Friday, October 31, 2008
The Lighter Side Guide to Madison, WI
I wrote this piece for Sports Illustrated on Campus last winter as part of the site's "Road Trip" series.
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Enjoy.
Haggy
Enjoy.
Haggy
Monday, October 27, 2008
Game 5
It's only fair that the Rays tied the game in the sixth.
The rain pouring down in sheets, and trailing by one, Tampa Bay was in jeopardy of losing the game and World Series with three innings outstanding.
Weather conditions became serious enough at the start of the fifth inning where the umpires could have delayed the game without objection. Waiting, plus a questionable strike zone, allowed the Phillies to take the lead into the "it counts" innings.
Shane Victorino hit a two-out two-run bases loaded single in the first inning following a walk to Pat Burrell that featured what appeared to be strike three twice, but were called balls.
B.J. Upton stole second in the mud and Carlos Pena knocked him home to tie the score in the bottom of the sixth.
The rain delay began immediately after Evan Longoria flied out to end the inning.
Assuming the conditions don't dramatically improve, the Rays will live to see another day, but with only nine outs to make a move.
The rain pouring down in sheets, and trailing by one, Tampa Bay was in jeopardy of losing the game and World Series with three innings outstanding.
Weather conditions became serious enough at the start of the fifth inning where the umpires could have delayed the game without objection. Waiting, plus a questionable strike zone, allowed the Phillies to take the lead into the "it counts" innings.
Shane Victorino hit a two-out two-run bases loaded single in the first inning following a walk to Pat Burrell that featured what appeared to be strike three twice, but were called balls.
B.J. Upton stole second in the mud and Carlos Pena knocked him home to tie the score in the bottom of the sixth.
The rain delay began immediately after Evan Longoria flied out to end the inning.
Assuming the conditions don't dramatically improve, the Rays will live to see another day, but with only nine outs to make a move.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Remember, Reflect and Wish
Homecoming.
The memories of old come swirling back like cool breeze on a hot summer's day. For one day it doesn't matter how the Badgers perform on the field; the celebration is people coming together, seeing one another for the first time in a year.
The cardinal and white crowds lining State Street for the Homecoming Parade and the fireworks display afterward; grabbing a brat and guzzling a can of beer before the 11 a.m. game; "Jumping Around" after the third quarter and staying for the Fifth Quarter -- all of these things are what make Homecoming, and being a Badger, unique.
Before you go back to the grind and work, climb Bascom Hill once more and soak in the fall sun glowing over Lake Mendota at the Terrace.
This weekend is about you, Badgers.
Live it up.
The memories of old come swirling back like cool breeze on a hot summer's day. For one day it doesn't matter how the Badgers perform on the field; the celebration is people coming together, seeing one another for the first time in a year.
The cardinal and white crowds lining State Street for the Homecoming Parade and the fireworks display afterward; grabbing a brat and guzzling a can of beer before the 11 a.m. game; "Jumping Around" after the third quarter and staying for the Fifth Quarter -- all of these things are what make Homecoming, and being a Badger, unique.
Before you go back to the grind and work, climb Bascom Hill once more and soak in the fall sun glowing over Lake Mendota at the Terrace.
This weekend is about you, Badgers.
Live it up.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Phillies Can't Hit
Base runners abound
Stranded by teammates to come
Wasted chance means loss
(A Haggy Haiku)
Stranded by teammates to come
Wasted chance means loss
(A Haggy Haiku)
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Starting Sherer a Good Play
Wisconsin isn't going anywhere this season.
A bowl game seems increasingly out of reach with each passing week. No one wants to play in Detroit at the end of December, anyway.
Allan Evridge proved he couldn't get it done, leading UW to a 3-3 record. His eligibility is reaching an anticlimactic end. There's nothing left for him to prove, or do.
Dustin Sherer is terrible. He's not a Big Ten caliber quarterback. Everyone who hasn't figured that out, watch him this weekend against Illinois. View tape of last week's blowout loss to Iowa.
Still, the way it stands now, on the faint chance that Sherer can mature into something adequate, he should start.
College football isn't an affable environs for bringing up future talent. So much is at stake in a mere 12 game slate.
The Badgers need to break the rules.
Tyler Donovan used the experience gained in 2006 when starter John Stocco sat with a shoulder injury to piece together a decent start to '07. Much in the same way Matt Shaughnessy did his freshman year after injuries and inconsistencies limited Jamal Cooper and Kurt Ware. By playing the season before Donovan also reached his ceiling sooner. Week 6, against the Illini.
