Tag: Texas Rangers

Not Your Typical Tuesday

~ Dave Ettinger ~ 1 Comment

Tuesday didn’t want to end.

With five extra inning/overtime games, 9th inning heroics, and a nearly 11:00 P.M. EST tip-off, Tuesday quickly became Wednesday….

LeBron Acting CRAZY!!

cavs raptors

Despite trailing by 14 points after the 1st quarter (on the road), LeBron James never gave up. Despite shooting just 1-for-8 from 3-point range, and 1-for-6 from the free throw line, LeBron didn’t put his head down.

Instead, he persevered. He also did the CRAZIEST THING EVER….

He relied on the band of misfits he calls teammates to drive the LeBrons to victory. Without the efforts of J.R. Smith, Kyle Korver, Jeff Green, and Tristan Thompson, the LeBrons would be staring a 1-0 deficit in the face. Instead, a 113-112 F/OT victory flipped home court advantage upside down.

J.R.: 20 points on 5-for-6 from 3-point range

Korver: 19 points on 5-for-12 from 3-point range

Green: 16 points on 4-for-4 from the field, and 7-for-8 from the free throw line

Thompson: 14 points and 12 rebounds (back-to-back double doubles)

It must have felt nice to not have to play 1-on-5 for 48 minutes — for once. Even crazier than imaginary teammates coming to life, is LeBron’s “bad nights” still turn into triple doubles (26 points, 11 rebounds, 13 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal).

It’s good to be King.

MLB’s Wild Night!!

Brantley-832x447

Not one, but two 9th inning home runs changed the landscape of Tuesday night.

First, down 6-2, down to their last strike, the Cleveland Indians’, Michael Brantley, took Keone Kela’s 0-2 breaking ball up-and-out for a game tying grand slam. That’s the stuff you dream about as an 11-year old in the backyard!! Despite the heroics, the Indians would lose 8-6 F/12.

There were three other extra inning games Tuesday (must have been a full moon).:

Marlins 2, Phillies 1 F/10

Royals 7, Red Sox 6 F/13

Blue Jays 7, Twins 4 F/10

The other 9th inning dinger made me jump off my couch (literally jump). Gary Sanchez broke open a 0-0 tie, with a 3-run home run against the Houston Astros:

While I love the home run, my favorite part of the video, BY FAR, is Astros’ closer, Ken Giles, punching himself in the face!! HAHA.

El Gary’s long blast came after Justin Verlander mowed down the Yankees, allowing just 3 hits, and striking out 14, in 8 innings. But hey, a win, is a win.

Mr. Half Court Shot Is Back!!

Stephen Curry hadn’t stepped foot on a basketball court in 39 days. He could have fooled me….

Stephen Curry is the best shooter the NBA has ever seen. His range is limitless, and his ability to create his own shot makes him one of the most dangerous players in the world. Curry finished with 28 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists in just 27 minutes. He led the game with an insane +26 while he was on the floor. Yes, he was the sole reason the Warriors took down the Pelicans 121-116.

The NBA is LUCKY to have him back!!

 

What was the most exciting part of a wacky Tuesday evening?? Tell me all about it in the comment section below.

You can find me on the Radio as well. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’m on live, every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. Each show is also broadcast on Facebook Live via: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports.

Since you LOVE my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! NO GO TELL ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!

 

 

Greatness Isn’t Given, It’s Earned

~ Dave Ettinger ~ Leave a comment

Golden State Warriors v Los Angeles Lakers

20 Years Of Greatness

10. Kobe Bryant will become the 10th player in NBA history to have his number(s) retired by the Los Angeles Lakers. Magic, Kareem, Wilt, Shaq, Baylor, West, Worthy, Goodrich, and Wilkes. That’s what we call, good company. In a special, halftime ceremony, Kobe had both #8 and #24 immortalized. The ceremony included a tribute video, the jersey reveal, and a speech from Kobe.

Kobe’s speech was heartfelt and eloquent. He gave credit to the all-time greats who paved the way for his career. He thanked the fans and media for being there every step of the way. And he thanked his wife and children for their motivation and inspiration. Kobe closed with one last parting shot before dropping the mic:

“Mamba Out.”

