Don't get me wrong, I love soccer. I grew up playing soccer and love the free-flowing aggressiveness of the sport, but I hate it when people call it "football". And by people I mean Americans. If you grew up outside the U.S. or have an accent, then feel free to call it "football" as much as you want; that's you're right because that's the way it has always been for you. I concede that what the rest of the world calls "football" started long before American football started in the late 19th century, but come on obnoxious guy who's trying to impress somebody - you grew up calling the sport soccer.
Soccer is a sport that has "been on the verge of breaking out" in the U.S. for what seems like decades. The MLS is not a successful league, and our most talented players continue to play professionally for clubs in Europe, Central and South America, and even in Asia now. I have no solution to this. I really wish I did, but this seems like more than just an infrastructure problem. Maybe starting soccer academies like European clubs could help foster home grown talent much the way Major League Baseball's farm system develops talent to move up to the top level. Sounds great in theory, right? Players can be "drafted" out of high school and sent to an MLS team's farm system or they can opt to play in college for four years to earn a degree while developing their talent. The most talented players make it to "The Big Show" almost right away (think the soccer equivalent of Steven Strasburg or Jason Heyward) and become superstars that captures the country's imagination...
Or they become Freddy Adu. Do you remember that guy? Wasn't he supposed to save American soccer? He didn't even make the U.S. National Team for the 2010 World Cup, though I'm sure most people thought that he and midfielder Maurice Edu were the same guy. This is not meant to rag on Adu, the guy obviously has talent but just didn't develop the way a lot of people had hoped. Maybe it's because he wasn't allowed to develop in a carefully structured academy system, or maybe it's because there was so much pressure thrust on him to become the face of the sport at such a young age. Either way, the MLS is still looking for the tipping point that will put them up with the big dogs in American professional sports (I guess David Beckham didn't work either).
Maybe the reason soccer hasn't caught on with a lot of consistent popularity in the U.S. (remember how high everyone was on the sport thanks to Landon Donovan and the World Cup last summer?) is because it and its players are perceived to lack the level of toughness associated with mainstream American sports. Hockey, baseball, football, and even basketball players play injured often. Look at guys like Philip Rivers of the San Diego Chargers who played a playoff game on a torn ACL, Kirk Gibson hitting a game winning home run in the World Series on a broken leg, and Ronnie Lott who had the tip of his finger amputated so he could continue playing. "Rub some dirt on it" is a saying that a lot of American grew up with. That's the mentality in a lot of American sports - you're hurt, rub some dirt on it, then get back out there and play your heart out. It's this mentality the instills begrudging respect among opponents and creates legends in sports.
Having this type of mentality instilled in you can make it hard to watch the types of flops and dives that you see way too often in a lot of professional soccer. The Diving Board is a site that hosts videos of some of the more ridiculous and embarrassing dives in the sport. It's not hard to spend about five minutes on this site and understand why Americans can't get into soccer. American fans get worked up when a Duke player makes a ridiculous flop, so it's not hard to see how they can't stand the likes of this, or these.
So come on guys, rub some dirt on it and play on. I said play on!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
MST3K: Puma Man
One of my favorite shows as a kid was always Mystery Science Theater 3000. My sister and I used to watch this show every Saturday on either Comedy Central or the SciFi Channel (now SyFy, though I don't know why), whichever station it was on that year. The combination of crappy movies and pithy commentary, both of which I love and aspire to create myself some day, made this show - in my mind - one of the greatest on television. Yes, when I go back now and watch old episodes some aren't quite as funny as I remember, and the argument over Joel vs. Mike, etc., etc., can be saved for another day.
The point is, on of my sister's and my favorite episodes was the one where they lampoon "The Puma Man", the story of a man with the powers of a puma who is descended from Aztec gods from outer space (I mean, yeah, sign me up), but despite the various dvd and vhs collections offered, this fine example of MST3K has been impossible to find. IT DOES NOT EXIST in any watchable format...until yesterday when I found it on Google videos, where I can watch it for free. Google, feel free to continue your battle with Apple to control my technology, my privacy, and my life aslong as you keep good stuff like this coming. You never cease to amaze.
And the rest of you...enjoy!
