This was supposed to go up earlier, but nevertheless:
Phillies in 5.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Dion Gone, Who's Next?
While the Liberals continue to search for a quick fix to a rather large problem (namely, the Conservatives continue to crunch them from the right, and the NDP and Greens push from the left), Dion announces he will step down, but not until an interim leader is chosen.
This is apparently to avoid infighting over "which camp" an interim leader would come from - Ignatieff or Rae.
Of course, there will already be plenty of infighting over who the next leader will be, so Dion might simply figure too much is too much.
In terms of who the candidates might be, my guess it will be someone from the list of Ignatieff, Rae, McKenna, Kennedy, Hall Findlay, Coderre, Manley or Tobin. And from that, the only ones I really see with any reasonable chance of winning are Ignatieff, Rae, McKenna and Manley. And as a friend said to me recently, of that group, Manley should probably be a Conservative (agreed), and I would suggest that McKenna probably should be as well.
Weirdly, the best thing the Liberal party could do for their electoral forture is elect a right-leaning leader and try to steal back those right-of-centre votes they lost as a result of the left-leaning of Dion.
This is apparently to avoid infighting over "which camp" an interim leader would come from - Ignatieff or Rae.
Of course, there will already be plenty of infighting over who the next leader will be, so Dion might simply figure too much is too much.
In terms of who the candidates might be, my guess it will be someone from the list of Ignatieff, Rae, McKenna, Kennedy, Hall Findlay, Coderre, Manley or Tobin. And from that, the only ones I really see with any reasonable chance of winning are Ignatieff, Rae, McKenna and Manley. And as a friend said to me recently, of that group, Manley should probably be a Conservative (agreed), and I would suggest that McKenna probably should be as well.
Weirdly, the best thing the Liberal party could do for their electoral forture is elect a right-leaning leader and try to steal back those right-of-centre votes they lost as a result of the left-leaning of Dion.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Canada Election 2008
A few thoughts:
1) Please, please, please stop those of you making the comments that "Harper just wasted $300 million on a federal election that returned the exact same result." I have a feeling a good number of incumbent MPs that were turfed would disagree with you, not to mention those who have a new representative for them. Furthermore, if Harper was able to predict the election prior to the votes being counted, he should have a different job. And finally, the fact that no party other than the Bloc (and MAYBE the NDP) is fully happy today should be proof enough that the landscape has been altered.
2) And the landscape has been altered. The Liberals have taken one in the teeth, with shockingly low popular vote numbers, and bad (and surprising) losses around the country. There was nary a riding that was a positive surprise for them (never a good thing). The Greens have been emphatically declared "irrelevant". The NDP has put together yet another "good" result, but I wonder if Layton had actually gone after Dion (his real competition) instead of Harper (almost nobody actually chooses between NDP and CPC), if we could be seeing a NDP Official Opposition today. The Bloc will be happy, although I continue to wonder what purpose their party actually does play in the Canadian political spectrum. And the Conservatives will be mixed - happy they won more seats, disappointed they missed the majority, happy they broke through in Ontario, disappointed they failed to break through in Quebec and Toronto.
3) Speaking of Toronto, I'm still baffled that (apart from Layton and Chow) it always goes straight red.
4) Elizabeth May - why did you sell out the Greens and tell them to strategically vote Liberal in certain spots? Like Layton, if you had gone after the Liberals instead, you could REPLACE them, rather than simply be an afterthought. This election should signal the end of Ms. May's political career.
5) Same for Dion. Although I am still surprised that the Liberals seem to feel their choice is either Rae or Iggy. In the time we are in where the economy is a big deal, I have a feeling that the CPC war room would eat Rae for dinner.
1) Please, please, please stop those of you making the comments that "Harper just wasted $300 million on a federal election that returned the exact same result." I have a feeling a good number of incumbent MPs that were turfed would disagree with you, not to mention those who have a new representative for them. Furthermore, if Harper was able to predict the election prior to the votes being counted, he should have a different job. And finally, the fact that no party other than the Bloc (and MAYBE the NDP) is fully happy today should be proof enough that the landscape has been altered.
