Colts Give Up Perfection

Apparently the Indianapolis Colts are so good they can afford to give games away. & in doing that, they stole something from fans, their players, & the history books, while complicating the playoff scenario for various teams. What the Colts also gave away, was respect for the game.

It's one thing to get out played, but it's another thing to wave a white flag in the middle of the game basically giving your opponent a win & a chance at the playoffs that they likely didn't deserve. Last week Rex Ryan basically said the Jets playoff chances were dead (& they were). Little did he know...little did anyone know, that Colts Coach Jim Caldwell would gift wrap him a win, disrespecting the tradition of the game in the process, & foolishly giving up on a once in a lifetime opportunity. With 5:36 left in the 3rd quarter & a 15-10 lead, Caldwell turned his back on perfection. For the Jets, it was like taking candy from a baby. Scoring 19 unanswered & through no fault of their own, being credited with the most disgraceful win in NFL history.

If you watched the game, Manning & Co had the Jets defense on their heels, even Darrelle Rivas looked confused. It was a very winnable game. But Jim Caldwell, being precautions I guess, decided to punt the game. As if to say, "we'll get em next week guys." In an era where guys like Randy Moss get eaten alive for not giving 100% on the field, I'm not ready to forgive a coach who basically decided to do the same & disgracefully lose purposely. I've seen plenty of players lay down, but nothing compared to the disgust I felt Sunday, as I saw Peyton Manning standing on the sideline as Curtis Painter took snap, after snap, after snap. After the 3rd quarter ended, my viewing of the game ended. Hey if the Caldwell gave up on the game I figured I could as well.

I understand that you need to protect players from injury, but didn't Tony Dungy do this with the Colts in 2005? The Colts started out 13-0 & after a loss to San Diego, Dungy basically decided to give Manning the rest of the season off. The Colts then met the Steelers, who quickly ended their season, giving them the rest of the year off. Now I'm hoping history repeats itself & the very same teams Indy foolishly gave a glimmer of hope in the playoff race, comes back to haunt them in January & eliminate them. Because they aren't worthy of wearing a Super Bowl ring this year.

Giant Disappointment

When a respective teams starts 5-0, you expect them to make the playoffs. But not so for the 2009 NY Giants. In the end, they close The Meadowlands with an embarrassing 41-9 loss to the Panthers, a team familiar with dashing the hopes of NY fans hopes, much like the Panthers did in the 2006 Divisional Playoffs.

For the Giants it was supposed to be a Super Bowl contending year. With an improved defense that was getting Osi Umenyiora back, in addition to acquiring guys like Rocky Bernard, Chris Canty, & Michael Boley, the Giants defense was supposed to overcome the perceived lack of firepower they had with the absence of a big time WR. Their pass rush was supposed to dominate opponents every week. It seems unreal how the complete opposite happened during the season, and that the Giants are eliminated from playoff contention going into Week 17 at Minnesota. The defense has to take the brunt of the blame, allowing the 5th most points in the NFL. Umenyiora couldn't stop teams from running it to his side for huge yards, likely slowed by the last years knee injury, Michael Boley had nagging injuries all year, & Chris Canty missed half the season on his way to accumilating 12 tackles & 1/2 sack. Many fans put the blame on Defensive Coordinator Bill Sheridan, who never seemed to efficiently use his gifted personnel.

In my opinion though, you have to wonder what happened to Brandon Jacobs? Last season Jacobs was signed to a 4 year $25M extention following two 1000 yard seasons. This year he followed that up with his worst yards per carry output since his rookie season (3.7) plummetting from his 5 yard a carry average from the past 2 seasons. If you look at the first half of yesterdays game, it was a microcosm of the season. The Giants defense couldn't stop the Panthers on 3rd down, they couldn't create a single turnovers, while their offense made numerous. 5 of the 6 Giants first half possession ended in turnovers or in 3 & outs. The one possession that didn't end in a turnover or a 3 & out was a 4 possession drive. Jacobs had 5 rushes, for a total of 1 yard. The Giants abondoned the run, while Carolina wore them down & ran it to the tune of 247 yards. The game was over, & so were the Giants playoff hopes.

Orange Blush

Was I dreaming or did John Elway make a comeback without me knowing. Did the Broncos really start the season 6-0? The Broncos' miraculous start to the season was a mirage, we knew that. But the 6-0 start gave fans a realistic expectations. The expectation was to make the playoffs. Afterall, no team in history has ever started 6-0 & NOT made the playoffs. The Broncos are gonna be in, Josh McDaniels will look like a genius, & everyone will be in a festive mood. It's not like a team that has quality wins like the ones Denver had is gonna suddenly fall apart right? They'd have to lose something like 7 of their next 9... & that's just crazy!!! RIGHT?!?!?

7 losses out of their next 9 games later, the Broncos are looking to out do the Giants, for most pathetic team to close the season. If you take a look at 4 of the teams Denver beat during the 6-0 start, you'll see that 4 of those 6 victories came against playoff teams like Dallas, New England, @ San Diego, & @ Cincinnati. So how do you go from 6-0 to not even controlling your own destiny to reach the playoffs? By losing 7 of 9, including 4 straight following the hot start. With humiliating losses to the turmoil ridden Redskins & a home loss to the hated rivals Oakland Raiders. The biggest difference between the Broncos start & humiliating finish is their defense. While 6-0 they allowed less the 12 points per game, while dismantling teams in the 2nd half of games. During the 2-7 free fall the defense has allowed nearly 24 points per game. While the Broncos can still get in, they don't tiebreakers over the Steelers or Ravens (because of head to head losses) & need the following to happen:

• A Ravens loss at Oakland and a Texans win vs New England.
• A Ravens loss and a Steelers loss at Miami.
  
• A Jets loss at home vs Cincy and a win by the Texans.
• Or a loss by the New York Jets, along with either a Ravens loss or Steelers loss (not both if the Jets loss).

In 3 of the 4 scenerios, the Broncos need the Raiders to Just Win Baby. Nothing says desperation like the phrase "we need a Raiders win." What is likely to happen is Al Davis will order the Raiders to loss on purpose, to eliminate Denver out of spite. It's not so far fetched. Afterall, we've already seen the Colts throw a game this year.

Pac Man's Power Pellets

The title is an absolute cheap shot I know. But it's not like we aren't thinking it. Maybe you aren't giving it a 2nd thought, but get ready...because it will be the new topic of the conversation. When Floyd Mayweather Jr asked for & agreed to Olympic Style drug testing he did what he's always done in the ring vs his opponent. He gets in their heads, corners a fighter, make him feel uncomfortable, & then proceeds to dominate. Manny Pacquiao's camp did what we've seen every other opponent do in the ring against Floyd...backpedal & puts up a lame defense that any half skilled technician can pick apart. So this isn't something we haven't seen before. What is surprising, is that Pacquiao, seemingly invincible, didn't agree to the test & the fight which I said wouldn't happen for another 18 months, may be in jeopardy.

What angers me most is that Manny himself hasn't addressed the situation. His camp, Bob Arum, Freddie Roach & company have been the only one saying why Manny won't agree to it. Here are the list of lame excused from Top Rank Boxing

• Manny is superstitious
• He doesn't want to be severely weakened during his training camp
• He doesn't like needles
• Manny gets "freaked" out when his blood is taken
  

Sorry, but that isn't gonna fly with me or with the court of public opinion. Top Rank was still trying to bob & weave Thursday, when Bob Arum suggested an alternative drug testing plan. He wants to employ the same agencies as the NFL, MLB, & NBA, while in the same breathe saying, "every doctor in the world would say doing such a thing is stupid and blood tests don’t prove anything." Really? Then if it doesn't prove "anything" why is your boxer running from it? Why would he agree to testing after the fight & not before it? With athletes getting popped left & right for PED's (from Marion Jones to Alex Rodriguez, to even former Boxer Fernando Vargas & current welterweight champion Shane Mosley) can you blame the undefeated Mayweather for wanting to make sure he's fighting on an even playing field? Cause I can't. Vargas was KO'd in the Sept 2002 fight by Oscar De La Hoya (the fight he tested positive for Stanozol). But the positive test didn't come until AFTER the fight. In Mosley's case, he admitted unknowingly to taking 2 designer steroids (while Victor Conti disputes the unknowingly part), & his victory over De La Hoya still stands. In Boxing, even if you are found to be guilty of taking PED's after the fight, the result of the fight will still stand...win, lose or draw. All Mayweather is trying to do is protect his ZERO loss record. Wouldn't you do the same?

While this style of testing is not mandatory for the fight to happen, it is mandatory if Pacquiao wants to salvage his near flawless stature in boxing. Mayweather has asked for more testing. Something the public will side with (to include myself). There have been rumors of Pacquiao & performance enhancers (most started by Floyd Mayweather Sr). Taking the extra tests will prove he's entire boxing career was built on hard work, not on a man made concoction. I'm not accusing Manny of taking anything, but now, with Manny not agreeing to random testing before the boxing match, I now have reasonable suspicion. Some of you may say "oh this is just Floyd's way of getting out of the fight, he wants no part of Pac Man's power." All Pac Man has to do, is accept. Show me Manny...prove your followers right, that Mayweather wants no part of you. If Pacquiao agrees...what stunt would Floyd have left to "duck" the fight? NONE!!!

