Injury Bug Bites Again In The Bronx

When I think about the Yankees, I think about championships and all star players. But recently when I think about the Yankees more often than not, the large number of serious injuries they have endured comes to mind. The Yankees are in big trouble due to their latest round of injuries and the question has to be asked, can they overcome the injury bug?


At first the Yankees figured they were in trouble when they lost their biggest offseason acquisition in Michael Pineda. When a team sends away their number one prospect in the organization, expectations are that the player they traded for will produce. However after a torn shoulder, Pineda will have to watch the rest of the year from the dugout. Things didn’t get any easier when the best closer ever-in Mariano Rivera was lost for the year due to a torn ACL and MCL. As the gasp left the stadium, and the dust finally settled, they would have never thought they would endure even more injury struggles.


Although the losses of some players to injuries can be repaired, some can be detrimental to organization. Losses such as CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte cannot be fixed whatsoever. Sabathia was put on the 15 day disabled list with a groin injury, while Pettitte was hit with a comebacker, which broke his fibula. When your workhorse goes on the DL along with a revived Andy Pettitte, you have serious problems. Even though it seems that the Yankees’ only injuries are pitching, you cannot forget about Brett Gardner who has only been able to play only 9 games this entire season.

It’s only the middle of the summer and some players will heal up for the stretch run, but the fact remains that the Yankees need to fight now to keep their playoff, nay championship hopes alive. With players that are healthy such as Derek Jeter, and Alex Rodriguez not getting any younger, the organization needs to play cautiously and should seriously consider making a move at the trade deadline (I’m not talking about adding Jamie Moyer either). Can the Yankees weather the storm, or will the amount of injuries that have struck the team, be too much to be able to see the pinstripes in October? Let us know.


Connect with the athletic, sports and fitness activities that keep you active www.tivity.us


Stay healthy,
Aaron Granoff

The Worth of a Draft Pick

 The NBA draft is always a thrilling event where organizations get the opportunity to breed new talent which could help them immediately contend for a championship. Tonight will be a life changing event for all players who are fortunate to get drafted and take their talents to the next level. 

 All the players who will be drafted tonight have been studied by organizations and under a microscope for years. at the end of the day though, the draft is basically luck. You can do all the scouting you want on a player from how his jump shot is, to his behavior off the court. Many teams in the past have felt they were getting the perfect kid, only to be disappointed. One good example not to long ago is Greg Oden who was the number one draft selection . For months, the Portland Trailblazers went back and forth between Oden and a guy named Kevin Durant. Even the occasional basketball fan has a pretty good idea who has had the better career. Oden is still in his early 20's and can barely walk, while Durant is arguably the best player in basketball. 

So tonight in the lead up to the draft, owners and GM's are desperately trying to put their organization in the best position to improve their team requiring very difficult decisions. One of the hardest decisions to make for an organization is determining how much a draft pick is worth. One story that has been highly talked about as the draft approaches is the Charlotte Bobcats #2 draft pick. Five teams known to be trying to obtain this pick and are willing to give up star power in order to get it. But you have to ask is it really worth it? The fact is, the players a team is agreeing to trade are established stars who obviously have a great deal of talent if they are being coveted by other teams. Regardless of who the #2 draft pick is, they will have no NBA experience and could easily be the next Greg Oden. 

I personally believe that draft picks are overrated. This is not only in basketball, but in every sport. I remember when the New England Patriots traded away a 4th round draft pick for Randy Moss who happens to be one of the best receivers ever. Do you really think that the 4th round draft pick has any chance to be the next Randy. I seriously doubt is considering John Bowie (the 4th round draft pick) is on the practice squad for the Bengals after having been in three other organizations previously. 

My point is that tonight nothing is a guarantee. When teams are trying to acquire the best rookies who they feel is a future all star, they should proceed with caution. Before you trade away the veterans on your team who have accomplished so much, remember that they have made their mark on the game while the player you draft may completely fizzle out. 

Connect with the athletic, sports and fitness activities that keep you active www.tivity.us

Good luck to all NBA teams

Aaron Granoff

Former Heisman Smith Running Out Of Options

 

If you were not a football expert but had interest in Troy Smith or the Ohio State Buckeyes back in 2006, you probably expected him to be a future stud in the NFL. After leading his team to a 12-0 record and winning the Heisman trophy Smith seemed destined for greatness. 

It is pretty clear today that the former Buckeye quarterback has not lived up to the expectations many had for him. After being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens and spending time in San Francisco, Pittsburgh and the UFL, Smith may have just gotten his last opportunity to play in the NFL after being released yesterday by the Steelers. 

Although the average football fan may be surprised that Smith didn't "pan out" there are many experts that are not surprised at all. Smith has always been in the conversation of quarterbacks who had a ton of talent that doesn’t necessarily translate to the NFL. If you’re incredible in college, doesn't that mean that you have a great chance to be a great player in the pros? Mostly yes, but in some cases the talent that some players possess may not work in a “pro offense”. This is the case for Smith who did not have the size or arm to lead a NFL offense. There was no doubt that he has the speed and the ability to throw the occasional sneaky pass, but in the NFL league today there are very strict requirements that must be met in order for a team to believe you are part of their system. If you aren't above 6 foot 3 and don't have a rocket arm, you will be overlooked. 

