Archive for July, 2014

Jeter Standing O, AL Wins All Star Game, Wade $31 Mill, Gold Tabs On Jerseys

BASEBALL

Derek JeterIt was the All-Star game, and, remember, only in baseball does the all-star game actually mean anything.   The winning league gets home field advantage during the World Series.  Although many think this is is rather inexplicable and unfair.  The main attraction was Derek Jeter, as this would be his last all-star game appearance.  He got a standing ovation and played rather well, although the game’s MVP went to the Angels’ Mike Trout who guided the American League to victory.  AL 5, NL 3.

BASKETBALL


In the NBA, LeBron may have bolted from Miami, but the Heat still kept their former superstar, Dwayne Wade on the payroll.  Wade inked a 2-year deal worth $31 million.  Wade is on the decline, but he is still deadly at times.  Plus, the Heat still have Chris Bosh and Luol Deng.  The Eastern Conference is wide open.  

Finally, in the NBA, there will be a subtle yet interesting change in the jerseys next year.  As in soccer, any team that has won a championship will have a small gold tab on the back collar of their jersey. There is already a controversy, however. It doesn’t matter how many championships teams have won, they will still only have just one gold tab.  So, while the Portland Trailblazers have won just one championship, they will wear as many gold tabs as the Boston Celtics who have won 17 championships.  This needs to be ironed a bit more. 

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Cespedes Wins Home Run Derby, Scolari out in Brazil, Big Boon for Cleveland,

BASEBALL

Yoenis CespedesIt was time for the annual and much-anticipated Home Run Derby during All-Star Week.  This year boasted a lot of heavy hitters, and they were all trying to dethrone last year’s champion:  The Oakland A’s Yoenis Cespedes.  Everyone expected a big outing from the Blue Jays Jose Bautista, and the Marlins Giancarlo Stanton — two heavy hitters who can crush the ball.  But when all was said and done, Cespedes reigned supreme again.  That’s a rather remarkable feat.  

SOCCER

In soccer, now that the World Cup is over, all the national teams are looking at their coaches, and thinking, “Is this the guy we want running the show next time?”  Brazil, who suffered an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Germans, are moving on from their coach Luiz Scolari.  Not only that, but his whole staff is retiring.  Brazil is used to conquering in soccer not being conquered.  Expect them to come back strong in 2018.  

BASKETBALL

Finally, in the NBA, Cleveland is definitely excited to have LeBron back in a Cavaliers uniform.  It gives them something to root for, and it will be interesting to see if he can bring them a championship with such a young team.  But, on a more important note, having LeBron is a major financial boon to the city.  The Cleveland government announced yesterday that LeBron’s presence in Cleveland is now worth $500million per year.  He brings the fans, the media attention, and everything that happens with having a superstar in the area.  This is fantastic for the struggling Cleveland economy. 

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Germany Wins World Cup, Lebron James Heading to Cleveland, Carmelo a Knick

SOCCER

After 32 days of exciting soccer, Germany won the World Cup on Sunday afternoon! This is historic as the first European team to win the World Cup on South American soil. The only goal was scored by Germany’s Mario Goetze in extra time to give Germany the win over Argentina. Even though Argentina lost, it’s super star,  Lionel Messi,  received the award for best player in the World Cup.

Germany v Argentina: 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil FinalA number of American stars were in attendance including Lebron James, Mick Jagger, Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen.  Shakira sang and Carlos Santana played guitar during the closing ceremonies.

 

BASKETBALL

The big news and buzz all weekend is that the mighty Lebron James is leaving Miami after 4 years and going back home to Cleveland. Granted players, even the great ones that define a team, move on but this is particularly intense as Lebron did not exactly leave Cleveland 4 years ago on the best terms. In fact, the first game that the Miami Heat played against the Cleveland Cavaliers in December of 2010, Lebron was on fire scoring 38 p0ints in 30 minutes and after the game, said,  “I just want to continue the greatness of myself here in Miami.” That wasn’t exactly an endearing statement for his Cleveland fans to hear. But now, it’s all forgotten. Fans  in Cleveland are ecstatic. Their “greatness of Lebron” is back. Should be a great season for the Cavs.

In other NBA news, Carmelo Anthony is staying put in New York as a Knick.

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Germany vs Argentina in World Cup Final

SOCCER

On Tuesday we had a shooting frenzy when Germany destroyed Brazil 7-1 but in the next semi-final match on Wednesday with Argentina vs the Netherlands, it was relatively boring for 120 minutes of regulation play. The shootout decided the fate of both teams with Argentina scoring 4, Netherlands 2 and Argentina moving on to the final on Sunday vs Germany.

