Bonds Deals Baseball yet Another Black Eye

As the steroid talk swirls around baseball like the juice surging into Jason Giambi’s veins, America’s favorite pastime continues to be bruised, right when spring training is getting started. First, it was Giambi’s admission of taking the muscle-enhancing drug. Then, Jose Canseco shocked the sports world with his tell-all book about his use of steroids, swinging a syringe with better accuracy than he ever swung a bat. Now, it’s baseball’s homerun king, Barry Bonds, making us despise the sport’s most talented player, with his strange ramblings at a preseason press conference, laced with perfunctory glances at interviewers, lame defenses of his own lousy image, along with distracting accusations aimed at various targets.

Man, is this guy easy to hate. “I don’t know what cheating is,” he says about the potential help steroid use gives to baseball players. How can adding dozens of pounds of muscles increase ones production, Barry wonders? This coming from a guy who entered the league weighing roughly 180 pounds before adding 46 pounds to his frame in a little over three seasons. Furthermore, in his first seven years in the league Bonds never hit 35 home runs. He was a 19 to 25 HR guy, except for two seasons of 33 and 34. Now, the ballooned up Barry, the one who doesn’t believe steroids can help hitters, bashes 45 or more homers each season, as if he were hitting super balls. But he’s not cheating, he claims.

In addition to the pitiful, “I don’t know what cheating is” statement, Bonds managed to blame all of his woes on the probing media and, of course, on racism. “Babe Ruth was a great player,” Bonds says, “but he wasn’t black. I’m black, and it’s tougher for blacks.” Only some tears would make his act more incredible. Again, I say, this guy is easier to hate than cancer. First of all, what problems does he have? Millions and millions of dollars in his pocket? Playing a game for a living? Incredible popularity? A few questions from interviewers? This is the life of Barry Bonds, and this guy has the audacity to pull the race card? Every African American and baseball fan should join me in hating this racist crybaby. “But I’m not a racist,” Bonds says. I wish I had a dollar for every person who ever made a comment like this one and then followed it up with “But I’m not a racist.” I’d probably have as much money as Barry.

Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest basketball player ever, hounded every waking moment by the media, never made such a ridiculous statement about black people in sports having it tougher. Jerry Rice, the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, hands down, never whined about discrimination making his life more difficult than his white predecessors. It’s because these guys didn’t use steroids, and these guys were true, hard-working, non-cheating professionals. Not to mention the fact that they were gentlemen.

This is not to say that racism doesn’t still exist in America. It obviously does. In fact, it may even exist in some sports. But it does not exist to the extent that Barry suggests. Does Barry deal with death threats, like Hank Aaron did the entire season he approached Babe Ruth’s mark? Of course not. In fact, for some bizarre, inexplicable reason, there is a large contingent of Bonds fans actually rooting for this jerk to break Aaron’s record. It’s hard to figure. Aaron never complained about racism, and he entered the batters box nightly, fearing for his very life. And now, 30 years later, he is one of the most revered leaders the game has. Aaron, like Jordan and Rice and Ruth and a myriad of other great athletes, has a legacy. What legacy does the cheating racist, Barry Bonds, have? I think the answer lies within the question. He’ll be remembered as a baseball player, who could have been one of the greatest ever, if he hadn’t been a cheater and a liar and a racist.

Meanwhile, the more Bonds and others like him talk, the bigger baseball’s black eye gets.

Mark Barnes is the author of the new novel, The League, shocking, sports-related conspiracy. Learn more about his suspense thriller at http://www.sportsnovels.com. He is also an investment real estate and home loan finance expert. Get his free mortgage finance course at http://www.winningthemortgagegame.com

Home Run Statistics - Going Going Gone

The home run. One of sports grandest sights. Whether it is a line drive that barely clears the wall or a pop up that glances off the foul pole. Or if it’s a shot that goes 40 rows back. It is still a home run. We love to see ‘em.

Here are some of the great home run hitters. I have categorized these home run hitters in a particular way that I thought you might like. These statistics include the 2004 season.

Most 50 or more home run seasons

Babe Ruth, Sammy Sosa and Mark McGuire – 4 seasons each
Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Alex Rodriguez, Jimmy Foxx
Ralph Kiner and Ken Griffey Jr – 2 season each

Most 40 or more home run seasons

Babe Ruth – 12 seasons
Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Harmon Killabrew – 8 seasons each
Ken Griffey Jr., Sammy Sosa – 7 seasons each
Willie Mays, Mark McGwire, Alex Rodriguez 6 seasons each

Most 30 home runs seasons

Hank Aaron – 15 seasons
Babe Ruth – 14 seasons
Barry Bonds, Mike Schmidt – 13 seasons each
Mark McGwire, Jimmy Foxx – 12 seasons each
Frank Robinson, Willie Mays – 11 seasons each
The following four players had 10 seasons each
Harmon Killabrew, Lou Gehrig,
Fred McGriff, Rafael Palmeiro
The following seven players had 9 seasons each
Mickey Mantle, Manny Ramirez, Mike Piazza
Eddie Mathews, Tony Perez, Jim Thome
Jeff Bagwell

The following five players had 8 seasons each

Alex Rodriguez, Ted Williams, Frank Thomas
Mel Ott, Albert Belle
The following seven players had 7 seasons each
Ernie Banks, Joe DiMaggio, Juan Gonzalez
Gary Sheffield, Dave Kingman, Willie McCovey
Reggie Jackson

Some Home Run Facts

Between Ted Williams, Stan Musial and Joe Dimaggio
1357 home runs were hit.
Between the three of them they had two 40 home run seasons.

