The End of an Era

Today, Teddy Bruschi retired from the NFL. This ends an era of Patriots football that is best described as dominating. With three NFL championships, twelve years, and an undefeated season it could be argued that the Patriots teams during Bruschi's playing career were one of the best ever.



Bruschi's retirement also creates some fear that that era is over. He's done, and everyone is getting older, including Bill Belichick. Also, Tom Brady is still recovering from an injury and hasn't looked great in pre-season. This year could be one of the last if not the last of the Patriots recent era.



Yesterday, California won the Little League World Series in comeback fashion, continuing the trend of American teams winning the tournament over international teams. I feel just a little bit un-American for not watching the final, but I was set on a Curacao versus Georgia final and decided that the championship game couldn't live up to my expectations of a Curacao-Georgia final, but I was wrong.



California, after falling down three to nothing, came back to beat Chinese Tapei three to six. This was a typical World Series final, and I've made a vow to watch every game of the LLWS next year. Last thing, I noticed that one kid on California was six foot tall two hundred and twelve pounds, which is gigantic for a thirteen year old.

LLWS Update

The Little League World Series is in full swing, and is living up to expectations of years past. Also, Michael Beasley checked himself into a rehab hospital and Duke finally has a player who isn't attached to adjectives like scrappy.



The Little League World Series is underway, but I havn't seen a game yet and will have to wait until August 29th when the games finally start airing on ABC. However, I've been talking to my friends about it and checking updates constantly. There are four brackets, with four American or International teams in each bracket. Right now, the leader in Group A is Georgia, with a record of three and zero. In Group B,Texas and California are both two and zero.

In the two international brackets, one team really sticks out to me. Curacao is three and zero and leading Group C. They are probably the most exciting team in the tournament, with base stealing and bunts very common. In Group D, Chinese Taipei and Mexico are two and zero. Mexico's first baseman, who has a name that requires several clicks of the tongue and guarantees that you will be out breath when you say it, is a pudgy kid who seems to be the best player on his team.



In the NBA, Michael Beasley just checked into a rehab center. Rumors have it that Pat Riley encouraged him to do this while there are other rumors he is there for psychological problems. Beasley has always been out there, but I just thought he was immature. Also, it seems that these days everyone is doing or has done marijuana.



Also, people have recently criticized Michael Vick for having a drink at an airport. The guy was in jail for two years, give him a break. He served his punishment, now we need to let him live.

It's Finally Here

Every year, I spend my whole summer(not really)waiting for the best baseball of the summer. The best athletes in the world are finally taking baseball seriously. After coasting through the regular season, the playoffs are finally here. The intensity level is off the charts, and whole cities get involved. I think you know what I'm talking about.



That's right, the Little League World Series is finally here. Two weeks of non-stop, high-pressure baseball. Even better, it's played by thirteen year olds. After reading that last sentence, you can imagine that breakdowns and errors are likely to occur. Even better, they're committed by thirteen year olds.



Okay, but in all serious the LLWS does get pretty exciting. In past years, there have been walk off home runs, extra innings, and emotional breakdowns. The Little League World Series has been going since 1947 and is annually held in Williamsport, Pennsylvania in late August.



For people like me who get about five channels, one of which is ABC, I constantly check ESPN for updates and watch the games I can with my brothers. In 2006, I remember watching a classic. Georgia was playing Japan in the championship game. Being American, I naturally favored Georgia. They were led by a great pitcher and overall player, Kyle Carter. The game was very dramatic and ended up with a Georgia player hitting a walk-off homer to win the game three to two.



The format for the series goes as follows. There are sixteen teams, eight American and eight international. They are divided into two brackets and the winners face off in a championship. Every year it seems like there is a great championship game, so make sure to tune in to ABC and ESPN over the next week.