Only in Minnesota

Forward progress called
Although Percy Harvin scored
Vikings skunked again

(A Haggy Haiku)

==============================
Let's not get too dramatic. This is no overarching research project of the entire league. But how is it the Vikings get screwed out of so many touchdowns?
The Packers won a game in 2010 largely thanks to an overturned touchdown on a catch by Visanthe Shiancoe. There has been more.
This time, Percy Harvin, on a second effort, broke the plane against the Falcons and yet no touchdown was called when it could have cut Atlanta's lead to three.
For Leslie Frazier to not challenge the play is also absolutely ludicrous.
Oh well.

Why Verlander Wasn't the Right MVP Choice

Tim Tebow Redefining National Football League

If the National Football League was organic, Tim Tebow would be Dolly the sheep.

His throwing mechanics resemble a windshield wiper, predictable and one dimensional on a singular plane. 

And his passing accuracy is as proficient as Ted Williams was with a bat in hand -- .400 at best. 

There's no denying fundamentally and statistically, Tebow is not what you'd envision in a starting quarterback. 

There's also no denying Tebow has an x-factor. (He'd probably help Simon Cowell reach the 20 million viewers and make the critical judge feel better for leaving Idol). 

Two weeks ago Tebow became the first Broncos quarterback to win back-to-back road intradivisional games since 1977, when the former Heisman winner defeated Kansas City 17-10. 

A week later and a win later the Broncos are an even 5-5 and in the AFC West hunt. 

The latest victory was perhaps his most impressive. 

Tebow's last-minute heroics produced the game-winning 20-yard touchdown run with 58 seconds left that capped a 95-yard drive against a vaunted Jets defense. 

The win was his fourth and third comeback in five starts this season. 

Tebow is an openly religious man and humanitarian. Good things are said to happen to good people. 

Surely that doesn't completely explain his success. 

Perhaps since he so strongly believes in a higher power, he avoids complacency. 

Whatever the specifics of his x-factor is, Tebow is certainly a winner. 

His team thinks so, too. The Broncos cut displaced starter Kyle Orton. 

And while Oakland is the only team in the division with a pulse, Tebow has, for the time being, resurrected Denver from another rebuilding year. 

The Broncos now have a pulse of their own, albeit irregular. 

Get Off Wall Street, Go to Work

It started on Wall Street.

Across the country, like a swarm of flies on Lake of the Woods during summer, people have gathered to protest the way big businesses and corporate America have purportedly taken advantage of the common person. These protesters say investment banks and the people working behind huge office desks in their neatly pressed suits are to blame for the current state of the economy.

They say these pecunious, miserly, fat cats take huge bonuses while they, Average Joe and Jane, sit on the unemployment line, living on food stamps and a small government stipend each week.

For a country founded on free markets and democracy, these protesters sound more Marxian than Adam Smith.

The best of times bring out the best in people; the worst of times bring out bitter, grumblers.

When things go wrong the human mind tries to, nay, needs to rationalize the reason for the body's demise. Instead of looking within and adapting to the state of their environment, these protesters have instead used Wall Street as scapegoats.

Let's be real here.

Wall Street is not to wholly to blame for the current economic state of individuals; Wall Street doesn't choose who is employed; Wall Street isn't entirely culpable for those select people inclined to live outside their means who refinance a $500,000 home on a salary of $25,000 per year. 

Individuals control whether they have a job; whether they view the world positively or negatively; whether their life, like Guido Orefice's, is beautiful.

Whatever the sentiments are of how Barack Obama has done in office, there's no denying he was spot on when he said America has gone soft. Maybe his administration hasn't helped; maybe investment banks could have been more upstanding; maybe there, too, is alien life in another galaxy.

Instead of complaining about the don't haves, or wishing for something someone else has, work.

The best solution to all of life's aspirations is work. It funds lifestyle choices. 

Put in the time, the energy -- give it everything -- and there won't be need to protest.

