'Tis the Season of Anticipation

My goodness it has taken me an awfully long time to post. For that matter, it took me forever to log in. I had flat out forgotten my password. It took awhile to reset.
The NFL had a lock out. I know, I barely remember it either. The sports world had it's eye glued, waiting to see how the most profitable sports entity in America could implode. But it didn't. The suspense of the lockout, the rush of the shortened off-season all seems like a distant memory. It was all just dramatic build up to the season, which is, in turn, just build up for the Super Bowl.
It also seems hard to believe that we have missed several weeks of the NBA season already. The less-rushed-than-the-NFL-but-more-rushed-than-normal NBA off-season has provided many great story lines. Where will Dwight Howard be traded? Will he be traded? Why didn't the league allow Chris Paul to be a Laker? CP3 is now, instead, a Clipper. Do the Celtics have enough left in the tank and on the bench? Can the Heat live up to the hype? Does Tyson Chandler give the Knicks the piece they were missing? Do the Bulls return as hot as they were last year?
What does any of it matter? In three months, we will all forget how CP3 was nearly Kobe's Robin, dare we say the Lebron to Kobe's Wade. We will barely remember that Odom was supposed to be a Rocket, not a Maverick. And every time we see him, we will inevitable link him to the disastrous fiasco that ruled the headlines: the failed wedding between Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries.
Soon, we will be talking about how Lebron and Wade need to learn to play better without the ball. Or how the Bulls look like they are the class of the conference. Or how the old geezers in San Antonio and Boston just find ways to win. Many people will no longer think of players as clutch or not. They will be ranked on a scale of LeBrick to Tebow. All will seem right in the world of the NBA once they start playing games on Christmas day. But for now, all we have is talk.
And speaking of talk, there was little to no talk about Pujols going to L.A. until he did. And there is little to no talk of Fielder going anywhere officially. Texas could be good. Miami would like him. The Cubs...blah, blah, blah. No real inclination that a move is near. Same with Ryan Madson. Same with Carlos Beltran. Madson was a terrific closer for the season-long favorite Phillies. Maybe the second best closer available behind Papelbon. Beltran was the "it" piece at the trade deadline. Now he's the "oh by the way, this guy's also available" free agent.
It's all build up. Or lack thereof. And when in 5 years, fans all over the country will ask one another "where did Pujols start his career" when it pops up as a trivia question during the game. We will all forget the hype of Pujols and Wilson signing on the same day. Or the Marlins nabbing Bell, Buehrle, and Reyes. It's inevitable. The build up will exceed the event.
It's kind of like the season. Christmas in specific. I speak from experience when I say that people begin thinking of the Christmas season well in advance. Parents plan ahead, putting money aside for the many gifts they plan to bestow upon their children. Children make lists of gifts they want. Santa makes lists of children who have been naughty or nice.Then there are the lists of who to buy for and send cards to.
Then there's the gift selection process. There are those you absolutely know what you will get. Then there are the cousins, friends, in-laws for whom you know something personalized would be best to at least make it look like you have an interest in them. But of course, you haven't really paid attention (thanks world of sports) and all you know is that they have a blue ball cap and drive a pick-up. Gift card it is. And for those who you know, but don't know what to get. That's the gift-getting fun. You plan and scheme and shop for hours. You may not spend a cent through 15 stores and 6 hours of shopping (other than food, of course). But you are gathering ideas. Then you see it. It's the greatest present you've ever bought, until next year, and you cannot wait to see the look whomever's face when they open it.
And don't count out the anticipation. What will I get. I hope it's a puppy. I want a new car. Maybe a diamond necklace. Did he get me a Snuggie? Will someone give me that new Duran Duran album? How many packages will I get? I know what that's like not because I am greedy at Christmas (quite the opposite, in fact). Gifts don't matter so much to me as does the giving. I have several presents this year that I cannot wait for people to open.
I know this because I am a sports fan. I want many things for my teams in the off-season (see my list of desires from my last post). I would have loved to see CP3 in a Celtic uniform, even if it meant giving up Rondo whom I love. I want my teams to get better. I analyze the rosters head to toe and imagine how well we'll do, how many wins we'll get, how easily we'll make it look when we win the championship. I do this for all of my teams (except maybe the Miami Dolphins, whom I hope good things for but expect about what I get).
And then someone opens the present and as much as I loved the antique, homemade collectible edition figurine of my mother's childhood hero, she adores the purse my sister gave her made of duct tape and juice boxes. And no matter how much you want that new car or new album, by this time next year, the album is old, forgotten, long-since added to the Zune or iPod and discarded because it takes up space. And for the build up and suspense that went into it the memory fades twice as fast.
And I wouldn't have it any other way. Was this article worth the delay? Probably not. But if I didn't have something to look forward to while there was nothing better to be done, than I might just go crazy, or eat, or just plain be bored. I'd rather analyze figures and statistics and depth charts and free agent trackers and rumor mills. Maybe the build up is more provoking and memorable than the event, but I wouldn't trade it for King Felix, a draft pick, and a player to be named.

