Spring Cleaning

Baseball is a part of our past, Ray, and it
will be again

The similarities between baseball and the state of affairs in America is eerie.  Broken and battered both continue to try to get back on the track of prosperity, popularity and goodwill.    Baseball and America have always mirrored one another.  As things start to improve in our nation's economy, baseball begins a new season.  This all following an off-season where the Phillies have put together "The Great Wall of Philadelphia" with Halladay, Lee, Oswalt and Hamels,  the Red Sox crack the safe to sign Carl Crawford and trade for Adrian Gonzalez and the Cardinals find themselves pondering whether or not to break the bank to lock up, maybe, the greatest player whom ever graced a diamond. Oh by the way he is on the back end of his career.  

Heading into this season the competitive balance in baseball is better than it has been in a long time.  There are only about 7-8 teams that have zero chance of making the playoffs.  No other professional sport is as wide open as baseball.  Sure the Red Sox, Yankees and Phillies are going to make the post-season more often than not but Brewers, Rockies and A's fans shouldn't be shocked if their teams are still breathing come October.  Just like every other sport and just like in life we have our fair share of misfits too.  Apologies to the following fan bases because you aren't going anywhere:  Pirates, D-Backs, Mariners, Astros & Orioles.  If you are a fan of any of those teams keep an eye on Double A and Triple A stats because next season is here already. 

The best way to decribe baseball's 4
day opening weekend

Baseball has had its fair share of problems adapting to the 21st century.  The ability to evolve is the only way to survive in life no matter what it is that you do.   Baseball has shown the beginning stages of its evolution.  The Opening 4 Day Weekend is the first step.  College Football, The NBA and The NFL all don't start the the season on the exact same day.  Baseball is going to capitalize with a few games every day over the course of 4 days.  To quote our good friends at Guinness it's "Brilliant".

Umpire Huddles=Baseball Tradition

Now what's the next step in the evolutionary process?  That's easy.  Can we please have instant replay on homeruns and bang bang plays on the bases before the next Presidential election.  You can stick a dude with a monitor in the press box.  If a play is too close on the field, he can buzz the home plate umpire while he reviews it.  You are talking maybe, at most, 3-4 plays a game.  If each one of those reviews takes 2 minutes you have added 8 minutes to a game.  Managers arguing and umpire huddles eat up that much time anyway.  The one exception would be balls and strikes.  Just like penalties aren't reviewable in football the strikezone would be exempt for baseball.   PROBLEM SOLVED! Due Date: By 2012

The only double switch you should
ever see.  OK maybe not.

I would love to see both leagues go to the DH in the next few years.  Here is where tradition clouds the better judgement of baseball purists.  They say that pitchers hitting add to the strategy of managers.  How?  Every 4 days or so Tony Larussa pulls off a double switch with a utility infielder?  Wow, how compelling.  Sports are at their best when someone who is the best at what they do goes up against someone who is the best at what they do.  Watching pitchers get blown away by 95 mph fastballs isn't entertaining.  Could you imagine in the NFL if the AFC made one player play on both sides of the ball all game.  That's what the national league does with pitchers.  It's not worth having them hit because they succeed at it twice a week.  DH in both leagues please.  Due Date:  By 2014 

The biggest complaint people have about baseball I hear is the length of the season.  One quick note, baseball plays 162 game regular seasons.  That is the exact same amount of games that they played in 1961.  50 YEARS AGO! The season isn't any longer than is was five decades ago.  The problem isn't the season is too long.  The problem is we don't have 7 months to give to anything on a day in day out basis.  Even our jobs give us 2 off days a week.   Baseball isn't going to get rid of games.  If you cut 8 games from the schedule you are only saving a week, at the max, and going to cost owners millions of dollars in revenue and sales.  This is the biggest task so I saved it for last.  Baseball needs to bring back double headers.   Every other weekend play a split day-night double header on Saturdays.  Owners can keep their 162 games and money and you can save some time.  Double headers, just every other weekend, will shave two weeks off the regular season calendar.  Your playoffs start in September and the World Series would start around October 10th.  Everyone wins!  Due Date: By 2015

These are all fantastic and sensible ideas.  But we are talking about Major League Baseball.   That's why they will never get done. 

Marching Forward

Here we go!  We are set to embark on what I consider the best 4 week stretch in sports.  The NCAA Tournament followed by the start of the Major League Baseball Season with The Masters as the cherry on top.  I do have to say that 99% percent of the time I am in full support of changing things in sports for the better.  From instant replay to more bowl games to the cracking down on helmet to helmet hits, change is usually not only for the best, it is necessary for the improvement and growth of a sport. 

This year the NCAA Tournament expanded to 68 teams.   It hasn't gone over well and its hasn't made the tournament better.  The addition of 3 more teams to the NCAA tournament is only going to work if they consist of only small conference teams playing for the 16 seeds.  If all 4 play in games were for the 16 seeds then this may fly.  If they feed major conference schools into 11 and 12 seeds it just won't work.  If the mid major schools get upset that they are constantly being ushered into play in games then they are just going to have to get over it.  The still have a shot to win a National Title.   For everyone that loves upsets it will help you out as well.  15 seeds will now be play in teams.  14's will become 15's and so on and so on.  Better teams will be lower seeds which means better games.  




