Ten 30 for 30s I'd Like To See

Last week, I ranked the top 30 for 30s so far. If you missed it, click here. This week I give you the top 30 for 30s that I'd like to see. Here are 10 documentaries that I would love to see done and why they would make great documentaries.

10. T-Mac

Tracy McGrady is an NBA Hall of Famer that will be remembered by some as a guy that couldn't advance past the first round. He made teams perennial playoff teams, but was stuck in that round. It wasn't until signing with the Spurs in 2013 (his last NBA season) that he finally got minutes outside of the 1st round. He never did get a championship ring as San Antonio lost in the NBA Finals that year. A lot to enjoy here from one of the biggest personalities in league history.

9. The Peter Warrick Story

This is probably actually higher on the list, but how can Warrick not be #9. The best wide receiver in college football history, the Dillard's incident, being selected #4 overall, long career, but not legendary as some predicted. There are so many interesting storylines with Peter Warrick to discuss.

8. Jeffrey Maier from Baltimore Perspective

Jeffrey Maier grabbed a ball that was a routine fly ball and interfered in play giving Derek Jeter a home run somehow. This story has always been glossed over in sports while we vilify Bartman for going after a ball in foul territory. I would really like to see this story from a Baltimore perspective with some insight from the guy right under the fly ball, Tony Tarasco. 

7. TO Show

Terrell Owens is one of the greatest receivers of all-time. However, some have nicknamed him team obliterator because of their perception that he ruins team chemistry. It would be really neat to see what teammates truly thought about him and the good and bad of his career.

6. The Sam Bowie Story

This guy was picked in between Hakeem Olajuwon and Michael Jordan. What it must have been like to be him with everyone disliking him because the best ever went one spot later. This is something that would interest a lot of people.

5. The Streak: The Story of Cal Ripken Jr.'s Legendary Streak

Most players can't even play a full 162 game season in baseball. Cal Ripken Jr. played 2,632 games in a row. How is that eve remotely possible? It would be cool to see them really dive into this story and the night he broke Lou Gehrig's streak.

4. Warrick Dunn Story

One of the nicest guys in NFL history, a lot of people don't know what Warrick Dunn went through in life. The guy had a murdered mother and raised his siblings at 18. You could show how that guy went to become one of the most charitable men ever and show him dominating in football on the way.

3. The Kid: The Story of Ken Griffey Jr.

The only athlete of my lifetime that has come close to Jordan in terms of popularity was Ken Griffey Jr. The swagger, the wearing the hat backwards, the skill, and that beautiful swing. This guy was everyone's favorite player in the 90s and I am sure he has quite the story to tell.

2. Charlie: The Story of How a Heisman Winner Played in the NBA

Two of the best movies in this series focus on two sport athletes Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders. What about the guy that won a Heisman and then went to play pro basketball? Are you telling me people wouldn't love watching this?

1. Wire to Wire: The Story of the 1999 FSU Seminoles

The 1999 Seminoles were the first team to go wire to wire. The team was dominant all season long. They had a legendary coach, the greatest college receiver of all-time and a ton of swag. There would be no more interesting story than this one.

- Noland

The Baseball All-Star Game Sendoff

There are several things that you want for incredible athletes that do things the right way. Many of us want them to go out on top and some get to do that, but that is rare. It's rare that they get to enjoy it too, but it does happen sometimes. In basketball I can only really think of David Robinson announcing he was leaving that season and going out on top. It is equally rare in football, with only Ray Lewis and John Elway coming to mind (I think many would say Ray didn't do things the right way either). That feat doesn't really happen in baseball either. I cannot remember the last time a guy said he was retiring before the season and won the World Series in baseball. It most likely has happened, but I do not remember it. However, there is one thing that baseball does far better than the other sports.

