Let me start this post with a couple of things. First of all, my apologies are extended for the absence here at SBK from myself and Trey but we both have been swamped with other things going on but I plan on cranking this thing back up here with some exciting things to come. On a personal note, I have joined the team over at ScalpEm.com as a writer covering my true sports love the Florida State Seminoles, so you can head over there to check out my FSU-dedicated takes.
Secondly, in honor of March Madness being now squarely upon us, this post will be the first of a series on my ranking of the top ten college basketball teams of all time.
When I sat down to make this list, after almost going through an entire notebook of notes narrowing down, adding, arguing with myself, let me tell you something folks, this list was TOUGH! I never expected it to be so hard, but when you are comparing teams from different eras, different tournament lay-outs, different restrictions on players, it was VERY difficult.
When considering a "top-teams" list: dominance in the time, transferable dominance, win-loss record, players, tournament presence all played factors but I did not include or exclude anyone because of winning a championship, though I wrestled with this factor. Ultimately I chose to not exclude anyone because they did not win the championship because there were some glaring teams staring me at the face that I could not leave off of this list. Furthermore, when you play in the greatest tournament there is in sports, you lose once and you are gone, so winning the championship is not the tell all on this list however if you did make it through to it all it aided and added into your "greatness" factor.
Without further adieu I give to you the start of my rankings with the number ten team:
10) 1992 Michigan Wolverines: (25-9)
For number ten, I give you the 1992 Michigan Wolverines. If you look in the record books you will not see mention of this Michigan Wolverine team, as if they never even existed. Let me assure you, no one in the college basketball circles will EVER EVER forget what this team was.
This team introduced the world to the fab five, and college basketball was forever changed. This team, coached by Steve Fisher, brought in what may be the single greatest recruiting class in college basketball history. The five members of the fab five were all ranked in the top 100 high school prospects in 1991: Chris Webber #1, Juwan Howard #3, Jalen Rose #6, Jimmy King #9, and Ray Jackson #84. The entire fab five except for Ray Jackson participated in the McDonald's All American game.
What makes this Wolverine squad even more amazing is considering where they were a year prior to the fab five arriving in Ann Arbor.. During the 1991 season the Michigan Wolverines finished up the season 14-15, and compiled a 7-11 Big Ten record, which got them into the NIT and a swift exit. Fast forward to the '92 season and Michigan breezed through the league finishing the regular season 20-8, in a tough, and highly competitive, Big Ten conference.
Though the Wolverine caught praise and admiration for the turnaround, this team full of freshman did not fully astonish the College Basketball World until the NCAA Tournament rolled around. In 1992 the Michigan Wolverines received an invitation to the NCAA tournament as a six-seed, a run that would captivate the nation. In their opening round game they took on the 11-seeded Temple Owls, who they defeated 73-66. Michigan subsequently benefited in the next round of the tournament from the upset the East Tennessee Bucs (14) pulled over the Arizona Wildcats (3). The Wolverines defeated the Bucs of ETSU with ease 102-90 to advance to the sweet sixteen, though the Bucs put up as hard of a fight as they could. In the sweet sixteen the Wolverines would take on the Eddie Sutton coached Cowboys of Oklahoma State, in what turned out to be a very nice battle. Ultimately the fab five continued to wow the nation, beating OSU (2) 75-72 as they advanced to the elite 8, and for this game there was no lack of motivation. Michigan's Elite-8 match up was with their most hated rival the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Jim Jackson lead Buckeyes was the number one seed in the southeast region and were about to run into a buzz saw nicknamed the Wolverines. This Elite-8 match up was a tight one throughout but one trend through the game was that Ohio State never had answers to combat the talent of the Wolverines. No scheme, no adjustments worked, the Wolverines were just a far more talented team, which was proved on the court, and they did in fact defeat the Buckeyes 75-71 to advance to the final four. Up next for the Wolverines would be the Bearcats of Cincinnati who were the four seed from the Midwest region. The Cincinnati Bearcats, coached by Bob Huggins, were the inaugural Great Midwest Conference Champions and came into this game with a 29-4 overall record. The Bearcats presented, in this game, a very talented and proven team, who were lead by Nick Van Exel and Corie Blount, and in all honesty were another team that should have beaten a squad full of freshman, but this Wolverine team was just far and away better in every faced of the game. Michigan beat Cincinnati 76-72 to advance to the National Championship game, with a starting lineup full of freshman. The Michigan Wolverines would match up with the defending National Champions, the Duke Blue Devils. I won't go too deep into the Duke team they faced, because you may or may not hear about them last in my series of posts (wink wink), but it was a team with the likes of Christian Laettner, Grant Hill, Bobby Hurley, Cherokee Parks, and Erik Meek. What was interesting about this match up was that this was actually a rematch from a game earlier in the season when Duke would need over time to beat this young Michigan team 88-85, a game that opened lots of people's eyes across the country. Michigan lost this game by a large margin but barring running into the juggernaut that was Duke in 1992, Michigan would have, without a doubt, brought home a National Championship to Ann Arbor.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
SBK Talk with De'Joshua Johnson
Of the twenty-one commitments the Florida State Seminoles have in this 2010 class thirteen are on the defensive side of the ball, being the Seminoles greatest weakness. Two of the commitments are Athletes, and the staff may have different plans for each, and then six are offensive recruits. So with the offensive side of the ball not being a straining need the staff sought out who they thought would fit their offensive system the best, and were very picky with giving out offensive scholarships. Of the six offensive recruits, only two wide receivers will be coming in with this class, to date, Kenny Shaw and our profile today, De'Joshua Johnson. De'Joshua is a young man with few words but an athlete who seems determined to make an impact, and an immediate on at that, next season for Florida State University.
Q: Playing at a great school like Pahokee, with so many great athletes how did the recruiting process go?
