Four years and already counting..

I can’t believe it’s already over. Spain became the 2010 World Cup champions yesterday by beating the Netherlands 1-0 on a goal in the 116th minute by world-class midfielder Andres Iniesta. As it was ending and I watched the closing celebrations, I couldn’t help but be a little sad. Not because I wanted the Netherlands to win, but because I know one of the best months in all of sports had come to and end.

In my opinion, this tournament brought us more than we could have bargained for. We saw the United States unite a country by the winning their group in thrilling fashion and attracting more attention to soccer in the states than ever before. We saw the defending champion Italians fail to advance from the group stages and the sheer embarrassment the French squad brought to their country. We had extremely controversial refereeing and spectacular last-minute finishes. Blood, sweat, tears, passion, and sheer desire all left on the pitch. Vuvuzelas that sounded like a pack of 6 trillion bee’s buzzing around your TV. Instant replay became the center of debate and surely some sort of review process is going to be implemented for the 2014 tournament in Brazil. Yes the 2010 South Africa World Cup definitely had its own flavor, whether you liked it or not.

Some critics will say the level of play in this tournament might have been sub par. A lot of teams didn’t live up to expectations and the hype was overshadowed by bad refereeing and controversial calls. Some critics don’t care enough to even comment on the tournament, and couldn’t care less about it all together. However, the beauty of this tournament is whether you are a soccer fanatic/hooligan or someone who doesn’t know an ounce about the sport, for one month you are drawn to it one way or another. Even if to say how boring you think soccer is and complain about the pathetic diving and fake injuries you see, you can’t help but watch. For one month, all politics are pushed aside and you root for your home country with passion and excitement. For the majority of Americans who don’t know a single thing about soccer or even care for that matter, you found yourself sitting around your TV’s, or in a local pub screaming for the United States to win. Lots of fans were running to the closest store to buy some sort of USA apparel to represent our country and root them on. You had hopes they would keep the dream alive and took this opportunity to be patriotic and support your country, the land you love. The United States vs Ghana match was the single most watched soccer game ever in the United States. The country cared, and everyone was involved. It was a time to rally behind something special in a country that’s seen its better days. It was a time when race, ethnicity and politics were thrown out the window. You found yourself high fiving and hugging complete strangers wherever you were when Landon Donovan scored that miraculous goal verse Algeria. That’s the beautiful thing about the game of soccer or as the Europeans call it, Futbol. There is more passion behind this sport than any other. It unites people, it’s inspiring, it brings people together. Sure there might be some aspects to the sport you don’t like, but every sport has that. Soccer is truly the only global sport, and for one month every four years it takes center stage. In my book, it doesn’t get any better. Now I don’t know about you, but I’m already counting down the days till 2014 in Brazil.

Joke, debacle, ridiculous, embarrassment, all those words came to mind as I watched "the decision" air on ESPN thursday night. In all my 20+ years of watching sports I have never seen something so blown out of proportion and egotistical in my entire life. Not only did Lebron James drag us along with his free agency circus act for the past two years, this past month has been an absolute nightmare for sports fans everywhere and tonight was just the cherry on top. I truly felt embarrassed for Lebron James. Kids sitting around awaiting his decision, commercial interruptions of him promoting vitamin water, it looked like a bad version of who wants to be a millionaire, although this show should of been called, who wants to be an selfless ego-maniac. Get over yourself Lebron, you are the biggest attention whore drama queen I have seen in sports in a long time. You make Terrell Owens look shy. All the proceeds go to the boys and girls club, please. If that's not the biggest cover up to try and take attention off sheer ego and self promotion, I don't know what is. Sorry Lebron, you may have some people fooled, but I'm not one of them.

I used to have respect for you, I didn't like you after what you did to the pistons in 2007, but I respected your abilities and what you meant to the future of the NBA. Whenever you came up in conversations I would always correct anyone who was speaking like an irrational Detroit Pistons fan and tell them how great you are for the NBA and the excitement you bring to the game. But now you are just fake to me, a sell-out, a self-riotous egomaniac. So everyone please, drink that hatorade like your shotgunning a beer and speak up as loud as you can, because its all completely justified.

In one fail swoop Thursday night Lebron James went from the so called "King" to Dwayne Wade's royal servant. You want to be known as a great in this league, you work for it. When the Lakers were in the dumps after Shaq left, did Kobe leave? When the Celtics didn't make the playoffs, did Paul Pierce bolt town? When MJ couldn't get past the Pistons all those years, did he leave Chicago? No, they all stayed and built lasting legacy's and gave the fans what they deserved. What they wanted, what they cheered for and spent their hard earned money on, seeing their star host a championship. Instead Lebron you sold-out, you gave up, you took the easy road. You abandoned a town that gave you everything to join someone elses team. You left join two other gold medal wining superstars because you didn't want to work hard enough and long enough to win it for the city of Cleveland . You left a town that held its breath on your every word and have fans that would give up their first born to keep you in a Cleveland Cavalier jersey. Your parting gifts, a huge kick straight to the cajones. You pretty much should of just sat in that chair and said, hello Cleveland, not only am I leaving the Cavalier organization, but I'm going to have my very own self promoting hour long show telling the whole world I'm leaving you behind and never looking back. All while providing the city with another agonizing reminder of how long its been since you have won a championship and how far you are from realizing that dream.

So congratulations Lebron. Not only have you become the biggest attention starved drama queen athlete in all of sports, you are now the most hated person in the history of Cleveland sports. Because of you, Art Modell has officially been forgiven, and that's saying something.

The Human Victory Cigar

I mean, REALLY?! Rumor has it that the Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed in principle with Darko "the human victory cigar" Milicic on a 4 year/$20mill contract!This deal for Milicic is quite odd considering that in February he wasn't even playing in the league and said he was giving up on the NBA and returning to Europe. Career averages for Darko, 5 pts and 4 rbs per game. SOLID!!

Furthermore, this isn't the only splash the Wolves have made in the past 24 hours. Earlier today they agreed to another 4 year, $13 million deal with their 2008 second round-pick, Nikola Pekovic. With these two moves, the T-Wolves just spend $33 million to shore up their middle, yeah and BP shored up the oil spill on the golf coast

If these two clowns, especially Darko are worth $20 million and $13 million respectively, then I'm worth at least $500k/year to carry towels and clean lockers. Not to mention these deals cut severely into the Wolves cap room this summer. Previously they were $13 million under the cap but now have a little under $5million left to use on remaining FA's. All the while they are trying to move Al Jefferson, a 25 year old potential all star with career averages of 20pts and 10rbs. So, replace a career 20/10 guy with a career 5/4 guy and severly eat into your cap space during arguably the biggest free agent summer of all time, yeah that makes a ton of sense. I tell you what, those must be some seriously physcadelic drugs they have in Minnesota.

Wake up Selig..

Enough already! As I hop on the Detroit Sports Nation website for my daily 25 all-star votes for Miguel “Miggy” Cabrera, I can’t help but be reminded of how stupid this process is. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind taking 10 minutes out of my day to vote the maximum number of times to support my favorite Detroit sports figures, but this process must be changed, and soon. What I mean is, enough with the fans voting for the All-Stars in sports Let the coaches and experts do it! Better yet, let the statistics speak for themselves.

