1. New coaches at UK, UT and Vanderbilt
Joker Phillips, the new Kentucky head coach and former offensive coordinator, has been groomed for this season for a while now, and UK was at the forefront of the move to name coaches-in-waiting.
Derek Dooley ,who was a surprise hire after the slimy Lane Kiffin bolted for USC, has gained some fans this summer by trying to install a zero tolerance policy following a bar fight involving Volunteer football players.
Robbie Caldwell is a no-name who may be the hottest topic of the annual cattle call, at this week’s SEC Media Days in Hoover, Ala.
I’ll give Phillips the edge mostly because the Cats have been above average in the SEC recently, including a win at Georgia last year, and he’s most familiar with the program, with the least amount of transition. Dooley has a chance, but will have a new quarterback and without playmaking safety Eric Berry.
Caldwell is in somewhat of an envious position, if he can get past the initial shock and thrown-into-the-deep-end situation. If he wins, he’ll probably win the full-time job. If he loses, oh well, he could probably secure himself on another staff.
2. Has South Carolina QB Stephen Garcia finally arrived?
The start of Garcia’s USC career was tainted by several arrests, which forced him to miss chunks of practice and game time. But Garcia’s shown steady improvement the last season and a half, even without multiple above average receivers.
In his defense, Garcia has suffered behind a revolving door offense line, and inconsistent running game. But with the SEC East pretty wide open this year, at least to finish second, Garcia is poised for his best season yet. And the fact that his coach, Steve Spurrier, has already started the Lou Holtz treatment, Garcia must be looking good in the offseason.
Because the Gamecocks’ defense appears to be in good hands with Ellis Johnson and Co., it’s ironic that the offensive-minded Spurrier hasn’t had an elite QB yet. This could be the season that happens. If Garcia has a big season, the Gamecocks should have a great chance to beat Florida and win the East.
3. Georgia has a new QB and a new defense
It seems like forever since redshirt freshman Aaron Murray was proclaimed the starting QB for the Dawgs.
Murray, the highly touted recruit from Tampa, Fla. will look to feed A.J. Green as often as possible while also relying on a running game that picked up at the end of last season.
Murray shouldn’t have any higher expectations than Joe Cox did last year. But that also means he won’t put the defense in such bad positions as Cox did with his 15 interceptions.
Murray’s first test, obviously, is at South Carolina in Week 2. Moving the ball when Green is covered, especially on third down, will be Murray’s biggest chore.
New defensive coordinator Todd Grantham has promised an aggressive style with his newly installed 3-4 defense. And Bulldog Nation is anxious for a consistent pass-rushing defense for the first time in several years.
If that defense is successful, that could help Murray have a better season than any number of touchdown passes he might throw.
4. Will the Heisman winner come out of the SEC West again?
Reigning Heisman winner Mark Ingram, the Alabama RB, is in a similar role that Tim Tebow was in after he won the Heisman.
There is plenty of talent around you to give you another chance to be in the spotlight each week. But will that talent also diminish your stats when compared to other Heisman frontrunners?
What’s more, as a returning Heisman winner, a player is often compared against his own stats from the previous year more so than those competing against him.
Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett has played himself into the top five of any Heisman list, and a Bobby Petrino offense gives him plenty of chances to put up gaudy numbers. (Not to mention the Arkansas defense is Swiss cheese, so the Hogs will probably be in a lot of shootouts again.)
Because Ingram likely won’t have as big a year as last year, and Mallett and the Hogs aren’t slated to play in a big-time bowl game, the educated guess is no.
5. Which coach is on the hottest seat?
A season usually doesn’t start without an SEC coach on the hot seat. Most years there are several. This time, it’s LSU coach Les Miles.
Entering his sixth season in Baton Rouge, La., Miles is two or three years removed from the benefit of Nick Saban’s recruits.
Despite a national championship three years ago, the last two seasons haven’t helped his argument that he didn’t live off of Saban’s recruiting spoils during the 33-6 start to start his LSU tenure.
The last two seasons under Miles, LSU is 17-8 and coming off a loss to Penn State in the Capital One Bowl. To his credit, Miles maintains a winning record despite never really having a bona fide star quarterback.
The tough climb Miles faces this year, though, is a schedule that includes a neutral site (Atlanta) game against North Carolina, a home game against West Virginia, and games at Florida and Auburn.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Tiger's career approaches a turning point
Tiger Woods is nearing a crossroads in his career. There’s only one major championship remaining before the one-year anniversary of when his life took a downward spiral.
