Saturday, July 31, 2010

Rookie Salaries in the NFL, How Ridiculous will they Get?

Just yesterday Sam Bradford, Rookie Quarterback for the St. Louis Rams and the number one overall pick in this past year's NFL Draft signed a 6 year 78 million dollar deal with a chance for it to be worth as much as 86 million. That’s way too much to be paying any player let alone a guy who missed his last college season with a shoulder injury and who also has never thrown a pass in the League. The worst part though isn't just the amount he is going to be paid over the short span but that 50 million of that is guaranteed. Sam Bradford now can have a career ending injury 2 games in and be set for life and what can the team do about it? Nothing! Look at WR Dez Bryant, the number 24 overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys. He signed a 5 year deal worth 11.8 million dollars, 8.3 mil of that guaranteed and now just a couple of days into camp he is out 4-6 weeks with an ankle injury.


I think everyone knows who the financial burden for these huge contracts fall on. The Fans of Course! What type of penny pinching owner would even think about digging into their own pickets to fuel a championship contender? Not any that I know. Ticket prices have increased at an extremely fast pace and player salaries have done the same. I don't know anybody that needs to be making 14 million a year. If I had their talent I actually wouldn't want that, so my team could go and spend the extra cap space to bring in players to make the team a championship caliber team. What needs to happen in the next CBA is a set salary for rookies at each draft spot.


In no way should an unproven QB such as Bradford or even last years number one pick, Matt Stafford ( 5 year, 72 mil 41.7 guaranteed) be making as much, or more in a lot of cases as some of the better signal callers in the NFL. Joe Flacco, QB for the Ravens took his team to the playoffs in both of his first two seasons while becoming one of the best in the game. His salary, 5 years 11.9 million dollars seems like nothing when you compare it to what these kids are going to make. You never see him complaining though because he is a class act and he knows that he is getting paid more than fairly to play a game.


The NFL and commish Goodell needs to come up with a set system for rookie pay days because before long we will see a 100 million dollar rookie turn into a bust and send a franchise into disaster status for years to come because of one bad investment.


-A

Friday, July 30, 2010

Major MLB Deals

Here is a quick summay of all the  major deals that have happened in Major League Baseball the past few weeks as teams rush to add players fro the playoff hunt.


July 9th


Texas Rangers Accuire Righties Cliff Lee and Mark Lowe from the Seattle Mariners for Righties Blake Beavan and Josh Lueke, Infielder Matt Lawson, and top first base Prspect Justin Smoak.


July 25th


Anaheim Angels Accuire RHP Dan Haren from the Arizona Diamondbacks for RHP Rafael Rodriguez, Lefties Joe Saunders and Patrick Corbin, and a player to be named.


July 29th


Texas Rangers Accuire 3B Jorge Cantu from the Florida Marlins for Righties Evan Reed and Omar Poveda.


Philadelphia Phillies Accuire Star Righty Roy Oswalt and cash for LHP J.A. Happ, OF Anthony Gose and SS Jonathan Villar.


Chicago White Sox Accuire RHP Edwin Jackson from the Arizona Diamondbacks for RHP Dan Hudson and LHP David Holmberg.
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Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Year of the Pitcher 2.0

Five no- hitters, one perfect game, that’s the total amount in 1968, which is referred to as the Year of the Pitcher. Five no- hitters, 2 perfect games, and if it were not for a horrible call by an ump, the respective numbers would be six and three. Those are the numbers for this season, and its only July 26th, just imagine what could happen in the next few months as the season draws to a close. Are we going to see ten no-no’s this year? If this keeps pace the Major League record of seven no hit games set in 1991 is sure to be shattered.

Its not just the no- hitters and perfect games that is turning this season into year of the pitcher 2.0, at this point there are seventeen hurlers that have ERAs under 3.00, heck there are even two with ERAs under 2.00 and up until June 11 Rockies Ace Ubaldo Jimenez who has hit a little rough patch this month held his below 1.00.


In short Matt Garza of the Rays followed up multiple pitchers this year by throwing the fifth no- no continuing pitching dominance over hitters.

