Yanks on brink of title, and baseball's natural order returns
Perhaps as soon as tonight, the New York Yankees could clinch their 27th World Series championship and bring relief to their fans who have endured the horror of doing without a title since 2000.
I mean, seriously, what do Chicago Cubs fans know about suffering compared with that?
But the Yankees are on the brink, ahead of the Phillies three games to one following Sunday's 7-4 victory in a Series that seems to be restoring the natural order of things. TV ratings are way up, for one thing, and that's because of the Yankees.
The Tampa Bay Rays were a grand story last year, but sporting America didn't tune in when they played the Phillies in the World Series -- ratings were at historically low levels. Repeated weather delays had a lot to do with that, but there's just no getting around it: America loves to watch the Yankees.
They are the closest thing we have to a national team.
I picked the Yankees to be in just this spot when we published our predictions for the season (as the man once said, you can look it up -- or you could just trust me). I also picked the Rays as a wild card, but that's not important right now.
Truth is, I didn't feel all that good about picking the Yankees. People were already predicting manager Joe Girardi would get fired by Memorial Day, for one thing. That's never good. Alex Rodriguez had the truth come out about his steroid use and then missed most of the spring and start of the season because of a hip injury.
I also wasn't sure how free agent pitchers CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett would react to the kind of scrutiny that is part of daily life with the Yankees. And when the team got off to a slow start, it really did seem like things could implode.
You have to credit Girardi, though, with holding things together. Remember when the Yankees lost the first eight games they played against Boston, and the Red Sox seemed to be running away with the American League East? Seems like a long time ago, doesn't it?
The captain, Derek Jeter, was simply magnificent all season long. He won't win the MVP award, but he has to at least be in the conversation. He'll also be in the Hall of Fame after he retires to the compound he is building on Davis Islands.
But something else stood out to me as the season ground along. When the Yankees were dominating in mid- to late 1990s -- winning four World Series titles in five years -- they were quiet, focused and ruthless professionals. The 1998 team that won 114 regular-season games and 125 overall was the best collection of talent since Cincinnati's legendary Big Red Machine teams of the 1970s.
This group had a lot of that same stuff.
After all the A-Rod stuff in the spring, you really didn't hear that much about the Yankees -- beyond the fact they seemed to be winning every night. Once the playoffs began, they simply continued to roll.
And now, here they are.
One win to go.
And, I suspect, it's just the start. These Yankees probably have another two or three championships in them, at least. Next time you run into a TV executive, tell them that. They'll thank you for it.
(c) The Tampa Tribune.
Louisville Baseball Releases 2010 Schedule
LOUISVILLE, Ky. --- University of Louisville baseball head coach Dan McDonnell released the Cardinals' 2010 schedule on Thursday and it includes 31 games at Jim Patterson Stadium, 41 games against BCS Conference schools and 12 games against NCAA Regional teams from last year.
The Cards, which won swept the BIG EAST Conference and regular season titles and advanced to the NCAA Super Regional in 2009, will play seven games against Big Ten competition and six games against Southeastern Conference teams, including a three-game series at reigning SEC champion Ole Miss.
''The 2010 schedule features some great opponents in some great venues that should really challenge our squad each week,'' said McDonnell, who is 135-63 in three seasons in Louisville, including three straight NCAA appearances and back-to-back BIG EAST Tournament titles in 2008 and 2009. ''As in years past, we continue to put an emphasis on playing against the best competition in the nation by scheduling more than 40 games against teams from the BCS conferences, as well as numerous NCAA Regional caliber squads. And as always, we've made it a priority to take advantage of having one of the top home facilities in the nation by playing more than 30 games at Jim Patterson Stadium.''
Louisville will open the 2010 season at home on Feb. 19-21 with a three-game series against reigning Mid-American Conference champion Bowling Green at Jim Patterson Stadium and will follow that with a mid-week game at home against Morehead State on Feb. 23.
