Ken Griffey Jr. a Hall Of Fame inductee before 2014?

Throughout his outstanding career Ken Griffey Jr. proved to be a true gamer and excellent athlete. With Hall of Fame nominations in order in the coming years he will be a prime candidate for selection. I predict he will make it in there by 2014. His career numbers hold up despite all those nasty injuries. He has over 600 total homeruns and past 1,000 career RBIs. He postseason credentials will definitely favor him a bit too with a solid .300-plus average. It's a shame he didn't win a World Series title. He so deserving of a ring. He's most known for his leaping catch and hitting heroics as a Seattle Mariner. There I will always cherish him. He's to him as a great future legend!

NL West, a tough division this year

After the break the NL West is still in a tough division race. The Dodgers dropped 2 straight against the Cardinals this week. Manny Ramirez made his return yet didn't help them win. Still L.A. is hanging around in second place. The Rockies and Giants are also up there in the standings. Both playing well. Giants starter Tim Lincecum looks sharp again this year. He's enabling his team to stay afloat and maintain good ground.

At current the Dodgers are stationed three and a half games back in the division with a 49-41 record. Leading in first is the surprise Padres capturing a 52-37 mark. Their offense has really kicked into high gear with the likes of Adrian Gonzalez and young talent. I don't know who has the best pitching in the West, but the Rockies have a darn good starting rotation. They go on their streaks and made good acquisitions to strengthen that lineup (ex. Jason Giambi).

I can't see the Dodgers taking over sole possession of first place to go after another title just yet. They still have their work to do in the league. Plus they have to stay healthy, keeping Ramirez, Either, Kemp, and Blake going strong. They also have a fairly good bullpen with Kershaw and Billingsly leading the way in the rotation. Look for them to make the run in out west and give the Padres a serious challenge for contention. Manny will finish up on another power year too. They got good depth and are favorable to make it to the postseason again.

New NBA deals and trades

After all the smoke and talk cleared about Lebron James the NBA had got back to swinging trades. The Miami Heat picked up another solid veteran in Zydrunas Illgauskas this week. He wants to sign a two-year contract. He'll be joining the likes of teammate Lebron, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and Michael Beasley. Also worked out in a trade was Tyson Chandler from the Bobcats to the Dallas Mavericks. The West coast contender deals away Erick Dampier, Matt Carroll, and few younger players. This was a wise move. The former Hornets Center will make a nice defensive piece to the unit in Dallas.

The Washington Wizards departed ways with point guard Randy Foye as he heads to a new team out west. In D.C. they're banking on their young talent acquired in the talent and acquisitions to fill the void. They put much hope and expectation into new rookie standout, John Wall. Al Jefferson moves to the Jazz in a deal from Minnesota. The Lakers welcome in guard Steve Blake in a new ink deal. The Orlando Magic will be good next season too. I like the Mavs came out the smartest in their trade decision. Plenty more moving and shaking is yet to happen in the NBA off-season.

All-Star festivities a blast, Ortiz homerun champ

An exciting set of events completed approaching the All-Star Game today. The homerun derby in Anaheim, CA was fun for all involved. The participants slugged away, over 84 dingers in all after the first round or so. Corey Hart and Hanley Ramirez represented the National League well. They combined for over 25 long balls their first time around. Nick Swisher, Chris Young, Vernon Wells, and Matt Holiday got into the swing of it too. Miguel Cabrera and David Ortiz did their favors for the AL. It turned into a real slugfest. One fly ball traveled 485 ft. to the outfield. When the event was over David Ortiz was crowned the homerun champ.

The Old-Timers classic was a thrill. Same goes for the celebrity challenges. The celebrities get in there and made the game interesting. Several involved included: Bo Jackson, John Kruk, Tim Salmon, Rickey Henderson, Mike Piazza, Jennie Finch, Mario Lopez, Marisa Miller, and Goose Gossage among others. The AL blasted off with homeruns early in the lst inning, tacking 5 runs on the board. Their rival group came back with runs yet trailed most of the contest. Henderson had 2 lead-off homeruns as Tim Salmon added a pair himself. After a string of hits and ball-bashing innings the AL pulled out the stops and won with 15 runs scored. They had a field day.

Cavailer fans incensed at Lebron's departure

Oh my, oh me look how bad Lebron can be to those Cav fans. It's over. He's officially left the Cleveland Cavailers and took his meal ticket somewhere else. That place is Miami. Not Ohio, the other one. The embroided Lebron James jerseys with no. 6 have already gone into production with the Miami Heat logo on the front. After hearing the highly anticipated news about the mega deal the Cavailer fans lost their loyalty to the once highly-liked superstar and starting burning his old jerseys. How's that for a hallmark moment in Cleveland? Not looking too good either in his own hometown, Akron, Ohio.

Before long there will be kids making deals on the streets in Cleveland to get rid of all Lebron merchandise. That or catch the latest bus to get the heck out of there before it really gets too hot under the collar. I can't say the last time I'm been this displeased with the team franchise. Oh right, the last chance they had at winning an NBA title! That escaped them the minute King James no-more walked out the door. I'm sure he'll have fun with Dwayne Wade and company now in Florida. He may even get to kick it with all his people in Peeble Beach or Miami Beach. Seeing him smiling with a fat-ass contract live on national television with that Heat jersey has to leave a bitter taste in Cavailer fans' mouths.