-A

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Where Will T.O. play next season


Free Agent Wide Reciever Terell Owens, known more commonly as T.O. is looking for a new team after not reupping with the Buffallo Bills after having his worse season in years.  Most people would think that Owens, a pretty much a surefire Hall of Famer would have every team in the league ringing his phone off the hook.  Unfortunately for him his ego is well known throughout the NFL and country so even though he is still a very good reciever he would be a locker room cancer, a turn off for a lot of fans, and he wouldn't be a very good influence on the young players on the team.  Luckily For him though there are still two teams that are reportedly interested in him, the St. Louis Rams who are desperate for talent at all positions, and the Cincinnati Bengals, who seem to sign every troubled player in the NFL. 

Yesterday the Bengals seemed like they had all but locked up Owens from the Rams when TMZ reported that they were "very close to a deal," but after two sources "very close" to the situation falsified the reports the negotiations, if there are any are  back up in the air.  After the reports were denied, the Rams showed that they were extremely interested by intesifying talks and a  high ranking official with the Rams said a contract could be offered to Owens as early as Monday.  This huge push from the Rams comes from the fact that although Owens could end up as a bad influence, there is a lot he could teach to the Rams young recieving corps.  Also adding T.O.'s presence will take pressure of te running game and will give rookie Sam Bradford a clear cut number one reciever to throw to.

The Bengals are still very interested in Terrell tough and Starting Quarterback Carson Palmer who when healthy is one of the best in the NFL is pushing hard for the Bengals to bring Mr. Owens in.  The Bengals though, before they bring in anyone want to see how their young recievers cando and how Antonio Bryant's knee holds up.  If they do add T.O. though they will have a very dangerous vertical game, adding Terrell's speed to home run threat Chad Ochocinco.

Right now though, I believe Owens will be in St. Louis next season teaching and preaching to the young guns while helping Sam Bradford's adjustment to the NFL be a smooth one.

-A

Friday, July 23, 2010

A Pitcher's Market

After, Cliff Lee, the top pitcher on the trade market was swapped from the Seattle Mariners to the Texas Rangers for a load of prospects including the highly touted Justin Smoak, teams in the hunt for a pitcher to add a little something to their rotation had to look elsewhere. Luckily for those teams another top of the line starter is out there for the picking. That starter is Roy Oswalt of the Huston Astros. This season has been a down year Astros (39-56) and Roy Oswalt, although is 6-11 record doesn't show it, is having a very good season. So far to go with the pretty pathetic record Oswalt has an earned run average of 3.12 and only allows an average of just over a baserunner an inning. He also strikes out just under a batter per inning for good measure.


Although the teams are thrilled that a pitcher of his caliber is on the market they are less than happy over his demands and the demands of the Astros. What has delayed any deals from happening so far is Oswalt's demands that the team that picks him up exercises his $16 million option for 2012. This has had a big impact on team's abilities to trade for him to the two teams that have the most interest in him, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Philadelphia Phillies, don't know if they can pick up the option because of how much money they have had to and will continue to invest in players that are already there. The teams are also wary to invest three good prospects, the price the Astros are asking for a pitcher that is nearing the end of his prime (he is about to turn 33).

If a deal cannot be made for Oswalt teams have plenty of other decent options that can make a significant impact to a borderline playoff team in a tight race. These pitchers include Dan Haren (Diamondbacks), Ben Sheets (A's), and Ted Lilly (Cubs). Haren could be a #1 starter for pretty much any team in the league and although he is not having even close to his Cy Young Caliber performance last year (he is 7-8, 4.60 ERA) that is a lot in part to bad luck. This batting average against on balls in play has jumped 70 points to .350 from just .280 last season. Ben Sheets, like Haren is off his form this year too. Usually a stellar pitcher, Sheets just hasn't had his stuff this year since returning from surgery. He is 4-9 with an ERA above 4.5 but if he has a new chance with a contender, I would not be surprised to see his season turn on its heels. It is also very likely that he is traded because Oakland picked him up pretty much only so they could get prospects in return for him. Unlike the other three pitchers listed above, Ted Lilly of the Chicago Cubs has never been, and never will be a great starter. What he can promise you though is very good production from the middle of the rotation (he has an ERA well under 4.00 and a WHIP of 1.12) and he can pitch over 200 innings a year providing some much needed relief for your bullpen in a tight pennant race.