Are the NFL standards correct? Players who have been treated like Troy Smith and haven't been given a true opportunity, present extreme hurdles for future players who fit this mold. You don't have to look far to find a player dealing with a similar situation. Kellen Moore has the most wins for a quarterback in NCAA history and had a terrific career at Boise State. This didn't matter on draft day to NFL teams, as Moore was undrafted and is currently trying to snag a spot with the Lions. Moore is undersized and doesn't have the rocket arm that scouts dream about. 

Unless another team suddenly has a desperate need for quarterback help or a versatile player to run some sort of wildcat formation, this appears to be it for Troy Smith. The signings of Charlie Batch and Byron Leftwhich has made him expendable in Pittsburgh. 6 years ago he was fighting for a National Championship against Florida with millions of people watching his every move. Today Smith is an unemployed 27 year old man who was not given an opportunity to play in the NFL because he doesn't fit the mold of franchise quarterback. Don't we all wish we could have the build without the personality of Ben Roethlisberger? Unfortunately for Smith the skills and size he and so many others possess are not up to par with what it takes to be an NFL quarterback.

Connect with the athletic, sports and fitness activities that keep you active www.tivity.us

Have a great day,

Aaron Granoff

Youkilis Changing His Sox

 

Its official. After 9 productive and memorable years, Kevin Youkilis is trading in Red for White and heading to Chicago to play for the Sox of a different color. This comes after weeks of speculation that Youkilis could be moved because of his slow return from injury this year and the emergence of rookie Will Middlebrooks.

The deal was reported yesterday almost as soon as Youkilis collected his final hit with the Red Sox to help beat Atlanta. It was a special moment to hear the crowd cheer Y-O-U-K one more time. Chicago desperately needed someone to man the hot corner and parted ways with Zach Stewart and Brent Lillibridge. In my opinion getting a utility player with some speed (Lillibridge) and a low level pitching prospect (Stewart) is not a great deal for the Red Sox considering they will pay all but $2 Million of Youk's contract. However the pressure to give Middlebrooks the opportunity to start on an every day basis, possibly forced the Red Sox to cave in. As sad as it is to see the veteran leave Boston, I think he, as well as the fans, knew it was time.

The departure of Kevin Youkilis is an interesting thing to watch because we get to witness the passing of the torch. It seems that Boston has found its third baseman of the future in Middlebrooks. Although Youkilis was never the best player on the Red Sox, what made him so great and will undeniably help him in the future is the fact that he has always went above and beyond what any team or scout thought he was capable of. After being overlooked by many teams due to his seemingly nonathletic body, Youk was given a chance in Boston. It didn't take long for him to become a staple in the lineup and to soon be known as "The Greek God Of Walks". 

Although Youkilis's time in Boston has reached the end, I think fans should proudly celebrate the man who was one of the last remaining pieces of a team that broke "the Curse of the Bambino" in 2004 and was also crowned champs in 2007. He has handled this whole situation with nothing but class and maturity. If Middlebrooks can have close to the career that Youkilis did in Boston, he will be considered a very successful player.

Connect with the athletic, sports and fitness activities that keep you active www.tivity.us

Thanks for the memories,

Aaron Granoff

Another One Bites the Dust

 

It has been a month of surprises for the sport of boxing. Weeks after Manny Pacquiao was cheated out of his 16th straight win after clearly outperforming Timothy Bradley, huge betting favorite Victor Ortiz was unable to answer the bell for the 10th Round. 

After coming into the fight looking bigger, faster and stronger, I personally had a lot of confidence that  "Vicious" Victor Ortiz would have no problem handling the largely unknown Josesito Lopez. Although both fighters were coming off of disappointing losses, Ortiz was facing the best fighter in the world in Floyd Mayweather, while Lopez was facing Jessie Vargas.

Nevertheless, time and time again we are reminded that the most important trait any fighter must possess is heart. If you were picking the winner of this fight based on who had the most talent, Ortiz would win in a landslide. But if you were picking the winner of this fight based on heart alone, you would have had to go with Lopez. In this fight, like many others, heart won.
Although Ortiz was gutting out tough rounds that were extremely hard to judge, you could tell that Ortiz was slowly giving up. When Ortiz is fighting someone who doesn’t have the guts to fight back, he breaks down his opponents and picks them apart. However when he endures any type of adversity, he quickly folds. As soon as I heard the crowd cheer for Lopez I became very nervous for Ortiz. It seems like yesterday that Ortiz informed the referee that he wanted to stop the fight after getting knocked down by Marcos Maidana. The most shocking part of that story is that Ortiz had already knocked down Maidana three times. 

All Ortiz had to do Saturday to get his huge payday opportunity against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez , was to win a convincing decision against a fighter who was clearly not on his level. Josesito Lopez had other plans, as he proved yet again that if you can whether the storm against Ortiz, you have a great shot to win. After taking as much punishment as he was giving, Ortiz took a shot that broke his jaw, which resulted in him not being able to close his mouth. At the time, Ortiz was winning close decisions on all three of the judges scorecards. Yet again Ortiz showed that he doesn’t have the heart of a champion. After a very visible argument with his corner men, Ortiz stood up and was able to break free of his trainer to inform the referee that he wanted to stop the fight. 