I guess it's like this: If you can't be like them you might as well join them. That's what Lebron did. At least one good thing happened from this contract deal. He got his separation finally from Shaq. After too much time with the big fella I believe the star forward found out what playing dirty is all about. I'm sure Lebron likes his money clean though. Well, the kids' wishlists won't be completed now. They'll have to cross off 'See Cavs win a title' off the list as the Angel tree needy ones will also go without funds thanks to Lebron's absence. I can't believe he didn't stay in Cleveland. As basketball fans we all want to know when will the travesties end after the mean-spirited letter from the Cavailers' owner?

Rangers aiming high for 2010 campaign, atop AL West

How about the Texas Rangers these days! They're play top level baseball. I don't remember the last time Texas was in first place in their division. Josh Hamilton is having another terrific season, already totaling 21 homeruns and 63 RBIs. He's become a beast out there on the west coast. The Rangers boast a 50-34 record. They had a small marginal lead over the Angels and look to do more damage after the All-Star break. Michael Young is also having a good year as the second baseman. He's one of the best in the league. Voted in as an All-Star too.

The high-powered offense has kicked into second gear for the Rangers. They take on all challengers. Not too bad of a starting rotation either. The pitching has been taking care of business. Not to be outdone either is Vladamir Guerrero. He's compiles 73 RBIs already. As the team leader he will play a big part in the Rangers' success in the second half of the season. The 4-3 victory last night over the Indians helped boost the team a little more up in the standings. So far the Rangers have been a pretty potent offensive club. Look for more of that after the All-Star game.

Lebron James: where will he be next year?

Everyone from one corner of the NBA world to another is talking about which team will pick up Lebron James. I think the attention is swaying most to side heavier to the New York Knicks than any other team now. The Miami Heat among other contenders have showed interest in him. At the latest in New York the Knicks are trying to swing a mega deal to invite in Amare Stoudamire, Chris Bosh, and King James. That would be quite the buyout of new contracts. Personally I'd like to see Lebron stick with the Cavaliers.

I see Cleveland only getting better with the main attraction staying put. They managed a few good deals in obtaining key acquisitions in overlooked talent, Anthony Parker and reeling in Antawn Jamsion. To left go of Lebron, the Cavs are looking past at least 24 points per game, 8 rebounds, and 5-6 assists per game from their superstar. I'd take a chance on other players where interest may remain and work out a trade. Too valuable too lose is what fans will agree upon in Cleveland.

Right now the Knicks are waiting to hear back from Lebron. That may be a while. He's in no rush to make a decision it appears. Scouting other young NBA talent is what teams rebuilding are doing in the off-season yet it's in New York where they wish to pull the true blockbuster deal. Dwayne Wade is encouraging I'm sure for his team and would be lucky to have strong co-captains beside him such as Lebron and Chris Bosh. I don't think the move will happen any time soon. The Knicks will be speculating for a while and scourging around until a final decision is made and something works to their advantage.

Evan Longoria and B.J. Upton spat off the field

I don't know what has gotten into the Tampa Bay Rays off the field. They seem like a different team now. Letting emotions and arguments get in the way of performance isn't ever good. The Rays are taking a small loss in the AL East standings. In the past week they haven't faired well on the diamond. The two young talented players, B.J. Upton and Evan Longoria got scrappy with one another this past week. They got mad for both getting in each other's way plus bad defense that may have caused the Rays to falter.

The scene happened first in the dugout between both players. If there is going to be a fight it might as well take place on the two players' on personal time rather than during a game. It's a sign of poor sportsmanship. Right now the team is learning to adjust. They have to get control of youthful energy and work more on fundamentals and endurance. At current the Rays own a 46-33 record. They're 2 games back in the division. If the Rays keep up the good offense, maintaining their stride they will be fine. Staying away from the personal differences and the time to avoid suspensions is smart too. I expect them to make a run sometime after the All-Star break.

All-Star selections out there nearing the break

Each season the notorious All-Star Game festivities get underway. This month several returning selections will be on hand. The ones no longer appearing are Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Bonds. They've paved the way for new entrants such as Dustin Pedroia, Carlos Pena, and Ryan Howard. The best of the All-Star weekend is the homerun derby. That's sure to be a treat for the fans again. There are a ton of good pitchers selected for the Gala event such as Roy Holiday, Felix Hernandez, Cliff Lee, and Jered Weaver.

The 9-man lineup for the AL will be better than the NL I believe this year. Too many sure fire young talent from the league will hard for the NL to out perform. It's still going to be interesting to see how strikes first with a crooked number on the scoreboard. Last year it was a pitcher's duel like other times. Edwin Jackson who pitched a no-hitter a week or so ago may join the reserves as a representative for the D-backs. A-Rod and Derek Lee will definitely be joining the fun as members for the Yankees. I look for it to be a fun, spirited affair in July.