Akron Aeros Utility IF Kyle Haines: His Story On How He Got Back To The Minors.

The journey through Minor League Baseball is often described as ridding a roller coaster. Players move from roster to roster multiple times during the season. Those roster moves include trips from Rookie League to Class A and all the way to Class AAA in hopes of one day landing in the major leagues.

Some minor league players are fortunate to sign with a major league team in spring training, but those who are not so lucky, are sent back down to the farm or are released permanently from the franchise. That is exactly what happened to Akron Aeros Utility Infielder Kyle Haines.

Along his way back to the minors, Haines encountered many unexpected people and learned a great deal about the game that has helped shape him into the player he is today. I had a chance to talk with Haines about what steps he took to get back to the minors.

-Akron Aeros Utility IF Kyle Haines-

Akron Aeros (AA-CLE) First Basemen Beau Mills

Cleveland Indians 2007 1st round draft pick and current Akron Aeros 1B, Beau Mills is having a career season. After a slow start, Mills has come on strong and helping guide the Aeros to first place in the Eastern League. He is ranked first on the team in doubles, multi-hit games and is tied for first with 74 hits.

While coming up through the Tribe's farm system, Mills has made some big strides to hopefully one day land in Cleveland. I had a chance to talk to Beau about his season and is new approach at the plate.


Akron Aeros 1B: Beau Mills

Aeros Dump Mets 8-3

The Aeros continued its winning ways with an 8-3 win over the Binghampton Mets (AA-NY Mets) on Saturday. Matt McBride and Nick Weglarz both hit 3-run homers and Beau Mills added a two-run double. Weglarz's 3-run homerun gave him 12 on the year and 80 RBI which is first on the team.

------------------------R---H---E
Binghampton-----3---8---0
Akron--------------8---11--0

Advice For The Cleveland Indians Draftees

The Cleveland Indians recently drafted 50 new players from Major League Baseball's Amateur Draft. These new players have a long road before their dream of playing in the Majors comes true. I talked to some Akron Aeros (AA-Cle) on what these draftees should expect.

Akron's Stellar Pitching Helps Take Two From Portland This Past Weekend

The Aeros had a successful weekend taking two out of three games from the Portland Sea Dogs (AA-Boston). Pitchers Ryan Edell and Hector Rondon pitched great over the weekend and helped Akron top Portland.

Edell & Rondon's Combined Stats From This Weekend:
IP---R---H---K---BB
9----1----5---9----4

Saturday June 13, 2009

----------------R---H---E
Sea Dogs---1----7---0
Aeros--------5---11---0

Sunday June 14, 2009

----------------R----H---E
Sea Dogs---0----2----1
Aeros--------8----9----1

Left Fielder Matt McBride was activated from the disabled list prior to Saturday's game and came out on fire! He homered twice, including a grand slam in the first inning on Sunday, off of Portland's ace Junichi Tazawa.

Here's McBride's Stats From His Career Weekend:

AB---H----2B--RBI---HR---R---K---BB
8-----4-----2------6-----2------3----2----1

The Aeros improved its record to an Eastern League best 40-21 and is currently 3.5 games ahead of Reading in first place in the Southern Division.

*Stay tuned to Talkin' Sports With Sabol, as I will be posting exclusive interviews in the next week from Aeros players, including Beau Mills, Nick Weglarz, Jared Head and Kyle Haines.

Aeros Beat Harrisburg For Best Record In The Minors

The Aeros Beat the Senators 6-0 on Military night at Canal Park. Akron starter Jeanmar Gomez pitched a stellar game. He went 7 strong innings, struke out 5 and only gave up 3 hits as the Aeros shutout the Sens.

--------------------------------R H E
Harrisburg Senators----0 3 1
Akron Aeros --------------6 6 1

Cavs Season Ends With a Magic Disappointment

Now on the shelves of bookstores everywhere is the newest copy from the never ending series "Cleveland Sports Collapses." You have all read the the previous volumes, "The Drive", "The Shot", "The Fumble", "Mesa Blows Game 7 of 1997 World Series" and "The Collapse of the 2007 ALCS." But now add one more novel to the already best selling series titled "The Choke." Actually, call it whatever you want. The Cavs just like the teams above blew another chance of winning a championship.

This current novel should have never been written. This Cleveland Cavalier team was supposed to end the series and the so-called "Cleveland Curse" but they did not. So much promise. So much anticipation. So much expectation, but once again, we fell short.

Okay, enough of talk about our teams mishaps, lets talk about the game.

From the start of the second half back in game one, I had a bad feeling about the way this series was going to turn out. The Cavs had a 23 point lead, but it was dwindling away. The way the Cavs came out of halftime, playing lackadaisical, lethargic and flat, I knew something was not right. We know how the rest of the game went. The Cavs blew its lead and the Magic won...game one goes to Orlando. But from that moment on, the Magic stole the momentum and energy away form Cleveland and never gave it back.

