Say it ain't Sosa

I really wanted to believe him. I am a very optimistic person and for a long time I believed Slammin Sammy really didn't take anything. I believed him when he said that he worked hard earn all his accolades. But now I just you don't know what to believe in anymore. Who is going to be the next name that is plastered all over Sportscenter. Like come on now. I just feel like everyone in baseball cheats. It just doesn't make sense. You don't hear the NFL and NHL having the much trouble with their players juicing so why does Major League Baseball? Why can't baseball take control of this situation? It should have never taken congressional hearing to figure out that this a serious problem. If this is Americas past time what does thia tell the world about our country? Does it show that America is just full of cheaters? I would like to think not but ESPN keeps reminding otherwise. Now everyone is this day and age has to be suspected of taking Steroids or other type of performance enhancing drugs. That means names like Griffey, Pujols, Guerrero and Ortiz, just to name a few, must be looked at very carefully when is all said and done. I don't care if they worked hard to get where they are or they have denied for years that taken nothing I will always suspect them of some type of foul play. It's just the era baseball I was raised in. It's unfortunate but true. Sammy Sosa was the last straw for me. In my mind every baseball player is now guilty until proven innocent.

The Heart of the Philippines

Manny Pacquiao has the weight of a country on his shoulders every time he steps in the ring, but that never seems to stop him. Pacquiao continues to be victorious. He just continues to win. With his victory over Hatton Pac Man is now 49-3-2 and with 47 knockouts including last nights devastating left hook. He is a champion in six weight classes. For all those people who say Pacquiao isn’t real deal they can have a seat and shut their mouths. Pacquiao can now be considered one best pound for pound boxers of all time.

He is fierce fighter but even a greater person. Pacquiao refuse to live anywhere else but the Philippines. Now the Philippines is a very shady country. The government is corrupt, there are gangs ruling the country, the economy is in shambles, and disease is pretty rampant but even with all this Pacquiao feels it’s important to live next to his people. He feels it would make no sense to live anywhere else. Now Pacquiao lives in General Santos City. He lives in a house with all of his close relatives and his thirty bodyguards. Kidnappings are very common in the Philippines so Pacquiao must be protected at all times.

Pacquiao is deeply involved with the Filipino community. One day he gave every person he saw 100 pesos for eight hours. To Americans that is not a lot money but for Filipinos that is food and water for a day. He actually ran for senator and lost. He received many letters from Filipinos saying he can do more good for the country in the ring than he can in the corrupted government.

His attitude in the in ring inspires people. He is always smiling and always happy. When he gets hit good he pounds his fist together and smiles and then gets right back into the fight. Its his optimistic attitude that motivates the people in Philippines to strive for a better future.

People respect Pacquiao so much that peace treaties are signed with he fights in the Philippines. No one does anything when Pac-Man fights. The government actually purchases the fight for the entire country so everyone can watch their champion in battle.

Now America has a lot great athletes. From the Peyton Manning to LeBron James but do those people provide hope? Do they inspire others to work hard? This is what Pacquiao does. He is a beacon of light for Filipinos. That someone can actually make it out of the Philippines and be successful in the world. For some Pacquiao is more than just a fighter, he is a hero. So forget Superman and Batman, We have Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao.

Say it ain't so A-Rod

I believe in giving people a second chance. People make mistakes and deserve a chance at redemption, but there comes time when a person has to say enough is enough. That time has come for Alex Rodriguez

Now I was willing to accept that he took steroids. At least he came out in the open and admitted that he made a mistake. But when Sports Illustrated senior writer Selena Roberts broke that A-Rod was tipping his pitches well, that’s just inexcusable.

Don’t get me wrong I don’t approve of his steroid usage but that really only affected Rodriguez own stats, but by helping the opposing hitters he cost many player’s careers and their salaries.

Rodriguez allegedly signaled opposing hitters what his own pitchers were throwing in blow out games. In return Rodriguez expected to have those hitters do the same for him when he was having an off night. It just blows my mind that someone would stoop so low. A-Rod is talented he shouldn’t have to do this to be the best. It’s really disgusting.

