Have We Hit Rock Bottom Yet?

The Cleveland Indians today let manager Eric Wedge know that he will not be returning next season. Wedge will be allowed to manage the team's last six games as the Indians play out the string in fourth place in the AL Central. Two years ago the Indians were an up and coming team with a 3-1 lead in the ALCS against the Boston Red Sox. Then the collapse began as the Red Sox crushed Cleveland in the next three games and the Indians have never seemed to recover. The 2008 Indians had expectations to live up to and by the end of a .500 season they had an injury plagued season from catching star Victor Martinez and had traded C.C Sabthia and Casey Blake. Cliff Lee and Grady Sizemore were bright spots in 2008 and expectations were still running high coming into the 2009 season. The 2009 season has been an utter disappointment for all Cleveland Indians fans as they watched their team deal more players, this time Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez. So it would appear that the 2010 Indinas will be in rebuilding mode and the new manager will need to erase the memories of the 2007 ALCS. The man that might have to do that job is current Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell, who used to be the director of player development for the Indians and seems to be the front runner for the job. Only two real questions remain will General Manager Mark Shapiro be the one to lead this turn around and are the Indians at rock bottom or will Grady Sizemore be the next star dealt out of town. Stay tuned.

Be sure to check out the first few chapters of my baseball novel 33 Summers at www.darrenpare.com Just click on the announcements tab.

An Odd Duck Has a Good Weekend

For those of you that don't know me personally I am of a rare breed when it comes to my sports teams. I am a Boston area sports fan except when it comes to baseball where I root for the Yankees. Now now before you inundate with cries of blasphemy let me explain a bit. I started watching baseball when I was maybe five or six years old with my dad who is a Yankees fan. This led me to like the Yankees and that will never change. The others sports, football, basketball, and hockey, I picked up in junior high and high school and I went with the local teams, the Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins. Well sometimes, when I am not quite awake when I leave the house, I can be seen wearing a Patriots shirt and a Yankees hat and people look at me funny, at least I'm assuming they are looking at me funny because of the clothes and not my face. I have been labeled a cross dresser by friends and had strangers call me a bandwagon jumper, which irks me to know end because I am fiercely loyal to my teams. Well this all leads to this weekend which found the Yankees sweeping the Red Sox to clinch the AL East and the Patriots prove the naysayers wrong by taking care of the Falcons. So that made me one of few people in New England very happy about the sports weekend. If you like an odd assortment of teams let me know in the comments area with an explanation on how you starting liking your teams.

Be sure to check out the first few chapters of my baseball novel 33 Summers at www.darrenpare.com Just click on the announcements tab.

Not Wild About Another Wildcard

If you watched any of the morning shows on ESPN today you heard about a new idea that Hall Of Famer Peter Gammons has thrown out about adding one more team to the playoffs in each league. I respect Gammons more than I could ever say in just this short blog, but I really think he has missed the mark on this one. The beauty of the 162 game marathon that is the baseball season is that only the best teams get rewarded by making the playoffs at the end of the season. My question is do we really want to dilute the regular season anymore, to the point that it is like the NHL and NBA and just about anyone with half a pulse makes the post season. Also with five teams making the playoffs that would mean you would have to have byes for the first round for some teams and I just don't see that working in baseball. Having 4-6 days off after the season will do more to hurt the bye teams than help, because baseball players really do cherish their routines and this would wreck havoc with them. Just because this season doesn't have any nail biting chases to the end doesn't mean we need to hit the panic button and scrap what has really worked well for 15 years. Also the American League Central race between the Tigers and Twins might just develop into a good fight to the end so it may be too early to say that the last week of the season will be completely devoid of drama. If this becomes a problem for a few years than I would be happy to reevaluate the situation but for now this falls under the old adage if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Be sure to check out the first few chapters of my baseball novel 33 Summers at www.darrenpare.com Just click on the announcements tab.

Where is the Star in Dallas?

