The newest issue of Sports Illustrated has the pride of Toronto, Cincinatti first baseman Joey Votto, on its cover. What a wonderful sight that was when I looked into my mail yesterday. Read the article on him too, it was really really interesting!! It's so great to see Votto doing so well right now, batting .326 with 32 home runs and 91 RBIs.
Speaking of big sluggers, how about Jose Bautista? He's up to 42 homers now, 8 ahead of Albert Pujols, who is second in the majors. Bautista's also up to 99 RBIs now. Where would the Blue Jays be without him? Could he be a potential MVP candidate?
Jays have won two straight but barely...phew. Last night, Kevin Gregg blew another save, allowing the tying run to score in the top of the 9th. Thank goodness Aaron Hill came through in the 11th with a walk off single. Today, it was Scott Downs' turn to put the fans on the edge of their seats. In the top of the 9th, Detroit scored three runs to close the gap to 5-4 before Kevin Gregg shut the door on the Tigers.
Hoping to go to one more ballgame before school starts.
Can't wait for the US Open on Monday!!
-D
Saturday 28 August 2010
Monday 23 August 2010
Late August
Well, this summer has certainly gone by VERY fast. It's already August 23 as we speak. Although I wish this summer could last just a little bit longer, I am excited to begin the new school year come September. Nonetheless, I'll miss these past two months very much though.
It's been rainy here in the eastern part of the continent this week. Montreal's Rogers Cup semifinals and finals were delayed for more than 39 hours. Only this morning did sky clear for play. Caroline Wozniacki, the 2nd ranked female player in the world, took home the trophy this afternoon, beating Vera Zvonareva, 6-3, 6-2. Hardly a surprising result.
Roger Federer added to his illustrious resume with a win over Mardy Fish yesterday in Cincinatti in a three-setter. It's Federer's first ATP Masters Series title in 12 months and his 63rd career championship, 4th in Cincinatti. Is he going to capture his 17th Slam in New York in three weeks time? That's tough to say. I think he very well might. Nadal hasn't been in tip top shape these past two weeks. Del Potro withdrew from the Open today, due to his nagging wrist injury. So, he very well might win for the 6th time in Flushing Meadows.
However, I'm picking dark horse Tomas Berdych to make the final. Last year, I was right about Del Potro, so we'll see this year. Can't wait!
Jays dropped their second straight series, this time in Boston. But hey, that ass kicking of the Red Sox on Friday night, 16-2 was pretty amazing to watch. Jose Bautista might very well finish with 45 home runs this year.
-D
It's been rainy here in the eastern part of the continent this week. Montreal's Rogers Cup semifinals and finals were delayed for more than 39 hours. Only this morning did sky clear for play. Caroline Wozniacki, the 2nd ranked female player in the world, took home the trophy this afternoon, beating Vera Zvonareva, 6-3, 6-2. Hardly a surprising result.
Roger Federer added to his illustrious resume with a win over Mardy Fish yesterday in Cincinatti in a three-setter. It's Federer's first ATP Masters Series title in 12 months and his 63rd career championship, 4th in Cincinatti. Is he going to capture his 17th Slam in New York in three weeks time? That's tough to say. I think he very well might. Nadal hasn't been in tip top shape these past two weeks. Del Potro withdrew from the Open today, due to his nagging wrist injury. So, he very well might win for the 6th time in Flushing Meadows.
However, I'm picking dark horse Tomas Berdych to make the final. Last year, I was right about Del Potro, so we'll see this year. Can't wait!
Jays dropped their second straight series, this time in Boston. But hey, that ass kicking of the Red Sox on Friday night, 16-2 was pretty amazing to watch. Jose Bautista might very well finish with 45 home runs this year.
-D
Monday 16 August 2010
Rogers Cup
Andy Murray is playing AMAZING right now and he just won the Rogers Cup over the weekend here in Toronto. Oh and he beat Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer along the way!
It was an absolutely amazing experience volunteering at the tournament for the second year. I was part of the Pass Control and Outside Courts Committee, which means I was assigned to restricted areas to check for access passes and I also acted as usher on some of the outside courts on the grounds.
