You CANT HAVE It BOTH WAYS..

Robinson Cano just broke the bank in Seattle. Everyone has an opinion. Yankee fans are sad he is gone, but glad that the Yankees didn't give him the key to the kingdom. Baseball is the king of the long term contracts, where players can't possibly be great for 10-12 years. The Dodgers are about to make Kershaw the richest pitcher in history. He is 25 and clearly the games premier hurler. Mike Trout at age 21 has been runner up in the m.v.p. balloting the last 2 years. Strasburg, Fernandez in Florida, Machado in Baltimore, Bryce Harper, Harvey in New York if he comes back healthy are all going to cost teams hundreds of millions of dollars. The only player in recent memory that has lived up to the big contract is Derek Jeter. Jeter had a long hall of fame career and captained five teams to titles.  Pujols did not get the big contract until he left St. Louis. Cabrera has a ring from his Florida days but all he does is rake. Manny Ramirez delivered for Boston two rings. Chipper Jones made it to the playoffs every year. Mike Piazza had a productive career with the Mets. Carlos Beltran did as well.
Here is my point. Media and fans complain that there is no loyalty in sports. Dustin Pedroia might be the last to be on a team for his entire career and get a payday.  David Wright for the Mets might be another. Tulo out here in Colorado? Maybe. Buster Posey? Joe Mauer? The point is you have to pay to keep people around. Seattle has gotten rid of Arod, Randy Johnson, Ken Griffey  Jr., Ichiro!!!! They don't know how to pay for loyalty and commitment to excellence. It is a disgrace that those guys bounced around as much as they did. Jacoby Ellsbury should have been a RedSox for life. Todd Helton may not have won a title but he was a vital part of the growth of baseball in Colorado. Jeff Bag well and Craig Biggio were the reasons to watch Astro Baseball. You can't blame the players. They don't want to leave. Cano wanted to be another Jeter. Long term deals keep fans coming to the stadium. You know when healthy if your star player is going to be there everyday if possible.  Pujols in St Louis. You knew he would hit 3rd and play first. Jeter, Ripken Jr., Helton would be at their positions. Owners make millionaires out of average players and now the world hates a sport where showing longtime loyalty is a foolish gesture ?  I stopped liking the Yankees and became a lifelong Met fan when the Yanks traded away Reggie. I almost abandoned the Mets when they let Strawberry go.  I guess if Peyton Manning and Brett Favre can change teams then anyone can. No one wins in all of this. Unless you are a fair weather fan and can cheer for anybody, then this sports world is for you. Don't cry to me about loyalty anymore. I guess I will be a met,dodger, mariner,angel, yankee, red Sox ,rockies, tigers fan. Go team!!!!

