Monday Morning Mehta 3/27/06
Edition # 155
March 27, 2006
www.mondaymorningmehta.blogspot.com
We'll breakdown the March Madness games, then we introduce baseball with my AL preview, and we'll talk a little hockey to finish off. Next week is the return of Derreck Sura & the NBA, along with the NL previews and predictions.
March Madness
Atlanta Bracket
LSU and now household name "Big Baby" have taken this bracket by storm. The upset of Duke was fueled by their tough defense and domination of JJ Reddick. My upset pick of West Virginia lost on a phenomenal game on a buzzer beater.
Oakland Bracket
I got one right! UCLA heads to Indy after beating John Calipari and Memphis. The best game out of this bracket was the Gonzaga/UCLA game. In a complete choke job by the Zags, I was very disappointed with Adam Morrison's performance down the stretch. None of the "hyped" All-American candidates really did too much in this tournament to separate themselves, it's been the lesser media hyped players that have been huge.
Washington Bracket
George Mason's Cinderella story continues as they beat the # 1 ranked UConn Huskies in a stunning upset for the ages. Drexel plays in the same conference as George Mason and they played UCLA tough this year (lost by 1 point). This proves that Drexel should've had an at large bid. In all seriousness, UConn's loss really hurts the Big East's credibility. While they had 4 teams in the Sweet 16, not advancing anyone to Indy is a blow to the conference. Poor job by Jim Calhoun not getting his squad in order.
Minneapolis Bracket
Villanova's run ends just as St. Joseph's run, with an Elite 8 loss. A terrible shooting performance in two straight games by the Cats did them in. Randy Foye tried to carry the team but in the end just couldn't get it done. Allan Ray follows his 3 for 32 in last years tournament by shooting 8 for 34 in the final two games this year. But there was plenty of blame to go around in yesterday's loss, as Kyle Lowry, Mike Nardi and Will Sheridan shot a combined 3 for 26. It's amazing this team even shot 25% for the game. Florida dominated inside and the SEC will have 2 representatives in the Final Four in what was supposed to be a down year.
National Semifinal & Final Four Preview - Let's be crazy and pick George Mason to continue their upset story and cut down the nets in Indianapolis. I'll pick LSU to advance to Monday night also.
AL Preview
AL East
New York - 95 wins
This goes with the "Don't think too hard theory". I know the pitching is a mess, and pitching wins, but the Yankees win too. Randy Johnson is still very good, and if they need to they'll get some arms to help at the trade deadline like Shawn Chacon last year. Carl Pavano is the big X-factor for this team, if he is healthy they should be in good shape.
Boston - 90 wins
Curt Schilling and Josh Beckett at the top of the rotation can mask a lot of problems. The loss of Johnny Damon won't hurt as much with young Coco Crisp in center, but Damon was very clutch. Manny Ramirez & David Ortiz in the middle of the lineup is ridiculous. The back of the bullpen is a huge issue, but every team has their problems.
Toronto - 86 wins
I generally don't like building teams through free agency, but when you add quality pitchers, it's hard to ignore. Roy Halladay and AJ Burnett make an excellent 1-2 punch to go with some solid arms (Lilly, Towers, Chacin). But the trendy playoff pick already has oft injured AJ Burnett with injury issues in spring, and I just can't pick this team over the Big Two.
Baltimore - 72 wins
This team has LaTroy Hawkins.
Tampa Bay - 69 wins
The only thing worth watching is Scott Kazmir. Mets traded him for Victor Zambrano in a trade that will likely haunt Mets fans for a long time.
AL Central
Chicago White Sox - 92 wins
Seemed like too many things went right for this club last year. That can't happen again, but I just don't see Minnesota ready and Cleveland is still too young. So they get this division by default.
Minnesota - 83 wins
Johan Santana will carry this team a long way, but in the end, the lineup just won't score enough runs.
Cleveland - 78 wins
I really want to pick this team to win the division. But while the pitching is solid and young, they do have Paul Byrd and Jason Michaels. Got to be some bad karma there.
Detroit - 78 wins
This could be a team that surprises this year. A very nice lineup and some very good pitchers.
