Image of the Week

Sports Illustrated

Admittedly, there is not much to discuss in the world of sports, at least not important sports. Call my decision to discuss magazine covers from 2009 desperation. I prefer the term creativity. This week's pair of images were printed by Sports Illustrated in June of 2009 after the Pittsburgh Penguins and Los Angeles Lakers were both declared champions. Subscribers received an issue with one of these two images on the cover, depending on where they lived geographically.

I am going to examine the difference in reaction of Sidney Crosby and Kobe Bryant. As you can clearly see, Crosby displayed a much higher level of emotion. It's fair to say that hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup was the happiest moment of his life. Bryant, on the other hand, was much calmer. The NBA star simply squatted on the court and flashed a smile of content.

Why was Crosby so much more ecstatic than Bryant? Each man had claimed the most elusive title in their respective sports, leading their team through months of hard-fought battles to reach the pinnacle of their careers. Of course, Bryant has won the NBA Title before, while Crosby was lifting the Stanley Cup for the first time. That may have contributed slightly to the difference of expression. But this was "Kobe's Moment." He had finally proven that he could win without Shaq. Shouldn't he have been more enthusiastic?

The answer is yes. Bryant should have been bouncing off the walls, running around like a maniac, acting like a kid, "The Kid and the Cup." Crosby spent his entire childhood dreaming of the day when he would hoist the Cup, not because he wanted to validate his career or win the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to hockey's playoff MVP, but because he wanted to win the team title. Bryant's motives for winning were much more self-centered. He wanted to prove he could win on his own, lead a team to a championship without any help. He wanted to assert himself as the best basketball player in the world.

Sid the Kid, in contrast, was much more animated. His life-long dream of hoisting hockey's Holy Grail had been realized. His expression, untainted by his prepubescent playoff beard, was one of pure joy. The Stanley Cup is the world's greatest trophy, one that bears the names of past champions, one that is passed on from year to year, not replicated for each season. It is the most storied and hallowed trophy in all of sports, a tangible object that symbolizes an intangible feeling. The Stanley Cup is the world's greatest trophy, and the NHL is better for it.


Special thanks to the Caboose for his help with the brainstorming of this story.

Blog Features

The blog has undergone a recent expansion, extending the guru's infinite wisdom into a wonderful place called Philadelphia. (Insert Filthydelphia joke here.) With many new viewers checking out the blog, I felt it would be beneficial to explain the layout of the site.

The newest feature of the blog is the mailing list. You may sign up for the guru's newsletter by entering your email address and first name. The opt-in form can be found on the right-hand side of the page near the top, directly under the "banner" advertisement. There is no cost to join the mailing list. Those who sign up will receive exclusive offers from the guru himself, including personal fantasy consulting and draft-day advice. Your information will not be given to any third-party, nor will we spam you.

Under the mailing list, you will find the blog archive. From this area, you can link to any previous post ever written on the blog. The articles are organized by month. This is also an easy way to get to the comment section of each post.

Beneath the archive is a Google gadget to search the blog. Type in your keywords and you will be redirected to any article containing those search terms.

The search gadget is right above the section entitled "Sites to Check Out." These are six websites the guru frequents that contain interesting content. You are encouraged to visit these sites. They are not affiliated with the blog in any way, but they are worth your time. To better understand the link entitled "Guru Withdrawal Hotline," read this post from late January.

The next section down is one of the most important on the entire site. This is the Followers feature, which allows you to officially pledge your support for the blog. If you choose to "follow" the site, you become part of a network of fellow followers (tongue twister) that can offer you certain advice. These experienced blog veterans may point you to other quality blogs or teach you more about navigating this particular site. This is a very useful feature.

At the very bottom of the page, you will find a link that reads "Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)." This is the guru's RSS feed. Simply put, this puts the blog in a different format that some followers find easier to read. There is no cost to subscribe.

To the right of the RSS feed link is a link to "Older Posts." This will take you to, you guessed it, older posts. Here you can find even more fantasy insight and works of pure genius from the guru.

Earlier I mentioned commenting. If you feel like publishing your thoughts on a post, you may do so by name or anonymously. To comment, click on the link at the bottom of each post that reads "# comments (click here to add yours)." The guru will respond to most comments left here.

You may have heard something about an expert league. This league is sponsored by the blog. Participation is by invitation only. It is comprised of the best fantasy managers on the face of the planet. There are numerous ways to qualify, the next of which will be available shortly.

I would like to take another opportunity to welcome all viewers to the site. I hope you find it to be interesting and informative. You are all encouraged to come back and be enlightened again. If you have any questions or would like to contact the guru directly, feel free to email him at FANTASYguru37@gmail.com. Good luck this season, and be a part of The Solution.

