What's Boxing On?

This picture will serve as a momento of boxing's lost credibility
[Credit:  Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images]

If you are one of the people who watched the events of the WBO Welterweight Title Fight in Las Vegas unfold, you may be asking the same question.

Anybody with a twitter account and a few jock friends are tweeting out how stunned they are.  Grantland's Bill Simmons has gone as far to allude that this fiasco will be a future 30 for 30.  Manifest Destiny's Tyler Greever had gone as far as to express his disgust with tweets using the hashtag "MoneyTeam" and that he would "root for [Pacquiao] against Mayweather" as a result of this debacle.

Now let me back up a bit.

Manny Pacquiao fought Timothy Bradley at the MGM Grand earlier tonight for the WBO Welterweight title.  The vast majority of viewers and analysts would agree that Pacquiao won the fight after watching the twelve rounds.

Bradley won on a split decision.

The decision has caused an outcry in the sports world.  The decision, in my eyes, appeared to be almost as obvious of a fix as the Montreal Screwjob.  We can all say that boxing is dead and that is has been dead.  However, there will most likely be a rematch.

We will all watch.  We are all whores.

More will watch the next fight and we will all watch an impending Mayweather/Pacquiao fight in the unlikely event that it ever comes to fruition.

Boxing is not dead.  If anything, you can argue that it took a chapter out of the NBA book.  Controversial decisions and borderline robbery will make us all watch and make us all talk.  We will buy merchandise and purchase pay-per-view events.  Oh, we love boxing now.

Boxing is not dead.  Boxing is no longer dying.  The sport was resuscitated tonight by a bogus decision.

If you still do not agree with me, I want you to consider this entire day.  The Belmont Stakes was ran today after I'll Have Another, the winner of Preakness and the Kentucky Derby, retired due to an injury.  LeBron James and the Miami Heat won the Eastern Conference today and will take on Kevin Durant and the Thunder.  The New Jersey Devils extended the Stanley Cup Finals.  Interleague baseball was on all day.  Maria Sharapova won the French Open to complete her career Grand Slam.  The Death Group in Euro 2012 played today.  Six pitchers combined to throw a no-hitter in the wee hours of last night.

...And we're talking about boxing.

Millwood and Friends No-Hit Dodgers

Kevin Millwood, no stranger to no-hitters, pitched the first
six innings of tonight's no-hitter in Seattle.

If you're reading this, there's a decent chance you remember the last time six pitchers were used in a no-hitter.  In June of 2003, the Yankees were no-hit by the Astros.  Roy Oswalt, Pete Munro, Kirk Saarloos, Brad Lidge, Octavio Dotel and Billy Wagner were used.  Two months earlier, Kevin Millwood of the Philadelphia Phillies had no-hit the San Francisco Giants.

Tonight I was in attendance to watch said Phillies team take on the Baltimore Orioles in Camden yards.  Jimmy Rollins and Jim Thome were the only players in their lineup who were also in the lineup for Millwood's first no-hitter.  The Phillies Left Fielder that day was Bobby Abreu.  Abreu started in left tonight for the Dodgers as they were no-hit by a six pack of Seattle Mariners tonight in Seattle.

Kevin Millwood pitched the first six innings before leaving with a mild right groin strain.  Charlie Furbush, Stephen Pryor, Lucas Luetge, Brandon League and Tom Wilhelmsen finished the job.  In the process, Pryor recorded his first win.

The hats of all six participating pitchers, Wilhelmsen's glove,
the ball used to record the last out and the lineup
card of tonight's game courtesy of the Seattle Mariners.

Joe Torre's protege Don Mattingly joined Torre as managers who have been on the losing end of a no-hitter thrown by six pitchers.  The Yankees third baseman for that game was Robin Ventura.  He was the manager for Phil Humber's perfect game against these same Mariners two months ago.  Brian Runge was the plate umpire tonight, and for Humber's perfect game.

Kyle Seager drove in the game's only run.  His brother, Corey Seager, was selected by the Dodgers in this year's draft.


The irony in tonight's game is very clear.

The takeaway from this game is that an exciting Seattle Mariner team is getting some national media coverage.  This team is a collection of kids growing up.  There's no bold predictions to come with this.  No Royal or Cub-eque "World Series by 2015" proclamations to make.  Just a fun team with a lot of kids making some national headlines.

