Throwback Saturday Part XII

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Bobby Valentine (pictured above) is the current Red Sox manager due to a horrible September collapse last year. Will he right the ship in Beantown?

By Josh Kramer

Three months and still going strong.  The “Throwback Saturday” experiment has gone better than expected.  For those of you who have no idea what “Throwback Saturday” is, here’s a quick synopsis.  It is a time to look back and reflect.  What was happening on April 7, 2011? How about April 7, 2010?  Let’s find out.

One year ago..

Panic Time in Beantown?

Here is a snippet..

There are currently only two teams in all of Major League Baseball that we can call “defeated.”  Otherwise known as, “winless.”  Surprisingly, both of these teams are perennial playoff teams that reside in what most, including myself, consider the best division in all of baseball.

Were we all too high on the mighty AL East?

Tampa Bay currently sits at 0 and 5.  While the team that Sports Illustrated and most baseball experts picked to win not only the American League, but the World Series, sports the worst record in baseball.  Yes, the Boston Red Sox, the team with the most potent and dangerous lineup in all of baseball sits at 0 and 6.

Is it time to press the panic button in Beantown?

How many games are in an MLB Season?  162 right?  Boston has completed a little less than 4 percent of their games and people act as if the world is ending.  SportsCenter is providing stories on why history is against the Red Sox.  Most internet sites are calling the Red Sox a fraud.  And if you forget what a fraud is, just ask Colin Cowherd what the term means.

Well I am not playing into it, yet.  Sure the BoSox supposedly unstoppable offense has only scored 16 runs on the year, which is tied for second worse in the American League.  Sure Boston’s supposedly, “very solid” pitching staff has given up the second most runs in all of baseball.  38 to be exact, which translates to a little over six runs a game.  Even in Little League, giving up six runs a game is not part of a winning formula.  But they have only played six games.  It is a six month marathon for a reason (To finish reading this post, click this link).

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Weekly Nickel 12-5-2011

Photo courtesy of Cleveland.com. Can Aaron Craft (pictured above) lead the Buckeyes to a win in their first road test?

By Josh Kramer

At least this past week was not as marred with controversy as the past couple.  Sure developments continue to come out about the recent debauchery, but at least no brand new scandals came to fruition.  That was a victory in itself.  Most of the attention was focused on the gridiron and on the court.  And that is the way it should be.

Here are the events to keep an eye on this week.

5.  So the NHL has already lost some of it’s “brand new car” type of luster.  The NBA is right around the corner, Sid “The Kid” has made his almighty return, and now we are a quarter of the way into the season.  This is typically the time of year where the NHL takes a major backseat to football and basketball.  But I want to make sure you are aware, there is still some great hockey to be played this week.  The marquee matchup of the week will take place in Pittsburgh.

Weekly Nickel 11-14-2011

Photo courtesy of lakers.topbuzz.com. Will Derek Fisher (pictured above) and the NBPA find a deal they like this week?

By Josh Kramer

It was another wild week in the sporting world.  The Jerry Sandusky scandal in a not so “Happy” Valley.  Great games at both the collegiate and professional ranks on the gridiron.  Plus we even got our first of NCAA hoops actions since last April.  It is safe to say that last week was fun.  But the fun is just beginning.

Here are the events to keep an eye on this week.

5.  The NBA player’s association will meet today in New York.  This is without question the most important meeting yet, but also seems to hold the answer to the question we have all been waiting to learn.  Whether there will be NBA basketball this season or not.  Now I realize this is not the end all be all of meetings.  But it will really give everyone an idea of if a deal is a possibility.  Let’s pray the reps from all 30 teams are satisfied with the seven page summary of the NBA’s latest CBA proposal.

Food for Thought 9-27-2011

Photo courtesy of LakersTopbuzz.com. Derek Fisher (pictured above) is the President of the NBA Players Association. If there is any hope of an NBA season in 2011/2012, we better start seeing more of him along with other NBA player representatives and fast.

By Josh Kramer

We just witnessed the best NFL weekend of the year by far.  College Football was also very exciting.  And we are hitting the end of September, which means the end of the MLB regular season.  There is so much going on and so much to talk about.  Here are the main items that have caught my attention.

Is no news good news?

I have always been a firm believer in the expression, “No news is good news.”  Generally, when one stays out of the news, one is staying out of trouble.  People thirst to read and hear about controversy.  Bad news is what normally engulfs the news in our society.

