Josh Hamilton: The Road Back and Fourth

The career of Josh Hamilton has been bumpy. His career would make an excellent movie. Hamilton has not had it easy. Most of that is self inflicted but that does not mean it's not sad. Hamilton's career can not be summed up in one word. It is way to hard. Hamilton has as much talent as anyone I have ever seen play the game. I am rooting for him to get back and make a big impact for the Texas Rangers. After Hamilton's relapse the Angels basically made it known they would not support him and wanted him gone. I think the return to Texas will end up being great for Josh Hamilton. His Angels career was far from it.

Everyone knows that Josh Hamilton got a late start on his career due to his drug related problems. It's a shame that it happened this way but it did. Hamilton made it all the way back and proved why he was the number one pick. He proved Texas right for trading for him years ago and will try to prove them right again. Josh Hamilton had his finest moments and seasons with the Rangers. Hamilton won the MVP award in 2010. In 2008 in Hamilton's first season with Texas he had his finest moment. Hamilton had the greatest round in home run derby history. It was at the Old Yankee Stadium in their
final season. The whole stadium was chanting his name. Hamilton had over 40 homers in 2012. He was an all star every year with the Rangers. He was embraced their from day one. I didn't see that in Anaheim. They were so happy when they signed him but so quick to jump ship on him after he started off slow.

Josh Hamilton is on the road back. It's not the first time he has taken this road. Hamilton didn't lose his ability to hit a baseball. The Angels and Hamilton never worked out. When Hamilton relapsed the Angels wanted to get rid of him. They can say what they want but they just didn't want to pay him. I don't agree with what the Angels did. The Rangers made a smart baseball move no matter how this works out. The Angels are essentially paying Hamilton to play for the Rangers. Hamilton has always been one of baseballs most exciting players and baseball will be excited.

By Peter Vitella
@realpete13

Bryce Harper : Becoming a Legend At 22

Some people said Bryce Harper is overrated. Well I say Bryce Harper is underrated. Harper is just 22 , that's younger than star prospects Kris Bryant and Joc Pederson. Bryant and Pederson haven't even played two months in the bigs. Harper is already in his fourth year. Harper is a two time all star and a rookie of the year winner. Harper has battled injuries and took some time to develop. People wanted Harper to come up and have a season right away like Alex Rodriguez in 1996 and Mike Trout in his first year. That's not possible for every player. Harper has been good but hasn't been great yet. Harper doesn't turn 23 until October.

Bryce Harper is on the best run of his career. He has 6 home runs in his last 3 games including a walk off homer and a three homer performance. Bryce Harper has not hit his peek yet , not even close. He has years to go before that. He is a star at 22 and can become a mega star and an MVP candidate this season. The Nationals have a great pitching staff and many believed they will be World Series favorites. They had a terrible start to the season but as Harper began to hit the Nationals started to win. Harper is becoming a mega star and things don't happen over night. Sit back and watch because his stardom is getting bigger and bigger.

By Peter Vitella 

@realpete13

What Does 660 Mean Today

Friday night Alex Rodriguez hit a home run into the left field seats of the green monster. It was the 660th time Alex Rodriguez rounded the bases. It was a pinch hit homer the first of his career. Rodriguez was embraced by his teammates in the dugout. After the game he was showered with beer and champagne. It is well documented that Alex Rodriguez has had his PED troubles. Willie Mays played in a different era. An era that didn't have HGH or the anabolic steroid issues. Many people will never view Alex Rodriguez's accomplishments in the same way as Mays. However even though Alex Rodriguez used PED drugs Rodriguez is still a great player. We see how he can still hit a baseball even at age 39. Alex Rodriguez is an all time great and it is a shame some people won't see that. For some they are lucky to continue to see this play from him.

After the game on Friday night Alex Rodriguez stood on the field alone and cried. Rodriguez was probably thinking about his family and the game he loves. I think we saw some emotion because Rodriguez had some remorse for what he had done. He had some regrets. Maybe he realized he could have played clean all along. The Alex Rodriguez home run might not mean as much to some people but it was a special moment no matter what. Hitting 660 home runs is a truly amazing feet no matter what.

It's a shame that Alex Rodriguez got involved in PED drugs because we see just how talented he is. He still can turn on a pitch like no other. He still can do things on a baseball field better than some half his age. Rodriguez has surprised many with how well he has played. Rodriguez has said all the right things up to this point. He has been very interactive with the fans. Of course some will say it's a PR move but the truth is Rodriguez has always interacted with fans.

As Alex Rodriguez nears the end of his career we know the things he's done. We know the mistakes he has made. We also know just how good Alex Rodriguez was. When it's all set in done Alex Rodriguez will have his place in history. It's a complicated place in history. Everyone will have their own opinion in where he belongs. Personally I believe Rodriguez is one of baseballs greats no matter
what. Plenty have guys have played baseball plenty of guys have used PEDs. There are only three guys ahead of him on the all time home run list and know matter what that is special.

By Peter Vitella
@Realpete13

Mayweather Always at His Best

Floyd Mayweather Jr dominated the pace and the tempo of his fight with Manny Pacquiao. Mayweather landed 34% of his punches. Pacquiao landed just 18%. Mayweather got the unanimous decision 116-112 , 116-112 , and 118-110. Mayweather called Pacquiao a great fighter and champion but said he was simply the better man. Mayweather showed off his defense and dominated in that stage of the game. Mayweather showed he was the best technical fighter in the business and possibly the best technical fighter ever. Some people were disappointed it wasn't a more aggressive fight but it was a completely technical fight. Mayweather never wavered from his game plan and it had no flaws.

Mayweather always waits for his opponent to come at him before he throws punches. He knows he can't be outboxed. Mayweather also knows he can't be technically beaten. Mayweather was a defender and Pacquiao had no offensive answers.  Pacquiao had to be the more aggressive fighter and he wasn't. Pacquiao believe it or not threw less punches than Mayweather. Mayweather threw 435
and Pacquiao threw 429. Yet Pacquiao landed almost half the amount of Mayweather. For a powerful puncher Pacquiao didn't land many power shots. His game plan was off and so was his night. Mayweather is easily the best of his generation.



By Peter Vitella
@realpete13

One of the All Time Best Sports Days

Tomorrow will be on of the great days in sports history. Pace yourself because their is a lot to watch. Of course the major events like the Kentucky Derby , the NFL Draft and the Mayweather -Pacquiao fight but don't sleep on some of the other events. Tomorrow there is also playoff hockey and basketball. There is also some great baseball Matchups between league rivals.

NHL
Rangers vs Capitals , 12:30 PM ET
The Rangers host the Capitals in game two of the Playoff series. The Capitals lead the series 1-0.

NBA
Spurs vs Clippers , 8:00 PM ET
The Spurs and the Clippers both will try to win and advance to the next round of the postseason. This game is a winner take all and a game seven to advance to the next round.

MLB
There is a full slate of MLB games on during the day but there are some great rivalry games on. The Mets play the Nationals , the Tigers play the Royals , the Cardinals play the Pirates and the Yankees play the Red Sox. It is the first time Alex Rodriguez plays there since the Yanks and Sox fought after Rodriguez was intentionally hit.

NFL
The NFL draft concludes with it's final day. The drafts third day begins at 12 PM ET. Day three of the draft will include rounds 4-7.

Kentucky Derby
The Derby will begin at 4 and run to 730. It will be the 141st Kentucky Derby.

Boxing
It is the fight of the century. Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao will battle In the most anticipated matchup of some generations. It is a battle between the two best fighters in the sport.

By Peter Vitella
@realpete13