It’s Time to Make All-Star Game Meaningless July 16, 2008
Posted by njsportstalk in Baseball.1 comment so far
Again.. I guess after the 2002 tie something needed to be done to fix the All-Star Game. But having a single game decide something as important as home-field advantage in the World Series is crazy. The worst case scenario for Bud Selig and baseball almost happened last night, as the game kept chugging along to the 15th inning. Each team had used every position player and every pitcher. What would of happened if the game went 2 or 3 more innings? Would the AL really let Scott Kazmir throw 3-4 innings 2 days after throwing 100+ pitches? Would the NL really let a 1 inning closer in Brad Lidge throw more then another inning?
As crazy as it seems you might of seen position players pitching and both pitchers hiding in the outfield hoping the ball doesnt get hit to them. And this is how home field advantage is decided? What would that game really of proved; what team has the best pitching position players? It’s time to let something else decide home-field advantage. Or just give it to the AL, they win every year anyway. (HAHA)
Yankees Sweep Important Series July 9, 2008
Posted by njsportstalk in Baseball.1 comment so far
It’s not often you hear the New York Yankees needing to sweep a series pre-All Star break, but they did. And you never hear about that series being against the Tampa Bay Rays. But during the last two days in the Bronx, that has been exactly the case. The Yankees came into the series trailing the young Rays by 8.5 games. After two impressive victories, the margin is only 6.5 games. Had the Rays been able to sweep the Yankees, well the division would of most likely been over; at least as far as the Yankees were concerned.
The Rays left New York today with a reminder of the old days. A reminder of those previous season’s visits to the famous Yankee Stadium that saw them lose more times then Lindsay Lohan’s been in rehab in the past few years. They got a reminder that Dandy Andy is still one of the best big game pitchers in baseball, that Captain Clutch can still deliver, that Mo is as unhittable as ever, and that there still may be some mystique left for the last few months of the House that Ruth Built. If the Stadium is going to be alive again for some October Baseball, the Yankees are going to need the Old Guard to do their part. Could this be the start?
NBA Free Agency: Volume II July 7, 2008
Posted by njsportstalk in Basketball.add a comment
NBA Free Agency has continued with no major signings, just minor signings and rumors. Trade talks usually pick up after the free agency period comes to an end, when teams have a better idea of what they ultimately need for the upcoming season. (Players can’t formally sign till Wednesday)
Signings: Anthony Carter has reportedly accepted a 1-year deal to resign with the Nuggets. The Knicks have reportedly signed PG Chris Duhon to a 2 year deal worth about 12 million. The Knicks goal is to be under the cap by the summer of 2010, so any deal under 2 years will not have any effect on their long term goals. Gilbert Arenas resigned with the Wizards for 111 million over 6 years.
Rumors: Bostjan Nachbar’s most important factor for signing is guaranteed years, something the Nets may not be able to do. The Nets, like the Knicks hope to be well under the cap by the summer of 2010 when free agents possibly include Lebron and Wade. Corey Maggette has several 1 year offers that include the Celtics and Spurs. Ron Artest has stated publically how he regrets not opting out of his contract with the Kings. Elton Brand is deciding between the the Clippers and Warriors. The Warriors can offer more but the Clippers just signed Brand’s friend Baron Davis.
Dan
Nadal Makes Wimbledon Dream Come True July 6, 2008
Posted by njsportstalk in Uncategorized.add a comment
Rafael Nadal won his first Wimbledon title on Sunday while ending Roger Federer’s 5-year reign at the All England Club. Nadal won a thrilling five-set marathon which could signal a changing of the guard in men’s tennis. With the victory, Rafa also became the first man to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year since Bjorn Borg did it in 1980.
Nadal won the first two sets but then had to hold off a great comeback by Federer. Federer rebounded and won the third and fourth sets in tiebreakers but finally fell to the Spaniard, 9-7 in the fifth and final set. The twice rain-delayed match ended after 4 hours and 48 minutes of play, which was the longest men’s final in Wimbledon history.
Nadal won his fifth Grand Slam title, which includes his four consecutive French Open championships. He is the first Spaniard to win the title since 1966 and continues an amazing and memorable summer for Spanish sports. Rafa is an avid Real Madrid and Seleccion fan who followed every single match of Spain’s Euro Cup triumph in soccer. It was the national team’s first major championship since 1964. Que viva Espana!
Mach
Enjoying the Holiday Weekend July 5, 2008
Posted by njsportstalk in Uncategorized.add a comment
Sorry for the lack of posts the past 2 days, but like most of you we are enjoying the 4th of July weekend. Wish the weather in the Northeast was better. Well enjoy the rest of the weekend, we’ll be posting some stuff tomorrow so check back. A few things to expect:
- European Soccer Transfer Post
- NBA Free Agency, Volume II
- Our MLB All-Star Picks
Spain is FIFA’s new #1 July 2, 2008
Posted by njsportstalk in Soccer.add a comment
Spain is now the # 1 ranked national team in the world following their triumph at the European Championship. Their 22-game unbeaten streak including the 1-0 victory over Germany in the Euro Cup final this past Sunday, was more than enough to grant them this honor. This is Spain’s first time at the top spot and makes them only the sixth team, along with France, Germany, Brazil, Italy, and Argentina, to claim this position since the rankings began 15 years ago.
