Rough Beginings Build Character

It has been a rough start for the Dodgers but fret not three weeks does not a season make. This is one of the ways you fine out what you are made of. Everybody fines themselves with there back against a wall every now and then and you have to fight your way out. When this happens, something grows on the inside of you that remains for a life time. You have setbacks and reversals, but you keep fighting until the end. A lot is revealed when you are in the lean season individually and as a team. WE have all heard it said... you don't want to go to war with someone who has never been in a battle. Development! Character! Courage! Fight! The willingness to go the extra mile, the eye of the tiger. All these things come to the surface in battle. The Spirit of a Champion digs in for the battle, in baseball it's getting through 162 games. When the battle starts in April you already know every team will win 50 games and every team will lose 50 games. The Manager and what kind of fight is on the inside of your team plays a roll in what happens with the rest.

Leftside

Winning is Better Than Losing

I gave it that title because I wanted to share a poem with you all. I am truly glad to see the Dodger put some numbers on the board and start to look like the team we all expect to win the Western Division.

My brother who play in the big leagues with the Angels wrote this poem, I think you will enjoy it:

Winning is better than losing folks

And that's the bottom line

If losing doesn't get on your nerves

You can't be a teammate of mine

I will never tire of winning

I can win over and over again

I have this strong need

to feel like I'm better

and that need is fulfilled when I win

Winning gives me bragging rights

It lets me walk with pride

It puts a smile upon my face

and leaves a good feeling inside

Winning makes all females look better

and enhances the taste of my food

Winning allows me to sleep a lot better

and it wakes me up in a good mood

Part two tomorrow.....

The Spirit of Baseball Is Back Can you Feel It

With the baseball season less that a week away, you can feel the excitement in the air.

HOT news!! The government is still after Barry Bonds because they don't like him. Roger Clemens is still claiming his Innocent's and where in the world will Manny Ramirez be Going?

You have to be proud of the Dodgers in the way that they have gone about resolving the Manny dilemma. I know we all want to blame things on Manny but rest assured that his agent Scott Bor-US... has prolonged everything. You say wait a minute... Manny is a grown man... yes he is and Manny is in a power position in a crazy free agent market where nobody knows what going on. His agent Scott Bor-US, didn't count on the economy to soften the market the way it did. The Dodgers only offer Manny a KINGS RANSOM but for Scott and his commission it wasn't enough. I say that because no ball player ever thought you could make crazy money in the game of baseball 30 years ago, which means I'm old and maybe wrong about todays players. 30 years ago the Major league minimum was 21 thousand and you were glad to be there, times have changed, I mean we have a black President for God Sakes. Where are owners that want to win so bad that they'll give you beyond your imagination... I mean Alex Rodriguez has made over half a Billion Dollars... That is awesome!! Only in America can that happen...

WE ARE WHO WE THOUGHT WE WERE!!!

EXTRA EXTRA!! the Cardinals headed for the SUPER BOWL first time in history of the franchise! The City of Glendale, AZ is in an up roar. The Spirit of a Champion has over taken the Arizona Cardinals. This is the biggest thing to happen since the Diamondback won the World Series. Warner to Fitzgerald the hottest ticket in town. they said it wasn't possible but the Cardinals are in the super bowl. With the FBR Open a week away the NBA all star game around the corner, plus the Dodgers coming to the desert. Nothing is more exciting than what the Cardinals are doing. The confidence that the Cards are playing with has become contagious, the passion of the City is their twelfth man on the field that will take this team to the finish line. I'm writing from San Diego in a sea of Green with people pulling for the Eagles. it's only half time but I'm stepping out on a limp for the Cardinals. This is what finishing is about you have to see it to believe it. CARDINALS IN THE SUPER BOWL FOR THE FIRST TIME.

Mike Davis

What is Happening With Manny...

Happy New Year! 2009 is here and Baseball is just around the corner. The Dodgers have moved out of Vero Beach, FL to Good Year, AZ. The complex in Good Years is awesome. While we anticipate the start of the baseball season decisions are still being made. What is happening with Manny Ramirez? I haven't heard anything in a while but it looks like the only place Manny can land is Los Angeles California. I hope this is a good thing. The Dodgers have offered a three year deal to bring Manny back to LA in the range of 70 to 80 Million... I think that Manny and his agent are just playing the game to see if someone will get desperate and react to the moves the Yankees are making. With that being said the Dodgers are looking at the giant of a man in Adam Dunn in case things fall through with Manny.

