Summary: The All-Star Team

In his book Hardball, Chris Matthews discusses the useful strategies for getting ahead in politics that he observed during his time working in Washington, D.C. He breaks up his observations into chapters with different lessons. Three of the most important lessons are “It's Not Who You Know; It's Who You Get to Know,” (Chapter 1) “All Politics is Local,” (Chapter 2) and “Dance With the One That Brung Ya.” (Chapter 4). These chapters illustrate how important making and keeping connections and relationships is in Washington. The “game of politics” is played by using these relationships to gain favors, votes, support, etc. According to Matthews, the people who get ahead are the ones who make and keep these important connections and relationships with other politicians and the public.

Coach Steve Rocker is one of the most successful high school basketball coaches in Kentucky’s history. Coach Rocker was very successful in previous years. Strangely, this year was very different for him. For the first time in his professional life, he is falling short of his expectations, the community expectations, and the team’s expectations. His team lost a lot of games, but most importantly the boys had no motivation or desire to bring the team out of the rut they found themselves. His players have lost their will to win, their love for their teammates, and their passion to play. Coach Rocker’s motivational methods that have always worked before and resulted in success are now failing, and he doesn’t know why. He argues that his players have become selfish and bored with winning because they have been so successful in previous years. “And there’s no question that my guys have lost their drive to win because they’ve won so much in the past. Now all they want is individual ‘wins’…which just doesn’t cut it on a team” (Gongwer, 2010, p. 17).

Bob had move to a larger school and did not make the team for there were too many players on the team, following his cut from the team, Bob’s “self-esteem lowered” and he “felt so embarrassed.” Bob’s cut from his high school baseball team as a youth affected the way he looked upon himself; he saw himself as an embarrassment and his view of himself was knocked down. Now as a partner of Jenner & Block law firm, Bob realizes that since then he has “always been something of an overachiever.” Consequently, Bob’s cut caused him to become an overachiever, due to the fact that he never wanted to be not good enough

Jason McElwain is an autistic basketball player who has always wanted to play on the varsity Basketball team. He was never able to until his senior year because he was diagnosed with autism at only 2 years old. His senior year he got asked to ba manager. The last home game of the season the head coach had told Jason that he might be able to play. Jason went in the game with 4:19 to go. He ended up scoring shot after shot after shot. At the end of the game he scored 20 points overall and was the team’s highest scorer.

Jr. Walker, born Autry Dealt Mixon in Blytheville, Arkansas on June 14, 1931, was a sensational saxophone player, as well as vocalist. Jr. started playing in high school, though he did not meet his All Stars until the late 50’s. In his mid-teens, he formed his first instrumental group, the Jumping Jacks, and adopted the stage name Junior Walker after a childhood nickname. After a move to Michigan, the band was rebranded as Jr. Walker and the All Stars.

Take basketball for example. When Arnold tried out for it, he imagined himself getting a low ranked spot. Specifically he said, “I knew I wouldn’t make those teams. I was C squad material, for sure.” [138] He had no faith in himself.

All of a sudden, we see John signed up. We were as sad as a boy who dropped his ice cream. I didn't know what to do. He was going to take my spot on the team. “I knew he would sign up!” said Alex. After school was over Alex came over and we practiced hitting and fielding until dinner. “I hope we're ready for tryouts.” I said. Tomorrow we saw John. “Hey losers, which one of you is trying out for the team.” John shouted.

Chris Matthew’s Hardball consists of four different parts containing different themes and policies on how the political world is run. All four parts: Alliances, Enemies, Deals, and Reputations contain personal anecdotes, historical context of Presidents’ careers, and rules Matthew’s has formed throughout political experience. The beginning of each chapter starts off with a quote that foreshadows the subject of each chapter. Although Matthews does establish important rules to follow as a politician, I disagree with some of his points even though I am a democrat like him.

He tried out for every single sports team possible in middle school and didn’t ever make the first cut. One summer he called one of his friends to practice basketball, his friend practiced with him everyday of the

Much of their pride stems from knowing how much potential they used to have. It eats away at them thinking about how “legendary” they were in their youth. Santiago’s pride is what motivates him to continue the pursuit of the marlin into the deep and dangerous sea. while away, Santiago daydreams about fishing days of his youth. This adventure reminds Santiago of his glorious youth and gives him hope that he might be the fisherman he once was. This hope comes alive once more when he catches the marlin. Shortly after the success of catching the prized marlin, the bad luck comes back and sharks begin to attack it. Reflecting on what is happening Santiago blames his pride. “Fish that you were. I am sorry that I went too far out. I ruined us both.” (Hemingway, pg. 115) The abundance of confidence Santiago felt that he could catch this fish so far out rooted from his pride. Being so far away from help and supplies drained him mentally and physically.Santiago returns, frail and weak. Bobby’s downfall is similar to Santiago’s in that they both stem from pride. In a preseason scrimmage Bobby was taken out and his knee was severely injured. Two options were proposed by the doctor. Do physical therapy with a minor surgery and risk an even worse re-injury. Or end his high school football career and get the surgery he needed. Bobby didn’t want to risk anyone else taking his “star” status, so he chose to risk further injury and keep playing. The second option gave Bobby hope that he could return to glory and be the player he once was. Unfortunately, it was evident to everyone that he was not the player he used to be. Permian coaches either benched him for most or all of the game. After a few games of less and less playing time Bobby couldn’t take not being the star anymore. Pride and an oversized ego caused Bobby to quit the team. Losing football started a downward spiral for Bobbythat sent him to rock bottom. Pride

NBA All-Star Weekend is in books, and it might have been one of the better All-Star Weekends in several years. Although the All-Star Game wasn’t as competitive as most had hoped, the pageantry surrounding the event was at an all-time high as Kobe Bryant’s farewell tour made its latest stop at the Air Canada Center in Toronto. The Slam Dunk Contest might have been the best ever, the Three-Point Contest came down to teammates and likely the two best shooters in the world, and a big man pulled off the biggest upset of the weekend by winning the Skills Competition. The culmination was one of the better All-Star Weekends in recent memory.

Let’s go Royals! I have lived in Kansas City my whole life and I am a huge Royals fan. If you didn’t know, the Royals are 2015 World Series champs! This is the first time we have won the World Series since 1985! Last year we were so close, we even made it to game 7 but the San Francisco pitcher, Madison Bumgarner, was too good for us. The despair our entire city felt after losing was terrible. My favorite player is Lorenzo Cain but I also like Moose (Mike Moustakas) and Eric Hosmer. One of the best days this year was when I went to ALDS Game 2.

Just want to have a nice discussion and see how people feel about the 2 dynamic all-star duos. Which one would you chose (both healthy of course) and why?

The 2017 NBA All-Star Game may have been one of the most anticipated exhibitions in recent years, mostly because fans’ eyes eagerly awaited the on-court interaction between former teammates Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. During the game, the two adversaries linked up about as much as expected, connecting on a lone alley-oop in the first quarter. The singular play may not have satisfied fans’ thirsts for more drama, but their West teammates appreciated the reunion, showering the duo with applause during the ensuing timeout.

After transitioning to the shared space, inside Strike Zone Baseball, All Star Uniforms maximized marketing dollars by performing grass root marketing campaigns to reach new customers. Sharing email lists, presenting printed material and special offers to current Strike Zone customers saved thousands of dollars in the overall advertising budget. All Star Uniforms would also work with local game and practice facilities like Johnson County Park and Recreation and 3&3 Baseball to place small advertisements in and around the facility as well as web banners and special offers. While utilizing the relationship with Strike Zone training facility, All Star Uniforms would have a heavy flow of foot traffic which increased exposure to qualified customers