UFC 157 Preview and Predictions

It's finally here. The first female fight in UFC history will go down tonight. Ronda Rousey vs. Liz Carmouche is going to not only be a historic fight because of their gender, but this fight has the chance to do for the UFC what Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar did back in 2005.

The viewership won't be as high as the Griffin/Bonnar fight was, but the potential implications are just as high if not higher. MMA is dominated by men and the audience is almost 100% male. Rousey and Carmouche are breaking down a barrier and could lead the UFC into a whole new demographic. Like Jemele Hill said on Around The Horn, she's not a UFC fan, but she is ordering this fight because of the main event. That has to be music to Dana White's ears.

Alright, enough off that, prediction time. I can't stand Josh Koscheck as a person, but he is a damn good fighter. I think he outclasses Robbie Lawler quite easily. Court McGee vs. Josh Neer should be an interesting fight. McGee has dropped down to 170lbs. which is probably a better fighting weight for him. As much as I like Neer, I think McGee imposes his will and gets the victory.

Urijah Faber vs. Ivan Menjivar has the potential to be great or a total snoozer. I really like Faber and can see him dominating this fight start to finish. Hopefully he gets an early submission and moves on. Admittedly I don't know much about Menjivar, but I know how good Faver can be and when he's on his game he's tough to beat. Machida vs. Henderson is the fight I'm most interested in on this card. Machida's whole career has been based around not getting hit. But he's slowed down quite a bit over the last few years. While Hendo is old now, at least by MMA standards at 42, he's still got cinder blocks for hands. I'll take Hendo by knockout.

Like I said earlier, the main event has all the potential in the world to break down doors for the UFC. However, I don't see this fight going past the first round. Rousey has won all of her professional fights by armbar in the first round. She's much more experienced with all the hype, the big stage, and MMA in general. That's not to say Carmouche can't win this fight. All it takes is one punch, and she can definitely punch. I just think Rousey's judo background is too much for Carmouche to overcome.

So there are my thoughts, what do you think? Do you agree with my picks? Are you interested in the title fight?

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Brains Over Braun

Alright Ryan Braun, now what? You've already tested positive for performance enhancing drugs, though the results were dismissed and you were exonerated based on a technicality. Now your name has shown up on two documents that seem to implicate other PED users. You've had excuses for the first two instances, what's it going to be this time?

As stated above, Braun's positive test was dismissed based on the handling of the sample he gave. What stands out to me though, and always will, was that when he addressed the situation publicly, he said, "People are going to have different opinions. Most of them don't know the real story. It's tough sometime to base your opinion or formulate a decision when you don't know what happened. Overall, everybody has been real supportive." So what is the real story? Why has he only told his teammates what really happened? After doing a fair amount of digging, I was still unable to find the real story. What doesn't make sense to me is the supposed gray area here. He either took PEDs or he didn't. 

Earlier this year, Braun's name popped up on a document created by Anthony Bosch, who founded the Biogenesis of America clinic. Among the names on that list were known PED users such as Alex Rodriguez and Melky Cabrera. Braun's explanation for his name being on that document was that he consulted with Bosch during his eventual successful appeal. Possible explanation? Sure. Heck, that's even probable. It seems a bit odd, but whatever. It's plausible enough to be accepted.

Today, it has been reported that Braun's name is on yet another document, along with A-Rod, Cabrera, and Francisco Cervelli, that seems to suggest he still owes Bosch money. The original document with his name said that he had already paid for whatever he got from Bosch, be it consultation/advice or whatever, but this one doesn't. This one shows the player's names, the amount owed, and a plus sign that is either circled or not. According to sources, the circles were for when payment was made. Braun's plus sign is not circled. The ESPN post about this, (which can be found here) says that the list "was a list of players who received PEDs, and that there is no other reason to be on that paper." I'm not the smartest man in the world, by any stretch, but even I can connect the dots. 

How many times does Braun have to be connected with PEDs before we just accept the fact that he used them? He can't say he never tested positive, because he did. Three times now he's been connected to the use of performance enhancing drugs. Twice he's wriggled his way away from the connections. Does he have another trick up his sleeve, or is this the connection that will ultimately be his downfall?

