Fasten Your Seat Belts For Sunday At The British Open!

Just a couple quick thoughts on the first three rounds of the open championship. I'm not gonna get too in depth because I'm going live from my blackberry for the first time in the blogs history! The power of technology, huh?

Anyways, I'm astonished I won't be seeing Tiger compete for his fourth claret jug tomorrow. It's been a while since he wasn't competing on Sunday in a major. However, luckily for the fan's sake there's magic in the making at Turnberry! Tom Watson has been putting on a show for the fans, along with a clinic on how to play links golf! The 59 year old 5 time British Open champ, is looking to become the oldest player to win a major by 11 years! Yes folks, 11! I didn't think there would be a bigger story then John Daly's multi-colored wardrobe at the Open Championship! And I'm glad Watson is out there battling like the legend he is.

Can he hold it together with a one stroke lead on the final day, as the young energized field presses on? I think he can, and I'll be rooting for him 100%. And if not my boy Lee Westwood who I called on Wednesday night should be right there in contention. So fasten your seat belts ladies and gents and strap in for a wild ride. Bring some golf haters along with you, because as I've always said. "The final day of a major can make a golf hater a fan for life!" Have a safe and fun Saturday night! Peace out!

Can I Please Have a Large Turnberry Milkshake!

The British Open tees off in the wee hours of the morning over here in the states Thursday. And get ready for a good one. The Aisla Course at Turnberry, Scotland hosts the event for the first time since 1996. And you can expect a Large Turnberry Milkshake, to say the least. The course plays to 7,204 yards with par at 70. Challenging bunkers come into play in crucial locations all throughout the course. Then you throw in your typical rainy, windy Scottish weather, and you have an interesting 3rd major championship of the year. Strategizing is going to be key this weekend, especially for the American players who have little experience at Turnberry. Tiger Woods played the first three rounds of his life there this week, believe it or not. But don't count him out, every time the Open Championship (as the Europeans refer to it) has been played at Turnberry, the world's number one player has left victorious. That bodes well for Tiger, who's looking to capture his 15th Major Championship and first of this year. I like Tiger this week which isn't abnormal, I like him in every major. However, this weekend with the Aisla course playing long and challenging, his strength and power will give him a clear advantage. On top of that, Paddy Harrington my long lost cousin and two time defending champ, has missed six straight cuts. So I don't see too many top guns giving Tiger a run for his money. I would watch out for the young Irishmen Rory McIlroy, and the Englishmen Lee Westwood ( who's paired up with Tiger for the first two rounds). And I always keep a close eye on Geoff Ogilvy, who's still looking for a second Major after capturing the U.S. Open in 2006 at Winged Foot, after Phil Mickleson crumbled down the stretch. Set your alarms early for a great weekend of golf, the lost sleep will be worth it, trust me!

I'll be back throughout the weekend with updates, and hopefully I won't have to blog about anyone else contending except the aforementioned. Peace Out!

Crown The Prince!

It sure wasn't the best Home Run Derby in the history of the slugfest, but it was pretty entertaining! Nelson Cruz stole the show in the first round, and got it started on the right note. Only for Brandon Inge to come out and put up a donut! Ouch that hurts! I didn't exactly get it right with my prediction yesterday, but I did say Pujols would not win it, so in retrospect maybe I get like half of a prediction point!

Prince was just beasting last night and it was evident in the second round that he had the gas to out duel, the young gun Nelson Cruz! Well they're both young gunz but fielder's got a little more experience and most likely a healthier diet these days. I was hating on fielder all night, I will admit it. I didn't think that powerful, lumberjack swing would let him stay energized in the latter rounds. They say he's a vegan, and has been on a strict diet regiment since last year, but I can def see him running into the clubhouse in between rounds and eating like five Big Mac's amongst other things. Anyways, he did a hell of a job and stepped up to the plate literally and figuratively, to steal the night from the hometown hero Albert "I am the machine" Pujols. I tip my cap to the young vegan! Good job Prince.

Now for a little analysis on the Midsummer Classic. Should be one for the age's, both teams are stacked to the fullest. The National League will be looking to break an 11 game losing streak, but still has the advantage with 40 wins to the American Leagues 37. Then there were those 2 ties, yea I won't talk about the only official tie in 2002 in Milwaukee, were Bud Selig probably had one to many brews from the local brewery! The only other tie was a rain shortened game in 1952, so Selig is definitely the moron for declaring the only real official tie in the history of the Midsummer classic, calling that game in the 11th in 2002, with no plan of action but laying down the strong arm, and then answer to the media in that dull, mundane voice with his whack comb over!

Now for the prediction, I like the American League tonight for a couple reasons. They are on a crazy hot streak! And they have a much more balanced lineup then the National League. The National League has a couple guys in their lineup that are in atypical spots then they are used to. Obviously the guys at the bottom of each lineup are in atypical spots but there's nothing you can do about that, remember it is the ALL-STAR game. Also, the A.L. has the clear advantage in the bullpen with Papelbon, Nathan, and Rivera! So that means all the rest of the staff has to do is get through the sixth inning and you can pretty much put the kids to bed! However, if the N.L. is gonna break their losing streak its gonna be tonight. Lincecum should throw a scoreless two innings, most likely followed by Haren with a scoreless two innings, but then I can see the A.L. doing some damage. Analysts like Aaron Hill to be M.V.P because he will most likely get the most at bats, with Dustion Pedroia sitting out tonight. However, I don't see that happening. I like Mark Teixeira or Jason Bay to take the award with a couple RBI's and a HR! We'll see what happens! Have a goodnight blogosphere, and enjoy the 80th MLB All-Star game from St. Louis, I'm sure Joe Buck will give everyone a couple laughs! PEACE OUT!

