Category: sports

R2C2

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2008, Cole Hamels wins NLCS and World Series MVP honors by leading the Philadelphia Phillies to their first championship since 1980 after having a dominant season himself.

Roy Oswalt was the NLCS MVP in 2005, the year his Houston Astros won the pennant. This three time all star is a known respected work horse of a pitcher with a career 3.18 ERA and a 150-83 record. He’s only 33.

Roy “Doc” Halladay has been called arguably the greatest pitcher of the past decade by many because of his durability and his sinker. He threw only the 2nd no hitter in post season history in his first postseason game against the Reds combined with a perfect game this past May. The postseason went under the alias, “Doctober” from then until his team lost to the World Series bound Giants a six game NLCS.

Cliff Lee has been a journey man for since the 2009 campaign and has played for four different teams since then. Until the World Series, he hadn’t lost a post season game sporting a 7-0 record. His pin point control and vast array of devastating pitches has already given him a reputation as one of the greatest playoff pitchers of all time.

Could you imagine if these four hurlers were on the same team? They are.

In a rotation called R2C2 by the Philadelphia press, the team is projected to have the most dominant starting rotation in baseball since Atlanta Braves dynasty of the mid 90’s.

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An Ode to Ryan Giggs

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Ryan Giggs is a legend. Not only is he 37, but he is still able to play at the highest level in the EPL.

Today he signed a contract extension that will last through next season. Next year will be his 22nd season at Manchester United. Those 22 seasons have been full of awards on a personal and team level. At age 35, Giggs still managed to capture Player of the Year for the EPL.

He has been a leader for United, playing hard, physical and intelligent football. Giggs has taught players like David Beckham, the Neville brothers, Michael Carrick and many others.

I feel that Ryan Giggs is one of the most transformational players football has seen. He plays a style of soccer that involves much running, hard tackles while still playing an attacking game.

He is a Welsh hero and will be known as one of the greatest United players ever. I will not pretend that he is on the downhill slope, but he is still able to play football better than many players half his age.

Hopefully Giggs will follow Roy Keane and go into coaching, expanding his career in football that is already legendary. Ryan Giggs has inspired my football career and I am sure I am not alone. Thank you Giggsy for what you have done and what you continue to do.

All Stars

smackyjackjack1 Comment

With only 4 days left to vote, the NBA All Star Teams are coming together. Usually the most popular players get picked, but this year, I hope to see some of my picks on the team…

West

As one of the forwards I have to pick the amazing rookie sensation Blake Griffin. The toughness and raw power of the 21-year-old Clipper is too good to not make the team. With his strong defense and amazing dunk, Griffin will hopefully make to team.

Since I’m a Laker fan I have to go with Ron Artest for the second forward (sorry Durant). He may be the craziest player in the NBA, but Artest shows great heart. With great defensive and solid offensive skills, Artest definitely makes the team.

For the point guard I have to pick the toughest, most determined player in the NBA, Steve Nash. To me, Nash commands the most respect out of any player. That’s not just because of his skill, but because he wants to win.   In the last playoffs, Nash had his nose broken on a defensive play. What did he do? He pulled it back into place and kept playing.

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For the next guard, I pick Kobe. Do I have to explain?

The West team’s center? Andrew Bynum. With his imposing bulk, and skill, Bynum is the obvious choice. Bynum is easily the best center in the West, and maybe the league (maybe Noah. More on him later).

East

The obvious choice for one of the East’s forwards is Amare Stoudemire. This is the player that has single-handedly turned one of the worst teams in the East into a solid 5th place team.  With power and skill, Stoudemire is a great choice.

The next pick is a little strange because I refuse to pick anyone on the Heat (lookin’ at you Bosh). It’s weird too because I hated the 2000 Sacramento Kings, but I have to pick Hedo Turkoglu. The only reason I’m picking him is because I have a grudge against everyone else (“cough” Bosh”cough” Garnett “cough”). Having said that, he is a solid player.

The point guard for the East would have to be Derrick Rose. This player has shown prowess and ability since the start of his career.  He is on one of the up and rising teams, the Chicago Bulls. I hope they can get a ring before too soon. Just not this year because the Lakers have to get another 3-peat.

The next guard is the rookie John Wall. Not only has he mastered the fine art of Dougie-ing, but he can also play a good game of basketball. Sadly this player may not get the rookie of the year trophy because he is on one of the worst teams ever.

