January, 2009: Week 3
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Fresh from the oven, it's another pipin' hot NOR CAL Report! This week, the lads battle through the winter sports slowdown to shed some light on hockey and hoops — with an eye toward the spring.
The Sharks once again rule the sea, rising to the top with an epic fight against the Wings. Could this be a preview of the road to Lord Stanley?
The Kings best the Warriors in a triple-OT battle for Nor Cal. But are they really sorrier than the Dubyas — or do their light schedule and scoring barrage hint at bright times ahead?
Despite dropping the Kings contest, The Warriors, too, have reason to hope. Not only is Monta on the horizon, but the current vets are getting well. And what of the persistent rumor that Nellie can't handle young'uns?
The A's continue to make waves this offseason, getting national nods for remaking the A.L. West into a two-horse race. Hear what one caller had to say on the Rickey-Barry debate, from half a world away!
You never know where the next hit will come from — every week, on The NOR CAL Report!
UP NEXT: NOR CAL veteran and Fear the Beard founder Mic Blake sits in for Jess. Hear Mic and Lex riff on the ice and the hardwood, look ahead to hardball, and act all-around hard-headed.
The NOR CAL Blog:
All the latest info, anecdotes and opinions from the Report's own Jess Zitrin.
It's an odd time for hiring NFL assistants around here. First, the Niners must accept Scott Linehan's weak "timing" turn-down; now, the Raiders stock up on copilots, with no one to steer the ship...
The A's should be better on O — and in the West. If you don't believe me, check out ESPN's Tim Kurkjian. Meanwhile, Lex's wager that the A's post a better record than the Giants is still on the table... your thoughts?
The Giants look similarly improved — this time with ESPN's Jerry Crasnick lending credence. The new 'pen is palatable, and the Unit slots in nicely between Lince and Cain. If you want my opinion: you can win with a subpar offense, a so-so outfield, or the drastic reduction in range on the left side — but not all three...
What's RZR, and why should Giants fans care? It's a pretty reliable new defensive metric (revised zone rating) pioneered by the Hardball Times — and Randy Winn tops all Major League outfielders. He's third in OOZ — whatever that is...
Thanks to six ringless decades, the Kings are called the Arizona Cardinals II. That's a big "ouch" — considering the royalty aren't in danger of winning any Super Bowls this year...
There's another pro sports team in the Bay Area in 2009. Earthquakes fans, I'm curious to know what you think about Nor Cal's WPS entry, FC Gold Pride. The Pride will boast at least one famous bod, pictured here...
Speaking of the Quakes, they plucked a pair of super seniors in last week's SuperDraft...
The World Baseball Classic rosters have been published. How do they affect the A's and Giants? Oakland will miss several relievers in Arizona, as Joey Devine, Ziggy Ziggler, and Santiago Casilla will all play abroad. For the Giants, Jonathan Sanchez will have to be inventive in his competition with Noah Lowry, as will Pablo Sandoval in his efforts to learn third base — though we expected that last part, anyway.
Fantasy spin on the Classic: participating hitters who avoid injury and slump could have an advantage in April; but be wary of WBC pitchers come August and September...
The intersection of politics and sports is still news. New for inauguration week: check out this S.I. piece, on "The Audacity of Hoops."
Thanks as always for visiting. Don't forget to use iTunes or NorCalProSports.com to subscribe — and never miss another NOR CAL Report!
** Thanks for making The NOR CAL Report a success. Don't forget to tell your friends! **
Fresh from the oven, it's another pipin' hot NOR CAL Report! This week, the lads battle through the winter sports slowdown to shed some light on hockey and hoops — with an eye toward the spring.
The Sharks once again rule the sea, rising to the top with an epic fight against the Wings. Could this be a preview of the road to Lord Stanley?
The Kings best the Warriors in a triple-OT battle for Nor Cal. But are they really sorrier than the Dubyas — or do their light schedule and scoring barrage hint at bright times ahead?
Despite dropping the Kings contest, The Warriors, too, have reason to hope. Not only is Monta on the horizon, but the current vets are getting well. And what of the persistent rumor that Nellie can't handle young'uns?