Sooner or later, Ichiro will retire and Felix Hernandez will be the elder statesman of the Seattle Mariners.  While this transition happens, we get to watch Dustin Ackley, Jesus Montero, Justin Smoak, Kyle Seager and perhaps Carlos Triunfel grow up in front of our eyes.  We get to see a surprisingly solid bullpen that starts with Brandon League and Tom Wilhelmsen.  We get to see a team that I would personally love to see more of in October.



---


NOTES:
-The Nats called up Tyler Moore, the Twins called up Chris Parmelee and the White Sox called up Jordan Danks.  I'm excited for all three, but I'm still waiting on the Royals to call up Will Myers.

-Former White Sox reliever Scott Linebrink was released by the Cardinals.  Apparently the Cards injury problems were so bad, they just had to start sending guys home.

Jason Kipnis and Other Names You Need To Know

Jason Kipnis has helped the Indians
remain competitive in 2012

Now that we are through two months of the season, I've decided to fill out my first All-Star ballot this year.  While looking up the numbers this season, I figured I should take the time out to fill you in on five guys at the plate that you need to know about.


1. Jason Kipnis - 2B Cleveland Indians
His 9 Home Runs and 34 RBI are tops for second basemen in Major League Baseball.  The Glenbrook North grad was the Tribe's top prospect going into 2011 and made his ML debut last July.  Kip has a reputation as a gamer.  He's a tough out and his effort at the plate translates to the field.

2. Kyle Seager - 3B Seattle Mariners
While all of the preseason hype surrounded Blue Jays 3rd Baseman Brett Lawrie, Seager has charged it up at the plate.  Last week he banged out four hits en route to a 21-8 victory over the Rangers.  His 32 RBI are tied for 5th among 3rd Basemen and have helped add to the young core of the Mariners once nonexistent offense.

 3. Dayan Viciedo - LF Chicago White Sox

Kyle Seager has helped put a charge in to the
Mariners offensive attack.

The Cuban import, Viciedo has finally come up to be a major contributor to this White Sox club.  He has combined a solid presence at the plate with some stellar plays in the field.  His arm is growing in reputation and his numbers at the plate are similar to those of Jay Bruce and Corey Hart.  As a person who lives in the Sox market, I can attest that the "Tank" is a 100% percent improvement in the field over Juan Pierre.

4. Lucas Duda - RF New York Mets
While he has not made the biggest splash this season, Duda is starting to have the makings of a player who can start in this league for the better part of the next decade.  His presence in the lineup has helped the Mets to the occupation of first place in June.

5. Tony Campana - CF Chicago Cubs
Camapana made his debut last May and has swiped 42 bags in 132 games since then.  All Campana is going to do is get on first base and steal second.  In 2012, he has 26 singles and 18 Stolen Bases.  His lone career Home Run was an inside the park homer last season.  Campana will be a major part of the Cubs offense, when and if Epstein can build them to compete for a pennant.




Now before I go, here's my first All-Star ballot.
American League
C - A.J. Pierzynski - White Sox .291 BA 9 HR 35 RBI
1B - Paul Konerko - White Sox .366 BA 11 HR 33 RBI
2B - Jason Kipnis - Indians .280 BA 9 HR 34 RBI
3B - Miguel Cabrera - Tigers .318 11 HR 44 RBI
SS - Derek Jeter - Yankees .336 BA 6 HR 20 RBI
OF - Josh Hamilton - Rangers .348 BA 21 HR 57 RBI
OF - Adam Jones - Orioles .315 16 HR 34 RBI
OF - Curtis Granderson - Yankees .261 17 HR 33 RBI
DH - Adam Dunn - White Sox .222 BA 17 HR 38 RBI

National League
C - Carlos Ruiz - Phillies .368 8 HR 32 RBI
1B - Joey Votto - Reds .346 9 HR 33 RBI
2B - Jose Altuve - Astros .316 3 HR 18 RBI
3B - Hanley Ramirez - Marlins .276 11 HR 37 RBI
SS - Starlin Castro - Cubs .305 4 HR 32 RBI
OF - Melky Cabrera - Giants .364 4 HR 27 RBI
OF - Carlos Gonzalez -Rockies .329 14 HR 45 RBI
OF - Andre Ethier - Dodgers .314 9 HR 46 RBI

Feel free to disagree with these picks or to suggest anybody else I should keep my eyes on.

