My Favorite ...

No matter who puts on a the red, white, and black jersey as a basketball player for the University of Louisville my favorite player will never change. To this day DeJuan Wheat is indisputably my favorite basketball player of all time. I remember going to the exhibition game against Puerto Rico his senior year. The game didn't count as far as the team record went, but I was still excited to be there. As I sat with my family in nearly the last row of the Freedom Hall stands I watched his every move for about five minutes. They took Wheat out of the game after that. I was so dissappointed. Later I found out he was pulled because he had a cut that needed stitches in his lip. I guess that was a valid reason, but my thirteen year old self felt like I was ripped off. That season I went to five more games because my family had a five game ticket package, but it didn't include senior night. And because DeJuan Wheat and Alvin Sims were so popular among the fans there last home game as Cardinals was sold out. My so-called friend Andrea got tickets though, but passed on inviting me. I wasn't popular and she wanted a more popular friend to take with her, dispite the face that my parents bought her a ticket to the end of the season basketball banquet. So I watched Wheat's last home game in front of the TV and not there clapping for him until my hands hurt like I should have been.

Then the was the sweet 16 game against Texas. Texas had a great guard in Reggie Freeman (I think that was his name), but we had Wheat - well until he sprained his ankle. Watching Wheat leave the game in Andrea's room in the attic of her house, everyone waited and hoped for his return. When Wheat finally appeared from the locker room his ankle was wrapped up so much, it was clear that there would be no more Wheat in this game. His career couldn't end like this was all that could think. Apparently the his teammates felt the same way and Alvin Sims led them to victory. As myself, Andrea, and our other friends ran outside to celebrate - WE ARE GOING TO THE ELITE EIGHT!!! - everyone counted Wheat out of the ensuing match up with North Carolina. This was the Carolina team that included Antwan Jamison, Vince Carter, and Brandon Haywood. We needed Wheat. And Megan - another friend - stated that her dad said Wheat would not play. I argued the opposite - he will play I stated as if I had just had a personal conversation with him. But I knew. I knew he would play. Two days later it was game day and Wheat was listed as a game time decision. But I still knew. I knew he would play. There would be no start for BJ Flynn, that was Wheat's spot. Sure enough when the game started number 32 was on the court. Sadly though even the presence of our best player wasn't enough to contend with the superstar power of the Tar Heels that year. I sat in my room watching the game on my small 13 inch TV by myself. In my lab sat my Cardinal media guide for the basketball team. It was if it was my basketball bible and I was praying, hoping that this would not be the last of DeJuan Wheat in my life.

The season was over, but I still had the basketball banquet to look forward to. I got their early to get autographs. Look there's Alex Sanders. Oh hey its Nate Johnson. No sign of DeJuan Wheat or Alvin Sims. As the banquet started I again felt ripped off as I told my mother I wanted a partial refund as the two best players weren't even here. Then the not shut doors opened and in walked Wheat. I was elated. After the banquet ended I stood in line to meet him. I got his autograph and took a picture with him. I still have that picture. Then that summer I watched him play in pick up games and got to meet Wheat and his fellow senior classmates again. And even after Wheat left and became a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves I got one more meeting with him at Cardinal Arena thanks to my sister and Wiley Brown. I felt so special - a private gathering with my favorite player just for me. I still have that picture from that day too. Along with an autographer #32 Louisville jersey that my parents have held captive in their basement area dedicated to Louisville memoribilia.

And even though it has been quite a while since DeJuan Wheat played for Louisville, my answer has never waivered if you ask me about my favorite player of all time. I was so excited to finally hear that Wheat was getting the recogniziation he finally deserved this year by the university. I have always advocated for his to be honored. It saddened me though that I couldn't be there to celebrate that moment.

Baseball Season is on the Way

Football season ended for me when the Eagles and Jets failed to make it into the playoffs. I'll watch the Super Bowl, but honestly who would I cheer for. It's like the lesser of two evils for me - it's comparable to watching the Phillies vs. the Yankees in the World Series. The only reason I'm even saying I'd go for the Patriots is because as an Eagles fan to cheer for the Giants would probably get me banned from being an Eagles Fan and because Deion Branch went to the University of Louisville. With all that said I'm looking forward to baseball season - I think? WIth the loss of Jose Reyes (it still pains me to think that Reyes is no longer a Met) and what appears to be the eventual trade of David Wright at some point the Mets I fell in love with are no longer there. My first favorite baseball player - Carlos Beltran - is now a member of the team he took a third strike on with the bat on his shoulder to end the Mets playoff run (although I'm not one of those Mets fan that take issue with him over that - I didn't watch baseball then), the heart and soul of the team has moved on and taken his talents to South Beach, and David - poor David - will have to deal with trade questions all year, as if he hasn't bared the burden of answering the difficult questions to the media since he first came up. But with all that said I still love the Mets - I can't stop no matter how much on paper the season may look like a wash I refuse to not support them and I refuse to not cheer for them. I'll go to games - how could I not? Being at the baseball park can be such a great atmosphere. However, I do not support the ownership of the team and wish they would sell it. They claim to love the Mets, but I think they are ruining them.

