Only One of a Kind

 What kind of bird has ever showcased remarkable instincts, amazing leadership , and flew swiftly wherever it went? The answer is a Blue Jay. But, it isn't any normal Blue Jay, its the rarest one of its kind. Its the enlightened type of figure in the band of  jays, a leader that the whole squad looks up to in the toughest situations. It's a jay that has taken the whole world by surprise and showcased the hard work put in to succeed. This blue jay was special and is being finally recognized for it.

 This blue jay's name is Roberto Alomar. Alomar, for those who don't know, is a Puerto Rican born baseball player who played in the MLB for 15+ years. He played for several teams but his most notable team was the Toronto Blue Jays. He had his best years in a blue and white uniform leading them to not one, but two World Series championships. Robbie Alomar really defined how a 2nd baseman should play. His flashy catches in the infield, his amazing double play turns, and his determination to improving everyday really set the tone. Not only was he a golden glover consistently throughtout his career, he was also an amazing switch hitter. He was consistent at the plate and did not crack under pressure. When the Jays needed a hit, Robbie was the one who did that. When the Jays needed runs, he wanted to be the go ahead runner. And most of all, when the Jays needed a miracle, he didn't fail to find one. His clutch home run against closer Dennis Eckersly of the Oakland A's was the most defining moment in Blue Jays history. Every Torontonian knows the reaction that Alomar had as soon as he swung that bat.He raised his arms and pointed up at the sky with joy. That hit alone created a buzz in the baseball world and everyone knew this man was going to be one of the best. Now, he is enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. He is arguably the best second baseman to ever play this game and is no doubt the best player to wear a blue jay uniform.

 I witnessed history today and I felt like I was in the presence of greatness. The Rogers Centre exploded in cheers for the Hall of Famer and the most important people to Roberto which included former jays players. I was really starstruck to see many Blue Jay greats on the field at the same time. The likes of Cito Gaston, Devon White, Paul Beeston,etc. all enlightened the blue jays crowd. It brought back memories of the glory days in '92 and '93. We relived the greatest moments all over again for a split second. From Alomar's speech, I could really tell how much Toronto means to him. He always said that Toronto was his home away from home and that he never ever regretted anything he did in  his time spent here. Everything happens for a reason right? He was destined to be the greatest blue jay ever and he accomplished that goal.

 Also, I found a little  Alomar story interesting about how an announcer back in the 90s saw how much potential Alomar possessed. When the trade was pulled off by the Jays and the Padres, that announcer said  "the Padres just traded a future hall of famer." (Sorry, that announcer's name escapes me). That is a really big thing to say about a player and what a prediction that was! Anyways, back to Robbie's life.. No matter how popular he was and how much accolades he received, he still stayed humble. Being humble was a lesson taught by his parents and he lived his life and worked through his career using this lesson as his biggest moral.

 Even though I wasn't born to see Alomar and the Jays win the series, I do know how much he means to Toronto and the Jays organization. Now, his number 12 is hung above the rafters and will be forever remembered. I was glad to be a part of such a historical event. Moments like this do not come along often and an accolade of this magnitude are only given to extraordinary people. We are all witnesses. Sorry Lebron, that line doesn't suit you at all!

Roberto Alomar...... the greatest 2nd baseman and the best blue jay ever is now a Hall of Famer. How great is it for the city of Toronto? How great is it for blue jay fans? Only one word can sum up a day like this: Special.  

Anywho, this is Julius and this is what you've found in your Sports Locker! Thanks for caring! :)

Reptiles Love Basketball Too

Today, I decided it was a good day to shoot some hoops with a couple of my cousins on the net in front of my house. It was a little humid today but Toronto's weather doesn't ever seem to be a perfect type of weather anyways. Sadly, the handle to adjusting the height of the basketball net mysteriously broke(thanks Ian) and we were left with a rope to hold the net up. Even more sad, I don't even know how to tie the rope to make sure the net stays up....So, I was playing on the shortest height the net could possibly be but still found a way to have fun. I felt like a young Vince Carter dunking left and right. I almost pulled off a windmill 360! No, just kidding..but a boy can dream right?! My jumper also felt so good today that I was knocking down shots from everywhere much like how Dirk Nowitzki was againsnt the Miami Heat! Haha, YES, I pulled out the Anti-Heat comment. I really dislike them. Except Joel Anthony. He seems like a nice dude.
Anywho, getting off topic here.... Oh yes, so as I was resting after a long day of shooting on a 7 and a 1/2 foot net, one of my cousins spotted a strange looking worm beside the sewer. We decided to investigate and then realized that it was a snake! Honestly, it was a bit terrifying. I was pretty scared because I just had that gut feeling that it was going to jump and bite my nose off or something but luckily, it just stayed put. I didn't see a snake around my  neighbourhood my whole life. It was actually pretty strange. Did it come from the sewer? I have no idea. Can snakes even climb up the sewer? Again, I have no idea. It baffles me though. We then continued onward with our game and then we decided to look at the snake one last time before going inside for the Blue Jays game. Mysteriously, the snake vanished! My reaction was that I was scared because I did not want to find that snake anywhere the next time I go outside. Could it have went into the sewer? Is it lurking in the grass? I'm pretty clueless when it comes to snakes aren't I?

