Day 254: Sochi Olympics—Good News and Bad News for US

The 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics are officially less than two months away and that makes me ridiculously happy. I love the winter games so much more than the summer games and one huge reason is the timing. After the Super Bowl is over, other than hockey, February is a virtual sporting wasteland for me. But for two plus weeks in February, I'll be wrapped up in my fuzzy blanket, obsessed with everything Olympics.

There have been a few recent events that I think deserve to be mentioned. A couple good, one not so good. Bad news first?

US Figure Skating champion, Evan Lysacek, announced Tuesday that he would not be able to compete in the Sochi Games. Lysacek, who hasn't competed since winning the gold medal at the 2010 Vancouver Games, has been battling a nagging torn labrum in his left hip since August. After months of recovery and rehab, the pain in his hip has not subsided and he now may need surgery to repair the injury. So even eight more weeks of practice won't do him any good and doctors have told him if he competes, he'll risk permanent damage to his hip. Bummer... he was so much fun to watch in Vancouver.

The good news is on the slopes. Lindsey Vonn suffered a catastrophic ACL/MCL injury back in February. I saw that gruesome tumble and I thought there was no way she would compete in Sochi. I guess I was wrong. Vonn has proven she's possibly super human. Less than six months after her surgery, she was cleared to get back on skis. It was exactly 176 days—beating both Robert Griffin III (195 days) and Adrian Peterson (226 days) who had similar injuries, back to her sport. Pretty amazing... Check out this infographic documenting her recovery. This is a determined athlete that is poised to kick some major ass in Sochi.

More good news for us Mainers. Seth Wescott, who also suffered an injury earlier this year in April, is also planning to be ready for Sochi. The 37-year-old two-time Olympic Gold Medalist in Boardercross has just released the first of a four part video series titled "Surgery to Sochi" which documents his recovery and rehab as he pursues his third gold medal in February. The first part of the video series can be seen here. Three more episodes will be posted on December 24, January 15 and February 5, just days before the Games start.

I'll be counting down the days until the Opening Ceremonies. And is it just me or are the Winter Olympics a lot easier to justify watching than the Summer Games? It's cold and dark out—what better way to pass the winter days.

Day 253: Salty Says Farewell to Boston

Jarrod Saltalamacchia has the longest name in baseball. It curves around the back of his shirt with a couple of those letters almost getting lost in his armpits. I feel like I just learned to spell it and now he's gone and I feel indifferent. He wasn't my favorite player, but he was tolerable—all except for the hair. He possibly had the worst "moss" in all of the world. It's like he invested in a lifetime supply of Soul Glo.

Salty spent the better part of three seasons in Boston and grew to love the city, the organization and the fans. But now the hair is gone. The long name is gone. Both now members of the Miami Marlins. The 28-year-old Floridian has returned home.

He couldn't leave without sending Red Sox fans a special message... a very well-said, much appreciated message. (From Boston.com)

I was going to say that I’ve made the decision to take my talents to South Beach but I heard that someone took that line already. Seriously, I wanted to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the city of Boston, its fans, the Red Sox and especially my teammates for providing me the best three-plus years of my baseball life. 

When I was first traded to the Red Sox in the late summer of 2010, I was thrilled and humbled to be able to join such a storied franchise in such a great city. But honestly, I never in my wildest expectations thought it would be the tremendous experience it turned out to be. This Southern boy became absolutely amazed at the warmth and hospitality that a New England town’s fans provided me and my family.  

It's pretty obvious that this past season was one that was special in too many ways to count. Walking to Fenway Park every day to go to battle with teammates I loved, in front of the world’s greatest fans was something that I’ll cherish long after my playing days are over. 

But I am now starting another chapter in my baseball life in a place that is actually and in reality, home. I’m very grateful for the opportunity the Marlins have provided and extremely excited to bring with me the lessons learned from my Boston experience. 

So I close with once again thanking all of you for the opportunity to be small part of Boston Red Sox history. It was an unbelievable experience.

See ya, Salty... best wishes in Miami with your new team.

Day 252: Dear Patriots, Just Stop with the Nailbiters.

