The Youth of Baseball

MLB's youngest player; Bryce Harper.

Las Vegas born man, Bryce Harper, is a very popular name all accross the US today. If you haven't heard about him you will sooner than later. One of the Washington Nationals young new talents. Bryce is only 19 years old, and he is starting for a professional baseball team who currently has the best record in the league! It would be and understatement to say that Bryce isn't a key component of this team.

The Nationals are the perfect fit for Harper, like him the Nationals are the newest, youngest thing the MLB, being that they are the most recent team added to the MLB. They both have made a big splash in the eyes of the fans of the league, as well as players, coaches, announcers, and professional analyzers of the game.

Since Harper is only 19 he had to start his college career at an earlier age just to eligible for the draft of he graduation year. So during his sophmore year Harper earned his GED at his high school in 2009. So for the college year of 2010 Harper was able to play. I remind you that at this point in time Bryce is only a 17-year old kid playing with these college players. The choice of Bryce to play earlier in the

conference he played in really played as an advantage in his career since they used wood bats like the MLB.

Harper did amazingly well in the Conference hitting 31 homeruns, 99 rbi' and had a .443 batting average. These stats may have gave Harper a "big head", as some would say. Harper got ejected twice in the 66 games he played in. Which caused a suspension and lead to the defeat of Harper's team and the end of his amateur carrer.

Even with these minor problems it didn't hurt Harper at all he was drafter number one overall in the MLB draft by the Nationals, who converted Harper from his primary position (catcher) to outfield to prolong his career and allow him to develope more as a player. To most Harper is considered one of the most coveted propsects in Major League Baseball History.

Harper played in both single A and Double A in 2011, and in 2012 made his major league debut. And he became the youngest position player to be selected to the All-Star game this year. Ever since his debut Harper has been playing for the Nationals.

Great expectations are set for this young man and I'm sure he's looking to meet and surpass those expectations, he will be THE ONE to watch in the upcoming years. 430

 

What actually happened at Homecoming

As requested by Ms.A I will give me readers a follow up to the restrictions on homecoming that I posted a few weeks ago. In that post there were many examples of what kind of dancing wasn’t allowed and what kind of things have been seen in previous years at the dances.

This year as a whole was different from any others. There were rules handed out early in advance to notify the students as to what was and wasn’t allowed on the dance floor. My personal experience at the dance was different than others, but I witnessed some things that were shocking.

When I first arrived to the dance, which was around 8:30,people were freaking out because many couples had been kicked out for grinding at all even in a clean sense. From what my friends said you had to dance facing each other but yet couldn’t “front grind.” The students weren’t happy at all with what was going on so most of them just continued to grind facing the same way with the girls butt in the guy’s crotch. They stopped kicking people out once the principle was notified of what was happening, and the dance went on just fine.

The music was good, the lights were trippy, and it was fun had by all.  (217)

Tripple threat

Miguel Cabrera has officially won the Triple Crown Award for the Detroit Tigers. This is the first time someone has won it in the last 45 years. He became only the 15th player EVER to win it. He joined a very elite group of players such as Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams and Lou Gehrig. This truly is an accomplishment greater than any other in professional baseball in my opinion.

Winning the Triple Crown award in professional baseball by far is the hardest award to win. You cannot only hit for average but you also need the power to go along with it. In order to win the Triple Crown you need to be the leader in three categories of hitting. You must lead your division in batting average, home runs, and RBI’s (Runs Batted In). Cabrera topped the AL (American League) with a .330 batting average, 44 home runs and 139 RBIs. Which leading the league in any of those categories is a great feat but leading in all three is almost unheard of.

Of course there are other awards for individuals that are really great awards such as the Cy Young award for best pitcher in the league for both American League and National League, Rookie of the Year award which goes to the best rookie player in both the American League and the National League, and the MVP for the Most Valuable Player in both the American League and the Nation League.

Of course baseball is a team sport but being recognized as one of the best players in professional baseball is something to be extremely proud of. Winning your division in the National League or American League is something not easily done either though, and typically the teams that have the best records in baseball have the best players in baseball. Miguel is no exception to this. The Detroit Tigers won their division and its safe to say that without Miguel that they most likely wouldn’t have. He is a player like no other. Which makes me think that along with winning the Triple Crown he will have another trophy to go along with that which would be the American League MVP. But he has some stiff competition, he did win the Triple Crown though so I’d say give him that MVP he deserves it.After the final game of the season this is what he had to say about winning the Triple Crown; “It’s an unbelievable feeling, I can’t describe

The feeling right now.” It really couldn’t have gone to a better guy either. Jim Leyland (Detroit Tigers head coach) said “I would say without question he’s enjoyed it. How could you not enjoy what he’s done if you’re a baseball player?”. He is such a class act that he said he was more worried about the team winning than him winning the Triple Crown. Well I think he was partially telling the truth but I mean come on, how could you not be worried about winning an award that hasn’t been seen in over 45 years!? Regardless it’s a great story.