ESPN President Resigns

ESPN President, John Skipper, is resigning after 20 years with the company. Skipper cited a substance abuse problem as his reason for leaving. George Bodenheimer, ESPN’s Executive Chairman, will act as President for a period of 90 days.

Skipper was extremely influential in his time at ESPN. He helped launch ESPN The Magazine in 1998, and 2 years later was promoted to oversee ESPN.com and all internet properties of ESPN. Skipper’s departure comes at an odd time. His trajectory within the company was headed in the right direction, Disney recently acquired 21st Century Fox (Fox carries 22 regional sports networks), and today….is his birthday.

Many ESPN employees were shocked by this development. Skipper had a profound impact on numerous on-air personalities. On his radio show, Dan Le Batard fought through tears to say this, “This person has created everything that exists here at ESPN for us.”

While this announcement comes as a surprise to many, Skipper must face his problem head on. He is taking personal responsibility for his actions and is owning his decision. Skipper said at a press conference Monday, “I have struggled for many years with a substance addiction. I have decided the most important thing I can do right now is take care of my problem.”

Holiday Spirit

Cole and Heidi Hamels embody the Holiday spirit. The spirit of generosity. Hamels and his wife recently donated their $9.4 million mansion to charity. Hamels, the longtime Philadelphia Phillies’ pitcher, now pitches for the Texas Rangers. In 2013, Hamels signed a 6-year, $144 million contract. He and his wife’s way of giving back is by leaving their mansion to the Barnabas Charity. The Barnabas Charity helps children in need all around the world. The Hamels’ family mansion, including 100 acres of land, will be used as a camp for children with special needs and chronic illnesses. The mansion is located in southwest Missouri.

In a news release, Hamels said, “Seeing the faces, hearing the laughter, reading the stories of the kids they serve; there is truly nothing like it,” he said in the statement. “Barnabas makes dreams come true, and we felt called to help them in a big way.”

During this Holiday season, think of stories like this. Not all people are bad. Not all people are greedy. Some simply want to help others. Allow this story to inspire you to help those in need.

Happy Holidays Everyone!!

 

If you have a feel good story, please post it in the comment section below. Thank you.

You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!

 

And The Winner Is….

~ Dave Ettinger ~ Leave a comment

shohei-ohtani-updates-on-where-he-will-sign

Drumroll please!

 

And the winner, of the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes, is….

 

Nobody yet. But stay tuned. The answer to everyone’s question is coming soon. At some point in the next 15 days to be exact. Ohtani’s window to negotiate with Major League teams closes at 11:59 P.M. EST, on December 22nd. Christmas will come early for 1 lucky MLB franchise. As of now, Ohtani has narrowed his choice to 7 teams:

  • Los Angeles Dodgers
  • Los Angeles Angels
  • San Diego Padres
  • San Francisco Giants
  • Chicago Cubs
  • Texas Rangers
  • Seattle Mariners

This list speaks volumes about Ohtani’s thought process:

Proximity To Home

Yes, Shohei Ohtani will be relocating to the United States of America to play MLB. However, it appears he would like to reside as close to his homeland of Japan as possible. Outside of the Cubs and Rangers, his prospective teams are located on the West coast.

Who’s Missing?

In skimming this list, you’ll also notice something glaring: The New York Yankees are missing!! I’m not saying this because I’m a Yankees’ fan, but I thought the Yankees would’ve been a great fit for Japan’s Babe Ruth. Last time I checked, Babe Ruth played for the Yankees. What better way to follow in the footsteps of the greatest baseball player in MLB history than to play for the same team??

Lack of Companionship

As you dig a little deeper into these teams, you’ll realize they lack something. None of these teams have a notable, Japanese star. Yu Darvish is a free agent, so he doesn’t play for the Dodgers. My educated guess is he doesn’t want to play in the shadow of another Japanese star.

That’s A Surprise

I’m surprised the majority of this list is comprised of 4 National League teams. We all know Ohtani is a 2-way player. He’s a starting pitcher, an outfielder, and a designated hitter. I’m not inside the head of the 7 general managers/owners of Ohtani’s potential landing spots, but I figured he would pitch and strictly play DH. To allow Ohtani to pitch, hit, and play the field is extremely risky, and is something a National League team would be forced to do.

