Meet the Mess!!

May 14, 2013May 23, 2013 / Rich Sports Talk / 1 Comment

It’s getting to the point that you can’t pay Met fans to see this team

Ever since 2006, when Carlos Beltran stood frozen in the box after committing the final out in the National League Championship series, the New York Mets franchise has endured its darkest era. Back to back collapses in 2007 and 2008 followed by irrelevance since 2009, Mets fans have been constantly told just wait till next year. Here’s the thing were not little kids, we’ve waited for progress and instead have seen recession. Now its 2013, and the wait continues. Mets fans have endured financial scandals, terrible free agent signings, home-grown talent leaving Flushing, and most importantly, terrible baseball on the field. This team has gotten to the point where they’re so bad they can’t even be stomached. Other than David Wright and Matt Harvey, this ball club is an absolute joke. While many Mets fans will blame the Wilpons, and

Mr. Wright is one of the few things that have gone right for the 2013 Mets

rightfully so, I believe that Sandy Alderson must be held accountable. While many experts will defend Alderson and his “rebuilding plan”, its been three years. Sure, he’s brought in Zach Wheeler and Travis D’Arnaud, but they haven’t even stepped foot on the Citi Field Diamond. In the same breath, he’s failed to re-sign Jose Reyes or trade him for top prospects, and is responsible for constructing the worst outfield in majors. Outside of Wright, you’d be more lily to find Waldo then a worthy major leaguer. The same goes for the rotation, that outside of Matt Harvey, has been absolutely atrocious. The All Star Game is a clever ploy by the front office in an attempt distract the irate fan base from the woeful performance on the diamond. If this mess on the field isn’t addressed, Alderson may want to start looking for another job. He hasn’t improved this team in three years, and while the future rotation does look promising, the rest of the franchise is barren with both a lack of major league and prospect talent. As a Mets fan, I can’t even watch this team anymore. They can’t hit, pitch, and they make some of the dumbest mistakes that I’ve ever seen on a diamond, and it’s only May! Wow, Seth Mcfarlane summed it up perfectly in this Family Guy clip here. Listen, moving forward I think the Mets can build around Wright, Wheeler, Harvey, and D’arnaud. However, I do not believe the Mets can look at Tejada, Davis, and Duda as being cornerstone pieces moving forward. We’ve seen enough of their struggles to know they probably aren’t everyday players. Hopefully, the Mets will have money to spend this next offseason and finally

Unless some major changes are made, Mets fans will continue to be tormented

be able to go out and get the missing pieces. For instance, the entire outfield, that this team needs to climb out of the cellar. Mets fans can do their part. Don’t go to the games or support this team! When people stop showing up, that will force the front office to make some moves. Trust me, if fans stop paying for season tickets and the ballpark is empty the Wilpons will be forced to act. They keep wondering what will bring fans back? It’s simple, Win! If this team can compete late into the season and actually create some hope, then the fans will come. But until then Mets fans will stay far away from the mess in Flushing. What grade would you give Sandy Alderson’s performance as GM? What do you think about the Mets? Comment below.

Ace of Flushing: Mets have found their next star

April 25, 2013 / Rich Sports Talk / Leave a comment

Harvey could be the first of the new generation K

Despite their past decade of futility good times could be ahead for the Metropolitans. Every World Series in club history had a flame throwing ace on the staff. In 69 it was Seaver, in 86 it was Doc, but in the present it is Matt Harvey. Harvey burst onto the scene last season, but their were still questions to whether he was one of the best young guns in the game. Considered that question emphatically answered. This season Harvey is 4 and 0 in his first five starts with a terrific 1.54 ERA. In thirty-five innings of work the 24-year-old has struck out an impressive 39 batters. What makes him so good? A confidence and composure well beyond his years and an astounding repertoire with a fastball in the high nineties, a knee buckling high eighties slider, and both an above average curveball and change-up. While many Met fans still believe that Zach Wheeler will be the next ace in flushing, that ace might already be here. While I still think Wheeler will be astounding when he eventually reaches the show, it will be hard to have the success that Harvey has already achieved. In fact in might be an act to tough to follow and if Wheeler should stumble that could raise the question why can’t you be more like Harvey? Despite trading their ace and CY Young Award winner R.A. Dickey this offseason, Harvey could be a 20 game winner this season and possible bring back to back CY Youngs to the big apple. Being a Met fan there hasn’t been too much to cheer for this past decade. While it was hard to lose both Dickey and Santana this offseason the possibility of a Harvey Wheeler one two punch at the top of the rotation could put the Mets in contention much sooner than the flushing faithful think. One thing is for certain this Generation K the Mets are developing could bring the glory and respect back to an organization that has gone through the ringer. I know one thing, I’m counting the days until Harvey takes the mound again.

