Monday, September 26, 2016

Jose Fernandez Spirit Award

We have seen so many athletes gone before their time. Whether it be Nick Adenhart, Roberto Clemente, Dražen Petrović, Sean Taylor, Jerome Brown or the most recent Jose Fernandez. All of these athletes had the talent and potential to become some of the greatest players ever to play. However, their lives were cut short. None will ever play their respective sport again. It is heartbreaking for fans, sport lovers, and the world when this happens. It brings a sense of unrest for anybody who looks at the playing field. Jose Fernandez this past weekend joined the ghosts of many great athletes’ gone before their time. I believe that Major League Baseball should implement the Jose Fernandez Spirit Award.

Jose Fernandez played with such passion and spirit that was unmatched. When he was on the mound, it was clearly the hot ticket to have. Nobody brought as much love to the game as Fernandez. A kid that came from nothing that built himself up. Fernandez tried defecting from Cuba three times, one of which landed him in jail. When he finally did successfully defect, he had to save his mother from drowning. Fernandez built himself up from the bottom; he truly lived the American Dream. He came from nothing, showing such love and passion on the field. He played every game like it was his last. Through injury and disappointment Fernandez was able to bring success, happiness, and joy to his teammates.

We see now that many reporters, players, and fans are pushing for a Jose Fernandez Spirit Award. Like the Roberto Clemente Award, which was created after Clemente's tragic death, the Fernandez Award would be given to those who show passion on and off the field. This award would be for those who truly love the game, and give everything they have to play it. I believe this is the best way to remember someone of his status. Someone that had so much potential who could've been a future CY Young winner and even the first Marlin in the Hall of Fame. Time will heal this terrible wound for the sporting world, but we should never forget Jose Fernandez.



RIP Jose Fernandez

-Brett



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Monday, September 12, 2016

Wentzylvania

Carson Wentz fever has taken over Philadelphia! There is no doubt that the biggest name in the city is Carson Wentz. Many fans would say after game one that he lived up to the hype. Wentz showed many skills in his first game. He showed fans his ability to be accurate and throw on the run. However, Philadelphia let's not get too excited yet. The #2 overall pick has only played in one game against a really bad team. There are going to be several growing pains to come.

The Eagles played extremely well in their first game of the season. Carson Wentz was able to get comfortable on the field right away. However, as the game progressed Wentz did show his weak points. The future of the Eagles still has some things to work on in his game. Carson needs to be more comfortable in the pocket. Though he had a very strong football IQ in college, he does not have an NFL IQ. Wentz throughout the game held onto the ball too long. It caused him to take too many hard hits early on. The Eagles have a strong line but, he needs to put more faith in his arm. He also favored only one side of the field. Wentz throughout the game would go through series where he would only look to one side of the field. If he wants to keep winning this is something he needs to work on.

If you listen to any caller Monday morning on any sports station in Philadelphia fans are overwhelmed. They believe Carson Wentz is a demigod. He passed one test and has several more to come in the future. Wentz did surprise me in his first game, he played very well. However, it was against a Cleveland Browns team who missed many opportunities on offense and who's defense struggled throughout the game. Philadelphia should not get overhyped on their QB yet. It is going to be a waiting game to see how he develops throughout the season. The real test will come in their 3rd and 4th games. Eagles fans it is time to see what this young kid can do.

-Brett


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