For the past two weeks the outcomes of the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs games have been the same result. In week 9 they both lost in overtime by a field goal. In week 10 they both had many chances to score but in the end they lost by a point. The teams have to keep thinking positive and games will start to fall their way. You don't lose games that close week after week after week....., it just doesn't happen.

The Yankees will be moving into a new stadium across the street from the old. When the last game at Yankee Stadium was played different Yankees players where the last player to accomplish a stat that will always be the last one in Yankee Stadium history.

From the last Opening Day at Yankee Stadium to a doubleheader against Boston to end the season, there were many memorable moments even thought the Yankees did not make the postseason. The last Opening Day at Yankee Stadium took place on April 1st in which marked the 11th consecutive victory on Opening Day. It was drawn up just like you would want, with Chien-Ming Wang pitching 7 innings, Joba Chamberlain setting it up in the 8th, and Mariano Rivera saving it in the ninth. Through much debate Joba Chamberlain went through the process to become a starter and made his first start in his Major League career on June 3 where he pitched 2.1 innings. He got his first win as a starter on June 25 when he threw 6.2 scoreless innings and struck out 7. On July 25 he made the best start of his career throwing 7 innings to outpitch Josh Beckett where the score was 1-0 and the only run in the game was a check-swing single by Jason Giambi. Johnny Damon went 6-for-6 with a walk-off hit in the bottom of the ninth after Mariano Rivera let the winning run cross the plate in the top of the inning. In his first at-bat of the game, Derek Jeter hit his 200th home run into the Yankees bullpen to put the Yankees out in front 1-0. During the season Mariano Rivera pitched his 1,000 inning and also moved into second all-time in saves. in his first two at-bats as a Yankee Cody Ransom hit two pinch-hit home runs in the late innings. The All-Star Game took place at Yankee Stadium in its Final Season where Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Mariano Rivera represented the Yankees. The American League won it on Michael Young's walk-off sac-fly in the 15th keeping the National league winless since 1996. The Home Run Derby also took place and even though no Yankees took part Josh Hamilton, after all he's been through, broke the single round record with 28 homers and Justin Morneau won it all.Following the All-Star Break the Yankees went on an 8-game winning streak sweeping the A's and Twins. On the last day of the season, Mike Mussina got his 20th win for his first 20-win season in his career. The last homestand when the final 10 games at Yankee Stadium were played. On the last homestand, Derek Jeter broke the Yankee Stadium hits record passing Lou Gehrig in the first few games after it was in question if he could even get enough hits to pass him. The Final Game at Yankee Stadium was played on September 21st with extensive pre-game and post-game ceremonies. The Yankees won it 7-3 behind Andy Pettite and closer Mariano Rivera. Derek Jeter adressed the Yankee Stadium fans, leading his teammates in a collective thank you one final time and tipping his cap to the crowd along with the rest of the team. Jason Giambi had the last hit at Yankee Stadium and Derek Jeter was the last Yankee batter at Yankee Stadium. The last home run at Yankee Stadium came from an unlikely source in Jose Molina. Andy Pettitte started the last game at Yankee stadium, Joba Chamberlain had the last strikeout at Yankee Stadium, and Mariano Rivera threw the last pitch at Yankee Stadium.

Even though the Yankees didn't make the playoffs, when you look back at the '08 Yankees season what memorable moments come to your mind?

A quiz that contains: facts about players, milestones, achievements, walk-offs, home runs, classic games, facts about rookies, uniform numbers, Major League firsts, season highs, sweeps, career- highs, pinch-hits, complete games, trades, and close games.

A list of what is most important going into the offseason, a recap of what occurred in the 2008 season for each position, and the situation that the position is in going into the offseason.