The Cardinals will then take to the road for the first time for their first appearance in the Big Ten/BIG EAST Challenge hosted by St. Petersburg/Clearwater Sports Commission on Feb. 26-28. Louisville will play Michigan on Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Dunedin Stadium, spring training home for the Toronto Blue Jays, in the only night game on the opening day of the event, which will feature 10 games each day matching up teams from the Big Ten and BIG EAST.
Following the opener, the Cardinals will face Michigan State on Saturday, Feb. 27 at 4:30 p.m. ET at Jack Russell Stadium, the longtime spring headquarters for the Philadelphia Phillies, while Louisville's finale will be against Minnesota, a 2009 NCAA Regional squad, on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 1 p.m. ET at the Naimoli Complex, former spring training host for the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Cards will return home from Florida to host a five-game homestand at Jim Patterson Stadium. Louisville will host a mid-week game against Evansville (March 3), a three-game weekend series with NCAA Division I independent Le Moyne College (March 5-7) and a mid-week game against Indiana (March 9) in a rematch of the last year's NCAA Regional first round game in Louisville. The Cardinals will play a return game against the Hoosiers on March 30 in Bloomington.
U of L will then return to the road for a three-game series in Oxford, Miss., against Ole Miss on March 12-14 in a match-up of reigning conference championship programs. It will also be a reunion for McDonnell, who served as an assistant coach at Ole Miss from 2001-06, and Cards' senior first baseman Andrew Clark, who played one season for the Rebels before transferring to Louisville.
After hosting 2009 NCAA Regional team Xavier on March 15 for Elementary School Day at Patterson Stadium, the Cardinals will host their final non-conference weekend series on March 19-21 against Ball State.
Following a mid-week return game at Evansville on March 23, the Cards will the defense of their 2009 BIG EAST Conference title with a three-game series at home against Connecticut on March 26-28 at Jim Patterson Stadium. The series will be a rematch of last year's BIG EAST Tournament title game, won by Louisville 11-3 in Clearwater, Fla.
Along with UConn, the Cardinals will host BIG EAST foes Villanova (April 1-3), Seton Hall (April 23-25), Rutgers (April 30-May 2) and St. John's (May 14-16). Louisville will play four BIG EAST opponents on the road, including Pittsburgh (April 9-11), West Virginia (April 16-18), Georgetown (May 7-9) and Notre Dame (May 20-22).
The Cardinals will play the first of two games against rival Kentucky on April 6 in Lexington, while the Wildcats will visit Jim Patterson Stadium in Louisville on April 28. U of L will also play two games against 2009 NCAA Regional squad Western Kentucky on April 14 in Bowling Green and on April 21 in Louisville and a mid-week home game against in-state foe Eastern Kentucky on May 18.
On May 4-5, Louisville will travel to Columbus, Ohio for a two-game, mid-week series against 2009 NCAA Regional participant Ohio State, while on May 11, the Cards will be in Nashville, Tenn., for a mid-week game at Vanderbilt in a rematch of last year's NCAA Regional title game, which was won by Louisville 5-3.
The 2010 BIG EAST Championship is set for May 26-30 at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla., where the Cardinals have won the last two tournament titles and have an 11-2 record overall. The 2010 NCAA Championship is set to begin on June 4 with regional play.
The 2010 Louisville squad returns seven position starters and most of its pitching staff from a team that finished the season ranked 14th in the nation after making the program's second NCAA Super Regional appearance in McDonnell's three years as the head coach.
(c) Kentucky Post.
Baseball: Agreste Named to Top Prospects List
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. --- Former West Virginia University baseball player Joe Agreste has been tabbed as the seventh-best Independent League prospect by Baseball America, the North Carolina-based publication announced.
Agreste, who was a standout first baseman at WVU from 2008-09, was named the Gateway Grizzlies Newcomer of the Year this past season. The Chesapeake, Va., native batted .303 with five home runs, 33 RBIs, 18 doubles, four triples and 35 runs scored. He also committed just three errors in 46 games at first base.
"Joe Agreste is a great young talent," said Grizzlies Manager Phil Warren. "He has clearly made the transition from aluminum to wood with no setbacks. His approach at the plate is further along than his age might dictate."
