What a couple of days for Major League Baseball and its All Stars! First off, the great Josh Hamilton endeared fans nationwide with his terrific story of overcoming addiction to drugs and alcohol to end up blasting 28 homers in ROUND 1 of the Home Run Derby. Then we're treated to one of the greatest All Star Games ever, with the AL winning in the bottom of the 15th on a sac fly that ended with Minnesota Twin Justin Morneau sliding beneath the tag of NL catcher Brian Mcanns. No better to end a classic game that lasted over 4 hours.
As I watched both events unfold Monday and Tuesday night, I couldn't help but think how far the sport has come in the past year. It seems like ages ago that Barry Bonds homered in San Francisco to pass Hank Aaron as the Home Run King. Roger Clemens' ongoing saga with steriods and Brian McNamee has drifted off into the world of "who cares". It appears that MLB and its fans may have finally turned the corner on the embarrassment that was the steriod era. The stars in New York this weekend were young, hungry, and upstart players, unlittered by performance enhancers and filled with enthusiasm for the game they are blessed to play. If MLB can continue this trend and push its fresh face on fans through October, it wouldn't be crazy to guess that media and fans alike will soon forget the blemishes Bud Selig and the rest of MLB slapped onto America's pasttime over the last decade.
I, for one, would be ecstatic.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
One more - honestly.
I know, it's not sports related. But check this story out, and I promise I'll go on a rampage about Brett Favre as soon as possible.
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/SuperModels/WhyWallStreetIsScaredOfObama.aspx?page=2
This article speaks in financial terms about the risks associated with electing Senator Obama President. In short, his tax plans to raise the taxes against the rich will hamper the large companies and businesses ability to continue to produce. In a market full of waning consumer confidence, falling stocks, and a housing market in the toilet, I don't think discouraging those with the ability to build jobs and industry should burden a larger financial blow.
Let's cut the politico speak for a minute. In this country, there are certain people willing to work harder to become uber-successful. I'm not talking about a well paying job, home, and family. ANYONE, and I believe this, ANYONE can make it to the middle class.
However, not ANYONE can work hard and make it to the top 10% earners in America. This is not because we have ceilings protecting the wealthiest people from us "peasants". The reality is, sorry liberals, some people are just plain SMART. They use those smarts to become lawyers, doctors, business owners. The take incredible risks, either with 6 digit student loan debts, or by gambling their life savings on an idea for an emerging business. They invest wisely, but again with risk, not assuming their company's 401(k) and Social Security will be enough for them to retire with. They are not brain washed by a media determined to convince Americans that this government ought to take care of their every need. The article pulls this as a quote, which I think many outsiders might find interesting:
It's also concern that Obama's tax plans would make the federal government even more reliant on relatively few high-income people to pay most U.S. taxes -- and thereby provide less incentive for business owners to augment their wealth by growing their companies.
Strangely enough, government statistics show that the U.S. tax system is already evolving into one in which a majority of Americans pay little or nothing. Between 1999 and 2006, evidence suggests that the number of tax filers who had no income tax liability after taking advantage of credits and deductions grew to nearly 44 million, according to the Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan think tank in Washington, D.C., and Duke University law professor Lawrence Zelenak.
Did you catch that? Some 44 million people in this country use credits and deductions to pay NO TAXES. Do you think that one, just one!, of those people is whom Obama's liberal tax policy is targeting to help burden the load of his leftist agenda? NO! He wants to attack the pocketbook of the people already paying close to 40% of their income in taxes, so the people stupid enough to believe his crap will be able to free load another year without paying a DIME!
I'm not opposed to taxes. In fact, in today's world, they are necessary. There are people who need help in our society, and certain things our government should provide. A liberal leader hell bent on creating a tax system even more unjustifiably unfair than the currnt one is NOT one of those things.
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/SuperModels/WhyWallStreetIsScaredOfObama.aspx?page=2
This article speaks in financial terms about the risks associated with electing Senator Obama President. In short, his tax plans to raise the taxes against the rich will hamper the large companies and businesses ability to continue to produce. In a market full of waning consumer confidence, falling stocks, and a housing market in the toilet, I don't think discouraging those with the ability to build jobs and industry should burden a larger financial blow.