When Joe DiMaggio hit 46 home runs in 1937 he struck out
37 times.

Fred Lynn hit 23 home runs four years in a row.

Duke Snider had five 40 home run seasons – all in a row.

Hank Aaron hit 44 home runs four different seasons,
He wore uniform number 44.

Aron Wallad has been a baseball lover for over 45 years. You will love his honesty and his passion.. You will be touched by the heartwarming stories. The unusual statistics will amaze you and the quotes will make you laugh..

Go here right now to join his ezine
http://www.baseballsprideandjoy.com/index.php?tag=ezart

Contact Aron – The Baseball Networking Guy at
aron@baseballsprideandjoy.com

Foote Notes: NFL Observations - 12/6/05

Carolina finds missing piece to puzzle … The Panthers will look for their third straight 100 yard rushing game this week against divisional foe, Tampa Bay. For the second straight week, Panthers rushed for over 100 yards. Carolina smothered Atlanta 24-6 and outrushed the Falcons 142-120. The back to back rushing feats is noteworthy because CAR entered Sunday with the NFL’s 26th ranked rushing attack. This has in turn put a lot of pressure on Delhomme, who also entered Sunday with the third most interceptions. But the past two weeks, John Fox committed to DeShaun Foster over Stephen Davis as the featured back and the results have followed. In other words, the Panthers are filling their only weakness (their defense ranks 4th in the NFL), which spells bad news for their remaining foes, including the Bucs this week.

Red-Skins poised to deliver green … Joe Gibbs improved to a remarkable 53-18 SU in games in December and January after a 24-9 road win over St. Louis. The victory snapped a three game losing streak and improved the Skins to 5-1 ATS in December games since Gibbs took over last season. This might serve the Hogs well this week at Arizona (+3.5), who are a horrific 1-7 ATS as an underdog this year and 1-4 ATS at home.

AFC East of the Least … So much for parity. The Patriots could practically sleep walk the rest of the year and be almost assured of AFC East Divisional crown and No.4 seed in the playoffs. Perhaps, Buffalo (+3) can take advantage of a complacent New England bunch coming off a less than impressive 16-3 victory over the Green Airplanes. NE needed a field goal at the end of the second quarter just to go into halftime with a 6-3 lead. But that FG was harmless compared to the one Vinatieri kicked with less than a minute remaining in the final period that gave the Pats a 16-3 lead. While the three points were pretty much meaningless to the outcome on the field, it cost New York backers who were grabbing 10.5 points. Even with the front door cover, New England is just 2-5 ATS their last seven and seems more far more interested in getting healthy for the playoffs than covering spreads. They travel to Buffalo, which is coming off a crushing 24-23 loss to Miami where they blew a 20-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. The good news is that they still covered as a 5.5-point road dog to improve to 5-2-1 ATS their last eight. In fact, Bills are an in the money 15-6 ATS their last twenty one games after September going back to last season.

Steelers limping down the stretch … Steelers have dropped three in a row both straight up and against the number after a 38-31 home loss to Cincinnati. Puzzlingly, though, Pittsburgh (-6) is more than a early field goal favorite this week against the Bears, who are headed in the opposite direction at 8-0 SU and 6-1-1 ATS their past eight games. After their latest setback, Pitt’s playoff hopes look about as bleak as a cold, dreary winter day in the Steel City. Cincinnati now has a 2.5 game lead over the Steelers in the division. Jacksonville meanwhile has a stranglehold on one of the wild card spots. For Pittsburgh to sneak in, San Diego and Kansas City would have to collapse down the stretch since both own better records than the Steelers for the final wild card slot.

Texans Quietly Raking In Cash … Yes, Houston took one step closer to winning the Reggie Bush sweepstakes after a 16-15 road loss to Baltimore. But they easily covered as a 7.5-point underdog. In fact, the Texans are 4-2 ATS their last six and would be 5-1 ATS if not for the gigantic debacle the week before against the Rams. For those that missed it, HOU led by as many as twenty-one points against STL and blew a 10-point lead with less than a minute remaining in regulation to force the game into OT where they fell 33-27 as a 3-point dog. Now they are receiving a generous 6.5-points to a Tennessee team that is 3-9 SU on the season.

Bledsoe just so-so … Kansas City improved to 3-0 both SU and ATS after an impressive 31-27 home win over Denver. Chiefs stand a good chance to continue their winning streak against the struggling Cowboys. Dallas has dropped their last two both SU and ATS and we hate to point fingers (not really) but Drew Bledsoe is probably reason no. 1 for the losing streak. The slow footed Bledsoe completed just 15-of-39 passes for 146 yards on one touchdown and two interceptions in his team’s latest loss to the Giants. For those keeping score that translates to a measly 36.9 passer rating. His passer rating the prior two games amounted to 75.2 and 65.5. These remind us our grades back in high school but we expect more from a NFL QB. Facing a hot Chiefs bunch doesn’t seem like much of a turnaround recipe either.