Retro is in for MLB

March 14, 2013 / Rich Sports Talk / Leave a comment

Like many other teams the Astros are going to retro looking uniforms

You know how they say fashion goes in phases? Well baseball is in the stage of going retro. The Houston Astros are the latest team in this trend as they have combined aspects of previous uniforms including aspects from when the team was the Colt .45s. They have simplified their uniforms and logos to have a more classic look while also simplifying the color palate down to three colors. I love these uniforms, they’re simple but sharp. The Astros aren’t the only team to shift to classic uniforms. The Mets dropped the black out of their uniforms and have added a classic cream-colored uniform reminiscent of the 1962 original uniforms. The Reds reintroduced their mascot from 1956 Mr. Red Legs and the Cardinals will wear a jersey fashioned after their unis from the 1926 season. Teams have found that these changes have been met with very positive fan fair as teams are realizing that vintage is in. ON the other hands teams that have tried to develop innovative jerseys have been met with mixed reaction. Look at the Miami Marlins. While many people do like their new colors and logo, their bright and gaudy uniforms have not been we’ll received. Miami if your going to use orange be subtle, loud rave color orange doesn’t belong on the baseball diamond. Not to mention the logo I know it’s a marlin but what marlin looks like that? For now it seems that major league teams will continue to use past uniforms or what I like to call retroize their uniforms by making them look more like their vintage counterparts. While the Astros might not have the best season on the field in 2013, at least they’ll look good.

Fall of the Empire? Is the Yankees dynasty coming to an end?

March 12, 2013 / Rich Sports Talk / Leave a comment

What will the Yankees collect first? another ring or their social security checks?

That’s right Yankee fans the reign of dominance that the Yankees have had for more than a decade is coming to an end. Since 2000, when the Yankees won their third World Series in four years, the club has only won the championship once, in 2009, during the last 12 years. Fast forward to 2013, the winds are changing in the Bronx as many factors are slowly eating away at the Yankees facade as the best team in baseball. You cannot question the teams’ success, 27 championships in the club’s history, but more recently the Yankees have lost the dominance the once had. There are many reason for this including the passing of the George Steinbrenner and passing the ownership to his son’s who have not shown the same passion for winning that their father once had. Do you think that the boss would have stood for this or been this quite in the offseason? The competition in the AL East has caught up with the Bronx Bombers. Remember when it used to be a two-horse race between the Yankees and Red Sox? While the Yankees often beat out the Red Sox in the past decade, the Sox have won more championships than the Yankees. While the Red Sox have taken steps backward, the Blue Jays have vastly improved this offseason, especially because they’ve added half of the Marlins lineup and the N.L. Cy Young winner. Add in the Always competitive Rays and the improved Baltimore Orioles and you have a competitive division from top to bottom. It’s not like it was a few years ago when the Yankees could just beat up on the weaker teams in the division, now they will have to play in arguably the most talented division in baseball. While the Yankees competition has gotten better the Yankees biggest opponent may be father time. Just look at this team. At this rate they’ll get their AARP cards before they win another World Series. Just look at this spring, the injuries to Granderson, and Teixeria have already put more pressure on a thin depth chart. This Yankee roster is littered with players in the twilight of their careers with large contracts that the team cannot move. If this offseason was any indication the team isn’t willing to increases their already absurd payroll due to the salary cap tax the team would face. They are paying these players hundreds of millions of dollars for declining production, trips to the DL, and no championships. Just look at A-Rod. Over the past few seasons his

A-Rod is the poster child for the declining Bombers

production has steadily been declining and he’ll miss most of this season with his hip injury. The answer is to replace him with Kevin Youkilis? Sounds more like waving a white flag then a move to put this team over the top.The problem the Yankees face is can they win a World Series with this group? We know they can make the playoffs but the Yankees are built for championships not playoff appearances. If they get to a point where the front office doesn’t believe this team can Win a World Series then they need to rebuild. Ok I know Yankee fans dread that infamous R word and are probably yelling profanities right now but hear me out. The Red Sox began their rebuilding by shedding their payroll while continuing to develop their farm system. The Yankees have the luxury of having the largest payroll in baseball so once they shed the contracts of A-Rod, Granderson, and Texieria, not to mention when Jeter an Mo come off the books, they can use that money to invest in a younger core. Cano would be a great piece to rebuild around for this new Yankee team. Let me ask Yankee fans this. Would you rather see this team to continue to decline to the point where they can’t even reach the playoffs, or sacrifice a year or two without October baseball in order to win more World Championships in the next decade? What do you think? Take the poll below and don’t forget to subscribe!