Show Me What You’re Made Of!!

I have to be honest. For a player to forego a potentially 9-figure contract (in just 2 years) by coming to MLB “early”, it would be nice if he’d land in a big market. Because nothing says ‘show me what you’re made of’ quite like the spotlight of Yankee Stadium, or Fenway Park, or CitiField. That’s why if he goes to any team not named the Dodgers, I’ll be slightly disappointed in the young man.

Prediction

I don’t think he’ll wind up in the National League, so cross the Dodgers, Cubs, Padres, and Giants off the list. I think he wants to be the best player on a bad team, so cross the Angels off too. This leaves the Rangers and Mariners. On Wednesday, the Mariners acquired an additional $1 million in International Bonus money, so they look more enticing. However, the Rangers are still the leaders in the clubhouse in terms of International Bonus money.

Ultimately, I believe Shohei Ohtani will end up playing for the Seattle Mariners next season. They’re a mediocre team, that plays on the West coast, in the American League. As long as they allow him to pitch once every 6 days, and play DH 4 times per week, the Mariners have this thing locked up.

 

What do you think?? Where will Shohei Ohtani play baseball next season?? Post your prediction in the comment section below.

You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!

 

 

Japan’s Babe Ruth Is Coming Stateside

~ Dave Ettinger ~ Leave a comment

Netherlands v Japan - International Friendly

World, meet Shohei Ohtani.

Known as Japan’s Babe Ruth, he’s the talk of the international town. At 23 years old, Ohtani has his sights set on playing for a Major League Baseball team in 2018. And as of Tuesday, that will become a reality. MLB and the Major League Baseball Player’s Association agreed on a new posting system that will allow Ohtani to leave Japan and sign with a MLB team.

Ohtani has played in the Nippon Professional Baseball Pacific League since 2013. He was the #1 overall pick in the 2012 draft by the Hokkaido Nippon Fighters. As a two-way player (pitcher and hitter), Ohtani has drawn comparisons to Babe Ruth. This has made him an extremely hot commodity, as his unique skill set could help fill multiple needs for 1 lucky team this offseason.

Who?

Ohtani was born in the Iwate Prefecture in Northern Japan. Ohtani is listed at 6’4″, 213 pounds. He is a left-handed batter and a right-handed pitcher. Ohtani made his professional debut at the age of 18, appearing in right field for the Nippon Fighters. In his rookie season, Ohtani became the 1st Japanese player to start games as a pitcher, hitter, and fielder.

What?

Shohei Ohtani is being tabbed as the next Babe Ruth. Allow that to sink in….

Babe Ruth is the best baseball player that ever lived. And it’s not even close. His impact on a baseball game as one of the most dominant hitters ever, and as a talented pitcher is unparalleled. Check out Babe Ruth’s stats here.

While Ohtani has been displaying talents on both sides of the ball since his rookie season, MLB teams would be hoping Ohtani can duplicate his 2016 season:

.322 batting avg., 22 home runs, 67 r.b.i.s, and 7 s.b.’s

10-4, 1.86 e.r.a., and 174 strikeouts (140 innings pitched) – Including a pitch clocked at 102.5 m.p.h.

Check out his career stats here.

Where?

Now that Ohtani can pursue his MLB career, the question is, where will he end up??

Due to his age (23), MLB teams are limited to signing him to a minor league contract. However, teams are allowed to offer whatever funds they have in their international bonus pool. As of right now, 6 teams have at least 1 million dollars in their bonus pool:

  • Texas Rangers ($3.535 Million)
  • New York Yankees ($3.5 Million)
  • Minnesota Twins ($3.245 Million)
  • Pittsburgh Pirates ($2.27 Million)
  • Miami Marlins ($1.74 Million)
  • Seattle Mariners ($1.57 Million)

Yes, as a Yankees’ fan, I’d love for Ohtani to don pinstripes. Then, he could truly follow in Babe Ruth’s footsteps. However, I’m surprised Ohtani is testing the MLB waters now. See, if Ohtani waits until he turns 25, he’d be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent. That means he’d be able to sign as big of a contract as possible. (Maybe it has something to do with the right ankle surgery he had last month).

