Should the MLB be able to "take control of a team"???

The LA Dodgers are apparently trying to look more needy than the Mets.

The teams owner, involved in a nasty divorce (Jamie McCourt filed for divorce after 30 years of marriage in October 2009, one week after her husband fired her as the team's chief executive. Frank McCourt accused Jamie of having an affair with her bodyguard-driver and performing poorly at work), has allowed the finances and operations of management of the team to become so bad tat Bud Selig has decided that enough is enough. He told the owner, Frank McCourt on Wednesday (yesterday) he will appoint a trustee to oversee all aspects of the business and the day-to-day operations of the club. This could be the basis of a soap opera or a another bad drama on FOX.

                                               Frank McCourt, Bud Selig, Jamie McCourt in
                                               photo NOT taken yesterday.

In an interesting twist, McCourt is preparing to sue MLB, a baseball executive familiar with the situation told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because McCourt had not made any statements.
"I have taken this action because of my deep concerns regarding the finances and operations of the Dodgers and to protect the best interests of the club," Selig said in a statement.

It's a conflict of interest for MLB to take over ownership of the team just as much as it would be for the US Government to take over control of the banks of America. You can't be the boss and run a team in the League... unless you're talking Fantasy Baseball... but that's a little different isn't it?

Remember the story of the sale of Babe Ruth from the Red Sox to the Yankees? What if the commisioner back then decided that the owner of the Red Sox was running his team into the ground... oh wait, that's right... he was! The Red Sox turned out ok... sorta, I mean if you compare them to the Blue Jays or something. (not a fan)

I guess Joe Torre (who currently serves as MLB Executive Vice-President of Operations) told Bud Selig what things are like in LA... he would know first hand wouldn't he? This stinks! Can you smell it? I think Torre should just buy a team instead of acquiring one in a hostile take-over.

Bud should force a sale like he did to Marge Schott (not that I agreed with that either but..). He shouldn't take over a team with a trustee... nothing good can come of that! It's a sad day for baseball no matter what happens!

It's wrong in just about every way I can think of.

Do you smell that or is it just my nose?

I understand that this may be conceived as a bashing because of my loyalties to The Maize and Blue but even if I was an Alabama fan (not that there's anything wrong with that) I would still say the EXACT same things that I am about to now.

I just read an interesting article on Jim Tressel and the costly investigation surrounding the sale or barter of items that were given to players and the alleged cover up.

In the AP article there is a sort of timeline of events that occurred and I would like to touch on them.

Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said Tuesday (yesterday) that the $250,000 fine levied against coach Jim Tressel for violating NCAA rules may not even cover the cost of the investigation.
"It'll probably eat up the whole $250 [thousand]," Smith said. "I'm not sure. We haven't done any projections."

That's a lot of money to figure out what happened... is it fair to the University to not have done a projection? Why wouldn't you go figure out the logistics? Why WOULDN'T you figure out if the end justifies the means??? Why kind of business man doesn't do the simple things to find out if it's too costly to investigate something like that instead of taking another direction?

The article said this as well: "Smith would not say how much the investigation into Tressel's NCAA troubles would cost, although the university has hired two what he called "expensive" companies to help. He said Ohio State may have to make up the difference by dipping into the money the Buckeyes made from their appearance in the Sugar Bowl. "It's a nightmare," he said."

Wait, wait.... what? The money that the Buckeyes made from the Sugar Bowl? Can they do that? Isn't that $288,876 supposed to go to scholarships and/or used to benefit the program? I can't imagine that the NCAA would allow that money to be used for an investigation...

The article went on to say "In an interview with The Associated Press, Smith said Tressel was supposed to apologize in March at a news conference on the situation but failed to do so, and that only after meeting with Smith did the coach finally say he was sorry in a public forum."

REALLY? So you can be insubordinate if you are Jim Tressel and get away with it because why? Because you won a LOT of games in your tenure? Because you won a bunch of games against Michigan? Maybe!

At a news conference following the announcement of the fines and suspension, Ohio State president Gordon Gee joked that he had not considered firing Tressel, adding, "I'm just hopeful the coach doesn't dismiss me."