Alright smart guy...who did Valpo beat to go the Sweet 16?



The NCAA tournament works because it gives everybody everything they want.  The little guy gets to play the big guy.  And this gets everyone all warm and fuzzy inside because everyone remembers major upsets.  We remember Bryce's Drew's shot against Ole Miss.  We loved when Hampton stunned Iowa St.   But we rarely remember who ends Cinderella's trip to the ball.  Who beat Valpo in 1998?  You remember the #15 seeds that have shocked the world and who they beat.  Santa Clara over Zona,  Coppin St. over South Carolina and Richmond over Syracuse just to name a few.  But quickly tell me who beat those teams in the 2nd round?  You can't do it unless you are a fan other either team.  As sports fans we love games and stars but what we love more than anything else are moments. The start of the NCAA tournament gives us 48 games in 4 days. You are bound to get a moment or two each and every year. 

The exception....not the rule

The first weekend belongs to the small guys and after that the grown ups take over.  The Dukes, UNCs, Kansases are expected to win the first weekend.  The upsets steal the show.  They serve as the appetizer for the next two weekend's main course.  Everybody plays and everybody wins.  The big misnomer is that there are a ton of upsets in the tournament.  We just remember them more.  You don't remember the #3 seeds that beat the #14 seeds.  It happens over 90% of the time.  On any given year of the 32 first round games 6 or 7 will be upsets.   That means that the favorite wins almost 80% of the time.   Does that sound like a ton of upsets? 

Now don't get me wrong I enjoy the occasional shocker every now and then.  It makes for a great story and memory.  But when we get right down to it I'd rather watch Duke, Ohio St., Kansas and Pitt in the Final Four.   Sports are at their best when the best teams and athletes play one another. Ali-Frazier, Cowboys-Steelers, Alabama-Texas,  and so on. 

So as you fill out your bracket (singular).... If you fill out more than one these to cover your bases you are a wuss.  No where else in life do you get two chances at the same time.  Could you imagine a hitter telling an umpire.."I meant to swing let's do that one over?" So some advice for you as you fill this thing out. If you want to win pick the better seeds.  If you want to have bragging rights for eternity...go out on a limb and pick at least a one #15 seed to win.  If not go ahead and pick a #16 to beat a #1.  You will more than likely be wrong.  But you will be the talk of your circle of friends.  And if you are right!  Welcome to sports immortality! If you are wrong you will be made of fun of.  As well you should.  But one day it will happen and when it does you'll wish you took my advice. 

"Duh"ble Standard



Let's face it the biggest story in this great nation of ours over the past seven days is not the Oscars, it's not the Libyan conflict's effect on crude oil prices, it's not even the teacher's union uprising in Wisconsin.  The story that everyone loves and can't keep taling about is "The Charlie Sheen Show"! 



Life imitating art?

Now I will be the first to admit that I am enjoying every single second of this.  I mean this is Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn for crying out load!  Charlie Sheen was pretty much sober and normal from the late 90's to Spin City to Scary Movie 3 to Two and Half Men to now.  That's a 10 plus year stretch run.   But now we have descended into chaos, or at least perceived chaos.  Word comes out today that Sheen has passed his fourth drug test in the last week.  Now I know that these things are never 100% accurate, but what are the odds that four of these tests could all be wrong?  I'll answer that, zero. 

 I look at how everyone perceives Sheen and how they discuss him.  You hear words and phrases like crazy, insane, cracked out, wasted and messed up.  But I can't help but think about the double standard that is in place here.   Could you imagine if a professional athlete, especially an NBA athlete (for whatever reason they are vilified more than any other athlete without cause or reason), were to behave and act like this?  People would be outraged.   The go to line is: What about the children who watch this?  It's truly fascinating to me that there was more outrage in Lebron James going on TV, as a free agent, and leaving a city to go to team where he would make less money so he could win.  I have yet to hear one person wonder how Charlie Sheen's behavior effects the children who watch "Two and a Half Men" or for that matter what impact his attitude and behavior have on 17 year old co-star Angus Jones (Jake)?  Why the double standard?



It's a spring fasion must!

There is no answer to that question.  There are attempted explanations but no answers.   When I have asked that question to people the last few days people give a wide array of answers such as,  it's different Sheen is an actor or kids don't want to be Sheen they want to be Lebron.   My retort consists of, let me get this right it is OK to do behave erratically if your an actor and it all depends on who your kid wants to be?  I have news for you, your kid has better shot at becoming a sitcom star (there a dozens of them) then one of the preeminent power forwards in the history of the NBA.   Actually I take back that there is an answer to the why the double standard question.   The correct answer is, I don't know I must be a hypocrite. 


The truth is we pick and choose what gets us upset and offended.  That's human nature.  What I have always tried to do is expand my mind and look at things from different perspectives.  There are a few things that I consider to be a label of death when it comes to being a decent person.  Here are few:  bigot, racist, cheap, lazy, hypocrite and average.   In 2011 if you are any of these things you should be ashamed.   But there are a few things that I know to be true.  Charlie Sheen's behavior is much more serious, scary and dangerous than an athlete dancing in the end zone, wearing gold teeth, wearing bling, or having tattoos and dread locks.



