Tin Cup Vegas

I was first introduced to Phil Mickelson back in 1996.  I was a very young caddy at a golf course near Boston and I was just struggling to play and enjoy the game of golf.  I tried to get out as often as I could, but as a caddy you are at the bottom of the list for late afternoon tee times.   Relegated to only Monday play, and often sharing the course with the grounds crew making repairs, it was hard not to develop an animosity to the members who viewed me as “just a caddy”.

1996 marked the release of the great golf movie “Tin Cup” starring Kevin Costner.  Early in the movie a baby-faced Phil Mickelson played in the group with David Sims (played by Don Johnson) and took bets on if the caddy, Roy “Tin Cup” McAvoy would be able to make a challenging shot.  My memory is Phil betting against the caddy as mumbles of “he’s just a caddy” wafted through the crowd.

And so it was. Phil Mickelson, albeit just in a movie, represented every country club member who didn’t think a simple caddy could play on the same course as him.  I’m sure Phil is actually a good guy, but my young brain was set that day.

Fast forward to this past Sunday.  18^th hole. Par 5. Long carry over water. Hmmm….sounds familiar.

It’s a three way battle between Bubba Watson, Phil, and newcomer Jhonny Vegas.

Watson is sitting a million miles down the center of the fairway with 186 yards in for what is a sure 2-putt birdie and a two shot lead.  Vegas is first to play.

Jhonny is starring at 217 yards out of the first cut of rough. He’s assuming Bubba makes birdie so he needs to make Eagle to force a playoff.   He pulls out the 5-iron and really leans on it.

As the ball sailed in the air Vegas is yelling, “GO BALL!” eerily similar to Roy McAvoy willing his ball over the water on 18 for an eagle try that would give him the US Open title.  No playing it safe for either of these guys.  Go Ball!  Clear the water! Give me a chance!

Splash and splash. Both McAvoy and Vegas met the same fate.  Ball in the water.  Title hopes dashed and a disappointed following.  Vegas would make bogie and finish in a tie for third. Vegas failed, but he failed valiantly.

Then, standing 226 yards away from the pin, like a Clint Eastwood character with a club in hand, Mickelson is starring at the pin. It’s time to go big or go home.  Eagle and we go to extra holes.  A birdie and it’s steak knives. 226 yards from the rough.  This is the man who laced a fairway metal from between two trees, over water, 6 feet from the pin on the way to a Masters green jacket. He’s got this.

But then, in David Simms style, Phil pokes an iron down to 100 yards.  A perfect layup, but a layup nevertheless. 

Theatrics and bravado aside, the chances of holing out from 100 yards is slim at best. Sure he came close, but golf doesn’t give partial credit for close shots.  Phil made a tap in birdie and walked away with sole possession of 2^nd place. Bubba Watson walked away with the trophy. 

Nice birdie, Phil.

Resolving the Brady v. Big Ben Debate

If Ben Roethlisberger wins Superbowl XVL next Sunday will he be on the same pedestal as Tom Brady?

That seems to be the question batted around in the media this week.  Will the history books view them as equals?  Will Ben surpass Tom as the golden boy?  Who’s better?  Who would you rather have in the big game?  Blah, blah, blah…

Instead of a long, drawn out, statistic laden diatribe on why Tom Brady if superior to Big Ben… I present to you; The List

1.       Ben hasn’t won yet, so shut it.  Brady has three rings. Ben has two.  Stop with the if’s and let’s see who wins.  Then start the debate. 

2.       Brady has 2 Suberbowl MVPs…Big Ben zero. 

3.       Brady has been to 4 Superbowls and won three of them. This will be Ben’s third appearance.   

4.       Brady has 4,407 passing yards, 30 passing TDs and 16 INTs in the postseason.  Ben has 2,598 yards, 17 TD and 14 INTs. .. Now I know what you are going to say, “But Brady has played in more games than Ben.”  You are correct, but if one is going to say that Roethlisberger is an equal to Brady if he wins another SB, one needs to do so based on everything done to date.  If neither played another game these would be career stats.

