Right and Wrong

We love to be right and hate to be wrong. Sounds like an understatement, but so, so true. Especially when it comes to sports. Nothing is better than making a prediction and having it come true. You pump your fist. You stick your chest out a little more. You let people know about it. But when you’re wrong, it feels like a punch in the stomach, even if it doesn’t cost you money in Vegas. I’ve been doing these blogs for a little over a year now and I thought it might be time to bask on the moments I was right and admit when I was wrong. Please feel free to say “I told you so” or, “Hey Via, nice job.” I may have been wrong more times than listed below and I may have been right more than listed below. So please feel free to point that out as well. But below is what I felt are the moments I tripped up or stood tall:

Where Via was wrong: April 11, 2011 – Kings get Royal Treatment Courtesy of L.A.: Ironically, in a blog where I felt I made plenty of valid points and statistics, I was mistaken in saying that the Kings had probably played their last game in Sacramento. Not only are they finishing the 2012 season up north, but it looks like Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson has struck a deal with the city to get a new stadium built. As someone who spent some time in this little city, I have to say congratulations to the people of Sacramento. You are great fans, but just remember, more seats mean more Lakers fans at the games.

Where Via was right: June 13, 2011 - Knocked off his Throne: The title says it all. The so-called King LeBron James had an NBA Finals to forget in 2011. However, no one has let him forget it. What you may not know, and you can ask my editor to verify, is that I wrote that blog after game 5. Had the Heat come back to win games six and seven at home, I would have looked bad. However, I had confidence to write, “Dare I say that LeBron James is the 4^th most effective player on the court, especially in crunch time?”

Where Via bit it big: August 1, 2011 – I’m going to Disneyworld: The Philadelphia Eagles were supposed to be “the” team in 2011. By trade or free agency, the Eagles acquired Nnamdi Asomugha, Jason Babin, Cullen Jenkins and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. They also gave Michael Vick a franchise deal, making him “their” quarterback. A team like that is not guaranteed to win the Super Bowl, but when you miss the playoffs entirely, it stings. It also stings when you write about the Super Bowl post game press conference. To make matter worse for me, I wrote that they beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in that Super Bowl. Ouch and flat out wrong.

Where Via knew what he was talking about: June 27, 2011 – Chicks dig the Pitchers too: Homeruns will always be a part of baseball. They will always be very exciting to see and will continue to change games and seasons. But look at the past two World Series champions. The 2010 Giants and 2011 Cardinals won with timely hitting and dominant pitching. And if that weren’t enough, I think it’s safe to state that the two most dominant players last season were Justin Verlander and Clayton Kershaw. Let me say again, “Long live the first pitch fastball, the 3-2 back door curve, the Trevor Hoffman change up, the Mariano Rivera cutter, no hitters, brush back pitches and in the name of Sandy Koufax, long live the complete game.”

Where Via didn’t know what he was talking about: December 11, 2011 – Keeping up with Lamar: My biggest blunder by far, “Lamar Odom has been a great player for the Lakers. He should fit in very well with his new team.” While he was a great player for the Lakers, clearly Odom has been a nightmare this season for the Dallas Mavericks and is now out of a job right before the playoffs. That is by far the worst statement of the year. Guh!

Where Via spoke the truth: December 6, 2011 – A long December: At the time I wrote this blog, Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys had just blown a game against the Arizona Cardinals, dropping his career December/January record to 8-11. They went on to lose three of their next four, a 9-14 record if you’re keeping score. 7-4 last season going into December. 8-8 final record, missing out on the playoffs. “Lucky for him, Romo and his Cowboys control their own destiny this season. Win enough games and the NFC East is his for the taking. But if we look at the past, Romo and the Cowboys are far from a lock to make the playoffs.” Tony Romo is a great golfer. You wonder if he spends too much time in the off season working on that game.

So there you have it, Via's list of rights and wrongs. As Frank Sinatra would say, "The record shows I took the blows." But in the end, I've done pretty well against the odds, and I was right more than I was wrong.