Farewell

Today is a very sad day in the history of The King of Sports Blog. Today I the author, Brad, will be taking a temporary break from the reporting of your favorite sports news. My break from the job will start today and I'll return in mid-August because of summer camp. Don't be surprised to maybe see a quick blurb written by my pop up on the blog. Since this blog has been launched some amazing sports stories have happened like Kansas defeating North Carolina and Memphis to win the National Championship and the amazing round of golf from Sergio Garcia at the Players Championship or Big Brown winning the Derby. I hope you have enjoyed The King of Sports Blog 2008. To be placed on the mailing list which makes you eligible to be the first to find out when the first new article comes out leave a comment with your initials and your email address. Thank you for your support and I hope you keep reading.

Mayo for Love: The Trade of the Future

OJ Mayo was disappointed when the Miami Heat selected Michael Beasley who Pat Riley disliked. Mayo was picked by the Timberwolves right after. Two picks after, big Kevin Love was picked my Memphis. Then it began.

Five hours after the draft the Midnight Mayo trade was accepted. The rights of Kevin Love, Mike Miller, Jason Collins, and Brian Cardinal were traded to the Minnesota for the rights of OJ Mayo, Marko Jaric, Antoine Walker, and Greg Buckner. If Love is going to be great the T'Wolves got the better side because Mike Miller is decent and Jason Collins is above terrible.

Mayo was told by Minnesota assistant GM, Fred Hoilberg, that the 7 scouts were "blown away" by Mayo's skills. Why wouldn't they build around Mayo?

Twelve years ago, the Wolves drafted Connecticut star Ray Allen and traded him minutes later for Stephon Marbury. Two years ago, they took Brandon Roy and then sent him to Portland for Randy Foye and cash. They also traded Chalmers to Miami for two future second-round picks and cash. Clearly they don't learn from their mistakes.

The Latest NBA Trades

What a trade day?

First off Jermaine O'Neal of the Indiana Pacers was traded to the Toronto Raptors for TJ Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, and the 17th pick of the draft. Then later on in the day Richard Jefferson of the Nets was traded for Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons but it isn't official yet.

I think now that the Pacers picked up a point guard and center they will take Roy Hibbert or Danilo Gallinari.

For draft coverage visit ESPN or ESPN360.com at 7 PM Eastern Time.

Is Jerry and Omar Next?

The New York Mockery Mets are PATHETIC. Last night Jerry Manuel and Carlos Beltran were ejected for arguing balls and strikes in the Mets second straight loss. On Monday, King Felix hit a grand slam, the first grand slam by an AL pitcher in 37 years. If you didn't know he is the pitcher. You might think I badmouth the Mets too much but they are really just terrible.

After firing Willie and some of his staff, Jerry Manuel and Omar Minaya should be next. You can't possibly believe that Fred Wilpon, the owner, likes Omar because that is what Omar said about Willie and he fired his "friend".

Jerry Manuel in his Mets managerial career so far hasn't been great. They are below .500 and after last nights disaster to the worst-in-majors Mariners by the score of 11-0 making them one loss away from being swept means two things: Make more firings and you should have kept Willie.

Manuel may be the only manager the Mets got but there are managers on the market like John Gibbons and Phil Garner. Even if they are spending more money they need a third manager. They can't possibly think that Manuel can win another manager of the year in New York, right?

NBA Mock Draft

With the draft on Thursday here is my predictions for this years draft and possible trade and 2nd round superstars.

1. Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose, Memphis

2. Miami Heat: Michael Beasley, Kansas State

3. Minnesota Timberwolves: OJ Mayo, USC

4. Seattle Supersonics: Jerryd Bayless, Arizona

5. Memphis Grizzlies: Kevin Love, UCLA

6. New York Knicks: Russell Westbrook, UCLA

7. Los Angeles Clippers: Eric Gordon, Indiana

8. Milwaukee Bucks: Joe Alexander, West Virginia

9. Charlotte Bobcats Brook Lopez, Stanford

10. New Jersey Nets: Danilo Gallinari, Italy

11. Indiana Pacers: DJ Augustin, Texas

12. Sacramento Kings: Roy Hibbert, Georgetown

13. Portland Trail Blazers: Brandon Rush, Kansas

14. Golden State Warriors: Kosta Koufos, Ohio State

15. Phoenix Suns: Mario Chalmers, Kansas

16. Philadelphia 76ers: Anthony Randolph, LSU

17. Toronto Raptors: Nicholas Batum, France

18. Washington Wizards: Robin Lopez, Stanford

19. Cleveland Cavaliers: Darrell Arthur, Kansas

20. Denver Nuggets: Joey Dorsey, Memphis

21. New Jersey Nets: JaVale McGee, Nevada

22. Orlando Magic: Mareese Speights, Florida

23. Utah Jazz: , Jason Thompson, Rider

24. Seattle Supersonics: Serge Ibaka, Congo

25. Houston Rockets: Donte' Green, Syracuse

26. San Antonio Spurs: Chris Douglas-Roberts, Memphis

27. New Orleans Hornets: Courtney Lee, Western Kentucky

28. Memphis Grizzlies: DeAndre Jordan, Texas A&M

29. Detroit Pistons: Bill Walker, Kansas State

30. Boston Celtics: Jamont Gordon, Mississippi State

POSSIBLE TRADE
Dwayne Wade traded for the number 1 pick (Derrick Rose giving Miami the 1 and 2 pick). Wade grew up in Chicago, idolized Jordan, and went to Marquette. Rose also idolized MJ and wants his number in the Windy City but D-Wade is a better fit then Rose because you don't have to wait for him to develop. Rose and Beasley would also make Miami a championship contender with Shawn Marion on their side.

SECOND ROUND SUPERSTARS

Drew Neitzel, Michigan State, San Antonio Spurs, Pick 58
Neitzel has been one of my favorite college players and one of my favorite teams might pick him and have one of the best drafts. Neitzel brings so much intensity and leadership.

DeMarcus Nelson, Duke, Boston Celtics, Pick 60

Is He A Future Hall of Famer?

Every sports fan has asked this question, " Is He a Hall of Famer?" Especially me! In this article I will clarify what active MLB players are going to be traveling to Cooperstown.

Curt Schilling: 216-146, ERA 3.46
Curt is a borderline Hall of Famer like many others. After researching guys like Bert Blyleven had more wins then Curt and he didn't make the Hall of Fame. Curt is a great pitcher and is a good candidate for the HOF.

Greg Maddux: 350-219, 3.11 ERA
Just like any pitcher with 300 wins Greg is a lock to be in the Hall of Fame.

Ken Griffey Jr.: .289, 601 HR, 1733 RBI
After his impressive 600th home run Ken Griffey Jr. making him 6th on the all-time list and 8 behind Sammy Sosa. Technically Ken is in 4th if you eliminate the steroid users.

Randy Johnson: 288-155, 3.26 ERA
His 4867 strikeouts speak for themselves and go along well with that World Series ring.

Tom Glavine: 305-202, 3.53 ERA
Tom Glavine is one of the most imitating pitchers of all-time. Once again a man who wins 300 wins is automatically in.

John Smoltz: 210-147, 147 Saves, 3.26 ERA
Sadly Smoltz's career can be over but Smoltz will always be remembered. You know how? Because you will see his face in Cooperstown.

Trevor Hoffman: 539 Saves, 2.77 ERA
Some people say he is better than Mo and I disagree even though Hoffman has way more saves but that doesn't take him out of this list. Trevor is a mentor and the leader of most saves ever.

Mariano Rivera: 464 Saves, 2.29 ERA
There are reasons why Mo is my favorite closer. Mo is clutch and has so many rings. Mariano is definitely a Hall of Famer.

Alex Rodriguez: .307, 532 HR, 1544 RBI
An A-Bomb for A-Rod! He may not be my favorite player but he is America's.

Derek Jeter: .316, 199 HR, 965 RBI, 4 World Series Rings
DJ is my favorite player and I have to stick with him. No matter what SI says Derek Jeter is the best shortstop ever.

Manny Ramirez: .312, 505 HR, 1653 RBI

• 2004: American League Silver Slugger	• 2004: World Series Most Valuable Player
• 2005: American League Silver Slugger	• 2006: American League Silver Slugger

Those stats mixed with 2 rings makes a first ballot Hall of Famer.

