I'm going with yes.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
2009 Baseball - National League
Ah, the National League. Bastard son of the regular season. Low scores, less hitting, more defense, the hit and run. This promises to be an intriguing show on the non-DH side of the game, as there are fewer clear-cut winners. This whole league will be a battle to the end, but not to worry, I'm here to go out on a limb for you, both of my loyal readers.
NL West: The battle for worst regular season record to make the playoffs begins and ends here. You can't throw a quarter without hitting a team that could win this division by being two games over .500. The Dodgers had a 19-24 record in 1-run games, managed to lose most of their starting pitching, have so far failed to sign Manny Ramirez, but hey, Jason Schmidt is back for a third year. Maybe he can go for two wins this time. Love you, Joe, but you guys are the 2008 Padres. Speaking of which, how dedicated do you think Peavy is right now? The Fathers had 99 losses in '08, and then proceeded to get worse. Best indicators: 16-28 (2nd worst in the majors) in 1-run games, and then for defense, traded Khalil Greene for Mark Worrell, leaving them with a defensive platoon of Luis Rodriguez and Everth Cabrera at short. Hello, ground ball pitching staff. Enjoy that one. Rockies continue to spiral downward, trading Matt Holliday away and leaving big questions at center, left and closer. This looks like a bad offensive line-up, which is saying something when you play 81 games in Denver. The Giants are making a lot of noise in the offseason, but then not actually signing any of the guys they clamor for. Think of them as the guy that drives up bidding at an auction, and then leaves empty-handed. Pablo Sandoval was inpressive towards the end of last season, so watch for good production from him, but a team that ranked 15th out of 16 teams in walks will not get over the hump, even if Barry Zito remembers how to pitch. The one positive sign is that the Giants were 31-21 in one-run games, but that is more a reflection of pitching than anything else. Watch for that number to reverse if they don't figure out how to get on base, or suddenly sign Manny. The Diamondbacks are the most compelling team. Still the best starting rotation in baseball. Last year's team ERA was a 3.98, and this year we'll see a lot more of Max Scherzer, who had 66 strikeouts in 56 games last year. Some of the young guys are starting to come into their own, and with another year to grow up, maybe they don't collapse under the pressure of a tight race, and play more like professionals. Maybe Jon Rauch will pitch more like he did in Washinton, avoiding the 6.56 ERA, which might give them the two wins they need to beat LA. Winner: Diamondbacks.
NL Central: Wow, I can really spend a lot of time breaking down the Pirates. HAHAHAAA! Whew, that was a good one. The Pirates were a slim pick last season, and the only thing that got fatter this year is Pedro Alvarez. The only hope there is if he took in some of Mo Vaughn's skills when he ate him during the off-season. The Brew Crew lost two starters, and are now anchoring their rotation with Jeff Suppan, Dave Bush and Chris Capuano. Now, with the hitters they have in their line-up, they could surprise, but I wouldn't count on it. Watch for them to be more like the Brewers we all love: Stomped. Oh, and as a side note, F-You, Selig. Everyone seems to forget that the Astros made a pretty strong run last season. However, they do that a lot. They also depleted their farm system, failed in their bid to get Randy Wolf, and signed Aaron Bleepin' Boone. From watching their hitters last year, we can all agree on one thing: None of these guys is using steroids. Their starting catcher finished the season batting .137. I think I might be able to do that. The Reds are improving methodically, at least on paper. Trouble is, Dusty Baker doesn't believe in what shows up on paper. So he'll run Taveras out at lead-off so he can strike out all season long, get nobody on base, run his pitchers into the ground, finish last, and go back to broadcasting. Remember folks, you heard it here first: 1-and-done for Dusty. The Cardinals will contend, because they are the Cards, and it's what they do. They have a great farm system, Dave Duncan handles pitchers incredibly well, a problem with too many potential closers, and oh yeah, the best player in baseball in Albert Pujols. Maybe Chris Carpenter stops being Kevin Brown (20 1/3 innings at $19 million), and they can contend the whole season. Saving the best for last: The Cubs. Oh, you lovable losers. The Cubbies should have the easiest road in the Majors to the post-season. They added Milton Bradley to give a little more left-handed power, finally cut ties with Kerry Wood, still have D-Lee and Ramirez, can still trot out a hellacious rotation, and now look to Kevin Gregg to close. NOTHING stand in these guys way. Except that they are the Cubs. I'm setting the over/under on Rich Harden's first injury as April 7th. Who's in? Winner: Cubs.