Falcons endangered species … Atlanta dropped to 1-3 both SU and ATS their last four and nearly out of playoff contention after falling to Carolina 24-6 on the road. Reason for concern? Evidently not, as oddsmakers have burdened the Falcons (-10) with a double digit impost this week against the Saints at home. Atlanta hasn’t been a favorite of this magnitude all year and even the hellacious Saints haven’t received this many generous points this season either. Despite their struggles, Saints seem to play better the more unlikely it is for them to win as they are 3-1 ATS as a dog of +4 or more

William Foote is a documented member of the Professional Handicappers League.
Read all of his articles at http://www.procappers.com/William_Foote.htm

Boston Red Sox: 2006 Baseball Betting Season Preview

The Boston Redsox were the hottest story two years ago when they won the world series. The Yankees almost collapsed last season but still took the division from these Redsox. Will the 2006 MLB season be the year the Redsox get the AL East crown and will they continue to play second fiddle to the Yankees?

We are projecting them to win the division outright and show the Yankees that it is not their division every year. The Red Sox finished the 2005 regular season with a 95-67 +5 units record. I guess nobody really cares when you realize that they got swept in the playoffs but nonetheless they had a decent year that was also profitable for their backers.

The Red Sox are always in the national spotlight and get extra betting action because of it but is it always justified. Well, at home it is. The past 3 regular seasons, the Red Sox have combined for a 162-81 +30 units record.

These Red Sox have been a strong money-maker at home the past 3 seasons. Conversely, betting against them when they are on the road has been a great money maker. This is true of most high profile teams. The oddsmakers are content to let the public win betting on the team at home in order for them to get that money back when they are on the road.

Pyschologically, Vegas is doing the right thing. If you see Matt Clement at home with a -240 spread, you are likely to bet small but if you see Matt Clement on the road as a -135 you are likely to pound it. The number of units won at home roughly equals the number of units lost on the road by the Redsox but I can guarantee that the Redsox take in more betting handle on the road than at home.

It will not be enough to simply bet on the Red Sox at home. Let’s look at one such situation that betting on the Redsox at home is just unstoppable. This is against right handers. Over the past 3 seasons, the Redsox are 116-50 +38 in home games against right handers. This correlates to a losing trend at home against left handers. It is very important to look into these small details when analyzing a baseball game.

As you bet the 2006 MLB season, look for the Red Sox at home against right handed pitching to give you some wins and we will analyze how this all plays out during the season.

Check out our Free Baseball Picks to profit all season long.

Dirt Bikes For Kids

Can you get dirt bikes for kids?

Dirt biking has become a more popular and much more accessible pastime than it once was. The bikes, parts and accessories have become much cheaper and because of the increase in participants there are gradually more and more tracks to give it a go. It is true that dirt biking is one of the more dangerous sports you can take up and if you are already an avid dirt biker who hasn’t hit the dust yet, it’s almost guaranteed you will at some point.

That said, many of the accidents are through a lack of care or simply because the biker is inexperienced. There is no substitute for time on the track, and if you’re one of many considering the option of dirt bikes for kids then starting them young and keeping a close eye on them is a definite advantage.

Dirt bikes for kids are widely available now; 47cc dirt bikes becoming very popular. Basically, they look exact replicas of the real sized thing but have a smaller engine and lower frame. A mini-moto can safely hold up to about 10 stone in weight.

Are dirt bikes for kids safe?

As long as the bike is treated with respect and the kids have somebody responsible watching over them there is no reason why dirt bikes for kids can’t be just as safe as dirt bikes for adults. Taking attention to buying the proper gear and a bike in good condition will go along way to ensuring the experience is as safe as possible.

Also, be sure to go to a well managed track will offer a little added security. If the track is in good condition and managed on a regular basis there will be less accident black spots where unpredictable and often dangerous accidents can happen. Don’t, though, let your kids race around a track with older riders as this will undoubtedly lead to trouble.

Everything else about dirt bikes for kids.

Dirt bikes for kids are a relatively affordable pastime for your kids. The bike itself will cost around £200 or $400, and the same again for good quality and safe equipment. With a 5 litre tank dirt bikes for kids will go for miles and miles before you need to refill the petrol tank. Apart from these costs there isn’t very much else you need to worry about except paying for the use of a track.

Dirt Bikes HQ, www.dirtbikeshq.com/, for lots of information about dirt biking.

5 Myths About Sports Conditioning That Are Holding You Back:

In life we are surrounded by numerous myths and half-truths, the Loch Ness Monster, Big Foot, UFOs in Roswell, and Crop Circles just to name a few. No one quite knows if any of these things really exists or if they are just stories told by people for purposes only they know. Sports conditioning has much in common with these mythological occurrences.

Over the past several months, I have answered a gamut of questions from numerous Revolution players with topics ranging from pre-competition nutrition to exercise performance questions. All have been valid and good questions. However, I have also had to dispel more than a few myths about strength training and sports conditioning as well. All of which has led to the development of this article in an effort to dismiss as many of the common myths as possible with one fell-stroke of the keyboard. So, without further ado, here are the top five myths related to strength training and sports conditioning:

1.Myth: Strength Training Will Make Me Bulky
At the heart of this common misconception is the way men and women who perform strength training are depicted in many well known “fitness” magazines. You must understand that the individuals in those magazines are not only genetically pre-disposed to gain outrageous amounts of muscle, they also are using very large doses of anabolic and androgenic drugs.
Not getting “bulky” is a concern that I have often heard from both ordinary trainees and athletes. First, “bulky” needs to be defined. I assume that the reference to not wanting to be “bulky” is the desire not to look like the people in the “fitness” magazines. Fortunately, for those of you concerned with the “bulky factor”, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. It is entirely possible to be strong, very strong, without gaining significant amounts of lean body mass (muscle). As matter of fact, that is exactly how the majority of elite athletes train. Adding extra lean mass is not necessarily conducive to improved performance. However, being stronger and more powerful definitely are.
If you still think that you can’t be strong without being bulky, below is a picture of former USA Olympic Weightlifting Champion Tara Cunningham:
http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletebios/5004740/detail.html

Stats:
Ht: 5’1”
Wt: 106 lbs
Performance
Snatch: 177.5 lbs
Clean and Jerk: 209 lbs
She looks pretty athletic, definitely strong, and very “non-bulky”.