The Greatest Show on Earth



As we continue to evolve as sports fans and fans of entertainment I only hope we can do the following, and I can't believe I am about to say this.  I hope we treat our athletes with the same respect and carefree attitude that we treat Charlie Sheen.   

Pujols Payday



Times were so much simpler then



When I was a kid 'Payday' meant one of two things to me.   The first of which was a fantastic delectable peanut treat and the second was a highly under rated board game.   As I have gotten older the word "Payday" means one thing and one thing only.   We all know what payday means to each and everyone of us.   What is means to Albert Pujols is something totally different.  As Pujols starts his 11th season with the Cardinals his number are unprecedented.   At 31 years old he has put together a number log that make both stat geeks and fantasy sports enthusiasts get hot flashes.  With 1,900 hits, 402 home runs and 1230 RBI his numbers, for his age, are on par with only one other: George Herman Ruth. 

As the Cardinals and Pujols try to pin the tail on the contract donkey we ask "How much is he going to get?"  Let's start off by putting the cliches on ice.  You'll start hearing them all if you haven't already.  My three favorite.   "All athletes are greedy", "No one deserves that much money" and "How much is enough?" Isn't it amazing that fans get all worked up when an athlete who entertains hundreds of thousands get all worked up over how much they make but when a CEO of an oil company or an S & L makes five times that amount no one bats and eye.   So back to the task at hand, "How much is he going to get?"

The Cardinals have two things going for them and one thing working against them.   The two bright spots are that both the Yankees and Red Sox have first baseman that they seem to be very happy with.  Therefore you can eliminate two major suitors with deep pockets.   So who would be the cardinals big competition if Pujols decides to test the free agent waters?  How about a team that has about $30 plus million coming off the books at the end of this season?  Smile Northsiders it may just be a great year to be a Cubs fan. So how much money would the Rickett's family be willing to spend on arguably the best player in the game? 



Baseball is better for Ruth leaving Boston



The similarities between Pujols and Ruth are quite staggering.  They are the only two players with career batting averages over .320  to go with seasonal home run and RBI averages of 40 and 120 respectively.  They both slug well over .600 and have an OPS of 1.000.  Ouch....brain freeze.  I am not a stat geek, I am not a stat geek.   In Pujols we are watching this generation's Ruth.   But could we be approaching what would be the biggest similarity of them all?  Could Albert Pujols be on the move from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Chicago Cubs?  Would this be the biggest act of "treason" we have ever seen in baseball?  Roger Clemens and Wade Boggs both ended up in New York after leaving Boston but they had at least one bus stop prior to.  I can't think of one anthlete in the range of their prime that has left one organization for its arch rival.  One thing I know for sure.  You can count me in as one of the people that hopes this happen. 

I really don't cheer one way or another when it comes to players and outcomes anymore.  I just want great match-ups, great story lines, and entertaining events.  And let's face it there really is only one rivalry in baseball that is worth its weight in any precious metal.   We all know what Ruth going from Boston to New York did for that rivalry.  That was before TV, the Internet, and well even nationwide radio use.  It was so long ago the players used trains for road trips.  In today's media age Pujols from the Cardinals to Cubs would reignite that rivalry to what it once was.  

So how much is he going to get?  It doesn't matter to me at all. I really doesn't  So long as the Cubs pay $1 more than the Cardinals. 



Cub Fans...Tell me this doesn't make you smile!



I Can Drive 45

As January ends we close in on another Super Bowl.   As Super Sunday turns 45 I feel there are plenty of reasons to be excited and grateful.  How can't you like this match-up? The Sporting World's biggest game and two of its most storied and tradition rich organizations hooking up in what is the modern day version of the Roman Colosseum in Dallas, Texas.   There are several reasons why I enjoy the Super Bowl.  Some of them old, some of them new.  Some of them will continue on forever.

People like to "break down" the game and give you in depth analysis of what is going to happen.  The truth is that none of those people have a clue of what is going to happen.   This game is more than just a game. 
It is the biggest event, sporting and non sporting, in America every year. I know why I enjoy this game so much.  And I am going to give you a reason for every year that this extravaganza is held. 

