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The Bottom Line of March Madness

By: Guru Jay
Upon Us
March Madness is upon us. There is no turning back now. Only move forward. The 2014 Men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament is a time for celebration.
The best basketball players between the ages of 18 and 22 are preparing to play with tenacity. They will display pure grit throughout the tournament. You’ll see the most competitive contests ever known. You have to travel back in time to the Gladiator days, in order to watch anything quite like it.
What will happen? No one knows. Predictions are calculating right now by the second. March Madness officially begins tomorrow, March 20. Bet on the current reigning champion Louisville Cardinals to try to repeat.
Tomorrow, millions of eyes across the United States and around the world will be glued to the tube. There are more than 60 games scheduled. Here’s a good link for the 2014 NCAA Bracket. Who will win? Your guess is as good as mine.
Truth be told, I don’t watch as much college basketball as I do the NBA. But, I always watch March Madness. I assure you there will be clutch shots both converted and missed.
Also, I guarantee you that impossible shots will be made; and, easy layups will be missed. After all, college is a learning experience. Furthermore, even NBA players miss a dunk or two on a regular basis.
Three more things are certain: long three-pointers, big shot blocks and dunks galore. March Madness is a showcase of the most talented basketball players the world has to offer.
You won’t be disappointed. You will be amazed. March Madness makes you experience a range of emotions. One minute you’re sad. The next second, you’re mad. It’s the nature of the beast.
The Tournament is entertaining at all stages. It’s the big dance so you might want to find a dance partner. The tradition of college basketball connects with the history of basketball itself.
Dr. James Naismith first invented the game reinvented by Michael Jordan for college students. You can watch footage of Jordan at University of North Carolina on my blog. The video explains the meaning of NCAA basketball and March Madness.

Watch the Wichita State Shockers. The team made history tying the record for most wins and no losses. The Shockers went 34-0. Find the latest news on Wichita State. It was fascinating to see the college team play this season.
Pat Riley famously coined the term March Madness for the Men’s basketball tournament. March Madness symbolizes a range of emotions from sad to mad. It represents the intensity of sports themselves.
Moving Forward
As I stated before, there is no turning back now. You have got to move forward. At this point, sports history is almost irrelevant. It doesn’t matter if you beat somebody last year or even in February.
This is March 2014. And, the purpose of a “march” is to move forward. As usual, you can expect the Duke Blue Devils to go deep. Additionally, Duke’s rival the University of North Carolina Tar Heels look like strong contenders.
The beauty of it all is that it is truly unpredictable. You never know what might happen. Be prepared for anything.
All eyes are on Wichita State. The question is can Wichita State keep going at their current pace? One thing for sure is there will be answers to our questions.
Look for upsets, heartbreaks, downturns, and upstarts. The coach is just as important as the player; and, the trainer is just as important as the fans. Everybody and everything matters.
I play basketball myself. It’s one of the best games to learn. Also, it is becoming the most popular sport around the world.
One crucial basketball rule is you have to move forward. If you go backcourt with the ball, then that’s a violation. Also, you can’t step out of bounds (a predetermined area on the court).
Millions of people are filling out brackets and making their predictions. I have made predictions in the past. I’ve decided this year to not make predictions.
I plan on enjoying the tournament. One benefit is I won’t have to root against teams based on logic or intuition.
What March Madness means
March Madness is a time of pride. Obviously, the parents of the players could not be any prouder of their sons. Yet, basketball fans are proud as well.
Fans are proud of their hometown heroes, local colleges and star athletes. March Madness means family and friendships. I have watched the tournament continuously for over a decade. I’ve discovered that the NCAA Championship brings people together. It’s a perfect time for bonding.
The meaning of March Madness to you might be different. But, the bottom line is that the tournament presents a time for us to socialize with coworkers, neighbors, and even strangers shopping at the store or standing up at the subway station.
There have been many great plays in basketball history. You can watch the greatest basketball play of all time right here on my blog. It’s called “Christian Laettner The Shot 1992” It is the epitome of greatness. To some it is the meaning of March Madness.
The Bottom Line
Winter is almost over; and, spring is almost here. Transitions are tough. Sometimes in the spring it feels like winter. Sometimes in autumn it feels like summer.
If you think nature is spontaneous, you better believe March Madness is a hippie. March Madness is a mixture of all seasons rolled into one. You don’t know if it’s going to rain, snow, or earthquake. All you really know is that the sun will shine. And, the moon may come out at night.
The bottom line is the NCAA Tournament is a very lucrative event. According to the Market Place (click here for report) The tournament makes more than $1 billion in television money alone. In fact, March Madness makes more total revenue than the NFL postseason, NBA Playoffs, MLB World Series, and the NHL Stanley Cup.
The tournament is scheduled March 20 through April 7. It is upon us. Tomorrow!
Please follow me on Blogger, Pinterest, Twitter, and Tumblr. Thank you. Tomorrow’s blog: Top Ten Movies 

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In Four Days

By: Guru Jay
In four days, the Major League Baseball season will officially begin. Opening day ceremonies will be held around the league. The All Stars, Sluggers, and Superstar Pitchers are ready for WAR.

