The King of Sports Blog

Site Moved

2010-09-11T21:23:00.003-04:00

This site has been moved to the FanVsFan network at the link www.thekingofsportsblog.com

Keep reading my posts at the new link. If you want to read old interviews on your right is a site archive.

Interview with Stanford Coach Jim Harbaugh and Some News

2010-09-02T10:28:00.005-04:00

Jim Harbaugh is the coach of the Stanford Cardinals football team. He played for Michigan in college and was a Heisman Hopeful in the 1987 season along with winning the Big Ten Player of the Year and taking his team to the Rose Bowl. Harbaugh went on to be a first round draft selection to the Chicago Bears. After being a Bear for 7 seasons, he went to the Colts where he was a dropped pass away from taking Indianapolis to a Super Bowl. That season he finished runner-up for the MVP. Harbaugh is one of three members of the Stanford football team I interviewed. I interviewed Mr. Harbaugh at Stanford a week ago, thanks to the help of the Stanford Director of Football Operations, Matt Doyle.

Here is our interview:

BW: Besides your playoff run in 1996 [was a dropped pass from taking the Colts to the Super Bowl], what has been the most memorable part of your football career?

JH: Well, unfortunately to the age where I've forgotten most of my life, but I got to tell you last year's season with Stanford there were some very exciting wins with our team. Going down to USC and that big ball game, and then winning against Oregon. To see our team really grow. Toby's [Gerhart] Heisman ceremony was a lot of satisfaction for everybody. You know I'm not the type of guy who lives in the past, I don't think about the good ole days, or things I have regret about. I don't have a whole lot of guilt and I'm always thinking to the future. Planning, saving, and preparing for what's next. And hopefully the best part will be this year, coming up.

BW: What do you remember most about Coach Bo Schembechler as a coach?

JH: So many good things. He was my coach. He was also my dad's boss. So he put a lot of food on the table for Harbaugh family. That is also where I got my foundation, as a football player and as a coach, from my dad and also Bo Schembechler. That's where my roots really were and the foundation for what I know about football was built by Bo Schembechler.

BW: Being back at the Heisman for Toby Gerhart, what memories did that back to you? [Harbaugh was a Heisman Hopeful in 1987. He was at the Heisman with Gerhart]

JH: Just the entire time was just awesome because for Toby to see how hard he worked and everything he had done for our program to be recognized in that way was a tremendous thing for him and his family and also just to see Toby Gerhart, one of our players, up there with a player from Texas [Colt McCoy], a player from Nebraska [Ndamukong Suh], a player from Alabama [Mark Ingram], and a player from Florida [Tim Tebow], and then a guy from Stanford to be on that stage was really neat for all of our players and coaches this year and people who care about Stanford. It was neat to have Stanford back on that stage. [only Heisman winner from Stanford was Jim Plunkett in 1970]

BW: With all the famous coaches in your family, can you tell me what family gatherings are like when your father, brother, and brother-in-law are there? [Father: Jack Harbaugh was a coordinator at Michigan and Stanford and won a NCAA 1-AA Championship in football. Brother: John Harbaugh: Coach of the Baltimore Ravens (his quarterback, Joe Flacco, has a freshman brother at Stanford). Brother-in-law: Tom Crean: Coach of Indiana University Basketball and formerly Marquette taking them to Final Four in 2003 with Dwayne Wade.]

JH: Family gatherings are a lot about talking about sports. Talking football with my brother and my dad and brother-in-law, Tom Crean, a basketball coach, loves to talk football. It's mainly about football and strategy, and a lot about recruiting and different things you use to motivate your team. There is always some team being talking about whether, it is the Baltimore Ravens or the Hoosiers or the Stanford Cardinals.

BW: What was it like coaching with your father and brother during an NFL playoff game?

JH: Well, me and my father weren't really coaching, we were just standing around. My brother was doing the coaching. He was the proud father and I was the proud brother. That is the only way I could describe it. We were so proud of what my brother was doing.

BW: What current quarterback in the NFL or college reminds you of yourself?

JH: That's a good question! I'm probably more like Jake Locker [University of Washington senior quarterback and projected top pick of the upcoming NFL Draft].

BW: So you should be the number one draft pick?

JH: [Cracks up] You always compare yourself pretty favorably.

This will be the last post I post on www.thekingofsportsblog.blogspot.com. I am moving the site to www.thekingofsportsblog.com. On this site, I am connected to a sports network called FanVsFan, where I will do debates against other fans. Currently I am in the middle of two debates where I could really use your help with. All you need to do is this:

Step 1: Go to these links: http://fanvsfan.com/claims/san-francisco-giants-will-take-the-nl-wild-card AND http://fanvsfan.com/claims/the-jets-will-not-win-the-super-bowl

Step 2: Press vote under my name

Step 3: When you get to a Log In page, you could either sign up at FanVsFan or press the button below password saying: Connect with Facebook and when a popout appears, press allow. (Make sure your computer allows popouts)

Step 4: Go back to the links and make sure it says "voted" under my name.

Thanks

The site still needs touching up, but I'll make sure I have posts there soon and my the site you are on now will still be in existence.

Interview with Andrew Luck

2010-08-31T18:34:00.010-04:00

If you don't know Andrew Luck by now, you definitely will get to know him during this upcoming college football season. The Stanford football team may not have a magnificent season, but their quarterback, 20 year old, Andrew Luck, will dominate. WalterFootball.com projects Luck as the third overall draft pick, (2nd quarterback selected behind Washington's Jake Locker) to the Kansas City Chiefs. You may have heard of his father, Oliver Luck, who played quarterback at West Virginia University and Houston Olivers. Oliver Luck is also the President and General Manager of the MLS team, the Houston Dynamo.

Here is my interview with the Luck-iest quarterback on Earth:

Brad Wolff: You are projected a top-15 draft pick, have you given any thought to making this your last college season?

Andrew Luck: No. Not at all.

BW: What is the best piece of advice you have ever gotten?

AL: The best advice I've ever gotten (pondering). That is a very good question. Respect people from my father.

BW: If you weren't a football player what occupation would you be?

AL: I would play soccer.

BW: When you aren't playing football, what are you doing?

AL: Hanging out with the guys on the team, playing video games, reading a book, or doing homework (chuckles).

BW: What NFL quarterback are you most similar to and why?

AL: All of those guys are a lot better than me, but if I had to pattern my game around anyone it would be Peyton Manning.

BW: What team that is on your schedule are you least looking forward to playing this season?

AL: I'm least looking forward to playing the Stanford defense.

(both chuckle)

BW: Are one of your goals for this upcoming season to win the Heisman Trophy?

AL: That would be great, but I figure that if the team is having a good season, that means that I'm having a good season. So if I'm in contention to win that trophy, then that must mean that my team is winning some games. So that would be a good thing.

Interview with Rays Star Ben Zobrist

2010-08-22T17:33:00.007-04:00

Ben Zobrist is the starting second baseman on the Tampa Bay Rays. He made the 2009 American League All-Star team with a batting average of .297, 27 home runs, and 91 runs batted in. That season he was voted MVP of the Rays by the Tampa Bay sector of the Baseball Writers and finished 8th in American League MVP voting. Zorilla, the nickname given to him by his manager Joe Maddon, is very involved with his Christian faith and is a true class act. Here is my interview with Mr. Zobrist:

BW: Reading about you and meeting you, tells me that you are a nice person, how do you plan on maintaining being a child's role models as you get older?

BZ: I model my life after my Lord and Master Jesus Christ and His life. He has called me into God's family and I am a representative for Him so I just try to be obedient to what He asks me to do. When I do what I want, it is natural for me to ignore autograph seekers but God wants me to share my testimony card with them and be loving. That power and initiative comes from Him.

BW: What was it like once you found yourself on the field with the best players in the game?

BZ: I was pretty nervous at first because I wasn't sure if I belonged there. I mean, these were players I grew up watching and I never thought I would actually be playing with them. Over time though you realize that you can play with them and they are just normal guys trying to do their best just like anyone else in their skill. God has blessed us all with different talents and abilities.

BW: If you weren't an athlete, what would your occupation be?

BZ: I don't know. I really like the game so I might be some sort of coach in it or possibly a teacher. I also could see myself being a minister and trying to help people live their lives as God has called them to.

BW: What is the funniest thing that has ever happened in your locker room?

BZ: That is a really tough question. I don't have a good answer for this, but I always laugh at my teammates for little things they say and do. Recently, one of our coaches came out and was dancing to a rap song and I was cracking up about that one....tried to get it on camera but didn't get a good shot of it.

BW: What is the hardest part of being a baseball player?

BZ: Everything you do is measured by stats and it is difficult to keep your identity as a person out of the game. It can swallow you whole if you let yourself be engulfed by your statistics.

BW: Who are the hardest pitchers for you to hit?

BZ: Josh Beckett [Red Sox], Roy Halladay [Phillies], Felix Hernandez [Mariners], Jon Lester [Red Sox], Josh Johnson [Marlins].

Interview with Pat LaFontaine

2010-08-18T13:24:00.002-04:00

Pat LaFontaine was a center for all three New York Hockey teams, the Islanders, Rangers, and Sabres. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003. He had 468 lifetime goals in his 15 seasons. Pat becomes the 2nd athlete in the past three interviews of mine who was selected third in their sports draft. Here are my questions:

BW: What was your greatest acheivement and why?
PL: I was fortunate to represent the U.S. at a couple of Olympics and that was very cool. Probably the greatest achievement was winning the World Cup of Hockey in 1996. The Canadian team featured Gretzky, Lemieux, Messier, Brodeur, etc. and they were the host country. When we beat them in the best-of-three final it was the biggest U.S. hockey win since the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" team.

BW: Who is your idol and why?
PL: When I was a kid I loved Guy Lafleur and Gilbert Perreault - two of the fastest skaters and best players around. Things were a little different back then because there was no Internet. I would have to wait for the newspaper or for the Hockey News to arrive to see my favorite players stats. I always immediately looked to see how Guy and Gilbert had done in their previous games. As I developed as a player, it was a bit ironic that I played in the Quebec Junior League and broke all of Guy's scoring records. Later in my pro career, I went to Buffalo and followed in the footsteps of Gilbert as captain of the Sabres.

BW: What was the funniest story that ever happened in the locker room?
PL: This story didn't happen in the locker room, but it was one of the most memorable of my career. I was with the Islanders in 1987 and we were playing the Washington Capitals in the first round of the playoffs. The final game of the series went into the 4th overtime period, but neither team could score. It was after 2 a.m. and I looked around the stands and fans were sleeping! The organist started playing the theme song from "The Twilight Zone". Our trainer came over and shot cold water straight down my back and said, "You're gonna get one..." I hopped over the boards and covered at the point for Gordie Dineen - one of our defenseman who had pinched on the play. The puck came to me and I just turned and fired it toward the net. It went over the goalie's shoulder and in at 8:47 of the 4th overtime to win the series for us. The game had started on a Saturday and it ended very early on Easter Sunday morning and became known as the "Easter Epic". It remains one of the longest games played in NHL history.

BW: What advice would you give to someone growing up aspiring to play in NHL?
PL: It is an immense privilege to be able to play in the NHL. I was very blessed and a lot of things went my way to be able to make it. A lot of people think that you have to specialize in one sport from an early age in order to turn pro. Most of my teammates played a lot of different sports when we were kids. I liked to golf, water-ski and play baseball. That helped me develop other aspects of my game and made me WANT to be on the ice even more once hockey season started. I have a brother who practiced every bit as much as I did but he never made pro. In order to make it as a pro you have to develop your God-given skills. You can't abuse your body and you need to work hard on your weaknesses. Everyone likes to focus on the things they are good at. But when you focus on the things you are weak at, it makes you a much better athlete.

BW: What was it like playing for the Islanders and then the Rangers?
PL: I loved playing for all three New York teams (Buffalo, too!). The Islanders gave me my first shot and I got to play with great players like Bryan Trottier and Denis Potvin. I met my future wife here and grew to love Long Island. I probably had the best years of my career in Buffalo and I enjoyed the people of Western New York. It was a thrill to have the Sabres retire my jersey and to score the last goal ever scored at the Auditorium. When I joined the Rangers I got a chance to play with Wayne Gretzky, Mike Richter and to score the 1,000 point of my career. The Rangers were a first-class organization and treated me and my family just wonderfully.

BW: If you weren't a hockey player, what would your job jave been?
PL: That is a very good question. At the time I was a teenager, I was hoping to play well enough to earn a scholarship to Michigan State University. My dad was an executive in the auto business so I might have done something like that. Since I retired, I have really enjoyed redesigning homes and landscaping. Maybe I would have gone into architecture and design?

Interview with Marty Lyons

2010-08-15T20:36:00.001-04:00

I am home! And I haven't wasted any time to start up blogging. Marty Lyons played 11 seasons on the New York Jets at defensive tackle. In the early 1980's, Mark Gastineau, Abdul Salaam, and Joe Klecko formed the Jets "New York Sack Exchange." Marty is the chairman of the Marty Lyons Foundation, which fulfills the wishes of terminally ill children and teenagers. Visit their website at http://www.martylyonsfoundation.org/

Here is my interview with Mr. Lyons:

BW: Who was your football idol and why?

ML: Growing up in Florida I really didn’t have a football idol. My idols were my 3 older brothers. I wanted to be as good as them or better. They set the bar pretty high in the Lyons’ Sports Arena.

BW: What was the greatest moment of your career?

ML: Being elected by my college teammates as the defensive captain of our National Championship Team in 1978.

3. Who was the most difficult offensive lineman to get past?

Dwight Stephenson from the Miami Dolphins and John Hannah from the New England Patriots. Funny thing is, they both attended the University of Alabama.

4. What was it like getting the opportunity to play for Coach Bear Bryant?

Playing for Coach Bryant molded me into the person I am today. He taught us to respect the game, respect our family, respect our teammates and most of all, respect life.

5. Who was your favorite teammate?

In the pros, I had two favorite teammates. The first one is Joe Klecko. If you were going to war, Joe would always have your back. The second one is Kenny Schroy. He’s been a teammate not just on the field but off the field as well. Kenny is a lifetime teammate.

In college, Rich Wingo and Murray Legg were my favorites. 30 years after being teammates in college, they are both still only a phone call away.

In high school, my favorite teammate was Ted LaVenture. He has been there through thick and think, good times and bad, he’s the best.

6. What was the greatest lesson you ever learned?

Respect yourself and others. Give more then you received, live life to the fullest, touching as many people as possible along the way. Change the way people think and change the way people act by your actions not your words. Remember 4 things you should do every day to be a better person: Live, love, laugh and be happy. To make a difference in this world all you have to do is CARE!!

Interview with Derrick Favors

2010-06-24T17:23:00.005-04:00

"Forgetting pressure from Obama, I think that LeBron will end up wearing a Knick jersey."

