Cliff Lee: AL Cy Young

Cliff Lee of the Cleveland Indians was named 2008 American League Cy Young in a landslide vote on Thursday. Lee is the second Indians pitcher in a row to win the award, after CC Sabathia won it last year. Former CY Young winner Roy Halladay finished second. Lee also was named the AL Comeback Player of the Year, after a miserable 2007 season when he spent much of his time in the minor leagues, going 5-8 with a 6.29 ERA in 97.1 innings. His 2008 stats:

22 wins (1st in AL, only 3 losses)
2.54 ERA (1st in AL)
170 strikeouts (9th in AL)
223.1 innings pitched (2nd in AL)

Next week we'll get a look at the league MVPs, and its anyone's guess who'll take home the hardware in either league. I've got Pujols and Pedroia as the top guys, but should Howard, K-Rod, Lidge, Youkilis, Hamilton or Morneau come away winners, I wouldn't be surprised. More updates to come.

The New Monster in the East

"The Celtics helped create the newest monster in the NBA in the Atlanta Hawks.

The Celtics needed a clutch jumper by Paul Pierce with 0.5 seconds left to knock off the Hawks, 103-102, last night at TD Banknorth Garden.

That was against a Hawks team that was without athletic starting forward Josh Smith. That was against a Hawks team that was playing on the road on back-to-back nights after arriving in Boston from Chicago at about 2:30 a.m. yesterday. And that was against a Hawks team that entered the game with a 6-0 record."

-Marc J. Spears, Boston Globe

'"The swagger's there. We've got that swag," Horford said. "We want to let people know we're serious, and that's what we've been doing. We lost, that's the bottom line, but we get to play them a couple more times, and we'll be looking forward to those."
There's no doubt that either of these teams will have trouble remembering the night in November when it sure did feel like winter had already passed."

-Chris Sheridan, ESPN.com

BOSTON (8-1) 103, ATLANTA (6-1) 102
Joe Johnson (ATL): 28 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds
Marvin Williams (ATL): 4/4 3pt, hit go-ahead 3-pointer with under 8 seconds left in 4th
Paul Pierce (BOS): 34 points, 6 rebounds
Kevin Garnett (BOS): 25 points, 12 rebounds

Now at 6-1, the Hawks fall to one game behind the Celtics for the best record in the conference, with Cleveland, Detroit and division rival Orlando rounding out the top five.

The Hawks will continue their quest for revenge on the Celtics December 17th at Philips Arena. Its going to be a fun season. Keep it here for updates on the monstrous Atlanta Hawks (now 6-1) all season long.

6-0. Now You Know.

http://www.nba.com/hawks/

The Los Angeles Lakers. 6-0.
The Atlanta Hawks. 6-0.

The last undefeated teams standing were both in the playoffs last year, both battled the Celtics and came up short, but there is one major difference between them: ITS THE HAWKS. This is a franchise going on ten years without a winning season. The joke of the NBA. "The worst franchise in sports." But after giving the World Champion Celtics all they could handle in seven games... and flying out of the gate undefeated with the league's best defense... if you thought the Hawks were still the NBA's version of the Raiders, now you know.

*Hawks travel to Boston tonight for a rematch of the first round from the 2008 playoffs.

Lincecum Wins Cy Young, Video Game Cover

Yesterday 24-year old San Francisco fireballer Tim Lincecum was chosen as the 2008 National League Cy Young Award winner. Beating out previous Cy Young winners Brandon Webb, Johan Santana and CC Sabathia. Lincecum, in his first full season, led the majors in strikeouts, while going 18-5 for a Giants ballclub that went 72-90, good enough for 4th place in the division. Lincecum stats on the season:

18 wins (2nd in NL)
2.62 ERA (2nd in NL)
265 strikeouts (1st in NL)
227 innings pitched (3rd in NL)

Lincecum also earns the distinction of cover boy for next year's MLB2K9 video game. Jose Reyes graced the cover in this season's installment.

