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They say we all have a calling in life. Do you know what your calling is?  The top prospect for the Oakland Athletics, outfielder Grant Desme might have gotten the call every minor leaguer wants this spring. Instead, Desme believed he had a higher calling.

Walking away after a breakout season in which he became MVP of the Arizona Fall League, Desme announced Friday that he was leaving baseball to enter the priesthood.  “I was doing well at ball. But I really had to get down to the bottom of things,” said the talented 23-year-old Desme . “I wasn’t at peace with where I was at.”

Desme, A lifelong Catholic, thought about becoming a priest for about a year and a half. Within the sports world, he kept his path quiet, and he startled the Oakland A’s on Thursday night when he told them he planned to enter a seminary this summer.

General manager of the team Billy Beane “was understanding and supportive,” Desme said, but the decision “sort of knocked him off his horse.” After the talk, Desme felt “a great amount of peace.”

“I love the game, but I aspire to higher things,” Desme said. “I know I have no regrets.”

In a statement, general manager Billy Beane said: “We respect Grant’s decision and wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.”

It is not everyday you hear that a top prospect athlete leaves the game he loves to follow his true dreams.  Al Travers of the Detroit Tigers team in 1912, who gave up 24 runs during a one-game career for a makeshift, became a Catholic priest. In 2008, Chase Hilgenbrinck of the New England Revolution left Major League Soccer to enter a seminary.

Desme was picked up in the second round of the 2007 amateur draft for the Oakland A’s. Just starting to blossom, Desme was the only player in the entire minors with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases last season and batted .288 with 31 homers, 89 RBIs and 40 steals in 131 games at Class-A Kane County and high Class-A Stockton last year. Desme hit .315 with a league-leading 11 home runs and 27 RBIs in 27 games this fall in Arizona, a league filled with young talent.

Going into the AFL championship game, Desme was well aware it might be the last time he ever played. “There was no sad feeling,” Desme said. He homered and struck out twice, which “defines my career a bit.”

The Big West Player of the Year at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Desme was ranked as Oakland’s No. 8 prospect by Baseball America and speculations were running wild that the Athletics might invite Desme to big league spring training next month.

Rather, in August, Desme intends to enter a seminary in Silverado, California. He said abbey members didn’t seem surprised someone who would “define myself as a baseball player” was changing his life so dramatically.

Desme said he didn’t consider pursuing his spiritual studies while also trying to play ball. His family backed his decision and he said the positive reaction to his future goal—the surprising news spread quickly over the Internet—was “inspiring.” “It’s about a 10-year process,” Desme said. “I desire and hope I become a priest.” In a way, he added, it’s like “re-entering the minor leagues.”

Desme’s first two years in the minors were tough, battling shoulder and wrist problems. While not on the file, Desme took the time to think about what was most important to him, to read and study the Bible and to talk to teammates about his faith.

In retrospect, he said, those injuries were “the biggest blessings God ever gave me.”

A major earthquake struck southern Haiti, knocking down buildings and power lines and inflicting what its ambassador to the United States called a catastrophe for the Western Hemisphere’s poorest nation. Thousands of lives were lost and families were torn apart.

It is time to help out those in need and who better to do just that then Shaquille O’Neal himself. O’Neal has a plan to save the NBA’s All-Star dunk contest: Bring back the superstars and do it for devastated Haiti.

Following Tuesday night’s win over Toronto, O’Neal was asked if he would like to see teammate LeBron James participates in this year’s event. That’s when he offered his idea. He would like to see former dunk champion Orland Magic’s Vince Carter, LA Laker’s Kobe Bryant and others take part along with James in raising money for Haiti.

“As his manager, I will only allow ‘Bron to do the dunk contest if Vince Carter comes back out,” said O’Neal  “If Kobe comes back out and if another big name comes back out. If we could get a big prize and have half of the money go to the people of Haiti and the other half to the winner.

“The guys that are in it, no disrespect to them, but there won’t really be any competition for LeBron. I want to see Kobe. I want to see Vince and I will allow my client to enter.”

Could he make it happen?