Truth: Strength Training Will Not Make You “Bulky”!

2.Myth: Trash Doesn’t Stink
Often when working with athletes, I find it necessary to “dial” them back on their training a little bit as it seems they judge the effectiveness of a training session on whether or not they walk away absolutely “wasted”. This is a faulty method of quantifying a productive session. Usually by the time you reach the “heavy breathing, sweat drenched” end of a program, you have long since surpassed the productive portion of your training. This type of training is what I call “Trash Training”. You are basically “trashing” your body, your ability to recover, and, most importantly, your PROGRESS.
The best way to avoid “trash training” is to keep an accurate training log. That way you can refer back to previous performance, get into your session, and make progress toward becoming a better footy player. Progress can be measured as lifting 2.5 more pounds on a barbell squat, running .1 second faster in a 50 meter run, or performing one more pull-up. None of this quantifiable information will be available to you, however, if you do not keep a training log. Continuous progress is the only way strength and conditioning training is going to positively impact your performance. Otherwise, you are just wasting energy that could be spent elsewhere.
If you think of training in the following terms, it might help you to understand the point I am making. When you go into work every day, you don’t contemplate how to make the work you are going to do that day as difficult as humanly possible, do you? Of course not. You think of ways to make your work more efficient and productive. Well, the same goes for your strength and conditioning work.
Truth: Trash Does Stink!

3.Myth: More Is Always Better
One of the primary concerns I hear from footy players is they don’t have the ability to perform longer bouts of running, in the range of 2-4 miles. Although I do understand how this common misconception can be fostered by watching AFL level players routinely log 16-24 miles per game, what must be understood, and thus prioritized, is that sports training should as closely mimic the sporting activity as is possible. Even if you are in top condition, the pace at which 2-4 miles is run is nowhere near the pace at which a game of footy is played. In footy, the majority of activity is composed of relatively short, intense bouts of work followed by some sort of recovery movement. Hence, it makes sense for a footy player’s conditioning to mimic that process. Performing interval running, fartlek drills, and running multiple 50-400 meter sprints would all be very applicable components of a footy conditioning program. If the goal is for your training to have a profound effect on your game performance, then run fast for short to moderate distances. You will develop more than adequate conditioning for footy.
Truth: More Is Not Always Better!

4.Myth: “Insanity Training” Gets Results
A commonly accepted definition of insanity is: to repeat the same activity over and over while expecting a different result each time. Many athletes take this same approach with their sports conditioning as well. Once upon a time, they found a program that worked awesomely for them. They have used it for years and are very comfortable with it because they’re good at it. I call this “Insanity Training”.
There are two very specific problems with “insanity training”:
1.There is NO perfect program. Just because it worked well for you at one point in time, does not mean that it will continue to work well for you if you perform it consistently for a long period of time. Here’s a thought. If a perfect program had been discovered, don’t you think that everyone would be using it?
2.People do not like to change. They like to stick with what they know. The same goes for exercise programs. We tend to stick to protocols and exercises that we enjoy and are good at doing. When in reality, we should be doing exercises that address our “weak” areas.
Three quick ways to keep your training out of the “Nut House”:
1.Change your program every 4 weeks regardless of how successfully things are going. It’s only a matter of time until the benefits of the program start to fade.
2.When you change your program, select exercises that you dislike and add them to your new program. Chances are these are the areas that you need to work the most. Also, just so you don’t end up hating the entire program, superset a “hated” movement with a movement that you love. For example, combine Romanian Deadlifts and Bicep Curls.
3.Lastly, get a coach, or at the very least an objective observer, to analyze your program, and even better, write a program for you. There are two benefits to this. The coach/observer won’t have the same exercise biases that you do, and you are more likely to comply with a program that someone else has written due to the actual or perceived obligation to not disappoint that person.
These are just a couple of quick ways to insure that your training doesn’t end up like a fat person on a stationary bike: going nowhere!
Truth: “Insanity Training” Does Not Get Results!

