With Johan Santana coming off of knee surgery, he is unsure about his status for this winter's/spring's World Baseball Classic.
Johan, it's a no brainer, don't play.
I'm not saying this in hopes of the U.S. winning the WBC... far from it. I think the whole concept is nice but its unrealistic for a game that plays all spring, summer and nearly fall now (thank you long postseason). The game is entirely dependant on pitching and well, if your team's ace hurts his arm because of a non-MLB tournament, then there goes a quality chance for the pennant.
The World Cup of Hockey works... so many countries play hockey and well goalies are playing early in their off season. Much like the Olympics, each team has three goalies, along the same lines each team in the NHL has more goalies than they ever need. Also, it's worth noting that Felix Potvin and Ron Tugnutt are only a phone call away.
Baseball needs pitchers and plenty of them. These guys only play once every five days. Goalies play everyday for about 10-20 games (the latter for Brodeur).
Basketball doesn't need to worry about... who do you worry about on a basketball team? It doesn't matter anyway because we invented the game (rather use it from a Canadian working in Springfield, MA). No one is really better than the United States. I mean we win all the time (when we try or not get screwed over against the Russians *cough* 1972 *cough*).
So Johan, on behalf of baseball viewers and writers who have no vote in the Hall of Fame... DON'T PLAY. Venezuela wasn't going to win anyway because Omar Visquel is like 40 now.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Pac Man Jones - a Tragic Character
I like to think that if Shakespeare were alive today, he would first off get rid of that gardening imagry in his works, because let's face it, not many men garden... but then again it is theatre.
I was getting off-topic, so sorry.
Anyway, he would create a tragedy called, Pac-Man. It's be about this professional American footballer (remember he's English) and how everywhere he goes, be it a strip club, night club or strip club, violence follows him. Then in the fourth act (this would be a lighter, happier act for Billy Shakes) he would be interviewed by James Brown on the CBS NFL Pregame show.
Now, everyone watches the CBS Pre-game show or supposedly that's what the promos say for it... made by CBS. This would be his chance to set his name striaght. He is mainly saying it to a whole host of white people who love football and already judged him when he got arrested/suspended/arrested/suspended the first time.
James Brown, being the respected journalist he is would dish out the tough questions and let Pac Man get his story told... but I honestly think he ruined himself when given this question:
James Brown: Adam what is it about strip clubs that make you want to go there?
PacMan: Well, strip clubs are like any other club -
Really. PacMan, I'm not saying you are a liar... well, yeah you are a liar or have never been to an actual club. I've been to clubs. Never have I been to a club where girls are paid and compensated by me, in the club, for taking off articles of their clothing and shaking their naughty bits in my direction, preferabbly my face. Never... I wish sometimes, but never.
See, PacMan is not so wrong in going to strip clubs, but it's the fact that he does and trouble follows him there that makes him seem so sleazy and untrustworthy. I don't want to judge him on that, it's not fair. He is not paid by a team to go to strip clubs, so that is not my place or anyone elses to judge him for. However, he will be judge when violence and trouble keeps rearing it head whenever he enters one. We never know if he causes it or not... though the signs keep leading there.
I was getting off-topic, so sorry.
Anyway, he would create a tragedy called, Pac-Man. It's be about this professional American footballer (remember he's English) and how everywhere he goes, be it a strip club, night club or strip club, violence follows him. Then in the fourth act (this would be a lighter, happier act for Billy Shakes) he would be interviewed by James Brown on the CBS NFL Pregame show.
Now, everyone watches the CBS Pre-game show or supposedly that's what the promos say for it... made by CBS. This would be his chance to set his name striaght. He is mainly saying it to a whole host of white people who love football and already judged him when he got arrested/suspended/arrested/suspended the first time.
James Brown, being the respected journalist he is would dish out the tough questions and let Pac Man get his story told... but I honestly think he ruined himself when given this question:
James Brown: Adam what is it about strip clubs that make you want to go there?
PacMan: Well, strip clubs are like any other club -
Really. PacMan, I'm not saying you are a liar... well, yeah you are a liar or have never been to an actual club. I've been to clubs. Never have I been to a club where girls are paid and compensated by me, in the club, for taking off articles of their clothing and shaking their naughty bits in my direction, preferabbly my face. Never... I wish sometimes, but never.
