Manu Ginobli First Quarter Slam

I know this isn't anything special, but most NBA fans, including me, didn't even know Ginobli could dunk!

Barry Bonds Home Run Plaque Missing from AT&T Park

If you're one of the many people that dispute Barry Bonds' "home run title," then this story may come as good news to you.

Just above the seats out in center field, a plaque with  the number 756 and Bonds' name that stood about 5 feet tall occupied the brick wall. But a few days ago many people had noticed that the sign was gone, leaving many to question whether or not the Giants were just trying to erase their past of Barry Bonds all together.

But Giants spokeswoman Staci Slaughter commented that the sign had in fact been stolen (somehow.) "We're in the process of replacing it," Slaughter said. "We're not sure what happened. We're reviewing video, but haven't found anything yet."

I'm not really sure how a ballpark with multiple cameras that operate 24 hours a day can't capture somebody stealing a 5 foot sign with a giant 756 on it. But maybe it's harder than it sounds, because it sounds incredibly easy to catch somebody doing this. Or the Giants just aren't that interested in persecuting whoever did this and they'd rather get a new sign.

But this whole case brings up an interesting point: Barry Bonds isn't very relevant around AT&T Park. The only sign is this one, and its been stolen but San Francisco doesn't seem too eager to replace it. Bonds isn't  only one of the greatest Giant players, but as far as statistics go one of the greatest to play baseball, ever. He hit his record breaking 756 home run at AT&T Park, won 7 MVP's, appeared in 14 all-star games, and is an 8-time Gold Glove winner. Yet there aren't any exhibits showcasing his legacy at the park. The Giants haven't even retired the home run king's number.

It's pretty obvious why this is. Bonds has been linked to steroids multiple times and ended up going to trial for it. In his last few seasons fans were booing him at home and throwing syringes at him. When he hit number 756, America didn't know whether to celebrate the moment in history or pretend it didn't happen. It was always expected that if anyone broke Hank Aaron's record, It would be one of those moments in history where everybody would remember where they were when it happened. I can say that I don't have any recollection of it, and it's really sad what the steroid era has done to baseball.

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Opinion: Why the Rockies Won't Be Relevant by the All-Star Break

The Colorado Rockies have sprung out to a 13-5 start this season and are sitting atop the NL West by 1.5 games. They're leading the National League in batting average .282 and are second to the Braves in homeruns, who are also 13-5. This comes as bad news to the rest of the NL West considering that the Giants pitching has been sub-par so far and the Dodgers are off to a slow start because of injuries and slumping players.

The main knock on the Rockies before the season was their pitching. With a starting rotation that was so bad last year that manager Jim Tracy (who was fired at the end of the season) had to switch to a four man rotation. It doesn't really help that they have to play 81 games in the very hitter friendly Coors Field. But this year Jhoulys Chacin is off to a 3-0 start, Jorge De La Rosa is 2-1, and the pitching staff as a whole has an ERA of 2.82.

But the reason the Rockies are doing so well is offense. Troy Tulowitzski is finally healthy, Carlos Gonzalez is raking, Cuddyer is productive as usual, and Josh Rutledge has proven that his rookie season wasn't a fluke. But the real catalyst is center fielder Dexter Fowler. He's long been a top prospect that showed all five tools but wasn't able to put it all together until last season. But entering his age 27 season, Fowler has shown off power with 7 HR's and maturity with a .348 OBP. Having a power threat at the top of the lineup that can get on base sets the table for the rest of the lineup.

Last season we saw the A's and Orioles get off to hot starts while people kept writing them off as "flukes." Now I may very well be wrong and fans in Denver could see their first playoff series since the 2007 season. But the keys to the Orioles and A's last season was pitching. Both teams had solid bullpens that kept leads late in the game, and the A's more than the O's had a solid pitching staff that shut down some of the best offenses in the game. The Rockies rotation is doing well right now, but there are some major holes that could prove to be faulty.

