Pro Soccers' Growth In The U.S.

[top to bottom: Toronto Stadium, Salt Lake Park ,Rapids Stadium (CO), Red Bull Park (NJ), Toyota Park (IL), Home Depot Center (CA), Crew Stadium (OH), Pizza Hut Park (TX)]

The MLS enters its 12th season this year. I know, it is hard to believe it has been that long, right?

The American soccer league that lasted the longest was the NASL, which lasted 17 years from 1968 through 1984, THAT league, however, relied on importing star players from across the world to compete here. The MLS, by contrast, emphasizes developing American players. That is why it has been so successful. Naturally, adding a handful of international stars will only help popularity of the league, but you have to be able to promote some home grown talent as well.

Despite what the many soccer-bashers in the media and across the country say, the MLS has been very successful and is growing into exactly what it's founders had envisioned in the mid 90s.

The most obvious example of it's success is the building of several SOCCER-ONLY stadiums all over the United States. Here is a breakdown:

**FC Dallas: plays in Pizza Hut Park, a soccer-only stadium located north of Dallas in Frisco,TX.

**Columbus Crew: plays in MLSs' 1st soccer-only facility in downtown,not far from OSU

**Los Angeles Galaxy/ Chivas USA: The two LA-based franchises both play in the Home Depot Center, a soccer-only facility located in Carson,CA, just south of LA.

**Chicago Fire: plays in Toyota Park, a soccer-only stadium in suburban Bridgeview,IL.

**Red Bull NY: will move into the soccer-only stadium,Red Bull Park, in 2008. The complex is located in Harrison,NJ, across the river from Newark.

**Colorado Rapids: will move into their own soccer-only park for the 2007 season. Th facility is located in Commerce City,CO.

**Real Salt Lake: The Utah-based franchise will move into it's very own soccer-only stadium in 2008. The complex is being built in Sandy,UT.

**Toronto FC: The MLSs' first Canadian entry will begin play in 2007, and they will do so in their own soccer-only complex located in downtown Toronto.

**DC United: The most storied franchise in MLS is negotiating to build a soccer-only stadium near the Anacostia River.

This leaves only 3 franchises without their own soccer-only stadiums in the works as of 2007. (New England Revolution, Kansas City Wizards, and the Houston Dynamo)

Soccer is, indeed, growing very well in the U.S.A.

Anti-American Sentiment Grows Abroad

The following statistic was very disturbing to read:

"Forty-eight percent of Germans think the United States is more dangerous than Iran, a new survey shows, with only 31 percent believing the opposite. Germans' fundamental hypocrisy about the US suggests that it's high time for a new bout of re-education."
[that comes from Spiegel online]

That is the type of over-the-top anti-American fervor that we have come to expect from Al-Jazeera and the Middle East. Unfortunately, this comes from Germany, allegedly one of our "allies" on the world stage. I don't get it, have the Germans just become blind to what really is or isn't evil?

This ridiculous sentiment is prevalent here amongst the far left extremists, and apparently is becoming widespread across Europe as well. It seems that many people are blinded by their disagreement/dislike for President Bush, and let their common sense go the way of the dodo.

I have engaged people in discussions on several occassions about the war in Iraq, and the state of the U.S. in general. It is very disturbing to see how many people are locked into this view of America as the ultimate evil in the world. It may be due to the fact that if you repeat,or repeatedly hear over and over that "Bush is a terrorist" or "America is the true evil" maybe it gets ingrained in your head.

Many people seem to take disagreement with the war and turn it into HATRED for GWB. I don't get that, but the left-wing media feeds that hatred on a daily basis.

Sites like these do a fine job of exposing this bias in the media:
http://newsbusters.org/

http://www.mediaresearch.org/

It seems like the days of robust debate and dialogue between people with differing ideas has long since passed. And as long as the mainstream media continues to shove their slanted view of the world on the public, the public hatred of the U.S. will continue to grow.

NFL Overtime Rules

The NFL owners got together recently and the topic of overtime came up once again. Unfortunately, the owners only made a minor tweak to overtime. They moved back the kickoff 5 yards. (Yawn)

This will not do, as overtime is so anti-climactic is needs some changes. On this topic, NASCAR is head and shoulders above the other major sports. Whenever an issue arises in NASCAR, they fix it IMMEDIATELY. There is no "wait and see what happens next year" approach.

