Player Profile: Curtis Granderson

     I remember Curtis Granderson being the big name hitter in Detroit. Comerica Park was just big enough for Grandy to compile a good amount of triples and doubles while also being just small enough for him to get a decent amount of home runs year after year. He had a nice line drive swing while he was in Detroit and for the beginning of his tenure with the Yankees but towards the end of his time with the Yankees he started to get pull happy. He saw that right field porch at Yankee Stadium and got pull happy. Kevin Long helped Curtis come back to his line drive swing when he would start looking sloppy at the plate. Grandy's strikeout's (119/season) have always been pretty high. That's to be expected with his home run (22/season) totals in today's game.

     Grandy is in a great ballpark for him to hit triples, although his triples might turn into doubles now at the age of 33. He's probably not going to get to 23 triples like he did in 2007 but I think he can still get to around five three baggers. I was kind of surprised to see he hit 20 home runs in 2014. He only had 66 RBI's though. I think, with the help of Kevin Long combined with the drive this guy has, he can reach five triples, around 20 home runs, 75-80 RBIs and ten stolen bases. He had a very good average in the five and six hole last year. He is projected to hit in the six hole and hopefully, his average goes up from .227 to about .260. His average is misleading too because he had two very poor months. In April and August he had 193 at bats and only 18 hits (two homers). That's a .093 average for those two months. If he can raise that hit total to 50, it'll make that average go up to .259. Even if he raises it to 40 hits, that average will become .207. That will make the average a lot more appealing.

     Kevin Long will be able to help Grandy get back quickly if he stubbles throughout the season. Grandy has always been an inspiration in the way he works very hard to stay on the field and be the best player he can be. 

     His work off the field tells you the kind of person he is and he brings that work ethic everywhere he goes. I like Granderson and the more I hear what he's done, the more I root for him. I think he is a clubhouse leader and someone the rookies can look up to. After 2013's injury plagued season, his 2014 season was pretty good but I look to Granderson to being even better in 2015! I just think he should be the one in right field and not Cuddyer either way, they're both at best average players.

Player Profile: Juan Lageres

   This might be my one of my favorite players. The way he patrols centerfield is truly poetic. He tracks the ball down very well. He is able to take away centerfield from hitters and the way the outfield is this year he's going to need every jump on the ball he can get. Lagares was a shortstop early in his career but then was moved to centerfield and he's flourished there.

     His defense has given him the ability to make it very had to sit him, as it should. In 2013 he wowed everyone with his defense. He was just up and coming and his bat was still a little bit underdeveloped but being the best defender at a position that is difficult to defend kept him out there to work on his bat. He just won a golden glove for his brilliant play in centerfield 2014 after not being the starting job coming out of spring training. I'm not really sure why Lagares wasn't given the job coming out of spring training but then I just think about the team I'm watching and realize there doesn't need to be a logical answer to that question. Maybe it was just Terry flipped a coin that day and it kept landing Lagares on the bench. Lagares had 304 chances, making 293 outs, six assists and only five errors. And he would glide to the ball with ease, making it look so easy. It wasn't like he was a slouch at the plate either.

     In the 416 at bats in 2014 he was able to compile, he had a slash line of .281/.321/.382, 24 doubles, 13 swiped bags and a 5.5 WAR (Wins Above Replacement). Most of the year last year he was thrown into the bottom of the order, until he was given the chance to leadoff at the end of the year. He is projected to be at the top of the order this year again. I would like to see his stolen base totals go up in 2015 with him stealing early in the count to Murphy. With only twenty walks and 87 strikeouts, he puts the ball in play. I would like to see that walk rate go up but not at the expense of him losing the ability to put the ball in play consistently. If his walk rate goes up, his on-base-percentage will go up, which I would like to see around .350.

     I know, I know I'm pretty describing a prototypical leadoff hitter. Seeing as how he is the most suitable to be a table setter, I will take the numbers he had last season so long as he develops more as a hitter and a runner. The pitchers will be giving him better pitches at the top of the lineup, so if he is able to duplicate those numbers, you can sign me up for that. Maybe just trying to steal a little bit more. Rickey Henderson's philosophy was, "I always believed I was going to be safe." It allowed for Roger Cedeño to compile a Met franchise record with 66 stolen bases. Seeing as how the Mets are looking like a team that will be squeaking out runs, taking that extra 90 feet will be even more of a factor. With the roster the way it is right now, Lagares could be the spark plug and possibly even the most important part of the lineup.

