From the Get Down Lounge:
*Congratulations to the Red Sox and their uptight and entertaining fan base. If anyone deserved a celebration it was you Boston! Live Strong People! The Red Sox won the strongest division in the MLB from wire to wire, then systematically disposed of the Tigers and the Cardinals. Well done Red Sox, well done.
*In case you were wondering, the highest payrolls in baseball according to Deadspin.com:
1. Yankees $228 Million;
2. Dodgers, $216 Million;
3. Philadelphia $159 Million;
4. Boston, $158 Million;
5. Detroit, $149 Million;
T6. San Fransisco and the Angels, $146 Million;
11. St. Louis, $116 Million;
26. Oakland, $68 Million;
27. Pittsburgh $66 Million;
28. Tampa $57 Million;
*So the way I see it, for the A's to make the World Series, they need to spend another cool $50 Million. Maybe I should upgrade my season Ticket Package huh?
*Speaking of spending dough, the Sawks did a tremendous job last off season. I thought the signing of Napoli was brilliant--his absence sorely hurt the Rangers. Drew looked completely healed in Boston--he was not moving that will in Oakland in 2012--again, a great pickup by their management team. Then there was the Vicortino signing, which gave Boston a great 2, 3, 4 combination. Of course there was my father's favorite player, and Northern California's own Johnny Gomes. The guy understands what team is all about! Those were all highly productive moves, however when you add the signing of all signings, Koji Uehara, man you are on to something. The Red Sox Front office was nails! Did I mention acquiring Jake Peavy at the deadline? Wow. Throw in an MVP season by lead off hitter and outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, and voila, you have your World Series Champions. The return of the old John Lackey (an A's killer by the way) was the frosting on the cake.
*Following the Money, Hardball Talk has a list of 2014 Free Agents, and here are the top names:
1. Robinson Cano, second base;
2. Elsbury;
3. Masahiro Tanaka, Japanese professional pitcher;
4. Shin-Soo Choo, outfielder, and permanent member of the Get Down Lounge;
5. Matt Garza, pitcher; I am a little surprised he is this high--I have a feeling the Rangers are surprised too!
6. Ervin Santana, pitcher. Like Lackey, this guy has been an A's killer over the years.
7. Ulbaldo Jimenez, pitcher. For me, this hurler also ranked a little high.
8. Brian McCann, catcher. He has LA or New York written all over him. He would be higher on my list.
9. The Curtis "The Grandy Man" Granderson, outfielder;
10. Carlos Beltran, outfielder. Man Giants fans, a Pagan, Beltran, Pence outfield? Could have been.
19. Big Bart--I believe his time is done in Oakland. Thanks for the memories Big Guy, it was a good run!
21. Jason Vargas, pitcher. My sleeper A's acquisition. The guy has also been an A's killer over the years!
23. Brian Wilson, relief pitcher; dude would look good in Green and Gold spikes!
27. Johny Peralta, shortstop Tigers. Did I mention the A's needed to spend some $50 million to reach the series. Throw some cash Peralta's way!
28. Grant Balfour, reliever; No one has specifically said so, but Balfour's rage in the playoff game at Detroit, may have signaled his end to a nice little run in OTown.
51. Kevin Youkalis, corner infielder; Mr. Moneyball.
53. Michael Morse, outfielder/DH. Guy can crush lefties, would be a good platoon guy in the O.Co.
55. Javier Lopez, left-handed reliever; another guy to throw some of that $50 mill to!
If you need a baseball fix, that should get you started!
*How about the Rascal Raiders huh? Many, many prognosticators had them as the worst team in the NFL--and now look at those eye patches. With a win over the Eagles Sunday, they would be 4-4. In a wide open AFC, the would in the hunt for a wild card spot! All of a sudden the Boy Wonder Dennis Allen earning some love from Raider Nation. The Silver and Black's receiving corps simply not up to NFL standards, and their offensive line has been a revolving door due to injuries, yet they are hanging around. Had Pryor not been concussed in Denver, I say they would have beaten Washington. The Raiders a pretty amazing story. The reasons are simple: defense and disclipine. They no longer beat themselves, and bringing back Charles Woodson was part of a grand plan. The other main reason of course is T. Pryor. The guy is simply exciting to watch. Raiders fans haven't been this fired up since Bo knew football. I am telling you, on more stud lineman on each side of the ball, and a play making receiver, and the Silver and Black may well be back!
*A couple of weeks ago good old Bum Phillips passed. Those of you around 45 or so man remember that brief time when the Oilers were the darlings of the NFL. Early Campbell and Bum Phillips seemed liked two guys who just wanted to put their work hat on, and not worry about the glitz and glamour--in other words, they were the Kings of the Common Class. Sing it with me, because I know you remember the song: "Houston Oilers, Houston Oilers, Houston Oilers Number one. We've go the offense, we've got the defense....." great tune, great time. My eyes are tearing up thinking of Billy White Shoes Johnson, and all of those white pom poms. It was a great run. If they could have just gotten by that rotten Steel Curtain!
*Speaking of the South, if you like college football, it's the Canes and Noles today getting it on!
*So to Bum, Earl, and of course Johnny Gomes, I raise my Smithwick's to you gentlemen!
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