“I’m saying it now,” O’Neal said. “So tweet it. Facebook it. E-mail it and hopefully it gets out. Vince, we’re calling you out. Kobe, we’re calling you out. We’re calling everybody out. If those guys step up in the dunk contest, then I will allow my client to step up.”

So many people are doing whatever it is they can to help those in need. Haiti needs anything and everything.  Donate, give, or volunteer whatever it is that YOU can do!

Wichita State guard JT Durley walked off the Koch Arena Court and made a bold statement, moments after scoring 19 points in his team’s upset of 20th-ranked Northern Iowa on Tuesday night. We’re back in the race,” he said. Durley may have been talking about more than just the battle for a Missouri Valley Conference championship.

The Shockers greatly enhanced their chances of receiving an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, by ending Northern Iowa’s 15-game winning streak – if, of course, they don’t qualify automatically by winning the MVC tournament.

Over the years its MVC brethren and Wichita Stat have learned not to get their hopes up. It is a shame that a team with a 17-3 record in mid-January can not feel good about its chances of making the Big Dance, as beneficial as the victory could end up being,.

Since they were automatic qualifiers, Northern Iowa (2009) and Drake (2008) represented the MVC in the NCAA tournament the past two years. Not one at-large invitation was extended to an MVC school either season, and the league only received one such bid in 2007.

“We’re probably all biased,” stated Illinois State coach Tim Jankovich  “but we [league coaches] feel like we’ve been cheated pretty hard the last couple of years. Right now we’re just crossing our fingers that it doesn’t happen again.”

It should not.

Even though it isn’t quite the Conference USA or the Atlantic 10, the MVC is proving to be one of the top non-power conferences in the country this season.

MVC tournament championship squad and Northern Iowa (16-2) returns its top six players from last year’s regular-season. Adding a strong player in East Carolina transfer Gabe Blair, Wichita State (17-3) brought back all of its key pieces.

Missouri State is off to a 14-5 start under second-year coach Cuonzo Martin and Illinois State (13-5) touts one of the country’s better guards in Osiris Eldridge.

No one is expecting MVC to place four teams in the bracket, as it did in 2006. It does certainly deserve to send more than one. The bottom line is it is looking more and more as if the Missouri Valley Conference should receive multiple NCAA tournament bids.

Schools from non-Big Six leagues received eight at-large bids to the NCAA tournament, in 2007. That number was dropped to six in 2008 and, last year, only four non-Big Six schools received at-large bids.

That is a far cry from the 12 at-large invitations mid-major schools received in 2006.

“That was the year [the MVC] got four bids – and it was also the year George Mason made it to the Final Four,” said Jankovich  “Television ratings were lower than usual during the tournament that year. Maybe it’s a coincidence, but ever since that time, the number of at-large bids to non-Big Six schools has gone down and down and down.

“No one likes to talk about it, but we just don’t want to get the short end of the stick again. I mean, non-Big Six schools got four at-large bids last year. That just isn’t right.”

At least not when it comes to leagues such as the MVC.

Here is a perfect example that took place today which we wrote in black and white for our members. Chad and myself always recommend our members take advantage of the entire board in the guaranteed game, because usually we will hit well over 65 percent on the card that day or night. We constantly see the same members, laughing all the way to the bank, by expanding there bank roll while others will pick one or two games. Typically, if you were playing by yourself or using over hyped services, I would suggest maybe playing  a maximum of two games a night, but as you have seen the percentages stay consistent, do not hold yourself from making big profits.

In the NFL we ended up going 1-1, with a lop sided blowout winner with the Minnesota Vikings laying only 2 1/2 points at home against the Cowboys and losing the over 42 1/2 in the New York Jets at San Diego game. Now if all you do is watch the NFL and are not interested in the dollar than you go 50% with us on the day. But this is where again on average around 60 to 70 members cash in with a winner in college basketball Marquette minus 9 1/2 winning by 30 points over Providence. The NBA came in a winner with the under 206 1/2 in the Mavs vs Raptors game with a final, 88-110. The point that I’m trying to make is simple but this is where a lot of players miss the boat. I always stress we will not win every game we play every night, and we do not feed you bullshit stories but ride the trends and I promise you will not be disappointed. And of course our record in the NHL speaks for itself we had the Rangers minus 140 vs the Canadians and this was a great way to wrap up our week for a members with a 6-2 winner. Thank you to all our loyal members we said it at the end of 2009, your going to be very happy with us in 2010.