45.   Media Day- Yep its a freak show and why not? The freaks make this thing what it is!
44.   The Big Inflatable Helmets the Players run out of during introductions. 
43.   Six hour pregame show.  Too long?  Hey you don't have to watch it. 
42.   The squares sheet. 
41.   Everyone actually watches it. At least the start.
40.   The High Stakes.  Every play is under the microscope.
39.   The moment you realize your are watching a classic. (1989-49ers, 2002-Pats, 2009-Steelers)
38.   The clean Lombardi Trophy before all the fingerprints.
37.   Everyone complaining about the halftime show.  I agree, it's boring. Let's sacrifice people next year. 
36.   The instant Greatest Super Bowl? or Worst Super Bowl Ever? debates. 
35.   Disney shunning the MVP.  (Ray Lewis-2001, Ben Roethlisberger-2011?)
34.   Prop Bets
33.   The kid, at the party, that is actually watching the game. 
32.   The guy, at the party, that gets mad because people are talking.
31.   The woman, at the party, that criticizes what the national anthem singer is wearing.
30.   The how much of each particular food is consumed nationwide stat.
29.   The ridiculous amount of post-game confetti. 
28.   Players holding up Newspapers w/Winning Headlines after the Game.
27.   People sprinting of the field as clock strikes 00:00. 
26.   Immediately Following the Game-Sports Illustrated's Championship Gift Pack Offer
25.   Commemorative Coin for the Opening Toss (That you can buy online!)
24.   The New "Jordan's" Commercial- 1990-1994
23.   Bud Bowl-Of course the beer bottles weren't geared towards kids!
22.   Players getting in trouble before the game (see Barrett Robbins & Eugene Robinson)
21.   Memorable Commercials
20.   The immediate commercial debates that pour into game play. 
19.   Football Legend carrying Lombardi Trophy to podium with players on both sides form a line to touch it.
18.   The guy who bet too much money and is about to lose his mind.
17.   Guy at the party who wears a jersey of a player and team not playing in the game.
16.   Interviews with coaches that lost in conference championship game.  Poor Rex Ryan and Lovie Smith.
15.   Players on podium in post-game celebration that say they have the greatest fans in the world.
14.   Footage of old Super Bowls and realization those guys would get worked over today. 
13.   Also realizing that no one has ever died after seeing Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction.
12.   Someone thanking God for the win.  He must really not like the Vikings and Bills. 
11.   The guy that saw the upset coming all along just as the clock hits 00:00. 
10.   No one answering the door as Publisher's Clearing House goes Live.
9.     Actors from a show, on the same network airing the game, sitting in a group watching the game. 
8.     The guy who swears Leon Lett cost him big money in his squares pool in 1993. 
7.     Impressed that they get the stage up and down that fast at halftime. 
6.     Celebrity Guest Picks-Guy Fieri thinks the Colts will win.  I am sold.
5.     The Hype
4.     The Extra Week
3.     The mostly controllable environment. Teams playing in optimal conditions. It gives us the best game. Won't happen in NY in 2014
2.     The Day After-I can watch the highlights for days.
1.     Dynasties being built-49ers, Boys & Steelers.

Rex and The Renegades



"Loud Noises"

For two decades we have waited.   Four different men have held the office of the presidency.   We have witnessed the cloning of a sheep, two major wars, and the emergence of green energy.   In the Universe of Sport we have seen the Yankees, Lakers, and Patriots all put together mini-dynasties.   There has been a lot of changes and numerous big things come and go.  But after two decades the wait is over.   So often we see villains as individuals in sports.  In the 60's and 70's Muhammad Ali was the angst of middle America.  In the 80's Mike Tyson made everyone feel uncomfortable with Detroit Pistons throwing their hat in the ring.  Since then we have had "villains" pop up now and then but there was no staying power.  Now we have a new bad guy.  We actually have a bunch of them.  They are called the New York Jets and I for one love it.  



"So you felt disrespected? Huh?"

Rex Ryan talks, and he talks and he talks.   Teddy Roosevelt once said "You should speak softly and carry a big stick."  Ryan couldn't disagree with that philosophy more.   Ryan speaks loudly while telling you what you can do with that stick.  His players follow his lead.  Whether it is Shonn Greene pretending to sleep on the ball in the endzone after scoring a touchdown or Bart Scott going berserk on Sal Palantonio, Rex's Renegades follow his lead at 250 mph.  They are like Helio Castroneves coming out of turn four in Indianapolis. They have his back and he has theirs. 

How many teams have the mental and physical make up to go on the road for three straight weeks and beat Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and maybe Ben Roethlisberger? The amazing thing about the Jets is that Ryan has them convinced that America has it in for them.  He has them believing that no one ever gives them a chance to win.  He has them 100% certain that they are Duke and that they are being treated like they are Duquesne.   They love being the team that you love to hate.  They enjoy taking pot shots at anyone and everyone that they can.   It is safe to say that the Jets have become the villain of the sports world and that is a good thing.  Sports is better when its traditional powers are good, superstars are flashy and its bad guys know that they are the bad guys.   The Jets not only embrace the role, it was meant for them.  

The most fascinating thing to me about the Jets is that their quarterback seems to be the most like able guy of the bunch.  If a team is disliked by the majority of American sports fans the QB is usually public enemy number one.   I have heard numerous people express their displeasure for Rex Ryan.   Quite a few people don't like Santonio Holmes.  Bart Scott has joined Ryan and Holmes as a polarizing figure.  If I have ever heard anyone say one bad thing about Mark Sanchez and his behavior I have forgotten what was said.  He is the quite steady post-season leader that a team like that needs.   You can have a bunch of emotional crazies but you need a calming influence.  Mark Sanchez fits that role.   In fact the biggest criticism I have heard of Sanchez is that he is a pretty boy that didn't need to pose for GQ.   He got to take half naked pictures with Hilary Rhoda all day.  That day may have been his biggest win of all.

The question remains what will their staying power be? 

"Guys, don't change a thing."

