SB Nation User Blog: Yoyo

MLB ready to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day

Yoyo — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:32:44 -0000

MLB ready to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day

" By request of Commissioner Bud Selig, as Major League Baseball celebrates the 62nd anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking its color barrier on Wednesday, all big league players and uniformed personnel have been asked to wear the late Hall of Famer's famous No. 42 on the field when the 30 teams celebrate the occasion.

The past two years, as the momentum to wear Robinson's number steamrolled through Major League clubhouses, Selig asked, but the act of wearing it was voluntary. Not so this year.

"April 15, 1947, is a day that resonates with history throughout Major League Baseball," Selig said. "With all Major League players, coaches and umpires wearing Jackie's No. 42, we hope to demonstrate the magnitude of his impact on the game of baseball. Major League Baseball will never forget the contributions that Jackie made both on and off the field."" - MLB.com

How to Create the College Football Playoff

Yoyo — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 19:41:21 -0000

With a majority of college football fans clamoring for a college football playoff over the last several years, many proposals have been brought forth. They have ranged from a simple "plus-one" game, to a 16-team playoff involving automatic bids from all eleven Division 1 conferences. BCS proponents claim the need for the integrity of the regular season. Playoff proponents cite the need for fairness in determining a champion. Why not have both? The eight-team playoff produces a format that will take both into account, and make it a practical change for the NCAA and its BCS bowls to make. Firstly, we'll keep the bowl season intact as it is.

Bowl Season

Bowl games will take place, with continued corporate sponsorship if they desire, in late December, with a few in early January. College football has had a long tradition of bowl games and there is no such recommendation to do away with this change.

The Eight-Team Playoff Selection

We will take the six BCS conferences' champions, to be determined by those respective conferences however way they wish, to take six of the eight automatic bowl bids. It is unlikely that we can take away the automatic bid to a BCS bowl game for a Big 6 conference, and would likely result in controversy (in this year's case: the ACC and Big East). Then, an automatic bid will be awarded to the highest ranked team in the BCS rankings that is part of a mid-major conference, or is Notre Dame. Finally, the last bid is an at-large bid, given to the highest-ranked team in the BCS rankings that did not win their conference or get the automatic mid-major bid. While politicking remains, it is now much less likely to result in a school getting snubbed. The best mid-major in the country will now have a chance to play for a championship. In this year's case, the teams would be: #1 Oklahoma, #2 Florida, #3 Texas, #5 USC, #6 Utah, #8 Penn State, #12 Cincinnati, and #19 Virginia Tech. While simply taking the top 8 teams seems more fair than simply taking automatic bids from weaker conferences, that proposal faces difficulty in being accepted because it does not allow BCS bowls to keep their matchups, and BCS proponents believe it is necessary to keep the regular season intact.

Playoffs, 1st Round:

The 1st round will be held on the same dates as the current BCS bowl matchups - at the beginning of January. The BCS bowls can continue to choose their matchups in their usual order, provided they choose within those eight teams previously mentioned. Examples of these playoffs in action:

2008:

Fiesta Bowl: #1 Oklahoma (Big-12 champion) vs. #6 Utah (Mid-major at-large)

Rose Bowl: #5 USC (Pac-10 champion) vs. #8 Penn State (Big-10 champion)

Sugar Bowl: #2 Florida (SEC champion) vs. #3 Texas (At-large)

Orange Bowl: #12 Cincinnati vs. #19 Virginia Tech

No playoffs: #4 Alabama, #10 Ohio State

2007:

Rose Bowl: #1 Ohio State (Big-10 champion) vs. #7 USC (Pac-10 champion)

Sugar Bowl: #2 LSU (SEC champion) vs. #10 Hawaii (Mid-major at-large)

Orange Bowl: #3 Virginia Tech (ACC champion) vs. #9 West Virginia (Big East champion)

Fiesta Bowl: #4 Oklahoma (Big-12 champion) vs. #5 Georgia (At-large)

Playoffs, Later Rounds:

The 2nd round will take place in the 2nd week of January, and there will be a reseeding of teams, based on rankings prior to the playoffs. Hence, teams that are higher ranked after having a better regular season still benefit. The best team will play the worst, in terms of rankings. The other two winners will play each other as well. They will each play at a BCS bowl venue again, with the choices being of those BCS bowls that do not host the title game. In this year's case, two of the following three BCS bowls will host a 2nd BCS game: Fiesta Bowl, the Rose Bowl, and the Sugar Bowl. They will get to pick the de facto 1 vs. 4 matchup, or the 2 vs. 3 matchup. The Orange Bowl hosts the championship game this year. While one BCS bowl only hosts one game, this will alternate every year so every three of four years, the BCS bowls get more than their share of revenue that they get now. The championship game will be held one week later, completing an eight-team playoff that is more fair and will generate more revenue for college football than ever before, yet is a plan the BCS bowls can accept.

FAQ:

The BCS preserves the excitement and intensity of the college football season.

This new BCS playoff system keeps it without teams getting snubbed. Conference regular season games matter more than ever, and out-of-conference games become important tests in preparation for conference play. Since only eight teams make the playoffs, every regular season game still counts. The BCS rankings still matter in determining two playoff spots as well as seeding in the playoffs, so style points still matter.

