Meet John Wall by Phil Smith

I develop man-crushes relatively easy when it comes to athletes and now I’ve discovered a new one. His name is John Wall. With a silky smooth jump-shot and tremendous leaping ability to go along with a killer mentality on the defensive side of the ball, describing Wall’s game with strong superlatives and adverbs doesn’t do him justice. I’ve been impressed with Wall’s game since he was a sophomore in high school while I was watching Derrick Rose highlights and I instantly was enamored with his game.

For some reason I’m a Minnesota Timberwolves fan and as such I watch many games with one eye closed because quite frankly, they suck. Outside of Jonny Flynn, Kevin Love and Al Jefferson, the Wolves are miserable to watch. With so many contracts and players coming off of the books for the Wolves to go along with a crappy record, getting the #1 pick, and therefore John Wall may happen. Wall would sell tickets, he would sell jerseys, and he may even get advertisers interested in using him to market their product. Having a player that can do all of that hasn’t happened in Minnesota since Kevin McHale traded Kevin Garnett for 10 cents on the dollar to his buddy Danny Ainge, to help save Ainge’s job. Getting Wall would be amazing for the Wolves, much better than getting that what’s-his-face Spaniard. As a Wolves fan I’m assuming that I’ll be disappointed by the lottery and have to “settle” for a player like Evan Turner or Xavier Henry, which wouldn’t be too bad.

I have a lot of faith in new Wolves General Manager David Kahn and what he has done so far is great. He has made enough moves to be able to make a splash next year in free agency when it seems like everyone in the NBA is a free agent, maybe one will be stupid enough to sign with the Wolves. Turning the Wolves franchise around may be a long ways off and while I’ll hold onto hope for drafting John Wall, I won’t be holding my breath and I suggest you do the same.

Minnesota Twins Jim Thome Signing By Dane Moore

The Minnesota Twins tuesday have agreed to a preliminary, one-year, incentive-laden deal with Jim Thome pending a physical. The deal is worth $1.5 million and includes up to $750,000 in incentives.

So is this another Joe Crede, Tony Batista or Rondell White signing by the Twins? No. I am aware Thome is out of his prime at 39 years old and there is no way he is an everyday player. However, unlike the Crede, Batista and White signings, Thome will not be depended upon. He will serve in the role of a spot Designated Hitter and late inning pinch hitter. So why are we paying a 39 year-old bench player and not pursuing another starting pitcher?

1. Thome will play. Any day Ron Gardenhire permits to Delmon Young, Denard Span, Michael Cuddyer, Justin Morneau or Jason Kubel will result in a corresponding Thome addition to the starting lineup. Span and Morneau will be penciled in nearly everyday, but Young didn't have an at bat in 54 games last year, Kubel was benched for 16 games and Cuddyer was rested for nine. Even though none of the three suffered major injuries in 2009. Carlos Gomez also had 315 at bats in 2009. Someone needs to fill those at bats. There were no other major promotions or free agent acquisitions for the Twins bench Thome can be assumed to receive a decent workload of at bats as a starter. It is very possible without injury Young, Cuddyer and Kubel will sit in favor of Thome somewhere around 40 games due to rest and favorable match ups.

2. Thome will pinch hit. Over 19 years and 564 home runs Thome has amassed a reputation as a pure power-hitter, able to go off any at bat. It is no secret that successful pinch hitting is an art and takes a specific mindset. Thome may have only 80 career pinch hit at bats but he spent the end of 2009 regular season and the Dodgers playoff run every game knowing he would only be an option as a pinch hitter. Not to mention Gardenhire's propensity to pinch hit late in games. With a plethora of utility players starting for and on the bench for the Twins, Thome will be able to pinch hit in nearly any big situation because Gardenhire will easily be able to make necessary adjustments in the field. Thome may be the end of the late-inning suicide squeezes by Nick Punto.

3. Thome was productive in 2009. In 107 games for the White Sox Thome had 345 at bats, hitting .249, with 23 home runs, 74 RBI's and had a .372 OBP (on base percentage). Prior to the trade Delmon Young was anticipated to bat in the six hole. Young played in 108 games with 395 at bats, similar to Thome. However, in 2009 Young had an OBP 64 points lower, hitting 11 less home runs and 14 less RBI's. Yes, Thome's 2010 production will need to be pro-rated for a lessened workload due to age and available playing time, but again Gomez and his 315 at bats are gone. It is not a preposterous statement to say Thome will again reach base 37% to 40% of the time, hit 20 plus home runs and have 70 plus RBI's. Outside of his one injury plagued 2005 campaign he has reached those marks for the past 15 years.

