Remembering Roy Halladay

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Roy Halladay passed away on Tuesday following a plane crash in the Gulf of Mexico. At just 40 years old the news was both stunning and heartbreaking. He touched the lives of so many, not only with his feats of greatness on the mound, but with his caring nature.

The Beginning of a Hall of Fame Career

Roy Halladay came into the Major Leagues in 1998 surrounded by high hopes. He had been a 1st round pick of the Blue Jays in 1995 and proceeded to pitch two excellent games at the end of the ’98 season. But after a solid season in 1999, Halladay’s career appeared to be on the ropes the following year. With an ERA of 10.64 over 19 appearances, the Blue Jays shipped Halladay all the way back to A ball in 2000. This move could have destroyed the confidence of anyone and expedited their path out of the sport. Roy Halladay wasn’t just anyone though. He came back from the experience, stronger than ever and with a mission.

Halladay returned to the majors in midseason of 2001. After a rocky first game back pitching in relief, Halladay made 16 starts, posting a 2.71 ERA. He took his previous failure in stride and used it as motivation to become better.

Roy Halladay pitching in some fashionable Toronto Blue Jays uniforms.

Peak Performance

For the next decade Halladay was at the top of the sport, possibly the best pitcher in all of baseball. He averaged 17 wins with a 2.97 ERA over that decade long span. Halladay won two Cy Young Awards while also finishing runner-up in two others. From 2006-2011, he never finished worse than 5th in any Cy Young vote. In an often overlooked stat, but no less meaningful, Halladay had five seasons in which he struck out 200 batters while walking less than 40.

One thing that endeared Halladay to so many was his bulldog mentality. He wanted the ball, and he wanted to stay on the mound all game. He was there to help his team win games, and he wouldn’t be able to do that from the dugout. Halladay led the league in complete games for five consecutive seasons from 2007-2011, and seven times during his career. He also earned the respect of others with his work ethic. He didn’t just go from A ball to one of the best pitchers in the game overnight. Halladay put in the work and then maintained it throughout the rest of his career.

Philadelphia Phillies

In 2010, after years of pitching on mediocre teams in Toronto, Halladay was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies. He finally got to pitch for a team good enough to head to the postseason. Given his mentality, no one should have questioned whether he’d be a playoff performer. Then again, no one could have predicted what would happen next either. In Halladay’s very first playoff start of his career, at the age of 34, he threw a no-hitter. In 1264 playoff games in Major League history there had only been one no-hitter thrown. Halladay managed to be the second to ever accomplish this feat in his very first attempt. This also happened to be his second no-hitter of the season, having thrown a perfect game in May of that year.

Roy Halladay waves to the crowd after pitching a no-hitter in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park on October 6, 2010. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

A Hall of Fame Person

Roy Halladay was a remarkable competitor and fantastic pitcher, one who will surely get strong Hall of Fame consideration when he appears on the ballot starting in 2019. However, I am not here to only talk about Roy Halladay the baseball pitcher. Pitching in front of millions he was able to touch countless lives and bring joy to many just from the way he was able to throw a baseball. Halladay used that fame and success to touch the lives of so many more  and make the world a better place.

Halladay did a lot of charitable work and had his own foundation. The Halladay Family Foundation has aided children’s charities, hunger relief and animal rescue. A lot of his work came with underprivileged children. At the Roger’s Centre, where the Blue Jays play their home games, there was a box called “Doc’s Box,” named for Roy’s nickname. Halladay would often invite children and their families to sit there and take in Blue Jays games. He also had it in his contract with the Blue Jays to donate $100,000 every year to the “Jays Care Foundation.”

The Roberto Clemente Award is given to an individual who “best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual’s contribution to his team”. Roy Halladay was nominated for this award many times over the years due to his charitable work off the field and his work ethic and sportsmanship on the field.

Peer Reactions

The outpouring of comments from fans and former ballplayers on social media says it all; the baseball world is in mourning.

https://twitter.com/MikeyY626/status/928033969786032128

Leaving Behind a Legacy

Halladay left behind a wife and two children, who he had just started getting to spend more time with the last few years since his retirement. He stated he wanted to be more active with his kids and their own baseball careers when he retired, and he did just that by coaching their baseball teams.

Tuesday we not only lost a great baseball player, but a fine human being. Millions mourn the loss of Halladay, not just the baseball world, but the countless lives he touched while he was with us. Halladay did more to help his fellow man than most of us ever will. He was a shining example of what so many others should strive to be.

