millz58

So BABIP includes as "hits" when batters reach on fielding errors? Wow, i've never seen that stat, but it's like a batter v. pitcher & Defense stat. Weird, does sound like a kind of fluke-filled calculation. I agree, it's really interesting to see baseball stats become so detailed and diverse, dissecting. But even with 162 games, the dicing can become too fine.

By a 1st rounder no doubt, but that's not the same as replacing a pro-bowler. then again, easier to groom an OT than a QB I guess... .

Those two have been fun, I haven't caught any radio yet this season, but I do enjoy Angel especially.

cool; baseball's such a crazy sport numerically. so much to look at; those close-game stats kinda mirror the bigger picture. but simply put the O's have proven your (and Dave's) point these first two games. Hopefully they won't have 40 more chances.

Okay, I've looked up some numbers from last year (espn's MLB stats site), and it seems to evidence your point, dc. All of the 8 playoff teams from last year except the Dodgers were in the top-half of MLB in save % (LAD were 23rd with 63%), and only STL and BOS were NOT in the top-half in save opportunities (LAD was 2nd in that category BTW.) Meanwhile, the bottom-of-the-barrel in both opportunities and percentage were populated with the likes of WAS, BAL, PIT, CLE, TOR. I thereby concede; but I would still like to see a further breakdown into the "close-games" category, the 1 or 2-run contests that go either way, and see how those numbers pan out.

I agree with what you've written, but I wonder how often do "good teams" put themselves in the position to possibly lose 1 or 2-run games? Of course good teams know how to keep leads late and to the end of games, but (my guess is) they more likely give themselves plenty of cushion so that they don't get into so many save situations, let alone the 1 or 2-run variety. Good teams play solid team ball for the majority of the game, and don't need to rely on one unit solely.

Definitely a bit more settled, not jumping on or into comments, he sounds a bit hoarse right now actually, so maybe he's just under the weather.

What have the Skins done to replace samuels? Gonna need a decent left tackle to help McNabster.

right, forgot about delhomme and Grossman departing...

Has anyone else noticed that Palmer's voice sounds deeper than usual? Just based on what I heard last night and so far tonight. Nice to see Guthrie have a quick 1st inning, good swingin' K on Crawford, and for at least one RISP to be picked up early. Garza looks pretty good too.

VERY frustrating and ditto to all of the "same as the last 12 years" comments. Here is a Trembley quote which disgusts me, from http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=300406130 "We played with a lot of poise, very confident. It just came down to the last three outs and we didn't get it done," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "It really doesn't matter what you do the first eight [innings]. You've got a one-run lead going into the ninth. What you've done earlier in the game is a wash," Trembley said. "It comes down to getting those three outs. Whoever gets it first is going to walk away the winner. We didn't get it." So, by WE he means Gonzalez, who is new to the AL and ALeast in particular, so Spen, I don't agree he would be ahead of the batters at the start of the year. And Trembley wants to call him out (even if indirectly) while the issue of 11 RISP stranded over the "other meaningless" innings doesn't merit primary focus? Or how about Millwood with 100 pitches in 5 innings? Or the base running? I was shocked that Albers did well in his limited role. Holy crap... The NHL playoffs aren't even here and I'm already annoyed with the O's. It's gonna be a long few weeks...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5057937 So now St. Louis can go forth with Bradford I guess; where will the mainly-injured Bulger go? I'd hazard a guess but I can't really imagine a place... . Arizona maybe?

LOL, what the hell are those 'skins doing... . Go Iggles. Also, where might Bulger go now that he's been released? Hmm...

Yeah, I heard about (aboot) that one driving home from work on XM radio, the hosts smelled a prankster, then I saw the site that had the original report and the apologetic on-air phone call with Miller, pretty hilarious. The giveaway in my opinion after hearing the original prank was the uptake in tone and deliberation of voice in the "guarantee" at the end of the call, something (real) hockey players just don't do with the media (of course, the relatively bombastic statements about other teams being overrated is also taboo). Most professional hockey players keep an even keel of tone and content delivery when answering questions on air. I guess it was MSN's turn. Funny stuff.

LOFL hockey may have its share of evidenced frustration from latent homosexuality (as with any sport), but it is certainly NOT gay; it is probably the "manliest" sport out there, save rugby or bull-riding. Learn the rules, go to a few games, listen to the way the players ritually conduct themselves during interviews with humility and respect for the brotherhood and tradition of the sport with the oldest and most sought after championship trophy in all of sports. None of the self-aggrandizing, whiney bitch-talk of those in the NBA, NFL, MLB, even FIFA.... Now as far as some of those OTHER major sports being "gay".... Well, the truth "will out".

