I'm serious. You should read this article by John Brattain at The Hardball Times immediately. It's about MLB's economic structure. More importantly, it's exceptional writing.
Saturday, January 29, 2005
Time To Fire Brown?
Is it just me or does anyone else think it's time to start to consider firing Larry Brown? Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. Joe Dumars is the guy who is going to make that decision not me, but I'm growing increasing tired of Brown's antics.
There is his perpetual whining. I realize that's not uncommon for a coach, but Brown's post Palace brawl "the sky is falling" attitude is already becoming the stuff of legend. And spoofs. Then, and far more appallingly, there is the rumored move to the New York Knicks.
When some NYC media types starting thinking out loud about the next head coach of the Knicks, they made a logic connection to Brown. Brown is in a continual state of moving on to the next job, is a New York native and is a fan of Knicks' boss Isiah Thomas (some around Detroit may recognize that name). It's not exactly out-of-the-box thinking to put two and two together and envision Brown in Madison Square Garden full-time.
What irritates me is that Brown simply refuses to take the high road. Not only does he not deny the speculation, but he does nothing but reinforce the idea he's ready for the Knicks' job every time he opens his mouth. Here is another story, courtesy of ESPN.com, where Brown does everything but resign.
Why couldn't he offer the usual "no comment" line? Or how about the equal standard "I'm working with a championship team right now. What more could you ask for?". It doesn't say "I'm staying" or "I'm gone", but it does imply "Can we talk about this later?". In fact, "I won't be ready to discuss my future until season's end" would be a fine response.
I'm not asking the guy to say "I love Detroit. I love coaching this team. I love Joe. I love Mr. Davidson." Although, hearing some combination of that would seem appropriate. However, all we hear is how Brown "never thought he would have to coach effort" and how much he loves Isiah.
Maybe I'm just way off base here. Maybe I'm taking a page out of the Bo Schembechler management book, but if I was Joe Dumars, I'd save Larry Brown the effort of loitering at The Palace of Auburn Hills one hour longer. I'd can him right this second.
I generally oppose calling for the firing of someone, especially someone coming off a championship. That kind of nonsense is, well, nonsense. This is a unique situation, though. Brown's carpet-bagger history combined with his post-fight trauma, his inability to say anything good about his current position, all while drooling over the move to MSG make me think his head and heart are not with the Pistons.
In the end, I would prefer a guy who wants to be the coach of the Pistons to have the job. Is that asking too much? I realize that firing a Hall of Fame coach coming of a NBA championship sounds plain crazy. That's because it is. It's also crazy for the same coach to act burdened by his job at the top of the NBA heap.
Brown is clearly unhappy coaching the Pistons. It's gotten so bad, he can no longer disguise his disdain for the situation. Neither can I. If Brown wants out, Dumars should open the door. Right now.
There is his perpetual whining. I realize that's not uncommon for a coach, but Brown's post Palace brawl "the sky is falling" attitude is already becoming the stuff of legend. And spoofs. Then, and far more appallingly, there is the rumored move to the New York Knicks.
When some NYC media types starting thinking out loud about the next head coach of the Knicks, they made a logic connection to Brown. Brown is in a continual state of moving on to the next job, is a New York native and is a fan of Knicks' boss Isiah Thomas (some around Detroit may recognize that name). It's not exactly out-of-the-box thinking to put two and two together and envision Brown in Madison Square Garden full-time.
What irritates me is that Brown simply refuses to take the high road. Not only does he not deny the speculation, but he does nothing but reinforce the idea he's ready for the Knicks' job every time he opens his mouth. Here is another story, courtesy of ESPN.com, where Brown does everything but resign.
Why couldn't he offer the usual "no comment" line? Or how about the equal standard "I'm working with a championship team right now. What more could you ask for?". It doesn't say "I'm staying" or "I'm gone", but it does imply "Can we talk about this later?". In fact, "I won't be ready to discuss my future until season's end" would be a fine response.
I'm not asking the guy to say "I love Detroit. I love coaching this team. I love Joe. I love Mr. Davidson." Although, hearing some combination of that would seem appropriate. However, all we hear is how Brown "never thought he would have to coach effort" and how much he loves Isiah.