Reality check: 10 Athletes we wish were real

March 4, 2013March 4, 2013 / Rich Sports Talk / 1 Comment

Forget Broadway sports are the great unscripted drama. Sports are so popular today because they feature characters in an unscripted play with an unknown outcome. We have memorable characters that have been born through this drama, but what about the actual scripted sports stars? We forget that movies about sports have created memorable characters that become more nostalgic then the actual players. Hollywood and television has provided the backdrop for some memorable characters that stick out in our mind. But what if these characters were real? How much more entertaining and dramatic could it be if these fictional characters were actual facts. Here is a list of some of the most recognizable fictional athletes that fans would love or hate to see in the real world.

1) Ricky “Wild Thing” Vaughn: Major League 1&2

Wild Thing! you’d make our hearts sing!

Stylish hair check! Custom skull glasses check! 100 MPH heater check! Heart-throb to drive the ladies wild double-check!! Before Charlie Sheen was “winning” he was helping the city of Cleveland finally overcome their decades of futility in baseball. While the Indians still struggle in real life, if Ricky Vaughn was at the top of the rotation it would be a different story. From incarceration to the big leagues Vaughn got his nickname because of his terrible control problems. Like most rookies he struggles to find his place at the big league level until he puts on the specs and behold he can see!! By the end of the first movie he overcomes his control problems, and wild off the field antics to become the ace of the Cleveland staff. In Major League 2 he falls into the trap of most bad boy professional athletes and tries to clean up his act. While at first this seems like a good idea, eventually he realizes he must get his edge back and return as the “Wild Thing”. A baseball player with electric stuff, great looks, and bad boy attitude Ricky Vaughn would be constantly generating headlines with his antics while striking out the fiercest major leaguers. Not to mention he would be the heart-throb of the sport and lead to a hair-style phenomenom.

2) Kenny Powers: Eastbound and Down

He changed the face of baseball now he’s looking to do it again

Ah yes, the comeback story. Everyone loves a comeback story and Kenny Powers is no different. Once blessed with a 100MPH canon, Powers faded fast as his velocity dipped into the low 80s and his pro baseball career seemed over before it started. A substitute P.E. teacher making a comeback sounds far-fetched. Add in the egotistical, lazy, and angry sides of his personality and you have a powder keg ready for ignition. Success or failure just watching this train wreck comeback trail for Powers including pitching in the Mexican league with the American flag on his back would be worth the price of admission. Kenny Powers would be great just for the million dollar tweets that would fill his twitter account. Thew foul-mouthed ballplayer would without a doubt be on of the most followed athletes on twitter just for the simple fact you have no idea what this walking time bomb will do next. For you Kenny Powers fans click on the link for some of his best quotes because I can’t even put them on this page since their so raunchy. Powers would make a great hero or villain if he were a real ballplayer. Love or hate him one thing is for sure and that’s Kenny Powers doesn’t give a S&$% what you have to say.

3) Ricky Bobby: Talladega Nights

He just wants to go fast

When Will Ferrel tackled NASCAR he created one of his most iconic characters. Ricky Bobby, a hotshot race car drive who “pisses excellence”, would bring fans flocking to the race tracks. His fast paced and aggressive racing style, memorable one liners, and catch phrase “if you ain’t first your last” would make him a racing icon. Not to mention the juicy controversies that the media would jump on such as flipping off other drivers while racing in reverse. Ricky would be a marketing icon from Big Red to Wonder Bread. Heck for a few extra bucks he’ll put your brand on the windshield. It may be dangerous but if he gets paid he doesn’t care. Throw in a comeback with him working his way back to the top you have the quintessential American athlete, which Bobby claims to be. Will Ferrell didn’t just leave his mark on one sport and shaked and baked another athlete on this list and that is……..

4) Chazz Michael Michaels: Blades of Glory

figure skating with an edge

Chazz Michael Michaels is figure skating Boom! Let’s face it who here really watches figure skating? Yeah me neither, but I would if this man was in it. Let’s see swagger, rock and roll playlists, not to mention the man shoots fire from his wrists. Don’t worry ladies he hasn’t forgotten about you too, talk about a heart-throb. On top of that he was one half of the first all men figure skating pair and was fire in the fire and ice routine. Throw in the scandal at the medal ceremony and getting banned from singles competition and you have a winner. Don’t forget some killer one liners like “I swear if you cut my head off I’ll kill you” and you have a whole new edge and image for figure skating. Plus we all know he is going to skate one song and song only!

5) Happy Gilmore: Happy Gilmore

That ball may be to good for its home but the PGA would be a great home for Mr. Gilmore

Ah yes how many quotes can you pull off the top of your head when you think of this golfer. Ok, we all know golf is boring, but throw in Happy and you have a completely new ballgame. 400 yard drives, a hilariously bad short game, and a hobo caddy talk about your departure from the normal golfer. Can you just imagine if he was in a pair with Tiger? This hockey jersey wearing, foul mouthed, and goof ball antic golfer would make golf without a question more entertaining. He wrestles gators, beats up people, and not to mention threw hands with Bob Barker (see link)! Happy is also fighting to get his grandmother’s house back from foreclosure. How could you not want him to succeed? Happy would be an athlete that would entertain the masses whenever he picked up a club. Not to mention he makes us hate those clown heads at the miniature golf course too.