This is the second-longest drought of his career, and first that doesn’t include a swing tuneup. Despite firing swing coach Hank Haney two months ago, Tiger doesn’t appear to have the swing flaws of his past. He also hasn’t returned to his trademark wayward driving. He simply can’t make a big shot when needed – a la the 2008 U.S. Open again Rocco Mediate – or get on a birdie train.
Not only has Woods not won a major championship, he hasn’t won a tournament period in 2010, in seven events. That’s Woods’ longest drought in 12 years. The major championship drought is nine, the longest since 2003-04.
Before the British Open at St. Andrews, Woods was viewed as a favorite, 6-1 odds according to one British bookmaker, and was even picked by many analysts to win the tournament.
But despite a change in putters, which lasted only three rounds, Woods finished tied for 23rd and never threatened the top of the leaderboard. In 2000 and 2005 at St. Andrews, Woods won by a combined 13 shots.
As Bob Harig wrote on ESPN.com, Woods used to win tournaments by double digit strokes. Now he’s losing them by that margin. It’s not that he finished 13 shots behind champion Louis Oosthuizen. It’s that he was also six shots out of second place. It’s easy to be a prisoner of the moment, and look to closely at what Woods hasn’t done. But what gives you hope?
He’s won half of his 14 majors at Augusta National, Pebble Beach and St. Andrews. But despite fourth place finishes at The Masters and U.S. Open, he never gave me the idea that he would challenge the leaders. It doesn’t help that he’s never won a major without having the lead after three rounds.
Woods’ apologists might say that he’s had droughts like this before. And in those years, he had a larger gap to close, but he at least had the swing tuneup to fall back on. Now he’s got the mental hurdles of his personal life, and an influx of young stars like Anthony Kim, Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler. They don’t appear fazed by Woods’ intimidation.
No matter if Woods, who's won 14 majors, falls short of Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 majors, or if he never wins another, one thing is sure: the awe is gone. The separation he had from other golfers in the mind of non-golf fans, like the average woman who knew a lot more about him than even Phil Mickelson, for example.
What this does is put more pressure on Woods at Whistling Straits, the site of the PGA Championship. The longer this lack of winning goes on, the more Woods must feel a sense of urgency to inch closer to Nicklaus.
As Rick Reilly wrote on ESPN.com, the all-time golfing greats, from Tom Watson and Arnold Palmer, to Nick Faldo, Greg Norman and Nicklaus, hardly won any majors after their mid-30s. Watson and Palmer didn’t win any after 33 and 34, respectively. Woods, by the way, turns 35 on Dec. 30.
This is the second-longest drought of his career, and first that doesn’t include a swing tuneup. Despite firing swing coach Hank Haney two months ago, Tiger doesn’t appear to have the swing flaws of his past. He also hasn’t returned to his trademark wayward driving. He simply can’t make a big shot when needed – a la the 2008 U.S. Open again Rocco Mediate – or get on a birdie train.
Not only has Woods not won a major championship, he hasn’t won a tournament period in 2010, in seven events. That’s Woods’ longest drought in 12 years. The major championship drought is nine, the longest since 2003-04.
Before the British Open at St. Andrews, Woods was viewed as a favorite, 6-1 odds according to one British bookmaker, and was even picked by many analysts to win the tournament.
But despite a change in putters, which lasted only three rounds, Woods finished tied for 23rd and never threatened the top of the leaderboard. In 2000 and 2005 at St. Andrews, Woods won by a combined 13 shots.
As Bob Harig wrote on ESPN.com, Woods used to win tournaments by double digit strokes. Now he’s losing them by that margin. It’s not that he finished 13 shots behind champion Louis Oosthuizen. It’s that he was also six shots out of second place. It’s easy to be a prisoner of the moment, and look to closely at what Woods hasn’t done. But what gives you hope?
He’s won half of his 14 majors at Augusta National, Pebble Beach and St. Andrews. But despite fourth place finishes at The Masters and U.S. Open, he never gave me the idea that he would challenge the leaders. It doesn’t help that he’s never won a major without having the lead after three rounds.
Woods’ apologists might say that he’s had droughts like this before. And in those years, he had a larger gap to close, but he at least had the swing tuneup to fall back on. Now he’s got the mental hurdles of his personal life, and an influx of young stars like Anthony Kim, Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler. They don’t appear fazed by Woods’ intimidation.
