Mix It Up With Some World Cup Action

Besides the random MLS games that are on every once in a while, there is not much soccer to be found on television these days.  It makes sense, considering soccer is one of the less popular sports in the U.S.

But it's the world's most-played sport for a reason.  If you learn the rules of the game, the strategies, the dynamics, then soccer can be a thoroughly enjoyable game to watch.

My recommendation: take advantage of the Women's World Cup that is currently on ESPN for the next couple of weeks.  Watch a few games.  Try to learn how the game is played.  I know... there isn't a lot of scoring.  But there is constant action.  After some time, you'll start to appreciate the game and the emotion. 

The U.S. Women's team even has some Boston pride associated with it.  Five players - Kelley O'Hara, Amy LePeilbet, Lauren Cheney, Stephanie Cox, and Rachel Buehler - have played for the hometown  team, the Boston Breakers.  So support the country, support BeanTown, and support the under-appreciated sport of soccer.

A Defining Series

The Sox take on the Phillies this week in a series that will decide which team is truly the best in Major League baseball so far this season.  The Phils still maintain the best record in baseball at 50-30.  The Sox are right behind them at 45-53.

The Red Sox have been praised for their potent offensive attack, led by Adrian Gonzalez and David Ortiz. On the other hand, the Phillies have been successful through their overwhelmingly strong pitching staff that includes Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, and Cole Hamels. Baseball analysts have argued all season about which team is the ultimate power in the league.  The series this week will help answer some of those questions.

Unfortunately the Sox dropped the first meeting last night, 5-0.  Cliff Lee bedazzled the Sox by only allowing two hits on his way to a complete-game shutout.  But no fear...the Sox will be back with a vengeance tonight.  They understand what's at stake in this series.  Yes, it's only the mid-point of the season.  Yes, it's only inter-league play.  Yes, this series will mean nothing for either team after they've finished 162 games.  But right now, when reputations are on the line, it's very meaningful.

Lackey's on the mound tonight, and we need him to be AWESOME.  He could use a good game to win back the allegiance of many of his doubting fans. Fingers crossed.

Boston All Over The ESPYS - VOTE!

ESPN is holding the 2011 ESPY Awards on July 13th this year and Boston is very well represented in the nominations.  

Here's what's at stake for Boston:

- Tim Thomas has been nominated for BEST Championship Performance and BEST NHL PLayer. Is there even the slightest chance he doesn't win both?  I don't even need to hear the other nominations.  He's a shoo in.

- Ray Allen has been nominated for BEST Record-Breaking Performance.  I remember the game when Ray hit the threes to break the all-time record.  His reaction was priceless. I've only seen him more happy after winning his ring in 2008.  He deserves some recognition for that sweet stroke of his.   

- The Boston Bruins have been nominated for BEST Team.  With all of the momentum that the Stanley Cup Final brought to fans, it's going to hard for a team to beat the Bruins right now.  Especially since they're a team with no real stars or phenoms.  The Bruins define team.  

- Tom Brady has been nominated for BEST NFL Player.  He already won the MVP, right?  This decision has already been made.  Just give Brady the crown now, no one was better this year.  

The link to vote can be found HERE. 

Vote and support our favorite Boston teams and players!!

Say Hello To JaJuan Johnson

Take a good look at the Boston Celtics' first round draft pick, JaJuan Johnson.  Johnson is a 6' 10" forward/center from the Purdue Boilermakers.  I heard of this guy while watching March Madness this past year, but never realized how much of a force he was in the paint.

It's clear from this highlight video that Johnson has a lot of potential.  He reminds me of KG, hitting fade away shots in the paint with ease over his defenders, but also having the ability to hit the near-three point shot too.

I don't think it's possible for this kid to not become a great player with the likes of KG himself as a mentor during his rookie season, telling him all the tricks to succeed in the NBA.

Watch for great things next season - assuming he even gets a chance in a regular season game. Only time will tell...

Watch Out: Here Comes Rory

LONDON -- U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy is confident he can handle the pressure that comes with being considered the heir apparent to Tiger Woods.

Comparisons were made between McIlroy and Woods after the 22-year-old Northern Irishman swept to his first major victory in record-breaking style at Congressional on Sunday.

