UFC 94 ST-PIERRE VS PENN 2 - My Predictions

Every now and then, there comes an event that is not to be missed. If you are a football fan, you are watching the Super Bowl. If you like hockey, the Stanley Cup playoffs are a must. This Saturday's UFC 94 is one of those events for the MMA faithful. This will probably be the best UFC card of the year, top to bottom. The only one this year that may top it could be UFC 100. And that's only if Dana White has an unusual extravaganza of great fights being reserved for that event.

I am by no means a mixed martial arts expert, but here is what I think will happen this weekend.

Matt Arroyo (3-2-0) vs. Dan Cramer (0-0-0)
These are both veterans of The Ultimate Fighter reality show. I have seen a few of Arroyo's fights, and my only knowledge of Cramer is what was shown on TUF. Two young, hungry fighters trying to make a name for themselves. I just think Cramer looked better on the show than Arroyo has shown in is offerings thus far in the Octagon.
Prediction: Cramer by 1st round TKO

Jake O'Brien (10-2-0) vs. Christian Wellisch (9-3-0)
I have not been overly impressed with what I have seen from Wellisch. O'Brien is coming off a lopsided lose to Cain Velazquez. I see O'Brien regaining the form that he showed in dominating Heath Herring and win this one with ease.
Prediction: O'Brien by Unanimous Decision 30-27

Chris Wilson (13-4-1) vs. John Howard (10-4-0)
The UFC debuting Howard has held titles in WFL, Ring of Combat, and Combat Zone. Wilson went the distance with Sherdog.com world-ranked Jon Fitch, in a fight that saw Howard rock Fitch early. I just don't see Howard winning his first match inside the Octagon.
Prediction: Wilson by 2nd round KO

Manny Gamburyan (10-4-0) vs. Thiago Tavares (17-3-0)
This fight matches two guys with similar styles. They both like to use their strength to overpower their opponents, they both have good submissions, and they are both looking to bounce back from loses. The difference will be Manny's Judo throws against Thiago's Muay Thai. I see Tavares using his striking to keep his shorter opponent at bay and not allowing Gamburyan to utilize his throws.
Prediction: Tavares by Unanimous Decision 29-28

Jon Fitch (21-3-1) vs. Akihiro Gono (28-13-7)
Gono is coming off a hard fought split decision loss at UFC 8p to Dan Hardy. Fitch is coming off a five round routing at the hands of Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre. Gono likes to think his strength lies in his experience. He'll be experiencing unconsciousness as Fitch regains his dominant form that propelled him to a title shot in the first place.
Prediction: Fitch by 1st round TKO

Nate Diaz (10-2-0) vs. Clay Guida (24-6-0)
Diaz has been perfect in the Octagon since being crowned the winner of TUF season5. With older brother and UFC vet Nick Diaz in his corner and in his ear, Nate's attitude is beginning to overshadow his blossoming skills. Guida has won 3 of his last 4 fights, with his only loss being to Roger Huerta at The Ultimate Fighter Finale in December 2007. Guida was winning by a landslide until getting caught with a knee, then getting choked out in the third round. Diaz likes to use his length to keep his opponent at distance until he is ready go take it to the ground and look for a submission. Guida fights with constant energy looking to push the pace, and is not afraid to use his strength and wrestling to control the match on the ground. Diaz may just be the future of the Lightweight division, but Guida's pressure looks to be more than Nick's little brother can handle.
Prediction: Guida by 3rd round TKO

Karo Parisyan (26-5-0) vs. Dong Hyun Kim (11-0-1)
Parisyan is looking to bounce back after a controversial stoppage lose to Thiago Alves at UFC Fight Night last April. Coming into this match healthy after battling Panic Attacks and a back injury that caused him to pull out of a scheduled match against Yoshiyuki Yoshida at UFC 88, the Judo practitioner is looking to get himself back into the Welterweight title picture. The Korean Kim is 2-0 in the UFC with victories against England's Jason Tan and TUF alum Matt Brown via split decision in his last fight. Kim is also proficient in Judo, holding a 4th degree black belt. A win against a fighter the caliber of Karo would definitely make Kim's stock skyrocket. Unfortunately, Parisyan has already fought a who's who of the division's best and Kim just doesn't stack up yet.
Prediction: Parisyan by Unanimous Decision 30-27