Baseball has mastered the all-star game sendoff for these fantastic athletes with legendary careers. They honor guys that are great for the game and great for the community. This has really been true the last few years, but it happened long before that. When there isn't a current athlete to celebrate, baseball makes sure to honor a hometown legend like Stan Musial or Ted Williams. Sometimes baseball is able to do both. Major League Baseball just does a great job with their all-star game and it is truly a great thing to see.

Back in 2001, one of my childhood heroes, Cal Ripken Jr., took his personal farewell tour to the all-star game. To this day, I consider this my favorite all-star game experience to watch. I was a Freshman in High School that was so moved by the way that baseball honored its Iron Man. Here was Cal Ripken, the gold standard for hard work, excellence, and integrity being honored for being the incredible example that he was. During a period of drug users and cheaters, Ripken did things the right way and did things the best way. He was the centerpiece of this game and I loved it. They honored him the whole week long and Joe Torre was great with how he handled Cal. The Yankee manager at the time made a plan to have Cal Ripken Jr. play SS for an inning (eventhough he moved to 3B by that point in his career). Many argue that Ripken is the best SS ever and I agree so that was an awesome gesture for his last midsummer classic. It is also easily the single greatest moment of Alex Rodriguez's career where he put the game before himself. That is another story for another day though. In 2001 the All-Star game belonged to Cal Ripken Jr. He even hit a home run and won MVP which added to the festivities. This really was a shining moment for baseball. It was mainly a celebration of Cal passing the torch to the younger players in Major League Baseball, like Derek Jeter.

That moment was one of those once in a lifetime things. Major League Baseball surely would not be able to do that again most of us thought. Many of us predicted that would be one of the only times we saw that. All of us that thought it was the only time were wrong though. The last three years, every year has been an awesome all-star sendoff.

In 2012, during Mike Trout and Bryce Harper's first all-star game when baseball received a huge injection of youth, it honored a classic superstar. This all-star game would be played during the last season for Atlanta Brave legend, Chipper Jones. Now, Chipper isn't a Hall of Fame lock for everyone, but for me this guy certainly is. Especially given the era he played in and the fact that he did it clean. Chipper Jones was absolutely a guy that baseball needed to honor. Baseball did a great job with it too, eventhough Chipper had to be added after the initial rosters were announced. Major League Baseball realized that they needed Chipper in the game during his final season. As a Virginia resident at the time I loved the baseball tribute. I grew up watching Chipper and followed his career all the way back to the Richmond Braves in 1993 when I was 6 years old. We saw Chipper play minor league baseball and come up and become a superstar. It is great to see guys like Chipper pass the torch.

The following season in 2013, we saw Mariano Rivera on his farewell tour. The legendary closer who happens to be the greatest relief pitcher in baseball history, is one that everyone admires. He is one that we have been spoiled by recently and did things the right way. His whole career he conducted himself with class. I was thrilled that baseball gave him such a classy sendoff.Mariano also won MVP during his sendoff with a great performance.

A guy like Mike Trout was already spoiled by this point, but Tuesday's game really sealed the deal for the Major League Baseball sendoff. In his 3rd year in the league, Mike Trout was at his 3rd all-star game and witnessing his 3rd legendary sendoff. This time, the sendoff featured the Captain on his farewell tour. It was time to say goodbye at the all-star game to Derek Jeter. Jeter would help lead the American League to victory. With a brilliant defensive play in the top of the first, and a leadoff double in the bottom half. He would score the first run and collect another hit later in the game. Then in the 4th inning, Jeter came out so that the AL could get some other guys in and he could get the proper sendoff. He received multiple standing ovations during the game and baseball showed the world what a classy sport it was. We all Re2pect Derek Jeter and that commercial was one of the best commercials of all-time.

Derek Jeter did not win the MVP, although he obviously could have. Maybe he should have, but him not winning it just shows you how great baseball is. Major League Baseball is fantastic at passing the torch. For the past couple years we have seen these superstars exit the game and an injection of new talent into it. An injection of the guys that will one day receive these same sendoffs. One of those guys happened to witness these three sendoffs in his first three years in baseball. He is soaking up the knowledge that they imparted and becoming a fan-favorite. Know he won the 2014 All-Star Game MVP and is quickly becoming the new face of Major League Baseball. Now that the captain is leaving, somebody else has to become the face of the game, and who better than Mike Trout?

