What it takes to hit for the Triple Crown

Gone are the days of the Ruth era and Gehrig disease in baseball. Men of action and great prowess are spread out throughout the league. They show rare form and excellent achievement with their talent. The Gold Glove is a hallmark for outstanding achievement for defense each season. Hitting for the Triple Crown is one of the toughest awards to reach and capture. In order to obtain it a player has to be on his game. That person has been real consistent, nearly getting a hit every time out or at least every other game. When someone like Albert Puljos hits for the cycle it definitely helps.

The same goes for Josh Hamilton when has a 5-hit performance and up to 8 RBIs. If there is close to achieving the high award it's the Texas star outfielder. For a while many eyes were on the Boston Red Sox. David Ortiz had a good chance at one time. I'd put my money on Hamilton though considering he stays healthy to win it. I know the race will tighten up in the AL West with such competitive forces there.

So far Josh Hamilton has already compile over 50 RBI with a high batting average well above .300. That's talent not to be denied. He'll have to keep hitting with the best pitching the Rangers face each week. Sticking to a regiment and good eye at the plate will be the best answer for anyone going after the Triple Crown. The same is understood for anyone going after the prestigious award in the NL too.

A hot day on the diamond for UCLA, victors

What a college World Series it's shaping up to be this year. TCU and UCLA have been going at it. A tight contested match-up didn't happen Sunday. Both teams came to play yet it was the Bruins who prevailed over TCU. The long ball came into effect. Good pitched has backed UCLA. They look to take on a new challenger in the next series against South Carolina. They own a 52-16 record. A definite tough opponent for UCLA.

The Finals I'm sure will be intense with both teams jockeying for top spot and bragging rights. If all goes well the Bruins will connect with the homeruns and have their pitching back them well enough. Brian Hoilday can help on the field for UCLA. I believe it will come down to the best starting pitching. Whoever jumps to a good lead first will have the distinct advantage. Runs to walks ratio will be a prime factor in this contest too. Look for those aluminum to get to cracking. Go Bruins!

No-Hitter from D-back's Jackson silences Rays

The 1-0 outcome in the D-backs victory over the Tampa Bay Rays was history making. Starter, Edwin Jackson took it to the opposition like never before in a game. The dueling on the mound was plentiful. If not for walks it may have been a perfect game established. Still the Rays have no answers for Jackson. In the box they looked confused and without progressive hitting. Carlos Pena didn't homer, which is a surprise to me nor reached base upon a hit.

This marks the fourth no-hitter thrown this season. The pitch count went 130 for Edwin Jackson who dazzles those in attendance. Since it was in St. Petersburg not too many cheers erupted. I've give to the D-backs they came to play with some gutsiness. Usually when a team takes too many chances and messes around with walks on the bad side of the receiving end. That wasn't the case this time around. The D-backs with the win increase the win percentage, moving to a 29-45 record.

All I'm wondering is how the Rays can be so offensive with streaks then come up empty last night. Evan Longoria wasn't able to do it as well as the rest of the team lineup. The last out was recorded on a fly out which sent the players rushing off the bench to congratulate the young Arizona pitcher at the mound. Jackson posts a 5-6 record now. He received a pie to the face after the game. After all those walks I'm surprised he made to the 9th inning. The lone run came via a long ball by Adam LaRoche. Next time around I'm the Rays will darn well remember less than spirited affair.

Josh Hamliton, well worth the price of admission

Prior to the Rangers going on an offensive explosion with a 13-3 final over Pittsburgh, Josh Hamilton has proven to be the big ticket. Texas is sitting pretty in first place around the AL West with a 43-28 mark. Hamilton is hitting a team best .339 with 17 homeruns and 53 RBIs. Well on his way to another All-Star game. That is freaking great! If only he was one other real needy team. I look for the star outfielder to soar in the second half. He's single-handily fueled the offense for the Rangers.

