Mark My Words: June

In order to be a great fantasy owner you must be able to predict and project how well players will do down the road. Owners have to see production before it is performed by players otherwise you might miss out on that player, it might be too late and another owner in your league snatched him before you. Just like last month I have decided to somewhat predict the future. I have put together a handful of things that I believe will happen in the month of June, a lot of statements in which you may be shaking your head now but when we look back on July 1^st I will say “I told you so”.

1)      Mark My Words, Los Angeles Angels Outfielder Mike Trout scores more fantasy points than Texas Rangers Outfielder Josh Hamilton in the month of June: Josh Hamilton is having one heck of a season. Hamilton leads almost every statistical category by a large margin. Hamilton also leads the league in fantasy points. This season has been owned by Josh Hamilton, June will be owned by 20 year old youngster Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels. Trout is known as one of the most talented prospects in the league and he has shown off his abilities early on in the big leagues. Trout was the 25^th overall pick in the 2009 draft, and ranked the #2 best prospect according to Baseball America. Trout joined the Angels big league club five weeks into the season and has been raking since. He is currently hitting .302 and has 5 homeruns in his short stint with the club. In June 20 year old Mike Trout out performs Josh Hamilton.

2)      Mark My Words, Aroldis Chapman still has a 0.00 ERA: Aroldis Chapman is having a dominant season. A season in which he has yet to allow a single run. He also took complete control of the Cincinnati Reds closer role. Earlier this month I wrote about Chapman’s dominance https://boxseatssports.wordpress.com/fantasy-sports-insider/fantasy-baseball/an-eventful-week-dominant-season-aroldis-chapman/. I’m predicting the left hander continues this magical season and doesn’t allow a run in June either.

3)      Mark My Words, this one is a carry-over from last month to get the sour taste out of my mouth. Former Yankee A.J. Burnett has a lower ERA than Yankee ace C.C. Sabathia in the month of June: I had this same prediction last month and I fell one outing short of this coming true. In A.J. Burnett’s last five starts he has allowed two runs or fewer. During this five game stretch Burnett has a 1.57 ERA and a 3-0 record. I would’ve hit on this prediction last month if it weren’t for Burnett’s first outing against the St. Louis Cardinals where he allowed 12 runs over 2.2 innings. Burnett has had a lot of success as of late and so has his former Yankee teammate C.C. Sabathia. Sabathia has had no problem going deep into games, going at least seven innings in seven of ten outings, and going at least 6 innings in all of them. The Yankee ace had a 2.75 ERA in the month of May but just a 3-2 record to show for it. This month I get my revenge on this prediction when A.J. Burnett out pitches C.C. Sabathia.

4)      Mark My Words, youngster Bryce Harper has more extra base hits than league leader (in that category) Joey Votto: Joey Votto currently leads the league in extra base hits with 30 total. Votto has 8 homeruns and 22 doubles. This season Votto has done more than just get extra base hits for the Cincinnati Reds he has also been getting on base at a great clip. The talented first baseman boasts a .463 on base percentage ranking second in the Major Leagues behind New York Mets 3B David Wright. In June, Bryce Harper will get more extra base hits than Votto however. Harper was called up on April 28^thby the Washington Nationals, the 20 year old right fielder has already found himself in the #2 slot in the Nats lineup card. Harper had 13 extra base hits in the month of May (5 doubles, 4 triples, and 4 homeruns).

Bryce Harper is just starting to feel comfortable

A statistic that is extremely impressive for a rookie. I first fell in love with Harper a bit later than everybody else. Of course I knew he was an incredible talent and I knew someday he would be a star in this league but I didn’t care too much about him until I saw him playing against the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN. Harper hit a soft blopper to left field and he exploded out of the box thinking double and with his hustle he got there. No other player in the league was stretching that single into a double, most guys would have just jogged down the first baseline. Since then I love the guy, he is always hustling.

5)      Mark My Words, Chicago White Sox pitcher Chris Sale has a lower ERA than Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez in the month of June: I am a proud fantasy owner of Chicago White Sox lefty Chris Sale. Chris Sale is one hell of a pitcher and has unbelievable potential. Sale is currently 6-2 and has a 2.34 ERA in his first season moving from the bullpen to the starting rotation. In early May Sale was dealing with elbow soreness and there was discussions of him possibly moving back to the bullpen but an MRI revealed Sale is healthy. Sale has been dominant in his last two outings combining for 14.1 innings 1 run and only allowing 5 hits while also striking out 21. Tampa Bay Rays slugger Ben Zobrist compared Sale to a young Randy Johnson in one of his tweets after facing the Sox left hander. There was no rhyme or reason to why I have put Sale up against King Felix Hernandez in this prediction other than to prove Sale is becoming an elite pitcher in this league and can out play other elite starting pitchers like Felix Hernandez who is proven.