Even though they didn't have a chance to land Cliff Lee if your team lands one of these solid players you can be sure that they will have much better production than your #5 starter (except for in St. Louis with Jamie Garcia), but only time will tell who made the move that helps propel their team to a postseason berth, through the playoffs, and to a World Series Championship.


-A

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

NCAA needs to change the way they handle violations

About a month ago powerhouse college football program and perennial BCS contender USC was smashed with sanctions that included a two year postseason ban and  loss of 30 scholarships.  Now there are incestigations against another BCS contender, Florida, and an ACC team that is ready for a breakout year, in University of North Carolina.  This is all because of interactions players had with agents and other people not even involved with the schools.  Right now Florida is is looking at a loss of this past year's Sugar Bowl win all because one player, Maurkice Pouncey, allegedly accepted $100,000 from an agent.  The whole school is facing embarassment because a student that ditched them as soon as he could for the NFL decided he wanted to make some extra money.  In USC's case players that had absolutly nothing to do with Reggie Bush, who moved on to the NFL years ago, or his former coach Pete Carroll, who bolted for the NFL's Seahawks after this season ended, are getting punished.  Even worse for them new coach Lane Kiffen has to try to recruit new kids with the fact they will play in no bowls for two years.  Also most violations are found after the player leaves the school so whats the incentive for them not to take the money?


Coaches like Carroll if he returns to the college game he will be hit with nothing while Tebow might lose his last college victory and Matt Barkley can't play in the post-season for the next two years.  Instead of having to hit every other team with violations the NCAA should allow players to be paid.  Not a  lot, but something like $150-$250 per week just so they can go out and have some fun.  I know it isn't a solve all solution but it would help cut down on the number of violations and actually give some of the multi billion dollar industry of college sports back to the athletes.


-A

Sunday, July 18, 2010

The winding road of Daniel Nava


Daniel Nava, the 27 year old from Redwood City, California and rookie Left Fielder for the Boston Red Sox has had a long and winding path on his way to the bigs. Daniel was always a small kid, especially during high school. He was only 4'8 70 lbs during his freshman year and by the time he was a senior he had only grown to 5'5 but had gained 80 pounds, increasing to 150 lbs, a little bit over the average weight for his size.


When he got out of high school he decided to attend Santa Clara University where he tried to walk on and was denied a spot on their baseball squad. He proceeded to be the manager of the team during his freshman and sophomore years before the cost of tuition caused him to transfer to the College of San Mateo, a junior college in San Mateo, California. During his first year there he saw an old friend that encouraged him to try out for the team. He did, made it, and by the end of the season he had performed so well that he was named a Junior College All- American. Santa Clara University, the same school that rejected his services just three years before, was so impressed with Nava's performance that they offered him a full scholarship to attend their school for a second time. In the one season he played at Santa Clara he performed well enough to show that he lived up to the scholarship he received batting around a .400 clip and with an On Base Percentage just a smidgen below .500 while earning First Team All- West Coast Conference honors. He also stole 15 bases without getting caught once and showed patience at the plate as he drew walks more often than he was put down on strikes.


After Nava graduated from Santa Clara he was undrafted and decided to sign with the Chico Outlaws of the Golden Baseball League, and Independent League. (A league with teams that have no affiliation to Major League Clubs) Like with Santa Clara, the Outlaws rejected Daniel on his try with the team but brought him in a year later when a spot opened up. The move paid its dividends for the Outlaws because in 2007 Nava smashed 12 round trippers while having an outstanding batting average of .371 and a Ruth like OPS (on base percentage plus slugging percentage) of 1.100. Following this amazing campaign Baseball America named him the number one prospect in the Independent Leagues.


The Red Sox, with the urging of their assistant director of pro scouting, Jared Porter, bought out the contract of Nava for only $1. Of course the total of the deal would add up to $1,500 if the Red Sox didn't release Nava right after spring training. As it turned out, that move was a huge bargain for the BoSox who sent him to Low A Lancaster after spring was over. At Lancaster, Nava continued his surprising run to the top batting .341, slugging 10 homers, and driving in 59 in only 85 games. His performance earned him a call up to High A Salem where he continued to dominate batting .339 before another call. This time he was sent to AA Portland where he played 32 games, batted .364 with 4 homers and an amazing 25-12 BB/K ratio earning the Red Sox Minor League Player of the Month for August/September.


