MLB Opening Day Treat

The A's just finished playing their first two regular season games, and outside of Tokyo I'm not sure there were many people actually watching. That's because they were played in the evening in Japan, which for A's fans worked out to the games beginning at 3am and 2am respectively. Being that I have the latest in video technology (DVR) I was able to see both games at my leisure and before they could be ruined by a ticker or the internet. I watched them over breakfast and saw a mix of what the team was last season, and what they hope to be this season. Allow me to explain. Game 1 was a look back at how the A's played last year. Brandon McCarthy on the hill pitching quality baseball and holding the Mariners to only one run in his seven innings of work. The problem was that they were facing King Felix. The King was just as stingy giving up only one run in his day. The A's had a few chances to break down the door, but Felix just keep slamming it shut in their faces. The A's eventually gave up the winning runs in extra innings from their questionable bullpen and dropped this one 3-1. Game two was eerily simialr in that it was again a pitchers duel, but this time it was Bartolo Colon with the pitching mastery. Colon went 8 strong innings and gave up only 3 hits and striking out six. His only mistake was a Justin Smoak home run that actually gave Seattle a lead in the top of the 7th inning. Not to be outdone, rookie Cespedes got into the act and slammed his first MLB home run. It was a laser shot that never got more than a few feet over the outfield fence. They would go back to back as Josh Reddick got his first round tripper in the green and gold for a 3-1 lead. Johnny Gomes provided the final margin as he dropped a bomb to deep left center field on a solo shot in the 8th. There were three main questions that the A's needed to answer in order to determine how this season would go. 1. Starting pitching- With Brandon McCarthy taking over the #1 spot there was a lot to be addressed as McCarthy has never had a winning season in the major leagues. Last season he was 9-9 although his ERA was respectable and he did end the year with five complete games. He pitched well in this outing. He was very efficient and only made one real mistake which was a bomb given up to Dustin Ackley. 2. Relief Pitching- Over the last several years it could be argued that this was the A's true strong spot. Andrew Bailey closing the door in the 9th, Balfour & Fuentes setting up to go along with up and comer Faustino De Los Santos. Now Balfour is closing (never won that job before in his career) and the back end of their bullpen is suspect. It just so happens that the pen allowed 2 runs in the extras to give up the win. 3. Hitting/Run Production- The A's haven't been strong at the plate since they last made a playoff appearance in the early 2000's. Billy Beane went about correcting that issue over the winter by giving Cuban prospect Yoenis Cespedes $9M annually. Add to the mix Seth Smith, Johnny Gomes, and Josh Reddick and those days may be coming to an end as 3 out of the 4 (Cespedes, Reddick, and Gomes) all homered in the second game. Over the course of the first two games, the A's may not have answered any questions, but they did get a good glimpse of what the before and after pictures of their team may look like. If they can get any type of decent production out of the hitters that have been mentioned it will be a huge boon for this team because of the three guys at the top of the order, they should be able to score some runs. Jemile Weeks, Cliff Pennington, and Coco Crisp top the A's order and both Weeks and Pennington stayed hot after both having a blistering spring. They will fly back to Arizona tonight, play in a handful more exhibition games, including the annual Bay Bridge Series between them and the Giants. They will then resume the season on April 6th against these same Mariners. Due to the schedule, it's likely that we will see an exact replica of the Japan games because the same starting pitchers should be back at it again next week.

What's Going On?