No wonder why Brett Favre came out of retirement! It isn't easy taking a 7-8-week hiatus and I didn't even leave yet. So I have a list of interviews for after camp, but first lets take a look at a premier NBA player (or in an hour he will be).

If you followed NBA mock drafts you saw this guys name listed after the top two players, John Wall (Kentucky) and Evan Turner (Ohio State). That is Derrick Favors, the 6' 10" power forward, freshman from Georgia Tech. Favors at just 18, is rumored to be selected by the New Jersey Nets at tonight's NBA Draft (7 ET on ESPN). This soft-spoken giant took the time out of the happiest day of his life to do an interview for The King of Sports Blog. Here we go:

BW: What are your NBA goals?

DF: To win championships and to be considered one of the best players in the game.

BW: Who is your idol and why?

DF: Kobe Bryant because how hard he works and plays and that he is a good person overall.

BW: When did you know that you were great?

DF: My senior year in high school I knew was going to be drafted into the NBA.

BW: Who do you look forward to playing against?

DF: Everybody and anybody who is in the NBA.

BW: Are you nervous to become a top NBA draft pick?

DF: No, I’m not nervous. I’m ready for it and ready to work hard and improve my game.

BW: What has been the best opportunity that has arisen for you because you are such a star?

DF: Being able to go to the NBA and to the Draft in New York.

BW: What advice do you have for someone trying to get better at basketball?

DF: The biggest thing is to work hard and keep your head on straight and work hard.

BW: Will you be comfortable being a New Jersey Net tonight considering that trading you and many other picks is possible throughout the summer?

DF: Yeah I'm comfortable. I’m happy to be here at the NBA Draft no matter where I go.

I left out something important on my [not so] farewell posting. Where LeBron James will land! I think that LeBron will go. I don't think it is where Mr. Favors will be drafted which probably is New Jersey and I don't see him as a member of the Miami Heat. So that leaves my state, New York, and the other city I love, Chicago. Forgetting pressure from Obama, I think that LeBron will end up wearing a Knick jersey. I feel like I am going to barf saying that because that is what I never imagined, but all the pieces aim to New York. With Tom Izzo not going to Cleveland that said that he loves Michigan State, but that LeBron was not a guarantee in Cleveland, but if he signed with the Cavs, all signs lead to his hometown. Comment below on your LJ23 picks.

The End

2010-06-22T11:39:00.002-04:00

No, The King of Sports Blog hasn't reached its final post ever, but just the final post for the next 7-8 weeks. On Saturday, I will be leaving for summer camp for 7 weeks. I had the option to continue and have interviews posted automatically throughout the summer, but chose against that because I would rather start of August with a splash of great interviews. Currently, I am compiling a list of phone numbers of athletes that I want to call for interviews after camp. I will have interviews with a Hall of Famer in two sports guaranteed when I get back. What I want my readers to do is to shoot me an email with the subject: "I want an interview with..." and inside the email give me 5 names of athletes you want me to interview. Email KingofSportsBlog@aim.com. I want you also to pass around my link to friends and family to show them where to check out my older posts.

Check back August 15, the day I come home for an interview with Ma.. It's a surprise

Before I leave you, let me make some summer predictions:

The Mets will fail to trade for Cliff Lee/Roy Oswalt, but will trade for an average pitcher
Chris Johnson will not hold out of playing due to contract issues, but Darrelle Revis and Albert Haynesworth will
The Twins will trade for Cliff Lee

If I continue, my jinx will continue and I will jinx all of these predictions.

Thank you for being such loyal readers for this year and the past years.

Brad

Interview with Mark Sanchez, New York Jets Quarterback

2010-06-17T15:17:00.010-04:00

Mark Sanchez. Where can I start? The Sanchise took the New York Jets to the AFC Championship game last season. His great personality has led him to appear with Tina Fey on Saturday Night Live and to present at the Tonys. Sanchez threw for 2,444 yards last season with 12 touchdown passes. Here is my interview with No. 6:

BW : What did you learn from Carson Palmer by being his ball boy? [When Palmer, the Heisman winner and quarterback for the Bengals, was in high school, Sanchez was his ball boy.]

MS : It is one of those situations where you watch him so much every day in practice and games and then.... My dad and I would go to the practices at UC Irvine and you would see how he was always the same person, he would always say hi to us and ask how our family was doing. I learned from him off the field and saw how great of a player he was and teammate. I would see how nice of a person he was and how that affects how you are viewed the team chemistry and all that. As much as I learned on the field, I learned off the field.

He has always been a great person so it was great to see that. All the coaches talked about him as a great guy and a great player and same with his teammates. He was a good friend who happened to be a good football player, not the other way around.

BW : What are your career goals as a Jet?

MS : We gonna win a couple of Super Bowls. We got so close last year. Once you get so close you see the time and effort it takes and you see what it's all about. It really helps pulling in your focus on what you really want. That is the ultimate goal. All of the other stuff will come. Touchdown passes and the individual accolades come along with your team being great and special. The chance of winning a Super Bowl in a city like New York, there's nothing like it. Once you win one, you get that bug to win another one, that edge.

BW : Which coach did you like playing for more: Rex Ryan [coach of the New York Jets] or Pete Carroll [coach of the Seattle Seahawks, but Sanchez's coach at USC]?

MS : They both were perfect for what I needed at the time. Coach Carroll really helped you develop as a person and a leader and as a competitor. He was so big on competing. I was a competitive guy growing up. That definitely helped and enhanced my competitive edge. He taught me what it meant to compete and how to respect your opponents and so many other life lessons that he taught me, along with a lot of X's and O's from football along with Coach [Steve] Sarkisian [coach of the Washington Huskies, former offensive coordinator at USC].

Once you get to this level in the NFL, you are expected to have those skills and that ability to compete and to know what it is all about. When I got to be with Rex, I needed someone who could help take the pressure off me as a freshman quarterback in New York, make me laugh at all times, and some one who at the end of the day will do anything for you.

Some of those games last year felt like some of the worst days in my life because I was playing so poorly at certain parts of the season and there was only one guy who I could go to and that was Rex. The only one who knew how I felt and understood what I was going through and wanted to be there for me. They were both great coaches for me to play for and I recommend them both, but I felt that they both fit at the right time in my career. I'm pretty fortunate to have that.

BW : Were you nervous going into the playoffs with all of the hype from Coach Ryan?

MS : I don't think so. I think that's what we believed. We felt like we slandered an opportunity at the end of the year like we weren't going to make the playoffs after the Atlanta game and we knew we were a playoff caliber team, but we just didn't perform like it and there's no other way to prove it than to get into the playoffs at the last minute. Win and we're in.

Then it's like, "None of these other teams want to play us." We were in that bracket where we are the bracket buster team like in the NCAA tournament and no one wants to play us because we run the ball so well and because I started playing better and taking care of the ball better and our defense will just beat you up. We got to a situation where our guys would line up with the guys across the ball and be like, "They don't want it on this play, they don't want it on the next play, they're not going to want it for the rest of the game."

That's just the kind of football that Rex loves and the kind of attitude that was contagious throughout our locker room. We feel that way now. I don't think anybody wants to play our team because the way we run the ball and now I got a year of experience under my belt. Who knows, we might be able to play a little better and then teams will really be in trouble if we have the same kind of defense as last year. I think the nerves kind of went away when Rex talked to us and told us and that was all we thought about.

BW : What was the favorite game of your career so far?

MS : The highlights have to be my first start at SC at home against Arizona. I loved that game. Also the Rose Bowl my last year. My first game as a Jet against Houston was pretty good. I guess the San Diego [playoff] game. It felt like I was on a home team. We had a hundred plus people there. I had twenty of my best friends in a box next to Adam Sandler. It was great because he is a huge Jet fan. So he had a suite right next to theirs. My best friend Scott was going crazy the whole game.

San Diego had to have been cool and at Cincinnati. That was weird because I have never watched the other team's offense. Even if we're playing Brady or Manning, you don't really get a chance to watch the other team's offense. But when we played Carson, I made sure I got to watch him a little bit. It was pretty cool.

BW : What didn't you achieve in your college career that you wanted to?

MS : Maybe a National Championship, but other then that I never grew up dreaming about winning the Heisman or anything. I felt those individual things come when your team's great, but winning a National Championship would've been nice.

We came so close we just lost to Oregon State. That was a team we could've beat. After the way we played against Penn State, I think we could've beaten Florida or whoever played in the National Championship that year. I don't know if they would want to have played SC.

BW : What celebrity that you haven't met do you want to meet the most?

MS : I don't know. I have met quite a few being in New York. I'm big in the athletes. I love meeting other athletes. Guys that I have gotten to know are Joba Chamberlain [Former TKOSB Interview], CC Sabathia, A-Rod, and Jeter.

You come to New York and you want to meet all of the superstars there and hang with them and talk to them and ask them questions and learn. They have all been so open to helping me and giving me pointers and tips: to protect myself and be smart. That's hard!

Thank you to Mark and his brother and agent, Nick, for helping with this interview. Thanks for tweeting my blog out. Mark has organized a suite at the new stadium for every reader of this post. Just kidding!

Readers coming up Bill Walton and George Foreman!

Interview with Rick Cerone

2010-06-14T17:14:00.003-04:00

Rick Cerone was a New York Yankees catcher. When Thurman Munson died, Rick Cerone was his replacement. He played for 8 teams in 18 seasons and played in the 1981 World Series. He owned the Newark Bears for 5 years from 1998 to 2003. Here is our interview:

BW: What was the most difficult part of your career?

RC: First getting to the big leagues, then lasting 18 years.

BW: What was the best moment of your career?

RC: Playing in the World Series in 1981.

BW: Who was your idol and why?

RC: Mickey Mantle because he could do everything.

BW: What current player are you similar to and why?

RC: No one now. I was one of a kind. (laughing)

BW: What was it like owning a pro baseball team? [Newark Bears]

RC: It was lots of hard work running a team, staffing, players, and getting fans.

BW: What is different from baseball currently and when you played?

RC: They make way more money, and seem to be enjoying it less.

BW: Did players use steroids when you were in the middle of your career?

RC: Steroids started with Jose Canseco in 1987 and I never witnessed them.

Interview with Gaylord Perry

2010-06-11T15:33:00.002-04:00

Are you excited for the next Hall of Famer interview? Well The King of Sports Blog presents this interview with Gaylord Perry. He won 314 games in 22 seasons. Here is our interview:

BW: What was the hardest part of being a Major League player?

GP: Winning was the toughest part.

BW: Who was your idol and why?

GP: I didn’t really have one guy. Great friends like Juan Marichal and Willie Mays.

BW: What current pitcher are you most like?

GP: I don’t think I was like any other.

BW: What was the best opportunity that came up for you due to the fact you were a star pitcher?

GP: Opens some doors for you, to meet nice people, and travel.

BW: What were your goals as a kid in the majors?

GP: Try to get years in so you could get a good pension.

BW: What would you be if you weren’t a major leaguer?

GP: I didn’t think about anything else.

BW: What is worst for the current game: high salaries or steroids?

GP: I don’t think theres any bad parts. The game is all good. It gets better every year. I like the current game.

Interview with Hall of Fame Yankee Yogi Berra

2010-05-27T15:40:00.004-04:00

The picture is me with Yogi Berra at a Yankees Old Timers Day many years ago.

Yogi Berra played catcher for the New York Yankees for 17 years and one season with the New York Mets. Yogi is one of four players to win AL MVP three times. He also won World Series' as a manager in both leagues. Yogi Berra played for 10 World Series teams. Yogi is known for his quotes like "It ain't over till it's over." Here is my interview with this baseball great:

BW: Did you not like hitting strikes since you are known for being a bad ball hitter?

YB: Maybe I just saw the ball good. I always felt if I could see it, I could hit it.

BW: How did you become a catcher?

YB: I played some as a kid, we played every position back then. The Yankees thought my future was as a catcher.

BW: Who was your favorite teammate and why?

YB: I had lots of them.

BW: Who was the toughest pitcher to hit against? Who was the easiest?

YB: Herb Score of the Indians, before he got injured, was real tough. I don't know about the other.

BW: What was your greatest thrill in baseball?

YB: I had lots of them. Catching the perfect game in the World Series. Winning 10 championships. Making the Hall of Fame - it's hard to say.

BW: What made your Yankee teams so great?

YB: We won a lot. We had great team spirit and pretty good players.

BW: Is there a current player that is very similar to you? If so, who?

YB: That I don't know. I always liked Pudge Rodriguez because he's short like me. I like short catchers.

BW: Who was your idol growing up?

YB: Ducky Medwick of the Cardinals. He was my newspaper customer when I was a kid, and a great hitter.

BW: Did you really scuff the ball when Whitey Ford pitched? Why?
YB: No.

MLB Predictions 2010

2010-05-17T20:02:00.007-04:00

I held off on making these predictions until I got a sense of what teams would be like and here are my predictions:

AL East

1. New York Yankees

2. Tampa Bay Rays

3. Boston Red Sox

4. Baltimore Orioles

5. Toronto Blue Jays

I think that the Yankees will slimly defeat the Rays if they stay healthy. On the bottom half of the division, I think that the Orioles will make a September run and beat Toronto. Boston is just not good enough this year and will fall in the middle of the standings.

AL Central

1. Minnesota Twins

2. Detroit Tigers

3. Chicago White Sox

4. Cleveland Indians

5. Kansas City Royals

I think that Detroit will be a top team for the wild card but not good enough to win the central. The Indians will slip back but Kansas City will finish dead last. I think Minnesota's division lead will slip as the year goes on.

AL West

1. Oakland A's

2. Texas Rangers

3. Anaheim Angels

4. Seattle Mariners

I think that the Angels are done being AL West leaders and Texas and Oakland will duke it out all of September. I think that Cliff Lee will not last in Seattle past July. This division is the worst division in the AL but Texas is a good team for years to come.

AL Wildcard

1. Tampa Bay Rays

2. Detroit Tigers

3. Anaheim Angels

NL East

1. Philadelphia Phillies

2. Florida Marlins

3. Atlanta Braves

4. New York Mets

5. Washington Nationals

I think that Florida will be a good team this year but the Phillies are the NL's team to beat. The Nats and Mets will fight for forth place and the Braves will make a good run in July but fall to .5o0.

NL Central also-known-as The NL's Worst

1. St. Louis Cardinals

2. Milwaukee Brewers

3. Cincinnati Reds

4. Houston Astros

5. Chicago Cubs

6. Pittsburgh Pirates

I think that the Cards will win the division by 7+ games, but the Reds and Brewers will fight for the second spot until the last day of the season. If Houston, hits well they could steal the fourth spot, and the Cubs need a pitcher to contend but without they are the second to last worst in the central.

