Month: July 2010 (Page 54 of 62)

      Joey Votto: The ultimate All-Star Game snub

      July 5, 2010 /

      How does Joey Votto not make the 2010 MLB All-Star Game? Well, I know how he didn’t make it: he plays in the same league as Albert Pujols, Ryan Howard and Adrian Gonzalez. But I mean, how can baseball allow this to happen?

      This isn’t as much about Howard or Gonzo (two worthy All-Stars) as it as about Votto, who leads the Reds and ranks among NL leaders in hitting (.312), home runs (19), RBI (57), total bases (163) and on-base percentage (.414). Oh-and-by-the-way, he also leads all NL first basemen (including Pujols, mind you) with a .988 OPS.

      Last time I checked, baseball is the king of numbers and stats. Yet even though Votto was statistically the best at his position in the first half, he didn’t make the final cut. It would be shocking if it weren’t so predictable given that Pujols, Howard and Gonzalez were locks to make the NL squad before voting even began.

      Forget numbers for a second and let me throw this question out there: Would the Reds be 11 games over .500 and in first place in the NL Central right now without Votto? No flipping way. Cincinnati is on its way to having its first winning season since The Oregon Trail was the top selling video game in America and he deserves to be recognized for it.

      The good news is that with injuries to guys like Jason Heyward and Troy Tulowitzki, there may be a roster spot open for Votto when it’s all said and done. And there better be, seeing as how nobody is more deserving of an All-Star roster spot than him. It would be a freaking baseball travesty if he didn’t get to travel to L.A. this year to take part in the well-deserved honor.

      To check out the official, Joey Votto-less AL and NL All-Star Game rosters, click here.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      External Sports, MLB

      Joe Johnson will stay in Atlanta

      July 4, 2010 /
      April 26, 2010 Milwaukee, WI. Bradley Center..Atlanta Hawks Joe Johnson drives to the hoop, Johnson had 29 points and 9 assists against the Bucks tonight..Milwaukee Bucks won over the Atlanta Hawks 111-104, in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs. The Series is now tied at 2-2. Mike McGinnis/CSM.

      There were some rumblings that Johnson might take some time to weigh his options, and possibly take less money to play with a better player, but he has instead decided to take the Hawks’ max offer.

      Arn Tellem, Johnson’s agent, said that Johnson was impressed with the team’s commitment to him and agreed to accept the club’s six-year contract offer. He confirmed the post to The Associated Press.

      Atlanta offered Johnson, a four-time All-Star, approximately $119 million over six years — nearly $27 million more than any other team could offer.

      This reminds me of the Michael Redd signing from a few years back. They knew they were overpaying him at the time, but they still made the deal. A few knee injuries later and the Bucks are biding their time, waiting for the deal to expire.

      Johnson is a nice player, but he’s not worth a ‘max’ contract — just look at the way he played against the Magic in the playoffs. He’s 28, so he will be 33 when he enters the final year of this deal. Shooting guards are notorious for aging poorly, so we’ll see how long it takes for the Hawks to regret this contract.

      This re-signing is a bit of a surprise. It seemed like Johnson and the Hawks were on the outs, and that the Hawks would be unwilling to overpay him to stay. But that’s exactly what they did in the end.

      External Sports, Fantasy Basketball, NBA, News, Rumors & Gossip

      Brazil goalkeeper tearful upon return home

      July 4, 2010 /

      Julio Cesar was greeted by fans in Brazil despite being faulted for giving up the deciding goal against the Netherlands. The goal ended Brazil’s run at the World Cup, sending them home in the quarterfinals. The Brazilian crowds’ warmth was surprising, but Cesar couldn’t help but unleash the waterworks.

      This just further exemplifies the differences between the United States and international soccer. When our players returned home after losing in the Round of 16, supporters probably swarmed them in dubious jubilation. For the Brazilian players, they can’t help but feel ashamed.

      External Sports, Soccer, World Cup

      Nadal back in top form, takes Wimbledon

      July 4, 2010 /

      While Nadal’s recent French Open title again solidified himself as the top clay court player of his era, doubts remained whether or not another Wimbledon was in the cards. It was. Facing 12th-seeded Thomas Berdych, Nadal defeated the Czech today 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 to claim his second Wimbledon championship.

      From ESPN.com:

      Nadal broke Berdych four times and never lost serve in 15 service games.

      It’s the second time Nadal has won the French Open and Wimbledon back-to-back. He is now 5-0 in his last Grand Slam finals.

      With eight Grand Slam titles, Nadal joins a list of greats that includes Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl, Fred Perry and Ken Rosewall. He also has five French Open championships and one Australian Open title.

      After ripping a crosscourt forehand passing shot on match point, Nadal collapsed on his back on the turf at the baseline and covered his face with his hands. After congratulating Berdych, Nadal leaped out of his chair and did a front somersault on the grass, rising to his feet with both fists clenched.

      I’m skeptical to call Nadal the dominant player in men’s tennis, not because all of you will rip on me (I’m fine with that), but because we still need him to beat Roger Federer one more time in a Grand Slam. When Nadal and Federer squared off at Wimbledon in 2008, Nadal’s breakthrough victory alerted the world of his talent and justifiably shook Federer. Flash forward to January of 2009 and Nadal is defeating Federer in the Australian Open final, driving the point home further.

      But directly after that, everything seemed to collapse. Nadal’s knees started to crumble and, even more surprising, Federer got better. After falling in the fourth round to Robin Soderling at the 2009 French Open, Nadal took heed of health concerns and withdrew from the upcoming Wimbledon. Federer, on the other hand, won both of those tournaments, surpassing Pete Sampras on the all-time Grand Slam list in the process.

      Now Nadal is mowin’ em down once again, and his Wimbledon win today proves that he’s deserving of the world No. 1 recognition. What’s interesting to me is that Berdych beat Federer in the quarterfinals, but was thwarted in straight sets by Nadal in the final. Is there something we can glean from this about the stages of Federer and Nadal’s careers? You might not think so. I do. But like anyone else I think Nadal needs to win one more epic Grand Slam final between the two if he wants to deserve that extra praise.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      External Sports, Tennis

      Is Ozzie Gullen the Marlins’ top choice?

      July 4, 2010 /

      Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen comes out of the dugout to argue a call against the Chicago Cubs during the second inning at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago on June 27, 2010. UPI/Brian Kersey Photo via Newscom

      According to the Chicago Tribune, White Sox skipper Ozzie Guillen is the Marlins’ top choice to replace Fredi Gonzalez as manager if he were to become available after the season.

      The Marlins’ decision to keep Edwin Rodriguez as manager through the end of the year came about because ownership wants to see which managers are available after the season. Ozzie Guillen would be at the top of the Marlins’ list if he were available. …

      It’s a little odd that the Tribune would have that sort of information hidden in an article and not provide more details as to why the Marlins want Ozzie. But maybe they don’t have any more information outside of that.

      Guillen was a coach with the Marlins in 2003 when they won the World Series, so he has ties to Florida. There’s no doubt he could provide a spark for the Marlins young roster and he’s already proved that he can win. It wouldn’t be a bad fit.

      One thing’s for sure, I would want front row seats to the first Ozzie-Hanley argument if Guillen does wind up in South Florida. What a fireworks display that would be.

      External Sports, MLB

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