There will be more when football season is over (I’m paying close attention to Bulldogs running back Ryan Mathews), but my vote is already in. It goes to Aaron Hill.

Hill, a Visalia native and Redwood High School alum, has been tearing the cover off the baseball all season long. After missing most of last season with a concussion (he played in only 55 games last year), Hill is back with a vengeance, to the tune of a .286 batting average, a career high 33 home runs and counting, and a career high 100 RBI and counting. Aaron also made the All-Star team for the first time in his career. If he’s not the Comeback Player of the Year I’ll shave my head.

Aaron Hill's breakout season could be the local sports story of 2009. (Photo courtesy: mlb.com)

Hill is also set to have the best statistical year at the plate of ANY player from the valley to ever play Major League Baseball. And if you have Gus Zernial’s name in your head, he’s from Beaumont Texas. My criteria is this: you must have played high school or college baseball in this area to be dubbed a valley product. Being born here and moving away doesn’t count in my eyes, so Dwayne Murphy (born in Merced) and the late Ken Caminiti (born in Hanford) don’t count. Hill has already hit more homers in a season in the majors than anyone from here, and he’s about to eclipse Terry Pendleton (Fresno State) in RBI (Pendleton drove in 105 runs in 1992 for Selma native Bobby Cox and the Braves – Hill has 100) and Hall of Famer Frank Chance (Fresno HS) in runs scored (103 in 1906 for the Cubs to Hill’s 94). And, as of September 22, Aaron has 15 games to go.

Hill also plays solid defense at second base and could win a Gold Glove before his career his over.

Baseball is rich in tradition in these parts, so what Hill is doing is pretty special. His concussion slowed him down last year, but he’s giving opposing pitchers migraines now.

Don’t pass the Tylenol.

Grady, the Bulldogs Passing Game Coordinator and offensive playcaller, gave Red Wavers plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the creativity and boldness of the Fresno State offense this season in the 34-31 double overtime loss to Wisconsin.

Quarterback Ryan Colburn threw deep five times if not more. Ebahn Feathers ran for a first down in the Wildcat formation. Ryan Mathews took a snap at quarterback. Wideout Chastin West almost threw a touchdown pass to Marlon Moore, overthrowing it just a bit. Colburn operated the shotgun option formation to perfection. McElwain, now Alabama’s offensive coordinator and Fresno State’s OC in 2007, had to be smiling (that is, if he had time to watch).

The one play that stands out in my mind about how aggressive this offensive looks like it’ll be this year was on 2nd and 10 from the Wisconsin 24 yard line in the fourth quarter with the game on the line. With the ‘Dogs down 24-21 and less than 30 seconds left on the clock, Grady called for Colburn to go for it all, just missing the outstretched hands of Darren Newborne in the end zone instead of opting for a quick sideline pattern or slant. Kevin Goessling kicked the game-tying 41 yard field goal after that, sending the game into overtime.

Jeff Grady.

I loved that call. It showed many things: Pat Hill has a lot of confidence in Grady, Grady isn’t afraid to pull the trigger on a gamble, and the coaching staff has a lot of trust in Colburn.

As for Colburn, sure he threw three interceptions and underthrew a couple of balls, but he makes up with his lack of arm strength by catering to his receivers’ strengths. When he throws to Ajirotutu, Colburn keeps the ball high so Ajirotutu can use his height advantage. The overtime touchdown was evidence of that. When he throws to a smaller guy like the speedy Wylie, Colburn gets enough air under the ball for him to get under it without breaking stride, as shown in the 70 yard touchdown strike in the first quarter that made it 14-0.

Grady puts Colburn in position to be successful, especially early in the game when Wisconsin was playing soft on the edges. Grady recognized that and called for quick outs to Chastin West, Marlon Moore and Wylie that resulted in Fresno State’s first touchdown. Colburn went 5-5 on that drive and his confidence soared after that.

Grady and Colburn work well together. Does the fact that Colburn wears Grady’s #15 jersey have anything to do with it? Hmmm….

It all adds to the excitement for Friday night’s showdown with Boise State. I’m sure McElwain will be watching that one.

Brown, the Bulldogs longtime defensive coordinator, lost his battle with brain cancer in March and an entire community was devastated. He was on Pat Hill’s staff ever since Hill became Fresno State’s head coach in 1997. Everybody loved him. Everybody misses him. His initials are painted near both end zones at Bulldog Stadium.

On Saturday, the defense played for him. Hard. Smart. Decisive. Inspired.

Never forgotten. (Photo courtesy: gobulldogs.com)

Nico Herron’s 94 yard interception return for a touchdown on second and goal in the second quarter was the game changing play. If UC Davis scores on that drive, who knows what would have happened after that? Instead, Herron made it 21-0 and the wind was out of the Aggies sails.