5.Myth: It’s A Beauty Contest
I know many of you have heard the saying “all show and no go”. I am also sure that each and every one of you has observed this type of player. You know, the body of Adonis coupled with the performance of a 1981 Yugo. There are many factors that contribute to this phenomenon, but one of the main ones is the prevalence of athletes using bodybuilding training programs. Don’t get me wrong here. In some instances, muscle hypertrophy (growth) is very beneficial, but there is a distinct difference between effective sports conditioning programs and bodybuilding programs. The main difference is that strength and conditioning routines for sports are primarily focused on improving the athlete’s performance in his/her chosen sport. Bodybuilding programs are designed to do just that – build the body, primarily the muscles.
Now, let’s shift the focus to footy. Some things required by a footy player are hip and leg strength and power and strength in the trunk and upper body. Strength in the hips and legs allows the player to kick the ball and move about the ground at an effective pace. Strength in the trunk and upper body gives the player stability when confronted with an awkward body position and allows the player to perform tackles and shepherds with brutal efficiency. Did you notice any mention of beautiful, bulging biceps and triceps or pumped up pecs? Nope. Nada. None. Not a single mention. Do you know why? Two reasons really:
1. Those areas get effective training from performing exercises such as squats, deadlifts, pull-ups, over-head presses, etc. As a matter of fact, the above exercises provide more than enough of a training effect to keep those muscle groups plenty strong for the demands placed on them during the sport.
2. Performing specific exercises for those body parts falls lower on the priority list than those exercises that are going to more readily assist you in becoming a better footy player.
And that’s what it’s all about really — becoming a better footy player, right? Which brings us to what may be the biggest sports conditioning myth of all: Bruno Got Kick-Ass Results, So Will You. You know the story. A friend of a friend’s brother’s sister’s boyfriend Bruno did this particular program and got kick-ass results, so, of course, it will work the same magic for you. The problems with these types of stories/myths are that they may or may not be true, people may be telling them simply to sell a particular program, and you don’t personally know Bruno. For all you know, Bruno’s kick-ass results may be due to the fact that he was a stereotypical 90 lb weakling before starting the program or maybe he was training to be Mr. Olympia. What is probably true is that Bruno is not a footy player, and despite results of mythological proportions, his program is totally inappropriate for footy conditioning. Truth: Bruno Got Kick-Ass Results, You Are Not Bruno.
The first thing you must ask yourself before you start a sports conditioning program is whether or not this program will make you better at your sport, and if so, how. If the answer is YES, then by all means proceed. If, however, the answer is NO, then you should seriously assess why you would want to undertake such a program. The next question to ask is whether the program is going to help you strengthen or eliminate weaknesses in your footy game or simply further develop areas in which you are already very proficient. Finally, you have to determine if you have the resources available to accomplish your goals. Resources can be anything from training equipment to time to physical stature. They all play a role in how productive and successful a player you will become. If you are going to perform a strength and conditioning program to assist you in becoming a better footy player, why not perform it using the most effective protocols and techniques available for your sport?
Hopefully, this article has helped dispel some of the more commonly held myths about strength and conditioning for sports and that you will soon be well on your way to your own kick-ass results as a footy player.
For more articles and information about optimizing your training programs, be sure to head on over to Coach Anderson’s website www.integratedevolution.org and check out all the FREE information available. Also, if you are interested in receiving monthly training and nutrition information, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter The Evolutionary at www.integratedevolution.org

Providing clear-cut sports conditioning programs designed for athletes who are tired of making the wrong decisions about their training programs.

Troy M Anderson, US Revolution Strength and Conditioning Coach
Integrated Evolution, LLC
integratedevolution@cox.net
www.integratedevolution.org

About the Author

Troy M. Anderson is the owner of Integrated Evolution, LLC, of Tempe, AZ. For more great tips about strength training conditioning, and other fitness information, be sure to head on over to Coach Anderson’s website www.integratedevolution.org and check out all the information available. Also, to subscribe to my newsletter The Blue Collar Fitness Report at www.integratedevolution.org

Major League Baseball Rookies - Top 10 Baseball Rookies from 2005

10. Felix Hernandez (Seattle Mariners)–

While Felix Hernandez has only made 4 starts in the Major Leagues this year, he has done enough in those 4 starts to have him recognized as one of the top rookies in the major leagues. He currently has an ERA of 1.24, and has been dominating opponents with the ease of a savvy veteran. Felix Hernandez is only 19 years old, and is probably the best prospect pitcher to come along since Mark Prior. While it’s still very early in Felix’s career, he looks to have a very bright future as a dominant #1 starter ahead of him.

9. Joey Gathright (Tampa Bay Devil Rays)-

Joey Gathright is one of the fastest players in Major League Baseball. Since he only has 100 at-bats to his name, he cannot be ranked higher, but he has shown the promise to be an excellent starting center fielder in the major leagues. He is hitting .286, and he already has stolen 10 bases. Expect Gathright to challenge for the stolen base title for the next several years.

8. Robinson Cano (New York Yankees)-

Robinson Cano has done an excellent job filling in at 2nd base for the Yankees this year. He has hit .277, but he also played very well defensively at 2nd base. Playing for the New York Yankees is also a tough proposition for any player, let alone a rookie. With the Yankees struggling to get into the playoffs the team has been under more scrutiny than ever, and Cano has handled it with as much class as one could expect.

7. Zach Duke (Pittsburgh Pirates)-

Zach Duke has shown that he has an incredibly nasty overhand curve, to go along with a 90 miles per hour heater. At this point he has an ERA of 1.87, while going 6-0 to start off his major league career. Duke threw a lot of innings in the minors this year as well, so the Pirates might try to shut him down so that he doesn’t wear himself out. Duke has shown that he is the real deal, and could be a force in the Pirates staff for years to come.

6. Tadahito Iguchi (Chicago White Sox)-

Tadahito has hit .280 for the White Sox this year, but his value has been moving runners over in the 2nd hole for the White Sox. One of the big reasons the White Sox have succeeded this year has been because the team has played solid fundamental baseball. A large part of their team has been Tadahito, who has constantly sacrificed his own at bats for the good of the team. While Tadahito’s stats may not jump out at you, he has joined Major League Baseball and has played an integral part for a playoff caliber ballclub.

5. Ervin Santana (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim)-

Ervin Santana has gone 7-5 with a 4.41 ERA for the Angels this year. As the year has progressed, Ervin has become a better and better pitcher. With the Angels fighting for a playoff spot, Ervin has become a key cog in the Angels rotation. Santana has not given up more than 3 runs in his past 7 outings, and with that kind of production, you can expect Santana to be in the Angels rotation for years to come.

