Boston Strong (Language), The FCC and Sports

My four years at North Central College on the WONC staff taught me a lot about the world of broadcasting. On air shifts were the most important thing, of course, but there was an academic side to it, with readings weekly about different broadcast-related topics, and almost all of them had something to do with the FCC. Mostly, it was about things they could fine you for (read: don't do this at WONC, lest we get levied a heavy fine and the station has to shut down), and these things appeared on tests during my time there (I take responsibility for this my senior year, since I wrote the tests).

On the broadcasting side of things in terms of being on the air (with a good concentration in sports), there were probably three major lessons I learned.

1. "W" is pronounced "Double-You", and anyone who pronounces it differently will be promptly corrected. It's John Madormo's pet peeve (so that's probably where I picked it up) and it probably put you on his hit list.
2. Don't even speculate possible reasons for why a door in a press box slams shut on air. You will incur the wrath of Naperville North's "Press Box Mom". For the record, I wasn't the speculator, but I was there when it happened, and being both the Assistant Sports Director and the guy calling the Huskies' football game the following week (against Central, no less), I was put in the unenviable position of trying to clean up that mess with the Press Box Mom (which ultimately was resolved).
3. "If you wouldn't say it to your grandmother, don't say it on air." -"ancient" radio proverb, regarding the use of strong language in a broadcast setting.

It's that last one that has a lot of people buzzing after the Boston Red Sox game at Fenway yesterday.

NBA Playoff Preview

With a little bit of time today, I figured I'd try to throw out a quick playoff preview for the NBA. I'm not going to try to predict the entire tournament, but all the first round games should be a good exercise.

I'll go through each series one by one and at the end predict who I think will advance. I'll try and do separate ones for each round, though I end up falling in the group of people that think it will be Miami against probably San Antonio or Oklahoma City again in the Finals. Basketball seems easily predictable like that.

Without further ado, here's how I think the first round plays out.


Eastern Conference

(1) Miami Heat vs (8) Milwaukee Bucks
Miami, to no surprise, wound up as the consensus best team in the league and earned the top seed out east for the first time in the LeBron era. Meanwhile you have a Milwaukee team that picked up J.J. Redick at the deadline to help make a run to help Brandon Jennings out. Milwaukee might be able to make these games at least somewhat competitive but otherwise this should be over quickly. Heat in four.

(2) New York Knicks vs (7) Boston Celtics
It's kind of crazy how Boston has fallen even though I think everyone expected them to fall off each of the last couple years. Without Rajon Rondo though this Celtics team is down to basically just Garnett and Pierce, though Jeff Green has had his moments. Meanwhile newly crowned scoring champ Carmelo Anthony finally seems to have a really good supporting cast around him and Mike Woodson is a good coach. The C's will make this a series but we're looking at an early exit for them this year. Knicks in six.

(3) Indiana Pacers vs (6) Atlanta Hawks
It's kind of amazing how the Hawks have been able to survive without Joe Johnson and still be a decent team, but you have to continue to credit guys like Al Horford and Josh Smith for carrying this team. Indiana survived losing Danny Granger to win the division. This tough team that plays a similar style to the Bulls likely won't have issues here. Pacers in five.

(4) Brooklyn Nets vs (5) Chicago Bulls
I'm going to defer to Geoffy for most of the in-depth analysis here. In the grand scheme of things though, I think the Bulls' experience, even without Derrick Rose and possibly Joakim Noah should be enough. Angry Thibs will make sure "WE HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH TO WIN WITH." Bulls in seven.

Western Conference
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs (8) Houston Rockets
After falling short in the Finals last year, Sam Presti decided to send James Harden and his beard away, and ended up in Houston where Daryl Morey looks like more of a genius than normal after rebuilding this team's core. Even with that though, I don't think Houston has the firepower to keep up with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Thunder in five.

(2) San Antonio Spurs vs (7) Los Angeles Lakers
I'm not going to lie; I wanted the Lakers to miss the playoffs because of the overhyping and also because it would have been hilarious to see the Lakers without a first round pick and out of the playoffs. Given what happened to Kobe though, I'm kind of glad they did make it for him. Even with that though, I don't think the Lakers have the depth to take out the Spurs. Tony Parker has been really good, and Tim Duncan is still chugging along despite his age. Spurs in five.