Cabrera is a legitimate threat to win both the triple crown and AL MVP. Yet, he is third in all-star voting amongst 1st basemen in the American League, behind Justin Morneau and Mark Teixeira. Both popular names among the average fan, but not having nearly the season statistically Miggy is having. Morneau is obviously a major piece to the puzzle in Minnesota, and having a very strong season BA wise. He is currently batting .350, which is second in all of the majors. But he isn’t even in the top ten in the AL in RBI’s, and is tied for 8th with 4 other players in HR’s. Meanwhile, Teixeira isn’t even in the top ten in HR’s or RBI’s, and currently sits 77th in batting average with an electrifying .229 average. Thats not in both leagues, that’s just in the American League. Something tells me if he went down due to injury in New York, they would be just fine.

Now, on to my boy Cabrera. The guy is an absolute beast. He is undoubtably the most important player on the Tigers roster, and is having an absolutely sizzing first half of the season. He currently sits tied for 1st in HR’s (20), alone in first for RBI’s (66) and fifth in BA (.335). This is in all of baseball folks, not just the AL. So why is he is trailing to guys in All-Star voting who are having far less superior seasons than he is? Because the system is flawed, plain and simple. All-Star voting has essentially come down to a popularity contest, which is cool, if we’re in 7th grade.

I understand the thought of letting the fans have their say and vote for who they want to watch in the All-Star game, but when the best players aren’t selected, is it truly an All-Star game? Not to mention, the winning league of the game gets home field advantage in the World Series! So let me get this straight, you have fans deciding who plays for home field in the World Series? Does that not sound completely ridiculous to anybody else but me? I feel like I’m taking crazy pills. Not only do the best players not get awarded for having an amazing first half of the season, one league gets the short end of the stick on something that is absolutely crucial in all playoff sports, home field advantage.

Oddly enough, given Bud Selig’s atrocious handling of steroids and PED’s over the past decade in MLB, this really doesn’t surprise me one bit. The truly unfortuante thing is, we probably won’t see it change anytime soon.

Chills Compounding Chills

If this doesn't get you hyped, you're not American. Here is a little prep for tomorrows game..

The Cardiac Kids

Someone please get me a respirator! Its been hours since Landon Donovan rescued the United States world cup hopes and dreams in the most dramatic of fashions and I still can't calm down. Maybe its because of my previously mentioned soccer background or the amount of adversity that has been thrown at these young men who have overcome everything without missing a beat and handled it all with class and respect.

For a while there it just seemed like nothing could go right for the boys in South Africa and aside from a gift wrapped equalizer vs England, nothing was. A referee robbed them of a win vs Slovenia and then disallowed another goal today. They created endless opportunities to put the ball in the back of the old onion bank, only to seem them denied by goal posts and miscues. It just didn't seem like it was in the cards for the yanks who were a mere 3 1/2 minutes from reestablishing all the doubts surrounding American soccer. But then, in one of the most magnificently orchestrated counter attacks you will see, it all changed.

Landon Donovan provided a dramatic stoppage time winner that sent the United States into the knockout stages of the world cup and set off delirious celebrations at the end of a pulsating 1-0 win over Algeria. Donovan's reputation as the pin-up boy of US soccer was reinforced as he calmly slotted home the goal in the 91st minute after setting up the attacking movement that culminated in the winner. In one split second the Americans went from the brink of elimination to winning group C and a date with Ghana this Saturday, a very winnable match.

The ball fell perfectly to Donovan at the top of the 6 yard line, who said "the ball fell to me, time kind of stopped...You can't miss from there." I tell you what Landon, time kind of stopped for everyone watching as well. I kept thinking to myself as time was winding down, this is just so unfair after all the missed opportunities and goals taken from them, that they deserved better than this and the soccer gods delivered.

I don't know about you, but I couldn't help get a little emotional as I watched the young men celebrate in Jubilation, especially for Landon Donovan who was teary eyed after the game. Nobody has worked harder than Landon over the past 4 year since the pitiful showing in 2006 and nobody carries more pressure on his shoulders for US soccer than him. It was all too perfect that he was the one who got the equalizer and a storybook way to advance to the next round. Make no mistake, this team has heard all the critics doubt them, battled injuries to key role players (Davies and Onyewu) and wanted to advance BADLY. Unlike the Algeria team who seemed content with a draw, when a win might of got them through to the next round. The Americans got what they deserved and in a dramatic fashion, only fitting for this team. Now what lies ahead for them come Saturday I'm not too sure, but at this point I will take Landon's word for it, "we're not done yet, we believe, man. We're alive, baby." You sure are Landon and so is everyone else who is just along for the ride.

Coach's Son

Would you believe when I was two years old my father had me kicking a tennis ball, left foot, right off the brick step on our fire place? Well its true, I was brought into soccer at an extremely young age and took a liking to it immediately. My dad was the coach of my older brother's team and eventually coached the team I played on. Both teams saw a great deal of success at the highest levels of youth soccer and I do mean the highest levels. For example, when I was 14 my club team won the state championship 9-0, we finished third in the region and second at the Indoor Nationals. We only lost 3 games in a 4 year span playing against the best competition in the country. We trained hard, were focused, disciplined, full of skill and most important we had a blast doing it. Now not only was I playing or practicing 4-5 times a week, I was also traveling to watch all my brothers games as well, sometimes even his practices. Soccer was my life, I absorbed every last ounce of the sport and loved every minute of it. It was undoubtedly the best time of my life and memories I will carry on forever and hope to someday experience with my children.

Being a coaches son is always a tough position for both the Coach and the player. I can't really speak from the coaches point of view but I do know when playing at the levels we did, even though it was still a very young age you have to keep the best interests of the team in mind. Parents were shelling out big money for uniforms, shoes, travel, etc. and they wanna win. They aren't putting all this effort in to see their kids get waxed every game. At that level a coach has a has a lot of responsible many different cards to shuffle, including being a father to his son. From a players perspective, I truly enjoyed playing for my father and think it helped develop a very unique and strong father/son relationship. For several years I played center-mid and was the captain of the team and I think my play was on par with that honor. I remember the sheer joy of success and utter devastation of defeat. Not only did I want to win everything at all costs for myself and my teammates, who at the time were my best friends, but also for my father who I never wanted to let down or disappoint in any aspect of life, especially on the soccer field.

While I was at work today and listening to a extremely critical match between the United States and Slovenia on the radio, all these fond memories and feelings surfaced for one reason, Michael Bradley. Michael is 22 yrs old and currently is the starting defensive/holding midfielder for the USMNT. He plays his club ball in the German Bundesliga for Borussia Monchengladbach and is definitely a player on the rise on the international stage. Michael too knows what its like to be a Coach's son, as his father Bob is the head coach of the USMNT. Out of no coincidence, I have always thought very highly of Michael's game and those of you who know me or watch the games with me, always hear me say how underrated he is and important to our squad. He plays extremely hard, is deliberate with the ball, understands the game and shows the type of passion on the pitch that I love to see in a futbol player. He has become my favorite player and many analysts will tell when he is not on the pitch, they are a different team both offensively and defensively.

