Welcome to Fantasy Land!

I can't believe it's taken me almost four and a half years to write about this topic. Excuse me while I give the "oh my God, you might be stupid" face to myself.

It's time to set the mood for this post. How about some Earth, Wind, & Fire? Don't like them? That's okay. Groovy things just might not be for you.

Have you ever wished to be a part of a sports organization? Did you ever want your dreams in Madden or in NBA 2K to become a reality? Has your tendency of being an armchair coach or analyst gotten to a point where any of your friends or family members have to leave the room or throw something at you to shut up? If that last part is true, I'm laughing at you in my corner. But I digress.

Have you ever thought of joining a fantasy league?

...No, not that kind of fantasy, you silly goose.

Fantasy leagues are extremely popular among sports fans in the realms of American football, baseball, soccer, and even basketball and hockey. [Fun fact: Through asking my friends on Facebook, I've found out that there is fantasy NASCAR. Yes. You can wrinkle that eyebrow.] The most common fantasy leagues take part in the workplace, as many offices and groups have their respective leagues for their employees to participate. Others can include groups of friends, or even church groups. You can either do these leagues for no charge, or you can participate in a league where there is money involved and the top teams get cash prizes. It may be risky, but people do like that rush sometimes.

Originally, they weren't referred to as "fantasy leagues," but back in the 1950's and 1960's, groups of men would keep track on stats on particular players in sports like baseball and golf and do the math. The trend on keeping baseball stats originated in the 1960's at Harvard University--are you really that shocked--and slowly but surely spread from professors and students, to people around the whole region. By the 1980's, the phenomenon caught the eye of USA Today. The science of keeping stats and checking them by newspaper or magazines became a religion to hundreds of thousands of baseball fans.

Once the Internet took off the water wings, fantasy sports took flight and sites like commissioner.com (now belonging to CBS Sports) and rotonews.com became a mainstay for fantasy sports. The kind of sports covered now blanketed the NFL, NHL, and other major sports in the US and across the pond. In fact, social media is also being afflicted with the fantasy bug, as you can access stats and gameplay through apps and even while watching another program on television.

Draft days for these leagues are usually preceded by a boatload of research and planning for drafting particular players. Even today, magazines are still a necessity, and others check online resources for what the "fantasy experts" say on websites like ESPN, FOX Sports, and CBS Sports. Then on draft day, "commissioners" will park themselves on their computer chairs or couches or whatever they sit on and begin warfare. If they don't do that, they all attend a full-out party at a friend or co-worker's house and do a draft with laptops, white boards, and copious amounts of alcohol and snacks. It's as big as the Super Bowl, when you really think about it--I mean by the snacks and booze and stuff. I don't know how seriously everyone else takes their drafts, but I've seen the big parties before, and they're quite intimidating.

To get some input on what kind of people do fantasy leagues and why, I "took it to the streets," as it were, and asked the question on my personal Facebook page. Interestingly enough, I got all of my answers from males, even when I know that there are a number of girls that do fantasy leagues as well, myself included in that fold. Anyway, based on what I got, the answers on which leagues they played ranged from a number of sports, including Arena Football, NASCAR (as I had mentioned above), soccer, and the most common were baseball and football. It seems like the way they all began was that they were talked into it and found it to be more fun than they had originally thought. Some who had answered had only begun fantasy leagues recently, while others have been doing them for well over a decade. It gave the participants a reason to watch the sport and in watching, they either learned something about the game, or they had more of a drive to work on their team. As one mentioned, "It's a lot of luck" when it comes to taking part in these leagues, as sometimes your research may not always bring you the best results. It also brought a sense of community and understanding among the participants of the league, and it also shakes off poor habits that one may have, especially in the world of gambling.

Admittedly, I got roped into doing fantasy football myself, and to tell the truth, it has really helped me write recaps on the NFL season. Since I have to pay attention to what is going on and how certain players and teams are faring out, it's as if I'm doing homework on these posts weeks in advance. It's like I'm cheating, but I'm totally not. Am I good at fantasy football? I think the best I ever did was a 7-7 season, and that was because I had the common sense to draft halfway decent wide receivers. Anyway, it works a part of your brain when it comes to common sense, strategy, and the part to love every athlete and give them a chance. It sounds really cheesy, but it's totally true. There are some players that others want nothing to do with, but they'll get points where it counts most. Tough love, I suppose.

Fantasy leagues are a fun way to compete with others, money or not, and it also helps people learn more about the sport. While you may not like the idea strictly for the fact that you're afraid you won't stick with it, you may be wrong. I have gotten competitive on numerous occasions with people I have never met before. It really is a different experience that I would recommend. If you want to learn more about a sport and want to develop a different bond with friends, a fantasy may be a good idea for you. Ha ha ha.

--AZ

(Many thanks to Billy DeRosier, Alex Hamell, Andrew McErlean Jr, and Brian Barrish for their input on this post. Invisible fruit baskets will be delivered to your door soon.)

The MLB Midseason Slant for 2014 - Checkpoint

Three posts in less than a week? Yes. I make that happen. I'm a writer, and I'm happy to do this as much as I can. Plus, I also enjoy baseball.

To say the least, this baseball season started off with a bang. Sure, it always seems to do that, but it had some different colors and offseason stories that kept people that were involved with other sports talking about baseball. Regardless of whether it was good or bad press, it was still talk that stayed fresh in the minds of others. Now, we're halfway through the season, and things should start heating up.

We've seen another Japanese pitching powerhouse in Masahiro Tanaka, an ARod-less Yankees, the expansion of the Instant Replay rule, and numerous shocks and misses. We've seen many more baseball beards, and we're thick in the Derek Jeter farewell tour. If this was a soap opera, we'd be waiting for the gauntlet to be thrown and for things to start getting messy. Well, it very well could be. However, let's rest at this checkpoint and get some health items before we face the boss of this level.

2014 MIDSEASON SLANT

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Eastern Division

Overview: Admittedly, I find this to be a quiet division so far this year. While there are some hard-hitters and big names here, there hasn't been much contention as of yet. Then again, things could change come September.

