What A Wonderful World

"I see trees of green, red roses too,
I see them bloom for me and you..."

No one could have expected what would happen. Some quirky kid who played in a few games at the end of the previous season was now to be the starting shortstop for one of the most storied franchises in all of professional baseball; a team that played with a towering Green Monster in left field and donned uniforms, with the emphasis on their socks of red.

This kid had good range at his position that had been previously held by John Valentin, yet was now his. This kid had Jim Rice, a Hall of Famer many years later, as his hitting coach. This kid had comfort within the organization, knowing that a college teammate was on his way to the big show, arriving the very next year.

And, by God, this kid was good.

Nomar Garciaparra became an immediate threat at the plate, in the field, and a fan favorite among everyone who watched Sox games. He soon drew comparisons to historic Beantown figures such as Williams, Yastrzemski, and his predecessors, Peskey and Doerr. He seemed to be a shoo-in for Cooperstown, and it was only a matter of time before the Sox had all the pieces before he was hoisting the World Series Trophy, as well as the Series' MVP Trophy. There were the debates that ensued on who was better: Nomar, Derek Jeter, or Alex Rodriguez?

"I see skies of blue and clouds of white,
The bright blessed day and the dark sacred night..."

It seemed as though nothing but blue skies laid before him. Day games and night games, he played to the utmost of his ability and performed like a 10 year veteran. He batted .357 in 1999 and posted a .417 postseason batting average. He appeared as the starting shortstop earlier in the year during the '99 Midsummer Classic, as he greeted one of the greatest hitters ever at the pitchers mound, Teddy Ballgame Williams. He hit .372 the next season and earned another All-Star game appearance. He had it all.

He seemed to be doing it all, as well. He was in one of the hardest cities to compete in professionally, with one of the most dedicated fan bases, who loved their players very much.

But he was also in a very media driven city, and as much as the fans loved the people who played for their team, they loved the team more.

"I hear babies cry, I watch them grow,
They'll know much more than I'll ever know..."

On July 26, 2004, Nomar Garciaparra was traded away from the Boston Red Sox to the Chicago Cubs, the Sox got Orlando Cabrera and Doug Mientkievich, and the rest became history. The Boys from Beantown went on a tremendous August run, went on to become the first team to ever overcome a 0-3 deficit in a 7-game series, as they banished all visions Babe Ruth had haunted them with, then won the Series for the first time in 86 years.

Soon after this, Nomar's career been to slide and quickly. After signing a one year contract to remain with the Cubs, Nomar pulled his left groin muscle mere weeks into the 2005 season. He signed in the offseason with the Los Angeles Dodgers, his hometown team, for a two year deal. In 2006, he made his final All-Star game appearance, winning the Final Ballot for the National League. At the end of '06, he was awarded the NL's Comeback Player of the Year, finishing the season with 20 HR's, 93 RBI and a .303 batting average. The rest of his career was a seemingly quick decline from switching positions (3B to 1B to bench), to losing his power and bat speed, and ultimately found solace in Oakland last season as a DH/1B/3B/role player off the bench.

Many people, media and fans alike, began to question Nomar for many reasons towards the end of his run in Boston. And for every question (every single one), I have an answer. Let's go back as far as we possibly can to clear the air on Nomar, before another false accusation is said.

Question: Did Nomar use Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs)?
Answer: An excellent question that I have heard either asked or answered. But my answer has yet to be heard. So let us take a trip down memory lane. A early March Sports Illustrated issue in 2001 showed Nomar posing topless, flexing, and looking absolutely ripped. Whether this was the lighting, camera angle, or Nomar made sure he did Eight Minute Abs before the shoot, this definitely became fodder for any person obsessed with accusing anyone of using steriods. Next, were the injuries; multiple calf injuries and his groin pull in Chi-town also became fuel for the fire in the argument that Nomar was a juicer. Yet, I still don't believe it. For beginners, acne is a huge side effect of 'roids. In Nomar's SI cover photo (which I still believe forever jinxed him) he has no acne. But there is more too. A lot of Nomar's pop at the plate came from his bat speed. As a huge Nomar fan, I try to imitate his batting tics myself, and find myself with more bat speed, much more than what a "usual" or "generic" swing would allow me to have. When Nomar hurt his wrist after being hit by a pitch in early 2001, he lost some of that speed. So, to compensate for the lost speed, one could say he hit the gym to add muscle to make up for it. Yet there is no proof that he used PEDs.