The NFL overtime needs an overhaul, most fans will tell you that. Now, how exactly to change it, that is the $1,000,000 question. There have been several options discussed, and I would like to address some of them here.

First up is the NCAA formula. This system gives each team at least one possession inside the opponents territory and the teams drive to score a TD or FG, and then the other team matches or tops the score. On the third possession, a two point conversion is mandatory. That works fine for college, but many NFL people are against it, I can give or take it myself.

Another idea that I have heard mentioned is the "5th quarter" rule. In this scenario, you would play overtime period of shortened length (5 min, 10 min) and would play it just like any other quarter of the game, it would not be sudden death. This is an interesting idea, my take would be, why not just make it a full 15 minute quarter then?

Now, I have an off-the-wall type of idea. It is simple, unique and interesting (and also very unlikely to ever be used). My scenario is this: keep it a sudden death period, BUT...allow NO FIELD GOALS in overtime. In other words, you can only win by a touchdown (or a safety). This eliminates the "one play drives" that occur too often and are followed by a long FG. In my scenario, the coin toss would be less crucial, as the teams would need to march all the way down the field to score and win.

I will defer to the great Bob Costas for the last overtime idea. He spoke of this during last season on NBC. He says that all rules should stay the same, EXCEPT THAT...each team gets one offensive possession. Not like college, not from close in, just from a punt or kickoff like normal. Once again, Mr. Costas' brilliance is too much for me, and for those who run the NFL. This simple, yet superb change would only improve an already wonderful sport.

Alas, much like Bob Costas' ideas for baseball that he outlined in his terrific book "Play Ball", the overtime idea is unlikely to ever be implemented. We can dream though, we can dream.

Rosie O'Donnell Goes Off The Wall

It has been previously reported on several media outlets about Rosie O'Donnells' recent rantings. Now,she apparently opens the show "The View" with a commentary each morning,that's no big deal even Regis and Kelly do that. However, in recent weeks her rants have gotten more and more extreme. It reached what very well could be a breaking point Thursday morning.

She had previously this week stated that the Iranian capture of 15 British soldiers in the Gulf was staged, a fake operation. Rosie made a clear reference to the Gulf Of Tonkin incident,which many believe to be a phony attack staged to excuse an escalation of the Vietnam War.

Just when you thought that would be the height of her extreme rants,she spoke again.

Rosie,today went off on a tangent about 9/11 attacks:

HASSELBECK: Do you believe that the government had anything to do with the attack of 9/11? Do you believe in a conspiracy in terms of the attack of 9/11?

O’DONNELL: No. But I do believe the first time in history that fire has ever melted steel. I do believe that it defies physics for the World Trade Center Tower Seven, building seven, which collapsed in on itself, it is impossible for a building to fall the way it fell without explosives being involved, World Trade Center Seven. World Trade Center one and Two got hit by plains. Seven, miraculously, for the first time in history, steel was melted by fire. It is physically impossible.

HASSELBECK: And who do you think is responsible for that?

O’DONNELL: I have no idea. But to say that we don't know it was imploded, that there was implosion in the demolition, is beyond ignorant. Look at the film. Get a physics expert here from Yale, from Harvard. Pick the school. It defies reason.

(that is from the transcript of The View)

So,Ms. O'Donnell is buying into the conspiracy theories about the September 11th attacks now? One has to wonder how Barbara Walters feels about her show being used as a vehicle to spout extremist propaganda.

It was noted on another media program that The View's ratings have tumbled since start of 2007. If that trend is indeed true,then the ratings and loss of revenue will cause Barbara Walters and/or ABC to act.

I see this as just another sign that the extremists are forcing their views into the mainstream.
But,maybe I'm just being paranoid...unlikely.

Final Four Preview

Well, my bracket is totally busted (that happened fairly quickly), but I will still make my predictions amongst the final four teams. I feel that even I can pick 3 games correctly,right? Right?