Adam is a great player but he won't have the same impact because of the way Manny Connected with the city of Los Angeles. While we contemplate what they will do with Manny, the Dodgers made a decision on Andruw Jones which I personally done agree with. When you pay a Player top free agent money and they don't perform to your expectation and you give up on them, the money that you have to pay is guaranteed. Why not at lease see if they are back to form before you give up on them? You have to pay them anyway... Try to see if the spirit of the champion has resurfaced and the confidence is there to help the team. This guy has been one of the great players in the league. Yes, there comes a time as a player when you don't have it anymore and your talents start to fade... I'm just saying let's find out.... we were close to last in home runs last year if it wasn't for the Padres garage sale team they featured last year.

Before you know it the decisions will be made and we will be off to the race for the title again. Get ready for another fun year.

Mike Davis

Would You Bet on Andruw Jones

With all the players the Dodgers have brought into the Organization over the last couple of years, they have players with great resumes to make decisions on. Andruw Jones happens to be on of them. If you were ever going to have a nightmare as a player, Andruw Jones went through one last season. Everything went wrong on the baseball field and when you play in a big media market like Los Angeles, there is no sympathy. Andruw Jones has always been one of the leagues best players and just became ineffective and not good fast.

Sometimes that is the guy you bet on because he has so much to prove. When you're a big free agent you want everyone to know you are worth the price of admission and you can put so much pressure on yourself that you try to hard and nothing goes right. If they put Andruw Jones back in the lineup will the real Andruw Show up? Do you give him a chance in spring training or trade him if you can. Based on his resume I would give him a chance in spring training to see if he is back to the great players the Dodgers paid 36 million for. To have Anduw Jones in full form and to sign Manny Ramirez that could be a great three four punch in the line up or a great four five punch in the lineup. If you ever wonder what the winter meeting are about these are the major decision that the organization leaders have to make preparing for 2009.

Mike Davis

To Be a Switch Hitting Free Agent with Great Hands

Mark Teixeira happens to be hotter than Manny Ramirez right now. To be a switch hitting free agent who can hit for power plus having every major league team wanting to add you to there roster for a kings ransom has to be nice. This guy can do it all, great hands on defense and a bat that is so potent that they talk about it in both leagues... and the kind of teammate that everyone wants. His value is sky high!

Teixeira is and outstanding player... He stands above all the rest and is about to be paid for his performance in a great way. The Boston Redsox have been out bid for his services. How does that happen? Ever since He came out of college he has been turning heads. The Man that scouted Teixeira should be giving what ever he wants because this guy is special beyond measure. Even when you spell his name right it looks wrong but in the game of baseball everything that Mark Teixeira does it right.

Mike Davis

Yankee's Get Sabathia for $161M

Congratulations to CC Sabathia! Who signs the riches contract for a pitcher in the history of baseball. 161 Million dollars is a lot of money and the going rate for one of the top pitchers in the league. A lot of you out there reading this blog might be thinking… “That is ridiculous”
How can you pay one player that kind of money? Listen up, you can do it yourselves… all CC Sabathia did was excel at his craft. He was OUTSTANDING and when you are OUTSTANDING, when you stand out above all the rest… you get all the rewards. You see it in sports all the time. Why do we know David Beckham? Wrong answer: (the movie Bend it Like Beckham) David Beckham excelled in soccer, he was OUTSTANDING he stood out above all the rest… how did they reward him? With one of the richest contracts in the history of Soccer! Brought him to LA, promised him movie deals and a number of other endorsement. Why because he was OUTSTANDING! Another example: Michael Phelps 8 Olympic Gold Medals. Michael Phelps is an American Hero why? 8 Olympic gold Medals he was OUTSTANDING he stood above everyone in the sport of swimming for two straight weeks and excelled at his craft above everyone in the history of the sport. Was he rewarded for it? In a huge way!
Congratulations! Again to CC Sabathia, not because of the huge contract but if you ever sat down with this guy he is an awesome person, the kind of guy you wish the very best for, he gives back to the community and is just a special person. The Yankee’s received a true diamond that will impact the team, the community and their bottom line of winning. CC displays the Spirit of a Champion I wish the Dodgers could have made a play for him but if we can get Manny… lookout for Big Blue.

