Mavs Fan For Life?

What the hell just happened?  Just eighteen months ago Dallas Maverick fans just watch our superstar Dirk Nowitzki hold up the Larry O'Brien Trophy as the Dallas Mavericks punched the Miami Heat in the mouth!  We pinched ourselves to make sure we really won and after realizing that it was true, a big grin, a sense of bravado, and a little shit talking to all those Mavs haters!  We gloated a little, we have that right, Marc Cuban and his vision made believers out of us.  He sold the goods and us Mavs Fans bought into what he was selling.  He did the impossible and brought the Dallas metroplex a championship in Cowboy country.

My hangover didn't last very long as we entered the 2011 NBA season without Tyson Chandler, who bolted to the New York Knicks after not receiving a contract extension from Cuban.  I watched the Mavericks give away the best center in the history of the organization and what did he do this past season?  DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR.  You let Chandler walk and decided to keep Eric Dampier's clone Brendan Haywood, who set up his own heist before you use the amnesty clause on him.       Mavericks since you fatten his pockets. 



as expected we literally threw the 2011-2012 season away. This was not suppose to happen to a NBA championship team.  Say Cuban, didn't this team deserve the right to try for a repeat?  I know you are not just satisfied with just one NBA Championship, heck even Houston repeated back in the '90s.  What about San Antonio......they are the benchmark in the state of Texas.






Marc Cuban has a different vision, and he realize that by clearing up salary cap space, he will have financial flexibility for the first time in his regime and be able to sign top tier free agents to play alongside Dirk Nowitzki.  So basically what he was telling the MFFL that we are going to sacrafice the 2011 season and go for broke in 2012.  As I am scratching my head, it sounds good but shaky at the same time.  As much as I want this team to come back and defend their title, maybe Cuban is right.  If we can get our own big three down here in Dallas, wow.  The big three has been a popular trend in the NBA.  Much success has resulted in championships.  Boston, Miami, San Antonio, LA Lakers, all have at least three super stars on their roster. OKC has their big three and Dallas has only one, now I am seeing the vision.  Dallas is a winner, we will have cap space and since Marc Cuban cares about the well-being of the Mavs, its a win win. 

The 2011-2012 NBA season went as expected, the Lakers gave us a sleeper cell name Lamar Kardashian, who pretty much sabotage the Mavs season.  I don't blame him though, without the same nucleus I didn't expect much from this team.  The big picture was this summer's NBA Draft and July 1, when the free agency starts.

I will only speak for myself; but the NBA Draft as a Mavs fans was very ambiguous.  We chose the Tyler Zeller with the #17 pick of the draft and traded him to Cleveland for the #24 pick and two second round picks.  Okay, my heart rate elevated a little with the choice but we traded the pick for 3 additional picks.  With Perry Jones III and Arnet Moultrie still on the board I was excited with the potential of Dallas drafting a talented big man.  Instead David Stern goes up to the podium and says,"With the 24th pick of the 2012 NBA DRAFT, the Dallas Mavericks select Jared Cunningham."  Who? As, I stare at the television, I am looking at the first of three picks and wondering what?  Who is this guy?  I watch some NCAA basketball, I have some idea who a player is and where he is from.  I don't know this kid, who is he?  Marc Cuban and Donnie Nelson (the Mavericks GM), have leadway, a proven track record, hopefully pick number one is a diamond.  I hear the comparisons of Cunningham to a poor man's Russell Westbrook.  I am more concern with July first as free agents can talk to team and this is what Dallas has been waiting for,

 The prize this years free agent is Deron Williams, a metroplex native, the potential second piece in aquiring the big three. Deron Williams narrowed his choices to Brooklyn or Dallas.  Brooklyn can offer he 5 years for 98mil and Dallas can offer 4 for 76

Dallas put every egg in the Deron Williams sweepstakes. 
Cuban was shooting Shark Tank instead of focusing on signing Williams or any other potential free agents. The money is not a factor as

2012 Major League All-Star Disabled List Team

The much-anticipated Major League All-Star Game has come upon us. Fans have stuffed their ballots at all 30 stadiums and hacked into the internet sites several times to ensure that their favorite player makes the team. Each year unfortunate injuries occur, and some of those potential All-Star players won't generate enough votes to make the team. With over 100 ball players on the disabled list, there are enough players on the list to make my own All-Star team. I am basing all my choices off of last years performances. Here is my starting line-up.

