NakamuraWe're Down to Five
Well, well, well. What can you say? After merely three days, THREE days, we know who's going on and who's going home, with the exception of the Phillies/Rockies. But this week was filled with stunning upsets. The St. Louis Cardinals, the team that was supposed to have the best rotation in the National League, failed. The Boston Red Sox, the team that was supposed to constantly brew post-season magic, failed. The Minnesota Twins, the team that pulled off miracles after miracles to get where they were, failed. These three teams were expected to put up a fight. If anything, the Rockies were the ones expected to be swept. But somehow, they managed to muscle off at least one victory.
The St. Louis Cardinals were the only team that won their division comfortably. Thanks to the collapse of Lou Pinella's Chicago Cubs, the Cardinals won with a healthy lead of 7.5 games. The Dodgers had the wild card winning Rockies on their tails at a close 3.0 games. Then why did the Cardinals lose? They have young star Adam Wainwright, accomplished
ace Carpenter and surprise Joel Piñero. Plenty of disappointment in the starting rotation, but defense wasn't stellar either. Matt Holliday's error resulted in a loss and a few days later, the series vanished into thin air. Even more, the great Albert Pujols didn't hit a single home run. They weren't playing Cardinals baseball. Cardinals baseball is their pitching shutting down their opponents and offensive keys going in to lock up the victory. Didn't happen this year.
The New York Yankees winning wasn't exactly a surprise. When you spend 400 million dollars in one offseason, it becomes standard to beat a team that has less than a third of your salary payroll. But the Twins have their forces, only they didn't show up. They had their chances in New York, but their usually reliable bullpen could not hold on. Their dome that provides such an advantage lacked in giving them the strength to compete. The Yankees did not win the series; the Twins lost it. They handed the series over on a silver platter.
Now, if they fought well, it doesn't mean they would've won the series. But they had a lot more fight in them. They were winning in every single one of the games at a certain point. They played their best against the Tigers. They proved to everybody in America that they deserved a chance at the World Series title. They spent 50 million dollars less than the Tigers.They spent the least amount of money amongst all the people that made the playoffs, and they still managed to contend.
They spent
5 million less than the Rockies
20 million less than the Cardinals.
30 million less than the Dodgers.
40 million less than the Philles.
50 million less than the Angels.
55 million less than the Red Sox.
135 million less than the Yankees.
Extra Notes: The Twins' highest paid player this year was Justin Morneau. He earned 11 million dollars.
Number of players that earned more than Morneau:
Yankees: 8
Dodgers: 5
Red Sox: 4
Phillies: 4
Tigers: 3
Cardinals: 3
Angels: 2
Rockies: 1
The Twins ranked as the 23rd highest payroll in the Major Leagues. They were the only team in the lower half payroll wise to win a division. They were the surprise and the feel-good story of the year. They were the story telling people that if you try hard enough, you can accomplish anything. They were the inspiration saying "Money isn't everything". That's how
good the Twins are. They accomplished so much given their limited resources. But the Yankees defeated them. No one can blame the Twins, they came up one miracle short. To the fans in Minnesota, Good Luck next year. We hope to see you again in October.
Finally, it's about the Boston Red Sox. Well, if their fan base rings true to their name, there are 304,059,724 people in Red Sox nation that are furiously punching walls, throwing things at their television, clenching their fists or crying their eyes out. The Angels were supposed to be an easy opponent. It was the ALCS everybody was looking forward to. The Angels had suffered under the Red Sox's cleats for so long, nobody's really thought of what would happen if they actually did lose. But now, it has happened.
Unlike the Yankees, the Red Sox had a rather quiet off season. So their level of expectations were considerably lower. If anything, this was a transition year. A year to really experiment, use it as an opportunity to get younger. A chance to rebuild. That's what this year was supposed to be. It was the 2005 season all over again. In 2004, the Red Sox lost many free agents, including Nomar Garciaparra, Orlando Cabrera, Pedro Martinez, and Derek Lowe. In 2005, their replacements were Alex Gonzalez, David Wells and Matt Clement. This year was Ellsbury's first full season and it was supposed to be Jed Lowrie's as well. It was supposed to be a year with John Smoltz making a slow recovery and Clay Buchholz's big return. They were supposed to rebuild. And they succeded. This team is younger than ever.
But unlike every other team in the world, rebuilding is no excuse for losing. In 2005, they lost to the White Sox in the ALDS. They were expected to win without their big stars. The Red Sox are expected to win, no matter how many young players they have. It doesn't matter how good their team will be in 3 or 4 years. They are expected to win now and also in that time.
