How many remember, however, that Upton came up in 2004 and hit .258/.324/.409 in 159 at-bats? Or that he returned to the majors in 2006, and managed a paltry line of .246/.302/.291 in 175 at-bats? With 334 major league at-bats, Upton looked like a low average, low on-base hitter with little power, only to turn into a budding superstar in 2008. Carl Crawford: Speaking of the Rays, here's another guy. Upton: One of the reasons the Rays are playing so well, Upton is currently hitting .305/.410/.437 after a very good 2007 line of .300/.386/.508. to hit, despite the fact that he has posted exactly one on-base percentage north of .310 in seven professional seasons.   Yet, they had no inclination to find out about the abilities of Jeff Keppinger, who is currently hitting .324 for the Reds. The Royals gave Matt Diaz all of 89 at-bats back in 2005, only to watch him hit .327 and then .338 in the next two seasons for Atlanta. Hey, I feel your pain. Since the strike prematurely ended the 1994 season, Kansas City has contended just once, and even then it was based upon some aberrational seasons from the likes of Angel Berroa, Ken Harvey, Darrell May, and Mike MacDougal.

They were lacking in the one department that the Red Wings were not.Experience is one of the by-products of Detroit's veteran-laden line-up. So far in four games, they have been outscored 11-4.This is not to say that the Penguins are a bad team all of a sudden. The Penguins, should they go on to lose this series, should hold their heads high and know that they were beaten by a team that was more ready, more poised, better prepared and more experienced than they were.Chris Osgood has 104 career playoff games, Marc-Andr?leury has 23.  Michel Therrien has made it to the Stanley Cup finals for the first time in his career whereas Mike Babcock has been there and done that with the Anaheim Ducks. Now then I'd pay to see it.I'll leave you guys with an update on my favorite fighter. Faber used this to perfection last night, and hit Pulver with it numerous times.UFCI think I'll be passing on the next two UFC events. CBS should actually drop Elite XC and show something else, in my opinion. He'll sign speedy free agents that are "His boy" and they always turn out to be terrible, such as Jerry Hairston Jr.

Ricky Williams said if he was with the Bears back he would have kept things calm. And a back facing a suspension for any violations of hisleague monitored drug tests....So itmight be bye bye from the Big leagues for Travis. Young had a few good games in spots last year, and behind that Bronco blocking scheme could be a star steal.  Don't ya Tell Henry The Band once sang, but the support folks are going to him anyway as horny Henry has nine kiddies to nine different mommas and is back on support. 94.If the strength of the defensive line starts with Smith and Grant, then it ends with newcomers Sedrick Ellis and Bobby McCray These guys are your two wild cards going into this season. Following the departure of Joe Horn a year ago, Grant immediately assumed the role of locker room loudmouth, but in a good way.

This is a new year, though, and come training camp, Grant should be healthy, ripping, and rearing to go. The Georgia native is an emotional force for the Saints. A contract extension is in the works and should be done by training camp.After Smith’s deal is complete, the Saints will have heavy money invested in the bookends of their defensive line, which leads me to the next most important player on the line: Charles Grant.Grant had a disappointing 2007 season. It wasn't the best fight for MMA enthusiasts, but it was more of a gimmick to have the "big bad street fighter" come in and fight.CBS also did a terrible job with their time management and the sad thing was, there was a tape delay. He was coming into Saturday night after losing six of his last eight A fighter that loses six of eight isn't too great. But the only time in his whole career he has had to use his skills was on Saturday for a few minutes.You shouldn't have a fighter's third MMA fight as the main event.James Thompson isn't the greatest of fighters either.

First of all, Kimbo Slice, although entertaining, is still an unproven fighter new to the MMA that does not have any special skills on the ground whatsoever.However, he did prove that he can get out of some situations on the ground Saturday. But here we are… three days away from the true return of basketball at the professional level.  So be happy hoop fans, that the great game we all love is going to be taken from the nadir back to the zenith of competition,  where it belongs.  Basketball IS back my friends, and needless to say, the future looks awful bright.    I am on a sports radio show every Saturday from noon-2pm.  If you would like to listen in go to kitbsports and scan the right side of the page for the link.  The show is called Krashing Into the Bigfield on AM 1460 WXBR.  I am addressed as JMAC the Rook on the show.  If you would like to call in to the show the number is  1 508 586 1460.  The station is out of Brockton, MA, and I hope to hear some phone calls from bleacher creatures.  Thanks guys!    . However, if it were to happen, then the Sonics would have five different centers, which would be overkill. Conclusion: Brook Lopez has aspired to model his game after Tim Duncan. I doubt this will happen, but the Sonics do indeed have two first-round picks within the range of both the twins.