2016 Top 10 Right Fielders

MLB Network List

10. Ryan Braun Mil
9. Miguel Sano Min
8. Yasiel Puig LAD
7. George Springer Hou
6. Nelson Cruz Sea
5. JD Martinez Det
4. Mookie Betts Bos
3. Jose Bautista Tor
2. Giancarlo Stanton Mia
1. Bryce Harper Wash

Bill James List
10. Jay Bruce Cin
9. Matt Kemp SD
8. Carlos Gonzalez Col
7. Ryan Braun
6. Hector Cruz
5. JD Martinez
4. Mookie Betts
3. Giancarlo Stanton
2. Jose Bautista
1. Bryce Harper

Jividen Ranks (Final)
15. Jay Bruce Cin
14. David Peralta Ari
13. Steve Souza TB
12. Matt Kemp SD
11. Kole Calhoun LAA

10. Adam Eaton CWS
9. SS Choo Tex
8. Hunter Pence SFG
7. Yasiel Puig LAD
6. Mookie Betts Bos
5. George Springer Hou
4. Jason Heyward Chi
3. Jose Bautista Tor
2. Giancarlo Stanton Mia
1. Bryce Harper Wash

Tendown February 28, 2016

214 is here. This is Tendown 215.

1. Toobin Kills Scalia. Not Literally, That Was Obama, Obvi.   And this.

2. David Milch Lost His Money at the Track

3.

Peep every bucket from @StephenCurry30's 51-point night for the @Warriors in Orlando!https://t.co/1y7XY5LyPJ

— NBA (@NBA) February 26, 2016

4. And this is why you don't priortize college students feelings over free speech.

5. A Reminder - The Cruz Family is Batshit Crazy.

6. It's Time to Start Talking About Kevin Durant.

7. It's not just racism and nativism.  It's not just authoritarianism.  It's 35 years of life getting worse for many Americans.  If you're on the left (like me) you blame corporate power and government officials who have been beholden to it (mainly GOP, but there's a sliding scale, and Clinton is on it.  I never voted for Bill for exactly the same reason; when you get old, you wind up saying things like "this is what I said in 1994" to no one in particular.  If you're on the right - you look for a strongman.  This is not new.  This is what people do.

Trump.

8.

One talks about legislation.  About the need for structural change.  One talks about personal responsibility.  Almost doesn't matter what the issue is - that highlights the difference between these versions of Democrats.

9. Every week....

...until he stops...

10. Scalia Died as He Lived. Being Super Creepy and Antiquated and Killing Less Powerful Things.

And one more...

That's all for this time.  I'll be back next time....if there is a next time....

Your pal,

Jim

2016 Top 10 Center Fielders

MLB Network List

10. Adam Jones Balt
9. Carlos Gomez Hou
8. Randal Grichuk StL
7. Kevin Kiermaier TB
6. Adam Eaton CWS
5. Jason Heyward Chi
4. Andrew McCutchen Pit
3. Lorenzo Cain KC
2. AJ Pollock Ari
1. Mike Trout LAA

Bill James
10. Carlos Gomez
9. Charlie Blackmon Col
8. Adam Eaton
7. Kevin Kiermaier
6. Lorenzo Cain
5. Jason Heyward
4. Adam Jones
3. AJ Pollock
2. Andrew McCutchen
1. Mike Trout

Jividen List (Final)
15. Dexter Fowler Chi
14. Leonys Martin Sea
13. Ender Inciarte Atl
12. Kevin Pillar Tor
11. Joc Pederson LA

10. Jacoby Ellsbury NYY
9. Adam Jones Balt
8. Denard Span SFG
7. Yoenis Cespedes NYM
6. Lorenzo Cain KC
5. Carlos Gomez Hou
4. Byron Buxton Min
3. Kevin Kiermaier TB
2. Andrew McCutchen Pit
1. Mike Trout LAA

2016 Top 10 Left Fielders

MLB Network List

10. Brett Gardner NYY
9. Corey Dickerson TB
8. Matt Holliday StL
7. Christian Yelich Mia
6. David Peralta Ari
5. Alex Gordon KC
4. Yoenis Cespedes NYM
3. Justin Upton Det
2. Starling Marte Pit
1. Michael Brantley Cle

