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Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Are Heat Ready to Win Title in 2011?
The Miami Heat have been all the talk this NBA off-season and now they have something to prove to fans across the United States. Can they win multiple NBA titles with Wade, Bosh and James on the same team?
The Heat free agent signings this summer have somewhat made people say "yes it is possible."
With the additions of Zydrunas Illgauskas, Juwan Howard and the re-signing of Jamaal Magloire, the Heat want veteran leadership in the locker room this season to help "the three kings" and the young rookies they drafted.
The signings of Mike Miller and James Jones will help Miami's three-point shooting, but they still need to sign players that can come off the bench and play well for 10 to 15 minutes a game.
The Heat still have some options to sign a good three-point shooter that is willing to come off the bench.
Eddie House, Roger Mason and Jason Williams are unrestricted free agents that can help Miami's bench.
Roger Mason and Eddie House have proven in their NBA careers that they can nail clutch shots and give a team a good 10 to 15 minutes off the bench.
House is a career 41 percent field goal shooter and a 39 percent three-point shooter, while Mason is a career 40 percent field goal shooter and a 38 percent three-point shooter.
Questions about the Heat's bench, three-point shooting ability and inside play still remains an issue for them, but the fans in Miami can expect a playoff caliber team and maybe a championship team in the 2010-2011 NBA season.
The Heat free agent signings this summer have somewhat made people say "yes it is possible."
With the additions of Zydrunas Illgauskas, Juwan Howard and the re-signing of Jamaal Magloire, the Heat want veteran leadership in the locker room this season to help "the three kings" and the young rookies they drafted.
The signings of Mike Miller and James Jones will help Miami's three-point shooting, but they still need to sign players that can come off the bench and play well for 10 to 15 minutes a game.
The Heat still have some options to sign a good three-point shooter that is willing to come off the bench.
Eddie House, Roger Mason and Jason Williams are unrestricted free agents that can help Miami's bench.
Roger Mason and Eddie House have proven in their NBA careers that they can nail clutch shots and give a team a good 10 to 15 minutes off the bench.
House is a career 41 percent field goal shooter and a 39 percent three-point shooter, while Mason is a career 40 percent field goal shooter and a 38 percent three-point shooter.
Questions about the Heat's bench, three-point shooting ability and inside play still remains an issue for them, but the fans in Miami can expect a playoff caliber team and maybe a championship team in the 2010-2011 NBA season.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Eaglets Even the Series with Cubs
On the morning of Saturday May 1st, 2010, it looked as if there would be no game because of a nasty thunderstorm.
As the day went on, the clouds passed and the St. Mary's Eaglets vs. U of D Jesuit Cubs double-header was played in the sunlight and clear skys.
The first game of the double-header was no contest for the Eaglets as they took over the game right from the beginning.
The Eaglets started with a bang in the first inning when Korey Hall, who went 2 for 4 in the game, smashed a lead-off homerun off the Cubs pitcher.
Blaise Salter and Matt Johnson each smashed a double into the gaps in the outfield, which brought in two more runs for the Eaglets in the 1st inning.
Once the Cubs fell behind in the first inning they could not catch the Eaglets as Theo Piccirilli shut down the Cubs offense with 8 strikeouts, 1 walk and 2 runs. 6 of the strikeouts caught the Cubs batters looking as Piccirilli pitched a complete game and the Eaglets won the first game 9-2.
The second game of the double-header was not so kind to the Eaglets as they got off to a very slow start.
The Cubs took advantage of the Eaglets by jumpng out to a 5 run lead in the first 3 innings.
St. Mary's pitching and hitting struggled in the beginning of the game, but finally found its groove in the middle of the game as the Eaglets battled back.
Devan Ahart and Blaise Salter were the ones who lead the way for the Eaglest offense. They went a combined 5 for 7 with 2 singles, 1 double, 1 homerun, and 1 triple.
Jon Roberts started for the Eaglets, but did not last long. Roberts struck out 5 batters, gave up 1 walk and 5 runs in 3 innings.
Matt Johnson came in for middle relief, but gave up a few runs and only lasted 1inning for the Eaglets. In his 1 inning of relief Johnson struck out 1, walked 1 and gave up 3 runs.
Malik Jackson came in for the Eaglets after Johnson and pitched a strong inning of middle relief for the Eaglets. He struck out 1 and gave up no runs and walks. Jackson was done after 1 inning and James Edwards was brought in to pitch the last 2 innings.