4. Joe Blanton (Oakland Athletics)-

Blanton has done an excellent job in his 1st full season in the major leagues. Blanton was very highly touted in the minor leagues, and has come in and gotten the job done for the Athletics this year. Blanton has a 3.75 ERA this year, but has shown flashes of brilliance, and looks to become the #1 starter that the Athletics have been looking for.

3. Willy Taveras (Houston Astros)-

Willy Taveras has had an amazing rookie season for the Astros. He is currently batting .301 with 31 stolen bases. He has also played an excellent CF, and has been a jump-starter for the Astros lineup all season long. When he gets on base, it is very difficult to stop him from stealing 2nd. With Taveras in centerfield the Astros have found their leadoff hitter for the present and future.

2. Gustavo Chacin (Toronto Blue Jays)-

Gustavo has had an excellent season this year for the hapless Blue Jays. His ERA at 3.40, ranks 9th in the American League. Lefties are currently only hitting .198 against him, while he’s managed to go 11-6 for a losing Blue Jays team. Chacin has proven that he could become a frontline starter in the Major Leagues in the very near future.

1. Huston Street (Oakland Athletics)-

Huston Street has been absolutely phenomenal for the Oakland Athletics this year. When Octavio Dotel went down for the Athletics there was a large hole in the closers role. Mr. Street came in and not only performed well, but has helped propel the Athletics towards the playoffs. Street has a 1.31 ERA, 16 Saves, and a WHIP at .92. Street should win the Rookie of the Year in the American League this year, and with the kind of arm that he possesses, he could be a dominant closer for many years to come.

Honorable Mentions – Nick Swisher, Andrew Sisco, Bobby Jenks, Scott Kazmir, Chien-Ming Wang, Matt Murton, Lance Niekro, Garrett Atkins, Jeff Francoeur, Chris Duffy, Prince Fielder, Delmon Young

Benjamin Nicholson
Baseball Scout and Sports Analyst
http://www.grinnation.com
benjamnicholson@aol.com
http://www.grinnation.com/baseballrookies.htm

Benjamin Nicholson is a sports analyst and is a scout for a major sports team. He has been following baseball for 20 years, and has most recently been scouting the top young players in Major League Baseball.

Fishing - The Ultimate Hobby

The Recreational Value of Fishing

Many people consider that fish are only a medium of survival, or
to some extent a food supply; yet there is another angle that is
little known. The manufacturing industry utilizes more than two
billion pounds of fish and fish by-products every year. This is
slightly more than is used for food.

What most people do not know is that fishing continues to
provide recreational activity of making it one of the most
preferred hobbies.

In fact, fishing as a hobby is continuously growing and that is
why the estimated number of people who acquire fishing licenses
each year is more than 12 million.

Moreover, surveys show that for every dollar spent for a fishing
license, there are sixteen dollars spent for equipment, such as
fishing tackle, food, clothing, and transportation. There is
more money spent on fishing than on any other hobby in
existence. Why is it a Great Hobby?

It is a means of providing something to free the mind and body
of the worries of the day. It has also been proven to help in
mentoring troubled teens, replacing negative thoughts and
activity with more positive traits and pursuits. Fishing is
truly a wholesome sport.

The use of all types of fishing equipment has added something
that no other feature could possibly accomplish. Thousands of
youngsters are enthusiastic to learn how to cast a fly or plug
bait.

These youngsters have an interest in fish and fishing and they
desire to fish in a lawful and recreational manner. Boiled down,
fish and fishing may be considered one of man’s essential
resources. It is hoped that further realization of fishing as a
hobby will develop the necessary knowledge of the true
recreational value of fishing, the fish, and the general
conservation of all natural resources as well as the value of
good sportsmanship and developing good citizens.

Stock Car Insider - July 3rd Issue

Upcoming Events in the World of NASCAR

Next week, the NASCAR Nextel Cup teams head will bring their tornado like speeds to the windy city of Chicago. Chicagoland Speedway is a young NASCAR track still coming into it’s own. NASCAR has been hosting Nextel Cup races at Chicagoland since 2001 with the hopes of capitalizing on the die-hard auto racing fans of the midwest in the 3rd largest media market in the US. So far, the initial gamble has paid of.

Of all current drivers with 4 or more career starts at Chicagoland, Jimmie Johnson (average finish of 3rd) leads the pack.

Also expect the following drivers to do well next week:

Other drivers to note:

Tony Stewart - Average Finish 8th
Matt Kenseth - Average Finish 9th
Kevin Harvick - Average Finish 10th

Next Week’s Schedule:

Nextel Cup: @ Chicagoland Speedway
7/08/06 - 10:35pm NASCAR Nextel Cup USG SHEETROCK® 400 Practice
7/07/06 - 04:35pm NASCAR Nextel Cup USG SHEETROCK® 400 Qualifying
7/09/06 - 02:35pm NASCAR Nextel USG SHEETROCK® 400

Busch Series: @ Chicagoland Speedway Speedway
7/07/06 - 05:10pm NASCAR Busch Series USG DUROCK® 300 Practice
7/08/06 - 11:40pm NASCAR Busch Series USG DUROCK® 300 Qualifying
7/08/06 - 03:05pm NASCAR Busch Series USG DUROCK® 300

Craftsman Truck Series: @ Kentucky Speedway
7/07/06 - TBA NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Built Ford Tough 225 Presented by
The Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers Practice

7/08/06 - 04:30pm NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Built Ford Tough 225 Presented by
The Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers Qualifying

7/08/06 - 08:00pm NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Built Ford Tough 225 Presented by
The Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers

Who’s Hot?