Nava began 2010 with AAA Pawtucket and was there for about 2 months before an array of injuries left the Sox outfield depleted. The man who said he could hardly lift a 32 ounce bat just 10 years ago was now on his way to play in the same uniform and in the same position as Red Sox Legends Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski and Jim Rice. He finally got his chance on June 12, 2010 where he debuted as a starter in Left Field against the Philadelphia Phillies. The first pitch he ever saw in the Majors was while the bases were loaded and he abruptly cleared them. The man that couldn't even make his college team had just hit a grand slam on the first pitch he ever saw in the bigs becoming the second player to ever do so. He also became the only player to hit a grand slam on the first pitch he ever saw in the majors while in interleague play. He continued to after his hot start reaching base safely in each of his first 13 games. Currently through 26 games Nava is hitting .294 with 10 doubles.


In Hollywood this story would end with Nava going on to make the MLB Hall of Fame but this is reality, not Hollywood and when the regulars return from their injuries unless one of them has a major drop off this is probably the last we hear of Daniel Nava in a Sox uniform. In this past month he has taken us on a wild ride and hopefully he will have another chance to play regularly because as he enters the prime of his career he has shown potential to be a breakout player in the Majors for years to come.


In short, this amazing young man persevered after he was cut from his college team, went undrafted, and had his independent league contract bought out for a mere $1 is playing solid ball on the game's highest stage for one of the most prolific teams in all of baseball.


-A

Saturday, July 17, 2010

2010 MLB Predictions: What to expect in the 2nd half of the season.

We here at MVP Sports Talk would like to introduce guest writer Charlie McDougall for what to expect during the second half of the baseball season.

The 2010 MLB Picks all star game really showed how the 1st half of the season was. The first half of the season was dominated by strong pitching, will this trend continue in the 2nd half of the season? This sports handicappers believes so. Now the divisional races are as good as they have been in a long time an no race is better than the one in the AL Central with the Chicago White Sox holding a 1/2 game lead over the Detroit Tigers and a 3' game lead over the 3rd place Minnesota Twins. The White sox open up an important weekend series a Minnesota on Thursday July 15th. The American league east is probably the best division in baseball, the New York Yankees have had an emotional week, will it take it's toll on the team or will it prepare them to make another world series run? This sports handicapper believes that the Tampa Bay Rays who are two games behind the division leading Yankees will bring in a hitter to improve their scoring offense and the Boston Red Sox just have too many injuries to key players and will fade away. The AL West has been dominated by the Texas Rangers but the team struggled the last week of the season, getting swept at home by the Baltimore Orioles. Texas will still win the division with the recent acquisition of Cliff Lee. The Rangers currently have a 4' game lead over the second place Los Angeles Angels and will easily hold on with the addition of Lee and the hitting of Josh Hamilton and Vladimir Guerrero. Hold on tight for a great finish to the Major League Baseball season.


The National League also has all three divisional races up in the air with the most interesting one going on in the NL East with the Atlanta Braves on top with a 4 game lead over the 2nd place New York Mets, the Mets have had a recent history of fading in the late month of the season. The 2 time National League champions Philadelphia Phillies have to overcome a lot of injuries but can still contend. The NL Central is led by the surprising Cincinnati Reds, 1 game in front of the 2nd place St. Louis Cardinals, this should be a great divisional race between these two teams with great history, the rest of the division will have to wait until next year. The NL West is probably the most competitive with the San Diego Padres 2 games in front of the 2nd place Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies, the Rockies are a team that scares a lot of teams and will make a run. The San Francisco Giants have the pitching staff to make a run also.

You can visit his site at http://www.charliessports.com/ Which is the authority on MLB picks and predictions.

The Great Debate


For the past five years one of the biggest debates in all of sports is who is a better hockey player, Alexander Ovechkin the flashy Left Winger for a revived Capital's Team or Sidney Crosby the golden boy of Team Canada and star center of the Pittsburgh Penguins.  I believe it is pretty obvious to us all that Ovechkin is the more talented of the two but being more talented does not automatically mean he is better because being a complete player means that you have to have leadership skills, the talent, the work ethic, and the desire to go out and win your team hockey games.

Both young men have great claims to the title of being the top player in the game but there can only be a single player that is the BEST in the sport.  Here I will go 1 by 1 on certain aspects of their game to see who the edge goes to for the NHL's top player.