[Editor's note: if the embedded video doesn't work for you, please enjoy this link instead: Puma Man]
The point is, on of my sister's and my favorite episodes was the one where they lampoon "The Puma Man", the story of a man with the powers of a puma who is descended from Aztec gods from outer space (I mean, yeah, sign me up), but despite the various dvd and vhs collections offered, this fine example of MST3K has been impossible to find. IT DOES NOT EXIST in any watchable format...until yesterday when I found it on Google videos, where I can watch it for free. Google, feel free to continue your battle with Apple to control my technology, my privacy, and my life aslong as you keep good stuff like this coming. You never cease to amaze.
And the rest of you...enjoy!
[Editor's note: if the embedded video doesn't work for you, please enjoy this link instead: Puma Man]
Monday, February 7, 2011
Super Bowl XLV
For the average American, the Super Bowls Sunday experience can be broken down into four distinct aspects: the spread (the food), the game, the halftime show, and the commercials. Let's see how this year's SB stacked up:
The Spread
Pizza, buffalo wings, chips, dip, and American beer? Check to all of those. This year our house even featured two, that's right, two types of queso dip. You weren't ready for that, were you? I didn't think so.
Highlight: Did I tell you that there were two types of queso? And one had bacon in it. Jack. Pot.
Disappointment: The spicy beef/buffalo chicken/potato in puff pastry hors d'oeuvres purchased from Costco were more pasty than filling and kind of bland.
Biggest Surprise: Batman cupcakes that turned your mouth blue and had Batman rings on top.
The Game
Has anyone else been impressed with the quality of the last few Super Bowls? The overall quality of play has been great the past few years and last night's game was no exception. Excellent play on both sides of the ball by both teams seem counter intuitive, but I would argue that the Packers and Steelers played well on both offense and defense. Turnovers, sacks, long touchdown passes, tough runs; they were all there. It's hard to ask for anything more.
Highlight: Nick Collins's pick-6 on the first play from scrimmage following a Packers' offensive touchdown was an exciting spot in the night, but a drive-extending 31 yard connection from Aaron Rodgers to Greg Jennings in the fourth quarter showed that the GB QB has the steely nerves and talent to make the big plays when it counts on the sport's largest stage.
Disappointment: Roethlisberger not getting Lawrence Taylor'd by anyone on the Packers.
Biggest Surprise: The Packers ability to keep things together and hold onto a win in the 4th quarter despite game injuries to important starters like Charles Woodson, Sam Shields, and Donald Driver.
The Halftime Show
For several years the Super Bowl Halftime Show has been terrible. Overcompensating for the infamous "wardrobe malfunction" of Super Bowl XXXVIII, the minds behind this show have only had "classic rock" acts perform during halftime. Normally I'm all about classic rock music, but it's just sad when you have music legends trying to perform at a level that they're just not able to anymore. Granted I'm no Black Eyed Peas fan, but it was getting really hard to watch 60-year-old men stage slide their crotches right into the camera. I thought this year's performance was pretty decent, but that may have been a result of my extremely low expectations.
Highlight: The cameo appearances by Slash and Usher (while not totally necessary) was neat and I was impressed that they were able to keep this a secret for as long as they did.
Disappointment: Usher has a better voice than any of the Black Eyed Peas, but he spent too much time dancing for the audience really enjoy it. Damnit Usher, we know you've got smooth moves, but I want you to make me want to make love in this club.
Biggest Surprise: I actually sat down and watched the whole thing, which is the first time this has happened in years. Well played halftime show, well played indeed.
The Commercials
Some people watch for the games, some people just use it as an excuse to get drunk on a Sunday night, and some people watch the Super Bowl for the commercials. The commercials can be hit or miss, but there are usually some real favorites that stand out and become a part of our culture (for better or worse) for years.
Highlight: The 'Star Wars VW' commercial went viral before it aired during the Super Bowl (I'll admit I was within the first 1,000 to view it on youtube a few days ago, I kid you not) and has quickly become one of the favorites.
Disappointment: There were so many "old" commercials. I always expect companies paying $3 million for 30 seconds to spend a little extra time on the commercials they submit for the Super Bowl coverage, but there were a lot of commercials that I had seen before, and many of them weren't very good either. Come on ad execs. Get it together.
