tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33169679365155568412024-03-13T14:47:26.694-04:00The Sports Nut BlogsA source of sports info, rants, and dry comedy all in one.The Sports Nut Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17712501044773745806noreply@blogger.comBlogger297125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3316967936515556841.post-23209971430182107742019-06-25T20:41:00.000-04:002019-06-25T20:41:12.794-04:00Separation Wars: Rays of Confusion<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Just when I thought Major League Baseball was ridiculous enough, I am proven wrong once again. And so I write.</span></i><br />
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Last week, the baseball world was stirring at reports that the Tampa Bay Rays are going to look to take a vacation from their home stadium. Because 81 home games is "a lot of games" according to Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg, they're going to split their home games elsewhere starting in 2024. <a href="https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2019/06/25/rays-montreal-primer-what-you-need-to-know-before-todays-press-conference/">[1]</a><br />
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The location, you ask?<br />
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Montreal.</div>
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Yes, <b>Montreal, Quebec, Canada</b>.</div>
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Granted, Montreal had a team up until 15 years ago, when the franchise was moved to Washington D.C. and became the Nationals. They had a pretty solid following before then. MLB Network did a documentary on the history of the Montreal Expos, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUh35g-qFmQ">you can find it here</a>. For the last several years, especially after Rob Manfred came on board as commissioner of MLB, many wondered if we were going to see another move to bringing a second team back to Canada. Well, you see, with all of the expansions and the status of baseball in 2019, there is a problem with that.<br />
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To begin with, there are 30 teams in the league. If you want a singular team, you have to add another to the other league. This would throw off the divisions and more games would have to be added to the season by default. One rumbling over the last two years has been the divisions being reconfigured entirely (4 teams in a North-East-Midwest-West setup) to make way for even divisions, but it would ultimately eliminate the Wild Card. <a href="https://www.si.com/mlb/2017/10/19/major-league-baseball-expansion-proposal-realignment">[2]</a> That being said, this ridiculousness ultimately justifies not affecting any teams that exist, and still getting Montreal, as well as other major western markets that MLB has been ogling over, such as Portland and Las Vegas.<br />
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When I first read the articles coming forth from the Rays' owners, this looks like a giant case of "we're expanding our 'market,' so we don't have to take the big fall if our market fails somewhere else, and if it succeeds, WOO MONEY!" While they've gone on-record saying that they're not moving out of Tampa Bay entirely, it is probably <b>the absolute dumbest idea to have your team play half of their home games in another location that is over 1500 miles away</b>. You're supposed to develop a knowledge of your field and to develop a faithful enough rapport with your fanbase, so you have, you know, <b>home field advantage</b>. switching your home field halfway through the season is a completely bogus idea in my mind.<br />
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Their idea allegedly justifies not needing a new ballpark right now, or using that "time away" to construct a more efficient ballpark that doesn't have low ceiling beams that determine certain extra-base hits. The St. Petersburg area is rather cramped as it is, and the Tampa Bay-metro area doesn't really have the space to construct another stadium right now. Even if there is a spot, freeways are rather bunched together in Western Florida, and you're going to have another Dodger Stadium situation in which you're moving people out of their homes to build a ballpark.<br />
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You can see what I mean here. Thanks, Google Maps!</div>
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As you can see, there isn't a lot of space to move around, unless you become the innovator of an underwater ballpark in Tampa Bay. <i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Oh no, please don't let that happen, baseball gods.]</span></i><br />
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While I can see what the owners are trying to do, it's another thing to pick a location that is not only so far away, but literally in another country. I kind of want to know what kind of mice were running around in the owners' brains in that thought process.<br />
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Here's a fun little bit that I'll do: <i><b> </b></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>How would I fix this, despite asking myself, "...and who am I in this situation?"</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm no expert on the baseball business, but let's give this a go. You have another team in Florida with a fairly new ballpark in the Miami Marlins, right? At the end of, say, the 2021 season, move the Miami Marlins franchise to Montreal to keep a fifth NL East team. Name them accordingly, whether it's bringing back the "Expos" name, or renaming them the "Montreal Grey Jays" (Canada's national bird, and the National League's "Jays" as Toronto is in the American League). Rename the Tampa Bay Rays the "Miami-St. Pete Hammerheads" and use both of their ballparks until 2023, when you'd have to make a final decision on what to do with Tropicana Field. By 2027--which is the original timeline as to when the Rays' deal with Trop ends--you'll most likely have a brand new ballpark by then.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I won't lie, I think I'm a genius with this idea.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">But it's never gonna happen, because <i><b>who am I in this situation?</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">--</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">The closest thing I can liken this situation to be is a sports separation, and Tampa is splitting custody of the Rays with Montreal to "strengthen the Montreal market." I mean, it isn't like baseball ever died in Montreal, let alone in Canada. It isn't a full-fledged divorce from Tampa, but they're thinking that business is going to be on the rise once this idea goes into effect.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Much like kids in a separation or divorce, are the players and coaching staff going to have a say in all of this? Of course not, because they're not high enough on the totem pole to really make an impact. If anything, I feel the worst for them, because you have unstable residences for half of your season. Not only that, imagine the fans in the area. It's like one of your attractions seemingly leaves and it cuts out something to do. Meanwhile, in Montreal, it's like you're an NFL fan in London, and the league is going, "Hey! Here's something you don't have! Wouldn't it be cool if you had a team of your own? Here's a free trial!" It seems sympathetic, and at the same time, kind of a cop-out.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's still rather early in this planning process, so it's difficult to draw any conclusions as to how this is all going to go down. At face-value, this is a ballsy idea that could definitely bomb if it isn't planned from start to finish. Who knows? Maybe this idea will kill itself before it gets any further than this.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Only time will tell.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">-- Stephanie</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>___________________<br />
Other articles referenced:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>[1] Rays explain details of Montreal plan: "This is not a staged exit" - Tampa Bay Times - <a href="https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2019/06/25/rays-montreal-primer-what-you-need-to-know-before-todays-press-conference/">https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2019/06/25/rays-montreal-primer-what-you-need-to-know-before-todays-press-conference/ </a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>[2] If MLB considers expansion, what would a 32-team league look like? - SI.com - <a href="https://www.si.com/mlb/2017/10/19/major-league-baseball-expansion-proposal-realignment">https://www.si.com/mlb/2017/10/19/major-league-baseball-expansion-proposal-realignment</a> </span></span><i><b></b></i></span></div>
The Sports Nut Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17712501044773745806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3316967936515556841.post-65955067454931122482019-06-11T21:10:00.003-04:002019-06-11T21:10:51.111-04:00Sportsmanship and the Overkill of Social [Media] Commentary<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Shoutouts to all of the "coaches" on Soccer Twitter for truly making this evening a masterpiece for me mentally. You don't know how much your inability to have a discussion is appreciated. </span></i><br />
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Unless you haven't checked out the news or any piece of social media today, you should already know that the US Women's National Soccer--Football--Team completely destroyed Thailand 13-0 in pool play of the FIFA Women's World Cup. That's right. 13-0. Because Team USA is not only one of the top women's teams in the world, but they're also the defending World Cup champions, it wasn't too surprising for them to take a win in this game. However, it's how much and how it was celebrated that is causing a massive uproar among people.<br />
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Basically, the term "unsportsmanlike conduct" is being thrown around.<br />
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While it's expected that a lot of people are going to disagree on a subject like this, it's also really telling when you're seeing analysts openly getting into arguments over this debacle and blocking anyone who remotely disagrees with them. It's burtal. Yes, it's pretty clear that there's no such thing as a discussion anymore, but that's an essay for another blog for a much later date.<br />
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Because there really isn't much more exposition here, we're going to cut to the chase.<br />
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<b>Is scoring a lot on a team a form of unsportsmanlike conduct?</b><br />
No. You guys. This is the World Cup. This is the absolute highest level a woman playing this sport can take part in. While there is such a thing as goal differentials and how that plays a part in advancing to the knockout stages, let's put this aside for a moment. When you're in a heavily one-sided match like that, one of the last things you can think about doing is taking your foot off of the gas. It isn't just because of pride and integrity, but if I were the other team (in this case, Thailand), I'd be a little angry if the opposing team was playing at anything below 100% because it's like they're spoon-feeding me an opportunity to not embarrass myself. That, and it would also be unsportsmanlike if they just spent the last half hour of the game passing around to each other. There's no integrity in that.<br />
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In a situation like this, if you're up by more than, say, five goals, the rest of the game becomes a "practice." You're going to work on different strategies and formations to see how they're going to equate to different squads later on. Sure, you don't want to give a lot of that away, because that can easily show up on a tape later for the team to capitalize on, but every minute is needed to see what works and what doesn't. If they score, that's fine. They're doing their job in their practice. That leads to this next point...<br />
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<b>Were the celebrations after the sixth goal unsportsmanlike?</b><br />
If you don't count Megan Rapinoe's slide--which, yes, I'll give you that one, because that was a bit much--no! Again, people, this is the World Cup. If I scored a goal in the World Cup, I would probably get a yellow card because of the amount of celebrating I would do. Let's just say that I would have been wearing less than what Brandi Chastain did after the '99 shootout.<br />
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This is years and years and years of hard work for some of these girls that are making their first World Cup appearance. Heck, I'm pretty certain that their first experience of soccer was watching Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain and Michelle Akers back during the 1999 Women's World Cup. I was one of those girls too! While my ship sailed many years ago, those other girls wanted that moment too. They have it. Let them be excited over it.<br />
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If the next game happens to be a blowout or even a game that shows a lack of competition, we may possibly see a change in demeanor just because the butterflies are out, and most girls who have scored a goal won't have that honeymoon phase about it. <br />
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"They can't do that in college!" That's also college soccer. Different world.<br />
"The men aren't allowed to do that kind of stuff!" Oh boy. On that note... <br />
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This is hard for me, but at this point in the post, this is my mental process:<br />
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Please don't make this a gender issue. Please don't make this a gender issue. Please don't make this a gender issue. Please don't make this a gender issue. Please don't make this a gender issue--<br />
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<b>I'M MAKING IT A GENDER ISSUE. FOR ONLY A MINUTE.</b></div>
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Not like we have a major example of this happening, but if the men did something like this, would you respond the same way?<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Yeah. Where were they last year anyway? That's right. Watching the World Cup while sitting on their couches.] </span><br />
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"<i>Oh, well, that's just the boys being boys! huehuehuehuehue</i>--" NO. Stop right there. If the men did something like that, you would soak in every second of it because there's <i>pride</i> involved. It shows how <i>great</i> we are. Because the women are doing it, we're being overdramatic and unsportsmanlike.<br />
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"<i>What does it matter whether a woman or a man does it? It's the same thing!</i>" You say that now because that's never happened with the men. We as human beings enjoy a slaughter every now and again, but you rarely see women take part in that outside of something like UFC. Even then, there's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeHUQAnzpF0">this joke</a>.<br />
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<i><b>I'm done now. You can read the rest of the post. </b></i></div>
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The last time there was a blowout of this caliber, it was in the 2007 Women's World Cup where Germany beat Argentina 11-0. The highlights, albeit in German, can be watched <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4SiFsCLJfs">here</a>. While there wasn't as much in celebration compared to today, they showed absolutely no mercy throughout, and there wasn't a lot of backlash from this. In fact, Argentina, having only qualified three other times for the World Cup since 1995, has only earned a single point in World Cup play, and that was from a tie against Japan <b>yesterday</b>! Twelve years since that game! So now what? Are we going to be quiet now because Team USA weren't the only ones that did something like this? Be serious.<br />
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After being accused numerous times of justifying unsportsmanlike conduct during this game today, all I can really do is shrug. I don't see it as such. Were there certain sketchy acts committed during the game? Sure, but it wasn't the amount of goals scored or the first-timers that scored their very own World Cup goal. I understand where other people are coming from with this, but you also have to realize that you're allowed to disagree with somebody without turning into some version of a social justice warrior. We as a society haven't gone entirely berserk, but one thing we have become is overly critical of what <i>is</i> and <i>what should be</i>. They weren't doing anything demeaning in celebration, and to be honest, it doesn't look like the Thai women weren't taking the loss too harshly. Believe me, there are <b>way more embarrassing things going on in this country right now</b>, and today's game couldn't even hold a candle to it even if it was aided by 1000 tons of TNT or the process of how the Chernobyl disaster went down. But hey! We need more things to get upset about and argue about, am I right? We're just an angry, wild, and crazy country!<br />
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Best thing I can say at this point is that we're going to see some sort of change on Sunday for better or for worse. However, I can't say that everyone is still going to be a fan of what unfolds. Not everybody can be satisfied today, I suppose.<br />
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-- StephanieThe Sports Nut Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17712501044773745806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3316967936515556841.post-39760479587638541592019-06-02T18:27:00.000-04:002019-06-02T18:28:31.059-04:00Netting Your Attention<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Happy June. The weather is heating up, and so are my typing fingers. Plus, baseball has given me far too much to rip upon this season in a few short months, and for that, I'm eternally grateful. No joke.</i></span> <br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">This past Wednesday night was a frighteningly worrisome one in baseball. During the Houston Astros - Chicago Cubs game at Minute Maid Park, Cubs outfielder Alberto Almora Jr smacked a line drive foul into the third base line stands. That hot ball hit a four-year-old girl, causing a massive stir in the stands, and physically, psychologically, and emotionally affecting Almora at the plate. He finished the at-bat, but it was clear to tell that he had great difficulty going through with that. On a positive note, the young girl is doing just fine now. <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/girl-hit-by-foul-ball-albert-almora-chicago-cubs-batter-breaks-down-line-drive-houston-astros-game/">[1]</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Psychological fallacies aside, we're seeing this all too often, aren't we?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">As expected, This is bringing up the conversation yet again of working to expand the netting along all of the stadium foul lines. There has been some expansion in the last year, but it obviously hasn't been enough to guarantee the safety of the fans closer to the action. As of right now, the nets only reach to the ends of each dugout. MLB has what they call a "baseball rule,"a, "warning that they're not liable for risks fans accept by attending the game." <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/05/30/after-foul-ball-injures-girl-does-baseball-need-do-more/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.4c45b88bc666">[2]</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">So, basically, kids fall into that category, and they're not old enough to really be held responsible for anything. OK then. Let that sink in. The only thing they should be held responsible for is for the food they hold. That's it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">What amazes me was when there were growing concerns in the NHL about crowd safety and pucks leaving the ice, they had quickly implemented measures to require netting surrounding the backstop areas at all arenas to ensure player safety. Of course, they don't have to be around the entirety of the ice, as most of the shooting will occur around the backstop. They ruled this three months after a young girl was killed by a puck during the 2001-2002 season.<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/21/sports/hockey-nhl-arenas-to-add-netting-to-protect-the-fans-from-pucks.html"> [3]</a> <b>Three months, everybody. Three months, and something was done about it.</b> We're talking about a sport that is much more physical and fast-paced than baseball, and as soon as there was a major incident, the correct measures were taken to make sure that nothing like that ever happens again.<br /><b></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">You can argue that there are already a lot of nets at ballparks already, and if you're going to sit that close to the action, that you need to pay attention at all times. That's cool and everything, but when a ball or a rogue bat comes flying at you, not everybody that close has a glove, and there's no decent way to defend yourself from a hard-hit ball or a flying bat. A lot of the less-modern ballparks like Wrigley and Fenway also has their baseline stands much closer at some angles than most others. The game has changed a lot since then.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Seriously--what's it going to take? Somebody has already died from an incident like this. What MLB has done is a disgrace and is far from enough of an effort.</i></span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Baseball leagues in Japan and South Korea have already taken measures to have extensive netting around the entirety of the infield area. On that note, it hasn't affected the game at all over there. In fact, it gives the fans more of the reason to immerse themselves without any sort of worry. [To be fair, the atmospheres of games out there are literally night and day compared to baseball in the United States.] </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I hate to beat a dead horse, but you're so worried about fan attendance this early in the year, and you're not focused on their safety? OK then, Mr. Manfred. Keep on looking at the revenue and gain some liability issues on your hands. Not acting upon what is becoming far too common is putting the fans at risk and putting attendance figures at risk. It doesn't matter that most ballparks are "cultural experiences" nowadays, where instead of watching the game--you know, what you're normally supposed to do at ballparks--you can go to these interactive playgrounds for kids or beer gardens for sportsball supporters. Pardon the strong statement, but when I go to a ballpark, it's because I want to watch the team. If I want to do interactives, I'll go when the ballpark first opens to kick some butt in wiffleball or something. Other than that though? Gimme a scorecard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">With the evolution of the game today, you can't take any chances. With the way the world is today, a sporting event should be fun, relaxing, and free of worry, no matter where you sit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">You can afford to shell out a few thousand dollars for extra netting, MLB. It's time to be smart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">-- Stephanie</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">___________________<br />
Other articles referenced:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">[1] </span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Chicago Cubs batter breaks down after his line drive strikes 4-year-old girl - CBS News - <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/girl-hit-by-foul-ball-albert-almora-chicago-cubs-batter-breaks-down-line-drive-houston-astros-game/">https://www.cbsnews.com/news/girl-hit-by-foul-ball-albert-almora-chicago-cubs-batter-breaks-down-line-drive-houston-astros-game/</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">[2] After foul ball injures girl, does baseball need to do more? - Washington Post - <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/05/30/after-foul-ball-injures-girl-does-baseball-need-do-more/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.4c45b88bc666">https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/05/30/after-foul-ball-injures-girl-does-baseball-need-do-more/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.4c45b88bc666</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">[3] </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">HOCKEY; N.H.L. Arenas to Add Netting To Protect the Fans From Pucks - New York Times - <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/21/sports/hockey-nhl-arenas-to-add-netting-to-protect-the-fans-from-pucks.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/21/sports/hockey-nhl-arenas-to-add-netting-to-protect-the-fans-from-pucks.html</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>The Sports Nut Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17712501044773745806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3316967936515556841.post-64734719881178186682019-05-31T12:17:00.000-04:002019-05-31T12:17:33.371-04:00Eight is Enough - Spelling Out Competition<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Is this my way of attempting to smite every troll on the Internet? It's probably an ineffective way, but sure, I'll die trying. S-M-I-T-E (9999)</span></i><br />
<br />
In a historical night in the world of spelling, the Scripps National Spelling Bee saw not one, not two, but <i><b>eight</b></i> children crowned Spelling Bee Champions in Maryland. In a night filled with modesty, classic reactions, gutturals, and bee-themed wardrobe, viewers were stunned, and many preferred to watch these kids light up the stage over watching the opener to the NBA Finals. After half of the finalists were knocked out, the remaining eight continued dueling it out for the remainder of what ended up being a three hour broadcast.<br />
<br />
Of course, our current competitive society got the best of us last night, as a lot of people cried foul over the results of the Bee. Many had called it proof of "participation trophy culture" and that "they should have kept going until there was one winner." This may also be a sign that those individuals didn't watch the Bee and thought Scripps just gave up and allowed eight kids to share the trophy. Plus, I didn't know it was acceptable to have kids burn themselves out for our pleasure. <i>They're like, 12</i>, and I mean that quite literally.<br />
<br />
Once upon a time in 2001, I jumped into the local Bee scene. I took a part in Philadelphia's regional Spelling Bee while I was in the fifth grade. [Side note: There's a part of me in the deepest, darkest depths of my soul that believes that the Philly accent ruined my chances of advancing to a higher round, because <i>tantalize</i> should be pronounced clearer, but I swear that I'm not bitter nearly 20 years after the fact.] I also took part in an unrelated Spelling Bee in the eighth grade (2003) and won a sweet $30 GameStop gift card and a trophy because of it. I'm not an expert, but I can understand the preparations for it and how there are some that have more of a knack (1928 winning word) for studying and spelling than others.<br />
<br />
In realization that the kids that are competing today are half my age (and babies/toddlers when the recession began), and seeing the level at which they're competing, there really is no way to stop them or to find a word that can best them. It's a science, a culture, and a religion all in itself. These are a few things that a lot of "outsiders" may not realize about the National Spelling Bee:<br />
<br />
<b>1) The national competition is humongous and takes over four days to contest in nearly all-day competitions. There are also a number of competitions countrywide that lead up to this as well.</b><br />
If it was anything like it was for me nearly 20 years ago, you can't simply sign up for the National Bee. There are a number of regional competitions, typically hosted by major newspapers) that a speller can take part in that can sponsor you on that trip. Once you get there, you have the preliminary tests. The following two days are competitions that challenge spellers even more. On the final day, if you're one of the final spellers, you could be going on a high level for close to 10, maybe 12 hours. Although this includes breaks, there are a lot of nerves and mental work involved otherwise. Dead serious, I thought Shruthika was going to die onstage on two different occasions last night.<br />
<br />
It's a long, long process, and I guess for most, it really is that saying of, "it's not about how you start, it's how you finish."<br />
<br />
<b>2) The spelling level and the means of studying words have immensly evolved since 1925.</b><br />
It isn't going to be hard for you to find a list of the "winning words" of each Spelling Bee. You'll notice that the words actually start off, well, <i>surprisingly easy</i>. Then again, I'm a writer, so it may not prove as difficult. There are a few that can easily trip you up in the 1970's and 80's, but then there's "kamikaze" in 1993, which I have no idea what the competition looked like that year. After all of that though? The real fun begins. The culture of spelling and etymology and pronunciations has really been pushed to its limits, and when you start to realize that the ones who are really delving into this stuff haven't fully hit puberty yet, then your brain starts to melt.<br />
<br />
<b>3) If it's any sort of competition, it's a friendly one. Everybody knows how hard this can be.</b><br />
The 2006 film <i>Akeelah and the Bee</i>, aside from the Asian stereotypes, shows a pretty accurate representation of what the competition is like. The kids, in all of what is left of their innocence, are simply happy to be there and to be competing at that high of a level. There may be luck involved, but there is also the awareness of the crafting of a word, and the nervousness that can creep in when you're running out of time. Being cocky isn't going to get you anywhere in this competition, and the kids know that. The parents know how much hard work went into getting there, and they're not going to sabotage their kids while digging deep into the brain grooves to figure out what suffixes to use on a word with Greek parts brought into French and then into English.<br />
<br />
<b>4) It is entirely possible to "run out of words" in a competition, especially when there are more than two spellers involved.</b><br />
I don't think I need to get into this too much. After all, if you keep going into the well and pulling out words <i>just because they sound hard</i>, you're missing the mark. A lot of the words chosen are based on their structure and their roots. It's also obvious that they weren't expecting the kids to really bring it that hard this year. There have been instances where they've run out of "final round words" to the point where they have two champions, but this is the first time they've had more than that, so... Yeah.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(On a sidenote, I noticed that I really didn't see any kids that were considered homeschooled, and that was pretty shocking to me. Back in the 2000's, it was pretty common to see a speller in the top 5 that was homeschooled. I guess that practice is dying off...?)</span></i><br />
<br />
--<br />
<br />
I've been watching the Scripps' [Howard] National Spelling Bee seriously for the better part of 15 years. There were times in the early 2000's where there would be more than three or four spellers remaining in the later rounds. This year was completely different; it was almost as if the final eight spellers (well, nine or ten with those others letting their confidence get the best of them). If you watched any of it last night, you know that the spellers have two minutes to spell the word, and the pronouncer can no longer give you information after 90 seconds. Most of the kids took less than 45 seconds to spell the word, except in the cases in which they had to calm themselves down from excitement in actually knowing the word right off the bat. <i>(Trust me, I lost my mind too when they used the word "seitan" in the nineteenth round, because I eat that stuff all of the time in vegan cuisine.)</i><br />
<br />
It's safe to say that these kids literally broke the system last night. If you've been paying attention to how James Holzhauer is doing on Jeopardy, it's almost the same exact thing. You can see that his methods have ultimately been keeping him on top over the last two months. All of the winners last night were repeat contestants, and there were a percentage of finalists last night that had hired coaches, tutors, and reading materials that could not only expand their vocabulary, but give them a stronger understanding of roots, pre- and suffixes, etymologies, and pronunciations (like the dreaded <i>schwa</i>). They all had methods that helped them decipher a word, or they had it flat-out memorized from a previous practice session. That, my friends, is dedication and a different kind of intelligence right there.<br />
