Soto Takes Home NL ROTY

Chicago Cub's catcher Geovany Soto was named National League Rookie of the year on Monday. Soto hit .285 with 23 homers, 35 doubles and 86 RBIs in 141 games this season. The award makes Soto the first catcher to receive the award since 1993, when Mike Piazza won it . Soto's steller rookie season was also highlighted by a start in this year's all star game. He was the first rookie catcher in National League history ever to start an all star game. He was also behind the plate for Carlos Zambrano's no-hitter back in September.

Longoria Win AL ROTY

Tampa Bay Rays third basemen Evan Longoria was named the 2008 American League Rookie of the Year on Monday. The power-hitting third baseman received all 28 first-place votes, making him the the first American League player to do so since 1997 when Boston's Nomar Garciaparra accomplished the feat. Longoria, who began the year at AAA with the Durham Bulls of the International league, made the transition to the the big leagues about as smoothly as anyone could ask compiling a .272 average with 27 homeruns and 85 RBI in 122 games for the Rays this season. Longoria also played a vital role in Tampa's playoff success hitting six homeruns and racking up 18 RBI leading the Rays to their first ever World Series appearance.

This award caps off a season of firsts for the Tampa Bay Rays. First winning record, first division title, first playoff appearance, first trip to the world series, and now first major individual award. With a strong core of young players, highlighted by Longoria, the Rays are likely to add a few more first in the coming years. Perhaps a first World Series Title? Only time will tell.

2008 Gold Glove Winners Announced

The 2008 Gold Glove winners have been announced. They are as follows:

National League:

P	Greg Maddux, Dodgers
C	Yadier Molina, Cardinals
1B	Adrian Gonzalez, Padres
2B	Brandon Phillips, Reds
3B	David Wright, Mets
SS	Jimmy Rollins, Phillies
OF	Nate McLouth, Pirates; Carlos Beltran, Mets; Shane Victorino, Phillies

American League:

P	Mike Mussina, Yankees
C	Joe Mauer, Twins
1B	Carlos Pena, Rays
2B	Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
3B	Adrian Beltre, Mariners
SS	Michael Young, Rangers
OF	Torii Hunter, Angels Grady Sizemore, Indians Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners

Not too many surprises this year. Rookie of the year winners will be announced Monday.

Devils Lose Brodeur, Season Too?

The New Jersey Devils have taken quite possibly the one blow they cannot afford as star goaltender Martin Brodeur will miss the next three to four months due to an elbow injury. The four-time Vezina Trophy winner will undergo surgery Thursday to repair the distal bicep in his left elbow.

Brodeur, who is considered by many to be the best goalie ever to play the game, was closing in on two records that would have cemented his status as the game's elite; Patrick Roy's career wins record and Terry Sawchuk's career shutout record. It appears that both will now be put on hold until next season.

This is a huge blow to any playoff chances the Devils may have had. New Jersey is a defense first team, but they just lost the backbone of that defense. It could be a short season in New Jersey.

NFL QB Shake-up

The Cleveland Browns today announced that 2007 first round pick Brady Quinn will be the starting quarterback for the Browns week 10 match-up against the Denver Broncos. Quinn will replace two year starter Derek Anderson, who threw a costly interception late in Cleveland's week 9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Elsewhere in the NFL, the Chicago Bears announced that starting quarterback Kyle Orton will be out 2-4 weeks due to a high ankle sprain. Rex Grossman, who led the Bears to a Superbowl appearance in 2007, will get a chance to regain the starting job this week against the undefeated Tennessee Titans.

In a minor move today the Detroit Lions signed previously retired QB Daunte Culpepper to a two year contract. The Lions lost previous starters Jon Kitna and Dan Orlovsky due to injury. Culpepper will battle Drew Stanton in practice this week for the starting job for game 10.

NBA Blockbuster!

A huge trade went down in the NBA today as the Detroit Pistons acquired former MVP guard Alan Iverson from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess, and Cheikh Samb.

Iverson, who is in the final year of his contract, set to make $20.8 million this season, could make his debut with the Pistons on Wednesday night in Toronto. The nine time all star will add a nice scoring weapon to a team who has been known more for their defense in years past than offense.

