For Everyone Addicted to Sports

The NFC comes to power

2012-01-05T16:38:00.000-08:00

The NFL typically does not have one conference that is completely dominant in the same manner as the MLB. For years, the National League owned the American League behind power teams like the Reds. During the Yankee dynasty years in the 90s and until recently, the AL reigned supreme. The AFC has been the better conference since the first Super Bowl won by the Patriots in 2002. However, it was never the type of dominance seen in baseball.

With that said, it is pretty clear that over the last decade the AFC has been the best conference in football. With perennial power houses in New England, Pittsburgh, and Indianapolis; NFC teams knew it would never be easy to win the Super Bowl. While the AFC team was often the favorite, they did not always win. This is the essence of football: “Any Given Sunday”.

One of the ways to quantify conference dominance is by team dominance. Usually, you need three or four teams that are perennial championship contenders to be the power conference in any sport. Take a look at the AFC Super Bowl representatives in chronological order starting with those underdog Patriots (that is really weird to say): Patriots, Raiders, Patriots, Patriots, Steelers, Colts, Patriots, Steelers, Colts, Steelers. In case you didn’t notice there is a theme. Now take a look at the NFC Super Bowl representatives over that same period of time: Rams, Buccaneers, Panthers, Eagles, Seahawks, Bears, Giants, Cardinals, Saints, Packers. The NFC has not one single team that has made the Superbowl twice in the last ten years while the AFC has four appearances from the Patriots, three from the Steelers, and two from the Colts.

Eras in football belong to teams and when the best teams are all in the AFC, it leads to the AFC winning more, getting more national attention, and overshadowing the NFC in many ways. With that said, the tide is turning. Actually it has already turned. This decade and maybe the decade after will see the NFC return to power in a big way.

Not only does the NFC have the better teams currently and in the foreseeable future, but the AFC’s power teams are falling apart or slowing down without clear replacements. Before I go on, I would like to acknowledge that I am a Packer fan and write the following with as little bias as possible. This next sentence should get a few chuckles.

The Packers are set up to dominate and become perennial championship contenders for the next ten years (it’s honestly hard to argue this). They have all the pieces including an elite quarterback, coach, general manager, playmakers on both sides of the ball and are extremely young. The Saints are right there with them behind the record breaking right arm of Drew Brees and under the direction of offensive guru Sean Payton. They find underrated offensive players such as Marques Colston and Jimmy Graham who completely dominate the league. They make great free agent decisions like letting Reggie Bush go in favor of Darren Sproles. As long as Brees keeps firing, New Orleans will keep winning.

Add into the mix a San Francisco 49ers team that has found the perfect coach who fits the system to his players. Their defense is elite behind young playmakers like Patrick Willis and Justin Smith. Frank Gore still has plenty left in the tank and Alex Smith is now able to play his part. If we are talking about the future, the Lions come next. Matthew Stafford has turned into an elite cornerback often throwing to the best receiver in the NFL, Calvin Johnson. Once Ndamukong Suh learns to control his temper, the defensive line will be tough to deal with. A little work on the secondary over the next season or two and you are looking at a Super Bowl team.

Don’t forget about the Giants who have the vastly underrated Eli Manning and are now equipped with an elite receiver in Victor Cruz along with a ferocious front four. Health often seems to be an issue and you have to wonder how long the Jacobs/Bradshaw tandem will last. I will also add the Bears into this mix because a healthy Chicago team easily makes the playoffs. They move forward with a very good quarterback in Jay Cutler and arguably the best running back in football with Matt Forte (assuming they re- sign him). Chicago needs a big time wide receiver and while a new offensive system may set them back a step during the adjustment period, the Bears will be stronger in the end.

So, the NFC has two teams set up for serious Super Bowl runs in the Packers and Saints followed by four other teams that should continue winning for a while. Take a look at the AFC situation. The Colts have been blown up and are unsure who their quarterback will be next season. While the Steelers are being held back by injuries this year, age is a factor. Stalwarts like Hines Wards will be retiring as he watches his former teammates slow with age. The Patriots are still an offensive power, but I find it interesting how much we’ve heard about shoulder issues for Tom Brady. Not to mention, the future of the defense looks bleak at best. The Ravens may be the team to watch as they are relatively young on offense and continue to develop playmakers on defense (I don’t think Ray Lewis actually ages).

Simply put, no matter how much praying Tim Tebow does, the AFC is in for a tough decade. There is promise in the Texans, who will be much better next year when healthy. Cincinnati has been impressive behind youngsters Andy Dalton and AJ Green. Do AFC fans honestly think their conference’s future lies in Houston and Cincinnati? The tide has turned. The momentum has shifted. The NFC has come to power.

A Long Road to Watford's Buzzer Beater for IU

2011-12-12T19:20:00.000-08:00

I remember stepping foot onto the Indiana University campus for the first time. After realizing IU provided everything I could dream of and more, the university shot up to number one on my list of desired colleges. As I moved through the McNutt dormitory, where I was staying with a friend, talk in the hallway was fixated on the upcoming basketball game. Tickets were hard to come by and people were buying, selling, trading, and doing whatever it took to see Eric Gordon and DJ White lead the Hoosiers under the direction of Kelvin Sampson.

The next day, I awoke on a dorm room floor and strode into the hallway. I noticed a grim undertone had taken over the McNutt floor that was filled with so much energy the night before. Soon after, I was informed of the allegations against Kelvin Sampson and spent the next few hours coming to terms with my impending doom. Not only would I be attending IU with the basketball team under a cloud of NCAA violations, possibly with a new coach, but I had experienced one of the worst days in Hoosier’s history during my first trip to Bloomington.

I remember covering my first basketball game in Assembly Hall. As anyone can attest, the first time stepping onto that hallowed ground is special. Then I watched as the Hoosiers struggled in every facet of the game for an entire year. It was hard to believe the Indiana Hoosiers, kings of fundamentals and smart play, could not shoot 40% from the free throw line.

I watched a skinny freshman named Verdell Jones III put up shot after shot, trying to keep his team in every game to no avail. Those were the days when endless hope surrounded Tom Pritchard and Matty “Ice” Roth became a fan favorite for making the three point line his personal office. There were mixed feelings by students for a basketball team that finished last in the Big Ten. IU put together a 6-25 season including a 1-17 mark in conference play. Some fans sympathized while others were enraged, but hope lived on.

I remember thinking everything would be different in year two of the rebuilding project. Bloomington native, Jordan Hulls, arrived along with lofty expectations for transfer Jeremiah Rivers. Rivers never became the player fans expected. A freshman named Christian Watford was relied on heavily and showed he would be a force in the Hoosier attack.

Unfortunately, IU was not close. The team relied on Verdell Jones III for an absurd amount of scoring which led to him heaving up shots that had no chance. A glimmer of light appeared in Maurice Creek, who dropped 31 points against Kentucky, but his season was ended by a knee injury. The Hoosiers were building chemistry which was only enough for a ninth place finish in the Big Ten. An overall record of 10-21 left fans sulking and looking forward to the days when IU would return to prominence.

I remember thinking the NIT was a legitimate goal for year three. Crean had two years to implement his system and convince players to believe. Jordan Hulls evolved into a leader and Watford the most talented player. Freshman Victor Oladipo made a huge impression with his physical gifts and million dollar smile.

After a 6-0 start in the regular season, hopes for a tournament birth were alive. The schedule turned to conference play and the Hoosiers simply could not keep up with a stacked Big Ten. Pritchard regressed leaving IU with an even bigger hole in the post. A 12-20 record was hard for everyone to swallow. A last place finish in the conference left fans across the country focused on recruiting.

I remember the Cody Zeller recruiting frenzy and the feeling of pure joy on campus when he committed. Zeller ignited “The Movement” giving IU a reason to believe the future was not only bright, but blindingly optimistic. The Hoosiers started the season 8-0 and for the first time in the Tom Crean era expectations of an NCAA tournament appearance had merit.

I remember the day uncertainty left Bloomington. I remember when IU reclaimed it’s rightful place atop the college basketball world. I remember Tom Crean so overcome with emotion he forgot how to smile. I remember Verdell Jones III driving to the basket and realizing he no longer had to score every point. I remember Christian Watford beating the number one Wildcats and the Assembly Hall floor being flooded with ecstatic Hoosiers. I remember history.

There is a Generational Gap in the IU Fan Base

2011-12-08T08:53:00.000-08:00

There is a growing disconnect within the IU basketball community. Countless IU media members and long time supporters believe there is no reason to be overly excited about a team in the early stages of a long season. A similar belief by veteran IU fans would prohibit court rushing in almost every situation. The current student contingent is already dreaming of a tournament appearance and gearing up for court flooding in the coming months. The never ending discussions on student attendance at games and structure of the GA section are picking up steam.

I think some of these arguments and how this version of IU basketball is viewed comes down to generational and geographical differences. Most of the traditionalist views originate from people who have covered IU while the team was winning or grew up watching and learning about the enormous success the program has achieved (many living in Indiana). The other viewpoint (we’ll call it new age) consists of mostly students who have not been raised with their parents putting them to sleep with stories of Branch McCracken.

Lets play a little devil’s advocate and look at today’s version of the team from a new age and traditionalist viewpoint. To be fair, take this with a grain of salt because I come from one side of the debate. I hail from Southern California and before deciding to attend Indiana University, only knew the Hoosier basketball basics. However, in my fourth year covering the team, I can see both sides have valid arguments.

IU has started 2011 with eight consecutive victories including a tough game in the B1G/ACC challenge and a decisive victory over Butler at home. They have not been perfect, but have handled most of their opponents easily in large part to the stellar play of Cody Zeller. The freshman has helped elevate the Hoosiers to the next level. Victor Oladipo and Will Sheehey have made enormous strides while Jordan Hulls has continued to be a leader on and off the floor. This comes after Big Ten finishes of 11th, 9th, and 11th the last three years. The Hoosiers combined record was 28-66 over that span. Seniors have gone through one of the worst stretches in IU basketball history and endured an endless rebuilding effort only to see Cody Zeller and “The Movement” entering Bloomington as they exit.

New Age

You ask why these fans are getting so excited after a perfect start and why they want to rush the court after a big win? A winning percentage under 50 is your answer.

The only Hoosier basketball current student-fans know is losing, losing, and more losing. Some fans have not used their general admission tickets making the student section look empty at times. On the other hand, how many schools would have the continued support of the entire campus while falling from grace and failing for three consecutive seasons? There are always plenty of students in the balcony that are not given the opportunity to move down and fill up the student section. Add that to the Camp Crean debacle and it becomes difficult to place blame on student fans.

Traditional

IU is one of the mammoth figures in the history of college basketball. Five national championships, eight final four appearances, an undefeated season, and arguably the most famous coach in all of sports are evidence that Indiana has been “there” before. Yes, students who are graduating this year have had it rough, but they still have an obligation to uphold the rich history of the school. If those standards of excellence are not enforced by future generations, everything anyone wearing the candy stripes has ever worked for will be lost.

It may be fun to rush the court, but IU basketball is better then that, unless it is a TRUE upset. As for the issues with the GA section, there should be no excuses. Every student with a ticket should show up or give their ticket to someone that will. It is the duty of the current students to make Assembly Hall loud and disruptive for the opposing team. A less then totally full student section is a failure.

Outcome

Those are some general feelings that I have gauged from the two sides over the course of this season. Here comes the part where I have to say something the traditionalists will hate. This is not your team. In the MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, and every other professional league, the teams belong to their fans and the city. In my opinion, college sports teams belong to the students of the university.

Yes, you will be a Hoosier for life once you leave and maybe you will attend every tournament they make for the rest of your life. Still, the current students are the driving force behind any college athletic program.

As you can see, I am siding with the new age viewpoint. Students have made their way to Assembly Hall for three years knowing most of the time the result would be a big fat L. They still showed up in crowds that made schools with twice the amount of wins look puny. If you want the GA section filled, do something to allow balcony ticket holders in at halftime. These fans should have no ill feelings about rushing the court after a big win, whether the traditionalists think it’s worthy or not.

Bob Knight may frown on it, but Bob Knight would frown on the Big Heads too. Bob Knight would not run into a mob of Hoosier fans and scream at the top of his lungs as Tom Crean did last year. BOBBY KNIGHT IS GONE AND HE’S NOT COMING BACK. There’s no point in acting like IU has been competing for national championships. The reset button has been pressed. IU history remains and is an integral part of the IU basketball experience, but this team belongs to this set of students. They don’t know what winning feels like, so let them enjoy it.

A Historic Night for America's Pastime

2011-09-29T09:07:00.000-07:00

My roommates and I decided to go see Moneyball Wednesday night. We had yet to see the box office smash and as baseball die hards were craving two hours about the sabermetric revolution. However, we called an audible realizing that the night would be better spent watching the four games that would determine who were the last two teams in the playoffs or if there would be one or two single game playoffs to determine the remaining spots. Best decision ever. Using MLB.TV we watched in it’s entirety, the greatest night of baseball I have ever seen.

When I began falling in love with baseball one of the aspects of the sport that stood out was the absence of a time limit. There is never a point in a baseball game when the team feels rushed to score as the clock winds down. All focus can be put into the task at hand instead of the fact only 15 minutes remain. In this way, hope is more powerful in baseball than any other sport. It does not matter if you’re down by seven runs in the fifth inning or down to your final strike in the ninth, the opportunity still remains. On September 28, 2011 time seemed to stand still as magic flowed through the baseball world and the impossible unfolded before our eyes.

Going into game 162 of the major league baseball season four contests truly mattered. The Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox were hanging on for dear life as their two wild card leads had evaporated in September. Over less than a months time the St. Louis Cardinals crawled back into contention erasing an 8 1/2 game deficit while the Tampa Bay Rays did the same after being 9 games back of Boston. The Rays started David Price against the Yankees minus any real pitchers, who were resting for the playoffs, while the Cardinals squared off against the last place Houston Astros. The Red Sox had Jon Lester going against the Orioles, who he had never lost to, and the Braves had Tim Hudson facing off against the first place Phillies, who started their regular players.

Let’s get the Cardinals game out of the way. St. Louis did their job continuing an incredible run by defeating Houston 8-0. It seemed that there would be two blowouts as Mark Texeira helped give the Yankees a 7-0 lead behind a grand slam and solo homer. Meanwhile, Atlanta had a 3-1 lead going into the 7th with one of the best back ends of a bullpen in baseball. An error put Philadelphia within one run, but there were no worries with Johnny Venters and Craig Kimbrell coming in, although the two had struggled during the Braves slide. Over in Baltimore, the Red Sox held a 3-2 lead when a rain delay stalled the game. Red Sox fans felt good with a one run lead and probably enough time to see the Yankees close out a win over Tampa Bay before their game started again.

You don’t come back from seven runs down in the eight inning, it is just too rare. What’s the point in telling the Rays that. They have fought and believed the entire season through Manny’s steroids, injuries, slumps, and going up against two goliath teams with a payroll that is considered a joke in the AL East. That will, desire, and true belief that anything can happen is what makes baseball great. The Rays scratched together three runs and found themselves with two men on and the slugger, Evan Longoria, at the plate. Of course, the burley third basemen hit a ball into the mesosphere cutting the lead to a single run.

Back to Atlanta where the ever reliable Braves closer, Craig Kimbrell, allowed the Phillies to get a runner on third when Chase Utley did his job with a sac fly. Free baseball in Atlanta; remember the Braves knew a loss eliminated them from the playoffs. In Baltimore, the Red Sox were having a blast watching an astonishing comeback by the Rays which was about to fall short in the bottom of the ninth. Joe Maddon decided to go for it all and pinch hit Dan Johnson in hopes of a game tying home run. Down to his last strike, Johnson took a mistake and blasted a liner that just cleared the wall in right field and barely made it fair. Bedlam.

The Braves and Phillies battled to the 13th inning when the spark plug that is Hunter Pence singled in the go ahead run. Atlanta goes quietly into the night completing the biggest collapse in MLB history. The sadness and angst on the Braves’ faces was enough to make you shed a tear. In Houston, champagne was sprayed and smiles were cracked as Tony LaRussa and Albert Pujols return to October.

Over in Baltimore, the game started up again and the Red Sox went into the bottom of the 9th with a one run lead and the stellar Jonathan Papelbon trying to close it out. The Boston closer looked sharp striking out the first two batters. One of my roommates uttered, “Please just score, stop being the Orioles.” Baltimore got the message and proceeded with back to back doubles to tie the game. At 12:02 AM Robert Andino singled in the winning run and the Red Sox lost, putting their season in peril. Not to mention, the ball fell barely out of the reach of Carl Crawford, who has been a complete bust for Boston. My house sounded like a scene from a horror movie while we screamed like little girls.

It all came down to what happened in Tampa Bay. If the Rays win they would complete one of the most improbable stories in baseball history. If they lose there would be a one game playoff to decide if Boston or Tampa Bay gets in. The scoreboard was updated and the crowd at Tropicana Field realized the Sox blew it. At 12:05 AM, just three minutes after the Boston collapse, the stage was set. With one out in the bottom of the 12th, Roy Hobbs (played by Evan Longoria) stepped to the plate and delivered a home run that barely got over the wall sending Rays fans into “I need to cry right now” mode. My roommates and I jumped up and down like deranged lunatics and the neighbors started to think there might be an issue.

What. Just. Happened! I could add another 1,000 words about the endless statistical improbabilities which emphasize the grandeur of the moment. As much as I love stats, that would not do it justice. The only way to describe witnessing all these events in real time is beyond belief. It was baseball at it’s finest. Hope remained eternal to the last strike, to the last breath. The Rays and Cardinals who had trudged forward when many had given up, deserve to be in the playoffs. If this script was submitted to a Hollywood producer it would be laughed at. It was real though and you could feel it flowing through your veins. It was the greatest night of baseball anyone has ever seen.

A Quick Preview of IU Football

2011-07-23T18:05:00.000-07:00

There is a hallowed football tradition in Bloomington at the beginning of every school year. No, I’m not talking about a march of the players down a main road in campus. It’s not a huge pep rally held by the students at Memorial Stadium. The Hoosiers’ tradition does not revolve around sacred trees like Auburn or stickers on their helmets like Ohio State. This pastime involves a magnet and eager students.

No one will ever argue that Indiana has a strong fan base for football. When comparing the fan’s enthusiasm for football and basketball, it is obvious Tom Crean’s crew owns Bloomington. However, that in no way means there isn’t big love for IU football. Deep within the belly of Bloomington there are thousands of students who hold out hope and consider themselves die hard Hoosier football fans.

That brings us back to the storied tradition that occurs each fall on the Indiana University campus. Students will eventually find in their hands a small magnet schedule. They can find these all over town being handed out by the athletic department and food establishments eager to attain youthful customers. The IU faithful then peruse the schedule, game by game, and try to convince themselves that IU will win enough this year to make a bowl game. “We can beat Illinois at home,” says one student. While another convinces his roommate that the Bucket Game will be won by IU. One way or another they conclude Indiana will win enough to barely make a bowl game. Then, the Hoosiers falter early and everyone gears up for basketball season. What a fantastic tradition.

Anyone speaking realistically cannot expect IU to have great success in 2011. There are so many question marks and new faces that anything could happen. But that is one reason to be excited. Instead of the same old lofty expectations met by the same reasons for failure, there are infinite possibilities. Bill Lynch was a great man and put everything he had into the head coaching position. Plain and simple, it just didn’t work. Kevin Wilson has come in and immediately demanded more of the team. Players are being pushed to new levels and the hope is his hiring will be the start of a turnaround for the football team.

Kevin Wilson brings a resume of success with him after implementing a prolific offense as coordinator for Oklahoma. He was the mind behind Sam Bradford’s record breaking season in 2008 and was recognized as the top assistant in college football. This is the first time he will be head coach of a major college football team and how Wilson handles the job will be a story line throughout the season. Although Coach Wilson has had great success with the spread and no huddle offenses, he has not determined what kind of system will be used. That’s probably because he’s not sure who the quarterback will be.

The Hoosiers have lost their two best offensive weapons in Ben Chappell and Tandon Doss. The quarterback and wide receiver were the main reasons behind any of IU’s offensive success. Without them there are so many questions, it’s hard to figure out where to begin. The three quarterbacks on the roster are Edward Wright-Baker, Dusty Kiel, and Adam Follet with Kiel and Wright-Baker expected to battle for the starting job. The offense could look very different for each quarterback, especially Wright-Baker, who is a tremendous runner. Wilson is probably counting on the return of a healthy Darius Willis to anchor the backfield. Damarlo Belcher has been a solid wide receiver during his time in Bloomington, but will have to step up without Doss and Terrance Turner. Tight end Ted Bolser emerged as a surprising threat and could see a bigger role in 2011.

The defense in 2010 was poor in most areas. Five starters will be gone including Mitchell Evans and Tyler Replogle leading to a lot of competition for spots. Evans was extremely versatile, playing on both sides of the ball during his career and provided valued leadership as well. If the defense becomes worse, than Indiana will have a tough time surviving. The hope among the program is that the new mentality instilled by Coach Wilson and his staff will have an effect on the players. Improving on fundamentals such as group tackling and proper communication could alleviate problems that occurred time and again in 2010.

2011 will be very different for Indiana. There are obvious changes in every aspect of the program that could lead to a very tough year. There is also the possibility that the team comes together and surprises everyone under new leadership. After three disappointing seasons, heading into unchartered territory will be welcomed by Hoosier fans. It will give them a little hope while looking at their magnet schedules.

Life Without Manning

2011-07-17T16:39:00.000-07:00

It’s a thought that Colts’ fans want no part of; what their team will do when Peyton Manning is no longer behind center? The same way Green Bay Packers fans could not imagine their lives without Brett Favre at the helm, Colts fans may feel lost without Peyton. With the issues that have come up in recent years, it may not be too early for Indianapolis to start formulating a plan for the day that the best on field captain in NFL history is no longer directing the offense in Indianapolis.

Manning has shown that he is not a machine as injuries have become more frequent with age. His bursa-sac injury turned out to be more serious than anyone anticipated and now he is recovering from a neck issue. Peyton’s contract is also a concern that will need to be dealt with once the lockout ends. There is no doubt that Jim Irsay will pony up whatever amount of money it takes to sign Manning and keep him with the franchise for the long haul. However, that contract will be expensive and as Manning’s skills slowly deteriorate or injuries become an issue, the contract will weigh the team down.

It appears there could be a salary cap at around 120 million dollars once the lockout ends. Manning is already making near 16 million a season and could be seeking 20 million or more per year. The Colts already have holes in almost every area that need upgrading. Figuring out how to best spread out a franchises’ money is hard enough for any NFL general manager. The task for Bill Polian will be much more difficult with one player taking up 17-20 % of the team’s salary.

Add in the fact that Indianapolis has a below average rushing attack and a defense that strikes fear into no one and the Colts could be looking at hard times. Stalwarts such as Gary Brackett and Jeff Saturday will be facing the same challenges as Manning with each passing year. Joseph Addai cannot be counted on and Donald Brown is a great complimentary back, but nothing more. Reggie Wayne will be looking for a big pay raise while Austin Collie still needs to prove he can overcome his concussion issues.

The offensive line should be a priority to upgrade for head coach Jim Caldwell and company. A big reason that sacks are often avoided in Indianapolis is Manning’s lightning quick release. Not only will protecting Peyton become increasingly important each year, but developing a line that leads to an explosive running game is imperative. Once Peyton begins to slow down, Indianapolis must be able to transition to a more balanced offensive attack. Barring the long odds of finding another incredibly durable quarterback, who happens to be one of the most accurate in the league and has the ability to become an on-field offensive coordinator, the running game will have to improve.

The run should be a primary concern on defense where Indy should look to add some beef to the defensive line. The Colts have not been ranked better than 24th against the run the last three seasons. Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis should be able to continue leading the pass rush which will allow Polian to focus on stopping the run. Although, the arrest of youngster Jerry Hughes, who is being groomed to fill one of the defensive end positions, should be a concern as players with arrest records do not tend to last long in central Indiana.

These will not be problems for the 2011 season. The Colts bring back their veteran core and will have to fight off the Texans to take the division if Houston can play any defense at all. Then again, it seems that same sentiment is uttered every season with the Texans Jaguars, and Titans trading places. Each year, Peyton finds one way or another to lead Indianapolis to the playoffs and nothing about that will change this year.

The biggest mistake the coaches and executives of the Colts’ can make is focusing solely on this season. They must begin preparing for the future when they won’t be able to continually rely on their veteran core. There will come a time when Peyton Manning can no longer sling footballs with extreme power and accuracy while acting as the de-facto offensive coordinator. If the Colts are not prepared, dark days loom ahead.

Bleeding Dodger Blue

2011-06-23T15:53:00.000-07:00

Love them or hate them, the Dodgers are one of the most important and historic teams in baseball. You can go back to Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier or Sandy Koufax dominating the game. The all time infield of Garvey, Lopes, Cey, and Russell will go down as one of the greatest in history. For the rest of baseball eternity, Kirk Gibson’s magical home run will be shown. And of course the best broadcaster in the history of sports, Vin Scully, has worked for the Dodgers longer than most people reading this have been on the planet.

But those are not the Dodgers I knew and grew up rooting for. The Dodgers I knew lost the values of the franchise when Peter O’ Malley sold the team to Fox, a corporation interested in profits alone. I went to Dodger Stadium and watched them lose even though expectations remained high. I sat at home and cried with everyone else when they traded away Mike Piazza. I watched LA sign a roid raging Kevin Brown to a ridiculous contract. I witnessed on field meltdowns and a championship from the Diamondbacks who had just entered the damn league.