(3) Denver Nuggets vs (6) Golden State Warriors
Denver went on a nice little win streak for part of the year as well, and they have a very well balanced team that will be a tough out, especially with home court. This team plays pretty good defense, which is a necessity against Steph Curry. He will not make this series easy. At the end of the day though I have to go with the overall better team. Nuggets in six.

(4) Los Angeles Clippers vs (5) Memphis Grizzlies
It's kind of amazing to see something of a changing of the guard in Los Angeles with the Clippers winning the division instead of the Lakers. This team continues to have its amazing moments, and Chris Paul is still up to his usual shenanigans at the point. Memphis has great defense again this year and even after trading away Rudy Gay they're a tough out. I do think the Clippers have the edge though. Clippers in seven.

Game Notes: Nashville Predators at Chicago Blackhawks (4/19/13)

Final Score
Blackhawks 5, Predators 4 (OT)

Game Summary
In my first ever NHL game in person, the Blackhawks (34-5-4, 72 pts) got off to a good start and scored in the opening 5 minutes (on a power play no less!) after some good early chances. But Nashville (15-21-9, 39 pts) came back quickly and scored twice to take the lead about halfway through the first period. The Hawks were able to tie it up before the intermission though and head to the locker room at 2-2. Chicago took leads in both the second and third periods but gave up tying goals to the Preds both times. The turning point of the game came with less than a minute to go when, while still tied, Rich Clune drew blood from Marcus Kruger with a high stick, earning a double minor that carried over into the extra session. Using their stars, it only took a minute for Marian Hossa to put an end to a dramatic game.

3 Stars

Celebrating the win from the 300 level of the Madhouse.

3. Jonathan Toews (CHI): 2 A, 2 SOG, +1. The captain had a couple nice plays to help out on the pair of first period goals, and played well defensively. He was out on the ice for all 52 seconds of overtime as well. Overall a good game for him (clearly the Toews shirt I was wearing underneath my borrowed Seabrook jersey worked well.)
2. Matt Halischuk (NAS): 2 G, A, 4 SOG, +3. That's a pretty good line. Halischuk scored Nashville's first goal and I think was originally given credit for the second (though that was changed during the first intermission) but scored again in the second on a breakaway (read: defensive breakdown) and assisted on Nashville's goal in the third. This is only his second full year in the big time, but he's a talented kid. We'll be hearing from him a fair amount.
1. Duncan Keith (CHI): G, 2 A, 4 SOG, Even. Keith scored the Hawks' first goal on the power play on a nice pass from Stalberg and played pretty good defense throughout. He was also out on the ice for all of overtime and got an assist for Hossa's winner.

The Blackhawks Experience
I've been to the United Center a few times, but mostly for Bulls games (a couple of which were bonuses for getting to see Aurora Christian play Wheaton Academy there) and most recently for an MDA Muscle Walk where I got to peek in briefly on a morning skate. Being there for a Hawks game for the first time was quite the experience. Hearing the airhorn and Chelsea Dagger in person was a lot of fun, and of course, the anthem, while not quite as loud as I was expecting, was still something to behold in person.

I was at this game with my fiancee Kristen (a fellow NHL virgin coming into tonight) and her cousin, who has been to hundreds of Hawks games in her lifetime and is a die-hard who supported the team even in the lean years. Kristen is not really a sports fan by any means (so the fact that she's willing to spend the rest of her life with me is a blessing I am incredibly thankful for), but she got into the game quite a bit. Hockey is often spoken of as the best live sporting event of the four major American sports, and I think tonight proved it. Kristen knew little about hockey rules and such coming in but caught on quickly, and even said she'd go again. And so would I, in a heartbeat. We really enjoyed it.

