The Fab 5

The squad that redefined college hoops and brought the Hood to march madness.  They met in high school and constructed a plan to take over college basketball.  Jimmy King, Juwan Howard, Chris Webber, Jalen Rose and Ray Jackson all started at Michigan University as freshman and sophomores reaching the championship game 2 years in a row.  Pretty soon the black socks, baggy shorts and Nike Flights donned by the Michigan Fab 5 were copied by every team from elementary school gyms to the Madison Square Garden arenas of America.  The Fab 5 all played professional ball and to this day are revered by basketball aficionados for their cultural influence and sheer bravado (photo via sports illustrated, AP).

Chris Webber was the Force & the Fire of the team.  He averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds his sophomore year before being selected 1st overall in the 1993 NBA Draft.  Webber duplicated his college numbers over a 15 year career in the League averaging 20pts, 10rebs, 4ast, 1.4blks & 1.4stls.  Though his teams never won a championship, they came close several times with Webber being the main cog.  His case for the Hall is strong, but not definitive. 

Bonds vs Griffey

 

If you ever take a peek at the back of a Barry Bonds baseball card or a statistical read-out of his numbers at baseball-reference.com, you'll see a lot of dark numbers.  The dark numbers signify league leading stats, meaning the player was tops in the American or in Barry's case, the National League.  Bonds has a great, many dark numbers on his card.  The numbers get especially BOLD as Barry ages into his mid to late thirties.

I've imagined what Bonds' career would've looked like had he chosen not to cheat the game and himself.  Everyone always says how he was a first ballot Hall of Famer even before steroids, HGH or whatever horse-bulking chemicals he was on.  Which is a fact.  Bonds was a great ball player way before he became jealous of McGwire & Sosa.  He won 8 Gold Gloves and 3 MVP awards before his ego could no longer handle the idea of finishing a HOF career in the background.  Fact was, Barry knew he was better than those guys getting all the attention for the HRs, but an ego as massive as his needs everyone to know it.

Ken Griffey Jr. was better than Barry Bonds from 1989 to 2000.  Now the Number Lovers & Stat Boys of today will argue Bonds was the better player because of his on-base%, which I agree, Bonds was always more apt to take pitches and draw walks than Jr was.  But getting on base does not make you a better ball player.  All those walks never won Barry's teams any titles and never endeared him more to teammates, whom probably would've rather seen Bonds fail than their team win, sad to say (Have you ever heard a teammate come to his defense?).  Safe to assume Pittsburgh Bonds was different than San Fran Bonds, attitude wise at the very least.  But even then, early 90s Barry was still a hot dog, just not as flamboyant & selfish.

12 years into Ken Griffey Jr's career, from 1989 to 2000, he was a .295 hitter with 438 HRs, 1270 RBIs, 10 Gold Gloves, 173 SB and 1 MVP Award.  12 years into Barry Bonds' career, from 1986 to 1997, he was a .288 hitter with 374 HRs, 1094 RBIs, 8 Gold Gloves, 417 SB and 3 MVP Awards.  By the numbers & by the eye test, Jr was the better ball player for those first 12 years.  The next 10 years, however for both players cannot be discounted even if you negate Performance Enhancing Drugs from Bonds.  While Barry clearly would not have attained 700 HRs, the unGodly Slugging percentages, batting statistics and additional MVP awards, you can't assume he would have broken down physically the way Griffey did.  Therefore for their overall careers, even if it pains me to admit it, Barry Bonds was the better ball player.  Griffey's physical breakdown was so apparent, you didn't even have to check his numbers to notice the decline.  The Kid who wowed fans across the world in Seattle was a shell of his old self in Cincinnati.  Guess what?  That's what happens when you get older.  Your physical skills decline naturally.

