by Joseph Landini
High Heat Network
http://highheatnetwork.com/?p=416
Soon to be in a different uniform, Carlos Beltran is the most talked about trade piece this year as the deadline comes closer. Although coveted by many, Beltran is seen in many different ways, both positively and negatively. Lets take a trip down memory lane shall we?
Beltran started his career with the Kansas City Royals, which started off in great fashion. In 1999, Beltran won the starting CF spot and won the American League Rookie of the Year, hitting 22 homeruns and 108 RBI. This went along with a 293 batting average and 27 stolen bases. His career started out promising, but hit controversy when he got injured in 2000. He was restricted to 98 games, and lost his spot to fan favorite Johnny Damon. After Damon was traded to Oakland the next season, Beltran regained his spot and returned to form. After a few up and down moments, Beltran was ready for bigger things.
In June of 2004 after realizing his time was almost up in Kansas City, the Royals traded him to a contending Houston Astros. That year Beltran became the first player to be named to one All-Star team (AL), but to play for another (NL). His time there was well worth it, as he hit a major league record 8 homeruns in the 2004 postseason. This record is what he is most known for in his career. With now being known as a big time player, and one who can hit in the biggest games possible, Carlos Beltran was set to hit gold and break the free agency bank with teams.
With the New York Yankees the favorite to land Beltran, the cross town rival New York Mets swiped him right up, by giving him the biggest contract in team history. 7 years $119 Million dollars. This was also the 10th contract in MLB history to pass the $100 Million mark. During his time with the Mets though he was nothing but inconsistent, mainly due to injury. From 2005-2008, Beltran played in over 140 games, and racked up 117 homeruns and over 400 RBIs. The investment by the Mets seemed to be working out, until the 2009 season hit. In 2009 Beltran’s production dropped heavily, as he only played in 81 games, putting up only 10 homeruns and 48 RBI. The next year was worse as he only appeared in 64 for the New York Mets.
Although Beltran was productive for years, he was not $119 Million dollars worth of production. He was brought to the Mets to put them over the top, and start a new era for the Mets. As a supposed to be leader, Beltran has been known to be sluggish and not to step up to the occasion since coming to New York. Also being known for his clutch gene, he was given the opportunity to send the New York Mets to the World Series for the first time since losing to the Yankees in 2000. After Aaron Heilman served up a two run homerun to St. Louis Cardinals Yadier Molina in the top of the 9th inning in Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS, it was the Mets turn at bat. After rookie closer Adam Wainwright gave up two lead off singles to Jose Valentin and Endy Chavez, he calmed himself to force a fly out and a strikeout. Wainwright made it interesting by walking Paul Lo Duca to load them, with Carlos Beltran to follow. Beltran, known for postseason wonders and a great history against the Cardinals, fell behind in the count 0-2. Wainwright threw a 0-2 curve ball right down the pipe, and Beltran looked at it for strike three. This pitch was the best pitch of Wainwright’s career, and in all honesty what Carlos Beltran is known for to most Mets fans.
After the years of disappointment, the Mets now have value again in Carlos Beltran as he is gaining old form. Batting 289 with 15/66, Beltran is the hottest bat on the market, and will be traded before the deadline. Is it a coincidence that he is having a great season in his contract year? Honestly, who cares? This is good for the Mets, as they will drop salary and gain prospects back. For his future team, they gain a five tool player who will boost whatever lineup he is apart of. The main players for Beltran are the Giants (who need another bat), the Braves (who just lost Brian McCann and could use another bat), and the Rangers (who would become maybe the most dominant lineup in baseball).
Whatever contender he goes to will gain a player looking to play well. Whether for a new contract, or just better ending career numbers. At age 34, and his best years behind him, he is looked at in many different ways. For Kansas City, he was seen as an up and coming great, who could not be held onto because of payroll. For Houston, he was seen as the player who single handily almost brought them a World Series. For the Mets, he will always be known as the guy who did not earn his contract, and single handily let millions down when he looked at strike three to end the 2006 NLCS. No matter what way you look at him though, Carlos Beltran will have another chance to prove something when he is traded within the next five days.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Who cares about the USA Women's Loss?
by Joseph Landini
High Heat Network
http://highheatnetwork.com/?p=390
We sit here three days after the USA Women’s soccer team lost in the finals, and say what? Nothing. It has only taken three days for the loss of the World Cup to blow over. Why do you ask? Well it is simple, the United States of America does not care enough like other countries do.
