Missing

Prolific today, aren’t we?

Shortly after publishing “Aftermath”, I turned to ESPN to see if there was actually something newsworthy to pay attention to. Much will be said for the article featuring WNBA star Sheryl Swoopes and her revelation of her sexuality, but all that I hope is that people do not lose sight of her talents as a player. There was something else, of course that came to my attention. Amidst all of the talk regarding this year’s Fall Classic, it took an insightful listener today on ESPN Radio here in New York to point out to Michael Kay and guest Joe Morgan that the Houston Astros are the first team since the ’53 Yankees to play in the World Series… without a black player on its roster. Later on SportsCenter, Morgan brought up this point again, saying that there needs to be further recruitment of blacks in the high school and collegiate levels.

Here we go again… right?

With all respect to players such as Morgan, there is much more than recruitment that stands in the way of bringing in more American minority talents to baseball. I expand this beyond blacks in the game because tonight, MLB announced their Latino Legends Team, the crème-de-la-crème of Latin-born and Latino-American players. I expand this beyond blacks and Latinos because I doubt that there aren’t talented players of all ethnicities in this country.

For the sport heralded for Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby (first black AL player), it is the only sport in this country that has decreased percentage-wise in the last thirty years. In 1975, baseball was composed of 27% African-American players (in 24 teams of in the entire league). Today, it’s 9% (of 30 teams). Hey, even the NHL has seen a greater percentage spike than baseball.

I should admit something a little more personal. See, as all young boys and girls coming up, I wanted to do something glamorous and admirable to the general public. I wanted to play baseball, despite the fact that black participation in the game began to decline into the late 80s and 90s. It wasn’t that I could hit homeruns or threw heat. In fact, I hit two HRs in my life and despite being a great softball pitcher in intergender games, I preferred playing centerfield and robbing the neighborhood’s best of the long ball. I could run stats down if friends began to debate the better player between a young Darryl Strawberry and an emerging Ken Griffey Jr. Yet, I just wanted to play as all of the other kids coming up in Castle Hill Projects in the Bronx. We didn’t get so caught up in numbers though it is a game obsessed with them. And for the most part, we “young impressionable kids” probably knew more about steroids and other enhancers than today’s sportswriters. Over the years, it wasn’t just lack of power that kept me off teams (or the fact that I nearly got into a fist fight with the manager of the 7-9 year old team). It was looking deeper into the game and the surrounding elements (media, folklore, fans, stadium and history) and realizing how much I hated all of it. There was just something odd, disturbing and in many ways, uninviting about the game.

We talk about on-base percentage and other sabermetrics that no one really talked about a few years ago. We talk about building a farm and bringing guys up slowly in time for 2007 or 2008. We get pissed off if a player can’t actually get an eye on the ball for a couple of games. We also see the most beloved sport in the country surviving despite itself; horrible business management, too much resistance to change, too little thought to keeping fans away from live balls, etc. Kay said it best; the potential crop of talent is a part of the MTV generation. Okay, the MTV part is a bit of a stretch, Mr. Kay, but the observation is right on. This is a generation of instant gratification as he said. Kinda true. In other sports, action towards the ball/puck/object means points. In baseball, the ball has to be hit a few times in order for a run to score. In other sports, the pressure stems from the best offensive play vs. the best defensive play both against the clock. In baseball, the bottom of the ninth, full count against the top closer in the game can happen short of two hours of the first pitch or a week later as all Yankee games and last night’s Game 3 proved. It’s not necessarily that players have to work to score a run, but it could take longer than cross-country bus trip to score a run. Not that there is something wrong with that if you are at the game or playing in the game. These elements are part of the game and can be fun provided that you clear your schedule the next day for another game. And since MTV was born in 1981, this is not just an issue of finding teenagers as future stars, but when the opportunities presented themselves in the last twenty five years. Yet, if you look further back, the seeds of urban development and economics planted the roots that Morgan, Kay and others reflect upon every year.

Without a degree in urban planning, sociology or better yet, horticulture, you can walk in ANY city in the US and find that baseball has lost its hold on minorities. Minority America resides mostly in cramped, congested urban America because many cannot afford to live elsewhere. With that in mind, it has been more economical to pave a piece of parkland or empty lot into new concrete and erect a few basketball rims than to grow AND upkeep a baseball diamond. Not just that, but it’s much cheaper for a family to buy a basketball and some shorts than a really good bat, ball, glove, cup, shields, etc. It’s easier to form a basketball team for many youth centers than a baseball team. Why? The economics of these families dictate so. Yes, the single black mother story seems redundant, but that’s something that can’t be ignored. Keep in mind that there are all kinds of family structures in urban America, but when you’re poor, you’re going to either improvise as some major leaguers had to coming up or you’re going to go with an easier option. You might call it an excuse, and it is, but it is also a reality that MLB has not been able to control.