In the World Series, the Rays haven't been playing the same dominant baseball as the rest of their season. Their 3-4 hitters, Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria, have gone hitless in the first four games. When the Rays were trailing, they didn't come back. There have been many unanswered runs and they have had trouble responding when the other team scored. The Rays haven't been able to score that extra run or two to win the game like they have done previously. They have committed just as many errors in the past four games than they did in the first two rounds of the playoffs. Remember, this is a team that excelled in their defense up until this series. The Rays haven't been able to score runs against pitchers like Jamie Moyer and Joe Blanton like they were favored to. Even though they set they set the American League playoff record with 25 homers they still have only hit four after hitting 16 in the Championship Series. They have put themselves in a tough positon, down 3-1 in the series where it is do or die in Game 5 with Kazmir on the mound. The Rays will try to rebound and play like the Rays have been playing the rest of the season up until the World Series. Can they add a World Series Championship to their already amazing comeback season that has captivated the baseball world?

The Tampa Bay Rays went from the worst record in baseball to American League Champions. In a season where they had 97 wins, it was the teams first season with a winning record. They lost Game 1 of the ALCS in a 2-0 shutout with only four hits but came back and won three in a row (Game 2, Game 3, Game 4) leaving the Boston Red Sox with a 3-1 deficit to climb. In Game 2 it was a game of the Rays answering back in the bottom of an inning after Boston scored in the top. The Rays answered back in the 1st, 3rd, and 5th and a wild pitch by Dan Wheeler in the 8th sent the game into extras. Each team had 12 hits but the Rays came out on top, 9-8, with a walk-off sacrifice fly by B.J. Upton in the bottom of the 11th inning. In Game 3 the Rays beat Boston by a score of 9-1 and Matt Garza got the win pitching 6 innings, allowing one run and moving his ERA to 1.50. In that game Evan Longoria tied the rookie record with his 4th playoff homer and Rocco Baldelli and B.J. Upton each hit three-run homers over the green monster. In Game 4 Andrew Sonnanstine got the win and pitched 7.1 innings en route to a 13-4 Rays win. In the game Evan Longoria set the rookie record with his 5th October homer. They lost Game 5 and Game 6 to make the series tied at 3-3, bringing the series to a Game 7. In Game 5 Scott Kazmir went 6 innings allowing 2 hits and moving his ERA to 4.35. Grant Balfour, Dan Wheeler and J.P. Howell were not able to hold a 7-0 lead and allowed Boston to score 8 runs in the 7th, 8th and 9th innings. Evan Longoria homered in his 4th consecutive game and Carlos Pena his 3rd to help the Rays set an ALCS record with 13 homers in the series. In Game 6 after trailing 2-1, Bartlett tied it all up in the 5th with a solo homer. James Shields pitched 5.2 innings allowing 4 runs on 9 hits in a 4-2 Rays loss. In the game B.J. Upton hit his 7th postseason homer. They won Game 7 by a score of 3-1 and advanced to their first World Series in the team's history in their first postseason in the franchise's history. After trailing 1-0 early the Rays were able to score one run in the 4th and one in the 5th to take the lead 2-1. Willie Aybar hit a solo homer in the 7th giving the bullpen an insurance run to work with. The Rays won 3-1 limiting Boston to three hits in the game. David Price, a rookie who had only been in the majors since the middle of september, came in with the bases loaded in the 8th with 2 outs and was able to get out of the jam. No one was warming up in the bullpen while the Rays were at bat which meant that it was David Price's game to close. He walked Jason Bay to start the inning but was able to get the next two batters out. Price then got Jed Lorwie to hit the ball to Akinori Iwamura who got the force out at second to end the game. For the save, Price pitched 1.1 innings allowing 0 runs on 0 hits with 1 BB and 3 strikeouts which kept his postseason ERA at 0.00. Garza was the winning pitcher, pitching seven innings allowing 1 run on 2 hits with 3BBs and 9 strikeouts and decreased his ERA to 1.38. Garza won the ALCS MVP Award going (2-0) allowing 2 runs on 8 hits with 14 strikeouts and a 1.38 ERA in the series. A team that finished with the worst record in baseball just a season ago, has come this far and is now on its way to the World Series where they will face off against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Tampa Bay Rays went from the worst record in baseball to American League Champions. They lost the first game of the ALCS in a 2-0 shutout with only four hits but came back and won three in a row (Game 2, Game 3, Game 4) leaving Boston with a 3-1 deficit to climb. In Game 2 it was a game of the Rays answering back in the bottom of an inning after Boston scored in the top. The Rays answered back in the 1st, 3rd, and 5th and a wild pitch by Wheeler in the 8th sent the game into extras. Each team had 12 hits but the Rays came out on top with a walk-off sacrifice fly by B.J. Upton in the bottom of the 11th inning. In Game 3 the Rays beat Boston by a score of 9-1 and Garza got the win pitching 6 innings, allowing one run and moved his ERA to 1.50. In that game Evan Longoria tied the rookie record with his 4th playoff homer. In Game 4 Sonanstine got the win and pitched 7.1 innings en route to a 13-4 Rays win. Longoria set the rookie record with his 5th October homer. They lost Game 5 and Game 6 to make the series tied at 3-3 and bringing the series to a Game 7. In Game 5 Kazmir went 6 innings allowing 2 hits and moving his ERA to 4.35. Balfour, Wheeler and Howell were not able to hold a 7-0 lead and allowed Boston to score 8 runs in the 7th, 8th and 9th innings. Longoria homered in his 4th consecutive game and Pena his 3rd to help the Rays set an ALCS record with 13 homers in the series. In Game 6 after trailing 2-1, Bartlett tied it all up in the 5th with a solo homer. Shields pitched 5.2 innings allowing 4 runs on 9 hits in a 4-2 Rays loss. In the game B.J. Upton hit his 7th post season homer. They won game 7 by a score of 3-1 and advanced to their first World Series in the teams history in their first postseason in team history. After trailing 1-0 early the Rays were able to score 1 run in the 4th and one in the 5th to take the lead 2-1. Aybar hit a solo homer in the 7th giving the bullpen an insurance run to work with. The Rays won 3-1 limiting Boston to three hits in the game. Price came in with the bases loaded in the 8th with 2 outs and was able to get out of the jam. No one was warming up in the bullpen while the Rays were at bat which meant that it was David Price's game to close. Price was able to get the first two batters out and then after a walk to