Sherer's time is now. The coaching staff is grooming Curt Phillips for the future. No reason to waste a year of eligibility on a lost season.
So Badger fans, prepare for the worst. It's going to be a long, long winter.
A bowl game seems increasingly out of reach with each passing week. No one wants to play in Detroit at the end of December, anyway.
Allan Evridge proved he couldn't get it done, leading UW to a 3-3 record. His eligibility is reaching an anticlimactic end. There's nothing left for him to prove, or do.
Dustin Sherer is terrible. He's not a Big Ten caliber quarterback. Everyone who hasn't figured that out, watch him this weekend against Illinois. View tape of last week's blowout loss to Iowa.
Still, the way it stands now, on the faint chance that Sherer can mature into something adequate, he should start.
College football isn't an affable environs for bringing up future talent. So much is at stake in a mere 12 game slate.
The Badgers need to break the rules.
Tyler Donovan used the experience gained in 2006 when starter John Stocco sat with a shoulder injury to piece together a decent start to '07. Much in the same way Matt Shaughnessy did his freshman year after injuries and inconsistencies limited Jamal Cooper and Kurt Ware. By playing the season before Donovan also reached his ceiling sooner. Week 6, against the Illini.
Sherer's time is now. The coaching staff is grooming Curt Phillips for the future. No reason to waste a year of eligibility on a lost season.
So Badger fans, prepare for the worst. It's going to be a long, long winter.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Rays World Series Bound
Big names, big comeback,
Nothing deterred the young Rays
World Series awaits
(A Haggy Haiku)
Nothing deterred the young Rays
World Series awaits
(A Haggy Haiku)
Friday, October 17, 2008
Speaking of Hank Steinbrenner...
It's quite humorous the way things worked out for the Yankees this season.
They missed the playoffs for the first time since 1995 all because the Yankees ... decided to not be the Yankees.
For the first time in more than a decade the John D. Rockefeller of baseball chose not to open up his pocketbook. The Yankees, under Hank Steinbrenner's direction, chose to develop prospects rather than pawn them in exchange for ready-made All-Star talent.
Steinbrenner passed on a trade for Johan Santana because he didn't want to part with Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes.
Santana nearly single-handedly carried the Mets into the postseason. Hughes and Kennedy were out of the rotation by May. Hughes, after a rough April, landed on the disabled list for four months with a stress fracture to his ribs. Kennedy proved he wasn't Major League ready, going 0-4 with a 8.17 ERA in 10 games (nine starts).
Wait, there's more.
The other player Minnesota sought to acquire in exchange for Santana was outfielder Melky Cabrera.
Guess what?
Cabrera lost his starting job when Xavier Nady arrived from Pittsburgh at the trading deadline and finished the season batting an unimpressive .249.
Hughes and Kennedy still have tremendous upside. Expectations are also higher than the Empire State Building in New York and across the nation for the Yankees.
Go out and get the talent now. It's the strategy New York took to 12-straight playoff appearances. It's what the fans want. It's what they're accustomed to. And it gives purpose to that thick wallet.
After all, as childhood taught, don't try to be someone you're not.
They missed the playoffs for the first time since 1995 all because the Yankees ... decided to not be the Yankees.
For the first time in more than a decade the John D. Rockefeller of baseball chose not to open up his pocketbook. The Yankees, under Hank Steinbrenner's direction, chose to develop prospects rather than pawn them in exchange for ready-made All-Star talent.
Steinbrenner passed on a trade for Johan Santana because he didn't want to part with Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes.
Santana nearly single-handedly carried the Mets into the postseason. Hughes and Kennedy were out of the rotation by May. Hughes, after a rough April, landed on the disabled list for four months with a stress fracture to his ribs. Kennedy proved he wasn't Major League ready, going 0-4 with a 8.17 ERA in 10 games (nine starts).
Wait, there's more.
The other player Minnesota sought to acquire in exchange for Santana was outfielder Melky Cabrera.
Guess what?
Cabrera lost his starting job when Xavier Nady arrived from Pittsburgh at the trading deadline and finished the season batting an unimpressive .249.
Hughes and Kennedy still have tremendous upside. Expectations are also higher than the Empire State Building in New York and across the nation for the Yankees.
Go out and get the talent now. It's the strategy New York took to 12-straight playoff appearances. It's what the fans want. It's what they're accustomed to. And it gives purpose to that thick wallet.
After all, as childhood taught, don't try to be someone you're not.