See, PacMan is not so wrong in going to strip clubs, but it's the fact that he does and trouble follows him there that makes him seem so sleazy and untrustworthy. I don't want to judge him on that, it's not fair. He is not paid by a team to go to strip clubs, so that is not my place or anyone elses to judge him for. However, he will be judge when violence and trouble keeps rearing it head whenever he enters one. We never know if he causes it or not... though the signs keep leading there.
Jim Rice is in the Hall of Fame... oh yeah and so is Ricky
I'm so excited, it finally happened.... JIM RICE WOO!
Despite the fact the writers barely voted him in (76.4%), Rice is in putting in 2/4 of the 1975 Red Sox outfield. Yaz of course counts, even though he was sharing time as a first baseman.
But Rice put up consistent, strong numbers in Beantown, nearly won the 1975 Rookie of the Year (he lost to AL MVP teammate Fred Lynn), but got no love from the writers. He hit a solid number of home runs for the time period (he led the league three times with 39, 46, 39) before teams built these tiny matchbox stadiums with shallow walls. Also his career fielding was near 98%, not too shabby for having to play leftfield at Fenway half the year.
Ricky was no surprise here to see, his stolen base record dramatically overshadows the fact he's played since the game was invented. Though in his defense he created the power hitting lead off man position, much to my dismay (Lofton didn't need to hit 30 home runs at lead off, that's what Ramirez was for).
Here are the other guys who didn't deserve to get in but got a huge amount of votes:
Jack Morris 44% - Granted I love him, especially since his 1991 World Series clincher, but his victories fall short of being a legend, despite having three seasons with 20 wins.
Tommy John 31.7% - Okay, so you have a surgery, apart from that out of over 25 years of pitching only three 20 win seasons, even then he never blew the league away.
Tim Raines 22.6% - He would be in for the Drug Users Hall of Fame (with Dale Berra and Keith "I'm Keith Hernandez" Hernandez, but what did he do after the 1980's? He floated around from team to team, especially late in his career, as a pinch-hitter and back-up outfielder. A .334 AVG in 1986 isn't enough to put him in Cooperstown.
Mark McGwire 21.9% - Why is he still even mentioned? Despite the league not banning his substances until after 1998, his play to the game is unofficial stricken from the record. He does not embody the game.
Don Mattingly 11.9% - I'll say this, I grew up loving Donny Baseball. However, my heart is not voting, his stats vote for him and despite his lovable spirit, his numbers do not come close to even being considered. He was like Dale Murphy, great at first but the quality just never really sustained time. Also, his career ended earlier than his likelihood of enrollment would allow.
Harold Baines 5.9% - I love ya, but really, should we vote in Ellis Burks (his time will be soon, I believe next year)
Mo Vaughn, Jay Bell, Jesse Orosco, Ron Gant, Dan Plesac, Greg Vaughn less than 2% - Are you kidding me? Who and why would you vote for them!?! Take away those writers votes!
Though again the things that troubles me is the lack of votes for Andre Dawson (67%). Every year it feels like he is getting passed over. The Hawk was a strong outfielder for Montreal and Chicago for the peak of his career, where he was the best of the players of that decade the 1980's. He held a steady average over time but did show flashes of power (49 homers in '87). He is similar to Rice in that respect though Rice was a stronger average hitter.
Also Lee Smith deserves his day in the sun. Lee Arthur Smith Jr. is one of the best closers in the game's history. He was a closer when those guys were required to pitch more than one inning, unlike today's closers. In 1991 and 1992, respectively, he had 47 and 43 saves, led the league. Better yet he was so effective in most seasons he was striking out more than innings pitched.
I hope in the future the writers will consider them next year, even though that class is stronger with Barry Larkin, Roberto Alomar and Edgar Martinez up to the plate.
Despite the fact the writers barely voted him in (76.4%), Rice is in putting in 2/4 of the 1975 Red Sox outfield. Yaz of course counts, even though he was sharing time as a first baseman.
But Rice put up consistent, strong numbers in Beantown, nearly won the 1975 Rookie of the Year (he lost to AL MVP teammate Fred Lynn), but got no love from the writers. He hit a solid number of home runs for the time period (he led the league three times with 39, 46, 39) before teams built these tiny matchbox stadiums with shallow walls. Also his career fielding was near 98%, not too shabby for having to play leftfield at Fenway half the year.