Washington Nationals (51-42) - In a division where hitting isn't necessarily king, the team with the stronger overall pitching reigns supreme. This is where the Nationals thrive, and there are some diamonds in the rough, especially coming out of the bullpen and their back-end of the dugout. Crazy, I know, but this is the kind of stuff that lets you know that there's a good team on your hands--everyone steps up when called. I look forward to seeing these guys making a possible October run. It's totally possible.

Atlanta Braves (52-43) - If you're looking for a well-rounded team that has had bumps and bruises, you've got it here. They've had rough games and such, but we've got a team that's just starting in it's stride. Freddie Freeman is having the season of his life, and Julio Teheran is making a great showing so far in the starting rotation. Another upside is that they have utmost faith in their reserves, and if they're going to win out the East, that faith has to continue.

New York Mets (45-50) - You tend to ask yourself how a team could be so streaky, but then you look at the Mets and realize that it does happen, and you wonder when things will stabilize with the team. It didn't help matters that they lost some strong pitchers to the evil Tommy John in the beginning of the season, and it also doesn't help that there's inconsistent hitting all throughout the team. Things could get ugly if the team doesn't get reinforcements by the end of the month.

Miami Marlins (44-50) - For what it's worth, these guys make good showings in different categories. It seems like every time I turn around, this team gets younger and younger, eventually becoming sellers to better teams. So far, the rotation has been effective, and hitters like the mighty Giancarlo Stanton have looked mighty fine in their roles. Are they contenders? Not yet. They can threaten races, but there will be nothing to really get excited about in Floridaland--especially in St. Pete as well. [You'll see below in the AL.]

Philadelphia Phillies (42-53) - From a fan's perspective, this team took another nosedive this year. With numerous injuries and lack of depth in what seems like a veteran lineup, there's about as much inconsistency here than ever before. There really isn't a single player that stands out as being a hard-hitter, except maybe for Chase Utley, who has been the most consistent driving force on this team for a long while. This hurts my soul. Really. (And I can't wait to see more Cliff Lee.)

Central Division

Overview: This is always the most hard-hitting division in the National League. The top three spots are always extremely close, and save for the last place team, this is as close as anything. I love it.

Milwaukee Brewers (53-43) - These guys are a whole package and do not mess around. Although they had a weird losing streak at the beginning of the month, the monstrous start they had hasn't affected their standings for the most part. Jonathan Lucroy is being a total beast behind the plate, and pitching monsters Kyle Lohse and Yovani Gallardo are leading the charge into what will seemingly be a fight to the finish.

St. Louis Cardinals (52-44) - Despite a few pitching hiccups to guys that led them to the World Series last year (WachaWachaWacha!!), the lineup has remained relatively healthy, and have relied on low-scoring games and strong defense to win as much as they have. Guys like Yadier Molina and Matt Carpenter have been busting through as usual, and pitching forces Adam Wainwright and Lance Lynn are using their pitching prowess to keep their team in the game. Shocker, right? We've seen this before, let's see some more.

Cincinnati Reds (51-44) - The Reds have had some issues lately in the injury sector, but seeing how many of these guys should be coming back soon, now's a good a time as any to make a strong run in the second half. The pitching staff has been a gem, having the lowest AVG against in the National League (though they haven't been able to avoid throwing that one pitch over the plate). Despite an injury to Votto and Brandon Phillips, guys like Todd Frazier have stepped up in their absence, keeping the team in the heart of the fight.

Pittsburgh Pirates (49-46) - PNC Park has been a godsend for these guys so far this year; then again, when is it not? The Pirates are a patient hitting staff, seeing the ball rather well and nearing the top of the NL in BB as a unit, as well as OBP (on-base percentage), and of course...getting on base is going to totally kill the other team. While we've seen a lot of uncertainty with the starting rotation, run support has generated a lot of momentum. Behind Andrew McCutchen, how can that go wrong? Honestly.

Chicago Cubs (40-54) - Year in and year out, I feel for these guys. While they don't have the strongest staff on paper, there is a lot of potential. Issue is, they're practically out of the frying pan and into the fire. Based on what I've read/hearing, the Cubs are allegedly a sleeping giant, with a strong farm system. Why they haven't used it yet, I'll never know. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Western Division

Overview: Ugh. This division looked way more exciting before last month, but this looks like a two-team show from here on out. I can't really go that much farther into it. Then again, it's been like this for the past couple of seasons. Shame, too. I like showdowns in the west. The other west. On TV. ...Nevermind.

Los Angeles Dodgers (54-43) - In the realm of tinseltown, you have a crazy mix of pitching, clutch hitting, and a lot of speed. Not only has this been exciting to watch, it has also been effective on the road, where they have totally dominated for the most part. Guys that have come into their own this year include a speedy Dee Gordon (aka "Flash Jr."), a sophomoric Yasiel Puig, and the whole of the starting rotation consisting of Kershaw, Greinke, Ryu, Haren, and Beckett. Sounds like an all-star cast, doesn't it?

San Francisco Giants (52-43) - For a long time, pitching has been the big draw in the city by the bay. Then again, when you've got a five-star force from Hudson, Vogelsong, Lincecum, Bumgarner, and Cain, of course you'll be a strong force. For the most part, slumps and injury bugs have hit the Giants' offense, and if that keeps up, the pitching (and the bullpen, no less) will have a hard time keeping strong in the second half.

San Diego Padres (41-54) - This team is a total broken record when it comes to team batting average. They haven't had very many bright spots at all in this season, but when it comes to their pitching staff, you've got hot-shots in Ian Kennedy, Tyson Ross, and Huston Street. Too bad they can't be out there all the time. It's all about synchronicity, guys. Work together.

Colorado Rockies (40-55) - Fact: The Rockies have the best team average in the NL. Fact: The Rockies have the worst team ERA in the NL. Well, crap. It looks like there's no middle ground, and the things that matter most aren't showing for much. The DL is jam-packed with pitchers, and while Tulo and company are keeping it real in the batter's box, it takes an old-school second half surge to make magic happen. Whether they can do that remains to be seen.

