Jake Fine - Inside the Mind of Fine

What A Wonderful Sight

The few weeks leading into the start of baseball season, members all over the media try to get stimulated by starting the same cliché debates in hopes of creating more of a buzz for the upcoming season, and each year one debate seems to gather the most attention. Prior to this season the question that created the most interest was determining who in fact held the crown of toughest division. While some wanted to dish out more respect for the AL Central, it was hard to go against the AL East (If there are any other Cub fans out there that foolishly think they have the hardest task, shut-up! The division blows donkey balls). I mean they already have the Boston Red Sox who are fresh after winning their second title in four chances. Then there is the ever controversial Yankees, because how many years in a row can you really screw up with a pay-roll exceeding $200 million? Even Toronto sent off the perception of being a contender, especially if A.J. Burnett could stay healthy. However, as we approach the third weekend of May, we are now all saying the one thing no one could ever say with a straight face: First place Tampa Bay Rays.

After taking three of four at home against the Yankees this week, Tampa sits atop the division with a 24-17 record which puts the eleven year-old franchise seven games over .500 for the first time in their existence. As I have already informed several people already this week, I am officially drinking the Tampa Bay Kool-Aid, so much so that if given the chance I would happily pull a Kool-Aid man by sporting a Carl Crawford jersey and jumping through a wall of the Boston clubhouse while screaming out, “OH YEAH!”

So what’s the main reason for the sudden 180? Most of the credit should go to skipper Joe Madden who in only his third season in the dugout has successfully changed the culture in the clubhouse completely. No longer is this a team that would be content with posting a .500 record, now Madden has his club refusing to settle for anything short, which is how a team should think if they want to compete. Also it doesn’t hurt when your starting rotation has shown growth either. Jamie Shields has followed up to his breakout season last year by recording 4 wins and 45 strikeouts. Staff anchor Scott Kazmir who recently came off an injury has looked impressive starting his year off at 2-1 with a 1.69 ERA. Matt Garza is making Minnesota feel stupid for trading him as he also is off to a 2-1 start.

If the Rays are to continue to hover near the top of the AL East they will have to increase their offensive production. Currently Tampa is 16th in the majors in runs scored and does not have a single starter who is currently hitting over .280. Carl Crawford who despite who is currently at .276 has always been known to heat up closer to the All-Star break, and it will needed as well as his leadership for this young ball club. B.J. Upton and Akinori Iwamura continue to heat up at the plate and Carlos Pena won’t be hitting .212 all season, he just needs to learn not to swing for the fences every time ala Sammy Sosa. My biggest question centers on rookie third baseman Evan Longoria. Last month the Rays gave Longoria their biggest contract ever for nine years, $45 million. So far the rookie has gotten off to a sluggish start his first year in the big leagues hitting .210 with 4 HR and 15 RBI. He will need to start showing more consistency or it could have a very negative affect on his confidence now that all the expectations are thrown at him. A similar situation happened with Kansas City’s Alex Gordon who had to be sent down to Tripple-A after hitting below .200 for the first three months.

Bottom line the surprising productivity from the Rays will make this division race an exciting one to watch during the summer. While Boston isn’t too far behind as expected Baltimore with 21 wins has been almost as much of a surprise. Also even though it might not last forever I would like us all to enjoy the fact that the Yankees are stuck in last place. Suck on that Hank! Until next time, keep your mind on the Fine side.

Long Way Down

For many it will be hard to realize but this June will mark a full decade since Michael Jordan hoisted the Larry O’Brien trophy for the sixth time for the Chicago Bulls. At one time the organization had such an allure to it and in many ways set the gold standard as to how a team should run in the NBA. Of course in the post-Jordan era the Bulls have endured their share of low points and an endless amount of high draft picks go to waste but that was all part of the “rebuilding process,” or at least that’s what we were told. Although it wasn’t until recently that it became evident that this beloved team has completely fallen from grace.

After too many losing seasons Chicago was able to revamp around a young core making the playoffs three straight seasons, including last year which saw them fall short against Detroit in the second round. The turn of success gave fans new hope and thoughts that returning to a contender wasn’t that far, but in reality it was nothing more than an illusion. For the 2007-08 season everything came into focus as the embarrassment year was tarnished by trade rumors, contract negotiations, lack of discipline and leadership. The overflow of turmoil lead to one head coach losing his job and one superstar shipped out to a divisional rival. Despite all the negativity there was still optimism that Chicago could return to being competitive.

In order to actually turn things around it was clear the Bulls need an offensive minded coach, and who fits the bill better than former Pheonix Suns coach Mike D’Antoni? The Bulls wanted him, he wanted the job, it seemed like a done deal, or at least we hoped that it was. Our dreams were once again ruined this time by the sight of D’Antoni signing on the dotted line to take over for the New York Knicks, a team that has more problems than anyone else in the league.

The Voice Of Reason

Last night I was working a remote at a very festive Cinco de Mayo party.  The margaritas were flowing, kids were playfully running around the parking lot, and they had a band playing a set list that could have been copied from a playlist on my ipod.  After rocking out to everyone’s favorite Journey song the lead singer began a little chit chat with the crowd which eventually turned into a comment on Cedric Benson.  Of course he was referring to the incident which occurred late Saturday night in which the Chicago Bears’ starting running back was arrested for boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest on a lake outside of Austin, Texas.  Then the front man of the Fleshing Melons continued to comment, “If the Bears needed any reason to get rid of them this is it,” and the crowd began to cheer.

Now I feel that it is my responsibility to act as the voice of reason because I’m firmly believe that a majority of Bears fans are ready to kick him out of town when in reality there is no chance that it will happen.  In no way do I want to defend Benson’s actions from over the weekend.  Was it smart?  Absolutely not, but since the incident took place there have been numerous conflicting reports.  This simply states that we still don’t know all of the details and until we do it is unfair for the Bears organization or anyone else to think otherwise.

Outside of the entire legal mumbo-jumbo, the reason there has been such an outcry for Benosn’s job is obviously due to the fact that since Chicago snagged him with the 4th overall pick three years ago his stats have been anything but impressive (42o carries 1,593 yards 10 TD’s).  In addition many seem to reading too much into the fact that the team drafted Tulane running back Matt Forte in the second round of the draft just over a week ago.  In the current time of the Jerry Angelo regime I’ve learned two things: first that no matter what the problem may be Angelo is always plan, and secondly after observing how he has handled certain distractions over the past few seasons it is safe to assume that he is not one to admit when he is wrong.  After everything that Angelo and the organization has invested in the former Texas Longhorn, he will refuse to cut him after Saturday’s arrest.  To do it now would contradict all the moves made this off-season the revamp the aging offensive line which paved the way for Chicago to rush just over 83 yards a game (30th in NFL).  Sure he didn’t get exactly get it done last season but why not at least see what he can do now with a more competitive supporting cast.  Furthermore, cutting ties with Benson would mean heading into the 2008 season with a backfield core of Forte, Adrian Peterson and former NIU Huskie Garrett Wolfe, a combined 8 career starts (all from Peterson).  It seems extremely unlikely that Lovie Smith would want to head into the new year with such an inexperienced group.  So why the end of Benson in a Bears jersey isn’t quite over yet, it is nearly a sure thing the his leash just got that much shorter.  Until next time, keep your mind on the fine side.