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A Big Impact

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Which trade has made a bigger impact to the New England Patriots this season? The blockbuster trade that sent the scrappy, young Jacoby Brissett to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a speedster in Phillip Dorsett? Or giving the Detroit Lions a 2019 sixth round pick for special teamer and secondary depth player Johnson Bademosi? Midseason returns would indicate that the home run of those trades is for Bademosi. Injuries to Gilmore and Rowe were decimating the Patriots secondary and Bademosi stepped in admirably. He has defended against quarterbacks Matt Ryan, Philip Rivers and Josh McCown. Bademosi has solidified himself as a valued member of the rotation and a core special teams player. Poised to make a big impact for the rest of this season and beyond. But who is the man that now wears the silver helmet?

Is He the 1st Generation Son of Nigerian Immigrants?

His parents, Henry and Margaret have worked hard since coming to this country to provide the best possible opportunity for their children. A standout at the Gonzaga High School in Washington D.C., Bademosi continued his journey by becoming a rugby, track and field, and a football athlete for the private school. He made a impact on the field as well as off, becoming the recipient of the Maurice “Maus” Collins Award. This award is given for displaying excellence and leadership away from the playing field. Other people noticed his unique blend of hard work and dedication. Jim Harbaugh once made a call to offer the young star a scholarship at Stanford University. Bademosi cut the conversation short, saying that he had practice to attend.

Was He an Excellent College Cornerback, That Did Not Receive an Invite to the Combine and Went Undrafted?

It’s hard to understand the math that allows a first round pick to barely skate by, only to bounce out of the league within a couple of years. And a guy waiting seven rounds to hear his name called and goes on to carve out a role for himself on a team with a chance at Super Bowl glory. Harbaugh’s excellent Cardinal teams have prepared the DB and special teams player for the NFL but when the draft clock was counting the Bademosi name went unsaid.

Did he feel sorry for himself and wonder why he didn’t get picked? No. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Browns and led the team in special teams tackles for four years straight. Patriot friend, Bob Quinn, signed him as a free agent for Lions but found himself with a logjam at cornerback. When Belichick called looking for special team depth striking a deal was essential to starting the year off right. One could say that the Patriots again won the trade game.

Is He a Man That Is Active with Various Causes Within His Community?

Yes he is. From attending the Million Woman March with DeAndre Levy, to speaking out against immigration bans and police brutality, to providing opportunities for low income children to expand their world. His quiet and impactful measures have touched numerous lives.

I hope he can continue to provide impactful play on the field and off for the New England Patriots for many years to come.

A DIFFERENT FEEL FROM THE 2011 STANLEY CUP CHAMPS

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The start of the Bruins season has been an emotional drain on Boston hockey fans. Failing to scrounge up back-to-back wins at any point during the season, the Bruins have not looked how we hoped. They give us hope, only to let us down a few nights later. What’s the problem with this years team? Why don’t we see the same championship potential from a Bruins team, consisting of many whom actually played on the 2011 Stanley Cup championship team? Let’s break it down…

A LACK OF CHEMISTRY

One thing common among all championship teams, really for any sport, is a strong chemistry on the ice, field, etc.  When I was growing up near Chicago, I was blessed to be smothered with countless hockey championships, at the hands of the Chicago Blackhawks.  The trust between defensive pairing, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, was immense. It created a contagious chemistry across all red sweaters.  Although superstars themselves alone, combining offensive forces like Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and Patrick Sharp, created a similar atmosphere on the other side of the puck.  With a prolific group of athletes constantly on the same page, winning championships was inevitable. This transitioned into an era of greatness for the city of Chicago, something unseen since the Michael Jordan Era.

Similarly, the Bruins Stanley Cup championship run of 2011, was crafted largely in part due to their chemistry on the ice. The Bruins were led that postseason by David Krjeci and Patrice Bergeron, both whom flirted with two dozen total postseason points, but more important was the supporting cast these two leaders were surrounded by on the ice. Guys like Nathan Horton and Michael Ryder complimented the bigger names, creating a swift and efficient play-style. This season, the Bruins have lacked the chemistry needed to compete at championship caliber. Guys like Danton Heinen and Jake DeBrusk need to contribute heavily in order to get point hoarders, like Marchand and David Pastrnak, more opportunities as the season continues.