Usually a starter for the Eaglets, Edwards came in for relief for St. Mary's.
Edwards shut down the Cubs in his 2 innings of relief. He recorded 3 strikeouts, one coming from a nasty curveball that started at the right-handed hitter and broke back into the strike zone. The hitter reacted to the pitch as if he was going to be hit by turning his back away from the nasty pitch.
Edwards received the win and the save as the Eaglets came back to beat the Cubs 9-8 in the second game of the double-header.
The Eaglets improved their record in the Catholic League to 8-6, while their overall record improved to 11-6.
As the day went on, the clouds passed and the St. Mary's Eaglets vs. U of D Jesuit Cubs double-header was played in the sunlight and clear skys.
The first game of the double-header was no contest for the Eaglets as they took over the game right from the beginning.
The Eaglets started with a bang in the first inning when Korey Hall, who went 2 for 4 in the game, smashed a lead-off homerun off the Cubs pitcher.
Blaise Salter and Matt Johnson each smashed a double into the gaps in the outfield, which brought in two more runs for the Eaglets in the 1st inning.
Once the Cubs fell behind in the first inning they could not catch the Eaglets as Theo Piccirilli shut down the Cubs offense with 8 strikeouts, 1 walk and 2 runs. 6 of the strikeouts caught the Cubs batters looking as Piccirilli pitched a complete game and the Eaglets won the first game 9-2.
The second game of the double-header was not so kind to the Eaglets as they got off to a very slow start.
The Cubs took advantage of the Eaglets by jumpng out to a 5 run lead in the first 3 innings.
St. Mary's pitching and hitting struggled in the beginning of the game, but finally found its groove in the middle of the game as the Eaglets battled back.
Devan Ahart and Blaise Salter were the ones who lead the way for the Eaglest offense. They went a combined 5 for 7 with 2 singles, 1 double, 1 homerun, and 1 triple.
Jon Roberts started for the Eaglets, but did not last long. Roberts struck out 5 batters, gave up 1 walk and 5 runs in 3 innings.
Matt Johnson came in for middle relief, but gave up a few runs and only lasted 1inning for the Eaglets. In his 1 inning of relief Johnson struck out 1, walked 1 and gave up 3 runs.
Malik Jackson came in for the Eaglets after Johnson and pitched a strong inning of middle relief for the Eaglets. He struck out 1 and gave up no runs and walks. Jackson was done after 1 inning and James Edwards was brought in to pitch the last 2 innings.
Usually a starter for the Eaglets, Edwards came in for relief for St. Mary's.
Edwards shut down the Cubs in his 2 innings of relief. He recorded 3 strikeouts, one coming from a nasty curveball that started at the right-handed hitter and broke back into the strike zone. The hitter reacted to the pitch as if he was going to be hit by turning his back away from the nasty pitch.
Edwards received the win and the save as the Eaglets came back to beat the Cubs 9-8 in the second game of the double-header.
The Eaglets improved their record in the Catholic League to 8-6, while their overall record improved to 11-6.
Monday, April 26, 2010
AL Central, Twins Central
As the MLB season approaches the 20 game mark, the Twins have started off hot and no AL Central team wanted this to happen.
The Minnesota Twins are off to a 13 and 6 record in the AL Central, a 3 game lead over the second place Detroit Tigers and a 5.5 game lead over the last place Royals.
When Joe Nathan got injured in spring training, most baseball anaylsts believed that the Twins were going to struggle to be the top team in the AL Central this season. But as any baseball fan should know, never count out the Minnesota Twins.
The Twins manager, Ron Gardenhire, had to decide between 3 different pitcher's in his bullpen on who would get the closer's role in the 2010 season.
Jon Rauch, Jose Mijares and Matt Guerrier were the 3 relief pitchers that were being looked at by Gardenhire.
The 3 pitchers battled in spring training and on the plane ride to Los Angeles for their MLB season opener, Gardenhire called Jon Rauch to the back of the plane and told him that he earned the closers role.
19 games into the MLB season, Jon Rauch has recorded 6 of 7 saves in save opportunities. But the Twins have needed Rauch because of their tremedous offense.
The Twins offense has generated 101 runs and the pitching and defense has only given up 70 runs in 19 games this season.