I got to watch a ton of tennis on my breaks and had a whale of a time socializing with other volunteers. I also got lucky on the last two days of my shift and was assigned to work near the players' entrance to Centre Court, checking passes in that hallway. There, I got to see RFed, Andy Murray, and Rafa up close. Those were moments I'll never forget. Just so exciting to see the greatest players walking right in front of you!
I was rooting for Roger Federer to win the tournament but honestly though, he didn't play his best at all. Only his first and second matches were breeze-throughs and even his second match I thought could have been better. Tomas Berdych came THIS close to knocking him out in the QFs while Djokovic also pushed him to three. Still though, he did regain his #2 ranking but by the looks of it, it will take a long time for him to climb up to the top again. He is just TWO weeks away from beating Sampras' old record of 286 weeks at #1.
My pick for the US Open...hmm, that's a tough one. I'd love to see Federer win back the title but I also love Juan Martin Del Potro. Rafa Nadal and Andy Murray are both playing amazing tennis right now so it will be another great fight for the trophy. Berdych will be one to watch as well after his performance in Toronto. I don't think Djokovic, with the way he played, will be too big of a threat but remember he is still world #3.
I gotta go with the greatest though. Pickin' Federer but if it's a Rafa-Fed, Murray-Fed, Djoko-Fed, Berdych-Fed, Del Potro-Fed match-up, don't be surprised if the Swiss Maestro's apparent fall from grace continues.
-D
It was an absolutely amazing experience volunteering at the tournament for the second year. I was part of the Pass Control and Outside Courts Committee, which means I was assigned to restricted areas to check for access passes and I also acted as usher on some of the outside courts on the grounds.
I got to watch a ton of tennis on my breaks and had a whale of a time socializing with other volunteers. I also got lucky on the last two days of my shift and was assigned to work near the players' entrance to Centre Court, checking passes in that hallway. There, I got to see RFed, Andy Murray, and Rafa up close. Those were moments I'll never forget. Just so exciting to see the greatest players walking right in front of you!
I was rooting for Roger Federer to win the tournament but honestly though, he didn't play his best at all. Only his first and second matches were breeze-throughs and even his second match I thought could have been better. Tomas Berdych came THIS close to knocking him out in the QFs while Djokovic also pushed him to three. Still though, he did regain his #2 ranking but by the looks of it, it will take a long time for him to climb up to the top again. He is just TWO weeks away from beating Sampras' old record of 286 weeks at #1.
My pick for the US Open...hmm, that's a tough one. I'd love to see Federer win back the title but I also love Juan Martin Del Potro. Rafa Nadal and Andy Murray are both playing amazing tennis right now so it will be another great fight for the trophy. Berdych will be one to watch as well after his performance in Toronto. I don't think Djokovic, with the way he played, will be too big of a threat but remember he is still world #3.
I gotta go with the greatest though. Pickin' Federer but if it's a Rafa-Fed, Murray-Fed, Djoko-Fed, Berdych-Fed, Del Potro-Fed match-up, don't be surprised if the Swiss Maestro's apparent fall from grace continues.
-D
Monday 9 August 2010
So Close!
Two outs, bottom of the ninth, 1-1 count, Evan Longoria taps a ball by Aaron Hill. The entire stadium shrieks. The doors of history slams into Brandon Morrow's face.
It was THAT close. One more out and he would have tossed the 6th major league no-no this season. It would have been Tampa's gazillionth time being no-hit in the last two years. Well, it didn't happen, folks. Maybe it just wasn't meant to be. But surely it was still a HELL of a day for Brandon Morrow, who finished with a stunning total of 17 strikeouts.
Boy was he ever throwing some heat yesterday afternoon! And not to mention that with his one hitter, we swept Tampa, one of the best teams in the league, this weekend! The Jays are surely on a role right now and let's see what they can do with those Boston Red Sox! I say they take 2 of 3.
Going out to the Rogers Cup tomorrow night to enjoy some tennis-Roger Federer's playing!! Should be exciting!
-D
It was THAT close. One more out and he would have tossed the 6th major league no-no this season. It would have been Tampa's gazillionth time being no-hit in the last two years. Well, it didn't happen, folks. Maybe it just wasn't meant to be. But surely it was still a HELL of a day for Brandon Morrow, who finished with a stunning total of 17 strikeouts.