Arizona Diamondbacks (40-56) - As expected, these guys can hit and show a bit of patience at the plate, but they're sloppy and don't have the strongest of pitching staffs. The pitching staff suffered a massive outbreak of the Tommy John and the fielding has suffered numerous shoulder issues. Awkward trend, I must admit. Guys like Goldschmidt and Prado, for the most part, have remained consistent and strong amid a frail period in the team.


AMERICAN LEAGUE

Eastern Division

Overview: "You are traveling in another dimension; a dimension not only of sight and sound, but of mind..." Yes, this division looks flipped compared to years past, but I am so not complaining about the differences among it all. It keeps things interesting, y'know? Not gonna lie though...this division looks like a hospital.

Baltimore Orioles (52-42) - While this team doesn't have the strongest and most well-known of starting rotations, this team is in sync and very scrappy. However, I couldn't help but notice that Chris "Crush" Davis has already struck out over 100 teams this season. While discipline is the least of their worries, it's pitching consistency and constant clutch hitting that'll get them to October. It's nice to not see these guys floundering in the basement like I did when I first started these.

Toronto Blue Jays (49-47) - I saw the DL for this team and almost said "wtf" in front of my own mother. Statwise, they don't have the steadiest of squads, but don't let that fool you. They know when to scratch each others' backs when absolutely possible, especially via the long ball. This sort of teamwork will be noticed, and it could take a team really far, especially when you've got a good mix of veterans and rookies making their way up the ranks. Are they a Wild Card team? That remains to be seen. The Division pennant is still a ways away. (#batflip)

New York Yankees (47-47) - Thanks to the media, we've been immersed in the phenomenon that is Derek Jeter's final season. For the most part, this has disguised that this team is getting older and this team is getting hurt way more often than most. Interestingly enough, there was a statistic showing Tanaka and Sabathia's DL stint, and that this is more DL payroll than what most teams have on their active roster. Anyway, there are some hard-hitters, but there are also some that haven't had the chance to shine. Go figure.

Tampa Bay Rays (44-53) - While these guys do have their good days, they haven't had a consistent enough lineup to really get a good run started. A rough month of June really staggered any glimmer of hope for the Rays in the first half, and the wavering faith of the fans doesn't help the hometown momentum any. However, it's good to see that David Price and Chris Archer are doing extremely well so far this season.

Boston Red Sox (43-52) - At the All-Star Break, we have the reigning World Series Champions scratching their heads in the basement of the AL East. While they boast a scary-looking pitching staff (Peavy's 1-8 record is rather sad-looking), they're toward the bottom in hitting, as injuries and inconsistent at-bats are really causing the team to suffer and not give the pitching any run support despite making a good showing.

Central Division

Overview: Ah, the division that I always touch last. Why? I have absolutely no idea. That always seems to happen. But you know what? Just for good measure, I made sure I finished this division first. Take that, history of poor love between me and AL Central.

Detroit Tigers (53-38) - Grant it, you might think that Miggy Cabrera might be the highlight of this team here, but you're sorely mistaken. Other offensive powerhouses like Ian Kinsler and Victor Martinez have aided this offense-heavy squad along in the Central in these past few months. While the pitching staff is shakier than average, there is a veteran starting rotation that has been to the depths and back. The bullpen...I'm not so sure. That's obviously their weakest link right now.

Kansas City Royals (48-46) - As far as stats look, they seem to be the middle of the pack, but don't let that fool you. They've been steady as far as health goes, and they're keeping this race close for the most part. The hitting staff, most notably Alcides Escobar, has been very consistent, and have come up really big against stronger pitching staffs, which is great. My main concern is the next few months and the lack of experience moving forward. Let's see what happens.

Cleveland Indians (47-47) - We've seen a lot of injury as far as the outfielders go in a city that might just care more about the Cavs now. In any case, we don't have a steady starting rotation, and the fact that the team isn't the cleanest one fielding-wise in the AL (bottom in fielding PCT and tops in Errors) are just some of the problems that the team has to fix if they want to get a Wild Card spot. However, I will admit: Michael Brantley is fun to watch. Check out some tape of him and you shouldn't be disappointed.

Chicago White Sox (45-51) - Hiccup after rough hiccup, this team trudges on. With a lot of injury woes in the pitching sector, as well as a lot of fielding skips, things don't look all that great right now. For the casual outsider, the big story out of this team is rookie Jose Abreu. Despite an injury earlier this season, he's been the big guy among this team, putting on spectacles for numerous baseball fans around the country. Sometimes you don't have to be on the best team in order to make a splash.

Minnesota Twins (44-50) - Lack of consistent players, injuries, and uncertainty in management is currently the bane of this team's existence. Lack of run support and capitalizing on opportunities can be a real killer for these guys too. Oh, and when Joe Mauer isn't hurt, he's a gem. The team has a lot of potential, it's just that luck refuses to be on the side of these guys.

Western Division

Overview: Here we see the dreaded "NBA effect," where you see some really amazing teams, and then the "50 feet of crap then this team" deal. But you know what? This is where the spoilers are born.

Oakland Athletics (59-36) - WELCOME TO THE LAND OF BEARDS AND GANGS. The best strengths are from the bearded wonders on the rubber; the addition of Samardzija before the break really pumps things up too. Their incorporation of small ball and smart plate appearances really boost their odds of making it past the first round this October; however, this time, they really have to want it. Everyone's getting a piece of the pie so far this year, so things look pretty good.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (57-37) - We've got a team of a bunch of legends and stars, and so far, they've made a great showing. In a tight division such as this, keeping that fire in the belly is key. Health will be a big part of this, considering you have an aging Pujols, and youth with an exceptional amount of speed and talent in Erick Aybar and Mike Trout. You wouldn't want to lose that. Plus, the pitching staff has remained steady. That has to stick around too. Don't burn out by September, y'know?
(Quick question: How is it mathematically possible to have a pitcher with a *.** ERA? I'm being 100% serious right now.)

