Well, I've had some mixed emotions ever since Ty let the cat out of the bag about the impending NGS 2 contest.  Am I happy?  Am I sad?  Maybe, I'm just a little bit indiferent about the whole thing.  I remember back to the day when I came across Foxsports.com's blog section.  I noticed that they were having a contest where one blogger would get a writing gig and $5,000.  I've always hated writing, in fact I was a straight D- student in english classes all the way through college.  I was never really interested in what they wanted me to write about.

     But, this was different.  I could write about whatever I felt like writing and about sports.  It's right up my alley.  From my earliest days I played at least 3 sports a year (growing up it was football, wrestling and baseball).  It seemed like a natural fit.  Besides, I spent all that time writing countless Philosophy papers in college, I kinda liked it.  In my circle of friends my opinion on sports was generally well respected.  I lived and breathed sports since my earliest days (Here's the list of sports I've played in my 26 years of life, Football, wrestling, Baseball, Soccer, Swimming, Track and Field, Hockey, Cross-Country, Water Polo and Rugby, did I miss any?).  So I thought I would reasonably be able to bring that experience to the table as well as adding in some of that Philosophy knowledge I paid so much for.

     I didn't make it as a finalist in the competition, I was a little bit disappointed.  But, I realized that having only found out about it a week or so before, I wasn't too disappointed.  It did however do something I never expected.  I actually liked writing about sports.  As I said before, I never liked writing about anything in the past (except for Philosophy for awhile).  This sportswriting thing was pretty cool, and I would check my email quite often to wait and see if anyone commented on my posts.  I was excited about it.

     One thing that those who know me find interesting is the fact that at no point in my life did I ever want to be anything particular in my life.  I never dreamt of being a Fireman, Police officer or Doctor.  College didn't steer me in any direction either, I majored in Philosophy and Economics both due to the fact that by the time I got to my 3rd college I didn't want to spend anymore time there than I had to and I was "closest" to getting degrees in those two fields.  But, this whole thing set something in motion.  I found myself actually wanting to be a sportswriter and something even more uncharacteristic of me, actually working hard to try and make it happen.

     There for some time I wrote and wrote and wrote some more.  The best advice I got was to write as much as possible to really hone my skills.  I was actually serious about it, so I did.  I thought that my writing was improving and more and more comments were being left about what I wrote.  It made me happy.  But, writing has also been a humbling experience for me.  I really wanted to be mentioned with some of the "big boys/girls" of this blogging community, but I never do get those mentions.  It's ok with me that I don't get mentioned with the likes of TSI, Dudski, Norcal, Socal and the likes.  In a way I'm still happy just to get those emails saying someone posted a comment on my blog.

     The past month or so I have been slipping.  "Paying the bills" work has taken more and more time than "fun" work.  I've made several attempts to take my writing outside this medium.  However, columnist here in Tucson don't seem to change, ever and I'm lucky if I even get an email returned in response to any freelance opportunities.  So I've really been down about writing as of late and a bit over extended (I started writing another blog on MLB.com and have a column on Feature Presentation).  I would write things here just to make sure those who read and write here remembered my name. 

     I really was ready to call it quits here.  My two paragraph posts weren't up to par with what I expected out of my writing.  I was striking out left and right trying to find a paying gig.  I did find one, but I haven't yet decided if that's where I really want to write.  $10 an article isn't a lot and I think it's worth not getting paid to keep my own works.  Besides, it was for a betting website, I had an upcoming interview with a Pro Sports team and didn't want to jepoardize anything by writing for a betting site.   So now comes the word of NGS 2.  I am a little bit hesistant because, I know that this time around, if I don't make it as a finalist I personally would be disappointed.  I know I shouldn't be, but I know that I would be.

     I'm not sure how I would fare.  I don't do pictures in my articles.  I don't write riddiculous things just to stir the pot and get more attention to myself.  I want to be a writer but on my own terms.  I want people to appreciate well thought out arguements.  I want people to appreciate hearing something different on a subject and not the same recycled arguements about the same recycled topics.  I want to be able to be one of those writers who's opinions are respected and acts in an appropriate manner.  However I fear that going that route means not as much attention.

     I had been a bit drained, but now I feel that I have my chance to do the first thing I've ever really wanted to do.  If my best isn't good enough, so be it.  But, I will give it my all and even if the pieces don't fall the way I would like them to, I will continue on.  This is my dream.  I will do everything I can to get there and I won't comprise things along the way.  Good luck to everyone here. 