2) And the landscape has been altered. The Liberals have taken one in the teeth, with shockingly low popular vote numbers, and bad (and surprising) losses around the country. There was nary a riding that was a positive surprise for them (never a good thing). The Greens have been emphatically declared "irrelevant". The NDP has put together yet another "good" result, but I wonder if Layton had actually gone after Dion (his real competition) instead of Harper (almost nobody actually chooses between NDP and CPC), if we could be seeing a NDP Official Opposition today. The Bloc will be happy, although I continue to wonder what purpose their party actually does play in the Canadian political spectrum. And the Conservatives will be mixed - happy they won more seats, disappointed they missed the majority, happy they broke through in Ontario, disappointed they failed to break through in Quebec and Toronto.
3) Speaking of Toronto, I'm still baffled that (apart from Layton and Chow) it always goes straight red.
4) Elizabeth May - why did you sell out the Greens and tell them to strategically vote Liberal in certain spots? Like Layton, if you had gone after the Liberals instead, you could REPLACE them, rather than simply be an afterthought. This election should signal the end of Ms. May's political career.
5) Same for Dion. Although I am still surprised that the Liberals seem to feel their choice is either Rae or Iggy. In the time we are in where the economy is a big deal, I have a feeling that the CPC war room would eat Rae for dinner.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Demise of the Economy...
...appears to be somewhat exaggerated.
While it does appear that a downturn is coming, it seems beyond doubt that we are better prepared to deal with it than the USA.
While it does appear that a downturn is coming, it seems beyond doubt that we are better prepared to deal with it than the USA.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
MLB League Championship Series Previews
Well, after a decidedly weak 1-3 record, I need to run the table to get over .500 for this year. Not looking good.
Dodgers/Phillies
The Dodgers team looks pretty locked in right now, but they did earlier in the late summer as well (winning 8 in a row), before crashing back and then recovering. They're a weird team to figure out.
The Phillies, on the other hand, are looking like they have some leftover business to take care of after last year's disappointing loss in the NLDS to the red-hot Rockies.
This one should be very close, but the Phillies just seem like an all-around deeper team. If the Phillies are smart and don't let Manny beat them, they should have enough hitting to get past the Dodgers.
Phillies in 6.
Red Sox/Rays
I strongly dislike both of these teams due to their residency in the AL East. A couple of years ago, the Red Sox zoomed past the Yankees for the title of "most disliked team in the AL East", and this year the Rays managed to do the same. So it's tough to pick between them.
I still don't believe in the Rays, so I'm grudgingly picking the Red Sox to make yet another World Series (and make Boston fans all the more insufferable).
Red Sox in 6.
Dodgers/Phillies
The Dodgers team looks pretty locked in right now, but they did earlier in the late summer as well (winning 8 in a row), before crashing back and then recovering. They're a weird team to figure out.
The Phillies, on the other hand, are looking like they have some leftover business to take care of after last year's disappointing loss in the NLDS to the red-hot Rockies.
This one should be very close, but the Phillies just seem like an all-around deeper team. If the Phillies are smart and don't let Manny beat them, they should have enough hitting to get past the Dodgers.
Phillies in 6.
Red Sox/Rays
I strongly dislike both of these teams due to their residency in the AL East. A couple of years ago, the Red Sox zoomed past the Yankees for the title of "most disliked team in the AL East", and this year the Rays managed to do the same. So it's tough to pick between them.
I still don't believe in the Rays, so I'm grudgingly picking the Red Sox to make yet another World Series (and make Boston fans all the more insufferable).
Red Sox in 6.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Very Briefly
Spending mass amounts of dollars in governmental programs and jacking up the tax burden on the average person is not the way to deal with an economic recession or crisis. This will only add more burdens to the average joe who is struggling to make their mortgage payments.