FLUCTUATION BETWEEN THE PIPES

No one is expecting Tuukka Rask to put up the absurd numbers we saw from Tim Thomas during his Conn Smythe Trophy year.  The immaculate display from Thomas throughout both the regular and post-season, is something Bruins fans will never forget. Thomas led the league during the regular season, in both Goals Against Average (2.00) and Save Percentage (.938) (ESPN.com) He then went on to somehow improve those figures in the postseason (1.98) & (.940) respectively (ESPN.com.) Thomas was a vacuum cleaner for Boston, and played probably the biggest role in the B’s brining home their first Stanley Cup in nearly four decades.

This season Rask is not expected to, and will not, eclipse the level of play that Thomas did in the 2010-11 season. In order for the Bruins to contend in the Atlantic Division this season, he will need to improve.  Rask is currently 18th in Goals Against Average this season, with a mediocre 2.73 GAA (ESPN.com.) Rask has shown his ability this season on more than one occasion. He clearly has the power to prevail in net, he just needs to on a consistent basis. I appreciate that the defense has failed him time-to-time, and fortifying defensively is a priority moving forward. Hopefully, Rask can stay healthy, as the concussion earlier in the year was obviously a setback.

SPEAKING OF INJURIES…

They need to cease!  Injuries are part of the game and that’s just the way it is. In order to establish chemistry, and build any momentum, guys need to stay healthy. It seems everyday I wake up to an alert of a new player being out for a couple games or longer. Injuries play a huge role in the sport. With Marchand and Krejci both out for a bit, it’s going to be hard to collect points in the division. How the younger skaters deal with the injuries of the big name players determines a lot moving forward. Will they take the challenge, and prove their potential? Or drop the ball on an opportunity to show Boston fans what they’ve got? Only time will tell.

Stanley Cup champions are not built in the playoffs, they are built in the offseason. They grow from October, through the final puck drop in June. If the Bruins expect to be playing into the late spring, a lot of building blocks need to be put in place.

 

Celtics Bench Stepping Up amid Increased Pressure

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Importance of the Second Unit

Coming into the season, the Celtics were not expected to lean heavily on their bench players. That changed opening night, due to Gordon Hayward’s gruesome injury. This put more pressure on the Celtics bench, and those players have produced. It will be hard to replace Hayward’s talent, without making a blockbuster deal. The Celtics are relying on their second unit, and so far it’s worked. Players such as Terry Rozier, Daniel Theis, and Marcus Smart have stepped up. The Celtics will need this to continue as the season goes on, and they try to win a championship.

The Veterans On The Celtics Bench

The Celtics bench is comprised of young players. Through the early part of the season, these players have stepped up. Terry Rozier is in the midst of a break year. He is averaging nine points per game, along with 4.9 rebounds per game. Marcus Smart has continued to be a defensive enforcer, and has hit clutch shots of late. Both these players have multiple years of NBA experience, and are showing improvement in their game. Aron Baynes is the oldest of the group, he’s in his fifth year in the NBA. He doesn’t put up godly stats, but he has been a serviceable big man of the bench. The biggest and most pleasant surprise from the bench, has been the play of the rookies.

Celtics Bench

The Rookies

The Celtics bench includes four rookies, who have each stepped up. The two most impressive have been Daniel Theis and Semi Ojeyele. Stevens has showed trust in both these rookies, they are playing ten minutes a game. Theis has been a force on the boards at times, and provides the second unit with a spark. Semi hasn’t been as impactful on the boards, but he’s still contributed. He’s been smart handling the ball, and has earned praise from his teammates, such as Al Horford. These rookies will go through their struggles, but so far that hasn’t been the case, and coach Brad Stevens has rewarded them.

Celtcis Bench

What To Look For As The Season Goes On

As the season goes on, these players will have their ups and downs. It is critical that they continue to play with the confidence they have thus far. If they can, this Celtics team will surprise people. When Gordon Hayward went down, many feared the season had changed dramatically. So far this Celtics bench has shown that they intend to surprise people, and Celtics fans won’t mind that.

Alex Cora Excited To Be Back

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Manager Alex Cora Is In Boston

Alex Cora was introduced yesterday at Fenway Park. My takeaway from that press conference was him saying Boston won’t be a challenge for him.

“Boston, for a lot of people, is a challenge. For me, it’s not, I don’t think experience is going to be an obstacle for me. I think I’m prepared.”

I think it’s a good look for this team with a lot of young talent. The Red Sox hired Tony Larussa to as a resource for Cora, if needed. Questions remain if Cora was Dave Dombrowski’s choice, or some believe ownership may have stepped in. Either way, this market is a tough place to manage. The Red Sox have a winning reputation, and division titles don’t mean anything. It’s all about world championships. This whole city is all about championships, from the Red Sox to the Patriots.