Lost in all the talk about the absolutely atrocious refereeing and the go ahead goal that was stolen from them like Armando Galarraga's perfect game, is the biggest goal of the tournament for the United States, Michael Bradley's equalizer. This goal kept the Americans hopes and dreams alive of advancing out of the group stages. The US came into this world cup with higher expectations than ever before and had they lost to Slovenia, those expectations would of been completely shattered. Nothing against Landon Donovan's first goal which was a rocket of a strike, this goal meant everything to a Nation that felt their soccer dreams slowly slipping away in the last ten minutes of this contest. Michael Bradley made a deep run from his holding position, pushing forward at just right time running onto a bouncing ball and finishing with a clinical strike over the goalies head. Now I don't know about anyone else, but I can't stop watching the video replay of his goal. It gives me chill's every time I watch it. Maybe its because when I was a youngster that's the type of goal I dreamed of scoring or because a team I have been following since the beginning of WC qualifying just saved their entire tournament. The sheer jubilation written all across Michael's face and celebration with his teammates says it all. As for me, I was definitely cheering and extremely pumped up, but I couldn't help to think as they showed the coach of how proud he had to be of his son at that very moment. Or the feelings that must be running through son Michael's mind not only for himself, his teammates, but also for his father, the coach of this team. Boy would I like to be a fly on the wall for the conversation they are going to have after the game. Good for you kid, your just saved a nations soccer hopes and gave your dad the best fathers day gift imaginable, you earned it.

He said what?!

Good for the Lakers. I am genuinely happy for them, one because I enjoy watching Kobe play basketball and two because the Celtics bother me to no end. If I would of had to see Nate Robinson jump around like a freakin Ruh-tard celebrating a NBA championship with the Sidney Crosby of the NBA, Paul Pierce, I might of choked on my own vomit. However, the Lakers winning is also a little bitter sweet for me and here's why. Ron Artest..

I absolutely can't stand this man and think there is no player less deserving of a championship ring than good ole Ron Ron. Last night, he only cemented these sentiments into my heart forever. My hatred for Artest goes back to his days in Indiana playing for the Pacers. He is a dirty, trash talking instigator who tooked his dingy between his legs after HE STARTED a shoving match with Ben Wallace, but could easily run full steam into the crowd and fight the Pistons faithful. Oh and please don't forget he openly admitted to drinking during the halftime of games. Assaulting fans, check, Drinking during games, check, still in the league, Check. Apparently David wasn't so Stern when it comes to Mr. Artest.

Lets just put all that behind us for moment. Last night, upon achieving by far the greatest accomplishment of his life, the first person or thing in this case, that Artest has to thank is, wait for it....HIS HOOD. Followed by shout outs to his record label and then his psychiatrist. Because God obviously didn't play any part in this, his hood had everything to do with keeping him in the league, not to mention blessing him with the opportunity to play for and win an NBA championship. I hope your sensing my sarcasm here. But wait, it gets better. When Ron is asked about a couple big shots he hit, here is his response.."He(Kobe) never passes me the ball and he passed me the ball," Artest said. "Phil didn't want me to shoot the 3. He's the Zen Master, so he can speak to you and he doesn't need a microphone. You can hear him in your head, 'Ron, don't shoot.' Whatever. Pow, 3. I love the Zen though." Really so Kobe never passes you the ball, is that why you hoisted 18 shots last night and 72 shots(32 threes) over the entire series while shooting a sizzling 34% from the field. Gee, I wonder why Kobe doesn't want to pass you the ball or the greatest coach of all time doesn't want you to shoot the 3, but hey what do they know right they only have 15 total rings combined. Furthermore, this is my absolute favorite response, later when asked about the shot, Artest said God told him to shoot it when he wasn't so sure. "A voice came down and told me to shoot the ball," he said. " 'Shoot the ball,' he said. God told me to shoot the ball and I shot the ball." Oh really, that same god you didn't thank after the game, I thought your hood or your psychiatrist was to thank instead of god?! Ron Artest is a complete sociopath who doesn't deserve to be in the NBA, not to mention win a NBA championship. To think, guys like Stockton, Malone and Steve Nash have never won an NBA championship. Where are the basketball gods when you need them.

Our National Championship

Lost in the shuffle of the World Cup and the NBA Finals going 7 games, nobody seems to be talking about the US Open that starts tomorrow. Personally, I haven't forgotten and cant wait. Being a student of the game, golfs major championships are four of the best weeks of the year, especially the US open which is my personal favorite. This years venue is Pebble Beach Golf Links, one of the most difficult and majestic courses you will find anywhere in the world located on the shores of the Monterey Peninsula in California. Just turn on the TV sometime over the next 4 days and you will know exactly what I'm talking about. Every hole is a photo opportunity that can be framed and hung in your office or library. If you want to play this course, you better know someone and be willing to shell out a cool $250. However, don't let the beautiful landscape fool you, this course will give you migraines all day long.

What makes the US Open so unique and special is that it's open. Anyone with a 1.4 handicap index or better can make a run at playing in this tournament through sectional and/or regional qualifying. Sponsors and tour exemptions are very slim and hard to come by. For example, Justin Rose the winner of the Memorial Tournament two weeks ago was forced to qualify because he didn't meet any of the other automatic qualifying criteria set forth by the USGA. Justin ended up played poorly in qualifying and didn't make it. Now personally I want a hot golfer fresh off a huge win to be in the field, but that's not what the open is all about. Its not about compiling the toughest field in golf based on rankings and sponsors exemptions(even though is typically does), its about compiling a field that went through the grueling challenges of qualifying unless otherwise exempt based on the qualifying criteria. Its truly a tournament that gives single digit handicappers of all ages hope and a chance to make it on the biggest of stages. Now what you do when you step on that stage is another story all together.

The USGA doesn't do the players any favors when they choose the venue and furthermore when they tweak the layout for the week of the tournament. The course usually plays ridiculously long and the rough is really deep, and I mean deep. As for the speed of the greens, well put it this way Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are already complaining about the speed and its Wednesday afternoon during a practice round. Stating if we don't get any rain or they don't water these greens, its going to get very "interesting" and by "interesting" he means almost unplayable. Want an idea of what I'm talking about, grab a putter and a golf ball and try to get the ball to stop while putting down your driveway, enough said. Typically only 2-3 players finished under par after four rounds, its truly a battle of attrition both on your golf game and your mental capacity. A top ten player in the world can shoot an 82 at the open. For example, in 2002 at Bethpage Black, only Tiger Woods finished under par that week at -3, Mickelson finished second at even par. Which is why if you can hoist that coveted trophy, boy you have earned it and that's what makes its so special. Its truly our national championship. Now you throw in the fact that fathers day typically falls on the Sunday of that week and it just adds something very genuine and heartfelt to this tournament. Which suits golf perfectly, a gentleman's game for genuine people. Here's to another great US Open tournament, I'm really looking forward to it.

España va hacia abajo

Vamos a la playa!! Okay so that really means "lets go to the beach" but it was always my favorite thing to say or should I say scream out loud in High School Spanish class. Picture this, a group of 6-7 friends in the same Spanish class screaming out every hilarious Spanish word that they were taught with no regard for what was going on in the classroom or what the teacher was doing. Good laughs and great times to say the least..

Anyway, so the last game of each teams opening match turned out to provide the biggest surprise so far in this young tournament. Spain falling 1-0 to the Swiss, who many predicted to resemble their famous cheese in this tournament pegging them at 250-1 to win it. Spain on the other hand is just about everyones favorite at 4-1 to win it all, including mine. Spain is loaded from top to bottom and as I mentioned in an earlier post, are gleaming with confidence after winning the 2008 Euro Cup. Aside from a loss in the Confederations cup to the Yanks, this was Spain's first lost in 50 games. So this was definitely something nobody saw coming. Spain has spikey fohawks, a sexy lineup and a tactical way of playing the game that has obviously suited them very well. However someone needs to remind them that simply showing up with a amazing track record and being the favorite doesn't get you a win in the world cup. Are they overrated, im not ready to go there just yet, but they better get it together and quick or "vamos a la playa" it might be for them, earlier than anyone would of expected.

