Basketball will be starting soon with the season officially starting towards the end of October. Here is how the Bulls roster is shaping up after the off-season where they added James Johnson, Taj Gibson, Jannero Pargo, and brought back Lindsey Hunter for reasons I will never understand. Aaron Gray is still a free agent, but supposedly they are talking to him and want to bring him back. I guess we will see what happens.
Position Starters Back-up Reserves
Point Guard: Derrick Rose Kirk Hinrich Lindsey Hunter
Shooting Guard: John Salmons Jannero Pargo
Small Forward: Luol Deng James Johnson
Power Forward: Tyrus Thomas Taj Gibson Jerome James
Center: Joakim Noah Brad Miller Aaron Gray (FA)
Now that we have previewed the front office and coaching staff……on to the players! I was debating if I should look at the players by starters and then the bench or go by position. You will have to see what I decide.
A Look at the Chicago Bulls 2009………. Expected Depth Chart
GOI Football Prediction Results: Week Two
Pigskin Pick 'Em
1) The 'Bright' One
Overall: 22 out of 32 correct, 69%
Last week: 10 out of 16 correct, 62.5%
2) Sexy Rexy
Overall: 20 out of 32 correct, 62.5%
Last week: 7 out of 16 correct, 44%
3) Cubsfan4evr
Overall: 19 out of 32 correct, 59%
Last week: 8 out of 16 correct, 50%
Fantasy Football League
1) The 'Bright' One (2-0), 215 points
2) Cubsfan4evr (2-0), 214 points
3) Sexy Rexy (1-1), 192 points
4) David "MVP" Eckstein (1-1), 174 points
Eliminator Challenge
1) Sexy Rexy, Minnesota (2)
2) The 'Bright' One, Minnesota (2)
3) Cubsfan4evr, Washington, (2)
4) Journalissimo, Washington, (1)
4) David "MVP" Eckstein, Green Bay, (0)
5) Richard, Pittsburgh, (0)
Salary Cap Football
1) The 'Bright' One: 195.03 points, 98th percentile
2) Sexy Rexy: 178.63 points, 93rd percentile
3) Cubsfan4evr: 139.77 points, 58th percintile
Football Board Bets
1) Pierre Thomas, 0 carries (maybe if I said a non-Reggie Bush back will be top 12 I would have won this, Thomas probably won't get the carries to be top 12...)
2) Reggie Bush, 1 rushing TD
3)
Ahmad Bradshaw: 10 points
Fred Taylor: 12 points
On the bright side of everything, I know it's only 2 weeks into the season and I'm sure I just jinxed it, but my prediction of the 49ers winning their division looks like it's coming true!
1) The 'Bright' One
Overall: 22 out of 32 correct, 69%
Last week: 10 out of 16 correct, 62.5%
2) Sexy Rexy
Overall: 20 out of 32 correct, 62.5%
Last week: 7 out of 16 correct, 44%
3) Cubsfan4evr
Overall: 19 out of 32 correct, 59%
Last week: 8 out of 16 correct, 50%
Fantasy Football League
1) The 'Bright' One (2-0), 215 points
2) Cubsfan4evr (2-0), 214 points
3) Sexy Rexy (1-1), 192 points
4) David "MVP" Eckstein (1-1), 174 points
Eliminator Challenge
1) Sexy Rexy, Minnesota (2)
2) The 'Bright' One, Minnesota (2)
3) Cubsfan4evr, Washington, (2)
4) Journalissimo, Washington, (1)
4) David "MVP" Eckstein, Green Bay, (0)
5) Richard, Pittsburgh, (0)
Salary Cap Football
1) The 'Bright' One: 195.03 points, 98th percentile
2) Sexy Rexy: 178.63 points, 93rd percentile
3) Cubsfan4evr: 139.77 points, 58th percintile
Football Board Bets
1) Pierre Thomas, 0 carries (maybe if I said a non-Reggie Bush back will be top 12 I would have won this, Thomas probably won't get the carries to be top 12...)
2) Reggie Bush, 1 rushing TD
3)
Ahmad Bradshaw: 10 points
Fred Taylor: 12 points
On the bright side of everything, I know it's only 2 weeks into the season and I'm sure I just jinxed it, but my prediction of the 49ers winning their division looks like it's coming true!
LD rates by park
It's an older article that we've reference a few times on the blog, but check out how different parks categorize batted balls over at fangraphs.
Corey Hart is no Derek jeter
David "MVP" Eckstein thinks a 10 paragraphs soliloquy belongs in the comments section, I do not. (DME here, editing TBO's post w/o his permission -- this is actually an article I posted May 29, 2009 that no one probably read. Thus, the stats may be dated...)
In 2007, I drafted Corey Hart and he paid off big time. With a .295 AVG, 24 HR and 23 SB (not to mention the 86 R/81 RBI), Hart entered the 2008 season high on my list of guys to target. Hart, however, would prove to me over the course of last season that he is not a guy with 30/30 potential (he only had 505 AB in 2007), but rather a player with poor basic skills to go with raw talent.
Corey Hart has never been a batter with a good eye. His career BB% is a below average 6.1%, but since his first full major league season, he has seen his already poor pitch recognition erode further. Last season, Hart posted a laughable 4.2 BB%, 15th worst among the 213 players who had a minimum of 400 PA's. This season, Hart has a deceptively "high" 8.8%, largely due to the 13 walks he drew in the month of April (Hart has only drawn double digit walks in a month of play one other time in his entire career -- 14 in June 1007). Since May 1, Hart has walked at a 5.2% clip.
Hart's power has also been in the decline since his first full season -- or perhaps it merely spiked in 2007. Hart's 2007 ISO (.244) is almost a full .100 points higher than this season's rate (.150). In 2007, he hit a HR every 21.1 ABs. In 2008, he hit a jack every 30.6 ABs. This season, Hart's home run power has regressed even further, as his HR rate has fallen to one per 34.4 ABs.
