Josh Hamilton may well be the most talented baseball player on the planet. The man spent 3 years playing no baseball and now has a decent chance at the first Triple Crown since 1967. During this years Home Run Derby, his perfect swing led to 28!!! homers in one round. Josh Hamilton's story is interesting and to a point, unbelievable. The one thing it isn't, inspirational.

Continue-

The NBA Draft is in the books. As is the case every year, some teams get better, some stay about the same and others become, much, much worse. The draft is traditionally a time for underachieving teams to add players to their roster and avoid returning to the lottery the following offseason. Unfortunately, some GM's (I'm looking at you Mr. Jordan) have shown little or no interest in the process. These five teams listed can add better pieces through free agency and trades, but as they have shown in the past, personnel moves are not their strong point.

5. Memphis Grizzlies

PG: Mike Conley Jr. SG: OJ Mayo.

SF: Rudy Gay. PF: Antoine Walker.

C: Darko Milicic.

It could be a lot worse. Acquiring OJ Mayo adds some credibility to the team. Rudy Gay was very good last year as well. From there however, it's all downhill. Conley was just a rookie last year, but did not show NBA starter ability. At 6?1", 170 lbs, he may never be able to defend at the NBA level. If he does not pan out, the Grizzlies do have three backups. So sit tight, Javaris Crittenton, Kyle Lowry and Marko Jaric's awful contract, you may get your chance. Antoine Walker is fat and averaged 3.6 boards a game last year. And then there is the potty mouthed bust of the century, Darko Milicic, who took that wonderful distinction from teammate Kwame Brown. This is easily the worst front court in the NBA.

4. Sacramento Kings

PG: Beno Udrih. SG: Kevin Martin.

SF: Fransisco Garcia. PF: Mikki Moore.

C: Brad Miller.

I have listed Garcia as the starting SF amid reports that Ron Artest will be opting out of his contract. Well, at least Kevin Martin can score in bunches. He's going to have to. The only other NBA level starter on this team is Brad Miller. Beno Udrih, who was released by the Spurs, should not be starting for anyone. I like Francisco Garcia as a sixth or seventh guy, certainly not as a second scoring option. Mikki Moore, the former NBDL All-Star, should be an energy guy off the bench. GM Geoff Petrie's moves have been atrocious the last two years, adding Spencer Hawes and Jason Thompson in the draft and trading Mike Bibby for megabust Shelden Williams.

3. Indiana Pacers.

PG: TJ Ford. SG: Mike Dunleavy.

SF: Danny Granger. PF: Troy Murphy.

C: Rasho Nesterovich.

Larry Bird has shaped this roster in his image. His image being a white guy. While this team will probably make the playoffs in the East, they will get eaten alive by any physical team. TJ Ford is 5?10?, can't shoot and is a flagrant foul away from a career ending injury. Mike Dunleavy did average 19 ppg last year, but also took 14 shots a game. If your team relies on Mike Dunleavy to take 14 shots a game, then your team sucks. Danny Granger is terrific and I wish my team had him. Troy Murphy has heavily regressed from the 14-10 player he was three years ago and Rasho Nesterovich might be the worst starter in the league. Then again, Nesterovich is just a place holder for eventual (ducking a punch from Harvey) Super Stiff Roy Hibbert.

For the top spot, we have a tie...

1a. New York Knicks.

PG: Stephon Marbury. SG: Jamal Crawford.

SF: Danilo Gallinari. PF: Zach Randolph.

C: Eddy Curry.

There are two qualifiers regarding the Knicks. First, there is more talent here than on many NBA teams. However, the talent in overshadowed by the player's incredible flaws. which is that they comically mismatched for Coach Mike D'Antoni's style. Secondly, over the next two years, cap room is more important than winning. The Knicks will gladly take on lesser players now if it means signing LeBron, Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh in 2010. Marbury has certainly had his problems, though the Knicks have to hold on to him all year to clear his monster cap figure. Zach Randolph is a tremendous talent who is just too much of an asshole to realize it. Eddy Curry can be a dominant offensive player in the paint but still seems completely unwilling to jump for a rebound or play defense. Crawford and Gallinari should fit very well in D'Antoni's system. Look for fan favorite David Lee to be traded for an experienced point guard.

1b. New Jersey Nets.

PG: Devin Harris. SG: Vince Carter.

SF: Bobby Simmons. PF: Yi Jianlian.

C: Brook Lopez.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the softest lineup in the history of the NBA. I know there is talent here, but it is like the Nets went out of their way to construct a team that would softer than the Liberty. Brook Lopez loves Mickey Mouse, Sex and the City and Michael Jackson. It is not a steal when it is obvious why a pick fell to you. Yi, a 7 foot three point shooter won't provide Brook with the defensive cover his brother did. Bobby Simmons has been awful since hoodwinking his way into his current contract. Vince Carter, who dogged his way out of Toronto, is a disgrace. When 180 pound Devin Harris is the toughest player in your starting lineup, you have problems. This is what happens when you indiscriminately trade your two best players for the first offer you get. And for those fans who say the Nets are just clearing cap to land LeBron might want to check out some of the countless lawsuits aimed at keeping them out of Brooklyn. No Brooklyn, no LeBron.

