I Love a Walkoff

I was having an argument with some of my friends who went to the Rockies on Tuesday. They left the game in the seventh inning and I may have lectured them for a long time about not leaving a game early, especially when your seats are as good as theirs were.

I went to the game with Dustin and Devon last night and we stayed for the whole thing and boy was it a great thing we did.

Below is the text from our e-mail conversation today and please disregard any spelling or punctuation errors, I feel like I shouldn't change anything (excpect I did remove their e-mail addresses):

Ok good because I really didn’t want to stop being friends.

---

From: Rebecca Reil
Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 9:13 AM
To: Jessica Okey; Hilary Smith; Jillian Williams
Subject: RE:

Jill I am totally just kidding. I am just giving you a hard time because I know it is a touchy subject for you (and others though he has major freakouts instead). I would absolutely disregard precious sleep for an intense 9th inning. --- On Thu, 4/15/10, Jillian Williams wrote: From: Jillian Williams Subject: RE: To: "Rebecca Reil" , "Jessica Okey", "Hilary Smith" Date: Thursday, April 15, 2010, 9:10 AM Bex (as I have decided that is the best way to spell it because Bex rhymes with Dex), you and I are no longer friends. xoxo From: Rebecca Reil Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 9:06 AM To: Jessica Okey ; Hilary Smith; Jillian Williams Subject: RE: I did not understand a single thing your wrote Jill. If I could choose between a ninth inning in baseball and precious sleep. I choose precious sleep. --- On Thu, 4/15/10, Jillian Williams wrote: From: Jillian Williams Subject: RE: To: "Rebecca Reil" , " Jessica Okey " , "Hilary Smith" Date: Thursday, April 15, 2010, 9:03 AM Speaking of leaving the game early – let’s chat for a minute about why you don’t leave the game early. In the eighth inning the Rockies were up by two runs, it seemed like they had the game in the bag, with two outs they only needed four outs without giving up two runs. But there was a runner on and a single brought the Mets within one run. I was hoping for some insurance runs to put some distance between the Rockies and the Mets, but alas – everyone choked. In the top of the ninth a lead off single put one runner on. A throwing error from Ianetta allowed the runner to advance to third when he was stealing second – then a sac fly tied the game. The game went into extra innings – it was exciting. Then Ianetta made up for his throwing error with a solo walkoff home run to win the game. That is why you never leave the game early. From: Rebecca Reil [mailto:] Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 8:56 AM To: Jessica Okey ; Hilary Smith; Jillian Williams Subject: Re: You should have just left the game early and this would have never happened. haha I took a nap from 5:30 to 7 woke up and ate, but the food didn't sit well with me. That combined with my laziness this week and there was no way I was going to the gym or leaving for that matter. I tried to go back to sleep, but because my tummy was feeling a little weird I didn't fall asleep until 1. that's cool. Gym today definitely. --- On Thu, 4/15/10, Jillian Williams wrote: From: Jillian Williams Subject: To: " Jessica Okey " , , "Hilary Smith" Date: Thursday, April 15, 2010, 8:37 AM I am so unbelievably tired right now. I don’t know why I make such stupid decisions. I did not have time to make any food this morning so I stopped at the gas station by my house (I knew I was desperate for caffeine), one of the guys inside looked me up and down and had a look on his face that said “you poor thing, you must have had a rough night.” Diet Pepsi and a pop tart – breakfast of champions

Can't Get Enough

Double OT!!!!

How awesome was that. In case you missed it, here it the game story.

Man I miss my old job.

I love March Madness, I don’t know if y’all saw Murray State beat Vanderbilt with a buzzer beater but I was walking passed the TV’s in the lobby and I saw the last four seconds and it was amazing!

I love championship time.

Sad...

Today I wanted to cry.

That is being a little dramatic, but the realization that I am not going to be working with a baseball team this season is starting to sink it.

Please do not misunderstand me, because I am so grateful to have a job right now. I have met so many people who have recently graduated and cannot find a job. It makes me incredibly grateful.

Today is the home opener for the BYU baseball team. Right now they’re up 4-2 against Washington and hopefully they could pull through with a win.

I just miss being in the press box, I miss tracking down the lineups and posting them for the media – the pre-game meals.

I miss prying open the windows of the press box in an effort to better understand the umpire when he calls balls and strikes and having to crank the heat up because of the cold air rushing in from the window.

My heart hurts a lot. This feeling reminds me of the feeling you get when a boy you used to date starts dating someone – you feel replaced, cast aside. I don’t like it.

