tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15220974238987411592024-03-13T10:10:16.418-05:00Adub WritesNot Perfect. Could be Wrong. But It's Me.Adam Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12722108032409403492noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522097423898741159.post-78139206028705005832012-12-10T04:50:00.000-06:002012-12-11T05:09:06.102-06:00Royal Disappointments- Going All In My fraternity is a sad one. A 23 year old sports fan from Kansas City, my fandom has been defined by short bursts of hope and excitement* only to be followed by longer periods of heartbreak and frustration. My fraternity is one that has never witnessed our favorite professional sports team suit up for a postseason game. The most popular name for men my age (assuming their parents are from the midwest) is Brett- after Royals baseball god, George Brett. My fraternity does not have this luxury. Today it's nearly impossible to name your child after a Royals great- not because they do not exist, but because it is likely they will be traded away before the child learns to tie their shoes. <br />
<a name='more'></a> Generations not much older than mine remember the days when baseball in Kansas City was defined by names like Brett, Bo Jackson, Frank White, Hal McRae and numerous others. My Royals experience thus far has consisted of watching other teams play in the World Series. Any baseball pride that my fraternity gets comes from watching former Royals make a nice play in October and bragging of the days when he <i>used</i> to wear blue.<br />
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* The 2003 Royals. The Chiefs (pick a year). Mizzou Football's number 1 ranking. Kim English and Marcus Denman's senior season for MU Basketball*<br />
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We are tired of watching the Carlos Beltan's, Raul Ibanez's and Johnny Damon's of the world come and go because the small market nature of our team cannot hope to buy a postseason birth. It's because of recent baseball history that makes Royals fans my age cringe at the thought of a blockbuster trade. I am devastated that for a fighting chance, we have to get rid of Wil Myers- a guy that, as a minor leaguer, can be mentioned in the same sentence as Derek Jeter, Paul Konerko, Alex Gordon, Jay Bruce, Andruw Jones, Mike Trout among many others.** Kansas City finally has hope for playoff baseball. General Manager Dayton Moore has promised great things for Royals fans, and it truly looks as if those great things are just over the horizon. Many fans immediately hated the Wil Myers trade, which is completely understandable. At first glance it appears that the deal with Tampa Bay <i>is</i> ridiculously slanted in the Rays favor. Taking a few moments to breathe, it becomes clear that it is absolutely too early to tell which side will prosper more. One thing that<i> is</i> interesting however, is the link between this trade and Moore's earlier blockbuster deal a few years back- the Zack Greinke trade. <br />
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** Named as minor league baseball's best overall player. Essentially the Heisman for young baseball players- but more telling of what type of professional career a player will have**<br />
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The only link between these two trades is 22 year old Jake Odorizzi, who of which the jury is still out. Odorizzi has just 2 appearances in the Majors and it is still unclear as to what type of pitcher he will turn out to be. For what it is worth, "experts" generally agree that his ceiling is probably around a number 3 type guy in a quality starting rotation. Either way, he has now been traded twice for front of the rotation guys, which says something. Because Odorizzi has been involved in two major trades for the Royals, I thought it would be interesting to mesh the two together and see if outrage would still ensue over the players leaving Kansas City's organization. In doing so, a six-team "Mega-trade" was created. Realistically this trade would not happen today because some of the teams involved end up with nothing (Greinke will do that to you). Nevertheless, here is a look at where every player involved currently resides within the MLB community.<br />
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Six teams (the Royals, Brewers, Rays, Blue Jays, Dodgers and Angels) have currently been affected by the two biggest trades Dayton Moore has enacted during his time in Kansas City. In the end, some will reap the benefits, while others will only be able to stare into empty wallets, wondering what went wrong.<br />
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Combining the Zack Greinke and Wil Myers trades into one large deal, The Associated Press article might read something like this...<br />
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Major League baseball has approved a 13 player trade (as well as one more player to be named later) between six teams. Assuming all players pass physical examinations, the mega-deal will primarily be based on starting pitching and major-league-ready prospects. The proposed deal has the Royals losing the most players from their organization (five) while both the Blue Jays and the Dodgers surrender only cash considerations. Departing from Kansas City will be Zack Greinke, Yuniesky Betancourt, Wil Myers, Mike Montgomery and Patrick Leonard. Greinke will join the Dodgers organization and immediately move to the front of the LA rotation, alongside fellow Cy Young award winner, Clayton Kershaw. Myers, Montgomery and Leonard will be shipped to Tampa Bay in exchange for James Shields, Wade Davis and a player to be named later. Shields and Davis are both expected to headline the Royals starting rotation as they look to end the longest current playoff drought amongst the <a