Biggest Surprise: So maybe surprise isn't the right way to go, but I really really liked Motorola's commercial for its Zoom tablet. It was smart and savvy in the way it parodied Apple's infamous "1984" commercial by portraying Apple as the "Big Brother" that is making us conformists instead of the "freedom" company they originally portrayed themselves to be. It was artistic and a sharp contrast to a lot of the more slapstick offering we've come to expect in Super Bowl ads, and it got its point across while showing some of the Zoom's functions. A nice surprise that shows how commercials can still be smart.
The Spread
Pizza, buffalo wings, chips, dip, and American beer? Check to all of those. This year our house even featured two, that's right, two types of queso dip. You weren't ready for that, were you? I didn't think so.
Highlight: Did I tell you that there were two types of queso? And one had bacon in it. Jack. Pot.
Disappointment: The spicy beef/buffalo chicken/potato in puff pastry hors d'oeuvres purchased from Costco were more pasty than filling and kind of bland.
Biggest Surprise: Batman cupcakes that turned your mouth blue and had Batman rings on top.
The Game
Has anyone else been impressed with the quality of the last few Super Bowls? The overall quality of play has been great the past few years and last night's game was no exception. Excellent play on both sides of the ball by both teams seem counter intuitive, but I would argue that the Packers and Steelers played well on both offense and defense. Turnovers, sacks, long touchdown passes, tough runs; they were all there. It's hard to ask for anything more.
Highlight: Nick Collins's pick-6 on the first play from scrimmage following a Packers' offensive touchdown was an exciting spot in the night, but a drive-extending 31 yard connection from Aaron Rodgers to Greg Jennings in the fourth quarter showed that the GB QB has the steely nerves and talent to make the big plays when it counts on the sport's largest stage.
Disappointment: Roethlisberger not getting Lawrence Taylor'd by anyone on the Packers.
Biggest Surprise: The Packers ability to keep things together and hold onto a win in the 4th quarter despite game injuries to important starters like Charles Woodson, Sam Shields, and Donald Driver.
The Halftime Show
For several years the Super Bowl Halftime Show has been terrible. Overcompensating for the infamous "wardrobe malfunction" of Super Bowl XXXVIII, the minds behind this show have only had "classic rock" acts perform during halftime. Normally I'm all about classic rock music, but it's just sad when you have music legends trying to perform at a level that they're just not able to anymore. Granted I'm no Black Eyed Peas fan, but it was getting really hard to watch 60-year-old men stage slide their crotches right into the camera. I thought this year's performance was pretty decent, but that may have been a result of my extremely low expectations.
Highlight: The cameo appearances by Slash and Usher (while not totally necessary) was neat and I was impressed that they were able to keep this a secret for as long as they did.
Disappointment: Usher has a better voice than any of the Black Eyed Peas, but he spent too much time dancing for the audience really enjoy it. Damnit Usher, we know you've got smooth moves, but I want you to make me want to make love in this club.
Biggest Surprise: I actually sat down and watched the whole thing, which is the first time this has happened in years. Well played halftime show, well played indeed.
The Commercials
Some people watch for the games, some people just use it as an excuse to get drunk on a Sunday night, and some people watch the Super Bowl for the commercials. The commercials can be hit or miss, but there are usually some real favorites that stand out and become a part of our culture (for better or worse) for years.
Highlight: The 'Star Wars VW' commercial went viral before it aired during the Super Bowl (I'll admit I was within the first 1,000 to view it on youtube a few days ago, I kid you not) and has quickly become one of the favorites.
Disappointment: There were so many "old" commercials. I always expect companies paying $3 million for 30 seconds to spend a little extra time on the commercials they submit for the Super Bowl coverage, but there were a lot of commercials that I had seen before, and many of them weren't very good either. Come on ad execs. Get it together.
Biggest Surprise: So maybe surprise isn't the right way to go, but I really really liked Motorola's commercial for its Zoom tablet. It was smart and savvy in the way it parodied Apple's infamous "1984" commercial by portraying Apple as the "Big Brother" that is making us conformists instead of the "freedom" company they originally portrayed themselves to be. It was artistic and a sharp contrast to a lot of the more slapstick offering we've come to expect in Super Bowl ads, and it got its point across while showing some of the Zoom's functions. A nice surprise that shows how commercials can still be smart.
