“We made it an emphasis on giving the young kids a lot of reps. I think in years past maybe we hadn’t found out enough about them in camp. We saw some of them really show themselves today which is really good on both sides of the ball,” Coach Lynch told the media after the scrimmage.

Lynch also stressed the need to finalize the team’s depth chart.

“After this scrimmage, generally is when you start sitting down with your staff and start making decisions about your depth chart,” Lynch said. ‘That’s when you start getting anxious about making preparations for the first game.”
Coach Lynch also plans to give his players some much-needed rest before finishing out camp and preparing for the season opener at Memorial Stadium on Thursday September 2.

Other notes:

- Lynch likes the depth he has at the cornerback position: “I’ll tell you what, we’ve got some guys now. It was good to see (Matt) Eanrest make some tackles… (Andre) Kates and (Lenyatta) Kiles are both good players, (Richard) Council has had his best camp by far, Adrian Burks has been solid. So we’ve got some there.”

- Redshirt Junior Safety Chris Adkins had to be helped off the field due to an ankle injury. The diagnosis and his status are unknown at this time.

- Quarterback Dusty Kiel looks like the favorite right now over Edward Baker-Wright for the position of starter Ben Chappell’s backup. Kiel was solid during Saturday’s scrimmage, tossing a couple touchdown passes. The team seemed to be running a lot of screens with Baker-Wright at the helm.

- True freshman Kofi Hughes recovered an offensive teammate’s fumble in midair and took it 95  yards for a score in the scrimmage.

Simultaneously, many miles away, Alex Rodriguez was attempting to become the seventh player ever to hit 600 home runs. A-Rod’s feat would be one of the greatest in baseball history. Some players who failed to reach 600 homers in their entire career: Stan Musial, Frank Robinson, Reggie Jackson, Mike Schmidt, Ernie Banks and Ted Williams.

As I sat watching these two historic events (Garza eventually completed his bid for a no-hitter) unfold I stumbled upon this Bill Simmons’ Tweet: “ Note to ESPN exec who just cut away from a double no-hitter so we could see A-Rod try for his 600th tainted HR: You’re fired.”

I thought to myself, why would you not want to see A-Rod’s 600th homer when you would only miss a single batter in the 6th inning of the double no-hit bid? Putting Simmons obvious bias against the Yankees aside, I concluded this moment reflected the change happening in the MLB and the reason 2010 will be known as the year that changed baseball for a generation.

When I was younger, I always had a dreadful thought that all sports were planned in advance, similar to the WWE. It seemed plausible and the thought that I was watching something fake upset me. This same feeling relates to what steroids have done to baseball. People do not like seeing something fake. They want to know that the men on the field have put in the hard work day in and day out to earn their spot.

Since the day Babe Ruth put on pinstripes and starting hitting balls deep into the Bronx night, the home run has been king of baseball. There have been periods when hitters have been the weaker link, but the home run remained the drawing card.

How can you not love a home run? It is a truly magical moment when a ball sails majestically into the night sky. Home runs are the ultimate feat of power; a symbol of strength. Homers are so quintessentially American. The only thing that has changed is how fans perceive the home run.

The lack of coverage for Rodriguez’s 600th home run should be expected. “Give the people what they want” is an infamous motto. Simply put, fans no longer care about tainted homers.

Rodriguez might end up sharing the steroids poster boy image with fellow user Barry Bonds. Ask yourself how many homers the all time leader hit. You may not remember Bond’s 762 home runs, but Hank Aaron’s 755 seems to be a number that resonates throughout sports.

Hammerin Hank never hit 50 homers in a season, but he came to play every day. The combination of his natural talent and endless hard work resulted in him being the Home Run King and one of the greatest players in baseball history. Rodriguez is on pace to overtake Bonds as the all time leader and baseball fans will be left with two frauds at the top of the most important list in the MLB. However, until a clean player steps forward to take the thrown, Aaron will act as steward to baseball’s most important record.