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Super Bowl Picks And Predictions

I've put this off long enough, it's time to make my Super Bowl predictions. I've looked at all the "experts" picks, all the stats I can find, and talked to my friends. I'm picking the San Francisco 49ers to beat the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

This boiled down to one thing really. The Ravens have trouble stopping the run. They haven't played a team in the playoffs that has an above average ground game. San Francisco clearly has an above average rushing attack. Everyone keeps talking about how Kaepernick can't throw from the pocket, so all the Ravens have to do is contain him. Did anyone watch the 49ers beat the Falcons? There was only one play called that was a designed QB run. Kaepernick threw for 233 yards. That's not a ton, but the thing about the SF offense is they are versatile. In that game against Atlanta, Kap threw for a TD, Gore rushed for two, and LaMichael James rushed for two. Oh, and that TD that Kap threw was to Vernon Davis. So now in addition to having Crabtree and Moss, Kap has finally found Davis. This isn't an offense that can be stopped by playing one scheme. You have to be ready for anything and everything.

Now I'm not saying the Ravens defense isn't good. Lewis, Suggs, and Reed are all great. But I don't think they're fast enough to keep up with the SF offense. They stack the box to stop Gore, Kap either uses his legs or hits one of his 3 more than capable receivers. I just don't think the Ravens have seen anything like the 49ers offense. In fact, the two games they played against "running" quarterbacks, I prefer the term mobile but whatever, they lost. In week 2 they lost to the Eagles, giving up 371 yards in the air to Michael Vick. They contained him on the ground, but didn't do squat down the field. Yes that game was ages ago, but it's important. Also, they lost to the Redskins. This was in week 14, so much more recent. RGIII hit them for 242 yards in the air and 34 yards on the ground. Clearly they were more prepared for a mobile quarterback. Problem is, they gave up 129 yards on the ground to Alfred Morris, a rookie. That 'Skins offense is fairly similar to San Fran's. Baltimore had trouble against Washington, I have no reason to believe they won't have trouble against San Francisco.

If I was a gambling man, which I am 100%, my money is/will be on San Francisco. I like San Fran at -3.5 and I definitely like the over at 47.5, in fact I'd probably take the over if it was 51 or lower. My final score prediction is 34-24 and my MVP pick is of course Kaepernick.

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Hall of Fame Voters Toss A Shutout

The results everyone expected were confirmed Wednesday, no one has been elected to the baseball Hall of Fame this year. This was one of, if not the most controversial ballots in MLB history. Names like Clemens and Bonds appeared for the first time. Also making their inaugural appearance were Mike Piazza and Craig Biggio. But after the votes were counted, no one received enough votes to be enshrined in Cooperstown this year.

Like I said, coming into today it seemed as though this was going to be the outcome. Personally, I don't like it. I don't see how Biggio, who led all vote-getters with 68.2%, and Piazza, 57.8%, didn't get elected. Yes, I know they will eventually get in, but it only gets muddier from here. Guys like Frank Thomas, Tom Glavine, and Greg Maddux will be eligible next year. They're sure to get take some votes away from Biggio and Piazza. That's not to mention guys like Jack Morris, who will be nearing the end of their time on the ballot.

The surprising result, to me at least, was the lack of a disparity between the amount of votes Clemens and Bonds got. Clemens got 37.6% and Bonds got 36.2% of votes. Even if you add their percentages together, they're still not eligible. For me, Bonds should never be enshrined, but I'd vote for Clemens.  Clemens never tested positive, and has never been convicted in anything related to performance enhancing drugs. The same can't be said for Bonds. I know that may be a thin line to some, but it's enough for me. That also means McGwire, Sosa, Palmeiro, and when the time comes A-Rod would not get my vote. I simply don't think people who cheat should be honored with baseball's most prestigious individual honor.

I realize there are cheaters already in Cooperstown. The use of uppers, aka greenies, was rampant throughout baseball for decades. Sadly, there is nothing that can be done about that now. But electing more cheaters just because there are already people who cheated doesn't make it right. Like the old cliche says, two wrongs don't make a right. This isn't to suggest guys like Bonds weren't great. He was great. Perhaps one of the greatest hitters I'll ever see play the game. He put the bat on the ball amazingly well, and no amount of performance-enhancing drugs helped that. But I firmly believe his power numbers would've been nowhere near as high without PEDs, and that says to me he wouldn't have won as many awards.  The sad part in my mind is that Bonds would've been a Hall of Famer without using PEDs. There's no debate that he had an incredible amount of talent.

