Holy free agent signings Batman!

So the MLB Winter Meetings have come and gone, and now the offseason moves begin to pour in. Here is just a rundown of some major moves...

John Lackey, free agent pitcher signed a 5 year deal with the Red Sox
Red Sox also sign free agent Mike Cameron, trade 3B Mike Lowell, and sign SS Marco Scuturo.
LAA Angels sign free agent OF/DH Hideki Matsui

That is just a few transactions. The biggest of biggest transactions is about to be finalized by Thursday. It involves two Cy Young pitchers shifting teams in a three team trade between the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, and Philadelphia Phillies.
Here's the breakdown:
Philadelphia gets Cy Young pitcher Roy Halladay
Seattle gets Cy Young pitcher Cliff Lee
Six prospects and cash are also involved in this blockbuster trade.

That is a lot of wheelin' and dealin' in MLB. Jason Bay and Matt Holiday are also expected to sign with teams very shortly. Those are two very coveted hitters in MLB. If you thought the offseason moves are over, they are just getting started.

No more TIGER!!!

Now that Tiger Woods has released statements and let us into his personal life...STOP IT!!! I am so sick of hearing about Tiger Woods and his mistakes. The man is just that, a man. I don't understand why people put athletes on such a higher pedestal when everybody is human and make mistakes. He cheated on his wife...multiple times. The lifestyles of high profile athletes are certainly a circus. The thought of fame and money seems to bring out the wildest things in people.

It is a shame that Tiger has to go through this process. First it was all speculation...then it was the facts from Tiger himself...now it is the drawn out commentary that is killing me. He has lost almost all his sponsors with the exception of Nike (who says they will stick with the pro golfer). Let's face it...the man can live for another 20 years without needing to work a minute of his life. Athletes are overpaid and, as a result, get themselves into public relations nightmares.

It just further proves why I would hate to be famous. Sure the money and fame would be nice, but I wouldn't want my every move to be analyzed. I also wouldn't want one mistake to ruin my reputation for years to come.

Sorry Tiger. I admire you as an athlete but you should have kept your snake in your pants. For everyone's sake.

No wonder why the man is so messed up!!!

Just when you thought sports news couldn't get any better, Ron Artest speaks out. In an interview with The Sporting News, Ron Artest admitted to drinking cognac during halftime of basketball games while with the Chicago Bulls.

ARE YOU SERIOUS!? This man is absolutely nuts. What on God's green earth drove him to drink during halftime of basketball games when he is making millions playing the game? This is pathetic and answers so many questions about Ron Artest as a person and basketball athlete. Didn't anyone see him do it?

The NBA certainly did not need this story to surface. There really is nothing else to say expect "wow!" Please comment and tell me what you think about this.

To read more about this story, go to: http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/article/2009-12-02/sn-conversation-ron-artest-i-was-head-case

Heisman Trophy finalists announced

As the college football season winds down, all the buzz is circled around the BCS bowl games and the most prestigious trophy in college sports - the Heisman. The finalist have been announced and they seem to be an interesting group of individuals.

The finalists are...
Florida QB Tim Tebow
Texas QB Colt McCoy
Nebraska DT Ndamukong Suh
Alambama RB Mark Ingram
Stanford RB Toby Gerhart

For Tim Tebow, he is the first player to be selected as a Heisman finalist for three years. He won the Heisman two years ago in 2007 while in his Sophomore year (another first for Tebow).

All five finalist are certainly qualified to be considered for the trophy but what about C.J. Spiller? He has racked up over 1,100 yards on the season and has explosive speed for the Clemson Tigers. I would have thought he would be selected for the sure fact that he might very well be the most game-changing player in the league. Not only does he do it on offense, but he is just as explosive on special teams. 92 yard kickoff return against Maryland, 88 yard return against Georgia Tech, and the list goes on and on. C.J. Spiller was by far the biggest snub for the Heisman.

I believe either Tim Tebow or Ndamukong Suh should not be sitting as a finalist for the trophy. Let's face it, Tebow is not even close to be as good as he was last year or the year before that. Also, a defensive player has not won the Heisman since 1997 when Charles Woodson of Michigan did. I do not believe it is going to happen this year either. More the reason to insert Spiller as one of the five finalists.

It makes you wonder...with the BCS system always criticized as being flawed, could the Heisman finalist selection process to flawed as well? It seems as though the award is not living up the hype that it should be. The trophy is for the most outstanding player in college football and NOT the MVP.