     I will most definitely enjoy watching Lagares play centerfield and watch him develop into a more polished hitter. I hope Terry pushes him to steal more bases. I think his other offensive numbers will take a small dip though given 500 plus at bats. I think that it's really only Lagares or Granderson in the leadoff spot. I like Granderson in a run producing role more than as a leadoff.

Hopefully Terry Collins doesn't play around with Lagares like he did when trying to choose who should play centerfield. Let's see what the kid can do and hopefully he will happily surprise people that say his numbers in 2013 are his ceiling. "Hey, ya gotta believe!" Right?

Player Profile: Michael Cuddyer

     Newly signed Michael Cuddyer has always been a professional hitter since coming up with the Minnesota Twins. I feel like Twins players around the time Cuddyer was brought up, the scouting and minor league system was great. I always remembered the Twins coaches would hammer home the fundamentals and let everything else fall into place. The Twins had a few very good players around the time that Cuddyer came up in Torii Hunter, Justin Morneau, and Joe Mauer. Those four guys combined with Johan Santana, made up the core of the Twins. It was unfortunate they where playing in Minnesota as it was too small of a market to hold all those players. They all became some of the players.

     Michael Cuddyer a very well polished hitter. He makes solid contact and has the ability to drive the ball to all fields. Although his numbers might be slightly inflated with him spending the last three seasons in Colorado, they were still good in Minnesota. His problem over the years has been staying on the field. The contract he signed (two years/$21 million) is a very fair contract even if he does have an injury with the upside that he might be able to provide. I would like to see him get at least 450 at bats for the season. That would mean he plays about 125 games in 2015.

     With Cuddy staying on the field for at least 125 games (hopefully more), I think he finishes the season with a .280/.340/.440 slash line, about 15 dingers and about 75 ribeye (tofu) steaks for the year. Cuddyer just seems like a place holder for one of the minor leaguers that are waiting in the wings. Nimmo will probably get first shot if he's showing he's capable.

     I have always been a fan of Michael Cuddyer at the plate because of his approach and never seeming fazed at the plate. He seems like he takes a very good approach to the plate, a professional hitter, not a great hitter but a no slouch. He is a very nice piece to the puzzle, but not the answer, if there was a big power bat in this lineup he could be a very nice compliment to this team but unfortunately there wasn't so there's going to be even more pressure on Cuddy to show he can provide protection in a lineup with very little protection. Cuddy is a very likeable guy, and if he hits, it will be very hard to dislike Cuddyer.

     Let's Go Mets!!!

Player Profile: Wilmer Flores

     Wilmer Flores has been a solid bat throughout every level he's played in, the problem has always been with his glove. His glove has caused a lot of people to not want him playing every day at shortstop. The thought of his bat in a lineup has forced the Mets to find him a spot in the field. Flores has been tried at second base, shortstop, and third base. Even though Flores probably won't stay at shortstop for the long term, for the short term, he will probably be a shortstop. From his minor league stats in 2014. In 220 at bats he had a slash line of .323/.367/.568 and 13 home runs. His numbers looked decent for a rookie. He had a slash line of .251/.286/.378 with six homers and 29 RBI. I would hope that in 2015 his numbers are going up.

     The New York Mets starting shortstop job is his to lose. He goes into spring training were his main competition is Ruben Tejada (Matt Reynolds could be in the discussions too). Matt Reynolds would have to really impress to make this squad but still will probably be starting in triple-A. I think Flores, if he's given the opportunity to get around 500 at bats, gets about 15 homers, with a .250 avg while batting 8th.

     I really like Flores's bat but his glove is not even an average glove. It will be really tough to watch him at shortstop during this 2015 season. If he is given the full season at shortstop, I think he makes in the neighborhood of 20-25 errors. His glove will most likely lose the Mets more games than his bat will win the Mets games. For a team that is going to rely on pitching this year, defense should be a close second. I just think Flores is a man without a position currently and since he has played shortstop before, the Mets threw him there. Maybe Flores works really hard at becoming an average shortstop and just making the plays he needs to make. There is a guy on the other side of second base that did that a few years ago that earned him a starting spot and finally became All-Star. Daniel Murphy looked horrible at second when he first started there but he worked really hard the position and his bat kept him in the lineup. Hopefully Flores can do the same this year. Working on shortstop while not losing too many games for the Mets.

