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Sportsman’s Blog…star date 04 06 2011 [UPDATED]
Published 4:03pm Wednesday, April 6, 2011 Updated 9:17pm Sunday, April 10, 2011Well, well, well….it seems like it has been forever since I have sat down by the computer and got to type a bit of free-minded sports talk.
I don’t know if any of you out there question Ron Gardenhire using Joe Nathan to close this early in the season, but I definitely had my doubts in his debut against Toronto. Throwing over 30 pitches in one inning and seeing him throw slider after slider to Jose Bautista before finally getting the last out off Lind. I am not a doctor but the idea of throwing sliders a year after Tommy John surgery doesn’t sound like the best option. Gardenhire may have opted to put Nathan in, in the seventh innning and allow Matt Capps to get the save. Capps has been a proven closer and was suppose to be the early option if Nathan didn’t seem ready. In my opinion, he didn’t seem ready.
Though, looked impressive versus the Yankees. I am happy to see that we were able to pull out one in the Bronx. Hopefully, it will be more come this October.
Congratulations to both the UConn Huskies and the Texas A&M Aggies on their national championship victories. Not going to lie about it, but I was pulling for both opponents in the matter. Would have loved to see a mid-conference team like Butler get the W, while I root for the Irish in every sport I can.
The Frozen Four kicks off tomorrow night with the UMD Bulldogs taking on Notre Dame. Bulldogs should be the favorite in this game but don’t count the Irish out of it. In game two, the University of North Dakota Fighting (named removed for legal reasons) versus Michigan. The other UND has averaged six goals a game in the tournament and they play a Michigan team that barley squeaked by Colorado College. My prediction (not that I have been right in any college bracket) is UND vs. UND. The Fighting (named removed for legal reasons) will flickertail their way past the Fighting (doesn’t this sound a bit degrading) Irish 5-2. My buddy, Josh Lehn, supports this idea.
Just got done with the first season of AMC’s ‘The Walking Dead.’ If you liked zombie movies and a bit of suspense and action, this should be right up your alley. Just to let you know, even though it is on cable, this is not a kid’s show.
I am getting more and more upset with the NFL and the players. The players are arguing that the owners can’t lock them out and the owners are arguing that the player’s union is still working for the players even though the players decertified the union. This has turned out to be less of a negotiation and more of a playground finger pointing battle. (NFL owners) “Mrs. Smith, they took my lunch money.” (Labor Negotiator) “How did they take your lunch money, you have two full pizzas, four milk cartons, a gatorade, a juice box, three donuts, a plate of turkey gravy and fortune cookie?” (NFL players) “No, we didn’t. You promised to buy us a milk if we play with you. We did and now you owe us another one.” (NFL owners) “We didn’t agree to that, we are going broke.” (NFL players) “Broke? Let’s see your wallet.” (NFL owners) “Ummm…no.”
Well, the Wild were able to play themselves out of the playoffs this season. I am not a huge hockey fan but I am a huge homer and love to see our in-state sports teams make the playoffs. Don’t worry Wild fans, you can pull up a chair by the one remaining Timberwolves’ fan and begin to watch the Twins.
Well, it has been a mediocre start for my fantasy baseball team. Nishioka has panned out and Chase Utley started the season on the DL. I do look solid throughout my lineup and pitching staff but I can never seem to get the right mix of stat guys on one team. Here is my roster so far: C-Brian McCann, 1B – Paul Konerko, 2B – Alberto Callaspo, 3B – Aramis Ramirez, SS – Alexei Ramirez, OFs – Ichiro, Vernon Wells, Ryan Braun, UTIL – Denard Span, Howie Kendrick. P- Cliff Lee,Roy Oswalt, Matt Capps, Brian Duensing, Huston Street, Matt Garza, Tim Hudson and Brian Fuentes. That is all my starters. I have a few on the bench but they really are more filler guys than anything. If you want to comment on this I would appreciate your opinion and help. If I can make a move, I will.
At this time, I would usually start to gear up for this month’s NFL draft. *Shameless name drop* My friend, Aaron Stanley, and I usually watch the draft with baited breathe hoping the Vikings don’t screw it up. Say what you want about Jimmy Clausen, in both of our opinions that was the guy we should have went with. Top prospect falls to you in the second round and you draft a….cornerback? I know this year it definitely seemed like that is what we needed but I guess I would like to start to work in a potential replacement for Favre earlier than after he retires. Anyway (I could rant about personnel all day with the Vikings, but that is not the point I wanted to make), the draft is usually a fun thing for all football fans to watch because it gives every team a glimmer of hope for next season. That was until they moved the NFL draft to Thursday night. I believe this killed what is one of the best weekends of non-football football on the calendar. Stanley, my dad and myself used to camp around the TV for the first two rounds of the draft. When we added more friends like Chris Petersen and Alex Lee (more shameless name drops) we even created a Mel Kiperesque “Big Board.” But with the looming lockout and the draft being broken up into three days, it is hard to get excited about the future when you have no time to enjoy it.
Derek Jeter is losing sleep due to construction…I guess that is why his batting average has been slumping. But he should reach 3,000 hits this season. That is great for the captain. Nuff said.
The Altoona Curve, a minor league affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, has introduced a really neat concept: reversible rally cap designs. The hat shows eyes on the inside of the hat. The Curve may need to pass this idea along to the top brass in the major league organization. That might make fans not loath the lack of effort on their part.
Well, I probably missed something along the way again. If anyone wants to comment or would like to know my opinion on any story, feel free to comment on my blog. I do check these for comments.
Anyway,
Stay classy Fergus Falls.
