Monday, January 31, 2011
Fernando Torres on Chelsea!
FIFA
Federation International Football Association: http://www.fifa.com/
I find this website more useful than ESPN by a slight amount because ESPN does not show much soccer on their network. Without any trouble, I can go to this website and update myself on the beautiful world of football. Also, this does not show only one league but it shows all of the leagues involved in the FIFA organization. FIFA is a reliable website to update oneself on the world of football.
I find this website more useful than ESPN by a slight amount because ESPN does not show much soccer on their network. Without any trouble, I can go to this website and update myself on the beautiful world of football. Also, this does not show only one league but it shows all of the leagues involved in the FIFA organization. FIFA is a reliable website to update oneself on the world of football.
ESPN
Entertaining and Sports Programming Network:http://espn.go.com/
ESPN is a network in which there are several broadcasts of various types of sports. They cover most sports by updating their website and broadcasting it on television. This is a very useful website to me because I have an interest in sports and the victory of each time that succeeds. ESPN has provided me with a useful informative network of sports.
ESPN is a network in which there are several broadcasts of various types of sports. They cover most sports by updating their website and broadcasting it on television. This is a very useful website to me because I have an interest in sports and the victory of each time that succeeds. ESPN has provided me with a useful informative network of sports.
Snowmaggedon
It is snowing REALLY hard out there. There is no doubt in my mind that there will be a cancellation tomorrow. However, I am extremely screwed if the school board decides not to call a cancellation.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Moneyball by Michael Lewis Reading Log 7
Giambi's Hole
Giambi's Hole discusses the key aspects of Jason Giambi and other players that have left the Oakland Athletics to teams that pay them more. They describe Giambi's Hole as the particular point in which Giambi will strike out. The teams wonder why don't pitchers aim for that spot when in fact they do. If there is a slight mistake in the motion of the pitch, that will lead to an easy swing for Jason Giambi to get a home run. This chapter discusses his brother, Jeremy Giambi, as well. He is currently playing for Oakland, but is not as good as his brother. The story progresses to announce the game for the Yankees and Athletics. It mentions big-star players such as Derek Jeter, Alfonso Soriano, Mariano Rivera, and much more significant players. They show how well the Yankees are equipped with such magnificent players. Also, it continues to compare Jason Giambi to Jeremy Giambi. It mentions how they are both slow and not the best at fielding. Jeremy Giambi plays outfield while Jason Giambi played infield which is quite a weird situation. The Athletics put Jeremy in outfield when he is terrible at hitting, but he has a good arm and can throw accurately to the plate.
I did not enjoy this chapter as much as the other ones. It just focused on a few particular players rather than the team or story as a whole. They do not apply this chapter to the story as much as they should have. This chapter was slightly confusing as well and was not written well enough in a sense which could have been enjoyable. I hope future chapters in the story continue to relate to the story more than this chapter.
Giambi's Hole discusses the key aspects of Jason Giambi and other players that have left the Oakland Athletics to teams that pay them more. They describe Giambi's Hole as the particular point in which Giambi will strike out. The teams wonder why don't pitchers aim for that spot when in fact they do. If there is a slight mistake in the motion of the pitch, that will lead to an easy swing for Jason Giambi to get a home run. This chapter discusses his brother, Jeremy Giambi, as well. He is currently playing for Oakland, but is not as good as his brother. The story progresses to announce the game for the Yankees and Athletics. It mentions big-star players such as Derek Jeter, Alfonso Soriano, Mariano Rivera, and much more significant players. They show how well the Yankees are equipped with such magnificent players. Also, it continues to compare Jason Giambi to Jeremy Giambi. It mentions how they are both slow and not the best at fielding. Jeremy Giambi plays outfield while Jason Giambi played infield which is quite a weird situation. The Athletics put Jeremy in outfield when he is terrible at hitting, but he has a good arm and can throw accurately to the plate.
I did not enjoy this chapter as much as the other ones. It just focused on a few particular players rather than the team or story as a whole. They do not apply this chapter to the story as much as they should have. This chapter was slightly confusing as well and was not written well enough in a sense which could have been enjoyable. I hope future chapters in the story continue to relate to the story more than this chapter.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho scores from behind the goal! He is somehow able to kick the ball and put enough spin on it to move it back and into the goal while he is standing behind it.
Moneyball by Michael Lewis Reading Log 6
The Science of Winning an Unfair Game
The aspects of this chapter contains the way the players perform in the games. They mention yet again how the statistics do not matter while concerning another player. A player may be outstanding, but still may not have great statistics. Also, the average for a baseball shall not be preset because they can have a spectacular player in the game. They mention the performance of Johnny Damon and how he would have great catches that would change the direction of the game and completely change the results. The main argument is the chapter is how can a poor team have any success with a lower salary than another team. The Oakland Athletics have had success with not much money and the answer for that question is Billy Beane. Billy Beane continues to give a speech for the Blue Ribbon Commission. They ask for his opinion and explanation of how the Oakland Athletics have had success.
