Saturday, November 8, 2014

My CFB Top 25 - Morning of Week 11

NCAA Football Rankings - AP Top 25 - Updated: Nov 8, 2014
RKTEAM (VOTES)WLPOINTS
1Mississippi State Bulldogs
2Auburn Tigers
3Florida State
4Alabama Crimson Tide
5Ole Miss Rebels
6TCU Horned Frogs
7Kansas State Wildcats
8Oregon Ducks
9Arizona State Sun Devils
10Michigan State Spartans
11Baylor Bears
12Notre Dame Fighting Irish
13LSU Tigers
14Arizona Wildcats
15West Virginia Mountaineers
16Oklahoma Sooners
17Utah Utes
18Nebraska Cornhuskers
19Marshall Thundering Herd
20Georgia Bulldogs
21Ohio State Buckeyes
22East Carolina Pirates
23Wisconsin Badgers
24North Dakota State Bison
25Minnesota Golden Gophers

Friday, July 11, 2014

Winning Percentages by the Primary Logo: American League

Every person has some sort of glitch in them that makes them pay attention to the most stupid/unnecessary things in life, OCD or non OCD. For me, that's the uniforms and logos of professional sports teams. I'd always liked looking at NFL & MLB helmets at a young age and wondering what exactly the Atlanta Thrashers logo was (I must admit, that took too long for me to figure out). I'd always choose to be a different baseball team for rec ball so I could collect every team.

Logos have been fascinating me for years. My obsession for them increased when I came across Paul Lukas' Uni-Watch blog (he also writes season previews for ESPN) that covered everything when it came to uniforms and logos. I became one of those people that saw a missing patch or noticed someone was wearing the wrong socks during games. I've matured more to just the logo side of things. I currently pour over Chris Creamer's SportsLogos  website. A library of 20,000+ logos for lax, baseball, football, basketball, hockey, soccer, olympics, rugby, & college sports.

So out of my enjoyment in logos & sports play, I started a little study of this stupid/unnecessary thing of life. A study to see which primary logo for each team was the most/least successful. I've started with the MLB in the American League, featuring the beautiful logo that is this, and the WTH?

So here, I will present the best/worst logos for each team. In order to qualify for either spot, each logo had to be in use for at least 3 years. Aside from that, it all was played out on the diamond. Enjoy!

BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Worst:

 Baltimore Orioles (1999 - 2008)
1999-2008: .440 Winning %
This is the 2nd youngest primary for the O's that encapsulated the end of Cal Ripken Jr.'s incredible career.
Best:
Baltimore Orioles (1966 - 1988)
1966-1988: .557 Winning %
In this stretch, Baltimore won and lost 3 world series'.

Worst:

Boston Red Sox (1912 - 1930)
1912-1930: .472 Winning %
The present logo at the beginning of the Curse of Bambino.
Best:

Boston Red Sox (2009 - Pres)
2009-2013 (Present): .543 Winning %
The current primary for the Sox, although this will likely end up not being the best if they keep up this year's losing ways.

Worst:

Chicago White Sox (1932 - 1935)
1932-1935: .402 Winning %
The White Sox never managed a winning record in this timespan & went through 2 managers (Fonseca/Dykes).
Best:

Chicago White Sox (1912 - 1917)
1912-1917: .551 Winning %
Here was one World Series win & one losing year.

Worst:

Cleveland Indians (1973 - 1979)
1973-1979: .471 Winning %
This is the first of two primary logos for Cleveland that suffered a losing career record.
Best:

Cleveland Indians (1946 - 1950)
1946-1950: .552 Winning %
A World Series was one in '54 in a sweep over the New York Giants.

Worst:

Detroit Tigers (1994 - 2005)
1994-2005: .409 Winning %
One of my personal favorite Tigers' logos ended up by far being the worst when it came to actual baseball. Smart idea considering they went to the World Series a couple years after changing it.
Best:
Detroit Tigers (1908 - 1915)
1908-1915: .553 Winning %
Although it just might be something someone drew & colored in with a random pen (or ink & quill?), 2 World Series were reached, but both lost (1908 & 1909).

Worst:

Houston Astros (1975 - 1993)
1975-1993: .448 Winning %
Even though this is the worst one that fits the qualifications, in a few years time it'll probably be the current 'Stros primary that takes the bottom spot (.315 winning % last year, are 39-54 as of 7/10/2014).
Best:

Houston Astros (1995 - 1999)
1995-1999: .556 Winning %
Despite being the most winning logo, it also was extremely talented at losing when it really counted with 3 straight ALDS exits.

