02.24.09
Posted in Blogging about Sports, MLB at 4:02 AM by Administrator
With the faltering economy, lingering wars, record gas prices, and all the rest, there wasn’t much to get excited about in 2008. Unless of course you happened to be a Tampa Bay Ray’s fan.
Last year, the ball club made a name for themselves, by going from worst to first in the standings, and then beating the Boston Redsox in the playoffs, enroute to their first World Series.
Ultimately, they lost to the Philadelphia Phillies, but in the process, they proved that money doesn’t always buy championships, and sometimes, willpower defies all odds, by producing remarkable results. The Tampa Bay Rays are a young team. Committed to a common purpose, and motivated by a leader who knows what it means to be an underdog. Using his uncanny leadership skills, Joe Madden will once again find a way to motivate his young ball club to an even higher level in 2009. With their appetites hardly quenched, by the post season treats, the Rays are hungry for even more.
This year, the Rays will be even stronger than last. Here are some of the reasons why…
Now that Carl Crawford is healthy, he’ll resume stealing bases and his average should improve after an injury-riddled 2008. Look for Crawford to hit close to a 300 average, and produce somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 homers. B.J. Upton was also slowed by injuries last year, but underwent off season treatment for his chronic shoulder problems. A healthy Upton will not only steal 40 bases this year, but will bat on average near 280, and will send between 15-20 balls into the seats at the Tropicana.
Next, we have First Baseman, Carlos Pena and last year’s rookie sensation, at 3rd base, Evan Longoria. They are projected to bat third and fourth respectively, and each have 30-HR power. Except Longoria to bat near 280, and but be surprised if Pena tops 250.
Dioner Navarro is one of the better offensive catchers in the A.L., and shortstop Jason Bartlett is a cheap source of steals coming off a season slowed by a knee injury. Now that he is healthy, except him to steal over 25 bases this year.
Matt Joyce, Ben Zobrist, Willy Aybar, and Gabe Gross are all in contention for playing time, and one will play regularly in right field.
Rounding out the offensive weapons, is the huge off season acquisition, of Designated Hitter, Pat Burrell. Burrell hit 33 home runs last year for Philadelphia, and after 9 seasons in MLB, he already has a total of 251. That’s an average of 27 per year.
Finally, the pitching rotation will be lead by the ace of the staff, Scott Kazmir. Followed by James Shields, Matt Garza, Andy Sonnanstne, and big lefty David Price. Price will be entering the 2009 season as candidate for Rookie of the Year. He was impressive in high-pressure situations in the postseason, showing off his strikeout potential. The only downside, is that such a valuable young arm will be limited to somewhere around 150 innings this season.
From the bullpen, look for J.P. Howell, Joe Nelson(previously with the Marlins), and Grant Balfour to flourish as setup pitchers. This year’s closer will once again be Troy Percival. After a hot start in 2008, Percy’s age caught up with him. However, when healthy, he is still Tampa’s first choice to save the game. If Percival’s health does become an issue, J.P. Howell could easily assume the closing spot, while grabbing some vulture wins.
Are you ready for some baseball? Then try and forget about the economy, and let the Tampa Bay Rays take to you on another day dream, that starts in early spring, and lasts throughout the fall. The unforgettable moments, the shocking blows, the random miracles, and the sight of grown ups being kids again. Because that’s what Baseball is all about.
By: Charles J. Asbury
Host of “Chuck and Cody’s Sports Report” and owner of “The Florida Writer”
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02.17.09
Posted in Nascar at 1:02 AM by Administrator
Mark Martin has declared that this is really, really, and I mean really his last year in Nascar. I personally hate to see him go, as will many other Nascar fans. On and off the track he comes across a champion in every sense of the word. You won’t find a nicer guy in the sport. He represents Nascar well, by hard work, discipline, dedication, fair driving tactics, and has no problem admitting when he is at fault after a crash. He is the Brett Farve of Nascar. Oh, and by-the- way, he doesn’t beat his wife, do steroids, shoot himself in the leg while out clubbing with friends, or cause any in house distractions with his fellow teammates. Why? Because he’s Mark Martin.
