Dan Duquette: The Reason Why the Baltimore Orioles are in First Place

By L.E Briscoe

When Dan Duquette took over as the Executive VP of Baseball Operations for the Orioles at the end of 2011 season, he had a true vision in mind; to restore the great tradition of the team. When I was growing up in Baltimore, this team was dominant. Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Boog Powell and the great Jim Palmer were permanent fixtures of a great era in the history of Orioles baseball. Over the years, names on the back of the jerseys have changed but the goal still remains, to win the World Series once again. It did not take Duquette very long to make his impact on this team and this city. The 2012 team turned things around, making the post season for the first time in 15 years, and winning the first ever American League Wild Card Playoff game over a heavily favored Texas Rangers team. The 2013 team finished with a winning record and showed that in baseball's toughest division, they can play with the overpriced Yankees, the World Champion Red Sox and the always competitive Tampa Bay Rays. 

      

 This season, Duquette took a big swing in the free agent market, landing the southpaw Ubaldo Jimenez formerly of the Indians. Five days later, Duquette literally hit a home run with the acquisition of Nelson Cruz. Cruz had fell out of favor with the Rangers after a drug suspension, and the Orioles took a chance that has paid off, so far.

 I like the vision and the plan the Orioles have for the future. They have made very smart decisions on how to manage their minor league system as well. Dylan Bundy will be a great starting pitcher in the majors, but currently he has been dealing with some injuries that have been delaying his progress. Kevin Gausman has been a surprise for helping out this team that truly didn't have an ace on the staff. One of the biggest surprises has been the transformation of Zack Britton from starter to closer. He has been lights out this season. It also helps when you have a solid minor league product in Manny Machado, a 2013 All Star 3rd Baseman who has made playing the position look easy. A few times I had to remember that it's Manny and not Brooks at 3rd. Having a great manager on the field to lead all this talent is the key. Buck Showalter has to truly change the attitude of this team. He's a proven winner, with a championship pedigree that expects nothing less from all his players and to perform at a high level. The Birds are definitely on the right track.  Making all the right moves and turning a proud baseball franchise back into the national spotlight takes a lot of hard work and patience. I give Dan Duquette credit for making the city of Baltimore proud and respectful once again. 

5 Steps The MLS Can Take Towards Relevancy

By: Connor Grabowski

List your favorite sports leagues. No, actually do it. Think hard. I'm guessing that your list includes powerhouse corporations like the MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, among others. I wouldn't be shocked to see a cameo from NASCAR, PGA, NCAA or even the ATP World Tour. I would venture to say that most lists have very little regarding the MLS, let alone soccer. Tons of soccer fans, including myself, choose to support other international leagues as compared to the American domestic league. Why? Why is it that most people's fantasy football leagues have a more central role in their lives than the MLS? Soccer IS the most popular sport in the world which makes it an ideal game for the diverse melting pot commonly referred to as America. There is just a certain luster, intrigue, missing from Major League Soccer. I know that you're reading this and agreeing with me. I also know that you can't quite put your finger on what the MLS lacks as compared to other sports leagues around the world. Luckily for you, I'm here to tell you 5 things the MLS can do to gain popularity here in the States.

1.) Marketing
Don't get me wrong, Don Garber, the commissioner of MLS, has done plenty to grow the league. Multiple expansion teams have popped up since his reign began. That being said, it is really quite rare to see a MLS commercial on a channel that doesn't revolve around sports. For example, take the NFL. Though some may not like it, the league is everywhere: on TV, on the Internet, on billboards, on local news, on national news, etc. Even the English Premier League, which is covered by NBC, gets heavy media coverage in America. What the MLS needs is to be covered by television stations during prime viewing hours. In reality, very few are eager to watch an MLS match at 3:00 on a Sunday on ESPN2. The MLS must attempt to appeal to all audiences like how most blockbuster sports teams have mascots for the kids but bars for the diehards. What make the NFL and MLB reign supreme is how they're not just about their respective sports. There's a certain amount of pageantry and media-created drama that the MLS doesn't really seem to have. The MLS is about strictly soccer. There are no popular fantasy leagues, or extremely interesting playoff systems to bet upon. Only soccer. Maybe that type of league calls to you, but this type of league is not typically what makes a league successful in this day and age.