According to his camp, Manny fights for the people...he fights for his legacy, while Mayweather fights for money. It's a good thing Manny fights for his legacy, because that's EXACTLY what's at stake here. The choice is simple for Top Rank & Manny Pacquiao. Agree to the testing. If you don't, get ready to enter the ring of public scrutiny. No matter how talented he is, this is the one fight HE CAN NOT WIN, but one he better not back down from.

Mercury Poisoning

Well it's December & there is not only 1 unbeaten team...there are 2. Going into week 14 the Saints & Colts are 12-0, so you know what that means. Mercury Morris makes his media rounds to tell us how great the 1972 Dolphins were & how no team will ever go undefeated. In fact, the only draw back from the Giants winning 2 years ago against the 18-0 Patriots, was that it guaranteed Morris more air time in the future.

Looking ahead, the Colts only real stumbling block (IMHO) is the road game at Jacksonville. Lately, the Colts have owned the Broncos, so I don't see a loss in that game. The Jets are inconsistent, & forget about circling the wagons like those Buffalo Bills. The Jags almost ended the Colts perfect season before it started in week 1. The Colts won a close 14-12 contest.

The Saints play the Cowboys in New Orleans on December 19, but the game that kind of scares me for them is this week in Atlanta. In week 8 Matt Ryan was picked & sacked 3 times while somehow amassing 289 yards passing yards. You can argue that if Jason Elam doesn't miss 2 FG that game may have had a different conclusion. If Ryan & Turner both play, the streak may unfortunately end. Which will bring upon more dribble from Morris.

Not sure if anything in sports irks me more, than when a back up RB mouths off about a team accomplishment from 37 years ago. 2 years ago we were treated to a platinum hit from Mercury in a rap song when the Pats threatened the perfect season. Morris went on & on on how it didn't matter if the Pats went undefeated since the Dolphins did it first. Actually Mercury it would matter because of a few points.

1. They play more games now, which means more possible landmines on the way to perfection
   
2. Competition now is immensely better than back then in good ole 72
3. It would permanently eliminate you from ever making a TV/Radio appearance ever again on this subject, making you as obscure as your short career was

Seriously dude, just GO AWAY!!! I am on my knees nightly praying to God that both the Colts & Saints roll into MIAMI (of all places) unbeaten. So it guarantees that someone will go undefeated, & that it is done in HIS OWN BACKYARD with what will be the rest of the 72 Dolphins on the sideline. So they can all watch what real perfection is all about. GO COLTS...GO SAINTS!!!

Boxing Trumps MMA This Saturday

December 5th marked a big day for combative fighting. UFC had the finale of The Ultimate Fighter 10, while boxing had a match up between 2 of boxing's most avoided fighters, Sergio Martinez vs Paul "The Punisher" Williams. Having the advantage of TiVo, I watched both events extensively. And in the end, Boxing had more action in 2 bouts than MMA had in 6.

Before the night began I was leaning towards UFC than boxing. Lets face it, if you are a real Boxing fan, you were upset that Kelly "The Ghost" Pavlik was ghost & bailed out twice on fighting Paul Williams. But Sergio Martinez actually turned out to be more than a fitting opponent. In the 1st round BOTH fighters scored a Knock Down, but Martinez's was more convincing. During the first 3 round the underdog Martinez dominated a close match, including the CONVINCING knock down over the favorite Paul Williams in the 1st. Going into the 4th round, Williams was starting to land his vicious left hand. Both fighters went back & forth for a full 12 rounds, but in the end Paul Williams landed the majority decision, 114-114, 115-113, & 119-110...wait...119-110!?

Yes, 2 of the 3 judges had the fight close & one had an unexpected blowout. This marked the first night women were able to judge a fight better than men...Amazingly, there were 2 female judges who scored the fight correctly, while 1 male judge had the fight scored dramatically skewed. Pierre Benoist (the Judge who scored the bout ridiculously) somehow saw the bout 119-110 favored towards Williams. If you saw the fight, there was no way Martinez won just won 1 round (as Benoist scored it). Especially when everyone else on Ringside saw the fight more evenly matched. This is the problem that haunts boxing, that feeling that the fight 'might' be fixed occasionally. The fight was a close toe to toe bang out. Every round was close, but you couldn't have possibly give every close round to Williams. Williams was undoubtedly the busier fighter, he threw more & landed more punches overall. But Martinez landed at a higher connecttion rate across the board on jabs (Martinez 37% to Williams 27%), power punches (Martinez 41% to Williams 33%), & total punches (Martinez 40% to Williams 31%). In all but 3 rounds Martinez landed at a higher percentage & landed more punches in several rounds (2, 3, 4, & 10). So how can Benoist just give him one round? Benoist should be banned from ever judging a prize fight again.

I then tuned in to MMA, the Finale of The Ultimate Fighter 10, which was full of surprises. Matt Mitrione vs Marcus Jones ended in the 2nd round, when Mitrione landed a devastating punch that put Jones out. But the fight everyone was waiting for (at least those watching the UFC event) ended in a surprising disappointment. Kimbo Slice vs Houston Alexander was as eventful as reading the Dewey Decimal System at your local library. Kimbo & Alexander went a full 3 minutes (in a 5 minute round) without landing anything significant in round 1. Alexender threw a few kicks, Kimbo threw a total of 3 punches. & the most hyped fight in MMA history started with more questions than answers. In the 2nd round, Kimbo dominated with a powerful SLAM, that shook the Octogon, then passed to a FULL MOUNT on Alexander, but did little damage. The 3rd & final round was also uneventfully, as Kimbo landed the unanimous decision for his first UFC win.

The Ultimate Fighter main event was Roy "Big Country" Nelson against Brendan Schaub, which ended late in the 1st round with a Nelson (former IFL Champ) KO of Schaub, winning a 6 figure contract for the UFC. In the end, Dana White's plan to steal viewers from Boxing might have worked in the box office, but failed miserably in action. In fact, I can argue that the most drama was provided by a bunch of UNPAID athletes in College Football in the Big 12, Big East, & ACC Championships...but I digress.

In the end, I believe that the UFC will overtake Boxing sooner or later...or will they? Regardless of what the "ratings" tell you, boxing wins yet another head to head battle with Mixed Martial Arts.

Watchable TV In Detroit & Cleveland

Well how lucky are local networks around the local Detroit & Cleveland area? On Thursday afternoon Lions spokesmen Bill Keenist confirmed news we all eagerly anticipated. The game between the Browns & Lions would be blacked out because the team didn't sell over 7,000 tickets. Instead of watching two dreadful 1-8 teams, fans in those areas get a real treat. A black screen with some sort of text message about a supposed game going on in Detroit. That will likely pull higher ratings for the local networks then this game ever could have. Now all we have to wish for is that the Thanksgiving Day game doesn't sell out either & have a National Black Out. More surprisingly is the fact the Lions sold every seat for the exception of 7,000 or so. How the hell did they do it?

Pacman's Impressive Show

WOW!!! That's how you describe the Boxing clinic held by one Emmanuel Pacquiao last Saturday. A 12th round TKO victory over a brave Miguel Cotto. Pacquiao's win was so indelible, that a 3 year old I tucked into bed that night said, "he...he just kept punching him." That he did Junior...that he did.

Going into the fight it was supposed to be Cotto's power vs Manny's speed. But by the end of the night, it was Manny's power vs Manny's speed. & Pacman used both in devastating fashion to defeat a WBO Welterweight Champion Miguel Cotto. Pacquiao's punchstats were so more than dominant. He out landed Cotto in every round. Pacman enjoyed a huge power punch advantage in every round, but an astounding gap after round 4 of 187 to 40, after knocking Cotto down in the 3rd & 4th. It got so bad for Cotto, that his child & wife Melissa left the arena after the 9th round. All they missed was the continuous onslaught by Pacquiao.

After the 11th round, Miguel Cotto's father didn't want him to come out for the 12th. Cotto didn't appear to want anymore of Manny either. His body language said as much (regardless of what Miguel said in his postfight interview) before the round & during the 55 seconds of the 12th. At one point Manny even looked at referee Kenny Bayless with his hands up as to say, "hey man, he isn't swinging or anything." Pacquiao was right...Miguel didn't connect at all in the final round only throwing 8 feeble punches. Moments later, Bayless mercifully stopped the brutal beating that Cotto's corner ignorantly kept going. Cotto's corner offered no support & no solution through most of the fight. Either the corner was incompetent or Pacquiao had them just as puzzled as he had Cotto.