Sure there are a fair share of individuals who haven't had to lay down a finger a day in their life, carrying a silver spoon in hand. But the majority of those successful individuals these protesters are singling out have put in the time and are being justifiably paid for it.

When faced with a problem, focus on finding a solution rather than blaming something or someone else.

Resilience, perseverance and unity is what made America great during the Industrial Revolution through World War II; creativity, positivism, ideas and innovation did the United States proud during the 90s and 2000s.

Let us work to bring back those attitudes today and maybe, just maybe, things will improve.

Hell, it's more productive than barking upon deaf ears.

Sign of the Times: Matt Kemp Cashes In

In an endless competition, a dog-eat-dog world, the "market value" of ballplayers are generally on the rise. 

Matt Kemp signed a $160 million payday Friday to remain with the Dodgers, the team that selected him in the sixth round of the 2003 draft. 

The contract runs through the 2019 season. 

Kemp is a rare breed of speed, power and accuracy offensively and defensively. He is a two-time Gold Glover in center field and has won a pair of silver sluggers. 

Another award might soon be his, too. The NL MVP will be announced Nov. 22. 

His 2011 stat line of .324, 39 home runs, 126 RBI, 115 runs and 40 stolen bases is Howard Roark (The Foutainhead) impressive -- singularly and individually his own, marked by transcendent beauty, in a league now dominated by pitching. 

Kemp is also an everyday employee. Since becoming a a full-time starter prior to the 2008 season, Kemp has played in all but 11 games. 

If anyone has the talent and durability to fulfill an eight year contract worth $20 million per annum, it's Kemp. 

Like with any big deal, what you see or have seen, isn't necessarily what you'll get moving forward. 

There are always untold injuries and outstanding circumstances that can change a promising, reasonable deal into a good stiffing. 

Los Angeles remembers Jason Schmidt. 

That $47 million contract caused endless buyer's remorse. 

Around the league there have been untold tales of injuries sending players home with little to show for a fat wallet. There's Joe Mauer, Johan Santana, Erik Bedard and Justin Morneau recently. Carl Pavano, too. The list goes on. 

Those types of poison arrows cannot always be avoided. 

It's the play for money, not love, types that are most worrisome -- those who play best in contract years and then, like a shadow after dusk, disappear until the next time the sun rises on another big pay day.

Kemp, when it comes to baseball, seems to choose love over money. On a good track record, there is one blemish, though: the 2010 season.  

At the plate, Kemp let strikes pass through the hitting zone without as much as a flinch a little more and remained disciplined at balls off the plate a little less. On the bases Kemp carefully chose his spots to run a little less and was thrown out a lot more. In the field Kemp made spectacular plays a little less and jogged, rather than ran, to balls hit past him a little more. 

In all, Kemp posted a career lows in average (.249), slugging (.450) and fielding (.981) and career highs in strikeouts (170) and caught stealing (15 in 34 attempts) since becoming a starter. 

Maybe it was dating Rihanna, maybe it was the team's ongoing management issues. Maybe it was a down year. 

Whatever the case, it's the one scar on an otherwise smooth start to a career and big time payday for Los Angeles' franchise center fielder. 

Minnesota Twins May Be Improving Without Making Any Moves

Success is relative.
Remember the good old bell curve in college? That 25 on the physics exam may have been statistically more imprecise than the final recited message during a game of telephone. Now if everyone else hit like Nick Punto on the test, you'd be OK.
Take the Minnesota Twins. In 2011, Minnesota was the worst team in the American League, besting traditional sourpusses Kansas City, Seattle and Baltimore. In fact, at 63-99, only the Houston Astros (56-106) required more tutoring than the Twins.
Houston is in the midst of a transitional period, having not reached the postseason since being swept by Chicago in the 2005 World Series. The Astros are also changing ownership. According to an AP source, buyer Jim Crane isn't allowed to finalize the team until he agrees to move Houston to the AL. The report suggests MLB wants a two way mirror and even numbers across the two leagues. Right now the NL has 16 teams, the AL 14.
The move wouldn't happen until 2013 at the earliest, given the 2012 schedule has already been released.
Still, it sounds like an opportunity for Minnesota -- whether it knocks off a letter grade on its own (Minnesota Twins wins) -- to look better very soon.
Gotta like the sound of that.