The sheer power of Corey Hart isn't the problem (his career home run distance average is over 400 FT, 418.5 FT this season), but rather the ability to make quality contact with pitches. With a swing% above the major league average and contact rate almost 10% below the league average, Corey Hart helps pitchers beat him.
Other aspects that have hurt Corey Hart's game have been decreasing speed (his speed score has gone from 7.6 to 6.2 to 4.5 since his debut), decreasing range (from positive defense to negative), a complete inability to hit sliders (his wSL (run value per 100 sliders) is -4.0 and pitchers have increasing throw sliders to him since 2007) and an increased groundball rate. All of these factors, combined with the waning/deceptively non-existent slugging power collectively conspired to make Hart incredibly overrated. The .380 wOBA player of 2007 set a bar that the .327 and .309 wOBA players of 2008 and 2009 have not and could not live up to.
In 2007, I drafted Corey Hart and he paid off big time. With a .295 AVG, 24 HR and 23 SB (not to mention the 86 R/81 RBI), Hart entered the 2008 season high on my list of guys to target. Hart, however, would prove to me over the course of last season that he is not a guy with 30/30 potential (he only had 505 AB in 2007), but rather a player with poor basic skills to go with raw talent.
Corey Hart has never been a batter with a good eye. His career BB% is a below average 6.1%, but since his first full major league season, he has seen his already poor pitch recognition erode further. Last season, Hart posted a laughable 4.2 BB%, 15th worst among the 213 players who had a minimum of 400 PA's. This season, Hart has a deceptively "high" 8.8%, largely due to the 13 walks he drew in the month of April (Hart has only drawn double digit walks in a month of play one other time in his entire career -- 14 in June 1007). Since May 1, Hart has walked at a 5.2% clip.
Hart's power has also been in the decline since his first full season -- or perhaps it merely spiked in 2007. Hart's 2007 ISO (.244) is almost a full .100 points higher than this season's rate (.150). In 2007, he hit a HR every 21.1 ABs. In 2008, he hit a jack every 30.6 ABs. This season, Hart's home run power has regressed even further, as his HR rate has fallen to one per 34.4 ABs.
The sheer power of Corey Hart isn't the problem (his career home run distance average is over 400 FT, 418.5 FT this season), but rather the ability to make quality contact with pitches. With a swing% above the major league average and contact rate almost 10% below the league average, Corey Hart helps pitchers beat him.
Other aspects that have hurt Corey Hart's game have been decreasing speed (his speed score has gone from 7.6 to 6.2 to 4.5 since his debut), decreasing range (from positive defense to negative), a complete inability to hit sliders (his wSL (run value per 100 sliders) is -4.0 and pitchers have increasing throw sliders to him since 2007) and an increased groundball rate. All of these factors, combined with the waning/deceptively non-existent slugging power collectively conspired to make Hart incredibly overrated. The .380 wOBA player of 2007 set a bar that the .327 and .309 wOBA players of 2008 and 2009 have not and could not live up to.
John Buck and Gordon Beckham getting intimate
The first time I have found Hawk Harrelson's play-by-play call amusing and all it took was a punch to the groin. Can't help but remember the classic Simpsons man getting hit in groin.
Fantasy Baseball 2009 Busts
Before baseball season was starting and fantasy baseball drafts were starting everyone was ranking their top choices for the fantasy baseball season. It is always hard to predict who will have a good season and whom is worth your top few first round picks. In my opinion I always want my first few picks to be steady consistent guys I know I can count on to be healthy and productive. I don’t want to gamble with my first few choices. I save that to the later rounds. I know baseball season isn’t over yet, but here are the biggest fantasy baseball busts. All of these players had bad seasons for a variety of reasons. The most common reason is injury and the player either missed most of the season because of it, or couldn’t find their stroke when they came back. I have two rankings in the column’s below next to their name. The first ranking is their projected ranking and pick in Yahoo before the season started. The second column is their current ranking and how they actually did. I decided not include all of their stat’s on why it was a bad season so you can look them up on your own.
Before Season Current Ranking Comments
1. José Reyes 4 1030 He had an hamstring injury which made him loose the best part of his game.
2. Grady Sizemore 6 165 A injurey plagued year.
3. Josh Hamilton 10 408 Was last year a fluke?
4. B.J. Upton 16 215 Always a streaky hitter.
5. Lance Berkman 18 130 His career on the downside.
6. Alfonso Soriano 19 273 He is showing old age.
7. Aramis Ramírez 28 286 The Shoulder injury lost all of his power. His average is up, but the power is gone like David Wright.
8. Alexei Ramírez 44 152 He is in Sophomore slump.
9. David Ortiz 46 216 He started the season looking like he had lost his timing with old age, but has started to find it lately.
10. Russell Martin 47 415 He lost his breand and butter of being a very good average hitter.
11. Álex Ríos 50 255 Will he ever show the promise that got him the big contract.
12. Geovany Soto 54 979 A big sophomore slump.
13. Corey Hart 57 353 He sould re-bound next year.
14. Rafael Furcal 58 359 He career looks on downside.
15. Magglio Ordóñez 62 431 He lost all of his power.
16. Garrett Atkins 64 983 Not given a chance in Colorado.
17. Chipper Jones 65 190 Age looks to be catching up with him. he is considering retirement.
Before Season Current Ranking Comments
1. José Reyes 4 1030 He had an hamstring injury which made him loose the best part of his game.
2. Grady Sizemore 6 165 A injurey plagued year.
3. Josh Hamilton 10 408 Was last year a fluke?
4. B.J. Upton 16 215 Always a streaky hitter.
5. Lance Berkman 18 130 His career on the downside.
6. Alfonso Soriano 19 273 He is showing old age.
7. Aramis Ramírez 28 286 The Shoulder injury lost all of his power. His average is up, but the power is gone like David Wright.
