Jackie Robinson

Today, MLB or Major League Baseball is commemorating Jackie Robinson Day, it has been 65 years after Robinsoncracked the color barrier in professional baseball. All coaches and players is going to wear Robinson’s number 42 today.

I actually cannot inform you anything you do not already find out about Jackie Robinson. Probably none of us would ever guess what he underwent, working with extraordinary stupidity each day. Coping with it all with dignity, which takes an incredibly special kind of man. One which is worthy of being commemorated.
Being a player, he was special. He did not get through to the majors – due to the stupidity of the instances – up until the age of 28 yet still he had a ten year profession together with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Normally, sports are merely sports. Jackie Ronbinson however, was more vital than merely baseball. He played a big role in the whole civil rights movement. He altered it from being only a political concern something which individuals could comprehend as more than simply a concept. It’s not easy to think that such a fairly limited time ago the world was very different.

The March Madness Myth

Anyone that considers him or herself a real basketball fan, and works in corporate America surely knows or has at least heard about the March Madness Myth. Basically the myth says that during March Madness the productivity loss, because of said March Madness costs companies $1.7 billion dollars or more. There is a reason why this is a myth but first things first.

For now, let us assume that people working in offices and cubicles are drones that can work from nine till five without thinking about anything but work. The problem with this theory is that people slack off, a lot! They do pretty much anything just to avoid doing work, of course not everyone is like that but a lot of people, dare I say the majority is like that. Now you’re probably thinking “OK so why is there such a huge perception of a productivity loss during March Madness?” First of all you can’t truly measure productivity in today’s corporate environment. You can measure numbers like profits and losses and there’s the rub.

Of course there is some productivity loss because of the 2012 NCAA tournament or other major events like the Olympics or World Cup. Saying that it’s 1.7 billion USD or more though is a big stretch. When this myth first surfaced, the economy was already in decline so the billions in losses attributed to college basketball could have very well been a side effect of the Housing and Stock Market crash!

Again let us assume that the march madness myth is correct and that there really is a huge decline in productivity. You can’t measure everything with immediate results because results come in all shapes and sizes. If people don’t think of themselves as drones they are bound to make a better impression in that all so important business meeting or sales pitch. Sometimes knowing some random facts or having an interest in something that might appear to the manager as a huge waste of time can be very helpful when you want to create trust with a client.

Business isn’t just numbers and results, people want to do business with people they like and they want it to feel right and that’s why a personal touch is necessary for bringing in that contract not just profits and margins. Regardless, just like most basketball fans, I can’t wait for 2012 March Madness to get here!

Wilson Ramos Kidnapped

Wilson Ramos, Nationals catcher , have been kidnapped from his home country in Venezuela.

Ramos, 24, appeared to be contacted by four armed men around his residence in Santa Ines, Wednesday night, and brought away in a vehicle, reported by El Nacional, Venezuelan newspaper.

Ramos’ Venezuelan winter league group, Tigres de Aragua, also has verified the kidnapping with Twitter.

“This is sad, worrisome and true that Wilson Ramos has been kidnapped,” Katherine Vilera, team spokeswoman, said through Twitter.
Based on the Associated Press, judicial law enforcement officials in Venezuela stated the gunmen came into Ramos’ residence.

The Nationals haven’t released any official report about the kidnapping.

Many Major league baseball players, like Nationals pitchers Colin Balester and Drew Storen, together with Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain and  Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino also have sent messages or worry and assistance on Twitter.

“Extremely upsetting news about Ramo. Thoughts and prayers with him. Scary situation,” Storen tweeted.

World Series: Cardinals and Texas Rangers Forces Game 7

It is possible to numerologist? Six could be the number so excellent at mixing up World Series magic, and also the game which has midwifed a lot of memories. Make roomDon Denkinger, Carlton Fisk, and Joe Carter; time for you to toss yet another classic to the pile.

As soon as the Texas Rangers had lost their 5th lead in Thursday, you realized this evening would certainly should be in the Game 6 pantheon. When the St. Louis Cardinals had twice preserved their season right after getting right down to their final strike, then took tht win in the 11th having a centerfield shot by David Freese.

And it’s also a higher bar, Game 6. If the World Series will get that far, take notice. Pretty good possibility something unforgettable is going to happen, and never always one of the most pleasant.