The men at Sure Call Sports have definitely turned 2010 into a very large bankroll for there clients. Last night folks, this is exactly what I have been preaching the last several weeks, about diversifying your plays. Typically on any given night Chad or myself will post three to four guaranteed plays of the  day so our members have a well rounded selection to choose from. We practice what we preach and put our own money where are mouths are, we play the same plays we post so make sure your not missing out.

Last night I posted 3 guaranteed plays on the site, in the NHL we had the under 5 in the New Jersey Devils vs. New York Rangers  game, which the final score was  1-0 , that ended in a shootout. In the NBA we played Detroit Pistons at Washington Capitals, Detroit was the underdog getting +3 points winning outright by 9 point on  the road. Ladies and gentleman this can be fairly easy if you allow it too. I also understand many of you have been on a sports service world tour looking and hoping to find someone you can count on and TRUST. I believe if your are reading this you finally found a service that can get you on the right track, “winning”

I will leave you off with this, we have gone 14-6 in our last twenty games which leaves our members at a winning percentage of 70%. Last night makes me very proud to be running this service going 3-0 for 53 members that purchased all three guaranteed games. Its very gratifying when you speak to members that tell you how excited they are to find a no BS site that puts there games where most put there stories at.

As the country is getting blasted with blankets of snow,  the Grapefruit League and the Cactus League are getting ready for the return of Pitchers and Catchers. It seems so long ago since the Barry Bonds Balco trial, to the race for the record of  home runs between Mark Mcguire and Sammy Sosa.  It seemed that we just watched the New York Yankees win there 27th World  Championship Series on their quest for being the franchise of the decade by defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6 this past November. I am really looking forward to getting back to America’s pastime, the smell of pine tar, popcorn and listening to the baseball pop into the catchers mitt. Since I was a little boy, I always got goose bumps when Spring Training would start. Watching  Mickey Mantle,  Yogi Berra to Pete Rose and the Big Red Machine, these are memories that come back when I hear that we are only weeks away from having the boys of summer return to the diamond. Every year when the new calendars come out I start to check off the days till they report to camp. We are on 37 days until we see the blue sky’s and the boys getting out the kinks.  I am looking forward to seeing how all the off season moves will impact this years teams and who will strap it on and go for the Trophy.  If you have time this spring make it a point that you go and see what its all about this season, you will not be disappointed.

Guys and girls all walks of life, I highly suggest you get on the NHL Hockey trend we at Sure Call are on. We are absolutely taking winning and making money to new heights. The question I have for you is does it really matter where you make your money? Or maybe I should be more specific and ask do you really care if you are making money in hockey and do not pay attention to the sport. This seems to be a huge distraction for people wagering on sports. The average mindset is I have to watch the game and it has to be a big game to wager on it. Because of this outlook  the sports books are taking your money every season. Stop the trend of losing on your own or losing with all the bullshit artists that need to get you on the phone to sing you a line of crap. If you trade stocks do you have a camera in the office and watch whats going on? Last Night is one example I am going to use because this was a predetermined outcome and only .002 percent actually played this game and capitalized. Boston Bruins at the garden playing the NY Ranger and the outcome was New York 3 and the Boston Bruins 2. Most of this action placed was from our members who purchased hockey from our guaranteed picks selection page.

Its not only in the NHL I have seen this mistake take place but I see it on alot of non televised college basketball games. Many times throughout the season who can capitalize in many ivy league games where the line is invisible and it really does not matter the game financially was over before it started. I suggest if you are checking out sites good luck to you and hopefully whoever you choose makes you some money. But there is not a more in your face handicapping professional service that you can hire then the guys at Sure Call Sports. Look for some incredible highlights through out the next two months with us on our guaranteed plays as well as our weekly, monthly and season packages.

It seems that the only streak the Broncos are on is losing. The Broncos missed the postseason for a fourth consecutive year, which is the longest such stretch since 1960-76, when the organization failed to secure a postseason berth in its first 17 years of existence. There were several scenarios when the day began for the Broncos to avoid joining the 1978 Redskins and the ’03 Vikings as the only teams since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to miss the playoffs after a 6-0 start.  This was the first time the Broncos failed to win a division game at home.