Let's get started with the National Semifinals on Saturday:

Georgetown vs. Ohio State

This is a great matchup between Georgetowns' technical "Princeton offense" and the Buckeyes slashing guards and big man Greg Oden. Oden has been in foul trouble all tournament, but yet OSU has found ways to win. The Hoyas remarkable comeback against UNC last week was one of the best games in NCAA Tourney history, and the effecient offense John Thompson III runs puts a lot of pressure on the defensive team.

PICK: Georgetown 68 Ohio State 61

UCLA vs. Florida

A rematch of last years Championship Game,which the gators won easily by 16.Afflalo and the Bruins should have revenge on their minds Saturday night. Unfortunately for UCLA, the Gators starting 5 from a year ago is back,and they want to be the first team to repeat as NCAA Champions since 1992.Florida has too much talent,IMO.

PICK: Florida 73 UCLA 63

CHAMPIONSHIP:

I think the Gators run into this years' team of destiny.25 years after UNC beat Georgetown in one of the best title games in history,Georgetown will win the title. The regimented offense and stern defense of John Thompson III is too much for the Gators. Hoyas win a thriller.

PICK: Georgetown 69 Florida 65

Charles Rangel's Latest Attempt At a Draft

Below is House Resolution 393, it is the latest attempt by NY Stae Rep. Charles Rangel at reinstating a draft. He has proposed such legislation twice before,in 2003 and 2005. Both were soundly defeated by congress.

This one is worded slightly different, as it would mandate service for everyone between 18 and 42. Interestingly, the wording states "all persons in the U.S." it doesn't say "citizens". Does that mean that immigrants are required to serve as well?

It is,of course, much ado about nothing. President Bush has stated that if the bill even made it to his desk, he would veto it quickly.There is no real reason to believe it will even make it to GWB's office.

I just liked to post this info to show exactly what Charles Rangel is doing with his time. He is pursuing a bill that even he knows will never pass, just to make his personal statement (at taxpayers expense) about the war.

I hope all NY voters remember this waste of time come election day.

**TEXT OF HR 393 IS BELOW**

H.R.393 Title: To require all persons in the United States between the ages of 18 and 42 to perform national service, either as a member of the uniformed services or in civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, to authorize the induction of persons in the uniformed services during wartime to meet end-strength requirements of the uniformed services, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make permanent the favorable treatment afforded combat pay under the earned income tax credit, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Rangel, Charles B. [NY-15] (introduced 1/10/2007) Cosponsors (2) Latest Major Action: 2/26/2007 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

NHL 2007 Playoff Race/Eastern Conference

The race for the Stanley Cup Playoffs is in high gear...

Eastern Conference

1. x*Buffalo (3 games left) (107 points)
2. x*New Jersey (3) (102)
3. *Atlanta (3) (93)
4. x Ottawa (3) (102)
5. x Pittsburgh (3) (101)
6. NY Rangers (3) (91)
7. Tampa Bay (3) (90)
8. Montreal (3) (88)
9. Toronto (3) (87)
10. Carolina (3) (86)
11. NY Islanders (4) (84)

*- division leader

x-clinched playoff berth

thru games of 4/1

Latest Polls For Prez Candidates

The latest polls for potential presidential candidates for each party...

(Gallup Poll)

3/25
Republicans:

Rudy Giuliani 31%
John McCain 22%
*Fred Thompson 12%
Newt Gengrich 8%
Mitt Romney 3%
*assuming Thompson joins the race,he is still undecided.

3/25
Democrats:

Hilary Clinton 35%
Barack Obama 22%
Al Gore 17%
John Edwards 14%


I'll post more polls from time to time as we get closer.

The BNF Top 20 Countdown

Countdown #01...from March 24,2007

This is a Top 20 countdown featuring all kinds of songs in my collection.Hundreds of songs are stored on a hard drive,and after I select random play....the top 20 songs are picked for this list.