Trivia Challenge Winner

The time has come to crown the champion of the first ever Trivia Challenge. In order to capture victory, a knowledgeable blog follower must be able to successfully identity a mystery figure from a set of clues designed to trick even the brightest of minds. To complicate matters even further, only one contestant may be awarded victory, meaning that only the first challenger to correctly identify the mystery man receives anything. This adds a level of stress and uncertainty to an already difficult task.

But the reward for winning is great. The champion receives an invitation to play in the 2010 Fantasy Guru 37 Fantasy Football Expert Challenge, the guru's own expert league. Slots in the league are filling quickly, as champions of prior challenges have accepted their positions. Be sure to check back early and often for the next Trivia Challenge, as you too can earn a slot in the prestigious league.

Without further ado, the guru would like to welcome Auz to the 2010 FG37FFEC. Auz was the first of multiple contestants to successfully identify Kordell Stewart as the mystery man. In addition to his trivia success, Auz was also named Gatorade Player of the Week for his performance at the Penn State Advanced High School Hockey Camp, where he captained the Blue Bandits to a 3-0-1 record. Auz has requested an opportunity to recognize his roommate, to whom he attributes his success. Congratulations, from the guru, and unofficially from Kordell Stewart himself.

myspace.com

Image of the Week

This week's image depicts golf legend Tom Watson saying farewell to St. Andrews, the most storied course in all of golf. Most casual fans have focused on Miguel Jimenez' incredible bank shot Louis Oosthuizen's seemingly out-of-nowhere domination, but the true story line lies in Watson's final moments on the Old Course. The native of Missouri has been on tour for nearly forty years, creating scores of memories for golf fans to treasure, such as his near British Open victory at age 59.

The image of Watson kissing the Swilcan Bridge will be replayed for as long as golfers flock to Britain for the prestigious tournament. His farewell will go down alongside the likes of Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, who both gave touching goodbyes from the ancient stone structure. While Watson may have missed the cut this year, likely the final time he competes at St. Andrews, he tapped in for birdie on the final hole, a sendoff befitting of a five-time British Open champion.

Trivia Challenge

You are all well aware of the guru's very own fantasy football expert league. In this league, the guru competes against some of the best fantasy managers in the world. Participation is by invitation only. Don't be discouraged because you too can qualify for admission to the league.

The next slot up for grabs will be filled by the winner of the Trivia Challenge. The guru will give several hints about the identity of a certain player, coach, or a well-known sports enthusiast of a different vocation. More and more clues will be given as the competition goes on. The first contestant to successfully identify the mystery man (or woman) will be invited into the expert league.

To enter, simply send an email to the guru at FANTASYguru37@gmail.com with your guess. There will be a limit of one entry per email address per day, so choose wisely. If you are unable to identify the mystery man at first, be sure to check back later for more clues.

Clue #1

Selected in the second round of the 1995 NFL Draft, this player started more than 75 games over the course of his career.

Clue #2

The player was once named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his punting prowess.

Clue #3

This versatile player's career totals eclipse both 1,000 rushing yards and 300 receiving yards, but you won't confuse him with a paint supply store.

Think you know he is? Take a shot and send an email to FANTASYguru37@gmail.com. If not, check back soon for more hints. Good luck to all contestants.

Effects of Lockouts and Strikes of Professional Sports

I am fully aware that the posting frequency has decreased rather dramatically as of late. This is a trend that we all want to avoid. But I can promise you that much time has been put into the blog. We have begun experimenting with podcasting, which is a feature I am sure the followers will love. The time usually spent writing has been focused on the following research paper. With lockouts looming in both the NFL and NBA, the guru found it appropriate to inform the masses of the effects these labor disputes may have. While not fantasy related, I hope you find the article interesting and informative.


Sports fans are finally recovering from the devastation caused by the recent lockout of the National Hockey League (NHL), and already the threat of a new cancelled sports season has come to life. National Football League (NFL) owners are at odds with the players’ association, a standoff that may result in a year without football. With significant rule changes affecting the upcoming season, it seems unlikely that the sides will reach an agreement before the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expires. Negotiations are at a standstill, causing many to believe that the 2011 season may be cancelled.


Labor disputes are not uncommon in professional sports, but rarely do they result in cancelled seasons. When they do, widespread trouble is created. Lockouts and strikes should be used as a last resort during negotiations because the effects they have cause trouble for many people, few of whom have a say in league matters.