The Cavs blew a 16 point lead in game two but still won, thanks to LeBron's clutch three at the buzzer. But still, the feeling in my stomach was not right.

Game three and four went to the Magic, Cavs stole game five, but game six was all Orlando. The fact that the Magic beat the Cavs by 13 was not what hurt the most. What hurt the most was Orlando continued to hit 3-pointers and no one could stop Dwight Howard.

Superman's 40 pts and 14 reb Help Guide Magic to 103-90 Win.

The Magic drained 12 3's and none of the Cavaliers low post players could stop Howard's 40 points and 14 rebounds. Zydrunas Illgauskas, Anderson Varejao and Ben Wallace looked like JV players playing against an NBA All-Star. They were over worked, looked sloppy, slow, weak and worst of all, did not play DEFENSE! The Cavs need to thank Dwight Howard because he just exposed the Cavs biggest weakness for next year: No Athletic Big Man.

Howard dominated Z in Game Six.

I have been watching basketball my whole life and I have never witnessed any team shoot the three like this Orlando team. The ball movement rotated around the arc almost every offensive set and with the Cavs struggling on the rotation, almost every time there was a Magic open for a three.

This was the ongoing theme throughout the entire Eastern Conference Finals. The Cavs looked foolish on defense guarding the perimeter and even trying to defend Howard on the low block. When that happens, Orlando will dominate you.

The Magic tied the NBA record for 62 3-pointers in a six-game series. It was not just one guy that kept hitting the 3's. Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis, Mickael Pietrus, Anthony Johnson, Rafer Alston and Courtney Lee all contributed. That is just plain ridiculous. Once again, we need to thank the Magic for showing us another weakness to work on for next season: No Quick/Shut-Down Perimeter Defender.

Mo shot a dismal 39% in the series compared to his 47% in regular seaosn.

Mo Williams did not show up this series, well, except game five, but still no Mo = Too Much LeBron. Delonte West struggled mightily, Andy and Z never got going either. One only bright spot besides LeBron's play was the reemergence of Boobie Gibson. He hit some big 3's down the stretch, but I am still not sure where he fits on this team.

James averaged 36.6 ppg this series and shot 51%.

LeBron James could only do so much. He willed the Cavs to victory in games two and five. After scoring at least 35 points in each game this series, James finished with just 22 points in game six and was held scoreless in the second quarter (just the 2nd time that happened this postseason).

You must give credit when credit is due. Orlando was the better team and played lights out. They outplayed and out coached the Cavs. Howard stepped up when his team needed him and so did Lewis. The old adage, You live be the three, you die by the three, has yet to be applied to this team. You would think sooner or later it will catch up to them and it still might, but unfortunately, it did not happen for the Cavs. The Magic deserves to go to the NBA Finals, now let us see what they do against the Lakers.

Orlando will make its second Finals appearance (1995 vs. Rockets)

The Cavs became the third team in NBA history to win 65 games and not make it to the Finals. This loss hurts, but in the end, the better team won. It was a historic season for the Cavs and everyone in Cleveland thought a championship was on its way, but once again we will just have to wait. Even though this was an amazing regular season, no one is really going to remember it. What they will remember is how the Cavaliers got over matched and choked their way out of the playoffs.

There will be changes in the off season, most notably what to do with free agents to be Wally Szczerbiak, Anderson Varejao and Joe Smith. Ben Wallace said after game six that he is contemplating retirement, which in all reality would not be a bad thing. After all, Big Ben is 34 and is not the player he use to be.

Cavs General Manager Danny Ferry and the rest of the Cavalier front office has a lot of work to do. The questions remains who will he sign or trade to help his team next year? Let the countdown began to 2010 when LeBron is a free agent and can choose whether or not to leave Cleveland. Ferry might have won the Sporting News Executive of the Year, but now the pressure truly begins to defend his award and find the missing pieces for this team.

Akron Aeros (AA-CLE) Third Basemen Jared Goedert

After a season down in Kingston, NC (A), Akron Aeros (AA) third basemen Jared Goedert made his Aeros debut on May 8. Goedert, who has been in the DL all season with a oblique injury, went 2-3, including, a single, double, strikeout and drove in a pair of RBI in his season debut.

I had a chance to talk to Goedert about his debut and what he can bring to the Akron Aeros this season.

-Akron Aeros 3B Jared Goedert-

Akron Aeros Beat Altoona Cure 4-3

The video below is the highlights from the Akron Aeros (AA-CLE) vs. Altoona Curve (AA-PIT) game from April 25. I am late posting this video due to technical problems, but be sure to stay tuned to Talkin' Sports With Sabol, as I will be providing you more Aeros highlights and stories throughout the season. All games/stories I post are all filmed and edited by me.


I will also be posting a couple stories in next couple of weeks about a specific high school athlete in the Akron area as well as a recap of his team's season. Stay Tuned!!