Kansas City - 65 wins
The AL may be a lot better than the NL, but some of the bottom feeders in the AL are so bad it's disgusting.
AL West
Oakland - 89 wins
I always like having a sleeper team to root for, and while many people will probably pick the A's to win the division, it's definitely the underdog story. With another smallish payroll, the A's have rebuilt a solid team around some very good young pitchers. Rich Harden & Dan Haren are ready to take the next step and become front line starters. The pitching depth is too big to ignore here, look for them to be a big threat come October.
LA Angels - 86 wins
It's hard to pick against this team but the loss of Paul Byrd is too much to overcome. OK, so it's not that big of a deal, and this team is relatively unchanged from the last few years, but I just don't like the way their season ended to the White Sox last year. Just got a bad feeling about the Angels this year.
Texas - 78 wins
The more I watch of this team, the more I like Buck Showalter and am starting to think he may be the best manager in baseball. But having Kevin Millwood, Adam Eaton, and Vicente Padilla, all ex Phillies pitchers has got to catch up to them sooner or later (but that Eaton for Andy Ashby trade has got to sting the Phils).
Seattle - 72 wins
This is one of those teams that would be a solid team, if they were in the National League. But they're in what could be the toughest division once again.
Next week: Predictions
NHL Week in Review By : Ed Wasser
- First things first, a major shout out to long time MMM subscriber Christina Wichterman and all the fine people at Peco Energy. Wichterman took me to see the Flyers vs. Devils game last Tuesday in Peco Energy's all you can eat and drink luxury box. I was glad to see that the $7.13 I send Peco every month to keep the light bulb lit in the basement I live in finally was rewarded. I was a little depressed that I missed my Models For Christ meeting but there's always next week. So again, thanks Christina!! A few observations from the box....
During the game ex Flyer great Bernie Parent came into the box to sign autographs, shake hands, kiss babies, etc. Parent has the greatest job in the world. He's Bernie Parent, professionally. He gets paid by the Flyers to say hello to fans, cut ribbons at grand openings, throw dirt with a gold shovel at ground breakings, and basically just be himself. Nice work if you can get it.
The Flyers won the game 2 - 1. The score was close but the Flyers controlled the lion share of the play. One thing the Flyers do over and over and over again and it drives me bananas is the power play set up. The majority of significant players on the Flyers are left hand shots so the natural inclination is to set up the power play to the goalies left hand side. But the vast majority of goalies in hockey (like Martin Broduer in this case) are left hand catch. It's WAY easier for a goalie to defend a shot using his glove hand then his blocker and stick so as a result the Flyers get a lot of shots away but goalies, especially great ones like Broduer, make a lot of easy saves. As far as I can tell the only major goalie in the NHL right now that's a right hand catch is Phoenix Coyote Curtis Joseph and he ain't no threat to the Flyers from here on out. The Flyers need to learn to set up on the right side. By the way...both Flyers goals were scored on Broduer's stick side last Tuesday.
- It's common knowledge that after Eric Lindros left the Flyers that his career careened toward obscurity quicker then Byron "Coolidge" Stewart's career after NBC cancelled "The White Shadow". But that's cool, hockey player's careers, no matter how great they once were, eventually die. Look at Gary Roberts in Florida, look at Chris Simon and Tony Amonte in Calgary, it happens. So after Eric Lindros was dead on the vine in New York he somehow manages to get himself to Toronto, his dream job. Lindros turned out to be a complete waste of money, time, and space in Toronto but what did his old man do?!?? (Cue second verse...same as the first!!) He blamed the Leaf doctors!! YEAH!!! OK, just so you know, when Lindros was in Philadelphia and he was taking forever to back to the ice after an injury his father Carl, who is also agent, blamed the Flyers doctors. When Lindros was in New York there was never any complaints about the doctors because Eric played in tons of games. Of course his father, with the help of the idiot Ranger management, made Lindros a deal with his incentives based on games played which made Lindros play with the physical intensity of the princess in the Ice Capades so he was seldom injured. I've heard of guys talking themselves out of a job but I can't say that I've heard of a guy's father talking him out of a job. Lindros has a one year deal and is as good as gone in Toronto.
