Tainted Game?

For those of you who are unaware of the recent events surrounding New York Yankees' third baseman Alex Rodriguez, let me shed a little light on it for you.  It has recently been found that Rodriguez tested positive for banned substances in 2003 while with the Texas Rangers.  At the time, it was not something that would get you a suspension or removal from the game of baseball.  At the time, according to Rodriguez, it was a "loosey-goosey" era.  I want to get into it a little bit on how the information surrounding Rodriguez has now tainted the view of baseball players for many fans, especially yours truly.

The thing that most people fail to realize is that doing steroids in baseball in the early 2000s was as much apart of the game as the pitcher throwing the ball to the catcher.  I don't doubt that over 90% of the players at the time were using some form of steroid to 'enhance' their play on the field.  The question remains however, are they still using now?  Are there forms of steroids available now that are undetectable?  Given the recent events surrounding Rodriguez, Pettitte, Clemens and Bonds, I wouldn't doubt it.  

Back to Rodriguez.  Here is a player who made the jump into the major leagues at the age of 18.  RARELY does that happen in the game of baseball unless you have serious talent.  That is something that I will not take away from Rodriguez, the guy can play baseball.  He played in the Mariner's system and then was given the most lucrative offer in the history of Major League Baseball to play for the Texas Rangers for $256 million for 10 years.  Of course Rodriguez was traded to the Yankees, who in 2007 gave him a deal for $275 million for 10 years.  It's an understatement that this guy is making some money.  However, being under the steroids radar has helped him achieve that, but now that it's all out there, you wonder how much he really was using.  He says that it was only from 2001-2003.  Do you believe him?  It's tough to say.

My point about the use of steroids by all these players, is that it gives you a horrible view about what it takes to be a professional athlete.  These guys are talented, you have to give them that, but in this game that isn't enough.  Where you have to play 182 games, you could become injured and lose your roster spot for good.  The pressure is high.  But not high enough to do something like that.  I've been against it from the beginning and want to see Bonds and Clemens go down for it.  A-Rod will escape it all by coming clean.  I commend him for that.  It's a shame that all of it is coming out now, giving us a surreal look at the post as though it has been tainted.    

There's one player that has avoided all of this.  A player who would have had the opportunity to beat the Babe's record if he wasn't injured.  My favorite player: Ken Griffey Jr.     The guy is a shoe-in for the hall, and has never been linked to using steroids.  I hope that it never comes out that he has.  I believe baseball is heading in the right direction, but it's hard not to just sit back and think while sitting at the ballpark, "Is that guy using steroids?" You may never know.

Great Writing Part III

Again, there are times when commercials are mind numbing, and times when they truly make you applaud what just took place.  Fed Ex has been doing a great campaign for their commercials on the Golf Channel, promoting their business and the race for the Fed Ex Cup.  This was my favorite of the bunch.  Let me know how you like it.  

Oh, Was That Your Face?

Last Saturday, something happened on the hardwood in Tucson that was absolutely uncalled for.  In the second half of the college basketball game between Arizona and Houston, Houston guard Aubrey Coleman stomped on the face of Arizona's Chase Budinger after he fell to the floor.  Here's the video for those who didn't see it:  

For those of you who don't believe that this was intentional (Houston fans) you are clearly mistaken.  Could it have been that Coleman was upset Budinger was an All-American and he wasn't?  Maybe it was the fans in McKale that just got under his skin a little too much.  Either way,  Coleman's act was intentional.  His words were, "I love the game too much do something like that intentionally.  I want to say I am sorry from the bottom of my heart.  I know that God knows what is in my heart, but I am hopeful that Chase will understand and forgive." 

Aubrey, I hate to break it to you, but if you were to step on his face by accident, wouldn't you lift your foot up as a reaction?  Not continue with a forceful motion to the floor like you unknowingly stepped on a piece of gum.  Aubrey Coleman, what you did was a disgrace to college basketball.  It just shows the type of attitudes that these players have and carry with them into the NBA.

Coleman was suspended one game by Conference USA for violation of the league's sportsmanship policy.  After the incident, the momentum went with Arizona, forcing overtime, and ultimately favored with the Cats who won the game 96-90.

The Burress Debacle

Well, it's been a while, but I decided that I needed to weigh in on the recent shenanigans of New York Giants Wide Receiver Plaxico Burress.  For those who haven't heard the story, Burress carried a gun--loaded for that matter--into a nightclub and ended up 'accidentally' shooting himself in the thigh.  He then proceeded to leave the nightclub with one of his teammates, linebacker Antonio Pierce, and the two didn't make it to a hospital for the next two hours.