href="http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NHL_franchise_post-season_droughts">four</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Major_League_Baseball_franchise_postseason_droughts#MLB_franchises_with_the_longest_current_postseason_drought">major</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_franchise_post-season_droughts">US</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NFL_franchise_post-season_droughts#Longest_active_post-season_drought">sports</a>. The trade will subsequently send Betancourt to free agency as none of the teams involved believe he is of any worth to a professional baseball team. Also joining the Royals will be shortstop Alcides Escobar and Lorenzo cain from the Milwaukee Brewers organization. Brewer's pitchers Jake Odorizzi and Jeremy Jeffress will be sent to the Rays and Blue Jays, respectively. In exchange for trading away two potential gold glove candidates, the Brewers will receive shortstop Jean Segura, and Double-A pitchers John Hellweg and Ariel Pena from the Angels, who have agreed to forgo any compensation whatsoever***.<br />
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***The Angels gave these three up for a half-season rental of Greinke. They now end up with diddly as Greinke signs one of the <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/dodgers-near-deal-with-zack-grienke-010147316.html">largest free agent contracts</a> for a pitcher in MLB history with the cross-town rival Dodgers***<br />
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<b>As of this instant, the teams look like this </b><br />
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<b>Royals</b><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></div>
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Lose:<br />
Greinke </div>
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Betancourt</div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> Myers<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> Montgomery </div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span"></span> Leonard</div>
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Gain:</div>
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Shields</div>
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Davis</div>
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Escobar<br />
Cain<br />
Player to be named later<br />
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<b>Brewers</b><br />
Lose:<br />
Odorizzi<br />
Escobar<br />
Cain<br />
Jeffress<br />
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Gain:<br />
Jean Segura<br />
John Hellweg<br />
Ariel Pena<br />
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<b>Rays</b><br />
<b> </b>Lose:<br />
Shields<br />
Davis<br />
Player to be named later<br />
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Gain:<br />
Myers<br />
Montgomery<br />
Odorizzi<br />
Leonard <br />
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<b>Blue Jays</b><br />
<b> </b>Lose:<br />
<b> </b>Cash Considerations<br />
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Gain:<br />
<b> </b>Jefress<b> </b><br />
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<b>Dodgers</b><br />
<b> </b>Lose:<br />
Cash<br />
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Gain:<br />
Greinke<br />
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<b>Angels</b><br />
Lose:<br />
Jean Segura<br />
John Hellweg<br />
Ariel Pena<br />
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Gain:<br />
Diddly<br />
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Obviously the Angels are the losers here because they have nothing to show for the gamble that they took on Greinke, but that's part of the game. They went for broke, and unfortunately ended up broke. At the time, trading for Greinke was a move that many saw as the final piece needed for a successful playoff run. It didn't pan out. Personnel wise, the Brewers currently do not have much to show from the trade. However, they did win the National League Central pennate with Greinke's help in 2011, so we will call it a successful, short-term business transaction. The Blue Jays have yet to see Jeffress pitch in a game, but they traded money for a guy that throws smoke. With some luck and a good pitching coach, it's possible that he could turn into a fun relief pitcher. The biggest risk/reward still at play is with the Royals. Shields, the immediate ace of the staff, is under contract for two more years. If the Royals are unable to reach the postseason by the time he hits free agency, the trade will be a bust- no matter what kind of production Myers, Odorizzi, Montgomery and to a lesser extent, Leonard give the Rays. Presently, Tampa Bay is winning the trade. They control the contract of the game's brightest, young star at a very affordable rate and as a bonus, might have some jewels in Odorizzi and Montgomery.<br />
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I highly doubt that Odorizzi was the crucial last piece that made this trade go through, but imagining that he <i>was</i> the guy that the Rays wanted, it's interesting to see how much the Greinke trade affected this one. I think most fans would probably agree that, in hindsight, Moore performed wizardry with the Greinke trade and that is part of where the frustration of the Myers deal stems from. A lot of frustration has come from the Royals throwing Odorizzi in with Myers to sweeten the deal for Tampa, but if you look at it as one big trade, Odorizzi would never have been in Kansas City's organization. Combining the trades, the Royals basically swapped Greinke, Myers, Montgomery and Leonard for Shields, Davis, Escobar, Cain and either a player to be named later or cash considerations. Consider the fact that Greinke was begging to get out of Kansas City and this deal looks even better. If you were to ask GM's around the league which group of four players (discounting the PTBNL) they would rather have, I think the answers might be surprising.<br />