Bill James List
10. Colby Rasmus Hou
9. Alex Gordon KC
8. Christian Yelich Mia
7. Brett Gardner NYY
6. Melky Cabrera CWS
5. David Peralta Ari
4. Starling Marte Pit
3. Yoenis Cespedes NYM
2. Michael Brantley Cle
1. Justin Upton Det

Jividen List (Final)
15. Brett Gardner NYY
14. Colby Rasmus Hou
13. Nori Aoki Sea
12. Michael Conforto NYM
11. Jayson Werth Wash

10. Khris Davis Oak
9. Starling Marte Pit
8. Matt Holliday StL
7. Michael Brantley Cle
6. Kyle Schwarber Chi
5. Christian Yelich Mia
4. Ryan Braun Mil
3. Alex Gordon KC
2. Justin Upton Det
1. Miguel Sano Min

2016 Top Ten Third Basemen

MLB Rankings
10. Todd Frazier CWS
9. Kyle Seager Sea
8. Matt Carpenter StL
7. Jung Ho Kang Pit
6. Nolan Arenado Col
5. Justin Turner LAD
4. Manny Machado Balt
3. Adrian Beltre Tex
2. Kris Bryant Chi
1. Josh Donaldson Tor

Bill James Rankings
10 Matt Duffy SFG
9. Todd Frazier
8. Adrian Beltre
7. Evan Longoria TB
6. Kyle Seager Sea
5. Matt Carpenter
4. Kris Bryant
3. Manny Machado
2. Nolan Arenado
1. Josh Donaldson

Jividen Rankings (Final)
15. Jung Ho Kang Pit
14. Jake Lamb Ari
13. Todd Frazier CWS
12. David Wright NYM
11. Justin Turner LAD

10. Matt Duffy SFG
9. Adrian Beltre Tex
8. Anthony Rendon Wash
7. Matt Carpenter StL
6. Evan Longoria TB
5. Nolan Arenado Col
4. Kyle Seager Sea
3. Manny Machado Balt
2. Josh Donaldson Tor
1. Kris Bryant Chi

February 2016 Athlete of the Month

January is here.

Lionel Messi.

Runners-up: Von Miller, Steph Curry, Damian Lillard.

Two months down.  Ten left as we crown the 2016 Athlete of the Year.

January-Von Miller
February-Lionel Messi

2016 Top 10 Shortstops

MLB Network List

10. Didi Gregorius NYY
9. Andrelton Simmons LAA
8. Marcus Semien Oak
7. Addison Russell Chi
6. Xander Bogaerts Bos
5. Jhonny Peralta StL
4. Brandon Crawford SFG
3. Carlos Correa Hou
2. Troy Tulowitzki Tor
1. Francisco Lindor Cle

Bill James List
10. Jose Reyes Col
9. Asdrubal Cabrera NYM
8. Brandon Crawford
7. Ian Desmond
6. Elvis Andrus Tex
5. Andrelton Simmons
4. Francisco Lindor
3. Troy Tulowitzki
2. Xander Bogaerts
1. Carlos Correa

Jividen List (Final)
15. Didi Gregorius NYY
14. Trea Turner Wash
13. Ketel Marte Sea
12. Addison Russell Chi
11. Jody Mercer Pit

10. Elvis Andrus Tex
9. Marcus Simien Oak
8. Andrelton Simmons LAA
7. Xander Bogaerts Bos
6. Francisco Lindor Cle
5. Brandon Crawford SFG
4. Brad Miller TB
3. Cory Seager LAD
2. Troy Tulowitzki Tor
1. Carlos Correa Hou

2015 Oscar Picks

Picture: The Revenant
-Revenant is favored, but not by a bunch, it's an investment opportunity.

Director: Inarritu

Actor: Leo

Actress: Larson

Supporting: Sly, Vikander

Screenplay: Spotlight, Big Short

Cinematography: Revenant

Costume: Cinderella

Editing: Mad Max

Makeup: Mad Max

Design: Mad Max

Score: Hateful Eight

Song: Til it Happens to You

Sound Edit: Mad Max

Sound Mix: Mad Max

Visual Effects: Mad Max

Animated: Inside Out

Doc: Amy

Foreign: Son of Saul

Animated Short: Sanjay's Super Team

Doc Short: Body Team 12

Live Action Short: Ave Maria

Tendown February 21, 2016

213 is here. This Tendown 214

1. Did you hear Obama Killed Scalia?

2. Piketty on the Election.

3. What's up, Peyton?   And this.  And this.

4.Scalia's Activism

5. Mr. Steve Martin

6. America.

7. I'd Contend This is a Dog Whistle About Gays in the Military.

8. Welfare.

9.

