The Dugout - April 2
MLB Opening Day
Can you smell that? That’s the smell of freshly cut grass and foot-long hotdogs with mustard. The patented stench of MLB’s opening day. Baseball is underway officially and properly now. Anyway, here's what you missed while baseball was on hiatus.
NBA Playoffs
But while the baseball season is still in its nascent stages, basketball is rounding the final base and headed for home. Teams are starting to clinch playoff spots, and the battle for seeding is more in focus than ever. The East is more or less sown up, though the Cavs and Knicks have a shot at ousting the Atlanta Hawks. Over in the opposite conference, the Mavericks, Grizzlies and Suns are fighting for two spots. The Mavs could have dragged the Warriors into that race too with a win in Dallas today, but despite massive games from Dirk and Monta for the home team, Steph Curry went and did this in overtime.
Miggy & Trout
Two massive contracts handed out this week. Miggy Cabrera is now the recipient of the biggest contract in MLB history – 10 years, US$292m. Wow. Just wow. It’s a massive risk from the Detroit Tigers, but I guess they figure they can handle the overpaid washed up years (should they eventuate) given the security of having him on their books in the meantime letting him do what he does better than anyone else – hit baseballs. Mike Trout got a big deal too, 6 years and $144.5m, keeping him at the Angels until he’s 28. In his case, anything they pay is a bargain. Trout is only getting better, and he may be the most marketable man in the game right now.
By the way, Trout’s first at bat of the new season, this is what happened:
DeSean Jackson
The star wide receiver was cut by the Philly Eagles this week, amidst rumours of a gang connection. Rumours varying from family connections, to the fact that his record label is called Jaccpot Records (it’s a thing, apparently, not to but ‘c’s next to ‘k’s, since that stands for Crip Killer - though DeSean says it was cos Jackpot Records was already patented (and it is)). Media beatups aside, though, he was released because the Eagles don’t need him and don’t wanna play him. Jackson (Jaccson?) will sign with Washington any time now. He’s chummy with RGIII, plus he’s desperate to play against the Eagles after they let him go, and will get to do so twice next year.
Mmm, Boogie Smoooooth
One of the great April Fools Day pranks was pulled by DeMarcus Cousins this week. The Kings centre teased the release of his debut album, under the name “Boogie Smooth”, and I tell ya it got me all excited, even if I knew deep down it was all a joke.
Boogie proved today just why that album won’t be in his immediate list of things to do by showing off his, erm, talents? on the piano. He’s no Ray Charles.
Good Week:
- Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder) – His streak of games with 25+ points continues (now 38 games), and he trails only Michael Jordan, who had 40, for such streaks in the past 50 years. And he’s not even trying to dominate scoring – he’s just that good.
- Adam Wainwright (St Louis Cardinals) – The Cards pitching ace continued where he left off last year in his first start of 2014, pitching 7 shutout innings to Cincinnati, with 9 strikeouts and just 3 hits allowed. That’s lights out, baby. His bullpen finished the job to keep the Reds scoreless on opening day for the first time in 61 years.
- Justin Smoak (Seattle Mariners) – the Seattle slugger already has 6 RBI in his first 2 games. He’s a big lad is Smoak, with A LOT of power, and may just be primed for a breakout year? Seattle will hope so, as they ned some bats to fit around new signing Robinson Cano.
Bad Week:
- Glen Davis (LA Clippers) – aka Big Baby. He got booted from the bench by coach Doc Rivers for being a sulk in the sidelines against Houston. Davis has kept quiet about the incident, but has spoken with Doc and seems to have been putting in extra hours at training.
- Clayton Kershaw (LA Dodgers) – Despite initially brushing it off as a small niggle, it’s gonna be at least 2-3 weeks before the richest pitcher in the MLB is back to doing what he does.
Player of the Week:
The entire San Antonio Spurs Team – Kind of cheating, yeah, but how can you pick one guy above the rest? The Spurs play team orientated basketball better than anyone else, and are once again in line for a deep playoff run after 18 straight wins (and counting). Best team in the NBA right now. Don’t even try to argue.
Upcoming Dates (NZ Time):
April 17 - NBA Regular Season Ends
May 9 - NFL Draft Begins
June 27 - NBA Draft Held