is “No” all around, fans and players alike love overtime, it is a part of the game and in my mind the fairest way to decide a game. It is what the players play for, that rare opportunity to be the hero and win the game/series while every hockey fan is gripped to their TV, there is nothing like it in all of sports, overtime separates the men form the boys, and it needs to stay.
The whole argument for change is bogus. Ultimately it is the players that pay the price in overtime, so why the heck should the fans sleep, or lack-thereof, come into the conversation? Having the Stanley Cup playoffs decided in a 4 on 4 format or 3 on 3 format would be an act of stupidity, the scenario rarely comes up in the regular season so why would you allow it to enter the conversation when it comes to the playoffs? I liken the scenario to deciding the World Championships and Olympics via the shoot-out, I have never understood why these tournaments are ever decided this way. Sure it’s great when Canada wins it in the shoot out, but what about the alternative when they lose? It makes me crazy to think that a World Championship can be decided by a skills competition, I mean, what’s the hurry anyhow? Each time Canada has been on the losing end I am left pretty pissed off, there is nothing worse than taking the heart, passion and physical play out of the game in order to get a decision, let them play all night for all I care, it’s better than watching a shoot-out or 4 on 4 for that matter, isn’t it?
The playoffs is a time for players to showcase their talent, it is a time for heros to be born and for the unknown to be “Known”. If you take away or change the format of playoff overtime you are messing with the very fabric of the game, I for one hope sanity prevails and the NHL leaves well enough alone. Mr. Bettman, Fans, give your heads a shake, why would you take the most exciting part of the playoffs out of the game? Some of the best playoff games of all-time have been played well into double overtime, there is no substitute for “Sudden death”. Should the NHL facilitate some changes? Hell no! The NHL should leave well enough alone, Change is not necessary, and if you do make changes, you’re an idiot!
Until next time,
Peace!
By Mark “The Hard Hitter” Ritter… After going 6-2 in the first round of the playoffs I am looking to have a solid second round as well, but to my surprise there are a couple of series that have a chance of not going my way. With Monday nights victory the Washington Capitals are now up 2 games to nil, many, including myself, took the Pittsburgh Penguins to win this series, clearly if Evgeni Malkin is unable to pick it up in the next game the chances of the Penguins winning the series are about as good as Artie Lang saying no to a bowl of cocaine. The biggest surprise thus far in this series has to be the stella play of Capitals goaltender Semion Varlamov, but I am also shocked at the non-factor that Mike Green has been, I smell an injury.
The Detroit Red Wings were finally humbled on Sunday evening, as they dropped their first playoff match to the Anaheim Ducks in overtime. With no contract on the books for next season I wonder if Marian Hossa is planning on showing up for this years playoffs? To date, Hossa has a grand total of 4 points while leading the team with 28 shots on goal. The effort seems to be there, the “Finish” is not. This series has a long way to go, but thus far I am impressed with the Ducks gritty play and surprisingly disciplined play. If the Ducks can stay out of the penalty box they have a chance.
The Boston Bruins looked like they ran out of gas on Sunday night as well, losing a tough game to the surprising Carolina Hurricanes. It was a monumental accomplishment shutting down Boston’s physical “Crash the net” style of play, question is can Carolina continue to stand up to this tough Boston lineup? The biggest surprise for the Bruins thus far has been the great play of Michael Ryder, who leads the team with 9 points. For Carolina, it has been the tandem of Cam Ward in net and Eric Stall’s 6 goals that has brought them to this point. Both teams will need to dig deep Tuesday evening if they hope to take game three, I anticipate a war…..
The one series that most of Canada is watching closely features the Chicago Blackhawks and the Vancouver Canucks. Recent injury to Canucks defenseman Sami Salo hinders the Canucks chances Tuesday night and may very well cost the Canucks the series. Vancouver is already banged up on the back end and with Kevin Bieska and Willie Mitchell already approaching 24 and 25 minutes per game respectively the Canucks cannot ask much more of their top two D-men. On the other hand, the youthful Chicago Blackhawks served warning that they aren’t messing around. Beating the Canucks is one thing, burying 5 goals past Roberto Luongo is nothing short of a miracle given the way Bobby-Lou has played thus far. Patrick Sharp and Patrick Kane looked possessed in game two, they will need to continue to drive hard to the net if they plan on being successful. Johnathan Toews has looked good so far but If you ask me he looks a little hesitant, perhaps a shoulder injury? Keep an eye on this one….
This article will likely get posted on Wednesday, but I will make my predictions nonetheless. Tuesday night picks-
Chicago wins over Vancouver 3-2
Anaheim wins over Detroit 4-3 in OT
While I am at it, here are the picks for Wednesday night-
Pittsburgh slams the Capitals 5-2
Boston wins over Carolina 3-2 in OT
Got picks? Let us see them in the comment section.
Until next time,
Peace!
By Brady Rynyk… It is The Jays best start since 1993, the very same year the team won The World Series. For many, The Blue Jays quick start has been nothing short of miraculous, considering the team plays in the toughest division in all of baseball. After coming off a somewhat disappointing 2008 season, ridden with injuries and continuous struggles at the plate, the 2009 season began with very low expectations and the thought of The Jays making it to the post-season seemed more like a fool’s paradise than a possible reality. But after recent successes, attitudes towards the team’s potential have drastically changed and it seems there is more then an outside chance of the team playing ball in the fall.