The Broncos were also missing two offensive weapons on Sunday. Head coach Josh McDaniels held wide receiver Brandon Marshall and tight end Tony Scheffler out of the game, due to disciplinary reasons.

Marshall, McDaniel’s best offensive player, was accused of exaggerating a hamstring injury two days after making his second straight Pro Bowl and four weeks after setting an NFL record with 21 catches at Indianapolis.

Promoted from the practice squad 24 hours earlier, were Jabar Gaffney, Brandon Stokley, Brandon Lloyd, and Matt Willis. These four players had combined for 58 catches and five touchdowns this season, which is about half of watch Marshall has done alone.

Allowing Kansas City to score its first offensive touchdown in the first quarter all season with a four-play, 86-yard drive, it was clear that defensive leaders and Pro Bowl teammates Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins were not on the same page on Denver’s first defensive series.

But the Bronco’s defense was as responsible as its depleted offense for keeping Denver out of playoffs for the fourth straight season For the Broncos, it was eerily reminiscent of last season’s finale, when they were routed 52-21 by San Diego with a playoff berth on the line, a loss that led to Shanahan’s departure and McDaniels’ arrival.

Mike Shanahan’s last season ended the same way Josh McDaniels’ first season started: with a late-season flop and an embarrassing blowout that wasted a strong start and kept the Broncos out of the playoffs.

Speechless, will there ever be another person in such a bigger position to walk in his shoes in college football ?  Tim Tebow could very much be granted into sainthood. The only thing he does not do is walk on water, and the NFL scouts question if he can play quarterback in the National Football League.  The NFL scouts feel that his arm action is to long and it takes to long for him to release the football. Amazing how they can judge an athlete that has put up rediculous statistics, won two National BCS Championships, Heisman Award winner and broke pleanty of records from passing to rushing the football. But maybe the NFL has to look at this from a differant angle, maybe they need a few good men like Tim drafted in the league. This is where kids can finally start to look up at our atletes again, rather than hearing about drugs, domestic disputes and the latest two NBA players for the Washington Wizards having guns drawn in the locker room.

Where do you begin when they mention Tim Tebows name, I would have to speak about what he has accomplished off the football field. We are talking about a 22 year old college kid that through his mothers pregnancy was recommended that she have an abortion due to trauma his mother experienced during her term. Sounds to me he was put on this earth as a miracle baby that turned into a saint. What 22 year old phenom goes overseas to donate hundreds of hours to helping those less fortunate.  Born in the Philippines where his parents where on a missionary, to being home schooled this was far from a boy who was going to play for The University of Florida. Was it fate? Where he choose Florida over The University of Alabama where him and Urban Meyer would have a father son relationship and be a Hollywood story. Some of your film legends could not have scripted this Disney story any better than how this played out.

The world stop breathing this year when Kentucky Wildcats defensive end Taylor Wyndham unleashed an monster hit that gave Tebow a concussion and sidelined him for two weeks. But with all the prayers and support Tim Tebow came back with avengence and won the next eight games before losing to an dominating Alabama Crimson Tide Football team. This game was for the SEC Championship game and unfortunately for Florida fans this was a tough loss to swallow. The Gators slipped from number 1 in the BCS poll to number 5 and getting a slot to play an undefeated Cincinnati Bearcats team that was abandoned by there head coach Brian Kelley that jumped ship to take the head coaching position at Notre Dame. The Bearcats were undefeated again this season  and won the Big East to only be the next victim to the Gators 51-24. 

So the story ends like a tear jerker in Hollywood, farewell to Mr. GOD Tebow. You have achieved an unthinkable status in the hearts of millions. You will be missed on Saturdays in the Swamp but your legacy there will always be remembered to possibly go down as the greatest gator of all time. For the state of Florida including the governor Charlie Christ they all hope he stays and plays for the sunshine state. Will he play quarterback ? This is up to Tim if he can prove the scouts wrong. But the bottom line is he will play some where whether its on the gridiron or in game of life making an impact either way. Thanks Tim Tebow.