I may have blogged on Chipper last year when he announced his retirement, but recently took another look at his career. Then today I read an ESPN story by Jayson Stark about Chipper's place in history. This is a player who was better than I have given him credit for. A few points:
* .304/.401/.530/.931 - I mean, wow
* 468 homers, 549 doubles, 1,623 RBI - again, wow
* Career BA from left side: .304, from right side: .305... !
* Among switch-hitters, only he and Mantle had a .400 OBA + .500 SA + 400 homers
* All-time RBI leader among primary 3rd basemen
* More career walks than strikeouts (1,505 - 1,409)
* More than 400 games over .500 (wins/losses in games played)
* Baseball-Reference.com has him ranked as 33rd best overall hitter of all time
In summary he was one of those players who didn't necessarily put up monster years, but all the more telling metrics show that he was truly great. Very selective, consistent, lots of extra base hits. Along with A-Rod and Griffey, the 3 best #1 picks in the draft era.
You can read Stark's column for more detail: http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8427136/the-many-amazing-feats-chipper-jones
S
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Dodge Back to Work
It didn't take long for the Todd Dodge influence to take effect at Marble Falls High. This from the Houston Chronicle:
It would make sense that Todd Dodge, who led Southlake Carroll to four Class 5A state titles with a number of record-setting quarterbacks, is doing the same at his newest stop (Marble Falls).
That is in terms of a record-setting quarterback.
Marble Falls quarterback Mike Richardson threw for 715 yards in a 62-55 win Thursday over Boerne Champion. Richardson completed 35 of 44 passes and tossed seven touchdowns.
S
It would make sense that Todd Dodge, who led Southlake Carroll to four Class 5A state titles with a number of record-setting quarterbacks, is doing the same at his newest stop (Marble Falls).
That is in terms of a record-setting quarterback.
Marble Falls quarterback Mike Richardson threw for 715 yards in a 62-55 win Thursday over Boerne Champion. Richardson completed 35 of 44 passes and tossed seven touchdowns.
S
Game of the Week
Allen faces a tough test this week, on the road vs. Coppell. I have a lot of respect for Coppell; they were good enough to win state 2 yrs ago and currently undefeated. Both top 10 in current rankings (see below).
Class 5A
School Total Points Prv
1. Katy (13) (3-0)
2. Allen (5) (4-0)
3. DeSoto (5) (4-0)
4. Cibolo Steele (4-0)
5. Abilene (4-0)
6. Galena Park North Shore (1) (4-0)
7. Southlake Carroll (2-1)
8. Lake Travis (3-1)
9. Coppell (4-0)
10. Dallas Skyline (2-1)
Others receiving votes: 11, Hewitt Midway 12. 12, Smithson Valley 11. 13, Mesquite 8. 14, A&M Consolidated 7. 15, Colleyville Heritage 5. 16, Spring DeKaney 4. 17, Arlington Bowie 3. 18, Cypress Falls 2. 19, Longview 1.
S
Class 5A
School Total Points Prv
1. Katy (13) (3-0)
2. Allen (5) (4-0)
3. DeSoto (5) (4-0)
4. Cibolo Steele (4-0)
5. Abilene (4-0)
6. Galena Park North Shore (1) (4-0)
7. Southlake Carroll (2-1)
8. Lake Travis (3-1)
9. Coppell (4-0)
10. Dallas Skyline (2-1)
Others receiving votes: 11, Hewitt Midway 12. 12, Smithson Valley 11. 13, Mesquite 8. 14, A&M Consolidated 7. 15, Colleyville Heritage 5. 16, Spring DeKaney 4. 17, Arlington Bowie 3. 18, Cypress Falls 2. 19, Longview 1.
S
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Trouble for VY
So Vince Young is out of the league at 29 and seemingly broke. Yet another sad ending for an athlete who couldn't manage or comprehend his wealth, or pick the right person to manage it. But, let's forget that and if we've seen the last of him on the football field, take a minute to remember.
In the history of college football, few can match the legacy or personal dominance of Vince Young. Mack Brown and Greg Davis finally unleashed Vince Young on the game in 2004 and for their trouble won back to back Rose Bowls with the 2nd being for the National Championship. If you were to watch those 2 games again, you would see a 1-man wrecking crew pulling the defenseless Horns along with him. He wasn't just the MVP of those games, he was a man among boys.