Alex Goes Down Memory Lane

Cora played with Dustin Pedroia back in 2007. He made his debut for the Red Sox in July of 2005. The Red Sox won the World series in 2007. He said yesterday, Boston talks baseball 24/7 and that’s what he grew up with. Cora was saying that experience as a manager didn’t really matter when he was a players coach and a bench coach. He watched how the game was played, and managed throughout his career as a player, and as a bench coach.

Alex Is Coming Off A World Series Win

Houston Astros bench coach Alex Cora sits in the dugout during media day for baseball’s World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Monday, Oct. 23, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Cora just won a World Series with the Houston Astros. What an accomplishment that was, after everything Texas has been through. He talked about forming the relationships with the players now, so when they get down to Fort Myers, he has an idea of who the players are and what they want to get out of next season in 2018.

On To 2018…

Cora is all about moving forward in talking about David Price.

“For me, it’s unfair to talk about what happened last year. It’s in the past. I’m here to move forward This guy is very important for me. Whatever I can do to help him out, I’m going to be there for him. And at the same time, whatever I can do for him to be successful, I have to be there for him. The whole clubhouse thing, we’ll be fine. You guys know how I dealt with Manny with all the situations. We tried to bring this thing together. We’re going to be fine.”

He Sounds Confident

He sounds confident, and that’s good. Let’s see how this team looks in February for Spring Training. Until then, they need to find another power hitter.

RED SOX HOT STOVE: Who Could Be Leaving Boston

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Every morning I look out my window, see a dark gloomy sky and realize there is no baseball on for the next few months. I watched a rerun of the Red Sox getting spanked in Game 1, against the Astros, in the ALDS. Why? If you clicked on this article, much like myself, you’re missing baseball. Although the offseason is not that good, it’s not that bad since the Hot Stove for trade rumors is constantly on broil. Since this team is not the top World Series team going into the season, there are some pieces that need to be moved to get to that level. Here are some of the Red Sox players I can see packing their bags this offseason:

Sam Travis:

It’s sad to see Sam Travis on this list for me. Aside from any new acquisitions, he was the most talked about player all spring last year. He hit a hand full of home runs, and became the instant thought of power for the future, well before Devers. It certainly didn’t carry into the regular season. Travis hit .263, in only 76 at-bats. In those at-bats, the one stat that mattered most with Dr.Chill, is 0 HR. I personally believe we are going to have another year of Mitch Moreland being the first baseman due to his season last year. There still is a lot of value with Travis, and I could see him in a deal to get immediate power.

Christian Vazquez:

This one may seem strange for people who watched Christian Vazquez in 2017, but this is exactly why I could see him hitting the road. Vazquez hit a clean .290 AVG this year, and although he only hit 5 HR, I think I can remember each one. Two of them were walk-offs, and at home, Vazquez came to ball. At Fenway, the man hit .348 AVG, with an OPS of .905. Do you think Dave Dombrowski really thinks this can happen again? There seems to be a lot of value right now for Vazquez, than this time last year. While the stock for Christian Vazquez is up, I won’t be surprised to see him traded.

Ben Taylor:

For those of you who aren’t aware, Ben Taylor was the guy you saw some time around April, with the sick stache. Although his caterpillar might make it out of November, I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t.  One of the top guys on this roster who has a secured job is Craig Kimbrel. If you asked me last year, I’d have said Taylor was safe due to a shaky year for Kimbrel. However, judging by the fact the flamethrower could be the reliever of the year in the AL, I think Taylor’s days are numbered. Taylor is one of the Red Sox top reliever prospects, and could bring a lot of value to a team with a struggling bullpen.

Eduardo Rodriguez:

Eduardo had quite the start to the 2017 season. At one point, he was in the All-Star conversations, and the number two to Chris Sale. Injuries have been the killer for E-Rod. After undergoing another surgery, I’m not sure how much longer this club can wait for his potential. E-Rod is only 24, and the signs of injury this early in his career could be alarming for most clubs. There are still teams out there willing to take a chance at what he can bring to a rotation. Even when healthy, finishing with a 4.19 ERA, it was disheartening to end the season. The wear and tear of the MLB season does not seem a good fit for E-Rod in Boston. Yuck.

Xander Bogearts:

Thirty-four. No, I am not talking about David Ortiz every one’s favorite home run threat, couldn’t be further from the subject. That is the number of how many games it took the two time Silver Slugger, Xander Bogaerts, to hit a home run this season. Maybe a batting average of .273 isn’t terrible, but for the player Xander should/could be, I really think that number should be higher. He only hit 10 home runs in a season.