Pedro Martinez: 211-94, 2.84 ERA
I know right now you guys are nodding your head but Pedro simply is a great pitcher and without injuries he would have 300. Pedro has won two Cy Young in the AL and one in the NL.

Frank Thomas: .302, 520 HR, 1701 RBI
Frank is such a great player and I always pick him up in video games but that doesn't matter. Frank would be so much closer to the Hall but he is a DH.

Jorge Posada: .278, 221 HR, 880 RBI
Hip, hip Jorge!!! Jorge is such a great leader and is such a great Yankee. He has won 4 rings and one more is coming if Joba and Hughes step up big.

Need more great years:

Ichiro Suzuki(34 years old): .331, 70 HR, 446 RBI
Ichiro's 2004 season sums up how great he is. He defeated George Sisler's single season hit record with 262. Suzuki needs to be traded to a winning team and win a ring and he will be booking a hotel in Cooperstown down the road.

Albert Pujols (only 28 years old: .332, 298 HR, 903 RBI
Albert has become injury prone and that may haunt him later on. Albert has at least 10 more years and is almost already at 300 with injuries.

Chase Utley (28 years old): .299, 119 HR, 451 RBI
Chase is not exactly Pujols but he is still a great player. He is having an MVP year and has a lot of time left.

Alfonso Soriano (32 years old): .282, 256 HR, 670 RBI
Alfonso along with Utley barely made my list. Alfonso has won 3 Silver Slugger's and I think one more is coming.

Carlos Zambrano (27 years old): 90-58, 3.39 ERA
Zambrano is one of my favorite pitchers and is so overpowering. Carlos is one of the best pitchers in the majors. He has many years left and will get 250+ wins.

Brandon Webb (29 years old): 76-59, 3,24 ERA
He won the Cy Young in '06 and is ready to win one now. Webb is on a good young team and will be the best player in all of baseball in a few years.

OVERRATED?!?!

This is really showing how dumb Major League Baseball players are. How is a four-time World Series champion, World Series MVP, eight-time All-Star and captain OVERRATED! In a Sports Illustrated survey of 495 Major League Baseball players in its June 23 issue, Jeter was voted the most overrated with 10% of the vote. Struggling Giants left hander Barry Zito was second at 9%, while Alex Rodriguez and Red Sox outfielder J.D Drew were tied for third with 7%. Mets third baseman David Wright and Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youklis tied for fourth at 4%. Jeter is one of the greatest players ever and is a lock to make the Hall of Fame but how is he overrated?

Last year Jeter was an MVP season hitting .322 with 12 homers and 72 RBI’s leading New York to the playoffs after going 94-68. Jeter is the captain of the best team in baseball and is also Captain Clutch.

Being named the most overrated player in baseball by some of his peers didn't stop Jeter from going 2-for-3 Thursday and scoring the decisive run in the Yankees' 2-1 win over the Padres, completing a three-game sweep and extending the Bombers' winning streak to seven.

When the Daily News informed Jeter of the survey results, he shunned it altogether.

"I don't want to hear about it," Jeter told The News. "I don't want to hear about it, I don't want to talk about it. All negative stuff I don't want to talk about.''

Jeter is an idol to many and is a great all-around person and player and this is insulting.

White Sox .vs. Cubs: The Windy City and Outrageous Manager Showdown

I never thought I would hear an ESPN reporter say this series can be a World Series preview. Two first place teams in the Windy City. The teams have a combined record of 86-59 and combined a wacko manager.

This is the most hyped up series of inter league play because its Lou against Mini Lou, Lou in Lu Pinella. Lou is by far the most hilarious and outrageous manager and across the city of Chicago theres a manager following in his footsteps coming to Wrigley, Ozzie Guillen. The two managers have big mouths, are obnoxious to the media, have won a combined 2 championships, 7 playoff appearances, and most interestingly 73 ejections.

People think the best record Cubs have been patient enough that a World Series is coming after a hundred years. I've seen a wonderful picture of a Cubs fan saying the greatest Cubs quote, " I don't have a 100 years."

Will the real baseball curse end in the great year of 2008?

The Beginnig or the End?