And another thing, if Lindros had taken the Flyers up on their offer to teach him to be a penalty killer he'd probably be able to get a job next year as a defensive forward a la Keith Primeau. But circa 1994 or so, when the Flyers asked Lindros to take skating lessons in the off season and learn some penalty killing skills he refused. So as a result Lindros is strictly a scorer that doesn't score. Look for Lindros to sign with like the Blue Jackets next year for peanut dough. What a jackass!!
- Notes From Around The League.....This the first time since the memory of man runneth not to the contrary that the Canadiens have two goalies that are not French Canadian, (David Aebischer, Switzerland and Cristobal Huet, France).....So what does trading Joe Thornton and Sergei Samsonov get the GM of the Bruins Mike O'Connell, FIRED!!!! That's what. He was dispatched last week.....Another one from the "Timing Is Everything" department, ex Canadien and inventor of the slap shot Boom Boom Geoffrion died on the day his numbered was to be retired by Montreal.
- So we already talked about the Flyers vs. Devils game. On Wednesday the Flyers played the Rangers. The Rangers were winning 2 - 0 and on their way to an easy victory when Ranger Ryan Hollweg slammed Joni Pikkanen into the boards face first. Hollweg got a 5 minute major and single handedly lost the game for the Rangers. The Flyers scored 3 power play goals on the major and won the game 6 - 3.....The Flyers beat the Senators on Saturday 6 - 3. OK, I can't lie, I was at a party for my mother on Saturday so I didn't see the game. Normally I wouldn't let a small thing like integrity stop me from commenting on a game but this time I can't. I'm cautiously optimistic over the Flyers progress.
March 27, 2006
www.mondaymorningmehta.blogspot.com
We'll breakdown the March Madness games, then we introduce baseball with my AL preview, and we'll talk a little hockey to finish off. Next week is the return of Derreck Sura & the NBA, along with the NL previews and predictions.
March Madness
Atlanta Bracket
LSU and now household name "Big Baby" have taken this bracket by storm. The upset of Duke was fueled by their tough defense and domination of JJ Reddick. My upset pick of West Virginia lost on a phenomenal game on a buzzer beater.
Oakland Bracket
I got one right! UCLA heads to Indy after beating John Calipari and Memphis. The best game out of this bracket was the Gonzaga/UCLA game. In a complete choke job by the Zags, I was very disappointed with Adam Morrison's performance down the stretch. None of the "hyped" All-American candidates really did too much in this tournament to separate themselves, it's been the lesser media hyped players that have been huge.
Washington Bracket
George Mason's Cinderella story continues as they beat the # 1 ranked UConn Huskies in a stunning upset for the ages. Drexel plays in the same conference as George Mason and they played UCLA tough this year (lost by 1 point). This proves that Drexel should've had an at large bid. In all seriousness, UConn's loss really hurts the Big East's credibility. While they had 4 teams in the Sweet 16, not advancing anyone to Indy is a blow to the conference. Poor job by Jim Calhoun not getting his squad in order.
Minneapolis Bracket
Villanova's run ends just as St. Joseph's run, with an Elite 8 loss. A terrible shooting performance in two straight games by the Cats did them in. Randy Foye tried to carry the team but in the end just couldn't get it done. Allan Ray follows his 3 for 32 in last years tournament by shooting 8 for 34 in the final two games this year. But there was plenty of blame to go around in yesterday's loss, as Kyle Lowry, Mike Nardi and Will Sheridan shot a combined 3 for 26. It's amazing this team even shot 25% for the game. Florida dominated inside and the SEC will have 2 representatives in the Final Four in what was supposed to be a down year.
National Semifinal & Final Four Preview - Let's be crazy and pick George Mason to continue their upset story and cut down the nets in Indianapolis. I'll pick LSU to advance to Monday night also.
AL Preview
AL East
New York - 95 wins
This goes with the "Don't think too hard theory". I know the pitching is a mess, and pitching wins, but the Yankees win too. Randy Johnson is still very good, and if they need to they'll get some arms to help at the trade deadline like Shawn Chacon last year. Carl Pavano is the big X-factor for this team, if he is healthy they should be in good shape.