After the win, many spectators were chanting "we want Floyd." As in Floyd Mayweather Jr, a fight I personally don't see happening within the next 18-24 months if ever. The respective camps are already fighting over money. Earlier this year, negotiator for Top Rank Boxing Bruce Trampler told the LA Times, "If Floyd comes in here with that, 'I'm 'Money' Mayweather' thing, then I've got news for him: There's no way Manny's only going to take half." After Mayweather's victory in September over Juan Manuel Marquez, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Shaefer was quoted saying “Love him or hate him, he (Floyd Mayweather) is the biggest name in the sport, and the biggest revenue stream doesn't come from the Philippines. The U.S. is the capital of boxing, and Floyd Mayweather is the president of the capital."


So it looks like both fighters are looking for 55% of the purse. This Pacman-Cotto fight (as well as the expected PPV Sales), are big victories for the Pacquiao camp, as it will undoubtedly have more PPV sales than Mayweather-Marquez. But Mayweather's camp can argue (& will argue), the Floyd sold that fight by himself. Furthermore, Mayweather has outsold Pacman in 3 other events with similar opponents.

1. Floyd did 2.45 million against Oscar De La Hoya; Pacquiao did 1.25 million.
2. Floyd did 1 million against Juan Manuel Marquez, Pacman fought Marquez twice but only one was a PPV bout & no where close to 1 million sales.
3. Floyd did 940,000 with Ricky Hatton and Manny did 810,000.

"Those are the numbers and the numbers don’t lie," said Leonard Ellerbe (Mayweather's manager), adding his fighter is willing to take the fight, but the lion’s share of the money would have to go to Mayweather. Undoubtedly this will go back & forth for some time while both boxers take other fights. Maybe the winner of Mosley vs Berto for Mayweather, while the other fights Pacman (or vice versa), maybe a bout for either against undefeated Ukrainian Vyacheslav Senchenko. But any thoughts of this happening before 2011 is not realistic because there is too much pride at stake. So now we play the waiting game. No matter the hype & attention the other fights get...nothing will compare to what Mayweather-Pacquiao will bring in PPV Sales. The fight will live up to expectations, as both fighters are too gifted not too.

Brown Out

At what point does a team become unwatchable? 14 years ago, when the Cleveland Browns were set to leave town in favor of Baltimore, many fans cried. Not only that, but many demanded the franchise history & colors stay in Cleveland & that they be given another franchise. A new franchise was indeed given to Cleveland, but after 10 years of mediocrity (8 of which are double digit losses if you count 2009) the appeal has worn off to the point many fans are wishing, they never fought so hard. While many seats were empty during the Opening Kick Off (due to a fan walk out planned by season ticket holder Mike "Big Dawg" Randall), fans still had to sit & endure the torturous 3 hours of an offense without a playmaker, & a QB who couldn't hit his targets even if he had stars on offense. & while the defense played well, they didn't create any turnovers for their lackluster offense.

Words, not even pictures can describe how bad the Browns have been, so I'll try stats. They are dead last in points scored (78), next to last on 3rd down conversions, & last in turnover differential. Needless to say, that's a recipe for disaster. On offense the Browns have 5 TD's all year & have given up 3 TD's on offensive side, including another last night. Browns QB Brady Quinn couldn't make any passes on target. He threw behind receivers or over their heads by 15 feet. The Browns had no running game, they didn't pass deep, & had inopportune penalties that pinned them to constant 3rd & long situations. They had 5 plays in Ravens territory...5 & NONE past the 45. The Browns never threatened to score & never did. End result was a 16-0 shutout infront of what was rumored to be a national audience.

In closing, I know a lot of people complain about the games put on TV & how the networks only have a few select teams on. But there is a reason for that & if you saw last nights Monday Night game, you found out why. Sports is supposed to be entertaining. Last night wasn't. So can you really blame the networks for wanting the better games when they are only trying to provide us with a better product? I wouldn't subject any sports fan to the garbage I forced myself to watch. Last night, ESPN played the role of Brandon Spikes, & I was Washaun Ealey.

Alex Rodriguez's Dimise Greatly Exaggerated

I really couldn't wait to write this article when all the negative steroid news came out about Alex Rodriguez at the beginning of the year. First I'd like to thank Alex Rodriguez, Kate Hudson, Selena Roberts, & the NY Yankees for making this so easy to write & stick it to all the A-Rod haters. Coming off his most accomplished season ever, clearly all the Rodriguez haters are FOREVER SILENCED!!!

In February, many expected Rodriguez to collapse under the immense pressure of the steroid controversy. Selena Roberts published a book & printed 150,000 copies (only sold 16,000), he was going through a divorce, & a June slump where pitchers went right after him with fastballs. As always, questions persisted on how Alex would do in the post season. But a funny thing happened on the road to oblivion. From the first pitch he saw this season, Alex started hitting in pressure situations early & late. Another 30 HR & 100 RBI season, after missing 6 weeks. He even produced in the post season, while carrying NY into the World Series, & exercising all the demons of post seasons past by winning a championship. Personal accolades aside, Alex made his team better immediately upon his return. Before Rodriguez's triumphant return to the Yankee lineup, New York was 13-15. After May 8, the Yankees won 2 out of every 3 games the rest of the season. That is what we call, IMPACT!!!

"But wait!!!" said the detractors. "Let's see in the postseason...he'll CHOKE!!!" The very thought that Rodriguez would NEVER hit in the post season was beyond ludicrous. Alex is simply too talented to NOT hit. Alex owned pitching through the first 2 rounds going 14-32, 5 HR, & an RBI in every game for the exception of 1 (Game 5 ALCS). Then, in the midst of "he took steroids" chant in Philadelphia (how quickly Philly fans forget about David Bell), Alex simply continued the timely hitting. Game 3, a HR opposite field off the camera, an RBI double in the 9th in Game 4 to put NY ahead, & 3 more RBI in the Game 5 loss, that kept NY in the game. Alex Rodriguez tallied a Yankee record 18 RBI during the 2009 post season...cut straight to the Yankee-o-graphy folks, this is how legends are made, nothing else needs to be said.

But for you haters scoring Alex at home:

Fame...CHECK!!!
Looks...CHECK!!!
Money...CHECK!!!
Hot Girlfriend...CHECK!!!
Your Girlfriend's Approval...CHECK!!!
Championship...OH YEAH...CHECKMATE!!!

You're O for everything, he's 6 for 6...

Current World Series Make Russ Big Winner

Well there it is Metropolitan fans. The World Series we all dreaded. Phillies-Yankees & all our friends asking us that stupid question, "Who are you rooting for?" Sickening I know...but here is where Playoffs Perspective comes in. I get to watch an exciting series as well as 2 irrational fanbases get themselves into a panic with every eye twitch during the series.

In the blue corner, you have hyper analytical Yankee fan, who can tell you exactly how many whiskers Mickey Mantle had during every single of his 18 post season HR, whether they were alive or not. & in the red corner, you have easily angered & illogical Phillie fan, who will swear on their dead dog J-Bone, that Jamie Moyer is Hall of Fame material (Joe Clark & Southern Rob can vouch for me on that).

In case you didn't know, the Yankees & Phillies are 1 & 2 in walk off wins this year. They also are 1 & 2 in HR past the 7th inning respectively. Meaning that I will be enjoying EVERY SINGLE IN-GAME PLOT TWIST, while fans agonize over how Joba Chamberlain let them down again, or how Brad Lidge turned into Bad Lidge seemingly overnight. Bad managerial call? Why I could care less... Andy Pettite balks his way to another pick off? I laugh...lol smiley face. Comparisons between which SS is more clutch? Not even a concern. Charlie Manuel scratched his ass while reaching for the phone to the bullpen? I barely noticed. Another missed call from the umps? You don't say?

For the next 2 weeks Phillie & Yankee fans will be trying to figure out a game's turning point. My only concerns will be beer intake ratios & who gets to kiss the baby at the end of the night. Philly & New York fans will have their HEARTS RIPPED OUT & STEPPED ON, while I sit back, laugh at every over the top Facebook status update that flies upon Girardi scratching the side of his face & Manuel spitting. You wanna know why? BECAUSE I STRIP EMOTION OUT OF IT & ENJOY THE ACTION.

Yes, I know...one of these fanbases will celebrate at the end, but 1 fanbase has to celebrate at the end of the year anyway. & let's face it, all fanbases are annoying when they win. So another group of fans mock the team I follow...that ship has sailed LOOOOOOOOOONG AGO. I'll be in a very festive mood as I'm sure both group of fans won't fail to entertain, even if the games do.

Mariano's Cutter Getting Nastier With Age...

& now we know why. Baseball's nastiest pitch, just got nastier. Yesterday evening while watching the game & relaxing with my boy G-Doe, I heard the most shocking sentence ever muttered. "Yo...Mariano just spit on the ball." To which I responded, "What? No he didn't." He rewound the DVR & there it was...in High Definition, Rivera spitting on the ball.

I was speechless. Rivera pitched his way out of a bases loaded situation unblemished on the scoreboard, but tarnished when it comes to his image in the eyes of some. How will this affect his credibility? I'm sure the Angels will watch this closely the rest of the series, but how long has Rivera been doing this is the question? Rivera is obviously a student of the "if you ain't cheating, you ain't trying" school of thought. Professor Gaylord Perry would definitely be proud. I'm not sure if this taints Rivera's immaculate legacy, but if I wanted to I could definitely spit on it.

