MAKING MOVES

NEXT IN LINE

To all my baseball fans, you better read up on this guy. Hell, even if you're not a big baseball fan, you need to read up on this guy.  Bryce Harper is next in line.  Dubbed "The Chose One" by Sports Illustrated Harper is about to break new ground in the baseball world.  At 6'3 205 pounds the kid is a monster.  He hit a 570 ft home run at Tropicana Field, he throws a 96 mph fastball and the kid is only 16 years old.  Harper attends Las Vegas High School in Las Vegas, Nevada.  The City of Sin is known for its high priced gambling, but this kid is the farthest thing from a gamble.  This kid is more like a sure bet.  The odds of his success are almost guaranteed.  Harper is said to be the biggest high school sports prodigy since Lebron James.  And he is about to make a splash that maybe even bigger than the King.  

MAJOR LEAGUE THINKING

To say Harper's talent is impressive would be the biggest understatement of the year.  That in itself is not what is making headlines.  Harper's decision to leave high school after his sophomore year is.  Harper and his parents have decided that he will get his GED so he can graduate high school early, then enroll at The College of Southern Nevada a community college in the area.  Before we all judge let's talk some numbers here. Harper is hitting .626, with 14 home runs, 55 RBI's and 36 steals this past year all with pitchers barely pitching to him.   The kid has a 3.5 GPA, does community service and attends religious classes every morning before school.  His talent is being compared to Alex Rodriguez's and Ken Griffey Jr.'s but the catch is this: His talent as a sophomore is being compared to their talents when they were seniors!  Scouts are saying that if the kid is eligible for the draft in 2010 he may be the #1 pick.  You're talking about a contract above $20 Million.  The question is, would you let your kid do it?  Please respond honestly. 

REAL ANSWERS

We all know about the money.  But what about the lifestyle for the kid?  Does that ever come into question?  I always think about the childhood stars.  Are the kids growing up too fast?  What about when it's finally over?  One would also have to think about the quality of life for a 17 year old kid now on the road in the minor leagues with grown men. Hotels, road trips, buses and all kind of late night corruption may come to mind.  But some answers have surprised me.  Reco Owens, my friend and former wide receiver at Duke University who is now a Financial Analyst for the Goldenberg Group had an interesting perspective. He said, "You go to college to create opportunites for yourself... $20 Million buys a lot of opportunities."  I thought that was a great point.  We have so many people who say go to high school and get a diploma so you can have a good job.  What better job than to play baseball and become a multi-millionaire before 18 years old?  But not everyone was so quick to say go and get the money.  Corey Smith, who played at the same high school I graduated from (Piscataway High) and was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the first round in 2000 had a difference in opinion.  "Playing in the minor leagues ain't that easy.  He's going to be a first round pick regardless if he goes to junior college or if he waits and graduates high school.   There's a certain maturity level that you have to reach once you get into this game.  Once you get to the professional level the game is very humbling."  This was coming from a guy who was one of the top five baseball players nationally back when he graduated high school in 2000.  But everyone had a different take.  I spoke to Dr. Emmett Gill, who is a professor over at Rutgers University near my home.  I know that he loves sports, but that also he is a proponent of higher education.  His answer surprised me.  "I believe with professional sports, especially baseball, kids should get it while the getting is good.  Baseball players are prone to physical setbacks and what I call the politics of baseball.  Why go to college and let a university profit when your family can prosper?"  

So what if the kids stays in high school and gets hurt.  Then what?  It's a good question.  But Curtis Bynes' answer, a former Police Officer and high school basketball coach in Piscataway, New Jersey was the best.  "If a parent says that they wouldn't let their kid do it, then their kid must be a scrub.  It's easy to say no when you know it's not an option for your kid.  How many of us if we had an option to make $20 Million wouldn't take it?"   Real answers from real people.  

IT'S BEEN NICE

Epiphanny Prince is the real deal. Prince announced yesterday that she would be skipping her senior season at Rutgers to play ball professionally overseas in Europe.  Prince would only be the 2nd woman athlete to ever make this move.  Let me tell you something, this girl has real game.  I don't live too far from the Rutgers campus and have played pick up basketball with them in the summer many times.  She put a move on me one time, I had to go to the sideline and stretch out a little more.  She can shake and bake off the dribble with the best of them.   A lot of times when I play summer pick up with the Rutgers women I go about 70% because I am stronger than them.  When I was guarding "Piph" I had to play for real.  She was voted a 3rd Team All American for the past two years at Rutgers.   And don't get it twisted, you can make big money over in Europe.  There are many players that have played in the WNBA that have made over $400,000 per year over there.  Prince may not start out that high, but there is no doubt she can get there.  

SAY WHAT? 

So you got to explain this one to me.  I'm not sure if I am understanding the justice system.  And in no way shape or form am I sticking up for Mike Vick because what he did was wrong.  But Vick after his dog fighting days, was sentenced to 23 months in prison.  That is a little under two years.  Then yesterday online I read that Donte Stallworth, the Cleveland Browns wide receiver gets 30 days for DUI manslaughter!   The victims' family is getting a substantial amount of money in which the terms were unreleased.  Stallworth on the other hand will be released in no time.  

CONFESSION SESSION

So everyone I see always wants to bring up the past.  They say "Hey Celestand why don't you talk about the time when Vince Carter crossed you over?"  When I was coaching my AAU team that's all my players ever wanted to talk about.  Well I don't have no problem digging it up for you guys.  No sweat.   You see no one is immune on CELEVISION.  Not even myself.   I got crossed by one of the greats.  So here it is and remember I was going for the steal!   If you can't laugh at yourself you shouldn't laugh at anyone.   Oh yeah, my wife was at that game, which made it even worse.