New Commish, Same Problems?

   We all know that in January of 2015 Bud Selig will be retiring. This past Thursday, the baseball owners voted Rob Manfred, Chief Operating Officer, as Selig's successor. Since Bud Selig has taken over as commissioner of baseball, the game has changed dramatically. There's not only 1, but 2 wild cards, three divisions in each league, and attendance has increased. Behind the the NFL, MLB is next most successful of the major American Sports.

     The pace of the game has become a problem. Pitchers taking their time has become an issue. There has been talk about doing a pitch clock. That would be smart, but a bigger concern is the catcher and coaches making routine trips to the mound. Those should be limited to a certain amount per game and how long each visit should be. Pitchers should not be able to warm up prior to the game and prior to the first pitch.

    Hitters as well need to change certain things. They shouldn't really need practice swings since there is batting practice. Stepping in and out of the batters box is also a concern. It should be a limited amount of times per game they should be able to do that. Since baseball has no timing on it, they should work on small things like this

   Something else Manfred should look into is how to market and promote the sports major players like Mike Trout, Miguel Cabrera, and Clayton Kershaw to name a few. The more you market your players, the more you market your sport.We've seen it with Derek Jeter in the Ford commercials.  Marketing your product will help TV ratings nationally.

  Manfred still has to deal with the steroid problems. Anthony Bosch and 8 others have been arrested  while naming 85 players. Even though baseball has done a lot, there are still problems that need to be tweeking with the steroids. The biggest problem is testing. We saw how someone like A-Rod was able to get around the drug testing. The punishment is fair enough.

   An interesting topic would be if Manfred will reinstate Pete Rose. Personally, I believe Pete Rose belongs in the Hall Of Fame. If someone like Sammy Sosa, who took steroids and had a corked bat, is allowed on the ballot, why isn't Pete Rose? Even though Manfred has been Bud Selig's right hand man, he should reconsider reinstating Pete Rose to an extent. Rose is not only the all-time hits leader, but is the leader, or at least near the top, in many categories.

   Rob Manfred maybe Selig's right hand man, but he should also start to make a name for himself. Whether it's increasing the games pace, marketing your players or reinstating Pete Rose, he must make his mark. Only time will tell! Good luck Rob and lets see what happens!

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Really Andrew Wiggins? Really?

 


   As everything with the Kevin Love trade rumors were happening, I was thinking poor Andrew Wiggins. He hasn't played his first professional game yet(summer league doesn't count), yet he's already in trade rumors. I feel he should get his feet wet, as the first pick of the draft, and if all goes well, then trade him. Every team has the right to do what they want(within the confines of the league of course). If the Cavaliers want to trade Andrew Wiggins, along with Anthony Bennett, and a draft pick for Kevin Love, then by all means they can do so.

   As I was on a lunch break today, I read an article on CBSsports.com that Andrew Wiggins former Kansas coach, Bill Self, said that Wiggins wanted to get traded to the Timberwolves. My first thought is why would he  want that? He gets to play with the top player in the league, Lebron, and another top 10 player in Kyrie Irving! He can only get better with both of their help. Then I read more that he wanted to be traded to the Twolves because their he can become a star. He felt playing in Cleveland he will only be a supporting player. How can someone say that? Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, already established stars, took less money to play 4 seasons with Lebron, and now Andrew Wiggins wants out of Cleveland.

    Even though its more the Cavs wanting Kevin Love then Andrew Wiggins wanting out, isn't it absurd for Wiggins to say that? Honestly, I am not a Lebron lover(nor am I a hater), I respect Lebron's skill, talent, and competitiveness to play the game. He's the best player we've had since Michael Jordan. Why would Andrew Wiggins be so greedy? Being the first overall pick does not constitute that at all. Yes I do believe that Andrew Wiggins will become a star, but he's not there yet.

   Kevin Love teaming up with Lebron James and Kyrie Irving will make the Cavs a top 2 team in the Eastern Conference, along with Chicago(as long as Derrick Rose is healthy). With Kevin Love willing to sign a 5 year extension, the Cavs are getting the better end of the deal. If and when it becomes officially, I don't think that Cavs fans will be crying wolf with Andrew Wiggins leaving. Lets just make sure that Andrew Wiggins lives up to his words and becomes the superstar on a team that will need one. Mark my words on one thing: When the Kevin Love deal becomes official, Cavs will make it to the Eastern Conference Finals at the minimum.

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Steady Eli; No Decline!

                                       

 


     With football season coming, we know that are so many story lines that it is going to be an interesting season. For the Giants, will Eli Manning adapt to a new offense? As we see with the Jets, what is Michael Vic's purpose? That's just for the local teams. We see other stories throughout the league. Andy Dalton received a massive contract extension, but is he really worth it? Cleveland looks like its going to have a QB controversy. My focus is on whether Eli is in decline or was last year just a bust?
   
     For 10 years, Eli had only offensive coordinator in Kevin Gilbride. He won 2 Super Bowls with that system. After last years dismal performance, Gilbride "retired" after the season. While doing their search of a new OC, they really liked what McAdoo brought to the table. After being a 10 year vet, Eli may have a bit of a challenge, but I think he'll catch on easily.

