Irrelevant opinions I thought I would share:
* The University of Missouri may have gotten the shaft when it comes to joining the Big 10 Conference, but I can’t say I am terribly disappointed. Yeah, it would have probably meant more money, more prestige, and more of just about everything, but I have never liked the Big 10, and I knew it would take too much out of me to have to root for a school affiliated with such conference. Their brand of football and basketball just doesn’t suit me. I compare it to how I feel about the American League. That brand of baseball is just flat out boring. So if you do the math you find the Big 10 = Boring. Stay put in the Big 12 Mizzou.
* I am sick and tired of watching Kobe Bryant in the NBA Finals. My son and I get so disgusted when we watch him continue to ball hog and take terrible shots while guarded by two and three defenders while obvious open teammates stand around gawking. Sure he makes a few of these blind shots, but it would have to be difficult to be his teammate. I mean, to know that you are going to hustle down the floor and not see the ball thrown to you no matter how open you are has got to be frustrating. Bryant is one of the top players in the league, of this there is no doubt. And his ability to create shots and hit key baskets at opportune times is mind boggling. But the junk he continues to throw up now is simply being regurgitated. Kobe, remember, you play for the name on the front of your jersey, not the back.
* Throughout the summer I see lots of baseball, including my own son’s games, and, since he is a catcher, I notice catchers more than maybe other positions. And since it is no surprise to anyone when I tell you that summers are quite hot around here, I have to say watching catchers master the craft of keeping a fastball in front of them, no matter where it is thrown, while concentrating on the base runners, and calling pitches for the pitcher, is truly unbelievable. But what makes it almost unfathomable to me is how they do it while wearing the equivalent of a winter coat and covering almost their entire bodies with body armor. Impressive to say the least. I still wonder what it is that makes a kid decide he wants to be a catcher. Has to be the same part of the brain that makes some decide the want to be Cub’s fans.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
When you wish upon a star
The 2010 Major League Baseball amateur draft is currently underway and will wrap up sometime later today (Wednesday, June 9). As I watch the draft tracker slide across my monitor I watch with two main thoughts in my mind. Yeah, see there, I can fill this brain with more than just one thing at a time.
First, I probably wouldn't find myself following every pick, which is currently at pick number 940, but I watch with vested interest as a couple of Republic High School graduates have the opportunity to be selected at some point. The feeling felt by these kids must be somewhat bittersweet, as they wait to get that phone call informing them of their professional baseball fate. And there will be decisions to be made by these athletes, as they have already signed letters of intent to play college baseball, and, if they decline to sign with a pro franchise, they then must wait three years until their junior season in college is complete. Wow! The direction of their lives has to be weighed and weighed carefully. I'm excited to see how all this will play out.
And then secondly, what kid would not jump at the chance to say they were drafted in the amateur draft? Even if they found themselves in the 32nd round or higher, there are lots of baseball players out there and only a small handful ever get to tell the world that they were drafted by a professional baseball franchise. I hope those hoping to see their name cross the screen today realize this. My guess is they do! Many have hoped for this dream; many have wished upon a star at some point while standing on a baseball diamond playing in the dirt; but only a few are chosen.
They are the few; the proud; the developmental league professional baseball players. Go get 'em boys!
First, I probably wouldn't find myself following every pick, which is currently at pick number 940, but I watch with vested interest as a couple of Republic High School graduates have the opportunity to be selected at some point. The feeling felt by these kids must be somewhat bittersweet, as they wait to get that phone call informing them of their professional baseball fate. And there will be decisions to be made by these athletes, as they have already signed letters of intent to play college baseball, and, if they decline to sign with a pro franchise, they then must wait three years until their junior season in college is complete. Wow! The direction of their lives has to be weighed and weighed carefully. I'm excited to see how all this will play out.
And then secondly, what kid would not jump at the chance to say they were drafted in the amateur draft? Even if they found themselves in the 32nd round or higher, there are lots of baseball players out there and only a small handful ever get to tell the world that they were drafted by a professional baseball franchise. I hope those hoping to see their name cross the screen today realize this. My guess is they do! Many have hoped for this dream; many have wished upon a star at some point while standing on a baseball diamond playing in the dirt; but only a few are chosen.
They are the few; the proud; the developmental league professional baseball players. Go get 'em boys!
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