Mets fans, Phillies fans? Where did you all go and hide to?

THREE POINT FIVE game lead!
  ¶ 7/30/2004 04:37:00 PM 1 comments

  Update Well.. I haven't had much urge to post much lately. Mostly for transitional purposes. The countdown has started and todays magic number is 10. 10 more. 10 less. 10 no less.

Big weekend series against the Mets.
One last hooray in Otown with my Rezi friends.
Football season around the corner.

I'm ready for August.

Bring it on.

I haven't ate all that well this week. A lot of bready type sandwich type items. I don't expect this to improve too well when I have pizza five times this weekend. (Hopefully less).
  ¶ 7/30/2004 11:24:00 AM 0 comments

  Tour de Lance With 2 stages to go, Lance Armstrong is well on his way to winning his 6th consecutive Tour de France setting a record for most wins in a row, previously tied between him and Miguel Indurain.


  ¶ 7/23/2004 03:20:00 PM 4 comments

  2005-05 Lakers Alright so the lineup is looking a lot different already with possibly a few other changes to come...

Starters
C Vlade Divac
PF Lamar Odom
SF Caron Butler
SG Kobe Bryant
PG Gary Payton

Subs
F/C Brian Grant
F/C Marcus Douthit*
F Luke Walton
F Brian Cook
F Rick Fox
F Devean George
F Bryon Russell
G Kareem Rush 
G Sasha Vujacic*

*rookie
  ¶ 7/20/2004 11:57:00 PM 1 comments

  Braves atop NL East
 
Atlanta Braves reliever John Smoltz reacts after the Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies, 4-2, Monday, July 19, 2004, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/ Haraz Ghanbari)
 
The Braves are in First Place by themselves for the first time all season!
  ¶ 7/20/2004 08:52:00 AM 3 comments

  First Place!! EAST  W  L  PCT  GB  HOME  ROAD  EAST  CENT  WEST  AL  L10  STRK  

Atlanta 46 42 .523 - 23-19 23-23 26-14 6-9 6-9 8-10 8-2 W3 
Philadelphia 46 42 .523 - 26-22 20-20 17-23 6-6 14-5 9-8 5-5 L3 
Florida 45 43 .511 1.0 24-22 21-21 22-13 7-11 9-8 7-11 4-6 W2 
New York 45 43 .511 1.0 25-16 20-27 17-16 7-14 11-5 10-8 6-4 W1 
Montreal 31 57 .352 15.0 18-27 13-30 10-26 8-11 6-9 7-11 4-6 L1
  ¶ 7/15/2004 11:25:00 PM 2 comments

  Kobe Stays! Kobe Bryant has decided to resign with the Los Angeles Lakers.



Details to come...  ¶ 7/15/2004 03:16:00 PM 0 comments

  Kobe's Turn

Word is that Kobe will announce his decision around noon Pacific time today (3pm Eastern)  ¶ 7/15/2004 10:47:00 AM 0 comments

  It's Official Shaquille O'Neal has been traded to the Miami Heat in exchange for Lamar Odom, Brian Grant, Caron Butler, and a future first round pick.

The balance of power has shifted back to the Eastern Conference (even though the Pistons would say it alread did shift, now its officially shifted)  ¶ 7/14/2004 03:13:00 PM 0 comments

  Imminent Shaq Trade now imminent and about to be finalized.  ¶ 7/14/2004 02:46:00 PM 0 comments

  One Hour Word is that the Shaq trade could go down an hour.  ¶ 7/14/2004 01:38:00 PM 0 comments

  The Signing Period has begun Today is the day in which NBA players can sign with new teams or be traded. The Signing Period has begun. Lets hope for the best.

Lakers, Clippers make final pitches for Bryant John Nadel / Associated Press

Kobe Bryant wasn't tipping his hand as the clock ticked down on the final hours of the NBA's two-week moratorium on trades and free agent signings.

Eager to learn his choice but uncertain when that decision might come, the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers awaited word from Bryant or one of his agents Tuesday.
Both clubs made formal presentations to the free agent guard on Monday.

The end of the moratorium was to coincide with the league releasing the new salary cap figure for the 2004-05 season, an announcement that will impact the size of Bryant's new contract - and those of several other free agents.

Bryant will be eligible to receive a starting salary equal to 30 percent of the cap, which was $43.84 million last season.

While Bryant made everyone in Los Angeles wait, and while his agent, Rob Pelinka, again did not return several phone messages, the process of trading Shaquille O'Neal was being set in motion.

The Lakers and Miami Heat were expected to complete a deal Wednesday sending O'Neal to the Heat for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant and a first-round draft pick.

Among the top free agents whose plans were not yet known were Karl Malone and Derek Fisher of the Lakers.

Martin was weighing whether to sign an offer sheet with Atlanta or Denver after sign-and-trade discussions between the Nuggets and Nets broke down.

Malone, puzzled by the breakup of the Lakers, was being courted by the Spurs.

"Without a doubt I'm serious (about the Spurs)," Malone told the San Antonio Express-News. "I've had serious dialogue with them, and more than once. I've talked to Coach (Gregg) Popovich two or three times and (general manager) R.C. (Buford) one or two times. They call about every other day. I've had great dialogue with them."