Spring is in the air and there is baseball to be played. As the A's and Mariners prepare to kick off the season a week early and half a world away who out there is ready to watch them play....live? First pitch should be about 3am PDT. Even MLB Network isn't showing it until a moderately decent hour at 6am. Still too early, I'll have to DVR it and watch it over breakfast. At least there won't be any commercials. I was a huge fan of the Warriors trade for Andrew Bogut from the beginning. Monta was a really good player, but not good enough to be the best player on your team. That being said, if they end up keeping their own top 7 pick, plus the pick they acquired swapping Capt. Jack for Jefferson and they are starting to look pretty good come draft day. If they can get their hands on a top 7 player (deep draft, you're gonna hear that ALOT)and then package their other #1 along with their 2 2nd round picks along with a player or cash and get another quality player. If that happens the Warriors become dangerous. The Oakland Raiders have been pretty quiet in free agency so far, but that was due to the albatross that Al Davis willed to his son Tommy Boy in the will. Reggie McKenzie has been making all the necesary moves to get under the cap far enough to sign a few badly needed free agents. Not top end, or sexy players, but guys that can compete and get the job done. They couldn't be any worse than the crew they had last season anyway. So why not start fresh? They still may need some CB depth, and a replacement for Bush, but they really need to find a starting LB. That is where McKenzie is going to make his reputation. The best he can do is pick #95, and if he can pluck a starting Lb from that point or beyond Raider Nation should be elated. The Sharks are going on one of their patented late season runs again. They did get this patented didn't they? 3 wins in a row and a couple of timely losses for the teams in front of them and WHAMMY thier back in 1st place in the Pacific Division and the #3 playoff slot. There are still a handful of games to go, and they are against the teams that are chasing them so they will have to keep this going if they want to end up in the spot that they currently hold. If you are into top quality talent and enjoy watching a team at the top of thier game who are now regarded as the best team in the nation, then you need to stop by Levine Fricke Field in Berkeley and check out the #1 ranked softball team. They are led by hometown product Valerie Arioto (Foothill High Pleasanton)who leads the team with 16 HR on the season and a 13-0 mark in the pitcher's circle. They are also led by another local product Jolene Henderson from Elk Grove who has a 17-1 record and leads the team with a .91 ERA. If you get a chance to see them this year, you'll be glad you did. They just played at Stanford for three games and swept the #9 ranked Cardinal. They are at home for a non leaguer on Wednesday and a 3 game tilt vs. Washington over the weekend. In case you are wondering, I'm a believer in "The Tank" for the Warriors. I know the players want to have none of it, but they're players, they're not supposed to want to lose. That's good. The fans should know what will really help this team is to NOT make the playoffs, and to give themselves the best chance at accumulating the most ping pong balls they can as to assure them of keeping the top 7 protected pick. It just seems like everything is falling into place, as the guys that are still playing are playing their hearts out each night, keeping games close and winning a few. However, losing often than not is going to benefit this franchise.

Mullin's Night Sullied

The Golden State Warriors retired the number of one of their greatest players of all-time in #17 Chris Mullin. Unfortunately the proceedings were marred by what I previously thought to be one of the most knowledgeable fan bases in the NBA. The classless display put on by said fans at last night's ceremony proved to me once again, that I don't know a damn thing. The scene was set and a bunch of Mullin's friends were on hand for the occasion. He had his old Run TMC mate Mitch Richmond, Sarunius Marciulionis, and even Don Nelson came back to witness a long overdue moment for one of his favorite players. Everything was going smoothly during the festivities until new owner Joe Lacob took the mic and that's when a few bad apples overturned the cart. A loud chorus of boos could be heard throughout the building. Mullin even felt obliged to get back up and take the mic in an effort to restore normalcy. He praised the fans countless times, admitting that they are the most passionate fans, but need to take this passion and turn in a positive direction. This subsided things for a moment, but once Lacob started speaking again, the boo birds were back in force. This prompted NBA Hall of Famer and former Warrior Rick Barry to get up and chastise the crowd and even called them "classless" as he was saying how the new owner deserved their respect. While I don't necessarily agree with Barry's methods of crowd control, I have to say that I back up what he said 1000%. It has been said that good fans don't need prompts to know when to cheer. The Warriors crowd has always been noted as one of the best in the league, and one of the most knowledgeable fan bases in basketball. To do this to an owner that has gone out of his way to change to culture of losing, spared no cost to prove that he meant it, and has said time and again that he will leave no stone unturned in finding a way for this franchise to start winning. Is it the Lacob's fault that Tyson Chandler signed with the Knicks? Is it his fault that DeAndre Jordan was re-signed by his team after having accepted Lacob's offer sheet? Is it his fault that no free agent in the league today would willingly come to the Warriors if he had another option? The answer to all of these is a flat out and resounding NO. The Warriors once intellectual fan base has seemingly come apart at the seams, and is screaming bloody murder over the trade of Monta Ellis. Yes, this same Monta Ellis that has carried the Warriors on his back to the edge of greatness, and was knocking down the door to the championship. What? This never happened? Ellis couldn't even get his team into the playoffs, let alone fight for a title? Oh. Well then I have to wonder, why all the tears and sad faces because Ellis is now gone and the W's have a legitimate big man waiting to play next season? Why? Do these fans really not want to get better? Do they really just want to have an entertaining team that never wins anything? When I heard the display they put on last night (I watched it on t.v. and it was almost as bad as being there) I truly thought that the bottom fell out and they were no different than Miami Heat fans who just want to be entertained with no cares about history or championships or anything that really matters. I was disgusted at first and then I was just embarrassed. The night was supposed to celebrate the greatness that was Chris Mullin, but the fans turned it into a night of shame when the Golden State fans lost their way. In my mind Warrior fans used to be the smartest, hippest, down to earth crowd in the league. If they were a t.v. show they would have had the most star studded cast and popular show, but after the display last night they instantly turned themselves into a bunch of orange faced, sexually starved, fist pumping jerkoffs on earth. Do they realize that Monta Ellis would never take this team further than where they are today? Do they realize what they've got in his replacement Klay Thompson? Do they even know that "The Logo" Jerry West has a loud voice in the Warrior's front office? Do they know anything anymore? I'm not so sure. I can only hope this is just a phase that they're going through, and will snap out of it once they get a sniff of what the team is trying to accomplish. I, for one, like these risky, but strategic moves the front office is making. Andrew Bogut instantly makes them a credible defensive team as he can go toe to toe with any big man in the league, and will erase many mistakes that actually get to the rim. In my world, they lose more than they win the remainder of the season, keep their protected top 7 pick and then really have a chance at finally getting that impact player that can push them over the top either in the draft or by trading the picks that they've accumulated. If they do keep their own pick, that would give them 2 1st round picks, 2 2nd round picks, and a whole bunch of options at that point on making any trades to bolster the roster. With all of this being said, I'm not here to tell anyone how to act, but I am telling people the way they are acting is ignorant. Know the facts before you start booing. Know what the bigger picture is and not just seeing what is right in front of you. If you liked Monta that much I'm sure there is still plenty of room on the Bucks bandwagon. Go get a seat on it, because when the Warriors finally do turn it around, there will be no room left for the likes of you folks.