It doesn't matter if Clay Buchholz is struggling, they are expected to win. And when he's on his game, YOU BETTER WIN! Mr. Jonathan Papelbon... do you understand you let down 304,059,724 people? You understand that your job is to not give up runs? You understand that you're supposed to be the backbone of the bullpen and the most reliable pitcher in one of the best bullpens in the game?
Now I'm not the type of person to turn their back on a player as soon as something bad happens. I supported Tony Graffanino after his error, Julio Lugo through his struggles, Jason Vartiek through his off days, Craig Hansen through his moments, JD Drew through his "overpaid" times, David Ortiz through his homer less streak and Manny Ramirez through the times he wanted out. If I'm going to turn my back on somebody, they must've done something terrible. And that is exactly what Papelbon did.
If for some reason Papelbon is reading this, (although I highly doubt it) here's a message: Papelbon, like many others, I've had your back for years, but this crosses the line.
1) I thought you were an amazing starter, but you chose to be a closer. Ok, that's fine.
2) Then you got hurt and were going to be a starter again. Ok, it was an injury, it happens.
3) But wait, you don't want to start, so you're going to close again? Fine, you had success there, go ahead.
4) What? You want to close the all-star game? Over Mariano Rivera in his Stadium? Over arguably, and probably, the best reliever to ever walk on the face of this earth? Fine, you're a little hyped and into the game. As long as you keep winning, you're okay. So we're good now right?
5) Wait, WHAT???? You want to give up a hit to Juan Rivera, a right handed hitter with 2 outs in the eight inning when you have a three run lead? And let that lead shrink to one run? Fine, we're still winning. As long as you get the next batter out.
6) Wait, what are you trying to say? One of the best closers of the game can't get the batter so he's going to pick off the guy at first to escape everything? Pssssh, an out's an out, let's carry on.
7) Then Mr. Papelbon... how do you explain how you gave up THREE runs in one inning to hand over the series all neatly wrapped with a bow on it? You were given so many chances to come through:
Job #1: Get one out to escape the inning without surrendering a run
Job #2: Close the door in the ninth inning to get the save
Job #3: Don't allow another run this inning or we'll be tied
Job #4: Don't allow another run or we'll be losing
Job #5: Hit the showers bub, you're no longer our #1 guy.
It's saddening how someone that was once so good collapsed under his own ego. Once upon a time, he had a 0.92 ERA. He was one the best. Having him come in meant "GAME OVER". Looks like those days are over for the 304,059,724 men, women and children of Red Sox nation.
So to the remaining 5 teams: Good Luck. Here are my insights:
ALDS: Phillies/Rockies - Phillies win in 4.
NLCS: Phillies/Dodgers - The Dodgers have home field advantage and right handed batters like Manny Ramirez who have faced and can hit Cliff Lee. Dogers in 5
ALCS: Yankees/Angels - The Angels have their power and so do the Yankees. The Angels have their thunder sticks and the Yankees have their 125ft fence. Lackey vs. CC would be a great match up. Weaver and Burnett are polar opposites. However they have one thing in common. They both have the ability to dominate. This one will be close, but Yankees in 7. If their power can come through (especially from A-Rod, provided that he doesn't choke) they can defeat manger Mike Scioscia's running game.
World Series: Dodgers/Yankees - Wouldn't this be fun? Joe Torre managing against the Yankees. Manny Ramirez rejoining the rivalry. And new faces like Teixeira, Eithier and Kemp. These two teams are surprisingly balanced. Good pitching, decent bullpen, and hitting. The Yankees will jump out to a quick lead riding their aces and gain a 2-0 lead. But Torre will figure something out and come to win the next three, defeating CC by riding up his pitch count and letting the year's innings pile onto him. With the series favoring LA 3-2, Game 6 will go into extra innings, but the Yankees will prevail on a solo home run. I don't know who, what do you expect me to do, predict the future?
Anyway, Game 7 will be up for grabs, but who will win? Write your comments below and subscribe to find out. We'll have to see how LA and NY plays in the ALCS to know for sure.
-Written by: Nakamura. This article is copyrighted © by Nakamura and may not be reproduced, recopied, or used in any form without permission from Nakamura
The St. Louis Cardinals were the only team that won their division comfortably. Thanks to the collapse of Lou Pinella's Chicago Cubs, the Cardinals won with a healthy lead of 7.5 games. The Dodgers had the wild card winning Rockies on their tails at a close 3.0 games. Then why did the Cardinals lose? They have young star Adam Wainwright, accomplished
No Home Runs? That's unheard of
The New York Yankees winning wasn't exactly a surprise. When you spend 400 million dollars in one offseason, it becomes standard to beat a team that has less than a third of your salary payroll. But the Twins have their forces, only they didn't show up. They had their chances in New York, but their usually reliable bullpen could not hold on. Their dome that provides such an advantage lacked in giving them the strength to compete. The Yankees did not win the series; the Twins lost it. They handed the series over on a silver platter.