Agreste was among the team's leaders in nearly every category, including on-base percentage (.402) and slugging percentage (.537). He drew praise from several Major League scouts while playing in the Frontier League because of his defensive ability, his speed (6.7 in the 60-yard dash) and having a smooth, natural left-handed swing.
"He was here early and here late. He had a good left-handed swing and a good approach -- a lot better then most kids you see his age," Warren added.
In his two-year career at WVU, Agreste batted .314 with 11 home runs, 96 RBIs, 30 doubles, eight triples and 118 hits in 105 games. He earned all-Big East third team honors in 2008, and was an integral part of WVU's recording-breaking 2009 team that set school marks for batting average (.360), RBIs (491), doubles (161), extra base hits (242) and runs scored (525).
In 2006, he was drafted out of Potomac State by the Seattle Mariners in the 32nd round before opting to attend WVU for his final two seasons.
"As well as he is doing now, he will only do better once he reaches his body's strength potential and is able to pull the inside pitch with authority consistently, Warren continued. "He is the first player on the field and the last to leave. He works harder than anyone else. He is a great clubhouse presence and a great example for the rest of the team to emulate.
''I am excited to see what the future holds for Joe and his career playing baseball. I firmly believe he is deserving of his rank on the Baseball America list."
Agreste is tied for third on WVU's single-season triples list, and is tied for seventh on the school's career list despite playing just two seasons.
All 10 of Baseball America's 2008 Independent League prospects are now playing in a Major League Baseball organization, with many of them reaching the upper levels of the Minor Leagues.
(c) 2009 MSNsportsNET.com. All Rights Reserved.
Baseball's playoff schedule strikes out
Almost two score years before a first-round Major League Baseball playoff was postponed because of Mile High snow, the inimitable Red Smith covered the first after-dark World Series game. His lucky subscribers included the Binghamton Press Co. Inc.
The Pirates beat the Orioles, 4-3, on a 1971 Wednesday evening at Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Stadium, before the largest crowd in franchise history. On Thursday, the Bucs tied the series on a two-hit shutout-- 406th World Series daytime game, 393 before divisional playoffs.
"It has been entertainment up to now, with historical implications almost too great to bear," Smith wrote after the latter, a touch snidely.
"The baseball that Luke Walker threw to start (the night game) has already been impounded for exhibit in the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. The last ball that (Nelson) Briles pitched should similarly be enshrined as the last ever thrown in a World Series on a mid-week afternoon.
"Attendance figures have proven beyond cavil the economic necessity of playing these things at night in the future," wrote Red. "Pittsburgh is a mill town whose residents have to work on weekdays. Thus this afternoon's gate count was only 51,377. Last night, it was a healthy 51,378."
The man typed with a sharp needle.
"It won't always be thus. In their fawning eagerness to keep the network sponsors happy, baseball's rulers will schedule three night games in next year's World Series. Those games could be played as far north as Minnesota."
Red Smith, upon occasion, savored moonshine. But his lifelong preference for baseball was sunshine.
Shorter than usual on sleep, I hadn't the energy to clock the finishing hour of first-round playoff games this month. Last year, an Oklahoma writer named Berry Tramel noted 11 postseason games finishing after midnight Eastern. Schoolkids and "day workers," constituencies no longer deprived of weekday games, do need sleep.
"Almost 40 years ago, the time had come to put baseball's greatest event in prime time. Now the time has come to start the journey back," Berry wrote.
And now, we're blessed with the first World Series ever scheduled to run into November. I covered a World Series that ended on October 2.
Bud Selig, recognizing a problem, has listed starting times earlier than 8 p.m. for the first time in 30 years. At 7:57 instead.
Close company
There is no denying in one respect, though doomed soon to end, an unexpectedly close relationship between the current Binghamton University and Georgetown U. basketball teams.
In the recruiting-news magazine HoopScoop Online's preseason 2009-2010 college rankings -- with a 1-2-3 of Kansas-Texas-Michigan State -- the Bearcats are No. 28 and Georgetown No. 29. BU is ahead of 22 Big East and Atlantic Coast Conference teams-- Syracuse, Wake Forest and others like UCLA.