I can remember many a game watching the 6'5" Young lope down the field with those ridiculous strides. How many 30 yard runs did Young break off in his career? He was too much for the college game to contain with his size and speed and he restored Texas to glory. Certainly Cam Newton carried an even weaker team to the championship in recent memory, somewhat relegating Young to the forgotten file. But I won't forget a 2-yr stretch where Young was a completely unstoppable force in the game and dominant against even the best competition.
2005 Rose Bowl: 21 carries, 192 yards, TD runs of 20, 60, 10, & 23 yards, 180 yards passing
2006 Rose Bowl: 19 carries, 200 yards, 3 TD's, 30 of 40 passing for 267 yards
Season stats for 2005: 1,050 yards rushing, 6.8 avg, 12 TD's; 3,036 yards passing, 65.2%, 26 TD's
S
In the history of college football, few can match the legacy or personal dominance of Vince Young. Mack Brown and Greg Davis finally unleashed Vince Young on the game in 2004 and for their trouble won back to back Rose Bowls with the 2nd being for the National Championship. If you were to watch those 2 games again, you would see a 1-man wrecking crew pulling the defenseless Horns along with him. He wasn't just the MVP of those games, he was a man among boys.
I can remember many a game watching the 6'5" Young lope down the field with those ridiculous strides. How many 30 yard runs did Young break off in his career? He was too much for the college game to contain with his size and speed and he restored Texas to glory. Certainly Cam Newton carried an even weaker team to the championship in recent memory, somewhat relegating Young to the forgotten file. But I won't forget a 2-yr stretch where Young was a completely unstoppable force in the game and dominant against even the best competition.
2005 Rose Bowl: 21 carries, 192 yards, TD runs of 20, 60, 10, & 23 yards, 180 yards passing
2006 Rose Bowl: 19 carries, 200 yards, 3 TD's, 30 of 40 passing for 267 yards
Season stats for 2005: 1,050 yards rushing, 6.8 avg, 12 TD's; 3,036 yards passing, 65.2%, 26 TD's
S
Special Teams Woes
I read this today and thought J would get some enjoyment out of it since it mentions his favorite coach and one of my favorite blog subjects, the Cowboys' draft prowess....
Q: Special teams seem to be very mediocre or worse. Is Joe D. the problem?
Brandon George: He would have to be part of the problem. Another part of it is the Cowboys lack of depth. The deeper teams in the NFL have the better special teams usually. The Cowboys haven't drafted well enough the last five years and that has hurt their special teams as a whole.
S
Q: Special teams seem to be very mediocre or worse. Is Joe D. the problem?
Brandon George: He would have to be part of the problem. Another part of it is the Cowboys lack of depth. The deeper teams in the NFL have the better special teams usually. The Cowboys haven't drafted well enough the last five years and that has hurt their special teams as a whole.
S
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Garrett - Offense
I don't dispute too much about how Jason Garrett is running the team, other than his ridiculous corporate-speak during press conferences. But, as offensive coordinator? They are in the bottom five in the league in first-down yardage. But this week was something especially repulsive. The Cowboys ran 66 plays and of those they had 9 penalties, 1 interception, 4 sacks, and negative yardage on 10 others. 24 of 66 plays went the wrong way. This against a defense that saw Eli Manning carve them up to the tune of 40 points and 500 passing yards the week before. Maybe Jerry needs to hire a GM and Garrett needs to hire an O-coordinator.
S
S
Monday, September 24, 2012
Winning Ugly and More
Hard to imagine 2 more ugly wins than what got from the Cowboys and Tigers this weekend.
Romo will not make it through the year, no way. Without any overreacting, the o-line has to be one of the worst 5 in the league. They are being dominated. Free is a complete disaster and fooled our GM into a huge contract. The 3 interior linemen are marginal or journeymen at best. I just hate to see us waste the talent we have at the skill positions. What can be done? I really can't blame Callahan; there just isn't any talent to work with.
The Auburn game is a perfect example of why I hate all the early season chatter. You don't know what you have until a road conference game. What's funny about LSU is that while we scratch our heads at a 12-10 win against a poor opponent, the coach revels in it. He loves that crap.
On another couple of notes about LA football: what's up with ULM? They nearly beat 3 straight BCS teams? What is going on with the north LA coaches? Tech goes to Illinois and blows out the Illini? What? Who are these guys?
I love the way the Shanahans have created an offense to utilize RG3, but he will get hurt. Amazing athlete, but not big enough to play that way and take the hits.
Pete Rozelle must be resting in peace; the NFL is all parity. From week to week, no telling what the results will be. Fine line in the NFL. Saints can't win a game, the Cardinals can't lose. What? It's all there for the taking with a competent GM and coach. Hmm?
