Daytona 500 Recap

By SHAWN KRAUSE
The Daytona 500 is called the Super Bowl of NASCAR. That night it lived up to the name. It was however a long weekend. The 54th running of the "Great American Race" was postponed for the first time ever after the rains came on Sunday.

Then after more rain Monday morning the drivers finally got the command to start their engines. It didn't take long for them to start pushing the limits to hard. On lap 2 a wreck sucked up 5 time series champion Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Bush, and fan favorite Danica Patrick. Patrick and Bush would come back later but Johnson's night was over before it even started.


Things settled down till 40 laps to go when Juan Pablo Montoya's steering broke and he slammed into the jet dryer. The dryers were blowing debris off the track which is normal. Montoya slammed into the trailer that the jet engine was on causing 200 gallons of jet fuel to spill on the track and burst into flames. A 2 hour red flag stopped the race while they put the fire out and did repairs to the track.


Once the race resumed Matt Kenseth held off a charging Dale Earnhart Jr. for the checkered flag. This is the second win for Kenseth in the 500. Although it only took 3 and a half hours of actually race time the race took over 5 hours to complete after the red flag. Everyone was excited that pack racing was back. No more 2 car tandems anymore. Last year the best driver and the best car didn't win the race.  It was about who could push who.  This season with the smaller grill opening and for the first time fuel injectors in the cars, you couldn't push to long.  Matt Kenseth lead the second most amount of laps and had the best car on the track and it showed last night with his win.  One side footnote to the race, there was a race to halfway where the winner would get a 200,000 dollar bonus. Martin Truex Jr. was the winner of that and won the bonus.

All in all even though there was rain delay, and the race didn't start till after 7 in the east and finish till after 1 am in the east, it was still a fantastic race. The green white checker overtime rule that NASCAR put in a few years ago was brilliant. Instead of ending with a caution the drivers are allowed to race for the finish. At a track like Daytona, and an event like the Daytona 500 you don't want it any other way.

Best Player By Position Now: Catchers

New type of series of articles coming out, featuring who we think are the top four players at their respective position are, to date. The first feature is about catchers, so lets count 'em down!


4) Miguel Montero, Diamondbacks

This was a tough decision, no doubt about it. I was deciding McCann or Montero, and both had similar, above average statistics. McCann has been the better career player, but the question is who is the best player NOW, which is Montero. Montero sported a .820 OPS in 2011, .13 points shy of his career high set back in 2009. Montero did set a career high in walks and RBI last season, shattering his previous records by a serious margin. Montero is a big part of the nucleus that has been laid out in 'Zona, and he's definitely a big part of it.

3) Alex Avila, Tigers

Now means now, which means Victor Martinez is not on this list because of the torn ACL he suffered this off season. And now Avila will step into more of a spotlight, where he was shadowed last year by Martinez's brilliant performance. I'll be honest with you, I never knew Avila was alive until the Rangers played the Tigers in the ALCS. You have to give the man credit however, he was second among catchers last year with a .895 OPS, a .506 slugging percentage, and was second in walks.There's no doubt Avila will do great in the absence of V-Mart.

2) Mike Napoli, Rangers

Napoli made a name for himself in 2011, and not only benefited himself but the Rangers franchise in general. Besides Yu, Napoli has been the hottest selling jersey on the market for Rangers fans, and NAP-O-LI chants can frequently be heard at and around Rangers Ballpark. Those fans have a great reason to cheer. Napoli led all catchers with 30 homeruns in 2011, a 1.046 OPS (ridiculous), and .631 slugging percentage. That's some pretty astounding statistics, and he was also a goon behind the plate gunning down baserunners in key playoff situations and had a remarkable pitchers ERA when he was catching. Napoli deserves the long term contract he desires.

1) Joe Mauer, Twins

Even not playing for some of 2011, Mauer is still the best in the business. He has all the endorsements. He has all the awards. He has all the stats. What he needs is a supporting cast around him that will better Minnesota's playoff chances and not take a major step backwards like what they did in 2011 after being division champs in 2010. Mauer will have a rebound year in 2012, and so will the Twins if they can get their shit together.