Final Thoughts
Early this week I had been talking to Kristen's cousin about the possibility of this game being for home ice thoughout the Western playoffs, but Monday's win over Dallas and Anaheim's overtime loss to Columbus on Wednesday sealed that spot early. Either way it was good to get 2 points instead of just 1, especially on a night when Corey Crawford (23 saves) wasn't quite at his best (made some good saves, but also allowed some goals he shouldn't have). With a 6 point lead over Pittsburgh with 5 apiece left, the Hawks find themselves in the driver's seat for the President's Trophy, which would be only their second in franchise history if I counted the banners right. Obviously this scares me a bit given the bad luck Trophy winners have had in recent postseasons, but I think this Hawk team, especially when fully healthy, should be able to beat anyone in a best-of-7 series.

2013 MLB Preview: NL West

It's been a bit of a scramble this week, but after a lot of quick research I think I've found some good information to hopefully have some accurate predictions this time around. You can view every other division's predictions in the bar on your right for under the March 2013 posts, or scroll down if you're on the COAS home page. Without further ado, let's finish this off.

NL West
The home of the defending champions is going to be a tough division this year, with a lot of money being spent to improve by some teams. The NL is a little more top-heavy than the AL, so as tempted as I am to pick 2 teams out of this division, I've already filled the wild card quota on this end. Tough decision to make.

1. San Francisco Giants
2012: 94-68, 1st in NL West, won World Series
Buster Posey just signed a long term deal on Friday, so this team has one of its best players locked up into the next decade. Really, this whole lineup is stacked with guys like Hunter Pence and Pablo Sandoval to help out the meat of the order. Sergio Romo is a good replacement for Brian Wilson, and the rotation here is scary good with Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner and Tim Lincecum in the 1-3 spots. Teams are going to be hard-pressed to top this squad.
2013 Projection: 96-66

2. Los Angeles Dodgers
2012: 86-76, 2nd in NL West 
This team spent the most money in free agency, plus with the moves made at the trade deadline last summer, this team is looking like the Yankees of the late '90s or the Red Sox of the early '00s. There's some big names here to help out Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier, and the rotation is good with Zack Greinke (assuming he can handle the big market in LA) helping out Clayton Kershaw. However, unless the Red Sox assets from last year really step up their game, this team won't go anywhere.
2013 Projection: 90-72

3. San Diego Padres
2012: 76-86, 4th in NL West
After a couple down years the Friars started to come back to being a little bit better. There's a decent blend of youth and experience on this squad, and some good pitching on their staff now with Edison Volquez anchoring the rotation. They won't challenge for the division, but they'll be a competitive team this year and might be able to surprise if the Dodgers struggle.
2013 Projection: 80-82

4. Arizona Diamondbacks
2012: 81-81, 3rd in NL West
This team has a good rotation with Ian Kennedy and Brandon McCarthy heading up the staff. Guys like Cody Ross and Jason Kubel bring some good experience in the outfield, but there's still a fair amount of holes left on this team. They will be competitive too, but not close to getting back to the top of the division. There isn't quite enough pitching depth here yet.
2013 Projection: 78-84

5. Colorado Rockies
2012: 64-98, 5th in NL West
Todd Helton is still going after all these years, and guys like Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez are going to drive in a lot of runs in the thin Coors Field air, but there really isn't much in the way of pitching since Ublado Jiminez left town. I'm not sure the pitching staff will be able to keep this squad in too many games as the year goes on.
2013 Projection: 69-93   

2013 MLB Preview: AL West

After some time off between posts, it's time for me to get these finished off. We have 4 divisions down and 2 left to go, with just the West Coast left in play. Let's get back to the American League.

AL West
With the realignment of divisions, the AL West finally gets a fifth team, but it really doesn't add much to the divisional picture as Houston is not good. Even with that, this is a division that could still see a couple teams make the playoffs pretty easily. Based on how I've predicted the first two American League divisions, I'm thinking they definitely will. And maybe this time I'll get the division's winner right.

