"It's not the urge to surpass all others at whatever the cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost."-Arthur Ashe
That quote shows the mentality of athletes of the past. Guys who would go through a wall for there teammates, and if that wasn't enough they would keep pushing themselves until it was enough. That quote signifies what used to be common in sport. Now you don't see that too often.
You used to be able to fill a team with guys that had respect for the game, their team, and their coach. You used to be able to fill a team with guys that you didn't have to worry about work ethic. Now you can't fill a team with that. There are definitely guys who have all these attributes today, but they are rare. You can't fill a team with them, you see it all over, whether it be high school athletics, to collegiate, all the way up to professional sports. Every team now has guys who are more concerned with appearance, or individual stats, than overall team success. Sadly the guys that have that poor mentality are usually the ones with the most raw talent.
Over the years whether it's been parenting, coaching, media, or a deadly combination of too many negative factors, we have somewhere along the lines changed the mentality of athletes to look after #1 before anything. To me this is baffling when you have so many resources today, whether it be sports psychology, books, television, that show what success looks like in team sports. And they show team play. They don't show one guy doing everything and then everyone praises him for winning.
Take the San Francisco Giants who just won a world series. Bruce Bochy made few comments as to why his team was so successful but the one point he emphasized was that his guys were a team first. Everyone left there individual agendas at home and came to work ready to do anything and everything. 2009 Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum had a terrible year, he wanted to be on the post season roster so he without even questioning his manager took a spot in the bullpen. He performed admirably out of the pen and was huge in his teams success. Hunter Pence was interviewed on field after the Giants had won, he was asked how he felt having such a big role in this win, he responded with saying he did just as much as every other guy on the team.
Team players are winners. A team will succeed in the end, where an individual will fail. The Patriots three super bowl winning teams in the 2000's, were team wins. People mention a high powered offence, and a good defence when they think of those teams. They think of a franchise built the right way, and they think of the Patriot Way. Teams win championships, individuals win games.
At what time did it become OK for athletes to decided whats right and whats wrong on a team. That's up to a coaching staff to decide and for players to abide by. Simple rules like what time to show up, what to wear to games, have become issues. You used to have to tell guys to leave the gym, now you have to make sure they get there on time. What changed in the minds of athletes that made these little things so hard to abide by. And when these rules are broken, coaches are made out as villains because they have punishment for these offences. Sure call it a little thing and in the long run doesn't mean much, but it's the simple fact that players has lost the respect for authority so they can't even show up on time. You see it in professional sports now, people show up late so they get benched. How many Chicago Bears under Mike Ditka were late. I can bet there were very few if any.Mike Singletary said it best "I can not win with'em."
All the arrests, discipline issues, etc. you see in pro and amateur sports today are because of a change in mindset of today's athletes. I believe that if you combine old school mentality with today's physical athlete that's a scary thing. Rarely do you see those two attributes together, but when you do its a scary thing, because that makes for an unbelievable man/athlete.
"Natural talent only determines the limits of your athletic potential. It's dedication and disciplining your life that makes you great."-Billie King
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Tuesday, 30 October 2012
Thursday, 25 October 2012
Ok Kids watch how they play BUT not how they act
Nothing really sparked this post except curiosity, and a bit of anger.
Today were chatting about why athletes (who are adults) can't act like any other grown man/woman would in a public setting. Now i understand that these guys are under a microscope so for some what people call "run-ins" i think we are being very critical and unreasonable with them. But for the majority of the acts players get in trouble for, they are just being plain old stupid. Take the Detroit Lions as a whole right now. Not exactly a roster of scholars. They did clean it up a little by cutting some guys, but in the off season alone i think they have upwards of 3 arrests. Majority of them for DUI. How stupid can you be. Just because you are a professional athlete does not mean that you are above the law. These guys makes millions, maybe an average player will only make a million, but I'm pretty sure between the booze and i can only assume women you were trying to bribe and or intoxicate so they will sleep with you, you should probably have 20 bucks left over for a cab. Or if your in the off season take that opportunity to maybe walk some of the booze off. Maybe not the safest option but hey these guys are pretty big i think they can hold there own.
Now that we have got past how simple it is not to drink and drive, lets move on to the next one. To you jerk offs who have no money. Not one part of me feels bad for you. Evander Hollyfield has like 12 kids with 4-6 women. He is 50 and still boxing and can't retire or he will go to jail. That makes me sick this guy was a star in the peak of boxing and he is broke. Vince Young made millions, and he doesn't even know where it went. That's almost worse than spending it all. How stupid can you be that you don't know where your money went. Terrell Owens is so far in child support he also is broke, which is also hilarious. Don't give me some sob story because you had all these women just throwing themselves at you and you were young, dumb, and full of cum. I don't care you still have a brain, a partial college education, and pretty good hands so use those hands to throw on a dome. WOW problem solved for Owens and Hollyfield. If you make a minimum of 850,000 dollars a year in no way should you ever go broke unless you are a complete moron, in which your mother should hire you a financial advisor to hold on to your money so you can't waste it on shiny things and fast cars you can drive when your sauced.
Point number three. The guys who are "misunderstood". Nope your not misunderstood your just an ass hole. Delonte West, your an ass hole, Gilbert Arenas your an ass hole too Kevin Bieksa yep ass hole, Ryan Kessler giant ass hole(also might be a woman). There are numerous cases of guys who start fights in the locker room, who go to the media to fix problems, just so they can look like the good guy. These are the guys who can put a giant smile on when the cameras are on them but when they are off look out. Hey TO you know why no one will sign you, YOUR AN ASS HOLE. If these guys would put ego aside, and realize "hey I'm getting paid to play a game i love, and these guys around me are alright maybe we should be friends." Then i think that sports media might be able to cover more stories that matter. If we could have gotten away from why Dwight Howard wants a trade, then maybe we could have had some really good playoff coverage in the NHL and NBA.
