The Historic Run Of The Kansas City Royals.

Eric Hosmer

 So the last time The Kansas City Royals made the playoffs was in 1985 when they won the World Series. The last time The Royals made the playoffs Jackson was still black, Michael Jordan was only in his second year in the NBA, Justin Bieber wasn’t even born yet and Run DMC was still famous. But in 2014 the Kansas City Royals were the surprise team of the regular season. With the help from many of the young players and veterans such as Eric Hosmer, Salvador Perez, Mike Moustakas, Jarrod Dyson, Lorenzo Cain and Alex Gordon. Great starting pitching from James Shields, Wade Davis, Jeremy Guthrie and Jason Vargas and closer Greg Holland who was dominant saving 46 of 48 save opportunities led the Royals to a 89 – 73 record.

The Royals ended up with the second wildcard spot. And they haven’t wasted any of their opportunities the Royals haven’t lost a single game yet in the postseason, sweeping arguably one of the best teams in baseball, going in as underdogs and leading the series against the Orioles 3-0.

I feel everybody thinks that this is like a Cinderella story because the Royals haven’t been to the playoffs in forever and now that they’re in, even though they’ve been underdogs in every series they’ve found a way to pull off all these gritty victories. Personally I would like to see The Royals make it all the way to the promise land, and who knows maybe even win it.  Now wouldn’t that be the perfect end to the Cinderella Season?   

Realistic Goals For The Raptors This Year

So the Raptors played won their first pre-season game in Vancouver against The Sacramento Kings 99-95.  Although it is only pre-season, it’s a good start to the season. 

I feel that the Raptors had a great season last year and that nobody expected them to do as well as they did.  But I feel that they can do better this year.  At least that is the expectation of the fans and critics.

Demar Derozan(left) Kyle Lowry (right)

The Raptors made some key additions to the team by obtaining former 6^th Man of the year award winner Lou Williams from the Hawks, ex-Raptor James Johnson from the Grizzlies, Greg Stiemsma from the New Orleans Pelicans and Jordan Hamilton from the Rockets.  We also drafted well this year by obtaining Bruno Caboclo and Deandre Daniels who can hopefully in a couple of years, help the Raptors in becoming a contender.   They are both a couple of years away from contributing to the team and the fans can’t expect too much from them right now.

The resigning of 3 key players such as starting point guard Kyle Lowry, fan favorite and back up point guard Greivis Vasquez and Patrick Patterson, are all key to the Raptors success last year. 

With all these signings and additions to the team, I feel the Raptors should be seeded at least  3^rd of 4^th in the Eastern Conference and should be able to make a push to the 2^nd round of this season’s playoffs (maybe even the third round). 

Go Raptors Go!!!!

#Wethenorth

Another Disappointing Year For The Jays

Toronto Blue Jays

I can’t help but being irritated and angry that the Jays are not in the playoffs again.  It has now been about 20 years since they have made it to the playoffs. 

The Jays in the last couple of years have put together a team that is good enough to win- talent wise.  I just think that what they are missing is the heart and passion in the players to win it!   I just hope that the younger guys that we have been seeing shed a new life to the Jays future.  As well, the Jays have drafted well and we could see that in the way the young players that have been called up lately.  The future at least looks bright for the Jays.

We have Marcus Stroman.  This year he has come in and exceeded expectations and has contributed to the Jays pitching staff.  He has provided great starting pitching and a welcome positive attitude.

Then we have Aaron Sanchez.  He has rocketed through the Minor league system and now that he is in the MLB, he hasn’t wasted a single opportunity to show his stuff.  He has been lights out since he has been called up.

I look forward to seeing the future of Mississauga’s own Dalton Pompey.  He looks impressive in his couple of weeks with the Jays.  I hope he continues to improve during the off-season.  Anthony Gose, Ryan Goins and Kevin Pillar all struggled last year but this year they have contributed and were a major part in the Jays success when they were in first place earlier in the season. 

I can’t wait to see how all the young players develop further and how they will contribute to the Jays success. Maybe with this fresh group of young players, there will be a better attitude in the dugout, which will result in better performances.  Hopefully next year, with all their top prospects along with a healthy line up, the Jays can finally make the playoffs. 

Can The Indiana Pacers Still Be Competitive Without Paul George and Lance Stephenson?

Indiana Pacers 

The NBA pre- season is coming up in a couple weeks, and besides being excited to see the Raptors play again after their great last season. I asked myself how are the Indiana Pacers going to stay competitive without their two most dynamic players?  Paul George and Lance Stephenson. George who broke his tibia and fibula during a scrimmage with his USA teammates for the World Cup, and is expected to be out for the upcoming season. Stephenson who decided to opt out of the final year of his contract and sign with the Charlotte Hornets for 3 years. Losing both guys will set Indiana Back for sure, because they brought so much offensively and defensively. Stephenson led the league in triple doubles and was a great playmaker and agitator on defense. Paul George started to come into his own last year as a rising superstar; he made the all-star team for the second year in a row. George handled most of the offensive load for the Pacers and was a big part of their highly ranked defense.

But the pacers can’t focus on all the bad things that happened this off-season for them. They still have a capable starting lineup and a couple players off the bench that can give them good minutes. All-Star Roy Hibbert is going to have to pick up the slack offensively now, with the departure of George and Stephenson. As Hibbert had one of his worst career years last year. Starting point guard George Hill and starting power forward David West will  also have to pick some of the slack along with Hibbert. Indiana also picked up two veterans to help them off the bench or come in to start if they need them. C.J miles the sharpshooting shooting guard/ small forward and Rodney Stuckey the slashing scrappy point guard/ shooting guard. These two additions could help the pacers pick up their offense, and if they can contribute on the defensive end that would help even more.  Its safe to say that this year should be an interesting one for the Pacers. This year the Eastern Conference is up for the taking.  

Michael Sam... Just let him play

An Anti-gay group will be protesting Michael Sam and the Dallas Cowboys in the name of “family values.”  They’re protesting the Dallas Cowboys season opener against the San Francisco 49ers after the team signed openly gay football star Michael Sam onto its practice squad.  Jack Burkman- conservative lobbyists “ feels that we can not just stand idly by as Christian values and morals are trampled.  Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has betrayed American values, Christian values and his own city’s values.”

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT JACK BURKMAN?

What exactly are family values? They are traditional and cultural values that pertain to the family’s beliefs, ideals, and attitudes.

The key word here is traditional. We are now in the 21^st century; therefore non-traditional families make up the majority of North American households. 

This protest demonstrates the opposite of what I was taught about Christian values. The protest teaches that being “different” is wrong and unacceptable and that it promotes hate towards anything or anyone that is “non-traditional”.

We should all be more focused on diversity, acceptance and equality!!!  I believe Christian values and morals are about love, respect and treating everyone equally.  Being Christian is NOT about protesting and promoting HATE.

In all this craziness, we are not focusing on how Michael Sam has worked so hard to get to this point.  All the hard work put in the gym and the gridiron during his high school/college years.  Also, having to go through the ups and downs of what college athletes go through to make it to the “Big Leagues” while feeling the pressure of hiding their sexuality and knowing that he will be scorned and ridiculed.  We should be celebrating his COURAGE.

Why don’t we just let him play and live his dream?  He deserves the same opportunity as any rookie that tried out for his NFL team.  This Sunday’s game vs. San Francisco should not be about Christian values and morals being “trampled”, it should be about Michael Sam trampling the 49er’s offense!!

Michael Sam with The St.Louis Rams