Badger Herald Columns from Years Ago

Oct. 31, 2008
Super-Man Up, Shane Connelly

May 1, 2008
Swan has work cut out for him in NFL

Mar. 14, 2008
Geoffrion plays different game

Mar. 12, 2008 (Feature)
Michael Davies Matures

Feb. 21, 2008 (Feature)
Injury forces Brendan Smith to watch from afar

Feb. 1, 2008
Gophers, Tubby Smith Right Fit

Dec. 11, 2007
Family Comes First for ex-Badger Receiver

Dec. 5, 2007
Hill of a pickle for UW tailback

Nov. 20, 2007
Gophers act like turkeys in defeat

Nov. 13, 2007
Wideouts share painful season

Nov. 8, 2007 (Feature)
Badgers' very own 'Spidey'

Nov. 6, 2007
Badgers defeated in wake of loss

Oct. 30, 2007
Short Bus holds dreams, booze

Oct. 23, 2007
Freshman Kyle Turris shows he's legit

Oct. 16, 2007
Closer look at college football's uncharacteristic first half

Oct. 9, 2007
Defeat puts season in perspective for UW

Oct. 2, 2007
Wisconsin gets no love in Polls

Sept. 18, 2007
Football walks perilous road

Aug. 6, 2007
Henry Mason's Guidance Sorely Missed by Badgers

Mar. 19, 2007
Bauer power leads to titles

Mar. 5, 2007
Show love to the non-rev sports

Feb. 26, 2007
NBA games latest form of torture

Feb. 19, 2007
Wise ones grow beards

Jan. 29, 2007
Lady Ice Badgers are historic powerhouse

Badger Herald Post I

MLB Award Winners: A Prediction

During the World Series Eric Karros, lisp and all, said Michael Young was the AL MVP.

His reasoning cited Young's flexibility and willingness to play wherever there was need after Texas brought in talented Adrian Beltre to play third, the position the long-time Ranger had held the previous two years.

When all was said and done, Young played first and third and everything in between at least once, and did so while producing a career best .338 average and 106 RBI out of the cleanup spot. 

Karros is right in saying Young is valuable. 

But league MVP? Nah. 

Just because Young willingly played wherever the coaching staff needed him, and had a strong offensive year, batting in the thick of a Titanic lineup, doesn't mean he was the most superior to other ballplayers -- or even his own teammates.

Beltre is a plus defensive player at third base and is unique in his ability to field a tough position and hit for power and a high average. Teammate Ian Kinsler is same way defensively at second, and what he lacks in average, he makes up for in speed (30 stolen bases). Then there's Mike Napoli, Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz -- three more Rangers who deserve recognition, too. 

You see, the problem with Young is he's one of many good and similarly skilled players on a good team. 

That said, Young is a Most Valuable Model Citizen, not MVP. 

The Other Candidates

Much in the same way Young and other Rangers are hurt by the strength of the team's sum, so too are other MVP candidates, such as Curtis Granderson of New York, Miguel Cabrera of Detroit and Adrian Gonzalez and Jacoby Ellsbury of Boston. 

There's a different limiting factor for another serious contender, Tigers' No. 35. 

Justin Verlander pitched ridiculously well (24-5, 2.40 ERA, 250 strikeouts to complete the rare Triple Crown) and merits an unanimous voting for AL Cy Young. 

His name appears on the MVP ballot. Other pitchers have won the award. 

Even so, a great deal at a retail store doesn't mean you have to make a purchase. 

Pitchers already have their own award. The MVP goes to a player. 

