As fans vote for the final spot on the 2007 All Star teams, Hideki Okajima of the Boston Red Sox deserves to go. Yes, I am biased, because I am a Red Sox fan, but just look at the stats and you will realize I am right. It is hard to compare relief pitchers to starting pitchers so I will begin by looking at Okajima in comparison with the other relief pitcher on the ballot, Pat Neshek. Neshek has one more win the Okajima, but Okajima’s ERA is nearly 50 points better than Neshek. Both have one blown save, but Okajima has four saves while Neshek has none. Neshek has also allowed four home runs to just 1 by Okajima. Though Neshek has more strikeouts the Okajima, their strikeout-to-walk ratio are very similar. For a relief pitcher that is not a closer, the most crucial category is Holds in which Okajima comes out on top 13-8. I can continue with their stats, but in nearly everyone they are the same. The only difference between them is the ERA, making Okajima the better selection. Continue reading “Vote Okajima!”
Author Danny Vinik
Let the Off Season Begin
As the NHL off-season begins, teams have been quick to jump on marquee free agents, especially the New York Rangers. On the first day of free agency, Glen Sather (GM of the Rangers) signed Scott Gomez and Chris Drury to a seven-year, $51.5 million deal and a five-year, $35.25 million deal respectively. Both are tremendous players with Stanley Cup experience and will make a huge impact immediately. These two terrific acquisitions make the Rangers a favorite for the Stanley Cup next year. Yet, the amount of money and the length of these contracts are astounding. Gomez had 60 points last year, and is entering his prime, but the Rangers are going to be paying for a long time. For over seven million a year, Gomez better have a phenomenal season. The same can be said for Drury who is also making over seven million dollars a year for the next few years. Whether the money is worth it or not, both Gomez and Drury will make huge contributions to the Rangers next year. Though their defense may have its holes, the offense does not as New York now has two of the game’s premiere centers to accompany stars Jaromir Jagr and Brendan Shanahan (if they re-sign him). That has to be considered the best offense in the NHL. With Hendrik Lundqvist in between the posts, this team looks like the top of the league going into the 2007-2008 season. Continue reading “Let the Off Season Begin”
NBA Draft ’07, Part II
After going through Danny Ainge and his poor decisions as general manager of the Celtics, it is time to move on to the rest of the draft. Another GM who was in a similar situation to Ainge was Isiah Thomas of the Knicks. Over the last few years, Thomas has probably been the only executive in the NBA worse than Danny Ainge. He has traded away the core of the Knicks and has acquired selfish, stubborn players with large contracts. Players such as Steve Francis, Stephan Marbury, Eddy Curry, and others have fought over playing time and created a “player first, team second” atmosphere. Add to that list Zach Randolph. Continue reading “NBA Draft ’07, Part II”
Danny Vinik 