Dwayne Bowe plays for the Kansas City Chiefs as a wide reciever. He is number 82 and has played two years in the NFL. He went to Miami Norland and started playing football as a junior when he was 171/2. That year he recorded 32 receptions for 624 yards (19.50 avg.) with two touchdowns. As a senior he caught 40 passes for 882 yards (20.6 avg.) with 14 scores. He went to college at LSU. In 2007, he was selected 23rd overalln in the NFL Draft by Kansas City. On September 16, 2007, Bowe scored his first NFL touchdown on a pass from Damon Huard in the first half of the Chiefs' game against the Chicago Bears. As a rookie, Bowe set franchise records for Chiefs' rookie receivers in yardage and reception totals with 70 receptions and 995 yards. His reception and yardage totals along with his 5 touchdowns that season led all first year recievers. Against the San Diego Chargers on September 30, 2007 he set KC's single-game rookie recieving record with 164 yards. In 2007, he was in running for the the Rookie of the Year Award but rookie halfback, Adrain Peterson, from the Minnesota Vikings won it. Dwayne Bowe continues to play with the Chiefs and is one of the best wide recievers in the NFL.



Receiving

Year Team G Rec Yds Avg Yds/G Lng TD 20+ 40+ 1st FUM

2007 KC 16 70 995 14.2 62.2 58 5 13 2 51 0

TOTAL 16 70 995 14.2 62.2 58 5 13 2 51 0

Defensive

Year Team G Total Solo Ast Sck SFTY PDef Int TDs Yds Avg Lng

2007 KC 16 2 2 0 0.0 0 0 -- -- -- 0.0 --

TOTAL 16 2 2 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 -- 0

The sites that was used to get the stats and other career highlights is: http://www.dbowe82.com/

It's time to move away from baseball a little bit and talk about the BEST wide receiver in the NFL. Until I post my story, check out Dwayne Bowe's Yard Barker blog. It's pretty awesome!!