Ryan Colburn played well in his first start. Ebahn Feathers looks like he’s ready to make an impact all season. Derek Carr got his feet wet. The run game was solid once again.

They all take a backseat to the defense.

Zero points. In fact, they outscored the Aggies 2-0. Only 231 yards of total offense allowed. Only 49 yards rushing allowed. Sure, this is UC Davis we’re talking about but consider this:

Fresno State’s best defensive performance of the season last year was against Wisconsin, the Bulldogs’ next opponent. Most of those guys are back for more this year.

Dan Brown was here then.

He’ll be with his boys in Madison, too.

Thankfully, the greatest player in franchise history, and my favorite player of all-time, Rickey Henderson, played 14 seasons in green and gold. Granted, he did it in four seperate stints with the team, but he’s going into the Hall as an Athletic on Sunday. And I can’t wait for his induction speech!

Henderson said he's the greatest base stealer of all time. Who can argue with that?

Henderson was truly one of a kind. You could make an argument that he was one of the top five players of ALL-TIME. The career steals leader. More leadoff homers than anyone else. More runs scored than anyone else. Second all-time in walks to Barry Bonds, but you can argue that Rickey is the all-time walks king, since Bonds was intentionally walked all the time. You don’t need to have a good eye for that. Over 3,000 hits, close to 300 home runs and steroid free. I can safely say that because I have seen pictures of him in high school. Built like a rock from day one.

Henderson is also terrific with the fans. He talked to everyone. Before the game. During the game. After the game. Always gracious with his time and always appreciative. I was lucky to experience that firsthand at a baseball card show in Oakhurst in 1991. Rickey was signing autographs and taking polaroid pictures with fans. I was nervous as all get out when I shook his hand but he calmed me down pretty quickly by just acting like a regular guy. In fact, the picture we took was washed out, so I was pretty nervous to ask for another one. But Rickey was cool about the whole thing. “Need to take it again big man? Come on up!”

Take two was picture perfect.

So was his career. Two world championships (one with Oakland, the other with Toronto), one American League MVP Award (1990) and an ALCS MVP Award (1989 against Toronto) are just a few more of his glorious accomplishments.

Rickey takes a lot of flack for his “Rickeyisms” and even admits that he and words don’t get along very well. But his induction into Cooperstown speaks for itself. And it’s a testament that playing the game the right way without taking any shortcuts pays off.

I unfortunately won’t be in Cooperstown for the ceremony, but I have my ticket to see his #24 jersey retired August 1st against, of all teams, the Blue Jays.

It could be the best baseball moment of my life.

1-Can Clovis West repeat as valley champion?
2-Will Edison win its first valley title under Tim McDonald in what could be his last season as the Tigers head coach?
3-Is Washington Union’s Adam McCurley the best quarterback in the valley?
4-Will Fresno City College get over the hump and win a bowl game for the first time since 2003?
5-Who will Fresno State’s new starting quarterback be?
6-Can Ryan Mathews stay healthy?
7-Will Fresno State be able to stop the run?
8-Will Bernard Berrian be catching deep balls from Brett Favre in Minnesota?
9-Raiders starting quarterback: JaMarcus Russell or Jeff Garcia?
10-Will Ricky Manning and Cameron Worrell be signed before training camp?
11-Is Pat Hill going to use Ebahn Feathers in the pistol formation?
12-Can Mike Singletary lead the 49ers back to the playoffs?
13-Will Fresno State win the WAC for the first time since 1997?
14-Can Derrick Ward run for over 1,000 yards in Tampa Bay?
15-Can Clifton Smith repeat last year’s Pro Bowl performance?
16-Is Tom Brandstater an NFL caliber quarterback?
17-Are the Cowboys better without Terrell Owens?
18-Will Tom Brady be Tom Brady again?
19-Will Michael Crabtree haunt the Raiders for his entire career?
20-Who will take a chance on Michael Vick?

Favre to Berrian has a nice ring to it, don't you think?

This could be one of the most intriguing football seasons in a long time, especially at Fresno State and in the NFL. Derek Carr has all the tools to be a D1 starting quarterback, but don’t be surprised to see Ryan Colburn in there for the season opener against UC Davis. And if the Bulldogs struggle out of the gate, expect to see the younger Carr at the helm. Pat Hill’s hook will be quick. And I can’t wait to see Smith strut his stuff as a return specialist for the Bucs again. Another local angle to look out for is if former Fresno State tight end Bear Pascoe (49ers) will be one of the steals of this year’s NFL Draft.

I have tons of questions regarding fantasy football, but that’s nothing new. And the Bulldogs have already started players only workouts, so we’ll get you caught up on that in the coming days.

Bring on training camp!

My beloved Oakland Raiders (I mean Al Davis) drafted Maryland wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey with the seventh overall pick in the NFL Draft Saturday.

