ItsTheBlog™

Playoffs are a sports fan’s heaven. It’s the time of the season where players push their injuries, excitement and intensity of the sport build to a climax, and fans pay up the nose to catch a glimpse of the action. So more of a GOOD thing must be a GREAT thing, right? Wrong.

Major league baseball’s collective bargaining agreement expires after next season. With the expiration approaching, there’s talk and support, even amongst the players’ association, for expansion of the MLB playoffs. Currently, 8 teams out of 30 qualify for the playoffs every year. The discussed proposal would call for additional teams to qualify as well as expanding the initial Division Series to a best of 7 games (it is 5 games currently).

Bud Selig, the so called innocent baseball commissioner that was completely unaware of the rampant use of steroids in the 90’s and early 2000’s, is heading the movement, "I'm intrigued by that and we'll talk about it," Selig said on ESPN Radio. "We only have eight teams, the least of any sport, so even if we went to 10 teams, we wouldn't be abusing anything."

Abuse? How did we get to talking about abuse? Shouldn’t Selig be pushing and selling this to fans as a grand, innovative tweak instead of a defensive front? In business language, Selig was saying this, “There’s more juice left in this orange. It’s not as pure as the rest of the juice, but since it’s not unethical, given today’s business practices, we’re going to squeeze it some more and sell it.”

Without a doubt, baseball is a for profit business. And yes this will lead to additional revenue. But is it the smartest move baseball can make even from a financial standpoint? I believe it is not.

The change doesn’t lend itself to meshing well with the average sports fan.

More isn’t always better. Ever been to a Super Bowl party? Of course. Ever been to a World Series party? Probably not. Why? You might say well Football and Baseball are different sports, you can’t compare the two and Football is more popular. But why is Football more popular? And if it is, shouldn’t Baseball try as much as possible to imitate Football?

Fantasy Football is the most popular fantasy sport. Why? Because it’s only once a week and that day is on a weekend. As I once heard someone say before, “it takes away the aftertaste of church.” The point being here, in this age of technology, people have poor attention spans. Look at me, I’m writing this while in class. Baseball gets complaints about being too slow of a game. The fact that the World Series will extend into November this year is ridiculous. Don’t get me wrong. More baseball, I’ll watch. But if baseball is going to grow it has to attract a larger fan base. There are diehards with every sport but catering only to them is a bad business decision for the sport overall.

A salary cap is the next step Baseball needs to make. Having the Yankees in the World Series every year may not be BAD for TV ratings but it’s BAD for the growth of the sport which should be the ultimate goal.

- MB

Labels: Baseball, expansion, MLB, playoffs, wild card, Yankees

It's probably not the ideal spot for a major league deal to be negotiated, but it works.

One of my favorite fast-food restaurants was the site of the Angels' bargain with outfielder Torii Hunter last week. Well, Hunter's agent and new Angels GM Tony Reagins met there anyway. They chose Del Taco in Corona, halfway between Hunter's agent Larry Reynolds' home in Riverside and Anaheim. I think I ate there once.


Even Hunter found it a bit ironic that a $90 million deal could be figured out over some ridiculously cheap tacos. "I always imagined my deal would get done inside a board room or a Capital Grille," Hunter said.

The most interesting thing about the story is the fact that the two most important players in the deal, Reagins and Reynolds, could simply walk into Del Taco, negotiate like crazy, and not get recognized.

In sports, it seems that people put a lot of emphasis on the athletes, but they wouldn't be there without all this behind the scenes work.

Now I want some chili cheese fries from Del Taco.

Labels: Baseball, contracts, del taco, Kevdog, Los Angeles Angels, torii hunter

Boston faithful breathed a sigh of relief yesterday (maybe?) upon news that Curt Schilling chose to re-sign with the Sox.

Sure, Curt struggled during the regular season and missed a lot of time with injury, but in the post-season, Schilling was money, going 3-0 and looking like the "Bloody Sock Man" from the 2004 playoffs.

My favorite part about this whole thing was the contract itself. First off, Schilling took a pay cut from the $13 million he made this past year to signing for just $8 million.

However, deals aren't always what they seem. Curt can make an additional $3 million for performance bonuses. That is, if he pitches 130 innings, he makes an extra $375,000, and then every 10 innings beyond that up to 200, he makes an additional $375,000. Ridiculous.

But, that's not even the half of it. Schilling will have once-a-month random "weigh-ins" to make sure he's maintaining a specified weight. Translation: Curt, you're fat, and we're not paying you unless you stay not so fat.

So, if Schilling makes the cut (literally), Curt nets himself $333,333 every time his weight checks in. 6 times. That's an extra $2 million if Curt lays off the chicken fingers and pizza.

How's that for an incentive?