Ricky was no surprise here to see, his stolen base record dramatically overshadows the fact he's played since the game was invented. Though in his defense he created the power hitting lead off man position, much to my dismay (Lofton didn't need to hit 30 home runs at lead off, that's what Ramirez was for).
Here are the other guys who didn't deserve to get in but got a huge amount of votes:
Jack Morris 44% - Granted I love him, especially since his 1991 World Series clincher, but his victories fall short of being a legend, despite having three seasons with 20 wins.
Tommy John 31.7% - Okay, so you have a surgery, apart from that out of over 25 years of pitching only three 20 win seasons, even then he never blew the league away.
Tim Raines 22.6% - He would be in for the Drug Users Hall of Fame (with Dale Berra and Keith "I'm Keith Hernandez" Hernandez, but what did he do after the 1980's? He floated around from team to team, especially late in his career, as a pinch-hitter and back-up outfielder. A .334 AVG in 1986 isn't enough to put him in Cooperstown.
Mark McGwire 21.9% - Why is he still even mentioned? Despite the league not banning his substances until after 1998, his play to the game is unofficial stricken from the record. He does not embody the game.
Don Mattingly 11.9% - I'll say this, I grew up loving Donny Baseball. However, my heart is not voting, his stats vote for him and despite his lovable spirit, his numbers do not come close to even being considered. He was like Dale Murphy, great at first but the quality just never really sustained time. Also, his career ended earlier than his likelihood of enrollment would allow.
Harold Baines 5.9% - I love ya, but really, should we vote in Ellis Burks (his time will be soon, I believe next year)
Mo Vaughn, Jay Bell, Jesse Orosco, Ron Gant, Dan Plesac, Greg Vaughn less than 2% - Are you kidding me? Who and why would you vote for them!?! Take away those writers votes!
Though again the things that troubles me is the lack of votes for Andre Dawson (67%). Every year it feels like he is getting passed over. The Hawk was a strong outfielder for Montreal and Chicago for the peak of his career, where he was the best of the players of that decade the 1980's. He held a steady average over time but did show flashes of power (49 homers in '87). He is similar to Rice in that respect though Rice was a stronger average hitter.
Also Lee Smith deserves his day in the sun. Lee Arthur Smith Jr. is one of the best closers in the game's history. He was a closer when those guys were required to pitch more than one inning, unlike today's closers. In 1991 and 1992, respectively, he had 47 and 43 saves, led the league. Better yet he was so effective in most seasons he was striking out more than innings pitched.
I hope in the future the writers will consider them next year, even though that class is stronger with Barry Larkin, Roberto Alomar and Edgar Martinez up to the plate.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Get Your Priorities Straight CBS
CBS announced this week that instead of covering Barak Obama's inauguration, they are going to have Katie Couric interview a homeless man.
During the World Series, FOX will have an exclusive one-on-one with admitted steroid user and lifetime minor leaguer Howie Clark.
After the Boston Marathon, ESPN will go in depth with the guy who finished 247th. Why? Because he has three outstanding parking tickets.
These make about as much sense as CBS's James Brown sitting down with recently released cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones.
Weren't there games going on that would determine the fate of four franchises? Couldn't those games affect lives, careers and most importantly (to them) money?
I've got it, the Dallas Cowboys must be in the playoffs, right? That's why CBS interviewed Jones! What scandal! This is dynamite! What? Oh wait.....that's right, no Cowboys.
So let's get this straight, CBS has James Brown interviewing a cornerback who had 31 tackles, 0 interceptions and averaged 4.5 yards per punt return instead of, well, anybody who is actually playing or has ever done anything in the NFL. Jones has a grand whopping total of four interceptions in his NFL career. Now that is something to talk about.
When O.J. Simpson got arrested, it was news, the guy is a Hall of Famer. Michael Vick, also news, he was the highest paid quarterback in history. But Pacman Jones? It must be the nickname.
Steve Howe didn't get this much press after his 43rd cocaine posession arrest.
