the all star game... who are the stars

The all star game in baseball is not the same to me as it was when I was a kid. The players don't evoke the same majesty today as they once did. I used to stay up and see what Reggie did or what Ken Griffey Jr.did. When I moved out here, I would check on Bonds. They did not always want to participate in the festivities at the all star game but did out of loyalty to the fans. The players today have de-valued the game. If you are not hurt, you should be there and play. One inning is not going to kill you. The best players used to participate in the Home run derby and we would look forward to the match ups of certain great players against the great pitcher. Inter league play has deprived us that and there are not as many great players in baseball anymore. When a player is asked what player were they intimidated to meet or see at the game and they all say Ken Griffey Jr. that should tell you all you need to know about today's game. If players are not in awe of Mariano Rivera, Pujols or Jeter or Big Papi, then I don't know what a great player is. Most players tend to dislike Alex Rodriguez and Roy Halliday should have everyone by his locker trying to pick his brain about pitching. think about it, who are the legendary players playing in this game tonight other than the guys i mentioned? Vlad Guererro would be another guy I would be in awe of talking to. He was a five tool super stud player or three teams and if he hadn't suffered so many injuries, he would be in the class with A-rod, Big Papi and Manny. Jim Thome too. Instead we have a game tonight of new stars and new legends and hopefully ten years from now, we will look back on tonight and say that some of these new stars are legends. Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau are not as anonymous as they were two years ago. Evan Longoria and Carl Crawford will be in this game forever. David Price and UBaldo Jimenez are making debuts. In fact that is what the problem is, too many players are here today and gone tomorrow. Where is Nelson Cruz? Prince Fielder this year? I hope that all of you make the team again next year and then we can really talk about true all stars. Longevity is what separates the men from the boys!!!!

a lot to write about so here we go...

George M. Steinbrenner died today and I am shocked!!! The man was and is the most important sports figure in the last 50 plus years and it is funny because I am sure that so many have other people in mind when referring to that claim to fame, but there really is no denying what I just said. Huh? He taught the sports world that the only reason to play sports is to win. He opened up his pocket book and gave his Yankee teams a chance to win. Many people my say that he failed his constituents in the 80's, I am sure that if he knew then what he knew later on in life, he would not have hung his players and managers out to dry. He would have built his teams around the stars that he had in the 80's and this dynasty would have had more titles than he had. I find it funny that he was being praised today by Dave Winfield and Yogi Berra who had epic and near "fatal" disagreements with the "BOSS". Many people today do not remember that he was once banned from baseball and was convicted of crimes in a crazy affiliation with Richard Nixon in 1974. He was a football guy too!!! He loved Ohio St. and it became ironic that his greatest player in years as a Yankee was a Michigan guy!!! He tried to help every Yankee that he could. Darryl Strawberry will always be a Met to me and I find it ironic that Mr. Steinbrenner did what he could to help him, Canseco, Doc, Steve Howe, Tim Raines, just to name a few. How funny is that? Think if the Yankees had spent money in the 80's like it did in the 90's till today how many more titles would they have won. He was a mentor to many owners and his impact in all sports will never be forgotten. Jerry Jones says that "the Boss" is his role model. He is one Ohio guy that has made his state proud and it is because of him that Yankees are what the are today. On January 3rd, 1920 the Yankees got Babe Ruth. On January 3rd, 1973 the Yankees were bought by Mr. Steinbrenner. I was born on January 3rd. So am I going to something insanely incredible and become famous? I think Hawaii was sold to us on January 3rd, 1959..
Now he and Billy Martin can have a normal conversation without Billy getting fired....

so long Cleveland...

Damn!!! Just when I thought that I knew everything to know about sports, Lebron James leaves Cleveland. He is no Joe Mauer. He is no Micheal Jordan or Magic Johnson. This move is not about money. This move is about a change of scenery and so many other innuendoed other issues that I had to say something about it today. Firts he should have stayed in Cleveland. He does not owe anything to them but he was a schoolboy legend that has put that franchise on the map and now it will quietly disappear. Cleveland has not won a championship since Jim Brown led them to a football title in the 60's and though the Browns and Indians have made strong attempts at winning in the 80's and 90's, this city claim to fame is the Rock and Roll hall of Fame. This city's other claim is that they cannot win the big one and have had some of the most gut wrenching losses in sports. Whether it is the Marlins winning game 7 in the world series, the Drive, the Fumble, the Shot twice, the fans of this sports town most be the toughest anywhere. Lebron was just going through the progression as all of the superstars do and with the addition of a superstar player, he may have won something there. Oh Well!!!
The Owner of the Cavs posted a letter that I think is worse than sour grapes. He clowns Lebron as the self proclaimed "king" and believe that Lebron quit on his teammates in the playoffs. He has even called him a coward. Dan Gilbert is not pulling any punches and I am sure he would like to punch Lebron.
Here is where it gets wacky. There is this rumor that one of his teammates slept with Lebron James' mother. Lebron found out apparently in game 4 of the series and was too distraught to play with his teammates. Calvin Murphy goes on ESPN radio in Houston and tells everyone who is listening that the rumor is true and is confirmed by multiple sources. For what it is worth, the James camp denies the rumor. True or not, I would not be able to play with any player that is alleged to have had intercourse with my mother. I would kill him if it was true. Now they are both consenting adults but that would mess me up for a long time. I would 25 to life to think about it that is for sure. This divorce with the Cavaliers and Lebron is about to get ugly and with owner already slandering Lebron's name I can only imagine what is going to happen when Cleveland and Miami play.
The Knicks have gutted there team for two years and got Amare Stoudamire and a couple of fringe players from Golden St. for David Lee. Lebron supposedly was looking at real estate in New York. Who does he think he is? Tom Brady.. Brady has rings and diplomat status. James has M.V.P. trophies and is still only 25 and has a career ahead of him to surpass almost all N.B.A. records. He would have been the King of New York as Jeter is heading towards his twilight. The Knicks have a plan to thwart the big three in Miami next year.. IT BETTER WORK!!!
I wonder what we are all witnesses to....