Tag: sports

Major League Baseball 2014: Clayton Kershaw Is Your 2014 National League MVP And Other Second-Half Predictions Pt.1

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
(Doug Pensinger/Getty Images North America)
Clayton Kershaw (11-2, 1.92 ERA) has been one of the most dominant players at any position in baseball in 2014 (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images North America)

I know what month it is, but I don’t care.

I’m not going to bore you with names like Jonathan Lucroy or Giancarlos Stanton. I’m also not going to debate with you about Troy Tulowitzki because, quite frankly, there isn’t an argument as far as I’m concerned. Anyone who has paid attention to the 2014 Major League Baseball season knows where the National League’s Most Valuable Player resides; and it also happens to be where the best pitcher in baseball resides.  Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014: Clayton Kershaw Is Your 2014 National League MVP And Other Second-Half Predictions Pt.1” →

Major League Baseball 2014: No Bigger All-Star Snub Than Sonny Gray In 2014

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
Sonny Gray (9-3, 2.97 ERA, 103 K's) is the best pitcher on the best team in baseball (Jason O. Watson/Getty Images North America)
Sonny Gray (9-3, 2.97 ERA, 103 K’s) is the best pitcher on the best team in baseball (Jason O. Watson/Getty Images North America)

Let me start by saying I am 100% in favor of getting rid of the rule that each team has to have a representative. Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014: No Bigger All-Star Snub Than Sonny Gray In 2014” →

Major League Baseball 2014: Five Contenders And What They Need To Fix For A Playoff Push

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
The Braves Tommy La Stella (.343 BA, .410 OBP in 19 games) has warranted a spot in the top third of Atlanta's lineup)
The Braves Tommy La Stella (.343 BA, .410 OBP in 19 games) has warranted a spot in the top third of Atlanta’s lineup)

We’ve passed the point of its early. You’re either a “contender” at this point or you’re not. Of course there are teams that can put together a run, but generally they have the talent on their roster to be considered a team to watch as we head into the All-Star break in the next four weeks. Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014: Five Contenders And What They Need To Fix For A Playoff Push” →

“Mr. Padre”: A Look Back At Tony Gwynn’s Incredible Career And Legacy

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
Baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn batted .300 or better for 19 consecutive years and won eight National League Batting Titles
Baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn batted .300 or better for 19 consecutive years and won eight National League Batting Titles

I grew up watching pitching clinics on the mound in, both, old Atlanta Fulton-County Stadium and Turner Field. Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz were the standard bearers when it came to Cy Young level performances.

But when Tony Gwynn came to town, it was all about the art of hitting. Continue reading ““Mr. Padre”: A Look Back At Tony Gwynn’s Incredible Career And Legacy” →

National Football League 2014: Some Friends And I Ranked All 32 NFL Quarterbacks, The Results Were Interesting

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
Joe Flacco and Ben Roesthlisberger both own Super Bowl rings, but didn't get much top-10 love in the rankings
Joe Flacco (average rank: 12.5) and Ben Roesthlisberger (average rank: 11.3) both own Super Bowl rings, but didn’t get much top-10 love in the rankings

I thought it would be fun to ask a few of my friends to rank all 32 starting quarterbacks in the NFL as they saw fit. As you can expect, once some of them (myself included) got into the process they realized that ranking them was more difficult than first thought. Continue reading “National Football League 2014: Some Friends And I Ranked All 32 NFL Quarterbacks, The Results Were Interesting” →

Major League Baseball 2014: My Beef With The Boston Red Sox and Baseball’s Unwritten Rules

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
I've got an issue with Gomes and the Red Sox behavior from this past weekend
I’ve got an issue with Gomes and the Red Sox behavior from this past weekend

Every now and then I get into this phase where I need to take a step back from writing/podcasting about sports to enjoy it again. It has been a while since I wrote on this blog but it really is for the betterment of the content (at least that is what I tell myself). My apologies for the break, but I am back now and I’ve got beef with a team and a concept. Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014: My Beef With The Boston Red Sox and Baseball’s Unwritten Rules” →

Major League Baseball Preview 2014: National League West

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
Madison Bumgarner (13-9, 2.77 ERA, 199 K's, 1.033 WHIP) has next level ability and will flourish in 2014
Madison Bumgarner (13-9, 2.77 ERA, 199 K’s, 1.033 WHIP) has next level ability and will flourish in 2014

Well call me crazy, but I’m thinking going against the national grain is warranted here.

The Los Angeles Dodgers were picked by 43 of 44 baseball analysts to make the postseason as the National League West champion. Count me among that minority in thinking they will get in some other way. Continue reading “Major League Baseball Preview 2014: National League West” →

Major League Baseball Preview 2014: National League Central

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
Michael-Wacha
Michael Wacha (NLCS MVP) will be a full-time starter in 2014.

In the National League Central the way of life still sees the St. Louis Cardinals as the cream of the crop.

In 2013, however, the Pirates made it known they would like to join the conversation. With a rotation that might be the best in the business and professional hitters up and down their lineup the Cardinals look ready to make another World Series run. The Pirates, who finally broke through after 20-consecutive losing seasons, have a good thing going in Pittsburgh with a good mix of youth and veteran leadership. Continue reading “Major League Baseball Preview 2014: National League Central” →

Major League Baseball 2014 Preview: National League East

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
Jason Heyward seems to have found his comfort zone in the leadoff spot, from which he hit .322 with 6 HR, 16 RBI's and a .403 OBP.
Jason Heyward seems to have found his comfort zone in the leadoff spot; from which he hit .322 with 6 HR, 16 RBI’s and a .403 OBP.

In the National League East things are getting tight in a hurry.

Last season, everyone (myself included) picked the Washington Nationals to run away with this division. Could you blame me? They had a bullpen, a deep lineup, a strong rotation, and the manager to lead them. They were also coming off a season in which they had already won the division, so forgive me for picking the favorites.

But boy did I struggle again this year. Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014 Preview: National League East” →

National Football League Draft 2014: So The Rams, Browns, Texans, Jaguars, and Raiders Need A Quarterback? I’ve Got A Suggestion

Posted on by Adam Cubbage
Brett Smith of Wyoming might be this year’s draft gem at Quarterback

The NFL draft is May 8 and this time of year always makes me scratch my head. Continue reading “National Football League Draft 2014: So The Rams, Browns, Texans, Jaguars, and Raiders Need A Quarterback? I’ve Got A Suggestion” →