Going Out On Top

Only three days after winning his third World Series title, St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa has announced his retirement today. 

LaRussa is the third winningest manager in MLB history with 2,728 wins, behind only historic managers Connie Mack and John McGraw.  He is in select company, as one of only 10 managers to have over 2,000 wins in his career as a manager. 

LaRussa is going out on top, having led the Cardinals to their 11th World Series championship after a very exciting and intense World Series clash with the Texas Rangers.  LaRussa was the longest serving manager under one team in the MLB, just finishing his 16th season with the Cardinals.

In the 67-year-old's 33 years as a manager, he only managed under three different teams, the Cardinals, the Oakland Athletics, and the Chicago White Sox.  His first World Series title came back in 1989 when he was a manager for the Athletics.

LaRussa makes this offseason even more difficult for the World Series champions to deal with, now having to find a top-tier manager to replace LaRussa, while having to deal with Albert Pujols' free agency.  Pujols' free agency was a season-long topic on whether or not he'd come back and was definitely priority number one for the Cardinals heading into the offseason.  But with this morning's news about LaRussa, finding a new manager is now a close second.

Either way, LaRussa was easily a top-five manager in the history of baseball and what better way to go out, than to go out on top.

*Image courtesy of Wikipedia*

What In the World Was That???

I couldn't believe what I was experiencing tonight.  My phone was going off every two minutes with a new Flyers score update, until the game finally ended with a 9-8 Winnepeg Jets victory.  Seventeen goals is atrocious and clearly defense and goaltending was not on display in this one.  I've seen All-Star games with less scoring than this.
I can't say anything bad about the offenses, but, as for the defense and goaltending, a lot can be said on that.  Goaltending is something that is hard to fix, unless there is a major mechanical flaw that is obvious with the goalie.  But, a goalie really just needs to work out of whatever slump he is in and by the looks of it, it seems like both Flyers goalies are in one right now.  That will improve over time, hopefully not too far down the road.
As for the defense, that is something that can be fixed.  This team cannot collapse defensively like they did last year when Chris Pronger went down with his injury, but after one game without him, his role in the lineup is clearly much needed.  He is a cornerstone on the back lines and brings order and calmness to the defensive core.  That was non-existent tonight, as there was a lot of running around in the defensive zone, with a lot of men being left open and available for easy tip-ins and back door goals.  Something needs to be fixed now and quickly because the Fly Guys can't keep going along giving up 5+ goals a game.
On a positive note, the offense looked good.  But, a loss is a loss.  And that ain't good.

Game highlights courtesy of NHL.com:
http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?hlg=20112012,2,128&fr=false

Week 7 Best and Worst Performances

Week 7 had some fantastic performances and some absolute garbage efforts.  So here are Week 7's Best and Worst Performances.

Best:


DeMarco Murray: The rookie running back set a Dallas Cowboys rushing record by running for 253 yards on only 25 carries.  Many are thinking that this could be a one hit wonder, but basing on Murray's production in college, this young-gun could be a special talent for the Cowboys, as long as they give him the touches.

Drew Brees: How does one throw for five TDs and over 300 yards in a game?  Play against the Indianapolis Colts.  Brees torched the Colts D for a huge game and made even me think that I could pass on the Colts uninspired defense.  Just another day at the office for Drew Breezy.

Plaxico Burress: Welcome back to the NFL Plax.  Maybe this is the receiver that Mark Sanchez has been waiting for in his young career, but when you have 6'6" wide receiver at your disposal, why not throw to him close to the endzone.  Burress' numbers weren't off the charts, with only 4 catches for 25 yards, but when three of those four grabs come for TDs, then you have yourself a day.

Bonus Pick: Arian Foster: Foster was not only the leading rusher for the Texans, but he was also their leading receiver.  His 119 rushing yards, 115 receiving yards and 3 TDs helped lead the way for the Texans to improve to 4-3 on the season.
Worst:


Kyle Boller and Carson Palmer: I could have taken the easy road and made each of these QBs have their own spot, but that would be, well easy.  The QBs combined for six interceptions thrown, each throwing three in the half of football that they played.  Maybe Terrelle Pryor's opportunity isn't too far down the road after all.

Browns vs. Seahawks Game: This is a first, but anytime there is 9 total points scored in a single game, each team deserves to be thrown into the "worst" category.  The defenses were clearly not bad in this game, but the offenses were atrocious.  If this was the only game on TV and I was forced to watch it, I think needles in my eye would have been a better solution.