...Wait a minute.  Come to think of it, why is everyone just throwing out the regular season?! Just because Big Ben may get a third ring he belongs on the same level as Brady?   Peyton Manning  and Brett Farve only have 1 title each.  Dan Marino doesn’t have any.  Does that mean they are worse than Jim Plunkett? You can’t have a “who’s better” conversation and only look at the playoffs.  It’s like reviewing a movie by only watching the last 20 minutes.  Sure it’s the most important, but without the first hour and half the finale would not even make sense.

5.       Tom Brady will have 2 League MVP awards after this season is complete.  Ben will have zero.

6.       Brady has the most consecutive playoff wins, most consecutive regular season wins, most consecutive regular season home wins, most consecutive passes without an INT, and most TDs in a regular season.  Advantage Brady.

7.       Tom Brady’s career regular season record is 111-32.  That gives him 143 career starts.  Big Ben has only 98 career starts BUT his career record is 69-29.  Brady, in 45 more starts, has only three more loses than Ben.  Incredible! To put that in perspective, Roethlisberger  would need to go 15-1 in his next three seasons to equal Brady’s current mark.   

I don’t want to downgrade Ben Roethlisberger as a quality QB or diminishing his accomplishments as a winner, but a third Superbowl win won’t put him on par with Brady.  It will just give him the same amount of Superbowl wins.  He has a long way to go to be Tom Brady.

Dan Shaughnesy: Village Idiot

Dan Shaughnesy concluded his recent article with the line, “It’s not as stupid as it sounds.”

That line is in reference to the misguided article he penned about how the fans of the New England Patriots should have cheered for the New York Jets to beat the Pittsburg Steelers in the AFC Championship Game and for them to go on and win the SuperBowl.

It is articles like this that make it very hard to argue with many Boston locals who think Mr. Shaughnesy is a complete twit and wastes every piece of paper his words are printed on.  He is still riding a minor wave of fame that came from creating the now broken “Curse of the Bambino”, and his dwindling fame is evident in his pessimistic, depressing, over-critical coverage of Boston sports

In this case, Shaughnesy is right though.  Routing for the Jets is not as stupid as it sounds.  It’s so much worse.

Dan Shaughnesy is a BOSTON writer.  He covers BOSTON sports. He was raise in BOSTON.  What on this planet makes him think supportingthe loud-mouth, Patriot hating Jets is a good idea?! 

If I recall correctly, prior to the Jets v. Patriots match up, Jets players called Brady an A-hole and Rex Ryan bashed Brady as not working as hard as Peyton manning.  The Jets hate the Patriots and would never support them.  Why should the Pats fans rally around these guys?

Shaughnesy writes, “What’s not to love about Rex Ryan?”   Umm. Everything.    1. He’s the football leader of our most heated sports rival city. 2. He’s crass and loud despite never winning anything.  3. He never shows a single moment of class or honor.  4.  He took part in sexually harassing a female reporter DURING a practice…The list continues…  It would take a small team of M.I.T. brains to find one redeeming quality at times.

But wait! Our man Dan points out the Jets General Manager is from the Boston area. That’s why we shoud paint our faces Green and tattoo Mark Sanchez on our arms!

Whitey Bulger is from Massachusetts.  Should Boston pull for him to continue to elude the FBI?

Bill Laimbeer is from the state.  Should Celtics fans have routed for him to land a hard foul on Larry Bird?

Jeremey Roenick is a local.  That explains why Shaughnesy routed for the Flyers in early the early 2000’s

People from Massachusetts are everywhere.  Just because they drop an ‘R’ and guzzle Dunkin Donuts coffee doesn’t mean fans should start donning Jets jerseys and chanting with Fireman Ed.

Then Shaughnesy invokes Dennis Byrd.  Byrd, who is paralyzed from an on field hit, was a rallying point for the Jets prior to the Patriots game.  Byrd is inspirational to every fan and has made a great life from a tragic incident…BUT!

Just because the Jets have a crippled star doesn’t mean fans should join the rival squad.  The Cowboys have a coach who was paralyzed in the off season.  The Jaguars have a paralyzed lineman who was shot. Mike Utley for the Detroit Lions was paralyzed by an on field hit.  Should we all forget about the Patriots and wear a Jets uniform, Jaguars hat, a Lions Pennant and Cowboys underwear?  Come on Dan.  It’s a terrific comeback story, but doesn’t justify becoming a traitor.