March, where have you been all my life

February was a long month, espeically considering that it only consists of 28 days. For those of you who have followed my blog for at least a year, and by that I mean my mom, you'll remember this post describing my general feeling toward the gray and dreary month.

But March is here! I love March!

I haven't had a lot of time to write but hopefully that is going to change soon! Here are a list of things that I have been thinking about expanding upon.

I have discovered so many wonderful new little blogs that need to be shared - beware that none of them have to do with sports

I love my friends, all of them.

I had a lot of stiches in the month of February (more incentive to hate the month) and I have eight left and they itch like crazy!!! I can't wait to get them out. 

Spring Training is here and I can hardly wait for Opening Day. Oh how I've missed baseball season.

I miss the softball team like crazy.

I'm working on a side project and when it is better developed I will share it with all of you. It's satirical commentary on my life in an LDS singles ward.

I'm inspired by the people around me who are so talented. Check out my photographer friend Jenny's blog.

Everyday I am baffled by the kindness of people around me, don't worry it is oftentimes mixed my shock at the appalling actions of others, but I find hope in the random acts of kindness people perform.

I can't wait to take a vacation.

I'm hoping to move really soon!!! Cut down my commute time and get to spend more time at home, plus get an awesome roommate and a fantastic apartment.

I realized I have a commitment problem - more on that later.

Free Agency - update

read this post and then this article should make a lot more sense

Not in a religious way for all you LDS readers out there - in a baseball way.

Much to what I am assuming is Brooke's delight, I realized that most of my posts have strayed from sports topics. So I've decided to write about sports again, mainly because I miss doing it and also it was the original purpose of this blog.

Lately I have been very interested to see which baseball players filed for free agency and to see what the possible rosters are for my favorite teams in the 2010 season.

There are some big free agents out there now like John Lackey and Matt Holiday and I thought I would give you all a run down of what free agency is - and what it means to an organization.

Once a player has been drafted or signed with a team, he cannot become a free agent until he has been on the 25-man roster for six years. Players who are not eligible to file for free agency can be up for salary arbitration if:

They are not able to file for free agency
They are not under contract
Cannot come to terms of agreement with their current team
Been on the 25-man roster for three years.

Arbitration means that both the player (his agent) and the organization submit a number and the arbitrator selects that which he or she (pretty much always a he) deems most fair for a player of that talent level.

Note that there are exceptions but I won't get into that.

If a player has filed for free agency, the club offers arbitration in early December (I'm not sure what the dates are this year, but I know it is always around Winter Meetings). The player has around a week to acceot and be added to the roster - or contact negotiations can last pretty much up until the start of the season like Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers last season. There are rules about when their team can negotiate and when they can't but we won't get into that.

Now, there are different classes of free agents depending on the skill level of the player. Type A free agents are in the top 20 percent of their position and type B free agents are between 21 and 40 percent of the top players for their respective positions. This is determined by the Elias Sports Bureau.

If an organization offered its free agent(s) arbitration and he/they decline, the organization is offered a supplementary draft pick in the following draft. It depends on the team that the free agent eventually signs with. A team can lose their first or second round pick if they sign Type A or B free agents, or the draft pick can be sandwiched between the first and second rounds.

There are a lot more rules that have to do with free agency but I'm not going to get into it because this is complicated enough as it is.

However I do want to explain the 25-man roster to those people out there that are Major League Baseball novices. Baseball teams are allowed to carry 40 people on their roster, but only 25 people on the active roster. The 25-man rule is effective at the beginning of the season until August 31.

So you may hear people refer to the 25-man roster or the 40-man roster. When a player on the 25-man roster is placed on the disabled list a player from the 40-man roster can be called up to replace him during that time. If a player is placed on the 60-day DL they can be replaced on the 40-man roster and the club is not penalized. A player on the 15-day DL remains on the 40-man roster, but they are not eligible to play in a game until they come off the DL.

The remaining 15 players on the 40-man roster play in the minor leagues. In September the rosters are expanded and all 40 players are eligible to play on the active roster. Many prospects make their Major League debut this way.

Teams use the expanded rosters in different ways. If they have the division locked up, they will use the callups to gain experience and to give their everyday guys a rest before the postseason. If a team has no shot of making the playoffs they will likely take the time to give their prospects ML experience and to see which players will be ready to contribute in the coming season. Teams that are making a push to enter the playoffs usually use the callups in a needs-based way, such as pinch running or out of the bullpen.