8. Alexei Ramírez 44 152 He is in Sophomore slump.
9. David Ortiz 46 216 He started the season looking like he had lost his timing with old age, but has started to find it lately.
10. Russell Martin 47 415 He lost his breand and butter of being a very good average hitter.
11. Álex Ríos 50 255 Will he ever show the promise that got him the big contract.
12. Geovany Soto 54 979 A big sophomore slump.
13. Corey Hart 57 353 He sould re-bound next year.
14. Rafael Furcal 58 359 He career looks on downside.
15. Magglio Ordóñez 62 431 He lost all of his power.
16. Garrett Atkins 64 983 Not given a chance in Colorado.
17. Chipper Jones 65 190 Age looks to be catching up with him. he is considering retirement.
A Look at the Chicago Bulls 2009……….Pete Myers
Pete Myers played in the NBA from 1986 to 1991 and from 1993 to 1998. He was drafted in 1986 by the Chicago Bulls in the 6th round (120th overall pick). He started his Bulls career in the 1986-1987 season and came back to the Bulls in 1993 after the retirement of Michael Jordan and replaced him as the starting shooting guard. He played with seven teams in his NBA playing career.
Pete Myers joined the Bulls coaching staff on December 28, 2001. He became the interim head coach for two games when Bill Cartwright was fired in 2003. When the Bulls hired Scott Skiles Myers went back to his regular duties as an assistant coach. When Skiles was fired in 2007, Myers was named the interim head coach again for one game before Jim Boylan became the head coach for the rest of the season. Pete Meyers has been an assistant coach for the Bulls for several years now and he never seems to get much respect. The Bulls just seem to keep bringing in more assistant coaches ahead of him on the food chain.
Pete Myers joined the Bulls coaching staff on December 28, 2001. He became the interim head coach for two games when Bill Cartwright was fired in 2003. When the Bulls hired Scott Skiles Myers went back to his regular duties as an assistant coach. When Skiles was fired in 2007, Myers was named the interim head coach again for one game before Jim Boylan became the head coach for the rest of the season. Pete Meyers has been an assistant coach for the Bulls for several years now and he never seems to get much respect. The Bulls just seem to keep bringing in more assistant coaches ahead of him on the food chain.
A Look at the Chicago Bulls 2009………. Mike Wilhelm
Last season was Mike Wilhelm’s first season as an assistant coach with the Chicago Bulls. It was his seventh season with the Bulls and they promoted him to an assist coach because they liked him as a scout and want to promote personnel they like within the organization. He will entering his second season as an assistant coach, eighth season with the Bulls, and 14th season in the NBA. Prior to becoming a full assistant coach with the Bulls he was an assistant coach/advance scout with the team for his first six years in the Bulls organization. Before joining the Bulls he spent the 2001-02 season as an advance scout for the Denver Nuggets. Mike Wilhelm started his NBA career with the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 1993-94 season as the team’s assistant video coordinator. He became the head video coordinator in 1996 and had that position until 1999 when he became the team’s advance scout. He has had coaching experience as a assistant coach for the WNBA’s Cleveland Rockers from 1997 through the 1999 season. His coaching career began in Sweden’s professional league where he coached the Sundsvall Dragons for two seasons from 1990 to 1992. Mike Wilhelm has experience as a video coordinator and looking at tape, being an advance scout, and will hopefully help the Bulls more this upcoming season.
The Overrated Joe Namath
I know we have at least one semi-loyal reader who's a Jets fan so I'm sorry to break this news to you: Joe Namath was a below average QB. In fact, I will put money that if Mark Sanchez is healthy, he will be a better QB than Joe Namath was. It's still in the minds of the football culture than QB Superbowl wins = Hall Of Fame and granted Joe Namath's promise and efforts in Superbowl III did help solidify the NFL to what it is today (helping prove the AFC was worthy to join with the NFC), but does that warrant him being a HOFer, I don't think so.
First of all, Namath has more career INTs than TDs, 220 INT to 173 TDs. That stat alone makes me believe he doesn't belong in the HOF, but wait, there's more. He barely completed over 50% of his passes (50.1%) and he averaged less than 200 yards a game (197.6) and a career passer rating of only 65.5. Hell, Kerry Collins can do that! Those numbers are so pedestrian that Rex Grossman can do that!
His 27,663 career yards thrown looks impressive, but that's only because he played for 12 years. But he's only 45th all time on career yards thrown and 46th all time in pass attempts and 64th all time in passes completed. I'll give him credit that he was fairly efficient when he completed passes ranking 13th all time in yards per pass completed. However, he only ranks 133 all time in adjusted net yards per pass attempt.
Joe Namath so inefficient when he threw the ball and did a fairly bad job doing so that he does not belong in the HOF. However, he makes for some great interviews!
First of all, Namath has more career INTs than TDs, 220 INT to 173 TDs. That stat alone makes me believe he doesn't belong in the HOF, but wait, there's more. He barely completed over 50% of his passes (50.1%) and he averaged less than 200 yards a game (197.6) and a career passer rating of only 65.5. Hell, Kerry Collins can do that! Those numbers are so pedestrian that Rex Grossman can do that!
His 27,663 career yards thrown looks impressive, but that's only because he played for 12 years. But he's only 45th all time on career yards thrown and 46th all time in pass attempts and 64th all time in passes completed. I'll give him credit that he was fairly efficient when he completed passes ranking 13th all time in yards per pass completed. However, he only ranks 133 all time in adjusted net yards per pass attempt.
Joe Namath so inefficient when he threw the ball and did a fairly bad job doing so that he does not belong in the HOF. However, he makes for some great interviews!
