Thoughts from the Sports Desk

Well, it's been a while since I've done this...so instead of focusing on just one topic, I'm going to just share my thoughts on some of the stories going on in the world of sports, both nationally and locally.

First off, I would like to congratulate LeBron James for going to the team that will help him win his first NBA title, the Miami Heat. I believe that LeBron, in the end, made the best decision in taking his game to South Beach. There's no doubt that the trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh will win multiple championships and will become the dominate force in the NBA for several years.

As for LeBron's former team and their pitiful owner, I have no sympathy for them. They had SEVEN years to do everything they could to help LeBron bring a championship, and they failed. They never brought in players that could play with LeBron at the highest level and their paying the price for it. When it comes to that letter that Cavs' owner Dan Gilbert and his harsh words about the man who he worshipped for seven years (LeBron), he needs to get over himself and realize that what he publically said about James was wrong and he will pay the consequences. LeBron, I wish you the best of luck in Miami! I might just become a Heat fan now!

Let's talk about some baseball. First off, we've reached the half-way point of the MLB season. That means that it's time for the Home Run Derby and the All-Star game. The Cardinals are well represented this year as Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina will be starting for the National League and Matt Holliday, Christ Carpenter, and Adam Wainwright will come off of the bench to play at some point during the All-Star game. Also, Holliday will be competing in the Home Run Derby. It should be a lot of fun to watch all the All-Star events.

As for the Cardinals' regular season, it's had its ups and downs. Injuries have crippled the starting rotation a little bit, but Wainwright, Carpenter, and Jamie Garcia have had a great season. In my opinion, Garcia should have been an All-Star, but apparently Phillies' manager Charlie Manuel doesn't look at the stats of other teams. Garcia is in the second in the National League in ERA and has been one of the most consistent pitchers in the League. Manuel almost made people very upset when the Reds' Joey Votto wasn't selected to the team, but he ended winning the Final Vote. Back to the Cardinals, I look for all the injured to heal and this team to win the Central and go far in the playoffs. Also, I hope that Pujols and Holliday are the top two in homers in the National League.

One other baseball team I'd like to talk about is the American Legion Post 303 Dunklin County Dodgers. I have really enjoyed watching and covering this team this summer. This team has had an outstanding season and they hope to continue playing all the way to the state tourney. Manager Jamie Johnson assembled the best young baseball players in the area and all 18 players have played a vital role in the team's success. If you haven't seen this team play, you've got two more chances this coming week as they are at home on Monday and Tuesday at 4 p.m. at the Senath-Hornersville High School field.

One more thing to mention, in a previous blog about the World Cup I predicted that Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and the United States would make the semifinals with Germany and the Netherlands meeting in the final. I received some criticism for my picks, but I was 3-for-4 in my semifinal picks and if Spain wouldn't have beat Germany I would have had the final right. I guess you can say I know my World Cup Soccer! It's been a great World Cup to watch and I'll be anxiously waiting for more years for the next one.