Sports Blog

This past weekend in sports was one of the most eventful of the year. It was the first weekend of the NBA season, the midway point of the NFL season, the start of the MLS postseason, and the final stretch of the MLB season. Sprinkle in some big games in college football, international soccer, and the NHL and there was really too much to watch on this Halloween weekend.

However, for those that did find the time to take in all the wonderful sports action it will be a weekend they will not soon forget. And for those who were not able to catch all the excitement, here is a quick recap of the weekend’s three biggest stories.

World Series: The New York Yankees inched their way closer to their 27th championship and first since 2000. Joba Chamberlain gave the Yankees a scare Sunday night when he allowed the Philadelphia Phillies to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth, but a three run top of the ninth started by an amazing at bat by Johnny Damon propelled the Yankees to a 7-4 victory and 3-1 series lead. A.J. Burnett will take the mound in game five for the Yankees tonight against Cliff Lee and attempt to close out the series in Philadelphia.

NFL: The Denver Broncos entered week eight of the NFL season as one of three undefeated teams in the league. Unfortunately for Broncos fans, the team will not enter week nine with the same status following a 30-7 blowout at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens. The Indianapolis Colts remained undefeated after narrowly beating the fading San Francisco 49ers and the league’s other unbeaten team, the New Orleans Saints, is host to Atlanta tonight on Monday Night Football.

Arguably the biggest NFL story of the weekend, though, was Brett Favre’s return to Lambeau Field to face his former team. Although he already beat the Green Bay Packers earlier this year, it was the first time he has played at Lambeau Field as a visitor since leaving the team to play for the New York Jets last season. He was booed heavily in the beginning of the game, despite there being a fair number of purple jerseys in the crowd, but received the last laugh as he led the Minnesota Vikings to a 38-26 victory.

NBA: Finally, the NBA season is here and opening weekend did not disappoint. We saw some of last years playoff teams take care of business (the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, and Orlando Magic are all undefeated) and others come out of the gate struggling (the Cleveland Cavaliers are 2-2 and the Chicago Bulls and New Orleans Hornets are 1-2). What is more interesting (although we shouldn’t be surprised) is how some of last years bad teams are seemingly worse than they were before.

The New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers, Indiana Pacers, and Golden State Warriors are a combined 0-17. It is not as though any NBA analyst was predicting these teams to make it to the NBA finals this season, but their play so far has been less than encouraging for fans hoping they would make a strong push to get into the playoffs and possibly cause some damage.

What do you think was the biggest story of the weekend? Any predictions for next weekend?

Image Source: Guardian.co.uk

With a 10-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday night, the Philadelphia Phillies have earned a trip to their second consecutive World Series. They scored runs at will against the Dodgers and showed why they are the reigning champions of Major League Baseball.

Their play hasn’t just been good — it has been historically good. They are attempting to become only the fourth National League team to win back to back World Series and the first since the Cincinnati Reds did it in 1975-76.

And what better way to celebrate this tremendous achievement than with your very own Philadelphia Phillies World Series gear! Fastball Fanatics has some great deals on Phillies swag that can be delivered in time for you to show it off while watching game one of this year’s World Series.

This “majestic Philadelphia Phillies red 2009 World Series bound fan favorite hoody sweatshirt” is the perfect piece of Phillie clothing. It will keep you warm if you are lucky enough to tail gate a game and can be worn through the rest of fall and winter. It is on sale for $49.95 and comes in sizes small through double-extra large.

The “Antigua Philadelphia Phillies red 2009 NLCS Champions back to back champs performance polo” allows you to sport your Phillies pride while enjoying a round of golf or a day at the office. It is also on sale for $49.95 and comes in sizes medium through triple-extra large.

One of the most popular ways to share your love of the Phillies is with one of the “Philadelphia Phillies 2009 NLCS Champions red car flags.” They are simple to attach to your car or truck and will show everyone on the road your passion for the Phillies. These 12″ x 15″ car flag comes complete with 21″ pole and are currently on sale for $12.95.

Shop for more affordable Phillies gear at Smarter.com.

