Monday, October 11, 2010

"Bobby Cox Field"

AFTER 29 years of managing baseball, Bobby Cox has decided to call it quits. He will go down in history as one of the best managers in the history of baseball. Leading 16 teams that he managed to the playoffs, Cox left a legacy of greatness on the game of baseball.

It truly was his life, Cox first suited up for the New York Yankees the same day that Mickey Mantle played his last game. For 50 years, this has been Cox’s life, and now it’s over. The San Francisco Giants knocked the Braves out of the playoffs after a hard fought series, where each game was decided by just one run. In the midst of their victory celebration, the Giants recognized the magnitude of what just happened; they stopped their cheers, tipped their caps and watched as a baseball legend walked off the field for the last time in his career.

After the loss, Cox’s emotions got the best of him as hear tearfully addressed his team in the locker room. Chipper Jones, who has never played for any other manager, said that he had never seen Cox so emotional. As he addressed the team, and thanked them for everything that they had done for him this season, he left the locker room on multiple occasions, to gather his thoughts before speaking. Bobby Cox was really leaving.

Cox has won division titles, managed All-Star teams, won World Series Championships, but this was truly his finest hour; the first time he could look back on his career and reflect on everything he had done.

In today’s day and age, professional sports have become such a business that a permanent fixture in a locker room has become a rarity. Jerry Sloan has been with the Utah Jazz for over 20 years, Tony LaRussa has been with the St. Louis Cardinals for 15 years, and a few other coaches have had extended tenures with their teams, but rarely does it happen anymore. The money and business aspect of sports have changed the game from what it was generations ago. Stadiums are named after sponsors, bringing in more money for the organization. Coaches are fired in hopes that the next coach will be the key to turning around a season for a club. Coaches leave teams just like player free agents do, searching for a championship ring or a higher paying contract. Bobby Cox stayed, the Atlanta Braves kept him.

After turning around the Braves organization when he took over for the second time, Cox led the Braves to 15 playoff appearances. Although they only won one World Series title, the Braves were in the playoffs year in and year out. He revitalized baseball fever in Atlanta.

Teams across the league have been showing their love and appreciation for Bobby Cox throughout the entire year. As he’s been on his ‘farewell tour’ this season, he’s received awards, tokens of memory, fishing trips and cruises from many different teams. Cox is appreciative, although baseball always came first with him. As he walks away, the Atlanta Braves owe him one more thing. The Braves need to give Cox something that he can look at and cherish forever. Every time an Atlanta Braves player steps into Turner Field, they can see the championship flags hanging from the rafters and hang their hats on those championships. They have Bobby to thank for that. The Braves need to give Bobby something that he can hang his hat on, Turner Stadium should be renamed to Bobby Cox field.

Bobby never wanted to leave the game of baseball, and after all the things he did for this game, it will never leave him. The least that the Atlanta Braves organization can do to show their full appreciation and gratitude for Coach Cox is to give him the name of the field, and allow him to see his legacy every time he sees the stadium.

Thanks for a great 50 years Bobby. Baseball will miss you as it tries to find someone that can fill your giant shoes.

-Jeff Hansen

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Gordon Hayward? Who?

With the ninth pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, the Utah Jazz select Gordon Hayward from Butler University.

Gordon Hayward? Seriously?

Who is Gordon Hayward and what convinced the Jazz to select him with the ninth pick in the draft? 6 feet 7 inches tall, 115 pounds isn’t exactly your NBA body style. (Ok, 200 pounds.) Jazz fans went into the draft hoping for the next big center to bring stability in the middle, a solid post game, and the defensive stability to stand up against the Lakers big men. That in mind, the boos directed toward Hayward and Jazz General Manager, Kevin O’Connor, may have been justified. But before we chalk Hayward up as the biggest Jazz draft flop since Nazr Mohammed , let’s find out exactly who this Gordon Hayward kid really is.

Gordon Hayward was born in Brownsburg, Indiana. He has a twin sister and according to his family, was born to play basketball. Growing up Hayward was a star basketball player, but lacked the size needed to be as successful as his talent would allow him to be. As a freshman in high school Hayward nearly walked away from the game after thinking to himself that he was too small to play the game. He and his sister were star tennis players and he was seriously considering leaving the game of basketball and pursuing his tennis career. Shortly after these thoughts, Hayward experienced a growth spurt that was enough to persuade him to stick with his basketball career. It paid off, Hayward committed to Butler University on a basketball scholarship.