People say he should just be suspended. I personally feel that he should banned from baseball for life. He has brought nothing but trouble to baseball and the world of sports. He should have to return every dollar he has ever made. He has no character what so ever and hope remembers that karma is a you know what.

The Best of the Rest

It happens every draft. There are a few good guys that are left undrafted. These players were great in college but some teams just didn’t want to take a chance on.

Graham Harrell
I feel really bad for Graham Harrell. First he wasn’t even invited to the Heisman ceremony and then he doesn’t get drafted. In his last three years he threw for over 15,000 yards and 19 touchdowns. Maybe he was the product of the system he was in but ask yourself this? If Rudy Carpenter went to Texas s Tech would he have thrown for that many yards? Probably not. Sure Michael Crabtree is a rare talent but I still think he would have had a productive career even if Crabtree wasn’t there. It’s just the system around him. I feel should take a chance to him. He is a very accurate passer and be a quality back up for some team.

Status: Signed with the Cleveland Browns

P.J. Hill

The Wisconsin Winnebago left Madison as the third leading rusher in school history. He rushed for 1212 yards and 14 touchdowns. He is a big bruising back, but he was also very injury prone. Teams probably questioned his character after Hill was arrested for suspicion of drunk driving on March 16. He would make a quality short yardage back for some team.

Status: Signed with the New Orleans Saints

Ian Johnson

What a difference a year makes. Last year Johnson and the Broncos pulled the upset over the Oklahoma Sooners and he proposed to his cheerleader girlfriend. A couple years back Johnson was a highly touted NFL prospect. As a sophomore he rushed for 1714 yards and 25 touchdowns, and the next year he rushed for 1000 yards with sixteen touchdowns. This year the team decided to pass more and Johnson’s numbers paid the price thanks to this change in philosophy. He would make a great receiver out of the backfield. Think of Brian Westbrook just not with the same explosiveness.

Status: Signed with the Denver Broncos

Chase Daniels
He led his team to the Big 12 South Championship and was a top three Heisman candidate. I don’t care if he was in a system, numbers are numbers. While at Mizzou he threw for 12,515 yards and 101 touchdowns. In his senior campaign he threw for 4,335 yards, 39 touchdowns, and only 18 interceptions. He has talent. I really hope someone takes a chance on him.

Status: Signed with the Washintgton Redskins

The Man, the Myth, the Legend Welcome to the Desert Beanie Wells

Looks like the Arizona Cardinals still have a little magic left from last year’s Super Bowl season, when they were able to get Chris “Beanie” Wells with the 31st pick in this year’s draft.

Now I have been an Ohio State fan all my life (sorry ASU but you don’t even come close to Ohio St. football) and I’m school you on Beanie Wells just in case you didn’t know.

Wells is from Akron, Ohio. It is also the home of Lebron James. They are actually pretty good friends. He went to Garfield high school in Akron. There he was a parade All American. As a Senior he rushed for 2,134 yards and 27 touchdowns. He was named the number one recruit in many publications. He would sign with The Ohio State University.

Now at a school like Ohio St. Beanie had to wait his turn to become a starter. His freshmen year he shared carries with Antonio Pittman. He did rush for 576 yards and seven touchdowns on only 104 carries. Not bad for a freshman.

Sophomore year was the time Beanie exploded on to the national stage. In his 2007 campaign he rushed for over 1600 yards and fifteen touchdowns and was named an 1st team All American and a preseason Heisman candidate for the 2008 season.

But injuries slowed down Beanie’s race to the Heisman but it didn’t slow down his production. He still rushed for 1,197 yards and eight touchdowns in only ten games. In the Tostitos Fiesta bowl he rushed for 106 yards on only 16 attempts.

He has drawn many comparisons to a faster Jamal Lewis. He is 6’1 235 and very physical. He has very good instincts and awareness. He cut back ability is phenomenal. At the combine he ran a 4.59 forty time and did 25 reps of 225. He is perfect combination of speed and power. And with Edgerrin James probably on his way out Wells will be an outstanding replacement. The combination of Tim Hightower and Beanie Wells will be a great one two punch.