Then finally, showing his true idiotic nature, he brings up that if the Steelers win the Superbowl Rothlethsburger will have 3 wins. The same amount Tom Brady has.  He says that Big Ben will then be in the same conversation as Brady.  Maybe for you Dan.

You see, if you decide to be a superficial, stat regurgitating hack of a writer…sure, same convo Danny.  While you are at it, put Ron Harper in the same NBA conversation as Magic Johnson (both have 5 World Championships).  Or let’s deem Bernie Williams greater than Ted Williams since he has more rings.    Take a step back Dan and realize, yes, if Big Ben wins a third Super bowl it’s great, but he’s not the same a Tom Brady.  He didn’t lead his team the same way.  The Steelers are a defensive, run-first team and doesn’t rely on a quarterback the way the Patriots do.

Basically, Mr. Shaughesy, if you were a real Boston sports fan you’d remember the game last week, remember Aaron Boone, Remember Bucky Dent, remember all the horrible history Boston has with New York sports. Then you may realize on thing, there is no good reason Patriots fans should ever rout for the Jets, and your article is as stupid as it sounds.

Red Sox Sign Trade Bait

The teenage-girl contingent of Red Sox Nation rejoiced yesterday when news broke of heartthrobs Jonathan Papelbon and Jacoby Ellsbury signing 1-year contracts with Boston.

Ellsbury bumped his pay up to $2.4 million and Papelbon will make a cool $12 million in 2011.

While this signing means two fan-favorites will be back in Fenway this season, do not be surprised if both of these gentlemen are not wearing a red B on their cap when the trade deadline comes around.

Papelbon was a stud in 2007 paving the way to a World Series Championship, but in the years following, his success dwindled. Last season the closer recorded a bloated 3.90 ERA with 8 Blown Saves.  His fearsome stare does not rattle hitters like it used to.  His overpowering fastball is looking more hittable than ever, and his act is getting more tired with every poor outing.    Consider also that the Red Sox set-up man, Daniel Bard, throws 5 to 6 MPH faster than Papelbon!  If the Sox are looking to close with a flame thrower, send out the man with rocket fuel over the one with lighter fluid.

Ellsbury still has great potential.  The debate becomes whether he is move valuable on the field or on the trading block. The signing of Carl Crawford brings a hitting, fielding, stolen base machine to centerfield.  An argument can also be made in favor of Mike Cameron’s bat in the lineup over Jacoby.   

There are teams in the market for a talented centerfielder and a solid closer. The Sox have that covered with Crawford and Bard.   What the Red Sox really need is a shortstop and a catcher for the future. The package of Papelbon and Ellsbury will be a tempting morsel for a team that is willing to part with a young prospect.  

A Painful Relationship

“Women give you two feelings: joy and ache. Joy when you meet ‘em and first get to know ‘em and ache when ya leave ‘em. Perfect joy and perfect ache. Joy, ache…joy, ache …joy-ache, joy-ache, joy-ache , joy-ache…”  - With Honors

Sports are a long term relationship that will never work out.  It’s a one-sided, selfish, emotionally abusive love affair.  You love your team with all your might, but your team doesn’t give a hoot.  No matter how much you plead, no matter how much you support, no matter how much you sacrifice for your team it makes no difference to them.

It’s a relationship where the inevitable result is utter disappointment.  Sure the downfall can be delayed for a season or two.  A championship here and title there, but eventually your team will let you down.  You will wake up on a cold Monday morning feeling empty inside dealing with the heart-wrenching pain of knowing your team failed you.  Despite all your devotion, they lost.  Now they are gone.  While you still get up and slug your way to work, your team has left you. 

Your team won’t call. Your team won’t support you during the next few months of heartache. They will go on a long vacation and forget about what they did to you. 

But then, just as you have come to grips with all the mistreatment, they come back!  With all your might you want to tell them to go bother some other shmuck.  Leave me alone!  I just got myself right and I don’t need the drama!  I’m done with you!

But wait, hold on a minute.  This isn’t the same team that hurt you before.   Sure they look similar.  They still wear the same clothes and act the same way.  But something changed about them.  They look much healthier than the last time we were together, and they are so optimistic about this working out again!