Who’s Hot? Obviously, we could dedicate this whole section to Tony Stewart who, if you recall, made our Who’s Not section last week. However, there were other drivers at Daytona who also turned our heads. Ever hear of Boris Said?

For those of you faithful fans who leave the TV on during a road course race, I’m sure you’ve known about Boris for several years. He is a road course gun slinging ace who’s always for hire anytime a road course race comes to town. This year, however, he’s no longer for hire. Through a deal Boris worked out with Roush Racing, he can field his own team using Roush equipment and technical assistance in exchange for training drivers like Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, and Greg Biffle on the finer points of road racing.

In a car that Greg Biffle raced in this year’s Budweiser Shootout, Boris not only qualified for the race, but he took the pole! This is simply, jaw-droppingly amazing considering Boris has never sat behind the wheel of a restrictor plate car. What’s even more amazing is that by using the same go for broke attitude that he’s always used at road courses, Boris found himself out front followed by Tony with only a few laps to remaining in the Pepsi 400. That’s when NASCAR’s very own testosterone fueled version of General Hospital started to play out.

As you remember during last week’s Dodge/SaveMart 350, a small attraction formed between Boris Said and Tony Stewart. Excuse me for understating the love between these two drivers. NASCAR drivers express their love in oh so many ways. Watching Boris and Tony’s mating dance is kind of like watching tigers mate in the jungle. There’s a whole lot of beating, banging, swearing, and finger waving.

In the end, Boris succumbed to Tony’s advance with only a few laps remaining, and finished 4th. I’m sure Boris, and the other 7 employees at his No Fear sponsored race team, will take 4th anytime! Fans get ready. The more success Boris has, the more you’re going to see him.

Who’s Not?

This week’s Who’s Not is once again dedicated to Jeff Gordon. After an unfortunate wreck in the Pepsi 400 with 14 laps to go that was by no means his fault, Jeff Gordon found himself out of the race and, once again, out of the top ten in driver’s points. In the 3 restrictor plate races thus far of the 2006 Nextel Cup season, Gordon has yet to finish in the top ten.

Such is the luck of successful super speedway drivers. Both Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr have had immense success at Daytona and Talladega. The main side effect of success at restrictor plate races is that no one wants to team up with you on the race track. As a result, for Gordon to win or even be competitive, he has to have the best car on the track come race day.

Needless to say, Gordon had a top 5 car, but definitely not the best car this past Saturday night. With driver positions 8-12 separated only by 61 points, it’s anyone’s guess as to who will be in the top when the field for the Chase for the Championship is set. However, if Gordon can duplicate his win at Infineon in the upcoming race at Watkins Glen, he may distance himself enough from the competition to qualify for the Chase.

Last Week’s Headlines

Let me paint you a picture Thomas Jefferson would even be proud of. Hot summer night, July 4th holiday weekend, fireworks in the air, and 43 thundering machines rumbling around America’s beloved 2 1/2 mile speedway near the beaches of Daytona. What a way to celebrate the birth and progress of our great nation!

Saturday night’s race was void of the “big one” that typically dooms many drivers at restrictor plate races. However, that does not mean the race was void of excitement! There were numerous lead changes with drivers cycling through the complete field. In the end, unfamiliar faces like Boris Said’s were at the front mixing up the normal restrictor plate shuffle.

Some of the biggest movers in the race were Kyle Busch (who jumped 4 spots to enter the top 10 in the eight position), Dale Earnhardt Jr (who leap-frogged Kasey Kahne to take over 3rd), and Tony Stewart (who ended his multi-week slide down the top 10).

Perhaps the most important outcome of the Pepsi 400 is that Matt Kenseth is now only 8 points behind the ever dominant Jimmie Johnson. Johnson’s crash into Bobby Labonte with 12 laps remaining end his day and left him out of the race in 32nd position. Matt Kenseth, on the other hand, had a strong top 5 finish at a track where Roush drivers are typically happy to walk away with a top 15 finish.

Both Jeff Gordon and Greg Biffle dropped out of the top 10 in points when both were involved in a wreck with 6 laps to go. Gordon finished the day in 40th and Biffle in 31st. Neither driver can now afford to have similar outcomes in the remaining 8 races if they hope to qualify for the Chase for the Championship.

Both Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin benefited from Jeff Gordon and Greg Biffle’s misfortunes. Kyle jumped 4 spots in points to the 8th position while Hamlin moved up 1 spot to the 10th position.

How Do You Stay Fit While Traveling?

Today Sketchandtravel.com and Bookpleasures.com are pleased to have as our guest, Jim Kaese, an elite amateur triathlete, entrepreneurial businessman, and endurance sport coach.

Author of The Athletic-Minded Traveler: Where to Work Out and Stay When Fitness Is a Priority,
Jim visited America’s top 78 travel destinations to find the very best hotel/fitness-venue combinations.

Welcome Jim to Sketchandtravel.com and Bookpleasures.com.

Norm:

Could you tell us something about yourself Jim and what provoked you into writing about the very best hotel and fitness venue combinations?

Jim:

Through the years, I traveled quite a bit for work and pleasure. In addition to finding places to stay that matched my budget and amenity preferences, I always tried to identify hotels that offered good fitness options. However, time and time again, I would show up at the hotel and discover that the state of the art fitness center was a closet-sized room with old or broken equipment. Or, the lap pool was a short oval without lane lines. Or, the running routes consisted of a map provided by the concierge that directed guests to jog around the streets of the hotel 10 times. It boggled my mind how these hotels could make such blatant misrepresentations. So, I decided to write the first cross-country guide that objectively recommends the BEST places to stay for those who enjoy healthy living and staying fit.