Malone, however, said he will not make a decision on next season until he knows whether he can perform at 100 percent of his capability. He recently underwent surgery on his left knee, which he sprained twice last season.   ¶ 7/14/2004 12:34:00 AM 0 comments

  Fans Red Sox fans are just obnoxious.
Yankees fans are just arrogant..
Mets fans are just annoying.

I wish those Mets fans would just SHUTUP.  ¶ 7/12/2004 09:11:00 AM 8 comments

  Braves on a Tear! They just completed the sweep vs the Expos by beating them tonight 14-2 in San Juan. 6 Home Runs tonight, Andruw Jones went 4-4 with 2 homers and Charles Thomas hit his first ever. Before this game they took 2/3 against the Red Sox, 3/4 against the Marlins, and 2/3 against Baltimore. Things are looking great. Thanks to the Mets for beating the Phillies tonight and the Marlins for losing. 1.5 games from first place.

2004 National League Standings
E A S T - RACE W L PCT GB HOME ROAD RS RA STRK L10
Philadelphia 44 39 .530 - 24-20 20-19 436 407 Lost 2 6-4
NY Mets 43 40 .518 1 24-16 19-24 373 347 Won 2 6-4
Atlanta 43 41 .512 1.5 22-19 21-22 399 367 Won 4 8-2
Florida 43 42 .506 2 22-21 21-21 362 373 Lost 1 4-6
Montreal 28 55 .337 16 15-26 13-29 282 392 Lost 3 4-6   ¶ 7/07/2004 11:39:00 PM 0 comments

  Ken Jeopardy
Ken Jennings is destroying the competition in Jeopardy. I feel like I am late on this story since Jeopardy is in tape delay and the outcome of this streak has potentially already ended at some point months ago, but it is impressive.


has anyone seen this guy?

he's freakin insane..

won like 27 Jeopardys in a row.

(only a few years ago did they switch the rule that lets play longer than 5, but still)

if you havent seen it, check it out  ¶ 7/07/2004 08:30:00 PM 1 comments

  Don't Count Braves Out By Tim Kurkjian
ESPN The Magazine

At the July 31 trading deadline, will the Braves be buyers or sellers? Due to Atlanta's astounding success, that question that hasn't been asked in nearly 15 years. "When guys [reporters] call me and leave that question, I don't call back," says Braves general manager John Schuerholz. "How dare they suggest we do anything but we need to do to win."

John Schuerholz, left, and manager Bobby Cox face perhaps their greatest challenge this year.

The Braves haven't been sellers since 1990, the last year they didn't make it to the postseason. Since then, they've been the ones who've added at the deadline, sometimes small pieces such as Mike Devereaux (who wound up being an LCS MVP), sometimes big ones such as Fred McGriff, Denny Neagle and Alejandro Pena. That's where Schuerholz is at his best, finding that last guy he needs to take the Braves into the playoffs, and beyond.

This year, however, is different. The Braves cut $15 million in payroll in the winter, which cost them over half their home runs and RBI, and made them one of two teams in history (the other was the 2004 Rangers) to lose two, 35-home run hitters (Gary Sheffield and Javy Lopez) in the same offseason. These Braves no longer are the front-runners to acquire the best player available, as they once were with McGriff. But they're not giving up.

"I can't think that way," Schuerholz says. "It's my in nature. It's not in the organization's nature. We have to be more creative. More innovative. We need to try to win."

The Braves have a chance. Despite all the personnel losses from the offseason, despite all the injuries this season and the disappointing seasons from some of their best players, the Braves entered Wednesday a game above .500. They trailed the first-place Phillies by only 2½ games in the National League East. "If Chipper Jones [.214] and Andruw Jones [.250] were hitting what they usually hit, and we hadn't lost Marcus Giles, our best player, we'd have a three- or four-game lead right now," Schuerholz said. "If you had told me [all the things that have gone wrong this year], I'd say we'd be a dozen games out of first place right now. But we said if could be within five or six games when Marcus came back, we would be in the fight."

Giles, who hasn't played since breaking his collarbone May 15 in a collision with Andruw Jones, is due back July 15, the first day after the All-Star break. Horatio Ramirez, who has had a sore shoulder, "is due back soon," says Schuerholz. When they return, they'll see somewhat of a new look; that is, Chipper Jones back at third base to protect his hamstring injury. The Braves, despite all of their division titles, have re-made their team several times in the offseason. This year, they had to do some of it during the season, another reason why Bobby Cox will someday be recalled as the one of the best managers ever.

The Braves have been helped by some minor-league recalls, including Giles' replacement, Nick Green, who has been "sensational," says Schuerholz. Rookie Charles Thomas has done a nice job in left field, replacing injured DeWayne Wise, who had replaced Chipper Jones there. And, of course, the key acquisitions made by Schuerholz the last two years have been terrific: catcher Johnny Estrada made the All-Star team, and right fielder J.D. Drew has had an All-Star season. They, along with decent starting pitching and a great closer (John Smoltz), have kept the Braves in the race when it appeared there was little chance.