Ironically, when it comes right down to it, most people hate governmental interference in their lives, except when wannabe governments are advertising billions of dollars in spending (then they love it...except when they forget where the government money is actually coming from).
I think most people feel that they know how to spend their own money alot better than the government does.
Ironically, when it comes right down to it, most people hate governmental interference in their lives, except when wannabe governments are advertising billions of dollars in spending (then they love it...except when they forget where the government money is actually coming from).
I think most people feel that they know how to spend their own money alot better than the government does.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Captain, My Captain
Roberto Luongo, goaltender and unequivocal leader of the Vancouver Canucks (who happen to be my favourite hockey team), was named captain by the team yesterday, despite the fact he is unable to wear the "C" or perform some of the on-ice duties of the captain due to a rule in the NHL from the 1940's. He already leads the team in the dressing room and in the media, as well as leading the team from the ice surface. The only place he cannot play an active part in is on the bench (because he's on the ice for the full 60 minutes).
A great article supporting the notion that a goaltender should be the captain is in today's Globe and Mail. Rather than quote it, I'll let you read it if it interests you. But it's a solid, well-written, eloquent article, with a bit of humour thrown in.
Contrast that with an article written by Sean McCormick from Sportsnet.ca. Sean is a well-known Sportscentre anchor, who happens to suffer from the inenviable disillusionment of being an Edmonton Oilers fan, and outspoken Vancouver Canucks hater. Sean had this to say about the Canucks honouring of their leader.
First, he goes through several other candidates, and then provides a reason for why each of them weren't the best choice for captaincy (including both Sedin twins, Bieksa, Ohlund and Mitchell). Then, he ends his ridiculous post with this conclusion:
This is clearly NOT simply a stroke of Roberto's ego, for the exact reasons that Sean says in his 2nd paragraph. Well, Sean, I'm not a member of the Gillis family tree, and neither is Gary Mason (who wrote that nice Globe article).
What this is is merely yet another chance for Sean to take another shot at the Canucks. I look forward to seeing his next post explaining why Hemsky is better than Gretzky and Crosby combined, and why the Oilers will finish 30 points ahead of the Canucks this year.
A great article supporting the notion that a goaltender should be the captain is in today's Globe and Mail. Rather than quote it, I'll let you read it if it interests you. But it's a solid, well-written, eloquent article, with a bit of humour thrown in.
Contrast that with an article written by Sean McCormick from Sportsnet.ca. Sean is a well-known Sportscentre anchor, who happens to suffer from the inenviable disillusionment of being an Edmonton Oilers fan, and outspoken Vancouver Canucks hater. Sean had this to say about the Canucks honouring of their leader.
First, he goes through several other candidates, and then provides a reason for why each of them weren't the best choice for captaincy (including both Sedin twins, Bieksa, Ohlund and Mitchell). Then, he ends his ridiculous post with this conclusion:
The Canucks had plenty of legitimate candidates and options for the
captaincy before they had to turn left down Gimmick Street this week. This
is clearly nothing more than a stroke of Roberto's ego in hopes of persuading
him to re-sign next summer.
And if Gillis and his boys think that's
what it's going to take to help keep Roberto in Vancouver,
it sure isn't
saying much about the rest of the equation. In fact, it reeks of desperation. To
assume anything more would make you a member of the Gillis family tree.
This is clearly NOT simply a stroke of Roberto's ego, for the exact reasons that Sean says in his 2nd paragraph. Well, Sean, I'm not a member of the Gillis family tree, and neither is Gary Mason (who wrote that nice Globe article).
What this is is merely yet another chance for Sean to take another shot at the Canucks. I look forward to seeing his next post explaining why Hemsky is better than Gretzky and Crosby combined, and why the Oilers will finish 30 points ahead of the Canucks this year.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
MLB Divisional Series Previews
Without further ado.