Delonte West forgot the bullett-proof vest
Delonte West obviously learned nothing from the Maurice Clarett arrest back in the day. No, not that it's wrong to drive around at night with guns and booze, but if you're gonna do it, do it right. Be safe and put on a bullett-proof vest.
Who in their right mind would get on a motorcycle in the middle of the night with a handgun in the pocket, pistol in the pantleg, and a shotgun in an empty guitar case over his shoulder and not wear a bullett-proof jacket? Clearly West is still an amateur when it comes to the whole fully loaded, drive-by, massacre scene. Really, what could West possibly need an arsenal of weapons in suburban Maryland? When I think of Maryland, gang banging is the last thing that comes to mind. I know Ray Lewis lives in Maryland, but he killed that dude, allegedly, during the super bowl in Miami. Also Michael Phelps is from Maryland, and he's a super douche, but the worst he has ever done is give VD to half the strippers in the state.
Lady Gaga Is Fucking Retarded
I really think Lady Gaga has a mental disorder. Here's what she wore at the VMA's, it included a fucking neck brace! Who does that!? She also had a fucked up performance. Can we as a nation please stop pouring praise to her! Seriously everyone at the VMA's was jerking off to Lady Gaga like people at ESPN jerk off to Derek Jeter
Awesome Chicago Rap Stealing
Obvious sampling from "Poker Face" by Lady Gaga and "Whatever You Like" by T.I. with references to "I Love College" by Asher Roth and "Blame It" by Jamie Foxx and T-Pain [Sidenote: because of stupid auto-tune, I thought T-Pain sang all of "Blame It"]
Yet despite "stealing" from four artists in a three minute song, the lyrics are actually really good
How to calculate passer rating
Almost nobody in the world knows exactly what the QB Passer Rating is and more importantly how to calculate it. We just know a large number is Peyton Manning and a low number is Rex Grossman. I'm a little embarrassed I never looked up the significance of the stat, considering I use the QB rating as an analysis of past and present quarterbacks. Finally, I decided to hit up wikipedia and find out what the rating actually tells you about a quarterback
It is actually a well thought out statistical analysis of quarterback efficiency based on 4 main attributes. They are completion percentage, yards per attempt, TD per attempt, and interceptoins per attempt. Each of these categories are set to an upper and lower limit with increasing diminishing returns for the upper limits. If you do reach the upper limits in each category, such as 12.5 yards/att and no interceptions, then you will have a perfect rating of 158.3
If you want to calculate it yourself, just employ this easy to use formula.
It is actually a well thought out statistical analysis of quarterback efficiency based on 4 main attributes. They are completion percentage, yards per attempt, TD per attempt, and interceptoins per attempt. Each of these categories are set to an upper and lower limit with increasing diminishing returns for the upper limits. If you do reach the upper limits in each category, such as 12.5 yards/att and no interceptions, then you will have a perfect rating of 158.3
If you want to calculate it yourself, just employ this easy to use formula.
A Look at the Chicago Bulls 2009………. Jim Paxson
Jim Paxson is the brother of John Paxson, the Chicago Bulls Excecutive Vice President of basketball operations. John Paxson hired his brother Jim as a consultant for the Bulls in 2006. I don’t think many people know that Jim Paxson is on the Bulls payroll, so I decided to include him in this preview of the Bulls.
After Jim Paxson retired from playing in 1990 at only 32 years old he joined Portland's front office as assistant general manager. In September of 1998 he was named as vice president of basketball operations for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was promoted to general manager in 1999. He was the general manger of the Cleveland Cavaliers until April of 2005. After six years as general manager he was fired by the Cleveland Cavaliers. During his time there he was general manager when they drafted LeBron James and he hired Paul Silas to coach him. Now he is helping the Bulls get back on the winning track………………only if he could get us LeBron James.
After Jim Paxson retired from playing in 1990 at only 32 years old he joined Portland's front office as assistant general manager. In September of 1998 he was named as vice president of basketball operations for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was promoted to general manager in 1999. He was the general manger of the Cleveland Cavaliers until April of 2005. After six years as general manager he was fired by the Cleveland Cavaliers. During his time there he was general manager when they drafted LeBron James and he hired Paul Silas to coach him. Now he is helping the Bulls get back on the winning track………………only if he could get us LeBron James.
A Look at the Chicago Bulls 2009……….Bob Ociepka
Bob Ociepka is one of the Chicago Bulls assistant coaches on Vinny Del Negro’s coaching staff. Bob Ociepka was born in Chicago, Illinois and went to school at Quincy College. He started his coaching career at the high school level for York High School in Elmhurst, IL. While he coached there for four years during the 1980’s he served as a part-time volunteer scout for the Detroit Pistons. His first assistant coaching job in the NBA was for the Indiana Pacers in 1989. Then he bounced around as an assistant coach for several teams. He served as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Clippers from 1993 to 1996, the Philadelphia 76ers from 1996 to 1997, the Detroit Pistons from 1998 to 1999 and again from 2001 to 2003, the Cleveland Cavaliers from 1999 to 2001, the Milwaukee Bucks from 2003 to 2006, and the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2007 to 2008. Then he joined the Bulls coaching staff after learning under many coaches.
He was hired along with Bernie Bickerstaff and Del Harris before last season to provide experience for Vinny Del Negro and help teach him. Bernie Bickerstaff and Del Harris (now retired) each had close to 30 years of NBA experience so Bob Ociepka and his experience went under the radar last year. Now with Del Harris retired, Ociepka would figure to be the second go to man for Vinny Del Negro behind Bernie Bickerstaff. I think many Bulls fans knew a lot about the Bulls coaching staff last season from new head coach Vinny Del Negro, experienced former NBA coaches in Bernie Bickerstaff and Del Harris, but I don’t think many people knew about Bob Ociepka. I barley ever heard him mentioned! Let’s hope he sticks around in Chicago for a while!