Preview

Fantasy League Baseball Owners are familiar with Wins Above Replacement also known as WAR. It’s a new term, so if you’re a baseball fan and have no clue, you’re all right.

The emerging Mike Trout from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim is considered to have the best WAR stats in the game. He is highly agile, quick, and a game changer. He hits for power and speed.
Mike Trout launched to space in 2012. He compiled some of the best statistics Major League Baseball has ever seen. In 2013, Trout repeated his prowess.

Mike Trout exploded during his 2012 season. He hit 30 homeruns and stole 49 bases. What’s more, he repeated his prowess in 2013. This was enough to give the outfielder the Rookie of The Year Award. Trout finished second in the Most Valuable Player (as a rookie) election behind Miguel Cabrera.
Miguel Cabrera also has one of the best WAR stats in baseball. Cabrera is the best power hitter in his generation. It is undeniable. Whenever, the Detroit Tigers infielder steps up to the plate the opposing pitcher sends up a prayer. Heck, if Miguel Cabrera puts his pinky toe in the on-deck circle, the other team starts panicking.
In the offseason, the New York Yankees acquired Masahario Tanaka. You should pay attention to the Japanese sensation. The Yankees inked the Superstar Pitcher a $155 million dollar contract. Only time will tell if the money was well spent.
In the meantime, let’s put things in retrospection. Masahario Tanaka pitched a perfect season last year in the Japanese League. Check out his stats  He is a phenomenon.
Another pitcher you should watch is Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw is one of the most consistent and dominant pitchers on the pitcher’s mound. Furthermore, the Los Angeles Dodgers have an impressive roster. If you’re ever in Las Vegas bet on the Dodgers.
I would gamble on the L.A. Dodgers chances in the 2014 World Series. I think the Dodgers will win the West Division and the National League Pennant. Also, I think they could win a competitive World Series either against the New York Yankees or the Boston Red Sox.
Remember, where you heard the prediction first. Guru Jay told you so all along. Here’s a cool video if you’re into gaming. You may want to grab MLB 14: The Show off the shelves.
National Pastime
I was an all-star baseball player in high school. I hate to brag but I played the best defense on the diamond. I made plays that were impossible look easy.
You may say: Guru Jay, get out of here. But, I started four years as a leadoff hitter. And, on occasion I batted in the three spot. In my senior year I won the Scholar Athlete Award, which was across all sports.
Baseball is America’s National Pastime. Today, baseball is played in over 115 countries. It’s my favorite sport. Many of my good friends are former teammates.
Watching baseball is an essential part of my lifestyle. Of course, I watch baseball in a different lens than everyone else. I am constantly monitoring for grand slams, walk off homeruns, and no hitters.

The beauty of the game of baseball is the incredible history. You have the capability of comparing players from different generations. If you like this article and want to start watching or playing baseball, remember no one is better than Babe Ruth. Please, don’t forget it.
Babe Ruth is legendary. Legends never die. He won seven World Series. Also, he has the best stats known to man. No one and I mean nobody comes close to his dominance at the plate and around the bases.
Yes, there are many baseball greats. But, Babe Ruth reinvented the game. He was Elvis Pressley disguised as Babe Ruth. Ruth literally is to baseball what Elvis Pressley is to music. Name any baseball player, and I will tell you why Babe Ruth is better.
Why Babe Ruth is Better
Trust me, Babe Ruth is better. Search his stats. Did you know Babe Ruth was a pitcher too? Name someone today that pitches strikeouts and hits homeruns.
The Legend of George Herman Ruth, Jr. will last as long as baseball itself. Here’s rare video footage of the legend from 1932. Babe Ruth is baseball. Baseball is Babe Ruth.

And yet, I still believe in the future of baseball. Mike Trout and Miguel Cabrera have proven greatness is still alive. There are other living legends, but these two embody the impossible.
Yes, steroids ruined baseball. I am not going to gloss over the fact. The game is still tainted. However, as baseball cleanups true talent is showing.
Let’s not throw baseball under the bus. There is nothing wrong with the game itself. The cheaters are the problem.
Baseball is at the forefront of sport integrity. When was the last time a football or basketball player got tested for PEDs? Let’s get real. We love baseball for a reason, and that’s why it is a National Pastime.
Mike Trout is poised for superstardom. Look at this video from Super Epic Highlights Now do you see why I keep plugging Mike Trout, Mike Trout?

Finally, do not forget about Miguel Cabrera. He has done something very few others have done. He won the Triple Crown in 2012. And, that’s the main reason Mike Trout did not win the MVP.

Furthermore, Cabrera came close to winning The Triple Crown two years in a row. Re-live Cabrera’s triple crown here. If he continues, at this rate he will be one of the top ten baseball players of all time.
Stay alert. The 2014 MLB season is underway. In four days, the Los Angeles Dodgers will play the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Please follow me on Blogger, Pinterest, Twitter, and Tumblr. Thank you. Tomorrow: March Madness (College Basketball)

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Re-live Miggy’s historic quest for the Triple Crown