In the past several decades, the highest professional level of football has become the number one spectator sport in America. It has clearly surpassed baseball in the minds of many sports fans.

Among the factors cited in the fans' preference of the gridiron over the diamond are more action, more speed and athleticism among the athletes, the excitement of seeing violent mayhem among 300-pound behemoths, and in the case of many males, scantily-clad young women shaking their pom-poms and dancing around.

I am no exception in my being a fan of the 100-yard sport, particularly at the collegiate level.

Major college football is absolutely my favorite sport to watch, and the varsity squad of my alma mater, the UCLA Bruins, is my favorite team in all of sports. I have been a fervent and passionate supporter of the True Blue and Gold for over twenty years, and some of the happiest days of my life have involved Bruin victories over their crosstown rival, USC.

Having stated that, and having been immensely involved in baseball as a player, coach, and fan since the age of ten, there are still some areas where the national pastime still surpasses the gridiron. As much as I prefer to watch college football, these are still the things that make baseball still a credible game over the one with the pigskin:

1. The difficulty of playing the game. I would like to see Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Reggie Bush, or any other NFL player (or a fan) try and hit a 95 mile-an-hour fast- ball, or an exploding slider, or a curveball breaking from 12 to 6. There is a reason why ballplayers who are only successful at the plate three out of ten times are multi- millionaires. You think Brett Favre would be rich and successful if he only completed 3 out of 10 passes?
   
   
2. The physical conditions of former NFL players as opposed to former MLB players. Ex-gridiron stars in constant pain, with plastic joints, and barely being able to walk are commonplace. Jim Otto, the Raider's former offensive line standout, has had both his knees replaced, among other joints, and takes 30 minutes to get out of bed in the morning. The former Baltimore Colt legend Johnny Unitas could not straighten his hand after his days were done. Joe Namath's knees were causing him extreme pain throughout his career; they were eventually replaced, of course.
   
   Dick Butkus, the god-like Chicago Bear linebacker, cannot squat down today. Earl Campbell, the bruising Houston Oiler running back who was an icon of my youth, needs a cane to get around. And the list goes on and on. Baseball players, while having their share of injuries, do not get the career-ending debilitations at the same level of ex-football stars; one has a better chance of being able to walk without excruciating pain after a career with the Yankees than after a career with the Cowboys..
   
   
3. Because football games are controlled by a clock, if one team is winning by forty points with two minutes left in the game, it is a foregone conclusion that the game is essentially over; the losing team would have no chance at a comeback, because there simply wouldn't be enough time. In baseball, however, a team still needs to get 27 outs in order to win a game, regardless of how many runs they are winning by. As long as the team that's losing has not made that 27th out, it still has a chance. Unlike in football, you can't just take a knee at the end of a game and kill the clock. Many a time has a team scored the winning runs while down to their last out.
   
   
4. Baseball has more of a historical significance, as far as statistics, records, and folklore. Here's an illustration: Say that a person asks these questions - What is Walter Payton's lifetime rushing yards total? And what was Jim Brown's when Payton passed him? What is Brett Favre's touchdown passing total? And what was Dan Marino's when Favre passed him? It is highly likely that the most fanatical football fan wouldn't know the answers to those questions. The casual baseball fan, however, knows that Babe Ruth hit 714 home runs, that Henry Aaron passed him with 755 homers, and even that Barry Bonds broke that record in 2007 with 762 dingers.
   
   The casual fan knows that Joe DiMaggio hit in 56 consecutive games, and that Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941, the last man to hit so high. He would know that Nolan Ryan pitched seven no-hitters, and passed Sandy Koufax, who had four. These are things that make baseball the pastime that it is; having a sense of history and being that football doesn't have, not in the same way. When the Yankees were drawing 70,000-plus crowds on a regular basis in the 1920's, the NFL was struggling to attract crowds on high school fields. In short, the history of baseball has a bigger part in the nation's fabric and folklore than their football counterparts.
   
   
5. Baseball skills are more difficult to master than football skills. In football, if you only stand out in one area, like blocking, you can be successful, without being able to throw, catch, or run. In baseball, however, a player's ability needs to be measured in at least three categories hitting, fielding, and throwing. Proficiency is needed in all three of those areas in order to be considered good. The sport is more challenging that way.
   