6)      Mark My Words, Edwin Jackson records more wins in the month of June than teammate Stephen Strasburg: Stephen Strasburg came out of the gates hot for the Washington Nationals, yet has fizzled in his last few starts allowing 4 runs in two out of his last three appearances. He has also failed to make it into the 6^th inning in all three of those outings. Strasburg still posts a 2.64 ERA but recent struggles mean other pitchers in the Nationals rotation need to step up. Edwin Jackson is their man. Jackson is having a solid season himself however struggling to get run support from his club, giving him a poor record. Jackson has a 3.17 ERA but a lousy 1-3 record to show for it. Jackson has pitched well in his last 5 starts not allowing more than 3 runs in any of them however his club has lost all 5 games. I’m predicting Jackson continues his own individual success in the month of June and his teammates chime in with some run support.

7)      Mark My Words, Matt Moore has a lower ERA than James Shields in the month of June: Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Matt Moore has been somewhat of a disappointment in the early stages of 2012. Moore is 1-5 with a 4.76 ERA. Moore was a clear rookie of the year candidate coming into 2012 after his postseason appearance against the Texas Rangers where he was successful. Moore has struggled early on, he has struggled getting late into ball games and teams are jumping all over his fast ball. In his last seven starts Moore has gone 6+ innings in only two of them. In his last outing he showed promise, he showed everyone a flash of what we expected all season long. In Moore’s last start he toed the rubber against the Chicago White Sox where he pitched 7 innings allowing only two runs and striking out 10. Moore’s teammate James Shields has been up and down this season. Shields will log innings for you but he does get tattooed sometimes. He currently has a 3.95 ERA but does have a 6-3 record for the Rays. I’m not entirely concerned about Shields giving up a lot of runs as of late however I think things are starting to click for the young lefty Matt Moore and I think we will see what we have all been waiting to see out of Matt Moore.

8)      Mark My Words, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher James McDonald continues his dominant 2012 season and has an ERA under 2.70 in June: James McDonald of the Pittsburgh Pirates is putting together quite the 2012 campaign. The 27 year old right hander has been dominant all season long. He has yet to allow more than three runs in a single outing all season long. He also has no problem striking guys out, on May 17^th he proved that against the Washington Nationals when he struck out 11. Prior to that outing he struck out 8, 7, 10 and 8 in the four games before. McDonald has a 2.20 ERA for the Pirates far lower than expectations. In 2011 McDonald had an ERA of 4.21 however recent mechanical changes has proven success for the Pirate. McDonald continues this success in June when he pitches below a 2.70 ERA.

9)      Mark My Words, Fernando Rodney leads the league in saves at the end of June: How do the Tampa Bay Rays pump out these dominant closers? In his first season with the Rays Fernando Rodney has been rock solid locking down 16 saves. The Rays have a new closer every single season last year it was Kyle Farnsworth the year before that Rafael Soriano, Percival before that. Rodney is getting a lot of chances right now because the Rays are winning games, by the end of June Rodney will catch saves leader Jim Johnson of the Baltimore Orioles.

10)   Mark My Words, the San Antonio Spurs will win the NBA finals and they won’t need a 7^th game to do so:Last month I predicted the Miami Heat would still be playing in the playoffs, this month I’m going a little tougher than that by saying the San Antonio Spurs win the NBA title in June and they do it in six games against the Miami Heat. Tony Parker will be your MVP. 

Conner “Country Breakfast” Patch @

 connerpatch68

Another 30 for 30 Coming Our Way…

In case you missed the New York Times story today, ESPN is launching a second volume of our Peabody Award–winning 30 for 30 series that premieres this fall and runs through 2014. As most ESPN fans and sports fans know, ESPN’s 30 for 30 was one of the greatest documentary series that have ever been played on TV. The 30 for 30’s gave us a new way to look at sports. Not just in general but in great detail. It helped teach us the personal stories of many athletes, whether they were good or bad. ESPN made the 30 for 30 series a must watch for all sports fans, not only because it was sports, but because it was interesting. They were able to tie pop culture into sports and vice versa, giving us examples of why things happened and how they affected America. Volume 2 looks to be just as good, but it will highlight different things than the original series. The second series will celebrate the storytelling form — not just with 30 new sports documentaries from 30 filmmakers (which won’t just be confined to that 1979-2009 time frame this time, by the way), but a new 30 for 30 Shorts web series. I like the way ESPN has implemented a new short web series to help compliment the TV series. The web series will keep people looking. Because there are stories out there that we loved for four to 12 minutes, but maybe not for a full hour. It helps us stay interested in some stories that may not need the full hour to be explained.