HoopScoop founder and publisher Clark Francis released his Top 30 forecast on Aug. 31 The next day, it was repeated on the BU athletic Web site. Things happened: On the latter, it is now deleted-- too painful a memory. Francis, however, recently told me he doesn't change his rankings until the games begin. Games for the newly emasculated BU lineup begin next month.
Francis began his Louisville-based publication, on paper then, in the mid-1980s. Today, providing almost daily recruiting online updates, subscribers pay $499 a year. Francis says, "We look at things in ways nobody else does ... and as a result sometimes stir things up-- but that's part of our charm."
Before the mass BU dismissals, Francis ranked BU even higher (27th) in separate evaluation of rosters' talent.
"Kevin Broadus is one of the best recruiters in the country," Francis told me this month. "When a school hires him, its basketball success rises. When he leaves, so does the success."
Even when on paid leave, he's sure to now clarify.
And now, we're blessed with the first World Series ever scheduled to run into November. I covered a World Series that ended on October 2.
Bud Selig, recognizing a problem, has listed starting times earlier than 8 p.m. for the first time in 30 years. At 7:57 instead.
Close company
There is no denying in one respect, though doomed soon to end, an unexpectedly close relationship between the current Binghamton University and Georgetown U. basketball teams.
In the recruiting-news magazine HoopScoop Online's preseason 2009-2010 college rankings -- with a 1-2-3 of Kansas-Texas-Michigan State -- the Bearcats are No. 28 and Georgetown No. 29. BU is ahead of 22 Big East and Atlantic Coast Conference teams-- Syracuse, Wake Forest and others like UCLA.
HoopScoop founder and publisher Clark Francis released his Top 30 forecast on Aug. 31 The next day, it was repeated on the BU athletic Web site. Things happened: On the latter, it is now deleted-- too painful a memory. Francis, however, recently told me he doesn't change his rankings until the games begin. Games for the newly emasculated BU lineup begin next month.
Francis began his Louisville-based publication, on paper then, in the mid-1980s. Today, providing almost daily recruiting online updates, subscribers pay $499 a year. Francis says, "We look at things in ways nobody else does ... and as a result sometimes stir things up-- but that's part of our charm."
Before the mass BU dismissals, Francis ranked BU even higher (27th) in separate evaluation of rosters' talent.
"Kevin Broadus is one of the best recruiters in the country," Francis told me this month. "When a school hires him, its basketball success rises. When he leaves, so does the success."
Even when on paid leave, he's sure to now clarify.
(c) Press & Sun-Bulletin.
Nittany Lions to Face Cincinnati, Seton Hall & Notre Dame in Big Ten/BIG EAST Baseball Challenge
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Penn State baseball team learned on Wednesday that it will face Cincinnati, Seton Hall and Notre Dame at the 2010 Big Ten/BIG EAST Baseball Challenge, hosted by the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Sports Commission. The event runs for three days, from Feb. 26-28, 2010 in the St. Petersburg and Clearwater area.
This marks the second straight season that the Nittany Lions open their schedule at the Big Ten/BIG EAST challenge. Last year, they went 2-1 record, with wins over Northwestern and Seton Hall. Penn State was one of only six Big Ten squads to post a winning record along with Michigan, Ohio State, Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota.
"We are very happy to once again host the Big Ten/BIG EAST Challenge," said Kevin Smith, director of the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Sports Commission. "The inaugural event exceeded our expectations on all fronts, setting up what we hope will be an even more successful second year. We look forward to providing an opportunity for these fine NCAA Division I baseball programs from two of the nation's most visible conferences to escape the winter cold and come to our area to compete against equally matched opponents at major league-caliber facilities."
Games will be played at five different venues, including current spring training facilities: Bright House Field (Philadelphia Phillies) and Dunedin Stadium (Toronto Blue Jays). Other games will take place at former spring trainings sites, including Jack Russell Stadium (Philadelphia Philies) in Clearwater and two in St. Petersburg: Al Lang Stadium and Naimoli Complex (Tampa Bay Rays).