HONORABLE MENTION: Brian McCann, Carlos Santana, Matt Wieters 

The Rundown: February 18th

AJ Burnett Deal to Pirates

Lets flashback a couple of years ago. AJ Burnett signed with the Yankees, along with CC Sabathia, to what could have been one of the greatest rotations in baseball in the last decade. The first year was a successful one, as the Yankees won their 27th World Series title. But the last two years have been disastrous. One of the problems with Burnett is his fastball, which opponent batters teed off of last year, hitting .300 off of the fastball alone. Burnett struggled getting ahead early, which made him rely on the fastball, but to hitters it looked like a 70 mph beach ball instead of a 95 mph fastball. Hitters struggled more on his off-speed, batting a combined .167 off his curveball, changeup, and slider. Another thing Burnett struggled with was trusting his offspeed when he got behind, like I said previously, where he threw his fastball 85% of the time when he was behind in the count.

Why would the Pirates want him then? There's still something left in that tank of Burnett. His mind was lost in The Big Apple, and it can be found again in the Steel City, where he can be a major contributor to get them back into October.


NCAA Title Frontrunner?

Answering the question, there is none. Look at the top two teams currently on the AP Poll. Number one is Kentucky, yes they've had one hell of a run through the SEC. Let me remind you that football has no effect on the basketball part of this conference. The only team worth a damn besides UK in the coveted football conference is Florida, who have not impressed me by any standard in the conference. UK is mainly led by Freshmen and Sophomores, how are you supposed to trust them in front of possibly 100,000 people in the Final Four? Or even the Sweet 16?

Number two: Syracuse. Right now, they're the team I'm putting my money on. I didn't say they didn't have flaws, however. Fab Melo being absent really hurt the Orangemen at first, but bonded them together more after they found out how to win without him.What if Melo is going to be ineligible again right before the tourney? Cuse will be in trouble.

I love March Madness.The greatness in it is the unexpected will always occur, even though we know it might not occur. My two favorite times of year are March and October. The fun always resides in those two months. 

NL Power Rankings: Top 10

BY SHAWN KRAUSE

As pitchers and catchers are preparing to descend on Florida and Arizona for spring training, I thought it would be fun to look at the 10 ten teams in the National League; the NL has won the World Series 4 of the last 6 years.

10  Los Angeles Dodgers:  Hopefully the Dodgers ownership will be in place by mid season. If they can tread water till June maybe a move or 2 will put them in the race in NL West. With Kershaw in place as their ace, at least every 5th day they will be in the game.  With Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, and Juan Rivera in the middle of the lineup they should score runs.

9. Washington Nationals:  The Nationals are still maybe a year or 2 away from making it to the post season, but with Gio Gonzalez and (hopefully) Stephen Stausburg for the entire season, makes a very strong front of the rotation. If Jason Werth can live up to the contract and not hit .232 this season Washington will make some progress. Their lineup still lacks a little pop, but with an owner willing to spend money the future is bright in Washington.

8. Chicago Cubs:  The Cubs are the lovable losers and that doesn't change this season either. After losing Aramis Ramirez, and Carlos Pena, the Cubs are gonna be hard pressed score runs this season. New President of Baseball Ops Theo Epstien will turn the Cubs around and they WILL win soon, just not this season.

7. Arizona Diamondbacks: Arizona was the surprise of the NL last season winning the west. Pretty much the same team comes back as last season, only Trevor Cahill was the biggest edition to the team. The problem with putting them high right now is they had players that had career years last year, and that's tough to duplicate. They had the best lineup statistically last season, but I look for them to come back to earth a little this season, finishing 2nd in the NL West.

6. St Louis Cardinals: Even though the Cardinals are the defending Champions, they lost some major pieces this offseason. The obvious being Albert Pujols, and their manager Tony LaRusa, who I think did his finest job of managing last season in winning the title. More unrest is the leave of absence that pitching coach Dave Duncan also took. With Adam Wainwright returning from injury gives St. Louis a formidable staff.  However Carlos Beltran will not replace the Alber Pujols hole in the middle of the lineup. They should be in contention but fall short for both the wild card and division.

5. Cincinnati Reds:  The Reds have the best pure hitter in all of baseball in Joey Votto, and maybe the best 2nd baseman in Brandon Philips. The arrival of Matt Latos, and Aroldis Chapman with solidify the rotation. Plus with Prince Fielder, and Albert Pujols leaving the division and league for the matter, and Ryan Braun facing a 50 game suspension for failing a drug test the Reds should be the best team in the central division.

4. Atlanta Braves:  The Braves always seem to be right in the mix every single year. Last season they was in it all the way to the final day of the season, but don't let the collapse last year fool you. With speed at the top of the lineup in Micheal Bourn and Dan Uggla, Freddie Freeman, and Brian McCann in the middle of the lineup should give opposing pitchers fits. Atlanta is in a tough division though, the NL East may be the best division top to bottom in all of baseball.