Now, what went on in those two hours is the mystery behind the scandal, but what isn't a mystery is the jail time that Burress is facing.  In New York, it is illegal to carry a gun without a permit, and the gun must be licensed and registered in the state of New York.  The penalty for breaking this law is a class four felony, and it carries a mandatory 3.5 years in prison.  Plaxico turned himself in on Monday, and now the waiting begins until the grand jury of New York decides whether to indict him.

I love sports.  Obviously I admire some of the greats for the way they play their respective sports on the field.  But many of the professional athletes today are turning into absolute wrecking balls.  Here's my opinion: it all starts with the money.  The amount these guys get paid, especially in the NBA, is absolutely insane.  Don't get me wrong, these guys can make a very substantial living but after a certain point, they are so deep in money that they create a false reality.  They start to believe that nothing is above them.  That nothing can stop them.  We see and read this about professional athletes all the time.  

Here's my verdict: Burress will get the full extent of the law and be sentenced to prison for 3.5 years.  The New York Giants will release him, but run into some difficulties with the huge contract that they offered him after winning the Super Bowl last season.  It's a sad thing, but the question will always be asked...why did he carry the gun into the club in the first place?  What also is sad, is that Antonio Pierce could be charged with something.  He helped Plaxico, in trying to conceal what happened.  I say leave him alone and put it all on Burress, but I'm sure New York law enforcement would like their hands on two professional athletes. 

So the question goes to you, what will happen to Plaxico Burress?

World Series - Intermission

I woke up to this morning to find myself stranded in Philadelphia in the bottom of the sixth inning in game 5 of the World Series. I think it would be absolutely awesome if the players were forced to get going on the game at any minute. Meaning, that they would have to sleep at the park, keep entertained, and basically wait for a break in the weather to start the game. This could happen at 2 in the afternoon, or 3 in the morning. However, we all know that this isn't the case. It would appear that the longest inning in World Series history will probably come to a close around 5:30 PST on Wednesday.

How are my predictions holding up you say? Absolutely awful. Obviously. At least let me state my defense as to why the Tampa Bay Rays may throw away one of the greatest turn around stories in Major League Baseball.

It all starts with Scott Kazmir. The guy in the post season is not the same player we have seen for most of the season. This is not a good thing. When one of your best pitchers suddenly becomes another player in the most important series of the year, there could be trouble. And what do you know? That's exactly where the Rays find themselves.

Offense. Where is it? Probably somewhere in between Carl Crawford going deep and B.J. Upton stealing bases. The Rays simply aren't hitting. The thing is, are the Phillies' pitchers even that good? Yes, I'm talking about everyone OTHER than Cole Hamels. Kentucky Joe looked like one of the best pitchers in the game Sunday night. I guess it helps when you hit a home run to help your own cause. However way you look at it, the Rays are getting absolutely DEALT when it comes to pitching. A good question would be to ask Evan Longoria how many times he would like to strikeout this series (9 times in 4 games).

Defense. Also, where is it? It was summed up when Navarro threw down to second in the bottom of the ninth of game 3. Was it necessary? No. Was hitting Bruntlett needed? No. But it happened. So deal with it. Yes, there was a passed ball, so deal with it. I just don't see why a throw down to second was necessary. Of course we know what followed. Intentional walk to the flyin' Hawaiian, followed by another to Greg Dobbs, and a Carlos Ruiz chopper down third with an infield of 5 players. Game 3 should have belonged to the Rays.

Can the Rays do it?

Wow, good question Joel. I'm very, very skeptic. However, am I still believing that they can?  Yes. Because if you know baseball, you know anything can happen.

How do they do it?

Obvious reasons. They have to get a solid outing of whomever comes out of the gate for them on the bump in the bottom of the 6th. They need to score immediately in the top of the 7th. If they can do this, they can build enough hope in their travels back to St. Petersburg. Having Evan Longoria see live pitching in this intermission is a MUST. The guy has to get his eye back. He looks like a fool up there. Iwamura needs to quit booting balls. There's a ton of things they need to do.  But for one, they need to somehow find the team that won the A.L. East without a problem.

Whenever we get this thing going again, that is.

