Monday, July 29, 2013

If I Were NHL Commissioner

      Gary Bettman has been the Commissioner of the NHL since 1993 and in my opinion is the worst commissioner in the history of sports. Under his watch the NHL has gone from one of the big four sports in America to a niche sport that has to fight to have its games televised. He has presided over three work stoppages, two that cut seasons in half and one the eliminated an entire season. He has instituted rule changes that have taken the teeth out of the game and wonders why more players are getting hurt. He refuses to change things that will improve the on ice product and can’t figure out why the sport’s popularity is fading. He needs to be replaced as soon as possible and pretty much anyone would be better. As a matter of fact I would be interested in filling the position. If I were hired there are quite a few things I would change.
One of my main goals would be to repair the relationship between the NHL and the player’s union. Currently it is so toxic that neither side thinks they can trust what the other is saying and that needs to change. The players need to realize that the owners have to make their money and that without them there wouldn’t be a league to play in. The owners need to realize that the players want to make as much money as they can as quickly as they can, before their careers are over and without them their wouldn’t be a product to put on the ice. In other words both sides cannot exist without each other. I think it is totally ridiculous that relations between Bettman and whoever is running the union are so bad that there have been three lockouts since 1994. The management side of the NHL and the owners has never really accepted the union and it is my belief that Bettman has tried to break the union every time the collective bargaining agreement has come up for renewal. The NHL made 4.1 billion dollars last year and is scheduled to make even more this year. I see no reason why there isn’t enough money to go around and as long as neither side is too greedy everybody should be able to get along. While my ideas might be considered radical I think they will make the NHL a better product and maybe return some of the luster to a sport that was fallen from its once lofty perch.
My biggest complaint over the years has finally been addressed; moving the Red Wings to the Eastern Conference. I can’t believe it took this long to move them but I’m happy about it. Bettman could have done a better job and re-aligned the entire NHL and made travel a minor issue. My plan would put Montreal, Toronto, Boston, New York Rangers, Detroit and Chicago, all of the original six teams in one division; I would put Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New Jersey and the New York Islanders in another division. The final Eastern Conference division would be Ottawa, Washington, Carolina, Florida and Tampa Bay. In the Western Conference one division would be comprised of Minnesota, Columbus, Nashville, St. Louis and Dallas. The second division would be Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Colorado and Phoenix and the third division would be Vancouver, San Jose, Anaheim and Los Angeles. If you examine that setup travel would mostly be within one time zone or at worst a few games one time zone away. I would also change the number of games in a season from 82 to 75 and set it up differently. Teams would play non-divisional conference foes twice, once on the road and once at home. They would play divisional opponents eight times, four at home four on the road, except for the six team division which would play each other seven times rotating every year which team would have the extra home game. That would add up to 62 games for the divisions with five teams and 65 games for the six team division and have teams play clubs from the other conference to make up the difference.
I would also change the playoff system and the number of teams that qualify for the post-season. Rather than the best eight teams in each conference making the playoffs, I would have the three division winners and the next best two teams qualify. I would give the team with the best record in the conference a bye in the first two round to make up for the odd number of teams but I would keep all series as the best of seven. That would mean if you were a conference winner you would play between eight and fourteen games to win the cup and every other team would play between sixteen and 28 games. Lowering the number of qualifying teams and giving a two round bye to the conference winner will make the regular season mean something, which would be a great change from the current system where more than half the teams in the league make the post-season and teams go through periods where they coast, this would end that and force teams to play all out all season long.
There are two rule changes I would tackle if I were Commissioner. The first rule I would change would be the instigator rule, I think that is one of the main reasons players are getting hurt more often recently. If that rule is removed the players will police themselves and the number of illegal hits and other incidents will go down. If players have to worry about dealing with enforcers and the enforcers don’t have to worry about an extra two minutes the game will return to a level of incidents from years past. I would also change the way goalies are treated outside the crease. I wouldn’t make them completely fair game but if they’re outside the crease handling the puck and a players runs into them trying to get the puck there shouldn’t be a penalty called. As it stands now if a player taps a goalie anywhere on the ice he is whistled for goalie interference or roughing, that is just stupid and gives an unfair advantage to the goalkeeper. I would also start a committee of players, owners, NHL officials and refs to settle once and for all the issues regarding what is and isn’t a penalty for interference, hooking, slashing etc. The current system of refs being instructed by the league to call penalties tightly in the beginning of the season and players and coaches having to figure it out is ridiculous. The players, coaches and refs need to be on the same page from the first game to the last, season after season. This committee would be charged with coming up with a standard for each penalty, that the refs would stick to all season, including the playoffs and the players would learn to play around.