It is completely understandable why people think Bonds should be in the Hall of Fame. I'm not saying my way of thinking is right, it's just my opinion. I can argue for Bonds just as easily as I can argue against him. I do have one radical idea that will never happen. Cooperstown creates a wing that is just for cheaters. Members of the 1919 White Sox would be in there. Pete Rose would finally have a home. All of the steroid guys could go in. The selection process would be the same, but don't give them the induction ceremony. No speeches, no celebrations, just a plaque/bust/exhibit commemorating their achievements in the game and explaining why they are in this special wing of the Hall. Never going to happen, but I sure wouldn't be against something like this.

My ballot, if I had one, would've been-Biggio, Bagwell, Piazza, Clemens, Murphy, Morris, Schilling, and Edgar Martinez. If you filled out a ballot, who would you have voted for?

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A Tribute To Frank Pastore

Frank Pastore pitched 8 seasons in the Major Leagues. His best season was in 1980 when he won 13 games and posted a 3.27 ERA. For his career he won 48 games, lost 58, and his ERA was 4.29. By no means will his name ever grace Cooperstown, but his life was much more than baseball. 

He passed away Tuesday after a motorcycle accident in November left him in a coma.  I didn't see anything on Twitter, or Yahoo, or any major news website. I saw the story on the OC Register website, and immediately knew I'd be talking to my mom about it. She listened to his radio show for the past I don't know how many years, and frequently talked to me about him. I knew she would be upset about his passing, and she asked me to write a blog about him. Unfortunately I don't know much about the man, and I told her that if she wanted to write something, I'd be more than happy to post it. Here are her words. 

"I lost a friend yesterday. I didn't really know him, but I felt like I did. Frank Pastore died yesterday. After a month in a coma following a motorcycle accident, Frank succumbed to his injuries. I don't remember him as a baseball player, although he pitched for the Cincinatti Reds from 1979-1985, then for the Minnesota Twins in 1986. A line drive off the bat of Steve Sax at Dodger Stadium in 1984 shattered his pitching elbow and was the beginning of the end of his baseball career. Some of his teammates invited him to a BBQ after the elbow incident and asked him to stay for a Bible study. As a self proclaimed atheist, he voiced his criticism of Christianity and was challenged to read some books and critique the conclusions. After studying the books, he was unable to do so and knew his life was changed forever. He became the host of the Frank Pastore show in 2004 on KKLA-FM. That's when he became my friend. I learned of his baseball past by listening to his radio show. I learned about his path to Christianity from listening to his show. I grew to respect and admire him by listening to his show. He was open, honest and confident in his beliefs. He wanted the best for everyone, whether you agreed with him or not. This world needs more people like him. I already miss him."

Whether or not you're religious doesn't matter. We all make connections to people we've never met. For my mom, she had a connection with Frank Pastore.  This is why sports are so important to me. He had an effect on her life, just like John Wooden had an effect on mine. I remember exactly where I was the moment I heard Coach had died. I was at work and had to go in the back because I literally had tears running down my face. Even as I'm writing this it's hard not to get emotional. I never met Coach Wooden, but what I know about his life inspires me.  If it weren't for basketball, I'd probably never know about him.  Pastore is the same way. My mom learned from him on his show, a show he got in one way or another because he was a baseball player. There's a line from a song that comes to mind when I think about this that says, you'll always be here with me even when you're gone. I know I'll never forget about Coach Wooden and one day I'll tell my kids about him. Just like I know my mom will tell them about Frank Pastore.

It's Not That Easy

So Bob Costas and Jason Whitlock think handguns shouldn't be legal. During halftime of Sunday night's Cowboys/Eagles game, Costas quoted part of Whitlock's column concerning the tragedy caused by Jovan Belcher. ''In the coming days, Jovan Belcher's actions and their possible connection to football will be analyzed. Who knows? But here, wrote Jason Whitlock, is what I believe. If Jovan Belcher didn't possess a gun, he and Kasandra Perkins would both be alive today," Costas said while quoting Whitlock. This is incredibly irresponsible and inappropriate. 

