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New York Yankees fan contest to win Opening Day tickets now

Posted by on 3 April 2012, 12:55 am

Hey New York Yankee fans, do you want to go to 2012 Opening Day on April 13th in the Bronx?

In celebration of the start to another memorable baseball season, Metro Commuter Network (MCN) is giving one lucky Bombers fan a chance to win a prize pack consisting of two (2) Yankees tickets (April 13 game), a matted/framed print of the original Yankees stadium, Yankees t-shirt, Yankees hat, sport bottle and tote bag. The contest begins on April 4th.

To enter, simply click HERE to be redirected to the MCN registration page, sign-up and that is it, you are automatically entered to win the Yankees package.

The winner will be selected on April 10th.

Just imagine… you could be going to 2012 Opening Day to watch the Bombers take-on Albert Pujols and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, which you can bet will be a battle on the field.

So, please spread the word and good luck! Continue reading ‘New York Yankees fan contest to win Opening Day tickets now’ »

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2012 MLB Team Preview: Cleveland Indians

Posted by on 2 April 2012, 3:20 am

Cleveland Indians logo; aka 'the Tribe'

The 2011 Cleveland Indians came out of the gate hot last season, and were first in the AL Central up until July 20th having won 51 games.

Following that day, the Tribe only won 29 more games in 2011, and finished the season a distant second with 15 games separating them and the division leading Detroit Tigers.

Every team suffers injuries but in Cleveland players spent a total of 826 days on the DL in 2011, which certainly was higher than normal.

Now, with a new season just days away can a healthy Tribe finish off what they couldn’t in 2011?

Let’s take a look at the Indians heading into the 2012 season….

THE POSITIVES:

The emergence of shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera going from good to All-Stat, hitting 25 homers and 92 RBIs in 2011. The 26-year old ranked first in RBIs and hits out of all AL Shortstops and second in home-runs and doubles, and it earned him his first Sliver Slugger Award. This guy has a really bright future in Cleveland and his natural baseball ability leads many to believe that Cabrera will only get better.

The Indians have to take advantage of the April schedule. The Tigers play the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays and Rangers in the first month so the Indians have to pounce from the start, as the Tigers bats, aka Miguel Cabrera; tend to need a month to warm up before blasting everything out of the park. The Tribe needs to capitalize off every single opportunity if they plan on contending with the Tigers come September.  So, another hot start is in order in Cleveland.

THE NEGATIVES: Continue reading ‘2012 MLB Team Preview: Cleveland Indians’ »

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New York Yankees: My never read theory about Michael Pineda

Posted by on 1 April 2012, 3:56 pm
Michael Pineda

Michael Pineda (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I wrote this post almost two weeks ago and never published it because when I read it to a friend and my father they both said I was being oversensitive about my theory of what could happen to Yankees pitcher Michael Pineda.

So, I wimped out.

And now look what happened…last time I don’t listen to my gut because I totally regret it now.

So here it is the theory I did NOT publish, just a day late and a dollar short.

Everyone in Yankee Universe remembers the disasters of 2008.

Not making the playoffs for the first time in 14 seasons was not exactly the ideal sendoff for the historic old Stadium that the franchise had called home since 1923 but that is not what I am talking about.

I am referring to the Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy and Joba Chamberlain fiasco.

In 2008 the ‘Big 3’ was deemed the “future of the franchise” and the New York media had a field day with them, especially Chamberlain after throwing the infamous “bug game” in the 2007 ALDS in Cleveland.

The problem came when dealing with the pressure and relentless attention paid by the New York media vultures. The press hounded these kids and made everything that much harder, as there was no room to fail.

If you don’t think that the media wasn’t one of the major culprits that hindered the trios development you are crazy.

Yes, everyone is well aware of the media that comes with playing in New York but it should have been more controlled by the Yankees front office, or some veteran players could have stepped in.

Regardless, what happened to Hughes, Kennedy and Chamberlain seems to be getting repeated with the Yankees new young pitcher Michael Pineda.

It is only the second week of Spring Training and Pineda has already stated a few times that he is very uncomfortable with the 20 or more media that surround his locker.