A Quick Update

Just a quick update to let you know what's been happening around here lately. Let me just get right into it, and away we go. (In no particular order) 1. Warriors trade Monta Ellis, Epke Udoh & Kwame Brown for Andrew Bogut & Stephen Jackson, who was then flipped for Richard Jefferson and a #1 pick next in 2012. 2. Raiders cut ties with Kamerion Wimbley, Stanford Routt, Chris Johnson, Kevin Boss, Rock Cartwright, Cooper Carlisle, John Henderson and who knows who else. Now they're prepared to start adding as they are now far enough under the cap. 3. The A's prized acquisition Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes began his MLB career by going 2-2 with a home run. 4. NCAA tournament started and no real huge upsets yet. Syracuse got a scare, but other than that, not much. 5. A surprise team has come into the Peyton Manning Sweepstakes and it's your own SF 49ers. In Harbaugh you trust, but will Jed spend all that dough? Did I read that Elway is talking 5 years and $90M? 6. Back to the Tourny, I guess VCU was an upset, but not really. I suppose you could say that North Carolina St. upset San Diego St., but not really. Both of these teams were picked by many as early round upset favorites, so maybe the selection committee erred a little bit in either direction. 7. Back to the games and Peyton Watch. HaHa. Sounded like Brian Fantana on that one.

The Madness Begins

With all due respect to my adopted college of Cal, the NCAA tournament started this morning. I don't care if they let every Div. 1 school in the tournament, it won't actually start until 64 teams remain.

If gambling were legal, I have a few plays that I'd like to make today, and here they are.

Vanderbilt -5
Wichita St. -6.5
New Mexico -4

Feel free to leave your thoughts and games and spreads that you like for today and tomorrow. Game on!

Monta Ellis gets Traded. Why is Everybody Crying?

The Warriors finally made the a big move by trading Monta Ellis youngster Ekpe Udoh for C Andrew Bogut and the ghost of Stephen "Captain Jack" Jackson. This wasn't the BIG move that they were calling for, but big enough to get the project underway.

Don't get me wrong, I've always been a big fan of the W's, and want nothing more than for this team to succeed. With that in mind, I've also loved watching Monta do his thing at The Oracle for several years now. However, I'd rather have a chance at winning, than a chance at keeping my high scoring, low efficiency, non-defensive and undersized 2 guard.

Am I saying that Andrew Bogut is the second coming of Bill Russell? No. I'm also not going to say that he's the second coming of Joe Barry Carroll either. Last year he was in the running for the defensive player of the year award. I liked Ekpe too, but Bogut was swatting away 2.6 shots PER GAME last season.

That kind of rim protection must be music to the ears of David Lee. With a healthy Bogut playing defense like a real 7 footer, blocking shots and denying the rim, Lee will be able to excel at what he does best, which is score the basketball and be a weak side rebounder. Lee should easily be at his NY Knick best 20/10 days soon enough.

The most intriguing thing about this deal is the opportunity it opens up for rookie Klay Thompson. He's not going to be able to replace Monta's all-around game right away, nor should he be expected to. He is a completely different player, and his game will prove that out. While not as quick as Monta, Thompson I believe will be more adept at using his bigger body while driving into the lane to create the contact that Monta rarely could. I'm a firm believer in Jerry West, and if he says that Thompson is going to be great, then I tend to believe him.