Throughout the 2008 season the New York Yankees used many pitchers. Their bullpen was their strength and their starting rotation was their weakness. Going into Opening Day the Yanks rotation was Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina, Andy Pettitte, Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy. Right of the bat, it is easy to say that Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy were a huge disappointment and combined for ZERO wins. Chien-Ming Wang, the ace of the Yanks rotation, as of June was out with a foot injury he got from running the bases in Houston. Andy Pettitte pitched okay but was not as dominating as he has been following a Yankees loss. Mike Mussina, the Yanks MVP, went from being pulled from the rotation at the end of the '07 season to his first 20 win season of his career. Joba Chamberlain made the transition from a starter to a reliever and made his first start on June 3. He was pitching awesome until he left the game on August 4 with what later turned out to be shoulder tendinitis and later returned in the bullpen. Darrell Rasner came up and went 3-0 and ended up with only two more wins in 21 starts but was consistent and able to be there to start. Sidney Ponson was also able to start a streak of games after he was picked up from the scrap heap when the Texas Rangers dropped him for behavioral reasons. Dan Giese was there when they needed him as a spot starter but was mostly used in long relief. Alfredo Aceves pitched well the last month of the season after going from Class-A to the majors in the same season. Carl Pavano came back in September after Tommy John Surgery and pitched enough to keep the Yanks in the game. kei Igawa who was one of the best pitchers in Triple-A and made one start but let up a bunch of runs and Brian Bruney started one game when it was thought to be interrupted by rain. In a season with an inconsistent starting rotation the Yankees started 13 pitchers in 162 games. On the other side of the story, the Yanks strength of 2008 was their bullpen. Many of the relief pitchers were consistent and stepped up when others went down. David Robertson was called up and after a shaky first outing pitched a lot better and suceeded with his sneaky fastball and his sharp breaking curve. After a bad season last year, Brain Bruney pitched well until he went down with a Lisfranc injury that he suffered while covering first. He choose not to have surgery and came back at the end of the year and picked up where he left off. Damaso Marte, who came over from the Pittsburgh Pirates with Xavier Nady for four minor leaguers, wasn't pitching well until he was only used for matchups and not innings at a time. Edwar Ramirez started the year in the minors but came up shortly after and was successfull with his nasty change which allowed Joe Girardi to use him against lefties because of his his changeup break to lefty batters. Dan Giese came up about halfway through the season and was used as a long reliever but was also used a spot starter. Chris Britton was up and down between the majors and Triple-A. At the beginning of the season he was brought up following an injury and then sent back down but toward the middle of the season he was with the team for good. Jose Veras is another young relief pitcher with the same situation as Edwar Ramirez. He was not on the Opening Day Roster but was brought up shortly after and stayed with the team the rest of the way and was often used to pitch the 7th inning. Billy Traber started the year in the Majors but was then sent down. He was brought back up a couple times when the Yanks thought they needed a lefty in the bullpen. Humberto Sanchez was brought up within the last two weeks and pitched well in the few games he pitched in. Jonathan Albeladejo pitched a month or two in the majors and then was out the rest of the season with an elbow injury. LaTroy Hawkins was used as the long man with a large difference in the score before he was traded to the Houston Astros. Ross Ohlendorf ended up pithching himself into the long man role also and was eventually sent down. He then was traded to Pittsburgh along with three other minor leaguers for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte. Kyle Farnsworth pitched well and got along with Joe Girardi. He pitched himself into the 8th inning role when Joba Chamberlain made the transition to the rotation. He was later traded to Detroit for Ivan Rodriguez. Scott Patterson made his major league debut and pitched in a few games before being sent down and later picked up by another team. Kei Igawa, Sidney Ponson, Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, Darrell Rasner and Alfredo Aceves all pitched out of the bullpen at least once even though they were starters. Phil Coke was called up the last month of the season and was another lefty for the Yanks. He made his debut as a reliever and was transfered from a starter to a reliver between Double-A and Triple A. He pitched well and continued until the end of the season. Joba Chamberlain started the year in the bullpen and then made the transiton to a starter. When When he got hurt he came back as a reliever because there was not enough time to build up his innings. Mariano Rivera was 39-40 in save oppurtunities and didn't blow a save until August in a game they still won in extra innings. He started the year with a zero ERA for a while at the beginning of the season. He struggled in tie game situations but pitched well the rest of the time. The bullpen had some on the edge moments that, for the most part, they were able to get out of and kept their team in the game. Going into the offseason the New York Yankees will look to improve their pitching and make starting pitching a strength and keep relief pitching a strength.