Rebuilding the Sanchize

It has finally hit Jet fans. & all it took 3 straight loses which included an embarrassing OT loss at home to the lowly Bills. It was only a matter of time before the Sanchize, became the Tankchize.

For all those who thought Mark Sanchez was going to come into the league & roll over defenses like Joe Flacco & Matt Ryan did last year, here's your awakening. Flacco & Ryan were the exceptions, not the rule. In the history of football it is a proven fact that rookie QB's do not succeed & have to go through the growing pains. & for Sanchez the last 3 games have been exactly that, painful to watch as another errant throw gets intercepted. Sanchez has never played in the cold weather & Sunday at the Meadowlands it showed. 5 interceptions, 0 TD with his QB Rating plummeting to disasterous proportions against the Bills (8.3%). He's tied with Jake Delhomme for interceptions (10) & only Jamarcus Russell & Derek Anderson have a lower QB rating than Off the Mark Sanchez (56.3%)...think about that for a minute.

Growing pains is part of the territory with a rookie QB Jet fans. Cancel your playoff reservations, hold off on that trip to Canton, & feel free to welcome yourselves back to reality.

Pap Smear

Woke up early Sunday morning fully looking forward to the full sports day ahead of me. As I set up shop, the first thing I tuned into was the Red Sox-Angels game. Eagerly awaiting a possible sweep of the Boston Red Sox. But I didn't want just a sweep, I wanted pain. I wanted the most hated man in baseball (Jonathan Robert Papelbon) to be the one weilding the knife as it cut into the hearts of Red Sox Nation. How tasty was the Angels sweep of the Red Sox? The pictures below says it all:




That my friends, is total dejection & utter dismay & I LOVED IT. The Angels killed JR. I am reveling in the misery of Red Sox's nation right now. The beloved Pap, unable to get 1 more strike at home to keep the Red Sox season alive. Many in Red Sox nation declared "WE HAVE THEM RIGHT WHERE WE WANT THEM!!!" Referring to the recent string of post season success facing elimination. Papelbon entered the 8th for the 4 out save with runners on 2nd & 3rd allowed the single that scored 2 runs. Papelbon then picked off Reggie Willits to end that inning. In the 9th, Papelbon had a 2 run lead & quickly got 2 outs. Then, he imploded. A single to Aybar, walk to Figgins, a double to Abreu, intentional walk to Hunter before Vlad "The Impaler" lined a single to centerfield scoring the tying & the go ahead runs. Papelbon not only didn't close, he didn't finish, left after 1 inning of work, without a strikeout & allowing 3 runs before making way for Hideki Okajima.

The Red Sox bullpen, a staple all year, gave up 5 runs with 6 outs left in an elimination game. What makes it more hysterical, is that Papelbon, allowed 2 inherited runs to score in the 8th. Runners he inherited from Billy Wagner, the same Billy Wagner he critisized earlier in the year.

Actions speak louder than words, so here is a picture describing the way I feel:




Have a happy off season LOSERS!!!

The Typical Yankee Fan

Maybe I'm stereotyping but I can't help but laugh. Before I start the diss fest at what I call the typical yankee fan, understand this...I admire the yankee fans that understand baseball & can truly appreciate that there are 27 outs in the game. But like Jay-Z said, "this ain't politically correct, I might offend my political connects."

If you were a Yankee fan suffering during game 3 of the ALDS then this pertains to you. YOU ARE PATHETIC!!! Seriously? You were nervous? Playing the Twins? You'd be laughable if you weren't so sad. This series was a give away, a tune up, nothing more than passing time until you played the Red Sox or Angels in the ALCS. Yet, some of you decided to make this into a life neglecting tasks that took on another personality. Feel free to laugh audience, cause I did.

Going into the 7th inning many 96ers were at the point of suicide once the Twins took a 1-0 lead. But low & behold, here come the much maligned Alex Rodriguez to SAVE US...the same Alex Rodriguez that "isn't clutch in the post season." Alex hits the game tying HR...now we can all gracefully RIDE HIS DICK like Kate Hudson. AROD!!! comes through in the clutch...he's relaxed, he's a new man. What would you have thought if in Game 2 he grounded into a double play? The question is rhetorical "Yankee fans" so BE EASY.

One batter later, Posada hit a HR that put the Yankees ahead for good on their way to a sweep of the Twins...which only suprised the Yankee fan at New York Presbyterian Hospital who's been in a coma since 1976. They move on to play the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (who swept the Red Sox Sunday) in the ALCS.

Bottom line is this Yankee fans. This series wasn't a test to your team. The next series might not be a test either. The World Series might be another dominant performance by your team. None of that matters. You know why? Because those of you who sweat every pitch, every cut off throw, every swing...you REMAIN PATHETIC whether you win or lose. It will never change. Most (not all) of you do it. You sit there, with your 2008 Jeter jersey, praying you won't be embarrassed, that your team, after 9 years without any hardware, will finally fulfill your right to claim you are the greatest team of all time. While you FORGET to actually enjoy the triumph, me & my friends are nudging each other in the background LAUGHING at the fact that you have no type of composure, as another insignificant single goes over Andy Pettitte's head.

Whether my team is in it or not (& this year they are NOT), it is a true pleasure watching you FOOLS embarrass yourselves. Regardless if the Yankees win or not, Yankee fans are in a no win situation & IT'S THEIR VERY OWN FAULTS. You arrogantly parade yourselves as your team beats another inferior opponent, as if your team's success equates to your success. Feel free to entertain me for the next few weeks fairweather Yankee fans. I always will make time to embarrass you. But until then...Let's here it for NEW YORK!!!

Joba's Unwritten Rule

The biggest topic on the NY baseball scene was been Joba Chamberlain, starter or reliever. Many Yankee fans tell me this guys is a legit future Ace with 4 plus pitches. Well right now he looks more like a two of clubs that can only throw in the low 90's, who's slider happy on a 3-2, & can't get through 5 on a good day. Instead of grooming him to be a front line starter or a back end closer, the Yankees pin-balled Joba back & forth & today the machine finally hit TILT!!!

In what was dubbed a "make or break" start to see if Chamberlain was worthy of being a starter in the postseason, Joba didn't get out the 4th. His official caddy (Alfredo Aceves), had to collect the final out of that inning. The final tally for Chamberlain was 3 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 7 hits, 4 BB, & 3 K's & booed mercilessly in the Bronx...did I mention the start was against the powerhouse Kansas City Royals?

I'm not sure who's plan it was to derail Chamberlain's career, but they've finally succeeded. Chamberlain doesn't know if he's coming or going at this point. & this weekend the Yankees will undoubtedly add more fuel to the fire by bringing him out of the bullpen. What the Yankees are doing kind of reminds me of what the Mets did with Gregg Jeffries in the late 80's early 90's. was he a 2B? A 3B? A top of the lineup guy, a middle of the lineup guy, or a bottom of the lineup guy? The Mets didn't know & at the end of 5 seasons neither did Jefferies. The Mets misuse of Jefferies, led him to write a letter to WFAN (the local Flagship station of the NY Mets) in May of 1991 voicing his displeasure with teammates who supposedly bickered to the media about his performance. Jefferies was later traded that off season to the Royals.

After looking at his numbers, closely examining 80% of his starts, including the 3 inning variety, & splitting his splits, I've come to the conclusion the Joba Chamberlain will be nothing more the a middle of the road pitcher going forward. Whether Cashman, Girardi, or the Steinbrenner's are to blame is irrelevant.

From the 3 Months to Late Department

The Cleveland Indians will officially fire Eric Wedge today. Finally dropping anchor to a ship that started sinking when they blew a 3-1 ALCS lead to the Red Sox in 2007. The overdue firing is official now, even though Wedge will "finish out the season."

Cleveland Ohio is now the official "wait til next year" city in America. No championships for that city since 1964 & for the Indians, the 2nd longest drought in baseball (1948). Currently at 68-92, the Indians clearly never recovered from losing to the Sox 2 years ago. The year could not have gone worse for the Tribe & their fans, attendance dropped to 5th worst in the majors, they traded 2 of their best players in order to cut salary, Grady Sizemore, their only bright spot, was awful & injured, Kerry Wood blew too many saves too early, Travis Hafner isn't half the player he was 3 seasons ago...the list goes on & the future doesn't look much brighter either.

While not everything is Wedge's fault, you can hardly blame Mark Shapiro & the rest of the front office for this move. Wedge clearly wasn't getting through to the players anymore losing 20 of their last 25 games leading to his worst winning percentage as the Indians manager. In 7 seasons, he only won the division once, finishing over .500% twice.

Cleveland will start interviewing candidates in the upcoming weeks & would likely turn to John Farrell, former pitching coach of the Indians & the current pitching coach of the Red Sox. For the Indians, the franchise needs to figure out where their going. Ownership needs to make a bigger commitment & the GM needs to make better decisions if they want the fans to keep coming out. Sooner or later the fans will just start saying screw next year.