First off, why is Costas on a soapbox during halftime of an NFL game? This isn't a news or opinion broadcast, this is a sports broadcast. He is certainly entitled to his opinion, but it was neither the time or the place for him to express it. One of the websites I contribute to has started a discussion forum about this very topic and already someone has brought up a great point; what about Chris Benoit? If you're unfamiliar, Benoit was a very popular professional wrestler who killed his wife, his son (age 7 at the time) and himself, all without the use of a firearm. So to say that Perkins and Belcher would be alive if he didn't have a gun is just wrong. He can't know that. You can't know that. I can't know that. Is it possible they'd both be alive? Absolutely it is. But it's just as possible that they would both still be gone.

I'm not going to hide the fact that I'm pro-gun. I'm a firearms enthusiast, but at the same time I can see the other side of the issue. I know guns are dangerous. They're not toys, they are tools. For that reason, I fully believe that anyone who is legally allowed to own a firearm should be able to if they so choose. It's a cliché, but if you outlaw guns, only outlaws will have guns. People who commit crimes don't care about the law, so outlawing guns won't stop them from owning, carrying, and using them. I'm not saying everyone should be armed to the teeth, but blaming guns isn't the answer. If guns commit crimes, then they also do a lot of good. Guns took out Bin Laden, not the heroes of Seal Team Six. You and I both know that's incorrect. A gun is a useless chunk of metal until it's in someone's hands.

Blaming the legality and availability of firearms isn't right. But it's not right to say that firearms had nothing to do with this either. Clearly Jovan Belcher was an irresponsible gun owner. I am curious as to whether or not he did legally purchase the gun he used, and if had it registered or a permit for it. That's not to suggest Belcher wouldn't have got his hands on a gun otherwise, or that if he didn't have a gun this horrible tragedy would still have happened. But to blame the gun, and not the man, as Costas and Whitlock did just isn't right. I feel bad for Perkins' friends and family, and I do for Belcher's. I feel the worst for the 3-month old baby who will grow up without either parent because of this. But placing the blame on an inanimate object? It's not that easy. There is far more to this horrific event than a gun. It's sad that NBC would allow Costas to make such a point.

I know everyone isn't going to agree with me on this. I realize there are people who are anti-gun, and that's fine. You're entitled to your opinion just as I am mine. If you'd like to discuss this further, I encourage you to comment. But if you're going to do so with a closed mind, save us both the time.

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The Big Mac In LA

Rumors are swirling all over the internet right now that the Dodgers and Mark McGwire are on the verge of a deal for him to become the hitting coach in LA. As you probably know, he's held the position in St. Louis for the past three seasons.

Nearly two months ago the Dodgers relieved Dave Hansen of his duties as hitting coach, and he has since moved on to the same position in Seattle. The Cardinals extended offers to all of their coaches, except their bullpen coach, but all of their contracts expired on October 31st. One report says McGwire has informed the Cardinals that he is going to accept the LA job, but there hasn't been anything from an official source.

My first reaction to this is that it's a great move. He's a proven hitter who worked well over the past few years with a lineup very similar to the Dodgers. I think Kemp and Ethier would benefit greatly from him, as would Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez. The Dodgers bats struggled mightily this year at times, and it became evident that Hansen had no answers. Yes this will bring even more attention on a franchise that is expected to not only contend for a division title, but is clearly aiming for a World Series ring NOW. The huge mid-season trade with Boston made it evident that the Dodgers new ownership group wants to win right away. They're not interested in a 5-year plan, at least not on the surface.

McGwire has long said that his family is very important to him, and since he lives in Orange County with his wife and 5 children, a move to a West Coast team makes sense. Stay tuned, I'll be sure to update this as soon as news becomes official.

UPDATE-The Dodgers have officially announced Mark McGwire as their new hitting coach. Not sure what took so long, but it doesn't matter. He's in LA and should definitely be an upgrade over Dave Hansen.

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