Personally, I’m not sure what Xander’s value might be. If Xander does not hit well with a new hitting coach, and a new system of management in 2018, you have to think that’s the last straw. Xander is entering his year 26 season, where most players start to hit their prime.  I’m not sure if value is discussed with him on the phone, or in the locker room, but with a tool like Eduardo Nunez on the team now, it’s unclear if that value is in Boston.

Andrew Benintendi:

*ONLY IF BOSTON GETS STANTON*

LET ME MAKE THIS VERY CLEAR, I don’t think anyone wants this to happen. Benintendi is one of the ROY finalists. Although he will probably not win the award, Benintendi didn’t have a terrible rookie season with the Red Sox. An average of.271, hitting 20 HR, and .776 OPS, is not as well as most thought he’d perform this year. Considering it was his rookie year at the age of 23, I’m not exactly upset with that performance. The bottom line is, Andrew Benintendi has top value out of the entire Red Sox roster. Defensively, he can be a threat, he has speed on the base paths, and is an all-around athlete.

Either Andrew Benintendi is a Sox player for life, or will be sent away for a power hitter from South Beach. It’s the difference between what this team wants in the future, or immediate present. Benintendi has three more years secured on his contract than Hot Stove favorite, Jackie Bradley Jr. If it were me, I’d rather give more around a package with JBJ, than settle for giving away Benintendi. If you’re a fan of Stanton being with the Red Sox, you may have to part ways with Benny Baseball. PRAY with me for JD Martinez.

How Injuries and Actions May Really Hurt the NFL Longterm

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If you are even a marginal NFL fan, you are aware that injuries are a part of the game.  It is a contact sport and injuries are to be expected. During this season in particular, some of the NFL’s biggest stars have suffered season-ending injuries. These injuries have not only hurt those teams, but the NFL itself.  Let me tell you how I feel the NFL will hurt as a league because of these injuries.

 

MANY STARS HAVE FALLEN

This season alone so many of the NFL’s most marketable stars have gotten injured. The list is very long, including Aaron Rodgers, Julian Edelman, Odell Beckham Jr, Deshawn Watson, JJ Watt, and Carson Palmer being some of the most notable. As a fan you might think that this sucks for the player and also for the team as well.  What you might not be aware of is that these injuries to these star players has hurt the NFL.

By taking these players out for the season, it appears that networks have taken notice. Many of the networks that show NFL games such as CBS, ESPN, and NBC have tried to maximize their viewership. They have done this by trying to show games that they feel people will watch. The injuries to star players has made this an incredible challenge. Teams such as Houston, Green Bay, and the Giants have really had a hard time with these key injuries. Just note their records since these injuries occurred if you don’t believe me.

What this is going to do to the NFL in the long run is soon to be noticed. With declining viewership, declining sponsor dollars, and market constraints, the networks will negotiate tough on the next TV deals. The big cash cow that the NFL used to count on will not be as lucrative. This is likely going to cause friction in the next CBA negotiations. I believe this item will be the issue that the owners will try and get the most mileage from. The owners are those very rich men and women that sit in those ritzy boxes and watch games with binoculars. They are more than a little out of touch in my opinion. Just remember Bob McNair’s “can’t have the inmates running the prison” statement if you’re unsure of this.

WHAT WILL IT MEAN FOR THE FANS?

The NFL fan experience will be quite different in the next few years I believe. Some of the league’s most marketable players are getting up there in years. Players such as Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Carson Palmer (who may retire from his current injury), Larry Fitzgerald, etc., are only going to be playing a few more years. Many of these players are some fans’ only link to the NFL.  Once they depart, are the players of today like Cam Newton going to be able to fill the void? If how Newton handles press conferences is any indication, then I would say maybe.

Some of the younger players of today are much more brash and in your face then in years past. Players like Odell Beckham Jr. going on a boat trip right before a playoff game, and the whole Ezekiel Elliott mess are just a couple of examples. Are these players setting examples that you want other players to follow? Are they acting in the best interest of their team, ownership, and fans?  I believe the answer you are looking for is a resounding “HELL NO”.

Many of these players have turned off fans by their actions, and many have cost even themselves (ie. Cam Newton’s comments in a recent press conference cost him sponsorships). Not exactly a role model you want your kids to look up to is it? Their actions are costing themselves now and in the long run with lower viewership.

WOULD YOU BLAME FANS FOR NOT WATCHING?