This 2nd Volume will be telling us stories that will involve the likes of Bo Jackson, Muhammad Ali and Jimmy Valvano. It will show us what they were like on a personal side, which gives us sports fan, a new way to view these athletes and figures in sports. It shows us a new side of people through the use of film, and it helps, almost, get on a personal level with the figures that are in each episode. I am excited to see this 2nd volume of the 30 for 30 series. As far as I know, it is going to be just as good if not better than the 1st volume, and if that’s the case ESPN will have yet another winner on its hands. If you want to see the trailer for the 2nd volume, click here.

Harmful Hamels

The second man in the Phillies rotation has been around the block for a while.  A 6 year veteran, a World Series MVP, and a pair of appearances in the fall classic sent a message to the “future” of the MLB in Washington Nationals’ golden boy Bryce Harper.

Harper has rapidly become the biggest thing to happen to Major League Baseball in the early going of the 2012 campaign.  Harper has had the hype around him since he was on the cover of Sports Illistrated at the age of 16 as the next big thing. G.E.D . at 16, JuCo by 17, first round draft pick at age 18, majors by 19.

Since his call up over a week ago, its been the Harper Show. Doubles, RBI’s, showing off that cannon the kid calls a right arm from left field, it seems that Bryce is all Sports Center wants to talk about when it comes to baseball these days.

Well on Sunday, ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball shining with their new prized gem in Harper going up against one of the best pitchers in the game in Hamels.  Bottom of the first right off the bat (pun intended) Harper gets up to the plate for his at bat.  The left-hander sends a purpose ball his way that pegs him around the belt buckle.

After that, a quick first to third base running by the speedy Harper, and next, to quote the best baseball movie of all time, “the Jet stole home! I can’t believe it the Jet stole home!” Harper steals home, the ultimate ‘show up’ right in Hamels and the national TV’s face to prove his point.

Post game Hamels probably still fuming about getting shown up by the Kid, goes on in his post game to say how he pegged him purposefully.  That’s a no fly zone in professional sports now a days, especially with the Bounty Gate in the NFL. Purposely harming players is not a good situation for anyone involved.  But baseball is a game of respect, you hit me, I hit you, its settled message sent sometimes fights break out.

Bud Selig sent a message to his players that this will not stand due to a five game ban to Hamels.  Was it warranted? I think en light of the recent other sports being tarnished by allegations from the Saints scandal rubbing off in this.  Five games is necessary, meaning Cole will miss one start but I find that punishment is necessary.  If he just said the fastball ran inside and he didn’t mean to, it would not have been a big deal.  But admitting that he was at fault really was the straw that broke the camel’s back and suspension needed to be awarded.

Thoughts? Opinions?

Does Goodell have too much power?

I think he has just enough…

An interesting article I read today on ESPN.com was about how Roger Goodell, Commissioner of the NFL, may have too much power. The players are beginning to question whether he is protecting them or if he is protecting the business. And I do think the players have a point. I understand the NFL is a multi-billion dollar business in America and you need to have it, but don’t you need the players to have the business? But what I have seen Goodell do is something that other commissioners in other sports do, and that is take control. He is a no-nonsense kind of guy, who will lay the hammer down on you to teach you a lesson. Look at the Saints for example. I think Goodell did the right thing, he is in a way protecting players, by suspending those who were trying to hurt others.

Osi Umenyiora said, “The stupidity of some people gets me sometimes.” “A lot of players think he’s trying to take away our game, but Roger really cares about us. He’s a regular guy.”

I think Roger Goodell does his job better than David Stern. Metta World Peace nearly decapitated James Harden when they played each other in April. The elbow was uncalled for and was absolutely meant to hit Harden, but all World Peace got was a 7 game suspension? I mean come on he should have been out the whole rest of the season for something like that. Especially with how careful sports are with concussions now.

Goodell may be a little harsh at times but I believe he has good reason to be. He is running the greatest business we have in America, and he has to take his job very seriously. Goodell clearly understands that such hostility comes with his job. What makes him so intriguing is his unwavering desire to forge a relationship with players who are at odds with his reign. Arizona Cardinals kicker and NFL Players Association representative Jay Feely said, “There’s a general distrust for him.” Goodell has had a tough time because the players don’t know what they’re going to get out of him, especially after the lockout.

Kansas City right tackle Eric Winston, who joined the Chiefs after six seasons in Houston, added, “He’s judge, jury and executioner. The joke around the locker room in Houston was that Goodell is like Xerxes [the ruler] in the movie ‘300.’ He can do whatever he wants. Obviously, he has the power to do that — and that’s partially our fault because we didn’t get it addressed in the [collective bargaining agreement] — but it also doesn’t make for a friendly environment.”