Moore and Sale Duel. Welcome to the 10's.

First things first, Coffee is back from a two month hiatus.  The main focus this blog will cover for the next two months is baseball.  Also, check out Manifest Destiny.  Manifest Destiny is a "Grantland" style of blog.  The writing and editing staff will be comprised mostly of Mizzou journalism students.  Look for articles to drop June 6th.  Shout out to Anthony Agbabiaka and everyone else for all their hard work to held get this project off the ground. -- Mick

Chris Sale out-dueled Matt Moore in a Memorial Day
pitching matchup that screamed, "special."

As for Moore and Sale, their duel last night put the league and their fans on notice.  White Sox pitcher Chris Sale got the win and 15 strikeouts to tie Sox greats Ed Cicotte, Ed Walsh and Jim Scott for 2nd in club history for strikeouts in a game.  Rays hurler Matt Moore, who I would tell you was easily the best pitching prospect in the game coming into this season,  had a coming out party of his own.  His 7 innings pitched with 2 earned runs and 10 strikeouts has been by far, his best start all season.  

Moore's fatal mistake was leaving one out over the plate to Adam Dunn, which Dunn abused like a red-headed stepchild.  Having watched Matt Thornton for several years, I've gotten to see the result of a lefty pitcher that leaves it out for a left-handed hitter to extend their arms on.  I'm pretty sure those pitches are why Adam Dunn and Travis Hafner were able to make a living playing baseball.  

The game itself serves as a reminder of how this decade will play out.  Post-Steroid Era baseball is won with pitching and the draft.  Post-Steroid Era baseball is won by good locker room culture and continuity. Post-Steroid Era baseball is won by the man pitching in the 7th inning, smart hitting and defense.  Gone are the days where 15 guys are going to hit 40 homers and World Series are straight-up bought.  

The old-school blueprint of what a baseball team should be was reintroduced by Rod Gardenhire's Twins in the aughts and ushered into this decade by Joe Maddon's Rays.  Now the formula has brought a slew of new teams to the front of the pack.  The Rangers cultivated a potential dynasty with this formula.  It also reminded the league of the Toronto Blue Jays, the Baltimore Orioles, the Los Angeles and the Washington Nationals.  

The relievers in this game were Wade Davis, Jesse Crain and Addison Reed.  They represent the three key elements of this decade's game.  Continuity is represented by Wade Davis.  Davis was drafted by the Devil Rays in 2004 and has been with the organization for the last 8 years.  Stellar middle relief is represented by Jesse Crain, who has having one of his best seasons in his long career as a serviceable middle relief man.  The importance of the draft was represented by Addison Reed.  The homegrown Reed was drafted in the third round 2010 by the Sox and is a big part of a young Sox bullpen. 

Don't get me wrong, the league's top hitters will still command more and more money.  The Yankees will still use money as a means of competing.  The major markets (Cubs, White Sox, Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Angels, Dodgers) will always be a good offseason or two from being competitive.  One may even hardly notice the change in baseball's culture.  However, it will be apparent if you look closely.  The big markets can be beaten in their own realm and that is what solidifies the change in culture.  The Rangers beating the Yankees for Cliff Lee in 2010.  

Back to Moore and Sale, anybody watching knew this was a special game.  In 5 years, these two might be among the best in the game.  All I know is that what we saw on the stage in St. Petersburg on Memorial Day was indicative of the future in baseball.   Or was it indicative of the present?

30 In 30 Part 26: Cincinnati Reds

Sean Marshall is primed for a season of
filling in for Ryan Madson.

I believe that Sean Marshall's vocational paradigm shift will be one of the most important to come out of this last offseason.  With Ryan Madson undergoing Tommy John surgery, Marshall will have the opportunity to lock down the 9th inning.  Marshall has always had nasty stuff and limiting it to one inning can make him downright deadly.  In fact, they have had a really good offseason that saw them pick up both of those arms as well as Mat Latos.

