Title: The 2009 Toronto Blue Jay Starting Rotation
Date: February 12, 2009
Original Source: The On Deck Circle
Synopsis: I almost threw up in my mouth when I came across this article recently. Halladay….and then Litsch, Purcey, Cecil, etc? Thank goodness Ricky Romero would debut later that year.
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Title: Spurs Role Players the Key
Date: February 10, 2009
Original Source: Hoops Addict
Synopsis: This was a Hoops Addict article that took a look at how the San Antonio Spurs constantly find strong role players to fill out the roster beyond Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili. It holds true still, three years later, as their dynasty can’t stop, won’t stop.
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Title: Derrick Rose Has ROY Competition
Date: February 4, 2009
Original Source: The On Deck Circle
Synopsis: Umm no, no he did not. But at the time I saw Russel Westbrook as a threat to his Rookie Throne. Rose won the award with ease while Russ finished 4th, but the analysis looks a bit better now that Westbrook has developed into a star.
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Title: Don’t Hate the Player…Manny Ramirez
Date: August 8, 2008
Original Source: The On Deck Circle
Synopsis: “Don’t Hate the Player…” was a kind-of regular feature I did showing love for players that are generally hated on or just disliked. This installment focused on Manny Ramirez, back when he was hated just for being goofy, not for being a known and confirmed steroid user.
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Title: The Jays Shouldn’t Trade Burnett
Date: July 25, 2008
Original Source: The On Deck Circle
Synopsis: With AJ Burnett trade rumors circulating, I argued for hanging on to Burnett and recouping the compensation picks instead of losing him for 50-cents on the dollar.
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Title: NBA Free Agency Guide Part 2, Poor(ish) Players
Date: July 5, 2008
Original Source: Hoops Addict
Synopsis: This was a Hoops Addict article focusing on some players that may be forced to take pay cuts given the lack of available cap space across the NBA.
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Title: Don’t Hate the Player…J.D. Drew
Date: July 3, 2008
Original Source: The On Deck Circle
Synopsis: “Don’t Hate the Player…” was a kind-of regular feature I did showing love for players that are generally hated on or just disliked. The first installment focused on J.D. Drew, he of the massive expectations and even bigger contract.
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Title: Meet Team Canada Basketball, Olympic Hopefuls
Date: July 2, 2008
Original Source: The On Deck Circle
Synopsis: Canada didn’t end up qualifying for the 2008 Olympics, but they weren’t too far off. This was a look at the team, player-by-player, under the then-new leadership of Leo Rautins (no wonder it didn’t turn out well).
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Title: NBA Free Agency Guide: Part 1, Salary Cap Rules
Date: July 1, 2008
Original Source: The On Deck Circle
Synopsis: Attempting to get my Larry Coon on, I previewed the NBA offseason by first explaining some of the more important salary cap rules.
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Title: Live Blog of the NBA Draft
Date: June 26, 2008
Original Source: The On Deck Circle
Synopsis: This was an exhausting day, reacting to trades and doing this enormous live-blog of the NBA Draft. As usual with draft pieces, it’s funny and interesting to look back on instant reactions now that they’ve had four years to settle in.
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Blake Murphy Sports Writing 