Number one starter Jorge De La Rosa, who would be a third starter on most other teams, has a 4.9 career ERA and pitched in less than 10 games last season due to injury. Jhoulys Chacin had a sub 4 ERA in 2010 and 2011, but last year he too was derailed by an injury and pitched only 69 innings. Juan Nicasio has an ERA above five THIS season, and I'm still trying to figure out why the Rockies re-signed Jeff Francis. The bullpen is very good though led by closer Rafael Betancourt.

If you look at the world series last year, both the Tigers and Giants had outstanding pitching staffs. With the evolution of pitchers and the fact that there's fresh, electric arms waiting in the bullpen at any moment, baseball has become the pitchers game. With this offenses will go through dry spells and slumps like usual, but dominant pitching staffs rarely go cold for long periods of time. Last season the Cleveland Indians were in the hunt for first place in the AL Central and had a record above .500, but their pitching was last in the MLB during the second half of the season and the team fell to a miserable 68-94.

The Rockies may have the most potent offense in the majors, especially playing in Coors Field. But they don't have a true number one starter on their team, and most of their pitchers are either injury prone or have a career ERA above 5. Don't get me wrong, I love cinderella teams that prove everyone wrong, I just don't think that the Rockies have the players to do that.

Opinion: What the Bobcats Should No Doubt Do If They Receive the Number One Pick

Once again the Bobcats are in prime position for the number one overall pick in the NBA draft. Only having made the playoffs once as a seventh seed in their nine year history, clearly a few things haven't gone the 'Cats way over the years.

Since their number one overall pick of Emeka Okafor, who's honestly an underrated NBA player in my eyes, drafting hasn't been much of a success. Let's take a look at the abilities of Jordan and his front office's drafting abilities.

2004 first round, first overall: Emeka Okafor
2005 first round, 5th overall: Raymond Felton
2006 first round, 3rd overall: Adam Morrison
2007 first round, 8th overall: Brandon Wright
2008 first round, 9th overall: DJ Augustin
2009 first round, 12th overall: Gerald Henderson
2010: No first round draft picks
2011 First round, 8th overall: Kemba Walker
2012 first round, 2nd overall: Michael Kidd Gilchrist

You'd think that four top five picks in eight years would result in more than one winning season. Top five picks should be atleast key role players on a team, if not a star or above average NBA player. But Okafor has jumped around from team to team, Felton has had two solid NBA seasons, Adam Morrison was one of the worst picks of all time, and Brandon Wright hasn't been anything special either. The last two picks, being Kidd-Gilchrist and Walker, have actually been solid picks even if it hasn't resulted to any success on the court yet, with Walker posting 18ppg this season while Kidd-Gilchrist has had a decent rookie campaign as well.

But this upcoming draft is going to be one of the worst ever, topping the draft of 2011 when Jan Vesely went 6th overall, so the lowly Bobcats won't have a turn-the-franchise-around type player to look forward to. But in my mind, the Bobcats should absolutely shoot to draft Nerlens Noel with the top pick, even if they need to trade up for the top pick. With Noel coming off a torn ACL, many are skeptical that the big man will be able to recover completely. But Noel isn't your typical around the basket player, averaging 10.5 points and 9.5 rebounds a game last season at Kentucky, while also showing that he can run the floor and has great stamina.

The Bobcats improved from 7 wins last season to 20 this year, showing that their recent draft picks have payed off, and they may have possibly found a decent coach. But they're not going to make the playoffs next year, no matter who they pick in this upcoming draft. So the no-brainer move would be to draft Noel, stash him for a year and rehab him so that he comes back better than ever. While doing this, they'll most likely do poorly next season and receive a lottery pick, allowing them to build off the nucleus of Noel, Kidd-Gilchrist, and Walker. If the 'Cats are serious about winning, then they need to be patient and acquire young players they can actually build around, unlike Adam Morrison.

Kobe Bryant Suffers Possible Career Ending Injury

Late in the fourth quarter of last night's game with the Lakers only down by two, Kobe Bryant sized up his defender, and drove right to the basket like he has hundreds, maybe thousands of times in his career. Only his left foot didn't want to go with him. Bryant was on the ground for a few minutes, then proceeded to step to the line, swish two free throws, and get helped off of the court. To an average spectator, the injury didn't look too bad considering that Bryant got up and limped off of the court.

