Spark is Gone

Hall of Fame Cincinnati Reds & Detroit Tigers manager, George "Sparky" Anderson, passed away today at the age of 76. Anderson was the first manager in Major League Baseball history to win a World Series in each league and was sixth all-time in wins.

Anderson began his managerial career with the Reds in 1970 at the age of 36. He lead the Reds that year to the National League Pennant, with his team winning 102 games. The Reds swept the Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Championship Series, but lost in the World Series, to the Baltimore Orioles in five games. He lead the Big Red Machine to four National League Pennants and back-to-back World Series Championships in 1975 and 1976. He won 863 career games in nine seasons before being fired after the 1978 season. After a great career with the Reds, he moved on to the Detroit Tigers, where my generation remembers him best.

Anderson was hired in June of 1979 by the Tigers, replacing Les Moss. He guided Detroit to a 56-50 record after taking over mid-season. The Tigers finished 5th in a very tough American League East that year, with an overall record of 85-76. That '79 season marked the second full season of the great double play combination of Lou Whitaker & Alan Trammell, the first full season of Jack Morris and Dan Petry, and the debut of Kirk Gibson. After a solid second place finish in 1983 to the eventual World Champion Baltimore Orioles, 1984 turned into a magical year for the Tigers.


Sparky's Bless You Boys of 1984 (as the Tigers were nicknamed), started out 35-5, a mark that still stands as the best 40 game start to a season in MLB history. They lead the AL East wire-to-wire, finishing with a 104-58 record, which is the most wins for a season in franchise history. The Tigers went on to sweep the Kansas City Royals in the American League Championship Series and defeated the San Diego Padres in the World Series. It was the Tigers first World Championship since 1968. The Tigers won the American League East in 1987, but lost in the ALCS to the Minnesota Twins in five games. The Tigers finished no higher than 2nd place (1988, 1991) in his remaining years as their manager. After the strike year of 1994, and heading into the 1995 season, Anderson refused to manage replacement players in Spring Training. After the shortened '95 season, he retired. In his 17 seasons as the Tigers manager, he finished with a 1331-1248 won/loss record.

Anderson managed 26 years overall, compiling 2194 wins, and posting a winning percentage of .545. He won a total of five pennants and three World Championships. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000, by the Veteran's Committee. He was also known for making some outrageous statements when evaluating young talent, like calling Kirk Gibson the next Mickey Mantle or that little known Chris Pitaro would replace Lou Whitaker at second base. He was also given the moniker, Captain Hook, for his propensity to be quick in pulling pitchers. Sparky also was philanthropic, starting CATCH (Caring Athletes Teamed for Childrens and Henry Ford Hospitals) in 1987. It was a charity he was still active in through his retirement and the end of his life.


His big smile, and enthusiasm for the game of baseball will be sorely missed. The game has lost one of its' greatest ambassadors. Rest in peace Sparky Anderson, there will not be another like you ever again.

Giants Go Up 2-0 On Rangers

I'm really not surprised that the San Francisco Giants have taken a two games to none lead over the Texas Rangers in the 2010 World Series which began on Wednesday. What I am surprised about is the amount of runs they have scored, especially in Game 1 off of the seemingly unbeatable, Cliff Lee.

The Giants scored only 697 runs this year (9th in the National League) which was 16 runs fewer than the Arizona Diamondbacks who finished with 97 losses and 27 games behind San Francisco in the National League (NL) West Division. The win on their great pitching, lead by starters Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, and their lights out closer, Brian Wilson. They won so many agonizing, one run games that the Giants television announcers, Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow, dubbed their offense and they way they win, "Torture". With the way the Giants have crushed the Rangers in the first two games in San Francisco, the only torture anyone is feeling is the Rangers and their fans.

In Game 1, with the score tied at 2-2, the Giants broke the game wide open in the 5th inning by scoring 6 runs, 5 off of starter Lee, knocking him out of the game. The Giants added 3 more runs in the 8th inning and ended up winning 11-7. Lee suffered his first post season loss (9 starts, 7-0, 1-No Decision, before loss) which could also have served as a huge psychological let down to the Rangers.