More specifically, the MVP goes to Toronto's Jose Bautista. 

Complimented by very little, Bautista led the majors in home runs (43) and OPS (1.056). His splits heavily favor the first half of the season, but production in the first 81 games of the season is just as important as production in the last 81 games. And unlike the rest of the field, Bautista's best protection was a .250 hitting, .439 slugging Adam Lind. 

NL MVP

Matt Kemp

Much in the same vein, in what should be a two person race, Matt Kemp of the Dodgers outranks Ryan Braun of the Brewers as the NL MVP. Even without the assistance of a Sasquatch (Prince Fielder) behind him, Kemp out produced The Hebrew Hammer. 

Other Awards

AL Cy Young

Verlander: Duh. 

NL Cy Young

Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles: Bests Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee of Philadelphia for the top pitching honor. 

His numbers don't lie. 

For an inferior Dodgers team, Kershaw accrued more wins (21 vs. 19 and 17) and posted a better strikeout rate (9.57/9 IP vs. 8.47/9 and 9.21/9) and WHIP (.98 vs. 1.04 and 1.03) than  either Philly. 

AL Rookie of the Year

Craig Kimbrel

Tampa Bay Ray Jeremy Hellickson: Posts 13-10 record and sports nifty 2.95 ERA to lead a thin rookie class. 

NL Rookie of the Year

Atlanta Braves Craig Kimbrel: Sets the rookie record for saves (46) and has nasty stuff (14.85 strikeouts per 9 innings), despite blowing numerous chances to reach the postseason down the stretch for the Braves.

AL Manager of the Year

Joe Maddon, Tampa Bay: After losing Carl Crawford to the Boston Red Sox via free agency, Maddon still manages thrifty Rays to postseason.

NL Manager of the Year

Kirk Gibson, Arizona: Crafts his trade at the managerial level, leading a young Diamondbacks team to a playoff berth and NL West title. 

Good Riddance: Bill Smith Fired

Nine figure choices

Pair of nines for his losses

Smith deflated Twins

(A Haggy Haiku)

What Might Have Been Part II: Stars Align for Dallas

To begin the 2010 NFL season Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones proclaimed his team would win the Super Bowl.
Even with the team's loaded roster, the statement was bold, brash and, well, downright foolish.
Tony Romo has never won a playoff game. Last season he managed just one win in six games before going down for the remainder with a broken collar bone.
If the Super Bowl was a target, Dallas missed its mark like the villains shooting at the hero of an action movie.
Where the Cowboys failed, two other local teams picked up the slack.
The Dallas Mavericks won their first NBA Championship. Thursday night, the Rangers finished the season atop the Major's for the first time in their 50 year history.
Even the Dallas Stars, albeit early in the season, boast the Pacific Division's best record, at 7-3.
Mr. Jones wasn't right about his Cowboys, but boy is Dallas the paradise right now of the sporting world.

Home Runs Aren't Wins

Funny how the top three home run hitters in postseason history didn't play for the World Series winner.
Nelson Cruz joined Carlos Beltran and Barry Bonds as the only players with eight postseason round-trippers with a blast in Game 6 of the World Series. He also joined them as side notes during the extra season won by someone else.
 

What Might Have Been ... The Story That Wasn't Written

What if?
That question is everyday language, it's commonality can be likened to the average person wondering what he should eat for lunch.
The consideration seems to be more aligned with sports. Sports writers, given tight deadlines, may produce two separate leads to document the differing possible outcomes.
One play may stand out and encapsulate the essence of the event covered. Another a few moments later may change everything.
I wanted to take the time to recognize a lead -- and game story -- that, for now, will not be read nor heard, thanks to the heroics of the St. Louis Cardinals, namely Lance Berkman and David Freese, who produced game-tying hits, and in the case of the latter, a walk-off home run.

---------------------------------------------------
Grimacing with every swing, limited by a strained left groin, what a time for the reigning AL MVP Josh Hamilton to come through with his first post-season home run of 2011. 