Mike Davis

FOOTBALL FINALS ANAHEIM STADIUM for Tustin High

You're probably wondering why is this guy writing about High School Football? Well it's my opportunity to brag about my nephew Anthony Wilkerson. Anthony is a junior at Tustin High, 5'11'' 210 lb GPA 3.8 the majors are looking at him as a junior USC, UCLA, STANFORD etc... Plus the Tustin Tillers is going to the CIF Finals at Anaheim Stadium for the first time in 12 years. My nephew has played a major part in the success of the Tustin Tillers. They have a great team this year. To be playing in the CIF finals is testament to the hard work all the players have put in.

Anthony Wilkerson has scored thirty-five touchdown this year... the last game I saw him play he scored five touchdown. As a former professional player myself I have played against some great NFL Stars. My nephew impressed me so much the last time I watched him play, I told him after the game: " you are exciting, you remind me of Marcus Allen the way you run through that line." Do you know what he told me??

Who is Marcus Allen... Who is Marcus Allen... only another Hall of Famer with great NFL numbers who made a big mark on the game of football when the Raiders were the Raiders and the class of the league. This tells me I'm getting older. I have to remember that my nephew is only 16 years old. Orange County Varsity dot com they keep you up to speed on what all the high school players are doing in Orange County. The Game coming up this Saturday afternoon at Anaheim Staduim is something that all the players and their families, the cheerleaders and their families will remember the rest of their lives. The Spirit of a Champion will be a part of every player and student that has been apart of this journey from start to finish, With the right mindset they will be able to accomplish anything. Nephew, do your Thang on Saturday, you have won already... and remember:

good better best,

never let it rest,

until the good get's better,

and the better become the best....

go Tillers!!

Mike Davis

Tiller Football against Canyon: http://shmyl.com/esrgton

MLB on Yahoo! Sports - News, Scores, Standings, Rumors, Fantasy Games

Game for Manny Ramirez 75 Million Buy In

The yahoo sports video is saying to win the hand of Manny Ramirez, you have to come correct. We have a high stakes poker game... to get Manny you have to go all in at 75 Million three years. MAN!! that's a lot of money. The truth is it may go higher than that, with the teams that have a need for an instant impact player, and a need to win right now. Manny knows he is in a high stakes game and each day his value goes up. What an awesome position to be in. YOu have heard it said: " baseball has been very very good to me" well Manny has been crowned The King of LA, if the Dodgers are lucky enough to get his services for another three years. Did you hear what I said? Lucky enough to get his services at 75 million... WOW!!

There will be a number of team in the running; bidding for Manny Ramirez, believe me the red carpet is coming out and only the elite owners can play. Frank Mccourt has his poker face hasn't blinked... this is it... do you believe in this hand?... all you have to say is... I'M ALL IN.


In the high stakes game not every owner can play... the best of the West against the best of the East.


Who wants a Championship team? Who is willing to pay for a Winner based off of last years performance? This is just the prelude to the WINTER MEETINGS... get your popcorn ready, it will be exciting.


Mike Davis

Tommy Goes Big in the Wine Business

Why hasn't this happened before now. The Great Tommy Lasorda and his love of the finer things in life and the Dodgers... now has his own wine and I heard it from his own mouth, Italian wine. As much as Tommy loves Italian foods, this is like a marriage made in heaven, like peas in a pod, like Abbot and Costello, Burns and Gracie.

Tommy is now in his 80's and looking good as ever, I had a chance to sit down with during the excitement of this last season and he still The Spirit of a Champion burning inside. Doesn't move quite as fast but he can still move people with the way that he delivers a speech. I will make sure a get a case of Lasorda Wine just for the memories... this is a grand way for Tommy to retire in the vineyard and in peace... Beautiful.

Mike Davis

There's a Winner in You

This has been on my mind since this past Friday. When I blogged about the young lady on the show STYLISHA named Danielle, who was an overweight fashion diva with great style. I talked about how she lost her confidence when she had to pick out an outfit she felt didn’t compliment her body type. The energy for style and fashion she brought to the drawing board left her as her confidence waned.
Well this past Friday I was in an insurance meeting that was being ran by a man of large proportions. This man had to be 350- 450 lb. didn’t have the brightest smile in the room but was very engaging. The presents he possessed and the confidence that came from his person made you want to drink the coolade he was serving and hear everything he was saying. He was full of life, he was full of love and he truly cared about your needs and how he could help you. This man was very attractive because of what was in him... a CHAMPION! What he had was contagious and whatever he was selling you wanted it. He is a true champion, a winner.
I wanted to share that with you because so many people look at what is going on around them and let the circumstances dictate the way they approach their day and the way they treat people. When you have a spirit of gratefulness, when you are grateful for the many blessing we truly have. If you have a spiritual relationship with you maker and can enter into His rest. That joy comes forth and is intoxicating and attractive. We should all become the best we can be with what God has blessed up with. The Spirit of a Champion brings that out of you where you radiate confidence in who you are. There is a Winner in you.
Martin Luther King once said: “ If I can help someone as I past along… If I can cheer someone with a word or a song… If I can show someone he is traveling wrong… Then my living would not be in vain. That is in my spirit and a truth I try to live by.