The star on the side of the Dallas Cowboys helmet and at midfield at the stadium is one of the most recognizable symbols in sports. The problem this season is that those are the only stars on the field. Now some will say wait how about quarterback Tony Romo, well according to former Cowboys running back Tony Dorsett he isn't a star. "I don't know why on God's Earth Tony Romo has been anointed a superstar in the National Football League," he said on Fox Sports Radio. There is no doubting that Romo was terrible in week two against the New York Giants, throwing three interceptions Sunday night for the whole nation to see. If there is such a thing as a big game in week two that was one and once again Romo came up short. A look at his career stats and you can see that Romo had a very good year in 2007, but regressed a little in 2008. For all the attention he gets where are the huge numbers or the big wins, you can stop looking they aren't there. Dorsett isn't the first former Cowboys star to wonder aloud what is so special about Romo, both Emmitt Smith and Troy Aikman have as well. I don't think Romo has what it takes to bring Dallas to the next level and in the tough NFC East I think they will finish 8-8 this season. Then the question becomes does Jerry Jones blow this team up in the offseason and start anew or does Jones hitch up his cart to a horse that quite frankly can't carry the load.

Be sure to check out the first few chapters of my baseball novel 33 Summers at www.darrenpare.com Just click on the announcements tab.

What to Make of These Patriots?

Okay yesterday was a tough day for us Patriots fans and a great day for all the Patriots haters out there and there are many. The question, after 24 hours to reflect on the situation, is should we be concerned and I will be like any seasoned politician and ride the fence and say yes and no. First of all Tom Brady needs to find his timing, he hasn't been as crisp as he should be, but I am convinced that will come in time. Wes Welker being out showed to me just how valuable he really is. Welker is Brady's teddy bear, something he can count on when everything else isn't working out, much like Kevin Faulk. I really don't think the defense has played that poorly, but they do need to find a leader and having Jerod Mayo out certainly is not helping. So to summarize quickly here Brady needs to get back to being the Tom Brady we are used to and soon before the division gets away from them. A healthy Welker and Mayo need to be back on the field and making plays. Next week things don't really get any easier with the new look Falcons coming to Foxboro. Tony Gonzalez seems very happy in his new home and the Falcons are continuing what they started last year. So it is time for Bill Belichick to get the team focused and once again earn the genius label that many have attached to him.
A few loose ends for me to tie up. First I was wrong, wrong, wrong about the Jets I thought they would struggle mightily with Mark Sanchez at quarterback, but so far so good for them. I was a fool to believe USC coach Pete Carroll when he said the Sanchez wasn't ready for the NFL. Maybe Carroll was just being petty after all. For all those ready to jump off the Patriot's bandwagon just remember that the Steelers lost yesterday to, so even the best teams have off days, but if you still want to jump off the bandwagon let me give you a push.


Check out the latest review of my book 33 Summers:
Although at first I wasn't certain I would enjoy a book with a baseball theme, "33 Summers" by Darren L. Pare came as a pleasant surprise. The intertwining of important news events, sports news, and music made this story a pleasure to read. I felt helpless as I watched the life of Jack Mathis who had such a promising future as a major league baseball player spiral out of control. I came to understand that he chose at an early age to focus on things outside of his ability to change because it kept him from having to face life and the problems that it held. He put so much effort into trying to understand the motives of other people that he failed to confront his own demons and eventually those demons consumed him. This was an emotional read from start to finish and I recommend it for its insight and honesty.
You can purchase my book at: http://www.eloquentbooks.com/33Summers.html
Or at Amazon and Barnes & Noble online.

Only Time Will Tell

I was giving the remote a workout last night looking for something to watch and I found myself on NESN watching the last few innings of the Red Sox game. Last night's Angels vs. Red Sox game had the feel of a playoff game with the entertaining back and forth action, though both teams will probably safely make the playoffs. The Red Sox have had the Angels number all season long and since these two will most likely be meeting up in the playoffs in a few weeks I would think the Angels would want to make some kind of statement, but maybe I'm wrong. It didn't look like the game mattered to Angel's left fielder Juan Rivera. The effort he gave Alex Gonzalez's pop fly down the left field line was just embarrassing. He jogged towards it at first and then didn't even bother to dive for it, did he not realize the game hinged on that play or did he not care. If Juan Rivera sniffs the starting lineup tonight then I have lost faith in former tough guy manager Mike Scioscia. The Angels can bitch all they want about the umpiring crew not calling Nick Green out on strikes, but when you get a bad break you have to ramp yourself up and get the next guy. One of the worst things you can say about an athlete is that they quit, well last night Juan Rivera quit on his team and now I wait to see how Scioscia responds. Will he have the guts to sit him down for a good spell or will he let the team know that he has lost his passion and he has quit as well.

