Marketing fail

Around the country, businesses are getting into the Olympic spirit. All over businesses are offering packaging featuring different Olympic themes and Powerade is no different. On one of their beverages they have a picture of MLS player Juan Agudelo and the words Olympic hopeful. Small problem is that the United State soccer team did not qualify for the Olympics, now that is what I call a marking fail. 

Prospects Plus: D'Backs Trevor Bauer makes MLB Debut

The 2011 MLB Draft class was highlighted by three top of the rotation type of pitchers: Gerrit Cole, Danny Hultzen, and Trevor Bauer. On Thursday night, Bauer became the first of the group to make their MLB debut. Bauer started against the Braves and went four innings, allowing 5 hits, 2 earned runs and walking 3 on 74 pitches. Bauer Debut Doesn't Dazzle, was the headline from The Bleacher Report. While ESPN story stated that Bauer has some work to do. Its only his first start so there is time. Over the next couple of years it will be interesting to see which of the three has the best pro career.

Pirlo for Ballon d'Or

The race for European Footballer of the year appears to be a two horse race: Messi and Ronaldo, but maybe there is a third player that deserves a look.

Last season Andrea Pirlo left AC Milan to sign with fellow Italian League superpower Juventus. The move paid off for the Old Lady and Pirlo. During the league season Pirlo was the midfield anchor that helped lead Juve to an undefeated season. That alone should put him near the top of the list for the European player of the year. People have to remember this was not a classic Juve team, which means he had to carry more of the load.

Now Pirlo is leading his beloved Italian national to team to success at Euro 2012. An average Italian team has made the semifinals with Pirlo leading the way. Pirlo has been their best player and his penalty against England will be remembered for years to come.



I know he has no chance but Pirlo should be considered. Anytime a player leads his team to an undefeated league season should be considered for this award.

RIP Jerome

It was 20 years ago today that the Eagles and the world lost Jerome Brown. RIP Big Man. You will never be forgotten.

I guess I need a new shirt

With JVR being traded to Toronto it's time for me to get a new shirt

Prospects Plus: The New Generation K

Almost 20 years ago, baseball insiders were buzzing about three over the top Mets pitching prospects that were supposed to take over baseball, Generation K. Bill Pulsipher, Jason Isringhausen, and Paul Wilson where billed as pitcher that were going to take over MLB. Injuries limited them and derailed most of their careers.

Fast forward to today and the Pirates are set to have three pitching prospects that will rival Generation K. The Pirates set of prospects include Jameson Taillon, Gerrit Cole and Mark Appel. The trio are set to rivals any groups of pitching prospects in the history of baseball.


Jameson Taillon, a 2010 first round pick, has an impressive arsenal of pitches. Taillon has  a fastball that already sits in the mid-90s with movement and a devastating curve ball — rated by most to be the two best pitches in his draft class— Taillon has two potentially plus-plus pitches in his arsenal. Taillon is currently pitching in Class A ball in the Florida State League.

Gerrit Cole (above), the first overall pick in 2011, features some of the best stuff currently  in the minors. To say Cole has outstanding stuff would be an understatement. His four-seam fastball sits 96-98 MPH touching 99 MPH frequently and occasionally flirting with triple digits. Cole attacks the zone with his four-seamer; he's not afraid to throw it up or down, inside or out. While he primarily uses his four-seamer, Cole also mixes in a two-seam fastball sitting 91-94 MPH with solid sink. His fastball command has improved greatly since his high school days and now is firmly above-average.It's very rare to say this about a pitcher who throw upper-90's, but Cole's fastball is not his best pitch; his changeup is. Coming in 83-86 MPH with rare late tumble, he has a true swing-and-miss changeup. Despite his curve flashing plus potential when he was in high school, Cole has shifted his focus to a slider in college. At its absolute best, Cole's slider flashes plus but it's more consistently a notch below that. His slider sits 86-88 MPH with above-average break, but the pitch is obviously still a little raw. Cole is currently in Double A and could be with the big club by the end of the season.

Mark Appeal, a 2012 first round pick, is one of the most complete pitchers in college baseball this year. Appeal has a fastball that sits in the mid-90 and an good breaking ball that is going to only get better. Because of his build some people compare him to Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain.

While nothing is guaranteed, the Pirates have the foundation to have one of the best pitching staffs in baseball in the next couple of years or they could end up like Generation K and give their struggling fan base shattered dreams.

OTWT NHL Mock Draft

It's draft time and here is OTWT mock NHL Draft. I think I get a couple right and a bunch wrong. 

