KHL December 1st 2012

One game on today, as Donbass Donetsk hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Sharychenkov for Dynamo and Jan Laco for Donbass guard the cages. Moscow opened in the first period on an Alexander Ovechkin goal with a lone assist by Leo Komarov. Dynamo added on as Ovechkin scored a power play goal, and the assist was provided by Komarov. Moscow extended the lead with a Janne Jalasvaara shorthanded goal, coming from Andrei Mironov. Donetsk got on the board in the second period as Tuomas Kiiskinen scored a goal, with the help of Evgeny Dadonov. Donbass pulled closer in the third period with a Dadonov goal, helped along by Vaclav Nedorost, a shorthanded goal. Dynamo replied as Ovechkin finished his hat trick, and Nicklas Backstrom supplied the assist. This was it for the scoring, and Dynamo won 4-2. The three stars go to Ovechkin, Dadonov, and Komarov.

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KHL November 30th 2012

Eleven games on today, so plenty of hockey for all of us as we send the calendar into its final month of the year. We begin with...

Amur Khabarovsk hosting CSKA Moscow. Ilya Bryzgalov for CSKA and Alexei Murygin for Amur are set to start. Moscow opened with a goal by Igor Grigorenko in the first period, assisted by Alexander Radulov and Alexei Marchenko. Khabarovsk tied it in the second period on an Alexander Osipov goal, made possible by Perttu Lindgren and Jakub Petruzalek. CSKA retook the lead in the third period when Grigorenko potted the puck, thanks to Denis Denisov and Mikhail Grabovsky. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Grigorenko, Bryzgalov (33 for 34 in saves), and Osipov.

Westward to Astana, as Barys hosts Avangard Omsk. Teemu Lassila for Barys and Karri Ramo for Avangard are the goalies for the game. Astana was first to score in the second period on a power play goal by Alexei Litvinenko, powered by Talgat Zhailauov. Omsk tied it with a Matti Kuparinen goal, coming off of Igor Volkov. Avangard took the lead as Oleg Piganovich scored, with the help of Alexander Popov and Alexander Perezhogin. Barys tied it in the third period with a Dmitry Upper power play goal, courtesy of Vitaly Novopashin and Roman Starchenko. Omsk won it 3-2 in overtime as Tomas Zaborsky scored a power play goal, with assists provided by Nikita Nikitin and Popov. The three stars belong to Zaborsky, Popov, and Ramo (25 for 27 in saves).

Back east a bit, Sibir Novosibirsk welcomes Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus of Slovan and Sergei Gaiduchenko of Sibir receive the starting nods. Bratislava led off in the first period as Jan Lipiansky scored, with helpers provided by Michel Miklik. Novosibirsk tied it in the second period on a Kristian Kudroc power play goal, powered by Alexei Kopeikin. Slovan regained the lead as Miklik scored a power play goal, set up by Michal Vondrka. There was no scoring the third period, so Slovan won 2-1, with the three stars being Miklik, Janus (27 for 28 in saves), and Lipiansky.

To the southeast, Metallurg Novokuznetsk brings in Lev Praha. Jakub Stepanek for Lev and Alexander Lazushin for Metallurg play between the pipes. Praha struck first in the first period as Lubos Bartecko scored, thanks to Petr Vrana. Lev added on with a Marcek Hossa goal, fueled by Bartecko. Praha struck again as Jakub Krejcik scored in the second period, with a lone assist from Vrana. Novokuznetsk got on the board with a Konstantin Turukin goal, assisted by Yury Nazarov. Metallurg pulled closer in the third period as Filipp Metlyuk scored a goal, pushed through by Dmitry Kagarlitsky and Randy Robitaille. They failed to tie the game, losing 3-2, and the three stars went to Bartecko, Vrana, and Stepanek (33 for 35 in saves).

Way to the northwest, Severstal Cherepovets hosts Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Evgeny Lobanov of Avtomobilist and Vasily Koshechkin of Severstal protect the nets. Cherepovets scored first in the first period on an Evgeny Mons goal, made possible by Petr Caslava. Severstal added on as Stanislav Yegorshev scored a power play goal powered by Bogdan Kiselevich and Vadim Shipachyov. Cherepovets struck again in the second period with a power play goal by Vadim Berdnikov, and Niclas Bergford had the only assist. Severstal extended the lead in the third period when Caslava scored, via Alexei Medvedev. Cherepovets iced the game at 5-0 with a Medvedev goal, passed from Nikita Alexeyev. The three stars belonged to Koshechkin (24 save shutout), Caslava, and Medvedev.

Across the lake, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Iiro Tarkki for Salavat Yulaev and Curtis Sanford for Lokomotiv are in the blue paint. Ufa began with a first period goal by Sergei Zinovyev, made possible by Denis Khlystov. Salavat Yulaev extended the lead in the second period when Khlystov scored a power play goal, powered by Vitaly Proshkin and Tomas Rolinek. Yaroslavl got on the board as Yegor Averin scored, with a lone assist provided by Daniil Apalkov. Lokomotiv tied it when Averin scored again, thanks to Alexander Chernikov and Apalkov. Yaroslavl took the lead on an Artyom Anisimov goal, set up by Sergei Plotnikov and Emil Galimov. This stood as the decisive goal, with Lokomotiv winning 3-2. The three stars went to Averin, Khlystov, and Apalkov.

A bit east, as Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Konstantin Barulin for Ak Bars and Vitaly Koval for Torpedo are the masked men. Nizhny Novgorod started in the second period with a power play goal by Dmitry Makarov, assisted by Alexei Vasilyev. Torpedo padded the lead with an Artyom Chernov goal, coming off of Vladimir Gorbunov and Ruslan Zainullin. Nizhny Novgorod extended the lead in the third period on a Zainullin goal, passed from Gorbunov. Kazan got on the board as Danis Zaripov scored a power play goal powered by Niko Kapanen and Konstantin Korneyev. This was it for the scoring, with the final leaving Torpedo with a 3-1 win. Zainullin, Koval (34 for 35 in saves), and Gorbunov got the three stars.

Into Moscow, as Spartak hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Ilya Ezhov for SKA and Sergei Borisov for Spartak are in the creases. Moscow got going in the first period on an Anatoly Nikontsev goal, with a lone assist from Nikita Shchitov. Spartak added on as Alexander Khokhlachyov scored an unassisted goal. Moscow padded the lead with a power play goal by Oleg Gubin, powered by Andrei Shefer and Alexander Suglobov. SKA pulled Ezhov in favor of Sergei Bobrovsky at this time. St. Petersburg got on the board as Patrick Thoresen scored, via Dmitry Kalinin. Spartak answered in the third period on a power play goal by Suglobov, courtesy of Gubin and Oleg Petrov. Moscow kept going with a power play goal from Mikhail Yunkov, passed from Shchitov and Eduard Lewandowski. Spartak iced it at 6-1 with a Nikontsev goal, helped along by Gubin and Khokhlachyov. This was a final, with the three stars being Gubin, Nikontsev, and Khokhlachyov, while the honorable mentions go to Shchitov, Suglobov, and Borisov (36 for 37 in saves).

Just to the north, Atlant Mytishchi welcomes Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Matt Dalton for Neftekhimik and Anton Khudobin for Atlant have the green light to start. Mytishchi was first to score in the first period with a Maxim Mayorov goal, passed from Nikolai Zherdev. Atlant padded the lead in the second period as Zherdev scored a power play goal, powered by Andreas Engqvist and Viktor Stalberg. Nizhnekamsk got on the board as Martin Cibak scored, with the help of Oskar Osala and Yegor Milovzorov. Mytishchi made it 3-1 in the third period as Igor Ignatushkin potted the puck, with an assist provided by Alexander Shevchenko. This was a final, with the three stars going to Zherdev, Khudobin (28 for 29 in saves), and Mayorov.

Staying in the Moscow Oblast, we head south to Chekhov, as Vityaz hosts Traktor Chelyabinsk. Vladislav Fokin of Traktor and Ivan Kasutin of Vityaz tend the twines. Chelyabinsk led off with a first period goal by Andrei Popov, assisted by Evgeny Katichev. Traktor added on as Petri Kontiola scored, with the help of Stanislav Chistov. Chekhov got on the board in the second period with a power play goal by Artemy Panarin, powered by Brian Fahey. Fahey tied it for Vityaz with a goal that was passed from Pavel Chernov. Chelyabinsk took the lead back in the third period with a Kontiola goal, set up by Jan Bulis. This stood for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Kontiola, Fahey, and Fokin (33 for 35 in saves).

Finally, we close the day in Riga, as Dinamo brings in Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Ari Ahonen of Metallurg and Pekka Rinne of Dinamo guard the cages. Magnitogorsk was first to score with a first period power play goal by Dmitry Kazionov, powered by Yaroslav Khabarov and Mats Zuccarello. Metallurg added on as Zuccarello scored, with the help of Justin Hodgman and Kazionov. Minsk got on the board in the second period as Tim Stapleton scored a power play goal with a lone assist coming from Zbynek Irgl. Dinamo tied it with another power play goal, this time scored by Janne Niskala, passed from Cory Murphy and Joe Pavelski. Minsk took the lead in the third period on a Geoff Platt goal, made possible by Alexander Kitarov and Teemu Laine. Magnitogorsk tied it up with a Cal O'Reilly goal, helped along by Denis Platonov and Sergei Mozyakin. The game required a shootout to end, where Dinamo won 4-3 after goals by Irgl and Stapleton sealed the deal. The three stars went to Stapleton, Irgl, and Kazionov, while Zuccarello gets an honorable mention.

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How They Got Here: The Story of the 2012 San Francisco Giants Part 33

How They Got Here: The San Francisco Giants is a one-by-one look at how each member of the 2012 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants found their way to the squad. We'll look at all of the players on the roster, as well as notable players who did not make the postseason roster for whatever reason and the coaching staff and general manager. Part thirty-three wraps up the series with the architect of it all, General Manager Brian Sabean. 