A: Well really i kind of kicked it off for all my teammates, because when we were juniors I had four offers and then after that season they just all started coming.
Q: Who was your first offer in the recruiting process?
A: West Virginia and Michigan
Q: And when did FSU come in with their offer?
A: They came in with an offer in March
Q: Can we have your updated height and weight?
A: I'm 5'10 and 156 pounds.
Q: So the offer came from FSU came in March and you committed in June, what made you commit to FSU?
A: Well I always knew I was going there, so they didn't have to do much
Q: Did you grow up an FSU fan?
A: Yea
Q: Do you have a favorite player of all time?
A: Anquan Boldin and Preston Parker
Q: What are your thoughts on the new coaching staff in place in Tallahassee?
A: Well I met them all and they seemed to be cool but I'm going to be fine, I stay mostly to myself
Q: Who do you speak to most on the staff?
A: Coach Dawsey and Coach Coley. I speak to Jimbo from time to time.
Q: What is the staff's plans for you next football season?
A: To play right away
Q: Is there a particular game you are looking forward to next season?
A: All of them!
Q: When the increasing popularity of enrolling early, what that ever an option for you?
A: Yeah but I really wanted to run track
Q: Is there anything you want to say to the FSU faithful that will be reading this?
A: It's our time!
Spear or Be Speared! It's the ONLY Question in FSU these days....
Saturday, January 16, 2010
SBK Talk with Holmes Onwukaife
With National Signing Day very quickly approaching, it will become as stressful of a time as you will find for college coaches around the country. One recruit Jimbo Fisher and Florida State University will not have to worry about LB recruit from Cedar Park HS in Cedar Park, Texas, Holmes Onwukaife. He made the time to answer a few questions in SBK's first recruit-interview.
**************************************************************
Q: Being from Cedar Park, Did you grow up watching FSU? Who did you pull for?
A: "Being from Cedar Park, which is about 20 minutes from University of Texas, Texas was the favorite schools, and it was a late interest in FSU and I just fell in love with the school.
**************************************************************
Q: Who was your first offer, and when did FSU come in and offer you?
A: My first offer was from Rice, and I got my offer from FSU on July 19th.
**************************************************************
Q: Did you have contact with Coach Eliot when he was at Rice?
A: Yes Sir, he was recruiting me as a defensive end.
**************************************************************
Q: Who do you hear the most from on the staff?
A: Coach Coley's famous for his recruiting. HE'S THE REAL DEAL!
**************************************************************
Q: Have been able to talk the other members of the staff?
A: Yes Sir, I was able to meet all the coaches, last weekend, on my official visit.
**************************************************************
Q: How was your official visit, who showed you around?
A: I was paired with Dustin Hopkins, but it was fantastic, it really firmed up my commitment.
**************************************************************
Q: So you can say you are 100% a Nole?
A: I'm a Nole for life.
**************************************************************
Q: What did you enjoy most about your visit to FSU?
A: Just how everything and everyone is family oriented and meeting all the coaches. Getting ready to turn the ship around.
**************************************************************
Q: So, what is the coaching staff's plan for you at FSU?
A: Going to play outside linebacker. I am going to redshirt my first year, because when I graduate I'll be 17 still, and I want to finish growing, mentally and physically.
**************************************************************
Q: Have you decided on a major at FSU?
A: Somewhere in the health care field, maybe biological sciences, but something health related.
**************************************************************
Q: What 2010 game are you most looking forward to?
A: I think Oklahoma is still a powerhouse, and will regroup and be ready for next year, so if we can come strong during that game, that will really show something.
**************************************************************
Q: Are you close to Dominic Espinosa, Joey Nichol, and Darren Thornhill?
A: Yes sir, they are my brothers.
**************************************************************
Q: What role has your high school coach, Coach Ross played in your football future, your recruitment and your life?
A: Coach Ross was a great coach. Before my recruitment began, he pushed me hard in the weight room and in the classroom. After the recruiting process began, he made sure to give me the most exposure, that there is. And I have definitely looking fowrard to checkin in and visiting cp in the coming year.
**************************************************************
Q: What is your impression of Greg Hudson and Mark Stoops?
A: They are both young and full of energy, and ready to get to work.
**************************************************************
Q: What are you going to bring to FSU Holmes?
A: I want to become a leader on and off the field and be a part of the turn around at FSU. I will bring fun, but intense game of football and I am always pursuing the ball.
**************************************************************
Q: What would you like to say to the FSU fans that will read this?
A: Thanks for supporting me this whole recruiting process, and i'm ready to get to work and show college football who belongs at the top.
**************************************************************
**************************************************************
Q: Being from Cedar Park, Did you grow up watching FSU? Who did you pull for?
A: "Being from Cedar Park, which is about 20 minutes from University of Texas, Texas was the favorite schools, and it was a late interest in FSU and I just fell in love with the school.
**************************************************************
Q: Who was your first offer, and when did FSU come in and offer you?
A: My first offer was from Rice, and I got my offer from FSU on July 19th.
**************************************************************
Q: Did you have contact with Coach Eliot when he was at Rice?
A: Yes Sir, he was recruiting me as a defensive end.
**************************************************************
Q: Who do you hear the most from on the staff?
A: Coach Coley's famous for his recruiting. HE'S THE REAL DEAL!
**************************************************************
Q: Have been able to talk the other members of the staff?
A: Yes Sir, I was able to meet all the coaches, last weekend, on my official visit.
**************************************************************
Q: How was your official visit, who showed you around?
A: I was paired with Dustin Hopkins, but it was fantastic, it really firmed up my commitment.
**************************************************************
Q: So you can say you are 100% a Nole?
A: I'm a Nole for life.
**************************************************************
Q: What did you enjoy most about your visit to FSU?