1. Edmonton: Nail Yakupov, RW, Sarnia (OHL)

Filip Forsberg

2. Columbus: Filip Forsberg, RW, Sweden
3. Montreal: Alex Galchenyuk, Sarnia (OHL)
4. N.Y. Islanders: Ryan Murray, D, Everett (WHL)
5. Toronto: Mikhail Grigorenko, Quebec (QMJHL)
6. Anaheim: Matt Dumba, D, Red Deer (WHL)
7. Minnesota: Morgan Rielly, D, Moose Jaw (WHL)
8. Carolina: Radek Faksa, C, Kitchener (OHL)
9. Winnipeg: Griffin Reinhart, D, Edmonton (WHL)
10. Tampa Bay: Jacob Trouba, D, UNDP
11. Washington (from Colorado): Teuvo Teravainen, LW, Finland
12. Buffalo: Cody Ceci, D, Ottawa (OHL)
13. Dallas: Oli Maatta, D, Finland
14. Calgary: Hampus Lindholm, D, Sweden
15. Ottawa: Zemgus Girgensons, C, USHL
16. Washington: Derrick Pouliot, D, Portland (WHL)
17. San Jose: Sebastian Collberg, RW, Sweden
18. Chicago: Slater Koekkoek, D, Peterborough

Brady Skeji

19. Tampa Bay (from Detroit): Matthew Finn, D, Guelph (OHL)
20. Philadelphia: Brady Skeji, D, UNTDP
21. Buffalo (from Nashville): Malcom Subban, G, Belleville (OHL)
22. Pittsburgh: Thomas Wilson, RW, Guelph (OHL)
23. Florida: Thomas Herti, C, Czech
24. Boston: Brandon Gaunce, C, Belleville (OHL)
25. St. Louis: Stefan Matteau, Center, USHL
26. Vancouver: Michael Matheson, D, USHL
27. Phoenix: Tanner Pearson, LW, Berrie (OHL)
28. N.Y. Rangers: Phillip DiGiuseppe, RW, Michigan
29. New Jersey: Scott Laughton, C, Oshawa
30. Los Angeles (optional to Columbus): Ville Pokka, D, Fineland

Maybe David Duval has a future in TV

When I first started to get into golf, David Duval was my favorite golfer. After he won the British Open I was so happy for him, then the struggles started for the world number one golfer and you knew it was only a matter of time before he gave it up.


While I was at work last week, I put on ESPN3 so I could keep track of what was going on at the US Open at the Olympic Club and heard Duval working the telecast.Duval worked with ESPN’s Trey Wingo, host of the feature group coverage, with co-analyst Bill Kratzert and on-course reporter Mark Donaldson.

“TV is definitely something that’s interesting and intrigues me,” said Duval in a press release before the tournament started.. “I enjoy the game so much and I enjoy what’s going on in the game right now so much. The opportunity to do this presented itself and it worked out, so I thought this could be pretty fun.”

When I first heard it was him, I was a little surprised. During his time on the tour he was not the most quotable, but last week he seemed to be in his element. Duval gave some good insider type of points and was not sugar coating things at all, which was good to see. At one point, the crew was talking about Phil Mickelson's short game and someone said that he had the best short game on tour. Duval shot back saying that Tiger had the best short game because he was more consistent with those type of shots.

Its interesting to see Duval in the booth, but with a little work he could be a good one. He will never be Johnny Miller when it comes to be outspoken but he could be a really commentator Its just going to take some work.

The Cover Story: The Group of Death

Yesterday the Group of Death of Euro 2012 wrapped up and it was full of drama. Ronaldo, answered his detractors, and shot Portugal into the knockout stages while the Dutch flamed out. The German cruised and won the group, while former European Champion Denmark was sent home. Here is how newspapers in each country covered the events

Netherlands

Denmark

Germany

Portugal

Could Nick Powell be the Ronnie?

Not saying this is a fair comparison but some suggest that newly signed Manchester United player Nick Powell could be the next Cristiano Ronaldo. Interesting to see the similarities, but Powell as a long way to go to live up to that comparison.

It's big news in Philly

When is the president of an NFL resigning front page news, only in Philly. On Thursday the Philadelphia Inquire ran their story on the front and then on Friday the Philly Daily News ran it on their front page. Two days of fun.

OTWT MLB Draft notebook

The first round of the MLB Draft was full of surprises and here is how OTWT say it.
• Surprised the Astros went with Correa. It's clear they went with the player with the largest upside. Stud middle infielders are hard to find.
• Mark Appel and Gerrit Cole that is not going to be a bad one two punch on the mound for the Pirates.
• MLB Network needs to stop putting Harold Reynolds on their draft coverage he adds nothing to the show.I hate the fact that he loves every pick.
• Love the fact that Courtney Hawkins did a back flip during the draft. Nice touch.
• Lucas Giolito is your typical Nationals pick high ceiling type player. Mike Rizzo is not scared of taking chances on players with issues. See Matt Purke.
• Nats last four first rounders: Strasburg, Harper, Rendon and Giolito. Not bad at all.
• Love when Gammons talks draft. Makes my day.

Time for lift off for Belgium

About six years ago, Croatia came on to the world stage, could Belgium be set to the do the same. Lead by a talented group of young attacking players, Belgium are ready to take flight. They could be a fun team to watch during the next world cup.