I agree, Spen, even though some of Russia's currrent KHL players were former NHL (Kozlov I believe is one, so is Federov) the most of the KHLers had little/no NHL experience, in which case playing on Olympic-size ice normally, then switching to NHL-size rinks would definitely affect defensive positioning and strategy (can't just collapse around the net in a smaller venue). And Russia hasn't produced the D-men say like Sweden and Canada. From what I've heard on NHL Home Ice (XM 204) it seems it will in fact be Olympic-sized rinks at Sochi in 2014. It'll be interesting to see if the other shoe drops then.

Congrats to them and theirs! They deserve it and deserved the honors. Regarding the Sun article, when Vasquez said "everyone was always doubting me" and "I wanted to prove them all wrong", I thought immediately of Juan Dixon, who I believe said if not that exact same thing, then something very similar in the SI commemorative issue. Seems Gary has a knack for picking these guys and doing the right things with them.

OMG I hope Ozzie don't go for just any Alabama 'guy' he needs pushups for man-titties that's disgusting please

IMO I don't know why we drafted him, although at the time I was like "OK", but we have no kinda offense scheme for him. Let him go elsewhere, and heck it's THE BROWNS! THA BROWNS!!!!!!!!!!! Ravens have priorities, Browns have desperations.

speakin of ovie's ugly tonight on espn they highlighted his new haircut, his goal and his momma' stone face on camera, they said "she's responsible, she gave him that hair cut" no lie, funny as hell. But baltimore's minor league teams skipjacks, bandits, whatever had some support but the real issue is that damn disgrace of an arena, the Bullets left to be the eventual wizards, and nowadays NBA/NHL are tied in together for facilities so B'More can't have one without the other. I PROMISE, RIGHT HERE AND NOW, IF BALTIMORE BUILDS THE 2-SPORT FACILITY, I WILL COME (at least for the hockey if not) FOR THE NBA!!!! I love hockey... BTW Pens rule, Crosby's bitch-ass aside sike ps BMore is a basketball city, not much hope for hockey...

Wow, great win for the St. Mary's Gaels over Gonzaga (who's already at-large). This is what I like to see, real conference competition in championship settings. Too bad William & Mary or Fairfield couldn't pull out some wins, but at least one 'weak bubble' somewhere burst. Can't wait to see some other flimsy soapy film go "pop".

my thoughts mighta been with who dat but my dreams are with kim...

The reestablishment of youth-level hockey in America has been evidenced, and is huge now. The USA teams will now (and forever IMO) be expected to compete and win at the highest levels, as these recent great victories are indicating the growth of the sport. The reason no victory will ever approach the 1980 olympic victory by the Americans is that that was a team of amateurs, college players, and now the games are open for professionals. So the US had better step up, because we have basically a plurality of NHL talent alongside the Canadians, Swedes, Russians, etc. No more excuses, just time to show up and win. Which is why I'm still confused about the Russians...

Wow, comparing anyone to Albert belle is pretty harsh in my book; Greivis in my mind had emotion that sometimes took him to the dark side, keep in mind the cultural differences Gary points out in some espn interviews, between venezuelan and american sports societies; Belle was just... well, dark hearted, no genuine emotion, just cruelty. I have no problem with Terps hanging up his jersey, I think that'd look better in the Comcast rafters than, for instance, Sheldon Williams' in Cameron indoor. Also, Vasquez's types of accumulated ACC numbers (points, assists and rebounds) look much better for a guard than Sheldon's under-the-bucket-clean-up-the-mess blocks and rebounds (of course that's what he could offer, but I say Vasquez's game is more rounded at his position than some other hallowed 4-yr ACC starters of note.) I will say that he does lay the occasional bad egg, and for no apparent reason, and the team seems to rely on him enough to lose in those situations where he can't put out (that also speaks to not having a consistently productive supporting cast, Hayes being inconsistent and waiting for Milbourne and Mosley to really arrive, and yes finally another young-but-coming low poster in Jordan Williams finally taking pressure off the perimeter game) So I think that needs to be taken into account not for judging Vasquez's worthiness of canonizing but just his overall contribution to the history of MD B-ball. Anyway, UMD needs to take advantage of showing some historic wares. More turtle power.

I think that since his numbers have improved throughout his career, and that he seems to play best in clutch situations (today's effort was no different, finally coming on later in the game after a weak initial 2nd-half performance), says a lot about him being 1.) Able "to learn from every situation" as Gary put it after they beat UVA today, 2.) Able to use his intensity for mostly positive results, and will himself and his team to victory (even when he hadn't too much of a team around him, like against NC last year), and 3.) Build some impressive overall numbers (like his points-assists-rebounds ACC record). He is definitely annoying at points and does some silly things (he hasn't taunted crowds on the road as much this year, but he has a history) but I think his overall on-the-court performance definitely merits special position in MD history. We'll see what kind of tournament capstone effort he can make; I think Hayes will be important there.