Now the plan is to keep Russ Ortiz, their best starting pitcher. He is a free agent after this season, and might not re-sign with Atlanta. But instead of dealing him, the Braves are going to try to win with him. Instead of dealing a veteran bat such as Julio Franco, they're going to keep him as part of their platoon at first base. Instead of subtracting, they might add even though they don't have the funds or the resources they've had in other years.

"I think we can," says Schuerholz. "We have to be creative. But we feel good things are ahead."  ¶ 7/07/2004 04:43:00 PM 0 comments

  .500 The Braves have finally returned to .500 ball at 41-41 and things are looking on the up and up. The Jones's are starting to hit the ball. The Pitchers are getting people out. The offense has been lite from the rear and is starting to produce things like 9 run innings and 6 run first innings. Even though they are still around 3 games back from the Phillies things are starting to look real good. I can feel it. Johnny Estrada is our lone all star player, as expected. The called-up Charles Thomas is exactly what we needed and adds a ton of speed from left field. Chipper moving back to third has helped. Giles will return in a couple weeks and that will help. Things are looking good.  ¶ 7/06/2004 08:59:00 AM 0 comments

  Coach K offered Lakers job

Will he take it?

Krzyzewski has a 621-179 record in 24 seasons at Duke, leading the Blue Devils to NCAA championships in 1991, 1992 and 2001. Under Krzyzewski, the Blue Devils have 10 Final Four appearances, eight Atlantic Coast Conference tournament championships and 10 conference regular-season titles.

He has accomplished everything he can at the college level. We wouldn't call it leaving early if he were to jump to the pros.

I say, take the job!  ¶ 7/02/2004 08:57:00 AM 0 comments

  Amazing Game, Amazing Catch Talk about a classic. This game had it all. Great pitching. A couple home runs. Unbelievable defense. A fooling triple play that was really only a double play. A come from behind victory in the 13th inning with 2 outs. Nomar on the bench. Pedro. Jeter. Arod. Wow.


(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

from Newsday.com

Jeter's play to remember
Captain is bloodied, bruised and one of a kind

BY MICHAEL WEINREB, STAFF WRITER, Newsday, Jul 2, 2004

There went Derek Jeter charging at full speed toward the third-base line, into foul territory to chase a pop fly that he had no business catching in the first place. It was the 12th inning of a Yankees-Red Sox game that seemed as if it might never end, two outs, runners on second and third, and Jeter kept chasing, chasing, chasing Trot Nixon's foul ball all the way to the edge of the stands. He lunged with his glove, did a half-gainer over an empty seat, and landed in a heap of flesh and leather.

Even from afar, it looked awful. It looked like a swan dive into an empty pool. From close-up, said Alex Rodriguez after the Yankees' improbable 5-4, 13-inning victory completed a three-game sweep, it only looked worse.

"He just went in so hard," Rodriguez said. "You think the guy's gonna be dead."

But this is Jeter, and this is his way-always hard, never stopping - and a moment later, in the midst of several fans, up he popped. He had blood trickling down his bruised right cheek and spotting his uniform, and he had lacerated his chin and bruised his shoulder, and yet there, in his glove, was the baseball. And on his face was a defiant look that most likely will not be forgotten any time soon. Not in Boston, and not in New York.

This was an October face: the blood, the bruises, the frown. And this was an October play.

"He'll probably feel like he's in a car wreck when he wakes up," said Yankees general manager Brian Cashman.

"Greatest catch I've ever seen," Rodriguez said.

Long after Jeter had gone to Columbia Presbyterian hospital for X-rays on his bruised right cheek (they turned out to be negative), this was the play the Yankees couldn't stop talking about. This was the kind of play that made them think they couldn't possibly lose, that kept running through their minds as this game got crazier and crazier and ended with Rodriguez playing shortstop for the first time all season and Sheffield playing third base for the first time in more than a decade and John Flaherty, of all people, getting the game-winning hit.

On and on went the twists and turns, as only Yankees-Red Sox can provide. But all of the discussion kept coming back to Jeter.

"That's probably the best play I've ever seen," Sheffield said. "I've never seen a guy of his caliber go all out like that. It shows you how important these games are."

And it shows you how important Jeter is. His absence prompted chaos in the Yankee infield. The bench was depleted, and Rodriguez found himself at shortstop again. Sheffield, who had discussed playing third with manager Joe Torre, found himself asking first baseman Tony Clark for a few extra warm-up tosses so he wouldn't hurl a ball into the fourth row.

"I thought we were in the middle of a softball charity game," Rodriguez said. "I didn't really enjoy it too much. It was like I had the Miami ocean to cover - too much ground."

Sheffield made an error in the 13th on a bad throw, but it was inconsequential. What mattered in the end was that the Yankees rebounded from a 4-3 deficit in the bottom of the inning. What mattered in the end was not the game of musical chairs that occurred in the wake of Jeter's play, but the play itself.

With the Yankees now in command of the American League East, with the Red Sox reeling, this was the sort of play that could carry a team through until October.

"Our captain," said Sheffield, "showed us the way."


(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)  ¶ 7/02/2004 08:52:00 AM 0 comments