This might be crazy, but wouldn’t the game itself be the biggest hindrance to bringing minority talent? Of the major sports in this country, baseball is the most resistant to change. There are too many quarks and intricacies in the game that get in the way of hitting the damn ball. Is it lazy thinking? No, it’s just the same reason why kids of any race don’t like the game, too much to think about. Yet, for a sport that allows all these in-ground cameras and broadcasters, no one has the gumption to look at a ball to see if it really was a double or home run. A baserunner is called out if a hit ball hits him on his advance? Managers change pitchers for one batter and change them a million times. And this postseason has shown baseball’s arrogance and stubbornness to maintain this “human element” that ends up becoming silly folklore. All the other sports have decided that instant replay can assist, not impede umpires and referees, but no one wants to offend traditionalists. And you’re asking kids from the Southside to try out for a team?

Morgan and others look to the return to college recruitment for the game. However, it’s not just the lack of minorities in management and scouting that make the numbers small. Most black athletes being recruited look to other sports. Some Latinos are recruited for other sports as well, but if they are taken, they come straight from high school as others. How many minorities did you see in the College World Series? Even less than those than the few of us that attended college. Though he may be right about the lack of scouting, maybe he doesn’t see that for the most part, there are too many objects in the way of just playing the game.

Say What?!?!: Keeping this short, who really gives a damn about Brian Cashman? Apparently, ESPN thinks you do. So as we enjoy the last few moments of the season, let us reflect on the joy there has been without the Yankees. Boy, does the media miss them.

Aftermath

There has to be someone sitting at home looking for a negative name for the 2005 Chicago White Sox. Since the poorly-connotated Black Sox has already been in use for 88 years, someone will find a way to combine the poor calls that the AL Champs have been able to take advantage of. Yet, I don't feel like discussing that or revelling in the fact that Cubs fans will have to acknowledge those "damn Southsiders". As baseball keeps finding ways to shoot itself in both feet, I've been peeling layers of other stories that have come to my attention.

Can you remember sports being so affected by natural disasters before? There have been labor stoppages, boycotts, unexpected deaths and terrorist attacks that have kept playing fields silent many times before. Yet, as it is a part of daily life whether one acknowledges this or not, teams did return to the field and the games went on. In varying degrees, these tragedies altered the existence of these franchises for some time. For example, Washington DC once again has a baseball team because of the post-1994 strike realities of the Montreal Expos. Moscow tried to rebuild its world-class image for a future Olympics with this "new Russia". And how do teams rebound after losing a fellow player is beyond what most teams may understand. So the news surrounding New Orleans' two professional franchises has been fascinating to say the least.

As it is more important to reflect on the true needs of the Gulf Coast, there is no denying how much sports means to many of those people. No other form of entertainment can get a group of individuals across race, religion, gender or economics as sports can. Though even that statement can be adjusted, it's difficult to not see that the Saints and in recent seasons, the Hornets have a hold in the area. For many years, Louisiana looked to its collegiate sports and to its southern state neighbors for pro sports (Texas, Florida and Georgia) until New Orleans was awarded a NFL franchise in 1966. The NBA Jazz began in the Bayou in 1974 before moving to Utah ten years later. When the Hornets arrived from Charlotte after its first fourteen years, there was a sense that New Orleans was about to become that world-class, major league, big time... name your adjective for the city. Teams had flirted with New Orleans before such as the Timberwolves and Grizzles, but this was a major coup considering the falling out between owner George Shinn and the city of Charlotte.

Having teams to call their own has brought a sense of pride and wonder to American cities. Look to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Oakland when they landed formerly eastern-based franchises (Dodgers, Giants, Athletics, Clippers, Warriors). As all leagues began to expand west, they flooded California, stomped into Texas and even hit intermediate pockets in the Pacific Northwest and the southwestern deserts of Arizona. Other than Atlanta and Miami, however, the south was relatively untouched. The arrival of the Saints spoke to a population that produces truly significant athletes, but had to root for teams in Dallas, Houston, Atlanta and Miami.... cities at least 350 miles from the Bayou.

To say that the possible departure of the Saints is discerning is an understatement. Before even mentioning the manner that owner Tom Benson has gone about this, it must be said that for the moment, logisitically there would be a problem with the Saints returning to New Orleans for the 2006 season. Though the Superdome held up well against Katrina, there is little said about the area surrounding the stadium. According to the city's convention and visitors' website, there is round-the-clock work being done to clean and repair the stadium, but not until a complete analysis is released by December will anyone know the extent of the damage or its price tag. Of course, the main push for rebuilding is not just for NFL and college games, but for Mardi Gras and national conventions that the area has hosted through the years. The city plans on keeping tradition and not cancelling or even postponing these events.