There is no question that the addition of manager Cito Gaston has worked wonders for Toronto after leading the team to a 51-37 (58%) winning record upon his arrival last season, and a .500 winning percentage so far this year. His experience as a hitting coach along with the addition of highly coveted new hitting coach Gene Tenace, the teams bats across the line-up are finally connecting with the ball. Gaston’s ability to relax his players and take the pressure off the teams All-Stars in Vernon Wells and Alex Rios has produced fruitful dividends. While Rios & Wells continue to chalk up hits and find their groove, the team is getting unexpected results from unlikely sources. After spending most of last year on the DL with severe concussion issues, 2nd baseman, Aaron Hill has returned with vengeance, leading all of baseball with 43 hits. In addition Adam Lind appears to have found his swing and is tied with Vernon Wells for 15th in all of the majors for hits. Both Hill and Lind are hitting in the clutch as they both are in the top 10 in The Bigs for RBI’s. Subsequently, short-stop Marco Scutaro is 3rd in the league for runs scored and already has more homeruns this season then he did all of last year. And if history repeats itself in the second half of the season for Wells & Rios, both of whom tend to start swinging for the fences around all-star weekend, The Jays will clearly be in the pennant race long into the season.
Unfortunately, unlike last season, Toronto’s pitching this year remains in question, despite getting good innings from their young pitchers and recent call-ups. The Jays are hoping for a strong return from MLB’s best rotation in baseball last year with Jesse Litsch, Dustin McGowan, and Shaun Marcum, along with closer BJ Ryan and this year’s rookie Ricky Romero – all of whom are currently on the 15 day DL. Along with the routine dominance of Jays ace Roy Halladay, arguably the best pitcher in all of baseball, the team realistically only needs 2 of the 4 starters to return healthy. It is unlikely, that McGowan will return this season due to the severity of his injury, and if so the pitching staff will always be surrounded with scepticism – But much differed from last years unproven starters that dominated opposing players. If the team really wants to make a serious leap, The Jays could easily determine their own destiny by trying to acquire the big arm of either The Padres Jake Peavy or Astros Roy Oswalt (from two struggling teams that will likely be looking to unload their assets). The possible acquisition of a Peavy or Oswalt caliber pitcher would solidify the team as a serious contender and fill the void left by AJ Burnett.
Regardless, The Blue Jays are doing exactly what they need to do – Win series’. Having only lost one series so far this year against a highly talented Kansas City Royals team with surprising pitching staff in their own right, Toronto is doing something they struggled to do all throughout the 2008 season, win in the clutch and not let lesser teams roll over them. For the most part the team has always been competitive against American League juggernauts like the Red Sox, Yankees and last years Cinderella story Tampa Bay Rays. What is yet to be proven is whether The Blue Jays will be able to do the same this year. Fortunately, apart from the 9 division games in May, The Jays tough schedule doesn’t really start until mid July and August when the team goes head-to-head with their AL East rivals – giving them more then enough time to get hot. The good news for the team is that the very same rivals will primarily be squaring off against each other to close out the season while the Blue Jays are fortunate enough to finish in September for playing six of their last ten games against the very same Baltimore team they just swept with relative ease (6 games that will likely play a key role in who will make it into the post-season).
There is no question that the Blue Jays aren’t being taken seriously, with naysayers and pessimists arguing that the season has really just started with growing concerns as to whether The Jays will stay healthy or not. Just remember, both The Red Sox & Yankees have aging teams throughout key spots in their rosters, thus just as likely to sustain injuries, while statistics show it is highly unlikely for The Rays to return to the World Series this year. The only thing that is certain is that every game counts, as of right now, The Jays are the team to beat – Until then there is always the possibility that The World Series will return north of the border.
By Louis “King of Roncesvalles” Pisano…
The Toronto Blue Jays won their 19th game of the season 10-6 beating the Cleveland Indians in a wild one bringing their record to 19-10.
Brett Cecil, the third rookie pitcher for the Jays this year, took to the mound at the Rogers Centre Tuesday throwing out the first pitch at 12:38pm and facing the lowly Cleveland Indians, he had a good outing going 6 innings giving up 6 hits 1 earned run with 6 strike outs and 3 hit batsmen, quality start indeed. When asked how he would remember his major league debut, he said after chuckling, “A very good one”. He was then asked about staying up in the big leagues and he said “If you get outs at this level, you’re goona stay here, bottom line”.
The big bat for the Jays this year has been the young Adam Lind and he continued to get it done with a clutch two out single in the 6th chalking 2 more RBI’s and at the time putting the Jays ahead 3-2. The 7th inning saw the Indians fight back, but only briefly, scoring 4 in the top of the inning before the Jays and Adam Lind returned to the plate. The home team loaded the bases and tied the game 6-6, then Lind came to bat again with two away and two on proceeding to go deep for his sixth homer of the year clearing the bases and putting the Jays ahead for good, he was followed by Scott Rollen who jacked the back to back jacks, finalizing the score at 10-6 Jays.
Lind talked to me about his success and I said to him “you’re batting .333 and have a sick slugging percentage, you seem to be cruising”, to this he replied while smiling “You never cruise in baseball this game will humble you in a heartbeat”. Definite words of wisdom from young gun.
On a side note, yet still a prominent point, Blue Jays Canadian rookie pitcher Scott Richmond earned more respect from his peers today with the announcement of his recognition from the MLB with the Gillette AL rookie of the month award for April, holding a record of 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA along with 20 strike outs, guaranteed Vancouverites are bragging about their native son and so should the rest of Canada be, hopefully this good Canadian has continued success in the bigs! Scott Richmond said of this, while staying humble “It’s nice and it’s surprising and it just makes me wanna work harder and do better, and motivates me to do the best I can”. All of Canada I am sure is backing this guy as they do for the handful of players that make the major leagues in this American pastime.
The Blue Jays are off to face the LA Angels and the Oakland Athletics before returning home Tuesday May 12th to face the hated NY Yanks. Good luck boys, keep it humming!
Photo by Paolo Cescato
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