It's on! Fox Sports reports that Retief Goosen is accusing Tiger Woods of "faking" at the Open. Goosen, a two-time U.S. Open champion himself, seemed to accuse Woods of faking the extent of the injury when he winced in pain and limped around Torrey Pines on his way to a third U.S. Open title and 14th major championship."I think so," Goosen said Tuesday when asked if Woods was exaggerating the severity of the injury, according to a report from The London Times. "It just seemed that when he hit a bad shot his knee was in pain and on his good shots he wasn't in pain. You see when he made the putts and he went down on his knees and was shouting, 'Yeah,' his knee wasn't sore.

If Tiger was acting that he was in pain who cares? Tiger is a great player and this reminds me of when Jose Canseco told the world most of their heroes were on steroids. If he was acting what this Goosen think he can steal the trophy for lying? Two words can describe this: pathetic and jealousy. Any golfer would envy the worlds best player. This statement slightly put me on Goosen's side: "Nobody really knows if he was just showing off or if he was really injured. I believe if he was really injured, he would not have played."

Earlier, Woods announced that he would have season-ending reconstructive ACL surgery. The world's No. 1 golfer also revealed that he has a double stress fracture in his left tibia. Woods initially tore his ACL while running near his Orlando home following last summer's British Open. He found out about the stress fractures a month ago, as he was attempting to prepare for the Memorial Tournament. The stress fractures were caused by his rehabilitation from an arthroscopic procedure on the knee he underwent two days after The Masters.

Is this the beginning of a rivalry or an end of a career?

Who's Stoppin' Them Now

No other team will return as much talent as the Tar Heels. A number of other elite teams suffered through a defection or two or three. UNC did not. With the superstars returning how will anyone stop the Tar Heels. If you look closely all of the Final Four teams lost big time players: UCLA (Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook), Kansas (Brandon Rush, Mario Chalmers), Memphis (Derrick Rose, Chris Douglas-Roberts). If Carolina was a one seed this year how won’t they be next season with worse opponents?”

1. Injury

Ty Lawson hurt his ankle and he clearly wasn’t as great of a player. Like any great team you aren’t the same with hurt players.

NC got some good recruits like Tyler Zeller and Dexter Strickland. Unless there are surprise teams this year the Tar Heels are the overwhelming favorites not just to go to the Final Four, but to the Finals. Start printing the tickets for the 2009 Final Four in Detroit.

Interview with Sam Rosen

Sam Rosen (born April 4, 1948 in Ulm, Germany) is the primary play-by-play announcer for the New York Rangers(NHL) games on MSG. From 1982–84, he was the studio host on Ranger broadcasts, but was promoted to play-by-play in 1984, succeeding Jim Gordon, who had been the Rangers' TV voice since 1973.

Q: How did you get started broadcasting for the Rangers?
A: In February of 1977 my predecessor as the Rangers TV play-by-play man, Jim Gordon, recommended me to fill in for him on a Knicks game on radio. Jim had been scheduled to fill in for Marv Albert. I did some more Knicks games that season and at the start of the following season. The people at MSG then asked me if I could do hockey. I said yes. They listened to a tape of mine and the rest, as they say, is history. After several years as the fill in on radio and TV, I signed my first full time contract with MSG in September of 1982. I was the Host for Rangers hockey and Knicks basketball while doing play-by-play on other sports such as Tennis, Boxing and College Basketball. I would still fill in for Marv Albert on Rangers games on radio. In September of 1984 I was given the Rangers TV play-by-play job and have been there ever since.

Q: When you started did you think it was possible for you to broadcast for 24 years in New York?
A: You never think of a time frame. I was just thrilled to be doing the play-by-play for one of the teams I followed and rooted for as a boy.

Q: Did you think you would go down as an all-time great?
A: The only thing I thought about was trying to do the best job I possibly could for every game. I love the sport and the team and the games and I always wanted to transmit that to the people watching at home.

Q: How much longer do Ranger fans have to wait for another cup?
A: I think the Rangers have the foundation for being a good team, a playoff team every year. It starts in goal with Henrik Lundquist, one of the better goalies in the league. They have some good young defensemen, but like most teams in the league, could always use more. They especially could use a physical defenseman as well as a quarterback on the power play. They have a good combination of veteran and young forwards, but have to make sure they have some goal-scorers on the wings. So, if they don't re-sign Jaromir Jagr, they have to sign a free agent who can score. With all that and a little luck, they can certainly be a cup contender over the next few years.