Their rotation is among the division's best boasting Johnny Cueto, Bronson Arroyo, Mat Latos, Mike  Leake and the below average Homer Bailey.  They have a bevy of arms which should keep them in the race into the dog days of summer.

What can keep this team from the postseason?

Dusty Baker.

I truly believe that Dusty can only have one big run with a team he managers.  His time has passed.

The good news for the Reds is that they locked down Joey Votto.  That man is invaluable to the organization.  He brings along his cast that features Jay Bruce, Drew Stubbs and Brandon Phillips.  The problems for Cincy's offense is that they have too many holes in this "cast."  Chris Heisey, Zack Cozart and Ryan Hanigan are not people I would want filling a third of my National League lineup.  At third is an aging Scott Rolen who, if healthy, will still be solid in that lineup.  However, the Reds do not have the lineup to win their division.

They, like the Pirates, will be around for awhile.  Ultimately, this team is not built as well as St. Louis or Milwaukee is.  2012 will be more akin to 2011 than 2010.

X-FACTORS:
Lineup: OF Drew Stubbs.  The Reds would highly benefit from getting the 25 HR 85 RBI season the Reds have long been waiting for.
Rotation: Mat Latos.  I wonder how Latos will perform on a team with expectations.  The man has a live arm and live personality.  Welcome to the pennant race.
Bullpen: Sean Marshall.  Taking over the Closer role is no small feat.  How he makes up for the loss of Ryan Madson is going to make a difference of 5-10 games.
The Kids: RP Aroldis Chapman.  After an underwhelming first full season, the Cuban fireballer could be part of one of the nastiest back of the bullpen tandems.

ROYAL LIST:
#16 C Devin Mesoraco.  Should appear this season.  Will eventually take Ryan Hanigan's job.
#48 SS Billy Hamilton.  Speedster Billy Hamilton posted a 100 steal season in the minors.  The Reds are expecting him to be the leadoff hitter of the late 2010's.
#75 SS Zack Cozart.  Eldest top prospect Cozart will try to establish himself as a cornerstone of the Reds.  His health will have a lot to do with that

PREDICTION: 3rd Place NL Central
-I'm giving this team no chance at a playoff berth.

30 In 30 Part 25: Detroit Tigers

Prince makes the Tigers a lock to be
 Kings of the AL Central.

The division wrapped up in the winter would be the AL Central.  The Detroit Tigers clinched the AL Central, a division they were already heavily favored to win, by signing Prince Fielder this offseason.

The Fresh Prince of Detroit rounds out an already deadly lineup and thrust Detroit into Baseball's elite.  Perhaps we may see Detroit v. Texas round two in October.  The moral of the story is that franchises in the American League outside of New York and Boston are set up for sustained success.

Fielder is not the only smart thing, nor the most important thing that Detroit's front office has done.  The smartest thing they have done was make the necessary additions to their pitching staff.  Last July, the Tigers picked up Doug Fister from the Mariners to provide a Robin to Justin Verlander's Batman.  They also spent this offseason picking up veteran arms to finish off their bullpen, most notably Collin Balester and Octavio Dotel.

The bullpen is backed by Jose Valverde, Joaquin Benoit and Al Albuquerque.  It is not quite what Atlanta has in a Closer/Setup/Bishop combo, but it is deadly enough considering how good this lineup and rotation is.  I would call this the best Tiger bullpen since Todd Jones, Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney were all doing their thing in the Motor City.

In adding Fielder, they more than offset the loss of Victor Martinez they will endure for most of the season.  He also joins a lineup that includes Miguel Cabrera, Austin Jackson and Alex Avila.  There are outs in this lineup.  But there are four legitimate offensive weapons.  The problem for the rest of the division is that Brennan Boesch, Delmon Young, Jhonny Peralta, Ryan Raburn, Andy Dirks.

Before I finish, I must note that former Arkansas Razorback Drew Smyly was named the fifth starter.

