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Do The Rockies Have Enough To Take Overtake The World Series Champions?

The 2011 MLB season kicked off for the Colorado Rockies just a few minutes ago. And for Jim Tracy's club, it couldn't have come soon enough.

"There's an air about (our players), the way they go about their business, that strongly suggests to me they realize some very special places we've been together over the past few years," Tracy said this week.

After pulling to within a game of the NL West lead by mid-September, Colorado completely fell apart, losing 13 of their final 14 games and missing out on the playoffs altogether.

Knowing there they didn't need an overhaul, the Rockies didn't make wholesale, panic-induced changes this offseason. The shipped Clint Barmes and Miguel Olivo out of town and brought in a few free agents, but the core of this team is in tact. And throughout Major League Baseball, there might not be a better collection of young superstars, a collection that will lead to the franchise's first-ever NL West Crown. 

By now, everyone knows that Ubaldo Jimenez is a stud, there are MVP candidates on the roster in Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez, and a borderline Hall of Famer in Todd Helton.

But, as MLB.com's Thomas Harding suggested, one player might be the most will be responsible for avoiding another September/October swoon and carrying the club into late October: Closer Hudson Street.

"Street converted 35-of-37 save chances in '09. He did miss much of September because of injury, and left-hander Franklin Morales handled the job during that time. But Morales couldn't fit the bill when Street missed the first 69 games of '10 with shoulder problems and various setbacks during his rehab, and the club suffered a number of close losses."

Especially at home, the Rockies will grab a few leads with their powerful lineup. It's going to be key that the bullpen hangs. That's not exactly original thinking, but it's true.

The other four clubs in the NL West might not be blessed with tremendous offense, but the Dodgers, Padres, and obviously the Giants have great arms throughout their rotation. That should translate to plenty of low scoring affairs. If Street is able to protect those leads in crunch time, it will translate to a few extra victories. Just enough to push the club into the division's top spot and keep them there. 

For more on MLB, see Diamonds Are Forever: Future Is Bright for These 25 Players

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Who Among Today's Sports Icons Will Follow Ali's Model?

In February Muhammad Ali, arguably the greatest professional boxer of all time, contacted the Iranian government in an effort to free the two American hikers taken hostage as suspected spies near the Iraqi border.

"Please show the world the compassion I know you have in your heart," the converted Muslim wrote to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamene. 

This wasn't the first time Ali reached out to an Islamic country on a humanitarian mission. Back in 1990, just before to the First Gulf War, Ali asked Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein to release hostages being held at the American embassy. Far earlier in Ali's public life he was a strong advocate against the Vietnam War, a political stance that cost him his World Heavyweight title.

Most people remember him for the knocking out Sonny Liston, the "Rumble in the Jungle" and his three epic fights with Joe Frazier, but he's been a United States ambassador of peace for over 40 years.

In the decades to come more such ambassadors will surface and work towards peaceful or humanitarian causes.

But will any of them come from today's American sports world?

Although there are countless "great human beings" in sports, and literally hundreds who devote time and money to charities, no one really comes to mind. Certainly the 1960s, when Ali's humanitarian spirits went global, Americans were more active and political. And while there is plenty of protesting and public outcry about the wars and other socio-political issues, I assume "Children of the '60s" comparing those times to today is apples-to-oranges.

Still, I wish I could point to someone in today's sporting world who has the type of "higher calling" epitomized by Ali. Again, there are great, wonderful people in American sports today who do great and wonderful things: we routinely see images of star athletes visiting the troops. Furthermore the tradition of politics and athletes continues on today: from Jim Bunning to Steve Largent to Heath Shuler. And clearly Tom Brady has the face of a Sentator someday.

But no one in today's American sports world seems destined to pick up where Ali will one day leave off. Well, except for maybe Tim Tebow.

For more on MLB, see Diamonds Are Forever: Future Is Bright for These 25 Players

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Who Earned The Mr. March Honors Yesterday?

A young, narrow lefty in Dodger Blue who shuts out the rival Giants on Opening Day? Let the Sandy Koufax comparisons begin.

Clayton Kershaw was outstanding last night in his debut against the defending World Series champions. So let's give him the Cy Young Award since he's on track to win 35 or 40 games and post a 0.00 ERA.

That's the kind of trouble we run into after 1-of-162 days work. Jason Heyward is on pace to hit 162 home runs!

Of course that's all ridiculous. But Opening Day did give us a great sample of what to expect in 2011.

Derek Lowe looked far from "over the hill" when he yielded just three hits in 5 2/3 shutout innings. The Kansas City Royals could have used Zack Greinke's services at Kauffman Stadium after starter Luke Hochever allowed nine hits in 5 2/3 innings. And the concerns that Albert Pujols (0-for-5 last night in a loss to San Diego) and his precarious contract status could prove costly for the looked valid after one game.

But the real surprise superstar emerged in Cincinnati, a fitting place since the Queen City hosts Opening Day as a tradition dating back to 1869.

Through eight innings Cincinnati seemed to have a worthy contender for NL Central crown as the visiting Brewers led the Reds 6-3 going into the bottom of the ninth. Milwaukee's start Yovani Gallardo and the bullpen shut down a pretty potent lineup until the Reds cut the lead to two thanks to a single, walk, and sac fly.