Why does everyone hate A-rod

When Alex Rodriguez finally got a World Series ring a few years ago, I honestly thought that the world put him their rear view mirror and leave him alone. How wrong I have been. He is the most hated, scrutinized, polarizing athlete in the entire world. Tim Tebow nor Lebron James has nothing on A-rod. A-rod could find this spy guy in Russia right now and be arrested because somehow someway someone would say that he has aided in some way. A-rod could take a bullet for the President right now and he would be blamed for the assassination attempt. I have heard every pundit on every show talk about how hated he is.  How A-rod is not a Yankee.  How the Yankees want to get rid of him. How he has personally destroyed the game of baseball. A-rod is the only P.E.D user who admitted to taking the drugs because he was trying hard to live up to the richest contract in baseball history. Bonds denies not knowingly taking them. Clemens went to court and was acquitted during his trial for taking them. Mark McGwire took years to admit what he did. Only A-rod is getting the abuse he gets. His name is linked to the latest scandal and deservedly so he should be persecuted as a repeat offender but he is not the only one on the list. Lance Armstrong lied to us for years and years, yet every person in the world would still buy Lance a beer if they saw him in a bar. All of the things he did for Cancer patients will never be forgotten and in most people's eyes his evil was used for good.
Does anyone remember Reggie Jackson?  When Reggie became a Yankee the locker room was divided from day one. He told the press that he was the "straw that stirred the drink" on that ball club the made Thurman Munson nuts. Reggie openly fought with Billy Martin in the dugout because Billy thought he wasn't playing hard enough in a game in Fenway Park. of all places. No one would ever accuse Reggie of being precocious or shy. Even George would get on Reggie for his strikeouts and lackluster efforts at times, people associate Reggie's career only with a the Yankees. He was a stud with the A's in the early 70's. His home run in Tiger Stadium at the 1971 All Star game is still traveling.  He is often credited as being a Yankee even though so many disliked him. I know about the World Series performance in 1977. I know about 1978 as well. The Yankees immediately two rings in Reggie's tenure. When he left the Yankees it took 12 years before they went back to the post season.  Maybe if A-Rod had better success in the Post season people would leave him alone. Maybe if he had not signed the richest sports contract that the Yankees can't get out of people would leave him alone. Maybe if he didn't date Hollywood actresses or beautiful models people would leave him alone. Maybe he should be giving out autographed baseballs like Jeter after he dates you and dumps you. The man tweeted that he was getting back on the field.  Brian Cashman went psycho on him. The Yankees lost tonight.  They may lose Texirera for the rest of the season. What would happen if A-rod hit a walk off home run in game 7 of the world series and won the championship for the Yankees this season? Would you think he is a true Yankee then?  Probably not....

Alex Rodriguez or Mark Sanchez: who gets it worse?

Earlier this year I blogged about how Tony Romo and Andy Roddick get crushed by the media because of their inability to walk on water. The criticism of Romo has not relented as his Cowboys are a mediocre 2-2 and have had two very bad lossess to Seattle and Chicago. Roddick retired. Nothing left to say about him. Mark Sancez and Alex Rodriguez play in the media capital of the world and every move they make is scrutinized. No matter the excuse or justification surrounding what they have done or not done, the New York media absolutely destroys them. The problem i have with it written or said about both men is that they have been both set up to fail or have put themselves in situations where they have no one to blame for their failures. Let me elaborate...

Alex Rodriguez has been linked to two players his entire career. Derek Jeter and Nomar Garciaparra played the same position that Alex did and they were supposed to revolutionize the position both offensively and defensively. They have done just that. The difference between the three is that Derek Jeter is a 5 time World champ, has 3000 plus hits and generally recognized as this generations greatest leader of men. Nomar's career was interrupted several times because of injuries. He could have been apart of the Red Sox teams that won two world titles. His trade to the Cubs, then Dodgers, marred what could have been a Hall of Fame career. What Alex does not possess that the other two seem to have is likability. He has been critcized from day one because he not as "quiet" as Jeter or Nomar. He was teamed with Ken Griffey Jr. and never seemed to learn the importance of being simply just being seen and not heard will give you longevity in this league. people critcize him because he signed the largest sports contract in American sports. He is getting paid 24 million dollars and is only hitting .179 in his most recent two post seasons. He has not hit homeruns or driven in runs like he was paid to do and people question his commitment and even if his gaudy career number were a by product of steroid use. Last night, the word is that Alex cannot hit a fastball anymore. I can understand a fastball going 97-100 miles an hour, but 89, 90, 91? If the Yankees could trade him he would have been gone years ago. He has had only one stellar post season and that was in 2009. There is nothing the Yankees can do other than move him down in the lineup or flat out buy him out. Alex has brought most of his critcism on himself. He has been quoted in books and magazine articles criticizing Jeter. These next few games will be interestin to say the least.

