CHAMPS

Love affair? Of course! The nature of baseball is a grind out, invested, down right dirty battle. The love a fan has for the team is created in early spring and matriculates for over 6 months - many of us can’t even hold relationships that long. One of the reasons our sports is so beloved is the fact that we live and die for the team - feel their pain, share their joy, and yes - fall in love.

Team of Destiny? I can’t remember the last time a World Series wasn't won by a team who was destined to win. More times than not, the best, most talented team does not win championships. It’s what makes sports, sports! The underdog always has and always will have a chance. Don’t get the words twisted here people...both the Rangers and Cardinals have tremendous talent, but there is no way anyone could have told me half way through the season or even at the start of the playoffs that the Cardinals would beat the Rangers to win the World Series.

Sports can be a wonderful story of bliss and happiness for some and a story of anguish and despair for others. Some may even say "torture." Congratulations to all of you St. Louis Cardinal fans out there who now own bragging-rights for an entire year and have memories for a lifetime!!

Are You Ready ?

It is definitely time for some in-your-face, smash mouth, Tim Tebow football! Whether you are a fan of Tebow or not, admit it – you’re ready. I’m not saying that he is the greatest thing since sliced bread; I am saying he HAS been a better option than Kyle Orton this entire season. His numbers might not be super impressive on paper, neither was Superbowl champion QB Trent Dilfers, but he is a winner. He hasn’t proven that at the NFL level, but he hasn’t gotten the chance. The people of Denver crave a little Tebow and I think it’s about time.

Do the players have alternatives?

Hey there, Steven A. Smith: where do you get off saying you don’t sit on one side or the other? How do you tell players to negotiate when according to you, they have no leverage? “Take it or leave it” is your best advice? You are bad mouthing the stars for staying out of the way of their representatives? Lawyers are better as negotiators; basketball stars are better at scoring points and blocking shots. Then, you tell Amare, Skip and others that they are asinine for trying to come up with alternatives…Agreed, the players have no leverage. This is exactly why it is an excellent idea for the players to create alternative options - to obtain leverage! There WILL probably be a big pay cut for many, but at least they are willing to stand up for their rights! A good old-fashioned revolution! I would love to see the reaction of David Stern if action was taken to start a new league - like watching a worm try to wiggle off a fishing hook.

Tamed Tiger....

Tiger shoots 73 in opening round of Fry's.com .... what?? yeah, Fry's.com is what I said. Bob Harig feels that this was a disappointing performance. Hmm, In my opinion, the disappointing part of this story is that he is even playing in this low grade event! Get your Bleep together Tiger. If your going to be shooting 73's, do it with some respect. We all know your not who you were. It wasn't disappointing for us to see a 73 on the card AGAIN, it was expected. Until you show a little confidence and swag stay at home and let a young talent have your spot. When you're ready to show Tiger again, let me know, I will be the first in line with the other millions to buy a ticket.

What Bob Harig had to say: http://espn.go.com/golf/story/_/id/7068719/tiger-woods-sluggish-start-fryscom-open

Batting Champ for the Ages

I am tired of hearing all of the flack that Reyes is receiving. Yes, he did take himself out of the game to solidify his best chance of winning a batting title. Guess what, HE WON! By doing so, forever placing himself in the record books as one of the game’s great hitters. Ok, so he took the easy way out.. and what’s your point?? He wasn’t heroic in his accomplishment? Is this what our society has turned toward? The highest success at the highest level isn’t good enough because it didn’t meet your personal dramatic expectations? Gimmie a break. The guy well surpassed the minimum at bats and had a tremendous season. If you want to make a change, talk to the commissioner about the rules.

Terry Collins nearly broke down during the press conference after the game and could only give his admiration for Reyes as well as the rest of his ball players for what he and his team asked from the players all year long. A professional athlete is probably the most demanding career that a person can choose. Let us remember that before we look at the bank accounts and before we start to reprimand them for achieving personal accolades- just because the way it was achieved doesn’t fit the mold of our all-mighty honorable selfless expectations. 

            FYI – for those of you who even try to bring up Ted Williams, PLEASE! Thanks for the lesson in history and thanks for trying to tie two moments together because of an anniversary date. Apples and oranges my friend. Hey William Rhoden, are you joking ? Championship moments, you have got to be kidding me, right?  Yeah Reyes could have played on, possibly moving his average up a couple of more points, to another forgettable number. Better yet, he could have made a great story for all you media hounds, a couple of K’s and watch Braun go 3-3 and take the title. Sweet, Reyes could have taken all of your honorable praise for not sitting, add a buck-fifty and get him self a cup of coffee.  Take your pretentious way of thinking a shove it people. Reyes is the champ, Good for him, and as “flip” would say, “they can’t never take that away.”