OK I have to admit, I laughed last season when Shaq told Bill Walton there was, "A big-man pecking order." The statement was classic, but attacking a broadcaster for giving his opinion was wrong. Shaq is Shaq though and thats what he does, he entertains just like Walton (I'm giving him points for delivery and humor)
But last week, when Lebron James called Charles Barkley, "Stupid," it was way out of line. Sir Charles said that James should stop talking about going to the Knicks when his contract is up because it is disrespectful to the Cavs. I'm sure Cav's fans who pay $80 for a ticket agree.
anyway, some notes here for Lebron.
For starters, Barkley is paid to give his opinion. So James really should have called TNT stupid for paying Barkley.
Second of all, Barkley went to this crazy thing called college. Something Lebron, im sure, has never heard of and certainly can't spell.
And the obvious: "stupid" is the best you've got? Why don't you just call him Mr. Dummy Pants, tip over his juice box and spread a rumor that calls his hygiene into question.
I dont see a big problem with athletes calling out media members for slanderous acts or personal attacks. If you recall, Joe Torre showed his displeasure with New York Post headline writers after blowing an A-Rod story out of porportion (big suprise). But in this case, LeBron attacked Barkley for stating an opinion. Maybe he should attack every columnist or blogger who writes that their grandmother has a better perimeter game.
If I was LeBron's PR guy, I'd do my best to limit what comes out of his mouth. Stick to, "Take it one day at a time," and, "No comment."
Friday, December 5, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Oh the sad reality of journalism
As I write this, the Democrat and Chronicle is in the midst of lay people off. Chances are sports will have some cut backs, it always does.
Personally I have a few friends from college working there. It's a fine paper and their work is a reason for it. However as the saying goes, last one in; first one out. Hopefully, this won't be the point.
Turnover and reducing staffs are a huge trend in media. My mentor, Mark Gruba, was not resigned this summer at WHEC, which to me was a sad thing to see. Nothing against Robin DeWind, but Gruba was the kind of guy who worked hard every night for that station and taught me many lessons about television journalism. Sports is a dispensable department now as people want more weather reports from their local affiliate.
Radio Stations suffer the same fate. Apart from being replaced by XM and Sirius, radio stations are all about selling, selling and more selling. While interning at WHTK, the name of the game was having more ads, especially live ads done by the main talent. Clearchannel is a great company in that they care more about selling ads than giving me money for parking. This is not a bitch out since I worked there five days a week for a semester for free. The least they could do was pony up four bucks a day to pay for Midtown Parking.
The fact remains, the media is on thin ice. While this country loves tuning into CNN or ESPN for universal coverage, everyone underneath is being crushed by tightened budgets and reduced staff. There is a disease spreading over local and smaller media. We need journalism for journalism sake. No more need to watch talking heads on ESPN speculate opinion after opinion. Local coverage such as the Scholar Athlete or interviews with local high school or collegiate athletes brings journalism back to its purest forms.
Let's try to save local media, buy a D&C and watch the evening sportscast people!
Personally I have a few friends from college working there. It's a fine paper and their work is a reason for it. However as the saying goes, last one in; first one out. Hopefully, this won't be the point.
Turnover and reducing staffs are a huge trend in media. My mentor, Mark Gruba, was not resigned this summer at WHEC, which to me was a sad thing to see. Nothing against Robin DeWind, but Gruba was the kind of guy who worked hard every night for that station and taught me many lessons about television journalism. Sports is a dispensable department now as people want more weather reports from their local affiliate.
Radio Stations suffer the same fate. Apart from being replaced by XM and Sirius, radio stations are all about selling, selling and more selling. While interning at WHTK, the name of the game was having more ads, especially live ads done by the main talent. Clearchannel is a great company in that they care more about selling ads than giving me money for parking. This is not a bitch out since I worked there five days a week for a semester for free. The least they could do was pony up four bucks a day to pay for Midtown Parking.
