Sorry about the lack of posts. The holidays have kept me hopping with family stuff.
The four-part series I composed for MMAJunkie.com concluded on Friday. Part III focused on how Hamill's fatal flaw and other distractions led to disaster against Rich Franklin. Hamill's camp's stern response to their fighter was this: Kill or be killed. Part IV gets into how to tap inside Hamill's inner beast for tonight's fight with Reese Andy and the latest on "Hamill" The Movie.
I'm off to check out UFC 92 at a buddy's house and will be back within a day or two to dissect what's annually the UFC's biggest event (think WrestleMania or Starrcade during pro wrestling's golden age when those shows actually meant something).
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Matt Hamill: Raw (Part 2 of 4)
Part II of my four-part series on Matt Hamill is live on MMAJunkie.com. There are a lot of reasons to root for this man, and lots more to the story that will be revealed this week.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Hammer Time and random thoughts
A few random thoughts on what's been a snowy weekend in the New York metropolitan area:
MMAJunkie.com posted Part I of four-part series we titled "Matt Hamill: Raw."
"The Hammer" is a light-heavyweight contender in the UFC. What makes him worthy of him being the choice of Junkie's first spotlight in what we hope becomes a regular series? Hamill is hearing-impaired, but that's only the beginning of a remarkable story where he's not only had to overcome a handicap, but internal conflict. Furthermore, one group deemed Hamill worthy of a biographical movie. From what I've learned about Hamill, there's a much bigger story than initially expected.
I've been on hiatus — I'm enjoying vacation from MLB and YES until the end of the year — but I'm still covering the Yankees. I missed Thursday's big party for CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett at Yankee Stadium, but both subjects provided plenty of reading material. Sabathia's story is fascinating not due to his success on the mound, but for Brian Cashman's relentless pursuit of the burly left-hander and his willingness to do whatever is takes to win.
My favorite anecdote was when he called his agent and told he and his people to stop badgering the Brewers because they were starting him on three days' rest four straight turns. Listen, CC told them, we're fighting for our playoff lives. Damn the lucrative free agent contract. Worry about that in the offseason. This is a horse who demands the ball in big spots and puts the team over himself. Sabathia is the Yankees' bona fine ace, but he won't have to do everything alone. On his side are Chien-Ming Wang, Joba Chamberlain and (maybe) Andy Pettitte.
Of course, Burnett will be riding shotgun with Sabathia as the Yankees' No. 2 starter (if not No. 3 behind Wang). Cashman took a huge risk with Burnett, who produced his finest season that preceeded an offseason in which he was eligible to opt out of his contract. There's also, of course, his unsettling history with injuries, which along with his guaranteed five-year deal worth $82.5 million harbored haunting comparisions to Carl Pavano.
I'm not in favor of giving Burnett that amount of money for five years, but let's be fair, Pavano neither half the talent Burnett nor a fraction of the attitude. There really cannot be a bigger waste that the four years and $40 million Cashman dumped into Pavano's lazy lap — and that includes Kei Igawa. The latter simply stinks, but at least he tried and didn't embarrass himself or the organization off the field.
Things are far from perfect in Rangers camp, but Tom Renney's crew took two out of three games out west with their lost a hard-faught 3-2 defeat to the Sharks, the NHL's best team at a wicked 26-4-3. They also lost out on Mats Sundin, who accepted more money (surprise) to go to Vancouver. Sundin would have provided needed offensive punch and leadership responsibility to take the load off Chris Drury, but the bright side is that now the Rangers can focus on what's really hurting them once the NHL roster freeze is lifted on December 27.
That, folks, is defense. One blueliner, Marc Staal, is above zero in the plus-minus department (plus-6). Dan Girardi (3-13-16, minus-1) could be better, but has been solid, but after that, whoa boy. Wade Redden, owner of a six-year pact worth $39 million, is minus-4 with two goals and one on the power play, which is why he was brought to New York in the first place.
Here's the best, er, worst part: Michal Rozsival and Dmitri Kalinin, are a combined minus-27. Kalinin, an offseason import, has been shades of (gulp) Marek Malik. Rozsival inked a four-year deal worth $20 million, but he's playing like a fat cat and don't think fans haven't noticed. Rozsival has taken the dishonor previously owned by Malik as the Garden's most hated.
MMAJunkie.com posted Part I of four-part series we titled "Matt Hamill: Raw."
"The Hammer" is a light-heavyweight contender in the UFC. What makes him worthy of him being the choice of Junkie's first spotlight in what we hope becomes a regular series? Hamill is hearing-impaired, but that's only the beginning of a remarkable story where he's not only had to overcome a handicap, but internal conflict. Furthermore, one group deemed Hamill worthy of a biographical movie. From what I've learned about Hamill, there's a much bigger story than initially expected.