While it may not be the brightest financial decision in the world, you have to respect Ohtani’s confidence. He has continually expressed his desire to play in MLB regardless of the financial ramifications.

Talk about betting on yourself!! 

Unfortunately, the Nippon Fighters will lose their star player. But don’t cry too many tears, as they’ll receive a $20 million payment for posting Ohtani.

No matter where he ends up, Shohei Ohtani’s future looks bright.

Stay tuned to see how the top story of the MLB offseason develops.

 

What MLB team will Shohei Ohtani play for?? Post your prediction in the comment section below.

You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!

 

MLB Trade Deadline Review (Winners and Losers)

~ Dave Ettinger ~ 8 Comments

sonny gray

While July usually starts with a bang, Major League Baseball made sure to end July with their own kind of fireworks. July 31st, also known as Trade Deadline Day, should be a National Holiday too — haha. Many teams were active buyers and sellers, while others sat on the sideline afraid to play ball. And of course, in any trade there must be a Winner and a Loser….

Winners:

New York Yankees

Los Angeles Dodgers

Washington Nationals

Losers:

Boston Red Sox

Baltimore Orioles

Texas Rangers

Let’s start with the Losers. The Boston Red Sox made 1 notable move yesterday. They acquired bullpen arm, Addison Reed, from the New York Mets. This move, on the surface, is decent. It bolsters the Red Sox weak bullpen and seemed necessary. So why are they losers Dave?? Well, I think we all know the answer to that!! But no, seriously, they aren’t competing with themselves. They are competing with the Yankees. And solely adding Addison Reed won’t be enough to keep up with the Yankees following their additions this past month.

The Baltimore Orioles seem like a lost puppy. They’re roaming the streets unsure of where their home is. The Orioles should have been sellers this year, however, they traded FOR Jeremy Hellickson and Tim Beckham. Hellickson is a mediocre starting pitcher from the Philadelphia Phillies and Beckham is a middle infielder from the Tampa Bay Rays. I don’t get it….

And then there’s the Texas Rangers. Sure, they traded Yu Darvish for prospects, but I can argue that haul was one-sided. They also traded Jonathan Lucroy to the Colorado Rockies. Again, while selling was the way to go for the Rangers, players shouldn’t be traded for a bucket of chicken (George Costanza style). When Lucroy was acquired by the Rangers, they gave up a major prospect (Lewis Brinson). Yesterday, they traded Lucroy, for a player to be named later. Nice work!!

_____________________________________________________________________________

Now, we shall move on to the smart people, the Winners. We may as well start with my beloved New York Yankees. They’ve had an extremely successful season and it should only get better. They acquired Sonny Gray from the Oakland Athletics for 3 prospects (Dustin Fowler, James Kaprielian, and Jorge Mateo). These are all nice prospects, but when you add the uncertainty of a prospect to the major surgeries Fowler and Kaprielian are recovering from, you may as well close your eyes and swing. Gray has a career e.r.a. of 3.42 and is 44-36 in his 5-year career. He should help get the Yankees’ starters into the 8th inning for the first time in 1700 years.

The Los Angeles Dodgers also find themselves in the W column. While everyone is talking about Yu Darvish, I’m talking about Tony Watson. Watson is a very solid bullpen arm. This was the Dodgers most glaring need, and they plugged up that hole in 1 move. Yes, Yu Darvish is nice because he’s a household name, but Watson is the prize for the Dodgers. You’ll see what I’m talking about come October.

And last but certainly not least, the Washington Nationals. Talk about bolstering your bullpen. Reminiscent of the Yankees’ farm system in 2016, the Nationals bullpen went from worst to first overnight. They added Ryan Madson, Sean Doolittle, and Brandon Kintzler. All have closing experience, and all are having good seasons. The Nationals are my new World Series favorite. Hopefully, the Yankees have the honor of staring down that barrel.

 

What is your take on the MLB Trade Deadline?? Who were the biggest Winners and Losers?? Type your reaction into the comment section below.

You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page.

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel called DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!