Brian Sabean was born on July 1, 1956, in Concord, New Hampshire. He was a graduate of Concord High School, and went to Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida (as did a close friend of mine a year ago). He was an assistant coach with the University of Tampa in 1980 to 1982, before earning the head coach job in 1983, a post he held for two years. He entered into Major League Baseball as a scout for the New York Yankees, responsible for discovering, drafting, and signing big names such as Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, J.T. Snow, and Andy Pettitte. From 1992 through 1994, Sabean worked as an assistant to the general manager and vice president of scouting and player personnel in the San Francisco Giants front office. In 1995, he was the senior vice president of player personnel for the Giants, and in the offseason of 1996 was named the general manager. The previous season had been dismal, but Sabean was able to make a turnaround in 1997 despite a highly unpopular trade of fan favorite Matt Williams to the Cleveland Indians. One of the players they got back, Jeff Kent (most recently of Survivor fame) became one of the best second basemen in history. After 2002, Sabean was greatly tested and had to retool much of the roster for the 2003 season. He worked through this proficiently, turning in a 100 win season. Things went south in 2004, and the Giants missed the playoffs, beginning a short run of mediocrity in which Sabean's every move was questioned by the Giants faithful. The lowlight of all of this came as the team was losing and Sabean signed the then-record contract to Barry Zito for seven years beginning in 2007. As Zito struggled and players sent away in trades excelled, Sabean was very much in danger of losing his job. He gained security with a two-year contract after the All-Star break in 2007, and worked through the adversity. Many now, after separation from the events, have pinned some of the worse signings and trades the Giants made in the middle part of the decade as representative of owner Peter Magowan and not of Sabean's doing on his own. After 2009, the Giants continued to improve, and Sabean was rightfully honored in helping build the 2010 World Series Champion team. While 2011 was a down year, 2012 again saw the Giants win the World Series, and with little moves like trading Jonathan Sanchez for Melky Cabrera during the preseason and a pair of prospects for Marco Scutaro at the trade deadline have further established faith in Sabean's work. In his over fifteen years as general manager, the longest tenure of active managers, Sabean has proved that blockbuster deals and flashy free agent signings will not make a team. Instead, he prefers to bring in established major league players to build around, while adding enough youth through the draft to become an effective team. Sabean is responsible for having drafted the following 2012 champions: pitchers Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum, Sergio Romo, Ryan Vogelsong (who bounced around the majors and international leagues before being signed again prior to 2011), Brian Wilson, and batters Buster Posey, Brandon Belt, Brandon Crawford, and Brett Pill, which is a quarter of the current forty-man roster. In addition, Sabean also acquired pitchers Jeremy Affeldt (free agent), Santiago Casilla (free agent), Javier Lopez (via trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates), Jose Mijares (claimed from waivers), Guillermo Mota (free agent), George Kontos (via trade with the New York Yankees), and batters Gregor Blanco (free agent), Hunter Pence (via trade with the Philadelphia Phillies), Xavier Nady (via trade with the Washington Nationals), Joaquin Arias (free agent), Angel Pagan (free agent), Ryan Theriot (free agent), Aubrey Huff (free agent), Marco Scutaro (via trade with the Colorado Rockies), Hector Sanchez (amateur free agent), Pablo Sandoval (amateur free agent), Melky Cabrera (via trade with the Kansas City Royals), and Eli Whiteside (free agent). The championship team in 2012 can be completely attributed to the work of Sabean and the front office, as well as can be all of the coaching staff, too. That's why he is such a good general manager: he has completely built a Championship team. Without Sabean, there would be no How They Got Here, and that's why he was a great choice to close out the series.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. Again, I would like to thank Yahoo! Sports for providing roster and contract information, as well as career statistics for current players season by season. I would also like to thank Wikipedia.org for providing a free service that allowed me to fill in the gaps in players' careers that were unexplainable by statistics alone, and for providing me with milestones in the careers of each player. Additionally, much thanks goes to the tireless efforts of the workers at Baseball-Reference.com for their compilations of minor and major league statistics. Finally, and most importantly of all, I would like to thank anyone who took the time to read this series during the month of November. Your added views to the blog have provided me with my first 1,000+ pageview month, and also the most successful individual series I've posted to date. As I've said before, I appreciate each and every view, and to make this such a success has been overwhelmingly amazing to me. If there's a series you'd like me to try in the future, leave a comment or talk to me on Twitter. As always, thank you very much for a great month and an even better two years and counting.

Thursday Night Football Week 13 2012

We have a huge NFC rivalry game tonight, as the Atlanta Falcons host the New Orleans Saints. Atlanta began in the first quarter as Michael Turned ran 3 yards for a touchdown, and Matt Bryant added on the extra point. The Falcons extended the lead in the second quarter as Matt Ryan passed 17 yards for a touchdown to Tony Gonzalez, and Bryant again made the extra point. Atlanta added on with a Bryant field goal of 45 yards. New Orleans got on the board when Mark Ingram ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Garrett Hartley supplied the extra point. The Saints pulled closer in the third quarter as Hartley booted a 21 yard field goal. New Orleans got closer with a Hartley field goal of 52 yards. The Falcons shot back in the fourth quarter as Bryant knocked in a 29 yard field goal. Atlanta struck again as Bryant blasted in a 55 yard field goal. This made it 23-13, a final, with the Falcons improving to 11-1 and the Saints falling to 5-7.

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How They Got Here: The Story of the 2012 San Francisco Giants Part 32

How They Got Here: The San Francisco Giants is a one-by-one look at how each member of the 2012 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants found their way to the squad. We'll look at all of the players on the roster, as well as notable players who did not make the postseason roster for whatever reason and the coaching staff and general manager. Part thirty-two tells us of manager Bruce Bochy.

Bruce Bochy was born on April 16, 1955, in Landes de Boussac, France, as his father was currently stationed with the US Army there. He grew up in Virginia and also Melbourne, Florida, and he graduated from Melbourne High School, having played with Darrell Hammond from Saturday Night Live. For college, Bochy attended Brevard Community College before transferring to Florida State University. In 1975, he was drafted by the Houston Astros in the first round with the twenty-fourth overall pick of the supplemental draft. From 1978 to 1980, Bochy played catcher with the Astros, but only in a handful of games. He played in 1982 with the New York Mets after missing all of 1981, and then closed out his career with the San Diego Padres from 1983 to 1987. As a hitter, he compiled a career line of a .239 batting average, twenty-six home runs, and ninety-three runs batted in. He started managing with the Spokane Indians in 1989 in the Padres organization, before moving up to the Riverside Red Wave managerial position in their last year. He continued to the High Desert Mavericks as their first manager, and then was promoted to Wichita Wranglers for 1992. In 1995, Bochy made his first managerial job in the major leagues with the San Diego Padres. He was named the National League Manager of the Year in 1996, and led the Padres to the National League pennant in 1998. From 1995 to 2006, Bochy was with San Diego, but when the front office changed prior to the 2007 season, they allowed Bochy to be interviewed by San Francisco Giants general manager Brian Sabean. He ultimately got the job, which he has held ever since. This allowed him to steer the course for the 2010 and 2012 World Series Championships won by the Giants. He is often credited with being one of the better matchup-based managers in the league, and manipulates the team as necessary to get wins. He is known to be in touch with his personnel, especially with members of the bullpen, and is well-liked for a casual-leaning and team-focused clubhouse. These attributes make him popular wherever he is, and behind the scenes, he is a humorous and outgoing person. Bochy is very wise in his managerial style, and because the players buy into his orders, he is able to have many successful teams, as evidenced by his 1454-1444 record.

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KHL November 29th 2012

One game on for today, as Dinamo Riga hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Sharychenkov for Dynamo and Mikael Tellqvist for Dinamo tend the twines. Moscow led off with a second period goal by Ilya Gorokhov, coming off of Konstantin Volkov. Dynamo added on as Denis Kokarev scored, with the help of Alexei Tsvetkov and Andrei Mironov. Moscow extended the lead as Dmitry Pestunov potted the puck, with a lone assist provided by Alexander Ovechkin. Riga got on the board in the third period when Mathieu Carle scored a power play goal, powered by Alexandre Giroux and Paul Szczechura. They got no closer, losing 3-1, with the three stars going to Kokarev, Sharychenkov (29 for 30 in saves), and Gorokhov.

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How They Got Here: The Story of the 2012 San Francisco Giants Part 31

How They Got Here: The San Francisco Giants is a one-by-one look at how each member of the 2012 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants found their way to the squad. We'll look at all of the players on the roster, as well as notable players who did not make the postseason roster for whatever reason and the coaching staff and general manager. Part thirty-one tells us a little bit about each of the particular coaches involved with the Giants team. 

Tim Flannery was born September 29th, 1957, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He attended Anaheim High School, where he earned all-league honors in baseball. He was a hot prospect in the San Diego Padres organization, and played with them from 1979-1989, where he accumulated a career line of .255 batting average, 209 runs batted in, and only nine home runs over the eleven years he played. His minor league success never transferred over to the major leagues, and played his last major-league game on his thirty-second birthday. Despite his lack of success, he was a fan favorite with the Padres, and the support he received in his last game was immense, from gifts to a standing ovation that halted the game. He again worked his way through the minors after his playing career was done, managing the Padres' Class A Short Season affiliate in the Northwest League, the Spokane Indians. The next season, he was in the Class A Advanced California League, managing the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. He was then promoted to the Class AAA Las Vegas Stars in 1995. In 1996, he appeared in the majors, as the Padres third base coach under manager Bruce Bochy. He remained on Bochy's staff through 2002, and then rejoined him in 2007 when Bochy earned the managerial job with the San Francisco Giants. He was a member of the 2010 and 2012 World Series winning teams.

Mark Gardner was born on March 1st, 1962, in Los Angeles, California. He attended Clovis High School in Clovis, California, before going to California State University in Fresno. His major league playing career saw him play with four teams between 1989 and 2001. Working as a starting pitcher for most of his career, he began with the Montreal Expos. He was traded in 1992 to the Kansas City Royals, where he pitched for a year before being released. Eventually, he signed with the Florida (now Miami) Marlins, for 1994 and 1995, before moving along to close out his career with the San Francisco Giants. With the Giants, he began to be used as a spot starter and long reliever, and was one of two Willie Mac Award recipients in 2001 for spirit and leadership. He ended his career with a 4.56 earned run average as well as 1,256 strikeouts in 1,764 and 2/3 innings pitched. He became the Giants bullpen coach in 2003, and has held the position ever since, also earning World Series Championships in 2010 and 2012.

Bill Hayes was born on October 24th, 1957, in Cheverly, Maryland. He went to college at Indiana State University. His major league career consisted of five games with the Chicago Cubs in 1980 and 1981, but he was largely unsuccessful. His extensive minor-league career saw him do about the same between 1978 and 1987. He spent time as a coach with various minor league teams between 1988 and 1997, before coaching in the majors for 1998, and returning to the minors for 1999 through 2002. In 2002, he worked with the San Jose Giants as a manager, and earned the role of bullpen catcher with the San Francisco Giants in 2003. He is a two-time World Series Champion for his bullpen catcher role with the Giants, having been a part of the 2010 and 2012 World Series teams.

Roberto Kelly was born on October 1st, 1964, in Panama City, Panama. He played in all levels of the New York Yankees farm system between 1982 and 1987 before earning his first major league call up. He played as outfielder for his entire career. He played for six years with the Yankees, being named to his first All-Star Game in 1992. The next two season, he played with the Cincinnati Reds, where he was an All-Star again in 1993. He went to the Atlanta Braves in 1994 during a midseason trade. In 1995, he split time between the Montreal Expos after having been traded from the Braves, and then was part of another trade that sent him to the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 1996, he played for the Minnesota Twins, and also for part of 1997 before being traded for the fifth and final time in his career to the Seattle Mariners. For 1998 and 1999, he played with the Texas Rangers, and then rejoined the Yankees in 2000, where he played his final game on April 18th. He owned an impressive career batting average of .290, while hitting 124 home runs and 585 runs batted in. He moved into a coaching role with the San Francisco Giants, and managed with the Augusta Greenjackets in the Class A South Atlantic League. He earned a reputation for promoting aggressive base-running, and on November 16, 2007, was hired as the Giants first base coach. He has held the position ever since, encouraging even pitchers to be aggressive on the basepaths. He is a two-time World Series Champion with the Giants, having earned titles in 2010 and 2012.