Let's cut the politico speak for a minute. In this country, there are certain people willing to work harder to become uber-successful. I'm not talking about a well paying job, home, and family. ANYONE, and I believe this, ANYONE can make it to the middle class.
However, not ANYONE can work hard and make it to the top 10% earners in America. This is not because we have ceilings protecting the wealthiest people from us "peasants". The reality is, sorry liberals, some people are just plain SMART. They use those smarts to become lawyers, doctors, business owners. The take incredible risks, either with 6 digit student loan debts, or by gambling their life savings on an idea for an emerging business. They invest wisely, but again with risk, not assuming their company's 401(k) and Social Security will be enough for them to retire with. They are not brain washed by a media determined to convince Americans that this government ought to take care of their every need. The article pulls this as a quote, which I think many outsiders might find interesting:
It's also concern that Obama's tax plans would make the federal government even more reliant on relatively few high-income people to pay most U.S. taxes -- and thereby provide less incentive for business owners to augment their wealth by growing their companies.
Strangely enough, government statistics show that the U.S. tax system is already evolving into one in which a majority of Americans pay little or nothing. Between 1999 and 2006, evidence suggests that the number of tax filers who had no income tax liability after taking advantage of credits and deductions grew to nearly 44 million, according to the Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan think tank in Washington, D.C., and Duke University law professor Lawrence Zelenak.
Did you catch that? Some 44 million people in this country use credits and deductions to pay NO TAXES. Do you think that one, just one!, of those people is whom Obama's liberal tax policy is targeting to help burden the load of his leftist agenda? NO! He wants to attack the pocketbook of the people already paying close to 40% of their income in taxes, so the people stupid enough to believe his crap will be able to free load another year without paying a DIME!
I'm not opposed to taxes. In fact, in today's world, they are necessary. There are people who need help in our society, and certain things our government should provide. A liberal leader hell bent on creating a tax system even more unjustifiably unfair than the currnt one is NOT one of those things.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Veering away from Sports for a minute
At the risk of being to politically driven, it would do some of you a bit of good to peruse the following 2 items: 1) The photo to above here from May of this year, shortly after closing down Hillary's bid.
And 2) http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,299439,00.html - a story from late 2007, during his campaign against Clinton.
Odd, I recall the quote from the story being, "The truth is that right after 9/11 I had a pin. Shortly after 9/11, particularly because as we’re talking about the Iraq war, that became a substitute for I think true patriotism, which is speaking out on issues that are of importance to our national security. I decided I won’t wear that pin on my chest.”
After declaring his allegiance to the extreme liberals to get them out to vote it the primaries, Obama is working hard to convince the middle voters of his more moderate views, including what he apprently believes to be "false" patriotism.
Let's take a good look at Barack over the next few months, and perhaps this country will come to realize this is a man willing to do and say anything for the sake of getting elected to office at the sake of his own beliefs and opinions.
Let's take a good look at Barack over the next few months, and perhaps this country will come to realize this is a man willing to do and say anything for the sake of getting elected to office at the sake of his own beliefs and opinions.
And for the sake of sports, A-Rod is a moron.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Astros
WTF? How on earth can we have such a sorry excuse for a baseball team coming from houston? When this season started, my excitement level was skyhigh, regarding the new acquisitions to bolster Houston's anemic offense. Well, the offense has been producing at an astounding rate (well, astounding for the Astros), but our pitching has been nightmarish. Even resident ace Roy Oswalt has been less than stellar. With that in mind, it's time to take a good hard look at what Ed Wade has done with this ballclub, and re-evaluate what exactly this team in building towards.
What does Houston have in the minors to bring into the fold in the upcoming years? It doesn't seem like that many prospects are knocking down the gates to come out of Round Rock and bust up the NL Central. What is strange is this teams absent mindedness about creating any sort of coherent plan. Even their in state counterparts, the Texas Rangers, have stockpiled young players to build their offense up. The Astros have little pitching available in the majors, and even less in the minors. The solution? Blow this mock of a team up and start from scratch.