   
6. While football is a tremendous team game, when the outcome of a contest is on the line, a team can continuously go to its best guy to try and save the day; the Chargers can give the ball to LaDainian Tomlinson on every play and have him win the game for them (with a little help from his blockers, of course). In baseball, however, Alex Rodriguez still has to bat once out of every nine hitters; the Yankees cannot send him up to the plate in the bottom of the ninth as the winning run if his turn has not come up yet. If Richie Sexson is due to bat, A-Rod can't bat for him. In other words, he can't save the day. Sexson has to.
   
   When it comes down to it, I think it is a matter of individual and generational perspective when people debate whether baseball or football is the more preferable game, an apples versus oranges type of thing.

It seems that the older generations, the baby boomers, their parents and grandparents, still consider baseball a formidable game to watch and enjoy, if not outright preferring it over football, because it is what they grew up with, while Generation X and their offspring tend to lean more towards the gridiron.

One must remember that throughout much of the 20th Century, through the 1960's, baseball was the focal point of sports in American society. It was not until the advent of the Super Bowl in 1967 that football really began to make its rise in popularity.

At the end of the day, however, one must conclude that there are some things about football that make it better than baseball, and some things about baseball that still make it better than football. That is the essential point that I was trying to make, that despite the runaway popularity that football enjoys today, there are some things about the old national pastime that still make it enjoyable, and preferable to football.

George Carlin perhaps said it best when during his stand-up comedy routine in which he compared baseball to football, he said

"In baseball the object of the game is to GO HOME! And to BE SAFE!"

In the long run, I believe everyone wants that feeling.

The Managers

But in no particular order, here goes: the coaches (excuse me "managers") wear uniforms. Why in the hell are old, pot-bellied men whose only exercise is to occasionally run out onto the field to futilely argue a call wearing cleats and shirts with numbers? Can you not walk onto a baseball field in a suit? Hell, if dress clothes aren't your thing, wear the tacky cut off sweatshirts like the Patriots' coach Belichick. But for all that's holy and righteous in the world quit dressing like you may, at a moment's notice, need to put yourself in at shortstop.

The Players

Players, who I agree are overworked considering they play 15 games a week, are always on the injured reserve list for sissy injuries, e.g., twisted index finger, sprained piggy that went to market, etc. Why not just go on the list for being damn tired? Next, get a shot clock. The pitcher has to pitch within 20 seconds and the batter can't leave the batter's box once he steps in. I'm sick of the pitcher and hitter acting like voodoo priests who must make sure everything is in proper astrological and spiritual alignment before they can throw and hit. If Jordan can make the winning jumper with 20,000 screaming fans in his ear, you can throw the damn ball w/out worrying whether "you feel right." And batter, I don't give a damn how many times you unstrap, strap, and unstrap your batting glove, you have no better chance of hitting the ball -- which may or may not be coming depending on the vibes the overly superstitious pitcher is getting at the time.

The Umpires

Umpires, call it a ball or strike. We don't need to see the call in interpretive dance.

Stop With The Stats Already

Statisticians, take a breather. I don't care how Rodriquez's batting average is against left-handed Scorpios on Tuesday home games at night when the temperature is below 60 and it's mostly cloudy with a new moon and winds coming out of the west at 15 or below miles per hour.

The Rules and Rituals

Why is it ok to knock the ever-living shit out of the catcher when you're coming home, but you get called out if you yell "boo" at the 2nd baseman while trying to stop a double play? Why all the spitting? Why all the crotch grabbing? Why is last night's pitcher suited up? The chances of his making an appearance is somewhere between the manager going in at left field and Salma Hayek showing up at my door wondering where I've been all her life.

The Rockies were not the lone team from the NL West to earn a playoff berth last year. The Arizona Diamondbacks took a lot of people by surprise by making it to the NL Championship series, and they did it with one of the youngest teams in Major League history. It sure doesn't hurt that the Diamondbacks have a few veterans that have been around the locker room for a while like Eric Byrnes and Orlando Hudson, along with Randy Johnson if he can stay healthy. Those veterans however are few and far between and that may not be a bad thing. The Diamondbacks made a move to get Dan Haren which could prove very valuable down the stretch. They already have one of the best in the game in Brandon Webb.

The Diamondbacks are the team some analysts have winning the pennant this year and I can see why. They lost very little, although losing Jose Valverde leaves the closer role shaky at best, their starting pitching has taken a step up. If they can get even a Randy Johnson that is eighty percent healthy every team in the National League better look out. Not to mention the throwback Micah Owings who can hit like nobody's business which is a lost art for most pitchers these days. It could definitely be a good year in the valley of the sun if you are a Diamondbacks fan.