Stanley Cup Trash Talk at its Finest

Be sure to watch the videos in order, top one first. Im not a huge Pronger fan but his response is priceless..

I mean, really?!

I'm not one to hate on soccer players because I am one and absolutely love the sport. But can someone please explain to me how this tall, goofy looking, skeleton man with horrible teeth and a mouth that looks like it was stuck to the end of a vacuum hose all day end up with this stunner?! Obviously playing soccer in Europe REALLY holds its weight with beautiful women. Even if you do resemble a south park character. In case you were wondering the goddess is Abbey Clancy and futboller is Peter Crouch of England.

Meet My..

...new girlfriend. She's a 27 year old Australian model/actress. I met her at a coffee shop and we hit it off instantly. Now I know what your thinking, Miss Australia doesn't hang out at your local starbucks, but for some reason she just so happened to be in the Rochester Village starbucks, along reading a golf digest magazine. Since I hate talking about golf, it was a little difficult for me to spark up a conversation at first, but I offered to buy her a cafe latte and the rest is history. See true love and soulmates really do exist. Had I not noticed her amazing black purse and stylish shoes, I wouldn't of even spoken to her. I swear it had nothing to do with her beautiful assets or the outfit she was wearing. I should send those respective designers a thank you card!

NBA Finals and WC

• Ron Artest might be the ugliest man in the NBA, but last night the Lakers defense looked just as ugly. Kobe looks like he is the only one playing and is getting double teamed all game long yet he still diahread all over the Celts for 38 pts (19 in the 3rd). However he looks visibly frustrated and he can't do it all. Lamar Odom must of run out of skittles before the game because he looks like he forgot how to play basketball. He sure doesn't look like a guy who deserves $10 million a year. Bottom line is Kobe can't do it alone and the Celtics balanced attack and swarming defense is starting to take control of the series. The Celtics are too good of a team to get beat by one player, so the rest of the Lakers better wake up or this series will end in 6 games just like the 2008 finals did.
• Can someone please explain to my why mighty mouse Nate Robinson feels the need to run his mouth 24/7 after every single basket he makes. The guy goes in for an uncontested layup and then starts bouncing around and running his mouth like he just tomahawked over Patrick Ewing and Hakeem "the dream" Olajuwan at the same time. Shut up and play the game Nate, the only reason you are even on the Celtics is because you were acting like a spoiled baby in NY and they sent you packing. What a lucky little fella you are. People with normal jobs who are a pain or aren't following company policy get fired, this guy gets sent to a better job, in this case a contender and is on the brink of winning a championship. Yeah, that seems fair.
• On a side note, at least we didn't have to see Glen Davis do his best Alien impersonation again, somebody please get that guy a bib. Makes sense though, babies drool. I really hope we don't have to see this again. http://www.sportsofboston.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/071609_glendavis.jpg

World Cup:

• Quick Predictions for the day: Cameroon 1-0 over Japan. Italy 2-0 over Paraguay

• Germany looks really really strong. The Australia socceroo's have to be dissapointed with that performance, but give credit to Germany, who I can see making a deep run in this tournament.

• Check out this link. You can street view each individual stadium that is hosting the world cup matches in South Africa. http://maps.google.com/maps?ftr=marketing.worldcup&utm_campaign=en&utm_medium=lp&utm_source=en-lp-na-us-gns-gm&utm_term=football2010

Toilet paper, extra conditioner and what's on tap for day 3

Lionel Messi is a complete stud and a wizard on the ball, but I was really unimpressed with the rest of Argentina. However, they undoubtedly win the award for the team with the best hair. The flowing locks of Heinze blowing in the wind as he celebrated the only goal of the game, no doubt made every man watching jealous. Getting a draw today was a great result for the Yanks. Their defense looked unorganized and best resembled a fresh slice of Swiss cheese. However the Americans showed the ability to possess the ball and their pace definitely bothered England. They had plenty of chances to score goals but didn't capitalize, especially Jozy Altidore. I am sending my Thank you card as we speak to English goalie Robert Green for letting in one of the most Charmin extra softy goals you will ever see at any level, not to mention the world cup. I have a hunch you wont be seeing him in the starting lineup much longer.

Day 3

• Group C (Polokwane) Algeria vs Slovenia (13:30) -- This is an interesting match in the regard that both these teams qualified for the WC via a playoff game in which it was an underdog. Honestly, I don't know squat about either team but I'm happy they are rounding out Group C, which my Americans now have a shot to win. This will be the ugliest game of the tournament so far. Prediction: Scoreless Tie.

• Group D (Pretoria) Serbia vs Ghana (16:00) -- This is a big game in group D, only two teams from each group advance to the knockout stages and Germany is sure to have one spot locked up while these two will be battling for the other. Serbia has a very strong back line led by Man U star Nenad Vidic but lacks creativity offensively. Ghana will sure feel the loss of Michael Essien, its best player, but they did receive positive news that Muntari is fit to play. Ghana also won the under 20 world cup and it will be interesting to see if some of those young stars are ready to step up and shine on the worlds biggest stage, I think they are. Prediction: 2-1 Ghana

• Group D (Durban) Germany vs Australia (20:30) -- Germany will no doubt miss the absence of its leader and captain, Chelsea star Michael Ballack in this game and throughout the entire tournament. They will will rely on a core of promising, yet untested young stars to step up and fill in. Australia looked uninspired and in poor form in a recent 3-1 loss to the Yanks. Tim Cahill score their lone goal in that game and is their best player. He will no doubt receive a lot of attention from the German defense. Even a more inspired and focused Australia team than weeks before won't be enough against Germany or to get out of this group. Prediction: 1-0 Germany

The day has finally arrived - Day 2

Since the world cup pairings were drawn over 6 months ago, USA vs England is a game everyone had circled on their calendars. You don't have to be a fan of either nation to understand the magnitude of this game. Classic David vs Goliath. The Americans looking to prove themselves and earn global respect on the futbol bitch on the biggest stage in the world, while the English carry expectations that are second to none. Furthermore, the Brits have a sense of arrogance and entitlement when it comes to soccer or futbol as it's called in Europe. To be frank, they think their shit doesn't stink. Apparently this is how much they respect the united states as a country and how to run a soccer club http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/worldcup/story/american-flag-burning-by-liverpool-fans-should-incense-yanks ...Bulletin board material anyone?



So I know I missed the South Korea vs Greece game this morning, Its not my fault that my trip to Comerica park to see Verlander on the bump last night turned into a trip to MGM casino. Since the gambling gods weren't so nice to me last night, I decided to sleep in on my day off and get a little extra rest before I hit the trail for my morning run. Not to mention we all know my prediction would of been South Korea winning 2-0 anyway. Enough said.