Although Ortiz is still a young fighter who is a big part of boxing’s future, he has taken a huge step back and damaged his reputation once again. While Ortiz will never have the heart or talent of Muhammad Ali, who once fought an entire fight with a broken jaw, he has shown through his actions that he is a quitter.

At least boxing has parody...

Connect with the athletic, sports and fitness activities that keep you active www.tivity.us
Have A Great Day,
Aaron Granoff

Sullinger Free Falling Out Of The First Round

Had Jared Sullinger gone into the draft last year, he could have possibly been the number one pick in the NBA draft. He passed on this opportunity however and may soon be regretting that decision. Sullinger recently underwent a series of medical tests in order to prove to organizations that he is indeed healthy enough to play in the NBA. Unfortunately for Jared, he has been red flagged by doctors as a prospect who may not have a long NBA career.

Despite putting up terrific numbers and playing against stiff competition this past year, doctors have reported that Sullinger has a chronic back issue as well as a leg that is much shorter than the other. Almost nothing can shy teams away from a prospect more than health issues.  Although he was believed to be a top 10 pick coming into the draft, Sullinger's unimpressive NBA combine performance on top of this health report may cause him to slide all the way out of the first round. 

Sullinger is an amazing example of how fast your reputation can change. One day you are regarded as a blue chip prospect and the next day you are damaged goods. His story is very similar to San Antonio Spurs forward Dejuan Blair who was being talked about as the number one pick in his draft class. This was until teams learned that Dejuan Blair doesn't have ACL's in either knee and is basically a walking miracle.

So will Sullinger's bad news be an NBA teams benefit. There is no doubt that this man has a ton of talent and a lot to offer an NBA team. On top of his stellar play, he is also a good kid who could be good for an NBA locker room. So I ask you, will Sullinger be the steal of this years draft, or a future health nightmare for an organization to deal with on a daily basis?

Connect with the athletic, sports and fitness activities that keep you active www.tivity.us

Stay Healthy,

Aaron Granoff

 

The Soft Side Of Brandon Jacobs

Regardless of how fast you can run and how many tackles you can break, at the end of the day, the NFL is a business. If a player feels that they are worth more than they are being paid it is worth looking elsewhere, especially when you are a free agent. Brandon Jacobs is known is the enormous presence in the New York Giants background with an attitude as intimidating as his play. So to see Jacobs show his soft side and go out of his way to compensate a fan who wanted to see his favorite player one more time in a Giants uniform is something really special.

After an unproductive season in which he saw his carries decrease in favor of Ahmad Bradshaw, the only thing that was running fast for Jacobs was his brand new Aston Martin. Yet after the season, he was ready to cash in on a new contract. Jacob's asking price did not sit well with the Giants and decided to release him after refusing to lower his asking price. He ended up signing with the San Francisco 49ers who have a stacked backfield, which could result in Jacobs getting lost in the shuffle. 

Although some Giants fans were sad to see their bruising back head off to the west coast, no fan was as devastated as 6 year old Joseph Armento. Armento was so desperate to see his favorite Giants player stay in town, that he figured he would play his part in helping to keep Jacobs financially satisfied in New York. So Joseph wrote a later to Jacobs with all the money in his piggy bank that amounted to $3.36 in hopes that it would be enough for him to return.

Now, personally if I was Brandon Jacobs and received this letter I would be touched but also feel terrible about myself at the same time. This man is making millions of dollars a year and to see a young fan  give all the money he has ($3.36) must have given him a wake up call on how fortunate he really is. So the often disgruntled running back, Jacobs recently decided to be a gentle giant for the day and reward his biggest fan.  He decided to take Joseph and his brother to a Bounce House, where they played non- stop for hours. Jacobs even brought his own son to bond with the boys. 

Although Joseph is not going to get to see his favorite player in a Giants uniform again, he got to experience a day he will never forget. He also got a signed helmet as well as a $5 bill from Jacobs. Although this was a nice gesture from the now 49ers running back, lets just hope Jacobs doesn't request a raise now that he is $5 dollar poorer

Connect with the athletic, sports and fitness activities that keep you active www.tivity.us

Do a good deed today,

Aaron Granoff

Pacquiao Will Get His Chance To Make Things Right

Chances are, what you believed happened on June 9th did not match up with the final scorecards in Las Vegas. After a very convincing performance in which he showed that he had gotten over his previous lackluster performance against Marquez,  Michael Buffer did not announce Pacquiao's name as the winner for the first time in seven years. Instead it was young man who calls himself the Desert Storm, Timothy Bradley.

Earlier in the day,  I did tell people who had asked me for predictions leading up to the fight, that Bradley had a legitimate shot. I thought Pacquiao was dealing with legal problems as well as marital problems and wasn't fully prepared for the hungry challenger. However, it was clear from the opening bell that Pacquiao was ready to show he was still the best in the world. The sad part, is that he displayed that and wasn't rewarded. Although Bradley showed immense heart for fighting on a fractured foot, he was outclassed for 12 rounds and should have been sent back to the drawing board. 

Needless to say, I was shocked when I heard the scorecards that the three judges recorded. It wasn't the fact that the announcers of the fight were so pro Pacquiao or the fact that Harold Letterman's scorecard had it scored 11-1 in favor of Pacquiao. It was simply the fact that it was evident that Bradley had come up short despite a respectable performance. Almost as soon as the decision was read, people felt they had been cheated out another stellar Pacquiao victory. You know things are controversial when Promoter Bob Arum (who represents both fighters) said it was the worst decision he had seen in his entire career.