My signed Greg Oden t-shirt needs a partner.

There are plenty of baseball fans shaking their heads at the Mets firing of Willie Randolph today. Fans from other cities wonder why Willie is to blame for the Mets collapse. The players are the one's who win or lose, aren't they? Well of course they are. Managers, however are in place for a reason. There are reasons why managers like Joe Torre, Bobby Cox, Tony LaRussa and Jim Leyland consistently win. They have the respect of their players and know how to properly motivate them. They make the right moves when they go to the bullpen or the bench for a pinch hitter. Willie consistently failed in all of these respects. Though the team went 302-253 during Randolph's tenure was despite him, not because of him.

The Mets treatment of Randolph over the past 3 weeks has been horrid. The man should have been fired over Memorial Day Weekend rather than twisting in the wind like he has. In the long run, though, the Mets have done Randolph a favor. The scrutiny of his treatment by the organization has overshadowed the scrutiny of Randolph's ability as a manager. The media has created him to be a sympathetic figure. Randolph has helped himself by being candid and taking the ill treatment in good humor. I believe this 3 weeks period will help Randolph get another managerial job. When teams look back at his tenure in New York they will look at his record, his division title and his .544 winning percentage. The constant puzzling bullpen decisions, the battle with fans, including an allegation of racism and the utter failure to lead his team through a spot of adversity for an entire year will be forgotten. Remember, when the Mets hired Randolph, it was his 11th interview for a managerial job. But he will get another one, because of the last three weeks.

The Bills waived injured Tight End Kevin Everett on Tuesday. Everett's injury was obviously career ending, so being placed on waivers allows him to seek long term disability payments as well as an NFL Pension. Good news for Everett, but better news for Tirico Suave, since the mere mention of Everett allows us to post one of the better videos in the history of the world.

Congratulations to Ron Simmons, formerly Farooq, formerly an Acolyte (good God, that's the Acolytes music!!!) and formerly a Nose Guard for Florida State. Seems he was pretty good at the latter as he has been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Here is a Simmons vs. JBL Action Figure match...

A Tennessee Grand Jury has indicted Tyrone Calico. Surprisingly, it had nothing to do with a Class Action Lawsuit filed by incensed former fantasy owners. It has something to do with drunk driving or whatnot. How are you 6-4 and run a 4-3 and have career totals of 42 catches for 501 yards and 4 touchdowns? How is that possible Tyrone!!!???!!!

This is going to be the year I don't talk myself into the Jets first round pick. The Tannenbaum/Mangini era has been ok, I have no problem with Revis, Mangold or Ferguson. But these bastards aren't going to pull the wool over my eyes with another DeWayne Robertson or Bryan Thomas or Kyle Brady or Blair Thomas (AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH). They made some positive moves in the off-season and if they get the right guy here, hello playoffs. In that vein, there is only one acceptable guy and that is Darren McFadden. If they don't get McFadden the season is basically over. I'm not even going to watch.

Well, I guess McFadden won't necessarily be there when they pick. They should trade up and ensure they get him. But if they can't trade up, I guess Vernon Gholston would be ok. Look at all that potential! If he ends up being another Shawne Merriman type (without the steroids or douchebaggery), it would be pretty awesome. Yeah, I guess I'd be ok if they drafted Gholston.

Well, maybe Gholston and McFadden will both be gone. But in that case, Chris Long will almost definitely be there. And Chris Long fits this team better than even McFadden. So I guess I really wouldn't have a problem with Chris Long. He'd be a definite upgrade over David Bowens.

But what if McFadden, Gholston and Long are all gone. Then I would have to assume Matt Ryan would be available. Now, I don't think Kellen Clemens had a fair shot last year, considering how bad the line was. How does Thomas Jones get a free pass and Clemens doesn't. And the talk that the Jets can't make the Playoffs with Chad Pennington is obviously crap since they've done it three times and would've been in the AFC Championship game if Doug Brien could make a kick. But what if Matt Ryan becomes a Carson Palmer type. I guess you would have to take a shot with that type of upside.

And if Ryan, McFadden, Long and Gholston are all gone, the Jets should trade down and cut their losses.

But if they can't trade down and cut their losses, I would be ok with Leodis McKelvin. He is a very good corner and other than Darrelle Revis, corner is a disaster for the Jets. He is a dynamite kick returner too. You put him together with Kerry Rhodes and Darrelle Revis, that's a potentially dominant defensive backfield. You'd almost be stupid not to make that pick.

But McKelvin is kind of soft. He covers well, but doesn't tackle well. If the Jets don't like McKelvin, I would be ok with Dominique Rogers-Cromartie. He is a better athlete. And his cousin is Antonio Cromartie. If the Jets had Antonio Cromartie that would be great. He doesn't really return kicks, but the whole dominant backfield thing still stands. I would be ok if they drafted Cromartie.