Dodgers/Cubs
The key to this series will be who's pitching holds up. Both teams look like they have solid (or solid enough) hitting, especially now that Manny is in LA. Chicago looks a little more solid on both sides of the ball, but the questions surrounding the health of Harden and Zambrano are yet to be fully answered. If Harden and Zambrano are both fully healthy, this one should go 4 games, max. If not, the Dodgers might be able to steal it in 5. My money are that at least one of Zambrano/Harden will be okay, and that should be enough.
Cubs in 4.
Phillies/Brewers
Both of these teams can mash, and with potentially 3 games in Philadelphia's bandbox, this could be a slugfest. But pretty much all signs point to the Phillies. A deeper and healthier lineup, and a deeper rotation should ensure a series victory. CC Sabathia is the best pitcher in the game right now, but even he isn't a guaranteed victory for the Brew Crew (not when he's going against the underrated Brett Myers). Even if the Brewers win Game 2, the Phillies look like they are on a mission right now, and will find a way to prevail.
Phillies in 5.
Rays/White Sox
I honestly though the Rays would fold this year, they never did. I thought the White Sox would be 4th in the AL Central this year, and they won the division. Apparently I'm not so good at this prediction business. The short version here is that the pitching heavily favours the Rays, and the hitting heavily favours the White Sox (it would heavily favour them even more had Carlos Quentin not been an idiot and self-destructed his season). Pitching and defence wins in the playoffs, right? Generally true, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say the Rays bats will tighten up a bit in the playoffs, and the White Sox will finally prove all of us who have been saying the Rays are overrated right (albeit a bit late).
White Sox in 5.
Angels/Red Sox
In my mind, these are the best 2 teams in the AL by a long shot, and 2 of the best 3 teams in the league (the other being the Cubs), and yet here they are meeting in the first round. The Angels have better pitching, are healthier, and finally have not one, but two helpers for Vlad (Teixeria and Hunter). They've also lost to the Red Sox in 2 of the last 4 years in the playoffs. Hungrier? Check. This will end up being a surprising mismatch.
Angels in 3.
Dodgers/Cubs
The key to this series will be who's pitching holds up. Both teams look like they have solid (or solid enough) hitting, especially now that Manny is in LA. Chicago looks a little more solid on both sides of the ball, but the questions surrounding the health of Harden and Zambrano are yet to be fully answered. If Harden and Zambrano are both fully healthy, this one should go 4 games, max. If not, the Dodgers might be able to steal it in 5. My money are that at least one of Zambrano/Harden will be okay, and that should be enough.
Cubs in 4.
Phillies/Brewers
Both of these teams can mash, and with potentially 3 games in Philadelphia's bandbox, this could be a slugfest. But pretty much all signs point to the Phillies. A deeper and healthier lineup, and a deeper rotation should ensure a series victory. CC Sabathia is the best pitcher in the game right now, but even he isn't a guaranteed victory for the Brew Crew (not when he's going against the underrated Brett Myers). Even if the Brewers win Game 2, the Phillies look like they are on a mission right now, and will find a way to prevail.
Phillies in 5.
Rays/White Sox
I honestly though the Rays would fold this year, they never did. I thought the White Sox would be 4th in the AL Central this year, and they won the division. Apparently I'm not so good at this prediction business. The short version here is that the pitching heavily favours the Rays, and the hitting heavily favours the White Sox (it would heavily favour them even more had Carlos Quentin not been an idiot and self-destructed his season). Pitching and defence wins in the playoffs, right? Generally true, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say the Rays bats will tighten up a bit in the playoffs, and the White Sox will finally prove all of us who have been saying the Rays are overrated right (albeit a bit late).
White Sox in 5.
Angels/Red Sox
In my mind, these are the best 2 teams in the AL by a long shot, and 2 of the best 3 teams in the league (the other being the Cubs), and yet here they are meeting in the first round. The Angels have better pitching, are healthier, and finally have not one, but two helpers for Vlad (Teixeria and Hunter). They've also lost to the Red Sox in 2 of the last 4 years in the playoffs. Hungrier? Check. This will end up being a surprising mismatch.
