This week the world was presented with some predictable, yet shocking news, Kobe Bryant is playing his last season in the NBA. Love him or hate him, you cannot deny the fact that Kobe is an exceptional talent on the court. Twenty seasons with one team in impressive in itself, but when you add the 5 NBA titles, 17 All-Star selections, 11 All NBA selections, and the third leading scorer ever to play in the NBA, damn! He has more points than anyone ever to don a Laker uniform while having missed more shots than anyone ever to make it to the NBA. And let's not forget his defensive presence. Kobe often drew the best player on the opposing team and many times, locked him down. His 12 All Defensive team selections definitely back that up. I don't think anyone can deny that Kobe had a huge impact on the game of basketball. Whether you love him or hate him, you have to respect him. But for the record, I can't fucking stand him! I'll holla at ya Kobe!
With the college football season winding down, it seems like there is a pretty clear front runner for the National Championship. And as much as it pains me to admit it, that team is the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. While my hate for this team runs deep, you can't deny facts. They have a pretty straight road paved ahead of them all the way to the trophy. Their last regular season contest is against a shaky Auburn squad. After that, they have just an SEC Championship game against a good Florida team. But good isn't going to cut it. Not against Alabama. Auburn, Florida, and eventually Clemson (still not sure how they're #1) will see that Henry and the Tide are pretty much destined to win it all this season. BUT, I'm not giving up hope just yet! I will be rooting for my Auburn Tigers harder than ever before this weekend! The Iron Bowl is full of surprises and we need one this year!
Every year Major League Baseball inducts the best players ever to take the field into the Hall of Fame. This is nothing new, but this year, one of the players on the ballot is the final nail in the coffin that my childhood is buried in. I'm talking about none other than Junior Griffey. The undisputed "sweetest swing in baseball" was every 80's baby's favorite player at one point or another. He was no doubt the coolest baseball player on the diamond over his amazing 22 year career. He did whatever he wanted between the lines and nobody could stop him. The backwards hat, beautiful swing, lightning speed, and ridiculous power were the perfect combo. There is no doubt in my mind that he will be on the ballot once and only once. This is about as close to unanimous as we will get for a while. A 13 time All-Star, 10 time Gold Glove winner, 7 Silver Slugger awards, 1997 AL MVP, and 630 career home runs. All during the infamous steroid era WITH NO TIES WHATSOEVER TO PEDs! For me, the choice is clear, Junior Griffey will easily be in the Hall of Fame very soo. The only question is, who will join him? Here's a list of the players eligible for induction. Who else will receive the 75% of votes needed to secure their place in history? Piazza has to make it this year, right? Trevor Hoffman? I guess we will have to wait and see...
In the battle of the best college football coaching names, Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers shut down Jimbo Fisher and the Florida State Seminoles. The Noles were one of those one loss teams looking for an open back door into the College Football Playoffs. Actually, they might have a had a pretty good chance. Knocking off the #1 team in the nation would look pretty good to any rankings committee. BUT they didn't. Clemson showed up and showed out. After being punched in the mouth early in the game, they woke up and quickly regained composure. With a 6-10 score going into the half, it seemed like Clemson was within reach, but Florida State had a shot to pull away. After halftime, Clemson took no prisoners. They held the Noles to just 3 points while racking up 17 for themselves. Very impressive.
So, the question is, is Clemson for real? Do they really have what it takes to run the table and be crowned champions when it's all said and done? Or are they a product of their schedule? Anyone see Alabama play? They looked like they would love a chance to test the Tigers. Only time will tell... By the way! Auburn upset Texas A&M. Just thought I'd let you know for those who may have missed it. #WDE For the first time in 30 years, the Kansas City Royals are World Champions! After coming up short last year, the KC kids seemed almost destined to bring the trophy back to the city. After a 14 inning thriller to take game 1, it was obvious that the Royals were willing to do whatever it took to secure the title. They seemed like a run producing machine. Get on, get over, get in. That is the way baseball is supposed to be played. It's the way everyone learns the game. They didn't rely on the big fly, they manufactured runs and took advantage of situations. Everyone was ready to contribute when their number was called. The bench players seemed like they would be in a starting 9 on 75% of other teams. It was exciting, fundamental baseball and I loved every second of it! I found myself staying up, struggling to keep my eyes open during games 1 and 5, not wanting to miss a single pitch. Both teams definitely gave me my money's worth. Both Edison Volquez and Matt Harvey put on great pitching performances, but it would seem that Harvey was left in a little too long. Manager Terry Collins had made the decision to yank Harvey after the 8th inning, but Harvey was able to talk him out of it. Honestly, I don't even have a problem with this decision. If a pitcher believes he has it, you let him go back. I would have still pulled him, but as a former pitcher and coach, I can see the case for leaving him in. The problem I have is leaving him in once a runner got on base. There is NO WAY he can throw another pitch after that. I don't care if he begs and screams as he's being drug off the field, that's it. Great game, but you're done. Well, obviously Terry Collins didn't ask me. He left Harvey in for another batter & the rest is history. The final out of the Royal's 2014 World Series run was named the MVP of their 2015 run. Catcher Salvador Perez was constantly beat & batter by foul balls, but controlled the hell out of the Kansas City pitching staff. He also went 8 for 22 during the 5 games and earned every single vote for MVP.
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