Author: Matt Wells

27 years old. From New Jersey. I'm a fan of all four major sports, though I know most about football and baseball. Favorite teams: Sabres (NHL), Yankees (MLB). General fan of baseball and football, as well.

MLB General

Is It Time For Baseball Rule-Changing?

Post author By Matt Wells
Post date August 25, 2006
2 Comments on Is It Time For Baseball Rule-Changing?

by Matt Wells

There are some rules in the current game of baseball that are etched in stone. For every homerun hit, you travel around four bases. Four balls equals a walk, three strikes equals an out, and three outs means that the other team must come up to bat. There are nine innings in a regular game that is not shortened by rain or lengthened by extra innings.

Other baseball rules, though not necessarily permanent, have helped shaped the game to what it is today. A five-inning game is an official one in tomorrow’s boxscores. A batter can run to first on a swinging third strike if there was a wild pitch or passed ball on that third strike (remember A.J. Pierzynski in last year’s playoffs?).

General Sports

Futile No More

by Matt Wells

There was a time, not too long ago, where we were laughing at the futile efforts that sports teams (of the four major sports) were putting forth on a yearly or even daily basis. We still laugh at some of those teams: the Kansas City Royals, Tampa Bay Devils Rays, Atlanta Hawks, and Houston Texans are just some of the futile teams that come to mind.

In the past decade, we’ve seen some previously futile teams become championship contenders, even if it has been for just a few seasons. The New England Patriots, St. Louis Rams, and Indianapolis Colts (among others) have reached football respectability (the Rams have since fallen off). Baseball has had the turnarounds of the Minnesota Twins (after a poor mid-1990s) and the Chicago White Sox. Hockey has seen teams like the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Calgary Flames, and Tampa Bay Lightning rise to higher ranks. Finally, basketball has seen the Denver Nuggets and New Jersey Nets climb out of the cellar.

MLB General

"Rule 5": The Golden Rule

Post author By Matt Wells
Post date July 15, 2006
No Comments on "Rule 5": The Golden Rule

by Matt Wells

Thanks to the All-Star game this past Tuesday, the name of Florida Marlin second baseman Dan Uggla was thrown around a lot. Uggla joined a list of numerous players over the years to be chosen via the Rule 5 draft. He became the first Rule 5 draft selection to become an All-Star in his first big-league season.

The success of Uggla, the Rule 5 castoff taken from the Diamondbacks, has had people scratching their heads. They’re not scratching their heads at Uggla’s success; they’re scratching their heads about the draft rule.

What is the Rule 5 draft? Read on…

Tags dan uggla, marlins, MLB

MLB General

Dance to the Music – Teams Edition

Post author By Matt Wells
Post date July 2, 2006
3 Comments on Dance to the Music – Teams Edition

by Matt Wells

Recently, I wrote an article giving songs to some of the starting pitchers of today’s game. Josh Towers, the now-demoted Oliver Perez, and the now-promoted Jered Weaver were just some of the names who were in sync with the songs I chose from my playlist.

So, we got relievers who enter the game to their choice of music. We got some starters who had some songs hand-picked for them by me. What about the teams? (This time, I’ll go outside my playlist for a few of the songs.)

The Yankees have a song (“Here Come the Yan-kees”). The Mets have a song (“Meet the Mets”). What about some of the other teams? What songs can I give them? Read on….

Tags braves, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, marlins, MLB, ny mets, ny yankees, pirates, rockies, sf giants, tigers, Toronto Blue Jays

MLB General

Dance to the Music – Starting Pitchers Edition

Post author By Matt Wells
Post date June 28, 2006
2 Comments on Dance to the Music – Starting Pitchers Edition

by Matt Wells

We all know that some baseball pitchers have songs they love to enter the game to. Mariano Rivera, and now cross-town rival Billy Wagner, come in to Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.” Trevor Hoffman comes into AC/DC’s “Hell’s Bells.” I’m sure there are other relievers in the game today that, though it is not publicized as much, enter the game to their own brand of classic rock.

But, what about the less-publicized pitchers? What about the starting pitchers, for that matter? What songs do they enter the game to?

Chicago White Sox

Insane in the Membrane

by Matt Wells

It seems that these days, winning is second nature on the south side of Chicago. Jose Contreras wins every time he is out there. Jim Thome and Paul Konerko seem to produce offensively almost every time they take the field. Yes, the White Sox seem to have that winning attitude.

Of course, the same cannot be said for Ozzie Guillen and his incredibly big mouth. Yesterday (Thursday 6/22), Guillen was fined, suspended, and ordered to attend sensitivity training for slurs against Chicago Sun-Times columnist Jay Mariotti. More on that later.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Wrong Turns in the Desert Won’t Get You Anywhere

Post author By Matt Wells
Post date June 21, 2006
3 Comments on Wrong Turns in the Desert Won’t Get You Anywhere

by Matt Wells

Remember 2001? That year, Luis Gonzalez was last seen jumping up and down along the first base line, celebrating the hit that won the Fall Classic. Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson were seen holding the MVP trophy, for both were named co-MVP’s of the series. Bob Brenly, the ex-FOX broadcaster, was a World Series-winning manager. Byung-Hyun Kim mistakes aside, the Diamondbacks were world champions.

Where have those days gone?

A couple of trades the D-Backs have made along the way have not worked out for the better. Players have left and succeeded elsewhere, while those who have come to the desert have stuggled.

General Sports

Give Me the Keys- Mister….You’re Grounded

Post author By Matt Wells
Post date June 17, 2006
No Comments on Give Me the Keys- Mister….You’re Grounded

by Matt Wells

It is widely believed that money gets you beautiful women. So does the status of an athlete for a professional sports team. A fancy sports car might get you a pretty gal on your arm, too. A motorcycle, on the other hand? Well, that will just get deliver trouble.

The new cardinal rule for sports athletes should be this: “When enjoying leisurely activities, stay away from motorcycles. Play golf. Spend time with loved ones. Go swimming. Hang out with friends. But, for the love of God, don’t ride a motorcycle.”

Buffalo Sabres

Getting A Little Well-Earned Respect Around the Neighborhood

Post author By Matt Wells
Post date June 3, 2006
1 Comment on Getting A Little Well-Earned Respect Around the Neighborhood

by Matt Wells

When the post-lockout NHL season began, I was unhappy with the direction my team, the Buffalo Sabres, had taken. Miroslav Satan and Alexei Zhitnik were now New York Islanders. I watched as other teams in the East became stronger – the Flyers now had Peter Forsberg and the Senators would be having Dominik Hasek in goal.

Who did the Sabres pick up? Teppo Numminen and Tony Lydman. I became slightly unhappy as I was sure that Buffalo would be passed by in the standings this season. Hasek in Ottawa, Joe Thornton in Boston, and the likes of Mats Sundin and Eddie Belfour in Toronto were sure to make the life of the Sabres team and their faithful a living hell.

New York Mets

July 30- 2004: A Dark Day in Flushing

Post author By Matt Wells
Post date May 31, 2006
2 Comments on July 30- 2004: A Dark Day in Flushing

by Matt Wells

What should Devil Rays fans be doing right now? They should be meeting the Mets, greeting the Mets, stepping right up and thanking the Mets. Once every five days, the Rays fans should be bringing the kiddies and their wives to the games because they will be having the times of their lives.

Yes, the Devil Rays are 21-31 through their first 52 games. Yes, they play in perhaps the worst stadium in the majors right now. So, why should they be coming out to the ballpark then?

Two words: Scott Kazmir.