The torch has been passed once again. You have to love Major League Baseball.

-Noland

Home Run Derby History

One of the coolest projects I ever did, was a piece on the history of the home run derby. It was a 30 min ppt presentation that I actually loved doing. It was fun to research everything about it. Unfortunately, I cannot find that document, but I will post what I remember here. This will allow you to share in some of the fun facts. Following this post, I will break down this years field later today.



List of Winners
1985 Dave Parker Reds
1986 Daryl Strawberry Mets, Wally Joyner Angels
1987 Andre Dawson Cubs
1988 Cancelled due to rain
1989 Eric Davis Reds, Ruben Sierra Rangers
1990 Ryne Sandberg Cubs
1991 Cal Ripken Jr. Orioles (Also won all-star game MVP that season)
1992 Mark McGwire A's *(McGwire has been linked to roids, Griffey finished 2nd this season)
1993 Juan Gonzalez Rangers *(Gonzalez was named in Canseco's book, Griffey lost in playoff to Gonzo)
1994 Ken Griffey Jr. Mariners
1995 Frank Thomas White Sox (Also homered in all-star game)
1996 Barry Bonds Giants *(Presumably before Bonds took roids, but who knows? McGwire was 2nd, Brady Anderson 3rd)
1997 Tino Martinez Yankees
1998 Ken Griffey Jr. Mariners
1999 Ken Griffey Jr. Mariners
2000 Sammy Sosa Cubs *(Sosa has been linked to roids, Griffey finished 2nd)
2001 Luis Gonzalez Diamondbacks
2002 Jason Giambi Yankees *(roids, Sosa finished 2nd, Konerko 3rd)
2003 Garret Anderson Angels (also won all-star game MVP)
2004 Miguel Tejada Orioles *(roids, Lance Berkman finished 2nd)
2005 Bobby Abreu Phillies
2006 Ryan Howard Phillies
2007 Vladimir Guerrero Angels
2008 Justin Morneau Twins
2009 Prince Fielder Brewers (In this years field)
2010 David Ortiz Red Sox *(roids, Hanely Ramirez finished 2nd)
2011 Robinson Cano Yankees

Fun Facts
There is only one person who has won the home run derby more than once

The best player of this generation won 3 times. That feat is absolutely amazing when you consider the his injury history and the fact that he was never linked to performance enhancing drugs. Griffey also came in 2nd three times to steroid users. If you count those as titles for Griffey, then he has six. Having six titles and being the only person with multiple is quite the accomplishment.

In 1993 someone hit the warehouse in Camden Yards for the 1st and only time it has been hit. Any guess on who pulled that off?

I hope this shows most people why Ken Griffey Jr is my favorite baseball player. In an era full of cheaters, he dominated, and he did it clean. That alone should put him in the ranks of baseball's all-time elite.

-Noland

Cal Ripken Jr. Talks JJ Hardy

MASN's Roch Kubatko sat down for an interview with Cal Ripken Jr. on his blog. The interview was great stuff, as is pretty much everything that Roch posts on his blog. I love checking out the School of Roch. This post stood out to me though, because it was a Hall of Famer talking about one of our best players. We O's fans love JJ Hardy because he does all the little things right. I was a huge Hardy fan before he ever came to Baltimore. While he was with Milwaukee, I was on the Hardy bandwagon and wanted us to look into trading for him. Luckily we did and it worked out for everyone. It is great to get a Hall of Famers opinion on any of our players though. Even better to get an opinion of a shortstop from the greatest shortstop of all time...