<br />
We currently live a society where we have to have one winner, and a final way of determining such. In hearing about these competitions, not everybody realizes the above points. Not only that, pushing those kids any further than they did would have been borderline torture. It's like pushing a racehorse beyond its limits in the mud despite a strained leg. In my time watching these broadcasts, it was becoming clearer and clearer that no matter how tired the kids were, they knew these words or were able to figure them out without any major issue. It was at that point where I didn't really care how many co-champions there were. I was beyond impressed. That kind of work should be commended, no matter how many of them were a part of the spectacle.<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Notice how this is also a culture that doesn't fully accept soccer as a sport and doesn't understand that a 0-0 tie at full time can stand as a result. <i>'murica</i>)</span><br />
<br />
Oh, and with the way the broadcast was talking--which, by the way, was painful at times--there was a something something of exploits going on there from the get-go. One made a comment that you could make a "drinking game" out of a given statement, and in the beginning, they were talking about "favorites," like they were prized horses. As sad as this sounds, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if people gambled over something like this. Addictions exist, sure, but it's pretty sad when you're betting at the expense of children. Like, that's wrong and you should feel really wrong over that. A lot of the comments made were rather off-putting, not so much in the sake of staying PC, but <b>because they are children</b>. We're not watching a UFC event.<br />
<br />
It isn't going to come as any shock if Scripps happens to change the format of the finals next year. We might see that as only having 10 finalists, or even 8. The time limit may even change, or we could see a reduction of how many times certain information can be given. Whatever it is, they'll likely be more than ready for the next batch of kids to come in next year.<br />
<br />
These "elite eight," as they're being called, have set a high bar for the ones to come after. Who will be the next to vault over it?<br />
<br />
<br />
-- Stephanie<br />
________________________<br />
<br />
<br />
Post-blog note: Although it may be a topic of interest for some, I have obviously decided against speaking about the race or ethnicity of seven out of the eight winners from last night, or even bring to the attention that many of them who have won over the last fifteen years have been a certain race or ethnicity. In my opinion, that <i><b>does not matter</b></i>. The kids are intelligent, and they worked harder than anybody else could to get there. I'm pretty sure that people are erroneously making a bigger deal out of it than they should, because that's what hate teaches.<br />
<br />
On a more positive note, I'll direct you to <a href="https://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-shankar-national-spelling-bee-indian-americans-20190530-story.html">this article from the LA Times</a>, which actually shows the pride that Indian Americans have in the spelling bee circuit.The Sports Nut Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17712501044773745806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3316967936515556841.post-23954401718674619152019-05-23T20:36:00.000-04:002019-05-23T20:43:57.383-04:00Greener Pastures? The Future of Marijuana Use in Sports<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>I seriously feel like Tom Hanks in You've Got Mail when he's blowing on his fingers, about ready to type. I haven't been this ready to type something juicy since I ripped Ann Coulter five years ago. Those were some good writing days. Everything else was garbage.</i></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Disclaimer: This is likely to be the most informal post I've ever written. Then again, I haven't written a whole bunch in this blog in a few years. Oh well. We'll see how this turns out.</b><br />
<b> </b> <br />
<br />
Over the weekend, Chris Long, defensive end for the [then] St. Louis Rams, New England Patriots, and more recently the Philadelphia Eagles (winning back-to-back Super Bowl rings with the last two teams he played for), announced his retirement from the NFL after 11 seasons. Yesterday, news outlets including Reuters released articles revealing that the now-retired Long had partaken in marijuana use for pain management and stress relief, and was able to pass drug tests otherwise because "players knew when it was." This is amid the NFL and NFLPA looking for new means for the pain management and alternative therapies for players on and off the field. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-football-nfl-long-marijuana-idUSKCN1SS2Y0?utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_content=5ce5e75272c13d0001ebca69&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter">[1]</a><br />
<br />
In today's social climate, a rather high percentage of those who have heard the story are in that frame of mind where they're saying, "he was responsible, and still playing at a high level; marijuana should just be legalized by now." However, there is still a number of people stating, "kids look up to him, so what does that mean for them?" On the other hand, there is a lot to be said when the NFL and their Players' Association are taking strides to curb the standard means of pain management, and look for stronger, more effective ways to not only take care of their players, but increase their quality of life after their careers are over. In an era that is riddled with cases of post-concussion symptoms in athletes, and in a sport with a higher percentage of athletes suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) late in life, protection and pain management is so important. While the game has changed and evolved over the last 40 years, it may be high time (no pun intended) for medical care to evolve the same way.<br />
<br />
However, you have others that want other means instead of something that is still seen by a number of people as "bad." This is where that mental blockage happens.<br />
<br />
-- <br />
<br />
<i>Before I deviate into my own thoughts and commentary, checking out <a href="https://twitter.com/joel9one">Chris Long's Twitter</a> would be a great thing to do in order to hear his ongoing thoughts on the matter. Something tells me people are going to be attempting to rail him for a while, all while he digitally sacks them.</i><br />
<br />
--<br />
<br />
I don't know... What's worse, him "being hooked on marijuana," (which,
by the way, nobody's ever overdosed on that), or him taking pain meds
and/or taking up drinking. With the overall stress levels and physical
demands of the game--especially as a defensive end--doing the latter
could result in the possibility of getting addicted to them long after
the game is over. Of course, people are also pointing fingers that his father is Hall Of Famer Howie Long and they're not going to touch him. It's kind of a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzdF0bVH6e8">weak and bogus argument</a>, when you think about it.<br />
<br />
Remember prohibition? While alcohol was banned at the time, people still found way to retrieve it and consume/abuse it. The same applies to cannabis; if the benefits have been seen, there won't be any stopping it unless you sanction heavy criminal charges on it.<br />
<br />
On that same token, opioids are legal, and because of their accessibility, it's easy to purchase, consume, and overdose it. <br />
<br />
It's no secret that the opioid crisis is at an all-time high in the United States, and we're facing a number of casualties from those who not only dealt with physical pain, but mental and emotional pain as well. In an example not related to sports, Austin Eubanks, a survivor of the shooting at Columbine High School 20 years ago, was found dead earlier this week at his home. According to a statement from his family, it may have been due to his known struggles with opioid addiction. After the incident, he opened up about his addiction and later became a public speaker, helping those fight the very issue that he had firsthand experience with. Long after the physical issues had ceased, opioids were used to take the emotional edge off of the struggles of moving forward and existing. It simply became a way to function. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/18/us/columbine-survivor-found-dead/index.html">[2]</a><br />
<br />
If Chris Long was this open about this after his retirement, and he played at the level he did, he was obviously responsible, and still had a stellar career not only on the field, but off the field. During the 2017-2018 NFL season, he made headlines by donating that season's salary to a different charity each week. He was also the recipient of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award this past season for his charity work not only in the city of Philadelphia, but countrywide.<br />
<br />
There is still a massive stigma against the use of a substance that was still considered to be taboo up to the turn of the century. Although medical marijuana is becoming more widely accepted, as those versions do not contain THC (the element that creates the "high"), the "street" versions are still seen as a gateway drug, leading to other irresponsibility and mischief. People are more likely to think of <i>Reefer Madness</i> or believe that comedies like the Cheech & Chong films are true-to-life. If all films are actual representations of a product, then Thanos' snap in <i>Avengers: Infinity War</i> should have knocked out half of humanity by now, and even if that half was brought back, those people have probably missed five years of brain cells in the process, which is kind of where the idea of marijuana legalization got lost for most in the logic department.<br />
<br />
Marijuana's societal image is in a similar track to how gay marriage and racial inequality are ongoing hot issues. As a kid, you're not going to judge anything unless you see your parents or older family members make a comment about it, because then, it's that mentality that they know best, and disagreeing with them at a young age is a recipe for destruction. When the adults and parents are crying foul over it and completely shutting down the thoughts of benefit, then the "superiors" influence will trickle down to the kids, and the taboo returns. It makes me think of a scene in the film <i>42</i> when the father and son attend a ballgame, and when the son sees his father referring to Jackie Robinson as a particular name, the kid thinks it's <i>completely OK</i> to do that because his father is acting that way, so he follows suit. It's painful to watch, but that all happened, and it probably still is...because <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYOjWnS4cMY">this is America</a>.<br />
<br />
Athletes using marijuana to handle pain and stress is the <i><b>LEAST</b></i> of the worries of sports leagues. Back in times' past, there were athletes that not only abused pain medication, but abused alcohol--which, by the way, that's all legal--and the long-term effects of those two substances mentioned are much more damaging than cannabis. (See: A painfully high percentage of professional wrestlers before drug monitoring But hey, opioids are still bringing in revenue to pharmaceutical companies, and cannabis could take that away because it can't be controlled, even if it were taxed.<br />
<br />
This is getting ugly now, so this is where I exercise my restraint, because it's all fun and games until somebody reads something, and as soon as they see something they don't agree with--<i>snowflake</i>!<br />
<br />
Although many of us are completely aware of the benefits of cannabis, and the benefits of its other forms such as CBD oil and edibles, the "devil's lettuce" is still banned in a lot of regions, and possession could be considered a high criminal offense. One of those regions is Japan. Banned since 1948, you face the possibility of time in prison, regardless of how much is in your possession. The culture and lifestyle difference is a major factor, and their stance probably isn't going to change anytime soon. But then again, they also don't have American football, and they're not undergoing the physical demands that our athletes have to meet year in and year out. Valid logic, I'd say.<br />
<br />
We're still trapped in a society where our priorities are still a bit messy. Our health system is still in shambles, and our means of handling addiction--rehabilitation and the subsequent outpatient care--is still seen as something that are only for the worst of cases, not for those who have a growing issue but haven't outright admitted that there's a problem. There are other options, and when done <i>responsibly</i>, you know, <b>the way everything in this life should be done</b>, we're going to see really positive results. Not everybody is going to get that memo, and that's totally normal. Think of it this way: food and exercise are good, but sometimes people can get too much or too little of those, and that can be detrimental to your health if you're not responsible or have an ongoing illness.<br />
<br />
The one worry that is possibly going to come from this is whether there are going to be more random drug tests to make sure that players are "keeping clean" from marijuana use after Long had admitted to knowing how to avoid a failed test. However, I don't think it's going to affect anything. Marijuana is not a performance-enhancing drug. It may be a substance that can enhance the body's ability to handle pain and stress, but it doesn't affect overall muscle build/performance, and it doesn't contain the same type of chemical compounds as something like adderall.<br />
<br />
Do I feel as though we're making a big deal out of nothing? Yes. We have so much more access to knowledge and case studies, and there's no excuse to ignore how athletes have to adjust to the rigorous careers they have chosen. Let's just be grateful Chris Long is doing as well as he is. The last thing we'd want to see would be more football players becoming casualties because we can't help them out now.<br />
<br />
<br />
-- Stephanie<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">___________________<br />
Other articles referenced:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">[1] Long admits marijuana use, points to flaws in NFL testing - Reuters - <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-football-nfl-long-marijuana-idUSKCN1SS2Y0?utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_content=5ce5e75272c13d0001ebca69&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter">https://www.reuters.com/article/us-football-nfl-long-marijuana-idUSKCN1SS2Y0?utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_content=5ce5e75272c13d0001ebca69&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">[2] Columbine survivor and public speaker Austin Eubanks, 37, loses his battle with addiction - CNN.com - </span>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/18/us/columbine-survivor-found-dead/index.html">https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/18/us/columbine-survivor-found-dead/index.htm</a></div>
The Sports Nut Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17712501044773745806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3316967936515556841.post-2263876981320636112019-04-03T13:24:00.002-04:002019-04-03T13:24:42.300-04:00AmoebaLL: The Business of American Football<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">It was only a matter of time before we saw something like this. There are times in which I'm glad that I'm still a writer and that I still have this blog. This is one of those times.<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> [hugs laptop]</span></span></i><br />
<br />
According to a number of sources, as of this Tuesday, the Alliance of American Football, after only about eight weeks of play, has suspended their operations indefinitely.<br />
<br />
Although starting out strong, and really grabbing the attention of current NFL fans and political patriots that are "boycotting" the league, finances and issues involving structure and investment have weighed down the league so quickling to the point of essentially hanging itself. Not only this, there were meant to be two more weeks of games, and then playoffs leading to a championship on April 27. However, with this suspension, this will not come to pass.<br />
<br />
In fact, there are already reports filing in as early as a few hours ago that employees are being told that today is their last day in working with AAF. Basically, they're telling them in a nice way that the league is folding, and to take their ball and go home.<a href="https://www.cbssports.com/aaf/news/aaf-2019-shutdown-nears-with-many-employees-being-told-wednesday-would-be-their-last-day/">[1]</a> It's a pretty awful thing to witness, considering that they had a lot of promising talent in the league, and games were even being broadcast on NFL Network, almost in a sign of solidarity of the owner's efforts. <br />
<br />
The AAF and NFL already had some striking differences in regard to rules. I liken it to NFL Blitz versus the current Madden games being churned out every year. For example, there are no extra point kicks after a touchdown; instead, every team must go for a two-point conversion after each touchdown. Not only that, player safety was judged by what was called a "sky judge," so based on all of the commotion with what a "roughing the passer" call was in the NFL this year, this was beyond refreshing to see.<a href="https://heavy.com/sports/2019/02/aaf-rules-nfl-difference-explained/">[2]</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B6uuPFIqbY">For example, watch this.</a> Now you know why heads turned toward the league.<br />
<br />
Despite the fact that the gameplay was excellent, and the fact that there were people that actually <i>did</i> watch the games, it was accessibility, and of course, the root of all evil, <i><b>money</b></i>. <br />
<br />
No matter how far along in a league you are, or how shrewd of a businessman you are, it has everything to do with how much money you have, where you got it from, and where it's ultimately going. Plus, it's always a smart thing to actually have full commitment from your owners and operators. In this case with the AAF, the right hand literally did not know what the left hand was doing. According to the Dallas News, Tom Dundon, a local billionaire to them, had recently become chairman and majority owner after pledging that he was going to be putting $250 million of his own money into the league. On one hand, he delivered $70 million of that upfront, but on the other hand, the rest of it was going to come in periodic payments to keep the league alive.<a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/business/business/2019/04/02/alliance-american-football-shuts-weeks-after-dallas-billionaire-tom-dundons-250-million-investment">[3]</a><br />
<br />
Then it just wasn't happening.<br />
<br />
Dundon obviously had the ability to pull funding, and boom goes the dynamite.<br />
<br />
Supposedly, there were talks going on between the owners of AAF (well, mainly Dundon) and the NFLPA to make AAF a "launch pad," or in other words, a "minor league" that'll boost AAF players into earning a future deal with the NFL. In the reports that followed, Dundon had stated he considered "folding the league" if those plans did not come to fruition.<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffarnold/2019/04/01/the-aaf-can-be-invaluable-launching-pad-to-nfl-but-needs-nflpa-backing-to-survive/#6ff058ab13c3">[4]</a> Pretty gutsy, but I'm sure that it wasn't just the whole idea of AAF being a "launch point," but that the business by itself wasn't ideal for him, and attaching to an even bigger business deal by the juggernaut that is the NFL where he would be more "hands off" would be more beneficial to a bigger-picture guy like Dundon. Think about it--in the business world, it's all about who you know, and it's all about how the bigger suits can help <b><i>you</i></b> in your own advancement. Do I think that Dundon was in it all for himself? Sure sounds like it. It's virtually being reported everywhere that Bill Polian, who was co-founder of the AAF and was head of football operations that he's "disappointed" with the announced suspension of the league, and in a decent way, admitted that he and Charlie Ebersol trusted Dundon with towing his end of the line, and it didn't happen. It doesn't particularly sound like blame, but it might as well be.<br />
<br />
There's cutthroat business, but then there is also business where the pond is too small, and one fish got really big and fat to the point where nothing else fits into it. In that ideology, I can see where there are investors that think, "why bother," especially if they're investing into a junior version of a complete sports conglomerate that has been such a revenue machine in the last fifty years, despite hiccups here and there.<br />
<br />
Is this a sign that the NFL is too big to really have competition going against it?<br />
<br />
No. In fact, it has nothing to do with that. <br />
<br />
The problem is, there shouldn't be competition for a sport that is considered a "Big 4 Sport." I understand the whole "let's make a minor league for it," but with how physically demanding American football is, it isn't the best decision at all for players to be competing for an NFL contract year-round. Now, if they did it like a promotion-relegation system like a number of European soccer leagues, which is what I had assumed the endgame was for the AAF, then it would be really effective. The schedule would vary slightly--they'd play on Friday or Saturday nights instead--and instead of having playoffs, they would fight for the top positions in the equivalents to the AFC and NFC. Lowest record teams in the NFL would be AAF teams the next season, and top qualifying AAF teams would challenge for the NFL.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, as awesome as that would sound, that would be reinventing the wheel in a business sense, because then you're not only adding more teams and more payroll to what's already a massive, multi-billion dollar business, you're also taking the reins of new investors and media markets, among other things. Imagine all of the TV space, advertising, and branding mayhem with the addition of another branch to the NFL. You would think that it would be too big to fail, but if the Titanic sunk on a tiny iceberg, even the smallest slip-up is going to send Roger Goodell to an early grave.<br />
<br />
The saddest part of this whole thing is wondering what will become of the players that have established themselves in the league, and whether they're going to be heading anywhere else. Earning NFL tryouts in training camps are an option since the NFL draft is coming up soon, and training camps are going to start in June. Going to Canada sounds really good, too. However, this is most likely the opening that somebody like Vince McMahon is going to rip apart and drive his XFL wagon into. The XFL is officially returning next year, and considering that this isn't their first time at the rodeo, they're not willing to fail again, and they also have a heck of a lot more money, stock, and investment than ever before. WWE has become more of a global brand since the first XFL incarnation in 2001, so who knows how much momentum is going to be coming behind this returning branch out of the business? Thankfully, they aren't going to be making it a "sports entertainment" kind of deal, provided with characters and "He Hate Me" on a jersey like they did the first time.<br />
<br />
In the case of the XFL, I have this slight feeling that they're going to try and be a direct competition to the NFL in a number of ways, not only in rules, but in business politics and investments. If they're smart, they're going to set themselves apart from mainstream football and go in a similar vein to the Arena Football League.<br />
<br />
Yeah, they still exist. Strange, right? Starting this year, there will be six teams, as opposed to the four (!) that they've had in recent years. Baby steps, I guess, considering that they once had as many as 19 teams a little over ten years ago.<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">[How small is their league and budgets, exactly? There was a really awful rumor that when the Philadelphia Soul won ArenaBowl XXX, their championship parade was going to end in the parking lot of the IKEA in South Philly, where they'd have their rallies and speeches. Thankfully, this did not happen.]</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">However, the reason why something like the Arena Football League still exists is because of how it varies from it's big-time counterpart. The rules and the atmosphere are different. If you replicate something with intent to knock it down and be the big man on campus, you have to re-think your business practices. It has utmost content with being the alternative, and they are mindful of their target audiences and their media markets. That's <b>smart</b>, regardless of the fact that the league was virtually dying within this decade.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hindsight is 20/20. Both Polian and Ebersol are likely to be learning from their mistakes already, but the sad part is, a lot of money has been lost, and a lot of players and personnel are now wondering, "what's next?"</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I wish I had the answer to that question.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">-- Stephanie</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">___________________<br />
Other articles referenced:</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">[1] </span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">AAF 2019: Shutdown nears, with many employees being told Wednesday would be their last day</span> - CBS Sports - <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/aaf/news/aaf-2019-shutdown-nears-with-many-employees-being-told-wednesday-would-be-their-last-day/">https://www.cbssports.com/aaf/news/aaf-2019-shutdown-nears-with-many-employees-being-told-wednesday-would-be-their-last-day/</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">[2] </span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">AAF Rules: What Is the Difference in NFL vs. the Alliance of American Football?</span> - heavy. - <a href="https://heavy.com/sports/2019/02/aaf-rules-nfl-difference-explained/">https://heavy.com/sports/2019/02/aaf-rules-nfl-difference-explained/</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">[3] </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Alliance of American Football shuts down weeks after Dallas billionaire Tom Dundon committed $250 million </span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">- Dallas News - <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/business/business/2019/04/02/alliance-american-football-shuts-weeks-after-dallas-billionaire-tom-dundons-250-million-investment">https://www.dallasnews.com/business/business/2019/04/02/alliance-american-football-shuts-weeks-after-dallas-billionaire-tom-dundons-250-million-investment</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">[4] </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">The AAF Can Be 'Invaluable Launching Pad' To NFL, But Needs NFLPA Backing To Survive</span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> - Forbes - <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffarnold/2019/04/01/the-aaf-can-be-invaluable-launching-pad-to-nfl-but-needs-nflpa-backing-to-survive/#6ff058ab13c3">https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffarnold/2019/04/01/the-aaf-can-be-invaluable-launching-pad-to-nfl-but-needs-nflpa-backing-to-survive/#6ff058ab13c3 </a></span> </span>The Sports Nut Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17712501044773745806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3316967936515556841.post-2932964174334975912019-03-29T18:00:00.002-04:002019-03-29T18:00:49.296-04:00Mascots: Charm, Sorcery, and Furry Giants<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">This has been a draft for six years. SIX. YEARS. I guess now's just as good a time as any to fill out what I originally had, yeah?</span></i><br />
<br />
To get started here, I'm going to throw down a statistic here that will aid in my explanation. Outside of sports, there is a huge fact about branding:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>"Children ages 2-11 see more than 25,000 advertisements a year on TV
alone ... a figure that does not include product placement. They are
also targeted with advertising on the Internet, cell phones, mp3
players, video games, school buses, and in school." <a href="https://commercialfreechildhood.org/resource/marketing-children-overview">[1]</a></i></span></blockquote>
<br />
This statistic ultimately skyrockets as you age and expose yourself to more advertisements and branding. You think I'm deviating from the actual topic at hand, but I'm not. As a child, you're going to be exposed to a <b>bunch</b> of different things, and the more colorful and cartoonish they appear, the more appealing they'll be to kids, or the more they will induce nightmares. Even so, it makes them memorable.<br />
<br />
The main idea you have to think of is this: when children are younger, and their parents or family members take them to games, aside from big-name players, who are they going to remember the most?<br />
<br />
The mascots. The big furry buddies that show up during the games and pump up the fans.<br />
<br />
What exactly <i>is</i> a mascot? Well, etymology can clear that up for us. The word comes from the French <i>mascotte</i>, ultimately meaning "charm" (the derivative term, <i>mascoto</i>, means witch, but anyway...). In the very early days of baseball in the 1880's, different "charms," or mascots, took the form of children or real-life animals. No, now is not the time to assume the "Curse of the Billy Goat" originated from this kind of mascot, as that's a completely different story.<br />
<br />
By the MLB expansion in the 1960's, mascots became more plentiful, as Mr. Met made an appearance, the San Diego Chicken began his legacy, and the Phillie Phanatic hatched his way into the hearts of fans and haters alike. <a href="http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2016/09/first-sports-mascot/">[2]</a><br />
<br />
Professional team mascots are huge instruments in an organization's humanitarian work and their public relations outside of sporting events. They're animated due to their inability to speak, and their warm and fuzzy exterior is usually enough to bring a lighthearted feel to the room they walk into. They may not be actual superheroes, but they're larger-than-life figures that breathe, eat, and sleep energy. Actions speak louder than words, after all. While their purpose is not to convert people to be fans of a particular sport, they're there for physical support as well as giving brand awareness to those to support other causes in their area.<br />
<br />
There aren't just mascots at the professional level, but they also exist in high school and college environments. A number of them do crazy stunts during breaks, and they also make appearances at school functions to promote their branding and appeal to other audiences. It usually isn't at the same level as professional mascots, but they're still there for similar reasons.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was a mascot once for a parade, and it was fun. Like, really, really fun. The kids LOVED me.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQTWCOkOGLJoGjMopwPrLg7kwc3GC40-GVCWp47-mjSa945E3CTyCdINUbACznKb68_5ixj0u5QAiuzZO2DFxXGFjbXHAhMCwUk9uoQJQLw0B6dhdocgz1R8QeA7TaQ_XJTh5OUMEOgQ/s1600/me+as+the+tiger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQTWCOkOGLJoGjMopwPrLg7kwc3GC40-GVCWp47-mjSa945E3CTyCdINUbACznKb68_5ixj0u5QAiuzZO2DFxXGFjbXHAhMCwUk9uoQJQLw0B6dhdocgz1R8QeA7TaQ_XJTh5OUMEOgQ/s320/me+as+the+tiger.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was back in 2008. I missed the NLDS clincher between the Phillies and Brewers that day.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When you think about it, it takes a lot for a mascot of one team to actually be memorable with another city or other leagues. Unless there aren't a number of videos of their antics online or in the news, you're not going to hear much outside of what your local mascots do.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXFSK0ogeg4">Then Gritty happened.</a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dn3mx-bXUAInf87.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dn3mx-bXUAInf87.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo from Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/grittyNHL">@GrittyNHL</a> - Photo URL: <a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dn3mx-bXUAInf87.jpg">https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dn3mx-bXUAInf87.jpg</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I remember that morning in late September, when I had another iPhone placed in front of my face to show me the Philadelphia Flyers' new mascot. In a terrified way, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLJbdvoVAkY">I yelled</a>. But because of the initial reception of the big, orange furball, as well as the handling of his social media account, he became hosuehold name not only in the Philly area, but all over the flipping country. From wanting to be the "Person of the Year" for Time Magazine, to getting called out by Bailey the LA Kings Bear, he has the look and the attitude where people are going to remember him.<br />
