Sports Roundtable:

1. Where do you see top MLB Free Agents Jose Reyes, Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols end up?

Parks Smith:

It seems like the Miami Marlins are trying to emulate the Heat, which is making FA predictions pretty tough. I think Pujols will have some serious thoughts about going elsewhere, but will end up back in St. Louis. I’ve thought for over a year that Prince Fielder would end up in Washington, but I’m not so sure any more with the Nats focusing on starting pitching and centerfield. Man this is a tough one, but I see Fielder going to Angels, they have money and need to make a splash. Regarding Reyes, things have totally changed in the past week and it really looks like he’ll be heading to Miami. I mean who would of thought the Marlins would even be in the market for a shortstop?

Rob Yunich:

Reyes = Marlins
Fielder = Rangers
Pujols = Red Sox

Howard Ticker:

Reyes-Brewers, Prince Fielder- Cubs, Albert Pujols- Cardinals

Willypops:

I think Pujols stays in St. Louis. At this point in his career, I think he is settled in St. Louis and won’t want the disruption of going to a new team. Really, how much money does one need? I’m hoping he takes less money and stays put – finish it up as a Cardinal. As for Fielder, I don’t know where he’ll end up – although the last I saw there was interest from Seattle. I just can’t see him going there. My sense is that he wants a higher profile location and wouldn’t want to be lost out in the upper Northwest. Where Reyes ends up is an interesting consideration. There is some baggage with him, but it may be worth the production he’ll deliver, especially if he goes to a team with some solid veterans and high character guys. The last I heard, the Marlins are showing interest in him. That may just work. Ozzie Guillen should be able to keep him in line. As a Nats fan, I’d prefer that Reyes leave the division – unless of course he comes to Washington!

Steveospeak: 

Reyes- I think Reyes ends up in South Florida as the Miami Marlins look to make a splash with him and probably a pitcher for their new ballpark.

Pujols- I would say that there is a small chance for a dark horse team to land Pujols (Rangers maybe), but my gut says he stays in St. Louis.

Fielder- I know there are a number of suitors, but I think he ends up a National. I know most of the rumors have the Nationals looking at other options, but there is too much of a need there combined with Washington’s very comfortable relationship with Scott Boras. I think the Nationals are waiting in the weeds and will make a big surprise splash like they did last year with Jayson Werth.

2. What team has been the biggest surprise in the NHL this season?

Parks Smith:

I’d have to say the Dallas Stars. Who would of thought after losing Brad Richards and having a rookie head coach Glen Gulutzan would result in starting the season 10-3? Also, when did Sheldon Souray decide to start playing pro hockey?

Rob Yunich:

Toronto has jumped up the standings faster than some may have predicted. However, I did predict the Maple Leafs to make the playoffs, so it’s not too surprising. 

Howard Ticker: 

Not trying to be biased but the New York Rangers are on a 6 game winning streak and 2nd in the Eastern Conference in points.

Willypops: 

The biggest NHL surprises I guess would be the Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators on the positive side and last year’s Stanley Cup finalists, the Bruins and Vancouver, on the negative side. But we’ve got a long way to go.

Steveospeak:

A lot of interesting teams so far this season, I’d say the biggest surprise though has to be the Stars. They have far exceeded expectations and look very legit.

3. At roughly the halfway point in the season, what team has been the biggest surprise? and the biggest disappointment? And with either (or both of them) fall back to their previous expectations?

Parks Smith:

The Cincinnati Bengals are the biggest surprise in my opinion. I wasn’t down on Andy Dalton, but I never thought such a young core and franchise rife with controversy would be so good. Clearly going the other way the Eagles have to be the biggest disappointment. Maybe the Marlins can learn something?

Rob Yunich:

I assume you’re talking about the NFL, in which case I would say the San Francisco 49ers as the biggest surprise and the Philadelphia Eagles as the biggest disappointment.

Howard Ticker:

Bengals and the 49ers are the biggest surprise but I believe the Bengals will fall off and the 49ers have an easy schedule. Same thing with the Bills. I am very impressed with the Texans. The Chargers are a huge disappointment. Atlanta and and Tampa should be better as well.

Willypops: 

The Bengals have to be the biggest surprise in the NFL thus far. Who would have thunk it at the beginning of the season given the Carlson Palmer showdown and the decision to go with the rookie QB. The biggest disappointment I think is St. Louis. After what the Rams accomplished last year, I thought they were poised to take the next step. Don’t know where it all went wrong. I have the feeling that the Bengals are for real and aren’t going to go away. Even with the loss to the Steelers last weekend, I think they are going to be in the hunt up to the very end. As for the Rams. I don’t see them even getting back to respectability.