Even winning dynasties don't last more than a decade.  Ali gave us a little over 10 years.  Tyson gave us about decade as well.  The Pistons gave us just a couple of years.   So do what I am going to do.   I am going to enjoy Rex and the Jets for what they are: outlandish, arrogant, self-aggrandizing, strong, opinionated, juvenile, self-righteous, and most importantly....entertaining. 

So for how long can Rex and the Renegades keep this up?  For all of our sake the longer, the better.

Rewind and Reflect



Thanks for the memories...



17 weeks have come and 17 weeks have gone.  The 2010 NFL Regular Season is now a thing of the past.  The playoffs and SuperBowl always determines how we remember and categorize a season but the regular season gave us some footnotes that we soon won't forget.  

After 20 seasons Brett Favre says he has played his last game.  I know the rule of thumb on this is "I'll believe it when I see it".  I never have thought he was done the past three years.  I do think he is done now.   He had his worst statistical and health related season ever.   Combine that with the Jenn Sterger text/picture scandal, now is the time for #4 to call it a career. 

Que fan outrage and fury

The Seattle Seahawks become the first team, with a losing record,  to win its division and make the playoffs.  A certain sect of fans are furious but given the fact that NFL has been around for eight decades and this is the first time this has happened I am not outraged.  It is the exception not the rule.   And before we get all worked up about teams with losing records making the playoffs in the NFL.  It happens on a regular basis in the NBA and NHL.  The only professional sport that it hasn't happened in is MLB where only 8 of 30 teams make the post-season.  In contrast 12 of 32 NFL teams make the playoffs, the NHL and NBA gives us 16 of 30.   The more post-season bids the higher the chances that a team with a losing records gets in.   It is really amazing that is hasn't happened yet in the NFL. 

The Cowboys, Cardinals and Bengals combined for a 15-33 record just 12 months after all winning their respective divisions.  To the Cowboys credit they did finish 5-3 in their final eight games after starting 1-7.  Oh and doing it with Jon Kitna under center is even more impressive.  Jason Garrett earned the head coaching job and the players seemed to respond to him down the stretch.  With a solid draft and a healthy Tony Romo, Dallas should bounce back in 2011.  



Palmer done in Cincinnati?

 The Cardinals need a QB more than any other team that I can ever remember in the NFL.  Whether they draft one or trade for Kevin Kolb that needs to be their top priority.  Failing to do so pretty much means that Larry Fitzgerald will be else where in 2012.   The Bengals have a tough decision on their hands.  What to do with Carson Palmer?  The 30 year old had his 4th straight season with a QB rating under 90.  The last two seasons Palmer has thrown 47 TDs and 33 INTs.   If you are going to pay franchise QB money to a guy in his prime years he had better play like an elite QB.  Palmer is not giving Cincinnati its money's worth.

Speaking of QBs, can you think of any player that went through more on the field in the last 12 months than Donovan McNabb?  When the Eagles traded McNabb, within the division, to the Redskins a year ago it surprised a lot of people.   Philadelphia wanted to get something out of McNabb before it was too late.  It looks like Andy Reid and Company played their hand perfectly.  Shanahan & Shanahan pulled and benched McNabb in favor of Rex Grossman.  They questioned his endurance and dedication on multiple occasions.  It is hard to fathom that two years ago McNabb and the Eagles were a couple of plays away from going back to the Super Bowl.   In the near future he will be playing for his 3rd team in 15 months.   What's even more amazing is that Peyton Manning, who was drafted a year before McNabb, is still going strong and Tom Brady who is the same age is having one of, if not, his best season ever.

James fought the law and ??

But when I look back on the 2010 NFL Regular Season I will remember it as the season where the NFL decided that enough is enough and the days of players lighting up defenseless players is over.  The term "violent hits" entered the lexicon.  Roger Goodell and the NFL flexed its muscle, and came down with a vengeance, on any defensive player that delivered helmet to helmet hits.  Steelers linebacker James Harrison  decided he was going to take the NFL to task for its crackdown.   The League then put on their binoculars and proceeded to make Harrison their poster boy fining him in excess of $200,000. 

Every now and then I understand the need to question authority.  But when that authority can determine what your paycheck looks like its always better to error on the side of caution.  There were people that said that the elimination of the helmet to helmet, defenseless player hits would weaken and soften the game.   Now that I look back on it those people were right.   I don't plan on watching football ever again.   It goes to show you that change is hard, change is tough, change is not always popular.   But the essence of any living and breathing thing is evolution to its environment.  The NFL evolved in 2010.  And you know what?  It has never been better. 

The Decision "Part II"

Now that dust has settled we can look back on what has to be the biggest self aggrandizing, self loving, me, me, me individual I have ever seen hit free agency in professional sports.  He was able to drag his feet for about a month in free agency.  He talked with several teams both at home and traveling to their locale.  He ended up signing with a team that he liked because he felt comfortable there.  The team also had a bunch of his friends on it.  It is obvious that he couldn't win a title on his own so he had to go another team that has won a title in the last five years to finally win a championship.  I can't believe the audacity of Cliff Lee. 