A: Just how everything and everyone is family oriented and meeting all the coaches. Getting ready to turn the ship around.
**************************************************************
Q: So, what is the coaching staff's plan for you at FSU?
A: Going to play outside linebacker. I am going to redshirt my first year, because when I graduate I'll be 17 still, and I want to finish growing, mentally and physically.
**************************************************************
Q: Have you decided on a major at FSU?
A: Somewhere in the health care field, maybe biological sciences, but something health related.
**************************************************************
Q: What 2010 game are you most looking forward to?
A: I think Oklahoma is still a powerhouse, and will regroup and be ready for next year, so if we can come strong during that game, that will really show something.
**************************************************************
Q: Are you close to Dominic Espinosa, Joey Nichol, and Darren Thornhill?
A: Yes sir, they are my brothers.
**************************************************************
Q: What role has your high school coach, Coach Ross played in your football future, your recruitment and your life?
A: Coach Ross was a great coach. Before my recruitment began, he pushed me hard in the weight room and in the classroom. After the recruiting process began, he made sure to give me the most exposure, that there is. And I have definitely looking fowrard to checkin in and visiting cp in the coming year.
**************************************************************
Q: What is your impression of Greg Hudson and Mark Stoops?
A: They are both young and full of energy, and ready to get to work.
**************************************************************
Q: What are you going to bring to FSU Holmes?
A: I want to become a leader on and off the field and be a part of the turn around at FSU. I will bring fun, but intense game of football and I am always pursuing the ball.
**************************************************************
Q: What would you like to say to the FSU fans that will read this?
A: Thanks for supporting me this whole recruiting process, and i'm ready to get to work and show college football who belongs at the top.
**************************************************************
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Frozen Corn
I love baseball. I love its history, I love its story, I love its game, but black eye after black eye has made me pull some nostalgia out of the hat, something good, something positive, something that frankly makes me feel better about this whole thing they call the Major League Baseball League. With the recent news (or lack there of) that Mark McGwire did, in fact, use performance enhancing drugs there is another couple of seasons we can throw out the window in looking back at some of the greatest ever played in MLB's history.
******************************************************
Mark McGwire:
1998 Season:
.299 BA. 70 HR. 147 RBIs. 130R. 162BB.
1999 Season:
.278 BA. 65 HR. 147 RBIs. 118R. 133 BB.
******************************************************
**THREE OTHER SEASONS OF NOTE TO THROW OUT THE WINDOW**
1998:
Sammy Sosa:
.308 BA. 66 HR. 158 RBIs. 134R.
******************************************************
2001:
Sammy Sosa:
.328 BA. 64 HR. 160 RBIs. 146 R.
Barry Bonds:
.328 BA. 73HR. 137 RBIs. 122R. 177 BB.
******************************************************
I could probably write a novel on the season's I would like to toss out of the record books but this is not the purpose of this post. I want to feel better about baseball. I want to believe in the numbers I see. I want it to be the sport I saw as a kid, where nothing was wrong, all was right, and it was the sport I wanted to play when I grew up. Major League Baseball may never get there in my eyes again, but the seasons below help me feel better about where baseball came from and why I love it so.
******************************************************
Below are my 'TOP SEASONS EVER PLAYED' list.
#10:
Ty Cobb- 1911
.420 BA. 8 HR. 127 RBI. 147R. 248H. 47 Doubles. 24 Triples. 83 SB.
******************************************************
#9:
Ted Williams- 1941
.406 BA. 37 HR. 120 RBI. 33 Doubles. 135R. 1.287 OPS.
******************************************************
#8:
Joe Dimaggio- 1937
.346 BA. 46 HR. 167 RBI. 151 R. 418 TB. 15 Triples.
I know, I know I could have selected the 1941 season where Dimaggio set, what may be, an unbreakable record of hitting safely in 56 straight games and won his second MVP but I really only wanted to give a player one season on my list, so for that purpose alone I chose his 1937 season where his statistics were much better. In '37 compared to '41, Dimaggio had more home runs (46 to 30), more RBI (167 to 125), scored more runs (151 to 123)
******************************************************
#7:
Chuck Klein- 1930
.386 BA. 40 HR. 170 RBI. 250H. 59 Doubles. 158R.
Many people may not know who Chuck Klein is but his 1930 season stands as one of the more impressive seasons ever. In this season he recorded the sixth most hits ever in a year, the seventh most doubles, and the eighth highest RBI total ever.
******************************************************
#6:
Rogers Hornsby- 1922
.401 BA. 42 HR. 152 RBI. 46 Doubles. 14 Triples. 450 TB.
Hornsby's 1922 season was in the middle of one of, what might be, the greatest five-year runs in MLB history. In this season Hornsby won his first of two Triple-Crown awards. The 450 total bases is still the second highest total ever. In this season he led the National League in runs scored and slugging, while becoming the first and only player in all of history to hit over .400 and slug 40 home runs in the same season.
******************************************************
#5:
Jimmie Fox- 1932
.364 BA. 58 HR. 169 RBI. 151R. 438 TB.
Double-X is what Fox was known by back in his playing days and was the very first player, in this 1932 season, to make a serious run at Babe Ruth's single-season home run record, falling two shy. Foxx did lead the American League in RBI, runs, total bases, slugging, and extra base hits. He lost the batting title, and triple-crown, by just three points. This season was his first, of three, MVP awards.
******************************************************
#4:
Hack Wilson- 1930
.356 BA. 56 HR. 191 RBI. 146R. 423 TB.
Standing at 5'6" no one was fooled in thinking Hack was going to be an easy out. Wilson was one of, if not, the most feared hitters in the National League from '25 to '30, and then an onset of injuries and alcohol abuse ruined an extremely promising career. For the longest Hack Wilson's Record RBI total was 190 until a researcher found a lost RBI on an old score sheet, and is a record that still stands today. Wilson also led the league, this season, in slugging, total bases, and OPS.
