Columns
2012 NFL Rookie of the year: Russell Wilson
By: Bob Garcia
Daily Sundial
February 5th, 2013
http://sundial.csun.edu/2013/02/sundial-2012-nfl-awards/
This past NFL season there have been a slew of rookies that have had an outstanding 2012, but quarterbacks make up the top-three.
There is Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, who took a team that finished with the worst record in the league last season to the playoffs this year.
Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, who has had a transcendent impact on his team, by leading them to an NFC East division title and the playoffs.
These two rookies each made hard-to-miss cases this season for the award. Though there is one rookie whose play this year was nothing less than sensational, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.
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There is Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, who took a team that finished with the worst record in the league last season to the playoffs this year.
Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, who has had a transcendent impact on his team, by leading them to an NFC East division title and the playoffs.
These two rookies each made hard-to-miss cases this season for the award. Though there is one rookie whose play this year was nothing less than sensational, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.
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Jerry Buss is the best owner in sports history
By: Bob Garcia
Daily Sundial
February 27, 2013
http://sundial.csun.edu/2013/02/column-jerry-buss-is-the-best-owner-in-sports-history/
When I think about who is the best owner in professional sports, only one person comes to mind, and his name is Jerry Buss.
The late owner of the Los Angeles Lakers was an innovative one that not only changed the sport but also the standard by which sports owners go by now. Since his purchase of the Lakers in 1979, he has taken the franchise to a level of success that is matched by no other team in sports history.
In Buss’s first year of, he drafted Earvin “Magic” Johnson, who is widely praised as the best point guard to ever play the game, which began a 12-year stretch known as the “Showtime Era” which saw the Lakers make the NBA finals nine times, winning five of them.
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The late owner of the Los Angeles Lakers was an innovative one that not only changed the sport but also the standard by which sports owners go by now. Since his purchase of the Lakers in 1979, he has taken the franchise to a level of success that is matched by no other team in sports history.
In Buss’s first year of, he drafted Earvin “Magic” Johnson, who is widely praised as the best point guard to ever play the game, which began a 12-year stretch known as the “Showtime Era” which saw the Lakers make the NBA finals nine times, winning five of them.
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Angels make poor decision on Mike Trout's contract renewal
By: Bob Garcia
Daily Sundial
March 4, 2013
http://sundial.csun.edu/2013/03/angels-make-poor-decision-on-mike-trouts-contract-renewal/
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim made a huge mistake Saturday when the team renewed the contract of superstar outfielder Mike Trout to a meager annual salary of $510,000.
The increase to Trout’s contract is only $20,000 above Major League Baseball’s minimum salary for players, which is $490,000 a year. Unable to reach an agreement on a multi-year deal during negotiations, teams are allowed to assign a salary number to their players.
What Trout did last year was nothing short of unbelievable. That is why the Angels made a huge mistake by increasing Trout’s salary by such a small amount — it was an insult to what he has done so far.
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The increase to Trout’s contract is only $20,000 above Major League Baseball’s minimum salary for players, which is $490,000 a year. Unable to reach an agreement on a multi-year deal during negotiations, teams are allowed to assign a salary number to their players.
What Trout did last year was nothing short of unbelievable. That is why the Angels made a huge mistake by increasing Trout’s salary by such a small amount — it was an insult to what he has done so far.
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Vernon Wells trade to Yankees will work out for both teams
By: Bob Garcia
Daily Sundial
March 26, 2013
http://sundial.csun.edu/2013/03/vernon-wells-trade-to-yankees-make-work-out-for-both-teams/
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim agreed to a trade Sunday and approved Tuesday that would send maligned outfielder Vernon Wells to the New York Yankees, which would be a great move for both teams involved.
This trade would relieve the Angels of the gigantic financial responsibility paying Wells $42 million in the final two years of his seven-year contract, which was worth a total of $126 million. In the proposed trade, the Angels will pay $28.1 million of the $42 million remaining.
This move helps the Halos get rid of a huge contract from a player who was now their fifth outfielder after signing outfielder Josh Hamilton to a five-year $125 million contract in the offseason.
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This trade would relieve the Angels of the gigantic financial responsibility paying Wells $42 million in the final two years of his seven-year contract, which was worth a total of $126 million. In the proposed trade, the Angels will pay $28.1 million of the $42 million remaining.
This move helps the Halos get rid of a huge contract from a player who was now their fifth outfielder after signing outfielder Josh Hamilton to a five-year $125 million contract in the offseason.
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Damian Lillard stands alone as NBA's Rookie of the Year
By: Bob Garcia
Daily Sundial
April 22, 2013
http://sundial.csun.edu/2013/04/damian-lillard-stands-alone-as-nbas-rookie-of-the-year/
The NBA season’s Rookie of the Year award is going to go to point guard Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers.
This past NBA draft, the sixth overall pick has by far had the most impressive season among all the rookies this season. Lillard is the swept all six NBA Western Conference Rookie of the Month awards, which makes him the eighth player in league history to do so, joining elite-tier players such as David Robinson, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul.