Steveospeak:

The 49ers have to be the biggest surprise (Bengals are the closest behind them). Yes the 49ers are in a very ‘winnable’ division, but they have the 2nd best record in football, and have only played one NFC West team so far. They are beating a lot of good teams this season and I think they could be very dangerous come playoff time. The biggest disappointment is the Chargers for me (with the Eagles a close 2nd) San Diego has basically beaten up on bad teams this year (and wasn’t too convincing when they did). Now they have dropped back-back divisional games against a pair of teams without their star running backs.

4. Is LSU a shoe in for a spot in the National Championship, or can someone knock them off?

Parks Smith:

No, they are not. Why? Because crazy things happen on championship week. So many national title hopes have been derailed with teams looking ahead. I don’t think Georgia or South Carolina can hold a candle to LSU, but crazier things have happened.

Rob Yunich:

Yes, LSU will play in the so-called national championship game.

Howard Ticker:

The only team that I think can knock off LSU is Alabama and LSU beat them the first time. Too bad they can’t play each other in the National Championship.

Willypops:

Yeah, I think it’s just a matter of who will LSU be playing in the Championship game. Don’t see them getting knocked off at this point.

Steveospeak:

I think it is very likely that LSU plays in the National Championship game, but it def. isn’t a given. They face Arkansas to close out their season (though that is at home), and will likely match-up with Georgia in the SEC Championship game. Neither one is going to be a walk in the park for them, and I could see them dropping one of those games (which still could get them in the NC game depending on what else happens around the FBS).

5. In honor of Veteran’s day, a number of notable Sports Figures have served this country in times of War (Warren Spahn, Ted Williams, Roger Staubach, Pat Tillman, Jackie Robinson etc.). What are some of your favorite stories of athletes hearing the call?

Parks Smith:

My grandpa always talked about the old baseball guys, like Ted Williams, taking time away from the game to defend their country. That obviously doesn’t happen much any more and is really hard to fathom.

Rob Yunich:

Hank Greenberg, who served 45 months, the longest of any major league player (according to his Wikipedia profile). Overall, he played 13 seasons in the majors, averaging 38 homers per season. Check out more info on him:http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/greenha01.shtml

Howard Ticker: 

My dad used to always tell me how Willie Mays served in his career for a season. He may have been able to get to 700. And definitely Pat Tillman.

Willypops: 

The Ted Williams story always amazes me. He missed 3 full seasons after entering the Marine Corps and becoming a fighter pilot during World War II. He then missed what amounted to about another season and a half after being recalled to active duty to fly and train fighter pilots during the Korean War. Can you imagine what his stats would have been and what records he may have set, had he not missed all that time. Can you imagine asking one of today’s big-time stars to make such a sacrifice? There would probably be a lawsuit to prevent it! There are a bunch of other good stories. But you have to admire Warren Spahn’s story. He too lost 3 years due to his military service in the Army during WW II. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge campaign and was awarded a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for bravery. He missed those 3 years and still ended up winning 363 games in his career. No wonder they call it the Greatest Generation!

Steveospeak:

Wow there are literally thousands of sports stars who have served their country over the years so it is hard to pick just one. A couple people that haven’t been mentioned are Rocky Bleier and Ralph Houk. Bleier was a late round pick for the Steelers in 1968 and was drafted into the Army that December. He volunteered for combat, and was wounded in both legs in 1969. Doctors told him he’d never play again, and when he went to camp he walked with a limp, but he toughed through it. He eventually earned a spot as a starter, teaming up with Franco Harris to help the Steelers win 4 SB’s. Ralph Houk wasn’t much of a major leaguer, but he became a great manager and was the man that the Yankees forced Casey Stengel out for (he also worked in their front office), but it almost didn’t turn out that way. He was a highly decorated combat veteran, who served with distinction during the Battle of the Bulge, and is recongized for saving American lives, while at the same time being a part of a unit that slowed down the advance of a far larger (and better armed) German force. A great read is his obituary http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/25/sports/baseball/25anderson.html?ref=sports&pagewanted=print which shows the character that led him to be a great leader on both the field of battle and a playing field.

Thanks to everyone for contributing!  Now give your opinion!