Point number 4, DON'T PUBLICLY ASK FOR A TRADE. What are we 12 again, when you have to wait till people around to be a smart ass so your dad doesn't lay a beating on you. Grow up guys you want a trade, fine go to the GM and say "hey thanks for the opportunity but i would like to play somewhere else, and if we could keep this private until it's done that would be excellent." If more players did that, we again could get sports coverage that matters. If you want to get traded that's great for you, first of all who cares till it actually happens, second your interrupting my highlights with "breaking news" of someone who hasn't been traded but man he sure would appreciate one. Breaking news is if someone gets traded, and that someone has to be an all star or it's no longer breaking news it is just news and should be left on the ticker.
Point number 5, now let's be clear in no way in this point am i bashing any religion, i fully support athletes being religious if that is there choice. Now back to the point, STOP THANKING GOD FOR EVERYTHING. We get it your a very religious person, and like i said that's fine. I don't want you to ruin me going back and thinking about Suh stomping some guys arm out, or Clay Matthews body slamming someone by thanking god he was ok. He was ok because he is built like a brick shit house. Which he got by working hard. So you can believe that this all was gods work (which again is fine) but don't go on national TV and throw your religion at people. I don't watch football, or baseball, or hockey post game stuff so i can break out in prayer. I watch it for analysis, highlights, and to get the players perspective of the game. I personally don't care if you want to thank god, thank the president, thank anyone, if you really want to thank God go home and pray, do not go on national television and do it, your ruining my experience.
Now in my mini fit of rage, i forgot to thank the real pros, the guys who play the game the right way, the guys who stay out of the media until pre and post game press conferences. The guys who are asked how they felt about a play, or a game in general give a real thoughtful answer on how they thought things went. Thank You, you know who you are. To the rest of you i say clean it up.
Again i emphasize that i am not a religion hater, being religious is a choice an individual makes, i just feel that it shouldn't been thrown at other people.
Thank you for reading, i appreciate all the readers, please share it if you like it.
Today were chatting about why athletes (who are adults) can't act like any other grown man/woman would in a public setting. Now i understand that these guys are under a microscope so for some what people call "run-ins" i think we are being very critical and unreasonable with them. But for the majority of the acts players get in trouble for, they are just being plain old stupid. Take the Detroit Lions as a whole right now. Not exactly a roster of scholars. They did clean it up a little by cutting some guys, but in the off season alone i think they have upwards of 3 arrests. Majority of them for DUI. How stupid can you be. Just because you are a professional athlete does not mean that you are above the law. These guys makes millions, maybe an average player will only make a million, but I'm pretty sure between the booze and i can only assume women you were trying to bribe and or intoxicate so they will sleep with you, you should probably have 20 bucks left over for a cab. Or if your in the off season take that opportunity to maybe walk some of the booze off. Maybe not the safest option but hey these guys are pretty big i think they can hold there own.
Now that we have got past how simple it is not to drink and drive, lets move on to the next one. To you jerk offs who have no money. Not one part of me feels bad for you. Evander Hollyfield has like 12 kids with 4-6 women. He is 50 and still boxing and can't retire or he will go to jail. That makes me sick this guy was a star in the peak of boxing and he is broke. Vince Young made millions, and he doesn't even know where it went. That's almost worse than spending it all. How stupid can you be that you don't know where your money went. Terrell Owens is so far in child support he also is broke, which is also hilarious. Don't give me some sob story because you had all these women just throwing themselves at you and you were young, dumb, and full of cum. I don't care you still have a brain, a partial college education, and pretty good hands so use those hands to throw on a dome. WOW problem solved for Owens and Hollyfield. If you make a minimum of 850,000 dollars a year in no way should you ever go broke unless you are a complete moron, in which your mother should hire you a financial advisor to hold on to your money so you can't waste it on shiny things and fast cars you can drive when your sauced.
Point number three. The guys who are "misunderstood". Nope your not misunderstood your just an ass hole. Delonte West, your an ass hole, Gilbert Arenas your an ass hole too Kevin Bieksa yep ass hole, Ryan Kessler giant ass hole(also might be a woman). There are numerous cases of guys who start fights in the locker room, who go to the media to fix problems, just so they can look like the good guy. These are the guys who can put a giant smile on when the cameras are on them but when they are off look out. Hey TO you know why no one will sign you, YOUR AN ASS HOLE. If these guys would put ego aside, and realize "hey I'm getting paid to play a game i love, and these guys around me are alright maybe we should be friends." Then i think that sports media might be able to cover more stories that matter. If we could have gotten away from why Dwight Howard wants a trade, then maybe we could have had some really good playoff coverage in the NHL and NBA.
Point number 4, DON'T PUBLICLY ASK FOR A TRADE. What are we 12 again, when you have to wait till people around to be a smart ass so your dad doesn't lay a beating on you. Grow up guys you want a trade, fine go to the GM and say "hey thanks for the opportunity but i would like to play somewhere else, and if we could keep this private until it's done that would be excellent." If more players did that, we again could get sports coverage that matters. If you want to get traded that's great for you, first of all who cares till it actually happens, second your interrupting my highlights with "breaking news" of someone who hasn't been traded but man he sure would appreciate one. Breaking news is if someone gets traded, and that someone has to be an all star or it's no longer breaking news it is just news and should be left on the ticker.