The A's continue to make waves this offseason, getting national nods for remaking the A.L. West into a two-horse race. Hear what one caller had to say on the Rickey-Barry debate, from half a world away!
You never know where the next hit will come from — every week, on The NOR CAL Report!
UP NEXT: NOR CAL veteran and Fear the Beard founder Mic Blake sits in for Jess. Hear Mic and Lex riff on the ice and the hardwood, look ahead to hardball, and act all-around hard-headed.
Played: 720 | Download | Duration: 00:00:00
The NOR CAL Blog:
All the latest info, anecdotes and opinions from the Report's own Jess Zitrin.
It's an odd time for hiring NFL assistants around here. First, the Niners must accept Scott Linehan's weak "timing" turn-down; now, the Raiders stock up on copilots, with no one to steer the ship...
The A's should be better on O — and in the West. If you don't believe me, check out ESPN's Tim Kurkjian. Meanwhile, Lex's wager that the A's post a better record than the Giants is still on the table... your thoughts?
The Giants look similarly improved — this time with ESPN's Jerry Crasnick lending credence. The new 'pen is palatable, and the Unit slots in nicely between Lince and Cain. If you want my opinion: you can win with a subpar offense, a so-so outfield, or the drastic reduction in range on the left side — but not all three...
What's RZR, and why should Giants fans care? It's a pretty reliable new defensive metric (revised zone rating) pioneered by the Hardball Times — and Randy Winn tops all Major League outfielders. He's third in OOZ — whatever that is...
Thanks to six ringless decades, the Kings are called the Arizona Cardinals II. That's a big "ouch" — considering the royalty aren't in danger of winning any Super Bowls this year...
There's another pro sports team in the Bay Area in 2009. Earthquakes fans, I'm curious to know what you think about Nor Cal's WPS entry, FC Gold Pride. The Pride will boast at least one famous bod, pictured here...
Speaking of the Quakes, they plucked a pair of super seniors in last week's SuperDraft...
The World Baseball Classic rosters have been published. How do they affect the A's and Giants? Oakland will miss several relievers in Arizona, as Joey Devine, Ziggy Ziggler, and Santiago Casilla will all play abroad. For the Giants, Jonathan Sanchez will have to be inventive in his competition with Noah Lowry, as will Pablo Sandoval in his efforts to learn third base — though we expected that last part, anyway.
Fantasy spin on the Classic: participating hitters who avoid injury and slump could have an advantage in April; but be wary of WBC pitchers come August and September...
The intersection of politics and sports is still news. New for inauguration week: check out this S.I. piece, on "The Audacity of Hoops."
Thanks as always for visiting. Don't forget to use iTunes or NorCalProSports.com to subscribe — and never miss another NOR CAL Report!
G'day Mate(s), Thanks for putting my call on your podcast...it was a real buzz. I look forward to hearing your weekly shows and talking about how the A's will be winning the AL West in 2009. How about a debate over which ballpark has the best atmosphere out of AT&T Park or the amazing Oakland Coliseum!!! Cheers, Scott.
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The pleasure's all ours, Scott. Thanks for being a loyal listener all this time, and letting your voice be heard!
AT&T Park and the Coliseum -- total apples and oranges. But you didn't say architecture; you said atmosphere.
When the A's have some butts in the seats, there are few more fun places to catch a game. (My favorite ever: the 20th straight win. What a riot!)
There was an international soccer game there just last week, with 40,000 butts; plus, the Earthquakes are combining David Beckham with a fireworks night. Talk about atmosphere!
JZ.
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With regards to A's/Giants wager, my guess is that even with a far more potent offense than their friends across the Bay, the A's inexperienced rotation will be their downfall. The Giants, on the other hand, have the staff to carry them as long as the bats can muster a couple runs per game. Plus they are positioned to load up at the trade deadline if (and it's a big if) they're still in contention.
Edge: GIANTS
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Thanks for your thoughts, Nuts. It'd be shorter if you just wrote, "Lex, Jess is usually right about these things."
-Jess
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