On The Mind

There are two stories today that have my mind spinning. And quite frankly I am angry about them both.

The first story is about Ken Macha. Mr. Macha believes his hitters are being hit too much and that action needs to be taken. Here is what should be done. Macha needs to set down his purse and man up. This is baseball. It always has been, and it always will be. There will be periods of time when the umpires try to crack down on the hit batters, however they will never win the fight. Every pitcher in the major league has hit a batter on purpose. Every batter knows they will be hit on purpose. It's a mind game and a control thing. You hit a homerun off of me, you going to get thrown at. You hit my guy, I will hit your guy. Fear is part of the arsenal of weapons within a pitchers bag. If i knew I couldnt be thrown at, I would make a career out of sitting on the plate and getting hit. Hitters need to know they will be hit and they need to know who owns the plate. Not too mention all the padding batters wear. Might as well have a armoured suit on. Macha relax, at least they arent throwing at you!

The second story getting under my skin today is about Michael Jordan. Basketball's greatest has opened his mouth when he should have kept it shut. When jordan was around he had a supporting cast that helped him win 6 championships. Lebron James had no cast in Cleveland and wasn't going to get one. Jordan wasn't friends with two of the best players of his time, and never had a chance to play with his best friends. James did. Jordan criticized James for his move to Miami, but in all reality Jordan has no room to talk here. Had Jordan been offered a chance to play with his best friends- and had they been the best in the league- he would have jumped on it in a heart beat. No one who plays a game, again a game, for a living would not want to spend their time playing with their friends. Give those friends a chance to dominate the game, and no one would turn it down. Lebron James made the right move, and whether or not Miami will ever be his team, or it remains Wade's team, he doesnt care. Friendship and championships mean more to a player. Lebron will never be Michael, but no one will, no matter what. Stop worrying about others and just play your golf Michael.

Apollo "Oh No" avoids disaster

Today's performance by Apollo Ohno was his best of this Olympic Games. While I still do not understand how he can hang behind for 7 of 9 laps and still come back and medal in a race, I really saw something in him today.

Today's race wasn't any different from the Ohno's other two, except that this time he didn't benefit from someone else's mistake. In race one Apollo couldn't overcome the three Koreans and because of a mistake two fell and slid into the wall. In his second race he won the gold because the Korean in front of him interfered and was disqualified. Not impressive. This is the sport's golden child, yet he can't win or place without assistance.

That was until tonight. As the race began to wind down Apollo had moved into second and was looking to make a pass and earn a top spot. After brief contact Apollo remained in control, and in a situation where most skaters would have lost their feet and wrecked, Ohno remained strong and kept his feet under him. In a situation where he should have lost the race, America's best racer and one of their favorite sons skated into third and earn a bronze medal.

Today I was impressed. Today I saw why he was expected to be the man to beat. Today I saw the record for most medals in a winter games set by the American Apollo Ohno. Congratulations, I was skeptical yet you proved yourself and made me proud!

Olympic update: US leads all countries in Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. 6 gold, 7 silver, 10 bronze. With 23 the US is in the lead by 9 medals.

Saints Win Superbowl XLIV

Well it looks like the Sports Girl knew what she was talking about. The Saints won the Superbowl 31 to 17 over the Colts.

The game started slow for the Saints, however the Colts looked like they were still at home in Idiannapolis for the next three quarters. The Saints seemingly were the only team in Miami tonight.

Congratulations to the Saints. Drew Brees and New Orleans deserve this. Again, congratulations.

Who Dat? Who Dat?!

Superbowl Conversation and Prediction

As soon as the Championship games were over I began to look at the Superbowl matchup and I immediately began a debate with the Sports Girl. Here it is:

The Mind: Well Sh@! i honestly didn't see this coming. The Saints? The Superbowl won't even be a game. The Colts can go home and clear off their mantle, they have a new trophy to put up

Sports Girl: I dont know, the Saints looked strong. it'll be closer than you think.

The Mind: The have the 25th ranked defense!

Sports Girl: yeah and Minnesota had the best in the league and they still hung 30+ on them.

The Mind: Yeah but it was the offense that lost the game not the defense that won. The Vikings had 2 turnovers at most in any game this season yet Sunday they had 6. The Saints didn't do that. Favre and AP did. Peyton won't dive the D a chance. It will be 30 to 42, which is what yesterday should have been.

Sports Girl: That's fair enough but my point is a 2nd, or whatever the defense was ranked, doesn't give up 31 points. And the points and atleast three of those turnovers they gave right back.

The Mind: But is Minnesota better defensively than Indainapolis? Indianapolis had a much better season and would have been undefeated if they hadn't taken a rest week.

Sports Girl: Absolutely! Look up the rankings, it's not even close.

The Mind: But look at all the outcomes, F!@# the numbers, who won?! The Colts are the best team in the NFL.

Sports Girl: You brought it up!

The Mind: Who has the best record in the NFL? Colts!

Sports Girl: You brought up that defense ranking. it'll still be closer probably then people think

The Mind: I stand by 42 to 30, Colts win.

