Miami Heat Wins, But Photos and Video Tell The Entire Sad Ending

embed this tweet
June 19, 2013

• POLITICS
• BUSINESS
• ENTERTAINMENT
• TECHNOLOGY
• NATIONAL
• GLOBAL

• Open Wire
• All topics

These Stupid Heat Fans Missed History and Tried to Get Back in Last Night From The Atlantic Wire

Instagram: @bomani_jones

•  Share
•  Print article
•  Email article
•  Comments (2)

CONNOR SIMPSON9:42 AM ET

Regardless of the situation, leaving a big game early to beat traffic is one of the deadly sins of sports fandom (unless maybe you're a Dodgers fan). Last night, a few hundred of the thousands of Miami Heat ticket-holders who chose to leave American Airlines Arena during the final minute of the fourth quarter of Game Six of the NBA Finals — when the Heat fought back from a 10-point deficit at the start of the fourth quarter, when the lead was changing with every possession, and then as their team went down by 5 with 28 seconds to go — were punished by the sports gods when they tried, desperately, drunkenly, to get back in for the Heat's shocking comeback and overtime win to keep the season alive.

Now, Miami gets a pretty terrible rap as a sports town, and sometimes rightfully so. The Marlins are an embarrassment. The Heat's biggest celebrity fans are known for turning on their team and partying with the enemy after one of the Heat's most embarrassing losses. But, last night, some regular old Miami sports fans lived up to every expectation the world has of them when they started filing out of the arena. LeBron James had willed his team back from the verge of surrendering the Heat's second finals in three years, to the San Antonio Spurs. But now Tony Parker had become a man possessed — a silent bargain with the devil made off-camera, the terms unknown, that saw him sink a devastating three and force a bad shot from LeBron that led to a Tim Duncan block. Parker had played miserably until that point. Things had changed once more. The Spurs were up. The people went out. But the Heat found a way! And somehow, through some kind of weird rebounding miracle, maybe another deal with the devil for twice the price, Ray Allen sunk one of the most beautiful, clutch three pointers the NBA Finals have ever seen. The game went to a wild overtime, where the Heat would come out victorious to force a Game Seven on Thursday. But, hey, there was traffic to beat. Rembert Browne @rembert

Once the game turned around, once fans who split noticed things went to overtime, it got a little ugly outside the arena. Drunken, unruly ticket-holders started begging and pleading with staff to be let back in. ABC Miami reporter Victor Oquendo became a minor celebrity when he began documenting the sad pleas of fairweather Miami fans on Twitter last night. "Now I'm watching horrible, drunk, quitting fans desperately trying to get back in. This is madness," he reported. "Cops finally here. Fans still pounding on the doors begging to be let in." The scene was made for Miami fan schadenfreude. "It was kind of sad," a Heat fan told CBS Sports' Royce Young. "But those who stayed saw one of the greatest games ever." Oquendo, a Miami native, called it "glorious

Heat Fans, Optimistic https://vine.co/v/hBV1XUjh2OQ 

11:45 PM - 18 Jun 2013

."

Joe Maddon: Post Traumatic Stress Therapy Could Help Rays Pitching Staff

embed this tweet
June 15, 2013

Open Letter To The Tampa Rays Baseball Club:

Don White

I'm writing, particularly to Field Manager Joe Maddon about what he called in the post game interview last night the "epidemic" surrounding Rays' pitchers.

As you will recall, the Rays dropped two games this week to only a "fair" American League ballclub, Kansas City Royals, whose record coming in to Tampa was almost the opposite of the Rays, 31-35. Now that we've lost two games we are about even with the Royals, but declining fast unless our pitchers can do something to elevate their game. Actually, maybe the whole team needs this advice, because in those two games Kansas City scored 17 runs to Tampa's 3.

The following article was meant to help those warriors who have gone into battle and returned with a Post Traumatic Stress Disease. I ask: Is there so much pressure on the Rays pitcher to have them in a state of tension all the time, so that their performance would suffer?