Ok, let’s give it a try.  This time it’ll be different.  This time there won't be the yelling, the doubting, and the second-guessing.  This time will be perfect!

Years will go by.  Your heart will be broken to pieces just to be glued back together.  You’ll share the highest highs that sports can offer, only to be kicked to the lowest lows. 
That just the way sports is.  It’s a beautiful, horrible, passionate, heartless relationship. No distance is far enough for you to give up.  No pain is to brutal to say enough is enough.  It’s you and your team. For better or worse, for playoffs or draft lottery, in injury and in health, until death do you part.

Patriots PA for a Day

I am holding out hope that I will get a call to sub in for the Patriots Public Address for the Jets game this weekend.   I would be in charge of all music and video clips for the stadium.   Here is a little sample play list for you.

Music:
Bubbly Toes - Jack Johnson
The Hokey Pokey
Toes - Zack Brown Band
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.
and
Move Your Feet - Junior Senior

But music need video accompaniment  so I suggest scenes from:
Big Foot
Happy Feet
Mr. Deeds ("I like feet...")
and
The Cutting Edge ("Toe Pick!)

Then I would just replay Wes Welkers press conference over and over.

...I think I'd do a pretty good job.

Ted Williams: A story of Shame

Today I’m deviating slightly off the topic of pure sports into the realm of celebrity and culture, but it loosely ties into sports thanks to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

2 week ago there was a man begging for change on the side of the street.  His name is Ted Williams. A former radio DJ with a wonderful voice, now penniless and ruined by the sad effects of drugs and alcohol.  Then a man with a camera recorded his radio voice routine and sent it out for the world to see.  The rest we have all seen on TV. 

He was given a home.  Given a job with the Cavs. Put on TV.  He was a star…for a minute.

While put up in a hotel and given access to copious vodka, Williams drank too much and got himself arrested. This discrediting his claim of being sober for 2+ years.

I’m not going to ride my high horse and condemn him for lying, drinking, or taking advantage of fame.    I’m going to condemn those who are so heartless that this homeless man’s “story” was nothing more than a publicity stunt.  Simply a way to get people to watch a show or go to a game. Shame on you.

Our culture creates instant stars without considering what fame does to people.  Look no further than what happens to lottery winners who go from barely scraping by to multi-multi-millionaires.  They can’t cope with it.  They don’t understand what to do.  They spend it on the dumbest things imaginable, and are broke and homeless within years of being handed life’s golden ticket.

Why are Disney teen stars cutting themselves? Why are pop stars shaving their heads?  Why can’t Lindsey Lohan stay clean?

Because they are instant stars and no one actually cares about them.  They are a disposable talent that once used gets tossed away for the next hot thing.  Unfortunately for Ted Williams his shooting star flamed out quicker than any previous starlet.

Within 2 weeks he went from homeless, to famous and loved, to arrested and unneeded.  His job offers will be revoked.  His house will be foreclosed, and he will be back on the street.  But this time he will not be able to pick himself back up.  He had his chance, but the intensity was not a gradual climb.  It was a rocket ship of hope that he could not deal with. 

If those around Williams actually cared maybe they would have first helped him get sober.  Then they would have given him a basic job to get him on his feet.  Maybe helped rent an apartment so he could establish some stability.  Then, over time, he’d be ready for a job interview and potentially his big break.

But that’s not how overnight stars are born is it?

Yet, in this horrid display of self-serving carelessness there is one scumbag who is scummier than all others.  Dr. Phil.  In an interview with Williams Dr. Phil has convinced him to go to rehab and is advertising his “helpfulness” to all media outlets that will listen.

Hey Dr. Phil, where were you when this man was drunk and homeless?  Where were you reaching out to help before he blew his big shot?  Where were you before he was famous?  Nowhere!  You only latch on to the hot-topic of the week and then whore their pain out for all the ratings and attention you can get.  If you want to really help the world, walk out of your luxury hotel and talk to the homeless people right in front of you.  Help them seek rehab.  Help them back on their feet.  Or is that too dirty for you?  Are they not clean enough for you to talk to?  Or is it just that without TV cameras on you don’t actually care about those in need.

Many will say the last two weeks of Ted William’s life show how messed up he is.   I think that, if anything, it shows how totally screwed up American society is.