******************************************************
#3:
Mickey Mantle- 1956
.353 BA. 52 HR. 130 RBI. 132 R.
Mantle won the AL Triple Crown in 1956 as well as the MVP. Not included in these stats was what Mantle did in the World Series. Mantle hit 3 home runs, had 4 RBI, 6 BB, and 6 runs scored which led the Yankees to another World Series title. This 1956 set a record for home runs for a switch-hitter (a record Mantle later broke with 54 HR) As I said Mantle won the triple crown but Mantle also led the league in runs scored, total bases, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage, which is why this 1956 season falls on my list.
******************************************************
#2:
Lou Gehrig- 1927
.373 BA. 47 HR. 175 RBI. 52 Doubles. 18 Triples. 149R. 447 TBs.
So my final two spots belong to, though not in the same season, two players that were teammates on the 1927 Yankees. Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, can you imagine the intimidation of facing those two hitters? It's an open debate, to this day, on who was the force behind that '27 Yankees team. Neither side can be right or wrong, because both played pivotal parts. 1927 was the year that the Great Bambino hit the then-record 60 home runs, however in this season Gehrig out hit Ruth, out doubled Ruth, out tripled, and Gehrig also had more RBI and total bases. The MVP that year went to Gehrig just ahead of Ruth which helped fueled the "rivalry" between the two.
******************************************************
#1:
Babe Ruth- 1921
.378 BA. 59 HR. 171 RBI. 177R. 44 Doubles. 16 Triples. 17 SB. 145 BB. 1.359 OPS.
The 60 home run year would be the obvious choice to put if you are going to put Ruth on the list, but as I mentioned at number two with Gehrig, Ruth's year was not even the best of 1927. 1921, though, is a COMPLETELY different story. In 1921 Babe Ruth set MLB records for home runs (would last until 1927), slugging percentage (would stand until Barry Bonds broke it in 2001, which I do not count) , runs scored, extra-base hits, and total bases. The runs scored, extra base hits and total bases MLB records ALL still stand, which is absolutely remarkable. For kicks, Ruth hit .378 on the year and actually stole 17 bases. (Don't miss that last one, Babe Ruth stole 17 bases!)
******************************************************
HONORABLE MENTION:
Hugh Duffy- 1894
.440 BA. 18 HR. 145 RBI. 237 H. 51 Doubles. 16 Triples. 48 SB.
George Sisler- 1922
.420 BA. 8 HR. 105 RBI. 246 H. 42 Doubles. 18 Triples. 51 SB.
******************************************************
So there you have it, the news that McGwire did, in fact, use Steroids is the next black eye in a series of black eyes making this the "steroid-level". The question I pose is how do we recover from these black eyes? Is the damage inflicted, to date, too far past the point of recovery or will baseball again get pulled back from the depths of death? When I was young and ever inadvertently received a black eye, my grandmother always would pull out frozen corn to put on it. Frozen corn will not help the MLB in this case but I do have a few other ways I would like to use the frozen corn. You can use your own imagination to how to use it, whether it be beating these idiots over the head for cheating baseball, or taking a term from the former WWE star The Rock. Needless to say McGwire's talking-points and constant babbling would not combat the frozen corn. Baseball will survive, or I at least hope so. I love baseball. I love its history, I love its story, I love its game....
******************************************************
Mark McGwire:
1998 Season:
.299 BA. 70 HR. 147 RBIs. 130R. 162BB.
1999 Season:
.278 BA. 65 HR. 147 RBIs. 118R. 133 BB.
******************************************************
**THREE OTHER SEASONS OF NOTE TO THROW OUT THE WINDOW**
1998:
Sammy Sosa:
.308 BA. 66 HR. 158 RBIs. 134R.
******************************************************
2001:
Sammy Sosa:
.328 BA. 64 HR. 160 RBIs. 146 R.
Barry Bonds:
.328 BA. 73HR. 137 RBIs. 122R. 177 BB.
******************************************************
I could probably write a novel on the season's I would like to toss out of the record books but this is not the purpose of this post. I want to feel better about baseball. I want to believe in the numbers I see. I want it to be the sport I saw as a kid, where nothing was wrong, all was right, and it was the sport I wanted to play when I grew up. Major League Baseball may never get there in my eyes again, but the seasons below help me feel better about where baseball came from and why I love it so.
******************************************************
Below are my 'TOP SEASONS EVER PLAYED' list.
#10:
Ty Cobb- 1911
.420 BA. 8 HR. 127 RBI. 147R. 248H. 47 Doubles. 24 Triples. 83 SB.
******************************************************
#9:
Ted Williams- 1941
.406 BA. 37 HR. 120 RBI. 33 Doubles. 135R. 1.287 OPS.
******************************************************
#8:
Joe Dimaggio- 1937
.346 BA. 46 HR. 167 RBI. 151 R. 418 TB. 15 Triples.
I know, I know I could have selected the 1941 season where Dimaggio set, what may be, an unbreakable record of hitting safely in 56 straight games and won his second MVP but I really only wanted to give a player one season on my list, so for that purpose alone I chose his 1937 season where his statistics were much better. In '37 compared to '41, Dimaggio had more home runs (46 to 30), more RBI (167 to 125), scored more runs (151 to 123)
******************************************************
#7:
Chuck Klein- 1930
.386 BA. 40 HR. 170 RBI. 250H. 59 Doubles. 158R.
Many people may not know who Chuck Klein is but his 1930 season stands as one of the more impressive seasons ever. In this season he recorded the sixth most hits ever in a year, the seventh most doubles, and the eighth highest RBI total ever.