Despite how the Mets may look on paper, there are a few things I'm looking forward to seeing this year. I'm excited to hopefully see Johan return. I'm also interested to see if bringing in the walls will actually help Wright and Bay. I love Ruben Tejada, even if he isn't Jose Reyes, so I'm anxious too see how he will fill those shoes as the short stop for the New York Mets.

And finally, the thing about sports is that anyone can be beaten on any given day - here's hoping the Mets find ways to win and prove critics wrong. I think Ike Davis says it best in his text to Daniel Murphy from an article on ESPN: "Let's go dominate." For more on Daniel Murphy check out the full article at http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/planned-parenthood-says-komen-decision-causes-donation-spike/2012/02/01/gIQAGLsxiQ_story.html?tid=pm_national_pop

Recommended Link on the NCAA

Here is story from The New York Times the other day. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/21/opinion/nocera-guilty-until-proved-innocent.html?hp

My Take on the NCAA:

The NCAA has proven to be in love with abusing power. There are too many arbitrary rules. The NCAA is too held fast to ideas of players being amateurs and protecting that status, and doesn't worry enough about making the student-athlete a STUDENT. Financial interests or the regulation of financial matters and personal relationships do not increase graduation rates. They do not encourage and promote academic achievement in the classroom. They do not propel people into careers if sports do not work out. What these rules do is offer one body a chance to regulate and control a whole population of people in a way that at times is unjust, unfair, and completely wrong.

There are so many arbitrary rules that most colleges are probably committing some violation at some point. The NCAA investigates who it wants to investigate whenever they want to. Then the ultimate people who are punished are the actual players. Whether they are forced to pay back money to a family friend - someone that was around long before UCONN came calling - or may be denied a scholarship after all because the NCAA has stripped the school of some of their scholarships because of something someone else did.

My question to the NCAA is what about the people that oversee and are probably the masterminds behind the rule pending and the rule violations? Take John Calipari - he has left two programs with possible NCAA violations behind, yet he keeps being allowed to coach. In fact not only has he been allowed to coach, but he has been allowed to move up in the coaching ranks. When does he get suspended? Shouldn't the coaches be regulated by the NCAA as well? I know that some coaches have been fired, but that usually comes from the school as a hopeful measure that the NCAA will see they took some action. But shouldn't Calipari with a questionable past involving NCAA issues or players with NCAA issues be suspended or banned at the hands of the NCAA. He is the person that is supposed to be setting the example - teaching the players he coaches. Yet he doesn't always follow the rules and he is okay - he is better than okay - he keeps getting a better job.

Support for R.A. Dickey

I've read a lot the last couple of days about the Mets asking R.A. Dickey not to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. I understand the business point of view the Mets have to take - they don't want one of their starting pitchers to get hurt. However, as a Met fan I fully support Dickey's decision to continue on with his charitable journey, as he is climbing to raise money for the Bombay Teen Challenge and raise awareness about sex trafficing. Is there a chance he could get injured? Of course, but doesn't that chance exist with everything anyone does? Will it hurt the team if he can't play? Of course it will. However, as far as I have heard and read he has properly trained for this climb and understands what it takes to make the trek. I think it will be an even more powerful statement if he continues in the face of the Mets requests to not go. I think it shows that baseball and sports in general is not the most important thing in the world. In this country especially professional athletes are worshipped for their scoring average, home run total, or passing yards. Then at times their off the field work is appreciated. But here is an athlete that we know loves and respects the game as much as anyone else saying he wants to be more than a baseball player - he wants to make a difference even if it could impact his baseball career. I think the Mets should be supportive. I'm sure if making the trek up the mountain has an impact on his contract Dickey has been properly advised about it. The Mets have made their feelings known. Now if he says I understand and wants to continue the Mets should applaud his efforts and wish him the best. It's the right thing to do. They should be so lucky to have such a man represent their team.

No Rush to Judgment on Braun

Ryan Braun is the quintessential good guy in sports. It also doesn't hurt that he is a good looking guy too. People seem to like him and as far as his character has been displayed on and off the field he has always been thought of to be a class act. So when news broke last weekend that Braun had failed MLB's drug test, the whole baseball community was in shock. When it happened to A-Rod I think people believed he did it, but didn't want to. Manny Rameriz faced a similar reaction. People just wanted them to be clean for the sake of the game. However, I think the reaction afforded Braun is less judgmental and leaning towards the idea that this must be a mistake. I think the public and even the often news hungry, quick to crucify media have all stood back in the days after the news broke to press pause and wait for Braun's side of the story to come out through the appeals process. This is how stories like this should be handled, but often it isn't. Our society is usually quick to judge, but for some reason Braun gets some room to say listen first. Perhaps it's his accolades that make us respect his position more - he is the reigning NL MVP. Or perhaps its the way he handles himself on and off the field that makes the public and media' pause. He handled Jose Reyes' bunt and exit to win the NL batting title like a true professional when everyone else complained. As for off the field, it has been said that is does a lot for the community. Looking at both these reasons, it seems as if the latter reason would be the prevailing reason the public and media are giving Braun some time to be heard. A-Rod and Ramirez were both stellar baseball players, but their attitudes and even some of their actions were not looked upon favorably.