Check out the latest review of my book 33 Summers:
Although at first I wasn't certain I would enjoy a book with a baseball theme, "33 Summers" by Darren L. Pare came as a pleasant surprise. The intertwining of important news events, sports news, and music made this story a pleasure to read. I felt helpless as I watched the life of Jack Mathis who had such a promising future as a major league baseball player spiral out of control. I came to understand that he chose at an early age to focus on things outside of his ability to change because it kept him from having to face life and the problems that it held. He put so much effort into trying to understand the motives of other people that he failed to confront his own demons and eventually those demons consumed him. This was an emotional read from start to finish and I recommend it for its insight and honesty.
You can purchase my book at: http://www.eloquentbooks.com/33Summers.html
Or at Amazon and Barnes & Noble online.

Fighting the Foolish Fight

We have all heard the expression fighting the good fight, well on Tuesday Yankee's catcher Jorge Posada decided to fight the foolish fight. Last night against the Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jesse Carlson threw a pitch behind Posada about butt high. This took place after two members of the Toronto Blue Jays a been hit by a pitch. Posada should have just shut his mouth and the beanball war would have been over. Posada held himself in check for a little while, but later on that half inning while scoring a run Posada threw a weak little elbow towards Carlson and soon after the benches emptied. Posada is enough of a veteran to know how baseball justice works you hit one or two of mine and I will send a pitch towards the ribs of one of yours and it will be done. If the pitch is up by the head then you have a reason to bitch and moan, but that wasn't the case here. So everybody got to rush out on the field and push and shove a little and Carlson wound up with a huge knot on his head. Today MLB issued three game suspensions on both Carlson and Posada, along with a three gamer for little used Yankee Shelley Duncan. It pains me as a Yankees fan to say it but Posada should have received a longer suspension than Carlson for he was really the instigator. Posada can be a fiery guy, but he has to know when to stay above the fray, pun intended. Someone in all the pushing and shoving could have injured themselves. Just think of how Posada would have had to explain his actions if a guy like Mark Teixeira would have blown out a knee and been lost for the playoffs, and don't tell me it can't happen just look at the Padres and Milton Bradley in 2007 and that was only Bradley and his coach pushing. So Posda bring the passion and fire but also remember to bring the brain that tells you when to fight and when to let things go.


Check out the latest review of my book 33 Summers:
Although at first I wasn't certain I would enjoy a book with a baseball theme, "33 Summers" by Darren L. Pare came as a pleasant surprise. The intertwining of important news events, sports news, and music made this story a pleasure to read. I felt helpless as I watched the life of Jack Mathis who had such a promising future as a major league baseball player spiral out of control. I came to understand that he chose at an early age to focus on things outside of his ability to change because it kept him from having to face life and the problems that it held. He put so much effort into trying to understand the motives of other people that he failed to confront his own demons and eventually those demons consumed him. This was an emotional read from start to finish and I recommend it for its insight and honesty.
You can purchase my book at: http://www.eloquentbooks.com/33Summers.html
Or at Amazon and Barnes & Noble online.

Playoffs don't talk about playoffs.

Ah the immortal words of former Indianapolis Colts coach Jim Mora, but we won't listen and we will talk about the playoffs. On Thursday I gave my predictions for each team. So lets recap shall we. In the NFC I had the teams seeded as such 1. Vikings 2. Eagles 3. Saints 4. 49ers 5. Giants 6. Falcons. When all the dust settles form the NFC playoffs I think the Eagles will be left standing. Brett Favre's recent play in big moments doesn't impress me and thus I think the Vikings will make a quick playoff exit. Now I am sticking with the Eagles even after Donovan McNabb hurt his ribs Sunday because it doesn't look all that serious. Now on to the AFC. we have 1. Steelers 2. Patriots 3. Chargers 4. Titans 5. Ravens 6. Dolphins. This will all come down to a battle between the Steelers and Patriots for a trip to the Super Bowl. I think the Patriots will win but I am not sure if I am saying that with my head or my heart, but either way it is written and so it shall be. So there we have it the Eagles and the Patriots in the Super Bowl again just like the 2004 season and just like Super Bowl XXXIX the Patriots will be holding the Lombardi Trophy when the confetti starts to fall from the sky. Well these are my predictions and we welcome your as well, I am just hoping when the playoffs do roll around that someone isn't pulling up this post as evidence of just how stupid I truly am. Enjoy the Monday Night Football doubleheader and see you again soon.