The Dodgers I knew were not the Dodgers of Duke Snider and Willie Davis, but the team that traded away Pedro Martinez. There were great moments, don’t get me wrong. Shawn Green seemed like a savior, but ran out of gas quickly. Eric Gagne electrified the city like no other, but his performance was a lie. The list goes on and the message is the same: I did not know what it was like to be a fan of a winning Dodgers franchise.

Then Frank McCourt bought the team. There was panic in the media because he had to use some swift thinking and loans to purchase the jewel franchise of the National League. However, I thought to myself, if Bud Selig says its ok then we should give the guy a chance. And something miraculous happened. The Dodgers won. It may seem insignificant, a single playoff victory, but it was so much more then that.

I remember the game vividly. LA was on the verge of being swept by the Cardinals, who had absolutely dominated the Dodgers in the playoffs since the dawn of time. Out of the shadows came Jose Lima, a man on a mission who soaked up every cheer from a stadium filled with close to 60,000 screaming Angelenos. When he came out for the 9th inning, fist in the air, minutes away from completing a shutout, I wanted to cry. In fact, I was so excited that my constant jumping up and down on the stadium seat snapped the chair right through. No joke, I broke a seat because I was so excited. The game would be the only victory as St. Louis moved on, but it was a symbol: The Dodgers won a playoff game for the first time since 1988.

Los Angeles made it back to the playoffs in 06’ only to get swept, then made a triumphant march to the NLCS in 2008 and 2009. Losing to the Phillies in such heartbreaking fashion is something I will not soon forget. There were positives though and one was that the team was succeeding like it never had in my lifetime. They were doing it under Frank McCourt.

How could I complain? Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Clayton Kershaw, and Jonathan Broxton were budding stars and Frank had spent big money to bring in and keep Manny Ramirez in Los Angeles. It seems easy to dismiss now with revelations about Manny’s steroid use, but it was the biggest move the Dodgers had made since I fell in love with the team. There was no reason to doubt that McCourt had proven himself worthy and his name would be attached to the Dodgers for years with championships and parades to follow.

How quickly things change. I wish I could go back in time and tell myself to temper expectations. If only I had known that the extra championship piece the Dodgers needed could have been easily attained if Frank and Jamie had one mansion instead of seven, or if they did not spend six figures on haircuts and paychecks to sons who did nothing. The Dodgers did not need a psychic on the other side of the World sending good vibes for absurd salaries. They needed CC Sabathia.

When word came of the imminent divorce between the McCourts, I defended Frank. The picture was painted beautifully by his public relations team. A hard working father trying to build a winner for the city he had adopted while his cheating wife went off to Europe with a chauffeur, all on the company dime. I worried she would try to snatch away the team and destroy all the good that Frank had done. I feel like a sap. I feel betrayed. Now Dodger fans go to bed at night praying a judge finds that Jamie McCourt rightfully owns half the team. If Frank is said to solely own the Dodgers a legal battle with baseball of historic proportions will unfold.

McCourt’s lawyers will force every team to publicly show their financial records. This will surely reveal that franchises like the Pirates and Marlins pocket more money then they should. A domino effect could occur. Players will realize they are not getting a fair piece of the pie and all of a sudden, discussion on realignment heading the next collective bargaining agreement could turn into arguments about money. Who knows where it goes from there. A strike or lockout seems to be the trend in sports these days.

McCourt will eventually lose the Dodgers. He can play his legal games and say that even if forced to sell the team, he will keep the parking lots and stadium because he has divided the Dodgers into endless different financial entities. It won’t hold up, but it will be a long and arduous process. A legal battle of this magnitude could have untold effects on every team and the MLB as a whole.

It is a sad site to see my second home these days. Dodger Stadium is a paradise that once would draw 40,000 fans for a team that was in fourth place. The perfectly cut grass, symmetrical dimensions, and surrounding area is Walter O’ Malley’s dream come to life. Palm trees float behind the stadium walls as you gaze into the blissful night where the mountains seem endless.

I was fooled by success. I was tricked into thinking Frank McCourt cared about winning and the Dodgers. I was deceived into believing McCourt cared about me and my brethren. And now it is war, Frank. The fans are fighting back.

Attendance numbers were drastically down in the first part of the MLB season mainly due to the emptiness that has become Dodger Stadium. Why fight so hard for a city that hates you and a fan base that refuses to support you? You’re family is ruined and you are facing so many lawsuits that you have a suit against your lawyers. Now, you are threatening to take on Bud Selig and baseball despite agreeing to never sue them. You have no money and have lost all respect. You have hit rock bottom. The only thing driving you is an all consuming ego that has created a monster, where the few friends you have probably do not recognize the man you have become. The least you can do Frank, is cut the rope that bounds Dodger fans to you. Don’t pull us down into the abyss, we don’t deserve it.

Our Captain

2011-06-14T15:23:00.000-07:00

I hate the Yankees. I hate their excessive spending. I hate their belief that a season is a failure without a ring. I hate how they strut about with their chins up refusing to acknowledge the problems with payroll disparities in baseball. I hate how successful they have been, how absurdly successful they have been. I hate how they have stolen endless championships from my beloved Dodgers. I could go on, but you get the point, I really hate the Yankees.

With that said, I love how Babe Ruth is the symbol of a simpler time when baseball revolved around brews and brats. I love the power of the pinstripes when I watch New York play. I love the fables of DiMaggio and the courage of Gehrig. The history is endless and no team in sports will ever have more heroes and iconic moments than the Yankees. However, for my generation the image of the Yankees can be summed up by one play, made over and over again.

A brisk night at Yankee Stadium, the real one, not the new place with the $10,000 tickets. The Cathedral is filled to capacity late in the game with tension mounting, as it only does in New York. A strong right handed hitter is at the plate with those pinstripes in the field trying to close out yet another victory.

The pitcher misses his location and leaves a fastball over the plate. There’s a hard ground ball into the hole between third and short, a base hit surely. Even if the new guy, they call him Jeter, can get to it, there will be no play. Then something incredible happens. The budding star backhands the ball in the hole, jumps as high as he can while simultaneously twisting his body and somehow throws a bullet to first. Out.

For the next fifteen years, little leaguers all over the country may start or end baseball practice with a “Jeter”. They will try and mimic the acrobatic play that defines The Captain. It’s a play where many big leaguers would simply take the ball and throw it back to the pitcher. A play that many would be too scared of committing an error to pursue.

Not Jeter. He knows he can make the play and not based on his athleticism. The Yankee Captain knows he can make the play because he has worked tirelessly to perfect it. In the same way he has worked tirelessly to perfect the best inside out swing in baseball history.

Derek Jeter represents everything that is right in a generation of baseball that was so wrong. There were corked bats, false home run chases, and steroids flowing like greenies in the past. He never strayed. Jeter stayed true and simply decided to out work everyone else.

Winning is all that mattered to him and still is, even now, as he inches closer to entering the sacred 3,000 hit club; already claiming the most hits ever by a shortstop. Out of all the heroes and Yankee legends, he will be the first to accomplish the feat. But, that is not why we will remember The Captain.

We will remember him for jumping with his arms raised as Yankees piled towards the mound: 96’ 98’ 99’ 00’ 09’. He will always be Mr. November for his improbable home run in Game 4 of the 01’ World Series. He will always be one of the most clutch hitters in history, continuously keeping the Yankees breathing. The Captain will be remembered as the shortstop willing to go head first into the stands. The image of Jeter sprinting across the diamond backflipping a throw to Jorge Posada essentially putting a dagger through the hearts of the Athletics will be on highlight reels forever. Only The Captain makes that play. Only someone willing to put his reputation on the line makes that play.

I think one of the main reasons Derek Jeter means so much to my generation is simple. He is a throwback. He came from Michigan and grew up with strong willed parents who imparted discipline and the values of morality. When Derek visited his grandparents in New Jersey, they would take him to The Cathedral where he dreamt of one day adorning the pinstripes. He was never the biggest, the strongest, or the fastest. He doesn’t have the natural ability of Mantle or the flare of Reggie Jackson. But he has the tools to be an All Star and the work ethic to become a legend.

People seem to focus on the negatives these days. It may be his developing relationship with the narcissistic Alex Rodriguez or his intensely public contract negotiations. The media prods at him trying to elicit a reaction. Every once in a while he reacts, but does so in a professional manner trying to end any needless drama. As he comes closer to an incredible milestone, the focus should be on the gifts he has given us as fans, not where the hit will take place.

Above all else we will remember Derek Jeter for his character. He was able to maintain integrity in an era that fostered cheating. He inspires us to live up to our full potential.

“The Jeter” is more than a spectacular play made by a shortstop. It is a symbol of everything that is right about baseball. It starts with hope, however faint it may be. It becomes seemingly impossible, the point where most give up. Then, it is incredible, a sight to behold. Fans gasp and wish they could do the same. Derek Jeter simply goes back to his position with that faint smirk. He knows there are plenty of people who can make the play, but few that are willing to sacrifice enough to do so.

The Future is Now in Bloomington

2011-06-06T14:55:00.000-07:00

It's been over three years since the darkest day in Indiana University basketball unfolded before the eyes of astonished Hoosiers across the country. Sanctions brought down upon the basketball program would lead to the dismissal of Kelvin Sampson and an era of rebuilding in Bloomington. Finally, the wounds are beginning to fully heal.

Tom Crean was brought in to clean up the mess Sampson had created. He would need to work tirelessly and at a significant disadvantage. Too no surprise, the Hoosiers struggled. The first year stung: 6-25 overall and 1-17 in Big Ten play. That was followed by a 10-21 overall record in 2009 with a 4-14 record in Big Ten play. Last year, despite a seemingly improved team, the Hoosiers finished 12-20 overall with a 3-15 record in Big Ten play.

Putting records aside, the players responded to Crean and believed that their part in the rebuilding process of a once great program would be remembered. For anyone who has watched the maturation of Jordan Hulls, Verdell Jones, and Christian Watford (too name a few), it is obvious IU is headed in the right direction. However, don’t be fooled. Those players are undoubtedly in the transition phase of the program.

Finally, after three years, it appears the future is now.

The recruiting war for Cody Zeller was something to behold. The entire Indiana University campus showed support through social media, banners on houses, and “We Want Cody” rallies. The Hoosiers got their man and another young star in Austin Etherington.

The two will be making their Bloomington debuts this year followed by a 2012 recruiting class that includes Hanner Parea, Yogi Ferrell, and Jeremy Hallowell. They will comprise the number one recruiting class in the nation.

Hoosier fans are giddy, that is the only word to truly describe the feeling. But talent was never an issue in the Sampson Era. How will these young men react to entering a college campus that will view them as superstars and saviors? All the talent in the World will do IU nothing unless the players uphold a certain standard.

Zeller and Etherington will be the first tested and in my first experience interviewing the duo, I can say they passed with flying colors. These are precisely the kind of players that Crean must bring to IU. With recent investigation into the relationship between IU and the AAU team Indiana Elite, there will be even more pressure on Zeller and Etherington to represent the Hoosiers in a positive light.

"We're going to go and change it around hopefully and work as hard as we can to bring IU back," said Etherington.

"I think everyone wants to see Indiana basketball back where it was, so hopefully we can make progress towards that," said Zeller.

They cannot be normal college students. They cannot get in trouble for underage drinking or being at a party that the police are called too. They cannot afford to skip classes. College is a time where young men and women evolve into the adults they will become. Usually some mistakes are made along the way. This is a delicate situation that Zeller and Etherington are entering. They are the future and everyone will have an eye on them. It is a tremendous amount of pressure for two college freshman. Time will tell if they become the building blocks of the next era in Indiana Basketball, an era that must place equal value on basketball and morality.

"We are going to have high expectations as a team," said Etherington.

There will be tests and turmoil. Zeller, Etherington, and every other future Hoosier will be pushed mentally and physically in ways they cannot imagine. Their responses to adversity will determine the fate of Hoosier basketball.

A New Found Appreciation for the Race Car Driver

2011-05-21T17:18:00.000-07:00

I was once asked a series of questions regarding the term athlete. Baseball and football players are athletes, an easy response. What about race car drivers? That was a bit more complicated. I came to the conclusion that drivers were not athletes because a machine was the primary factor in the result of the races.

This article is being written from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in my second year covering "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" and I can firmly say I was wrong. These drivers may not be able to play professional football or baseball, but there is no way that Prince Fielder survives an Indianapolis 500 (I mean survive literally).

Until you are up close at one of these races it is impossible to comprehend the extreme elements that each driver must overcome in order to win. Physically, an IndyCar race is unlike anything I have ever seen. Simply standing on the track makes you want to pass out. I cannot imagine the conditioning it takes to drive at 220 plus MPH for 200 laps in a cramped little car. Plus, there's the whole issue of having to beat 30 or more other drivers doing whatever it takes to pass you.

Think of the G-force you feel on an intense roller coaster and multiply it by 651,000. All of this stated, I have not even mentioned that one false move and you are dead. Another false move and you may kill over 30 people. Think about the mental stress on some hitters after knocking a pitcher out with a line drive. NFL careers have never been the same for some players who cause serious harm to an opponent. That possibility exists every second these people are racing.

From my observations, I gather that racing is a regionally based culture. The sport is hugely popular in the Mid-West and the South. Most of the biggest racing fans I have met have parents, siblings, or grandparents who have influenced them. The racing culture on the coasts is nowhere near as strong.

I was born and raised in Los Angeles with little exposure to racing. The stereotype that the sport is pointless and anyone could race was something I have often heard. That is beyond ridiculous. The coordination required by each driver to survive, let alone win, is equal to any other sport.

I used to make the argument and often continue to hear, that there is no strategy in racing. Talk to the strategist and team leaders for each driver. Most of the time it sounds like they are speaking a different language. It is often as hard to comprehend as advanced physics. Changes are made every single day and every single pit.

Speaking of those team leaders, it should be made clear this is a team sport. If a group is unable to work together fluidly, then there is no chance they will succeed. Decisions are team efforts and changes to the car come from multiple sources. Emotions and relationships play a role like every other sport. For the racing enthusiast this may seem obvious, but these are beliefs held by many racing novices.

There was a time I could not be convinced that watching racing was worth my time. I won't lie, racing is still not high on my list of favorite sports. However, during my second year covering the Indianapolis 500, I have gained the utmost respect for the men and women who put their lives on the line every time they step into a car.

I now have a different outlook on racing. Helio Castroneves does not win races because of his car. Yes, having a faster car obviously makes a huge difference, but making the car fast is not random. Teams work tirelessly to improve their cars.

Baseball players use a certain kind of bat and Phil Mickelson uses a certain kind of golf club. These professionals choose the tool they feel will give them the best chance to win. Although having a better tool (the car) may be more important in racing, the same concept holds true. The enormous physical and mental stress a race car driver goes through should allot them the title: athlete. That title is something anyone attending an Indianapolis 500 could never question.

God and Baseball

2011-05-15T17:12:00.000-07:00

The ever increasing influx of players from different cultural and religious backgrounds has made baseball an interesting setting to analyze religion’s impact on sport. Whether a player is born in Minnesota, Puerto Rico, or Japan, the relationship between their performance and religious beliefs is intriguing. Specifically in baseball, many players can be seen making religious gestures before every at bat or while standing on second base after a double. The same can be said for pitchers who hold a necklace or give a kiss to a religious charm before toeing the rubber.
These actions have become commonplace, but how many players do this to feel at ease opposed to actually believing God will return their actions with a base hit or strikeout? Fans may get on their knees in front of the TV and pray for a game winning home run, but is this out of an attempt to feel they have some kind of impact on the game or do many believe the almighty will actually answer their prayers with a home run?

A story of a skirmish in a minor league clubhouse and an article recommended by Peter King encouraged me to think about these questions (more on these later). Everyone has their own religious beliefs that should be respected. While I am making no attempt to degrade or offend anyone, religion is similar to politics in that someone will get angry no matter the context. So, what is God’s place in the American Pastime?

I have found myself pleading with the baseball Gods for a final strikeout or a big hit countless times. Please, just this once give me a win! I’ll do anything! These thoughts might be in my own head or out loud, but every sports fan knows the feeling. You have so much invested in something that you have absolutely no control over. The least you can do is ask God to help. The same theory is in place for superstitions which baseball has a couple of if you had not noticed. Did Turk Wendell actually become a better pitcher because he brushed his teeth after each inning? Was Moises Alou more prepared to hit because he took a whiz on his hands before the game? Will the Athletics win a close one just because a fan was wearing his lucky Dennis Eckersley jersey or stayed in the same position on the couch since that second inning triple play?

It is easy to look at superstitions and brush them off as eccentric, deeming them to have no actual significance in the outcome of a relief appearance or an at bat. However, the same response is never heard when a player crosses himself or says a prayer. In all likelihood the reason is that religion is such a touchy subject everywhere, especially in the melting pot that is the MLB, that no one is willing to go there.

Put things in perspective. As much as I love baseball and sports, there are many issues on this planet that are more important. I would think starving children in the Sudan would be above Andre Ethier’s hitting streak on God’s “To Do” list. Not to take anything away from sport because sport has a much greater cultural impact then most are willing to admit (alas that is a blog post for a different time). Anyway, I find it equally ridiculous to believe that not stepping on the foul line will make a pitcher better just as a batter praying for a base hit and believing God delivered on his request when he squirts one through the middle. Are you sure it just was not a little luck that allowed the batter to get a broken bat bloop single against that great two seam fastball?

Luck is what it all comes down to. Baseball is a sport where luck plays an ever present role in every pitch of every inning of every game. There are even statistics being created such as BABIP (Batting Average of Balls In Play) to try and find the truth of the stats while extracting the luck part. This leads to the incident in the minor league clubhouse I spoke of earlier. Essentially, two front office members were arguing about a certain player and his recent statistics. One was arguing that luck had a great impact on recent outcomes and the player should be watched closely moving forward. The other disagreed and argued there is no such thing as luck in baseball. Everything, including a ball falling for a single or a player making the majors was pre determined by God and completely out of the hands of the baseball people. This left me with my jaw unhinged.

I understand there are people who maintain that their life path is determined ahead of time by an almighty being. Whether I or anyone else believes this is irrelevant, it is an understandable and often accepted dogma. Taking it to such extremes in my opinion is absurd. I just can’t grasp believing God decides every pitch of every game everywhere! In other words, do you really think God gives two craps about a 1-1 count in a 0-0 game in the second inning of a minor league exhibition game?

Luckily for me, I am an avid fan of Peter King and his Monday Morning Quarterback column for Sports Illustrated. For those baseball only junkies out there, King will bring football to you in a light never seen before, he’s masterful. Anyway, King forwarded an article by David White who has been in journalism for 17 years and covered the Raiders and 49ers most recently. White has decided to move in a different life direction and will go into full time ministry as a senior pastor. White gives some poignant examples leading to a conclusion that God probably has priorities over sports. (This is my personal favorite: “Thou shalt absolutely not say your team won because it was God's plan. What does the Lord have against the other team? And why should God even care in a world of suffering how our games play out? Maybe you think He doubled down on your end of the Vegas line? He didn't.”) This also makes a great point that is often overlooked: Why should God reward one player or team and punish the other?

If crossing yourself or praying actually does result in hits and strikeouts then instead of playing baseball, everyone on the field would be attempting to out pray each other. The call from Vin Scully: “Koufax takes the mound and Mays steps into the box. Sandy in his long windup comes and starts him off with a kissing of his Jewish Star necklace. Strike one! Mays digs in and gathers some dirt to give him a better grip and crosses his chest, a strong move from the Say Hey Kid. Wow, what a battle folks, you are watching a classic here at Chavez Ravine.” You get the point.

I, along with every other sports fan or professional athlete, do not have the answers. I cannot say what God controls and what he/she/it leaves to nature to decide. For those who do not believe in a higher power, I cannot confirm there is a God. No one can answer these questions definitively because they are bigger than any person or for that matter anything. I do know that a minor league front office employee saying every pitch and the fate of every player is predetermined is not good for baseball.

Players see the guys working harder than anyone else improve. Roy Halladay did not wake up one morning and realize he could throw six pitches with incredible movement wherever he wanted whenever he wanted. He labored tirelessly to improve. He studied the game, learned from players and coaches, and refused to let anyone be better. There are baseball players that have as much talent as Halladay, but do not work as hard or were simply never able to put it together. There are players that work as hard as Doc, but simply do not have the talent to advance. If a player puts all of his body and mind into baseball, he can sleep at night knowing everything possible has been done to succeed. The rest is just luck.

2011 MLB Preview

2011-02-28T10:40:00.000-08:00

In a baseball age that is dominated by sabermetrics and statistics I am admittedly a stat geek. In reality, statistics are an incredible tool that can tell us more than we can see on the field. I’ve embraced this idea and usually use statistics pretty frequently whenever writing something like an MLB Preview. However, I thought it would be interesting to try and write this preview without using too many stats. So, I’ll look at the statistics and put together the preview, but try and leave most of the numbers out of the actual article. Play Ball!

*** Playoff and Award predictions at the bottom

NL East
Many will look at this division and immediately hand it over to the Phillies. That sounds about right. The only thing I see stopping the Phils is the injury bug, which does not seem to be a problem currently. Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels, and Joe Blanton is a simply ridiculous collection of starting pitchers. Philadelphia has four starters who all have a shot at winning the Cy Young: unbelievable. Losing Jayson Werth hurts, but Ryan Howard and Chase Utley will be able to pick up the slack. The lineup remains almost perfectly balanced and more can be expected this year from Jimmy Rollins who will bounce back if healthy. Carlos Ruiz has proven he is a great catcher who handles the staff well and comes up clutch. Shane Victorino should be diving all around the outfield and continues to be the spirit of the team. There are a couple of question marks in the bullpen, but if Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson can be effective there should not be too many problems.

The Braves will pose a threat as Jason Heyward enters his sophomore season and rookie Freddie Freeman will make an impact taking over 1st base. Those two should form a dangerous tandem for years to come. The health of Chipper Jones is always an issue, but that should be offset by the 30 home runs from Dan Uggla. Atlanta has a solid rotation anchored by Tim Hudson whose health issues seem to finally be behind him. Derek Lowe, Jair Jurrjens, and Tommy Hanson will help give Atlanta a formidable rotation which will be overlooked all season thanks to the Phillies. Atlanta may have concerns with youth in their bullpen. Craig Kimbrel looks to take over at closer and has been impressive, but he has only pitched in 21 games. Atlanta may need Scott Linebrink and George Sherrill to find the fountain of youth and add some veteran depth in the relief corps.

Florida has another young team that has good talent, but not good enough to topple the Braves or Phillies. Hanley Ramirez is still one of the best players in baseball and has Mike Stanton to count on for twenty plus home runs. Chris Coghlan will look to return to his rookie year form and Gaby Sanchez will continue to improve and become one of the most underrated 1st basemen in the NL. Josh Johnson is one of the best starters in baseball, but the rest of the rotation has some question marks. Ricky Nolasco has not figured it out and Javier Vazquez can have a good year or a bad year. Similar to the Braves, there are a lot of question marks with the Marlins bullpen. Leo Nunez has nasty stuff, but the top dogs in the NL East may be able to scrape together a few late inning comebacks against Florida.

The Nationals look pretty good offensively with Jayson Werth in rightfield and Ryan Zimmerman at third providing a dangerous punch in the middle of the order. If Nyjer Morgan and Ian Desmond can improve their on base percentage the Nationals line up becomes very dangerous. Pudge Rodriguez comes back for another season catching a staff that is the problem in Washington. Livan Hernandez had a great bounce back season in 2010, but should not be relied on to anchor a major league rotation anymore. Similarly, Jason Marquis would not be a number two for most teams. The rest of the rotation is filled with below average talent and question marks. Drew Storen, who is Stepehen Strasburg in reliever form, will turn into one of the best young closers in the MLB. There are lots of other young arms in the bullpen like Sean Burnett and Tyler Clippard who have shown talent and may be better than most expect. Unfortunately, Washington is going nowhere fast mostly due to the starting rotation.

The Mets are a mess. Their ownership situation and scandal involving Bernie Madoff is a distraction to a team that is not in a good place. David Wright is as hard working as they come and will once again have a great season at third base. Carlos Beltran cannot be trusted to be healthy and may have to move out of centerfield, but Jose Reyes should be able to get back into form. He is also a health concern though. The Jason Bay signing will be looked at as a bust; Bay will continue struggling in spacious Citi Field. Johan Santana will start the year on the disabled list and the rest of the rotation will struggle to pick up the slack. Mike Pelfrey has great composure but has shown inconsistencies in his career. Maybe knuckleballer R.A. Dickey can have another great season and be the savior. K-rod is not the same closer he once was and does not have much help in the bullpen. Taylore Buchholz can be relied on if he’s healthy. I’m not even going to get started on Oliver Perez. A huge payroll will lead to the Mets trying to trade overpaid veterans at the deadline.