1. Walking Away - CRAIG DAVID
2. Make It Last Forever - KEITH SWEAT
3. Something About You - NEW EDITION
4. Rub You The Right Way - JOHNNY GILL
5. November Rain - GUNS'n'ROSES
6. Rock Of Ages - DEF LEPPARD
7. Why Me Baby? - KEITH SWEAT featuring L.L. COOL J
8. Method Of Modern Love - HALL & OATES
9. Poor Georgie - MC LYTE
10. Family Affair - MARY J. BLIGE
11. Diamonds & Pearls - PRINCE & THE N.P.G.
12. School's Out - ALICE COOPER
13. Tonight- KOOL & THE GANG
14. Shake You Down - GREGORY ABBOTT
15. Funkytown - LIPPS,INC.
16. Epic- FAITH NO MORE
17. Dip Into My Ride - LIGHTER SHADE OF BROWN
18. That's The Way Love Is - BOBBY BROWN
19. Letitgo - PRINCE
20. Play That Funky Music - WILD CHERRY

The BNF Fantasy Baseball Team

After finishing 3rd in 2004,my team finished near or at bottom of lg in 2005 and 2006. In 2007,I have put together a very good team (or at least it seems that way on March 29)

My 2007 Fantasy Baseball Team,with 2006 stats:

C Kenji Johjima,SEA
.291 18hr 76rbi
1B Ryan Howard,PHI
.313 58hr 149rbi
2B Freddy Sanchez,PIT
.344 6hr 85rbi
SS Derek Jeter,NYY
.343 14hr 97rbi
3B Joe Crede,CWS
.283 30hr 94rbi
IF Miguel Tejada,BAL
.330 24hr 100rbi
OF Bobby Abreu,NYY
.297 15hr 107rbi
OF Matt Holliday,COL
.326 34hr 114rbi
OF Eric Byrnes,ARZ
.267 26hr 79rbi
OF Gary Mathews,Jr.,LAA
.313 19hr 79rbi
UT Lyle Overbay,TOR
.312 22hr 92rbi
OF Ken Griffey Jr.,CIN
.252 27hr 72rbi
1B Adrian Gonzalez,SD
.304 24hr 82rbi
2B Luis Castillo,MIN
.296 84runs 25sb
SP Daisuke Matsuzaka,BOS
14-13 2.30era 226so (in Japan)
SP John Smoltz,ATL
16-9 3.49era 211so
SP John Lackey,LAA
13-9 3.56era 190so
SP C.C. Sabathia,CLE
12-11 3.22era 172so
SP Brad Penny,LAD
16-9 4.33era 148so
SP Scott Olsen,FLA
12-10 4.04era 166so
SP Scott Kazmir,TB
10-8 3.24era 163so
SP Kei Igawa,NYY
13-9 3.87era 145so (in Japan)
RP Tom Gordon,PHI
34saves 3.34era
RP Takashi Saito,LAD
24saves 2.07era
RP Justin Duchscherer,OAK
9saves 17holds 2.91era
RP Akinori Otsuka,TEX
32saves 7holds 2.11era


I WILL win the league this year!!

Baseball Preview 2007

Okay, with only a few days until Opening Day, it's time to make my predictions for 2007.

Starting in the junior circuit, of course...

AL EAST

1. NEW YORK YANKEES - (predicted record: 97-65) Still the class of the division. The starting rotation of Wang, Mussina, Pettitte, Igawa, Pavano,and Karstens is very solid and deep. On paper, this is arguably the best lineup we have seen in a long time.The bullpen is solid, and as long as #42 is there for the 9th inning,it's all good.
2. BOSTON REDSOX - (predicted record: 91-71) Dice-K joins the staff with Schilling,Wakefield,and Beckett. Papelbon decided to return to his closer role, probably a very good decision for the team.The bullpen is okay,if not great. The 5th spot in rotation is open,at least until Jon Lester can make it back to bigs after cancer surgery last December. The other question mark is rookie Dustin Pedroia at 2B, a .300 hitter with limited power in the minors, Boston is hoping for him to get on base for the big guys to get him home.
3. TORONTO BLUE JAYS - (predicted record: 87-75) The Jays are unfortunate in that they are stuck in AL East with Sox and Yanks. Toronto has a good lineup,just not as good as Boston/Yanks. The Blue Jays rotation is okay, Halladay is great but A.J. Burnett is injury prone and Gustavo Chacin has not yet fulfilled his potential. Whenever they have a late lead,B.J. Ryan will lock it down. The double play combo is questionable, too, with aging Royce Clayton and young Aaron Hill.
4. BALTIMORE ORIOLES - (predicted record: 75-87) The O's have some good young players, but not nearly enough to compete with the top 3 in AL East. The offense is solid, with Tejada and Ramon Hernandez among the best at their positions. The pitching is a concern, with Eric Bedard anchoring the rotation and Chris Ray at the back of the bullpen. In between those two, there are many questions.
5. TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS - (predicted record: 73-89) The future may be bright for the sad sack D-Rays. The lineup features several highly touted young players: B.J. Upton, Delmon Young, Rocco Baldelli, Ben Zobrist,and Dionner Navarro. Add to them budding stars Jorge Cantu and Carl Crawford along with Japanese import Akinori Iwamura, and there may be something to cheer for soon in St. Petersburg. The pitching, outside of Scott Kazmir, is poor, but at least it appears that Tampa Bay is heading in the right direction, finally.