4. A pitcher was not an option. Yes the Twins could use another arm in the starting rotation. But with the team business goal of keeping team salary for 2010 in the ballpark of 90 million dollars, a starter was not financially possible. Jon Garland who has become a bit of a journeyman, none the less a viable middle of the rotation guy, today signed with the San Diego Padres for 4.7 million dollars. That 4.7 is over three million more than Thome's base salary. The only options on free agent starting pitching in a similar price range to what they signed Thome for would have been; Scott Olsen of the Washington Nationals or Rich Hill of the St. Louis Cardinals. In 2009 Olsen posted and ERA of 6.02 and Hill's ERA was upwards of eight earned runs per nine innings at a 7.80 ERA. Not to mention both Olsen and Hill will be liabilities in 2010 coming back from injuries to their throwing shoulders. So even if Thome does not wind up be extraordinarily effective and the pitching staff struggles, the excuse of "We should have used that Thome money on a starting pitcher." is not a viable one.


When in past years I have hated the Twins Sidney Ponson-esque free agent "experienced" or "veteran" signings, I think this one might just work out. Because again, whatever we get from Thome is just a bonus. He will not be in the Twins opening day lineup because our lineup prior to the acquisition is set and ready to compete for the division, again in 2010. Anything we get from Thome is just gravy.

This is Sports By Dane Moore

This is sports. And as in any aspect of life, there is the good and the bad. There is the euphoria that comes with each play. And therefore a sinking feeling in the pit of one’s stomach when it bounces the other way.

I was once asked, what would life be without sports? For myself and many others the answer undoubtedly is monotony. The globalized market for sports spans larger than Pat Williams waste line, is more dynamic than an Adrian Peterson side-step, and older than even the hairs on Brett Favre’s chinny chin chin.

Today I reflect on the depression that has been felt beyond the borders of Minnesota. An anger that so many have felt when “their team” lost. That anger, is love behind a mask. And with the bad comes the assertion that good will be coming on the horizon.

My sports life is not monotonous because I know I have tomorrow. I know the sports page will be filled. Tomorrow has and always will bring another day in which sports will be relevant to the masses.

Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my sports life. Because sports do exist. And it is in moments like this, I realize how important sports are to not only me but to this world. I love sports, and this is sport in its purest form. I am a fan.

Sports fans, I’ll see you tomorrow.

Where is AP? By Dane Moore

The Vikings took care of the 'dem Cowboys at the dome Sunday 34-3. An overall dynamic performance on both sides of the ball. The defensive line especially impressed, led by the traditionally "weak point" of a dominating D-line in Ray Edwards. Edwards had five tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble. The pressure enforced on Tony Romo by the "Wall of America" was brought ever drive and is the reason the Vikings faced no contest from the Cowboys offense.

But what about the Viking offense? On the surface this week the Vikes looked great Favre had 4 tds, and Sidney Rice has also been terrific in the passing game that has exceeded the expectations of everyone all season long. Our passing game will not be able to keep up with the New Orleans passing attack plain and simple. The Saints have picked apart even the strongest defenses across the league.

The Vikings need a dominant performance from Adrian Peterson. Peterson has put up a very impressive statistical performance this year with 1300 rushing yards and double-digit touchdowns yet again. His performances have, however, been even keeled with many short touchdown runs and a nominal YPC (Yards Per Carry) average. In 2008 Peterson had twenty rushes of twenty or more yards. This year the explosive runs have been less often and further between. He has not been a disappointment by any means, and his skill set has definitely not deteriorated. But why in '08 was Peterson more dominating with Jackson as quarterback, when now we have a hall of famer behind the center.

Sunday vs. the Cowboys Peterson had 26 carries for 63 yards for 2.4 yards per carry average. Which is simply abysmal. The game next Sunday’s winner will be determined by who controls the pace of the game. In New Orleans the Saints will come out firing. I'm not suggesting the Vikings need to instill a Peterson Ratio, but they do need the game plan further focused on the running game and further dedicated to Peterson and finding his success. He is the same player that can run over anyone in the NFL, and he is the Vikings dynamic weapon on the offensive end. Vikings: use Favre when he is needed and dominate with Peterson, that needs to be the Vikings pace on offense, and continue to pressure the quarterback on defense.