<br />
This is what makes mascots great, especially in the current days of social media. Not only are they still "good luck charms," but they're also a kind of "spokesperson" for the team. They are the prime representatives of a brand. They're also representative of the fans. They show how much heart the fans have, as well as the types of people they represent. There's lightheartedness, there's storytelling, such as how Teddy Roosevelt struggled to win a President's Race at RFK/Nationals Park for a number of years, and there's even competition among rival mascots as well.<br />
<br />
Mascots are the extended arm for the team and their fans.<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX4L2LHGs98">Except if you're Tommy Lasorda.</a> Then they're just nuisances.<br />
<br />
The presence of a mascot can greatly enhance the entertainment factor of a game. It doesn't always take much for them to fire up fans with their quirks, and when they get going, it's usually at the best time possible. One thing's for sure, I'm glad that they did away with the olden times of using uniformed kids and real animals to get the crowd into it. Reading about it now, it made sense at that time, but the idea definitely didn't age well, and it would be rather creepy if that held up today.<br />
<br />
You'd best believe that when the team energy and the fan momentum falters, the mascots will be there to save you and your sanity.<br />
<br />
-- Stephanie<br />
<br />
___________________<br />
Other articles referenced:<br />
<br />
[1] Marketing to Children Overview - Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood - <a href="https://commercialfreechildhood.org/resource/marketing-children-overview">https://commercialfreechildhood.org/resource/marketing-children-overview</a><br />
[2] Who - Or What - Was the First Sports Mascot and How Did the Practice Start? - Today I Found Out - <a href="http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2016/09/first-sports-mascot/">http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2016/09/first-sports-mascot/</a> The Sports Nut Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17712501044773745806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3316967936515556841.post-75888552833215224372019-03-27T12:56:00.003-04:002019-03-27T12:56:51.546-04:00The Long, Long, Long, Long Journey to October<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I love baseball as much as the next person. But as I'm getting older, there's a difference between endurance and overkill.</span></i><br />
<br />
Here it is, lovely people. As of this posting, we are about 24 hours away from Opening Day for the 2019 MLB season. Blockbuster signings have happened in the offseason, <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/steven-souza-jr-sustains-leg-injury">knees have literally exploded</a>, and foolish attempts to shorten the length of the game have run rampant once again.<br />
<br />
Regardless of whether you're looking forward to the season or not, you're willing to wonder how long it takes before people begin to lose interest and start thinking about other sports again. After all, the NFL draft is coming up in a few weeks, and we're on the heels of the playoffs for both the NBA and NHL. It isn't that the game has become <i>boring</i>, per se, but in my older age, I will admit that the season has become quite long. As I mentioned in my previous post, there's always a guarantee that I'll have something to watch on TV when I'm not working, and I'm perfectly down with that.<br />
<br />
But after a while, you tend to ask yourself, "Why?"<br />
<br />
Even in the early days of baseball, up until the increase of teams in the 1960's, there were still upwards of 150 games played, as each team played their divisional opponents <b>22 times</b> per season. <a href="https://www.thesportshistorian.com/why-162-games/#">[1]</a> It sounds crazy, but the game was also much different back then. In those days, it was rather common to see pitchers tossing the entire game, and the quality of the equipment definitely made a difference, especially in the offensive department. Today, it's all about stats, performance, and the pace of the game.<br />
<br />
One thing we've forgotten though, is that while those final points above are important, the human body, while it can do incredible things, is still a vessel that needs care, as the quality of it can decline as time progresses. Not every player on the 25-man roster can play all 162 games in a season. In fact, it's very rare. There are cases in which a player is placed on the disabled list from anywhere between 7 days (usually for concussions) or up to 60 for muscle strains or broken bones. You could be conditioned and be in the best physical shape possible, but
freak accidents can still happen, and longevity can be placed at risk
in a game like this. Plus, a mini-paternity leave has also been implemented in the league within the past few years, which honestly, that's pretty cool, and I'm a huge fan of that.<br />
<br />
From a mentality standpoint not only from the players, but from the fans, eight months of being on the road and having to keep focus in a strategy-centric sport can be rather taxing. Is it really that important to play so much? Sure, there are players that go south of the US and play in the winter leagues to keep in form, but those games usually aren't as demanding and as crucial to the business in which they ultimately pledge allegiance to. While it may be a lifestyle, it has gotten to the point where we're losing interest because there's too much stimulation.<br />
<br />
Hear me out.<br />
<br />
You stand in front of a free cookie vending machine, and when you press the big blue button, a cookie comes popping out. Woohoo! Free cookie! Whenever you want more, you keep pressing the button. More cookies! Then, from pressing it so hard and so often, the button breaks, and cookies just keep coming out. You're going to get awfully tired of seeing all of the cookies flying out, and there is no way on this green earth that you're going to eat all of them without making yourself sick or near death.<br />
<br />
This is Major League Baseball.<br />
The button is broken.<br />
There's too much of the game for consumption, and most fans are just tired of it.<br />
<br />
Instead of shortening the length of the game itself, the marketing of the game and its players needs to change for sure. You can read my previous post about that below [but finish reading this one first]. Most of all, it should start being considered by Mr. Manfred and company that we just might not need as many games in the season anymore. We can find other ways to shorten the game. They're not going to be the easiest to pull off, but it might end up being more profitable in the end.<br />
<br />
--<br />
<br />
Here are a couple of suggestions to how this whole "shortening" business can be implemented in a much simpler way:<br />
<br />
<b>1) Eliminating multiple series with non-divisional opponents.</b><br />
<br />
You'll notice that in the NFL, you don't play every single team in the league. Not only that, if they're not in your division, you won't play a given team more than once. For example, if you're the New Orleans Saints and you're playing the LA Rams--wait, I think I just rehashed some semi-healed wounds there, Who Dat Nation, my bad--you're either going to play them at the Superdome in the Bayou, or you're going out west to the LA Coliseum. You don't need anything more than that. If you're the St. Louis Cardinals, there's no reason you need to play the Miami Marlins both at home <i>and</i> in Florida. If you take away a lot of those extra series, and decide whether a non-divisional team plays home or away in a particular series, that easily shaves off about 50 games right off the bat (no pun intended).<br />
<br />
<b>2) Doing away with two-game and four-game series.</b><br />
<br />
The two-game series are a fairly new thing in Major League Baseball, but four-game series have been a thing in the majors for a long while. If the first reason is enforced, there is less of a chance to split hairs in series records, and there is less travel involved when there is a two-game series.<br />
<br />
This can probably be done without having to shorten the season at all. Rescheduling is all that really needs to be done here. <br />
<br />
<b>3) Reduce Spring Training.</b><br />
<br />
I'm willing to bet that there are a number of people that are in agreement over this. Considering how long Spring Training is, it's a lot more endurance required by players at the Major League level to stay at top form. Sure, this will reduce the chance of minor league players making the 40-man roster, or it will add a little more strain to the decision-making process of the coaching staff, but how many games do you really need to know that you have the team that you need to play healthy and consistently for the next six months?<br />
<br />
--<br />
<br />
<br />
With all of those points noted, there is a serious backup that could definitely prevent this idea of a shorter season ever happening, and when it hit me after filling out all of those points above, my jaw did this kind of existential drop where everything went into slow motion and I saw these nuclear explosions all around me. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N3N1MlvVc4">This song was also playing, too.</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<i>PER MY LAST POST:</i><br />
Remember how massive those player contracts were?<br />
<br />
It doesn't stop there. <br />
<br />
Say, for instance, that the season was reduced to 110 games, give or take a few. This would ultimately lead to higher ticket prices and higher prices in concessions since the ballparks have to make more business than usual (Note: I have a personal experience with the current insanity, as it was crazy enough that I drank a 16oz Miller Light can that cost <b>$9</b> at Citizens' Bank Park last August, and a chicken sandwich by itself was $7.) Instead of "going to the ballpark on a whim" being a choice, it'll become more of a hard decision. If you're also eating on top of buying a ticket to the game--remember, you can't bring things in anymore--you're going to be shelling out more cash. This would be exponentially worse if the amount of home games are shortened for your team.<br />
<br />
Granted, if you already incorporate the idea of the overall cost of a family of four going to a ballgame in some places, you figure:<br />
<ul>
<li>Average price of cheap seats in a Major League ballpark: ranging anywhere from $20-$40 </li>
<li>Average price of parking: anywhere from $10 to $30</li>
<li>Average price of a full meal and drink: Meal could be upwards of $10 per person, plus $2-$5 extra for a drink</li>
</ul>
Now, multiply those prices by four.<br />
Don't forget souvenirs, too!<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Note: Prices are ultimately going to vary on region. Prices in the
California ballparks will obviously vary from ballparks in New York, and
so on and so forth.) <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/media/the-7-most-and-least-expensive-stadiums-to-watch-a-major-league-baseball-game/2/">[2]</a> </span></i> <br />
<br />
The gift of American financial inflation doesn't exactly do us any good. Back in the 80's and 90's, you could make a day at the ballpark and not have to spend much. Today, you have to plan a day at the ballpark and budget the day as if it's a vacation. You can't have this as a luxury; it falls into the same track as NFL games, concerts, or other sporting events.<br />
Think about it--<b>there are about 80 home games every season</b>, and the ticket and concessions rates run about the same as concerts and NFL games, and<b> there are only eight or nine home NFL games every season</b>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggx6xKsPXZaxKLe9iveuYbfLPf7uixIspkzQNTUr1k6ruPhxiOOb-yQJcZf2iKKjG_j-kSXRMtZbPemfmdVTpS_nzCWESTFy5sLwAqAQAk2SGnKABGBTvP7KzBJq_jZgLR-SpPHp18G24/s1600/wack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="538" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggx6xKsPXZaxKLe9iveuYbfLPf7uixIspkzQNTUr1k6ruPhxiOOb-yQJcZf2iKKjG_j-kSXRMtZbPemfmdVTpS_nzCWESTFy5sLwAqAQAk2SGnKABGBTvP7KzBJq_jZgLR-SpPHp18G24/s320/wack.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Imagine how much more of an impact a shorter baseball season would come down upon the fans and the wallets. It would be massive.<br />
<br />
What kind of monster have we created here?<br />
<br />
Due to the business that is being run today, it's hard to reduce a season, and what we have right now is what we have to keep. It's like trying to take ingredients out of a mixture when they've already been mixed in. Is it detrimental to the players and teams as a whole? We haven't seen a lot of that, but you also have to wonder about the teams that haven't been contenders in the last couple of seasons, and what it's going to take for them to get their fanbase back. It's something that owners and the like have to consider, especially when it's a long season, and they need people to watch the games in order to keep their team running.<br />
<br />
Well, nuts.<br />
<br />
I hate it when I run into self-made roadblocks while trying to make a point of conversation.<br />
<br />
I guess for me that this is going to be a very long journey to October.<br />
I just hope you're well-hydrated and strapped in. It's time for 2,430 games in the next six months.<br />
<br />
<br />
-- Stephanie<br />
<br />
___________________<br />
Other articles referenced:<br />
<br />
[1] Why 162 Games? - The Sports Historian - <a href="https://www.thesportshistorian.com/why-162-games/#">https://www.thesportshistorian.com/why-162-games/# </a><br />
[2] The 7 most and least expensive stadiums to watch a Major League Baseball game - CBS News - <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/media/the-7-most-and-least-expensive-stadiums-to-watch-a-major-league-baseball-game/2/">https://www.cbsnews.com/media/the-7-most-and-least-expensive-stadiums-to-watch-a-major-league-baseball-game/2/</a>The Sports Nut Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17712501044773745806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3316967936515556841.post-26645464880736993822019-03-22T19:09:00.000-04:002019-03-22T19:09:46.191-04:00Major League Baseball's Identity Crisis<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Your eyes aren't deceiving you. It's been well over two years since I've written in this blog. Not too long after I wrote the last post, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhvzQnlHNNI&t=2s">a short film happened</a>. Then my faithful laptop of ten years died last summer. They aren't excuses. I had a good time, and some crises happened. But I feel like I need to write in here once more.</span></i><br />
<br />
As I take a sip of ChocoVine and put my fingers to these keys, another baseball season is finally upon us, and my wardrobe changes to adjust to that. It's the time of year where I actually have something to either watch on television every single night, or listen to a broadcast on the radio. The football season has become that for me, and that isn't because the Eagles actually won a Super Bowl in the time I haven't written in here. I digress on that point.<br />
<br />
Yesterday morning, we all witnessed a storybook retirement for one Ichiro Suzuki, as he gave his thank yous and waved his goodbyes in front of a Japanese crowd during the eighth inning against the Oakland A's during their Japan series. It was pretty amazing, and it felt like a piece of my childhood was ending. Although he didn't ever experience a World Series (the Mariners totally could have if the Yankees hadn't prevented that in 2001), he was still a master class in the batter's box, and was always a class act on and off the field.<br />
<br />
<b>I'm going to miss him, but not for the reason that you would think.</b><br />
<br />
For the last five or six years, it hasn't come as any surprise that general interest in baseball hasn't been as strong as it has in years past. I can say that I fell into that category, and it wasn't because the Phillies started tanking and their dynasty died a fiery death. Mr. Manfred over in MLB's headquarters think that general loss of interest is because the average time of a game is too long. Funny, that was the exact thing I complained about in my last post two years ago. Here we are, still dealing with it after all of this time.<br />
<br />
Even if you don't have a marketing or a public relations degree, it shouldn't be that hard to see that MLB's identity crisis goes way beyond keeping millennials seated in a folding chair for more than three hours.<br />
<br />
It has everything to do with the marketing of the players. It has literally become a lost art, and it absolutely burns in every open wound and welt from a slide and hit-by-pitch.<br />
<br />
When you watch a sport, you really should know the other teams involved, and know what kind of special players exist in the league to keep things fresh. My favorite thing to do in the last two years have been to ask people who aren't the absolute biggest baseball fans to name five big MLB players that aren't even on their own team. The two most common I had gotten were Mike Trout and Bryce Harper, and then I'd get names of guys that have long since retired.<br />
<br />
General interest in ballplayers reached a head in mainstream news, not because they were good or because they were under the gavel of the law due to domestic abuse, but because they were receiving the biggest contracts ever administered in the history of sports. When Alex Rodriguez signed his ten-year, $275 million deal with the New York Yankees in 2007, that kind of contract was unheard of.<br />
<br />
Now, twelve years later, we have:<br />
<ul>
<li>Nolan Arenado of the Rockies with an eight-year, $260 million deal</li>
<li>Manny Machado of the Padres with a ten-year, $300 million contract</li>
<li>Bryce Harper of the Phillies with a thirteen-year, $330 million deal</li>
<li>Mike Trout of the Angels with a twelve-year, wait for it, $426.5 million contract</li>
</ul>
**It also worth mentioning that Giancarlo Stanton is also in the fourth year of his twelve-year, $325 deal with the Miami Marlins**<br />
<br />
If you took a look at the highest-paid athletes in the world, SIXTEEN of the Top-20 paid athletes in the world are MLB players (three of the remaining four are NBA players, and the other is a boxer, which is really uncanny).<br />
<br />
If you're pumping out this much money to have your talent, why on this green earth are they not getting marketed properly?!<br />
<br />
I'd like to provide the largest example of how it isn't happening at all.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsoCe7C4Kmk">Remember this commercial?</a><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">LEBRON JAMES IS ON THE MOUND. HE IS A BASKETBALL PLAYER.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Why don't you have someone like Clayton Kershaw or Max Scherzer do it?</span></b><br />
<br />
The lack of marketing and endorsement deals that baseball players have received have been slim to none, and when your biggest marketing effort is Little League, Nike, and New Balance, there's a serious problem. A 2016 article from the International Business Times attributes it to the idea that players are on the road for so many days of the year, and a 162-game schedule isn't ideal to promote a brand or ensure brand loyalty. <a href="https://www.ibtimes.com/mlb-stars-get-massive-contracts-few-endorsements-heres-why-2348181">[1]</a> Now, when you throw this into the conversation, there's obviously one of two things wrong with this: (1) It's a lame excuse, because I remember seeing big-name players in advertising in the late-90's and early-2000's during the MLB season, and (2) It's becoming painfully evident that it isn't the length of a single game, but the length of the season as a whole has finally become too much for the average consumer.<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(At some point, I'll write about how the 162-game season should go the way of the dinosaur. I think it'll be great writing therapy for a now-disgruntled sports fan like myself.) </span></i><br />
<br />
When it comes to marketing the player, the main goal doesn't become brand loyalty to the product their endorsing, but becoming the face of the league in which they play. It has been stated year in and year out that guys like Mike Trout don't want that attention, and he's arguably one of the hottest names in baseball today. So, that being said, who is willing to grab that brass ring and keep the game alive? It goes beyond skill and longevity today. It's all about image and identity.<br />
<br />
Okay, so the biggest argument I have going against me on this one is the fact that baseball 20-25 years prior was more than just table conversation and player marketing. The game was so much more different before the steroid scandals, because some of the feats achieved were superhero-like. The drama behind each game was like watching Attitude Era WWE wondering what was going to happen on this week's edition on "This Week In Baseball." It wasn't an overly proud time in baseball, but seeing what was going to happen in the home run wars was must-see TV.<br />
This doesn't poo-poo the fact that watching impressive pitching performances in today's game isn't so at all, but the implementation of sabermetrics and the need for hard-hitting action in the game in a short amount of time is the figurative equivalent of steroids in the 1990's. Strength is good, but longevity and brandworthy moments are important to the growth of the game.<br />
<br />
Give them a reason to keep returning to the stadium and the TV sets, not a reason to walk away from the stadium and the TVs faster.<br />
<br />
<i>I end this post with asking Kyler Murray this one question: How do you like waiting for the NFL draft knowing you missed out on a massive payday?</i><br />
<br />
-- Stephanie<br />
<br />
___________________<br />
Other articles referenced:<br />
<br />
[1] MLB Stars Get Massive Contracts But Few Endorsements. Here's Why. - International Business Times - <a href="https://www.ibtimes.com/mlb-stars-get-massive-contracts-few-endorsements-heres-why-2348181">https://www.ibtimes.com/mlb-stars-get-massive-contracts-few-endorsements-heres-why-2348181</a><br />
<br />The Sports Nut Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17712501044773745806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3316967936515556841.post-33739141154288710362017-02-21T18:33:00.000-05:002017-02-21T18:33:22.758-05:00Cutting to the (Literal) Chase<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>I understand that this is only my third post since the sixth anniversary of The Sports Nut Blogs, but much like any child or old friend, I must acknowledge the special day. Happy Seventh Birthday, dearest blog.</i></span><br />
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Last week, I heard a bit of stirring from the realm of baseball. After all, pitchers and catchers reported last week, with full squads working out as early as this weekend. Yeah, that's all well and good. We're used to that kind of stuff.<br />
<br />
But that isn't what I'm writing about right now.<br />
<br />
As most of us should know, this is the second full season with Rob Manfred as commissioner of Major League Baseball. Much like any leader before him, we tend to wonder what kind of ideas and suggestions he'll bring to the table. Considering how Bud Selig twisted the game a lot in 25-some-odd years, such as adding the Wild Card and helping birth the implementation of instant replay, he has had a lot expected of him. It's like we're asking the question: "What will the President of the United States do within his first 100 days?" Now that his feet are completely immersed--not just simply wet--in commish matters, we're starting to see a couple of "pitches," so to speak. [This pun was unplanned.]<br />
<br />
This little number is causing a ton of commotion all over the sport and in baseball talks around town. If you've been living under a rock, it's a proposed regulation that will alter the rules of a game in extra innings. In my 26 years of life, I have experienced a ton of extra innings games. The longest one I can remember was 20 innings, and at least three position players had to pitch during the game. It was one of those games where I thanked baseball Twitter for helping me out and letting me know what was going on when my MLB feed cut out. While it's considered "free baseball" for all of the fans, it's oftentimes seen as the worst case scenario for any baseball team. It's where strategy really comes into play, especially when your bullpen is on the verge of total burnout. No team wants that, especially if they're smack-dab in the middle of a ten-game road trip, and their next day off isn't for another three days or so. But you have to get that W, right? You have to get it in any way possible.<br />
<br />
In the chess-like structure of baseball, there are very few ways that you can curb the course of the game. However, this is what the rule would be:<br />
<br />
<b>In an extra inning game, both teams will begin their half of the inning with a runner on second base. This practice continues until there is a definitive winner at the bottom half of the inning.</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(wrinkled face)</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJE-Idvljqc0czpLwa4OGbcZuCRX12D3JqJI0uUhe9Z1FqrfXVvGdE5ATHMrwhfznM0T96lzthfehcCQfUV6Mszo8zOqsBStF3Z8cilc673sGX-VWFlFI7HkefXUvRuSpWsjHj02g6WfY/s1600/grinds+my+gears.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJE-Idvljqc0czpLwa4OGbcZuCRX12D3JqJI0uUhe9Z1FqrfXVvGdE5ATHMrwhfznM0T96lzthfehcCQfUV6Mszo8zOqsBStF3Z8cilc673sGX-VWFlFI7HkefXUvRuSpWsjHj02g6WfY/s320/grinds+my+gears.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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This honestly sounds like a rule you'd implement in a men's over-50 recreational softball league.</div>
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Could you imagine if they had this type of rule during Game 7 of the [Hell Has Frozen Over Because The Cubs Or Indians Could Win The] World Series? It wouldn't have been as fun. Sure, there would be a bit more tension, but it almost feels like you're cheating and rushing everybody out the door (you know what I mean). You may as well say: "Forget it! The game ends in a tie! You had your nine-inning fix!" I'm getting vibes similar to how NHL games would just end in a tie after a short overtime period before the shootout came after the 2004-2005 lockout. It feels exactly like that--forcing a winner.</div>
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During the game, it's as if you're putting on training wheels or a completely one-sided handicap on a team if they're not pushing hard enough to win decisively. Plus, this would also leave teams to decide if they want to place their fastest player in scoring position, thus affecting the lineup and fielding in either the bottom half of the inning or the possible next. It's like the flex player rule in softball, but used on a Major League scale in the event that "everybody has to have a role, but they're not going to bat or field."</div>
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The main reason for the proposal is that, according to a USA Today article, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPleY9fh3YE">there is a need</a> to attract the game to a younger audience, as the supposed average age to watch a TV broadcast is over 50. <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2017/02/09/new-extra-inning-rule/97712614/">[SOURCE]</a> Where that statistic came from, I'd really like to know. Does that make me 50 in spirit? </div>
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Anyway.</div>
<br />
There have been moves over the past few years to pick up the pace of each game, going so far as to giving the pitcher a time limit to set up, communicate with the catcher, and make his stretch. Of course, it's one step forward and two steps back, considering the <a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/c5/6a/23/c56a239f3de743f2b577f6a50c8734e7.jpg">almighty instant replay rule</a> happens--sometimes more than once in a game--and the communication from New York and the final ruling itself can take anywhere from three to five minutes. You know who else encounters that same problem? The NFL, and with the clock-running tactics and everything else, there is only really 15 minutes of real gameplay within a three-hour broadcast of the game. Okay, there are only three days out of the week when there are games in the NFL as opposed to just about every day for baseball, but still, who's really losing out here?<br />
<br />
You can't place the entire blame of pacing on extra innings, either. Sure, there were "record setting numbers" of the amount of extra innings games played during the regular season in 2013, but according to a Chicago Tribune article originally from the Washington Post, out of the 2,428 combined games played during the 2016 season, only 185 of those games went to extras, and 122 of those 185 games went to either ten or eleven innings. <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/ct-baseball-pace-of-play-extra-innings-20170209-story.html">[SOURCE]</a> In 2013, that number was 239.<br />
<br />
From a <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/2013-season-sets-mlb-record-for-most-extra-inning-games/">CBS Sports article</a>:<br />
<h4>
<i>"There have been 239 extra-inning games in Major League Baseball so far this season. In 2011, there were 237, which was the previous record-holder. Prior to that, the most games to head to extras in history in a season was 220, which was done in 1986, 1991, 2007 and 2010.</i><i>So four of the top six extra-inning seasons in history have come in the last seven seasons" (Snyder, 2013).</i></h4>
Okay. I get that. However, there are also thirty teams in the league. Each team plays 180 games. That number is going to climb. However, the numbers have gone down considerably since then, and there shouldn't be any room for worry. To be honest, it sounds like we're chopping off our big toe to save our ailing eyesight.<br />
<br />
I got to thinking about this small point, but there probably won't be any significance about this particular matter. While the MLBPA isn't a fan of this proposal, there's a possible chance that the stadium staffs are going to be perfectly fine with this. Granted, I'm not 100% certain if they are granted overtime hours during extra inning games, but I know for a fact that working at the stadium isn't their only gig, and they may have to get up early the next day for their actual job. I don't know--they may not even be granted a say on this matter, because it looks like it will be full steam ahead on this rule.<br />
<br />
There really isn't a way to test this outside of the regular season, either. Spring Training games will end in a tie after the ninth inning for obvious reasons, being that it's too early for that crap, and you don't want to tire out the promising new guys. As far as I've researched, I haven't been able to find an exhibition game (the games right before Opening Day at the main ballparks) that has gone beyond nine innings. If this proposal goes through and the extra innings rule is enforced come April, there is going to be some very loud and very obvious backlash from the crowds and maybe even the broadcast crews based on the discretion of their front offices.<br />
<br />
As for me, I am heavily against this proposal. This isn't even me speaking from a purist perspective; I'm the type of person that enjoys the designated hitter rule in the American League only and not in both. Putting a runner on second base starting in the tenth inning is an obvious sign that the league wants to rush the game to its end. I can understand why with the pacing, but you can't change your ways and immediately expect your target demographic to come rushing to you. This isn't <i>Grease</i>, where both Danny and Sandy have to completely change who they are to try and be liked by one another and their groups. Stop. Just be who you are and market your younger players and long-standing iron men that are bound to be legends. Geez, how did my generation get sucked into the game? Not the steroid scandal--I mean, of course, the whole Mark McGwire/Sammy Sosa thing was awesome, but I'm talking about Ken Griffey, Jr., Tony Gwynn, and Cal Ripken, Jr. Today, you've got guys like Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, and Noah Syndergaard that are bound to be in the Hall Of Fame someday if they stay healthy. Focus on the franchise guys. That will get the younger boys going.<br />
<br />
At least...at least <i>I</i> think so.<br />
<br />