AL CENTRAL

1. DETROIT TIGERS - (predicted record: 90-72) The defending AL champions are all back,and even added Gary Sheffield to the lineup. Questions of whether the starting pitchers can duplicate last years' success are heightened by Kenny Rogers starting the year on the DL. Count on another good year from Bonderman, Verlander, Robertson, and Maroth regardless of how the aging Rogers fares. The bullpen is maybe the deepest in MLB, with Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney backing up closer Todd Jones.Even though they are in a very competitive division, the Tigers should still win 90.
2. CLEVELAND INDIANS - (predicted record: 84-78) Cleveland is the trendy surprise pick this year,I just don't see it yet. I do think that the young Tribe can finish just ahead of the Twins and White Sox,but there are still questions such as the corner OF spots.David Dellucci and Casey Blake are among the front runners for LF and RF,respectively.Youth is scattered throughout the offense and pitching staff,with Andy Marte at 3B and Ryan Garko at 1B.You do have to be leery,though,of any team that has Joe Borowski as a closer.
3. CHICAGO WHITE SOX - (predicted record: 83-79) The ChiSox are a year older,but have not changed very much from the 2006 model. The lineup still features stars like Paul Konerko, Jermaine Dye, Jim Thome, and Joe Crede. The pitching staff still includes the likes of Jose Contreras, Javier Vasquez, and Mark Buehrlie. But it is that staff that has not been dominant since the 2005 postseason.In this tightly contested division,Chicago will finish in the midst of the Tribe and Twins.
4. MINNESOTA TWINS - (predicted record: 82-80) The loss of Francisco Liriano for the season really takes the Twins out of title contention. Johan Santana is amazing, but he can't pitch every day. The exciting lineup that features Joe Mauer, MVP Justin Morneau, and longtime Twin Torii Hunter will keep Minnesota in the race for most of the year. But the starting rotation is just not strong enough this year, Boof Bonser and Matt Garza would need to have huge seasons for the team to win the central.
5. KANSAS CITY ROYALS - (predicted record: 62-100) To put it simply: this is not a good team. Up and comers like Mark Teahen and Ryan Shealy are the few bright spots in KC. The pitching staff is relying on Gil Meche as the ace. Nuff said. FA acquisition Octavio Dotel will attempt to make his comeback as a closer,saving what few games the Royals win.

AL WEST

1. LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM - (predicted record: 88-74) More young talent is bubbling up from the Halos deep farm system. Howie Kendrick and Mike Napoli should improve in their first full seasons. The Angels hope the controversy surrounding FA signee Gary Mathews Jr. will not linger throughout the year. Starting pitching is a strength, with several good arms: John Lackey, Jered Weaver, Ervin Santana, and Kelvim Escobar in the mix with Bartolo Colon. Francisco Rodriguez is one of the best in MLB and his setup man, Scot Shields could close for other teams.
2. OAKLAND A's - (predicted record: 82-80) Remember a few years ago when it was Mulder, Hudson, and Zito in the rotation? Those days are gone now. Today it is Rich Harden, Dan Haren, Joe Blanton, and Esteban Loaiza. With a balanced,if unspectacular lineup and a weak division, Oakland will be in the race until late in the year. The Angels are better than their rivals from the Bay Area, though.
3. SEATTLE MARINERS - (predicted record: 74-88) The M's and Rangers are about equally bad. The Mariners have a solid lineup,and they believe they have the anchor of the rotation in Felix Hernandez.A young double play combo of Yuniesky Betancourt and Jose Lopez are the middle of a good infield that also includes Richie Sexson and Adrian Beltre. The pitching,outside of Hernandez and closer J.J. Putz, is average at best. Jarrod Washburn, Miguel Batista, and Horacio Ramirez are the next 3 in the rotation.
4. TEXAS RANGERS - (predicted record: 73-89) Texas' starting pitching is more questionable than the M's.A rotation featuring Kevin Millwood, Vincente Padilla, and Robinson Tejeda is not very strong. Brandon McCarthy is a young pitcher that the Rangers are high on,and the bullpen is solid,especially if Eric Gagne can even be close to the player he once was. Sammy Sosa apparently will go come to Arlington with the team from spring training. It will be interesting to see how much Sosa has left in the tank.