Billups, a three time all star in his own right, will add a new dynamic to the Nuggets offense. While both Iverson and star Carmelo Anthony are great scorers, Billups ability to spread the ball around as well as score makes Denver a strong playoff contender.

This move certainly shakes things up in both conferences. It will be interesting to see how these two stars adapt to their new environments. Both will have opportunities to add a lift to each each.

Lakers Extend Bynum

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that the Los Angeles Lakers has signed center Andrew Bynum to a four year contract extension worth $58 million. The move would keep Bynum in a Laker uniform through the 2012-13 season.

This is a great move for the Lakers as good young bigmen are hard to come by. Bynum missed much of the second half of last season due to injury. With the inside force of Bynum paired up with all world talent Kobe Bryant, the Lakers will be a force in the Western Conference for a long time to come.

MLB Hot Stove Heating Up

Its been less than 24 hours since the Philadelphia Phillies claimed the 2008 World Series Title but already the MLB hot stove is heating up.

The Milwaukee Brewers today announced that former Oakland A's manager Ken Macha will be taking over for interim manager Dale Sveum as their next manager. Macha, who led the A's to two AL West titles was one of three candidates considered for the job; the other two being former Mets manager Willie Randolph and former Dbacks manager Bob Brenly.

Also today the first trade of the offseason was completed between the Kansas City Royals and Florida Marlins. Florida will send slugging first basemen Mike Jacobs to the Royals in exchange for right handed relief pitcher Leo Nunez. The financially strapped Marlins were shopping Jacobs because he was due a big raise this off season in arbitration. Jacobs hit 32 home runs and knocked in 93 runs last season, both career bests. Nunez was 4-1 last year with a 2.98 ERA in 45 relief appearances.

Be sure to check WAY Back Sports for the latest happenings and hot stove news all winter!

Phillies are 2008 World Series Champs

The Philadelphia Phillies claimed the 2008 World Series title on Wednesday night, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 in game five of the best of seven series. The win marks the first time in twenty-five years the city of Philadelphia will get to celebrate a Championship.

Game 5 was about as bizzar a game as you would see. Originally scheduled to take place on Monday, they were only able to get 5 1/2 innings in before having to suspend play due to heavy rain with the score tied 2-2. Field conditions prohibited the two teams from playing the final three innings on Tuesday. Finally on Wednesday mother nature cooperated, allowing for the game to be completed.

A Jason Werth RBI single in the bottom of the sixth, the first inning on play Wednesday, gave the Phillies a 3-2 lead. Rocco Baldelli answered in the seventh for the Rays evening the score at 3-3, but that would not last as in the bottom of the same inning a Pat Burrell double followed by a Pedro Feliz single gave the Phillies the final run they would need.

Phillies' closer Brad Lidge picked up the final two outs of the game, including a strikeout of Eric Hinske to end it. Lidge finished the year a perfect 48 for 48 in save situations, unheard of for closers in today's game.

Following the game Phillies' pitcher Cole Hamels was named World Series MVP. He started games 1 and 5 of the series, both games that Philly went on to win. He finished the playoffs 4-0 with a 1.88ERA in five starts. Not too shabby for a guy who is only 24 years old and just getting into the prime of his career.

"I think when we come back, when we’re all old and retired and we come back and they still stand up and give us a standing ovation, just like they did to all the guys of the 1980 World Series," Hamels said. "We’ve got to witness that, and knowing that and seeing the city and the excitement throughout the first game of the season this year, throughout the multiple sellouts and of course the playoff excitement was just really huge. I really think the fans stepped up. They could taste it just as much as we could. And they added to our confidence to go out there and win."

Congratulationsto the Philadelphia Phillies: 2008 World Series Champions.

WAY Back Sports Presents: Your 2008-2009 NBA Preview

This is the beauty of sports. Just when one league is ending its season, another one is just to begin. As we wave good-bye to baseball for the winter, basketball is getting ready to tip off. The Boston Celtics look to defend their 17th championship and the Lakers will try to preserve their Western Conference title. Who has a chance to reach the promise land? Here is the breakdown: The WAY Back Sports NBA Preview.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

1) Boston Celtics. James Poesy may be gone, but does it really matter if the Big Three are still there? Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins both have another year under them, making the C's the team to beat in the east.