Day 2:

• Group B (Johannesburg) Argentina vs Nigeria (16:00) -- Led by the unquestioned best player in the world Lionel Messi, Argentina has high hopes for WC 2010. They have the best offensive trio of any team in the tournament (Messi, Tevez, Higuain). The real question is if Diego "the donkey" Maradona can stay out of his owns team way since he seems to being doing more harm than good. I don't know much about Nigeria other than they can run a lot and will play their hearts out. Prediction: Argentina 3-0

• Group C (Rustenburg) USA vs England (16:00) -- I could analyze this game for hours but the fact of the matter is England is loaded, period. They have one of the top 3 players in the world in Wayne Rooney and the biggest question will be can the US contain him. There are a lot of questions surround the US team, but having Tim Howard in net really makes me feel optimistic about this one. I'd feel even more optimistic if the US back line wasn't banged up. England will be bothered by the pace of Altidor, Dempsey, Donovan and Findley, but will it be enough? A draw here is like a win for the Americans. Prediction: 1-1
  

WC 2010 Is Officially underway!

The day has finally come and so begins a month I have been looking forward to for over 4 years. Italy is the defending champ and I expect them to fight admirably and will make it to the quarterfinals on sheer tactics alone, but age will catch up with them and that's as far as they will go. As for my eventual winner of whole tournament, I like Spain. Their pace, depth and control of the game and the confidence coming off their 2008 Euro Cup triumph have them prime to hoist their first World Cup trophy.

Each morning I will be giving my predictions on the days matches.

Day 1:

• Group A (Johannesburg) Host Nation vs Mexico (10:00) -- The host nation will fight valiantly on sheer emotion and adrenaline. However, after the first half that will start to wear off and the better team will show. Although I'm not a huge fan of rankings, especially in a game with this much emotion, SA is currently ranked 50th and Mexico 17th. Prediction: 2-1 Mexico

• Group A (Cape Town) Uruguay vs France (14:30) -- France is a tough team to figure out, the 1998 World Cup champs looked horrible in 2002 by not advancing out of the group stages but bounced back extremely well in 2006 losing on PK's to Italy in the final. Had Zidane not done the head butt heard around the world and Gigi Buffon not been well, Gigi Buffon, they might of ended up winning the whole thing. How they will look this year is anybodies guess. Uruguay has some decent talent and play with a do or die attitude, which sometimes does them more harm than good. Either way I look for France to win this game and eventually the group. Prediction: 3-1 France

Inspiring

http://www.gatorade.com/default.aspx#program?s=g-evolve

The part watching Ali dance in the ring gives me chills and the music is perfect. Enjoy

Home Sweet Home

Three million dollar a year salary, a major university in the palm of your hands, regional and in state recruiting dominance, a coaching record that is unparalleled by anyone in the past 2 decades and a fan base that would probably drink your urine if meant keeping you in East Lansing. Sounds too good to be true, right?! Well its not, this is the current state of Tom Izzo's situation as the head basketball coach at Michigan State University.

So a big question hangs in the balance, will Tom Izzo leave EL for the NBA to coach the Cleveland Cavaliers. He has a 5 year $30 million contract hanging over his head (nearly double his salary now), a reigning two time MVP (who might bolt for free agency still) and an owner who is a close friend and MSU alum himself. Sounds pretty enticing doesn't it? Well here is my advice to you Mr. Izzo, turn it down and stay put. Being a die hard UM supporter, There are a ton of reasons why I would love to see you leave EL and im sure the rest of the Big Ten would like to see it also, but don't do it. Coaching in college just doesn't translate to coaching in the NBA. Simply ask Rick Pitino and John Calipari, both very successful college coaches who had their respective stints in the NBA, failed miserably and were gone in less than 4 years. Pitino only spent two years with Celtics after signing a $50 million dollar contract.

Here are some of the reasons coaching in college simply doesn't translate to the professional game. First, the season is 6 grueling months long playing 82 games that seem to pile up on top of each other. You are managing superstar athletes ego's and personalities now, pre-madonna antics to the furthest extreme and nobody embodies that more than Lebron James. How are you going to feel when he is doing his best crip walk or Carlton Banks imitation during warm ups before a game. Better yet, while standing at the charity stripe about to shoot two free throws during a game? I know the kind of no non-sense mentality you bring to the table and I can't imagine that would sit well with you. Furthermore you are an amazing college coach, one of the best in the country without a doubt, if not the best. But preaching fundamentals, dedication, hard work and defense will get you a 15-67 record in the NBA and a cemented position in the draft lottery every April. Oh and not to mention you are returning a team that is absolutely loaded and top 5 ranking awaits you.

You are in one of the best positions that a college coach could be in, I can't imagine anyone being happier with their current position than you. So here is my advice to you, learn from past college coaches mistakes and don't make the same one. If its the money you are worried about, I'm sure the MSU athletic department would be more than happy to meet your demands for you to stick around. Money doesn't buy happiness and everyone knows it. Now they say the grass is greener on the other side, but where your currently sitting the grass is about as green as it's every going to get, literally.

Reason enough for me

The 2010 World Cup is just two days away and its all I can think about. What makes this tournament so special is the emotion and passion behind it along with it only occurring every 4 years. In my opinion is the greatest tournament there is, but I'm a soccer player for over 20 years, so my opinion is a little bias. Now even if you're not a soccer player or fan of the sport, here is one good reason to watch the games come Friday..


http://www.djmick.co.uk/girls/100-sexy-brazil-fans-pictures/


My actual tournament predictions coming soon but for now, ENJOY!

What a difference a game makes

Jesus who?! After going a scintillating 8-11 from behind the arc for 32 points in a crucial game 2 victory in L.A, Sweet Baby Ray Allen followed it up with one of the worst encore performances you could imagine. If this was his idea of a sequel, then he was the producer of Caddyshack 2. Allen went 0-13 from the floor including 0-8 from deep in 42 minutes of play, tying Pierce for most minutes played on the Celtics. This has got to be one of the worst playoff shooting performances I can remember in a long time. He did however manage score 2 pts by going 2-2 from the charity stripe. Give some credit to Derek Fisher who played his rear end off on both ends of the court, but to not make one single FG in 42 minutes of play, with the kind of shooting stroke you posses, that's just pathetic. Way to go Shuttlesworth, after I write about MVP finals aspirations for you and praise you on your buttery performance in game 2, this is how you follow it up, shaking my head. Maybe it was the "TrevorSpits curse", Ala the "Madden cover jinx", I don't know. What I do know is you and Paul Pierce for that matter, better pull it together and fast or you two might be watching Kobe hoist his 5 Trophy and second consecutive finals MVP on your home court. It seems to me like a He Got Game marathon is in order.

The State of Affairs

For many of you that know me well, this article is going to come as somewhat of a surprise to you. I will lay a little ground work here before I jump into what is bothering me. I was born and raised in Shelby Township, MI and grew up a die hard University of Michigan fan from the very beginning. I always loved the Maze and Blue uniforms, block M, the winged helmets, and at a very early age was completely drawn to the fact of 100,000 people showing up at one place every single Saturday to root on the same team. As soon as my oldest brother had his buddies over for the 1989Rose Bowl and I saw how passionate they were, I was hooked for life. The fab five put me over the top, I read Mitch Albums book, watched every game and knew everything I could about every player. I couldn't get enough of Michigan sports, Football, Basketball, Hockey, didn't matter I was rooting for the maze and blue with every last ounce of energy I had. Case in point, I cried when Chris Webber called the infamous "timeout" and Michigan lost in the 1993 NCAA tournament championship game for the second year in a row. Yes I admit it, I was 10 years old and I cried.