Maybe I'm just way off base here. Maybe I'm taking a page out of the Bo Schembechler management book, but if I was Joe Dumars, I'd save Larry Brown the effort of loitering at The Palace of Auburn Hills one hour longer. I'd can him right this second.
I generally oppose calling for the firing of someone, especially someone coming off a championship. That kind of nonsense is, well, nonsense. This is a unique situation, though. Brown's carpet-bagger history combined with his post-fight trauma, his inability to say anything good about his current position, all while drooling over the move to MSG make me think his head and heart are not with the Pistons.
In the end, I would prefer a guy who wants to be the coach of the Pistons to have the job. Is that asking too much? I realize that firing a Hall of Fame coach coming of a NBA championship sounds plain crazy. That's because it is. It's also crazy for the same coach to act burdened by his job at the top of the NBA heap.
Brown is clearly unhappy coaching the Pistons. It's gotten so bad, he can no longer disguise his disdain for the situation. Neither can I. If Brown wants out, Dumars should open the door. Right now.
Friday, January 28, 2005
Old School Super Bowl
I'm getting old. I admit that. That means I spend far too long fondly remembering the good old days. You may remember my recent post about This Week In Baseball. Today, I got the NFL equivalent.
ESPN classic was showing Super Bowl highlight shows. I was watching some of the early Super Bowls. I'm talking about those in the single digits. Or, in Super Bowl terms, games below X in Roman numerals. The voice of John Facenda romanticizing the story of the games when the Super Bowl was all about football.
That's my biggest problem with football, in general, and the Super Bowl, specifically. It's equal parts game and hype. Hype translated not only in terms of over analysis, but in terms of pre-game show, halftime show, post-game show, commercials, gambling, drinking, counter-programming on other networks and mass marketing campaigns involving nearly every product known to man.
Anyone remember when we just cared about the game? At one time, the Super Bowl was all football and little of anything else. They had college bands perform, in part, because halftime was just, well, it was just halftime for crying out loud. No need for Janet Jackson or Paul McCartney, for that matter. We were watching to see who would be crowned champions not who sang during the time reserved for sandwich assembly and bathroom breaks.
Now, the Super Bowl has become a holiday. It's been watered down to make itself interesting to everyone. Some watch the game just to see the commercials. This is the same train of promotional thought that brought us Ferris Wheels and merry-go-rounds at Comerica Park. It's no longer enough for sports to be about sports. These events have to supply entertainment to all. The Super Bowl has led that transition from sport to entertainment.
I cannot say that the change has been all bad, if the Lions could actually make the Super Bowl I would be eating up all this ancillary nonsense, but I miss the way pro football used to be. I think lots of others, even those who still follow the sport with great passion, miss the old school days in the NFL, too. Thankfully, NFL Films has kept that part of history alive. It's all we have left.
ESPN classic was showing Super Bowl highlight shows. I was watching some of the early Super Bowls. I'm talking about those in the single digits. Or, in Super Bowl terms, games below X in Roman numerals. The voice of John Facenda romanticizing the story of the games when the Super Bowl was all about football.
That's my biggest problem with football, in general, and the Super Bowl, specifically. It's equal parts game and hype. Hype translated not only in terms of over analysis, but in terms of pre-game show, halftime show, post-game show, commercials, gambling, drinking, counter-programming on other networks and mass marketing campaigns involving nearly every product known to man.
Anyone remember when we just cared about the game? At one time, the Super Bowl was all football and little of anything else. They had college bands perform, in part, because halftime was just, well, it was just halftime for crying out loud. No need for Janet Jackson or Paul McCartney, for that matter. We were watching to see who would be crowned champions not who sang during the time reserved for sandwich assembly and bathroom breaks.
Now, the Super Bowl has become a holiday. It's been watered down to make itself interesting to everyone. Some watch the game just to see the commercials. This is the same train of promotional thought that brought us Ferris Wheels and merry-go-rounds at Comerica Park. It's no longer enough for sports to be about sports. These events have to supply entertainment to all. The Super Bowl has led that transition from sport to entertainment.