Holliday to A's

In the first blockbuster move of the major league baseball offseason, 2007 NLCS MVP Matt Holliday (LF) will be traded from the Colorado Rockies to the Oakland A's for closer Huston Street, starter Greg Smith, and outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, pending physicals. Holliday may be the best left fielder in baseball, putting up absurb numbers the past three years. Holliday is under contract for only the 2009 season, which may mean he won't stay in Oakland very long. Greg Smith and Huston Street are the latest A's pitchers to be dealt, following the Rich Harden and Joe Blanton midseason deals from last year. Oakland may in the running to sign veterans Rafael Furcal (SS), Jason Giambi (1b/DH) and Johnny Damon (CF) this offseason as well. Here's a look at the potential 2009 lineup for Oakland:

C: Kurt Suzuki
1B: Daric Barton
2B: Mark Ellis
SS: Bobby Crosby
3B: Eric Chavez
LF: Matt Holliday
CF: Ryan Sweeney
RF: Travis Buck
DH: Jack Cust

Too Many Games!! Holidays Edition

The holiday season is fast approaching, and in the past this is normally the time of year when I finally get to load up on the latest technology, the hottest video game system, the coolest games... but nowadays I actually make money, and buy myself these things year round. So now that I already own a Playstation 3, an HDTV, and a fairly solid laptop, the coolest games just pile up and wait weeks to months for me to play them. Which is fine. Awesome actually. This month and last month might prove to be the best two months the gaming world has seen in years. Little Big Planet. Fable II. Far Cry 2. Dead Space. Fallout 3. Call of Duty 5. Resistance 2. Mirror's Edge. Gears of War 2. Too many damn games! And now with certain responsibilities at home, gaming can only peek its head out an hour or so each day. But that wont' stop me. Nothing can stop me, not as long as I have the will to destroy 100-foot tall aliens with a rocket launcher, drive expensive cars full speed up a ramp and into the side of a building, rape the African landscape with flamethrowers and hand grenades, and rip the limbs off of mutant space creatures with engineering tools... ahh. Here's a quick overview of what madness is in store for gamer's this holiday season. So what will you guys be playing?

October:
Bioshock (PS3)
Dead Space (PS3, 360, PC)
Fable II (360)
Fallout 3 (PS3, 360, PC)
Far Cry 2 (PS3, 360, PC)
Guitar Hero: World Tour (PS3, 360, Wii)
Little Big Planet (PS3)
Midnight Club: Los Angeles (PS3, 360)
Motorstorm: Pacific Rift (PS3)
NBA2K9 / NBA 09 / NBA Live 09 (PS3, 360, Wii, PC)
Rock Band 2 (PS3, 360)
SOCOM: Confrontation (PS3)
Wii Music (Wii)

November:
Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts (360)
Call of Duty: World at War (PS3, 360, Wii, PC)
Castlevania: Judgment (Wii)
Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3 (360, PC)
Gears of War 2 (360)
Left 4 Dead (360, PC)
Mirror's Edge (PS3, 360)
Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (PS3, 360)
NCAA Basketball 2009 (PS3, 360)
Need for Speed Undercover (PS3, 360, Wii)
Quantum of Solace (PS3, 360, Wii, PC)
Resistance 2 (PS3)
Shaun White Snowboarding (PS3, 360, Wii)
Star Wars: Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duel (Wii)
The Last Remnant (360)
Tom Clancy's Endwar (PS3, 360, PC)
Tomb Raider Underworld (PS3, 360, Wii)

December:
Grand Theft Auto IV (PC)
Mushroom Men: Spore Wars (Wii)
Prince of Persia (PS3, 360, PC)
Rock Band 2 (Wii)

This Weekend: A Tribute

Ah the weekend. A time to escape the torments of the daily grind. To forget about the loudmouth jackass sitting in the cubicle across the hall. To remember a simpler time, when watching football and drinking vodka was enough to last an afternoon. This weekend was exciting and exceptional for one particular reason... the Kraus. This gentleman returned home from the northern tundra to observe Judaism, enjoy soft pretzels, experience the smooth flavor of a cold southern beer, and the couch of a fine southern woman. This strong man, teetering on the brink of economic madness, toying with the idea of returning to the land of academia, took a stand this weekend. This weekend he stared death straight in the eye and said, "DAMN YOU MONSTER! I will NOT give in." In these dark times we need the strength and spirit of this gentle sir. This captain of industry. May he lead us into a new golden age, where the sandwiches flow like wine.. and the women know how to make a damn good matzah ball soup. Today I raise my irish coffee to you, sir. Mr. Michael David Kraus. SALUD!