NL West

1. San Francisco Giants

2. Los Angeles Dodgers

3. Colorado Rockies

4. Arizona Diamondbacks

5. San Diego Padres

I think that Lincecum and Co. will lead the Giants to their first division title since 2003. I think that the Dodgers aren't good enough and the Padres will slip to last and trade Adrian Gonzalez. The Giants will be able to go far in the playoffs due to an NL off year.

NL Wildcard

1. Milwaukee Brewers

2. Florida Marlins

2. Los Angeles Dodgers

Playoffs

Phillies vs Brewers

Here is a rematch of the 2008 Divisional Playoffs where the Phils won 3-1. I think that the end result will be the same as Prince Fielder faces Ryan Howard in a Big Hitters Duel.

Cardinals vs Giants

When Chris Carpenter faces Tim Lincecum in game 1 of this series, fans will get to see two of the NL's best in action. I think the Cardinals will win the series 3-2 in a pitchers series.

Twins vs Rays

I think the Twins will play hard to play the Yankees again in the playoffs, and they will succeed. The Twins will beat the Rays in 5 games as they will meet the Bombers.

Yankees vs A's

Here is another playoff rematch, this time from 2001. I think the Yankees will sweep this series because Oakland slipped into the playoffs.

NLCS

Cardinals vs Phillies

Can you say rematch? The Phillies will win the series as they win in 6 as Chase Utley heats up with 2 two-home run games.

ALCS

Yankees vs Twins

Yankees in 5. Yankee fans are already buying their Back-to-Back championships shirts.

World Series

Phillies 2, Yankees 4

The Phillies simply aren't the same team without Cliff Lee and will win the games when Cole Hamels and Roy Halladay pitch. But now I am going to making car arrangements to go see the 2010 championship parade.

MVP's

Albert Pujols and Evan Longoria

Cy Young

Roy Halladay and Andy Pettitte

Comment below on your predictions!

Interview with Samantha Prahalis

2010-05-16T18:37:00.003-04:00

Samantha Prahalis a guard for Ohio State. Last season she was named to All-Big Ten first team. She is from Commack, Long Island and is ready to take over women's basketball next season. Here is our interview:

BW: What are your goals for your basketball career?

SP: To win a National Championship, be an All-American and play pro.

BW: What would you be if you weren't going to play pro basketball?

SP: A makeup artist or a hairstylist.

BW: Who is your idol and why?

SP: My nanny because she had great strength and was a great person.

BW: What NBA or WNBA player are you most like?

SP: I am a mixture of Steve Nash, Jason Williams, Rajon Rondo, Baron Davis and Chris Paul.

BW: What do you bring to a team?

SP: I bring high effort, energy, intensity and fun to a team.

BW: What is the Michigan-OSU rivalry like in women's basketball?

SP: The Michigan rivalry isn't too big for women's basketball like football but whenever you play Michigan, you make sure we get the win.

BW: What was your favorite part of living in Commack [Long Island]

SP: Just being on a such a fun team. Just those girls, we were all friends. And having all my family and friends coming to the games. High school basketball was so much fun.

Win Silly Bandz/Animal Bracelets!

2010-05-09T20:43:00.003-04:00

Win Silly Bandz/Animal Bracelets at The King of Sports Blog. Here are the contest details:

Sometime between Monday May 10 and Monday May 17, I will be posting a new interview. The first person to comment this on the comment section on the interview wins one pack of Silly Bandz. Here is what you must comment:

Your Name (first, last)
Email address

Check back daily or even hourly to check for the newest interview. If you don't win the contest feel free to follow the ad at the bottom of this to buy CHEAP Silly Bandz.

Interview with Robert Quinn

2010-05-08T09:43:00.002-04:00

He is ranked third on Mel Kiper's 2011 big board. He is just 19 and a superstar Tar Heel defensive end. Robert Quinn is his name and this star even battled brain cancer. Here is an interview with my second Tar Heel superstar of the past two months:

BW: Who Is your idol and why?

RQ: I dont have one now, but I used to be a huge Deion Sanders fan.

BW: Did battling brain surgery help you on the football field? Why or why not?

RQ: Yes, because it’s making me go hard every play.

BW: What NFL player are you most like? 

RQ: I have no idea.

BW: What NFL quarterback do you dream of sacking?

RQ: All of them.

BW: Would you say the UNC-Duke football rivalry is close to the basketball?

RQ: Not at all.

Interview with Greg McElroy

2010-05-06T16:26:00.003-04:00

This quarterback is one of my favorites in college football. He took his Alabama Crimson Tide to the BCS National Championship and won. Alabama has a good chance in repeating next season with the help of Greg McElroy, their senior quarterback. Here is my interview with this pre-season Heisman nominee:

BW: How important is it for you to have a great receiver?

GM: Having a big-time wide receiver is extremely important. Not only for myself, but for the offense as a whole. Julio [Jones] has been as reliable as anyone in the country for the past few years and on every play he occupies at least two defenders. That goes a long way in allowing for the offense to be successful and allowing other wide receivers to have success.

BW: In your career you have played with two Heisman candidates including last year's winner [Mark Ingram], are you the next to win it?

GM: would love to think that my name would be mentioned for an individual award such as the Heisman Trophy, however, I would be completely content playing my role in the offense and having the best season as a team possible. Individual awards are great, but most people would trade them in for wins.

BW: What is your favorite part about Alabama football?

GM: My favorite part would have to be the tradition and the atmosphere on game day. Alabama stops for three hours every Saturday afternoon to tune into the Tide. That is extremely special and I know every player on the team is grateful for such terrific fan support.

BW: What goals would you like to accomplish this season?

GM: I would like to make steady improvements throughout the season next year. I am not a huge believer in long-term goals, but I feel that it is very important to focus on the process that it takes to obtain success. Coach Saban has instilled that mindset in us, and I like to practice it day in and day out.

BW: What quarterback would you compare yourself to?

GM: I would compare myself to Peyton Manning. I know that is extremely high praise, but I think we are very similar in the way we prepare for opponents and try to beat opponents intellectually.

BW: What was it like playing head to head with Tim Tebow?

GM: It was great. I've known Tim for a number of years and he has had so much success. It was great to be able to compete on a level playing field against someone who has meant so much to the college game. He is a fantastic competitor and I wish him luck for the remainder of his career.

BW: Did Florida make the right decision in taking Tebow over you? [The Gators had a choice in taking Tebow or McElroy when they were in high school]

GM: Well, I must say that knowing my playing style versus Tim's, I think Florida definitely made the right decision. He was perfect for their offense and had tremendous success in his four years playing for the Gators.

Interview with Da'Quan Bowers

2010-05-03T19:55:00.004-04:00

Da'Quan Bowers is defensive end on the Clemson Tigers. Bowers was a top prospect out of high school in 2008. Da'Quan is now a highly ranked 2011 NFL Draft prospect and in some sportswriters say that he is a front-runner to be the top pick of the NFL Draft. Here is my interview with Reggie White's clone:

BW: How did you learn to play football and when did you start playing?

DB: Well I started playing football around the age of 7 and I learned from an
older cousin who played at Clemson.

BW: What is your favorite NFL team?

DB: I am a Dallas Cowboy fan converting to a Eagle fan because of my cousin
Ricky [Sapp] being drafted.

BW: Why does an NFL team want you on their team? What will you bring to the

table?

DB: I bring leadership, and a work ethic, and they will be getting a hungry player.

BW: What are your goals for college football and after that?
DB: My college goal is to be a champion, and to go pro.

BW: What NFL coach do you want to play for?
DB: I would love to play for Bill Belichick [New England Patriots coach].

BW: What individual honor is most important to you?
DB: The most honarable honor I have gotten was the Under Armor MVP in first year.

Interview with Hakim Warrick

2010-04-29T16:39:00.003-04:00

Hakim Warrick is a forward on the Chicago Bulls. Him and Carmelo Anthony were important roles in helping Syracuse win a National Championship in 2003. He averaged 8.7 points this year with the Bulls and is nicknamed "Helicopter". Here is our interview:

BW: What was it like winning a National Championship?
HW: It was a dream come true.

BW: WHo is your idol and why?
HW: Penny Hardaway because I always liked how smooth he was and how easy he made it look so easy.

BW: Who is the toughest person for you to guard and why?
HW: Dirk [Nowitzki] because he's 7 foot and can shoot the and create his own shot like a guard.

BW: Why didn't you declare early with Carmelo?
HW: I wanted to come back and finish school and try to win another national championship.

BW: Who is your favorite teammate?

HW: My favorite teammate in college was my roommate Josh Pace.

BW: What is your most embarrassing moment?
HW: Losing 1st round to vermont my senior year.

BW: What do you do pre-game?
HW: Usually listen to music and try to relax and get ready for the game.

BW: What advice do you give to a young basketball player?
HW: To work hard and always believe in yourself because if you dont believe in yourself nobody will.

Interview with Will Barton

2010-04-24T08:09:00.001-04:00

Will Barton is the 11th best player in the 2011 college class. He is a great guard who chose to go to Memphis over Kentucky, Villanova, Syracuse and more. Here is our interview:

BW: Why did you pick Memphis?

WB: Coach Pastner, and assistant coach Glen Cyprien. Also getting a chance to come in and play with my brother Antonio Barton, making it a family atmosphere, and good academics.

BW: How long do you plan on staying college?

WB: Until im ready for the NBA.

BW: Who was your favorite player growing up and why?

WB: Kobe bryant because he is a winner and the best. Also he is a shooting guard like me so I can model my game after him.

BW: Who was your idol and why?

WB:My mom because she has been through alot to raise me, my brother, and sister. She is a single parent and she has always been there for me.

BW: Who do you model your game after?

WB: Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant.

Interview with Jose Tabata

2010-04-23T08:09:00.003-04:00

Jose Tabata was the Yankees second best prospect in 2008. He was in the trade that sent Ross Ohlendorf to the Pirates with Tabata and sent Marte and Xavier Nady to the Yankees. He is on his way to become an outfield star.

BW: Who is your idol? Why?

JT: Andres Galarraga followed the example and never made a dirty trick in his life in this case, overcame cancer and for his charisma and his way of life despite the fame.

BW: Who is your favorite baseball player?

JT: Derek Jeter is my favorite player because he is consistent and does not lose his groove despite the years he has played.

BW: What baseball player are you like?

JT: Players like Andruw Jones.

BW: What advice would you give to a young baseball player?

JT: Players like Andruw Jones would tell you, the advice to a player to not take criticisms the wrong way, and above all fight for what you want regardless of the obstacles you may encounter.

Interview with Tyrone Johnson

2010-04-22T08:09:00.001-04:00

Tyrone Johnson is a quick and one of the best guards of the 2012 college freshman. He committed to be a Georgetown Hoya in two years and seems like a classy superstar. Here is our interview:

BW:How difficult is it for a basketball star to choose a college?
TJ: Its very difficult for a student athlete to choose the right institution for them for many reasons. Location, the prospect might want to stay close to home to friends and family. Education purposes, the school might want him to start for there basketball team but do not offer his major at there university. Size of the school, some prospects want to be seen with bigger names rather than a smaller school thats more family oriented.

BW:Who is your idol and why?
TJ: My idol is Martin Luther King Jr, because he fought for all people and stood up for what he believed in and people hated him for it but soo many more people loved him for it. He died for his dream and now because of his dream, the world is a better place.

BW:What NBA are you most similar to?
TJ: The NBA player I'm most similar to has to be LeBron James. He came from nothing with the world against him and became a success in the midst of drugs, crime, and adversity.

BW:Who is your favorite NBA team?
TJ:My favorite NBA team is the Cleveland Cavaliers.

BW:Were you always a Georgetown fan?If not, who were you a fan of?
TJ: No. I'm a North Carolina Tarheels fan. I love the winning tradition they have and how they go about keeping their tradition alive.

Interview with Brad Childress

2010-04-21T08:09:00.002-04:00

Brad Childress is the coach of the division winning Minnesota Vikings. Brad was able to take the time to answer these questions despite a hectic draft week for the Vikings. Here is our interview:

BW:What do you want your legacy to be remembered as?
BC: I think the most important aspect our coaches want to be remembered by is our preparation. No team can win every game, but we always want to outhustle and outprepare our opponents so it gives us the best chance to succeed. In any sport, the way you go about practicing and preparing carries over to game day. To be a winner, you must prepare like one.

BW:What is your most embarrassing moment?
BC: I've learned from many mistakes on the job. The one I regret is cutting Marcus Robinson on Christmas Eve. I should not have handled the situation that way and should have shown more compassion. I do not regret cutting him, but I look back in embarrassment at cutting him on that particular day and time. Marcus has a family--that move could have waited until after the holiday season.

BW: What is the toughest part of being a head coach?
BC: To be a head coach, you must have thick skin. Luckily for myself, I have been around Andy Reid, Barry Alvarez and many other strong-willed, talented coaches in my career. The fans are always very important to us, but it's crucial a coach remains dedicated to what he believes in, even if it's unpopular among many fans.

BW: Who has been your favorite player to coach?
BC: I've enjoyed almost all of the young men I've had the pleasure of coaching. Two of my favorites have been Pat Williams and Antoine Winfield based on the way our relationships have changed over time. Both are great young men and very strong willed. I pushed Antoine and Pat to get better and they pushed me to get better. We didn't always have a smooth relationship initially, but now we have a great one.

BW: What team did you like as a kids?
BC: Growing up in Illinois, I was a Bears fan.

BW: Who was your idol when you were younger?
BC: Family has always been very important to me. I love football but family comes first, and they are my inspiration.

Interview with VT Coach Seth Greenberg

2010-04-20T08:09:00.001-04:00

Seth Greenberg is the head coach of Virginia Tech men's basketball team. Coincidentally we are from the same town and we got to meet at the Jewish Hall of Fame. Here is our interview:

BW: Are you a good motivator considering you have beaten three top seeds as a coach (UNC, Duke, and Kansas; coincidentally who have won the past three National Championships)?

SG: I think we try to get our kids to play to their potential and be the best they can be and get them to understand to play every play and not to take a play off. To compete at the highest level each and every night is what our goal is as coaches?

BW: How do you think your team will do this coming season?

SG: I'm excited about our team. We returned, as long as Malcolm Delaney decides to come back and not go to the NBA then we return a lot of very good players. Now that doesn't mean because we were successful last year, really has nothing to do with this coming year. You've got to do it every single year. We have the potential to be really special?

BW: Who was your favorite coach as a kid?

SG: Probably Red Holzman. Who I looked up to when I got into to coaching was Larry Brown. Red Holzman because the concept of playing great defense, making the extra pass, ball-you-man defense, and moving without the ball. And Larry Brown because I thought he was a great communicator as a coach?

BW: What was your most challenging moment?