NL Central
The Brewers did some great work on their rotation and it will give them a shot to win one of the closest divisions in baseball. Look for Zach Greinke to love pitching in the NL Central and return to Cy Young form atop the Brewers rotation. Yovani Gallardo should be even better now that he can share the load and Randy Wolf is always better when he’s at the lower end of a rotation. Shaun Marcum could be a force as he was already pitching well in the hitter heavy AL East. The devastation Prince Fielder will unleash in a contract year is plain scary; There is potential for a 50 homer 150 RBI season. Ryan Braun is everything anyone could ask for in a franchise player; he leads the team on the field, at the plate, and everywhere in between. Corey Hart broke out last season and can make the middle of the order one of the best in the NL if he continues to progress. John Axford stepped up into the 9th inning role and has two former closers, LaTroy Hawkins and Takashi Saito, to help him shut down the late innings. This team has all the pieces.

Reds fans have known how good Joey Votto is for four years, now everyone knows. Jay Bruce made significant strides in average and OBP while his already impressive power will only get better. Brandon Phillips seems to be on the cusp of an All-Star season on defense and offense. Scott Rolen had a big season and is a key veteran presence, but he could easily be an injury away from spending summers at home. The reds have a youthful rotation headed by Johnny Cueto and Edinson Volquez who both could end up looking like top of the rotation pitchers, but that is no sure thing. Bronson Arroyo is a steadying presence in Cincinnati while youngster Mike Leake will try to find his first half form and fight for a spot against another budding star in Travis Wood. Francisco Cordero has been one of the most reliable closers over the last 7 years. Flame throwing sensation Aroldis Chapman will make the late innings very tough for opponents. After a couple of solid season from Nick Masset, the Reds bullpen looks to be in god shape.

The Cubs made the perfect choice in giving the opening rotation spot to a stabilizing presence in veteran Ryan Dempster. Expect Matt Garza to enjoy the scenery change to the NL, but do not count on Carlos Silva to repeat last seasons early success. The big question mark will be Carlos Zambrano; will he be a top of the rotation performer or clubhouse cancer? No one knows. Aramis Ramirez is a major key to the offense and after struggling in 2010 look for him to get back to the form of the six previous seasons. Carlos Pena will never be a .300 hitter, but Cubs fans will take .250 if he can smack 35 homers with help from the Friendly Confines. It’s hard to believe how impressive Starlin Castro was in his rookie year; he is one of the best young shortstops in baseball. At least Alfonso Soriano will not have to swing and miss at the ungodly slider of closer Carlos Marmol. The argument can be made that Marmol has the best pure stuff in the MLB. The return of Kerry Wood and veteran Sean Marshall will help an otherwise shaky bullpen.

St. Louis lost one of four players they could not succeed without when Adam Wainwright went down to Tommy John Surgery. A ton of pressure will now be on injury prone Chris Carpenter who threw his most inning since 2005 last year. Jaime Garcia was spectacular in his rookie season, but he is not ready to handle Wainwrights position as a stopper. Jake Westbrook and Kyle Lohse seemed fine at the back end with Wainwright, but now it just looks like the Cardinals have holes in their rotation. Albert Pujols will not be affected by his upcoming free agent drama and will continue on his path to being the greatest player in baseball history. Matt Holliday is another All Star, but do not expect the same from Lance Berkman who was already sliding and now will have to play the outfield again.The St. Louis lineup seems to be pretty weak; don’t count on Ryan Theriot or Skip Schumaker to be saviors for the Cardinals. The St. Louis bullpen has Ryan Franklin closing down games, and Kyle McCllelan setting up which is a pretty good late inning duo. The problem for the rest of the bullpen could be the pressure to help offset Wainwright’s innings; There will be a lot of pressure on the pen to help offset his loss.

Houston will have the fantastic curveball of Wandy Rodriguez atop the rotation although he would set into a number two position for most contenders. Brett Myers had the best year of his career last year; don’t count on a repeat performance. On the other hand, J.A. Happ is a an underrated young lefty who has shown composure and will eventually be a top of the rotation pitcher. That’s all that is worth mentioning for the Astros rotation which will need a few more quality pitchers before they can contend again. You get the feeling that when Carlos Lee cares he can hit .300 with 30 homers and 100 RBIs and when he doesn’t things start to fall apart; it’s hard to care on a bad team. Hunter Pence has basically turned into the face of the team and had a really good 2010 season. He still has a lot of room to improve and could surprise people with one of the better seasons from the NL outfield. The middle infield is pretty weak with Clint Barmes and Bill Hall while Brett Wallace is a work in progress at 1st base. The bullpen is anchored by Brandon Lyon who is by no means dominant. The rest of the relievers for the most part have not proven to be reliable; don’t expect Jeff Fulchino or Mark Melancon to save the day.

The Pirates will unfortunately make it 19 consecutive losing seasons. Andrew McCutchen is pretty much the lone bright spot. Everyone has been talking about the center fielder’s potential and after two solid seasons he could find his place as a five tool star. Lyle Overbay is past his prime if he ever had one and Pedro Alvarez only showed power in his first year at third base. Neil Walker put together a solid season for a second basemen and Garret Jones has some promise in right field. This offense is a mess. Luckily for them the poor pitching should overshadow the poor hitting. Unproven and often shaky James McDonald is near the top of the rotation. Paul Maholm gives innings and that’s about it while Kevn Correia has not been good since 2007. Evan Meek has shown he can be a dominant reliever while Joel Hanrahan is just decent. The rest of the bullpen similar to the team as a whole; either unproven or not very good.

NL West
The Giants rotation may be one of the few that comes close to the Phillies. Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain may be the best power pitching duo since Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson for the Diamondbacks. Jonathan Sanchez seems to be figuring it out and has the stuff to be a force. Madison Bumgarner has proven he can compete in the majors and the young gun will only improve. Brian Wilson is not only the quirkiest player in baseball, but also one of the most dominating closers. Sergio Romo and Javier Lopez are reliable in the bullpen and Jeremy Affeldt should be able to best last season. If the Giants are unable to repeat their 2010 success it will be due to the offense which is not strong. Aubrey Huff had an incredible season, but a repeat of those numbers cannot be expected. After his playoff heroics there will be a lot of pressure on the shoulders of Cody Ross. Also, Mark DeRosa is a question mark coming back from injury but should be serviceable. The key will be the continued success of Buster Posey who looks like one of the best young hitters in the league. Pablo Sandoval has lost about 30 pounds; if he can get back on track the entire lineup in San Francisco becomes infinitely more dangerous.

(Wild Card) The Dodgers floundered in the second half of last season and seem to have a new mentality under first time manager Don Mattingly. Los Angeles has an impressive starting five with Clayton Kershaw at the top making a case as one of the best left handers in the NL. Chad Billingsley has the stuff and has had success, but must get over the mental hump and move to the elite level. Ted Lilly, Hiroki Kuroda, and Jon Garland should help give the Dodgers a quality start for a majority of their games. Jonathan Broxton had a major set back after the All Star break, but is being trusted to resume his role as an All-Star closer. Hong-Chih Kuo put together one of the best seasons ever for a reliever and the addition of Matt Guerrier will help solidify the back end of the bullpen. The Dodgers need players who have shown impressive skill to step up on offense. Matt Kemp has MVP talent, but his work ethic has been questioned. Andre Ethier was on a triple crown pace before injuring a pinky and Rafael Furcal can still be a force, but injuries are always a concern. James Loney is a very good hitter, but will need to add power or his time in LA may be running out. The ability of Casey Blake, Juan Uribe, and reserve Jamey Carroll to all play multiple positions will help LA. The platoon of Marcus Thames and Jay Gibbons in left field is concerning.

Colorado comes in after signing multiple young stars to long term contracts. Ubaldo Jimenez might have the toughest fastball to hit in baseball and will be an early candidate for the Cy Young Award. Jorge De La Rosa has great potential, but has not been able to find a ton of success and Aaron Cook has digressed two years in a row partly due to injury. Behind Jimenez there are a lot of question marks in the Rockies rotation. Colorado has a good bullpen anchored by proven closer Huston Street. Former Marlins and Astros closer Matt Lindstrom is a fireballer and Rafael Betancourt can take care of the 6th-7th inning role. Carlos Gonzalez was born to play baseball and will be an MVP candidate. Troy Tulowitzki helps form a dynamic middle of the order. If speedsters Dexter Fowler and Eric Young can get on base more the Rockies lineup will become more complete and much more dangerous. Todd Helton is really slowing down and his great career with Colorado may be coming to a close.

San Diego almost made the playoffs on young pitching. Mat Latos is the real deal and should have another great season in roomy PETCO Park. The Padres are hoping Clayton Richard’s season was no fluke and that Tim Stauffer can work off an impressive 2010. I want to say there are too many question marks in the rotation and eventually it will fall apart, but I thought that same thing last year and look what happened. Heath Bell is a beast who will shut it down in the 9th inning and set the proper tone in the clubhouse. Luke Gregerson, Mike Adams, and Joe Thatcher might not be big names, but they are good pitchers who know their role in the bullpen and will help San Diego be solid in relief. The Padres lost all their offense when Adrian Gonzalez moved on to Boston. San Diego will hope Brad Hawpe can make a big time comeback and Jason Bartlett can return to 2009 form. Orlando Hudson will bring a great personality and work ethic to the clubhouse, but he is always an injury risk. Cameron Maybin has not been able to put it together in the big leagues, but he is still young and has tons of potential.

The Diamondbacks are looking to Joe Saunders to lead their staff which is not a good start. Daniel Hudson has shown the potential to be great and Ian Kennedy is a solid number three, but that is the best Arizona has to offer in the rotation. The Diamondbacks will need to rely on their bullpen early and often. J.J. Putz is a solid closer when healthy and reproved himself in Chicago last year. The rest of the bullpen is full of guys that cannot really be counted on. There will be a lot of pressure on Juan Gutierrez and David Hernandez who probably will not be able to handle the late innings well. The offensive burden will be put on the shoulders of the ultra-talented Justin Upton. Chris Young has gone through stretches as a great center fielder, but cannot seem to hit for average or get on base enough. Xavier Nady and Melvin Mora are simple stop gaps until Kevin Towers can rebuild the club properly.

AL East
The Red Sox are completely loaded after adding one of the best pure hitters in the game, Adrian Gonzalez, and one of the fastest and most dynamic players in Carl Crawford.The two new Sox will only help increase the production of Boston’s most important player, Kevin Youkilis, and David Ortiz, who still has gas left in the tank. Jacoby Ellsbury should be healthy and will act as a catalyst while Dustin Pedroia can take some pressure off himself and return to all star form. Josh Beckett can be one of the best pitchers in the AL, but it always comes down to health with him. Jon Lester is go to guy in the starting rotation as he will continue to put up great numbers and eat up a lot of innings. John Lackey had an average year in his transition to Fenway Park, but has proven he is a very good pitcher and should have a solid year. Clay Buchholz is young and has seemingly figured it out. The only thing to complain about when having Dice-K as the number 5 is his salary. Jonathan Papelbon may have not been as dominant, but look for him to bounce back in what may be the last year for him in Boston. Former White Sox closer Bobby Jenks should thrive in mid-relief alongside the likes of Dan Wheeler and Daniel Bard. The bullpen could be a major issue if Papelbon and Jenks don’t bounce back.

The Yankees starting rotation will just barely hold them out of the playoffs unless they can make something happen through trades, which is very possible. C.C Sabathia will continue to give Cy Young type performances, but he can not do it by himself. Phil Hughes seems to have a bright future, but has never pitched 200 innings and has had an ERA under 4.00 only once. A.J. Burnett can be counted on....to be very bad or collapse eventually. The last two spots are up for grabs with Freddy Garcia likely to take one. Andy Pettitte was needed this year more then ever. The back end of the bullpen is by far the best in baseball with the best closer in history, Mariano Rivera, taking care of the 9th while all star closer Rafael Soriano takes care of the 8th. David Robertson and Pedro Feliciano are also great pieces and there is still hope Joba Chamberlain can regain his form now that the starting experiment is over. Per usual, the Yankees have a beastly lineup led by Mark Teixeira, Robinson Cano, and Alex Rodriguez. It never hurts to have three possible MVPs in the lineup, not to mention the versatile Curtis Granderson in centerfield. Russell Martin has not produced in a couple years and has injury issues, but his acquisition will allow Jorge Posada to move to DH which should help the longtime Yankee backstop.

The Rays really could use Matt Garza behind the dynamic lefty David Price, I still do not understand the Garza trade. James Shields has digressed considerably the last two seasons and Jeff Niemann can be relied on for some innings, but is in no way a stopper. Wade Davis and Jeremy Hellickson have shown serious talent as young pitchers and will need to step up big for the Rays. Tampa Bay’s bullpen was completed demolished and had to be rebuilt; it will be a major issue. J.P. Howell is probably the best out of the bunch and will end up getting a good amount of saves. Joel Peralta has really only had one good season out of six. On the bright side, the Rays will surely be favored in any fight with Kyle Farnsworth lurking. Evan Longoria is one of the best players in baseball and will have to carry the load. I think Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon will actually both contribute, but not enough to make a difference. You would like to think that Ben Zobrist will return to 2009 form, but in reality that year may have been the outlier.

The Blue Jays made the right decision in giving a contract to Jose Bautista who may not hit 50 home runs again, but should get at least 30 with his reinvented swing. Toronto will count on Adam Lind and Aaron Hill to continue with their decent power numbers, but both need to work on their average and OBP. Similar issues apply to Travis Snider and imported shortstop Yunel Escobar. Ricky Romero took control of the rotation last year and will end up being one of the better lefties in the AL. Brandon Marrow and Brett Cecil would be ideal back of the rotation pitchers, but will be in the two and three slots for the Blue Jays. Look for big time progress from youngster Kyle Drabek who was a key piece in the Roy Halladay trade. The Jays have a surprisingly good bullpen with Frank Francisco returning to the closer role where he has had success. Former closers Octavio Dotel and Jon Rauch are ready to help handle the late innings, not to mention another good arm in Jason Frasor.

Baltimore has a star in Nick Markakis who will carry the burden and hope that catcher Matt Wieters can live up to the hype and become a star in his sophomore season. Mark Reynolds will bring a whole bunch of homeruns (and strikeouts) to Camden Yards along with fellow import Derek Lee who still has some long doubles left in the tank at first base. Brian Roberts seems to be the most consistent Oriole of the last decade and should put up good numbers if healthy. Adam Jones had a big year in centerfield and Baltimore fans are hoping he can turn into a force. Baltimore has a horrendous rotation led by Jeremy Guthrie who would be a great third starter on a contender. The rest of the rotation is filled with unproven pitchers (Brian Matusz, Jake Arrieta) or guys trying to prove their health (Justin Duchscherer). Kevin Gregg will close and had a good year last year, but could easily fall off (he has before). Mike Gonzalez can have shaky control at times, but has shown he can use that formula to succeed. The bullpen as a whole is no better then a little below average and will be overworked constantly because of the poor rotation.

AL Central
The Twins have no legitimate ace, but Francisco Liriano is back after a great 2010 season and will act as the anchor of the staff. Carl Pavano seems to have figured it out and has left his Yankees stint in the past. Scott Baker and Nick Blackburn can act as innings eaters and Minnesota will hope for them to develop further. Youngster Brian Duensing impressed in his first full season after a good 2009 stint and could be the difference for the Twins’ staff. Minnesota’s bullpen is nasty with Joe Nathan, who is a top five closer, returning and fill in Matt Capps ready to take on whatever role necessary. Jose Mijares should take care of the lefties, but there are some questions on who will step up in the 6th inning type role. Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau will create a powerful middle of the order that the rest of the AL Central will dread facing. Jason Kubel will hit for power without a doubt, but can he get his average and OBP back to 2009 form? Delmon Young really blossomed last season and is on the cusp of stardom. Denard Span can be counted on as a catalyst while Michael Cuddyer will continue his role as veteran leader.

(Wild Card) Chicago comes in after adding slugger Adam Dunn which will help beef up the middle of the order alongside Paul Konerko, who seems to only get better with age. Alex Rios seems to have found a home with the White Sox and should have at least a repeat of his solid 2010 campaign. On the other hand, there are questions about Carlos Quentin who seems to be making the transition to pure power hitter only. Alexei Ramirez has put together a couple of good seasons, but he is due to break out and finally live up to his big time potential. Mark Buehrle is not the pitcher he once was, but expect him to have a better season then last year and still be reliable atop the Chicago rotation. John Danks is by far one of the most underrated starters in the AL and will continue to put together all star caliber seasons. Gavin Floyd is a solid third or fourth pitcher who will eat innings and consistently give the team a chance to win opposed to Edwin Jackson who is a gamble every time he takes the mound. The biggest factor in Chicago’s season may be Jake Peavy, who can be one of the best in the game if he’s healthy. The concern in the bullpen is a lack of a bona fide closer, but Matt Thornton has power stuff as a lefty. Chris Sale is young and has shown promise while Jesse Crain comes over from the Twins to work the middle innings.

Detroit has a good squad and an incredible player in Miguel Cabrera, who happens to have an issue with alcohol. Expect Cabrera to mash like always, but his situation is officially concerning. Victor Martinez seems to have been lost in the shuffle, but he can still hit and should be even better now that he will not be catching so much. When healthy, Magglio Ordonez rakes and will be a force in the Tigers lineup. Brandon Inge and Jhonny Peralta form an average defensive left side of the infield and a pretty weak offensive tandem. The speedster Austin Jackson had a good rookie year and can be a big difference maker if he continues to improve. Justin Verlander is a workhorse that can easily strike fear into hitters with his sizzling fastball. Max Scherzer put together an impressive first year in Detroit while Rick Porcello took a big step backward. Phil Coke and Brad Penny are two big question marks at the back end of the rotation. Jose Valverde, Joaquin Benoit, and Joel Zumaya may form the hardest throwing back end of the bullpen in baseball. There are other valuable arms in the pen like Ryan Perry and lefty specialist Daniel Schlereth.

Cleveland has a star in Shin-Soo Choo who seems to be Hideki Matsui when he first went to the Yankees. Asdrubel Cabrera was slowed by injuries, but he will bounce back after proving he has the talent. Carlos Santana has Indians fans excited; his first full season should show wether he will live up to big expectations behind the plate. I would have more faith in a Grady Sizemore comeback if he still was not dealing with knee issues. Orlando Cabrera does not have much time left, but will be a useful stop gap until the Indians find someone better. Travis Hafner has a very bad contract. Fausto Carmona’s sinker ball found life again after his health improved; he should be on track for another good year. Justin Masterson and Mitch Talbot would be ok in the back of the rotation, but will need to pitch better than that for Cleveland. Chris Perez settled in nicely to the closer role and will have Rafael Perez and Jensin Lewis behind him.

The Royals will be moving up in the division soon with their fantastic farm system and it will be interesting to see how many young players get a shot this year. The rotation is simply horrible for the Royals. Luke Hochevar’s biggest accomplishment is being a high draft pick and Kyle Davies has never shown anything to inspire hope. Jeff Francis was average in Colorado, then he got hurt and now has taken the step down to below average. Joakim Soria is by far the best player on this team and is absolutely lights out in the 9th. The rest of the bullpen is not very experienced or very good for that matter. On a side note; I recently visited the Royals ballpark and it is fantastic (positivity people). Billy Butler is probably the best hitter on the team and there should be no reason he doesn’t put together another good season. Jeff Francoeur comes over to play outfield and Kansas City may be the perfect spot for his career to die. Alcides Escobar and Mike Aviles both have tons of potential on the left side and Alex Gordon has perfected the art of not reaching expectations.

AL West
The Rangers come off their best season ever after winning the American League. The loss of Cliff Lee was big, but keep in mind they would have won the division without him. C.J. Wilson was fantastic in his first year as a starter and has the mental toughness to lead the rotation (he also is a great tweeter @str8edgeracer). Colby Lewis was finally able to put together a solid season and will be an important piece in Texas’ success. Brandon Webb can be one of the best pitchers in baseball if he’s healthy, which is supposedly the case for the first time in two years. Neftali Feliz thrived in the closer role and will anchor a very strong bullpen. Darren Oliver has had much more success in his last 5 seasons then the first 13 and should continue the trend in Texas. Arthur Rhodes was brought in as another reliable and often dominating bullpen arm alongside submariner Darren O’Day. Josh Hamilton’s incredible story will continue after his MVP award which he has the ability and determination to achieve again. Nelson Cruz can not only mash, but has turned into a pretty good hitter as well. Adrian Beltre won’t produce the gaudy numbers he did in Boston, but will be solid at third base alongside the speedy Elvus Andrus. Michael Young may not be happy as a DH, but he will still produce and be a team player.

The Angels were the biggest losers of the offseason after not making a substantial move then eating the horrible Vernon Wells contract out of desperation. Still, if Anaheim can stay healthy they have a good team and Wells will at least add some power. Torii Hunter continued his solid production as always and Kendry Morales was having a monster season until his unfortunate injury. Bobby Abreu showed his age last season and will have to prove he still has what it takes. Howie Kendrick also digressed, but is still young and has shown he is a naturally gifted hitter. Erik Aybar and Maicer Izturis are both questions marks, but will provide solid defense on the left side. Jered Weaver has become a forgotten ace and could even be a Cy Young sleeper. Dan Haren was not as dominant as usual, but will move back to elite status in his second year with Anaheim. Ervin Santana has shown he can succeed at the big league level, but nothing is guaranteed with him. Joel Pineiro needs to stay healthy and pitch 200 innings while Scott Kazmir must try and regain his lost form. The bullpen is worrisome starting with Fernando Rodney as the new closer. Scott Downs will be a reliable arm and the Angels will have to hope Jason Bulger has a season similar to 2009.

Oakland went against the Billy Beane playbook by being very active in offering big contracts. Most did not pan out, but Hideki Matsui will turn out to be a good signing as 20 homers in Oakland looks like a lot. The move to get David DeJesus was great as he has put up solid season year after year and should be even better with fresh life in Oakland. Kevin Kouzmanhoff, Josh Willingham, and Coco Crisp are no all stars, but they will have to suffice on a team that will rely on pitching. Oakland really needs Kurt Suzuki to get back to 2009 form and add a little pop to the lineup. Cliff Pennington has not had a breakout season at shortstop, but the A’s continue to display faith in him and first basemen Daric Barton. The Athletics may have the best young starting pitching nucleus in baseball led by perfect game thrower Dallas Braden. Trevor Cahill dominated last year firing just under 200 innings with an ERA just under 3.00. Brett Anderson is looking for his success from last year to translate over 200 innings this year while Gio Gonzalez would love for a repeat of his 2010 performance. Don’t forget that veteran Rich Harden is waiting in the wings. Andrew Bailey has been incredible in his first two seasons closing games and will have more help this year. Beane brought in Brian Fuentes and Grant Balfour which will help the Athletics shorten games.

The Mariners have Felix Hernandez and he very well might be the best pitcher in baseball. Jason Vargas had the best year of his career and Seattle will need him to be even better. Erik Bedard still is a great pitcher, but is having issues even reaching the 90 IP mark. The rotation behind King Felix is very shaky. David Aardsma turned himself into a reliable closer over the past two seasons and there’s no reason he can’t do it again. Brandon League put together his first really good season and will need to keep up the pace with rookies and below average relievers filling out the rest of the pen. Ichiro is an absolute machine and will continue his quest for 3,000 hits despite his late start in the MLB. Franklin Gutierrez lived up to his potential two years ago, but could not in 2010, leaving question marks about his future. Justin Smoak was the prized possession in the Cliff Lee deal and will have the opportunity to prove himself at first base. Chone Figgins really fell of in 2010 and Mariners fans are hoping this is not the second coming of their Adrian Beltre fiasco. Jack Wilson and Brendan Ryan should be expected to make some awesome highlight plays up the middle; that’s about it.

NL: Phillies over Dodgers- Brewers over Giants

Phillies over Brewers

AL: Red Sox over White Sox- Twins over Rangers

Red Sox over Twins

World Series: Phillies over Red Sox (Doc with a complete game in Game 7)

NL: MVP- Ryan Braun
Cy Young- Clayton Kershaw
Rookie of the Year- Freddie Freeman
Comeback Player of the Year- Pablo Sandoval

AL: MVP- Adrian Gonzalez
Cy Young- Felix Hernandez
Rookie of the Year- Jeremy Hellickson
Comeback Player of the Year- Brandon Webb

An Incredible Journey for the Packers

2011-02-07T17:46:00.000-08:00

Lets get this out of the way- I am a diehard Green Bay Packers fan and write this after the team I have spent so long rooting for just won a Superbowl. Essentially, I am on Cloud 9 and could not be more eager about the future. However, I write this without bias although subconsciously, I do not think bias can be completely eliminated. This is a look at the incredible journey of the Packers and what can be expected moving forward.

The Decision Man
Once and for all the Ted Thompson haters have been silenced. Thompson made one of the most controversial decisions in NFL history when he chose to hand the reigns of Green Bay to Aaron Rodgers with Brett Favre trying to force his way back. The Packers’ general manager stuck by his belief in building through the draft, trusting his head coach, and implementing a Mid-West work ethic into everyone involved with the Packers organization.

Thompson proved to be a master at picking the right players to fill out the entire roster which became infinitely important with the seemingly endless amount of injuries suffered throughout the season. Players that went little noticed such as Eric Walden, Frank Zombo, Howard Green, John Kuhn, and James Starks made the difference. Not to mention, Ted signed Tramon Williams and Desmond Bishop to extensions in season further locking down the Packers young core. Thompson has proven to be a master of the draft; do not forget, the pick he got for Brett Favre was used as the last piece in a package that gave Green Bay the draft pick to take Clay Matthews. In Titletown, many Cheeseheads are seeing the reincarnation of Ron Wolf.