Q: Besides the Stanley Cup win what was your most memorable game to broadcast?
A: There have been so many memorable games down through the years, playoff wins, milestone games, overtimes and now shootouts have produced thrillers. But besides the game 7 win over Vancouver to clinch the Cup, the game 7 double OT win over the Devils in the Eastern Conference final has to be the most exciting and most memorable Rangers game, I've broadcast. Though the game is most remembered for Howie Rose's great call of "Matteau, Matteau, Matteau", I thought I had a pretty good call as well.

Q: What do the Rangers need to win a cup and who do they need to go after?
A: As I mentioned in my response to question 4, I think the Rangers have a pretty good nucleus. They have some good young players like Staal, Dubinsky and Callahan, with more on the way like Korpikoski, Anisimov, Cherepanov and Sanguinetti. They have some quality veteran players like Chris Drury and Scott Gomez. Depending on how much salary cap room they have, the Rangers will probably target players like, Marian Hossa, Brooks Orpik, Ryan Malone, and Mark Streit among others.

Q: Who was your favorite hockey player growing up and who is your favorite player now?
A: When I was very young my favorite Rangers were Andy Bathgate and Gump Worsley. They were followed by Rod Gilbert and Eddie Giacomin. But Mark Messier is my all time favorite Ranger for all he brought to the team and the organization as a player and a person. My current favorite is Henrik Lundquist. I think his great competitiveness and the way he has made the lifestyle transition from Sweden to New York is nothing short of amazing. He has established himself as one of the top goalies in the league in a span of 3 very successful years.

Q: Who did you look up to?
A: I have to start with my late father, who instilled in me a great work ethic and thedrive to be the best I could possibly be. In the announcing field I admired Mel Allen for his great work with the Yankees; Marty Glickman on Giants football and Marv Albert was and still is the best on basketball.

Q: What advice do you give to a Sam Rosen wannabe and next season do you do any classes for kids or adults who want to learn from the best?
A: The best advice I can give aspiring play by play announcers is to be versatile and knowledgeable in many sports. You never know when a great opportunity may present itself and you have to be ready and able to take it and be successful. Another piece of advice I would offer is to put maximum effort into preparation. You may not use all the information you bring to a broadcast, but you'll be ready for whatever happens.

Q: Is there anything the NHL can do to make the game more exciting?
A: I think the NHL game has been very exciting since the league
resumed play after the unfortunate lockout of 2005-06. The NHL has
formed a competition committee which meets a couple of times to discuss
ways to improve the game. The emphasis right now is on speed and skill
and I think that's great. Any changes in the near future will probably
deal with more scoring.

Free Willie

After sitting through a double header at Shea I heard all the booing I need. Willie Randolph has been criticized and is a couple of losses away from losing his job as the Mets manager. The Mets with wonderful talent have been below decent. The Mets are 6 and a half games behind the red hot Phillies and are 33-35. The Mets, who were projected by many to go to the World Series, might not make it to October. They are terrible on the road where I thought they would play well because they don't have Met fans screaming and hollering at them. They aren't getting any better. I said to my father that they need to get into a fight to fire their spirits but they can't because then they would have to go to 35 year olds who haven't gotten base hits since the '90's (Robinson Cancel) and utility players who can't catch pop-up's (Damion Easley). I know this was their motto this year but they really need to start fresh which can only happen by getting a new manager, coaches, and a new general manager. Yesterday afternoon Sandy Alomar Senior who is two old to walk to third sent home Brian Schneider who was out by a mile which would have been the tying run. For your information 9 of the 25 current players are 30 or younger.

Interview with Dr. Mike Marshall

Mike Marshall (born January 15 ,1943 in Adrian, Michigan) is a retired
Major League Baseball pitcher.
He played 14 seasons (1967-1981, excluding 1968) for nine different teams.
Marshall won the 1974 National League Cy Young Award as part of the
Los Angeles Dodgers.

Q: What would you say to a young athlete about becoming great?
A: Whatever the sport, to become the best that they can be, athletes
must understand the science behind the skills critical for success.



Q: How did you get started in baseball?
A: While I played baseball as a youngster, I got started in baseball
when I took a Kinesiology course and learned the science behind the
skills of baseball.