AL DIVISION SERIES PICKS:

NY Yankees over LA Angels in 5 games (NY FINALLY defeats their postseason nemesis)

Boston over Detroit in 5 games (Red Sox outplay the Tigers in intense series)

AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES:

NY Yankees over Boston in 7 games (yet another fall classic between the arch rivals)

*******************************************************

And now,the Senior Circuit:

NL EAST

1. NEW YORK METS - (predicted record: 91-71) The team many felt should have won the NL last year is back, but still with issues in the starting rotation. Pedro Martinez is out until midseason at best, and there is no telling how durable Orlando Hernandez will be in 2007. Stellar setup man Duaner Sanchez is going to be out until July at least. That said, the Mets still have a strong team and I would expect them to be active in the trade market to get some more live arms for the stretch run. The only question about the offense concerns Shawn Green in RF, it seems like only a matter of time until hotshot Lastings Milledge becomes a full time starter.With rejuvenated Jose Valentin at 2B, New York has a very strong lineup and will score a lot of runs this year.
2. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES - (predicted record: 83-79) The Phils are close, but not quite up to playoff level just yet.They have questions at 3B,with Wes Helms penciled in as the starter. Philly is counting on a solid full season from Shane Victorino in RF, based on what we saw in 2006, that is a reasonable expectation. The pitching, like the rest of the team, is solid but unspectacular. That should be enough to take second in the east.
3. ATLANTA BRAVES - (predicted record: 82-80) Now, I say this with a disclaimer because Atlanta could very well make a run and take the division, especially if the Mets contin ue to be hit by injuries. Brian McCann,the Joneses, Adam LaRoche, and slugger Jeff Francoeur head a lineup that will definitely strike fear into some opposing pitchers. Don't look now, but the Braves are ready to cultivate another crop of young pitchers. Chuck James will be in the rotation from the start, and kids like Kyle Davies and Anthony Lerew may be in A-town shortly. If you're a Mets fan, you want to win the east this year, because the Braves may be back on top by 2008.
4. FLORIDA MARLINS - (predicted record: 81-81) A very solid,young team. This is exactly the type of team that may surprise us all and make a run (like they did in 2003). Outstanding young players all over the roster in SoFla: Miguel Cabrera, Dan Uggla, Hanley Ramirez, Mike Jacobs, Josh Willingham, etc. With the spring training trade for Jorge Julio, the Marlins filled their most glaring need, a closer. The only reason I do not pick this team higher is becuase of the "sophomore slump" that will inevitably hit a couple of their fine young players.
5. WASHINGTON NATIONALS - (predicted record: 68-94) The Nats are preparing to have a competitive team by the time they open their new ballpark which is slated to open in April 2008. Washington made several deals, dumping older players for prospects, it is a smart move for the long run, but it will result in a poor team on the field in 2007. The corner infielders are good, even though Nick Johnson will begin season on the DL. The pitching, well... it is questionable at best, but they do have a good closer in Chad Cordero. All in all, DC fans can watch the team this year secure in the knowledge that come 2008, they will be watching an exciting young team in a beautiful new ballpark.