 

 

2017 MLB Hall of Fame Inductees

~ Dave Ettinger ~ Leave a comment

hall of fame

A small class of distinguished gentlemen will take their place amongst the all-time greats. The 2017 MLB Hall of Fame Inductees represent the wealth of talent that rounded the bases in the 1980’s and 1990’s. This year’s Inductees include:

  • Ivan Rodriguez (1st Ballot)
  • Jeff Bagwell (7th Ballot)
  • Tim Raines (10th Ballot)

Let’s start with “Pudge”. Ivan Rodriguez is regarded as one of the best defensive catchers of all-time. He was an absolute wizard behind the plate, winning 13 Gold Gloves over a 21-year playing career. Playing the majority of his career for the Texas Rangers, he also made stops with the Marlins, Tigers, Yankees, Astros, and Nationals. “Pudge” was voted in on his 1st ballot (76%), becoming just the 2nd catcher to share that honor (Johnny Bench). I was a fan of “Pudge”, especially when he jumped on the special sauce and decided to hit 35 Home Runs with 113 RBI’s and 25 SB’s in 1999. Oh, he also hit .332 while winning his only MVP. And now, his nickname makes more sense than ever. Anyway..Congratulations!!

Pudge’s Stats: 2,844 Hits, 311 Home Runs, 1,332 RBI’s, 127 SB’s, .296 AVG.

Jeff Bagwell made a name for himself in the 1990’s, as the most powerful member of the “Killer B’s”. Bagwell now joins his former teammate, Craig Biggio, in the Hall of Fame. Bagwell graced the staged at Cooperstown on his 7th Ballot, garnering 86.2% of the vote. Bagwell’s career is absolutely Hall of Fame worthy. He won Rookie of the Year in 1991, MVP in 1994, and played all 15 of his MLB seasons with the Houston Astros. It’s a shame he had to wait 7 years to get in, but good things come to those who wait, right?? We can ask our next guest about that….

Bagwell’s Stats: 2,314 Hits, 449 Home Runs, 1529 RBI’s, 202 SB’s, and .297 AVG.

And then there’s Tim Raines. The man who waited 10 whole years to receive his invitation to Cooperstown. After playing 23 years in MLB, what’s another 10 right?? Raines received 86.0% of the votes required to get in. While I’m happy for Raines, I’m not sold on his Hall of Fame status. I believe it is the Hall of Greatness, not the Hall of Very Good. Raines was a phenomenal base stealer, who hit for average, but is the perfect example of a player who didn’t know when to ‘hang ’em up’. While there is something to be said for longevity, he stuck around for 3/4 years too many.

Raines’ Stats: 2,605 Hits, 170 Home Runs, 980 RBI’s, 808 SB’s, .294 AVG.

MLB inducted 2 other individuals into the Hall of Fame on Sunday:

  • Bud Selig
  • John Schuerholz

Bud Selig was the Commissioner of MLB for 22 years. Over that span, he oversaw many changes to the game. He was vital in implementing the separation of each league into 3 divisions, interleague play, and revenue sharing. Despite heading up the league during the “Steroid Era”, Selig left MLB in better shape than he found it.

And last but not least, John Schuerholz. Schuerholz is regarded as one of the top General Manger’s baseball has ever seen. He spent 26 years working for the Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Royals. His resume speaks for itself: 16 Division Titles, 6 Pennants, and 2 World Series. Case closed.

And what’s a Hall of Fame Induction ceremony without a little Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds conversation?! As I’ve stated many times before, they should absolutely be voted into the Hall of Fame. Well, each year, both Clemens and Bonds’ votes continue to rise. This year, they each received approximately 54.0% of the vote (with 75% required to get in). This is up nearly 10% from last year. It is inevitable, so what are we waiting for?? Let them in, let them all in.

 

What do you think of the 2017 MLB Hall of Fame Class?? Are they all deserving??

You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page.

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel called DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!

 

A-Rod Celebrates His 40th Birthday With What Else….An A-Bomb From A-Rod!!

~ Dave Ettinger ~ 1 Comment

arod

DaveTalksSports: What do you want for your birthday this year Alex Rodriguez?

Alex: I don’t know Dave.  I feel like I have everything I’ve ever wanted.

DaveTalksSports: How about another home run?  You don’t have enough of those yet.