As steroid users lay claim to some of the most important offensive records in the sport, attention has turned to the mound. 2010 will not turn out to be an obscure year where pitching dominates and home runs become rare feats. This year will be remembered as a turning point where pitchers once again dominate the MLB.

There have been five no-hitters this year which is three shy from tying the record of eight, set in 1884! Two of those no-hitters were perfect games; only 20 perfect games have ever been thrown. Remember when having an ERA under 3.00 merited Cy Young conversations? Before today’s games started 18 pitchers had ERAs under 3.00. That is simply staggering. Add in an endless number of young hurlers who are consistently throwing 95 miles per hour or above, it becomes clear the baseball scene is changing.

If you cannot see the pattern, those juiced home runs are being replaced by sizzling fastballs, devastating curves, dirty change-ups and filthy sliders.

In the year the most hyped prospect of all time, Stephen Strasburg, has dazzled with his triple digit velocity, everything is leaning the pitchers’ way. For the first time in 13 years, the National League defeated the offensive-minded American League in the All Star Game. The NL did it with pitchers blowing gas by AL hitters who had a difficult time catching up to the heat without being aided by performance enhancers.

I grew up watching Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire captivate audiences with impossible moon shots that sent stadiums into pandemonium. My generation was taught to love the home run. If you wanted to be a big leaguer you had to have power.

This generation will grow up watching Ubaldo Jimenez throw a 98 mile per hour fastball that moves across the plate. Kids will attempt to copy Tim Lincecum’s change-up and Felix Hernandez’s hard curve. The pitcher once again is on top of baseball and it will stay that way for a generation.

I hope that baseball gets clean and in fifteen years there won’t be another Fox59 intern writing about the problems a generation of users has created. Fans will know that what they have witnessed is real.

Despite the lies, the oversized biceps and the used syringes, I will tune in to every Alex Rodriguez at bat waiting for his 600th home run. Maybe I simply cannot escape the lure of the long ball, or maybe I’m just a sucker for history (even if it is tainted).

Do you ever wish you could forget the Mitchell Report? Have you ever tried to block out Manny Ramirez’s 50 game suspension, A-Rod’s confession and Rafael Palmeiro’s lies in front of the grand jury? Wouldn’t it be great if everything in baseball was written beforehand so no controversy ever arose?  Only something a kid would want, right?

I understand the reasoning behind having the All Star Game count for home-field advantage. However, having something as important as home field being decided by a game that is so debated is a a bad idea. Lets go back to the All Star Break being a BREAK, and focus on having fun and seeing the best players play.

Speaking of best players, please stop this ridiculous fan voting. Why do we let the game come down to a popularity contest with the winner being someone who is hitting 50 points under the deserving starter. Why are people allowed to vote up to 25 times? It’s interesting that the MLB is encouraging ballot stuffing.

The best players should be playing in the All Star Game, but there is one exception. Although the rule is often opposed, I like having at least one player from each team. More deserving players may get booted, but are you really going to make the season even more depressing for Pirates fans?

One of the biggest debates of the 2010 All Star Game surrounds the phenom: Stephen Strasburg. Strasburg has only pitched in five games which does not merit an all star appearance despite his incredible performance. Many people are arguing that the fans want to see Strasburg, so he should be included in the game. We must pay respect to the baseball veterans who have earned a spot on the team. If Stephen Strasburg had pitched the entire season and put up all star numbers then he would be on the team.

NL All Stars

C- Colorado- Miguel Olivo- The NL’s catching is thin this year which falls in line with a renaissance of the pitcher. Olivo may be the exception; in 2010 he has belted 11 homers while hitting .306. He is playing surprisingly well; the last time he hit over .300 was in 2005 when he played in only 37 games. Adding a.908 OPS and 38 RBIs makes Olivo deserving of the starting spot. It seems fitting that in the year pitching dominates, catchers as a whole have failed offensively.