Dallas Cowboys...More Glitz Less Glory

I was going to wait to write this, but I can recognize a grease fire in the making without having to study the oxygen levels in the atmosphere. That's what the Dallas Cowboys are, a GREASE FIRE, a glitzy team that manages to disappoint no matter how low the expectations are. After being subjected to last night's torturous game against the Panthers, the fans booed the Cowboys off the field at Halftime inside their shiny new $1.5B stadium.

While the Cowboys managed to win (after being shutout af Half), the Cowboys were as impressive as a cold sour on a first date. On their first drive Felix Jones looked great, moving Dallas into the Red Zone with 2 big plays. But much like their franchise, the early sizzle, didn't deliver the steak. Once inside the 15, Dallas called a horrible TE screen that resulted in a sack, followed by a 40 yard FG miss. The next 4 drives ended in punts & more frustration for Dallas fans.

& before we credit the Cowboy defense for "shutting down" the Panthers, lets not forget about the 8 play 90 yard drive right before half that resulted in a TD. There is differences in turnovers. Giveaways & Takeaways. Carolina gaveaway the ball 3 times, one resulting in a TD, basically ending the game (THANKFULLY).

The Cowboys are not a playoff team. Probably not news, but if this team didn't have an a media hound for an owner, & was located anywhere else, no one would even notice them. They remind me of the 1980 Yankees. Both teams have immense advantages, the owner is bigger than the team itself, they have big name players with small time impact, & a mediocre track record post the glory years that includes ZERO playoff wins since 1996. Regardless if they beat the Broncos next week & become 3-1, no one can expect them to contend for a championship this year. Roy Williams is a fraud at WR, their #2 WR (Patrick Crayton) has more drops then he says 'definitely' in a 6 minute interview, Romo is a celebrity QB who is more of a marketing tool for Jerry Jones than a winner, an underachieving defense, & this is all led by Wade Phillips, who has been a coaching failure everywhere he's been. If this is America's team folks, America has problems.

Playoff Perspective

I really love this time of year. With the playoffs around the corner, we get to see who the veteran fans are. We separate the real from the fake. October built fans don't panic, they don't make fools of themselves agonizing after every out or count magic numbers. The only thing more annoying than fans counting "magic numbers" is Jonathan Papelbon holding up index cards with Magic Number written on them after each save, but I digress.

If you're one of those fans who pushes the panic button once the 2nd batter of the game triples against your team in Game 1, you my friend, are in for a LOOOOOOONG post season. No enjoyment for you as a fan. You instead will yell at the TV at the top of your lungs on an innocent pick off attempt, launch the remote 3 rooms over when your starter gives up a 2 out double with a 5 run lead, & oh yes, curse the manager for double switching too early. As a grizzled October playoff fan i typically enjoy the postseason whether my team is in it or not (in this case their not). That's how you're supposed to act. Especially if your team is a post season regular.

Seriously, look back at all the playoff drama in history & think of all the moments you didn't fully enjoy because of your rooting interest. I'm not saying don't be a fan, but enjoy the action people. I recall waking up at 2AM (local time in Afghanistan) to watch Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS. Coming off 3 hours sleep I had to watch it. & while at the time I was rooting for the Red Sox, it did not make it less enjoyable when the Yankees won in dramatic fashion. Because of where I was, this will forever live as the most memorable game I have EVER watched. If I was an angst ridden Sox fan I would have just ctrl-alt-deleted that & never enjoyed that historic ending.

This is why October baseball is so gripping. If your team is out of it, you will undoubtedly find a rooting interest with another team. When you do, don't forget why you watch. For the drama, the action, the beauty, & the endings. ENJOY THEM ALL!!!

Golden Boy's Black Eye

As predictable as the fight between Mayweather & Marquez was, no one could predict the post fight mayhem that nearly occurred caused by 2 aged fighters looking for their next payday. After Floyd Mayweather made his triumphant return to the squared circle, Sugar Shane Mosley & Bernard the Executioner Hopkins made it a point to rush the ring, during Mayweather's post fight interview, to ambush Floyd into his next fight.

Lets get to the results first, Mayweather looked as brilliant as he ever has in his career. For all the talk you hear about Floyd "running" during fights, believe me, its well overblown. Floyd knocked down Marquez in round 2 & was dominant the rest of the fight. Mayweather connected at such a high punch percentage, that one of my friend (Jungi) commented, "I've never seen a boxer punch at such a high rate connect percentage." This was BEFORE the stats were out mid way through the 6th round. The end result for Mayweather was a percentage advantage of (get this...I will bold it so you get the disparity) 59% connection rate to a misely 12% for Marquez...for those of you who aren't math majors, that adds up to a complete white washing of what was supposed to be the #2 pound for pound boxer in the game after a 21 month lay off...Marquez, who in 2 fights gave Manny Pacquiao all he could handle, got SHUTOUT by a boxer who hadn't fought in nearly 2 years. Marquez only connected on 69 punches THE ENTIRE FIGHT...7 % on Jabs & only 16% on "power punches."

The post fight interview by Max Kellerman was pretty uneventful...until Shane Mosley uncharacteristically interrupted the interview, to basically challenge Mayweather for a fight. Uncharacteristically because Shane is a respectful boxer, who has never been the least bit controversial (for the exception of some steroid accusations). Backed by Bernard Hopkins (both of Golden Boy Promotions) Shane simply said, "This is a fight people want to see, I just want to get it on." Mayweather, upset by his moment of glory being interrupted said, "Don't interrupt my interview. Respect me as a MAN!!! With that said, Max Kellerman tried to defuse the situation, tried changing the subject before Floyd grabbed the mic from him & said. "let me talk, cause you're doing a little too much of the talking." Kellerman then signed off & the telecast went back to Jim Lampley at ringside. The interview was so eventful, that no one bothered to interview the loser, Juan Manuel Marquez, who actually approached Lampley & Kellerman at ringside while Mayweather walked back to the locker room.

As Mayweather walked backstage, the chorus of boos followed, but it went beyond that, as you heard numerous fans yell "FUCK YOU MAYWEATHER, FUCK MAYWEATHER." Mind you this was in Las Vegas, considered a "home field" for Floyd. Even after the Marquez interview, the story was the disrespect shown by Mosley & Hopkins, 2 veteran fighters, toward the UNDISPUTED, pound for pound king of boxing. To me, that's not how you ask for a fight. Mayweather's dazzling display, may have been overshadowed by what can only be described as a classless act by the new GOONS of Golden Boy Promotion.

Maybe this was boxing's way of taking some of the spotlight away from UFC (who had an event running against boxing tonight). However, this was a pretty TASTELESS MOVE by Mosley, Hopkins, De La Hoya, Golden Boy, & any one else involved. Usually fans would jump on the side of the boxer disrespected (in this case Mayweather), but Mayweather's arrogance & brilliance attracts more hatred than any athlete in recent memory, so most will find it funny. In a sport where no one can seem to touch him, Floyd looked semi-vulnerable for the first time in his career inside the ring. Although this Saturday, was the closest Mosley will get to touching him in the ring. If the fight ever happens Mosley-Mayweather it will be Floyd's biggest challenge. In the end, Floyd will leave all fans like he usually leaves them. In sheer shock that anyone can be THIS RADIANT, against the supposed best in the sport, without breaking a sweat.

Classless Jorge

Well it was only a matter of time before the Yankees annoyed me. While much of the off field attention has gone to the steroid story all year, the real story is the continuous pussification of the game of baseball. In this riveting episode Yankee catcher Jorge Posada took exception to Jesse Carlson throwing BEHIND him after 2 of his teammates were hit by pitches. In case you missed it, take a look at the video courtesy of Major League Baseball.

Has baseball really come to this? Where pitchers can't send messages? Or is Jorge Posada so arrogant, that he believes a common baseball practice shouldn't apply to him? As you saw, Posada lightly nudged Carlson with his elbow crossing homeplate. An absolutely unnecessary & unprovoked action which got him ejected immediately by Umpire Jim Joyce. Joyce later added as he ran past Carlton he gave him a little shove with his elbow. It was very unsportsmanlike. The pitcher wasn't looking for anything like that & he ran past him, didn't say anything & just gave him a shove with his elbow. It was a cheap shot." Cheap shot indeed. Posada clearly went across the plate with intent to get Carlson's attention. Carlson didn't back down & went after Posada & the fracas ensued. Tonight's game will be interesting if Posada doesn't sit. Personally I would like hit Posada square in the face, but I'm violent & unreasonable. I'll set the over/under on a 4 1/2 game suspension for both players, although Posada on intent alone should get 10 games. It's the intent that matters, not just the action. & Posada's intent was malicious if not careless.