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Upon hearing the news that Moore had traded away Kansas City's favorite star-to-be, a good friend and baseball road trip buddy of mine texted me, saying, "We just went all in on a draw"- and he's absolutely right. Dayton Moore, nearing the end of his contract, is throwing every last chip he has into the largest Texas Holdem pot of his Kansas City career. As of now, he holds nothing more than a 4 card straight- not bad for Yahtzee, but this isn't Yahtzee. For Kansas City's sake, I hope the river's friendly.<br />
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<b><br /></b>Adam Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12722108032409403492noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522097423898741159.post-63172615621382847282012-05-09T04:50:00.000-05:002014-07-17T10:33:38.142-05:00America: Freedom for All! (unless you're gay)<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> My father once told me that though he did not expect it, he would not have been surprised if at some point in my life I recognized myself as homosexual*. This was not a dig. This was not a joke. This was not meant to be anything more than supportive of who I am as a person. Mom, fearing that dad had ruined any possible coming out party of the future, quickly chimed in and in a somewhat joking, but still serious affirmation of support made it clear that should I ever feel compelled to reveal my homosexuality that they would love me the same as they always had. My liberal, church going, heterosexual parents had essentially given me the largest stamp of approval to be gay that one could receive. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> *<i>Yes, I had a cabbage patch doll growing up named "baby". Yes, I admired and spent so much time with my mom and grandmothers as a child that I played with a purse at a very young age. Yes, as an awkward, chubby junior high student I ran with a crowd that was predominately female. And Yes, I am firmly, without a doubt a heterosexual male.</i>*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> The state of North Carolina just passed <i>Amendment 1, </i>stating that a marriage shall be defined solely as the union between one man and one woman. I am not surprised, and neither should you. This decision was made before the vote ever took place. To be honest, the 60/40 vote split is a lot closer than I anticipated, and that in itself saddens me. This country has a lot to be proud of **, but its' display of the democratic voting system has become downright laughable. America was founded by those looking for more religious freedom. All they wanted was a chance to be themselves without the judgement and persecution from those that disagreed with them. Many of the fine voters from the Tar-Heel state will tell you that they were simply protecting their religious beliefs; that the bible does not condone the matrimony of two men. However, they might leave out the fact that in the same verses of 1st Corinthians 9-10, which many point to as proof for why they voted as they did, The Bible also declares that fornicators, adulterers, drunkards and those that covet are all in the same boat as homosexuals in the eyes of the Lord. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> **<i>Baseball. Football. The American Film Institute. Cheeseburgers. Mount Rushmore. Democracy. Niagra Falls. Worldwide eating champion Joey Chesnut.</i>**</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> If it were up to me the next Amendment to the North Carolina constitution would call for it to be unlawful to have a blood alcohol content larger than .08. Those involved in one night stands and anyone caught having sexual relations with any person other than the one listed on their marriage certificate should receive a class 1 misdemeanor charge***. The man driving his honda as he wishfully and woefully stares at his neighbor's new BMW should be locked up for 30 days... There is no way any of these amendments would pass. It's absurd. They shouldn't pass- and for good reason. Though 60-76% percent of Americans identify themselves as practicing Christians (thanks wikipedia), religious thought is not <i>supposed</i> have any influence on governmental issues. If the Bible said that sexual relations between two people of the same sex shall result in the stoning of each of the participants would voters line up at the ballot box with stone in hand? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> ***<i>The same charge given for shoplifting less than $1000 worth of merchandise in North Carolina</i>*** </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> It would be irresponsible to put the sole reasoning behind this amendment passing on religion. I would imagine there are numerous reasons for why people voted as they did. For instance, I have heard many atheists argue that a same sex marriage would harm a child's upbringing, should the child be <i>unfortunate</i> enough to land in that situation. I love writing. If only 5 people read what I have written tonight I will be ecstatic, but sometimes you must realize when your words simply cannot match those of another. In this instance, Zach Wahls is that other. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Many may view a civil union between a man and a man or a woman and a woman as downright disgusting and completely wrong in the eyes of the Lord. I am a fully practicing Christian Methodist and, to be honest, I have no idea </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">what</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I believe that God has planned for those in the homosexual community. But it doesn't matter what I think that God thinks. What matters is what we believe this country was built upon; why illegal immigrants risk everything they have to try to be a part of what we take for granted. I can tell you this though- some nights I </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">have</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> had a few too many drinks. On numerous occasions I've longingly stared at the new Jeep Wrangler in my rear view mirror; picturing </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">myself</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> in that fortunate person's driver seat. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> One day I will fall happily in love with the most wonderful woman in the world. We will laugh together. We will cry together. We will have intimate relations and one day we will get married. She will be there for me when no one else can, and I for her. Should we decide to have kids, we will do so, without judgmental eyes cast upon us. I cannot imagine what it must feel like to already know the person in which I want to share these amazing moments with but cannot. To be deliriously in love, yet told that I cannot fully experience the wondrous joys of marriage because another person- happily married and a father of two- feels uncomfortable as I walk down the street. That <i>his</i> religious practices do not allow me to wed. These feelings are ones that no person should experience, especially in this land of the "free" and home of the "brave". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> It is nearly 5 o'clock in the morning and in less than 8 hours I will take my last final exam of the semester. As I turn it in, I imagine that once again I will feel the most exhilarating sensation in the world- freedom. Aside from finding a summer job to fund a few road trips, I will be free to do as I please for three whole months until fall classes resume. I may very well meet the love of my life this summer. It's possible that together we will consume more alcohol than we should. We may walk hand-in-hand down the street without a care in the world and, further down the road, if the feelings are mutual, we may wed. My heart tells me that my parents will be loving and accepting no matter who I end up with later in life. I wish that North Carolina would have done the same for the gay and lesbian community. </span></div>
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Adam Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12722108032409403492noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522097423898741159.post-31559152773186840952011-11-18T19:29:00.009-06:002012-12-11T03:30:50.700-06:00How the (AFC) West Was Won- By a Coin Flip<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Last night I sat at a computer in the only 24/7computer lab the Mizzou campus offers and pretended to write papers. In all honesty no academia was even close to being considered until that 1930’s style, Tebow/ Sanchez Punt-er-rama had been completed*. It was a horrendous game for roughly 55 minutes, but what can I say? I’m a sucker for sports, especially when the event is billed as _______Day Night <i>Something</i>. As the drive began it became fairly apparent that Tebow was going to do what Tebow does, all we had to do was sit there and ensure that it did indeed run as the schedule was programmed. Sure enough… Short pass here, Scramble there, and the Broncos Tebow’d their way to victory. Ho-hum. Another day, another weird twist in the already crowded AFC Worst Division. Was anyone REALLY surprised? </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>*</b><i>The only touchdown pass that occurred last night allowed the Broncos to knot the game at 10, and Jets Quarterback, Mark Sanchez threw it. (In other news, until Tebow’s Mad Dash, Mile-High Miracle, 95-yard-drive capping, touchdown winning run, the only other player to put points up in this match, other than a couple of guys that use their feet, percentage wise, more than any other professional in the world, was Jets lineman Matt Slauson who graciously scooped up the easiest, and in all likelihood, last 6 points he will ever score.)</i><b>*<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The win made me think about the situation my older brother and I always dreamed of. The<i> Perfect Division</i>. Four 8-8 records. Four 3-3 divisional records within those 8-8 Records, all of which would lead to the ultimate playoff-deciding scenario in NFL: The coin toss. It is not every year that this feat is even comes close to being achieved. However, this year may be that magical year. This AFC West group is extremely special. At this moment the overall records read (5-5) (5-4) (4-5) (4-5) and the records inside the division look like this: (2-2) (2-2) (2-2) (2-2). This is quite possibly the most potential I have ever witnessed this side of the halfway mark. The <i>Perfect Division</i> is within reach and it truly needs the perfect leadership to achieve such amazement. The four teams that, with a little teamwork, can reach this remarkable achievement are led but a faltering, former MVP candidate, an energized couch potato, a man better known for the way he kneels than how he throws a football, and a guy which most people believe starred opposite of Gene Hackman in a feature flick at the turn of the Millennium. </span></div>