-- StephanieThe Sports Nut Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17712501044773745806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3316967936515556841.post-85206693958963569782017-02-05T16:32:00.002-05:002017-02-05T16:32:41.303-05:00That Large Game on Sunday: Go Big or Go Home<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">FADE IN</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">EXT. SOMEWHERE IN THE STICKS OF NEW JERSEY - MIDDAY</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">A rustic-colored Toyota comes into view. It pulls off the road slowly to a shoulder and turns off. The Hamsa Hand still swings in the rear-view mirror after a couple of seconds. The figure seated to the left does not move.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Suddenly, the driver-side door opens. Out steps a hooded FIGURE in a bright red winter coat with fur outlining the hood. The Figure pushes the door shut and looks around at the desolate land. Leaning against the vehicle, the Figure reaches into the coat pocket and pulls out a small piece of paper, which reads: "FEBRUARY 21, 2010 -- I CREATED A BLOG SO I COULD GET A JOB AS A SPORTS WRITER SOMEDAY."</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Figure lowers the coat hood, revealing a 26-year-old woman, who is staring deeply at a vacant lot with papers flying all around it. She narrows her eyes.</span></i><br />
<br />
<i>"I must rebuild."</i><br />
<br />
<br />
I'm going to say the dreaded words and pray that I don't get slammed with a royalty fee for using it. I literally can't afford that.<br />
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<i>(ahem)</i> <b>The Super Bowl</b>.</div>
<br />
It's the one day where everyone tries out their best attempts at indoor grilling, making elaborate dips, drinking as much cheap beer as possible, and most importantly, critiquing the types of advertisements that show up during this Game of Games. Channeling our inner Joel, Crow, and Tom Servo of Mystery Science Theater 3000 has become the norm, and to be honest, it's not a bad thing. It's become a way to bond.<br />
<br />
Year in and year out, bathroom breaks are hard to come by, as the masses have been fed with either the catchphrases of the era...<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UDTZCgsZGeA" width="560"></iframe><br />
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...the most terrifying of...things...<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ql7uY36-LwA" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
...or super exciting previews for a show (suddenly getting canceled--lol <i>The Good Wife</i>) or a highly-anticipated movie coming out soon.<br />
<br />
Over the years, it has become public knowledge about how disgustingly expensive it is to purchase thirty seconds of space for advertisement. Last year, it was reported that it will cost you <b>$5 MILLION</b> for a <b>thirty second advertisement</b>. Yes. <a href="http://www.financialsense.com/sites/default/files/users/u3124/images/2015/ONEMILLION1.JPG">Five million.</a> In comes the joke where: "I will probably never see five million dollars in my lifetime, let alone thirty seconds." The only way that Super Bowl coordinators and producers have gotten away with doing this is for two main reasons: One, this is the one championship out of the Big Four that non-sports fans are more likely to watch--aka, "checking out the season finale of '<i>Sports</i>'"--and two, this is the only sport of the Big Four that has a one-and-done championship final. C'mon, the latter is pure logic, but the one thing that fires up overall ratings are the advertisements that catch the attention of the viewers who don't even follow football. It's a marriage of agendas. Some will walk in, saying, "I want to see the new trailer for (insert movie here--probably Star Wars), so I have to sit and wait," or, "I need a reason to laugh and tweet," or, "OMG LUKE BRYAN'S BUTT IN JEANS. YAAAAS GAGA." Forgive me for typing that last one, but that's pure truth right there. Facebook and Twitter have become existent proof that everyone gets involved to some capacity in Super Bowl shenanigans.<br />
<br />
That said... this is a Super Bowl itself for advertisement agencies and companies. Every year, they have to pull out all the stops and literally "go big or go home." We've seen some of the silliest advertisements coming from companies like Doritos, and we've also seen some extreme tearjerkers from companies like Budweiser. Depending on where you live, you'll also get some regional advertisements. In various regions last year, The Church Of Scientology shelled out some pennies to advertise for thirty seconds. Personally, I didn't see it, but according to Twitter at the time, it happened, and of course, I searched it out and found it. You'll also run into instances where companies bought out a bunch of ad space, but they only have one or two commercials to compensate for that. Oh, you know what I mean about the repeat commercials, and how they might not have even been any good to begin with, and how you'll have to either sit through them again or run to the bathroom and do your business in record time in order to not miss anything decent. Good times.<br />
<br />
You'll also get the naysayers who claim: "You have all of this money to sponsor and advertise and product-place, and you can't place the money where it matters most?" To be fair, you're going to get those people everywhere, where they say the money should go toward more efficient means such as the education system. Okay, that's true. That's very, very true. The job market is <i>not that great</i>, and people aren't getting paid enough in full-time jobs to survive properly and be loan-free. <b>I get that.</b> But just like a game show, companies are firing their shots to win the biggest impact on the masses. It literally is an escape for viewers, and it's their <b>job</b> to be the more memorable brand. We're watching <i>them</i> do <i>their job</i>. Does that make us lazy? No. That's like saying we're horrible for celebrating Thanksgiving because of tortured turkeys and advertisements mentioning the holiday. Everybody acknowledges Super Bowl Sunday to some capacity, even though they may not particularly partake in it. That's just how today's culture and society is. You know it's there--it's all dependent on how much you ultimately consume. You could be on the outer circle, for all we know, but if you're a Lady Gaga fan, or you just happen to have plans with someone who's throwing a party, into the bullseye of the circle you go!<br />
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Advertising during any sporting event is a sport in itself. Sponsors are tacked onto just about any televised event or radio broadcast. It's the necessary evil that we must acknowledge. Oh, Pepsi is the sponsor? Bottles of 3/4 filled Pepsi have to be on the broadcast tables, because they have to be prominent, and it has to look like they've been consumed! The most obvious one for NFL broadcasts are Microsoft Surface Pro tablets being placed on the desks during the halftime and post-game reports and on the field by players to go over previous and future plays. You may be annoyed by it, or you may just blow it off and ignore the fact that the brand is everywhere. You're not a bad person for possibly having either thought toward it, but it isn't hard to ignore the fact that advertising has a pure death grip on the game itself--not just the athletes off of the field.<br />
<br />
Seeing it from both ends, it's rather annoying. I'm still a sports fan, and I enjoy watching the game. But it is also irritating to see practices from the field I studied in college. It's white-collar warfare, while you get these pictures on your news feed:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I seriously had to make this myself because every search engine and social media outlet failed me.<br />Oh well.</span></td></tr>
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It's the world that we live in, but morality, business, and pleasure are becoming way too heavily integrated into our society. We can't enjoy a game without getting flooded with ads. They say that children are exposed to at least 25,000 advertisements per year. <b>Per. Year.</b> [<a href="http://www.adweek.com/digital/look-kids-exposure-ads-156191/">source for statistic</a>] It's a business that has to squeeze in their products, all while shaping it to be pleasurable for adults and create a buzz for them to talk about it with others. I hate to sound like a social justice warrior here, but while advertising for a brand is all well and good, I'm pretty sure that the financial values are a bit ridiculous and that they're definitely not going into the right things. I digress on the matter.<br />
<br />
This Sunday, it's going to be big. Not just for the athletes and fans, but for the big businesses and conglomerates. Which side will you be on? Where will you go big?<br />
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-- StephanieThe Sports Nut Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17712501044773745806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3316967936515556841.post-21787223870708842912016-05-17T21:29:00.000-04:002016-05-17T21:29:18.490-04:00Saying "Nope" to the "Dope"<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The past three months have been pretty crazy. I've written stuff, I was in a short film, and I've networked a ton. I am back with a bunch of knowledge, and a hinkerin' for some sports commentary. Let's have some fun.</i></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">You know what's really dope? Being an Olympian.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">You know what isn't dope? Doping. Clearly.</span></div>
<br />
The Summer Olympics in Rio are less than three months away, meaning that we will be gifted with two weeks worth of sporting insanity before we know it. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCqUESCoB1w">(Cue up those tympani, kids.)</a> As a safety precaution by the World Anti-Doping Agency, they have conducted tests on medal winners from the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Games. While many of them passed through without much issue over the course of multiple testing practices, the run of tests conducted on the samples of medalists after the London Games have evidence that could possibly change the face of Rio and future Games to come.<br />
<br />
While the names of the athletes and the countries that they represent haven't been released as of yet, a number of reports are pointing to athletes from Russia, as their drug testing and submission practices have been deemed sketchy, allegedly doing somewhat of a "bait-and-switch" technique to ensure passing drug tests. (It's seriously dirty--the fourth link at the end of the post will take you to the source.) Due to the amount of failed drug tests not only from the alleged Russian athletes in question but from other athletes worldwide, investigations have been opened with aid from the IOC, and a whole new can of worms in the world of doping has been opened and dished.<br />
<br />
The thing that needs to be noted before I move further with any other opinions and statements is this: <i>There is actually a chance that, by this time next month, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) will make the decision on whether Russia will be allowed to compete in the 2016 Olympics in Rio.</i> <b>This is a big deal.</b> We've seen countries barred from the Games before, but when it's a powerhouse country like Russia (which, well, had it's thing with being a superpower, especially when it was referred to as the USSR, but that's another story) possibly being shut out of the Games, you're going to see a lot more surveillance and a lot more crackdowns. In fact, you might be seeing a heck of a lot more lawsuits stemming from the IAAF's decision.<br />
<br />
You tend to wonder what is in the thought processes of these doctors and trainers that administer these supplements to athletes. I'm pretty sure they know what is appropriate and what is, and I'm more than certain that they know the consequences if the athlete fails a drug test. Plus, I don't believe that any sane athlete would want to jeopardize their careers with a big hairy blip such as a failed drug test. Now, note: the list of banned substances for athletes is actually very large. Of course, you have the standard PEDs and steroids, but you also have to remember that marijuana and adderall--even if you've been prescribed this and use it medically--also fall into the category. You have to be straight-up clean of <i>anything</i> that will affect your performance to the point where it enhances your physical ability or even reaction time.<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[Which, if I'm understanding this correctly, you won't see someone like USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard failing any drug tests for competitions, since any medication that he takes actually treats and curbs symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Tourette's, and not exponentially enhancing his performance otherwise.]</span><br />
<br />
Whether the PED drug use is intentional in these athletes or not, it has become a ridiculous, widespread issue. For instance, in an even smaller scale, there have been a number of MLB players who have been slammed with 80-game suspensions this year due to testing positive for a form of anabolic steroid. Are they fully aware of what's going into their system at a given time? Heck, is it even in what they eat? It very well could be that, too, but sometimes it's just rotten luck if you're a meat-eater that consumes products with other "things" being injected into them. Like, there's no filter based on those factors, and the drug-testing policies in professional sports aren't meant to be flimsy. When it comes to something like the Olympics, there are going to be a metric ton of flaming hoops and spike pits and shark tanks abound in order to make sure that every athlete coming through is all-natural and truly the best in what they do.<br />
<br />
The sad part about this is, is that this problem can't entirely be curbed. What it boils down to is that sports is a business, and athletes are employees that want to get the best results and get the paycheck they believe they deserve. This also applies to athletic trainers, agents, and the organizations in which they are a part of. This isn't to say that every single athlete, agent, trainer, etc is dishonest or a shyster; but you'll have to admit that there are a lot of apples that spoil the bunch and ruin it for others. There will always be some blip on the radar, whether the doping is intentional or accidental. When I mean accidental, I mean unknowingly eating the substance like steroids in meats or the case of American judoka Nicholas Delpopolo, who stated after his ban from the 2012 Games that he didn't know there was pot baked in what he was eating. I wish I were making that story up. But anyway, there is always a dishonest downside to the honest athletes that train for this four-year event.<br />
<br />
There are people that enjoy the athleticism and passion of sports such as myself. But sometimes, we are subjected to the dirty side of it all, because the passion of others may stem from something else that isn't so pure, and suddenly, the athleticism doesn't seem so real. It may not even be dreamlike, either. But still, we push on, and hope to not rely on the fake stuff to be the athlete that kids look up to.<br />
<br />
That's a dream we should be working toward.<br />
<br />
-- Stephanie<br />
<br />
(Here's the stuff I read up on before this post. Enjoy. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/18/sports/olympics/justice-department-russia-doping-investigation.html?_r=0">1</a>, <a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/olympics-doping-scandal-31-new-positive-tests-cloud-rio-games/news-story/2339dfdec6b487f76879f93315fb49d6">2</a>, <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/olympics/photos/olympic-athlete-doping-scandals-past-present-16941223/image-20444272">3</a>, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/may/17/thirty-one-athletes-face-possible-olympic-games-ban-after-positive-doping-tests-drugs-in-sport-ioc">4</a>)The Sports Nut Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17712501044773745806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3316967936515556841.post-3851611699902869402016-02-21T22:40:00.002-05:002016-02-21T22:40:24.426-05:00Far From A Pick-Six<i>The path has changed, but the starting point is still the same. In fact, I think they took the ground and turned it into some hipster joint. Oh well.</i><br />
<br />
For the record, this isn't going to be a long, drawn-out post, most especially for the fact that I write one on this same day every year. Why? Because on this day, six years ago, I procrastinated and ended up making the most out of that time. Believe me, sometimes the best magic happens when you're putting something off that you don't care about, like homework for a college class that you end up acing anyway.<br />
<br />
Writing has certainly gotten me places. It's gotten exposure from large groups, and it's also given me a bit of credibility in circles after I talk shop. Even though I don't write in here as often as I once did, I still practice what I've preached, and I still take out the time to appreciate something that I once wanted to make a career out of. I also take the time out to impress the living snot out of unsuspecting males in multiple environments. I'm the Sports Nut Ninja, I guess.<br />
<br />
The past two years on this blog have been slower than usual, but The Sports Nut Blogs is like a childhood home to me. Whenever there is a topic or a piece that I want to discuss and there isn't a person around that cares to hear, this is where I come. Yes. It's like my own <i>Field Of Dreams</i>. I built it, and I will come here to explore and play the game. I've said it time and time again that I don't do this for the exposure or for the recognition, but if anyone cares to read it I won't mind. I've wrestled the idea in my head a bunch of times that I was going to monetize the blog and go into overdrive and write about everyday events like I originally planned to, but the idea never came to fruition. Why? Because this isn't the purpose. This is my child. I'm not going to sell the child for a couple of cows and a donkey. I'm going to take care of it and nurture it and hope that I can afford to send it to college (that is, if the Internet and world exist in the next twelve years, but whatever).<br />
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You get the point though.<br />
<br />
If you've been around for a week, a year, five years, or the whole flipping time, thank you. I'm glad you've visited.<br />
<br />
Here's to another year of a girl talking sports and impressing the snot out of you. ...Peasant.<br />
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<br />
-- StephanieThe Sports Nut Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17712501044773745806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3316967936515556841.post-30956870772169977532016-01-23T19:38:00.000-05:002016-01-23T19:38:13.978-05:00Designated Arguments - Sweet and Sour<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>What does a normal person do in the middle of a blizzard? They write. Duh.</i></span><br />
<br />
With about a month to go before pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in Florida or Arizona, the talk of baseball is getting bigger and bigger, despite the fact that the Super Bowl hasn't even happened yet. Talks of rookies and veterans are taking shape around the bars and taverns, and the futures of team signings hang in the balance.<br />
<br />
Most of these conversations are fun to chime in on. However, there is one argument that I (personally) hate to chime in on, and it's this:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>The Designated Hitter Rule.</b></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f4/The_Scream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f4/The_Scream.jpg" width="156" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks for the fitting picture, Edvard Munch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I alluded to this topic in a post about interleague play nearly six years ago, long before the Astros jumped ship to the American League and began the trend of having at least one interleague series going on in the Majors at any point during the regular season; in fact, this piece was one of the first fifteen posts of this blog. After I made a quick trip to the bathroom to throw up upon reading this older piece, I came back to my chair, knowing that I can provide a way better argument this time around, and I can actually avenge my 19-year-old self from attempting to sound logical.<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[<a href="http://sportsnutblogs.blogspot.com/2010/06/thoughts-about-interleague-play.html">Here--here's some digital ipecac syrup to get you going.</a>]</span><br />
<br />
I never wanted to touch the topic, to be quite honest, and that was because I knew it would be a total mess from the start. There are a lot of good reasons to adopt it league-wide, and there are not so good reasons to adopt it. Both sides have good points to the point that they practically cancel each other out. Seriously, it's like asking the question of whether you like Coke or Pepsi, or Playstation or XBox, or Democrats or Republicans. You can understand both sides of the story, but if you really had to choose, what would you choose?<br />
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This is the reason why I have never talked about this until now. It is <b>that difficult</b> for me to decide.<br />
<br />
So this is why I'm going to pull you by the hair and you're going to experience it with me.<br />
We're going to do something here called "Sweet and Sour," instead of plainly calling it "pros and cons." Why? Each argument for and against aren't all exactly bad nor good--they're mostly personal preferences. On that note, let's explore!<br />
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<b>Point #1: Uniform rules across both leagues.</b><br />
<br />
<u>Sweet:</u> What you see will be what you get. If you're a total outsider to the sport and watch three games featuring six different teams in a given time period, there's a chance that you're going to experience the designated hitter rule at least once. It won't completely throw you for a loop as to why one game will have the rule and the other won't. When a National League team plays against an American League team, the DH rule will only go into effect if both teams are playing at the ballpark of the American League team. So if the New York Mets played the New York Yankess at Citi Field, there would be no DH rule since the Mets are in the National League; but if they played at Yankee Stadium, the DH rule go into effect.<br />
<br />
See, this would be confusing if you didn't know what team was in which league.<br />
<br />
<u>Sour:</u> The best gimmick of the Big Four sports in the United States is this particular rule. It's as if there are two different sport countries with two different sports jurisdictions. Having the DH rule remain in the American League keeps a different dimension in the sport as a whole, so when full interleague play had rolled around (especially before the 2013 season--thanks, Houston), you had teams walk in having to adjust and show how well they can maneuver the transition. Of course, not all pitchers are happy with this idea, but that'll be explained in this next point.<br />
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<b>Point #2: Pitchers [only] gonna pitch.</b><br />
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<u>Sweet:</u> Sure, pitchers have to have some pretty swift arms to craft a nasty pitch, but just because they have swift arms doesn't mean those same arms are crafty enough to swing at one of those pitches. Not only that, it makes the pitcher more susceptible to being a "victim" at the plate, so to speak, as they have the worry of getting hit by a pitch or getting injured while making a run to a base. When pitchers are as important of a commodity as they are today, you don't want to lose them to freak accidents.<br />
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<u>Sour:</u> Sports are all about how versatile you are. Most times, if you're a one-trick pony, you're gonna get figured out fast. In the NFL, linemen have to be able to shift in case of an injury, and rushers have to know the routes in a receiving play. In MLS, plays will make midfielders shift to defensive lines in case if there's an offensive threat. In an extra inning game in the National League and you're low on players, there's a chance you'll have to use your pitchers as hitters. It isn't as common to see a position player as a pitcher in the American League, but it has happened before, and you're putting those guys in danger of injury as well. So why not have the pitchers show more gusto? Plus, not all pitchers hate the idea of having to bat.<br />
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<b>Point #3: Extended careers.</b><br />
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<u>Sweet:</u> Frank Thomas. Albert Pujols. David Ortiz. While one of these three mentioned are retired, the other two are in the late thirties into early forties with gas still left in the tank. The retired name mentioned (Thomas) played into his forties. This usually isn't heard of very often, considering that most older names make way for younger guys coming through the system, and that older players are more likely to suffer injury while on the field. However, they get a new lease on life in not having nearly as much high-impact since they are either platooned or given the designated hitter spot. Playing 162 games is usually unheard of, and for a good reason (unless you were Cal Ripken, Jr.). Once age settles in, long seasons tend to take a toll. It preserves the player and keeps him playing to his strengths.<br />
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<u>Sour:</u> There are younger guys simply itching to make it to the Majors and step out of the farm system. With a heavy dosage of high-impact play occurring in baseball, and the measures to condition the body for long-term play, it's slowly becoming a quick case of "out with the old, in with the new." Bigger contracts are keeping the older guns in there, but for what? To have promising young players sit in AAA for goodness knows how long? Sure, it's extending careers, but it's keeping younger guys in the minors for so long, only to have them brought up much later to have shorter Major League careers. It's backwards.<br />
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<b>Point #4: The sport needs more of an offensive burst.</b><br />
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<u>Sweet:</u> Within the past ten years, we have seen more no-hitters and perfect games thrown than ever before. Is it because of the almost-free out provided by the pitcher in the batting order and the cut of the flow in the offensive lineup? It's possible. With an added utility bat, we could see a lot more strategy and keep games at an even keel and pace.<br />
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<u>Sour:</u> No. No it doesn't. The sport is just fine. The score is not supposed to resemble an NFL score, and pitchers also aren't supposed to look like wimps. The game would definitely be unbalanced if it was an all-offensive showdown. Sometimes, the best games are the pitcher's duels, and as I had mentioned in a previous post, the game of baseball is, statistically, a game of failure. There are going to be times when the balance gets thrown one way during a game. It can't be so one-sided all the time.<br />
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<b>Point #5: Less lineup drainage.</b><br />
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<u>Sweet:</u> Ah, the infamous double-switch. Once the pitcher comes out, the pinch hitter who swung for him goes on the field and replaces another position player. When that's done, you take out a player who can still hold his own and deliver in the clutch, especially if the game goes much longer than expected. You practically eliminate that with the designated hitter. If there's a position player that needs to be benched in favor of another bat (usually if there's a pitcher that one has seen enough), you can take that chance without worrying that your pitcher needs to be replaced later on in the batting lineup due to pitch count.<br />
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<u>Sour:</u> Adding the DH takes away a great amount of the strategy that is needed to be a Major League manager. Sports are much like a game of chess, where you have to predict the other player's moves, all while crafting your own to adjust to possible situations in the future. If you put that giant fence of a DH rule in there, you don't really have much to do strategy for in a game unless if it's between a specific hitter and a pitcher.<br />
<br />
__________<br />
<br />
Okay, now that this is all out of the way, you're probably wondering what my stance is. With the arguments presented, my stance appears to be about as mysterious as Stephen Hawking's brain.<br />
<br />
You see, growing up, I respected the pitchers that had batted, because it gave them a reason to help themselves in case if they gave up a lousy run or two. However, I also saw how the American League pitchers reacted to having to bat during interleague (especially guys like Tim Wakefield) and later watch how awkward they looked at the plate. Since then, I really haven't changed my stance. Having a one-rule difference in each league is what makes the game so unique. You see different forms of strategy in each league, and watching each league come together to do battle separates the men from the boys in the realm of management.<br />
<br />
If that type of strategy gets taken away, you take away a specific dimension of the game. Then again, when just about anything changes in a sport, people will be apprehensive until you get immersed into it and finally accept it. That applies to when the DH rule was first implemented in 1973, or when the Wild Card came to be after 1994, or when the Wild Card was expanded to two teams in 2012, or when Instant Replay started its use in the tail-end of 2009. If they spread the DH rule to the National League, I would probably feel uncomfortable with it, because I didn't grow up and watch the Phillies in that format. But, of course, that doesn't mean that I wouldn't accept it after a while.<br />
<br />
I would probably just be that one person in my old age going: "When I was your age, the pitcher actually batted!"<br />
<br />
If the rule would be put into effect by Rob Manfred, which is looking more likely according to reports, it would definitely get backlash from old-school fans, but more accepting from new-age baseball enthusiasts.<br />
(Proof of reports are <a href="http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14621054/commissioner-rob-manfred-says-national-league-teams-move-designated-hitter">here</a> and <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=10&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiKmpq_l8HKAhWJcT4KHeQWBEcQqQIIPzAJ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fmlb%2F2016%2F01%2F21%2Fmlb-commissioner-rob-manfred-not-yet-sold-dh-rule-nl%2F79133826%2F&usg=AFQjCNG6LZmHBBbz78wglcS7-qwV8jz3mg&sig2=3wo2tVnrAWI8BNQwWE-Sag">here</a>.)<br />
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As for now, we wait to see how this upcoming season progresses. Who knows? We could be seeing the last of awkward pitchers swinging and missing, and possibly missing Bartolo Colon and Madison Bumgarner swinging for the fences and actually getting it there.<br />
<br />
-- Stephanie<br />
<br />
(Some of the outline of this was based off of FOX Sports' article: <i>"7 reasons why the NL finally should embrace the DH."</i> <a href="http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/gallery/designated-hittter-dh-national-league-nl-change-rules-pitchers-ortiz-encarnacion-pujols-012016#img_main">Article Referenced is found by clicking here.</a>)The Sports Nut Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17712501044773745806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3316967936515556841.post-5492100226169869232016-01-15T23:20:00.000-05:002016-01-15T23:20:09.800-05:00Beyond The Vault: Growing Soccer Trees? Don't Choke The Seeds<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Due to the demise of the website The Soccer Desk, I managed to scoop up all but one of the articles I published there. Since one of the three salvaged isn't a 2014 World Cup Preview, I want to place it here for good. For having been written two years ago, this held up pretty well. Good work, Me.</i></span><br />
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<b>Note: This is one of the longer articles I have ever written (it's over 2,000 words)! I've learned to condense and shrink since then. Enjoy.</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1X4-JaH3O3B_GZOSEQsIFaBiph39N7peFYjR_XpR_XueefVdJvgtRxOhfbqR-2cvzDtuVbEyyuRQl3mFoKrqezgIwQ3-gyzTWKn2d8gFzIkblxwkyts_QIYFGNsN4LgDslbp0HlJmzQ/s1600/2016-01-15+18.38.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1X4-JaH3O3B_GZOSEQsIFaBiph39N7peFYjR_XpR_XueefVdJvgtRxOhfbqR-2cvzDtuVbEyyuRQl3mFoKrqezgIwQ3-gyzTWKn2d8gFzIkblxwkyts_QIYFGNsN4LgDslbp0HlJmzQ/s320/2016-01-15+18.38.21.jpg" width="87" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me circa 1998. <br />I moved a girl off the ball and into lawn chairs placed near the sidelines that night. I was a "straight-up killa' G" back in those days. <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">(Her momentum took her that way. I wasn't <i>that</i> cold.)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Originally written on January 10, 2014)</i></div>