At Butler, Hayward shined as a star basketball player. As a true freshman he made an instant impact averaging just over 13 points on a Butler team that was returning four starters from the year before. His sophomore year he only improved, averaging 15.5 points a game and leading the little school from just outside Indianapolis to the Final Four in the NCAA Tournament. Hayward nearly led Butler to the National Championship, but just missed a shot from half court to win the game at the buzzer.

Gordon Hayward left Butler University, got drafted by the Jazz and moved here to Utah. Living on his own for the first time, Gordon Hayward brought his own personal butler to come to Utah with him, his Dad. Growing up, Hayward was all about basketball, like most NBA players. Somewhere along the line however, young Hayward never learned how to cook, pay bills or do laundry. Not even being able to cook well enough to feed himself, Hayward has brought his Dad from Indiana to Utah to live with him and help him figure out how to live on his own.

As an NBA basketball player, we have yet to find out much about Hayward. Some Jazz fans are believers and feel that Hayward is the next NBA star, others are still skeptical and have their doubts about why the Jazz didn’t select someone bigger or more athletic player, all Jazz fans however, are anxious to see how the young kid plays.

Deron Williams says he’s more athletic than people give him credit for, Jerry Sloan says his basketball IQ is far beyond his years. Who is this kid? What kind of player is he? My guess, Gordon Hayward turns heads and surprises people as Kevin O’Connor once again proves himself as one of the best general managers in the game.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

The Face of the NFL

Braylon Edwards screwed up. After a big win against the New England Patriots, the New York Jets star wide receiver was charged with a DUI. Yes, this is old news; I’m not breaking anything exciting here. Braylon Edwards’ mistake is not what I’m speaking out on, but rather the events that shortly followed his trouble with the law.

To illustrate my point we need to backtrack to the offseason. Ben Roethlisberger was charged with sexual assault of a young girl in an Atlanta night club. The charges were eventually dropped, but that didn’t stop Commissioner Roger Goodell from suspending Roethlisberger for the first six games of the Pittsburgh Steelers schedule. The suspension was later reduced to just four weeks after Roethlisberger completed some requirements that Goodell set in place. So in a nutshell, Roethlisberger was suspended for four weeks after NOT being convicted of sexual assault.

Braylon Edwards was very obviously guilty of breaking the law when the breathalyzer showed that Edwards’ BAC was 0.16%, double the New York limit. Goodell took no disciplinary action on Edwards. What is Roger Goodell thinking? How can he suspend Roethlisberger, but not Edwards?

Yes, Roethlisberger had previous problems with the law so he was a multiple offender, but does that really make him more worthy of a suspension than Edwards? This was the first time that Edwards himself had been charged with a DUI, but he had been with teammates when they had been pulled over and charged with a DUI.

Last year, Edwards’ former teammate Dante Stallworth was involved in a car accident that took the life of a human being. Stallworth was under the influence of alcohol. Edwards was in the car with him at the time of the accident.

Goodell stated that Roethlisberger was suspended because he hurt the image of the league by simply being involved in a sexual assault case. How Edwards didn’t hurt the image of the league is beyond me. Maybe Goodell and the NFL are going for an image that condones drunk driving. Of the last 14 NFL players to be charged with a DUI, Edwards was the only that received any disciplinary action at all, and it wasn’t sanctions coming from the NFL, it was from the Jets front office. The Jets suspended him for one quarter. Yes, one quarter.

Roger Goodell needs to get his priorities in order. He made a very strong stance when he chose to suspend Roethlisberger, but has been wishy-washy to say the least when DUI issues arise. The Government found Roethlisberger innocent, while Edwards was guilty, and Stallworth took a life. What do you think hurts the image of the league?

-Jeff Hansen

What do you think Roger Goodell should have done? Let me know!!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Bumps and Bruises Bailout Bronco?

In all sports, the injury bug ruins people's seasons. Just this season, rookie phenom Stephen Strasburg suffered a torn ligament in his elbow, forcing him to have season ending Tommy John surgery. Approximately 12 months of rehab have put a severe halt to his career and have many wondering whether or not he will live up to the hype that he has had in recent months because of injury.