Mike Davis

Champions of the Round Table

Whether you play sports or work at El Pollo Loco you can be a champion. The way that you see yourself means so much to the way that the world sees you. The show Stylista was playing on the TV in the background and there was this oversize stylist named Danielle, who was having a tough time with her outfits of choice. I wouldn’t call her overweight; but she was 4 or 5 inches too short for her size. Her beauty was in her confidence, which was engaging and stylish… but when her confidence went, she wasn’t the same person. Her view of life changed and what she gave out changed, and everyone around her could feel it.
You see, we give out energy that is received or repelled based off of what is happening on the inside of us. That is the reason why you have to tap into the Spirit of a Champion and pump yourself up to stir up the gift. The Spirit of a Champion takes you to a place of confidence where you know you can conquer the world and that’s what a winner does. There is no quitting in you until you reach your goal and if you lose your confidence, which we all do from time to time, just remember to stir up the gift, the Spirit of a Champion, and get back to the Champion within you.
Mike Davis

One More Year For Manny

Mr. McCourt is ready to go the distance with Manny Ramirez, by extending the contract offer another year. Which would put his contract around 74 million for three years... Man that's a lot of money. I've had a few responses that said how much is enough? Why wouldn't he just take the first deal the Dodgers gave him... player are so greedy, the rest of the world is hurting and these spoiled players turn down 45 million while the country is broke.
The truth is over 3 trillion dollars passes through the federal reserve every day. Those stats may be changing today but as of a couple of month ago 3 trillion everyday. With that being said ball player only get paid their market value. What that says about Manny is that as of today he is the cream of the crop among free agents and everyone can use a player of his caliber. The real problem when it comes to money... is the team owners. I don't think any player ever expected the game would pay the kind of money that they are being paid. But who in their right mind would tell the team that is bidding for them no that's to much... you might think it but you want to see how far they will go. We all heard Manny's quote: " gas is up so am I". You can't be mad at him.

Mike Davis

To Compete in 2009 the Dodgers NEED Ramirez and Peavy

Ned Colletti is very impressive as he tries to bring a winner back to LA. It will take a lot of money to get Manny Ramirez signed. The impact that Manny had on the city of Los Angeles has been recognized by Ned Colletti and the Dodgers ownership. I’ve always said that winning is better than losing every day of the week. When you win, you have a better attitude and your food tastes better. The Dodger got a good taste of winning in 2008 and created a buzz that hasn’t been felt in twenty years. No matter what Ned Colletti does, it all starts with Manny Ramirez. If the Dodgers can sign him, then make a deal to bring Jake Peavy to Los Angeles; the excitement will start the very first day they start spring training in their new camp in Glendale, AZ. Manny and Jake are two big impact players that can go the distance and deliver a winner. Remember you heard it here first, if the Dodgers are able to sign Manny Ramirez, and then add Jake Peavy to the rotation they will content for the title next year. You can take that to the bank.
Mike Davis

Back the Truck Up For Manny

I am truly impressed with the Dodgers efforts to get Manny Ramirez under Contract. Forty-five million two year deal out the Gate… I love it!! The problem is Scott Boris Manny’s agent didn’t. Boris is looking for someone to back the truck up for Manny. Yes, Manny is the hottest offensive player in baseball. The way that he performed in the playoffs puts him a step above all the other offensive players in the league. You take that and add it to the last two months of the regular season for the Dodgers and someone will back a truck up for Manny.
Manny Ramirez has two world championship rings and is coming off a 160 million dollar contract. So he doesn’t need any money. He doesn’t need to win a championship, as a matter of fact he has accomplished everything in the game you can accomplish as a player. His value is his ability to take others to the Fall Classics. At this stage of his game Manny can sit back and see who want his talents. So far the Dodgers are making the biggest push.
Mike Davis