In this game, Aeros pitcher Chuck Lofgren tossed six no-hit inings and stuck out 7, as the Aeros beat Altoona 4-3. At the conclusion of the highlight, I interviewed Lofgren and talked with about his career day.


------------------------R H E
Altoona Curve-----3 4 1
Akron Aeros ------4 7 0

LeBron wins NBA MVP and Cavs Take Game 1 vs ATL

It was not a surprise to see LeBron James win the 2008-09 NBA Most Valuable Player award. After all, he did lead the Cavs to the best record (66-16), the best home record (39-2) in the NBA and the top seed in the playoffs. He is the league's second youngest player to win the award at 24 years and 106 days (Moses Malone-24 years, 16 days in 1978-79).

The best part of LeBron winning the MVP is where he accepted the award. His Alma mater, St. Vincent-St. Mary High School...where the world first got its glimpses of the King when he was in high school .

In the gym where James helped his school win three state titles, stood his 14 Cavalier teammates to lend their support.

Even though James did not win the league's scoring title he did finish second in the league in scoring (28.4 ppg) and set personal highs in starting 81 games, field-goal (49) and free-throw percentages as well as blocks (93). He became the second player to post five straight seasons with at least 27 points, six rebounds and six assists.

-"I'm 24 years old and I'm receiving this award, I never thought it would happen this fast. I never dreamed about being MVP, but if I said I didn't enjoy this award I'd be lying. Hard work pays off and dreams do come true."- LeBron James On Winning MVP

James' dominance in the regular season followed him in the first round of the playoffs. Nearly averaging a triple double -- 32 points, 11.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and 7.5 assists -- as the Cavs swept Detroit.

The dominance continued in game one of the semifinals vs. Atlanta. The Cavs blew out the Hawks 99-72. James added 34 points, 10 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists in 34 minutes. The Hawks kept it close trailing by five at the half, but the Cavs and LeBron took off in the second half. James' supporting cast came up big. Mo Williams and Delonte West combined for 35 points and 5-10 from the 3-point line. The Cavs shot 47% and only turned the ball over seven times compared the Atlanta's 17.

The Cavs had a eight day lay off prior to game one. Many people felt the lay off would hurt the Cavs by throwing off the team chemistry or rhythm, but there was no sign of that.

"It was unbelievable how sharp we were. We just picked up where we left off."- LeBron James

It is safe to say the MVP and the rest of the Cavaliers are focused for game two and the rest of this series. In the last five playoff games, no one has come within single digits of the Cavs and if they keep up this pace, it will be a smooth ride to the Finals.

But you know LeBron and company are not thinking that far.

~Sabol

Indians Score 22 Runs At 'New' Yankee Stadium & Split Series

After 85 years of calling Yankee Stadium home, the New York Yankees moved next door to the $1.5 billion "New" Yankee Stadium. Last Thursday, the Cleveland Indians came to town for opening day and spoiled the historic afternoon with a 10-2 win. Game two of the four game series went to the Yankees, winning 6-5 thanks to five solo home runs for New York.

Game three on Saturday was a different story. It was beautiful day in the Bronx, but the way this game finished, was anything but beautiful for Yankees.



Trailing 2-0 in the top of the second inning, the Cleveland Indians' offense exploded! The Tribe scored 14 runs--the biggest inning ever against the New York Yankees. Shin-Soo Choo started the historic inning off with a three-run homer off Yankee starter Chien-Ming Wang. Asdrubal Camera followed with an RBI single, Mark DeRosa added a two-run double and Victor Martinez finished Wang's afternoon with an RBI single.


--------Wang's Box Score

IP---H---R--ER---BB---K---ERA
1.1---8---8---8----0-----1---34.50

Wang's replacement, Anthony Claggett, who was making his major league debut, did not fair any better.


Claggett gave up a two-run double to Jhonny Peralta, a grand slam to Asdrubal Cabrera and a solo home run by Grady Sizemore all in the second inning.

--------Claggett's Box Score
IP---H---R--ER---BB---K---ERA
1.2---9---8---8----2-----2---43.20

Wang and Claggett combined to throw 69 pitches in that half inning that lasted 37 minutes.

The Indians continued its assault with eight more runs, including three home runs by Martinez, DeRosa and Travis Hafner in a 22-4 spanking of the Yankees.

This is not the first time the Indians have scored 20 or more runs vs. the Yankees. In the more than 100 years history of both franchises, the Cleveland Indians have the highest single-game run totals vs. the Yankees.

7/29/1928--24 Runs
7/19/1987--22 Runs
8/31/2004--22 Runs (Most Runs Ever at "Old" Yankee Stadium)
4/18/2009--22 Runs

-In the 4 Game Weekend Series, Cleveland Out Scored New York 40-19.


The 22 runs tied a Yankees record for most runs allowed in one game. Cleveland banged out 13 hits in the second inning which marked a franchise record for hits by a Yankee opponent in one inning.