The fact remains, the media is on thin ice. While this country loves tuning into CNN or ESPN for universal coverage, everyone underneath is being crushed by tightened budgets and reduced staff. There is a disease spreading over local and smaller media. We need journalism for journalism sake. No more need to watch talking heads on ESPN speculate opinion after opinion. Local coverage such as the Scholar Athlete or interviews with local high school or collegiate athletes brings journalism back to its purest forms.
Let's try to save local media, buy a D&C and watch the evening sportscast people!
The NFL: The Real Dope Show
Today the NFL has suspended six player for violating the league's substance policy. More specifically in the area of banned substances for performance enhancing.
Dear Major League Baseball,
Despite how much Bud Selig is a poor commish but brilliant salesman, it is now noted that you guys are off the warning list. Your league has done well advocating and weeding out substance abusers and have provided us with great, competive baseball.
Sincerely,
Sal's 401K
PS - wasn't it great to have a Yankee less Post Season?
Now the NFL is on notice. Six, yup that's right six players were told that they cannot play for the rest of the season. While America, usually Pro-Football, (no pun intended) blames all doping offenses on the National Pastime, has to realize that football is not impervious to scandel.
While everyone (along with the league) tried to sweep SpyGate under the rug, not moan about shoddy officiating (it's getting redic), cannot ignore the amount of pro footballers taking drugs to take a step ahead of the competition. Baseball has nipped its bandits (while still questioning the validity of records), but did so stearnly to preserve the game.
Thomas Boswell once remarked about the change of the public's view of the players as a reevaluation of heroes. Where we shouldn't look up to a player nor look down to him, but rather at a level field. People hold these "Holy than Thou" attitudes about football stars, while shunning baseball players because of the doping in the late 1990's. While it was damaging for a period that baseball was associated with juiced balls, players and records, the damage done has helped cleaned up the game with zero tolerance.
Zero Tolerance has so many meanings. First, the league put zero tolerance on players giving them harsh punishments for failing the drug tests. Second, but most importantly, those associated or involved with the doping of baseball have been shunned and essentially blackballed. Was Barry Bonds on a squad this year? How about Roger Clemens, you think many teams are going to be calling his home or agent? Sammy Sosa saw his career and legacy crack from speculation. Jose Canseco thrived on it, almost becoming a saint, but mainly as an anti-hero.
Football is no longer immune, depsite the commandments of the No Fun League/Nazi Football League/etc. Get with the times... baseball has.
Dear Major League Baseball,
Despite how much Bud Selig is a poor commish but brilliant salesman, it is now noted that you guys are off the warning list. Your league has done well advocating and weeding out substance abusers and have provided us with great, competive baseball.
Sincerely,
Sal's 401K
PS - wasn't it great to have a Yankee less Post Season?
Now the NFL is on notice. Six, yup that's right six players were told that they cannot play for the rest of the season. While America, usually Pro-Football, (no pun intended) blames all doping offenses on the National Pastime, has to realize that football is not impervious to scandel.
While everyone (along with the league) tried to sweep SpyGate under the rug, not moan about shoddy officiating (it's getting redic), cannot ignore the amount of pro footballers taking drugs to take a step ahead of the competition. Baseball has nipped its bandits (while still questioning the validity of records), but did so stearnly to preserve the game.
Thomas Boswell once remarked about the change of the public's view of the players as a reevaluation of heroes. Where we shouldn't look up to a player nor look down to him, but rather at a level field. People hold these "Holy than Thou" attitudes about football stars, while shunning baseball players because of the doping in the late 1990's. While it was damaging for a period that baseball was associated with juiced balls, players and records, the damage done has helped cleaned up the game with zero tolerance.
Zero Tolerance has so many meanings. First, the league put zero tolerance on players giving them harsh punishments for failing the drug tests. Second, but most importantly, those associated or involved with the doping of baseball have been shunned and essentially blackballed. Was Barry Bonds on a squad this year? How about Roger Clemens, you think many teams are going to be calling his home or agent? Sammy Sosa saw his career and legacy crack from speculation. Jose Canseco thrived on it, almost becoming a saint, but mainly as an anti-hero.