SG: You know your most challenging moment coaching is just trying to rebuild programs. At Virginia Tech we had to rebuild a program in the toughest basketball conference in the country, the ACC, but it is also your most rewarding moment.

BW: What was your proudest moment?

SG: Probably when we beat number one Kansas in Kansas. Winning on the road is so difficult.

BW: What goal do you want to accomplish by the time your career is over?

SG: To help mentor and develop young people and hopefully try to compete for a National Championship.

Interview with Bill Goldberg

2010-04-19T08:09:00.005-04:00

Bill Goldberg was a professional wrestler and now is a star on Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice. He is one of the nicest guys I have ever met. Here is our interview:

BW: Did you ever find any challenges because you were Jewish?

BG: Absolutely. Everybody thinks that the stereotypes over the years continue on in the year 2010. That is just not the case. As a kid growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, there weren't many Jewish kids in Tulsa. For sure we were a minority. And did I get picked on as a kid, absolutely. But one day I stood up for myself, and I said, "Absolutely no more. No more." So the trials and tribulations I went through as a kid, I didn't want anyone else to go through. If I could find something in my life to help others deal with that situation then I'm gonna do it and I was lucky enough when I got hurt playing football I couldn't do that anymore so I wasn't as successful as I wanted to be so I went into professional wrestling and I got a bit lucky. The rest is history.

BW: Who do you want to star in a movie with?

BG: No one. I don't like movies.

BW: Who won The Celebrity Apprentice?

BG: Uhm, Rod Blagojeveich.

BW: Who were your favorite people to work with on The Celebrity Apprentice?

BG: Curtis Stone and Holly [Robinson] Peete.

BW: Is that Bret Michaels' real hair?

BG: I would say no.

Interview with Jon Scheyer

2010-04-18T14:50:00.008-04:00

Jon Scheyer is one of the best players in Duke history. This year his Blue Devils beat Butler to win the National Championship. Here is our interview from the Jewish Hall of Fame:

BW: What made you decide to go to Duke?

JS: I would say many things played into going to Duke, one of them would be Coach K, being able to play in Cameron and their stadium, and I knew the players I would play with so it was exciting.

BW: What was going through your head when Gordon Heyward threw up the last shot in the National Championship game?

JS: I was a little nervous. I didn't think it was going in, but there's always that small doubt. Basically it changes whether or not you win the National Championship, but I was happy when it didn't go in.

BW: What was it like being a part of the North Carolina-Duke rivalry?

JS: Well it's the best rivalry in all of sports to me and one of the reasons that makes me feel that way is that you're five minutes apart, not a couple of hours, five minutes from each other.

BW: Who was your toughest defender?

JS: Toney Douglas was one of the toughest. He was a really tough guard and he is with the Knicks right now.

BW: Who is your idol and why?

JS: A couple of guys at Duke. Two that stand out are Shane Battier and JJ Redick. Just the way they present themselves how they competed and especially the way Shane was a great leader.

BW: What are your goals for the NBA?

JS: I want to get on a good team. I want to win and I want to be successful. I want to contribute.

Check in for new interviews for the next six days all at 8:09 AM Eastern Time.

From One WNBA Great to the Next: Interview with Courtney Paris

2010-04-17T15:22:00.003-04:00

Courtney Paris was one of the best women's college basketball players of this era. She is now a member of the Chicago Sky and nice enough to do this interview with me:

BW: Do you regret going to Oklahoma over champ UConn?

CP: No, I don't regret going to Oklahoma over UConn... they were my top two schools but I feel like Imade the right choice. UConn is a great program and I wanted to go to Oklahoma and help make it become great as well.

BW: What was your most embarrasing moment of your career and why?

CP: Most embrarrssing moment had to be top of my junior year I was with the national team in Chile and I thought our game was 3 hours earlier then it was. So I had my uniform and bag and everything ready to go at our team lunch and I walk into the room and everyone else is in their normal clothes, then Diana Turasi goes, "Hey coach look like the rookies ready to play."

BW: What was your toughest moment and why?

CP:Toughest moment had to be my last college game in the Final Four, I really wanted to win a national championship but the thing that was really tough was knowing that it was the last time I would play with that group of girls.

BW: Who was your idol?

CP:I love Tamika Catchings of the Indiana Fever.

BW: Do you think women will play in the NBA? If so, do you think you will?

CP: Well right now we are forturnate to have our on National Basketball Association in the WNBA but if a women were to play in the NBA I would say it would be Candace Parker. Most post players in the nba are between 6'10- 7 feet. Candace is 6'5 and she has guard skills so she would probably be the best to do it.

BW: Who is your toughest opponent?

CP: I find most times the toughest opponent is myself.

Interview with Kym Hampton

2010-04-16T17:23:00.004-04:00

She will undoubtedly go down as one of the most dominant centers in WNBA history. Known for her tough moves around the basket and tenacious rebounding, this Louisville, KY, native's playing career spanned two decades while her influence and community involvement is unmeasured. Her name is Kym Hampton and here is our interview:

BW: Who was your idol and why?

KH: I never really had one. I just appreciate people that are great at

what they do and carry themselves in a classy manor.

BW: What NBA were you similar to when in the WNBA?

KH: I'd say Charles Barkley and Oakley, Olajuwon (and I'm talking from

the onset to finish of my career).

BW: Do you think women will ever play in the NBA? If so, when?

KH: I don't think so. I wonder why people would want to diminish the

great skills of a woman by placing her in an environment that doesn't
consistently showcase those skills?

BW: How do you think the Liberty will be this year?

KH: I think the Liberty is going to have a great season this year. We

added some great players to the roster and they are ready to go! You
guy's should come to some games this year!

BW: Who is your favorite current WNBA player?

KH: I like Candice Dupree, Silvia Fowler, Cappie Pondexter, Shameka

Christon, Kia Vaughn, Diana Taurasi, Lauren Jackson...so many more.

BW: How long do you think the UConn womens win streak will last?

KH: Until this upcoming season.

Interview with Trevor Immelman

2010-04-15T20:25:00.003-04:00

Trevor Immelman won the 2008 Masters. Both PGA Tour tournaments he won (The Masters and The Cialis Western Opens), Tiger finished second. He is from South Africa and was the 2008 PGA Rookie of the Year.Here is our interview:

BW: Who was your favorite golfer growing up?

TI:My favorite golfer growing up was Ernie Els.

BW: Who was your idol and why?

TI:The only idol I'll ever have is Jesus Christ.

BW: How hard is it to concentrate while playing the Masters?

TI:It can be hard to concentrate with so many people around, but you need to find a way to block it out and focus on your game.

BW: What was the first thought after you won the Masters?

TI:My first thought was " I can't believe it, I've won the Masters."

BW: Where is your "Green Jacket"?

TI: All past champions keep their Green Jackets in our lockers at Augusta National.

Interview with DeAndre McDaniel

2010-04-14T18:52:00.000-04:00

Here is my interview with Clemson safety, DeAndre McDaniel. He is the best in his position for the 2011 Draft. Here is my questions:

BW: Who was your idol and why?

DM:My idol has always been Brian Dawkins! He always played with passion and was aways a good leader! Plays every play like it's his last.

BW: What NFL player are you similar to?

DM: Sean Taylor! I can play the box like a SS and play the middle of the like a FS.

BW:What team do you want to play for in the NFL?

DM: Doesn't matter! My favorite team is the Eagles even though Dawkins left.

BW:What is your most embarrasing moment?

DM: Falling off bike in front of friends and girls!

Interview with Gabe Carimi

2010-04-14T16:02:00.002-04:00

Gabe Carimi is the top offensive tackle in next year’s NFL Draft. He is currently projected as a top-20 pick and to the NY Jets. Here is our interview:

BW: Who was your idol? Why?

GC: I don't really have one but I guess I always try to emulate my father's integrity and kindness because he is a care and sincere person. I guess you could say my father Is my Idol.

BW: When did you start playing football?

GC: I started in the 7th grade.

BW: What NFL player are you similar to?
GC: Joe Thomas

BW: What was your favorite moment as a football player?
GC: 1st Big ten opener started as a red shirt freshmen against Iowa in Camp Randell at night.

BW: What advice do you give to a young football player?

GC: Hard work is the only reason why I am in the position I am today.

BW: Does pressure come with being the top offensive tackle of next years draft class?

GC: I just try not to think about it and constantly try to focus on being better today.

Interview with Greg Anthony

2010-04-13T19:41:00.002-04:00

Here is an interview with Greg Anthony. He has won a National Title and played in the NBA Finals. He is now an analyst on CBS and a great guy. Here is our interview:

BW: What was your greatest thrill of playing in the NBA?

GA: Playing for an NBA Championship under Pat Riley!

BW: What is your favorite part of announcing?

GA: The fact that I'm blessed enough to make a living doing something I would do for free. Every aspect of it is fun, allows me to stay in touch with the game that has meant so much to me my entire life.

BW: Where do you think Lebron’s going?

GA: I think Lebron is right where he's going! I can't see any scenario that would have him leave.

BW: What current player reminds you of yourself?

GA: Good question. I'd say Kalin Lucas at Michigan State.

BW: Who was your idol and why?

GA: My mom, I wish I could have told her that more often...She sacrificed everything so that I might have a chance to pursue my dreams...Magic Johnson was someone I admired because of how much joy he had in playing the game.

BW: Do you have any interest in coaching?

GA: I've thought about it yes, maybe down the road but I got an awesome job that I couldn't imagine doing anything else.

Interview with Deunta Williams

2010-04-12T17:26:00.004-04:00

Deunta Williams is the top free safety in next years NFL draft. This Tar Heel is ready to be the NFL's next best free safety. Here are my questions for #27:

BW: Who was your idol?

DW: The person I idolize the most is my uncle. My uncle has taught me how to become a man. I grew up without my dad in my life so my uncles stood up and molded me to the person I am today.

BW: What NFL player are you most similar to?

DW: I would think I play like Ed Reed sometimes.

BW: Is your team good enough to contend for a National Title?

DW: I definitely believe that UNC is ready to win a Natty

BW: What NFL team do you want to play for?

DW: I don't have a favorite NFL team.

BW: What do you want to accomplish in your football career?

DW: I want to be the best, and win a championship.

Interview with Adrian Golden

2010-04-11T21:17:00.003-04:00

Adrian Golden is a high school football player at Tarpon Springs High School in Florida. Some of the schools he is thinking about going to are Florida, Florida State, Tennessee, and more. He is the 58th best running back in next years college class.

BW: Is it difficult is it choosing a school to play at?

AG: Yes, because it's where you are going to get ur education and football for 3 or 4 years.

BW: What has been your favorite school to visit? Why?

AG: University of Florida was great area people are so nice there.

BW: What was your favorite school as a kid?

AG: University of Florida

BW: If you can play in the NFL, who do you want to play for?

AG: The Washington Redskins

BW: Who is your favorite football player and why?

AG: Sean Taylor and Clinton Portis because there are caring men, in they came from the florida, and like when i see them doing their thing makes me want it more. R.I.P Sean Taylor.

Looking to the Future

2010-04-10T10:59:00.008-04:00

This morning I woke up with a friend request on Facebook. A kid named Daniel Poneman. We had two mutual friends, so I messaged him saying, "who ru?" Since then I have been talking to him all morning. If you don't know who this kid is, you should.

Daniel Poneman was 16 when he started "IllinoisHSBasketball.com." He is now a Chicago, 18-year old, who was written about in Sports Illustrated in 2007. He has taught me some great lessons in our couple of hours of contact. Poneman interviews kids who are up-and-coming high school players, and when he gets them scholarships, they become names that NBA fans know like Derrick Rose and Evan Turner.

He got to where he is "by not being selfish and putting kids first and helping myself second, by not worrying about making money and only worrying about learning and creating opportunities, and by working harder than every one of my competitors." He is the future of writing in all of basketball, along with me, and couldn't be a nicer kid. He is in contact with hundreds of division one basketball coaches such as Bill Self of Kansas and Tubby Smith of Minnesota.

So everyone, please check out his blog and YouTube videos, and keep tabs on this great reporter.

Interview with Rick Cerrone

2010-04-09T15:12:00.003-04:00

No, not the ex-Yankee catcher, but the ex-Yankee Public Relations Director. Rick Cerrone was the PR director for the Bombers for 11 year, and also was the Vice President of PR with the Pirates when Barry Bonds played there. Here is one of the more interesting, and funny interviews I have had in a while.

BW: What was the hardest part of being the Director of PR?

RC: The hardest part of the job was probably the hours. Once spring training starts, there are very few days off during the season. You also have to be able to handle many, many things at once. You could be in the middle of doing something important and something else will come up. Sometimes maybe two, three or four things would happen at once.

BW: Who was nicest player you worked for? Why?

RC: Most players were very nice. Of the stars, I would say Bernie Williams, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Darryl Strawberry. Hideki Matsui was unbelievably nice and a pleasure to work with. Roger Clemens was also very nice and very professional.
But there were so many others like Tony Clark, Mike Myers, Ron Coomer, Nick Green, Homer Bush, Aaron Small. almost too many to name.

BW: Who was the toughest player you worked for? Why?

RC: Let's say the most challenging player was Hideki Irabu, a Japanese pitcher. Nothing I did or suggested to him worked. He seemed like a very unhappy person. David Wells was challenging because he would say and do controversial things. He even got fined for writing a book. But I liked him,

BW: How was Barry Bonds to work with?

RC: I liked Barry...still do. He was challenging as well.

BW: Funniest story of being with the Yankees?

RC: I'll have to think about the funniest story with the Yankees. That's a good question.

BW: What was your favorite press conference?

RC: There were a lot of great press conferences, Brad. The signing of Matsui was ther biggest...mayber the biggest ever held. I also enjoyed the big announcements we made at the Stadium--A-Rod, Mussina, Sheffield.

Upcoming probable interviews include Anna Kournikova, Vincent Jackson, and more.

McSuper?

2010-04-05T10:01:00.003-04:00

Will Donovan McNabb bring a title to Washington? Are the Redskins good enough?

The Redskins created a triple-back running game (Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson, and Willie Parker), a great coach, Hall of Fame quarterback, and will continue with bringing a big time draft pick to Washington. The Redskins already have a tough defense with Albert Haynesworth, London Fletcher, and young Brian Orakpo. But do they have enough to win a Super Bowl?

No. Clinton Portis has been decent the past few years. McNabb has Santana Moss to throw to and after that, there isn't much. But since McNabb said the past is forgotten with him and Terrell Owens, could the Redskins sign the 6-time Pro Bowler? Larry Johnson and Willie Parker have been off their great years since about 2007, but they could return with good health. But you never know with Mike Shanahan. Prove me wrong coach.

