Karma of the Week (06/22/2008)

Hey everyone, welcome to this week's Karma of the Week. For those of you who are coming here for the first time, this is what I do each and every Sunday. I will give you the top-3 good and bad karma examples of this past week. Usually is pertains to the sports world, sometimes I go outside into the real world. And I will top it off as always this baseball season with the "If the season ended today."

Now for the karma. Here it goes again!




Bad Karma

Honorable Mention- Tragedy in NHRA

This entry isn't to be taken literally....as bad karma for either the NHRA or the late Scott Kalitta. Please understand this is simply meant as a memoriam. Special thanks to FOX Sports for the quote from the NHRA.

Scott Kalitta died Saturday when his Funny Car burst into flames and crashed at the end of the track during qualifying for the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in New Jersey.



Kalitta's Toyota Solara was traveling at about 300 mph when it burst into flames. He was taken to Raritan Bay Medical Center, where he died a short time later. He was 46.

"We are deeply saddened and want to pass along our sincere condolences to the entire Kalitta family," the NHRA said in a statement. "Scott shared the same passion for drag racing as his legendary father, Connie. He also shared the same desire to win, becoming a two-time series world champion. He left the sport for a period of time, to devote more time to his family, only to be driven to return to the drag strip to regain his championship form. ... He will be truly missed by the entire NHRA community."


Runner-up- You're Fired! Find your own way home

How the hell did the New York Mets think this was going to end up? Firing manager Willie Randolph in the dead of the night, 3000 miles away from home is the most classless move I have seen in professional sports in quite some time.

The only reason the Mets avoided the top bad karma spot this week is because of my commitment to the train wreck that is Seattle.

Check out this great bit from The Daily Show's Jon Stewart.

Fired after WINNING a game? I wonder if he was at least allowed to fly back to New York on the Mets' dime or if they made him spring for coach. Willie Randolph is a good guy and I believe, a pretty good manager who was just in a bad situation. HEY SEATTLE! You need a new manager now. Go get Randolph!


Winner- M's cleaning house, but not done yet

The Seattle Mariners remained the worst team in baseball this week. They fired Manager John McLaren and the team responded by blowing out the Braves in Atlanta 9-2 Friday night. However, the M's blew a 4-1 8th inning lead Saturday to lose 5-4 in the ninth.

I don't think it was McLaren's fault. This is a guy who took over last season when Mike Hargrove quit and led this team to almost 90 wins. I don't think he got a fair chance. I really feel that the problem was with the GM - which they got rid of - and it's gonna take time to fix all of the damage done by Bill Bavasi.



In the meantime, the M's are not done yet. The rumors around the Emerald City now are that they are going to just pay Richie Sexson the rest of his contract and kick him to the curb. They may do the same with Jose Vidro. But again, the M's retain the top spot on the bad karma list until they show significant signs of turning the corner.


Good Karma

Honorable Mention- College World Series final almost set

The Georgia Bulldogs made it to the final of the College World Series in Omaha, NE after defeating Stanford Saturday night. The Bulldogs (44-23-1) are trying to win the national title for the first time in 18 years.



They will play either North Carolina, or this year's darling pick, Fresno State starting Monday night.


Runner-up- Tigers on the prowl?

The Detroit Tigers are finally looking like the team that everyone thought that they would be. After starting the season 0-7, the Tigers are starting to turn things around.

They are 9-2 in their last 11 games and are currently six games back of Chicago in the AL Central.

But as you can see with the "If the season ended today" the White Sox are on a roll and may be tough to dethrone...but we are only half way through the season. Anything is possible I suppose.


Winner- KING OF BLOGGING

The King of Blogging competition is over and the votes are being tallied. I want to thank TMAC2 for putting it together, the judges and all of the wonderful contestants.

You can check out the great posts that answered the question "What is the greatest moment in sports history" by clicking the link HERE.

Results should be announced later today on TMAC2's blog so check it out and send congrats to the winner.


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Finally today, Week 12 in my "If the season ended today....." In an attempt to find trends and when they occur, I will give you the playoff matchups if the season were to end today. (Standings as of the end of play Saturday night)

Week 12

ALDS

Tampa Bay vs. Los Angeles
Chicago vs. Boston

NLDS

St. Louis vs. Philadelphia
Arizona vs. Chicago

Same as the last 2 weeks. Starting to see some patterns develop. Wonder if this will hold through to October.

Number of weeks in playoff contention (Latest week of Contention)

St. Louis- 12
Arizona- 11
Los Angeles (AL)- 11
Chicago (NL)- 10
Chicago (AL)- 10
Boston- 9
Florida- 7 (Week 9)
Tampa Bay- 7
Baltimore- 4 (Week 4)
Oakland- 4 (Week 6)
Philadelphia- 4
Milwaukee- 2
Kansas City- 1
Minnesota- 1 (Week 5)
New York (NL)- 1
San Diego- 1
Toronto- 1

That's all for this week. Again, if you have some stories to share, I am open to suggestions. Have a great week filled with good karma. See you Wednesday with Get to Know the 50 States (I promise this time it will be here).