I cannot say that the change has been all bad, if the Lions could actually make the Super Bowl I would be eating up all this ancillary nonsense, but I miss the way pro football used to be. I think lots of others, even those who still follow the sport with great passion, miss the old school days in the NFL, too. Thankfully, NFL Films has kept that part of history alive. It's all we have left.
Sorensen May Face Prison Time
Ex-Tigers broadcaster Lary Sorensen appears to be headed to prison. Sorensen, a former big league pitcher and University of Michigan player, was arrested on his sixth DUI charge. Here is The Detroit News story.
More On Maggs
Here are today's stories on Magglio Ordonez. Detroit Free Press, Detroit News and Daily Oakland Press. If today's rumors are true, speculation indicating that Scott Boras is looking for a deal of five years or longer, the Tigers should pass.
There is no way that Detroit should saddle themselves with a 31 year old (by the way, Happy Birthday, Magglio) with a horrible knee for five years or more. It's a deal that's got Dean Palmer or Bobby Higginson written all over it.
There is also a rumor that Ordonez is looking for around $11 million or more a season. One wild piece of speculation has Ordonez' counter proposal at seven years, seventy-seven million dollars. The Tigers should not provide Ordonez with more money, or the same amount, than the White Sox offered him when they thought he was healthy.
Ordonez, for all of his potential upside, is just too big an injury risk. Three years at $11 million a season, heavily incentive based, with several out clauses for the Tigers, plus a club option for a fourth season. That's the max. In fact, I would prefer a two year deal with a club option for a third season. Anything more than that and I can't call it a good signing.
There is no way that Detroit should saddle themselves with a 31 year old (by the way, Happy Birthday, Magglio) with a horrible knee for five years or more. It's a deal that's got Dean Palmer or Bobby Higginson written all over it.
There is also a rumor that Ordonez is looking for around $11 million or more a season. One wild piece of speculation has Ordonez' counter proposal at seven years, seventy-seven million dollars. The Tigers should not provide Ordonez with more money, or the same amount, than the White Sox offered him when they thought he was healthy.
Ordonez, for all of his potential upside, is just too big an injury risk. Three years at $11 million a season, heavily incentive based, with several out clauses for the Tigers, plus a club option for a fourth season. That's the max. In fact, I would prefer a two year deal with a club option for a third season. Anything more than that and I can't call it a good signing.
Thursday, January 27, 2005
Ordonez Counters
The Magglio Ordonez saga continues. Today's news is that Ordonez has told agent Scott Boras to offer Detroit a counter-proposal. It appears that if the Tigers agree to Ordonez' counter, the ex-Chicago outfielder will become a Tiger.
I know some view this would-be signing as a potential disaster, The Daily Oakland Press' Pat Caputo offers these words of caution, but even the most negative observer has to admit that a healthy Ordonez is a major upgrade. The question is whether or not Ordonez is indeed healthy.
We all know I favor this move, but I would really have preferred that Ordonez participated in some kind of workout before the Tigers' management. If the Tigers accept this new proposal from Camp Ordonez, without seeing if the guy can even take the field, we are all going to have to hope it's filled with out clauses. More importantly, we are going to have to hope that Ordonez can give the Tigers several strong, productive seasons.
I think it's safe to say that everyone in Tigertown remains cautiously optimistic, myself included.
Update: MLB.com has this story on Ordonez' counter proposal. I just can't see the Tigers topping the five year, seventy million dollar deal the White Sox offered last year. Nor do I think they should.
I know some view this would-be signing as a potential disaster, The Daily Oakland Press' Pat Caputo offers these words of caution, but even the most negative observer has to admit that a healthy Ordonez is a major upgrade. The question is whether or not Ordonez is indeed healthy.
We all know I favor this move, but I would really have preferred that Ordonez participated in some kind of workout before the Tigers' management. If the Tigers accept this new proposal from Camp Ordonez, without seeing if the guy can even take the field, we are all going to have to hope it's filled with out clauses. More importantly, we are going to have to hope that Ordonez can give the Tigers several strong, productive seasons.
I think it's safe to say that everyone in Tigertown remains cautiously optimistic, myself included.
Update: MLB.com has this story on Ordonez' counter proposal. I just can't see the Tigers topping the five year, seventy million dollar deal the White Sox offered last year. Nor do I think they should.