No matter if Woods, who's won 14 majors, falls short of Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 majors, or if he never wins another, one thing is sure: the awe is gone. The separation he had from other golfers in the mind of non-golf fans, like the average woman who knew a lot more about him than even Phil Mickelson, for example.
What this does is put more pressure on Woods at Whistling Straits, the site of the PGA Championship. The longer this lack of winning goes on, the more Woods must feel a sense of urgency to inch closer to Nicklaus.
As Rick Reilly wrote on ESPN.com, the all-time golfing greats, from Tom Watson and Arnold Palmer, to Nick Faldo, Greg Norman and Nicklaus, hardly won any majors after their mid-30s. Watson and Palmer didn’t win any after 33 and 34, respectively. Woods, by the way, turns 35 on Dec. 30.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
A $5,000 car could be a wise option
Put your vanity aside and consider recession-proof transportation: a $5,000 car.
MSN Money wrote about this in the spring, and the more I think about it, the better it gets.
Sure, you might have to get used to your friends’ blank stares or raised eyebrows. But isn’t saving money supposed to be in style these days?
The premise is taking advantage of the technological improvements in cars that historically tapped out at 100,000 miles, but now easily approach 200,000. Especially with regular oil changes and other basic maintenance.
As long as you don’t have a hefty commute, and the car is close to 100,000 miles, it should last at least five years. Think of the savings you would enjoy.
Most car payments are in the $300 range for a mid-sized sedan or small SUV. Instead of applying that $5,000 toward a down payment, and then have to deal with 36-60 monthly payments, put that money in a savings account. Over three years, that’s at least $10,800 before interest.
Among the other areas to save:
- Sales tax
- Insurance
- Registration
Of course this scenario is not for most people. You’d have to not only know a mechanic, but have a good relationship with yours, unless you are confident to maintain the car yourself. Be diligent on maintenance and keep organized records. Before you buy, research the owner and car history thoroughly.
If you think it’s difficult to find a car in this price range, like I did initially, consider all of the places you could find one. A church bulletin board. The local pizza place. A corner convenience store. And one of the most popular places for salvaging great deals: an estate sale.
For examples of actual cars, check out this list from Consumer Reports.
Consumer Reports’ top picks, $4,000-$6,000
2001 Acura CL
2002-03 Mitsubishi Lancer
2001 Acura Integra
2000 Nissan Frontier (2WD)
2000 Acura RL
2002 Nissan Xterra
2000 Acura TL
2003 Pontiac Vibe
2004 Buick Century
2003 Subaru Impreza wagon
2003 Buick Regal
2000 Toyota Avalon
2003-05 Hyundai Sonata
2000-01 Toyota Camry
2000, 2002 Infiniti G20
2000-02 Toyota Solara
2000 Infiniti I30
2000 Toyota Celica
2001-02 Lincoln Continental
2002 Toyota Corolla
2000-01 Mazda B-Series (2WD)
2003-05 Toyota Echo
2002 Mazda Protégé
2001-02 Toyota Prius
2000-02 Mercury Grand Marquis
2000-01 Toyota Sienna
2004 Mercury Sable
2001 Volkswagen Jetta TDI
MSN Money wrote about this in the spring, and the more I think about it, the better it gets.
Sure, you might have to get used to your friends’ blank stares or raised eyebrows. But isn’t saving money supposed to be in style these days?
The premise is taking advantage of the technological improvements in cars that historically tapped out at 100,000 miles, but now easily approach 200,000. Especially with regular oil changes and other basic maintenance.
As long as you don’t have a hefty commute, and the car is close to 100,000 miles, it should last at least five years. Think of the savings you would enjoy.
Most car payments are in the $300 range for a mid-sized sedan or small SUV. Instead of applying that $5,000 toward a down payment, and then have to deal with 36-60 monthly payments, put that money in a savings account. Over three years, that’s at least $10,800 before interest.
Among the other areas to save:
- Sales tax
- Insurance
- Registration
Of course this scenario is not for most people. You’d have to not only know a mechanic, but have a good relationship with yours, unless you are confident to maintain the car yourself. Be diligent on maintenance and keep organized records. Before you buy, research the owner and car history thoroughly.
If you think it’s difficult to find a car in this price range, like I did initially, consider all of the places you could find one. A church bulletin board. The local pizza place. A corner convenience store. And one of the most popular places for salvaging great deals: an estate sale.
For examples of actual cars, check out this list from Consumer Reports.