The Bottom Line is Barry Bonds took Performance Enhancing Drugs to go from being a top 30 All-Time player to a top 5 player. Aside from 1993, no one ever
viewed Barry Bonds as the best player in the game before the steroid years.  I still hear baseball analysts talk about Bonds as if those final 10 years of his career were legit.  Amazing how a lifetime .288 hitter can turn 35 years old, then in the next 5 seasons hit .306 with 49 HRs, .328 with 73 HRs, .370 with 46 HRs, .341 with 45 HRs and .362 with 45 HRs into his 40s.  Bonds enhanced his skills with illegal substances that'd make average Joe's like you and I into respectable athletes.  But when a great athlete like Bonds takes them, he goes from great to one of the greatest of all time.

Like I said before in a previous post http://uvmemory.blogspot.com/2013/01/gotta-love-kid.html if Griffey went dirty he'd have hit over 800 HRs, but Jr is not an ego maniac and he has integrity.  And ask anyone in Baseball who they'd rather have as a teammate, Barry Bonds or Ken Griffey Jr.  9 out of 10 if not %100 will say Jr. 

As far as I'm concerned Hank Aaron is still the All Time Home Run King and Roger Maris is still the single season leader.  Bonds' numbers are meaningless.  The Hall of Fame will document the 90s and 2000s accordingly and will put them in the proper historical perspective.  Roger Clemens & Barry Bonds should have paper plaques in the Hall of Fame, rather than bronze.

Switch

 

I carry mine in the city streets
like a glass bottle of coke.
The blade all slick with grease,
jeans impressed from a pack of smokes.
Sunday morning asleep in church
dreaming of a fifteen year old virgin,
I walk the aisles in a blind search
and the doors open to a sky urchin.
I'm a slave to the audio on my horse
strapped in a black boss suit,
as I ease beyond my plotted course
deserted echoes the sound mute.
One final test is beset the stairs
italian stiletto in my grip,
trembling inside this ravaged lair
my body fails and my lids dip.

People Person

Very often it's not what is said, but how we say it that either gets us what we want or gets us into trouble.  Communication is an art form.  It's a manipulation of the words we choose, to manipulate those we communicate with.  You can say what's on your mind, alienate people and piss them off, or, you can say what people want to hear, what makes them feel good and get closer to what you want.

 

On the surface it sounds dirty & uncouth, but it's really an exercise in courtesy.  A dance with the language.  The right words don't come easy.  If you talk, talk,
talk and never shut up, you probably say the first thing that pops in your head and we all know how that goes.  People skills are no more than the process of selecting the right words and gestures in the proper order.  And maybe throwing in a drink or meal.

It starts with our families, then our friends, our classmates, co-workers and so on.  Women are predominately the masters of this dance.  Not only do they have the upper hand with what's between their legs, but also with what's between their ears.  It's no secret women are better at communicating than men.  However I make it a point to break that stereotype:)  But only on the down-low.  A good poker player never tips his hand.  Women appreciate men who can articulate their thoughts and aren't afraid to show a little emotion.  Being a 'gentleman' is a conscious decision to say and do the right things.  Then again, they also get off on guys with a little attitude.  Show them respect, be nice and do what they say, then pull it back for a day and be a real dick.  Let her know you're being nice by choice, not because you're a pushover.  Once she realizes you're the one in control, she'll be on her knees when it counts.

No doubt choosing the right words takes some thought.  And even if the words aren't clever, just being nice is more often than not enough.  Non-verbal
communication, or what we see during interaction, is the most important part of conversing.  And it's not about being fake or manipulative.  People's true colors will show with time.  If someone is full of shit and just trying to use you, it becomes apparent eventually.  Intent is the hidden factor we all try to figure out when meeting a person.  Ask the right question and you'll sift right through the bs.  Interrogation is Fun-damental.

10 Tips & Techniques for Young Baseball Players

For the Absolute Best Results, Master 1 Step at a time.  Baseball is all about learning to get better as you play the game.  Take your time and you’ll get better as you play.  Learn the 10 Tips & Techniques and you will be a better baseball player + you will win more games.  Oh and don’t forget to always HUSTLE!!!