The 23-year old hails from the Dominican Republic; English is his second language and like most who are bi-lingual, it doesn’t flow out as easily. Add that to the fact the Pineda is already shy by nature and you have a recipe for trouble.

I get that the media hounds come out in droves for anything and everything Yankees related, but there has to be a better solution to protect guys like Pineda; at least for Spring Training so they can get adjusted.

There is no fine line drawn between reasonable and merciless regarding young, imports like Pineda. Having five reporters is reasonable, but having 30 is not and considering the detrimental effects that added anxiety can have on someone’s psyche it has to be fixed.  Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: My never read theory about Michael Pineda’ »

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2012 MLB Team Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers

Posted by on 31 March 2012, 1:51 am

Los Angeles Dodgers logo.

Last season the Los Angeles Dodgers dominated headlines for everything other than baseball.

The team was still at the mercy of now ex-owner Frank McCourt, whose divorce was a literal soap opera and the team took the fall too.

Still, the team put up an 82-79 record thanks to a great second-half of 2011, and finished a respectable third place in the NL West.

The fact that the Dodgers pulled it together and played just shy of .600 baseball after the 2011 All-Star break largely flew under the radar due to the off the field mess.

So, now this leaves the question of whether the Dodgers can carry that stellar second-half surge into 2012 season?

Let’s take a peek…

THE POSITIVES:

The Dodgers finally got sold and not just to any old group of rich-guys. The new ownership group, which includes ex-Lakers star and local hero Magic Johnson, paid north of $2 billion dollars to own one of the most historic franchises in sports. This has already boosted ticket sales, as the timing could not have been more perfect and deserved. The Dodgers have suffered under reckless ex-owner Frank McCourt for way to long already, so this can only give the players a boost out of Spring Training.

Not many teams have the current CY Young recipient, and arguably MVP winner both on their rosters. The Dodgers have this luxury with ace Clayton Kershaw and superstar Matt Kemp. Both are young, healthy, play hard and love being wearing the Dodger uniform. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Can the Dodgers finish what they started? After the 2011 All-Star break the Dodgers went 41-28, which flew under the radar as the media had turned their attention completely on McCourt’s nasty divorce battle, after going 41-51 in the first-half.

So, while everyone else had written them off, the team quietly put together a solid effort, and at best hope that continues into 2012. Motivation is something no team can ever have enough of, and playing through adversity is never easy so lets the players can thrive without it too.

THE NEGATIVES: Continue reading ‘2012 MLB Team Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers’ »

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2012 MLB Team Preview: Philadelphia Phillies

Posted by on 29 March 2012, 2:01 am

Philadelphia Phillies logo.

The Philadelphia Phillies have been a force in Major League Baseball, winning 102 games in 2011.

Over the past five years the Phillies have built a résumé that includes NL East champs five times; 2008 World Series Champs, almost repeating again in 2009; and played in the NLDS the last two seasons.

This ball-club is a perennial favorite and has been the gold standard in the National League; and no doubt the pressure is on for this team once again. The Phillies fans have officially adopted the Yankees mantra, which is World Series or bust.

So the only question remaining is whether the Phillies can live up to expectations again in 2012?

Let’s take a look at the Phillies heading into the season….

THE POSITIVES:

Phillies starting pitching is terrifying for any hitter to think about. The front three of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels could all easily be the ace of any other team, posting a combined 50-23 record and an ERA under 2.80 in 2011. Then there is 24-year old sensation Vance Worley, who made 21 starts in his first season, finishing with an 11-3 record and held opposing batters to a .237 average. I presume that the Phillies are planning to use Joe Blanton in the fifth spot, but does it really matter with a front four like that?

Signing now ex-Boston Red Sox, closer Jonathan Papelbon during the off-season was a good move. Papelbon is legit and knows how to win, as he played a vital role in the Red Sox winning the 2007 World Series. Papelbon signed a 4-year, $50 million deal and should thrive in the NL East, as he averages 37 saves a season.

THE NEGATIVES: Continue reading ‘2012 MLB Team Preview: Philadelphia Phillies’ »

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2012 MLB Team Preview: Minnesota Twins

Posted by on 26 March 2012, 9:11 pm

Minnesota Twins logo.