Hensley Meulens was born on June 23, 1967, in Willemstad, Curaçao. He was first signed by the New York Yankees in 1985, and was promoted to the big league team in 1989, where he crossed paths with the previously-mentioned Roberto Kelly. He was unable to replicate the success he had attained in the minor leagues with the Yankees, and they sold his contract to the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball in 1994. He played there for one season before moving along to the Yakult Swallows for 1995 and 1996. He was successful here, winning a Japan Series championship in 1995. He came back to North America in 1997, playing one season with the Montreal Expos and then moving to the Arizona Diamondbacks for 1998. His last major league appearance as a player came on May 14, 1998, although he did play in the Korean Baseball Organization in 2000 with the SK Wyverns. His coaching career began with the Bluefield Orioles in 2003, and then after two season there, he was the Indianapolis Indians hitting coach from 2005-2008 as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. He was the hitting coach for the San Francisco Giants Class AAA affiliate, the Fresno Grizzlies in 2009, and earned a promotion to the big league team for the same job in 2010, helping them to a World Series title that year and also in 2012. He is also a valuable member of the team because he can speak English, Spanish, Dutch, Papiamento, and Japanese, which allows him to communicate with many players.

Dave Righetti was born on November 28th, 1958 (happy birthday!) in San Jose, California. He attended Pioneer High School, where he played in the outfield, before being noticed at San Jose City College, where his throwing motion prompted a scout to suggest he try pitching. He was drafted by the Texas Rangers but made his major league debut in 1979 with the New York Yankees. When he finally stuck with the team, he was American League Rookie of the Year in 1981, working primarily as a starting pitcher. On July 4, 1983, Righetti pitched a no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox. The next season, he began working as a reliever. In 1986 and 1987, Righetti was named to the American League All-Star team. After 1990, Righetti signed with the San Francisco Giants, and pitched there for three years. In 1994, he played for both the Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays, and then closed out his career in 1995 with the Chicago White Sox. He ended with a career line of a 3.46 earned run average, 1,112 strikeouts, 252 saves, and 1,403 and 2/3 innings pitched. Since 2000, Righetti has been the San Francisco Giants pitching coach, where he has been very successful in helping teach pitchers how to avoid giving up home runs. He is a two-time World Series Champion as the Giants pitching coach. 

Ron Wotus was born March 3, 1961, in Hartford, Connecticut, but he grew up in Colchester, Connecticut. He attended Bacon Academy before joining the baseball world. He appeared in a handful of games with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1983 and 1984, but his career was largely unsuccessful after stints in the Kansas City Royals and San Francisco Giants farm systems. He managed in the minor leagues in the Giants organization from 1991 to 1997, earning the Pacific Coast League Manager of the Year title in 1997. In 1998, he was promoted to the Giants major league coaching staff as a third base coach, but became the bench coach in 1999, a job he has retained ever since. During his tenure, the Giants have won World Series Championships in 2010 and 2012.

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KHL November 28th 2012

Ten games on today as we get back into the swing of things. First up, we go way east, as...

Amur Khabarovsk hosts Slovan Bratislava. Branislav Konrad for Slovan and Alexei Murygin for Amur are set to start. Khabarovsk opened in the second period on an Alexander Yunkov goal, with a lone assist by Dmitry Shitikov. Amur added on in the third period when Dmitry Lugin potted the puck, with the help of Vladimir Loginov. Khabarovsk iced it at 3-0 with a Janne Lahti goal, made possible by Juha-Pekka Hytonen and Nikita Gusev. The three stars belonged to Murygin (14 save shutout), Yunkov, and Lugin.

Westward, as Sibir Novosibirsk hosts Lev Praha. Tomas Popperle of Lev and Jeff Glass of Sibir are the masked men. Novosibirsk began in the first period on a Konstantin Glazachev goal, assisted by Jori Lehtera and Jonas Enlund. Sibir padded the lead in the second period as Lehtera scored, and Enlund picked up the lone assist. Praha got on the board with a Marcel Hossa goal, courtesy of Juraj Mikus and Tomas Surovy. They couldn't tie the game, losing 2-1 to Sibir, with the three stars going to Lehtera, Glass (27 for 28 in saves), and Enlund.

A bit to the southeast, Metallurg Novokuznetsk welcomes CSKA Moscow. Rastislav Stana of CSKA and Alexander Lazushin of Metallurg play in the blue paint. Novokuznetsk was first to score with an unassisted first period goal by Nikita Vyglazov. Moscow tied it when Sergei Barbashev scored, with the help of Andrei Sergeyev. CSKA took the lead in the second period on a Sergei Shirokov goal, made possible by Pavel Datsyuk. Moscow extended the lead in the third period as Janis Sprukts scored, thanks to Barbashev and Patrick Davis. CSKA finished the scoring at 4-1 with a Vladimir Zharkov goal, assisted by Niklas Persson and Ilya Zubov. The three stars belonged to Barbashev, Stana (20 for 21 in saves), and Shirokov.

Way to the west, Severstal Cherepovets hosts Traktor Chelyabinsk. Andrei Mezin for Traktor and Vasily Koshechkin for Severstal are in front of the nets. Cherepovets led off with a first period shorthanded goal by Vadim Shipachyov, passed from Stanislav Yegorshev. Severstal added on with a power play goal off the tape of Vadim Berdnikov, powered by Bogdan Kiselevich and Niclas Bergfors. Traktor pulled Mezin in favor of Vladislav Fokin in goal. Chelyabinsk got on the board as Maxim Karpov scored, thanks to Valery Nichushkin. Traktor tied the game in the second period on a Yegor Dugin goal, made possible by Nichushkin. Chelyabinsk took the lead with a goal from Evgeny Katichev, courtesy of Maxim Yakutsenya and Jan Bulis. Cherepovets retied the game as Nikita Alexeyev potted the puck, with the help of Shipachyov and Evgeny Ketov on the power play. The third period was silent, and so was overtime, so the game needed a shootout to determine the winner. Severstal came out on top with a pair of shootout goals, provided by Berdnikov and Denis Kazionov for a 4-3 win. The three stars go to Berdnikov, Shipachyov, and Nichushkin.

Across the lake, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov for Ak Bars and Curtis Sanford for Lokomotiv receive the starting nods. Yaroslavl struck first with a first period goal by Emil Galimov, assisted by Sergei Plotnikov. Kazan tied it with a second period power play goal put away by Alexei Morozov, passed from Konstantin Korneyev and Ilya Nikulin. Lokomotiv took the lead back with a power play goal of their own, coming from Artyom Anisimov, with the help of Staffan Kronwall and Plotnikov. Ak Bars tied it again on a power play goal in the third period, scored by Janne Pesonen, and powered by Evgeny Medvedev and Jarkko Immonen. Kazan took a late 3-2 lead when Danis Zaripov scored, courtesy of Morozov, and held on for the win. Morozov, Zaripov, and Plotnikov receive the three stars.

To the east, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod brings in Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Matt Dalton for Neftekhimik and Vitaly Koval for Torpedo are all padded up. Nizhnekamsk got going in the first period as Renat Mamashev scored, with the help of Martin Cibak and Yegor Milovzorov. Nizhny Novgorod tied it when Matt Ellison potted the puck, with a lone assist provided by Juuso Hietanen. Torpedo took the lead with a power play goal by Martin Thornberg, powered by Dmitry Makarov and Hietanen. Neftekhimik tied it as Petr Koukal scored, courtesy of Tomas Netik. Nizhnekamsk took the lead again on another Koukal goal, set up by Mamashev and Nail Yakupov. Neftekhimik continued in the third period as Koukal finished off his hat trick with his third goal of the night, and the assists were credited to Yakupov and Netik. Nizhny Novgorod answered on an Alexei Vasilyev goal, passed from Hietanen, who got a sock trick, and Makarov. They failed to get the equalizer, losing 4-3, with the three stars going to Koukal, Mamashev, and Netik, while Yakupov, Hietanen, and Makarov earn honorable mentions.

Southwest to Mytishchi, where Atlant hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Iiro Tarkki for Salavat Yulaev and Anton Khudobin for Atlant guard the cages. Mytishchi began with a second period Nikolai Zherdev goal, made possible by Viktor Stalberg and Andreas Engqvist. Atlant made it 2-0 in the third period when Zherdev scored again with an empty net goal, thanks to Ivan Vishnevsky and Igor Ignatushkin. This was a final, with the three stars being Zherdev, Khudobin (26 save shutout), and Tarkki (22 for 24 in saves).

To the south, Vityaz Chekhov hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Ari Ahonen for Metallurg and Ivan Lasutin for Vityaz are between pipes. Magnitogorsk started with a first period goal by Mats Zuccarello, coming off of Justin Hodgman and Georgy Misharin. Chekhov tied it with a power play goal scored by Alexander Korolyuk, powered by Alexei Troshchinsky. Vityaz took the lead in the second period with a Alexei Badyukov goal, courtesy of Evgeny Timkin and Yakov Seleznyov. Metallurg tied it on a Nikolai Kulemin goal, helped along by Viktor Antipin and Sergei Mozyakin. Chekhov retook the lead in the third period on a Nikita Dvurechensky goal, pushed through by Seleznyov. Magnitogorsk pulled even with an Antipin power play goal with a lone assist by Mozyakin. Vityaz won it 4-3 in overtime as Brian Fahey scored a power play goal, and Korolyuk was credited with the assist. The three stars went to Korolyuk, Antipin, and Seleznyov, while Mozyakin gets an honorable mention.

Heading west to Minsk, where Dinamo welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Evgeny Lobanov for Avtomobilist and Pekka Rinne for Dinamo tend the twines. Yekaterinburg opened in the first period on an Alexander Streltsov unassisted goal. Minsk tied it as Joe Pavelski scored, thanks to Zbynek Irgl and Libor Pivko on the power play. Dinamo took the lead with a power play goal by Janne Niskala, passed from Teemu Laine. Avtomobilist retied the game in the second period as Rastislav Spirko scored, with the help of Alexei Simakov and Sergei Gusev on the power play. Yekaterinburg took the lead again with a Vasily Streltsov goal with a lone assist from Fyodor Malykhin. Avtomobilist added on with another power play goal, this time scored by Joffrey Lupul, and powered by Branislav Mezei and Evgeny Lapenkov. Yekaterinburg kept going with an Alexander Streltsov goal, helped along by Nikolai Pronin. Minsk shot back in the third period with a power play goal by Tim Stapleton, set up by Cory Murphy and Laine. Avtomobilist iced the game at 6-3 with a power play goal by Lapenkov, assisted by Lupul and Denis Sokolov. The three stars went to Alexander Streltsov, Lapenkov, and Lupul, while Laine earns an honorable mention.