What the Cleveland Indians did to New York in the second inning will likely never happen again. Considering the Yankees have been around for more than 100 years and this is the first time this has happened, the Yankees will be do for another 14 run inning in the year 2115!

I obviously was not alive back in 1928 and I was too young to remember the 1987 game, but i do remember in 2004 when Cleveland dumped 22 runs on New York the most ever at "Old" Yankee Stadium. Last weeks offensive explosion to me means a whole lot more than the other ones because this was the first ever series at the new stadium and the Indians spoiled the weekend.

The Tribe have handed the Yankees its worst defeats in franchise history and as a Indians fan, that makes me smile.


~Sabol

North Carolina Rolls Past Michigan State To Win National Championship

Apparently it pays to stay in school. Just ask North Carolina Tar Heel Tyler Hansborough, Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington and Danny Green who withdrew their names from the NBA Draft last summer, to come back to school to win a national championship. That is exactly what they did Monday night. North Carolina blew out Michigan State 89-72.

Carolina dominated Michigan State from the start. In fact, Michigan State only lead of the game was 3-2 and it lasted for 19 seconds. After four minutes that Tar Heels led by 10 and then by 15 nearly 10 minutes later. The Tar Heels jumped quickly on the Spartans and never looked back.

It was a balanced attack by Lawson, Hansborough, Green, Ed Davis, Deon Thompson, and the games' Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, Wayne Ellington, proved to be too much for the younger Spartans team.

-----------Tar Heels' Balanced Scoring-

-----------------Lawson: 21 Pts
-----------------Ellington: 19 pts
-----------------Hansborough: 18 Pts
-----------------Davis: 11 Pts
-----------------Thompson: 9 Pts
-----------------Green: 6 Pts

----------"You've got six NBA players that could be drafted in the first round or early second. You're looking at a team that could probably beat the worst team in the NBA." -Michigan State Guard Travis Walton

---------------

Carolina played Michigan State back in December in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge and crushed the Spartans by 35 points. Back in December, the Spartans were without its star center Goran Suton and were coming off playing three games in six days. Playing at Ford Field in Detroit, just 92 miles away from campus at East Lansing, seemed to give the Spartans a home court advantage. With a total of 72, 922 in attendance (the largest crowd ever to attend a NCAA Final Four), and mostly Spartan fans, Michigan State was looking in the driver seat to pullout a upset.

So Monday night was supposed to be a different game...right? WRONG!

Adding a healthy Suton, a couple days of rest and the "home court advantage" had ingredients for different game. But the skill, athleticism, talent, coaching, and team chemistry of the Tar Heels proved to me too much for Spartans.

The Spartans never got a in groove on the offensive end. Michigan State guards, Kalin Lucas and Durrrell Summers struggled shooting a combined 8-24 from the field. Goran Suton was the only Spartan that could get into a rhythm, shooting 7-10 from the field and a team high 17 points. They did not fair well from beyond the arc either. MSU shot a dismal 7-23 from 3-point range.

But shooting was not the only problem. The Spartans turned the ball over 21 times, including 15 turnovers from its starting five, resulting into 25 points for Carolina. You can thank Carolina's Ty Lawson for eight of those 21 turnovers, as he set a record for eight steals in a championship game.

This game was being played at the site where the NFL's worst team the Detroit Lions play. By the way the Spartans played, it looked like they stole some plays out of the Lions' playbook.

-------------------
---------"When you play North Carolina, there's nothing you can do. Lawson says it all. He does stir the drink." -Michigan State Head Coach Tom Izzo

You cannot take too much away from the Spartans though. After all, no one including me, picked them to make it the Final Four, let alone beat UConn to get to the title game. They did everything right in the UConn game, surprising me and most of the country. Suton and the rest of the MSU defense dominated UConn's star center Hasheem Thabeet. That was something I did not think they could do. I was wrong to pick them against them in that game, but prior to Carolina game, I knew the Spartans would not pull out a victory.

------------------------------
North Carolina just had too much fire power in the end. Their dominating defense, great perimeter shootings and unstoppable inside game proved to be the difference. This team had no weakness and was the total package. They were focused, unselfish and were relentless to win.

Look at how dominate this team was:



------------------"Heel" of a Season


--------*Carolina won all of its NCAA tournament games in double digits --first time that's happened since Duke in 2001.
--------*Average margin of victory was 20.2 points --largest since Kentucky in 1996.
--------*Second largest tournament point differential by a champion +121. (Kentucky +129 in 1996)
--------*UNC led 55-43 at halftime, which set the marks for the most points scored in a first half and the biggest halftime lead in tournament history.
--------*Ty Lawson equaled a Final Four record with 10 steals (2 vs. Villanova & 8 vs. MSU), set championship game record 8 steals and became just the fifth player since 1997 to total 100 points, 30 rebounds and 20 assists in a single tournament.