This silly interview is further proof the major networks will take any opportunity to talk about the Dallas Cowboys, playoffs or not. If Tony Romo steps in a mud puddle and stains his favorite pair of Khaki's, it's headline news on Sports Center. If Owens went to the Zoo and caught foul looks from chimpanzees, it's news. Or if a few guys who saw Adam Jones in a strip club -which is like saying you saw Dennis Rodman in a dress - claim he said mean things to them, it's an ESPN investigative report.
According to the police, Jones wasn't involved in the shooting and no one was injured. A guy like Jones, because of his celebrity status, is open to this type of thing. I'm not saying he did or didn't do it, but lets be honest, a strange fellow once accused Demi Moore of sexually harassment.
I will give Pacman some credit for giving those who think Division I NCAA athletes don't go to class some new material. Pacman said he hadn't been to a strip club in three years, the night that caused all the controversy took place in 2007. Now I'm no math whiz but.... oh, nevermind.
Anyway, if this was week six and the headlining game was Bengles vs. Lions, I would understand CBS gripping on to any old athlete-slash-criminal to talk about. Putting on an interview that the local news in Jones' hometown would even deem unworthy was, to put it lightly, pointless.
Let's quickly go over what we learned from the interview: Jones isn't that bright. Bam! Whoa! I could have told you that one. That's like someone telling me Stephen Baldwin won't win an Oscar, thanks!
The point of a pre-game show, is to talk about the game, not to gossip. CBS stooped to an ESPN-like level. They went for, "what dress is Jennifer wearing?" or "how long will Clooney stay single?" When they should have stuck to Steelers-Chargers.
During the World Series, FOX will have an exclusive one-on-one with admitted steroid user and lifetime minor leaguer Howie Clark.
After the Boston Marathon, ESPN will go in depth with the guy who finished 247th. Why? Because he has three outstanding parking tickets.
These make about as much sense as CBS's James Brown sitting down with recently released cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones.
Weren't there games going on that would determine the fate of four franchises? Couldn't those games affect lives, careers and most importantly (to them) money?
I've got it, the Dallas Cowboys must be in the playoffs, right? That's why CBS interviewed Jones! What scandal! This is dynamite! What? Oh wait.....that's right, no Cowboys.
So let's get this straight, CBS has James Brown interviewing a cornerback who had 31 tackles, 0 interceptions and averaged 4.5 yards per punt return instead of, well, anybody who is actually playing or has ever done anything in the NFL. Jones has a grand whopping total of four interceptions in his NFL career. Now that is something to talk about.
When O.J. Simpson got arrested, it was news, the guy is a Hall of Famer. Michael Vick, also news, he was the highest paid quarterback in history. But Pacman Jones? It must be the nickname.
Steve Howe didn't get this much press after his 43rd cocaine posession arrest.
This silly interview is further proof the major networks will take any opportunity to talk about the Dallas Cowboys, playoffs or not. If Tony Romo steps in a mud puddle and stains his favorite pair of Khaki's, it's headline news on Sports Center. If Owens went to the Zoo and caught foul looks from chimpanzees, it's news. Or if a few guys who saw Adam Jones in a strip club -which is like saying you saw Dennis Rodman in a dress - claim he said mean things to them, it's an ESPN investigative report.
According to the police, Jones wasn't involved in the shooting and no one was injured. A guy like Jones, because of his celebrity status, is open to this type of thing. I'm not saying he did or didn't do it, but lets be honest, a strange fellow once accused Demi Moore of sexually harassment.
I will give Pacman some credit for giving those who think Division I NCAA athletes don't go to class some new material. Pacman said he hadn't been to a strip club in three years, the night that caused all the controversy took place in 2007. Now I'm no math whiz but.... oh, nevermind.
Anyway, if this was week six and the headlining game was Bengles vs. Lions, I would understand CBS gripping on to any old athlete-slash-criminal to talk about. Putting on an interview that the local news in Jones' hometown would even deem unworthy was, to put it lightly, pointless.
Let's quickly go over what we learned from the interview: Jones isn't that bright. Bam! Whoa! I could have told you that one. That's like someone telling me Stephen Baldwin won't win an Oscar, thanks!
The point of a pre-game show, is to talk about the game, not to gossip. CBS stooped to an ESPN-like level. They went for, "what dress is Jennifer wearing?" or "how long will Clooney stay single?" When they should have stuck to Steelers-Chargers.
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