There are some complicated rules that come with making the 25-man roster and options once the players have done so, but I will save that for another post.

Until later.

P.S. I should note that the Yankees won the World Series this year. I just didn't feel like writing about it. Yes I believe that they purchased that championship, but hey if I owned a team and had the money to buy the best players I probably would too.

October = Less Sleep

Right now it is 11:49 p.m. and I'm watching the Rockies take on the Phillies in the NLDS.

I have to wake up at 6 a.m. to morrow morning. That is not going to be pleasant. I have to wake up early, so I can get to work early, so I can leave work early, so I can catch game four of the NLDS at Coors Field tomorrow night.

I could have slept in later this morning, but I wanted to watch the Angels game at 10 a.m. that is two nights of rest that have been effected all because of postseason play.

This is getting to be a bit ridiculous.

Being a grown up means that things like work can't be interrupted by sudden changes in my normal habits like Rocktober and my sleeping patterns.

This game has been going on since 8 p.m. tonight. It's tied 5-5 in the top of the ninth with a Phillies runner on second and only one out - dangerous.

I miss my old life a little bit.

UPDATE: Rockies lose, 6-5. Sad day, also it looks like the temp for tomorrow's game will be somewhere between 40-50. Could be worse.

Links to Love

So I'm back. I took a short hiatus from blogging because I just didn't have much to say.

But there are a few links I want to share with you, so here I am.

1. I read practically everything that there was to read about this until I couldn't take it anymore. I found this article written from Press Enterprise. They sent a reporter to Nick's hometown to write one of the best representations of Nick, of the tragedy and his story. Click here to read it. I really recommend it.

2. People have already talked a lot about this movie, but in case you haven't heard about Sugar you really need to check out the trailer.

3. I love Dexter Fowler and he has a bright future ahead of him. Click here to read a feature about the Rockie's rookie.

4. I didn't watch the Bulls Celtics games, but I watched the five minutes of amazing highlights, and it really took five minutes to explain how amazing it was. Read about it here or check out the game because it will be on ESPN Classic tonight.

Because I Needed Something New

I had to put something new up. I can't handle seeing all the stuff about Nick all over the news sources that I frequent and having his name plastered on my blog when i went to check my friends' updates was not helping my cause.

I haven't been very talkative lately and that is why I haven't shared very much, but I am trying right now.

Shane Loux made his first major league start since 2003. I'm so happy for the success that Shane is experiencing.

As exciting as the first week of baseball typically is, I find it giving the promise of what is to come. Unfortunately this promise has been dulled over Nick's accident and the lovely snow that is falling just outside the walls of my office.

I'm going to Vegas and St. George in a few days and I can't wait!

Remembering Nick

Click Here For More Information About Nick Adenhart's Playing Career and the Fatal Accident

Last year I had the wonderful opportunity of getting to know Nick Adenhart. The tragic news that greeted me on the way to work was very unexpected and rendered me speechless. My heart goes out to Nick's family, friends and teammates.

I've struggled with processing the news surrounding this talented young man the entire day. It is hard to take it all in.

After finally displaying his ability to be a Major League starting pitcher last night against the Oakland A's, tragedy strikes. He had a great amount of talent, I loved to watch him throw live or in a bullpen. His easy delivery looked almost effortless and his pitches had a lot of life to them. I never doubted that he would establish himself with a great presence in the Big Leagues.

He struggled after his first Major League call up last year, but he worked hard to get back to the dominate pitcher he was.

I have many memories of Nick during his time in Salt Lake City. I'm glad to have known him.

I am interested to see the effect this will have on the Angles' clubhouse. I was privileged to work with the Angels organization and it will have a special place in my heart forever. My heart goes out to them as they deal with the personal loss of a very special person and they deal with losing their top prospect.

Just Around the Corner

Opening day is almost here. After what seems like an endless Spring Training it is almost officially baseball season!!!!!! (in case you can't tell by me six exclamation points, I'm really excited)

Now, I don't live close enough to a MLB team to actually experience opening day firsthand, but I will be watching it with joy in my heart!

There is something special about the fresh cut grass, the players in uniform in their home stadiums, 25-man rosters set, sun shining down on your skin while watching the greatest game.

I think I had an additional amount of excitement this season because I feel like I have been stuck inside and endless winter. The kind that hasn't risen above 60 or melted all the snow of the mountains. Well, forget the mountains, there is still snow in my backyard.

