Best and Worst Ceremonial First Pitches

How George Bush's first pitch (while wearing a bulletproof vest) at Game 3 of 2001 World Series compares to other first pitches pic.twitter.com/M4FEERYlGS

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) October 31, 2016

Who Is The Favorite In The American League?

The AL appears to be wide open right now as the trade deadline approaches.  I personally like the Blue Jays to end up on top, but take a look at these intriguing numbers I put together and you decide...

Record (as of 7/21): 
1. Indians
2. Red Sox
3. Rangers
4. Blue Jays

Run Differential:
1. Indians
2. Blue Jays
3. Red Sox
4. Astros

Vegas:
1. Rangers +325
2. Indians +375
3. Blue Jays +550
4. Red Sox +600

Top 2 Starters Amongst Contenders:
1. TOR Aaron Sanchez/ Marco Estrada (both sub 3.00 ERA)
2. CLE Danny Salazar/ Corey Kluber
3. TEX Cole Hamels/ Colby Lewis or Yu Darvish whoever is healthy
4. BOS David Price/ Rick Porcello
5. BAL Chris Tillman/ Kevin Gausman
6. HOU Doug Fister/ Collin McHugh

Top Bat Amongst Contenders (using WAR):
1. TOR Josh Donaldson
2. HOU Jose Altuve
3. BOS Mookie Betts
4. BAL Manny Machado
5. TEX Ian Desmond
6. CLE Francisco Lindor

The Sports Brief 2016 MLB Predictions

Opening Day!!! Below are picks for division winners, the LCS pennants, and our WS Champion picks. Should be fun to look back in October and see how close either of us actually came. 

All-Time Baseball Movie Lineups

Besse and I recently recorded our "Baseball Movie" episode of #DORK (posted below) where we discussed the best and worst baseball films and more importantly came up with the best lineup/rotation possible based off of the fictional players.

TEAM KEEFE:

LINEUP:
1. Willie Mays Hayes, CF, Major League
2. Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez, SS, The Sandlot
3. Bobby Rayburn, LF, The Fan
4. Roy Hobbs, RF, The Natural
5. Clu Haywood, 1B, Major League
6. Jack Parkman, DH, Major League II
7. Roger Dorn, 3B, Major League
8. Crash Davis, C, Bull Durham
9. Kelly Leak, 2B, Bad News Bears

STAFF:
Steve Nebraska, The Scout
Eddie Harris, Major League
Nuke LaLoosh, Bull Durham
Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn, Major League

TEAM BESSE:

LINEUP:
1. Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez, SS, The Sandlot
2. Juan Primo, CF, The Fan
3. Roy Hobbs, RF, The Natural
4. Rex "T-Rex" Pennebaker, LF, Mr. 3000
5. Steve Nebraska, DH/P, The Scout
6. Jack Parkman, C, Major League II
7. Lou Collins, 1B, Little Big League
8. Kelly Leak, 2B, Bad News Bears
9. Ray Mitchell, 3B, Angels in the Outfield

STAFF:

Steve Nebraska, The Scout

Eddie Harris, Major League

Billy Chapel, For The Love of The Game

Chet "Rocket" Stedman, Rookie of the Year

Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn, Major League

TOP 5 MOVIES

Keefe

1. Major League

2. Bad News Bears

3. The Fan

4. Field of Dreams

5. Beer League

Besse

1. Field of Dreams

2. The Fan

3. Major League 

4. A League of Their Own

5. Rookie of the Year

#DORK 42: Baseball Movies

Holy Shirts & Pants 2016 Roster

We had a crazy early Fantasy Baseball Draft due to a number of issues, but here is what I'll be working with to start to the 2016 season....

Rotisserie scoring: Runs-HR-RBI-SB-AVG-OPS and QS-W-SV-ERA-WHIP-K/9

C Yadier Molina
1B Paul Goldschmidt*
2B Kolten Wong
3B Josh Harrison
SS Xander Bogaerts*
OF Yoenis Cespedes*
OF Christian Yelich*
OF Billy Hamilton
UTIL Jose Abreu*
UTIL Alex Rodriguez

BENCH
Stephen Piscotty
Pedro Alvarez
Joc Pederson
Byron Buxton
Hyun Soo Kim

PITCHING
Madison Bumgarner*
Carlos Martinez*
Michael Wacha*
Wei-Yin Chen
Eduardo Rodriguez
Rich Hill

Hector Rondon
Drew Storen
J.J. Hoover
David Hernandez
Fernando Rodney

*keeper


Wish me luck...

Baseball Is Back!

Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2016

Ken Griffey Jr. (99.3%, 3 shy)
Mike Piazza (83%)
BELOW THE 75% NEEDED
Jeff Bagwell (71.6%)
Tim Raines (69.8%)
Trevor Hoffman (67.3%)
Curt Schilling (52.3%)
Roger Clemens (45.2%)
Barry Bonds (44.3%)
Edgar Martinez (43.4%)
Mike Mussina (43%)
Alan Trammell (40.9%)
Lee Smith (34.1%)
Fred McGriff (20.9%)
Jeff Kent (16.6%)
Larry Walker (15.5%)
Mark McGwire (12.3%)
Gary Sheffield (11.6%)
Billy Wagner (10.5%)
Sammy Sosa (7%)

2016 Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot

You are allowed 10 votes.  My picks in BOLD.

• Garret Anderson 
• Brad Ausmus 
• Jeff Bagwell 
• Barry Bonds 
• Luis Castillo
• Roger Clemens 
• David Eckstein 
• Jim Edmonds
• Nomar Garciaparra
• Troy Glaus
• Ken Griffey Jr.
• Mark Grudzielanek 
• Mike Hampton
• Trevor Hoffman 
• Jason Kendall 
• Jeff Kent
• Mike Lowell
• Edgar Martinez 
• Fred McGriff
• Mark McGwire 
• Mike Mussina 
• Mike Piazza 
• Tim Raines
• Curt Schilling 
• Gary Sheffield 
• Lee Smith
• Sammy Sosa
• Mike Sweeney 
• Alan Trammell 
• Billy Wagner
• Larry Walker 
• Randy Winn

Cubs Win! Cubs Win!

(via Deadspin)

Non-Hall of Fame vs. HOF Team

Who wins?

Non-Hall of Fame Team (eligible)

P: Roger Clemens

C: Mike Piazza

1B: Jeff Bagwell

2B: Jeff Kent

3B: Pete Rose

SS: Nomar Garciaparra

LF: Barry Bonds

CF: Gary Sheffield

RF: Sammy Sosa

DH: Edgar Martinez

Vs. 

Hall of Fame Team

P: Sandy Koufax

C: Johnny Bench

1B: Frank Thomas

2B: Roberto Alomar

3B: Mike Schmidt

SS: Ernie Banks

LF: Willie Mays

CF: Joe DiMaggio

RF: Hank Aaron

DH: Paul Molitor 

You could swap out a lot of guys on this team too, obviously.  But the fact that it'd even be a game is the problem. 

2015 MLB Home Run Derby

I love brackets!

Participants & Bracket announced for the 2015 Gillette Home Run Derby presented by Head & Shoulders. pic.twitter.com/dVnIMQ7NPQ

— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) July 8, 2015

2015 MLB All-Stars

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Pitchers
RHP: Chris Archer, Rays
RHP: Dellin Betances, Yankees
RHP: Brad Boxberger, Rays
LHP: Zach Britton, Orioles
RHP: Wade Davis, Royals
RHP: Sonny Gray: Athletics
RHP: Kelvin Herrera, Royals
RHP: Felix Hernandez, Mariners
LHP: Dallas Keuchel, Astros
RHP: Darren O'Day, Orioles
LHP: Glen Perkins, Twins
LHP: David Price, Tigers
LHP: Chris Sale, White Sox

Reserves 
C: Russell Martin, Blue Jays
C: Stephen Vogt, Athletics
1B: Albert Pujols, Angels
1B: Mark Teixeira, Yankees
2B: Jason Kipnis, Indians
3B: Manny Machado, Orioles
SS: Jose Iglesias, Tigers
IF/OF: Brock Holt, Red Sox
OF: Jose Bautista, Blue Jays
OF: Adam Jones, Orioles
OF: J.D. Martinez, Tigers
DH: Prince Fielder, Rangers

Final Vote candidates
SS: Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox
OF: Yoenis Cespedes, Tigers
2B: Brian Dozier, Twins
OF: Brett Gardner, Yankees
3B: Mike Moustakas, Royals

Starters
C: Salvador Perez, Royals
1B: Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
2B: Jose Altuve, Astros
3B: Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays
SS: Alcides Escobar, Royals
OF: Mike Trout, Angels
OF: Lorenzo Cain, Royals
OF: Alex Gordon, Royals
DH: Nelson Cruz, Mariners

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Pitchers
LHP: Madison Bumgarner, Giants
RHP: A.J. Burnett, Pirates
LHP: Aroldis Chapman, Reds
RHP: Gerrit Cole, Pirates
RHP: Jacob deGrom, Mets
RHP: Zack Greinke, Dodgers
RHP: Mark Melancon, Pirates
RHP: Shelby Miller, Braves
RHP: Jonathan Papelbon, Phillies
RHP: Francisco Rodriguez, Brewers
RHP: Trevor Rosenthal, Cardinals
RHP: Max Scherzer, Nationals
RHP: Michael Wacha, Cardinals

