Kurtz’s Korner 4/16/14

TODD BLACKLEDGE AND THE HOOVER BASKETBALL PROGRAM

If the North Canton board of education approves the reccomendation of superintendent Michael Hartenstein at its monthly board meeting tonight, then Todd Blackledge will guide the Vikings program beginning tomorrow.  That rumor has been floating around for weeks, although many people (including myself) are shocked to learn that it is actually going to happen.

Hartenstein is definitely making the call on this one, and there are arguments on both sides of a decision that is sure to spark controversy throught North Canton and Stark County as well as within the coaching community.

On one hand it’s easy to see why Hartenstein would tab Blackledge to replace Randy Montgomery, who was unceremoniously fired last month after 12 years at the helm.  In three years as Penn State’s starting quarterback, Blackledge guided the Nittany Lions to a 31-5 record en route to the 1982 national championship. He also had seven successful years in the NFL with the Kansas City Cheifs and the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he is now an excellent college football analyst for ESPN. He worked under Montgomery for eight seasons, and four of those came as the freshman head coach.

Blackledge was a multi sport athlete in high school, and Hartenstein appreciates that he is willing to encourage Hoover athletes to play as many sports as they wish. Blackledge has spotless integrity, and there’s no doubt that he is more than qualified to teach players how to do things the right way on and off the court. He is a devout Christian with a system of values that will be invaluable to the players that he is able to coach, and he’s one of the more repected members of the North Canton community and Stark County in general.

Nobody is going to question Blackledge’s qualifications, and they really shouldn’t. I respect him well enough to say that if I had a son, I’d want him to play for a man of Blackledge’s character.   His level of commitment to the program, however,  remains a fair question that must be posed.

Blackledge makes to much money calling cames for ESPN to give it up, and that’s why nobody expected him to take Hoover’s coaching job.  The controversial part of this hire is that Hartenstein and Athletic Director Don Shimek are allowing Blackledge to coach around his ESPN duties, and that has raised many justifiable concerns.

Blackledge leaves for his weekend football assignments on Thursday and doesn’t return until late Saturday night or sometime Sunday.  That leaves assistant coaches in charge of players for at least three days a week in November, which will include at least the early portion of the Vikings game schedule.

It’s one thing to schedule around the freshman coach being away, but a part time coach at the varsity level is indeed another story.  Coaching is definitely a full time job, and it’s very hard to develop meaningful relationships with players from a considerable distance. Coaches often bond with players in a way that enhances their performance and provides a significant impact on their lives. That cant get done successfully on a part time basis, and the athletes in the Hoover basketball program are likely to be short changed as a result.

Kurtz’s Korner 4/8/14

WHAT ABOUT THE TRIBE?

The 2014 version of the Cleveland Indians is here, and the Tribe enters tonight’s series opener with the San Diego Padres 3-3 on the young season.  Last year’s 92-70 season, complete with a wild card playoff appearance, has put expectations on the current squad that haven’t been seen on the shores of lake erie since the bitter end to the 2007 season.  How far will they go in 2014?  There’s certainly reason for optimism, but only time will tell if the playoffs lie in the Indians immediate future. That being said, below is a look at the squad and thoughts on where they’ll finish in 2014.

THE MANAGER

One thing is clear. Terry Francona is one of the best managers is one of the best managers in the business, and bringing him to Cleveland was an undeniably smart (albeit surprising) move  by general manager Chris Antonetti. Francona brought instant credibility to an organization that was floundering, and there’s no doubt that he gets more out of a team than most managers.  Players restpect Francona and want to play for him, and those two factors can’t be ignored.  He gets more out of less talent, but the burning question is whether the Tribe has enough talent to get to the promised land.

THE STARTING PITCHING

Justin Masterson pitches like an ace, and his demeanor is needed in the clubhouse. He’s a straight forward guy with a level head who does his job and leads by example. He’s very consistent, and that means he’ll be counted on to do big things in 2o14.

That leaves Cory Kluber, Danny Salazar, Zach McAllister and Carlos Carrasco as the other for starters in the five man roation, with Trevor Bauer and Josh Tomlin waiting in the wings.  Salazar has electric stuff, and he’s clearly got the most potential in this bunch. Kluber, McAllister and Carrasco have all looked dominant at times, although their levels of consistency are huge question marks and will go a long way toward the Indians 2014 success.