Now, almost two weeks after this disaster, at least there is some effort being put forward to make this right. Yesterday, the WBO reviewed the Bradley-Pacquiao bout and all five judges determined that the Filipino was victorious. Although they do not have the power to reverse the outcome or rule it a no contest, it will guarantee a rematch for Pacquiao. You better believe that this time around, the judges will be different and watched almost as closely as the fight itself. ''My supporters shouldn't worry. We're going to get that title,'' Pacquiao said. I have confidence that all 147 pounds of Pacquiao will be trying to take Bradley's head off next November just to make sure its convincing enough

Connect with the athletic, sports and fitness activities that keep you active www.tivity.us

When you get knocked down, get back up

Aaron Granoff

How Will Chad Ochocinco Respond in South Beach?

What all of these reporters want to know is not whether Chad Ochocinco got his Starbucks gold card stolen again, but rather if he is going to be on the 53 man roster come week 1. Although Chad can not answer this question with his mouth (which is quite unusual) he may be able to give us a better idea by displaying his play making ability. But can Chad handle the heat in South Beach?

The good news for Chad Ochocinco is that he isn't battling against Wes Welker or Brandon Lloyd for reps in New England anymore. He isn't even competing against former Dolphin Brandon Marshall who was recently traded to Chicago to reunite with Jay Cutler. Instead, Ochocinco is competing against himself mostly. He has to prove to himself after a disappointing year in New England after struggling to learn the playbook, that he still has the burst and football IQ to play in this league. After not missing a Patriots game this year, I personally think that Chad does have the burst and that his release from New England is a blessing in disguise. If his job in New England had been to run straight every passing play and go deep, I am confident that the former Cincinatti Bengals star would still be getting high fives from Bill Belichick. 

Four day's after getting released for the first time in his career, Ochocinco was home in South Beach where he has wanted to play his whole life. "It's been a childhood dream of mine, growing up watching the Marks Brothers (Mark Duper and Mark Clayton), watching Dan Marino, some of those guys," Ochocinco. "It's awesome. Throughout the years, I've always played Madden, I've always used the Dolphins no matter where I was playing and to be able to wear the teal and orange, it's a pretty good feeling."

Chad Ochocinco is such an incredible athlete not only because of his fantastic play he has displayed over his career. But also his character. He is truly unique because he is so vocal and at times is childish and cocky, but yet at the end of the day he is loved by the media and the fans. I'm not saying he is a loveable guy but there is something different about Chad and the other diva receivers in the NFL. 

Although I am sad that Chad Ochocinco will once again become Chad Johnson once again on July 4th, I am also excited because I remember what Chad Johnson meant to the NFL. Chad Johnson was arguably the best in the game and a gift to be able to watch. So I ask you, assuming Chad makes the Miami Dolphins who will he be, The Chad Ochocinco of last year, or Chad Johnson who was one of the best in the game?

Connect with the athletic, sports and fitness activities that keep you active www.tivity.us

We'll See,

Aaron Granoff

Is The NBA's Strategy of Flopping Coming to an End?

In recent days, NBA and David Stern have decided to take initiative on the strategy of players flopping during basketball game. I believe in today's NBA there should be an award for "best actor"  to go along with things such a MVP and the Sixth Man Award (Reggie Evans above is a definite candidate considering Grant Hill isn't even touching him)

The Commissioner believes that currently, referee's are too quick to blow their whistle and call fouls. The main contributor to this problem is the fact that players are flopping and falling down on purpose in order to get their opponent called for the foul. Although nothing is set in stone at this time on how to change this problem, Stern did bring up the idea of "post game penalties". This means that if after the game, it was determined that a player fell down on purpose on a specific play, he and ultimately his team would receive some sort of penalty. 

But is this really a good idea. In a basketball game, half of the excitement for fans is arguing the call and complaining about the referee. Also I've gotten so use to players such as Lebron James almost going into cardiac arrest when someone practically gives him a handshake on the court. Come on guys, your telling me that his  6-8, 250 pound frame is really going flying from a chest bump? However this has nothing to do with Lebron or his Oscar Winning performance last night. It has to do with all NBA players who are taking advantage of this weakness in the game. It will be pretty interesting to see how the game changes if in fact this rule change in enforced. Do you think that this rule should be enforced. Let us know.

Connect with the athletic, sports and fitness activities that keep you active www.tivity.us

Get into the Game,

Aaron Granoff

Schwartz's Bring Judaism to the NFL Gridiron

Jewish fan's don't get too excited. Alright fine, you can do your happy dance if you wish. I know I did internally this morning when I walked into the office and learned that the Schwartz's brothers are the first Jewish brothers in the NFL since 1923. 

Now I don't have a brother, but like so many other young Jewish boys, I wanted to play in the NFL and be either a blazing fast wide receiver or big intimidating linebacker. It didn't take long for me to realize that this wasn't going to happen as I wasn't big or particularly fast. If you are a backup on the middle school Division IV football team in the smallest state in the country and saying "boy this is tough", you may want to stop signing those autographs to hand out in the future.