Both women and men’s soccer struggle with the same problem. Kids at a young age love to play soccer, because they are more then capable of kicking a ball around. The problem is as children grow older, they grow the strength to take a hit, reach a ten foot hoop, and have the hand eye coordination to hit a baseball. Soccer becomes bland to many. In other countries, soccer is the main sport, and the one kids grow and train for. The sport that everyone plays their entire life. Places such as Brazil and Argentina are perfect examples. Now answer this question. What team is known for being THE soccer team of the world? Brazil.
Now just to get this out of the way, if anyone was thinking that I thought no one cared about this loss because it is a women’s team, then you are ridiculous. Women’s sports, although sometimes lacking flash and pazaz, show the world how sports are suppose to be played… with team work. Look at basketball. The men’s game is all about the stars and the flash, while the girls game is about team work and making everyone on the team better. Gender is a non issue in this case. Enough said.
Coming into the World Cup, could you name five players on the team? How about three? Could you even give me two? No. Yes as the rounds went on, and the USA won games, the names of Hope Solo, Alex Morgan, and Abby Wambach became the heroes of the nation it seemed. If you do not know your team though, then it really is not that important. This is exactly why we sit here three days later and ESPN did not mention the loss at all, or yesterday for that matter. If it was mentioned, it was most likely just a minute spot for filler in the program.
Everything above has a snowball effect to this point. How many people jumped on the bandwagon on Sunday? Look in the mirror, because I guarentee 75% of Americans did, then another 10% went for Japan, and finally the category which I fall in.
The 5% of people who really could care less, because they knew it would not matter at the end of the day. In all sports, when it comes down to the final two teams for the championship, everyone picks a side. Maybe not a die hard fan, but everyone acts like a fan of a team in some sort of way. The Dallas Mavericks went from a good amount of fans to the majority of the world rooting for them, because of the hate torwards Lebron James. The NFL saw fans running torward Green Bay, because everyone wanted a cheese head and to act like they were wearing a championship belt. My problem with the World Cup is that everyone jumped on board the band wagon, WITH NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE TEAM. At least in the professional sports you know certain players to root for or against, but you are telling me most Americans actually knew Hope Solo, let alone the game of soccer? NO. Now for the people who will argue that it is different because it’s more relevant then just a professional championship (NBA, MLB, etc…), you are just lieing to yourself. No one is still crying or verbally upset that USA lost the World Cup. South beach is still in an uproar that Lebron and company could not bring home the title, while in Pittsburgh there are still excuses being made why they lost to Green Bay and could not get the job done. If something major in sports is being talked about after time goes by, then it matters. We are three days removed from a penalty kick finale, and it is less then an after thought.
Finally, the last point is that when you look around blogs and social media and people comment on the World Cup, what do you see? Most comments are something like, “Well good for Japan, they needed it after all the disasters.” If all of the band wagon jumpers, and all of AMERICA actually cared so hard for this team, then they would be up in arms three days after. I am happy for Japan too for that same reason, but I was not on the wagon at any point. I am not saying that NO ONE cares that USA lost, or that NO ONE in America is a true fan, but the truth is the majority of Americans woke up Monday morning without a tear or shed of heart break.
-Joseph Landini
Highheatnetwork.com
Josephlandini.blogspot.com
High Heat Network
http://highheatnetwork.com/?p=390
We sit here three days after the USA Women’s soccer team lost in the finals, and say what? Nothing. It has only taken three days for the loss of the World Cup to blow over. Why do you ask? Well it is simple, the United States of America does not care enough like other countries do.
Both women and men’s soccer struggle with the same problem. Kids at a young age love to play soccer, because they are more then capable of kicking a ball around. The problem is as children grow older, they grow the strength to take a hit, reach a ten foot hoop, and have the hand eye coordination to hit a baseball. Soccer becomes bland to many. In other countries, soccer is the main sport, and the one kids grow and train for. The sport that everyone plays their entire life. Places such as Brazil and Argentina are perfect examples. Now answer this question. What team is known for being THE soccer team of the world? Brazil.
Now just to get this out of the way, if anyone was thinking that I thought no one cared about this loss because it is a women’s team, then you are ridiculous. Women’s sports, although sometimes lacking flash and pazaz, show the world how sports are suppose to be played… with team work. Look at basketball. The men’s game is all about the stars and the flash, while the girls game is about team work and making everyone on the team better. Gender is a non issue in this case. Enough said.
Coming into the World Cup, could you name five players on the team? How about three? Could you even give me two? No. Yes as the rounds went on, and the USA won games, the names of Hope Solo, Alex Morgan, and Abby Wambach became the heroes of the nation it seemed. If you do not know your team though, then it really is not that important. This is exactly why we sit here three days later and ESPN did not mention the loss at all, or yesterday for that matter. If it was mentioned, it was most likely just a minute spot for filler in the program.