After being pulled from the rotation by Joe Torre at the end of the 2007 season, Mike Mussina went into spring training wondering if he even had a spot in the rotation. After a few minor changes, Mussina was able to turn it around and earn a spot in the New York Yankees starting rotation with what later would prove to be valuable. After a slow start and two bad starts against the Boston Red Sox it didn't stop him. He started winning and as he kept winning he was a able to bring ice cream and candy back to the clubhouse. While he kept winning he was asked about the thought of 20 wins, something he has never accomplished in a career of almosts. He just kept saying you have to get to 19 first. By september he had 17 wins and was able to win his third and second to last starts in a row to take his win total to 19. He had 19 and now he could take a shot at 20 one more time on the last game of the season. Come the last game he pitched six strong shutout innings and it was up to the bullpen to maintain a 3-run lead. The 7th was a breeze but in the 8th four pitchers were used and two runs scored. Mariano Rivera came in to pitch the 9th after the Yankees pushed three more runs across the plate in the top of the inning. For the first time in his career, Mike Mussina got 20 wins and became the oldest player at 39 to win 20 games for the first time. He now has a 20 win season to add to his resume in a borderline Hall of Fame career that also contains a near no-hitter.

After a disappointing 2008 season, finishing third in the AL East, there is bound to be a bunch of changes for the New York Yankees in the offseason. After the '08 season Carl Pavano, Andy Pettitte, Mike Mussina, Damaso Marte, Ivan Rodriguez, Jason Giambi and Bobby Abreu are free agents. After a 20 win season, Mike Mussina could retire and go out on top. Andy Pettitte on the other hand says he would sign a one-year contract but there is also the possibility of retiring. Carl Pavano after four years full of injuries with the Yankees would be a BIG surprise if he came back and and pitched again. Damaso Marte, who was aquired from the Pirates with Xavier Nady (signed through the 2009 season) could be a useful lefty to have back in the bullpen after the Yanks have had trouble with the lefty part of the bullpen in the past few years. Ivan Rodriguez, who came over from the Detroit Tigers for Kyle Farnsworth, hasn't been nearly as productive as thought of and probaly won't be needed with Jorge Posada coming back from shoulder surgery and a successfull backup in Jose Molina. Jason Giambi says he will come back for less money and wants to be with the Yankees but with the first base and DH situation he may not fit in the lineup. Bobby Abreu, who is consistent at the plate, especially with two strikes, but not as consistent in the outfield because of his play near the wall, will be a tough call. The Yanks have many areas of concern going into the offseason. The biggest concern is starting pitching. They most likely will sign a free agent pitcher such as A.J. Burnett, Ben Sheets, C.C. Sabathia and Derek Lowe but could also trade for one. Centerfield is also a concern with an inconsistent Melky Cabrera at the plate in '08 and Brett Gardner still having a lot to work on. They might not want to sign a long-term deal and give up prospects because of minor league prospect, Austin Jackson, who is thought to be better than Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner but is wanted to play a full year in Triple-A after playing in Double-A in 2008. After an inconsistent and postseasonless 2008 season, many changes will be made en route to a different team in 2009 that will be going for their 27th World Series Title.

A look back at the 2008 season full of stats. The players that were up there in hitting and pitching and who excelled and who didn't.