Boston Red Sox LF Jacoby Ellsbury

In 2011, Jacoby had an MVP like season, joining the 30-30 club. He batted .321, with 32 HR, 105 RBI, 46 2B, 39 SB and a career high 212 hits. He has blossomed into an everyday player but has been injured with subluxation of right shoulder since the Red Sox home opener. He is currently on the 60-day DL and is scheduled back after the All-Star break. Boston will be happy to see the speedy Ellsbury back in centerfield and leading off things at the top of the order.



Los Angeles Dodgers CF Matt Kemp

2011 National League MVP runner-up went to Mr. Kemp, as he was one home run from joining the prestigious 40-40 club. In 2011, Matt batted .324, with 39 HR, 32 2B, 126 RBI, 40 SB and 195 hits. He started the 2012 season in the same fashion leading the National League in average and home runs before pulling his hamstring in the end of April. He came back a month later and re-aggravated it again. Matt Kemp is scheduled to be back in the first place Dodgers' line-up after the All-Star break.





St. Louis Cardinals RF Lance Berkman

Lance Berkman is my utility guy who can play the outfield as well as first base. He bounced back last year from a sub par season in 2010 by hitting .301, with 31 HR, 94 RBI and 147 hits. He struck out 93 times and walked 92 times. He is currently on the 15-day disabled list with a torn meniscus of the right knee. St. Louis will surely welcome him back after the break to pair up with All-Star Carlos Beltran in their pursuit of another World Series run.







Tampa Bay Rays 3B Evan Longoria

Evan is one of the games best all-around third basemen. Even though last year he had a career low batting average of .244, he still managed 31 HR, 99 RBI and 118 hits in just 133 games. Longoria is on the disabled list due to a torn hamstring and is not expected to be back until sometime in August.









Colorado Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki

There is no shortstop in Major League Baseball that puts up power numbers the way Tulowitzki can. Could it still be the mystique of Coors field or is Troy that good?! In 2011, he batted .302, with 30 HR, 36 2B, 105 RBI and 162 hits. Tulowitzki hasn't played since the end of May because of a strained left groin muscle that he ended up needing surgery. There is no timetable of when he will be back in action.





Boston Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia

Dustin is one of the most intimidating players in baseball, and he only stands 5'9, 180lbs. The little guy packs a powerful punch, as in 2011, he batted .307, with 21 HR, 91 RBI, 37 2B, 26 SB, and 195 hits. Dustin also walked 86 times with only 85 strikeouts. He just recently landed on the disabled list because he hyperextended his right thumb.







Philadelphia Phillies 1B Ryan Howard

I can vividly remember Howard's last at-bat in the NLCS, against the St. Louis Cardinals, when he hit a routine ground ball that ended the Philadelphia Phillies' season. As he was jogging towards first, he collapsed as if he were shot from behind. A torn Achilles is the last thing you want to deal with to end your season. Howard will be my first basemen, as he ended 2011 batting .253 with 33 HR, 116 RBI and 141 hits. Howard just came off the disabled list this week and played his first game of the season this past Friday. The Phillies are indeed glad they have their big bat back in the line-up.

Detroit Tigers C Victor Martinez

The Detroit Tigers signed Prince Fielder to bolster a line-up of Miguel Cabrera and company after receiving news of Victor Martinez suffering a serious injury. Victor tore an ACL during offseason workouts and was announced out for the season. In 2011, Victory batted .330 with 12 HR, 40 2B, 103 RBI and 178 hits, while striking out only 51 times. There is an outside chance that Martinez could be back for the stretch run in late August or early September.







Philadelphia Phillies P Roy Halladay

There is no other pitcher in the league that I would feel comfortable giving the ball to in any situation. Roy has the potential to do something special every time he has the ball. Halladay has been on the disabled list since Memorial Day weekend with a right latissimus dorsi strain. In 2011, Roy posted a 19-6 record, striking out 220 batters while giving up only 35 walks. His ERA was 2.35 with one shut-out. Halladay maybe looking for a return sometime this month depending on how the sore shoulder reacts.

