Predictions

2008 Predictions

American League

East
Boston Redsox
New York Yankees
Toronto Blue Jays
Baltimore Orioles
Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Central
Detroit Tigers
Cleveland Indians
Chicago Whitesox
Minnesota Twins
Kansas City Royals

West
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Seattle Mariners
Texas Rangers
Oakland Athletics

Playoffs:
Detroit over Seattle
Boston over LA
Detroit over Boston

Cy Young Award: Felix Hernandez, SEA
MVP: Vladimir Guerrero, LA
Rookie of the Year: Evan Longoria, TB
Batting Champ: Ichiro Suzuki, SEA
Breakout Hitter: Nick Markakis, BAL
Breakout Pitcher: Scott Baker, MIN

National League

East
New York Mets
Atlanta Braves
Philadelphia Phillies
Washington Nationals
Florida Marlins

Central
Cincinnati Reds
Chicago Cubs
Milwaukee Brewers
St. Louis Cardinals
Houston Astros
Pittsburgh Pirates

West
San Diego Padres
Arizona Diamondbacks
Los Angeles Trolley Dodgers
Colorado Rockies
San Francisco Giants

Playoffs
New York over Arizona
San Diego over Cincinnati
New York over San Diego

Cy Young: Johan Santana, NYM
MVP: Mark Teixeira, ATL
Rookie of the Year: Kosuke Fukudome, CHI
Batting Champ: Chase Utley, PHI
Breakout Hitter: Jeremy Hermida, FLA
Breakout Pitcher: Y. Gallardo, MIL

World Series

Detroit Tigers over New York Mets in 7

MVP: Miguel Cabrera

More sad news

I found out some bad news this week. Jurg (George) Kaufmann passed away. He is pictured above with his wife Margarit. When Gabi and I traveled to Italy, we stayed at George and Margarit's cottage in Moneglia and they were the most generous hosts. I truly enjoyed my time there and sharing a bottle of wine with them and listening to George's stories and knowledge of the area and Napoleon. It was a highlight of my trip to Europe. Below is a picture of Gabi and I that Margarit took right after we took their picture. I am happy that I had the chance to meet George and my thoughts go out to Margarit, Gabi and all of his friends and family.

Help me battle Cancer!

I've put together a page to raise some money for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACSCAN).

http://action.acscan.org/goto/mattphelan

I'm motivated to do this in the memory of Alan Mills.

Alan recently died of pancreatic cancer leaving behind his wife, Angie, and 8 year-old son, Noah. Alan was the man who hired me at the American Cancer Society in 2005. He served as head of our department under the title Director of Government Relations. Alan was a great boss and more importantly a great person. Alan began his career with ACS in 1987 and was one of the "founding fathers" of our National Government Relations Department. When he began there were only 4 staff at NGRD. Please help me raise some money for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

My Goal for this page is $1,000. Many of my friends and family have been touched by cancer so I thought I would do some good and raise a little money. The minimum I'm asking for is a $10 gift. American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocates for cancel control programs and funding for prevention. I've had to ask for money in the past for political purposes but today it's nice to be able to ask people to help this non-partisan effort.

Please visit the site and give what you can. I'm asking for a simple contribution of $10 or $25.

Thank you.

http://action.acscan.org/goto/mattphelan

One close race

It started like almost any other day and aspirations were high. Great anticipation awaited our arrival that night. A good sized crowd had braved the weather to come to the event.

The night started out well and I was ready for the competition. I jumped out to an early lead thanks to a few unpredictable successes. I was elated with my early momentum. My odds of winning 2 years in a row looked good.

At the midway point, I found myself with a commanding lead and seemed to have the event wrapped up. Only 3 miscues had some onlookers already presenting me the trophy. I didn’t want to celebrate my success too early like George W. Bush on an aircraft carrier. However, the night had only begun and the trophy presentation would have to wait. Perhaps I had peaked too early.

Even after a set back or two, it looked as if my victory was still secure. Then an unfortunate slide made the race close, too close to call. The feeling was reminiscent or election night 2000.

It started like any other slump with one or two near misses. The slide started gradual then picked up steam heading into the critical sequence of the event. One ferocious competitor emerged from the pack. He was relentless in his pursuit. He chipped away at the lead like Tiger Woods on the back nine at Augusta.

Finally, the slide was halted but the tide had turned and the damage had been done. I now found myself in second place with few chances left to regain the lead. Luckily, I had the great fortune of holding the tie-breaker in this ever so close match-up. This eased my nerves for the moment. Unfortunately, it would not come down to that.

After calculating every possible outcome, it was determined that the winner would not have to wait until the end of the night. The competitor had matched me verbatim for the remainder of the night save one event. I found myself 1 point down and needing a victory to force a tie and push this epic battle to the tie-breaker which I held.

It had come down to this, one category, one possibility for redemption for a night that seemed in hand and had gradually slipped away.

Our fates rested with Best Documentary Feature.

The leader went with the Iraq War theme picking No End in Sight. I selected an unpopular choice, snubbing the Iraq War and Michael Moore. My fate rested with War/Dance. The room quieted and you could hear a pin drop. Slowly the envelope was opened and the winner was…..Taxi to the Dark Side! A roar came from the crowd on television and in the living room. We both lost, but in actuality, I lost.

It was over. The collapse was complete. I folded like the New York Mets in September. I could only look on in amazement as the trophy and winnings were awarded to my fierce competitor. We both won out the remaining categories but it didn’t matter, the event had been decided. I graciously congratulated my opponent for I had been beaten. It was a display of meticulous planning and consistent choices, one of which the world may never see again.

My hopes had been dashed by the Bourne Ultimatum and their victories in the technical awards. Most years, 14 wins would carry the day but this year it was not to be. I will return next year, determined to avenge my historic collapse.

I don't see it

A bunch of people lately have said that I look like my brother Jon. I just don't see it. Then again I don't think my Mom and Aunt look alike and they are twins. I like this picture, so I had to post it. Gotta love the Mickey Mouse stickers. This was during a shore excursion on our transatlantic voyage.

In Review

Europe and pick the top 10-12 that I like the most. I'm going to be looking at them anyway because some coworkers want me to bring them in and show them. I think I have some really good ones that I am going to have printed like the Arc in Paris and the Louvre which are on an earlier post. It's going to be hard to decide because I like so many of my pictures.

I think the best part of my trip was the excursion that Gabi and I took to Italy. We went down the west coast, through Tuscany, visited Florence, stayed in a castle wall and took an amazing hike in the coastal mountains. Here are some pics from that part of my trip. I don't think I ever posted some of these pictures.