Point number 5, now let's be clear in no way in this point am i bashing any religion, i fully support athletes being religious if that is there choice. Now back to the point, STOP THANKING GOD FOR EVERYTHING. We get it your a very religious person, and like i said that's fine. I don't want you to ruin me going back and thinking about Suh stomping some guys arm out, or Clay Matthews body slamming someone by thanking god he was ok. He was ok because he is built like a brick shit house. Which he got by working hard. So you can believe that this all was gods work (which again is fine) but don't go on national TV and throw your religion at people. I don't watch football, or baseball, or hockey post game stuff so i can break out in prayer. I watch it for analysis, highlights, and to get the players perspective of the game. I personally don't care if you want to thank god, thank the president, thank anyone, if you really want to thank God go home and pray, do not go on national television and do it, your ruining my experience.
Now in my mini fit of rage, i forgot to thank the real pros, the guys who play the game the right way, the guys who stay out of the media until pre and post game press conferences. The guys who are asked how they felt about a play, or a game in general give a real thoughtful answer on how they thought things went. Thank You, you know who you are. To the rest of you i say clean it up.
Again i emphasize that i am not a religion hater, being religious is a choice an individual makes, i just feel that it shouldn't been thrown at other people.
Thank you for reading, i appreciate all the readers, please share it if you like it.
Wednesday, 24 October 2012
Week 6 a little late
So a day before week 7 starts I'm getting my life together here and will put together my thoughts on week 6 for you guys.
The once 4-0 Arizona Cardinals have fallen from the graces and with another loss this week they are now a bombing 4-3. They played the Vikes (5-2) who so far are the surprise team of the year. Adrian Peterson is a freak coming back from his knee, and it looks like he barely lost a step. Christian Ponder is playing very smart this year. Managing the ball well, not turning it over and making the throws that people doubted he could make coming out of the draft. I think he is answering a lot of questions people had about him coming out of Florida State. The game itself was alright never really a doubt that Minnesota would win it but Arizona kept it interesting. Vikes win 21-14.
The Giants and Redskins played a thriller at Metlife Stadium Sunday. Eli and RG3 went back and forth until finally Eli threw the knockout punch, a 77 yd TD pass to Victor Cruz (his only TD pass on the day). RG3 continues to show how mature he is for a rookie QB. Doing lots of damage with his arm and legs. He got huge praise from Justin Tuck after game, which was well earned. I think Cam should take some notes on how this kid is acting. As impressive as RG3 was they still didn't win. Giants win 27-23.
The Texans bounced back from getting thrashed by the packers last week to thrashing a pretty good ravens team. Although they were without Webb, and Ray Lewis, they got Terrell Suggs back which helped especially after losing Ray. It wasn't enough though, even if they had those two guys probably wouldn't have been enough. Matt Schaub was back in form, Arian Foster was also back in form after running pretty soft after against the Packers. People still saying the NFC is head and toes above the AFC which I feel isn't true. The NFC is a better division but i don't think the gap is as wide as most people think. Texans win 43-13.
The aforementioned Cam Newton played like a 7th rd pick again on Sunday. He is holding onto the ball too long, when he is throwing they are not good throws. He is playing like a guy who is surprised at the speed of the game. His rookie season was a good one for him, but what people fail to see is that they were still 6-10 last year. They weren't a good team last year. They have a decent roster but they can't put wins together. I have failed to mention the team that beat them because they did nothing special to win this game. It was the Cowboys and that is even worse for the Panthers. Cowboys win 19-14.
Pats/Jets on Sunday was an interesting game. The Jets went down the field first drive and scored to which the Pats responded with a Kickoff return for a TD. From there it seemed that the Jets just couldn't finish. Kind of shocking to look at the scoreboard and see the Pats up for the majority of the game. In the end the better team won, but in OT, and only because Mark Sanchez is Mark Sanchez and should never be put in a clutch situation anymore. He fumbled Pats win, and everyone still hates the J.E.T.S. Pats win 29-26.
Other winners on the week were 49ers, Packers, Saints, Titans, Colts, Raiders, Steelers, and Da Bears.
Thanks for reading and don't forget to watch game 1 of the World Series tonight.
The once 4-0 Arizona Cardinals have fallen from the graces and with another loss this week they are now a bombing 4-3. They played the Vikes (5-2) who so far are the surprise team of the year. Adrian Peterson is a freak coming back from his knee, and it looks like he barely lost a step. Christian Ponder is playing very smart this year. Managing the ball well, not turning it over and making the throws that people doubted he could make coming out of the draft. I think he is answering a lot of questions people had about him coming out of Florida State. The game itself was alright never really a doubt that Minnesota would win it but Arizona kept it interesting. Vikes win 21-14.
The Giants and Redskins played a thriller at Metlife Stadium Sunday. Eli and RG3 went back and forth until finally Eli threw the knockout punch, a 77 yd TD pass to Victor Cruz (his only TD pass on the day). RG3 continues to show how mature he is for a rookie QB. Doing lots of damage with his arm and legs. He got huge praise from Justin Tuck after game, which was well earned. I think Cam should take some notes on how this kid is acting. As impressive as RG3 was they still didn't win. Giants win 27-23.
The Texans bounced back from getting thrashed by the packers last week to thrashing a pretty good ravens team. Although they were without Webb, and Ray Lewis, they got Terrell Suggs back which helped especially after losing Ray. It wasn't enough though, even if they had those two guys probably wouldn't have been enough. Matt Schaub was back in form, Arian Foster was also back in form after running pretty soft after against the Packers. People still saying the NFC is head and toes above the AFC which I feel isn't true. The NFC is a better division but i don't think the gap is as wide as most people think. Texans win 43-13.
The aforementioned Cam Newton played like a 7th rd pick again on Sunday. He is holding onto the ball too long, when he is throwing they are not good throws. He is playing like a guy who is surprised at the speed of the game. His rookie season was a good one for him, but what people fail to see is that they were still 6-10 last year. They weren't a good team last year. They have a decent roster but they can't put wins together. I have failed to mention the team that beat them because they did nothing special to win this game. It was the Cowboys and that is even worse for the Panthers. Cowboys win 19-14.