The Franchise Guy
Incredible beyond belief is the only way to describe Aaron Rodgers. By now everyone has heard of his story of being overlooked from high school all the way through NFL Draft day. Think about how Rodgers handled the constant pressure of the annual Favre decision. He never uttered a negative word, instead sitting back, learning, working, and improving. Now he has as many Superbowl rings as Favre plus a Superbowl MVP award. He has launched himself into the elite quarterback class with three stellar seasons and a postseason for the ages.

Rodgers’ numbers are sometimes hard to comprehend; he became the second quarterback EVER to throw for 1,000 yards in a postseason with 9 touchdown passes. Rodgers already was the only quarterback ever to throw for 4,000 yards in his first two seasons and carried the Packers on his back in 2010, including a Superbowl performance to be remembered (304 yards 3 TDs). Not to mention, if six perfectly thrown balls had been caught, Rodgers has the best passing day in Superbowl history. He currently has the highest career passer rating in history at 98.4. Beyond his play on the field, Rodgers has become a legitimate leader. Packer’s players believe in him and want to win for him. Everyone in the organization harps on the dedication Rodgers shows by being the most prepared player through film and game plan study. Rodgers still trails Favre in NFL MVP awards, but for how long?

The Heart and Soul
Donald Driver was never supposed to make it in the NFL and Charles Woodson would never have expected to end up in Green Bay. These two veterans were a source of motivation for the Packers all season long. Woodson became the go to speaker before games and both players showed impressive resiliency throughout the year. In a fashion fitting the Green Bay season, both Woodson and Driver went down in the first half and were not able to return. They were replaced by young unproven players who stepped in and got the job done. Woodson tried to speak to the team at halftime after seeing X-rays of his broken collarbone, but was so emotional he could only get a few lines out. The emotion displayed by the pair was more impactful than words could ever be. Woodson and Driver deserve this championship more than anyone.

The Rivalry
Lost in the celebration of a championship is the effect this has on the Packers-Bears rivalry. Green Bay beat Chicago in Week 17 to get into the playoffs. They then beat the Bears in Chicago to become NFC champions. That led to an NFL Championship giving Green Bay 13 and Chicago 9 with the Packers claiming 4 Superbowl titles to the Bears 1. Essentially, the Bears will never be able to live this down. They let the Packers into the playoffs and then lost to them at home helping to deliver a title to the Cheeseheads. Green Bay is young, has a franchise quarterback, and defense bursting with playmakers. The Bears, despite a fantastic season, are aging and have a whole lot of questions in Jay Cutler. The only way the Bears can make headway would be to win the Superbowl, but even that would not be equal unless they beat Green Bay in the NFC Championship. For the foreseeable future, the Packers own this rivalry.

The Journey
How did the Packers pull this off? In the beginning of the season I would have believed that the Green and Gold could win the Superbowl. After the absurd amount of injuries (many key) it seemed like this would be a season lost to the trainers room. Ryan Grant was the Packers starting running back and is a pro bowl caliber player. Without him, Green Bay struggled running the ball all season. Jermichael Finley was an integral part of the offense as one of the most dangerous tight ends in the NFL. He is a matchup nightmare for defenses and is seen as the next Antonio Gates. Nick Barnett has been one of the leaders of the defense and a playmaker at linebacker. Remember that three players helping to fill Barnett’s void (Brady Poppinga, Brandon Chillar, and Brad Jones) all ended up on IR as well. Overall, the Packers lost 16 players to IR and were still somehow, someway able to overcome. Rodgers missed half the game at Detroit and the entire game at New England due to concussions; games Green Bay barely lost.

Injuries were not the only road block in the Packers season. Green Bay lost four other games by 3 points, two of those in back to back weeks both in overtime against the Redskins and Dolphins. Yet, nothing would keep the group from believing in Mike McCarthy’s expectations and the hard work continued. Green Bay was 7 minutes away from being essentially eliminated from the playoffs when a miraculous comeback by the Eagles beat the Giants and gave the Packers life. Green Bay then went on to beat the Giants and win an elimination game against the Bears during week 17. The Packers then became the first team ever to make the Superbowl as the NFC’s 6th seed beating Philadelphia (3rd seed) Atlanta (1st seed) and Chicago (2nd seed) all on the road. The last stop was taking on the mighty and veteran laden Steelers who simply could not keep up with the non stop engine that was the Green Bay Packers. Putting it into perspective, this may be one of the most impressive accomplishments by an NFL team ever. Green Bay won five consecutive elimination games, four in a row away from hallowed Lambaeu Field: simply astonishing.

The Future

The rest of the NFL is very envious of the Packers franchise at the moment. Green Bay just won the Superbowl, but it was no fluke. They have everything in place for a dynasty run from the front office to the playing field. Ted Thompson has complete control and will continue to dominate the draft as Mike McCarthy has transformed the organization into a family built around character, work ethic, and execution. Aaron Rodgers is an elite quarterback who loves Green Bay and Clay Matthews is one of the best playmakers in the NFL. The Packers are one of the youngest teams in the league and have a general manager dedicated to keeping his players. The fan base is arguably the best and will only grow after such a historic season. Assuming there is football next season, a Packers team getting key players back from injury will be a favorite to repeat and win the Superbowl, a task Brett Favre was not able to accomplish. This is now the Aaron Rodgers era in Titletown and he is well on the way to creating his own history.

Packers vs Bears: As I Look Back a Quarter Century

2011-01-18T17:59:00.000-08:00

January 23, 2036

It was 25 years ago today that one of the most anticipated and spectacular games in NFL history was played at Soldier Field. The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears had more history then any other rivalry in the NFL, yet had only faced off in the playoffs once. On January 23, 2011, the Packers and Bears played in the NFC Championship for the Halas Trophy, a chance to move on to the Superbowl, and a shot to win the Lombardi Trophy. How fitting.

Trying to explain the pride, anxiety, and ferocity surrounding the game, many people focused on the history. The great teams and players from Chicago and Green Bay that had already been cemented in NFL lure were hard to ignore. The ghosts of Vince Lombardi and George Halas surrounded the contest as thoughts of Dick Butkus and Ray Nitschke could not be ignored.

Some wondered how the unstoppable force that was the Packers power sweep in the 60’s would fare against the vaunted 46 defense of the 1985 Bears. Would you rather have Walter Payton or Brett Favre? Would you rather play in cruel Soldier Field which presented many formidable challenges or play with the ghosts of Titletown in Lambeau Field? The debates went on forever, but the history of the two teams was not the reason the 2011 NFC Championship game became an instant classic. The story of the 2011 Bears and Packers was enough to make the hype machine roll on all cylinders.

Green Bay came into the season as a dangerous team that many expected to reach the Superbowl. The Bears entered the season looking like a third place team who would need help to make the playoffs. However, it was the number six seeded Packers who traveled to Chicago to face the number two seeded Bears. Even with that, Green Bay was still considered the favorite. Here is how it happened.

Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler was entering his second season with the Bears after struggling the year before. Many had lost faith in the strong armed gunslinger, but under Mike Martz, Cutler was able to limit turnovers and became a true leader. The off season acquisition of Julius Peppers made a gigantic impact. Coupled with a healthy Brian Urlacher and aggressive Lance Briggs, it seemed the “Monsters of the Midway” had returned. You cannot forget about Devin Hester, the greatest return man in NFL history, who bounced back and was a game changer every time he touched the ball.

The Bears had failed to win a preseason game, but were strong out of the gate starting 3-0. Throughout the entire season Chicago was constantly doubted. People said they had a favorable schedule facing shaky quarterbacks, or simply got lucky at key moments. In the end, the Bears won 11 games and earned a first round bye. In the NFL, whoever has more points when time runs out wins and the Bears were masters at finding many different ways to accomplish that task. They were a hard working bunch who thrived in the role of the underdog.

The Packers entered 2011 with a dynamic offense behind Aaron Rodgers, who became the first player in football history to have 4,000 yards passing in his first two seasons (Rodgers fell 78 yards short of making it three straight seasons). With the complex and dangerously efficient offense of head coach Mike McCarthy and a daunting receiving corps that included Greg Jennings and Donald Driver, the Packers looked too good to be true. Not too mention, Green Bay had one of the best defenses in the NFL behind the blitz packages of coordinator Dom Capers; all of which were executed to perfection by the likes of Clay Matthews, Charles Woodson, and B.J. Raji.

Unfortunately for Green Bay, there biggest opponent was the injury. The Packers had an astonishing 15 players on Injured Reserve. Included were tight end Jermichael Finley, who was one of the biggest offensive threats, linebacker Nick Barnett, who was a defensive stalwart, and a pro bowl caliber running back in Ryan Grant. Furthermore, the Packers were seven minutes away from being essentially eliminated from the playoffs in Week 15. An incredible Eagles’ comeback and punt return touchdown to end the game led to a Giants loss and Packers hope. Green Bay then had elimination games to end the season against the Giants and Bears. The Packers won both and snuck into the postseason as a sixth seed eventually beating the Eagles (3) and Falcons (1). No sixth seed had ever gone to the Superbowl in the NFC.

That is how it was meant to be. The first playoff game since 1941, let alone first NFC Championship game, between the two ultimate rivals was not played with either team breezing through the season. The pair were not the likely NFC Championship game matchup and had a rough road getting there. The Packers and the Bears both had wavering seasons that brought hope and despair depending on what week you talked to fans. Green Bay and Chicago earned the right to face off for a chance to be a champion. What a truly magical time it was.

Fred Glass has a big decision

2010-11-28T19:48:00.000-08:00

Time simply ran out for Indiana University head football coach Bill Lynch. Despite an incredible overtime win in West Lafayette to take the Old Oaken Bucket game against Purdue, IU athletic director Fred Glass announced the entire football staff would be let go. Lynch is greatly admired by his players and peers, but three Big Ten wins in three years is simply not good enough. However, the firing will have been for nothing unless Glass goes after a head coach who can improve recruiting, scheme, finishing ability, and who possesses the patience to completely rebuild the Hoosier football program.

One of the issues that has ailed IU football is the lack of revenue it creates. When Penn State, Michigan, and Ohio State are able to make as much money from a game or two as IU makes in a season there is a problem. There is a simplistic Catch 22 at work: Indiana does not spend money on football coaches because the school does not make much money from football. IU does not make much money from football because the team continually fails in part to an underachieving coaching staff. Seemingly, this will no longer be an issue. During his press conference, Fred Glass said, “We are prepared to make the financial resources available to get the people we want.”

Indiana may be a basketball school, but in order to improve the football program there has to be a serious financial investment by the university. Basketball head coach Tom Crean has a massive contract that makes him the highest paid state employee. Including his $600,000 base salary and marketing and promotional efforts Crean will make over $1.5 million this year. He is one of the highest paid basketball coaches in the entire country. On the other hand, Bill Lynch had the lowest salary in the Big Ten at $650,000 and was ranked 82nd nationally.

Fans will want a big name and a couple of candidates could fit the bill. Of course, there is always a large probability that Indiana will end up with a head coach that elicits the reaction “Who in the World is that guy?” Many will argue to hire Al Golden, Temple head coach, or Jerry Kill, Northern Illinois head coach, but think a little bigger. The San Diego State head coach Brady Hoke is familiar with Indiana after building Ball State for five years concluding with a 12-0 regular season in 2008. After taking over in San Diego, Hoke led the Aztecs to a 4-8 record. The Aztecs improved to 8-4 this year. Hoke is scheduled to make $700,000 in 2011, a price the Hoosiers will surely be able to top.

Hoke might be the most realistic “high profile” candidate for Indiana, but the names Randy Shannon and Mike Leach make things interesting. Shannon is a tough coach who was able to lead Miami to three winning seasons in four years including two bowl games (Miami will most likely be in another bowl this year). He is considered a no nonsense coach who endured a great deal including the murder of his father as a three year old and death of three siblings from AIDS. Shannon was an outside linebacker for the vaunted Hurricane teams in the late 80s. He would bring an intensity to Bloomington that has only been spotted in Assembly Hall. Shannon made $1.5 million in Miami, a figure that once seemed impossible for IU, but now could be considered.

Mike Leach is Bill Lynch’s opposite. He is not afraid to criticize or publicly speak his mind. He is tenacious and fiery which IU needs, but Leach comes with dangers. He has been fined for criticizing officials and was fired by Texas Tech amid accusations of inhumane treatment of a player. Leach refuted any wrong doing. Leach is considered a master of the passing game. He has developed a potent ariel attack which would fit perfectly in Bloomington. In ten years with the Red Raiders Leach never had a losing record. His teams made a bowl game every year and arguably should have been in the national championship in 2008, the same year Leach was named Big 12 Coach of the Year. Before being fired, Leach had a contract extension for 5 years and $12.7 million. That figure might be too much for Indiana and Leach has joined the CBS College Sports Network as an announcer. However, until the new coach is hired many Hoosiers will be holding out hope for Leach.

Whoever takes over the Indiana football program will be facing a tough task. He will be inheriting a 5-7 team with an invisible defense and offense that will lose it’s captain and best player in Ben Chappell. Star receiver Tandon Doss could bolt for the NFL. Expectations will be high and the pressure will be on from the beginning. The good news: IU can only go up from here.

Indiana Football Needs to Start Over

2010-11-13T15:41:00.000-08:00

Indiana lost to Wisconsin 83-20 in Madison on Saturday. No need to check the box score, IU actually lost by 63. The Hoosiers have now found ways to be completely embarrassed at times and lose the close heartbreakers as well. Indiana has not been able to play defense all year and the offense has come up short whenever facing a good team. The excuses are becoming redundant. IU will never have expectations to be an elite football team, but losing so consistently while the team shows no improvement is not acceptable.
Simply put, the question of Bill Lynch’s ability to make IU a winning program has been answered. Lynch is now 18-29 as the Hoosier’s head coach and has his team in last place with only two games left. Indiana has a shot at going the entire season without a Big Ten win. Lynch shows great patience, determination, and effort, but that is no longer enough. Player execution is always a problem on a losing team, but it is time to look beyond the players. The IU football program needs to start from scratch with a new leader.

Fans have made their opinions known especially on Twitter and other social media sites. Hoosier Nation is ready for someone else to take charge of the football team. Fred Glass has stood by Lynch, saying Lynch will finish his contract that runs through next year. After such a debacle of a season it would simply be wrong for Glass to stand by and do nothing. Without wins against Penn State and Purdue there is no excuse for not making a change. If Indiana wants to garner any respect, something other then trying harder must be done.

The IU football team has found a way to implement a culture where questions about the overall program and future of the program go unanswered. Obviously it is always important for a team to concentrate on the next game, but at a certain point the overall success (or in this case failure) of the program must be addressed.

After asking Ben Chappell to characterize the season, a question which he not surprisingly avoided, a fellow student reporter said, “What is he suppose to say?” Media who cover the team have become so used to the same tired excuses that asking difficult questions seems to have become taboo. When a team struggles so consistently, difficult questions must be asked. The student body deserves some real answers. Players and coaches should be expected to answer for their failures in the same way they discuss their successes.

Indiana is a basketball state and IU is a basketball school. There have been multiple Hoosier championships in basketball, soccer, swimming, and great success in a variety of other sports. Football has experienced little success in over 100 years, but the program should still be held to the high standards of Indiana University. Allowing the current regime to continue in failure is a serious disservice to anyone that has been proud enough to wear the Cream and Crimson.

Perseverance and Persistence: The Story of Mick Lyon

2010-11-04T10:20:00.000-07:00

Life often presents challenges so great that they seem impossible to overcome. Trying to move at a young age to a foreign country, abandon dreams of stardom for grunt work, deal with a spouse’s illness, and fight a disease yourself is seemingly insurmountable. However, with perseverance and dedication anything can be accomplished, simply ask Indiana women’s soccer coach Mick Lyon.

Mick Lyon, originally from Boston, England, began his love affair with soccer at a young age. Over time, it became obvious Lyon had serious potential and he began his quest to play as a professional during his teenage years. “I was lucky enough to be seen by a scout for the semi-professional team Boston United and that was the start of it all,” said Lyon. In his early twenties, Mick made the extremely difficult decision to leave England for the University of Evansville in Indiana. He would have the opportunity to play for a team on the brink of success and earn a degree in the United States. “I had never been out of the country or flown on an airplane,” said Lyon. “My dad and I drove down to Heathrow (airport) on a Sunday night...and that was it.”

Mick Lyon went on to play three seasons for the Purple Aces and was the first three-time Most Valuable Player at Evansville. In both 1985 and 1986, Lyon led Evansville to top 25 national rankings. In 1987, he was named the Midwestern Collegiate Conference Player of the Year in addition to earning all-America honors. At Evansville, Mick met his future wife Elizabeth on a blind date. “It’s kind of like the rest was history, one of those things where you’re my guy and you’re my gal and that’s how it’s been since 1987,” said Lyon’s wife. Two years later they were married.

In part because of his love for the United States and Elizabeth, Mick chose to abandon his dreams to be a professional soccer player. He instead returned to Evansville as an assistant coach. Lyon said, “Elizabeth brought out an entirely different part of life.”

In 1993, Evansville officially made their women’s soccer club into a varsity sport. Mick Lyon was named head coach. “I always joke that nobody else wanted it, so they gave it to me,” said Lyon chuckling. “It was a tough spot to be in; coaching women for the first time and trying to establish a program for the first time.” One of Lyon’s biggest challenges was modifying his coaching approach from men to women. “I knew he would need to adjust a little when coaching women,” said Elizabeth Lyon. “Not that he’s more complacent or lenient, but he has become more accepting” Coach Lyon admits it took a couple years before he was able to truly understand the intricacies of coaching women. “I definitely used my biggest resource which was my wife,” said Lyon. Elizabeth helped Mick figure out ways to “motivate and ask [the players] to work harder without yelling and screaming at them while remaining forceful.”

Lyon, now a veteran women’s soccer coach, has mastered the art of interacting with his women players. “You feel very open to talking to him and any player feels they can go to him with any problem,” said senior midfielder Chloe McKay. Lyon’s adjustments in his coaching philosophy exemplify his character and dedication to constantly better himself. “He’s always giving constructive criticism, it’s never negative in any way,” said junior midfielder Kirsta Kellin.

In 2002, to the delight of Elizabeth, Mick was named head coach of the Indiana University women’s soccer team. However, tragedy soon followed. Within weeks of the happy news, Elizabeth was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease that has multiple neurological symptoms and can greatly affect motor skills. Even worse, Mick had just started his job at Indiana and Elizabeth was still living in Evansville. Elizabeth said, “It was very difficult, being apart at a time like that, but I knew it was my time to dig deep.” Elizabeth refused to let the condition bring her down and began therapy while continuing her life including running marathons. “You think you know each other, you think you know yourself...but then you find out what you are truly made of,” said Elizabeth.

Two years later the impossible happened. Mick began showing symptoms of MS, which he tried to hide. Eventually, after confiding in a team physician and seeing a specialist, Mick Lyon was also diagnosed with multiple scleroses. MS is not a contagious disease; the odds of a married couple both being diagnosed within two years are absolutely staggering. “We were both pretty floored by it for a couple of days,” said Lyon. “Soon after it was really down to a case of let’s get going on a regiment of drugs that can help.” Many people would give up, but the Lyons simply became stronger. They used their disease as motivation to become better people. “It’s not going to stop me, it’s not going to change me into something I don’t want to be and I will fight against it” said Mick.

The Lyons have both carried on and become inspirations to everyone who knows them. Elizabeth has continued her running and was recently able to complete a marathon once again. Mick has continued his success as a coach leading the Lady Hoosiers to a 74-65-18 mark over his first eight seasons. Although he has a disease in which there is no cure, Lyon has and will continue to live his life. "Because I want to win all the time, I want to find a way to beat it," Mick said." I want to be better than what the disease is.” Lyon’s story and the influence he has on those around him counts as a win against MS every single day.

So, you're not going to watch the World Series

2010-10-26T18:51:00.000-07:00

Baseball fans are renowned for their fierce dedication to our national pastime. You can site the insane ratings and incredible profit made by football or the superstardom current in the NBA, but Major League Baseball will always have a special spot in America’s heart. The World Series is the culmination of a grueling season and exhausting postseason. It should be a big deal.

Hearing the negative remarks swirling around the 2010 World Series between the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants is flat out depressing. Has the MLB fan base really become so dependent on having a “big name” team in the series? Are people honestly going to give up on the biggest event in baseball just because the East Coast is not represented? The great thing about baseball is that every year anyone truly has a chance to win (even you Pittsburgh; miracles happen). With an endless supply of incredible story lines, talented players, and two teams who deserve to battle for a championship, why are baseball fans turning their back on the Fall Classic?

The World Series can be magical without the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, Dodgers, Cardinals, or Phillies. The Ranger’s story is absolutely inconceivable. Not only is this the first World Series in franchise history, but Texas had never even won a postseason series until 2010. Add in the fact that this team was put together while bankruptcy was declared and the team was sold is beyond impressive. Now, as the Rangers are at their peak, one of the greatest pitchers in history is running and owns a part of Texas baseball. Nolan Ryan’s presence makes this series even more compelling as the Rangers have finally turned the corner under his leadership.

Currently, Cliff Lee pitching in the postseason is one of the most astounding events in sports. He has a control of his pitches and a dominance of the strike zone that baseball has not seen since Greg Maddux. Lee is getting into Sandy Koufax territory posting a 7-0 record with a 1.26 ERA in his postseason career. He doesn’t throw 97 mph and does not have a huge 12-6 curveball, but he is as dominant as anyone in the game. In Game 1, when Lee faces Tim Lincecum, spectators will be viewing one of the best match-ups in World Series history. Not watching should be considered a baseball sin.

The journey of Josh Hamilton is a saga every baseball fan knows by now. His incredible expedition back to sobriety has finally found the World Series. Watching Hamilton’s teammates support him by showering him in Ginger Ale to avoid an interaction with alcohol was simply inspiring. Add in comeback player of the year Vladimir Guerrero, who was shunned by the division rival Angels, and the Rangers bring plenty of drama to the ballpark.

The San Francisco Giants have lived under the shadow of Barry Bond’s syringe for what seems like forever. Finally, the Giants have been able to build a team that the city can call their own. It is not a team ruled by a flawed superstar who slowly drained out chemistry until only his oversized locker and massage chair were left in the clubhouse. The Giants are a special group made up of veterans looking for a last shot at glory and young stars looking to make their mark on the game.

Aubrey Huff has waited 10 years to get to the postseason and after being the most stable bat in San Francisco, he is looking to finally win a ring. A similar story exits in the case of Pat Burrell who the Rays gave up on and was given another chance by the Giants. Burrell knows what it takes to win a championship and will provide an excellent clubhouse presence aside from his ability to hit the long ball. Do not forget Cody Ross, who was claimed mostly in order to block the Padres, but has become the symbol of the Giants bandaged offense.

If anyone, Tim Lincecum has become the face of the franchise with his two Cy Young awards and freakish hair. San Francisco has embraced “The Freak” and Lincecum has responded. He has the ability to completely dominate any offense at any time, which the Braves found out during his 14 strikeout performance in the Division Series. Buster Posey jolted the Giants anemic offense to life when he was named starting catcher in June. The young catcher may be the future of the Giants, but his ability to produce now is what has San Francisco buzzing.

Alex Rodriguez and Ryan Howard are not in the World Series and it does not matter in the least. To consider yourself a true baseball fan and shun the 2010 Fall Classic is simply hypocritical. Expect this to be an extraordinary series with unforgettable moments and tremendous hustle from every player. Despite what many believe, the World Series can still give you goosebumps without pinstripes, curses, and a top five payroll. So, will you tune in? Are you a real fan?

Prediction: Rangers win in 7 games when Michael Young hits a two run homer against Brian Wilson in the 10th inning of Game 7.

The Right Way to Send a Message

2010-09-28T10:09:00.000-07:00

Everyone has witnessed the new Jets and their trash talking, fight starting, conceited ways. Led by their dynamic head coach, Rex Ryan, the Jets have turned into a traveling circus since their appearance on the HBO original series Hard Knocks. For the most part, people either love or hate the new Jets and their cocky attitude.

Someone who does not approve of the Jets and their media obsession is the head coach of the New England Patriots: Bill Belichick. Although you will never hear the stoic head coach put down the rivals from New York, the 2010 Jets stand for everything Belichick is against. The Patriots take care of business on the field and will lean back and laugh as the Jets try to turn their team into a media frenzy. Don’t let New England’s quiet demeanor fool you, they have their own way to send a message and not a single word needs to be uttered.

For those who did not watch Hard Knocks, a major story line throughout the show involved players who were on the cusp of making the roster. Each play in practice and pre-season games made a huge difference in whether those players would end up making the Jet’s roster.

One of those men was Danny Woodhead, a dual threat at running back and wide receiver who resembles Wes Welker. Woodhead was a
non-factor in 2009 totaling 64 total yards for the Jets, but still made the roster going into this year. The speedster was waived on September 14, six days before the Jets faced off against the Patriots. One day before the teams played, Woodhead was signed; this time by the New England Patriots.