I recently heard somebody say that Monta Ellis was "Dwayne Wade Light". Nobody scoffed at the notion when it was said, but I had to wonder where exactly the "light" portion came from. He shoots it a little better than Dwayne, but no place else does Ellis compare. He doesn't play defense, he's not as big or strong, he's not a true team leader, and most importantly Ellis rarely visits the free throw line regardless of how many times he wildly drives the lane and scores.

It was reported that even some of the players were questioning the move thinking that "they were giving up on the season." I couldn't disagree more. I understand that the players are prone to thinking that anything is possible, but looking from the outside in, this team wasn't coming close to winning anything substantial with the team that they had.

It is in the best interest of the team for this year anyway, to miss the playoffs (not what many Warrior fans want to hear, but you've waited this long, what's another few months?) and try to hold on to that top 7 pick if they can. With Bogut, Jackson (or whoever they can get by spinning him elsewhere) and a top 7 rookie added to the current roster, this team has a chance to do some real damage in the league next season.

Add to that Coach Mark Jackson can finally get some players on the court who know what it is to play defense. Like him or not, Stephen Jackson instantly becomes the W's best defender, with all due respect to Dom McGuire, Jackson can still get it done in his mid 30's.

Of course all of this is conjecture at this point because we will all have to see how it plays itself out. The team we see this year is going to be different than any team we've seen in the bay area since my early childhood. That's right folks, the last time the Warriors had a true, legitimate center, was Joe Barry Carroll. My sincerest apologies go out to Rony Siekaly, Alton Lister, Todd Fuller, Erick Dampier, and the rest of the group rag tag no names or has beens that have been asked to play here in the past.

Can't wait to see on Friday how the Warriors game plan to stop Monta from putting up a 50 spot on them. They are probably going to use their new found size to beat down the Bucks undersized new backcourt. Hmmm, sounds vaguely familiar to me.

Bay Area is Hosting a Revival of Old, Former Stars

When you hear the names Manny Ramirez and Randy Moss, plenty of thoughts come to mind. However, when things are ll said and done at the end of the day, both of these guys will get their enshrinement into their respective Halls of Fame.

Manny Ramirez is talked about being the best right handed hitter in baseball history, and there is no denying that Randy Moss is an athletic freak of nature that was one of the NFL's most devastating weapons.

Both of them retired last year, mostly due to circumstances out of their control. Ramirez was caught cheating and would have to serve a 100 game penalty. Randy Moss after tearing through his latest teams was left with nobody calling his phone to invite him back to play.

They have more in common than just trying to resurrect their flailing careers here in the bay area, as they are basically the same type of player just performing their skills in different formats.

Moss is an enigmatic person, who when fully invested, who can make you think that God created him for the sole purpose of throwing his hand in the air while running unmolested down the field and catching long touchdown passes.

Manny is the same type of person. His whole Manny being Manny persona has almost overshadowed what he has accomplished in the game. He's a 12 time all-star, a 9 time Silver Slugger award winner (best hitter in the league, 2 time Hank Aaron award winner, and he also owns a World Series MVP. Did I mention he's smacked over 500 homers, and has won a batting title in the American League in 2002 by hitting .349?

We've all heard the same song and dance for both of these guys throughout their well-chronicled careers. No matter how well they play, or how good their team is, they always seemed to find a way to alienate everyone else by being selfish, and ended up leaving or being forced out due to their antics.

There is something this time that leads me to believe that things will be different for both men. Moss was only retired last season because nobody gave him a call to play. After not hearing from anyone during the season, he packed it up and decided to try again next year.

Ramirez on the other hand retired instead of facing the music from his one man band that produced his positive test and subsequent 100 game banning by MLB and Bud Selig. He now says that is not how he wanted to leave the game, and definitely not how he wants to show his young children how to handle life in general.

Let us not get carried away thinking that either of these guys is the same talent that they were just 3-5 years ago. Moss won't be pulling down 23 TD's anytime soon, and Manny won't be pushing for any hitting titles in the near future either. As odd as this may seem, both players should be decent enough on the field that their real purpose of being a mentor and leader to the younger guys on the team is realized.

The Niners have no wide receivers to speak of outside of Crabtree, and Moss can have a direct effect on him as a person and a player. Manny, being of Latin decent, can and will provide a good sounding board for Cuban newcomer Yoenis Cespedes as he learns the ins and outs of the major leagues. Who better to teach your young right handed power hitter the way to do things and craft a work ethic that is second to none.

Statistics are not going to show or prove that either one of these players made an impact on their team this year. The bump that they will give will come from the other players that they are around and influencing on a daily basis. Moss at 36, and Manny at 39 (he turns 40 in May, the day he is eligible to play) are in the twilight of their careers, and their legacy will be determined at how they play the mentor and leader roles this coming year.