NL East: Say what you will about the East, it is the only division with a sure thing: The Nats will finish last. They will be the worst team in baseball. Jim Bowden has made Bill Bavasi look like Theo Epstein this year. Picked up Daniel Cabrera, Scott Olson and Josh Willingham. Your team loses 102 games and the only competition you have in spring training is between Ronnie Belliard and Anderson Hernandez at second base? 20-29 in one-run games, so make Joel Hanrahan (who?) your closer? I'd love to read the long-term plan here. Probably reads like Ulysses: incomprehensible. The Braves missed out on most of their big off-season goals, but can still put a competitive rotation on the field. Unfortunately, the team that scores more runs wins 100% of the games, and unless 37-year-old Chipper "The Entire Offense" Jones can manufacture an additional 40 runs this year, they will not compete. The Marlins have a lot of young talent, but none of them are settled in a position except for Hanley Ramirez. I imagine the line-up being decided daily by a game of musical chairs, to the tune of "At least we aren't the Nationals." Jefrey Loria probably has the same kind of plan he had in Montreal: Build up young players for cheap, never sign anyone to a long-term deal, and then bitch about losing money. See you next year, Florida. Maybe. The Phillies are the defending World Champions, but gave up Pat Burrell and signed Raul Ibanez. Ibanez had a dismal year in Seattle in '08; then, so did everyone. Perhaps he rebounds. Hamels is still the best young pitcher in the NL (sorry, Lincecum), Jamie Moyer is still evidently alive, so they can still trot out a decent rotation, but it's difficult to repeat in MLB, and even more so as an NL team. Trouble here: Most of their guys got that long-term deal reward, so the only guy playing for a contract is Brett Myers. Then we have the Mets. This team does more choking than a Chuck Pahlaniuk novel. But here's the thing about the Mets: If all games ended after 7 innings, they would have won more than 100. This year, they picked up J.J. Putz and K-Rod. In effect, most games will be over after the seventh inning this year. The starters are solid (Santana raising the average to almost brilliant), the offense is good, the defense is there, and now they have a bullpen. If they can keep their hands from around their throats when Philly makes a run, they're in. Winner: Mets. Wild Card: Phillies.
NL West: The battle for worst regular season record to make the playoffs begins and ends here. You can't throw a quarter without hitting a team that could win this division by being two games over .500. The Dodgers had a 19-24 record in 1-run games, managed to lose most of their starting pitching, have so far failed to sign Manny Ramirez, but hey, Jason Schmidt is back for a third year. Maybe he can go for two wins this time. Love you, Joe, but you guys are the 2008 Padres. Speaking of which, how dedicated do you think Peavy is right now? The Fathers had 99 losses in '08, and then proceeded to get worse. Best indicators: 16-28 (2nd worst in the majors) in 1-run games, and then for defense, traded Khalil Greene for Mark Worrell, leaving them with a defensive platoon of Luis Rodriguez and Everth Cabrera at short. Hello, ground ball pitching staff. Enjoy that one. Rockies continue to spiral downward, trading Matt Holliday away and leaving big questions at center, left and closer. This looks like a bad offensive line-up, which is saying something when you play 81 games in Denver. The Giants are making a lot of noise in the offseason, but then not actually signing any of the guys they clamor for. Think of them as the guy that drives up bidding at an auction, and then leaves empty-handed. Pablo Sandoval was inpressive towards the end of last season, so watch for good production from him, but a team that ranked 15th out of 16 teams in walks will not get over the hump, even if Barry Zito remembers how to pitch. The one positive sign is that the Giants were 31-21 in one-run games, but that is more a reflection of pitching than anything else. Watch for that number to reverse if they don't figure out how to get on base, or suddenly sign Manny. The Diamondbacks are the most compelling team. Still the best starting rotation in baseball. Last year's team ERA was a 3.98, and this year we'll see a lot more of Max Scherzer, who had 66 strikeouts in 56 games last year. Some of the young guys are starting to come into their own, and with another year to grow up, maybe they don't collapse under the pressure of a tight race, and play more like professionals. Maybe Jon Rauch will pitch more like he did in Washinton, avoiding the 6.56 ERA, which might give them the two wins they need to beat LA. Winner: Diamondbacks.