Stephan Bonnar (14-4-0) vs. Jon Jones (7-0-0)
When you think of the name Stephan Bonnar, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Admit it, you said the two wars with Forrest Griffin. For all the images of Bonnar swinging for the fences in their epic battles, he is more than a MMA fighter with two Golden Gloves Boxing titles. Stephan has a good ground game with great submissions, just ask James Irvin and Mike Nickels who both tapped to "The American Psycho." Jon Jones won his UFC debut in August with a unanimous decision victory over fellow first timer Andre Gusmao. Jones is a junior college wrestling champion and a Greco Wrestling All-American who is very athletic and has very unorthodox striking. This has all the makings of an exciting fight, but Bonnar should have the advantage in this one.
Prediction: Bonnar by 2nd round submission

Lyoto Machida (13-0-0) vs. Thiago Silva (13-0-0)
This match up of undefeated warriors should vault its winner closer to a potential title shot later this year. Machida's tactical counter striking is not the most pleasing style to watch, but is very effective. The lack of excitement in his fights is probably why he has not been fast tracked to a shot against the 205 lbs. king. Silva can be very aggressive, but his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu also makes in dangerous in a ground war. This will probably see Silva pushing the action, chasing the defending Machida around the ring while Lyoto is just counter punching until he finds an opening. I like an aggressive fighter in most cases, but catching Machida is just what he is hoping Silva will do.
Prediction: Machida by Unanimous Decision

Main Event for the UFC Welterweight Championship Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre (17-2-0) vs. Lightweight Champion BJ Penn (13-4-1)
This rematch of a disputed split decision won by St-Pierre in 2006 is the talk of the MMA world. For the first time in UFC history, two current champions will face each other. Both men can claim a Sherdog.com world ranking in the top 5 pound-for-pound. St-Pierre seems to get better every time we see him. He has won 9 of his last 10, only losing in a mental stumble against Matt Serra, which he later avenged. His combination of explosiveness and athleticism is seemingly unmatched among the 170 lbs. division. Penn could very well be the best mixed martial artist in the world bar none, if only we would see the dedication to training that befits a true world champion every time out. Penn has looked like the kind of world champion we have all hoped for in his last handful of fights, but can he continue to be that man. GSP has looked unstoppable in his last few fights, but the question is whether he can overcome the mental errors that have plagued him in past big fights. I think this will be the early front runner for Fight of the Year, and should set the table for the kind of match that every UFC fighter should aspire to have. This is a coin flip, but I have to pick someone.
Prediction: St-Pierre by Unanimous Decision 49-48

How to fix the NHL All-Star Game

There has been a lot of complaining about the All-Star game for the NHL this year. Whether it is the fact that both conferences only have 2 teams represented in the starting lineup (this is before Sidney Crosby withdrew due to injury and was replaced by Tampa Bay's Martin St Louis) or the new rule causing two Detroit players to be suspended one game because of no-showing the game, it seems like no one is happy. That is, of course, unless you are a fan of Montreal, Chicago, Anaheim, or Pittsburgh. There has got to be a way to make it better, for the players and the fans. No solution is going to keep everyone happy, but I have a few ideas.

The first thing it to change the selection process for the starters. It is now based solely on the fan's vote. I have no problem with the fans voting, this game is for them. But is it really a showcase of "All-Stars" when one team, in particular the home team, stuffing the ballots to get 4 of the 6 starters. So my thought is to still let the fans vote for the starters, but only one player from each team can be in the starting lineup. This way there are 12 teams represented at the beginning of the game, giving it more credibility and giving fans from more markets a reason to watch. Now fans have to be a little more selective about who they vote for, and it may translate into more people watching more games so they are better educated on who really deserves to be there. In the case of injury causing a starter to miss the game, the next highest vote getter, whose team is not already represented by a remaining player in the starting lineup, would fill in.
So let's take a look at how the team would look using my voting rules