Well today is the 89th day of the NBA lockout.  And I must say that the second professional sports lockout of the year has been far more quiet than the first.  As you are all more than aware, the NFL experienced the longest lockout in the history of the League, spanning over 136 days.  And for nearly all 136 of the days, there was immense coverage by all of the sporting networks.  That has been far from the case regarding the NBA lockout.  Mainly we have just been hearing about players looking to lock down lavish contracts overseas.  Has all hope been lost on the 2011/2012 NBA season?

Twitter 101 course needed

Photo courtesy of thecovertwo.com. After Chris Johnson (pictured above) went on a temper tantrum via Twitter, Tennessee showed him the big bucks.

By Josh Kramer

Chris Johnson has been begging Tennessee to show him the money for some time now.  And finally, they have caved. Tennessee decided to open up their checkbook in a big way and show Chris Johnson the money.  It seems like any time push comes to shove in the NFL, a deal gets done (except in Cincinnati).  Last year, Darrelle Revis was still unsigned until the final week before the season.  This off-season, a new CBA was agreed upon just in the nick of time ensuring that a full preseason (outside of the Hall of Fame Game) would be played.

The NFL minus CJ would not be as entertaining.

Weekly Nickel 7-25-2011

Photo courtesy of turnonthejets.com. Bart Scott (pictured above) is one of many people that "Can't Wait" for the NFL to return.

By Josh Kramer

In the words of Jay-Z, “On to the next one.”  Last week was great, but this week has a whole lot of promise as well.  What should you be on the lookout for?

Here is the top five.

5.  Did you know that the Women’s World Cup of Softball is going on?  Well if you didn’t, now you do.  I cannot get over how poorly publicized this event has been.  But it is not too late to tune in and enjoy the fun.  Plus, the US exacted some revenge on Japan Saturday for the heartbreaking loss in soccer last weekend.  Sure Jennie Finch is no more, but the US women are still very good.  Try to tune in to the championship game tonight as the US women look to secure a 5th straight World Cup title.

Good guys versus bad guys

Photo courtesy of LehighValleyLive.com. Roger Goodell (pictured on the right) and the owners appear to have regained the upper hand on the NFLPA led by DeMaurice Smith (pictured on the left).

By Josh Kramer

Our entire lives we have been under the impression that there are good guys and bad guys.  As young children we watched cartoons.  Within these shows such as the Ninja Turtles, Superman, and Batman, there were the good guys and the bad guys.  When we played sports growing up the team we were on was always the good guys, while our opponents were labeled the bad guys.  And even into our adulthood, the company we work for is generally who we consider to be the good guys, and our competition is the bad guys.

Well in sports, all fans have their opinion of good guys and bad guys.  Your hometown team or the team you cheer on are always the good guys while their opponents are always the bad guys.  Even when you watch games that the teams you are a fan of are not even participating in, you choose sides generally.  Whether it be a rival of your team or you have a wager on the contest, generally you develop an opinion and take sides regarding the ball game.

Weekly Nickel 7-11-2011

Photo courtesy of mets636.glogster.com. The Home Run Derby is one of the big events going on this week. We all remember Josh Hamilton's (pictured above) memorable first round in 2008.

By Josh Kramer

On to the next one.  Last week was an epic week full of wild finishes, big time milestones, and a great conclusion to the first half of the MLB season.  This week should be another great one.

Here is what you should be watching for.

5.  The NFL lockout progresses with “cautious optimism.”  The end is near though.  Or so it seems.  We are getting to the point where matters need to be solved, or training camp and preseason games will be missed.  I firmly believe that the League will not let any games be missed, preseason or not.  Look for a conclusion to this ridiculous fiasco at some point within the next two weeks.

Euro Trip?

Photo courtesy of nj.com.

By Josh Kramer

There is nobody in America who has an inkling of a clue when the NBA Lockout will come to a close.  I will tell you this much.  There is not even “cautious optimism.”  That could be a major issue considering “cautious optimism” is still 114+ days of a lockout.  The NFL players really have no other options until the lockout is settled football wise.  NBA players do have options though, and some are already taking matters into their own hands.

First Half of 2011: The ball is over

Photo courtesy of The Epoch Times. 2011 started off with a fantastic BCS National Championship Game. Things have really gone sour with the NBA lockout beginning last night at midnight.

By Josh Kramer

We are at the half way marker of the year 2011. It is definitely hard to believe.  But 2011 has been an absolutely phenomenal year in the sporting world thus far.  Yet for every up, there has been a down sadly.  Here is a further look:

BCS National Championship Game (January 10th)