Boston - 90 wins
Curt Schilling and Josh Beckett at the top of the rotation can mask a lot of problems. The loss of Johnny Damon won't hurt as much with young Coco Crisp in center, but Damon was very clutch. Manny Ramirez & David Ortiz in the middle of the lineup is ridiculous. The back of the bullpen is a huge issue, but every team has their problems.
Toronto - 86 wins
I generally don't like building teams through free agency, but when you add quality pitchers, it's hard to ignore. Roy Halladay and AJ Burnett make an excellent 1-2 punch to go with some solid arms (Lilly, Towers, Chacin). But the trendy playoff pick already has oft injured AJ Burnett with injury issues in spring, and I just can't pick this team over the Big Two.
Baltimore - 72 wins
This team has LaTroy Hawkins.
Tampa Bay - 69 wins
The only thing worth watching is Scott Kazmir. Mets traded him for Victor Zambrano in a trade that will likely haunt Mets fans for a long time.
AL Central
Chicago White Sox - 92 wins
Seemed like too many things went right for this club last year. That can't happen again, but I just don't see Minnesota ready and Cleveland is still too young. So they get this division by default.
Minnesota - 83 wins
Johan Santana will carry this team a long way, but in the end, the lineup just won't score enough runs.
Cleveland - 78 wins
I really want to pick this team to win the division. But while the pitching is solid and young, they do have Paul Byrd and Jason Michaels. Got to be some bad karma there.
Detroit - 78 wins
This could be a team that surprises this year. A very nice lineup and some very good pitchers.
Kansas City - 65 wins
The AL may be a lot better than the NL, but some of the bottom feeders in the AL are so bad it's disgusting.
AL West
Oakland - 89 wins
I always like having a sleeper team to root for, and while many people will probably pick the A's to win the division, it's definitely the underdog story. With another smallish payroll, the A's have rebuilt a solid team around some very good young pitchers. Rich Harden & Dan Haren are ready to take the next step and become front line starters. The pitching depth is too big to ignore here, look for them to be a big threat come October.
LA Angels - 86 wins
It's hard to pick against this team but the loss of Paul Byrd is too much to overcome. OK, so it's not that big of a deal, and this team is relatively unchanged from the last few years, but I just don't like the way their season ended to the White Sox last year. Just got a bad feeling about the Angels this year.
Texas - 78 wins
The more I watch of this team, the more I like Buck Showalter and am starting to think he may be the best manager in baseball. But having Kevin Millwood, Adam Eaton, and Vicente Padilla, all ex Phillies pitchers has got to catch up to them sooner or later (but that Eaton for Andy Ashby trade has got to sting the Phils).
Seattle - 72 wins
This is one of those teams that would be a solid team, if they were in the National League. But they're in what could be the toughest division once again.
Next week: Predictions
NHL Week in Review By : Ed Wasser
- First things first, a major shout out to long time MMM subscriber Christina Wichterman and all the fine people at Peco Energy. Wichterman took me to see the Flyers vs. Devils game last Tuesday in Peco Energy's all you can eat and drink luxury box. I was glad to see that the $7.13 I send Peco every month to keep the light bulb lit in the basement I live in finally was rewarded. I was a little depressed that I missed my Models For Christ meeting but there's always next week. So again, thanks Christina!! A few observations from the box....
During the game ex Flyer great Bernie Parent came into the box to sign autographs, shake hands, kiss babies, etc. Parent has the greatest job in the world. He's Bernie Parent, professionally. He gets paid by the Flyers to say hello to fans, cut ribbons at grand openings, throw dirt with a gold shovel at ground breakings, and basically just be himself. Nice work if you can get it.