EASTERN ALL STARS
Current 2009 team: F Sidney Crosby*-Pittsburgh, F Alexei Kovalev-Montreal, F Evgeni Malkin-Pittsburgh, D Andrei Markov-Montreal, D Mike Komisarek-Montreal, G Carey Price-Montreal
(*Crosby out due to injury. Coach's choice-replaced by Martin St Louis-Tampa Bay)

My 2009 team: F Sidney Crosby*-Pittsburgh, F Alex Ovechkin-Washington, F Thomas Vanek-Buffalo, D Zdeno Chara-Boston, D Kimmo Timonen, G Carey Price-Montreal
(*Crosby out due to injury. Fan's vote-replaced by Evgeni Malkin-Pittsburgh)

WESTERN ALL-STARS
Current 2009 team: F Patrick Kane-Chicago, F Jonathan Toews-Chicago, F Ryan Getzlaf-Anaheim, D Brian Campbell-Chicago, D Scott Niedermayer-Anaheim, G Jean-Sebastian Giguere-Anaheim

My 2009 team: F Patrick Kane-Chicago, F Ryan Getzlaf-Anaheim, F Joe Thornton-San Jose, D Nicklas Lidstrom*-Detroit, D Dion Phaneuf-Calgary, G Roberto Luongo-Vancouver
(*Lidstrom out due to injury. Fan's vote-replaced by Sheldon Souray-Edmonton)

So now the East is represented by five teams currently in the playoff picture and has the top vote getter (Crosby) being replaced by the second highest vote getter (Malkin). And Pittsburgh is currently the only team not currently in the playoffs based on the standings, they are only one point out. The West has all six teams currently in playoff positions, including the 1-4 seeds based on current standings. This is a better collection of players, which is better for the game and for the fans to see different guys playing on lines together.

I would also like to see a rule put in place that no more than 3 players from a team can be selected to the All-Start Game. No offense to the fans of Montreal for voting in 4 starters, but you can see all four guys play at 42 home games each year. Why would you not want to see the best the league has to offer from every team all in one place. Isn't that what the All-Star Game is suppose to be about.

I would not be opposed to the players voting on the reserves. Every player must vote for 6 forwards, 2 defensemen, and 1 goalie, but are not allowed to vote for guys on their own team. If there are ties in the player's votes, use the fan's vote as a tie breaker. This little wrinkle allows the fans to get the starters they want, the players get a voice since they know the guys they play against better than just about anyone else, and the coaches don't get crucified by the fans and the media for selecting their own guys or their favorite people or former players and can just work on putting together great lines in order to put on a great show for the fans.

There has also been a great deal of debate over the rule that commissioner Gary Bettman put into place that suspends players the first game after the All-Star Game for not participating if they played the last game before the ASG. Most notably, this is affecting Detroit players Nicklas Lidstrom and Pavel Datsyuk. Both were selected as reserves to the West, but both are declining to play due to injury. They both played in the last game before the ASG. Lidstrom has been playing this year fighting tendinitis, and Datsyuk has been playing with an injured hip. They both want to use the break to rest and recover so they can be better prepared for the stretch run of the regular season, and get the team into a position to defend the Stanley Cup. Sidney Crosby is also injured and has withdrawn from playing in the ASG. He did, however, attend the festivities so he is not being suspended. Now, I don't agree with the suspensions, but I also don't feel the players should just blow off the fans either. I propose a monetary penalty. Give each player a bonus of $50,000 for being selected to the ASG. They get the money if they play in the game. If they are injured and are unable to participate, they still get $25,000 for showing up and interacting with the fans. If they are chosen and do not show up at all, the player's $25,000 appearance fee will be donated to a charity of the league's choosing, and the play is fined $25,000 which will be donated to a charity of that player's choosing. I think the charity needs to be either one that is associated with the league, or one that is local to the site of the game. This gives an incentive for the players to show up, but also helps give the players not showing up a way to save face with the fans since charities benefit from the money collected from the league and that player. It should be an honor to be an All-Star, and if this is in conjunction with my new voting rules, it makes the player more responsible to the fans and his piers.

