Mad Stork Sports on ScatterRadio Podcast For 6-27-12

The Mad Stork Sports podcast is ready. The audio
is awful and the show is shorter, so why should you
listen? Well their is plenty of Euro 2012 talk,
plenty of talk regarding the new BCS playoff system,
and my take on C.C. Sabathia's quest for 300 wins.
Check it out!



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Death Of The 300 Game Winner? Not Yet

NY Yankee, and Raiders fan CC Sabathia on the Raiders sideline.
Courtesy - Raiders/Tony Gonzales

Sunday night, I, like many of you around the country
tuned in to ESPN to watch what could have been a
match up for the ages, 9-3 C.C. Sabathia vs 11-1
R.A. Dickey, clearly we didn't get it. What I did
come away with though, is that we may still see a
300 game winner in our lifetime.

What with all the pitch counts, innings limits, and
five man rotations, it seemed as though it would be
next to impossible to ever have a legitimate shot
at a 300 game winner. That's when I heard one of
the announcers spew another fact, and that was that
at the age of 31 (as of today), C.C. Sabathia has
185 wins, and that in turn immediately reminded me
that he has been averaging 20 wins a season for the
past three seasons, and on his way to another 20 this
year. If we then take a realistic estimate, and say
that he will pitch 6 more seasons after this, and
again modestly say that with highs in the beginning
and lows near the end he could average 17 wins per
year, he would be at 300 without any real problem.
Of course he would need to stay off the DL, and
remain with the Yankees or a team like the Yankees
that can steal a win or two for you now and then.
Even with that even if he only averages 14 per
year, all he has to do is what every fading star
does when they're near such a milestone, hang on
for dear life, find a team that craves being part
of your history and experience and average 7-10
wins for the next 2-3 seasons.

I looked at the active pitchers ahead of C.C., and
though there are four, they are no major threat to
get there either before him or at all. Jamie Moyer
at 86 years of age has 269 wins, is out of baseball,
and will retire any decade now. Andy Petitte is
next up with 243 w's, but he should be crying for
his Mommy any day now and return to Texas to be with
his family. Roy Halladay and Tim Hudson are both
ahead of Sabathia with 192 and 187 wins respectively,
but they are both older than C.C. at 35 and 36 years
of age, and at this stage do not appear as durable,
or have enough time left to make up the ground needed
to pull off such an amazing and arduous task.

So though I think that the death of the 300 game winner
as we know it may be a bit premature to announce, it
is likely that last very last one may very well be in
our midst as we speak. If teams keep limiting guys
like Stephen Strasburg to 100 pitches and 160 innings
per year you better get a ticket to any game Sabathia
pitches from now on, you are likely to be watching the
last of it's kind in the way of 300 game winners.

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Ranting With Rizzo Podcast For 6-23-12

The "Ranting with Rizzo" podcast is available now,
Clemens and Sandusky are part of the conversation
in this episode, as are the NBA Champion Miami Heat.
We take a closer look around the majors, and answer
some out of town listener email. Enjoy the podcast:



Tweet Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

A.J. Burnett's Re-Emergence, May Be Ed Whitson Syndrome

Courtesy ESPN

The Pittsburgh Pirates are finally getting some
attention again. Clint Hurdle has done a great
job making them relevant again, last year they
added at the trade deadline instead of subtracting
for a change and though Yankee fans would like to
think that their franchise is the only franchise
with any history, the Pirates were once a proud
and storied franchise as well.

Then comes along a trade this off season for both
of these organizations that couldn't have been a
better fit, the Yankees get rid of an albatross
that they clearly overpaid in A.J. Burnett, and
the Pirates get an ace at a discount. This may
sound contradictory, but it isn't. The Pirates
don't have the payroll the Yankees have, they may
never have it. The Yankees can outspend anyone,
but they can't afford to keep this kind of DEAD
money, and negative energy around. Their you have
it, the perfect trade. The Yankees paid about 85%
of his salary and Pirates have their ace.

You see, it seems that A.J. Burnett may have come
down with Ed Whitson syndrome while in NY. The
signs weren't as blatant and obvious as they were
with Whitson, but now that A.J. is a Pirate, they
are a bit clearer to see. Burnett is 8-2 with a
3.24 ERA, and if it wasn't for one major blowout
in which he was left in too long and allowed twelve
runs over 2 2/3 innings against the Cardinals in
his second start of the season, his Era is a tiny
1.87. Though many will argue that he pitches in
the NL and there is no DH, he got a 4-1 victory vs
Detroit last night, and upped his record against.
the American League to 4-0 this year with a 2.08
Era, two of those are in the AL ballpark and his
ERA there is still an impressive 2.84. I could
throw numbers at you all day, and if I try hard
enough, I can make them all work in my favor, but
I will leave you with one last one which is truly
and Ed Whitson syndrome supporter; A.J. Burnett's
career W-L numbers are 129-113, but as a Yankee he
was 34-35, and this is a team that won close to 95
games every year. Just in case you think this is
only an AL thing, well he was 38-26 with the Blue
Jays and they never won anything in his time there.

