Bleacher Report - Articles by JJ Gilliam

Spring Fling: Down South with the St. Louis Cardinals

JJ Gilliam — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 17:36:29 -0500

Spring Training brings many fond memories of the year to come and all that it may bring. I was fortunate enough to make it down in 2006 and had no inkling that by the end of the season St. Louis would be crowned World Champs. But maybe that had something to do with the way the trip happened in the first place...

...the idea for the trip wasn't mine and more thinking should have been involved. I had never been to Florida, however, so any rational thoughts went out the window.

Hopefully my former company never reads this because I did use a rental car they paid for during the classes I was attending.

Where was I? Oh, back to the real story. I was a government contractor at the time and was training on an Army base in Georgia with a group of soldiers (names have been removed to protect the innocent—I always wanted to say that).

One of the soldiers was a huge Cardinals supporter like me, and we talked about what to do between the three-day break between classes. It was the end of February, and he suggested that STL spring training was in full gear. I have never been one to turn down a road trip, so that was the end of the planning phase.

Wisdom now shows me that grabbing a map or looking up the entire trip in advance would have proved much, much smarter. We drove throughout the day and night before realizing just how far Palm Beach is and thus were extremely tired upon arrival. The forecast was also calling for rain, giving us very little time to make plans.

After a quick nap at the Holiday Inn, we rushed over to the stadium in hopes of pictures and possible autographs. The sun was barely coming out and the skies were looking dreary that morning. We were not going to be deterred though and quickly were in awe of the scene.

Minor league pitchers and catchers dominated the scene at first, and Bryan Anderson was our first target. He was handling much of the catching duties and looked to be in mid-April form at the least. By the time we ventured over to the main diamond, Brad Thompson was taking batting practice with many of the other pitchers.

Thompson never stopped smiling and interacted with all of us who kept giving him encouragement throughout the session. WonderBrad never did look comfortable hacking away, but you could tell he was just happy to be with the likes of Carp and Izzy.

While the players got my attention, it was my friend who noticed the spectators getting out their rain gear and umbrellas. It wasn't long before the skies opened up, and we were left to ponder if our trip was to be short-lived. I did grab a baseball, not caring one bit that it was soaked.

It was not looking good for us, especially when the majority of the players passed us to go inside. Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen, and Jim Edmonds all waved but wouldn't stop, and I don't blame them. Florida rain is very cold, and we were forced to make our way towards the car. The plan was to hit the souvenir shop on our way out, but that almost didn't happen.

I think it was a Saturday, and the shop closed early due to season ticket-holder day or something like that. We knocked and were able to talk our way in, probably due to being wet and looking pathetic. I takes em any way I can gets em, and the rain ended up being the only thing that gave us time to buy some goodies.

All in all it was an experience I will never forget. Just getting the chance to see the joy on the faces of the ballplayers made everything worth it. Someday I will go back and bring my family so they can see why the sport will always be tops on my list. When I look back on it now, the weather didn't change my outlook one bit.

I got the same feeling about the players who looked like kids again, out there doing what they love. That is the reason why I tune in as many days and nights as I can. Not to hear about the money they make, but because the game of baseball is sacred. 2006 had the historic finish, but I will always be able to say that I was there at the beginning.

Visit www.redbirdsrow.com for this and more St. Louis Cards news and reviews

Why Kevin Durant Deserves To Be an All-Star

JJ Gilliam — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 07:31:02 -0500

For most sports fans, this past weekend was probably a hard one to handle. There was no NFL, no MLB, and the NBA is winding down before All-Star weekend. Of course there is still plenty to talk about, but most of the news is bad and getting worse.

No, this will not be an economy-based post or political in any way. It is still entirely about Oklahoma City and upcoming events. Oh, and I may be including how my man-crush with a certain sharpshooter has taken a hit.

But first things first, the Thunder will be represented at All-Star weekend in one way or another. I can honestly say outside of the dunk contest that the whole event has been lost on me. I will be tuning in for my team this year, but I really want to find out what all the excitement is about. Can anyone explain it to me?

Kevin Durant and Jeff Green played in the rookie game last year, and both should be locks for the sophomore squad. Rookie Russell Westbrook will be on the other side, as the OKC stars battle it out. Durant is the wild card, however, depending on the how the reserve All-Stars are chosen. If they only look at the Thunder's record, it will be a shame.

While the team is improving, nobody has picked up their game more than Durant. His points and rebounds are improved, but his ability to take over the game is what should get him recognized. Maybe that is why I haven't been able to get into the festivities in the past.

The NBA needs to get over picking the same players just to draw attention to a meaningless game. They should be rewarding the best athletes, much like MLB does. Now I really don't think every team has to be included, but it would keep me from watching if only Lakers and Celtics players were in the game.

I know I am being biased towards Durant, but he is not alone in having an argument to that effect. First and second year pros rarely get the attention they deserve and thus the rookie challenge was born. If the NBA wants the best, they need to take a hard look at changing the way the All-Star rosters are formed.

That rant is over for now, and it is time to move on from another subject for good. My most recent time-killer has been to form the best OKC squad on paper. I juggle the current players around and add the one or two pieces that I think would make the most sense. While this is sure to continue, my Michael Redd push is officially dead.