Football is no longer immune, depsite the commandments of the No Fun League/Nazi Football League/etc. Get with the times... baseball has.
So Buffalo Fans Start to get IT?
After Buffalo's humiliating loss to San Fran this week, it seems that the overly optimistic media have finally got the hint.
THE YEAR WAS NOT THE YEAR!
My goodness, year in and year out, it's always "our year", as if the lack of a proper offensive line, a strong quarterback, key offensive weapons and a defense not riddled with impact player injuries have ever changed the team appearance on paper. Despite on person from my college paper proclaiming that Edwards, Lynch and Evans were the Kelly, Thomas and Reed 2.0 version, this team was in no shape or form better.
While Lynch is a strong running back, Evans and Edwards are no way comparable to the statistical but also cultural impact Kelly and Reed placed on the Buffalo fan base. Sure, replica jerseys are easier to acquire, but those guys cannot carry Kelly's or Reed's jockey straps.
This team was 5-1 for a reason... they played no one. Hell, they trailed against a horrendous St. Louis team. The Rams couldn't beat a cold, but for some reason, the almighty Buffalo Bills needed the second half to claim the lead. It wasn't even the offense who pitched in there. The defense spurred the momentum as the offense chugged along like a battered V6 engine on a worn Chrysler sedan, barely keeping afloat.
Hopefully fans will get the message. As we have mentioned here before, Sal's 401K is unbiased, but Bills fans are so annoying and led by blind faith that they fail to realize how horrible their team really is. This is a wake up call to them.
THE YEAR WAS NOT THE YEAR!
My goodness, year in and year out, it's always "our year", as if the lack of a proper offensive line, a strong quarterback, key offensive weapons and a defense not riddled with impact player injuries have ever changed the team appearance on paper. Despite on person from my college paper proclaiming that Edwards, Lynch and Evans were the Kelly, Thomas and Reed 2.0 version, this team was in no shape or form better.
While Lynch is a strong running back, Evans and Edwards are no way comparable to the statistical but also cultural impact Kelly and Reed placed on the Buffalo fan base. Sure, replica jerseys are easier to acquire, but those guys cannot carry Kelly's or Reed's jockey straps.
This team was 5-1 for a reason... they played no one. Hell, they trailed against a horrendous St. Louis team. The Rams couldn't beat a cold, but for some reason, the almighty Buffalo Bills needed the second half to claim the lead. It wasn't even the offense who pitched in there. The defense spurred the momentum as the offense chugged along like a battered V6 engine on a worn Chrysler sedan, barely keeping afloat.
Hopefully fans will get the message. As we have mentioned here before, Sal's 401K is unbiased, but Bills fans are so annoying and led by blind faith that they fail to realize how horrible their team really is. This is a wake up call to them.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
It's a tough week for New York Sports fans
The winner of the American League MVP is...
DUSTIN PEDROIA of Boston!
That's right, the most valuable player award does go to Pedroia and he deserves it. Contrary to what most people out in Rochester think, this kid is worth the talk and the awards.
Despite starting off weak at the plate in his rookie year in 2007, he worked his game into a frenzy hitting for average and securing the number two spot in the powerful Sox line up. Oh and he came up to the plate and delivered in the crucial moments ('07 ALCS, anyone?). He didn't have a soph slump, he built on it, playing the same game and earned the votes, more so than Morneau who, despite me liking his game, didn't deserve to win a few years back (Didn't the catcher on his team win the batting title?).
Yankee fans hate the fact he won the Rookie of the Year, hoping someone like Joba (with really no realistic experience) would win it. Even though Joba had no chance in hell, Yanks fans thought he was a front runner.
Yankee fans also hate Pedroia because he plays for Boston and earns more praise than Robbie Cano. Yes, that guy who only hits and fields worse than Jose Offermann. Let me replay the texting between the Sal Board of Chairmen after the announcement of Pedroia's win.
