Fixing Instant Replay...Already

Finally!

It's 2014 and the ancient and noble game of Baseball has done what pretty much everyone born after 1980 wanted it to. Integrate instant replay into the game.

And now, three weeks into the season, pretty much everybody is super complainy about it.

Here's the thing. It's new. It's good that it's here and it is going to do more help than hurt eventually. There are some inherent problems in that the umps probably don't want to overturn calls they just made (especially when they're still sore about losing some of their emperor-ship) and the managers just use it to slow down the game for one reason or another.

The Greatest MLB Picks You'll See All Season!

How has everyone been enjoying opening week so far? We've been loving it! In fact, we've been loving it so much we almost forgot about getting you our picks! 

SO! 

Without further ado! Here they are:

Sports Pro:
The Pitching staff in Detroit is just too good! Boston spent a lot of money so they'll be fine. The A's have Brad Pitt and Jonah so you can't go wrong there.

We takin' over! (One ballpark at a time!)

Sunday will mark a monumental occasion for me. I've never been to a ball park outside of Philadelphia. I remember my first game at Veterans Stadium. I went with my championship Little League team Dig'm Installers. There was an Oreo eating contest and we all got mini oreos when we came in ("we all" couldn't have been more than 10,000 fans). I remember seeing Bobby Abreu and Scott Rolen. I think the Phils won that game but to be honest, I'm not sure.

Then I said goodbye to the ole' Vet and said hello to the new fangled Citizen's Bank Park. And it has been a lovely journey ever since. I'll admit I haven't explored all the subtle nuances of "The Bank". I've yet to have a Schmidter. I've yet to get a ball signed during BP. I've yet to boo Jayson Werth when he takes his old position back in right field, only this time during the wrong at bat.

"Yet" being the main word in that last one.

Opening Day: Are we there yet?

25. 30. 67.

These are the days we have until Pitchers and Catcher report, the full start of spring training, and Opening Day, respectively. Now, I know the NFL season isn't technically over yet and the NBA and NHL are in full swing, but football is king. And baseball: it's sweet prince.

Changing the MLB Post-Season: For the Better?

Thanks to the quick working of the MLB litigators, baseball has become the model of labor peace in the sports world. The deal, which will go through the 2016 season, will mark 21 years since the '94-'95 strike. Parts of this deal speak to conditions of HGH testing, the All-star game and even tobacco use.

But...

The issue of tobacco doesn't go far enough for some people. HGH testing still has its kinks to be worked out. And people still couldn't care less about the All-Star game (though hopefully this will be a step in the right direction). Really, the part of this deal that means the most both in terms of popularity and practicality (besides the expansion of instant replay, I'll talk about that in a different post) is a clause I didn't mention: The 2nd Wild Card Team.

Sports Centered: The Phillies Fall and its Effect

Well it happened. The scary possibility I couldn't shake since the beginning of the Post season. The best team in baseball lost an elimination Game 5 to a team who had to claw and scratch to make its way to where they are. The Phillies, in a 3 hit debacle, lost their hopes to become World Series Champions. I really can't explain directly how I feel right now. I'm thinking this is the mood many Philly fans find themselves in now. Let me do my best to list just how I think I feel.

A look back: MLB Best in Bro

Those of you who have been with us since the early days will remember the sports pro, the average bro, and the beans made their picks for the MLB playoff picture. Now that we are about 3/4 of the way through the MLB season, let's look back on the MLB Best in Bro and see how we would do if the season ended today.

All In-dians? : Cleveland's High Hopes

As the trade deadline passes, many teams make out like baseball bandits in the market. I've been very happy with the goings on around the league. My Phillies scored Houston OF, Hunter Pence, without needing to give up young Dominic Brown or rookie RHP Vance Worley. And the Yankees did absolutely nothing. That's got the makings of great mid season trades in my book.

Umpires or Emperors? When is their power too much?

As is known, I am an avid Phillies fan. But I also have family in Pittsburgh and (as is also known) I love a good underdog story. Mix that with the Pirates playing the NL Wildcard leader Atlanta Braves, I'm already into it. Combine a dose of a 19 inning pitch off! You have my full and undivided attention Pirates. Please proceed.