******************************************************
#6:
Rogers Hornsby- 1922
.401 BA. 42 HR. 152 RBI. 46 Doubles. 14 Triples. 450 TB.
Hornsby's 1922 season was in the middle of one of, what might be, the greatest five-year runs in MLB history. In this season Hornsby won his first of two Triple-Crown awards. The 450 total bases is still the second highest total ever. In this season he led the National League in runs scored and slugging, while becoming the first and only player in all of history to hit over .400 and slug 40 home runs in the same season.
******************************************************
#5:
Jimmie Fox- 1932
.364 BA. 58 HR. 169 RBI. 151R. 438 TB.
Double-X is what Fox was known by back in his playing days and was the very first player, in this 1932 season, to make a serious run at Babe Ruth's single-season home run record, falling two shy. Foxx did lead the American League in RBI, runs, total bases, slugging, and extra base hits. He lost the batting title, and triple-crown, by just three points. This season was his first, of three, MVP awards.
******************************************************
#4:
Hack Wilson- 1930
.356 BA. 56 HR. 191 RBI. 146R. 423 TB.
Standing at 5'6" no one was fooled in thinking Hack was going to be an easy out. Wilson was one of, if not, the most feared hitters in the National League from '25 to '30, and then an onset of injuries and alcohol abuse ruined an extremely promising career. For the longest Hack Wilson's Record RBI total was 190 until a researcher found a lost RBI on an old score sheet, and is a record that still stands today. Wilson also led the league, this season, in slugging, total bases, and OPS.
******************************************************
#3:
Mickey Mantle- 1956
.353 BA. 52 HR. 130 RBI. 132 R.
Mantle won the AL Triple Crown in 1956 as well as the MVP. Not included in these stats was what Mantle did in the World Series. Mantle hit 3 home runs, had 4 RBI, 6 BB, and 6 runs scored which led the Yankees to another World Series title. This 1956 set a record for home runs for a switch-hitter (a record Mantle later broke with 54 HR) As I said Mantle won the triple crown but Mantle also led the league in runs scored, total bases, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage, which is why this 1956 season falls on my list.
******************************************************
#2:
Lou Gehrig- 1927
.373 BA. 47 HR. 175 RBI. 52 Doubles. 18 Triples. 149R. 447 TBs.
So my final two spots belong to, though not in the same season, two players that were teammates on the 1927 Yankees. Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, can you imagine the intimidation of facing those two hitters? It's an open debate, to this day, on who was the force behind that '27 Yankees team. Neither side can be right or wrong, because both played pivotal parts. 1927 was the year that the Great Bambino hit the then-record 60 home runs, however in this season Gehrig out hit Ruth, out doubled Ruth, out tripled, and Gehrig also had more RBI and total bases. The MVP that year went to Gehrig just ahead of Ruth which helped fueled the "rivalry" between the two.
******************************************************
#1:
Babe Ruth- 1921
.378 BA. 59 HR. 171 RBI. 177R. 44 Doubles. 16 Triples. 17 SB. 145 BB. 1.359 OPS.
The 60 home run year would be the obvious choice to put if you are going to put Ruth on the list, but as I mentioned at number two with Gehrig, Ruth's year was not even the best of 1927. 1921, though, is a COMPLETELY different story. In 1921 Babe Ruth set MLB records for home runs (would last until 1927), slugging percentage (would stand until Barry Bonds broke it in 2001, which I do not count) , runs scored, extra-base hits, and total bases. The runs scored, extra base hits and total bases MLB records ALL still stand, which is absolutely remarkable. For kicks, Ruth hit .378 on the year and actually stole 17 bases. (Don't miss that last one, Babe Ruth stole 17 bases!)
******************************************************
HONORABLE MENTION:
Hugh Duffy- 1894
.440 BA. 18 HR. 145 RBI. 237 H. 51 Doubles. 16 Triples. 48 SB.
George Sisler- 1922
.420 BA. 8 HR. 105 RBI. 246 H. 42 Doubles. 18 Triples. 51 SB.
******************************************************
So there you have it, the news that McGwire did, in fact, use Steroids is the next black eye in a series of black eyes making this the "steroid-level". The question I pose is how do we recover from these black eyes? Is the damage inflicted, to date, too far past the point of recovery or will baseball again get pulled back from the depths of death? When I was young and ever inadvertently received a black eye, my grandmother always would pull out frozen corn to put on it. Frozen corn will not help the MLB in this case but I do have a few other ways I would like to use the frozen corn. You can use your own imagination to how to use it, whether it be beating these idiots over the head for cheating baseball, or taking a term from the former WWE star The Rock. Needless to say McGwire's talking-points and constant babbling would not combat the frozen corn. Baseball will survive, or I at least hope so. I love baseball. I love its history, I love its story, I love its game....
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Orange Bowl Preview.
This 2010 FedEx Orange Bowl is a very intriguing one to me, and one that promises to be an exciting one up to the very end. You have two teams, that come into the 2010 FedEx Orange Bowl, with two very different strengths. Georgia Tech's offense is averaging 443 yards (307 of them on the ground) and 35 points per game who are going up against the Iowa defense who only gives up 287 yards and 16 points per game. Both teams rank in the top 15 nationally in those respective categories. On the other hand, the same two teams and bringing in less than stellar units on the other side. Iowa is coming into this game ranked 93rd in total offense, while Georgia Tech's defense has been anything and everything but dominating.