Reserves
C: Yasmani Grandal, Dodgers
C: Yadier Molina, Cardinals
1B: Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers
1B: Anthony Rizzo, Cubs
2B: DJ LeMahieu, Rockies
2B: Joe Panik, Giants
3B: Nolan Arenado, Rockies
3B: Kris Bryant, Cubs
SS: Brandon Crawford, Giants
OF: Andrew McCutchen, Pirates
OF: Joc Pederson, Dodgers
OF: A.J. Pollock, D-backs
OF: Justin Upton, Padres

Final Vote candidates
RHP: Johnny Cueto, Reds
RHP: Jeurys Familia, Mets
LHP: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
RHP: Carlos Martinez, Cardinals
SS: Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies

Starters
C: Buster Posey, Giants
1B: Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs
2B: Dee Gordon, Marlins
3B: Todd Frazier, Reds
SS: Jhonny Peralta, Cardinals
OF: Bryce Harper, Nationals
OF: Matt Holliday, Cardinals
OF: Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins

Red Sox Lineup and Rotation Grades

1. Dustin Pedroia, 2B - F
2. Mookie Betts, CF - F
3. David Ortiz, DH - F
4. Hanley Ramirez, LF - F
5. Pablo Sandoval, 3B - F
6. Mike Napoli, 1B - F
7. Xander Bogaerts, SS - F
8. Blake Swihart, C - F
9. Rusney Castillo, RF - F

SP - Clay Buchholz - F
SP - Rick Porcello - F
SP - Wade Miley - F
SP - "Machine Gun" Joe Kelly - F
SP - Eduardo Rodriguez - A+

Red Sox Wearing 1975 Uniforms Tonight

Sweet.  Looking good, playing good.  Can't hurt to honor the 1975 team and break out these Bad Larry's.  Think I want one.

2015 MLB Predictions

AL East - Toronto Blue Jays

AL Central - Detroit Tigers

AL West - Seattle Mariners

AL Wild Card - Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox

NL East - Washington Nationals

NL Central - St. Louis Cardinals

NL West - Los Angeles Dodgers

NL Wild Card - San Francisco Giants, New York Mets

ALCS - Mariners over Tigers

NLCS - Nationals over Dodgers

World Series - Mariners over Nationals

AL MVP: Jose Abreu, 1B, White Sox

AL Cy Young: Felix Hernandez, Mariners

AL Rookie: Rusney Castillo, OF, Red Sox

AL Manager: Lloyd McClendon, Mariners 

NL MVP: Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Diamondbacks

NL Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers

NL Rookie: Kris Bryant, 3B, Cubs

NL Manager: Terry Collins, Mets

Just Waiting For The Fantasy Baseball Season To Start

Giancarlo Stanton's New Face Mask Helmet

Yeah, @Giancarlo818 – The faceguard plays. pic.twitter.com/cn3B4Cv9Xh

— MLB (@MLB) February 26, 2015

Can't blame him.

New Name, New Game?

B.J. Upton is no longer.  Ladies and gentlemen, please put your hands together for Melvin. Upton. Jr.  .... You there?   Well good old Melvin is not the only one out there who has changed their name with a hopeful push towards greatness.  Who did it best?

Wrestling (a million obviously)
Papa Shango - Kama - The Godfather
Cactus Jack - Mankind - Dude Love - Mick Foley
Thurman "Sparky" Plugg - Hardcore Holly
Razor Ramon - Scott Hall
Diesel - Kevin Nash
Dr. Issac Yankem - Kane - Corporate Kane
Rocky Maivia - The Rock
1-2-3 Kid - Syxx - X-Pac
Mike Rotunda - I.R.S.
Mabel - Viscera - Big Daddy V
Ron Simmons - Farooq
Johnny Polo - Raven
Aldo Montoya - Justin Credible
Many, Many More

Baseball
Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Tampa Bay Rays
California Angels - Anaheim Angels - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Joey Belle - Albert Belle
Fausto Carmona - Robert Hernandez
Leo Nunez - Juan Carlos Oviedo
Johan Santana - Ervin Santana
John Paul Bonser - Boof Bonser
Mike Stanton - Giancarlo Stanton
B.J. Upton - Melvin Upton, Jr.

Basketball
Lew Alcindor - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Lloyd Bernard Free - World B. Free
Chris Jackson - Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf
Ron Artest - Metta World Peace
Akeem Olajuwon - Hakeem Olajuwon
Olivier Saint-Jean - Tariq Abdul-Wahad
Brian Williams - Bison Dele
Bill Walker - Henry Walker

Other
Cassius Clay - Muhammad Ali
Bobby Moore - Ahmad Rashad
Chad Johnson - Chad Ochocinco
Domanick Davis - Domanick Williams

Current Red Sox Rotation

1.
2.
3. Clay Buchholz, Rick Porcello, Wade Miley, Joe "Machine Gun" Kelly
4.
5.



I have no use for Justin Masterson.  Maybe he goes to the bullpen, maybe he throws batting practice, who knows.

Another arm would be nice.