If you would like to pick up my new baseball novel 33 Summers you can do so by clicking this link: http://www.amazon.com/33-Summers-Darren-Pare/dp/1608602605

Marking the 9/11 anniversary.

Today I will steer away from the usual sports frivolity and remember what happened eight years ago today. I think it is safe to say that the September 11 attacks changed how all Americans view the world or at least did for a little while. I for one used to think that such crazy things only happened in Israel and the rest of the Middle East, I was rudely awakened on that day. I was watching ESPN that morning and they had a post in the corner about a plane hitting the Twin Towers, so I quickly turned the channel to NBC thinking only that it was an awful plane crash. I wasn't on NBC for more than minute before the second plane hit the towers and then I knew something was not quite right. I spent that entire day glued to the television waiting for more information and often finding tears rolling down my cheeks. I never cried so much in all my life as I did in the following days, as the stories of the brave men and women who lost there lives were told. My son, Nicholas, was only a year and a half old and I was so thankful that I wouldn't have to explain what was going on to him, because I'm not sure if I could. A wave of patriotism swept over us in the months that followed, something that seems to be long gone as we once again find political parties sniping at one another like ill mannered children over some of the most foolish things. Sometimes I wonder how much we really learned. I visited New York nearly six years after and went to the museum that commemorates those who were lost that day. I read the stories of the missing people and the few that survived and I once again found myself crying openly. It was an emotionally draining visit but one I was glad I made. So to finish up here I would like to thank all the firefighters, police officers, EMT's and other public servants that help us out when things get dangerous. I want to thank the men and women in the armed forces who put there asses on the line everyday to secure our freedom. You are the true heroes. I hope God blesses you and keeps you safe.

NFL predictions sure to go awry.

Well tonight the NFL season kicks off with the Tennessee Titans in Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers. So as will every other sports blogger in the nation I will share with you my NFL predictions.

NFC WEST
49ers 9-7 I predicted the last two years that they would have a winning record, I think I may be turning into Chris Berman.
Cardinals 9-7 Even though they made the Super Bowl last year they don't inspire me with confidence.
Rams 5-11 I only give them five wins because I really like Steven Jackson.
Seahawks 4-12 I just don't see enough talent here.

NFC SOUTH
Saints 10-6 I think Drew Brees will finally take this team to the next level, but I have thought that before.
Falcons 9-7 Year two of Matt Ryan can't be as smooth as the first, can it.
Panthers 5-11 The Panthers won the division last year because Jake Delhomme stayed healthy all year, it won't happen to years in a row
Buccaneers 4-12 I can't even decide who will be their lead running back or if any of them deserve to be.

NFC NORTH
Vikings 12-4 With the addition of Brett Favre they run away with the division, the playoffs might be another story.
Packers 8-8 I don't know what to make of this team so a .500 record sounds about right.
Bears 8-8 I think Jay Cutler will help some but not enough.
Lions 3-13 It is better than the 0-16 of last year and that is all that can be said.

NFC EAST
Eagles 11-5 Philadelphia will be the winners of the NFC's toughest division as long as Brian Westbrook stays healthy, which is no samll feat.
Giants 10-6 The Giants could make some hay in the playoffs but they do play in the toughest division so they will have some setbacks.
Redskins 9-7 The team that is constantly adding new parts was at it again this off season when they added Albert Haynesworth. I still think they fall just shy of the playoffs.
Cowboys 8-8 After this disappointing season I believe this team will be blown up and that may not be a bad thing for Cowboys fans.

AFC West
Chargers 12-4 San Diego is in an easy division and they will take advantage of it this year.
Broncos 8-8 This team is in disarray right now and an 8-8 record could easily be 4-12 if they played in any other didvision
Raiders 5-11 As many people have said before this team is going nowhere until Al Davis steps aside, it doesn't matter if Richard seymour shows up or not.
Chiefs 4-12 A rebuilding year and nothing more, but I think they are taking the right approach now.

