Thanks to everyone who has been reading the blog and providing feedback. We've gained over 100 new visitors in the last week. I think that's really cool so thanks. It's no secret that I want to write for a living so I appreciate everything.
There's been something in the air lately, have you felt it? The past week or so has been a strange one. I've had a lot of career opportunities present themselves and I grew facial hair because I think it looks good, not just because I was too lazy to take care of myself! Which of course is always the case. Barack and Kumar go to the White House and a U.S. aid ship and it's captain were captured by pirates. When that story broke on the news today I was so taken aback. But what killed me the most was the photograph Fox News gave us of the captain. It looked like his 1969 black and white senior picture from high school. Did they not have a more recent photograph of this guy? I immediately texted my friend Dave, who loves pirates, to get his thoughts. He loved it. We all did. I wish I was a pirate. I do hope that Captain Richard Phillips is returned safely though.
Want more bizarre? Last weekend I was invited to a joint bachelor/bachelorette party that my 5th grade teacher, who was my 8th grade basketball coach too, would also be attending. I had to respectfully decline because I had already made other plans...but I couldn't help but feel the urge to go and get trashed with my middle school teacher. I think it would easily crack the 15 greatest moments of my life. I don't know what's more pathetic...the fact that I know my 15 greatest moments or that this would have been included in it. Either way, I'm going to say this is not a good thing.
And last but definitely not least, I may or may not be living with a rabie-infested dog. I came home today to find a random puppy running around my house. Apparently a family friend found this puppy roaming the woods earlier today and somehow came to the conclusion to give it to me. How she decided on this I don't think I'll ever know...but it's a really cute female miniature pinscher, looks about a year old. It got along great with my two other dogs so I figured we could keep her for a little until somebody claims it. That is until the dog started foaming at the mouth. Then I find out that a vet said the dog had been foaming at the mouth when she looked at it. Not only that but the dog's nose started leaking snot all over my floor and furniture. When I say leaking, I mean pouring. It wasn't normal and absolutely disgusting. Then I find out the police officer, who brought the dog to the vet, tried to let it go back into the woods. How did the dog foaming at the mouth and the cop trying to put it back in the woods not alarm anybody!? Things like that are not ok. Keep in mind I had been playing with this puppy, as well as my other dogs. Let's just say it's sleeping alone tonight.
But I've come to the conclusion that all of these things happening can only be attributed to one thing...
The 2009 Major League Baseball Season
by Conor Levis
It's because Major League Baseball season is upon us once again. That's right my friends, today's blog is dedicated to baseball and I'm going to give you my ubiased season predictions. This is what I think the league will look like in 2009...
American League
AL East
1. Tampa Bay Rays - They only got better from last year in which they were the best from start to finish. This is the best team in the American League once again. I see the AL East playing out a lot like last year but with the bottom teams (Baltimore and Toronto) becoming more competitive. I just see too many holes with my Red Sox to take them.
2. Boston Red Sox (Wild Card)
3. New York Yankees
4. Toronto Blue Jays
5. Baltimore Orioles
AL Central
1. Chicago White Sox- This division is up for grabs. I think all five teams are very close in talent which is going to make for an interesting race but in the end...the team that has been there before will prevail. That team is the White Sox.
2. Kansas City Royals
3. Minnesota Twins
4.. Cleveland Indians
5. Detroit Tigers
AL West
1. Los Angeles Angels- To me this is one of the worst divisions in baseball. It's going to come down to what team wants it more and like with the AL Central, the Angels have been there. I wouldn't be surprised if any of the bottom four were to take it though.
2. Texas Rangers
3. Oakland Athletics
4. Seattle Mariners
Dark Horse teams:
1. Kansas City Royals - This team is going to make a push in the Central this year. They have an impressive three at the top of their rotation with Gil Meche, Zack Greinke, and Kyle Davies, and a solid core of young hitters who all have breakout potential this season (Alex Gordon, Mike Aviles, Mike Jacobs). I see good things in Kansas City this baseball season.
2. Texas Rangers- A scary offense with the likes of Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler, Michael Young, Nelson Cruz, and Chris Davis. It's so good that in a weak division like the AL West, it could be enough to take it.