Anyone who puts Williams at the butt of jokes or takes advantage of his pain should be embarrassed with themself and should thank whatever god they believe in that there is a roof above them and food on the table.   We are all fortunate in many ways.  It’s a shame people feel the need to use those who are struggling as a prop.  We should be better than that.  We need to be better than that.

Sorry Rex

With 6 days remaining until Jets v. Patriots III it was said that Rex Ryan and other players are upset that the Patriots, in the words of safety Dwight Lowery, "ran the score up on us" during the 45-3 beat down earlier this season.

Just another example of New York Jets' Stupidity.

1.  This November, prior to a game against the Detroit Lions, Rex Ryan boldly announce the Jets as "the best defense in the National Football League".   OK Rex. If you want to pound your chest and proclaim yourself the greatest you better be ready for every one's best shot.  Your "best defense" got thumped for 45 points.  Rex has a choice.  Shut up about being the best or shut up about complaining when you get your butt whooped.  Either way...shut up, Rex.

2. An attitude that Bill Bellichick has always held is that it's not his job to stop his team from scoring.  That is the job of his opponent. The New York Jets pay players millions of dollars to play defense.  It's not Tom Brady's job to make sure they do well.  It's not Bellichick's job to be sure the game stays close.  If Rexy and the Jets don't want 45 points slapped on their over-inflated egos again this Sunday, strap your helmet on and make a stop.  You have every right to be embarrassed by the loss, but you have no right to blame it on the Pats.

3. Hypocrisy at it's finest.  Aww, the poor little Jets didn't like being beaten down like a JV squad getting it's first chance against the big boys.  Boo-hoo.
Let's rewind to 2009 shall we.
Week 7.  Jets v. Oakland  Jets pound the pathetic Raiders 38-0.  They scored on a 35 yards TD pass in the 3rd then another rushing TD in the 4th.  Come on Rex.  Why didn't you take a knee and keep it closer.
Week 17.  Going into the playoffs the Jets faced the Bengals and laid out a 37-0 beat down. Rex, don't you know that after 24-0 you need to give up.

Rex and The Jets would say about the 37-0 Bengals game that they knew they would be facing the Bengals again in the playoffs so they wanted to send a message.  Well big boy.  45-3.  There is your message.

People are Stupid

I hate being so wrong.
One day after ranting about how the Hall of Fame needs democracy and the say of the people I get horribly let down by humanity.
The NHL 2011 All-Star starting lineup (6 players) was announced, and like the NBA and MLB fan voting determined the results.  Your All-Star Starters:

Malkin, Crosby, Letang, Fluery, Toews and Keith. 
Penguin, Penguin, Penguin, Penguin, Blackhawk and Blackhawk.
Are you kidding?!
Ok, Crosby is a given. #1 is goals and points.  He deserves it.  But Malkin is 37th in points, Toews 28th, Letang 25th, and Keith has a -7 plus/minus.  These are players who would barely make the team, not to mention start.
Then you have Fleury, the Penguins goaltender. 13th in save percentage, 6th in wins and 6th in Goals Against Average.  You're telling me that a goalie with 3 supposed "All-Star Starters" can only pull off an 18-9 record?!
What about Jimmy Howard in Detroit posting 20 wins.  What about Jonathan Quick who is posting a 2.08 GAA with the Kings?  Oh, and what about Timmy Thomas who is #1 in GAA and #1 in Save Percentage?!

Hockey fans, you have spoken...and what you said was just plain stupid.

What the starting 6 should be:
Center: Crosby - duh
Right Wing: M. St. Louis - 51 points (3rd) with 34 assists.  He makes Stamkos the best offensive player not named Crosby.
Left Wing: Daniel Sedin - 22Goals and 28 Assists leading Vancouver to the top record in the West.
Defense: Dandrej Meszaros - +26 plus minus.  Best in the league
Defense: Nick Lidstrom - 2nd in points for a defensman and come on, hes Nick Lidstrom!
Goal: Timmy Thomas.  Best in the league without a doubt.

If nothing else shows that ballot stuffing homers and ignorant non-fans need to be washed from consideration let me leave you with this: NBA fans are worse.

