July 2010

This week’s All-Star Game festivities in Anaheim featured a decidedly Los Angeles Angels and Minnesota Twins flavor. The reason for this was the very prominent roles of Angels centerfielder Torii Hunter and Hall of Famer Rod Carew.   Both men represented the hometown Angels as official spokesmen for the several days of events.  Coincidently, both individuals also began their careers in Minnesota, before relocating to the heart of Orange County.

Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has had an incredibly impressive three-year run. Manuel led the Phils to their first World Series title since 1980, while capturing two consecutive National League Championships along the way. Tuesday night, he conquered yet another milestone by managing the NL to victory in the 2010 All-Star Game.  The 3-1 triumph was the Senior Circuit’s first midsummer win since 1996.  

As a result of these accomplishments, the 66-year-old has finally earned the collective respect of peers and fans alike.  

The New York Yankees are sitting comfortably atop the baseball world with a record of 56-32.  The defending World Series Champions have been operating on all cylinders during the first half of the 2010 season.  

Because of their stellar play, the Yanks are very well represented at Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Anaheim, California.  

Despite sharing positions on the same American League roster, not every Yankee players’ All-Star experience is the same. This point was quite evident on Monday afternoon at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel.

On June 24, the Sacramento Kings drafted DeMarcus Cousins with the fifth pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.  The 6-10, 290 pound forward/center averaged 15.1 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks during his lone season at the University of Kentucky.  In the days since, it has come to light that Cousins preemptively and unknowingly may have created a potential grudge between his Kings and the two-time defending NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers.