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.