2) Detroit Pistons. Yes, they are getting older, but the talent level is still high with Chauncy Billups and Rip Hamilton. Youngsters Jason Maxielle and Rodney Stuckey both grew up a lot in the playoffs too.

3) Philadelphia 76ers. There is reason for Philly fans to get excited over the basketball team again. This is the best they've been since the departure of A.I., bringing in Elton Brand in the off-season. Andre Miller is an underrated PG, and the other A.I., Andre Iguodala is a threat.

4) Orlando Magic. As long as Dwight Howard keeps playing like Superman (and he will), the Magic will be in the mix. Rashard Lewis needs to be more consistent, and Jameer Nelson will need to prove that he can run the point.

5) Cleavland Cavilers. Two Words....LeBron James.

6) Atlanta Hawks. They almost shocked the Celtics. Almost. Though Josh Childress is gone, Josh Smith is an awesome scorer and Joe Johnson provides leadership along side Mike Bibby.

7) Toronto Raptors. The Raptors are revamped after bringing in Jermaine O'Neal this offseason. Jose Calderon will surprise people with his play, and an O'Neal-Chris Bosh frontcourt is scary.

8) Miami Heat. Dwayne Wade+Shawn Marion+Michale Beasley=a solid three-headed monster on South Beach

The Rest

9) Chicago Bulls. Home-town hero Derek Rose will revive basketball in Chicago.

10) Washington Wizards. They could jump up to top 8, depending on when Gilbert Arenas gets back.

11) Milwaukee Bucks. There's talent, but all on offense.

12) Charlotte Bobcats. How much longer will the excuse of "they're young" last? Lets see what Larry Brown can do with them.

13) Indiana Pacers. What did Larry Bird do to this team?

14) New York Knicks. Mike D'Antoni has his work cut out for him cleaning up after Isaiah.

15) New Jersey Nets. How long 'till LeBron comes? They cleared out the cap space for him.


WESTERN CONFERENCE

1) Los Angeles Lakers. Andrew Bynum is healthy again, so it will be fun to see what he can do with Pau. Oh yeah, they have Kobe too.

2) New Orleans Hornets. Chris Paul might be the best PG in the league. Add Posey in off the bench, combined with a very hungry team and you've got yourself a contender.

3) Houston Rockets. Ah, the double edge sword of Ron Artest. If he keeps his cool on the court, he, Tracy McGrady, and Yao will be blasting off.

4) Utah Jazz. Know why Chris Paul MIGHT be the best PG in the league? Deron Williams of the Jazz. Carlos Boozer will bang down low and Andrei Kirilenko will be an inside/outside threat.

5) San Antonio Spurs. The old stand byes are still here, and with Tony Parker and Tim Duncan healthy, they will be. They will need to wait a while to get Manu back after surgery in the offseason.

6) Phoenix Suns. Steve Nash is still Steve Nash, and Shaq is there to teach Amare' Stoudemire how to play in the post. The question will be if they can still run and gun.

7) Dallas Mavericks. Will this just be a team that looks good on paper, or will they produce on the court? But it's hard to count out a team with Dirk and Jason Kidd.

8) Portland Trail Blazers. A LeMarcus Aldridge-Greg Oden frontcourt along with Brandon Roy in the backcourt will get this team a playoff birth.

The Rest

9) Denver Nuggets. The best paper team money can buy. They'll produce on the court, but A.I. and Carmello Anthony will just miss the promise land this year.

10) Los Angeles Clippers. WWBD=What Will Baron Do? This may be one of those 50 win teams that doesn't get in the playoffs.

11) Golden State Warriors. Monta Ellis is the the goat in Golden State after an offseason mo-ped crash. Free agent Corey Maggette will need to provide the scoring for the Warriors this season.

12) Minnesota Timberwolves. Al Jefferson will need to put this team on his back for them not to slip further down in the west. He'll shoulder some of the load, but not much more.

13) Memphis Grizzlies. O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay are bright spots on a dark team. When Darko is starting, you need bright spots.

14) Sacramento Kings. Name one player on the Kings. It's not that easy.

15) Oklahoma City Thunder. Good luck, Kevin Durant.


Welcome back NBA!