Alex: Oh yeah, that sounds like a great id……

DaveTalksSports: Oh wait, have you been a good boy?

Alex: No, not really.

DaveTalksSports: Oh who am I kidding?!  It doesn’t matter!  You’re playing so well you are completely overshadowing all the mean, nasty, hurtful, despicable, dishonest, and deceitful things you’ve done, and you’ll probably get exactly what you want anyway.

Alex: Yay!!

Alex Rodriguez turned 40 years old yesterday.  In honor of himself, he hit his 678th career home run in a 6-2 victory over his former team; The Texas Rangers.  A-Rod is now hitting .276 on the season with 24 home runs and 59 runs batted in.  He has WILDLY exceeded everyone’s expectations this year (possibly even his own), and after serving a 162-game suspension last season, A-Rod has returned completely rejuvenated.  Being the New York Yankees’ primary DH has helped A-Rod solely focus on hitting, as he has only played 6 games in the field (4 at 3B and 2 at 1B).  It has also allowed him to stay healthy while playing in 91 of the Yankees’ 98 games this season.

As with anything attached to Alex Rodriguez’s name there is always suspicion.  Is his success this season tainted or has he found the fountain of youth in a back alley somewhere in The Bronx?  No matter what your opinion of A-Rod, we must admit his season has been spectacular, and he is one of the biggest reasons the Yankees stand atop the American League East.

After A-Rod’s hot week of home run hitting (hitting 5 home runs in as many days), the ‘Live In The Moment’ question of the day is: Will A-Rod pass Barry Bonds and how many home runs will he end his career with (so what if that’s 2 questions)?  All I can do is laugh.  As much as A-Rod enjoys shoving his success in the face of his doubters, father time waits for no man.  I’ll simplify it: Today, A-Rod has 678 hr’s and would need 85 more to pass Bonds.  Even at an ultra-gernerous pace of 20 hr’s per year, A-Rod would need to RE-SIGN ANOTHER CONTRACT after his age 41 season of 2017 (when he’ll turn 42), and then continue this torrid pace.  I’m sorry to disappoint all you dreamers out there, but enjoy A-Rod while he’s still dropping ‘A-Bombs’ because before you know it he’ll only be dropping Informant Tips on his PED Supplier.

What do you think?  Is A-Rod’s success this season natural?  Or is he back on the juice?

Let me know in the comment section below.

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me over to intheneutralzone.com where I am a contributing author there as well. Also you can follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like me on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it!

The Best Part of Waking Up Is Baseball In Your Cup

~ Dave Ettinger ~ 3 Comments

I know I keep repeating myself, but isn’t this the best time of the year?  The weather has made a turn for the better, the players in the NBA are finally trying, March Madness is right around the corner, and with Spring Training in full swing, it’s time to start gearing up for baseball season.  Baseball’s preseason has to be the most exciting of any of the major sports.  While the games in the preseason don’t “matter” (like all sports), it is a very important time for every team.  It is time for teams to evaluate the talent on their rosters and see what they have to work with for the start of the regular season.  Some teams are already dealing with injuries, while others have difficult decisions to make with players competing for the same position.  Opening Day will be here before you know it as it is just 32 short days away.  Opening Day this year is March 31st, which is Easter Sunday.  The first game of the year will be the Texas Rangers taking on the Houston Astros @ 8:05 P.M.  Be sure to tune in to ESPN to catch all the action from Major League Baseball’s Opening Day.  The very next day, 24 more teams will jump into the action.

Just in case you can’t wait for Opening Day to see how the 2013 season is going to play out, I’m going to predict the future for everyone here.  Over the next month I will go through player projections and rankings for all you Fantasy Baseball Fanatics out there.  Want a preview of each team and each division before the season starts?  Have no fear, you’ll be able to find that here as well.  And lastly, I will break down the winners of all the major awards, and I will also give you my Division Winners, Playoff Predictions, and finally the World Series Champion.  Check back tomorrow for my first division preview.  I will start with an overview of each team in the National League East.

Enjoy my writing?  Follow me over to intheneutralzone.com where I am a contributing author there as well.  You can also find me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or Like me on Facebook at my page : http://www.facebook.com/DaveTalksSports