2013 Managers on the hot seat and manager of the year candidates

One month of baseball has been played and they are 5 months left in a long season. Every year there is talk of which managers are on the hot seat and could lose their jobs. On the other side there is talk of which managers could win manager of the year. I will start off by saying which managers could be on the hot seat if they are not already

Mangers on the Hot Seat 

1. John Gibbons Toronto Blue Jays. The Blue Jays had a big off season and were expected to be a playoff caliber team. So far Toronto has not looked good. As of this writing the Jays are currently in last place and 9 games back with a 13-22 record. The Jays spent a lot of money to challenge for a playoff spot and if their playing keeps up the Jays will be a bust this season. Gibbons was fired once by the Jays for not connecting with the players. If the Jays do not start winning and playing better then changes are likely and Gibbons will probably once again be fired for not connecting with the players.

2. Don Mattingly Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers last year picked up all start caliber players and went no were. During the off season the Dodgers again spent big. New ownership has already said not reaching the playoff’s will be considered a failure. The stakes are high in LA land. So far the Dodgers have struggled losing 7 in a row and are in last place with a 13-20 Record. Don is already starting to feel the heat. Ownership did not spend big to see their club in last place and struggling. If things do not change real soon Mattingly will lose his Job

3. Mike  Scioscia Anaheim Angels. Scioscia has been one of the longest tenured managers since taking over for the Angels in 1999. From 2002-2011 Anaheim was a powerhouse in the West appearing in several playoffs and winning a world series. Last year Anaheim struggled after spending big and just missed the playoff’s. This year the Angels spent big again. Right now Anaheim is battling Houston to stay out of the basement in the AL West. The angels record is 11-22. The angels the past two years have spent big and were expected to reach the playoff’s just like last year. If Anaheim continues to struggle then Scioscia despite being a good manager may be the first to

4. Eric Wedge Seattle Mariners. The Mariners ownership has said a good goal this year would be finishing 500. Last year the Mariners were on the right track and at halfway point were 41-40. The team faded down the stretch. Wedge took a lot of heat last year. This year the Mariners moved the fences in to generate power and also got Morales and other clutch hitters. If the mariners do not finish with at least a 500 record or start to fade then Wedge will probably be gone

5. Terry Collins-New York Mets. The Mets the past two years have been in rebuilding mode. The Mets’s have said a goal this year will be to finish 500 or better. Niese and Harvey have emerged as solid pitchers. Last year the Mets were 4 games over 500 at the halfway point then collapsed in the second half. Collins knows it will be on him to get this team to 500 or better. If the Mets collapse or struggle Collins will likely be the first to go.

Manager of the Year potential candidates 

1. John Farrell Boston RedSox. Last year Boston had its worst record in 20 years. After a nightmare of a year many thought this year Boston would be just as bad if not worse. So far Boston is playing really good baseball. Right now Boston is 21-13 and second in the AL East. The clubhouse has seemed to improve since Bobby V is gone and Josh Beckett is gone as well. If Boston can keep playing good and finish with at least 90 wins Farrell’s name will be mentioned

2. Clint Hurdle Pittsburgh Pirates. Every year under Hurdles leadership the parents have gotten better. Pittsburgh just missed finishing 500 last year. If the Pirates can finish 500 and challenge the NL Central for the whole season the 20 game losing season streak will be broken. If Hurdle can sneak in the playoff’s or finish over 500 his name will surely get mentioned.

3. Walt Weiss Colorado Rockies. Last year the Rockies had their worst record losing 98 games despite finishing in the top 5 in offense. Everybody this year thought that the Rockies would hit and be an offensive leader. However many predicted the Rockies to only win 70-72 games and that could still happen. But Colorado is playing good baseball right now with a 19-14 Record leading the League in most offensive categories and they are getting decent pitching. If the Rockies finish with at least 80 wins then it would be a quick turnaround and Walt should be in talk for manager of the year.

4. Bruce Bochy– San Francisco Giants. This is an obvious choice Bochy’s teams have won the World Series two times in three years. If they win another title which could happen then Body will most likely be in talk for the year as San Francisco would be establishing a dynasty. Still Bochy’s clubhouse look to be powerhouses for years to come in what is becoming a tough division in the NL West

5. Mike Matheny St. Louis Cardinals. After winning the 2011 World Series many thought the Cards would slide Russa retired as a manager. Pujols left. Instead the Cardinals got in the playoffs in 2012 as a wildcard team. The team stunned the Braves then shocked the Nationals before Losing in a thrilling series to the Giants. The Cardinals this year are off to a hot start and could win a title this year the potential is there. If the Cards appear in a World Series then Mattheny deserves Manager of the year

I graduated with my Masters and I have Autism

Something special happened today on May 4th 2013 it was Lee University’s graduation. hundreds of students will earn their diploma today. However it is a special day for me as I’m one of these students. What is so special about this? I have officially earned my Masters degree and I have Autism. Yes you read that right I graduated with a Masters and I have Autism. As I walked down the line I wonder and ask myself I am the first Autistic person to earn their Masters at Lee University. I may never know the answer to that but I do know one thing and that is sadly you do not see that many Autistic students get their masters. Their have been some at different schools one name that comes to mind is Temple Grandin who earned her Doctorate and she has Autism.  I hope that people especially other students with disabilities and Autism will look at me and say I can do this too. I hope that my graduation will encourage other Autistic students to pursue college degrees cause we can do it.  I know there is younger students with Autism some may not even be in high school yet. These students are often told they can’t thrive in a school setting and that college is not for them. The new generation of Autistic students need to hear stories of Autistic students that made it. They need to have encouragement and they need support.

This day is also special to me when I was real young some professionals said that I would never amount to anything I was not supposed to graduate high school. Guess what I graduated high school in 2004. I went on to get my Associates in Science in 2007, Biological Health Science in 2007 and now Masters of Science in Student Life and Development. Another thing that I study and I only need 40 more hours to get is my certificate in weather forecasting. My parents worked with me even though the Autism diagnosis did not come till later in my life it was speculated. My parents worked with me and I ended up doing just fine. Plus I was bound and determined to prove my critics wrong and I did. Now, I’m also a Christian so I give God credit too for me getting this far.

I will admit sometimes it was not easy getting through high school and college. I had struggles with sounds in the classroom such as people tapping, talking in the class, and certain lighting fixtures bothered me. Pretty much sudden sounds or flickering lights bothered me. I was sometimes misunderstood by other students but I did manage to find a good amount of loyal friends.  I sometimes had trouble speaking in front of students, but I discovered in high school if I wear sunglasses I do well. But what I had was good teachers that understood my needs and made accommodations.  Overall I consider this a great accomplishment I have to give God, my parents, my teachers and loyal friends for all the encouramgent. I hope people will see that if I can do it other Autistic or students with disabilities can do it too