     All that being said, I don't think Flores stays at shortstop for the whole year. Flores's situation reminds me of Melvin Mora. The Mets put him at shortstop, he lost a game with an error from the Mets and in, what seemed like the next day, was traded to the Orioles for Mike Bordick. Melvin Mora went on to have a really nice career with the Orioles. Maybe it was the six kids Mora had or maybe the Mets just didn't give him enough time to develop into what he became.

      I would like to see the Mets give Flores a little bit of time to become a very good player. Unless of course they can get a really good player for him, someone better than Bordick, I'd like to see Flores play and earn his spot in the lineup while his value goes up with his bat and his glove becoming better. Hopefully his work ethic is much better than it was when he reported to camp over weight. He could be a pleasant surprise if given the opportunity to excel.

Player Profile: David Wright

     David Wright, Captain Wright, Captain America, whatever you want to call him, the Mets still call him their leader. He's quietly compiled some very nice numbers. Over the last ten years he's averaged 21 round trippers, 85 RBI, 83 runs, 155 hits, 17 swiped bags and a slash line of .298/.377/.494. He's a very solid and capable third baseman sporting a .955 fielding percentage. He has won two Golden Gloves at the hot corner in 2007 and 2008. Those are also two of the seven years he was named an All-Star (2006-2013).

     David Wright has has had a few bangs and bruises here and there but has never missed more than 60 games. He has played at least 144 games seven years and 160 games three times. Last year though was hopefully nothing more than an off year. Hopefully he is fully healthy during the 2015 campaign so we can see some more of those good numbers again. His left shoulder is making improvements and will hopefully be healthy come spring training.

     After some career lows in 2014, he should be able to bounce back from 2014 pending he is healthy. Even though he's 32, I would have to say his numbers should be on the rise with about 15 homers, 75 RBI, 70 runs, ten stolen bases, and a slash line of around .280/.350/.425. He will probably have over 500 at-bats batting third. He will be a leader on this Mets team and as good as the Mets pitching staff is set to become, next year will be as David Wright goes, the New York Mets will go.

     As good as the over the shoulder barehanded catch is and hitting the game winning hit against Mariano Rivera. His off the field accolades are highlighted by this AWESOMENESS! David Wright forms a bond with Sgt Felix Perez. This is such an awesome story and shows just what kind of person David Wright is. It shows much more than the seven All-Star games and two Golden Gloves he has. This just shows that as good of a ball player he is, he's an even better human being and this always makes me proud to be a Mets fan.

News: Is Ian Desmond Worth It?

     Ian Desmond's name has been brought up a lot as a potential trade chip for the Washington Nationals. Right before the Tampa Bay Rays traded Ben Zobrist to the Oakland A's it was rumored that there was a potential three team trade that sent Desmond to the Mets and the Mets sent prospects to the Rays while the Nationals wound up with Zobrist and Yunel Escobar going to the Nationals. 

     The Nationals of course wound up asking for none other than Noah Syndergaard. Ian Desmond's number's over his career are: .270/.317/.431, 15 homers, 62 RBI, 59 runs and 18 stolen bases. He became much more of an offensive piece in 2012 hitting .292 with 25 homers, 73 RBI and 21 stolen bases. That was the first year he joined 20/20 and has renewed his membership every year since then. His strikeouts however has also steadily increased increased from 113 to 145 up to 183 with a foreshadowing in 2011 with 139 K's.

     I have always thought Desmond was a decent player but he has quietly become one of the better shortstops in the league. After five plus years in the league, at age 29 he is a good shortstop that plays an average defensive shortstop at best with an above average stick. As good as Ian Desmond has been I still would not trade Syndergaard for a 29 year old shortstop whose strikeouts are on the rise. He makes six and a half million dollars and unless the Wilpons sell the team before the start of the year $6.5 million might be out of there price range for this good of a shortstop. Even though the price for him is inexpensive compared to his numbers. He will be making a lot more after this year because he is a free agent in 2016. Unless there is a window to discuss a contract extension I would not want him, I don't want a rental player for any of our young prospects.

     Unless the Nationals want Montero and another minor league prospect that isn't named Noah Syndergaard, maybe that could work, even if it is just for a year. His defense isn't too great either. I would like for the Mets to get a shortstop that is defensively sound. Defense up the middle is very important and if the Mets had better hitters on the corners, they wouldn't be trying to get a shortstop that is of Ian Desmonds caliber offensively. I like Desmond's offensive numbers but we can't wait a year and make our run for him then instead of giving up minor league talent? Oh right...he'll probably be $15-$18 million per year which would probably be too much for the penny pinching Wilpon's.