He was hired along with Bernie Bickerstaff and Del Harris before last season to provide experience for Vinny Del Negro and help teach him. Bernie Bickerstaff and Del Harris (now retired) each had close to 30 years of NBA experience so Bob Ociepka and his experience went under the radar last year. Now with Del Harris retired, Ociepka would figure to be the second go to man for Vinny Del Negro behind Bernie Bickerstaff. I think many Bulls fans knew a lot about the Bulls coaching staff last season from new head coach Vinny Del Negro, experienced former NBA coaches in Bernie Bickerstaff and Del Harris, but I don’t think many people knew about Bob Ociepka. I barley ever heard him mentioned! Let’s hope he sticks around in Chicago for a while!
Week 2 Predictions
Atlanta over Carolina
Minnesota over Detroit
Green Bay over Cincinnatti
Tennessee over Houston
Kansas City over Oakland
New England over New York (A)
New Orleans over Philadelphia
Washington over St. Louis
Jacksonville over Arizona
Tampa Bay over Buffalo
Seattle over San Fransisco
Pittsburgh over Chicago (breaks my heart)
Baltimore over San Diego
Denver over Cleveland
Dallas over New York (N)
Indy over Miami
Minnesota over Detroit
Green Bay over Cincinnatti
Tennessee over Houston
Kansas City over Oakland
New England over New York (A)
New Orleans over Philadelphia
Washington over St. Louis
Jacksonville over Arizona
Tampa Bay over Buffalo
Seattle over San Fransisco
Pittsburgh over Chicago (breaks my heart)
Baltimore over San Diego
Denver over Cleveland
Dallas over New York (N)
Indy over Miami
The Brad Lidge Turnaround
Last season Brad Lidge was arguably the best closer in the game. Lidge was 2-0 with a 1.95 ERA in 72 games and 69.1 innings pitched being perfect in save opportunities going 41/41 during the regular season. Lidge was also perfect during the playoffs for the World Champion Phillies. Once he was handed the ball in the 9th inning (except for the All-star game) you had complete confidence the game was over. This season that isn’t exactly the case. Brad Lidge who was Mr. Automatic for the 2008 season is doing the opposite for the 2009 season. This season Lidge is 0-7 with a 7.11 ERA in 58 games so far this season. Charlie Manual is still going to Lidge even though he has blown 10 saves this season. Lidge started his career being very good in 2003 and was through the 2005 season. He started to loose it during the 2007 playoffs and lost it with that big homerun he gave up in the 2005 World Series. He was terrible in the 2006 season and then got better in 2007, but still had 8 blown saves so the Astros traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies where he dominated in 2008.
Brad Lidge’s stuff seems to have declined this season and his pitches are just not that good. He is the same pitcher he has been in previous seasons. So the question is can Brad Lidge be the good pitchers who used to be the for the 2010 season?
Brad Lidge’s stuff seems to have declined this season and his pitches are just not that good. He is the same pitcher he has been in previous seasons. So the question is can Brad Lidge be the good pitchers who used to be the for the 2010 season?
The Riot’s Car
When I was waiting to see Ryan Theriot last Saturday he drove by the store looking for parking. He was driving a BMW 750 series which was very nice. While leaving the store I saw his car on the street and decided to take some pictures of it for our viewers of Game of Inches. His license plates were from Louisiana so he obviously has it registered there and drives it up to Chicago during the season.
The front of the car:
Here are the side views:
The decked out tires:
The Inside of the car:
He left his money visible for everyone to see. Not the smartest thing.
Not the neatest person.
The front of the car:
Here are the side views:
The decked out tires:
The Inside of the car:
He left his money visible for everyone to see. Not the smartest thing.
Not the neatest person.
MLB Fatty All-Stars (25 man roster)
Halfway into a post about who has the worst facial hair in MLB history, I discovered that some blog already did the "Worst Facial Hair All-Stars"...thus was born this list.
C--Geovany Soto
C--2006 Pudge Rodriguez
1B-Prince Fielder
2B-Dan Uggla (yeah, it's all muscle, but he's still a big guy!)
SS-Edgar Renteria
3B-Kevin Youkilis
MI-Luis Castillo
MI-Miguel Tejada
CI-Dmitry Young
LF-Manny Ramirez
CF-Andruw Jones
RF-Carlos Lee
OF-Jack Cust/Vernon Wells
DH-Jim Thome
PH-Ryan Howard
SP-Carlos Zambrano
SP-C.C. Sabathia
SP-Bartolo Colon
SP-Sidney Ponson
SP-Carlos Silva
RP-David Weathers
RP-Bobby Jenks
RP-Jonathan Broxton
LOOGY-Scott Eyre
CL-Heath Bell
C--Geovany Soto
C--2006 Pudge Rodriguez
1B-Prince Fielder
2B-Dan Uggla (yeah, it's all muscle, but he's still a big guy!)
SS-Edgar Renteria
3B-Kevin Youkilis
MI-Luis Castillo
MI-Miguel Tejada
CI-Dmitry Young
LF-Manny Ramirez
CF-Andruw Jones
RF-Carlos Lee
OF-Jack Cust/Vernon Wells
DH-Jim Thome
PH-Ryan Howard
SP-Carlos Zambrano
SP-C.C. Sabathia
SP-Bartolo Colon
SP-Sidney Ponson
SP-Carlos Silva
RP-David Weathers
RP-Bobby Jenks
RP-Jonathan Broxton
LOOGY-Scott Eyre
CL-Heath Bell
A Look at the Chicago Bulls 2009.......Bernie Bickerstaff
This will be Bernie Bickerstaff’s second season as an assist coach for the Chicago Bulls. Last year the Bulls had two veteran assist coaches on the staff in Del Harris and Bernie Bickerstaff. This past off season Del Harris retired so Bernie Bickerstaff will be the most experienced assistant coach so I assume he will be the lead assist like we used to have under Scott Skiles with Jim Boylan.