X-FACTORS:
Lineup: 3B Miguel Cabrera.  Project Softball Infield is highly dependent on Miggy's ability to play third.
Rotation: Rick Porcello.  He has a great debut at Age 20 and has won 14 games twice all by the age of 23.  But Porcello needs to start pitching like everyone knows he is capable of.  Unless, of course, he wants to be Jon Garland.
Bullpen: Collin Balester.  He is at a crossroads in Detroit.  I can see him as a starter who reinvents himself as a back of the bullpen guy.
The Kids: SP Drew Smyly.  He may just be 2012's answer to 2009's Rick Porcello.

ROYAL LIST: 
#22 RHP Jacob Turner: Another Porcello reference.  Another 20 year old arm bursting onto the scene for the Tigers.
#45 3B Nick Castellanos: Another reason that I feel that Miguel Cabrera in the DH slot is imminent.

PROJECTION: 1st Place AL Central
-For obvious reasons.

30 In 30 Part 24: Los Angeles Dodgers

Magic Johnson has come to help rescue the Dodgers.

Magic Johnson.  Michigan State Spartan.  Los Angeles Laker.  Los Angeles Dodger?

Yes, Magic Johnson's ownership group did buy the Los Angeles Dodgers.  This is by all accounts a popular hire because of Magic's relationship with the city of Los Angeles, his winning track record and his role at the forefront in the battle against HIV.

Matt Kemp can go 50/50, but he'll never be Magic Johnson.  However, he can leave his mark on this city if he can lead L.A. to a title.  The good news for Kemp is that Magic and Co. has come to help push the Dodgers of Kemp and Kershaw back to the front of the NL West.  They have the pieces for it too.  A franchise player in Kemp, a franchise Ace in Clayton Kershaw, a manager who studied under one of the best in Don Mattingly and pieces of the Dodgers that stemmed from their youth movement in 2007 as well as former deadline acquisitions from more competitive seasons.

What needs to happen is leadership.  It needs to come from the capable veterans in the locker room. There is an absurd amount of experience between Jerry Hairston Jr., Juan Rivera, Juan Uribe, Mike MacDougal, Todd Coffey, Matt Guerrier,  Matt Treanor, Adam Kennedy, Chris Capuano, Ted Lilly, Mark Ellis and Jamey Wright.  Uribe and Kennedy have rings.  When you have 11 rugged veterans in your locker room, leadership, talented young players, a leadoff hitter, a manager who has a lifetime worth of experience dealing with big egos, a bullpen and some money to play with in case the team warrants some additional manpower at the deadline you have a recipe for a champion.

Will it happen in 2012?  I doubt it.  But do not be terribly surprised if this team wins a ring.

Dee Gordon is a has proven himself a speedster at a young age.  He will set the table for Kemp, Andre Ethier and perhaps a healthy Juan Uribe.   They have a solid bullpen.  Javy Guerra did great closing games last season. Chad Billingsley and Ted Lilly are a great 2-3.  This team has a lot of pieces to the puzzle.

What they need this season is to add a couple of pieces.  The Dodgers need to stay in the race for four months for them to be dangerous in this pennant race.

All it takes is a little Magic.

X-FACTORS: 
Lineup: 3B Juan Uribe.  It is imperative that Uribe stay healthy and produce like he did in San Francisco to round up Kemp's supporting cast.
Rotation: Chad Billingsley.  Billingsley has shown that he has another gear and he needs to hit it this season.  If we see 2008 Billingsley, the Dodgers have the best 1-2 punch in baseball.
Bullpen: Mike MacDougal.  He has a tendency to give up more runs than your average middle reliever.  If he can have a repeat of last season or gets a DFA, the Dodgers will be fine.
The Kids: SS Dee Gordon.  At age 23, Dee has to set the table for the rest of these guys.  Setting the table for Matt Kemp's lineup is a big deal.

ROYAL LIST:  
#62 RHP Zach Lee.  Joins former college QB's such as Josh Fields (Dodgers), Pat White (Royals) and Mitch Mustain (White Sox) in pro baseball.  At least LSU still has the Honey Badger and with that, a reason for me to watch them whenever Brent Musburger is on the call.
#95 RHP Allen Webster.  Nice arm.  Might see in September
#96 RHP Nate Eovaldi.  Same as Webster.

PREDICTION: 3rd Place NL West
-For all the talking up I did of this team, they currently have the make up of an average ball club.