The Three Amigos Ride Again at NCAA Hockey Regionals

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

This is about a week old, but I wanted to post the picture of Josh (left), Chad (center) and myself (right) from the NCAA Hockey Regional in Manchester, NH.  Chad and I got to a local establishment a little before 1 pm, so we obviously had a fun time.  Man does my face look fat in that picture!  

Check back on Thursday morning for my Frozen Four preview.

Go BU!

Update! The Red Sox do the right thing

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Please disregard my previous post about the Boston Red Sox.  I was wrong. There I said it.  The Red Sox brass did the right thing and called off the game well before the gates opened up.  It's about time.  Now they can do it all over tomorrow at 4:05 pm.  There is still a 40% chance of rain for tomorrow, so I will withhold my judgement.  

I can still be mad with ESPN for not carrying the Dodgers/Giants game at all this evening.  Who cares about the Cubs/Astros game.

Will Jake Peavy be a Cub?

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

If everyone is healthy, the Chicago Cubs have a very strong starting rotation. Unfortunately, there may already be a problem.  According to Buster Olney, of ESPN, Rich Harden was consistently throwing 85-90 against the Yankees on Saturday in his final spring tuneup.  There are rumors that he's once again having shoulder problems.  This is not good news for Cubbies fans.

Jake Peavy was rumored to be heading to Chicago all off season, and I wouldn't be surprised to see those talks heat up again.  It really makes too much sense.  The Cubs need to make every effort to end their "curse", and still have the bargaining chips to entice the Padres. The Cubs showed they weren't afraid to make move last year when they picked up Harden. The addition of Jake Peavy would solidify the top of the rotation with a consistent arm they don't really have in Zambrano & Harden.  Ted Lilly and Ryan Dempster had 17 wins each last season, but are better suited for the back end of the rotation.  

Peavy has started at least 27 games the past 6 seasons.  Over that time, he's also had a sub 3.00 ERA for four of those seasons.  His career record, 86-62, is remarkable considering the teams he's played on.  If I am a Cubs fan, I would be screaming for Jake Peavy.  The addition of one player can't guarantee you of a World Series win, but it can show your fans and the rest of the league you mean business.  Get it done, and reverse the curse of the Billy Goat!

Will the Red Sox fleece another sell out crowd today?

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

It's opening day, severe rain is in the forecast, and the Boston Red Sox are getting ready to do what they do the best?  Winning games? No.  What the Red Sox brass do best is prolonged rain delays.  They are notorious for two hour long rain delays before they finally postpone a game.

Why do they do this?  Well, to make money of course.  Why call the game, when there is plenty of beer to sell and hot dogs to eat.  I work in the sports business at a local arena, so I know why they use this practice.  If a game gets rained out, you still need to pay hourly employees a minimum of 4 hours pay.  Hot Dogs, and other concession food, is prepared prior to the game.  Beer is initially poured out just prior to the game to make lines quicker.  Nobody just wants to throw that stuff away and lose all that money, right?  Just because I understand the  practice doesn't mean that it's right.  Is it not enough that the Red Sox have the highest average ticket price in the majors?  

So, if you're heading into the game today and don't care about pre-game festivities, I'll tell you what to do.  Head to a local establishment, have something to eat, maybe suck down a few beers, and wait until the very last minute before heading into the game.  Believe it or not, you'll actually save money.  One last thing though.  Whatever you do, make sure you do enter Fenway Park at some point.  If your ticket hasn't been scanned, and the game gets rained out, you are not eligible for a make up game.  

Good luck and enjoy one of the best days of the year!

Happy Opening Day!

Hi. My name is Jorge...and I am a Fan Fanatic

By Jorge Bannister
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Hello, readers.

Much to the chagrin of a few of you (read: a couple of co-workers), Chad has been kind enough to ask me to come aboard.

Turns out, I can write as often as I want here because there's no conflict of interest (read: a paycheck). Not that a paycheck is what I am looking for, however.

Anyway, college baseball has been a ... thing ... of mine for quite some time and that is the primary sport I will be handling for this site.

I will be filling in with predictions (like we just posted for MLB) and other things during other seasons, but from February to June it's all college baseball all the time.

I am looking forward to bringing it to you and receiving feedback from it, too.
That's about it, from me.

A toast: To a newfound reading relationship! Salud! Err, sorry, you guys don't speak spanish...CHEERS!

Baseball is back: It's time to Play Ball!!!

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Finally!!!

The Major League Baseball season is here once again.

Obviously, if you're a diehard baseball fan, you share the same excitement I have for the start of another year of professional baseball.

Don't get me wrong, the NHL isn't bad, especially with the Bruins ready to chase the Stanley Cup, and the Boston Celtics gearing up to defend their NBA championship, but there's been a big spot missing in my sports world.

Spring training is a complete snoozer, however. Players just get their work in, whether it's good or bad, simply hoping to stay healthy and strong for the season. Plus, the storylines were weak at best. A-Rod using steroids. The A-hole headlines got old pretty quick and so did the Manny Ramirez saga of where he was going to sign. After that, nothing really earth-shattering happened.

The best part of the spring training was the World Baseball Classic, although it would have been a lot better if Team USA could have won the title. But, oh well, I'm moving on.

A new season brings optimism for everyone, well, maybe not the Pirates. The snow is gone, it's starting to warm up ever so slightly ... that's a sure sign baseball is here.

Regardless of who you cheer for, baseball fans are just excited for the first call of "Play Ball!" which will echo around stadiums all day and night today during Opening Day.

Kids bringing their glove to the game, popcorn, peanuts, autographs, souvenirs, a jersey with your favorite players' name and number ... a victory by your favorite team ... in the summer, it's the smell of the fresh cut grass, the pop of the catcher's mitt, the crack of a bat, the wave, a tip of the cap after a job well done on the mound, the 3-run homer, a shutout or no-hitter, Lou Piniella getting ejected ... there's so many things to love about America's Pastime.

It's been a long offseason -- unless your a Philadelphia Phillies fan -- but now everyone is back to square one, trying to make it through a long and grueling 162-game season, plus playoffs, hoping to be the last one standing and hoisting the World Series trophy.

Who will be the champion this year?

At this point, it doesn't matter. 

I'm just thankful baseball is finally here.

It's time to PLAY BALL!!!!!