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<o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The stage is set; the correct players are in place. The </span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Perfect Division </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">is there for the taking. All we have to do is sit back and enjoy. Bear with me. I understand that a few of these scenarios may seem a tad extreme, but I believe in this division, and as long as they follow </span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">this</i><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">blueprint, this is the way the West will be won by a coin flip.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> To begin, here is the entire schedule for each AFC WEST team. The games in bold are ones that have already been played. Obviously these wins and losses are not by any means a prediction, merely the means of getting a Playoff entry determined by a coin flip. I attempted to keep each team in the playoff hunt as close to the flip as possible.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Oakland</b>, (8-8, 3-3 in the division) </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <b>Wins:</b> @KC, <b>@DEN, @SD, @NYJ, CLE, HOU, </b>VS DET, @MN </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <b>Losses:</b> <b>VS KC, VS DEN, </b>VS SD, <b>NE, BUG, GB, </b>@MIA, VS CHI</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>San Diego, </b>(8-8, 3-3 in the division)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <b>Wins: VS KC, </b>@OAK, <b>@DEN, MIA, MN, </b>@JAX, @CHI, @BUF<b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b> Losses: @KC, VS OAK, </b>VS DEN, <b>NE, NYJ, GB, DET, </b>VS BAL<b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Denver, </b>(8-8, 3-3 in the division)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <b>Wins: @KC, @OAK, </b>@SD, <b>MIA, NYJ, CIN, </b>@MN, VS CHI</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b> Losses: </b>VS KC, <b>VS OAK, VS SD, DET, GB, TEN, </b>VS NE, @BUF</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <b>Kansas City, </b>(8-8, 3-3 in the division)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <b>Wins: @OAK, VS SD, </b>@ DEN, @NYJ, <b>VS MN, @IND, </b>@NE, VS GB</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <b>Losses: </b>VS OAK, <b>@ SD, VS DEN, @DET, VS BUF, VS MIA, </b>VS PIT<b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are 12 steps in the NFL Playoff deciding scenarios. Lucky number 12 is what we are shooting for, so in the interest of coin flipitude deciding the 2012 AFC WEST division leader a few extremes must take place, but as in any great run, a few miracles must happen. </span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tie Breaker Number 1: Head to Head Matchups <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b> </b>Each team wins once and loses once to every team in the division. </span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tiebreaker Number 2: Wins within the Division <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To create a tie for first (we’ll call it that) among all 4 teams atop the division this is what needs to happen. Each team reaches 3-3 if…</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Oakland</b>: Wins @KC, Loses VS SD</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Kansas City:</b> Wins @DEN, Loses VS OAK <b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tiebreaker Number 3: Wins Against common Opponents (AFC/NFC NORTH) <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Going off of the above schedule the Broncos, Chargers, and Chiefs each go (4-4) against common opponents. In order for Oakland to win 4 games against AFC WEST common opponents they would be required to win 9 total games- <i>not </i>The <i>Perfect Division. </i></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tiebreaker Number 4: Wins Against Conference Opponents (AFC teams) <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Each remaining team has a record of (6-6) in the AFC</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Tiebreaker Number 5:</b> <b>Strength of Victory (Combined Win/Loss % of all teams the team in question defeated)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> At this point a small bit of speculation comes into play, and realistically, should the Division Champion not be decided already, this step probably gives us our winner. But, using the ESPN playoff projections after last week’s games and a few alterations to account for the upsets that occurred during the AFC WEST games the strength of victories for the three remaining teams are…</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <b>Denver: (60-68)=. 469<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> San Diego: (58-72)=. 438<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Kansas City: (60-68)=. 469<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tiebreakers Numbers 6-11<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> With San Diego knocked out of the race the chase to win the coin flip at this point becomes utterly impossible to predict. Assuming the strength of schedules for KC and DEN are equal, tiebreakers 7-11 compare the two teams rankings for points scored and allowed in the conference and NFL, best net points in common games, best net points in total games and finally, the best net touchdowns for each team in each of the 16 games each has played. </span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tiebreaker Number 12: The Flip<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b> </b>If each of the previous 11 Tiebreakers has not yet decided who the most worthy team from the AFC WEST division will be to charge into the playoffs, this final step will do it. To be honest, I am unsure what procedures the NFL goes through to decide which team gets to call it in the air. I am fairly certain they would need to look it up as well. As soon as that is determined, it is fairly clear what happens next. Tails never fails. </span></div>