Everything above has a snowball effect to this point. How many people jumped on the bandwagon on Sunday? Look in the mirror, because I guarentee 75% of Americans did, then another 10% went for Japan, and finally the category which I fall in.
The 5% of people who really could care less, because they knew it would not matter at the end of the day. In all sports, when it comes down to the final two teams for the championship, everyone picks a side. Maybe not a die hard fan, but everyone acts like a fan of a team in some sort of way. The Dallas Mavericks went from a good amount of fans to the majority of the world rooting for them, because of the hate torwards Lebron James. The NFL saw fans running torward Green Bay, because everyone wanted a cheese head and to act like they were wearing a championship belt. My problem with the World Cup is that everyone jumped on board the band wagon, WITH NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE TEAM. At least in the professional sports you know certain players to root for or against, but you are telling me most Americans actually knew Hope Solo, let alone the game of soccer? NO. Now for the people who will argue that it is different because it’s more relevant then just a professional championship (NBA, MLB, etc…), you are just lieing to yourself. No one is still crying or verbally upset that USA lost the World Cup. South beach is still in an uproar that Lebron and company could not bring home the title, while in Pittsburgh there are still excuses being made why they lost to Green Bay and could not get the job done. If something major in sports is being talked about after time goes by, then it matters. We are three days removed from a penalty kick finale, and it is less then an after thought.
Finally, the last point is that when you look around blogs and social media and people comment on the World Cup, what do you see? Most comments are something like, “Well good for Japan, they needed it after all the disasters.” If all of the band wagon jumpers, and all of AMERICA actually cared so hard for this team, then they would be up in arms three days after. I am happy for Japan too for that same reason, but I was not on the wagon at any point. I am not saying that NO ONE cares that USA lost, or that NO ONE in America is a true fan, but the truth is the majority of Americans woke up Monday morning without a tear or shed of heart break.
-Joseph Landini
Highheatnetwork.com
Josephlandini.blogspot.com
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
The Weekly Tackle Column
Hey everyone. Check out my latest edition of 'The Weekly Tackle' Sportsrageous.com's weekly football column.
The Weekly Tackle Column
DUI's and arrests. Plus Mike Vrabel has a retirement plan all set up. 7/11/11
http://www.sportsrageous.com/the-weekly-tackle-july-11-2011-07-12-2011
Kenny Britt still in trouble. Mike Vick resigns with Nike. 7/4/11
http://www.sportsrageous.com/the-weekly-tackle-july-4-2011-07-04-2011
Braylon Edwards trouble at night again. Big Ben hurting. 6/27/11
http://www.sportsrageous.com/the-weekly-tackle-june-27-2011-06-27-2011
Chad Pennington to TV? Tiki Barber depressed? 6/21/11
http://www.sportsrageous.com/the-weekly-tackle-june-20-2011-06-21-2011
The Weekly Tackle Column
DUI's and arrests. Plus Mike Vrabel has a retirement plan all set up. 7/11/11
http://www.sportsrageous.com/the-weekly-tackle-july-11-2011-07-12-2011
Kenny Britt still in trouble. Mike Vick resigns with Nike. 7/4/11
http://www.sportsrageous.com/the-weekly-tackle-july-4-2011-07-04-2011
Braylon Edwards trouble at night again. Big Ben hurting. 6/27/11
http://www.sportsrageous.com/the-weekly-tackle-june-27-2011-06-27-2011
Chad Pennington to TV? Tiki Barber depressed? 6/21/11
http://www.sportsrageous.com/the-weekly-tackle-june-20-2011-06-21-2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Manny Pacquiao: Only hurting the depleted.
by Joseph Landini
High Heat Network
To few, Manny Pacquiao is the greatest boxer pound for pound ever, but to most he is just a decent boxer in an era begging for a savior. Manny Pacquiao has been criticized his entire career for being overrated, because of the competition he faces. It is not Pacquiao’s fault that there is no Sugar Ray Robinson, Sugar Ray Leonard, or Tommy Hearns in his era, but at the same time he is currently refusing a fight against the biggest opponent of his career.
Floyd Mayweather Jr wants to fight Pacquiao, and has said it time and time again. The catch is that Mayweather will fight Pacquiao only if there is random blood and urine testing. Since the time that Mayweather made comments about the testing, Pacquiao has brought his counter part to court for defamation of character. Pacquiao’s claim is that Mayweather has accused him of performance enhancing drugs. His camp has also stated that they will accept a fight, only if testing is at certain times.