--------------
--------*Tyler Hansborough set NCAA record for Free Throws made: 907
--------*Hansborough also set ACC record for most career points: 2,789
--------*North Carolina Fifth National Championship-second since 2005.

----------------
--------*Roy Williams in the last seven years: 3 Final Four Appearances and 2 National Titles (Tied with legendary UNC coach Dean Smith with two).



This championship journey for North Carolina started last spring right after Carolina got embarrassed against Kansas, losing 84-66 in the semifinal game of the Final Four. That loss left a sour taste in the mouth of Ty Lawson, Danny Green, Wayne Ellington and Tyler Hansborough. That taste was so bad, those kids held off jumping to the NBA and put the draft on hold for one more year. It is not to often these days you see college athletes leave an NBA contract worth millions of guaranteed money.

-------------"Sounds Like I made a pretty good decision. Nothing beats this feeling right here." -North Carolina Center Tyler Hansborough

I can guarantee, kids who watched this game and heard this, now know the lessons of staying an extra year in college. It not only provides you more education, but shows if you set a goal and work hard enough, it will be accomplished. Just ask those players.

-------------------

North Carolina had a magical and historical season that everyone will remember. This is arguably one of the best college basketball teams ever assembled. There will never be another team like this. Putting the historical stats, numbers and highlights to the side, the biggest story from this team is what those four players did. They are the definition of team. They stuck together and led this team to success and maturity. They went against the norm to better themselves as basketball players and as young men.

They are leaders. They are role models. They are an inspiration.

~Sabol

Final Four Begins Tonight!

I think it is safe to say that everyone's bracket is in complete disarray thanks to the Elite Eight surprise departure of Pittsburgh and Louisville. In all my brackets I did not have Villanova or Michigan State in the Final Four, but I did have Connecticut and North Carolina. UConn and Carolina are keeping my bracket alive and if they both loose tonight, then I am done! I have Carolina beating UConn in the championship game on Monday night by six points (73-67).

Enough of my bracket, lets quickly brake down these games tonight.

--------
2. Michigan State -----vs. ---1. Connecticut

The Spartans are a tough team and even though they do not have the star power like the Huskies, they are very versatile. It is not often you see a 6-10ft center hit 19 foot jumpers from the perimeter and rebound eight a game, but that is what Goran Suton does for Michigan State. That could cause a match up problem for the Huskies and Hasheem Thabeet. Thabeet is 7-3 and does not move much out of the paint. If the Spartans can get Thabeet out of the paint with Suton on a consistent basis, then will cause trouble for UConn.

-----------------------------
---------------------------------------Goran Suton

The Huskies guard play of A.J. Price will be the difference in this game. He played great in the Elite Eight game against Missouri and is on fire in this tournament. His counter part, Kalin Lucas does not have the skill nor the experience to play in big games as Price does. Lucas is talented but not nearly as good as Price and will be too much for the Spartans to overcome, especially in the fast break. The Huskies thrive in the fast break with Thabeet dominating the boards and Price or Kemba Walker starting in transition. Michigan State should not be able to stop the quick and athletic Huskies.

-----------------------------

--------------------------------------A.J. Price

In the end, I am picking UConn over Michigan State. Even though Suton can possibly take Thabeet out of the paint, I think the Uconn defense will make the Spartans run which they do not like. They have only scored 12 points in the Regionals and like to play it slow. UConn will take advantage of that and will come out with a win.

----

3. Villanova----- vs -------1. North Carolina

Villanova is the highest ranked team in the Final Four with a three seed and it is safe to say they are the biggest surprise to be in the Final Four. The Wildcats would not be here if it was not for Scottie Reynold's lay-up at the buzzer to defeat Pittsburgh. Reynolds showed Pittsburgh and the rest of the country, what he is made of. He is athletic and talented, but matching-up against North Carolina is a little different...well actually, it is A LOT different.

--------------------------

------------------------------------Scottie Reynolds

Carolina's point guard Ty Lawson is the best in the country. No argument. The Tar Heels were a different team with him out of the lineup for parts of the season with his injured toe. Now healthy, Lawson is back and full strength and will be too much for Reynolds to guard. Lawson is just to quick off the dribble and can create his own shots in a blink of an eye. Not to mention he is a play maker and distributes the ball the best in the country.

North Carolina is loaded with future NBA players including Ty Lawson. There is just way too much talent on this team for them to loose against Nova. Tyler Hansborough, Ed Davis, Danny Green, Wayne Ellington, and Deon Thompson are all names you will see in the NBA soon. All these guys contribute in different ways and will prove to be too much for Villanova. Too much inside game, perimeter shooting, defense, and ball control will bring the Tar Heels over the Wildcats.

So here is your national title game: 1. Connecticut vs. 1. North Carolina

Before the season started I picked North Carolina to win in all this year and like I said before I have them winning it my bracket as well. This game will be close, but in my opinion, too much team chemistry with the Tar Heels. They will overcome Hasheem Thabeet's big presence inside and A.J. Price's scoring threat to win.

