Dodger Blues

I guess I'm a bit spoiled with the Dodgers' success this year if I start to worry over the fact that they've lost three games in a row. Things haven't been going so well lately for the Blue Crew, who were crushed 10-0 tonight by the St. Louis Cardinals. The Dodgers offense has been subpar, as they have only been able to score one run out of the 20 hits they have so far in their first two games with the Cardinals. The Dodgers still have the best record in baseball at 62-38, and they still have an eight game lead in the National League West, but they may need to make a move before the trade deadline, which is this Friday.

There were rumors via twitter yesterday that said the Dodgers are interested in starting pitcher Cliff Lee, and catcher Victor Martinez, both of whom are on the Cleveland Indians. The rumors suggested the Dodgers would be willing to trade first baseman James Loney and some prospects for Lee and Martinez. The Dodgers need an ace for their pitching staff, which is something that Lee can be, and they need depth for their offense, which is something that Martinez can bring. Lee won the AL Cy Young Award last year, as he compiled a 22-3 record with a 2.54 ERA. So far this season Victor Martinez is batting .285 with 15 home runs and 67 runs batted in. Conversely, James Loney is batting .284 with seven home runs and 62 runs batted in.

There have also been reports that the Dodgers are among the many teams interested in Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay. While it would be great to see Halladay in a Dodger uniform, the Blue Crew would probably have to give up quite a bit to get him, which would likely have to include pitchers Chad Billingsley or Clayton Kershaw, which are two players that I think shouldn't even be considered tradeable.

Whatever the case may be the Dodgers still have some kinks to figure out. Every team goes through a funk at some point in the year, and the Dodgers are in theirs right now. I do think the Dodgers need to make a move to either bolster their pitching rotation or to bolster their offensive lineup. I'm just not sure if the roster they have now is good enough to win a World Series. Either way I'm happy with the way the Dodgers have played thus far, and if they don't win a World Series this year, well I still have the Lakers!

24 more days until ASU.

Latest With Lamar

Only an idiot like Lamar Odom would leave the Lakers right after they win an NBA Championship and go to a team that has ZERO chance of winning a championship. According to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, Odom is "leaning towards accepting an offer from the Miami Heat." Odom has not accepted an offer, but it appears as though he is seriously considering leaving the world champions to go back to the team that he played for during the 2003-2004 season. 

Odom has already turned down two offers from the Lakers this summer. One of them was a three-year deal worth $30 million, and the other was a four-year deal worth $36 million. Apparently Odom thinks he is worth more money than guys like Manu Ginobili and Ron Artest since he's turning down those kind of deals. The best part and maybe the saddest part depending on how you look at it is if Odom goes to Miami, he'll be getting a five-year deal worth $34 million. So let's do a little math here kids. Odom would be making a little less than $7 million a year in Miami, whereas if he had accepted either of the Lakers offers, he would have been making $10 million or $9 million a year. If Odom chooses to stay with the Lakers, he will still be making more money than he will get if he chooses to go to Miami.

If Lamar wants to continue winning championships, then his best bet is to stay in Los Angeles. Miami has no chance of winning a championship next season, whereas the Lakers are the favorites to repeat. As far as fame and glory is concerned, well that's in store for Odom right here in Los Angeles as well. Odom is treated like a God in LA. Why? Because basketball actually matters here. The Lakers are arguably the greatest franchise in the NBA, plus the Lakers are the most beloved franchise in Los Angeles since there is no football team. Nobody in Miami gives a rat's ass about the Heat, so the likelihood that Lamar would get all the fame and glory in Miami is slim to none.

Despite all of the media reports, I still believe Lamar will be a Laker next season. I think he is using the media to try to get Lakers owner Jerry Buss to offer him more money. I can't see Lamar leaving because he really wants to be a member of the Miami Heat. But who knows, I could be wrong. Los Angeles is not for everybody, and since Lamar is a low key guy, maybe he wants to go to Miami where it is more laid back. Also if Lamar comes back to LA, there will be a lot of pressure to perform since nobody expects the Lakers not to repeat and everyone will be expecting him to put up spectacular numbers because of the money he would be making. Hopefully Lamar will make his decision within the week, and hopefully he chooses to remain a Laker, because without him I'm not sure the Lakers can repeat. 

You Stay Classy San Diego

Quick news in the NBA before we get into the MLB. The Portland Trail Blazers have signed point guard Andre Miller to a three-year deal worth $21 million. The Blazers get a veteran guard in Miller who will provide leadership to a very young nucleus. Miller averaged 16.3 points and 6.5 assists last year with the Philadelphia 76ers. 

Lamar Odom is still a free agent since he was dumb enough to turn down not one, but two offers from the Lakers. I'm convinced Trevor Ariza's agent is somehow behind this.

