Free Agent, Raburn Update

Free Agent Extravaganza!!!!!!!11one

Source: NHL.com

At this rate, I say Parise is going to sign with:

1. Windsor Spitfires
2. Quebec Nordiques
3. The WNBA

 Or maybe he'll join the Heat...?

I don't know and I'm starting to care less.

 

Raburn Update 

Now, Mario, you tell me that were "signs" in June that Raburn was going to be picking it up soon. Were these "signs" perhaps made of construction paper and written crayons, which Raburn tapped all over the club house? Because I haven't seen them yet.

Tell me, Dave, that we are getting rid of him.

Nicklas Lidstrom to make Retirement Anouncement after 20 NHL Seasons

Source: Sports Illustrated

Tigers: Raburn to Toledo

   Real Quick, Tigers have optioned Ryan Raburn to Toledo. No idea why it has taken this long, but it has been done. However, it has brought up a lot of concerns. We don't have a consistent team. Worth and Kelly haven't lived up and don't seem to starter-like qualities.
   Now everyone seems to be all happy do to the Raburn thing, and now want to pick up someone big like Vladimir Guerrero or Bobby Abreu. Well... getting that one "big guy" isn't going to do anything. Haven't you learned? No offense, but just look at recent years with the Tigers when we added Sheffield, Damon, or even Cabrera and Fielder. Those players are not a single solution. There are a lot of things wrong with the team which are preventing us from being a solid contender. Let's work on a little bit of everything.
 
But seriously, Tigers, you really need to make my day today. Because...
  

VERLANDER.

Not going to lie. I'm a bit depressed. Actually a lot of depressed.

   As most fans in Detroit, I'm going to be reflecting on that game that was played. You know, that Detroit-Pittsburgh game. Interleague really wasn't what made it interesting... it was Verlander.

Part 1 -- Being at an event with the game projected on a giant screen, this above was our view. It was like watching Dyslexic Detroit Tigers with a 5-0 lead facing... I think... that's a "q" so I think the Quebec Expos. It was completely awesome to see Verlander as a lefty. The broadcast was in Russian which was usual, but there was a MAJOR error by Delmon Young, who ran the bases the WRONG WAY. Hot mess, and they even took away two runs way and the score became 3-0 Tiger.

Oh wait... we were watching the game backwards.
Darn, if only Verlander and Alex were lefties.

Part 2 -- And then it was the 7th inning and we soon realized we needed to actually watch the game how it should be watched. We were all ecstatic going into the 9th. He got one down, which was awesome. Okay, great, now just two more. Everything was all fabulous AND THEN...

FRACK.

Part 3 -- Then the final two outs came. Well... at least we won, right? Then I went home in a bad mood.

I don't know... I don't really have much to say. *sigh* 

Pittsburgh Pirates 0 - Detroit Tigers 4
Verlander: 9 innings, 2 walks, 0 runs, 1 hit.

The MLB network is not talking about Verlander or anything some-what exciting; but Andy Petitte.

SHUT. UP.

Other

Also, caught about 40 seconds of the Momorial Cup stuff so I can't really comment.

Did catch the Sox-Cubs game. If only the Cubs could have won. At least it ended with a strike. Congrats with everything Kerry Wood, and good luck.

Baseball is upsetting me so we will talk about hockey

Well, I took a long break from this because I was finishing up my final semester as an undergrad. So now that I have graduated, I do what any graduate does, I post useless junk online instead of doing anything productive.

What have I missed since I last posted something on here?

Detroit related...

- Wings went out since I last posted... don't care to talk about that.
- Tigers are in a rough patch... don't want to talk about that either.

Okay, I missed A LOT. Don't care to talk about the past, let's look forward.

NHL Hockey Playoffs

Steve Dangle posted a video that's discussion worthy.

And I agree...

1.) When you see a high scoring game, then usually the defense and goal-tending is poor. I'd much rather watch two teams battle, who actually have dimension to their rosters and just a few goals then watch a blowout from either one or high scoring on both sides (half the reason I didn't care for the first round PHI-PIT series; it was a hot mess and neither teams deserved to win this years cup).
2.) I do think hockey needs to calm down a bit. I like it how it is.

Sergeri Fedorov to become GM for KHL team

Article: http://redwings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=631647&navid=DL|DET|home

I always wanted him to come back to Detroit or at least want to stay here but I guess it's just not in the starts. Feds, you were always one of my absolute favorites, whether you played forward or defense. I wish you the best of luck. Just don't steal any more of our beloved Russians for your league-- we like Pavel... A LOT.

Wings, CCHA, Poo-face Pettitte

Again, super busy with work but here is an update entry:

Wings

   Well... at least they got a powerplay goal this Monday night against the Caps and almost had a comeback. 

Washington Capitals 5 - Detroit Red Wings 3, final.