Game 2 started off as a great pitching duel between the Rangers' C.J. Wilson and the Giants' Matt Cain. Cain hadn't allowed an earned run in three postseason starts in 14 1/3 innings going into the game. The game was scoreless until the 5th, when Edgar Renteria hit a high pitch deep into the left field stands to put the Giants up 1-0. The Giants added another run in the 7th on a walk to Cody Ross and an RBI single by Juan Uribe. In the 8th inning, the wheels fell off the wagon for the Rangers, as none of their pitchers could find the plate. Darren O'Day started the 8th inning pitching for the Rangers, and got two strikeouts (Andres Torres & Freddy Sanchez). Buster Posey singled and then lefty Derek Holland came in relief of O'Day to face Nick Schierholtz (who was a defensive replacement for Pat Burrell in the 7th). Holland walked Schierholtz on four straight pitches. He then walked Ross on four straight pitches as well to load the bases. After three straight balls to Aubrey Huff, Holland finally threw a strike, but ended up walking Huff on the very next pitch, forcing in a run. Holland was relieved by Mark Lowe who then walked Uribe to force in the 4th run of the inning. Renteria worked the count full, and then drove a pitch down the left field line, driving in two runs to put the Giants up 6-0. Lowe was then relieved by Michael Kirkman, who became the fourth pitcher of the inning for Texas. Aaron Rowand pinched-hit for Mark Fontenot (who was announced as a pinch-hitter but did not hit) and hit a triple to drive in two more runs. Torres came up for the second time in the inning, and doubled in a run. Finally, Kirkman was able to strike out Sanchez (2nd time he struck out in the inning) to put out the fire. The Rangers were retired quietly in the 9th (David Murphy walked, but was stranded on second). The Giants took Game 2, 9-0, and Cain increased his streak of not giving up and earned run to 21 1/3.

While the Rangers may be down, they are heading back home to Arlington for Game 3 on Saturday. I think this series will come down to the Giants and Rangers starters in Games 3 and 4. In Game 3, the Giants will start Jonathan Sanchez, who lead the NL in walks with 96. The Rangers will give the ball to Colby Lewis, who pitched the game of his career, leading the way to eliminating the Yankees in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series. Game 4's probables will be Madison Bumgarner for the Giants and Tommy Hunter for the Rangers. There is an outside possibility, Cliff Lee could pitch Game 4 on short rest, but Rangers manager Ron Washington indicated before the series that he had no intention of doing so.

I think if the Rangers can get a solid start out of Lewis and Sanchez struggles like he did against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series, the Rangers could take Game 3. Plus the Rangers have put up good offensive numbers at hitter friendly Rangers Ballpark at Arlington, which could give them an advantage as well. Game 4 will be interesting if both Bumgarner and Hunter face each other. Both are young pitchers who have very little experience. If the Rangers do take Game 3, it would make Game 4 that more pivotal, and whatever one of these youngsters handles the big stage better, could change the course of the series for their team.

In case you haven't heard by now, the Texas Rangers have never been to the World Series in their franchise history (1961-present) and the San Francisco Giants have never won a title since moving to San Francisco, from New York, back in 1958. Whoever wins, it will mean so much for their respective cities as both have been starving for a Major League Baseball World Championship for more than 50 years.

Game 3 is set for Saturday. First pitch will be at 6:57pm, on Fox.

Outcry over Jeter Play Ridiculous

The media is making a big deal about Derek Jeter acting like he got hit by a pitch and "fooling" the umpire last night in the New York Yankees - Tampa Bay Rays game last night. They are calling him a cheater and charging him with poor sportsmanship. This is ridiculous and I couldn't disagree more.