NY Yankees Finish Boston Red Sox Miseries with Sabathia on the Go

The New York Yankees will start a three-game sequence at Fenway Park on Tuesday night with first place in the AL East on the line and with CC Sabathia on the heap.

The Yankees usually like their opportunities with the big lefthander on the hill, although Sabathia is 0-4 with a 7.20 ERA in four starts versus the Boston Red Sox this season and he is only 0-2 with a 6.17 ERA at Fenway Park in 2011.

New York generally has dropped 10 out of its 12 games versus Boston this season.  That is portion of the motive the Yankees sit 1 ½ games after the Red Sox title into this sequence.

Therefore, how do you illustrate the struggles of Sabathia against Boston and his command of the rest of the majors?  Sabathia finally has 17-3 with a 2.40 ERA against everybody but Boston.

Larry Rothschild, Yankees pitching coach said, “It’s a mistake here or there in the late innings. There are a lot of ground ball hits that just go through, some bloop hits, then something big happens and the floodgates have opened. I don’t think it’s anything monumental that needs to be changed.”

Making the mission of the Yankees extra challenging is the reality that Derek Jeter (knee) the shortstop and Alex Rodriguez (thumb) third baseman are questionable for the game on Tuesday and the whole series.

The Yankees and Sabathia have been not capable to resolve the Red Sox this season.  Yet they will get one more opportunity on Tuesday night.

Seattle Mariners Defeat LA Angels in American League West

The Seattle Mariners rallied to a 5-3 victory, stopping the Los Angeles Angels from closing ground in the American League West.

Mike Carp opened a go-ahead two-run home run to break a 3-3 tie in the eighth inning to give the Mariners a win versus an Angels team trying to rise into the playoffs.

Mike Scioscia said, “The last month is going to hinge on getting enough offense to absorb one pitch that’s not in the zone.  We didn’t do that tonight.”

Los Angeles, which lost two out of three throughout a current series versus first-place Texas, fell 3.5 games after the Rangers with  their newest loss.

Seattle, on the other hand, finished a three-game losing line on the power of 432-foot blow of the Carp.

Carp Informed reporters, “This is definitely the longest (homer) I’ve hit here. It definitely felt better than all the ones so far.”

“I wanted to move the runner over, obviously, that was my job. And I did more than that, which is good.”

The Angels climbed out of a 2-0 shortfall versus Seattle with three runs in the fourth inning.

Mark Trumbo tied the game with a two-run homer and Erick Aybar had a run-scoring double to give the visitors a 3-2 edge.

Los Angeles starter Joel Pineiro tossed six innings and allowed three runs but it was losing reliever Hisonari Takahashi who the Mariners rallied against the eighth.

Dustin Ackley opened the eighth with a dual to put up large explosion of the Carp and ended 3-for-3 at the plate.  He as well added an RBI triple in the fifth to tie the game with 3-3.

Kemp Joins 30-30 Club; Second Player from the Dodgers to Accomplish That

Matt Kemp crushed a long home run to center field in the bottom of the seventh innings of the 6-1 win on Friday over the Rockies, making him just the second Dodger to arrive 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases, and the quickest to do so.

Kemp links Raul Mondesi, who accomplished the feat in 1997 and ’99. He performed so on a 3-1 pitch off lefty reliever Matt Reynolds.

As Dodger Stadium followers chanted “MVP”, Kemp got three pitches and fouled one off before he crushed the fastball 427 feet to directly center field.

Kemp said, “I’ve always thought I could do it.  I can run. I can put a little bit of power in it. I just had to put it all together at the same time. It’s pretty special.”

Kemp is striking .323 with 98 RBIs to go together with his 30 homers and 33 steals.  He is in the peak four in the league in the entire three categories.

Kemp said after the game, “I’m just happy I got to do it here in L.A. The fans have always supported me. We still got a long way to go.”

No Dodger has ever reached the 40-40 club, and when Kemp was inquired concerning the mark, he replied, “Maybe one day.”

Manager Don Mattingly admired Kemp both before and after the game, particularly noting how much leadership role of Kemp has destined to the team.

Mattingly said, “It’s been a tremendous season for him in all areas of his game — leadership and the whole thing.  It’s been a joy really to have Matt playing this way, and his leadership in the dugout. The presence he brings, but not only that, this guy gets ready to play every day and plays hard every day.”

In 2009 the last Major Leaguer to arrive the 30-30 club was Texas second baseman Ian Kinsler.