Even with his subpar play, Roy Oswalt could attract great value on the open market. Astros fans might not be willing to part with our ace, but the fact is even a 20 game winning Oswalt wouldn't help push the team over the edge - they're not even 1/2 way up the hill. The new mode in the majors seems to be unloading hefty contracts for aging players to stockpile young talent - there's no reason Houston can't do this.
As we near the trade deadline this year, Wade and owner Drayton McLane need to take a serious look at their roster and where they realistically think it can get them. Once they do this, it might not seem so far fetched to start shopping the likes of Oswalt, Carlos Lee, Miguel Tejada, Ty Wiggington, and Mark Loretta. Those assets can fetch quite a few young players, who the Astros can elevate up towards the end of this year and the start of next. While the Big Puma (Lance Berkman) and Hunter Pence may shy away from such a strategy, in the long run the city and team could benefit from another potential trip to the World Series with young talent by 2010.
What does Houston have in the minors to bring into the fold in the upcoming years? It doesn't seem like that many prospects are knocking down the gates to come out of Round Rock and bust up the NL Central. What is strange is this teams absent mindedness about creating any sort of coherent plan. Even their in state counterparts, the Texas Rangers, have stockpiled young players to build their offense up. The Astros have little pitching available in the majors, and even less in the minors. The solution? Blow this mock of a team up and start from scratch.
Even with his subpar play, Roy Oswalt could attract great value on the open market. Astros fans might not be willing to part with our ace, but the fact is even a 20 game winning Oswalt wouldn't help push the team over the edge - they're not even 1/2 way up the hill. The new mode in the majors seems to be unloading hefty contracts for aging players to stockpile young talent - there's no reason Houston can't do this.
As we near the trade deadline this year, Wade and owner Drayton McLane need to take a serious look at their roster and where they realistically think it can get them. Once they do this, it might not seem so far fetched to start shopping the likes of Oswalt, Carlos Lee, Miguel Tejada, Ty Wiggington, and Mark Loretta. Those assets can fetch quite a few young players, who the Astros can elevate up towards the end of this year and the start of next. While the Big Puma (Lance Berkman) and Hunter Pence may shy away from such a strategy, in the long run the city and team could benefit from another potential trip to the World Series with young talent by 2010.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Mauricia Grant sues NASCAR?
What a joke. I turned on Sportscenter this morning and saw this lovely black lady suing NASCAR for racial and sexual harassment. Whether or not she tells the truth in her lawsuit with her claims, I honestly don't know. Really, who does? However, the problem I have is her demanding $225 million dollars. Are you kidding me? This is a lady who was employed as a Nationwide (formerly Busch) Series official. Over the course of her career, I really doubt she could have made $225 million, and thus justify such a ridiculous sum of money based on potential lost earnings. Was her pain and suffering really worth that much money? People call me fat - should I get a quarter billion dollars? Unlikely.
The problem is twofold - people suing for the sake of digging for a buck. Second - I've had enough of black people pulling the race card, when the reality is race in this country is on a sharp decline. We are about to elect a half black president. There are few barriers for hard working folks, black - white - asian - latino in this country to become successful, and I'm fed up with people holding onto a race card as an excuse to hide their shortcomings or to advance careers. Failures in life are part of living the American experience, not a reason to call Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton to help you make a couple hundred million dollars.
The problem is twofold - people suing for the sake of digging for a buck. Second - I've had enough of black people pulling the race card, when the reality is race in this country is on a sharp decline. We are about to elect a half black president. There are few barriers for hard working folks, black - white - asian - latino in this country to become successful, and I'm fed up with people holding onto a race card as an excuse to hide their shortcomings or to advance careers. Failures in life are part of living the American experience, not a reason to call Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton to help you make a couple hundred million dollars.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Finals Pick
Lakers in 5. As much as I hate to admit it, no one can stop Kobe. The games will be close, but down the stretch in each, it will become painfully obvious to Celtics fan that their grouping of the Big 3 (KG, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce) have never been to the finals prior to this year for an obvious reason - they can't finish when the stakes are high.
Awesome
Check this out. If my blog entries cease for longer than 1 year, you can bet I am dead, and this is how I went out...
http://view.break.com/514013 - Watch more free videos
http://view.break.com/514013 - Watch more free videos
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