NL Central: Wow, I can really spend a lot of time breaking down the Pirates. HAHAHAAA! Whew, that was a good one. The Pirates were a slim pick last season, and the only thing that got fatter this year is Pedro Alvarez. The only hope there is if he took in some of Mo Vaughn's skills when he ate him during the off-season. The Brew Crew lost two starters, and are now anchoring their rotation with Jeff Suppan, Dave Bush and Chris Capuano. Now, with the hitters they have in their line-up, they could surprise, but I wouldn't count on it. Watch for them to be more like the Brewers we all love: Stomped. Oh, and as a side note, F-You, Selig. Everyone seems to forget that the Astros made a pretty strong run last season. However, they do that a lot. They also depleted their farm system, failed in their bid to get Randy Wolf, and signed Aaron Bleepin' Boone. From watching their hitters last year, we can all agree on one thing: None of these guys is using steroids. Their starting catcher finished the season batting .137. I think I might be able to do that. The Reds are improving methodically, at least on paper. Trouble is, Dusty Baker doesn't believe in what shows up on paper. So he'll run Taveras out at lead-off so he can strike out all season long, get nobody on base, run his pitchers into the ground, finish last, and go back to broadcasting. Remember folks, you heard it here first: 1-and-done for Dusty. The Cardinals will contend, because they are the Cards, and it's what they do. They have a great farm system, Dave Duncan handles pitchers incredibly well, a problem with too many potential closers, and oh yeah, the best player in baseball in Albert Pujols. Maybe Chris Carpenter stops being Kevin Brown (20 1/3 innings at $19 million), and they can contend the whole season. Saving the best for last: The Cubs. Oh, you lovable losers. The Cubbies should have the easiest road in the Majors to the post-season. They added Milton Bradley to give a little more left-handed power, finally cut ties with Kerry Wood, still have D-Lee and Ramirez, can still trot out a hellacious rotation, and now look to Kevin Gregg to close. NOTHING stand in these guys way. Except that they are the Cubs. I'm setting the over/under on Rich Harden's first injury as April 7th. Who's in? Winner: Cubs.
NL East: Say what you will about the East, it is the only division with a sure thing: The Nats will finish last. They will be the worst team in baseball. Jim Bowden has made Bill Bavasi look like Theo Epstein this year. Picked up Daniel Cabrera, Scott Olson and Josh Willingham. Your team loses 102 games and the only competition you have in spring training is between Ronnie Belliard and Anderson Hernandez at second base? 20-29 in one-run games, so make Joel Hanrahan (who?) your closer? I'd love to read the long-term plan here. Probably reads like Ulysses: incomprehensible. The Braves missed out on most of their big off-season goals, but can still put a competitive rotation on the field. Unfortunately, the team that scores more runs wins 100% of the games, and unless 37-year-old Chipper "The Entire Offense" Jones can manufacture an additional 40 runs this year, they will not compete. The Marlins have a lot of young talent, but none of them are settled in a position except for Hanley Ramirez. I imagine the line-up being decided daily by a game of musical chairs, to the tune of "At least we aren't the Nationals." Jefrey Loria probably has the same kind of plan he had in Montreal: Build up young players for cheap, never sign anyone to a long-term deal, and then bitch about losing money. See you next year, Florida. Maybe. The Phillies are the defending World Champions, but gave up Pat Burrell and signed Raul Ibanez. Ibanez had a dismal year in Seattle in '08; then, so did everyone. Perhaps he rebounds. Hamels is still the best young pitcher in the NL (sorry, Lincecum), Jamie Moyer is still evidently alive, so they can still trot out a decent rotation, but it's difficult to repeat in MLB, and even more so as an NL team. Trouble here: Most of their guys got that long-term deal reward, so the only guy playing for a contract is Brett Myers. Then we have the Mets. This team does more choking than a Chuck Pahlaniuk novel. But here's the thing about the Mets: If all games ended after 7 innings, they would have won more than 100. This year, they picked up J.J. Putz and K-Rod. In effect, most games will be over after the seventh inning this year. The starters are solid (Santana raising the average to almost brilliant), the offense is good, the defense is there, and now they have a bullpen. If they can keep their hands from around their throats when Philly makes a run, they're in. Winner: Mets. Wild Card: Phillies.