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Adam Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12722108032409403492noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522097423898741159.post-76698906414302588262011-06-18T18:13:00.002-05:002012-12-11T03:31:03.600-06:00A Little Nudge Makes all the Difference<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Many years ago, on a family driving vacation across America* we stopped to do an activity completely new to me. Dad assured us it would be fun and mom,though I saw straight through her act, pretended to back him up completely. Called "white water rafting", the activity calls for groups of up to 8 people to pile into a rubber boat and float down a river which numerous times becomes frantic, choppy and terrifying for anyone under the age of ten. At the time, I was under the age of ten.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*<i>Still possibly the best vacation anyone could ever experience... Roller coasters, bike rides, caves, wild raccoons, bears, mountains, beaches, cousins, city dwelling, outdoor living... America</i>*</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">All I was really told is that, with the help of a guide, we would be navigating down a river that at any point in time could become very dangerous and, even worse, that I had the very important task of making sure everyone's paddling pace was timely and together. In my mind, otherwise, we would crash and the vacation would be ruined. I really did not want to do it. It seemed as if NO one should want to do it. Why did Dad want to do this so badly when it was clearly such a poor health decision? Either way, it was something he obviously wanted to do and my brother Eric seemed WAY more willing, excited even, than I thought he should have been so we set out down the river- a death sentence practically. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fast forward 10 plus years and I am currently a white water rafting guide, terrifying children the same age I was when dad convinced me to take a chance on the deadly waters we floated that amazing vacation. Tomorrow is Father's Day and I cannot even begin to imagine where I would be today had my father not gently pushed me to try new things each and every day along this ride called life. Living amongst the most diverse group of people I have ever been around* this summer it is more clear than ever to me that the upbringing one has dictates so much of one's personality and overall success** in life, and try as I might to screw it up, my dad gave me a great one. Whether he likes it or not, I am who I am today in large part because of Roger Paul Wright. Growing up in a house full of girls, and losing his own Father to cancer at the age of 4, my dad is twice the man I could ever hope to be. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*<i>Hippies, college kids, hipsters, convicts, hicks, good ole southern folk, people from literally every cardinal direction of the continental United States- and then some.</i>*</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">**<i>definition open for personal belief</i>**</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As life rushes by and times are ever changing one thing that should always remain constant is the relationship between child and parent. I am the luckiest person in the world in this regard and truly hope that, even if for only one day, everyone out there can experience the love, support, and happiness that I have because of the man I call dad. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's out there. May your day be full of Joy and BBQ.</span>Adam Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12722108032409403492noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522097423898741159.post-62230275306425430072011-05-15T21:35:00.002-05:002012-12-11T03:31:23.117-06:00Party Like It's 1999<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">How long had it been since the Royals last left NYC with a series win over the Yankees? As I watched the final outs take place of the Royals 11-5 victory last Thursday I tried to think back. With a little help from the Internet (something very popular the last time this occurred) I reminisced... </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The last year in which the Royals took a series win from the Yankees in NYC... Euro was being established as a currency. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The last year in which the Royals took a series win from the Yankees in NYC... a Michigan Jury found a Dr. Jack Kevorkian guilty of second degree murder for injecting lethal chemicals into ill patients wishing to commit suicide.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The last year in which the Royals took a series win from the Yankees in NYC... Bill Gates fortune was exceeding $100 Billion.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">... Two senior students opened fire at Columbine high school creating one of the worst massacres to date in U.S. history.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">... George Lucas began his second trilogy of Star Wars films with his Blockbuster film <i>Star Wars Episode One-The Phantom Menace.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">... A music sharing website named "Napster" debuts.</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">... A Texas Governor named George W. Bush announces that he will seek the Republican nomination to run for office for the position of United States President. </span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">... JFK Jr. crashes a plane he was piloting killing himself and his wife. </span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">... A young man named Lance Armstrong shocks the world by winning his first ever Tour De France. </span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">... Video game company </span>Sega</i> releases its newest system entitled the "Sega Dreamcast".</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">... Both <i>The Matrix </i>and <i>Fight Club</i> are released into theaters.