Back to the southeast, as we end the day in Donetsk, with Donbass hosting SKA St. Petersburg. Sergei Bobrovsky of SKA and Jan Laco of Donbass tend the twines. St. Petersburg struck first in the first period with an Ilya Kovalchuk goal, assisted by Dmitry Kalinin. Donetsk tied it with a Tuomas Kiiskinen goal, made possible by Evgeny Dadonov. Donbass took the lead in the second period on a Fredrik Pettersson goal, courtesy of Jani Tuppurainen and Peter Podhradsky. Donetsk extended the lead on a Clay Wilson goal, set up by Tuppurainen. SKA got one back in the third period as Maxim Rybin potted the puck, with the help of Yury Alexandrov. They got no closer, losing 3-2, with the three stars being Wilson, Tuppurainen, and Kiiskinen.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

How They Got Here: The Story of the 2012 San Francisco Giants Part 30

How They Got Here: The San Francisco Giants is a one-by-one look at how each member of the 2012 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants found their way to the squad. We'll look at all of the players on the roster, as well as notable players who did not make the postseason roster for whatever reason and the coaching staff and general manager. Part thirty wraps up the player segment with World Series hero Pablo Sandoval. 

Pablo Sandoval was born on August 11, 1986, in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela. He attended Cento Estudio in Carabobo, Venezuela, and later went undrafted, signing as an amateur free agent with the San Francisco Giants in 2003 at the age of sixteen. He first appeared in the minor leagues during the 2004 season, playing in the Rookie-level Arizona League with the Giants affiliate there. He worked as a catcher with in the Arizona League, hitting .266 with twenty-six runs batted in. He also hit five triples, which was impressive for someone of his larger stature. He made a jump to the Class A Short Season Northwest League in 2005, where he played for the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes in Oregon. He made the transition to third base at this time, an unusual position for a left-handed person. Sandoval had taught himself to be ambidextrous, allowing him to be versatile in the field. With the Volcanoes, he posted a .330 batting average as well as three home runs and fifty runs batted in. His slow but steady progress continued into 2006, as he advanced to the Class A South Atlantic League to play with the Augusta Greenjackets of Augusta, Georgia. His numbers fell off a bit, as he hit only .265 with one home run and forty-nine runs batted in. Still, he earned a promotion for the 2007 season to play with the San Jose Giants of the Class A Advanced California League. He improved here, posting a .287 batting average while smacking eleven home runs, hitting five triples, and driving in fifty-two runs. He began the 2008 season here, appearing in sixty-eight games in which he hit .359 with twelve home runs and fifty-nine runs batted in before a promotion to the Class AA Connecticut Defenders of the Easter League in Norwich, Connecticut. Over the next forty-four games, Sandoval hit to a .337 batting average as well as eight home runs and thirty-seven runs batted in. He earned a major league call up, making his debut with San Francisco on August 14th. He was an everyday player here, playing at both third base and catcher, as well as first base. He hit .345 in forty-one games, while hitting three home runs (the first coming on August 27th), and twenty-four runs batted in. One particular play occurred when Sandoval was attempting to score, eventually being successful in dodging the tag from the catcher. Barry Zito promptly game him the nickname Kung-Fu Panda for his surprising agility. He became the everyday third baseman in 2009, while also working at catcher and first base. Sandoval had a very good season, hitting .330 while adding twenty-five home runs and ninety runs batted in during a breakout year, and highlights included his first grand slam on July 6th and his first splash hit (a San Francisco-area term for home runs hit into McCovey Cove, which is located beyond the outfield) on July 30th. Sandoval struggled more in 2010, as he had added weight and became less effective with his bat. He hit only .268 with just thirteen home runs and sixty-three runs batted in during the year, and appeared in only six postseason games during the Giants playoff run that year. With only three hits in seventeen at-bats, Sandoval was mostly an afterthought during the run, with Juan Uribe manning third base in his place as the Giants beat the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Texas Rangers for the World Series title. He still received the World Series Champion title, but it was far from earned in the eyes of some. Sandoval came back in 2011 much more fit, having dropped thirty pounds during the Giants' Operation Panda campaign. His season stalled in late April after he broke his hamate bone, requiring a month and a half layoff. He made his rehabilitation appearances with San Jose and also the Fresno Grizzlies of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League before rejoining San Francisco on June 14th. He was named to the All-Star Game for the first time despite missing such significant time with the injury. He ended the year hitting .315 while hitting twenty-three home runs and seventy runs batted in during the shorter season, and his biggest highlight of the year came on September 15th, when he hit for the cycle, another impressive feat for the large third baseman. He continued his success in 2012, although he again missed most of May and part of June due to injury. Regardless of that, he made another All-Star Game, starting at third base. He put his name in the history books with the first ever bases-loaded triple in All-Star Game history off of Justin Verlander, helping pace the National League to their 8-0 victory. He ended the regular season hitting .283 with twelve home runs and sixty-three runs batted in, a down year for him but still very valuable. He was not an afterthought in the San Francisco postseason run this time. He appeared in every postseason game for San Francisco, hitting .333 with one home run and three runs batted in against the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Division Series. He then worked to a .360 batting average with two home runs and six timely runs batted in during the National League Championship Series. When the Giants faced elimination in the NLCS, Sandoval provided at least one run batted in over each of the three games. Sandoval's iconic moment, and arguably the best moment of the postseason (despite my deep appreciation for Marco Scutaro, the following feat by Sandoval was slightly better) game in Game 1 of the World Series against the Detroit Tigers. Facing the same pitcher as he had when he hit the triple in the All-Star Game, Sandoval again tormented Justin Verlander by hitting two of his three home runs for the game off of him. The three-home run game placed him in the company of Babe Ruth, Reggie Jackson, and Albert Pujols as the only players to accomplish the feat in a World Series game, and he was the only one to do it in his first three at-bats. He ended the World Series as the Most Valuable Player, hitting .500 against the Tigers with three home runs and four runs batted in (all of the latter in Game 1 alone), as the Giants swept Detroit to give Sandoval his second World Series title. And this time he can say he earned it.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion, and don't think this series is over yet. There are three more posts to come, detailing some of the behind-the-scenes figures that helped the Giants get where they are.

KHL November 27th 2012

Again a day with only one game, which game from Kazakhstan, as Barys Astana hosted Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Mikhail Biryukov for Yugra and Teemu Lassila for Barys stand in the creases. Khanty-Mansiysk led off with a first period goal by Maxim Belyaev, coming off of Anton Krysanov. Astana tied it when Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev scored, thanks to Talgat Zhailauov and Victor Hedman. Barys took the lead in the second period on a Fyodor Polishchuk goal, courtesy of Roman Savchenko and Dustin Boyd. Astana added on as Zhailauov potted the puck, with the help of Krasnoslobodtsev and Hedman. Barys continued with a Maxim Spiridonov goal, made possible by Brandon Bochenski and Nikolai Antropov. Astana extended the lead with a Savchenko goal, assisted by Zhailaumov and Krasnoslobodtsev. Barys padded the lead on a and unassisted Konstantin Rudenko power play goal. Yugra got one back in the third period when Linus Videll scored, and Vitaly Sitnikov and Kirill Dyakov picked up the helpers. This made it a 6-2 win for Barys, with the three stars going to Zhailauov, Krasnoslobodtsev, and Savchenko, while Hedman gets an honorable mention.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Fantasy Football All-Stars Week 12 2012

More clinching should have happened this week, and there are only two more weeks until the playoffs. It was another rough week for my fleet of seventeen, as even the mighty fell in some places. Here's who most likely was not on my team this week.

Quarterback: Cam Newton
Running Backs: Bryce Brown and Arian Foster
Wide Receivers: Dez Bryant and Julio Jones
Tight End: Charles Clay (this is what the post-Gronkowski world has come to)
Kicker: Rob Bironas
Team Defense: New England
Defensive Players: Janoris Jenkins and Steve Gregory

In addition, I have only six of my seventeen teams in the playoffs. Most are on the outside looking, so I'm not expecting more than ten.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Monday Night Football Week 12 2012

Tonight's game has the under-performing Philadelphia Eagles host the equally disappoint Carolina Panthers. Philadelphia opened with an Alex Henery 36 yard field goal in the first quarter. Carolina took the lead as Cam Newton passed 24 yards to Gary Barnidge for a touchdown, and Graham  booted the extra point. The Panthers added on as Newton found Brandon LaFell for 43 yards and a touchdown, and Gano knocked in the extra point. The Eagles replied with a 41 yard field goal by Henery in the second quarter. Philadelphia chipped away as Bryce Brown ran 65 yards for a touchdown, but they failed on the two point conversion attempt. The Eagles got the lead when Henery made a 45 yard field goal. Carolina retook the lead in the third quarter as Newton ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Gano was there with the PAT. Philadelphia edged ahead as Brown ran 5 yards for another touchdown, and Henery supplied the extra point. The Panthers took the lead back in the fourth quarter as Gano made a 23 yard field goal. Carolina padded the lead as Newton ran 2 yards for a touchdown, but Gano missed the extra point. This made it 30-22, a final, with both team now at 3-8.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

How They Got Here: The Story of the 2012 San Francisco Giants Part 29

How They Got Here: The San Francisco Giants is a one-by-one look at how each member of the 2012 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants found their way to the squad. We'll look at all of the players on the roster, as well as notable players who did not make the postseason roster for whatever reason and the coaching staff and general manager. Part twenty-nine talks about journeyman infielder Marco Scutaro. 