The out-of-conference games during the regular season become less important as conference championships are emphasized.

There will be more early season out-of-conference games between top mid-major and major teams, as the race for the playoffs heats up in mid-major conferences from the get go. Since there are two at-large spots, every regular season game for teams that barely fall short of a conference championship in a major conference still matter, as BCS pollsters will determine who gets in. Pollsters get to keep their jobs, even if they have somewhat less power than they do now. In the case of the Big 12 South, pollsters can still affect the outcome of the automatic bid as the champion is selected through BCS ranking. Additionally, the good teams who just want to win their major conference's automatic bid can schedule good out-of-conference teams to be adequately prepared for conference play, as all they have to do is win their conference. Additionally, the TV networks will have more high-profile games to show, due to early nonconference showdowns and the end-of-the year playoffs.

The college football season now extends two more weeks, and now more teams end the season with losses.

Yes, but this only applies to four other teams. Only three more teams will lose in the postseason - those who lose in the 2nd round and the championship game.

I represent Ohio State or Alabama and we deserve to be part of these BCS playoffs.

To preserve the regular season, we can't have either team in the BCS playoffs. Win your conference, or be the best at-large team in the country. Alabama has a good gripe, but winning your major conference will always get you into the BCS playoffs under this system.

The BCS bowls and conference presidents won't agree to this system.

I find it hard to believe they won't be persuaded to agree to this. Sure, the 1st round games lose a bit of importance. However, the BCS bowls will generate more revenue off of two games most years, than their usual one game a year. Plus, they can still choose their favored matchups - the Rose Bowl can retain their Pac-10 versus Big-10 matchup if they want to, provided they are the champions of both conferences. The Big Six conferences will therefore get more revenue going to their conferences. These six conferences are still free to select their conference winners no matter how they want, so this should not be a huge factor.

Why not a 4, 12, or 16-team playoff?

Four-team playoffs snub some major conferences, which means it won't pass. An "and-one" system does not solve the problem of fairness. Meanwhile a 12 or 16-team playoff opens up questions about the loss of excitement in the college football regular season, and the extended week of play makes it difficult for college administrators and presidents to accept. It would also be difficult to get the BCS bowls to agree to giving up so much power for such a playoff, as other bowls would be involved. We also need to keep the bowls intact.

Conclusion

This plan is ultimately about pragmatism, and this idea actually has a good chance of being accepted by most parts of the college football community. This is not a radical change of the system - it's one that is a reform of the current system. BCS bowls and the NCAA receive more revenue, and TV networks will have more exciting matchups. The college football season remains as exciting as it ever was because only eight teams get in. Eight teams, rather than two teams, get to play for the national championship. Mid-majors now have a legit shot at a national title. And most importantly, fans like you and me can finally enjoy a playoff that we have always wanted in college football.

Constructive criticism (and praise) towards this system is welcome. I may have neglected to consider various arguments that would make this system less than satisfactory, but I do believe that this is an effective playoff.

Poll

Is this playoff proposal a good idea?

In Oklahoma City ?????'s Day 4 Summer League game against the Miami Heat, Russell Westbrook torched...

Yoyo — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 06:55:07 -0000

In Oklahoma City ?????'s Day 4 Summer League game against the Miami Heat, Russell Westbrook torched Mario Chalmers for 19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals...in just 24 minutes of play! A NBA scout considers him the best player in the Summer League, of which only plays young players in their first two years as well as undrafted rookies, outside of Kevin Durant himself.

ESPN link here.

A comparison of Cal and UCLA football

Yoyo — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 08:56:48 -0000

Cal Football from 2001-2006

2001: 1-10 (one of the worst years for Cal football)

Tedford hired after 2001 season

7-5
8-6
10-2
8-4
9-3

Cal had one of their worst seasons in 2001, a dismal 1-10 team. Struggling head coach Holmoe was quickly replaced by Tedford. While his paycheck is big, he has been a solid coach, turning the Cal program from a Pac-10 bottom dweller to a top Pac-10 team. Every year in the Tedford era has been a winning season, and the last three have been well over .500. What he started with, a 1-10 team, has turned into a Rose Bowl contender year in and year out.

In sharp contrast is Dorrell's impact on Bruin football, which we know very well.

UCLA Football from 2001-2006

Dorrell hired after 2002 season

6-7
6-6
10-2
7-6

While Dorrell has not yet coached for five years, we can see that there is a discrepancy. There has been no improvement on Toledo's program. Contrast this with Cal's program.

Keep all of this in mind when KD apologists mention that we have unrealistic expectations. I am sure there are many more examples of this; if you can think of any good ones, please share it with the rest of us.

Cowan gets start in Emerald Bowl

Yoyo — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 08:27:46 -0000

Cowan to start per the LA Times:

Patrick Cowan will start at quarterback against Florida State in the Emerald Bowl, Coach Karl Dorrell said Friday, ending speculation that Ben Olson might take back the job.