But after finding out that his Achilles was completely ruptured, it was clear that Bryant wouldn't return this season, but now his hall of fame career has come into question. After training and working so hard on his body every offseason to play at such a high level even at his age 34 season is impressive. But he's not only played at a high level for a 34 year old, but for most players in their prime considering that Kobe's averaging above 25 points a game this season and has carried his team.

But Bryant has never been known for his patience. And early this morning, like 3:30 AM early he took to Facebook to vent out all of his frustration with the injury.

"This is such BS! All the training and sacrifice just flew out the window with one step that I've done millions of times! The frustration is unbearable. The anger is rage. Why the hell did this happen ?!? Makes no damn sense. Now I'm supposed to come back from this and be the same player Or better at 35?!? How in the world am I supposed to do that??

I have NO CLUE. Do I have the consistent will to overcome this thing? Maybe I should break out the rocking chair and reminisce on the career that was. Maybe this is how my book ends. Maybe Father Time has defeated me...Then again maybe not! It's 3:30am, my foot feels like dead weight, my head is spinning from the pain meds and I'm wide awake. Forgive my Venting but what's the purpose of social media if I won't bring it to you Real No Image?? Feels good to vent, let it out. To feel as if THIS is the WORST thing EVER! Because After ALL the venting, a real perspective sets in. There are far greater issues/challenges in the world then a torn achilles. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, find the silver lining and get to work with the same belief, same drive and same conviction as ever.

One day, the beginning of a new career journey will commence. Today is NOT that day.

"If you see me in a fight with a bear, prey for the bear". Ive always loved that quote. Thats "mamba mentality" we don't quit, we don't cower, we don't run. We endure and conquer.

I know it's a long post but I'm Facebook Venting LOL. Maybe now I can actually get some sleep and be excited for surgery tomorrow. First step of a new challenge.

Guess I will be Coach Vino the rest of this season. I have faith in my teammates. They will come thru.

Thank you for all your prayers and support. Much Love Always.

Mamba Out"

NBA players have returned from Achilles injuries in the past, with Dominique Wilkins, Elton Brand, and Chauncey Billups as its most recent notable examples, but none of these players returned to anywhere near their pre-injury level. Billups returned after a nine-month rehab earlier in 2012-13, but the veteran has been dealing with all manner of injury concerns in his comeback season. Isiah Thomas, at around the same age as Bryant, retired due to an Achilles tear.

This is Kobe Bryant though. This is the man who gave Los Angeles Laker fans something to lean on while Dwight Howard sulked, Mike D’Antoni fumed, Pau Gasol limped, and Steve Nash watched in street clothes from the sideline. After two shot-happy years in the wilderness between 2010 and 2012, he returned this season at age 34 to provide an efficient, reliable offensive game on knees that went pro during the Clinton Administration. Kobe Bryant doesn’t go out on a locally-televised game on a Friday night against Golden State. Kobe Bryant goes out after you call security (and their backups) to show him the door. If then, even. 

He'll be back. 

Here's a video of Kobe suffering the injury late in the fourth quarter.

Carlos Quentin Charges Mound After Being Hit By Pitch

On a 3-2 count in a one run game, Zack Grienke threw a pitch high and tight that hit Padres left fielder Carlos Quentin in the shoulder. Some words were exchanged after the pitch that led to Quentin charging the mound and tackling Grienke. Following close behind was catcher AJ Ellis, and closely behind him the two teams benches. The reason this is such a huge deal isn't just because there was a brawl, but because Grienke suffered a broken collarbone and will be out for 6-8 weeks. This is a major blow to the Dodgers, who signed Grienke to a $147 million dollar contract this offseason and is the ace of the staff.

Quentin, Grienke, and Ellis were all thrown out of the game, but Matt Kemp of the Dodgers wasn't too pleased with Quentin's actions. "I think Carlos Quentin went to Stanford," Kemp told reporters. "I heard there's some smart people at Stanford. That wasn't too smart."