Norm:

Do you believe that if couples are looking for an ideal romantic getaway they should also take into account the fitness facilities, and if so, why?

Jim:

I believe everyone should take into consideration the quality of the fitness facilities including couples on a romantic getaway. Exercise not only helps boost your immunity system, lower stress, and improve your sleeping habits; it also helps your sex life. Studies have shown that healthy people have better sex and tend to be happier. And, I believe it is important to emphasize that when I say exercise,I am not talking about an hour of hard-core running or lifting weights at the gym- 20 minutes of brisk walking can do the trick.

Norm:

If you had to name 5 ideal romantic getaway hospitality properties that combine a unique romantic ambience with great fitness facilities, which ones would you choose and why?

Jim:

· San Francisco is one of my favorite romantic cities—the bridge, the fog, the rain, the restaurants, and the cultural offerings create a perfect stage for a wonderfully romantic trip. Any of the SFO hotels in my book would be great fitness/romance combinations, but the Hotel Rex is the best deal for the money. A small, intimate hotel property just steps from Union Square and China Town, Rex also provides guests with a discounted pass to a fantastic (but small) health club down the street, Club One.

· If money is no object, The Miraval Spa and Resort in Tucson is a marvelous getaway for couples looking to stay fit and be pampered. All meals are included as well as any type of exercise option you can imagine—horseback riding, lap swimming, rock climbing, etc.

· For those looking to add a little more party to their trip, Miami’s South Beach hotels are filled with romance. The Shore Club, Delano, Ritz and National are all in the book, bestowing lots of love and liveliness to their guests.

· Colorado Springs’ Broadmoor Hotel is a breathtaking resort beset by serene lakes and mountain landscape. Broadmoor’s Fitness Center and Spa is well-equipped with modern machines and a regulation lap pool. And, the nearby trails create fantastic jogging and mountain biking opportunities.

· New York City can never be left off the romance list. Several properties make exceptional romantic destinations, but Le Parker Meridien, across the street from Central Park, tops my list. It’s NYC, so expect small yet cozy hotel rooms. The Scandinavian flavor, tremendous views, and extensive on-site health club make it one of the best.

Norm:

Why should couples be concerned about fitness activities when they are away on a romantic getaway or on their honeymoon?

Jim:

Exercising for only 20-30 minutes each day will allow you to start the day healthy and help you make better choices throughout the rest of the day. Then, enjoying small indulgences like your favorite piece of pie or a few cocktails or sitting around by the pool for six hours will not seem like a big deal. Don’t forget about that improved sex too!

Norm:

How can we determine the quantity, quality, and brand of exercise equipment at recommended hotels if we never have been there?

Jim:

Buy The Athletic-Minded Traveler (laughs). In addition to providing a comprehensive written review covering everything you want to know (room appearance, room service, free breakfast buffets, sheet thread-count, etc.) about each property, we also specifically detail in chart form the quantity of exercise machines, their condition, the brands, weight/strength options, pool dimensions, running routes, etc. But, if you’re going to a city that’s not covered in the book, the best you can do is call up the concierge and ask him/her your specific questions. Sometimes it even helps to confirm with the maintenance workers.

Norm:

Very often when we vacation we seem to return home fully relaxed, however very much out of shape. How do we avoid this?

Jim:

Make exercise part of your daily routine, just like showering or brushing your teeth. When you think about it, 20 minutes is not that much time at all. Especially while on a vacation, when you don’t have to worry about going to work and all of the other hassles at home.

Norm:

There is always a temptation to overeat when we are on vacation. How can we fight off this temptation while at the same time still enjoy ourselves?

Jim:

Like I was saying before, exercise will allow you to not fret so much over what you’re eating and drinking. You may end up taking in more calories, but being active and exercising should help to burn those off fairly easily.

Norm:

Are there any food we should avoid when we are on vacation and if so, why?

Jim:

Vacation is supposed to be a break from all that troubles and worries you, right? When I go away, I like to eat the local food and experience the local customs without concerns about how many calories are in my dinner, etc. Knowing that I performed my daily workout reassures me that anything I take in will be worked off either that same day or the next. So, no, don’t worry about avoiding certain foods—just make sure to get in a daily sweat.

Norm:

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Jim:

Only that I’ve been really touched by the large number of people who have written us saying that they are so happy we wrote this book because they too were constantly frustrated by the travel industry’s ignorance about fitness preferences. Letters and emails have come from hard-core athletes as well as recreational exercisers who just like to put in 20 minutes on a good elliptical machine or bike. Our goal all along was simply to provide a reliable resource that would help people enjoy a healthy lifestyle while on the road. So far, it seems that we’ve succeeded.

Visit SOCAL PRESS.COM to view a sample chapter and find more information about The Athletic-Minded” Traveler, a first-of-its-kind travel resource for those who enjoy a healthy lifestyle and working out while on the road.

About the Author

Norm Goldman is editor of the travel site, sketchandtravel.com and the book reviewing site, bookpleasures.com.

Norm and his artist wife Lily are a unique husband and wife team who meld words with art focusing on romantic destinations and hospitality properties.

Norm and Lily are always open to receiving invitations from romantic destinations and hospitality properties in the USA.