This blog

This blog will be about anything and everything I want to write about. A lot of it will be about baseball. But not all of it.

The Mariners are rumored to be involved with two players: Rich Hill and Bobby Abreu. After an offseason of signing Chris Shelton, Russell Branyan, Mike Sweeney and trading for Franklin Gutierrez, Endy Chavez, Garrett Olson, Ronny Cedeno, Jose Lugo, Jason Vargas, Maikel Cleto, Mike Carp, and Ezequiel Carrera, new general manager Jack Zduriencik has started off his tenure in a fantastic way. Rich Hill is out of options with the Cubs, and even though he has exhibited Rick Ankiel syndrome, he still boasts great upside, and if gained cheaply, would be another solid move. Bobby Abreu gets me really excited. His price has steadily been dropping this offseason, and is now open to a one-year deal. If the Mariners can sign him for one year for something between 6 and 12 million, I would be ecstatic. The commitment is small, and Abreu's incentive to perform is enormous. The Mariners are moving in the right direction.


The Hope College men's basketball team has been getting better throughout the entire season. After graduating four starters and many other reserves. Hope seemed to be rebuilding. Early in the season, the Dutchmen seemed to be searching. Coach Glenn VanWieren would play as many as 15 players per game, switching starting lineups, looking for a good combination. The transfer of Doug Sharples and the ineligibility of Jon Snikkers actually helped the team by paring down the amount of players vying for minutes. Since then, GVW has settled on a rotation and the team is improving fast.

Jesse Reimink is as good as he has been all year, leading the team in many categories, playing harder than any other player in the country. A true leader, Jesse may be able to will this team past Calvin twice more and perhaps into the national tournament.

Pete Bunn, a transfer from D1 Oakland University, is starting to realize that he is better than everyone else. Only 6'3, his leaping ability is rivaled by few. Because of this, he can get his own shot at will. His scoring is increasing and he is a true second option.

Will Bowser is finally growing into his enormous potential. At 6'6 and with awesome "hops" Bowser is a force on the boards. After 27 points and 20 rebounds in his last two games, he is adding real value to the team. As his offensive game continues to develop, he becomes more and more dangerous. MIAA first-team honors await in future years.

David Krombeen, a freshmen point guard from Grandville, has worked his way from fourth on the depth chart at the beginning of the season, to an entrenched starter that is invaluable to his team. Lighting quick, Krombeen pushes the action constantly, a key point for the smaller and quicker Dutchmen. He is smart, accumulating steals, quick, accumulating blocks, and a great finisher. He will be a very special player as he becomes more comfortable.

As I sit here at the community table in LJ's, I gaze outside at the intense snow flurries. We have not had a thaw here since the beginning of the month. When the sun is out and the snow is fresh, it is truly beautiful. When it is overcast and the snow is dirty, it dampens the spirit.