You decide. But if I were the GM or field manager of any major league team I would take this stuff seriously. 

Meditation is known to reduce stress. Two days ago I suggested that Jeremy Hellickson could elevate his game if he started meditating, dreaming of winning ballgames and doing positive affirmations all week before a game. I believe the Rays have excellent pitchers, maybe the best in MLB. Please do not misinterpret my desire to help the Rays. I want them to not only win the tough ALE division, but to go on and bring back a World Series championship. So consider this as serious advice. It's common sense, really, so why not try it?

___________________________________________________________________

Research: For Post-Traumatic Stress Relief, Stretching And Meditation Work

June 10, 2013 by Sam Rolley 

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a condition that is increasingly being diagnosed by physicians throughout the Nation. With more cases of PTSD cropping up, more research of the condition is being conducted—and a recently published study indicates PTSD sufferers can benefit from alternative therapies.

More than 7 million adults are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a typical year in the U.S. The mental health condition, triggered by a traumatic event, can cause flashbacks, anxiety and other symptoms.

Credit: PHOTOS.COM

A recent study accepted for publication in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism(JCEM), suggests that those who are afflicted by PTSD can benefit from stretching and meditation.

“Mind-body exercise offers a low-cost approach that could be used as a complement to traditional psychotherapy or drug treatments,” said the study’s lead author, Sang H. Kim, PhD, of the National Institutes of Health. “These self-directed practices give PTSD patients control over their own treatment and have few side effects.”

The study found  that PTSD patients’ high levels of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) and unusually low levels of cortisol – two hormones used to regulate the body’s response to stress— responded favorably in subjects who participated in mind-body exercises for an eight week-period.

After mind-body exercises, patient cortisol levels in the blood rose 67 percent and PTSD checklist scores decreased by 41 percent, indicating the individuals were displaying fewer PTSD symptoms. In comparison, patients who did not do mind-body exercises had a nearly 4 percent decline in checklist scores and a 17 percent increase in blood cortisol levels during the same period.

“Participants in the mind-body intervention reported that not only did the mind-body exercises reduce the impact of stress on their daily lives, but they also slept better, felt calmer and were motivated to resume hobbies and other enjoyable activities they had dropped,” Kim said. “This is a promising PTSD intervention worthy of further study to determine its long-term effects.”

Two other Don White articles, one each about mental rehab for pitcher Jeremy Hellickson, and one about making some mechanical adjustments for slumping Luke 

Hellickson article: 
http://yankeewizard.blogspot.com/2013/06/hellickson-falters-in-fifth-rays-lose.html

Luke Scott article:

:"Jeter Given Clearnce To Continue Baseball Activities?" What Does That Mean?

embed this tweet

June 14, 2013
I believe we will see Jeter taking batting practice now and fielding some balls prior to game time. but I doubt they will send Brigniac back to the bench any time soon. Perhaps after the All-star break we may see Jeeter play in a game. Don White

Here's the Bleacher Report tacit and brief report on that:

Derek Jeter Injury: Updates on Yankees Star's Return from Ankle Surgery

BY 

ALEX KAY

 (FEATURED COLUMNIST) ON JANUARY 17, 2013

73,081 reads 

57 

Use your ← → (arrow) keys to browse more storiesNext

Al Bello/Getty Images

Derek Jeter may be 38 years old, but the New York Yankees shortstop doesn’t look any closer to calling it quits on one of the greatest careers in MLB history and continues to work his way back from ankle surgery.

UPDATE: Thursday, June 13, at 6:40 p.m. ET by Ian Hanford

According to New York Daily News reporter Mark Feinsand, Jeter has been given clearance to progress into baseball activities:

---End of update---

UPDATE: Monday, June 10, at 1:31 p.m. ET by Tom Kinslow

Good news for the Yankees, as Derek Jeter is getting closer to returning to the lineup as he took groundballs and swung a bat for the first time since the setback during his rehab, per Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork.com.

Jeter fielded just 20 groundballs and took 25 dry swings according to Yankees GM Brian Cashman, who refused to give a more specific time-table for Jeter's return, other than to say that the plan is still for him to return following the All-Star Game.

