San Diego to Host 2016 MLB All-Star Game

In a press conference today, Commissioner of Baseball, Bud Selig, announced that San Diego has been rewarded rights to host the 2016 MLB All-Star Game.(See the video of the announcement here ). This marks the third time that the Midsummer Classic will be held in "America's Finest City" and first since 1992 when the game was played at Jack Murphy Stadium, since renamed Qualcomm Stadium. That game won by the American League 13-6 in a slugfest, featured the likes of "Mr. Padre" Tony Gwynn, Cal Ripken Jr., Greg Maddux, Ozzie Smith, Kirby Puckett, and Wade Boggs, among others. All of which have since become members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, with game-MVP, Ken Griffey Jr. likely to join them next year. In simple terms, the game was played by legends.

This time around, a fresh set of young phenoms highlights today's group of baseball superstars. With the likes of Mike Trout, Clayton Kershaw, and Giancarlo Stanton becoming the faces of Major League Baseball the 2016 All-Star Game could be feature as many Hall of Famers as that of '92.

As for the city of San Diego, the opportunity to finally commemorate  Petco Park, arguably one the most beautiful ballparks in baseball, with an event as grand as the All-Star Game, marks something special for "America's Finest City" and its "Padre Faithful" baseball team. "San Diego is obviously a beautiful city and showcasing Petco Park will be a remarkable opportunity for the Padres franchise and all of Major League Baseball," said Selig, in what is likely his last major announcement before his retirement as Commissioner of Baseball later this month.

The 2016 All-Star Game, which is scheduled for Tuesday July 12, 2016, is still more than a year away, but the hype surrounding it is huge and should only build as All Star Week approaches. Let the countdown begin!



Into Finals Week: Which Student Are You?

For nearly 18 weeks we have fought courageously through our first semester of sophomore year. The late nights staying up to finish homework, the sleep deprivation, the tedious assignments: we've chosen to make a huge sacrifice to earn the grades that we have. Except...we must tackle head-on one more obstacle this semester: THE DREADED FINALS WEEK!

Honestly, finals week is no joke, as it very well can make or break our grades. From the come-from-behind-and-get that-86%-to-a-90% miracle to the tragic my-B-fell-to-a-C heartbreak, finals week should not be taken lightly. BRING THE "A" GAME! (pun intended)

But first let's examine which situation you fall into heading into finals week:
*Note these are from a one-course viewpoint

THE "BRING IT HOME" STUDENT:

You have worked your tail off the whole semester and are sitting at an A heading into the week of finals. Whether you are on the cusp barely floating above the drop to a B or are comfortable well above near an A+, do not think you are safe! Yes, having a high A is extremely helpful, as it gives you that much extra cushion for error, but a bombed test can ruin your race steps away from the finish line. You've pushed hard to position yourself in this first place spot of having an A, no other spots are ahead for you to pass, but the risk of getting passed still lurks if you allow yourself to. So, will you? Or will you "bring it home" this semester?

THE "FINISH STRONG AND WE MIGHT JUST CATCH 'EM" STUDENT

Oooh so close to that A or B! Whether you're in the 87%-89% or 77%-79% range, you may have a chance to get passed that borderline and not ponder in regret thinking what you could have done to not end up with that borderline B+ or C+. Because in the end, a B+ has the same effect as a B- on our GPA(for good or for worse, it's true). A strong performance on your final can give you that extra boost you need to power yourself passed the benchmark and save yourself from begging your teacher to raise your grade.

THE "GOTTA SURVIVE" STUDENT

You fall into this category if your grade is currently at a D+ or C- heading into finals week. If the D+, you must do everything in your ability to get above the 70% standard for a passing grade in the class, and if at the C-, you must make sure you don't fall below that standard. If you're in this category, you're in extra hot water and must be especially serious about finishing the semester final strong to avoid a failing grade.

THE 'NO MAN'S LAND" STUDENT

You're grade is in the middle of two grade, whether that be between a D and a C, a C and a B, or a B and an A, and no matter how well you perform on the final, your grade will not pass the benchmark to rise to the next grade. Well, because you can't rise, make sure you don't fall. Don't be discouraged by your grade's inability to get to the next threshold, as it could very well drop to the one below it if you slack. Stay up and finish with the grade you've earned, and be ready for next semester.

THE "F" STUDENT

You're most likely going to fail the class. There could be many different factors that could justify why your grade at the semester is a failing one, but most likely, you chose to have a failing grade by not putting in the effort to pass. Don't be this student!