This is the critter that interrupted my wannabe Vince Carter and Dirk moments. It looks pretty big doesn't it? Well, I zoomed in! Yup. I guess reptiles love basketball too! I think everyone does!

Anywho, this is Julius and this is what you've found in your Sports Locker! Thanks for caring! :)

Nnamdi Asomugha

Nnamdi Asomugha is the biggest free agent in the NFL this season and after long awaited days of speculation, he has finally found a new home. The Pro Bowl corner who has been the most sought out player since the end of the lockout made a very surprising decision. His whole career has been with the Oakland Raiders and he felt that its time to move on and seek a championship. Adam Schefter reported that he has signed a 5 year/60 million dollar contract with yes, wait for it.... THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES! I am a HUGE fan of  both the Philadelphia Eagles and of Nnamdi Asomugha's. This is such an exciting time for Eagles fans as they have picked up arguably one of, if not the best, cornerbacks in the whole entire league! This is a big shock to me as an Eagle fanatic only because they already have two proven cornerbacks in Asante Samuel and newly aquired Dominique Rodgers Cromartie. I really hope that these three can put on their cleats and play in the same dark green jersey together but sadly, its very unlikely. The Eagles will probably keep Asomugha and Cromartie which will lead to the exit of Asante Samuel. Its strange to see a guy like Asante Samuel, who is a proven pro bowl corner, being the odd man out on any team but this is a different scenario. The Eagles have a good problem on their hands and I do expect Samuel to be moved soon. Sadly. Maybe the Jets and the Cowboys could seek a guy like Samuel since they were the expected front runners in the Nnamdi sweepstakes and lost out. The Eagles definitely may have just pulled off the biggest move of the offseason so far and it doesn't appear that the Eagles are done just yet.  Just imagine these three playing on D together..... no team would dare pass the ball to those guys!  And oh yeah, what happens to the Oakland Raiders? They will suck for another consecutive season...Once again, they are in a pickle. They lose their best player to free agency and they have yet to make a big splash in the offseason. It is quite depressing in Oakland right now.


Anywho, this is Julius and this is what you've found in your Sports Locker! Thanks for caring! :)

Kukoc in prostitution scandal?

In an article posted by The Croatian Times Toni Kukoc was suspected as being the "beneficiary" of a high profile prostitution ring. He apparently just shrugged off the allegations.

From the Croatian Times:
"I was in worse situations in life. What should I do? Return home to Split? Of course I will stay in Osijek," Kukoc told the media after his name emerged in connection with the elite prostitution ring headed by Nebojsa Perunovic Pance who was arrested last week.

Interesting...

NFL Transaction Frenzy

Isn't everyone finally relieved that the NFL lockout has ended? It took forever for the lockout to finally end. Now, all of us NFL fans can go to bed happy again. Ever since the lockout has ended, transactions have been flying through the roof! There were a lot of trades and free agent signings that were made today that included a lot of well known and big named players.Let's go more in depth of some of the major transactions that were made today.

What Happened: Chad Ochocinco(above) has been involved in a major transaction today that landed him in New England. He was sent to the Patriots for two future draft picks and then reportedly agreed to a three year contract. He has spent his whole career with the Bengals but has seemed to fallen out of their future plans. He, along with newly "retired" quarterback Carson Palmer both suffered their worst professional season last year.
In My Opinion: I think the Patriots made a great deal. They acquired a veteran receiver that can fill the gap that Randy Moss left when he was traded last year. It is a big risk to take in a personality that Ochocinco possesses but it is also a big reward because he is a very talented player. Coach Belichick will definitely have to work his magic again. He will have a bounce back year with Tom Brady throwing him passes every game. If the Patriots could win ball games with Wes Welker and Deion Branch as their top receivers, they will certainly do much better with Chad. And for the Bengals....at least they have upcoming rookie A.J Green to fill the void.
Fantasy Outlook: I'd say Chad Ochocinco and Tom Brady values rise for the Patriots while Deion Branch is a nobody again. The stock certainly rises for rookie A.J Green of the Bengals. Jerome Simpson's stock also rises a bit because he will get more touches. The only question there is: Who will be their quarterback?

