Opinion

Last year, if you'd told me a pitcher in the National League was going to have, over 33 games, a 16-7 record with a 3.71 ERA and 123 K and only 20 HR given up, I would’ve said:

"That's a darn good season!"

If you'd then told me the same pitcher would post 4 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, and 3 K in the NLDS and a measly 2 IP after giving up 5 R in the first inning of his NLCSappearance, I probably would’ve said:

The early morning fog and clouds cleared to reveal nothing but blue sky and sunshine.

The baseball gods would not allow anything to ruin the unveiling of the most remarkable structure its sport has to offer.

Whenever I'm feeling particularly agitated, I turn to the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Why you ask?  Because, as a die-hard San Francisco Giants' fan, I can spew venom all over the Bums and do so haphazardly with little or no repercussions.

That's the beauty of being in a blood-rivalry.

As long as I stay away from really crossing the line in a personal manner, especially with regards to Dodger fans, I feel confident that all will be forgiven if I'm wrong.

In the current economic slump, only the New York Yankees seem to be unfazed by it. A very cavalier off season for the Yankees saw them heap nine-figure contracts upon Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia. Throw in another 80+ million dollars for A.J. Burnett, plus the bloated contracts of Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter, and the Yankees, again, will wear the crown for largest payroll in Major League Baseball.

Let's just clear the air. I have NO issue with Daisuke Matsuzaka. I've been a member of Bleacher Report for a year, and it has been a very enjoyable experience. Whenever I hear someone say a player is overrated, at least one commenter says, "you're just a hater", and if a writer says a certain player is underrated, one commenter - at least - says, "you're just a homer." Let me get this straight to you - I have no problem with Daisuke Matsuzaka. He's a great pitcher. That shows in his 18-3 record and 2.90 ERA in 2008.

A few months ago, I wrote a letter to Bud Selig as part of a class project. Here was the letter I sent:

Dear Mr. Selig:

It's easy to argue that the National League East has the most pitching depth of any division in baseball.

From two of the best individual pitchers in the game residing in Philly and New York to Atlanta's deep group, the East features a variety of staff designs and clearly outclasses the rest of MLB.

The real question is: Which of the five teams in the division is the best?

I will go in-depth to determine that which I believe to be the best.

Good: New York Mets

Grades

Since I am a Freshman in High School, I hear from so many people that they want to be a sports athlete when they are older. So I started thinking, do these people know how disappointed they will be when the scouts don’t even stay past the first inning?

My friend Anthony just barely made the C-team for baseball. Now he is a freshman but to think that he is the next Johan Santana as he says he will be is pure ignorance.

It was a difficult decision.

One that couldn’t be made until four simple days before Opening Day.

But nonetheless, it’s becoming a reoccurring decision for the Rockies organization lately.