UFC vs Boxing-PPV Battle September 19

Circle you calender folks, on Saturday September 19 truly has an anticipated battle we've all been waiting for. But I'm not talking about Floyd "Money" Mayweather vs Juan Manuel "I drink my own piss" Marquez. I'm not even talking about UFC Superstar Rich Franklin vs the Phenom Vitor Belfort. I'm talking about the drawing capability of a UFC PPV event vs that of a PPV Boxing event. Which will outdraw who?

Earlier this year in March, MMA & Boxing combined for a night of combat which quickly turned into a night of boredom. The event, which was $29.95, featured an atrocity of mixed martial dregs with ZERO national appeal or MMA recognition. The PPV debut of failed WWE wrestler Bobby Lashley, a little known boxer Omar Shieka from Paterson, NJ who's last meaningful fight was 5 years ago in a loss to an undefeated Jeff Lacy, & boxer/"producer for the night", Roy Jones Jr. The event was of such poor broadcasting quality, that you couldn't even purchase it in HD.

The above event WAS NOT a UFC MMA event as UFC doesn't share promotion rights. UFC 103 doesn't have the greatest card that night however. It lacks a true main event to run up against Floyd Mayweather Jr, who is the greatest self promoter Boxing has had since Muhammad Ali. Dana White however doesn't go quietly in this presser comparing the 2 events. Funny right? What White failed to tell you there is while he put together a few KO potential match-ups, he did it without a star attraction or a title on the line. So while I may get "5 great fights" they are fights no one anyone wants to see either, because those guys are more obscure than Juan Manuel Marquez (Mayweather's opponent).

For all intents & purposes the UFC has been gaining popularity to the point where ESPN & Sirius XM cover it as part of their sports repertoire. On the other hand, boxing is a sport that is fading in popularity for multiple reasons. On September 19 we find out how close the gap between Boxing & UFC truly is, as far as mainstream sports attractions & PPV sales. In the end, I think Boxing will win the PPV sales on this night & likely on November 14th (Miguel Cotto vs Manny Pacquiao) against UFC 105, unless White puts together a great card. Eventually, UFC will overtake Boxing in PPV sales at some point, maybe as early as next year.

Mariano Cy Young Rivera

For all the talk you here about Derek Jeter should win this years MVP, no one seems to give Mariano Rivera similar consideration for the Cy Young award. Although I completely disagree with Jeter being an MVP candidate this season, an argument can be made that Mariano, on the cust of another 40 save sub 2.00 ERA should finally be awarded a trophy very few closers are given.

Rivera has had several season in where he competed for the Cy Young Award, placing 3rd on 3 seperate occasions & 2nd once. Losing to 4 different 20 game winners (Bartolo Colon in 05, Johan Santana in 04, Pedro Martinez in 99, & Pat Hentgen in 96). But this year, with no likely 20 winner (3 pitchers with 16 are currently CC Sabathia, Scott Feldman, & Justin Verlander), The Sandman finally has his best chance.

As masterful as Zach Grienke has been, he just doesn't have the win-loss record (13-8). Of the above guys I mentioned, Feldman is likely eliminated because of the lack of strikeout. I'm eliminating CC & Verlander unless they don't get their respective ERA's under 3.00 since they have lost 7 & 8 games this season. Clearly, none of those mentioned has been dominant. For as well as CC has pitched, there were times he was outpitched by teammate AJ Burnett. Verlander's ERA is less impressive considering he pitches in a spacious ballpark & has only 5 of his 16 wins vs contending teams like Texas, Anaheim, NY, & Boston.

The last closer to win the award was Dennis Eckersley in 1992, who led the league in saves that year with 51. Mariano would have to lead the league in saves to win the award (currently 1 save behind Brian Fuentes). The only pitchers in the history of the Cy Young to ever win the award without having led the league in saves was Sparkie Lyle in 1977 & Willie Hernandez in 1984 (Hernandez also won the MVP that year).

My theory is this, if we are going to start giving out lifetime achievement awards in the form of awards like the MVP (like many want for Derek Jeter), lets find someone we can actually make an argument for. & that's Mariano Rivera.

The Marshall Plan

The Broncos are well on their way on mishandling another player rift. Today the Broncos suspended Brandon Marshall for conduct detrimental to the team. The suspension runs through the rest of the Pre-Season, but this beef could go on all year.The Broncos are already a mediocre team with Marshall. Without Marshall they instantly become The AFC version of the Detroit Lions.

While Marshall is acting immature, can you blame a player in the NFL for trying to strike while the iron is hot? Marshall has no future guarantees, no long term contract, & his salary this year ($2.4M) is obviously well under his value for a WR coming off 2 seasons of 100 receptions & a Pro Bowl. Marshall is a 25 year old WR with hands, speed, blocking ability with the ability to break tackles who has clearly outperformed his contract. Brandon wants the Broncos to address his contract, the Broncos was Brandon to perform one more year before they address the contract. A common dispute with teams & players since no contracts or moneys are guaranteed. So while I despise Marshall for acting like a jerk, I'll defend it on this blog because it is truly the only leverage NFL players have to get paid.

Year after year there are dozens of players making this decisions. The Collective Bargaining Agreement is so pro owner, that the owners can actually lock out players & not pay them until the owners get there way. Players can't hold out, because they get fined (Marshall still gets paid during this suspension). Yet players can be Franchise Tagged & have their salaries controlled basically their entire careers, with NO GUARANTEES, in a sport so violent that the average player has a 6 year shelf life. If management can cut players for underperforming contacts, why can't players have some sort of avenue, to address outperforming a contract?

Management in Denver should address this contract & pay Marshall something reasonable to what he has done. Pat Bowlen has always been a reasonable owner. When Dan Reeves & John Elway didn't get along, Bowlen squashed a trade that would have sent Elway to Washington. Bowlen failed to step in during the Cutler fiasco, he should step into this one & get Marshall signed long term.

Josh McDaniels is really not warming himself up to me. He's already ran one star out of town carelessly pursuing a QB with only 1 good year under his helmet (Matt Cassel). Is Marshall next?

Mark Teixeira MVP & Next Yankee Captain!!!

Two dates you should remember when the story of how Mark Teixeira won the MVP in the 2009 season. Date 1 is December 23, 2008, when the Yankees secured Teixeira to an 8 year $180M contract. Date 2, was the return of a certain Yankee teammate. In June I text messaged my Co-host Joe Sarno that Mark Teixeira would win the AL MVP.

It came to me as an epiphany on a Saturday game vs Tampa as Mark Teixeira went 2-5, with a HR & 3 RBI's. Nothing really stood out about that game, like most things Teixeira does & has done his whole baseball career. It was just the way he carried himself & has carried himself. His slow start this year was no surprise as he always a subpar start to the season. Now there isn't much of a doubt he should win AL MVP, but Teixeira is going to cement himself in Yankee history.

Take a good look, because you are looking at the next Yankee captain. Teixeira, who is a carbon copy of Derek Jeter, is worth every dime he's getting. He's a productive switch hitting middle of the line-up Gold Glover. Teixeira's real value though, comes with how he plays, much like Jeter (with a much higher skill setting physically), he leads by example, hustles, & plays hard as he showed running out the Castillo dropped pop out scoring all the way from first base. Stays cool under pressure, humble, he cares about winning, & is a leader who's prepared to carry the team weight when needed. He stays out of the media spotlight. He's that rare player that can change the fortune of a franchise (not that the Yankees needed a fortune change) & carry a legacy with him. 1 player makes a huge difference & if you disagree, imagine if Teixeira had signed to be a Red Sox?

I said it in December & I'll say it again, the Yankees iced the East division upon signing Mark Teixeira & have probably done so for the next 5 years. None of the other signings mattered. In Mark Teixeira, the Yankees not only signed the most attractive free agent in the 2008 class, they re-invested into their legacy. That another player would carry Yankee Greatness to the next generation of players. He's the next name you will associate with "The Pinstripes" after Derek retires. While teams can easily put a price on players, you can never put a price tag on a Signature Player & that's what Mark is.

Wagner's Chooses His Death

It says a lot when a player originally rather rot in mediocrity (ok...maybe the Mets are dreadful), than play for a contender, before flip flopping & changing his mind. Wagner originally decided to invoke his no trade rights to stay in NY... or maybe, it was to avoid Boston. Ultimately he was indeed traded. Such a tough choice...

I feel sorry for Billy Wagner. I wouldn't wish this choice upon my worst enemy. Regardless of how evil a human being has been, no one deserves this. Can you imagine this being your only choices? Stay with the dysfunctional Mets or go to the exasperating Red Sox? I mean this is like selecting between being drowned in acid or being chopped up alive with a rusty hand saw. I just can't imagine either being pleasant. The last thing I'd want to do is share a small locker room with the most irritating threesome in existance (Papelbon, Youkilis, Pedroia). The Mets locker room isn't much better with the losing environment fully entrenched into the Citi Field walls.

So ask yourself readers...which choice would you make? Choose carefully...

Jonathan Papelbon...All American DOUCHE

This fucking guy is the douche of all douches. Someone needs to hit a line drive & catch him in the mouth. Actually, nothing would be wrong with just charging the mound either. I'm sure Major League Baseball would allow it & not suspend the player. Someone do the world a favor & take the bullet for the rest of baseball. The Red Sox have plenty of annoying players. But Papelbon is top douche in an organization full of douches.