The story gets more interesting. With Woodhead occupying the last spot on the active roster, all that could be expected from him would be special teams duties. Yet, against the Bills in Week 3, Woodhead rushed for 42 yards and the first touchdown of his career. It could all be a big coincidence, but think about the big picture. A player who was seen by millions of people trying to make the Jet’s roster is immediately picked up by the Jet’s rival. Bill Belichcik then chooses to use Woodhead in a game separated by only six points. In an offense led by Tom Brady, Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and a slew of more accomplished running backs, Belichick chooses to use the guy with 64 yards to his name. Interesting choice, the plan worked to perfection as the Patriots took the lead using Woodhead, who the Jets just gave up on. That is how Belichick and the Patriots make a statement.

There is no trash talking from New England. There is no media attention brought upon from Belichick comments directed towards the Jets or Rex Ryan. Simply put, Ryan was out coached in the player personnel department. The man known for his nondescript nature and plain gray sweatshirt, took care of business in the same manner Bill Belichick always does: on the field.

I am not a Bill Belichick or New England Patriots fan. In fact, I root against the Patriots most of the time. However, if you are going to make me pick between the team that is obsessed with their image or the team that is obsessed with their play on the field, I’ll go with the Belichick led Patriots every time. Football is about toughness, grit, and the will to sacrifice yourself for the team. Rex Ryan should start worrying more about Belichick stealing his players and less about how many TV cameras can be crammed into the Jet’s locker room. With all those egos, there can’t be much space.

NFL Week 1: The Twilight Zone

2010-09-14T21:01:00.000-07:00

The 2010 NFL offseason did not start the way most fans expected. In fact, the first weekend went way off the charts as far as predictions and statistics go. All off-season talk around football has focused on the NFL transferring to a passing league with more quarterbacks than ever airing it out and more offensive schemes spreading the field. Yet, Week 1 scoring was 2nd lowest since 2002. Have we entered the twilight zone?

No one in their right mind could have expected the Texans to beat the Colts on Sunday. Not only were the Colts the defending AFC champions, but seemingly Peyton Manning’s team had another legitimate shot at an undefeated season. Add in the fact that the Colts entered the contest 15-1 all time against Houston and this game seemed as much a lock as any in recent memory. Not only did the Texans win, but they embarrassed Indianapolis. Arian Foster ran all over the Colt’s defense gaining 231 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Is this cause for serious concern in Colt’s country and will the Texans finally make the playoffs?

San Diego entered 2010 as a Super Bowl threat behind star quarterback Phillip Rivers and rookie running back Ryan Matthews. On the other hand, not much was expected from the Kansas City Chiefs. Many thought the highlight of the season would be the renovated Arrowhead Stadium. However, there stood Rivers after a missed completion in the end-zone leading a 0-1 Chargers team forward. The Chiefs were able to win despite a poor offensive performance including 68 total passing yards from Matt Cassel. If the defense can continue to do well and Charlie Weiss’ system begins to click for Cassel can the Chiefs be the upset team of 2010?

Those Cowboy Superbowl predictions may have come a little early. After a pre-season in which Dallas looked out of sync on offense, Romo and company lost to the supposedly inferior Redskins. All the Dallas offense could muster was seven points and an ugly holding penalty that cost the Cowboys the game on the last play. Are the Redskins destined to surprise in the NFC East and dash the Cowboy’s hopes of being the first team to play a Superbowl at home? The pressure is already starting to mount on Wade Phillips and company.

The Jet’s defense lived up to the extensive hype brought upon by their trash talking exploits and fame after appearing on “Hard Knocks”. Unfortunately, worries about New York’s offense became more real after a pathetic performance led to a 10-9 defeat to the Ravens. Mark Sanchez looked lost as the Jets were only able to gain 176 total yards and just six first downs. Will the Jet’s offensive woes lead the team down a slippery slope?

The best part about the NFL is the unpredictability. At the beginning of the year some teams obviously are stronger, but anything can happen. Can you look at the first week and predict the rest of the season? No way, but I’ll give it a try.

The Colt’s defense really did look ugly on Sunday and is cause for some concern in Indianapolis. But let’s be serious, Peyton Manning is getting into the playoffs even if the Colts can not win 12 games for the eighth straight year. Colt’s country can rest assured all is well. In Houston, the outlook looks good also. The Texans won without relying on their outstanding passing attack. This team is ready to step it up and make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

The Chargers offense could never get it together in a game where Phillip Rivers expressed his frustration through a tirade on the field. The rain may have been the biggest factor in the loss to the Chiefs. Look for the Chargers to bounce back and win the AFC West. It’s tempting to think the Chiefs will be a Cinderella team, especially after the fans in Kansas City wowed a National TV audience. In reality, the Chiefs need a season or two before they can be serious contenders.

The Cowboys have not looked like a powerful offense since last season. The loss should be worrisome, but this team just has too much talent not to win. Dallas will be back in the playoffs, but will have to greatly improve in order to play in their own stadium on February 6th, 2011. The Redskins have a couple solid pieces and Donovan McNabb is still a dominant presence on the field. However, Washington just doesn’t have what it takes too make the playoffs. They may have a tough time finishing second in their own division with the New York Giants looking strong.

How good is the Jet’s defense? Good enough to make me believe they are a playoff team even if the offense continues to struggle. Keep in mind that Mark Sanchez and company were facing the Raven’s defense which will be one of the best in the NFL and help lead Baltimore to a division title. The Jet’s offense won’t be a juggernaut anytime soon, but they will do the job and ride the defense into the playoffs.

What will happen in week two? Look for the NFL to get back to reality with some high scores and big passing games.

Big Ten Division Alignment Spells Doom for IU

2010-09-07T09:10:00.000-07:00

Optimism spreads through the lively campus in Bloomington, Indiana each year at the beginning of the college football season. Although the previous season left students disappointed, the hopefulness seems to never die. Looking at the schedule fans still believe the Hoosier football team has a chance to make a bowl game. High hopes have been leaving the IU faithful disappointed for years. The new division alignment in the re-designed Big Ten may finally kill any aspirations IU has to create a winner.

Take into account the Hoosiers have basically never been a successful football team. All time, IU is 433-591-44 with a record of 3-6 in bowl games. Indiana has only won the Big Ten twice and last appeared in the final AP poll in 1988, in the 20th spot.
The Hoosiers poor history in football may be attributed to an array of factors. Indiana is a basketball state and is known as the most basketball crazed state in the country. This obviously has a major influence on Indiana residents and Indiana University. If you haven’t noticed there are five more National Championship banners in Assembly Hall than Memorial Stadium. The Hoosiers have simply not been able to put a stable winner together. In turn, there has been a lack of support for the football team which was displayed by the empty seats at games. On a side note, Fred Glass has done a great job at improving attendance recently. The Big Ten is one of the best conferences of all time and Indiana is constantly forced to play National Championship contenders.

Playing in the Big Ten is already a tremendous challenge for a school so enthralled and dedicated to another sport. Indiana makes less money from football in one season than Penn State or Michigan does in one game. In turn, Indiana is constantly in the bottom of the Big Ten in terms of revenue from athletics. With these factors going against IU Football, they are now thrown into a preposterous spot in an incredibly difficult division.

Indiana will be facing Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Purdue, and Illinois every year, ouch! You can count on two losses against some of the most accomplished programs of all time in Ohio State and Penn State. Wisconsin is about 150 games over .500 all time and have been a powerhouse in recent years. The Badgers last losing season was in 2001, so that can be counted as another loss for the Hoosiers. If you have ever seen the Old Oaken Bucket trophy you know Purdue has a decided advantage in the football rivalry between the schools. Illinois is not a powerhouse, but you can’t look at the schedule and guarantee a win against the Illini.

So what does this mean? Simply put, Indiana football was already at a major disadvantage in most every way. The hope of a bowl game constantly keeps fans interested, even if the bowl game is achieved with a losing record. When Nebraska joins the Big Ten and forces Indiana into the division from Hell, all hope for future success may be lost before a game is played.

Changing of the Guard

2010-07-28T15:50:00.000-07:00

As the Tigers and Rays were playing on Monday Night Baseball an intriguing storyline began to emerge. Going into the bottom of the 6th inning, Max Scherzer and Matt Garza were both throwing no hitters. Simultaneously, many miles away, Alex Rodriguez was attempting to become the seventh player ever to hit 600 home runs. A-Rod's feat would be one of the greatest in baseball history. Some players who failed to reach 600 homers in their entire career: Stan Musial, Frank Robinson, Reggie Jackson, Mike Schmidt, Ernie Banks, and Ted Williams.

As I sat watching these two historic events (Garza eventually completed his bid for a no hitter) unfold I stumbled upon this Bill Simmons Tweet: " Note to ESPN exec who just cut away from a double no-hitter so we could see A-Rod try for his 600th tainted HR: You're fired." I thought to myself, why would you not want to see A-Rod's 600th homer when you would only miss a single batter in ONLY the 6th inning of the double no hit bid? Putting Simmons obvious bias against the Yankees aside, I concluded this moment reflected the change happening in the MLB and the reason 2010 will be known as the year that changed baseball for a generation.

When I was younger, I always had a dreadful thought that all sports were planned in advance, similar to the WWE. It seemed plausible and the thought that I was watching something fake upset me. This same feeling relates to what steroids have done to baseball. People do not like seeing something fake. They want to know that the men on the field have put in the hard work day in and day out to earn their spot.

Since the day Babe Ruth put on pin stripes and starting hitting balls deep into the Bronx night the home run has been king of baseball. There have been periods when hitters have been the weaker link, but the home run remained the drawing card. How can you not love a home run? It is a truly magical moment when a ball sails majestically into the night sky. Home runs are the ultimate feat of power; they are a symbol of strength. Homers are so quintessentially American. The only thing that has changed is how fans perceive the home run.

The lack of coverage for Rodriguez’s 600th home run should be expected. Give the people what they want is an infamous motto. Simply put, fans no longer care about tainted homers. Rodriguez might end up sharing the steroids poster boy image with fellow user Barry Bonds. Ask yourself how many homers the all time leader hit. You may not remember Bond's 762 home runs, but Hank Aaron's 755 seems to be a number that resonates throughout sports. Hammerin Hank never hit 50 homers in a season, but he came to play every day. The combination of his natural talent and endless hard work resulted in him being the Home Run King and one of the greatest players in baseball history. Any baseball fan realizes that Aaron is still the real king. Rodriguez is on pace to overtake Bonds as the all time leader and baseball fans will be left with two frauds at the top of the most important list in the MLB. However, until a clean player steps forward to take the thrown, Aaron will act as steward to baseball’s most important record.

As steroid users lay claim to some of the most important offensive records in the sport, attention has turned to the mound. 2010 will not turn out to be an obscure year where pitching dominates and home runs become rare feats. This year will be remembered as a turning point where pitchers once again dominate the MLB. There have been five no hitters this year which is three shy from tying the record of eight, set in 1884!
Two of those no hitters were perfect games; only 20 perfect games have ever been thrown. Remember when having an ERA under 3.00 merited Cy Young conversations? Before today's games started 18 pitchers had ERAs under 3.00. That is simply staggering. Add in an endless number of young hurlers who are consistently throwing 95MPH or above and it becomes clear the baseball scene is changing.

If you cannot see the pattern, those juiced home runs are being replaced by sizzling fastballs, devastating curves, dirty change-ups, and filthy sliders. In the year the most hyped prospect of all time, Stephen Strasburg, has dazzled with his triple digit velocity everything is leaning the pitchers way. For the first time in 13 years the National League defeated the offensive minded American League in the All Star Game. The NL did it with pitchers blowing gas by AL hitters who had a difficult time catching up to the heat without being aided by performance enhancers.

I grew up watching Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire captivate audiences with impossible moon shots that sent stadiums into pandemonium. My generation was taught to love the home run. If you wanted to be a big leaguer you had to have power. This generation will grow up watching Ubaldo Jimenez throw a 98 MPH fastball that moves across the plate. Kids will attempt to copy Tim Lincecums change-up and Felix Hernandez's hard curve. The pitcher once again is on top of baseball and it will stay that way for a generation.

I hope that baseball gets clean and in fifteen years there won't be another Fox59 intern writing about the problems a generation of users has created. Fans will know that what they have witnessed is real.

Despite the lies, the oversized biceps, and the used syringes I will tune in to every Alex Rodriguez at bat waiting for his 600th home run. Maybe I simply cannot escape the lure of the long ball, or maybe I'm just a sucker for history (even if it is tainted). Do you ever wish you could forget the Mitchell Report? Have you ever tried to block out Manny Ramirez's 50 game suspension, A-Rod’s confession, and Rafael Palmeiro’s lies in front of the grand jury? Wouldn't it be great if everything in baseball was written beforehand so no controversy ever arose? Only something a kid would want, right?

A Saint on and off the Field

2010-07-10T09:18:00.000-07:00

The Purdue bookstore is packed with fans; there's a sense of anticipation in the room; a buildup of energy that is waiting to burst. Seemingly, everyone in the store is sporting their black and gold jerseys in support of Boilermaker athletics. But take a closer look. Those black and gold jerseys are representing a city many miles away: New Orleans. All these people have come to meet former Purdue quarterback and current Superbowl MVP Drew Brees.

The line of Brees' fans winds and stretches through two floors. A life-size cardboard cutout of Brees is set against a wall surrounded by pictures of West Lafeyette's greatest football player. Everyone has come to buy his new book 'Coming Back Stronger' and are waiting to have the man himself autograph their copy.

Who doesn't write a book these days? Tell a writer some interesting stories, let him/her do all the work, kick back and let the money roll in. But take a closer look. Brees strolls into the bookstore and the energy finally erupts into cheers as faces turn red and fans meet their hero. Brees does not try and command the crowd or make some kind of Lebronlike entrance. He seems pleased that anyone would want to read a book about his life, then dutifully moves to the back room where interviews await him.

The usual is expected from a wealthy athlete with an oversized ego. They may not say it, but we are not fools, the body language tells all. Look guys, let's get through these questions so I can sign these random people's books, collect my check, and get ready to party tonight. This is not the way Drew Brees lives his life.

"I wanted [the book] to be motivational and inspirational, something that can help people. I wanted all of my true emotions to be felt by the reader," said Brees.

Drew Brees has turned down multiple book offers in the past because he did not want to be considered another athlete trying to make an extra buck. This time, he felt that he had a message to deliver through the story of his life. It is a story about overcoming adversity, becoming stronger as a person, and using whatever resources you have to make the world a better place.

Drew Brees even tells of his sometimes rocky relationship with his mother and her eventual suicide. A devastating moment that the Brees family had to overcome. Even in the worst times he looks to "take adversity and turn it into an opportunity."

"Adversity can shape, mold, and strengthen you into the person you want to become," said Brees.

It sounds like a corny line from a fairy tale book in a world where everything is perfect. But take a closer look. Brees is a real Saint. He and his wife Brittany have raised millions of dollars for cancer research through their charitable foundations. They have also made it their personal mission to help rebuild the city of New Orleans. Brees believes "the NFL is a platform that gives you an opportunity to make a difference" and he has used the platform as well as any football player.

There is an uncanny bond between the people of New Orleans and Drew Brees. "I draw a lot of parallels between my story and the story of New Orleans," Brees explained. When everyone, including his previous team (San Diego Chargers), had given up on him after a horrific shoulder injury in 2005, the Saints remained confident. The decision paid off in the form of a Superbowl victory. Brees felt an obligation to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and feels the same obligation after the BP Oil Spill. This is a man who will not sit idly by as his people struggle. "I've tried to pour my heart and soul into this community because they deserve it," said Brees.

As Drew approaches, he is expected to answer the questions as quickly as possible and move on. At least that's how it often works with famous athletes. He has been going non-stop since the Superbowl, whether it is making a trip with the Saints to the Gulf of Mexico, working with his charities, practicing with the team, or promoting his book. Not to mention he has his second child due in October. He seems to be an energizer bunny, but this is real life and the battery has to run out eventually, right?

Well this is no ordinary man. He looks each interviewer in the eye and listens to the same questions he has heard thousands of times from reporters all across the country. Instead of racing through the interview, Brees seems to dig into his soul with each response. This guy really does have a message and he really does want to help people.

He has endless amounts of autograph seekers waiting for him outside the room. In all likelihood he'll be on a plane off to another event as soon as the book signing ends. But he doesn't rush out of the room. He thanks everyone and then gazes to the wall where pictures of Purdue's athletic past give him a moment to breath and remember. He makes some small talk and then exits the room to a crowd of fans wanting an autograph, picture, and maybe some inspiration to take home with them.

Brees is an incredible athlete who has gained fame and fortune. He is one of the most popular sports figures in America and will go down as one of the greatest athletes in the history of New Orleans. Now, he is also an author and will go back to being larger than life once he steps onto the Superdome field.

But take a closer look. Drew Brees is a pure soul trying to extend a hand to anyone needing a lift.

The 2010 All Star Game

2010-07-02T11:32:00.000-07:00

The All Star Game has become a perennial topic of debate in Major League Baseball. Should the game count towards home field advantage? Should the fan vote decide who starts? Does every team deserve to have a representative? No matter how the MLB sets up the All Star Game there will always be points of debate. There is always a player who deserves to play that gets shunned for a favorite of the manager (Jayson Werth making it over Matt Kemp and Pablo Sandavol in 2009).

I understand the reasoning behind having the All Star Game count for home-field advantage. However, having something as important as home field being decided by a game that is so debated is a a bad idea. Lets go back to the All Star Break being a BREAK, and focus on having fun and seeing the best players play.

Speaking of best players, please stop this ridiculous fan voting. Why do we let the game come down to a popularity contest with the winner being someone who is hitting 50 points under the deserving starter. Why are people allowed to vote up to 25 times? It’s interesting that the MLB is encouraging ballot stuffing.

The best players should be playing in the All Star Game, but there is one exception. Although the rule is often opposed, I like having at least one player from each team. More deserving players may get booted, but are you really going to make the season even more depressing for Pirates fans?

One of the biggest debates of the 2010 All Star Game surrounds the phenom: Stephen Strasburg. Strasburg has only pitched in five games which does not merit an all star appearance despite his incredible performance. Many people are arguing that the fans want to see Strasburg, so he should be included in the game. We must pay respect to the baseball veterans who have earned a spot on the team. If Stephen Strasburg had pitched the entire season and put up all star numbers then he would be on the team.

NL All Stars

C- Colorado- Miguel Olivo- The NL’s catching is thin this year which falls in line with a renaissance of the pitcher. Olivo may be the exception; in 2010 he has belted 11 homers while hitting .306. He is playing surprisingly well; the last time he hit over .300 was in 2005 when he played in only 37 games. Adding a.908 OPS and 38 RBIs makes Olivo deserving of the starting spot. It seems fitting that in the year pitching dominates, catchers as a whole have failed offensively.

1B- St. Louis- Albert Pujols- Before anything is said about Pujols, Joey Votto must be mentioned. Votto is having a spectacular season and he is a viable option to start at first base for the NL. Albert Pujols is batting .313 to Votto’s .312. The Cardinal has 18 homers which is one more than the Red’s first basemen. Pujols barley leads Votto in RBIs, hits, and OPS. I also give Pujols the advantage defensively. So, a down season for Pujols puts him in the All Star Game barely ahead of Votto, who should be commended for his efforts playing for a first place team in Cincinnati. Pujols adds another all star start to his resume which will land him in Cooperstown.

2B- Atlanta- Martin Prado- The Brave’s second basemen has gone under the radar in recent years playing in the same division as Chase Utley. Prado is having an incredible season as he leads the NL in batting average. He has been the most reliable offensive threat for Atlanta. He is on pace to score over 120 runs and collect over 200 hits. Without Prado, Atlanta might not be the surprise first place team they have become. Look for Prado to continue this run throughout the season and beyond; he gives 100% every game and seems to have found his niche.

SS-Florida- Hanley Ramirez- Hanley Ramirez has received more attention for his confrontation with former manager Fredi Gonzalez than his play on the field. The Marlin’s shortstop is hitting just under .300 with 12 homers and 51 RBIs. Add in an .877 OPS and Ramirez remains one of the premier offensive threats in the league. The choice is tough with Rockies’ shortstop Troy Tulowitzki hitting .306 and is on pace to score over a hundred runs. Keep in mind that Tulowitzki was hurt and has played 13 less games than the Marlins shortstop. Hanley is a tremendously talented player who should boost his numbers in second half.

3B-New York- David Wright- Wright remains in his rightful place as one of the most consistent players in the National League, after a 2009 season that saw his power disappear. Placido Polanco is also having a great season in addition to the impressive renaissance year by Scott Rolen in Cincinnati. Wright is hitting .310 with a .936 OPS while belting 14 homers. He already has 61 RBIs in addition to 13 stolen bases. Wright is the backbone of a surprise Mets team that is contending in a tough NL East. If the Mets plan to make the playoffs, they will have to ride on the shoulders of David Wright.

OF-Milwaukee- Ryan Braun- Braun is quickly making himself a staple as one of the best outfielders in the NL. He is on pace to score and drive in over 100 runs. Braun is hitting
.299 and will surely exceed that by the end of the season. He has 11 stolen bases and has improved his play in left field. Braun’s production is not as impressive as recent years, but he still deserves a spot in left field for the NL. You have to wonder what Braun’s numbers will look like if Prince Fielder leaves the Brewers.

OF-Los Angeles- Andre Ethier- Ethier has developed into one of the best pure hitters in the league. Before breaking his pinky during batting practice, Ethier was in the running for a triple crown. Still, the Dodgers right fielder is hitting .312 with 12 homers and 47 RBIs. His .917 OPS and relentless approach at the plate has made him one of the most complete offensive weapons in the NL. Ethier has also improved his arm strength and has the ability to gun runners out. Ethier’s intensity on the field separates him and has garnered comparisons to Paul O’ Neil from manager Joe Torre.

OF-Colorado- Carlos Gonzalez- In 2010, the young Colorado center fielder has shown he is a complete player. Gonzalez is a spectacular fielder and helps the Rockies as much in the field as he does at the plate. Carlos is hitting .302 with 12 homers, 46 RBIs, 47 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases. Gonzalez gets the nod over Corey Hart, who has put up impressive power numbers, and Jayson Werth who is having a solid season. You have to wonder if Billy Beane regrets shipping Gonzalez to Colorado.

SP-Colorado- Ubaldo Jimenez- There really is no need for an explanation here. Jimenez has had one of the most dominant first halves in decades. If you are being compared to Bob Gibson, then something really amazing is happening. Despite two rough starts recently, Ubaldo has compiled a 1.83 ERA and already has 14 wins! He has completed 3 of those games and has 102 strikeouts with a 1.05 WHIP. Jimenez accounts for 34% of all Rockies’ victories. I wish some of the spotlight on Steven Strasburg would shift onto 2010’s best pitcher.

CP-Los Angeles- Jonathan Broxton- Broxton has absolutely dominated for the Dodgers this season. He has 16 saves in 18 attempts with a 1.87 ERA that was greatly inflated after a debacle against the Yankees. Don’t let the one bad game fool you, Big Jon has 49 strikeouts compared to only 7 walks. He has yet to give up a homer and continues to electrify crowds in Los Angeles. Respect goes out to Billy Wagner who is having an unbelievable season in Atlanta. Broxton enters every game to “Iron Man” and he has been exactly that for the Dodgers.

AL All Stars
C-Minnesota- Joe Mauer- The reigning AL MVP is the easy choice at catcher. He brings in a .302 average with a .809 OPS and more walks than strikeouts. Mauer’s power numbers are down in 2010; he has totaled only three homers and 34 RBIs. However, he has been able to score 41 runs and is hitting a gaudy .480 with runners in scoring position with two outs. The Twins backstop remains one of the best at handling his staff and controlling the game. A 2010 MVP seems out of reach, but without Mauer, the Twins would have a hard time keeping up in the tight AL Central.

1B-Detroit- Miguel Cabrera- Cabrera is having an MVP caliber year for Detroit. He has been wrecking the ball all season which has led to 20 homers, 68 RBIs, and a .337 batting average. Cabrera has shown patience by walking 37 times, helping to boost his OPS to an incredible 1.040. Add in the fact the Miguel is on pace to score over 120 runs and the first basemen is clearly having one of the best seasons in all the MLB. He sure has come a long way from the baby faced Marlin prodigy.

2B-New York- Robinson Cano- The new Yankee stopper is situated comfortably at second base. Cano has been the biggest threat in New York’s lineup by hitting .353 with 15 homers and 53 RBIs. He has taken on the role of A-Rod protector when in reality A-Rod may need to be protecting him. Cano has also scored 56 runs, a tribute to his .402 OBP. For years the Yankees looked to trade Cano, but now he may be the biggest factor in New York’s 2010 success. Cano has given the Yankees an absurd amount of production and is even making all his throws to first (who needs Chuck Knoblauch anyway).

SS-Texas- Elvis Andrus- Andrus tops a group of multiple candidates who are viable options at shortstop for the American League. No SS has put himself far above the rest. Andrus, playing for the first place Rangers, is hitting just under .300 with 54 runs scored. Andrus has the athleticism and speed to be a game changer at any moment. He has become a serious threat on the base paths by racking up 22 steals so far. Andrus has also helped Texas defensively by becoming a solid fielder who has great range. Looks like moving Michael Young over to third was a good idea after all.

3B-Boston- Adrian Beltre- Beltre came to Boston on a short term deal and has turned out to be the gem of the free agent class. He has continued his stellar play at third and has hit .349 with a .944 OPS. He is on pace to drive in over 100 runs and has belted 12 homers. Beltre was in no way expected to put up such impressive numbers. He has been solid in all areas including 40 runs scored. Maybe his almost MVP season for the Dodgers in 2004 was for real.