It is common to hear the terms strike and lockout used interchangeably. While they have similar effects, there is a difference between the two. A strike is a “work stoppage by a body of workers to enforce compliance with demands made on an employer” (Webster). A lockout is the “withholding of employment by an employer and the whole or partial closing of his business establishment in order to gain concessions from or resist the demands of employees” (Webster). Simply put, strikes happen when the players will not play, and lockouts occur when the owners will not let the players play.

Matters become more confusing when government regulation comes into play. A 1922 US Supreme Court decision deemed Major League Baseball not “interstate commerce,” giving them exemption from federal antitrust laws (Jacobson). In 1957, the Supreme Court decided that the NFL should not be exempt from these same laws (Jacobson). I am unsure of the reasoning behind these verdicts since no apparent differences existed between the two leagues at the times of their respective decisions. Since their ruling, the MLB has added franchises in Canada. Canadian cities have teams in the NHL and National Basketball Association (NBA) as well. This international expansion leads to complications with legal issues such as jurisdiction. Additionally, international governing bodies exist to regulate individual sports. For example, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) frequently intervenes when players under contract leave to play in other leagues.

Much criticism of labor disputes has to do with their far-reaching economic effects. It does not take much effort to see some sign of professional sports in society. From apparel to advertising, pro sports dominate today’s culture.

Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal estimates that $10.5 billion worth of licensed sports merchandise was sold in the United States in 2005 (Jacobson). This number is not surprising when one spends time in a city with a sports team. From clothing to bumper stickers, fans love to show their support of their favorite teams. This is obviously a major component of the economy for any city with a professional team. In fact, David Littmann, the chief economist for Comerica, claims that a typical NHL season puts $85 million into the Detroit economy (Weber). For a city with such publicized struggles, this spending is a necessity. When a season is cancelled, much money goes to waste. American Airlines has a hefty naming rights deal with the arena in Dallas. They are paying $195 million dollars for the building to be named the American Airlines Center (Jacobson). Imagine their disgust when the Dallas Stars were not playing hockey. Rinks that cost over $500 million to build, much of which paid for with taxes, were sitting vacant (Weber). Locals were quick to voice their concerns with the missed seasons. Michael Shaim, a Boston bartender, expressed his thoughts during the lockout, “People don’t want to read about contract disputes in the sports section. It was the one place in the paper where those things could be avoided” (Thomas). Like many small business owners, he saw reductions in his revenue correlate with an empty arena.
 
These effects are not limited to the geographic area of teams in the locked out league. When news broke of the NHL lockout in the summer of 2004, 205 NHL players had signed contracts with European teams by October 16th of that year (“Skating on Thin Ice”). While this may seem like a good backup plan to Americans, the players in those European leagues may not agree. The NHL players put 205 Europeans out of work (“Skating on Thin Ice”).


This seems more selfish when one looks at the money North American athletes make. From 1975 to 1985, MLB player salaries increased from an average of $44,000 to $360,000 (Thomas). According to Thomas, “1954 MLB MVP Willie Mays earned $25,000, about the equivalent of what a utility infielder makes in today’s (1985) dollars.” Fast forward to the present, where NFL rookie Matthew Stafford signed a six-year, $72 million contract with $41.7 million guaranteed (Myers). This astronomical sum was the most guaranteed money in NFL history (Myers), given to a player who had yet to partake in a professional practice. As ridiculous as that may sound, Stafford only made $3.1 million in 2009 (“USA Today Salaries Database”). That same year, Alex Rodriguez made $33 million in salary, excluding deferred payments and incentive clauses (“USA Today Salaries Database”). In fact, the New York Yankees, for whom Rodriguez plays, paid their players $209,081,577 in 2009 (“USA Today Salaries Database”). Baseball and football are not the only sports in which players make vast amounts of money. In 2008-09, Kevin Garnett’s salary was $24,751,934 (“USA Today Salaries Database”). In 2004-05, the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks paid their entire team less than that (Jacobson). Even with the NHL’s salary cap, Dany Heatley received $10 million from the Ottawa Senators in 2008-09 (“USA Today Salaries Database”), the highest salary in the league. Heatley was followed by Sidney Crosby, who made $9 million that year (“USA Today Salaries Database”). The demands of players seem absurd when compared to their predecessors. The NFL Players Union came about in 1956 when players joined forces to request minimum salaries and team-paid uniforms and equipment (Jacobson), a far cry from the selfish ultimatums of today’s athletes.

Owners have enjoyed great increases in revenue over the past few decades as well. From 1975 to 1985, the same span in which the average MLB player salary increased nine fold, annual revenue per club quadrupled to $624 million (Thomas). During that stretch, attendance increased roughly 50% (Thomas). In an attempt to diminish the advantage some teams possess by playing in a larger market, the NFL implemented revenue sharing. By the terms of the CBA that governed the NFL in the early 21st Century, the home team gets 60% of the ticket sales, while the visitors receive 40% of the take. The host gets all the income from luxury boxes, one reason why clubs are building stadiums with more and more of these suites (Jacobson).