Colts Defense: Everyone keeps saying that if Peyton Manning was healthy, the Colts would be running away with the division.  But let me tell you something, Manning plays on the offensive side of the ball, not on defense.  Even Manning can't put up 63 points, so when your defense surrenders 62 points, its hard to point fingers at anyone other than the defense themselves.

Stay alert for Week 8's Best and Worst Performances.  And lets hope that the "worst" are not nearly as bad as this week's.

*Images courtesy of Google Images*

Week Six Best and Worst Performances

We've now arrived at the bulky part of the season where a number of teams are getting their Bye weeks, meaning that there are slimmer chances for best and worst performances.  Here are Week 6's.

Best:


Ahmad Bradshaw: He only has five TDs on the season, but three of those came against the Buffalo Bills this past Sunday, while helping the New York Giants improve to 4-2 on the season and have a nice lead in the NFC East.  Bradshaw also rushed for 104 yards, so who really needs Brandon Jacobs?

Aaron Rodgers: At this point, I'm just assuming that Rodgers is some sort of robot.  It's hard for anyone to have phenomenal games week in and week out.  But, Rodgers is proving that he belongs in the top-flight of elite QBs in the NFL.  Sunday's three TD performance and 310 yard passing game is just another day at the park for Rodgers.

Eagles Defense: Well, it's been a long time coming for this "incredible" defense to finally perform to their abilities, but they finally came through against the Redskins.  They forced four interceptions and held the Redskins to only 13 points.  Maybe this is the turnaround Philly faithfuls have been waiting for.

Worst:


Rex Grossman: If four interceptions isn't bad enough for you, try adding some salt to that wound by being benched for their next game.  Well, as of about two hours ago, Grossman is no longer the starter of the Washington Redskins, giving way to John Beck.

Donovan McNabb: Has anyone been featured in the "worst" section more than McNabb this season?  His numbers weren't atrocious this past weekend, but his inability to get the Vikings into the end-zone led to him getting benched for No. 12 overall pick Christian Ponder.  It may be time to say adios to McNabb.

Drew Brees: Despite throwing three INTs, the Saints still had a chance to win this game.  Unfortunately, pick number three came in the end-zone with less than three minutes left in the game.  Don't expect this type of performance much more this season from Brees.

Stay alert for Week 7's "Best and Worst" performances next weekend.

*Images courtesy of Google Images*

NFL Week Five Best and Worst Performances

Week Five has come and gone, so here are the Best and Worst performances from the past week.

The Best:


Matt Cassel: Cassel finally played the way he has in the past few seasons, throwing for four TDs and 257 yards.  It has been a slow start to Cassel and the Chief's season, but with this performance, it could be the start of a turnaround for the Kansas City Chief's season.

Adrian Peterson: The Vikings finally chalked one up in the win column this past weekend and it comes as no surprise that Adrian Peterson had a lot to do with it.  The Vikings go when Peterson goes, so if it requires him scoring three TDs and rushing for 122 yards, then that might be what they need.  It will also take some pressure off of Donovan McNabb at the quarterback position.

Ben Roethlisberger: The last thing the Pittsburgh Steelers wanted to have happen was fall to 2-3 on the season.  But, with the help of their star QB, the Steelers were able to notch up a big win against the upstart Titans.  Roethlisberger's five TDs were a big step in the right direction for turning around not only his season, but the Steelers' season as well.

The Worst:


Josh Freeman: I couldn't tell you one person that doesn't pull for the young Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but after a disappointing performance by Josh Freeman and the team, it's hard to decide if it is really their time.  The 48-3 loss was the worst loss in team history and it seemed like Freeman was just lost out there.  A lot will be put on his shoulders if running back LaGarret Blount is out for a sustained period of time with a knee injury.

Kyle Orton: Well, Orton seemed to last longer as the starting QB in Denver than many would have liked, but, by the third quarter in Sunday's loss to the Chargers, Orton was finally replaced by fan-favorite Tim Tebow.  Orton didn't have a touchdown in the game and it just didn't seem like the team played with any energy with him at the helm.