-------------------------
------------------------------Hasheem Thabeet

Thabeet will probably dominate Tyler Hansbourgh, but Ed Davis at 6-10 and Tyler Zeller at 7-0 will help out in the paint. Both Hansborough and Davis are very physical and could irritate Thabeet. Even though Thabeet normally owns the boards, I feel the Tar Heels do enough to win.

---------------------------

------------------------------------Tyler Hansborough

Besides the Hansborough/Thabeet match up, the one other match up that will be interesting will be A.J. Price vs. Ty Lawson. Like I said before, UConn loves to run in the fast break, but Lawson plays great defense and could cause trouble for Price in transition. The Tar Heels key is to its transition defense. That means both Lawson, Bobby Frasor and Danny Green Both will have to step up. Price and Lawson are very athletic and quick, but Lawson even with coming off an injured toe, is still much better than Price.

------------------------

-----------------------------------Ty Lawson

With that said, I am sticking with my preseason pick with North Carolina winning the National Championship. They are just the best all around team and has way too much fire power. The Tar Heels lost last year in the Final Four to Kansas, but this year will be different. Tyler Hansborough, Ty Lawson, and Danny Green almost jumped last year to the NBA Draft, but all decided to come back for a chance to win a national title. It will turn out to be a good decision as North Carolina will hoist another banner in the rafters of the Dean Dome back at Chapel Hill.

I will check back here on Tuesday with my reactions to the title game...hopefully my predictions and brackets are correct!

Enjoy the games!

~Sabol

Cavs Clinch Division Title For The First Time In 33 Years.

------------------------------------------------------------------cavs.com
For the first time since the 1975-76 season, the Cleveland Cavaliers have clinched the Central Division title. With the 126-123 win over the Sacramento Kings, the Cavs are the only team to clinch the division this early in the season (March 13, 2009). The Chicago Bulls held the previous mark by clinching the division on March 19, 1992.

"It's been 33 years, way before I was born. We put up a banner, that's Central Division champs. That's something we can be very proud of."

------------------------------LeBron James

The last time the Cavaliers clinched the division, the division consisted of teams that are no longer in the current division (Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, Washington Bullets & New Orleans Jazz). That season and era of Cavalier basketball was known as "The Miracle of Richfield."


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------cavs.com
During that magical season, the Cavs not only clinched the division but had one of the greatest playoff series' in franchise history. It was also the first year in team history they went to the playoffs. The Cavs, led by Austin Carr, Bobby "Bingo" Smith, Nate Thurmond, Campy Russel, and Jim Chones, entered game seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Washington Bullets.
------------------------------------------------------cavs.com
The previous season, the 60-win Bullets were shocked during in the NBA Finals, getting swept by the Golden State Warriors. Hall of Famers Wes Unseld and Elvin Hayes had nothing but revenge on their mind throughout the whole season.

Unfortunately for the Bullets, Cavalier guard Dick Snyder provided another shocking moment for Washington, leaving the Bullets stunned. Watch the video below to find how he did it.

April 29, 1976 -Washington Bullets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers At The Richfield Coliseum-


----youtube.com

Joe Tait's (Play-By-Play Announcer) voice during this play is riveting. It gives me chills every time I watch it and I can only imagine what he will sound like if the Cavs win an NBA Championship.

Sadly, the Cavs would then lose in the Eastern Conference Finals in six games to the Boston Celtics. However, the memories from the era known as The Miracle of Richfield, will always live on in the hearts of Cavaliers fans everywhere.

~Sabol

Welcome Home, Ken Griffey Jr.

--------------------------------------------------slam.canoe.ca
I may have only been four-years old when Ken Griffey Jr. broke into Major League Baseball back in 1989, but growing up in the '90s there was no player I wanted to be more like, than Griffey. His sweet, beautiful, and effortless swing, was imitated on sandlots across the country. Even though my team growing up was and still is the Cleveland Indians, I still followed Griffey and the Seattle Mariners.

---------------------------------------------daylife.com
During the summer mornings, I would turn on Sportcenter, and could not wait to see the Mariners highlights. I always knew there was a chance I would see a highlight or a top ten play from Griffey. I did not matter if the highlight was a titanic home run in the upper deck of the King Dome, or a diving catch in center field, or even watching him climbing the outfield wall to rob a home run, every kid including me, wanted to be Ken Griffey Jr.