Now, if they fought well, it doesn't mean they would've won the series. But they had a lot more fight in them. They were winning in every single one of the games at a certain point. They played their best against the Tigers. They proved to everybody in America that they deserved a chance at the World Series title. They spent 50 million dollars less than the Tigers.They spent the least amount of money amongst all the people that made the playoffs, and they still managed to contend.
They spent
5 million less than the Rockies
20 million less than the Cardinals.
30 million less than the Dodgers.
40 million less than the Philles.
50 million less than the Angels.
55 million less than the Red Sox.
135 million less than the Yankees.
Extra Notes: The Twins' highest paid player this year was Justin Morneau. He earned 11 million dollars.
Number of players that earned more than Morneau:
Yankees: 8
Dodgers: 5
Red Sox: 4
Phillies: 4
Tigers: 3
Cardinals: 3
Angels: 2
Rockies: 1
The Twins ranked as the 23rd highest payroll in the Major Leagues. They were the only team in the lower half payroll wise to win a division. They were the surprise and the feel-good story of the year. They were the story telling people that if you try hard enough, you can accomplish anything. They were the inspiration saying "Money isn't everything". That's how
Even the great Joe Mauer ran out of miracles for the Twins
Finally, it's about the Boston Red Sox. Well, if their fan base rings true to their name, there are 304,059,724 people in Red Sox nation that are furiously punching walls, throwing things at their television, clenching their fists or crying their eyes out. The Angels were supposed to be an easy opponent. It was the ALCS everybody was looking forward to. The Angels had suffered under the Red Sox's cleats for so long, nobody's really thought of what would happen if they actually did lose. But now, it has happened.
Unlike the Yankees, the Red Sox had a rather quiet off season. So their level of expectations were considerably lower. If anything, this was a transition year. A year to really experiment, use it as an opportunity to get younger. A chance to rebuild. That's what this year was supposed to be. It was the 2005 season all over again. In 2004, the Red Sox lost many free agents, including Nomar Garciaparra, Orlando Cabrera, Pedro Martinez, and Derek Lowe. In 2005, their replacements were Alex Gonzalez, David Wells and Matt Clement. This year was Ellsbury's first full season and it was supposed to be Jed Lowrie's as well. It was supposed to be a year with John Smoltz making a slow recovery and Clay Buchholz's big return. They were supposed to rebuild. And they succeded. This team is younger than ever.
But unlike every other team in the world, rebuilding is no excuse for losing. In 2005, they lost to the White Sox in the ALDS. They were expected to win without their big stars. The Red Sox are expected to win, no matter how many young players they have. It doesn't matter how good their team will be in 3 or 4 years. They are expected to win now and also in that time.
It doesn't matter if Clay Buchholz is struggling, they are expected to win. And when he's on his game, YOU BETTER WIN! Mr. Jonathan Papelbon... do you understand you let down 304,059,724 people? You understand that your job is to not give up runs? You understand that you're supposed to be the backbone of the bullpen and the most reliable pitcher in one of the best bullpens in the game?
Now I'm not the type of person to turn their back on a player as soon as something bad happens. I supported Tony Graffanino after his error, Julio Lugo through his struggles, Jason Vartiek through his off days, Craig Hansen through his moments, JD Drew through his "overpaid" times, David Ortiz through his homer less streak and Manny Ramirez through the times he wanted out. If I'm going to turn my back on somebody, they must've done something terrible. And that is exactly what Papelbon did.
If for some reason Papelbon is reading this, (although I highly doubt it) here's a message: Papelbon, like many others, I've had your back for years, but this crosses the line.
1) I thought you were an amazing starter, but you chose to be a closer. Ok, that's fine.
2) Then you got hurt and were going to be a starter again. Ok, it was an injury, it happens.
3) But wait, you don't want to start, so you're going to close again? Fine, you had success there, go ahead.
Not This Year, Man
4) What? You want to close the all-star game? Over Mariano Rivera in his Stadium? Over arguably, and probably, the best reliever to ever walk on the face of this earth? Fine, you're a little hyped and into the game. As long as you keep winning, you're okay. So we're good now right?
5) Wait, WHAT???? You want to give up a hit to Juan Rivera, a right handed hitter with 2 outs in the eight inning when you have a three run lead? And let that lead shrink to one run? Fine, we're still winning. As long as you get the next batter out.