Me: Congrats to Pedroia from Bip Roberts or anyone who was short and played in the middle of the infield, even Kirby Puckett is smiling down from heaven.
Zooperstars: Mark McLemore is crying
Me: While still playing for the Orioles
Zooperstars: At age 52
Me: Starting, but then again he's better than Cano
Zooperstars: (Silent agreement)
God, he sucks at defense... something Pedroia knows how to do.
Then again its great knowing he won the MVP especially since Derek Jeter, the still a heart throb/despite being thirty shortstop hasn't won it and lost to Morneau. That year, according to Yanks fans, they owed it to Jeter for years of service.
Pardon me, this isn't the Academy Awards where honor is placed to someone who hasn't won one and give them a b-s award. This is baseball! Not The English Patient (which was so boring, I'm glad they killed him).
Sal Sez: "I hated that movie too! He deserved to die, he earned it!"
DUSTIN PEDROIA of Boston!
That's right, the most valuable player award does go to Pedroia and he deserves it. Contrary to what most people out in Rochester think, this kid is worth the talk and the awards.
Despite starting off weak at the plate in his rookie year in 2007, he worked his game into a frenzy hitting for average and securing the number two spot in the powerful Sox line up. Oh and he came up to the plate and delivered in the crucial moments ('07 ALCS, anyone?). He didn't have a soph slump, he built on it, playing the same game and earned the votes, more so than Morneau who, despite me liking his game, didn't deserve to win a few years back (Didn't the catcher on his team win the batting title?).
Yankee fans hate the fact he won the Rookie of the Year, hoping someone like Joba (with really no realistic experience) would win it. Even though Joba had no chance in hell, Yanks fans thought he was a front runner.
Yankee fans also hate Pedroia because he plays for Boston and earns more praise than Robbie Cano. Yes, that guy who only hits and fields worse than Jose Offermann. Let me replay the texting between the Sal Board of Chairmen after the announcement of Pedroia's win.
Me: Congrats to Pedroia from Bip Roberts or anyone who was short and played in the middle of the infield, even Kirby Puckett is smiling down from heaven.
Zooperstars: Mark McLemore is crying
Me: While still playing for the Orioles
Zooperstars: At age 52
Me: Starting, but then again he's better than Cano
Zooperstars: (Silent agreement)
God, he sucks at defense... something Pedroia knows how to do.
Then again its great knowing he won the MVP especially since Derek Jeter, the still a heart throb/despite being thirty shortstop hasn't won it and lost to Morneau. That year, according to Yanks fans, they owed it to Jeter for years of service.
Pardon me, this isn't the Academy Awards where honor is placed to someone who hasn't won one and give them a b-s award. This is baseball! Not The English Patient (which was so boring, I'm glad they killed him).
Sal Sez: "I hated that movie too! He deserved to die, he earned it!"
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
The World Series and Weather: A Mighty Conflict
So the make-up for the rest of Game 5... will not be seen tonight, as the entire East Coast is being soaked with wet weather.
In a related note, weather turns really crappy when it gets close to November.
So why in the world are we still playing baseball. Don't get me wrong, I love baseball, but when then wind is howling and the temperature is dipping well below 50 degrees, the last thing I want is baseball. Though, due to Bud and his brilliant idea to create the Divisional Series, baseball is pushed so long into Fall it finishes damn near winter. Taking a look at some of the teams competiting the last few years in the Series (Boston, Philly, Colorado), these games have to compete with the elements. While Tampa is much warmer and of course domed, half of the series will be played in the harsh Northeast.
We need to go back to the old days when the World Series was decided before Columbus Day or better yet before the last week of election campaigns.
In a related note, weather turns really crappy when it gets close to November.
So why in the world are we still playing baseball. Don't get me wrong, I love baseball, but when then wind is howling and the temperature is dipping well below 50 degrees, the last thing I want is baseball. Though, due to Bud and his brilliant idea to create the Divisional Series, baseball is pushed so long into Fall it finishes damn near winter. Taking a look at some of the teams competiting the last few years in the Series (Boston, Philly, Colorado), these games have to compete with the elements. While Tampa is much warmer and of course domed, half of the series will be played in the harsh Northeast.