GEORGIA TECH:
The star is Jonathan Dwyer, yes, but the nucleus that holds the whole juggernaut together is Josh Nesbitt. Nesbitt is only 9 yards shy of eclipsing the 1,000 yard mark on the ground, giving Georgia Tech two 1,000 gainers. Nesbitt has also rushed for 18 TDs, and has showed an even greater understanding of running Paul Johnson's veer/triple-option offense. An amazing stat, coming into the game tonight, for the Yellow Jackets is that not only have they NOT punted in their last 22 possessions but they have only been stopped on a three-and-out 14 times on the entire season, both are simply amazing! It is, of course, no secret that Georgia Tech likes to rush the ball but the "trick-play" weapon that they have in their bag of tricks is the forward pass. Catching most of those passes may be the best Wide Receiver in all the land Demaryius Thomas. On the year he has caught the ball 46 times for 1,154 yards, the obvious number one target for Nesbitt, and no one has been able to slow him down. I fully expect for Demaryius Thomas to be a factor in tonight's game! Iowa's defense is strong, but I do think Georgia Tech will be able to move the ball effectively against the Hawkeyes. There are several keys to the game, one of which being Georgia Tech's ability to control the clock. The Tech offense being able to control the clock relies heavily on the Yellow Jackets defense and it's preparedness. If Iowa, lead by Ricky Stanzi can get up early it forces Georgia Tech into a game they don't want to play in, coming from behind. Expect to see Derrick Morgan lined up all over the field tonight. He plays mostly on the left side but shows his versatility with his ability to move to the right side or even drop back as a hybrid linebacker. If Georgia Tech can move him around enough and he is able to apply pressure on Stanzi, it changes the landscape of the 2010 FedEx Orange Bowl. Deeper into the secondary Morgan Burnett will be patrolling and reading Stanzi to try and come up with a few big plays. As the ACC Championship game did, the Orange Bowl, too, may come down to Special Teams and on the Georgia Tech side Scott Blair has been tested.
IOWA HAWKEYES:
Like Georgia Tech, Iowa would like to control the clock but unlike the Yellow Jackets they do not have as much of a big-play ability. This does not bother the Hawkeyes though, where they are happy nickel and diming you all the way down the field. Ricky Stanzi returns to action for the Hawkeyes after being out for nearly two months, which obviously will help the Iowa offense, who has averaged 221.3 passing yards per game. Marvin McNutt and Derrell Johnson-Koulianos are the top targets of Stanzi, who collectively have brought in nearly 1,300 yards receiving on the year. You also have true freshmen running backs Brandon Wegher and Adam Robinson who are very talented and physical, but at the same time only rank 103rd in the country. Iowa has talent on the offense but have not performed highly all year long. The possibility is there going against a less than average defense, but the same possibility is there for the Tech defense to come up big and bring home an Orange Bowl Championship. The defense for the Hawkeyes is where their success lie. Fundamentally sound, and extremely physical is what I would classify this Iowa defense as. Defensive Ends Broderick Binnis and Adrian Clayborn are without a doubt NFL talent who will be very tough for the Georgia Tech Offensive Line to withhold. Behind the defensive line are hard-hitting and extremely agile players in Pat Angerer and A.J. Edds who will have to be accounted for at all times. A match-up to watch tonight is how Binnis, Clayborn, Karl Klug, and Christian Ballard, who make up a very potent defense line, go up against a smaller, more-agile, offensive line who uses cut-block techniques in blocking for the Tech offense. If the Hawkeye defensive line are unable to pentrate the offensive line of the Yellow Jackets, it may prove to be a VERY long game for the defense. It starts up front, period. In the kicking game, like Blair from Georgia Tech, Daniel Murray has made his fair share of big-time kicks, and missed his fair share when it didn't. In the 2010 FedEX Orange Bowl, they all matter! Another key match-up for the Hawkeyes will be their utilization of TE Tony Moeaki. Yes, he has caught four touchdowns on the season but his great-ability all year long to be a blocker will be HUGE tonight! I expect to see Moeaki follow Morgan wherever he lines up. With Moeaki teaming up with either Bryan Bulaga or Kyle Galloway, both 315-pound plus lineman, you would think Derrick Morgan should be held in check.
NFL PROSPECTS I WILL BE WATCHING TONIGHT:
As an avid NFL-Follower and especially NFLDRAFT enthusiast I always pay attention to the players in any given game that I feel will play at the next level. Below are the players I will be watching:
Iowa:
1) Bryan Bulaga: Injuries have concern many but in the end if he decides to come out, he should be a high pick.
2) Kyle Calloway
3) Pat Angerer
4) Amari Spievey
5) A.J. Edds
Georgia Tech:
1) Derrick Morgan
2) Jonathan Dwyer
3) Demaryius Thomas
4) Morgan Burnett
THE GAME PREDICTION:
Do you think Georgia Tech remembers this game last year versus LSU, and trust me Paul Johnson will NOT let that type of game happen again. When I break down this game, when I dissect the film, it boils down to where it all starts, the trenches. Iowa has a very talented, as I discussed, defensive line, but after looking at it all I just do not see them having a profound impact upon a smaller, more-agile cut-blocking offensive line. Also, though the Iowa defense is VERY good as fundamentally sound as they are, that just may be the death toll. Iowa's fundamentals may cause them to allow gaps to open up by simply covering who they were "suppose" to be on. Thus comes out the beauty of the offense that Paul Johnson runs. The wizard and the mastermind behind it all, will fully take advantage of a very physical Iowa defense by veering them to death. As weak as the Georgia Tech defense is, the Iowa offense is just as weak and with Stanzi returning the Iowa offense will take a while to get off the ground (Both literally and figuratively).
I don't see Georgia Tech running away with this game but in the end, Iowa will tired out and the Yellow Jackets will be crowned 2010 FedEx Orange Bowl Champs.
Georgia Tech: 27
Iowa Hawkeyes: 20
Beer of choice tonight: Bell's Java Stout
ENJOY THE GAME!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Memory Lane: Bobby Bowden
Taking a stroll down memory lane in thinking back over some favorite Bobby Bowden memories could be lengthy however I want to try and provide you with some things to ponder back to.