OF-Texas- Josh Hamilton- Hamilton is having a monster year in which he’s hitting .343 with 18 homers and 58 RBIs. The most feared bat in the AL West is also on pace to score over 100 runs and currently has a 1.000 OPS. Josh is doing everything for Rangers and is one of the main reasons the team is the surprise of 2010. If Hamilton can avoid injury he will surely be an MVP candidate this year and in the future. Hopefully, people can start to forget Hamilton’s past and focus on his incredible play.

OF-Kansas City- David Dejesus- David Dejesus has always been a solid major league outfielder. His fantastic play in 2010 has gone largely unnoticed because he plays in Kansas City. Dejesus is hitting .331 with a .875 OPS despite having little help. He scored 39 times and has driven in 35 which is impressive considering the amount of opportunities he is given. Dejesus just beats out Ichiro who is putting up another impressive year on his way to Cooperstown. Whoever is smart enough to pry Dejesus away from the Royals will be gaining a player that can help push a team into the playoffs.

OF-Texas- Vladimir Guerrero- Talk about a renaissance, Vlad has taken his big bat and smacked all his nay sayers in the face. Big Bad Vlad is hitting .339 with 18 home runs and 68 RBIs. Add in 51 runs scored and a .962 OPS and you have yourself an MVP candidate. The production the Rangers are getting out of Vlad for one year and 5.5 million must be giving Mike Scioscia and the Angels nightmares.

SP-Seattle- Cliff Lee- While pitching for a failing team in Seattle, Lee has been completely dominant. He has compiled a 7-3 record although he should have double digit wins easily. Lee’s ERA is 2.45 not to mention a 0.92 WHIP. Are you ready for this? Lee has 78 strikeouts compared to five walks on the season! There is no doubt Lee will be traded by the deadline, but he should be the starter for the AL if he’s still in the league. In the year of the pitcher, Lee continues to stand out.

CP-New York- Mariano Rivera- The best closer of all time continues to amaze fans. Rivera has a 0.92 ERA with 17 saves on the season. He has struck out 29 batters while only walking six thanks to his magical cutter. Once the Yankees have a lead late, the game continues to be over. I think Rivera could pitch another five years and still be one of the best closers in baseball. This guy is absurd.

We've Only Just Begun

2010-06-23T13:36:00.000-07:00

The United States was mere minutes away from one of it’s most bitter defeats. They had already been robbed once of a win by referee Koman Coulibaly, on a goal by Maurice Edu that should have given the U.S.A. a victory over Slovenia. Seemingly, déjà vu struck again when Clint Dempsey’s goal against Algeria was called off due to an unjust offsides call. The United States stayed at 0-0 into the 91st minute while England held a 1-0 lead over Slovenia. As the seconds ticked, one of the biggest controversies in World Cup history seemed to be coming to a head.

The United States, robbed of two victories by bad calls, was about to be eliminated from the World Cup. Then, suddenly a vicious counter attack started by an incredible throw from keeper Tim Howard to Landon Donovan sparked a mighty run. Jozy Altidore shot the ball which tipped off Clint Dempsey into the Algerian keeper Rais Bolihi. Donovan, still pursuing the play and possibly helped by guardian angels, sprinted in and nailed the rebound for possibly the greatest goal in the history of United States soccer.

Try to contemplate how much changed in mere seconds. There would have been protests and drama which would have led to further action by FIFA against the seemingly incompetent (or possibly biased) World Cup referees. Outrage would have ensued and legitimate accusations of rigging games would have been placed on FIFA’s referees. Instead, the U.S. wins it’s group for the first time since 1930.

America should have two victories and now seem to be in position to make a run in the 2010 World Cup. Landon Donovan has no problem carrying this team; he has ice flowing through his veins. Clint Dempsey is a man on a mission and Jozy Altidore seems to overpower every defender that gets in his way. Michael Bradley already has a fantastic goal while anchoring the midfield. Tim Howard is arguably the best keeper in the World Cup and Coach Bob Bradley knows how to inspire his squad. The United States has finally found it’s identity. They win with grit and determination. They go for every loose ball while sacrificing their bodies to maintain possession. At least, this is how the United States has played when they play well.

This team cannot ever relax; that is when they get in trouble. There are times when the U.S. seems to second guess themselves. From this game, their confidence should grow which will lead to more aggressive play. When representing the United States of America play like an American: take risks, don’t be afraid of mistakes, play as a team, and go for it all. Will this be the defining moment of the United States World Cup? I don’t think so.

Maybe I’m still on an adrenaline rush from Donovan’s spectacularly miraculous goal, but I think this team will make some noise in the knockout round. Consider that the United States should have seven points (2 wins, one draw) which would make them one of the more successful teams of the group stage. The United Sates should have beat Algeria by five goals with an endless amount of attempts that just could not find the back of the net. Nerves stymied both teams in the opening match against England and of course a robbery occurred in the Slovenia game.

So, who is to say the United States can’t make a run? Only Argentina has singled itself out so far as a powerhouse in the World’s greatest tournament with respect to Brazil, Netherlands, and Uruguay who have played well. Maybe this is the year for the United States to break through. Maybe they just needed a miracle. Well, they got a miracle and now it’s up to the men on the pitch to sprint, dive, kick, push, and head their way into the next round.

The Time Has Come

2010-06-10T16:08:00.000-07:00

The Metric System is superior to the current American Measurement System. Both have been analyzed over and over with the majority of the World coming to the conclusion that the Metric System is simpler and more precise. Yet, the United States plays the role of the stubborn mule refusing to convert. Simply put, the rest of the civilized World has left America behind. This is an identical situation to America’s view on fútbol, also known as soccer. The rest of the World has embraced the most popular sport on Earth, but the United States lags behind.

In recent years, soccer has slowly progressed in popularity in the States. The national team had an incredible upset over the world’s number one team Spain, and has developed a legitimate superstar in Landon Donovan. However, the majority of the nation still refuses to give soccer a chance. How is there no interest in a sport that drives the rest of the world? A sport that has passionate fans, countless leagues spread across different continents, an incredible worldwide tournament, and superstars galore. The time has come for America to get on board.

The arguments have been the same for years: Soccer is just running back and forth, there isn’t enough scoring, you can’t even tell who played well. Once, I belonged to this group of doubters who had failed to understand everything the beautiful game has to offer. As a nation, do we honestly have such a short attention span that we refuse a sport because it is relatively low scoring? Soccer is more than just goals. Soccer is Lionel Messi being able to dribble while running full speed and simultaneously dodging seven defenders. Soccer is Wayne Rooney sacrificing his body plunging through the defense and diving to keep a ball in bounds. Soccer is the grace once shown by Pele’ and now replicated by the dynamic Cristiano Ronaldo.
The stories that drive major American sports are parallel to those in fútbol. The Yankees and Lakers exist in the form of Manchester United and Real Madrid. Players sign mind blowing contracts and seem to be constantly on the move between clubs. There are dynamic personalities such as Italian Fabio Capello, who is looking to manage England to a World Cup championship as the first ever foreign born coach. Phenoms persist throughout the sport with lads as young as 16 sometimes breaking a squad.

Soccer is about heart. Whether it is a Spaniard playing for his Italian club, or a German giving his all for the national team, courage can always be found on the pitch. They train as hard as Drew Brees and care about winning as much as Kobe Bryant. In Texas, children are raised on football just as in Brazil children are raised on fútbol. Give people an open field, grass optional, and they will play. The six year old in Wales imagines himself making the final shot to win England’s Premiership similar to the boy in California imagining himself hitting a home-run to win the World Series.

The 2010 World Cup will be the most important event in the history of American soccer. The sport is at a crossroads with an opportunity to build the interest of those who have refused soccer for so long. If the United States can make a solid run in the World Cup, then maybe soccer can begin the process of becoming a legitimate American sport. The first step is to improve the talent in the United States. Major League Soccer (MLS) is not close to comparable to any respectable fútbol league in Europe. Despite an increase in popularity for the sport overall, the MLS still struggles with attendance. People who have become interested in soccer have naturally gravitated to European club leagues where the majority of the World’s talent presides. Soccer must be preached from youth, similar to football, basketball, baseball, and hockey. The MLS needs soccer stars, not an aging David Beckham, to enhance the league’s stature. Famed French striker Thierry Henre plans to join the New York Red Bulls; a step in the right direction.

Why such a ferocious campaign against fútbol has reigned over America for so long is not understandable. All the elements for a successful sport exist and have been proven across the globe. Eventually, the United States will adapt the metric system. Someday, soccer will be counted amongst the major sports in America. Further down the road, the United States will develop their own style and homegrown superstars. One day, the U.S. will be feared as a soccer power. The time has come.

Endless Options Exist for Pacers

2010-06-09T09:25:00.000-07:00

The Pacers finished a dismal 32-50 last season. The team has the 10th pick in the upcoming NBA Draft and also received the Mavericks 2nd round pick which completed the Shawne Williams trade. The need for a prime-time point guard is apparent, especially after the injury to A.J. Price. Indiana could also be looking at a big man in the draft, or may end up trading the pick. The Pacers seem to have an infinite amount of options in front of them; what they choose may decide the fate of the team.

Recently, some truly intriguing names have been brought up in the discussion of the Pacers point guard problem. With the emergence of George Hill, Tony Parker seems to be more available then previously anticipated. The Pacers could ship their number 10 draft pick, an expiring contract such as Mike Dunleavy or Troy Murphy, and a young player for the all-star Parker. Parker also has an expiring contract which brings into question the point of the trade. Why would the Pacers give up their lottery pick, in addition to some young talent, for a player who will most likely leave after one season. Parker's expiring contract will help alleviate cap space, but Dunleavy's contract would accomplish the same task.

Baron Davis is not happy with his team in Los Angeles and would quickly give Indiana a star at point guard. However, the risk would outweigh the reward. Davis has a hefty contract and could be impatient with the Pacers rebuilding process. Indiana would need to give up their draft pick in addition to a couple of young players such as Brandon Rush. Despite the temptation to go after Parker and Davis, Indiana's point guard issues will not be resolved by either veteran.

The most simple option may be the best for Indiana: use their draft pick to take a point guard. Eric Bledsoe could end up being a steal after being overshadowed and pushed to shooting guard by John Wall. He has excellent court vision and could have played point guard at many other schools. Bledsoe plays with a chip on his shoulder and a toughness the Pacers need. Another option also exists in New Orleans. With Chris Paul set to be healthy, Darren Collison could conceivably be pried away for the right price. Collison was impressive taking over for Paul as a rookie. He has proven he can lead an NBA team while being a dynamic presence on the floor. The best move would be to find a way to get Collison to Indiana, however, Bledsoe would also be a viable option.

A great deal of decision making by the Pacers will revolve around their draft pick. There has been talk focused on big men Ekpe Udoh and Hassan Whiteside. While both players have promise, the Pacers just drafted Tyler Hansbrough who has yet to have the opportunity to prove himself due to injury. Roy Hibbert also exceeded expectations and has room to improve.

The Pacers are not in a good position to make a run at any key free agents this offseason. With an abundance of expiring contracts after the season, Indiana should look to trade some of the players and focus on the next free agent class. Coming off the books after this season will be: Troy Murphy, Mike Dunleavy, T.J. Ford, Jeff Foster, Soloman Jones, and Josh McRoberts. The key of the bunch is Murphy. The Pacers should decide this offseason whether they plan to re-sign the 6’ 11”, 245 pound former Irishman. If they choose to let Murphy leave, the Pacers must trade him while his value is highest. Murphy's double-double average is hard to ignore and seems to be evidence to re-sign him. However, does his age, 30, fit into Larry Bird's rebuilding vision? Mike Dunleavy most likely has little value in the current trade market, but the Pacers may take most anything for the struggling guard.

The final decision the Pacers should be contemplating has already been made. Larry Bird has stood behind head coach Jim O' Brien despite his lack of success and the Pacers regression. Under O'Brien the Pacers finished consecutive seasons 20 games under .500. Last year they finished four games worse despite heading into the season with heightened expectations. The coach has been uninspiring on the sidelines and does not bring the tenacity which the organization craves. O'Brien had brief success with the Celtics, but resigned over philosophical differences with general manager Danny Ainge. Ainge was looking at a long term rebuilding process and traded two of O'Brien's favorite players which led to his sudden resignation. Seemingly, O'Brien is in a similar rebuilding situation where hardworking, admirable men may have to be shipped off. If the Pacers are looking to the future, they need someone who can be committed to staying in Indiana for the long haul while building a special relationship with a young nucleus.

The Pacers future is impossible to determine. The team's options are limitless as new possibilities seem to sprout daily. The need for a point guard is obvious to everyone involved in the organization. Hovering over the team is talk of a move if the Pacers are forced to continually cover the operating cost of Conseco Fieldhouse. The Pacers are trying to reorganize their roster as well as their image. After the last three seasons, the only place to go is up.

The Best There Ever Was

2010-06-02T15:40:00.001-07:00

"As long as you live keep smiling because it brightens everybody's day." A quotation from Vincent Edward Scully who has been broadcasting Dodger games for over 60 years. Take a moment and consider the significance of that statement. Scully has been there for all six Dodger Championships. He was there for the infamous move of the Dodgers from Brooklyn to Los Angeles, where his voice brought a community together. Scully saw first hand Fernandomania as well as Nomomania. His voice floated with Kirk Gibson’s home run in the 1988 World Series and summed up the event perfectly as usual: “In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened.” He made the infamous call in the 1986 World Series which was given away by the Boston Red Sox, “A little roller up along first, behind the bag, it gets through Buchner!” He is synonymous with not only the Dodgers and baseball, but all sports because Vin Scully has done the job better than anyone else.
"Good is not good when better is expected." (Vin Scully) To try and summarize the life and times of Vin Scully is almost impossible to do without creating an encyclopedia. If you asked Vin about the most important things in his life, he would likely not talk a great deal about sports, baseball, or the Dodgers. Scully has always prided himself on being a devoted husband and family man. His incredible values and morals have brought a special presence to the broadcasting booth. The point of this article is not to be a summarization of Scully’s life. Those who do not have the privilege of listening to Vin on a daily basis deserve to know how much he means to countless people. So, to get the background out of the way, here are some notable events in Scully’s career: 61 years with the Dodgers, NFL announcer on CBS from 1972-1982, PGA and tennis broadcaster in the 70’s and 80’s, NBC broadcaster for baseball in 1983-1989, Ford Frick Award winner, Lifetime Achievement Emmy winner, Radio Hall of Fame inductee, National Sportscaster of the Year three times, California Sportscaster of the year 29 times, National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame inductee, Broadcaster of the Century named by the American Sportscasters Association, and named top sportscaster of all time by the same group. Not bad for a kid out of Brooklyn who graduated from Fordham University.
“It may sound corny, but, I enjoyed listening to Vin call a game almost more than playing in them. He's been a special broadcaster for a lot of years and he's been wonderful to listen too for a lot of years. He definitely is the All Century broadcaster as far as I'm concerned." (Sandy Koufax) Perhaps the most impressive thing about Vin Scully is his ability to call a game down the middle. Despite seeing over 8,000 Dodger games, he never calls the game as a fan. Certain announcers in baseball feel the need to refer to the home team as “good guys” as well as remain monotone for impressive plays by the opposing team. Scully has too much respect for baseball to broadcast only for the hometown crowd. He calls it how he sees it, no matter who may be winning. Vin is always ready with an interesting anecdote about each player on both teams no matter how irrelevant they may be. A great deal of Scully’s on air information comes from the vast amount of research and preparation he puts into every single game. Scully is able to weave stories of the past into the present game, bringing a unique look at baseball to the viewer. His encyclopedic knowledge of the sport’s history is enough to make a die hard baseball fan salivate at his every word. However, Vin realizes that there are viewers who may be simple novices to baseball and always takes them into account when explaining the situation.
“All my career, all I have ever really done, all I ever have accomplished, is to talk about the accomplishments of others. We can't all be heroes. Somebody has to stand on the curb and applaud as the parade goes by.” (Vin Scully) Despite Vin’s unparalleled popularity and success, he has remained incredibly humble. When the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles, Scully became so beloved that countless fans would bring transistor radios to the games at the Los Angeles Coliseum. This resulted in Vin’s voice echoing throughout the stadium as if it was a natural background noise to the game. In 2008, for the Dodgers 50th Anniversary of playing in Los Angeles, an exhibition game was played against the Red Sox at the Coliseum. The same tall net fence was set up in short left field and the scene of the Dodgers 1959 championship was successfully re-created. The night however, belonged to Vin Scully who was saluted with a standing ovation by the record crowd of 115,300. The Dodgers have a great deal of infamous players who will be forever remembered in the books of baseball history. Sandy Koufax is one of the most dominant forces the MLB has ever seen. Jackie Robinson changed the game by breaking the color barrier and brought an entirely new dimension of aggressiveness to baseball. Orel Hershiser still holds the record for most consecutive scoreless innings and Duke Snider is one of the most under appreciated five tool players in MLB history. Walter O’ Malley is considered one of the most brilliant owners in baseball history and is credited with bringing baseball to the West Coast. Al Campanis oversaw a tremendous amount of success in is 19 years as general manager and Tommy Lasorda led the Dodgers to 1,599 wins including two championships. The list goes on with the point being no player, owner, general manager, or any Dodger employee can ever be compared to Vin. Scully is the backbone of the Dodger organization. He will forever be the bright eyed, smiling face of the franchise.
“A lot of people in the ballpark are now beginning to see the pitches with their heart.” (Vin Scully) Vin is more than the voice behind the action on the screen. He is a friend, who each day thanks you for inviting him into your home. He welcomes you by “wishing you a pleasant good evening wherever you may be.” Scully has a purity about him, a love of all that is good in the World. He wonders at the marvel of children with their family at the ballpark. He can’t help but eloquently describe a beautiful scene on the field or in the crowd. Vin is not afraid to be silent, he admits that many times the broadcaster must allow the viewer to be engulfed by the magnitude of the moment. Sometimes, silence is the best gift a baseball broadcaster can give the audience. Scully makes the viewer feel like he is apart of their family; and for Angelenos he is a constant force in ever changing lives. He is there in the beginning, when a child watches Dodger baseball in the arms of a parent for the first time. For years, Vin’s voice is the last thing to be heard before going to sleep. He’s there at family dinners and at the sports bar. He makes baseball a stabilizing force in the life of those who listen to him. Scully shows us that baseball can bring us together. He is more then an announcer. Vin Scully is a mentor to all who are lucky enough to hear him say “It’s time for Dodger baseball.”

In a Perfect Pacer World

2010-06-02T15:39:00.001-07:00

For four consecutive years the Indiana Pacers have watched the playoffs from the comfort of their homes. The excitement of Pacer basketball which once surrounded Indianapolis is now extinct. Conseco Fieldhouse is often bare and the crowd seems more interested in Boomer dunking off a trampoline then the basketball game. How does a professional basketball team located in the heart of Indiana draw the fourth lowest attendance total in the entire NBA? How can a fan base obsessed with basketball have no desire to support their basketball team? The problems that have engulfed the franchise in Indiana remain an enigma. Larry Bird and the Pacers can no longer idly stand by and hope that a rebuilding process will guide them to glory in the future. The Pacers front office must make a statement to Hoosiers everywhere that the team will do whatever it takes to bring a winner back to Indiana.
The driving force behind the 90's success of the Indiana Pacers was undoubtedly Reggie Miller, forgive me for stating the obvious.In order to succeed, the Pacers must once again find a player who has the ability and mentality to carry the team and state on his shoulders. Some may say that man is currently on the roster in the form of young star Danny Granger. While Granger has shown incredible skill, 24 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in 09/10, he needs another gifted player to help improve his own game and the chances of the Pacers winning. Granger is close to becoming a superstar; he simply needs another player to help him get there.
It is much easier to simply say a team must sign or trade for a superstar in order to improve. Actually obtaining the player is an entirely more complicated process. Indiana is not a franchise that is known for shelling out huge deals or making blockbuster trades, but they must do exactly that in order to restore the Pacers to prominence. The NBA is a league built around star players. Few teams ever succeed without a player who has superior talent. As hard as it will be for ownership, a max contract will have to be offered for a truly gifted player to come to Indiana. The Pacers will soon have money coming off the book as Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy both have contracts which expire after next season. Murphy has shown his value, but is not deserving of over eleven million dollars a year. Dunleavy has greatly underproduced for someone being paid ten million a year. However, money alone may not be enough to entice one of the elite NBA players to come to the Hoosier state.
In order to commit to a long term deal with the Pacers, a player will want to know they can trust who they will be playing for. Jim O’Brien is not that person. O’Brien has led the Pacers to three consecutive losing seasons and is simply not the man for the job. The person who would be the best fit as head coach already works in the organization. In three years as coach of the Pacers, Larry Bird led the team to three playoff appearances including an Eastern Conference Championship.Bird declared in the beginning of his tenure as coach that he would stop after three years, a promise he kept. Seemingly, Bird is more comfortable in his front office role as President of Basketball Operations. A passion for basketball still exists in Bird and that passion is exactly what the Pacers organization needs to thrive. The Pacers should try everything they can to convince Bird to once again take over head coaching duties. A smart move would be to give Bird almost complete control of the franchise. The Pacers should extend a long term deal to Bird which gives him head coach responsibilities in addition to general manager and president of basketball operations duties. This is an immense amount of responsibility to put on a single person, and would be seen as a gigantic risk. At this point, the Pacers need to take risks. With Bird in complete control of the Pacers, the organization immediately obtains a legitimate face of the franchise. Bird is one of the most determined and respected men in basketball; the Pacers should trust him to turn the organization around.
If this plan were to succeed, the Pacers may become a more desirable location for a free agent. The player would know that he can build a long term relationship with Bird, who will be in control of basically everything. Suddenly, Indiana becomes a destination where winning should come along with the possibility of becoming a part of Pacer history, on the same level as Reggie Miller. Being able to learn from one of the greatest players of all time is a special opportunity for any player.
Of course, Bird may want absolutely no part of head coach duties. After all, he already resigned from the position once. In that case, the Pacers should look into Phil Jackson, who would have no problem leaving Los Angeles and Kobe Bryant. My apologies, I accidently stumbled into a Pacer dream world. Other than Bird, Avery Johnson seems to be an excellent candidate to take over the team. Johnson is a proven winner as a player and coach. He led the Mavericks to four consecutive playoff appearances and was named Head Coach of the Year in 2006. He is respected amongst his NBA peers and would help lure a prime time player. Of course, Johnson is a hot commodity this offseason which means the Pacers would need to act fast. Byron Scott is another viable candidate. In the end, the Pacers must hire a coach who has the trust and respect of players across the NBA. Without a “big name” coach the chances of landing a superstar greatly diminish.
Assuming everything goes according to plan, who fits the bill as the player who can turn the franchise around? It’s safe to cross Lebron James and Dwayne Wade off the list. Chris Bosh did not include the Pacers on the list of the teams he would join. Dirk Nowitzki and Amare Stoudamire could both fill the role of franchise saviour, but seem to be a long shot as their current teams will be fiercely competitive in free agent negotiations. They, along with many other players, seem to be drawn to “big cities” which Indianapolis does not qualify despite being a strong second tier market. The perfect fit for the Pacers is Joe Johnson.He has shown his ability to take over and lead a team. He has never exhibited an oversized ego and would flourish as a team first player. The tandem of Granger and Johnson would be enough to make the Pacers a playoff contender and the two would only need a few more pieces before the Pacers became a a monster in the weaker Eastern Conference. Offering Johnson the chance to become an icon in a basketball craved state would be a proposition he may find entertaining. Playing alongside a superstar in the waiting and under a distinguished head coach could help persuade him to take a chance on the Pacers.
Will any of these proposed changes happen? There is probable about a 1% chance. The question Pacer fans must ask is why. Why can’t ownership realize that money must be spent and risks must be taken? Why has mediocre become acceptable? Why is nothing being done to change the downward spiral? Indianapolis may not have the glitz and glamour possessed by New York, LA, and Chicago, but this is about basketball. The Pacers must stop letting their geographical location effect their mindset. Nothing bad can come from making an effort to acquire people who can help turn the organization around. At the very least, people around the NBA will see the team is making an effort.