Brothers, Geoff and Mitchell Schwartz however are showing that it is possible to be a successful Jewish NFL athlete in a league where there is such a select few have the opportunity to play. Mitchell Schwartz was drafting this April in the second round by the Cleveland Browns while Geoff was drafted in 2008 by the Carolina Panthers and currently a member of the Minnesota Vikings. While it is comical to compare a Jewish pickup football game to a group of future lawyers and managers of private equity firms tackling eachother, the Schwartz brothers are changing this belief. They are proving that the childhood dream you had in the backyard is in fact possible to accomplish. 

Although it never happened to me or maybe yourself, when your child wants to be the next NFL superstar, don't tell them its not possible. Instead encourage them and just maybe they can become the next Geoff or Mitchell Schwartz.

Connect with the athletic, sports and fitness activities that keep you active www.tivity.us

There is Always a Chance,

Aaron Granoff

Michael Phelps Pushing Himself to The Limit

Although he may not wear the typical work outfit of most men his age, there is no doubt that when Michael Phelps puts on the goggles and swimsuit, he is ready to work. Although it was previously thought that Phelps would take on a less strenuous load for this years London Olympics at 27 years old, Phelps is out to prove those reports wrong.


Phelps has entered himself into 7 events for this summer's Olympics which gives him the opportunity to compete for 10 gold medals. It feel's like yesterday that I saw Phelps running or you could say swimming away with the Olympic Games in Beijing four years ago. Despite collecting eight gold medals, Phelps is back for more and out to prove that guy who left us with our mouths on the floor. There is no better way for Phelps to restore his once poster boy image then by having an impressive performance at this summer's games. 

Although he will endure some serious competition from other countries and even his own in American Ryan Lochte, you have to believe that Phelps will be victorious because of his tireless work ethic and his incredible amount of determination. Although he is an Olympic swimmer which is something that almost none of us will never have the honor of becoming, Michael Phelps serves as motivation to challenge yourself and to work hard at your given craft. When you are the best at something, you must continue to push yourself in order to consistently retain that title. Will Phelps once again establish his greatness? Let us know


Connect with the athletic, sports and fitness activities that keep you active www.tivity.us

Push it to the Limit,
Aaron Granoff

Will Clemens Final Win in Court Make Him Hall Of Fame Worthy?

 

The Verdict of Roger Clemens yesterday resulted in one more day in the sun for the former 7 time Cy Young Award Winner. As the verdict was announced, the notoriously strong Clemens showed a great deal of emotion as he was found not guilty on all charges that he lied to congress, in denying he used performance enhancing drugs. 

Clemens case is the most recent case to finally reach its conclusion. His trial follows others such as Barry Bonds who was guilty on one count of obstruction of justice and Mark McGwire, who admitted to taking steroids. Perhaps the biggest reason for the not guilty verdict in the Clemens case was due to the inconsistent testimony of former long time strength coach Brian McNamee. McNamee stated that he injected Clemens with steroids in 1998, 2000 and 2001 and with HGH in 2000. His evidence included needles that indeed did contain Clemens DNA and was stored in a Miller Lite beer can. Although he did have the evidence presently, the defense called the evidence "manipulated by McNamee. In the end, McNamee was not truly honest and had far too many disagreements over details with Clemens. 

Now that Clemens name is technically not tampered after a long case that started in 2008, the next big question is whether Clemens will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Based on his numbers and resume alone , Clemens is as worthy of induction as nearly anyone. His career with the Red Sox, Yankees, BlueJays, and Astros left him with 354 wins, a 3.12 ERA, and 4,672 strikeouts, the third-most all time. He was an 11-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion. He also won seven Cy Young Awards during his career, the most of any pitcher in Major League Baseball history. However the MLB has been very hesitant to vote in players such as Clemens and has been seen in the careers of Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Rafael Palmeiro. 

As great as it is for Clemens to get his named cleared of any convictions Clemens knows that a lot of damage has been done to affect his chances. Clemens himself told Congress at the 2008 hearing that "no matter what we discuss here today, I'm never going to have my name restored."Regardless of the verdict, peoples various opinions on the matter will always remain. It is so difficult to imagine a player of "The Rocket's" caliber not being a part of the Hall of Fame eventually. But the fact remains that although Clemens career was stellar, it also hurt the game of baseball. With that being said I ask you, do you think that Clemens belongs in the Hall of Fame? Let us know

 Connect with the athletic, sports and fitness activities that keep you active on Tivity

Good Luck Roger,

Aaron Granoff

Account Manager

Is Eli Manning Getting Enough Credit?

Who is Eli Manning? O that's right I remember that guy. It's easy to forget though as I haven't heard his name since I was getting ready to throw my TV out the window during last years Super Bowl. As a person who is living in the Big Apple for the first time this summer, I expected to here Manning's name everywhere after yet another clutch Superbowl performance.Yet to my surprise, if your name isn't Tim Tebow or Mark Sanchez, you are essentially an afterthought.

I never thought I would say that Eli Manning isn't getting enough credit but is he? After being crushed two straight times after seeing my team lose to the Giants, at some point I needed to give  credit where it was due. While Sanchez and Tebow have combined for zero Super Bowls, Manning already has two. Not only has he won, but he has also won in New York which may be the toughest task of all.