You know who's rocketing up the draft boards? Derrick Harvey. Remember how dominant he was in the National Championship game in '07? Gholston was nowhere near that good against LSU. Maybe Harvey is better than Gholston. I know he's kind of a fringey top ten guy, but how about that potential. I'd be ok if they took Harvey.

So if the Jets don't take one of those seven guys, they are totally screwing up this draft. If they try to sneak anyone of those seven by me, I'm not going to buy it.

Well, I guess Keith Rivers would fill a hole at OLB.

Nothing has changed the sports journalism landscape more than the popularity of sports blogs. I am sure many of you have realized that some of the lesser known bloggers on the interwebs seem to be significantly more entertaining than those on TV and in the papers. Major media sources don't really give sports fans options. They throw certain personalities on the screen and demand that you accept it. The introduction of the internet and sports blogs in particular has changed that. Sports junkies are now more in control of the content that they want to read, watch and listen to. The next generation of sports journalists are going to have to appeal to more than the aw shucks Mid-Westerners that ESPN, FOX and other sources seem to believe we all are. Unfortunately, these nine have slipped through the cracks.

9. Lee Corso. This may be more of an SEC gripe than a national gripe. Corso is incredibly opinionated and delivers his projections with utter confidence. The problem is, he is wrong about 90% of the time. Doesn't matter. ESPN continues to trot him out there every year. Just remember, Lee Corso is the kiss of death. If he picks your team to win on College Game Day, there is no point in watching. Just toss on L in your teams stat column.

Another big scoop here at Tirico Suave as we were able to get our hands on the email that Knicks GM and coach Isiah Thomas was recently asked to pen at the behest of new president of basketball operations, Donnie Walsh. It makes for quite a compelling read, so we decided to pass it along to our readers.

â€"â€" Original Message â€"-

From: Isiah Thomas

To: Donnie Walsh

Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2008 1:03:30 PM

Subject: re: Explanation Of The Worst Season In Franchise History

Dear Donnie,

I would just like to thank you for giving me this opportunity to explain my side of things. Like I said this past January, my goal is and has always been to leave behind a championship legacy, and I truly believe we are heading in that direction and I plan to prove that to you here. By the way, all that "Please call me Mr. Walsh" stuff was hilarious, a great ice breaker.

(continue)

Original Story: http://www.tiricosuave.com/2008/04/11/is....

CJ Wilson is not only a low cost saves option but quite a free spirit as well. An avowed California Democrat, Wilson was recently asked why MLB players care little about the election. His answer, "Come on man you have to admit the median or average guy in a baseball clubhouse does drive an SUV, drinks beer, golfs, likes college sports, chews or dips tobacco and is relatively a d**chebag." He is essentially right and it's always nice to see a player refer to his peers in such a way.

Continuing his quest to become the next Turk Wendell, Wilson is also working on the gyroball. He is looking to become the first American pitcher to throw the pitch in a game. This guy will definitely find his way into my fantasy clubhouse this year.

So this douchebag named Tripp Isenhour (it has to be impossible to be named Tripp and not be a douche), is a professional golfer. He was filming a segment called, "Shoot Like a Pro," when a endangered hawk began to make noise. Angry about the noise ruining his take, he started hitting golf balls at the hawk from 300 yards away. When the hawk came within about 75 yards, he got excited and started ripping shots at the bird, finally hitting it in the head and killing it.

To me, this is as bad as the Michael Vick thing. This guy did this in front of 15 people and took a sadistic joy in killing an animal for messing with his tv show. I would hope that all 15 of his regular viewers are appalled. Plus, it was a freaking hawk. Hawks are awesome. The penalty carries a maximum sentence of 14 months in prison. Lets hope they send Tripp to the same one as Mike Vick.

It is NFL Mock Draft season and every sports website has their projections out. Fans are pumped about the players their teams may select, but with only so many athletes to choose from, the mocks can get a little bit boring. So we here at Tirico Suave figured we'd expand the talent pool a little bit. Now your team can draft football-playing characters from movies and TV.

So without further ado, I present to you the very first Tirico Suave 2008 Fictional Character Draft. Click through to read where we have Forrest Gump, Billy Bob and Steve Lattimer slotted to go in the draft.

The NBA is ready to lift its suspension on Chris "The Birdman" Anderson. When he is off the yak, Anderson is quite an effective guy off the bench. He is expected to resign with the Hornets, pending a physical. Maybe he can redeem himself in the 2009 Dunk Contest.

The Jets have agreed to trade DeWayne Robertson to the Bengals for a 4th and 5th round pick. Considering this is close to the value far superior tackles such as Kris Jenkins and Marcus Stroud went for, the Jets are making out like bandits here. Did I mention Robertson makes 9 mil a year and the Jets wont be picking any of that up? This helps to make up for the picks the Jets gave up to get Kris Jenkins and also clears up more cap room to complete their roster overhaul.