By the sounds of all the information, it seems like Pacquiao is hiding something. That something is most likely performance enhancing. Pacquiao not agreeing to the random testing is doing two things, hurting his own legacy more, and stopping a boxing super match, which could save the sport. Lets face facts, boxing has been dwindling in the eyes of many because of the emergence of ultimate fighting, and the lack of great boxing as a whole. Pacquiao and Mayweather are great fighters, and would most likely hold their own against the great Welterweights of the past, but the rest are not even close. Their division is the only worth watching, and that is a stretch. The Heavyweight divisions are owned by two guys with the last name Klitschko, but I would go as far as saying that Mike Tyson would known either out by the third round. Mike Tyson right now, that is. The last Heavyweight championship bout is so unentertaining, that the last Klitschko fight was on HBO… LIVE! Not even on Pay Per View! If your boxing Heavyweights cannot even draw enough to gain Pay Per View time, then what does that say about the sport?
Aside from the fact that Pacquiao is hurting, because of lack of competition, he is now faced with whether or not he is legitimate. If the allegeded comments of Floyd Mayweather Jr are true, then Pacquiao is just a fake paper champion hiding behind the steroid needle. Not only would would his believers turn on him, but the Pacquiao haters would have even more reason to criticize him on a daily basis. Nothing god has come out of performance enhancers. Ask all of the caught baseball players. Now ask them how their records and accolades are looked at. Pacquiao would lose all credit for every match won, record earned, and championship achieved. “Pac-Man,” if taking performance enhancers, would be the biggest disappointment to the sport since the demise of Tyson in his prime.
Plain and simple, this fight needs to happen. Pacquiao and Mayweather are the only two fighters left in the sport with any sort of skill to call themselves great. This fight has the ability to save a sport, which has been struggling hard since Lennox Lewis hung up the gloves and title. The answer of whether or not this match will happen is on Pacquiao. It is only a matter of time until he answers two questions. One, are all of his accolades and achievements legitimate? And two, what would happen to this already struggling sport if this super fight never occurs…
High Heat Network
To few, Manny Pacquiao is the greatest boxer pound for pound ever, but to most he is just a decent boxer in an era begging for a savior. Manny Pacquiao has been criticized his entire career for being overrated, because of the competition he faces. It is not Pacquiao’s fault that there is no Sugar Ray Robinson, Sugar Ray Leonard, or Tommy Hearns in his era, but at the same time he is currently refusing a fight against the biggest opponent of his career.
Floyd Mayweather Jr wants to fight Pacquiao, and has said it time and time again. The catch is that Mayweather will fight Pacquiao only if there is random blood and urine testing. Since the time that Mayweather made comments about the testing, Pacquiao has brought his counter part to court for defamation of character. Pacquiao’s claim is that Mayweather has accused him of performance enhancing drugs. His camp has also stated that they will accept a fight, only if testing is at certain times.
By the sounds of all the information, it seems like Pacquiao is hiding something. That something is most likely performance enhancing. Pacquiao not agreeing to the random testing is doing two things, hurting his own legacy more, and stopping a boxing super match, which could save the sport. Lets face facts, boxing has been dwindling in the eyes of many because of the emergence of ultimate fighting, and the lack of great boxing as a whole. Pacquiao and Mayweather are great fighters, and would most likely hold their own against the great Welterweights of the past, but the rest are not even close. Their division is the only worth watching, and that is a stretch. The Heavyweight divisions are owned by two guys with the last name Klitschko, but I would go as far as saying that Mike Tyson would known either out by the third round. Mike Tyson right now, that is. The last Heavyweight championship bout is so unentertaining, that the last Klitschko fight was on HBO… LIVE! Not even on Pay Per View! If your boxing Heavyweights cannot even draw enough to gain Pay Per View time, then what does that say about the sport?
Aside from the fact that Pacquiao is hurting, because of lack of competition, he is now faced with whether or not he is legitimate. If the allegeded comments of Floyd Mayweather Jr are true, then Pacquiao is just a fake paper champion hiding behind the steroid needle. Not only would would his believers turn on him, but the Pacquiao haters would have even more reason to criticize him on a daily basis. Nothing god has come out of performance enhancers. Ask all of the caught baseball players. Now ask them how their records and accolades are looked at. Pacquiao would lose all credit for every match won, record earned, and championship achieved. “Pac-Man,” if taking performance enhancers, would be the biggest disappointment to the sport since the demise of Tyson in his prime.
Plain and simple, this fight needs to happen. Pacquiao and Mayweather are the only two fighters left in the sport with any sort of skill to call themselves great. This fight has the ability to save a sport, which has been struggling hard since Lennox Lewis hung up the gloves and title. The answer of whether or not this match will happen is on Pacquiao. It is only a matter of time until he answers two questions. One, are all of his accolades and achievements legitimate? And two, what would happen to this already struggling sport if this super fight never occurs…
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