Look Who's Back
A three month hiatus seems long enough to me. Perhaps I didn't feel there was anything worth writing about in that time period, or maybe it was that I was just too lazy and/or forgetful to post anything, but now seems as good a time as any to try to make some new posts. Hooray!
Friday, October 22, 2010
Alternative Movie Options, Why Aren't There More?
One of my favorite things as a kid was when my grandmother would take my sister and me or me and one of my friends to see a movie at the old Movie 6 in my hometown. The theater had been around for good 30 years and was even where my parents went on their first date to see the disaster movie Earthquake (hey, it won an Oscar!), but after the new mall opened with a 12 screen multiplex Movie 6 became second fiddle in town.
The best thing I remember about Movie 6 is that they always played movies after they had left the big move theater and the tickets were $2. Seriously. $2. And that was in the late 90s when typical movies were still at a relatively reasonable $6.50 for adults. Movie 6 is definitely where I would've taken my dates if it wasn't shut down by the time I was in high school and driving. And therein lies the problem. It was shut down.
Movies are becoming more and more expensive to make. This means studios have to make more money on each film to try and at least break even if not make a profit, and that in turn is passed along to the movie theaters who have to raise prices so they can stay afloat. It's difficult for the little theaters to get by on $2 or $4 tickets and no one wants to pay $11 to sit in a rundown theater that has gum on the seats from the 70s. So does this leave us at the mercy of the megaplexes with their ever increasing ticket and concessions prices?
Yes. And No.
While many smaller towns lack the public interest or persons with resources (sorry Salisbury, MD and Hastings, NE) to open and run smaller "niche" theaters, there is hope in places like Richmond, VA and Washington, DC.
Richmond sports the amazing Byrd Theatre, which has been maintained in its original styling from its 1928 opening. Plush seats, deatiled interior architecture, a functioning organ, and an actual curtain that is pulled back before the start of each movie makes the theatre seem more like an opera house than a place to watch 300. The Byrd plays second-run movies (Inception is currently on their docket) as well as special features (like documentaries that don't make it to "big" theaters) and throwback nights with movies like Back to the Future, The Phantom of the Opera (1925), and The Princess Bride. General features only cost $1.99. Awesome.
DC sports the Arlington Cinema and Draft House with its second-run movies (these are the ones that just left the main theaters but aren't quite out on DVD or on-demand) for $1 on Mondays with prices increasing by a buck each night until the weekend. Instead of the usual theater seating, ACDH (I just made up that acronym but feel free to use it) has table and bar (facing the screen of course) seating. They also serve you food and beer from a full menu before and during the movie.
I also recently discovered that West End Cinema is opening next Friday (10/29) in, well, the West End of DC (between Foggy Bottom and Dupont Circle metro stations). While this is not a second-run theater like the Byrd or ACDH, West End Cinema will play films that don't make it to a theater near you (see what I did there?). It's a more "refined" and "intellectually-minded" theater that will serve "beer wine and gourmet nibbles as well as the usual popcorn, candy and soda" and is "fashioned more along the lines of the cinematheques of Europe." Although it boasts the ability to hold teleconferences and show non-film performance like an "opera simulcast," I'm more excited to see the likes of Howl, which as far as I know never made it to a mainstream theater.
While several larger cities like New York City may be the best places for the small theater and the opening of West End Cinema and their reasonable success (they're still open, so count your blessings) of the Byrd and ACDH is promising, there are still far too few independent and price/experience minded cinemas out there. But as the expense of blockbuster studio movies continue to grow, so does the popularity of independent films. If we are lucky, then the smart curious populations of every town in America will show entrepreneurs that the market does exist for more of these types of cinemas in a town near you.
The best thing I remember about Movie 6 is that they always played movies after they had left the big move theater and the tickets were $2. Seriously. $2. And that was in the late 90s when typical movies were still at a relatively reasonable $6.50 for adults. Movie 6 is definitely where I would've taken my dates if it wasn't shut down by the time I was in high school and driving. And therein lies the problem. It was shut down.