Junior Dominated The 1990s:

-10 All-Star Selections
-10 Gold Glove Awards
-7 Silver Slugger Awards
-3 Home Rum Derby Champion
-1 All-Star MVP (1992)
-1 MVP (1997)
-Avg: 38 HR & 109 RBI
------------------------------------------------mouthpiecesports.com
Most Home Runs in the 1990s:

1. Mark McGwire--- 405
2. Ken Griffey Jr.--- 382 (Current HR Total: 661, 5th All-Time)
3. Barry Bonds------ 361
4. Albert Belle------- 351
5. Juan Gonzalez---- 339
6. Sammy Sosa------ 332
7. Rafael Palmeiro----- 328
8. Jose Canseco------ 302

From studying the home runs stats above, there is one big fact that jumps out. Look who Griffey is accompanied with. All of those seven other players on that list, have been linked or some how involved in Major League Baseball's steroid investigation. All of those players, except Griffey, have always been speculated for using steroids or Performance Enhancing Drugs. Griffey accomplished so much in the 1990s without the use of steroids and still ranks high on that list with the alleged and confirmed steroid users.
---------------------------------------------screamingmouthpieces.blogspot.com
After the 1999 season, Griffey asked for a trade to his dad's former team, the Cincinnati Reds, to be closer to his relatives. Little did he know, that trade would be a bad career move for Junior. His time with the Reds was riddled with injuries and his production dropped.

2000: 145 Games, 40 HR, 118 RBI
2001: 111 Games, 22 HR, 65 RBI
2002: 70 Games, 8 HR, 23 RBI
2003: 53 Games, 13 HR, 26 RBI
2004: 83 Games, 20 HR, 60 RBI
2005: 128 Games, 35 HR, 92 RBI
2006: 109 Games, 27 HR, 72 RBI
2007: 144 Games, 30 HR, 93 RBI
*2008: 102 Games, 15 HR, 53 RBI*

------Missed An Average Of 60 Games A Season- ---------------------------------------------cbc.ca
*In mid 2008, Griffey was traded to the Chicago White Sox. At the conclusion of '08 season, the White Sox declined to pick up Griffey's $4 million option, making him a free agent. Reports around the league this past month, indicated Griffey would sign with the Atlanta Braves to be closer to his family in Orlando, FL. However, after talks with Hall of Famers Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and his daughter, Griffey chose to go back to Seattle, where is career began 20 years ago.

------------ -"Dad, I really think you should go back to the Mariners and not have any regrets about how you finished." -Taryn Griffey, 13-year-old daughter of Ken Griffey Jr.
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That is all what dad needed to hear. Griffey and the Mariners agreed on a one-year contract worth $2 million plus incentives.

This move by the Seattle Mariners is clearly a nostalgia move. Junior is 39 and he is not the player he use to be. His numbers have dropped, his bat speed is slower, has since moved to left field because of his lack of quickness, and you will probably see him batting as the DH in some games.

-----------------------------------------Elaine Thompson/AP/nbcsports.com
Signing Griffey is smart for the organization. They bring back a hero and will boost attendance. Normally, adding a 39-year-old outfielder means the team is not getting better, but this move gives something back to the fans and for the city of Seattle.

It brings back the excitement that was once there. It gives the younger fans a chance to watch a future Hall of Famer. In a city where many things have gone wrong since Junior left in 2000. The Mariners haven not been to the playoffs since 2001, they are coming off its second worst season in franchise history (61-101, 39 games back of first place in division), Starbucks closed 600 stores, laid off 1,000 jobs, Microsoft lost 62 percent of its value, Boeing moved its headquarters to Chicago, the city's NFL team (Seattle Seahawks) lost Super Bowl XL to Pittsburgh and have never been the same. Seattle even lost its NBA team (Supersonics) this past year. The owner could not get a new arena, so he moved the team to Oklahoma City and renamed the team the Thunder.

Bringing Ken Griffey Jr. back is a bigger move for the the fans and city than is it to the team. Griffey is the result, of a man who did not cheat, while in the steroid era. He was clean and did things the right way. He may not be the player he once was, but I hope, when I can wake in mornings this summer, I can turn on Sportscenter and hope to see a highlight of one the game's all time best, just as I did a decade ago.

~Sabol


Highlights Of Griffey's First Stint With Seattle:
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200902193847956

2009 NBA All-Star Weekend Recap

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With All-Star weekend now over, I cannot help but try to compare this past weekends festivities to others in the past. Ever since I was six-years old, I can remember watching the NBA All-Star Weekend in the family room with my dad. Out of the three major sports, I instantly fell in love with the NBA and especially the Cleveland Cavaliers. Much my of my obsession with the NBA and the Cavs had to do with my childhood idol and former Cavalier, Mark Price.

Growing up, I modeled my game after Price, always trying to shoot 25 foot jumpers in the driveway and during my Saturday morning rec games. It definitely helped we both lived in the same city considering, he played 11 miles away at the Richfield Coliseum. My fondness memories as child watching professional sports occurred at the Coliseum. I was nine-years old when the Coliseum closed and I can still remember what the home court looked like, how the seating decks were arranged, and even what advertising was on the JuboTron!

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Okay, enough of me reminiscing of the old Richfield Coliseum and back to the point of this blog post. The first event I will compare actually had to do with Mark Price so lets get it started!