Said Mattingly, "Nothing happens if he goes to first base like in baseball you know you do, because you know he's not throwing at you 3-2 in a 2-1 game. That's zero understanding of the game of baseball. He shouldn't play a game until Greinke can pitch."

Clayton Kershaw Hits Opening Day HR Off of Matt Cain

Tampa Bay Rays Mascot Holds Up Offensive Sign

During today's game at Tropicana Field in which the Rays played the Orioles, there was something a little more interesting that went on than the 6-3 score of the game that favored the Orioles.

Some fan went through the trouble of creating an inappropriate sign that was a to-do list of the Rays. First on the list was Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter who had his own television show for years until he was killed by a stingray in 2006 tragically. And second was the Rays winning a world series, which wasn't crossed off yet.

The team issued a statement on what happened shortly after the game. “Last night Rays mascot Raymond was handed an inappropriate sign brought to the game by a fan. Fans are welcome to bring signs into Tropicana Field provided they are not offensive. The Tampa Bay Rays regret that this particular sign was displayed in the ballpark, and we apologize for the lapse in judgment.”

Now one might ask, what the hell was the mascot thinking?! Was he trying to lose his job or did he just have an eight year-long grudge against the crocodile hunter, because this sign was offensive and pretty obvious that it was poking fun at someone's death. But RAYMOND, or whoever was inside the suit, holds up hundreds of signs a year, while also dancing around, taking pictures, and giving kids hugs. I'm sure it's gotten to the point where the mascot doesn't even look at the sign and just holds it up, because it's so hard to see inside those things and he probably never imagined it would be inappropriate. So hopefully the latter of the two reasons the sign was held up is true. But hey, maybe the crocodile hunter made a few enemies along the way and one just happened to be a mascot at a baseball game. Probably not, but one can always imagine.

Kobe Bryant Now Appreciates Former Foe

Last night in the Staples Center, Shaquille O'Neal became the ninth Laker ever to have his number retired. O'Neal played with Los Angeles from 1996-2004. Playing along side Kobe Bryant proved the two to be one of the best basketball duo's of all time, appearing in four straight NBA Finals and winning three of them.

But there was another side to the basketball susperstars' relationship. Bryant viewed O'Neal as out of shape and overweight, and questioned his leadership. O'Neal pointed out that he was the "big dog" on the team. He thought Bryant was selfish and didn't pass the ball enough. O'Neal would later say the biggest issues between the two were of the marketing variety. After falling to the Detroit Pistons in the 2004 NBA Finals, Bryant had enough when O'Neal compared him to Penny Hardway and the All-Star guard said there was "not a chance" they could play together again.

But in recent years the two have shared positive words about each other and have been seen laughing together. "I always remind him every time I see him," Bryant, who's won five championships with the Lakers, told Yahoo! Sports. "I saw him after the All-Star Game and said, 'How you doing, 'Four' ?' He said, 'Oh, you [expletive].' [Our relationship is] really good now. We have such a mutual respect for each other."

"The thing that I respected about him was when he stepped on the court he was ferocious. That's the thing we both had in common. Between those lines nothing could stop us," Bryant said. Despite the many issues, Bryant added that he "really, really learned a lot" during O'Neal's time with the Lakers from 1996-2004.

Lakers owner Jerry Buss was faced with a dilemma in 2004 after the two clearly stated they didn't want to be teammates any longer. His options: keep a dominant but older Shaq or the younger but cockier Kobe Bryant. O'Neal ended up being dealt to Miami for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant, and some picks. Bryant was re-signed the following day.

With whatever the past was, neither party could deny the fact that the other greatly helped in winning those championships. It's really a shame that when O'Neal had his moment in front of Laker nation with virtually everyone there from his years in LA and was giving his expected emotional yet comical speech, that Bryant couldn't be there. It's also a shame that the two had to be split up like children in a schoolyard fight, because they may have been the greatest duo ever and could have gotten even more rings. But instead we're forced to imagine what more they'd end up doing.