NL Playoffs: Diamondbacks have the right rotation for a five-game series, but will have the worst record for a division champ. That will put them against the Mets, where anemic hitting meets Santana (twice, if necessary), so they go home in a few low scoring games. Phillies face the Cubs, and after a "here we go again" moment in Chicago, the Cubs remember that they're good, and chase them away. Cubs meet Mets in an heroic series: Seven games, extra innings, a few brawls, sarcastic press, inside pitches and beer, and a Cubs victory. NL World Series Rep: Cubs.
World Series: Cubs vs. Red Sox: Both have the pitching, hitting and defense to make this a great series, and since the Sox have rid themselves of the "curse" they should be an easy pick. But something funny has been happening in Chicago: For the longest time, they set out trying to find Jesus, who could come in and single-handedly win for them. They never found their Jesus, but they finally have 12 Disciples in place. As long as none of them starts to doubt, this is the year. That's right, Chicago Residents, prepare to flee the riots in Wrigleyville! CUBBIES WIN!!!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
2009 Baseball - American League
Well, it's that time of year again. I know you are all wondering about the upcoming Baseball season, and even more, looking for the prognostication that can only come from yours truly. So many questions going into spring training, one might wonder: how can you even make predictions? Easy money, baby. Nobody cares if you're wrong, but they give you lots of props if you're right. Without further ado, let's look at the American League. FULL DISCLOSURE: I am a diehard Red Sox fan. I try to separate my heart from all of this, but let's face it: I am human(ish). So away we go, by division:
AL West: The Angels are still the cream of the crop, but they are getting older. Vlad is not the threat he used to be. They are, in a lot of ways, fielding an all-DH outfield, have HUGE question marks at the infield corners both offensively and defensively, lost Jon Garland, a mid-rotation starter who yanked in 14 wins while eating innings like Rod Beck drank Coors Light, but none of these are the biggest issue. The Angels finished 31-21 in 1-run games, and this was part of a record-setting 62 save season by a closer who now lives across the country. Just flip those numbers, and suddenly they are 90-72, and looking vulnerable. But who can catch them? Oakland will gain, because rule 1 in baseball is "never doubt Billy Beane's assessment of young pitching." They also added a little more batting power (Giambi, Holliday) to the team that scored the fewest runs in the AL. Joey Devine is the real deal: watch for him to replace Ziegler in the closer role. Texas will score lots of runs, but thanks to the pitching, the team will live up to its name: Ranging all over the outfield to watch balls fly out. Seattle made some good moves, and their pitching should be improved by a better coaching staff, but they will be striving to play .500 ball, not gunning for the Angels. Winner: Angels.
AL Central: Five contenders in this division (alright, maybe the Royals are a little bit of a stretch, but hey, why not?). The White Sox went for youth, and have question marks and competition all over the field. Coming off a season where they fell so hard at the end, they had to have a one-game playoff just to get into the postseason, where they let offense (Crede, Swisher) and defense (Cabrera) get away, and added plenty of weight in the rotund third-base question mark Viciedo, watch for this team to falter a bit in the beginning. Much has been made of the losses the Indians had towards the end of last season, when they traded away Sabathia, Blake and Byrd. What people fail to notice is that after August 7th, they proceeded to win 32 games, coming together as a team. Hafner should be back, they added Mark DeRosa, Carl Pavano might return to form out of the big-city spotlight. Indians can contend if they decide to play from the beginning of the season, instead of waiting for the trade deadline. The Twins did basically nothing, so they are being written off left and right, but this is a young team that fought into a playoff race last season. Another year of maturing, and they'll be solid. Besides, doubting Ron Gardenhire's ability to win with anyone is akin to making an in-division trade with Bill Belichik: Only an idiot would do it. The Tigers are going to pretend 2008 never happened, and run out an over-talented team with no chemistry, and hope for the best. The biggest addition for them is Rick Knapp as pitching coach. He comes from the Twins, where he was a roving minor league pitching coordinator. And I think we can all agree that the Twins have some pretty decent pitching workouts, as they have had the lowest number of pitchers on the DL for the last ten years. Knapp gets that rotation healthy, and they start winning one-run games (16-25 in '08), and they are right back in it. Finally, the Royals. Can Hillman finally get the talented youth on this team to become the everyday players their potential promises? Can Coco Crisp return to his Indians form, out of the glare of Boston's Citgo sign? If so, a rejuvenated Gil Meche and a constantly improving Zach Greinke can push this team to the top of a division where 90 wins would bring the pennant home. Winner: Indians.