Pats/Jets on Sunday was an interesting game. The Jets went down the field first drive and scored to which the Pats responded with a Kickoff return for a TD. From there it seemed that the Jets just couldn't finish. Kind of shocking to look at the scoreboard and see the Pats up for the majority of the game. In the end the better team won, but in OT, and only because Mark Sanchez is Mark Sanchez and should never be put in a clutch situation anymore. He fumbled Pats win, and everyone still hates the J.E.T.S. Pats win 29-26.
Other winners on the week were 49ers, Packers, Saints, Titans, Colts, Raiders, Steelers, and Da Bears.
Thanks for reading and don't forget to watch game 1 of the World Series tonight.
Monday, 22 October 2012
HEYYY he hired them so lets fire him
Today we ponder the theory of fire the GM and everything will fix itself. This all comes on they day that the Carolina Panthers fired there GM because there offence can't score points. This offence has Cam Newton, Steve Smith, DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, and Greg Olsen. That's two solid RB's the offensive rookie of the year a perennial pro bowl receiver and a tight end who is highly regarded in some circles. But hey it's the GM's fault they aren't producing. Maybe he should go out and sign TO and Chad Johnson so they will have a couple more receivers.
Cam is a second year QB who is having some growing pains. Is this not to be expected a bit, even with the year he had last year it is still only his second year, these things happen. Can we look at Matt Ryan, Matt Stafford, Sam Bradford, all guys who had good rookie years but stuttered in the season or seasons after. I would say they are doing alright now.
When the guys you have don't play that's not the GM's fault. This is like firing your boss because you aren't performing. Hey he hired me fire him. He can sign guys maybe motivate a bit, but aside from that when you have a player you have to expect them to perform. Same thing with a coach. They can do everything possible to prepare a team for a game but if the players go out and stink it up. How can the coach be responsible he got his team ready. He can't control a players thoughts, he can't control the players like puppets, the players still have to go out and execute.
This is what baffles me about pro sports, how we can hold players on such a high pedestal that when they fail we blame management. We don't call for the players heads we want the GM and the coach to be fired and if that doesn't work, well we obviously didn't get the right guys so lets fire the new guys and try again. Bill Bellichick coached the very below average Cleveland Browns before the patriots. He is considered one of the best coaches ever. So how do we hold him so highly when he coached a failing team. Every bodies response to this is "well look at who was on that team". Which is exactly my point. He had all professional football players. He wasn't playing with college kids he was playing with guys that everyone agreed should be in the NFL. I understand that not everyone is at the same skill level but, no matter what skill level you have, you have to perform to the best of your abilities every game day and those guys didn't do that.
Now obviously there are times when the coach is in the wrong. Take the whole eagles coaching staff right now. Yes they are under performing on the field. But the game planning and overall attitude of that team is a joke. The issue really is in the coaching staff there. To change coverage in the second half of a game when you have been shutting a team down is ridiculous. To have your mobile QB be coached to sit in the pocket and throw, especially with his size is a stupid move. That is a coaching error mixed with lack of player performance.
Take the 4-3 green bay packers this year. They are not a 4-3 team they should be much better than this. But the players were under performing to start the year, not the coaches fault the guys weren't executing. They start executing they blow out and undefeated team. See not the coaches fault. There are numerous examples of this in all sports. The Angels in baseball this year were stacked, didn't make the playoffs, the Miami Heat are also stacked they just won a title when really they should have 2 by now with that roster, Yankees can buy any player they want players didn't perform, the NY Rangers bought a pretty good team, didn't win the cup.
Players are held so highly in our society its shocking how we can be so adoring and critical of them but we never really call for them to lose there jobs. It's always the guys who put together the game plan, the guy who signs the players. So maybe next time your team isn't up to standards look at the players first coach/GM second.
Thanks for reading look for tomorrows NFL wrap up. Share if you like it please
Cam is a second year QB who is having some growing pains. Is this not to be expected a bit, even with the year he had last year it is still only his second year, these things happen. Can we look at Matt Ryan, Matt Stafford, Sam Bradford, all guys who had good rookie years but stuttered in the season or seasons after. I would say they are doing alright now.
When the guys you have don't play that's not the GM's fault. This is like firing your boss because you aren't performing. Hey he hired me fire him. He can sign guys maybe motivate a bit, but aside from that when you have a player you have to expect them to perform. Same thing with a coach. They can do everything possible to prepare a team for a game but if the players go out and stink it up. How can the coach be responsible he got his team ready. He can't control a players thoughts, he can't control the players like puppets, the players still have to go out and execute.
This is what baffles me about pro sports, how we can hold players on such a high pedestal that when they fail we blame management. We don't call for the players heads we want the GM and the coach to be fired and if that doesn't work, well we obviously didn't get the right guys so lets fire the new guys and try again. Bill Bellichick coached the very below average Cleveland Browns before the patriots. He is considered one of the best coaches ever. So how do we hold him so highly when he coached a failing team. Every bodies response to this is "well look at who was on that team". Which is exactly my point. He had all professional football players. He wasn't playing with college kids he was playing with guys that everyone agreed should be in the NFL. I understand that not everyone is at the same skill level but, no matter what skill level you have, you have to perform to the best of your abilities every game day and those guys didn't do that.
Now obviously there are times when the coach is in the wrong. Take the whole eagles coaching staff right now. Yes they are under performing on the field. But the game planning and overall attitude of that team is a joke. The issue really is in the coaching staff there. To change coverage in the second half of a game when you have been shutting a team down is ridiculous. To have your mobile QB be coached to sit in the pocket and throw, especially with his size is a stupid move. That is a coaching error mixed with lack of player performance.
