Recently, I was just thinking about sports in general and I started to think about some of the weird things involved with sports such as mascots, fan behavior, team names, etc.
Will someone please explain to me why the Seattle Mariners have a moose as a mascot? Mariners have to do with people of the sea because Seattle is towards the coast. That part makes sense, but what does a moose have to do with the ocean? Fill me in?
Another mascot that bothers me is the Philly Phanatic. I have no clue as to how the big green guy relates to baseball or to the Phillies in any way. It is just some random guy in a fat green suit that appears to be more fit for Sesame Street than a Major League Baseball Mascot.
I have never understood why fans need to be quiet at golf tournaments. Golfers are professional athletes and should be able to hit the ball despite the noise from the crowd. When Tiger goes to putt, it is dead silent. We can only imagine what it would be like if the arena was expected to be silent when Kobe Bryant stepped to the free throw line. Golf is one of the few sports where you are only allowed to cheer at select times and I disagree.
Although it may arguably be one of the best rivalries in college football, how intimidating is a game between the Ducks and the Beavers. When people think of football they think of tough guys playing a mean and physical game. The brutality and masculinity of it is something that we all love, but the Ducks and the Beavers? Those aren’t exactly the most intimidating team names out there.
Why is soccer the most popular sport in the world, but in one of the best sports countries of the world it is hardly relevant? The most popular sport in the world is probably the fifth most popular sport in the United States. Soccer follows the NFL, MLB, NBA, and the NHL.
Why are there sausage races at Miller Park in Milwaukee? It is just a stupid idea to begin with. I don’t want to watch some guy dressed up like a bratwurst, running around the field. But, maybe some people find that amusing?
Shaq has now decided that he can rap. Good for him. Some people will say that his rap was horrible and it was, but I don’t think that Shaq cares about public humiliation. Just look at his free throw stats or his acting “career”…
Where did Barry Zito go? The former CY Young award winner is currently 3-12 with an era just under 6.What has happened to him? $126 million bust. I guess I do have a little sympathy for Giants fans as they have to watch that debacle every fifth day as well as realize that they can’t sign free agents because Zito has taken up all of their money. I’m glad that I don’t have to deal with that.
Will Brett Favre really make a return? Would returning really be a good idea if he is unable to play for the Packers? It is also important to note that Brett was on the Madden cover. The “Madden Curse” could hit Brett and nobody would want Brett to go out in a bad way. However, he is already going out with his last pass being intercepted…
As much as I love being a part of it, the “Black Hole” and the Raider Nation are a bit over the top. Passionate fans are great, but it can only take you so far. The intimidation caused by the rowdy fans is lost when the visiting team realizes who they are actually playing against. When the fans are more intimidating than the team itself, you have a problem. No doubt about it, the Raiders have a problem…..or two……
Barrel Man is a Denver Broncos fan that attends every home game dressed in nothing but a barrel. What is the point of this? Are there people that actually enjoy seeing a fat half naked man run around in a barrel?
How can a team lose when throwing a no-hitter? Wow, at a baseball game it is truly possible to see something new each and every day. I would hate to be a member of that Angels team and realize that you lost a game without giving up a hit. This is even worse because it was a rivalry game. If I was an Angels fan, I would hate to go to school or work and listen to Dodger fans say, “Wow we didn’t even get a hit, but were still able to beat your team.”
Why do the Arizona Diamondbacks have a bobcat as their mascot? Please correct me if I’m wrong, but the last time I checked a Diamondback was a type of snake. Snakes and bobcats are nowhere near related so why is there a wildcat? The other problem I have with the stupid cat is that it is nicknamed Baxter. Baxter!!!!! Who in their right mind is going to be intimidated by Baxter? And what fans are going to be pumped up by some stupid cat named Baxter?
Maybe it is because I dislike the Angels, but the rally #### annoys me. What is the point of some dumb #### jumping up and down on the jumbotron? #### have nothing to do with Angels and the rally #### is simply annoying.
Warren Sapp is going to participate in Dancing with the Stars. Although he may have good footwork, I need to see this to believe it. Can anyone imagine a 6-2 300 pound man doing the tango with a small skinny dancer? Try picturing this without laughing…..
Tampa Bay Rays: This year Tampa Bay decided to drop the “Devil” from their name and it appears to be doing wonders. Tampa Bay used to be the laughing stock of baseball, they were almost a lock to lose 100 games and finish last in the American League East. That has all changed. Tampa is currently 17 games above .500, first place in the American League East and holds the best record in the Majors.
Josh Hamilton: With the first overall pick in the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays selected high school phenom Josh Hamilton. Hamilton had amazing potential and was seen as a great prospect and a future star. The only thing holding him back was a drug and alcohol addiction that resulted in many fines and suspensions from the league. Josh’s problems with drugs and alcohol have been very well documented. Hamilton entered rehab and has been clean since October 6, 2005. Josh now speaks to groups and fans at different functions and is very open about his story so that others do not fall into the same troubles. Josh is an outfielder with the Texas Rangers who is currently hitting .309 with 19 home runs and 78 RBI’s.
John Lester: Lester survived a rare form of blood cancer (lymphoma) last year. He then came back to help the Red Sox win the World Series and was the winning pitcher in the decisive game. Lester continues his remarkable recovery from cancer as he no-hit the Kansas City Royals on May 19th of this year and is currently 6-3 with an era of 3.48
Ken Griffey Junior: It was a special moment to see the kid finally hit home run number 600. Griffey was one of everyone’s favorite players as he was the face of major league baseball for much of the 90’s despite not playing in a big market. Everyone enjoyed watching the young prodigy as we were all mesmerized by his natural talent and his passion for the game. It was sad to see him spend so much time on the disabled list because we all know how much potential he had and everyone wonders how many home runs he could have hit. Forgetting about the injuries for a moment, it was great to see him hit 600 and join the elite group.