Allen is running the ball again, mauling the 1st 4 opponents up front. But while last year they could not run, this year they cannot pass, and it will cost them. FYI, the backup QB is a sophomore and the son of former A&M QB Kevin Murray. He has some ability, but a little small. Westerberg is playing him every 3rd or 4th series, getting him ready. I will be interested to watch him grow as a player over the next 2 years.
S
Romo will not make it through the year, no way. Without any overreacting, the o-line has to be one of the worst 5 in the league. They are being dominated. Free is a complete disaster and fooled our GM into a huge contract. The 3 interior linemen are marginal or journeymen at best. I just hate to see us waste the talent we have at the skill positions. What can be done? I really can't blame Callahan; there just isn't any talent to work with.
The Auburn game is a perfect example of why I hate all the early season chatter. You don't know what you have until a road conference game. What's funny about LSU is that while we scratch our heads at a 12-10 win against a poor opponent, the coach revels in it. He loves that crap.
On another couple of notes about LA football: what's up with ULM? They nearly beat 3 straight BCS teams? What is going on with the north LA coaches? Tech goes to Illinois and blows out the Illini? What? Who are these guys?
I love the way the Shanahans have created an offense to utilize RG3, but he will get hurt. Amazing athlete, but not big enough to play that way and take the hits.
Pete Rozelle must be resting in peace; the NFL is all parity. From week to week, no telling what the results will be. Fine line in the NFL. Saints can't win a game, the Cardinals can't lose. What? It's all there for the taking with a competent GM and coach. Hmm?
Allen is running the ball again, mauling the 1st 4 opponents up front. But while last year they could not run, this year they cannot pass, and it will cost them. FYI, the backup QB is a sophomore and the son of former A&M QB Kevin Murray. He has some ability, but a little small. Westerberg is playing him every 3rd or 4th series, getting him ready. I will be interested to watch him grow as a player over the next 2 years.
S
10 Days from History?
We could be just 10 days from history and something not seen since we were toddlers. Miguel Cabrera has all bold ink in the 3 classic categories. As you can see below his career is on a hall of fame track even if he is somewhat under the radar for most non-serious baseball fans. As a life-long fan of the game, I can't help but hope it happens. He is a great hitter and would be deserving.
S
S
Standard Batting
| Year | Age | Tm | Lg | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | TB | GDP | HBP | SH | SF | IBB | Pos | Awards | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 20 | FLA | NL | 87 | 346 | 314 | 39 | 84 | 21 | 3 | 12 | 62 | 0 | 2 | 25 | 84 | .268 | .325 | .468 | .793 | 106 | 147 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 75 | MVP-27,RoY-5 |
| 2004 | 21 | FLA | NL | 160 | 685 | 603 | 101 | 177 | 31 | 1 | 33 | 112 | 5 | 2 | 68 | 148 | .294 | .366 | .512 | .879 | 130 | 309 | 20 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 5 | *97/D | AS,MVP-22 |
| 2005 | 22 | FLA | NL | 158 | 685 | 613 | 106 | 198 | 43 | 2 | 33 | 116 | 1 | 0 | 64 | 125 | .323 | .385 | .561 | .947 | 151 | 344 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 12 | *75 | AS,MVP-5,SS |
| 2006 | 23 | FLA | NL | 158 | 676 | 576 | 112 | 195 | 50 | 2 | 26 | 114 | 9 | 6 | 86 | 108 | .339 | .430 | .568 | .998 | 159 | 327 | 18 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 27 | *5/D | AS,MVP-5,SS |
| 2007 | 24 | FLA | NL | 157 | 680 | 588 | 91 | 188 | 38 | 2 | 34 | 119 | 2 | 1 | 79 | 127 | .320 | .401 | .565 | .965 | 150 | 332 | 17 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 23 | *5/D | AS,MVP-15 |
| 2008 | 25 | DET | AL | 160 | 684 | 616 | 85 | 180 | 36 | 2 | 37 | 127 | 1 | 0 | 56 | 126 | .292 | .349 | .537 | .887 | 130 | 331 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 6 | *35/D | MVP-13 |
| 2009 | 26 | DET | AL | 160 | 685 | 611 | 96 | 198 | 34 | 0 | 34 | 103 | 6 | 2 | 68 | 107 | .324 | .396 | .547 | .942 | 144 | 334 | 22 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 14 | *3/D | MVP-4 |
| 2010 | 27 | DET | AL | 150 | 648 | 548 | 111 | 180 | 45 | 1 | 38 | 126 | 3 | 3 | 89 | 95 | .328 | .420 | .622 | 1.042 | 178 | 341 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 32 | *3/D | AS,MVP-2,SS |