Fox News National Poll of Democratic Voters | InsideGov

10. A Four Year Old Was Sentenced To Life in Prison for Crimes Committed When he Was 2

And one more...

That's all for this time.  I'll be back next time...if there is a next time...

Your pal, Jim

2016 MLB Season Win Total Predictions

Here's the final build of my MLB season win total predictions

AL East
1. Boston 88
2. Toronto 87WC
3. Tampa 85
4. New York 83
5. Baltimore 76

AL Central
1. Cleveland 88
2. Chicago 83
3. Detroit 81
4. Minnesota 77
5. KC 76

AL West
1. Houston 88
2. Seattle 86WC
3. Texas 84
4. LAA 79
5. Oakland 77

How about this as a thing to say...AL Champion Cleveland Indians

NL East
1. New York 92
2. Washington 88WC
3. Miami 78
4. Atlanta 62
5. Philadelphia 62

NL Central
1. Chicago 95
2. Pittsburgh 88
3. St Louis 85
4. Cincinnati 72
5. Milwaukee 69

NL West
1. Los Angeles 90
2. San Francisco 88WC
3. Arizona 82
4. San Diego 73
5. Colorado 68

And there's this - NL Champion Chicago Cubs

2016 Top 10 Second Basemen

MLB Network Ranks
10. Logan Forsythe TB
9. Dee Gordon Mia
8. Dustin Pedroia Bos
7. Neil Walker NYM
6. Ben Zobrist Chi
5. Josh Harrison Pit
4. Ian Kinsler Det
3. Joe Panik SFG
2. Robinson Cano Sea
1. Jose Altuve Hou

Bill James Ranks
10. Ben Zobrist
9. Neil Walker
8. Jason Kipnis Cle
7. Dee Gordon
6. Brian Dozier Min
5. Logan Forsythe
4. Ian Kinsler
3. Dustin Pedroia
2. Robinson Cano
1. Jose Altuve

Jividen Ranks (Final)
15. Daniel Murphy Wash
14. Howie Kendrick LAD
13. Logan Forsythe TB
12. Kolton Wong StL
10. Rougned Odor Tex

10. Dee Gordon Mia
9. Brian Dozier Min
8. Jason Kipnis Cle
7. Neil Walker NYM
6. Ian Kinsler Det
5. Ben Zobrist Chi
4. Josh Harrison Pit
3. Dustin Pedroia Bos
2. Jose Altuve Hou
1. Robinson Cano Sea

2016 Top 10 First Basemen

MLB Net Rankings

10. Brandon Belt SFG
9. Chris Davis Balt
8. Freddie Freeman Atl
7. Adrian Gonzalez LAD
6. Jose Abreu CWS
5. Edwin Encarnacion Tor
4. Anthony Rizzo Chi
3. Miguel Cabrera Det
2. Joey Votto Cin
1. Paul Goldschmidt Ari

Bill James Rankings
10. Jose Abreu
9. Adrian Gonzalez
8. Eric Hosmer KC
7. Freddie Freeman
6. Chris Davis
5. Edwin Encarnacion
4. Joey Votto
3. Anthony Rizzo
2. Miguel Cabrera
1. Paul Goldschmidt

Jividen Rankings (final version)

15. Lucas Duda NYM
14. Mark Napoli Cle
13. Will Myers SD
12. Joe Mauer Min
11. Eric Hosmer KC

10. Hanley Ramirez Bos
9. Chris Davis Balt
8. Adrian Gonzalez LAD
7. Freddie Freeman Atl
6. Brandon Belt SFG
5. Anthony Rizzo Chi
4. Jose Abreu CWS
3. Joey Votto Cin
2. Miguel Cabrera Det
1. Paul Goldschmidt Ari