Its great to see someone finally win this award in my lifetime (even though it hasn’t been long), it’s great to watch him and should be fun to watch him in the post season. (550)

Cardinals fall to the Nationals

The Washington Nationals skidded by with the win against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round of the nation division league series. Since the series is best three out of five that means that the Nationals only have to pull away with two more wins to move onto the next component in their journey to winning the world series.

The cardinals had home field advantage in this first run with the Nationals, giving the Cardinals one more shot to have all their fans be present to give them more moral. After the second game they travel up to Washington for a range of one to three games depending on who keeps winning the games.

In the top of the second inning the Nationals game through with the first run scored in the game, this gave the cardinals the drive to start scoring and getting points in the books. They came back in the bottom of the second inning and scored two runs. These runs gave them the lead and the crowd gave them a much needed energy boost of sorts. It gave them hope that they could possibly win this game if they had strong defense and held them at their one messily run.

Wainwright was the starting pitcher for the Cardinals; he proved to everyone that he has a nasty curve ball that tricked almost everyone. Only Suzuki, the catcher for the Nationals, was able to get a solid base hit off of one of the sneaky curve balls.  Wainwright got over 10 strike outs and did very well at moving the ball around the plate. Over all the umpire behind the plate wasn’t calling anything high or inside but was definitely favoring the lower outside pitches.

After the 7^th inning Wainwright was pulled out, he was letting too many players get on base and barely closing the innings with no runs. Motte stepped in for him and shut out the 7^th inning with runners on first and third. The next inning was not as promising for the Cardinals as Motte gave up a walk right away and throwing vanilla pitches right down the middle. The Nationals were making solid contact with the ball and sending it to the gaps. Just as some would have guessed, Motte get two runs come in, giving the Nationals a 3-2 lead in the top of the 8^th. 

With the Cardinals down and up to bat the energy in the entire stadium, even in the dugout was depleted. No one was cheering they were sulking about the fact that the other team is ahead and its crunch time. These guys are professionals, they are supposed to perform under great pressure and make miracles happen. With a strike out and a pop up it was Hollidays turn up to bat with two outs taken, he did nothing. That inning was shut out and the cardinals were supposed to get their shit together right here right now, but no, that didn’t happen.

The cardinals had one more opportunity to do something but their bats basically shut down after the 6^th inning or so. They needed a spark in the lineup but the best hitter on the team, Craig was not near up to bat. The game ended in a strike out and the Nationals took the first game in the series from them. Hopefully they can put this game behind them and bring out the reigning champs that are within.(576)

Penn State

Over the past year or so Penn State has been hit without a lot of media attention. This is because of the a former coach Jerry Sandusky who has been convicted of on 45 of 48 counts of molesting 10 fifteen year old boys within a 15 year period. Penn State over the years has been a well respected school and an athletically strong school especially in football. Sandusky has put a very very very poor image upon the Penn State program due to his actions. Its sad that because of this man the boys who now currently play for and will play for Penn State will not be able to play in any bowl games.

Joe Paterno, Penn States former Head Coach, was one of the most winningest coaches in NCAA division 1 football. But since Joe Pa new about what Sandusky had done he lost almost all of his credentials he earned over his many years coaching for the program. Joe was one of the most respected coaches in all of sports and I would say is a house hold name in america. Its hard to say that I have lost respect for Joe Paterno just because of the decision one man made, it was wrong though on Joe’s part to not let authorities know of what was going on with the child sex abuse done by Sandusky.

After learning about Sandusky’s charges being brought upon him, Joe decided that the 2011-2012 would be his final season as the head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions. But before the season ended Penn State decided they didn’t want him to coach for them anymore and fired him, and replaced him with the defensive coordinator as an inter head coach for the Lions. Since the firing of coach Paterno the Nittany Lions have replaced him with the new head coach Bill O’Brien. O’Brien was the offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots.