The Midpoint is Here!

It was just about a year ago this time that I was on my to the "House That Ruth Built" to see the 2008 Home Run Derby. Funny how times have changed. Now I'm sitting here writing this blog, eating a bowl of cereal, wondering what I'm gonna do until I watch the 2009 Derby on a HD television! Although I didn't really intend on going to the 2009 All-Star Game festivities, I bought a couple scratch tickets with the intention of winning and spending every red cent on going. But it didn't really turn out the way I intended, as you can see. Anyways to brighten up my day and make up for not attending this year's derby, let me share a couple fond memories of my experience at "The Old Yankee Stadium".

It was a special night at the Yank, I was accompanied by a longtime friend Jimmy Pepperchini as most people refer to him. The stadium was bumping like a techno club in the heart of Jersey! We settled into our seats one row back of the left field wall, and thought we were in prime position to catch a couple long balls. Little did we know that the lefties were going to be in the limelight, and we were too close to the wall for any of the righties who launched homers (which was a rarity).
Anyways, we got to see Josh "the comeback kid" Hamilton put on a record performance and launch a complete bomb out of Yankee stadium into the dark big apple sky! My buddy Jimmy got to see his favorite band Three Doors Down perform live in center field, and to top off the night we both got some T.V. time on ESPN as Ryan Braun launched a jack over our heads. It was a great time, to say the least. I've spectated many sporting events in my lifetime and would highly recommend MLB All-Star Game festivities to anyone! It was a blast, and you gotta get to a Derby and and All-Star Game before your time on earth is done!

Now to preview the 2009 competition. The N.L. has a stacked slate of huge 1st basemen competing in tonight's Derby, while the A.L. has a couple unorthodox power hitters, but don't overlook the A.L. guys! I can see one of them putting on a show, remember the Derby is for the fans so expect a good one. Obviously the hometown guy and current HR leader in the Major's, Albert Pujols, looks to be the favorite, the guy is a straight beast and is one of only 11 players in Major League history to have 32 HR's before the All-Star break. However, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say he's a little too hyped for tonight and Pujols will not win this years derby. I'm going with the A.L. guy and Haverhill, MA native and Northeastern Alumni, Carlos Pena. We shall see what unfolds tonight at 8 p.m. I hope everyone tunes in with a couple brewski's and friends, because I know I'll be loving every moment of it.

Since it is the Midpoint of the Major League Season, I figured it's only fitting for me to introduce and announce my inaugural mid season awards. My fantasy team is struggling, but my motto in fantasy is just like that of a NCCA team in March Madness "survive and advance". All ya' gotta do is make the playoffs in fantasy and anything can happen, so that's where my second half aspirations lie, snag that playoff bid and make something happen. Now for the awards...

N.L. M.V.P- Albert Pujols ( Avg: .332 Avg, 32 HR, 87 RBI) Filthy, straight filthy, the dude is on pace to hit 60 HR's and knock in 150 RBI's, and possibly win the triple crown. A lock to hit 500 HR's as well. I really don't even need to say anything else, you all know how nasty he is.

A.L. M.V.P- Joe Mauer ( Avg: .373 Avg, 15 HR, 49 RBI, OBP: .447) This was a tough one with no clear cut pick in the A.L. However, with no one combining stellar power numbers with a decent average in the A.L. I had to go with Mauer since his batting average is so high and he has the capability to bat .400, which some have said and still say will never happen again, best of luck to ya' Joey!

N.L. Cy Young-Tim Lincecum (10-2, ERA: 2.33, K's: 149, Whip: 1.05)- Tough decision here, with Dan Haren being just as stellar through the midpoint as "The Freak". However, Lincecum's scoreless inning streak of 29 innings, and his league leading 149 K's put him over the top. I know they say you can't judge a pitcher by his win/loss record but he's 10-2 and that deserves some judgement.

A.L. Cy Young-Zack Greinke (10-5, ERA: 2.12, K's: 129, Whip:1.08)- Another tough one to decide halfway through. But I had to go with Greinke over Edwin Jackson and Roy Halladay, just for the way he started the season. However, he has been somewhat lackluster after his unbelievable start. I can definitely see him falling off in the second half, especially with that Kansas City bullpen behind him. Look for Halladay and Jackson to stay consistent till the homestretch and don't count Beckettt and Verlander out of the conversation.

N.L. Rookie of the Year-Pablo Sandoval ( Avg: .333, 15 HR, 55 RBI, OBP: .385) Clear cut pick for N.L. Rookie of the Year "Kung-Fu Panda" is tearing it up in the N.L. on top of that he's a very talented defender, utility guy who can play several positions. I was shocked to see him blow Jonathan Sanchez's perfect game the other night when he couldn't make that routine play at third, luckily Sanchez still preserved the no-hitter for the first of the year.

A.L. Rookie of the Year- David Price ( 3-3, ERA: 4.71, K's: 47) Not to many to choose from right now, Nelson Cruz has been on a tear but I can't see him continuing to put up those types of numbers. Matt Wieters was the pick at the beginning of the season but he hasn't panned out thus far. Price's stats are sub par up to this point, but he's been pitching a lot better as of late. Look for him to be a crucial part of that rotation, with the Ray's contending for the A.L. East title down the stretch.

That's the first of hopefully many awards to come, we'll see how they stack up at seasons end. Hope everyone watched the season premiere of Entourage, looks like its gonna be a good one.
Peace out!