Arizona Cardinals, Most Overrated Team in NFL By Dane Moore

The Cardinals lost today 45-14 to the New Orleans Saints and ended this string of a falsified view of success coming out of Arizona over these past two years. The Cardinals have picked on their famished division of Rams, Seahawks and Forty-Niners. For the past two seasons they went a robust 6-0 in 2008 and 4-2 this year. That is more than half of their wins (19) over the past two years. A division that hasn’t had a quarterback throw for more than 3029 yards, when every other division has one or more 4,000-yard passer.

Sure in 2008, the Cardinals went to the super bowl, and yes they did play well. But I challenge anyone to find an impressive win from the 2008 regular season. They didn’t win a game on the road outside of the division. And the three wins they did have against teams out of the division only one was against a playoff team, in the Miami Dolphins. So during the regular season they defeated one playoff team.

They made the playoffs and at home beat a Falcons team who was happy to just be in the playoffs for the first time in a decade. Then their one impressive win of that entire season I’ll give them was their win over a good Panthers team in the divisional round. Delhomme did hand them the game, literally, with five second-half interceptions. Never the less they won on the road, congratulations. They then went on to beat an Eagle team who had EIGHT regular season wins. Not exactly an elite team. And again they beat them at home. They then went to the super bowl and played the Steelers, a team who plays everyone close. Not a real shocker they played the Super Bowl close. No surprise to me.

This year their division hardly improved, and somehow the Rams got worse. This year again they picked on their division and also got a game versus the Lions. Meaning they got three games versus two teams who combined for three total wins. They again only beat one playoff team and again their win over the Vikings was at home. They did defeat the Packers in the first round despite the fact that their defense gave up 45 points. (Another game at home, congratulations.) Saturday they were destroyed by the saints, again giving up 45 points. The Cardinals simply are not anywhere close to an elite team, especially if they lose Warner to retirement. Arizona has only been referred to as a playoff team because they benefit from a God-awful division. Hopefully the Niners have a successful draft and find some pieces in free agency so this pathetic franchise does not wind up back in the playoffs.

Stealing In Baseball By Dane Moore

As this is also my first post, I would like to disclaim my biases as Phil did. My areas of expertise fall within the professional realm of baseball, basketball, and football. Being from Minnesota I intently follow the Vikings, Twins, and Timberwolves (unfortunately). Above all else my true sports calling comes from the Chicago Cubs. I intently follow the Cubs and the entire NL central. No I do not like the Cubs because they are the “loveable losers” or because “everyone likes the Cubs.” I would call myself a legitimate follower. Since I was very young I have watched Cubs games on WGN and Sammy Sosa was my baseball idol growing up. (Again unfortunate)

After having a week to sit on this new McGwire information, not that I didn't know McGwire was juiced the whole time, I am agitated that he is allowed to coach in major league baseball, but Pete Rose is still shunned. I do not support someone who blatantly lied and manipulated the game of baseball. I am not trying to be cliché but this is the nations pastime and I view every player’s behavior that has dodged around the steroid issue as completely unacceptable. Cheating is always the word linked to steroid use and this issue. But I would like to suggest that what McGwire and all steroid users did was stealing.

John Kruk is an example of someone who was a “clean” player in the 90s. Kruk a career .300 hitter over his ten seasons, had to have faced numerous pitchers who were juicing, therefore losing more battles at the plate against pitchers who had an unnatural athletic advantage. Other first baseman in Kruk’s era have surfaced as users, and many others are still concealing their steroid use.

For instance Kruk was a three-time all-star making the team in ‘91, ’92, and, ’93. Matt Williams and Bobby Bonilla were two first baseman that made the all-star team in 1990. Williams was the starting first baseman for the National League All-Star team in 1990. Receipts recently surfaced of steroids from a Florida clinic being sent to Williams home in the 90s. Bobby Bonilla also made the squad, and although Bonilla doesn’t have receipts connecting him to steroids, Bonilla’s body transformation in the 90’s has caused wide speculation that he might be as a user. In 1994 Matt Williams made the NL all-star team again, and Jeff Bagwell who was called the “ring leader” of steroids in the 90’s made that all-star team as a reserve first baseman over Kruk. And also in 1995 Kruk didn’t make the AL all-star team when he played for the White Sox. Mo Vaughn made the team; Vaughn was in the Mitchell report as a player who purchased steroids from Kurt Radomski the New York Mets Clubhouse manager and infamous steroid dealer. Mark McGwire made the team, and well if you’ve so much as turned on ESPN recently, enough said. That’s three more all-star games in the 90’s Kruk could have potentially made had those five players not had an unnatural athletic advantage, and made the team over him.