In terms of the Saints, whether anyone likes this or not, Benson does have legal grounds to decide if it is too costly to wait and rebuild the Superdome or to make the push and stay. Yet, what makes this an even more complex web to tangle is that for the past few years, Benson has requested for a brand new, "state-of-the-art" stadium for the Saints. He has made proposals to the city and state governments as essentially every other owner in the NFL has. Ideally, a new stadium will keep teams competitive against each other in the financial books as well as on the field. New Orleans is the smallest market of all 32 teams in the league, with what was a population base of 1.5 million people (the city itself was less than a half-million). It is now well-publicized that outside of the drunken charades and multi-colored beads of the French Quarter, N'awlins happens to be one of the poorest cities in the United States thanks to a median income of $27K and most of the city living at below-poverty levels. Though the teams split television revenue, teams make their money from the stadium: concessions, merchandise and themed parks are the money makers. Before, the question was how could the city and team attract enough people of moderate income to attend games and remain the the vicinity long after the game. Now, there are many more questions unearthed. How does the team and city attract any people? How much of the ticket base will return to the Gulf? Does Benson sit around and wait for action from the city and state? Does the city and state even look at the Saints' future as part of rebuilding efforts? Is San Antonio a financial upgrade from New Orleans in the NFL's eyes?

The NFL needs to step into this matter a little bit more than they already have. Outside of the charity work they have already done, its future rests in the Gulf as well. There is nothing worse than letting an owner take the team to another city without any intervention or assistance. If the league can pool together $750 million for a replacement franchise and stadium in Houston, how can it not pull together a few hundred million to offset any costs the city, state and team are forced to pay to keep the Superdome in tact? It'll be another black eye on the league and civic leaders in other cities looking to become big time as the Saints would be the fifth team in a decade to relocate. Not to mention that they have had enough of other owners threatening to relocate without a new stadium. As much as the NFL would love to have a team back in Los Angeles, there is no need, and it would be disgraceful to many fans if the Saints were basically pimped out to the City of Angels.

Oh, and the Hornets. Well, they're playing 35 'home' games in Oklahoma City, a place that sounds more apt to host a NBDL or CBA franchise than a NBA team. Luckily for the Hornets, the New Orleans Arena is in decent condition and would likely be ready for the 2006-07 season. Also luckily for the Hornets, Shinn has not said anything about his team's future. The last time he did, the city fell out of love for him and his team. He must have kept a note to himself about having a publicly-known affair while asking for a new arena to replace a recently-built one. Oh, and saying no to selling the franchise to Michael Jordan was also something he thought about as of late. That new arena he requested when the team was based in Charlotte ended up being granted for the Bobcats and owner Bob Johnson, who kept whatever infidelities and personal issues he could have away from cameras. Though it has been rumored that the NBA would love to have a new owner for the team, they have showed support and decided to make a dress code the number one league controversy.

Benson published this open letter today in the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Shinn has made a supportive statement as well. In reading these statements, it's funny to see how one man is determined to stand pat against the swirling winds while the other seems to be running away. Only in this case, it's not about life or death, it's about how a hurricane can still hit hard long after it's gone.

Image

notorious jtb touched up on it, but you knew that there was more to be said.
Most may avoid this topic, but it cannot be ducked from when there was a press release about it.
You may sit on one side of the fence or another, but how does it really affect you?

I'm about to hold this down in the words of my brother, "like a fat lady on a see-saw".

I cannot remember such a non-issue becoming such an issue in the sports world since... well, screw it. There are many things in the sports world that have been ballyhooed and hyped beyond measure. The Annual Joe Torre Watch brought to you by our fine friends in Bristol, CT. as a prime example. And there are things that aren't talked about enough in sports. As in how the White Sox are actually a damn good baseball team. Yet, we are at a crossroads where we are left with no choice but to keep this in the news.

David Stern and the NBA Commissioner's Office has imposed a universal dress code for all players that participate in league play beginning November 1, the start of the season. Thoughts have been that this dress code will enhance the overall image of the NBA, its teams and staff and the players that represent the league. This will combat the "thug", "hip-hop" image that the league has to many consumers.

Fine...

Before discussing this at length, let me say this. It has been said that during the labor negotiations at the end of last season, this was something that had been brought up at one of those meetings. No matter if one agrees or disagrees with the policy, this has turned out to be true. Yet, if anyone paid slight attention to the NHL negotiations that went on to create a new CBA, many players apparently were ill-informed of several specific details that went into the new CBA. Much of this could play into the ice of union team rep Trevor Linden or former union head Bob Goodenow, but nonetheless, it's how union negotiations tend to work no matter if it's sports, airliners or welders. Those who are happy to reach a deal care so much about just having a deal that keeps them working that many of the seemingly small tweaks are just accepted, if at all mentioned to the general populus.

That being said, I have a huge issue with the dress code. Though it sounds as if it is repetitive, there are some things to truly consider.