3. Miami Marlins:  New name, new stadium, new manager, the Miami Marlins are now saying we are for real. They made a strong push for Alber Pujols and just about every other free agent this summer.  With the editions of Mark Buehrle, and a head on straight Carlos Zambrano they should be in every game. I think though the biggest edition wasn't a player it was the man in the dugout. Ozzie Guielln, whether you like his loud mouth or not he gets the best out of his players. In a tough NL East they should challenge the Phillies, but will most likely end up the in the Wild Card spot.

2. San Francisco Giants:  The Giants may have the second best rotation in the National League. If they wasn't in the same league as the Phillies they would be the odds on favorite to win the NL. Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and Madison Bumgarner are a stout 1,2,3. Buster Posey returning from his ankle injury will give the offense a much needed lift. In a weak NL West baring a major injury, and the Dodgers ownership in flux the Giants should run away with this division.

1. Philadelphia Phillies:  They have the best rotation in baseball period! Holliday, Lee, Hamels are as good as it gets. Their offense let down in the postseason last season. Look for Ryan Howard to have a bounce back year and be Ryan Howard again. A healthy Chase Utley will give him the protection he will need. Plus after getting bounced in the first round last season look for them to have a chip on their shoulder and live up to the hype this season.

AL Power Rankings: Top 5

Alright, the Super Bowl is over. That is in the past, and football is nice every Fall, but it's almost Spring, which means baseball is on the horizon. Most free agents have signed, so here are my AL Power Rankings:


5) New York Yankees

The Yankees will always be the talk of baseball, no matter the players or managers on their team, the Yankees are in the spotlight. With CC Sabathia and recently acquired Michael Pineda  leading the rotation, this Yankees team can become an emergence for the World Series title once again.


4) Boston Red Sox

2011 was a major wake up call for most in Bean-town, especially the $162 million acquisition Carl Crawford. CC was out of sync a majority of the year, and didn't look one bit like the All-Star he was in Tampa. This rotation will need to step up as well, but a playoff appearance should be no surprise to anyone.


3) Los Angeles Angels

The Angels definitely won the offseason this year. Signing a top of the rotation pitcher who shall remain nameless and arguably the greatest right handed hitter the game has ever seen. With that top of the rotation pitcher fitting in as the number three in the rotation, the Angels will be a powerhouse in the AL West.


2) Detroit Tigers

I want to state this for the record: the Tigers would be number one IF they had Victor Martinez, but he's gone for the year. Anyways, this Tigers team should make a great run for the pennant. With the AL MVP Justin Verlander, and prized first baseman Prince Fielder signing a nine year deal, the good times are finally a boomin' in Detroit again.


1) Texas Rangers

Even with the loss of the top of the rotation pitcher, the Rangers are still at the top of the American League. Prized Japanese import Yu Darvish will be a force added into a deep rotation, and the Rangers undoubtedly have the best lineup in baseball. Young, Kinsler, Cruz, Hamilton, Beltre, Andrus, and more players in the farm system (Profar, Martin) the Rangers might finally get the coveted World Series trophy in 2012. I might cry if that happens (in a good way).

Opinion: Time To Let Go Josh

BY SHAWN KRAUSE


I would like to state for the record I am a fan of the Texas Rangers. In the 25 years of watching baseball, these last 2 seasons have been the best of my life.  With all that being said, I am afraid some of you won't like what I am about to say, but I'm afraid that it is time to make a trade at the trade deadline or let Josh Hamilton leave as a free agent.  No I am not crazy, but let me state my case.


First let me say that I do not know what it is like to be an addict. I can't imagine what it would be like knowing that any day I could fall off the "wagon" and have my life spiral out of control.  Part of me saying that I would be ok with Texas trading him does have to do with the escapades of the other night. In case you don't know he was drinking at Sherlocks bar in North Dallas. He also allegedly had sexual relations with a girl in the bathroom.  That part isn't confirmed by Josh, but according to deadspin.com(take that for what its worth) there is eye witness accounts that he did take a girl in the bathroom and had relations with her.