 What Happened: Reggie Bush was traded from the New Orleans Saints to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a few draft picks and safety Jonathon Amaya . He has also agreed to terms on a new contract worth 10 million for 2 years. After drafting running back Mark Ingram, it seemed to have closed the door to a Reggie Bush return.
In My Opinion: I believe that this trade is good for the Dolphins. They acquired a very athletic, young running back who still has yet to reach his fullest potential. I think he will have a career season this year much like how Michael Turner did when he signed with the Falcons a few years back. The Miami offense will be much improved now that they have a running back like Bush. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are a nice 1-2 punch but a new change might be the best bet for the Fins. And as for the Saints, they signed Darren Sproles to fill the role that Reggie had last year. So, I guess it works out in the end.
Fantasy Outlook: Reggie Bush's value will increase because he won't be sharing the load with Pierre Thomas. The Fins did draft a rookie running back in Daniel Thomas, but we'll see what will happen come preaseason. I see a big leap in value for Brandon Marshall, Davone Bess and whomever their QB will be as well because Reggie will definitely take some of the pressure off. As for the Saints, Pierre Thomas' value is increased a bit. 

What Happened: Kevin Kolb was finally traded to the Arizona Cardinals after  numerous rumours dating back to when last season ended. He was sent to the Cards in exchange for young corner, Dominique-Rodgers Cromartie and a future second round pick. Kolb was set to become the franchise player when McNabb was traded last summer but an injury in the early minutes of the opening game opened up an opportunity for Michael Vick. As time passed on, Kolb's role as the future starting quarterback started to diminish as Vick flourished on the big stage.
In My Opinion: This trade benefits both teams. The Eagles get another corner that will compliment Asante Samuel perfectly. Those two together are arguably the best cornerback duos in the league. That future second round pick can turn into another quarterback just like Kevin Kolb, who was a former second round pick himself. But doesn't it suck to know that you were waiting a few years, being groomed into becoming the franchise quarterback and then an injury derails you from that path. But its whatever now, Kevin Kolb gets a fresh start in an Arizona Cardinal uniform. The best part for Kolb is that he can't really lose his job. Does anyone really think that Derek Anderson or Max Hall will take over? I don't think so. Having Larry Fitzgerald campaign to the organization to grab you isn't a bad thing either. It'll be a good relationship in Arizona. The only thing he lacks is experience. He hasn't shown enough in the NFL but all signs seem green when it comes to Kolb.
Fantasy Outlook: Kevin Kolb, Larry Fitzgerald, and all the Arizona Cardinal running backs will benefit from this trade. The stock of David Anderson and Max Hall go down to nothing but who really wanted to draft them anways? For the Eagles, Michael Vick's value will not be shattered because he is the clear cut starter.

In the Free Agent Frenzy, a couple of big names were tossed around.

• Pro Bowl Reciever Sidney Rice agreed to a 5 year/41 million deal. To me, Sidney Rice was the best receiver in this free agent class and the Seahawks won that race. He and Mike Williams could make for a big deadly nightmare for defensive coordinators every week but the only thing that the Seahawks lack is a good offensive line and a true starting quarterback. So overall, Sidney Rice might have just put himself in a hole. As talented as he is, he can't show it if no one is throwing him the ball. Charlie Whitehurst and Tarvaris Jackson battling for that quarterback spot is just as bad as David Anderson and Max Hall in Arizona. Uh oh.
• Jonathan Joseph will be wearing a Texan uniform this upcoming season. The young corner signed a 5 year/48.7 million contract. He will probably become their number one lockdown defender. Does this mean the end of the Asomugha pursuit? Only time will tell. And I really hope the Texans finally make the playoffs this year! It's hard seeing an exciting team lose every single year. They have enough talent to make it into the post-season but it seems as if they choke in the second half ALL the time. 

Other Notable Transactions:

• Donovan McNabb was traded to the Vikings for draft picks. I really like McNabb and I hope he straightens everything out in Minnesota. Hey, can you guys believe that the Vikings got younger by acquiring the 34 year old McNabb?! Hopefully they do better this year. Its a shame that a team quite talented as this can never make a big splash.
• Albert Haynesworth(above), the 100 million dollar man, has found his way out of Washington and into a winning organization. He was traded to the New England Patriots. After a few years of disappointment in red,yellow and white, he is trying to change his colours and finally be the player that everyone thought he was going to be. Haynesworth can finally be happy again and shine! Why does every team keep making the Patriots better? I don't know. It baffles me. 
• Matt Hasselbeck joined the Tennesee Titans. He will likely be given the starting gig to start the season but he was signed to give more of a mentoring role to rookie Jake Locker. I won't be surprised to see Locker starting a few weeks into the season because Hasselbeck's best days are behind him.

So, there it is, a big news report about some of the more major transactions the NFL has brought to us today. I can't wait to see how everything else unfolds and where more of the well known faces of the league end up. It's an exciting time of the year! Football has finally come back into our lives. We will say the same about the NBA in a few days....hopefully.....probably not. Ah crap,  I do NOT want to be stuck watching NBL teams go at it. It will be a horrible, horrible time of the year.

Anywho, this is Julius and this is what you've found in your Sports Locker! Thanks for Caring! :)