This Jeremy Lin sensation (Lin-sation) has prompted a great question: what other overlooked players are there? For the next few weeks, JasonThoughts will scan the sports hemisphere to find the next Lin-credible story.
The following list of players could change the sports world forever.
Jarod Palmer, hockey, RW. Palmer went undrafted in the 2010 NHL draft out of Miami University. He made his professional debut on Dec. 17, 2011 for the Minnesota Wild and scored his first goal on Dec. 29 against the Edmonton Oilers. If the Wild starts Palmer, they could climb out of the slums of the Western Conference just in time for playoffs. From there, momentum will carry the team through the playoffs and to the Stanley Cup.
Roy Ishikawa, golf. Ishikawa has dominated the Japan Golf Tour the past four years before competing in the PGA Tour. Last year he finished T20 at the Masters and T4 at the Bridgestone Invitational. Currently he is ranked 56 by the Official World Golf Rankings. Look for him at the Masters this year, he will not be hard to spot either because he often wears green pants or pink shirts (not at the same time).
Kevin Conway, auto racing. Conway raced a partial Sprint Cup Series season last year and often finished in last. This year under the watchful eyes of Joe Nemecheck and Nemco Motorsports, Conway may produce another Daytona shocker. If he has a successful season, he would give power to the small market teams in the monopolatative NASCAR circuit.
Mike Moustakas, baseball, 3B. Moustakas was called up by the Kansas City Royals last summer and finished the season batting .263 with 30 RBIs in only 89 games. Last September he batted .352 and if he can keep that pace into next season, the world may have another George Brett on their hands. The Royals will get their first playoff berth since 1985 and fly through the playoffs and to the World Series. Finally, they will cap the season off with their first championship since, well, 1985.
Now comes the waiting game. It is a lot like watching a Jack-in-the-Box; it will spring, but there is no way to know when.