In a sport that has officials, an athlete has no obligation to tell an umpire or an official if they have made the wrong call or not. For example, in the Cleveland Indians - Detroit Tigers game earlier this year when the Tigers' pitcher Armando Galarraga beat the Indians Jason Donald to the bag and was ruled safe and ruining his Perfect Game, you didn't hear ANYONE get on Donald for not admitting to the umpire that he was actually out. Jeter's job is to get on base any way he can. If it meant acting a little to sway the umpire into making a call, then you do it. Every professional athlete has made some attempt in their careers to deceive an umpire or an official, that's the way it is. It's not unsportsmanlike, it's part of the game. It would be different if they were playing an individualized sport where policing yourselves is the right thing to do. Team sports is not like that and there is no place for athletes to correct officials & umpires calls, it's simply not their job and they should not be expected to do it.

Brett Favre Please Just Retire

Brett Favre has done it again...No, not thrown another TD pass or interception. No, not scrambling around the field, avoiding tacklers, and firing a ball to a receiver for a first down. No, what I'm talking about is Favre has reportedly, according to good old text messaging to his Minnesota Viking teammates of last year, said that he is going to retire...for the THIRD time. No other sport, besides maybe boxing, has seen a single athlete announce he's retiring and then coming back, more often than Favre. He is either a guy who cannot stick with a decision, or he just likes the attention he brings to himself around this time every year.

It's obvious that he doesn't want to be part of training camp. A veteran like he is, doesn't need a long training camp and I can understand that. What I don't like is the fact that he holds his team hostage every year by not making a decision until the last minute. Just last year, on July 28, Favre said he was retiring only to comeback in late August. Granted he had probably the best year of his 19-year NFL career, but the way he goes about things is not fair to the team he is playing on and their fans.

I have nothing but respect for what Favre has done on the field. He has established himself as the most prolific passer in the history of the National Football League. His passion for the game is evident just by watching him play. He is a Hall of Famer. What he also seems to be is a guy who is either so oblivious to the effects of his decision on others or is so arrogant that he expects teams to wait around for him or wants them to come crawling to him and get on their hands and knees and beg him to comeback. It's sickening to me. What's even worse, ESPN is doing a special dedicated to his retirement...again. I truly think most of ESPN's talent is synical about if this is truly the end of his career. ESPN's brass, however, are airing a special knowing it will draw ratings, whether you hate Favre or not, people are watching. Just like when they aired Lebron James self-indulging special, "The Decision", last month.

I think Favre has tainted his Hall of Fame career by the way he has handled his off seasons. I think it's a shame that what he may be known for most, especially if he decides to comeback again this year, is waffling on retiring, instead of all the records he's set and the way he played the game on the field. I truly hope this retirement is the final chapter to a storied career. I suspect he will be back again at the end of August, further tarnishing a great career.

Soccer: Stop the Diving!!!

I am not a huge Soccer fan by any stretch of the imagination. I respect the sport because it is the most popular sport in the world and it does have a certain element of gracefulness and beauty when it is played at the highest level. What turns me off the most about the game is the diving the players do. These players are supposed to be world class athletes and the World Cup is their biggest stage. To see these players barely get hit and go down like they've been shot by a firing squad, roll around in what looks like severe pain, then get up moments later like nothing happened is a disgrace and embarrassment to the sport, in my opinion. I have a hard time respecting any athlete that does that. If you get slid into, or knocked down, get back up and keep playing. I have not seen too many instances in this World Cup where a player has gotten severely injured. In the United States-Ghana game today, a few Ghana players went down and stayed down, especially in Extra Time, to milk the clock. These guys were not hurt at all. The referee did very little to speed up the game or call any of the players for diving.