I would agree with this chapter because it mentions the spectacular plays people may have. Also, it is mentioned that success can come from anywhere which was explaned quite interesting. They also mention specific functions and formulas for winning this game. I personally found it interesting how much mathematics and equation involved within the chapter. It was quite interesting to see the science of a game in major league baseball.
The aspects of this chapter contains the way the players perform in the games. They mention yet again how the statistics do not matter while concerning another player. A player may be outstanding, but still may not have great statistics. Also, the average for a baseball shall not be preset because they can have a spectacular player in the game. They mention the performance of Johnny Damon and how he would have great catches that would change the direction of the game and completely change the results. The main argument is the chapter is how can a poor team have any success with a lower salary than another team. The Oakland Athletics have had success with not much money and the answer for that question is Billy Beane. Billy Beane continues to give a speech for the Blue Ribbon Commission. They ask for his opinion and explanation of how the Oakland Athletics have had success.
I would agree with this chapter because it mentions the spectacular plays people may have. Also, it is mentioned that success can come from anywhere which was explaned quite interesting. They also mention specific functions and formulas for winning this game. I personally found it interesting how much mathematics and equation involved within the chapter. It was quite interesting to see the science of a game in major league baseball.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Moneyball by Michael Lewis Reading Log 5
The Jeremy Brown Blue Plate
The Major League baseball draft is creeping up towards the Oakland Athletics. Billy Beane's favorite day is so excited he can't even sleep. Nick Swisher is the key player they want in the draft. When draft day comes, Billy starts to stress out on whether or not they will get Swisher. The predictions are not going correctly and another team could end up with the possession of Swisher and the New York Mets might get him. But when everything seems to go wrong, it surprisingly goes according to plan and even better. The Oakland Athletics selected the Nick Swisher with the 15th pick in the first round and they were not done. They also had multiple picks in the first round. Many sufficient players were selected from the Athletics wish list. Two excellent pitchers are selected and Billy Beane can hardly stay still. Their picks are extremely close together as well and they are receiving all the best players from this particular draft and within their salary range. Everything went excellent for the Oakland Athletics in the 2004 MLB draft.
My opinion on this chapter was that it bored me at parts but other parts were intriguing. I am a fan of Nick Swisher because he currently plays for the Yankees. This chapter also mentions players such as Prince Fielder, Mark Teixera, and Josh Fields. They mention how the games are played within the draft room and how every scout is trying to deceive the other. It was quite interesting, yet weird, the way the agents and scouts were communicating with others of their kind. I hope that the next chapter is significantly better than this chapter.
The Major League baseball draft is creeping up towards the Oakland Athletics. Billy Beane's favorite day is so excited he can't even sleep. Nick Swisher is the key player they want in the draft. When draft day comes, Billy starts to stress out on whether or not they will get Swisher. The predictions are not going correctly and another team could end up with the possession of Swisher and the New York Mets might get him. But when everything seems to go wrong, it surprisingly goes according to plan and even better. The Oakland Athletics selected the Nick Swisher with the 15th pick in the first round and they were not done. They also had multiple picks in the first round. Many sufficient players were selected from the Athletics wish list. Two excellent pitchers are selected and Billy Beane can hardly stay still. Their picks are extremely close together as well and they are receiving all the best players from this particular draft and within their salary range. Everything went excellent for the Oakland Athletics in the 2004 MLB draft.
My opinion on this chapter was that it bored me at parts but other parts were intriguing. I am a fan of Nick Swisher because he currently plays for the Yankees. This chapter also mentions players such as Prince Fielder, Mark Teixera, and Josh Fields. They mention how the games are played within the draft room and how every scout is trying to deceive the other. It was quite interesting, yet weird, the way the agents and scouts were communicating with others of their kind. I hope that the next chapter is significantly better than this chapter.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Moneyball by Michael Lewis Reading Log 4
The Field of Ignorance
This chapter discusses the aspects of baseball that are full of ignorant rules and arrogant people. It mentions the unreasonable statistics such as player's errors in baseball, even though the player who received the error had to be doing something right to make the error. The player could be in the right position and still receive the error in their own statistics. There are other baseball statistics mentioned as well such as RBIs, average on-base percentage, batting averages, runs scored, and much more. In this chapter, it talks about the several players in baseball and how their statistics have effected them. One of them even wrote a book about the importance of statistics in baseball. The ignorance in this chapter is quite high.
I would agree with this chapter because they are completely overrating the use of statistics in baseball. There could be several good players who don't have such good statistics, yet they still shine. It is completely unnecessary to rely on statistics the whole time. A visual should also be used while rating a player. The Field of Ignorance made many well developed points and I hope they are no used to an extent where they are completely relied on.
