Stock Up/Stock down for the week 7/9/06
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by user DRE-LO
Stock Up
Italy - Viva l'Italia! Italy goes back home as World Cup Champions with a 5-3 win in penalty kicks. One would have never known that Italy had such a horrific history with penalty kicks {0-3 in penalty kicks going into today 1994 against Brazil} as they were just absolutely flawless this time around. Props to the Italian goaltender Buffon who made that terrific save on Zidane's header in overtime. The only goals that Italy allowed in the World Cup was the own goal against the U.S and a penalty kick by Zidane. What's truly impressive is that they did all this while dealing with a match-fixing scandal back home. This World Cup will take over the Italian headlines for sure.
Roger Federer - His victory over Nadal gives his 4th straight Wimbledon and his 8th major title overall. He has 48 straight victories on grass. Nadal had been a thorn in Federer's backside throughout 2006 including the French Open. But Federer dug down deep today and cemented himself as the best men's tennis player in the world. And to think, he's just 24.
Jose Valentin - One of the big questions for the New York Mets coming into this season is what would happen at the 2B position. Who would get more playing time, Kaz Matsui or Valentin? Valentin let his bat emphatically answer the question while Kaz Matsui got a quick exit out of town. His 7-RBI performance on Saturday only confirmed that there will be no controversy in 2B this season for the Mets. With the great talent that the Mets have, they have X factors as well. Valentin is the biggest X factor.
Dontrelle Willis - Any pitcher that hits a grand slam has got to be on this list. But Willis has been outstanding in his past few starts which can only raise his stock for a possible trade to a contending team in the 2nd half. {The Mets, hopefully}
Andruw Jones - 9 straight years with 20 HRS for the Atlanta Braves. While the Braves are not on top like they'd usually be at this point. Andruw Jones continues to be the model of consistency. In this weak National League, the Braves are still in the Wild Card race. Andruw's production will determine how long they'll be in it.
Stock down
Jose Lima - His stock and his career has been spiraling towards the abyss and Friday Night it hit rockbottom. Giving up the grand slam to Willis only made it easier for Willie Randolph to option him back to the minors for assignment. His dramatic haircut didn't work either.
Jose Reyes - Dont get me wrong, I love the excitement and spark Jose Reyes gives to his team each and every game. But his decision to slide head-first into first base when the Mets were losing by 7 runs was just plain bone-headed. I've never have been a fan of anybody going headfirst into first base. And then to top that, he comes in as a pinch runner today and slides head-fist into 2nd base!! With such a big lead in their division, Willie's biggest concern will be the health of his ballclub until October and Jose Reyes is not helping. He must keep himself in one piece. He's too crucial in the leadoff spot.
Nate Robinson, Channing Frye, David Lee - First off, Kudos to Im a cpcp for a great article this week concerning the absurdity of these young players blasting an established head coach and proclaiming Isiah to be the 2nd coming before the summer league has even started. In the words of Nate Robinson, "He was trying to take my joy!" Pardon me while I throw up. How many playoff games and championship trophies have been hoisted by the three on this list? Now I did not agree with Larry Brown making Nate Robinson and David Lee inactive in certain spots. But for these young players to show such little respect for the game and their profession just points to the lack of leadership on the Knicks in the first place. Like my grandmother used to say, "Just shut up and play the game."
Maurice Clarett - From a national championship in Ohio State to a contract in the Eastern Indoor Football league for the Fort Valley Hitmen. Not to mention that one of the head coaches said that this was a passer's league to begin with. Or that the team has a total of 4 players. This is beyond sad. Oh how the mighty have fallen.
Zinedine Zidane - I was so looking forward to putting Zidane on the Stock up list win or lose just for taking his team as far as he had in his final games. His headbutt against Materazzi was absolutely vicious, boneheaded and just plain stupid. Thierry Henry was out due to cramps and Vieira out to injury. Obviously, neither of that factored into Zidane's decision to headbutt Materazzi into obilivion. What a sour note to end a great career. He could not participate in the penalty kick with his teammates. He had to watch. He could not lead his team into accepting the 2nd place trophy. He had to watch. Zidane had earned my respect and the respect of many for his calm yet effective leadership throughout his career. Now the lasting memory of Zidane will be the equivalent of a WWE wrestling move. Unreal.
Date
Sun 07/09/06, 7:59 pm EST