The other part is for baseball reasons. Since being traded to texas in 2007 the most games he has played in was in 2008 when he played in 156 games. 
2009 he only played in 89 games
2010 he played in 133 games
2011 he played in 121 games.
2010 Was the MVP season for Josh, and in only 133 games he hit .359(which is a career high) had 32HR and drove in 100 runs. This season Josh will turn 32 in May and his salary this season is 13.75 Million dollars. I know he is good for 30 HRs and 100+ RBIs, but you also know he is good for missing at least 30 to as many as 50 games due to injury. At almost 14 million dollars you can't afford to pay that much money to your best player to be on the disabled list twice a season.  With Josh comifree at the end of the season, Texas has to take a long hard look at his situation. As a free agent he will likely want a 5 or even 6 years at 19-20 per season. Even if the contract is a 5 year deal he will be 37 in the last year of the contract. 19 or 20 million is way to much money to be spending on a 37 year old, whose body by then may be a 47 year old after the wear and tear of playing baseball, and all of the drugs that he did when he was younger. The Rangers wouldn't match the 10 years that Detroit gave Prince Fielder, because they didn't feel like paying 25 million dollars to a 37 year old was worth the risk. In the same time frame(2007-2011) Prince only missed a total of 5 games, and in 2009 and last season played in every single game.  What would make you think that Josh can even play in 100 games by the time he is 37.


With all that being said yes, I understand the Rangers wouldn't have made it to back to back World Series without him, but last season during the playoffs he was hurt and was unproductive. Even to the point of manager Ron Washington was asked during the World Series if he was considering moving Josh down in the lineup cause he wasn't producing as a number 3 hitter.  With the combination of the off the field issues and his age, I think if the Rangers would be better off in the long term to try and trade him at the deadline, as opposed to letting him walk in free agency and getting nothing in return.

Linning

Madness is ensuing the New York sports world right now. Their beloved Giants went on one of the craziest postseason runs in NFL history, the Nets are about to move to Brooklyn, and now the Knickerbockers have a Ivy League-grad starting at point guard? What the hell is going on up there!

You better believe they have an Ivy League-grad starting at point guard. Jeremy Lin is certainly grabbing eyes across the league, impressing everyone by his spark plug like play. Yes, he is one of the more intriguing storylines in a storyline-full season in the NBA, but he is so much different than the others. It's because of the situation he's been put in.

The Knicks are lacking quality leadership right now. Carmelo and Amare's stats don't necessarily show that, but the actual games show that. The Knicks were picked by some to win the Eastern Conference, but are trying to make the playoffs at this point.

Maybe Lin can change that.

Lin is an all around type of player, a guy that won't boost you in just one of your certain statistical category, but all of them. Lin is the second player in NBA history with 20+ points and 8+ assists in his first two NBA starts, Lebron being the first. Adam Schefter went on to say on Twitter that Lin could be the Knicks' Victor Cruz.

Why not?

Being very similar to Cruz, minus the football and basketball, Lin can be a playmaker for the Knicks down the stretch. Yeah, we've only seen him start two games. So what? Lin has boosted the Knicks during a time when Melo and Amare aren't playing, and D'Antoni still somehow has a job. Mark my words: Lin will be the savior of the Knicks' season.

It'll be interesting when Amare and Melo get back. They'll obviously have to dish off more to the Havard-grad, but how will they all fit together? Will it possibly be a great fit like Victor Cruz? I think so.

Super Bowl Recap/Early 2012 Storylines

BY SHAWN KRAUSE

Now that Super Bowl XLVI has ended in dramatic fashion, you have to put both Eli Manning and Tom Coughlin into a possible Hall of Fame induction process. It wasn't easy for the Giants, but as the season went along nothing came easy for the Giants. They were 7-7 heading into December, then after a come from behind win in Dallas on a Sunday night their season turned around. Just like in that night in Dallas, the Giants had to come from behind in the fourth quarter to win the Super Bowl. It took a phenomenal throw and catch by Hakeem Nicks along the sideline to spur the comeback. Then with 57 seconds left in the game Ahmad Bradshaw scored the game winning touchdown. The Patriots had a chance earlier in the fourth quarter but Wes Welker dropped a pass that he almost always seems to catch. N.E. had to punt and then Manning goes into Super Bowl lore, with the game winning drive. Now Manning has 2 Super Bowl titles, and 2 MVP awards to go with it.