When I think of the last name Manning, I think of Peyton and the amazing hall of fame career he has had. However, at this point I think its time to reevaluate what the name Manning means to the National Football League. The NFL is a "what have you done for me lately" business. With Eli having one more championship than his brother you have to ask the question of who the better Manning is.

Although I do believe Eli deserves a lot more credit than he has received, I think secretly, Eli likes flying under the radar. Although people rather discuss Osi Umenyiora's new contract, when the Giants comes down to the final drive, its going to be Manning and nobody else throwing up one more miracle pass in hopes to win it all. For that reason alone New Yorkers and fans all around should give Manning their nod of approval in that he is indeed an elite NFL quarterback.

Connect with the athletic, sports and fitness activities that keep you active on Tivity

Stay Active,
Aaron Granoff
Tivity

Is This The End Of The Line For Manny Ramirez?

      Eight years ago I was an ecstatic young boy in pure shock, as I had the opportunity to see something Red Sox fans had been waiting to see for 86 years. Perhaps the biggest piece of the 2004 world series champions was MVP Manny Ramirez. Shortly after the conclusion of the World Series, I was able to meet Ramirez at a public signing. It was clear immediately after shaking his hand, that this man's ego was higher than his batting average ever was. However, it didn't matter at the time because Ramirez was such a pivotal part of such a great accomplishment in sports history.

      Today, "Manny being Manny" isn't going to fly with any GM or coach. After testing positive for PED's twice and unsuccessful stints in multiple organizations, he isn't the same man. He's not the guy who was worthy in the eyes of many of acting in such an unprofessional manner. Its amazing to think that you can go from World Series MVP and one of the most feared hitters in baseball to unemployed and unwanted so quickly. That's exactly where Ramirez is at this point, as he was just recently given his release from the Oakland A's who took a chance on him. After stints in Cleveland, Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, Tampa Bay, and now Oakland, you have to wonder if Ramirez has anything left. Ramirez is way past his prime and is a 40 year old man. 

     The question to be asked now is will Manny be given one more shot? Its very tempting to think about giving a hitter with such an impressive career an opportunity to see if he has anything left in the tank. However, in the case of Ramirez, it may just not be worth the headache of putting up with his antics any longer. If Ramirez was a humble man who had grown up over these years, teams may be more inclined to give him a shot or at least give him a chance to serve as a mentor to younger players when the MLB roster's expand for the stretch run in September. 

     Manny's sad fall from greatness should serve as a reminder to everyone to always be respectful. He also makes you realize that you aren't always going to have the same skills forever. One day you aren't going to be as slick or fast or powerful as you once were. Therefore you should never feel entitled to act in a certain manner because of your skill set as Ramirez had done for years. The verdict is still out on whether Manny can still swing it. Although, if he can somehow prove to just one team that he is ready to put his head down and work as hard as he can, maybe they will give him one more shot to end his career on his own terms. Do you think Ramirez will get another shot ? Let us know

 Connect with the athletic, sports and fitness activities that keep you active on Tivity

Aaron Granoff

Account Manager

Tivity

 The Inspiration of Capitalizing on a Second Chance

     From Jerry Sandusky, to the bounty in New Orleans, this NFL offseason has been filled with bad press that leaves you shaking your head. So to see a comeback story in the making in Brian Banks is a very uplifting thing to witness. Banks in 2002 was on top of the world, being heavily recruited as a 16 year old by programs such as USC and coach Pete Carroll. However; his world came crashing down around him before his eyes when he was charged with the rape and kidnapping of a fellow classmate, and sentenced to five years in prison after being urged to plea by lawyers. With everyone believing that Banks was a marked man, and had blood on his hands, only he knew that he was innocent.  
     Most men who had been put in this nightmare situation would easily slip into denial and given up on everything they had worked for. But not Banks. Although he quickly realized that his dream of seeing his name on the back of an NFL jersey had taken a serious hit, his motivation to maintain his innocence and never give up kept him driving to be better and believe that he would get an opportunity. 
     Today, Brian Banks is out of his cramped cell as a free man and trying out for teams such as the Chief's, Raiders, 49ers, and the man who believed in him all along in Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks. Upon his release Justin Brooks of the California Innocence Project stated "this is the most determined individual I have ever met. If you are looking for someone who has the athletic ability and the heart, give him a chance". The fact remains however that Banks hasn't taken a snap on the gridiron since he was in high school. If this were a Disney movie, Banks would swap the jumpsuit for a jersey and excel immediately. This is not the case though, as Banks is going to experience his fair share of struggles and be a long shot to find an NFL roster. 
     Whether Banks has a good shot at landing a roster spot in the NFL or not, if there is one person who has the belief he is going get a shot, its is Brian Banks himself. If you think the NFL scouts saying he isn't going to make it past the first round of cuts is going to affect his outlook your are dead wrong. It wasn't too long when lawyers were telling Banks that he may never get out and never get a chance to be a member of society again, let alone a football player. 
Regardless if Banks makes it or not, what he represents is bigger than any sack or forced fumble he could ever make. He represents hope to so many people who feel as though they will never amount to anything due to their personal struggles. Whether your a woman who is struggling to feed her kids, or a man having trouble getting a job due to a mistake previously in his life, Banks should inspire you and everyone else to never give up and that their is always hope regardless of the situation. 
     So as the scouts, reporters, and even Banks himself anxiously await to see if he will win his comeback bid, realize that Bank's has already won. He has sent a message that extends way beyond sports. However, if by some chance he does earn himself a roster spot, take a moment to pause and realize what an accomplishment that would be. I personally will be rooting for you Banks.