The players of Penn State were allowed to leave the football program since they aren’t bowl eligible for four years without penalty. O’brien is looking to have a new start for the Penn State University and is looking to move the University in a positive direction for the future.

Let’s wish Penn State the best of luck in the future and let’s get past all the things one man decided to do. Turn it around Penn State we all believe in you. (405)

 

Yunel's slip up

Taking more of an in depth approach this week on a specific event rather than a broad over view I will be discussing the bad choice of Yunel Escobar. On Tuesday night September 18th Toronto Blue Jay short stop Yunel Escobar was suspended for three games because of a gay slur he wrote on his eye black.

On ESPN Yunel addressed the media on his eye black. Here is where you can see him respond to the eye black.

He spoke to the people saying that “It was not something I intended to be offensive. It was something I just put on the sticker on my face as a joke. There was nothing intentional directed at anyone in particular.” Well why that may be true that it was not directed at in one in particular it was directed to a group of people much larger than an individual. I think he knew what he was saying by putting that slur on his eye black and he could figure out the possible consequences that may be intertwined in writing such a thing.

He knew what he wrote and as an adult and a role model to kids he should know better than to write such a thing. Yunel said “It is a word with no meaning.” Wrong! The word does have a meaning and its offensive to a great amount of people. I just think Yunel knew he had made a mistake and he is afraid to just come out and admit to his wrong doing.

I’m be no means saying that he is against homosexuals because i don’t personally think he is I just think he made the wrong choice. Yunel has written things on his eye black before but nothing before that has been offensive to anyone. It is out of character for Yunel to do this and he has said that he will do not such thing like this again in his future.

He is a part of Major League Baseball (MLB) and with that he displays an image of what it’s like to act and plays like a professional to everyone who inspires to be where he is. Major League Baseball is not by any means in support of what he wrote they are totally accepted of their fan base and I’m sure appreciate everyone who has a love for the game.

Blue Jays Pitch Carlos Villanueva said “I know he’s extremely embarrassed, we’re extremely embarrassed for him, we know it’s not an easy thing. I know he doesn’t want to deal with it, but he has to. He has to step up, especially how things are nowadays. You just have to watch what you say, or what you express out there.” I don’t think you could some it up any better than that. Yunel now knows what he has to do to make things right and I’m sure he will.

I’m sure he is a changed person and a better person and I don’t expect to see anything like this from him again. (507)

Public vs. Parochial School Systems

In Cedar Rapids there are two main kinds of school systems, the public schools and the parochial schools. The dominant and most popular system is public. There are two main differences between the two: the cost and in parochial schools you are taught about a certain type of religion.

 I personally went to one of the in town private schools called Trinity Lutheran. When you attend private schools they tend to be a lot smaller in size and have a more one on one experience with the teachers. This usually results in a better learning environment for the students to excel in. In my case there were a constant number of around 18-20 people on my class with small amounts of people coming and going each school year. There were only about 9 students that had attended Trinity from kindergarten all the way to 8th grade.

 There are always pros and cons to each type of system. In the Lutheran schools there are smaller classes sizes, which means you are stuck with the same people all day every day for 9 years. That usually results in people getting into every ones business and knowing everything about each other. On the more positive side you become more of a family and are protected from the bad stuff happening in the outside world that isn't allowed to come out. The public school has different views when it comes to the educational system. All the students switch from period to period every 50 minutes and are with different teachers every time. A pro that comes from this is that they to get up and move around to pump the juices through them, so they aren't just sitting in the same seat for hours on end. If they stay put their butts might fall asleep and may find it hard to keep their focus. The students may find it hard to remember what classes they go to and could get lost in the bigger schools. Another pro that comes from public schools is that you aren't limited to a number of friends that you can choose from. You make some through sports and you meet a new set of kids in each class that can carry you through the day. A con in the public schools is that you can't talk about Christ and different religious aspects. I'm pretty sure you get into trouble if you start talking about religion or teach about it in the public classroom.

 A big issue that I kind of somewhat stupid is that the cost is so different from public to private schools. Why should it cost thousands of dollars for kids to be allowed to learn about the Bible? This criterion makes the students who attend the private schools known as the "rich" people.  We don't want to be known as that as it gives us a negative connotation (*miss A* I just used a diction word!).

 My overall experience in a private school was good, there were some ups and downs but that's part of life. I'm glad I attended Kennedy; it opened my eyes to what real life is like and had prepared me for college better than any other school. (537)