A Dynasty in the Making?

Behold the 2010 Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks. One of the “Original Six” will hoist a banner in the rafters of the United Center. For too long they have stared at the 1961 banner and were constantly reminded of what the Chicago Bulls did in the 1990s. Now the tide has turned. There is already talk of a dynasty brewing in the Windy City. Is that premature to think that?

Not really. The core talent will be around for the foreseeable future. Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Patrick Sharp, Dustin Byfuglien and Antti Niemi will be around. Every single one contributed to their Stanley Cup run throughout the playoffs.

Toews was aggressive, physical and made key assists. Kane made timely goals, including the game winner to win the Cup. Hossa scored the game winning goal against Nashville in overtime in Game 5 to give them momentum to win that series. Hossa’s constant pressure since took pressure off Toews and Kane to play their game. Keith and Seabrook were sound defensively. Deflecting shots and helping Niemi numerous times. Sharp was a great veteran presence that a lot of teams covet, especially Chicago. They wouldn’t have gotten here without him. Byfuglien destroyed Vancouver and San Jose. His size was a problem for the Flyers and Chris Pronger specifically throughout the Finals. Niemi turned a weakness into a strength. No longer will Chicago have to worry about who’s in net for them. It’s Antti Niemi’s job.

The Salary Cap age in the NHL will make it difficult to create a dynasty the likes of which the league hasn’t seen since the Edmonton Oilers and New York Islanders of the 1980s. Also the parody in the league is up there with the NFL. Every team has a chance. Just look at the Montreal Canadiens who knocked out the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins in succession. Philadelphia came back from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Boston Bruins in route to beating the Canadiens to play for the Stanley Cup. The Flyers took the Blackhawks to six games and it could have easily been seven.

Those two factors will make it difficult to say it’s a dynasty. So many other things could happen, but for now the city of Chicago has a championship. The drought ended for the Blackhawks. Just before it hit the 50 year mark mind you. The only thing left now is to wonder what next? They have the offense, defense, goalie and coaching staff in place to go after it again. But like with the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins the last two years, it probably won’t happen that way again. It’s very rare to see the same teams, even the defending champions make an appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals again.

Celebrate the championship as long as you’d like Chicago. You earned it and deserve it. They were the best team and weren’t given it by any means thanks to the play of the Philadelphia Flyers. A colleague of mine said, “Chicago is a Hockey Town again.” Very true. The White Sox and Cubs are going no where. “Da Bears” stink. The Bulls are praying to get LeBron James. Chicago is wearing those awesome Blackhawks jerseys proudly once again.

The Great Right Handed Hype

The stat line: 7 innings pitched, 4 hits, 2 runs, 0 walks and 14 strikeouts.

That is the first major league start for 2009 first overall pick Stephen Strasburg. I being a huge fan of baseball love seeing those kinds of numbers from any pitcher. Strasburg, fair or not, has been anointed the savior of the Washington Nationals franchise. One pitcher as we all know doesn’t make a difference unless your name is Sandy Koufax, Nolan Ryan, Walter Johnson, you get the idea. Regardless of expectations one thing is certain. I will hold back in getting caught up in the hype.

Or I could just point out that he struck out 14 major league hitters in his first start! Forgive me, let me take it down a notch. Yes it was scripted by the Nationals to call him up during a home stand. Yes his first start was against the Pittsburgh Pirates. I don’t have to, but I will point out the Pirates as a team have the worst batting average in baseball (.238). Overlooking all that and saying Strasburg is the real deal after only one start is hard to believe.

However, if you’ve seen just a handful of highlights of him at San Diego State or in the minor leagues, you would’ve started to buy into it a long time ago. His stuff is filthy. None that I’ve seen since Kerry Wood burst onto the scene. Yes, the same Kerry Wood who as a Chicago Cub struck out 20 Houston Astros in his rookie season. Not saying Strasburg will do the same, but this is the time for him to rack up the K’s.

A fastball that ranges from 91-101 mph. His changeup can reach 92 mph. His breaking ball clocked at a nasty 85 mph. The break on it was just as impressive. Imagine being the hitter. You somehow see the fastball whizz by down the middle. Strike one. Next pitch is his changeup which you weren’t expecting, you let it pass, it catches the corner. Strike two. Now being that Strasburg is a rookie, he will probably want to blow you away with a fastball. You ready yourself for the heat, but here comes a pitch that for a split second heads for your head, then takes a major turn for the inside corner of the plate. Called strike three. Sit down good sir.