Question: Why did Nomar come to hate Beantown?
Answer: In the words of Terry Francona, Nomar was "all Bostoned out." He couldn't deal with the media anymore. It became too much, especially after reporters began to follow him home to try and continue an interview. As a Boston fan, I too, found myself wanting my questions answered as to why we could never win a Series. Yet one man doesn't have the answers, and yet we kept expecting him to have them. He was the face of the franchise, so we came to him for help. And sometimes, if he didn't have an answer, we would think that it wasn't good enough until he gave us one. Also, I'm sure you'd be a little pee-owed if you found out on your honeymoon that the team you loved to play for was attempting to trade you away. Yes, Nomar was out in Hawaii when he caught wind of the trade rumors. And Nomar was OK with the money the Sox offered him initially that offseason; his agent, Arn Tellem, kept arguing for more.

Question: Was the Nomar coming back to the Sox press conference truthful and meaningful?
Answer: Yes and no.

No because Theo shopped Nomar back in 04, knowing that Nomar would most likely leave willingly at the end of the season if the Sox didn't win a ring, and he wanted something in return. No because Larry and John didn't want to give Nomar $60 million (excuse me, I'm once again blaming the wrong person; they didn't give Arn $60 million). And no because there have been several rumors that this was solely for making profits off of redsox.com.

But on the other hand, yes. It most certainly was truthful and meaningful...for Nomar. The man loved playing for the city of Boston and yes, although there were differences towards the end of his stay, he still enjoyed the love from the fans. And we in turn loved him. To say as a Sox fan that you didn't enjoy watching his batting routine is like Cookie Monster saying he despises cookies; you just don't hear it. To say he didn't lay the foundation for the 2004 World Champion Sox is like saying George Washington didn't lay the foundation for the United States. Nomar was the heart of the Sox for many years (Pedro, the soul, of course) and his coming back to the team was healing for all; healing for Nomar, who has dreamed of retiring as a member of the Sox ever since he left, healing for the shops outside Fenway, who will now rake in the millions in selling retired player merchandise, and for me, one fan who will truly miss what Nomar brought to the game; a hot bat, a quick glove, his own uniqueness, and a love of the game. And you can't ask for much more than that.

"...and I think to myself,
What a wonderful world."

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Do You Believe In Miracles? Not This Year

30 years ago, Lake Placid played host to the XIII Olympic Winter Games. During these Games, the United States hockey team stunned the world by defeating the Soviet Union in a quarterfinal game, 4-3, on their way to winning gold. The U.S. became the first Winter Olympic hockey team in over 20 years to claim gold that wasn't from Russia...in other words, the Soviets had dominated the sport. The was thought to be the most incredible victory in hockey Olympic history, and has remained so to this day. It became known as the Miracle on Ice, and Al Michaels's infamous quote "Do you believe in miracles? Yes!" has become legandary and a constant in any Winter Olympic coverage since that time.

Yesterday, February the 28th, 2010, 30 years after this incredible victory was another chance for United States to win an improbable gold medal. Yet their bid for more Olympic hockey glory was dashed this afternoon, when the United States lost to Canada 3-2 in overtime, as Sidney Crosby hit a quick shot past Ryan Miller that stunned all watching at home, all watching live, and the goalie himself.

Was it upsetting to see the United States lose in such a fashion? Well, it's never fun to see your home team lose whatsoever, so, yes. Was it expected that the United States would lose? It depends. Many people have bought into the run of victories that the American team had been putting together. I, however, thought differently, for a few reasons.

There is a reason I began this thought process by mentioning the United States defeating the Soviet Union. At the time, it was a true David and Goliath battle. The United States had been officially formed in the summer prior to the 1980 Winter Games. The Soviets had been destroying every single team throughout international play for years, seeing as there were very few players who actually had made the jump to the NHL; this all but ensured that their dominating players stayed together and played together for years, perfecting their teamwork and playing style.

Likewise, the Canadian Olympic hockey team was formed a mere months ago. Although the talent level was clearly superior to that of the United States team 30 years prior, they still had little time to prepare for these Olympic games together.

In 1980, the Soviets destroyed every team that they faced, through all international play and all qualification games in the Olympics. Their last exhibition game was a resounding 10-3 victory over the United States before the Olympics themselves. Russia looked to be the most complete and dominating team. This game proved to have a monumental impact weeks later.

In 2010, the United States defeated every team they faced with apparent ease during the Olympic preliminary round, including a 5-3 victory over Canada. Canada looked overmatched while the United States not only became the favorite for gold, but also the Number 1 seed for the playoffs. This game proved to have an outstanding impact mere days later.

In 1980, the United States won by a single goal on home ice. The Soviets looked crushed, the Americans overjoyed.

In 2010, Canada won by a single goal in home ice. Sidney Crosby couldn't look happier, as well as the entire see of red and white supporters that had come to see the game. The U.S. looked devastated, some even close to tears.

I've heard some people on NBC coverage try to claim that if the United States won, it would be another "winter miracle". The fact of the matter is that the United States winning would not have been a miracle: Canada winning would be a miracle. And they did. Canada, the country that has brought the most media to the sport, were victorious in what can only be considered one of the greatest finishes to a gold medal game.