Consumer Reports’ top picks, $4,000-$6,000
2001 Acura CL
2002-03 Mitsubishi Lancer
2001 Acura Integra
2000 Nissan Frontier (2WD)
2000 Acura RL
2002 Nissan Xterra
2000 Acura TL
2003 Pontiac Vibe
2004 Buick Century
2003 Subaru Impreza wagon
2003 Buick Regal
2000 Toyota Avalon
2003-05 Hyundai Sonata
2000-01 Toyota Camry
2000, 2002 Infiniti G20
2000-02 Toyota Solara
2000 Infiniti I30
2000 Toyota Celica
2001-02 Lincoln Continental
2002 Toyota Corolla
2000-01 Mazda B-Series (2WD)
2003-05 Toyota Echo
2002 Mazda Protégé
2001-02 Toyota Prius
2000-02 Mercury Grand Marquis
2000-01 Toyota Sienna
2004 Mercury Sable
2001 Volkswagen Jetta TDI
Friday, July 16, 2010
Vandy's Johnson made right decision
Bobby Johnson’s sudden resignation or retirement, depending on your viewpoint, has caused plenty of questions about the Vanderbilt football coach’s real motive. Was there something behind stepping down three weeks before the season? Does he have a health problem? Was he trying to set up his assistant, Robbie Caldwell, to get the job?
There are two reasons that have been mentioned as Johnson’s motivation that I believe: he gave up fighting the academic battle, and he was simply tired.
You might call him a quitter. Or think there could have been a better time to announce a retirement. But the dog days of summer is fine with me. Even one of the more preferred times of year.
When else would you do it? December? I don’t think so. Think how that would leave your successor, likely an assistant promoted into an interim role?
Recruiting, with a month to go until National Signing Day, would take a big blow. Whatever momentum you could gain from a bowl game would be gone. And it would be impossible to avoid the argument that you checked out midway through the season.
The losing battle of competing in the SEC, and maintaining the high academic standard at the so-called Ivy League of the South makes it one of the toughest jobs in the country.
If you win big, that’s fantastic, but you wouldn’t be recognized nearly as much within the university – which doesn’t have a traditional athletics department anymore - as you would at other schools. If you’re .500 or worse, well, you’re Vandy, so enjoy being most teams Homecoming opponent. Not to mention it’s virtually impossible to finish about third in your own division in the SEC.
So give Johnson credit for recognizing there are more important things in life than spending countless hours draining your health away from your family. He’s made enough money, and could work as a consultant, or TV/radio guest to stay involved.
At 60, Johnson made the right decision before it was too late. And he’s about the only coach around that has made the right call.
There are two reasons that have been mentioned as Johnson’s motivation that I believe: he gave up fighting the academic battle, and he was simply tired.
You might call him a quitter. Or think there could have been a better time to announce a retirement. But the dog days of summer is fine with me. Even one of the more preferred times of year.
When else would you do it? December? I don’t think so. Think how that would leave your successor, likely an assistant promoted into an interim role?
Recruiting, with a month to go until National Signing Day, would take a big blow. Whatever momentum you could gain from a bowl game would be gone. And it would be impossible to avoid the argument that you checked out midway through the season.
The losing battle of competing in the SEC, and maintaining the high academic standard at the so-called Ivy League of the South makes it one of the toughest jobs in the country.
If you win big, that’s fantastic, but you wouldn’t be recognized nearly as much within the university – which doesn’t have a traditional athletics department anymore - as you would at other schools. If you’re .500 or worse, well, you’re Vandy, so enjoy being most teams Homecoming opponent. Not to mention it’s virtually impossible to finish about third in your own division in the SEC.
So give Johnson credit for recognizing there are more important things in life than spending countless hours draining your health away from your family. He’s made enough money, and could work as a consultant, or TV/radio guest to stay involved.
At 60, Johnson made the right decision before it was too late. And he’s about the only coach around that has made the right call.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
The Decision: Top 10 reasons ESPN outdid its own over-the-top precedent
Forget LeBron announcing his choice to play for the Miami Heat this season. This made-for-TV ESPN "special" had all the typical Worldwide Leader ingredients of hyperbole, recycled breaking news and overheated egos.
10. Stuart Scott opens with this show-stopper: "The focus of the sports world is on LeBron tonight." It wasn't quite as bad as Adam Schefter's tweet earlier in the week about this being a remember-where-you-were-moment, but it was classic Scott, who has way more style than substance. And he doesn't even have that much style.