The Ed Whitson legend in NY is a little exaggerated,
but so are so many things in NY. His record as a
Yankee was actually a winning one, 15-10, but a 5.38
Era and an inability to pitch at Yankee stadium along
with constant scrutiny from George Steinbrenner and
Yankee fans, made it impossible for him to ever win
the hearts and minds of anyone there. He also had a
better record in the AL, 19-12, than he did in the NL,
107-111, but the legend lives on in NY, and though
the syndrome may not be medically recognized, it does
indeed exist.

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Sandusky Jury Deliberates, Just Hope This Isn't Another Blown Case

I know it's not the Federal government and steroids,
it's much more important and sensitive than that.
I also know it's not a another political witchhunt
chasing John Edwards for chasing skirts on the dime
of his donors, it's a lot less shallow than that.
What I do know is this; if Jerry Sandusky is let
off the hook for what he is "accused" of doing to
those young boys, it will be the biggest miscarriage
of justice this side of the O.J. Simpson debacle.

It's a shame the jury can't see or hear it, but it
would have been nice if Matt, Jerry's adopted son
would have come out a little sooner and added his
testimony to that of the 14 other victims, instead
of waiting until it was too late. Matt Sandusky
now says, he too was abused by Jerry, but I'm sure
his "Mom" begs to differ, and will insist that
nothing went on in that house without her knowing
about it Zzzzzzzzzzz.

This isn't Lance Armstrong, Barry Bonds, or even
Roger Clemens, those guy were/are egotistical jocks
who wanted money and fame. This guy IS a monster
who preys on little kids. Hang him!

Tweet Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Mad Stork Sports on ScatterRadio Podcast For 6-20-12

The weather is HOT, so is this podcast and so are
the NBA Finals, tune in as we look at the Heat and
Thunder, how the MLB season is shaping out, R.A.
Dickey and much much more in this Mad Stork Sports
podcast, Check it out!



Tweet Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Roger Clemens Verdict A Product Of Minor League Prosecution

AP Photo

Roger Clemens may have been found not guilty in a
court of law this week, but it's beyond clear that
in the court of public opinion he's practically on
death row he's so guilty. The justice department
had all but a slam dunk case against him and got
beat by Roger the dodger and his trusty lawyer,
some guy named Rusty. The government had DNA
evidence, first hand accounts, and more, and yet
they couldn't close the deal.

No one here should really be surprised of this
outcome though, they botched it with Barry Bonds
too. It's been clear since even the days before
O.J. got away with murder, that if you have enough
money for great legal counsel, you have a excellent
chance of getting away it. Many of these young
prosecutors may turn out great one day, but it's
cases like this that give you an idea of why the
real good attorneys turn to the private sector for
big bucks. I can't argue what many of you are
probably thinking, and that is that their are bigger
fish to fry, and that this was a waste of money,
but if you're going to go after them, it would be
nice to get a guilty verdict once in a while.

Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds may have "gotten away
with it", but if there's any justice, the only way
they'll ever get to Cooperstown, NY is by buying a
ticket. That goes for Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmiero,
Sammy Sosa and the rest of the cheats.

Tweet Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Ranting With Rizzo Podcast For 6-16-12

The "Ranting with Rizzo" podcast is available now,
and baseball is the bulk of the conversation in this
episode. I take a look around the majors, and even
find some time for the NBA Finals. Enjoy the podcast:



Tweet Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Can R.A. Dickey Catch Tom Seaver Or Denny McLain?

Maybe it hasn't been this exact question, but this
question in some form or another has been asked a
few times for sure since 1968. The reason to bring
up Seaver is because of the obvious, both he and
Dickey are/were Mets, but outside of Denny McClain,
you can fill in the blank depending on which teams
record holder your talking about.

Tonight R.A. Dickey goes for his eleventh win of
the season against the Baltimore Orioles with only
one loss thus far, and though it's clearly a little
too early to imagine R.A. getting 30 wins, it is a
little more likely that he can approach the Mets
single season wins record holder Tom Seaver if he
gets past tonight's hurdle. Denny McClain is NOT
the record holder for mos wins in a season, but he
is the most recent 30 game winner, having done this
in 1968 with the Detroit Tigers. Seaver went 25-7
in 1969 and since both of those two went on to win
the World Series that year it's certainly a sign the
New York Mets organization will welcome as a good
omen if ever there was one. The Mets just got over
one major hurdle of being one of only two teams in
existence without a no-hitter, the other being the
San Diego Padres, and that took 50 years, so why not
dream BIG.

It would be irresponsible of me if I didn't point out
that the 30 game winner watch happens often, in case
you haven't noticed, and I thought sure Ubaldo Jimenez
had an excellent shot at it in 2010 when he got off to
a 15-1 start and was sitting on a 2.20 Era, but Jimenez
flamed out pretty badly and finished the season with a
record of 19-8 and a 2.88 Era after going 4-7 the rest
of the way and not even winning 20 games or even the
Cy Young award for that matter.