Angels in 3.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Green Shift/Debate Issues
It's already been heavily discussed, but the Liberal Green Shift plan is now being roasted by senior Ontario Liberals as well (including the Ontario Finance Minister). Not surprisingly, he doesn't consider it to be good form to radically change the tax burden in the country at a time of economic instability (which seems to make alot of sense).
Harper also wants a full hour of the debate focusing on the economy. Layton has immediately agreed. That puts Dion in a tough spot - should he disagree, he looks like he either doesn't care about the biggest issue in the election, or he is worried about discussing it for that length. If he does agree, he gets an hour with his weakest (and Harper's strongest) issue. Big trouble for him, and strong move by Harper.
And I can't believe the Liberals are actually running out the whole "plagiarism" card when it comes to a speech Harper gave 5 years ago. Even when the Conservatives were blasting the Liberals over issues like the sponsorship scandal, it was a) current, and b) completely relevant. This is neither, and for the Liberals to be parading it like a big, scary, nasty find is simply amusing.
And finally, a big shout out to all you out there reading this. I had no idea so many of you were out there. Thanks for the readership, and I'll be trying to keep this a bit more up to date than I have in past months.
Harper also wants a full hour of the debate focusing on the economy. Layton has immediately agreed. That puts Dion in a tough spot - should he disagree, he looks like he either doesn't care about the biggest issue in the election, or he is worried about discussing it for that length. If he does agree, he gets an hour with his weakest (and Harper's strongest) issue. Big trouble for him, and strong move by Harper.
And I can't believe the Liberals are actually running out the whole "plagiarism" card when it comes to a speech Harper gave 5 years ago. Even when the Conservatives were blasting the Liberals over issues like the sponsorship scandal, it was a) current, and b) completely relevant. This is neither, and for the Liberals to be parading it like a big, scary, nasty find is simply amusing.
And finally, a big shout out to all you out there reading this. I had no idea so many of you were out there. Thanks for the readership, and I'll be trying to keep this a bit more up to date than I have in past months.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
I Saw John McCain...
...on an episode of 24 last night (an older, Season 5 episode). Amusing.
This move, although it reeks of blatant politicking (like the Palin appointment as VP), is going to be a tricky one for Obama to handle. How can Obama blast McCain about taking a break from campaigning, (including pulling all advertisements!!) to deal with the largest financial crisis the US has seen since the Great Depression? I'm looking forward to seeing how he'll respond (and if the debate will go through tomorrow night.
This move, although it reeks of blatant politicking (like the Palin appointment as VP), is going to be a tricky one for Obama to handle. How can Obama blast McCain about taking a break from campaigning, (including pulling all advertisements!!) to deal with the largest financial crisis the US has seen since the Great Depression? I'm looking forward to seeing how he'll respond (and if the debate will go through tomorrow night.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Why The NDP Will Be Forever Irrelevant
Jack Layton: "We say the arts are at the core of the economy."
Am I saying I hate the arts? No. But to suggest the arts are what is driving the Canadian economy is so ridiculous that it's incredible that Jack can't understand why people don't take him seriously.
Arts funding is all well and good, but I have a feeling that for the vast number of average Canadians getting concerned about the pending economic situation, money for the arts that is instead diverted into other areas is probably a good thing, and I tend to think that even the most liberal of Canadians would agree that the arts are hardly at the core of the economy.
Am I saying I hate the arts? No. But to suggest the arts are what is driving the Canadian economy is so ridiculous that it's incredible that Jack can't understand why people don't take him seriously.
Arts funding is all well and good, but I have a feeling that for the vast number of average Canadians getting concerned about the pending economic situation, money for the arts that is instead diverted into other areas is probably a good thing, and I tend to think that even the most liberal of Canadians would agree that the arts are hardly at the core of the economy.
Genocide?
According to Dr. Julio Montaner, shutting down a supervised illegal drug injection site is equivalent to genocide.