Currently Yoa Ming, who has only played in 5 games and is out for the entire season, is leading the All-Star Voting for centers in the Western Conference.

I fear for the republic...

Baseball Hall of Shame

Last time I checked this is still America.  Land of the free. Home of the Brave.   A land formed by pilgrims fleeing the tyranny of a king in order to establish a home free from prejudice and unfair rules.

Innocent until proven guilty = America
The 5th Amendment = America
Democracy = America
Baseball = America's Past Time

The Baseball Hall of Fame = Not American

With no disrespect to Roberto Alomar and Bert Blyleven (a common phrase these days), the vote for the 2011 Hall of Fame class proved that the foundation America was built on is dead to the voting baseball writers.

Innocent Until Proven Guilty:
Jeff Bagwell is a first ballot hall of famer. 449 Home Runs, 1529 RBI, .297 career batting average, 1991 Rookie of the Year and 1994 MVP. 
But only 41.7 percent of the HOF voters had him on the ballot?!   Why?  Because he had power numbers and some suspect him of steroid use?  Without a single positive test.  No accusations.  His name never showed up on any reports.  But the voting writers "think" he may have possibly used?  They have decided he was guilty without a shred of evidence or proof.  That's not American.

The 5th Amendment:
The 5th Amendment roughly says every citizen has the right to not say anything in court that may incriminate him or herself.  Well, isn't that exactly what Mark McGwire did and was therefore black-balled from hall of fame ballots?  Until his 2010 confession there was no factual evidence that he used illegal steroids. But the voters wouldn't give him the honor he deserved in the Hall of Fame. Why?  Because when asked about steroid use in court he did not provide any information.  He utilized his constitutional rights provided to him in the 5th Amendment.   But the voting writers felt that was guilt proven. It's ironic because the press is the first to rant about violation of 1st Amendment (i.e. why they have jobs at all) but then not grant someone else the 5th? 

Democracy:
When the Revolutionary War ended America determined that our leaders would be voted for the people, by the people. It will not be a royal appointed leader and the choice will not be left to the snooty upper class who have no connection to the every-man.  For good or for bad America is lead by the decision of the general population.   But then there is the HOF voting.  I have been a baseball fan for my whole life.  Who gets in the hall matters to me.  Do I get a vote?  No.  Do you get a vote?  No. 
Only selected newspaper, magazine and approved website writers who have been a BBWAA members for 10 years or more get a vote. 
So only the "most literate" get a vote?  And only the oldest of the most literate get a vote?
I'm 27. Unless there is some writer who started at the game of 17 with the Boston Globe or an "approved" website there is no one representing my voice.  And there likely won't be for another decade.
Democracy is dead to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Cooperstown is one of the last remaining gems of Major League Baseball. A heaven where all fans of every age can remember the greats of the past.  My grandfather would have gone to Ty Cobbs' plaque and joked about how he sharpen his spikes to scare his opponents. My father loved Mickey Mantle even if he was a womanizing drunk. 
I dream that someday I  can show my children Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa and remember when I was there age recording every at-bat on VHS during the Home Run chase.  I want to go to Jeff Bagwell and lament that the Red Sox should have never let one of the greatest hitters of my life go to Houston.  And I want to walk them by Roger Clemens with a profanity laced tirade on Dan Duquette and the Yankees.

From 1990 to the present this has been MY baseball ('roids or no 'roids), but those older than me, and supposedly wiser, have said that MY childhood heroes have no place with THEIR heroes. That MY memories have no place next to THEIRS. 

All I hope is when I'm older I don't forget the principles that America was founded on and I don't ostracize my children and their feelings from my world.

A Costly Win

Fast Forward to 2012.
A young, hot-shot wide receiver is called into Jim Tressel's office at THE Ohio State University.  The young man has been caught selling autographs and game jerseys to help pay for his new car.