Goodell, in my opinion, has done a fair job, at times he may hand out a couple harsh penalties for players but he does them for the right reasons. Such as, when James Harrison nearly ended Josh Cribbs’ life on a crossing pattern this past fall. Harrison was fined $75,000 dollars for his hit and rightfully so. Like I said earlier in the article, concussions are a serious deal. We just had the suicide of Junior Seau, caused by an apparent brain disease caused by concussions.

Goodell is trying to protect his players, whether they are retired or currently playing. And I believe he has done a great job at his position. For the players, I can understand where they are coming from. They are sick of being suspended and fined, but they need to realize that it is for a reason. Goodell needs to keep doing what he is doing and he will be fine.

My Top 5 Sportscenter Anchors

Sportscenter for every sports fan is like heaven on television. Keeping us updated on every game and everything that is happening. They give us highlights and the anchors keep us entertained throughout. And this is my ode to them, here is my top 5 Sportscenter anchors.

1) Chris Berman

This one is pretty self explanitory. Atlhough he isn’t as much an anchor as a host, he was the original. He was the man who got it all started for ESPN and is the reason they are around today. Plus how can you not love the Bermanisms.

2) Scott Van Pelt

Possibly the funniest out of all the anchors. Again, he doesn’t anchor as much anymore because he became to big. He now has his own radio show, announces golf, and makes many appearances on the “This is Sportscenter” commercials. Just a great, funny guy that you gotta love.

3) Stuart Scott

I’ve always loved Stuart Scott. It was something about that eye that attracted me to him. He has come up with some of the greatest catch phrases in the game. He is known for always talking sports and calling out the highlights.

4) John Buccigross

Probably my favorite anchor who is still on there at least twice a week. Again, another anchor who comes up with great catch phrases while announcing the highlights. Always making people laugh in the studio and people who are watching the show.

5) Kenny Mayne

I’ve often thought Mayne was the prototype for SportsCenter anchors with comic aspirations. He’s dry, self-effacing and just a little bit mean when he needs to be. He takes the comedy to another level, whether it is the Mayne Event, “This is Sportscenter” commericlas, or game highlights. He brings another character into the ESPN studio.

What the hell happened in the Clippers game last night?

What happened?

As I was dozing off in my bed at school, I decided to flip on ESPN and watch a little bit of the Clippers vs. Grizzlies game. Well, that ended quickly, the Clippers were down 21 points in the 4th quarter and it looked as if the Grizz would be taking game 1. As I woke up this morning, again I tuned into ESPN, reading the bottomline, I saw Clippers 99 Grizzlies 98. I squinted my eyes to see if I had read it correctly and sure enough the highlights came on right after it. I’m not going to lie, I was a tad upset I had missed one of the greatest comebacks in NBA playoff history, but on the other hand I’m not a huge Clippers fan anyway. But as a basketball fan you always love to see a huge comeback, despite a team playing so poorly throughout the game. And the result of it was another Clippers comeback — one of the greatest in NBA playoff history.

Games like this make you realize that you can never count out a team no matter the deficit. I know that about 98.5% of the time, the team dow 20 points is going to lose, but there is always that 1.5% that gives them a chance. It changes the way you watch sporting events. Instead of changing the channel, it gives you a glimmer of hope that you may watch something historical happen. This may be a drastic comparison, but it’s like what the Red Sox did in 2004. As a huge fan, I had even counted them out and started talking about how the Yankees were going to drill the Cardinals in the World Series. I know it is a little different, but it just shows you that you can never count anyone out.

The Grizzlies had a chance to take game 1 handedly last night and let it slip away. “Obviously, we gave it away, and everybody’s kind of down,” Rudy Gay said. “We’re still into it. It’s a long series, and we’re ready to fight. That’s all this means. We’ve got to fight hard.” After being up 21 points in the 4th quarter, the Grizzlies allowed the Clippers to slowly fight back. How did the Clippers come back from down 21 entering the 4th quarter? They made 8 more FG including 4 more 3-pt FG and grabbed 13 more rebounds than the Grizzlies. “We just got careless,” Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said. “We just lost a little bit of our discipline from a defensive perspective. But offensively, we just started walking it up and trying to throw it into the post instead of running it in. We ran earlier. We attacked. We were in transition earlier. We just stopped doing that and got conservative and it cost us.” It sure did cost them, it cost them game 1 of a crucial series. But like I said in my Western Conference overview, this will be the most fun and entertaining series to watch, and game 1 proved that.

Box Score

What is your favorite “This is Sportscenter” Commercial?

Let me know which commercial is your favorite. I’ve got to say the best one is the Jimmy Rollins with Scott Van Pelt commercial. Leave your votes in the comment section.