Some of the actions by a few notable players have hurt the league in the last few years. The actions are one thing, but how the league has handled these actions has turned a lot of people off.  The whole Ray Rice disaster was really the start of things in my opinion. The Greg Hardy issues are also ones that stand out in my mind as poorly handled by the NFL.

If you want people to watch your product and respect your league then handle things like these properly. What is the proper way to handle these things you ask? I believe a small group of middle school students could have made better judgement calls then Commissioner Goodell (aka Peckerhead).

If there is not a better outlook by some of the players and owners then the NFL is going down the crapper. The injuries that have happened this year are unfortunate but they will heal. Let’s hope that the league gets a decent commissioner soon and looks after their affairs in a much more effective and fair manner. If this happens then hopefully we will get to continue to enjoy this great game.

 

 

 

Boston Bruins Face Chicago Blackhawks In 2019 Winter Classic

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Get ready Boston. For the third time in the past nine years, the Bruins are taking hockey fans back to their roots. It was announced earlier on Twitter, by Barstool Sports, the Boston Bruins are set to face the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2019 Winter Classic. This will mark the first time the Bruins have participated in the Winter Classic as the visiting team. The matchup is set to take place at Notre Dame Stadium. Multiple reports have stated that an official announcement will be made later this month.

Previous Winter Classic Appearances

Boston Bruins

The Bruins will be participating in their third Winter Classic. Their first appearance was a 2-1 overtime victory against the Philadelphia Flyers, at Fenway park. Marco Sturm tipped in a pass from Patrice Bergeron to seal the victory, making the Bruins the first home team to ever win a Winter Classic game.

The Bruins other appearance was their more recent matchup against the Montreal Canadians, at Gillette Stadium. A matchup between two original six teams, and one of the most historic rivalry’s in sports led to a lot of hype. Unfortunately, the Bruins failed to show up, and embarrassed themselves in a 5-1 loss. It was worse than the score indicates.

Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks have appeared in three previous Winter Classic games, and have an 0-3 record in those contests. They dropped their only home game out of the three, at Wrigley Field, to the Detroit Red Wings in 2009, by a score of 6-4. The other two games were on the road. The first was a 3-2 loss to the Washington Capitals. Then a 4-1 loss to the Blues, after taking an early 1-0 lead.

Head to Head History

The Bruins currently hold a 265-238-4 all time record against the Blackhawks. However, the Blackhawks beat the Bruins, in six games, in the 2013 Stanley Cup finals at TD Garden. The past three seasons, the teams have had an even split, each going 3-3-0.

Key Matchups

Most of the rosters have turned over since the two teams collided in the Stanley Cup finals. A few key members have kept the rivalry alive–namely, Patrice Bergeron vs. Jonathan Toews. This is one of the best matchups to watch in hockey. While neither player will make you jump out of your seat with a dazzling deke or a giant hit, they are the most balanced, valuable centers in the NHL. Another matchup to watch is Rask handling the Blackhawks on the big stage, after the devastating ending last time.

Of course it’s to early to be breaking down the matchup, but for hockey fans, nothing is better than the Winter Classic. It takes everyone back to their pond hockey roots, and is one of the greatest events in hockey.

Belichick breaks the “Patriot Way” for Brady

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I remember my dad swearing at the sight of Bobby Orr in a Blackhawks sweater. I remember Joe Montana in a Kansas City uniform, Jerry Rice in Oakland, and Emmitt Smith in Arizona. The idea of Tom Brady playing anywhere else is nauseating. I get it. As a fan, I’m glad he’s staying in New England.

That said, however, in trading Jimmy Garoppolo, Bill Belichick broke all the rules that have made New England the NFL’s premier franchise since 2001. Remorseless professionalism. Dispassionate player decisions.

I know this will make everyone lose their minds; but rather than laughing at 49ers GM John Lynch at the suggestion, the “Patriot Way” would have been to trade Brady.

The Foundations of Sustained Excellence

Since arriving in New England, Belichick has lived by the adage “buy low, sell high.” Nobody in professional sports has said good-bye to as many high performing veterans as the Hoodie. Ty Law, Lawyer Milloy, Richard Seymour, Willie McGinest, Logan Mankins, Chandler Jones, Jamie Collins, Vince Wilfork. All beloved Patriots, all will have finished their careers elsewhere.

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As a GM, Belichick has ripped emotion from the equation and relied on cold calculus when making player decisions, especially with veterans and especially at contract time. Rarely has he held on to someone only to watch that player decline. He gets rid of them early, gets maximum value in return, and invests in the future. He didn’t do that this time.

