This week Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray will have a decision to make in the coming months whether to play football in the NFL or play baseball in Oakland’s minor league system. There have been many examples of athletes making a decision on a sport to play, however one decision nearly two decades ago had a major impact on both the baseball and football world. Drew Henson was a two sport phenom and had to choose playing baseball with the Yankees or returning to Michigan to compete for the Heisman trophy. On this episode we look at the impact of Henson’s decision and how life has come full circle for what he is doing now.
New York Yankees
Gatorade Creates Heartfelt Goodbye to Derek Jeter
Gatorade will send off Derek Jeter with a commercial about the Captain’s legacy in New York City. Not only does it showcase how much Jeter loves the city, but also how much New York loves and appreciates his career. For any baseball fan this commercial will make you appreciate the terrific person Derek Jeter is. Good bye Captain! Thank you for the memories.
Cliff Lee heading to the Yankees?
With the decimation of their pitching staff through injuries the New York Yankees have been actively negotiating with the Philadelphia Phillies for star pitcher Cliff Lee. Lee, 35, is locked up through the end of next season and would not only give the Yankees a bona fide top of the rotation starter but also one of the postseason pitchers in the clutch over the past decade.
Will the Bombers give up the farm for Lee?
The only problem is that the asking price for the veteran left-hander will be steep. Originally the Yankees reportedly wanted both Lee and Chase Utley in a deal, but the Phillies have let the Yankees know that New York doesn’t have the pieces for that type of move.
Still, the Yankees would have to mortgage their future as the Phillies have been adamant that top prospect Gary Sanchez must be in a deal for Lee. Even the prized catching prospect may not be enough as the Philllies may want one of the Yankees top outfield prospects as well.
However, New York has been exploring other options such as finding another trading partner for a three team deal. With a weak A.L. East this season and the fact that Lee would be locked up until the end of 2015, could make the Yankees pull the trigger for the southpaw that they have coveted for years.
With the Phillies already looking forward to 2015 and the Yankees once again in the thick on a pennant race, the deal makes sense for both sides. That is, unless another suitor such as Los Angeles, Anaheim, or Detroit becomes involved.
The sooner the Yankees can get this deal done the better.
Fall of the Empire? Is the Yankees dynasty coming to an end?
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!
If it’s broken, it needs fixing: teams that are desperately in need of a makeover
Ah yes fashion, where styles come and go so fast that most people feel way behind. Sports is intriguing because some fashion choices stay eternal. The iconic sweaters and logos of the Original Six in the NHL, the pinstripes of the New York Yankees, the yellow and purple of the L.A. Lakers, and the silver and black of the Raiders. Some teams never need to change their iconic logos and superb jerseys. However, there are some teams that desperately need to update their look. You just look at them and go geez what the heck are they wearing. Here is my list of ten teams that need a makeover.
1) The Phoenix Suns:
I need aloe vera! these jerseys burn my eyes!
Wow I think Willy Wonka let the ompa lompas out. The Suns have never had great uniforms and have gone through many different logos, colors, and uniforms in their history. However, no matter what they do nothing seems to work. I get orange should be incorporated with the uniforms but not as an Orange and Grey eyesore. I know that the Suns have a difficult mascot to work with but I feel that their logo and jersey defiantly is in need of an overhaul. Players look like giant pumpkins isn’t intimidating and I don’t get who the jerseys are so different. Home is white with primarily purple highlights and only a little orange. The road jerseys are all orange and grey with no purple. Guys I understand you want to mix it up but please have a little consistency. I think that the best move for the Suns is to have simpler uniforms without these colors clashing and should try to update their logo. Also pick what colors your going to be and stick with them. If you want to be purple be purple if you want to be orange be orange make up your mind!!!
2) Miami Marlins:
Can we stop trying to copy the U please?
Ok I know that orange is popular because of the Hurricanes and Dolphins but that doesn’t mean you have to wear it to! Just because you’re the Miami Marlins now doesn’t mean you copy the colors of the two other teams in town with orange and coral blue. These jerseys are an eyesore and while at first I thought they were kinda cool that novelty wore off faster than Miami traded away their team this offseason. Maybe the orange is appropriate for the fire sale they’re having on South Beach. I give Miami credit for trying something new but seriously guys when if I have to ask id that is a Marlin on your hat then you probably did it wrong. These jerseys are new but I do think these need to go to. Hey maybe the Marlins will trade their uniforms next!
3) Milwaukee Brewers:
Get the DeLorean! time to go back in time
This is a different one. While the new Brewers uniforms aren’t bad, I’d love to see them go back to their old uniforms full-time. The classic Brewers uniforms are sharp and are perfect with most teams going to “more retro” uniforms. The lighter blue and yellow with the old school block lettering is reminiscent of great baseball uniforms of the past. The Brewers should follow this fashion trend of bringing back vintage looks because it will also bring back one of the most iconic logos in baseball, the glove and ball Brewer logo. While the new uniforms and logo aren’t terrible, I think most of the Brew Crew and their fans would accept these classics once again.