I've been on hiatus — I'm enjoying vacation from MLB and YES until the end of the year — but I'm still covering the Yankees. I missed Thursday's big party for CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett at Yankee Stadium, but both subjects provided plenty of reading material. Sabathia's story is fascinating not due to his success on the mound, but for Brian Cashman's relentless pursuit of the burly left-hander and his willingness to do whatever is takes to win.
My favorite anecdote was when he called his agent and told he and his people to stop badgering the Brewers because they were starting him on three days' rest four straight turns. Listen, CC told them, we're fighting for our playoff lives. Damn the lucrative free agent contract. Worry about that in the offseason. This is a horse who demands the ball in big spots and puts the team over himself. Sabathia is the Yankees' bona fine ace, but he won't have to do everything alone. On his side are Chien-Ming Wang, Joba Chamberlain and (maybe) Andy Pettitte.
Of course, Burnett will be riding shotgun with Sabathia as the Yankees' No. 2 starter (if not No. 3 behind Wang). Cashman took a huge risk with Burnett, who produced his finest season that preceeded an offseason in which he was eligible to opt out of his contract. There's also, of course, his unsettling history with injuries, which along with his guaranteed five-year deal worth $82.5 million harbored haunting comparisions to Carl Pavano.
I'm not in favor of giving Burnett that amount of money for five years, but let's be fair, Pavano neither half the talent Burnett nor a fraction of the attitude. There really cannot be a bigger waste that the four years and $40 million Cashman dumped into Pavano's lazy lap — and that includes Kei Igawa. The latter simply stinks, but at least he tried and didn't embarrass himself or the organization off the field.
Things are far from perfect in Rangers camp, but Tom Renney's crew took two out of three games out west with their lost a hard-faught 3-2 defeat to the Sharks, the NHL's best team at a wicked 26-4-3. They also lost out on Mats Sundin, who accepted more money (surprise) to go to Vancouver. Sundin would have provided needed offensive punch and leadership responsibility to take the load off Chris Drury, but the bright side is that now the Rangers can focus on what's really hurting them once the NHL roster freeze is lifted on December 27.
That, folks, is defense. One blueliner, Marc Staal, is above zero in the plus-minus department (plus-6). Dan Girardi (3-13-16, minus-1) could be better, but has been solid, but after that, whoa boy. Wade Redden, owner of a six-year pact worth $39 million, is minus-4 with two goals and one on the power play, which is why he was brought to New York in the first place.
Here's the best, er, worst part: Michal Rozsival and Dmitri Kalinin, are a combined minus-27. Kalinin, an offseason import, has been shades of (gulp) Marek Malik. Rozsival inked a four-year deal worth $20 million, but he's playing like a fat cat and don't think fans haven't noticed. Rozsival has taken the dishonor previously owned by Malik as the Garden's most hated.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Catching up
Finally back in a blogging groove. Since Moose called it quits, business has picked up. Where should I start?
How about CC Sabathia, who is a physical and some minor legal stuff from officially becoming a New York Yankee? Brian Cashman and Co. had their eyes on the prize and nothing, neither Sabathia's preference for California nor swinging a bat, and especially a few dollars and cents, was going to stop him. Cashman's dogged pursuit — he flew from Las Vegas to San Francisco to meet with Sabathia and his wife near the couple's Vallejo, Calif., home — apparently was the clincher.
Oh, there's also the $160 MILLION in Yankee money over seven years Sabathia will receive. Nobody in their right mind can turn down that amount of money. Let's hope Sabathia's heart is really in New York City and he show that at age 28 he's in the prime of his career. His pitching numbers the past two seasons are 19-7, 3.21 ERA, 241 IP and 209 strikeouts in 2007 (that won him a Cy Young). The following year, he went a combined 17-10, 2.70, 235 IP and 251 Ks. Don't forget how he carried the
Brewers on his broad shoulders to their first playoff appearance since 1982.
There are risks with Sabathia. The Yankees have more work to do, writes Steven Goldman, and long-term contracts have historically not worked out well, writes Joe Auriemma. I would have liked to seen the Yankees give Mark Teixeira the mega bucks and bring Derek Lowe, Ben Sheets, Oliver Perez, Jon Garland and the like on board. But I have no gripes with CC in pinstriped either. This guy is a proven horse who is only getting better. I see him doing great things in the Bronx. The numbers may not show it, but you will see Sabathia wear his heart on his sleeve.
