THE BEST WAY FOR THE BILLS TO IMPROVE THEIR IMAGE
After an embarrassing end to the 2016 NFL season on and off the field, the Buffalo Bills have hired a talent coach – Gerry Matalon -- to tutor the front office, the coaching staff and the players on how to improve the team’s public image.
I’m not saying the aforementioned move is a bad idea or a waste of owner Terry Pegula’s money, but by far the best way to bolster Buffalo’s football image would be to end the team’s 17-year playoff drought. Just Win Baby!
ERASING THE JOSH GORDON-TO-BUFFALO BUZZ
Bills head coach Sean McDermott quickly debunked a report that Buffalo might be interested in talented but troubled wide receiver Josh Gordon.
On Tuesday, McDermott said his team’s No. 2 wide receiver (behind Sammy Watkins) “already is on the roster.”
Buffalo’s current depth chart at wide receiver: Sammy Watkins, Andre Holmes, Walter Powell, Philly Brown, Dez Lewis, Brandon Tate, Kolby Listenbee, Jeremy Butler and Corey Washington. Tight end Charles Clay also has been mentioned as Buffalo’s second receiver. Could the Bills start running backs LeSean McCoy and Mike Gillislee?
I’m not sure anyone on that list is a worthy No. 2 wide receiver, but at least there are plenty of candidates.
ARE THE CHICAGO CUBS BEING UNDERRATED?
The Chicago Cubs won their first World Series in 108 years last season but I am surprised by the number of Major League Baseball analysts who are picking the Los Angeles Dodgers – and not the Cubs -- to represent the National League in the 2017 World Series.
The Cubs were significantly better than the Dodgers last season:
Records – Cubs 103-58…Dodgers 91-71
Batting average – Cubs .256…Dodgers .249
Runs – Cubs 808…Dodgers 725
Home runs – Cubs 199…Dodgers 189
Total bases – Cubs 2359…Dodgers 2256
Stolen bases – Cubs 66…Dodgers 45
Earned run average – Cubs 3.15…Dodgers 3.70.
The Dodgers should be slightly better than they were last season. A few reasons why: ace pitcher Clayton Kershaw missed two months with a ruptured disc last season and figures to be healthier…shortstop Corey Seager could be even better this season…outfielder Yasiel Puig almost has to be better.
But the Cubs are considerably more likely to improve that the Dodgers. Young players Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Javier Baez, Wilson Contreras and Kyle Schwarber all figure to improve this season.
SCRATCH THOUGHTS OF BYUNG HO PARK AS A RED WING
When spring training began, Korean slugger ByungHo Park was a longshot to stick with the Minnesota Twins and was expected to be full-time 1B/DH for Rochester. He has awesome power and probably would have hit at least 30 HRs in a full 2017 season with the Red Wings.
Park, 30, had 173 HRs and 492 RBI in 519 games in South Korea from 2012 to 2015. There was a bidding war for his Major League Baseball rights and Minnesota “won” the right rto sign him. He got a four-year contract worth $12 million guaranteed.
After a decent start with Minnesota last season, Park went into a horrible slump. In 62 games with the Twins, he batted .224 (41-for-215), with 12 HRs, 24 RBI and 80 strikeouts.
Park was assigned to Rochester and played in 31 games before being shelved with a wrist injury. In 116 official at-bats, he batted .224 with 10 HRs, 19 RBI and 32 strikeouts.
The Twins surprisingly designated Park for assignment in February. When he cleared waivers he was assigned outright to Rochester, w3here he was expected to anchor the lineup this season.
But Park has been healthy, happy and productive with Minnesota in spring training. His team-leading fifth HR gave the Twins a 1-0 victory Tuesday over Tampa Bay. In 18 games this spring, he’s batting .362 (17-for-47) with 10 RBI.
He looks like a lock to beat out Kennys Vargas (1-for-15 this spring and sidelined with a bruised foot) as Minnesota’s Opening Day designated hitter.
So there is no chance that Park will spend all of this season as Rochester’s all-time best-paid player. I believe he could’ve challenged legendary Russ Derry’s team-record 42 HRs set in 1949.
The good news is that Matt Hague, the International League MVP i9n 2015 with the Buffalo Bisons, is expected to be in Rochester’s starting lineup next Thursday in Syracuse. He’s also had a solid spring with Minnesota: .375 (15-for-40), 6 doubles, 1 HR, 7 RBI in 23 games.
It looks like ex-Yankee John Ryan Murphy will start this season with the Red Wings. Top pitching prospect Jose Berrios was sent to Rochester because he needs innings after being used sparingly (but effectively) for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.
FOUR-FIFTHS OF NBA’S FIRST-TEAM ALL-PRO IS A CINCH
After watching Kawhi Leonard toy with LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers in an easy victory Monday night, I’m more sure than ever that Leonard is a worthy First-Team All-NBA selection for this season.