    Victor Cruz is returning for yet another season. Rueben Randle is growing as a receiver. Hopefully Odel Beckham, Jr. After signing Rashaad Jennings as their starting running back, the real question for Eli is his offensive line. Even though they seemed to improve the O-Line through free agency and the draft, we need to see how well they work together. If they can protect Eli well enough, Eli will have another solid season. If they don't protect him enough, Eli will still come through, but probably not as much as we want him too. He has receivers and a decent running, but his protection on the O-Line is the key.
  
    To say Eli is in a decline is a little absurd. He's 33 years old and still has a desire to compete. We all know that he has nothing wrong his arm. Every athlete has an "off" year. We see it in every sport. Eli will have a bounce back year. Victor Cruz is officially his number 1 receiver, Randle is his number two receiver. Eli is in a better situation than a lot more of the quarterbacks in the league. Everyone should cut Eli some slack! My guarantee is that he has a bounce back season and makes the playoffs!

Yankees Offense OK; Pitching a Plus!

   For many years over the past 15 years or so, the New York Yankees have lived up to their other name "Bronx Bombers". They hit alot of home runs, as well as being league leaders in offense. Besides for an above average bullpen recent years the offense is really what has carried the Yankees, with at times, decent pitching. 2014 is surely different!!

       During the offseason, the Yankees signed the likes of Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Brian McCann. In addition to that, we had returning players Brett Gardner, Derek Jeter, and Mark Teixeira. Everyone, including myself, thought "Wow what a great lineup!" The starting rotation, if healthy and the hype, was supposed to be average to slightly above average. It was supposed to another year of being in the top 3 of runs scored, home runs, and most other offensive categories. The only player with more 15 or more home runs is unexpectedly Brett Gardner. Even though 4/5 of their original starting rotation is out(C.C. and Ivan Nova out for season; Tanaka and Pineda working their way back), their rotation has been an unexpected, but very good, strength.

   For years, people have blasted the Yankees that they were only one dimensional team with offense. Now their pitching is doing it for them, even from unknowns like Shane Greene or even Brandon McCarthy(wow!). The offense maybe 10th in the AL, but a lot of the time, including in 3 of 4 games against Detroit, its scored enough runs to win games. The pitching, mostly the bullpen, has been their strength. The starting pitching, in opinion has been underrated this season.

   Shane Greene pitched 8 scoreless innings against a great Detroit offense today, Brandon McCarthy keeps winning for the Yankees, and Hiroki Kuroda has been pitching enough to keep them in games. Tanaka, until he got hurt last month, was on his way to not only winning to Rookie of the Year, but possibly winning the Cy Young award and maybe the MVP award. David Phelps, until he recently got injured, was pitching well. Some of these people maybe have been unknowns or past their primes, but they really are coming through for the Yankees.

    To all those who are complaining about the offense being towards the bottom, look up at their pitching, as well as other aspects. Look at the fact that the offense is scoring just enough runs to help the win 59 games and beating 2 of 3 former Cy Young award winners and Rick Porcello. Remember that in baseball its all about pitching and the offense scoring enough runs to help win games.  My predictions is that the Yankees make it to the playoffs and at least the ALDS, whether its through a 1 game playoff or as a division winner!

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Baseball is Saved?

                       

    I'm back!!!!!! There has been a lot going on in the sports world. Whether it's Donald Sterling losing in court, Ray Rice assaulting his wife, Anthony Bosch getting arrested, or a positive story like LeBron James going back home to Cleveland, there's so much to say about so much going on now. I believe the most interesting going on is Anthony Bosch surrendering and getting arrested by the DEA. Why do I believe its the most interesting? It's the story that's most going to affect its sport.

   You may be wondering, how is it going to affect its sport the most? First, it was noted that 85 players were named by the 9 different people, including Bosch, to have been supplied PED's in some form. If you think about it, 85 players is 3 1/2 teams worth of players. Can you imagine 3 1/2 teams being suspended in baseball? I couldn't imagine it either. We only had 13 suspended last year, now well have 85 suspended once we learn the details.

    In all the major sports, Major League Baseball is the only sport that I can remember that has had the government involved in their investigations one way or another. We saw it with the Mitchell Report in 2005. A former Senator getting involved is big. What is even bigger is when we had players like Rafael Palmeiro, Mark McGwire, and Sammy Sosa testifying in front of Congress about PED's. Now, the DEA arresting Tony Bosch, even though they were not involve with MLB, is another big step.

   What I believe many people fail to realize is that this is more of a good thing than we can think. It was also mentioned that the other dealers gave PED's to 15 and 16 year olds! How can someone give children that age PED's, even with consent of their fathers? For years, people said Major Leaguers would give a negative affect to teenagers by taking PED's and now we see the teenagers being injected by those who inject Major Leaguers.

   Last, but not least, what does this say about Major League Baseball's investigation last year with Tony Bosch. They only got 13 names and 13 suspensions, but now the DEA got 85 names? How come Tony Bosch didn't give the name of other associates to Major League Baseball? Major League Baseball was on the right path to cutting back majorly on the steroid use. They were doing everything right from putting it in the CBA, investigating the people associated with it, even showing players can perform without it.

   We still have a lot of questions to be answered in the coming days in regards to the arrests. Who are the 85 players? What will their punishments be? What will become of Anthony Bosch and his associates? Will there be some kind of cooperation between MLB and the government? Those are some of the questions that will be answered. There are two things we know for sure, one is that a statement was made by the arrest. Another is that A-Rod will have to testify this time, and tell nothing but the truth!!

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!