Take the 4-3 green bay packers this year. They are not a 4-3 team they should be much better than this. But the players were under performing to start the year, not the coaches fault the guys weren't executing. They start executing they blow out and undefeated team. See not the coaches fault. There are numerous examples of this in all sports. The Angels in baseball this year were stacked, didn't make the playoffs, the Miami Heat are also stacked they just won a title when really they should have 2 by now with that roster, Yankees can buy any player they want players didn't perform, the NY Rangers bought a pretty good team, didn't win the cup.
Players are held so highly in our society its shocking how we can be so adoring and critical of them but we never really call for them to lose there jobs. It's always the guys who put together the game plan, the guy who signs the players. So maybe next time your team isn't up to standards look at the players first coach/GM second.
Thanks for reading look for tomorrows NFL wrap up. Share if you like it please
Friday, 19 October 2012
Pre World Series playoff talk
Well if were going on predictions hopefully no one listened to me. Reds Choked, Baltimore came back to earth, the cards are showing how solid of a team they really are, the giants are just a good team, the tigers are just dominant, the yankees choked one series too late, and the A's also came back to earth.
Lets start with the three teams that are left. Detroit has been so very very impressive, their pen has been really not used but when they have been they have done the job. Their starters have been amazing, Verlander is almost expected to 9 every game, Fister, Scherzer, and Sanchez have been very solid as well. When you have pitching performing like they do your bats don't have to be at full force. But there have been, the Tigers currently have 4 players hitting over .300 with the highest being Jhonny Peralta hitting .389. They have 4 players that have gone deep this post season as well, which this year is impressive, 2 of those guys have multiple home runs. The way these guys are playing is impressive, solid D, good bats, great pitching, simple efficient baseball.
St Louis really surprised me this year. I didn't see them getting past the wild card round. They did that then they got through the Nationals with an unreal comeback in game 5. They have rode that all they way to a 3-1 series lead against the Giants. The Cards pen has been most impressive to me. So hard to hit off of, Jason Motte has been the best closer this post season hands down. There bats haven't been outstanding by any margin but they have been clutch. Fact is they only have 1 guy hitting over .300 (Yadier Molina). They have 3 hr which isn't outstanding but when those homers have come have been pretty important. The big thing with the Cards this year like i said before is how clutch they have been. They have been getting big hits in late innings with guys on. They are going to be playing the Tigers in the World Series but they will need to hit more consistently to have a chance because that Tigers lineup will hit off anyone.
The Giants are a solid team but didn't expect them to do much when they were in the playoffs. Posey, Sandoval, Pagan, Scutaro, and Pence have played pretty big roles whether good or bad. Pence finally got a rbi last night, Scutaro is hitting over .400 he is zoned in right now, Posey looks like he is going to be the best player around for awhile guys a stud, Pagan is hitting ok and playing really good D, Sandoval has been scoring people bad avg but solid with runners in position. There pitching has been suspect. Very streaky when they are on they are very tough to hit, Cain has been pretty good, Vogelsong also pretty good but getting past those two it open up a little, Lincecum looked wild again last night, Barry Zito is Barry Zito and you never know what you get with him. There pen has been decent but they definitely miss Brian Wilson. It's surprising to me that they made it this far honestly If the NLDS would have been Nats/Giants i think we would be having a different NLCS right now.
The A's ran a good streak for as long as they could but that Tigers team was just too good. The Reds choked severely, up 2-0 winning both game in SF and then losing all 3 in Cincy. Baltimore was so close and I would have loved to see a Baltimore/Detroit series in the ALCS, the yankees played as your typical high payed team. Things go wrong they can't fix it too concerned with appearance and/or personal playing time. I do have tons of respect still for Joe Girardi, he is 1 of 2 guys i really respect on that team (Jeter).
Overall it's been a pretty fun postseason to watch, not exactly dream match ups for the MLB but they have been good to watch. Can't wait to see the Tigers win it.
Thanks for reading. Share it if you like it.
Lets start with the three teams that are left. Detroit has been so very very impressive, their pen has been really not used but when they have been they have done the job. Their starters have been amazing, Verlander is almost expected to 9 every game, Fister, Scherzer, and Sanchez have been very solid as well. When you have pitching performing like they do your bats don't have to be at full force. But there have been, the Tigers currently have 4 players hitting over .300 with the highest being Jhonny Peralta hitting .389. They have 4 players that have gone deep this post season as well, which this year is impressive, 2 of those guys have multiple home runs. The way these guys are playing is impressive, solid D, good bats, great pitching, simple efficient baseball.
St Louis really surprised me this year. I didn't see them getting past the wild card round. They did that then they got through the Nationals with an unreal comeback in game 5. They have rode that all they way to a 3-1 series lead against the Giants. The Cards pen has been most impressive to me. So hard to hit off of, Jason Motte has been the best closer this post season hands down. There bats haven't been outstanding by any margin but they have been clutch. Fact is they only have 1 guy hitting over .300 (Yadier Molina). They have 3 hr which isn't outstanding but when those homers have come have been pretty important. The big thing with the Cards this year like i said before is how clutch they have been. They have been getting big hits in late innings with guys on. They are going to be playing the Tigers in the World Series but they will need to hit more consistently to have a chance because that Tigers lineup will hit off anyone.