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">... Johnny Damon was leading off for the Boys N' Blue and the Triumvirate of Jermaine Dye, Mike Sweeney, and Carlos Beltran each put up over 100 RBI. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The last year in which the Royals took a series win from the Yankees in NYC... Royals rookie Eric Hosmer was in grade school and only 2 of the Royals 9 starting position players had graduated from High School- go ahead and reread that last one- <i>HIGH SCHOOL</i>. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Think how long it has been since the horrendous attacks on the World Trade Centers occurred. Now add two years onto how long ago that was and you have the last time the Royals were able to steal a series win from the Bronx Bombers away from the friendly confines of Kauffman Stadium. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Remember how silly it was that everyone was freaking out about how the new millennium would bring terrible things and life as we knew it would forever be changed. Tell that to the people who last witnessed the feat that the Royals just accomplished, because they are still fighting for the last package of bottled water and canned soup at the local supermarket. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This Royals team has spunk. To date they have been far more competitive than anyone could have predicted before the season began and <i>These</i> comeback kids believe a playoff run is absolutely possible. Can you guess how old Rookie wonder boy Eric Hosmer was the <i>LAST </i>time the royals played more than 162 games in a season? Do the math. </span></div>
Adam Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12722108032409403492noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522097423898741159.post-34197699244057329082011-05-03T01:22:00.000-05:002012-12-11T03:31:37.024-06:00Osama, Obama, Embarrassment of a Nation<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Last night I was getting ready to change the channel from the nightly, fairly <i>eh,</i> KOMU student news channel when the anchor broke the news that our 44th President would be giving a speech within the next 20 minutes. It was unannounced up until that point and the station had no further comment on the subject other than to plead for us to stay tuned for further explanation. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Eventually we got news that the speech was most likely going to involve some aspect of America's national security, but by that point nearly every station on the tube was reporting that public enemy number one, Osama Bin Laden, had been killed.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> This news floored me. My roommate and I had predicted that Obama would be announcing anything from marijuana legalization to the first documented contact with an alien species. I was truly surprised and filled with emotion that could not be expressed with words when I finally understood what history I was witnessing. Then, without notice, a second, more depressing surprise occurred. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> With impeccable speed my fellow classmates across the campus began to celebrate. Really celebrate. World Series winning, Super Bowl champion, College Football Gameday- celebrating. Facebook statuses were exploding. Twitter was hotter than anything I have ever experienced. "F*ck you Osama!" "Bout damn time you piece of sh*t"... Is this really the reaction that should have have occurred? The man was truly a bad seed and I will be the first to admit that the world is, without a doubt, a safer place without him giving direction to his many followers across the globe. But <i>really</i>, does anyone deserve this type of farewell?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I truly hope that those within direct contact to the horrors this man created feel the best type of closure possible. No one should ever have to go through anything close to what the 9/11 victims and families experienced, yet the type of rallies I witnessed across this great nation last night and into the early morning were embarrassing. I sat on my couch for nearly 5 hours just reading what this free speaking country had to say about one of the biggest threats to the U.S. in the country's history. When I finally closed the last internet window on my computer I almost felt bad for OBL. This country was built on so many great things, but last night's display of freedom of speech was one of horrible proportions. Many of us grew up being taught to love our enemy and to treat those how we wish to be treated. No one in their right mind would want to be spoken of in the way one of God's children was last night. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Proverbs 23:17 says, "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles", and Ezekiel 33:10 states, "As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span">" </span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I cannot sit here and pretend to believe that Osama Bin Laden would have one day changed and asked for forgiveness for the numerous deaths he is responsible for, but if the Lord above cannot celebrate the demise of such a man, who am I to cheer him into the grave? This man had a family. As horrific as it may seem, there <i>are</i> those grieving today. Death is not a happy thing. I do not believe that a joyful thought is one that should ever accompany the news that any person has been killed. So as this victorious day in American history is destined to be remembered as the day Obama caught Osama, I urge all those out there not to rejoice in the death of one man, but strive for peace in these harsh times. </span>Adam Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12722108032409403492noreply@blogger.com1