CCHA 2012 at the Joe: Western Michigan University vs. University of Michigan

   On a happier note in hockey: I attended the 2012 CCHA Championship at the Joe Louis Arena. Never has a hockey game been so hot-- literally. It was about 80 degrees in that place. Granted I was in the student section of Western and they were intense group of fans. Which I have to say, was actually really nice. I have been to games of any sport where the people spend more time participating in chants and trash-talking than on watching the game. I love the whole "team spirit" but sometimes there's a limit. But Western did good. I enjoyed the game (went a Western vs. Central football game a while back and it was also a nice atmosphere for someone who wasn't affiliated with a team).

   Sadly, I was only able to see the final game that evening due to work. But it was certainly worth skipping dinner and running down to the Joe as fast as I can. Both teams are respectable but Western certainly outplayed Michigan for most of the game. DeKeyser, specifically, is a pretty rounded defenseman. No wonder he was named MVP. Just found out he is from Michigan (heck yes!).

   I'm just thankful that Western won, since my friend invited me to the student section. Man, that place would have rioted if they lost. I also was just happy that both teams in the finals were from Michigan.

Here are some pictures...

 

Good job, and good luck in the NCAA, Broncos!

University of Michigan 2 - Western Michigan University 3, final.

Poo-face Pettitte
   Andy Pettitte decides to un-retire and go back to being a full-time jerk in the world of baseball-- of course he joins the Yankees.

More reads available at MLB.com: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120316&content_id=27328302&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

This upsets me. -- Why? Here's why:

AP Photo/Charles Krupa
from ESPN

   I could easily go on the rant of why steroids in sports is bad and everyone who took them should be highly ashamed and basically not play anymore. That's how I feel. But the thing that really grinds my gears is how Pettitte and Clemens handled the situation. Instead of owning up and taking responsibility, they both continued to tell lies and claim they were falsely accused. Let alone, Pettitte and his stupid "mis-remembered" comment. Andy, if you want kids to look up to you, stop taking steroids, stop lying, and stop using crappy English grammar. Idiot.

Picture Credit: 20th Century Fox
And we thought the clucking was the worst
Clemens would ever have to encounter.

   I don't care how good Pettitte is as pitcher. I don't like the guy because he is everything wrong with the game. The whole "going-in-and-out" of retirement makes me wonder why he left in the first place. To me, it's a way to retire and get a big hype and come back. You got lazy for a year or two and decide you want to be back in the lime-light once again. It's like Clemens again. He retires and then comes back but has the crazy-arse demands of getting his own jet, not having to be at the game when he doesn't pitch. So why did you come back, Clemens? A real baseball player would stick through all 162 games a season with his team. You don't get special treatment because you did hella good on steroids a have the nickname, "The Rocket". Now Pettitte is just following in his footsteps.

   Gahh, I can't talk about this anymore. It truly frustrates me. 

   Andy Pettitte, I don't care if it's just a minor league contract-- I hate you. I hate you so much, you lying, cheating, egoistical, sack of crap. I don't "misremember" or forgive you for your past. Stay retired because you do nothing but ruin baseball. Go step on a Lego, Sir.

And on a happier note of baseball:

17 days.

Wings Powerless, Corktown Race

Well, I haven't been posting due to the lack of being able to watch the games and honestly, writing about losing and crummy powerplay gets boring fast.

Wings lose to the Kings

   To sum it all up, Zetterberg said a swear.

It would have been nice to win in front of Tom Hanks and Gretzky, but... but I can't keep repeating myself. If you watched the game, you know what went wrong. Quincy's reaction to the empty netter was the same look on every Wings fan that was watching the game.

*sigh*

 0 - 4

... although, I liked hearing "Benny and the Jets" on organ. I was NEW AGE FUN with a VINTAGE FEEL...

Detroit Red Wings 2 - LA Kings 5, final.

Detroit Corktown Race 2012

   On happier note -as if people care-, I ran my second 5K run this past weekend! I even shaved nine minutes off my previous time. So that either means I have improved significantly since January... or I was just real crummy to begin. Just a few more minutes less, and I can then call myself a below average but reputable runner! The event was nicely organized; some of the vendors at the race sold veggie-dogs and we got free beer at the end just like the Tour-de-Troit bike ride. My friend who ran with me also improved his time and we both medaled-- although, so did everyone who finished in the first 7,000. Here are some of the pictures of the race and the parade that followed:

-2012 Corktown Race followed by St. Patrick's Day Parade in Detroit-
Clearly I had separation anxiety with the medal.

   The weather was lovely, atmosphere was nice, and the beer was free. You can say is was a good day.




---> 22 days.

MLB 12 The Show Commercial

Chicago Cubs, most tortured fans of all-time...???

Retirements in MLB, Powerplay and the Wings

 *Note, internet is down so I just want to get this up for now. Will update, add pictures, write more later. ...LOL like people read this. I even haven't advertised this whatsoever nor do people care what I write.