The Giants are a solid team but didn't expect them to do much when they were in the playoffs. Posey, Sandoval, Pagan, Scutaro, and Pence have played pretty big roles whether good or bad. Pence finally got a rbi last night, Scutaro is hitting over .400 he is zoned in right now, Posey looks like he is going to be the best player around for awhile guys a stud, Pagan is hitting ok and playing really good D, Sandoval has been scoring people bad avg but solid with runners in position. There pitching has been suspect. Very streaky when they are on they are very tough to hit, Cain has been pretty good, Vogelsong also pretty good but getting past those two it open up a little, Lincecum looked wild again last night, Barry Zito is Barry Zito and you never know what you get with him. There pen has been decent but they definitely miss Brian Wilson. It's surprising to me that they made it this far honestly If the NLDS would have been Nats/Giants i think we would be having a different NLCS right now.
The A's ran a good streak for as long as they could but that Tigers team was just too good. The Reds choked severely, up 2-0 winning both game in SF and then losing all 3 in Cincy. Baltimore was so close and I would have loved to see a Baltimore/Detroit series in the ALCS, the yankees played as your typical high payed team. Things go wrong they can't fix it too concerned with appearance and/or personal playing time. I do have tons of respect still for Joe Girardi, he is 1 of 2 guys i really respect on that team (Jeter).
Overall it's been a pretty fun postseason to watch, not exactly dream match ups for the MLB but they have been good to watch. Can't wait to see the Tigers win it.
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Thursday, 18 October 2012
We talkin bout AROD...NOT THE GAME but AROD
Alex Rodriguez-647 career HR's, .300 career batting avg, 1950 career RBI, 2901 career hits. Pretty impressive numbers for a guy on the bench. O ya and 30 million dollar a yr contract is pretty fancy too. Here is a guy who over a 19 year career has consistently been an all star at 3B. He also lives a very good life when he isn't on the hot corner.
BUT i only talk about him because he currently isn't on the hot corner, unless the hot corner is the corner in the dugout with the heater. His current role on the Yankees included eating spitz on camera and hitting on blond chicks in the third row. But yes he still gets his 30 million dollar salary. He has a total of 3 hits this postseason with 1 run scored and 0 RBI. So basically he is the guy you send out so the pitcher throws more. He has been awful, not to say the rest of the yankee have been good, they are getting by on raw talent and good pitching. Cano has been bad, Granderson has been bad, Jeter was OK but he doesn't have an ankle currently so he is no good to them right now. Texeira has been alright as well, Swisher also was put on the bench and the guy my Phillies were hoping would take a pay cut is lighting up the playoffs Raul Ibanez. If were being realistic the only reason they are here is because 1) Ibanez broke out in game 5 for 2 dingers, and 2) CC, Phil Hughes and there other starters have done work (up till now at least). Not to take anything away from Baltimore but they were on borrowed time being in the playoffs (remember i picked them to win that series).
For A-Rod to hit 0.115 this postseason is embarrassing for him because people consider him hall of fame calibre, and also for the yankees who gave him this massive contract so he would perform. He is in his 19th year in the bigs which is a long time but if this is the drop off that was coming he should have retired. He hit .272 this year which isn't bad but I would not pay a guy 30 mill to hit under .300. If i am giving a guy that much money he better hit 20-30 HR and hit .310. Which brings us back to playoff A-Rod.
A-Rod has been shown day in and day out in the dugout looking uninterested, half asleep, and really hungry the way he is throwing those spitz down. There were reports he was wheeling and dealing during the game Jeter got hurt. Throwing a ball back and fourth with some girl to get her number. First of all your Alex Rodriguez send someone to her seat tell her to wait around and i guarantee she will don't make a ball boy deliver a ball to her asking for her number. Second maybe wait till after the game the wheel the fans. Just a suggestion but if you want to do that shit you should join the Red Sox get half cut in the clubhouse on your days off and then wheel the fans. It's a disgrace to himself, to the organization, and to the opposing team that he feels its OK to do that just because he isn't playing.
Also these garbage comments he has been making about being a cheerleader. No Alex your not supposed to be a cheerleader your supposed to be a LEADER. CC doesn't pitch everyday but when he isn't pitching he is top step of the dugout engaged in the game with this teammates. Mariano Rivera couldn't play if he wanted too right now and he is top step in the dugout engaged in the game. Those guys aren't being cheerleaders Alex they are being LEADERS. Amazes me how a grown man held so highly in the MLB can act like such a child because he isn't playing, I have guys on my high school team that are better teammates than this clown.
Let's clear one thing up i USED to have a lot of respect for A-Rod because he takes a lot of heat in every place he plays. And he handles it like a pro, but all of sudden he isn't performing so he isn't playing and now he acts like a 14 yr old girl who is mad at her friend for talking to a boy she likes. Get over it bud Eric Chavez is doing the same thing you did without the public scrutiny on the team. Everyone can strikeout but when you do it it pisses off everyone off so why wouldn't Girardi put someone in to take a little media off the team, now everyone else doesn't have to worry about why you suck.
All that ranting brings me to something I learned growing up playing sports. You win as a team but you lose when its about the individual. Tigers are going to win this series because the guy who won the Triple Crown is more excited when his 2B turns a sick double play then when he gets a hit. The Tigers are going to win because Verlander doesn't care if the ball gets turned to the pen as long as the team wins. All the Detroit Tigers care about is team success. Miguel Cabrera didn't play game 162 to pad his stats, he played it to help his team win and if that meant hit a homer then so be it, but if it meant 0-3 and trout with the batting title again so be it. A-Rod wants the team to do well when he is at 3B, he doesn't care what happens when he is on the bench. If any young athletes read this by chance take one thing from it, put your team ahead of yourself and that team will succeed.
As for what the Yankees do with him, cut him save the salary, trade him eat 3/4 of the contract, keep him and watch a guy who could go to the hall of fame ruin his rep around the league. Do whatever you want I hate how you run your organization anyway so here's to hoping you pay a guy 90 million that isn't even on your roster then maybe you can even out the playing field, see how you do when you have to develop players not just sign them.