---End of update---

Hellickson Falters In The Sixth, Rays Lose 10-1

embed this tweet
June 14, 2013
By Don White

I could see it on his face as I watched the Rays game last night on television from my office in Orlando. 

 Manager Joe Maddon is worried about his pitcher who was "Rookie of The Year" three years ago. Has he lost it? How can we "rehabilitate" or help him?

My first piece of advice for you, Joe, is don't let the front office send him down for rehab or reassignment. That would be stupid. He belongs on the Rays. He's got so much upside that, unless it was to rehab an injury, you would be doing him insult and yourself a disservice to send him to the  triple A farm team Durham Bulls. 

Visualize Success, Jeremy

The only piece of advice Yankee Wizard has for young Jeremy Helecksen is to start visualizing. 

Visualize the fun and excitement you had that first rookie season. Then actualize it on the mound each time you pitch. Remember, I said fun and excitement, I didn't say wins and losses. Keep your mind off anything negative. You are a great pitcher. Say that over and over to yourself and actualize it. 

And I don't mean go through this sometimes silent routine once. Do it all the time. In the shower, while shaving, dressing, eating, driving to the ball park. In the pen, on the mound. But don't let it destroy your concentration while pitching. After a while, you can put the visualizations and affirmations on auto pilot. That's the way it should be. 

At home before going to bed repeat some positive affirmations and visualize the great moments of when you pitched...

Visualize your success, and when in the top of the fifth or sixth in the next game it will sustain your momentum and help you get through the entire game relatively unscathed. 

Visualize the intensity with which you threw that first year that netted you  victories and a lot of strikeouts.

If you, jeremy, can replicate that feeling you had in your best season and tell yourself, that's me, that's the new "2013 me," you will be halfway home to creating another winning season. 

Stop taking those stupid pills that are meant to calm you down before a game. (I have no idea whatsoever whether you take calming pills, but I hope not.) I want you to get excited. You'll pitch with passion, and with greater command. You'll lose yourself on the mound. 

Don't press or think, "I've got to place this ball on the inside corner." While in a game, just let your subconscious mind take over. That way you'll avoid aiming the ball and your command will be far better.  

In your rookie year, you didn't have any worries except to excel. You don't have any now, either, except to do your best. 

YOU, JEREMY, CAN TURN THIS AROUND, AND FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR CAREER AND THE TEAM YOU MUST!

Hellickson is a calm-manered man, self assured with plenty of reason to be so. He doesn't want to lose that feeling, but to add some excitement and anticipation of going 9 full innings and pitching flawless, winning baseball the entire game every outing. 

Do you think Justin Verlander can just throw his glove on the mound and claim victory each time. No, he has to win each victory, one at a time. One inning at a time. One pitch at a time. And sometimes, even in the life of this great no-hitter pitcher, the road is rocky. Always will be.

Helicksen is not known to have the greatest stuff or to be even as fast as a few of those on the team who throw 97-mph fastballs.

Former Tampa pitcher James Shields who played for Tampa last year and
was given a warm recognition by Rays fans during last nights game. 

It's now time for Jeremy to go to work and to put in extra hours of hard work developing a better, low-down, slider and/or curveball that virtually bounces off the ground each time. He needs to work on it. How do you think James Shields got to be so good? It's his low stuff, especially those pitches that literally fall off almost into the ground four feet in front of the plate. Hitters go for it, but can't control their bats at the end when the ball dropps two feet almost to  ground level.

That's the only advice I have for the Rays this morning. Good luck to Tampa in winning the next Kansas City game.