Player Profile: Daniel Murphy

     Daniel Murphy has probably been the Mets most consistent hitter over the past few years. He was a third baseman in the minor leagues but there was a major blockade in the name of David Wright that wasn't going to allow Murphy to play there, so he played second base. Then in 2008 when he was coming up to the majors, Luis Castillo was playing second base. Murphy was then moved to left field. He looked horrible out in left field which was capped off by a horrible miss play when Johan Santana was on the mound. In 2010 he went down for the year with a knee injury and when he came back he was a man without a position. The Mets knew that he wasn't an outfielder so they played him at first, second and third. In 2012 he become the full time second baseman. People were skeptical about his defense but his bat made for him to be in the lineup. He kept practicing at second base so he could become an average defensive second baseman. For the most part he has been able to make the plays at second base that should be made.

     Daniel Murphy's numbers are what made the Mets find his position. Over the past six seasons his slash line is .290/.333/.419, eight home runs, 32 doubles, 55 RBI, 61 runs, and 9 stolen bases. At an estimated five million dollars for this season those numbers are a great value. There have been a lot of rumors of him being traded but I think he should be traded only if he could bring back great value and there was someone else with similar numbers.

     He projects for more of the same numbers this upcoming year. He will most likely hit .286-.292 with ten homers, 75 runs and 68 RBI and ten stolen bases. With his line drive swing he hits a lot of doubles especially in Citi field. If he winds up getting traded his greatest value will be as a DH who plays second base. He will probably bat second or sixth.

     Daniel Murphy is a very underrated player. After a lot of hard work he makes the plays that a second baseman is supposed and his bat helps an offense that struggles for runs. Although he will probably wind up being traded he has been a great piece to this team.

Player Profile: Lucas Duda

     Lucas Duda. Well he's gone from first base to left field to "where do we put this guy?" back to first base. The Mets front office had said there was going to be a spring training battle, that bled into the beginning of the season, for first base. The battle was between Ike Davis and Lucas Duda. It was a very weak battle because neither player was able to step up and blow Terry Collins away. In earlier blogs I had wanted Ike to win the battle. I thought Ike had the greater upside and I also thought he significantly better defensively. Over the course of the year Lucas Duda sneakily hit 30 home runs and quietly made me eat my words.

     This is the first year that Lucas Duda has had over 500 at bats and he made the most of them. In 596 ab he hit: .253/.349/.481 with 30 dingers and 92 RBIs (seven errors at first base). He was 28 and in his fifth year in the league during 2014. He looks very comfortable at first base and if you compare him to how he looked out in left field, he looks like a platinum glover at first. When he was in the outfield he looked lost and it always looked like he was taking that to the plate with him. But now that he's at first and really doesn't have anyone breathing down his neck, he looks more relaxed at the plate AND in the field, at his natural position, first base.

     Now here's the question, is that the real Lucas Duda or is he a 15 homer 400 ab guy? Now I think that Lucas Duda can hit 23-27 homers with 85-95 RBIs per year, but I think that 30+ might just be a pipe dream, Duda wound up getting his 30th round tripper on the last game of the season. I think that they should also allow Duda play against lefty's. Duda has proven himself as a capable defensive first baseman and probably the best pure power hitter on the team. Lucas Duda has earned himself a spot on the EVERYDAY lineup, lefty or not. The only way he will get better versing lefty's is by having him verse them. It's not like you're putting a great hitting OF/1B when Duda sits, you're replacing him with John Mayberry Jr. Sorry Mayberry Jr. you're good but you should be on the bench and hitting those late inning homers we need. Mayberry Jr. has the ability to hit you three homers in a game but the reason why he's not a starter is because more often than not he will strike out three times in a game instead.
     We all saw the numbers Duda put up last year when given 500+ ab, let's see if he can come close again. I think if Duda has 500+ ab he will hit about 25-28 HR with 95 RBIs and about a .240 average while his eye will get him a (team leading) .340-.350 OBP. Duda will most likely bat fourth and start at first base.