Another team that has made very big strides is the Los Angeles Dodgers. I am not the only one expecting big things from the Dodgers, as many analysts are picking the Dodgers to win the World Series. I don't blame them because the Dodgers have one of the most talented teams that I have seen in years. Adding Joe Torre was a great move because the man commands respect. The Dodgers have a mix of veterans and youngsters that could turn out very successful if they stay healthy.

I am impressed with the fielding of young outfielder Matt Kemp. He has a great arm, good range and can really hit. Russell Martin at catcher has a lot of raw potential. He showed last year that he is capable of winning a game for you. Nomar is due to have a good season offensively now that some of the pressure has been taken off him with the signing of Andruw Jones. Not only can Jones be an asset offensively but he has so many gold gloves that he ran out of mantle space. Their pitching staff is nothing to sneeze at either. If Jason Schmidt can return to the form of his Giants days, look out. Brad Penny always eats up innings and if Derek Lowe is keeping his sinker down in the zone the Dodgers will be a team to be reckoned with.

The only team that really hasn't improved in the off season is the San Francisco Giants. They are currently having a fire sale in spring training trying to get rid of all their old talent like Randy Winn and Ray Durham, which wouldn't be such a bad move if they had the young talent to replace them, but I don't think they do. The Giants should definitely be looking up from the cellar at the other three teams in their division. The only positive thing I can say for the Giants is that they got rid of the circus that is Barry Bonds.

All in all I have to say that the National League West is defiantly an improved division and can be called the National League Worst no more.

There is no better time of year than this. Like kids who can't sleep at night because Christmas is tomorrow, baseball fans all across the land are waiting and waiting for those two perfect words to come ringing out of the umps mouth. Play ball! It is coming, and it will bring with it emotions and broken records and men who are playing in the sand box, displaying gorgeous harmony and ridiculous athletic gifts. Folks, it is almost here. The most beautiful fight, the most beautiful game, the most beautiful and breathtaking show under lights. Baseball is on its way.

Will the Mets be the team to beat in New York now that the lightning arm of Johan Santana is on the mound? Will the BoSox prove once again to be the best family in the Majors? Will A-Rod continue putting up ridiculous numbers and continue hitting the ball out of the Bronx? Who will be the rookie we all pull for and who will be the team that plays with such pure beauty and magic that we can't help but watch, whether they're our team or not? Will the Tigers be able to take the Tribe now that they're packing even more heat? Who will step to the plate and walk away with the batting title? Who will step to the rubber and pitch his way to the Cy Young? Will we finally be able to play ball the way it was meant to be played, with no drugs and no juice, just pure passion and unadulterated talent?

This is our game, friends. This is the game that makes our eyes well up because we just can't get enough. This is our game, and it is coming. Baseball is coming.

Up until now Major League Baseball was the only one of the major sports that did not have mandatory drug testing. The main reason for this is that the union of major league baseball players was refusing to change its stance and become more receptive to drug testing. The union finally softened their stand on the issue largely due to the possibility that Congress would step in and decide to institute a drug testing legislation campaign of their own.

Under the new guidelines, all major league players will be tested each year at the beginning of their training period and then randomly tested throughout the playing season. What makes the new policy so unique is that the players are subject to possible testing on a year round basis irregardless of where they live. he new measures will include a 10 day suspension for the first positive test; 30 days for the second; 60 days for the third; and one year for the fourth. These suspensions will be without pay. After a fourth offense, baseball Commissioner Allen Selig will have authority to punish a player in a manner that is consistent in relation to the offense.

Many feel that the suspension policies themselves portray a tolerant attitude stating that in their own careers, a positive test is grounds for dismissal, leaving the question of why major league players should have such lenient penalties. In a letter to baseball fans dated May 16, 2005, Commissioner Selig is quoted to say “The eradication of performance-enhancing substances from all of professional baseball is my top priority. This priority is and always has been shared by the owners of all 30 Major League Clubs. They have reiterated their long-standing determination to rid our game of these substances by a unanimous resolution passed during our recent MLB owners' meetings in New York.”