Saving the best for last, the East center would have to be Joakim Noah. Not only is he one of the best centers out there, but he makes everyone around him better.  This is the type of player that can be an asset to any team.

So that’s it. Hopefully Noah and Wall can make it on the team, because they are my favorites. Go Lakers.

Eredivisie

therightliberal4 Comments

Dutch football does not receive enough credit. After the trade rumors about Ryan Babel and Luis Suarez I decided that this blog needed to discuss the Dutch Eredivisie (the professional football league in the Netherlands).

The Eredivisie has never been competitive with leagues like the EPL or La Liga in the actual competition between teams. However, Eredivisie is by far the best league for the development of football players.

The Dutch style of training and development is true genius. Youth players do not play 11v11 until they are at least 15 years old. This means that youth get many more touches than if they were playing larger sided games like they do in most countries. The youth learn how to control a game, passing and moving and then are able to better translate that to a game with more players.

Dutch development also focuses on the football psychology of players more than any other country. They work to develop a strong understanding of all the variables in football, an understanding of the cause and effect relationships on the field. This allows for the players to be best suited for intelligent play and use their skills most effectively.

There is a reason that talented Brazilians, Portuguese, Spaniards and players from all around the world go to the Netherlands to develop their football skills. It is the Mecca of football development. Dutch football should get more credit for the great teaching they bring to football.

Favorite Players

smackyjackjackLeave a comment

If I had to pick my favorite team sport, that would be easy; it’s basketball. But if I had to pick my favorite athletes, that would be harder.  I have a lot of favorite athletes, but most of them are basketball players. Right now, I really like the Washington Wizards‘ point guard, John Wall.  John Wall is a rookie this year, but has all ready proven himself to be one of the better players in the NBA, and he can only get better. In just his second game in the NBA, he was one steal away from getting a triple  double. In my opinion, he deserves the rookie of the year trophy over Blake Griffin.

Switching to soccer, my favorite player is Carles Puyol. Puyol is an aggressive, long haired defender for Barcelona. He is most famous for his incident with the Queen of Spain in which he was unaware of the fact that she was in their locker room, and came out in his towel.  He is the best defender on any soccer team in the world.

But above all, my favorite player in any sport is Joakim Noah. Noah plays as the center for the Chicago Bulls. Noah may not have the most talent in the NBA, but he defenetly has the most heart. He will never give up until he can’t play anymore (which is what he has been doing recently due to an injury). 

Let the Battle Begin

shredicusmaximusLeave a comment

12/6/10 Monday Night Football. Two 9-2 teams faced each other. The New England Patriots and New York Jets were touted as two very talented and equally matched teams and the “game of the year” as referred to by the fans, was going to finally be underway. The game was billed to be a classic. Then, the football was snapped. The Patriots unleashed an almost spite driven and relentless destruction with a 45-3 shalacking in New England’s Foxboro Stadium.

Now it is the new year and on 1/16/11, the two teams will meet again in the post season. This time, the hype has been doubled. The rivalry between Patriots coach Bill Belichick and Jets coach Rex Ryan has intensified and with some fuel to the fire. With tape finding its way to the media revealing Rex Ryan’s private matters, Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker made as many comments referring to feet as he could in a pre game interview. Here are some more fun pre game offenses: Tom Brady, a sports villain/QB legend has annoyed the Jet’s bench by allegedly pointing to their bench after every score in an almost taunting manner. When asked about Tom Brady, Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie said “he’s an @$$hole, f#$k him. In response to Welker’s interview, Jet’s linebacker Bart Scott told the press that “Wes Welker will be lucky to make it through the whole game.”


For more, please visit http://bleacherreport.com/articles/573928-jets-vs-patriots-10-players-to-watch-in-sundays-afc-clash/page/1

The intensity has been felt by the entire country and football fans of all ages and allegiances. With the NY Jet’s “Superbowl or bust” mantra at stake as they enter the game as underdogs, the ratings for Sunday Football on FOX will be through the roof as we prepare ourselves for the ultimate football battle (short of the Superbowl) of the year. Countless debates have surfaced as to whether the Jets or Pats will win but until then, I’m going to start the countdown to Sunday fun. I personally am a New York Giant fan, so I have a sadistic joy of watching two teams I hate fight to the death. I can’t wait.

75 Winters of Shredding in Sun Valley

shredicusmaximusLeave a comment

It’s 2011 and with that, the 75th winter season is underway at Sun Valley Idaho’s world renowned ski resort, known to the locals as “Baldy.”