Time will tell though as the appeal process goes on as to whether Braun failed the drug test. Although, even a failed test isn't indicative of any intentional wrong doing. Perhaps he took something with a banned substance in it without knowing. Unfortunately, this isn't a defense unless what he took happens to the be on the very specific list of items deemed to be safe by MLB for players to use. It's unfortunate whatever the result is, for Braun will always have to answer questions for the rest of his playing career about this matter. Also, it's unfortunate for this team because they may lose the superstar they just invested a lot of money in for 50 games. And it's unfortunate for the sport deemed to be America's Past Time because it yet again takes a hit concerning cleaning up the game and its end product - talent and competition.

Reyes Watch is Over

It is being reported now that the Miami Marlins and Jose Reyes have reached an agreement for 6 years and $106 million. Sandy Alderson, Mets GM, has acknowledged this evening that they could not compete with the Marlins latest offer. He also stated that they were not contemplating trading David Wright. With that said, Wright now becomes the longest tenured Met. It appears the by stating this Alderson is hoping to keep fan interest by retaining one of the two superstars on the team. However, there has been no talk of offering Wright an extension this off-season other than ideas posed by Met writers/bloggers.

It will be interesting to see what the Mets decide to do now as far as free agents are concerned. They are clearly in the market for a closer and it was even mentioned earlier that they may have reached out to Francisco Rodriquez's (K-Rod) people. Also it is thought that they will seek other arms for the bullpen. As the starting rotation goes it seems pretty set with Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey, John Niese, RA Dickey, and Dillion Gee. However, with Pelfrey having a less than par year and the question of how Santana will be bounce back from injury there is also an option to seek another started for the rotation. It's unfortunate that Chris Capuano just signed a two year deal with the Dodgers. Perhaps the Mets could have retained them with the money they were reserving for Reyes. The other big question seems to be second base. It has been thought for awhile that if Reyes were to leave Ruben Tejada would take over at shortstop and Daniel Murphy would be the primary second baseman with Justin Turner filling in at time. However, there are a couple of problems with this lineup. Murphy has already had his knees injured twice while playing second base. Also, they have to have someone on the team that can back up shortstop which would mean that would be caring two middle infielders on the bench because Turner probably can't back up shortstop except occasionally. Also, Alderson has already said that Murphy was available for trade decisions so it will be interesting to see who opens up next spring at second base.

With Reyes departure it appears that the Mets organization got one of their many off-season questions answered, but definitely not the answer they wanted. But there are still many more questions that remain and hopefully with the biggest issue now closed the organization can move ahead with other matters.

Say It Ain't So Jose ...

ESPN Deportes is reporting that the Miami Marlins have offered Jose Reyes a 6 year deal worth $111 million. If this report is true it appears that Reyes will not be returning to the Mets. It was around this time last year that I woke up early in the morning to see that Cliff Lee had signed with the Phillies - horrible news. But tomorrow if I wake to see Reyes will be taking the field next year in the horrendous uniforms with Miami across his chest it will probably be the worst sports news I have ever received. Growing up a college sports fan players generally leave on good terms - or at least the players that mattered. DeJuan Wheat wore out his eligibility. Fransisco Garcia was given Rick Pitino's blessing to leave early - he was ready and he needed to take of his family. The list could go on and on. And sure I missed them when the left, but it was expected. Professional sports though is a different game altogether. I have been an Eagles fan since college, but even when Donovan McNabb was traded I wasn't sad. I was hoping that Michael Vick would ultimately take over the quarterback role, even though Kevin Kolb was slated to (and eventually Vick did). I claimed to be a 76ers fan, but really I was just an Allen Iverson fan. When Iverson left I lost interest. But the Mets - I love the Mets. And since I've only been watching for about four years to me I can't imagine a Mets team without Jose Reyes. Reyes was by far the most exciting player on the team and without his presence I can't imagine what the team will be like. It has often been said that if David Wright is the face of the franchise, Reyes is the heart and soul. It will be hard to sit at Citifield and never see number 7 lead-off the bottom of the first inning. It will be hard to see Ruben Tejada take the field every day at short stop. But it will probably be the hardest to see him at Citifield sitting in the visitor's dugout. I understand professional sports is a business, but its hard not to love certain players. I was sad when Carlos Beltran left, but I knew it was coming. Reyes is different though. He has the longest tenure as a Met. His name is all over the record book. He is a special player - it would just be nice if he continued to shine under the bright lights of New York. But I guess there is still room for a little hope. He hasn't signed anywhere yet, but even I - the most optimistic Met fan - am thinking that the Jose Reyes Saga is about to come to end and it's not going to be a happy one for me and the rest of the Mets fans.