Lillard was ranked first among rookies with his averages of 19.0 points and 6.5 assists per. His 19.0 points per game puts ranks him as 13th in scoring in the league. These numbers make him the fourth rookie ever in NBA history to average at least 19 points and six assists per game for season, putting him on another list filled with all-time greats: Allen Iverson, Damon Stoudamire and Oscar Robertson.
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This past NBA draft, the sixth overall pick has by far had the most impressive season among all the rookies this season. Lillard is the swept all six NBA Western Conference Rookie of the Month awards, which makes him the eighth player in league history to do so, joining elite-tier players such as David Robinson, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul.
Lillard was ranked first among rookies with his averages of 19.0 points and 6.5 assists per. His 19.0 points per game puts ranks him as 13th in scoring in the league. These numbers make him the fourth rookie ever in NBA history to average at least 19 points and six assists per game for season, putting him on another list filled with all-time greats: Allen Iverson, Damon Stoudamire and Oscar Robertson.
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Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay's play continues to decline
By: Bob Garcia
Daily Sundial
May 9, 2013
http://sundial.csun.edu/2013/05/phillies-pitcher-roy-halladays-play-continues-to-decline/
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay’s career continues to decline after news came out Wednesday that he will have arthroscopic surgery to repair a bone spur, a frayed labrum and a partially torn rotator cup in his right shoulder. The former two-time Cy Young winner will be sidelined for at least three months after surgery.
Halladay has been a shadow of himself for the last two years due to injuries sustained as a member of the Phillies that he never suffered in Toronto. Missing nearly two months in 2012 because of a strained back muscle, Halladay has struggled to be the ace of old, and it appears he may never return to form.
Halladay has been a shadow of himself for the last two years due to injuries sustained as a member of the Phillies that he never suffered in Toronto. Missing nearly two months in 2012 because of a strained back muscle, Halladay has struggled to be the ace of old, and it appears he may never return to form.
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Halladay has been a shadow of himself for the last two years due to injuries sustained as a member of the Phillies that he never suffered in Toronto. Missing nearly two months in 2012 because of a strained back muscle, Halladay has struggled to be the ace of old, and it appears he may never return to form.
Halladay has been a shadow of himself for the last two years due to injuries sustained as a member of the Phillies that he never suffered in Toronto. Missing nearly two months in 2012 because of a strained back muscle, Halladay has struggled to be the ace of old, and it appears he may never return to form.
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Opinion
Women enter the octagon as UFC fighters for the first time
By: Bob Garcia
Daily Sundial
February 20,2013
http://sundial.csun.edu/2013/02/women-enter-the-octagon-as-ufc-fighters-for-the-first-time/
Daily Sundial
February 20,2013
http://sundial.csun.edu/2013/02/women-enter-the-octagon-as-ufc-fighters-for-the-first-time/
Pro
Two women are standing in the UFC Octagon ready to square off against each other for a fight in front of thousands of screaming fans. This scenario is one that should not come as a surprise to you.
Women have been fighting in professional mixed martial art matches since the mid-1990s over the past few years it has received more media coverage.
These female mixed martial artists, like their male counterparts, have fought and trained for many years. They are professionals just like men, who have taken time to master their craft.
They are at the top of their class and have prepared for the moment to display their skills and compete to win matches.
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Two women are standing in the UFC Octagon ready to square off against each other for a fight in front of thousands of screaming fans. This scenario is one that should not come as a surprise to you.
Women have been fighting in professional mixed martial art matches since the mid-1990s over the past few years it has received more media coverage.
These female mixed martial artists, like their male counterparts, have fought and trained for many years. They are professionals just like men, who have taken time to master their craft.
They are at the top of their class and have prepared for the moment to display their skills and compete to win matches.
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Griner has no place in the NBA
By: Bob Garcia
Daily Sundial
April 24, 2013
http://sundial.csun.edu/2013/04/women-have-no-place-in-the-nba/
Daily Sundial
April 24, 2013
http://sundial.csun.edu/2013/04/women-have-no-place-in-the-nba/
Recently Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban told reporters that he would consider drafting University of Baylor senior center Brittney Griner in the second round of this year’s NBA draft.
Cuban asserted that “if she is the best on the board, I will take her” and that he had “no problem whatsoever” in inviting her for a chance to try out for the Mavericks summer league team. Cuban also stated Griner has huge marketing potential because of the excitement to see how she would perform and “(t)hat’d sell out a few games.”
While it’s an interesting idea to draft a competent female player into the NBA, Cuban’s statement seems more like a publicity stunt as opposed to a meaningful stance about women competing in major sports alongside men. The end result is a shame for a discussion that needs serious consideration.
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Cuban asserted that “if she is the best on the board, I will take her” and that he had “no problem whatsoever” in inviting her for a chance to try out for the Mavericks summer league team. Cuban also stated Griner has huge marketing potential because of the excitement to see how she would perform and “(t)hat’d sell out a few games.”
While it’s an interesting idea to draft a competent female player into the NBA, Cuban’s statement seems more like a publicity stunt as opposed to a meaningful stance about women competing in major sports alongside men. The end result is a shame for a discussion that needs serious consideration.
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