It is no secret that I am an avid FSU fan/follower, and it is equally no secret that the co-writer of this blog, Trey Haning, is equally as avid a fan/follower of the Michigan Wolverines. I begin the stroll down memory lane with FSU's epic match up with Trey's, Wolverines. This game, arguably is the greatest non-championship game in FSU history. It pitted #1 vs #3 in Ann Arbor, in front of 106,000 fans, a game that built an amazing amount of anticipation.
FSU won the game 51-31 and that 51 mark still holds up as the most points ever scored on Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Let's continue down memory lane....
How about the 1987 FSU-MIAMI match up? I know I know..it did not end well for us but WHAT A GAME! In this back and forth game there were 56 players who would go on the play in the NFL, which is a simply amazing stat. This game was before OT was implemented into College Football so with 2:22 left in the game and FSU down 26-19, FSU had to make a drive which they did culminating in a McManus to Lewis TD pass bring the score to 26-25. The predicament Bobby found himself in was whether or not to kick the PAT and only play for the tie, or go for two going for the Win. FSU's kicker, Schmidt, had been less than confident all day long and ultimately Bowden made the call to go for two. The call was a pass play which fell short causing FSU to lose but this, my friends, is a game that goes down as one of the absolute best.
No introduction is needed for this memory:
Of course the two national championships with wins over Nebraska and Virginia Tech.
Of course in the National Championship game versus Virginia Tech "THE CATCH" was made:
Other great moments in Bobby Bowden's FSU history:
But waiiiittt...Did you really think I would forget this memory?
Those are just a few of the hundreds of memories College Football and FSU fans alike have of Bobby Bowden: The Man, The Myth, The Living Legend.
On behalf of the SportsBrewKing blog, myself, my family, Wolverine and Seminole Nation, I say Thank You Bobby Bowden! Simply said, Thank You.
It is no secret that I am an avid FSU fan/follower, and it is equally no secret that the co-writer of this blog, Trey Haning, is equally as avid a fan/follower of the Michigan Wolverines. I begin the stroll down memory lane with FSU's epic match up with Trey's, Wolverines. This game, arguably is the greatest non-championship game in FSU history. It pitted #1 vs #3 in Ann Arbor, in front of 106,000 fans, a game that built an amazing amount of anticipation.
FSU won the game 51-31 and that 51 mark still holds up as the most points ever scored on Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Let's continue down memory lane....
How about the 1987 FSU-MIAMI match up? I know I know..it did not end well for us but WHAT A GAME! In this back and forth game there were 56 players who would go on the play in the NFL, which is a simply amazing stat. This game was before OT was implemented into College Football so with 2:22 left in the game and FSU down 26-19, FSU had to make a drive which they did culminating in a McManus to Lewis TD pass bring the score to 26-25. The predicament Bobby found himself in was whether or not to kick the PAT and only play for the tie, or go for two going for the Win. FSU's kicker, Schmidt, had been less than confident all day long and ultimately Bowden made the call to go for two. The call was a pass play which fell short causing FSU to lose but this, my friends, is a game that goes down as one of the absolute best.
No introduction is needed for this memory:
Of course the two national championships with wins over Nebraska and Virginia Tech.
Of course in the National Championship game versus Virginia Tech "THE CATCH" was made:
Other great moments in Bobby Bowden's FSU history:
But waiiiittt...Did you really think I would forget this memory?
Those are just a few of the hundreds of memories College Football and FSU fans alike have of Bobby Bowden: The Man, The Myth, The Living Legend.
On behalf of the SportsBrewKing blog, myself, my family, Wolverine and Seminole Nation, I say Thank You Bobby Bowden! Simply said, Thank You.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Flatlined
Yesterday Texas Tech University, I believe, made a grave mistake in the firing of Head Coach Mike Leach, for "allegations" against Adam James, son of former SMU and New England Patriot RB, ESPN'sCraig James. Oddly enough, Craig James has now seemingly contributed in two schools "death penalty". Before I go further with why firing Mike Leach is a grave mistake, take a look at why he was Axed.
This season, oddly enough, Mike Leach became the all-time winning coach in Texas Tech history passing Spike Dykes. In thirteen seasons, Spike Dykes was 82-67-1 with a 2-5 Bowl Record. In three lesser seasons, Leach's record was 84-43, with a 5-4 Bowl record. Mike Leach was one of sixteen active coaches to have never had a losing record in their coaching career. To better appreciate what Leach has done let's start where we were with Dykes and work backwards. Before Dykes there was Jerry Moore, current coach at Appalachian St. Moore's all-time record was 16-37-2 at Texas Tech. Prior to Moore, there was Rex Dickey who compiled a 15-16-2 career record. Before that you find Steve Sloan who finished at Texas Tech with a 23-12 career record. Prior to Sloan, Jim Carlen was at Texas Tech who compiled a 37-20-2 mark. Going even further back J.T King was the guy in Lubbock, and he finished with a 44-45-3 record. We're going older, still, with Dewitt Weaver who finished with a 49-51-5 record. Dell Morgan was before Dewitt Weaver, and he ended up with a 55-46-3 record. To end this journey, we go all the way back to 1930 when the Red Raiders were coached by the only guy in Texas Tech's, long and less than stellar, history who lead an as dynamic offense as Leach did and that team was lead by Pete Cawthon. Cawthon's career record at Texas Tech was 76-32-6. Understand that Texas Tech operates on a much lesser budget than rivals such as the University of Texas, Oklahoma University, Texas A&M, and Nebraska, and Leach has always ran his team with lesser talent. If you live in surrounding area of Texas, your first choice more times than not are not Texas Tech. What Mike Leach has done at a school like Texas Tech is nothing short of amazing, and let us not forget that we are only one year removed from Mike Leach being a game or two away from playing for a National Championship.