Q: What are the keys to success?
A: The more that athletes understand the scientific reasons for why
they succeed, the more that they can succeed.

Q: Who was your best opponent?
A: Athletes should always work to become better tomorrow than they are
today, which means that they compete against themselves.

Q: Who was your idol?
A: Isaac Newton.

Q: What is your most memorable baseball moment?
A: Every time that I stood on a major league baseball pitching mound.

Q: How did it feel being the best pitcher in the National League at a time?
A: I felt that, had I known more, I could have been better.

Interview with Oscar De La Hoya

Oscar De La Hoya was born February 4, 1973—nicknamed "The Golden Boy" — is a Mexican American Boxer and promoter who won a gold medal for the United States Boxing Team at the Barcelona Olympic Games.

Q: When did you begin to box?
A: At 4 years old.

Q: Who was your boxing idol?
A: Julio Cesar Chavez

Q: What was your most memorable boxing moment?
A: Winning the Olympic gold medal. ( Where his nickname Golden Boy comes from)

Q: If you hadn't become a boxer what would you become?
A: An architect.

Q: Of any boxer ever to fight who would you want to fight the most?
A: Felix Trinidad

Q: Are there any other books in your future?
A: I believe there will be.

Q: Will you fight Ricky Hatton?
A: The question is....will he fight me. [giggles]

Done?

The question for basketball fans is, "Are the Lakers finished?" After watching Kobe Bryant get criticized after losing 2 straight is pathetic. Kobe has averaged 27 points per game in the Finals and gets yelled at. If anyone besides the MVP scored 27 and lost they would be worshiped. After watching the depth of the Celtics after thinking LA would win I was amazed especially Leon Powe playing. I was extremely sad after watching his childhood story earlier and it gave my symphony for him. Powe was one of seven with his mother being a widow and their house burned down. They moved 20 times in 6 years and his mom was sent to jail. He was in foster care and it made me feel so lucky and grateful.

Hopefully Kobe wins at least one but I'm not a fan of Kobe and KG and now Pierce for his injury antics and then coming in a few minutes later. This was not the NBA Finals that I wanted to see because it is better seeing a Finals with a 4 seed and a 2 rather than 2 one seed's.

Expect Kobe done on Sunday just on time for the anniversary of the Pistons beating the Lakers in '04 in the Finals when the Mets got Seaver.

The REAL NL All Star Team

Here is the NL All Star team and you my be surprised.

Catcher: Brian McCann (.313 BA, 10 HR, 33 RBI's, 0 SB)

Brian McCann is the best catcher in all of baseball and that of course means he should be in the ASG 2008 and expect that to come for a few more years.

1st Base: Lance Berkman ( .385 BA, 17 HR, 47 RBI's, 10 SB)

When I hear Lance Berkman I think of MVP. Berkman is the MVP of the National League after going into June with 17 homers and 10 stolen bases and is a candidate for the 40/40 club.

2nd Base: Chase Utley ( .320 BA, 21 HR, 52 RBI's, 6 SB)

Chase Utley will be Berkman's runner-up. He leads the majors in homers and if he stays healthy expect him to keep it up.

3rd Base: Chipper Jones ( .407 BA, 12 HR, 35 RBI's, 0 SB)

Is it possible for .400? I think so. Any guy that has 200 at bats and is batting .407 in June deserves to be in the ASG even if he has been hurt.

Shortstop: Hanley Ramirez ( .292 BA, 9 HR, 23 RBI's, 13 SB)

Hanley beats out the great Jose Reyes slightly. Hanley hasn't been that good of late but still has better stats then Reyes in homers and batting average.

Outfield: Ryan Braun ( .297 BA, 15 HR, 42 RBI's, 2 SB), Adam Dunn ( .254 BA, 15 HR, 39 RBI's, 1 SB), Ryan Ludwick ( .321 BA, 13 HR, 42 RBI's, 3 SB)

I have nothing to say besides the fact these guys are the best outfielders in the National League.

Starting Pichers: Brandon Webb ( 10-2, 2.69 ERA), Carlos Zambrano ( 8-1, 2.51 ERA), Ryan Dempster ( 7-2, 2.75), Tim Lincecum ( 7-1, 2.23 ERA), Edison Volquez (7-2, 1.46 ERA)

Closers: Jose Valverde ( 4-1, 15 Saves, 3.86 ERA) and Brad Lidge (1-0, 14 Saves, 0.75 ERA)

They were traded for each other this off season.