"He doesn't do it flashy,"
"He knows himself, he gets good jumps on the ball, he gets good reads, he positions himself well. I like all the little fundamental things he does. He gets there early on steal coverages, he makes tags the right way, he's in the right position early on cutoffs and relays. You can tell that he's a thinker. He thinks about the game, he thinks about what his responsibilities are. And he doesn't make the highlight reel because he's not that flashy-type player. He makes the hard plays look much easier than they are."
"If you're in your position early and you're anticipating, not the good hop, but the bad hop, then you're ready for it," Ripken said. "Those are the small, little things he does. Even on a double play throw, one of the most common mistakes that big league players make, and any guys make, is they go to second base anticipating that it's going to be a good throw so they can turn it. But players like J.J. go there thinking, 'OK, this might be a bad throw.' If it's a good throw, it makes it easy. If it is a bad throw, then you're already ready to catch it and at least get the out, or catch it and then finish the foot work that can let you turn the double play.
"To me, it's his approach all around. He's anticipating, he's thinking, he looks at all the possibilities."

Good to see Cal Ripken Jr. agrees with me. I don't need flashy, I want someone that does that job right. We had flashy and bad in Pie. We don't need players like that. We want competent major leaguers. Luckily the O's have a very competent major leaguer in Hardy.

-Noland

Avengers of Sports

Jenna and I went to see the Avengers last night. She will have a movie review up on Monday @ itsjustcalledspicy. Yesterday, I thought after I saw the movie about who is most like the Avengers in sports. Here is what I came up with.

Captain America - Peyton Manning

Captain America is my favorite superhero. He is the fearless leader of the Avengers. Cap always does what he is supposed to do and isn't too quick to take credit for what happens. Others respect him and he loves his country. Who better represents Cap than the man who calls his own plays and always makes those around him look good. Manning is about as All-American as you can get. Everyone seems to like Manning as well.

Iron Man - Cal Ripken Jr.

I know Ripken doesn't play anymore, but is there anyone who represents Iron Man better than him. Ripken is baseball's Iron Man. Heck, Ripken already has the Iron Man nickname. The guy seemed like he was not of this world. I mean seriously 2,632 consecutive games. The guy was amazing.

Hulk - Haloti Ngata

Ngata is the person I think who best lives up to the Hulk's catch phrase. Hulk Smash. The dude is an animal at nose tackle. Ngata smashes the opposing offensive line, just as he smashes quarterbacks and runningbacks.

Hawkeye - Drew Brees

Is there a more accurate passer than Drew Brees? There may be, but there are not too many. The dude is accurate as can be. He is like an assassin or like Hawkeye from the Avengers. Dude throws bullets.

Thor - Clay Matthews

Just look at Clay Matthews. Matthews looks exactly like Thor. He probably could have played Thor in the movie. He is a powerful linebacker that scares the opposition. Has the ability to crush the people on the opposite side of him.

Black Widow - Alicia Sacramone

In the Avengers, the Black Widow is incredibly flexible and athletic. She does a lot of quick, athletic moves, kind of like a gymnast. A gymnast like say Alicia Sacramone. Sacramone if you remember was on our last summer Olympic team. She performed great for the good ol' USA.

Nick Fury - Mike Tomlin

Just like Fury, Tomlin led a team of superstars while Tomlin was in Pittsburgh. Fury helped choose and lead the team in order to save the world. Tomlin did his deed in order to win the Super Bowl.

-Noland

Favorite MLB Players

I wanted to talk a bit about my favorite MLB players. This will help you get an idea of who I like/liked in the game of baseball. For this list I will only post players who I have seen play, so players after 1990 (I was born in '87, but obviously can't remember those). I will also only pick each player one so I will not pick Griffey for Seattle and Cincinnati. I will try to pick each person for the team they were with longest to keep it interesting.

Atlanta
Deion Sanders
It's primetime. The two sport athlete and perhaps best Seminole all around athlete ever. Perhaps best all around athlete ever period. Deion was the best.

Arizona
Stephen Drew
FSU legend. What is not to like?

Baltimore
Cal Ripken Jr.
How can it not be Cal? I did love Brady and Devo though. Cal was everything that was right with baseball in the 90s and perhaps saved the game.