Doug Davis: On March 28, 2008 Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Doug Davis was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. He had surgery to remove his thyroid on April 10th and underwent weeks of therapy to remove any remaining cancer. On May 9th it was announced that he was no cancer free. With his father in the stands, Doug returned to the Diamondbacks rotation on May 23, 2008 against the Atlanta Braves. He pitched seven innings, allowing only one run and striking out five in an 11-1 win for Arizona.
Troy Percival: Percival is a closer who spent the majority of his career with the Angels. He retired in 2005 and was signed as a special assistant pitching instructor for their farm system. He requested to be released from this contract as he wanted to attempt to make a comeback to the majors. Last year, he signed with the Cardinals and struck out the first batter he faced. He also recorded the win in that appearance. In 2008 he signed with the Rays and is currently the closer. In his first appearance he recorded a save for the first time in two years. He currently has 19 saves in 21 opportunities.
Last night Ken Griffey Jr. became the 6th member of the 600 home run club with his first inning home run against the Marlins. Everyone knew this moment was possible; he had everything going for him because his dad was also a major league player and was on the same team that drafted Junior number one overall in 1987.
From the very beginning Griffey Junior made it clear that he belonged in the majors. "When he came to camp in 1989, he had no chance to make the team," Bradley said. "But he got a lot of at-bats early that spring because a lot of veterans don't like to play a lot early. After 20 games, he wasn't just the best player on our team, he was the best player in the league that spring. The Mariners basically said, 'We don't want this to happen, we don't want to rush him, we don't want him to make the team.' So they started running him out there against every elite pitcher, against all the nastiest left-handers they could find in hopes that he would stop hitting, and they could send him out. It never happened." In just his second year in the majors he started the All-Star game. He had an amazing natural ability and had a span over four years where he averaged 52 home runs a year. This kid was very young and everyone saw the raw talent and the joy with which he played the game. This was recognized when he was added to Major League Baseball’s All-Century team in 1999.
He has had seven 40+ home runs seasons and eight 100+ RBI seasons. He is also tied for the record of most consecutive games with a home run (8). The one thing that stands out when looking back at Griffey’s career is not only how great of a player he is, but how great of a player he could have been had he not missed so much time due to injuries,where he had three straight years of playing 83 games or less. It appeared as if he would have clearly been the all-time home run leader and that does not seem to be as likely now.
Griffey is by far the best player I have ever seen and was an amazing centerfielder, it is remarkable to think that he did everything the right way. In an era where everyone who has success is suspected of using performance enhancing drugs, Griffey’s name is never mentioned. Griffey has provided baseball with many memorable moments such as hitting back to back home runs with his father and hitting #500 on father’s day with his father in attendance. He will always be remembered as a great player with tremendous talent and I hope to see him in the Hall of Fame one day.
George Kenneth "Ken" Griffey, Jr…..Congratulations on number 600.
As he has finally passed Hank Aaron lets put the Barry Bonds soap opera behind us and let the legal matters involving steroids and perjury, play themselves out. We can sit and wait on those results, but put him in the past for now as I am tired of talking and hearing about Bonds, steroids, and home runs. While we were focusing on the many negatives this year in baseball there have been just as many great stories that we may have missed while following Bonds. Although there have been many more I only have time to write about three; Rick Ankiel, Jack Cust, and Jon Lester.
Rick Ankiel was a second round pick for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1997. The flame throwing-lefty cruised through the minor leagues and made his major league debut in 2000 at the age of 20. He won 11 games pitched 175 innings and had 194 strikeouts and posted a 4.64 era. However, in the first game of the playoffs he set a major league record throwing 9 wild pitches in just 4 innings. He began the 2001 season right where he left off in the playoffs. In 34 innings he walked 26, hit 5 batters, and threw 6 wild pitches. He was nowhere near consistent and it appeared as if the young superstar’s career was slipping away as he missed 2002 and most of the next two seasons with arm injuries.
Cardinals General Manager Walt Jocketty suggested that Rick try to become an outfielder. Rick worked on his game and hit .274 with 30 home runs this season in the minor leagues. Last week the Cardinals called up Rick and the newfound slugger hit a home run in his first game back. After 3 games he is hitting .417 with 3 home runs and 6 rbi's.
Jon Lester is a starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. On August 27th of 2006 he missed his start against the Athletics with a sore back and was placed on the disabled list. He was sent back to Boston to see doctors and further testing. On September 1st, doctors confirmed that Lester had a treatable form of anaplastic large cell lymphoma or more simply put he had cancer. The cancer was treatable and Lester started the 2007 season in single A. In late April he was already promoted to AAA. ON July 23 he was called up and made his first start since being diagnosed with cancer. He pitched 6 innings and gave up 2 runs while picking up the win.
Jack Cust was a career minor league baseball player. He has bounced around throughout many organizations before landing in Oakland. He is the definition of Billy Beane’s “Moneyball.” Jack hits for power, but shows discipline and takes his walks. Although having over 200 career home runs in the minors Jack was never able to make the adjustment to the big leagues as he never played in more than 35 games and never hit more than 4 homers.
After a career of ups and downs it looks as if Jack has finally found a home in Oakland. Since being called up earlier in the year he has played in 79 games. He is hitting .265, but has an on base percentage of .402. He has 18 home runs and 59 rbi’s.
I am currently in high school. I will try to post reguarly, but at the very least I will comment your blogs daily. I am aspiring to become a sports writer or broadcaster and plan to attend collge and major in journalism or broadcast journalism.