Seattle Mariners (51-44) - As far as plate discipline goes, you're not going to get the strongest and most patient hitters from Seattle, except if you're Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager. In the pitching areas, you have a strong leader in King Felix Hernandez (11-2? Yes please.) and a very tricky bullpen. While they aren't in a tight race right now, they're keeping things interesting. The one thing that needs to be learned is patience, patience, and more patience. Things will come in time, and that time could give them the momentum for a fiery final month.

Houston Astros (40-56) - I sincerely hate saying this, but you almost come to expect this every season from Houston. Like, they have momentum in the beginning, and then it dies a slow and painful death. It also doesn't help that they barely have a payroll and their management is practically at vegetable status. However, if there is one thing that is going totally right with this team, it's Jose Altuve, and he is definitely proving his worth. Too bad he'll most likely be traded in turn for prospects.

Texas Rangers (38-57) - Whaaaaaa....?! While in the midst of an eight-game losing streak, everything seems to be going wrong with them. A streaky squad, they still own star power in Yu Darvish and Adrian Beltre, but there's no sense of teamwork and any kind of sync in the team. They've been at the top for a long time, and this is a wake-up call to do some maintenance. Their pitching has been figured out, as they've given up the most ER in the AL, and it looks like the average hitting staff isn't enough to stop the bleeding. Fight for dignity now, boys.

_______________________

Needless to say, we've seen a lot of freak injuries and a lot of unsung heroes in these 40-man rosters so far. Hopefully we still get to see a lot more new stars, as well as some of these accidents curbed. It's a strange request, but I couldn't begin to tell you how many guys I saw that I barely recognized on each squad, and I've been covering this stuff for over four years now.

In any case, here's to hoping that MLB's finest got a good amount of rest during this All-Star Break. Checkpoint: over.

Let's begin the second half.
See y'all (rather, ten of you) in October.

--AZ

AZ's Slant on Sunday - 2014 FIFA World Cup: A Retrospective

Oh, great. Now I'm not going to have anything to watch on TV before nightly baseball. I guess I can't always have nice things.

As eventful as this past month has been, it has gone by so quickly. Then again, that always seems to happen when you're having fun and enjoying the moment. While I'm sad that the World Cup is now over, a new chapter in football is starting to unfold, and we have seen the dawn of new stars,  the birth of legends, and the last stands of veterans throughout this tournament. Outside controversies aside, we have seen an incredible display of skill, playmaking, and excessive nail-biting. We've had more excitement than you can shake a yellow card at, and after this World Cup, there is no possible way for you to tell me that soccer is boring. No sir.

Even if you don't follow the sport, I've laid out a couple of the highlights from this Cup. A lot of them bear repeating, and there may be a few things you hadn't thought about during the tournament. Shall we?

One last time... OHHH-AAAYYY-AHHHHHH

There were more fireworks during this World Cup than in the previous Cup.
Throughout the 2010 World Cup, 145 goals were scored. That amount was reached during the knockout rounds in this World Cup. In this tournament alone, 171 goals were scored. Ten of those goals were hammered against host country Brazil in their final two matches. There were a lot of tears as well.

Goal-line technology wasn't a terrible idea.
This World Cup introduced a slice of the 21st Century in the implementation of goal-line technology. Because this is such a huge event, and every call needs to count, numerous cameras were set up around each net to monitor close calls to see whether close shots should be counted as goals or not. These analyses were also shown to the crowds in each stadium, much like the instant replays you'll see in MLB, the NHL, and the NFL. There were times in which is did come in handy, so the first time doing this wasn't a total bust.

Spain, England, and Italy looked bad, and they should feel bad.
We're looking at three countries from UEFA (Union of European Football Associations), which is arguably the powerhouse conference compared to the rest of the world. Neither of these three teams made it out of the Group Stages, and especially in the case of 2010 Champion Spain, this really opened up a can of worms in the football world. Now grant it, Germany won the whole thing, but you know a change is coming when CONCACAF--represented this year by the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Honduras--had a better showing as a whole than three teams that have the finances in their respective countries for leagues that also enhance talent. Sure, a lot of CONCACAF players play for UEFA clubs, but still. Winds of change, ladies and gentlemen.

This is has been unofficially named the "Pope Cup."
Pope Francis is from Argentina. Pope Benedict XVI is from Germany.
May I begin the hilarious mental imagery for you?

An American referee did Major League Soccer proud.
Here's looking at you, Mark Geiger.

Despite the U.S. Men's National Team going out in the Round of 16 (again), we have much more to be proud of this time around.
Don't get me wrong, I would have loved to see the US take on Argentina in the quarterfinal, even though they'd have probably succumbed to Lionel Messi somehow. But after the build of soccer support here at home, this is only the beginning. They've gotten attention from the mainstream media--although most of it was satire--but hey, any exposure is good, right? Brian Barrish of The Soccer Desk sums up this journey quite well here.

Ann Coulter earned her full-time status as an idiot in the Football Universe.
And I responded in my own, special way.

The Brazuca ball used in Brazil was infinitely better than the Jabulani ball used in South Africa.
You're probably wondering what language I'm speaking right now. These names are the different balls used for the previous two World Cups. Because of the aerodynamic design of the Jabulani, players often had difficulty curving the ball on free kicks, and the overall design was rather unique in the sense that it was hard to use. How, I'm not exactly sure, but I've never played a pickup game with one. But from first-hand experience, the Brazuca ball was a huge step in the right direction as far as the ball design for this World Cup. You don't notice it on television of course, but the design is rather innovative. Similar to a basketball, there are very small dimples on the ball, and considering that there were a handful of matches played on nearly-flooded pitches, this really made a difference in traction and overall movement on different grounds. Take it from me, a slippery ball is a massive pain in the behind, and with the Brazuca, things seemed a little less hairy in the elements for the men out there.

There was another biting incident. Plus, diving was curbed.
Luis Suarez, really? Oh, and diving is the Son of Soccer Satan. Oddly enough, I cover both of these subjects in a previous post. You should check that out right now.

This was a very eventful World Cup, that's for certain.