Sergio RomeroArgentina’s goalkeeper Sergio Romero gets credit for some great saves in the shootout but in a humble interview after the game he stated,

“It’s luck, that’s the truth. You can dive (the right way) and not make it, like happened to their goalkeeper,” Romero said. “I had confidence, thank God things turned out well.”

Germany vs Argentina in World Cup Final 3:00 pm Est Sunday

Brazil vs Netherlands in World Cup Consolation Round 4:00 pm Est Saturday

 

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Germany Demolishes Brazil In World Cup Semis

SOCCER

Germany World CupGermany demolished Germany in the World Cup Semi’s on Tuesday. It was an embarrassing defeat for the host country Brazil.  After an early score in the first 11 minutes, Germany then went on to score four goals in six minutes in just the first half adding in a couple more in the second for the biggest win in the semi’s in World Cup history.  When the match was almost over, the Brazil fans were so upset they started cheering for the German team’s immaculate passes. Brazil can’t just call it a day as they have to rally for another match on Saturday July 12th against the loser of the Netherlands/Argentina game to try and salvage a 3rd place finish. Germany 7, Brazil 1.

 

Wednesday’s semi final features Netherlands vs Argentina, 4:00 pm est. on ESPN.

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WATERCOOLER CHAT: SEMI-FINALS SET FOR WORLD CUP, DJOKOVIC WINS WIMBLEDON

What a weekend in sports!!!

Soccer

The semi-finals are now set with 4 teams moving on.

Argentina dominated the first half against Belgium and scored a goal within the first 8 minutes. Belgium finally showed some spark in the second half but couldn’t contain Lionel Messi and Ángel di María and lost an opportunity in overtime to tie it up. Argentina 1, Belgium 0.

Costa Rica, the Cinderella team of the tournament almost made it past Netherlands but in a dramatic shootout, the Netherland’s substitute goalkeeper, Tim Krul,  made two dramatic saves to give his team the advantage and a spot in the semi’s.

In other World Cup news, Germany secured a semi-final berth over France with a 1-0 victory and home team, Brazil bested Columbia 2-1  in an exciting matchup. The excitement was put on hold, however, for their concern for star player, Neymar who was carried off the field in a stretcher due to a back injury.

It’s now Brazil vs Germany (Tuesday 4:00 est)  and Netherlands vs Argentina (Wednesday, 4:00 est)

Tennis

Novak DjokovicNovak Djokovic beat Roger Federer in a Wimbledon final for the ages. Serbia’s Djokovic was up 5-2 in the fifth set with a match point at 5-3 and another at 5-4 but then Switzerland’s Federer pulled it out to force a 5th set. In a close 5th, Djokovic held on for a 6-7 , 6-4, 7-6 , 5-7, 6-4 victory. When Djokovic was handed his trophy he said to Federer, “I respect your career and everything you have done. And thank you for letting me win today.”

 

 

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Upcoming World Cup Matches & Maurcio’s Tattoo

SOCCER

Upcoming matches for the World Cup quarterfinals on this July 4th weekend:

Friday, July 4th: France/Germany: 12:00 pm est

Friday, July 4th: Brazil/Columbia 4:00 pm est

Saturday, July 5th: Argentina/Belgium 12:00 pm est

Saturday, July 5th: Netherlands/Costa Rica 4:00 pm est

Screen Shot 2014-07-03 at 9.42.53 AMIn other interesting World Cup news, Chile’s striker Mauricio Pinella had a chance to win the game for his country but kicked the ball into the crossbar (he just missed the goal). Chile lost to Brazil and Mauricio blames himself. He says he “missed a shot at glory.” To remind himself of this missed chance, he got the scene tattooed on his back with the tagline, “One centimeter from glory.” 

 

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WATERCOOLER CHAT: US FALLS TO BELGIUM IN EXCITING OVERTIME

SOCCER

In an exciting 120 minutes of drama, the US falls to Belgium 2-1. At the end of regulation time, the score was 0-0 but then Belgium scored twice early on. The US came back with a beautiful goal by Julian Green.

Tim HowardIt was an epic effort by Tim Howard with 16 saves. He kept the team in the game and performed like a champion. He had the most saves  in World Cup history. A disappointing ending to the US run but an exciting game and valiant effort.

 

 

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WATERCOOLER CHAT: GERMANY MOVES ON, US PLAYS TODAY AT 4:00, ALTIDOR HEALTHY

SOCCER

Germany staved off Algeria in a close game Monday. The Team’s were tied in regulation play but then Germany’s Andre Schuerrle and Mesut Ozil scored in extra time and Germany advances to the quarterfinals. 

Jozy AltidoreThe big news of the day is that the United States’ star striker, Jozy Altidor will be available to play in the big match against Belgium today at 4:00 p.m. Altidor suffered a hamstring injury in their first match against Ghana.  If the US wins today, they will move to the quarterfinals.

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