That is what is separating Strasburg from a lot of pitchers right now. He has the stuff and will hopefully learn how to pitch quicker than most. The Nationals are counting on that right arm of his to help get their heads into the light of contention. He won’t get them out of the hole, but at least they will get to see the sun rise and set from now on. They’ve already decided to bring him along slowly which is the right call. There have been too many phenoms who tire and wear down further into their careers.

He reminds me so much of Kerry Wood. Lets just hope he isn’t reduced to being a banged up closer for a losing franchise to finish his career.

The Expansion of Instant Replay in MLB

I was shocked, dumbfounded, wondering how it could happen. The 21st perfect game and 3rd this season was about to be completed. I should point out that I did predict at least two more perfect game/no-hitters would be accomplished this year in a previous post, “MLB Review – 2 Month Edition.” Mind you, I wasn’t being 100 percent serious about it, but I will take credit for it. Regardless, Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga was about to make not just MLB history, but Tigers history with the teams first perfect game. Alas, it will never be written as happening, but rather should have happened.

There it was. A ground ball to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Galarraga ran on contact towards first beating Jason Donald, who hit the ball, to the bag. The throw by Cabrera wasn’t perfect, but Galarraga caught it with his foot on the bag. Donald’s foot about half a step from stepping on the bag, but it clearly showed Galarraga had completed the 21st perfect game ever. I’m not even going off replay. That’s how I saw it in real time. Donald is out. Game over.

I’ll say that being an umpire, referee, official whatever they’re called in their respective sport is a hard job. One that many wouldn’t be able to do. Jim Joyce is now a household name as the man who took away a perfect game. I like many who saw the play reacted with disgust, as the call was ruled “safe” wanted quick action as to punishing the umpire. It’s one of those, I hate to say it, “unwritten rules” with umpires. You don’t make that call in that situation. Taking away a perfect game is near or right at the top I’m sure.

However, letting time pass to think about it and what this ultimately means for the sport that I love and appreciate more than any other. I’ve come to the conclusion that this will help in the long run. Making that call, umpire Jim Joyce will go down as the umpire that took away a perfect game and will usher in the expanded use of instant replay in MLB. As much as I’d like to fight more instant replay in baseball, I can’t argue against it anymore. Yes, I’m putting away my challenge flag.

The biggest argument I’ve made against having instant replay is the time factor. How long will it take to review 2-4 close plays a game? Baseball is trying to speed up the game, but by adding more opportunities for review will only slow the game down more. Momentum will be affected and so on and so forth. The other argument against it is what to review. Will you want to review ball and strike calls? Was the ball fair or foul down the line or on the bag? Was the guy out trying to steal? Where do you draw the line?

The likely scenario for expanding replay right now is for plays like we saw with Jim Joyce in Detroit. Right now they can only review if a ball was a home run. Whether it went over the wall, was inside the foul pole or if a fan interfered. Now it will include close calls at every base. There needs to be limits though; time to review the play, who decides to review the play(s)? Limit the amount of reviews you can do during the game. I don’t want the constant back and forth of checking and double checking these calls. Put a cap on how often it’s done and leave it.

It won’t get any further than that. Commissioner Bud Selig doesn’t want a lot of instant replay, but he does have to implement it for plays like this. It takes an extraordinary event like a perfect game to wake baseball up and force them to take action. Jim Joyce couldn’t feel more terribly about his mistake.

“It was the biggest call of my career, and I kicked the (bleep) out of it,” Joyce said, looking and sounding distraught as he paced in the umpires’ locker room. “I just cost that kid a perfect game.”

Armando Galarraga couldn’t have been more sympathetic than he was. When the call was made, all he could do was smile. Not a single word, just a smile. Galarraga received an apology after the game from Joyce and was very gracious about the whole situation.

“You don’t see an umpire after the game come out and say, ‘Hey, let me tell you I’m sorry,’ ” Galarraga said. “He felt really bad. He didn’t even shower.”

The way that both Galarraga and Joyce have handled this historic event, has been nothing short of amazing. Galarraga has every right to be upset, but knows being angry won’t help anyone. Joyce has every right not to talk about it and knows without saying it that he blew the call. He’s done the opposite though in the 24/7 news age we live in to get out in front of it, own it and move on. Admitted steroid users should take a page out of Joyce’s playbook.

It was a perfect storm that was brewing for a long time in baseball. It would take a historic time in the sport, with the potential of 3 perfect games in a month happening to force baseball’s hand. They have to act and whether it will work in the long run is yet to be determined, but one thing is for sure. What should have been a great moment turned into a spectacular moment. Showing that the human spirit is to forgive and forget. It was a game. A game that children are playing. Jim Joyce and Armando Galarraga handled an explosive situation with class and dignity. Turn the page and expand instant replay already.