6) Wait, what are you trying to say? One of the best closers of the game can't get the batter so he's going to pick off the guy at first to escape everything? Pssssh, an out's an out, let's carry on.
7) Then Mr. Papelbon... how do you explain how you gave up THREE runs in one inning to hand over the series all neatly wrapped with a bow on it? You were given so many chances to come through:
Job #1: Get one out to escape the inning without surrendering a run
Job #2: Close the door in the ninth inning to get the save
Job #3: Don't allow another run this inning or we'll be tied
Job #4: Don't allow another run or we'll be losing
Job #5: Hit the showers bub, you're no longer our #1 guy.
It's saddening how someone that was once so good collapsed under his own ego. Once upon a time, he had a 0.92 ERA. He was one the best. Having him come in meant "GAME OVER". Looks like those days are over for the 304,059,724 men, women and children of Red Sox nation.
So to the remaining 5 teams: Good Luck. Here are my insights:
ALDS: Phillies/Rockies - Phillies win in 4.
NLCS: Phillies/Dodgers - The Dodgers have home field advantage and right handed batters like Manny Ramirez who have faced and can hit Cliff Lee. Dogers in 5
Only 5 teams remain. Only one will win. The Question is, WHO?
ALCS: Yankees/Angels - The Angels have their power and so do the Yankees. The Angels have their thunder sticks and the Yankees have their 125ft fence. Lackey vs. CC would be a great match up. Weaver and Burnett are polar opposites. However they have one thing in common. They both have the ability to dominate. This one will be close, but Yankees in 7. If their power can come through (especially from A-Rod, provided that he doesn't choke) they can defeat manger Mike Scioscia's running game.
World Series: Dodgers/Yankees - Wouldn't this be fun? Joe Torre managing against the Yankees. Manny Ramirez rejoining the rivalry. And new faces like Teixeira, Eithier and Kemp. These two teams are surprisingly balanced. Good pitching, decent bullpen, and hitting. The Yankees will jump out to a quick lead riding their aces and gain a 2-0 lead. But Torre will figure something out and come to win the next three, defeating CC by riding up his pitch count and letting the year's innings pile onto him. With the series favoring LA 3-2, Game 6 will go into extra innings, but the Yankees will prevail on a solo home run. I don't know who, what do you expect me to do, predict the future?
Anyway, Game 7 will be up for grabs, but who will win? Write your comments below and subscribe to find out. We'll have to see how LA and NY plays in the ALCS to know for sure.
The Angels hope to win for former teammate Nick Adenhart. RIP Nick Adenhart 1986 - 2009
-Written by: Nakamura. This article is copyrighted © by Nakamura and may not be reproduced, recopied, or used in any form without permission from Nakamura
Answer me this. When in God's Name where the Red Sox ever considering to be Re-tooling when entering into this season? No way was 2009 an experiment season for them like you stated... Everyone considered them the favorites with names like Smoltz and Penny added into the mix.. Not to mention the fact that they stole Ramirez for Crisp and added a shutdown closer in Saito. This season was a complete failure for the Red Sox don't sugar coat it.
PS: I am sick and tired of hearing that Bull Shit complaint about the Yankees spending all that money. if the Red Sox or Mets did it, nobody would be complaining. Fact of the matter is the Yankees got Sabathia, Burnett, and Teix playing by the rules. Alls fair in love and war my friend ... Red Sox better be happy that their Owner Mr. Henry wanted to stick with Lars Anderson instead of going after Teix. This coming from a Rockies fan no less!!
Lets beat Philly!!!!1
Baseball Author
Tech Poke
Writing Edition
Anything or Everything?
When I said the Red Sox were "re-tooling" I meant that they were taking a different approach. It hasn't been just this year, it's been since the end of 2005. They've taken their approach similar to the Yankees (signing expensive free agents) to an entirely new one involving going into their farm system. They've been experimenting for a while, but this year was really crunch time. This was the time when the front office went all in and put their plan to action. Like I said, this was in no way an excuse to lose for them. They were still expected to win, as you proved with points like Ramirez and Smoltz.
I'm also quite surprised that a Rockies fan wouldn't be upset with the Yankees' way of winning. Did you know the Yankees spent almost 140 million dollars more than Colorado this year? Also, never in my article did I say it was wrong for the Yankees to spend. I just said that if you do spend that much money, you better win. There's more than one formula to winning. But if you go with the Yankees method, there is absolutely no excuse for failure. The Red Sox and Mets didn't have one either. I was just happy to see a team like the Twins compete, same as I was last year with the Rays.
Thanks for your comment Rockies fan, I hope you read more of my articles again!