EXCITEMENT
Sidney Crosby is a great player who excels at all aspects on the offensive side of the game and can make all fans jump to their feet with his open ice skills or while he is on the break away BUT
Alexander Ovechkin has been a one man show setting of fireworks ever since he arrived in the District from scoring goals while sliding on his back, to setting of the crowd with his creative celebrations, all the way through the sound of the bone crushing hits he lays on players Ovechkin keeps the crowd riled up throughout the whole night.

Edge to Ovechkin

LEADERSHIP
This one has to go to Crosby, He has hoisted the cup as a captian, Ovie hasn't hoisted it at all.  Plain and simple.

Edge to Crosby 

GOAL SCORING
Although Crosby led the league in scoring last season and has improved his shooting to an outsanding level Ovechkin has what is argueably the best shot in all of the NHL so in this case Ovie is first Crosby is a close second.

Slight Edge to Ovechkin

PLAYMAKING
Ovechkin is a better playmaker than many give him credit for and doesn't show his abilities a lot because he has assumed the role of Sniper on a revamped Caps team but Sid the Kid is the overall best playmaker in the game.  He has the quickness and the pinpoint passing to make things happen on the break or in open ice.

Edge to Crosby

DEFENSIVE ABILITY
Crosby has improved on the defensive end and his quickness helps him make up if he gets beaten.  He also has fast hands on the pokecheck but Ovechkin wins this batgtle because of his all around defensive play.  He can poke check, he isn't afraid to drop in front of a shot, and he will deliver bone crushing hits, which have gotten him in trouble, but usually his checks are clean.

Edge to Ovechkin

TOUGHNESS
This is a weak spot for Crosby who falls just a little bit too easily after less than shattering hits and one of Ovechkin's stronger suits because he seems to like recieving hits as much as he likes to dish them out.

Edge to Ovechkin



On this scale Ovechkin seems to be a slightly better player winning 4-2 in my ratings but its just what I think.  Please share your opinions with me by commenting and voting in our poll on the left side of the page.

-A

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

MLB Midseason Awards and Predictions

At the Midseason point in the baseball season there has been many suprises in the standings.  In italics I have put my preseason choice for an award/playoff spot and next to it is my updated prediction.


American League MVP:  Miguel Cabrera (A- Rod)
National League MVP: Joey Votto (Albert Pujols)
American League Cy Young: David Price (Cliff Lee)
National League Cy Young: Ubaldo Jimenez (Adam Wainright)
American League Rookie of the Year: Brennan Boesch (Brennan Boesch)
National League Rookie of the Year: Jaime Garcia(Jason Heyward)
American League Manager of the Year: Terry Francona (Joe Girardi)
National League Manager of the Year: Bud Black (Tony LaRussa)


NL East Champions: Atlanta Braves (Phillidelphia Phillies)
NL Central Champions: St. Louis Cardinals (St. Louis Cardinals)
NL West Champions: San Deigo Padres (Los Angeles Dodgers)
NL Wild Card: Cinncinati Reds (New York Mets)


AL East Champions: New York Yankees (New York Yankees)
AL Central Champions: Minnesota Twins (Minnesota Twins)
AL West Champions: Texas Rangers (Seattle Mariners)
AL Wild Card: Tampa Bay Rays (Bos. Red Sox)


NL Pennant Winner: St. Louis Cardinals (St. Louis Cardinals)
AL Pennant Winner: New York Yankees (New York Yankees)


World Series Winner: New York Yankees (St. Louis Cardinals)


-A



My top 3 for each major award with my preseason prediction:


American League MVP:
1. Miguel Cabrera (DET)
2. Josh Hamilton (TEX)
3. Robinson Cano (NYY)
Preseason Prediction: Joe Mauer (MIN)
National League MVP:
1. Joey Votto (CIN)
2. Albert Pujols (STL)
3. Adrian Gonzalez (SD)
Preseason Prediction: Albert Pujols (STL)
American League Cy Young:
1. David Preice (TB)
2. Cliff Lee (SEA/TEX)
3. Jon Lester (BOS)
Preseason Prediction: CC Sabathia (NYY)
National League Cy Young:
1. Ubaldo Jimenez (COL)
2. Josh Johnson (FLA)
3. Adam Wainwright (STL)