When they draft with the fourth-pick of the NFL Draft, most likely Sam Bradford and Ndamukong Suh will be off the board. So who will they draft? They need an offensive lineman. Now Russell Okung of Oklahoma State is well worth there pick, but if I am the Washington Redskins, I trade down to about the 20th pick and draft Idaho's Mike Iupati. They could gain the pick back that they lost in the McNabb trade and have another great lineman.

What A Story?

2010-04-04T08:59:00.003-04:00

The number one seed of the 2010 NCAA Tournament is the Kansas Jayhawks. The second number one is the Kentucky Wildcats. And the third number one is the Syracuse Orange.

In most of the Final Four scenarios there was a lot of Jayhawks, Wildcats, Orange, and Villanova. I fell for the Villanova curse even though they clearly weren't good enough to go to the Final Four. I picked Baylor twice to go to the Final Four, but people hate Duke. People (me) had a problem with picking 'Cuse, so they picked Pitt(me)(YUCK!) and K-State.

Not once Butler. Not once Michigan State. Except for the crazy 200 people on ESPN that had perfect Final Fours. Now this gut feeling about Duke to the Final Four back at the beginning of March, tells me I gotta trust my gut. People picked Duke because it has been a common phrase, "Don't EVER trust Duke."

Well now here we have a National Championship between an under-estimated, small conference program, Butler, against the most hated one-seed and courageous Duke Blue Devils. This is a year where everyone was expecting that two of the biggest programs in college basketball, Kansas and Kentucky, would square off in a coaching duel and a game featuring seven first round draft picks. I should've thought that like most one-and-done's (Durant, Derrick Rose) usually never get the prize of a National Title.

Now to my prediction. After my dead on Finals prediction, of Butler by 2 and Duke with a Scheyer explosion, I think that I have to go with the villain. I mean the odds most definitely face the Butler Bulldogs. Home court, on a great run, and two future NBA pros, but I think if Duke could blowout WVU, they can take on Butler.

Butler 62, Duke 65.

Final Four Predictions...Last Minute

2010-04-03T18:04:00.005-04:00

Ok, game time is in three minutes. Just finished part of my English homework. Recommend the book I read, Feed by M.T. Anderson. I am excited!

I think that in the first game, Butler will win the game. Michigan State has too much questions. Despite playing so well lately, I am going with the underestimated, home team in Butler. It feels like Davidson back in 2008. I think Butler wins by 2 and Gordon Hayward goes for 28. Would you ever guess that a fifth seed would be in the finals in a year with great Kansas and Kentucky? Or that Michigan State would be back in the Final Four?

On to the next game, the tough game, I love the Mountaineers, especially after the Big East Title game. I have this gut feeling about the Dukies, but I think I'm going with my gut. Duke's seniors played West Virginia in 2008 and lost. I think Scheyer goes crazy and Duke meets Butler in the championship.

Interview with Dan Gutman

2010-03-30T19:15:00.001-04:00

Dan Gutman is one of my favorite authors. He is a great writer from New Jersey who's books such as Babe and Me and Honus and Me are so enjoying to read. Here is my interview with him:

1. What gave you the idea to start writing your Baseball Card Adventures?

I knew a lot of kids collect cards, and I knew a lot of kids are fascinated by time travel stories, so I just thought I'd put the two together.

2. Who was your favorite athlete as a kid and why?

Cleon Jones of the Mets. I just kinda liked his style.

3. Are your books going to become movies on the big screen in the future?

I hope so. "Honus & Me" was a TV movie about 6 years ago, starring Matthew Modine and Kristin Davis. It was really awful. Don't see it. I hope somebody will make better movies of my books someday.

4. Which Baseball Card book was your favorite to write?

The newest one, "Roberto & Me." This time, my kid not only goes into the past, but he also goes into the future.

5. What deceased or living athlete do you dream of meeting?

Babe Ruth

6. What are your thoughts about steroids in Major League Baseball?

It is a horrible stain that will mark this past decade the same way the Black Sox Scandal marked 1919. There's plenty of blame to go around--the players, the commissioner, the owners,and the Players Association. Cheating has always been a part of baseball (my first baseball book was "It Ain't Cheatin' If You Don't Get Caught"), and I guess it always will be.

Interview with Coach Gary Williams

2010-03-24T19:19:00.002-04:00

Gary Williams is the head coach of the Maryland Terrapins. He has won 649 games and won a national championship in 2002. Thanks Coach for this opportunity? Here is the Q/A:

1. Was Grevis Vasquez the greatest player you have ever coached?

I have been fortunate to coach many great players. Greivis is certainly in
the top two or three.

2. How would you describe beating Duke this year?

Beating Duke was a great feeling because it meant we had a chance to win the
league championship.

3. Who was your idol?

My first idol was my high school coach.

4. Is Maryland your dream job?

Very few coaches ever get the opportunity to coach where they went to school
and played basketball.

Upset Mania

2010-03-18T20:24:00.002-04:00

Would you ever think Murray State and Old Dominion would pull of upsets? Most likely probably not because March Madness is so unpredictable. Vanderbilt got stunned by Murray State on a buzzer-beater and ODU beat Notre Dame (and hurt my bracket) in a last minute, lead changing finish.

But thank goodness, Robert Morris, a fifteen seed, didn't beat my Final Four pick in Villanova. It took an overtime, but Villanova survived. Number 3, Baylor, and number 7 seed, BYU, faced an upset scare, but both survived. So know I'm wondering which team you think will be upset next in the tournament. I want to hear your Final Four and the results. Comment on this post at the bottom of the post. I have a Kansas, Pitt, Kentucky, and 'Nova Final Four, but I have a few different Final Fours.

Good luck everyone.

A Night At the Big East Championship

2010-03-14T13:32:00.005-04:00

First rule: Don't scalp tickets.

I went to the Big East Championship last night with a friend and his father. His dad told us about how 35 years ago as a ninth grader, him and his friends with to the tournament and when they gave a scalper their money, he ran away. Gary thought he learned his lesson.

When we got off the train, we were hounded. One man in a long, blue overcoat, followed us outside and sold us three seats for $70 each. Minutes later, we are told they are fake. Long story short, lessons could need to be re-learned.

We bought tickets from a guy we know for charity and as my friend Max tweeted, "College basketball is the best atmosphere." Waiting to pass the gate, ESPN cameras arrived and the "Hoyas Saxa" and "We are...Mountaineers" chants began. Pre-game we waited for autographs and were able to get West Virginia head coach, Bob Huggins' autograph. Later we were able to meet John Thompson Jr. (basketball HOF'r) and get his autograph. Sorry readers, he was much of a talker.

When we arrived at our seats, we met a Georgetown diehard. He gave Max and I the Georgetown history lesson and explained that Hoyas Saxa is Latin for "What rocks" while his friend chirped in that it was his dogs name. He was a true fan, while being sober and respecting of West Virginia. It was one of the funnest games to ever be at. As you may know, Da'Sean Butler hit a game winner in the last seconds to pull away and win their first Big East Championship.

In the spirit of March Madness, I have decided to create a pool. The bracket pool will be free and fun. To Get in the action now go to http://games.espn.go.com/tcmen/en/group?groupID=45866. The details are below. Winner will win an undetermined prize.

Group: King of Sports Blog Pool
Password: tkosb

Never Mind

2010-03-07T14:47:00.002-05:00

After a little bit of technical difficulties all blog postings will be posted here at www.thekingofsportsblog.blogspot.com. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Enjoy!

Tiger?

2010-03-04T17:52:00.004-05:00

After his big league [scripted] apology, it leaves me still wondering if Tiger Wood's return will be at Augusta? I hear all the stuff on the radio where people are saying how he would be bombarded with questions about his affair. I promised on December 2, I would never badmouth Tiger, and I don't intend on it. (First line=Just a Joke) So is Tiger returning for the Masters?

A return at Augusta would set the ratings on fire. I know my grandpa is always eating his pretzels on his comfy chair wishing that it was Tiger playing instead of YE Yang and PinkMan, Ian Poulter. I want to hear your thoughts about Tiger returning. I want every reader to answer the poll on the right of the page. I want to hear your thoughts more than ever.

Coming soon: My true idea of steroids in sports. Plan on it to be sent to Selig and you guys get a first look. Check back every day to see if it's up.

Interview with Earl Weaver

2010-02-12T15:04:00.003-05:00

Earl Weaver is a former Major League Baseball manager. He spent his entire managerial career with the Baltimore Orioles, managing the club from 1968–1982and 1985–1986. Weaver was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996.

BW: Did your ejections spark your team up?

EW: Sometimes it did.

BW: Why did you make pitchers your DH’s?

EW: Well (chuckles) that takes too long to tell you this. It’s a story where the night before, they changed pitchers on me in the first inning. And I had put in and I put in Lee May as my designated hitter. I had always switched Lee May and Pat Kelly, right hander and left hander. When they switched pitchers in the first inning, I pinch hit Lee may. The following night I said, “I can fix that if they try to do that again.” I would write in a pitcher as my designated hitter and when the time comes, I pinch hit for the pitcher I still have Lee May and Pat Kelly available for duty.

BW: What were your World Series' like?

EW: Well winning in 1970 was wonderful, we’ll say losing in 1979 after being up 3 to 1 was horrible.

Interview with Lee MacPhail

2010-02-11T15:04:00.002-05:00

Lee MacPhail is a former administrator in Major League Baseball. MacPhail was a front office executive for 45 years, serving as the director of player personnel for the New York Yankees, the president and general manager of the Baltimore Orioles, chief aide to Commissioner of Baseball William Eckert, executive vice president and general manager of the Yankees, and president of the American League. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998.

Here is my interview:

BW: How was it being a General Manager?

LM: Good.

BW: And the GM for the Yankees?

LM: I wasn’t GM for Yankees. Well I was in a way for a long time.

BW: How does it feel being the Hall of Fame?

LM: I’m in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Thank you.

BW: No, how did it feel?

LM: Very pleasant. Very lucky. Very thankful after all those years.

BW: How does it feel to go down in history with the Pine Tar Game?

LM: (chuckles) I don’t know. I’m happy to be alive.

By the way he is the oldest living Hall of Famer. He's 92 years old.

Interview with Ralph Kiner

2010-02-10T15:04:00.004-05:00

Ralph Kiner is a 1975 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee. The Pittsburgh Pirate outfielder led the National League in homeruns. Kiner's name is synonymous with the Pirates all-time offensive records along with Willie Stargell. As Willie was the greatest offensive threat from the left side of the plate, Kiner was their greatest threat from the right of the plate. His 10 year career statistics speak for themselves: twice he hit over 50 homeruns, drove in 100 or more runs six times, ranked first in slugging percentage three times, and averaged over 100 walks. In 1949 his 127 RBI was tops in the league.

Here is the interview:

BW: What was it like being in an organization with Honus and Branch Rickey? What were they like?

RK: Honus was a nice coach, great ballplayer, and you couldn't find a nicer guy. Branch was not very nice, didn’t care about the players, didn’t put money into players or ballpark, and wasvery political but still a very smart man.

BW: What was it like being inducted into the HOF?

RK: It was a great thrill, and a real honor to be one of the select thousand players to be in HOF. a tremendous honor.

BW: How did you become such a legendary announcer?

RK: I was looking for a job after the general managing job with the San Diego Padres. The Mets called and said if I was interested in talking about Mets games and I assumed it would be a good job and a great way to extend my baseball career.

This is the start of a whole load of interviews. Every day at 3:04 PM ET there will be a new interview so constantly check back. There will be no alerts of new interviews besides this one. Thank you Ralph.

SB44

2010-02-02T18:18:00.003-05:00

Colts, Saints. Did I not say it a few weeks ago? Peyton vs Drew is becoming a horse race just as close as having Gaga, Swift, and Beyonce going for Album of the Year on Sunday. They are the two best quarterbacks of the year and both have wonderful offenses. They have the best receiving crews too. Haitian Pierre Garcon and BYU's Austin Collie (who I both had in fantasy this year) had break out games against the Jets mixed with Reggie Wayne, Joe Addai, and Dallas Clark make them a dominant offense. But I personally love the Saints O. I love their two back situation of Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas and the fact the depth of their receivers is crazy good. Hofstra's Marques Colston along with Devery Henderson, Lance Moore, Courtney Roby, Robert Meachem and a hopefully healthy Jeremy Shockey show how amazing the Saints are. Speaking of being healthy, the Colts are praying to the football heavens that Dwight Freeney is healthy while Sean Carroll is begging for him to be too injured to get to his QB. But here is the funny thing about this years Super Bowl. Archie Manning, father of Peyton and Saints legend, is tugging for the Colts instead of his team, the Saints. During the year, Archie gave some tips about Peyton to Drew, looking like a dumb move with a Colts loss. That's only one of the story-lines of this Super Bowl. Besides this being the first time that two teams who were 13-0 meet in the Super Bowl and that Caldwell took the Colts to the big game despite throwing in Painter against the Jets, there are some other funky stats. There are two Heisman Hopefulls and one winner in the game(Peyton Manning, Chase Daniel; Reggie Bush), Drew Brees got good in football by playing flag football, and two players in the game were dumb mistakes to get rid of by NY teams (Shockey and Jonathan Vilma).

I'm going to have to stick with my gut on this one. Saints 28, Colts 20.

I've felt Colts all week but I'm feeling Sainty.

Interview with Gerald McCoy

2010-01-21T20:47:00.004-05:00

No, not Colt, Gerald. Probably a better pro. Gerald McCoy is projected as a top 3 pick of this year's NFL draft and probably one of the nicest guys in college football. He was a defensive lineman for the Oklahoma Sooners.

BW: What team do you want to play for in the pros?

GM: I don't necessarily have a favorite team. I just wish every team fits my playing style the best.

BW: What was it like playing for a national title? (Against Florida two years ago)

GM: It was a lot of fun. I mean, not many people get to do that. I'm sure you'll probably wanna do it one day. So it was a lot of fun and a great experience.

BW: What was it like playing for [Coach] Bob Stoops?

GM: Bob Stoops is the man. Coach Stoops is a great coach.

The best answer I got all weekend was from an old All-American, John Elway. Elway is known for his great fourth quarter drives, and when I asked, "What was going through your heads during those drives?" he turned away from the autographs he was signing and said, "I didn't want to lose." Classic.

If you go to the top of the article and to the right you can see my pictures from the Walter Camp Weekend.

To hear the audio of the interview email me at kingofsportsblog@aim.com

Interview with Toby Gerhart

2010-01-21T20:35:00.004-05:00

Toby Gerhart is this year's Heisman runner up and argubly was the best halfback in college football this year. He decided to go to the NFL Draft this year even though he had an extra year due to an injury year in 2007. This interview was recorded at the Walter Camp in New Haven, Connecticut.

Fun fact: I interviewed him in an elevator leaving my hotel room.