These days you wont see me doing much crying anymore unless I'm cutting up an onion for my salad, but you will see me bitching and moaning about the state of the university and its athletics. The entire university has become entirely to political and their giant ego is getting in the way of letting a coach do his job. Michigan has always held itself as an institution of higher learning with some of the best medical innovations and knowledge you will find anywhere in world. It's business school is second to none, Harvard withstanding. However, recently they have started to interfere with the success of Rich Rodriquez. I can already hear you now, are you kidding me?! Rich Rod is a bum, the guy is 8-16 in two years, hasn't made a bowl game and lost too far inferior teams year and after year. Believe me, nobody knows Rodriguez's record and stats better than I do. Their is a huge question mark over his head right now and his coaching seat is hotter than a whores ass on dollar day, but please let the guy be and coach for five minutes.

Ever since RR walked onto the UM campus he was set up for failure. He was the 4th option for a university that thought they deserved better than him but got turned down by its other leading candidates. Ninety percent of the players he inherited didn't fit his system and every top player on the team either graduated to the NFL or left early. He was forced to start a walk on QB and traditional drop back passer in a QB read spread offense. The media has been all over him like flies on shit over every single move he makes. He hasn't even gotten the vote of approval from his predecessor who sits in other teams press boxes during road games he attends (ahem, Lloyd Carr). I know he has created a lot of this bad press himself and made some stupid decisions, but to me it seems like every time the slightest thing happens, its front page college football news. Things that happen with major programs like Florida, USC, Oklahoma, OSU, etc but all get brushed aside like nothing ever happened. Case in point with this most recent infractions with the NCAA, sure he was over practicing his kids and making them put in extra hours, 95% of all schools in the FBS do this. Whether is Football, basketball, hockey or lacrosse, it doesn't matter. College athletics is big business these days and if you want to keep your job and you want to produce a winner 20 hours a week simply isn't enough time, period. The only difference with these other programs is they didn't have players who left the program because they didn't want to put in the extra effort run to the local reporting newspaper and blow the whistle on it all. Furthermore, how many local newspapers are looking to sabotage the major universities in the state they reside? When Mike Dantoni had 8 players walk into a college dorm room and beat 4 guys senseless after leaving a football banquet earlier that night, did that make front page news? Then he goes ahead and starts one player after he was just recently released from jail, does this become a big front page story? No, it gets a small one page column and you never hear another word about it. And why, because he won one more game than RR in 2009, yet you would think he is the second coming of Paul Bear Bryant if you asked a sparty gomer? Rich Rod has been doomed since the beginning, set up to fail and not welcomed into Ann Arbor but not only the university, but both local and national media.

Lets put this most recent case of 4 star DB/SS recruit Demar Dorsey in the fore front. Everyone talks about letting RR bring in players for his system and how badly he needed defensive help. Michigan got absolutely torched last year verse the run, pass, reverse, special teams, under throw, back flip, whatever. Didn't matter what teams threw at them it was successful, bottom line was they needed help on the defensive side of the ball. So on signing day Rich Rod goes all the way to Florida and steals a 4 star that Urban Meyer was absolutely drooling over. On signing day this is a huge pickup for Michigan and Rich Rod. The admissions department approves it and is all for it. The kid is a NCAA qualifier with a 2.6 GPA and 18 act or higher, but since the free press did a huge piece on why Rich Rod shouldn't be taking the risk on players who have previous legal troubles (the kid has a past) the university is considering not admitting him and letting him go to another FBS school and tear it up. Michigan and its giant ego, can't let anyone think we are bringing in bad athletes to the university and all because the local newspaper made a huge story about it. You ask any college football recruiting analyst about that signing and they were very impressed that RR was able to land him. Did the free press write a huge article about Lloyd Carr when he recruit Boubacar Cissoko who coincidentally isnt on the team anymore because of legal troubles. How about Vladimir Emilien or Marlin Jackson?! No these all got overlook and you never hear about them.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that Rich Rodriquez is the guy for Michigan, I'm not even sure that the spread can be consistently successful in the Big Ten. Bottom line, this could very well be his last season as the university of Michigan head football coach. But listen up Michigan, whether is Rodriquez or the next guy you bring in, get the heck out of his way and let him do his thing. Try setting him up to succeed instead of setting him up to fail. Start adapting to modern times and being a little humble. Your high and mighty b.s is growing very tiresome. You know who else has a giant ego, Notre Dame and how many bowl games have they been to in the past 5 years?! Exactly. For crying out loud let a coach do what he is brought in to do, coach.

WC 2010 - Where one game can change everything

http://www.marca.com/deporte/futbol/mundial/sudafrica-2010/calendario-english.html

Enough said..

Sweet Baby Ray

Dont sleep on Sweet Baby Ray Allen taking home the 2010 NBA finals MVP. Last night he reminded everyone why he stared as Jesus Shuttlesworth in the 1998 urban hoops classic "He Got Game". Ray Ray was absolutley moist from behind the arc setting an NBA finals single game record for most 3 pointers after knocking down his first attempts and finishing 8 for 11 from deep. His faucet is officially turned on. If the man with the quickest release in the game keeps up his best Jesus Shuttlesworth impersonation, the Lakers are in for a long series. Jerry West better get on the phone with Denzel if they want to win this series.

A True Legend I Never Knew

I woke up this morning around 8:15am and immediately went upstairs to get my usual morning coffee, 1 sugar no cream. I decided to finish the laundry I had started the day before and found out the dryer was having a major malfunction, aka not working. So I took it old school and my clothes are currently hanging on my deck railing drying, here's to praying the rain stays away for at least a couple hours. So after I do my best Beverley hillbillies impersonation, I then proceed back to my computer to do my daily sports rounds on the computer.

As I'm sure you are all aware, the great and legendary former UCLA basketball coach and icon John Wooden passed away and the old age of 99(1910-2010). In many highly respected circles, Mr. Wooden is regarded as the greatest basketball coach ever and a true ambassador of the sport. His accomplishments and accolades are off the charts and speak for themselves. As a guard at Purdue University, he was a 3 time consensus all-american, 1 time national player of the year and 1 time national champion. Amongst his players, coaches and national media, he was nicknamed "The Indiana Rubber Man" for his suicidal dives on the hard court. As a coach for the UCLA bruins, he won 620 games in 27 seasons and the national championship an unprecedented 10 times in a 12 year span, including 7 in a row. Ten times, thats right, I said ten! He was a 6 time NCAA coach of the year and was inducted into the 2006 founding class of the College Basketball hall of fame. Since 1977, the most coveted of four college basketball player of the year awards has been named the John R. Wooden Award. The list could go on and on, but im sure you get the picture here. Their truly isn't an accolade John Wooden didn't accomplish or receive. Even more impressive in my eyes is he never made more than $35,000 a year salary including 1975, the year he won his 10th national championship and he never asked for a raise or expected one. According to his own writings, Wooden turned down an offer to coach the Los Angeles Lakers from owner Jack Kent Cooke that may have been ten times what UCLA was paying him. Money simply wasn't important to him, life lessons and faith were.