<br />
In order to get a specific feel for the kind of piece I’m writing, I need you to partake in a little mental scenario with me. Don’t worry, I’m not going to ask you to be Daniel Day-Lewis here. Just take a deep breath and roll with me.<br />
<br />
You’re a parent. You have a young child that you practically raised on Cheerios, apple juice, and soccer on Saturday mornings. When he/she reaches a certain age, you decide that it is best that they try the sport that they was immersed in and fell in love with. You sign your child up, and you start playing in the yard with them, preparing them for the exciting months ahead. When you get there, however, you see parents with children coming out of vans and preparing, and it resembles sending your child away to boot camp while the parents are completely oblivious to the impending torture that their children will be subjected to.<br />
<br />
This isn’t any old practice; this is a tryout, you think to yourself.<br />
<br />
Your child is running in and out of cones, dribbling a ball, and passing it to other children. Balls are shot into a small net, and then other drills are done at stations. You notice that your child isn’t the fastest runner of the bunch; however, the child doesn’t seem to care. Plus, his/her foot isn’t as strong as the others, either. You become worried. What if he/she doesn’t make the team? The heart is there, but is that enough for the coach? A few days pass, and you get a phone call. “Hello n, this is the head coach from the neighborhood soccer team. I regret to inform you that your child has not been chosen to play on the squad this year. We, however, encourage you and your child to support our teams in the games we play in the fall.” You’re heartbroken. What on earth are you going to tell your child? They’re going to ask if they’ll ever be going back to practice soon enough. This is something that makes them happy. You don’t want them to think that they aren’t good enough for a team–he/she is only a child, for goodness’ sake! What do you do?<br />
<br />
–<br />
<br />
This, my friends, is the culture that is slowly creeping into American society. We’re experiencing a “survival of the fittest” culture, and to the children who love a sport but may not be as gifted as the next child, they’re getting the short end of the stick. While not every hobby is for everybody, it is always a nice bit of therapy to unwind and do something you love, regardless of how good you are at it compared to others.<br />
<br />
In the case of American soccer, the ante has been upped over the past 15 years. In the wake of the successes of the US Women’s National Squad, and the growing popularity of Major League Soccer and US Men’s National Team, there is a drive to get the children started earlier and get them to the top of the game faster than ever before. Compared to the programs held overseas in nations like Spain and Italy, we haven’t held any kind of candle to that in a very long time. While soccer programs in many Universities around the country are keeping the faith, there is a need for more. This is the United States of America, for Pete’s sake. We need to be the best…right?<br />
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Many of us in our youth have taken part in recreational sports, whether it was for a neighborhood club or for school. In other regions, you’ll notice that some sports programs are a little rougher around the edges, and they like to “separate the men from the boys,” so to speak. Talent is measured more than drive, and if you can’t ride with ‘em, you might as well ride on home. Where I was born and raised, that wasn’t the case until around the time I was on my way out of high school. Things were pretty smooth until the standards of the recreational leagues were pushed to the limits. Age groups as low as 7-8 were holding tryouts. To me, as a 17-year-old who went through ten years of not experiencing that treatment, it was enough to baffle the most intelligent person. I had played with many people who knew they weren’t the best, but they played because they loved the sport. I’ll even admit that I slowly fell into that category toward the end because I wasn’t the fastest runner—heck, running is my least favorite thing in the whole world. If we had tryouts, what would have become of us? Even though we had loved soccer, would the newfound experience have deterred us from the sport completely?<br />
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Sure, we’re human, we’re supposed to experience failure, but when it comes to psychological reinforcing and the idea of “punishment,” where if you can’t do something right, the privilege is taken away completely, what does that do to the child’s mind? It won’t give them much drive to do anything.<br />
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You see the best of the best, and you see the ones who love but aren’t the most gifted of the bunch. Could there be a middle ground to this conundrum? We’re the land of opportunity, aren’t we? We need to act like one now. This is where a modest proposal comes into play. If we’re going to instill more love into a sport like soccer, it’s time to spread the wealth around a little more and build a revolution from the ground-up.<br />
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It’s time to expand on the sport in the most efficient of ways. Not enough youth may play the sport because of instances such as it being too much money, the necessity of “camps” for whoever wants to be on an elite squad, and the already-filled plates of families in today’s society. If there is a way to get a group of people to unwind for a few nights a week, an organized league could really work out. Bars and taverns do it with softball, and there are groups of guys that have organized basketball leagues—what makes this any different? The personal enrichment is there, and as always, it is a good way to keep sharp on a sport and meet people with your general interests. Let’s admit another point here, too: It’s better than drowning in your sorrows in a bar and finding people that way. Good brain, good liver, good health. I digress. In the case of children, soccer (indoors, at that) could be implemented in after-school programming. Not only would children have a chance to do other activities such as reading and painting and doing homework, they could also find a subliminal way to beat out the daily stressors and build self-esteem. They’ll never know they like and appreciate something until they begin to try it out for themselves.<br />
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If the ball is there, they’re going to see what they can do with it, right? This isn’t rocket science; exposure can only lead to curiosity, and that curiosity could lead to hard work and determination, and later appreciation. Plus, even if the parents cannot afford a team or the child “doesn’t play up to expectations,” there is a way for them to express their love of the sport. I’d love to kick around a soccer ball on my break at work. Could you imagine how therapeutic that would be? Plus, it would keep me sharp on a sport I haven’t played with an organized group of people in over six years. Win win, ladies and gentlemen.<br />
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There is also the option of beginning a “B-League” for an age group, but not necessarily referring to it as one or as a “reserve team.” If you were politically correct, those references would suffice. It would be something along the lines of a Junior Varsity squad. This practice would still teach the athletes the values and mechanics that they might not be able to pick up on their own if they aren’t on a team or striving to be the best at something they enjoy. The kids will learn from each other and help each other grow and be at their best. No man is an island, and there was never an “I” in team, regardless of what your boneheaded superiors ever said to you. While there may be the athletes that are better at visual learning instead of being more hands-on, every experience is beneficial to keeping the love of the sport from within. We all start from different lands with a universal drive. Keeping that momentum brings out greater appreciation for teammates and other fans that come from all walks of life. Sports bring us closer together, right? Don’t take away that right and tell a child (or even an adult) that he/she isn’t good enough because they don’t do A, B, and C. Winning isn’t everything. That’s rule #1 in the world of sports…well, to me, at least.<br />
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Naysayers will throw the rebuttal of: “This whole proposal would lead to us ‘shielding’ our children. They need to ‘man-up’ and learn how to take disappointment because not everyone can do everything.”<br />
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First off, those people are the reason why we don’t offer chances to people because they can be cranky people that suck the fun out of something we all enjoy. Lighten up, cranks. Anyway, this wouldn’t be shielding the children at all from trying soccer. If anything, the only way you can “shield” a child is by not giving them the chance to try and play soccer for fear of them not being the absolute best or seeing them possibly get hurt. That, my friends, is what shielding is. You protect something, just like a soccer ball against a striker twice your size throwing their hip into you. The ball has to take a beating sooner or later. Yeah, relevance! Plus, when that shielding occurs, you’re placing a stigma on somebody, giving them the impression (especially at an adult age) that they wasted their time and they should never have bothered taking part in soccer in the first place.<br />
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“Why bother? I wasn’t good enough for this. This isn’t for me.” Don’t lie, we’ve all been in that place at some point in our lives, and it hurts like none other. When it comes from a love of sports, it’s the sourest feeling in the world. You can’t ruin the innocence of a child by doing this. They need to explore, regardless of how good they are at something. Take chances, make mistakes, and get a little messy, right?<br />
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Finally, on this note, whether one is a child or an adult, everyone deserves a chance to know what works for them or not—no outsider should ever have to make that final decision for them. Nobody likes to be cut off; one would rather go out on one’s own terms. The same philosophy could apply to any sports-related injury as well. If one likes soccer and wants to play, one should have every right to have the resources to hone that love and skill. Just because they “suck at it,” for the lack of a better term, don’t give them the right to not find that out for themselves. If anything, negative comments could either drive or deter a person. Constant negativity could deter that person (and their futures) from ever appreciating or experiencing the world of soccer. Again, we’re talking about a middle ground. Sandwiches are a nice alternative. People want to get better, not get turned away from something because someone says they can’t. Life lessons—we can’t forget them.<br />
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With all of this said, the more participation we get from all sides of the country, the wider fan base we get in the long run. The merrier, the more, as it were. When a child plays soccer, the family will often find an outlet to expand on that hobby, and will turn to games on television or YouTube videos to see who they can look up to and model themselves after. I did it, and you probably did it too. Once the fire is fed, there is no stopping the appreciation for soccer in the United States. It all starts with us. While the “elite camps” and higher-level clubs provide the talent, the “Junior Varsity” squads will deepen the fan-scape. It will also make us feel empowered, like we can do anything we put our minds to. That is how we build relationships. That is how we build a unit or fans and appreciation for a sport that is supported and praised all over the world.<br />
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Don’t deny our right to try the game; let us love it in our own way.<br />
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-- Stephanie</div>
The Sports Nut Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17712501044773745806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3316967936515556841.post-87048937580887803382016-01-11T09:53:00.000-05:002016-01-11T09:53:50.890-05:00You Get Points For Trying, Don't You?<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>This whole concept (when it was first "mentioned" by the mass media in August 2015) went in one ear and out the other because I thought the whole story was absolutely foolish. But now that I think about it, this should really be given a bit more attention more than ever. It's gotten pretty nasty out there.</i></span></div>
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Oh no, I'm kicking this off with a video. (whine whine whine) But if you haven't seen this advertisement, watch it. It will set the tone for this whole thing.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v-gwjJ_NXKU" width="560"></iframe></div>
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(via <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbp3o7U6oSa6s-LQBZvOnGg">Kia Motors America - YouTube</a>)</div>
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We're definitely going this route. It's either going to make you pull out a lighter and sway it, or it's going to make you rage-quit this read before it even begins.<br />
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If you played a sport when you were younger than the age of ten, there was a chance that you would get recognition at the end of the year for being a team player and participating to the best of your ability. That recognition would come in the form of either a medal or a tiny plastic trophy. If you worked really hard and played like a monster, then you were as happy as a clam when you were given your little plastic weapon of pride. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Sidenote: Don't lie--you probably used the thing as a sword at one point or another.)</span><br />
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In August of 2015, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison took his viewpoints on this practice to social media, for his two sons earned awards for participation in the sports they were playing. Some of the things he had mentioned alluded to effort, and that your best isn't always enough. He had wanted the awards to be taken back, as his sons didn't respectfully earn them, and he wants his boys to become men by learning what it truly takes to achieve something like a trophy or a medal.<br />
<a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/08/16/james-harrison-wont-let-his-sons-accept-participation-trophies/">You can read what he had written in this article here.</a><br />
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At first read, Harrison's words can come off as sounding rather harsh, considering that you never wanna hurt a child's pride for supposedly earning something. On the other hand, reality can be pretty harsh as well. Sometimes you will have a day where, no matter how hard you try to get something done or to accomplish whatever you need to, it isn't enough, or someone just magically happens to outdo you. It sucks, but it happens, and don't deny that something like that has never happened to you. The world isn't out to screw you up, but to be the best at something, it takes more than just blood, sweat, and tears. Heck, it might even take an arm and a leg.<br />
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I digress.<br />
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These kinds of "awards" are usually pretty appropriate for those who love to play a sport, but aren't simply quite getting it, or they're slower learners and show the great amount of effort each time they play or practice. I can't begin to tell you how many people I had played with in the very beginning who had made this ridiculous improvement as time progressed and became really good to the point where they were making varsity teams in high school. Like, the participation award is seen as recognition that you worked your butt off and you deserve praise for getting as far as you did. Then, that becomes your vehicle to keep moving forward and get even better.<br />
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But it isn't always like that...<br />
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Why?<br />
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The practice of participation awards may be solid and unfortunate proof in regard to the age of entitlement. While one person excels, one who may not perform as well is getting something that wasn't exactly earned. It's like you could slink right through and mess around as much as you want and <i>still</i> "earn" a trophy for being on the team. In society today, it isn't as if most children are doing the bare minimum just to get by--in fact, a lot of them are getting swamped by an errant education system and unnecessary stress--they don't have the quality of "effort earns rewards" instilled in them soon enough. They don't know that hard work gives the greatest rewards (or awards in this case). In fact, it's like a "I know I'm gonna get it anyway, so why bother trying anymore" attitude, and they'll simply plateau without making any sort of push or effort toward getting to where they need to be.<br />
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I get it. I seriously do.<br />
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If this life were easy, we'd all be millionaires at our physical apex and go through life without a care. I'd have gotten an Oscar by now for every single script I've written in the past four years. And trust me, some of them are <b>baaaaaad</b>. But honestly, we all have to earn what we want, and even though we might be absolutely awful at things we enjoy or have a passion for at first, that's the reason for why we train or practice or place more focus on that particular point. If it brings you happiness, there's no time limit and no limit to our will. Why get an award for wasting time on something you don't care for or won't put energy into? Plus, sports aren't exactly something you can jump right into. They will often take a lot of preparation, knowledge of the rules (don't touch the soccer ball with your hands unless you're the goalkeeper, duh), and some sort of physical conditioning, a.k.a. "knowing your limits."<br />
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While there are times and places for casual sports, like a quick game of basketball with your buddies, the mentality from that doesn't always translate well onto a more competitive playing field. Sure, sports are meant to be fun, but training a ton and then displaying your greatness on a professional level is fun as well. Those two examples exemplify two completely different definitions of "fun," but not all fun constitutes the need for you to win an award for just showing up each time. If anything, the award you earn for showing up is that you simply showed up. People who suffer from anxiety or low self-esteem may not even show up at all. That aside, there's more to the game. The rewards and awards from sports aren't always materialistic in nature. They're usually mental, emotional, and physical in the sense of being in better shape and condition.<br />
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Showing growth may not be represented by a trophy or a medal, and it might be high-time for kids to see that instead of materialistic entitlement. Actually, adults (most notably the parents) might need that realization too.<br />
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Oh, just so you know, these last two sentences above hurt to type out. Why? Because it shows how immature the fields of youth and teenage athletics have become. It's despicably cutthroat in every sense of the term, and the entitlement syndrome hits all age groups addressed like a wrecking ball.<br />
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When you "win," you don't always <i>win</i>. You win when you grow or when you accomplish a goal. Too bad everyone wants a big giant cookie for that so the whole world can see it.<br />
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-- StephanieThe Sports Nut Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17712501044773745806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3316967936515556841.post-8990825199594099782016-01-08T13:04:00.002-05:002016-01-08T13:04:51.853-05:00The NFL Postseason Slant for 2015-2016 - Changing Of The Guard<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Guys, I've been partying for the past, like, two weeks because I won my fantasy football league. I actually feel like this stuff helps. I am my own therapy. I think that makes me awesome. (All hail "Ed Hochuli's Biceps")</i></span><br />
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Sweet baby Jesus.<br />
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We're already at the NFL Playoffs, and even before the conclusion of the regular season, we saw a couple of head coaches get the pink slip, and while some of them weren't exactly deserved, they definitely shook up the league. We also saw a lot of injuries and a ton of new faces shake up the face of the NFL, and that, in my humble opinion, is always a pleasant thing to see. Plus, we might be getting a U-Haul soon as one of three possible teams could be making their way toward Los Angeles.<br />
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On the other side, we had to hear about Johnny Manziel's escapades again and again, and the film "<i>Concussion</i>" has been the talk of the town [I hope to write about it once I muster up the courage to ask myself out on a date again.], but those things are blips compared to the hard hits and surprises that we're about to look into.<br />
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There's one last question I need to ask you. Are you ready?</div>
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You know what? I'll let Triple H finish this one off for you.</div>
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[It's long and drawn out, but he gets there eventually.]</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE</u></b></span><br />
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<i>East Division - New England Patriots (12-4)</i> - You know, I could possibly have cut and paste this whole thing, and you probably wouldn't have even noticed, but no, seriously, that's not kosher. The main thing that has kept this team from a nearly perfect season has been the costly injuries sustained by Rob Gronkowski, Danny Amendola, and Julian Edelman within the last six weeks. While Tom Brady has more surprises in his bag of tricks, it's time for other receivers (and even runners) to step up to the occasion.<br />
<i><u>(Next Stop: A Jacuuuuuuziiiiii - First Round Bye)</u></i><br />
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<i>North Division - Cincinnati Bengals (12-4)</i> - For a little while, it looked like the Bengals burned themselves out in the second half, considering injuries to Andy Dalton and many defensive players were starting to pile up. However, a lot of these guys were in this position last year, and there is no way they're going to let injuries and mental blocks keep them from the prize.<br />
<i><u>(Next Stop: Pittsburgh Steelers, Saturday 8:15PM EST)</u></i><br />
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<i>South Division - Houston Texans (9-7)</i> - Good gravy. I'm not even kidding when I say that this team looked like absolute crap in the beginning of the season, and the inconsistency of the offensive line and not capitalizing on opportunity was tough to watch at times. On the other hand, the one consistent thing the Texans have going is their defense, and as long as they're healthy and in the correct mindset, we're going to see some great competition.<br />
<i><u>(Next Stop: Kansas City Chiefs, Saturday 4:35PM EST)</u></i><br />
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<i>West Division - Denver Broncos (12-4)</i> - Just like the Patriots above, I could easily cut and pa--NOT. You wanna know what makes this team so much more different? Peyton Manning wasn't the big factor in the pocket in the last third of the season. Brock Osweiler made a name for himself, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vj1Whqhfqas">analysts went bananas</a> on this kid. But wait, there's more! When you're facing one of the best defenses in the league, you're going to hear even more screaming fangirls. As usual, this team is a threat and should definitely be seen as such.<br />
<i><u>(Next Stop: On the couch playing Madden 16 - First Round Bye and Home-Field Advantage)</u></i><br />
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<u>AFC Wild Card</u><br />
<i>Kansas City Chiefs (11-5)</i> - Just because these guys are only in the Wild Card spot doesn't mean they're not the scariest team and could play the spoiler. They can easily screw you over and turn over the ball, and that isn't even where the terror begins on the defensive side, if you can believe that. Plus, with a strong running game (Hello, Jamaal Charles.) you're bound to see some <a href="https://uproxx.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/tomato.jpg?quality=80&w=568&h=600">"<i>Attack Of The Killer Tomatoes</i>"</a> business. The Chiefs should not be taken lightly. No sir.<br />
<i><u>(Next Stop: Houston Texans, Saturday 4:35PM EST)</u></i><br />
<i>Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)</i> - While the defense isn't "The Iron Curtain" anymore, it can be agreed upon that the offense hasn't looked this good in a long time. Each receiver is going catch-crazy (thanks to 'ole Big Ben, of course) and Le'Veon Bell is molding himself into a tiny Bus. With a consistent offensive force (and one that's moderately healthy), things should be interesting.<br />
<u><i>(Next Stop: Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday 8:15PM EST)</i></u><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE</u></b></span><br />
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<i>East Division - Washington Redskins (9-7)</i> - Ehhhhhh, this team gets points for effort, especially since they really stepped it up in the second half, but there have been a lot of points where they made some really, REALLY stupid decisions. It's going to be a big thing to not be outplayed <i>or</i> outmanaged at this point. With a defense leaving much to be desired, the next game (or any future ones for that matter) has to be played like a chess match.<br />
<i><u>(Next Stop: Green Bay Packers, Sunday 4:40PM EST)</u></i><br />
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<i>North Division - Minnesota Vikings (11-5)</i> - Don't get me wrong, the "Teddy" chants are adorable, and Mr. Bridgewater knows how to rally, but it's not a surprise that Adrian Peterson, the real game changer, is in top form and delivering when need be. The only issue here is the possibility of injury and jitters, as we have a younger and fresher team that hasn't been in this kind of territory yet. However, with enough veteran support, especially from Head Coach Mike Zimmer (he's been here before, you guys, he knows the pressure), the jitters should burn off within the first few minutes.<br />
<i><u>(Next Stop: Seattle Seahawks, Sunday 1:05PM EST)</u></i><br />
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<i>South Division - Carolina Panthers (15-1)</i> - Last year, these guys were infamous for being the first NFL playoff team to be under .500, and now, these guys are nearly perfect coming into the playoffs. To be perfectly honest, they totally deserve all of the praise and attention. Their defense is tight, and their offense is the perfect mix of run and pass. Ron Rivera's squad is undoubtedly the team to fear this month.<br />
<i><u>(Next Stop: The Pool - First Round Bye and Home-Field Advantage)</u></i><br />
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<i>West Division - Arizona Cardinals (13-3)</i> - Excuse me while I hop back onto the Carson Palmer bandwagon again, as he was arguably one of the most underrated quarterbacks of the past five seasons, and he's finally getting his time to shine. With a great line to aid him, and with a scary defense to keep the opposition at bay, we're looking at a surprising threat that will give problems to any favorites facing them.<br />
<i><u>(Next Stop: The Movie Theater to Finally See Star Wars: The Force Awakens - First Round Bye)</u></i><br />
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<u>NFC Wild Card</u><br />
<i>Green Bay Packers (10-6)</i> - Not to say that the team took a nosedive, but there was a point in which I almost doubted Aaron Rodgers and his overall ability. Dead serious. Sure, there were a bunch of injuries and miscues throughout the second half of the season, and thankfully they came out alive, but this crap can't happen from here on out. It's go time, and it's not their first time at the rodeo.<br />
<i><u>(Next Stop: Washington Redskins, Sunday 4:40PM EST)</u></i><br />
<i>Seattle Seahawks (10-6)</i> - This is the first time in a while where they don't come in as Division champs, but don't let that fool you. Don't let the record fool you, either. This was a team that was a slow burn and they've reached their peak. While there's a big question mark surrounding Marshawn Lynch at this point, the team has fared really well offensively, and the Legion of Boom is looking angrier than ever. Expect to see a lot of spiritual 12th Men out there.<br />
<i><u>(Next Stop: Minnesota Vikings, Sunday 1:05PM EST)</u></i><br />
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Truth be told, the season exhausted me, and it wasn't because of the number of controversies and news stories surrounding the league. It was, in fact, the games themselves, the <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i7VKQwDS2s">REALLY STUPID PLAYS</a></b>, the poor referee jobs, the--wait. Okay, some of it was rather frustrating, but there were some great endings to games, like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBkjOrYv1Gk">this ridiculous ending</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0vVqStvh_8">this thing of beauty</a>.<br />
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Hard to believe there were a bunch of things that have happened in the past five months, eh? No. It isn't. That's what the NFL provides year in and year out.<br />
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And we're only bound to get more of that this month.<br />
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See you at the end, my friends. Behold, the mighty 2016.<br />
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-- Stephanie<br />
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The Sports Nut Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17712501044773745806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3316967936515556841.post-8575480045855102172015-11-12T13:37:00.000-05:002015-11-12T13:37:48.926-05:00The NFL Midseason Slant for 2015-2016 - Sorta Kinda Not Rookie Mistakes<i>I don't care if Call of Duty Black Ops 3 and Fallout 4 came out, you nerds. It's still football season, and a bunch of crap has happened.</i><br />
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Ah, we're already halfway through the NFL season. While we haven't been inundated with controversies surrounding domestic abuse (unless you're Greg Hardy), we have had our share of stories. For one, there are a <a href="http://www.footballdocs.com/NFL_rookies.html">BUNCH</a> of rookies that are starting this season, and many of them have been making a big name for themselves as of late. Or, you could be Johnny Manziel and overstay your welcome as a sophomore. Anyway, another springing controversy is the referee calls throughout each game. It looks more and more like challenges are being too heavily relied on, or that it almost seems like game fixes are set in place. I'm not one for that, so I'm just going to say that referees could very well be getting blind, and we need newer blood soon.<br />
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While we have some rookies on the field and lack thereof on the referee crews, we're seeing a lot of mistakes. Some make room for growth, others make room for torches and pitchforks. Let's see where that has taken the 30 NFL teams over the past nine weeks, shall we?<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">NFL MIDSEASON SLANT</span></u></b></div>
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<b>(All results are as of Week 9... If you are reading this before Week 10's Bills/Jets game, the result does not apply.)</b><br />
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<u><b>AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE</b></u><br />