I’m still trying to get over it today (Wednesday, April 29, 2009).

Texas Tech wideout Michael Crabtree was my choice. Missouri pass catcher Jeremy Maclin was my second choice. Heyward-Bey wasn’t even on my radar screen. He wasn’t on most Raiders fans’ radar screens. Note to self: when the Raiders go looking for a receiver, find out who has the fastest 40 time.

Separated at birth.

Now, is that fair? Absolutely not. Will he forever be linked to Crabtree, who was selected by the rival 49ers three picks later? Definitely. Heyward-Bey will be watched like a hawk by everyone who loves Raider football, so here’s hoping he won’t crumble under the pressure.

Raiders head coach Tom Cable says this pick is as much on him as it is Davis. Not buying it, Mr. Company Man. This has Al Davis written all over it, and I’ve never heard so many devoted Oakland fans asking for Davis to hand over his baby like this before. This was the final straw for some. And come on, Tom! Don’t tell me DHB was your guy when you’re an offensive line coach by trade leading a team in dire need of young offensive tackles! In fact, Oakland could have traded down in the first round to get Heyward-Bey AND offensive line help with the extra picks they could have received.

Heyward-Bey is moving to the East Bay. (Photo courtesy: Doug Kapustin, Baltimore Sun)

Ever since the Marcus Allen debacle, I have loathed Al Davis. Allen was probably the greatest Raider ever, but you wouldn’t be able to tell in the media guides. Why he treated Allen the way he did, I have no clue. Davis tried to replace him with Bo Jackson, Napoleon McCallum, Roger Craig, Greg Bell and Eric Dickerson, and probably would have started Vance Mueller over him if he really wanted to.

Bottom line: Davis is calling the shots, and you can’t convince me otherwise. In an interview with ESPN, Cable said the Raiders are going to run through defenses and throw over them. I swear I heard Davis and saw Cable. I now also know why he’s the head coach.

Ever since the Super Bowl loss to the Buccaneers, Davis and the Raiders have lost 11 games or more for six consecutive seasons (an NFL record), overspent on free agents (Randy Moss, Javon Walker, Terdell Sands), made horrible trades (DeAngelo Hall, Moss), have gone through five head coaches (Bill Callahan, Norv Turner, Art Shell, Lane Kiffin, Tom Cable), brought back the overhead projector, and now fumbled their way through the draft. Commitment to Bizarro World Excellence. The Raider pirate is wearing two eyepatches these days.

Is there light at the end of the tunnel? Maybe. The AFC West isn’t exactly the toughest division in the NFL and the Raiders have a young and talented nucleus, Heyward-Bey included. But with Al still in charge, you never know.

Hey, there’s always the 2010 draft. Davis’s search for the fastest offensive tackle has begun.

The tournament celebrated its 40th anniversary this year. It attracts the best teams from the valley, and a few from outside the area. There were 30 schools in it this year. Others are knocking at the door, begging to play in it next year and beyond. Crater High School in Oregon makes the eight hour drive to Fresno every year to play against the best competition it will see all season. The Fresno High baseball program, led by long-time head coach Ken Papi, runs the tournament every year and does an outstanding job. They’ve created a monster. In fact, the Classic is regarded as one of the best tournaments for high school baseball on the west coast.

The one thing that stands out about the tournament is the dominance of the Clovis schools in recent years. Clovis West, Clovis, Buchanan and Clovis East went a combined 15-2-1 in this year’s tournament, and aside from Reedley’s upset over Buchanan on the first day of the Classic, no team from the area stepped up and challenged any of them. Clovis West beat Clovis East 4-1 in the championship game. A Clovis school has taken home the Easter Classic championship trophy 11 of the last 13 years (the 2005 tourney was rained out).

Fresno High head coach Ken Papi has created one of the best high school baseball tournaments on the west coast.

That doesn’t mean the tournament is broken. That’s far from the case. The Fresno Easter Classic has been an institution for high school athletics in this area for 40 years. A majority of the top teams play in it every year and there’s talk of expending it to 40 teams.

The Fresno Unified schools all have more tradition than the Clovis schools, and there’s no reason to believe they can challenge them again in the near future.

Bottom line: the Fresno Easter Classic is a treasured event every year. The icing on the cake would be to have the championship game at Chukchansi Park, maybe even make it part of a doubleheader before the Grizzlies game. That gesture would be the ultimate showing of respect for Coach Papi. He deserves it.

Besides, he’s earned it.

I almost didn’t cave in. Here’s why. If the A’s are playing the Yankees and I’m playing against a guy who has Matt Holliday and I have Mariano Rivera, am I actually going to root for Rivera to strike Holliday out? “Strike that bum out, Rivera! I’m down five points to the Intentional Walks and I need the six point save!” I didn’t want that kind of dilemma this year.