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
When Is Help Arriving?
Everyone in Tigertown is debating the addition of Magglio Ordonez. Will he work out? Can he work out? Just how bad is his knee? How much is it going to take for the Tigers to sign him? How long a deal should it be? The questions just keep coming. However, the question I ask is when do we think the Tigers farm system is going to produce productive everyday players?
In signing any free agent, that has to be the question. How long before a Tiger farmhand can fill that spot and produce at an all-star, or close to all-star, level? The Tigers have some starting pitchers that could make themselves viable candidates for the rotation in 2006 or 2007. That's why I was hesitant to see them sign guys like Derek Lowe. The long term answers may already be in the organization.
Conversely, it looks to me like the only Tiger minor outfielder close to The Show is Curtis Granderson. Granderson appears to be a hitter, but does anyone project him to be the hitter Ordonez is capable of being?
Even if he eventually comes close to Ordonez-like productivity, the emphasis is on eventually. It could take several seasons at the Major League level before Granderson reaches his full ability. With Bobby Higginson and Rondell White playing on the last year of their contracts and Dave Dombrowski spending quite a bit of time looking for an upgrade to Alex Sanchez, it appears the Tigers will need a minimum of three outfielders soon. Very soon.
How long will it take for the Tigers' farm system to provide more help than just Granderson? Two years? Three? More? It's an inexact science. A Tiger prospect could get hot, shoot through the system and become a big star in less than a year. It's unlikely, but possible.
It's equally possible that the Tigers are at least three years away from anyone other than Granderson contributing to their outfield. Again, unlikely, but possible.
That's, in part, why I am in favor of inking Ordonez. I suspect help from the farm system is somewhere between one and three years away. By the time the Tigers farm clubs have a number of outfield prospects on the verge of making the big league team, Ordonez' deal will be done.
I also like signing the ex-White Sox star because I believe the Tigers can sign Ordonez without changing the long term direction of the ballclub. They can continue to focus on stocking their farm system with prospects, but also try to be competitive at the same time. By the time a new wave of Tigers are ready to take over the contracts of Ordonez and Ivan Rodriguez should be expiring.
If the Tigers' farm system doesn't supply the big league club with a corps of solid Major Leaguers in three seasons, we will have much more to worry about than Ordonez' knees.
In signing any free agent, that has to be the question. How long before a Tiger farmhand can fill that spot and produce at an all-star, or close to all-star, level? The Tigers have some starting pitchers that could make themselves viable candidates for the rotation in 2006 or 2007. That's why I was hesitant to see them sign guys like Derek Lowe. The long term answers may already be in the organization.
Conversely, it looks to me like the only Tiger minor outfielder close to The Show is Curtis Granderson. Granderson appears to be a hitter, but does anyone project him to be the hitter Ordonez is capable of being?
Even if he eventually comes close to Ordonez-like productivity, the emphasis is on eventually. It could take several seasons at the Major League level before Granderson reaches his full ability. With Bobby Higginson and Rondell White playing on the last year of their contracts and Dave Dombrowski spending quite a bit of time looking for an upgrade to Alex Sanchez, it appears the Tigers will need a minimum of three outfielders soon. Very soon.
How long will it take for the Tigers' farm system to provide more help than just Granderson? Two years? Three? More? It's an inexact science. A Tiger prospect could get hot, shoot through the system and become a big star in less than a year. It's unlikely, but possible.
It's equally possible that the Tigers are at least three years away from anyone other than Granderson contributing to their outfield. Again, unlikely, but possible.
That's, in part, why I am in favor of inking Ordonez. I suspect help from the farm system is somewhere between one and three years away. By the time the Tigers farm clubs have a number of outfield prospects on the verge of making the big league team, Ordonez' deal will be done.
I also like signing the ex-White Sox star because I believe the Tigers can sign Ordonez without changing the long term direction of the ballclub. They can continue to focus on stocking their farm system with prospects, but also try to be competitive at the same time. By the time a new wave of Tigers are ready to take over the contracts of Ordonez and Ivan Rodriguez should be expiring.
If the Tigers' farm system doesn't supply the big league club with a corps of solid Major Leaguers in three seasons, we will have much more to worry about than Ordonez' knees.