Labels: Baseball, Boston, contracts, Kevdog, Red Sox, Schilling

Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka will try to earn his paycheck today. His $103 million paycheck. That's right, the Red Sox paid $51 just to to have the privillege of talking to Dice-K last summer, and then subsequently paid $52 million more just to sign the guy. That makes tonight's do-or-die start in Game 7 of the ALCS worth that much more to both the organization and the pitcher.


In the early goings of the season, Matsuzaka looked like the investment was paying off. 7-2 towards the end of May, opposing batters just couldn't figure out the mysterious "gyro-ball" (if it really exists). Then, things sort of equalized. Dice-K finished the year with a 15-12 record, including a fairly abysmal September, in which he had a 7.62 ERA, giving up 24 earned runs in 5 starts and 28.1 innings.

The playoffs haven't been much better.

Matsuzaka's post-season ERA stands at 6.75, with an 0-1 record, which would be 0-2 if not for Manny Ramirez's 9th inning grand slam heroics which cost the Angels a victory in Game 2 of the ALDS. Dice-K followed this with a 4-2 loss to the Indians in Game 3 of this series, giving up all 4 of those runs in less 4.2 innings of work.

In short, Matsuzaka has been anything but dependable of late for the Sox. Who knows what we'll see tonight? He has the advantage of pitching on 5 days rest, but even at that, nothing is certain in Game 7 of the ALCS.

It'll be nice to pitch at Fenway, with the faithful cheering (or jeering?) at his every move.

No pressure, Dice. You just have to earn your $103 million in one night with all of Boston, and most of the rest of the country, watching.

Labels: ALCS, Angels, Baseball, Boston, Dice-K, Kevdog, Matsuzaka, playoffs, Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox had an 8:00 pm game last night. It was Game 2 of the ALCS--pretty important by many standards. You very rarely (if ever) see an 8:00 pm start time on the West coast, because that would mean that those living on the East Coast wouldn't see the game until 11:00.

That said, 8:00 isn't too late, and it wasn't an awful choice. The problem? The Red Sox just take forever when they play.

While I wasn't watching the game, I remembered that the game was on at about 1:00 am. I checked to see who won. When I saw the box score that it was still going, I didn't really think about how late it was. Then, I realized that the game was being played about 2 miles from me, just across the Charles River at Fenway Park. I found that the game was on FOX and watched the top of the 11th.

If you're a baseball fan, you know the rest. Trot Nixon, former Boston fan favorite, singled in the go-ahead run, and was followed by an onslaught. 6 more would come around, capped off by a 3-run home run by Franklin Guttierez to break the game open, 13-6. By now, it was about 1:20 am.

Kids were long asleep, Boston turned cold(er), and the fans still in attendance were having their rides home threatened by the fact that the "T," the Boston subway system stops running about 1:30.

And there was still another half-inning to go.

Thankfully, it ended quickly, and Boston failed to score in the bottom of the 9th. But, this is just another awful example of East Coast sports gone bad. 1:30 in the morning, really? This game is supposed to be prime-time. Granted, I realize that this one just went ridiculously late, but come on. 5 hours and 14 minutes for only 11 innings? We all know the Red Sox take forever; start the game (at least) an hour earlier than that.

And then, of course, there are those games that happen on the West Coast and you have to watch them on the east coast. I'm not a fan of watching Laker games until 2:00 a.m. And it happens often. Games at 7:30 in Los Angeles start at 10:30 in Boston, and finish between 1-2 am. Not cool.

Even the newspapers are unable to report those scores the next morning, it's so late. That even happened last night here in Boston, with the Sunday Boston Globe headline saying simply that the Red Sox were "caught in another classic." No results. No score. Sad.

Undoubtedly, many fans were irritated this morning after falling asleep in front of the television a little after midnight only to find out that their beloved Sox had been ripped apart in the 11th by the Tribe. At least we've got a series again.

Labels: ALCS, Baseball, Beantown, East Coast, fans, Indians, Kevdog, Lakers, playoffs, Red Sox

A bar is a good place to watch a baseball game. Especially when you are in Boston and the Red Sox are on. The fans know what they are doing. They love the team, they love the game, and, sometimes more importantly, they hate the Yankees.

I was watching Game 2 of the ALDS in such a setting. Sox fans everywhere, and me, the lone Angels fan. We arrived just as the Yankees/Indians insect-infested game 2 was coming to a close in the 11th inning. When Travis Hafner hit the RBI single with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the 11th to win the ballgame, the bar went nuts. It was an amusing atmosphere to be in. Now, onto the Red Sox/Angels.

Boston took a 2-0 lead early, and I quieted myself and enjoyed my company. But when the Angels took a 3-2 lead in the 2nd, I cheered, even clapped outloud, as if forgetting my surroundings. Some fans glared. One apparently muttered expletives toward me. Oh well. The game went on.