What a warrior.  He is gritty and cares so much

Oh, you thought I was talking about Lebron James.   No, you see, Lebron actually did something with his month long ordeal.  He raised $3 million for the Boys and Girls Club with his Public Auction.  Cliff Lee didn't do anything for anyone other than himself.  In all seriousness, I actually have no problem with what Cliff Lee did.  He was a free agent and he knew this was going to be his last major contract.  He wanted to do what we all want to do.  He wanted to get the most money he could while being happy and comfortable.   If someone wants to do what is best for them and their family, I will never fault them.  No one else is going to look out for you.  Get what you can get while you can get it.  But the fact of matter remains that Cliff Lee essentially did the same thing that Lebron did.  He strung along a couple of teams, took the offer that he thought was the best to win a championship in a city he liked.  Lebron went on TV.  Yes.  But he also raised money for kids that needed it.  Cliff Lee did not. 

He is so selfish.  All he cares about is himself. 

The people of Cleveland and everyone else that despises Lebron I ask why?  Because he took less money to play in a warmer climate, with no state income tax?  Or because he wanted to play for a GM named Pat Riley?  Is it because he went on TV and in doing so he raised $3 million for kids?  No the hate is because you can't relate.  You aren't the best at what you do so you are never courted by a major company for work.   You never have had options.  You just took the best thing that came along at the time.   You can get by doing that but you will never be great or special. 

So now I ask you to turn your frustrations to Cliff Lee.  Take to the message boards and complain about him.  Rip him on your twitter and facebook pages.  Go after him with the same angst that you went after Lebron James.   Because if you fail to do so you can put yourself into one of two camps.  That of "hypocrite" or "jock envy".  Or maybe it is something else.  Maybe it is something deeper and dark, more sinister than you think. Maybe, just maybe, it has nothing to do with Lebron James at all.  Maybe it has to do with you know who.  YOU. 

BOWL-ed Over



The best solution for determining #1 vs #2 



It has become a tradition.  Every December we decorate for the holidays, eat way too much, buy presents and complain about the BCS.  Count me as one who will abstain from the last one on that list.  Since its inception the goal of the BCS has been to get the top two teams together in the National Championship Game.  For the  11th time in 12 tries it has succeeded.  The other BCS games are just showcases.  The six member conferences have a partnership with the major bowls. The jobs of the other BCS bowl games isn't to be fair or impartial.  It is to fullfill their agreement with their business partners.  The individual bowl games pick the teams they want in their particular game.  People hate the BCS for several reasons and one is the utopian thought of a tournament.  Individuals clamour for a playoff although they can't agree how to get one done. 



The top factor in determining a champion!

4 teams?  8 teams? 16 teams?  Where are you playing games? Regional sites?  Home sites?  Does TCU host a game with 40,000 seats in their stadium?  Are we always going to play games at bigger venues to make more money?  How long before the small schools throw a fit because they never get to host?  Are we still using the BCS to determine at large teams?  Will we use every conference champion?  Do we expect fan bases to travel for four straight weeks to watch games? What about the Bowls?  Scrap them!  How do you make up the $1 billion in revenue?  You need a plan to make up all that lost money..... and no it just isn't going to happen.  And before you start saying that a playoff is the only "fair" way to determine a champion then don't we need to make the playing field "fair" as well?  How is it "fair" that Texas has a recruiting budget of $5 million and San Jose State's in only $300,000.  Do we need to have revenue sharing?  How far do we take this whole "fair" thing?  I have been saying for years if you want this system to suffer a catastrophic scenario root for Alabama, Notre Dame, and Texas to all go unbeaten.   Then you will get your playoff.  You want change? You need someone with deep pockets and a ton of power to be effected.  TCU, Boise, and UTAH don't wield either of these things. 





Complain to Complain Crowd



The other gripe you will hear is that "there are way too many bowl games this year".  My response to that...So What! What would you rather have fill the sports vacuum on a Tuesday night the last week of December?  MEAC Conference Basketball?  How about regular season NBA games featuring the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors.  Are you pining for more weekday NHL showdowns between the Ottawa Senators and Phoenix Coyotes?  The people who get worked up about "too many bowl games" are the same people who get mad when they can't find a parking spot, at the mall, the Saturday afternoon before Christmas.  GET OVER IT. 


There will be a few fanbases that will be up in arms about what bowl game they will be playing in. (See Michigan State and Boise St.) Look this is a sport where style points matter.  If you only beat one ranked team all year, and that applies to you both, then you had better run the table.  Boise's big win is Va. Tech and Sparty took down Wisconsin.  Other than that who'd you beat?  Boise's plays a WAC schedule and their opponents combined record was 75-76.   MSU opponent's combined record 76-72 and that includes a game against Portland State, an FCS School.  If your schedule consists of weak squads then you had better dominate teams down the stretch (see Wisconsin) or you won't get the benefit of the doubt and I am fine with that. 

"Capital"ism at its finest!

I also enjoy complaints about the sponsorships of games.   Why did they change the name from the Citrus Bowl to the Capital One Bowl? Why is it the Chick Fil A Bowl now instead of the Peach Bowl? Look, if I am the President of Capital One or Chick Fil A and I am overseeing the forking over of tens of millions of dollars to a bowl game you had better believe that I would want my company's name all over it.   Listen the schools benefit from this.  The more money in the game the higher the payout.  This helps YOU! The more money a school brings in the less likely they are to raise ticket prices that next season.  Would you rather have universities make money from YOU or from a business.  That's what I thought.  GET OVER IT.


