The Dominican Dream: Baseball

Robinson Cano, Jose Bautista, David Ortiz, Albert Pujols, Jose Reyes are only a handful of the players that make up 10% of players currently playing on MLB rosters. That does not even include the 25% of minor league players that also hail from the small island of the Dominican Republic with about 10 million people. As fellow 'The Sports Complex' contributor and study abroad classmate Alan Liang discussed his amazing and once in a lifetime experience in the Dominican Republic in yesterday's post, he touched on some prominent topics often overlooked by baseball fans. In this article, I plan to delve further into the topic of the baseball culture and how the Dominican Republic has turned into an "incubator" for MLB talent, as NYY Assistant GM Jean Afterman stated in our brief discussion during a visit to Yankees Spring Training.

NFL Free Agency Frenzy

NFL free-agency has only started one day ago and the entire league has been turned inside out! This drastic change in player landscape throughout the league in just one day has fans on the edge of their seats just waiting for the next unexpected and major announcement! This has definitely been one of the greatest off-season's for the NFL and we are only one day removed from the start of free-agency.

Sport for Thought: 2015 NFL Free Agents - Game Changers

This season's class of free agents can shake up the power landscape in the NFL like no other season. Big name players are available on both sides of the football, and their is a significant chance many of these players may not return to their current team.

Offensive players: Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas, Dez Bryant, DeMarco Murray, Peyton Manning and Randall Cobb.

Defensive players: Ndamukong Suh, Gerald McCoy, Justin Houston, Darrelle Revis, and Jason Pierre-Paul.

Sport for Thought: The Expansion of Roc Nation Sports

It is not everyday when a rap superstar decides to become a sports agent and represent some of the biggest names in sports. When Jay Z announced the launch of Roc Nation Sports in April of 2013 with the acquisition of ex- Scott Boras client Robinson Cano, the entire sports world was shocked. At the time, not many people took the new agency seriously and thought it would turn into another Master P situation and not last. But just last week, company president Michael Yormark announced the agencies interest in expansion through the acquisition of other agencies as well as the hiring of qualified agents.

Sport for Thought: Mr. 509 and Counting

Johnny Unitas. Dan Marino. Brett Favre. Tom Brady. All of these men are in the conversation as the greatest quarterback in NFL history. They are Super Bowl Champions, MVP's, record holders, team leaders, and just flat out WINNERS! Their is no denying any of their talent because they have the statistics to prove it. But last night we were all lucky enough to witness history, and perhaps the greatest quarterback of them all. Brand new Mr. 509 himself, Peyton Manning.

Sport for Thought: Jeter's Next Chapter

Derek Jeter only knew one thing for the last twenty years, and that was playing shortstop and being the leader of the New York Yankees. So when he announced his retirement plans prior to the 2014 season, not only was the sports world shocked, many wondered how he would be able to move on from the game he had become accustomed to playing. Derek's life was a set schedule and now he would have to wake up every morning not knowing what his next venture would be. Yes he always expressed interest in one day owning a team, but how would that really fill the void of no longer playing in America's favorite pastime?

Sport for Thought: Lets Get Back to Some Football

In my last article, I wrote just how much sport and the Yankees meant to America and exemplified hope during a time of desperation and horrific events. But for the first three weeks of the 2014 NFL season, these same athletes who millions of people idolize and watch for entertainment are causing a nationwide debate about domestic violence. By no means am I blowing over the issue at hand, but people watch sports to take their minds off of many of the more serious topics affecting our country and it is a shame that sports are struggling to provide that outlet.

Sport for Thought: What the Yankees meant to America following 9/11

Every year on September 11, their is a somber feeling in the air and when you turn on the television, we cannot escape the day that lives on in infamy. The attacks on the World Trade Center were absolutely horrific and changed the lives of Americans forever. After watching 9/11 television specials for a majority of the day yesterday, I immediately realized what I should write about for my post this week. Following the events of 9/11, it took quite some time for people to come to terms of what had happened and they did not know what to do next. For millions of people, they turned to baseball. It was something that could take the terrible events out of the minds of millions of people and bring their lives to be as normal as possible for just a few hours each day.

Sport for Thought: Joe Torre's Managerial Greatness

On Saturday, August 23, 2014, The New York Yankees retired yet another number into their prestigious monument park in center field. What made this different from all of the other retired numbers, #6 belonged to the beloved long-time Yankee coach, Joe Torre. He is now placed in the same category as some of the greatest baseball players to ever put on a baseball uniform, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Joe DiMaggio (as well as 14 others).

Sport for Thought: Wiggins or Love?