Dodgers Dropped
Good thing the Dodgers lost when they did.
That's got to be what Hank Steinbrenner is thinking. Since the Yankees didn't make the playoffs, former NY manager Joe Torre should go home with nothing, too. It's only fair.
Think about it. The Boss has a point.
Let's take a look at the final regular season standings for more insight.
Including the Marlins, who finished with a better record by playing one fewer game, seven teams had a higher winning percentage than Los Angeles. Although L.A. put up a respectable showing in the postseason, dispatching the stricken Cubs in four games before looking over matched against the Phillies, it didn't belong. Four deserving teams missed out.
Not only did the Dodgers put up an unconvincing record, they failed to do so competing in the softest NL division top to bottom. Against the Diamondbacks, Giants, Padres and Rockies, Los Angeles went 40-32. Against everyone else: 44-46.
The NL has been screwy before. The Cubs made the postseason last year, despite New York and San Diego posting better records. In 2006, St. Louis reaped the benefit of MLB's rule that all division winners make the playoffs bid by winning the World Series. And San Diego took an 82-80 record into October in 2005.
The American League, and Yankees encountered the same problem this season. New York got stuck in the same division as the Rays and Red Sox, two of the best teams in baseball. Never mind having to face both 17 times this season, if the Yankees played in the NL West, or even the AL Central, they would have made the playoffs. Poor Steinbrenner.
Now with the Rays in the picture for what appears to be the long haul given their young talent and farm system, at least one AL East giant is going to be on the outside looking in every year.
Not to say that the divisions need to be absolved. The rivalries and competition are healthy. But given the recent trend that the playoffs don't represent the four best teams in each league, change should come. Just ask Steinbrenner.
That's got to be what Hank Steinbrenner is thinking. Since the Yankees didn't make the playoffs, former NY manager Joe Torre should go home with nothing, too. It's only fair.
Think about it. The Boss has a point.
Let's take a look at the final regular season standings for more insight.
| 2008 National League - Standings | ||||||||||||||
| EAST | W | L | PCT | GB | ||||||||||
| x-Philadelphia | 92 | 70 | .568 | - | ||||||||||
| NY Mets | 89 | 73 | .549 | 3 | ||||||||||
| Florida | 84 | 77 | .522 | 7.5 | ||||||||||
| Atlanta | 72 | 90 | .444 | 20 | ||||||||||
| Washington | 59 | 102 | .366 | 32.5 | ||||||||||
| CENTRAL | W | L | PCT | GB | ||||||||||
| *-Chicago Cubs | 97 | 64 | .602 | - | ||||||||||
| y-Milwaukee | 90 | 72 | .556 | 7.5 | ||||||||||
| Houston | 86 | 75 | .534 | 11 | ||||||||||
| St. Louis | 86 | 76 | .531 | 11.5 | ||||||||||
| Cincinnati | 74 | 88 | .457 | 23.5 | ||||||||||
| Pittsburgh | 67 | 95 | .414 | 30.5 | ||||||||||
| WEST | W | L | PCT | GB | ||||||||||
| x-LA Dodgers | 84 | 78 | .519 | - | ||||||||||
| Arizona | 82 | 80 | .506 | 2 | ||||||||||
| Colorado | 74 | 88 | .457 | 10 | ||||||||||
| San Francisco | 72 | 90 | .444 | 12 | ||||||||||
| San Diego | 63 | 99 | .389 | 21 | ||||||||||
Including the Marlins, who finished with a better record by playing one fewer game, seven teams had a higher winning percentage than Los Angeles. Although L.A. put up a respectable showing in the postseason, dispatching the stricken Cubs in four games before looking over matched against the Phillies, it didn't belong. Four deserving teams missed out.
Not only did the Dodgers put up an unconvincing record, they failed to do so competing in the softest NL division top to bottom. Against the Diamondbacks, Giants, Padres and Rockies, Los Angeles went 40-32. Against everyone else: 44-46.
The NL has been screwy before. The Cubs made the postseason last year, despite New York and San Diego posting better records. In 2006, St. Louis reaped the benefit of MLB's rule that all division winners make the playoffs bid by winning the World Series. And San Diego took an 82-80 record into October in 2005.
The American League, and Yankees encountered the same problem this season. New York got stuck in the same division as the Rays and Red Sox, two of the best teams in baseball. Never mind having to face both 17 times this season, if the Yankees played in the NL West, or even the AL Central, they would have made the playoffs. Poor Steinbrenner.