Last season Vinny Del Negro made it clear he has to learn a lot about coach. You could see Bernie Bickerstaff and Del Harris in the middles of huddles and them taking players aside after plays during games. This season without Del Harris it will be up to Bernie Bickerstaff and his 30 years of NBA experience to help lead the team. Bickerstaff has done it all in his 30 years in the NBA. Before he joined the Bulls in 2008 he was the Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Charlotte Bobcats and served as Head Coach & General Manager of the Bobcats from 2004 to 2007. Before his three year stint with the Charlotte Bobcatse he served 10 seasons as an NBA head coach for three different teams in Seattle, Denver, and Washington. While at Denver he was also president and general manager for seven seasons. He also spent 12 years as an assistant coach. In 1987 he won NBA Coach of the Year with the Seattle Supersonics. He has an NBA coaching record of 415-517 which is a .445 winning percentage. He ranks 33rd on the league’s all-time victories list. I am glad we have him on the coaching staff.
Last season Vinny Del Negro made it clear he has to learn a lot about coach. You could see Bernie Bickerstaff and Del Harris in the middles of huddles and them taking players aside after plays during games. This season without Del Harris it will be up to Bernie Bickerstaff and his 30 years of NBA experience to help lead the team. Bickerstaff has done it all in his 30 years in the NBA. Before he joined the Bulls in 2008 he was the Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Charlotte Bobcats and served as Head Coach & General Manager of the Bobcats from 2004 to 2007. Before his three year stint with the Charlotte Bobcatse he served 10 seasons as an NBA head coach for three different teams in Seattle, Denver, and Washington. While at Denver he was also president and general manager for seven seasons. He also spent 12 years as an assistant coach. In 1987 he won NBA Coach of the Year with the Seattle Supersonics. He has an NBA coaching record of 415-517 which is a .445 winning percentage. He ranks 33rd on the league’s all-time victories list. I am glad we have him on the coaching staff.
The Score at Bears Training Camp
Back in August I went to Bears Training Camp with “Sexy Rexy” and “The 'Bright' One”. We went to the Score tent and listened to the Boers and Bernstein show. We went to the tent to listen right when we got into Bears training camp and were the only listeners at the time. During a long break where they took their headphones off Boers and Bernstein ignored us. Jason Goff who is one of their assistant producers and has his own show sometimes came over to us and was really nice though. Here are the pictures of The Score and the Boers and Bernstein show when we went.
A overview of the Score Tent
A overview of the Score Tent
My experience meeting Ryan Theriot
As everyone should know last Saturday I met Chicago Cub Ryan Theriot. Thanks to “David "MVP" Eckstein David” for posting the picture promptly that night! I was in the city, loop to be more specific with my family celebrating my brother’s birthday. We were walking around the city and passed this sports store. They said that Ryan Theriot would be there shortly signing autographs so we went in. Ryan Theriot came a little late at 4:28pm (supposed to be there at 4:00pm) because of the Cubs game that day. The Cubs game on Saturday which “The 'Bright' One” and “David "MVP" Eckstein David” were at started disappointing, but then the Cubs rallied back to score 5 runs and tie it up. Then is had a sour ending when Cubs closer Carlos Marmol gave up runs in the 9th and the Cubs bat went silent in the bottom of the ninth and lost. I was surprised how the line to see Ryan Theriot was pretty short. I was number 15 in line with my family and I would guess there weren’t more than 25 people in line in all when I left from seeing Theriot.
I was very excited to see Ryan Theriot and came up with a few things for small talk when I was in line waiting. They were:
•Tough lost today after that comeback
•What stat do you try to incorporate most into your game? Ex. Average, Stolen bases, runs scored.
•How do you like playing under Lou?
•Do you like playing shortstop or would prefer second base?
When it was my turn to see Theriot I said my first line of “Tough lost today after that comeback” and got a mumbled response from him that sounded like “yeah” but could barley understand. I was so taken back by his response and how unfriendly he was I was caught off guard and didn’t ask any of my questions! As you can see from the picture that “David "MVP" Eckstein David” posted on my behalf that night he didn’t seem to excited to be there and didn’t even smile for the picture. I have heard stories about Theriot being a great guy, but I was disappointed in my experience. Especially, because he was doing something for the fans and presumably getting paid, you think he would have been more fan friendly.
I was very excited to see Ryan Theriot and came up with a few things for small talk when I was in line waiting. They were:
•Tough lost today after that comeback
•What stat do you try to incorporate most into your game? Ex. Average, Stolen bases, runs scored.
•How do you like playing under Lou?
•Do you like playing shortstop or would prefer second base?
When it was my turn to see Theriot I said my first line of “Tough lost today after that comeback” and got a mumbled response from him that sounded like “yeah” but could barley understand. I was so taken back by his response and how unfriendly he was I was caught off guard and didn’t ask any of my questions! As you can see from the picture that “David "MVP" Eckstein David” posted on my behalf that night he didn’t seem to excited to be there and didn’t even smile for the picture. I have heard stories about Theriot being a great guy, but I was disappointed in my experience. Especially, because he was doing something for the fans and presumably getting paid, you think he would have been more fan friendly.
A Look at the Chicago Bulls 2009……….Vinny Del Negro
Vinny Del Negro is the head coach of the Chicago Bulls. Vinny Del Negro will be entering his second season after the surprising hire by Joh Paxson before last season. Paxson tried to hire Doug Collins and then Mike D'Antoni. After missing out on both of them he turned to hire Vinny Del Negro who had no prior coaching experience at any level. Del Negro worked as a radio commentator for the Phoenix Suns before being promoted to director of player personnel for the Suns in 2006. In 2007, the Suns promoted him to assistant general manager. The same off-season as the Bulls hired Del Negro the Suns were looking for a new head coach and did not consider Vinny Del Negro who was their assistant general manager. The Bulls brought in two veteran coaches in Bernie Bickerstaff and Del Harris to help Del Negro coach and teach him the ropes.
