All World All Sports Blog

"All World All Sports"

-Digger's Daily-

How about a round of applause for Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga and MLB umpire Jim Joyce. A pitcher denied a perfect game by a bad call at first by Joyce on what was to be the final out of the game. Today, they were shaking hands at home plate before the Tigers/Indians series finale in an ultimate display of sportsmanship. Here's a brief recap just in case you missed the news....

Public controversy continues swelling. Yesterday, Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Armando Galarraga had been perfect for 8 2/3 innings vs Cleveland Indians hitters. Not a single Indians batter had reached base. Austin Jackson had just made a spectacular running catch to keep Galarraga's perfect game bid alive. With two outs, little known Jason Donald hit a grounder wide of first. On a bang bang play, Galarraga ran from the mound to cover. He received the throw from 1B Miguel Cabrera in time for the out on a close play. However, firstbase umpire Jim Joyce blew the call. Tiger's fans went from an instant celebratory cheers to emphatic booing within seconds. No amount of arguing changed Joyce's call. Donald was safe. Galarraga's perfect game ended. Controversy over the blown call is now deepening. At least with everyone except Tiger's players and Joyce.

Most often after blown calls are ridiculed by analysts umpires hold their ground. Rarely do MLB umpires admit blowing safe and out calls. Understandably, immediately following the call, the play was disputed. Now we're hearing the replay promoters coming out claiming it's time MLB instituted official replays for close plays. No way! Isn't baseball trying to speed up games? What about human elements of baseball? Baseball isn't perfect. Allowing replays on all calls will bring the game to a standstill especially if balls and strikes are included. Baseball is imperfect. So is life. No replays other than disputed home runs is fine by me.

Back to Galarraga. What a class act. Most players would have been mouthing off after the game. While watching the game, and it's aftermath, I heard Detroit broadcasters claiming "... have you ever felt worse about winning a 1 hit shutout?" Galarraga refused to take reporters baiting ways as they attempted to get Galarraga to denounce umpire Jim Joyce. He did chime in saying Joyce blew it but failed to condemn the shaken ump.

Joyce was quick to state he blew it after watching replays. He even went the extra mile to personally apologize to Detroit's hurler after the game. Fast forward one day later to this afternoon's contest. Joyce is umpiring behind home. Galarraga brought out the lineup card. Both players exchanged handshakes. This was classic. Both are human. Joyce apologetic and deeply saddened over the events from yesterday. Galarraga a big man to accept without reservation. Life lesson's never end.

"All World All Sports"

-Digger's Daily-

NFL teams are planning strategies for the new 2010 season. Plenty of question marks remain for GM's and head coaches with training camps soon to open for business. Does New Orleans have what it takes to repeat? Is the Jets defense as good as advertised or just one personnel incident away from implosion? Is Tony Romo finally ready to become Dallas' team leader or will 2010 be just another season filled with drama in Cowboys country? How many more years will Raiders fans suffer without a respectable team?

Here's a quick long distance preview of what's in store for 2010 standings.

AFC
EAST
1) Jets - Terrifying defense, improving offense.
2) Dolphins - Punishing ground game.
3) Patriots - Never the same after spygate.
4) Bills - Who in their right mind would pay to watch Buffalo?

NORTH
1) Ravens - All they need is a WR who can catch.
2) Bengals- 2nd by default over troubled Pittsburgh.
3) Steelers - QB suspended. Ground game in trouble. Defense will spend too much time on the gridiron.
4) Browns - No signs of short or long term improvement.

SOUTH
1) Colts - AFC champs want revenge. Defense holds the keys to playoff success.
2) Titans - Came on strong when Young returned. Can Johnson rush for 2000 again?
3) Texans - Look out. Houston is becoming very strong. Running game cost them wins last year.
4) Jaguars - Has everyone thrown in the towel? Jax franchise sinking fast.

WEST
1) Chargers - Hasn't figured out key to winning playoff formula.
2) Broncos - Exciting at times. Lucky to play .500 in '10.
3) Chiefs - Might be ready to begin smart football. Still recovering from Edwards disastrous era.
4) Raiders - No coach can help this bunch of losers.