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<b>AFC EAST</b><br />
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<i>New England Patriots (8-0)</i> - [snoring noise] This could have been completely different if Tom Brady's suspension was not lifted. He's been playing as well as he ever has, and he's had viable options for the pass in every single game. While the defense may let a few go via the pass rush, they're solid against any runs, and will snare any unwary QB. They never needed to worry about the run, but those options might come in handy in the future in case they encounter a good passing defense.<br />
<i>New York Jets (5-3)</i> - While there are big names on offense, there seems to be a lot of inconsistencies and a lot of injuries that affect the team in small ways. However, the defense will keep them in games as long as possible. The Fitzpatrick/Smith QB duo is pretty steady, but their style switches are clashing with most wide receivers. Regardless, they have been going pound-for-pound with most teams in games. The bridge must be gapped.<br />
<i>Buffalo Bills (4-4)</i> - A team of runners is going to effective due to the amount of options you have. However, a hole-y offensive line and a QB new to the first-string role in Tyrod Taylor, there are some jitters when it comes to rough defenses. Speaking of defenses, while the Bills can hold at the line, there's no saving them from prayers. Looks like the second half is full of passing offenses. Uh oh.<br />
<i>Miami Dolphins (3-5)</i> - Well, y'see, they say that defense wins games, and with the Dolphins, that's all they can really rely on. While they've had some high-scoring games, they were all against teams much, <b>much</b> worse than them. Outside of that, there is an inconsistent offense that really doesn't rely on any tricks to pull off plays. In a rough division such as this, the rest of the season could be an uphill climb for the fish in South Beach.<br />
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<b>AFC NORTH</b><br />
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<i>Cincinnati Bengals (8-0)</i> - [explosion noise] Good. Gravy. I won't lie--they're super fun to watch. Andy Dalton has never been a terrible quarterback, and since he has some versatile receivers in Tyler Eifert and A.J. Green, they're no stranger to putting the hurt on the opposition. The defense is clutch as well. While they may be familiar with giving up bigger plays, they don't go much further than that. That's all key if you're an undefeated squad. Let's see if a team from Ohio can finally do something fun in the playoffs.<br />
<i>Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4)</i> - With an early injury to Ben Roethlisberger (on top of another one from this past week) and a younger-looking defense, people thought the season was going to fall apart rather quickly. However, this offense is purely driven by the run, which brings it old-school. DeAngelo Williams and Le'Veon Bell have been clutch (Mike Vick can run too, I suppose), but they can only do so much. The defense needs more consistency, and hopefully that isn't too much to ask for.<br />
<i>Baltimore Ravens (2-6)</i> - Uhh... Outside of two lucky wins, nothing has really gone right for these guys. If the offense falls apart (which it has badly during some games), the defense almost follows suit and gift-wraps the game to the opposing team. Maybe since they're playing most of their games at home from here on out, things could be different, but that remains to be seen.<br />
<i>Cleveland Browns (2-7)</i> - Paging Johnny Manziel...! The team is a mess. Between injuries and really horrible defenses, it doesn't look so great for the other Ohio team. NFL.com says something about the team trying not to "spiral out of control," and to be frank, they're kind of late to the party. This season is already out of their control, and it's time to do some healing.<br />
<br />
<b>AFC SOUTH</b><br />
<br />
[Oh no...it's another division that has no team over .500 and I have to pretend that it's normal. Good grief.]<br />
<br />
<i>Indianapolis Colts (4-5)</i> - This team isn't exactly terrible, as it didn't help their cause to have a rough first-half schedule against powerhouse teams (some still undefeated). With that said, things should be significantly different for these guys unless injuries make their way onto the main players of the squad, and that may have happened with Andrew Luck. However, with easier defenses to face soon, the new-bloods in the WR slots should have more room to breathe and shuffle routes. Now's not a time to rest, that's for certain.<br />
<i>Houston Texans (3-5)</i> - Oh, how far the mighty have fallen. The thorn in the Texans' side is that they can't finish what was started. The offense may make a good showing, but pressure can get to them. Plus, the defense has a tendency to let big plays screw them up. Alas, if there's any more panic, the division could easily slip away from them.<br />
<i>Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6)</i> - Too many chances given equals automatic losses in my book. The defense has done that enough, and turnovers are a problem <b>too huge for words</b>. Dead serious. It needs a censor bar because the turnovers are so incredibly big and bad. Inability to get conversions on offense is almost as big of a problem here too. Ugh. Guys. Y'all ain't helping your cause when there's still people in Los Angeles that want a football team again.<br />
<i>Tennessee Titans (2-6)</i> - Okay, yes, this is Marcus Mariota's rookie season, and he was last year's Heisman winner. Outside of that, it's almost time to jump off of that wagon and start fixing up the offense just so that his decent showings aren't spotty and cluttered with turnovers. While the defense shows some promise during games, they just aren't getting any offensive support.<br />
<br />
<b>AFC WEST</b><br />
<br />
<i>Denver Broncos (7-1)</i> - While this isn't Peyton Manning's strongest season at all, it does not matter in the least bit. The Broncos' defense is ridiculous, and by ridiculous, I mean you have probably reaped a ton of rewards on your Fantasy Football team if you have them. Despite a small hiccup this past week against the Colts, you aren't going to see these guys come up short on the way to January. What else can I say? You've got a full package (well, except in the run, but who cares when you've got Peyton?).<br />
<i>Oakland Raiders (4-4)</i> - In a sudden plot twist, this team isn't entirely terrible like it was for a really long time. Okay, sure, the defense really leaves much to be desired (dead serious), but the offense is showing a ton of promise. Jack del Rio's hold on Derek Carr has been one of night-to-day beauty, and his versatility with receivers have kept them in games for the most part. The defense just needs to hold the opposition when it matters most. Pressure can be a killer, and it has been a factor in many close games.<br />
<i>Kansas City Chiefs (3-5)</i> - Injuries haven't been too kind to this team as of late, and they've gotten beaten a lot by the onslaught of powerhouse offenses like Green Bay, Denver, and Cincy. Although their record doesn't really reflect their efforts, it can be a testament to how streaky the team can be. While they're no stranger to scoring, its all dependent on how well the offense and defense shares the efforts week in and week out.<br />
<i>San Diego Chargers (2-7)</i> - Fact: Philip Rivers is the most underrated quarterback of this era. Fact: This season does not show that previous fact at all. Defense, a weaker special teams than usual, and the slough of turnovers does not help the cause of the Bolts whatsoever. With a lot of divisional matches in their second half of the season, and there are quarterbacks coming up with just as much gusto, problems could arise really quickly.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b>NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE</b></u><br />
<br />
<b>NFC EAST</b><br />
<br />
<i>New York Giants (5-4)</i> - The team has had a ton of rough games, that's for sure. While Eli Manning has his case of occasional magic in the pocket, the other side of the ball is relatively weak and underdeveloped. The lone saving grace of the Giants' defense is their turnover ratio, as they may totally give a lot of yardage, but erase it at a moment's notice. With the return of nine-finger Pierre-Paul, leadership could return and make their trip through the rest of the season a little more assuring.<br />
<i>Philadelphia Eagles (4-4)</i> - Ladies and gentlemen, Sam Bradford hasn't blown out a knee yet. Anyway, the defense has been getting stronger and more consistent as the season has progressed, and the offense has been riding that momentum. However, inconsistent drives and inability to convert have been a problem, and it's best to take care of that situation if they don't want more disappointment.<br />
<i>Washington Redskins (3-5)</i> - I forgot about this team. Between a mix of injuries (especially to DeSean Jackson) and a lack of defensive stability, it's not a shock at all that the [insert team name here] haven't been making good showings at all. One thing is for sure, while they have a lot of divisional games coming up in their second half, there are also a lot of offensive threats thrown in the mix. That could be a big factor on whether this season will be a massive disappointment or not.<br />
<i>Dallas Cowboys (2-6)</i> - After losing six games in a row, you tend to wonder how big of a factor Tony Romo is with this team. The loss of Dez Bryant in the beginning of the season didn't help matters, but the main factor is who was in charge at QB. While the running game has been making up for it (especially after losing DeMarco Murray to the Eagles), late game choking has been the norm for these guys. While Romo may be back soon, the damage may already be done.<br />
<br />
<b>NFC NORTH</b><br />
<br />
<i>Minnesota Vikings (6-2)</i> - All things considered, this definitely isn't the same team from the past few years. While Teddy Bridgewater isn't seen as an elite quarterback, Adrian Peterson (yeah, that guy) has been an obvious force on offense. The team is also a classic example of teamwork, as an underperforming offense is helped by a stellar-looking defense. While the road to the top is going to be rough, both sides of the ball should have enough trust to take out the division.<br />
<i>Green Bay Packers (6-2)</i> - To the common eye, this isn't a surprise. However, the team has actually overcome a lot of problems since the beginning of the season. Injuries to the defense have made gametime a bit shaky and stressful, and while Aaron Rodgers is doing his thing yet again, he hasn't had as much support lately from his fellow receivers. I know, it sounds like I'm reaching here, but in a tighter-than-usual division, there is much to be aware of before the next seven weeks arrive.<br />
<i>Chicago Bears (3-5)</i> - If there is a team that consistently underperforms week in and week out, it's Da Bears. Watching unanswered points be scored against them is rather irritating, as there is so much to get from this team, but they aren't being utilized correctly. New coaching may be the difference maker here, but you don't want to point fingers at guys who have only gelled for barely a year.<br />
<i>Detroit Lions (1-7)</i> - Oh, how <b>far</b> the mighty have fallen here. Matt Stafford may be a magical quarterback, but you can only go so far with one guy on your team that is performing at a decent level. Instead of scoring, they give the ball away and let the opposition score. Instead of holding teams at the line, they simply don't. Coaches have been fired like crazy over the past year, and Coach Caldwell is aware that the Detroit faithful are restless. This is ugly.<br />
<br />
<b>NFC SOUTH</b><br />
<br />
<i>Carolina Panthers (8-0)</i> - With all of this offensive versatility finally showing its face, Cam Newton looks like a wizard in the pocket. With the first half schedule they had, things looked shaky, but they proved their worth, and they <b>rarely</b> screwed up. With an easier second half schedule, we're not going to see a sub-.500 team from this area. All cylinders are a-go, and if no injuries occur, the chances to see them go far in January look really good.<br />
<i>Atlanta Falcons (6-3)</i> - Yes, they started 6-0, but it sort of looks like they got cocky and trickled off in the second half over the past three weeks. It isn't like they've choked or fallen asleep or anything, it's just that they start strong, and most teams that do that may burn out. That isn't to say that they aren't good anymore--because they still are--but it's time for them to play more tactical ball, and see if Matt Ryan can continue showing more versatility and for the defense to hold the line.<br />
<i>New Orleans Saints (4-5) </i>- In the most unprofessional way possible, Drew Brees is amazing (herp derp) and the defense is lousy (herp de-derp derp). On paper, that is the best way to put it. In fact, the offense looks playoff caliber, but the defense is one of the worst in the league, and Rob Ryan may possibly be out of a job by the end of this season because of how poorly the team can hold and force turnovers.<br />
<i>Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5)</i> - For what it's worth, Jameis Winston is having a great rookie season, and he's fortunate to have a veteran coach in Lovie Smith giving him tender, Lovie care. With him and Doug Martin on the run, things look promising for the offensive squad. However, while the defense is better than average, too many points are being scored on short, quick plays, and if that is curbed, the team could finish at a decent spot toward the end.<br />
<br />
<b>NFC WEST</b><br />
<br />
<i>Arizona Cardinals (6-2)</i> - I really like these guys. Even though there are a lot of mistakes scattered throughout the game, they have the ability to make comebacks and upset. Carson Palmer is having a great season, and the secondary is the scariest its looked since some guy named Kurt Warner was QB. While laurels shouldn't be rested on by this point, they have the tools to make a run for the playoffs. The defense needs to stay healthy. That is the main goal.<br />
<i>St. Louis Rams (4-4)</i> - Despite a solid defense, the Rams have been blessed (rather, cursed) with an inconsistent QB in Nick Foles. Most of the time, that didn't matter because the running game was strong and kept the team in the game. However, with Todd Gurley shaky with injury, things could go sour. Although the second half doesn't seem to have as many formidable defenses to destroy the offensive line, it could be much better for the Rams and their staff.<br />
<i>Seattle Seahawks (4-4)</i> - The 'Hawks start off strong each game, but they start running out of steam halfway through the third quarter. Although their defense is still formidable, the offense has been figured out, and games have been too close for comfort each week. Divisional games at home are going to be a big factor, of course, and the run needs to stay sharp. They may be down right now, but they aren't out by a long shot.<br />
<i>San Francisco 49ers (3-6)</i> - This record does not fully explain the type of nosedive this team is taking at the moment. In fact, let me take you to the trainwreck play that took place in Week 8. Jim Tomsula in his rookie season as a head coach in the NFL has been a rocky one, considering he pulled the trigger late on pulling Kaepernick, but this is a purely hard learning experience (and reality check) not just for the coaching staff and the team, but the front office as well. No, I don't think they miss Harbaugh as much as people think, but this whole team is painfully unstable, and their win in Week 9 may have been a fluke.<br />
<br />
--<br />
<br />
While a lot of these analyses come as no surprise, we're bound to have an interesting eight weeks ahead, and hopefully we'll see some more growth.<br />
<br />
See you again when we're done eating turkey, opening up re-gifts, and getting hammered when the clock strikes midnight.<br />
<br />
-- StephanieThe Sports Nut Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17712501044773745806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3316967936515556841.post-38503903784957895272015-10-31T13:50:00.002-04:002015-10-31T13:50:25.434-04:00October: Such A Great Sports Month in North America, It's Scary<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">OHHHHH HOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO. THE TITLE IS FUNNY BECAUSE IT'S HALLOWEEN. OHHHHH--(hacks and coughs)</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i>
Aside from the fact that the greatest person alive was born in this month (I was going to say it was me, but for the sake of sports, let's say it's Mike Ditka or something), the month of October is the most insane month ever. You've got candy, horror movies, pumpkin-spiced everything, cooler weather (in most regions), foliage, and the fear of impending Christmas commercials. But not only do you have all of that stuff, you just happen to have all of the Big Four (and the stepchild MLS) playing at the same time. While two of the five sports are ending, another two are beginning, and the fifth is nearing the midway point. If you're a sports fan, you have no excuse to not be watching sports in some way.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbx_HWxsgn7NDJAGBxBTNoRoEtIQvh-2QyXEA7BeBIyZHuwi0fY_BXTWcDxAx_NPf56wWEgUx5r3wwssnxVIeexiMCaaOalSRmSPhFdCZubqaZJz6u3tEgC52QOs67nLZVituL4gcK-Q0/s1600/2015-10-21+13.12.28-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbx_HWxsgn7NDJAGBxBTNoRoEtIQvh-2QyXEA7BeBIyZHuwi0fY_BXTWcDxAx_NPf56wWEgUx5r3wwssnxVIeexiMCaaOalSRmSPhFdCZubqaZJz6u3tEgC52QOs67nLZVituL4gcK-Q0/s320/2015-10-21+13.12.28-1.jpg" width="279" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">AW YEAH. FEEL THAT COLOR.<br />
(I actually took this picture!)</td></tr>
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The sports you see throughout the month have their own representation, and you may have been familiar with these sightings already.<br />
<br />
Shall we take a look at what we've got?<br />
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<b>The Baby in the Cute Halloween Costume:</b> NCAA Football Season<br />
Ah, this is the time of year when you have a ton of college students dedicating their weekends to look absolutely goofy and have a reason to party. This is also the time of year when there are alumni of 25 years pulling their college gear out of mothballs to cheer on their alma mater. Due to the fast pace of the game, and the young men fighting for possible draft spots for the NFL, you can never go wrong with heartbreaks and excitement. Plus, it's one of the few things that commercialism hasn't destroyed...yet.<br />
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<b>The Kid with the Eccentric, Hand-made Costume from Something that People Don't Get the Reference from:</b> MLS<br />
If there is a game (or the ending of a game) that will show you how ridiculously exciting the tail-end of the MLS season is, <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/10/30/portland-timbers-2-7-sporting-kansas-city-2-6-mls-match-recap">this is it from Thursday night</a>. While there has been a bigger following of soccer in the United States, it will often be overshadowed by the ones above it. Regardless, this is a playoff series that you don't want to miss. I wrote about MLS' struggles for attention before. You can read it <a href="http://sportsnutblogs.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-struggle-for-attention.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>The REALLY Loud Infant, or, the One Kid at Lunch that Throws Out Their Trash Yelling, "KOBE!":</b> NBA<br />
Although preseason exists for this sport as well as another, fists (or elbows, for that matter) don't really start flying until the last week of the month. Closet basketball fans come out wearing their worn-out Jordans and shootin' hoops while saying they can nail threes better than Stephen Curry. Not to mention that the debate of who is better between LeBron and Jordan starts firing up again as if it didn't skip a single beat. Despite possible overshadowing by their college counterparts in the month of March, the stage is theirs for several months to come, so October is a rather cool coming out party for the men on the hardwood.<br />
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<b>The College Kid Worried About Academic Probation, or, The One ALWAYS Wearing the Scarf and Matching Furry Boots: </b>NHL<br />
Unlike the sport above, the NHL comes crashing into main play in the beginning of October. While there is a preseason that lasts about two weeks or so, it doesn't really matter (especially if you're ESPN). However, once it starts, it certainly starts. With the new and improved Overtime rules (3v3...that's right), the game really makes you want your heart to jump out. Oh, and because of the ice and cooler conditions, that's a perfect excuse for boots and scarf weather. See? I brought it back around.<br />
<br />
<b>The Disgruntled Barfly Who Just Raked His Entire Lawn This Morning, or, the Kid Running to the TV with a Bowl of Cereal to Watch <i>Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles</i> on Saturday Morning:</b> NFL<br />
We've been around for a little while, and though we may be tired and weary from the week's duties, we always have that one day to hang back in our fatigue or just get "totally hype" to sit in front of the television set for a couple of hours [for example, I was "totally hype" watching the <i>The Joy of Painting</i> marathon on Twitch for the past few days]. Since most Divisional matchups are gone for a little while, we've gotten the tougher pieces out of the way, but October is but a reminder that it's not how you start, it's really how you finish. Start gathering your strength again.<br />
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<b>That One Person at a Party that Gets Their Second Wind and JUST WON'T QUIT, or, the Sophisticated Person at Your Job that Started Annoying You Three Weeks Ago:</b> MLB<br />
Ah, October baseball. If you didn't watch any of the 3,000 or so games that have been broadcast since April, then I guess now's the best time to do that. Sure, it seems like it goes on forever, and there may be some [batflip] fireworks in the process, but don't worry, it'll pass, and you'll start to miss the memories soon enough. On second thought, Joe Buck still carries over. So there's that second one.<br />
<br />
-<br />
<br />
Imagine having the choice of watching either sport at your disposal. This is the October of a sports fan in North America.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3tYPzSGVHOc" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
While we're going into the unpredictable November, we always have this month to eternally worship if pumpkins aren't quite for you. Sure, I get birthday cake too, so it's another reason for me to love it, but there are times to be proud to be a fan. We've enjoyed the memories, and we've enjoyed the numerous choices that have been had.<br />
<br />
Now, go watch your episodes of <i>The Walking Dead</i> or something. I'm gonna continue watching sports.<br />
<br />
<br />
-- Stephanie<br />
<br />
(Oh, and Happy Halloween to you sillies.)The Sports Nut Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17712501044773745806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3316967936515556841.post-55929125566750567362015-10-08T11:52:00.000-04:002015-10-08T11:52:16.609-04:00NFL: Not Feeling Logic, A Divine Comedy (Sort Of)<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">It isn't very often that sports make me want to put my head through a wall. However, the world of mass media makes me want to do that every time I look at it or hear it. It's a cruel world that I live in. Go ahead, take the red pill and read.</span></i><br />
<br />
<b>Warning:</b> There are probably going to be times where you shouldn't take me seriously. I'm going to throw a lot of unnecessary jokes in here, but it's being done to drive at my point. Warning over.<br />
<br />
--<br />
<br />
My main forte is acting and writing. By default, I study and critique a lot of different approaches and styles that are presented in a character and the environment. A lot of my training comes from--you guessed it--watching sports. Selling a product takes a lot a bit of acting sometimes, especially if you're trying to sell your cause. However, the product I am about to mention here has become this ugly-looking Brundlefly that got seemingly worse. Maybe some people other than myself just like to watch the world burn...?<br />
<br />
The effects of sports-related products and their shenanigans have been a slow burn. In fact, I remember writing a piece about how ESPN was truly becoming a juggernaut in college sports and were becoming an influence in alignment, among other decisions. You can read this gem from four years ago <a href="http://sportsnutblogs.blogspot.com/2011/11/azs-slant-on-sunday-espn-real-life.html">here</a> (and realize that I've become a better writer...somehow).<br />
<br />
Since then, I've become older and a heck of a lot wiser about brands and products. The deeper you go into believing in a brand, the less likely you will see how ridiculous and silly it can be. When you're knee deep, it doesn't seem so staged. Admittedly, for a while, I had stopped watching sports shows. Even more, I've stopped watching the news altogether. The more and more I see it, it's almost like getting sucked into another matrix. As the great Kenny Rogers once sang: "You gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away, know when to run." Go ahead, you can keep on singing as I explain. After a while, you just have to say, "no mas," and run the heck away from all of this. Why? There is only so much in life that you can afford to take seriously.<br />
<br />
Sports have their own media outlet of sorts, as the general public needs to know what is going on with their favorite teams and players around the league. However, certain body parts in this creature like to get pimples and ingrown hairs more often than not.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And this is the part where I mention the NFL.</i></div>
<br />
Already known as the "No Fun League" by jocks and nerds around the world, thinking that they're funny and all, the NFL has slowly but surely become yet another interactive game of Chess for Dummies. I only say the "for Dummies" part because not everybody knows how to play chess. Anyway, as the NFL season unfolds, the drama and the staging keeps unfolding more and more like a spoiled onion, and it has become, well...<i>no fun</i> to watch.<br />
<br />
In general, the NFL has become a conglomerate all its own. You're either in or you're out. In the church of sports, American football takes up about five or six whole rows, while the other sports take up a couple of seats apiece. It also sits with its legs spread wide open while scratching the belly with one hand and stuffing the other hand in its pants much like Al Bundy before it.<br />
<br />
Roughness and similes/metaphors aside, the magic of the NFL doesn't seem real at all now. It doesn't seem like the times of old where dudes are walking around with missing teeth and playing in sub-zero temperatures constantly. It looks more like a Hollywood film with each time you turn on a game. It has become a farce in of itself. The more you become a part of the drama and discussion, the further down the rabbit hole you fall.<br />
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<br />
Below are five main points on why I don't bother taking the NFL seriously anymore.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>1) The commentary teams will always bring nonsensical business up.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Joe Buck aside (because America seems to love him so), you will constantly have to hear about lingering issues among players on and off the field. Some of them may have even happened five or six years ago, but we still have to hear about it. It's like they find it to be reverse psychology, or that everybody watching the sport at the time and is unfamiliar with the team has to be reminded of moot points that have nothing to do with what's happening down on the field. That, or these things are <b>so incredibly important and crucial</b> for the survival of the human race. Here are some brief examples:<br />
<br />
<u>Example 1:</u> "[Insert team name here] has a vicious secondary, and the Giants' #1 receiver Victor Cruz may be a target due to a tender knee stemming from a season-ending injury from last year."<br />
My response: That was last year. Plus, if his knee wasn't up to form, he wouldn't be playing.<br />
<br />
<u>Example 2:</u> "Kirk Cousins, starting for the injured RG3..."<br />
My response: <a href="http://i3.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/facebook/000/181/812/800px-Yamcha_found_dead.jpg">As far as America is concerned, this is RG3 now.</a> Anyway, this response always applies for someone replacing someone else. We could easily use this argument for Brandon Weeden replacing Tony Romo.<br />
<br />
<u>Example 3:</u> "The rookie Jameis Winston [or Marcus Mariota]..."<br />
My response: He's new and fresh, okay. But if he's playing like a seasoned veteran, there is no need. This also applies when a "mistake" is made. Even Jason Pierre-Paul makes mistakes, and he's a five-year vet with two Super Bowl rings.<i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(For the record, I honestly wasn't referring to his fireworks accident.)</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i>
<u>Example 4:</u> "Sam Bradford has sustained two torn ACLs in consecutive seasons..."<br />
My response: How long ago did these injuries occur? Is he walking? Excuse me while I groan.<br />
<br />
<u>Example 5:</u> Obvious observation is obvious.<br />
My response: Is your name Cris Collinsworth? But really--when an outsider sees an obvious catch or a clear holding call and can comprehend what happened, there is no need to explain it unless the player were catching a hot dog in mid-air or holding an adorable puppy that appeared out of thin air.<br />
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As you can tell, commentary can be rather irritating. In fact, not all games are meant to be filled with constant commentary. If you listen to radio broadcasts, you'll hear the crowd filling in the dead air. Why not on TV, too?<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>2) The ongoing wars (and meltdowns) between FanDuel and Draft Kings.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
For those who don't follow sports at all--<i>well, wait, why are you reading this then?</i>--FanDuel and Draft Kings are a super-duper Readers' Digest version of fantasy leagues that most will join for an entire season. Instead of sticking by for an entire season, you pay a subscription, and at whatever point in a season, you can take part in a one-day draft, and you will earn money based on your successes. Of course, in the world of business, while you always need a competitor, the fantasy town isn't big enough for the two of them.<br />
<br />
But the kicker is this: employees of either fantasy sports company have been creating accounts on their competitors' sites and have been using the information gathered from their own home base to win the cash and prizes. This, my friends, is a classic example of "the rich are getting richer, and the poor are getting poorer." It's like a bunch of kindergarten kids fighting over the scented Crayola crayons while you're in your own corner watching them as you color with <a href="http://www.retrojunk.com/article/show/1821/roseart-worst-crayons-ever">your piece-of-crap RoseArt</a> crayons. While the idea of the one-day drafts was fresh in the beginning, it's starting to take the shape of the "get rich quick" schemes, and the ones in charge of it are breaking it. Plus, it's getting rather annoying to know that they have enough money to run a 30-second spot at least three times during each commercial break.<br />
<br />
[Note: They don't just cover football. They cover every sport as far as I know.]<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>3) ESPN and FOX Sports Network</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I really don't need to say much more about this. To give you a decent visual of what ESPN and FSN does to NFL-related stories throughout the day, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rfu1ZHiMP8">here is a really old YouTube video of a guy making Chinese noodles</a>. I understand that people don't exactly watch the networks for 24 hours straight, but when it's the NFL, games are weekly, and things can often be repeated. It's a ton of ad nauseam and there isn't enough syrup of ipecac in the world to calm it down.<br />
<br />
[And at last check, they still don't care much about hockey. Maybe that'll be another post someday.]<br />
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<br />
<b>4) Obvious characterization of sports analysts.</b><br />