We need to go back to the old days when the World Series was decided before Columbus Day or better yet before the last week of election campaigns.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
I hate to say it, but this world series sucks
Tonight the Phillies and Rays, tied at 1-1, will battle for advantage in the world series. The problem, nobody cares. I can name off the top of my head the last 60 world champions, but even I have found myself in and out of this series.
The games have been close, but not too exciting. There are no great storylines or contraversey. There is no ill-will or bad blood. Its a battle between an expansion team, whos crowd looks like a bunch of homeless people grabbed off the street and given Rays jerseys so it looks good on TV and a team who has about six fans outside of the city of Philidelphia.
Why is it that the AL and NL championships series' have been way better than the world series for the last five seasons.
2004, Red Sox legendary comeback against the Yankees from down 3-0 and in the NL, Jim Edmonds game winning home run in game 7 to send the cards to the series. Pure baseball magic. Then we get to the series, the Cardinals don't show up and its a 4-0 sweep....BORING.
2005- Astros shock the Cardinals, despite Albert Pujols ruining Brad Lidge's Astro career with a game winning blast that likely landed in the Pacific Ocean. The world series? Another sweep. UGH.
2006- Carlos Beltran freezes on a 3-2 curveball with the winning runs on base in the bottom of the ninth in game 7. Catcher Yadier Molina hit the game winning home run. A gripping series. World series? Tigers pitchers fail to be able to throw to first base and Cards win easy. Lowest rated series in history...until 07
2007- Another magical Red Sox comeback. Down 3-1 to the Indians, they claw back, inspired by a JD Drew grand slam and beat Sabathia and Carmona to win 4-3 in 7. World series? ANOTHER FLOP. 4-0, Rockies never show up and things get pathetic.
My only hope is that Phils-Rays goes 7 and either Carlos Pena or Jimmy Rollins hits a series-winning walk off home run in a 17-16 game that includes 12 home runs, 8 stolen bases, 5 hit-by-pitches, two brawls and a bat boy getting trapped under the field tarp, only to be saved by Lassie. Maybe that make the 2008 world series worth watching.
The games have been close, but not too exciting. There are no great storylines or contraversey. There is no ill-will or bad blood. Its a battle between an expansion team, whos crowd looks like a bunch of homeless people grabbed off the street and given Rays jerseys so it looks good on TV and a team who has about six fans outside of the city of Philidelphia.
Why is it that the AL and NL championships series' have been way better than the world series for the last five seasons.
2004, Red Sox legendary comeback against the Yankees from down 3-0 and in the NL, Jim Edmonds game winning home run in game 7 to send the cards to the series. Pure baseball magic. Then we get to the series, the Cardinals don't show up and its a 4-0 sweep....BORING.
2005- Astros shock the Cardinals, despite Albert Pujols ruining Brad Lidge's Astro career with a game winning blast that likely landed in the Pacific Ocean. The world series? Another sweep. UGH.
2006- Carlos Beltran freezes on a 3-2 curveball with the winning runs on base in the bottom of the ninth in game 7. Catcher Yadier Molina hit the game winning home run. A gripping series. World series? Tigers pitchers fail to be able to throw to first base and Cards win easy. Lowest rated series in history...until 07
2007- Another magical Red Sox comeback. Down 3-1 to the Indians, they claw back, inspired by a JD Drew grand slam and beat Sabathia and Carmona to win 4-3 in 7. World series? ANOTHER FLOP. 4-0, Rockies never show up and things get pathetic.
My only hope is that Phils-Rays goes 7 and either Carlos Pena or Jimmy Rollins hits a series-winning walk off home run in a 17-16 game that includes 12 home runs, 8 stolen bases, 5 hit-by-pitches, two brawls and a bat boy getting trapped under the field tarp, only to be saved by Lassie. Maybe that make the 2008 world series worth watching.
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