After gunning for a Nascar championship that has eluded him for more than 25 years, Mark now has a better chance than ever before, in his new ride with Hendrick Motorsports. A dynasty boasting big name teammates like, Jimmy Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. If there ever was a time to make a serious run for that elusive championship, that time is now.
If you take the time to look at Martin’s stats, he has produced numbers worthy of championships many times over. He made his Nascar debut in 1981, and since then, he has qualified and started 41 races on the pole. He has 243 top five finishes, and 396 top ten finishes in 700 starts. He ranks 18th overall on the all-time win list with 35 trophies to his credit. In the Nationwide series, he leads all drivers past and present with 48 wins. He actually did win two championships in the short track ASA series, and five in the IROCC series. But, by using the analogy of a dove hunter, the Nascar Sprint Cup Championship, is one bird Mark Martin just can’t seem to bring down. Until now…
With one big trophy missing from his case, Martin has decided to give it one last try. He signed a one-year, full time deal with Hendrick Motorsports, driving the No. 5 Chevrolet. Rick Hendrick is in his 25th anniversary as a Cup car owner. He established a friendship with Martin back in 2007, when Mark drove a car for him in three Nationwide Series events. In his first race, Mark placed second at Darlington. In 2008, Martin would share the stage with Hendrick in victory lane at Las Vegas. The short stint allowed crew chief Alan Gustafson the opportunity to get to know Martin. As fate would have it, this year, Gustafson is Mark Martin’s new crew chief.
The tale of Mark Martin, it’s got the making of a story made for publishing. Take it from another old school guy, who knows the weight of being the underdog. Sometimes Cinderella stories do come true. And waiting 25 years makes the deal even sweeter. To pull off a championship season would be pretty special for everyone, especially Mark Martin. I’ll be pulling for Mark Martin, until his very last lap. His last shot in ole No.5! By: Charles J. Asbury II
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02.16.09
Posted in The Chuck and Cody Sports Show at 7:42 PM by Administrator
The Florida Writer is a media conglomeration combining various types of news coverage such as newspaper, magazine, and internet articles, as well as radio broadcasts. From the “Po Dunk ” towns of central Florida covering high school football games, to highly acclaimed magazines such as “Life on the Coast” and “Distinguished Lifestyles,” Now, “The Florida Writer” is proud to announce it’s latest media venture, “Chuck & Cody’s Sports Report”
From an early age, Chuck Asbury often dreamed of either being a sports reporter, calling a big league game on the radio as an announcer, or hosting his own sports show. Late each night, he would lay quietly under his covers listening to the Atlanta Braves on his little AM radio, with the single ear piece tucked in tight. Each night, he would fall asleep dreaming of what it would be like to…zzzzzz.
But life has a way of changing our dreams, and taking us places where we never dreamed of going. The responsibilites, and the hustle and bustle of everyday life can swallow up our dreams, and many dreams are often forgotten. Somewhere along the way, Chuck forgot his dream. He forgot his dream, and in the process forgot his wish. But God didn’t!
Flash forward 30 plus years…
Now with the help of WNZF, and several outstanding sponsors, that childhood fantasy has become a reality. Starting on February 21th 2009, “Chuck and Cody’s Sports Report” will air live each Saturday morning from 10:00am-10:30am, simultaneously on Flagler County’s 106.3 FM, 1550 AM, and worldwide, through the use of streaming audio on the WNZF website at www.wnzf.com. To make the dream even sweeter, Chuck’s son, Cody, will help co-host the show.
The 30 minute show will consist of four quarters of sporting news, with the first three quarters consisting of, local, state, and national news including special quests. The last quarter of the show is called “Breaking The Code.” During this special segment of the show, three callers will have the opportunity to ask Cody (age 15) any question from one of four categories(Football, Baseball, Basketball or Nascar) All trivia questions must have taken place historically after December 1993, when Cody was born. If any caller is able to come up with a question that Cody cannot answer, and the “Code is Broken” then that caller will receive a free gift, compliments of “Chuck and Cody’s Sports Report.” Finally, the show will launch into a two minute scramble called “Overtime” when Cody will answer fan e-mail and/or Chuck will read a brief sports editorial, or the two hosts will debate a sports topic to close out the show.
