Tony La Russa Retires

Future hall of fame manager Tony La Russa has announced his retirement from the St. Louis Cardinals.

Tony La Russa

Tony La Russa career profile & results

Tony La Russa = Jackass

 

La Russa ends his career with  the third most managerial wins in baseball history.

– Connie Mack (3,731) – John McGraw (2,763) – Tony La Russa (2,728).

La Russa managed 33 big league seasons between the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics & St. Louis Cardinals.

– Won 3 AL Pennants with Oakland & 3 NL Pennants with St. Louis

– 3-time world series champion (1989 Athletics, 2006 Cardinals, 2011 Cardinals).

NFL Picks – Week #8

It’s time for the “Sports with Balls” weekly NFL picks for year number three! Our picks made available exclusively via the blog on a weekly basis.

Every week we’ll be picking one 1 p.m. and one 4 p.m. Sunday game, as well as any prime time or holiday games on the schedule.

Standings:  Current record (previous week)

Mike Orzechowski 20-9-1 (2-2-0)

Warren Croxton 17-12-1 (2-2-0)

Bill Fucich 15-13-2 (2-2-0)

Scott Boutcher 13-17-0 (0-4-0)

Matt Sherman 12-15-3 (3-1-0)

Week 8 is here and ready to go.

Matt Sherman
New Orleans -13.5 @ St. Louis
Denver +3 vs. Detroit
Dallas +3.5 @ Philadelphia
Kansas City +3.5 vs. San Diego

Like Matt’s picks? Follow him on twitter here.

Mike Orzechowski
Tennessee  -9.5 vs. Indianapolis
New England -3 @ Pittsburgh
Philadelphia -3.5 vs. Dallas
San Diego -3.5 @ Kansas City

Think Mike knows what he is talking about? Check out his twitter.

Scott Boutcher
NY Giants -10  vs. Miami
Detroit -3 @ Denver
Philadelphia -3.5 vs. Dallas
San Diego -3.5 @ Kansas City

Scott seems smart? Tweet him to let him know.

Bill Fucich
Minnesota +3 @ Carolina
Detroit -3 @ Denver
Dallas +3.5 @ Philadelphia
Kansas City +3.5 vs. San Diego

Bill is kind of twitter retired…. but you can still follow him.

Warren Croxton
Indianapolis +9.5 @ Tennessee
Buffalo -6 vs. Washington
Philadelphia -3.5 vs. Dallas
Kansas City +3.5 vs. San Diego

Warren loves the Eagles, Do you? Take a look inside Warren’s world via twitter.

Check back next week for updated standings and Week 9 picks.

Cardinals win World Series

The St. Louis Cardinals are the 2011 World Series Champions. The Cardinals behind Chris Carpenter beat the Texas Rangers 6-2 in game seven as they clinched their 11th title in franchise history with a 4-3 series victory.

 

World Series Notes:

David Freese was named World Series MVP as he recorded 1 home run and 7 RBI while hitting .348 in the series.

Freese is the 6th player to be named MVP of the LCS & World Series, the last was Cole Hamels in 2008.

The Cardinals championship is the 11th in franchise history and first since 2006.

After being 1 strike away twice in-game six, the Texas Rangers become the first team to lose back to back World Series since the 1991/1992 Atlanta Braves.

2011 World Series Champions

St. Louis defeats Texas 4-3

Game 1 – St. Louis 3, Texas 2

Game 2 – Texas 2, St. Louis 1

Game 3 – St. Louis 16, Texas 7

Game 4 – Texas 4, St. Louis 0

Game 5 – Texas 4, St. Louis 2

Game 6 – St. Louis 10, Texas 9 (11 innings)

Game 7 – St. Louis 6, Texas 2

The story book ending to the 2011 Cardinals season

David Freese, World Series MVP

World Series Game 7 Links

It’s been nine years since the Fall Classic last reached a decisive game seven. Back in 2002 the Angels defeated the Giants in seven games after returning to Anaheim down in the series 3-2.

Tonight the St. Louis Cardinals look to follow in the footsteps of the ’02 Anaheim Angels. Meanwhile, the Texas Rangers look to secure the franchises first championship after being only one strike away twice in the game six thriller.

Game 7 of the World Series has been won by the home team the last 8 times.