The Los Angeles Dodgers start a three-game set with the Florida Marlins tonight at Chavez Ravine. The Dodgers have the best record in baseball at 61-34, and lead the National League West by nine games.

What a game it was on Wednesday night for the Dodgers. They beat the Cincinnati Reds 6-2, but the story of the night was Manny Ramirez, who hit the game-winning pinch-hit grand slam. Manny wasn't in the lineup because he got hit by a pitch on his hand the night before, yet the sold-out crowd of 56,000 was treated for a pleasant surprise when he came to the plate as a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning with the bases loaded in a tie game. And what do you know, on the very first pitch Manny blasted a line-drive into the Mannywood section. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that Wednesday night was also Manny Ramirez Bobblehead Night, making him the first Dodger ever to hit a home run on their bobblehead night. Dodgers play-by-play announcer Vin Scully said that it was the loudest he's heard Dodger Stadium since Kirk Gibson's legendary home run in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series. Hollywood could not have wrote a better script.

The St. Louis Cardinals made a huge trade today, as they acquired Matt Holliday from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for some prospects. Holliday is a three-time All-Star and will provide protection in the lineup for Albert Pujols. This move should all but assure St. Louis of winning the National League Central.

I'm on vacation in San Diego with my family right now. I've always said that San Diego is the best city in California. The weather is perfect, so are the beaches and the bays, and the scenery is amazing. (If you know what I mean)

Less than one month until I go back to ASU and it can't come soon enough. ( Well 28 days to be exact, but who's counting?)

RIP Uncle Walt

America has lost another icon. Walter Cronkite, the man people called "the most trusted man in America", and perhaps the greatest anchorman there has ever been died on Friday at the age of 92. Cronkite started anchoring the CBS Evening News when he was 45-years-old. During his time, Cronkite covered stories such as the assassination of President Kennedy, the Watergate Scandal, and the Vietnam War. His signature sign-off to end his broadcasts was "And that's the way it is."

Cronkite retired in 1980, ten years before I was born. While I never got to see him anchor the news, I have watched videos of his best moments in the industry. Cronkite was simply the best at what he did. He was a natural at delivering the news, and even after his retirement was considered one of the most trusted men in America. I think of Tom Brokaw or Larry King as far as people that could be modern day versions of Walter Cronkite. It's too bad Cronkite's death isn't getting nearly half of the coverage that Michael Jackson's death got, because I feel like some people don't realize just how big of a loss this is.

It is an honor for me to attend the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. I will always be able to say that I attended one of the premier journalism schools in the country which is named after the best that there was in the business. Even though Walter Cronkite has passed away, his legacy will continue to live on forever. And that's the way it is, and that's the way it will be. May he rest in peace.

More Than A Feeling

It's been exactly one month since the Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA Championship for the 15th time in their storied history. Watching videos from the championship clinching victory and the parade never gets old, and as a tribute to the champions here is a video from the final moments of Game 5. This was also the final Laker game that AM 570 KLAC served as the flagship station for the Lakers. KLAC has been the flagship station of the Lakers for the past 32 years, but as they say all good things must come to an end. Lakers radio announcers Spero Dedes and Mychael Thompson are on the call.

NBA Free Agency Updates

It's been a while since my last post, so let's get up to speed on what's going on in NBA Free Agency.

The Los Angeles Lakers officially signed Ron Artest to a three-year deal worth $18 million, however the World Champions are still negotiating with Lamar Odom. Talks are somewhat complicated because Odom wants $10 million per year, but due to salary cap issues, the Lakers can only afford to pay him around $8 million per year. Rumors are that Odom will sign with a team within the next week or so, and all Laker fans should be praying that that team is the Lakers because without him the Lakers will not repeat. Other teams that could potentially sign Odom are the Portland Trail Blazers and the Utah Jazz, however the Lakers are probably still the favorites to sign him.

Trevor Ariza signed a 5-year deal with the Houston Rockets. Ariza's contract is worth $32 million, which is the same amount of money he would have been making had he stayed with the Lakers. 

The Boston Celtics signed power forward Rasheed Wallace to a three-year deal at the mid-level exception. Wallace brings depth and veteran leadership to a Celtics team that is looking to rebound from last year, during which they lost to the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.

Antonio McDyess signed three-year with the San Antonio Spurs that is worth $15 million. McDyess spent the past five seasons in Detroit.

Mike Bibby has verbally agreed to a three-year deal to stay with the Atlanta Hawks.

Jason Kidd re-signed with the Dallas Mavericks, as the nine-time All-Star agreed to a three-year deal worth $25 million.