If Soccer is going to get me to be a regular fan, these athletes are going to have to act like men and suck it up out there on the pitch. They need to stop acting like they are out there looking for an Academy Award nomination instead of playing for the sports most prestigious trophy, the World Cup. I admit though, I could be missing something, maybe it's my ignorance of the sport that doesn't give me the understanding as to why they dive like that. Regardless if that's the case or not, for these athletes to earn my respect and my interest in their sport, they are going to have to act like athletes and not actors. Soccer can be a very beautiful and graceful sport to watch, but there is nothing graceful about grown men falling in fake agony trying to get calls. That, in my opinion, is something Soccer officials need to take care of before the next World Cup.

Soccer Dives

Wednesday, June 23, 2010...One Crazy Day!

Today is one of those crazy days that doesn't happen too often. The USA Soccer team scores in stoppage time to avoid elimination...Two Men's Tennis players at Wimbledon played an epic 10 hour match over two days (that is still not over with yet)...Stephen Strasburg has another big game but loses on a bad call at the plate...A Hall of Fame Football player is indicted on rape charges...And to top it all off, a tremor felt in part of Michigan. This is definitely a crazy day...


USA Soccer's Dramatic Win



PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - Team USA went into the last game of group play needing a win to get into the elimination round of the World Cup. If they lost, they were done, but if they played to a draw, they needed a few different scenarios to happen in order to advance. USA took on Algeria as England played Slovenia at the same time. England went up on Slovenia 1-0 in the 22nd minute of the game. At this point the US needed a win to advance, as a draw would not be enough. The US had several scoring chances against Algeria. In the 21st minute, Clint Dempsey, appeared to knock in a goal, however, the referee ruled him off-sides, nullifying the goal. Replays showed that the call was probably wrong. After a few more great scoring opportunities throughout the match, it appeared that the US was going to get another tough draw. Then, miraculously, in the 91st minute, almost a minute into stoppage time, USA soccer's best player, Landon Donovan, took a rebound off the goalkeeper and put the ball home from 7 feet away to give the US an improbable 1-0 lead and win. This was the first time the US has won their group in the World Cup since 1930. What a great day for USA Soccer and its' fans.

Epic Wimbledon Match That Won't End


WIMBLEDON, ENGLAND - Tennis has been played at Wimbledon since 1877. It has never seen a match like the one between American John Isner and France's Nicolas Mahut. They started their match on Tuesday night but was called after 4 sets and 2 hours, 54 minutes, due to darkness. They resumed play on Wednesday in the 5th Set. Over 7 hours, and 118 games later, the match was called again due to darkness. They have played 163 games total, so far, in all 5 sets, which is a record. Their almost 10 total hours of play, is about 3 1/2 hours more than the previous record that was set at the 2004 French Open. Compare this match to the length of the Major League Baseball game that was played on May 9, 1982. It was played between the Milwaukee Brewers & Chicago White Sox and went 25 innings, taking a mere 8 hours, 6 minutes (with the White Sox winning the game). Isner & Mahut will resume their match on Thursday. How much longer will it go? Stay tuned...

Strasburg Takes Tough Loss


WASHINGTON, DC - Washington Nationals rookie phenom, Stephen Strasburg, took the mound for his fourth Major League start against the Kansas City Royals earlier today. Strasburg impressed everyone again, going 6 innings, allowing 9 hits and 1 run while striking out 9 and walking none. His 9 strike outs gave him a total of 41 in his first four starts which breaks the previous record set by Cleveland's Herb Score (40 Ks) in 1955. The Royals scored their run on an RBI single by Jose Guillen in the 5th inning. The Nationals had an opportunity to score in the 6th inning. Roger Bernadina tried to score on an Adam Dunn single to right, but was thrown out by Jose Guillen. Replays clearly showed Bernadina's foot touching the plate before catcher Jason Kendall tagged him, but Home Plate Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt called him out. Despite Strasburg taking his first loss of his career, he still is showing that he can pitch in the big leagues, and pitch well. He has lived up to all the hype so far, but the true test will be when teams face him for a second time. We'll have to wait and see if he can stay dominant...