Horse Of The Year
Here is part of the reason horse racing continues to stay out of the mainstream. Ghostzapper won the Horse of the Year. Why do I view this as a problem? Well, the distant second place finisher was a horse named Smarty Jones. I have little doubt that none of you have heard of Ghostzapper. I am equally confident that quite of few of you heard about Smarty Jones. There lies the problem.
Horse racing has four big events. The Kentucky Derby, The Preakness Stakes, The Belmont Stakes and the Breeders Cup. Amongst casual fans, those are the folks the NTRA and other in the industry are trying to lure in, there is one race-The Kentucky Derby. There is one other racing event that even merits their attention-The Triple Crown.
Smarty Jones won The Derby. He won The Preakness. Smarty came within a length and a half of winning The Triple Crown. Along the way, Smarty became a national phenomenon. Yet, when the racing industry picked it's Horse of the Year, Smarty got left in the dust. How do you explain that a horse that won only one of racing's big four events, the Breeders Cup, beat the horse that won The Derby, Preakness and finished second in The Belmont?
I can't. Now, if Smarty had only won The Derby and fell into the mix in the remaining two Triple Crown races, I could see giving the Horse of the Year title to Ghostzapper. A strong year capped with a Breeders Cup Classic victory would be Horse of the Year material, if you don't have a horse win multiple Triple Crown races. However, we had just that.
A three year old nearly captured the increasing elusive Triple Crown and, for reasons beyond me, captured the attention of casual sports fans. Two wins and a place in The Triple Crown chase isn't chopped liver. In fact, isn't pursuing The Triple Crown what almost every trainer, jockey, owner and diehard fan dreams about?
Horse racing needs to clarify what events are important. If you can win two-thirds of The Triple Crown and not be Horse of the Year, just how big are The Derby and Preakness? When you name a four year old, even an undefeated one, Horse of the Year over a near Triple Crown winner you've basically diminished the sport's three biggest races.
Does anyone in the industry think that the Tom Fool, Iselin Handicap and the Woodward are on par with the Derby, Preakness and Belmont? How on Earth are you going to explain to casual sports fans that the races they didn't see on television matter just as much as the races they did see?
This isn't just another tirade from some Smarty Jones bandwagon jumpin' fan, either. No, I dispelled any notion of being a Smarty fan back in this August post. As I pointed out then, I don't think Smarty is a great horse. I think the hype over him is ridiculous. I also think that winning the first two legs of The Triple Crown and finishing a close second in the last race does make you Horse of the Year.
Regrettably, the Eclipse Award voters disagreed. In the process, they further diminished the allure of their sport by minimizing the significance of their three biggest events.
Horse racing has four big events. The Kentucky Derby, The Preakness Stakes, The Belmont Stakes and the Breeders Cup. Amongst casual fans, those are the folks the NTRA and other in the industry are trying to lure in, there is one race-The Kentucky Derby. There is one other racing event that even merits their attention-The Triple Crown.
Smarty Jones won The Derby. He won The Preakness. Smarty came within a length and a half of winning The Triple Crown. Along the way, Smarty became a national phenomenon. Yet, when the racing industry picked it's Horse of the Year, Smarty got left in the dust. How do you explain that a horse that won only one of racing's big four events, the Breeders Cup, beat the horse that won The Derby, Preakness and finished second in The Belmont?
I can't. Now, if Smarty had only won The Derby and fell into the mix in the remaining two Triple Crown races, I could see giving the Horse of the Year title to Ghostzapper. A strong year capped with a Breeders Cup Classic victory would be Horse of the Year material, if you don't have a horse win multiple Triple Crown races. However, we had just that.
A three year old nearly captured the increasing elusive Triple Crown and, for reasons beyond me, captured the attention of casual sports fans. Two wins and a place in The Triple Crown chase isn't chopped liver. In fact, isn't pursuing The Triple Crown what almost every trainer, jockey, owner and diehard fan dreams about?
Horse racing needs to clarify what events are important. If you can win two-thirds of The Triple Crown and not be Horse of the Year, just how big are The Derby and Preakness? When you name a four year old, even an undefeated one, Horse of the Year over a near Triple Crown winner you've basically diminished the sport's three biggest races.