Preseason Prediction: Roy Halladay (PHI)
American League Rookie of the Year:
1. Brennan Boesch (DET)
2. Brennan Boesch (DET)
3. Brennan Boesch (DET)
Preseason Prediction: Brennan Boesch (DET)
National League Rookie of the Year:
1. Jaime Garcia (STL)
2. Mike Leake (CIN)
3. Jason Heyward (ATL)
Preseason Prediction: Jason Heyward (ATL)
American League Manager of the Year:
1. Ron Washington (TEX)
2. Joe Girardi (NYY)
3. Jim Leyland(DET)
Preseason Prediction: Mike Scioscia (LAA)
National League Manager of the Year:
1. Dusty Baker (CIN)

2. Bud Black (SD)
3. Bobby Cox(ATL)
Preseason Prediction: Joe Torre (LAD)
 Next up is my playoff picks (preseason pick):


NL East Champions: Atlanta Braves (Phillidelphia Phillies)
NL Central Champions: Cincinatti Reds (St. Louis Cardinals)
NL West Champions: San Diego Padres (Los Angeles Dodgers)
NL Wild Card: St. Louis Cardinals(Colorado Rockies)


AL East Champions: New York Yankees (New York Yankees)
AL Central Champions: Minnesota Twins (Minnesota Twins)
AL West Champions: Texas Rangers (Los Angeles Angels)
AL Wild Card: Tampa Bay Rays (Boston Red Sox)


NLDS: Padres over Cardinals; Braves over Reds
NLCS: Braves over Padres
ALDS: Yankees over Rangers; Twins over Rays
ALCS: Twins over Yankees
World Series: Twins over Braves


 -M


George Steinbrenner, dead at 80


On Tuesday July  13, 2010 George Steinbrenner, the majority owner of the New York Yankees died of what was reported as "a massive heart attack."  Steinbrenner, hated by many and loved by few was one of the most controversial and unknown men in sports.  When I woke up on Tuesday and turned on ESPN I just couldn't believe my ears.  The man labeled by the media as "The Boss," was gone.  Even those that didn't like him or his style of dropping billions on players had to be sad and shocked by the news of this great sports personality passing and they couldn't deny the man's genius.  He was a great invester and he knew what he had to do to win. 

Sure anyone could buy championships, but he was actually willing to do it, unlike a lot of penny pinching owners that just care about making money.  He could also spend as much as he liked, he had made a very smart investment and it paid off.  A Yankee's Team which he bought in 1973 for a mere price of under $10 million is now worth upward of $1.5 billion and is the 3rd most valuable franchise in all of sports.

The man also seen as a cancer to baseball and ruled the Yankees with an iron fist has brought the game to great heights.  He helped create the flow of free agency and was willing to pay his players shooting up the price of players.  This helped other teams because they would get millikons from a luxary tax for overpaying.  Also teams sell put pretty much every game when the Evil Empire is coming town because they have millions of fans worldwide and many people will show up just to boo and hate on the visitors from New York.  His adventures in free agency have also helped fuel what is arguabley the best rivalry in all of sports, the Red Sox verses the Yankees.  What started with the curse of the Great Bambino was heated up by the need for the the Sox to battle the Yankees in free agency to be able to compete in the season.

Steinbrenner, also seen as a loudmouth who just fired people if they lost a game was also a very generous person.  You could meet him in a restuaraunt one day and the next he would give you a scholarship to college.  He supported the whole New York community after the tragic events of 9/11, when a Little League Team's near his home in Tampa, FL equiptment shed burned down he bought them a brand new one and stocked it with new gear.  Also he had bought wings for the hospital in which he died because even though he had some faults, he was a good man who wanted to help the community where ever he went.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Miami Heat NBA Champions 2010, 2011, 2012...?

On then night of July 8, 2010 at 9:28 PM the hopes and dreams of millions were shattered, one city's economy was smashed so hard it may never rebound, and one man, a hero just minutes before is now one of the biggest villians in all of sports.  This of course is LeBron James, who in the dead of night and in similar fashion to the Browns, bolted Cleveland.  Mr. James had a different destination though, he was bound for South Beach and the Miami Heat, seemingly betraying his hometown team.  "What is so bad about switching teams?" you might ask.  Well, it wasn't that he switched teams, it was the way that he did it.  In an hour long special on ESPN in Greenwitch, Connecticut LeBron fed his huge ego and acted good guy by having all revenue donated to the Boy's and Girl's Club all while become the most hated man in Cleveland.