And my favorite gripe is that of the 'long" layoff from now until the games.  When should they play the BCS games?  Two weeks?  Christmas Day?  If you are going to play 35 bowl games and do it over the Holiday Season you need time to plan these out.  How do you expect to mobilize all these fan bases during the most hectic time of year for not only travel, but work and business as well.  Let's look at the economics of this.  It comes back to money.  Games that are on TV in prime time get more money.  The more spread out the games, the more they are showcased.  The more showcased games, the more eyeballs on that single game.  Therefore your advertising rates can be higher.  More people watch and the schools get more exposure.  But poor YOU.  YOU had to wait two more weeks than you wanted to.  Please do me a favor this Holiday/Bowl Season.  Enjoy the games and keep the complaining to a minimum.  I, for one, am tired of your cliched arguments and I don't know what you are yelling about?

Neither do I, Brick.  Neither do I. 

Fall Fiasco



Headley Lamar does not approve



       The leaves have changed, the temperature has dropped and the shorts and t-shirts are now hibernating.  Oh and college football fans are in full panic mode.  Every year in August people start to throw a tantrum about pre-season polls and how they are unfair and a waste of time.  Every year I tell them to chill out.  Look at it this way if there were no pre-season polls and you had to rank teams for the first time today how much of a difference would there be?  That's what I thought.  NONE.   Two weeks ago the initial BCS poll made its debut and the Panic Posse was up to their usual tricks.  There are 13 unbeaten teams!  What happens if they all continue to win?   What are we going to do?  Who's going to play in the national title game?  HRUMPH, HRUMPH, HRUMPH.... 



College Football Fans are the
Modern Day 'Chicken Little'

     Heading into the last weekend in October and the first week of November those 13 unbeaten teams have now become seven.  Even if everyone of them wins this weekend that number will fall to six next week when #9 Utah hosts #4 T.C.U.   #1 Auburn still has to go to #7 Alabama, # 2 Oregon travels to #23 USC and has to play #15 Arizona, #3 Boise St. is the exception.  They won't lose.   #5 Michigan St. has #19 Iowa left and #6 Mizzou has #14 Nebraska and another likely meeting with #11 Oklahoma in the BIG 12 Title Game.   So it's time to do what I do.  ENJOY THE SEASON.  I know we live in a NOW world but good grief.   This is why the BCS makes this sport crazy and constantly entertaining.   Could you imagine any other sport that has fans that panic about its championship two full months before it takes place?



The most watched player
in NFL History

       Brett Favre is having a bad season.   Brett Favre is dealing with scandal and two fractures in his right ankle.   Brett Favre has never been more interesting and more polarizing.  I had someone tell me a little while back that I was "DEAD WRONG" in my assessment that Brett Favre was the most popular player to ever put on a helmet.  Some people let their dislike for an athlete or team cloud their overall judgement.  I was right and still am right.   This past weekend's game between the now 2-4 Vikings and 4-3 Packers was the highest rated Sunday Night Game in the history of the NFL.  So just for he record in the last 14 months Brett Favre has played in the most watched game in the history of cable TV (Packers @ Vikes).  The highest rated Non-Super Bowl Playoff Game ever (Vikes @ Saints) and now the most watched Sunday Night game of all time.  I guess my definition of popular must be different than everyone else's. 






The face of the NBA

     Speaking of someone that everybody says they are sick of and tired of hearing about....Lebron James and the "Big Three" made their debut on Tuesday Night.   By the way this game set a cable television record for most watched NBA game.....ever.  Look, back in the early 90's I wasn't a big fan of the Cowboys.  But I watched them.   In the late 90's I didn't particularly like the Yankees.  But I watched them.   In the 80's I didn't like Mike Tyson and in the 00's I didn't like USC...I think you see the trend we have going here.  There is one thing for certain about being the villain or the "bad guy".  People will not cheer for you but they sure will be captivated by your mere presence.   It is much better in the entertainment world to be disliked while being watched than to be liked and often forgotten. 



Where have you gone
 Obannion? Our nation turns its
lonely eyes to you
     Woo, Hoo, Hoo......

The San Francisco Giants have scored 20 runs the first two games of the World Series.   They scored a grand total of 21 runs in all six games of the NLCS against the Phillies.   The Giants are just clicking at the right time. This World Series was the first Fall Classic I can remember that there wasn't a clear cut favorite.  The Rangers took out the Big Bad Wolf (Yankees) and the Giants disposed of the Three Headed Beast (Phillies-Halladay, Oswalt, Hamels).  Both feats were impressive in and of themselves.   Now there will be a mass exodus from the Rangers train and an influx of patrons on the Giants Bus.  In the year of the pitcher the first two games of the World Series has been anything but with the notable exception of Matt Cain.   The Rangers will bounce back.  They hit far to well not to.  I can't think of a year that baseball has needed a Game 7 more than this.  Viewership is down and interest is waning.  We need a storyline.  I suggest Ben Affleck get his paddle and wait for Lincecum behind the first base dugout for Game 5 (if necessary) in Arlington.    