After the confetti is cleaned up from Lucas Oil Stadium, the Colts have a major decision to make on the future of the quarterback position. Even though Eli won the Super Bowl, his brother Peyton will dominate the headlines this offseason as the Colts have to make a 28 million dollar decision. I personally think the choice is already made and Peyton's option will not be picked up and he will become a free agent. While the line will form to the left on Peyton pursuers, the potential teams could be Washington, Arizona, Jets, and maybe Miami. He will not go to a place where they can't win right away. If the Colts release Manning I look for them to draft Andrew Luck out of Stanford. Luck has already said he doesn't want to sit behind someone and wants to play right away. If they keep Manning I think they will draft Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Robert Griffin III. Griffin said he wouldn't mind sitting and waiting his turn.

The other intriguing storyline of the offseason is who is gonna be able to dethrone the defending champions. The NFC is loaded with talented teams, Green Bay, New Orleans, San Francisco, Detroit, Chicago(with a healthy Jay Cutler), Philadelphia, and yes I will go on a limb and say Dallas pose a major threat to the Giants. I guess Washington, and Arizona would be listed as an alternate mentions depending on if they get Peyton Mannning or not. Dallas is the major wild card in the challenge for the Giants. If they can get some help through the draft and free agency to fix a defense that melted down late in games. You have to put them right near the top of the NFC class. They were 8-8 last season but blew 3 winnable games late in the 4th quarter and could have easily been 11-5. They have all the pieces in places like the above mentioned teams, with a top level quarterback, and had the Giants on the ropes during the regular season. Lets not forget they also beat San Francisco on the road, who was in the NFC championship game.

All it takes, as the Giants showed, is a top level quarterback and a defense that gets hot in December and magic can happen. Not since the Patriots won 3 Super Bowls in 4 years has a team went back to back. The last 7 years have given us 7 different Super Bowl winners. The odds are stacked against the Giants, but as we saw this year in the National Football League anything is possible.

Super Bowl XLVI: Preview

In Super Bowl week, Biil Belichick and Tom Coughlin claimed they both "slept normally" and "like a baby." I'm sorry, I have to call BS on that week. Their teams are playing for the most coveted prize among North American sports, according to ESPN.

This game is full of storylines. Gronkowski's ankle, Peyton-Eli debacle, Tom Coughlin HOF candidate? But really, I just want to make it simple, because I know the reader especially doesn't want to hear all this fluff about storylines and shizzz. So let's make this preview like executing a beautiful two yard, hard nosed touchdown run, instead of throwing up a fade pass, trying to make it look pretty when it's really not.

There is something I want to do first however, sort of a tradition of mine. Betting props, which are always fun:

Heads or Tails for Coin Toss: Tails

Longest TD of Game: Under 49 1/2

Total Sacks in Game: Over 4 1/2

Team to Call First Challenge: Giants

Total Penalties: Under 10 1/2

National Anthemn Time: Over 1 minute, 34 seconds

Kelly Clarkson's Belly Showing during National Anthem: No

Eli Manning Total Passing Yards: Over 315

Tom Brady Passing Yards: Over 320

More Receptions in Game: Gronkowski

Total Passes in Game: Over 79 1/2

Total Rushing Yards: Under 205 1/2

Color of Gatorade Bath: Yellow






Giants Key Difference Makers: Ahmad Bradshaw and Corey Webster

The Giants had the worst running game statistically in the NFL this year, averaging a low 89.2 yards a game. This offense has relied on Eli's passing game throughout this playoffs, but today it needs to be different. The Patriots don't have a great run defense, and a re-establishment in the Giants running game to what it was say a couple years ago with the same two backs, and this game could get away from the Patriots easily.

Now what I noticed when the Patriots and Ravens played, is that the Ravens were basically living on the turnovers. That's how the Giants are going to have to play today, and Corey Webster will at least need to make a couple of pass breakups if not an interception. This game will be decided on turnovers.





Patriots Key Difference Makers: Rob Gronkowski and Patriots Offensive Line

The biggest storyline this week has been Gronkster and his banged up ankle, suffering a high ankle sprain in the AFC-clinching victory over the Ravens. Gronk has made a great impact on this team, obviously. Gronk is the key to victory for the Pats in my opinion, and if he has a big game, the New York secondary could have their heads swiveling around the whole game.

Umeinyora. Tuck. Pierre-Paul. Canty. I'm not sure I could name another defensive line in the NFL better than these badasses.Usually when the Giants attain sacks, they come in bunches. A lot like what could happen between Gronk/Giants secondary, the exact same thing could happen to this Pats O line, with them being the victims.



Computer Prediction Analysis: Patriots 24-19

Final Prediction: Giants 27-24


Line: Giants +3.5