Worst:

Kansas City Royals (2002 - Pres)
2002-2013 (Present): .425 Winning %
The Royals are only on their second primary logo. This one.
Best:

Kansas City Royals (1969 - 2001)
1969-2001: .502 Winning %
They barely nudged out a winning record in this long stretch.

Worst: IT'S A TIE!

Los Angeles Angels (1961 - 1964)
1961-1964: .477 Winning %
California Angels (1965 - 1970)
1965-1970: .477 Winning %
Coincidentally, the next logo also had a .477 winning %, but was only used for two years (1971-1972).
Best:

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2005 - Pres)
2005-2013 (Present): .554 Winning %
Another current logo at its best; but alas, no World Series. Yet they've had a row of incredible players: Trout, Hunter, Wilson, & Rodriguez just to name a few.

Worst:

Minnesota Twins (1976 - 1986)
1976-1986: .461 Winning %
So much for a logo that says 'Win! Twins!'
Best:

Minnesota Twins (1961 - 1969)
1961-1969: .542 Winning %
The inaugural Twins logos was a success, and got them 1 win away from a World Series.

Worst:
New York Yankees (1947 - Pres)

1947-2013 (Present): .582 Winning %
So this one is completely backwards in an obvious way. But this is only the Yankees' second primary logo since the franchise began in 1913. This 'worse' logo has produced 17 of the 27 World Championships for the Bronx Bombers, and has seen the likes of Berra, Mantle, Gehrig, Mattingly, DiMaggio, and Posada.
Best:
New York Yankees (1913 - 1946)
1913-1946: .587 Winning %
As you can see, its only a .005 difference between the two logos, but here lies 10 World Championships and the source of the Curse of Bambino.

OAKLAND ATHLETICS
Worst:
Oakland Athletics (1993 - Pres)
1993-2013 (Present): .516 Winning %
A bad stretch and a lot of nobody's has still resulted in Oakland having a worse logo in winning ways, only to improve after this years fantastic campaign. 
Best:
Oakland Athletics (1983 - 1992)
1983-1992: .538 Winning %
A very similar logo to the one above, here lies 3 straight World Series & one Championship. Maybe a Fingery mustache....

SEATTLE MARINERS
Worst:
Seattle Mariners (1977 - 1979)
1977-1979: .386 Winning %
Being an expansion club, it definitely took a few years for the Mariners to get off the ground. But that trident still rules.
Best:
Seattle Mariners (1993 - Pres)
1993-2013 (Present): .520 Winning %
The current Mariner logo houses one of the best seasons ever seen in this generation. The 2001 team mustered an impossible 116-win season, tied with the 1906 Chicago Cubs for the greatest season in baseball history. They also hosted the All-Star Game that year with 6 all-stars of their own.

TAMPA BAY RAYS
Worst:
Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2001 - 2007)
2001-2007: .392 Winning %
It took quite awhile for any significant progress to be made in the Trop. Despite having Fred McGriff, Aubrey Huff & Randy Winn, wins didn't abide here.
Best:
Tampa Bay Rays (2008 - Pres)
2008-2013 (Present): .561 Winning %
Maybe knocking the devil out of Tampa helped a bit. 2008 featured a World Series appearance against the Phils, but still no championships.

TEXAS RANGERS
Worst:
Texas Rangers (1984 - 1993)
1984-1993: .480 Winning %
This losing stretch had itself some fun though, hosting the Ryan Express from 1989-1993.
Best:
Texas Rangers (2003 - Pres)
2003-2013 (Present): .522 Winning %
Ron Washington has mostly had his ways in Arlington, recently making 2 straight World Series appearances while having ownership issues. 

TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Worst:
Toronto Blue Jays (1977 - 1996)
1977-1996: .490 Winning %
By next year, the current primary might be the worst, but their 2014 campaign has playoffs written all over it. 
Best:
Toronto Blue Jays (1997 - 2002)
1997-2002: .503 Winning %
Modernization seemed to work in Toronto, but the playoffs weren't on their side in this stretch.

The National League will come in the next week or two. 

Monday, June 2, 2014

Blackhawks Vs. Kings 6/1/2014 West Finals Game 7

THESE ARE SPUR OF THE MOMENT THOUGHTS AS THE GAME GOES ALONG

(I picked up at the end of the 1st period)

End of 1st: It's seeming more like a first round game, not a game seven do or die game.

17:30 in 2nd: Much more emphatic period so far. I'm seeing the roughness I normally see in the playoffs.