The injury bug hits every team in one way or another, usually creating havoc for the team as they scramble to try and find people to fill in for the injured player. But this year, the injury bug could be a blessing for the BYU Cougar football team.

Bronco Mendenhall, head coach at BYU, has been under scrutiny for his decision at the end of fall camp to go with a two quarterback system. Most critics disagreed with the decision, and most critics have been proven right. After the Cougars opening game against Washington, Mendenhall looked like a genius, one who knew that he could beat the odds and have a successful quarterback system. After embarrassing losses to Air Force and Florida State, the critics have been proved to be right. The two quarterback system has been horrible for BYU, sporting the lowest passer efficiency rating they've had under Bronco Mendenhall's tenure as Head Coach.

Riley Nelson, junior tranfer quarterback from Utah State, has got all three starts for BYU while highly recruited freshman Jake Heaps has alternated series with Nelson. The game against Florida State started out like the first two weeks of the season, Nelson starting and Heaps coming in for the second series. The third series, it was Nelson again, and he suffered a hard hit as he scrambled on a play. That hard hit, and that series that led to a BYU punt, proved to be the last series for Riley Nelson, at least for this year. Nelson suffered a torn ligament in his shoulder, that a Tuesday MRI showed would require season ending surgery. With 5-6 months of rehab time needed, Nelson's season, and perhaps his career as a quarterback at BYU are over.

While nobody likes to see an injury, this particular injury could have come just in time for Bronco Mendenhall to salvage what's left of the 2010 season. The two quarterback system wasn't working and Mendenhall was wishy-washy at best in his choice in quarterback. This injury has forced Jake Heaps into THE guy for the Cougar football team.

This decision was what many Cougar fans have been hoping for all year long. Jake Heaps is a very talented freshman that is mature beyond his years. He has potential to join the club of elite Cougar quarterbacks. Popular opinion among most BYU fans, is that Riley Nelson and Mendenhall's decision to alternate him with Heaps, was the only thing that was holding Heaps, and the rest of the team down. The old football adege, "when you have 2, you have none" has been said many times by those following BYU football. Well, now BYU has 1, and 1 is more than none.

Heaps has the confidence needed to be a successful quarterback, saying after the Florida State game, that BYU's goal is to "go 10-0 from this point on". Many think that Heaps is the traditional BYU quarterback, the rocket passer, while Nelson was an unconventional option quuarterback. Many say that the switch to a full time rocket passer will solve many of the problems on the offensive side of the ball for the Cougars. Receivers will be able to build some continuity with Heaps, and thus (in theory) start catching more balls. One leader has been picked, and confidence from a coaching staff goes straight to Heaps, and that might just be the right formula for the Cougars to still end this season on a high note.

Riley Nelson's unfortunate injury, might prove well for the Cougars. It could potentially save Mendenhall from even more scrutiny from the media and fans, and help BYU rally to a strong finish to the rest of the season. We wish Riley Nelson a fast and speedy recovery, and wish Jake Heaps the best of luck as he takes the reigns of a prestige position at a prestige university.

-Jeff Hansen

Let me know what you think of the QB situation at BYU! Is this enough to salvage the season?

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

The Fall of Troy

Reggie Bush was one of the most prolific, exciting and overall most talented college football players in the history of the game. He was a human highlight reel, with each touch of the football having the potential to be his top play on SportsCenter. Reggie Bush was a true champion.

However, after an NCAA investigation, it was ruled that Bush was ineligible to play. The investigation found that he had wrongfully accepted money, gifts and cars while he was still a student athlete at USC, thus making him ineligible to play college football in 2005. After the news of this scandal broke, almost immediately USC was punished by the NCAA; putting recruiting sanctions on the school, making them ineligible to play in post season play for 2 years, and forfeiting their wins from the 2005 season. Seems like a pretty steep punishment eh?

This last week, it was reported that the Heisman Trust Committee would strip Bush of his 2005 Heisman trophy, shortly after the Heisman Committee denied the report saying they were still unsure of the disciplinary action that would be taken. Seemingly tired and annoyed with the whole situation, Bush ended the speculation and forfeited his Heisman trophy on his own accord, the first time in Heisman history that the award has been returned.