I’ve also never had any luck. And the one time I actually won, I never got paid. Story of my life. Even when I win, I lose.

This year, I’m in two leagues. One is with the boys (and girl) at CBS 47, the other with a bunch of old high school buddies that must have talked to my work buddies about my generosity.

But this time around, I have a plan. And I’m telling you right here that I’m going to win one of these two leagues. Here’s how:

This logo means nothing to me anymore in the Fantasy World.

#2- DO SOME RESEARCH. Last year I had no idea who some of the top players were, believe it or not. I had no clue Hanley Ramirez was one of the top five players in the game or who the up-and-coming players were in 2008. Totally inexcusable. Now, I’ve got it down pat. But I’m not going to give away any secrets in this column. Are you crazy? I will say this: Hanley Ramirez batted .301 with 33 homers, 67 RBI, 125 runs and 35 stolen bases last year. He’s definitely on my radar screen.

#3- UNLESS THEIR NAMES ARE LINCECUM, SANTANA, PEAVY, ZAMBRANO OR SABATHIA, DRAFT HITTERS FIRST. One year, I took pitchers with my first two picks and finished at the bottom of the standings because I didn’t take a hitter until the third round. STUPID! You have to snatch up hitters before pitchers with the exceptions listed above. Plain and simple… finally.

#4- KEEP YOUR EYE ON MINOR LEAGUERS. There’s always someone blowing up in the minors that’s going to get a call-up to The Show. minorleaguebaseball.com is your best friend. If you’re not checking on the minor league guys (specifically the guys in Triple A) then you aren’t doing your job as an FGM (Fantasy General Manager).

And…

#5- DON’T BRAG ABOUT YOUR TEAM. I’m guilty of this one all the time. I always seem to have a great team on paper, then the season starts. Be complimentary to everyone else’s teams and downplay yours. Say things like, “My team is going to suck,” or “It’s going to be a long season for The (your team name here).”

I will post my teams in the coming days to see if you think I did o.k. for a change. I’m pretty sure I won’t listen to any of my own tips but I’ll give it the old college try.

Go A’s!

(oops)

However, there are exceptions. My parents can call me that anytime. I mean, they brought me into the world, so I can deal with it. My 86 year-old grandmother takes it to another level with “Georgie Boy.” She gets a free pass too.

That’s about it. Everyone else that’s ever called me that since childhood doesn’t get that pass.

Except Dan Brown.

Coach Brown ALWAYS called me Georgie. From day one. At practices. At games. At banquets. And he always said it with a broad smile and a wave or handshake. “Hey Georgie!” For some reason, it never bothered me when he said it. In fact, I don’t think he ever called me George.

Danny Brown left lasting impressions with everyone that knew him.

I always smiled too.

Coach Brown was one in a trillion. He loved his family. He loved his friends. And he loved his Bulldogs. His defenses didn’t make all the plays but they played hard all the time. His players hated letting him down. And they never really did because they tried. That’s all he ever wanted.

This past season was extremely taxing on Brown’s body. Everyone saw it. But no-one heard any complaints. Brown played through the pain, as they say. He was there for his guys and his fellow coaches. Brain cancer always took a backseat to dissecting defenses. True love in every sense of those two words.

Brown got the game ball after the 2007 Humanitarian Bowl win over Georgia Tech. It was the first time Pat Hill ever gave out a game ball. And it’s probably the last.

It goes without saying the Bulldogs will dedicate their 2009 season to Brown. I can see the decal now. A big ‘DB’ on the back of every helmet.

The ‘D’ stands for Danny, by the way.

Thanks for the smiles, Danny.

It’s only been a week and there’s a lot of work to do, but in a year from now I hope I can look back on it and say to myself, “the juice was worth the squeeze” (I’ll let you figure out where that line came from with a visual aid).

The Girl Next Door is one of my motivational sources.

Why in the world do professional athletes get per diem? I heard major league ballplayers get over 200 bucks a DAY when they’re on the road for FOOD. Let’s say it’s 225 bucks a day. There are 30 teams in Major League Baseball with 25 players on each roster that play 81 road games. That would mean 750 players would get $18,225 APIECE to eat on the road for an entire season. That comes out to a whopping $13,668,750 a SEASON. Almost 14 million bucks. Wow. And yes, if the A’s play the Giants or the Dodgers play the Angels or if the Yankees play the Mets, the road team still gets per diem money. I would get rid of that in a heartbeat. Why do millionaires need per diem money? That could go to charity. It could help create a ton of jobs within Major League Baseball or the minors.

I haven't had this much fun since this.

Hope you’re enjoying the ride with me. If you have any suggestions, feel free to e-mail me at george@valleysportspulse.com.

Thanks so much for logging on!

-GT