I wasn’t impressed by Del Negro last season. He was brought in here by Paxson because he thought that Del Negro would do a good job being a “cheerleader” and getting along with the players. Del Negro seemed to bump heads with a few players that we heard reports about throughout the season. As expected for a coach with no previous experience, Del Negro was not good at calling plays, running the offense, or getting the Bulls back to good defense like they used to play. Great defense under Scott Skiles is how the Bulls got to the playoffs for a few years. The Bulls did make it to the playoffs and did play better defense, but we need to see it for an entire year. The Bulls played well last year and did make it to the first round of the playoffs. I think that was because of the development of Derrick Rose, the clutch shooting of Ben Gordon, and the young players developing. I don’t think Del Negro is hurting the team, but he defiantly isn’t helping. I think an experiences coach who could help mentor Derrick Rose, teach the young guys how to play, and be better and calling plays would make a big impact on the Bulls. That is just my opinion. I think the Bulls will have a good year though.
I wasn’t impressed by Del Negro last season. He was brought in here by Paxson because he thought that Del Negro would do a good job being a “cheerleader” and getting along with the players. Del Negro seemed to bump heads with a few players that we heard reports about throughout the season. As expected for a coach with no previous experience, Del Negro was not good at calling plays, running the offense, or getting the Bulls back to good defense like they used to play. Great defense under Scott Skiles is how the Bulls got to the playoffs for a few years. The Bulls did make it to the playoffs and did play better defense, but we need to see it for an entire year. The Bulls played well last year and did make it to the first round of the playoffs. I think that was because of the development of Derrick Rose, the clutch shooting of Ben Gordon, and the young players developing. I don’t think Del Negro is hurting the team, but he defiantly isn’t helping. I think an experiences coach who could help mentor Derrick Rose, teach the young guys how to play, and be better and calling plays would make a big impact on the Bulls. That is just my opinion. I think the Bulls will have a good year though.
Dan Haren's consistency is disturbing
My love of Dan Haren is well documented across various mediums (I've raved about him on our blog in addition to both our podcasts and ESPN's Fantasy Focus Baseball podcast). Simply put, Dan Haren is as good as he is because he throws an effective four pitch mix: a fastball, cutter, curveball and splitfinger fastball. Each of Haren's pitches are above average (three of them are at least a full win above average in value) and he mixes his pitches well (no pitch is thrown less than 13.3% or more than 45.9% of the time), keeping hitters entirely off balance. He also has scary good control, as evident by the1.39 BB/9 and major-league leading 6.35 K/BB. However self-evident these numbers may be in eliciting how good Haren's control is, nothing is as telling as a picture (which of course is worth a thousand words). Below is a locational chart of every pitch Dan Haren has thrown in 2009, courtesy of The Hardball Times:
Notice the consistency in location/movement among his four offerings? That's just nasty.
Oh, and for the record, Matthew Berry, Dan Haren has been absolutely stellar over his last four outings. Take out the 5 or 6 bad starts that "ballooned" his ERA from 2.3 to 2.7 in late July/early August and Haren has been absolutely consistent all season.
Notice the consistency in location/movement among his four offerings? That's just nasty.
Oh, and for the record, Matthew Berry, Dan Haren has been absolutely stellar over his last four outings. Take out the 5 or 6 bad starts that "ballooned" his ERA from 2.3 to 2.7 in late July/early August and Haren has been absolutely consistent all season.
My Fantasy Baseball 2009 Teams……………..Over Performing Team From No Where
This team is currently in second place with 84.5 points. The team in first place has 100.5 points so there is no way I can win this late in the season. I didn’t think this team would do that well. Except for Pujols, Martinez, and Nelson Cruz I didn’t think like my offense that much. I currently have 8 points in runs and average. I have 9 points for RBI, SB, and HR. I also didn’t think my pitching staff was that good. They somehow have 11 points for wins, 9 points for saves, and 8 points for K’s and ERA. I have teams that I thought was built much better than this one, and somehow this one did much better than I ever expected.
League: Yahoo Public 284986
Catcher: Víctor Martínez
First Basemen: Albert Pujols
Second Basemen: Clint Barmes
Third Basemen: Marco Scutaro
Shortstop: Jason Bartlett
Outfielder: Carlos Lee
Outfielder: Michael Cuddyer
Outfielder: Franklin Gutiérrez
Utillity Player: Nelson Cruz
Pitching Staff:
J.A. Happ
Randy Wolf
Randy Wells
Bobby Jenks
Francisco Cordero
José Valverde
Kevin Millwood
Edwin Jackson
Tommy Hanson
Wandy Rodríguez
Ted Lilly
Zach Duke
League: Yahoo Public 284986
Catcher: Víctor Martínez
First Basemen: Albert Pujols
Second Basemen: Clint Barmes
Third Basemen: Marco Scutaro
Shortstop: Jason Bartlett
Outfielder: Carlos Lee
Outfielder: Michael Cuddyer
Outfielder: Franklin Gutiérrez
Utillity Player: Nelson Cruz
Pitching Staff:
J.A. Happ
Randy Wolf
Randy Wells
Bobby Jenks
Francisco Cordero
José Valverde
Kevin Millwood
Edwin Jackson
Tommy Hanson
Wandy Rodríguez
Ted Lilly
Zach Duke
The Madden Curse
If you don't know, the Madden Curse is if you are in the cover of the current Madden, you will either have a shitty season, get injured, or both
This year there are two players on the cover of Madden 2010: Larry Fitzgerald and Troy Polamalu.