New York Yankee RP Mariano Rivera

May 3rd in Kansas City, Mariano went down with an ACL tear catching fly balls in the outfield. This was not the way to spend his last year in the Majors. He made a commitment to go through a vigorous rehab and make a comeback in 2013 to finish off his career. In 2011, Mariano posted 44 saves, 3-3 record, with an ERA of 1.76. He struck out 72 batters while giving up 12 bases on balls in 66.1 innings.

RESERVES

New York Yankee P CC Sabathia, St. Louis Cardinals P Chris Carpenter, Boston Red Sox LF Carl Crawford, Los Angeles LF Vernon Wells, Philadelphia Phillies 2B Chase Utley, and RP Brian Wilson.

Let me know who would be your starting on your disabled list All-Star team.

Top 9 active players that have a legitimate shot at 500 home runs.

Believe it or not Major League Baseball has two active players that are members of the 500 home run club. In fact both Alex Rodriguez(640) and Jim Thome(608) are members of the 600 home run club. With the new drug testing policy in MLB, you will no longer see power hitters continue to put up inflated numbers . With a level playing field it will be difficult for upcoming ball players to reach the magical 500 number. However, there are still big league players with a chance at joining the elite club. Here are my list of players that have a shot at 500 home runs.

9.Detroit Tigers 1B Prince Fielder

 

Prince, son of former Detroit Tiger Cecil Fielder, is a whopping 28 years old with 241 home runs in seven big league seasons. He and dad are the only father son tandem in MLB history to hit 50 home runs in a season. Prince won the 2009 Home Run Derby and is a 2-time Silver Slugger Award winner. This past off-season he left Milwaukee Brewers and took his talents to the Detroit Tigers, where he signed a nine-year deal worth 214 million dollars. Since being in the big leagues, Prince has averaged 37 home runs each season. I am predicting that he will reach the 500 club at the age 35. So far he has hit eleven homers this season, so he has some work to do.

8.Detroit Tigers 3B Miguel Cabrera

Superstar Miguel Cabrera is on pace to be one of the greatest right-handed hitters of all-time when his career is over. He is part of the new "Bash Brothers" that exist in Detroit, alongside his new slugging partner Prince Fielder. The Detroit Tigers will be intimidating the American League Central for years to come because of "Miggy's" potent bat. At the age of 29, he has sent 292 balls out of the park. This young man has already won a home run crown(2008), he is a 3-time Silver Slugger Award, and won an American League batting title just last year. Cabrera is averaging 33 dingers a year and at his age you can calculate him reaching the 500 club at the age 35. He is also on pace for 3000 hits.

7. Texas Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre

Once the youngest player in the big leagues, Adrian Beltre has blossom over the years to become a 3-time Gold Glove third basemen as well as a 3-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He is now 33 years of age with 322 home runs in fourteen Major League seasons. In 2004, he led the National League in home runs with 48. Adrian is in his second season with the two-time defending American League Champions, Texas Rangers, where he flourished with 32 home runs a year ago. Beltre will continue to see good pitches because of the Texas dynamic offensive squad. It also doesn't hurt that he is playing in a hitters park. In his career he has averaged 26 home runs a year so it's possible that he may join the 500 club at the age of 39.

6.New York Yankees 1B Mark Teixeira

This slugger came into the Majors swinging for the fences as soon as he was called up. Tex has never hit less than 26 home runs in a season and that was his rookie year. Mark is 32 years old with 326 round trippers. He will soon join Micky Mantle and Eddie Murray as the only switch-hitters to ever hit 500 home runs. He is a 4-time Golden Glove winner, a 3-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and he won a home run title in the American League with 39 dingers in 2009. Teixeira is currently a member of the New York Yankees, where he gets to benefit from a short porch down the right field line. He averages 37 homers a years so my prediction for him to reach the 500 club would be at the age 36. Realistically he may be looking at the 600 club!



5.Chicago White Sox 1B Adam Dunn

 

We have Former Texas Longhorn, Chris Simms, to thank, for Adam "Big Donkey" Dunn becoming a Major League ball player. When Simms arrived in Austin, Mack Brown asked Dunn to move from quarterback to tight end. So long Austin, no more gridiron for the "Big Donkey"! Adam is 32 years old with 388 home runs. In his career, he hits a home run every 14 at-bats, second on the active list behind Jim Thome and only Mark McGwire, Babe Ruth, and Barry Bonds have a better ratio. In 2011, Adam had a season low 11 homers. He may have thought his career was in jeopardy, but so far in 2012, he leads the Majors in home runs and he probably will be the comeback player of the year. Dunn averages 38 home runs a year so expect the 500 club in his future at the age of 35. Like Teixeira, barring injuries, he has a legitimate shot at 600.