1B- St. Louis- Albert Pujols- Before anything is said about Pujols, Joey Votto must be mentioned. Votto is having a spectacular season and he is a viable option to start at first base for the NL. Albert Pujols is batting .313 to Votto’s .312. The Cardinal has 18 homers which is one more than the Red’s first basemen. Pujols barley leads Votto in RBIs, hits, and OPS. I also give Pujols the advantage defensively. So, a down season for Pujols puts him in the All Star Game barely ahead of Votto, who should be commended for his efforts playing for a first place team in Cincinnati. Pujols adds another all star start to his resume which will land him in Cooperstown.

2B- Atlanta- Martin Prado- The Brave’s second basemen has gone under the radar in recent years playing in the same division as Chase Utley. Prado is having an incredible season as he leads the NL in batting average. He has been the most reliable offensive threat for Atlanta. He is on pace to score over 120 runs and collect over 200 hits. Without Prado, Atlanta might not be the surprise first place team they have become. Look for Prado to continue this run throughout the season and beyond; he gives 100% every game and seems to have found his niche.

SS-Florida- Hanley Ramirez- Hanley Ramirez has received more attention for his confrontation with former manager Fredi Gonzalez than his play on the field. The Marlin’s shortstop is hitting just under .300 with 12 homers and 51 RBIs. Add in an .877 OPS and Ramirez remains one of the premier offensive threats in the league. The choice is tough with Rockies’ shortstop Troy Tulowitzki hitting .306 and is on pace to score over a hundred runs. Keep in mind that Tulowitzki was hurt and has played 13 less games than the Marlins shortstop. Hanley is a tremendously talented player who should boost his numbers in second half.

3B-New York- David Wright- Wright remains in his rightful place as one of the most consistent players in the National League, after a 2009 season that saw his power disappear.  Placido Polanco is also having a great season in addition to the impressive renaissance year by Scott Rolen in Cincinnati. Wright is hitting .310 with a .936 OPS while belting 14 homers. He already has 61 RBIs in addition to 13 stolen bases. Wright is the backbone of a surprise Mets team that is contending in a tough NL East. If the Mets plan to make the playoffs, they will have to ride on the shoulders of David Wright.

OF-Milwaukee- Ryan Braun- Braun is quickly making himself a staple as one of the best outfielders in the NL. He is on pace to score and drive in over 100 runs. Braun is hitting .299 and will surely exceed that by the end of the season. He has 11 stolen bases and has improved his play in left field. Braun’s production is not as impressive as recent years, but he still deserves a spot in left field for the NL. You have to wonder what Braun’s numbers will look like if Prince Fielder leaves the Brewers.

OF-Los Angeles- Andre Ethier- Ethier has developed into one of the best pure hitters in the league. Before breaking his pinky during batting practice, Ethier was in the running for a triple crown. Still, the Dodgers right fielder is hitting .312 with 12 homers and 47 RBIs. His .917 OPS and relentless approach at the plate has made him one of the most complete offensive weapons in the NL. Ethier has also improved his arm strength and has the ability to gun runners out. Ethier’s intensity on the field separates him and has garnered comparisons to Paul O’ Neil from manager Joe Torre.

OF-Colorado- Carlos Gonzalez- In 2010, the young Colorado center fielder has shown he is a complete player. Gonzalez is a spectacular fielder and helps the Rockies as much in the field as he does at the plate. Carlos is hitting .302 with 12 homers, 46 RBIs, 47 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases. Gonzalez gets the nod over Corey Hart, who has put up impressive power numbers, and Jayson Werth who is having a solid season. You have to wonder if Billy Beane regrets shipping Gonzalez to Colorado.

SP-Colorado- Ubaldo Jimenez- There really is no need for an explanation here. Jimenez has had one of the most dominant first halves in decades. If you are being compared to Bob Gibson, then something really amazing is happening. Despite two rough starts recently, Ubaldo has compiled a 1.83 ERA and already has 14 wins! He has completed 3 of those games and has 102 strikeouts with a 1.05 WHIP. Jimenez accounts for 34% of all Rockies’ victories. I wish some of the spotlight on Steven Strasburg would shift onto 2010’s best pitcher.