The Minnesota Twins plunged to the bottom of the AL Central in 2011 finishing with a 63-99 record, which was the second worst in baseball.

In 2010, the Twins won 94 games and captured their second-straight American League Central title, which is why last season’s fall, came unexpectedly.

It just seemed like everything in Minnesota went wrong at the right times last season, as hampering injuries were ramped.

So, now the 2012 million-dollar question is whether the Twins can get back to being a contender in the AL Central again.

Let’s check it out…

THE POSITIVES:

The Twins seemed to have hit rock bottom, and as the saying goes the only place to go is up, as I don’t see the Twins losing 99 games again in 2012. This team won six divisional title in the past ten years, and all under skipper Ron Gardenhire. And if anyone knows what worked, or what is not working it should be Gardenhire but it seems like the Twins were ok with chalking things up to injuries last season.

Justin Morneau is an all-around great baseball player and with him playing any team would improve. The 2006 MVP and four-time All-Star can rake, as over his career he averages 29 homers and 113 RBIs a season, which includes the last two seasons where he spent more time on the DL than at the plate. Morneau has suffered his three concussions, but the big blow happened in 2010 and he missed half the season. Morneau admittedly is still suffering from symptoms but as of now have been better but the 2010 blow came back to haunt him last season, as he was on the DL for over 90 games. Morneau could be used as a permanent DH, as his bat is one of the best in the Majors and the Twins need all the help they can get. I have a feeling that Morneau will still see time at first-base, which I think is reckless because the odds of him winding up back on the DL become that much higher. I like Morneau and he is a superstar when healthy, as he blows Mauer out of the water. Still, the Canadian-born Morneau was a hockey fanatic growing up so he probably took hits on the ice well before his baseball playing days, which might be why he can’t shake the the symptoms.

THE NEGATIVES:  Continue reading ‘2012 MLB Team Preview: Minnesota Twins’ »

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2012 MLB Team Preview: Atlanta Braves

Posted by on 25 March 2012, 9:28 am

Atlanta Braves logo.

Heading into 2011, the Atlanta Braves were a championship caliber team and played that way for the first five months of the season.

The Braves were the NL’s version of the Red Sox, arriving in September with an 8.5 game lead for the wild card only to blow it and land in a jam. The Braves had to win the last game left in the regular 2011 season just for a chance to play the St. Louis Cardinals for the NL Wild Card but that never happened because the Braves lost again, and their October dreams went down the toilet.

It was ugly and while maybe not as embarrassing as the Red Sox, for any team who won 89 games the implosion surely must have humbled them.

The Braves did next to nothing in the off-season to improve, which means Atlanta is confident they can win with what they have. The question remains is the 2011 team determined enough to prevent another season with no October baseball?

Let’s take look….

THE POSITIVES: 

The Braves had all-around strong pitching last season finishing with the fourth best ERA (3.48), while pitching the most innings (1479.2) in the NL; and minus Derek Lowe being traded to the Indians the same group returns in tact in 2012.  Starting rotation looks to be featuring Tim Hudson, Tommy Hanson, Jair Jurrjens , Mike Minor and Brandon Beachy. All are but 36-year old Hudson are 26 or younger and the veteran ace will be starting the season on the disabled list as he is coming back from off-season back surgery. They also had a recent blow this spring when top-pitching prospect Arodys Vizcaino had to have Tommy John surgery and will be out till 2013. The Braves were expecting big things from Vizcaino this season, especially with Hudson still recovering. Luckily the Braves have some depth in the minors and 21-year old top prospect Julio Teheran will luckily step in until Jones gets healthy.

The bullpen looks rock solid with Johnny Venters setting up for the 2011 Rookie of the Year recipient closer Craig Kimbrel, who posted a 2.10 ERA, over 77 innings in 2011. He tied for second most saves in baseball with 46 and that was because he struck out 127 batters. Expect big things from this 23-year old in 2012.

THE NEGATIVES: Continue reading ‘2012 MLB Team Preview: Atlanta Braves’ »

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