MLB Review – 2 Month Edition

Below are the standings as of today May 31,2010

AL East
1. Tampa Bay
2. New York
3. Toronto
4. Boston
5. Baltimore

AL Central

1. Minnesota
2. Detroit
3. White Sox
4. Kansas City
5. Cleveland

AL West

1. Oakland
2. Texas
3. LA Angels
4. Seattle

NL East

1. Atlanta
2. Philadelphia
3. NY Mets
4. Florida
5. Washington

NL Central

1. Cincinnati
2. St. Louis
3. Cubs
4. Milwaukee
5. Pittsburgh
6. Houston

NL West

1. San Diego
2. LA Dodgers
3. San Francisco
4. Colorado
5. Arizona

You will notice a few surprises. Mainly in the National League. The Reds and Padres in first through two months? Yes it’s true. The Reds are riding on a good young staff that has a good closer to help protect their leads. The Padres are finally taking advantage of their pitcher friendly ballpark. Jon Garland, Mat Latos and Kevin Correia are having fantastic seasons.

In the American League the Toronto Blue Jays are leading all of baseball in home runs by almost twenty of the second place team in that category. Tampa Bay record wise is the best team in baseball, but I do think they are the best team regardless of record right now. The Twins are starting to run away with the AL Central with only the Detroit Tigers as the lone threat. The West is still up for grabs as neither Oakland, Texas or the Angels want it right now.

The biggest thing I think we can take away from the first two months though, is pitching. The year started with a no-hitter from Colorado Rockies pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez. Since, Jimenez’s record is 9-1 with a 0.88 ERA in 10 starts. Kind of reminds you of what 2009 AL Cy Young winner Zach Greinke did for the Royals last year. Oakland Athletics pitcher Dallas Braden threw a perfect game on Mothers Day this year against the best team in baseball, the Tampa Bay Rays in Oakland. Just a few weeks later, Phillies ace Roy Halladay tosses a perfect game against the Florida Marlins in Miami. The last time you had two perfect games in the same season was, wait for it, 1880. Crazy how rare it is. If you count Mark Buehrle’s perfect game last year (also against Tampa Bay) that’s three perfecto’s in a calendar year.

One thing I’ve noticed this year is that there are quite a few more instances than normal of pitchers going at least 7 innings with a no-hitter or a perfect game. There have only been three so far, but something tells me that we will probably have two more before the year is over. How’s that for a prediction. Just remember where you heard it first. I’ve always wondered this though. If a pitcher has a perfect game going in the All-Star game, do you still keep him in? That game is just around the corner. It will be interesting if it happens there.

10 Memorable Moments

In no particular order, here are my ten most memorable moments in my life that involve sports or me being at sporting events. This was inspired by my radio co-host JR Reed who wrote a list of his own. You can see his list and many other great posts at http://www.sexandthesingledad.com.

Hockey Returns

I don’t remember the exact date, but it was right around when the Staples Center first opened for the Lakers, Clippers and Kings. My uncle being in town on leave from Saudi Arabia is a hockey fan and invited me to a game at Staples between the Kings and Coyotes. Just being in Downtown LA was a new experience, but being inside Staples Center was phenomenal. The seats were around mid-ice in the middle level of Staples Center. The game went to overtime in which the Coyotes beat the Kings, but it was the first hockey game I witnessed in person and I got hooked.

Yes the strike of 2004-05 did rub me the wrong way about the sport of Hockey and their TV contract with Versus and NBC is puzzling to this day, but the game is still what brought me back. The players, atmosphere and that wonderful trophy. The second time I attended a game was at Honda Center the home of the Anaheim Ducks. Thanks to JR, I was brought in as a member of the media (KLBC). Pre-game meal, great view and access to the “Great One” yeah, Wayne Gretzky. A day I will never forget.

Being Sick at a Lakers Game

April 19, 1999. I was home sick from school. Really, I was, but when Dad comes home from work early and says he has tickets to the Lakers game that day, I say I’m okay to go. The seats were located a few rows above one of the tunnels looking diagonally at one of the baskets. This was at the Great Western Forum mind you. The Lakers were playing the Vancouver Grizzlies. Yeah, a crappy opponent, but what was I to say no to going to a Lakers game. The Grizzlies were actually beating the Lakers early, but thanks to a little 12 year old sick boy yelling, “Defense” the Lakers started a nice comeback thanks to Shaq’s 35 points. Tyronn Lue and Ruben Patterson combining for 26 points the Lakers did beat the Grizzlies. I felt that I should have received some credit for that win, but I let the players have it that day.