Game One: Troy- gets injured, Larry- 6 catches, 71 yards, TD
2009- Brett Favre- sucked balls the last eight weeks and missed playoffs
2008- Vince Young, knee injury in September and hasn't started since
2007- Sean Alexander, missed six starts due to a foot injury and shitty season
2006- Donovan McNabb, tore ACL
2005- Ray Lewis, season ending leg injury in week 6
2004- Michael Vick, missed most of season due to leg injury
So good luck Cubsfan4evr with your "awesome" Larry Fitzgerald pick haha!
This year there are two players on the cover of Madden 2010: Larry Fitzgerald and Troy Polamalu.
Game One: Troy- gets injured, Larry- 6 catches, 71 yards, TD
2009- Brett Favre- sucked balls the last eight weeks and missed playoffs
2008- Vince Young, knee injury in September and hasn't started since
2007- Sean Alexander, missed six starts due to a foot injury and shitty season
2006- Donovan McNabb, tore ACL
2005- Ray Lewis, season ending leg injury in week 6
2004- Michael Vick, missed most of season due to leg injury
So good luck Cubsfan4evr with your "awesome" Larry Fitzgerald pick haha!
GOI Football Prediction Results: Week One
Pigskin Pick 'Em
1) Sexy Rexy: 13 out of 16 correct, 81.3%
Awesome pick of the week: 49ers over Cardinals
WTF pick of the week: Lions over Saints
2) The Bright One: 12 out of 16 correct, 75%
Awesome pick of the week: Jets over Texans
WTF pick of the week: Titans over Steelers
3) Cubsfanforevr: 11 out of 16 correct, 68.8%
Awesome pick of the week: Eagles over Panthers
WTF pick of the week: Bengals over Broncos
Fantasy Football League:
1) The Bright One (1-0), 114 points
2) Cubsfanforevr (1-0), 88 points
3) Sexy Rexy (0-1), 91 points
4) David "MVP" Eckstein (0-1), 64 points
Eliminator Challenge
Sexy Rexy: Saints, still in
Cubsfan4evr: Saints, still in
The Bright One: Patriots, still in
David "MVP" Eckstein: Vikings, still in
Richard: Eagles, still in
J O'Brien (???): Bengals, eliminated
Salary Cap Football
Sexy Rexy: Overall rank: 16,013, 91.93 points
The Bright One: Overall rank: 437, 123.96 points
Cubsfan4evr: Overall rank: ???, ??? points
Football Board Bets
1) Pierre Thomas injured, DNP
2) Reggie Bush, no rushing TD (or receiving one for that matter)
3)
Ahmad Bradshaw: 7 points, 12 carries
Fred Taylor: 8 points, 25 carries
1) Sexy Rexy: 13 out of 16 correct, 81.3%
Awesome pick of the week: 49ers over Cardinals
WTF pick of the week: Lions over Saints
2) The Bright One: 12 out of 16 correct, 75%
Awesome pick of the week: Jets over Texans
WTF pick of the week: Titans over Steelers
3) Cubsfanforevr: 11 out of 16 correct, 68.8%
Awesome pick of the week: Eagles over Panthers
WTF pick of the week: Bengals over Broncos
Fantasy Football League:
1) The Bright One (1-0), 114 points
2) Cubsfanforevr (1-0), 88 points
3) Sexy Rexy (0-1), 91 points
4) David "MVP" Eckstein (0-1), 64 points
Eliminator Challenge
Sexy Rexy: Saints, still in
Cubsfan4evr: Saints, still in
The Bright One: Patriots, still in
David "MVP" Eckstein: Vikings, still in
Richard: Eagles, still in
J O'Brien (???): Bengals, eliminated
Salary Cap Football
Sexy Rexy: Overall rank: 16,013, 91.93 points
The Bright One: Overall rank: 437, 123.96 points
Cubsfan4evr: Overall rank: ???, ??? points
Football Board Bets
1) Pierre Thomas injured, DNP
2) Reggie Bush, no rushing TD (or receiving one for that matter)
3)
Ahmad Bradshaw: 7 points, 12 carries
Fred Taylor: 8 points, 25 carries
A Look at the Chicago Bulls 2009……….Gar Forman
Gar Forman came to the Chicago Bulls in 1998 along with former coach Tim Floyd. Forman came to the Bulls because of Tim Floyd. He was an assistant coach under Floyd at Iowa State and Floyd wanted Forman by his side. Paxson liked Forman and he outlasted Floyd and is now the General Manager. Forman has spent the last 11 years in the organization now. For the last few years from 2004 to 2009 he served as director of player personnel. He will be working with Paxson, but handling day to day functions.
Forman was the General Manager to start this past off-season. So the moves the Bulls had made were officially done under his watch. This past draft was his first big moves for the Bulls in drafting James Johnson and Taj Gibson. We will see how his first two draft picks will play out. Forman has been in the Bulls organization for 11 years so he knew Jannero Pargo who he has brought back for his second stint with the Bulls. I am not a fan of Lindsey Hunter who he re-signed. It is early so we will see how Forman does as General Manager of the Chicago Bulls. He will be working closely with John Paxson who is his boss as VP of Basketball Operations. Thus, Paxson would probably have to sign off on any big moves.
Forman was the General Manager to start this past off-season. So the moves the Bulls had made were officially done under his watch. This past draft was his first big moves for the Bulls in drafting James Johnson and Taj Gibson. We will see how his first two draft picks will play out. Forman has been in the Bulls organization for 11 years so he knew Jannero Pargo who he has brought back for his second stint with the Bulls. I am not a fan of Lindsey Hunter who he re-signed. It is early so we will see how Forman does as General Manager of the Chicago Bulls. He will be working closely with John Paxson who is his boss as VP of Basketball Operations. Thus, Paxson would probably have to sign off on any big moves.