While feelings of hatred, denial, and betrayal flow around Cleveland a feeling of rebirth and hope have washed over the city of Miami because this move adds even more star power to what has been an amazing offseason for the new NBA Favorites.  They resigned superstar guard and Heat Icon Dwyane Wade, inked allstar foward Chris Bosh, and now the biggest splash of all.  They gave King James a brand new throne and most importantly a chance to win Multiple NBA Championships.  There is always a small chance that superstars don't mesh, but if their play on the US National Basketball Team is any indication this trio of stars is ready to take the NBA by Storm.

This move is bad news for pretty much the whole of Cleveland, even those that are not Cav's fans because the city's whole economy was based off of the king and his image.  It also devalues the Cavaliers franchise by about $200 million and will cause lots of air pollution based off of the number of jerseys that will be burned.  Although I do regret that this move demolishes the city's economy, and I think that he could have done in in a more subtle an less egotistical way, I firmly believe that LeBron made the best move for him to win today and into the future.

-A

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Where's the love for Mike Leake

While rookie phenom Stephen Strasburg of the Nationals is hogging all of the attention another rookie pitcher has quietly helped his team to the top of their division.  Mike Leake (above), pitcher for the NL Central Leading Cincinatti Reds is right now one of the top contenders for the National League Rookie of the Year award, has a 6-1 Win/Loss record,  67 strikeouts, and a solid 3.38 ERA yet nobody outside of Reds Land seems to be paying him any attention.  Right now everyone is just pressed over Stephen Strasburg, his triple digit fastball, and why he should of, or should not have made the allstar team (I'm happy that he didn't, he hadn't had enough starts).  Now why would people ignore the real phenom here for a flamethrower with a .500 record (2-2)?  Maybe its because Strasburgs changeup has been clocked faster than Leake's fastball, maybe its that Leake only has 14 more Ks in 64 2/3 more innings, or maybe its because of Strasburgs miniscule 2.45 ERA and 1.06 WHIP?  Right now I don't know, But what I do know is Mike Leak deserves some respect and hopefully he will get it.

-A

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Free Agent Predictions and results


We all know that this is the biggest free agent class in history with stars such as LeBron, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh up for grabs and everyone has an opinion on where these players will go. Here is where I believe the top 10 free agents this year will end up.


A's predictions

Rudy Gay-Memphis Grizzlies. I say he returns to a young team who can pay him and that has a lot of potential for the future. ACCEPTED
David Lee-New York Knicks. The Knicks Sign him when they don't get LeBron.  ACCEPTS SIGN AND TRADE TO GOLDEN STATE
Carlos Boozer-New Jersey Nets. They are starting over, New Owner, New Coach, now a new star.  ACCEPTED BULLS OFFER
Amare Stoudemire- New York Knicks. He gets his big contract and he reunites with former D'Antoni who he thrived with.   ACCEPTED
Paul Pierce- Boston Celtics. Pierce completes his whole career as a Celtic and takes a final run at another NBA championship. ACCEPTED
Dirk Nowitzki- Dallas Mavs. No chance he leaves Dallas. ACCEPTED
Joe Johnson- Chicago Bulls. The star they get to complement Derrick Rose. Could also take 119 mil from Hawks ACCEPTED HAWKS OFFER.
Chris Bosh- Miami Heat. Raptors work a sign and trade sending Bosh to play with D-Wade in Miami. Also could go to Chicago.   ACCEPTED
Dwayne Wade- Miami Heat. Teams up with Bosh to make the Heat immediate Contenders. Could Also go to Chicago.   ACCEPTED
LeBron James- Cleveland Cavs. Realizes he wants to stay home. Also he gets 30 million more than any other team can get him. He will win a championship there eventually.  ACCEPTED HEAT OFFER

Bryce Harper... The Future of Baseball

Bryce Harper
Drafted:
#1 overall 2010 MLB Draft, Washington
Pos: Catcher (will probably be converted to OF)
DOB: October 16, 1992
Height: 6'3
Weight: 205 lbs
Mission: With the help of flamethrowing pitcher Stephen Strasburg turn a Nationals franchise with a history of losing into a World Series Contender.