NFC
EAST
1) Giants - Health issues killed their chances in '09. New stadium, new enthusiasm.
2) Cowboys - So close yet again. Big D fans are getting used to monumental collapses.
3) Eagles - McNabb is gone. Soon, fans will wish he was back.
4) Redskins - Look out Eagles. You might get leapfrogged by McNabb's Redskins.

NORTH
1) Vikings - Most spoke of Favre's playoff interception. What about 6 fumbles including what was to be goal line game clincher?
2) Packers - Defense stands between good and great. Which will it be in '10?
3) Bears - Expectations were too high in '09. Ditto for '10 but very, very talented team.
4) Lions - 33 wins in past 9 years. No, it's not a typo!

SOUTH
1) Saints - Champs explosive offense matures. Was D for real in '09? We'll find out soon enough.
2) Falcons - Huge let down in '09.
3) Panthers - Delhomme was horrible. Team showed promise when it was too late.
4) Bucs - 5 games scoring in single digits last year. How many this year?

WEST
1) 49ers - By default in NFL's worst division.
2) Cardinals - It's Leinart's team now.
3) Seahawks - Many believed '09 would reap positive results. West is there's if they learn to play smart football. It all begins and ends with coaching staff.
4) Rams - Past 3 seasons = 3, 2, then 1 win. Nope, they're not playing Detroit in '10. There's no hope.

There's a long way to go before NFL 2010 kicks off. Plenty of personnel decisions & changes will be make during the coming months. Obviously, this is far from any sort of final analysis. No Cinderella predictions just yet although Tennessee or Houston would rank high on long shots to bet on. More to follow when news from training camps shake out.

"All World All Sports"

-Digger's Daily-

Bring it on! Another Celtics vs Lakers NBA Finals promises to dazzle us all. The names have changed over the years. Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, John Havlicek, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Dick Barnett & Wilt Chamberlain of the 1960's. Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Robert Parrish, James Worthy & Kevin McHale of the 80's. Now, going toe to toe in the Finals for the 2nd time in 3 years, a new Celtics vs Lakers era features the likes of Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Andrew Bynum & Paul Gasol. Get ready. We're soon to witness a great series.

Boston Celtics (50-32, 12-5) - One of the NBA's most celebrated franchises. Perhaps in all of sports second only to the New York Yankees. Boston's winning ways have stood the test of time. 17 NBA Championships includes a record 8 in a row from 1959-1966. Two years ago they won their 17th in six games vs the Lakers.
The Celtics are clicking. They seem to be doing just about everything right. Pierce (19.1), Allen (16.8), Rondo (16.7) & Garnett (14.8) have been near unstoppable. C's passing game has worn out defenders. Transition offense has been one of their keys. Too many weapons to defend. Orlando was stunned at how handily they were defeated. Boston had better beware. 2010 LA defense is stingier than 2008 match up.

Los Angeles Lakers (57-25, 12-4) - 15 NBA Championships. Will they take home #16? At times, there's no finer team than LA. At other times, LA looks completely lost on the court. 100% focus and composure needs to be maintained or else this will be another Lakers team notched upon Celtics belts. Kobe (29.4) needs early support when he dishes to open players. When he's on it doesn't seem to matter if teams play double teams. Paul Gasol (20.0) seems to sink every shot (56.5%). How he plays against a stingy Boston D could very well determine LA's fate. Ron Artest (11.5) has been one game on, one game off. Complete failure at the free throw line shooting a dismal 61%. Odom, Fisher & Bynum have provided valuable defense and quite a few momentum changing baskets this post season.

Prediction: Expect to see fast and furious action. Rondo and Kobe will be pushing the ball looking for quick baskets or open lanes. Celtics own offensive edge as a team. Many weapons available if one individual has an off night. On the other hand, the Lakers have to attack the basket when Boston closes in on Bryant. They can't miss easy layups or open 12 footers. Both squads will play a spirited defense. Celtics transition offense brings it home. Raise another banner in Boston.
Celtics win in 6.