Bored

2004 Top 3 1. Jim Edmonds 2. Carlos Beltran 3. Johnny Damon 2005 Top 3 1. Jim Edmonds 2. Grady Sizemore 3. Andruw Jones 2006 Centerfielder Rankings 1. Carlos Beltran, Mets 2. Grady Sizemore, Indians 3. Vernon Wells, Blue Jays 4. Andruw Jones, Braves 5. Mike Cameron, Padres 6. Johnny Damon, Yankees 7. Gary Matthews Jr., Rangers 8. Torii Hunter, Twins 9. Curtis Granderson, Tigers 10. Rocco Baldelli, Devil Rays 11. Eric Byrnes, Diamondbacks 12. Kenny Lofton, Dodgers 13. Corey Patterson, Orioles 14. Chone Figgins, Angels 15. Juan Pierre, Cubs 16. Jim Edmonds, Cardinals 17. Shane Victorino, Phillies 18. Ken Griffey Jr., Reds 19. Mark Kotsay, A's 20. Willy Taveras, Astros 21. Steve Finley, Giants 22. Coco Crisp, Red Sox 23. Aaron Rowand, Phillies 24. Brady Clark, Brewers 25. Cory Sullivan, Rockies 26. Chris Duffy, Pirates 27. Joey Gathright, Devil Rays/Royals 28. Alfredo Amezaga, Marlins 29. Brian Anderson, White Sox 30. Reggie Abercrombie, Marlins

Although they did fairly well down the stretch, the A's offense was not very good at all this season. When Thomas isn't hitting they have problems. That's what would have been an interesting storyline in the World Series is if the A's would take their chances and try Frank at first base in the N.L. park but not going to have to wonder about that now.

Texans - 10 points Detroit Carolina Tampa Bay Dallas Atlanta New Orleans St. Louis Washington Pittsburgh N.Y. Jets San Francisco Denver Arizona

Thank you MLB for moving the game up so I didn't have to watch it. Oh well I'm just glad they finally won a playoff series but I hope they can at least avoid the sweep.

Sorry, you've been late too often so I'm sticking with using bravesfan's picks for the week.

2004 Top 3 1. Barry Bonds 2. Manny Ramirez 3. Adam Dunn 2005 Top 3 1. Manny Ramirez 2. Jason Bay 3. Miguel Cabrera 2006 Leftfielder Rankings 1. Manny Ramirez, Red Sox 2. Alfonso Soriano, Nationals 3. Barry Bonds, Giants 4. Jason Bay, Pirates 5. Carlos Lee, Brewers/Rangers 6. Matt Holliday, Rockies 7. Raul Ibanez, Mariners 8. Carl Crawford, Devil Rays 9. Juan Rivera, Angels 10. Adam Dunn, Reds 11. Reed Johnson, Blue Jays 12. Pat Burrell, Phillies 13. Dave Roberts, Padres 14. Josh Willingham, Marlins 15. Davd DeJesus, Royals 16. Emil Brown, Royals 17. Frank Catalanotto, Blue Jays 18. Jay Payton, A's 19. Craig Monroe, Tigers 20. Matt Murton, Cubs 21. Andre Ethier, Dodgers 22. Luis Gonzalez, Diamondbacks 23. Garret Anderson, Angels 24. Melky Cabrera, Yankees 25. Preston Wilson, Astros/Cardinals 26. Cliff Floyd, Mets 27. Ryan Langerhans, Braves 28. Jason Michaels, Indians 29. Scott Podsednik, White Sox 30. Brad Wilkerson, Rangers