Thanks for reading feel free to comment, and share it if you like it.
BUT i only talk about him because he currently isn't on the hot corner, unless the hot corner is the corner in the dugout with the heater. His current role on the Yankees included eating spitz on camera and hitting on blond chicks in the third row. But yes he still gets his 30 million dollar salary. He has a total of 3 hits this postseason with 1 run scored and 0 RBI. So basically he is the guy you send out so the pitcher throws more. He has been awful, not to say the rest of the yankee have been good, they are getting by on raw talent and good pitching. Cano has been bad, Granderson has been bad, Jeter was OK but he doesn't have an ankle currently so he is no good to them right now. Texeira has been alright as well, Swisher also was put on the bench and the guy my Phillies were hoping would take a pay cut is lighting up the playoffs Raul Ibanez. If were being realistic the only reason they are here is because 1) Ibanez broke out in game 5 for 2 dingers, and 2) CC, Phil Hughes and there other starters have done work (up till now at least). Not to take anything away from Baltimore but they were on borrowed time being in the playoffs (remember i picked them to win that series).
For A-Rod to hit 0.115 this postseason is embarrassing for him because people consider him hall of fame calibre, and also for the yankees who gave him this massive contract so he would perform. He is in his 19th year in the bigs which is a long time but if this is the drop off that was coming he should have retired. He hit .272 this year which isn't bad but I would not pay a guy 30 mill to hit under .300. If i am giving a guy that much money he better hit 20-30 HR and hit .310. Which brings us back to playoff A-Rod.
A-Rod has been shown day in and day out in the dugout looking uninterested, half asleep, and really hungry the way he is throwing those spitz down. There were reports he was wheeling and dealing during the game Jeter got hurt. Throwing a ball back and fourth with some girl to get her number. First of all your Alex Rodriguez send someone to her seat tell her to wait around and i guarantee she will don't make a ball boy deliver a ball to her asking for her number. Second maybe wait till after the game the wheel the fans. Just a suggestion but if you want to do that shit you should join the Red Sox get half cut in the clubhouse on your days off and then wheel the fans. It's a disgrace to himself, to the organization, and to the opposing team that he feels its OK to do that just because he isn't playing.
Also these garbage comments he has been making about being a cheerleader. No Alex your not supposed to be a cheerleader your supposed to be a LEADER. CC doesn't pitch everyday but when he isn't pitching he is top step of the dugout engaged in the game with this teammates. Mariano Rivera couldn't play if he wanted too right now and he is top step in the dugout engaged in the game. Those guys aren't being cheerleaders Alex they are being LEADERS. Amazes me how a grown man held so highly in the MLB can act like such a child because he isn't playing, I have guys on my high school team that are better teammates than this clown.
Let's clear one thing up i USED to have a lot of respect for A-Rod because he takes a lot of heat in every place he plays. And he handles it like a pro, but all of sudden he isn't performing so he isn't playing and now he acts like a 14 yr old girl who is mad at her friend for talking to a boy she likes. Get over it bud Eric Chavez is doing the same thing you did without the public scrutiny on the team. Everyone can strikeout but when you do it it pisses off everyone off so why wouldn't Girardi put someone in to take a little media off the team, now everyone else doesn't have to worry about why you suck.
All that ranting brings me to something I learned growing up playing sports. You win as a team but you lose when its about the individual. Tigers are going to win this series because the guy who won the Triple Crown is more excited when his 2B turns a sick double play then when he gets a hit. The Tigers are going to win because Verlander doesn't care if the ball gets turned to the pen as long as the team wins. All the Detroit Tigers care about is team success. Miguel Cabrera didn't play game 162 to pad his stats, he played it to help his team win and if that meant hit a homer then so be it, but if it meant 0-3 and trout with the batting title again so be it. A-Rod wants the team to do well when he is at 3B, he doesn't care what happens when he is on the bench. If any young athletes read this by chance take one thing from it, put your team ahead of yourself and that team will succeed.
As for what the Yankees do with him, cut him save the salary, trade him eat 3/4 of the contract, keep him and watch a guy who could go to the hall of fame ruin his rep around the league. Do whatever you want I hate how you run your organization anyway so here's to hoping you pay a guy 90 million that isn't even on your roster then maybe you can even out the playing field, see how you do when you have to develop players not just sign them.
Thanks for reading feel free to comment, and share it if you like it.
Wednesday, 17 October 2012
Livestrong
Today Lance Armstrong stepped down and Chairman of the Livestrong brand. He also cut ties with Nike because of the doping situation he is in. This has brought a lot of negative publicity his way, but what it also has done which it shouldn't is belittle what Lance has done for cancer research in North America.
First things first whether he cheated or not is irrelevant in what i am writing on today. I believe that if he did cheat then he should be stripped of his Tour de France wins. You can't comprise the integrity of a sport because of who someone is.
Now to the point of what I'm writing on. This is a man who took what he had done in cycling, and what he has overcome in his life and raised more than 470 million dollars. 81 cents of every dollar sold of Livestrong products go towards funds raised for research and empowerment. In my mind this is more than enough to forgive a man for mistakes made. He didn't physically hurt anyone, he cheated yes and that's been dealt with. Why do we feel the need to criminalize a man who did something no other athlete has done.
Cancer kills, everyone knows someone or has been related to someone who has been hit with this terrible disease. And the man who is continuously raising money to help people suffering from it and try and find a cure is not being made out to be public criminal. In the end, it's a bike race that he no longer has credit for winning. I think we should all be able to live with the fact that he may have cheated, but he did so much good with the name he got through his bike racing that it has to balance out at least.
