Seeing stars
Last night’s Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the last game of this magnitude played at the storied Yankee Stadium. The stakes were high as the American League beat the National League 4-3, winning home field advantage for the World Series. Maybe the National Basketball Association and the National Hockey League should adopt this format, because their all-star games resemble a glorified skills competition.
The State Farm Home Run Derby rules should be amended. Is it fair that the Texas Rangers’ Josh Hamilton smashed his way into the record books and the hearts of Americans with 28 first-round home runs, yet still lost to Minnesota’s Justin Morneau, who only had more homers in the third round? Hamilton, who is rescuing himself from a life of drugs and alcohol and resurrecting his career at the same time, is the feel-good story of the year in baseball.
Field Hockey
Speaking of Yankee Stadium, the NHL really dropped the puck by not having their next outdoor Winter Classic game in the Bronx and not pitting the New York Rangers against any of their tri-state area rivals. This season’s outdoor game will feature the defending Stanley Cup champions Detroit Redwings taking on the Chicago Blackhawks at Wrigley Field. How about a Toronto Maple Leafs versus the Boston Bruins at Fenway Park in the near future?
King of the Forrest
The Ultimate Fighting Championship crowned a new light heavyweight champion. Forrest Griffin defeated Quinton "Rampage" Jackson in an absolute war at UFC 86. After 5 rounds of one of the closest fights ever, it was in the judge’s hands, with Griffin narrowly edging out Jackson to become the new champion.
Regarding a rematch, it is not a matter of when, rather a matter of if. UFC will be broadcasting a free "Fight Night," headlined by Anderson Silva versus James Irvin, on Saturday on Spike TV.
Making the move
Oklahoma City now has an NBA team. Smaller sports markets could possibly flourish with professional level teams. Collegiate sports are big in small towns, but league chairmen need to be selective in where they relocate teams or award franchises.
Do Florida and Arizona really need MLB teams? The two states hold all spring training games and you’d think that would give fans their fill of baseball. Apparently so, because all anyone ever sees at the Marlins games are empty seats.