Okay for future reference, do not do what Gert T did. Either submit your full picks by the deadline or you get no credit for the weekday games. I'll let Gert's picks count since I never specified it before. Cuban Linx and Vitamin X are late with their picks. PM'd Picks Florida State - Kingofthe909 THURSDAY Virginia Tech at Boston College Colorado State at Air Force SATURDAY Wake Forest at N.C. State South Florida at North Carolina Oklahoma State at Kansas Rutgers at Navy Missouri at Texas A&M Tulsa at East Carolina Marshall at SMU Maryland at Virginia Toledo at Kent State Ohio at Illinois Florida at Auburn Michigan at Penn State Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Florida/Auburn game? 35 How many rushing yards will Rutgers' Ray Rice have against Navy? 155 Texas A&M - Secret Agent THURSDAY Virginia Tech at Boston College Colorado State at Air Force SATURDAY Wake Forest at N.C. State South Florida at North Carolina Oklahoma State at Kansas Rutgers at Navy Missouri at Texas A&M Tulsa at East Carolina Marshall at SMU Maryland at Virginia Toledo at Kent State Ohio at Illinois Florida at Auburn Michigan at Penn State Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Florida/Auburn game? 45 How many rushing yards will Rutgers' Ray Rice have against Navy? 126 Florida - Urban Warfare THURSDAY Virginia Tech Air Force SATURDAY N.C. State South Florida Oklahoma State Rutgers Missouri Tulsa Marshall Virginia Toledo Illinois Auburn Michigan Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Florida/Auburn game? 54 How many rushing yards will Rutgers' Ray Rice have against Navy? 132 San Diego State - The Last Samurai THURSDAY Virginia Tech at Boston College Colorado State at Air Force SATURDAY Wake Forest at N.C. State South Florida at North Carolina Oklahoma State at Kansas Rutgers at Navy Missouri at Texas A&M Tulsa at East Carolina Marshall at SMU Maryland at Virginia Toledo at Kent State Ohio at Illinois Florida at Auburn Michigan at Penn State Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Florida/Auburn game? 55 How many rushing yards will Rutgers' Ray Rice have against Navy? 65 LSU - teke184 THURSDAY Virginia Tech at Boston College Colorado State at Air Force SATURDAY Wake Forest at N.C. State South Florida at North Carolina Oklahoma State at Kansas Rutgers at Navy Missouri at Texas A&M Tulsa at East Carolina Marshall at SMU Maryland at Virginia Toledo at Kent State Ohio at Illinois Florida at Auburn Michigan at Penn State Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Florida/Auburn game? 52 Tiebreak #2: How many rushing yards will Rutgers' Ray Rice have against Navy? 162 Miami of Ohio - Hawk 34 THURSDAY Virginia Tech at Boston College Colorado State at Air Force SATURDAY Wake Forest at N.C. State South Florida at North Carolina Oklahoma State at Kansas Rutgers at Navy Missouri at Texas A&M Tulsa at East Carolina Marshall at SMU Maryland at Virginia Toledo at Kent State Ohio at Illinois Florida at Auburn Michigan at Penn State Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Florida/Auburn game? 27 Tiebreak #2: How many rushing yards will Rutgers' Ray Rice have against Navy? 189 UCLA - phoenixrising THURSDAY Virginia Tech Colorado State SATURDAY N.C. State South Florida Kansas Rutgers Missouri Tulsa Marshall Maryland Toledo Illinois Florida Michigan Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Florida/Auburn game? 31 Tiebreak #2: How many rushing yards will Rutgers' Ray Rice have against Navy? 160 Georgia Tech - iggymcfly THURSDAY Virginia Tech at Boston College Colorado State at Air Force SATURDAY Wake Forest at N.C. State South Florida at North Carolina Oklahoma State at Kansas Rutgers at Navy Missouri at Texas A&M Tulsa at East Carolina Marshall at SMU Maryland at Virginia Toledo at Kent State Ohio at Illinois Florida at Auburn Michigan at Penn State Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Florida/Auburn game? 43 Tiebreak #2: How many rushing yards will Rutgers' Ray Rice have against Navy? 161 Arizona State - Spicy McHaggis THURSDAY Virginia Tech Colorado State SATURDAY Wake Forest South Florida Kansas Rutgers Missouri Tulsa Marshall Virginia Toledo Ohio Auburn Michigan Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Florida/Auburn game? 33 Tiebreak #2: How many rushing yards will Rutgers' Ray Rice have against Navy? 115 Oregon - nogoodnick THURSDAY Boston College Air Force SATURDAY N.C. State South Florida Kansas Rutgers Missouri East Carolina SMU Maryland Kent State Ohio Florida Michigan Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Florida/Auburn game? 35 Tiebreak #2: How many rushing yards will Rutgers' Ray Rice have against Navy? 143 Hawaii - Will Scarlet THURSDAY Virginia Tech Colorado State SATURDAY N.C. State South Florida Oklahoma State Rutgers Missouri Tulsa SMU Maryland Kent State Illinois Florida Michigan Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Florida/Auburn game? 37 Tiebreak #2: How many rushing yards will Rutgers' Ray Rice have against Navy? 100 Boise State/Kansas State - bravesfan Virginia Tech Colorado State N.C. State South Florida Oklahoma State Rutgers Missouri Tulsa (FUCK EAST CAROLINA) SMU Maryland Kent State Illinois Florida Michigan 31/120 San Jose State - kkktookmybabyaway Boston College Air Force N.C. State South Florida Oklahoma State Rutgers Texas A&M Tulsa Marshall Virginia Toledo Illinois Florida Michigan Tiebreak #1: 51 Tiebreak #2: 123 Oregon State - Princess Leena Boston College. Air Force. North Carolina State. South Florida. Kansas. Rutgers. Texas A&M. Tulsa. Southern Methodist. Maryland. Kent State. Illinois. Auburn. Michigan. 38. 170. Alabama - AlwaysPissedOff Virginia Tech Air Force Wake Forest South Florida Kansas Rutgers Missouri Tulsa Marshall Maryland Kent State Illinois Auburn Michigan TB #1: 36 TB #2: 115 Temple - Ortonsault THURSDAY Virginia Tech Air Force SATURDAY NC State South Florida Kansas Rutgers Missouri Tulsa SMU Maryland Kent State Illinois Florida Michigan Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Florida/Auburn game? 37 Tiebreak #2: How many rushing yards will Rutgers' Ray Rice have against Navy? 151

