US Baseball Pro

Those looking for exciting MLB future betting action have had plenty to take a look at already this off season as the Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, and Chicago Cubs have garnered the early headlines for the baseball offseason but much more is yet to come in what promises to be a hot stove time in baseball heading into the 2012 season.

Theo Epstein was the well regarded general manager that led Boston’s end to its World Series curse as he built a pair of World Champions before everything came crashing down this past September. Boston was the favorite to win the World Series in MLB future betting action and was in prime playoff position heading into the final month of play before imploding and missing out on the playoffs. To make matters worse it was later reported that some of the Red Sox were living it up in the clubhouse during those important stretch run games by pigging out on fried chicken and washing it all down with beer. Add to the ugly rumors about manager Terry Francona’s prescription drugs and divorce and you had a situation that literally blew up as Francona departed as manager and Epstein cut and ran for the Chicago Cubs, another team with a curse that needs fixing.

The Cubs need a makeover not just on their weak roster but with their expectations and team culture. Epstein would figure to be a good fit as he had to rid Boston of its inferiority complex and expectation for heartbreak, which is exactly what he needs to do for the Cubs. Just for good measure, Epstein hired away Milwaukee Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum to manage his new team. The Brewers are the defending National League Central champions and Epstein found the perfect way to tweak the Cubs arch rival.

The Cubs other big rival, the St. Louis Cardinals, will have a new look as long time manager Tony LaRussa decided to retire on top of his game after the 2011 World Series title with Mike Matheny taking over the reins. Francona interviewed for the job but didn’t get it and now bitterly reveals how he was grilled by the Cardinal brass about his prescription drugs.

Meanwhile the Red Sox hired volatile retread Bobby Valentine as their new manager. Valentine is best known for his years with the New York Mets where he won the 2000 National League pennant.

Buck O Neil, as he is popularly known, died a few years back in 2006. He was one of the earliest baseball league players, and represented Kansas City Monarchs. On November 13, the legend’s 100th anniversary will be celebrated with many MLB players of the present era participating in the event. It can be easy to organize the large crowds for such an event, but with many celebrations being prepared for, one epic event might find it hard to gain focus. As a result, many respectable players will be organizing a major event with Buck’s family and friends. Thousands of fans are also expected to join he celebrations of the MLB legend.

Back in the early days, there used to be a separate league called the Negro American League. John Jordan “Buck” O’ Neil was a part of that side and accounted for it as a first baseman. He also became a manager for the Kansans City Monarchs in later years. Most of Buck’s life was devoted to the same side, which later became a part of today’s Major League Baseball. Buck is also remembered by many for his important role in restoring the legend of black players in the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Before it came up in Kansas City MO, there was a great deal of speculation about whether the name should carry the word Negro. However, Buck and his friends fought for the cause of remembering the league with an acceptable level authenticity and truthfulness about the past.

The event will start well before his birth time, and people are expected to gather on the November 12. There will be a Buck O Neil walk for 2.2 miles. It may or may not be a sportsmanlike run, but many people are expected to cover the stretch with great enthusiasm. It will be an event, the type of which has never been a part of American baseball history. With the stature of Buck O Neil soaring above most other prominent names in the game, fans are expected to come out with great love for the pastmaster. Buck played in 12 seasons between 1935 and 1953. His best years came before and after military service, in which he was involved for a couple of years during the end of the Second World War.