     If you've been busy talking over and over about how great of a start to the season Chris Shelton is having then you've probably missed some things.  The biggest thing being that Travis Hafner of the Cleveland Indians hit his 7th homerun after the Tribe's 11th game of the season.  Not too shabby,  Shelton is a nice story, but when he fades we will all be talking about one of the best "young" talent in the game, Travis Hafner.

Quote of the Week:

During a Rockies/D-Backs telecast D-Backs broadcaster and former MLB pitcher Greg Swindell, proclaimed his feelings for loudmouth sports writer Steven A Smith.  "Steven A. Smith is a tool" he pronounced loudly over the air (apparently they had a spat over the jinxing of a Pedro no-hitter last year, guess Swindell asked him about it during the game and of course that ended the no-hitter).  When asked to expand on his feelings for Mr. Smith by his broadcast partner, Swindell merely replied "He's a tool"

     Brett Farve, will he retire, won't he retire, it just seems to drag on and on.  But is Farve's indecision really going to hurt the Packers?  Things might actually play out for the Pack.  Given the recent goings on in Tennessee, Farve could retire and still not leave the team in the lurch going into the season.  Should the Titans cut McNair it would then open up the possiblility of the Packers going after him, obviously not as a long term replacement, but as one to keep the fans happy and have someone who could help in the development of either Rodgers or a QB that they could draft this season. 

     Maybe there is no pressure on Farve from the Packers organization because they still don't feel like they missed out on the free agents as they could possibly still have a shot at a veteran like McNair if things go awry in Tennessee.  Just a possiblity.  Any thoughts?

Go ahead, name the last three starting catchers for the Phillies.  Mike Lieberthal, Darren Daulton.....Lance Parrish?  For those who have followed the Phillies one thing has been pretty consistent over the past 15 years, who is playing behind the plate.  It is a struggle to even remember who held that spot before Dutch took over (I think it would be an aged Lance Parrish who was in the spot before Daulton).  Some things in the Phillies camp seem to change often, the catcher position has not been one of them.

     As opening day rolls around once again it will be Mike Lieberthal behind the plate.  Lieberthal has become a real Phillies icon, always one of the most popular Phillies.  Unfortunately after his second best statistical year in 2003, he has been in a steady decline and last year posted his worst numbers since his first full season behind the plate in 1997. Now entering his 12th year with the club what can we expect for Lieberthal?

     Unfortunately he is no longer able to put up the kind of offensive numbers he has in the past and his power numbers continue to slide.  Which is not a good sign since CBP is one of the premier hitters parks in the league.  Lieberthal's numbers could continue to drop this year and the reconfiguration of the outfield walls could only make it worse.  Defensively he is one of the most solid catchers around.  He has posted a .993 fielding percentage the past two seasons and his assist numbers have been constant over the past 3 seasons (44,43,44).  Age may contribute to a small drop-off in his fielding but don't expect it to be too significant.

     Here's the dilema with Lieberthal, when is club loyalty no longer something to be admired?  Lieberthal has been a solid contributor in his time in Philadelphia, that much is certain.  But, his age is catching up with him and soon it will be time to hand the reigns over to the next Phillies backstop (heir aparent is currently Carlos Ruiz).  I applaud the Phillies and Mike Lieberthal for their loyalty, it is very rare these days.  But, proffesional baseball is a buisness and the teams are in the buisness of winning. 

     Word is that one of the reason Lieberthal is still in town and starting is he is an exceptional guy in the clubhouse.  Very well liked and respected.  The off-season signing of Sal Fasano seems to have blocked Ruiz from getting the big league experience he will need in the very near future.  He is the future and soon the Phillies will need to replace Lieberthal.  So Phillie phans enjoy watching Lieberthal this season, it may be the last we get to do so as the regular starter. 

Skip Bayless - Although the normal garbage that spews out of his mouth on a daily basis is enough to win him a Bonehead Life-time achievement award, he will just have to settle for this weeks award for now.  During this mornings Cold Pizza show, Skip went on a rant about 'roids.  In this rant, he proclaimed that the 'roids are an epidemic at all levels of baseball and that the reason Little Leaguers were hitting 300 ft. homeruns was because they are juicing!  Seriously, he really said that and meant it to.  Congrats Skip you are the Bonehead of the week.