The REAL AL All Star Team

With Ichiro an Ken Griffey Jr. in the All Star Game in New York as of now I will tell you who really deserves to play at the most highly anticipated ASG EVER!

American League

Catcher: Mike Napoli ( .214 BA, 10 HR, 23 RBI's, 3 SB)

Napoli defeats Captain Jason Varitek because he leads all catchers in home runs, RBI's, and stolen bases. Also Napoli's Angels are in 1st in the West.

1st Base: Justin Mourneau (.303 BA, 10 HR, 48 RBI's, 0 SB)

What pops out at me is not the fact that he has 10 homers because 2 other good first baseman have 10 in Carlos Pena and Jason Giambi but because Morneau is batting 300 and has more than 45 RBI's which Pena and Giambi don't have.

2nd Base: Ian Kinsler ( .305 BA, 7 HR, 34 RBI's, 15 SB)

Second in stolen bases, first in RBI's and home runs along with batting average, WOW! How is Dustin Pedroia leading the AL.

3rd Base: Adrian Beltre ( .244 BA, 13 HR, 27 RBI's, 5 SB)

Beltre has a whopping 13 homers and 27 RBI's and is deserving of playing. A-Rod will win but Beltre has better stats and if he was in New York like A-Rod he would have 44 RBI's.

Shortstop: Derek Jeter (.279 BA, 3 HR, 26 RBI's, 4 SB)

Technically the best player in all of sports because he is the best leader and winner in the greatest sport. Jeter is batting under .300 but is playing well and deserves to get in.

Outfield: Josh Hamilton (.331 BA, 16 HR, 65 RBI's, 2 SB), Magglio Ordonez (.322 BA, 9 HR, 37 RBI's, 0 SB),Carlos Quentin (.293 BA, 14 HR, 48 RBI's, 4 SB)

Three spectacular players deserve it so much. Hamilton is a Triple Crown nominee, Magglio is hitting well, and Queintin is on the first place team and is hitting the ball great. This is an All Star outfield.

Designated Hitter (Now with Papi Hurt): Hideki Matsui ( .328 BA, 6 HR, 26 RBI's, 0 SB)
Matsui has been hitting the best of the Yankees. In the last 7 days Matsui has 8 hits. Hideki has such a great eye and a great glove.

Starting Pitchers: Cliff Lee( 8-1 1.88 ERA), Daisuke Matsuzaka (8-0 2.53 ERA), Joe Saunders ( 8-2 2.76 ERA), Roy Halladay (6-5 2.93), Ervin Santana( 8-2 3,02 ERA), Chien-Ming Wang (6-2 4.14 ERA)

Closers: Mariano Rivera ( 1-1, 15 Saves, 0.36 ERA) and Jonathan Papelbon ( 2-2, 16 Saves, 2.08 ERA)

National League coming soon

2008: A Milestone Year For Baseball

Starting on April 22,2008, John Smoltz joins the 3,000 strikeout club. Then on May 31,2008 Manny blasts number 500 and the struggling Griffey hit homer 599. Sooner or later he will hit 600. Then theres Gary Shefield laying at 483 and is hoping to hit 17 more. Also Delgado has 439 which will take another year or two to hit but WOW what a start. Even mini milestones happened like Richie Sexson's (not his helmet throwing) 300th home run and Jason Bay hit number 130. Albert Pujols has 296 and will probably hit 500 soon in his career but it is like the baseball gods are calling for a crazy and exciting year where Boston is knocked out of the playoffs and so are the Mets by the Marlins leaving a Florida world series. With how this year is starting there is a slight (I mean slight) chance of Barry Zito winning the Cy Young or Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain combine to be 18-0 this year. Maybe even Webb winning 20.

What hot teams will stick around?: Cubs, Diamondbacks, and Red Sox

They both have great pitching and hitting and are the three best teams in baseball.

Who wont?: Florida squared, White Sox, Mets, and Toronto

Every team except for the Mets were expected to be in last and that's how this will end. Florida squared, New York, Chicago, and Toronto are in hard divisions and they will drop to the bottom.