Do you believe in miracles, eh?

"Testing, Testing, One, Two, Three"

Since it's inception, baseball free agency has been providing players, teams, and fans more heart attacks, more heart murmers, and more strokes neccessary in a single baseball offseason. As players debate how much they are "worth" (a.k.a. how much more money can they make then the last guy), team owners debate the exact same (a.k.a. how much money can I spend on a player that will give me just as much production at the same position for a better price).

This offseason is no different. One such story is with Johnny Damon, the former Savior and Benedict Arnold of the Red Sox, who now finds himself in a very odd situation.

Four seasons ago, Damon signed a flashy contract with the Yankees (hence, Jesus turned Judas...and yet the Red Sox fan within me has made me digress) because it was more money. The Red Sox signed Coco Crisp, a younger, faster version of Damon that was expected to provide just as much pop at the plate. Although Crisp is no longer with the Sox, it worked out for both teams, and all was well.

Now, four years older at the age of 36, Damon finds himself in a similar position, yet in a very different situation. Four years can do a lot to an athletes body, and Damon is no exception to this rule. Once known as a potent leadoff hitter who could steal 30 bases a season, Damon is now seen mostly as a leftfielder because he can no longer cover center, especially by the team that was hoping to sign him back for the 2010 season, the New York Yankees. Damon, hoping for a big payoff from his strong play during the World Series, wasn't going to get quite the amount of money he was looking for. When he signed with the Yankees after the 05 season, he got $52 million over four years, making $13 million in 2009. This offseason, he has asked for another $13 million for one year. The Yankees, however, are offering $18 million...for two years.

The issue is simple and could have been resolved months ago. Athletes such as Damon need to realize that they are not the Superman they once were when they entered the Majors. Their skills are slipping, and their kryptonite (age) grows stronger and stronger each day. If Damon were smart, we would take the pay cut, return to the defending World Series Champion Yankees, and continue to be viewed as a good player who didn't whine about how much money he makes. Instead, Damon is still jobless and $13 million poorer than what he could of been had he swallowed his pride.

Testing free agency is a very delicate matter that should not be fooled around with, like playing ball in the house. Well, Damon enjoyed playing ball in the house one too many times, and broke something; hope he enjoys the sweat he continues to produce as the season nears ever closer and all hopes of returning to the Yankees move farther and farther away.

Though I do hear Cincinnati is nice. They even plan on improving off of their fourth place finish last year in the Central Division too.

Some of Damon's latest work as he tries to convince himself he's worth $13 million: http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=7112703

My Apologies, Mr. Peter King

As a Sports Journalist, as I would like to view myself, it is important to be modern, in-the-now, and of course, remain true to all aspects of unofficial journalistic law. One of the key laws of unofficial journalistic law is to never steal anyone else's work. Also, a very important modern part of sports journalism is to make yourself known through your work as well as your individuality.

With these two thoughts in mind, it has come to my attention while reading one of my more recently acquired Sports Illustrated's, I came across something that caught my eye; well, two things, to be exact. The first was a full page advertisement informing the readers that the highly dignified, highly educational, highly economicly savvy Swimsuit Edition would be hitting newstands next week (Feb. 9th to be exact, mark your calendars). The second was Peter King's "Things I Think I Think". Immediately, I thought, 'What a magnificent title! It's catchy, witty, and original!' Yet I had seen it somewhere before...exactly.

So, seeing as I am not good lying to a federal jury such as Rafael Palmeiro or Mark McGuire, I would like to come clean this very minute. Yes, I titled this blog Things I Think...I Think in the hopes that it would do everything that Peter King's blog did: attract readers with its wit and originality. Unfortunately, I pawned an idea off one of the greatest sports writing masterminds that this century has seen.

So, without further ado, I apologize Peter King. I had no cruel intentions of trying to steal your title, rather, I went too long without catching up on my Sports Illustrated, and could have paid severely for it in the future. I intend to change said-title to something just as witty and catchy and original...the second I think of something that fits that mold. Until then, I will leave said title, but please all you readers out there (that means you, Mom and Dad) do not get too attached for change is in the air...I think.

Blogs Vs. Real Websites

A blog is a wonderful thing. It is a place where one can put their personal feelings out there for the world to read on any topic at all...granted, not everyone is going to want to read what you have to say about any topic, but no one is stopping you.

A website is a wonderful thing. It is a place where you go to get actual legitimate information on any topic you want to, without one's biased opinion...unless, of course, you are reading an online column, but that's another story.

Two very different things, yet also oh so similar. So, which is worth your time?

Unless you wholeheartedly trust a blogger, your best bet is a website. People who write for websites are paid to put accurate information online to give the public the truth.

Unless, of course, you're reading my work, in which case it's always true...I think.