One of the biggest moves in the off-season came via a four-team trade, which was highlighted by Shawn Marion going to the Dallas Mavericks and Hedo Turkoglu going to the Toronto Raptors. The Mavericks are now serious contenders in the Western Conference, while Toronto hopes that landing Tukoglu can convince four-time All-Star Center Chris Bosh to re-sign with the team next summer.

Stay tuned for more updates and other sports-related news to come this week.

Artest To Play In The City of Angels!

Well the rich just got richer, as the Los Angeles Lakers announced today that Ron Artest will become a member of the team! Artest has verbally agreed to a three-year contract worth $18 million, although he cannot officially sign with the team until July 8th. Artest is taking a pay cut in an attempt to win an NBA Championship for the first time in his somewhat troubled career. The 2004 Defensive Player of the Year averaged 17.4 points, and 5 rebounds with the Houston Rockets last season.

This is a fantastic move for the Lakers since Artest comes at a very cheap price. The Lakers are basically paying Artest what they were willing to pay for Trevor Ariza, and I think we can all agree that Artest is the much better player at this point. Artest gives the Lakers another presence in the post, to go along with Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom, and Kobe Bryant. Those are all big guys that can post up on smaller guys which will be a tough matchup. He is a great three point shooter, as he shot 40% last season, however his biggest contribution to the Lakers will be on the defensive side. He will be an excellent perimeter guard on the two's and the three's, and he will all but put an end to the thought that the Lakers are a "soft" team. 

Now all the Lakers need to do is re-sign Lamar Odom, and if everything goes according to plan, they should all but seal AT LEAST a return to the NBA Finals. The Lakers window of opportunity is now, and General Manager Mitch Kupchak realized that as he essentially picked Artest over Trevor Ariza. If the Lakers re-sign Odom, then it will be hard for me to see any other team in the NBA winning it all.

The one downside to Ron Artest coming to the Lakers is that Trevor Ariza will not be returning. Ariza verbally agreed to a five-year deal with the Houston Rockets, that is reportedly worth $32 million. So in essence, Ariza and Artest swapped spots. I feel bad for Ariza since Los Angeles is his hometown. He became a fan favorite and people started to love him as a player. I'm sad to see him go, but the NBA is a business and sacrifices have to be made. I was going to buy an Ariza jersey if he re-signed with the team, but it looks like I saved myself some money. 

This is the start to a great off-season for the World Champions. Now they just need to re-sign Lamar Odom, and everything will be put in place for a REPEAT! (And dare I say dynasty?)

This a great way to kick off what should be a great sports weekend for the city of Los Angeles. Ron Artest is a Laker, and Manny Ramirez returns to the Dodgers tomorrow night! I love LA!

NBA Free Agency & The Return of Mannywood

The Detroit Pistons made the biggest news in NBA Free Agency thus far, as they signed Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva yesterday. Gordon, who averaged 21 points last season, will receive a 5-year deal worth between $55 and $60 million, while Villanueva, who averaged 17 points and 6 rebounds last season, will receive a 5-year deal worth $40 million. 

The Los Angeles Clippers continued with their busy off-season by trading power forward Zach Randolph to the Memphis Grizzlies for swingman Quentin Richardson. Randolph averaged 21 points and 9 rebounds last season, but he only played in 39 games due to injuries. Richardson, who averaged 10 points with the New York Knicks last season, will return to the team who drafted him in 2000. The move also assures that the Clippers overall #1 draft pick Blake Griffin will get a spot in the starting lineup.

There are many rumors surfacing with the Lakers and Trevor Ariza. ESPN.com is reporting that Ariza is leaning towards leaving the Lakers, since they are not offering him the kind of money he is seeking. Now if Ariza were to leave the Lakers, there is a possibility LA could pursue Ron Artest. While the possibility of Artest coming to LA is strictly talk, the possibility of Ariza leaving LA seems very likely. Ariza wants $8-9 million a year, which is about $3 million more than the Lakers are willing to offer. I would be more than happy having Artest if Ariza indeed leaves the Lakers. Artest is a great defender and creates his own shows. As much as I love Trevor, he's had one good year and in my opinion is not worth more than the mid-level exception of $5.6 million.

Onto baseball now. Dodger fans the wait is finally over: Manny Ramirez will return to action tomorrow against the San Diego Padres! The 12-time All-Star has served his 50-game suspension and will now look to bring energy to a Dodger offense that has struggled as of late. The Dodgers went 29-21 in Ramirez's absence, and increased their lead in the National League West from six and a half games to seven games. While I won't be giving a heroes welcome to Manny, I'm certainly excited that he is back simply because the Dodger offense has been in a funk recently and is in need of some power! Manny's return should ignite the team and the city of Los Angeles. The Dodgers currently have the best record in baseball at 50-29. They play their final nine games before the All-Star break on the road, starting tomorrow in San Diego, followed by three games in New York and Milwaukee.