I understand that most of these changes would require negotiations with the player’s union and that is why I consider the repair of the relationship between the league and union so important. I believe that if the two sides can learn to trust each other then most of these items would not be a big deal to get enacted. The owners and players have to realize that their sport is failing and changes need to be made if they wish to regain relevance. I think hockey is one of the best sports on earth and I wish more people agreed with me and I think these changes would go a long way to making that happen.  

Updates for Detroit Tigers Games 99-105

Standings through 7/28/13:

Detroit
59
45
.567
--
Cleveland
56
48
.538
3
Kansas City
51
51
.500
7
Minnesota
45
57
.441
13
Chicago WSox
40
62
.392
18


Team Leaders:
Avg:
Miguel Cabrera
.360
HR:
Miguel Cabrera
32
RBI:
Miguel Cabrera
99
SB:
Andy Dirks
7
Wins:
Max Scherzer
15
Saves:
Joaquin Benoit
10
ERA:
Max Scherzer
3.01
Pit KO:
Max Scherzer
164


Injuries:
07/07/2013
Darin Downs, RP
tendinitis left shoulder
Out
07/04/2013
Omar Infante, 2B
sprained left ankle
Out
04/20/2013
Octavio Dotel, RP
right elbow inflammation
Out


Player News:
07/24/2013
Jair Jurrjens, SP
Signed to a minor league contract
07/24/2013
Darin Downs, RP
Sent to minors for rehabilitation
07/24/2013
Omar Infante, 2B
Sent to minors for rehabilitation
07/23/2013
Rick Porcello, SP
Suspension over


Monday 7/22/13 Detroit-7 White Sox-3
On Monday the Tigers traveled to Chicago to start a four game series with the White Sox. In game one the Tigers sent Max Scherzer to the mound and the Sox countered with Chris Sale, Scherzer earned his 14th win of the season as the Tigers cruised to a 7-3 victory. Scherzer went eight innings while giving up two runs on four hits, no walks and five strikeouts. Phil Coke got the only batter he faced out and Bruce Rondon finished the ninth giving up one run on one hit, a wild pitch, a balk and one strikeout. Sale was saddled with his ninth loss of the season going eight innings while giving up four runs (only two earned as the Sox made three errors in the game) on seven hits, three walks and eleven strikeouts. In the top of the ninth it was a 4-2 game with the sox hopeful they would stage a comeback in the bottom of the innings. Unfortunately the reliever they brought in allowed the Tigers to blow the game wide open, giving up three runs on two hits and one K. David Purcey finished the game giving up a wild pitch, a walk and one hit in 2/3 of an inning. Victor Martinez and Torii Hunter led the offense with V-Mart going 4-5 with three RBI’s and Hunter going 2-5 with a solo homerun. Austin Jackson was 1-5 with a double and one RBI and Prince Fielder was 1-3 with one RBI while Matt Tuiasosopo and Brayan Pena each had one hit. The Tigers collected ten hits, four runs and left eight men on base.


Tuesday 7/23/13 Detroit-6 White Sox-3
The second game of the series saw Chicago send Hector Santiago to the mound opposed by Rick Porcello. Porcello earned his seventh win of the season going seven scoreless innings while giving up four hits, three walks and one strikeout. Al Alburquerque pitched a scoreless eighth but fell apart in the ninth walking two before yielding to Joaquin Benoit who finished the game but not before giving up a two run double to Paul Konerko with both runs charged to Alburquerque. Santiago was charged with his sixth loss of the season going six innings while giving up six runs on five hits, five walks and six strikeouts. Only three of the runs were earned as the White Sox had another bad game defensively committing four errors. Dylan Axelrod finished the game going three scoreless innings while giving up three hits and four strikeouts. Jhonny Peralta and Hernan Perez led the offense with Peralta going 2-4 with a homerun and two RBI’s and Perez going 2-3 with a triple and two RBI’s Don Kelly also had an RBI while Austin Jackson, Torii Hunter, Andy Dirks and Victor Martinez all had a hit in the game.


Wednesday 7/24/13 Detroit-6 White Sox-2
The third game of the four game series between the Tigers and White Sox had Anibal Sanchez toeing the slab for Detroit and John Danks for the Sox. Sanchez came out on top of a 6-2 score earning his eighth win of the season, going six scoreless innings while giving up six hits, one walk and five strikeouts. Bruce Rondon pitched the seventh inning giving up one run on two hits, one walk and one strikeout. Drew Smyly threw a scoreless eighth, giving up one hit and fanning three. The ninth inning was started by Luke Putkonen who lasted 1/3 of an inning while giving up one run on one hit. Phil Coke gave up a hit to the only batter he face before Joaquin Benoit can in a nailed down the win. Danks was saddled with his eighth loss of the season going seven innings while giving up six runs on eleven hits, one walk and three strikeouts. Three Chicago relievers finished the game going a combined two perfect innings fanning two. Prince Fielder, Austin Jackson and Torii Hunter led the attack offensively with Fielder going 2-4 with a homerun and three RBI’s and Jackson and Hunter each going 2-5 with a solo homerun and one RBI. Alex Avila was 1-4 with an RBI while Hernan Perez had two hits and Jhonny Peralta and Don Kelly each had one hit. Alex Avila was charged with his fourth error of the season and the Tigers collected eleven hits, one walk and left six men on base in the contest.