Connect with the athletic, sports and fitness activities that keep you active on Tivity

Its Never Too Late,
Aaron Granoff
Tivity

TAKING YOUR JOB TOO SERIOUSLY ?

  Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson has proven in his recent actions that the stone cold face you see above is how he goes about his everyday life. It was reported yesterday that Gibson decided to skip his son's high school graduation in favor to manage his ballclub with more than a hundred games to go. When asked why he decided to miss the graduation Gibson responded "your supposed to graduate". Put yourself in this young man's shoes and think about how you would feel if your father could have gone to your graduation, but decided he had more important things to do. When I graduated from high school the best part about the actual milestone was not having my name called to come up to get my diploma, but the look on my parents face and the fact that I got to celebrate this moment with them. I understand the man is on the national spotlight with his club contending for a playoff spot; however, at the end of the day Gibson has to realize that someday he is not going to be of the Diamondbacks but he will always be a father. This story is a reminder that we must strive to have our priorities straight. Would you choose your job over your child or are the circumstances always different.

  Connect with the athletic, sports and fitness activities that keep you active on Tivity

Remember Whats Important
Aaron Granoff
Tivity

Did Theo Epstein Quit on the Red Sox or Challenge Himself ?

     Sometimes in sports we fail to realize that the game is bigger than the two teams playing and the superstars displaying their incredible talent. As I watch the Red Sox & Cubs play today, I'm not thinking about the score or who's going to hit the first home run or get that key strikeout. I'm thinking about the man who is responsible for changing a franchise and currently working tirelessly trying to change another. That man is Theo Epstein.

     When the 28 year old can't miss kid showed up to the Red Sox facility in 2002, I wasn't immediately sure if he was there to put together a ball club or swing the bat. However, Epstein did not let his age diminish the amount of respect he was due after making key acquisitions in his first few years, David Ortiz and Curt Schilling to name a few. Who would have thought that the 86 year curse of the Bambino would be broken by the youngest GM in major league history. Despite one of the biggest accomplishments in sports history, Epstein remained focused on the task at hand and was the architect of yet another championship team in the city of Boston. Epstein had truly done it. He had turned a franchise that had experienced failure and misery for almost a century into true winners. 

     As one of the most celebrated men in Boston, Theo Epstein's reputation was questioned after last season record setting September meltdown which seemed nearly impossible. Yet after the season, Epstein's presence in Boston disappeared almost as fast as the Red Sox's playoff chances during the September collapse. Eventually news spread that Epstein had signed a five year contract to become the president of baseball operations with yet another curse stricken team in the Chicago Cubs. 

     At the time of Theo's departure my thoughts were initially that he was running away from a bad situation in Boston and quitting as soon as the going got tough. However it was when he decided to go to the city of Chicago that I asked, what is going on in the mind of Theo Epstein?

     As I sit here today however I wonder, did Theo Epstein quit on the Red Sox or relish the chance to change another franchise that has experienced a great deal of disappointment? New England fan's need to realize the new opportunity at hand for Epstein. To go from reversing the curse in Boston to being put in the position to give Chicago fans the chance to forget about the curse of the Billy Goat is truly specials. So I leave you with this question is Theo Epstein a quitter or perhaps the most competitive and driven man in the game of baseball?

Connect with the athletic, sports and fitness activities that keep you active on Tivity.

Always Strive to Be Better,

Aaron Granoff

Tivity

Should Floyd Mayweather be Freed from Prison ?

     It is no surprise to anyone that Floyd Mayweather has found something to complain about not only out of the ring, but out of civilization completely. Currently Mayweather, or more appropriately inmate 01363917, is being held in at Las Vegas Clark County Detention Center. Mayweather pleaded guilty last year to reduced domestic battery charges stemming from an attack on his former girlfriend while two of their children watched.
     After only ten day's Mayweather, who originally was facing up to 34 years in prison if convicted, was ready to head back to his Las Vegas mansion and luxurious lifestyle. Mayweather preferred to phrase this as "his body was breaking down and he may never be able to fight again if he is not released".
      Now is this just another case of a high level athlete trying to beat the system and use their fame to get out of prison early? Probably. This was at least how the Nevada judge saw it, and consequently denied Mayweather early release in order to serve the rest of his sentence on house arrest. However we also have to ask the question of is it worth it to keep Mayweather in prison and taking away the gift of watching him fight. In a time where boxing is more desperate for an identity than ever due to Manny Pacquiao's stunning defeat to Timothy Bradley, Mayweather remains shackled in a six by ten foot cell, unable save the sport of boxing. This isn't Paris Hilton getting out if prison after three days so she can continue to party folks. Mayweather has a job to do and I can't help to think of possibility of Mayweather not being able fight again under the lights due to his failure to adapt to prison lifestyle. Is this the next letdown for boxing fans, who have had to sit and wonder what could have been such as when Muhammad Ali wasn't banned from boxing for three years due to refusing to fight in the Vietnam War and conversion to Islam?
In the end, is giving the fans what they want, as well as the opportunity to save a sport that has been around since 688 BC  more important than throwing the book at Mayweather who for better or for worse, is the only man that can make the sport of boxing shine again once more.
     Be Sure to check out www.tivity.us where we will find you any boxing gym to train in the country as well as any sport to engage in.