Tony Clark, who played with the New York Yankees in 2004, said the game's credibility has suffered greatly, however he further states that there will be no long-term damage. In Players want steroid problem solved, Mel Antonen quotes Clark as saying "Am I worried? No. I believe that we have extremely talented people that are more than capable of putting quality and integrity on the field." This clearly indicates that the issue of whether or not steroids are being used is not always taken seriously. Even though there are a lot of players who have no problem with steroids and can indeed use integrity. Yet to leave them where they must blow the whistle on their teammates for using steroids puts them in a difficult situation. It is unfair to expect this type of whistle blowing. Not only that, it leaves room for a great deal of controversy and hostility between team members. These kinds of feelings would leave a team at a disadvantage when it comes to team spirit.

Even though league officials and players do not take this issue seriously, there are many who do. Over 60% of all fans go so far as to say they don't feel the new policies go far enough in addressing steroid use. Two big concerns are the damage of long term use and the unrealistic image that is conveyed to the fans who are children. Many fear that by continuing to sweep drug use under the rug, it basically tells these children that using steroids and even other drugs is acceptable under certain conditions. Not only that, without a valid and effective drug testing policy new players seeking to join major league would be doing so under a huge disadvantage. Realistically, they would trying out and competing with veteran players who would have performance levels far superior due to their use of steroids and other performance enhancing drugs.

Up until now, Major League Baseball has had no drug testing in effect. The old policy simply had the players complete a survey and required only 2 tests per year. These tests, according to insider were easy to get around and even if a player tested positive, no fines or suspensions were levied. Anyone who believes the new policies are unfair should consider the steps being taken by the International Baseball Federation. Under their new guidelines, all players are subject to testing no matter what country the team is from.

However, these new policies will more than likely affect other sports as well. Congressman floats idea of all-sports test plan quotes Rep. Cliff Stearns, chairman of a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee as saying "Our elite athletic organizations, both professional and amateur, should establish uniform, world-class, drug-testing standards that are as consistent and robust as our criminal laws in this area. Nothing less should be tolerated."

With such widespread drug use today, these new policies are necessary to protect our nation on many levels. Not only will they ensure the reputation of professional sports figures and their respective leagues, it will give our young a more solid role model to follow and aspire to emulate. Without this type of role modeling, it is frightening to think of the consequences.

Suzuki is signing a 5-year, $100 million extension with the Seattle Mariners, a move that was likely fueled and completed quickly because of the team's great play as of late. Isn't that just dandy for Ichiro? He gets to make over 100 million dollars and he does not have to punch himself in the face over it!

Personally, I would give my left foot to watch the Mariners lose 100 games for the next five years. The Japanese star, who has been in Major League Baseball ever since 2001 when he stole the Rookie of the Year award from C.C. Sabathia, will be making somewhere around $20 million a year and that is a hard salary to move in a trade. Therefore, there would bring me no greater pleasure than to watch the Mariners tank deeper and deeper into the bottom of the American League West every year.

Ever since that miserable little man made a derogatory comment about Cleveland, I have had a personal vendetta against him that just won't go away.

Speaking through an interpreter about the idea of making up a snowed-out game in Cleveland, he said: “To tell the truth, I'm not excited to go to Cleveland, but we have to.”

Okay, that's fine. He could have just left the comment at that. Instead, he added this delightful little quip: “If I ever saw myself saying I'm excited going to Cleveland, I'd punch myself in the face, because I'm lying.”

Funny guy, that Ichiro. Cleveland has never been known as being the best city in the world; heck, rarely has it been a city people could be proud of. One of the few things people have to cherish in this city are the sports teams. Make fun of the city's mayor and horrific city planning that takes place all you want. Say something bad about the teams of this town and you are gonna have problems.

Am I going to say that I would laugh if I heard that someone actually did punch him in the face the next time he came to Cleveland? No, because that would be wrong (but here's a secret - it would be the funniest thing that would ever happen in my life and I would probably never stop laughing about it). If there was a video online of the aforementioned assault on Ichiro's face, would I find it and replay it over and over and over again at the point of impact, showcasing agony and pain as his expression for an endless amount of time? Of course not (yes I would).

And now he wins MVP of the All-Star Game. How very fitting for him and his dandy little inside-the-park home run. I can only hope that when he visits Cleveland again, the fans give him a nice, warm welcome that he will never forget. I am not condoning threats or any physical confrontations, but I have never been opposed to some good, old-fashioned heckling that could bring a man to tears.

On second thought, let's hope the Mariners make the playoffs and the Indians are matched up with them at some point. Then the real fun will begin.