Hamilton lifted a low Jason Motte fastball into the left-center stands of Busch Stadium for a 9-7 win Thursday in Game 6 of the World Series.  

Hamilton's moonshot lifted the Rangers out of historical misery and completed the transformation from his days of substance abuse and misery to become the hero, the idol -- the star the world thought he'd be when selected No. 1 overall back in the 1999 draft. 

The victory secured Texas' first championship in the franchise's 50 year history, breaking what had been the third longest drought in the MLB.
Hamilon's game-winner came after the St. Louis Cardinals rallied to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth.

Down by two, St. Louis native David Freese poked a Neftali Feliz two-strike, outside fastball over the head of Nelson Cruz for a two-run triple with two outs.

Albert Pujols started the rally with a one-out double. Lance Berkman walked. Craig struck out looking, setting the stage for Freese.
But the perseverance of the Cardinals, who rallied from a 10 1/2 game deficit in the NL Wild Card standings as recently as Aug. 25 to reach the postseason and then World Series, was outshined by the flexing flames permanently inked on Hamilton's left forearm. A tattoo, among dozens more, that serve as a constant reminder of Hamilton's troubled past.
Like with his addiction, Hamilton's groin injury was a misstep away from relapse. But he battled, he grinded and ultimately came through at the most opportune time.
His story continues to be a work in progress, but at least for now, he can celebrate with more hardware and some sparkling grape juice.

Proven Winner

Unassuming.

Playing in the Mountain West Conference for the TCU Horned Frogs, Andy Dalton quietly set school records for just about every quarterback stat, including most wins (42), touchdown passes (71) and passing yards (10,314). Dalton led TCU to a perfect finish in his senior year, capped by a victory over Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl. His accolades also included four bowl games in four years and another BCS appearance, a loss to Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl in 2009. 

Even with his resume, NFL teams initially shied away from Dalton. One NFL coach went so far to say Dalton's hair color would limit him at the next level.
Cincinnati took a waiver on Dalton with its last pick of the second round. The Bengals were having trouble finding a middle ground with incumbent Carson Palmer. He couldn't stand losing anymore.
Dalton did in preseason what he's done since taking over as the Horned Frogs' starter in 2007 -- impress.
Coaches gave him the reins to the offense in Week 2 and boy has he looked good.
At 4-2 -- 3-2 under Dalton -- the Bengals have so far exceeded initial expectations like Christy Brown and communicating.
His completion percentage (62.4) is easily the best among rookie signal callers. And his 84.2 QB rating is better than Cam Newton's.
His skill-set doesn't compete with the likes of Newton or young gunslingers in the league like Matt Stafford or Sam Bradford, but his smarts, decision-making and drive have so far proven athleticism and strength don't singularly define success.
More Trent Dilfer than Dan Marino, Dalton may be the answer to the Bengals' long-running woes. 

Sesame Crusted Tuna with Chili Aioli

serves 4

1½ - 2 lbs tuna cut into 4 1inch steaks
2 Tbsp white sesame seeds
2 Tbsp black sesame seeds
1 lime, zested (reserve juice)
1 Tbsp paprika
salt and pepper
2 tsp togarashi-iri (chili infused sesame oil)
¼ cup aioli or mayonnaise
¼ cup canola oil plus more for brushing

In a small bowl combine sesame seeds, lime zest, paprika, salt and pepper. Heat canola oil in a large non-stick pan over high heat.

Brush tuna steaks with oil and coat with sesame seed mixture. Once oil begins to shimmer and steam, CAREFULLY put tuna steaks into hot oil. Sear each steak for about 90 – 120 seconds per side.

Combine togarashi-iri with aioli (if you like it spicy add more togarashi). Squeeze reserved lime juice over tuna. Slice tuna steaks and serve with aioli.

(Recipe courtesy of Coastal Seafoods)