WOW.... talk about power! Who's running the ship down there in Columbus? Is Tressel so revered that the President of the University can joke that *wink wink* he's not going anywhere no matter what he did!?!?

Yesterday, Smith said he regretted that the hurried news conference did not go better and said there were a number of things he wished he had done differently.

Yeah... I bet he does!

I recently was "collateral damage" in something that was politically motivated and I wound up unemployed as a result of it. This "thing" just smells like politics to me.... it has the same "aura" to me! 

This whole thing stinks! Is the NCAA involved with damage control with Ohio State? Is Ohio State trying to smooth out things in the public opinion department? Everytime I read something about this I feel like the public is not being told everything that should be public knowledge... Is it just me???

Mallett's confession...

Today, nationalfootballauthority.com reported that former Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett admitted to experimenting with drugs during his team interviews at the NFL combine. The article quoted Pro Football Weekly stating:

"One GM said Mallett was the first quarterback ever to admit his drug usage to him in interviews, and his willingness to be honest about his past and acknowledge issues is viewed as a positive.

Concerns about his history of use could impact his draft position, though. Although Mallett did not produce an official positive test at Arkansas, he has been arrested for public intoxication and carries a reputation as a "big party guy," per sources who have interviewed him.

How much teams believe he has matured will weigh into his draft status. "I would not take him at any point," one executive not in need of a quarterback said. He still figures to be drafted in the second round."

Ok... let's just hold on a second... was there any mention as to when Ryan did this "experimenting"? Was he 13 yrs old or was it last Tuesday? Has he made mistakes recently? Yes, we know that that in March of 2009 he pled guilty to public intoxication.

His former coach Bobby Petrino came to his aid stating Mallett never tested positive for drugs while playing for the Razorbacks.

"I don't know where all of [it] came from," Petrino said. "All I can judge is how he did for us. He did a great job for us. He was a guy you love having in your program, not only as a great player, but he represented our program great."

I am all about second chances... I have used a few in my life... I have learned from my mistakes. Mallett should not be hurt in the draft by these recent admissions.... his honesty and candor should be valued for what they are.

Off-the-field behavior factors in to teams decision far more than it used too... Too many teams have been embarassed by the illegalities of their players... and coaches to not have this be a factor. Players are investments. Would you buy a house if you knew that the 40 yr old builder had been convicted of assault when he was 18 yrs old?

I am not an NFL team owner and I can't say, with any clout, that it doesn't matter what Ryan did in his past. I think that I could look past his past and draft him where he should be drafted. I would keep my eyes open to his behavior after I drafted him though... just like I keep an eye on all of my investments... my house, my car, my retirement plan... I want to make sure that hey perform for the money I am spending.

Ryan's past should stay in his past, but if he doesn't learn from it.... well then, shame on him. He should know better! If he falters in his path he will not only embarrass his future team but himself.

Ryan Mallett would be a great investment for a team that needs a QB with a cannon of an arm!

Are the Tigers as bad as they are letting on?

This weekend the Detroit Tigers split a four game series with The Oakland A's in California. They dropped the last game 5-1.

The Tigers' record so far is 7-9 which is not "terrible", they have showed some shades of brilliance already. In the first game they shut out the A's 3-0 and in the second game won 8-4... They CAN beat the A's, they have had some great games so far... they have had more lousy games but... you see where I am going.

Currently they are 26th overall in ERA which is terrible, they are 15th overall in runs which tells us two things... pitching and defense, which is what wins games, is not good at all.... while offense, which is what sells tickets, is not bad but could be a lot better. Frankly speaking... the Tigers have a lot of work to do. Granted, the Tigers faced Oakland's top 2 pitchers in the four game set but still... During a pregame session with reporters Sunday morning, Leyland -- without being asked -- said, "We've got to get our offense going."

Manager, Jim Leyland has some serious things to deal with! Victor Martinez will not be catching tonight in Seattle (groin) but may DH. Magglio Ordonez may need to rest his ankle again tonight. Austin Jackson MUST start producing in the lead off position. The biggest project they have that needs to turn around is situational hitting. They reached a startling low in Oakland.