3. Toronto Blue Jays- A team with a nice mix of youngsters and veterans. I love the middle of their lineup with Alex Rios, Vernon Wells, and Adam Lind. If they can get enough from their ace Roy Halladay and young arms, I can see Toronto making a run at the AL Wild Card this year.
National League
NL East
1. New York Mets- With a new and improved bullpen, the Mets won't have a collapse at the end of this season. The young, talented Marlins are going to make some noise...and knock the defending World Champs out of the Wild Card spot. This will be a fun race to watch play out.
2. Florida Marlins (Wild Card)
3. Philadelphia Phillies
4. Atlanta Braves
5. Washington Nationals
NL Central
1. Chicago Cubs- In my eyes, the Cubs are without a doubt the best team in the National League. There's no questioning that. But the question always becomes...what will go wrong? They should take care of business within the division but with Albert Pujols and the Cardinals, there is always cause for concern.
2. St. Louis Cardinals
3. Milwaukee Brewers
4. Cincinnati Reds
5. Houston Astros
6. Pittsburgh Pirates
NL West
1. Los Angeles Dodgers - I'm not sold on the Dodgers like everyone else. They have the most talent in the divison, but will they put it all together? I think if the Rockies can stay healthy they will make it an interesting race. The Giants are one of my dark horse teams and I just can't figure out the Diamondbacks. I do know one thing though...the Padres stink.
2. Colorado Rockies
3. San Francisco Giants
4. Arizona Diamondbacks
5. San Diego Padres
Dark Horse Teams:
1. Florida Marlins- It seems like every year the young Marlins have a chance to make some noise. This season is especially true behind maybe the best player in the game, Hanley Ramirez, and a great, young rotation that features Ricky Nolasco, Josh Johnson, and Chris Volstad. They are my Wild Card choice.
2. San Francisco Giants- They made some nice veteran acquisitions (Randy Johnson, Edgar Renteria) in the offseason to go with a nice group of young hitters (Pablo Sandoval, Emmanuel Burriss). Along with the reigning NL Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum and number 2 starter Matt Cain...the Giants make for an intriguing pick in the NL West this season.
3. Cincinnati Reds- I like the Reds for all the same reasons I like the Royals. Young hitters like Brandon Phillips, Jay Bruce, and Joey Votto, all primed for breakout years and another solid roation that features comeback candidate Aaron Harang, Edinson Volquez, and Johnny Cueto. I don't think they'll make as much noise because of the strong division they're in...but I do think they will challenge some of the NL's best all season long.
New York Mets over Chicago Cubs
ALCS
Tampa Bay Rays over Boston Red Sox
World Series
New York Mets over Tampa Bay Rays - The only thing holding the Mets back the past two seasons and the force behind their late season choke jobs was their bullpen. They went out and got JJ Putz, a former closer and a guy who can slam the door shut late in games, and Francisco Rodriguez...maybe the best closer in the game. They have all the pieces to win it all and I think they'll do it.
Awards
AL MVP - 1. BJ Upton 2. Josh Hamilton T3. Kevin Youkilis T3. Carlos Pena
NL MVP- 1. Hanley Ramirez 2. Albert Pujols 3. David Wright
AL Cy Young- 1. Zach Greinke 2. Felix Hernandez 3. Roy Halladay
NL Cy Young- 1. Johan Santana 2. Dan Haren 3. Josh Johnson
AL Rookie of the Year- 1. David Price 2. Elvis Andrus 3. Matt Wieters
NL Rookie of the Year- 1. Jordan Schafer 2. Cameron Maybin 3. Emilio Bonifacio
AL Breakout Player - 1. Alex Gordon 2. Nelson Cruz 3. Chris Davis 4. Shin-Soo Choo T5. Josh Fields T5. Adam Jones
NL Breakout Player- 1. Jay Bruce 2. Rickie Weeks 3. Chris Volstad 4. Pablo Sandoval T5. Yovanni Gallardo T5. Daniel Murphy
AL Comeback Player- 1. Travis Hafner 2. Jorge Posada 3. Hideki Matsui
NL Comeback Player- 1. Chris Carpenter 2. Jeff Francoeur 3. Aaron Harang
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