It is true that during disputes, certain circumstances may arise that improve the sport. For example, during the NHL’s recent lockout, Commissioner Gary Bettman aimed to increase scoring in hopes of attracting fans (“The NHL Has Improved. Other Rinks, Please Take Note.” A14). The rule changes include a crackdown on obstruction, enlarging the offensive zone, and shrinking goalie pads (“The NHL Has Improved. Other Rinks, Please Take Note.” A14). It is the opinion of most fans that the post-lockout NHL is much more exciting than the “clutching and grabbing contests” of the late 1990’s. While negotiating the 2005 CBA, the NBA formed rules (legislation) against players entering the league straight out of high school. Although widely considered ineffective, the rule was intended to increase the maturity level of NBA players (Jacobson). While these statutes may have enhanced their respective sports, their benefits are dwarfed by the negatives that arise from labor struggles.

Neither side wants seasons to be cancelled, whether partially or in entirety, but sometimes the negotiators hold strong. Several disputes have caused little or no games to be missed, such as the 1990 MLB lockout, which evoked the cancellation of spring training (Jacobson). The 1992 NHL strike lasted just 10 days. Every missed game was able to be rescheduled (Jacobson). Other times, it takes months for the two parties to reach an agreement. Lockouts in the NBA (1998-99) and the NHL (1994-95) both caused roughly one third of those seasons to be cancelled (Jacobson). The 1994 MLB strike led to the cancellation of the World Series (Jacobson), the first time there was no postseason baseball since 1904 (Stewart).
 

“Baseball Fans Protest Against Major League Strike.”

Owners, as well as players, should think long and hard before threatening to lockout or strike. The effects of an abrogated season negatively affect people around the globe. Some good may come out of labor disputes, but it is largely overshadowed by the trouble that it accompanies. Lockouts and strikes should be used as a last resort during negotiations, for the benefit of not only the game, but of professional sports’ most esteemed component, the fans.

Works Cited

"Baseball Fans Protest Against Major League Strike." Opposing Viewpoints Resource

Center. Web. 2 Mar. 2010.

Jacobson, Robert. "Professional Team Sports." Sports In America: Recreation, Business,
Education, Controversy. Detroit: Thomson Gale, 2006. Web.

Myers, Gary. "Matthew Stafford's Contract with Lions at Root of Rookie Wage

Dilemna." New York Daily News 25 Apr. 2009: n. pag. Web. 25 Apr. 2010.

"Skating on Thin Ice." Globe & Mail (Toronto, Canada) 16 Oct. 2004: n. pag. Web. 2
Mar. 2010.

Stewart, Mark. Baseball: A History of the National Pastime. New York: Franklin Watts,
1998. Print.

"The NHL Has Improved. Other Rinks, Please Take Note." Globe & Mail (Toronto,
Canada) 17 Oct. 2005: A14. Web. 3 Mar. 2010.

Thomas, Evan. "A Win For the Fans; the Owners Balk, the Players Walk, then Ueberroth
Gets the Save." Time 19 Aug. 1985: n. pag. Web. 2 Mar. 2010.

"USA Today Salaries Database." USAtoday.com. USA Today. Web. 11 Mar. 2010

Weber, Bruce. "Lockout in NHL Pushes Businesses to the Brink." New York Times 9
Dec. 2004: n. pag. Web. 1 Mar. 2010.

Webster, Merriam. Webster's Ninth Collegiate Dictionary. Springfield, Massachusetts: Merriam-Webster Inc., 1983. Print.

Image of the Week

images.yahoo.com

This week's image depicts professional eater Takeru Kobayashi being detained by law enforcement officials on the Fourth of July. Kobayashi, widely recognized as the second best eater in the world, held out from the Nathan's International Hot Dog Eating Contest this year after negotiations with Major League Eating ground to a halt. Instead of completing boycotting the event, Kobayashi attended the  competition at Coney Island to watch from the crowd. During the awards ceremony, Kobayashi rushed the stage. Police officers quickly grabbed him and easily dragged the 132 pound (pre-competition weight) native of Japan off the stage. Kobayashi, wearing a "Free Kobi" shirt, valiantly resisted the arrest, prompting the eating fans to chant "Let Him Eat!" He has since been charged with resisting arrest, trespassing, and obstructing governmental administration. The guru would like to withhold comments on the incident.

