King of Their Worlds

The sports world has been stopped. Nothing else matters right now except for one thing. No, it's not the World Cup Final that will take place Saturday between Spain and the Netherlands. No, it's not the Twins trying to obtain Cliff Lee from the Seattle Mariners. It certainly isn't the Timberwolves courtship of David Lee either. Nope, it's LeBron James.

Where will he go? What will he demand from his suitors? How much money could he possibly make? What did he eat for breakfast this morning? What color is his stool today? Etc, etc, etc.

LeBronamania has been running wild all over ESPN and every other sports network. Obviously this is a big deal. It's not often when the best player in a sport becomes a free agent and there's a good chance that he could leave his current team. And I'm talking THE best player. With all do respect to Mr. Kobe Bryant, LeBron has actually gotten the CLEVELAND CAVALIERS to smell a NBA title, although not win it. LeBron does make his players better to an extent, just not good enough.

But LeBron is good enough. He's "The King." And the way that he's gone about free agency has sure shown that.

Suitors have lined up with their pitches to LeBron, as he sat on his throne and ate a chicken leg. LeBron only wanted to hear from serious suitors as he banished the Los Angeles Clippers after one hour. (Compared to 2-3 from other teams.) Then, LeBron made his decision, but he doesn't want the public to know in that way. Besides what good would a simple e-mail or contract signing do? LeBron called ESPN and asked for a one hour special to announce his decision.

That's right folks, tomorrow night at 8:00 central time, you can watch people praise LeBron and then finally after this monstrosity is over, LeBron will end it with "Oh, by the way, my greatness is going to _______."

So, let's look at LeMe a little bit closer here. LeBron was a prodigy in Ohio, who played for one of the greatest private schools in the state. He was selected first overall by his home state team in the 2003 NBA Draft, and immediately became one of the best players in said league. Hmmm...sound familiar?

Well, there is a Twins catcher who was a prodigy growing up in Minnesota. He then starred for one of the best private schools in the state. He was selected first overall by his home state team and has grown into one of the best players in his league. That would be Joe Mauer.

Like James, Mauer was considered "God" in the state in which he played. Also like James, Mauer was due a huge pay day. But that's where the similarities end. Mauer never got to free agency, but it's hard to believe that Mauer would make his suitors come to Minnesota and deal with his lutefisk eating posse to try and obtain his services. Then, I'm pretty sure that Mauer wouldn't call ESPN to come and worship him at a neutral site.

Minnesota has to be thankful that Joe Mauer didn't act the way LeBron James did during his re-signing period. LeBron has been a spoiled brat since this process has started, and it makes me hope that LeBron has one last similarity with Mauer...a down year after signing a big contract.