 

1 – Whether you need to get an Out or a Hit, always focus on 1 thing at a time.  Communicate with your Teammates.  Listen to your Coaches & if you don’t know the situation, ASK SOMEONE.  Ask a Coach or a Teammate how many Outs there are.  Ask what base to make the play.  And if you already know, SHOUT it out loud so everyone knows what to do.

 

2 – Relax & Breathe.  Studies show Hitters young & old forget to breathe when standing at home plate awaiting the pitch.  If you forget to breathe, you won’t see the ball as well + your body won’t react as fast.  Before each pitch, breathe in through your nose.  Oxygen is Power!!!

 

3 – Be Confident.  Visualize + Imagine yourself getting a hit.  Always try to stay positive & have fun.  Remember this is Baseball, not SchoolJ

 

4 – Now that your mind is right, let’s get your body insync or Synchronized.  That means working together.  I’m sure you’ve all been told by a coach or parent to “keep your eyes on the ball.”  You can’t hit what you can’t see.  The best way to keep your eyes on the ball is to keep your head still when you swing.  Just try swinging a bat without moving your head.  See how it feels. *The number 1 problem most hitters have is keeping their head & eyes on the baseball*

 

5 – Head & Hands.  The next crucial tip is meant to simplify what you need to do to make contact with the ball.  Hitting is all about controlling your head & your hands.  Keep your head still, eyes on the ball, then throw your hands at the ball.  Learning to Hit is a process that takes time.  Once you learn the necessary portions of the swing technique, you can begin to experiment to find what works for YOU.

 

6 – Next is what to do with your feet.  Your feet + your legs keep you balanced.  Just like with your head, if there is too much leg movement you are more likely to swing & miss.  A small stride or no stride makes for an easy swing.  Your hands will go back, your front foot steps forward at the pitcher, then your hands come forward swinging the bat.

 

7 – Playing Great Defense starts with your feet + your eyes.  When you’re on the field remember to stay ready + loose.  After a pitch is thrown, bounce around a little.  Take a few hops.  Keep your blood flowing & when the ball is hit your way, GO GET IT.

 

8 – Whether you play Infield or Outfield, always keep the baseball in front of you.  Use your body as well as your glove.  Youngsters have to learn to not be afraid of the baseball.  If the ball hits you, shake it off and say, “Thank you, may I have another.”  The idea is to think of the baseball as your friend.  Whenever you catch it, hit it, field it, toss it or pitch it, YOU are a part of the greatest game in the World.

 

9 – Throwing a baseball Accurately takes practice just like everything else.  The easiest way is to step straight towards your target & throw the ball.  Just like when batting, Relax, Stay Balanced, Step & Throw.

 

10 – Ground Balls + Fly Balls can be tough for anyone.  We want to make them simple by breaking down the Best Technique for fielding them.  You should field ground balls by getting your glove on the ground and in position to make the play.  Once again don’t be afraid.  Get in front of the ball.  For Fly balls the technique is simple; when the ball is hit, your first step should always be BACK.  It’s easy to run in for the ball, but GOING BACK takes practice.  Step back, judge where the ball is going, then run to that spot & make the CATCH!

 

When You’ve Mastered this list, YOU will be a better ball player & a great teammate.  Teammates should always try to help and encourage each other.  Some kids are better at baseball than other kids, but every kid can be a great teammate.  Cheer for your teammates & tell them when they do a good job.

 

Bonus Tip: When HITTING, relax & wait for the baseball.  Don’t be jumpy or nervous at the plate.  Be Aggressive.  The Pitcher wants to throw you a good pitch.  When you get it, HIT IT!!!

Follow the Puck

Let the game police itself.  Whenever you hear this statement, someone usually an athlete, is referring to the confrontational aspects within sports that lead
players to fend for themselves during the game.  It's an old school mentality with a contemporary wisdom, analogous to less government and more control by the people. 