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Speaking of the sports networks above, we've got this to add onto the torture rack. Of course, sports networks are often seen as the male or sports-loving female's version of <i>The View</i> or <i>The Wendy Williams Show</i>, and I totally get that. However, some of the gushing love and bias that some analysts may have for specific players/teams can get rather nauseating. <b>I'm looking at you, Skip Bayless.</b> Oftentimes, these acts blur the lines between "fair and balanced" ethics and being totally hokey, and this leads to the offender to be just enough of an imp to aggravate the opposition to the point where they will turn full-blown hater all over social media. I've seen it before,<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F4qzPbcFiA"> and truthfully</a>... It's a practice that is always in place for people to agree/disagree and have an opinion upon, but it's borderline fake and comical nowadays. Do we need <b>more</b> reasons to love Tom Brady and the heart of Tony Romo? Not really.<br />
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[Although, in reality, if you ignore them, they'll go away. But who listens to the rational one over here?]<br />
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<b>5) Troubles with disciplinary measures and passive aggression.</b><br />
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You bet I'm going here. During the facepalm festival known as "Deflate-Gate," suspensions and fines were thrown on Tom Brady and other staff members of the New England Patriots, and the opinions of football fans and non-fans alike split the nation faster than the Coke/Pepsi wars. Numerous appeals and court cases later, Brady's four-game suspension was lifted, and he was able to start Week 1 against the Steelers. Usually, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, aka "The Most Powerful Man in Sports," attends the larger games of the season, including the kickoff to the regular season. However, he was nowhere to be found at Gillette Stadium, resulting in "Where is Roger" chants coming from the faithful around the stadium. Was he running scared? That is uncertain. However, a lot of people believed that he shied away from attempting to keep the suspension in place.<br />
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Plus, there are a lot of critics who find that more needs to be done in regard to players who have had run-ins with the law, especially when involved in domestic abuse charges. While this stuff isn't foreign to other sports, it's higher in nutritional value in the mass media's eyes, and a lot of these transgressions fall on Goodell in the end. The constant controversies that surround the NFL with fair playing practices and criminal charges have been frequent over the past five seasons or so, and it's almost become a soap opera that refuses to be canceled because Goodell won't make it so. Don't get me wrong, he's put on the man-pants before, but reactions of those around him as well as the fans have almost made him appear gun-shy.<br />
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--<br />
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Call me crazy, but after writing this piece (and reading it for errors), I feel like my life as a sports fan is a lie because it's slowly become a stage of corporate entertainment. Could you imagine if this existed in the days of Ancient Rome? [It sorta did, as far as blood money, but I digress.] Just think--there'd be some one-day draft for the rich people, and after a couple of giant scrolls displayed at ground level advertising some sort of male-enhancement herb provided by the Roman god Eros, the gladiators would try to kill each other, all while the Emperor sits above and checks the status of suspended gladiators that were supposed to be eaten by lions that week because they cheated somehow or got out and attacked women and children in the process. Like, things were still a show back then, but there wasn't an overdose of consumerism and the need to feed drama going on. Not even the Ancient Greeks had all of that business going on in their plays; they just acted because it was the thing to do.<br />
<br />
It seems like it isn't so much about the game anymore, but the presentation of it and the constant need to keep people on the edge of their seats of anticipation.<br />
<br />
Am I the only one who feels this way?<br />
<br />
-- StephanieThe Sports Nut Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17712501044773745806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3316967936515556841.post-44839712226363648362015-10-06T11:26:00.000-04:002015-10-06T11:26:12.280-04:00The MLB Postseason Slant for 2015 - Playoff Droughts are for Wusses<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>That awkward moment when the last post I published on here was the write-up for the midpoint of the MLB season. Uhhhhhhhhh I've been busy with other writing ventures. That's all I can say here. But that doesn't matter anymore. I AM HERE TO WRITE ABOUT OCTOBER BASEBALL, BLAST IT ALL!!</i></span><br />
<br />
And it is finally the greatest time of year again.<br />
<br />
Over the course of the week, we have seen playoff races go absolutely berserk, managers get fired, guys getting choked out, and champagne being shot everywhere. Who knows what the next three weeks will be chock-full of?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>2015 MLB Postseason</u></b></span></div>
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Just like last year, the previous year's World Series champs are nowhere to be seen. While the San Francisco Giants made a good run, they were stopped dead by another team vying for revenge. One thing you're going to notice is that most of these teams really made the most out of the trade deadlines and nailed some great deals. Because of that, we're seeing giants of another form rise all throughout the league. It's gonna be a hot October for sure. Shall we begin?<br />
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<b><u>National League Contenders</u></b></div>
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<i>New York Mets (90-72)</i> - This team has a lot of younger talent, and they're driven for power and success. Guys like Wright and mid-season gem pickup Cespedes have been here before and can easily balance out both nerves and uncertainly. At face value, their starting rotation is going to be a tough one to beat, and they're going to use every trick possible to keep the party going. Considering where they were in July, and how they were dueling with Washington, we're seeing a team getting hot, and you know what that means...<br />
(Last time they were in the Postseason? <b>2006</b>, and I still think Carlos Beltran is standing where the plate was at Shea Stadium waiting for a good one to swing at... Nevermind--you'll see why.)<br />
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<i>St. Louis Cardinals (100-62)</i> - Every time I do this, I truly ask if there's ever any doubt that I won't be writing about the Cardinals here. Well, as it seems, that's never going to happen. This team as a whole is like a ninja. They pelt you with either really hard shots or a bunch of Chinese stars (aka "small ball"), and then their bullpen is just like "NOPE." As usual, these guys are going to be rough to get past. Luckily for them, their future opponent will be extremely familiar...<br />
(Last time they were in the Postseason? <b>lol</b> I'm not even going to bother here.)<br />
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<i>Los Angeles Dodgers (92-70)</i> - As expected, these guys get on base and they threaten by ways of speed and smarts, unlike most car chases you'll see in LA. In any case, these guys have been groomed for the stage, but it's a matter of whether the pitching is actually going to show up this time around. Heck, it's a running gag at this point for Clayton Kershaw. Maybe the others will pick up the slack? We'll have to wait and see.<br />
(Last time they were in the Postseason? <b>Last year</b>, but their middle infielders were involved in their beatings in back-to-back NLCS appearances in 2008 and 2009. Take good care of Rollins and Utley, guys. I'm still crying on the inside over it.)<br />
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<i>[Wild Card] Pittsburgh Pirates (98-64)</i> - What you see right now is what you're going to get. That isn't to say that the Bucs are a one-trick pony, but they've been following the same formula for quite some time, and they follow it to a T. If they want to advance, it's up to the pitching to stop oncomers in their tracks. Are we doing it for AJ this year? Sure. Why not?<br />
(Last time they were in the Postseason? <b>Last year</b>, and that was a heartbreaker and a half.)<br />
<i>[Wild Card 2] Chicago Cubs (97-65)</i> - I have to say this now--THE BACK TO THE FUTURE PROPHECY CONTINUES. *ahem* Anyway, this team is no joke. Remember the "sleeping giants" comment from last year? Look at this. Boom, awake. After many years of rebuilding and such, we've finally got a lineup that's ready to roll along with a fearsome rotation. Prepare for a slugfest on Wednesday. [Will we see a pitch get Schwarber'd?]<br />
(Last time they were in the Postseason? <b>2008</b>--But let's be honest, it always seems like ages with these guys.)<br />
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<b><u>American League Contenders</u></b></div>
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<i>Toronto Blue Jays (93-69)</i> - If there was one team that totally hit it big during the trade window, it was these guys. They're totally not the same team from the first half, and they don't want you to remember that kind of stuff. They come through in the clutch with guys like Donaldson, Pillar, and good 'ole Joey Bats, they have enough power and speed to make the plays. Canada's got a chance to show that baseball still matters up there, eh?<br />
(Last time they were in the Postseason? <b>1993</b>, when Joe Carter destroyed a ball low and inside and they went back-to-back in titles.)<br />
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<i>Kansas City Royals (95-67)</i> - They obviously have unfinished business.The lineup looks even more consistent and synchronized, and even more so, they have the capability to totally pound you late in the game and not think twice. Guys like Hosmer, Cain, Morales, and Moose are in top form as they were before, but now, they have the swagger that'll give them that extra boost toward the World Series. Even the pitching looks more stellar after the acquisition of Johnny Cueto. Simply put, I feel sorry for a lot of other teams right now.<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">[And if I could see more Paul Rudd, I'd be cool with that.]</span><br />
(Last time--<b>Oh, nevermind...</b> I still think about that ninth inning, by the way. I almost lost everything inside of me that night. For real.)<br />
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<i>Texas Rangers (88-74)</i> - Excuse me while I put my eyeballs back in their sockets. Here's another team that is a totally different one from the first half, and admittedly, they did not look the least bit stable or healthy at first, but once people came back and after minor league [blood] sacrifices were made, they truly showed that they had the tools to get where they needed to be. They were never a lousy team to begin with--they just had to wait a little while, is all. (Hey, Cole Hamels.)<br />
(Last time they were in the Postseason? <b>2010</b>, and most media outlets make it sound like they haven't been there since 1910. I wish I were joking.)<br />
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<i>[Wild Card] New York Yankees (87-75)</i> - Yeah, dude. They're back. They tripped and fell a little bit on the way, but they kept their composure the entire time. This team had a bit of "rebuilding" of their own, so it isn't entirely right to say that A-Rod was the sole reason the Yankees are playing well enough. Of course, we've got an "older-looking" team here yet again, but age almost always means wisdom.<br />
(Last time they were in the Postseason? <b>2012</b>--Yes, it's ACTUALLY BEEN that long. Oh...HI, CARLOS BELTRAN!)<br />
<i>[Wild Card 2] Houston Astros (86-76)</i> - If you can still believe it, I'm still screaming like Schwartz' mother over here. This almost didn't happen, but this is a big sign that this team is willing to fight and capitalize on mistakes. Youth and inexperience may be a bit of a factor here, but many of these guys have to remember how they got there and why. Small ball might not be their main go-to, but if they don't want to face disappointment, they might have to channel that to move forward.<br />
(Last time they were in the Postseason? <b>2005</b>, when Craig Biggio and Roy Oswalt ruled the field, and Jeff Bagwell was on his way out.)<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>INDIVIDUAL WINNERS</b></u></div>
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<u>NL MVP</u> - Bryce Harper (Washington Nationals) - This was a bit of a no-brainer, considering that he was a huge driving force on the team for the entire season. At the ripe young age of 23 and putting up the best numbers of his career thus far, he's a definite shoo-in for the award.<br />
<u>Next Best Choice:</u> Joey Votto (Cincinnati Reds)<br />
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<u>NL Cy Young</u> - Zack Greinke (Los Angeles Dodgers) - Now, hear me out on this one, okay? Record and ERA may be a big factor in determining the winner of this prestigious pitching award, but one thing that needs to be taken into account as well is consistency. Greinke has brought that the entire year and hasn't screwed up very much at all. How many consecutive scoreless innings did he have? Exactly.<br />
<u>Next Best Choice:</u> Jake Arrieta (Chicago Cubs)<br />
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<u>NL Rookie of the Year</u> - Kris Bryant (Chicago Cubs) - If you don't think he's deserving, you're a silly, silly person. He's shown consistency the entire year, and while he didn't burst out of the starting gate like most rookies did this year, he's been the iron man of fielding and hitting. That's good enough for me.<br />
<u>Next Best Choice:</u> Matt Duffy (San Francisco Giants)<br />
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<u>AL MVP</u> - Josh Donaldson (Toronto Blue Jays) - This is definitely the closest AL MVP race I've ever covered. Both choices here have stellar and clutch offenses with little to distinguish the two. However, what it might come down to is how they have helped in getting the team to the Postseason. I hate saying that, but that's usually the final nail in the coffin.<br />
<u>Next Best Choice:</u> Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim)<br />
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<u>AL Cy Young</u> - Dallas Keuchel (Houston Astros) - Stats-wise, he's got this in the bag. He's been tops almost the entire year, and he hasn't showed any signs of letting up. I'd be more than surprised if this award doesn't have his name scribbled all over it by now.<br />
<u>Next Best Choice:</u> David Price (Tampa Bay Rays)<br />
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<u>AL Rookie of the Year</u> - Francisco Lindor (Cleveland Indians) - If we're looking for the most solid, all-around performer, it's this guy. Not only can he master the small ball, he can flash the leather and get runs in. The lack of Postseason shouldn't really hurt his chances much at all.<br />
<u>Next Best Choice:</u> Carlos Correa (Houston Astros)<br />
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___________________________________________<br />
<br />
Another season is done, and now I am forced to resort to playing MLB The Show on my PS3. Sure, I can watch other sports, but baseball is a special one for me, like it is with a lot of you who follow the sport. We'll all find a way to get by. Enjoy this October. After that, see y'all in February.<br />
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-- StephanieThe Sports Nut Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17712501044773745806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3316967936515556841.post-81561227558808754972015-07-14T11:51:00.000-04:002015-07-14T11:54:05.390-04:00The 2015 MLB Midseason Slant - Speed Demons<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Change is good. That is all--I have to say--about that.</i></span><br />
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For the better part of three months, we have seen a bunch of twists and turns occur in Major League Baseball. We've seen a number of suspensions, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&uact=8&sqi=2&ved=0CDsQFjAEahUKEwirj4-z9NrGAhUCQz4KHSENANs&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fmlb%2F2015%2F04%2F08%2Fmilton-bradley-domestic-abuse-mlb-monique-bradley&ei=ACelVauPMIKG-QGhmoDYDQ&usg=AFQjCNHNY_2P8Zmw3GcOglquk-pt6VC1wQ&sig2=euxnX11FTP0SKIXqCjx8Hg&bvm=bv.97653015,d.dmo">another unnecessary chapter in the story of Milton Bradley</a>, the return of A-Rod, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDc5-x4Hvd4">a new commissioner</a>, a possible reinstatement of Pete Rose until he ultimately screwed it up for himself again, alleged "hacking" between St. Louis and Houston, more "this will be my final MLB season" announcements, and <a href="http://sportsnutblogs.blogspot.com/2015/02/go-and-make-it-snappy.html">new implemented rules regarding the pace of the game</a>.<br />
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We also got to see a new style of the Home Run Derby on Monday night. Each player was under a four-minute time limit instead of being given 10 "Outs" to work with, and my goodness, that was one of the most exciting things I had ever watched. If you didn't watch it, go find a replay. You won't be sorry.<br />
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It seems like just yesterday that the Super Bowl ended and baseball fans everywhere were counting down the days to the report of pitchers and catchers to Spring Training. And now, the day I am posting this, it's the day of the All-Star Game in Cincy. Time flies when you're having fun, doesn't it?<br />
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Let's take a look at some of the hits (and misses) that have been going on in Major League Baseball. You can take as long as you want--there's no time limit here.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QKnHYcSG9Po" width="420"></iframe>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2015 MIDSEASON SLANT</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">NATIONAL LEAGUE</span><br />
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<b>Eastern Division</b><br />
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<u>Overview:</u> Don't ask me why, but I feel like over the past couple of seasons, the NL East has looked like a super weak link for the past couple of seasons. The race may usually be tight, but its against two teams that have "okay at best" records, and the rest sort of drop off.<br />
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Washington Nationals (48-39) – Patience is a virtue, as these guys are far gone from their rotten seasons and now in the cruising lanes of great talent, first place finishes, and pennants. Bryce Harper is a viable candidate for NL MVP this year, and you have Max Scherzer making a decent run for the CY. With good influences, all things will fall into place. It especially helps when you’re the only team in your division without a sub-.500 record away (albeit being AT .500).<br />
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New York Mets (47-42) – For a team that has dealt with injury (Hi, David Wright) and who has the lowest team batting average in the National League (third to last in team OBP), you can obviously tell that the pitching staff has been eating their Wheaties with these guys. Their rotation of Bartolo Colon, sophomore Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, Jonathon Niese, and Noah Syndergaard (in Dillon Gee’s absence) have been absolutely tight and kept the team in contention. More plate discipline could give them a run at a Wild Card spot in late September.<br />
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Atlanta Braves (42-47) – Injuries have not been very kind to this team at all. A lot of games have slipped away from them on the road, and even some of their seasoned vets are looking a bit shaky from the turn of events. The one big guy to look at is Nick Markakis, who has been the most consistent, hard-hitting force on the team. Pitching has been steady, but the bullpen is kind of scary in the bad way. This second half could be rough.<br />
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Miami Marlins (38-51) – Everybody hop on the Stanton Express! WOO-WOO. No, but really, if you care to know, the guy to really watch on this team is Dee Gordon (he’s Flash Jr for a reason, gosh dang it) because this bro is absolutely DANGEROUS at the plate and on the bases. I mean, c’mon, Ichiro dropped off—someone has to pick up the pace. Wait, I’m supposed to talk about the team? Oh. The team is middle of the pack in all stats, but they’re so disgustingly inconsistent on all fronts that it becomes hard to watch them at times.<br />
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Philadelphia Phillies (29-62) – Imagine that. My hometown team is this year’s basement squad. They kind of deserve it too. Poor management all across the board, and the inability to get disciplined players that aren’t their veterans (even Chase Utley is having a horrible year) has been a real thorn in the team’s side. On pace to lose 115 games this year? Yep. (Phillies fans are already waiting for the Eagles season to start.)<br />
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<b>Central Division</b></div>
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<u>Overview:</u> This division never fails to impress. While there might be newer teams making a strong showing, the bottom teams are still making a run to make this a scramble for the entire division. A knock-down, drag-out brawl is always welcome, and this could be a division for the ages.</div>
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St. Louis Cardinals (56-33) – Injuries haven’t slowed this team down one bit. With the lowest team ERA in the National League, they’re backed by a starting rotation consisting of Jon Lackey, Michael Wacha [WAKKA WAKKA], Lance Lynn, and Carlos Martinez. The offensive threesome of Jhonny Peralta, Kolten Wong, and Jason Heyward (with a consolation prize always going to Yadi and Holliday) have been providing fireworks that are clearly seen from the archways. As usual, they’re going to be a force to be reckoned with from here on out this season.</div>
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Pittsburgh Pirates (53-35) – This team is definitely one for contention. In fact, they have been for a while, but they have more chutzpah than in years’ past. Andrew McCutchen is having yet another amazing year, and it should also come as no shock that the pitching staff is looking as terrifying as ever, led by the immortal AJ Burnett in his final Major League season. Filled with a slough of veterans and young dudes alike, this is a great formula to take a playoff spot and hold it ransom for some Pirate booty. See what I did there? The injury bug is always one to worry about, but as usual, health is key to keep going into the summer.</div>
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[NOTE: They’re currently atop the Wild Card Standings.]</div>
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Chicago Cubs (47-40) – While they’re not as green as they once were, there are still a couple of things they need to work on if they want to make a strong run for October. Health and consistency is a huge thing here. Some guys aren’t playing enough, and even though they make good showings, sometimes “hot and cold ball” isn’t the best thing to immerse oneself in. That aside, the starting rotation gets a gold star, with strong pitching from Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester, and a gold star for Anthony Rizzo. That kid’s gonna go places. I’d like to see the Cubbies make the playoffs, that’s for sure. They’re due. Actually, they’ve been due since 1908, but that’s beside the point.</div>
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[NOTE: They’re currently Team #2 in the Wild Card Standings.]</div>
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Cincinnati Reds (39-47) – Outside of the big names on the team (Toddfather, Votto, Bruce, Phillips), there haven’t been very many big showings from the rest of the offense. The backups need a lot of work. And outside of the starting rotation plus Aroldis Chapman, there’s much left to be desired. It’s rather obvious that the crowd is one of their biggest strengths, as they haven’t been faring well outside of The Great American. At this rate, there might not be a lot of cheering when it comes to playoff baseball. Then again, at least they cheered for something… After all, Todd Frazier won the Home Run Derby Monday night.</div>
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Milwaukee Brewers (38-52) – This team can be very sloppy at times. Defensively, there are a lot of holes (almost literally), and the pitching staff isn’t necessarily helping matters very much on that front. The one thing keeping the team afloat is some timely (and often powerful) hitting from guys like—yeah, you guessed it—Ryan Braun. The Brew Crew certainly isn’t what it used to be, and its best that the second half is used for rebuilding purposes, especially on the front of the starting rotation.</div>
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<b>Western Division</b></div>
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<u>Overview:</u> This team is pretty much like if "The Heavy" of a mob had a baby with a bunch of ninjas. We have some of the best hitting, pitching, and plate discipline here, but not all teams in this division have the luxury of harnessing all three qualities. We all have that one clumsy ninja in the group. C'mon, <i>Beverly Hills Ninja</i> should have taught you that.</div>
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Los Angeles Dodgers (51-39) – Evidently enough, money does buy you happiness…or does it? Clayton Kershaw and clear CY candidate Zack Greinke certainly can. Their patience at the plate is also a key aspect of the team, as they don’t take much crap from opponents, and it ultimately works in their favor. The team appears to be clicking on all cylinders at home, and they’ll certainly be buyers for more workhorses now that the trade deadline is upon us. Don’t expect a slowdown or an early exit for these guys. Slow and steady may win the race, but swift and tactful also wins the pennant race.</div>
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San Francisco Giants (46-43) – According to the Twitterverse, this team is doing horribly. I don’t understand it. In fact, while there are some issues here and there, the team is getting its strength back in offense (Hunter Pence, duh) and the pitching is looking stronger than ever. Plus, the plate discipline is as equally precise as their Southern Californian brethren. If you expect anything less from Joe Panik and Buster Posey, you may have a problem. There has been a lot of changing of the guard in the rotation, but that shouldn’t be a source of panic. Their bullpen has remained consistent and healthy, that’s gotta mean something, right? They’re champions, for Pete’s sakes—they’ll always find a way to win.</div>
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Arizona Diamondbacks (42-45) – Holy crap, Paul Goldschmidt. He is obviously at the helm of a team that is still trying to find its footing not only in a consistent offense, but a hunched-over pitching staff. In fact, that’s actually been a rough problem for the former green-and-purples since Dan Haren was traded off to the great beyond. And the kicker is, once they get that settled, they can be clear contenders. Once the days get hotter in Arizona, so should the pitching arms. Consider them a dark horse for the Wild Card.</div>
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San Diego Padres (41-49) – For what it’s worth, they try. They really do. However, the team is a bit older, and their plate discipline is pretty much poo-poo. The pitching staff isn’t doing a terrible job—in fact, they’re keeping up as best as possible; however, there really shouldn’t be any excuses for management to find decent coaches to enhance the talent. They’ve had these issues in the past, and they’ve been unresolved. I think it’s time for an overhaul at Petco Park.</div>
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Colorado Rockies (39-49) – Here is the team with the highest team batting average in the National League. But the pitching staff is the pits with loads of injuries and well…yeah. John Axford’s been pretty consistent, and Jorge de la Rosa hasn’t been TOO shabby, but the rest is rather laughable. Outside of that trainwreck, the usuals of Blackmon, Tulo, LeMahieu, CarGo, and Arenado have been leading the fronts on offense. In fact, they’re the “one side of the field” wrecking crew. But offense doesn’t always win games…</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">AMERICAN LEAGUE</span></div>
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<b>Eastern Division</b></div>
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<u>Overview:</u> We tend to see a lot of good matchups from this division, but so far, we've also seen a lot of "tripping up the steps," as it were. while there's a lot of promise from each squad, everybody still has a long way to go, no matter whether they're above or below the .500 mark.</div>
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New York Yankees (48-40) – The impressive part about this is, is they’re doing this without Jeter. But A-Rod has also returned to the squad, and he has been a valuable part of this offense. However, this hasn’t entirely been an offensive show; in fact, it hasn’t even been much of a pitching spectacle, either. What’s happening here, ladies and gentlemen, is a sweet case of “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.” Things have been fair and well in the Bronx, but dodging close calls only lasts for so long. This second half is one of separating the men from the boys.</div>
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Tampa Bay Rays (46-45) – Unlike the Yanks, the Rays’ pitching staff is a little more polished, especially in the realms of strikeout pitchers. While they may give up the big hits more often than not, the stellar defense makes up for a less-than-promising and inconsistent offense. This does not mean that they don’t have a snowball’s chance in Chris Berman’s basement, but the more promising and patient at-bats everyone gets, the better off they’ll be. Look at Evan Longoria. He knows what’s up.</div>
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Baltimore Orioles (44-44) – O my. That’s a lot of different guys that love to swing the bat and miss…and miss a couple of games at that. It’s rough too, because the starting rotation isn’t doing a shabby job—who’d have thought that Bruce Chen still had it in him after all these years? Being at .500 isn’t a bad thing at the All-Star Break, but when you’re in a heated division like the AL East, your crap has to get together, and silly at-bat mishaps can’t happen. The decent rotation can’t be wasted at a time like this.</div>
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Toronto Blue Jays (45-46) – With a few injuries here and there and a case of star-power from guys like Josh Donaldson and Mark Buerhle, they’re not in a rough enough spot to worry. However, the lack of run support during games (especially since RA Dickey has officially been figured out) doesn’t mean that the hitting is poor—in fact, it’s one of the best in the AL. The bullpen and some of the rotation has been rocky. They may be dealing soon enough for a stronger rotation—that is, if that can afford to in a tight race like this.</div>
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Boston Red Sox (42-47) – Oh, Bahhstin, what happened? While small ball tends to win games, the pitching staff hasn’t been keeping up their end of the bargain. The days may be gone of seeing David Ortiz as a consistent man at DH in favor of young blood that have been fighting to make a name for themselves in Beantown. Heck, even Mike Napoli is under the Mendoza line. We might need a new breath of life here before things ultimately get worse.</div>
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<b>Central Division</b></div>
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<u>Overview:</u> What is usually a one-man division has now become a source of possible Wild Card fever. While there may be a bit of a lead going on, it's still anybody's division, and that says a lot for a division that is mostly quiet throughout the season compared to the others.</div>
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Kansas City Royals (52-34) – With the way they’ve been playing, you’d think they want to go back to the World Series, eh? From the looks of things, they have the magic to do it again this year. Despite minor hiccups here and there, especially with minor injury issues, this team has the consistent hitting power, and the bullpen is also pretty strong at times as well. Every team is going to lose once in a while, but this team won’t quit and won’t give up stupid victories to the opposition. Oh, and one last thing… MOOOOOOOOOSE.</div>