Movies are becoming more and more expensive to make. This means studios have to make more money on each film to try and at least break even if not make a profit, and that in turn is passed along to the movie theaters who have to raise prices so they can stay afloat. It's difficult for the little theaters to get by on $2 or $4 tickets and no one wants to pay $11 to sit in a rundown theater that has gum on the seats from the 70s. So does this leave us at the mercy of the megaplexes with their ever increasing ticket and concessions prices?
Yes. And No.
While many smaller towns lack the public interest or persons with resources (sorry Salisbury, MD and Hastings, NE) to open and run smaller "niche" theaters, there is hope in places like Richmond, VA and Washington, DC.
Richmond sports the amazing Byrd Theatre, which has been maintained in its original styling from its 1928 opening. Plush seats, deatiled interior architecture, a functioning organ, and an actual curtain that is pulled back before the start of each movie makes the theatre seem more like an opera house than a place to watch 300. The Byrd plays second-run movies (Inception is currently on their docket) as well as special features (like documentaries that don't make it to "big" theaters) and throwback nights with movies like Back to the Future, The Phantom of the Opera (1925), and The Princess Bride. General features only cost $1.99. Awesome.
DC sports the Arlington Cinema and Draft House with its second-run movies (these are the ones that just left the main theaters but aren't quite out on DVD or on-demand) for $1 on Mondays with prices increasing by a buck each night until the weekend. Instead of the usual theater seating, ACDH (I just made up that acronym but feel free to use it) has table and bar (facing the screen of course) seating. They also serve you food and beer from a full menu before and during the movie.
I also recently discovered that West End Cinema is opening next Friday (10/29) in, well, the West End of DC (between Foggy Bottom and Dupont Circle metro stations). While this is not a second-run theater like the Byrd or ACDH, West End Cinema will play films that don't make it to a theater near you (see what I did there?). It's a more "refined" and "intellectually-minded" theater that will serve "beer wine and gourmet nibbles as well as the usual popcorn, candy and soda" and is "fashioned more along the lines of the cinematheques of Europe." Although it boasts the ability to hold teleconferences and show non-film performance like an "opera simulcast," I'm more excited to see the likes of Howl, which as far as I know never made it to a mainstream theater.
While several larger cities like New York City may be the best places for the small theater and the opening of West End Cinema and their reasonable success (they're still open, so count your blessings) of the Byrd and ACDH is promising, there are still far too few independent and price/experience minded cinemas out there. But as the expense of blockbuster studio movies continue to grow, so does the popularity of independent films. If we are lucky, then the smart curious populations of every town in America will show entrepreneurs that the market does exist for more of these types of cinemas in a town near you.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Dear Sister
Dear Sister,
Please don't send anymore e-mails to the family saying that you are going to be an aunt in the subject line without clarifying that your husband's sister just found out she's pregnant. I was worried that you knew something that I didn't.
Thank you,
Your Brother
Please don't send anymore e-mails to the family saying that you are going to be an aunt in the subject line without clarifying that your husband's sister just found out she's pregnant. I was worried that you knew something that I didn't.
Thank you,
Your Brother
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
2010 MLB Playoffs-National League
It's hard to believe how fast the season has flown by. The hometown Nationals are once again way below .500 and were at times hard to watch, and the end of September means another long winter of speculation and remorse and a spring filled with hope that will go once again unfulfilled. But for lucky fans of 8 teams October means one thing, Playoffs. So let's go ahead and take a look at this year's National League playoff teams.
Atlanta Braves
Cincinnati Reds
Who are they?
The Big Surprise. No one really expected the Reds to win the NL Central that the St. Louis Cardinals and Albert Pujols have dominated for the last decade, but here we are with the Reds ready to make their first playoff appearance since 1995.
Player to watch.
Joey Votto. This NL MVP candidate is a guy that I can tell you almost nothing about without having to do some intense research, so yeah. I'm sure if you watch any of these games the commentators won't shut up about him, so you should do that. Go Joey Votto!
Why you should want them to win.
Not only have the Reds been irrelevant over the last few years, but they come from one of the hardest divisions in baseball to win. The NL Central sports 6 teams in its divisions while all other teams have 5 (except for the AL West, which only has four); it's true. Seems unfair right? Well, the NL Central does have the Pirates and they barely counts as a team. So maybe it is even. Either way, the Reds need to take advantage of their postseason ticket before St. Louis remembers next year that they're the class of the division.