Actually, that's being kind. He says it is genocide.
Regardless of whether or not it's a good policy (and I have an extremely hard time seeing how tax dollars are appropriately being spent funding the injection of illegal drugs, but that's a different discussion), comparing shutting down Insite to genocide is disrespecting victims of true genocide (see Rwanda, Holocaust). And it does nothing to advance the cause of Insite.
Actually, that's being kind. He says it is genocide.
Regardless of whether or not it's a good policy (and I have an extremely hard time seeing how tax dollars are appropriately being spent funding the injection of illegal drugs, but that's a different discussion), comparing shutting down Insite to genocide is disrespecting victims of true genocide (see Rwanda, Holocaust). And it does nothing to advance the cause of Insite.
Yammerin' Hank
For a truly great read on the unbelievable nature of Hank Steinbrenner's whining, check out Ray Ratto's evisceration.
Hank the Yank is whining about revenue sharing, divisional realignment (a complaint which we share, but his team spends 210 million and has been the playoffs for 15 straight years), and undeserving teams in the MLB playoffs (basically the same thing as divisional realignment complaints).
Dude, when your team prints money and makes the playoffs for 15 straight years, you cannot complain about MLB being somehow unfair to your team. Just can it.
Hank the Yank is whining about revenue sharing, divisional realignment (a complaint which we share, but his team spends 210 million and has been the playoffs for 15 straight years), and undeserving teams in the MLB playoffs (basically the same thing as divisional realignment complaints).
Dude, when your team prints money and makes the playoffs for 15 straight years, you cannot complain about MLB being somehow unfair to your team. Just can it.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Boo-Hoo Rocket Roger
So, apparently, Juiced Rocket Roger Clemens was more than a little sad that he wasn't included in the big Yankee Stadium tribute party event.
The words used in the article are quite hilarious: "heartbroken", "final crushing blow", "sad what they did to him", "clutching his wife's hand".
Think it might have been different Roger if you hadn't shot yourself up with illegal drugs? I think so, yeah.
The words used in the article are quite hilarious: "heartbroken", "final crushing blow", "sad what they did to him", "clutching his wife's hand".
Think it might have been different Roger if you hadn't shot yourself up with illegal drugs? I think so, yeah.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Greyhound Security
Yet again.
The question that has already been asked (and I'm sure that will continue to be asked) is: should Greyhound implement some sort of security scan like airlines do? (interestingly enough, absolutely nothing is being done by VIA, nor is it even discussed). As a further follow-up, what should be done regarding taxis? Or limousines?
It's a tricky subject. Obviously, the bus is a significantly cheaper form of transportation than a plane, train or taxi (or other car service). Adding extensive security measures will automatically raise the price, which will have a direct impact on the people in the lowest income bracket of our society. The question then becomes how to best manage safety with economy, a difficult question, only heightened by the mass media involvement in the story.
Worth monitoring, to be sure.
The question that has already been asked (and I'm sure that will continue to be asked) is: should Greyhound implement some sort of security scan like airlines do? (interestingly enough, absolutely nothing is being done by VIA, nor is it even discussed). As a further follow-up, what should be done regarding taxis? Or limousines?
It's a tricky subject. Obviously, the bus is a significantly cheaper form of transportation than a plane, train or taxi (or other car service). Adding extensive security measures will automatically raise the price, which will have a direct impact on the people in the lowest income bracket of our society. The question then becomes how to best manage safety with economy, a difficult question, only heightened by the mass media involvement in the story.
Worth monitoring, to be sure.
Proposed MLB Realignment
I prepared this post a while back and forgot to post it. It essentially came out of frustration with the current MLB divisional format, and the disparity between the divisions.
What would I love to see?