Matt Harrison - Rangers starting pitcher

Chris Carpenter - Cardinals starting pitcher

World Series Game 7 Results

2011 MLB Playoff Results

2011 Rangers World Series Statistics

2011 Cardinals World Series Statistics

David Freese sends World Series to game 7

Sports with Balls 2011 World Series picks

Sports with Balls 2011 World Series preview

Arthur Rhodes finally gets World Series Ring

Rangers win American League Pennant

Cardinals win National League Pennant

Written in the Stars

ESPN World Series Matchup

NCAA Football Top Ten Week 8 Recap

10. Oregon 45, Colorado 2

No LaMichael James and Darron Thomas, no problem. The Buffaloes had no answer for the Ducks in this blowout. Oregon scored on all 4 of their first quarter drives including two by Kenjon Barner. Barner ran for 115 yards and Bryan Bennett threw for 156 yards and 2 touchdowns in place of Thomas. The Ducks host Washington State this week.

Barner demolished the Buffaloes

9. Arkansas 29, Ole Miss 24

The Rebels gave the Razorbacks all they had in a tight SEC match up. Ole Miss jumped out to a 17-0 lead midway through the first half, before Arkansas got on the board to make it 17-7 at the half. The second half belonged to the Hogs as they outscored Ole Miss 22-7. Tyler Wilson threw for 232 yards and ran for 2 touchdowns. On the ground, Dennis Johnson ran for 160 yards and a touchdown. Arkansas travels to Nashville to take on Vanderbilt.

Wilson threw for 232 yards and ran for two scores.

8. Stanford 65, Washington 21

The Huskies who were one of the surprising stories, had their “Luck” run out this weekend. Andrew Luck threw for 169 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Cardinals ground game of Stepfan Taylor and Tyler Gaffney ran for 255 yards and two touchdowns, taking some pressure off Luck. Stanford travels to the Coliseum to take on USC.

Luck only threw for 169 yards but found the end zone twice.

7. Clemson 59, North Carolina 38

The Tar Heels players will probably see Tajh Boyd in their nightmares for weeks. Boyd threw for 367 yards and 5 touchdowns and ran for a touchdown as well. Freshman sensation Sammy Watkins continues to attract Boyd’s attention, catching 8 balls for 91 yards and a touchdown. The Tigers travel to Georgia Tech this week.

Boyd continues to lead the fighting Dabo's.

Michigan State 37, 6. Wisconsin 31

This was a Big Ten affair that people will be talking about for years. Wisconsin scored twice in the first and the Spartans responded with 23 answered points to take a 23-14 halftime lead. The only score in the 3rd was a 23-yard field goal, which led to a frantic fourth quarter. The Spartans scored first on a 15-yard pass from Kirk Cousins, but Wisconsin answered back with two scores to tie it at 31 with 1:30 left in the game. Michigan State drove down to the Wisconsin 44 and had one play left until overtime. Kirk Cousins rolled around and fired a ball down to the goal line where it was tipped and landed in the hands of Keith Nichol. He was ruled down at the 1-yard line, but officials then reviewed the play and ruled he broke the plane for a touchdown, giving Michigan State the win. This week, Michigan State travels to Nebraska and Wisconsin travels to Ohio State.

Nichol hauls in the hail mary from Cousins to upset Wisconsin.

5. Boise State 37, Air Force 26

The Falcons gave the Broncos one of their toughest tests of the year. Air Force was in the game until late in the fourth, when Kellen Moore hit Doug Martin with a 2-yard pass to put them up 34-20. Moore threw for 281 yards and 3 touchdowns and Martin ran for 125 yards and a touchdown in the victory. Boise State has the week off before traveling to Las Vegas to play UNLV.

Moore threw for 281 yards and 3 touchdowns.

4. Oklahoma State 45, Missouri 24

The Cowboys offense that normally dominates through the air, kept it on the ground for the most part. Joseph Randle ran for 138 yards and 3 touchdowns and caught a touchdown. Brandon Weeden was decent throwing for 338 yards and 3 touchdowns in the win. The bad news was Justin Blackmon was held out of the second half after sustaining a head injury. Oklahoma State hosts Baylor this week.

Randle ran for 138 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Texas Tech 41, 3. Oklahoma 38

After an hour and 45 minute weather delay, the Red Raiders took it to the Sooners. The Norman faithful were speechless as Texas Tech took a 24-7 halftime lead. Oklahoma surged back in to second half behind Landry Jones’s 412 yards and 4 of his 5 touchdowns. The Sooners got within a field goal but could not recover the onside kick, which sealed the upset for Texas Tech. The Sooners travel to Kansas State for a Big 12 battle this weekend.