How Steroids Saved Baseball

2010-06-02T15:38:00.000-07:00

Listen, I realize steroids are wrong and anyone who uses them to enhance their athletic performance should be brought to justice. I acknowledge that athletes using steroids has led to the youth of America hurting their developing bodies in order to stay competitive. I know the damage steroids cause is not worth the athletic advantage a person gains from using. However, if there was one time period in the history of baseball that steroids could benefit the game, it was during what we have deemed “The Steroid Era”.
There is no way they will cancel the playoffs and World Series, not possible. These were the thoughts of fans before the strike of 1994. Fans were astonished, disheartened, and angry. Many vowed never to return and baseball entered the dark ages. Too clarify, there is no official “start date” of the steroid era. We know that Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco along with others in baseball were using in the 80’s. Interestingly enough, McGwire is the center of the story about how steroids brought baseball back. 1993 was a fantastic year for the sport. In the National League, attendance rose over ten million while the American League attendance increased by almost two million. The year after the strike, baseball fans kept to their word. Attendance numbers in both leagues fell by almost ten million each. The MLB needed something to light a fire in the sport. As sluggers began to emerge, fans started to trickle back into the stadiums. In Los Angeles, Mike Piazza was on his way to astonishing spectators, little known Brady Anderson clobbered 50 home runs for the Orioles, and Mo Vaughn was the believed savior of Boston. The more balls that left the yard, the more tickets were sold. By 1996, the National League had over 30 million in attendance for the first time in over three years. Seemingly, a story line about the comeback of baseball was building. What would the climax of this story be?
In 1998, the most exciting saga baseball had seen in decades began to unfold before our eyes. A middle class slugger on the St. Louis Cardinals, a prodigy son of an All Star on the Seattle Mariners, and a poor boy from the Dominican Republic on the Chicago Cubs began a race for the unreachable mark: 62 home runs in a single season. Initially, Ken Griffey Jr. was the frontrunner. His swing was art work; every home run he hit, a masterpiece. Soon though, it appeared he would not be able to keep up. The entire nation was captivated by the “friendly” home run chase between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. Two athletes as different as possible, yet, they embraced each other and their march to history. Baseball was officially back. The race was talked about on every street corner, in every deli, at work, and in everyone's home. Attendance for 1998 increased to almost 39 million in the National League, up seven million from the season before.
The fact is, the increase of almost seven million fans coincided with an increase of almost 400 home runs in the sport. The home run brought people back into the game. The homer rate increased because many players all throughout baseball were using steroids. Going back to high school math, the transitive property shows steroids helped increase attendance. Players were giving fans what they wanted to see, albeit illegally. Just like anything else, history was repeating itself. Baseball took over the nation when Babe Ruth began belting bombs. It seems, human beings simply have an affinity for the long ball. The difference is, Ruth used hot dogs and beer to back up his numbers. Simply put, the MLB needed a boost and turned to performance enhancing drugs. Baseball as a whole acted exactly like a player who felt the extra strength or speed gained from using would put him over the top. Those in charge realized that the sport needed an extra jolt. I do not believe that managers, front office personnel, and those who run the MLB had zero knowledge of steroid use. The situation was assessed and it was decided at the time that the positives of steroid use outweighed the negatives. That assertion was incorrect, but it worked. This led to the turning of a blind eye. Baseball was back in the spotlight.
As the saying goes, “the past is the past”. What would have happened if there were never steroids in baseball? Would fans have stood firm, still angry at the MLB for committing treason by allowing the strike to happen? Would baseball have needed to change rules to make the game more exciting, as the NHL did after a strike? Would players who looked up to the unnatural sluggers have moved on to different sports? There are an infinite amount of questions that will never be answered. I know that steroids are not good for baseball. I am certain that the harsh penalties (suspension or silent banishment) that have been placed on Manny Ramirez, Roger Clemens, and others shows the MLB is moving in the right direction. However, without steroids, I am unsure if baseball would be in the exceptional position it is in today.

Who to Choose, Udoh or Whiteside?

2010-06-02T15:37:00.002-07:00

On Tuesday, the Indiana Pacers held a workout for six players who they are considering drafting. Among the six were Ekpe Udoh and Hassan Whiteside who were matched up and figure to be fighting for a chance to become a Pacer big man. Of course, that is assuming the Pacers want either player and both are still available. Udoh and Whiteside have shown they have a tremendous amount of ability. So the question remains, who would be a better Pacer?
            Ekpe Udoh had an impressive college career split between Michigan and Baylor. The 6 10’ 240 pound Nigerian made a name for himself in the NCAA tournament by leading Baylor to the Elite 8. In 2010, Udoh was a monster for Baylor averaging 13.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.7 blocks, and 2.7 assists per game. As a young player he won Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year, but left Michigan because of the new perimeter based offense that would be implemented by John Beilein.
Many considered Udoh’s game outside the paint to be his weak point, one of many improvements he made during the transfer year he sat out. Scouts were impressed to see a more developed Udoh on the Baylor squad. He made improvements to his mid-range shooting as well as his driving ability. One of the most impressive facets of Udoh’s newly improved game was his passing. He exhibited a fantastic basketball IQ in being able to see cuts by other players out of the post. Udoh is considered one of the better passers out of the big men in the draft and is known for his incredible work ethic. He explained, “Any team that wants to give me the opportunity to play the game I love, I’m going to take it and cherish it.”
Udoh’s decision to transfer to Baylor may end up being one of the best he ever makes. He was able to get national exposure in the Elite 8 and became the force behind Baylor’s offense and defense the entire season. Furthermore, Udoh’s progression during the year he sat out shows he is a fast learner. When asked about his transfer year Udoh said, “loving the game more, really falling back in love, appreciating it, and just working hard” helped him stay focused.
Some teams may look at Udoh as a liability because he will be 23 come draft time, which most likely limits his physical progression. The Nigerian has impressive rebounding statistics, but could be more aggressive on the glass. He will be facing men who may be taller and stronger than him, something he rarely had to deal with in college. Udoh has been known to get backed up in the post when defending against stronger players. He will need to put on more muscle in order to play to his full potential. Talking about his strength Udoh said, “Once I get picked, as well as now, I have to work hard in the weight room.” Something that could become an issue for Udoh is being put against faster more agile players when switching on screens and pick and rolls. Ekpe has not looked overly comfortable defending a man one on one from the outside.
            Hassan Whiteside is only 21, but his astounding physical attributes may make up for his inexperience. Whiteside is 7 feet tall and weighs 235 pounds; his 7-7 wingspan is the longest in the history of the pre-draft camp. Playing for Marshall in Conference USA, Whiteside put up 13.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 5.4 blocks per game. He led the NCAA in blocked shots and was named Conference USA’s defensive player of the year. Despite suggestions he may be too immature for the NBA, Whiteside has remained focused on “coming in to work hard and really trying to be the best I can be.”
            Whiteside uses his incredible frame to score inside and has become a credible mid-range shooter. He excels at using his long arms to shoot over defenders and has successfully used his raw athletic ability in the post. Being difficult to defend, Hassan has found his way to the line often and has converted 60% of his free throw attempts. Whiteside may be compared to one of his favorite players, Kevin Garnett. They have similar frames and both use a high shot release to get over opposing defenders. If Whiteside shows he has the same commitment level as Garnett, teams will move him up on the draft board. His shot blocking ability, which strikes fear into players driving the lane, may come to rival Garnett.
            One of the most intriguing parts of Whiteside is the vast amount of room he has to improve. His youth could play to his advantage as some coaches may view Whiteside as a player who has incredible natural talent and can be molded into an all-star. Whiteside is aware that he must add muscle in order to succeed in the NBA and is determined to do so by working hard in the weight room. He believes he should weigh “250 pounds because that is quick enough, but still big enough to dunk on people.” Continuing Whiteside said, “I like lifting weights a lot. When I got to Marshall no one knew I was 205, now I’m around 230, so I think I can put on weight pretty easy.” Whiteside remains unpolished as a player especially in the low post. He must work on his foot work and post moves. A large amount of his points come from his athletic ability opposed to his basketball ability. If he is able to master the post position, Whiteside becomes a tremendously dangerous player.
            Opposite of Udoh, Whiteside has not developed the ability to pass at all. He averaged only .3 assists per game which allows the defense to converge on him in the post. He had difficulties with academics and is not known as having the highest basketball IQ. However, he is still very young and may have more room for improvement then Udoh.
While Udoh and Whiteside are comparable in size and position, they enter the draft as two players on opposite sides of the spectrum. Udoh is more seasoned and has shown his ability to learn and improve. Whiteside is still very young, but possess an infinite amount of potential. Physically, the edge has to go to Whiteside. His wingspan is incredible and he has made it this far on pure athletic ability. He must add muscle in order to defend bigger post players, but has shown his dedication in the weight room at Marshall. Udoh has the advantage in overall basketball ability and IQ. He has developed into an impressive passer with an array of post moves. He has worked hard to improve his jump shot and even made shots from outside the arc during the season. The decision is not easy, but Ekpe Udoh is the right choice. In Udoh the Pacers would get a dedicated, skilled, and smart big man who still has room to improve despite his age. Udoh has all-star potential and can be counted among big men who can do more than simply play the low post.

While Franchitti Celebrates, Others Ponder What Went Wrong

2010-06-02T15:37:00.001-07:00

Dario Franchitti came away with his second Indianapolis 500 checkered flag on Sunday after leading the field for 155 laps. It seemed Franchitti would lose his chance at a second title after stopping to pit late in the race, but was able to regain the lead and hold off Dan Wheldon. Despite assumptions that Helio Castronovas had the superior vehicle, Franchitti and the Target team showed they were the true powerhouse of the 2010 Indianapolis 500.

Every Indy 500 brings unfortunate accidents that are bound to occur. Some drivers who were the subject of yellow flags in the race look to the future, while others harbor a bit of resentment. Either way, they are all thankful to race another day.

Davey Hamilton had a very early exit after contact was made with Tomas Scheckter. Hamilton was extremely frustrated and blamed Scheckter completely saying, "Tomas Scheckter thinks he can win it the first lap, and you know he's an idiot. He does it all the time." Hamilton and Scheckter made contact so early that Hamilton was not even able to record a single completed lap.

The amount of hard work and effort the De Ferran Dragon Racing Team put in was essentially wasted. Hamilton was emphatic that he would eventually confront Scheckter about the incident.

Bruno Junqueira's tough year continued after he was only able to record seven laps before losing control of his car. He believed the extreme heat made the track immensely difficult for drivers. Junqeira lamented, "Unfortunately, I just lost the car," which may have been due to track congestion. He was especially disappointed because the #33 car was performing well up until the crash.

Mario Moraes was upset after his crash, which may have been the result of a faulty pit-stop. Moraes was running well before the problem in the pits caused him to drop to last. He tried to make up time by passing E.J. Viso and subsequently spun out and hit the wall. Moraes said, "I went wide in turn one and got in the marbles, spun the car out and hit the wall pretty good." Moraes was sore, but his injuries were not serious.

John Andretti was angry with E.J. Viso who he claims damaged Andretti's car early in the race. Andretti said, "[The car] wasn't as good from that point on" and also mentioned his annoyance with being called for a blocking penalty despite Viso receiving no discipline. Andretti was thankful for having an opportunity, but seemed to think he could have finished well if no incident had occurred.

Team Penske's Ryan Briscoe had high expectations for the Indy500, but was only able to finish 147 laps. Briscoe hurt his knee upon impact, but the injury did not appear to be serious. Briscoe said, "I'm really disappointed, we had a strong car today," which is not surprising considering Team Penske fits their drivers with the some of the best vehicles in the sport. Briscoe went into turn 4 too fast which eventually led to the crash.

Sebastian Sevedra, who barely made the race, surprised many by competing for 159 laps. Sevedra was dealing with under-steer for much of the race and eventually could no longer control his car. He seemed to be thankful for the opportunity and looked at his first Indy 500 as a learning experience he can use to become a better driver. Talking about his Indianapolis 500 experience as a whole, Sevedra said" It's been amazing."

Ryan Hunter-Reay was a bit shaken after his serious crash with Mike Conway. Conway's car was lifted into the air and landed on top of Reay's #37. Conway suffered a broken leg and was air-lifted to the hospital. Hunter-Reay was lucky to come away with his life.

Reay brought up a safety concern saying, "I can't believe he didn't hit my head. That's one downside to these cars, having the driver's head exposed." While Ryan Hunter-Reay may have been on the edge of death, he was still notably concerned about the condition of Conway.

Danica, Where is the Love?

2010-06-02T15:35:00.000-07:00

A disappointing and often frustrating 2010 campaign continued for Danica Patrick on Saturday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). Despite finishing outside the top ten in four of her five 2010 races, expectations for the #7 car remained high.

Patrick, who has great confidence, was immensely disappointed in her qualifying lap that placed her outside the top ten. She would eventually be slated 23rd with a speed over three miles per hour less than pole setter Helio Castroneves.

Danica was unable to control her frustration after the initial qualifying lap and let her anger be known during a post-qualifying interview. Patrick seemed bewildered by her low qualifying speed and sited her past success at the IMS as a reason she should not be blamed for the failure. She ended by saying, "This is not my fault" which the crowd immediately reacted to with a shower of boos. Although Patrick never implied who was to blame for the poor qualifying run, it was obvious she was upset with her Go Daddy team. In any sport, throwing teammates under the bus always leads to negative results.

Danica very well could be accurate in her assertion that the Go Daddy team performed poorly in conditioning the number 7 car. She tried to explain the current issues saying, "[The car's] oversteering and the understeer makes more oversteer. It's really complicated right now. Fundamentally, you have a car that's just not balanced correctly." Although Patrick may be correct, there is no excuse for publicly criticizing her team. If a shortstop makes an error, the pitcher should never throw his arms up in disgust. If a wide receiver drops an open pass, the quarterback should never mention the play in a post- game interview. The same rules apply to Patrick, who should have dealt with her team privately.

After becoming one of the most beloved drivers in IndyCar history, Danica Patrick seldom hears a negative response from the crowd. However, with four other female drivers who are all infinitely obliging to the media and fans, Danica may be slipping in popularity. Not to mention, Simona de Silvestro and Ana Beatriz qualified ahead of Patrick while Sarah Fisher is constructing an impressive team. Danica has been seen riding in a golf cart with drapes on the sides, which effectively shield her from admirers looking for a wave or smile. She often speeds through autographs without uttering a word to her adoring fans. Patrick seems to try and hide from people who are simply looking for an acknowledgement from their favorite driver.

Being a celebrity can be difficult for many people, especially those who value their privacy. Danica Patrick most likely receives little solitude these days, as her popularity has spread across the globe. She may be exhausted of her endless exposure and simply wants to focus on winning races. In a May 7th interview with Versus, Patrick said, "I much enjoy my life away from the spotlight stuff." However, she must realize that professional athletes are able to live out their dreams while making a substantial amount of money. With that comes the "heavy" burden to address supporters.

A teacher has certain material that must be covered. A bus driver must stay along a certain route. Similarly, professional athletes must address the fans and media in addition to showing their teammates respect. The difference is that athletes are often able to shun their responsibilities without repercussion. Danica has become such a powerful brand name that she will continue to receive lucrative endorsements no matter how she treats her admirers. Hopefully, Patrick will soon realize that fans are the reason for her success. The Go Daddy team has helped make Patrick a competitor. Showing both groups a little appreciation would go a long way.

The MLB Salary Cap

2010-06-02T15:34:00.002-07:00

In 2009, the New York Yankees spent $201,449,289 on player salaries. That amount is greater then the combined payroll spent by the Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Washington Nationals. In baseball, a salary cap is set each year. In 2009, the limit was set at $162 million. When a team goes over the salary cap, they are forced to pay a luxury tax. The first time a franchise exceeds the limit, it must pay 17.5 percent of the amount exceeded. The second offense pushes the percent to 30. Any team that exceeds the cap for a third time or more must pay 40 percent of the exceeded amount. The fundamental problem with the luxury tax is teams such as the Yankees, who are infinitely wealthy, have no problem paying the tax. In essence, for teams that have enough money, a salary cap is of no consequence.
Free agency has been one of the most successful ventures in baseball history. Allowing players to switch teams after an allotted amount of years with their original franchise creates excitement among fans and players alike. The baseball offseason is by far the most exciting among sports partially due to the great deal of free agent negotiating and bidding wars that start between teams. Unfortunately, there are teams in baseball who are hardly, if ever, involved in serious free agent bidding. While teams with more money should have an advantage, that advantage must be controlled. Teams with unlimited funds are able to offer such substantial amounts of money to multiple free agents in a single offseason, that some franchises are unable to improve their team. This leads to an unfair advantage, and gives hardly any hope to smaller market teams.
There have been rumblings in baseball about reorganizing teams into a premier and secondary league. Teams who have a great deal of money would be put into the premier league, while the teams with less money would compete against each other in the secondary league. The World Series would then be played between the champions of the two leagues. This idea has so many flaws I will be unable to cover all of them in this article. Most importantly, all of the most talented and popular players would undoubtedly end up in the premiere league. This would lead to even less media coverage for the small market franchises. Fans would be upset by the demotion of their team and possibly abandon the club. Eventually, secondary teams would become obsolete and would be seen as an extension of the minor leagues.
There is a simple answer to the salary cap issue in the MLB. Create an actual salary cap. If the limit is set at $120 million, than no team is allowed to go over that amount. There is no luxury tax and no loophole. Simply put, teams would not allowed to spend more then the commissioner decides is the fair amount. This would maintain an advantage for teams who have more money, but would allow the smaller market teams to compete in free agency. While the Yankees would still be able to sign their most sought after free agent, they would be unable to sign the second and third most talented players. This would trickle down and allow a team like the Indians to sign a key free agent. The Cleveland Indians had the fifteenth highest salary in baseball in 2009 at$81,625,567 dollars. They have enough money to sign a high priced free agent, but are often outbid by clubs who have already signed multiple players.
Franchises have been able to put teams together and win without spending a great deal of money. The 2003 Florida Marlins had a team built around young inexpensive talent and were able to win the World Series. A key to their championship was free agent catcher Ivan Rodriguez. More recently, the Tampa Bay Rays made a World Series trip after adding Troy Percival to solidify the bullpen backed by a thunderous young roster. This is a perfect example of how a salary cap could level the playing field in the MLB. Teams who are not able to spend a great deal of money can develop young players and make a key addition or two to solidify their roster. Another flaw that could be helped by a salary cap is the inability of small budget teams to retain their budding superstars. The Pittsburgh Pirates are a team that has been constantly affected by the lack of a proper salary cap. They develop young talented players, but realize once free agency comes for that player the team will be unable to re-sign him. So, they end up trading the player; usually to a team who has the money to absorb multiple large contracts. This is another example of the unfair advantages large market teams have. Not only are they able to sign multiple high priced free agents, but they pry all the talented players away from the smaller clubs who will soon not be able to afford the player.
You might not remember or even know, but there was a time when the Kansas City Royals reigned supreme with George Brett and Bret Saberhagen. The Pittsburgh Pirates beat the mighty Yankees on Bill Mazeroski’s unforgettable home run. The Oakland Athletics were a powerhouse and the Cincinnati Reds were a machine. There must be a change in baseball. I plead for the next commissioner to install an actual salary cap. Then we can say: may the best team win.

The Saga of Milton Bradley

2010-06-02T15:34:00.001-07:00

Once upon a time, there was an infinitely gifted outfielder in the Montreal Expos’ minor league system. He was a five tool player that could hit for power from both sides of the plate. General managers dream about a player who has the potential to hit .300, smack 30 home runs, drive in a 100 RBIs, and steal 30 bases. So, how does a player with such a vast amount of talent fail to live up to expectations? The answer can be found in the saga of Milton Bradley.
Milton Bradley is currently in his 11th major league season with his eighth team. Only once, has Bradley made an All Star team, with the Texas Rangers in 2008. Bradley has proven he has the talent to be a perennial All Star in the MLB. He has a great arm in the outfield and still is a very dangerous hitter. Yet, Bradley continues to manifest outbursts of anger that have dampened his career. He has been tossed from team to team, each organization believing Bradley will learn to control himself in a new city. Eventually, each team laments the failed Milton Bradley experiment and moves on to a player who knows how to control his emotions.
We may never know the real reason behind Milton Bradley’s vast array of emotional problems. However, it has become obvious, that no matter where Bradley plays he will bring controversy with him. Bradley relentlessly argues with the media; his motives are quite suspect as it seems Milton is the person who is constantly stirring up controversy. Starting in high school, Bradley displayed his problems with authority. Bradley was temporarily kicked off his high school baseball team during his sophomore season. As a young player with the Expos and Indians, Bradley was perceived as a showboat. After hitting a home run, he would stand at the plate watching the ball and would quickly undo the velcro on his batting gloves. In the baseball world, this is a clear message of arrogance and disrespect. However, Bradley held on to the tradition and almost ended up in a fight with the Dodger’s Paul LoDuca due to his arrogance.
In 2003, Bradley hit .321 with 10 homers in only 101 games and was considered one of the most talented players in the Indian’s organization. During spring training of 2004, Bradley had a heated confrontation in the dugout with Indian’s manager Eric Wedge. Bradley was banned from camp for a day and pulled from a game later after not going hard after a fly ball. Cleveland believed Bradley’s emotional issues were beyond repair and shipped him to Los Angeles. For the Dodgers, Milton Bradley was a soap opera all his own. He did not get along well with the majority of his teammates and brought the club’s morale down. After a fan in the stands tossed a water bottle in Bradley’s direction, Milton proceeded to the edge of the stands while screaming at fans. He threw the water bottle at a fan from point blank range and was booed off the field. Bradley continually broke bats out of frustration and once threw a bag of balls onto the field after being ejected. The Dodgers could not stand Bradley’s antics any longer and sent him to Oakland. Bradley continued to turn a cold shoulder to the media and most of his teammates. After a season and a half of mediocre play for the A’s, Bradley and his personal baggage were shipped to San Diego. During his 42 games with the Padres, Bradley hit well before an incident that ended his season. As the story goes, 1st base umpire Mike Winters directed an obscenity towards Bradley. Milton responded by going after the umpire before being restrained by manager Bud Black amongst others. Bradley ended up tripping over Black and tearing his ACL. Only Bradley could manage to tear up his knee due to an angry outburst. In 2008, Milton Bradley had a productive season with the Rangers earning his first All Star appearance. After an 11-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals, Bradley went after Royals broadcaster Ryan Lefebvre. Bradley claims Lefebvre had made derogatory comments towards him.
Bradley signed a three year 30 million dollar contract with the Chicago Cubs in 2009; not surprisingly, controversy ensued. Bradley was suspended early in the season for making contact with a home plate umpire while arguing a call. In June, Milton threw a tirade in the dugout after flying out. He was kicked out of the dugout by manager Lou Piniella and was berated by the manager for his poor behavior all season. In late September, Bradley was suspended for the remainder of the season after he made derogatory comments about the Cub’s organization to the media. Bradley claimed everyone in Chicago was against him and none of the problems he had in Chicago were his fault. The Cubs so desperately wanted Milton Bradley out of Chicago that they were willing to trade him to the Mariners for the struggling Carlos Silva. The Cubs also took on a large portion of Bradley’s contract. In 2010, Bradley has already been kicked out of a spring training game and was caught directing his middle finger to a section of Texas Rangers fans.
Bradley is an enigma wrapped in a puzzle. He is talented and could be a superstar in the MLB, but cannot overcome his emotional issues. Bradley constantly is surrounded by controversy and has single handedly divided locker rooms. He is a selfish player who is more concerned about his image than winning. He is a virus that can easily destroy the chemistry of the clubhouse; for that reason, no organization should take a chance on Milton Bradley.

2010 NL Preview

2010-06-02T15:32:00.000-07:00

NL East

Philadelphia Phillies- The Phillies are looking to make their third consecutive World Series appearance and have the team to pull it off. The addition of Roy Halladay cements a rotation featuring Cole Hamels and dominant youngster J.A. Happ. I expect young prospect Kyle Kendrick, the same Kendrick who the Phillies refused to give away in the initial attempt to acquire Halladay, to impress. Joe Blanton has been reliable, but will start the season on the DL. The Phillies lineup is still deadly, with the addition of veteran Placido Polanco, who is a career .300 hitter, acting as an upgrade at third base over Pedro Feliz. I question whether Raul Ibanez will be able to produce at the same rate he did last year. With Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard the Phillies have one of the most potent lineups in baseball. The Phillies only weakness is the bullpen. Brad Lidge comes off a horrible season where he had 11 blown saves with a 7.21 ERA and will start 2010 on the DL along with J.C. Romero.

Atlanta Braves- Bobby Cox’s Braves are a team that could challenge Philadelphia for the East crown. If Troy Glaus can stay healthy he adds a power bat to a lineup that features power hitting catcher Brian McCann and new addition Melky Cabrera. Nate Mclouth can be an all-star caliber player, while Yunel Escobar impressed with a near 300 batting average and looks to prove himself as a top shortstop. The biggest factor could be rookie Jason Heyward, who is only 20, but has displayed incredible ability and is considered the future of the franchise. Tim Hudson is finally healthy and will be the ace of the starting rotation. Tommy Hanson could end up being the best pitcher after he proved himself to be dominant with a 2.89 ERA in his rookie season. The addition of Billy Wagner and Takashi Saito gives the Braves a solid back end of the bullpen.

Florida Marlins- The Marlins have a young team once again; they are a few pieces away from being a serious contender. Hanley Ramirez should produce another MVP caliber season, while Dan Uggla looks to improve his defense and batting average to go along with his impressive power numbers. Speedy center fielder Cameron Maybin should have a breakout year and Jorge Cantu should be able to repeat his solid 2009 effort in which he hit .289, belted 16 home runs, and produced 100 RBIs. Chris Coghlan, the 2009 Rookie of the Year, will continue the stellar start to his career and Cody Ross should continue to improve upon his 24 home runs and 90 RBIs. Josh Johnson will be in the running for the Cy Young award, but the Marlins have to hope Ricky Nolasco returns to 2008 form. Anibal Sanchez has tremendous ability and may end up being the key for the Marlins starting staff. The Marlins bullpen is extremely young and could cause problems. Closer Leo Nunez has great stuff, but his ERA hovered just above 4.00 in 2009.