Thursday 7/25/13 Detroit-4 White Sox-7
The final game of the series between the Tigers and White Sox saw Detroit going for the series sweep and Chicago trying to salvage one game. The Sox were successful coming out on the top end of a 7-4 score. Justin Verlander got the start of the Tigers and continued his rollercoaster season recording his eighth loss of the season, going six innings while giving up seven runs on eleven hits, two walks and four strikeouts. Evan Reed finished the game going two scoreless innings while giving up one hit and one walk. Jake Peavy got the start and the win for Chicago, his eighth of the season. Peavy went seven innings while giving up four runs on four hits, two walks and seven K’s. Matt Lindstrom recorded his eleventh win of the season with a perfect ninth inning. All four Detroit runs were scored via the long ball with Torii Hunter clubbing a two run shot and Victor Martinez and Brayan Pena each hitting a solo homerun. Austin Jackson and Jhonny Peralta had the only other hits in the game with each player getting one. Torii Hunter was charged with his third error of the season and the Tigers collected five hits, three walks and left four men on base.


Friday 7/26/13 Philadelphia-1 Detroit-2
After a long seven game road trip the Tigers returned to Comerica Park for a three game series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Game one had the Phillies sending Cole Hammels to the mound and the Tigers countering with Doug Fister. The Tigers and Fister got the win with Fister going eight innings while giving up one run on three hits, one walk and six strikeouts for his ninth win of the season. Joaquin Benoit got his tenth save of the season giving up one hit and fanning one in the ninth. Hammels was charged with his 13th loss of the season going seven innings while giving up two runs on six hits, three walks and six strikeouts. Luis Garcia finished the game for the Phillies with a scoreless ninth inning walking one. Alex Avila drove in both Detroit runs with a fifth inning double and Austin Jackson, Andy Dirks, Jhonny Peralta, Hernan Perez and Ramon Santiago all had one hit. Perez was charged with his first error of the season and the Tigers collected six hits, four walks and left six men on base.


Saturday 7/27/13 Philadelphia-0 Detroit-10
The second game of the inter-league series between the Phillies and the Tigers had Detroit sending Max Scherzer to the mound trying to become the Major League’s first 15 game winner, he was opposed by Raul Valdes. Scherzer got the win going six scoreless innings while giving up one hit and fanning seven. Al Alburquerque and Evan Reed finished the game going a combined three scoreless innings while giving up one hit, one walk and one strikeout. Valdes was charged with his first loss of the season going 3-2/3 innings while giving up nine runs on twelve hits, no walks and three strikeouts. Three relievers combined to go 3-1/3 innings while giving up one run on three hits, one walk and one strikeout. Miguel Cabrera, Matt Tuiasosopo and Victor Martinez led the offense with Cabrera going 2-3 with one homerun and three RBI’s in his first game back after missing three games with a strained hip flexor. Tuiasosopo was 1-4 with a homerun and three RBI’s and Martinez was 3-4 with a double and two RBI’s. Torii Hunter was 3-4 with a double and one RBI and Jhonny Peralta was 2-4 with a double and one RBI. Alex Avila had two hits while Prince Fielder and Hernan Perez each had one hit. The Tigers had fifteen hits, one walk and left six men on base.


Sunday 7/28/13 Philadelphia-4 Detroit-12
The final game of the three game series between the Phils and the Tigers saw Detroit going for the sweep and Philadelphia trying to save face after getting crushed Saturday evening. Unfortunately for the Phillies they were routed by the Tigers 12-4, giving the Tigers the series sweep. The Tigers out-scored the Phillies 24-5 in the series. Rick Porcello took the mound for Detroit earning his eighth win of the season going six innings while giving up three runs on three hits, two walks and three strikeouts. Drew Smyly pitched a scoreless seventh inning fanning one. Bruce Rondon threw the eighth inning giving up one run on two hits and Phil Coke threw a scoreless ninth fanning one. Jonathan Pettibone got the start for Philadelphia going five innings while giving up three runs on seven hits, two walks and three strikeouts. Jake Diekman took the loss, his first of the season, going 1/3 of an inning while giving up four unearned runs on one hit and one walk. Luis Garcia took over for Diekman but did no better giving up another four unearned runs on one hit and two walks. Two relievers finished the game going a combined 2-2/3 innings while giving up one run on four hits, two walks and three strikeouts. Jhonny Peralta, Matt Tuiasosopo and Victor Martinez led the offense with Peralta going 2-5 with a grand slam and four RBI’s, Tuiasosopo going 1-1 with a two run single and Martinez going 1-3 with two RBI’s. Don Kelly was 1-3 with one RBI, Hernan Perez was 1-1 with one RBI and Prince Fielder was 0-5 but drove in one run. Ramon Santiago had three hits, Austin Jackson had two hits while Andy Dirks and Alex Avila each had one hit. The Tigers collected thirteen hits, nine walks and left ten men on base.