OTWT MLB Mock Draft

For the second year in a row the OTWT Scouting Staff has been locked up going over the top prospect in the MLB Draft. Here is our mock draft for the opening round of the Rule 4 Draft. First round:


1. Houston Astros: Byron Buxton, OF, Georgia HS

2. Minnesota Twins: Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford
3. Seattle Mariners:Kyle Zimmerman, RHP, San Francisco
4. Baltimore Orioles: Kevin Gausman, RHP, LSU
5. Kansas City Royals: Mike Zunino, C, Florida




6. Chicago Cubs: Albert Almora, OF, Texas High School
7. San Diego Padres: Marcus Stroman, RHP, Duke
8. Pittsburgh Pirates: Carlos Correa, SS, Puerto Rico
9. Miami Marlins: David Dahl, OF, Oklahoma HS
10. Colorado Rockies: Micheal Wacha, RHP, Texas A&M
11. Oakland Athletics: Max Fried, LHP, California High School
12. New York Mets: Devin Marrero, SS, Arizona State
13. Chicago White Sox: Andrew Heaney, LHP, Oklahoma State
14. Cincinnati Reds: Chris Stratton, RHP, Mississippi State
15. Cleveland Indians: Richie Shaffer, 3B, Clemson
16. Washington Nationals: Lucas Giolito, RHP, California HS
17. Toronto Blue Jays: Courtney Hawkins, OF, Texas HS





18. Los Angeles Dodgers: Gavin Cecchini, SS, Lousianna HS
19. St. Louis Cardinals (A. Pujols – LAA): Lance McCullers Jr, RHP, Florida HS
20. San Francisco Giants: Nick Travieso, RHP, Florida HS
21. Atlanta Braves: DJ Davis, OF, Mississippi HS
22. Toronto Blue Jays (T. Beede – unsigned): Ty Hensley, RHP, Oklahoma HS
23. St. Louis Cardinals: Victor Roache, OF, Georgia Southern
24. Boston Red Sox: J.O. Berrios, RHP, Puerto Rico
25. Tampa Bay Rays: Matt Smoral, LHP, Ohio HS
26. Arizona Diamondbacks:Corey Seager, 3B, North Carolina HS
27. Milwaukee Brewers (P. Fielder – DET): Addison Russell, SS, Florida HS
28. Milwaukee Brewers: Stephen Piscotty, 3B, Stanford
29. Texas Rangers:Lucas Sims, RHP, Georgia HS
30. New York Yankees: Stryker Trahan, C, Lousianna HS





31. Boston Red Sox (J. Papelbon – PHI):Tyler Naquin, OF, Texas A&M

It's draft time at the OTWT Headquarters

The MLB, NHL, and NBA drafts are right around the corner and the previews magazines are here.

Is lacrosse on the down slide

Over the weekend the NCAA held their lacrosse championship in Foxboro, Mass. The event was lowest draw since 2002. Does this main lacrosse's popularity is falling. Inside Lacrosse takes a look at the attendance and what changes could be coming. Was some the lack of attendance because of lack of area schools or is it at trend. I think that is the question that needs to be answered.

Cover Story: Loyola finally does it

After years of playing second fiddle to Hopkins and Maryland, Loyola has finally had their day in the sun Monday. The Greyhounds beat Maryland to claim their first National Championship in lacrosse. Here is how the front page of the Baltimore Sun covered the events in Foxboro.

From Baby Faced Assassin to title winning manager

Over the last couple of weeks Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been rumored to make a return to England to manage Aston Villa but that appears to have fallen apart. In one year in his native Norway Solskjaer has brought his home town team a title and become one Fergie's fledgling. Of all of Fergie's former players Ole might have the brightest future as a manger and could one day find himself in the Old Trafford hot seat.

Maybe Phillies fans are threatened by the Nats

For the last couple of years, I have split a 16 game plan with a bunch of people to Citizens Bank Park. As a Nats fan I always took the Nationals game.

When I used to go I would wear my Nationals hat and shirt and no one would say a world. Phillies fans thought very little of the Nats and why should they we were a terrible team. Usually people would ask I became a Nationals fan and why I would put myself through it.

Now it's a different story. On Monday I went to the Phillies/Nationals game with my father in law. I was wearing my Bryce Harper Harrisburg Senators shirt and the whole game people were giving me crap. Boy have times changed.

I guess the fact that Phillies fans are giving me crap about it means that they are scared of us. The next couple of years are going to be interesting.

Professional Tailgating: Bryce Harper meet Philly

The rivalry between the Nats and Phillies might be ready to kick off. On Monday night, the OTWT Tailgating crew headed to the Nats Phillies game to cheer on the Nationals. Here are some of the sights and sounds from the game.

Pregame meal, a Tony Luke's Pulled Pork sandwich 

Bryce Harper is introduced for his first at bat in Philly 

Harper gets a hit in his first at bat in Philly

Man of the hour, Bryce Harper standing in right field.