The New England Patriots came dangerously close to losing to the Cleveland Browns. The 4-8 CLEVELAND BROWNS! There was a point where I actually thought to myself, "holy shit, they Patriots are going to lose to this team." And I sunk deeper into the couch as time ticked off the clock and the Browns lead still stood.

But then I remembered I was watching the New England Patriots. The Patriots who come from behind, pull off impossible comebacks and beat their opponents into submission. For the fourth straight week, the Patriots trailed at halftime, again posting dismal first half numbers. Tom Brady looked like a nervous rookie with a case of the yips.

After posting a goose egg on the score board through two quarters, Brady finally found his groove and finished the game 32-for-52 for 418 yards and two touchdowns—both coming in the second half. Shane Vereen became Brady's favorite receiver connecting on 12 catches for 153 yards. He needed someone he could count on after Rob Gronkowski went down in the third quarter with a reported torn ACL and Vereen stepped up to the plate.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Patriots had closed the deficit to 19-14 on a nearly six minute drive that ended in a field goal. The Browns answered with a score of their own on a quick three minute drive highlighted by a big pass to Josh Gordon. They were up 26-14 with just over two minutes to go in the game. The Pats needed two touchdowns to win and I wondered if even Tom Brady could bring his team back from this one.

And then again, I remembered I as watching the New England Patriots. Brady and company drove down the field in 1:38 to score on a short pass over the middle to Julian Edelman. Score: 26-21. There was a personal foul on the play giving the Patriots a kick off from mid-field instead of the 35. There was nothing left to do but attempt an onside kick—something the Patriots hadn't been successful in doing since 1995. A long, long time ago.

Kicker Steven Gostkowski dribbled the kick down the middle of the field, running next to it as it bounced onward towards the magical 10 yard mark. As it reached the 40 yard line, the ball bounced off a Cleveland player and was covered up by the Patriots, giving them the ball back with 1:01 left to play and great field position. I couldn't believe my eyes.

After a short pass to Danny Amendola, Brady launched a pass to Edelman in the end zone which he missed but the Browns were flagged for pass interference giving the Patriots the ball on the one yard line. It was a total bullshit penalty because the Cleveland player barely touched Edelman, but after some of the crap calls the Pats have fallen victim to, it's about time one of those calls went their way. Brady threw a short pass to Amendola for the score and after a failed two point conversion attempt, they had a slim 27-26 lead.

Now is when the sweating started. They left just over 30 seconds on the clock—more than enough time for the Browns to get into field goal range. Lucky for the Patriots, they fell just short and their kicker booted a 58-yard air ball to end the game.

Patriots pull off another miracle comeback while giving me a heart attack. No big whoop. Bad news about Gronk's ACL—pretty sure his season is over. But they'll find a way to win without him. Maybe next week will be an easy blowout.

Day 251: Best Beard in Baseball is Returning to Boston

“The beard is coming back to Boston!!! Couldn’t be happier!!” Mike Napoli posted on Twitter at 9:09pm on Friday. That's good news for Red Sox fans. They guy who grew the best beard in baseball is coming back to Beantown. Let the beard tugging continue!

Mike Napoli signed a two-year, $32 million deal with the Red Sox—which is a bit of a raise over last year and even the original contract he signed in the offseason last year before concerns over his hip caused the Sox to renegotiate to a one-year deal. He also earned bonuses for the number of games he played in over the 2013 season.

The 32-year-old made it clear he wanted to stay in Boston, and rumor has it he left a three-year, nearly $42 million deal on the table from the Texas Rangers, a team he had played with before. That right there speaks for his love for playing with the Red Sox and this great group of guys.

Napoli provided important protection for David Ortiz in the middle of the order and in 139 games he batted .259 with an .842 OPS, 23 home runs and 92 RBIs. The .259 batting average is right in line with his career average so I'm happy with that. Although he set a team record with 187 strikeouts, he also led the majors by seeing 4.59 pitches per plate appearance—definitely a skill the Red Sox placed much value on and they were pretty good at too.

The catcher turned first baseman showed good range in the field despite his hip problems which were controlled with medication. And he also displayed an amazing ability to grasp facial hair of any length in a celebratory beard tug.

I think the only problem with Mike Napoli is his inability to keep his shirt on during celebrations.

Day 250: Whoa, Cano! That's a Nice Nest Egg...