Upcoming Games:
7/30/13 vs. Washington 7:08(EDT)
7/31/13 vs. Washington 1:08(EDT)
8/2/13 vs. White Sox 7:08(EDT)
8/3/13 vs. White Sox 7:08(EDT)
8/4/13 vs. White Sox 1:08(EDT)



Cumulative stated for the Tigers in 2013:

Hitters:
M.Cabrera
.360
.672
99
378
78
136
254
20
1
32
99
64
67
3
0
11
T.Hunter
.313
.469
92
390
63
122
183
25
3
10
50
18
71
2
1
3
O.Infante
.309
.447
76
291
38
90
130
18
2
6
27
15
31
4
2
4
J.Peralta
.305
.458
99
380
46
116
174
28
0
10
53
32
94
3
3
4
M.Tuiasosopo
.301
.573
49
103
18
31
59
7
0
7
27
19
31
0
0
0
H.Perez
.290
.355
12
31
6
9
11
0
1
0
4
1
7
1
0
1
B.Pena
.276
.372
43
145
13
40
54
5
0
3
17
6
17
0
2
2
A.Jackson
.271
.397
73
310
62
84
123
17
2
6
25
35
73
6
3
2
V.Martinez
.270
.397
103
393
44
106
156
23
0
9
59
34
48
0
1
0
P.Fielder
.261
.440
104
402
52
105
177
21
0
17
75
53
80
1
1
6
A.Dirks
.245
.348
87
302
38
74
105
8
1
7
24
25
61
7
1
1
A.Garcia
.241
.373
30
83
12
20
31
3
1
2
10
4
21
0
1
1
D.Kelly
.236
.378
70
127
24
30
48
4
1
4
15
20
18
2
0
0
B.Holaday
.231
.308
4
13
3
3
4
1
0
0
0
1
2
0
0
1
A.Avila
.193
.309
65
223
23
43
69
8
0
6
26
30
76
0
0
4
R.Santiago
.188
.267
39
101
13
19
27
6
1
0
4
10
19
0
0
1

Pitchers:
J.Benoit
2-0
1.50
42
0
0
23
0
10
42.00
31
7
7
2
12
52
1
D.Smyly
4-0
1.77
40
0
0
8
0
2
61.00
43
12
12
1
14
65
3
A.Sanchez
8-7
2.68
17
17
1
0
1
0
104.00
91
35
31
5
33
119
3
M.Scherzer
15-1
3.01
21
21
0
0
0
0
143.20
101
49
48
14
31
164
3
L.Putkonen
1-1
3.05
21
0
0
7
0
0
20.20
20
8
7
3
7
17
2
E.Reed
0-0
3.18
11
0
0
7
0
0
17.00
19
11
6
1
4
12
1
D.Fister
9-5
3.67
21
21
1
0
0
0
135.00
138
61
55
10
24
104
3
J.Ortega
0-2
3.86
11
0
0
5
0
0
11.20
10
5
5
2
6
10
0
J.Verlander
10-8
3.99
22
22
0
0
0
0
137.20
143
65
61
12
51
132
0
R.Porcello
8-6
4.49
20
19
0
1
0
0
112.10
117
57
56
11
24
84
2
J.Jurrjens
0-0
4.91
2
1
0
0
0
0
7.10
9
4
4
1
1
6
1
J.Bonderman
1-3
4.93
7
7
0
0
0
0
38.10
40
23
21
4
17
16
2
J.Alvarez
1-2
5.03
4
4
0
0
0
0
19.20
21
12
11
5
7
17
0
A.Alburquerque
1-2
5.08
29
0
0
4
0
0
28.10
25
16
16
3
25
44
7
D.Downs
0-2
5.18
26
0
0
7
0
0
33.00
36
20
19
4
10
37
2
P.Coke
0-5
5.46
34
0
0
12
0
1
31.10
31
19
19
3
15
26
1
J.Valverde
0-1
5.59
20
0
0
18
0
9
19.10
18
12
12
6
6
19
0
B.Rondon
0-1
5.79
15
0
0
6
0
0
14.00
17
9
9
1
5
12
5
O.Dotel
0-0
13.50
6
0
0
1
0
0
4.20
10
7
7
0
4
4
0
B.Villarreal
0-2
20.77
7
0
0
3
0
0
4.10
8
10
10
1
8
6
1