Doege threw for 441 yards and 4 touchdowns in the upset of the Sooners.

2. Alabama 37, Tennessee 6

The Trent Richardson Show had many “Volunteers” this week. Richardson ran for 77 yards and 2 touchdowns in a one-sided affair. The passing game was good too, with A.J. McCarron throwing for 284 yards and a touchdown and Marquis Maze had five catches for 106 yards. The Crimson Tide have a week to prepare before hosting LSU in the biggest game of the season.

Richardson found the end zone twice against the Vols.

1. LSU 45, Auburn 10

The battle of the Tigers was easily won by the team from Baton Rouge. Through the air, Jarrett Lee threw for 165 yards and 2 touchdowns and on the ground, Kenny Hilliard ran for 65 yards and 2 touchdowns. Jordan Jefferson came off the bench to throw a 42-yard touchdown pass that proved to be the game winner.  LSU has their bye week before traveling to Tuscaloosa for a game people have been looking forward to all season.

Jefferson's 42-yard touchdown pass proved to be the game winner.

SWB NFL Power Rankings Week 8

1. (1)  Green Bay Packers 7-0– Train keeps on rolling despite a brief scare from Minnesota.

2. (4) New England Patriots 5-1– I still feel they are the best team in the AFC despite what the Ravens bandwagon says….

3. (5)  San Francisco 49ers 5-1–  Could the NFC West possibly be the 2nd seed in the NFC playoffs?

4. (7) New Orleans Saints 5-2– Can’t imagine what they are going to put up against the Rams.

5. (2) Baltimore Ravens 4-2– They didn’t have a first down until about 6 mins left in the third quarter…..against the Jaguars.

6. (3) Detroit Lions 5-2– Matt Stafford’s injury leaves the season in question….again. 

7. (11) Pittsburgh Steelers 5-2– Defense still has some soft spots, but they continue to get the job done.

8. (12)- New York Giants 4-2- Miami is their last easy game of the season. No joke.

9. (6) San Diego Chargers 4-2- Nice choke job against the Jets.

10. (8)  Buffalo Bills 4-2– Will stay in as long as Fred Jackson keeps running.

11. (14) Houston Texans 4-3- Big win over the Titans keeps them as the class of a bad division.

12. (17) Chicago Bears 4-3– Matt Forte has been the best running back in football this year.

13. (19) Atlanta Falcons 4-3– Congrats on Tony Gonzalez becoming second all time in receptions.  Very impressive win against the Lions.

 14. (15) Cincinnati Bengals 4-2–  Tough game in Seattle will show what this team is made of.

15. (9) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4-3– Disappointing loss after home win against the Saints.

16. (10) Oakland Raiders 4-3– Six turnovers will often lead to blow out losses. Good call by Bill on the Chiefs upset.

17. (18) New York Jets 3-3– Helped by his defense, I must say Mark Sanchez played well against the Chargers.  Hard for me to say, but he did.

18. (15) Tennessee Titans 3-3– Chris Johnson has been awful.

19. (23) Kansas City Chiefs 3-3– All of the sudden, that Chargers game on Halloween is for the AFC West lead.

20. (20) Dallas Cowboys 3-3–  DeMarco Murray’s career day is nice, but it’s against the Rams, who stink.

21. (13) Washington Redskins 3-3– Likely going to continue to free fall with all the injuries and lack of ability to begin with.

22. (21) Philadelphia Eagles 2-4– Andy Reid is 12-0 off a bye week and with a win, they can start to see their way out of this mess.

23. (22) Cleveland Browns 3-3–  One of the ugliest wins you will ever see.

24. (24) Carolina Panthers 2-5- Cam continues to shine as the Panthers are finding their identity for the future.

25. (27)Denver Broncos 2-4– Tebow mania in full force.

26. (28) Jacksonville Jaguars 2-5– Defense was very impressive vs. Baltimore.

27. (25) Seattle Seahawks 2-4– I don’t know if you know this, but Charlie Whitehurst stinks.

28. (26) Arizona Cardinals 2-4– Kevin Kolb going through growing pains. Remember, this is first full year as a starter.

29. (29) Minnesota Vikings 1-6– Christian Ponder looks like he can play a little.

30 (NR) Montreal Alouettes 10-6- Scored the most points in the CFL and made the playoffs, could likely beat the three teams below them.