4) New England Patriots:
Pat the Patriot needs to replace the Elvis Patriot
Another case of bringing back the old school. Ok Jet fans I know you hate the Patriots like I do, but even you have to admit these are pretty sweet duds. These are patriotic red, white, and blue instead of the current blue and silver color combination the Patriots wear now. These jerseys are bold and colorful and make a statement that this is an American team. Also these uniforms would bring back the fabled Pat the Patriot mascot. Hmmmm do I want a tough and gritty patriot hiking a football in a three-point stance, or the patriot that looks like a cheesy rip off of Elvis. The new uniforms also don’t make sense. I hate there is barely any red and the overuse of silver. Lets make this clear there is only one team that can and should were silver in the NFL and that is the Silver and Black of the Raiders. While I do hate the Patriots seeing them in these uniforms would make them a little easier to stomach when Tom Brady torches your team’s secondary.
5) Tennessee Titans:
old Oilers + new Titans= bad uniforms
These uniforms are trying to do too much. They try to mix a new team and design with the classic colors of the Houston Oilers. The result is a confusing combination of blues and white that just look like they can’t agree. This franchise is trying modernize the old Oilers jerseys instead of creating their own identity. With different shades of blues in different and odd combinations makes these uniforms an eyesore and confusing. On top of that the logo just never seems to fit in especially with all the red when there is no red in the uniforms. I think this is one NFL franchise that should go back to the drawing board and instead of trying to recreate an identity just create their own unique logo and uniforms.
6) San Diego Chargers
San Diego needs to embrace their best look
Most football fans agree that the Chargers powder blues are one of if not the best uniforms in the game. But here’s my question, why the heck aren’t they wearing them??? These beauties are currently the alternates to the main navy colored jerseys which have been the primary colored jerseys since 1973. Why the Chargers took the best uniform in the game and put it as an alternate I will never know. I am sick of seeing the dark blue charger uniforms and would love to see these babies full-time. The chargers need to embrace their best look because it is the perfect color for San Diego. It’s cool, laid back, and easy-going just like the people of San Diego. Heck if I was the Chargers I would petition the commissioner to wear these uniforms all the time. Can the fans of San Diego petition to make these uniforms the primary home uniforms. I’ll say it again these are my favorite uniforms in the league please wear them!!!
7) Dallas Stars:
Less is more except if your the Stars
Talk about vanilla. While simpler is usually better for Dallas the Stars jerseys are terrible. They took a great jersey in the nineties with the star shape around the bottom of the jerseys and a good logo off their uniforms. Now all that’s left is Dallas, green stripes, and numbers in the front. YYYYAAAAAWWWWWNNNNNN. The Stars need a new uniform and possibly logo. While to logo isn’t bad it could use some upgrading. This is Texas things are supposed to be bigger and better not quieter and simpler. Dallas needs to embrace their inner Texan and get rid of these pathetic jerseys.
8) Anaheim Ducks
The word Ducks across the chest really original
Ah yes the Anaheim Ducks. A franchise notorious for hideous jerseys. While their new third jerseys are an improvement the main jersey with the word “Ducks” across the Chest is boring. Not to mention the gold with black combination which should look cool looks pretty weak. My suggestion is to combine the jerseys and logos of the past. Use the classic duck mask, or Wild Wing logo, with the double hockey sticks that the Mighty Ducks franchise made famous with their Disney movies. Then use this old logo with the new black and orange color schemes. Also if the could combine it with the diagonal stripe of the original jersey, then the Ducks could have one of the best looking jerseys in the game.
9) Carolina Hurricanes:
Wow I wish the Whalers were still here
To think this used to be a franchise with one of the best logos and uniforms in hockey. But alas the Whalers are gone and now they are the hurricanes. First off the logo is weak a red and black circle really intimidating. Looks more like a tropical storm then a hurricane. Also the uniforms with red white and blacks fighting with each other makes it a very confusing look. I love the secondary logo on the shoulder and the third jersey. It combines the Carolina triangle, a hockey stick, and a flag in a hurricane to make a simple yet cool logo. The third jerseys that are black with this logo are great and I wish they would switch to these babies full-time and make a white version with it. Those would make the Hurricanes look cool and not like there is a giant red and black eye on their chest.
10) Washington Wizards:
Bullets + Wizards = red, white, and blah
Like the Titans earlier in the list the Wizards have tried to combine two teams into one. Bad idea taking an already weak logo and name and bring to combine it with the historical Bullets jerseys creates this star-spangled screamer. While I do commend them for actually using red white and blue instead of gold and blue the old combination of the old uniforms and logo are just a mess. While these are retro uniforms, sometimes simpler is better. Look at the Nets and Knicks they changed to simpler uniforms and look great. While I think they are going in the right direction, these uniforms are defiantly the elephant in the room, not Republicans, when it comes to the city’s sports teams. While at first they were cool now they need an upgrade. Also the Wizards logo of the wizard and basketball has been weak and outdated for years. This is another team that needs to update their mascot or find a new one. Instead of Wizards rename the team, like in New Orleans, to something more appropriate. Names like Eagles, or Diplomats could be possibilities.
Do you agree with my list? Any teams you think I left out or think I was wrong about? Please feel free to comment below and tell me what you think. Don’t forget to email me or write in the comments section about what you would like me to write about next. Thanks and have a great day!
Rich Sports Talk 