This loss matters

It's been about three years since I stopped following baseball religiously. It used to consume my life. I planned everything around what time the Braves played each day. I was a huge Braves fan for as long as I can remember. My parents told me stories of how I'd recite the Braves lineup with perfect accuracy when I was only 4-years-old.

As time goes on we mature and move on from things we once loved. I suppose baseball is one of those things for me. I don't watch much anymore. Back in 2008 however, I was a pure fanatic. I lived and died with the Braves. I spent the majority of my time on a Braves message board (shout out Braves-Nation dot com <3) talking and arguing with others about the latest news and even the most mundane Braves-related items.

Following prospects has always been a hobby of mine no matter if it's baseball or soccer. I just dug knowing about the upcoming generation of stars. We all heard stories of Tommy Hanson's exploits in the minor leagues. About how he was blowing batters away with his unbelievable arsenal of pitches. Even how he threw a no-hitter for the Mississippi Braves in Double-A. But until you actually see for yourself you can't truly become a believer.

That moment for me came in the Winter of 2008. Tommy was in the Arizona Fall League, a postseason league for Major League Baseball's top prospects, competing with the Braves' best up-and-coming talent. He won the MVP award for that particular season and started the Championship game for whatever the team was called that he was assigned to. I don't even remember the result of that game, I just remember getting to see him pitch for the first time. It was like nothing I'd ever seen before. A fastball that would snap the catcher's mitt with a thunderous echo. His curveball was something from another planet. The break of it left so many opposing hitters baffled. Needless to say, excitement and expectations for his future were at an all-time high.

Unfortunately, shoulder issues derailed a potentially great career. But it doesn't matter. I'll always cherish the way Tommy Hanson's pitching made me felt. As a fanatic of sports, nothing beats that special feeling of excitement you get when you watch a truly great athlete. Tommy was truly great, even if it was for a very brief window. I never met him in person, only watched him on tv. I knew people who had and say he was a genuine and down to earth person.

News of his death hit me hard. I've been lucky so far in life to not have experience much death. So, when one of the athletes I've been connected so closely to passed away it was almost like losing a family member. I'm not one to get overly emotional about anything in life (except maybe soccer), but as I sat on my bed last night reading a book trying to get my mind off of the news, I couldn't stop thinking about it. Tommy touched my life and so many other Braves fans with his tremendous talent. They say pitcher's wins and losses don't matter in baseball, but this loss matters. You will be sorely missed, Tommy. Rest in peace.

Harry Kane: A Complete Striker

In the sport of Soccer, no position is more scrutinized than the Number 9. The Striker. When your club is playing well and your best goalscorer is filling the score sheet all is right with the world. On the flip-side, when the club is in a relegation fight and struggling each week, it's the Striker who gets the majority of the blame. 

When a young Striker comes along and shows promise in a top league, the whole world takes notice. Harry Kane has emerged as one of the best young strikers in not only England, but the world. The 21 year old Tottenham Hotspur Striker and set the Premier League on fire scoring a total of 24 goals in all competitions this season. Not only is he hitting the target, but he's also refined in every tool a Striker needs at his disposal. His hold up play with his back to goal has been phenomenal. He has a unique ability to hold off defenders while keeping possession for his side. What sticks out most of all about Kane is his technical ability. His first touch is scintillating and his ensuing touches in tight spaces are like a master thief escaping an elaborate heist. 

Most of the Strikers in the world today specialize in one or two areas of the game. While there are plenty of good goalscorers, some are weakened by a flaw in their game such as their weak foot or aerial ability. The truly special players are capable of scoring goals in every way possible. Harry Kane possesses this special ability. So far this campaign he has amassed 13 goals with his right foot, 5 goals with his left foot, and 6 goals with head. If there is a weakness to his game, we haven't discovered it yet. 

Every time Harry Kane touches the ball, the stadium, be it home or away, holds its collective breath. He's a danger to the opposition no matter where he is on the field. He's had a tremendous season so far, but the potential for bigger and better things is clear for all to see. The inevitable rumors have already started. All the big clubs have him on the tip of their tongues. An England call up beckons. No matter how matter what the future holds for Harry Kane, it is undeniable that he is a truly special Striker.

2015 MLS Predictions

The CBA has finally been agreed upon. Hallelujah! Praise Garber! After a last minute deal was struck, the 2015 MLS season is officially a go.

Now it's time to get down to the fun stuff. Meaningless preseason prognostication that we'll rub in everyone's face on the minuscule chance we get something correct, and never think about again when we're most likely wrong.

I will be giving you my expert (*giggles*) opinion on who I think will win the major awards come November. Those predictions will include Supporters' Shield, MVP, Golden Boot, and US Open Cup. I refuse to predict an MLS Cup winner because playoffs are a Crapshoot and stupid. I'll fight anyone who thinks differently.

Supporters' Shield: New England Revolution  

Last season the Revs came within a devastating loss in Extra Time from lifting the MLS Cup. After their acquisition of Jermaine Jones in late August, New England caught fire. In the 10 games after Jones' arrival, the club only dropped 5 of a possible 30 points. Their hot streak propelled them all the way up to a second place finish in the Eastern Conference. Behind Jones and MVP candidate Lee Nguyen the Revs continued their amazing run of form in the postseason until their heartbreak in the final. Many argued at the time that New England were an extremely well-balanced side with their only main weakness being a true back-to-the-goal striker to hold up the ball. Thanks to several lucky (or unlucky, depending on point of view) transfer failures, their former star striker Juan Agudelo fell back into their laps. Agudelo, who in 2013 enjoyed the best form of his promising career with the Revs in his 14 game stint. With the addition of a talented, well-rounded striker, and a full season of Jermaine Jones, the Revs are poised for a monster season. 

Runners up: Seattle Sounders and Toronto FC 

MVP: Mauro Diaz (FC Dallas)

First off, let me admit that this is a completely biased pick. I love Mauro Diaz -- he's one of the best pure number 10's the MLS has ever seen. For my money, he's as dynamic of a player as this league has. His mixture of technical ability and creativity is truly breathtaking. At times he looks like a full level above everyone on the field. Last season Mauro got off to an MVP-worthy start until succumbing to an injury that forced him to miss 3/4 of the season. Barring another major injury, this is the season Mauro becomes a superstar in MLS. 

Runners up: Robbie Keane and Obafemi Martins 

Golden Boot: Dom Dwyer (Sporting KC) 

There are many candidates for this award. I picked Dom Dwyer because he's young, his team's main goal threat, and he won't be missing any games due to international duty. There's not much reasoning behind this pick, just a gut feeling and a matter of circumstances. Dom is a clinical finisher and durable, there's no reason he shouldn't be near the top of the goal scoring chart. Players like Cubo Torres and Jozy Altidore would be in consideration if they were not missing so many games. Then there are older players like David Villa who I fear won't hold up under the long season. 

Runners up: Bradley Wright-Phillips and David Villa 

US Open Cup: New York Cosmos 

What a Cinderella story this would be! A reward for all the great fans of the storied New York Cosmos who've stuck with this band of misfits and senior citizens. They probably have a few good players who you heard of in 1995 and can't believe are still playing professional soccer. All of the people who spend the entirety of their free time hating MLS because it wouldn't let him sit at the cool kid's table will finally have their ultimate revenge! Are you still reading this? I'm just kidding with you. Some MLS team with a lot of depth will win someone like Seattle, LA, or New England. I'll just say LA.  

Runners up: Harchester United and South Bronx School for the Blind