Mr. Sanchez is a completely different story because he has not come to New York telling the world that he is the greatest thing since butter pecan ice cream. Sanchez's problem is simply the Jets failed him. They give him receivers and then they take them away. He had Braylon Edwards for a season. He had Plaxico Burress for a season. They Jets brass got rid of both of them. His go to guys Dustin Keller is oft injured and Santonio Holmes is the most overrated number 1 receivers in the game. He had a good Super Bowl because the Cardinals were focused on stopping Hines Ward. He made the catch for the ages and hasn't produced since. NOt only do the Jets take away his weapons, they bring in a lockerroom divider in Tim Tebow. Tebow stands there and says all of the politically correct things to say and gains the respect of half the locker room. Last year in Denver he took a mediocre Denver Bronco team to the second round of the playoffs. He is not better than Sanchez, but different. I can complete more passes than Tebow, but Tebow just finds a way to just win. Maybe the defense knows that they have really buckle down and play hard to stay in the game because if there is 2 minutes on the clock and they have a chance Tebow can win the game. Sanchez spoiled Jet fans by leading the Jets to the championship game in his first two years. In both games, the Jets literally were one good half from winning. They dominated the first half against the Colts and dominated the second half against the Steelers. Sanchez last night played as hard and determined a game as i ever seen him play. He did not allow Mr. Foster to run for 152 yards. He did not create the confusion on the sidelines which forced the Jets to burn important timeouts. Give the man a break and give him some talent to throw to. If he does not produce with the talent given him, then by all means bring in Tebow. He is going to need therapy...

Winning will quiet everyone in both Alex's case and Sanchez's..The Yankees must get to the next round. The Jets better beat the Colts this weekend. The world is watching...

Here comes the Phillies.. a quick baseball update

Remember about three weeks ago, everyone was talking about how the Phillies ought to think about salary dumping and next year?  The Phillies got rid of Shane Victorino and Ricky Blanton to the Dodgers. They traded Hunter Pence to the San Fransisco Giants.  They almost traded away Cliff Lee. There are about 20 games left in the season and they Phillies have awaken and no one wants to face them now.  Cliff Lee and Roy Halliday have started to be who we thought they were.  Jonatan Papelbon is back to being filthy.  Jimmy Rollins is playing like an all star.  Ryan Howard is hitting homeruns again. They are getting solid games from Kendrick.  They are 4 games out of the second wild card position and everyone is taking notice. These veteran players are showing the class and dignity that veterans should when you play professional sports.  They are getting paid a ton of money and they are playing like they actually care about the game and their fans. As much as i hate the Phillies, I have to admit that I am impressed.  They could have easily thrown in the towel and with all of the injuries and uncertainty that this team has had all season, no one would have criticized them for quitting. They have several significant series left to play in the N.L. east. They could easily supplant the Cardinals who are losing players instead of peaking at this time. Plus the Cardinals have to contend with the fast charging Brewers and red hot Reds.  The Pirates have collapsed again.  They need to learn from these collapses and bring in players who understand that baseball is a marathon not a sprint or 10k race. I would love the last day of the baseball season to replicate last year when the final two playoff spots were determined on that day.  I want to see even extra play in games thus forcing an extra day for the regular season to end.  How crazy would that be? An extra playoff game to get into the playoff to one game then play a series against the top seed at home. With Halliday and Lee, the advantage would favor the Phillies.  I hope it happens..
The American League is also getting crazy too.  The Yankees need one healthy week and they will distance themselves from the Orioles and Rays. Andy Petitte could be back in a week and he gives them toughness that they are going to need.  Mark Teixiera in that lineup makes a difference.  The Orioles are holding it together with tape and glue. Losing Hammel last night and Markakis recently are huge losses.  They can hit homeruns.  We know that Mark Reynolds is Dave Kingman.  He can have a week where he can hit 9 homeruns but also strike out 30 times. He has been hot lately and with Adam Jones and Matt Wieters this team is scary.  The Rays have the best team on paper to complete their comeback attempt like last year. The only problem is that they cannot afford to give away games with poor defensive decisions.  They can out pitch anyone. They will have a say in this.  The Oakland A's have the second best record in the American League.  How they have done it I couldn't tell you.  Watching them the last few nights have shown me that they can win ugly, with pitching, or the long ball if necessary. They have buried the Angels with wins the last two nights.  Last night was tough to swallow. 1st and 3rd with no one out and not being able to score the tying run is difficult to stomach.  Jered Weaver needs to get back on the field. Where was Trumbo last night?  Detroit appears to own the White Sox.  They have won 5 straight against them and Cabrera's homerun last night might be the blow that gives him the M.V.P. The White Sox must split these next two games or they will be tied for the lead.  i guess the only saving grace would be that the White Sox won't have to play the Tigers again.  Colud be a wild next two weeks...