Player Profile: Travis d'Arnaud

     Travis d'Arnaud at 6'2 weighing in at 210 pounds is a pretty good defensive catcher. He showed signs of what he could be after coming back from a minor league send down in the middle of the season. His number for the season last year are: .242 avg, 13 HR, 41 RBI, 48 runs, in a 108 games and 385 at bats. He will hopefully play 30-40 games while getting around 500 at bats. He should be somewhere around his stat line this year hitting: .250-.260, 12-15 HR, 50-65 RBI, 50 runs. He hit .180 at the start of 2014 and couldn't hit his way out of a paper bag. On June 7th he was demoted to the minor leagues. He hit .436 in the minors and made his case for coming back to the majors. Upon returning (June 24) after a 15 game stay in the minor leagues, he hit significantly better. From the first game he looked much more relaxed at the plate when he hit a 3-run home run.
   
     He will start off as the Mets every day Catcher. Hopefully he continues his hitting from last season. He is someone that the Mets pitching staff has come to like to pitch to. His skills behind the plate are average. He had nine errors and 12 passed balls. His caught stealing percentage was .194 so hopefully that goes up. He will probably bat sixth or seventh. As long as he doesn't get off to a slow start or get injured he should be able to get a whole year behind the plate. The Mets should give him every opportunity to succeed at this level. Catchers usually develop slower than other position players. Whether it be that they are focused on understanding the pitchers or what but even Yadier Molina didn't become this great bat until he was 28. Yadier did however have decent numbers before that but he built himself to become the best defensive catcher in the league. I would like d'Arnaud to become a very good defensive catcher first and then he can focus on the hitting. I think he can be a very good piece to the Mets as a team. I like his persistence to use the trip to the minor leagues as a time to get his head straight and not put as much pressure on himself as he did at the start of 2014.

Opinion on the Billboard Project

     This billboard project is finally funded so I figured I would give me opinion if the Wilpon's should sell or hold onto their team.
     The Mets are looking like they could be a great team. They have the pitching lined up to be great, they even have the depth to make a deal for a hitter so they could be great. They also have a few hitters in the minor leagues that could come up and be impact bats for the Mets. It'll be fun to see in the next coming years.
     The Wilpon's should not benefit from this though. I have wanted to always get some form of season tickets for the Mets, but when I could finally afford it, they are not putting a decent product out there. So then I just say I'm going to get individual tickets and I'll try to go to as many games as I can. But then I think of all the times the Wilpon's have lied to the fans. Like by saying that the Madoff thing won't effect the team, that they have the money to spend on players for the team. So what happens? The Wilpon's take out a loan from MLB and then they don't make the product on the field any better. This is New York, we care more about what you're doing today than what you have planned. What you have planned may never happen but winning today could. They want the best possible product they can have in the field. They could have gotten Nelson Cruz in 2014 but decided Chris Young was that great missing piece. "Lightning in a bottle" is a term used when describing signing Marlon Byrd because it was a lucky signing that worked out, Byrd wound up being a bright spot on the Mets that year. Chris Young was not a bright spot, he was given every opportunity to succeed because they needed him to. They didn't want him to fail so Sandy could be like, "Hah! See, I know what I'm doing, you guys ought to buy into what I'm doing" but instead it blew up in the Wilpon's face. It showed that the Mets really aren't going to go out there and spend a little extra for a fan base that is thirsty for wins and wants nothing more than competitive September baseball. Of course the playoffs and a World Series banner wouldn't hurt either but we'll start at competitive September baseball. This hasn't happened since 2008, and that was tough to watch when they weren't able to close the door when they had a lead. Then 2009 started the decline and the Wilpon's didn't try to stop it.
     The Wilpon's, if they want to make money, will have to spend money. They won't see a return until they show us they are deserving which they haven't. The Mets could put out a good ball club while still building for the future but instead they just get an outfielder and say, "Okay, this team is ready to go!" I have been excited recently because of the minor leaguers that the Mets have gotten, not because of the product on the field. Only because of the product that COULD, maybe one day, hopefully be on the field. Oh and speaking about being on the field, the way they handled that Matt Harvey injury was a joke. He will be thinking of how he wasn't allowed to be in New York when his contract negotiations come around. Oh, and his agent is none other than the beloved Scott Boras, loved by his clients, hated by the owners.
     I don't think the Wilpon's should be the owners anymore. Even though the Mets are headed in the correct direction with the farm system I don't think the Wilpon's should be the owners. This banner, by Gary Palumbo, I think is the right thing to do. The Wilpon's have had this team for long enough not spending money. Not spending money in a New York market shouldn't happen. The Wilpon's could own a team like the Twins, Royals or Pirates where they just say, "Okay this just wasn't our year." I can't even say the Padres or Mariners because they have made moves to better their team in the now. New York is a big market that should not be in the same category as the Royals when spending money. The Mets could be in the same category in excitement as the Royals last year but not spending money. Fans are not stupid, they see what's going on. Fans see the Mets aren't spending money so why should a fan spend money on a ticket? They would much rather spend it on a billboard to go up so the Mets can find some new owners.