Boy was he ever throwing some heat yesterday afternoon! And not to mention that with his one hitter, we swept Tampa, one of the best teams in the league, this weekend! The Jays are surely on a role right now and let's see what they can do with those Boston Red Sox! I say they take 2 of 3.
Going out to the Rogers Cup tomorrow night to enjoy some tennis-Roger Federer's playing!! Should be exciting!
-D
Saturday 7 August 2010
Arencibia/Rogers Cup
Curtain call for JP Arencibia!!
How many rookies get that kind of treatment? Well, if you go 4-5 with 2 home runs, a double and a single, you would in any ballpark! That's what Jays catcher JP Arencibia got today at the Rogers Centre. On top of his 4 hit monster day, Arencibia hammered the FIRST PITCH he faced in the Major Leagues over the left field fence. It was simply incredible. Oh and the Jays won 17-7, with 20 hits, 8 of which were big bombs. Bautista slammed his 34th.
The Rogers Cup opened today in Toronto. I was there for my first shift as a volunteer this year. In addition to 4 qualifying matches, I was able to catch a glimpse of Rafael Nadal, Robin Soderling, Andy Murray, and David Ferrer. It was people and celebs galore. I got lots of good paparazzi shots. I'll post up the pics later!! More fun out there on the courts tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll catch a glimpse of Mr. Federer.
-D
PS. D'you know Djokovic/Nadal are playing doubles together in this tournament?!
How many rookies get that kind of treatment? Well, if you go 4-5 with 2 home runs, a double and a single, you would in any ballpark! That's what Jays catcher JP Arencibia got today at the Rogers Centre. On top of his 4 hit monster day, Arencibia hammered the FIRST PITCH he faced in the Major Leagues over the left field fence. It was simply incredible. Oh and the Jays won 17-7, with 20 hits, 8 of which were big bombs. Bautista slammed his 34th.
The Rogers Cup opened today in Toronto. I was there for my first shift as a volunteer this year. In addition to 4 qualifying matches, I was able to catch a glimpse of Rafael Nadal, Robin Soderling, Andy Murray, and David Ferrer. It was people and celebs galore. I got lots of good paparazzi shots. I'll post up the pics later!! More fun out there on the courts tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll catch a glimpse of Mr. Federer.
-D
PS. D'you know Djokovic/Nadal are playing doubles together in this tournament?!
Wednesday 4 August 2010
It's About Time
After 13 games, more than 50 at bats, Alex Rodriguez has finally, on a sunny afternoon in New York, joined the 600 home run club!
It came against Shaun Marcum in the 1st inning, with Derek Jeter on first base, on a 2-0 count. He sailed it high and deep to centre field where the ball eventually touched down in Monument Park. A-Rod, at age 34, is the youngest player ever to reach that milestone and is just the 7th in MLB history to cross the 600 threshold. All my Congrats go out to him but here's my two cents worth on the situation.
We know A-Rod doped. That he admitted. This milestone is yet another tainted one, something we have seen too often in recent years. It may be true that he may very well break Barry Bonds' record of 762 home runs but there will be an asterisk there always. His home run pace is also slowing, not surprising considering he is now clean. Why else would there be so many no hitters this season in the MLB-it's because hitters are actually clean. I hope it remains that way because after all, it kind of bursts the bubble when you see the asterisk beside everyone's name in the record books.
-D
It came against Shaun Marcum in the 1st inning, with Derek Jeter on first base, on a 2-0 count. He sailed it high and deep to centre field where the ball eventually touched down in Monument Park. A-Rod, at age 34, is the youngest player ever to reach that milestone and is just the 7th in MLB history to cross the 600 threshold. All my Congrats go out to him but here's my two cents worth on the situation.
We know A-Rod doped. That he admitted. This milestone is yet another tainted one, something we have seen too often in recent years. It may be true that he may very well break Barry Bonds' record of 762 home runs but there will be an asterisk there always. His home run pace is also slowing, not surprising considering he is now clean. Why else would there be so many no hitters this season in the MLB-it's because hitters are actually clean. I hope it remains that way because after all, it kind of bursts the bubble when you see the asterisk beside everyone's name in the record books.
-D
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