Does anyone in the industry think that the Tom Fool, Iselin Handicap and the Woodward are on par with the Derby, Preakness and Belmont? How on Earth are you going to explain to casual sports fans that the races they didn't see on television matter just as much as the races they did see?
This isn't just another tirade from some Smarty Jones bandwagon jumpin' fan, either. No, I dispelled any notion of being a Smarty fan back in this August post. As I pointed out then, I don't think Smarty is a great horse. I think the hype over him is ridiculous. I also think that winning the first two legs of The Triple Crown and finishing a close second in the last race does make you Horse of the Year.
Regrettably, the Eclipse Award voters disagreed. In the process, they further diminished the allure of their sport by minimizing the significance of their three biggest events.
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Tigers Make Move On Maggs
My pleas have been addressed. The Detroit Tigers have had an initial meeting with free agent Magglio Ordonez. Reports indicate that owner Mike Ilitch, President/G.M. Dave Dombrowski and manager Alan Trammell all met with Ordonez yesterday.
Both regular readers of this blog know that I have campaigned for Ordonez all winter long. The Tigers are in desperate need of outfield help, with Bobby Higginson and Rondell White aging and in the last year of their contracts, and could use a middle-of-the-order type bat. A healthy Ordonez fills both those voids instantly.
Of course, I am very concerned about the health of Ordonez' knees (when was the last time someone went to Austria to have knee surgery?), but what other options for improvement remain? I won't go so far as to say it's Ordonez or bust, as Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press suggested today, but adding only Troy Percival won't significantly improve the Tigers chances in 2005.
With Carlos Delgado now in Florida, Scott Boras will turn all the spurned Delgado suitors towards Ordonez. Clearly, the Tigers will have some competition for Maggs' services, but Ilitch and company should be willing to do something close to the Ivan Rodriguez deal to land Ordonez. I might not offer four years, but I'd definitely pay (or overpay) Ordonez should he produce his pre-injury numbers.
There are risks with signing Ordonez, but my thought has always been that the Tigers can offset some of the risk by agreeing to an incentive driven, relatively short-term contract. Besides, weren't the risks nearly as big with Steve Finley (age) and Troy Glaus (injuries)?
Free agency is a risky business, but the Tigers appear like they are back in the business of fielding a competitive team. Adding Magglio Ordonez would be another step in that direction.
Both regular readers of this blog know that I have campaigned for Ordonez all winter long. The Tigers are in desperate need of outfield help, with Bobby Higginson and Rondell White aging and in the last year of their contracts, and could use a middle-of-the-order type bat. A healthy Ordonez fills both those voids instantly.
Of course, I am very concerned about the health of Ordonez' knees (when was the last time someone went to Austria to have knee surgery?), but what other options for improvement remain? I won't go so far as to say it's Ordonez or bust, as Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press suggested today, but adding only Troy Percival won't significantly improve the Tigers chances in 2005.
With Carlos Delgado now in Florida, Scott Boras will turn all the spurned Delgado suitors towards Ordonez. Clearly, the Tigers will have some competition for Maggs' services, but Ilitch and company should be willing to do something close to the Ivan Rodriguez deal to land Ordonez. I might not offer four years, but I'd definitely pay (or overpay) Ordonez should he produce his pre-injury numbers.
There are risks with signing Ordonez, but my thought has always been that the Tigers can offset some of the risk by agreeing to an incentive driven, relatively short-term contract. Besides, weren't the risks nearly as big with Steve Finley (age) and Troy Glaus (injuries)?
Free agency is a risky business, but the Tigers appear like they are back in the business of fielding a competitive team. Adding Magglio Ordonez would be another step in that direction.
Monday, January 24, 2005
Horton Arraigned
Michigan guard Daniel Horton was arraigned today on a domestic battery charge. Here is the Detroit Free Press story. Coach Tommy Amaker has a press conference scheduled for tomorrow.
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Pudgy Auction
Ivan Rodriguez' road jacket is available via auction at MLB.com. If you've got, at least, $609.60 lying around, you can own Pudge's jacket from 2004. Of course, I still think it's a stinking ugly jacket in gray, but I'm not bidding.