For my piece on the 2010 World Cup from South Africa, you can check it out here. Yes, my blog existed during the last World Cup, and it's one of the few posts from my first year of blogging that I can willingly stomach. It's a cute little time machine. This World Cup made me forget how that US loss to Ghana in stoppage in the Round of 16 killed my spirits. Well, I relived that in two sentences, and I realized that the loss to Belgium could have been as deadly to my sanity as that.

I'm certainly looking forward to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and I am definitely excited for next year's Women's World Cup in Canada. Yes, that's what got me started in '99, after all. Let's not fool around here.

Long live this sport. Except for the diving. That can die a fiery death.

--AZ

Red Whines: Fit for a King

I don't know... Maybe I have been getting more easily irritated as of late. Maybe I'm making a big deal out of the media overload involving LeBron James. Or maybe I'm not as crazy as I think. We'll find out.

First, I see the #beforeLeBrondecides on Twitter.

(ex. "I am going to win an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay #beforeLeBrondecides")

Then, I see "I'm coming home."

Finally, I can't get away from it all. 

Who, in this technological age, really can, anyway?

If you have watched any sort of news coverage over the past 48 hours, whether it's been broadcast TV or cable, you have probably heard the name "LeBron James" thrown in there once or twice. Even if you weren't paying attention, you had to have heard a name drop on television. And if you've been on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit, heaven help you. You might have gotten flooded with the news that NBA superstar LeBron James has left the Miami Heat and has a feature in the latest issue of Sports Illustrated that he is returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers, most likely to finish his career there. After playing in South Beach for four years and winning two NBA Championships there, he is being called the "prodigal son" in many cases.

In response, the NBA fandom (as well as many of its players) was thrown into a gargantuan frenzy. Yes, the word "gargantuan" was absolutely necessary, specifically for the point that it was something that you didn't exactly expect unless if someone was attempting to pen a happy ending somewhere on this earth. While many NBA fans had hoped and dreamed that LeBron would be going to their home team, everyone pretty much knew that the inevitable decision to leave Miami was going to be one for the ages. And it certainly was. If you follow sports at all, the words "I'm coming home" was all you needed to hear in order to know how this all ended. As it stands, LeBron James will be playing in a Cavaliers jersey once again.

Remember when all of those sad Cleveland fans were burning their James jerseys in the streets and stuff? How stupid do you think they feel right now? They've admitted their excitements and their apologies to the man who was raised in nearby Akron, Ohio. Some might not be as forgiving, such as the ones saying: "you still left us behind." However, his skipping out of Miami has left the Heat franchise with an awfully uncertain-looking group of players in their hands. On top of the major story, sports outlets like ESPN made sure to note that James' move to the Cavs has greatly increased the team's chances of making the playoffs and winning the NBA Championship next season and the lack of team power on the Heat has decreased those chances to 100-1 for them. In my mind, I'm like:

"OH MY GOD, WHO CARES?"

It was honestly like ESPN was going out of their way to make sure that this news story was the biggest thing to ever happen in the history of sports. While it is in its own right, c'mon, people. Horrible stuff is happening in Israel right now. I'm pretty sure that is more important that the Cavaliers' chances and the Heat's chances of winning the NBA Championship next June. It's not sports, but really. We're making this whole "return home" a bigger filmmaking magnet than it should. I'm pretty sure there are other human beings that agree on this and just don't talk about it because that involves people having to talk about it and later roll their eyes, groan, and question why they even wanted to bring up this whole story in the first place. It truly is a vicious cycle, isn't it?

For the longest time, LeBron James has not only been a "king" of the court, but he's also been the media "king" in regards to the basketball world. His skill that has often been compared to (and often argued to surpass) the accomplishments of Michael Jordan. Not only that, he has also been given an image of being a bit too big for his britches, regardless of what kind of person he is on and off the court. Nevertheless, he is the center of attention as being one of the biggest, most marketable athletes in the entire world. Plus, since he is at the status, he is also at the helm of being wrecked and being the center of public scrutiny. Why? Is it jealousy from the general public? Is it irritation from his face and name being plastered everywhere not just in the sports world, but also in mainstream media? There really is no clear-cut answer to this.

The main question that remains is this: Does he really deserve all of this fanfare?

Let's put things into perspective here... When Michael Jordan "semi-retired" and came back to play for the Washington Wizards, it wasn't made into this humongous deal. Then again, he didn't have this big deal of an interview saying that he was going to go to another team because he wanted to move on to bigger and better things. While Jordan still played for the Wizards, he will always be known for rocking with the Chicago Bulls in the 1990's. In LeBron's case, he was the standout star for Cleveland before leaving for Miami four seasons ago. He was going to another team that had other basketball titans that could roll with his style, and it was practically written in the stars that a team like that could win gold. This is the big thing that Cavs fans and supporters knew and refused to stomach. He is arguably the best player to wear a Cavs jersey, and now he is coming back to the team he once started with.

Here's a big kicker though... have we seen what kind of players the Cavs have now? It's almost like the shoe that Miami wore is on the other foot. Cleveland (even before LeBron made his announcement) looked like a contender, and now those odds have skyrocketed. LBJ is a playmaker, and his experience in the playoffs and his ability to make magic can make a difference. Ego aside, King James is the real deal. It's just annoying that the media is gushing over him as much as they are. We know he's good, and he might be a King Midas of sorts, but good gravy, he's not a demigod or whatever you want to call it.

The attention he is getting is fit for a king. One thing is for certain, he is handling it well. However, can the media handle their own self-imposed frenzy and come down from it soon enough? Probably not. Heck, I still don't think they've gotten over Donald Sterling yet. Oh well. One can always hope.

Now that I've gotten this out of the way, can we talk about other sports now? I know he's with Cleveland. I am content with this. Let us move on, ladies and gentlemen.

--AZ

Sports/Political Commentary - Oil/Sewage

This blog post really isn't about a sport, per se, but it's about the perspective of sports held by a number of American citizens. When you bring political spices into it, you're bound to get attention for it. However, I'm going to bring the right kind of attention to it.

I'm not one to bring attention to myself.

I never was.