Stay Active,
Aaron Granoff
Tivity

What Will Tebow Do for the Jets Locker Room?

     Whether you love him or hate him, at the end of the day people watch him, which is exactly why the media frenzy swirling around Tim Tebow isn't going away anytime soon. With the move from Denver to the Big Apple for a 4th and 6th round pick, who knows if it will ever end.

     However the better question to ask is what will Tim Tebow do for the Jets locker room which experienced an embarrassing and public meltdown last season. There is know doubt that Tebow is a born leader who's former teammates say he is one of the strongest and most inspiring leaders they have ever met. However last years NFL poster boy isn't going to be shredding the NFL's best Pittsburgh Steelers defense for the most yards of any team in 2011 again anytime soon. That is just a memory at this point as Tebow is focused on punt coverage and running the wildcat offense. 

     But whether Tebow plays one snap or thirty snaps a game, the chants for Rex Ryan to put in Tebow after Sanchez throws his first incompletion is inevitable. Is that really the right message to send to your franchise quarterback that is rebounding from a disappointing past season? I understand Mark Brunell wasn't breathing down Sanchez's neck but this may be sending too strong a message. A starting quarterback is the leader of the team who always has the backing of his teammates. But with all do respect to Sanchez, Tebow didn't come to New York and turn down a probable starting job in Jacksonville to hold a clipboard. He is going to get a shot and when he does, Tebow is going to gain the vote of confidence from many fans but more importantly players. This could cause a divide in the locker room between players who believe in Sanchez and those who believe in Tebow. I don't think adding a player who lights up a whole room like Tebow is going to instill anymore confidence in Santonio Holmes that Mark Sanchez is the guy who is going to lead them to the Superbowl.

     Regardless of what happens in New York, Tebow is going to get a shot and when he does one of two things are going to occur. Either Tebow will be able to make everyone in New York believe in themselves such as he did with a 1-4 team in Denver with a mix of intense play and spirituality, or the addition of Tebow will cause a serious issue inside the Jets locker room that lead to another 8-8 season or with even worse media attention. I don't think owner Woody Johnson likes the thought of the latter possibility. What do you think?

Look out for more blogs and don't forget to check out www.Tivity.us where you find a place to play pickup football anywhere with just a few clicks

Aaron Granoff

Tivity

How Bad Does Lebron James Need This Championship?

     When I was a kid shooting a basketball in my driveway like any other kid, I would imagine I was Michael Jordan laying up a game winning shot or Larry Bird in the Boston Garden. But today I think about if I were a kid today would I want to imagine I was Lebron James. 

      What solidified Jordan and Birds place in basketball history was undeniably the fact that they both were able to put it all together and win a championship. What separates the good from the great is the ability to execute under pressure. While Lebron is hopeful that the third trip to the finals is the charm, the fact is James hasn’t won anything since he attended the St. Vincent – St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio. For a guy who has been compared to Michael Jordan since the first time he put on a 23 jersey, James has some serious work to do. 

     After grabbing the city of Cleveland by the heart and giving them hope for their first championship since 1964, Lebron came up short in every attempt. The pressure to win it all forced Lebron to turn his back on the city and team up with the star power of Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. Although this action makes Lebron look like a bad role model, at the end of the day championships cure everything. With the Heat already down 1-0 against OKC, its hard not to think of how Lebron James will be viewed after this series is over. But looking even deeper into it what is important to Lebron James himself? Is it finally getting the monkey off of his back, the chance to change his reputation as the villain of the NBA, or simply another accomplishment on his resume to prove he is the best that ever was. 

I leave you with the question of will Lebron James be the player that got up when knocked down time and time again to finally win a championship? Or will he be remembered as the Dan Marino of the NBA, a guy who had all the stats and talent in the world but simply couldn't put the pieces together.

Be sure to stay active and check out www.Tivity.US to find a place for you and your friends to play baskeball anywhere in the country and be that superstar you always dreamed of being.

Stay Active,

Aaron Granoff

Tivity

Did Jose Valverde Cross the Line of Sports Competitiveness?

As if there was never enough to debate in the sport of baseball, the recent actions of Jose Valverde has caused the sports world to debate the limits players should be allowed to go to in order to succeed. In case you forgot,Valverde was seen spitting on the baseball and while hiding the ball in his glove to get a little something extra on it. Now, the media is making a big deal about this not because of a sanitary issue but yet because this could be giving pitchers an extreme competitive edge. However this isn't a steroid issue where players are injecting themselves with drugs in order to gain an advantage. This is a case of a man doing anything he can to give himself a better chance to succeed. This isn't just a sport, it is a profession, and the better you are the more you will be rewarded when you enter free agency or go to arbitration. Even if what Valverde did is morally wrong because it puts his competition at an unfair disadvantage, can sports stop players from continually trying to make attempts at separating themselves from the competition ? And if the answer is no which I very much believe, does it consequently mean that Valverde's actions are acceptable because we cannot stop it. Think about how competitive you are and the limits you would go to in order to succeed. Let me know your opinion and check out www.Tivity.us to stay active and find venues to engage in any sport you could possibly want.

Aaron Granoff
Tivity