Jimmy G, We Hardly Knew Ye

We don’t yet know what Jimmy Garoppolo will be as a quarterback. We liked what glimpses we caught, but the sample size was limited. Belichick knows, and by all accounts he loved Garoppolo.

Is Garoppolo better than Brady? Of course not. Tom Brady is the greatest player in NFL history. Player, not just quarterback. Any argument about Rice, Brown, Taylor, or anyone else is just silly. The QB is the single most important position in all of sports. And nobody has ever done it better.

But that’s not what the Patriots should have asked before trading Jimmy. What they should have asked was: Would the Patriots be a better team in the future by trading Brady? and Will Garoppolo be a better QB for the Patriots than Brady in 3-5 years?

Garoppolo will likely struggle initially in San Francisco as he adjusts to a different system, new coaches, and unfamiliar players. None of that changes the fact that in New England he could have been a top 5 NFL QB.

40 Is Not the New 20

I don’t care how much avocado ice cream he eats or how comfy his magic pajamas are, Tom Brady is old and getting older. At some point soon his performance will decline. I’m not talking about Mad Max Kellerman’s wishful cliff theory. I’m talking about arm strength, ability to come back from hits, and ability physically perform at the same level he mentally performs.

Brady has indicated that he wants to play well into his forties. This is undoubtedly what forced the team’s hand with Garoppolo. Today, at 40, Brady remains the best QB in the NFL. But is a 43 or 45-year-old Tom Brady still among the league’s best behind center? Doubtful. Hell, behind this offensive line it’s a 50-50 proposition that he is even alive after week 10.

Gambling on Alex Guerrero

Jimmy Garoppolo could lead the NE Patriots. Sitting and learning behind Brady for the past three seasons, he was already the second best QB in the division. Under Jimmy the Pats were still winning the division for the foreseeable future.

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By investing in Brady, the Patriots have put all their chips on snake oil salesman Alex Guerrero to keep their investment ahead of father time. That’s not calculated risk taking, that’s gambling. To date, Bill Belichick hasn’t gambled in player decisions.  We’ll see how that gamble pays off when the Patriots face off against the Broncos in Denver on Sunday.

Trading Tom Isn’t as Crazy as You Think

Everyone got a good chuckle at the John Lynch story this weekend. BB’s reported incredulous response to Lynch’s suggestion of trading Brady was, according to FOX Sports Jay Glazer, “Did you just ask if I’d trade the greatest quarterback of all time?” Yeah Bill, he did. And it was a legitimate question that you should have taken a minute to consider.

If Brady had been on the table, the return from SF or anyone else would have been almost incalculable. The Patriots could have addressed multiple roster shortcomings for years – including quality linemen on both sides of the ball. Led by Garoppolo, in whom NE management had complete trust, the Pats would have locked up the AFC East for another decade.

In trading the New England’s future franchise QB, Belichick got a second round pick and retained the better QB for the immediate future. He held serve. That’s it. The future remains very much in doubt.

Nets/Lakers Played, And It Mattered

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TRADE VALUE TBD

Out of all the offseason moves made by Danny Ainge, the value of two trades is still largely unknown. First, the trade to acquire Kyrie. Isaiah Thomas was shipped to Cleveland, along with Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and two picks. One of those picks happens to be one of the most valuable around the league– the Nets unprotected 2018 pick, still left over from the Pierce/Garnett deal. The Nets look like they might not be the worst team in the league this year. We don’t know how Thomas will come back from his hip injury, so we still don’t fully know the value of this trade.

The other trade, whose value is still TBD, is the draft night trade of the 2017 #1 pick, sent to Philadelphia for the 2017 #3 pick (swap) and an additional 2018 1st round pick with protections. The pick is the Lakers 2018 pick, but only comes to fruition if it falls in between 2-5. This means the Lakers have to be pretty bad this year. If not, it becomes the higher of the 76ers & Kings 1st rounder in 2019, as long is it isn’t #1 overall. If it is, it becomes the lower of the two teams. This would be the worst situation, but also by far the least likely.

DID THE LAKERS WIN?

Last year, one of my favorite twitter accounts to follow was “Did the Nets Win?” It was a simple yes or no tweet, with the score after every game. Simple and somewhat pointless, it reminded me every time I saw it, how well-positioned the Celtics were for the future. Now, the account has changed to “Did the Lakers Win?” This year, the Celtics have the potential to benefit from the Lakers dropping as many games as possible, rather than the Nets. It’s a great card to hold over our greatest rival. Celtics fans have another reason to cheer for a Lakers implosion. We get to let the Nets go on with their lives. Danny Ainge put that franchise in such a fierce stranglehold, it almost felt wrong to be happy about.