This chapter discusses the aspects of baseball that are full of ignorant rules and arrogant people. It mentions the unreasonable statistics such as player's errors in baseball, even though the player who received the error had to be doing something right to make the error. The player could be in the right position and still receive the error in their own statistics. There are other baseball statistics mentioned as well such as RBIs, average on-base percentage, batting averages, runs scored, and much more. In this chapter, it talks about the several players in baseball and how their statistics have effected them. One of them even wrote a book about the importance of statistics in baseball. The ignorance in this chapter is quite high.
I would agree with this chapter because they are completely overrating the use of statistics in baseball. There could be several good players who don't have such good statistics, yet they still shine. It is completely unnecessary to rely on statistics the whole time. A visual should also be used while rating a player. The Field of Ignorance made many well developed points and I hope they are no used to an extent where they are completely relied on.
Packers and Steelers Win!
My predictions were correct and I am going to be supporting the Packers for the Super Bowl. Also, I am completely satisfied that the New York Jets are out of the playoffs and got what they deserved for beating the Colts. Jay Cutler was absolutely terrible in the game against the Packers and it was not surprising at all that the 3rd string quarterback did better than him in the nfc championship game. Let's see if the Packers can get the win in 2 weeks!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Moneyball by Michael Lewis Reading Log 3
The Enlightenment
This chapter goes back to a past setting when Billy Beane as a professorial baseball player. Billy Beane was drafted high in the draft by the Mets along with Daryl Strawberry. Except Billy was projected to become a pro much quicker than Strawberrry, so they decided to put Billy with more advanced players. It talked about Billy on and off the field and how he acted the same exact way in these situations. The Mets traded him to the Minnesota Twins who traded him to the Detroit Tigers who then traded them to the Oakland Athletics! People were confused about his style of play in the game. In the game, he would have horrible statistics and end up becoming benched. Surprisingly, while he was in practice he would have amazing physical talent to play the game. Coaches were outstandingly surprised how his play style was great in practice, but terrible in the game. It turns out that his inability to hit well in the game was a psychological problem and not a mental one. He felt claustrophobic in the batter's box because he was born to move around. This is the reason he was considered a shrinking player and had to talk to the team's psychiatrist on a daily basis. Eventually this slump of not playing well forced Billy into retirement, but he had an odd request. Billy talked to the front office of the Oakland Athletics and asked if he could be an advanced scout. This was a weird situation for everybody because nobody had given up to play in the Major League of Baseball to become a scout. All of the scouts wanted to play professional baseball, but none of them did. They accepted the request because they did not consider an advanced scout a major job. Billy's decision made Chris Pittaro do the same when he retired. However, Billy's wife had left him after he made the decision to retire and continue to be apart of the game. Billy ended up becoming quite successful as a scout in the Oakland Athletic Organization.
My reflection upon this chapter was that it was like "a blast from the past." The Enlightenment reflected on Billy in his earlier days with pro baseball and showed how significant all these aspects were that lead to his job to become a scout. Most people were doubtful of him at first, but they grew to acknowledge the fact. These traits that Billy had would be highly respected by anybody in the world today. I believe Billy is maturing and becoming a significant part of the Oakland Athletic Organization and I hope this story continues to grow on me.
This chapter goes back to a past setting when Billy Beane as a professorial baseball player. Billy Beane was drafted high in the draft by the Mets along with Daryl Strawberry. Except Billy was projected to become a pro much quicker than Strawberrry, so they decided to put Billy with more advanced players. It talked about Billy on and off the field and how he acted the same exact way in these situations. The Mets traded him to the Minnesota Twins who traded him to the Detroit Tigers who then traded them to the Oakland Athletics! People were confused about his style of play in the game. In the game, he would have horrible statistics and end up becoming benched. Surprisingly, while he was in practice he would have amazing physical talent to play the game. Coaches were outstandingly surprised how his play style was great in practice, but terrible in the game. It turns out that his inability to hit well in the game was a psychological problem and not a mental one. He felt claustrophobic in the batter's box because he was born to move around. This is the reason he was considered a shrinking player and had to talk to the team's psychiatrist on a daily basis. Eventually this slump of not playing well forced Billy into retirement, but he had an odd request. Billy talked to the front office of the Oakland Athletics and asked if he could be an advanced scout. This was a weird situation for everybody because nobody had given up to play in the Major League of Baseball to become a scout. All of the scouts wanted to play professional baseball, but none of them did. They accepted the request because they did not consider an advanced scout a major job. Billy's decision made Chris Pittaro do the same when he retired. However, Billy's wife had left him after he made the decision to retire and continue to be apart of the game. Billy ended up becoming quite successful as a scout in the Oakland Athletic Organization.