And since we are talking about catering to the fans, how about we find a network that more people get to display this showcase of the greatest hockey players on the planet. I realize that the NHL had to find someone to show their games after the strike, but I don't feel that the game can grow anymore being shown on Versus. I would like to see the NHL back on ESPN personally. Versus is in approximately 39% less households than ESPN. The current TV deal was extended by 3 years as of January 2008 to show hockey on Versus and NBC. So Bettman's great plan to grow the league's fan base is to put the product in less households, and to put the fan's voted league showcase on Versus. Why is the game not on NBC like the Winter Classic was. Having a showcase game on national television can do nothing but improve the chances of gaining new fans. Are you really telling me that the US Figure Skating Championships will bring in more viewers on NBC today the the ASG would if it was on instead? Not to put down the difficulty of a 15 year old girl doing a Triple Lutz, but I don't think so!

Somebody with some common sense and a set of brass pucks needs to knock down Gary Bettman's office door and force him to make better decisions on the direction of the game. I know no one of any true importance within the hierarchy of the NHL will read this, or would even take any of my suggestions seriously. But if the fans of hockey don't speak up, the All-Star Game is destined to fail. But on the bright side, it will never be the worst game as long as the NFL still puts on the Pro Bowl. But that is a rant for another day.

2009 Predictions - AL West

Now it's time to finish up the AL with the picks for the West

LOS ANGELES ANGELS (2008 record 100-62)

Key Additions: RP Brian Fuentes
Key Losses: RP Francisco Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira
Unsigned Free Agents: LF Garret Anderson, SP Jon Garland

There is good news and bad news for the Angels. The bad news is that the best relief pitcher in baseball and the best free agent bat just happen to be the two players that this team lost in the off season. More bad news is that their is really no one available that will be a comparable to what was lost. And to top that off, the Angels had to trade their first basemen of the future, Casey Kotchman, to the Braves just to get the now departed Teixeira. Now the good news, LA is still in the AL West. May not win 100 games again, but this team should once again run away with the division.

TEXAS RANGERS (2008 record 79-83)

Key Additions: None
Key Losses: OF Milton Bradley, 3B Ramon Vazquez, RP Wes Littleton, C Gerald Laird
Unsigned Free Agents: SP Jason Jennings, RP Jamey Wright

Well, it looks like another long year for the guys from Arlington. They have a good core of young players like Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler, and Michael Young. It is good for a team like this to see the success that Tampa Bay had by building through youth and homegrown talent, but there is just not enough of the latter to take the Rangers seriously. Yet.

OAKLAND ATHLETICS (2008 record 75-86)

Key Additions: 1B Jason Giambi, OF Matt Holliday
Key Losses: RP Alan Embree, SP Greg Smith, RP Huston Street, OF Carlos Gonzalez
Unsigned Free Agents: LF Emil Brown , RP Keith Foulke, DH Frank Thomas

It is really easy to look at the A's adding bats with Giambi and Holliday, then coming to the conclusion that Oakland will give the Angels a run for their money for the division title. But as Lee Corso says every Saturday in the fall, "Not so fast my friend!" The two bats do not really address the needs of this team. They are returning only one starting pitcher with an ERA under 4.00, and Justin Duchscherer lead the team in wins with only ten. They also traded away the only true closer on the team in Street. So unless this team and its new hired guns can manufacture around 15-20 runs a game, Oakland looks to take a step in the wrong direction this season.

SEATTLE MARINERS (2008 record 61-101)

Key Additions: 3B Russell Branyan, OF Franklin Gutierrez, 1B Mike Carp, OF Endy Chavez, RP Aaron Heilman, SP Jason Vargas
Key Losses: 3B Willie Bloomquist, LF Raul Ibanez, 2B Luis Valbuena, RP JJ Putz, RP Sean Green, OF Jeremy Reed
Unsigned Free Agents: 1B Miguel Cairo

What can be said about the Mariners that has not already been made fun of. This is a team with three established stars in Felix Hernandez, Adrain Beltre, and Ichiro Suzuki. Outside of them, the roster is loaded with unproven prospects and journeymen than never reached their potential. Seattle made a ton of player moves this off season, but it does not look like the new hires will be much help. Of the additions, only Gutierrez will play everyday, and Heilman looks to be the pencilled in closer. This team either needs a better farm system or a better talent scout to be in charge of personnel. Good Luck M's, hopefully you will not repeat last year's 100+ losses, but don't bet on it.