This opens up a very interesting discussion, why is this scandal so wrong that both a school and a player should be so strictly punished 5 years later? Reggie Bush may have accepted money and gifts, but his play as a player was arguably one of the best ever. There were no human growth drugs or steroids that were taken into his body and he didn’t throw the BCS National Championship game against Texas because of gambling and yet he was punished far worse than other players in other sports.

Roger Clemens, Alex Rodriguez and Andy Pettite were all found guilty of using steroids during their baseball careers. Major League Baseball can maybe keep those players out of the Hall of Fame at the end of their fantastic careers, but the Yankees World Series Titles still stand. If Reggie Bush and USC should be punished so many years later, why aren’t the Yankees being punished for letting cheaters play the game?

OJ Simpson, a former Heisman trophy winner in his own right, went through a grueling murder trial in 1994. While he was acquitted of the charges in court, a jury at the civil suit filed by the victim’s family unanimously found Simpson guilty. Just a few years ago, Simpson was arrested in Las Vegas trying to steal football memorabilia. His face was tarnished forever and people will forever think of him as a criminal. Simpson broke the law, but the Heisman trophy is still his.

If the NCAA and the Heisman committee can punish Bush for such a minor offense during his playing career, other players need to be punished as well. If Reggie Bush was the only player that has received money or trips illegally, then maybe he deserves to be punished. This is not the case.

A former Texas University football player that wishes to remain anonymous spoke about Vince Young saying, “During his time here at Texas, Vince never paid for a meal. Everywhere he went people were buying things for him and picking up tabs. Vince never had to use his own money.”

The NCAA has opened up ‘Pandora’s Box’ of punishments and sanctions; the standard has been set. If Reggie Bush and USC have to suffer the consequences of one players actions five years ago, then the NCAA must investigate every school in the country looking for the same infractions. They’ve set the standard, and they owe it to USC to investigate everyone.

-Jeff Hansen

Leave your comments and tell me what you think should happen to Reggie Bush and other playes that have been involved in scandals!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

LeBron: Savior or Killer?

Many of us remember the day in 2003 that LeBron James was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers as the number 1 pick in the NBA Draft. At the young age of 18, James was set to revolutionalize the league Magic Johnson and Larry Bird era. He was the next Michael Jordan, set to with an unprecedented amount of MVP awards and NBA championships. LeBron James WAS the NBA.

But now it's 2010 and the Cleveland Cavaliers are no longer the team that King James plays for. He has moved to South Beach, where he has teamed up with 'super friends' Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade. They've become arguably the best team in the NBA and without a doubt have received more hype and expectations than any other team in the history of the NBA. The effect that the decision LeBron James made to move to Miami had instant impact; retired NBA players, like Penny Hardaway, said that they would be willing to come out of retirement for a shot to play with the Heat in Miami. But that is not the only impact that the Lebron James move has made around the league.

LeBron was set to be the NBA's Savior, but now it seems as if he is becoming more of a killer of the NBA than anything else, and possibly not to any fault of his own. I'm a supporter of his choice to move to Miami, he did what is best for him and his family and ultimately gave him the best chance to win his first NBA Championship. But the events that followed his decision to go, lead me to wonder if he is regretting the decision to leave.

Shortly after Lebron moved to Miami, Chris Paul decided to become a little more vocal with his displeasure in New Orleans. He demanded for a trade, but not just a trade to any team, he demanded that he be traded to a contender, with the New York Knicks at the top of his list. While he was demanding this trade, Amare'e Staudamire was recruiting Paul to join him in New York. (Keep in mind, Paul is still under contract through the end of this year.) Paul feels that he has no chance to win in New Orleans, and wants to make his own 'Big 3' similar to that of James.

Paul wasn't the only player that was unhappy with his current situation. Carmelo Anthony expressed his unhappiness, when he refused to sign a contract extension with the Denver Nuggets. Yes players choose to move on all the time, but Anthony was anticipated to resign, until LeBron moved. Shortly after the contract extension talks fell through, Anthony requested a trade to go to a top contender; the Knicks or the Bulls. Both of those suitors would welcome Anthony with open arms as that would give them their own "Big 3".

The Lakers and the Celtics, already have a very similar situation, where they have 3 perrenial All-Stars on their roster that play day in and day out.

Is this the new face of NBA basketball? It seems as if it is impossible for anyone not located in Los Angeles or Miami to walk away with the Title of NBA Champs this year. Lebron James' decision to unite with All-Stars Bosh and Wade had changed the entire face of the NBA, but is it really for the better?