With the Red Sox claiming Billy Wagner off waivers, little Johnny voiced his opinion in asinine fashion saying, "What has he done? Has he pitched this year?" "Is he ready to pitch or is he not? … I think our bullpen is good where we’re at right now. Don’t get me wrong. But I guess you could always make it better. It’s kind of like the Eric Gagne thing, I guess."

What has he done? Well he's managed to save 385 games or so, but more importantly, he's done so without becoming an arrogant piece of shit. If Papelbon is too dense to see that this makes his team better, then he clearly is not capable of processing thought. Wagner however did not go quiet of course. "I don’t have anything to say about somebody like that. When he walks in my shoes then I’ll say something. Let him be 38 and have Tommy John surgery."

Personally I'm hoping for Tommy John surgery next week of the career ending variety. No player deserves a bigger fall off the pedestal than Papelbon. But I'll settle for someone punching him in the face. So to anyone reading this, if you happen to be a crazed maniac, & happen to see Jonathan Robert Papelbon, PLEASE PUNCH HIM IN THE FACE. Your friends at The Skinny Post will have bail money ready.

The Season of Humiliation Continues...

You knew Pedro was looking forward to this when he signed on with the Phillies. & after merely 15 minutes, Ollie Perez gift wrapped Martinez a victory against his former team. How hard was Pedro laughing inside early in the first? Before Pedro Martinez took the mound Sunday vs the Mets, he got a plate appearance courtesy of the enigma Oliver Perez. After giving up two 3 run home runs in the first, Perez couldn't throw a strike to opposing pitcher at the plate before Jerry Manuel ended his afternoon on a 3-0 count to again, the opposing pitcher. I can't think of a more embarrassing way for a pitcher to be replaced in a game.

The ending to the game wasn't any better for the Metropolitans, ending in an unassited triple play & what can only be called an ill-adviced hit & run call by the inept Mets manager, Jerry Manuel.

Pedro got in trouble a few times but in the end, Martinez exacted his revenge & outpitched a guy NY gave a 3 year $36M deal. Martinez's 6 IP 4 ER & 5 K performance Sunday was yet another chapter in the 2009 Season of Humiliation for the Mets. The Mets had plenty of chances vs Pedro. But the punchless line-up couldn't capitalize & in the end, another incompetent call by Manuel cost the Mets an opportunity against a flustered Brad Lidge & the hated Phillies. The Wilpon's seem happy with this sort of mediocrity announcing that Minaya would be back next year. Minaya then announced Manuel would be back as well. While the injuries are too much for any team to handle, there is no way Minaya or Manuel should be part of the Mets future. Minaya has never been a success as a GM anywhere. & Manuel isn't the fiery type manager the loose Mets clubhouse needs.

In addition, the Mets just need talent. For a team with the 2nd highest payroll, there sure are holes on that team. Positions in need of being addressed is the OF, 1B, 2B, C, & of course the rotation. There are a few interesting options in the upcoming Free Agency period(you take your picks), but among the players needed Jason Bay, Orlando Hudson & Adam LaRoche are the most interesting to me. Good baseball players that are skilled & more importantly give a damn. If the Mets can bring themselves to sign players that aren't Latin...it will be a step in the right direction

Tom Cable? This is Dana White...

This is laughable...really it is. Being a proud Denver Bronco fan (Russ...Joseph is a Giants fan), you knew I would blog about the dysfunctional grease fire that is The Oakland Raiders. Coming from the team who hired a Bed & Breakfast owner to run their offense, comes the latest debacle to the franchise committed to excellence.

If you haven't heard by now, Head Coach Tom Cable punched & broke the jaw of defensive assistant Randy Hanson nearly 2 weeks ago. Yet another black eye, for a team considered a black eye itself. No wonder the logo on their helmet wears a patch over his eye. Of course all involved are denying the story, but is it so far fetched to believe that someone on the Raiders would do this? Tom Cable refused to address the situation in a press conference, calling it an internal issue, after telling ESPN's Mark Schlereth the story wasn't true. Cable wouldn't even answer if Hanson was still working for the organization before stepping down from the mic.

This by far is the least surprising news in the NFL this year. I guess if you can't be good, be interesting. This is the only way the Raiders can stay relevant.

New Hope Or New Hype in Washington

There is only a 1 letter difference between the words hype & hope. In the Nationals case, they'd like the spelling to contain the letter O, like the one they so famously left off their own jerseys in April.

While you can argue that signing to the deal Boras reportedly wanted would have increased the DC crime rate, you can't argue that the Nats are in serious need of not only talent...but a box office draw for a franchise that is 26th in attendance. More importantly than that, Washington entered Monday night without an identity. So at approximately at 11:58 last night, they purchased that. An identity. And for Stephen Strasburg, he immediately becomes the face of a franchise, signing to the highest signing bonus ever paid to an amateur draftee. The record $15M signing bonus surpassed the previous high paid to Mark Teixeira ($10.8M with Texas in 2001). Personally, I think this was an absolute necessity for a franchise desperate to shed the vagabond label that has followed them from Montreal. Simply put, the Nationals weren't just biding for a pitching prospect. They were biding for a face & a name fans can recognize & pin some sort of hope on.

Hopefully for the DC franchise, this is money well spent & it doesn't turn into something similar to the Smiley Gonzalez signing who was discovered this year to be 23 (not 19) & actually named Carlos Alvarez Daniel Lugo. Even if the list of failed high caliber pitching prospects is as long as Yao Ming, the Nationals sent a message to their fans late Monday. That message being we are ready to compete, & we will spend record dollars to do it.

Vick Gets His 2nd Chance

If you listened to The Skinny Post late last night, then you found out that Mike Vick was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles for 1 year $1.6M & an option for year 2 at $5.2 million. My first thoughts were "what the hell are they doing?"

As with most athletes Vick is being remembered for all the on the field positives, like rushing for 1000 yards as a QB, his amazing athleticism, & the dazzling plays he occasionally pulled off. No one wants to talk about his 53% completion rate or the questionable decisions he made on & off the field. The consensus on Vick, is that for a player who has been away from the game for 2 years, will still come into the league & DOMINATE. Not only will he dominate, but he will dominate opponents it at another position in "The Wildcat." Forget that Vick wasn't a dominant QB in an offense drawn up for him in Atlanta. None of that matters, for Vick is the god of all gods & the king of all kings when it comes to the game of football. The common fan will tell you how tremendous of an athlete he is & how he will mesmerize opponents with his quick feet. What people in general fail to realize, is that this is the NFL. Not Fantasy Football or Madden 10. Football revolves around 3rd down conversion rate & the ability to avoid turnovers. Vick isn't a needed piece to succeed in those 2 aspects.

The thought that Vick will make enough of a difference in Philadelphia is beyond ludicrous. Suddenly, because of "The Wildcat" Vick is a hot commodity that will make any team he is on, the team to beat. If you are one of those people who believes that...sorry, but you are being quite asinine. Vick will NOT get anything over 8 touches in any game (other than a McNabb injury or benching). Feel free to think rationally before you embarrass yourself making any proclamations. The only category Vick is going to improve the Eagles in is the most hated team nationally category. He will he be a media distraction to the Eagles, that could only rival Terrell Owens. Andy Reid will continuiously have to answer questions concerning Vick's playing time & his role with the team. Not to mention the irrational Philly fan he will be playing in front of or the undue pressure on Donovan McNabb looking over his shoulder every time he throws an interception.

Vick's signing may be high profile, yet will be low impact. In fact...NO IMPACT. Barring injury, Vick will be standing next to Andy Reid, watching his beard gain more gray & catch a few WR screens. If you disagree, feel free to prove me wrong.

Big Papi's Big Press Conference

Kind of strange to hold a Press Conference on a Saturday (12:30 PM on ESPN) before a game in your biggest rivals territory isn't it? But that's exactly what David Ortiz is going to do. Ill-advised or not, Ortiz is to address the situation he said he would not run or hide from.

Ortiz (in case you don't know) will answer questions about his 2003 positive steroids test. If you ask me this is a distraction the Red Sox didn't need. In the middle of a post break swoon, the Red Sox not only find themselves playing a hot Yankee team, but find themselves 4.5 games back of a team that hadn't beaten them before Thursday. This series was such a big deal, that it drew a national debate of "what team needs this series more." Meanwhile Ortiz is drawing national attention for different reason all together. After stating that a positive test should carry a 1 year suspension (amidst the Alex Rodriguez positive test) in Spring Training, Ortiz has let a week plus go by without answering questions on his own positive test. Tomorrow's press conference is supposed to answer those questions. But why do I get the feeling Ortiz will say very little & most of the press conference will be directed by the new leader of the Players Association Michael Weiner. Oddly enough Weiner will be at the press conference, but is there really a need Union head there? Why not just answer questions like others have in a forum that you called for?