My prediction for 2009

1. Angels
2. Rangers
3. Athletics
4. Mariners

2009 Predictions - AL Central

Alright, now it is time to go over the American League Central:

AL CENTRAL

CHICAGO WHITE SOX (2008 record 89-74)

Key additions: SP Bartolo Colon, SS Wilson Betemit, SP Jeff Marquez, SS Brent Lillibridge
Key Losses: SP Horacio Ramirez, RP Boone Logan, SP Javier Vazquez, OF/1B Nick Swisher
Unsigned Free Agents: SS Orlando Cabrera, 3B Joe Crede, OF Ken Griffey Jr, 3B Juan Uribe

The White Sox are always a tough bunch to figure out. They seem to have great talent in places (Jermaine Dye, Mark Buehrle, Jim Thome), and just average in other (AJ Pierzynski, Brian Anderson, and Paul Konerko). On some days, the bunch I listed as average have great games, if not great stretches of games. On the flip side, the guys I have listed as great talent go though slumps for no apparent reason and never seem to fully come out of it. Also I don't fell the guys they added make them better than the guys that they lost. Ozzie seems to manage the team his way, for better or for worse no matter the personnel or the situation. That should make for an interesting year, albeit not a division championship year.

MINNESOTA TWINS (2008 record 88-75)

Key additions: none
Key losses: SS Adam Everett
Unsigned Free Agent: RP Eddie Guardado, RP Dennys Reyes

The Twinkies are one of the best examples of a blue-collar team that there is in all of baseball. Evan with the emergence of Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau in the MVP race the last few years and the potential of Francisco Liriano as the ace of the pitching staff, this is just not a team loaded with guys you wish your team had. They play the game the way the game is suppose to be played, hard nosed and all out every pitch of every at bat. I still feel that your team either gets better or gets worse, it doesn't stay the same. With no notable moves in the off season other than the loss of Everett through free agency, the Twins will be contenders but may not have enough to make the playoffs without some trade deadline deals to improve.

CLEVELAND INDIANS (2008 record 81-81)

Key additions: SP Carl Pavano, RP Kerry Wood, 2B Mark DeRosa, 2B Luis Valbeuna, RP Joe Smith
Key losses: RP Jeff Stevens, OF Franklin Gutierrez
Unsigned Free Agents: RP Brendan Donnelly, SP Scott Elarton, C Sal Fasano, RP Juan Rincon

With the exception of the Kansas City Royals, the Indians have been the most active of any team in the Central. It is hard to feel bad for the Tribe after losing CC Sabathia to a trade deadline deal last year. All they did was have another pitcher win the Cy Young in Cliff Lee. If Pavano can regain any of the potential he showed before all his injury problems kept him on the DL during what seemed like the entire length of his contract with the Yankees, he may be the arm that Tribe fans have been waiting for to solidify the back end of the rotation. The signing of Wood makes the end of the game a lot less worrisome, especially with up-and-comer Jensen Lewis primed for a starring role in the bullpen along side Rafael Perez and Rafael Betancourt. The only question is whether or not the bats can light up the scoreboard like they did in 2007 or if they will stay colder than Bismark, ND (which had a temperate of -44 yesterday) like they did in 2008. If the lumber heats up, look for this group of Indians at the top of the standings.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS (2008 record 75-87)

Key additions: 3B Wille Bloomquist, RP Kyle Farnsworth, SP Horacio Ramirez, CF Coco Crisp, 1B Mike Jacobs
Key Losses: CF Joey Gathright, RP Leo Nunez, RP Ramon Ramirez, SP Tyler Lumsden
Unsigned Free Agents: SP Jairo Cuevas, 2B Mark Grudzielanek

KC looks like they are slowly but surely building a good baseball team. This is a long time coming for a team that has not been in the playoffs since they won the World Series in 1985. 23 years is a long time to start making the correct moves to improve the team, but Royals fans will take it. All of the new additions should have immediate impact on the level on play, and no one KC lost should be off great consequence, other than maybe Ramirez. The pieces are starting to fall into place, but the team in the powder blues are still a few years from being legit.