Why they might win.
They have a pitcher whose first name is Bronson! What a bro.
Why they'll lose.
They play in Cincinnati. Yuck.
Random fact.
I just found out that Joey Votto is Canadian. That's disappointing.
Philadelphia Phillies
Who are they?
The Dynasty in the Making. Four straight NL East titles, two-time defending NL Pennant winners, and 2008 World Series Champions. What's that tell you? That these guys are damn good and probably won't stop. Prepare for all the "dynasty" talk as the Phils make their way through the playoffs. Also prepare for the drunken shenanigans of their fans.
Player to watch.
Roy Halladay. One of the most dominating pitchers in the Majors since 2002, Halladay is getting his first taste of postseason play. Forced to pitch for the Blue Jays (perhaps as punishment for a misdeed in a past life) in the brutal AL East for over a decade, "Doc" finally made his way to a winning team with a chance to win it all. He already boasts a Cy Young Award from his time in Toronto (and may win a second this year), but without a World Series ring he becomes the Dan Marino of baseball - getting captured by a cross-dressing former catcher and, along with the Phanatic, needing to be rescued by Jim Carrey in a Hawaiian shirt. Hilarity ensues. [Editor's note: Halladay pitched only the second no-hitter in playoff history Wednesday night against the Reds. Wow am I smart.]
Why you should want them to win.
Because if they lose this will happen, but if they win this will happen.
Why they might win.
This guy. This guy. And maybe even this guy.
Why they'll lose.
My roommate is a huge Phillies fan.
Random fact.
June 23, 1971, Phillies right-hander Rick Wise pitches a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds, Hitting two home runs and becoming the fourth Phillie to pitch a no-hitter - and the only one to do it wearing glasses. Ha, made you learn something.
San Francisco Giants
Who are they?
The Pitching Team. Two-time reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum has not been as dominating as he was the past two seasons, but he's still one of the best. Matt Cain has shown that he has the ability to get it done (going 3-0 with 29 strikeouts and a 2.19 ERA in September), and Jonathan Sanchez has come into his own as the second best arm in this team's rotation. This team doesn't need a lot of run production to get the job done.
Player to watch.
The offense. I have faith in the pitching staff's ability to do their thing, but if no one in the lineup can get on base on hit successfully in a scoring situation, this team may find itself on the wrong side of a few 1-0 or 2-1 pitching duels. The bats need to come alive for the Giants if they have any hope of going deep in the playoffs, let alone winning themselves a ring.
Why you should want them to win.
The Giants haven't won a playoff game since Barry Bonds was with the team. A World Series title (something the team hasn't accomplished since leaving New York in the 50s) in the pitching-strong, post-Bonds era would be a great way for the franchise and the city to erase the memories of a roided-up egomaniac that's currently under indictment from the U.S. government and move on to a bright future.
Why they might win.
Pitching, pitching, pitching. The starting rotation for the Giants is absolutely stacked and their reliever is a Beach Boy. That's good enough for me.
Why they'll lose.
As much as I've complimented their pitching staff, the Phillies have a better rotation.
Random fact.
Their third baseman is a Panda.
Atlanta Braves
Who are they?
The Once and (possibly) Future Champions. The Braves dominated the National League through most of the 90s and a part of the last decade, but the Bravos have slumped a bit as of late. Maybe you can blame this on the rise of the Phillies to the position of Beast of the (NL) East, but either way the Braves are looking to restake their claim as the cream of the National League.
Player to watch.
Man do I wish I could say Chipper Jones here, but the third baseman has been out for much of the second half of the season and wont' make an appearance in the playoffs. So, we're going to go with rookie phenom Jason Heyward. The next obvious choice? Maybe, but Heyward has had a very good season as a rookie (.277/18/72) and it'll be interesting to see how this stud can perform in the playoffs.
Why you should want them to win?
This is legendary Atlanta manager Bobby Cox's last season. There may be no better way to send the man out then on top as World Series Champions.
Why they might win.
Like most of the playoff teams this year, Atlanta has solid pitching. But they also have an ace up their sleeve with rookie reliever Kenny Powers who may be the Jesus figure we all perceive him to be.
Why they'll lose.