2.) USMNT Success
In my eyes, this is the most important facet of the MLS's quest for importance. If the United States Men's National Team can make a run at a World Cup or defeat a true powerhouse, it could cause a wave of new players to flock to the MLS. A national team success would most likely allow players to respect the American styles and coaching schemes. The players would then theoretically be drawn to the development opportunities of the MLS. If the group of bums called the USMNT can find success while playing in Major League Soccer, then so can they ... or so in theory. I also feel the need to add that the seven statistically largest leagues in the world (according to Bleacher Report bleacherreport.com/articles/1458287-ranking-the-top-20-world-football-leagues-statistically) have corresponding national teams that have hoisted the World Cup. So, the pressure is on boys. We can no longer lose to other countries in big time games and then point the blame at our crappy league. In reality, the finger should be pointed the other way: the league is crappy because of the mediocre national team. We have a country of over 300 million but can't seem to assemble a squad of 11 people to topple the team from little ol' Belgium. Really?! (Yes, I'm evidently still extremely testy about the World Cup loss, but that's not my point here.) I am under the firm assumption that the league can't grow to full potential until the United States wins a World Cup. It's not that far away; I promise.

3.) Remove The MLS's Stigma As A Retirement League
Since the MLS founding some 21 years ago, players upon players have been lured to the league with exorbitant sums of money. This has added evidence to stereotypes that the MLS is merely a league where stars go to die. What the MLS needs to do is to constantly cultivate new young talent. For some time now, the league has done that by raising up soccer stars such as Matt Besler, Omar Gonzalez, DeAndre Yedlin and more. However, that hard work looks to go unnoticed as more and more former superstars live out their final years as a player in the states. Some of these include: David Beckham, Alessandro Nesta, Marco DiVaio, Thierry Henry, Frank Lampard, Kaka, Rafa Marquez, Juninho, David Villa and many more. To major European players, the MLS contains no real competition and has no credibility to call themselves a powerhouse league. For the league to truly be recognized, they must stop swaying aging stars to their ranks. Of course Frank Lampard adds a new flare and finesse to the league, but if he represents the major summer signing for the league, work must be done.

4.) Ship Over A Player In Their Prime
Now, this goes hand in hand with Step 3. The MLS could really use some more international shimmer but shimmer of younger age. The league has and could theoretically subsidize more money to bring over big name players who aren't nearing their thirties. While it is extremely unlikely for the league to sign a player of the caliber of Messi or Ronaldo, plenty of household names would be eager to play here in the states (for the right price!). In reality, a league like the MLS could be enticing to any player. If incredible paychecks came their way, players could absolutely put up with the slightly lesser competition than La Liga or the Premier League. An ideal target for the MLS to snap up would be someone like James Rodriguez. Of course this is now off the table as James has signed a mega deal with Real Madrid, but before his coming-of-age at this summer's World Cup, he was a mere 22 year old Colombian prospect playing for AS Monaco. Had the MLS acted swiftly and shrewdly, they possibly could have snapped up a future worldwide superstar. So, MLS, all you have to do is sign a bunch of amazingly talented players to come play in your so-called "retirement league." That's not too big of an ask.... right?

5.) Keep Doing What They're Doing
Soccer is the fastest growing sport in America, and the MLS is growing at a pace that few expected. If twenty years ago, someone suggested that the USA is only two decades from a somewhat revered soccer league, they would probably get mocked and laughed at. The truth is that the MLS, though boring and uninteresting to some, has made great strides towards making a splash in the worldwide market. Currently, 19 teams feature in the league every week with four more in the making. Fantastic decisions were made by the GMs in the past year as they attempted to send USMNT players home. In the past few months, Jermaine Jones, Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley have all returned to the nation they call home (even though Jermaine Jones is a dual-citizen but whatever..). I really don't think we're that far away from having MLS jerseys in every store and game coverage on numerous channels. Following the World Cup and the newly extended showings of the BPL, Americans just seem to have a burning desire for soccer. It's near insane to think that the MLS will one day be the size of the BPL or Serie A or any other European league, but the league is definitely making positive strides. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither are major sports leagues. Have patience, people. Now, thanks to me, the league has a complete plan to achieve greatness and relevance in today's markets. You're welcome, MLS. You're welcome, world.

NBA Preview: Philadelphia 76ers #30

by Jack Coolahan

With just over a month left until the 2014-15 NBA season tips off, The Sports Hub will be previewing all 30 NBA teams, counting down from our predicted 30th best team, to our predicted best team. The Philadelphia 76ers have been chosen for the 30th spot on the NBA countdown.