DETROIT TIGERS (2008 record 74-88)

Key additions: SS Adam Everett, C Gerald Laird
Key losses: RP Kyle Farnsworth, SS Edgar Renteria
Unsigned Free Agents: RP Casey Fossum, SP Freddy Garcia, RP Aquilino Lopez, SP Kenny Rogers

What happened to the Tigers? This is a team that prior to the 2008 season was all but in the World Series. Were it not for Seattle and Baltimore, this would have been the worst team in the AL, and they were the most disappointing. Injuries, inconsistency, a perceived lack of effort, and a ton of bad luck (see Joel Zumaya getting hurt playing Guitar Hero) doomed Detroit from the beginning. I don't see a playoff run for Motown, but this year should have them pointed back in the right direction and making life miserable for the rest of the American League Central.


My prediction for 2009

1. Indians
2. Twins
3. Tigers
4. White Sox
5. Royals

2009 Predictions - AL East

Starting today, we will look and the upcoming Major League baseball season. I will go division by division, looking at each team based on their 2008 finish. At the end I will give my thoughts on how they will finish and who will be the Wild Card. Please keep in mind that not all free agents have been signed and there are sure to be trades between now and the beginning of the regular season.

AL EAST


TAMPA BAY RAYS (2008 record 97-65)

Key Additions: OF Pat Burrell, RP Joe Nelson
Key Losses: OF Rocco Baldelli, RP Trever Miller
Unsigned Free Agents: DH Cliff Floyd, DH Jonny Gomes, OF Eric Hinske

This team looks almost the same as the 2008 version that went to the World Series. If they do not add a big bat to replace Cliff Floyd, look for Burrell to be the DH. There are still options available in free agency to fill the role like Manny Ramirez, Adam Dunn, and Bobby Abreu. Given the Rays success by NOT signing the big free agent, I would bet on Burrell and the rest of the youngsters to do it on their own. Add the phenom David Price to the starting rotation and there is no reason that Tampa cannot stay on top of arguably the toughest division in baseball.

BOSTON RED SOX (2008 record 95-67)

Key Additions: OF Rocco Baldelli, SP Brad Penny, SP John Smoltz, RP Takashi Saito
Key Losses: C David Ross, OF Coco Crisp
Unsigned Free Agents: SP Paul Byrd, 1B Sean Casey, SP Bartolo Colon, SS Alex Cora, SP Curt Schilling, RF Mike Timlin, C Jason Varitek

The Red Sox did not finish second to Tampa Bay for lack of talent. The upstart Rays just plan outplayed the 2007 World Series Champions. With the signings of Penny and Smoltz, the Sox solidified their rotation, but didn't necessarily make it better by leaps and bounds. What will take Boston back to the top of the division will be better production from the core of the team and for the team to play with more heart. I like the intensity of closer Jonatahan Papelbon, the consistency of Kevin Youkilis, and the overall play of reigning AL MVP Dustin Pedroia. However, if Boston doesn't re-sign the heart and soul of this team, Jason Varitek, all the talent in the world won't help this team overtake supremacy of the East.

NEW YORK YANKEES (2008 record 89-73)

Key Additions: SP CC Sabathia, SP AJ Burnett, OF Nick Swisher, 1B Mark Teixeira
Key Losses: 1B Jason Giambi, SP Carl Pavano, SP Wilson Betemit, SP Jeff Marquez
Unsigned Free Agents: OF Bobby Abreu, RP Chris Britton, OF Justin Christen, C Chad Moeller
SP Andy Pettitte, SP Sidney Ponson, C Ivan Rodriguez

It looks like the days of the Yankees just throwing money at their problems are back in full force. The signings of Sabathia and Burnett look to have helped improve the biggest weakness in the Bronx by helping the rotation. But Burnett may be a one year wonder after finally having a season worthy of his hype in 2008. With the back end of the rotation still looking at using much heralded, but rarely successful, Phil Hughes, the Yanks had better hope that CC can win about 35 of his 40 starts (we all know he can do it if he wants) in order to erase the disappointment of missing the playoffs last year. This offense, with and focused A-Rod and Jeter coupled with the addition of Teixeria's big bat, looks like it could average 10 runs a game. And it may need to if the pitching doesn't live up to the expectations.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (2008 record 86-76)