CP-Los Angeles- Jonathan Broxton- Broxton has absolutely dominated for the Dodgers this season. He has 16 saves in 18 attempts with a 1.87 ERA that was greatly inflated after a debacle against the Yankees. Don’t let the one bad game fool you, Big Jon has 49 strikeouts compared to only 7 walks. He has yet to give up a homer and continues to electrify crowds in Los Angeles. Respect goes out to Billy Wagner who is having an unbelievable season in Atlanta. Broxton enters every game to “Iron Man” and he has been exactly that for the Dodgers.

AL All Stars

C-Minnesota- Joe Mauer- The reigning AL MVP is the easy choice at catcher. He brings in a .302 average with a .809 OPS and more walks than strikeouts. Mauer’s power numbers are down in 2010; he has totaled only three homers and 34 RBIs. However, he has been able to score 41 runs and is hitting a gaudy .480 with runners in scoring position with two outs. The Twins backstop remains one of the best at handling his staff and controlling the game. A 2010 MVP seems out of reach, but without Mauer, the Twins would have a hard time keeping up in the tight AL Central.

1B-Detroit- Miguel Cabrera- Cabrera is having an MVP caliber year for Detroit. He has been wrecking the ball all season which has led to 20 homers, 68 RBIs, and a .337 batting average. Cabrera has shown patience by walking 37 times, helping to boost his OPS to an incredible 1.040. Add in the fact the Miguel is on pace to score over 120 runs and the first basemen is clearly having one of the best seasons in all the MLB. He sure has come a long way from the baby faced Marlin prodigy.

2B-New York- Robinson Cano- The new Yankee stopper is situated comfortably at second base. Cano has been the biggest threat in New York’s lineup by hitting .353 with 15 homers and 53 RBIs. He has taken on the role of A-Rod protector when in reality A-Rod may need to be protecting him. Cano has also scored 56 runs, a tribute to his .402 OBP. For years the Yankees looked to trade Cano, but now he may be the biggest factor in the New York’s 2010 success. Cano has given the Yankees an absurd amount of production and is even making all his throws to first (who needs Chuck Knoblauch anyway).

SS-Texas- Elvis Andrus- Andrus tops a group of multiple candidates who are viable options at shortstop for the American League. No SS has put himself far above the rest. Andrus, playing for the first place Rangers, is hitting just under .300 with 54 runs scored. Andrus has the athleticism and speed to be a game changer at any moment. He has become a serious threat on the base paths by racking up 22 steals so far. Andrus has also helped Texas defensively by becoming a solid fielder who has great range. Looks like moving Michael Young over to third was a good idea after all.

3B-Boston- Adrian Beltre- Beltre came to Boston on a short term deal and has turned out to be the gem of the free agent class. He has continued his stellar play at third and has hit .349 with a .944 OPS. He is on pace to drive in over 100 runs and has belted 12 homers. Beltre was in no way expected to put up such impressive numbers. He has been solid in all areas including 40 runs scored. Maybe his almost MVP season for the Dodgers in 2004 was for real.

OF-Texas-Josh Hamilton- Hamilton is having a monster year in which he’s hitting .343 with 18 homers and 58 RBIs. The most feared bat in the AL West is also on pace to score over 100 runs and currently has a 1.000 OPS. Josh is doing everything for Rangers and is one of the main reasons the team is the surprise of 2010. If Hamilton can avoid injury he will surely be an MVP candidate this year and in the future. Hopefully, people can start to forget Hamilton’s past and focus on his incredible play.

OF-Kansas City- David Dejesus-  David Dejesus has always been a solid major league outfielder. His fantastic play in 2010 has gone largely unnoticed because he plays in Kansas City. Dejesus is hitting .331 with a .875 OPS despite having little help. He scored 39 times and has driven in 35 which is impressive considering the amount of opportunities he is given. Dejesus just beats out Ichiro who is putting up another impressive year on his way to Cooperstown. Whoever is smart enough to pry Dejesus away from the Royals will be gaining a player that can help push a team into the playoffs.