My reflection upon this chapter was that it was like "a blast from the past." The Enlightenment reflected on Billy in his earlier days with pro baseball and showed how significant all these aspects were that lead to his job to become a scout. Most people were doubtful of him at first, but they grew to acknowledge the fact. These traits that Billy had would be highly respected by anybody in the world today. I believe Billy is maturing and becoming a significant part of the Oakland Athletic Organization and I hope this story continues to grow on me.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Moneyball by Michael Lewis Reading Log 2
How to Find a Ballplayer
This story has continued to mention Billy Beane, but now it is talking about him as a General Manager for the Oakland Athletics office. He has aged both physically mentally. Also, he is a lot wiser and more calm than he was before. It shows the struggle his is currently having to find good baseball players with his scouts. There is a whole group of people to determine who they should choose in the upcoming draft. Many arguments are happening because all the players they were going to pick have been snatched by early teams. Billy has a few picks in mind, but the problem is nobody seems to agree with him. Little did they know, the picks Billy had in mind were future MVP, Cy Young, and Rookie of the Year winners. Billy with his fellow Oakland Athletic office reflect back on the players they have viewed along with the scouts. Certain tactics must be acquired to find a ballplayer such as you can't act too early. Billy had to prevent himself from watching somebody because they did not want news to get out that Billy Beane looked at this player. The main subject of this chapter are the various ways to find a ball player in the major league of baseball.
My reactions to this chapter was actually quite pleasant. The story progressed well and there were a variety of interesting facts within this chapter. It mentioned many famous professional baseball players such as Jason Giambi, Barry Zito, Kevin Youkilus, and Nick Swisher. I was slightly skeptical about this book at the beginning, but it has gotten a lot better and i hope it progresses to do so.
This story has continued to mention Billy Beane, but now it is talking about him as a General Manager for the Oakland Athletics office. He has aged both physically mentally. Also, he is a lot wiser and more calm than he was before. It shows the struggle his is currently having to find good baseball players with his scouts. There is a whole group of people to determine who they should choose in the upcoming draft. Many arguments are happening because all the players they were going to pick have been snatched by early teams. Billy has a few picks in mind, but the problem is nobody seems to agree with him. Little did they know, the picks Billy had in mind were future MVP, Cy Young, and Rookie of the Year winners. Billy with his fellow Oakland Athletic office reflect back on the players they have viewed along with the scouts. Certain tactics must be acquired to find a ballplayer such as you can't act too early. Billy had to prevent himself from watching somebody because they did not want news to get out that Billy Beane looked at this player. The main subject of this chapter are the various ways to find a ball player in the major league of baseball.
My reactions to this chapter was actually quite pleasant. The story progressed well and there were a variety of interesting facts within this chapter. It mentioned many famous professional baseball players such as Jason Giambi, Barry Zito, Kevin Youkilus, and Nick Swisher. I was slightly skeptical about this book at the beginning, but it has gotten a lot better and i hope it progresses to do so.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Moneyball by Michael Lewis Reading Log 1
Moneyball by Michael Lewis
This book starts off by disussing how all of these various baseball prospects are represented by other people. The first sentence on page 3 says "The first thing they always did was run you." Also, it talks about the nicknames given to the players by the scouts based on their talent. The main subject discussed is high school prospects being seen by scouts because of their curse of talent. This story talks about various players such as Coles, Espy, and Strawberry and tells how they were in front of the scouts. Then, the story progresses to talk about a young man named Billy Beane. They mention many times how amazing he is even though his statistics dropped in his senior year. Nobody noticed that his statistics dropped because he still played well. He is choosing whether to go to Stanford and receive an education or go straight to play baseball.
I personally did not enjoy this book at the beginning, but it became more interesting. The enjoyment came when it started focusing on the players and the talent they individually possessed. It was confusing when it started telling the story without describing any of the players. It was also interesting to discover what decisions they were making to pursue their careers in baseball.
This book starts off by disussing how all of these various baseball prospects are represented by other people. The first sentence on page 3 says "The first thing they always did was run you." Also, it talks about the nicknames given to the players by the scouts based on their talent. The main subject discussed is high school prospects being seen by scouts because of their curse of talent. This story talks about various players such as Coles, Espy, and Strawberry and tells how they were in front of the scouts. Then, the story progresses to talk about a young man named Billy Beane. They mention many times how amazing he is even though his statistics dropped in his senior year. Nobody noticed that his statistics dropped because he still played well. He is choosing whether to go to Stanford and receive an education or go straight to play baseball.
I personally did not enjoy this book at the beginning, but it became more interesting. The enjoyment came when it started focusing on the players and the talent they individually possessed. It was confusing when it started telling the story without describing any of the players. It was also interesting to discover what decisions they were making to pursue their careers in baseball.
Colts
Well that was extremely disappointing with a lest second field goal to win the game for the jets. That was stupid but oh well we will get them next year!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
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