I just can't wait. I probably won't make it to an MLB game until the end of May when I get to head back to Denver for a jaunt at Coors Field, but I'll be at the BYU games, and hopefully I will find the time to see a few Bees games. Although, I might wait until I see who makes the opening day roster.

Opening day represents the beginning of summer, an end of all the March Madness and the warmpth of well... not winter.

Like An Old Friend

I have very distinct memories of sports talk radio.

When I was a little girl, I would be trapped in a car full of boys for hours (one of the many joys of being the only daughter). My dad always listens to the AM radio. I don't think I've ever heard him listen to music in the car, with the exception of a little Meatloaf.

My dad is also a really big St. Louis Cardinals fan, and when he was younger he would spend hours listening to the Cardinals' games with his dad and two brothers. Naturally, whenever there was a game on we would be listening to it.

I catch myself tuning into games on the radio frequently. I just turned on the Angels game when I got into work and heard Steve Klauke call a spectacular play that a shortstop made to catch a runner from reaching first, and it felt like I had just seen an old friend.

I spent countless hours listening to that man call the Salt Lake Bees games this past summer, so hearing his voice on the radio made me feel as if I was driving from Salt Lake back to Provo while the team was on the road.

Even now, I am sitting at work and the BYU baseball game is on the radio in the background and sound of Brent Norton's voice seems so familiar in the background of everything going on around me.

Now if only the team could make a seven-run comeback in the top of the ninth....

Spectating

Yesterday I had to opportunity to attend a baseball game as a spectator for the first time since I watched my cousin Eddie's team play against the Angels' scout team past summer.

I've seen plenty of games since then, but they were all while I was working.

Please do not misunderstand me, because I love working baseball games, but there is something different about sitting in the stands, feeling the sun on your skin, watching the game, listening to the sounds of the ball park.

As I sat at the BYU vs. Utah game at Franklin Covey field I turned to Carey and proclaimed, "I should do this for the rest of my life."

It's an interesting aspiration considering my dream job would be in the Bigs, but I always want to be able to be out at a baseball game and be able to love every minute of it.

As I learn more and more about the sport, spectating becomes increasingly more satisfying. Shane Loux spent several summer nights teaching me how to tell what pitch was thrown while he was charting.

After spending time soaking in the knowledge of scouts every night, I can begin to see things in the game that I never saw before.

I had a great time sitting at the park and taking it all in, without having to worry about writing a game recap, injury updates, posting lineups, noting lineup changes, feeding stats to TV or tracking down obscure stats from years past.

But getting to do that for my job is pretty good too.

25 Randoms about me and Baseball

So everyone knows about the 25 Randoms floating all over facebook, but I've seen some baseball bloggers do it and I figured why not.

1. Baseball is in my blood. I'm not joking either. Everyone in my family loves baseball, and I literally grew up on the diamond.

2. I once tried to quit loving baseball. It was my freshman year of college and I thought, I've had enough of this sport and I am going to stop because I am not at home. That lasted until baseball season started and then I was at almost every BYU game that year.

3. The closest I ever got to playing baseball was t-ball, because after that I played softball.

4. I really love softball, but the game is very different than baseball. A lot of people think that it is basically women's baseball, but it's not. Once people realize that they begin to enjoy the sport a lot more.

5. I can think of one vacation that my family went on that was not baseball related. We went to Alaska when I was six years old. Other than that it's always been baseball.

6. I find myself planning vacations around baseball now. For instance I'm trying to plan one to spring training in Arizona and last summer I planned an entire trip around the Angels. I once made a two-day stop at home to catch a Rockies game.

7. I loathe the Boston Red Sox, and their bandwagon friends. Seriously...

8. I think that a salary cap would be good for the game, but that would never happen. Ever.

9. The number of positions on the field.

10. I'm not mad that A Rod admitted to taking steroids. I'm sick of the media talking about it and I think that most fans are too. Everyone wants to close the chapter on the steroids era except the media.

11. I don't like Bud Selig.

12. Ever since doing an internship with the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees, I have grown to love minor league baseball and player development. I would love to work in player development. I love watching prospects rise up to expectations. It's so exciting.

13. I'm a master at scoring baseball games now.

14. I'm the kind of fan that really follows players more than teams. Don't get me wrong because there are teams that I like, but I like to see other players do well.

15. I think Josh Hamilton is an awesome role model for kids. I think he is awesome for what he has done and what he has shown the world.

