US soccer is something that over the past three years I have become more and more a fan of. I attended my first game the summer of 2009 at RFK with USA playing Hondorus in the Gold Cup and pulling out a 2-0 win. Santino Quaranta and Brian Ching provided the goals on that day. Of that U.S. quad that first drew me in only two players, Clarence Goodson and Steve Cherundolo, remain. Hopefully with international friendlies over the summer as well as the beginning of world cup qualifying for the U.S. around the corner I will begin to provide some more soccer website for the guys here at O's Bros and Natty Bohs. For now enjoy the following video of Clint Dempey's deciding goal today as well as Lionel Messi's hat trick from earlier today against Switzerland. Sorry ahead of time for the music in the Messi clip.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Big American Victory
Today was a historic day for the U.S. national team. The USMNT beat Italy for their first win against the Azzurri in 11 tries. The one-nil win was also one that should propel the team under Jurgen Klinsmann. In a game that Landon Donovan had to back out of due to illness, Clint Dempsey wore the number 10 jersey instead and provided the deciding goal. The goal was set up by a beautiful settle pass by forward Jozy Altidore who played alone up front. Overall it seemed like outside of a few chances and build ups by the Americans it seemed to me like especially in the closing moments Italy was the one with the better scoring chances.Other players who caught my eye with their play included Tim Howard, Michael Bradley, John Spector and Danny Williams who just may be the long term answer for the U.S. at left back.
US soccer is something that over the past three years I have become more and more a fan of. I attended my first game the summer of 2009 at RFK with USA playing Hondorus in the Gold Cup and pulling out a 2-0 win. Santino Quaranta and Brian Ching provided the goals on that day. Of that U.S. quad that first drew me in only two players, Clarence Goodson and Steve Cherundolo, remain. Hopefully with international friendlies over the summer as well as the beginning of world cup qualifying for the U.S. around the corner I will begin to provide some more soccer website for the guys here at O's Bros and Natty Bohs. For now enjoy the following video of Clint Dempey's deciding goal today as well as Lionel Messi's hat trick from earlier today against Switzerland. Sorry ahead of time for the music in the Messi clip.
US soccer is something that over the past three years I have become more and more a fan of. I attended my first game the summer of 2009 at RFK with USA playing Hondorus in the Gold Cup and pulling out a 2-0 win. Santino Quaranta and Brian Ching provided the goals on that day. Of that U.S. quad that first drew me in only two players, Clarence Goodson and Steve Cherundolo, remain. Hopefully with international friendlies over the summer as well as the beginning of world cup qualifying for the U.S. around the corner I will begin to provide some more soccer website for the guys here at O's Bros and Natty Bohs. For now enjoy the following video of Clint Dempey's deciding goal today as well as Lionel Messi's hat trick from earlier today against Switzerland. Sorry ahead of time for the music in the Messi clip.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
The Wonderful, Wacky World That is The 2012 Orioles Bullpen
It seems year in and year out the Orioles throw a bunch of arms in the bullpen and hope someone sticks. Whether it's been big contracts to Danys Baez and Kevin Gregg, or previously successful pitchers like Mike DeJean and Steve Kline, a lack of homegrown talent has been fairly consistent in the O's pen. Up and coming power arm David Hernandez was traded last year for Mark Reynolds (a move I ironically approved of), and Jason Berken has struggled (more on that later). With the addition of myriad veteran relievers and journeymen, Dan Duquette has assembled what might end up being the most deadly arsenal in Triple A history.
But that's beside the point. Last year's revolving carousel of bullpen arms for the Baltimore Orioles posted a 4.18 ERA a season ago, good for 27th in the majors and second to only Minnesota for the AL's worst.
They traded their best arm, RHP Koji Uehara, midseason for Chris Davis and Tommy Hunter from the Texas Rangers. Some relievers performed well in small stints, LHP Zach Phillips, RHP Pedro Strop, and even much maligned LHP Mike Gonzalez strung together a few quality outings before being traded to Texas for Strop. The ace of the bullpen last year without question was homegrown RHP Jim Johnson, who pitched to a 2.67 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. Kevin Gregg was removed from the closer's role after a fairly miserable stint. He tied his career high with 40 walks and had seven blown saves before Johnson took over. (Remember after all Buck doesn't care about the save rule, he likes the win rule a little better).
So, with all 2011 behind us and a new front office regime in place the 2012 Orioles bullpen will be notably different looking. Here's a quick rundown of all the arms in camp for the O's so you can see what we're dealing with. Of course, feel free to comment with your thoughts and opinions. I'll include every pitcher simply because there's a chance someone ends up being the 6th starter and is stashed in the bullpen/Buck's doghouse. I'm not including Dylan Bundy in the conversation for obvious reasons, his time will come.
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| Is Jim Johnson the Orioles closer entering 2012? Taken from http://flavadave10mlb.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/jim-johnson.jpg |
But that's beside the point. Last year's revolving carousel of bullpen arms for the Baltimore Orioles posted a 4.18 ERA a season ago, good for 27th in the majors and second to only Minnesota for the AL's worst.
They traded their best arm, RHP Koji Uehara, midseason for Chris Davis and Tommy Hunter from the Texas Rangers. Some relievers performed well in small stints, LHP Zach Phillips, RHP Pedro Strop, and even much maligned LHP Mike Gonzalez strung together a few quality outings before being traded to Texas for Strop. The ace of the bullpen last year without question was homegrown RHP Jim Johnson, who pitched to a 2.67 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. Kevin Gregg was removed from the closer's role after a fairly miserable stint. He tied his career high with 40 walks and had seven blown saves before Johnson took over. (Remember after all Buck doesn't care about the save rule, he likes the win rule a little better).
So, with all 2011 behind us and a new front office regime in place the 2012 Orioles bullpen will be notably different looking. Here's a quick rundown of all the arms in camp for the O's so you can see what we're dealing with. Of course, feel free to comment with your thoughts and opinions. I'll include every pitcher simply because there's a chance someone ends up being the 6th starter and is stashed in the bullpen/Buck's doghouse. I'm not including Dylan Bundy in the conversation for obvious reasons, his time will come.
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