60 Minutes profile of Mike Leach
Mike Leach who ran a high-speed high-powered offense who averaged nearly 90 plays a game called all of those plays. As convoluted as the offense is you would think Leach would carry one of those very detailed play-calling charts, but he didn't. Leach carried around a very simple index card, and called most of all plays straight from his head. He out-smarted and out-coached most of all that came against him, and you could never count him out. In the 2006 Insight Bowl versus Minnesota the Leach led Red Raider team set an all-time NCAA Bowl record coming back down 38-7 in the third quarter to defeat the Golden Gophers 44-41 in Overtime.
Insight Bowl Come back
* In 2004 Leach's Red Raider offense scored more points on Nebraska (70) than anyone ever had in the school's history.
* Also in 2004 Texas Tech was down 21-0 midway through the second quarter to TCU. The end result of that game? Texas Tech won 70-35.
* The 2008 Gator Bowl another amazing comeback. Down 28-14 with 3:39 left on the clock, the Red Raiders found a way, lead by Mike Leach to fight back and win the game 31-28.
Sure Mike Leach had his quirks....
But unless something new comes out that he did, that the public doesn't already know, I think the firing of him will and has resulted in the end, as we know it, of any type of competitive Red Raider football team.
From the school who hired Bobby Knight, a guy who choked and assaulted players, Texas Tech, yesterday, fired a man for what amounts to not playing a snobby, cocky son of a snobby, cocky ESPN personality, enough. Coming into the season Adam James was number two on the depth chart, and because he thought the world owed him something special, he is 10th on the team in receptions. A very good indication of what people thought of Mike Leach and Adam James alike: Take a look at some of the e-mails that have been sent.
I'm going to follow Texas Tech even more closely now to watch the immediate fall from grace, and I will be honest with you, nothing would make me happier than for Texas A&M to make a coaching change and hire Mike Leach because there would be ZERO mercy when the two schools played.
Good Luck Mike Leach, looking forward to seeing where your career now leads...
This season, oddly enough, Mike Leach became the all-time winning coach in Texas Tech history passing Spike Dykes. In thirteen seasons, Spike Dykes was 82-67-1 with a 2-5 Bowl Record. In three lesser seasons, Leach's record was 84-43, with a 5-4 Bowl record. Mike Leach was one of sixteen active coaches to have never had a losing record in their coaching career. To better appreciate what Leach has done let's start where we were with Dykes and work backwards. Before Dykes there was Jerry Moore, current coach at Appalachian St. Moore's all-time record was 16-37-2 at Texas Tech. Prior to Moore, there was Rex Dickey who compiled a 15-16-2 career record. Before that you find Steve Sloan who finished at Texas Tech with a 23-12 career record. Prior to Sloan, Jim Carlen was at Texas Tech who compiled a 37-20-2 mark. Going even further back J.T King was the guy in Lubbock, and he finished with a 44-45-3 record. We're going older, still, with Dewitt Weaver who finished with a 49-51-5 record. Dell Morgan was before Dewitt Weaver, and he ended up with a 55-46-3 record. To end this journey, we go all the way back to 1930 when the Red Raiders were coached by the only guy in Texas Tech's, long and less than stellar, history who lead an as dynamic offense as Leach did and that team was lead by Pete Cawthon. Cawthon's career record at Texas Tech was 76-32-6. Understand that Texas Tech operates on a much lesser budget than rivals such as the University of Texas, Oklahoma University, Texas A&M, and Nebraska, and Leach has always ran his team with lesser talent. If you live in surrounding area of Texas, your first choice more times than not are not Texas Tech. What Mike Leach has done at a school like Texas Tech is nothing short of amazing, and let us not forget that we are only one year removed from Mike Leach being a game or two away from playing for a National Championship.
60 Minutes profile of Mike Leach
Mike Leach who ran a high-speed high-powered offense who averaged nearly 90 plays a game called all of those plays. As convoluted as the offense is you would think Leach would carry one of those very detailed play-calling charts, but he didn't. Leach carried around a very simple index card, and called most of all plays straight from his head. He out-smarted and out-coached most of all that came against him, and you could never count him out. In the 2006 Insight Bowl versus Minnesota the Leach led Red Raider team set an all-time NCAA Bowl record coming back down 38-7 in the third quarter to defeat the Golden Gophers 44-41 in Overtime.
Insight Bowl Come back
* In 2004 Leach's Red Raider offense scored more points on Nebraska (70) than anyone ever had in the school's history.
* Also in 2004 Texas Tech was down 21-0 midway through the second quarter to TCU. The end result of that game? Texas Tech won 70-35.
* The 2008 Gator Bowl another amazing comeback. Down 28-14 with 3:39 left on the clock, the Red Raiders found a way, lead by Mike Leach to fight back and win the game 31-28.
Sure Mike Leach had his quirks....
But unless something new comes out that he did, that the public doesn't already know, I think the firing of him will and has resulted in the end, as we know it, of any type of competitive Red Raider football team.
From the school who hired Bobby Knight, a guy who choked and assaulted players, Texas Tech, yesterday, fired a man for what amounts to not playing a snobby, cocky son of a snobby, cocky ESPN personality, enough. Coming into the season Adam James was number two on the depth chart, and because he thought the world owed him something special, he is 10th on the team in receptions. A very good indication of what people thought of Mike Leach and Adam James alike: Take a look at some of the e-mails that have been sent.
I'm going to follow Texas Tech even more closely now to watch the immediate fall from grace, and I will be honest with you, nothing would make me happier than for Texas A&M to make a coaching change and hire Mike Leach because there would be ZERO mercy when the two schools played.
Good Luck Mike Leach, looking forward to seeing where your career now leads...
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