Can the Lakers be bad enough this year to fall in the 2-5 range? Could they end up being worse than the Nets? If that happens, Ainge would look like a genius. Both the Lakers and Nets are starting to play a little better this season, than in previous years. They both added some veterans to help with the process, but so far it hasn’t resulted in anything crazy. The two teams played each other on Friday night, and the Lakers came out with the win. Let’s take a look at both teams, and see who has a better chance at a worse record this season.

LAKERS

Showtime in LA was seemingly back after the Lakers drafted Lonzo Ball. Through 10 games, he has yet to truly captivate the city, like some thought he would do right away. Despite some rough performances, he has shown the ability to get his teammates involved. The Lakers are starting to show a willingness to pass we haven’t seen with them since before the Kobe era. Ball’s presence is being felt, even if he isn’t posting gaudy scoring numbers.

The Lakers might have picked the steal of the draft 27th overall, in Kyle Kuzma. This guy is showing he can score at a high level, and he is ready now. While the team is still high on Brandon Ingram, it is becoming more apparent every game that Kuzma is more of an offensive threat than Ingram, at least right now. The Lakers are starting to catch on, giving him his first start on Friday against the Nets. He recorded a game-high 39 minutes, notching 21/13 on the night. Add Josh Hart and Thomas Bryant to Kuzma & Ball, and the Lakers might have had the best draft in 2017.

FOLLOWING THE CELTICS?

In addition to the top-notch draft the Lakers had, they added some true veterans they are hoping will help them win right now. All the while building something similar to what the Celtics are trying to do–a sustainable culture of winning with youth, that outlasts the Golden State era. The additions of Brook Lopez and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope were very underrated. Lopez had an all-star caliber season last year with the Nets, and posted 34 points against his old squad on Friday. KCP has hit big shots throughout his career. He has already put his clutch gene to use this season, tying the game with a big time 3 late against the Blazers on Thursday. He is also a great defender, something the Lakers have been missing on the wings.

NETS

The Nets are far from showtime. Most of their fans probably can’t tell you when the game starts. However, they are finally starting to turn a corner. While their drafts have been sparse, due to selling their future to the Celtics, they did pick up Caris Levert in the 1st round last year. The team is very high on him, and he is looking like a potential 2nd scoring option for them. They have done their best to surround him with young, gritty players that want to win.

The backcourt in Brooklyn was supposed to be newly acquired D’Angelo Russell & Jeremy Lin. Much like the Celtics, one of their best players, Jeremy Lin, suffered a season-ending injury in their season opener. Russell has turned it on since, and is looking like a borderline all-star. How long can he keep it up? He is looking like the franchise cornerstone going forward. Even if it is the Nets, his development will be something to watch this season.

ANYTHING YOU CAN DO, I CAN DO WORSE

Who is going to be worse this year, the Lakers or the Nets? Things are back to normal when Celtics Nation would rather see the Lakers lose. They definitely have a brighter future than the Nets, and should separate themselves from the bottom feeders of the league in the next couple of years. They are leaning heavily on young guys to win now. It is going to be tough for them to compete for a playoff spot this season. The way they have been playing right now, sitting at 5-5, they do have an outside chance.

The Nets, however, have virtually no shot at the playoffs this year. They are finally good enough to compete, but not for a playoff spot, even in the East. We should expect them to have their best record since the infamous Pierce-KG trade, but nothing more.

THE VERDICT

The Lakers beat the Nets heads up, and I think they will end up ahead of them in the standings at the end of the season as well. The only thing that could be a factor is the conferences. Obviously, the Western conference is much tougher than the East. Teams play conference opponents four times a year, so the Lakers are going to be going through the gauntlet, while the Nets will have more opportunities to steal games.

At the end of the day, I don’t think the Lakers pick will fall between 2-5 in 2018. We will have to wait a year, and get the better of the Kings/76ers picks. It is somewhat unfortunate because this draft class is supposed to be stacked (again), but the Kings have only won 1 game so far this year, and are looking more than a year out from being a serious team. In all likelihood, we will end up with their pick in 2019, and it could very well be a top 5 pick. We just might have to wait for it. Let’s not forget this is in addition to trading down to draft Jayson Tatum. This is a win in itself.