Thursday, December 17, 2009

December and year end

2009 is almost over and some interesting things (and some not so interesting) have happened. Let's see if I can remember . . .

1. College football - the BCS can catch its breath with a very good match-up for the championship with Alabama and Texas (pronounced Tayhas). Then with Ingram getting the Heisman it's looking like the Tide's gonna roll on. The Big Ten has Ohio State again going to the Rose Bowl (yawn). At least the Ducks are going from the PAC 10, GO DUCKS!! Cincinnati played the best game I've seen with that win over Pitt at the end of the season. And with Iowa shocking Penn State at home (many thanks). 

2. Baseball - well, the evil empire expanded its number of rings with another win over the Phillies. I have to laugh to be honest, I mean, the organization spent upwards of 3 billion dollars over 9 years and won one World Series out of it. Not a good return on investment so with their winning a 27th title I find it terribly UNIMPRESSIVE. The trade rumors are getting kinda heavy, with the Red Sox supposedly shopping Buckholtz and Ellsbury for whomever. I can't see the Sox giving up a .300 lead-off hitter who steals 70 bases  - that's offense you want to keep, not trade. John Lackey and Mike Cameron are interesting additions, but I'm wary on both since Cameron is a bit long in the tooth and Lackey has a history of injury and inconsistency. Jason Bay looks to be gone, possibly joining the Mets at last note. The Halladay sweepstakes was won by Philly. Good, at least the Sith empire didn't get their grubby hands on him. 

3. NFL - two, count 'em, two teams are undefeated at this late date in the season. The Saints are a great team at home, on the road, they're more human. The Colts win with a Phoenix Suns approach, just score a ton of points and play D- defense and we'll win. My Patriots are mediocre in a poor division which means another playoff miss, possibly. They can't win on the road - they barely win at home, and their defense is, ah, porous. Locally, here in DC, the Redskins are proving just how dumb an organization can be - suing their fans, emasculating their head coach, and losing games they could have won with ease. I thought Detroit was bad, but no, the Redskins lost to that team so yes Virginia, there is a team worse than the Lions. What in the world is going on with Tampa? They're awful. Oh, my prediction of the Browns having a winning season? Wrongzo, bonehead call. 

4. Hockey - well, the season is underway but we're seeing some inconsistent play from the Bruins, Rangers, and Capitals. Hockey is struggling to get ratings and it desperately needs better covereage than Versus (which DirecTV dropped, supposedly). College hockey  is going great, Miami of O is #1 right now - amazing. I've not seen them this year, but I have seen UNH play as well as BC. Beanpot is coming in February, mark your calendars. 

5. Lacrosse - I've already written about Syracuse's theft earlier so I'll not waste anymore space on that. The big news is Bill Tierney relocating to Denver. Stunning change - I wonder what impact that'll have on the game - perhaps we'll see more Division I teams? That would be fantastic. The NLL starts next month and though I don't like the indoor game very much, it is a nice primer for the coming of spring and field lax. 

6. Tiger Woods - dude, what is up with that? and that? and, ah, that too? Sponsors are dumping him like dirty diapers in the trash bin. I can't add anything to this item.

7. Basketball - I'm woefully uninterested in B-ball these days. I used to love watching the game but to be honest watching the NBA is so boring. The game is so undisciplined now that I can't tell what play someone is running (if any at all). If I do venture to watch a game, it's college - at least I know what play they run, I can see the defense and it's easier to break down things that are happening. The NBA is just uninteresting. 

That's it for this installment. I'll be adding more things in the future. Have a great holiday season.