WORLD CHAMPION PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

World Champion Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are Champions of the World! Congratulation to the Phillies and the City of Philadelphia. It has been a long time coming and the Phillies finished with flair. It should have been over a couple of days ago but you didn’t let that discourage you. You stayed focus on the task at hand and now stand king of the mountain, Champions of the World. It all came together at the right time and now you get to enjoy the fruits of victory. Enjoy your parade tomorrow and suck it all in, these moments are rare. The last time the city of Philadelphia got to celebrate like this was when Mike Schmitz was the man. Because of those days Mike Schmitz is still the man.
It was only a matter of time before Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins and Case Utley were going to contribute and the other team didn’t take advantage of it. The Phillies had players Shane Victorino stepped up in a big way to make up the void. Again Congratulation and enjoy the spoils.
Mike Davis

Phillies Go Up 2 Games to 1

After a ninety minute rain delay the Phillies and the Rays played some great baseball. I told myself I wouldn’t be interested in this series because of the teams in the series; but WOW! This has been fun.
Who would have thought that anyone would have wanted to watch this series… this has been great baseball. These teams are in a battle and matched up well. When you have a rain delay you don’t know what kind of game will follow because of the conditions of a wet field. The grounds crew did a great job to have the field in top condition after the long delay. With back to back homerun by Chase Utley and Ryan Howard the Phillies seemed to be in command of the game. All year lone the Rays have come from behind and they continued to not give up, as the rain delay took the game into Sunday morning. The Rays tied the game up in the 8th . With an infield single and two stolen bases by BJ Upton. With the bases loaded and no out in the ninth… a BLEEDER properly placed wins the game for the Phillies and puts the Phillies up 2 games to 1.
I wasn’t planning on watching this series; it has turned out to be quite interesting even if the Dodgers aren’t playing in it.Mike Davis

The Fall Classics Begin

The fall Classics begin tonight. The Tampa Bay Rays vs. Philadelphia Phillies…. The last two teams standing after a long grueling season. The battle that no one wants to see with the exception of the Rays fans and the Phillies fans. Let me say it for you… BORING!!!
This series can’t get my attention; there is nothing to get excited about. Yes the Rays went from the worth team in the league a year ago to the best team. And yes, they have some great young players, but give me a break who wants to see the Rays vs. Phillies…. Not me.
I love baseball just as much as the next guy; I’m not going out of my way to watch this small market baseball. Mark my words this series will have the lowest ratings in history. Both of these teams should be proud of themselves for their accomplishments this is the reason we play the game … they have had an awesome years. The unity they have experienced this season will be with them the rest of their lives, my only issue with this series is…. There were so many possibilities of capturing all baseball fans with the Cubs vs. anyone... in their hundred year drought. The Dodgers vs. Boston would have been awesome built around Manny Ramirez. The Angels vs. Dodgers for king of the city. Plus so many other combinations; we get the Rays vs. Phillies, to me this is a letdown for everybody except the Rays fans and Phillies fans. Congratulations to Tampa Bay and Philadelphia I hope you all enjoy the World Series it has been a long year and I’m going to the gym.
Mike Davis

The Quiet Before the Storm

The Quiet before the Storm
As Construction rears its head at Dodger stadium we still have plenty unanswered questions. The number one question for all Dodger fans; are we bringing Manny Ramirez back next season? My bet is Manny Ramirez will be a Met or a Yankee. More likely a Yankee just to be able to go back to Boston for the rivalry between the two organizations. The New York Yankee will be opening up in their new stadium and they will want to put a product on the field that will be ready to win immediately. It will take a boat load of money to sign Manny with the kind of season that he put together he is in the driver’s seat. There are only a couple of markets that can afford to carry a player of his magnitude and New York and Los Angeles are it. Manny Lives in New York and at this stage of the game it will play in his decision making. What will the Dodgers do with Jeff Kent? Will he retire? Does he have another Year is Dewitt ready to step in as an everyday player. How about Nomar Garciaparra will he retire? There is something to be said about having experienced player on your team.
Playing in the A’s and Dodgers organizations the one thing I learned was they added young players to their line up each year if they were ready, this kept the flow of talent coming and the team chemistry balanced. Both the Athletics and the Dodgers had consecutive rookie of the year players. The Question is are the Dodgers ready to put their young player out there every day? Can the team compete without the superstars?Leftside