Marco Scutaro was born on October 30, 1975, in San Felipe, Venezuela. He was signed at the age of eighteen as an amateur free agent by the Cleveland Indians on July 26, 1994. He entered the Indians farm system in 1996, playing for the Class A Columbus Red Stixx of Columbus, Georgia in the South Atlantic League. Here, he played in eighty-five games, hitting .251 for a batting average, with three triples, ten home runs, forty-five runs batted in, and six stolen bases. In 1997, he was promoted to the Class A Advanced Kinston Indians of Kinston, North Carolina, in the Carolina League, before a late season promotion to the Class AAA American Association to close out the year with the Buffalo Bisons of Buffalo, New York in the . Between the two levels, Scutaro hit to a .271 batting average with six triples, eleven home runs, sixty-five runs batted in and twenty-three stolen bases. For the 1998 season, Scutaro spent much of his time with the Class AA Akron Aeros of Akron, Ohio in the Eastern League, before earning another late season promotion to Buffalo, now in the Class AAA International League. Here, he hit a .311 batting average with six triples, eleven home runs, sixty-six runs batted in, and thirty-three stolen bases. Throughout this time, Scutaro played primarily at second base, but also spent time at shortstop and third base when needed, becoming a versatile utility player. He spent all of 1999 in Buffalo, hitting .273 with two triples, eight home runs, fifty-one runs batted in and twenty-one stolen bases. Scutaro also spent a large majority of 2000 with the Bisons, hitting to a .275 batting average with five triples and home runs each, as well as fifty-four runs batted in and nine stolen bases, the beginning of a decline in his base-stealing abilities. Scutaro was sent as the play to be named later in the July 28, 2000 deal between the Indians and Milwaukee Brewers that sent Kane Davis, Paul Rigdon, and Richie Sexson to Milwaukee in exchange for Jason Bere, Bob Wickman, and Steve Woodard going to Cleveland. Appearing in four games at the end of the season with Indianapolis Indians (despite the name, a member of the Milwaukee farm system) in the Class AAA International League, Scutaro looked much stronger than he had in his time with Buffalo. He spent all of 2001 in Indianapolis, hitting .295 with three triples, eleven home runs, fifty runs batted in, and eleven stolen bases. At the start of the 2002 season, Milwaukee waived Scutaro to make room for Nelson Figueroa on their roster, and on April 5th, Scutaro was acquired by the New York Mets. Scutaro remained in the International League, playing with the Norfolk Tides of Norfolk, Virginia for much of the year. He produced at a .319 clip, with six triples, seven home runs, and twenty-eight runs batted in, before a promotion to the major league Mets on July 19th. His debut came on July 21st, and he was used primarily in a pinch-hitting role with a low level of success. The 2003 season was a roller-coaster for Scutaro, who began the year in Norfolk. He had two stints in both Norfolk and New York during the year. With the Tides, he hit .311 with three triples and nine home runs, as well as thirty-two runs batted in. With the Mets, he struggled, hitting only .213 with just two home runs and six runs batted in a mostly pinch-hitting role. He did get some starts second base during his time, but not enough to make a difference in his numbers. On October 9th, 2003, Scutaro was selected off of waivers by the Oakland Athletics, and here he crossed paths with yesterday's featured player, Barry Zito, who pitched with the Athletics from 2000-2006. During 2004, Scutaro played at second base after Mark Ellis suffered a season-ending injury in spring training. Scutaro, now with a full season to work with, responded well, hitting .273 with a triple, seven home runs, and forty-three runs batted in. When necessary, he also covered third base, shortstop, and left field. Later in his tenure, he would also appear in right field and as the designated hitter. In 2005, Scutaro was most often a shortstop for Oakland, but his numbers regressed from the previous season. He ended with a .247 batting average and nine home runs as well as thirty-seven runs batted in. He was quickly becoming a reliable but unspectacular player in his major league time. Scutaro rebounded slightly in 2006, ending that season with a .266 batting average, six triples, five home runs, and forty-one runs batted in. He also made his first postseason appearances, playing in all seven games Oakland played in the playoffs. During the three games against the Minnesota Twins in the American League Division Series, Scutaro hit four triples and knocked in six runs, but his bat cooled mightily as Oakland was on the other end of a sweep in the American League Championships Series versus the Detroit Tigers. He did about the same level of play in 2007 as the year before, hitting .260 with seven home runs and forty-one runs batted in. At the end of the season, Oakland traded Scutaro to the Toronto Blue Jays for minor league player Kristian Bell and prospect Graham Godfrey. In 2008, Scutaro filled in the Blue Jays lineup at a number of spots as injuries to teammates required a short-term option to fill the holes. He posted his usual numbers of a .267 average and one triple, with seven home runs and sixty runs batted in. He settled down in 2009, playing primarily shortstop for a majority of the season as the starter, and he had his best season here. Scutaro hit .282 with a triple, twelve home runs, and sixty runs batted in. He became a free agent at the end of the year, and signed on December 4th with the Boston Red Sox. He remained reliable with the Red Sox, and also managed to haunt the Twins again. In the first game at Target Field, Scutaro recorded the first hit in the history of the park, and also the first out. He would go on to have a final line of a .275 batting average, eleven home runs, and fifty-six runs batted in. In 2011, Scutaro was still with Boston, and hit to a .299 batting average with one triple, seven home runs, and fifty-four runs batted in, all in a campaign interrupted by an injury that cost him a month. He made his rehabilitation appearances in June with the Pawtucket Red Sox of the International League. With numbers like these slightly above his career average, Scutaro was getting better as he got older. Boston activated his contract option in 2012, and then traded him to the Colorado Rockies on January 21st, in exchange for Clayton Mortensen. Working in the crowded Colorado infield, Scutaro only managed a .271 batting average and just three triples, four home runs, and thirty runs batted in. The trade looked like a bust for the Rockies, so at the deadline, they flipped Scutaro with cash to the San Francisco Giants for Charlie Culberson, a prospect. Many laughed at the Giants for making such a minor trade when they were in the heat of a division race with the newly free-spending Los Angeles Dodgers. Acquisitions such as Hunter Pence and Scutaro were not thought to make San Francisco much better as a team. Scutaro quickly proved the doubters wrong, kicking into a gear unseen before by hitting .362 over the final sixty-one games of the season, and he added a triple, three home runs, and forty-four runs batted in, the latter number being nearly fifty percent more than he had for all of the first four months with Colorado. He covered third base for the injured Pablo Sandoval when he first arrived, before providing a huge boost of stability to the very weak second base platoon. At age 36, Scutaro knew time was running out for a World Series title, and he continued his beastly run in the playoffs. While he was largely ineffective against the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Division Series, Scutaro became a rallying point once the Giants went down 3-1 to the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship. Here, he hit an amazing .500 with a record tying fourteen hits against the Cardinals. He crossed the plate six times and knocked in four runs, while producing an iconic moment after the Giants clinched a World Series title at the end of Game 7 by standing in the pouring rain at AT&T Park with his hands in the air. Most of this was done after he appeared to be hurt by a Matt Holliday takeout slide in Game 2. Against the Detroit Tigers in the World Series, Scutaro was not as dominant at the plate, but made a huge defensive play on Gregor Blanco's throw to get Prince Fielder out at home plate in Game 2, coming across the field to act as the relay man before firing to Buster Posey at the plate. Without that big play, Scutaro may never have been seen as the hero two games later, in the tenth inning of Game 4, when his single gave Ryan Theriot time to score the go-ahead, and eventually World Series-clinching run. Because of his huge performance in the postseason, including the .328 batting average and eight runs batted in, Scutaro is receiving heavy interest in the 2012 offseason. Scutaro can rest easier now knowing he has won it all, but as a free agent, he needs a place to play for 2013, and hopefully he continues to get better as he ages.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL November 26th 2012

Only one game today, as Dynamo Moscow hosts their neighbors to the north, Atlant Mytishchi. Anton Khudobin for Atlant and Alexei Volkov for Dynamo tend the twines. Mytishchi began in the first period as Andreas Engqvist scored a goal, with the help of Roman Rukavishnikov and Nikolai Lemtyugov. Atlant added on in the second period as Fyodor Tyutin scored a power play goal, powered by Nikolai Zherdev and Ilya Kablukov. Mytishchi kept going on a Maxim Mayorov goal, fueled by Sandis Ozolins. Moscow got on the board with a Janne Jalasvaara goal, coming off of Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Ovechkin. Atlant replied in the third period on an Alexander Shevchenko goal, made possible by Viktor Stalberg and Ozolins. Dynamo answered with a Leo Komarov power play goal, passed from Ovechkin and Backstrom. Mytishchi finished the scoring at 5-2 with an empty net goal by Zherdev, thanks to Ozolins and Kablukov. The three stars went to Ozolins, Zherdev, and Kablukov, while Backstrom and Ovechkin get the honorable mentions.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NFL Afternoon/Night Games Week 12 2012

Four games on to wrap up the day, beginning in...

San Diego, as the Chargers host the Baltimore Ravens. San Diego started in the second quarter as Philip Rivers passed 21 yard to Malcom Floyd for a touchdown, and Nick Novak supplied the extra point. The Chargers added on with a Novak 47 yard field goal. Baltimore got on the board in the third quarter on a 43yard Justin Tucker field goal. San Diego answered in the fourth quarter on a Novak 30 yard field goal. The Ravens got some back as Joe Flacco passed 4 yards to Dennis Pitta, and Tucker handled the extra point. Baltimore tied it with a 38 yard field goal by Tucker.

A bit to the east, the Arizona Cardinals host the St. Louis Rams. Arizona led off with a first quarter Beanie Wells 1 yard touchdown rush, and Jay Feely knocked in the extra point. St. Louis tied it in the second quarter as Janoris Jenkins picked off Ryan Lindley and returned the ball 36 yards for a touchdown, allowing Greg Zuerlein to make the extra point. The Cardinals took the lead back as Wells ran 12 yards for a touchdown, and Feely again handled the extra point. The Rams tied it again when Sam Bradford passed 37 yards to Lance Kendricks for a touchdown, and Zuerlein knocked in the PAT. Arizona struck again on a 32 yard Feely field goal. St. Louis fired back with a Bradford touchdown pass of 37 yards to Chris Givens, and Zuerlein supplied the extra point. The Rams extended the lead on another Jenkins pick six of Lindley, this time for 39 yards and the score, and Zuerlein was true on the extra point. St. Louis padded the lead in the fourth quarter as Zuerlein made a 19 yard field goal. This made it 31-17, a final, with the Rams now at 4-6-1 and the Cardinals dropping to 4-7.

Further east, the New Orleans Saints welcome the San Francisco 49ers. San Francisco began with a first quarter Colin Kaepernick touchdown run of 7 yards, and David Akers supplied the extra point. New Orleans tied the game as Drew Brees passed 6 yards for a touchdown to David Thomas, and Garrett Hartley booted the extra point. The Saints took the lead in the second quarter as Brees found Marques Colston for 10 yards and a touchdown, and Hartley again made the extra point. The 49ers tied it when Ahmad Brooks intercepted Brees and took it to the end zone for a touchdown, allowing Akers the equalizing extra point. San Francisco took the lead in the third quarter with Kaepernick passing 6 yards to Frank Gore for a touchdown, and Akers booted the PAT. The 49ers got some more when Donte Whitner returned an interception of Brees 42 yards for a touchdown, and Akers kicked in another extra point. New Orleans replied as Brees passed 2 yards to Jed Collins for a touchdown, and Hartley was there with the extra point. San Francisco shot back on an Akers 27 yard field goal in the fourth quarter. This was good for a 31-21 win, with the 49ers now at 8-2-1 and the Saints falling to 5-6.

Finally, the Sunday Night game is in New Jersey, as the New York Giants host the Green Bay Packers. New York opened in the first quarter as Andre Brown ran 2 yards for a touchdown, and Lawrence Tynes made the extra point. Green Bay tied it with Aaron Rodgers passing 61 yards to Jordy Nelson for a touchdown, and Mason Crosby was there with the extra point. The Giants took the lead back when Manning passed 16 yards to Rueben Randle for a touchdown, allowing Tynes to make the extra point. New York struck again as Tynes made a 43 yard field goal. The Giants padded the lead as Manning passed 9 yards to Victor Cruz for a touchdown, and Tynes again supplied the PAT. The Packers answered on a Crosby 28 yard field goal. New York fired back as Ahmad Bradshaw ran 13 yards for a touchdown, and Tynes booted the extra point. The Giants kept going in the third quarter when Manning passed 13 yards to Hakeem Nicks for a touchdown, and Tynes knocked in the extra point. The fourth quarter went scoreless, so the final favored New York 38-10, and they improved to 7-4 while dropping the Packers to the same mark.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

How They Got Here: The Story of the 2012 San Francisco Giants Part 28

How They Got Here: The San Francisco Giants is a one-by-one look at how each member of the 2012 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants found their way to the squad. We'll look at all of the players on the roster, as well as notable players who did not make the postseason roster for whatever reason and the coaching staff and general manager. Part twenty-eight tells us about much-maligned starting pitcher Barry Zito. 

