For those of you who have been living under a rock this baseball season, Stephen Strasburg is a young, rookie pitcher who was drafted by the Nationals in the most lucrative rookie contract to date. He completely blazed through the minors and in his first start in the bigs, went 7 innings with 14ks. There are guys who are very dominating pitchers that don’t hit those type of numbers. His second start was more of the same. 5 1/3 innings, 8k and 1 run. He had issues with the mound which caused a little control issues leading to 3 walks before he was removed from the game. The guy is no doubt good, but people need to realize he is human, not a magic man.
My case in point: During his second game with the Indians, Strasburg had to cover 1st base while Adam Dunn fielded a ground ball. Strasburg did everything as he was tough, like every other pitcher in the bigs. He did make a diving out, he didn’t make a spectacular pick at the bag, he just ran over, caught the easy toss and stepped on the bag. Dennis Eckersley, who was announcing the game, almost had an aneurysm he was so excited about this kid. During this play at first, Eckersley comment this kid not only can pitch, but has a natural athletic ability and even makes routine plays look easy.
Give me a break people! I am not doubting this kid can pitch. I actually believe he will either throw a no hitter, or a 20k game by the end of the season. The ball explodes out of his had, 100+ MPH, curve that completely drops off the table, and one of the nastiest change ups that falls away from lefties and into righties. He is literally near unhittable. And Pudge behind the plate calling the game with only advance him.
But the kid isn’t God. He covered first base like a typical pitcher, par at best. He bats like a typical pitcher. He fields like a typical pitcher. He doesn’t pitch like a typical pitcher. Baseball analysis people need to stop making him out to be some Bo Jackson type phenom who can take on an entire team by himself and win.
Again, I am not knocking the kid’s ability. He is amazing. He can go deep in the game, has crazy stuff, is more level headed than some veterans, and sells tickets. But he isn’t the second coming. The way people talk about him if he makes one fielding error, they are going to rag on him that he didn’t live up to the hype. He is human. Let the kid pitch and enjoy his pitching.
The World Cup got underway this morning with a game between host country South Africa and Mexico.
****SPOILER ALERT***** If you do not want to hear the end result, come back later!
Mexico came out of the gate firing. They pushed their defense up and really hit it hard. The score should have been 2-0 in favor of Mexico at the end of the first half, but an off sidesc all and a few post hits kept the score 0-0 at the end of the first half. South Africa looked like they had a bit of nerves and who can blame them. They only have the eyes of the world on them, and the hope of a nation on them as the host country. No big deal, right?
During the second half, Siphiwe TSHABALALA hit a nice ball in the 55th minute off of his natural left foot that hit the far corner. Truly a beautiful shot. Only fitting the host country gets the first goal of the tourney and it is an awesome goal at that. But then Rafael MARQUEZ in the 79th minute took a cross from a teammate and tapped it in for the equalizer. The game would end in a 1-1 draw.
Personally, I think Mexico should have won 2-1 or even 3-1. They should have took advantage of the South Africa team in the first half. The South African team had nerves that could be expected. They didn’t play up to their potential and Mexico should have hit them when they were down. Instead, South Africa was able to battle back, calm the nerves and keep a 1-1 draw which is HUGE for the host country.
I also want to share the significance of the first goal of the tournament by host country South Africa. South Africa is a proud nation. Their team is the lowest rank FIFA team to ever host a World Cup. Most people don’t expect to get out of the first round, and some don’t even expect them to put up a W. People talked about South Africa not being able to host the World Cup. They aren’t ready. They can’t hold the people. They aren’t advanced enough. They can’t protect the people. With all this B.S. surrounding the country, the nation is still behind their team. They cheer, chant, dance and use whatever they can to show their support. And then in the ’55th minute of the first game. Siphiwe TSHABALALA shows the world that South Africa is here. They are ready. They can do it. They will do it or they will give everything they have trying. This was a significant moment in the tournament that I think a lot of people will over look. This is the reason I love sports. This is the reason I love World Cup. A little thing like putting a little ball into the back of the net can bring hope to a nation.
Let the world rejoice! Every 4 years, the world comes together to come behind their nation, and watch the battle of nations that will not result in world domination. Just world bragging rights for the next 4 years. The world cup, in my eyes, is the greatest sporting event right now. Soccer is an international sport and I don’t care who you are or what you think about soccer, during the world cup, you pull behind your country and cheer for them for a victory. You are elated with they win and devastated when they lose. Don’t even try to admit that you do not care for the world cup.
So nations get ready for all the ups and downs for the next month. World Cup 2010 is here!
Nomar Garciaparra, after 14 years in the big leagues, has decided to retire from professional baseball to become an ESPN baseball guru. But not after showing love to the team that showed him love.
Garciaparra, who was drafted by the Bo Sox in 1994, signed a one day deal with the Red Sox so he can retire saying he was a red sox player.
Now that is showing love and dedication to your team.
After two weeks of amazing hockey that ended up with an overtime goal by Sidney Crosby to give the goal medal to Canada in the Winter Olympics, we arrived to a great stage in the NHL with the best teams in the league already thinking playoffs.
Crosby with just 22 years old has become a living legend after that goal against the United States, at his short age he has won a goal medal and a Stanley Cup already, the worst for the part for the opponents is that he looks in pretty good shape to repeat with the Penguins this year.
Pittsburgh is second in the East conference just behind the Washington Capitals but is hard to bet against the Penguins whenever the NHL odds listed them as favorites.
They own a four games winning streak including wins against the Rangers and the Sabres after the Winter Olympics break.
Also keep in mind Sidney Crosby lead his teams with 84 points meaning of course he is the go to guy for this offense. He has scored 44 goals and 40 assists in 65 games played so far in the season, something that left no clue about who is the star of this team.
Consider that the next best player is Evgeni Malkin as he has 68 points result of 23 goals and 45 assists.
In addition the thing about this Penguins team is that they get unfired when they need to as Crosby an company seem to be money in the bank whenever the hardest games arrived in the schedule.