                                               Miguel Cabrera walks away from the
                                               plate after striking out in the ninth inning
                                               Sunday. Cabrera went 0-for-4 with two
                                               strikeouts. / BEN MARGOT/Associated Press


In Seattle, they will NOT be facing Cy Young award winner Felix Hernandez or Michael Pineda who was very impressive in winning his first two games. They WILL be facing Jason Vargas, who is win-less this season but tough, in tonight's game and tomorrow night they will face Doug Fister who is trying to make a name for himself and has an axe to grind in general.

The Tigers can use Seattle to build their confidence and start the upswing of their season... I think they will. I think they have a team that will do great things this year. Will they win a pennant? Maybe... maybe not, but they could! They have a strong team when it's firing on all cylinders!

Prediction: Tigers win series 2-1

12 over on a par 4? ..... Really?

Yesterday at the Texas Open Kevin Na shot a 16 on a par 4... Excuse me while I go dust off my clubs, apparently I am good enough to play on the PGA tour!

I know everybody has a bad day once in a while but that's TERRIBLE!!! "One bad hole can basically shoot you out of the tournament," Na said. "That's what I just did."  Yeah... I guess so!

The last time I hit that poorly I was 12 yrs old... pretty sure... yep.

[+] Enlarge

AP Photo/Eric Gay

Kevin Na drops his club after taking the third of four drives off the ninth tee Sunday at the Texas Open.

Why do pro golfers let their clubs go after they hit a bad shot? That's the third or fourth time I have seen that recently! What happened to golf course etiquette? Is that just so everyone knows without any doubt that you are a jerk?  My Grandfather, who taught me course etiquette like it was a University class, would have a lot to say about that!

Hey golf! you better clean up your act or you are going the same place as the NBA! Headed right to my "unwatchable list"!!!


Stay tuned.... I will be back with more after these messages...

Some thoughts on morals in sports... and the media

I am sure that EVERYONE will have something to say about this topic.. because I am sure that everyone has an opinion... especially the females about my first topic. I invite one and all to leave a comment.

I read an article last night in Esquire Magazine about how it's time for Tiger Woods to redeem himself and it's time, as fans of sports, to allow him to. The article talked about how Tiger was just another athlete who was banging lots of women. It compared him to Wilt Chamberlain and Charles Barkley and talked about how society loves to delve into the juicy stories of sports figures and their sins because it makes them more "human". It also used Michael Vick as an example of how even though he committed "noxious" crimes and did time in prison for it... he "redeemed" himself in the game last season against the Redskins when he performed amazingly and put up "inhuman" stats. (Not that I personally couldn't have done very well as a QB against the lowly Redskins.) The article also used the example of Rex Ryan and his alleged 'foot fetish' and how the tabloids and papers ate up the story and made into this big "thing". There were lots of references to athletes and the media and the stories of the past year and throughout history. I am not a college English Professor, but in my humble opinion it was one of the worst articles I have ever read. I couldn't figure out the point of it when I finished. I guess if Tiger wins a Tournament this year, we are supposed to be in awe of him again.

After I read the effort and realized that it was twenty minutes of my life that I will never get back, I started thinking about Tiger and his situation. Here's a guy who, from a very young age, was pushed by his Dad to excel at sport that he showed an interest and a talent in. Every waking moment of everyday was spent practicing, playing, and honing his skill set so that when he was old enough, he could go onto greatness. Which he did. What did he give up though? When he was 16 yrs old and at the driving range while the kids he was growing up with were off being "kids", what was he missing out on? A lot! Coming of age in America means a lot of things today for kids. The first kiss, the first time experimenting with sex, or smoking, or drinking, going to parties and hanging out with friends. Did Tiger get to do any of these things when he was growing up? I have no idea. I can see how, once he had money and free time... what he did can happen. I am not saying it's right, I am just saying I can see how a guy, who never had time to do those things when he was a kid, would wind up doing those things when he was rich and famous.