His status will undoubtedly soar as a result, but McIlroy said he'll try to stay grounded.

-From ESPN.com

Can you even imagine being Rory McIlroy right now? You wake up, roll out of bed, flip on SportsCenter, and hear John Anderson and Hannah Storm comparing you to one of the best golfers to ever hit the links.  

There's no denying Rory has talent; that is clear.  But what's clearer is his confidence.  This kid knows he's got enough talent to become the next face of the golf kingdom.  And there's nothing wrong with that! A little bit of confidence is refreshing in a sport that urges overwhelming humbleness (complimenting opponents on their shots and giving pointers at every free moment.)

It's part of why we love(d) Tiger. The fist pumps, the high fives with Stevie, and the raw emotion he brought to every round of golf he played was a significant movement for the sport.  It made golf more popular.  It made golf "cool."  It made it okay for middle-aged men to use animal driver headcovers.  

But are we ready for Rory yet?  Is the sport of golf ready to forget about Tiger and accept Rory as its new golf idol? I'm not so sure.  

I think we're going to see many epic battles between Tiger and Rory in the upcoming years. Mentor v. Apprentice style. Obi Wan v. Anakin.  Eventually Rory will come out on top, but not after earning it.

May the birdies be with you, Rory.  

Player Profile...Zdeno Chara

Chara swatting flies

It's only appropriate to write a Player Profile in honor of the Boston Bruins.  And who better to cover than the CAPTAIN of your 2011 Stanley Cup Champions: Zdeno Chara.

This man is a literally a monster in the NHL.  At 6' 9" he is the tallest player to ever grace NHL ice.  The Godzilla of the Bruins. 

Chara's gargantuan stature does more than just intimidate any threatening forwards (wink, wink, Sedin twins), it comes equipped with the ability to produce the fastest slap shot ever recorded.  At the 2008-2009 Skills Competition, Chara set a record with a blistering 105.4 mph slapshot.  I'm not sure what defender would even dare throw himself in front of that puck to try to block it.

Chara is from Slovakia, and was drafted by the New York Islanders in the 1996 Draft.  He spent time with the Islanders and the Ottawa Senators before making his way to Boston in 2006.  And boy are we glad to have him.  About the time that Chara showed up, this Bruins team started to play with a bit more swagger and confidence.  And it finally paid off.

Boston United

One of the biggest attractions of team sports is the sense of unity that is formed within a particular roster.  It is evident to all fans when a group of players come together and become not only good teammates, but also good friends.

Clearest example: the 2004 World Champion Boston Red Sox.  This group of players had fun together.  They had their ultimate goal always in mind, but seemed to stay light-hearted about the ordeal.  It helps when you have the likes of Kevin Millar, David Ortiz, and Manny Ramirez showing up to play everyday.  In the end, this unity was entirely necessary.  This Red Sox team had to win four straight against the Yankees, a feat that was nearly unheard of at the time.

But they did it.  They "cowboyed up" and did it.  Together.  

Seeing the newly-crowned Boston Bruins ride the duckboats around Fenway this weekend, many clad in Boston Red Sox hats, pushed this sense of unity to a whole new level.  The Boston Bruins didn't just unite together to win this trophy.  They united the entire city.  They united all of the sports teams in the area.  Big Papi lifting the Stanley Cup high above his head in the locker room says it all.  This was a victory for every player in Boston, as the Bruins finally fulfilled an era of Boston sports dominance. 

During the duckboat parade on Saturday, Claude Julien made a brief speech.  He thanked Terry Francona, Doc Rivers, and Bill Belichick for helping him in his journey to a championship.  He said he never quite felt that he belonged in the prestigious club of Boston coaches.  Well, Claude, you certainly should feel welcome now. 

It's that statement by Julien that sums up Boston sports.  There is no in between for a Boston sports fan.  If you love one team, you love them all.  No questions asked.  It is one unit, one well-oiled Boston sports machine that we have here in Massachusetts.  It is rare, and only a few other cities can boast such an entourage of succesful teams.  So don't be greedy, and root for them all. 

Go Revs.