Put Mike Piazza in the Hall of Fame Tomorrow

     On May 22, 1998 the New York Mets trade Preston Wilson, Geoff Geotz and Ed Yarnall for number 31 in your playbook, Mike Piazza. Although Todd Hundley was my first favorite player, Mike Piazza helped put the Mets over the top and into the playoffs. And in 2000 they got as far as the World Series with him being a key player in getting there. He is arguably the best hitting catcher with over 2000 hits and 427 hits being home runs, 1335 RBIs and a .308 batting average. Those numbers compiled while playing the most demanding position on the diamond as a catcher. Piazza would step into the batters box and the opposing pitcher would fear the ball was going to go over the fence. Mike Piazza didn't have much around him when they went to the World Series in 2000. If Mike Piazza was on the 2015 Mets, this 2015 team would be looking at at least a wild card spot in the playoffs. You get back acne one time and 25.01 plus percent of the BBWAA goes crazy and thinks he did steroids. Just because you play during this era doesn't mean you automatically took steroids. I think in Mike Piazza's first year on the Hall of Fame ballot, the only question about him should have been Los Angeles Dodgers hat or New York Mets hat. I just hope Piazza gets the 75% needed to be asked up to Cooperstown.
     I would also like to thank Mike Piazza for my favorite home run...I'd talk about it but I'll just show it because this clip puts it in such a better way.

Wilpon's to sell or Hold

     Many of you might know about Gary Palumbo's billboard that he wants to put up on Roosevelt Avenue. "#FreeMetsFans Sell The Team" is what Gary wants the billboard to say. He makes a very valid point. The Wilpon's have not wanted to spend money since Bernie Madoff made off with their money. The Wilpon's have told Mets fans that the team still has all the money to spend but then doesn't spend the money to get the players needed to put a good product on the field. They haven't been good since 2009 and in a small market team that might be acceptable but in New York that is not acceptable. We usually have a tough time losing five games let alone five years of losing seasons. As I understand the Mets are rebuilding there has been many players that could have made this team watchable during the recent years. The Mets have signed very few of them. The Wilpon's have said one thing but done another trying to fool Mets fans. The only one being fooled has been the Wilpon's. They should have sold the team when Madoff took the Wilpon's money. I think the Mets are headed in the correct direction. They still are acting like a small market team in a large market. I think the Mets have needed new owners for a while. I miss the days of Nelson Doubleday but I also think they are a year late cause they are on the way up. I think winning cures a lot of things. but who's to say that this isn't the last time they get fooled or they don't spend the money? They want to trade Daniel Murphy if they get a shortstop because it would free up five million dollars, really Mr. Wilpon? Five million in a New York market?

     If you would like to help, you can go to #FreeMetsFans Sell The Team and pledge $1, $20, $50.

R.I.P. Stuart Scott

     "Booyah!" I need to take a minute to talk about Stuart Scott. You where a great sports anchor and even better human being. It really saddened me to hear that this man passed early on Sunday. He was only 49 years old. He leaves behind two daughters, a girlfriend, an ex-wife, his sisters along with all of loyal listeners. The people that aspired to be just like him but fell short because his style was unique and his own. I really enjoyed turning on SportsCenter and seeing him on there as I'm sure many of you did. Stuart Scott was battling cancer for the third time and this time the cancer took him from his suffering. He didn't lose cancer, nope, he wouldn't let cancer win. He lived life to the fullest and always treated people with the utmost respect. Hearing story's on the radio, he was a great man. Someone that people and fans should REALLY be looking up to and not the Adrian Peterson, Roger Clemens, Ray Rice's of the world. He is someone that will be greatly missed and should always be idolized. His perseverance was highlighted by his acceptance of the Jimmy V award. Thank you for everything you've done for sports reporting, you made watching ESPN even better. Rest In Peace Stuart Scott (July 19, 1965-January 4, 2015). You really are as cool as the other side of the pillow!