Coach: Brett Brown
2013-14 Record: 19-63
Projected 2014-15 Record: 16-66
Projected Starting Lineup
PG: Michael Carter-Williams
SG: Tony Wroten
SF: KJ McDaniels
PF: Luc Richard Mbah a Moute
C: Nerlens Noel

The 76ers hired current general manager Sam Hinkie on May 14, 2013. Since then, Hinkie has conducted a total overhaul of the Sixers' roster. Only one player, Jason Richardson, remains from the  disastrous 2012-13 campaign. Hinkie's plan was to bring Philadelphia out of NBA no-man's land; the sixth, seventh, and eighth playoff seeds that the 76ers frequented for years. Before Hinkie, Sixers seasons often ended in first-round playoff exits, which resulted in mid-first round draft picks that were not enough to elevate the Sixers into serious contention.  Hinkie traded the core of the team that pushed the Celtics to seven games in the 2012 Eastern Conference Semifinals. Andre Igoudala, Jrue Holiday, Lou Williams, Thaddeus Young, and Evan Turner, all key players on that 2012 team, are now scattered around the NBA. To Hinkie's delight, the Sixers sank to the bottom of the standings in 2013-14, and also to his delight, he was rewarded for his sacrifice with the third and tenth overall picks in the NBA draft.

Many Sixers fans were hoping that general manager Sam Hinkie would draft two players that would make the Sixers more watchable this season. However, as fans found out on draft night, Hinkie's tankapalooza will continue for another season. By drafting injured center Joel Embiid, who will likely sit out this season, and Croatian forward Dario Saric, who will not play in the NBA until 2016, Hinkie ensured that the Sixers will have another high lottery pick in next year's draft.

While tanking for high draft picks may seem like a smart decision, there is risk involved. The fans could become restless if it continues for a long time. Also, by throwing away at least two whole seasons, the Sixers are betting that Embiid, or whoever they draft in the lottery in 2015, is a franchise player capable of leading a team to a championship. If they don't draft a superstar, the Sixers could end up in the same boat that Hinkie is trying to lead them out of. On a larger scale, the outcome of Hinkie's experiment with the Sixers could determine the future of tanking in the NBA.

Concerning the Sixers actual on court-product, this purpose of this season will most likely be assessing and developing players, rather than winning games. Here are some Sixers players to watch this season:

Michael Carter-Williams- The prodigious 6'6 point guard will look to take a big step forward during his second season. Carter-Williams displayed great defensive potential last year, but he developed bad habits while playing on a pitiful defensive team. While he is a promising distributor, Carter-Williams was sloppy at times as a rookie; he averaged 3.5 turnovers per game. MCW has the talent to be an all-star, but he needs to tighten up his game this year to elevate himself into the upper echelon of young point guards. Also, watch for Carter-Williams to become a better leader with one season under his belt.

Nerlens Noel- The Sixers traded Jrue Holiday to the Pelicans for Noel during the 2013 draft. Noel likely would have been drafted #1 overall had he not torn his ACL while playing at Kentucky. Noel projects to be a force on the defensive end (he averaged 4.4 blocks per game at Kentucky), but whether he can be an offensive threat remains to be seen. At Kentucky, Noel was not a high-volume scorer, and most of his points came on drives, dunks, and offensive rebounds. Hopefully, he spent his year off getting stronger, and refining his jump shot and post game. Nerlens Noel's potential and athleticism will definitely make him a fun player to watch this season.

Tony Wroten- Wroten had some very good games for a very bad Sixers team last season. He has talent, but Wroten's stats last year were heavily inflated by playing a lot of minutes on team without much scoring punch. The Sixers want to see if Wroten can be a reliable player on a playoff team, not just a triple-double threat on a laughingstock.

Henry Sims- The Sixers acquired Sims in the Spencer Hawes trade last season, and he showed the potential to be a solid backup big man. Sims will likely get a lot of minutes off the bench and start some games.

KJ McDaniels and Jerami Grant- Both players are small forwards the Sixers drafted in the second round this year. McDaniels was a first-team All-ACC selection at Clemson last year, and Grant was a key piece on Syracuse's NCAA Tournament team last year. McDaniels has potential to be an Andre Igoudala-type defensive stopper and slasher. Grant has NBA-level athleticism but needs to develop an NBA-level offensive game.

The Sixers will struggle to stay competitive in many of their games this year, but they are building for the future, and the growth of Michael-Carter Williams and Nerlens Noel will affect the future of the 76ers

The Fault in Our Athletic Stars

By: Trevor Quaintance

If you've turned on a television, opened a newspaper, or browsed the Internet this week, you've seen what many are calling the worst week in the National Football League's 94 year history. Domestic violence and child abuse littered what has become North America's dominant sporting industry. Stars of the league such as Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson and Greg Hardy have found themselves dealing with personal issues that have prevented them from playing the game the love. Their actions have painted the NFL in a negative light, and left the league to deal with it. But when the NFL needed him most, commissioner Roger Goodell stood behind a podium, defiantly defended his actions, and weaseled his way out of trap questions. He is taking the coward's way out, despite being caught with his hand in the cookie jar and crumbs around his lips. Evidence continues to pile on and indicate that he tried to conceal a scandal that he felt would, and eventually did, lead to public outrage. He stands with a smug smile on his face, daring reporters to catch him if they can.