My Picks Virginia Tech Air Force N.C. State South Florida Kansas Rutgers Missouri Tulsa SMU Maryland Kent State Illinois Auburn Michigan Tiebreaks: 37/145

God damnit. Great now Mariotti and company can write columns again how Thomas isn't a Hall of Famer. Bleh. Down 0-2 coming home? Doable. Down 0-2 going on the road? Forget it. I just hope they don't get swept now.

Macha is driving me nuts right now. What the hell is he saving Duchscherer for? They can't afford to give up another run yet he doesn't go with his best middle reliever in the late innings. This team is toast if they don't win tonight and he's managing like its the middle of May.

Well sweeping the Twins was fun. This...not so much.

2004 Top 3 1. Miguel Tejada 2. Carlos Guillen 3. Michael Young 2005 Top 3 1. Michael Young 2. Miguel Tejada 3. Derek Jeter 2006 Shortstop Rankings 1. Derek Jeter, Yankees 2. Jose Reyes, Mets 3. Carlos Guillen, Tigers 4. Rafael Furcal, Dodgers 5. Miguel Tejada, Orioles 6. Hanley Ramirez, Marlins 7. Michael Young, Rangers 8. Jimmy Rollins, Phillies 9. Bill Hall, Brewers 10. Orlando Cabrera, Angels 11. Edgar Renteria, Braves 12. Omar Vizquel, Giants 13. Felipe Lopez, Reds/Nationals 14. Jason Bartlett, Twins 15. Jhonny Peralta, Indians 16. Khalil Greene, Paders 17. Julio Lugo, Devil Rays/Dodgers 18. Yuniesky Betancourt, Mariners 19. David Eckstein, Cardinals 20. Jack Wilson, Pirates 21. Juan Uribe, White Sox 22. Adam Everett, Astros 23. Alex Gonzalez, Red Sox 24. Craig Counsell, Diamondbacks 25. Bobby Crosby, A's 26. Royce Clayton, Nationals/Reds 27. Clint Barmes, Rockies 28. Ronny Cedeno, Cubs 29. John McDonald, Blue Jays 30. Angel Berroa, Royals

I already posted in the ALCS thread about the game, where I was probably on t.v. for a split second on the Inge homerun, so I'd like to throw in something for the blog. Ever since 9/11 the New York Yankees and I'm guessing the Mets as well play "God Bless America" during the 7th inning stretch and in the immediate aftermatch of 9/11 this was common across baseball. As time has passed the regular tradition of the 7th inning stretch has continued in most ballparks, including in Oakland. But since we're in the playoffs now Bud Selig feels it's necessary to force everyone to play this God awful song that grinds a game to a complete halt and makes break in the middle of the 7th twice as long. If New York wants to do it that's fine but forcing all other teams remaining in the playoffs to do it is lame and really pointless. What exactly is the significance of playing "God Bless America"? Even if you're the most patriotic of Americans you have to admit it's not a good song. Tonight it didn't really matter with the general awfulness of the A's performance but the break to play "God Bless America" can completely take the air out an entire stadium after an exciting Top of the 7th. Sorta off topic I hadn't been to a playoff game since 2002 and I forgot how long the breaks are between innings because of network commercials. Almost every inning the pitcher would finish his warm ups and have to just stand there for 30 seconds so FOX could come back from commercial. Tommorrow, back to the player rankings moving on to shortstops. God Bless Jeter.