Barry Zito was born on May 13, 1978 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He graduated from University of San Diego High School in 1996, and began attending college at University of California's Santa Barbara campus, where he was named a Freshman All-American. He next went to Los Angeles Pierce College, earning all-state and all-conference honors, before again switching schools to pitch at University of Southern California. Here, he was named Pac-10 Pitcher of the Year in 1999. After having been a fifty-ninth round draft pick of the Seattle Mariners in 1996 and a third round draft pick in 1998 by the Texas Rangers, Zito finally signed in his third draft, when he was the ninth overall selection in the first round of the 1999 draft, selected by the Oakland Athletics. In 1999, he pitched at three levels of the Athletics' minor league organization, beginning in the Class A Advanced California League with the Visalia Oaks, before a promotion to the Class AA Texas League to play with the Midland RockHounds, and then a promotion for a late season start in the Class AAA Pacific Coast League with the Vancouver Canadians of British Columbia (which was their final season in Vancouver). Throughout the season, Zito compiled a 3.16 earned run average in thirteen starts, while striking out ninety-seven in sixty-eight and one-third innings. The Canadians relocated to Sacramento in 2000, becoming the River Cats, and Zito began the year with them, pitching to a 3.19 earned run average with ninety-one strikeouts in 101 and 2/3 innings pitched, before a promotion to Oakland on July 22, 2000. He won his major league debut, and pitched in twelve major league games in total, posting a 2.72 earned run average as well as seventy-eight strikeouts in ninety-two and two-thirds innings. Zito struggled early in the 2001 season, but went into high gear in August and September to end the season with a 3.49 earned run average, 205 strikeouts, and 214 and 1/3 innings of work. He pitched in the postseason as well, starting Game 4 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees, taking a hard luck loss by allowing just one run over eight innings while striking out six. The Yankees won the series 3-2, and made it to the World Series before losing 4-3 to the Arizona Diamondbacks. In 2002, Zito had a star-making season, making the first All-Star team of his career. At the end of the year, he had an impressive 23-5 record with just seven no-decisions (five of which the Athletics won anyway), and a 2.75 earned run average with 182 strikeouts in 229 and 1/3 innings. This earned him the league title for wins, as well as the American Cy Young Award for the best pitcher as voted upon by the Baseball Writers Association of America. His one postseason start in the American League Division Series did not go as well as his regular season, an ugly six inning win against the Minnesota Twins in Game 3, striking out eight while allowing three runs. Zito regressed noticeably in 2003, ending the year with a 3.30 earned run average and 146 strikeouts over 231 and 2/3 innings. He made his second consecutive All-Star Game, and pitched in two postseason games against the Boston Red Sox in the American League Division Series. In Game 2, Zito got the win, but he lost the decisive Game 5, allowing the Red Sox to advance. He ended with a 3.46 earned run average and thirteen strikeouts in thirteen innings during the two postseason appearances. Zito's 2004 season was a microcosm of the Athletics season, with another large regression, to the point where it looked like his talent was fading. He ended the year with a 4.48 earned run average and 163 strikeouts in 213 innings, while Oakland missed the playoffs for the first time since he joined them on a full-time basis. Zito rebounded a bit in 2005, pitching to a 3.86 earned run average and 171 strikeouts in 228 and 1/3 innings of work, but again Oakland missed the playoffs. He continued his resurgence in his walk year, 2006, and was the American League starter in the All-Star Game, his third. He ended the season with a 3.83 earned run average and 151 strikeouts in 221 innings pitched. During his time in Oakland, Zito's durability as well as his reliability made him a very valuable pitcher, as he never missed a start and frequently produced at a better-than-average level. After seven years in Oakland, Zito needed a change, hiring big name player agent Scott Boras. He was rumored in deals to the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies, but was not traded, instead going to free agency. Here, he managed a then-record $128 million, seven-year contract with the San Francisco Giants. Zito was on his way across the bay for 2007 and beyond. It took hm three starts to get a win, and he struggled for much of the year, thought to be under enormous pressure due to the size of the contract. He possessed a 4.53 earned run average with 131 strikeouts in 196 and 2/3 innings pitched. August was an interesting month in particular for him, as he pitched in relief on August 5th after an injury to help relieve the stress on an overworked bullpen. Two days later, he earned his first run batted in (having been in the American League, he did not have to hit except in interleague play) in the same game as fellow Barry Bonds' 756th home run. Looking for a rebound in 2008, Zito got the opposite of that, struggling mightily and even being sent to the bullpen in early May. He couldn't figure things out all season, ending with a 5.15 earned run average and 120 strikeouts in 180 innings. Zito was better in 2009, returning a serviceable level of pitching, but the Giants did not do themselves any favors by giving him low run support in many of his starts. When it was all over, he had a recognizable 4.03 earned run average and 154 strikeouts in 192 innings of work. Zito looked to be regaining his form in 2010, but ended the season in a slump, seeing his numbers inflate to a 4.15 earned run average and 150 strikeouts in 199 and 1/3 innings pitched. The slump alarmed the Giants management, and he was not named to the postseason roster. This exile left San Francisco with a rotation of Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez, and Madison Bumgarner, a well-oiled machine that efficiently worked past the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Texas Rangers to win the World Series. While not on the roster, and therefore not officially a World Series Champion, Zito received his first World Series ring for his regular season contributions. The 2011 season as a mess for Zito, as he suffered his first major league injury in his right foot while attempting to field a ball, and made his first disabled list appearance. From April 16th to Jun 28th, Zito was out healing the injury, and he made his rehabilitation appearances with the Class A Advanced San Jose Giants of the Pacific Coast League. In three games, he owned a 2.53 earned run average in twenty-one and one-third innings, before returning to San Francisco. He lasted a month before suffering another injury, and then while rehabilitating this injury with the Fresno Grizzlies of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League, he suffered a setback. He finally returned for four starts in September to close out the season. His playing time became sporadic at the major league level due to the emergence of Ryan Vogelsong, who returned from Japan and excelled in the fifth-starter's role. Zito finished with a 5.87 earned run average with thirty-two strikeouts in fifty-three and two-thirds innings during the fractured (no pun intended) season. Looking to be a sunken cost with his massive contract and equally-horrendous statistics, Zito changed his pitching approach in 2012. The results were admirable, with his first start being his first shutout in nearly nine years. He was able to keep his spot in the rotation when Vogelsong came back from the disabled list, and was effective in a majority of his starts. At the end of the year, he had a 4.15 earned run average, with 114 strikeouts in 184 and 1/3 innings. Still, he was unable to earn the respect of Giants fans, and was faced with further negativity when he was named the fourth postseason starter ahead of the struggling fan favorite and former staff ace Tim Lincecum. The fans became even more restless after his start in Game 4against the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Division Series, which lasted just two and two-thirds innings. The Giants held on to win the game and the next one to win the series, but when Lincecum picked up the win out of the bullpen, the fans were nervous. Zito did his best to prove them wrong in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series, with the Giants season again on the line. Pitching against Lance Lynn of the St. Louis Cardinals, Zito had one of his best games of the year, seven and two-thirds innings with just six hits and one walk allowed, as well as six strikeouts. He was the inspiration behind one of the biggest Twitter trends in history, the #RallyZito hashtag. The Giants official Twitter feed created more rally-pitcher hashtags in the next two games, and the results were the same, as the Giants came back from a 3-1 series deficit to win the series and advance to play the Detroit Tigers in the World Series. Zito had proven his worth to San Francisco, after six years of average-to-miserable results, and they were willing to forgive him if he could help them win the World Series. In Game 1, he did just that, earning the win by allowing only one run in five and two-thirds innings, with seven baserunners allowed. The fact that he won was big enough, as the Giants worked on short rest while the Tigers were able to align their rotation as they wished. This meant Zito dueled with one of the game's best, Justin Verlander, and got the better of him. Three games later, the Giants had swept the Tigers in the World Series, and the monkey the fans of San Francisco had placed on Zito's back had been lifted. He earned his first official World Series title, and while he will likely part ways with the Giants in the coming years, Zito looks to continue the success he found in the postseason for 2013 and beyond.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

NFL Morning Games Week 12 2012

The fight to catch up continues as I move along to the NFL. Eight early games on, beginning in...

Kansas City, as the Chiefs hosts the Denver Broncos. Kansas City opened in the first quarter as Ryan Succop made a field goal of 34 yards. The Chiefs added as Succop booted a 22 yard field goal. Denver took the lead in the second quarter as Peyton Manning passed 7 yards to Jacob Tamme for a touchdown, and Matt Prater made the extra point. Kansas City shot back in the third quarter when Succop made a 49 yard field goal. The Broncos reclaimed the lead on a Manning 30 yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas, and Prater was true with the PAT. Denver padded the lead as Prater made a 34 yard field goal in the fourth quarter, and this was good for a 17-9 win. Denver is now 8-3 while Kansas City drops to 1-10.

Up in Indianapolis, the Colts host the Buffalo Bills. Indianapolis was first to score in the first quarter as T.Y. Hilton returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown, and Adam Vinatieri made the extra point. Buffalo got on the board with a Rian Lindell field goal of 33 yards. The Colts answered in the second quarter as Vinatieri made a 25 yard field goal. The Bills shot back on a Lindell field goal from 31 yards out. Indianapolis replied as Vinatieri made a 19 yard field goal. The Colts padded the lead in the third quarter as Andrew Luck passed 8 yards to Hilton for a touchdown. Buffalo got some back in the fourth quarter on a 1 yard touchdown pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick to Lee Smith, and Lindell was there with the PAT. They couldn't pull even, dropping a 20-13 decision to the Colts, who are now 7-4, while the Bills fall to 4-7.

Over to Cleveland, where the Browns welcome the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh led off in the first quarter as Lawrence Timmons returned an interception of Brandon Weeden 53 yards for a touchdown, and Shaun Suisham made the extra point. Cleveland got on the board as Phil Dawson knocked in a 28 yard field goal. The Browns took the lead as Weeden found Jordan Cameron for 5 yards and a touchdown, and Dawson was there with the PAT. Cleveland extended the lead when Dawson made a 32 yard field goal. The Steelers tied it as Chris Rainey ran 1 yard for a touchdown, before taking the lead on the Suisham extra point. The Browns retook the lead as Trent Richardson ran 15 yards for a touchdown, and Dawson supplied the extra point. This held up under a late flurry for a 20-14 win, with Cleveland now at 3-8 while Pittsburgh drops to 6-5.