16. I don't understand the love affair with baseball cards and probably never will. The only cards that I own are the 2008 Salt Lake Bees player cards, and that is because they mean something to me.

17. My dream job is working in Major League Baseball. I'm working on it, but it's kinda hard. I need some serious Spanish skills, but I'm pretty sure I was destined to do it.

18. If I start working for the Bees again, I am going to stop writing about baseball here. Conflict of interest. However, you will be able to read my mad blogging skills o the Bees Web site, which features a blog titled BeeWax. Of course that is pending my return for the 2009 season.

19. Catcher is my favorite position. A lot of the work, little glory. Despite my love for the position, I find myself liking pitchers. Also, pitchers are generally crazy.

20. I really like Baseball America. They named Sean McNaughton as the Mountain West Conference Pre-season Player of the Year. I once wrote a feature story on him.

21. One of my favorite players is Ken Griffey Jr., I think Jason Varitek is incredibly talented (even if he is a Red Sox), I love Matt Holliday.

22. When I was in seventh grade I started drinking Pepsi products over Coca Cola because Sammy Sosa endorse Pepsi. I had a crush of him and I began a love affair with the Cubs that has since ended.

23. I think the rockpile was ingenius and it has contributed into my turning my friends into baseball fans.

24. I'm trying to think of my favorite basebal realated moment that I have lived through and it's hard. I think it's when the Rockies went 21-1 to the World Series! That was amazing!

25. Baseball is played during the summer and I love summer. I've been waking up in the mornings and imagining it is warm outside, that I cal put on some shorts or a skirt and sandals and head over to the ball park. Then I remember that it snowed last night so that is not really a possibility.

There you go.

It's Happening

I knew it would, after baseball is a business.

The first player move for one of the players that I really grew to know and appreciate. As I was gearing up for spring training and wondering what players I might see back for the 2009 season (whether or not I myself will be back is yet to be determined) and I on my facebook home page was of my favorite players' facebook page. I soon discovered...... He signed with the Brewers.

It is awesome for him!

He was with the Angels since he was drafted right after his first year of college. He had made his way through the minors and was on the 40-man roster last year, but the Angels needed to free up space to sign free agent Bobby Abreu.

As a top pitching prospect, the Brewers picked him right up. It is probably a better place for him to be because he isn't overlooked because of a different superstar prospect, and he isn't waiting behind a solid starting rotation (although the fifth starter spot hasn't been determined).

I knew the players would eventually scatter to other franchises (some have already signed minor league contracts with other teams) but I was fully expecting to see him this season and to chat while he charted on his off days.

Non-Roster Invitees

With Spring Training around the corner, many teams have released their non-roster invitees to the Big League Camp.

Everyone listed on the 40-man roster goes to the Big League Camp, along with a number of prospects that have a shot of a call up during the 2009 season.

A lot of catchers are always invited, for the Angels I have seen most of the catchers and I am most impressed (on the non-roster side) with Ben Johnson. They call him BJ. His hard work ethic is evident and he has a silent demeanor about him. I enjoyed his humility, which is rare for a professional athlete.

Angel de los Santos is supposed to be a guy to keep an eye on. I've heard good thing but I haven't seen him yet. I imagine that he will be up to triple-A this season.

As far as pitchers are concerned, I'm pretty suprised that Matt Wilhite was invited. He had a rough season last year. His side-arm style makes him unique, but I didn't see it as super effective.

Pav is up for the Big League Camp this year. He had an amazing year this past season so I'm glad he'll get a look.

Brad Coon is going up for and so is Peter Bourjos for the outfielders. Bourjos was called up to triple-A at the end of last year but I never saw him take a cut outside of BP. He had 50 stolen bases at single-A Rancho Cucamonga. Baseball America named him the Angels top position playing prospect.

Jordan Walden will be up at the Big League Camp this year. At 6'5 and 220 he is a big guy, and can do some real damage. I've heard scouts talk about them and most are pretty excited to see him progress, but nothing compared to the way they talk about other pitching prospects.

Walden's young though, so we'll see what happens.

Excitement

There are a few things that I am really excited for right now.

1. I am so excited for Spring Training. Pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 14/15!!! I am so ready for baseball to begin.

2. Prospects. After spending some time working in the minors I have really loved watching young prospects make a name for themselves. Some prospects that I am really excited for are Kevin Jepsen, Dexter Fowler, Nick Adenhart and Matt LaPorta. There are so many more but I can't wait to see their major league career bloom.