Many are calling for Goodell's head, such as famous sports reporter Keith Olbermann and National Organization for Women president Terry O'Neill. The commissioner appears to have bitten off more than he can chew, and would seem to be on his way out. However, this may not be as likely as some think. In his press conference, Goodell claims he never thought of resigning. The league's 32 owners could vote to force him out, but with all the money Goodell has brought in for them, this route is also unlikely. An independent investigation has been launched into the handling of the Ray Rice ordeal. But those charged with overseeing the investigation? The Rooney and Marra families, owners of the Steelers and Giants, both of whom are considered close friends with Goodell. The greed and corruption of the NFL will continue to rule the sport as long as seats are filled and TV deals are signed. 

Nonetheless, one group of people have reaped the benefits of the NFL's nightmare week. What group am I referring to? The NBA.

Adam Silver, commissioner of the NBA better known for his role as Doctor Evil in the Austin Powers movies, has to be ecstatic about the way the NFL has acted in the past 10 days. Silver has his own matters to attend to, no doubt. But the NBA has escaped the spotlight that it so richly deserves.

No one can forget the turbulence Donald Sterling brought to the NBA with his racially charged comments and ensuing battle to hold on to his ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers. In the past weeks, the NBA was again struck by racial comments. Atlanta Hawks controlling owner Bruce Levenson has decided to sell the team after his racially charged email was made public. Additionally, Hawks GM Danny Ferry was heard on a conference call making degrading remarks about small forward Luol Deng, and has since stepped down. The Hawks situation has brought to light the depth of racial issues in the NBA. In any of the other 51 weeks of the year, these ignorant remarks would be the top story on Sportscenter. Nevertheless, Silver and the NBA have managed to hide behind the issues plaguing the NFL. The NBA has done no more than the NFL to amend the current problems within their respective organizations, but by avoiding the spotlight, they have benefited greatly. Somewhere, Adam Silver wears an evil grin, pinky in his mouth, plotting his next move to promote the NBA and destroy Austin Powers. 

The truth remains that where there are sports, there are scandals. The MLB deals with steroid use. The NBA fights racism. The NFL struggles with abuse issues. The NHL battles irrelevance. The popularity of sports thrusts these leagues into spotlight that sometimes can prove too bright to mask the corruption. The NFL will not suffer much, as 86% of fans in a recent poll say they will still intently watch on and root for their favorite team. These corporations will continue to thrive as long as the on-field product performs and the fans continue to support it. However, if the leagues that should be supplying role models continues to provide us with bad examples and heart-breaking scandals, the clock may run out sooner than they would like to think.

Eagles Edge Redskins In NFC East Shootout

by Jack Coolahan

The Philadelphia Eagles moved to 3-0 with a 37-34 victory over the Washington Redskins on Sunday. The Redskins fell to 1-2. Nick Foles led the Eagles with 325 passing yards and three touchdowns. Jeremy Maclin caught 8 balls for 154 yards and a touchdown, and Eagles rookie receiver Jordan Matthews scored his first two career touchdowns in the second quarter. Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins had the best game of his career starting in place of injured Robert Griffin III. Cousins completed 30 of 48 passes for 427 yards and three touchdowns. Washington receivers Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson combined for 255 yards and two touchdowns. Today was Jackson's first game in Philadelphia since the Eagles released him this offseason. Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins also recorded his second interception in two games.

Washington took the ball first and executed first down after first down. After a 13-yard pass from Cousins to DeSean Jackson, Jackson immediately sprung up and shoved Malcolm Jenkins. In retaliation, Eagle Nate Allen shoved Jackson, and surprisingly, Allen was assessed the unnecessary roughness penalty. Cousins led the Redskins down to the Philadelphia 4 yard line and then threw a touchdown pass to fullback Darrel Young to take a 7-0 lead.

On the ensuing kickoff, Eagles returner Chris Polk made multiple Washington defenders miss en route to a 102-yard touchdown to equal the score at 7-7.

On the next drive, Cousins converted three times on third down, including a 37-yard pass to tight end Niles Paul. Washington almost committed a turnover when the Eagles' Brandon Graham poked the ball loose from Washington running back Alfred Morris. Luckily for Morris, the ball bounced right in the hands of one of his teammates. The Redskins then took advantage of that fortunate bounce, and finished off the drive with a four-yard touchdown pass from Cousins to Garcon.