NL CENTRAL

1. CHICAGO CUBS - (predicted record: 88-74) I rarely believe the hype about teams over the winter, especially when the team hyped is a cursed franchise like the Cubs. But, there is a very talented team on the north side this year. A lineup that will feature super sluggers Derek Lee AND Alfonso Soriano is very strong, indeed. The pitching staff, for the first time in years, will NOT be counting on Kerry Wood or Mark Prior, the latter will open the season in AAA Iowa. The starters are not great and the closer (Ryan Dempster) is not stellar, but they are all solid enough to win this division.
2. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS - (predicted record: 86-76) The defending World Series champions will have a hard time in 2007. Like most champions, there was a bit of "magic" last year when the redbirds won it all. The biggest change is the starting rotation, where Kip Wells, Adam Wainwright, Al Reyes will join Chris Carpenter and an as-yet-undetermined 5th starter. However, any team that features Albert Pujols and Scott Rolen at the corners and in the middle of the lineup will be in the mix.
3. MILWAUKEE BREWERS - (predicted record: 81-81) Yes, you read it right, I pick the Brewers to be competitive all year and finish 3rd. The Brew Crew is stacked with offense from young infielders Weeks, and J.J. Hardy to surprise of 2007 Bill Hall. Prince Fielder will only get better at 1B ,and Johnny Estrada is a very solid backstop. The pitching features unheralded lefty Chris Capuano as well as Ben Sheets, Dave Bush, and 2006 WS hero Jeff Suppan. Don't look now, but Milwaukee has a good team.
4. HOUSTON ASTROS- (predicted record: 79-83) I wonder, can I make a prediction for Houston with or without Clemens? This prediction assumes they DO have Clemens in 2007. The offense, even with Carlos Lee and Lance Berkman, is not strong up and down the order. The pitching has Oswalt and the Rocket, but after that they are counting on ex-Rockie Jason Jennings and young Wandy Rodriguez to pick up the slack. The bullpen is solid, but the 'stros may not have many leads to hand over to that pen.
5. CINCINNATI REDS - (predicted record: 78-84) Bronson Arroyo and Aaron Harang head the rotation, and the lineup features Adam Dunn, Ken Griffey, and up and coming star Brandon Phillips. The remainder of the team,especially the bullpen, is questionable. It's a shame, a great ballpark, and loyal fans, but the Reds will not be in the mix for a playoff berth this year.
6. PITTSBURGH PIRATES - (predicted record: 71-91) The Pirates will be good in a year or two, but the young talent isn't strong enough to compete, or even get out of the cellar in 2007. Defending batting champion Freddy Sanchez is joined in the lineup by speedy Chris Duffy, slugging Canadian Jason Bay, and underrated catcher Ronny Paulino. The rotation is thin after Zach Duke and Ian Snell, and the bullpen is so weak, they are counting on journeyman Salomon Torres to be the closer.

NL WEST

1. SAN DIEGO PADRES - (predicted record: 89-73) The Pads should make another playoff run in 2007. Despite a hole at 3B (rookie Kevin Kouzmanoff will get the start), the lineup is strong with Adrian Gonzalez, Khalil Greene, the Giles brothers, and Mike Cameron. Pitching is the strength of this team, with Jake Peavy, Chris Young, Greg Maddux, and Clay Hensley starting and Trevor Hoffman at the back of the pen.
2. LOS ANGELES DODGERS - (predicted record: 87-75) The Dodgers will struggle to return to the playoffs this year. The rotation is solid once again, as is the bullpen, with Jonathan Broxton ready to take over for Takashi Saito when needed. The lineup is missing some pop, and the bench is thin. Jeff Kent and Nomar are arguably the only power hitters in the order, and youth is being counted on all over the diamond. Andre Ethier, Wilson Betemit, and youngster Russell Martin will try to duplicate their strong 2006's.
3. ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS - (predicted record : 83-79) The snakes are improved and will contend in a fairly balanced NL West. Youngsters Conor Jackson, Chris Young, and Carlos Quentin are going to be starting in 2007. The DBacks look for Eric Byrnes to duplicate his breakout 2006 season. J.D. Drew's younger brother, Stephen, gets the start at SS. If all the kids break out,Arizona could go far this year, but with expected growing pains, they may be one year away. The starting pitching is among the best in the NL, with Randy Johnson, Brandon Webb, Livan Hernandez, and Doug Davis, The bullpen features Jose Valverde as the closer and many young pitchers setting up for him.
4. COLORADO ROCKIES- (predicted record: 81-81) The Rockies are up and coming, but will fall short this year. The addition of speedy Willy Taveras at the top of the order will prove beneficial for run producers Matt Holliday, Todd Helton, and Garrett Atkins. The question, as it always is in Denver, is with the pitching. Brian Fuentes is a solid closer in a decent bullpen. The rotation is in question, with Jeff Francis and Aaron Cook as the 1-2 starters, but the back end is filled by B.K. Kim, Rodrigo Lopez, and Josh Fogg among others.
5. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS - (predicted record: 77-85) There are two things for SF baseball fans to cheer for in 2007. One is, obviously Bonds "breaking" the HR record, which he surely will accomplish at home. The other is the All Star Game, which will be in the Bay Area for the first time since 1987, when it was in Oakland. The Giants, however, will not give hometown fans much to cheer about this season. As has been the MO in recent years, the team is too old, and the pitching is not good enough.They did add Barry Zito to the staff, he will pair with Matt Cain, the oft-injured Matt Morris, underachieving Noah Lowry, and aging Russ Ortiz. Armando Benitez anchors the bullpen, but ther just won't be enough leads for him to protect this year.