AL East: This is a three-pony race. The Orioles are shaking things up under Andy Macphail, but still have a ways to go. Cesar Izturis, Rich Hill and Felix Pie don't exactly set teams a-quiver. Matt Wieters will be a star, but needs more supporting cast. The Jays, oh the Jays. Picking up Rod Barajas in the off-season. This is the team that needs the prom queen, but had to settle for the editor of the yearbook. Hopefully, the Canadian dollar will rebound and they can field a team next year. No, this race is about the Yankees, Rays and Sox. The Yankees got all Steinbrenner during the off-season, to get back into the playoffs. But, really: A-Rod chokes under pressure (see: 1 postseason career RBI), and he has never seen the kind of pressure he'll be under now that everyone knows he's a cheat. Think Sox fans will let that one slide at Fenway? Sabathia is an amazing pitcher, but Milwaukee and Cleveland are not New York. One bad start, and he'll be fighting boos as well. Burnett should do well, as he will be somewhat out of the spotlight. Teixeira will be the real star. He is exactly the kind of player teams love to have: quiet, unassuming, and REALLY good. The trouble comes at the back end of their rotation, and in the bullpen. Oh no, they're sending in Damaso Marte! We're screwed! Potential starting outfield: Melky Cabrera, Nick Swisher, Xavier Nady. Red Sox might have made the best bargain deals of the off-season. If Penny returns to form, and Smoltz is Smoltz in May, they will have easily the deepest rotation in the majors. Pedroia just keeps getting better at the plate, and is one of the best defensive infielders in the game. Sort out the Lugo/Lowrie mess at shortstop, and the middle defense will be solid. The biggest question mark for a team that was one game from the Series will be Ortiz: How is that wrist? And who will protect him in the lineup? The Rays were a ridiculous young team, that seemingly overachieved. But overachieving for an entire season is not possible. It means they were for real then, and now they've enticed Pat Burrell to cross the diamond, and we all saw what David Price is going to bring to the party. However, they won't be surprising anyone this year, and the Yanks and Sox set out to beat them. Having a target in a division like this is never pleasant. Winner: Yankees. Wild Card: Red Sox.
AL World Series Rep: Well, the Angels will lose in the playoffs, the Yankees new aquisitions are terrible in the post-season, the Red Sox probably don't have the bats. In a five-game series, I take Cliff Lee and Fausto Carmona against anyone. Seven games, Indians against Red Sox. Epic battle, as they always seem to be between these two in the post-season, but in the end, the Sox have the three- and four-hole starters. Red Sox.
So there you have the AL, in brief. NL Previews to follow.
AL West: The Angels are still the cream of the crop, but they are getting older. Vlad is not the threat he used to be. They are, in a lot of ways, fielding an all-DH outfield, have HUGE question marks at the infield corners both offensively and defensively, lost Jon Garland, a mid-rotation starter who yanked in 14 wins while eating innings like Rod Beck drank Coors Light, but none of these are the biggest issue. The Angels finished 31-21 in 1-run games, and this was part of a record-setting 62 save season by a closer who now lives across the country. Just flip those numbers, and suddenly they are 90-72, and looking vulnerable. But who can catch them? Oakland will gain, because rule 1 in baseball is "never doubt Billy Beane's assessment of young pitching." They also added a little more batting power (Giambi, Holliday) to the team that scored the fewest runs in the AL. Joey Devine is the real deal: watch for him to replace Ziegler in the closer role. Texas will score lots of runs, but thanks to the pitching, the team will live up to its name: Ranging all over the outfield to watch balls fly out. Seattle made some good moves, and their pitching should be improved by a better coaching staff, but they will be striving to play .500 ball, not gunning for the Angels. Winner: Angels.