I wouldn't laugh. On collegebcs.com they post strength of schedule rankings based on the BCS' old formula for calculating strength of schedule that is no longer factored and USC currently has the toughest schedule in the country to this point with Florida in 3rd.

So I saw history? Um, yay? I was sitting down the line in left field in that one section that is on the fair side of the foul pole and the Inge homerun landed two rows in front of me. The guy who got the ball got a lot of shit for not throwing it back but they eject you in Oakland if you throw the ball back. Apparantly Inge wanted the ball as security asked the guy to come with him and he was offered a signed bat but turned it down but not like he's going to get any money for it. I also saw about six different fights tonight and one fan punching a cop but I unfortunately couldn't see the beatdown that ensued. Other than that, the game blew. Really pathetic performance by the A's offense as that should have been a much closer game if they could have done anything with runners on. Oh well at least it was only Game 1.

Here's the unofficial BCS Top 25 from collegebcs.com as again there's only one computer ranking that is not public yet. This will give a good idea of what the rankings are going to look like on Sunday as outside of Auburn/Florida there isn't another game that could have a big impact on the rankings unless there is a big upset. 1) Ohio State 2) USC 3) Florida 4) Michigan 5) Louisville 6) Notre Dame 7) Tennessee 8) Texas 9) West Virginia 10) Auburn 11) California 12) Clemson 13) Iowa 14) Boise State 15) Arkansas 16) Missouri 17) Oregon 18) Georgia 19) Georgia Tech 20) Nebraska 21) LSU 22) Virginia Tech 23) Rutgers 24) Boston College 25) Oklahoma

IK Cool Jew has volunteered to take over a dead team so he'll take over Penn State. He's not eligble to win the contest but can be eligible for the conference title game and bowl games.

God damn I can't wait to get to the game tommorrow. I wonder what American Idol reject FOX will get to sing the national anthem? Found a link on foxsports.com for the regional breakdown for Wednesday night's games as both LCS' will be going on at the same time. Less than 20% of the country will get Game 2 on FOX while the rest will get Game 1 of the NLCS. The game will be carried on FX for all other markets. Also for this series it's a damn shame the Yankees didn't hire Lou Pinella today so we possibly wouldn't be subjected to hearing him announce for this series. Note: Due to their numerous infield injuries, to replace Mark Ellis on the roster they've had to add minor leaguer Mark Kiger to the roster who just this year at age 27 made it to Triple-A. He'll only see action in an emergency but I'd have to imagine he'd be the first player ever to make his MLB debut in the playoffs.

AP poll but it of course is not in the BCS. Coaches' and Harris poll have USC #2. First BCS rankings will be out on Sunday.

What players, if any, appeared on just one ballot for the MVP voting?

I thought it might be kind of interesting to look at who's #1 on the similarity score list of this year's top rookies, not that it means much. Hanley Ramirez - Jimmy Rollins (#2 Derek Jeter) Francisco Liriano - Al Downing (#6 Whitey Ford) Justin Verlander - Clark Griffith Ryan Zimmerman - Ken Keltner (#2 Ron Santo) Jontahan Papelbon - Dave Smith (#8 Jeff Reardon) Dan Uggla - Charlie Irwin (#5 Chase Utley) Jered Weaver - John Fulgham (#5 Luis Tiant) Verlander and Uggla are OLD SCHOOL~!

2004 Top 3 1. Adrian Beltre 2. Scott Rolen 3. Melvin Mora 2005 Top 3 1. Alex Rodriguez 2. Morgan Ensberg 3. David Wright 2006 3rd Basemen Rankings 1. Miguel Cabrera, Marlins 2. David Wright, Mets 3. Garett Atkins, Rockies 4. Alex Rodriguez, Yankees 5. Chipper Jones, Braves 6. Aramis Ramirez, Cubs 7. Freddy Sanchez, Pirates 8. Scott Rolen, Cardinals 9. Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals 10. Mark Teahen, Royals 11. Joe Crede, White Sox 12. Troy Glaus, Blue Jays 13. Adrian Beltre, Mariners 14. Mike Lowell, Red Sox 15. Morgan Ensberg, Astros 16. Eric Chavez, A's 17. Brandon Inge, Tigers 18. Edwin Encarnacion, Reds 19. Melvin Mora, Orioles 20. Chad Tracy, Diamondbacks 21. Macier Izturis, Angels 22. Aubrey Huff, Devil Rays/Astros 23. Corey Koskie, Brewers 24. David Bell, Phillies/Brewers 25. Hank Blalock, Rangers 26. Nick Punto, Twins 27. Pedro Feliz, Giants 28. Aaron Boone, Indians 29. Abraham Nunez, Phillies 30. Vinny Castilla, Padres/Rockies