The 3-Point Shootout: 2009 vs 1993

This year Miami Heat and former Ohio State Buckeye, Daequan Cook won this event. Cook beat out Orlando Magic Rashard Lewis and former two-time champ Jason Kapono. Nothing really exciting in this year's event, except former two-time champion Jason Kapono got knocked out in the final round. A bunch of no names in this year's contest, so it really was not a draw as it was in the past. In my opinion, one of the weaker 3-point contests I have watched.

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In 1993, Mark Price knocked out former three-time champion Craig Hodges in the semifinal round and then went on to beat Terry Porter by one bucket in the finals. Price dominated Hodges and the rest of the field until the final round when the competition got a little tighter. Price finished with a final round of 18 and Porter finished with 17, giving Price his first 3-Point Shootout trophy.

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Price won his second title in 1994, beating Dana Barros 24-13. Even though Price scored at the time, a contest high of 24 buckets (Jason Kapono 25-2008) , I picked the '93 event because he beat out a three-time champion.

-Winner: 1993

The Slam Dunk Contest: 2009 vs. 2000

In this year's contest, Nate Robinson beat former champion Dwight Howard. Robinson, who is 5 ft 9 in, jumped over Howard (6ft 11 in), in the final round sealing the victory.

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Now, that may sound impressive, but if you look above, Robinson pushed off Howard's head with his left hand, making Howard bend forward. By doing that, Robinson cut nearly five inches off the jump, resulting in him not fully clearing Howard. The other players in contest did not have any other dunks that stood out.

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The 2000 Slam Dunk Contest was the best contest of all. Vince Carter blew the competition away on all of his dunks. Some of his dunks included, a reverse 360 windmill, honey dip (dunking the ball along with his whole arm, shown above), and a between-the-legs dunk off of a bounced alley-oop. If it was not for one of the judges, Kenny Smith, Carter would have gotten a perfect 50 on all dunks, but instead, Smith gave him a nine resulting in a 49 in one of the rounds. The ending score did not matter, as Carter beat the field and brought relevance back to the Slam Dunk Contest.

-Winner: 2000

Rookie vs Sophomore Game: 2009 vs. 2008

This year, Thunder forward Kevin Durant exploded for a record 46 points and game MVP, as the Sophomores won 122-116. Durant dominating this game. No one was even close of achieving Durant's performance. This game was a lot closer and much more competitive than the 2008 game.

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Last year's game, featured Cavalier forward Daniel Gibson raining 11, 3-pointers and finishing with 33 points. He led his team to 136-109 win over the Rookies and also received the MVP. This game was a blow out from the start. If you compare the box score (below) of each player, Durant had the better game.

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---------------------Durant---- vs.----- Gibson

Pts:-------------------46------------------33

FGM/A:--------------17/25-------------11/20

3PM/A:---------------4/8---------------11/20

Reb:-------------------7-------------------4

Ast:-------------------4-------------------2

Stl:--------------------2-------------------2

-Winner: 2009

All Star Game: 2009 vs. 2003

This year's game, featured a Co-MVP trophy to Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal. Kobe finished with 27 points and Shaq added 17. Do not be fooled by the Co-MVP choices. In my opinion, Kobe was the MVP. He played better than anyone on the floor, especially Shaq. Shaq did have 17 points, but you know the NBA jumped at the idea of giving both players MVP, considering their rocky relationship.

------------------------------------news.yahoo.com

Putting the MVP talk aside, this game was really boring. You did not have any amazing dunks throughout the game, until the last minute when everyone gave up playing defense. You had a few nice shots hear and there, but normally for an All-Star Game, they are more common. Plus, this game was a blowout. The only time it was competitive was the first quarter. The West took control and destroyed the East 146-119. A very average All-Star Game to watch in my opinion.

The 2003 game featured Michael Jordan's final All-Star Game. Not only was this game much closer, the hype of Jordan's final All-Star Game was the big story. This historic game did not start out well for Jordan. He missed eight of his first 10 shots, but would recover. The game went back in fourth and went into overtime.

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With 4.8 seconds left in the first overtime, Jordan nailed a jumper over Shawn Marion (above) to give the East a one-point lead. It would have been the game winner, but Kobe Bryant hit a free throw sending the game to a second OT. In the second OT, Kevin Garnett added seven points and gave the West the lead. They never looked back. KG finished with 37 points and was name All-Star MVP.----------------------------------------------nba.com

The 2003 game was the first All-Star Game to go to two overtimes. It gave us another Michael Jordan shot to put on his career highlight reel and also showed Jordan, at 40-years old, could still play.

-Winner: 2003

Every All-Star Weekend will not be like the one in 2003, nor will it be like the one this year. But it does not matter how competitive or exciting the game is, because any child watching the Slam Dunk Contest or the game itself, will always have a memory from it. That matters, because it happened to me when I was six-years old and I can guarantee you, it happened this year.

~Sabol