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Minnesota Twins (49-40) – This is a welcoming sight to see, considering the numerous problems that plagued the team and the front office over the past several years. Joe Mauer has found his home at first base, and because of his adjustment, the offense and plate discipline have returned via leadership. With that noted, they’ve been going pound-for-pound in run differential, and even though they’ve had their share of streaks, they’re making a name for themselves as a scrappy team that won’t settle for less. It has been a while for them, and they want to make these slugfests count.</div>
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[NOTE: They’re currently atop the Wild Card standings.]</div>
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Detroit Tigers (44-44) – While this shouldn’t be seen as something to panic about, the Tigers appear to be cooking a bit slower than usual. I mean that in the pitching department. Oh, trust me, there’s nothing wrong with the disgustingly powerful hitting staff that has the highest team average in the AL; the only problem is, aside from David Price, the team hasn’t been very strong pitching-wise. Even Justin Verlander looks like half of the pitcher he was in previous seasons. Defense wins games, but you need good, precise pitching to carry on to a possible fifth AL Central title.</div>
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Cleveland Indians (42-46) – The team is neither here-nor-there. A player to definitely take a gander at is Jason Kipnis, who has been a viable piece of the offense. Unfortunately, whether there has truly been problems, has been run support, especially for last year’s CY winner Corey Kluber. While there haven’t been very many fireworks with this club for a while, there’s a slim chance we’re going to be seeing any come the end of September. There may be a slight problem in management, too, but any persisting issues remain to be seen.</div>
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Chicago White Sox (41-45) – While there are a lot of bright spots in the rotation and in the starting lineup like Sale, Abreu, Samardzija, and Cabrera, injuries and suspensions haven’t been very kind to this squad. They’re not floundering at all, but they’ve also been dealt a rough hand in the first half of the season. While they may not be contenders, they’re perfect candidates to play the spoiler. Whether they’re going to make a bigger impact than their NL brethren, well… I don’t think that’ll be the case this year.</div>
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<b>Western Division</b></div>
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<u>Overview:</u> This division always surprises me in some way. You'll see why in a little bit. In my time of writing these, I've come to learn to expect the unexpected, especially in the AL West. And by golly, this time is no different at all.</div>
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Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (48-40) – Now, you might just be a straight-up silly person if you thought the Angels would be anywhere else in the standings. They’ve been riding a hot streak of good fortune for the past couple of seasons; however, this is the part in a timespan when the rubber meets the road and we see who the weak links are and who is helping the team grow. In his semi-older age, Pujols is still performing, and we’re still seeing MVP-like numbers from Mike Trout. We’re also seeing definitive strength out of the rotation. However, there are some patchy spots in the lineup, and it might be time to check up on them.</div>
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[NOTE: They’re technically in first place because they’ve played lesser games, and their winning percentage is higher due to that. Math.]</div>
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Houson Astros (49-42) – You know that scene in <i>A Christmas Story</i> when Schwartz’ mother starts screaming “WHAT?! WHAAAAAT?!” That was totally me. It’s been a long time coming for this organization, especially since they were basement material since almost the last time they went to the World Series (ten years ago, in case you didn’t remember). The obvious Achilles’ heel of the team is the offense, where Jose Altuve is the only guy who is performing extremely well on a consistent basis, and the team leads the AL in strikeouts which is no bueno. Even so, the pitching staff (and even the bullpen) looks really fresh and steady. Could we see a shocker and look at them in October? It’s been ten years too long, but this young team can’t afford to get big-headed in any regard.</div>
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[NOTE: They’re currently Team #2 in the Wild Card standings.]</div>
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Texas Rangers (42-46) – Prince Fielder is having arguably the season of his career, and well… It doesn’t look like anybody else on that team wants people outside of the fanbase to know. We’ve also seen a few hits and misses (literally) on the pitching staff, aside from starting rotation men like Yovani Gallardo, whose record doesn’t show what great material he’s been dealing. Granted, this team got hammered—and I mean HAMMERED—by the injury bug, but no amount of health can regain consistency once we see which player is actually the best fit for the lineup. It’s a sticky situation, but somebody’s gotta go through it.</div>
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Seattle Mariners (41-48) – While they have bright spots in the starting rotation and in the starting lineup, we can’t get away from the fact that we can’t get on base to save our lives most of the time. Big hits are great and all, but that tends to tire out more than you’d think. Just look at the pitching staff, for instance. They’re in the middle of the pack, but there are times when they need a little more rest or a little more time to warm up than usual. Basic stuff, really. But when the only thing going for you at times is King Felix himself, it should be a wakeup call for something. The call hasn’t been answered in quite some time, and it doesn’t look like it’ll get any better anytime soon.</div>
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Oakland Athletics (41-50) – It isn’t how you start, it’s how you finish. I have a feeling that the bullpen didn’t get that message this year. A lot of leads have not been kept by these guys, and it’s hurt them a couple of times. It also doesn’t help that the hitting hasn’t been as strong as it has been in seasons past. There are strong showings by Reddick, Vogt, and Lawrie, but with spotty injuries, we haven’t seen a whole heck of a lot of support outside of them. We could see a more fierce side to them after the All-Star Break, and we could very well hear those saxophones again with them as a come-from-behind Wild Card contender. Baby steps.</div>
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---</div>
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That about does it for me here. With the dog days of summer on our toes, it's almost time to start warming up for more hard-hitting sports action not just from baseball, but from other sports as well. But savor it now, it could speed by you in an instant.</div>
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No. Seriously. It should still be, like, March.</div>
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Until next time...</div>
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-- Stephanie</div>
The Sports Nut Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17712501044773745806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3316967936515556841.post-65648838885009367172015-06-07T22:49:00.000-04:002015-06-07T22:49:11.952-04:00The Slant on Sunday - Gender-Bend It Like... Solo?<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>I almost wrote about this case in February, but I'm awfully glad I waited.</i></span><br />
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Over the past year, we have seen a number of domestic violence cases coming to light. The most notable ones came from NFL players, such as Ray Rice of the Baltimore Ravens and Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings. It is a social stigma that men are usually the perpetrators of domestic violence cases due to their size, strength, and gender role in a relationship or household. Nobody usually thinks that a woman would be capable of doing such an offense. Well, it today's era of feminism, women are equal to men in just about every way, including having the capability to be accused of domestic violence.<br />
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<i><b>Before you continue reading, I am going to throw up a disclaimer that I am going to be saying a lot of stuff here that you probably aren't going to like. Most of the editorial here might not even have to do about sports, but about the psychology behind this and how this case should not be ignored. If you disagree with what I say, that is your opinion, and I am glad you have one. However, this is mine, and neither opinion is right nor wrong. Plus, I doubt you're going to hear a lot of female opinions about this. Let's be honest.</b></i><br />
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During the summer of 2014, U.S. Women's Soccer star Hope Solo was arrested in Washington State on charges that included domestic violence against her half-sister Teresa Obert and her nephew (who was a minor at the time). After reports that she was drunk and had attacked her nephew--who had a foot and over 100 pounds over Solo--and later fended off and attacked her sister-in-law (despite taking an alleged shot to the head with a broomstick), the charges against her were dismissed in mid-January.<br />
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Once the case was dismissed, Solo had made an appearance on <i>Good Morning America</i> and spoke with Robin Roberts on how she was falsely accused and was the clear victim of this case. She had alluded to being categorized with Ray Rice, and how it had hurt her. Obert was allegedly disgusted with Solo's remarks and called her a liar about the incident. On Sunday, ESPN's Outside the Lines had broadcast reports that not all of the facts have been presented, and that the Hope Solo case is far from over. This all comes the day before the U.S. Women's Soccer team kicks off their FIFA Women's World Cup journey against Australia. Funny how things are situated, eh?<br />
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Would this be the first time she is a supposed victim of assault? It's possible, but unconfirmed. In 2012, before her marriage to former Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Jerramy Stevens, he was arrested on accounts of physically assaulting Solo, but the charges were dropped due to lack of evidence. That aside, they were married the next day. Outside of this, Solo is no stranger to the public eye as far as poor decision-making. She had to serve a 30-day suspension in January after getting into the car with her intoxicated husband and arguing with police soon after the incident.<br />
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While there is much speculation and a small amount of evidence that represents a dispute, apparently there is a lot more that we do not know about this night last summer. The case, according to reports, was only dismissed due to errant procedures and issues regarding Obert and her son not appearing in court. This case could fire up again as early as September.<br />
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As of this writing, there are no suspensions, and she is participating in the Women's World Cup as scheduled.<br />
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Hoooargh....<br />
(cracks knuckles)<br />
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Can we all see the double standard in this entire debacle? It's like we're protecting women because of this rise in feminism. Give me a BREAK. I'm normally not the type of person to get upset at something like this, but this is quite a disgrace. She's had run-ins with the law and she's had quite a mouth on her, and the fact that she dusted herself up on GMA and with her philanthropy business, it's not going to take away from the fact that she has an attitude and an alleged problem with her temper. Plus, I could also go further in explanation by saying that she married the wrong kind of guy too if she wanted to clean up her act. He's had a bunch of allegations against him, including a rape and assault case. Awesome, right?<br />
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Just because a woman is, by primary nature, a caretaker and soft figure, that does not mean that we should be protected from the law as well. No matter whether she was the victim or not, she isn't helping her cause by getting suspended after mouthing off to an officer earlier in the year. A "Facebook apology" isn't great, either. There is some guilt in that as well. When it came to the Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson cases, the suspensions were handled swiftly even before there were any court cases to be heard of. The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and FIFA should have more of a hand in this, as this not only affects the PR (c'mon, FIFA's had enough already), but it also casts a disgusting shadow over the U.S. Women's team. It doesn't matter that she is arguably the best female goalkeeper in the world. She has a case--currently dismissed or not--to handle, and she can only say "no comment" for so much longer.<br />
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We all know that she is a competitive woman, and she is very much in shape for her job; however, you know she might be a problem when she causes a stir during the 2007 World Cup and her teammates had allegedly shaded her for her comments about Briana Scurry being started over her during the World Cup Semifinal. Regardless of whether statements are retracted or lead to a requested apology, those words should never have been said in the first place. It's like she doesn't have that "self-control" filter when it comes to things.<br />
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The only thing that I can say in opposition to this is that Solo's nephew--who I am going to name Bob because he was a minor and his name wasn't released--is doing an absolutely <b>horrible</b> job in keeping his mouth shut amid the allegations. I understand that Bob wants to make it clear that Hope Solo is, in his point of view, a criminal. However, there is no need to put her on blast on social media. I know you were allegedly attacked by her, but let it be handled in court, okay? Everyone will find out without you being the leader of the blame. That's all I'm going to say about that boy.<br />
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In conclusion, much like other court and crime-involved cases, I absolutely can't stand this story. It shouldn't even be ongoing. Solo should be suspended until the investigation and court case ceases. Rice and Peterson weren't allowed to play, even though the only difference between them and her is that there was clear evidence against them. While you can't use previous actions as evidence that she is capable of causing havoc, that has to be taken into account, and she won't be able to hide from the media much longer now that ESPN has this huge beef on her.<br />
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As a woman and a former athlete, I'm going to say this: Don't protect her because she's a woman. She's in question, and things need to be done about that now.<br />
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-- Stephanie<br />
<br />
(The base article used for this post can be found here: <a href="http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/12976615/detailed-look-hope-solo-domestic-violence-case-includes-reports-being-belligerent-jail">CLICK ME</a>!)The Sports Nut Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17712501044773745806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3316967936515556841.post-55766908561027479172015-05-03T21:12:00.000-04:002015-05-05T07:54:11.968-04:00The Slant on Sunday - Haymaker-weather<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>I realize that I haven't written anything here in over two months. To be quite honest, nothing has really jumped out at me in the sports world. However, I can't let this one go. These opinions are mine. Don't like them? Oh. Okay. I'll love you anyway.</i></span><br />
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Since the 1890's, one sport has been deemed one of the most violent and most unique sports to ever exist. Long before martial arts left the particular regions of Asia, everyone settled an altercation in one way: their fists.<br />
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Boxing was a common sight in North America, even before professional wrestling became more mainstream among the people. Shoot, men did it outside of the ring for money and for show. Early boxing matches didn't even have gloves, for cripes' sake. For the next century, boxing went from being extremely popular, to a thing of the past that may come on at 2AM for willing viewers. Mixed Martial Arts is becoming the more popular sport in North America, and boxing is not a much-talked about phenomenon, unless if you're an avid watcher of NBC Sports' <i>Boxing Night in America</i> or ESPN's <i>Friday Night Fights</i>. However, this slightly changed when a dream fight originally concocted in 2009 came to fruition Saturday night in Las Vegas.<br />
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Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are arguably the two biggest names in boxing world today. Mayweather's undefeated record and Pacquiao's multiple title wins have been huge stories all throughout the 2000's and 2010's. These clash of boxing titans were sure to bring the house down since Mayweather was pinned down for it after six longs years of waiting. But was it worth the hype and would it make boxing a topic at the dinner table and bars again?<br />
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Before this fight, there was a <b>heaping metric ton</b> of controversy all around the bout. For those who aren't familiar with Mayweather, he's had quite a history of domestic violence cases against him, and none of his cases led to any specific resolution to them. Allegedly, he had barred three journalists--one of which was ESPN's Michelle Beadle--who had covered his cases and were against him. The public relations representative (who cracks me up, by the way) did a terrible job of trying to clear that fact up. Not only that, the money value of the fight and the winnings that he and Pacquiao were going to receive (on top of the whopping $100 pay-per-view price) was deemed as preposterous. Plus, the Internet community likes to jump on the fact that Floyd Mayweather is somewhat illiterate. I could go on and on about the controversies, but then this would turn into an ethics post that would not be worth reading unless you were totally into politics and morality and such.<br />
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I digress.<br />
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After the fight, I'd read a lot of reactions over social media--believe me, there was <b>a lot</b>, and reactions weren't that hard to find--and those who <i>are</i> involved with either mixed martial arts or boxing praised Mayweather for his boxing "art" of evasion and how he made every punch count [according to statistics, his punch accuracy was higher than Pacquiao's]. The huge point of this is simply: there is strategy in boxing, but this was never meant to be a form of martial arts. Sure, you can evade, you can strategize, but the original point of the sport was to make sure your skill, speed, endurance, and accuracy of punches was so great, that you either knock out your opponent, or had enough credibility to be deemed the winner of the fight by decision. Taking all of 12 rounds to do something that could have lasted eight or nine (especially with Pacquiao's alleged nagging shoulder) was the problem that most "outsiders" to any sort of involvement in organized fights had with Saturday night.<br />
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But, all things considered, this is the main argument for the sport now: <b>the game has changed</b>. Because of the risks and spoils, the sport has become a lot more strategic and counter-heavy than it once was. Defense has taken more of a front seat, and leaving the slugfest era in the dust. Why is that? It's not just for the money, but it's also for "the art," as some people call it. They would much rather show a display of evasion and "smarts" than more offensive pushes. Thanks to YouTube, I (along with thousands of other people, it seems) did a little digging to find classic matches to see the overall differences between Saturday night's fight and ones from long before. I found a gem from 40 years ago between an undefeated George Foreman [Grill] and an older Muhammad Ali--that's right, I'm talking about "The Rumble in the Jungle."<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/55AasOJZzDE" width="420"></iframe><br />
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Considering Ali's age--he was 32 at the time, which was considered older in that age--and the fact that Foreman took down the two guys who had defeated Ali (the lates Joe Frazier and Ken Norton), this fight seemed like it was not only one of redemption, but of: "Oh man, how great is he if he took down the two men that took me down in two rounds?"<br />
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You're going to notice something very interesting here--Ali is evading and moving around and stalling the same way Mayweather did in his fight with Pacquiao. However, the major difference is that Ali still took the opportunity to wear down Foreman through any kind of punch (regardless of accuracy) instead of having Foreman wear himself out. It proved to be a good strategy. [I'm not spoiling this fight for you if you've never seen it before.] What Mayweather did was bide energy and punch sparingly, and take advantage of his wider reach over Pacquiao. This ultimately led to the fight going to the decision of the judges.<br />
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Now... I present to you this little gem. Not a lot of you may know this, but Mayweather was also an Olympic fighter as well...<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yo3Ar538Sf4" width="420"></iframe><br />
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At this level of boxing--one that Mayweather actually specializes--punch accuracy actually counts here in a point-based system. While there was a lot of controversy surrounding this bout, you can tell that the only kind of defense that exists here is parrying and dodging. No stall bait here, my friends.<br />
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Because of the kind of fight that occurred, a lot of people were disappointed. In fact, a lot of people were expecting an amateur-style fight where both men would go out punching like in the Foreman/Ali fight; instead, it was the total opposite. People on Facebook and Twitter were saying things such as: "When's the next time Ronda Rousey fights? I bet she could put Mayweather in an armbar and make things right. Yeah, MMA is better." The type of match left a bad taste in people's mouths, and because of the numerous opinions of so many, this may not look good for the future of boxing in the United States. It doesn't matter that the film <i>Creed</i> (a.k.a. the next <i>Rocky</i> movie) is coming out in the Fall, or that we have boxers going to Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Summer Olympics. What matters the most is that the sport has fallen by the wayside in favor of the more physical, less dancing-filled MMA giants like UFC. These two big names failed to deliver what the lesser-informed masses wanted, and what the people are talking about now are the controversies surrounding the match instead of the match itself.<br />
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I won't go so far as to say that "boxing is dead," but the changes it has undergone over the past ten years and the situations surrounding the sport, the judging, and the spoils of it haven't meshed well at all with viewers in North America. Boxing is trying to reestablish itself as a separate entity to MMA, and still try to be a big draw at the same time, but unfortunately, it seemed like a way more glitzy Oscar-styled Super Bowl that I was watching. It certainly wasn't the stuff I watched with my father on Friday nights 10-15 years ago. The game has definitely changed, whether it's for the better or not remains to be seen. It was never meant to be an art in the category of MMA; it was meant to be a sport of wit and power, with minor focuses in evasion and defense, because the main point was to knock your opponent down in any way possible. It's certainly an awkward time for boxing in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and it could be costly.<br />
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The aftermath of the fight seems to be a massive cleanup, and when we least expect it, we're going to hear about the domestic violence cases again and allegations that the fight was fixed. Because that's the way the sports world works today. The only thing that could really bring the masses back into boxing again is to see younger guys come in and take out these titans. That's what guys like Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield did in the late 1980's and most of the 1990's. It's time for a new breed, and more faces to make things interesting again.<br />
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Well, that's the way I see it, at least.<br />
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-- StephanieThe Sports Nut Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17712501044773745806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3316967936515556841.post-59752920175876273622015-02-21T22:55:00.000-05:002015-02-22T00:25:04.475-05:00Five.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>I don't like to think that I'm an emotional person with things like this, but I can guarantee you that I cried a little bit when I typed this out. People feel accomplished when they travel or they get a job that they've worked very hard to achieve. For something like this, I feel like I've made a personal accomplishment.</i></span><br />
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I remember exactly what was going on when I created this blog. It is as vivid as a sweet childhood memory, or a horrible event like a death in the family. I remember the way my bedroom was situated. I remember the purple walls (good feng shui, my friends), the shelves, the television playing an Olympic hockey game. I didn't think that five years later, I would be using this same exact site, doing the things I had intended to do here.<br />
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After five years of memories outside of the blog and within this blog, I've learned a lot about the journey of life. I read the first 15-20 posts on this blog, and I can laugh hysterically, because I had no idea what I was doing, but I had a dream, and I wanted to fulfill it. It wasn't the exact thing, but there's a major plan for everyone. You're following a path that you can't create an ending for, because you can't build something at Stage 20 when you haven't even stepped on Stage 1 first.<br />
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You don't see the small steps in life. Why? Because you're in the moment; you're enjoying the ride. You might be looking at another staircase, thinking that this is going to lead you somewhere else. I will admit this: I thought this was going to lead me to getting a job with ESPN. If you told me that I was going to go back to acting after college and begin screenwriting within three years of writing in this blog when I started, I'd have laughed at you and asked where you happened to buy some decent weed. No, I'm not working for ESPN, and I'm not working for the Phillies like I had so hoped, but I gained a lot of knowledge and a lot of experience elsewhere. Because of my writing, I've met a lot of very close friends. I've learned enough about sports and people that helped toward my own self-enrichment, because I'll be honest, I wasn't in the best of places at the time in which I started The Sports Nut Blogs. I've gained strength as a writer, so much so that I have written sketch comedy, a piece that gained the attention of The American Outlaws (imagine sitting at a tavern for dinner with your best friend, and seeing your site blow up...that'll make you have a beer or two), a number of pieces for another sports website, a piece that was performed by my alma mater's theater group in their Fall show, and a number of other works itching to be brought to life.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Sports Nut Blogs gave me confidence in the abilities that I have.</i></span><br />
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I never wanted to monetize this site. Why? This is a tool. This is my dojo. Even when I was nowhere near a computer or laptop or tablet, I was writing down ideas on paper, <b>or I was pounding out an entire MLB midseason slant on my iPhone</b>. I take this seriously. This is a job, and I even declare it to be so on my LinkedIn profile. Some of the greatest jobs (even careers) are things that you do not get paid for. This is a service to myself, and it might be a good laugh or insight for anyone else who reads it.<br />
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The feeling I have in my stomach right now? I don't know if I can put it into words. But you know what? I'm going to do the best I can to describe it, because finally, after five whole years, I can call myself a writer.<br />
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This is the feeling that you get when you find out that you got a really good grade on a test that you studied hard for but you thought you had screwed up. Mix that feeling with finding out that a person that you were madly in love with--yet you were afraid to tell them--that they've had a lover of their own for quite a while. Mix those two feelings with the feeling of when you're standing on the edge of a somewhere while on vacation, feeling every breeze and sound and sight, and you're at total peace. It truly is a mix of emotions, but it hits every single level, takes you out of your comfort zone, and it takes you for a ride that you are ever so thankful for.<br />
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I've learned a lot about a soul's purpose, and how people are considered "late bloomers," and how many of my friends still consider me a "baby" when I feel like I'm a 45-year-old in a 24-year-old body. I feel like I've run out of time about 90% of the time, because it seems like the world around me is accomplishing their goals much faster than I am. But you look at people like Julia Child, who didn't become as renowned as she did until she was 40. Then you truly ask yourself this question: "When do you really know when you've 'made it?'" I might not be a famous sports broadcaster or Oscar winner or a superhero in a known business field, but you know what? I've made it. I've finally figured out who I am. I've figured out what makes me happy, and what I should do with my life in order to keep creating happiness for myself. It's been here all along, and I've been manifesting it in this blog.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Sports Nut Blogs helped me find myself.</i></span><br />
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People will sometimes journal in order to help get their feelings out. Not only did this get my feelings out, I found a new side to myself that was informative, but also "stupid funny" to the point where I didn't believe the kind of humor I'd throw out there, regardless of how bad it was. I wasn't afraid of that, and I started taking that outside of the Internet, and if I didn't, I wouldn't have networked with and met the people that I have over the past five years.<br />
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Because of this blog, I have also branched out into screenwriting too. The ability to tell a story and to convey a message has bled into this blog as well, so my style of journalism is certainly...awkward to say the least. However, that doesn't matter. What matters the most is that I am doing something that makes me incredibly happy, and I have gotten much stronger with it. Regardless of who reads this blog, I hope that they are entertained and impressed with what I have talked about, and that they have seen that I have a deep love for sports, as well as a deep love for writing these things.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I'm a writer.</i></span><br />
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I've decided that after today, my "AZ" signature will be retired. Heck, my name is even in the "About the Author" section. If I want people to know who I am, I shouldn't hide behind a username anymore. I've hid long enough. It's time to write even more.<br />
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I'm here to stay, and the world of sports will be rocked even more.<br />
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-- Stephanie<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(I made it, Mom and Dad.)</span>The Sports Nut Blogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17712501044773745806noreply@blogger.com0