Not only a weak schedule overall but very light on the t.v. coverage this week. Network/Basic Cable Schedule THURSDAY #22 Virginia Tech at Boston College, 7:30/4:30 PM, ESPN FRIDAY Pittsburgh at Central Florida, 8:00/5:00 PM, ESPN2 SATURDAY Minnesota at #25 Wisconsin, Noon/9:00 AM, ESPN #15 Iowa at Indiana, Noon/9:00 AM, ESPN2 Iowa State at #23 Oklahoma, 12:30 PM/9:30 AM, FSN Mississippi at Alabama, 3:30/12:30 PM, CBS #1 Ohio State at Michigan State, 3:30/12:30 PM, ABC* UCLA at #18 Oregon, 3:30/12:30 PM, ABC* #19 Missouri at Texas A&M, 3:30/12:30 PM, ABC* Baylor at #6 Texas, 7:00/4:00 PM, TBS #2 Florida at #11 Auburn, 7:45/4:45 PM, ESPN #4 Michigan at Penn State, 8:00/5:00 PM, ABC* Arizona State at #3 USC, 8:00/5:00 PM, ABC* SUNDAY #20 Boise State at New Mexico State, 8:00/5:00 PM, ESPN Other Cable/Gameplan Schedule THURSDAY Temple at #12 Clemson, 7:30/4:30 PM, ESPNU SATURDAY South Florida at North Carolina, Noon/9:00 AM, ESPNU Wake Forest at N.C. State, Noon/9:00 AM, LF/GP Purdue at Northwestern, Noon/9:00 AM, GP Syracuse at #5 West Virginia, Noon/9:00 AM, GP Vanderbilt at #16 Georgia, 12:30 PM/9:30 AM, LF/GP #24 Rutgers at Navy, 1:30 PM/10:30 AM, CSTV Northern Illinois at Western Michigan, 2:00 PM/11:00 AM, GP Cincinnati at #7 Louisville, 3:30/12:30 PM, ESPNU Louisiana-Monroe at Troy, 4:00/1:00 PM, GP Hawaii at Fresno State, 5:00/2:00 PM, GP Florida International at Miami, 7:00/4:00 PM, GP UAB at Rice, 7:30/4:30 PM, CSTV New Mexico at UNLV, 10:00/7:00 PM, CSTV All Other D-IA Games THURSDAY Southern Utah at Florida Atlantic Colorado State at Air Force SATURDAY Army at Connecticut Florida State at Duke Miami of Ohio at Buffalo Ball State at Central Michigan SE Missouri State at #17 Arkansas Arkansas State at Memphis Oklahoma State at Kansas Jacksonville State at Mississippi State Tulsa at East Carolina Marshall at SMU Utah at Wyoming Texas Tech at Colorado Maryland at Virginia, ESPN360 Eastern Michigan at Bowling Green Toledo at Kent State Arizona at Stanford #10 California at Washington State Utah State at San Jose State Oregon State at Washington Ohio at Illinois, ESPN360 Idaho at Louisiana Tech Houston at Southern Miss #21 Nebraska at Kansas State Kentucky at #14 LSU Tulane at UTEP

I had to change the tiebreak #2 question as Mario Manningham is reportedly out with a knee injury. I've received 4 pm'd picks so I'll let those posters know to change their answers.

Well it was Schott who killed the season ticket base. I actually didn't mind the tarp idea for the regular season but it backfired because after putting the tarps they started talking about moving to Fremont (20 minutes from Oakland) and that a pissed off a lot of people so thus the demand for season tickets didn't go up as much as they hoped. Again my theory is that they are doing it for the playoffs to force people to put down deposits for 2007 season tickets out of fear of being shut out for the World Series. Really there is no other logical explanation to not open the upper deck. If they do advance scalping is going to be out of control.