Grady Sizemore was born August 2, 1982 in Seattle, Washington. Many people may not know this (although many more people know now thanks to the Sports Illustrated article about him), but he had originally signed a letter of intent to play football and baseball at the University of Washington.

However, the Montreal Expos (now the Washington Nationals), drafted Sizemore in the 2000 draft, giving him a $2 million signing bonus. His stay with the Expos would be short lived though, as he was traded to the Cleveland Indians in 2002. Sizemore, Brandon Phillips, Cliff Lee, and Lee Stevens were traded to the Indians for Bartolo Colon and Tim Drew. At the time, it was the Expos' last-ditch attempt at making a post-season run in a year of uncertainty. The team did not fold the next year, but they did end up moving to Washington in 2005.

Grady started to make his presence felt with the Indians in 2005, his first full season in the big leagues. Originally, he was to start the year in the minors because the Tribe signed Juan Gonzalez in the off-season to provide some pop in the lineup. However, the only popping that was going on with Gonzalez was his hamstring, and he only had one at-bat the entire season.

Sizemore made the most of his opportunity in 2005 and finished the year hitting .289 with 22 home runs, 81 runs batted in, and 22 stolen bases. He was immediately signed long-term by the team; he received a six-year deal worth $23.45 million with a club option for 2012. If he stays this dominant, you can bet that option will be picked up swiftly when the time comes.

The 2006 and 2007 seasons have certainly been kind to Sizemore as he continues his ascent to being one of the most dominant and popular players in the league. He led the league in runs scored (134), extra-base hits (92), and doubles (53) in 2006, helping him reach his first All-Star Game. He was also near the top in many other offensive categories.

As 2007 moves past the All-Star break and into the stretch run, Sizemore can certainly be counted on to finish strong. He was elected to his second All-Star Game in 2007, which is certainly no easy feat. He is continuing to improve each day and he remains one of the leaders on a team that is trying to make the playoffs for the first time since 2001.

There will be many more All-Star Games in Grady Sizemore's future. This superstar athlete is about to turn only 25 years old, so the best is yet to come. Who knows what he will do next? With the kind of stats that he can put up over the course of an entire season, there may end up being no one to compare him to. He will create his own legacy, based off his stellar play on the field and at the plate.

Sticking with the injury-riddled theme for a moment, it would have been nice to see the Tribe sign Eric Gagne. If anyone remembers, he was the most dominant closer in the game just a few years ago and could return to that form in the right setting. Unfortunately, he did not choose Cleveland, but the Indians were left with two reliable options. The third choice, 89-year-old Roberto Hernandez, is the possible option at closer should Borowski and Foulke both fail and/or go down with injuries. Nonetheless, the signing of these veterans will bring stability to a very young bullpen and allow the young pitchers to mature in roles with less pressure.

It is no doubt that the Indians have a high-powered offense that can carry them into the post-season. With the combined efforts of players like Travis Hafner, Grady Sizemore, and Victor Martinez, the team continually sits atop or near the top of the standings for most runs scored in the American League. Also, the starting rotation has never been an issue as almost every starter has remained healthy. Some also wonder if 2007 will be the year where the injury bug finally hits the rotation and some key players go down.

First of all, the injury “curse” can go both ways. Once you are injury-riddled, you will always be injury-riddled and the chance to get hurt again is high. However, when a player remains healthy for a number of years and he takes care of his body, I believe he will be a sure bet to remain healthy, except for the age factor. The Indians starters are still in their prime so the prospect of a serious injury affecting the rotation this year seems unlikely. Should a starter actually go down with an injury, because I am not always right, there are a number of young guys that can assume the role and thrive in it (i.e. Fausto Carmona, Adam Miller, and Jason Davis if he ever gains some control).

Considering then that the offense and the rotation is set, the only concern would have been the bullpen in the off-season. That issue has been addressed effectively with veteran additions that know how to win in critical situations. The AL Central is competitive, but extremely winnable. The starting rotation and strong bullpen won the Indians 93 games in 2005 and brought them within one game of the playoffs and they essentially have the same core group of players, so the thought of the post-season in 2007 is not totally absurd. Essentially, it will be up to the top-notch training staff to ensure that these new players stay as healthy as possible (and in the Indians case, they are lucky to be one of the few teams that can turn around an injured player’s career) to allow the Indians to make a run. The Twins won the division in 2006 and the Tigers won the Wild Card. In 2005, the division winner was the White Sox. Who’s to say that 2007 won’t be the Indians’ year?