The walkway is adorned with the flags of other countries as you cross the bridge over the Snake River to the River Run Lodge. Ski rental shops and food stands stake ground here to welcome the skiiers and boarders to another winter of powder days and perfect corduroys. If you’re lucky, someone might pay you to use your lift ticket when you’re coming off the mountain.

Home to the steepest downhill slope in all of America, (the path is Ridge, Christmas Bowl, Cold Springs) Sun Valley Ski Resort lies right in the heart of Ketchum, a quiet Idaho town located deep within the mountains. Lindsey Vonn, and John Kennedy Jr. and Arnold Schwarzenegger have cruised the catwalks along the side of the mountain, Shawn White has graced the half pipe, and many olympic skiiers throughout the generations have flown down the groomers since the inaugural winter in 1936.

I have skiied on this mountain since 2000 and the lift tickets in my family’s ski closet display over a 20 year evolution of passes. I did my first 360 and rode my first double diamond on that mountain, I have eaten at the various lodges, got caught in a few blizzards, have skiied in the spring with a short sleeve t-shirt and have had some of the best times I’ve had at River Run. Happy Birthday Baldy, and many more to come. I’ll see you again in February.

For more information on this awesome place, please visit http://www.sunvalley.com/

Happy Shredding

Why I Love United

therightliberal2 Comments

Over the holidays Manchester United showed exactly why I love them. If one was to watch a Man U game without any knowledge of their current league position, they would easily think they were a mid-table team. But Manchester United, full of potential talent, always does just enough to get by.

Nani celeb Manchester United v Stoke

Now many people might wonder why I would appreciate this in a soccer team, for it sounds quite outlandish. Here is why: Manchester United keeps soccer interesting. They are that team in the Premier League that at any point can do something amazing. But at the same time they are right on the brink of total failure. There are games where their midfield has no control, their defence is full of holes and their strikers don’t even look interested in scoring. And then out of nowhere that all changes, they become a team that cannot be stopped.

To many fans this would come off as being inconsistent and lacking true talent. I will not deny that their play is inconsistent but the fact that fans never know what to expect is what makes it fun.

I love to watch Barcelona play because they almost always are making spectacular passes and moving the ball around in unfathomable ways. But the reason I love Man U is that I never know what to expect when I turn on my TV, every game is a new experience, there is no “been there, done that” type of soccer.

Michael Carrick gets treatment as Steven Gerrard prepares to see red

As inconsistent as the play may have been, Man U sits atop the Premier League. At this point it is theirs to lose. but whats great about that is they very well may lose it
(I cringe to imagine it) , and that is what keeps us watching.

To read about all of the latest Manchester United news go to: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/team/_/id/360/manchester-united?cc=5901

College Cup

therightliberalLeave a comment

I rarely talk about American football (soccer) but tomorrow is a big day and not may people know about it. In the States, college sports are a big deal. But college soccer (just so there is no misunderstanding) does not get the press it deserves. There is a lot of talent in the collegiate level in soccer.

The NCAA has had a very good competition going for the last 20 years. My father played  college soccer at UCSB and we often go to games together. The atmosphere is great, with fans throwing tortillas on the field to support their Gauchos. The level of play is very high, in both the men’s and women’s levels.

This Sunday the NCAA National Soccer Championship takes place at UCSB. I am fortunate enough to have a ticket and I look forward to seeing a great game between Akron and Louisville.

I hope that many people get a chance to watch the game which will be shown on ESPN. There will be much talent on the field. It will be a hard-fought game by two great teams. Hopefully college soccer will start to get more fans because it is a truly great competition.

Girls’ Soccer Team Earns First Win of the Season

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soccer
Yesterday, around 2:15, our girls soccer team headed down to the field to warm up for our first game of the season. We were all a little nervous to play against Thacher school, but once the game began, it became obvious that we would be victorious.

We started out with a goal in only the first five minutes of the game, and once that happened, out energy just shot through the roof. The entire game we defended well, and played great offense as a team. Despite the difficulties with the refs, the game went perfect.

We ended out the game with a score of five to zero and celebrated our victory together as a team while still being respectful to Thacher. We all high-fived each other and said “good game” and it was over. For the first game of the season, we far exceeded our own expectations and I can’t wait to see how the rest of our season unfolds, try to make it down to one of the games if you want to see for yourself!