From everything I have read, as impressive as his resume is regarding the game of basketball, its equally as impressive off the court. John grew up in a family of five, three brothers and two sisters(both who tragically passed at a very early age). He met his wife Nellie at a carnival in July 1926 and they married 6 years later in a small ceremony in Indianapolis. John and Nellie had two children, James and Nancy. They stayed devoted to each other for 53 years before Nellie passed away from cancer on March 21st, 1985. Even after her passing Wooden remained completely devoted to Nellie, until Wooden's own death. Since her death, John kept to a monthly ritual on the 21st, he visited her grave, and then wrote a love letter to her. After completing the letter, he placed it in an envelope and added it to a stack of similar letters that accumulated over the years on the pillow she slept on during their life together. In mourning Nellie's death, Wooden was comforted by his faith and looked to god for answers and tranquility. John was a Christian for years upon years and he made it known his beliefs were more important to him than basketball. He is quoted as saying, "I have always tried to make it clear that basketball is not the ultimate. It is of small importance in comparison to the total life we live. There is only one kind of life that truly wins, and that is the one that places faith in the hands of the Savior." Wooden's faith definitely influenced his life. He read the Bible daily and attended church daily. He often said that he hopes his faith is apparent to others, "If I were ever prosecuted for my religion, I truly hope there would be enough evidence to convict me."

This faith and knowledge transferred over to the basketball world. Mr. Wooden has compiled "life lessons" that have become legendary, here are couple of my personal favorite. "Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are." "Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be." Lastly,"Never mistake activity for achievement." These are the type of lessons and principles he instilled in his players and anyone he came in touch with. He wanted to not only be a basketball coach and maintain a winning program, but to sustain a positive growth and learning environment for the young men he considered his "sons". It was more important to John to see his players succeed off the court and build character to that will last them forever, then to win on the court. Maybe that's why his teams always won so many games because his players were mature, had character and played for each other and the good of the team, not for individual achievements. He preached hardwork, commitment and teamwork. He would often remind his players that you should never be afraid to fail, its not putting in maximum effort and taking risks that is the greatest failure of all.

I was born in June of 1982, so I never had the privilege of watching Mr. Wooden play basketball or coach and mentor his young college athletes. I never had the opportunity to see him stalk the sidelines and get the full effect of why he was nicknamed the "wizard of westwood." I was an athlete growing up, still play sports to this day and have followed sports thoroughly almost my entire life. I have seen many coaches in every sport come and go and to me Mr. Wooden stands out head and shoulders above the rest. He should be a benchmark for current and future coaches to follow and a playbook on how to tutor young college athletes who often lose their way in life. So thank you Mr. Wooden for not only being a great basketball coach and true ambassador of the game, but for putting life and character first. For instilling principles and life lessons in young athletes that is completely lost today in the world of sports today. You are the true definition of a leader and will never be forgotten. I'm just sad I was never alive to see it.

History in the making..

So I'm sitting at my desk at work and I get a phone call from a close buddy around 4:45, he proceeds to tell me he has two tickets to the Tigers game tonight and wanted to know if I wanted to go with him. Now keep in mind, this is the same buddy I'm am training with for the Triathlon and we have planned on getting a solid session at the gym tonight, swim, run, lift, the works. So I ponder his offer and say to him, "if we wanna be ready for this come August, we need to make sacrifices." He calmly replies "your right, lets get it done tonight." Now normally that's the complete opposite for both of us, as avid Detroit sports fans, we would normally say, screw the workout and lets go to this Tigers game and enjoy ourselves like gentleman, but not tonight. We are determined to stay on my training schedule and kick some A$$ in this Tri. Good for us right?!

As we walk out of the gym sipping our usual J.Rob(protein shake) bullshitting and patting ourselves on the back for having such a good work out, I reach for my blackberry and notice I have an unusual amount of text messages and missed phone calls. Now listen, I know I'm a popular guy and all but 173 texts and 49 missed calls in 2 hours is a bit above average. Kidding of course, but after checking a couple texts I look at my buddy (who prefers to remain nameless) and I say, we gotta get to the car, ASAFP! I tell him Armando is perfect through 7 innings and he just gives me this look that says it all. We rush to the car and put on 97.1 the ticket immediately. Both listening very intently we look at each and we don't need to utter a word, we are both already thinking it..Why in gods name are we not there right now?!

As we listen to Armando go perfect through 8, we still don't say much, as if to not let Galaragga hear us, we don't want to be the reason for something bad happening. As they come out for the 9th, we are both gitty about the possibility of Armando becoming the first pitcher in Tigers history to throw a perfect game, 1st EVER. As he starts off the 9th against Mark Grudzielanek, Armando hangs a fastball over the plate and Mark pounds it to deep left center. As we both listen to the call on the radio holding our breath, the announcer belts "Jackson, tracking to deep center, at the warning track, HE GOT IT! CAUGHT! CAUGHT!" What we would eventually see later that night was the recently acquired rookie phenom CF Austin Jackson make one of the better catches you will see in baseball. Which sadly will go overlooked in many circles after what is about to transpire, 1 down. Next up is Mike Redmond, ground out, 2 down. So here it is, the stage is set, 26 up, 26 down. Galaragga is only one out away from making history. Only 3 strikes from doing something only 20 other pitchers have done in major league baseball history and a feat that has never been accomplished while wearing the legendary old english D. Jason Donald comes to the plate, my buddy and I listening so intently and looking at each other with sheer excitement inside..."Galaragga delivers, Donald swings its a ground ball towards first, Cabrera over to make the play, Galaragga covering the throw is on time, he's Oooouuu SAFE!! OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG" the announcer continues to say. My buddy look at each other in total disbelief, this can't be happening. My phone proceeds to ring from a handful of my closest friends, some local, some from out of town, but all with one thing in common, die hard Detroit sports faithful. "Did you just see that they ask, that was the worst call I have ever seen." "I can't believe that just happened" one friend repeats. "what an absolute joke!" As we look at each other in disbelief still with with out vision of what just transpired, I can hardly wait to get home. "wait till you see the replays, your going to flip out" one friend says. He was right, when I saw the replays I was absolutely outraged. I couldn't believe what my eyes were seeing. I was actually lucky enough to catch the entire 9th inning replayed live and had chills the entire time up until the end when my stomach hit the floor. I can't remember the last time I felt so genuinely bad for an athlete. He had something so pure and sacred stolen from him right in front of his eyes, with total unjust. I proceeded to rant to my father, "Ref's ruin everything, this happens so damn much in sports and im sick of it!" I continue to complain about, "why doesn't baseball have instant replay at a broader scale, this is total bullshit!" As I sat there and continued to watch coverage and put myself through agony, several things started running through my mind. Such as, I could of been at this game and witnessed this entire chain of event's live. I also thought to myself, wow Armando is really showing maturity and grace after being robbed blind of such a historic feat. As I walked around my house and thought about everything that had just transpired in more depth, I came to this conclusion. I didn't witness a travesty and I didn't just miss out on an opportunity to a game that will be remembered for ages. I just witnessed the 28 year old Armando Galaragga of my hometown Detroit Tigers pitch the first 28 out perfect game in Major league baseball history. All in completely thrilling and suspenseful manor.

So congratulations to you Mr. Galaragga. On this overcast Wednesday in early June I will always remember you as perfect, not only by your play on the mound but also because of the professionalism and class you exude.