Boston
JD Drew
One of FSU's greatest players ever. One of the only tolerable Red Sox ever.


Cincinnati
Eric Davis
This guy was enjoyable to watch. Loved him in Cincinatti and Baltimore.

Chicago Cubs
Jerry Hairston Jr.
One of my least favorite trades was sending Hairston to Chicago for Sosa.

Chicago White Sox
Frank Thomas
The Big Hurt was the coolest baseball nickname. He absolutely killed the ball.

Cleveland
Kenny Lofton
Loved the spectacular catches.

Colorado
Todd Helton
I like Helton and not much else from that team.

Detroit
Justin Verlander
One of the harder picks. Love Verlander and couldn't think of one I liked more besides Pudge. Can't use Pudge twice.

Houston
Craig Biggio
My aunt went to college with Craig Biggio. One of the all-time greats.

Kansas City
Bo Jackson
Bo knows baseball. Who didn't love Bo Jackson?

Los Angeles Angels
Tim Salmon
Just always like him.

Los Angeles Dodgers
Eddie Murray
Murray didn't do as much with the Dodgers, but his Oriole history made me root for him while he was there.





Miami
Randy Choate
Former FSU pitcher gives him an edge over the other Marlins.

Milwaukee
JJ Hardy
I always liked JJ Hardy even before he came to Baltimore. I was overjoyed when he came our way.

Minnesota
Kirby Puckett
I loved the bowling ball belly and him still being athletic. Love the effort and joy he brought to the game. Love that he stuck with the Twins his whole career.

Montreal (eventhough the expos no longer exist, I added them in addition to the Nats because I remember them)
Vladimir Guerrero
Loved him in Montreal with his cannon. Not so much in Baltimore.

New York Mets
Billy Wagner
Wagner was from VA and was lights out as a closer. I love how he kept battling back.

New York Yankees
Mike Mussina
I never hated Mouse like many O's fans did. Always supported him while rooting against the dang yankees.

Oakland
Rickey Henderson
Greatest leadoff hitter of all time. My second favorite leadoff hitter (Brady was #1)

Philadelphia
Jaime Moyer
Jaime Moyer is the man. You have seen me post on Moyer already. Incredible longevity.

Pittsburgh
Brian Giles
This was probably the toughest pick for me. I have not liked many Pirates. I liked Brian Giles though.



San Diego
Tony Gwynn
He did all the little things and he did them with a smile.


San Fransisco
Buster Posey
I took a class with Posey at FSU. He is a superstar. Anybody that follows FSU baseball has to love Buster Posey.

Seattle
Ken Griffey Jr.
What is there to say about Jr. that hasn't already been said? The guy was the pure athlete in an era of cheaters. Griffey is the gold standard.


St. Louis
John Mabry
Mabry was actually my favorite baseball player in his time. Mostly because he was a distant relative, but Mabry is a class act. He sent some baseballs to my brothers and sister when we found out we were related. He was actually a solid baseball player eventhough he is best known for being the other first baseman in St. Louis. I will post more on Mabry at another time. Class Act.

Tampa Bay
Paul Sorrento
The only real reason I love Sorrento is that he was an FSU legend. When I found out players went to FSU or I saw them play there I rooted for them nonstop. Sorrento was a great baseball player in his day.

Texas
Ivan Rodriguez
I posted about Rodriguez on his retirement. Best catcher of all time.

Toronto
Roberto Alomar
Robbie Alomar is the second best player I have seen play. The only one that was better was Griffey and it was pretty close. Alomar did everything amazing. It was a pleasure to see him play for the Orioles a couple of seasons.

Washington
Ryan Zimmerman
I'm not the biggest fan of anybody the Nationals have had. I do like Jerry Hairston, but I already used him. I decided to pick Zimmerman because I love the way he plays and if I could pick anyone on the Nationals roster out of position players, he would be it.


-Noland