Very few teams in the AL Central are going to have a chance to catch the Twins if they continue to pitch and hit well.
The Twins also rarely lose back to back games during the season, which makes catching them even more difficult because teams have to go on long winning streaks to make up ground for the games they lost.
The Detroit Tigers have the best chance of catching the Twins because of their pitching anf hitting. The problem is that the Tigers rarely play consistently which hurts them.
The Twins should have an easy time winning the AL Central with their great offense, defense and pitching. Starting the season off 13 and 6 is just what they wanted and the other AL Central teams are wishing they had won a couple of those close games early in the season.
The Minnesota Twins are off to a 13 and 6 record in the AL Central, a 3 game lead over the second place Detroit Tigers and a 5.5 game lead over the last place Royals.
When Joe Nathan got injured in spring training, most baseball anaylsts believed that the Twins were going to struggle to be the top team in the AL Central this season. But as any baseball fan should know, never count out the Minnesota Twins.
The Twins manager, Ron Gardenhire, had to decide between 3 different pitcher's in his bullpen on who would get the closer's role in the 2010 season.
Jon Rauch, Jose Mijares and Matt Guerrier were the 3 relief pitchers that were being looked at by Gardenhire.
The 3 pitchers battled in spring training and on the plane ride to Los Angeles for their MLB season opener, Gardenhire called Jon Rauch to the back of the plane and told him that he earned the closers role.
19 games into the MLB season, Jon Rauch has recorded 6 of 7 saves in save opportunities. But the Twins have needed Rauch because of their tremedous offense.
The Twins offense has generated 101 runs and the pitching and defense has only given up 70 runs in 19 games this season.
Very few teams in the AL Central are going to have a chance to catch the Twins if they continue to pitch and hit well.
The Twins also rarely lose back to back games during the season, which makes catching them even more difficult because teams have to go on long winning streaks to make up ground for the games they lost.
The Detroit Tigers have the best chance of catching the Twins because of their pitching anf hitting. The problem is that the Tigers rarely play consistently which hurts them.
The Twins should have an easy time winning the AL Central with their great offense, defense and pitching. Starting the season off 13 and 6 is just what they wanted and the other AL Central teams are wishing they had won a couple of those close games early in the season.
Jon Rauch Pitching for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2009
Monday, April 12, 2010
Do Celebrities or Words in Advertisements Sell the Product?
Are you a Nike, Adidas or Under Armour fan or are you a Derek Jeter, David Beckham or Michael Phelps fan?
In the same order, these companies sponsor those professional athletes and use their notoriety to help sell the products they advertise in the media. But when it comes to buying the products they sell, what really makes you want to buy the product?
The art of advertising uses professioanl athletes or celebrities and action words, phrases and logos to persuade customers into buying their products.
Using professional athletes or celebrities in an advertisement helps people associate that product with a name or face so they will be able to remember it. Studies have been done on this issue and one study was related to the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
In this study, researchers surveyed 38 French university students, male and female, between the ages of 18 and 27 to find out if Zinedine Zidane, a retired professional soccer player who played for the French National Team in 2006, had any impact on Adidas products he sponsored. The results of the study indicated that Zidane's sponsorship with Adidas had an impact on how people purchased products that Adidas sold.
Advertisements may use pictures of professional athletes or celebrities, but the presentation of the product and the wording associated with the product can be an even stronger way to get people to buy your product.
Companies target people of all ages using verbs, phrases and logos to help customers remember their products. Nike uses the "swoosh", Under Armour uses their slogan "Protect this House" and Adidas uses their slogan "Impossible is Nothing" to help people remember who they are. A research study was done in England to see how effective brand logos are in advertising.
The research study selected 237 children from ages 7 to 10 from 5 different schools in England. The children were shown products and were required to draw collages of things associated with Nike, Reebok, and Adidas. The collages showed the Nike "swoosh", the Reebok symbol and the Adidas symbol.
Do the words and symbols in Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour advertisements make you want to buy the product or is it the professional athletes and celebrities affiliated with the advertisement that makes you want to buy the product?
Leave a comment and voice your opinion about what really sells products in advertisements. Do you believe their are more ways companies use advertisements to sell their products?
In the same order, these companies sponsor those professional athletes and use their notoriety to help sell the products they advertise in the media. But when it comes to buying the products they sell, what really makes you want to buy the product?