"We think that he's deserving of that at this time," Dorrell said of Cowan. "He finished the season 3-0 and he was the most valuable player in our last game."

Cowan took over as the starter when Olson tore a knee ligament Oct. 7 against Arizona. He has started the last seven games and was instrumental in UCLA's upset over No. 2 USC on Dec. 2, when he rushed for a team-high 72 yards and a touchdown.

...

As for being named the starter in the Dec. 27 Emerald Bowl, Cowan said he would have practiced the same way no matter who was starting.

"It's nice to know, but it wouldn't have changed any work I put into the game," he said.

Dorrell said that Cowan and Olson, both sophomores, would compete for the starting job again next season.

The speculation ends here as St. Patrick gets the start against Florida State in the Emerald Bowl. It also looks like KD will make it an open competition for the starting spot next year, which can only be a good thing.

GO BRUINS!

Pete Carroll wants to go to the Rose Bowl

Yoyo — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 04:45:54 -0000

Emphasis bolded by me.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-simers28nov28,1,6032793.column?coll=la-utilities-sports

It's the job of a reporter, of course, to challenge everything, remaining skeptical when everyone else is buying into all the propaganda and hoopla. But I've got to say -- when I hear Pete Carroll talk, I now consider it the gospel.

So the other day when he mentioned for the umpteenth time that USC's No. 1 goal every year is to make it to the Rose Bowl and he doesn't even give a thought to the Bowl Championship Series title game in Glendale, Ariz., I can't imagine him not telling the truth.

In fact I've heard him repeatedly talk about how much the Rose Bowl means to him, how quickly he dismisses any BCS talk, while steering the conversation back to the Rose Bowl and what it means for USC to play in the granddaddy of them all.

I mentioned this Monday to Karl Dorrell, and I've got to tell you, UCLA's coach could not have been any more agreeable when I suggested, "Then let's give Pete what he really wants, and send him to the Rose Bowl."

"I'd love it," said Dorrell, and I think that's pretty darn thoughtful of the guy.

"If that happens, I'll hug you," Dorrell added, which makes me wonder what Carroll might do if Dorrell and I can make his dream come true and send the Trojans to the Rose Bowl.

Let's give him and the Ttrojans what they want by beating $C this Saturday.

GO BRUINS.

November Prediction time

Yoyo — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 16:38:43 -0000

Warriors, November 2006!

Nov 1 vs LA Lakers - W
Nov 3 vs Portland - W
Nov 4 at Utah - W
Nov 6 at Dallas - L (I know we won twice last year)
Nov 7 at New Orl/OKC - L
Nov 9 vs New Orl/OKC - W
Nov 11 vs Detroit - L
Nov 14 vs Toronto - W
Nov 16 vs Sacramento - L
Nov 18 vs Seattle - W
Nov 20 vs Phoenix - L
Nov 22 vs Denver - W
Nov 24 at Denver - L
Nov 25 vs Utah - W
Nov 27 vs San Antonio - L
Nov 29 vs Indiana - W

Warriors 9-7.

Your turn!

Dunleavy is our new leader!

Yoyo — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 06:14:06 -0000

Haha, just joking with you. However, there's some intriguing news from training camp:

One of the most impressive performances in training camp thus far took place late on Thursday, when Mike Dunleavy stepped to the free throw line. Dunleavy, as with all 18 players on the roster, must shoot 100 free throws at the end of every practice. Each player is required to pair up with a teammate and chart the other's progress in increments of 10 (10 x 10). Last season, Mike D. shot a respectable 78% from the charity stripe. On this night, however, he nailed a perfect 100%. Yes, he actually made 100 out of 100 free throws, enough to put a smile on the face of Hal Wissel, who was hired by Coach Nelson to help address the team's free throw problems. As an indication of some of the success enjoyed in camp to date, many players have shot the ball well from the line, including Troy Murphy (98% tonight), Dajuan Wagner (93% tonight), Adonal Foyle (90% tonight) and Andris Biedrins (85% tonight). Wissel indicates that most players will shoot about 10% better in practice then in a game situation. So, we'll expect to see Mike D. shoot 90% from the line this season.

Foyle shooting 90%? Biedrins shooting 85%? And tonight, Dunleavy shot 96% from the line. I sense good things to come...at least from the charity stripe. By the way, the link to the article is here.

The Warriors NBA Live 07 Ratings

Yoyo — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 04:17:13 -0000

NBA Live 06 ratings have also been released.

http://sports.ign.com/nbalive07/goldenstate.html

For those of you too lazy to click:

J-Rich!!! 85
Boom Dizzle 84
Murph 75
Dun-Dun 74
Air France 72
Brown 69
Ike 69
Zarko 66 (higher than Biedrins and Ellis?!)
1-Minute Man 65
Owens 65
McLeod 63
Foyled 63
MONTA!!! 61 (61?!? I was expecting something more like high 60's)
The Chef 58
Taft 55

Last year, they overhyped the Warriors in ratings. This year, it looks like they have underhyped us.

That said, I'm totally outraged at the underrating of Monta. 77 max speed, 67 agility, 73 quickness, and 74 acceleration?!?