Penn State opens with Cincinnati on Friday (Feb. 26) at 1 p.m. Then on Saturday, the Lions face Seton Hall at 10 a.m. before a matchup with Notre Dame on Sunday, also at 10 a.m. In total, they will play in three of the five venues: Al Lang Stadium (Friday), Jack Russell Stadium (Saturday) and Naimoli Complex (Sunday).
The Nittany Lions are most familiar with Seton Hall, having played the Pirates last season. Last year's 6-1 win evened the all-time series at 5-5-1. Penn State is 3-8-0 all-time against Notre Dame and has never faced Cincinnati.
(c) 2009 CBS Interactive. All rights reserved.
Rutgers-Academy of Baseball of Canada Exhibition Baseball Contest Canceled
PISCATAWAY, N.J. --- The Rutgers baseball program's exhibition contest with the Academy of Baseball of Canada, set for Friday, Oct. 9 at 3:30 p.m. has been canceled. The Scarlet Knights will host an intrasquad scrimmage instead of the previously-scheduled contest. The game will be played at Bainton Field, the home of the Scarlet Knights.
Rutgers returns eight of its nine starters, including the designated hitter, from a year ago. RU also welcomes back a solid pitching rotation that includes three weekend starters from last spring. Rutgers' top three hitters are back, headlined by junior first baseman Jaren Matthews (Teaneck, N.J.), a two-time All-BIG EAST selection, who hit .328 with eight doubles, a triple and six home runs in 2009. Junior outfielder Michael Lang (Dumont, N.J.) led the team with a .343 batting average, including 17 doubles, two triples and eight home runs last season. Junior outfielder/designated hitter Pat Biserta (Point Pleasant, N.J.) hit .326 with a team-best 18 doubles and five home runs last spring.
RU returns starters senior righty Casey Gaynor (Toms River, N.J.), sophomore righty Willie Beard (Spotswood, N.J.) and senior lefty Dennis Hill (Hillsdale, N.J.).The Scarlet Knights will also welcome back senior righty Matt Giannini (Millington, N.J.), who missed the 2009 season after a stellar 2008 campaign.
The intrasquad contest is part of the festivities associated with Homecoming weekend at Rutgers. Admission to the game is free of charge.
(c) 2009 Rutgers Athletics Communications.
Big East-Big Ten Challenge Schedule Finalized
The 2010 Big East-Big Ten Baseball Challenge schedule has been finalized according to an announcement by API Sports.
Minnesota will open up the Big East-Big Ten Challenge against St. John's at Dunedin Stadium on Friday, Feb. 26 at 3 p.m. (CT). The Golden Gophers will also face Connecticut at Al Lang Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 27 at 12 p.m. (CT) and will wrap up their three games at the Big East-Big Ten Challenge against Louisville on Sunday, Feb. 28 at the Naimoli Complex.
Two of the Golden Gophers' opponents in the Big East-Big Ten Challenge collected 40 wins or more during the 2009 season. Minnesota's first opponent, St. John's, won the Big East regular-season title at 20-7 and went 42-16 overall. The Golden Gophers' second opponent, Connecticut, went 27-28, but advanced to the Big East Tournament Championship game last year. Minnesota's final opponent, Louisville, went 41-21 and advanced to the Super Regionals in 2009.
In the first year of the Big East-Big Ten Challenge, Minnesota went 2-1 with victories over West Virginia and Michigan State, and a loss against Seton Hall.
Last year's Challenge, which featured eight programs from the Big East and all 10 Big Ten baseball programs, was won by the Big Ten, 15-9. Georgetown, which competed in 2009, will not be back in 2010, allowing newcomers Rutgers, Louisville and Villanova to participate. Rounding out the Big East contingent are Cincinnati, Connecticut, Notre Dame, St. John's, Seton Hall, South Florida (USF) and West Virginia. All 10 Big Ten programs will compete in the event.
(c) 2009 University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
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