Coach Tressel: "Dwayne, I'm sorry. You broke NCAA rules and here at Ohio State we need to be disciplined.  You're going to miss the Michigan game."
Dwayne the Player: "But coach, Michigan is the big game!  It's Senior Day!  My folks are going to be there."
Coach Tressel: "It doesn't matter.  You broke the rules. Plain and simple."
Dwayne the Player: "But you let Pryor play the Sugar Bowl after he did the same thing. Why can't you let me slide this time."
Coach Tressel:  "Ummm...uh, that was different.  That was a bowl game."
Dwayne: "Coach, if we beat Michigan we're #2 in the nation and play for the title. THIS is a BIG game!"
Coach Tressel:  uh, but Dwayne...ummmm... Pryor was different.  He was our best guy."
Dwayne: "I'm your best guy NOW! I'm #3 on the NFL draft board.  You need me Coach."

...What does Tressel do?  What can he do?  Nothing.

Ohio State can celebrate the Sugar Bowl win today, but the NCAA and Jim Tressel have missed an opportunity to show that it doesn't matter who you are.  Rules are rules and they need to be followed.

-Somewhere Dez Bryant is wondering why Pryor got to play but he had to miss an entire season for violations.
-USC is all wondering why their team was suspended from bowl games for similar offenses.
- And in 5 years when Terrelle Pryor is arrested and given a 1 year suspension from the NFL, I hope Coach Tressel looks back the his decision and says "I missed an opportunity to help that boy. I failed him as a coach and as a leader."

Shame on you NCAA
Shame on you Jim Tressel.
Enjoy your new shinny trophy.  It cost you far more than you know.

The Farve Investigation: Trouble On All Sides

This is a tough one to discuss.  There is a very PC side and a very unpopular, hard to defend side of things.
And the hardest part is I can easily agree with both sides of the argument.


Side A: Farve is a cheating, inappropriote, womanizing pig.  
Side B: The woman are coming out of the woodwork now because they stand to gain from it. 

Let's go B-side first. Today 2 massusses came out with lawsuits against Brett Farve, the Jets and the Jets massuse coordinator about allegations that Brett Farve made advances towords them in 2008 which when reported got them fired.   OK.
Question 1: Why, if this happened in 2008 did this just come up now?
Question 2: If Farve wasn't in the spotlight now would this have even come up at all?
Yes, I know.  It's a super-unpopular thought.  But, if you can, put aside your feelings about how wrong Farve was and look at this from another angle. In 2008, no lawsuit. 2009 came and went with nothing. 2010 even went buy without a peep.  But then, 2011, only after a very public investigation is complete, 2 people come out with a lawsuit against Farve seeming alot like a "me-too" to Jenn Sterger's accusations. I'm going to go out on a limb, but I bet they are looking for financial compensation. 
This goes recently back to Tiger Woods. "Other women" in his scandal had no shame about announcing they knew they were cheating with a married man.  They just see their 15 minutes of fame fly buy and they wanted part of the action. "I was mistress #5. Where's my million dollars?"  "I was also harassed by Farve.  I deserve money"
It's a horrible cultural issue that is undermining the fact that victims should speak up when things happen and not wait.  Don't sit in the shadows and wait if/when it becomes most profitable for you.  If you have been wronged speak up.  IWhether the man is Brett Favre of Bob the barber, speak up.   Being a victim is not a profession or a ticket to fame and riches.  If you treat it that way you are only making it more difficult for the next person who has actually been wronged to get the help he or she needs.

Ok, now the other side of this coin.  Who the hell does Brett Farve, his lawer, the Jets, and for that matter the NFL think they are. 
Did Farve think that his non-cooperation with the NFL investigation would help him get away with it?  Did the Jets think that black-balling the masseuses who made claims against Farve was helping anything? And did the NFL think that a $50,000 fine would make Farve's...dare I say...transgressions go away.  The NFL is not a court of law!  Does a $50,000 fine absolve Farve of all wrong-doing and make him immune to criminal charges or lawsuits?!  Of course not!  Whatever the intentions of the accusing women, the NFL was far too arrogant thinking a $50k slap on the wrist would make all wrongs right.
This is a league that dedicated an entire month and millions of dollars to awareness of suffering woman all over the world (Brest Cancer for those of you that missed the pink swag worn by all teams). But then they take a direct claim by a team employee and put a $50,000 price tag on it saying they couldn't exactly totally prove anything for sure. 
The NFL and the Jets took a clear stance that they place the top tier of player ahead of women rights, integrity, and honor.Makes you wonder what the league's reaction would have been if this was anyone other than Farve.  Oh wait, didn't Roethlisberger get 4 games for sexual assault allegations even though no charges were filed?  Maybe if Big Ben can make the league a few more million bucks he'll just get a fine next time.