4.Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz

 

This man needs no introduction as he is known as the greatest clutch hitter in Red Sox history. David Ortiz, or "Big Papi" holds the all-time MLB record for RBIs and home runs for designated hitter. David has a total of 398 career homers, 5-time Silver Slugger Awards, led the American League in home runs in 2006, and won the Home Run Derby in 2010. "Big Papi" averages 35 home runs a year and at the age of 36 he has some work to do. Fenway is the perfect place for the slugger to pile up home runs so expect Red Sox nation to welcome Mr. Ortiz to the 500 club at the age of 39!

3.Chicago White Sox 1B Paul Konerko

Paul Konerko is the blue-collar player out of the group who steadily puts up numbers year in and year out. He is the surprise of the list with a total of 409 home runs. Konerko, has never led the league in home runs, never won a Home Run Derby, never won a Silver Sluggers Award, but at this time he can hang his hat on leading the American League in batting with a .346 average. At the age of 36, Paul is 91 homers from 500. He is averaging 32 home runs a season, so I predict in 2 1/2 years he will join his old teammate Frank Thomas into the club.

2.New York Yankees OF Andruw Jones

 

Did I raise an eyebrow? Mine raised as well; but I had to put him down. This once 10-time Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, National League Home Run leader(2005), and no longer a sure-fire Hall of Famer has only hit 56 home runs in the last four years. What the hell happened? Remember he was the youngest player ever to hit a home run in the World Series ('96). I believe he hit a home run in his first two at-bats in that series. Andruw is 35 years old with 427 home runs and averages 32 homers a season. Jones had a chance at 600 home runs but now I will be surprise if he threatens the 500 club simply because he is no longer an everyday player and he has a history of given into the breaking ball. He only needs 73 home runs, so if he makes it, he will be the one to limp to the finish line.

1.Los Angeles Angels 1B Albert Pujols

No one in the history of the Major League Baseball has put up the numbers Albert Pujols has. Since arriving to the league, his lowest output for home runs has been 32. Upon last year, he had hit at least 30 home runs and 100 RBIs every year until last season when he was 1 RBI short. Like Prince Fielder, he took his talents to the American League and signed a 10-year, 254 million dollar contract with the LA Angels. At age 32, he has hit a comfortable 456 home runs. We can say he will passed the 500 home run club as he averages 42 home runs a season. In his first year with the Angels he has put up a meager 11 homer runs, pressing a little at each at-bat and trying to living up to that ridiculous contract. Albert is a perfectionist and will soon settle down and figure it out. He is a 3-time MVP,2-time Gold Glove, 6-time Silver Slugger Award winner, a National League batting champ (2003), and 2-time National League home run champ. In the next ten years, we can predict he will chase down A-Rod, Mays, Ruth, Aaron, and Bonds for the number one overall spot. He will be the Home Run King, and with over 2100 career hits, he will be in that select group of 3000 hits and 700 home runs. The only player ever to do that is the great Henry Aaron.

Honorable Mentions

Chipper Jones is 40 years old with 459 round trippers and has announced that this will be his last year. Chipper is going out with class and knows when to hang them up. Vladimir Guerrero 37 years old with 449 HRs, oh so close, not with a team right now. If he gets pick up by another MLB team it will be painful to watch! Jason Giambi is 41 years old with 429 HRs and playing for Colorado Rockies. Jason is no longer an everyday player and only has 1 HR this season, can we say father time! Lance Berkman is 36 years old, fighting a mcl tear and has 359 HR. He has pop in his bat but with injury issues he probably won't make it. Todd Helton will be 39 this year with 354 HR. He has had a wonderful career, and can rival Peyton Manning as the riches quarterback ever to come out of Tennessee, but too far away from the elite club. Alfonso Soriano 354 HRs & Carlos Lee 353 HRs are both 36 years old and might be too far out of reach. The two that may fall just short of the 500 home run club maybe Aramis Ramirez who is 34 years old with 324 HRs and Carlos Beltran, who is 35 with 322 HRs.





KCMAC38 @ A FAN'S POINT OF VIEW