9. Announcer voice, sounding like a Dollar Store James Earl Jones: "With breathless anticipation..." Not really. Most fans, especially non-sports/NBA fans have been waiting for this saga to end. Yesterday. Sure, it might have succeeded in the individualized NBA marketing plan, but it wore out its welcome weeks ago.
8. Scott asks NBA Insider Chris Broussard for the latest news on the situation. That's the first punch line of the show, given that some combination of LeBron's people and freelance interviewer Jim Gray hatched this made-for-TV idea weeks ago. Broussard spews the recycled news that he reported nearly 24 hours ago, that the Heat appear to be the team James is leaning toward. Say what you want about the WWL, but one of its best traits is presenting old news as if it's fresh.
7. Scott then mentions that the network has "blanket coverage" of the "event," which it should given the organization and agreement from Gray and Leon Rose, James' agent. Awful pat on the back for something that was handed to you.
6. In perhaps the biggest reach of the event, Jon Barry, a studio analyst and former player, makes a reference to the early 1980s comedy, Trading Places, starring Paul Gleason as Clarence Beeks. As the only former player on the set, it's laughable that Barry used a line he recycled at least twice on radio interviews earlier in the day. It's something Dennis Miller or Tony Kornheiser might've said from the Monday Night Football booth.
5. Was it really necessary to show old highlights of the Olympic team, or LeBron's McDonald's All-American game? Like we haven't seen this guy dunk before?
4. Speaking of dunks, a fun drinking game could have been to drink every time ESPN showed a dunk highlight. Fun, or dangerous, whichever came first.
3. Incidentally, does anybody know what Kobe, you know, the guy with five rings, thought of this made-for-TV event?
2. And of course, it wouldn't be an ego-driven, sponsor-controlled spectacle, without a use of the third-person. When asked by Michael Wilbon about his reaction to Cavaliers' fans burning his jersey in the streets, LeBron said, "I can't get involved in that. I had to do what was best for LeBron James." Somewhere, Rickey Henderson is proud.
1. Finally, does anybody remember the old Nike "Witness" campaign? Guess it worked. We can mock this show all we want, but just wait for the ratings.
10. Stuart Scott opens with this show-stopper: "The focus of the sports world is on LeBron tonight." It wasn't quite as bad as Adam Schefter's tweet earlier in the week about this being a remember-where-you-were-moment, but it was classic Scott, who has way more style than substance. And he doesn't even have that much style.
9. Announcer voice, sounding like a Dollar Store James Earl Jones: "With breathless anticipation..." Not really. Most fans, especially non-sports/NBA fans have been waiting for this saga to end. Yesterday. Sure, it might have succeeded in the individualized NBA marketing plan, but it wore out its welcome weeks ago.
8. Scott asks NBA Insider Chris Broussard for the latest news on the situation. That's the first punch line of the show, given that some combination of LeBron's people and freelance interviewer Jim Gray hatched this made-for-TV idea weeks ago. Broussard spews the recycled news that he reported nearly 24 hours ago, that the Heat appear to be the team James is leaning toward. Say what you want about the WWL, but one of its best traits is presenting old news as if it's fresh.
7. Scott then mentions that the network has "blanket coverage" of the "event," which it should given the organization and agreement from Gray and Leon Rose, James' agent. Awful pat on the back for something that was handed to you.
6. In perhaps the biggest reach of the event, Jon Barry, a studio analyst and former player, makes a reference to the early 1980s comedy, Trading Places, starring Paul Gleason as Clarence Beeks. As the only former player on the set, it's laughable that Barry used a line he recycled at least twice on radio interviews earlier in the day. It's something Dennis Miller or Tony Kornheiser might've said from the Monday Night Football booth.
5. Was it really necessary to show old highlights of the Olympic team, or LeBron's McDonald's All-American game? Like we haven't seen this guy dunk before?
4. Speaking of dunks, a fun drinking game could have been to drink every time ESPN showed a dunk highlight. Fun, or dangerous, whichever came first.
3. Incidentally, does anybody know what Kobe, you know, the guy with five rings, thought of this made-for-TV event?
2. And of course, it wouldn't be an ego-driven, sponsor-controlled spectacle, without a use of the third-person. When asked by Michael Wilbon about his reaction to Cavaliers' fans burning his jersey in the streets, LeBron said, "I can't get involved in that. I had to do what was best for LeBron James." Somewhere, Rickey Henderson is proud.