 


1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
2012: 89-73, 3rd in AL West
Last year I had these guys winning the division after being one of the winners of the 2011-2012 offseason. They never really got on a great roll though and ended up being behind Oakland and Texas down the stretch. I do think having a full season of Mike Trout will help, as will the addition of Josh Hamilton to an already deadly lineup (that Pujols guy is pretty good too). Jered Weaver anchors a good rotation, and I think this team should get to the playoffs this year.
2013 Projection: 97-65

2. Texas Rangers
2012: 93-69, 2nd in AL West, lost in AL Wild Card Game
Even with you taking Josh Hamilton out of the equation, this team still returns a lot of the key pieces that were part of back to back pennants and the group that had the Rangers in first until the end of the season. Losing Mike Napoli hurts, but picking up Lance Berkman helps the lineup, and AJ Pierzynski is a good catcher even at his age. The rotation can do some damage, and if Joe Nathan stays healthy, this Rangers team should be back in the playoff mix this year.
2013 Projection: 95-67, Wild Card

3. Oakland Athletics
2012: 94-68, 1st in AL West, lost in ALDS
This A's team came out of nowhere last season for all intents and purposes to sneak into the playoffs after no one expected them to. I think that experience certainly helps them for 2013, but I'm not sure they can make it back. Yoenis Cespedes had a good first year in the bigs and I'm sure he will improve in his sophomore campaign, but I'm just not overly impressed with this team. They'll compete in a polarized division, but I don't think they'll make the playoffs.
2013 Projection: 89-73

4. Seattle Mariners
2012: 79-87, 4th in AL West
They actually finished with a better record than I remembered them having last year, which bodes well for this team. Having Felix Hernandez always helps, and there's decent pitching behind him. The biggest question once again will be whether or not they can score enough runs after finishing with the fewest in the American League last year (yet there were a few NL teams that did worse).
2013 Projection: 79-83

5. Houston Astros
2012: 55-107, 6th in NL Central
Houston gets to start off the Major League season on Sunday night against Texas in their first American League game ever. I think you could safely argue that the American League as a whole is better than the National League, so with Houston switching to tougher competition, I think this is going to be a rough year in South Texas. There's some decent youth here with guys like Jose Altuve, but that can only get you so far.
2013 Projection: 49-113

Tomorrow at some point I'll get the last prediction up, probably during the interim between Easter Sunday church and dinner. One more division, and a look at the NL West is next!

2013 MLB Preview: NL Central

I've already done half the teams in baseball to this point and now I get to do my division earlier than I did last year. This time I wanted to get the defending champion the last word, so the NL Central gets bumped to the middle of the previews this time.

NL Central
I was a late comer to baseball, so the Cubs and the NL Central are all I really know for the most part, and it's a little weird to be in a 5 team division now. Or maybe that's just the lack of being able to go on about how the Cubs can avoid the basement because another team in their division sucks more. Do I get that same luxury this year? And will I pick this division a little better this year?

1. St. Louis Cardinals
2012: 88-74, 2nd in NL Central, lost in NLCS
Granted, the Cards will start down a little bit since closer Jason Motte might begin the year on the DL and Chris Carpenter is hurt again. Even without those arms, this is a good rotation anchored by Adam Wainwright. Even in year 2 post-Pujols, the lineup is still scary with Matt Holliday and Carlos Beltran (if he's healthy) looming, and their role players are among the best in the game. And knowing them, they'll be a tough out in the playoffs again. Did I mention I hate the Cardinals?
2013 Projection: 93-69

2. Cincinnati Reds
2012: 97-65, 1st in NL Central, lost in NLDS
I had a tough call between these guys and the Cardinals. I think on the whole, their lineups are pretty balanced, given that Joey Votto is about as good as they come and he's got plenty of protection, including Shin Soo Choo moving across the state. I really like their bullpen, but I think it ultimately comes down to the rotations. Johnny Cueto is really good, and the guys who follow him are good too, but I think I like that Cardinal rotation just a tad better. This is going to be a fun race to follow.
2013 Projection: 92-70, Wild Card

3. Pittsburgh Pirates
2012: 79-83, 4th in NL Central
The last time this team had a winning season, I wasn't even 3 years old yet.  There have been some dismal teams over the years, but the future is finally starting to look bright for this Bucs team. Their pitching is decent and there's some good young pieces in the lineup around Andrew McCutchen. They won't compete for the division this year (though they have spent time in first place in the summer months of late) but this team could certainly break that .500 ceiling.
2013 Projection: 81-81