3. Not having homework!

4. Planning trips. (Shout out to Jenny on that one)

5. Making things happen.

2008 In Pictures

So I found this wonderful collection of photos from 2008.

I'm posting a few of the photos, but they are all amazing. Take the time to look through them.

The first two parts have already been posted but the third one will come out tomorrow. I'll link it for you then.

It's amazing to consider what goes on across the world and how every culture is so different. Many of these photos come from places ravaged by natural disaster, torn apart from war, the remains of forgotten communities, the mechanical feats of the human race and the physical demands of athletics.

I am humbled by how little I was aware of some of these events.

These photos are amazing! I must warn you that some of them are rather graphic (bloodshed), but you have to click to view the ones deemed offensive, so your safe.


Click here for the first set

Click here for the second set

Me

The bad thing about you win some you lose some and some get rained out is that it applies not only in sports, but also in life.

Today I lost some.

Sporting World Update

School is literally consuming my life right now. There are so many things that I want to write about but I'll just give a little bit of attention to everything for you.

Brooke and I decorated her Christmas tree tonight. I love the holiday season!

Baseball America came out with its top prospects. I was a little surprised that Nick Adenhart was named the Angel's Angel's No. 1 prospect. Of the top-10 prospect, seven were pitchers which is a little unexpected. Kevin Jepsen ranked in at No. 7. It will be interesting to see what happens at winter meetings this year.

Also I had a random dream about Nick, it was strange. That is two prospect dreams within three weeks. Weird.

I'm not sure if the Angels will get all, or any, of the free agents they offered arbitration to. I'm hoping for Mark Teixeira but I'm not going to be all the surprised if He signs with a team with a lot more money like the Red Sox. I've heard that Jason Varitek will return to the Red Sox, so I don't know if they will sign Teixeira.

The 2009 Hall of Fame ballot was released. The voting will take place on Jan. 12. I'm excited to see who will make it in this year. Tommy John will be on the ballot for his final year (you get 15 years on the ballot). I'm not expecting him to make it, I just think it's interesting.
Check out this article on John and this one for the Hall of Fame voting information.

Plaxico Buress shot himself in the leg. Ha Ha Ha. Really? Seriously?

Following his arrest for weapons charges he was suspended by the NFL for four games and the Giants placed him on the non-football injury list, which means he can't return for the rest of the season.

The Broncos looked really good against the Jets. What I can't figure out is why they can perform so well in New York but choke in Denver against the Raiders. Honestly.

I'm heading into the playoff for my Fantasy League in first place. I used to think fantasy sports were a waste of time but, now I kinda like them. I'm kinda good at it.

Well this is all for now. I must go back to writing about Nike's marketing campaigns and the More Good Foundation.

Here's to only 10 more days of school left!!!!!

I Could Tell From the Minute I Woke Up...

Hello World,

Please forgive me for not updating my blog for over an entire month. I've been trying to decide what direction to take this thing, and as I was deciding I got really distracted by this evil little thing called school.

Here is a brief update:

I have one semester of school left.

I'm applying to a number of internship programs for my first post-graduation year, I won't really know if I am leaving this little Provo town until I just before I leave.

If I don't get accepted, I'll stay with BYU Athletic Communications for another year, yeah more time in Provo but hey -- it's a job. Maybe I'll be back with the Bees too.

Anyway, I don't have much time so I will just leave you with a quick reminder of my excitement over David Price, the man's a stud. He can't help that he is just that talented. The Phillies may have won the world series, but everyone will remember the Rays of 2008.

Matt Holliday is to become a member of the Oakland A's. Smart move for the Rockies? I think so. They can get some pitching out of the deal and they move the all-star while they acquire something from him. I'll always be a Holliday fan. Do you think it was right?

I'm waiting for the Angels to sign Mark Teixeira. I think it would be the best free agent sign of their off-season. They exercised options on Valddy and Lackey, but they are still fitting the pieces together. It looks like they won't sign Garland, opening the fifth starter role to one of my boys out of Triple-A, I'm hoping they keep Loux in the bullpen and the starter spot goes to one of the Nick's (Adenhart or Green). It would be cool for Ortega, but I'm rooting for Salt'n peppa.

BYU is no longer a BCS buster, but what I think all the fans are forgetting is that Bronco is trying to establish a foundation for the program to return to greatness. This is only his fourth year as head coach and BYU is 9-1 right now. Stop complaining, because next year when the team is amazing y'all be back on the bandwagon.