1. Finally, does anybody remember the old Nike "Witness" campaign? Guess it worked. We can mock this show all we want, but just wait for the ratings.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Why Strasburg should be in the All-Star game
Major League Baseball has an opportunity this month to parlay some built-in star power and extend the excitement of Stephen Strasburg’s rookie season.
Two losses, including Monday’s poor 7th inning, aside, the Washington Nationals' phenom should be on the National League roster for the All-Star game in Anaheim, Calif.
The traditional format of an all-star game makes it easy for Charlie Manuel of the Phillies to select Strasburg. Most pitchers go one inning – so the Nationals shouldn’t have to worry about a pitch count – and the overriding reason for the exhibition in the first place is it’s a treat for the fans.
Speaking of the fans, check the turnstile at Monday's game in Atlanta for Exhibit A of how much fans care. In the days between Strasburg's last start and Monday, the Braves sold more than 21,000 tickets, and nearly 10,000 on Monday alone. It's not like this was Chicago or Philadelphia. Atlanta is arguable the most apathetic sports town in the country, especially on a non-holiday Monday. But they showed up for the Strasburg sensation.
His numbers are historic. In his first four starts, he broke a 55-year strikeout record when he recorded 41 strikeouts.
That came after he fanned 32 in his first three starts, the most since J.R. Richard struck out 29 in 1971.
He has superstar power rarely seen in baseball. As Mark Bradley wrote in the AJC, it's usually seen in the NBA.
Don't give me the tired, old man argument of "paying dues" or he hasn't been in the majors long enough. If you're all-star caliber and the fans want you there, you should be there. There should be 15 pitchers on the roster. Not only is Strasburg among the top 15, he’s probably in the top five.
Strasburg's stats further help the argument. Despite virtually no run support in two losses, Strasburg has struck out 48, walked seven in 31 2/3 innings. How is he not among the best 10-12 pitchers in the National League? Before Strasburg's debut, Curt Shilling said he might be the best pitcher in the league, and not many have argued against that in his first five starts.
The National League’s 13-game losing streak in the All-Star game should be more of a reason to select him.
Major League Baseball has fallen behind the NFL and NBA in the way it markets its superstars. Well, this is its best young superstar in at least 30 years, and to grow the game and bring in both the traditional and casual fan, MLB needs Strasburg in the Midsummer Classic.
Especially because home field advantage is at stake, the NL has a better chance of winning if he’s on the mound. He should be there, regardless of his age or experience.
Two losses, including Monday’s poor 7th inning, aside, the Washington Nationals' phenom should be on the National League roster for the All-Star game in Anaheim, Calif.
The traditional format of an all-star game makes it easy for Charlie Manuel of the Phillies to select Strasburg. Most pitchers go one inning – so the Nationals shouldn’t have to worry about a pitch count – and the overriding reason for the exhibition in the first place is it’s a treat for the fans.
Speaking of the fans, check the turnstile at Monday's game in Atlanta for Exhibit A of how much fans care. In the days between Strasburg's last start and Monday, the Braves sold more than 21,000 tickets, and nearly 10,000 on Monday alone. It's not like this was Chicago or Philadelphia. Atlanta is arguable the most apathetic sports town in the country, especially on a non-holiday Monday. But they showed up for the Strasburg sensation.
His numbers are historic. In his first four starts, he broke a 55-year strikeout record when he recorded 41 strikeouts.
That came after he fanned 32 in his first three starts, the most since J.R. Richard struck out 29 in 1971.
He has superstar power rarely seen in baseball. As Mark Bradley wrote in the AJC, it's usually seen in the NBA.
Don't give me the tired, old man argument of "paying dues" or he hasn't been in the majors long enough. If you're all-star caliber and the fans want you there, you should be there. There should be 15 pitchers on the roster. Not only is Strasburg among the top 15, he’s probably in the top five.
Strasburg's stats further help the argument. Despite virtually no run support in two losses, Strasburg has struck out 48, walked seven in 31 2/3 innings. How is he not among the best 10-12 pitchers in the National League? Before Strasburg's debut, Curt Shilling said he might be the best pitcher in the league, and not many have argued against that in his first five starts.
The National League’s 13-game losing streak in the All-Star game should be more of a reason to select him.
Major League Baseball has fallen behind the NFL and NBA in the way it markets its superstars. Well, this is its best young superstar in at least 30 years, and to grow the game and bring in both the traditional and casual fan, MLB needs Strasburg in the Midsummer Classic.
Especially because home field advantage is at stake, the NL has a better chance of winning if he’s on the mound. He should be there, regardless of his age or experience.
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