Sports
The Front Row
All eyes on AL
By Nick Prevenas
Green Valley News
NOT SO FAST: The American League Championship Series gets under way tonight, and most baseball experts have already dubbed this the de facto World Series.
Failing to recognize the Colorado Rockies as the hottest team in baseball or the Arizona Diamondbacks as a near-perfect October team, the vast majority of media focus will clearly be biased toward the junior circuit.
This happened last year, as well. An 82-win St. Louis Cardinals team came from nowhere to upset the Detroit Tigers and claim the 2006 crown.
On paper, it would appear as if the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Red Sox are superior to the two NL combatants. But, as we all know, baseball isn’t played on paper.
Tonight’s Game 1 (4 p.m., FOX) features C.C. Sabathia (the likely AL Cy Young winner) taking on Josh Beckett (the likely AL Cy Young runner-up), so it’s obvious that this series will be high on star power and drama.
The Red Sox have bigger bats and a much better closer, but the Indians have the best one-two starter punch in the playoffs with Sabathia and Fausto Carmona.
While it may be tempting to hand the World Series trophy over to the eventual AL champ, don’t forget about the scrappy NL squads.
They play quality baseball, too.
MORE KOBE TRADE TALK: Jerry Buss brought this mess on himself.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ owner told The Associated Press yesterday that he is still willing to listen to trade talks regarding Kobe Bryant.
That’s right, the same Kobe Bryant who famously complained about the lack of talent Buss and general manager Mitch Kupchak have assembled to assist him in his first post-Shaquille title hunt.
Bryant, who can opt out of his current contract in two years, has made no secret about his dissatisfaction with the current regime’s “win now” talk, but “win later” personnel moves.
Trading Bryant is exceedingly difficult. He’s the best individual player in the game, yet he might be the most miserable player to have as a teammate.
Also, Lakers’ fans pay more per ticket than anyone in the NBA, and they would be furious if Buss gave Kobe away for an assortment of second-tier talent and draft picks.
This is an unresolvable situation with no easy answer in sight.
Given the Lakers’ history since their last title in 2002, I’m guessing the front office will completely botch this scenario.
QUOTABLE: “I think Joey Porter needs a hug.”—Cleveland Browns’ outspoken tight end Kellen Winslow. Porter and Winslow have engaged in a heated war of words prior to the Browns’ (2-3) contest against Porter’s winless Miami Dolphins squad. I think Winslow’s “hugs across the NFL” idea could be what solves all of the league’s problems.
nprevenas@gvnews.com | 547-9747
By Nick Prevenas
Green Valley News
NOT SO FAST: The American League Championship Series gets under way tonight, and most baseball experts have already dubbed this the de facto World Series.
Failing to recognize the Colorado Rockies as the hottest team in baseball or the Arizona Diamondbacks as a near-perfect October team, the vast majority of media focus will clearly be biased toward the junior circuit.
This happened last year, as well. An 82-win St. Louis Cardinals team came from nowhere to upset the Detroit Tigers and claim the 2006 crown.
On paper, it would appear as if the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Red Sox are superior to the two NL combatants. But, as we all know, baseball isn’t played on paper.
Tonight’s Game 1 (4 p.m., FOX) features C.C. Sabathia (the likely AL Cy Young winner) taking on Josh Beckett (the likely AL Cy Young runner-up), so it’s obvious that this series will be high on star power and drama.
The Red Sox have bigger bats and a much better closer, but the Indians have the best one-two starter punch in the playoffs with Sabathia and Fausto Carmona.
While it may be tempting to hand the World Series trophy over to the eventual AL champ, don’t forget about the scrappy NL squads.
They play quality baseball, too.
MORE KOBE TRADE TALK: Jerry Buss brought this mess on himself.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ owner told The Associated Press yesterday that he is still willing to listen to trade talks regarding Kobe Bryant.
That’s right, the same Kobe Bryant who famously complained about the lack of talent Buss and general manager Mitch Kupchak have assembled to assist him in his first post-Shaquille title hunt.
Bryant, who can opt out of his current contract in two years, has made no secret about his dissatisfaction with the current regime’s “win now” talk, but “win later” personnel moves.
Trading Bryant is exceedingly difficult. He’s the best individual player in the game, yet he might be the most miserable player to have as a teammate.
Also, Lakers’ fans pay more per ticket than anyone in the NBA, and they would be furious if Buss gave Kobe away for an assortment of second-tier talent and draft picks.
This is an unresolvable situation with no easy answer in sight.
Given the Lakers’ history since their last title in 2002, I’m guessing the front office will completely botch this scenario.
QUOTABLE: “I think Joey Porter needs a hug.”—Cleveland Browns’ outspoken tight end Kellen Winslow. Porter and Winslow have engaged in a heated war of words prior to the Browns’ (2-3) contest against Porter’s winless Miami Dolphins squad. I think Winslow’s “hugs across the NFL” idea could be what solves all of the league’s problems.
nprevenas@gvnews.com | 547-9747
Copyright © 2010 - Green Valley News and Sun