Ever since he was 12 years old in 2005 and Baseball America Listed him as the best hitter in the country in his age group, Major League Baseball Scouts have been drooling over him. Well what does everyone want to ask when they hear this? "Who is this kid?" of course. Well this kid is Bryce Harper, whose legend just kept growing after he graced the cover of Sports Illustrated last June, an accomplishment made even greater by the fact that he was only 16 years old at the time. He can fire the ball at 96 miles an hour, faster than most Big Leaguers can throw, he has amazing baserunning skills and anticipation, but his biggest asset of all is his raw power.

When he was just 15 years old and a freshman in high school he smashed a 570 foot tater in a game. Then during his sophmore year he became the first sophmore to be named Baseball America's Player of the year and at a home run derby at the Ray's Tropicana Field he blasted a ball that was still alive and well when it crashed into the dome wall as the longest homer hit at the park a good 502 feet later. He also has the work ethic to make things happen for his career. Instead of staying in high school for his junior and senior years where he would have ended up playing and dominating the same competion he had for years he earned his GED and enrolled at the College of Southern Nevada, a junior college so he could enter the draft this summer.

In the draft, as everyone expected, the Washington Nationals chose the 17 year old Bryce with the #1 overall pick and for the second straight year they have to deal with the relentless Scott Boras, arguably the best agent in baseball. Both Bryce and the Nationals want to get him signed quickly so they could get him on the field to show his talents, bring in money for the Minor League Clubs, and to continue his rise because as everyone knows in baseball, no one is a sure thing.

-A

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Doing the Wall Dance

The whole Washington DC metro area was up on their feet doing the John Wall dance the day after the Washington Wizards selected the University of Kentucky point guard with the first overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. Pretty much the whole town, even those who thought that Ohio State swingman and NCAA Player of the year Evan Turner deserved to be the #1 pick, were excited to welcome the unanimous First Team All-American and SEC player of the year to the Verizon Center. Even Adrian Fenty, DC's Mayor, was excited enough to officially name the day John Wall Day in the District. Wall, the first of 5 UK players taken in the first round said that even as a rookie he is ready to take over the team and be a leader. Wall could potentially pair up with former allstar guard Gilbert Arenas to form what could be one of the highest scoring backcourts in the whole National Basketball Association.
The second UK player taken in the draft was 6'11 Foward DeMarcus Cousins at #5 by the Sacramento Kings. Cousins, who is arguably the most talented player in the draft slipped a little bit due to his lapses of judgement and some additude issues. He was a second team All American and if he improves his awareness and discipline he could become a very good NBA player.
First team All American and POY SG Evan Turner of Ohio State went #2 overall to the Philidelphia 76ers and ACC Freshman of the year Foward Derrick Favors went #3 overall to the New Jersey Jets.
-A

Great Job USA



Although it ended in disappointment during the round of 16 with a 2-1 loss to Ghana in extra time, the United States National Team's run through the 2010 FIFA World Cup was a huge success. From the goal against England that bounced off the gloves of keeper Robert Green, past the blown call that cost the US a win against Slovenia, and all the way through the nail biting victory against Algeria where American fans just couldn't get the feeling that the winning goal would never come out of their hearts the United States Soccer team grabbed the attention of our country during baseball season and while many people were on vacation, a huge achievement in itself. This achievement was made even greater by the fact that Americans like high scoring games and perfect calls, which you will not get at soccer's highest level. Through all that, the American team led by the States greatest player ever, Landon Donovan, and its new coach in his first Cup, Bob Bradley, persevered, stole our interest, and took us on an emotional thrill ride.

The success at this years World Cup also sets the stage for the young players who gained experience on the games highest level to burst through and become leaders of the team in 2014. Another sign for hope at the upcoming world cup is that the core of this years team including Donovan, Midfielder Clint Dempsey, Keeper Tim Howard, and the whole back line will still have plenty left in their tank for another run at the cup. Speedy Foward Charlie Davis who missed this years World Cup after suffering major injuries from a car accident in October will also be back in top form and ready to contribute. The run from this year provides hope for our country that the United States can come to Brazil and shock the world taking home the World Cup Trophy.

-A