BW: What team do you want to play for in the draft?

TG: (chuckles) It doesn't matter man. Whatever will give me a shot to play.

BW: You think you should've won the Heisman this year?

TG: (chuckles(again)) Nah, I mean, of course you wanna win it, but it turned out the way it is and Mark's a good guy. So I have no complaints.

BW: What made up your decision to go pro this year?

TG: A little bit of everything. I'm just ready to go. I have the chance, so I might as well.

BW: If you came back this year, do you think you would've won it (the Heisman)?

TG: Would I have won it. I have no idea.

To hear the audio of the interview email me at kingofsportsblog@aim.com

Interview With Mathias Kiwanuka

2010-01-21T20:34:00.002-05:00

Mathias Kiwanuka is a defensive end for the New York Giants. He was picked 32nd overall in the 2006 Draft and was actually the last player announced at the draft by Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. Here is my interview with the Giants star:

BW: What is it like playing for a Super Bowl team?

MK: It's phenomenal. When you got that kind of energy and experience and players who've achieved the ultimate goal.

BW: Did Bill Sheridan deserve to be fired?

MK: (chuckles) Honestly my focus on the team is to work as hard as I can work. I can control what I can control and I understand that there's business decisions that get made that will beyond my knowledge or control.

BW: Are you going to make the playoffs next year?

MK: I know we're going to make it. I have a lot of confidence in our team and we got a good group of guys coming back and we're hungry.

To hear the audio of this interview email me at kingofsportsblog@aim.com

Exhilarating Week in New York

2009-12-31T11:41:00.002-05:00

The New York Mets have signed Jason Bay and probably Bengie Molina.

The New York Jets beat the Colts and with a win over the Bengals they are in the playoffs.

The New York Giants season is finished at the hands of the Carolina Panthers.

The Nets kill the Knicks for their third win of the season.

Lastly, New York's Time Square is to be packed for the ball drop tonight.

First off the Mets. With the signings of Bay and Molina, the Mets still aren't contenders in the National League. Their idea of getting a pitcher was Kelvim Escobar. They need a pitcher if they want any shot. I've heard that possibly they could trade Luis Castillo and more to the Cubs for Carlos Zambrano (no Soriano Amy). If you match them up next to the Phillies, the Phillies win about 8 of the nine positions even with Bay. I think the Mets will jump out to a great start until they lose Jose Reyes and two-thirds of their ugly bullpen. They could finish as a lousy second place team if they go to Port Saint Lucie without a nice starter.

J-E-T-S! The Jets are still alive as we approach 2010 as the Giants are done. Not what was expected when the Giants started off with a 5-0 start. After the Panthers tore them apart with back-up quarterback, Matt Moore, the Giants 2009 were laid to rest.. The Jets though just need a win over Cincinnati to get in, who could choose to sit their starters or "lay down" as Lamar Woodley, of the angry Steelers say. The Pittsburgh linebacker says the Pats and Bengals will "lay down" and lose to their opponents just so they don't need to possibly play in the playoffs against the defending champs. Are New Yorkers in for another bad last week where our playoffs chances are killed? Another heart attack season? Ocho Cinco says the Jets' Darrelle Revis is in for a field day, but is Chatty Chad in for a game on the bench? With a Pats win, the Bengals are locked in at the fourth seed. Whether or not their starters will play is still undecided.

Tri-state area basketball hasn't been fun this year. The Knicks lost to the three win Nets last night, an embarrassing loss. On Christmas Day, I saw the Knicks play D-Wade and the Heat. The Knicks really do struggle in the second half where they don't know how to put the cap on the game. The play hard when its too late (5 seconds left). Rumor has it, the Knicks could be interested in another former all-star, big mouth, Tracy McGrady. My brother and I even got a "We Want Nate" chant going. Knicks fans should have fun seeing the Nets or the Jazz (who have their draft pick via the Marbury trade) select Kentucky freshman stud, John Wall, in June.

Tonight ends a great and scandalous sports year full of second chances. A-Rod, from scandal to champ. Tiger, from scandal to indefinite leave. The legendary teams took the big time championships, UNC, UConn, Lakers, Yankees, and Steelers. The new hockey team of the decade, Penguins, will become a legendary franchise sooner or later in the new decade. To everyone, a happy and healthy new year.

2009-12-20T07:45:00.001-05:00

Check out my brand new twitter account at http://twitter.com/tkosb

Pass it along to your friends as you now have a quick source for sports news and insights at any time (even at school).

It's Done

2009-12-19T23:31:00.003-05:00

The Saints have won the Super Bowl.

Losing on the final drive after fighting back from a 24-3 deficit and losing 24-17. That moment could've defined the Saints season and Drew Brees' career. But it didn't. Tony Romo played his best game of his career, but that gives the spark for the Saints to win it all. Watching Demarcus Ware knock the ball loose from Brees' hand has to tell Brees that he needs the Super Bowl.

The Saints have won the Super Bowl.

Saints, Colts

Would you ever think the team's first loss would make me pick them, well it does.

Now everyone I'm going to sleep.

It Went So Quick

2009-12-17T17:53:00.005-05:00

Roy Halladay is traded. John Lackey is coming to AL East and Hideki Matsui is leaving it. Chone Figgins joins the Angels AL West rival and so does Cliff Lee, the Mariners. The D'Backs add Edwin Jackson and the Bronx Bombers trade for Granderson. Speedster Juan Pierre is also a Soc, White Soc that is (Thank goodness not a Red Soc). All in the blink of an eye. And even today the O's signed Garrett Atkins and Mike Gonzalez.

The offseason is definitely heating up and most of the big names have found a new home, but that doesn't mean there aren't any others around. The big outfield names, Jason Bay and Matt Holliday want the dough and both have teams very interested in them. Bay and the Mets have been in serious talks and Holliday is leaning towards re-joining the Cards. The middle-tier pitchers are still around, Joel Piniero and Jason Marquis. Marquis wants to be a New Yorker, Met or Yankee. The Mets, Yankees, Nationals, Orioles and Angels are among the teams showing an early interest in Piniero, who is considered one of the best pitchers left. There also is the Cuban Duo, Noel Arguelles and Aroldis Chapman. Chapman has everyone interested in his flame throwing ability. Arguelles is supposedly in the midst of a deal with the Royals. Well, if you need a right side infielder, there are three around, Felipe Lopez, Orlando Hudson, and Nick Johnson. Rumor has it Johnson could wear pinstripes once again. Anybody want Ben Sheets? I've seen that nearly every team is "interested" in the once good righty. He was K'O'd with injuries this year. He's won 10+ games with the Brew Crew in his 7 of his 8 seasons. Except for twice out of those seven years, he has lost 10+ games also. The years with less than ten losses were his best. He even won ten plus games his first five years. His earned run average in those first three seasons were 4.76, 4.15, 4.45. So should the Yankees get a guy with a 3.73 lifetime ERA, elbow injuries, and almost as much losses as he has wins?

I don't think I should go on and on about baseball considering there is plenty time to go before opening day. I picked the Heisman order correct, but would you dare to follow my football picks? Well here are the week 15 picks of mine:

The XXX means the ones I picked. Here's my picks Poppy.

Next posting I'll give you my take on the college bowl games.

RIP Chris Henry of the Bengals.

Undefeated?

2009-12-13T19:16:00.004-05:00

Did you ever think that at the beginning of the season the Colts and Saints could be 16-0? Well, they are just three games away from doing just that. They both have great quarterbacks, good running backs, and nice young receivers. Their future opponents are pretty good, but somehow I think they will finish the regular season undefeated.

The Colts play at Jacksonville and Buffalo and at home against the New York Jets. Well, the fleur-de-lis play at Carolina and at home against the great Buccs and the Cowboys. So as the season is just three weeks till the playoffs, do you think that both teams, one team, or neither teams go undefeated? If they both do go undefeated which quarterback wins the MVP award?

I think that... the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts will win three more times and go undefeated throughout the REGULAR SEASON. Richard Seymour, of the Pats team that went 16-0 and lost in the Super Bowl said he would rather have won the Super Bowl instead of going undefeated. I think that they will play in the Super Bowl against each other. I think that Drew Brees will win MVP because the Saints are more of a passing team than the Colts. My early Super Bowl prediction is.... the Saints, 20, Colts, 28. I'll probably change that as the season unfolds. I think that if anything the teams to replace them would be the Chargers or Vikings.

Check back soon.

Heisman

2009-12-11T17:52:00.000-05:00

My location at the moment is on the 44th of the hotel where four of the most popular people in sports today are. Tim Tebow, the great. He will go down in history as arguably the best quarterback in college football history. Then there's Ndamakung Suh, the big defensive lineman from Nebraska looking to steal the trophy. Then its Colt McCoy. The Texas superstar is a Top-10 projected pick and a two time nominee and player of the year. Then the tailbacks, Ingram and Gerhart. Both explosive with great potential. I'm am sitting on a tan table with my black briefcase. Sitting, waiting, wishing. I've seen the hopefuls today and even got Timmy T to laugh a few times. But I'm 0-4 (McCoy hasn't arrived). I'm on the second highest floor. Ingram and Tebow are in an interview room. Wait, I just got a call from my dad. Bad news. Ingrams down on the 8th floor. I've spent all this time here. Wasted. Oh, and my picks. In this order it will be Ingram, Gerhart and Suh real close, McCoy, and Tebow. Wish me luck. Check back soon.

Return

2009-12-02T07:54:00.004-05:00

I'm back after a pretty long hiatus and I will be back on here as much as possible from now to January 9th, my bar-mitzvah. Since we are now in one of my favorite parts of the year, the bowl season, Heisman, and NFL crunch-time, I am excited about my return. I've been lacking my college basketball following also, so by the time you have your brackets you will be with great advice from the blogger. So what have I missed. I can make a bullet list that will reach the floor if I was to write one, but you and I would rather read about what I haven't missed. Bob Costas told me last year at an event, "Never bad-mouth somebody." So in that case, I will not be writing about the faults of Tiger Woods, only his successes (that should make Poppy happy). So what am I going to write about? I think I'll start with college football, but for now on you can comment below this article on what you want me to write about. The Heisman weekend is approaching and there isn't even a clear cut three finalists anymore. Currently you would think the three might be Tim Tebow, Florida, Colt McCoy, Texas, and Alabama tailback, Mark Ingram, but that is WRONG. They all have upsides and downsides, but there are other contenders who only have upsides. There is Stanford running-back, Toby Gerhart, the dark horse. His upside reaches up to the Empire State Building's highest point. What's not to love about Gerhart? He's the most powerful running back in America, and he's only getting stronger as the season goes on. His performance against Notre Dame was stunning. Gerhart rushed for 205 yards and 3 TDs against the Fighting Irish tonight. He also threw a TD pass and caught one for 33 yards. Gerhart finished the regular season with six consecutive games of 120 rush yards or more. The next dark-horse, a quarterback. Boise State has been a powerhouse since I was nine. They never went to the title game and were constantly undefeated. Their old face was Ian Johnson, a dominant back there who now is on the 10-1 Vikings. Johnson has no experience to losing. Kellen Moore, the new Boise State man kicked off his year in a great game against Oregon. The postgame was all that was remembered of that. When Oregon's LeGarrette Blount threw a sucker punch at a Boise player and continued going nuts, Moore's performance was erased from all brains. He might not catch the top contenders because of the quality of Boise State's opponents, but Moore has been brilliant under center. He has thrown five touchdown passes in three games this season, including two of his last three contests.

The clear frontrunner is Colt McCoy. The experts on ESPN.com say that so far the voting so far is that McCoy has 67 total, Gerhart has 61, Tebow has 35, Ingram has 27, and Moore has twenty for. McCoy leads in first place votes, Gerhart leads second place, Ingram leads third place votes, and Tebow leads in fourth place votes. The question is this year going to repeat what happened last year. When Texas Tech quarterback, Graham Harrell was the clear fourth place he arrived in New York City, just to be sent home the day before the ceremony. This year that could happen to arguably college football's greatest player ever, Timmy T. In ESPN's case they could keep the top teams quarterback for the ceremony, even if he isn't in the race. I would definitely want to watch the event with Gerhart, McCoy, and Ingram standing next to the Gator icon. My pick before one of the largest college football weeks would go to Colt McCoy. Colt has kept his team undefeated all year and stayed in the top three. His team has been overshadowed by the SEC powerhouses, but held their spot. The scenarios are endless on who can be the winner. 'Bama and the Gators face off Saturday where a ton of things can happen. First, injured Mark Ingram can not play and throw away his shot or he can play. Against Auburn he played really bad and if he plays the same way against Florida he is out of the race but if he runs wild, leading to a win, that would make him a finalist and give him a shot to win a national title. Almost the same goes for Tebow. His numbers haven't been all that great, but if he plays great he locks himself a trip to New York, but with a loss and a decent game then he will miss out on being a two-time Heisman winner and a two-time National Champion. Nothing can take Gerhart out of the race, but McCoy could be. If McCoy and the Longhorns fail to win the Big 12 against Nebraska on Saturday he fails a shot at the BCS Championship. That wouldn't be the first time McCoy did that. Last November, Michael Crabtree made an amazing catch in the final seconds to stun the top ranked Longhorns eliminating Texas from title contention. McCoy needs one quick win against the Cornhuskers and he is in for a NYC trip and becomes one win from a National champ. So far this season Colt has thrown 3328 yards with 27 touchdown passes with just 9 interceptions. Comment your Heisman pick and who you think will play in the National championship game.

College Football '09

2009-09-18T15:39:00.003-04:00

There have been many big college football headlines already going into a bunch about USC. I got the opportunity to attend a USC football practice days before week one. I got to meet all the players and the coach and talk to them. I learned star safety is really confident about winning the Heisman and wants to be a Seahawk. Also that Pete Carroll's favorite quarterback is Heisman bust, Matt Leinart. But I got the chance to talk to star quarterback Matt Barkley. Unfortuneatly, Matt won't being playing this week with causes Aaron Corp to start. I bet that third ranked USC will cruise against Washington anyway, which takes me to my picks.

Tonight: #10 Boise State over Fresno State

Tomorow: #1 Florida barely over Lane Kiffin's Tenesee Vols-31-28
#2 Texas (UPSET ALERT) over Texas Tech (GAME OF THE WEEK)-34-28 OT
#4 Alabama over North Texas-52-17
#5 Penn State over Temple-38-21
#6 Ole Miss over SE Louisiana-45-13
#7 BYU over FSU-54-35
#8 Cal over Minnesota-17-13
#9 LSU over LA Lafeyette-21-17
#10 Ohio State over Toledo-38-20
#11 Oklahoma over Tulsa-24-16
#18 Nebraska over #12 Virginia Tech-31-26
#13 TCU over Texas State-42-17
# 14 Oklahoma State over Rice-63-24
Oregon State over #15 Cincinnatti-38-34
Oregon over #16 Utah-24-21

Heisman Hopefulls- Max Hall, BYU, Matt Barkley, USC, Jevan Snead, Ole Miss and of course Tebow and McCoy.