Key Additions: none
Key Losses: SP AJ Burnett
Unsigned Free Agents: SP John Parrish, OF Brad Wilkerson, C Gregg Zahn

For a team the finished in fourth place in 2008, one would think they would try to improve themselves in order to compete with the Rays, Sox, and Yanks. So far, the only big off season move made by the Blue Jays is not re-signing Burnett and watching on as he went to division rival New York. There are still a handful of free agents available that may help this team improve, but none that will vault them into contention right away. You can always count on pitching ace Roy Halladay winning 20 games and being in the conversation for the Cy Young award, and for the other pitchers to make fans wonder when Halladay's next start is. Last year's signing of BJ Ryan gave the Blue Jays a credible closer, but no one other than Halladay seems to be able to have a lead late enough in the game to use him (and Halladay likes to finish what he starts, so he doesn't use Ryan very often). Unless Toronto has a minor league stockpile of prospects ready to make an immediate impact, I don't see this group of birds flying any higher in 2009.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES (2008 record 68-93)

Key Additions: SP Mark Hendrickson, IF Cesar Izturis, IF/OF Ryan Freel, SP Koji Uehara
Key Losses: SP Daniel Cabrera, C Ramon Hernandez, C Lou Palmisano
Unsigned Free Agents: SS Alex Cintron, RP Lance Cormier, 1B Kevin Millar, OF Jay Payton

What we have here is a failure to improve quickly. The two biggest holes in the lineup from 2008 were at shortstop and in the starting rotation. The signing of Izturis will solidify the most glamorous spot in the infield for the O's. Freel is the type of hard worker that every young player on this team can look at to see how you are suppose to play the game, and he can play any where on the field or bat anywhere in the lineup and make this team better. And while Uehara is an unproven commodity in America, it looks to be a step in the right direction for a staff that had four of five starters with ERAs over 5.00 last season. So even though it seems that Baltimore has been rebuilding since Eddie Murruy, Cal Ripken Jr and Jim Palmer were leading them to the World Series title in 1983, this group is young and getting better, however is still probably a few years away from scaring any other team in the division.

My Prediction for 2009

1. Tampa Bay Rays
2. New York Yankees
3. Boston Red Sox
4. Baltimore Orioles
5. Toronto Blue Jays

Getting fired for taking an interview? Really Boston College?

The current head coach of the Boston College football team, Jeff Jagodzinski, has apparently been asked to interview for the same position with the NFL's New York Jets. The word out of BC is that if Coach Jag just goes to the interview, he will be fired. While some are outraged with this suggestion, others are applauding the school's decision. I am not sure whether it is right or wrong, but I do see both sides of the argument.

Coach Jagodzinski does have a five year contract with Boston College that does not expire until after the 2011 season. He has a class of recruits and returning players that expect him to be their coach, that's why they want to be Eagles. According to the Athletic Director, Gene DiFilippo, says he and the coach had an understanding that Jagodzinski would be at the school well after the 2008 season. I actual think all of these are good reasons for the potential firing. In this day and age, a contract really means nothing. Coaches sign long extensions for ridiculous amounts of money knowing in the back of their head that they will jump ship for the right situation and the right price. Look no further back then last off season and the move from West Virginia to Michigan of Rich Rodriguez. After taking the job in Ann Arbor, his contract with WVU stated he had a four million dollar buyout for leaving on his contract. He and the school went to court over this clause that was in the contract. If the buyout was in the contract when he signed it, Coach Rodriguez should have to pay. But with some arguing in the media and some more than likely overpaid attorneys involved, they settled the dispute, when there should have been no dispute. AD DiFilippo is making sure that his coach is held responsible for his actions by not honoring his commitment and fulfilling the contract that he signed two years ago. The NCAA puts so many restrictions on the movement of the student-athletes that it is about time someone made the coaches realize that they should have restrictions too.

