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A Short Blurb on Tennis
Tennis is many different things to many different people. It is sport, recreation and sometimes addiction.
Tennis is an outlet for aspiration and an avenue for achievement. It is a great way to get exercise and an excuse to breathe clean air...
How to Maximize Your Fitness Results
What I am about to reveal to you can make a drastic change in the out come of your fitness results. Many of us are willing to dedicate a decent number of hours each and every week to our workout plan. But quite often we do not always see the...
NBA Basketball
Basketball’s rich history.
Basketball has a rich history of superstar players. Although the game continues to evolve, the talents of yesterday's stars are seen in today's NBA basketball.
Russell and Chamberlain
The greatest rivalry in pro...
New manufacturing techniques, new material and a modified bevel from connelly water ski.
The top of the line, high performance connelly water ski just got better. The design improvement of this ski makes it faster and more maneuverable. It is able to stay wider in the turns and smoother after the wake.
New manufacturing techniques,...
The Balance of Power in the Atlantic Division
It’s funny how a term can so be honored in one place, yet so degraded in another --- within the same sport. In college basketball, the word “Atlantic” conjures up images of ACC powerhouses such as Duke, Wake Forest, UNC, and the University of...
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Detroit Tigers: Pudge Proving Doubters Wrong
Ivan Rodriguez endured an onslaught of criticism this offseason when he opted to play for the Detroit Tigers rather than returning to the Florida Marlins or seeking a smaller contract with another contender.
Sports writers and reporters everywhere accused Rodriguez of selling out for the big money with no consideration of success on the field or the impact playing on a losing team would have on his legacy. Even his former manager, Jack McKeon, commented that the 32 year old catcher could be torpedoing his chance to pursue entry into the Baseball Hall of Fame by joining the lowly Tigers. As of now, it appears Rodriguez knew exactly what he was getting into.
A .370 batting average and Detroit's turnaround from last season's punchline to respectability have earned Pudge a selection as the American League starting catcher, his 11th appearance in the All-Star Game. After being tagged with a reputation for nursing nagging injuries and worrying more about base stealers than batters at the plate during the end of his tenure in Texas, Rodriguez is now recognized as a team leader and a pitcher's catcher. He contributed some key veteran leadership and a potent bat last year to a young Marlins team on their way to a World Championship. While that isn't a likely outcome for this year's Tigers, their new backstop has them headed in the right
direction.
As for Ivan Rodriguez's prospects for the Hall of Fame, they can't be hurt by leading his league in batting average. He's already earned an AL MVP in 1999, won a World Series, and was long recognized as the best defensive catcher in the majors. With a career batting average over .300 and over 240 home runs, three more productive seasons should put Pudge at 300 and earn him some serious consideration for enshrinement.
When examining the difference between the 2003 champion Marlins and this year's middle-of-the-pack team in Florida, the loss of Ivan Rodriguez is painfully apparent. The drastic improvement of the Detroit Tigers can also be attributed in a large part to the addition of the same player. The value of a Hall of Fame career cannot be better measured than by the effect a player's arrival to and departure from has on the teams he plays for.
About The Author
You may reprint this column onto your site only if the following information is attached at the bottom and the link to The Baseball Corner http://www.thebaseballcorner.com is active.
Author: Dustin Smiley, Owner of The Baseball Corner, your online site for everything baseball.
dustinsmiley@mchsi.com
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