The Flyers won the game 2 - 1. The score was close but the Flyers controlled the lion share of the play. One thing the Flyers do over and over and over again and it drives me bananas is the power play set up. The majority of significant players on the Flyers are left hand shots so the natural inclination is to set up the power play to the goalies left hand side. But the vast majority of goalies in hockey (like Martin Broduer in this case) are left hand catch. It's WAY easier for a goalie to defend a shot using his glove hand then his blocker and stick so as a result the Flyers get a lot of shots away but goalies, especially great ones like Broduer, make a lot of easy saves. As far as I can tell the only major goalie in the NHL right now that's a right hand catch is Phoenix Coyote Curtis Joseph and he ain't no threat to the Flyers from here on out. The Flyers need to learn to set up on the right side. By the way...both Flyers goals were scored on Broduer's stick side last Tuesday.
- It's common knowledge that after Eric Lindros left the Flyers that his career careened toward obscurity quicker then Byron "Coolidge" Stewart's career after NBC cancelled "The White Shadow". But that's cool, hockey player's careers, no matter how great they once were, eventually die. Look at Gary Roberts in Florida, look at Chris Simon and Tony Amonte in Calgary, it happens. So after Eric Lindros was dead on the vine in New York he somehow manages to get himself to Toronto, his dream job. Lindros turned out to be a complete waste of money, time, and space in Toronto but what did his old man do?!?? (Cue second verse...same as the first!!) He blamed the Leaf doctors!! YEAH!!! OK, just so you know, when Lindros was in Philadelphia and he was taking forever to back to the ice after an injury his father Carl, who is also agent, blamed the Flyers doctors. When Lindros was in New York there was never any complaints about the doctors because Eric played in tons of games. Of course his father, with the help of the idiot Ranger management, made Lindros a deal with his incentives based on games played which made Lindros play with the physical intensity of the princess in the Ice Capades so he was seldom injured. I've heard of guys talking themselves out of a job but I can't say that I've heard of a guy's father talking him out of a job. Lindros has a one year deal and is as good as gone in Toronto.
And another thing, if Lindros had taken the Flyers up on their offer to teach him to be a penalty killer he'd probably be able to get a job next year as a defensive forward a la Keith Primeau. But circa 1994 or so, when the Flyers asked Lindros to take skating lessons in the off season and learn some penalty killing skills he refused. So as a result Lindros is strictly a scorer that doesn't score. Look for Lindros to sign with like the Blue Jackets next year for peanut dough. What a jackass!!
- Notes From Around The League.....This the first time since the memory of man runneth not to the contrary that the Canadiens have two goalies that are not French Canadian, (David Aebischer, Switzerland and Cristobal Huet, France).....So what does trading Joe Thornton and Sergei Samsonov get the GM of the Bruins Mike O'Connell, FIRED!!!! That's what. He was dispatched last week.....Another one from the "Timing Is Everything" department, ex Canadien and inventor of the slap shot Boom Boom Geoffrion died on the day his numbered was to be retired by Montreal.
- So we already talked about the Flyers vs. Devils game. On Wednesday the Flyers played the Rangers. The Rangers were winning 2 - 0 and on their way to an easy victory when Ranger Ryan Hollweg slammed Joni Pikkanen into the boards face first. Hollweg got a 5 minute major and single handedly lost the game for the Rangers. The Flyers scored 3 power play goals on the major and won the game 6 - 3.....The Flyers beat the Senators on Saturday 6 - 3. OK, I can't lie, I was at a party for my mother on Saturday so I didn't see the game. Normally I wouldn't let a small thing like integrity stop me from commenting on a game but this time I can't. I'm cautiously optimistic over the Flyers progress.
posted by Monday Morning Mehta at 10:41 AM
3 Comments:
His name is Vince Van Patten and every time I was on The Sopranos he was the director. I was an actor back in the day and I was an extra on The Sopranos a few times and I was Joe Pantaiano's stand in for a few days.
EW
The stripper episode is my favorite episode of all time. And yes I played a bartender in the Bada Bing a few times and a customer, it was the best money I ever made. I guess the episode you can see me the best is when Carmela and the women are at some church function that was like a fund raiser/dinner. I'm the waiter cleaning the table. I'd have to go back and look at the scrip to see the name of the episode, the script is at my house.
EW
Ed also played the role of getting a BJ from Vito.
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