When the now famous Boston fan stole a foul ball right out of Angels catcher Jeff Mathis' glove, the Sox Nation cheered louder than the Yankee loss. Danny Vinik was immediately thrust into Boston stardom. The fans absolutely loved him. They played the replay about 15 times, each time garnering a cheer louder than the previous one. It was pretty amusing for such a minor play. Unfortunately, that minor play would lead to a run scored, and arguably had an effect on the final score of the game.

If you paid attention at all to the series, you know what happened later. The Angels squandered their chance with 2 runners on in the top of the 8th when Papelbon struck out Figgins, leading to the bottom of the 9th. With Julio Lugo on second and 2 out, Angels star closer Francisco Rodriguez chose to intentionally walk David Ortiz to get to Manny Ramirez. Manny took a 1-0 pitch deep over the Green Monster, game over, fans in the bar cheered even louder than the first 2 times, and all I could do was smile and laugh. It's hard to go into someone else's place and cheer for your team, against them. The last thing you wanna do is cry about it when your team loses. Best to keep your mouth shut.

While a depressing finish for an Angels fan, I respected the Boston faithful. They know how to cheer, when to cheer, and what to cheer about.

Labels: ALDS, Angels, bars, Baseball, Danny Vinik, Kevdog, Manny Ramirez, playoffs, Red Sox

Many things have been going right for the Yankees in the past month. After an abysmal start in which many questioned whether the Yankees would finish over .500 or whether they'd even have a shot at the wild card, the Bronx Bombers have pretty much turned it around. While they still trail the AL East leading Red Sox by 7 games, they find themselves just 1 back of the Mariners in the Wild Card race and in position to make a final-month push. Alex Rodriguez keeps on swinging with his major league leading 43 home runs and 123 RBIs. But, there's still one veteran Yankee who isn't pulling his weight.


Mike Mussina appears to have lost his starting job after his third awful outing in a row Monday night. The righty gave up 9 hits and 6 runs, all earned, in just 3 innings pitched against the Tigers. The Yankees lost the game 16-0. This comes on the heels of a worse performance against the Angels last week, in which Mussina suffered through just an inning and two-thirds before exiting with 7 earned runs under his belt. I watched as the Yankees lost that game 18-9. Mussina moved to 8-10 on the year with a 5.53 ERA.

In his last 3 starts alone, he's given up 19 earned runs in 9.2 innings pitched. Pretty awful for a guy who has won 247 career games and appeared in nearly 500. Manager Joe Torre says that Mussina is being replaced by prospect Ian Kennedy in his next start. How permanent the move will be is unknown. I get the feeling that the veteran Yankee won't be gone too long, as Torre and the Yankee organization tend to prefer the Mussina types over the Kennedy types. I can tell you one thing, though. I'm dropping him from my fantasy team.

Labels: A-Rod, Baseball, Kevdog, Mussina, Yankees

In today’s news Basketball Jones has been seen placing underground bets on local YMCA youth league basketball matches. We asked Basketball for a comment and all he replied was "I ain’t done nothing, no not nothing, I swears it, those kids be straight up lying, word to my posse, Andre and Bernard, juckey mookey, ya'll juckey mookey."

This comment has left this reporter wondering when in Gods name humanity did became so stupid. In other news, Batter Mcshortstop has been under allegations that he has, in fact, "juiced up" on human growth hormone. Mcshortstop has been accused of this thanks to his former wife’s tell all book claiming, "All you have to do is look through our trash and you'll find about 40 needles." This has been a shocking revelation to the sport of baseball since no one has ever been accused of using steroids in a sport that moves so slow.

In other new, Lion Forest was seen doing "fatty lines of Coke" and I'm not talking about the tasty beverage folks. Old professionals commented on his drug use by saying "Personally I thought doing something to make you speed up would make the sport more interesting to watch, but ya know what, it didn’t."

Finally folks, a tragic story from the Savannah Golden Eagles, as the teams quarterback, Pig Skinson, was finally put behind bars for underground cat boxing. For those viewers who do not now what cat boxing is, it’s kind of like watching two infants fight over a rattle, not really all that interesting, but when there’s money involved, well, it gets ugly. 14 calico cats have been taken from his home and placed in foster care. However, the cats, even after being freed, are still acting, as one new foster parent said, "bitchy." Just like my ex wife, No folks I kid, she’s a saint. Alright well that raps up our sports segment, stay tuned for "Holy Hell Someone in Hollywood Just Took a Piss and We Got Footage."

Have a good night folks.






DISCLAIMER: None of the stories mentioned above are actually true, they are loosely based off of what I'm sure is going on in the news today, I in fact did not even watch anything sports related, I kind of just assumed this is what’s going on. Thank you and Good night.

