Saturday, August 31, 2013

Tim Tebow Cut by the Patriots

The popular Tim Tebow has just been cut by the New England Patriots as they were widdling down their roster to 53 players. Tebow joined the Patriots in June as sort of a last chance effort. In three preseason games, he went 11-30 for 145 yards, two touchdown passes and two interceptions. He did also run for 91 yards in 16 attempts.

Tebow has made it clear on twitter that he's not quitting but you can't help but wonder if this is last coming of Tebow? No other teams seem to be interested in him at the moment what with the fact that he still can't throw the ball accurately. He can try his luck up north in Canada but chances are that this is the last time we ever see Tim Tebow in an NFL uniform.

He will always have the 2011 season with the Broncos where he actually lead the team to a playoff win (something Manning hasn't done yet). But that will likely remain the one bright spot for the pro career of Tim Tebow.

P.S. Perhaps divine intervention will help Tebow get back in the NFL in the form of injuries.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

NFL and Players Settle Concussion Suit

It looks like the NFL is able to move beyond their biggest legal battle.

The league has reached a tentative agreement with its 18,000 retired players over brain related injuries such as concussions and CTE. The NFL will pay $765 million over the next 20 years (half within the first 3) as part of the settlement. $675 million will go former players and the families of deceased players. Up to $75 million will go to baseline medical exams and $10 million will fund research and education.

As part of the deal, however, there is a term stating the agreement "cannot be considered an admission by the NFL of liability, or an admission that plaintiffs' injuries were caused by football." (ESPN.com).

From the look of it, the NFL got off easy. It managed to reach a settlement for a relatively small amount and it was able to avoid admitting fault in the process. Now certainly the issue of concussions could still come back and haunt the NFL in the future but for the time being, let's play some football.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Ichiro with 4,000 Career Hits in Pro Baseball

One of the most accomplished hitters today reaches a milestone that involves careers on two different continents.

With a single to left off of the Blue Jay's pitcher R.A. Dickey, Ichiro Suzuki now has 4,000 career hits in the highest levels of professional baseball. This mark goes back to when he debuted in Nippon Professional Baseball in 1992. As for how many hits he has playing Major League Baseball, Ichiro now has 2722 hits in a 13 year career.

If you count careers at the highest levels of pro baseball, Ichiro is only the third player ever to cross the 4,000 hit mark with the other two being Pete Rose and Ty Cobb. While Rose and Cobb's hits have all come while playing Major League Baseball, it's still an impressive milestone in terms of an international mark.

It also makes you wonder if Ichiro would've gotten to the 4,000 hit mark if he had started his career in the Majors. Ichiro has more hits than anyone since his MLB debut in 2001 and also set the new single season hits record in 2004 with 262.

It's fun to play "what if" but there's no doubt that Ichiro is a living legend of the game on an international scale.

P.S. Yanks would win 4-2... whatever.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

MLB to Expand Instant Replay in 2014 (About Damn Time)

The days are numbered for the arrogant umpires.

MLB Commissioner Bud Selig announced today that baseball will greatly expand instant replay starting in the 2014 season. Managers will be allowed to make up to three challenges per game, one for the first six innings and two after the sixth. The best part about it is that the review will not be made by the officiating crew at the stadium but rather by a crew at MLB headquarters in New York City who will render a final decision.

As for what plays will be reviewable, it's a gray area at this point. Atlanta Braves president John Schuerholz, a member of the replay committee, has said that 89% of incorrect calls made in the past will be reviewable but failed to provide a list.

This expanded instant replay still needs to be passed by 75% of the owners during the off season. The MLBPA and the umpires would also need to approve the changes.

Perhaps not the best replay system that can be put in place but it's still a significant upgrade from what they have now (just borderline home runs). While it's unclear what can be challenged, it's going to include numerous things which will make the game fairer and much less controversial.

Again, the system itself is not the best available. College Football appears to use instant replay the best ( and it pains me to admit that) with a replay official able to halt the game for a review at any time need be.

But I do get why baseball went to the challenge system instead. They're afraid that the replay official method will slow the game down too much. The challenge system, in the end, is a compromise.

Over time, I do hope that Baseball will move towards the College Football model regarding instant replay. But for the time being, it's a home run.

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Peavy Wins First Outing with Red Sox

Jake Peavy, who was traded from the ChicagoWhite Sox to Boston earlier this week, made his Red Sox debut earlier tonight. He pitched against a familiar opponent that he faced primarily in his Padres days, the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Overall, Peavy did well going seven plus innings allowing just two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out seven. In fact, Peavy might've had three earned counted against him if not for Jonny Gomes' arm in left field throwing out Cliff Pennington at the plate in the 8th. Because of that, the Sox kept a slim one run lead keeping Peavy in line for the W.

Boston would add two more runs in the bottom of the 8th with a two-run shot by Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Sox would win by a final of 5-2 with Peavy (9-4) getting credited with the win.

Certainly the kind of start the Sox expect from Peavy. Pity the Rays beat the Giants to still keep a half game behind in the AL East. But if Peavy can keep pitching like this for the rest of the season, then Boston might just be able to stay in front of Tampa Bay long enough.