The art of advertising uses professioanl athletes or celebrities and action words, phrases and logos to persuade customers into buying their products.
Using professional athletes or celebrities in an advertisement helps people associate that product with a name or face so they will be able to remember it. Studies have been done on this issue and one study was related to the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
In this study, researchers surveyed 38 French university students, male and female, between the ages of 18 and 27 to find out if Zinedine Zidane, a retired professional soccer player who played for the French National Team in 2006, had any impact on Adidas products he sponsored. The results of the study indicated that Zidane's sponsorship with Adidas had an impact on how people purchased products that Adidas sold.
Advertisements may use pictures of professional athletes or celebrities, but the presentation of the product and the wording associated with the product can be an even stronger way to get people to buy your product.
Companies target people of all ages using verbs, phrases and logos to help customers remember their products. Nike uses the "swoosh", Under Armour uses their slogan "Protect this House" and Adidas uses their slogan "Impossible is Nothing" to help people remember who they are. A research study was done in England to see how effective brand logos are in advertising.
The research study selected 237 children from ages 7 to 10 from 5 different schools in England. The children were shown products and were required to draw collages of things associated with Nike, Reebok, and Adidas. The collages showed the Nike "swoosh", the Reebok symbol and the Adidas symbol.
Do the words and symbols in Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour advertisements make you want to buy the product or is it the professional athletes and celebrities affiliated with the advertisement that makes you want to buy the product?
Leave a comment and voice your opinion about what really sells products in advertisements. Do you believe their are more ways companies use advertisements to sell their products?
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Why Everyone Hates Duke's Success
The Duke Blue Devils get as much respect from fans throughout the U.S. as the New York Yankees get in Boston, Massachusetts.
Before the Men's NCAA Basketball Championship game was played on Monday night, the Duke basketball team knew that everyone throughout the U.S. wanted them to lose in Indianapolis against the Butler Bulldogs. The only fans Duke could count on for support where the students back in Durham, North Carolina, their alumni across the U.S. and the few people who don't buy into the stupid reasons of why others hate Duke.
The reasons for why people hate Duke span from ridiculous to pointless, but the common reasons are because of the academic success the players achieve, their success on the basketball court and the academics in general at Duke University.
The college student-athlete today is looked upon by others as a person who only fulfills the athlete part of the word student-athlete. Many people have accepted this view and because of that when student-athletes succeed in sports as well as in the classroom, many people frown upon it. The Duke basketball program has been successful with its player graduation rates. From 1999 to 2002, the NCAA did a research report on graduation rates for Division 1 college basketball players and Duke's graduation rate is 92 percent. 25 percent higher than the Federal graduation rate. Success in the classroom should be the most important factor in any student-athletes life, but what one thing gives up the other takes. At least that is what one wants to believe.
Duke's success on the basketball court has improved since Coach K became the head coach. Before then Duke was a nobody in college basketball. Since Coach K started coaching at Duke they have won 4 national championships, 11 ACC regular season and tournament championships, 760 total victories and 12 national coach of the year honors. Not many people enjoy seeing the success of one program because it gives them national media coverage and with national media coverage comes the spotlight, which everyone wants at one point in their lifetime. Jealousy and success should not cause people to hate a person or team, especially when the success is done in the right way. Along with the success of its basketball program as well as its other sports programs, Duke Universities academic success has caused many too dislike the university even more.
Duke University is a small private school in Durham, North Carolina. It is very difficult to get accepted into the University, but those who are accepted end up being successful in their career. Their Law school is one of the top schools in the nation along with their business and medical schools. Who wouldn't want to attend a university that has great notoriety in the business world along with a well-known basketball program.
In the end, don't hate a person or team because they are successful. Yes, the New York Yankees will always be disliked in Boston and the Duke Blue Devil's will be disliked by most people not affiliated with the university. As my high school principal always told us, "the key to happiness in life is the joy you get from other people's success in life." So stop looking at the negatives and respect what others accomplish.
Before the Men's NCAA Basketball Championship game was played on Monday night, the Duke basketball team knew that everyone throughout the U.S. wanted them to lose in Indianapolis against the Butler Bulldogs. The only fans Duke could count on for support where the students back in Durham, North Carolina, their alumni across the U.S. and the few people who don't buy into the stupid reasons of why others hate Duke.