I'm also not a fan of politics, but when you see something that's so corrupted, the spirit sometimes compels me to try and make things right by giving a point of view. Having a closed mind is never good. I like to get people out of their shells.

When I first started this blog, I had no intent of ever causing a stir or making people completely despise my stance on a topic to the point of making them want to punch me in the face. Even when I first started exploring the Internet more as a teenager, I knew it was pure idiocy to troll. Then I noticed that the name "Ann Coulter" was trending all over social media Thursday night. I know her from being a thorn in the side of the Clinton administration in the 1990's. To be frank, political commentary bored me to a great degree, because in truth, it's a bunch of arguments about nonexistent agenda and propaganda that is striving to be relevant.

Anyway, Ann Coulter wrote an article called "America's Favorite National Pastime: Hating Soccer." I'm plugging the article, but I'd much rather you read this bit of commentary from Ashley Burns of Uproxx because it pretty much sums up what I think about the article, plus, it includes some of it anyway. I digress. It's okay to not understand a phenomenon as it is occurring such as the World Cup, but there's bound to be a problem when you automatically put something down when you don't bother to do a little homework about it and the sport and talk to people about it that have played it or experienced it. Before you read more of this blog post, I would suggest you do some reading from those first, because this post will be long-winded, and I'm not going to have the time to give you a quick run of what goes on in that trainwreck.

Sports and politics never really were a big problem here in the United States, as (for the most part) the democracy that we hold doesn't intervene in sporting matters, that is unless it has something to do in the medicinal field. But to use your status to bring something to light and completely nitpick it to the point where you're just finding pointless things to criticize? That's like you're criticizing that little girl sitting in the corner of the cafeteria who's eating out of a The Magic School Bus lunchbox and forced to drink a pouch of strawberry milk because it was the only thing left. That little girl is stronger than you think. That little girl is me. That little girl has been a fan for their whole lifetime. That little girl is an athlete who looked up to international sports legends and is now inspiring youth to live their dreams and break through the concrete routine and fly free. There's a sleeping giant in the world of sports that one won't understand unless if that life is lived, and lived properly.

The mantra is that we are United States; united we stand, divided we fall. It has become evident through our governmental system that we're never going to get along, and there's always going to be something to despise because it isn't the "American way." What is that way, anyway? Baseball's an American sport, but it's derived from cricket and a game called rounders, both of which are popular in England. Basketball originated in Canada. Ice hockey has roots in Western Europe and Canada. American football is derived from rugby, which started in England. Are we going to unite with the world, or are we going to break away from tradition and be that annoying neighbor with the ten-foot wall that hates everyone around them? That's not how you build any kind of strength. No man is an island. The United States is a melting pot. Deal with it.

"Oh, soccer isn't American? It's a threat! Let's send over some troops and defend against those evil penalty kicks! It's lazy! We need to be more active! Obesity! It isn't good entertainment! We need revenue because we're in debt!"
Give me a freaking break.

Here's another argument that I'm going to throw in that I know I'll get flack for: We have a middle-aged woman who is a well-known political critic throwing stones when she herself lives in a glass house. Plus, she's written books and other pieces over the course of a few decades that have been under large amounts of scrutiny. She's a woman. A woman. You know, the gender that still throws the "inequality card" and has a select amount that downplays all things that don't show a strong feminine figure a la Disney princess films? It makes someone like me look absolutely stupid, like I don't know what I am talking about when I argue about a male-dominated industry. I might not know a whole bunch about sports, but with what I do know, you better be sick because I'll give you a clinic. I am proud of my feminine side, but I refuse to be associated with someone who is fighting for something that already exists to the open-minded. The close-minded brings about fear--the fear that you can't do something because you're a girl or because you might not be good enough. Sure, we might not have the strongest soccer team in the world, but you can tell we're getting stronger, and we have the fans that will live and die with the growth.

There are people that are familiar with her that know that Coulter is a troll, and she's writing about a sport not in the American "Big Four," and she's trying to make a big joke out of something that isn't shown all that often on mainstream television outside of ESPN or any other sports network. But then there are others that don't understand how agenda works, and will take this stuff as gospel. That's when you know there's a big problem. You can grab the innocent by the stones, and make yourself their god. If you're going to write something stupid, you better be that kind of stupid where you have half-decent reasoning behind the abysmal arguments. Yes, there's that capability of dragging the reader down to your level and beating them with experience, but it's also a reflection of the kind of person that you are: a close-minded person who won't delve into the true passion of sports, most notably football. Most political commentators have a knack for being the real American "shock jocks," but this is something that I, as a respected writer in my circles, refuse to stand for. In sports, I intend to inform with my opinion, and not shove it down someone's throat. I leave it open for the reader. This was more of a public service announcement that can be deemed worthy of you being crowned a legitimate "village idiot."


Granted, I often joke that women all secretly hate each other for subconscious reasons that they don't understand, and some of the same cases occur in men. The same things happen in politics. We unfortunately tolerate it, but when it attacks something that puts aside animosity for a set amount of time. There are people that know that people similar to Ann Coulter do this strictly to grab the attention, stir controversy, and not really care about what other people think about them. Believe me, there are people out there that have that mindset that they'll drop a bomb and walk away without caring for the reaction. I see it more often in everyday life than I care to share.



So let me tell you something, Ms. Coulter: I don't really care what you think, either. Whether you sit on a throne and read it, thanks for laughing or crying or whatever you do where you are. However, as a young woman who is scratching and clawing her way through a male-dominated industry of writing and sports journalism, you are a complete disgrace to not only the world of the working woman, but to the ideal perception of ethics and morality. You're the definition of a closed mind--one who won't open up to the cultures of what is around them, or the beauty of passion and how humanity can show error and talent in more ways than physical force and violence.

Do you want to know why women aren't paid the same way men are in this society? Not because we aren't worthy of it, but because of ridiculous editorials that knock down our standard to the point where we can't be taken seriously. I've been writing pieces for five years, and seeing a piece from you, a person who has been in this business for almost 30 years, I feel more ahead of the game than you ever were. Why? Because my writing is meant to inspire and to create new ways for people to think. You write in a prison. You post and people go "Oh God, not her again," and though you don't care, you should. You're wasting your time.