4. Milwaukee Brewers
2012: 83-79, 3rd in NL Central
Aside from Yovani Gallardo, this rotation has a lot of youth and I'm not too sold on them. Once again though, this is a very potent lineup that can do a lot of damage. The biggest question mark though is with Ryan Braun. He put up good numbers again last year despite the allegations of drug use, and the scrutiny is higher this year with his name showing up on client lists. If he is even eligible to play the full season, he might not perform up to the same standard. Could be a tough year up in Wisconsin.
2013 Projection: 78-84

5. Chicago Cubs
2012: 61-101, 5th in NL Central
With no Houston to thank for sucking more than them, the Cubs might have to deal with the basement this year. It's year 2 of what Cubs fans have accepted as a rebuilding program. Many of the pieces Cub fans are hoping to see bring the team back to prominence will be in the minors this season, and pieces the Cubs hoped to have in place are hurt again (Matt Garza is likely out until May and Ian Stewart will probably start the year on the DL after missing almost all of last season. While I will enjoy a full season of Anthony Rizzo hitting baseballs onto Sheffield and Starlin Castro spray the ball everywhere while hopefully not having any more mental gaffes, otherwise this is going to be a long year in Chicago. Maybe we can at least get the Wrigley deal done.
2013 Projection: 67-95

I'm off work the next 2 days, so I will try to get the last 2 previews up as soon as I can. We head west tomorrow in the American League and see if maybe Houston can avoid the basement in their new home.

2013 MLB Preview: AL Central

We're finally to teams that I know a little bit more about since we're back to the Central divisions this week. Just a few years ago, the AL Central was hailed as one of the best divisions top to bottom in baseball. Now... not so much.

AL Central
Last year I did pick the division winner right, for what it's worth, but I whiffed quite a bit on how everyone else played out. Teams surprise and disappoint every year, but hopefully this year I can be a little more on point (as I'm pretty sure I've said every day so far this week... maybe I'm just not as good a prognosticator as I would like to be).

1. Detroit Tigers
2012: 88-74, 1st in AL Central, lost in World Series
The lineup has a little different look to it this year with Torii Hunter returning to the division and Delmon Young moving on, but you still have that dangerous heart of the order with Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder, now backed up by a healthy Victor Martinez. The starting rotation is really scary top to bottom again this year, anchored by some Verlander guy who from what I hear is really, really good.
2013 Projection: 91-71

2. Chicago White Sox 
2012: 85-77, 2nd in AL Central
This team surprised me and pretty much all of Chicago by being pretty good for most of the year before falling off the table in September. I think the rotation has a chance to be good, and the lineup has a good blend of youth and veteran talent. I asked resident Sox expert Geoffy what he thinks about this South Side team.

"The team's future is just as important as its present, so an all-around effort will be needed if they want to stay with Detroit and an improved Cleveland."

I think they can provide that all-around effort to an extent, though I'm not as worried about Cleveland as Geoffy is. This will be a good, competitive team, but not quite to Detroit's level.
2013 Projection: 85-77  

3. Kansas City Royals
2012: 72-90, 3rd in AL Central
Kansas City has been awful for as long as I can remember, but they've slowly been building up talent and now have a pretty good pitching staff to go with a good young lineup. Guys like Billy Butler, Alex Gordon and Mike Moustakas might not be elite in any sense, but they can put up some good numbers and keep this Kansas City team relevant.
2013 Projection: 80-82

4. Cleveland Indians
2012: 68-94, 4th in AL Central
Cleveland still has that decent 1-2 punch in the rotation with Masterson and Jiminez, but there's a lot of youth in that lineup now that Travis Hafner and Shin Soo Choo aren't with the team. The presence of Michael Bourn will certainly be a boost, and the bullpen isn't bad, but compared to the rest of the division, I just don't think this team can compete.
2013 Projection: 69-93

5. Minnesota Twins
2012: 66-96, 5th in AL Central
After getting rid of top of the order talent in Denard Span and Ben Revere, there's barely anything left on this team other Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. Scott Diamond will help bolster a thin rotation when he returns from the 15 day DL, and another season of Josh Willingham is a good thing, but it's going to be another rough season at Target Field with so much youth out there.
2013 Projection: 65-97

We're halfway through the divisions. Tomorrow I'll look at how my team will do in 2013 compared with the rest of a decent division.