Philadelphia's offense finally took the field, and responded by driving all the way to the Redskins' 14 yard line, where Darren Sproles, the reigning NFC Player of the Week, fumbled the ball at the tail end of an 18-yard run. Washington's Deangelo Hall recovered. The Redskins took advantage of Sproles's blunder with a 49-yard field goal by Kai Forbath to push the lead to 17-7.

On the first play of the ensuing Eagles drive, Jeremy Maclin turned a screen pass into an 80-yard touchdown, but it was called back because of an illegal block in the back by the Eagles' center, Jason Kelce. Just a short while later, Kelce was injured and did not return. Kelce's injury was another crushing blow for the Eagles offensive line, and he was not the only Eagles lineman to retreat to the locker room before the end of the game. The Eagles still drove into the red zone, where Foles hit Jordan Matthews for the receiver's first career touchdown.

The Redskins settled for another Forbath field goal on their next drive, and just before halftime, Foles hit Matthews again on a seam route up the middle of the field. Foles' throw was a beauty, and it gave the Eagles a 21-20 halftime lead.

The Eagles defense stifled the Redskins offense for most of the 3rd quarter, allowing the Eagles to take a 27-20 lead on two Cody Parkey field goals. However, with just over two minutes left in the quarter, Cousins connected with Jackson for an 81-yard touchdown. Jackson sprinted past the secondary, broke one tackle, and strutted into the end zone backwards. Jackson's touchdown knotted the score at 27-27.

WIth a little over 10 minutes to go in the 4th, Forbath shanked an easy 33 yard field off of the right upright. Had he made it the Redskins would have taken the lead, but instead, the game was still tied.

On the next play, Washington defensive back Bashaud Breeland intecepted Foles and began running upfield. As the play was ending, Redskins' defensive lineman Chris Baker unnecessarily decked Foles. The hit was an absolute cheap shot. The Eagles' All-Pro left tackle Jason Peters exchanged words with Baker, and each player grabbed the other's facemask . Baker's hit resulted in a skirmish on the sideline involving many players from both teams. Baker and Peters were both ejected from the game. With Peters' ejection, Todd Herremans was the only Eagles offensive lineman that had started week 1 left in the game. Upon reviewing the play, the referees ruled that Breeland did not catch the ball cleanly, so the Eagles kept possession. Foles rebounded from the cheap shot to throw a 27-yard touchdown to Jeremy Maclin, giving the Eagles a 34-27 advantage.

On the ensuing Redskins drive, Cousins floated a pass into no-man's land after a miscommunication with Niles Paul, and newly acquired Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins made an unbelievable play, showing off amazing closing speed and making a diving interception. After that, the Eagles' drive stalled, but Cody Parkey hit his eighth field goal in nine tries this season, giving the Birds a 37-27 lead.

When Washington needed a quick score to keep it a close game, they turned to backup running back Roy Helu. on his only two touches of the game, Helu caught a screen pass and tacked on 55 yards, and finished off the drive with a one-yard touchdown. Washington trailed 37-34 with just over 4 minutes left in the game.
The Washington defense got a much needed stop, stuffing LeSean McCoy twice and forcing a Foles incompletion. After a bad punt by the Eagles' Donnie Jones. Cousins took over at the  Eagles' 41-yard line. After Alfred Morris was stopped at the line of scrimmage on first down, Cousins threw three straight incompletions, resulting in a turnover on downs. The Eagles then put the finishing touches on their victory by running out the clock.

After LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles torched the Eagles' AFC South foes, the Colts and Jaguars, during the first two games, the Redskins largely held them in check in Week 3. McCoy had his worst performance in recent memory, gaining a meager 22 yards on 19 carries. Sproles gained 20 yards on his two carries, but did not run the ball once after his fumble. After gaining 152 yards receiving against the Colts, Sproles gained only 30 yards on the Redskins.

The first priority for the Eagles this week should be replenishing their offensive line. Jason Peters will be back next game, but they need to get the rest of their injured starters healthy as soon as possible.

After his performance on Sunday, Kirk Cousins will definitely start at quarterback for the Redskins for the foreseeable future, at least until Robert Griffin III's ankle injury heals. The real  question is, if Cousins continues to play like he did today, will coach Jay Gruden start him over Griffin, the 2012 Offensive Rookie of the Year who led Washington to a division title that season? Griffin has not been the same player since he suffered a serious knee injury in their playoff loss to the Seahawks during his rookie season.

The Eagles look to stay undefeated next week in San Francisco against the 49ers. The Redskins will face the division rival New York Giants at home.