I believe three other players are locks for First-Team All-NBA honors: guards James Harden (Houston Rockets; still my MVP frontrunner), Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City) and small forward LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers).
That leaves one “big man” (forward or center) for the fifth spot on First-Team All-NBA.
Before his knee injury, Kevin Durant (Golden State Warriors) was a likely First-Team All-NBA player. But 59 games played probably won’t be enough to give him the recognition he deserves.
That leaves (pick one) Anthony Davis (New Orleans), DeAndre Jordan (Los Angeles Clippers), Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee), DeMar DeRozen (Toronto), DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento/New Orleans), Paul George (Indiana), Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers) or Gordon Hayward (Utah).
LAS VEGAS WESTGATE SUPERBOOK 2017 WORLD SERIES ODDS
This Nevada sports book is not underestimating the Cubs. The latest odds to win the 2017 World Series:
Cubs 7-to-2 (where can I line up)…Indians 5-to-1…Red Sox 7-to-12…Dodgers 8-t o-1…Astros and Nationals each 10-to-1…Giants and Mets each 12-to-1…Blue Jays and Mariners each 25-to-1…Cardinals, Rangers, Tigers and Yankees each 30-to-1 (Yankees fans probably are booking flights to Vegas to get down on the Baby Bombers at these odds).
Orioles 40-to-1…Rockies 50-to-1…Angels, Pirates and Royals each 60-to-1…Braves, Marlins and Rays each 80-to-1…Athletics, Diamondbacks, Phillies and Twins each 100-to-1…Brewers and Reds each 300-to-1…Padres and White Sox each 500-to-1.
IS CONNOR McDAVID AN NHL MVP CANDIDATE?
A candidate, yes. The winner, probably not.
McDavid is pulling away in the NHL individual scoring race. With 89 points entering Wednesday night, he had a 7-point lead over Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane and Nicklas Backstrom.
McDavid also gets extra credit for leading the long-dormant Edmonton Oilers to their first playoff berth since the 2005-2006 season. In October, McDavid became the youngest team captain in NHL history (19 years and 226 days old). He turned 20 in January. He is as brilliant as advertised.
In 2014-15, Edmonton was 24-44-14 while McDavid was tearing up junior hockey.
He missed more than half of his 2015-16 NHL rookie season due to injury, but the Oilers improved to 31-43-8.
This season, Edmonton was 42-25-9 entering Wednesday night.
McDavid obviously merits serious MVP consideration, but my MVP frontrunner is Crosby, who leads the league with 42 goals in only 69 games.
McDavid probably will be a multiple future NHL MVP. I think the voters will make him wait a little bit.
SABRES POWER PLAY IS TRULY POWERFUL
Buffalo was 1-for-2 on the power play in Tuesday night’s 3-1 loss in Columbus.
The Sabres won’t make the playoffs again but having the NHL’s most potent power play is an impressive feat:
1-Buffalo 25.3 (57-for-225)
2-Toronto 23.3 (52-for-223).
Buffalo’s improvement on the power play has been significant:
2012-13 – 14.1 percent (23-for-163); 29th in the 30-team NHL
2013-14 – 14.1 percent (36-for-256); 29th
2014-15 – 13.4 (30-for-224); 30th
2015-16 – 18.9 (48-for-254); 12th.
SHORT SHOTS
Rochester Red Wings play-by-play broadcaster Josh Whetzel will work the Minnesota Twins-Red Wings game Friday, 12:05 p.m., on FOX Sports 1280. The Wings will fly North Monday…Top pitching prospect Jose Berrios could start for the Wings in Thursday’s opener at Syracuse.
Three-time Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack champion jockey Jaime Rodriguez has notified agent Bob Jobson that he plans to ride on the Ohio circuit (Mahoning Valley and Thistledown) this spring and summer. Rodriguez arrived at Finger Lakes in 2012 and has been a top rider since.
Statfox.com lists odds on seven teams to win the 2017 NBA Finals: Golden State 5-to-9 (bet $9 to win $5)…Cleveland 13-to-5 (bet $5 to win $13)…San Antonio 10-to-1…Houston 20-to-1…Boston 30-to-1…Washington 50-to-1…Los Angeles Clippers 70-to-1.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO…
Wednesday, March 29 – Justin Tuck (34)…Jennifer Capriati (41)…Kim Batten (48)…Kurt Thomas (61)…Earl Campbell (62)…Walt Frazier (72)…Denny McLain (73)…Duane Rupp (79). Man o’War was born on this date 100 years ago (1917) and died in 1947 at age 30…Cy Young was born on this date 150 years ago (1867) and died in 1955 at age 88.
Thursday, March 30 – Alex Bregman (23)…Chris Sale (28)…Richard Sherman (29)…Nathan Paetsch (34)…Lomas Brown (54)…Jerry Lucas (77). Secretariat was born on this date 47 years ago (1970) and died in 1989 at age 19. Celine Dion (49), MC Hammer (55) and Warren Beatty (80) are invited to the birthday party.