Here is what Wikipedia had on Hellickson which is quite complimentary. He's a great young man.
Jeremy HellicksonFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jeremy Hellickson
Tampa Bay Rays – No. 58
Starting pitcher
Born: April 8, 1987 (age 26) Des Moines, Iowa
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 2, 2010 for the Tampa Bay Rays
Career statistics (through June 13, 2013)
Win-loss record	31–24
Earned run average	3.52
Strikeouts	340
Teams
Tampa Bay Rays (2010–present)
Career highlights and awards
2011 AL Rookie of the Year Gold Glove Award (2012)

Jeremy Robert Hellickson (born April 8, 1987) is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball. He was born in Des Moines, Iowa and attended Hoover High School.^[1] Following the 2011 season, Hellickson was named American League Rookie of the Year.

Contents   [hide]  1 Professional career 2 Achievements 3 See also 4 References 5 External links

Professional career
Hellickson was drafted by Tampa Bay in the fourth round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft. Baseball America rated him as the 18th best prospect in all of baseball going into the 2010 season.^[2] He was selected to play in the 2010 All-Star Futures Game and was the starting pitcher for U.S. team.^[3]

On August 2, 2010, Hellickson made his major league debut against Minnesota Twins.^[4] During his debut, he held the Twins to two runs over seven innings. He struck out six while walking two. He was optioned back to Triple-A Durham after the start.^[5] 

He was once again recalled to the majors on August 10 to take the spot of Wade Davis in the rotation. He made his second career start that day against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park, earning his second career victory after pitching seven shutout innings with three hits, seven strikeouts and no walks as the Rays won 8–0.^[6]

On August 21, 2010, Hellickson was optioned to High-A Charlotte Stone Crabs to work on moving to the bullpen. He was recalled to Tampa Bay on September 1 and made his first appearance out of the bullpen on September 4, pitching 1 and 2/3 innings giving up 2 runs.

Hellickson began the 2011 season as the Rays fifth starter. On May 13, he threw his first complete game, earning a 3–0 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.^[7] Following the season, Hellickson earned the 2011 American League MLB Rookie of the Year Award.^[8] He was named the Rays third starter for the 2012 season and pitched 8 2/3 shutout innings against the New York Yankees on April 8, 2012.

Hellickson was the losing pitcher in Félix Hernández's perfect game on August 15, 2012. He still had a quality start in the game, allowing one run and five hits over seven innings to the Seattle Mariners.^[9]

Achievements

• 2009 Triple-A Baseball National Championship Most Valuable Player

• Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year Award, 2010

• International League Most Valuable Pitcher, 2010

• USA Today Minor League Player of the Year Award, 2010

• American League Rookie of the Month – May 2011^[10]

• American League Pitcher of the Month – May 2011^[10]

• American League Rookie of the Year Award, 2011^[8]

See also[edit]

	Biography portal
	Baseball portal

• List of Major League Baseball pitchers who have struck out four batters in one inning

References[edit]

1. ^ "Jeremy Hellickson wins major-league debut, heads back to minors". Desmoinesregister.com. Retrieved August 22, 2010.^{[dead link]}

1. ^ "Baseball America Top 100 Prospects". Baseballamerica.com. February 23, 2010. Retrieved August 22, 2010.

1. ^ Bollinger, Rhett (July 11, 2010). "Hellickson shines as Futures Game's winner". MLB.com. Retrieved August 22, 2010.

1. ^ Berry, Adam (July 31, 2010). "Hellickson to make debut on Monday". MLB.com. Retrieved August 22, 2010.

1. ^ Chastain, Bill (August 2, 2010). "Rays call up Johnson, option Hellickson". MLB.com. Retrieved August 22, 2010.

1. ^ Chastain, Bill (August 10, 2010). "Hellickson's seven scoreless tame Tigers". MLB.com. Retrieved August 22, 2010.

1. ^ Klemish, Dawn. "Hellickson wins battle of Jeremys". MLB.com.

1. ^ ^a b Nowak, Joey. Kimbrel, Hellickson take top rookie awards, MLB.com. Published November 14, 2011. Retrieved November 14, 2011.

1. ^ "Tampa Bay Rays vs. Seattle Mariners - Box Score - August 15, 2012". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 15, 2012.

1. ^ ^a b http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/tampa-bay-rays-jeremy-hellickson-earns-rare-monthly-awards-double/1173357

External links