31. (30) Miami Dolphins 0-6- Na na na, na, na na, hey hey hey gooooooood bye Tony Sparano.

32. (32) St. Louis Rams 0-6– DeMarco Murray was a nice player in college and is likely going to be a decent player in the pros, not a hall of famer like the Rams made him look like.

33. (31) Indianapolis Colts 0-6– They gave up 62 points. They’re last.

Cherington New Red Sox General Manager

The Red Sox have a new face leading their front office. Ben Cherington was named the new General Manager in Boston Tuesday afternoon. Cherington has held various positions in the organization for 14 years. He is 37 years old and a New England native from Meriden, New Hampshire. Ben will have his plate full of responsibilities before the season starts,  finding a manager and either re-signing some key players or going out and upgrading his team with a few free agents.

The new face of the Red Sox front office.

NFL Picks – Week #7

It’s time for the “Sports with Balls” weekly NFL picks for year number three! Our picks made available exclusively via the blog on a weekly basis.

Every week we’ll be picking one 1 p.m. and one 4 p.m. Sunday game, as well as any prime time or holiday games on the schedule.

Standings:  Current record (previous week)

Mike Orzechowski 18-7-1 (4-0-0)

Warren Croxton 15-10-1 (1-3-0)

Bill Fucich 13-11-2 (2-1-1)

Scott Boutcher 13-13-0 (3-1-0)

Matt Sherman 9-14-3 (1-3-0)

Week 7 is here and ready to go.

Matt Sherman
Chicago -1 @ Tampa Bay (in London)
Arizona +3.5 vs. Pittsburgh
New Orleans -14 vs, Indianapolis
Jacksonville +8.5 vs. Baltimore

Like Matt’s picks? Follow him on twitter here.

Mike Orzechowski
Denver  pick @ Miami
Green Bay -9.5 @ Minnesota
New Orleans -14 vs. Indianapolis
Baltimore -8.5 @ Jacksonville

Think Mike knows what he is talking about? Check out his twitter.

Scott Boutcher
Detroit -4  vs. Atlanta
Oakland -4.5 vs. Kansas City
Indianapolis +14 @ New Orleans
Baltimore -8.5 @ Jacksonville

Scott seems smart? Tweet him to let him know.

Bill Fucich
Tampa Bay +1 vs. Chicago (in London)
Pittsburgh -3.5 @ Arizona
New Orleans -14 vs. Indianapolis
Baltimore -8.5 @ Jacksonville

Bill is kind of twitter retired…. but you can still follow him.

Warren Croxton
San Diego +1 @ NY Jets
Pittsburgh -3.5 @ Arizona
New Orleans 14 vs. Indianapolis
Baltimore -8.5 @ Jacksonville

Warren loves the Eagles, Do you? Take a look inside Warren’s world via twitter.

Check back next week for updated standings and Week 8 picks.

Written in the Stars……

So the Phillies are out of it.  There’s only two teams left, the Cardinals and Rangers, battling for the World Series.  The World Series is on Fox so unfortunately baseball fans watching it are stuck with Joe Buck and Tim McCarver. Buck sounds like he’s has a frog in his throat and in case you couldn’t tell by his great enthusiasm, he thinks baseball is boring.  Where do I start with McCarver?  There are times where you think he’s speaking a different language.  However, fear not baseball fans, there is good news with the World Series being on Fox.  No more Written in the Stars!!!!!!!!!!!! That song which was bludgeoned into our heads by TBS over and over and over again is gone forever….or maybe until next October.  After hearing that song 1,282,892 times, I have grown to absolutely hate that song. 

Dear TBS,

Next year Please stop with the constant shoving down our throats of songs, tv shows that stink and blimps. We get it already.

Signed,

Baseball Fans of America

Just to annoy you one more time…Here you go fans!

Eagles and Lions Trade is Voided

Right before the NFL trade deadline, the Eagles traded Ronnie Brown to the Detroit Lions for Jerome Harrison and a 7th round draft pick in 2013.  Yesterday, the trade was cancelled because Jerome Harrison failed his physical after Eagles doctors discovered  he had a brain tumor. Imagine what would have happened if Harrison never got traded? Who knows when he would have eventually found out.  Harrison won’t play the rest of the season, but the prognosis is good and he is expected to recover.  We at the Sports with Balls Show wish Harrison a speedy recovery.

Jerome Harrison