My Workplace

Since no one has actually seen the office I've been working in for the past six months, I decided to take some photos of the place while my boss is out of town (again). Basically its a trip from the road, to the parking lot, through the side door, up the stairs to the hallway, into another hallway, down to my cubicle! And by God its an amazing journey. Enjoy.

2008 MLB Awards

With the 2008 baseball season over, the Phillies are world champions, the Rays are no longer a joke, and former powerhouses like the Braves and Yankees have some rebuilding to do. High-profile players like Manny Ramirez, CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira and possibly Jake Peavy will find new homes. And of course the hardware will be handed out to MVPs, Cy Youngs, and Rookies of the Year.

The fun starts November 10th when the ROYs will be awarded, and then the Cy Youngs, MVPs and managers of the year. So let's get my predictions out there and your feedback, if I get them all right, then you owe me a sandwich (I'm talking Goldberg's New York Reuben here, folks, none of that Subway shit).

NL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: (updated 11-10)
Geovany Soto (CHC, C) .285, 23HR, 86RBI - WINNER
runner up: Jair Jurrjens (ATL, SP) - finished 3rd

AL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: (updated 11-10)
Evan Longoria (TB, 3b) .272, 27HR, 85RBI - WINNER
runner up: Alexei Ramirez (CHW, 2b) - finished 2nd

NL CY YOUNG: (updated 11-11)
Tim Lincecum (SF) 18-5, 2.62 ERA, 265K - WINNER
runners up: CC Sabathia (MIL/CLE) - finished 5th, Brad Lidge (PHI) - finished 4th

AL CY YOUNG:
Cliff Lee (CLE) 22-3, 2.54 ERA, 170K
runners up: Francisco Rodriguez (LAA), Roy Halladay (TOR)

NL MOST VALUABLE PLAYER:
Albert Pujols (STL, 1b) .357, 37HR, 116RBI, .462 OBP, 100 R
runner up: Ryan Howard (PHI, 1b)

AL MOST VALUABLE PLAYER:
Dustin Pedroia (BOS, 2b) .326, 17HR, 83RBI, 118R, 213H, 54 2B
runner up: Francisco Rodriguez (LAA, RP)

NL MANAGER OF THE YEAR: (updated 11-12, Lou Piniella (Cubs) won)
Charlie Manuel (PHI) NL East Division champs, 92-70
runner up: Tony LaRussa (STL)

AL MANAGER OF THE YEAR: (updated 11-12)
Joe Maddon (TB) AL East Division champs, 97-65 - WINNER
runner up: Ron Gardenhire (MIN)

Coldplay Tonight!

The very very fine woman I live with is taking me out to see Coldplay at Philips Arena tonight, certainly the most overpriced concert I will have ever attended. In any case it caps off quite a year of concert going for myself, despite not attending any music festivals (first year in a long time that's happened!)...

The New Pornographers w/Neko Case
Man Man
Explosions in the Sky
Radiohead
R.E.M.
Modest Mouse
The National
Bruce Springsteen
My Morning Jacket
TV on the Radio
Coldplay

And next year... Phish??

*Morning after update: Damn good show, not a huge Coldplay fan, but definitely enjoyed myself, and was very impressed with the huge production they pulled off. Between running through the crowd and up to a section the back to play two songs, or the cool orbs hanging from the ceiling with insanely well produced video projected on them, the neon confetti, or the song dedication to 'joe the plumber', very solid show all around.