Love and Wiggins. Two stars entering different stages of their NBA careers. Is Kevin Love or Andrew Wiggins more valuable to a NBA franchise?

Sport for Thought: #23

When LeBron James left his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010 for the Miami Heat, he decided  to exchange his #23 for #6. He said the number 23 should be retired throughout the NBA to give respect to arguably the greatest basketball player that has ever stepped foot onto a basketball court.

Sport for Thought: What exactly Tanaka's injury means...

Another day of baseball has past, and yet another MLB pitcher receives the news of an unfortunate and dreaded elbow injury. However, in the case of Masahiro Tanaka (the brand new $155 million Yankees acquisition and ace of the staff), is hoping to avoid the unavoidable...the now infamous Tommy John surgery. This season has been plagued with pitching injuries, but this instance has to be the most crucial. No team has more invested (money and on-field success) in a pitcher than the Yankees do with Japanese superstar Tanaka.

Sport For Thought: Wimbledon, The World's Most Recognizable Brand

With all of the sporting events that occur throughout the world, is any brand more recognizable than Wimbledon? When flipping through the channels, you may see football, baseball, basketball, soccer, golf or any other sport being played. But can a viewer know exactly what the event is just from watching what is being televised? How is a World Series or Super Bowl game more recognizable to the television viewer then just any regular season game? The answer is, their is no difference! But when one turns on the television to view a tennis match, what is more recognizable then the perfectly landscaped grass courts, all white, and the properness that is Wimbledon?

Sport For Thought: Heat vs. Spurs Rematch

New year. Same teams.  Same goal. But will their be a different outcome?

Sport For Thought: The Brooklyn Nets Playoff Debacle

"I think we match up well against them" were the words Brooklyn Nets shooting guard, Joe Johnson said when asked about their semifinals matchup against the Miami Heat after struggling to beat the young and promising Toronto Raptors in seven games following an improbable last second block by Paul Pierce. After finishing the regular season 4-0 against the two-time reigning champions, many speculated the Brooklyn Nets would have a legitimate chance of defeating the Miami Heat in the second round of the 2014 NBA playoffs in their pursuit of a championship.

Sport For Thought: Roc Nations Biggest Success Story Thus Far

Robinson Cano. Kevin Durant. Victor Cruz. Hakeem Nicks. Geno Smith. Skylar Diggins. CC Sabathia. James Young. Everything Jay Z touches turns to platinum, and Roc Nation Sports is no exception.

As Roc Nation Sports just celebrated its one year anniversary following much criticism and hoopla throughout the industry, I thought it would be appropriate to take a look back at their A-list clientele and discuss which star has been their biggest success.

Sport For Thought: The Michael Jordan of the Swimming Pool

Michael Jordan. Michael Phelps. Both of these athletes have dominated and are undoubtedly the greatest athletes in their respective sports. But can you believe they have both failed at the same thing? It seems that Phelps' time playing golf was not as enjoyable as he originally planned when entering retirement. Being the greatest at a sport is not all they have in common after Phelps' recent and shocking decision last week of ending his retirement. After completely one of the most legendary and decorated careers in basketball history and announcing his retirement, Michael Jordan could not last long away from the court. Michael Phelps seems to be taking a similar route as Jordan by coming out a retirement a year after completing one of the most decorated careers in Olympic history.

Sport For Thought: 10 Tips for Success with the Director of Client Services from Octagon

It's not everyday when I am given the opportunity to speak with and receive a lecture from one of the top sports and entertainment marketing agencies in the world. Over Spring break, I had the opportunity of participating in a study abroad program in London England, for a British Sport & Culture class. As a class, we were able to tour amazing sports venues like Lord's Cricket Arena, Wimbledon, and Chelsea Academy, as well as hearing unforgettable and informative presentations. Among the presentations, a lecture by Jacinta Fisher, Client Services Director for the sports marketing agency Octagon, resonated with me most.

Sport For Thought: Johnny Football is the First Pick of the 2014 Endorsement Draft

Although uncertainty surrounds the pick in which Johnny Manziel should be chosen in the upcoming 2014 NFL Draft, he was unanimously the most sought after rookie by all major endorsement companies. A reigning Heisman trophy winner on the field, and a multitude of events that have been magnified by the media off the field, Manziel is arguably the most marketable and well-known athlete entering this year's draft.

 

Sport For Thought: Is Under Armour to Blame for the US Speed Skating Debacle?

The major story at the conclusion of the 2014 Sochi Olympics were no longer about the hotels being unfinished, or spying in showers, or even only four out of the five Olympic rings lighting up during the opening ceremonies. Instead, the topic of discussion was the United State's lack of medals in speed skating, which was a promising event heading into the start of the Games.