Sunday, February 22, 2015

WOW!! 35 Year Anniversary of "The Miracle on Ice"


http://youtu.be/rcENEx81XqE

USA vs. Soviets (full game)

Time really does fly I guess. To those who didn't live through it, just another hockey game. To the rest of us, it was a miracle. In every sense of the word. Born of belief in being able to do great things and the understanding that hard work and teamwork makes the whole greater than the sum of its parts.

A masterpiece of coaching by Herb Brooks. 

http://youtu.be/tdmyoMe4iHM

Miracle Speech - You were born for this - Herb Brooks, Movie: Miracle


The victory meant a lot to this country at a time when our national psyche sorely needed a lift. It turns out that decades later it meant infinitely more to to some of the vanquished members of the Soviet Red Army team, as it meant freedom for them to play wherever in the world their talents would take them. Ultimately, they may have netted the greater long term victory for generations of Russians to follow.

I'm sure they didn't feel like winners that night though. The game was tape-delayed by ABC and the results apparently were displayed on an ESPN broadcast in advance of the ABC telecast. My dad blurted out the result and I still didn't believe it until Al Michaels was in his iconic countdown. I don't think any of really thought the US had a chance even if Jim Craig continued to stand on his head in goal as he had in tournament. The Russians were easily vanquishing professional NHL teams for sport and the Americans were just a bunch of collegians. I can't even make up a proper analogy other than maybe a college football team beating a professional football team in the Super Bowl or Kentucky beating the Spurs.

I guess as Herb Brooks said, if we played them ten times they beat us nine.....but not tonight.

P.S. - I'd have thought, if we played them 100 times, they beat us 99 before the game, BWDIK?

http://youtu.be/t2x9ITRY_ZA

USA vs USSR 1980

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Giants Top Minor League Prospects

  • 1. Joey Bart 6-2, 215 C Power arm and a power bat, playing a premium defensive position. Good catch and throw skills.
  • 2. Heliot Ramos 6-2, 185 OF Potential high-ceiling player the Giants have been looking for. Great bat speed, early returns were impressive.
  • 3. Chris Shaw 6-3. 230 1B Lefty power bat, limited defensively to 1B, Matt Adams comp?
  • 4. Tyler Beede 6-4, 215 RHP from Vanderbilt projects as top of the rotation starter when he works out his command/control issues. When he misses, he misses by a bunch.
  • 5. Stephen Duggar 6-1, 170 CF Another toolsy, under-achieving OF in the Gary Brown mold, hoping for better results.
  • 6. Sandro Fabian 6-0, 180 OF Dominican signee from 2014, shows some pop in his bat. Below average arm and lack of speed should push him towards LF.
  • 7. Aramis Garcia 6-2, 220 C from Florida INTL projects as a good bat behind the dish with enough defensive skill to play there long-term
  • 8. Heath Quinn 6-2, 190 OF Strong hitter, makes contact with improving approach at the plate. Returns from hamate bone injury.
  • 9. Garrett Williams 6-1, 205 LHP Former Oklahoma standout, Giants prototype, low-ceiling, high-floor prospect.
  • 10. Shaun Anderson 6-4, 225 RHP Large frame, 3.36 K/BB rate. Can start or relieve
  • 11. Jacob Gonzalez 6-3, 190 3B Good pedigree, impressive bat for HS prospect.
  • 12. Seth Corry 6-2 195 LHP Highly regard HS pick. Was mentioned as possible chip in high profile trades.
  • 13. C.J. Hinojosa 5-10, 175 SS Scrappy IF prospect in the mold of Kelby Tomlinson, just gets it done.
  • 14. Garett Cave 6-4, 200 RHP He misses a lot of bats and at times, the plate. 13 K/9 an 5 B/9. Wild thing.

2019 MLB Draft - Top HS Draft Prospects

  • 1. Bobby Witt, Jr. 6-1,185 SS Colleyville Heritage HS (TX) Oklahoma commit. Outstanding defensive SS who can hit. 6.4 speed in 60 yd. Touched 97 on mound. Son of former major leaguer. Five tool potential.
  • 2. Riley Greene 6-2, 190 OF Haggerty HS (FL) Florida commit.Best HS hitting prospect. LH bat with good eye, plate discipline and developing power.
  • 3. C.J. Abrams 6-2, 180 SS Blessed Trinity HS (GA) High-ceiling athlete. 70 speed with plus arm. Hitting needs to develop as he matures. Alabama commit.
  • 4. Reece Hinds 6-4, 210 SS Niceville HS (FL) Power bat, committed to LSU. Plus arm, solid enough bat to move to 3B down the road. 98MPH arm.
  • 5. Daniel Espino 6-3, 200 RHP Georgia Premier Academy (GA) LSU commit. Touches 98 on FB with wipe out SL.

2019 MLB Draft - Top College Draft Prospects

  • 1. Adley Rutschman C Oregon State Plus defender with great arm. Excellent receiver plus a switch hitter with some pop in the bat.
  • 2. Shea Langliers C Baylor Excelent throw and catch skills with good pop time. Quick bat, uses all fields approach with some pop.
  • 3. Zack Thompson 6-2 LHP Kentucky Missed time with an elbow issue. FB up to 95 with plenty of secondary stuff.
  • 4. Matt Wallner 6-5 OF Southern Miss Run producing bat plus mid to upper 90's FB closer. Power bat from the left side, athletic for size.
  • 5. Nick Lodolo LHP TCU Tall LHP, 95MPH FB and solid breaking stuff.