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Northwest (Pacific North):
Seattle
San Francisco
Colorado
Oakland
North (Lake Michigan):
Minnesota
Milwaukee
Chicago
Chicago
Northeast (Lake Erie):
Detroit
Cleveland
Toronto
Pittsburgh
East (Atlantic North):
Philadelphia
New York
New York
Boston
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Southwest (Pacific South):
Los Angeles
Los Angeles
San Diego
Las Vegas Rebels**
South (Gulf):
Texas
Houston
Arizona
San Antonio Mustangs**
Southeast (Atlantic South):
Atlanta
Florida
Tampa Bay
Washington
Midwest (Prairies):
Baltimore
Cincinnati
St. Louis
Kansas City
Balanced schedule, with divisional games early and late in the year.
Division winners make playoffs, plus top 2 records of non-division winners. Top 2 division winner records in each league get 1st round “bye”. 1st round series are 3 games series. Divisional, Championship and World Series are 7 game series.
Why is this better? 2 team expansion gets 32 teams, which means 16 teams in each league (balance). 6 teams make playoffs, and 2 best records are rewarded. This will mean there will be more intrigue in the last few weeks of the year (benefit in finishing 1st and 2nd, chance for 3 teams in one division to make playoffs).
It’s basically copying the NFL style of playoffs, which in my opinion works extremely well. It only adds 5 games (at the absolute most) to the schedule (3 extra 1st round games, and 2 extra 2nd round games).
Obvious problems are in placing both Chicagos and both New Yorks (as well as Boston and Philadelphia) all in the same league. Of course, since 3 teams from a sole division CAN make the playoffs, this only means that a couple of teams are missing out. Smaller divisions mean more championship races (good), more playoff teams (exciting), and more crossover play.
This would also mean the National League accepting the DH role or the American League deleting it.
The American League does look significantly stronger than the National League (not that that is a big surprise). I personally like the intra-city rivalries in the same division. I also like the way teams are in the same geographic regions better than they currently are. I realize it’s not perfect (Baltimore in the Midwest, and Washington in the Southeast seems like the strangest mix), but the rest seems to work well. Toronto gets to play their natural rivals (geographically) in their same division (Cleveland and Detroit).
Will it ever happen? No, (partially because of TV ratings, and partially because of baseball’s extreme aversion to change), but MLB might think about how it works in the NFL and the benefits that stem from that approach.
What would I love to see?
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Northwest (Pacific North):
Seattle
San Francisco
Colorado
Oakland
North (Lake Michigan):
Minnesota
Milwaukee
Chicago
Chicago
Northeast (Lake Erie):
Detroit
Cleveland
Toronto
Pittsburgh
East (Atlantic North):
Philadelphia
New York
New York
Boston
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Southwest (Pacific South):
Los Angeles
Los Angeles
San Diego
Las Vegas Rebels**
South (Gulf):
Texas
Houston
Arizona
San Antonio Mustangs**
Southeast (Atlantic South):
Atlanta
Florida
Tampa Bay
Washington
Midwest (Prairies):
Baltimore
Cincinnati
St. Louis
Kansas City
Balanced schedule, with divisional games early and late in the year.
Division winners make playoffs, plus top 2 records of non-division winners. Top 2 division winner records in each league get 1st round “bye”. 1st round series are 3 games series. Divisional, Championship and World Series are 7 game series.
Why is this better? 2 team expansion gets 32 teams, which means 16 teams in each league (balance). 6 teams make playoffs, and 2 best records are rewarded. This will mean there will be more intrigue in the last few weeks of the year (benefit in finishing 1st and 2nd, chance for 3 teams in one division to make playoffs).
It’s basically copying the NFL style of playoffs, which in my opinion works extremely well. It only adds 5 games (at the absolute most) to the schedule (3 extra 1st round games, and 2 extra 2nd round games).
Obvious problems are in placing both Chicagos and both New Yorks (as well as Boston and Philadelphia) all in the same league. Of course, since 3 teams from a sole division CAN make the playoffs, this only means that a couple of teams are missing out. Smaller divisions mean more championship races (good), more playoff teams (exciting), and more crossover play.