The Fall Classic

People give up on hardball way to soon. It happens every year. College football rolls around, then NFL, then preseason basketball, WNBA Championships (just kidding) and everyone seems to forget that the MLB season started way back in April. Hey, I understand. 162 games, plus the playoffs is a lot of baseball. Some would admit that they don't even watch until this time of year because this is when players actually start playing. I agree with that about 50 percent. It took a lot of factors to get where both of these teams are now, but it's true, they do step their games up a notch come October. This is an obvious fact though, because their playing to stay alive. It's win, or go home.

This October, it's somewhat of a surprise of the two teams that will be playing for the World Series. I don't think anyone predicted these two teams to be here way back in Spring Training. But as the season rolled along (and this season the story is all about the Tampa Bay Rays) these two teams showed that they can compete. A world-class broadcaster was once asked what it would take to win a world championship. He simply replied, "Two solid pitchers." It's the truth. If you've got two solid arms leading you through the post season, it should buy your bats enough time to find some runs. When your pitching is struggling, it's a long shot for your team to make it to the series. So who are these teams two best pitchers that can guide their team to the championship? Well, let's take a look.

A.L. Champions: Tampa Bay Rays starting rotation (Season Stats)
Scott Kazmir (12-8, 3.49) 166Ks
James Shields (14-8, 3.56) 160Ks
Matt Garza (11-9, 3.70) 128Ks
Andy Sonnanstine (13-9, 4.38) 124Ks

Closer: David Price 14.0 IP, 12Ks, 3ER

- The two best for the Rays are Kazmir and Shields, who provide the most control on the bump. It's a good Lefty (Kazmir) and Righty (Shields) mix for the first two games. Kazmir struggled a couple times in the post season, but hung tough. I think these are two good arms to rely on. Garza and Sonnanstine are solid as well.

N.L. Champions: Philadelphia Phillies starting rotation (Season Stats)
Cole Hamels (14-10, 3.09) 196Ks
Brett Myers (10-13, 4.55) 163Ks
Jamie Moyer (16-7, 3.71) 123Ks
Joe Blanton (9-12, 4.69) 111Ks

Closer: Brad Lidge 69.1 IP, 92Ks, 15ER (41 saves)

-Knowing you have arguably the best closer in the game this year behind you is a definite bonus for this pitching staff. However, I don't feel like there are really two SOLID pitchers in this rotation. Cole Hamels is a given. The guy is just plain dirty. He's a southpaw with a fastball that wiggles. Jamie Moyer would be my number 2. The only problem with Moyer, besides the fact that he's 67 years old, is that he is hit or miss when it comes to performance. He doesn't strike a lot of guys out, but forces ground balls and pop fly's like a veteran should. But when he's off or gets hit early, he's useless. He did win 16 games for the Phils this season (and he's a former Mariner), so he does have that going for him.

Both of these teams have what it takes to manufacture runs for their ball club. It will all come down to what pitchers stay composed and what pitchers don't. The bullpen for both teams is decent, but I would say the Rays have more of an advantage in that department. With guys like J.P. Howell, Grant Balfour, and Dan Wheeler, the Rays should be able to hang tight until throwing the rookie in to close. When it comes to the Phils, you have J.C. Romero, Scott Eyre, and Clay Condrey to rely on. They are guys that can keep you in the game, but compared to the bullpen of the Rays, they just can't compete.

I'm not going to give the series to the Rays just yet. When you have guys like Shane Victorino, Ryan Howard, Pat Burrell, and Chase Utley coming to the dish, the Phils should be able to score some runs. They all have improved their approaches to the plate this post season (even the strikeout machine Howard) and that means runs will be available. If the heart of this order gets hot, they can tack on some crooked numbers in any inning.

However, the Rays have a lot to play for. They are the surprise young ball club that has turned heads all season long. With the right mixture of managing and veteran players, this team has all the components of a championship team. I really believe that top to bottom, their order has guys who get great at-bats, and hit for power as well as to manufacture runs. All 9 hitters are capable of taking any pitcher deep. They've hit a ton of home runs this post-season, and I would expect that trend to continue in the world series.

My prediction: Rays in 6
What do you think?

Great Writing Part II

I'm sorry I've been on hiatus, but it's tough to be a graduate student and write more than I already have to. You may remember a post in the last few months about great writing. It was an old spice commercial and if you missed it you can just click here. But I wanted to post another commercial that I believe to be another great marketing ploy.

It's for Holiday Inn Express, and they are promoting their new "breakfast bar". So naturally the writers depict the breakfast bar as...you guessed it, an actual bar. They poke fun at the shenanigans that take place at your local pub, and use it in reference to breakfast. This was the one I thought to be the funniest, but there are many that are always good for a laugh. World Series prelude coming soon.