Staying in Ohio, the Cincinnati Bengals host the Oakland Raiders. Cincinnati began with a first quarter touchdown run of 1 yard by BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and Mike Nugent made the extra point. The Bengals added on with a 2 yard Andy Dalton touchdown pass to Mohamed Sanu, and Nugent knocked in another extra point. Cincinnati padded the lead in the second quarter as Dalton passed 5 yards for another touchdown to Sanu, and Nugent was true with the PAT. The Bengals got some more as Nugent made a 55 yard field goal. Oakland got going in the third quarter as Sebastian Janikowski made a 55 yard field goal. The Raiders pulled closer as Carson Palmer passed 20 yards to Denarius Moore for a touchdown, and Janikowski booted the extra point. Cincinnati answered in the fourth quarter on a Nugent field goal of 20 yards. The Bengals padded the lead some more with a Dalton touchdown pass of 7 yards to Jermaine Gresham, and Nugent again handled the extra point. This iced the game at 34-10, with the Bengals now at 6-5 and the Raiders falling to 3-8.

Down in Florida, the Miami Dolphins bring in the Seattle Seahawks. Miami got going in the second quarter as Reggie Bush ran 21 yards for a touchdown, and Dan Carpenter supplied the extra point. Seattle tied it with a Russell Wilson 3 yard touchdown pass to Anthony McCoy, and Steven Hauschka's extra point was the equalizer. The Seahawks took the lead in the third quarter as Wilson found Michael Robinson for 4 yards and a touchdown, and Hauschka booted the PAT. The Dolphins tied the game in the fourth quarter as Daniel Thomas rushed 3 yards for a touchdown, and Carpenter knocked in the extra point. Seattle answered on the ensuing kickoff when Leon Washington ran it back 98 yards for a touchdown, and Hauschka came on to make the extra point. Miami tied it when Ryan Tannehill passed 29 yards to Charles Clay for a touchdown, and Carpenter again tied the game with an extra point. The Dolphins won it 24-21 when Carpenter made a 43 yard field goal as time expired. Miami jumps up to 5-6 while the Seahawks are now 6-5.

Still in the state, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers welcome the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta started in the first quarter with a Matt Bryant 31 yard field goal. Tampa Bay answered as Doug Martin ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Connor Barth was there with the extra point. The Falcons took the lead back in the second quarter when Jacquizz Rodgers ran 5 yards for a touchdown, and Bryant supplied the extra point. The Buccaneers pulled even on a Barth field goal of 22 yards. Tampa Bay took the lead again in the third quarter as Barth made a 42 yard field goal. Atlanta edged ahead as Matt Ryan passed 80 yards to Julio Jones for a touchdown, and Bryant supplied the PAT. The Buccaneers answered in the fourth quarter as Martin ran in another 1 yard touchdown, and Barth booted the extra point. Barth extended the lead for Tampa Bay on a 48 yard field goal. The Falcons pulled back ahead as Michael Turner ran 3 yards for a touchdown, and Bryant was true with the extra point. They held on for a 24-23 win, and Atlanta improved to 10-1 while Tampa Bay dropped to 6-5.

Northwest to Chicago, where the Bears host the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota struck first with a Blair Walsh field goal of 40 yards. Chicago answered as Michael Bush ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Robbie Gould was there with the extra point. The Bears extended the lead with a Gould 47 yard field goal. Chicago struck again in the second quarter when Bush ran 1 yard for another touchdown, and then Adam Podlesh made up for a botched hold by running in the two-point conversion. The Bears padded the lead as Jay Cutler found Matt Spaeth for 13 yards and a touchdown, and Gould knocked in the PAT. The Vikings answered in the third quarter on a Christian Ponder 2 yard touchdown pass to Kyle Rudolph, and Walsh made the extra point. Chicago replied with a Gould 46 yard field goal. This made it 28-10, and after a scoreless fourth quarter, it was a final. The Bears are now 8-3 and the Vikings fall to 6-5.

Back to Florida to close out the games, as the Jacksonville Jaguars host the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee staked a lead with a Rob Bironas field goal of 38 yards. Jacksonville took the lead when Rashad Jennings ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Josh Scobee knocked in the extra point. The Titans pulled back in the second quarter when Bironas kicked a 40 yard field goal. The Jaguars extended the lead in the third quarter as Chad Henne passed 59 yards to Cecil Shorts for a touchdown, and Scobee again made the extra point. Tennessee shot back with a 39 yard field goal by Bironas. The Titans chipped away in the fourth quarter when Bironas made a 33 yard field goal. Jacksonville replied as Henne passed 7 yards to Justin Blackmon for a touchdown, and Scobee booted the PAT. Tennessee shot back as Jake Locker passed 6 yards for a touchdown to Kenny Britt, and Bironas was there with the extra point. The Jaguars made it 24-19 when Scobee kicked a 41 yard field goal, and this was a final. Jacksonville is now 2-9 while the Titans fall to 4-7.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

KHL November 25th 2012

Due to time constraints, I will forgo any three stars nominations for the nine games on today. Spoiler alert: High scoring games today. First up is...

Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg hosting Barys Astana. Teemu Lassila for Barys and Evgeny Lobanov for Avtomobilist are in goal. Yekaterinburg began with a first period goal by Sergei Nemolodyshev, assisted by Rastislav Spirko. Astana tied it with a power play goal from Roman Starchenko, and Vitaly Novopashin supplied the assist. Barys took the lead in the second period on a Dmitry Upper goal, with Victor Hedman recording the lone assist. Avtomobilist tied it again on the power play as Josef Straka scored a goal, powered by Fyodor Malykhin. Astana took the lead again as Talgat Zhailauov scored, thanks to Hedman. Yekaterinburg pulled even with an unassisted power play goal by Artyom Kryukov. Barys shot back as Dustin Boyd scored, via the goalie Lassila and Hedman, who gets a sock trick. Avtomobilist retied the game in the third period on a Denis Sokolov goal, fueled by Vasily Streltsov. The game went into overtime, where Astana won 5-4 when Nigel Dawes put down an unassisted goal.

To the west, Salavat Yulaev Ufa hosts Dinamo Riga. Maris Jucers for Dinamo and Iiro Tarkki for Salavat Yulaev guard the cages. Ufa led off with a first period goal by Nikita Filatov, courtesy of Andrei Zubarev and Denis Parshin. Riga tied it in the second period on an Alexandre Giroux goal, made possible by Aleksandrs Nizivijs and Paul Szczechura. Salavat Yulaev took the lead back as Zubarev scored, via Igor Mirnov. Ufa extended the lead on a Mirnov goal, set up by Vitaly Proshkin. Salavat Yulaev kept going with a power play goal by Antti Pihlstrom, powered by Miroslav Blatak and Alexei Kaigorodov. Ufa got another with a power play goal from Oleg Saprykin, passed from Sergei Zinovyev. Dinamo shot back with a power play goal of their own, as Martins Porejs scored, with the help of Guntis Galvins and Martins Karsums. Salavat Yulaev answered with another Pihlstrom goal, guided in by Zubarev and Kaigorodov shorthanded. Riga pulled back in the third period on a power play goal from Karsums, coming off of Galvins and Porejs. Ufa finished the scoring at 7-3 with Pihlstrom potting his third of the night for a hat trick, and the assists were credited to Zubarev, who gets a sock trick, and Mirnov.

Next, we head south, as Metallurg Magnitogorsk hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Edgars Masalskis for Yugra and Georgy Gelashvili for Metallurg are all padded up. Khanty-Mansiysk was first to score in the second period with a power play goal by Igor Skorokhodov, powered by Anton But and Denis Grebeshkov. Magnitogorsk tied it in the third period on a power play goal by Evgeny Malkin, assisted by Sergei Mozyakin and Nikolai Kulemin. Yugra won 2-1 in overtime with a But goal, with a lone assist from Anton Krysanov.

Back east a touch, as Traktor Chelyabinsk hosts Avangard Omsk. Karri Ramo for Avangard and Andrei Mezin for Traktor have the green light to start. Chelyabinsk started with a first period Jan Bulis goal, passed from Maxim Yakutsenya. Omsk tied it with an Alexander Perezhogin goal, coming off of Anton Belov. Traktor took the lead in the second period when Evgeny Kuznetsov scored, thanks to Yakutsenya. Avangard tied it when Tomas Zaborsky converted a penalty shot he received for being tripped by Deron Quint on a breakaway. Chelyabinsk reclaimed the lead when Vyacheslav Belov scored, with the help of Petri Kontiola. Omsk again tied the game as Sergei Kalinin scored a goal, fueled by Dmitry Syomin and Oleg Piganovich. Traktor edged ahead once more with a power play goal from Bulis, powered by Quint and Kuznetsov. Avangard evened the score again as Igor Volkov scored a goal, guided in by Matti Kuparinen and Kalinin. Omsk took the lead as Kirill Lyamin scored, courtesy of Zaborsky and Andrei Ivanov. Traktor pulled Mezin at this time for Vladislav Fokin. Avangard made it 6-4 with an empty net shorthanded goal by Sergei Kostitsyn, assisted by Nikita Nikitin, and this was the final score.

In the west, Severstal Cherepovets hosts Dinamo Minsk. Pekka Rinne for Dinamo and Vasily Koshechkin for Severstal tend the twines. Minsk struck first in the second period as Teemu Laine scored, with the help of Tim Stapleton and Andrei Stas. Cherepovets tied it with a Niclas Bergfors goal coming on the power play from Mikko Lehtonen and Alexander Ryazantsev. Dinamo took the lead again in the third period on an Alexander Kulakov goal, passed from Stanislav Lopachuk. Minsk extended the lead as Zbynek Irgl scored, thanks to Joe Pavelski and Pavel Chernook. Severstal shot back as Nikolai Kazakovtsev potted the puck, guided in by Denis Kazionov and Evgeny Kovyrshin. Cherepovets tied the game as Vadim Berdnikov netted a goal, with a lone assist by Tom Wandell. Severstal won it 4-3 after a shootout as two goals from Berdnikov topped a lone Stapleton tally.

Back east, Nefekhimik Nizhnekamsk hosts Spartak Moscow. Sergei Borisov of Spartak and Matt Dalton of Neftekhimik play in the blue paint. Nizhnekamsk opened with a first period power play goal goal by Petr Koukal, powered by Nail Yakupov and Renat Mamashev. Neftekhimik added on in the second period with another power play goal, this time off the tape of Alexander Seluyanov, assisted by Yakupov and Mamashev. Moscow got on the board in the third period with a goal by Mikhail Mamkin, courtesy of Mikhail Yunkov and Alexander Suglobov. They got no closer, so Neftekhimik won 2-1.

A little to the northwest, Ak Bars Kazan hosts Donbass Donetsk. Jan Laco of Donbass and Konstantin Barulin of Ak Bars are between pipes. Kazan got going in the first period when Danis Zaripov scored, with the help of Niko Kapanen. Donetsk tied it with a Clay Wilson goal, fueled by Vaclav Nedorost and Tuomas Kiiskinen. Ak Bars took the lead as Alexei Yemelin scored a power play goal, with a lone assist by Janne Pesonen. Kazan added on in the second period when Dmitry Obukhov scored, thanks to Jarkko Immonen. Ak Bars kept going with a Alexei Morozov goal, coming off of Zaripov and Ilya Nikulin. Kazan struck again when Kirill Petrov scored an unassisted goal. Donbass answered with a power play goal by Nedorost, powered by Evgeny Dadonov and Kiiskinen. Donetsk pulled closer in the third period with a Sergei Peretyagin power play goal, set up by Ruslan Fedotenko and Sergei Varlamov. Ak Bars replied on a Morozov goal, passed from Zaripov. Donbass chipped away on a Kiiskinen goal, made possible by Alexei Ponikarovsky and Fedotenko. They scored no more goals, losing 6-4 to Ak Bars.