Don't mess with the sporting world--it's bigger and scarier and way more united than anything you've ever experienced in a political government. There's corruption everywhere, but at least it isn't hidden in sports. We play and remain united. We aren't fooled, we govern ourselves, and it promotes life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. What do you stand for?





You've got guts, my lady, but prepared to be mauled by your critics. I won't be there, but I'll pray for your soul. Really.


But for the time being... I know a lot of soccer enthusiasts are upset about this, and they pretty much want this woman hung by her earlobes. Or maybe get bit by Luis Suarez. I don't know. But maybe this is a learning experience for us too. Let's teach the close-minded a lesson. Soccer is here to stay.





EDIT: Ms. Coulter, since this was your intent to get attention for this, you got mine. Good for you. However, no deed goes unpunished. I gave a clear-minded perspective, and I bet way more people are going to agree with me than you.

--AZ

AZ's Slant on Sunday - Caught Red-Skinned

Leave it to me to write two posts in two months in regards to topics that annoy me: race and ethnicity. When you have money and you get the attention of the media, it's going to be a big deal, and it will turn into a nasty pus-filled pimple. And you don't wanna touch that, do you?

[DISCLAIMER: What I talk about in this post is not completely representative on how I see the Native American people. They are kind, honorable, and a strong group, and they have gone through absolute hell because of the descendants of many US citizens over several centuries. I am criticizing the way the media is handling this, as it is completely asinine, and which is why I am talking about it.]

Today, for AZ's Slant on Sunday, we're going to talk about something that has been shoved down our throats for the past week or so:

The Washington (censored)

Ugh. Really?

Washington (censored)

...

RED-SKINned potatoes.

As you can see, this has been a hot topic for nearly two weeks. Back on June 10, I posted a video on The Sports Nut Blogs' Facebook page, showing an advertisement that was going to be shown in numerous major media markets during Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

If you haven't watched it, here it is:


So the story goes, this advertisement is several years in the making. The group in charge of this advertisement had raised enough money over the course of time, and made their mark in what they thought about the "Redskins" name. To be frank, this controversy originally came to a head and was modernized after Super Bowl XXVI in 1991 when the team had won the Super Bowl. Numerous attempts have occurred since then to cancel the trademark, stating that the term "Redskin" was "disparaging to the Native American people." The attempts over the course of twenty years had failed, but on June 18, a push to cancel the trademark was successful, and now we've got a big 'ole pot of beef stew in our hands. Whether this advertisement was a massive catalyst to this cancellation is uncertain, we can agree that this is something that we never thought we'd have to deal with in our generation.

This controversy is all over the airwaves and the news stations. In fact, [this is my favorite part] an MSNBC news anchor went that extra mile in making this name taboo. WARNING: This video might make you make this face:

My face looked like this for 20 minutes.

Now, we've had issues with Native American imagery in the past. For nearly forty years, high school and college teams have had to change their mascots and team names due to "derogatory imagery." Several of them had names like "Indians" or "Redmen," and they have had to be changed. Even professional teams like the NBA's Golden State Warriors had to do away with their original mascot, and now MLB's Atlanta Braves are only represented by a tomahawk in their logo. As you can see, however, they were able to keep the names. The one exception amid all of this is the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks team. Despite their mascot not being a Native American--it's an actual black hawk named "Tommy Hawk"--they're still the most prominent team to have a Native American face on their team logos and merchandise. However, this has something to do with symbolism in founder Frederic McLaughlin's former military unit being known as the "Blackhawks," so it hasn't been dealt with in great force.

There are other Native American clashes in sports that are ongoing; this one we're making note of right now just happens to be bigger and more blown-out than the others. The most obvious outside of the Redskins controversy is MLB's Cleveland Indians. Anyone who watches baseball knows who Chief Wahoo is. In fact, the film Major League made sure you knew the team and everything to do with them. Anyway, if you're outside of that area, you've noticed that the franchise has been slowly phasing out the appearance of Chief Wahoo on player gear and merchandise, having a capital "C" on their hats instead of the Chief. While he isn't gone completely, he's pretty much on his way out in lieu of the idea that he's a shade of red and he is "deemed offensive" by Native Americans.

Needless to say, this is that one big pink elephant in the room that people have accepted over generations, but now we've realized that said elephant is dead and it's starting to stink. Growing up, I've accepted what the team names are and what they represent. I never judged it, and I never thought that hurtful depictions existed. Call it naivety or whatever you want, but I suppose that it was something I was born into and saw it as something fictional and not descriptive of what the teams represented. On the other hand, I'm not them, and I can't say that I know what they think of it. It obviously bothers them, and there are people out there that don't see what the big deal is.

However, I can see where they are coming from with how they are offended. Most team representations [about 80-85%] and mascots are animals. So basically, being represented in the form of mascots (cartoon or not) makes them look like they themselves are animals--savages, if you will. This, I get. I also suppose that it may be annoying to be an elder of Native American descent and having to see people try to "resemble" you for sport.

But what I don't get is why this is a mainstream issue right now.

Like I mentioned above, the Indians' logo is slowly changing over without a massive appearance in the news, but when it's America's new sport, the NFL, everyone goes insane and reaches for their opinion in their head. For Pete's sakes, Washington's cheering section is led by men dressed like pigs. Not Native American derivatives, but PIGS. This situation could be so much worse, and this name and logo has existed since 1932. What is so different about this now?! Nothing has changed! Because we raised a little money, we can make another push? Don't get me wrong, I am all for unity and respect, but for the love of God, make that distinction between reality and fiction! What, are we going to get PETA involved now, because the usage of animals isn't fair to them because they have no say? We can't have the Chicago Cubs because not only are they denoted as baby animals, but their kind is being hunted down and their habitats are being destroyed more and more every single day? C'MON! We're splitting hairs now! We're making mountains out of molehills! No group of men can move mountains, either!