A Collective Sigh

I don't think many sports fans in Detroit truly thought Nick Lidstrom was really going to retire or anyone in the Red Wings' front office for that matter, but make no mistake there was a huge collective sigh of relief that swept across all of Detroit when reports released that Nick Lidstrom had signed a 1 year deal for $6.2 million to return next season. The longtime great Red Wings GM Ken Holland said it best, "I am thrilled, absolutely thrilled." We all hear you Ken, I think the entire state of Michigan is. Losing the great number 5 to retirement this year would of not only hurt us obviously on the ice, where Lidstrom was a +22 this past year and we have made the playoffs all 18 seasons he has played, but one other essential ingredient, leadership. Even at age 40 he is one of the best two way defenseman in the league and a player everyone on the ice looks up and looks to for answeres when things aren't always going right. Nick brings a certain aura of invincibility to not only a hockey team, but Detroit hockey fans. He gives everyone on the ice with him and fans watching the games a level of comfortability that can't be described nor be replaced. Its not very often you have the privilege of watching or playing alongside a 4 time Stanley cup champion and 6 time Norris Trophy winner. That's what us privileged Detroit Red Wings fans have grown to cherish and love with all our hearts. Had Nick the great retired this year, it would have not only ended an era that none of us wanted to see or admit would end, but also any legitimate shot the Red Wings had of making it back to the Stanley Cup Finals next year. He is simply irreplaceable, period. Here's to you Nick, thanks for coming back, if even for only one more year.

The King of what?!

Now I know the Cavs have been eliminated from the playoffs for weeks now, but every time I turn on ESPN, Lebron James is still in the headlines regarding his pending free agency. I cant even visit any of my favorite sports websites without it being a main story, will he stay or will he go? For me, July 1st can't get here soon enough. It's not so much the constant coverage that bothers me, although I do think its extremely excessive considering the other gold medal winning superstar free agents available in this years class(Wade,Bosh,Johnson,Amare,etc). What really bothers me, what really gets under my skin, is Lebron's nickname. For the past 7 years I have heard Lebron James being called nicknames such as "Bron Bron","the chosen one" and most notably the one that has stuck, "The King" or "King James". "The King", lets think about what that really means? Now to me, when you use the word "King", that refers to someone who is a complete ruler of their kingdom, a master of all his domain so to speak. So that brings up the question, what exactly does Lebron rule? The regular season, dance contests, getting dunked on and trying tirelessly to hide the video from the media? Yes 55 win seasons and two MVP's are nice, but should the most valuable player in the league be dancing around before and during games in such a bush league manor that makes you feel embarrassed for him? You'd have a better chance of Bo schembechler rooting for OSU football in his after life than seeing MJ, Kobe or Bird pull such ridiculous and disrespectful antics. This unjustly appointed king has showed us nothing other than continuous early exits in the playoffs and poor leadership abilities. Yes he made the finals in 2008, but a 4 game sweep hardly even counts as an appearance. To me, Lebron is the king of giving up on his team and if he leaves Cleveland, his hometown. A hometown that has done nothing but stand by him 100% and give him everything has, now it seems he is ready to turn his back on them just like he did his teamates after losing game 5 to the celtics. Don't get me wrong here, Lebron James is definitely the most talented player in the league and the sky is the limit for this guy. He is a freak of nature with all the basketball ability in the world, but what he needs to realize is there is more to the game of basketball than just highlight reel dunks and Nike commercials. You don't win championships on talent alone, just ask guys like Larry Bird or Karl Malone and John Stockton. Top 50 players of all time from both ends of the spectrum of winning it all and coming oh so painfully close time and again. Talent can take you a long way but that road eventually reaches a dead end, as it has year after year for Lebron James the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now they say "we are all witnesses", but all we have witnessed from lebron is a grown man acting selfishly and not take responsibility for his team underachieving. At this point LBJ should feel privilege to be referred to as a prince because he has a long way to go before he can become a King. Am I saying Lebron will never win a championship, no I'm not, but in my opinion he is taking steps backwards, not forwards.

Rivalry Revisited

The 2010 NBA finals is just two days away. It's not only a classic rivalry revisited, but a rematch from just two years ago when a hungrier more physical Boston team took it too a soft and intimidated Lakers team. I don't see that happening this time around. Make no mistake, the lakers want revenge and Kobe is thirsty to firmly cement his label as the greatest laker to ever play the game and top 5 players of all time. The Celtics are banged up and have come off two very tough, physical and emotionally draining series. Even though both teams have played the same amount of games in the playoffs, the Lakers just seemed to do it with more ease vs less physical opponents out West. Some might argue that Bostons Physicality will bother the Lakers, I say Boston runs out of gas, the Lakers supporting cast outplays Boston's and Kobe "the assassin" Bryant takes over...This one could get nasty, the Lake Show in 6..

Roger that..

Roger Federer was bounced today from the quarterfinals of the 2010 French Open by fellow Swed Robin Soderling (pictured above). This is Roger's earliest exit from a grand slam in 23 events dating back too 2004! Some experts predicted it would be this tournament, considering his average form of late and clay being his weakest surface, if there is such a thing for him. With Wimbledon right around the corner, It will be very interesting to see how the Swiss Prince bounces back. Considering his total dominance at the All England Lawn Tennis club over the past 6 years, I have a hunch you will see him making a very deep run as usual. Then again, could this be the start of his demise, everyones run at the top is bound to end sooner or later. Even, with that being said, if I was a betting man, come late June 21st I wouldn't bet against him.

A's Barton stealing signs?!

So the Tigers had a hunch that the A's Daric Barton was stealing signs during their series loss this weekend at Comerica Park. However, they couldnt quite pinpoint their reasoning, I thought this might be some strong evidence to bring to the table...Maybe this explains why the the A's won the series 3-1, well that or some HORRENDUS Tigers pitching, I will leave it up to you do decide..

US Soccer lands in South Africa

As an avid soccer fan and player for over 25 years, I am down right gitty about the start of WC 2010. I cant remember the last time there was so much expectation around the US national team. Bob Bradley has assembled a diverse team of both experience and talent and I love the late additions of Torres and Findley. People will underestimate the loss of Charlie Davies, who in my opinion was the best striker we had on the team, especially playing next to his close friend Josie Altidore. Having Onyewu healthy would also give me much more optimism in this years tournament, but his presence and experience should still help the back line stand just strong enough to help them get out of the group. Tim Howard is an absolute beast in net and his leadership and experience in the EPL will go a long way. Dempsey also had a strong year in the EPL and Donavon's 2 month loan at Everton worked out much better than anyone could of dreamed of. Could this team build off their strong confederations cup and make another run to the quarterfinals ala the 2002 bunch, only time will tell. What I do know is, I will be tuned into every minute of every game, one game can change everything.

Ah, to be a professional soccer player..

Adidas recently revealed its new soccer ball name "Jabulani" meaning "to celebrate" just in time for WC 2010 in South Africa. Initial reaction to the ball from many of the worlds top international players has been very negative, citing the ball as a disaster and something that would be sold at your local supermarket. Now I don't know about any of you, but if I was coming home to something like this every night
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/1004/soccer.wags/content.1.html, I wouldn't give a shit if the soccer ball I was playing with was made out of cement or a frigging ball of glue. Boy, these professional footballers sure have it rough!! So with that being said, you can find me working on my juggling in the back yard daydreaming of my future supermodel wife.

Scherzer slings a Gemmm

Just weeks after getting demoted to the minors, the 25 year old Max Scherzer returnes with a vengeance to retire 14 batters in just 5 and 2/3's innings, becomming the first Tigers pitcher with at least 14K's since Jeremy Bonderman did it in 2004. Welcome back mad Max, we all know the Tigers rotation could use it. Now if you could just get the rest of the staff (verlander withstanding) to pull their heads out of their asses, we might have a real shot this year.