The reasons for why people hate Duke span from ridiculous to pointless, but the common reasons are because of the academic success the players achieve, their success on the basketball court and the academics in general at Duke University.
The college student-athlete today is looked upon by others as a person who only fulfills the athlete part of the word student-athlete. Many people have accepted this view and because of that when student-athletes succeed in sports as well as in the classroom, many people frown upon it. The Duke basketball program has been successful with its player graduation rates. From 1999 to 2002, the NCAA did a research report on graduation rates for Division 1 college basketball players and Duke's graduation rate is 92 percent. 25 percent higher than the Federal graduation rate. Success in the classroom should be the most important factor in any student-athletes life, but what one thing gives up the other takes. At least that is what one wants to believe.
Duke's success on the basketball court has improved since Coach K became the head coach. Before then Duke was a nobody in college basketball. Since Coach K started coaching at Duke they have won 4 national championships, 11 ACC regular season and tournament championships, 760 total victories and 12 national coach of the year honors. Not many people enjoy seeing the success of one program because it gives them national media coverage and with national media coverage comes the spotlight, which everyone wants at one point in their lifetime. Jealousy and success should not cause people to hate a person or team, especially when the success is done in the right way. Along with the success of its basketball program as well as its other sports programs, Duke Universities academic success has caused many too dislike the university even more.
Duke University is a small private school in Durham, North Carolina. It is very difficult to get accepted into the University, but those who are accepted end up being successful in their career. Their Law school is one of the top schools in the nation along with their business and medical schools. Who wouldn't want to attend a university that has great notoriety in the business world along with a well-known basketball program.
In the end, don't hate a person or team because they are successful. Yes, the New York Yankees will always be disliked in Boston and the Duke Blue Devil's will be disliked by most people not affiliated with the university. As my high school principal always told us, "the key to happiness in life is the joy you get from other people's success in life." So stop looking at the negatives and respect what others accomplish.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Opening Night Greatness
What more could you want from Fenway Park on opening night of the MLB. A classic Yankees vs. Red Sox rivalry game.
The game started off as a pitcher's duel, but that was soon lost by the second inning when the 6 through 9 hitters started to get to Red Sox starter, Josh Beckett. Beckett gave up back-to-back homeruns in the 2nd inning that gave the Yankees a 2-0 lead. Jorge Posada hit a screamer down the first base line that hit the foul pole for a homerun and Curtis Granderson hit his first homerun of the season and as a Yankee.
CC Sabathia kept the Red Sox hitters off balance through his five and two-thrids innings of work. Boston only had two hits through 4 innings until Joe Girardi took out Sabathia late in the 5th inning.
With a 5-2 lead, it was up to the Yankees bullpen to give Sabathia the win. Unfortunately things went south for the Yankees as Boston tied the game up in the 6th inning.
The Yankees struck back in the top of the 7th inning, but failed to hold onto the lead as Red Sox second basemen, Dustin Pedroia, hit a game tying 2-run homerun. The Red Sox later tacked on 2 more runs in the 8th inning to secure their lead.
In the 9th inning, it was Jonathan Papelbon time. Papelbon earned his first save of the year. Giving up one hit as the Red Sox take the 1st of 18 games against the Yankees this season.
The game started off as a pitcher's duel, but that was soon lost by the second inning when the 6 through 9 hitters started to get to Red Sox starter, Josh Beckett. Beckett gave up back-to-back homeruns in the 2nd inning that gave the Yankees a 2-0 lead. Jorge Posada hit a screamer down the first base line that hit the foul pole for a homerun and Curtis Granderson hit his first homerun of the season and as a Yankee.
CC Sabathia kept the Red Sox hitters off balance through his five and two-thrids innings of work. Boston only had two hits through 4 innings until Joe Girardi took out Sabathia late in the 5th inning.
With a 5-2 lead, it was up to the Yankees bullpen to give Sabathia the win. Unfortunately things went south for the Yankees as Boston tied the game up in the 6th inning.
The Yankees struck back in the top of the 7th inning, but failed to hold onto the lead as Red Sox second basemen, Dustin Pedroia, hit a game tying 2-run homerun. The Red Sox later tacked on 2 more runs in the 8th inning to secure their lead.
In the 9th inning, it was Jonathan Papelbon time. Papelbon earned his first save of the year. Giving up one hit as the Red Sox take the 1st of 18 games against the Yankees this season.
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