Friday, January 21, 2005
One Labor Problem Resolved
Well, for the rest of this year, anyway. The US Soccer Federation and the players union have reached a settlement. This will allow the players to participate in next month's World Cup qualifier. Playing a group of strike-breakers in a WC qualifier would have been a horrible mess. Thankfully, this issue is settled for now.
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Pena Pounded
I'm guessing The Daily Oakland Press' Pat Caputo isn't impressed with Detroit Tigers firstbaseman Carlos Pena. If he is, he's hiding it well. Regardles, Caputo does raise some interesting opinions about Pena and the Tigers off-season.
First Person-Hines Ward
An SI.com Q & A session with one of my favorite players, Hines Ward of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Rosenberg On Darko
Detroit Free Press columnist Michael Rosenberg offers this piece on the Motor City's most talked about, highest paid bench player, Darko Milicic.
Turn Out The Lights
In spite of Trevor Linden's attempt to save the hockey season, it doesn't appear a deal will get done in time to save this season. Both sides still cannot overcome ownership's insistence on a salary cap. At this point, I think it's best to just forget this year.
As much as I hate to think the Stanley Cup will not get awarded, it's ridiculous to come to a resolution and force down a thirty-six game (or less) regular season then head straight to the playoffs. I'm sorry, I just can't call a thirty-six game schedule acceptable.
As much as I hate to think the Stanley Cup will not get awarded, it's ridiculous to come to a resolution and force down a thirty-six game (or less) regular season then head straight to the playoffs. I'm sorry, I just can't call a thirty-six game schedule acceptable.
Monday, January 17, 2005
New Adventures In Blogging
A few years back, I ran a website focusing on Big Ten Conference baseball. It met with some critical acclaim, if you consider a few emails of support I received from some national media types as critical acclaim.
As I still love the sport and really miss the old site, I have established a new blog called Big Ten Hardball. I hope you will stop in and check it out.
As I still love the sport and really miss the old site, I have established a new blog called Big Ten Hardball. I hope you will stop in and check it out.
Weekend Wrap
I haven't done a Weekend Wrap in quite a while, so as I was able to watch everything from luge to golf to football to tennis this weekend, it seems like a good time to review.
Roger Federer has a chance to become one of the stories of 2005. He was dominant in '04, but some think he has a great opportunity to capture tennis' grand slam. (Jon Wertheim of SI.com agrees.) All eyes will be on him this year beginning with the Australian Open. Federer rolled through his first match Down Under.
What else can be said about the NFL playoffs? It appears the best four teams have advanced. I love the Pittsburgh Steelers, a childhood favorite of mine, but I cannot and will not pick against New England. I can't. The Pats are two wins short of dynasty talk. Two wins from football immortality.
In the NFC, my head says Philadelphia has to win. They've been here far too often to fail, again. However, I just see Michael Vick running, throwing, kicking, selling hot dogs and keeping the Eagles D busy enough that they forget to watch someone else from Atlanta long enough to lose the stinking game.
Vijay Singh won, again. Shocking, I know. The guy is just in a groove. One of the ESPN broadcasters made mention the runs of guys like Tom Watson, Johnny Miller, Nick Faldo and other top players and opined that Singh was now in that type of streak. Who could argue?
In case you had not noticed, and don't feel badly if you haven't, the NHL lockout continues. The league's puck manufacturer has been forced to lay people off and the NHLPA is suggesting it's players look for other work. Anyone else remembering the air traffic controllers strike of the 80's? I think it may be time for the rank and file to consider a new strategy-firing it's union leaders or becoming strike breakers. Unless, they like playing overseas, of course.
Where is the outcry? A sixteen year old was the first draft pick in the MLS draft. No screaming about missing college? No worries about too much, too soon? No, it's American soccer. No one really cares about those kids.
I know the Phoenix Suns have hit the skids since Steve Nash's injury, but even with the Suns rolling, it's time to notice Seattle. The Sonics dispatched LeBron James and Cleveland last night. While Nash deserves MVP consideration, so, too, does Seattle's Ray Allen. Allen has been the focus of the SuperSonics attack and has been doing it all, as their record indicates.
