Athletes and fans alike await the Winter Olympic Games every four years. Fans plan their trip years in advance, in a chance that they could see history in the making. Athletes train their absolute hardest to make that history, and it has been made in the 21st Winter Olympic Games.
Sadly, the games started off on a terrible note. A Georgian luger lost his life in a practice run the day before he was supposed to race. Nodar Kumaritashvili, 21 died Friday at Whistler track, he "Flew backward over the short wall of ice and died when his helmet struck the steel support pole," reported Sports Illustrated. Due to the death of the luger, the men's starting point was moved 600 feet down the track to the women's starting point. This shorten track would reduce the men's speed by almost 30 miles per hour said Sports Illustrated.
Onto a lighter note in history, Apolo Ohno finished third in the 1,500 meter short track race Saturday, securing him a front row seat in Winter Olympic history. He is now the most decorated American athlete to compete in the games. He passed Bonnie Blair, a long-track skating legend, who had six metals. To prepare for his record breaking Olympics he was on a 15 week diet with meals every three hours. In the gym he does 1,000 pound single leg presses and hops stairs for ten minutes. According to his coach, Ohno passed the 900 mile mark on the treadmill two weeks ago.
Bode Miller skied into history this past weekend when he became the first American ski racer to win three Olympic metals. He received a bronze metal, missing gold by only .09 seconds. The metal did not come easy though, the course was slowly deteriorating. According to Sports Illustrated, "Whistler Blackcomb resort is at an elevation of 2,000 feet. The starting point of the men's downhill run is 5,453 feet, 2,421 feet lower than the course at the games in 2006."
With just a few days left of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics the final metals are being awarded, and the history books will close again for another four years. Although, the games had some rough moments, I would call it an overall success. I am sad that they have come and gone so quickly, but it gives me something to look forward to, the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
$20 Million Man
The diehard Twins fans have been on the edge of their seats this whole off season. Will they sign the home town hero Joe Mauer, or let the big paying teams snatch him up? Reportedly, he has not signed a contract, but one is in the mists. A contract of $200 million for 10 years has been described. But, some are questioning is it worth spending 20% of the team's payroll on one player?
In the past it hasn't worked out well for teams that have one player making that much money. That player never usually leads the team to the playoffs or to the World Series. But, this player who has already won three batting titles, two golden gloves, an American League MVP, and hasn't even turned 27 yet could be different. A player that is a star on offence and defense, and plays the most demanding position in the game has got to be worth it.
I think it would be a gigantic mistake if the Twins didn't resign Mauer. He is the home town hero of the Minneapolis/St. Paul region and is an all around great guy. If the Twins let him slip through their fingers, like they have done in the past with the big names, I don't think they would ever hear the end of it.
Many fans and thousands of dollars would be lost if Minnesota let Mauer get picked up by another team. Yes, they might have to shovel out a large sum of money for him. But, they will make a lot of that back in ticket sales, concessions, and merchandise just from having him on the team. It used to be just the guys going to the ballgames. Since Mauer, the guys are still going to the game, but now their girlfriends and wives are coming along to watch him play. He has brought in so many new fans that the Twins would have never gotten before.
Just to prove that he is the best and everyone's favorite guy, he will appear on "MLB 10 The Show " cover. If having your star player be pictured on a popular video game cover isn't enough for the Twins to keep Mauer, I don't see any hope in the future.
He may or may not be a Twin after this year and he may or may not lead them to a World Series championship. But, I as a Twins fan and as a Joe Mauer fan would sure love Joe to stay in Minnesota for his major league career.
In the past it hasn't worked out well for teams that have one player making that much money. That player never usually leads the team to the playoffs or to the World Series. But, this player who has already won three batting titles, two golden gloves, an American League MVP, and hasn't even turned 27 yet could be different. A player that is a star on offence and defense, and plays the most demanding position in the game has got to be worth it.
I think it would be a gigantic mistake if the Twins didn't resign Mauer. He is the home town hero of the Minneapolis/St. Paul region and is an all around great guy. If the Twins let him slip through their fingers, like they have done in the past with the big names, I don't think they would ever hear the end of it.
Many fans and thousands of dollars would be lost if Minnesota let Mauer get picked up by another team. Yes, they might have to shovel out a large sum of money for him. But, they will make a lot of that back in ticket sales, concessions, and merchandise just from having him on the team. It used to be just the guys going to the ballgames. Since Mauer, the guys are still going to the game, but now their girlfriends and wives are coming along to watch him play. He has brought in so many new fans that the Twins would have never gotten before.
Just to prove that he is the best and everyone's favorite guy, he will appear on "MLB 10 The Show " cover. If having your star player be pictured on a popular video game cover isn't enough for the Twins to keep Mauer, I don't see any hope in the future.
He may or may not be a Twin after this year and he may or may not lead them to a World Series championship. But, I as a Twins fan and as a Joe Mauer fan would sure love Joe to stay in Minnesota for his major league career.
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