Westward again, as SKA St. Petersburg hosts Vityaz Chekhov. Ivan Kasutin for Vityaz and Sergei Bobrovsky for SKA are in the creases. Chekhov led off with a first period Anton Korolyov goal, passed from Alexander Korolyuk. Vityaz added on in the second period as Korolyuk scored a goal with a lone assist by Korolyov. St. Petersburg got on the board in the third period when Patrick Thoresen scored a power play goal, made possible by Dmitry Kalinin. SKA tied the game with a Maxim Rybin goal, courtesy of Yury Alexandrov and Igor Makarov. St. Petersburg took the lead when Petr Prucha scored, via Tony Martensson and Thoresen. SKA extended the lead with a Martensson goal, assisted by Kalinin and Thoresen. Chekhov got one back as Josh Hennessy scored a power play goal powered by Evgeny Timkin and Artemy Panarin. They failed to tie the game, losing 4-3 to SKA.

Finally, Slovan Bratislava hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Vitaly Kolesnik for Lokomotiv and Jaroslav Janus for Slovan are the masked men. Bratislava began with a first period goal by Libor Hudacek, coming off of Milan Bartovic and Mario Bliznak. Yaroslavl tied it in the second period with a power play goal by Emil Galimov, powered by Artyom Anisimov and Staffan Kronwall. Slovan replied as Lubomir Visnovsky scored a power play goal, made possible by Martin Stajnoch. Lokomotiv tied it again as Niklas Hagman scored, via Kronwall and Alexei Kalyuzhny. Bratislava made it 3-2, a final, in the third period with a power play goal by Hudacek, assisted by Michael Vondrka and Bliznak.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, Dairy Farmers of Washington, and Les Schwab Tires High School Football Semifinals 2012

It's that time of year again, with football semifinals being played the days after Thanksgiving. The first three games were played on Friday, and then the next four came on Saturday. First up...

Was the 2A semifinal between the Lynden Lions and Capital Cougars. Lynden began with a first quarter 40 yard touchdown run by Josh Kraght, and Alex Otano-Guenther made the extra point. The Lions added on when Kraght ran in a 7 yard touchdown, and Otano-Guenther again handled the extra point. Lynden kept going in the second quarter as Kraght ran a 1 yard touchdown in, and Otano-Guenther was true with the extra point. The Lions padded the lead as Kraght ran in his fourth touchdown of the game, this time from 6 yards away, but Otano-Guenther missed the extra point this time. Lynden struck again in the third quarter on a Kraght touchdown pass of 23 yards to Luke Christianson, and Otano-Gunether booted the extra point. Capital got on the board in the fourth quarter with a Kai Vansickle 37 yard touchdown rush, and Joey Geraci knocked in the extra point. The Lions shot back with Christianson running 47 yards for a touchdown, and Otano-Guenther made the PAT. Lynden scored some more as Christianson ran in a 68 yard touchdown, and Otano-Guenther converted another extra point. The Cougars answered with Derrick Becker passing 48 yards for a touchdown to Ted Maiava, and Geraci came on for the extra point. Capitals inched closer when Vansickle ran 8 yards for a touchdown, and Geraci again kicked the extra point. This produced the 48-21 final, with MVP honors going to Josh Kraght for his outstanding rushing and passing game.

Next up was the 2B semifinal between the Morton-White Pass Timberwolves and the La Conner Braves. The first quarter went by scoreless, and Morton-White Pass led off with a second quarter Rylon Kolb 31 yard touchdown pass to Gianni Bertucci, but Brian Reynolds missed the extra point. The Timberwolves extended the lead in the third quarter as Kolb passed 21 yards to Ben Powell for a touchdown, but they couldn't complete a two-point conversion. The fourth quarter was also silent for scoring, with Morton-White Pass winning 12-0 in the end. MVP honors of this occasionally sloppy and weak offense game went to Tyler Barnett's defensive play, where he had two interceptions in the red zone, likely saving the game for Morton-White Pass.

Wrapping up Friday, the 3A semifinal between the nationally acclaimed Bellevue Wolverines and the Mount Si Wildcats. Mount Si started with a first quarter Nick Mitchell 16 yard touchdown pass to Joey Cotto, and Cameron Van Winkle (who later punted a football into the rafters during second-half warmups) made the extra point. Bellevue shot back with a John Nguyen 10 yard touchdown run, and Ryan Bordner handled the extra point. The Wolverines took the lead on a Bordner field goal of 47 yards in the second quarter. Bellevue struck again when Nguyen ran 5 yards for the touchdown, and Bordner booted another PAT. Bordner supplied some more points for the Wolverines by kicking a 43 yard field goal. Budda Baker extended the Bellevue lead in the third quarter by running 11 yards for a touchdown, and Bordner was true with the extra point. The Wolverines padded the lead as Nguyen ran 1 yard for his third touchdown of the game, and Alexander Kruse came on to make the extra point. Bellevue iced it at 37-7 in the fourth quarter with Bordner making a 20 yard field goal. The MVP honors go to Nguyen for his three rushing touchdowns and power rushing game.

To lead off Saturday, the 1A semifinal between the Montesano Bulldogs and Mount Baker Mountaineers. Montesano opened in the first quarter as Tucker Ibabao ran 4 yards for a touchdown, and Anthony Louthan made the extra point. The Bulldogs added on with a 3 yard touchdown pass from Matthew Jensen to Ben Ohashi, and Louthan again kicked the extra point. Montesano extended the lead in the second quarter with Ibabao running 1 yard for a touchdown, allowing Louthan to kick the PAT. The Bulldogs got some more in the third quarter as Jensen passed 2 yards to Shad Rogers for a touchdown, and Louthan supplied the extra point. Mount Baker got on the board as Jake Schleimer rushed 2 yards for a touchdown, but Edgar Zavala missed the extra point. There was no scoring in the fourth quarter, so Montesano win 28-6, and Matthew Jensen received MVP honors.

The next game of the day was the first of two 4A semifinals, with the Skyline Spartans playing the Camas Papermakers. Camas struck first in the first quarter with a 24 yard touchdown run by Nate Beasley, and Roldan Alcobendas made the extra point. The Papermakers added on with a Reilly Hennessey 94 yard touchdown pass to Zach Eagle, and Alcobendas again handled the extra point. Skyline got on the board as Max Browne lateraled to Matt Sinatro, who then fired a 7 yard touchdown pass to Nic Sblendorio, and Sean McDonald came on for the extra point. The Spartans tied it in the second quarter as Browne passed 14 yards to Austin Bui for a touchdown, and McDonald again made the extra point. Skyline took the lead as Browne passed 34 yards for a touchdown to Sblendorio, and McDonald nailed the extra point. The Spartans got some more when McDonald made a 47 yard field goal. Skyline continued to pad the lead in the third quarter with another Browne lateral to Sinatro, who again found Sblendorio for 49 yards and a touchdown, and McDonald again knocked in the PAT. The Spartans extended the lead with Browne firing a 27 yard touchdown pass to Cedric Cooper, and McDonald booted another extra point. Skyline got defensive with the next touchdown, as Andrew Giese picked off Hennessey and returned the ball 33 yards for a touchdown, but the extra point attempt was botched. Camas shot back with a 2 yard touchdown run by Hennessey, and Alcobendas was true with the extra point. The Papermakers pulled closer in the fourth quarter as Hennessey found Eagle for another touchdown, this time a connection of 24 yards, and Alcobendas knocked in the extra point. The Spartans iced the game at 51-28 when Browne found Trevor Barney for 23 yards and a touchdown, and McDonald made his extra point. The MVP of the game goes to the highly accurate University of Southern California commit Max Browne, who threw 28-31 with four touchdowns and 378 yards, as well as being the mastermind for the two laterals.

In a dramatic shift of levels, we have the 1B semifinal between the Neah Bay Red Devils and Lummi Blackhawks in an eight-man game. Lummi was first on the board with a first quarter Jared Tom 74 yard touchdown pass to Austin Brockie, but their two-point pass attempt was swatted away. Neah Bay pulled even as Josiah Greene ran 80 yards for a touchdown, and then they took the lead as Josiah Greene passed to Zeke Greene for the two-point conversion. The Red Devils added on as Tom fumbled in the end zone and was tackled when he recovered it for a safety. Neah Bay struck again as Josiah Greene passed 17 yards to Leyton Doherty for a touchdown, but the two-point conversion attempt was intercepted. The Red Devils padded the lead in the second quarter as Joey Monje ran 79 yards for a touchdown, and then Josiah Greene ran in the two-point conversion. Neah Bay got some more in the third quarter when Josiah Greene ran 25 yards for a touchdown, and then he passed again to Zeke Greene on a successful two-point conversion. The Blackhawks finally answered when Tom passed 36 yards to Devin Cooper for a touchdown, but again the two-point pass attempt was swatted away. The Red Devils shot back as Josiah Greene ran 2 yards for a touchdown, and Cody Cummins followed suit on the two-point conversion. Lummi replied with a Deion Hoskins 3 yard touchdown run, but the two-point conversion run failed. The Blackhawks pulled closer in the fourth quarter as Logan Toby passed 34 yards for a touchdown to Dino Williams, but for the third time, their two-point conversion attempt was swatted. Lummi chipped away with a Hoskins 1 yard touchdown run, but the two-point rush attempt was stuffed. They got no closer, dropping a 40-30 decision to Neah Bay, with the MVP being Josiah Greene.

Finally, the last game of the weekend was the other 4A semifinal between the Bellarmine Prep Lions and the Auburn Trojans. Auburn got going in the first quarter as Harold Lee ran 1 yard for a touchdown, but Axel Barajas (narrowly) missed the extra point. Bellarmine Prep tied the game as Sefo Liufau ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and then took the lead on the Matthew Phillichi extra point kick. The Lions extended the lead with a second quarter Liufau 66 yard touchdown pass to Drew Griffin, and Phillichi again made the PAT. The Trojans shot back in the third quarter as Jacob Waldo ran 37 yards for a touchdown, but the two-point rushing attempt was denied. Bellarmine Prep added on with a fourth quarter Liufau 21 yard touchdown pass to Garrett McKay, and Phillichi knocked in the extra point. Auburn chipped away with a Darnell Hagans 71 yard touchdown run, and Barajas made the extra point. The Lions weathered a late storm to win 21-19, and Sefo Liufau was the MVP.

Just of note, you can watch all of next weekend's championship games broadcast live on wiaanetwork.com if you're so interested. Based on what I observed, look for Skyline to cruise to victory next week against Bellarmine Prep, and Lynden will likely have an easy win as well. Anything else is up in the air and looks to be good football. Let's have a great third year on this blog. Happy reading.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.