Carlos Guillen Retires

Photo Credit: Detroit Free Press

"It's a tough decision for me, for my family, for everybody because I tried to come back..." - Carlos Guillen

... Now, if that doesn't break your heart, there's something wrong with you.

Kyle Terada/US Presswire

   After 14 major league seasons, in fielder Carlos Guillen, who signed back with Seattle in the 2012-12 off-season from the Tigers, has made it official that he is now retiring. Yes, he had a lot of injuries towards the end of his career, but despite all of that, he was a good player. When he was in the line-up, he was consistent. And that's what I really liked about him.

Accomplishments of Guillen's MLB career

1.) The walk off homerun in the '06 season.

2.) Three time All-Star player in 2004, 2007, and 2008.

3.) Played a big role for the 2006 season, when the Tigers won the American League Championship.
4.) He hit a cycle, the tenth Tiger to do so against the Tampa Bay Devil Ray in late 2006.

Other reasons I love Carlos Guillen:

1.) His batting average was over .400 against the Chicago White Sox... I don't like the White Sox. At all. What also was funny, he was a better at batting left, a concept that Ozzie Guillen never caught on to. He would always change his pitchers and Carlos would always would get the job done.

 More specifically, his bunt single clinched late in game 3 of the Mariners' 2000 division series against the White Sox.

2.) When he smiled, you know stuff was going down. You can't lie he looked B.A. when going up to the plate to bat.

Carlos and I back in '07

3.) He really picked up his game in 2006 when Placido Polanco was for that long stretch. 

4.) He wore a Ralph Lauren Team Sweden Polo.

5.) He hit a grand slam against the Yankees, which lead us a 4-8 win over New York. Yeah. He also had great numbers over the Yankees.
6.) The Jered Weaver incident.
7.) The walk-off homerun against the Yankees at 3:27am after a long rain delay.
8.) The time it was "Photo Day" at Comerica and I couldn't get a picture with Guillen. He walked past me and I was really bummed. But then he saw me wearing his shirt and looking all sad and pathetic and said "Sorry, I missed you." That made my day!

Carlos, you know the game quite well and I recall you saying you wanted to manage or coach. We wish you the best. Hopefully, we shall see you around!

< >

"... and here comes Carlos Guillen rounding second with his Mr. T starter kit." -Rod Allen

Man, all my favorite players have retired now. I'm so lost in the world now...

Tigers Spring Training 
   Tigers not doing too bad.

Seattle Mariners 1 - Detroit Tigers 3, final.

Other MLB

Jason Veritek retired? Ah, Jason Veritek retired. Didn't know that 'til now.

Wings Fall to Flyers

   As I have been saying for the last week now, WE NEED TO GET THAT POWERPLAY WORKING. I want to shake the entire team and make them realize they must capitalize on those situations.

   Niklas Kronwall hit on Jakub Voracek. Wow, Kronner didn't budge-- at all.

Now, I'm trying to be non-biased, but that hit looked legal to me. Voracek did look down the last second; but you can't blame Kronner for that. In fact, his whole posture wasn’t good. He was leaning over and not pay much attention to anything else. That's just being irresponsible as a player. You need to be looking up at all times. Hopefully this won't be a suspension... our D is dropping like flies.
   Although, I must say, where was the whistle?! They needed to stop play. That's something worth reviewing.

Update: No suspension, but Shanny is still reviewing it...? Okay...?

Detroit Wings 2 - Philadelphia Flyers 3, final.

Verlander Did Well in Spring Debute

Tigers Spring Training

So Verlander did all 'ight in the few innings he pitched in spring training...

(Photo Credit: MLB)
Life is tough for Verlander.

 

Toronto Blue Jays 2 - Detroit Tigers 4

Yeah, nothing really going on today.

--->31 days.

Wings fall to Hawks 2-1

The Tigers and a countdown

   According to what I heard and the internet (that statement seems scholarly), the Tigers didn't do bad for their third spring training game today. Fielder got a homer, Raburn got two-- one a grand slam, and Miggy got a misplay at third (*gasp*). Not too worried.

Atlanta Braves 3 - Detroit Tigers 18

Also, 32 days until the Detroit Tigers 2012 season begins *

*It's actually early morning Monday, but I'm going to say it's late night Sunday. That way, I'll think it's farther than it really is and so when April 5th arrives, it will be like Christmas came early!

Aw, it's even the teams home colors. So süß!

Red Wings 

   Urgh, to the Hawks... why?!

   Maybe I have no right to comment since I worked during the game, but I see that we didn't capitalize on the power plays. I do believe I mentioned this in my last post. But at least we didn't miserably lose. I have no idea how exactly the Hawks played either.

   On a lighter note, nice to see Smith doing well (was he on ice for any of Chicago goals?). Here some video:

 

Chicago Blackhawks 2 - Detroit Tigers 1

womp, womp.

Okay, tired. Ciao for now.