This is a case of something that has been around for decades and has been accepted by scores of people, and we're just delving into how this thing is "disparaging." I understand that the Native Americans still had problems with having a say about 80 years ago, but when the team is well-kept and not showing any hate toward the Native American people, why is there a push to cancel it? If anything, the Native Americans are an honorable group and have left a gigantic legacy on this land. Grant it, we American people are wrecking a lot of what we invaded upon, but that's beside the point. If there is going to be a change, make a civilized change; don't get the media's push on it, it's going to make things look even messier and more annoying than ever before. Now, I may be considered media, but I don't have an agenda to go by, huzzah! There are "polls" that had large percentages of people stating that they didn't see a problem with the logo, but there are a lot of sensitive groups out there, and if we're all going to be a happy nation, we need to listen to everybody. Again, just don't make it a bigger deal than it should be. The Indians' thing isn't...why should this?

What do you think of the removal of the trademark? Do you agree with what has been done? Why?


--AZ

I bet some of you wanted me to explode on a video about this, but no. That would have been too much effort on my part. I vented enough frustration here.

World Cup 2014: The Dark Side, Part II

This is where things get muddy and covered with litter and things that aren't biodegradable. And I'm going to make you read it because it's interesting and you should know about it. Why wouldn't I write about this, anyway?

Welcome to Part II.

Previously on The Sports Nut Blogs, I introduced you to the smaller parts of the dark side of the World Cup. Wednesday marks the beginning of this month-long event, and for the next few weeks, we're going to see players from all over the world strive to be known as the best in the world at what they do.

But after this fun stuff, we're going to see a bunch of political implosions on FIFA's part, especially in the case of World Cup locations in the future.

Y'see, this goes back a ways. In December of 2010, Qatar was voted by FIFA officials to host the 2022 World Cup, beating out Australia, Japan, South Korea, and fellow finalist United States. In response, the nation was overjoyed, seeing that this was a major opportunity for business and exposure. Fellow countries surrounding Qatar even offered to help in preparing for this event, seeing that this was a tall order for such a small and unrecognized country outside of the Middle East. [Side Note: Qatar is a peninsula on a peninsula, attached to an eastern end of Saudi Arabia. This is your geography lesson for today.]

Things seemed hunky-dory for about a year, and then allegations via whistleblower sprang up that there were FIFA officials involved in bribery toward the Qatari bid. On the heels of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, allegations on bribery and corruption within FIFA expanded and swelled.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the word "bribe" is defined as this:

Basically, these guy took these alleged bribes in order for Qatar to get the World Cup in return for money to fun things such as businesses and campaign money. Although analysts believed that the success of Qatar's bid came from successful programs flourishing over the years, these allegations have taken center-stage, despite denials coming from FIFA senior officials.

There is more from this that made these corruption beliefs even more prominent. When you think the Middle East, what do you think of? Desert. Lots and lots of desert. Despite being surrounded by water almost completely, temperatures in the summer months can surge up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (about 50 degrees Celsius). There were plans to have new technology installed into the stadium, using solar power to generate an effective form of air conditioning to combat the oppressive heat. While this is an excellent idea and has been proven to work, this technology has never been tested in a larger establishment like a [football] stadium. It might not seem very effective and the stadium dimensions might not be able to generate enough solar power to accommodate for nearly 70,000 people at once. Oh yeah, and speaking of the stadiums, there have been reports stating that the working conditions for the immigrant workers constructing the stadiums in preparation for the 2022 World Cup have been abysmal. The heat has been rough, there isn't enough support to lift beams and other heavy items, the machinery has been faulty, and these poor guys aren't even getting paid enough to do this. In fact, they're getting well-below sweatshop pay per day, and if they die on the job, they die on the job. This lead to many denials from FIFA staff as well, and it even led to some backlash from them after these reports were shown on Deadspin.

From bribery to poor working conditions in preparation, things continue going south. Investigations have been going on for quite some time, and seeing how there are many signs pointy to something fishy, World Cup sponsors are not feeling warm and fuzzy in the least bit. Sponsors Sony, Hyundai/Kia, Coca-Cola, Visa, and Adidas have expressed a great amount of concern, releasing statements in support of the investigations. Many of them are voicing FIFA's supposed defiance of their mission statements and defiance in human ethics [source here]. Imagine if they all bailed out. The only other sponsor who hasn't made any statements has been Emirates, and to my research and knowledge, they have remained quiet on the matter. Why, I'm not entirely sure.

To add more pressure, there have been numerous pledges to have FIFA President Sepp Blatter step down in lieu of the corruption within the organization. With re-election occurring next year, Blatter doesn't seem like he's a fan of the requests to step down. He also finds it sad about all of the controversy surrounding the bidding for Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup [source here]. Truthfully, at the age of 78, it might be time for him, but that's just me.

Now the question remains: What if the corruption isn't smoke and mirrors, and FIFA implodes on itself after the World Cup? Needless to say, the voting process for World Cup bidders will definitely be overridden. As it stands, not everyone is a fan of how the system currently runs, and that will be the first thing to be modified. Secondly, the FIFA staff will get a massive overhaul, and people are going to be 86'd and tar-and-feathered and the whole nine and--you get it. Third, there will be a possible chance that Qatar will get the World Cup hosting opportunity taken away from them in regards to unfair voting and bribery, and the host country voting will follow soon after. Would it be the United States? Nobody is really sure, considering that the whole process may have to be redone, and that the voting process may be revised. Things might look confusing at first glance, but if this is handled swiftly and effectively, there shouldn't be much to worry about.

See how dark and cloudy the World Cup is on the inside? There aren't any cookies on this dark side; in fact, it's a rather gigantic, magenta-looking elephant. But see, everything is a business. There is always going to be a bad apple to spoil the bunch. Corruption and negativity are going to happen under noses whether the mainstream media covers it or not. For the time being, this can't afford to overshadow the events occurring within the month. Besides, there's a lot of football to be played.

IT'S WORLD CUP TIME!


--AZ

________
As a shameless plug, Julian Brown and Rick McGovern of The Soccer Desk Podcast cover the bribery allegations quite nicely on a special edition of the podcast, which launched Wednesday morning. Go have a listen.