National Title Prediction-Texas .vs. Alabama/Ole Miss

Check back on my picks later. And press the ads

Interview with Ex-Baseball Player Billy Sample

2009-08-20T08:34:00.003-04:00

Billy Sample played in the big leagues from 1978-1986 for the Rangers ('78 to '84), Yankees ('85), Braves ('86). He was an outfielder and formerly worked on MLB.com Radio. Here are some questions he answered via e-mail.

BW: What was it like wearing pinstripes?

BS: Pinstripes made me look heavier.

BW: What was your favorite team to play for?

BS: My favorite team was whichever was winning the most, my Yankees year we won 97, but did not make the playoffs.

BW: What teams did you dream to play on?

BS: The 78-84 Rangers, 85 Yankees and 86 Braves.

BW: Who was your idol?

BS: I didn't have baseball idols, but always admired the way that former Yankees outfielder Roy White played the game. When I was with the Yankees, I told him so, he didn't believe me:-) My real idols were teachers, Cub scout leaders, and coaches as I was growing up.

BW: What would you tell someone who wants to make it to the big leagues?

BS: To get to the majors, work hard, and work hard on potential talents, (speed, power, soft hands on defense, etc).

BW: Is it cooler to play in the MLB or work for the MLB?

BS: No longer work for MLB or the dot com, but even if I did, it's much cooler to play in the majors, especially if you and/or the team are doing well.

Interview with the Other Great NL East Draft PIck Steven Matz

2009-08-19T08:36:00.004-04:00

At the MLB Draft signing deadline headlines were made by a prospect who will over shadow this one for years. Steven Matz is an 18 year old pitcher from Ward Melville High School on Long Island who also got signed at the deadline like Steven Strasburg. Matz was signed by the Mets, possibly creating a pitching rivalry in the NL East. I got the chance to interview Mr. Matz at CitiField last night.

BW: Were you always a Met fan?

SM: Yes I was.

BW: Who is your favorite current Met?

SM: Johan Santana.

BW: What is it like to get picked for your hometown team?

SM: It was awesome.

BW: Will you be better than Steven Strasburg?

SM: (laughs) I hope so.

The Greatest Series of All-Time

2009-05-02T18:11:00.002-04:00

It has had everything. Overtimes, fade-a-ways, game winners, clutch plays and excitement are only some words to some up the round one series between the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls. Tonight it will end, game seven. This game has a different feeling then any of the first six games because tonight Boston will get to watch number 5 hit the court and the crowd will go insane. Garnett has missed the series with injuries but is probable for tonight's game.

Without KG the Celtics have survived with amazing performances by Pierce and Ray Allen with help from the young Rajon Rondo. Rondo lost the game for the team in Chicago where Derrick Rose blocked his shot with time expiring in the third overtime. Rose has played like a superstar along with the NCAA star teammate Joakim Noah. Glen "Big Baby" Davis, Kirk Hinerich, and Ben Gordon have played great two and those four have something in common, Final Four appearances.

So tonight the historic series concludes and it will in historic fashion. The Boston Garden will be rockin' all night when they get to see a magnificent game. Expect OT's and memorable shots while this game goes till the final seconds when the Boston Celtics LOSE to the Bulls. I thought Boston would but I think they will tonight.

Repeat,Way Off

2009-04-28T10:41:00.000-04:00

The Boston Celtics were favorites this year and last year to win the NBA Finals, but injuries have heard their chances of repeating. KG went down, Powe's done, Rondo's ankle problems are a problem, and Tony Allen's threats are definitely set backs for Doc Rivers' team. Two summers ago this team put together the greatest offseason of all time where they acquired Garnett, Rondo and Allen, the ones who built a title.
Now this year they entered as the number two seed and now are in trouble as the series is tied at two a piece but Ben Gordon's injury will hurt the Bulls. Derrick Rose is red hot but I think the Bulls will lose the next two and watch the Celts play either the hot Sixers or Dwight and the Magic.

Playing With The Heart of a Champion

2009-04-07T19:38:00.002-04:00

24-9 was the score very early in Monday nights national championship game, the North Carolina Tar Heels were playing like champs. They had already won all of their tournament games by over 10, but looked shaky early on. The Tar Heels faced Radford, LSU, Gonzaga, Oklahoma, and here was hometown Michigan State. After the Radford blowout, the team was doubted going into the game almost every time. Lawson wasn't healthy and it worried people. So up 15 pretty early you could tell the direction the game was going in.

55-34. That was the record setting halftime score. MSU was advertised as a tough team but I had barely saw that all night long. Morgan struggled and that sunk the Spartans ship. Strong games from the starting five and Ed Davis led to the 89-72 victory. Hansborough had the night of his life and proved that he could live up to the hype and finally win a title. Now Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington, two draft stars, have to make the tough decision, do they want to fight for another title or leave their legacy at Carolina after the school's second title in the past 5 years. Carolina has a shot to win another one but without two leaders, Danny Green, the Babylon boy, and Psycho-T, Tyler Hansborough. T has left his legacy laying on Ford Field's floor. One of the best player of the decade is heading to the NBA but is well doubted of his pro-level ability. Duke is looking good for becoming the pre-season number 2 seed, will that keep Lawson around in Chapel Hill.

Predictions [in nearly all sports]

2009-04-02T20:13:00.005-04:00

I have slacked off this March Madness. I was in first place until a coach-less Memphis Tigers fell to a team I originally had going to the Final Four, Missouri and then Louisville and Pitt's horrible Elite Eight fall knocked me out. My favorite team, Carolina, has been my pick for the past five years but this year I mixed it up with a Memphis-Pitt final and that didn't work out well. So now my predictions have to come alive for 2009. Last year my final choice was jinxed after I posted it as my first ever article but this year I'm hoping the jinx doesn't hurt my Heels.

Villanova has been a strong number three seed who deserved a two from the start, but I think the journey will end in a slim 81-78 Tar Heel victory. And then next MSU against UConn. This was the easiest pick for me, UConn plays tough and defeats Michigan State. UNC and Connecticut, two one seeds with two strong big men. Now I hope the jinx comes alive, the stronger UConn beats Carolina to win it all.

On February 1st, 2009 the Pittsburgh Steelers won the Super Bowl. After that I made a prediction of SB44, Pittsburgh against CHICAGO. The Bears have just acquired left tackle Calvin Pace and superstar QB Jay Cutler. Cutler was picked up after being furious in Denver for Kyle Orton and 3 draft picks, two of which were first round. The Bears are strong watch out.

With a pick added to Denver I will have to update the mock draft as the date comes closer. I definitely have some mix-ups knowing Nate Davis will be struggling to find a job, the Niners don't want Matthew Stafford, and the recent developing story that BC star, B.J. Raji failed his drug test today. I can't believe training camp is soon but I am more shocked baseball is finally here.

Now it is time to predict everything baseball possible and if you disagree just post a comment or email me at kingofsportsblog@aim.com where you can also subscribe so that when a new article is posted you will be updated.

Now lets start with the strong NL Central. The Cubs are as strong as ever and will definitely wreck up that division. Then I think the Reds could surprise many people and finish in second with the young core of stars such as Jay Bruce, Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, Edwin Encarcion and Edison Volquez. The team also has strong veterans like Jonny Gomes and Aaron Harang along with free-agent Gary Sheffield who the Reds are pushing for. Next right on the tail of the Reds is the Brew Crew and Cherpin' Cards. The Brewers have a strong lineup but the pitching staff weakened losing Sabathia, Gagne and more and the Cardinals picked up Khalil Greene but I don't trust them well, they'll finish a game or two behind Milwaukee. Next comes the Houston Astros who I think will play well in April and May but get worse as it develops. They have great talent for a team who I think will finish in fifth place. They have Hunter Pence, Tejada, Berkman, Mike Bourn, Carlos Lee and more but I don't trust them in August. And last of all the horrible Pittsburgh Pirates who had not big acquisition unless you count Eric Hinske, an ex-Rookie of the Year. Pirates will win 50 games.

Next is the American League West which will be better without K-Rod. The Angels will win a close division with help from Bobby Abreu, Brian Fuentes, and a great year from Vlad. One and a half back falls the Oakland A's with good new talent in Nomar, Giambino, Matt Holliday and Orlando Cabrera. The A's will keep the Angels pace with a consistent season from Orlando Cabrera. Then along comes a fresh new Mariner team with Grif back, Endy Chavez and more cheap talent with a new manager, Don Wakamatsu. Then there is the Rangers who have week pitching that doesn't show the true talent of Hamilton and Kinsler. They lost a key part to last years success, Milton Bradley and that will bite them in the tush in October.

The highly anticipated NL East is next on the list. I love watching the collapses but Met fans, those days are over! The Mets will hang on with a great new 'pen and a strong Delgado all the way from April to September. Next falls the NL Wild Card '09, the Phils who will be annoyed that Burrell is gone when they look at the standings. Ibanez won't fill Pat's spot but the Phillies will be strong. Then comes the newly-improved Braves, with Lowe, Javy Vazquez and Kenshin Kawakami. Florida finishes fourth with a week off-season and a fight with Hanley. The Marlins chemistry is going down the drain, just like their chances.

LOS ANGELES IS THE TEAM TO BEAT IN BASEBALL AND BASKETBALL. The extreme bullpen with a great bench squad featuring Mientkiewicz, Ausmus, Lorreta and more and of course Manny Ramirez. LA will wreck it up and it will be ugly. Next is the D'Backs. Upton, Young and Reynolds will put up big numbers to keep them in the race. San Fran and Colorado sum up the bottom. SF is too weak to fight with the Dodgers or D-Backs.

Up next is the popular AL East. I will start from the bottom with the Baltimore Orioles. You don;t win a hard division with picking up Gregg Zaun, Felix Pie, Cesar Izturis, Ryan Freel, Ty Wigginton, Adam Eaton, and more names that wouldn't impress you. Then is the Jays who had no new moves except calling up star prospect Travis Snider. The Jays and O's will compete all year for last place. Then comes the three strong teams: the Rays, Sox, and Yanks. That order is the opposite of what I think it will finish. Tampa, in third, puts up a strong fight with Burrell but no Upton in April stings later on. CC has brought a new chapter to the rivalry. The Yanks finally have the talent to win the division. Tex and CC help the Yanks beat Boston's new talent (Smoltz, Penny, Saito and Baldelli).

I will finish the standings with the AL Central. This five team division has pop. Detroit, Minnesota, Chicago, KC and Cleveland. The Sox win the division with another strong year from Quentin. Minnesota makes a late season case but can't win it all. Detroit stuns with its amazing talent that didn't show up in '08 and then the Royals fall one game short of hopping in front of the Tribe.

I will post awards later on but now I will guess the first Yankee and Met to hit a regular season homer at their ballpark. The Yankees, Jorge Posada, will smack the first Yankee Stadium homer and Danny Murphy will do the same at citiField.

Last off the Cavs and Lakers will meet in the NBA Finals. Be ready for the Spurs and Celtics to give a strong fight in the Conference Finals to the two teams.

Check back with my predictions as the games and seasons go down.

The Mock Draft (As of Now)

2009-02-22T17:22:00.003-05:00

In late February, two months before the big day, I have an idea of my NFL Draft Mock Draft:

The Detroit Lions select as the first pick of the 2009 NFL Draft quarterback from Southern California, Mark Sanchez.

His powerful arm and wonderful stats has given him an honor to work with the 0-16 Lions.

2.St. Louis Rams-Andre Smith, Alabama

3. Kansas City Chiefs-Aaron Curry, Wake Forest

4. Seattle Seahawks-Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech

5. Cleveland Browns-Brian Orakpo, Texas

6. Cincinnati Bengals-Jason Smith, Baylor

7. Oakland Raiders-Jeremy Maclin, Missouri

8. Jacksonville Jaguars-Eugene Monroe, Virginia

9. Green Bay Packers -Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State

10. San Francis 49ers-BJ Raji, Boston College

11. Buffalo Bills-Aaron Maybin, Penn State

12. Denver Broncos-Rey Maulaluga, Southern California

13. Washington Redskins-Michael Oher, Ole Miss

14. New Orleans Saints-Vontae Davis, Illinois

15. Houston Texans-Brian Cushing, Southern California

16. San Diego Chargers-Knowshon Moreno, Georgia

17. New York Jets-Matthew Stafford, Georgia

18. Chicago Bears-Duke Robinson, Oklahoma

19. Tampa Bay Bucs-Chris Wells

20. Detroit Lions-Peria Jerry, Ole Miss

21. Philadelphia Eagles-Brian Pettigrew, Oklahoma State

22. Minnesota Vikings-Josh Freeman, Kansas State

23. New England Patriots-James Laurinitas, Ohio State

24. Atlanta Falcons-Clay Matthews, Southern California

25. Miami Dolphins-Larry English, Northern Illinois

26. Baltimore Ravens-DJ Moore, Vanderbilt

27. Indianapolis Colts-Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest

28. Philadelphia Eagles-Eben Britton, Arizona

29. New York Giants-Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland

30. Tennessee Titans-Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina

31. Arizona Cardinals-LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh

32. Pittsburgh Steelers-Alex Mack, California

ROUND 2

1. Detroit Lions-Max Unger, Oregon

2. Kansas City Chiefs-Tyson Jackson, LSU

3. St. Louis Rams- Patrick Chung, Oregon

4. Cleveland Browns-Shonn Greene, Iowa

5. Seattle Seahawks-William Beatty, Connecticut

6. Cincinnati Bengals- Paul Krueger, Utah

7. Jacksonville Jaguars-Evander Hood, Missouri

8. Oakland Raiders-Jamon Meredith, Southern California

9. Green Bay Packers- Robert Ayers, Tennessee

10. Buffalo Bills-Chase Coffman, Missouri

11. San Francisco 49ers- Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma

12. Miami Dolphins- Sean Smith, Utah

13. New York Giants-Clint Sintim, Virginia

14. Houston Texans- Darius Butler, Connecticut

15. New England Patriots-Jairus Byrd, Oregon

16. Denver Broncos-Rashad Johnson, Alabama

17. Chicago Bears-Louis Delmas, Western Michigan

(The extra leaders the Bears need?)

18. Tampa Bay Bucs- Sen'Derrick Marks, Auburn

19. Dallas Cowboys-Kenny Britt, Rutgers

20. Philadelphia Eagles-William Moore Missouri

21. New York Jets-Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma

22. Minnesota Vikings-Fili Moala, Southern California

23. Atlanta Falcons- Percy Harvin, Florida

24. Miami Dolphins-Ron Brace, Boston College

25. Baltimore Ravens-Victor Harris, Virginia Tech

26. New England Patriots-Brandon Tate, North Carolina

27. Carolina Panthers-Nate Davis, Ball State

It would be a shock but West Virginia's Pat White deserves this job.