AL Central: Five contenders in this division (alright, maybe the Royals are a little bit of a stretch, but hey, why not?). The White Sox went for youth, and have question marks and competition all over the field. Coming off a season where they fell so hard at the end, they had to have a one-game playoff just to get into the postseason, where they let offense (Crede, Swisher) and defense (Cabrera) get away, and added plenty of weight in the rotund third-base question mark Viciedo, watch for this team to falter a bit in the beginning. Much has been made of the losses the Indians had towards the end of last season, when they traded away Sabathia, Blake and Byrd. What people fail to notice is that after August 7th, they proceeded to win 32 games, coming together as a team. Hafner should be back, they added Mark DeRosa, Carl Pavano might return to form out of the big-city spotlight. Indians can contend if they decide to play from the beginning of the season, instead of waiting for the trade deadline. The Twins did basically nothing, so they are being written off left and right, but this is a young team that fought into a playoff race last season. Another year of maturing, and they'll be solid. Besides, doubting Ron Gardenhire's ability to win with anyone is akin to making an in-division trade with Bill Belichik: Only an idiot would do it. The Tigers are going to pretend 2008 never happened, and run out an over-talented team with no chemistry, and hope for the best. The biggest addition for them is Rick Knapp as pitching coach. He comes from the Twins, where he was a roving minor league pitching coordinator. And I think we can all agree that the Twins have some pretty decent pitching workouts, as they have had the lowest number of pitchers on the DL for the last ten years. Knapp gets that rotation healthy, and they start winning one-run games (16-25 in '08), and they are right back in it. Finally, the Royals. Can Hillman finally get the talented youth on this team to become the everyday players their potential promises? Can Coco Crisp return to his Indians form, out of the glare of Boston's Citgo sign? If so, a rejuvenated Gil Meche and a constantly improving Zach Greinke can push this team to the top of a division where 90 wins would bring the pennant home. Winner: Indians.
AL East: This is a three-pony race. The Orioles are shaking things up under Andy Macphail, but still have a ways to go. Cesar Izturis, Rich Hill and Felix Pie don't exactly set teams a-quiver. Matt Wieters will be a star, but needs more supporting cast. The Jays, oh the Jays. Picking up Rod Barajas in the off-season. This is the team that needs the prom queen, but had to settle for the editor of the yearbook. Hopefully, the Canadian dollar will rebound and they can field a team next year. No, this race is about the Yankees, Rays and Sox. The Yankees got all Steinbrenner during the off-season, to get back into the playoffs. But, really: A-Rod chokes under pressure (see: 1 postseason career RBI), and he has never seen the kind of pressure he'll be under now that everyone knows he's a cheat. Think Sox fans will let that one slide at Fenway? Sabathia is an amazing pitcher, but Milwaukee and Cleveland are not New York. One bad start, and he'll be fighting boos as well. Burnett should do well, as he will be somewhat out of the spotlight. Teixeira will be the real star. He is exactly the kind of player teams love to have: quiet, unassuming, and REALLY good. The trouble comes at the back end of their rotation, and in the bullpen. Oh no, they're sending in Damaso Marte! We're screwed! Potential starting outfield: Melky Cabrera, Nick Swisher, Xavier Nady. Red Sox might have made the best bargain deals of the off-season. If Penny returns to form, and Smoltz is Smoltz in May, they will have easily the deepest rotation in the majors. Pedroia just keeps getting better at the plate, and is one of the best defensive infielders in the game. Sort out the Lugo/Lowrie mess at shortstop, and the middle defense will be solid. The biggest question mark for a team that was one game from the Series will be Ortiz: How is that wrist? And who will protect him in the lineup? The Rays were a ridiculous young team, that seemingly overachieved. But overachieving for an entire season is not possible. It means they were for real then, and now they've enticed Pat Burrell to cross the diamond, and we all saw what David Price is going to bring to the party. However, they won't be surprising anyone this year, and the Yanks and Sox set out to beat them. Having a target in a division like this is never pleasant. Winner: Yankees. Wild Card: Red Sox.
AL World Series Rep: Well, the Angels will lose in the playoffs, the Yankees new aquisitions are terrible in the post-season, the Red Sox probably don't have the bats. In a five-game series, I take Cliff Lee and Fausto Carmona against anyone. Seven games, Indians against Red Sox. Epic battle, as they always seem to be between these two in the post-season, but in the end, the Sox have the three- and four-hole starters. Red Sox.