There is trouble brewing in Rangers camp, to the point where Jonathan Ragus of Ranger Nation is calling for Tom Renney's head. That's not the solution. Renney is a good coach who's gotten the Rangers to the playoffs every full season under his leadership, but before the start of the season I wrote that the Rangers either get to the Eastern Conference Finals or only then would Renney be in serious trouble. That said, Renney has made some strange decisions of late and recently angered the normally placid Henrik Lundqvist. Hopefully this won't blow up into a bad soap opera.
I wrapped up a "Where are they now?" feature with Jerald Sowell for Jets Confidential last week and awaiting my next assignment. Jerald was as tough as they come, but one game needed his teammate and idol, Curtis Martin, to tell him not to give up on him.
The UFC is busy this month beginning with tonight's "Fight to the Troops" and Saturday's Ultimate Fighter Finale. I have Phillipe Nover defeating Efrain Escudero and Vinny Magalhaes over Ryan Bader. Some other good fighters are on this show from the promising (Anthony Johnson) to the ticking time bomb (Junie Browning). Browning is billed as "The Lunatic." You think?
Browning's coach tried to see his protege from a different point of view during our conversation awhile back. Browning is currently training with Xtreme Couture. If "The Natural" can't straighten him out, no one can. Frank Mir certainly couldn't handle him.
Speaking of Mir, he gets a shot at Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and the interim heavyweight championship at the year's biggest show Dec. 28. A ton of great fights on this card, including Matt Hamill Vs. Reese Andy. I have a four-part series on "The Hammer" debuting next week with new information on his movie project and why people care about him besides his inspiring plight as a deaf fighter.
How about CC Sabathia, who is a physical and some minor legal stuff from officially becoming a New York Yankee? Brian Cashman and Co. had their eyes on the prize and nothing, neither Sabathia's preference for California nor swinging a bat, and especially a few dollars and cents, was going to stop him. Cashman's dogged pursuit — he flew from Las Vegas to San Francisco to meet with Sabathia and his wife near the couple's Vallejo, Calif., home — apparently was the clincher.
Oh, there's also the $160 MILLION in Yankee money over seven years Sabathia will receive. Nobody in their right mind can turn down that amount of money. Let's hope Sabathia's heart is really in New York City and he show that at age 28 he's in the prime of his career. His pitching numbers the past two seasons are 19-7, 3.21 ERA, 241 IP and 209 strikeouts in 2007 (that won him a Cy Young). The following year, he went a combined 17-10, 2.70, 235 IP and 251 Ks. Don't forget how he carried the
Brewers on his broad shoulders to their first playoff appearance since 1982.
There are risks with Sabathia. The Yankees have more work to do, writes Steven Goldman, and long-term contracts have historically not worked out well, writes Joe Auriemma. I would have liked to seen the Yankees give Mark Teixeira the mega bucks and bring Derek Lowe, Ben Sheets, Oliver Perez, Jon Garland and the like on board. But I have no gripes with CC in pinstriped either. This guy is a proven horse who is only getting better. I see him doing great things in the Bronx. The numbers may not show it, but you will see Sabathia wear his heart on his sleeve.
There is trouble brewing in Rangers camp, to the point where Jonathan Ragus of Ranger Nation is calling for Tom Renney's head. That's not the solution. Renney is a good coach who's gotten the Rangers to the playoffs every full season under his leadership, but before the start of the season I wrote that the Rangers either get to the Eastern Conference Finals or only then would Renney be in serious trouble. That said, Renney has made some strange decisions of late and recently angered the normally placid Henrik Lundqvist. Hopefully this won't blow up into a bad soap opera.
I wrapped up a "Where are they now?" feature with Jerald Sowell for Jets Confidential last week and awaiting my next assignment. Jerald was as tough as they come, but one game needed his teammate and idol, Curtis Martin, to tell him not to give up on him.
The UFC is busy this month beginning with tonight's "Fight to the Troops" and Saturday's Ultimate Fighter Finale. I have Phillipe Nover defeating Efrain Escudero and Vinny Magalhaes over Ryan Bader. Some other good fighters are on this show from the promising (Anthony Johnson) to the ticking time bomb (Junie Browning). Browning is billed as "The Lunatic." You think?
Browning's coach tried to see his protege from a different point of view during our conversation awhile back. Browning is currently training with Xtreme Couture. If "The Natural" can't straighten him out, no one can. Frank Mir certainly couldn't handle him.
Speaking of Mir, he gets a shot at Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and the interim heavyweight championship at the year's biggest show Dec. 28. A ton of great fights on this card, including Matt Hamill Vs. Reese Andy. I have a four-part series on "The Hammer" debuting next week with new information on his movie project and why people care about him besides his inspiring plight as a deaf fighter.
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