(New) Homes for the Holidays

December is just around the corner and by "just around the corner" I mean three days away. That means the winter meetings in Major League Baseball are not that far behind. This usually means an increase in player signings and trades. Every fan has her wish list for her favorite team. And this year, there are a number of big names that could be on the move just in time for the Christmas season. And I am no different.

Here is what I would like to see:

1.  

1. David Ortiz rejoins the Boston Red Sox.
2. The Red Sox still await compensation from the Cubs. Theo Epstein was big on Adrian Gonzalez. Why not package a deal together and send Matt Garza and some prospects to Boston for A-Gon? Chicago would get a long-term, productive first baseman and Boston would get a desperately needed starting pitcher.
3. With A-Gon all gone, Boston would need a replacement first baseman. In steps free agent Prince Fielder. With the lesser contract of Garza, the Red Sox would have money to spend. A five-year deal would make a little more sense, with options for years six and seven.
4. With no closer, the Red Sox would also sign Ryan Madson. Madson immediately jumps into the closer role or could take over the set-up role while Bard inherits his throne.
5. With Scutaro already re-signed and Lowrie injury-prone, the Red Sox should look to sure up the position. The sexy pick would be Jose Reyes. Reyes would demand a big contract, something new GM Ben Cherington seemingly wants to avoid, especially if he ships A-Gon to Chi-town and forks over the money for Fielder. But one area of a player that Boston’s computers can’t measure is character. With Reyes and Fielder joining Papi, Ellsbury, and The Laser Show, that Red Sox clubhouse just might police themselves.
6. But just in case they don’t, expect John Farrell to keep the reins tight as I would expect to see him as the new Red Sox skipper as Daisuke Matsusaka waives his no-trade clause to hide in the less-media hectic confines of Toronto.
7. The Red Sox would then fill out the rotation with a low-risk, high-reward contract, perhaps to someone like Edwin Jackson, Aaron Harang or Rich Harden.
8. With no alternative, the Phillies re-sign Jimmy Rollins.
9. After hearing offers from several clubs, Mark Buehrle narrows it down to either Chicago or Miami. Does he stay where he’s been successful or join former manger Ozzie Guillen with the re-vamped Marlins? When its white sandy beaches vs. fond memories, Buehrle opts to take his talents to South Beach.
10. With millions of dollars offered at every corner, Pujols may be the most sought-after free agent in the history of baseball, now or ever. And he may be the most deserving player ever to receive a $100 million plus contract. But he hasn’t earned his baseball reputation just for his play, but for how he handles himself and how he respects the game. Pujols isn’t going anywhere and nor should he.

 (Is it obvious that I'm a Red Sox fan?)

I would like to see these happen. I would also like to see the bottom of the ocean first-hand, dance inside the crater of an erupting volcano (without being incinerated) and take a stroll on Pluto. But somethings just aren't meant to be. Therefore, here is what I envision will actually happen.

1. Boston re-signs David Ortiz.
2. Chicago Cubs sign Prince Fielder.
3. The Miami Marlins will look to make a splash in their new ballpark. They have reportedly made offers to Pujols, Reyes and Buehrle. Buehrle played for Ozzie in Chicago, and he opts to do so again. But that’s the biggest name Miami can entice.
4. Another team will be looking to make noise and show the league it wants to return to the playoffs. And new ownership will want to put fans in the seats. What better way to put fans in the seats than to win games? How do you win games? You add Joe Reyes to a lineup that already includes Andre Either and Matt Kemp.
5. Pujols (rightfully) returns to St. Louis.
6. With no other option, the Phillies re-sign Rollins.
7. Carlos Beltran gets nibbles from many teams, including the Yankees, Red Sox and Cubs. But no one offers more money than Washington and, therefore, Beltran becomes a National.
8. Aramis Ramirez signs a late off-season deal with the LA Angels.
9. The Yankees try to bolster the rotation by adding Edwin Jackson and Aaron Harang.
10. The Dodgers re-sign Hiroki Kuroda.
11. Carlos Pena signs with Milwaukee.
12. Ryan Madson signs with the Mets.
13. Houston reacquires Roy Oswalt.
14. Heath Bell remains in San Diego.
15. Josh Willingham signs with San Francisco.
16. Johnny Damon returns to Tampa Bay.
17. Coco Crisp signs with Minnesota.
18. David DeJesus signs with Detroit.
19. Michael Cuddyer signs with the White Sox.
20. Erik Bedard signs in Arizona.
21. J.D. Drew signs in Cincinnati.
22. Jason Kubel re-signs with Minnesota.
23. Boston tries to improve their rotation and sign starters Paul Maholm and Rich Harden while signing Andruw Jones to compliment Reddick. Also, Boston re-signs catcher/captain Jason Varitek and pitcher Tim Wakefield.
24. Philadelphia signs Frank Francisco.
25. Francisco Cordero signs with the Angels.
26. Francisco Rodriguez signs with Houston.
27. Kansas City re-signs Jeff Francis.
28. Pittsburgh signs Bartolo Colon and re-signs Ronny Cedeno.
29. Kelly Johnson signs with the Mariners.
30. Bobby Valentine becomes the manager of the Boston Red Sox.