“Chuck and Cody’s Sports Report” is also committed to donating to the “Make-A-Wish Foundation.” Since 1980, The Make-A-Wish Foundation has given hope, strength, and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions.
The show is sponsored by Bible Baptist Church, New Beginnings Salon & Spa, The Florida Writer, Tom Gibbs Chevrolet, and Woody’s BBQ. If you are interested in being a sponsor of “Chuck and Cody’s Sports Report” please e-mail Chuck at cja@flawriter.com
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Posted in Blogging about Sports, Nascar at 4:33 PM by Administrator
With the economy being like it is, it’s a slap in the face of all money strapped Nascar fans when a race ends the way Nascar ended the Daytona 500. I thought Nascar was going to be more creative and fan friendly this year. They were going to help out us broke fans, by offering better deals on tickets, etc. Because they’re looking out for the fans. Yeah right! Run the other laps when it’s dry! The track was dry at 8:57pm, with no further showers. Most fans wouldn’t even have cared if the race resumed at 1:00am! Because Nascar fans are loyal like that.
Fans waited all year for the so called Super Bowl of Racing. They deserved the right to see a real ending to what used to be the greatest race ever. Would the NFL ever stop the Super Bowl after 3 Qtrs.? NO!!! Heck, Nascar could have ran the remaining laps early Monday morning. And you know what? The fans would have welcomed that fan friendly gesture. It’s a lot better than packing up and going home after forking out big money for tickets.
I’ve been to races and waited 4-6 hours to complete the race because of rain. One in particular was at Talladega back in the mid 90’s. I waited forever for that race to restart, and I’m glad I did. That race finish ended up being one of the most memorable of any of the races I’ve ever attended, and I’ve been to plenty.The Daytona 500 is the Nascar fan’s yearly pilgrimage and some mark their calenders off day by day waiting and planning for this special event all year long. They save money and make huge sacrifices to attend the race. Some fans spend all weekend camping out, anxiously awaiting the race. They endure all the pre-race waste of time entertainment! If Nascar would’ve started the race earlier, instead of 3pm. By the way, the race used to start at noon, then they would have had plenty of time to get the race in. Hey, I have an idea, let all those people sing after the race. Because all those entertainers wouldn’t get paid until after the race was over. You think a race would ever get called early again? Call it a little reverse psychology for the money hungry hounds of Nascar.
As it stands, all the loyal fans got so hyped up only to have such an anti-climatic ending. The fans got duped! We get some rain sprinkles, and a guy that led only one lap wins the race. What a crock!
If the race would have resumed when the track was dry, and it was dry at 8:30pm, then we might have seen another more deserving race driver win, like Mark Martin or Kevin Harvick. We always want to see a exciting finish, and it didn’t happen. We’re Nascar fans, not Nascar Executives! This sport is becoming about as real as WWE! It’s all just smoke and mirrors. I would love to see NASCAR FANS go on strike! Maybe, then, and only then when Nascar is gasping for air because of money problems, would they possibly become more fan friendly. As it stands, Nascar got paid, but the fans didn’t!
We the fans should speak up. If we don’t, we will always be tricked into thinking Nascar is fan friendly(haha). When the only truth is, Nascar is money friendly, and that’s it! Yeah, take the money and run!
Oh yeah, for all you Dale Jr. haters, Brian Vickers did cut him off and Jr. didn’t mean to wreak him! He was just trying to stay on the track. Read my blogs on Nascar.com, under the pen name Firedawg1982, for more Nascar bashing and post race recaps. Anyway, I was looking forward to the beginning of the new season, and I love the Daytona 500. Now, I’m seriously disappointed in Nascar’s lack of respect and sensitivity for the most loyal and dedicated fans of any sport.
Be sure to listen to “The Chuck and Cody Sports Show” when Chuck will represent many disgruntled Nascar fans and let Nascar have it with both barrels concerning the early finish of the Daytona 500. The show is aired every Saturday morning from 10:30-11:00 on 106.3 FM and 1550 AM on WNZF in Flagler County, Florida. The show can also be heard worldwide by tuning into wnzf.com on your computer and listening to it by the use of streaming audio.
Yours Truly, Charles J. Asbury II
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