AFC SOUTH
Titans 11-5 How long can the ride Kerry Collins? I think for a little bit but he is a way better option than Vince Young who has gone off the rails.
Texans 9-7 Andre johnson is one of my favorite players in the NFL he is a game changer.
Colts 8-8 Getting used to a new caoch will cost this team and they will miss the playoffs.
Jaguars 6-10 I look at their wide receivers and wonder if this is actually an NFL team.

AFC NORTH
Steelers 13-3 One of the class organizations in the NFL, they rarely seem to have a down year and this year won't be one.
Ravens 11-5 I love when they meet up with the Steelers you just know there will be tons of hard hits in the game. Lets see if Joe Flacco can do more than manage a game.
Browns 5-11 Eric Mangini is at the helm and that has to be better than Romeo Crennel, doesn't it?
Bengals 4-12 This team is a joke nothing more to say.

AFC EAST
Patriots 13-3 The defense will be the only question on this team and I think Bill Belichick will have them ready.
Dolphins 10-6 This team will still be on the rise and next year will challenge the Patriots for the top spot.
Bills 8-8 I hope that the Bills will enjoy the one good year they might get out of Terrell Owens because that is all they will get.
Jets 4-12 Mark Sanchez will have many growing pains.

Saturday I will cover the playoffs enjoy tonight's game.

Support a new author and check out the first few chapters of my new novel 33 Summers at: http://www.darrenpare.com/ Just click on the announcements tab on the homepage.

Bad to the skull and cross bones.

I was cruising around online a few days ago when a discussion came up of the worst franchises in sports and the name of the Pittsburgh Pirates quickly came up and that person just might be right. Well yesterday the Pirates secured their 17th consecutive losing season when they lost their 82nd game of the season. Now it takes some real special non-talent in the general manager's chair to come up with 17 straight losing campaigns. The streak started in 1993 when Cam Bonifay started his nine year tenure, which was followed by a stellar seven years under Dave Littlefield. Current GM Neal Huntington has been on the job less than two years so for now he gets a pass. Lets start with Bonifay who drafted minor league washouts like Chad Hermansen, J.J. Davis, and Bobby Bradley and left the minors barren of talent. Littlefield liked making bad trades like shipping out Jason Schmidt for Ryan Vogelsong, John Vader Wal, and Armando Rios, none of the three made an impact for the Pirates. Some will cry that the Pirates are a small market team just can't compete against the big spenders like the Yankees, Red Sox, and Dodgers and I say phooey. Minnesota seems to be in the race almost every year while Oakland has had several decent teams in that span, they are both small market teams. The Pirates main flaw is that they can't seem to stick to a plan. They seem to bail on their five years plan about three years in. This once proud franchise that used to field Willie Stargell, Dave Parker, and Roberto Clemente now has a roster littered with names like Ronny Cedeno, Ramon Vazquez, and Andy LaRoche, not even household names in their own homes. Maybe Huntington can right the Pirates ship, but I but I wouldn't bet any booty on it.

You can read the first few chapters of my newly published novel, 33 Summers, at http://www.darrenpare.com/ Just click on the announcements tab on the homepage.

Don't Try Suicide: Michael Vick sports third rail.

Well NFL commissioner Roger Goodell decided today the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick can return in week three of this season. I am sure that the sports message boards are going crazy right now with Vick supporters and haters waging war with one another. The calls of racism won't be far behind and then the less than clever insults will start flying and absolutely nothing will be accomplished. I will probably alienate at least half of my readers, and when you only have four followers that is a dangerous proposition, but I think it is time for Vick to come back to the NFL. I know, I know that he did some awful things with dogs and some people will never forgive him and I understand that to a point. I do sometimes feel that people are more outraged because Vick's misdeeds involved dogs than they would be if they involved people. It just might be time to let the guy get on with his life and maybe use him as part anti animal cruelty campaign. We as a society are usually very forgiving and maybe we should do that for Vick now. Please remember though I said forgive not forget. If you have comments to make please make them just try to make them constructive.
Check out the first few chapters of my newly published novel, 33 Summers, at http://www.darrenpare.com/ Just click on the announcements tab on the homepage.