NL DIVISION SERIES PICKS:

NY Mets over St. Louis in 4 games (NY gets some measure of revenge for last year)

San Diego over Chicago in 5 games (SD just has much better pitching than Cubs)

NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES:

NY Mets over San Diego in 6 games (The Mets seem destined for another Subway Series)

2007 WORLD SERIES PREDICTION:

Subway Series Again!!

NY Yankees defeat the NY Mets 4 games to 3 in an exciting World Series.

Baseball is almost here!

Okay, the baseball season finally gets underway Sunday night! For Yankee fans like myself, it has been a long, anxious winter. Now, all of the nonsense can be put to bed for a while and we can play some ball!

For the Yankees,spring training wasn't really about anyone trying to make the club. The only spots open were backup catcher (Todd Pratt seems to have won that job), and the 5th starter in the rotation (Jeff Karstens won the job, but was injured over weekend). The Yanks, instead spent spring training dealing with the Alex Rodriguez situation. In truth,there isn't much to the "situation" at all, ARod's contract allows for him to opt-out at the end of this season. He likely will opt-out regardless of how this year goes, it's a business move, plain and simple.

Alex has this problem with the media, everytime he tries to speak about something, he makes it worse. ARod just has to finally realize that if he hits well and helps Yanks win, the fans will cheer him. Hopefully that is the last I will write about Alex's situation this year, but somehow I doubt it.

So, the season begins Monday afternoon at 1pm at The Stadium. The first litmus test of the year happens right away as Carl Pavano will start the opener. Since Carl has not pitched since July of 2005, ANYTHING he does will be an improvement. However, I will feel for Pavano if he gets shelled on Opening Day...the boos will be very loud. Conversely, should he pitch well against the Devil Rays, the fans will give him an ovation. Monday is one of the biggest days in Pavano's career.

Elsewhere around MLB in 2007, Barry Bonds will likely break Hank Aaron's career HR record. The wise money would say BB breaks the record at home. With Bonds approval rating outside of the Bay Area not much higher than GWB's, you know that he will limit his playing time largely to home dates. That's good for San Francisco fans, as they won't have much else to cheer about at SBC/AT&T (or whatever they call it now) Park outside of the All Star Game.

The newest phenom comes from Japan and Daisuke Matsuzaka will make his ML debut next week for the Red Sox. As good as "Dice-K" may be, there is no way the man can possibly be as good as the legendary claims about his ability. He does have a large assortment of pitches and is very durable, and Boston is counting on him,Beckett and Schilling to lead the Sox to the postseason.

The Cubs spent a lot of money on free agents, the Cardinals look to defend their title, the Mets try to duplicate last years' run ,while the Padres and Dodgers battle for the West crown. The NL has plenty of strong teams, and it should make for a great year.

In the AL, outside of the usual Boston/NYY race, there is the 4 team race in the Central and a very competitive West. Toronto is a good team, too bad for them they are forced to play in the East with Red Sox and Yankees.

BNF

Welcome to The BNF Report

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