Were talkin baseball

The trade deadline is gone.  Today is August 1st.  The first place teams are the Yankees, Reds, White Sox, Giants, Rangers, and the Nationals.  The only real surprises in that grouping are the White Sox and Nationals.  Will there be a summer swoon that hits all of these teams?  I think so.  The Yankees have lost four games in a row and they have a ton of injuries that could affect their chances of winning a title.  The Nationals and White Sox have pitchers who are treading in waters that they have never been in and already have shown signs of fatigue and breaking down.  Chris Sale for the White Sox is being rested for arm fatigue and he is their best pitcher.  Steven Strasburg got bombed last night by the Phillies and his inning ceiling is getting closer.  The Reds have a history of slowing down in August and then ramping it up again in September.  The dog days of summer take their toll when the temperature is over 100 in Ohio.  The Rangers have played in consecutive World Series but are now facing team turmoil as the not has the injury bug bitten them in their rotation but they are messing with Josh Hamilton by moving him around in the lineup because his number have come back to earth.  The Giants don't make earth shattering moves and believe in their pitching to catapult them over the Dodgers.  Recently however, the Dodgers embarrassed them in San Francisco by shutting them out in back to back games and sweeping a pivotal series.  I wonder how many people think that a world champion will come from these 6 teams.
The team that is playing the best baseball right now has to be the Oakland A's.  They have just completed a month where they went something like 20-4. They had 7 plus walk off wins in July.  They swept the Yankees in Oakland for the first time in years. They are within four games of the Rangers for the division and history says that August is their month.  You saw moneyball right?  Their only problem is that the team that they are also chasing has probably the A.L. MVP on it and a former 3 time N.L. MVP in Mike Trout and Albert Pujols.  The Angels made a great move in getting Zack Greinke to bolster their rotation and getting Vernon Wells back as a spot player and DH, theyhave so many ways to beat people.  I just wish they would leave Trumbo in one place in the lineup and let him eat.  Trout has been spectacular and the home run he hit last night is still travelling.  No one is talking smack about Pujols as his number are starting to catch up.  He still is due a two week homer binge and after hitting two last night he could be ready to take off.   The Detroit Tigers are also lurking.  They have the lineup to compete with anyone but don't have the consistent staring pitching after Verlander.  Verlander lately has not been great and he is struggling against the good teams.  Cabrera is doing what he normally does but he needs Delmon Young to wake up.  The Rays need Longoria back for their lineup has gone stale.  They made no moves at the tradeline believing that they have enough to at least get in to the wild card.  Boston also needs to consistency and to have their full lineup for about two weeks just to see if they can make some noise.  Don't sleep on the Red Sox.  The Yankees could have buried them last weekend and may have given them life.
The National League is less complicated than the American League. The Dodgers made smart moves to help an offense that can't score runs.  Hanley ramirez and Shane Victorino are proven offensive stars and if the can catch lightning in a bottle for three week maybe they can surpass the Giants and get in a s the division winner.  Arizona was floundering like they are now last year and then got real hot and wound up in the playoffs. They have won the last two against the Dodgers and have that look in their eyes again like they want a piece of the N.L. pie.  The Pirates have quietly come back to earth.  A.J. Burnett near no hitter last night shows me that he is for real this year and I bet the Yankees wish they had him now. The Pirates dont have enough offense and should look into getting Andrew McCutcheon some help at some point.  The Braves are trying to do it for Chipper.  I need another week before I can assess them.  Ben Sheets has been a god send.  Tim Hudson has found his split and sinker.  They scare me for some reason.  The Cardinals are too injury hit and really are unpredictable. I wont dignify the Mets or Phillies issues.  The Brewers and Marlins are baseballs biggest disappointments.
So who do I think is going to be the five teams in the post season from each league?  The A.L. will have Yankees, Tigers, Angels as division winners.  Oakland and Boston will be wild cards.  That's right Texas fans, your Rangers are going to fade away as these other teams get healthy and better.  In the National League I think it will be Washington, Cincinnati, L.A., and the wild card will be Atlanta and San Francisco.    I will do my awards before the season ends but right now the Cy young award are Weaver and Dickey.  The MVP's are Trout and McCutcheon.  Manager of the year would be Davey Johnson and Mike Scosia.  Trout and Harper rookies of the year.  Comeback player of they year is A.J Burnett in the N.L and A.L I would give it to Justin Morneau.   Tim Kurkjian last night said the World Series would be between the Dodgers and Angels.  That would be a a spectacle.  As I evaluate who I think will be in the post season, I dont think that that is a bad selection of teams.  I agree the World Series based on today will be Dodgers and Angels....

