Friday, April 8, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
OPENING DAY - KERSHAW OUTLAST THE FREAK AT DODGER STADIUM
LOS ANGELES- On an unusual 92 degree day, this was perfect baseball weather, especially for Dodger Stadium and Opening Day. Two of MLB's young aces (Clayton Kershaw and Tim Lincecum aka "The Freak") took the mound as the long standing rivalry between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the World Champion San Francisco Giants showed no signs of cooling off.
Dodger pitcher Clayton Kershaw was on fire, striking out the four batters in the first two innings of play. Kershaw got himself into jam against Giants slugger Pat Burrell, however remained focused even when the count was 3-0, getting him out a few pitches later on a fly ball.
In the second inning Kershaw was unable to catch the throw by James Loney for a simple ground out play. Newest Dodger and former Giant Juan Uribe after making good on his Dodger debut, connected for a double, but then slid off the bag to be called out. James Loney grounded out at his first two at bats with runners in scoring position. But that was thanks to the outstanding pitching by Giants star Tim Lincecum, who was masterful with his throws, he looked like he hadn't missed a beat since their last victory that earned them a World Series last year.
After hitting a base hit earlier in the inning, Tim Lincecum got a little shaky as he walked Matt Kemp (which would turn out to be three times on the day). Next up Juan Uribe, who ended being hit by a pitch, that loaded the bases. Later on Giants Buster Posey who throw a ball trying to pick off Kemp got passed Giants third baseman Sandoval which allowed Kemp to make a play for home plate and score the first run of the game, 1-0 Dodgers.
Kershaw continued to pitch his way out of a tight in the fifth inning squeeze, that drew a double-play grounder after allowing a leadoff single in the sixth inning. Kershaw continued to be improssive as he threw about 13 more pitches, finishing him with a pitch count of 93. New Dodger manager Don Mattingly decided Kershaw had enough and in the eight inning brought in Kuo as mid level relief.
James Loney finally got an opportunity to drive in a run thanks to Kemp being walked earlier.
Kuo throw his first seven pitches as strikes, sitting down Giant hitters Freddie Sanchez, Andres Torres, and Aubury Huff to end the eighth inning.
Bring on the Dodger closer Johnathan Broxton who actually gave up a run to Pat Burrell, which cut the lead 2-1. Broxton settled down and ended the game on a ground out to first base. Dodgers beat the World Champion Giants 2-1.
Talking about the play that scored the first run for the Dodgers, Matt Kemp said "I saw his [Sandoval] reaction. I saw his eyes, and I knew the ball was coming. I'll take it". Kershaw had nine strike outs for the game.
Lincecum spoke about the loss "We made some key mental mistakes". "You win your first game, you won't go 0-162." said Dodger outfielder Tony Gwinn Jr.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
THE "GENIUS" OF CLIPPERS OWNER DONALD STERLING
LOS ANGELES- Clippers owner and real estate tycoon Donald T. Sterling has been amidst controversy since he bought the Clippers back in 1982. Sterling has had a reputation of always being cheap with his players, coaching staffs and employees within the organization.
With all the talented #1 draft picks the Clippers have consumed over the years, there is no way they should've only made the playoffs twice since being in Los Angeles. Clipper fans and the NBA can thank one Donald T. Sterling for that. From the reports he used the players air miles when they would fly to various cities and cash them in for himself, to him making the team take a bus to some destinations, to his latest antics of his organization celebrating Black History month in March. According to a newspaper ad in the Los Angeles Times, Sterling gave away to a thousand underprivileged kids Clippers tickets, which can imply that your linking poverty to black & brown kids, because how are you going to determine who is in need or not? Whether that's what Sterling is implying, that's the message being handed down. Which is absolutely insensitive, pimping a month of heritage to try to gain some publicity and keep the heat off who you really are, many people haven’t forgotten Sterling.
Lets me remind you, Sterling had to pay off in a settlement for housing discrimination suits in the amount of $2.73 million dollars. Also former Clippers GM Elgin Baylor who had been employed by Sterling for approximately 22 years is suing him for age & racial discrimination. I also remind you former coach & GM Mike Dunleavy is suing Sterling for not paying him the money owed.
Donald Sterling between the housing discrimination suits, berating one of his former players in Baron Davis in front of Sterling's friends & fans, why is this owner not serving some type of suspension by the league? Its a double standard because when athletes get caught in scandals (i.e. DUI’s, Domestic abuse, accidents) its blown all over the media, and I fail to see how owners don’t get the same treatment.
This so-called Black History gesture is appalling, insensitive and dare I say has many racial undertones in it. Are we really surprised? I’m not, this has been the history of one cheap, racially discriminating individual. This behavior should not be tolerated in society let alone in the NBA amongst its owners. I wouldn’t mind as basketball fan & follower of the sport if the NBA bought the Clippers just as they did with the New Orleans Hornets. Atleast it would have a fighting chance of improving as an organization, and team.
And with the possible relocation of the Sacramento Kings moving to Anaheim, do you think that will put a fire in the pockets of Donald Sterling to step it up as an owner......sadly I think not.
I am thoroughly convinced this man does not care about his reputation as owner & most importantly as a human being, and if this Black History ad isn’t the biggest slap in the face, I don't know what is.
THE LOGO UNVEILED
On a very crisp, Thursday night before All-Star Weekend, the NBA Logo Jerry West was to be honored in the form of statue at Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles before mass media, several current & former players, fans, and NBA Commissioner David Stern. Many legends were in attendance for this ceremony that included, former Celtic Bill Russell, Wayne Gretzky, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Pat Riley, Jeanie Buss, Elgin Baylor, and Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss were all greeted with a warm welcome by the fans.
KCBS Sports Director & anchor Jim Hill was the master of ceremony, hearing kind words being said by Magic Johnson "Please enjoy this moment, because you deserve it". An somewhat emotional West looked on as a video message was shown from Kobe Bryant "nobody deserves it more than you. Thanks alot, and we'll see you soon", along with a video of West's son Jonnie who couldn't attend due to him playing basketball at West Virginia.
Commissioner Stern said a few words, calling West by his famous nick name "Mr. Clutch", sharing the sentiment of the Lakers organization, friends, and fans, by saying " Jerry we love you".
It was finally time for the man of the hour Jerry West took the stage, with a feeling he called "awkward". West said " When I look around, some of the I've been around as athletes, even some I've competed against, I really thank you". "When I played, I played for my teammates, and the fans of Los Angeles". To which the fans erupted in a loud roar of claps & cheers. West who is the face of the league, a 14 time All-Star and responsible for bringing the Los Angeles Lakers its first title.
It was now time for the unveiling, as West's family, friends, former players gathered around him, "Mr. Clutch" pulled the gold rope which removed the black tarp covering the statue. West looked very touched and amazed by the statue of his likeness.
It was a great night for Lakers fans, basketball fans, the NBA, and the city of Los Angeles, for honoring a great iconic figure in Jerry West. He will never be forgotten, but forever immortalized outside one the greatest arenas in sports, along side Magic Johnson, Wayne Gretzky, Oscar De La Hoya and the great Chick Hearn.
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