When the New York Yankees signed Jacoby Ellsbury for some ridiculous amount of money that he's totally not worth, I'm assuming after that deal a lot of NY fans were getting a little nervous about the resigning of their free agent second baseman, Robinson Cano. Especially since Cano was pretty much the only guy on the team that had any production last season. And guess what? Now he's gone.

So because they spent all kinds of cash on Ellsbury and a good chunk on a new catcher, Brian McCann, they lose out on who is probably their best player. The Seattle Mariners won the Robinson Cano lottery with a 10 year, $240 million contract. Basically this ties up the 31-year-old catcher for the rest of his career. Smart move by him and his agent, not so smart move by the Mariners.

When will teams learn that long-term contracts are not a good decision? Do they put the blinders on when it comes to these past ridiculous, high money deals? I can't even name one contract longer than seven years that made sense or has worked out for the positive for the team.

Oh wait... my mistake. The Alex Rodriguez deal—a measly 10 year $275 million contract—was a such a great choice.

I'm still so disgusted with all these foolish deals. I'm glad the Red Sox have opted for shorter contracts.

Happy Friday!!

Day 249: Seattle Seahawk's Seismic Activity

I've been to a couple of NFL stadiums and I'll agree... shit can get real loud, real fast. I've also been to NFL stadiums where the crowd was so rowdy that the concrete beneath my feet was literally shaking. Neither of those stadiums was Gillette. Sometimes I just don't think the New England Patriots' fans get quite rowdy enough.

The Seattle Seahawks fans might be the most lively bunch I've ever seen. In this past Monday night's game against the New Orleans Saints, the Seahawks crowd was so loud and raucous that they actually caused an earthquake. The event occurred after the 'Hawks recovered a Saints fumble early in the game and ran it back for a touchdown. A nearby seismometer used by the Northwest Seismic Network picked up the activity reporting that is measured between a magnitude 1 and 2.

This isn't the first time the Seahawks have caused the earth to shake. The last time was also against the Saints and happened in the playoffs back in 2011 when Marshawn Lynch scored a 67-yard touchdown to clinch a playoff victory.

In addition to moving the ground around them, the Seahawks fans have also set a new noise record for the loudest outdoor sports stadium. An official from the Guinness World Records recorded the crowd noise at 137.6 decibels on Monday night. They had initially set the record back in September but lost it to the Kansas City Chiefs fans in October. Now the Seahawks fans own the record once again.

No wonder Drew Brees couldn't pull anything together that night. He probably couldn't even hear himself think. I'm still having a hard time believing Seattle is 11-1.

Day 248: Jacoby Ellsbury: From Beantown to the Big Apple

I've never been a big Jacoby Ellsbury fan. I don't know him personally, but he always appears a little douchey to me. He's like a personality-less lump banking on his looks to make him appear charming. Sorry dude, even good looks don't make you likable. So needless to say, I'm not sad to see him go.

Now he's someone else's problem—and that someone just happens to be my favorite big-money-multi-year-epic-fail-contract team, the New York Yankees. Ellsbury signed a mega deal on Tuesday for seven years and $153 million. He just turned 30 and 30 + 7 = 37 and we all know the older you get, the more ouchies you get. And this is a guy who has had quite a few ouchies over his seven years in the bigs. So the Yankees have just agreed to pay nearly $22 million a year for a guy who most likely won't play seven full seasons.

Jacoby Ellsbury, when he's healthy, is a great asset to any team. His speed and ability to get on base make him a hot commodity. He has a career batting average of .297 and has lead the American League three times in stolen bases—three years that he actually played, that is. I'm not going to lie... if the Red Sox found a way to sign this guy to a short-term contract for less than ridiculous money, I would've been happy to see him back in center field. I'm glad Ben Cherington was able to show restraint and not spend money for essentially a part-time player.

The Yankees will find out real fast that this is a guy who won't play hurt. He's not a Pedroia-type player who works through injuries and really needs to be broken to sit out. He's a milker. Ellsbury needs to be 125% sure he's better before he'll risk going back in the game. We shall see...

I can't wait to see that classic Boston welcome back the first time he steps back onto the field at Fenway. I'm guessing there might be some booing. Maybe.