As we embark on Halloween here are my five biggest NIGHTMARES that we could face in the next week. 

5) Giants Sweep the Rangers.  The division series and LCS were very good.  What a shame if the World Series lasted less than 5 days. 

4) Auburn loses to Ole Miss.   The SEC would have no undefeated teams left.   This conference could have a three loss champion and they would feel they deserve a slot in the BCS Title Game over an unbeaten Oregon and unbeaten Mizzou.  

3)   The Cowboys win, at home, against Jacksonville.  With their next two games after the Jags @ Green Bay and @ The Giants.  What would 1-8 look and feel like in "BIG D"?   

2)  Brett Favre's consecutive game streak comes to an end.   Everyone that hates Brett Favre will cheer and celebrate.  Then they will proceed to talk about Tavaris Jackson finally getting his shot.  Then those same people will forget the Vikings play the Patriots this weekend and not watch the game. 

1) I see someone I respect dress up on Halloween.  Certain things come to an end when you become a teenager:  Wearing your glove at a baseball game, having a birthday party and wearing a Halloween Costume/Trick or Treating.   It's Grown Up Time!  Nothing is more manly than a 40 year old man dressed up as "The Joker". 

Awesome...and by Awesome I mean
Embarrassing

"Mock"tober

    
       The debate seems to arise now and again.  What is the best month in sports?   I think you have two options. 

   
       The first of which is the month of April.  The Major League Baseball season is underway, the Final 4 is set, The Masters jump start the golf season and the NFL Draft is the cherry on the sundae at the end of the month. 

      The second option is the month of October.   Conference play begins in college football, baseball gives us its post-season, the NFL starts to hit its stride and the NBA starts.   So now that we are only 90 days away from watching the ball drop in Times Square here are a few things I want to see happen before Ryan Seacrest and Co. welcome us all to 2011.  

Tiger Woods sharpens his Claws



How much will Tiger help the U.S.?



       The Ryder Cup presents the perfect opportunity for Tiger Woods to get everything back on track.  It has been over a month since his divorce was finalized.  Love him or hate him golf is exponentially better when Tiger Woods is playing well.  A good showing would propel Tiger into 2011 and get him back on track in his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus and 18 majors.  

Dream Scenario:  Tiger Woods defeats Rory McIlroy, on Sunday in individual play, to clinch the Ryder Cup for the United States.

Phillies and Yankees square off in World Series again 

     The instant the Phillies acquired Roy Oswalt they became the most formidable team in baseball.  Roy Halladay is 21-10, Oswalt is 7-1 since joining Philadelphia and Cole Hamels (the ace of this staff when they won the series in 2008)  is 12-11 with a 3.09 ERA.   The Yanks have had to deal with the Rays all season and have been carried by Cano, Texiera and Swisher.  Their pitching doesn't match up well with Philly at all.   With another win in the "Fall Classic" the Phillies would be well on their way to building a mini-dynasty.



The Phillies "Big 3" unstoppable?



Dream Scenario:  Roy Halladay and C.C. Sabathia give us a Morris vs. Smoltz like match-up in Game 7 at Yankee Stadium.  The Phillies beat Rivera late, getting revenge for 2009 and setting up the final installment to the trilogy in 2011.  



Lebron, Wade and Bosh challenge the 1996 Bulls wins record



    The 2010-2011 NBA season appears to be shaping up nicely.  The Celtics, Heat and Magic in the East and the Lakers, and well that's about it so far in the West.   The Heat are going to be the most watched, scrutinized, loved and hated team in the history of the Association.  They will sell out every game in every city in which they play.   It will be a spectacle and the American sports fan won't be able to resist.     



73-9?  72-10?  71-11?

Dream Scenario:  LeBron James hits the game winner at the Staples Center, on Christmas Day, as the Heat improve to 29-3 as they keep pace with the Chicago Bulls of 1996.  



The Steelers go undefeated


     The likelihood of this is almost impossible.   With two games against the Ravens, road games in Miami and New Orleans not to mention home games against the Patriots and Jets it would take a miracle.  Going into every sports season I always say to myself I want to see something that no one has ever seen before.  I almost had it in 2008 with the Patriots.  



WWTD?  What will Tomlin Do?



Dream Scenario:  The Steelers beat the Carolina Panthers on December 23rd to improve to 15-0.  It then sets up the following... What does Mike Tomlin do on the road, in Cleveland, on January 2nd in a meaningless game?  Play his starters?  Rest them?

Boise St. goes undefeated and plays in the National Championship Game

         Most logical people know that the chances of Boise St. surviving the week in and week out grind of the SEC, PAC 10, BIG 10, etc...are very low.   Chris Peterson and his squad are pretty good this season.   They also won't play a single top 10 team all year.  They will need to work over everyone on their schedule.  Style points have never been so important. 

Dream Scenario:  The undefeated and top ranked Oregon Ducks destroy Boise St in the Title Game 55-10.  A one loss Alabama throttles an undefeated TCU in the Sugar Bowl, 38-10, and we are left to wonder.....

Quack, Quack Quack......