The truth is this isn't the first time this has happened and it won't be the last. It's just unfortunate that the NFL is trying to cover it up and the me-too lawsuits are undermining the seriousness of what happened. So what will be learned from all this drama...as usual...nothing, and that's the worst part.

Bold Predictions for 2011

Before I drop my prophecies, based solely on my gut feeling and extreme bias, I want to point out how most “bold predictions” made by the sports media are weak at best.  

During NCAA March Madness, the ESPN “experts” report their brackets for who will win ever game. And it’s always the same with the huge upset being a 10 over a 7.  Cop-out!  Then the final 4 is packed with #1 and #2 seeds.  Way to go out on a limb.

Then look at fantasy football start ‘em sit ‘em sections.  I saw one that said to start Tom Brady and sit Jay Cutler.  Wow! Thank you for that pearl of wisdom.  You mean I should start the league MVP with 30+ TDs and the best TD to INT ratio EVER?!  And I shouldn’t play the human turnover that ate Chicago?  What would I do without that nugget of genius?

If anyone says they are going to make a bold prediction GO BIG OR GO HOME!

Bold Prediction #1:  Tiger Woods will win all 4 majors in 2011.

Think about it.  He is still Tiger Woods.  He’s desperate to regain his place at the top. He’s shown massive improvement since him comeback, and he has nothing else in his life than golf.  He’ll practice like he did when he was 25.  He’ll play in more events than ever. And he’ll have a grudge against everyone who bashed him (or for that matter didn’t support him) during his struggles.  He will win often and there will be no let up.

Side Note:  I’m going to make a comparison here that many seem to overlook. Remember Tom Brady in 2009.  He was good, but not great.  He was competitive but not dominant.  Well, everyone sat back and said “He’s coming off a huge injury in 2008.  It will take him a while to get back to form”.  Then he did get back to form and is the runaway MVP this season.  Tiger had the same injury!  Yes it’s easier to blame the slump on his “transgressions” but once he’s healthy again, watch out.  2011 Tiger will win the Grand Slam

Bold Prediction #2:   None of the 4 2010 AL playoff teams will be in the playoffs for 2011.  No Rangers or Rays is a layup…(or a can-of-corn if we want to be accurate to baseball). Wait, No Yankees?! No Twins?!   

The Yankees did nothing this offseason.  Plus the captain is angry.  If the senior leader and captain is unhappy I fully expect Jaba to have a meltdown when he’s stuck in the bullpen again and ARod will threaten to quit when someone steals his make-up from his locker.  The clubhouse will implode and there will be no one to right the ship.  Look for Baltimore to steal the wild card from them late in the season. (Red Sox take the pennant).

Then, in the Central, Detroit will finally put a full season together and upset the Twins.  The Twins put too much into last year and will come out flat. The team is soft out of the bullpen and if one major player goes down they will struggle to win close games.   Plus, they won’t pay Jim Thome what he needs so he’ll go to Seattle or Oakland and all of a sudden the Twins have lost their power bat.  No one in the lineup will hit over 20 homers and they will finish out of the playoffs.

Red Sox, Orioles, Tigers and A’s make up the 2011 playoffs.

Final Bold Prediction:   Lebron James will be arrested by the end of 2011.

He’s gone from the small town hero to a despised traitor.  Worst of all, he’s embracing the new “bad guy” role.  He is now out for himself; an army of one.   He brushes off the hate and acts as if he is untouchable.  But remember this.  He’s only a kid. He just turned 26.  He’s been under the spotlight since he was in high school.  Everyone treated him special and he got away with everything (see: Mom’s Hummer).  It’s only a matter of time until he does something that can’t be overlooked under the assumption that he’s invincible (i.e. Kobe Bryant, Tiger Woods, Ben Roethlisberger, etc.)

Lebron is a huge accident waiting to happen and Miami is the worst place for him to be at this critical point in his life.  The only silver lining may be that when the poop hits the proverbial fan people won’t look at “The Decision” as his worst moment.

Those are just a few of the things to look forward to in 2011.