28. New York Giants-Ziggy Hood, Missouri

29. Indianapolis Colts-Javon Ringer, Michigan State

30. Tennessee Titans-Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech

31. Arizona Cardinals-Herman Johnson, Louisiana State

32. Pittsburgh Steelers-Jaron Gilbert, San Jose State

That is what I think should be the first two rounds of this years draft. I will be changing this as the events continue.

The Tri-State Playoff Run

2009-02-21T08:41:00.002-05:00

As of today, the New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks are tied for the 9th seed in the Eastern Conference just two games out of the 8th seed. Philadelphia, Detroit, and Milwaukee are currently the last 3 teams in but they have lost a combined 9 in a row. The Detroit Pistons after a bad midseason move are falling fast as they have lost 5 straight.

The Tri-State teams are led by a young core with a good veteran. Devin Harris and Brooke Lopez lead the younger core of the Nets with veteran superstar, Vince Carter while the Knicks are led Krypto-Nate, who is playing with so much heart that the Knicks are playing like a playoff team. He is surrounded by Mr. Double Double, David Lee, and veteran pickup, Al Harrington, who currently averages 21 points.

So who has the edge, The Knicks. The talent level the Knicks have to finish the year against is extremely lower than the Nets. The Knicks meet only two good teams in the Hornets and Orlando, who they play twice. Orlando is starting to struggle though with the loss of Jameer Nelson. The Nets schedule though is much tougher as they come down the stretch. The Nets have to play Boston, Orlando and Cleveland twice. They also play New Orleans with the dominant CP3.

So as the two teams we expected to share dead last fight for the post-season, we have to sit back and just watch Nate fly over 7 footers.

The Soap Opera Which Is Alex Rodriguez

2009-02-20T19:06:00.001-05:00

He was went through a divorce, Madonna, 500 home runs but the next chapter is titled February 2009.

His positive test has led to a meeting with Peter Gammons and a press conference with 200+. He has been haunted by his nickname of A-Rod which has been made fun of and changed in every possible was besides A-Nice Guy. Rodriguez very hyped up arrival to spring training has only turned into more people doubt his credibility. The man has PROBABLY told some lies to the public but who knows maybe it's all true but America wants him to look bad. A-Rod has made the sports section full of rude headlines and no forgiving him. Rodriguez wants to focus on baseball and contribute to the run for championship number 27.

So will the country that only forgives celebrities cannot forgive a future Hall of Famer. The only way that A-Rod could be forgiven sadly is if the Bronx Bombers bring one back to the new Yankee Stadium.

XLIII: The Score, The Prediction

2009-01-31T11:31:00.006-05:00

The Arizona Cardinals will play the Pittsburgh Steelers tonight.

There are many aspects that will take place in this game. 'Zona rarely wins on the east coast but plays well in warm weather. The dome they play in is warm and the weather will be 66 degrees with 5 MPH of wind tonight. Also how intense could the '08 version of the Steel Curtain. James Harrison will be at his best and hopefully Big Ben will be also. Kurt Warner has sensational as of late, but the real Arizona story is Larry Fitzgerald. Fitz hasn't been the superstar of the Cards in the past few weeks taking the spotlight making for an unhappy Anquan Boldin. Boldin is a free agent at the end of the game and then the bashing will begin. Boldin left the celebration at the NFC title game after being a leader in his whole Cardinal career. While Fitz is out catching passes, and Boldin will be yelling at the coordinators, but Fitzgerald's father will be reporting at the Super Bowl. When Fitz was younger he shared a practice facility with Hines Ward, his opponent and nut case Plaxico Burress. Also as a kid he worked as a ball boy for the Vikings and spoke with stars such as Randy Moss and Cris Carter.

So down to the point I have predicted my final score of Super Bowl XLIII and here it is:

Pittsburgh Steelers

Arizona Cardinals

After Pittsburgh wins the MVP is...

Hines Ward who catches 7 passes for 150 yards.

Enjoy the venue of the year.

Contest

2009-01-25T15:42:00.002-05:00

Click, click, click.

You may have realized that there are ads scattered around on the perimeter of the site. The ads make me money when you click. If you click once every 30 minutes for one week and then write a comment on this article with your first name and last initial you are entered to be either be a featured writer on the blog or to receive the limited edition Super Bowl blog logo signed by me, your author.

Feel free to enter, it is free.

What Comes Around, Goes Around?

2009-01-25T14:52:00.004-05:00

A few days after he rejected the Yankees 5 million dollar contract with bonuses, Joe Torre's book deal was announced. The book is written by SI's, Tom Verducci. The latest reports in the New York papers say that Torre blasts the team that he won 4 championships with. The book reveals the foolish nickname the Bombers called A-Rod, A-Fraud and his rivalry with teammate, Derek Jeter. Torre was embarrassed with the deal from the Yankees and then later signed with the Dodgers in November of 2007.

When the book releases, on February 3rd, Torre appears on Letterman that night, as the beginning of a long journey of being the talk of the sports wold. Torre will then begin spring training soon after being stalked by the media. With the bad publicity from New York, the two teams do not have a schedule match (thank gosh) but they could be a meeting in October.

LA has lost Derek Lowe, Rafael Furcal, Jeff Kent, Greg Maddux, Brad Penny, and possibly Manny Ramirez but the set of young and talented pitchers (Corey Wade, Chad Billingsly, Jonathan Broxton, and Clayton Kershaw) could take them deep in the playoffs. Their lineup is even better then there staff featuring a good set of outfielders (Matt Kemp and Andre Either) and the fast infielder, Blake DeWitt along with Casey Blake, Andre Eithier, and Gold Glover, Russell Martin. They may be very young but Joe Torre took a young team to 4 titles, I think he can do it in a new town. Maybe Joe is hoping he is treated better this time.

One Ring On, The Other One Gone

2009-01-12T15:49:00.001-05:00

After partying last season about the arrival of their Super Bowl rings, the New York Giants this season won't be getting those.

Yesterday afternoon the Giants fell to the smokin' hot Eagles, 23-11. The twelve point loss ended the repeat season. That was the beginning of new things in the orginization.

Most likely coach Steve Spagnoulo will not return with Big Blue. Also the chances of Plax returning are unlikely. Also premier big back, Brandon Jacobs is a free agent along with Amani Toomer and Derrick Ward. So new faces will be in NY in the 2009-2010 season.

The nightmare of the '09 year isn't over yet as the Eagles fly to Arizona, just a game away.

Divisional Playoffs Picks

2009-01-10T08:37:00.001-05:00

As the real NFL playoffs get under way, it wouldn't be complete if I didn't make my picks. Here we will begin with the Saturday games:

Titans 24, Ravens 28

I don't know how I just wrote that but maybe Reed and Lewis with Captain Flacco will pull off a win against a beat up Titans team.

Panthers 41, Cardinals 27

Another time for a Cardinal loss, another place on the east coast.

Giants 28, Eagles 31

I believe they can fly, all the way to Miami.

Pittsburgh 24, Chargers 23

In the closest game the red hot bolts fall.

Get ready for the conference championship picks next week.

Done?

2008-12-21T08:23:00.003-05:00

In week 7, I began to write a post with the same title about the Dallas Cowboys (after losing Tony Romo) and Tampa Bay Rays (when they went down 2-1 going back to Philly) being done. Now after a 33-24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the Dallas Cowboys are looking DONE.

After getting a bit shaken up on a penalty last week, Tony Romo definitely wasn't 100%. In the last game at Texas Stadium, we all know that Tony may be overwhelmed of the ex-quarterbacks shoes he has to fill in his future as a Cowboy. So possible his brain wasn't 100% also. They may not of had Marion Barber (the wimp in Jerry Jones' mind), but Tayshard Choice wasn't half bad. He ran for 90 with a touchdown and he went undrafted! Remember they had Romo who went for 252 and had 2 TD's and interceptions both to Pro Bowler, Ed Reed.

The Cowboys (9-6) now find themselves on the outside looking in for the final wild-card playoff spot. They will root for the Bucs, Falcons, Eagles to lose Sunday and the Bears to fall on Monday (almost impossible but you never know, they're the Cowboys). Then they'll need to take care of business Dec. 28 in the regular-season finale in Philadelphia, which in the cold sounds immposible after this game.

The only thing the Cowboys have to laugh at is that Witten and Owens both had 5 catchers. Owens went for 63 and Witten, 87.

Interview With Yankees Superstar Joba Chamberlain

2008-12-12T07:41:00.003-05:00

Joba Chamberlain is a right-handed pitcher for the New York Yankees. Joba pitched 15 shut-out innings in 2007. Chamberlain has a career record of 5-3 but his pitches come at you like lightning. Joba answered these questions at the Chrones and Colitis Foundation Dinner last night in New York City. Here is the interview:

Q: Who was your idol?
A: My idol was my dad.

Q: What does Joba mean?
A: It is a nickname.

Q: What is it like playing for the Yankees?
A: It is unbelievable.

Q: Who will have a better year: CC or Joba?
A: I hope we have equal years.

Q: Who do the Yankees have the best chance at getting: Lowe, Sheets, Burnett, or Pettitte?
A: Everybody. We're the Yankees.

Q: Do you speak to [Brian] Cashman during the off-season?
A: No, he's busy already. Why would he talk to me?

Were The Writers Write?

2008-11-18T16:06:00.002-05:00

This month the Baseball Writers gave out some awards that will be remembered in history. Today Dustin Pedroia was named AL MVP who definitely deserved it. Justin Mourneau was his runner-up. Ever since the year when Mourneau and Mauer were voted for the most a couple of years back and Johan won an AL Cy Young that the writers favor the Twins.

Pujols. NL MVP 2005 and 2008. Albert put up fantastic numbers with a 357 average and 37 homers but Ryan Howard was the HR and RBI leaders and led the Phils to a title unlike Pujols who took his team nowhere. Howard was the real MVP but his average killed him.

Tiny Tim and Cliff Lee. The Cy's of '08. I thought K-Rod and CC deserved it . They took their team to the playoffs and put their names in the record books. K-Rod had the single season save record and CC pitched a no-hitter. Another writers mistake.

I was fine with Manager of the Year and Rookie of the Year but was irritated that the awards aren't based on the postseason results. Philadelphia won it all and Howard got no love by not winning WS MVP or MVP. The writers just like the sports need to change. Fast!

The Real Story of Basketball: Continued

2008-11-15T19:53:00.003-05:00

Number 68 was not on the list and my tryout was only pain to my legs. Tryouts were tough and I guess I wasn't as good as the 14 names that are on the team. Many people, including myself, disagreed with some of the coach's picks. The coach took about 5, seven-footers (or maybe 5 foot) and totally changed the way he wanted his team to look. Coach Murphy said he wanted a ball-hog free team but of course took ball-hogs. Coach Murphy also said he wanted leaders but left out one of the best ones in town, me. I know I am not the best player on most of my teams but I could average good numbers, with a big impact on the team and play my 100%, never give up, pump up the team, and straight up, lead the team better then anyone. After this extremely exhausting tryout, I now know that I have to work harder to make next years team. There is a lesson embedded in this post. Never give up.

My younger brother us following my footsteps in being a leader. His hockey team was down 7-2 and he pumped them up and brought them right back in the game. It excites me to see that someone is following me and I always used to say he would be a better athlete then me just by watching me. He might already be faster and stronger then me and you might have to add leadership to that list. It feels good when someone looks up to you and I hope for his number to be on Murphy's list in the near future.

The Real Story of Basketball

2008-11-13T19:36:00.002-05:00

"They made that shot look easy."

In NBA history, 38 players have won the NBA Finals MVP Award. Those 38 players have worked their butts off to help win a title. In the 62 years of NBA history tons of players have played in the NBA.

This week I tried out for my school basketball team. I was running over 15 laps a day and about 8 suicides down the court. I was aching and still aching with all the laps. When you sit and watch a professional basketball game and some 6 footer hits a three pointer, everybody says, "They made that shot look easy." I wish people could say that about me this week. I put so much effort into making this team like millions of kids who set a professional sports goal and well, it turns out they did it for nothing. I have a 1 in 35 chance in making this basketball team, if I don't make the team then I truly worked my butt off for nothing. If I asked Kobe or AI how much work it took to be where they are they would say, "Well a lot!" People who love watching basketball, but don't play truly don't appreciate how much hard work and effort it takes to put a ball in a ring. They think that is all basketball is. Those people don't think about the 100 laps a week and 45 suicides for every missed lay-up. If that was what my coach did I may still be running now. Say if you ran out to the park tomorrow morning and counted how many baskets you make out of a hundred you could be surprised if you only make 12. It is a tough thing that requires a lot of different things like energy and athleticism which some people just don't have in their genes.

Tomorrow at 8:00 AM, Coach will post the team on the Boys Locker Room Door with a list of 14 numbers on it. Hopefully 68 is on their and when you watch Lebron James tonight against Denver, think of how much work he put into his career and that one little jump shot from 12 feet away.

How Long WIll It Take 'Till We're Chanting Fire D'Antoni?

2008-11-01T16:01:00.002-04:00

After a horrible loss, cursing, and even putting a former superstar on the inactive list, Mike D'Antoni hasn't exactly started off on the right foot. I can already picture me blogging in January when the Knicks are 1-50 and saying fire Mike. So how long will it take?

The Knicks suck and will suck and we all know that. Marbury and Curry are benched and they can score 10 a game even with their problems. I want the Knicks to be a better team but not get a new coach but as a Knick fan I have to think about my "Fire Mike" article but it won't be his fault. The Knicks are not a good team and it's not D'Antoni's problem.

More stuff is going to happen where the guys that matter, the players, not the fans (who don't matter really), hate D'Antoni because they do in week one already. But us the fans are just going to have to watch the Knicks suck, pick Hansbrough at number one and win a g-d damn championship in '10 where LJ23 is wearing orange and blue.

Interview with Darryl Strawberry

2008-10-12T07:49:00.002-04:00

Darryl Eugene Strawberry (born March 12, 1962) is a former baseball player who isA popular player during his career, Strawberry was voted to the All-Star Game eight straight times from 1984-1991.Strawberry is currently well-known both for his play on the baseball field and for his controversial behavior off of it. Strawberry is now an announcer for SNY.

Q: Which was your favorite championship: Yankees or Mets?

A: Mets.

Q: Which was the better parade?

A: Mets. The Mets were all great.

Q: What is it like seeing your son in the NBA?

A: It is a great feeling. He is a great man and I wish him all the best.

Q: Who was your idol?

A: Pete Rose

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