Recently the NBA made some rule changes, pushing for less physical play & more Referee Control, making Flagrant Fouls more prevalent.  Rules & Regulations exist to protect the integrity of each respective game as well as for player's safety.  But every sport has a set of 'unwritten rules' which players adhere to, with respect for each other.  These unwritten rules or codes often allude to matters of respect, sportsmanship, player's health and ego's e.g., in baseball no bunting when up by 6 or more runs, not showing up the pitcher by
hot-dogging a HR, no chop-blocking in football or no stepping under a jump shooter in basketball so that he comes down and lands on your foot, twisting an ankle (Bruce Bowen!!!!).  

The circumstance most often discussed and debated occurs in Baseball; the pitcher hitting the batter, resulting in a bench-clearing brawl.  It happens by accident and it happens purposefully in retaliatory situations.  Either way the fans, cameras and tv screens across the world bare witness to a violent humanity usually seen in movies and MMA fights.  The baseball field, romantic and treasured in poetic anthems and historical context, becomes a mockery of men behaving like little boys.

Though fights occur semi-frequently in baseball (about 5-10 each season), and almost always result in player suspensions, through the years the act has become more frowned upon and discouraged.  Logic says eventually a baseball player will get hurt very seriously or killed, which will outlaw fighting completely.  The only other sport that encourages player policing so manifestly, quite obviously is Hockey.  Fighting in North Amercian Professional Hockey is legal.  Though players who engage in fights receive time in the 'penalty box,' they are only ejected in extreme cases when rules are violated or when multiple fights occur at once.  NHL rules permit one-on-one fighting, but fights involving mutliple participants were outlawed in the 1970s to make the game more mainstream.

Oftentimes the enactment of additional regulations, while popular for commercial value, can dilute the product on the field or court.  Fighting in the NHL is constantly scrutinized and always pointed out by critics as one of the main reasons for its limited popularity globally.

 

Protecting the athletes is important.  Preserving the games is important.  As we evolve as people, so do our activities.  NFL Football is in the process of evolution.  They have begun to realize the damage being done to their employees and the negative long-term effects of football.  Commercially, the NFL enacted rules to protect their QuarterBacks.  Now Morally & Ethically, they must enact rules & safeguards to protect the 21 other players on the field.

Baseball & Hockey are following suit, also examining the protection of their players.  Pitchers will be wearing caps with protective cushioning and hockey players won't be allowed to hit near the head's of their opponents. 

The games will be the same, but with subtle differences.  I hate the new NBA rules.  Flagrant fouls are now being called every time a player gets hit hard.  There's a common sense difference between a hard foul and a flagrant foul.  Why can't NBA Officials be granted the power to use their Eyes and their Experience to make these calls, rather than a Rule Book?  The NFL needs to protect QB's, but not to the point where any contact to their legs or heads draws a 15-yard penalty.  Once again, The Eye Test must be used to make these calls.  MLB Baseball is looking at their bats breaking and their pitchers being hit by the ball.  Players have been pierced from pieces of broken bats so a ban on the ones that break violently is necessary.  Pitchers wearing protective caps is very necessary.  And funnily enough, Historically, the barely surviving NHL is always the fastest sports organization to enact rule changes and improvements.  Forget waiting 10 years for a new collective bargaining agreement, the NHL and
Gary Bettman will pass a rule tomorrow to make the game better.  Hockey like Football is beginning to ban severe head contact, but Fighting will always be a necessary evil in the NHL.  It is the ultimate form of self-government in sports.  If you ban fighting in professional hockey, you might as well make the puck plastic and play the game on the street.  If you ban hard hits in football, you might as well put flags on their waist's.  If every time an NBA player gets hit in the head a flagrant foul is called, then you might as well jail Ron Artest and the entire Detroit Pistons team from the late 80s.

Sports teach us to evolve or die.  They teach us to work or fail.  Sports, like America, build character elite.  Don't destroy the games that cultivate the spirit of great men & women by putting diapers on the participants.... 

Pistol Pete 1972-73 Topps