This is how I would rank the top teams (record wise) taking into account how they have been playing recently:

1. Los Angeles Angels 63-40
The Angels won 17 of their last 20 games. They have just been tearing the cover off the ball, leading the Majors in July with a .316 team average and 185 runs scored. That is with out their two best hitters Torii Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero who have been on the DL with injuries. Looking at their line up they have 7 guys batting over .290 and if you add Hunter and Vlad it makes 9. They have been hitting so well that it has masked their starting pitching woes and overall team ERA being near the bottom of the league. Their pitching needs to improve if they want to win in the playoffs, but they have a good shot at the AL best record and home field advantage.

2. New York Yankees 63-42
The Yankees have been going good since A-Rod returned. Since July 1st they have gone 19-10, 3 loses though came at the hand of the Angels and is why they aren’t #1. They have a good chance to win the AL East and the best record overall if they keep playing this way but its going to be tough with Red Sox, who the play this week and have not beaten this season, only a half a game behind them. This weeks series with the Sox will go a long way to determine the race in the East.

3. Los Angeles Dodgers 65-40
The Dodgers still have the best record in baseball and big 7 game lead in the NL West, but their play of late has been just mediocre. Maybe being at home will help them beak out of their stale play as they return from a long road trip. This team still has everything (pitching, hitting and defense) to end the season with the best record and compete for the Championship.

4. Philadelphia Phillies 59-44
The defending champs just got better in making the trade for Cliff Lee. Now, with their pitching and heavy hitting lineup, they are strong contenders to repeat. They should also be able to cruise to the playoffs in the week NL East, something that could hurt them in the end.

5. Boston Red Sox 62-42
The Red Sox improved their lineup greatly by adding Victor Martinez. This should give them the fire power they need to battle the Yankees in the AL East. Big series this week with the Yankees as Boston tries to regain first place.

The rest of the top 10 goes as follows:

6. Texas Rangers 59-44
7. St. Louis Cardinals 58-50
8. Tampa Bay Rays 57-48
9. Detroit Tigers 54-49
10. Colorado Rockies 58-47

Honorable Mention: San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox

Image Source:  AP Photo

N.L. EAST
1. Philadelphia 48 - 38
2. Florida 46 - 44
3. Atlanta 43 - 45
4. NY Mets 42 - 45
5. Washington 26 - 61

Supposedly, one of the strongest divisions going into the season, the N.L. East has been a big disappointment.  Philadelphia coming off a championship season has had a potent offense but have struggled to find consistent pitching.  Look for them to make a big deal at the trade deadline, possibly Roy Holliday, to further separate themselves from the rest of the division.  The Mets have been loaded with injuries and have been forced to play with many people out of position.  Good news could be on the way, however, because Jose Reyes and Carlos Delgado might be back to start the second half of the season.  That will give them a chance to compete for the division in the second half.  Florida has been solid all season but the question is: will management make a move to help them seriously compete for the division?   It doesn’t look like it going to happen.  Atlanta’s close too but I don’t see them staying there in the second half.

Predicted Finish: Philadelphia, NY Mets, Florida, Atlanta, Washington

N.L. CENTRAL
1. St. Louis 49 - 42
2. Milwaukee 45 - 43
3. Chicago 43 - 43
4. Houston 44 - 44
5. Cincinnati 42 - 45
6. Pittsburgh 38 - 50

St. Louis has been the class of the division, with Albert Pujols, for the first half.  Its been sort of a surprise that they have been this good.  They are going to have to keep playing good baseball if they want to stay in first because four other teams are within striking distance to start the second half.  Milwaukee and the disappointing Cubs have the best shot at catching them for the division and could make a big deal to put them ahead in the race.  I think it will be a fun race to watch with the second place team possibly winning the Wild Card.  Houston and Cincinnati are close but a bad start to the second half could make them both sellers at the trade deadline.