Injuries have forced the Bravos to float around some of their infielders to fill in the gaps. The lack of continuity was clear in their last regular season series against the Phillies when fielding errors were an issue.
Random fact.
This guy used to be the Braves mascot.Cincinnati Reds
Who are they?
The Big Surprise. No one really expected the Reds to win the NL Central that the St. Louis Cardinals and Albert Pujols have dominated for the last decade, but here we are with the Reds ready to make their first playoff appearance since 1995.
Player to watch.
Joey Votto. This NL MVP candidate is a guy that I can tell you almost nothing about without having to do some intense research, so yeah. I'm sure if you watch any of these games the commentators won't shut up about him, so you should do that. Go Joey Votto!
Why you should want them to win.
Not only have the Reds been irrelevant over the last few years, but they come from one of the hardest divisions in baseball to win. The NL Central sports 6 teams in its divisions while all other teams have 5 (except for the AL West, which only has four); it's true. Seems unfair right? Well, the NL Central does have the Pirates and they barely counts as a team. So maybe it is even. Either way, the Reds need to take advantage of their postseason ticket before St. Louis remembers next year that they're the class of the division.
Why they might win.
They have a pitcher whose first name is Bronson! What a bro.
Why they'll lose.
They play in Cincinnati. Yuck.
Random fact.
I just found out that Joey Votto is Canadian. That's disappointing.
Philadelphia Phillies
Who are they?
The Dynasty in the Making. Four straight NL East titles, two-time defending NL Pennant winners, and 2008 World Series Champions. What's that tell you? That these guys are damn good and probably won't stop. Prepare for all the "dynasty" talk as the Phils make their way through the playoffs. Also prepare for the drunken shenanigans of their fans.
Player to watch.
Roy Halladay. One of the most dominating pitchers in the Majors since 2002, Halladay is getting his first taste of postseason play. Forced to pitch for the Blue Jays (perhaps as punishment for a misdeed in a past life) in the brutal AL East for over a decade, "Doc" finally made his way to a winning team with a chance to win it all. He already boasts a Cy Young Award from his time in Toronto (and may win a second this year), but without a World Series ring he becomes the Dan Marino of baseball - getting captured by a cross-dressing former catcher and, along with the Phanatic, needing to be rescued by Jim Carrey in a Hawaiian shirt. Hilarity ensues. [Editor's note: Halladay pitched only the second no-hitter in playoff history Wednesday night against the Reds. Wow am I smart.]
Why you should want them to win.
Because if they lose this will happen, but if they win this will happen.
Why they might win.
This guy. This guy. And maybe even this guy.
Why they'll lose.
My roommate is a huge Phillies fan.
Random fact.
June 23, 1971, Phillies right-hander Rick Wise pitches a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds, Hitting two home runs and becoming the fourth Phillie to pitch a no-hitter - and the only one to do it wearing glasses. Ha, made you learn something.
San Francisco Giants
Who are they?
The Pitching Team. Two-time reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum has not been as dominating as he was the past two seasons, but he's still one of the best. Matt Cain has shown that he has the ability to get it done (going 3-0 with 29 strikeouts and a 2.19 ERA in September), and Jonathan Sanchez has come into his own as the second best arm in this team's rotation. This team doesn't need a lot of run production to get the job done.
Player to watch.
The offense. I have faith in the pitching staff's ability to do their thing, but if no one in the lineup can get on base on hit successfully in a scoring situation, this team may find itself on the wrong side of a few 1-0 or 2-1 pitching duels. The bats need to come alive for the Giants if they have any hope of going deep in the playoffs, let alone winning themselves a ring.
Why you should want them to win.
The Giants haven't won a playoff game since Barry Bonds was with the team. A World Series title (something the team hasn't accomplished since leaving New York in the 50s) in the pitching-strong, post-Bonds era would be a great way for the franchise and the city to erase the memories of a roided-up egomaniac that's currently under indictment from the U.S. government and move on to a bright future.
Why they might win.
Pitching, pitching, pitching. The starting rotation for the Giants is absolutely stacked and their reliever is a Beach Boy. That's good enough for me.
Why they'll lose.
As much as I've complimented their pitching staff, the Phillies have a better rotation.
Random fact.
Their third baseman is a Panda.
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