17:14 in 2nd: Yeah uh offside has no place in hockey

16:05 left in 2nd: Not only do I miss the Atlanta Thrashers, but I miss the Marian Hossa/Ilya Kovalchuck (ok and Slava Kozlov) days.

14:17 left in 2nd: FINALLY someone fell down like a hockey player!!

13:11 left in 2nd: So if Bill Murray were to walk in with full pads, stick and everything, & a Blackhawks jersey, they'd let him play. Right?

12:28 left in 2nd (1:29 left on Blackhawks' power play): I don't see a goal happening here. The Kings defense has been great this period. A simple slap shot won't get past Jonathan Quick.

10:23 left in 2nd: Now that the Blackhawks have gotten better control of the game, It's starting to feel more like a playoff pace.

9:51 left in 2nd: Can we just have sumo wrestlers be the goalies? I mean, they're about as big as the goalies when they have their pads on.

9:29 left in 2nd: ANOTHER bouncing/random misdirection goal (Toffoli). Can we get one pure shot? Kings tie it up at 3.

 8:10 left in 2nd: Ok good, we've had a couple actual shots; alas like most, they just get deflected to the side. Ooh ooh, another power play for Chicago!

7:35.5 left in 2nd: I think I'm rooting for the Blackhawks (still misty about those Hossa Thrasher days). I'm still a little angry at LA for their cup win over New Jersey.

6:43 left in 2nd: Whoops, Drew Doughty might not want to do that again.

6:12 left in 2nd: JUST SHOOT CHICAGO!! YOU'VE GOT A 5 ON 3!!!

5:22 left in 2nd: Power plays in the NHL playoffs should only be one minute. Wouldn't that increase the shooting percentage per minute? Oh and that was a sad penalty Saad. 4 on 4.

2:31 left in 2nd: Don't some hockey players look like worn out touring musicians?

2:02 left in 2nd: Broken stick on a shot = broken bat

1:35 left in 2nd: Patrick Sharp (pure shot too)!!!!!  4-3 Chicago

END OF 2ND PERIOD

19:09 left in 3rd: I've always felt like it's weird that California is actually pretty good at hockey. I'd think a similar scenario that's happening in Phoenix would also happen in some fashion in Los Angeles.

15:31 left in 3rd: And if we did have sumo wrestlers be goalies, we should expand the goal.

15:23 left in 3rd: Patrick Kane scored the game winner in game 6. I'd be looking on him if LA scores again.

14:12 left in 3rd: Favorite player name b/w the teams: Duncan Keith. Least favorite: Drew Doughty.

13:46 left in 3rd: Anze Kopitar gets the honorable mention.

11:41 left in 3rd: This game is about to become awesome.

10:07 left in 3rd: I don't even know half the players' names in this game, but who cares. You can't beat playoff hockey...that is unless Wayne Coyne were to walk into my house.

7:17 left in 3rd: OH DANG! Fantastic reflexes by Gaborik! 4-4 tie! I've got no idea whose gonna win this game.

4:56 left in 3rd: This is becoming a complete playoff game: diving, cross-checking, funky goals, all around intense play, and...oh crap, I forgot there hasn't been a fight! #bringmeahockeyfight

3:51 left in 3rd: Marian Hossa's beard looks like spray cheese.

3:32 left in 3rd: Gaborik has 12 playoff goals this postseason. He had 11 in the regular season. Via ESPN Stats & Info tweet

2:19 left in 3rd: No one can beat Stoll on the faceoff. Huge advantage for LA if this goes into OT.

1:17 left in 3rd: Chicago just had 3 great chances. Don't stop shooting at this point in the game.

0:37 left in 3rd: Dustin Brown looked like Alex Ovechkin with those slimy moves!

0:5.3 left in 3rd: Quick just saved LA's season.  #clutch

END OF 3RD PERIOD - OVERTIME IS COMING!!

Patrick Kane has 4 overtime playoff goals. I like Chicago's chances, especially at home.

19:09 left in OT: I know they just zambonied the ice and everything, but I think this game is destined to finish on an awkward hop into goal.

17:29 left in OT: Saad really did hit the boards hard on that breakaway.

15:53 left in OT: At this point in the game, it feels like skating is becoming just as important at shooting.

15:32 left in OT: Or just dumb luck.

15:05 left in OT: Another rule change that should happen for the playoffs: no icing.

14:1oh who cares how much time is left, KINGS WIN KINGS WIN KINGS WIN KINGS WIN OFF OF A RANDOM BOUNCE!!!

Rangers Vs. Kings in the Stanley Cup Finals. Kick 'em in the butt big blue, HEY!