If Wells can stay healthy he has the ability to be one of the best backs in the National Football League. He has that much potential and he is on a team where people focus so much passing game that running lanes will open right up for Wells. Hopefully this will keep Anquan Boldin happy. I doubt it, but hey stranger things have happened to this franchise before.

Before I go I got to say something about the Oakland Raiders. One name, Darrius Heyward-Bay. What the f%#@ !?! A 4.3 forty does not make a great wide out. At least the Lions try to become better I don’t know what the Raiders are doing. Someone please tell them the object of football is to win. The Oakland Raiders are by far the worst franchise in sports.

Why Sports?

Where amazing happens

One night I was asked a very simple question. Somebody asked me why love sports? Now most people give simple answers, but its question every sports fan should contemplate at least once on theor lifetime.

For me sports are my world. Sports are the only place that brings people from different cultures together. Only in sports will an overweight man be half naked and not seem out of place. Only in sports will you find a family with all their faces painted and know thats normal.

Sports are more than just entertainment. They are a way life. Sports are everything that makes life interesting. From drama of a game seven, to the excitement of a game winning play. From the sweet taste of victory to the sour taste defeat sports are just a reflection of the world around us.

Hope. Sports provide hope that anything can happen. That if a team or individual works hard enough and believes in themselves, nothing is impossible. Don’t believe me. Remember Michael Phelps inch of a win, the Giants topping the undefeated Patriots, Tiger Woods winning the U.S. Open on one leg, and The Boston Red Sox actually winning a world series (well they've won a few now). In time where the news is filled with terrorism and the woes of the economy I think its nice to have something postive to believe in.

Seconds are an eternity in sports. Anything can happen in a second. Championships can be won and lost. Ordinary people can become legendary. Childhood dreams are fulfilled and curses are created. It is timeless moments like these that make sports so great.

Can you think of anything else that combines drama, tension, excitement, sadness, and happiness all rolled into one? Can you think of something that is always changing, evolving as we speak?

All I’m trying to say is to give sports a chance because if just give it a little, I promise you will receive so much more in return : D

To go where no blasian has gone before... NASCAR

Phoenix International Raceway in all its beauty

I have covered many sports in my short career. I have been to ASU football, The Phoenix Open, track events and the Diamondbacks but nothing compares to the experience I had at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR).

Now I’m a love all sports. From basketball to power walking. So when I had the opportunity to experience a NASCAR race how could I refuse? I wanted to find out how people are entertained by 1,000 upon 1,000 of left turns.

I first started on the hill outside of PIR. These are like the cheap seats in baseball. You can see everything and some of the most die hard fans are out there. There were a bunch people who had tarps, were barbecuing, and were just having a great time. I met a man who was happy to explain the history of NASACR to me.

People use to their fast cars to out run the Feds. After the need for the wheel man ended these people asked themselves what they could do with their fast cars? They decide to race them and that was how NASCAR was created.

So after being educated on the history of NASCAR I wanted to go into the infield. You know, the place where all the RV and trailers are. Seeing the race from this perspective has totally changed my view of NASCAR. Just seeing how fast the cars move in person is ten times better than watching it on TV. The pit crews are always contemplating on what to do next, theirs oil flying everywhere, and people are always in constant movement. Let me tell you something. You haven’t lived until you’ve experienced a pit stop. It really one of these most exciting few seconds in sports. Just to see what happens in those few seconds is amazing.

After being blown away by the race I wanted talk to some of these die hard fans that are the infield. They are like their own little community. There were kids watching the race and playing football. Most guys were just sitting around drinking beer, barbecuing and having a great time. With all this going on I stopped and thought to myself where I have seen this before in sports? Then it dawned on me. It is just like tailgating for a football game, but instead of doing for a day NASCAR fans do for the entire season. I met people from places such as Tennessee and Arkansas. I was really impressed with their commitment to their favorite sport.

I actually met a nice young lady named Oakley. She was kind enough to give me a tour of her RV. She told me that it was passed down from her Grandpa and that most people inherited most of their mobile homes. She said that NASCAR was a way life. That people don’t just watch it, they live it.

I truly have a new respect for NASCAR. It is something I want to experience again. No matter what people say I feel NASCAR is a sport and do not judge unless you get a chance to experience it for yours