Top 10 Catchers 2016 MLB

MLB Network List
10. Travis d'Arnaud NYM
9. Derek Norris SD
8. Salvador Perez KC
7. Yadier Molina StL
6. Brian McCann NYY
5. Stephen Vogt Oak
4. Francisco Cervelli Pit
3. Jonathan Lucroy Mil
2. Russell Martin Tor
1. Buster Posey SFG

Bill James List
10. Francisco Cervelli
9. Stephen Vogt
8. Derek Norris
7. Miguel Montero Chi
6. Jonathan Lucroy
5. Yadier Molina
4. Russell Martin
3. Brian McCann
2. Salvador Perez
1. Buster Posey

Jividen List (final version)
15. Hank Conger TB
14. Jason Castro Hou
13. Stephen Vogt Oak
12. Derek Norris SD
11. Miguel Montero Chi

10. Salvador Perez KC
9. Yan Gomes Cle
8. Brian McCann NYY
7. Travis d'Arnaud NYM
6. Francisco Cervelli Pit
5. Yadier Molina StL
4. Jonathan Lucroy Mil
3. Yasmani Grandal LAD
2. Russell Martin Tor
1. Buster Posey SFG

Tendown February 14, 2016

212 is here. This is Tendown 213

1. Bernie Bros is Goddamn Nonsense

2. Raising Arizona is, in fact, the Coens Best Film

3. Muslims are the new Mormons

4. 

5. 
Daniel Bryan Career Celebration... by subhashkashyap

6.The Court Did What?

7. All my Super Bowl lists have been updated here.

I picked Carolina to win outright (wrong) but Denver plus the points (right).  Two things strike me.

Peyton Manning, based on the "where there's smoke, there's fire" PED analysis we accept for baseball players absolutely took HGH.  There has been no denial from his camp that his wife received HGA shipments (conveniently) while he was rehabbing from neck surgery.  Lesser evidence has been used to justify HOF votes against Piazza and Bagwell.

Peyton Manning's hired PIs scared his accuser sufficiently that a 9-11 call was made.

I'm going to play the race card here.  If Manning is Gary Sheffield and "his boys" show up to "talk" to an accuser, is that a story or nah?

Peyton Manning, immediately following his (dreadful, absolutely dreadful) last ever football game plugged Budweiser and then hugged Papa John.  Race card again.  If it's Cam Newton who wins and throws on some type of sponsors hat before giving an interview, what's the response?

And can I direct your attention to this.

On Feb. 29 of that year, Naughright, at that point the university's director of health and wellness, was in a training room, examining what she thought might be a possible stress fracture in Manning's foot. At 6 feet, 5 inches, his feet dangled off the edge of the table. Manning allegedly then proceeded to scoot down the training table while Naughright examined his foot. At that point, she said, he forcefully maneuvered his naked testicles and rectum directly on her face with his penis on top of her head. Shocked, disgusted, and offended, Naughright pushed Manning away, removing her head out from under him (see pages 14-15). Within hours, she reported the incident to the Sexual Assault Crisis Center in Knoxville (see page 18).

Now, Von Miller.

Von Miller played maybe the greatest defensive game in SB history.

Can I direct your attention to this.

Suspended Denver Broncos Pro Bowl linebacker Von Miller unsuccessfully attempted to corrupt the NFL's drug-testing program with the help of a urine collector before each was caught in a matter that will affect how the NFL's collection testing procedures are done, league sources said.

Can you imagine the baseball equivalent?  This was 2013.  This was 2 years ago.  Barry Bonds is the greatest baseball player who ever lived, and there's been a media driven decision to pretend his career did not happen.  Von Miller was suspended 2 years ago and there was not a word of it during the Super Bowl.  Bonds's PED use is going to be in his obit. It is beyond frustrating.  

8. Harvard on Inequality

9. Every week Until He Stops...

10. 

And one more...

That's all for this time.  I'll be back next time.  If there is a next time...

Your pal,

Jim

Tendown February 7, 2016 SuperBowlDown

211 was here  This is Tendown 212.

Perhaps, you'll notice a theme this week.  Look hard.

1.

Bill Walsh

2. 

Jerry Rice

3. 

24

4. 

5 Time Champions

5. 

29

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

And one more...

That's all for this time.  I'll be back next time.  if there is a next time...

Your pal,

Jim