Now, my Dad never pushed me to excel at anything in particular. My Dad encouraged me to take an interest in what I was interested in and then encouraged me to practice and be good at it. I had lots of free time to go out and, what I call "experiment" with things. My Dad would call it "getting in trouble." Bottom line is, at my age now, I know what those things are like and most of those things I don't do now. I am not saying that I am a better man than Tiger. I don't judge, that's not my job. My job is to be a good husband and father. I practice every day to be better at it than I was the day before.

The point of this story is... Has Tiger committed sins? Yes, he has admitted to wrongdoing. He lost his family because of it. Has it affected his golf game? Obviously so. Will he ever intimidate on the golf course again? Maybe. Will he ever "redeem" himself by having an amazing week on a golf course and winning an Open? How can he? Is that possible? Where is the line between real life and entertainment. That's what sports REALLY is... it's ENTERTAINMENT. Maybe we should ask Tiger's ex-wife if redemption is possible by excelling at a sport. I think I know the answer she would give.

Now.... switching from the course to the court...

Night before last, Kobe Bryant was whistled for an offensive foul away from the ball. I saw the highlight on Sportscenter the following day and if I was the Ref.. I probably would have blown the whistle too. Now, I have NO IDEA what happened in the minutes preceding the call. I don't know if the Ref was having an "off" night as far as officiating goes. I don't know if Kobe was in a bad mood. What followed the call was a HORRENDOUS display of behavior by a professional athlete. Kobe complained all the way back up the court and earned a Technical Foul for his actions and/or what he said. Then Kobe went to the bench had another little tantrum, sat down, threw his towel on the floor like a four year old and shouted at the Ref and called him a "faggot".  It was loud enough for the Ref to hear where he was standing and probably loud enough for the fans behind the bench to hear as well. The following day, the NBA fined him $100,000.00

Personally I think he should have been ejected from the game and suspended from a large number of games next season (the season ended for most teams yesterday). I also think he should take some "sensitivity training" and the LA Lakers should also issue some form of punishment. My 14 yr old stepson feels that Kobe should be kicked off the team. I know that if a professional in a field like Real Estate or Education called his co-worker or his supervisor the same name... he would probably lose his job.

Why is a slap on the wrist all that was handed down? What would his Mother say? who knows..

What happened to professionalism in sports? Why is this behavior basically tolerated? Questions that need to be answered.

Sure, blame it on the coach...

Yesterday in the top of the first inning with one out in Detroit, Texas Rangers slugger, Josh Hamilton was on 3rd base when a pop foul ball was caught in front of the Tigers dugout. The Texas Ranger's 3rd base coach noticed that nobody was covering home plate and told his player to go.

I have been watching Major League Baseball for a little over thirty years and I have NEVER seen a sacrifice that was caught in FRONT of the runner in the infield.... NEVER!

Josh left 3rd when the ball was caught and slid head first into home as the Tigers catcher Victor Martinez (a member of my fantasy team by the way) tagged him out.

That's is not the story... the story is that Josh fractured a bone in his upper right arm. Now... because of a dumb decision, he will miss the next six to eight weeks.

In a post game interview, Josh stated that the call to send him home, made by the 3rd base coach was a "stupid play".  "The whole time I was watching the play and I was listening. I was like, 'Dude, I don't want to go. Something is going to happen.' But I listened to my coach and I went."
Um... excuse me.. Dude, who's brain is Josh's body attached to? How do you blame your coach for YOUR injury? If you didn't want to go, why did you go??? I hate to sound like my Mom but, if he told you to jump off a cliff... would you do that too?

Josh is bitter and I COMPLETELY understand that.... but Josh, YOU left third! You decided to be as aggressive as your coach! You decided to break one of the biggest rules of base running which is not to make the 3rd out of an inning at or from 3rd base!

I feel bad about the injury to one of the games' best hitters but what's even MORE pathetic and sad is the public blaming by Josh of his coach for the injury.  This is a man's game... be one!

                                                   Special to the S-T/Louis DeLuca