Hopefully the Sports Girl and I can continue to debate and give you some different thoughts about things. Hope you enjoy! Go Colts! (42 to 30 over the Aint's)

Peyton Manning Superbowl XLIV MVP

**The Sports Girl was an All-State Basketball player in Georgia and played basketball in college on a full scholarship. She works with the Braves organization as a PR rep.

Championship Weekend

With 4 hours until the Conference Championship games begin I wanted to make my picks. This February 7th we will see the Minnesota Vikings play the Indianapolis Colts. Here's a quick look at why:

Vikings versus Saints- Towards the end of the season the Saints looked a bit like the Aint's. Brett Favre is in the middle of his best year ever. Just look at his stats, he has matched or eclipsed all of his career stats. He may have never beaten the Saints in the postseason but you can blame the Packers for that. This year, again his best, he is with a team that has never lost to the Saints. Drew Brees v. Brett Favre, it's a no brainer. Favre and Vikings cruise.

Colts versus Jets- As much as i would love to see the Jets play in the Super Bowl, and give Favre a chance to defeat an old team of his, it won't happen this year. The Colts and Saints both have rookie coaches, but the Colts rookie coach is playing with someone else's team and all he had to do this year was sit behind the wheel and steer. The Jets have a team created by their new coach. Not a bad team, but not the experience of the Colts team. Experience is key in the Playoffs. That being said look at the leaders; Peyton Manning v. Mark Sanchez. Experience v. A Rookie. Peyton Manning is in the Top Ten of All-Time quarterbacks. In a game that will rely on experience to carry a rookie coach, the Colts have a huge edge. Sorry Mark you just need more time to become a pro QB and team leader.

Colts v. Vikings February 7th!

Lane Kiffin

Lane Kiffin really pissed me off when I woke this morning. I am currently in a debate with a friend and I will post our conversation as soon as we are done. Please check back to hear our reactions.

BCS Title Game

Please got to twitter.com/themindonsports and keep up with me during the BCS Title game. See my thoughts and chat with me a bit!

Roll Tide

Playoffs In Atlanta

The Atlanta Braves have been hard at work these last few weeks, and with pitchers and catchers reporting in 55 days I thought it was time for a look at the 2010 team and a small prediction for the season. Prediction first: Braves will make the playoffs this coming season.

The reasons why are numerous. Chipper Jones and Bobby Cox want one more year. Cox has already announced his retirement, unless he is like Brett Favre- however he would stay in Atlanta- and Chipper has said he won’t play for anyone but Cox. You have to believe something is happening that we don’t know about. Both guys are coming back one more time? Both guys are ANNOUNCING they will be back one more time? You never announce anything until it is time for it to happen, because then it never happens. I think the Braves came close this year and Cox was ready to retire until he saw what he had for next year. I don’t know if either one of these guys is actually going to retire, however they know something we don’t.

Or they did. Until now. The Braves off season moves have been remarkable. They aren’t huge names and trillion dollar superstars, but they are quietly what Atlanta needs.

Here’s the infield: 3B Jones, SS Y. Escobar, 2B M. Prado, and 1B Troy Glaus. You also have to mix in O. Infante as much as possible. These 5 men alone are better then several teams who made the post season last year. This is the tightest infield in the Majors, and as long as they remain consistent at the plate, something they did struggle a little with last season, they should have a good offensive year. They had a good year last season, but not always at the same times. Plus Troy Glaus is a new bat in the mix.

Catching as always B. McCann. Arguably a top 5 catcher in the majors, but fact is last season after having his eye situation fixed he was the number two catcher in the league behind that guy in Minnesota. McCann had the hottest second third of a season when compared to all catchers. Don’t look at the teams success, or lack there of, this guy did his part daily.

Outfield? Oh yeah they play outfield. This year Melky Cabrera, who just won a World Series ring, is playing leftfield, N. McLouth will run things from center, and M. Diaz will return to play right. Hanging in the mix though is newcomer Jason Heyward. Look him up and take a minute to find some of his videos. This is the second coming of Andruw Jones’ speed, and Albert Pujols’ game. This kid can field with the best and hit better than the rest.

Now for the bullpen. 1 though 5: Jurrjens, Lowe, Hanson, Hudson, Kawakami. All big names, great arms, and coming off of good years. The worst part about pitching last season- no run support. This is the year the arms get a break and the bats lend a hand. As for a closer, pick one. The Braves currently have three. Manny Acosta was lights out for Atlanta last year. Billy Wagner is always lights out, and Saito is the hottest thing from LA; with a layover in Boston. The Braves rotation can pitch for 6 innings this year. After that let Acosta setup Wagner or Saito, and then let the other one pitch the ninth. Saito and Wagner are interchangeable, and with them in the pen Acosta has be the setup man. For one of them, or for both.

Looks like a good year in Atlanta, and that’s just what they need. Remember how they started the 90’s? They went worst to first and captured first in their division for 14 straight seasons (minus the strike in 1994). We are at the beginning of a new decade.