Now with the Rays in the picture for what appears to be the long haul given their young talent and farm system, at least one AL East giant is going to be on the outside looking in every year.
Not to say that the divisions need to be absolved. The rivalries and competition are healthy. But given the recent trend that the playoffs don't represent the four best teams in each league, change should come. Just ask Steinbrenner.
Refuse to Lose
Staring down defeat
The mighty Red Sox stood tall
Eight unanswered scored
(A Haggy Haiku)
The mighty Red Sox stood tall
Eight unanswered scored
(A Haggy Haiku)
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Gramatica Continued
After watching Gramatica's performance Monday night it's curious why the Saints cut Taylor Mehlhaff.
He was drafted in May to be the team's kicker. Certainly Mehlhaff couldn't do worse than a blocked kick returned for a touchdown and another miss that would have given the Saints the lead late (Gramatica Monday).
Mehlhaff has a moderately strong and quite precise foot. He made 77 percent of his kicks in college as a member of the Wisconsin Badgers and can hit from up to 55 yards out (career long is 52).
A missed 40 yard kick in the final preseason game was essentially the difference between a job and walking. Otherwise, the two were about even.
Gramatica has misfired on two chances to potentially win games for the Saints. The other came September 21 against the Broncos.
It's time New Orleans took a different direction. Mehlhaff is waiting, ready for another chance.
He was drafted in May to be the team's kicker. Certainly Mehlhaff couldn't do worse than a blocked kick returned for a touchdown and another miss that would have given the Saints the lead late (Gramatica Monday).
Mehlhaff has a moderately strong and quite precise foot. He made 77 percent of his kicks in college as a member of the Wisconsin Badgers and can hit from up to 55 yards out (career long is 52).
A missed 40 yard kick in the final preseason game was essentially the difference between a job and walking. Otherwise, the two were about even.
Gramatica has misfired on two chances to potentially win games for the Saints. The other came September 21 against the Broncos.
It's time New Orleans took a different direction. Mehlhaff is waiting, ready for another chance.
Publish Post
Martin Gramatica
Time to prove his worth
With the snap he swings and boots
Wide left, the Saints lose
(A Haggy Haiku)
With the snap he swings and boots
Wide left, the Saints lose
(A Haggy Haiku)
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Boom Goes the ... Season
That would be a good haiku. Let's put it to use.
Boom goes the season
Defense seen in disarray
Sadness everywhere
(A Haggy Haiku)
--------------------------------------------------------------
About the only thing this year's Badgers are good at is heartbreaking losses.
Even with the backing of the raucous, and sometimes belligerent Camp Randall crowd of 80,000-plus, the Wisconsin Badgers couldn't tackle the option executed by Terrell Pryor and Chris "Beanie" Wells nor their own mental mistakes in a 20-17 setback.
Energized by the uproarious crowd after a 2-yard lead-changing touchdown run by P.J. Hill at 6:31 of the fourth quarter, the UW defense took the field, 16 game home winning streak intact.
Soon a march began. Only it wasn't to the tune of On Wisconsin.
Two deep passes over a deserted middle of the field, two fumbles fortunately recovered and confusion on the part of the Badger defense culminated in a 11-yard touchdown run by Pryor, the freshman quarterback.
The Buckeyes had taken the lead with 1:08 to play.
Faced with a third-and-6, Pryor bought time against the Badger four man rush and threw downfield to a wide-open Brian Hartline. First down. Wisconsin's cover 2 defense seemed to be playing prevent, as safeties Shane Carter and Jay Valai were 20 yards from the line of scrimmage.
After recovering his own fumble, Pryor cooly connected with Hartline again between the hash marks for a 27-yard gain. Valai's tackle knocked the ball into the air, but OSU receiver Brian Robiskie tracked down and secured it.
Wells ran for a first down and Pryor quaterback sneaked for another on third-and-1 at the UW 13 yardline.
Two plays later, Pryor ran the option as Wisconsin's linebacking corps stood huddle in the middle of the field bemused. Valai picked up Wells, but there was no one to stop Pryor. Touchdown.
The 12-play, 80-yard drive spanning 5:23 put Ohio State (5-1, 2-0 Big Ten) ahead to stay, 20-17.
Wisconsin's last-ditch effort resulted in an easy interception for Buckeyes corner Malcolm Jenkins.
Game over.
Goodbye national title. Goodbye Pasadena.
Hello meaningless bowl.
Something Wisconsin (3-2, 0-2) surely wanted to avoid after last weekend's uncomprehensible loss to Michigan.