Hall of Fame Football Player Indicted


ROCKFORD COUNTY, NY - NFL Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor was indicted today on third-degree rape charges, patronizing a prostitute, among others. Taylor has had problems with the law before, mostly having to do with drugs. Over the past few years, he seemed to have gotten his life back on track appearing on ABC's Dancing With the Stars and was an endorser for NutriSystem. Taylor is a 10-Time Pro Bowler as well as an NFL MVP and three time Defensive Player of the Year. He was arrested on May 6th at the Holiday Inn in Ramapo, NY. He scheduled to be in court again on July 13.


Minor Earthquake in Midwest

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a 5.0 Earthquake hit the Ontario-Quebec border region on Wednesday afternoon. The shaking could be felt in portions of Michigan, with reports in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Saginaw, and numerous other areas in the state. Obviously this isn't sports related, but this just caps off what was one crazy day!

A Retirement, Passing of a Legend, and a Historic Hitting Streak

Below is a recap of some of the top stories of this past week...


A RETIREMENT

Ken Griffey, Jr, the greatest center fielder of my generation, announced his retirement on Wednesday, June 2. He was only batting only .184 with no homeruns and seven runs batted in, in 33 games this season. Despite his struggles this season, Griffey left the game as one of the greatest players in the history of the game and a first ballot Hall of Famer. His sweet swing produced 630 career homeruns which ranks him fifth on the all-time list. He also won 10 Gold Glove Awards which ranks him second behind Willie Mays and Roberto Clemente (12 apiece) for the most ever by an outfielder in their career. He also made the All-Century team at the age of 29. His youthful enthusiasm for the game, his sweet swing, and his great defense will all be missed. He was my favorite player growing up, as well as the favorite of so many during his era. We were truly blessed to have seen such a talent during our lifetime.

A Passing of a Legend

John Wooden, 99, passed away on Friday, June 4th. Wooden was the Head Men's Basketball Coach at UCLA from 1948-1975. He won 10 National Championships (including 7 in a row from 1966-1973), won 620 career games, 38 game NCAA Tournament winning streak (1964-1974) and lead his team to an 88-game winning streak from 1971-1974. He also coached some of the greatest players in basketball history. What he will probably be remembered for most, from my era, was not for his coaching (since he retired from coaching 3 years before I was born) but his motivational books and pyramid of success. He wrote several books which were not really about basketball, but more about life. His quotes are legendary, "Be quick, but don't hurry", "Failing to prepare, is preparing to fail", and "Flexibility is the key to stability". There are many, many more as well. He was a true master of the spoken and written word. Another big part of his life, was the love affair he maintained with his wife Nell, after her death in 1985. She passed away on March 21st of that year. On the 21st of every month, from then until his passing, he wrote her a love letter. He placed it in an envelope and then on the pillow that she used to sleep on. He never remarried and was still very much in love with her until the day he died. It is a remarkable story of love and faith and one we should all learn about. Now that he has left us, he is now in heaven with her, and truly a happy man to be reunited with the love of his life, both in this life and beyond.



A Historic Hitting Streak

Before the last couple of weeks, no one had heard of Florida International's (FIU) Garrett Wittels and chances are, you still may not know him. He is a baseball player for FIU and yesterday tied Joe DiMaggio's (yes, that Joe DiMaggio) 56-game hitting streak. Having a hit in that many games in a row is an amazing feat. No one in the Major Leagues has even approached DiMaggio. Wittels needs a hit in his next two games to tie the all-time record at any level. Robin Ventura hit in 58 straight games in 1987 while at college at Oklahoma State. Wittels will be waiting months just to get his next at-bat. His FIU team was eliminated from the NCAA Coral Gables Regional by Dartmouth, 15-9. In that game, Wittels hit a double in his first at-bat to extend the streak, and added two more hits, including a single in his last at-bat of the season. Having to wait about eight months for his next at-bat will make it interesting as to whether or not he can extend hist streak and break Ventura's record. All I know is, that I will be watching and hoping the long layoff will not affect Wittel's and he can break the record that's stood for 23 years.