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.