Ohio State is good. Pryor and Wells are dynamite. The Wisconsin defense .... not so much.
Several vicious stiffarms to the face by Wells didn't deter the Badgers from going high on the steamroller halfback. When Pryor lined up behind center and Wells offset to the left or right, the Wisconsin defense couldn't decipher that the option might be run. And when Pryor rolled out in Wells' direction, the Wisconsin defense couldn't figure out how to get a man to contain each.
On offense, Evridge failed to look in tight end Travis Beckum's direction until the fourth series. Blessed with an athlete of Beckum's talent, take advantage. Use him.
No other reciever on the team can hold onto the ball.
Coaching is culpable.
Developing quarterbacks into one-year starters is folly. So is continually relying on inconsistent players each week. If there's no replacement, recruiting needs improving.
The expectations are higher now. Every year the Badgers are supposed to compete for the Big Ten title.
Though the BCS bowls are almost undoubtly out of the realm of possibility, each forthcoming game carries weight, quite possibly for years to come (with stronger incoming freshmen classes).
Coaches, take this time to teach. Players, take this time to learn. And all, take this advice to heart.
Boom goes the season
Defense seen in disarray
Sadness everywhere
(A Haggy Haiku)
--------------------------------------------------------------
About the only thing this year's Badgers are good at is heartbreaking losses.
Even with the backing of the raucous, and sometimes belligerent Camp Randall crowd of 80,000-plus, the Wisconsin Badgers couldn't tackle the option executed by Terrell Pryor and Chris "Beanie" Wells nor their own mental mistakes in a 20-17 setback.
Energized by the uproarious crowd after a 2-yard lead-changing touchdown run by P.J. Hill at 6:31 of the fourth quarter, the UW defense took the field, 16 game home winning streak intact.
Soon a march began. Only it wasn't to the tune of On Wisconsin.
Two deep passes over a deserted middle of the field, two fumbles fortunately recovered and confusion on the part of the Badger defense culminated in a 11-yard touchdown run by Pryor, the freshman quarterback.
The Buckeyes had taken the lead with 1:08 to play.
Faced with a third-and-6, Pryor bought time against the Badger four man rush and threw downfield to a wide-open Brian Hartline. First down. Wisconsin's cover 2 defense seemed to be playing prevent, as safeties Shane Carter and Jay Valai were 20 yards from the line of scrimmage.
After recovering his own fumble, Pryor cooly connected with Hartline again between the hash marks for a 27-yard gain. Valai's tackle knocked the ball into the air, but OSU receiver Brian Robiskie tracked down and secured it.
Wells ran for a first down and Pryor quaterback sneaked for another on third-and-1 at the UW 13 yardline.
Two plays later, Pryor ran the option as Wisconsin's linebacking corps stood huddle in the middle of the field bemused. Valai picked up Wells, but there was no one to stop Pryor. Touchdown.
The 12-play, 80-yard drive spanning 5:23 put Ohio State (5-1, 2-0 Big Ten) ahead to stay, 20-17.
Wisconsin's last-ditch effort resulted in an easy interception for Buckeyes corner Malcolm Jenkins.
Game over.
Goodbye national title. Goodbye Pasadena.
Hello meaningless bowl.
Something Wisconsin (3-2, 0-2) surely wanted to avoid after last weekend's uncomprehensible loss to Michigan.
Ohio State is good. Pryor and Wells are dynamite. The Wisconsin defense .... not so much.
Several vicious stiffarms to the face by Wells didn't deter the Badgers from going high on the steamroller halfback. When Pryor lined up behind center and Wells offset to the left or right, the Wisconsin defense couldn't decipher that the option might be run. And when Pryor rolled out in Wells' direction, the Wisconsin defense couldn't figure out how to get a man to contain each.
On offense, Evridge failed to look in tight end Travis Beckum's direction until the fourth series. Blessed with an athlete of Beckum's talent, take advantage. Use him.
No other reciever on the team can hold onto the ball.
Coaching is culpable.
Developing quarterbacks into one-year starters is folly. So is continually relying on inconsistent players each week. If there's no replacement, recruiting needs improving.
The expectations are higher now. Every year the Badgers are supposed to compete for the Big Ten title.
Though the BCS bowls are almost undoubtly out of the realm of possibility, each forthcoming game carries weight, quite possibly for years to come (with stronger incoming freshmen classes).
Coaches, take this time to teach. Players, take this time to learn. And all, take this advice to heart.
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