east coast bias??? what is that?

What I love most about being out here on the West Coast is listening to the bitterness people have about the east coast in sports. Can we help it? All of the major sports teams that matter most are located on the east coast. The NBA sucks if the Celtics aren't good. The Major League Baseball sucks if the Yankees or Red Sox stink in baseball. Even if the Mets suck baseball sucks for me. In football, when the Giants matter, the NFL is better. Despite what all of the Cowboy and Patriot fans think. In hockey, the 1994 playoff run by the Rangers put hockey on the map in this country. Detroit may win every year, but I guarantee you that if the Rangers win the cup this season, ESPN will buy the hockey package back because it will be devastated that it allowed their championship run go uncovered. The Lakers and the USC Trojans are the only show out here. Every year USC loses a winnable game and takes them out of the national championship picture. Kobe Bryant keeps the Lakers relevant out here even if he doesn't win championships because he is compelling t.v. He is the closest person to emulate Micheal Jordan so people enjoy watching his rise and fall. A month ago, the Red Sox and Angels played a game in Boston and the umpire seemed to be intimidated to make a call and it cost the Angels the game. Right after the game someone from the Angels said that the know of two parks where umpires wouldn't make that call. He didn't specify but we know he meant Boston and New York. Though he may right and based on what we have seen in the post season with bad calls helping the Yankees win a couple of games, what can we say. When the Bulls were winning championships, most people felt that they got a lot of calls that benefited them. Micheal Jordan only fouled out of one playoff game to my knowledge. Nowadays, people are saying that the university of Florida is getting that treatment. The two bogus calls against Arkansas that helped put Florida in position to win Saturday have people talking down south.
I guess the lesson here is win championships or have the media centers in the country located on your neck of the woods and then you can dictate to the world what you want. The fact that A-rod is delivering really shuts up people all over he country. When Mark Sanchez was winning for the Jets, he was the second coming of Joe Namath. In fact CBS out here has aired every New York Jet game this season. I know Sanchez went to USC, but the Chargers and Raiders play out here too. I know most of you think that I am biased being from New york and basically just trumpeted the New york area teams like a cheerleader, but you know what i say to be true. Even right now as the New york Knicks are struggling, the NBA is wishing that somehow some way that the Knicks can somehow win enough games to make the playoff. Or They are hoping that next season the Knicks could sign either Lebron James or Dwanye Wade. Amare Stoudamire would look great in a Knick uniform. The papers in New York would have a field day. The old joke about the east coast bias was based on the fact that many of the newspaper reporters would not stay up and watch the ends of games on the west coast so they seemed only interested in sports on the east side. Then Earvin "Magic" Johnson took over the west coast in basketball. Wayne Gretzky became a King and people began caring about west coast hockey Ken Griffey Jr. made me care about the west coast sports scene in baseball. Joe Montana and Jerry Rice made the west coast relevant in football after the Raiders started to flounder. Great players have been out here and have made the west coast relevant but i will take the energy and passion of the east coast any day of the week..