| 2011 | 28 | DET | AL | 161 | 688 | 572 | 111 | 197 | 48 | 0 | 30 | 105 | 2 | 1 | 108 | 89 | .344 | .448 | .586 | 1.033 | 179 | 335 | 24 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 22 | *3/D | AS,MVP-5 |
| 2012 | 29 | DET | AL | 151 | 659 | 586 | 105 | 194 | 40 | 0 | 42 | 133 | 4 | 1 | 64 | 92 | .331 | .396 | .614 | 1.010 | 169 | 360 | 28 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 15 | *5/D3 | AS |
| 10 Yrs | 1502 | 6436 | 5627 | 957 | 1791 | 386 | 13 | 319 | 1117 | 33 | 18 | 707 | 1101 | .318 | .395 | .562 | .957 | 151 | 3160 | 194 | 42 | 5 | 55 | 159 | |||||
| 162 Game Avg. | 162 | 694 | 607 | 103 | 193 | 42 | 1 | 34 | 120 | 4 | 2 | 76 | 119 | .318 | .395 | .562 | .957 | 151 | 341 | 21 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 17 | |||||
Only Josh
The Natural misses another week of action while the Rangers keep any news under wraps. Today we get this statement from the team:
Rangers officials said that Hamilton saw an optometrist and was diagnosed with ocular keratitis, a drying of the cornea caused by too much caffeine and energy drinks.
I've never seen an athlete miss more games in creative ways than Hamilton. He has to be the most addictive personality we've ever encountered. Drugs, alchohol, tobacco, now energy drinks. I'm enamored of the talent, but simply no way I could guarantee him a long contract.
S
Rangers officials said that Hamilton saw an optometrist and was diagnosed with ocular keratitis, a drying of the cornea caused by too much caffeine and energy drinks.
I've never seen an athlete miss more games in creative ways than Hamilton. He has to be the most addictive personality we've ever encountered. Drugs, alchohol, tobacco, now energy drinks. I'm enamored of the talent, but simply no way I could guarantee him a long contract.
S
Monday, September 3, 2012
Bama beat down
If we learned anything from Michigan speedsters, it's that nobody outruns Bama.
Freshman RB Veldin looked great and the we know the db's will get better as the year advances.
J
Freshman RB Veldin looked great and the we know the db's will get better as the year advances.
J
LSU
I realize that it was my wife's alma mater Saturday night, but I really did not see anything new on offense. Yes, Mettenberger threw For 19 of 26, but I saw nothing to suggest that the team will be more diverse than when Lee was Qb last year.
The positive is that his 192 yards was exceeded twice last year. Lee had 213 at Starkville and JJ with 202. JJ finished his last 4 games with 77, 202 Ark, 30 and 53 yards against Bama. That makes me distrust any passing expectations from Miles.
Maybe, I am being harsh, but the run set up the pass and we all know that the run will not set up the pass against Bama and the big boys.
Blue looked good and Hillard is now a Cedric Benson kinda back. I still want Ford with 12 carries a game and hope to see Hill before Ware.
I still figure they may be the only team to challenge Bama for the title.
J
The positive is that his 192 yards was exceeded twice last year. Lee had 213 at Starkville and JJ with 202. JJ finished his last 4 games with 77, 202 Ark, 30 and 53 yards against Bama. That makes me distrust any passing expectations from Miles.
Maybe, I am being harsh, but the run set up the pass and we all know that the run will not set up the pass against Bama and the big boys.
Blue looked good and Hillard is now a Cedric Benson kinda back. I still want Ford with 12 carries a game and hope to see Hill before Ware.
I still figure they may be the only team to challenge Bama for the title.
J
Profar
Jurickson Profar is 19 years old and the best player, reportedly, in the minors.
What a start! When I heard he homered in his first at bat, I never expected a ball 15 rows back in right field Nice and smooth left handed stroke. At 5 foot 11, 165lbs I never expected the pop.
Elvis may want to quit the gossip on his contract talks and make sure he keeps his improvements through the playoffs.
Somebody break up the money ball Oakland A's!
J
What a start! When I heard he homered in his first at bat, I never expected a ball 15 rows back in right field Nice and smooth left handed stroke. At 5 foot 11, 165lbs I never expected the pop.
Elvis may want to quit the gossip on his contract talks and make sure he keeps his improvements through the playoffs.
Somebody break up the money ball Oakland A's!
J
Sunday, September 2, 2012
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