Jets Defense: It's hard to put a lot of pressure on a defense when they go up against one of the best offenses in the game in the Patriots, but when you talk smack about your opponent non-stop and pride yourself on defense, giving up 30 points isn't going to win you any ballgames.  The Jets have lost three straight and their defense just isn't what it has been the past two seasons.  It's time to shut up and start playing football.

*Images courtesy of Google Images*

RIP Al Davis

So, it was confirmed early this morning that Al Davis, former coach and owner of the Oakland Raiders, has died.
It is a disappointing loss to not only the Davis family and the Raider's community, but also for the NFL.  Davis has been a cornerstone in the Raiders organization since becoming coach in 1963.  He won multiple Super Bowls with the team, but as of late, the organization hasn't been nearly as prominent as it had been in the past.
It's hard to really say how I feel about Davis because this is such a sad day in the NFL world.  But, it seemed that Davis ran out of understanding how to properly run an organization late in his tenure as owner of the Raiders and is a major reason for their down years over the past handful of seasons.  But, after a promising start to this year's season, it seemed as though he may have finally put all the pieces into the puzzle and found something that clicks.

Davis was commissioner of the AFL in 1966 and helped to oversee the merger with the NFL.  He was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1992 and was without a doubt one of the most notable names in football history.
There is no doubt in my mind that this will give the Raiders even more incentive to play well this season and it is certainly a sad, sad day in the Raider and NFL community.
Rest In Peace, Al Davis.  You will be missed.

*Image courtesy of Google Images*

NFL Week 4 Best and Worst Performances

Here we go for Week 4 in the NFL.  The Best and Worst of the past week in the NFL.

Best:


Aaron Rodgers: Let's see if Brett Favre tries to take credit for Aaron Rodgers' four passing TDs, two rushing TDs, and over 400 passing yard performance against the Denver Broncos.  Rodgers is among the top in the league in both passing TDs (12) and passing yards (1325).  He also strapped on the belt for the first time this season.

Calvin Johnson: I've sort of been snubbing him all season long, and so, after his fourth straight week with at least two TD receptions, it's time he gets his name on the list.  He has helped the Lions get off to their first 4-0 start in I think forever and is easily being considered as one of the top wide receivers in the game.  Finally, his stellar play is going noticed.

Arian Foster: Is Arian Foster finally back?  It sure seemed that way by the looks of him running wild against the Steelers.  Sure the Steelers' defense isn't what it was three years ago, but it seemed like that hamstring is finally 100 percent.  That's important for the Texans now that wide receiver Andre Johnson is out for at least three weeks with a hamstring injury of his own.

The Worst:


Mark Sanchez: He had two interceptions and one fumble... returned for touchdowns!  Sanchez is the future of the New York Jets, but after a performance like this past week's, that may need to be reconsidered.  The Jets have still not opened up the whole playbook for Sanchez, and time is starting to add up for this guy in the NFL.

Eagles Defense: The Eagles' defense was supposed to be amazing with all of the new, big acquisitions they made in the off-season, but did anybody tell them that this is tackle football.  They were outscored in the second half 21-3 and it seems that nobody on the team can tackle a running back.  There are a lot of questions to be answered on that side of the ball and it needs to start soon.

Chad Henne: It seems like Henne has worn out his welcome in Miami.  The quarterback was replaced early in the game after throwing for only 27 yards and one interception.  Reports have said that Matt Moore will start for the Dolphins in Week 6, their first game after their upcoming bye week.

*Images courtesy of Google Images*

AJ Did His Duty

I said coming into this Game 4 between the Tigers and the Yankees that AJ Burnett was going to have to pitch a game that would define his tenure as a Yankee thus far.  He struggled in the first inning, but was bailed out on a beautiful leaping grab by centerfielder Curtis Granderson.  After that, Burnett looked like the pitcher that was from 2009.
He simply gave the Yankees a chance to win the game tonight and their bats have helped him out.  Burnett through 5.2 innings, had only three strikeouts to four walks, but only surrendered four hits, and most importantly, held the Tigers to one run, a solo home run by Victor Martinez to lead off the fourth inning.

The longer Burnett pitched tonight, the greater the odds of the Yankees extending this series and bringing it back to New York for the all-important Game Five.  He's put them in great shape thus far, with the Yankees up 4-1 in the 7th inning.
More importantly, Burnett may have gained the confidence of manager Joe Girardi to give him a start in the ALCS if they are able to advance.
Well done, AJ.  Well done.

*Image courtesy of Google Images*