New York Mets- The Mets once again have one of the highest payrolls in baseball and will be a major disappointment for the fourth consecutive year. Carlos Beltran is out until at least June, while Jose Reyes’ seems to develop a new injury daily. The signing of Jason Bay was overhyped; his power numbers should decline in spacious Citi Field. David Wright will be a bright spot and should return to his normal 30 home run 100 RBI season, but filling out the lineup with Rod Barajas and Luis Castillo will lead to an unimpressive number of runs scored. Jeff Francouer should have a solid season after hitting .280 with 15 homers in 09’, but relying on him to be a key part of the lineup spells doom for New York. Johan Santana is healthy once again and will be back to his normal Cy Young form. After Santana, the Mets have John Main and Mike Pelfrey who both took steps in the wrong direction in 2009. Oliver Perez has the ability to be dominant, but could just as easily find himself demoted. Francisco Rodriguez should be a beast in the closer role, but the rest of the bullpen is extremely weak.

Washington Nationals- The Nationals are improved from 2009, and have reason for some optimism. Ryan Zimmerman is a stud at third base and will repeat or exceed his .292 batting average, 33 home runs, and 106 RBIs. Adam Dunn excelled in his role as a veteran and will continue to hit almost 40 home runs and drive in 100 RBIs. Nyjer Morgan has incredible potential, but Willie Harris and Adam Kennedy are not long term answers for the Nationals. Josh Willingham needs to improve upon his .260 batting average in order to make a major impact. Ivan Rodriguez will be valuable as a teacher for some of the National’s young pitchers. The Nationals have an extremely weak pitching staff led by veteran Jason Marquis who is injury prone and struggled in the second half of 2009. John Lannen has shown the potential to be great, but has yet to live up to the hype. The remaining starters are unproven and will most likely drag the team down. Matt Capps was brought in to close, but had an ugly 5.80 ERA in 2009. The rest of the bullpen ranges from average to bad. The big question for the Nationals will be: When does Washington get a taste of phenom Stephen Strasburg? His 100 mph fastball could breathe some life into the team.

NL Central

St. Louis Cardinals- The Cardinals are a a very powerful and experienced team. Albert Pujols will be the best player in baseball once again, while Matt Holliday, who hit .353 with 13 home runs in 63 games with the Cardinals, should have a monster season. Yadier Molina hit near .300 in 2009 and is one of the best defensive catchers in baseball. Brendan Ryan and Skip Schumaker are a hard nosed double play combination and have Felipe Lopez coming off the bench to spell them. Ryan Ludwick and Colby Rasmus both have shown their power and have the potential to become serious threats in the Cardinals line-up. St. Louis has one of the best top of the rotations in baseball. Led by Chris Carpenter, who had 17 wins and a 2.24 ERA, and Adam Wainwright, who had 19 wins and a 2.63 ERA, the Cardinals have the potential to get 40 wins out of two starters. Kyle Lohse hopes to return to 2008 form and Brad Penny has shown glimpses of greatness in his career. Ryan Franklin has proven he can be a solid closer and veteran Dennys Reyes can shut down powerful lefties. The Cardinals are balanced and have shown they aren’t afraid to improve their team at the trade deadline.

Milwaukee Brewers- The Brewers have two MVP candidates in the middle of their line-up. Ryan Braun is one of the best young players in baseball and proved so with his .320 batting average, 32 home runs, and 114 RBIs. Braun has the ability to lift the Brewers on his shoulders for stretches over the season. Prince Fielder swings as hard as anyone in the game, which resulted in almost 50 home runs and 150 RBIs. Third basemen Casey McGehee has shown his ability and will have a breakout season, while Alcides Escobar is a Rookie of the Year candidate at shortstop. Yovani Gallardo has some of the dirtiest stuff in baseball and will be a top ten pitcher. Gallardo’s better than 2 to 1 strikeout to walk ratio is the key to his success. Randy Wolf was brought in as a veteran presence; he proved his reliability with the Dodgers last season. Doug Davis is another solid veteran who will give the Brewers a good amount of innings. Trevor Hoffman still has one of the best changeups in baseball and Letroy Hawkins will excel in a set-up role. Todd Coffey and Mitch Stetter are both reliable relievers who help give the Brewers the best bullpen in the central.

Chicago Cubs- Assuming he stays healthy, Derek Lee is an absolute beast in the middle of the Cubs line-up. Geovany Soto is a question mark after his horrible 2009 campaign, but has lost close to 40 pound over the offseason. Alfonso Soriano still swings and misses at every outside slider while a healthy Aramis Ramirez should return to being a top caliber third basemen. Mike Fontenot’s .236 batting average along with Kosuke Fukudome’s under production will drag the Cubs down. Carlos Zambrano is no longer the pitcher he once was and Ryan Dempster has become somewhat unreliable. Ted Lilly has been solid for the Cubs, but he can’t be counted on to save the rotation. Carlos Marmol is extremely unreliable in the closer role. Marmol walked 65 batters while striking out 93; putting men on base is the best way to blow a save. Angel Guzman has great stuff, but has been overcome with injury. The bullpen is extremely unreliable, but the Cubs will be looking for help come midseason. Cubs fans will be singing a familiar song at the end of the season: Wait till’ next year.

Cincinnati Reds- Joey Votto is a superstar in the making after hitting .322 and belting 25 homers. Jay Bruce has unlimited potential and will have a breakout season adding to a strong young core for the Reds. Scott Rolen and Orlando Cabrera both showed they have plenty left in the tank and should provide good veteran leadership. Chris Dickerson and Drew Stubbs are both question marks as they are young and unproven. The Reds pitching staff will end up being their downfall. Aaron Harang is not the pitcher he once was and Bronson Arroyo is the Jekyll and Hide of pitchers. Homer Bailey does not have the stuff to be a good major league starter and Johnny Cueto has dealt with injury issues and has not lived up to the hype. Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman could help the Reds at some point making an impact with his triple digit fastball. Francisco Cordero has proven he is an all star caliber closer and will have veteran Arthur Rhodes alongside in the bullpen. Youngster Danny Harrera had a solid season with a 3.06 ERA and Nick Masset also looks to repeat his terrific 2009 performance.

Houston Astros- Hunter Pence has shown he is extremely talented and will continue to impress. Michael Bourn stole 61 bases last year and will try to improve on the mark in 2010. Carlos Lee came into camp lighter and stronger; he will have a fantastic year after hitting .300 with 26 homers and 102 RBIs in 09’. Kazuo Matsui still has trouble with inside fastballs and Pedro Feliz is not the answer at third base. Geoff Blum is another underperforming fill-in for an injured Lance Berkman. Berkman is no longer the same dominant player after struggling through 09’ with a .274 average. Roy Oswalt is coming off one of his worst seasons and already strained his hamstring in spring training. Wandy Rodriguez can be relied on for 200 innings and around a 3.00 ERA. He is the only bright spot in the Astros’ rotation. Matt Lindstrom has shown his electric stuff in the closer role, but had an ERA close to six last year. Brandon Lyon could end up taking over, but he is behind because of a late start to spring training.

Pittsburgh Pirates- Andrew McCutchen is a five tool player and will have a breakout season in 2010. He is the future and face of a Pirates franchise that has not had a winning season in 17 years. Lastings Milledge and Andy LaRoche have never lived up to the hype. Garret Jones has shown he is a capable right fielder and Akinori Iwamura will provide a solid veteran presence at second base. Zach Duke and Paul Maholm are leading the rotation, but would be fourth or fifth starters on most teams. The entire rotation is underwhelming; a consistent problem in Pittsburgh. Octavio Dotel will be satisfactory in the closer role, but the rest of the bullpen is weak. Brendan Donnelly could be decent, but he is not reliable. The Pirates need to restructure their organization by showing loyalty to budding stars with long term contracts.

NL West

Los Angeles Dodgers- The Dodgers have an extremely talented young core that they will depend upon in 2010. Matt Kemp will be an MVP candidate; he is a five tool player that proved his elite status. Andre Ethier had an incredible 2009, hitting 31 home runs driving in 106, and compiling six walk-off hits. Manny Ramirez will need more days off, but will still produce efficiently. Rafael Furcal’s health and play is a concern as he has become somewhat inconsistent. James Loney is a great pure hitter, but must improve his power numbers. Clayton Kershaw is only 22, but has incredible stuff and compiled a 2.79 ERA in 171 innings. Chad Billingsley was an all-star last year, but tailed off in the second half; he must overcome some mental roadblocks. Hiroki Kuroda has the ability to dominate, but has faced injury issues. The Dodger’s bullpen will be a strength once again. Jonathon Broxton seems to be unhittable aside from his playoff collapses. George Sherrill will handle the set-up role and Ronald Belisario will add depth once he returns from extended spring training. Hong Chih Kuo is dominant, but will start on the DL. The Dodgers may need to add an ace at the trade deadline if they hope to make it past the first round.

* San Francisco Giants (Wild Card)- The Giants have a star in Pablo Sandoval. He is one of the most naturally talented hitters in baseball. Freddy Sanchez is an all star caliber player, but Edgar Renteria is far past his prime. Mark Derosa hopes to return to his impressive numbers from 2008 and Aaron Rowand will look to rejuvenate his career as well. Benjie Molina may be holding the catcher spot down until Buster Posey is ready to take over. The Giants strength is their pitching staff led by arguabley the best pitcher in the game, Tim Lincecum. Lincecum has a fantastic shot to win 20 games and his third Cy Young award. Matt Cain is often overshadowed, but his 2.89 ERA in 217 innings makes him an elite starter. Barry Zito seems to be slowly returning to old form, and Jonathen Sanchez has the stuff to be great. Brian Wilson throws gas in the 9th inning and Jeremy Affeldt shut everyone down in the late innings, compiling an ERA under two. The Giants will be on the prowl for an impact bat come July.

Colorado Rockies- The Rockies could easily win the wild card or division. Troy Tulowitzki overcame a sophomore slump and has shown he is a top shortstop in baseball. Brad Hawpe is an all star caliber player that is extremely underrated. Dexter Fowler has great ability and incredible speed; he will look to breakout in 2010. Todd Helton can still hit over .300 and provides the veteran leadership Colorado needs. Carlos Gonzalez will impress in his first full season; he is a five tool star in the making. Ubaldo Jimenez is an ace who has the stuff to get the best hitters in baseball out. Jeff Francis looks to put together a healthy and dominant season, something he has failed to do. Aaron Cook is not dominant, but his sinker will get him through the season. Huston Street will start on the DL, but is a good closer assuming he stays healthy. Franklin Morales has good stuff, but has not proven himself to be completely reliable. Manny Corpas and Rafael Betancourt are two more question marks in the Colorado bullpen.

Arizona Diamondbacks- Justin Upton is an incredible player; he has a powerful arm, hit .300 with 26 homers, and stole 20 bases in 2009. Conor Jackson will come back strong from injury and provide a powerful bat in the middle of the Diamondback order. Mark Reynolds belted 44 home runs, but also struck out 223 times. Stephen Drew is a talented shortstop; he struggled a bit in 09’ after impressing in 2008. Chris Young has struggled so far in his career other than showing some power, but Arizona still believes in him. Adam LaRoche is a good option at first base, yet he’s not the future for the D’Backs. Dan Haren is often forgotten, he is one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball. Haren has five consecutive seasons with more than 200 innings pitched and he finished with a 3.14 ERA in 09’. Brandon Webb would give the Diamondbacks a nasty top of the rotation, but it seems he is not over his injuries. Edwin Jackson has shown he has the stuff, but he can be inconsistent from year to year. Chad Qualls will do his best as closer and Bob Howry will continue to fail under pressure. The rest of the bullpen is average.

San Diego Padres- Adrian Gonzalez is the heart and soul of the team. His big bat may not be in San Diego past July 31st. The rest of the Padres line up is very weak. Tony Gwynn Jr. has shown promise and David Eckstein will provide a veteran presence. San Diego has one of the weakest offenses in baseball. The Padres have Chris Young, who has all star ability, coming off an injury filled 2009. Jon Garland will eat some innings and Kevin Correia showed some signs of promise last season. Health Bell turned into a premier closer, but may not stick around past the trade deadline. Edward Mujica came out of nowhere to fill a middle innings role for San Diego. The Padres are still very much in a rebuilding mode.

Playoffs:
Division Series: Cardinals over Giants Dodgers over Phillies
NLCS: Cardinals over Dodgers
World Series: Cardinals over Red Sox

NL MVP: Albert Pujols
NL Cy Young: Roy Halladay
NL Rookie of the Year: Jason Heyward
NL Comeback Player of the Year: Tim Hudson

Making a Push

2010-06-02T15:31:00.000-07:00

Going into the 2010 season, one team stands out as the most improved franchise. They have built around young talent and spent on veterans to fill holes until other future stars develop. A brand new ballpark is ready to open and a long term contract awaits the reigning MVP. Not since the days of Kirby Puckett have the Minnesota Twins been in better position to take over baseball.
Most baseball fans not affiliated with the AL Central scarcely pay attention to the team that plays in Minnesota. Yet, almost every year, the Twins are in the race at the end of the season. They may be best known for their former home, the Metrodome. Minnesota’s ballpark is where the story of the 2010 Twins begins. A brand new state of the art outdoor stadium is being opened in Minnesota. That’s right, an outdoor ballpark in some of the harshest baseball conditions in the country. The Twins are looking to reinvent themselves; the first flaw they saw in the franchise was the Metrodome. The building looks more like a missile silo then a ballpark. The artificial turf and ceiling lights have caused more problems than the team’s lack of free agent spending. So, to reinvent their image, the Twins are moving into a new outside stadium. The conditions may be less then ideal, but the message behind the stadium will help players deal with the cold. That message is: The Minnesota Twins are here to win, anything else will be considered a failure.
The Twins are treating 2009 MVP and 2011 free agent Joe Mauer in the same manner the Cleveland Cavaliers are treating Lebron James. That is, the team is bringing in players and doing whatever it takes to convince their MVP to stay in the Twin Cities. Finally, the Minnesota Twins are putting up a fight and not letting another superstar fall into the hands of the Yankees, Red Sox, or Mets. Mauer is the best catcher baseball has seen in a long time. At this rate, he could possibility become the greatest catcher of all time. Joe Mauer is from Minnesota, loves Minnesota, and has become the face of all sports in the state (apologies to Adrian Peterson). Contract negotiations between the team and player have been ongoing throughout the offseason without a resolution being reached. This is not necessarily negative though, as reaching terms on a possible 10 year 200 million dollar contract can be complex. While there is no guarantee the Twins are actually willing to deal out such a hefty contract, the possibility alone shows the team will go to great lengths to keep their superstar.
To cement their standing in the division and persuade Mauer to stay, Minnesota has increased the payroll to approximately 93 million dollars. That is nearly a 30 million dollar increase from 2009, and catapults them into company of such historic spenders as the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Twins offered arbitration to Carl Pavano, who showed glimpses of his old self, in addition to signing slick fielding second basemen Orlando Hudson. They snagged Clay Condrey and his 3.00 ERA away from the Phillies, and brought former Twin killer Jim Thome in to solidify the DH and bench. The Twins took a gamble by trading young outfielder Carlos Gomez in order to shore up shortstop with 2007 All Star J.J. Hardy. Hardy has had struggles, but Minnesota believes his career will be revived in the proper environment. The Gomez-Hardy deal is a risk, but the Twins are now willing to take risks.
Something that has not changed in Minnesota is the continuing development of players within the Twins’ system. Alongside Mauer is power hitting first basemen and 2006 AL MVP Justin Morneau. Morneau was able to hit 30 home runs in 09’ despite only playing in 135 games due to injury. The Twins have found a horse in their own system for the DH spot with Jason Kubel. At age 27, Kubel has found his stride providing even more power behind Mauer and Morneau. Michael Cuddyer was drafted by the Twins in 1997, and had a career high with 32 homers last year. This team has some of the most impressive homegrown talent sitting right in the middle of their lineup. Starting pitchers Scott Baker, Kevin Slowey, and Nick Blackburn were all drafted by the Twins and made major strides last season. In 2010, they look to take the next step and lead the starting rotation. Also, don’t forget about Francisco Liriano, who owned the league in 2006. Liriano looks to finally overcome his injury issues and once again dominate. Minnesota has lifelong Twins in the bullpen with Matt Guerrier and hard throwing youngster Jose Mijares. They will both watch closer Joe Nathan, originally a Giant, continue to be almost flawless.
2010 is a make or break year for the Minnesota franchise. They have players who they drafted now leading the team with help from some seasoned veterans. A new ballpark will attract sold out crowds and help increase revenue so the Twins can continue to spend. The future is bright in the Twin Cities, as long as Joe Mauer stays around, this team will have a smiling Kirby Puckett looking down on them for years to come.

The Big Unit Takes a Ride on the Nolan Ryan Express

2010-06-02T15:30:00.000-07:00

In 1985, Randy Johnson came out of the University of Southern California with unlimited potential. He would go on to pitch for 22 years, win 303 games, strike out 4,875, and have a career ERA of 3.29. Johnson will be in Cooperstown and is arguably one of the best left handed pitchers of all time. The six foot ten giant was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 2nd round, mainly for his ability to light up the radar gun. Unfortunately, The Big Unit had serious location issues and became known as a wild pitcher. Johnson did not pitch long in Montreal before the Expos gave up and traded him to the Mariners. In Seattle, he found some success, but continued to have control issues. From 1990 to 1992 The Big Unit walked 120, 152, and 144 batters respectively. Even with his outrageous number of walks, Johnson had respectable ERAs. However, if Randy Johnson was to become great, he would have to learn how control his pitches. Luckily for him, one of the greatest pitchers of all time came to his aid.
Nolan Ryan’s fastball was so intimidating and for that matter devastating, that it was given a nickname: The Nolan Ryan Express. Ryan used the almost unhittable fastball along with a devastating curve to win 324 games and strike out 5,714 hitters. Interestingly enough, Ryan was known to have control issues throughout his career, but he still looked to help Johnson. Nolan Ryan and his pitching coach observed a mechanical flaw in Johnson’s delivery while watching him throw. When planting his front foot during his delivery, The Big Unit was landing on the back part of his foot. A pitcher wants to plant near the front of his foot in order to maintain balance. Ryan believed that Johnson could not control his pitches well because he was losing balance after planting his front foot. After observing this flaw, Nolan Ryan invited the Big Unit to a pitching lesson. Johnson obliged and the rest is history.
Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson were not friends. Ryan had no ties to the Mariners. In fact, Nolan Ryan was a Texas Ranger at the time, meaning he was helping a division rival. This is a story that makes us remember why we love baseball. The public hears few stories in sports of players helping each other. Nolan Ryan has continued his work in baseball as the president of the Texas Rangers. Any Ranger fan should feel very secure having a man of such caliber in charge of their franchise. If Nolan Ryan never helped The Big Unit, baseball history would have changed forever.
Johnson’s wildness would have prevented him from making all ten of his All-Star Game appearances. Without good control, The Big Unit could never have achieved his five Cy Young awards. Assuming the 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks could even make the World Series without a dominant Johnson, they could never have beat the Yankees. The Big Unit had immaculate control in his perfect game against the Braves, something a young Johnson could never have done. Randy Johnson was the most dominant and feared pitcher since Bob Gibson awed spectators in the late 60’s. The Big Unit’s presence was enough to bring fans to ballparks in every city. Without help from Nolan Ryan, The Big Unit could never have accomplished his stunning feats.

Please Fire Omar Minaya

2010-06-02T15:28:00.000-07:00

Omar Minaya is one of the most well known and overrated general managers in baseball. Through poor trades, overpaying in free agency, unimpressive picks in the draft, and his incompetence in dealing with the media; he has proven his inability to properly run a franchise. Believing that Minaya will ever succeed in New York is a mistake.
Since Omar Minaya took charge of the New York Mets in 2005, he has never had a payroll under 100 million dollars. Last year, the Mets had the second highest payroll in all of baseball. Minaya has used his excess of funds to assemble a team that has collapsed at the end of the season in 2007 and 2008. The Mets lost 12 of their final 17 games in 2007 and 10 of 17 in 2008, eventually leading to a World Championship for the rival Philadelphia Phillies. How many teams would retain a general manager who has been given an almost unlimited amount of funds resulting in two of the worst collapses in franchise history?
Minaya has made many questionable free agent signings as general manager for the New York Mets. A 33 year old Pedro Martinez was handed a four year 53 million dollar contract when many in baseball saw him as past his prime. Martinez had mixed results as a Met and was plagued with injury throughout his time in New York. The team has been overcome with injury since Minaya took charge. This has led to questions about his research into the medical records of free agents. Billy Wagner was another overpriced signing by Minaya. Wagner was given a four year 43 million dollar contract which is an absurd amount of money for a closer who has a history of injury. Additionally, Wagner was 34 years old when the four year contract was signed. You have to wonder what Minaya was thinking. He then tossed 25 million dollars at Luis Castillo, who the Mets cannot unload for a bag of nails. Extending an aging Tom Glavine for 10.5 million dollars was a desperate move to bring a veteran back to the team. This offseason, Minaya gave a huge contract to Jason Bay whose numbers should fall without the help of the Green Monster. We will have to wait and see if Bay stays healthy.
This brings us to Omar Minaya’s trade record, which is supposedly a strong suit. Minaya is known as a general manager who is able to swing the big deal that can put his team over the top. This assertion is completely inaccurate. As the GM for the Montreal Expos, Minaya single handedly doomed the franchise when he traded for Bartolo Colon in 2002. Minaya felt desperate to make a splash with the Expos organization reeling, but trading away Brandon Phillips, Grady Sizemore and Cliff Lee did not help. The three could have formed one of the best young cores in baseball. He traded Kaz Matsui who quickly revived his career and received utility player Eli Marrero who hit .182. Heath Bell, an all-star closer, was given away to San Diego for Jon Adkins and Ben Johnson. Also, Minaya has continually dealt players who he received in trades. He makes mistakes and tries to repackage the failed players which leads to more poor results.

Going beyond player transaction issues, Minaya finds ways to make a mockery of the Mets. When the team held a press conference to fire Tony Bernazard, VP of player development, Minaya managed to publicly embarrass the organization. Bernazard had physically challenged and struck fear into minor league players. Yet, Minaya publicly berated reporter Adam Rubin who was behind many reports on Bernazard. The press conference turned into a publicity disaster for the team.
Recently, Minaya has become engaged in a public argument with Carlos Beltran and Scott Boras. Beltran informed Minaya of a procedure he would undergo to fix his injured knee. Supposedly, Minaya told Beltran good luck and Beltran went ahead with the surgery. After the procedure was done, the Mets came out saying they were never informed about the operation. In the end, it does not matter who is telling the truth. Minaya has shown he is unable to publicly control his players. When the Mets held a conference call with the media to straighten out the situation, assistant general manager John Ricco was chosen over Minaya to represent the team.
In almost every aspect of his job, Omar Minaya has performed poorly. He overpays aging players, trades young talent for sub-par players, and causes problems with the press. The Mets are one of the most underachieving franchises in baseball and have been since Minaya took over. If the Mets hope to return to the glory days of 69’ and 86’, they must fire Omar Minaya.

The Beauty of Spring Training

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The sun illuminates the field as the fresh breeze moves behind your ear. The smell of hot dogs and popcorn along with the site of the perfectly cut outfield grass bring out a euphoric feeling. Spring training is more than a warm-up for the season. Through spring training, we can re-live our past and play out our dreams. These fields spread throughout Arizona and Florida are baseball heaven.

Take a moment to forget the 100 million dollar contracts. Stop concerning yourself with sore arms and bruised wrists. Don’t worry about the contract extension or arbitration case. There will be 162 games spread over 6 months to worry about your team. Each day will bring a new concern, which you will be unable to clear from your head. But here, in this paradise, all that matters is the game.

Where else can we come so close to the men we idolize. Realize that watching Sandy Koufax teach Clayton Kershaw is priceless. Being up close to Ryan Howard as he takes batting practice and jokes with Jimmy Rollins will be ingrained in your memory. Seeing Michael Young teach Elvis Andrus, who took his shortstop position, defines the sport. Alexei Ramirez talks hitting with Aramis Ramirez while Tim Lincecum and Felix Hernandez discuss breaking pitches. Other than the All Star Game, there are few times we can see so many incredible players discussing their love of the game.

Spring training is the place dreams come true for young budding stars. It may be a big name prospect like the Brave’s Jason Heyward, who has played so well Bobby Cox has named him the starting right fielder. Stories about young unheard of players making the club and moving one step closer to their dream are numerous. Last year no one knew Ronald Belisario, he went on to post a 2.04 ERA for the Dodgers. While youth reigns supreme during the months before the season, hopeful veterans looking for one last chance have loyal fans rooting for them. Will Kevin Millar hook on with the Cubs and continue as baseball’s biggest talker?

This is a place where we get autographs to add to our shrine; forget ebay and baseball auctions. This is pure and real, where a diehard fan can go to watch his team for hours on end and not get bored. The highlight of the day may be watching your favorite pitcher throw a bullpen or see a rising star take batting practice. These golden moments are for the true fans of baseball, the people who see it as more than a game. If you strip down the huge stadium walls, flashy scoreboards, overbearing lights, and blaring music, all that remains is the game. Isn’t that the reason we became fans in the first place? Nothing equals the grace of a double play, the determination of a diving catch, the strategy of a hit and run, or the delight of a catcher perfectly blocking a wild pitch. Sometimes we forget why we love baseball; and in this place, we can remember.

Field of Dream’s dramatic final scene where a boy finally gets to have a catch with his father makes us understand the hope baseball brings. For many, the field of dreams is located in Arizona or Florida for those two beautiful months before the grind begins.