Now i know a lot of people think or feel I'm condoning cheating as long as you do something good with what you gain. I am not doing this. Cheating is cheating and you should be punished by your sport for doing this. But if were going to shit on Lance Armstrong for doing this when he has almost raised half a billion dollars for cancer. What about Melky Cabrera. He used steroids, but he took his name out of a batting race and was suspended so it's ok, we forgive you. What about every other professional athlete who cheated or used steroids and did nothing with all the money they got. Why don't we make a concentrated effort to shit on them daily.
Again i emphasize on the sporting side of this what he did was absolutely wrong and he has been punished for it. But i really feel that we are missing the point of who Lance Armstrong is. Lets go past the athlete, the cancer survivor, and all we need to focus on is that he is the founder of the Livestrong foundation. 470 MILLION DOLLARS FOR CANCER RESEARCH. If that isn't enough for someone to be forgiven not to sure what is. Is it because he didn't sign a big cheque himself and donate it. It's because he used his name to raise money. I personally don't care how he did because he put plenty of his own money into developing this foundation to make it what it is today. So whether he cheated or not the guy is doing more than his part to try and save the lives of people with a disease he beat. He wants people to have the resources to be able to beat cancer just like he did. What a terrible guy.
How dare he try and fund life saving cancer research. How dare he try and improve the lives of people with this disease with money raised through Livestrong. How dare he put a face and a brand on a disease that everyone knows and fears. But he cheated in some bike races so he is a criminal. You will notice that i am basically belittling the Tour de France. I realize it's a huge event, and a lot of people take pride in i. But in the end its a bunch of guys riding bikes through France. And we are bashing a guy who cheated, was punished for cheating, but did nothing but good with the name he earned from the bike race.
I want to end again by emphasizing that I don't condone steroid use. But i do condone supporting the Livestrong foundation and what Lance Armstrong did with his name to make that brand. I don't care if he is an ass hole in person, if he sleeps with a different girl every night. Or even if he has a house so big you get lost just looking in it. All i care is the good he has done with his name. Because I don't care how he is in his personal life. He was punished or cheating in his sport, rightfully so. I just don't want people to forget what he has done for cancer research in North America. Livestrong is a global brand that i encourage everyone to support, and if your above that, or don't support it you need to question your morals, because your not supporting Lance Armstrong by supporting Livestrong your supporting cancer research and empowerment and if you don't support that well you need to look in the mirror and serious question your morals.
Thanks for reading feel free to share with your friends.
First things first whether he cheated or not is irrelevant in what i am writing on today. I believe that if he did cheat then he should be stripped of his Tour de France wins. You can't comprise the integrity of a sport because of who someone is.
Now to the point of what I'm writing on. This is a man who took what he had done in cycling, and what he has overcome in his life and raised more than 470 million dollars. 81 cents of every dollar sold of Livestrong products go towards funds raised for research and empowerment. In my mind this is more than enough to forgive a man for mistakes made. He didn't physically hurt anyone, he cheated yes and that's been dealt with. Why do we feel the need to criminalize a man who did something no other athlete has done.
Cancer kills, everyone knows someone or has been related to someone who has been hit with this terrible disease. And the man who is continuously raising money to help people suffering from it and try and find a cure is not being made out to be public criminal. In the end, it's a bike race that he no longer has credit for winning. I think we should all be able to live with the fact that he may have cheated, but he did so much good with the name he got through his bike racing that it has to balance out at least.
Now i know a lot of people think or feel I'm condoning cheating as long as you do something good with what you gain. I am not doing this. Cheating is cheating and you should be punished by your sport for doing this. But if were going to shit on Lance Armstrong for doing this when he has almost raised half a billion dollars for cancer. What about Melky Cabrera. He used steroids, but he took his name out of a batting race and was suspended so it's ok, we forgive you. What about every other professional athlete who cheated or used steroids and did nothing with all the money they got. Why don't we make a concentrated effort to shit on them daily.
Again i emphasize on the sporting side of this what he did was absolutely wrong and he has been punished for it. But i really feel that we are missing the point of who Lance Armstrong is. Lets go past the athlete, the cancer survivor, and all we need to focus on is that he is the founder of the Livestrong foundation. 470 MILLION DOLLARS FOR CANCER RESEARCH. If that isn't enough for someone to be forgiven not to sure what is. Is it because he didn't sign a big cheque himself and donate it. It's because he used his name to raise money. I personally don't care how he did because he put plenty of his own money into developing this foundation to make it what it is today. So whether he cheated or not the guy is doing more than his part to try and save the lives of people with a disease he beat. He wants people to have the resources to be able to beat cancer just like he did. What a terrible guy.
How dare he try and fund life saving cancer research. How dare he try and improve the lives of people with this disease with money raised through Livestrong. How dare he put a face and a brand on a disease that everyone knows and fears. But he cheated in some bike races so he is a criminal. You will notice that i am basically belittling the Tour de France. I realize it's a huge event, and a lot of people take pride in i. But in the end its a bunch of guys riding bikes through France. And we are bashing a guy who cheated, was punished for cheating, but did nothing but good with the name he earned from the bike race.
I want to end again by emphasizing that I don't condone steroid use. But i do condone supporting the Livestrong foundation and what Lance Armstrong did with his name to make that brand. I don't care if he is an ass hole in person, if he sleeps with a different girl every night. Or even if he has a house so big you get lost just looking in it. All i care is the good he has done with his name. Because I don't care how he is in his personal life. He was punished or cheating in his sport, rightfully so. I just don't want people to forget what he has done for cancer research in North America. Livestrong is a global brand that i encourage everyone to support, and if your above that, or don't support it you need to question your morals, because your not supporting Lance Armstrong by supporting Livestrong your supporting cancer research and empowerment and if you don't support that well you need to look in the mirror and serious question your morals.
Thanks for reading feel free to share with your friends.
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