Many would argue that LeBron isn't a Savior at all, that he had made the NBA a laughing stock, where players under contract demand trades, where selfishness trumps any team loyalty; where the love of a title is more important than playing for your hometown crowd. The small market team has virtually been destroyed. There is virtually no chance for a small team without a their own version of the Big 3 to win a championship and many fans agree. Many fans don't want to watch the NBA anymore, saying that becauase their team can't win, it's not worth it.

LeBron James did the move that was best for him, but I don't think he had any idea of the rippling effect his decision would play on the rest of league. King James was once labeled as the Savior of the NBA, but is changing, or possibly even killing, the face of the NBA.

-Jeff Hansen

Just reminding everyone, post your comments, give me some feedback about your opinion of LeBron James!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

BCS: How much longer?

Imagine for a second the movie Rudy, if Rudy never got to see a down on the football field. Or try to picture The Natural, but Robert Redford doesn't ever get the chance to use his lightnight struck bat because he didn't come from the right part of the country. We as Americans have a soft spot in our hearts for the feel-good story. We love the underdog; Rudy and Rocky are household names. But arguably America's favorite sport, has taken Rudy off the field, and told Rocky he was too small and never let him fight. The BCS has killed the underdog in college football.

Until now.

For the first time in BCS history, a preseason poll has a non-AQ (non automatic qualifier) ranked in the top 10 of rankings. And not only does Boise State sit as the highest ranked non-AQ ever, but TCU is nipping at their heels just a few spots behind them. Finally, there is a realistic shot for "Smalls" to come in a make something happen. Finally, the BCS will be busted this year.

The question that is looming over all of college football is whether or not an undefeated Boise State or TCU deserves a shot at the national championship. My question is, what more do they have to do to prove that they are worthy of that game? Let's take a look at history a little bit, since the 2006 season, Boise State has simply gone 50-4, including 2 BCS bowl victories and 7-2 against teams ranked in the top 25. Many will argue that last stat is the reason that the Broncos shouldn't be allowed a shot at the coveted National Championship. This notion is ridiculous. Boise, to no fault of their own, is forced to play lowly teams like Idaho, Utah State, and San Jose State every year; there is nothing they can do about that. Never have they lost a game to those teams, year in and year out, they go out and pummel those school, proving that they are in a different league than the rest of those teams. Find in that argument the reason that this team doesn't deserve a shot at the title?

"An undefeated Boise State team is not as worthy as an Alabama team or an Ohio State team with one loss," Lee Corso said while he was ranting and pounding his fists on the desk, "Good teams deserve that game, not Boise State"

What did Boise State do just two weeks later? Travelled 2419 miles across the country and beat Virginia Tech, a team many are picking to win the ACC. What more does Boise State have to do to prove that they deserve more hype than they get?

Minutes later, Lee Corso tried to claim that people are giving too much hype to Boise State over one game against Oklahoma and a "lucky victory". Well Coach Corso, the luck has run out. A team can't get lucky time after time after time, eventually this has to be recognized as talent.

Last year, two non-AQ schools, Boise State and TCU, ran the table and were selected to make it to a BCS game. What did the BCS do? It paired those teams together, putting two non-AQ teams against each other in one of the few cases that two at-large bids played each other in a BCS game. Boise State beat Oklahoma, Utah beat Pitt, and then Utah beat Alabama; to prevent another testimony of the talent and skill level of these mid-major schools, the BCS paired these two teams together. The explanation: Fear. Traditional, old time analysts, old time coaches and those on the East Coast, are afraid to admit that the days of power house schools dominating the college football scene are over. They are afraid to schedule Boise State in the National Championship because they are good enough to win.

This is year is the year. The BCS is going to be busted forever. It is my hope that Boise State and TCU both go undefeated again this year, and bust this BCS garbage once and for all.

-Jeff Hansen

Where this is my first article or post, let me explain what the purpose of this blog is. As an aspiring sports journalist, I hope to get my name out and let people see my writing. Reader feedback is key in my reaching of my goal of becoming a sports writer. Please, comment on this article, let me know if you think Boise deserves a shot or not. Also, if you enjoyed reading this and would like to read more, let me know, tell your friends and family about this blog. Thanks!