Predicted Finish: Chicago, St. Louis, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Houston, Pittsburgh

N.L. WEST
1. LA Dodgers 56 - 32
2. San Francisco 49 - 39
3. Colorado 47 - 41
4. Arizona 38 - 51
5. San Diego 36 - 52

The Dodgers have been the best team in baseball, with or without Manny Ramirez, for the first half.  Good news is that they will have Manny for the whole second half.  Their pitching has been surprisingly solid so far, as it was looked upon as a weakness to start the season.  If they keep playing the way they are, the second place team in the division can only hope for the Wild Card.  Speaking of the Wild Card, San Francisco and Colorado are first in second in that race at the break.  San Francisco’s pitching has been unbelievable and they are a bat away from becoming a very dangerous team for the playoffs.  Colorado has a solid all around team that is capable of going on long wining streaks.  It will be a fun race till the end.

Predicted Finish: LA Dodgers, San Francisco(Wild Card), Colorado, Arizona, San Diego

Image Source: AP Photo

After 23 years in the Major Leagues, Curt Schilling has decided to retire from the game.

And what better way to do it than to announce it on your blog, 38 Pitches.

Schilling made the announcement on the post, properly titled Calling it Quits:

After being blessed to experience 23 years of playing professional baseball in front of the world’s best fans in so many different places, it is with zero regrets that I am making my retirement official.

Drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 1986, he played for Houston, Philadelphia, Arizona and, of course, the Boston Red Sox, where he is most famous for pitching with the “bloody sock” in the 2004 World Series.

Schilling finishes with a career record of  216-146 record, 3.46 ERA and 3,116 strikeouts.

This past year has been one to remember. So much has happened in the world of sports, that it’s hard to pinpoint just one event that stands above all else in 2008. From the supposed affair between Madonna and A-Rod to the continued story of Roger Clemens and steroids. Also, who would have thought back in spring training the Philadelphia Phillies would have won the World Series. Philly never wins anything! I know this because I’ve been a Philly fan my entire life.

So, in remembering 2008, why don’t you tell us what your favorite sports moment of 2008 was. For instance, one thing that stands out for me is Matt Leinart’s incident that involved a former boy bander, hot tub, girls under-21 and a beer bong. 

So please, feel free to share!

For more photos of Matt and the gang, click here.

Photo Source.

Phillies fans are an odd bunch and have strange ways of celebrating.

Besides flipping cars and climbing city property, they also take orders from a two-year-old.

I found this video of some baby during the Philadelphia Phillies’ World Series parade celebration. Truth be told, this is pretty cute. It’s like that kid is a king, speaking to the masses.

MLB Shop  Philadelphia Phillies Gear

Source.

We’ve all seen pictures of the Philadelphia Phillies’ World Series celebration. And boy can those Phillies’ fans party. Of course, climbing light poles and flipping cars isn’t your traditional way of having a good time, but everyone has their own kicks.

Well, one person in the City of Brotherly Love didn’t necessarily feel…the love. You see, one of the cars that was flipped over was his and now he’s trying to raise money to get it fixed. Or maybe get a new one. Who knows.

But so far, “Ted” as he wants to be called, has raised $3,800. Not too shabby you good Samaritans. But unless you want him rolling around in some sort of death trap, pony up some cash! Hey, no one said partying was free. You can kill your brain cells, but you shouldn’t kill other people’s cars.

To donate some money for Ted’s new car, click here.

Tell us what you’d say

MLB Shop  Philadelphia Phillies Gear

What would you say? Write us your caption and post them in our comments!

Photo Source.

This week in sports blogs and news:

• Brad Penny takes a punch at a Hollywood clubgoer - SportsByBrooks
• Marissa Miller and Ryan Braun make a commercial - Larry Brown Sports
• Top 7: Sports Themed Costumes - Joe Sports Fan
• The Sonics were a lot cooler when they were the Sonics - The Sports Hernia
• John Daly arrested at Hooters - Deadspin
• What does Mike D’Antoni think of Knicks fans? - The Big Lead

This week on the Smarter Sports Blog we covered:

•  “Howard dunks, blocks and sweeps”
• Football Video: Mike Singletary Won’t Take Any B.S.
• Guitar Hero Video: Kobe and A-Rod Star in Commercial
• Sick Video: Houston’s Patrick Edwards Gets Hurt
• Philly Finally Celebrates: The Phillies Win the World Series