Redd is done for the year, and Milwaukee will have to figure out how the injury hurts or helps them in the future. It hurts the Bucks now, but it could help them in keeping Redd from bolting as a free agent. I wanted the Thunder to trade for him badly, given their need for an established outside player.

It is time to find a new muse with a shooting touch, hopefully someone yearning to be part of a franchise with upside. Not a player such as Larry Hughes, who only seems to care about himself. This three-point specialist may need to come from the college ranks, but that is a story for another time.

OKC has an important stretch coming up, and the All-Star game is still a few weeks out. It has been a big month for the Thunder, and they need to keep up the momentum. A boost of recognition from the league can’t hurt, but Durant will stay motivated either way.

It would be the NBA who is making the mistake by not including one of their top all-around playmakers, so the joke would be on them. And I'm sure plenty of OKC fans could find other things to do on a weekend in the middle of February.

Visit my website, www.afterthelightning.com, for more Thunder coverage. A.T.L. is a proud member of www.blogsbyfans.com.

Jeff Green Has Golden Touch

JJ Gilliam — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 01:29:08 -0500

On the same night Blake Griffin destroyed Nebraska, Oklahoma City's current power forward made a strong statement. Jeff Green banked in a last-second shot, sending the Thunder to a wild win over Golden State.

OKC scored a season high 122 points, but it was Green who turned Coach Brooks into a genius with a first-time final play. Russell Westbrook found the wide-open Green anxious for the ball, and the second year pro didn't disappoint. While playing the Warriors' faster tempo, the Thunder held a halftime lead before looking lost in the third quarter.

Then Green took over, showing all aspects of his game in the fourth. He scored a team-high nine points, set up Kyle Weaver's three-pointer to open the quarter, and helped his club overcome a seven-point deficit on the road. The game-winner was the first of Green's career, and it ensured OKC of not breaking the NBA record for losses in a season.

Golden State became the Thunder's third road victim, and it took a total team effort for victory number nine. Only Westbrook, OKC's fastest player, looked comfortable in the first half, as he scored 20 points and kept his team on top. Kevin Durant poured in nine third quarter points, single-handedly keeping the contest close for Green's heroics.

Nick Collison and Nenad Krstic handled the job inside, and the Thunder again won the rebounding battle. It was a great way to start out the road trip and was the third win in OKC's last four games. Now the only thing left is to finally get out of the league's cellar.

The Clippers will try to keep the Thunder from leaving Los Angeles with another road victory and one that would put LA on the bottom of the Western Conference standings. Both are trying to help Washington take the lead in the Griffin lottery, as the battle for the Oklahoma big man heats up entering the last week of January.

Something tells me Green would like nothing more than to send the Sooner star outside the state to begin his pro career. With a few more wins, OKC won't be looking for another power forward, only a lucky bounce to stay in the Draft's top three.

Visit my website, www.afterthelightning.com, for more Thunder coverage. A.T.L. is a proud member of www.blogsbyfans.com.

Albert Pujols: Always a Cardinal?

JJ Gilliam — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 03:48:36 -0500

Welcome to the machine. I can think of no better way to introduce myself than by asking for a miracle. It is the holiday season, right?

As a fanatic Cardinals devotee, six months out of the year belong to the Birds on the Bat. My wife understands it, and she has even become passionate about "our" team. But all of this could change in a few short years.

Albert Pujols is St. Louis baseball, much like Jack Buck and Stan the Man. He continues to amaze everyone in the game and will get paid for it very soon. The question is where will the money come from?

Hometown discounts rarely exist anymore, and the CC/Tex show proved that even going back to your roots can be bought-out by the dollar sign. What's to say that Boston won't offer Pujols $300 million in free agency?

My hope is that Pujols and the Cards never reach that point. Whether it is a 10-year, $250 million starting point in spring training or next season, St. Louis can not afford (no pun intended) to let the franchise player see a way out.

I would present Mr. Pujols a blank check and tell him to fill in the rest. Forget a key to the city, how bout the keys to the team jet? You need four suites for the All-Star game Big Al—here you go, enjoy the party!

The point is that every team in the game wants a shot at signing Pujols. Even the Yankees could justify things by moving Tex to third, A-Rod to short, and Jeter to second. Unless you root for the Evil Empire, that has to make you cringe.

The only thing worse in my opinion is seeing Albert wearing blue. Not Dodger blue but a couple of other teams. I would turn in my baseball fandom card if the Baby Bears were able to get Pujols up the I-55. And who is to say Albert wouldn't want the chance of hitting massive amounts of baseballs out of Wrigley Field?

But even Pujols playing in Chicago can not compare with the worst possible outcome. Every Cards fan knows deep down the hatred felt for the Kansas City Royals. While I was only six years old in 1985, the fire still burns for the stolen World Series.

If Pujols was compelled to help out any team, why not his hometown KC club? This is something the entire state of Missouri would be talking about for years, if not decades. I couldn't find fault in his decision, because it would mean the Cardinals didn't do what's right by No. 5.

St. Louis is at a crossroads as a team, and the only way to take control of the situation is to lock up the MVP for the rest of his career. Because if playing in pain everyday isn't good enough for the Cardinals, the AP show will go somewhere else. And that would be the end of many great things, namely the Cardinals as a baseball tradition.