Kruk is just one public example I would like to look at also from a monetary standpoint. Hypothetically speaking lets give John Kruk ten more points on his batting average over his career to compensate for facing pitchers with an unfair athletic advantage. And lets give him one of those three all-star snubs I spoke of earlier. I believe Kruk could have signed significantly bigger contracts with those statistical advancements.

An example I found from the 2009 season that would be relative to John Kruk’s contractual situation in the 90’s is a comparison of Mike Sweeney of the Seattle Mariners and Nomar Garciaparra of the Oakland A’s. Mike Sweeney and Nomar Garciaparra were both thirty-five year old first baseman at the start of the 2009 season. (Kruk was thirty-four years old going into the 1995 season when he signed a one-year, one million dollar contract with the Chicago White Sox.) Sweeney and Garciaparra also both signed one-year contracts going into ’09. Sweeney had a .299 career batting average to advertise along with five career all-star game appearances to the Mariners. Garciaparra had a .313 batting average with six career all-star games under his belt. The Mariners and A’s are both in the American League West division and come from similar markets on the west coast. The two teams offered these two very similar players very different contracts. With fourteen more points on his career batting average and only one additional all-star game appearance Garciaparra signed a contract worth one million dollars, and Sweeney signed for five hundred thousand dollars.

I’m not saying this can directly be correlated with how much additional cheese Kruk could have earned in ‘95. But better stats equals more money in baseball period.

Kruk was robbed by the likes of Mark McGwire and Matt Williams who stole his all-star appearances. And Roger Clemens and other cheating pitchers who had an unfair athletic advantage deprived Kruk of a higher batting average. I don’t feel an ounce of sympathy for the crying Mark McGwire who balled about his burden of being a steroid user. He brought that upon himself. Kruk who now works for ESPN’s baseball tonight was asked his opinion on knowing he faced McGwire who was cheating. “It makes me wonder how much myself and other clean players would have benefited had we been playing on an even playing field. Once you are out of the game, you speak of your statistics and achievements, and those go a long way on your resume.”

Lane Kiffin Hiring by Phil Smith

Since this is my first official post, let me introduce myself a little bit before diving into the Lane Kiffin hiring. I'm a big USC fan, call me fair-weather or a bandwagon fan, but the truth is, when Reggie Bush was a senior in high school and in the Army All-American game, I was a team-less pre-teen who was falling in love with college football. The things that Reggie could do on the field were amazing, and at that moment I decided to jump head first into the world of USC football. I devoured everything I could about USC and it still wasn't enough. I memorized rosters, depth charts and coaching staffs. Many times I will be biased towards USC in any type of argument or column or blog but I will do my best to put my biases aside. So here we go...

I LOVE THE HIRING OF LANE KIFFIN!!!!

On the surface, bringing Lane Kiffin back to USC seemed like a desperate hire by Athletic Director Mike Garrett. Kiffin is a coach with more losses than wins (12-21) as well as many secondary recruiting violations from his time at the University of Tennessee. Kiffin needed to make a splash in the SEC, going up against the likes of Urban Meyer, Nick Saban and Les Miles, Kiffin needed to stick out and he did. He signed Bryce Brown in only a month on the job, he stole Nu'Keese Richardson from Florida, (no pun intended, Richardson was recently kicked off the team for attempted armed robbery) and he also stole Janzen Jackson from LSU on signing day.

More importantly than all of his recruiting coups in only a month at Tennessee, Lane is bringing his father, Monte Kiffin, arguably the greatest defensive coordinator in the history of football and Ed Orgeron, arguably the greatest recruiter in modern day college football. While the offensive coordinator position is still undecided since Norm Chow fell thru (for the record I didn't think Kiffin and Chow could co-exist, they are two offensive minded coaches that want the play calling abilities) I have faith that KIffin and Garrett will bring in someone that doesn't need to call plays and can recruit an area of the country with a great success rate.

Certainly with the pending NCAA sanctions coming against USC (we'll get into that during another post), taking the head coaching position is a certain risk right now and with the departure of Pete Carroll, USC needed someone that can continue Carroll's vision without changing too much, only re-polishing the once well oiled machine that failed to reach a BCS bowl game for the first time since 2002.

Introduction

This blog was designed by Phil Smith and Dane Moore. We are two college sophomore students at Gustavus Adolphus College. This blog will contain our sports angle on the five primary sports, baseball, football, basketball, soccer and hockey. We hope you enjoy reading our blog and hopefully it's an enjoyable take on sports and you decide to follow us.