Since Seavers 25 wins the closest we've come to the
30 win mark in recent history is Bob Welch and his 27
wins in 1990 while pitching for the Oakland A's, but
they lost the World Series, so much for omens. With
so many near no-hitters, and perfect games, as well as
the ones that have been thrown this season, it's clear
that pitchers are beginning to take back some of what's
theirs and that can only favor Dickey's quest for THIRTY
if he gets close enough. Yes, it's too early to think
THIRTY wins, especially for a knuckle baller, but since
a pitch count is one thing that knuckle ball pitchers
don't have to fear and have in their favor, if Dickey
wins tonight, don't be surprised to hear the 30 game
winner talk start to make the rounds sooner or later.


Tweet Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Mad Stork Sports on ScatterRadio Podcast For 6-13-12

We talk about that and the NBA Finals, how the MLB
season is shaping out, and much much more in this
Mad Stork Sports podcast, Check it out!



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Jason Bay Concussion May Be A Mets Break

Sipkin/NY Daily News

You never wish anyone one true harm, and I certainly
don't, to what many believe to be one of baseball's
true good guys, but let's face it, the Jason Bay
signing by the New York Mets has been one of the
colossal busts of all time in pro sports. The only
reason this signing hasn't received more negative
press by the national media is because Bay isn't a
major league a$$hole, otherwise it would be much
easier to pick on him and the Mets for the flop.

Pro sports isn't about which team can put together
the roster with the most nice guys, it helps when
they're not pompous jerks, but so does winning a
few games. The Mets have been doing pretty well
this season, especially with the youngsters called
up from the minors to fill in for injured players
such as Bay, and when Bay returned things got worse
not better, as you might hope with a returning vet
"star". It took Bay more than a dozen at bats
before his first hit, and even his outs were awful
to watch. Now Jason may have another concussion,
and for his sake, and the sake of his family I hope
he doesn't he'll be ok, but it may be the break
the Mets need to continue on what could very well
be a very special season for them. They have been
playing better without him these days, and have for
awhile now, their youth is ready to take over, and
the price tag is much cheaper.

I wish Jason Bay the best, in health, wealth, and
happiness, but I hope he never plays another inning
or takes another single at bat for the Mets, he has
already cost them, and their fans way too much.
I never thought the Bay signing was a bad one, but
I did think it was a bad one for the money they gave
him. I made the analogy that I would definitely
pay $1.50 for a loaf of bread, but I most certainly
wouldn't pay $73.99 for that same of loaf of bread,
and that's what the Mets did. They bought it, over
paid for it and in turn had to try and eat it. They
couldn't let it get moldy or thrown out. They had to
play him, they kinda had no choice, but now they do.

Tweet Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Ranting With Rizzo Podcast For 6-9-12

The "Ranting with Rizzo" podcast is available now, and
you can have a listen to my view on how my view of game
7 between the Heat and Celtics might end. I take a look
around the majors, and even talk a little Tim Thomas.
Enjoy the podcast:



Tweet Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

LeBron Not A Choker, The Celtics Are Just Winners

(Damian Strohmeyer/SI)

Though you might get it right once in a while when
you call LeBron James a choker, more often than not
he isn't, and this debate could go on for quite a
bit, but this isn't my point. There is plenty of
blame to go around when it comes to the fact that
the Heat had a 2-0 lead and is now down 3-2.

The guy who often gets a pass in Miami is Dwayne
Wade, and that's because he already brought the
Heat a ring once before, but he is as much if not
more to blame than James is for this recent and
what seems to be inevitable collapse. Chris Bosh
gets the least respect of all in that threesome,
and his return didn't get him any more in last
nights loss. To the naked eye it may seem like
the Miami Heat can't lose, but they aren't really
built to win either. Lots of money invested in 3
guys, and fingers crossed on the rest of the roster.

The Boston Celtics know how to win, it just that
simple. Three years from now if this group is
allowed to stay together you may be able to say
the same about them too, but this win now mentality
has doomed in the short term. They put that bulls
eye on their own back, and they said they wanted it
that way, well the pressure is and microscope is
killing them. Don't tell me that they went to the
Finals last year and could this year too. The Heat
has not won anything yet, and until they do, they
are just another answer to a who lost trivia question.

I knew the Celtics had their number, and could beat
Miami, and still I picked the Heat in six. Why?
Age, but age is also another word for experience, and
now that James, Wade, Bosh, and Spoelstra have left
the door open, Doc Rivers and crew know what to do
once the get inside. For their sake I just hope their
sciatica doesn't kick in.

Tweet Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Ranting With Rizzo Podcast For 6-2-12

The "Ranting with Rizzo" Johan Santana No hitter podcast
is available now, have a listen to my view on this and
my look at the Heat Celtics series. Enjoy the podcast:



Tweet Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Mad Stork Sports on ScatterRadio Podcast For 5-30-12

We talk about that and the NBA playoffs, how the MLB
season is shaping out, and so much more in this Mad
Stork Sports podcast, so here you go!



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