My Team Wins

If you don’t know by now I am a huge San Francisco 49ers fan. Not old enough to see Joe Montana in Niner red, but rather in Chiefs red. January 29, 1995 was Super Bowl 29 with my Niners against the San Diego Chargers. My aunt who lives near San Diego asked me if I wanted to take a bet on who would win. I took her on that bet and the game got serious. Of course the Niners won thanks to Steve Young’s six touchdown passes and San Diego no showing on offense. Final 49-26. Fittingly they score their nickname. Not only did my team win, I won five bucks in the process. I stopped rubbing it in about five years later, but I guess I broke that streak today. San Diego, Chokin’ Chargers!

KLBC

I had already spent a semester at Long Beach City College learning about different careers I could be doing in Radio or Television. I wanted to get some hands on experience and not find out about it in a book. Hello KLBC. The college had a freaking radio station. I stepped in as the lone sports guy at the station in January 2007 and left in May 2010 with a tremendous sense of accomplishment. I met some great people and will take advantage of my experiences there to better myself in the very near future in radio. That first day on the air I was a nervous wreck, but it was definitely one of the best days ever.

Season Tickets

My oldest brother decided to buy season tickets in 2002 for the Anaheim Angels (that was their name). The season started off as bad as it could. The team went 6-14 in April its worst start ever. We both thought, crap just our luck. We buy season tickets and they’ll finish with the worst record in baseball. To the contrary. They started May with a bang. Comeback victories and great pitching propelled the Angels to winning 99 games, a franchise record at the time. Playoff tickets were a tad too expensive, but we didn’t miss a game on television. They went on to win the first World Series in franchise history. Unfortunately as I’ve joked since, the Angels haven’t been to a World Series since purchasing season tickets. Some day I will Halos. Some day I will.

April 14, 2009

The debut of the wesandjr blog. Since then there have been playoff breakdowns, columns and previews of almost every sport. It all couldn’t have happened without your continued support and for that I do thank you all. Bigger things are planned as I speak. Stay tuned.

History at KLBC

Thanks to these four people, Ken Borgers, John Doss, Nathan Fineman and JR Reed, history was made on March 20, 2008. It was the first time an athletic game of any kind was broadcasted at Long Beach City College. That game was baseball at Joe Hurst Memorial Field as the Long Beach Vikings hosted the Desert Roadrunners, a non-conference game. The Vikings won the game 7-3 in what was a dream come true for myself being the play-by-play voice of Viking Atletics. Me and JR teamed up to do Baseball and Football broadcasts in 2008. I was by myself for the 2009 season in baseball and softball. Every second of those broadcasts was truly special.

Summer of 2008

Thanks in large part to those historical broadcasts at Long Beach City College, me an JR were brought on to broadcast for the Long Beach Armada. 2008 was a special summer as my dream of doing play-by-play for a professional baseball team seemed so much closer. The Armada made it to the postseason, but were knocked out in the first series against the Orange County Flyers. However, former Major Leaguer Steve Yeager being the manager of the Armada was all I needed as he shared some funny and memorable stories on the road with me and JR. We also saw the Armada win four in a row via the walk-off celebration. Once in a lifetime summer.

Chick and Vin

I don’t remember when I first heard or saw them on radio/television, but when I did, the light bulb went off. They make it look so easy and fun to be a broadcaster. Seeing Chick in person at the Forum was great. As he signed my oldest brother’s sign which said this:

“Cure for the Lakers: Elden Campbell’s Game and a serving of Chick’ N Stu on Prime Ticket!”

Chick chuckled signed it and handed it to Stu so he could sign it. Seeing him up there with his headphones was the coolest thing ever. I’ve never seen Vin in person, but I’m sure it would be the same. His stories during the games are the best. You will learn something new every time you watch a Dodgers game. I guarantee it. Two icons that I’m truly grateful I’ve had the opportunity of hearing and seeing.

October 3, 2009

This was the day as a family we celebrated the 100th birthday of our Father, Grandfather, Uncle, Great Uncle and Friend. My Great Uncle Joe Komjathy was and always will be a huge part of my life. I saw so many great sport moments with him since I returned to the states after my Dad retired from the Marines Corps in 1994. Monday Night Football was a tradition me and my Dad started with Uncle Joe when we returned. We didn’t just watch Football either. We would watch Baseball, Basketball, Golf, you name it we saw it. Joe cared not only about you, but what you were doing as well. To this day what he said to me before I graduated from High School, when I had no clue as to what I wanted to do, I will never forget.

“No matter what you do, you will be good at it.” – Great Uncle Joe Komjathy