Labels: Awesome, Baseball, basketball, football, Funny, news, Scandals, Stories

In today's day and age of 24 hour music (everyone walks around with an ipod and now you can even have your illegally downloaded music on your cellphone), baseball has hopped on the bandwagon. Granted, organs have been used for years at baseball stadiums across the country, however music was generally limited to in between innings.

Now at baseball stadiums, walk-up music will be played while a batter for the home team approaches the batter's box or when a relief pitcher for the home team walks (or runs) in from the bullpen.

Perhaps it was the baseball classic movie Major League that started the trend. Rick Vaughn's "Wild Thing" was the song that was played as he took the mound. The choice of music usually reflects a player's heritage, birthplace, name, or a characteristic of the player.

My favorite walk-up music and the players who use the songs are:

• Eric Byrnes--Jump by Van Halen and Disco Inferno by the Trammps
• Pat Burrell--Holy Diver by Dio
• Armando Benitex--Big Pimpin' by Jay-z
• Ryan Church--Crazy Train by Ozzie Osbourne
• Chris Coste--Love Rollercoastr by Red Hot Chili Peppers
• J.J. Putz and John Smoltz and Daniel Thomson--Thunderstruck by AC/DC

Basically, I'm a fan of any loud sound that has an uptempo beat. Let's also discuss what players clearly need help when picking songs. I present the top three worst walk-up music for baseball players.

3. Chase Utley (Philadelphia Phillies) -- We Like To Party by the Vengaboys

While I love your work on the baseball field, I hardly feel that this is a fair representation of what you do. In the Southern California market (and any other Six Flags market), this song is forever associated with that old man with a ridiculous amount of energy (perhaps he overdosed on those little blue pills?). But is that really the image you want in fans minds when you step up to the plate? Hardly.

2. Chad Bradford (Baltimore Orioles) -- Over My Head (Cable Car) by the Fray

Really Chad? As a relief pitcher you want the other team to here that you're in over your head as you take the mound? Bases loaded and they go to you. What does the team here? Oh that's right--that you're in over your head. I'm not saying that the Fray is a bad band. I enjoy their music. There is a time and a place for them however. And at a baseball stadium as you take the mound is neither the time, nor the place. At least it's not coldplay then we'd know something about you (obligatory 40 year old virgin reference).

1. Matt Holliday (Colorado Rockies) -- Holiday by Madonna

Wow. Gee Matt, why'd you pick this song? Oh that's right. You've probably grown up praying for the day that you can use this song because your last name is repeatedly endlessly throughout the song. But please please change it. You think your tough cause you listen to Madonna? Keep in mind she also sang Like a Virgin and Dress You Up With My Love. This is ridiculous. Sigh. High-pitched falsetto singing and tight revealing outfits is what you want us to think of when we see you walk to the plate? Nice work...really.

And I can't leave these next few ones alone because they are funny and puzzling. More of the former then the latter.

• Mike Myers (New York Yankees) -- Halloween Theme

Matt Holliday, take notes. This is how you use your name in a hilarious way.

• Sparky Lyle (New York Yankees) -- Pomp and Circumstance (yes the graduation song...no not the one by Vitamin-C that gets way overplayed every May-June)

This Yankees old-timer would enter games as the relief pitcher while the organist played this tune on the organ.

Interestingly enough, John Rocker used to use I Wanna Rock by Twisted Sister. However, after John Rocker's wonderful comments regarding different ethnicities, Twisted Sister requested Rocker and the Braves stop playing the song. They complied.

Some stupid players have decided to let silence do the talking. Garret Anderson, Jose Molina, and Moises Alou (along with other lesser players) all have specifically asked not to have music played.

What would be your pool baseball walk-up music? Comment. Mine is probably You're the Best (from Karate Kid) or Simply the Best by Tina Turner.

Labels: Baseball, music

So I don't have an exact quote here for ya kids but I got to comment on Barry Bonds brilliant statement made about his new record. This isn't a direct quote but he said something along the lines of:
"It's not tainted, my records not tainted, go ahead and write whatever you want, it's not tainted."

Wow, seriously, it’s not tainted? Because all people have been able to say about this record usually sounds something like this:

"Did you hear about Bonds getting the new home run record Bill?"
"Yeah, Hank I sure did. Say did you hear that he was taking that there steroids?"
"Yeah, I think his records tainted."

There ya go, infallible proof that this guy’s record can’t be all that "taint" free. Feel free to chuckle at the words "taint-free."

In all seriousness, the guy’s record and career are always going to be in question. Whether or not he did really isn't the question, people are just going to say what makes this more controversial, that being, of course, that he juiced himself up. So say what you will and refer all hate mail towards itstheleague.com. Thank you and God bless Barry Bonds tiny testicles, because without them we wouldn’t have a whole new record on our hands. Just kidding. Once again refer all hate mail to itstheleague.com

Labels: Barry Bonds, Baseball, Home run, record, taint