This would also mean the National League accepting the DH role or the American League deleting it.
The American League does look significantly stronger than the National League (not that that is a big surprise). I personally like the intra-city rivalries in the same division. I also like the way teams are in the same geographic regions better than they currently are. I realize it’s not perfect (Baltimore in the Midwest, and Washington in the Southeast seems like the strangest mix), but the rest seems to work well. Toronto gets to play their natural rivals (geographically) in their same division (Cleveland and Detroit).
Will it ever happen? No, (partially because of TV ratings, and partially because of baseball’s extreme aversion to change), but MLB might think about how it works in the NFL and the benefits that stem from that approach.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Leader's Debates? Should be Dion vs. Harper.
It is incredible how an entire week can go by, and I realize I haven't blogged. And I actually was intending to stay on top of this, and just completely forgot about it.
I've got only one key thing to say today:
Elizabeth May should emphatically NOT be involved in the Leader's Debates. I think it is absolutely ridiculous that she has endorsed another leader as the "best prime minister" and has convinced that leader not to run a candidate against her, but she is somehow going to be expected to argue and debate all the issues distinctly?
There are only 2 political parties in the country with ANY hope of winning this election, and ergo, any real chance of leading the country. There are only 2 people who have any hope of being prime minister.
As such, I would love to see Harper publicly request a one-on-one debate with Dion, so Canadians can actually see an honest-to-goodness comparison between the two people they are really choosing between. Although I believe the NDP and Bloc will both win a number of seats (and the Greens might even win one or two), they have no chance of winning the election (even Layton knows this). Dion vs. Harper. I would actually watch that (versus these leader's debates, which I have no intention of watching).
I've got only one key thing to say today:
Elizabeth May should emphatically NOT be involved in the Leader's Debates. I think it is absolutely ridiculous that she has endorsed another leader as the "best prime minister" and has convinced that leader not to run a candidate against her, but she is somehow going to be expected to argue and debate all the issues distinctly?
There are only 2 political parties in the country with ANY hope of winning this election, and ergo, any real chance of leading the country. There are only 2 people who have any hope of being prime minister.
As such, I would love to see Harper publicly request a one-on-one debate with Dion, so Canadians can actually see an honest-to-goodness comparison between the two people they are really choosing between. Although I believe the NDP and Bloc will both win a number of seats (and the Greens might even win one or two), they have no chance of winning the election (even Layton knows this). Dion vs. Harper. I would actually watch that (versus these leader's debates, which I have no intention of watching).
Thursday, September 4, 2008
2008 NFL Predictions
Simply on order of finish, with wild cards marked with a *.
AFC East:
New England
Buffalo
Miami
New York
AFC North:
Pittsburgh
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Baltimore
AFC South:
Indianapolis
Jacksonville*
Tennessee
Houston
AFC West:
San Diego
Denver*
Oakland
Kansas City
NFC East:
Dallas
Philadelphia*
New York
Washington
NFC North:
Minnesota
Detroit
Green Bay
Chicago
NFC South:
Carolina
New Orleans*
Tampa Bay
Atlanta
NFC West:
Seattle
Arizona
St. Louis
San Francisco
AFC Championship: San Diego over Jacksonville
NFC Championship: Minnesota over Dallas
Super Bowl: Minnesota over San Diego
AFC East:
New England
Buffalo
Miami
New York
AFC North:
Pittsburgh
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Baltimore
AFC South:
Indianapolis
Jacksonville*
Tennessee
Houston
AFC West:
San Diego
Denver*
Oakland
Kansas City
NFC East:
Dallas
Philadelphia*
New York
Washington
NFC North:
Minnesota
Detroit
Green Bay
Chicago
NFC South:
Carolina
New Orleans*
Tampa Bay
Atlanta
NFC West:
Seattle
Arizona
St. Louis
San Francisco
AFC Championship: San Diego over Jacksonville
NFC Championship: Minnesota over Dallas
Super Bowl: Minnesota over San Diego
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