Roger Federer has a chance to become one of the stories of 2005. He was dominant in '04, but some think he has a great opportunity to capture tennis' grand slam. (Jon Wertheim of SI.com agrees.) All eyes will be on him this year beginning with the Australian Open. Federer rolled through his first match Down Under.
What else can be said about the NFL playoffs? It appears the best four teams have advanced. I love the Pittsburgh Steelers, a childhood favorite of mine, but I cannot and will not pick against New England. I can't. The Pats are two wins short of dynasty talk. Two wins from football immortality.
In the NFC, my head says Philadelphia has to win. They've been here far too often to fail, again. However, I just see Michael Vick running, throwing, kicking, selling hot dogs and keeping the Eagles D busy enough that they forget to watch someone else from Atlanta long enough to lose the stinking game.
Vijay Singh won, again. Shocking, I know. The guy is just in a groove. One of the ESPN broadcasters made mention the runs of guys like Tom Watson, Johnny Miller, Nick Faldo and other top players and opined that Singh was now in that type of streak. Who could argue?
In case you had not noticed, and don't feel badly if you haven't, the NHL lockout continues. The league's puck manufacturer has been forced to lay people off and the NHLPA is suggesting it's players look for other work. Anyone else remembering the air traffic controllers strike of the 80's? I think it may be time for the rank and file to consider a new strategy-firing it's union leaders or becoming strike breakers. Unless, they like playing overseas, of course.
Where is the outcry? A sixteen year old was the first draft pick in the MLS draft. No screaming about missing college? No worries about too much, too soon? No, it's American soccer. No one really cares about those kids.
I know the Phoenix Suns have hit the skids since Steve Nash's injury, but even with the Suns rolling, it's time to notice Seattle. The Sonics dispatched LeBron James and Cleveland last night. While Nash deserves MVP consideration, so, too, does Seattle's Ray Allen. Allen has been the focus of the SuperSonics attack and has been doing it all, as their record indicates.
My Euro Football News
I see, courtesy of Sportsfrog.com, that Fox Sports World is about to become Fox Soccer Channel. I have to think this is good news for fans of international football here in the U.S.
As an aside, I noticed this week my sneaky cable provider added Fox Sports World to it's digital television package. Comcast seems unable to inform it's subscribers about their new products/channels. This is the latest example.
Back to news from the pitch. My semi-adopted English Premier League squad, Everton, unloaded Thomas Gravesen to Real Madrid. As the Toffees continue their remarkable season, fourth in the Premiership currently, it's seems like a horribly bad sign for Everton to move one of it's best players.
Yes, Gravesen may have wanted out. Yes, the club is probably not clear of it's financial woes. Yet, this is why they remain semi-adopted on my part. I'm already rooting for a top ten market franchise pawning itself off as a cellar-dwellar (the Detroit Tigers) and an American football squad keeping it's champion-less streak of almost fifty years alive (Detroit Lions), I don't think I can handle one more team struggling to perform at a high level for an extended period.
Of course, Everton is on the bubble of qualifying for Champions League play. Which, should it happen, would border on a miracle. If they can finish as well as they have started, or close to that, I am probably on board for the long haul. They do kind of wear Honolulu Blue, after all.
As an aside, I noticed this week my sneaky cable provider added Fox Sports World to it's digital television package. Comcast seems unable to inform it's subscribers about their new products/channels. This is the latest example.
Back to news from the pitch. My semi-adopted English Premier League squad, Everton, unloaded Thomas Gravesen to Real Madrid. As the Toffees continue their remarkable season, fourth in the Premiership currently, it's seems like a horribly bad sign for Everton to move one of it's best players.
Yes, Gravesen may have wanted out. Yes, the club is probably not clear of it's financial woes. Yet, this is why they remain semi-adopted on my part. I'm already rooting for a top ten market franchise pawning itself off as a cellar-dwellar (the Detroit Tigers) and an American football squad keeping it's champion-less streak of almost fifty years alive (Detroit Lions), I don't think I can handle one more team struggling to perform at a high level for an extended period.
Of course, Everton is on the bubble of qualifying for Champions League play. Which, should it happen, would border on a miracle. If they can finish as well as they have started, or close to that, I am probably on board for the long haul. They do kind of wear Honolulu Blue, after all.
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