On the flip side, isn't this just following the American dream? If you do your job well, you should have the opportunity to improve your situation for yourself professionally and for the benefit of your family. In the profession of coaching football, it doesn't get any bigger than coaching in the NFL. If Coach Jag has done a job worthy of getting an interview with the Jets, good luck to you. I would rather have a coach that is garnering that kind of attention than one that gets no offers. This just shows what a good job he is doing with his current program that someone in need wants his services to fix their problems. Also, let us keep in mind that BC would also need a new coach. Now it has been noted that the Eagles would try to fill the job with another coach already on the staff. Playing Devil's advocate for a moment, what would DiFilippo have to do if all the in house coaches follow Coach Jagodzinski to the NFL. Well he would have to start a nationwide search for a new head coach. Some of the best candidates are guys like Turner Gill, Norm Chow, Charlie Strong among others. But in order for any of them to take the BC job, they would have to (dare I say) break there current contracts to take the job. Now just because they all interview for the position does not necessarily mean that they get the job. So why would it be alright for Boston College to interview candidates that are under contract somewhere else but it is not fine for their current coach to look for a better job? There is no logic that says that is ok, other then the old schoolyard mantra "Finders Keepers." DiFilippo have found his coach, now leave him here and find your own coach, NY Jets.

I am not important enough, nor do I get paid enough to say who's thinking is correct. Even though both sides of the argument have merit, it will be the coach and the AD that will have to live with the decision. No matter how wrong they both may be.

Barry Bonds and his Love/Hate Relationship with the Media

So Barry Bonds had hip surgery in an attempt to get healthy enough to play baseball again. With the way he treats the media, the pending perjury trial, and the volatile nature of how he is perceived in the public, it is inevitable that he will be talked about. His timing is impeccable, as usual, at a time of year when college football bowl games and the start of the NFL playoffs should be the focus of the sports world.

The media cannot seem to get enough of Barry Bonds. On the one hand, they love to crucify him at every opportunity. The amount of coverage of his pending trial for possibly lying in a federal court paled only in comparison to the love affair the New England Patriots got last year while going for the first perfect season since the 1972 Dolphins. And just like preordaining the Pats and the greatest team every (before losing in the Super Bowl), Bonds is already guilty in many peoples eyes. He may have lied to the court, he may have told the trust, or just misstated what he thought he remembered. No one really knows without being in his mind or having video evidence of the actual events in question. Yet without all the actual facts, most would rather see him punished than give him is day in court.

But then there are also those that think he is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Let's compare his chances to get the the Hall of Fame to those of Mark McGuire. Some voters and baseball writers say Barry Bonds is a guaranteed first ballot Hall of Famer. These same people say Mark McGuire is never getting in because they did not like his responses to Congress regarding steroids and the Mitchell Report. Bonds has never failed a drug test and is only accused of lying about possible steroids use. McGuire never tested positive for any banned substances either, but did admit to using Creatine which was legal at the time. So how is it the McGuire is destined to only get into Cooperstown by paying for a tour and Bonds already has his bust in a storage shed just waiting for it to become official? I don't know, but both are just as important to the history of the game. Big Mac's chase of Roger Maris and the single season home run record brought the fans back to a game that was ravaged by the strike. Bonds is the current career and single season home run leader and has more MVP awards then anyone in history. The only difference is the arrogance of the baseball writers and their sense of entitlement to "Preserve the sanctity of the game." People can hate on Bonds, but he never flat out made a statement, or lack of a statement, that the writers can point to like McGuire not admitting to steroid use at the Senate hearings. They both belong in for their on-the-field accomplishments, but only Bonds will get their due to his support but the "right" people.

Depending on which media outlet you get your sports information from, he is either a tumor on the rear end of the National Pastime or a victim of his own success deserving of our admiration and our sympathy. Whether you are a S.F. Giants fan or you like someone else, he is getting a raw deal or he needs to go away and never be heard from again. Love him or hate him, you cannot talk about baseball in the last 20 years without a mention of Barry Bonds. Either way, the current home run king is a polarizing figure that will have sports pundits talking for years.