OF-Texas-Vladimir Guerrero- Talk about a renaissance, Vlad has taken his big bat and smacked all his nay sayers in the face. Big Bad Vlad is hitting .339 with 18 home runs and 68 RBIs. Add in 51 runs scored and a .962 OPS and you have yourself an MVP candidate.  The production the Rangers are getting out of Vlad for one year and 5.5 million must be giving Mike Scioscia and the Angels nightmares.

SP-Seattle-Cliff Lee- While pitching for a failing team in Seattle, Lee has been completely dominant. He has compiled a 7-3 record although he should have double digit wins easily. Lee’s ERA is 2.45 not to mention a 0.92 WHIP. Are you ready for this? Lee has 78 strikeouts compared to five walks on the season! There is no doubt Lee will be traded by the deadline, but he should be the starter for the AL if he’s still in the league. In the year of the pitcher, Lee continues to stand out.

CP-New York-Mariano Rivera- The best closer of all time continues to amaze fans. Rivera has a 0.92 ERA with 17 saves on the season. He has struck out 29 batters while only walking six thanks to his magical cutter. Once the Yankees have a lead late, the game continues to be over. I think Rivera could pitch another five years and still be one of the best closers in baseball. This guy is absurd.

Finally, they talk about the World Cup final, and the overall effectiveness of this World Cup in the grand scheme of soccer’s development.

Seemingly, déjà vu struck again when Clint Dempsey’s goal against Algeria was called off due to an unjust offside call. The United States stayed at 0-0 into the 92nd minute while England held a 1-0 lead over Slovenia

As the seconds ticked, one of the biggest controversies in World Cup history seemed to be coming to a head. The United States, robbed of two victories by bad calls, was about to be eliminated from the World Cup. Then, suddenly a vicious counter attack started by an incredible throw from keeper Tim Howard to Landon Donovan sparked a mighty run.

Jozy Altidore shot the ball which tipped off Clint Dempsey into the Algerian keeper Rais Bolihi. Donovan, still pursuing the play and possibly helped by guardian angels, sprinted in and nailed the rebound for possibly the greatest goal in the history of United States soccer.

Try to contemplate how much changed in mere seconds. There would have been protests and drama which would have led to further action by FIFA against the seemingly incompetent (or possibly biased) World Cup referees. Outrage would have ensued and legitimate accusations of rigging games would have been placed on FIFA’s referees. Instead, the U.S. won its group for the first time since 1930.

America should have two victories and now seem to be in position to make a run in the 2010 World Cup. Landon Donovan has no problem carrying this team; he has ice flowing through his veins.

Clint Dempsey is a man on a mission and Jozy Altidore seems to overpower every defender that gets in his way. Michael Bradley already has a fantastic goal while anchoring the midfield. Tim Howard is arguably the best keeper in the World Cup and Coach Bob Bradley knows how to inspire his squad.

The United States found its identity. They won with grit and determination. They went for every loose ball while sacrificing their bodies to maintain possession. At least, this is how the United States has played when they play well.

This team cannot ever relax; that is when they get in trouble. There are times when the U.S. seems to second guess themselves. From this game, their confidence should grow which will lead to more aggressive play. When representing the United States of America play like an American: take risks, don’t be afraid of mistakes, play as a team, and go for it all.

Will this be the defining moment of the United States World Cup? I don’t think so.

Maybe I’m still on an adrenaline rush from Donovan’s spectacularly miraculous goal, but I think this team will make some noise in the knockout round. Consider that the United States should have seven points (two wins, one draw) which would make them one of the more successful teams of the group stage.

The United Sates should have beat Algeria by five goals with an endless amount of attempts that just could not find the back of the net. Nerves stymied both teams in the opening match against England and of course a robbery occurred in the Slovenia game.

Although an unfortunate loss to Ghana ended the United States short run in the World Cup, the determination of a team that had to learn not to quit stuck with the world as they watched the men in white play.

The USA made a name for itself in a tournament where countries like Argentina dominate round after round and make the country from North America seem insignificant. While the United States will now watch the rest of the tournament from the sidelines, no other team has brought so many fans and non-fans alike to cheer for their country in one of the greatest spectacles in all of sport.