Lou"Iron Horse" Gehrig

                 

   Exactly 75 years ago today, Lou Gehrig made his famous "I'm the luckiest man on the face of this Earth" speech. Everyone knew that  he was diagnosed with ALS, or better known today as "Lou Gehrig's" disease. He had retired earlier in the season due to it. It was thought that he can defeat the disease, and cure it. Unfortunately that did not happen. Lou Gehrig was arguably one best players ever in baseball.
 
     Lou Gehrig had 493 home runs,1,993 runs batted in, and a .340 batting average(baseballalamanac.com). He was the all-time Grand Slams leader, with 23, until Alex Rodriguez recently broke it. He had 12 seasons of 27 or more home runs and 13 seasons of 110 or more RBI's(baseballalamanac.com). In 1934, he won the Triple Crown, leading not just the AL, but the whole baseball, but did not win the MVP that season(Mickey Cochrane won it that year). He was the Yankees all-time hits leader(2,721) and doubles leader(534) until Derek Jeter recently broke both records.

   Gehrig was also know as the "Iron Horse." We all know of his famous record of 2,130 consecutive games played, eventually broken by Cal Ripken, Jr. Gehrig was the face of the Yankees for such a little amount of time. What do I mean by that? He played with Babe Ruth until 1934 and in 1936 Joe DiMaggio joined the Yankees. In my opinion, it was better for Gehrig like this because he was "under the radar" behind Ruth and DiMaggio.
 
   Today, it is not only a day to celebrate America's independence, but one of the most celebrated baseball players of all time. Lou Gehrig really touched hearts! My grandfather, who was a Brooklyn Dodgers fan, said his favorite player of all time was Lou Gehrig.  He was the first player in all of baseball to have his number retired. If any player wants to model themselves after, it should be Lou Gehrig. He showed resiliency, strength, and patience when he played. Happy 4th of July and Lou Gehrig Day! If you want to watch anything on this day watch this:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=626Dt9JdjQs

Brooklyn Kidd No More

                                 

    Late last week, Jason Kidd, then head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, asked ownership for  more of a role in the organization. In short, he wanted to bypass Billy King and take over basketball operations for the Nets. After the 2012-2013, Kidd retired from basketball and signed a 4 year, 10 million dollar contract to coach the Nets. In the first 31 games of the 13-14 season, the Nets went 10-21. It looked like things were going to go south and Kidd could be let go, but instead Kidd insisted that highly paid assistant, Lawrence Frank be let go instead. By seasons end, the Nets finished about .500 and the 6th seed in the East.

   After the season ended, Steve Kerr and Derek Fisher(both rookie coaches, like Kidd) got 5 year 25 million dollar deals. It seemed from there Kidd got power hungry and some what jealous. This is where he wanted more power with the Nets. Ownership said no way. From there, he told them he wanted out and forced his way to the Bucks and became their head coach. Here's where my problems with this start.

   Compared to LA, NYC, and Boston, Milwaukee does not feel like a true sports town. In any of their sports teams(including the Packers), they don't seem to attract many star athletes. Yes the Packers have Aaron Rodgers and Brewers Ryan Braun, but who do the Bucks have? Larry Sanders? They just drafted Jabari Parker, but he's a rookie and no one really knows what he will bring.

   There has also been no word about any kind of raise or promotion in the works. As of now, Kidd will still be getting paid his 2.5 million dollars just like with the Nets. What was his real motivation here? Did he really have some kind of beef with ownership or hierarchy? He not only got Byron Scott fired as head coach of the Nets, but he forced his way out of their as a player around the same time. He also fought his way out of Dallas.

   The biggest problem, in my opinion, is where the Bucks are now as a team. They finished dead last in the Eastern Conference, with a 15-67 record and the 2nd pick in the draft. The only player who seems to really have potential(not including Parker) is Brandon Knight. His average points per season only seem to be increasing. 2011-12 it was 12.8, then went to 13.3, and this past season went to 17.9 per season(ESPN.com). Kidd had Garnett(yes a little older but still productive and looking to sign), Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Brook Lopez(when healthy), and Paul Pierce(who the Nets had a good chance of retaining with Kidd) in Brooklyn. They had the potential to rise from 6th in the East to maybe as high as 4 or even 3, if they are completely healthy. Jason Kidd was stupid to leave Brooklyn! They gave him his opportunity to coach, and he bailed! It may take years for Milwaukee to contend! Like they say in Brooklyn, Fuhgeddaboutit!