When the news came out, Manny Ramirez (who was also implicated) said, "we are like two mountains. We’re going to keep doing good no matter what . . . Only God is going to be able to move those two mountains." Actually Manny one of those mountains is in the middle of a 4-29 slump since the news came out. So obviously this is getting to Ortiz, who has prided himself as a lovable clean player throughout his Red Sox career. I'll be real interested in what Papi has to say (as will most baseball fans) tomorrow.

About a year ago some idiot RSN Inhabitant buried a David Ortiz jersey in this very stadium. If Ortiz fails to give a reasonable explanation, his career might be buried there as well.

The Re-Opening Of The Big Apple Circus

Can it possibly get more embarrassing for the Mets? Just when you thought the answer would be no, the futile franchise manages to out-do its very own pathetic history. Coming from the franchise that flies a manager cross country only to fire him, comes the latest gem; the Tony Bernazard firing. For those not familiar with Tony Bernazard, he's the VP of player development that dim-wittedly ripped his shirt off, while challenging a young minor leaguer to a fight, in the midst of vulgar name calling. The Mets earlier today announced his firing, but not before raping the franchise of more dignity, with a totally mismanaged 3 ring circus, disguised as press conference. Take a look at the video & how Omar Minaya tries to bury the writer (Adam Rubin) who broke the story. Instead of making the firing the story, Omar made an embarrassing situation into an uncomfortably embarrassing one.

Sadly, Adam had to hold his own presser addressing the misguided accusations. Rubin admitted how devastated he was & didn't know how he could cover the team going forward, calling Minaya's actions reprehensible. Rubin also addressed the situation in this interview.

Adam, consider yourself lucky if you are reassigned by the Daily News to cover an actual baseball franchise. Personally I recommend the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League. I'm sure their management figures will be able to guide you in how attain a player personnel position without trying to derail your current career as a writer.

Seriously, the Mets have become the Oakland Raiders of baseball. More known for their sheer absurdity, than the on field success normal franchises strive for. The Mets needs more than an enema. The organization needs to fade into bolivian (ala Mike Tyson) & be replaced with an organization that can function without constant chaos around it. The next press conference the Mets should hold, is the dismissal of Omar Minaya. This latest act by the Ringmaster of The Big Apple Circus is too much for anyone to handle. My sources tell me the press conference will be sponsored by Ringling Brothers as the Mets will undoutedly name Rebo the Clown as Minaya's replacement.

Fresh As A Rose

It comes up every year at this time. No matter the season, the Pete Rose debate continues. Every year when the Hall of Fame gathers in Cooperstown, NY for the latest inductees, the back room debate centers around a man who was banned from the game 20 years ago. Rose agreed to be place on the permanent ineligible baseball list as part of a settlement to stop the investigation that he gambled on baseball games. He effectively agreed to be banned for life by then commissioner Bart Giamatti. With the current climate of baseball & the steroids controversy, many fans say it's finally time to lift the ban. I take exception.

You have to remember, gambling damages the very fabric & legitimacy of the game. Before you say, "well steroids does the same thing," let me give you a scenerio. While manager of the Cincinnati Reds, Pete Rose was in a position of power. He also gambled on those games (52 of them in 1987 alone). So it's not far fetched to think he might have lost some games purposely in order to win the wager. To me, that sort of behavior is irreperable. Games could have been influenced or pre determined & as much as an affect as steroids has had on the game, it doesn't pre determine the outcome. A manager can literraly fix a game however he likes. Rose even bet as a player, so who is to say he didn't purposely throw an opportune error or worse. Now Rose says he never bet against the Reds, but are you going to believe a man who lied for nearly 15 years?

Even with the ban lifted, it won't get him placed on the ballot thanks to a 1991 voting by the Hall of Fame Committee recommending a change in the admission rules, to exclude any person banned from baseball. So even if Selig lifts the permanent ban, many members of the HOF committee who are against Rose being allowed in the HOF, would have to vote him in (which is historically a harder vote to get then the Baseball Writers 75%). While Rose's career stats are Hall of Fame quality, his decision to gamble put into question the reputation & credibility of the game itself, as well as his own.

While I am not condoning the use of steroids, there has only been 1 rule that gets you a lifetime ban in baseball & it's been that way since 1920. It's in every locker room & clubhouse wall for all to read. Rule 21 states that, "Any player, umpire, or club or league official or employee, who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has a duty to perform shall be declared permanently ineligible." It's as basic as "3 strikes your out." For 15 years Rose denied ever gambling on games before finally coming clean & saying "everything the Dowd Report contained was the complete, unadulterated truth." Case closed ladies & gentlemen, he broke Rule 21, game over, permanently ineligible.

MLB All Star Event Exposes More Flaws

This weeks "Mid Summer Classic" revealed many of the flaws the game has today. Not only is fan favoritism putting the validity of a game "that counts" in question, but MLB itself it stays living 50 years ago. Promoting its past instead of living in the current or promoting its future.

For baseball purists this might be a great event. But to me, it was a bore. Here I am at home enjoying a rerun episode of the Family Guy when it dawns on me..."Oh shit the All Star Game is on." At this point it is 8:40 pm & I think, "Damn, I missed the first inning." Oh how wrong I was my friends. In fact, I tuned in on time to watch Stan Musial being driven in a Golf like cart, to hand the game ball over to President Obama. I just could not believe that it was 40+ minutes of pomp & circumstances. Of course this should be no surprise, baseball does this every year, so shame on me. 10 minutes later Tim Lincecum was actually on the mound & threw his first pitch, at approximately 8:50 pm. 50 full minutes after the advertised start. Since I cursed already I'll do it again, WHAT THE FUCK FOX & MLB? A 50 minute dog & pony show? That's the plan to keep viewers interested?

This all goes back to the central issue with MLB. Forget steroids, team salary disparity, & competitive balance. The prevelant issue is still promoting the past legends, while failing to promote the current & future stars of the game (as I so elequently covered here). Time for baseball to wake up. Stop trying to sell the game to an audience (baseball purists), that you already OWN. Start promoting the young talented players you have in the game today & the ones you will have in the future. Case in point, the All Star Futures game was held on a Sunday (July 12) at 2 PM. It was running against many Sunday afternoon Major League games, giving it ZERO visibility. How many of you even knew it was on? Instead of making it a notable part of the All Star festivities, MLB puts it on witness protection. Don't hide it in the midst of 4 Sunday afternoon baseball games, play the All Star Futures game on Tuesday night, have the MLB All Star Game on Wednesday night, that way the Futures game can have the spotlight to itself.

In order to attract fans, you can't bore them by talking about how great a player was 50-60 years ago. Try giving fans a look into who will be in the All Star game in the future. I am fully aware of Stan "the man" Musial & what he meant to the St Louis Cardinals & I appreciate his mark on the game. But the only ones who care, are baseball purists & YOU ALREADY HAVE THEM. Baseball spends so much time promoting its past, that I'm willing to wager more people are familiar with the name Roger Maris, then someone like say Hanley Ramirez. See for yourself, take a survey & I'm willing to bet at least 50% of random people think Maris is in the Hall of Fame, when he actually isn't. I'm not saying don't have a ceremony at all. Just have it from 7 pm to 8 pm & start the game before darkness hits the majority of the nation. Don't tell me 8 pm & start at 9 pm. These 9 o'clock starts is another thing absolutely killing MLB, in the younger demographic.

Now on to fan voting. This is supposed to be an event where the best of the best showcase themselves. Instead, it's where any Tom, Dick, & Harry can start in an All Star game. Case in point, Dustin Pedroia. 2 days before online voting closed Ian Kinsler had about a 7,000 vote lead. When voting finally did close, the reigning AL MVP won by about 73,000 voted. That's 80,000 votes for a second basemen who at the time was batting .289, had a slugging percentage of .382 & 2 HR. Here is a direct quote from a Red Sox fan (who will remain nameless) as to why Dustin was sooooooo worthy of starting second base for the AL. "Started out hot took a month off and got red hot and stayed that way." So there you have it. Apparently that's all you need in Beantown to become an "All Star." Laughable right? The truth is Pedroia's batting average (.303) wouldn't be where it is if not for a 15-29 streak he went on recently. There are at least 3 second basemen that I can make a case for, more worthy than Pedroia, as the starter for the AL. So it is undeniable that this was ballot stuffing at it's finest by the habitants of the Red Sox Nation. I'd prefer to hear, "he's a Red Sox, so I voted for him" instead of this jibberish. Thankfully, Karma made it right & Pedroia had to miss the All Star Game for personal reasons. I don't know about you, but when I hear All Star Starter, I think of the most talented player in that position or National Star Power. Not a guy that starts off hot & then takes a month off.

Lets not forget that some players have bonuses tied to All Star game appearances. I don't think players like Pablo Sandoval (who has a higher batting average than Albert Pujols) should be denied those all star appearances by the fans idiotic voting. It speaks volume of how irrelevant the term "All Star" has become. Instead of a gala of talent, its becoming nothing more than a puppet show for fans wanting the title All Star attached to a player of mediocre talent.