And with two runners on  and two outs, catcher Ramon Martinez--who came to the plate with three hits already--clubbed the game winning homer of John Axford.

Since Hernandez has only hit 12 home runs in the previous two seasons, that was a pretty big shocker.

For more on MLB, see Diamonds Are Forever: Future Is Bright for These 25 Players

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Will Augusta National Spark Tiger Woods Rebirth?

Tiger Woods greatest pursuit has always been Jack Nicklaus record for major championships.

And recently Woods stated that he is still cerrtain that he will surpass the Golden Bear's 18 majors.

“I know I can do it,” Woods said. “I just need to put all the pieces together and get it done.”

People will parse out those words however they like: confidence or denial.

And if he slips on a fifth green jacket next Sunday or Monday at Augusta National, websites and newspapers will no doubt use the trite "Tiger Roars Back!" or, worse yet, "Tiger Earns his Stripes!"

Now that's a tall order since he hasn't won in over a year, hasn't won a major in almost three, and has had his personal and professional life shaken up beyond recognition.

But it's certainly possible. He still has the length, he does not have to be terribly accurate off the tee to contend, and with his experience and history has an advantage on the tough greens at Augusta.

Such a win would put him at 15 majors, only four behind surpassing Nicklaus. Since he's only 35--for comparison's sake, Nicklaus won six majors after turning that age--it's within his reach.

And I still do think he's going to pass the magical 19. But a win at Augusta will hardly be enough to say he's back on track. Fluke major champions are a rich part of the game's history: how else would anyone know the name Sam Parks, Shaun Micheel, or Larry Mize?

So don't be surprised to see Tiger piece together a great weekend at Augusta, win the Masters, then struggle through the rest of the season. Augusta--where he is so comfortable--isn't a typical course on the PGA circuit and when he heads to Congressional in June and Royal St. George's in July, he's going to face courses he's played far less often.

For more on the PGA Tour, see "Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12" Review: Does the Masters Make a Difference?

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Atlanta Hawks Legend Sadly Often Forgotten These Days

Dominique Wilkins is a hot topic in sports circles right now. That will happen when you're physically attacked by a former league referee outside an NBA arena following a game.

It made for a wacky situation and was naturally fodder for the web. 

But it's a bit sad that it took such bizarre circumstances for people to put his name (and photos of that awesome, vintage late 1980s, early 1990s lat top hair cut) back in circulation.

Wilkins never won an NBA title--in fact he never made it to the Eastern Conference Finals--but he was a truly great player nonetheless. He won an NBA scoring title, was a nine-time All Star, and is one of only six players in league history to average 25 or more points per game for ten consecutive seasons.

And his dunks (twice he won the NBA's Slam Dunk Contest championship) kept him neck in neck with Michael Jordan during the late 1980s for the league's top highlight producer....that's how he earned his nickname, "The Human Highlight Film."

Still--right or wrong--we measure success in team sports by championships. Just look at Dan Marino or Ernie Banks, both were true legends, but because neither won a title, there will always be a glaring omission on their resume.

On some level, that's justified. For all his dunks and 55-point games, Jordan's greatest legacy is his six NBA titles in eight years. Joe Montana's is his four Super Bowls. But it shouldn't detract from the individual greatness of any one player such as Wilkins.

Look at it this way. LeBron James tenure in Miami will ultimately be judged by how many titles he wins. And he very well win zero. But that doesn't mean his individual greatness as a performer and athlete is any less true.

Like LeBron is today, Wilkins gave us several years of great, memorable plays and games, even if he didn't deliver Atlanta a NBA title.

For more on the NBA see, The Top 10 Players Who Have Won NBA and NCAA Titles

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All Time Great Defender Deserves Spot In Hall of Fame

Dennis Rodman is an odd duck. No further explanation needed. And in the end, that might turn out to the most indelible mark he made on the NBA and the professional sports world.

But it would be a real shame if the dresses, his love life, his suspensions, and his hair colors were to overshadow Rodman's remarkable achievements on the hardwood.

Although after his sophomore season, Rodman never averaged even double-digit points, he was an integral part of five NBA Championship teams.

As one of the "enforcers" on the Bad Boy Pistons of the late 1980s, Rodman won a pair of rings followed by a pair of NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards. And, after a very successful two-year stint in San Antonio with the Spurs and David Robinson, he was the perfect replacement for Horace Grant to helped Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen complete a second three-peat of the decade. 

Despite limited gifts--he was only 6'7", routinely fighting players in the paint half a foot taller and 50 pounds heavier--he turned himself into the league's greatest rebounder, leading the league four times, and averaging more per game than any players of his generation.

Few players have ever been as accomplished and few as troubled. And ultimately it could cost him a spot where he truly belongs: Springfield, Massachusetts.

"Last year, Rodman didn't even make it to the finalist stage, an amazing consideration for someone who had an important role on five championship teams, was voted first- or second-team All-Defense by coaches for eight consecutive seasons, twice was selected the Defensive Player of the Year by the media and set a record by leading the league in rebounding seven seasons in a row," NBA.com's Scott Howard-Cooper writes. "The only possible explanation was that enough voters were turned off by the number of times he also led the league in antics."

For more on the NBA see, The Top 10 Players Who Have Won NBA and NCAA Titles