Nothing will stand in the way really (considering all goes to plan) of Josh Hamilton. He's main one of the best comebacks of any athlete in the last 5 years if not more. He's complimented on the team by a savvy veteran in Michael Young. He connected on his 10th homerun Wednesday night. Last season proved to be a success for the slugging left-handed outfielder who surpasses a high mark early with RBIs. I bet no one can match his prowess in the batter's box and excess his stats much in all of MLB. Seeing him go on a hitting tangent after mid-July will be awesome!

Red Sox close it out, 2-0 against Dodgers

Clay Buchholz wrapped up another decision last night in Boston. As a result the Red Sox moved to 43-28. The young hurler has been enjoying a good season through June. Not much offense proved to be needed as the Red Sox gained a little ground with 2-0 final. Dustin Pedroia had 3 hits to aid the cause. Manny's return to Fenway wasn't anything amazing. Yet the fans still showed their spirited support (wacky signs and amicable face paint with designs too). This is a good time to be a Red Sox supporter, going neck-and-neck with the Tampa Bay in the division.

Anyway, in the victory Clay Buchholz pitched 6.3 innings with 3 hits and 3 walks while serving out 4 strikeouts. He bumps his record to 10-4. David Ortiz had a sac fly to give the team a padded run for safe keeping. What a way to show those men in blue from L.A. the Bo Sox mean business. They got the sweep! It's all good in Fenway Park. The only thing the Dodgers got a nice view of was the Green Monster on the way out of the city. Guess they're not so potent after all in NL. Man, Interleague sure is fun. Look forward to seeing the other thrilling match-ups to come.

Boston Celtics give strong efforts, Lakers clinch 16th title

The Celtics and Lakers matched up and took it toe-to-toe with each other. It was a thrilling series with highs with history etched. The rivalry added one more contest as the series stretched to 7 games. Kobe Bryant performed to high standards up until the deciding final game. His clutch and timely good decisions on the court make the Finals memorable. As does with high scorer Paul Pierce, who ignites the fans back in Boston. The most overlooked player though in the series was Rajon Rondo who played well against veteran caliber players.

With the final score notched under 90 for both teams it was a delightful series. Kevin Garnett finished with good scoring support and hit at least 40% from the field. The 87-82 victory put it home for the Lakers who turned the corner with consistent, time-based free-throw shooting in the 4th quarter. I'd have let the go to Garnett or Pierce personally rather than anyone such as Ray Allen with 2 minutes and under to go. Coach Doc Gooden had made the most of it with good plays down until the last timeout. The flair and consistency from L.A., became too much for the Celtics to overcome. Oh, well another Finals in the record books!

A top tribute to Ken Griffey Jr., a classic superstar

Learning all the intangibles and fundamentals in baseball can be achieved by more than watching. Seeing how it's a thrill ride with sensational years Ken Griffey Jr. made the great American Past time awesome. He's a true classic baseball star who decided to call it time for retirement in 2010. I'd have liked to see play more one season. It wasn't to be with his health and decision to leave. He's a career .300 hitter with over 600 homeruns. The diving and leaping catches he made on the field also enlisted him as a top award winner. I can't state enough positive about Griffey Jr.

The days as a Seattle Mariner were memorable no doubt about it. I remember him and Jay Buhner cranking homeruns to help the M's in the 90's and in the postseason. It's a shame they didn't make it ever to the World Series. Sensational hitting and overall top performance was what made Ken Griffey Jr. a great player and overall success in baseball. No one can question is outstanding achievements over his career. I won several gold gloves. Tallying the high honors with top stats proved him to be one of the best in the AL and in MLB. In his time he play for 3 teams: Mariners, Reds, and WhiteSox. Griffey Jr. remains one of my favorite baseball play of all-time.

Good luck to him with his retirement and all who believe hail to his greatness! Congratulations to the eventual Hall of Famer for a mega career, serving as a big inspiration!