Teams are ranked monthly based on points awarded for performances in matches during the last 4 years. Factors that are taken into account are the result of the match, importance of the match, and the strength of the opponent, among others. Here is a link for the entire explanation of the procedure. http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/ranking/procedure/men.html
FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking- Top 10
1. Spain- 1,557 points
2. Italy- 1,404
3. Germany- 1,364
4. Brazil- 1,344
5. Netherlands- 1,299
6. Argentina- 1,298
7. Croatia- 1,282
8. Czech Republic- 1,146
9. Portugal- 1,104
10. France- 1,053
Mach
NBA Free Agency: Volume I July 1, 2008
Posted by njsportstalk in Basketball.add a comment
The NBA Free Agency period started at midnight last night. Only a few teams have enough salary cap room to sign big time free agents, with most teams only having their mid-level exception to use. The teams with major cap space include the 76ers, Clippers, Grizzlies, Wizards and Kings. Elton Brand and Baron Davis shocked their respective teams by opting out of their deals on Monday. Other big time include Gilbert Arenas and Josh Smith, although Smith is a restricted free agent.
Signings: Former Tar Heel Antawn Jamison resigned with the Wizards for 50 million over 4 years. Point Guard Beno Udrich has resigned with the Sacramento Kings for the entire midlevel exception for the next 5 years. (about 6 million per) Baron Davis has also just signed with the LA Clippers for 65 million for 5 years. Spanish PG Jose Calderon has resigned with the Toronto Raptors. The Blazers have signed another Spaniard Rudy Fernandez.
Rumors: It is believed that Elton Brand will now resign with the Clippers to play alongside Baron Davis. Chris Paul’s agent has said that his client will sign an extension of 4-5 years with the Hornets soon. The Celtics have offered their midlevel exception to either Corey Maggette or James Posey. According to reports, Agent Zero Gilbert Arenas has two max offers from the Wizards and Warriors. The Knicks are rumored to be interested in Chris Duhon, potentially offering him 2 years at 6 million per. The 76ers are reportedly interested in Josh Smith, but as a restricted free agent the Hawks would have 7 days to match any offer. The Rockets are looking at Brent Barry as a bench option.
Dan
Devils Sign Familiar Faces July 1, 2008
Posted by njsportstalk in Hockey.add a comment
The New Jersey Devils were very busy on the first day of free agency in the NHL. The team first re-signed impending free agents Jay Pandolfo and Bryce Salvador. They didn’t even want Pandolfo to have a chance to test the market since he is arguably the best defensive forward in the league and is perfect for their system. Salvador played well last year after being picked up in a trade with the Blues for Cam Janssen. Along with these two signings, the Devils also brought back young forwards David Clarkson and Barry Tallackson. On a sad note, long-time Devil Sergei Brylin wasn’t resigned and has seen his last days in Jersey. Brylin spent his entire 13 year career in New Jersey and was an important part of three Stanley Cup titles with the club. Always a classy and hard-working player, Brylin will definitely be missed by Devils fans like myself. The team also will not re-sign fellow forward Aaron Asham.
The Devils then turned their attention to the free agency market and signed former members Brian Rolston and Bobby Holik. Both were part of Stanley Cup winning teams in New Jersey and should fit right in. Rolston, who signed a 4 year deal worth about 20 million, scored 31 goals last year for the Minnesota Wild and will bolster the teams offense and power play. The veteran forward was being courted by more than 10 other teams but chose to return to the organization who drafted him in 1991. Holik signed a 1 year deal and will look to add some toughness to the club and score some important goals as he did in the past for the red and black.
N.Y. Rangers Notes: The Rangers addressed their defense by adding Wade Redden from the Ottawa Senators. Redden signed a six-year deal that will average about $6.5 million per season. The team also re-signed defenseman Michal Rozsival.
Mach
Euro 2008: Our Best XI July 1, 2008
Posted by njsportstalk in Euro 2008.add a comment
Here is our Best Eleven from Euro 2008.
Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas (Spain)
Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Spain), Carles Puyol (Spain), Pepe (Portugal)
Midfielders: Xavi Hernandez (Spain), Marcos Senna (Spain), Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands), Lukas Podolski (Germany), Andrei Arshavin (Russia)
Forwards: David Villa (Spain) and Fernando Torres (Spain)
That’s our Best 11, we would love to hear yours.
Dan and Mach
Remembering A Lost Player July 1, 2008
Posted by njsportstalk in Euro 2008, Soccer.add a comment
During a La Liga game between Sevilla and Getafe on August 25, 2007, a Spanish left back/midfielder collapsed after suffering cardiac arrest. Three days later, Antonio Puerta passed away at the age of 22. Puerta played on Sevilla’s youth team from 2002-2004 with fellow Spaniard Sergio Ramos. Ramos was bought by Real Madrid but he didn’t forget one of his best friends.
Puerta had 1 cap with Spain back in 2006. It was widely believed that he might of been starting at left back for “La Furia Roja” during the 2008 European Championship. After winning their first Euro title in 44 years, the player that had once played alongside Antonio Puerta honored his legacy. Under the red Espana jersey of Sergio Ramos was a picture of his fallen friend with the saying, “Siempre con Nosotros”, which means ”Always with us”. This wasn’t the first time Ramos had honored his friend and former teammate. He had done it after scoring a goal with Real Madrid against Villarreal.
The gesture epitamizes how close the Spanish team has become. Critics often cited the fact that the Spanish national team continually came up short, not because of their talent but because they played as individuals. Not anymore. “What Ramos did is an act which honours him as a player and as a friend,” Del Nido told Marca. Del Nido is the president of Puerta’s former squad Sevilla. It’s never easy to lose a teammate or a friend, but Ramos and the rest of the Spanish squad have made sure that nobody Spanish will forget the former Sevilla talent Antonio Puerta.
Dan