Iverson's retirement may last less than a week; gets offer with familiar face

After retiring just last week, guard Allen Iverson got offered a one-year contract from his former team, the Philadelphia 76ers. The contract is said to be non-guaranteed but it seems like the reunion may be closer than first thought. The team executives and head coach met with Iverson yesterday to discuss a potential deal.

I think most people knew that Iverson was not going to retire for more than a month. The reality is that he still can perform with the best of them day in and day out. He might not be the star of a team, but he can certainly come off the bench or potentially start for any team in the league. Being a Celtics fan, I was hoping that they would reach out to the guard. He is a former MVP of the league and is only 34 years old. I could predict at least two more productive seasons out of Iverson before his numbers might begin to drop substantially.

Honestly, the whole retirement announcement was a good public relations move on Iverson's part. It drew attention and ultimately got an offer from a NBA team (his ultimate goal). It is interesting how a public statement can ultimately get you what you want. For Iverson, he stated the lack of interest from teams as the reason for his retirement. The result was the interest of the 76ers. The best part about this whole story is the fact that he has the potential to have a great season with a team and increase his value for next season. He can prove to the league that there is still some gas left in the No. 3 jersey.

Legendary college coach Bowden steps down

It is very rare in today's sports society to have the same coach for more than 15 seasons. How about thirty-four? That is how many years Coach Bobby Bowden has been with the Florida State Seminoles football program. The now 80 year-old coach decided to call it a career after meeting with the school on Monday. It is a shame that the legendary coach had to end his career finishing 6-6, the worst finish to a season since his first season as FSU head coach back in 1976.

What is even more shameful is that fact that Florida State offered the coach a one-year deal with "limited" responsibilities. If Bowden returned, coach-in-waiting Jimbo Fisher would have more power over the direction of the program. Think of it as a part-time coach. It only made sense for Bowden to retire. I understand that Bowden is not as good as he use to be but why even bother offering him a contract if he won't have the responsibilities that a head coach has? After a long and storied career, it appears as though Bobby Bowden has been slapped in the face. For everything he has down for the program, Florida State certainly lacked class in this whole situation.

The face of the Florida State, Bowden took the school to two national championships in 1993 and 1999. During his career at FSU, his record was an astonishing 315-97-4. He is second to Penn State's Joe Paterno as the all-time victorious coach. This is not just a coach, he is a legend and hall-of-fame coach who certainly could have coached another season just like he had been for 44 years.

During a video interview, Bowden seemed to be in good humor stating, ""Now, you know I have to go out and get a job. Can you believe that?" he said. "I've got to go get a job. I ain't had a job in 55 years."

He will be missed in the coaching profession.

Tiger "crashes" his image

Usually we hear about him on the golf course but unfortunately for him we are now hearing about his personal life. In an age of athletes using steroids and having run-ins with law enforcement, Tiger Woods was the "golden child." One who was a perfect role model for kids of all ages. That image might have been slightly tarnished in the wake of this week's automobile accident.

Woods crashed his Cadillac SUV into a fire hydrant followed by a tree early Friday morning in his Florida neighborhood. Woods was taken to the hospital to be treated for facial lacerations and was released that same day. A car accident is usually something that is indeed an "accident." The question regarding this particular one is, how did it happen at 2:25am? Alcohol was quickly ruled out but media outlets were very quick to form perceptions and rumors.

It is now Tuesday, four days after the crash, and the Florida Highway Patrol has rule the accident to be Woods' fault but no charges will be filed. Instead, Woods will receive a $164 fine (pocket change for this million dollar athlete) and four points towards his license which is not enough to have his license suspended. Although the police have filed their report, the rumors are still swirling regarding the reason behind the crash.

The biggest of rumors is that Tiger Woods' wife, Elin Nordegren, confronted Woods regarding tabloids that suggested he was having an affair. The rumor continues by stating that Tiger's wife beat him with a golf club after he crashed his SUV. We might never know the real reason why he crashed his vehicle considering Woods is a very private person.

Personally, I don't think his "accident" should tarnish the person he is. Tiger Woods may be a big name in sports and a great role model for everyone, but he is just like everyone in the sense that he is human. You find me a person who hasn't made one mistake in his/her lifetime and I will tell you that person is a robot. People make mistakes whether big or small. It is unfortunate how the media will stretch the truth in order to make a good story. Even if it was found that he had alcohol in his body at the time of the crash, I would still tell you to back off and list about a hundred athletes and celebrities who have done worse. Tiger Woods is still the role model he was on Thursday. He just had an accident.