It’s Saturday. And what better day is there to get together with some good friends, have some drinks, play some cards, attend a ball game, hopefully win some money on the game, and take in a concert by a misplaced cultural icon! The highlight, though, will be when the Tampa Bay Rays (-135) make easy work of the disappointing Detroit Tigers.
My, how things have changed. Surely everyone remembers before this season began, all the excitement for this Tigers team. Never was that hype higher than following the big trade with Florida that landed them slugger Miguel Cabrera and pitcher Dontrelle Willis. They were the 3rd highest favorite to win it all at +525. The Rays on the other hand, were bringing back much of the same team that landed the Major’s worst record last year. Everyone knew they had young talent, and could only improve, but were still sitting at +10,000 to win the World Series.
Fast forward to present day. The Tigers have never been able to put anything consistent together. Their pitching has completely fallen apart and their hitting engine is missing a clutch. Then this past week they traded the man that many have credited with Detroit’s baseball resurgence, legendary catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez. To the dreaded Yankees, no less. For a middle reliever. Just like that, the heart and soul of your team, traded away unceremoniously. Granted, Pudge is on the downside of his career, but I fear this move may have ripped the spirit out of this Tigers team. Bookmakers know this also, as they currently have Detroit at +2050 to become champs.
The Rays are in the middle of one of those magical seasons that happen to a franchise every so often. They have never seen any kind baseball success in this town. They currently hold the league’s second best record (64-44) and a three game lead in the mighty AL East division. You can catch them to win it all at +1015 now.
Ray’s pitcher Andy Sonnanstine has lost his last three starts. A little home cooking should help end that streak. The Rays have the Major’s best home record (41-16). Look for Carl Crawford, BJ Upton and Evan Longoria to knock around Tiger’s starter Kenny Rogers. Kenny hasn’t been the same since his amazing ’06 posteason performance where he gave up zero runs in 23 innings pitched. I don’t expect him to turn it around tonight.
The Rays will win on talent. But if you need more than that…if you enjoy some superstitious backings as well…look no further than LL Cool J.
This year the Rays have been offering a series of free concerts following certain ballgames. Already having performed this year have been The Commodores, Trace Adkins, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Kool & the Gang, Loverboy and ** Hammer. Tampa Bay is undefeated on those evenings. There is no way they are losing a game before an LL show.
I used to enjoy LL Cool J. Growing up as an 80’s kid, I was perpetually looking for an escape from the life-sucking force that was the hair bands. More often than not, rap acts provided that outlet for me. Eric B & Rakim, Public Enemy, N.W.A., and yes, LL Cool J. There are some fantastic tracks to be found on Radio, Bigger and Deffer, and Walking with a Panther. Then we ushered in the 90’s and something began to happen. LL began to take himself too seriously. We started with a cool skinny kid from Queens who wore a Kangol and rapped about his radio. We then had a roided up egomaniac licking his lips 10 times a minute for added sexiness, performing candy rap for the honeys. Way to stay grounded Cool James!
It is not the music that draws me to the man any longer though. It is his movies. I first took notice of his performance in the HBO prison series, ‘Oz”, as inmate Jiggy Walker. Brilliant. Since then, I have been treated to hilariously entertaining LL roles in ‘Deep Blue Sea’, ‘Rollerball’ and ‘S.W.A.T.’ Not since Nick Nolte has someone been so comedically reliable. I like to surround myself with greatness. I will tell someone’s grandkids one day that I attended an LL Cool J concert.
But more important than my selfish motives, will be LL’s effect on the Rays. After Gilberto Santa Rosa’s performance on June 14th, Latin players Carols Pena and Dioner Navarro were reported as being “like little kids” when meeting him. There are definitely other players who grew up jamming out to LL just like I did. And they will win for him tonight.
My, how things have changed. Surely everyone remembers before this season began, all the excitement for this Tigers team. Never was that hype higher than following the big trade with Florida that landed them slugger Miguel Cabrera and pitcher Dontrelle Willis. They were the 3rd highest favorite to win it all at +525. The Rays on the other hand, were bringing back much of the same team that landed the Major’s worst record last year. Everyone knew they had young talent, and could only improve, but were still sitting at +10,000 to win the World Series.
Fast forward to present day. The Tigers have never been able to put anything consistent together. Their pitching has completely fallen apart and their hitting engine is missing a clutch. Then this past week they traded the man that many have credited with Detroit’s baseball resurgence, legendary catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez. To the dreaded Yankees, no less. For a middle reliever. Just like that, the heart and soul of your team, traded away unceremoniously. Granted, Pudge is on the downside of his career, but I fear this move may have ripped the spirit out of this Tigers team. Bookmakers know this also, as they currently have Detroit at +2050 to become champs.
Another useless purchase.
The Rays are in the middle of one of those magical seasons that happen to a franchise every so often. They have never seen any kind baseball success in this town. They currently hold the league’s second best record (64-44) and a three game lead in the mighty AL East division. You can catch them to win it all at +1015 now.
Ray’s pitcher Andy Sonnanstine has lost his last three starts. A little home cooking should help end that streak. The Rays have the Major’s best home record (41-16). Look for Carl Crawford, BJ Upton and Evan Longoria to knock around Tiger’s starter Kenny Rogers. Kenny hasn’t been the same since his amazing ’06 posteason performance where he gave up zero runs in 23 innings pitched. I don’t expect him to turn it around tonight.
The Rays will win on talent. But if you need more than that…if you enjoy some superstitious backings as well…look no further than LL Cool J.
This year the Rays have been offering a series of free concerts following certain ballgames. Already having performed this year have been The Commodores, Trace Adkins, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Kool & the Gang, Loverboy and ** Hammer. Tampa Bay is undefeated on those evenings. There is no way they are losing a game before an LL show.
I used to enjoy LL Cool J. Growing up as an 80’s kid, I was perpetually looking for an escape from the life-sucking force that was the hair bands. More often than not, rap acts provided that outlet for me. Eric B & Rakim, Public Enemy, N.W.A., and yes, LL Cool J. There are some fantastic tracks to be found on Radio, Bigger and Deffer, and Walking with a Panther. Then we ushered in the 90’s and something began to happen. LL began to take himself too seriously. We started with a cool skinny kid from Queens who wore a Kangol and rapped about his radio. We then had a roided up egomaniac licking his lips 10 times a minute for added sexiness, performing candy rap for the honeys. Way to stay grounded Cool James!
It is not the music that draws me to the man any longer though. It is his movies. I first took notice of his performance in the HBO prison series, ‘Oz”, as inmate Jiggy Walker. Brilliant. Since then, I have been treated to hilariously entertaining LL roles in ‘Deep Blue Sea’, ‘Rollerball’ and ‘S.W.A.T.’ Not since Nick Nolte has someone been so comedically reliable. I like to surround myself with greatness. I will tell someone’s grandkids one day that I attended an LL Cool J concert.
But more important than my selfish motives, will be LL’s effect on the Rays. After Gilberto Santa Rosa’s performance on June 14th, Latin players Carols Pena and Dioner Navarro were reported as being “like little kids” when meeting him. There are definitely other players who grew up jamming out to LL just like I did. And they will win for him tonight.
I miss this guy.
bread your a funny guy when I am in the beer line I am going to look for A guy with holding a piece of bread in front of his face.