In all likelihood, none of the above will happen. I wouldn't be surprised if Pujols retires and becomes the guitarist for Duran Duran, Fielder signs with the LA Galaxy, Reyes becomes a cosmonaut,  Ortiz a Yankee, and Barney the Dinosaur becomes the new manager of the Boston Red Sox. Baseball is unpredictable (see Cliff Lee's free agency last off-season). But I can't brag that I was right on even one of these picks if I don't make it official somehow. And what's the point of being a fan if you can't have an over-the-top celebration when you win?

In the Beginning...

I feel a little bit like Tim Tebow in that I don't know what you want from me. I mean, who likes losing? Nobody. What does a fan want from her favorite team? A win. And what has Tim Tebow done more of in his last four starts than Tom Brady has in his? Win. Then again, Charlie Sheen was "winning," so maybe winning has too many meanings.
And who writes a blog for other people? Many people read blogs. Many people read blogs because they agree with a point or they like the humor. Maybe the reader is educated by what he reads. But few times does a blogger think to herself "I should write what Cole Avery Mann wants to read." Rather, it is a more egotistical view. I think I know something. If I write that something down, you might read it. If you read my thought or my opinion, than I have educated you, entertained you, spared you from having to read another e-mail from Great Aunt Beatrice who thinks being your friend on Facebook makes you BFFs and, therefore, must share with you every story about  Great Uncle Bud's hernia surgery and how there should be an all-scrap booking network on television.
So, what is it that I could say, that I could write, that I could think, that would even remotely educate you, entertain you, or delay the reading of unwanted e-mails? Who am I to think my opinions are so noteworthy that other people would care to know them? Is this blog really better than the link to Great Uncle Bud's colonoscopy on YouTube?
The answers are: to be determined, a 23-year-old male with an ego (hard to believe, I know), and boy I sure hope so, respectively.
But all good things must start somewhere. Like Green Bay perhaps. They call it Title Town, and Why not. Quick, think of the top 10, top 15 quarterbacks ever. Don't judge based on what you've seen recently, base on what you know of football history. Did you think of Aaron Rodgers anyway? Hard to deny what he's doing. Brett Favre? Say what you will about the end, but the whole body of work is all-time impressive, partially because he played all the time. What about Bart Starr? He won the first two Super Bowls. He was the first quarterback to lead his team to back-to-back Super Bowls and Super Bowl victories.
And what about all of the great careers that started in Green Bay: Favre, Lombardi, Starr, Rodgers. Sure, Favre was a Falcon first. Sure Rodgers played at Cal.  And yes, Lombardi was on the New York Giants coaching staff. But when you think of a great story, you don't skip to the "humbled beginnings." You picture the uniform Rodgers was wearing when he became the "it" quarterback. That's where your mind starts, and, therefore, it is the beginning of your account of his story.
And if all good things must start somewhere, do all bad things have a predetermined starting point? It would be easy to tie everything back around and say that spot would be Denver. But that is unfair. Denver gave us Elway and Mike Shanahan and Terrell Davis. We could jump to my favorite football team, the Miami Dolphins. A.J. Feely, Jay Fiedler, Sage Rosenfels, John Beck, Chad Pennington, Gus Frerotte, Daunte Culpepper, Chad Henne, Matt Moore, etc. etc. Many of them did not start in Miami, but that is where the beginning of the end, um, began for them all. Maybe Indianapolis. Only because they are 0-10.
But that's not fair. So let's start here. With this blog. More specifically the title. The first thing you see is the title of the blog. It's called "Late Inning Field Goal..." the ellipsis stands for "...from the 3-point Blue Line." Why? I wanted to incorporate all of the four "major" U.S. sports. I wanted to use a sports pun that wasn't overly used. What I came up with may not even be a pun. Instead, it speaks of the buzzer beater. The walk-off. The Adam Vinatieri. It refers to the end of the game.
So from the end, I begin. Only time will tell if that is a good thing. Or a bad thing. But if it's a bad thing, we will at least learn where bad things originate.