6) Willie “Steamin” Beamen: Any Given Sunday

From third string to star

While you could argue that Shark Lavay and Coach D’amato should be on this list here’s why Beamen beats them out. He goes from seventh round third stringer to starter. Hmm sounds familiar, oh yeah Mr. Tom Brady. He goes from having one of the worst first games you can have and even throws up on the field to using his freakish RGIII ability to tear apart defense and leads the Sharks to the Pantheon Cup. While the team falls short he would be ideal for our highlight obsessed society and would make football fans drool with his dazzling plays. Not to mention his good looks, battle to keep the starting job, and being an underdog make him an athlete who would thrive in the real world. He also could make a great villain since the movie ends with him signing a contract under the Sharks noses to leave with coach D’amato to go play with the Aztecs. Talk about pulling a Lebron James to South Beach oh the irony.

7) Thad Castle: Blue Mountain State

Thad don’t hit the quarterback in practice!

He’s a National Champion, thinks it’s B.S. that linebackers can’t win the Heisman, looks like “the freakin Hulk”, and hates all quarterbacks with a passion. Thad is the definition of a lovable idiot. While he may have rocks for brains there is no question that he can punish opposing offenses. Manti Te’o having an invisible girlfriend, Thad would probably laugh and tell you about all the girlfriends he’s had at BMS. Of course he did get suspended for using cocaine in his senior year and ended up missing one game. Despite his idiocy you cannot question his passion for football such as building a football field for the championship game when no field was available. Castle would be great as a real college and pro athlete. First he would a great villain for other college teams especially if BMS goes down for illegal scandals off the field. In the NFL he would be another great villain because of his constant trash talking and complete disregard for the rules. You’d love him if he’s on your team, but can’t stand him if’s he’s on any other team.

8) Rocky Balboa: Rocky Films

Rocky! Rocky! Rocky!

Ok we all know Rocky so this won’t be too long. If Rocky were real his accomplishments could have made him one of the greatest boxers of all time. Not to mention an endorsement icon for generations. While Rocky has had bumps in the road, Rocky 5, he is always able to overcome them and represents the true underdog. He would bring great publicity to a dying sport and would make boxing “cool” again. Plus when you add in an athlete he constantly flirts with retirement, albeit Brett Favre, then you have great drama. When is he coming? Should he come back? When should he retire? These would be questions ESPN would fall in love with and if you don’t think that they would fall in love with Rocky more than Mr. Favre then you would be wrong.

9) Roy Hobbs: The Natural

Comeback of the ages

Talk about your comeback. Roy Hobbs is a naturally blessed baseball player with unfathomable talent. At 18 he’d thrown 8 no-hitters in the minor leagues and struck out the “Hammer” the best player in the majors on three pitches. However, he gets cut down in his prime by a mysterious woman who shoots him. After years of recovering he returns to baseball as a 34-year-old rookie for the putrid New York Knights. However, he goes on a tear and guides them to the pennant while becoming the best player in the game. However, before the championship his old gun shot wound acts up and is told that he could die if he continues playing. However, (movie version) he is able to hit the winning home run and lead the Knights to victory. While this may mirror a current major leaguer, Josh Hamilton, Hobbs had to deal with a miser owner and bribes in order to throw the playoff games. Unlike Pete Rose Hobbs would stay the straight a narrow and represents the honesty that we would like to see in more athletes today. Plus a comeback of this magnitude would have people cheering because people always love the underdog.

10) The Hanson Brothers: Slap Shot

This terrific trio would stir the pot in the NHL

Jack, Steve, and Jeff Hanson would be icons in real life. In the move Slap shot these three brothers were brought in to be the enforcers for the Charlestown Chiefs. Boy did they ever! Recognized by their crazy hair and taste in eyewear the Hanson Brothers quickly garnered a big following for being the goons of minor league hockey. This dastardly trio become known for starting fights even before the games. One such game had a brawl before the puck was even dropped. Not to mention their child like nature with playing with toy cars you couldn’t help but love them. Could you imagine them in the NHL? Fans would love if they were all on the same team fighting and enforcing. Not to mention the merchandising of those glasses would become a new fashion trend in the NHL. The Hanson’s would also garner criticism as the NHL is trying to clean up the game. Either way they would create a buzz and would have fans flocking to arenas to experience their antics. Especially if they were on a bad team that wasn’t going anywhere at least then the games would be entertaining.

Do you agree with the list? Any that you think I missed? Don’t forget to comment below and tell me what you think and what you would like me to write about next. To forget to follow my blog to get the latest from Rich Sports Talk and be able to email me on what you want to hear.