So there you have the AL, in brief. NL Previews to follow.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Shoulda used google
You put the stars in the sky and you know them by name you are amazing god? Who the hell searches for that?Sunday, February 1, 2009
Super Bowl Bean Dip
Looking for one more quick dip for your party? Try this:
In microwave-safe casserole dish with lid, put one small can chopped green chilis and 1/3 cup chopped onions Microwave on high for 2 minutes (covered). Add two cans (15oz each) refried beans and 2 Tbls. of Spicy Salsa. Stir well, and microwave (covered) 3 minutes on high, stirring halfway through. Tpo with sour cream, salsa, and cheese, and heat covered about 1-2 minutes, until cheese melts. Serve with tortilla chips.
In microwave-safe casserole dish with lid, put one small can chopped green chilis and 1/3 cup chopped onions Microwave on high for 2 minutes (covered). Add two cans (15oz each) refried beans and 2 Tbls. of Spicy Salsa. Stir well, and microwave (covered) 3 minutes on high, stirring halfway through. Tpo with sour cream, salsa, and cheese, and heat covered about 1-2 minutes, until cheese melts. Serve with tortilla chips.
Quick Hits
Why I want the Cardinals to win today:
1) They never have.
2) I always root for the underdog, unless the favorite is the Pats.
3) Larry Fitzgerald: It's a crazy thing when a wide receiver is more concerned with making catches and getting into the endzone than the celebration he'd do when he got there. A guy who quietly does his job, does it well, and is not a show-boating piece of trash (SEE: T.O., Ocho Cinqo), deserves my rooting interest. Then he turns around and offers to re-negotiate his contract so that his team can keep another player. That's right, a top-tier talent offering to take a pay-cut, saying: "I have the money I need." What? Who let this guy be a professional athlete?
4) Anquan Boldin: much has been made of his anger on the sidelines during the win over the Eagles. The guy is a competitor. On Sept. 28th, he was pushed from behind and then blasted helmet-to-helmet by safety Eric Smith, suffering multiple facial fractures in his sinuses and jaw. He had scres, plates and stitches, was knocked unconscious, and missed 2 games. That's TWO. In a sport where "turf toe" can shut a receiver down, Boldin calls himself a "football player." And he is.
5) Kurt Warner and the entire O-line: Has there ever, in the history of Football, been a crew this unwanted? Look at this lineup: Warner (cut by Rams, booed in NY and cut by Giants); C Lyle Sendlein (2nd year, 16 starts, fifth round pick); LT Mike Gandy (cut by Bears in 03, out of NFL til 07); LG Reggie Wells (Played in 03, out for two years).
6) Pat Tillman.
7) @Sloganeerist. He's a Steeler Fan. 'Nuff said.
1) They never have.
2) I always root for the underdog, unless the favorite is the Pats.
3) Larry Fitzgerald: It's a crazy thing when a wide receiver is more concerned with making catches and getting into the endzone than the celebration he'd do when he got there. A guy who quietly does his job, does it well, and is not a show-boating piece of trash (SEE: T.O., Ocho Cinqo), deserves my rooting interest. Then he turns around and offers to re-negotiate his contract so that his team can keep another player. That's right, a top-tier talent offering to take a pay-cut, saying: "I have the money I need." What? Who let this guy be a professional athlete?
4) Anquan Boldin: much has been made of his anger on the sidelines during the win over the Eagles. The guy is a competitor. On Sept. 28th, he was pushed from behind and then blasted helmet-to-helmet by safety Eric Smith, suffering multiple facial fractures in his sinuses and jaw. He had scres, plates and stitches, was knocked unconscious, and missed 2 games. That's TWO. In a sport where "turf toe" can shut a receiver down, Boldin calls himself a "football player." And he is.
5) Kurt Warner and the entire O-line: Has there ever, in the history of Football, been a crew this unwanted? Look at this lineup: Warner (cut by Rams, booed in NY and cut by Giants); C Lyle Sendlein (2nd year, 16 starts, fifth round pick); LT Mike Gandy (cut by Bears in 03, out of NFL til 07); LG Reggie Wells (Played in 03, out for two years).
6) Pat Tillman.
7) @Sloganeerist. He's a Steeler Fan. 'Nuff said.
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