Spring Training in Full Swing

The entire Pad-squad has entered camp as of this past week. There are some exciting names to look out for such as Jabari Blash, Nick Noonan, Skip Schumaker and Luis Perdomo. Only a few names are locks to make the big-league roster. So this spring should be interesting to see if someone surprising comes away with a roster spot. One of the most intriguing thing thus far during camp is the battle for the last two spots in the rotation. Colin Rea, Robbie Erlin, Brandon Maurer, Brandon Morrow and others are only a few names to mention looking to earn a spot in that rotation. This is where Andy Green will have to make some decisions by the time the regular season comes around. 25 men will make the team and Green will have to widdle it down from 62.

In the NBA, the Golden State Warriors are still on fire and seem to be a lock to get the number one seed in the playoffs just ahead of the Spurs. If the Warriors win tonight, then they will become the first team in NBA history to clinch a playoff spot in February. But tonight's matchup will be tough because they will have to beat the Thunder in Oklahoma City. The fourth-best team in the league, the Thunder rely heavily on Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant for their high-powered offense. The Warriors have the most lethal offense in the league right now and one of the best defenses as well. They are one game ahead of the 1995-1996 Bulls' record. Keep this up and they will win 73 games, one more than what the Bulls got two decades ago. But hey, the playoffs are just under two months away. So there is time for other teams to step up and try to take them down.

This time of year can be less exciting in the world of sports. But the only thing that keeps my heart pumping is the thrill of spring training and soon, the regular season. Tune in next week for Padres scores and updates!

Baseball is Back!!

The most anticipated day of the winter has arrived! Yes, I mean even more than the super bowl or college football playoff games. Wednesday and Thursday of this week are the days that teams from all 30 major league clubs report. The only required players needing to report were pitchers and catchers. Does this not sound exciting? Okay, I understand it may not sound that exciting to you, but this is very exciting to me because it signals the countdown to opening day on April 4th against the hated Dodgers. In terms of baseball news with the Padres, manager Andy Green declared Tyson Ross the opening day starter against (most likely) Clayton Kershaw. I can predict right now that the Dodgers will win opening day. Ross is sure a good pitcher, but he was wild and erratic last year. Hopefully he can put his control issues behind him.

As you all sure know now, the super bowl has come and gone with the Broncos coming out on top. I predicted it. Does that mean I win something? No it doesn't. But it's wishful thinking, right? Ever since the super bowl there have been controversial talks about each of the quarterbacks. First of all, Cam Newton made some remarks in his post-game press conference that stirred some discussion. Throughout the season, he has often been criticized for treating the sport like it's a joke. I think he is fine in playing a game and celebrating how he wants to celebrate. He was so upset after his press conference, however, that he got up and left right in the middle of it. Now that is something with which I have an issue because he needs to give the media their due diligence. Each and every losing quarterback has had to deal with a press conference but none have done what Cam has done. For this time and this time only, I will forgive him. Meanwhile, Peyton Manning has been in the news recently in going back to 1997 and his case with a title 9 issue while he was the quarterback at the University of Tennessee. One of the athletic trainers accused him of sexually assaulting her. I don't know what to make of all this, but one thing is certain: we must assume he is innocent before he could potentially be proven guilty. The same must be said for all other athletes and convicts. This NFL offseason could see some interesting things shake out in terms of transactions and convictions.

The NBA has reached the all-star break! With it comes the entertaining events prior to the all-star game. The highlight of all of that had to be the slam dunk contest. Aaron Gordon of the Orlando Magic, many argue, should have won the event with his spectacular dunk over the mascot, under the legs and in. But Zach Lavine defended his title with an impressive show, jumping from the free throw line and under the legs to dunk it in. The remainder of the regular season resumes tonight with games featured on ESPN. Talk about a nice week off break to rest the legs. Now the season will last later in June.

That should do it for this week's post! Tune in next week to discuss spring training more in depth and prepare for games to begin.