By the Numbers: Early Summer

After receiving heaps of praise for his award-winning article detailing interesting statistics from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the guru has decided to write another post in the same format. This second article will highlight events that have occurred in this boring time in the sports world between the Stanley Cup Finals and the NFL preseason, also known as the MLB regular season.

2
Zambonis (a brand name that has transcended the technical term "ice resurfacing machine") promised to LeBron James for "personal recreation," should he choose to forgo offers from NBA teams and sign with the Seattle Thunderbirds, a junior hockey team in the WHL.

20
age limit (in years) for players in the WHL, proving the Thunderbirds' offer to James (age 25) nothing more than a publicity stunt typical of minor league hockey teams.

21
seasons played in the NHL by Rod Brind'amour, who has officially retired. As a reward for a successful career, the Carolina Hurricanes have offered him an unspecified position in their front office.

0
NFL teams that have offered contracts to free agent wide receiver Terrell Owens. TO's future in the NFL certainly looks bleak, but don't rule out a signing as training camps approach. The Redskins may be in need of a receiver...

also 0
the guru's interest level in the FIFA World Cup. He gave it a sincere opportunity to garner his respect, but how can you watch a game that is ninety minutes long and has the high possibility of one team being held shotless? SHOTLESS!

98
toughness rating of Tim Tebow in the newest version of Madden, making him the highest rated player in that category in the entire NFL. His strength rating (84) places him ahead of fifteen offensive linemen from around the league, yet his overall rating is still just 70, which I must say I find rather disappointing.

"all these"
number of "white boys ganging up on me (Cedric Benson) and kicking me (CB) out." Benson has been arrested for an alleged assault on a bartender in Austin, Texas. You may recall Benson's history of poor decisions, which more or less derailed his career before his 2009 resurgence.

Consider yourself up to speed on the happenings of early summer. If you have any stats worth mentioning, feel free to pass them on to the guru at FANTASYguru37@gmail.com. Similarly, I encourage you to take part in The Solution.

NHL Free Agency Preview Update

nhltalk202.com

Free agency officially kicks off at 1:00 this afternoon. In a class with a stud at each position, everyone is focused on three or four players. After they go, the dropoff is pretty steep. Now is the time to sit back and trust in your team's general manager.

As an update from the earlier Free Agency Preview, the Flyers have re-signed goaltender Michael Leighton. It is likely that they will pursue another goalie in free agency, however don't expect to see blue chip free agent Evgeni Nabokov become a Flyer. Leighton will earn $3.1 million over the next two years in addition to the $925,000 Brian Boucher is set to make in 2010-11. Nabokov is reportedly seeking at least $5 million per season, rendering his services too expensive for a Philadelphia team with only 15 skaters currently under contract. Considering the Flyers' remaining cap space, a cheaper alternative, possibly Ray Emery, makes a lot more sense.

The biggest name available this year is without a doubt left winger Ilya Kovalchuk. He has faced criticism since becoming a member of the New Jersey Devils at the trade deadline, despite scoring at a point per game pace on a brand new team. The Devils are keen on securing his services for a few more years, but are hamstrung by the salary cap. They will be forced to choose between Kovalchuk's six straight forty goal seasons and dependable defenseman Paul Martin's +51 over the last three years. If the Devils are unable to re-sign the 27 year old Russian phenom, he will likely head west. Rumors continue to list Los Angeles as the favorites to get him under contract, but don't sleep on the Avalanche. With a dynamic group of young centers, Colorado would love to bring in an explosive winger like Kovalchuk. With over $30 million in cap space, they certainly have the funds to do so, assuming the front office is willing to spend some dough.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are connected to two of the biggest available names on defense. Veteran Sergei Gonchar remains committed to returning to Pittsburgh. Fans love his offensive ability (259 points in 322 post-lockout regular season games), but are frustrated by his diminishing defensive skills (-3 in five seasons with Pittsburgh) and brittleness (77 missed games in the past two seasons, not a typo). GM Ray Shero is willing to let Gonchar and his $5 million salary walk in favor of bringing in the younger and more dependable Dan Hamhuis. Traded twice in one week, Hamhuis has chosen to hold off on a deal until July. Negotiations with the Penguins are reportedly progressing, but Hamhuis will most definitely entertain offers from several teams in the upcoming days.

Remember to look under "sites to check out" and click on NHL Salary and Contract Info for a link to NHLnumbers.com, the guru's preferred provider of NHL salary information.

Which teams will walk away with each blue chipper? Are these guys truly the best available this year? Are elite goalies really worth the money, or can teams find success with lower-level journeymen? Let your voice be heard by leaving a comment (click "# comments") or email the guru at FANTASYguru37@gmail.com.