THE BULLPEN

Francona loves a deep bullpen, and he may need one in 2014. There are some solid commodities in this year’s relief corps, but that won’t matter if they have to be called on in the fifth inning every night. The biggest question mark appears to be closer John Axford, who joins Francona’s bunch looking to return to the form he showed in Milwaukee. Axford converted 44 of 46 save opportunities for the Brewers in 2011 and was 35 for 44 in 2012. Axford was not sharp in 2013 however, going 0 for 13 (including 0 for 7 at the minor league level) in save opportunities.  Axford’s performance at the back end of the bullpen could make or break the season, so a solid season is essential if the Indians are to remain contenders.

THE INFIELD

Locking up catcher Yan Gomes and second baseman Jason Kipnis for the next six seasons was a solid move by the Tribe front office. Gomes was a virtual steal from Toronto when he came with Mike Aviles in exchange for Esmil Rogers last year, so Cleveland won’t need a starting catcher for a while. Carlos Santana has given Francona flexibility by moving to third base and serving as the backup catcher, which doesn’t say much for Lonnie Chisenhall’s chances of sticking around.

Asdrubal Cabrera is healthy and looks to have a solid year at shortstop. This is the final year of his contract, however, so don’t be surprised if he is traded before the deadline this summer.  Shortstop of the future Fransisco Lindor is waiting, and a big league appearance in 2014 is not out of the question.

Kipnis was an all star at second base last year and is heading into his prime at age 27. He’s a tough minded player who can hit, and there’s nothing but positives when it comes to his work ethic.

That leaves Nick Swisher as the Tribe’s everyday first baseman.  Fans like Swisher because he’s from Ohio, he’s outgoing and he has good things to say about everybody and everything.  Unfortunately, nagging injuries kept Swisher from performing at an optimum level in 2013, and that can’t happen again, especially on a team in dire need of power and run production. Swisher needs to talk a little less and hit a little more if the Indians want to see baseball in October.

THE OUTFIELD

Michael Brantley was also signed to a long term deal this spring, and he’s the most consistent player the Indians have. He stays within himself,  and the count really doesn’t even START until he has two strikes. He performs in the clutch, and Brantley is arguably one of the more difficult outs in baseball.

Michael Bourn returns in center, although age could be catching up with him.  Bourne continues to deal with hamstring issues at age 34, which is bad news for a guy who’s main asset is speed. Veteran Nyjer Morgan does provide insurance in the middle of the outfield, sothere isn’t that much cause for alarm.

David Murphy joins the club in right field, where he’ll likely split time with Ryan Raburn. Francona platooned Raburn quite effectively last year, and the hope is that Murphy will put more punch into the Tribe’s offense.

THE OUTLOOK

The Indians certainly aren’t the best team in any category, although they’re certainly far from the worst. What does that mean for the outcome in 2014? Stay tuned for more, but consider this. Cleveland had a tremendous record in one run contests last year, and beating up bad teams helped inflate their win total to playoff proprtions.

Those who buy tickets this year will get their money’s worth, because the Indians will once again be worth watching. They will play hard and compete every night, which is more than fans of several other teams can look forward to.. Detroit probably has too much talent for Cleveland to capture the central division title, but expect the Indians to remain in the wild card chase all summer long with somewhere between 85 and 90 wins.

Kurtz’s Korner 3/24/14

A FEW MORE WORDS ABOUT RANDY MONTGOMERY

Everybody knows by now that former Hoover boys basketball coach Randy Montgomery was suddenly relieved of his duties two weeks ago after 12 years at the helm. However, the question that no one seems to have a logical answer to is why.  No one seems to know why a reputable coach like Mongomery, who has more than 500 career victories, would suddenly be asked to leave. One thing is quite clear: somebody somewhere wanted Montgomery out of there, and that person or those people got their wish.  I thought one area coach put it best during the state tournament this past weekend, and there is at least some truth in his thoughts.
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Kurtz’s Korner 3/16/14

THOUGHTS ON HOOVER’S CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

The Hoover lady Vikings certainly did their school and community proud in yesterday’s Division I state title game that ended in a 61-55 setback to Cincinnati Princeton and gave the orange and black the 2014 runner up trophy.  The Princeton Vikings were the only Ohio team to post a victory over Hoover this season.
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