Take for instance the method that this became known. Why did Stern decide to send a memo to the media instead of keep this in-house? When I say in-house, I don't mean have a seat with each player like this is rookie introductions. Yet as some teams such as Portland and New York already have dress codes that were done internally with league approval. Ah, internally as it was normal business. This did not have to be done with such attention, but quitely and something that the media would have taken notice of without the sting that exists right now.

Continue with the thought that this is to combat the "hip-hop" image that the NBA has taken hold of. Allen Iverson, possibly the qunisessential player of this NBA generation, has been defiant of this policy. Stephen Jackson calls the note regarding jewelry a racist statement. Ho hum, right? But Tim Duncan, who did not play in Tuesday's preseason game against Indiana, wore an untucked shirt and baggy jeans that could result in a fine in a couple of weeks. Yes, even the Quiet One disappoves. This image problem is not the fault of these players. In fact, these players have done nothing but enhance the image of the NBA around the world, and dare I say, in this country.When Larry O' Brien served as commissoner from 1975-1984, he took over a league that was blacked-out and tape delayed because of the fights and brawls of the teams, the much-discussed drug use of players and the uneasy transistion from a predominantly white league to a predominantly black league. Even if this code came about during those years, there may not be such a backlash because the league's image was terrible. To O'Brien and Stern's credit, they were the captains of a ship setting a new course thanks to the influx of talent, the promotional innovation of owners like Jerry Buss and finally, legal and business knowhow. After "The Brawl" last November, the public truly got to witness the wrath of David J. Stern. It seems as if he has been responding to that ever since. The image is poor, so said by detractors and analysts. Yet, did the league lose its grip in the sports world? Not at all. Did the NBA lose its core fan? Nope. Did these proverbial ratings drop because of the brawl or because Steve Nash was anti-war or because there happens to be a couple of shady characters? Not the ratings that matter (local ratings that is). This image of the NBA that's so bad was the first to shine nearly two months ago after Hurricane Katrina washed away the Gulf Coast. Who broke down thinking of this tragedy? Stephon Marbury. Who put together Kobe, KG, T-Mac, Marbury, JO and other star players for a charity game for the victims? Kenny Smith, a former player who gives a damn. Who reacted without question? The most charitable league there is, this very league with an image problem. So I wonder, what's this negative image that folks see? WHO sees this image is an even more stirring question.

Well, here's an answer to who. This post was inspired by a SportsNation poll that actually showed something that is disturbing about us. If you take this poll, you should pay particular attention to Questions 4, 10 and 11. As of 4:22 PM, 58.7% approved of the dress code (Question 4), however 55.1% felt that the other major leagues here in the States should not have a need for such a code (Question 10). Sounds a little funny to you? Even with question 11, we come in different styles to our own professions and schools. Think about this.

I think there should be a dress code on most people's fashion sense, but since we are free to look as GQ as Kevin Garnett does in that photo or as fashionably-questionable as Kanye West (yeah, I said it) or the Queer Eye cast that is so "trendy", we should leave this be. This is their place of work, one might say. The players must have a professional demeanor like we everyday folks do. Okay, well, let's think about that for a moment. If Kenyon Martin can't show up to the Pepsi Center in a Chinchilla and a Gaye Sayers throwback, then you shouldn't show up in that type of attire either. You should wear elegant gala as if you are going to Carnegie Hall. Why? Because if you showed up to a meeting at a client's office dress abnormally to the rest of the people there, then you'll be frowned upon for your lack of attention and proper attire. When you attend a game, you are in the player's office. You can feel entitled to all you want because you think you're paying the players' salaries (by the way, that's far from true), but you are still in the office of these athletes. So there can still be scantly-clad 18-year old girls roaming around the tunnel trying to get a player's attention at game's end, but he can't wear a Jesus-piece over his sweater that professes his faith (and shines like the Pearly Gates)? Come on.

As a member of the press, I can speak a little further on why I dislike the dress code. In my short time as a freelance sportswriter, I've seen the writers looking like accountants and looking like Toxic Crusaders. I've switched up often from slacks and a dress shirt to dark jeans and a dress shirt to a sweater and slacks, so long as they were presentable to those that I may make an impression on. Each sporting event I have attended does not make known of an uniform dress code for the writers. Writers have slacked up just as much as the players over the years. Back when the journalists entered sports, it used to be that all of the writers looked more like the Untouchables than now. Slowly, as business casual entered the American workplace, the styles varied. I've seen the fat slob guy writer and I've seen the woman in Levis. Look for the press box at your next live event and you will see that we writers should borrow the player's wardrobe. Remember, we are the ones that are telling you about the game. We are the ones that shape the image of the game. Why should we not be held to a similar standard in order to serve that purpose?

Hey, I don't like much of the clothing that many people wear. I like my hats kept to team colors only. I prefer real throwbacks to these so-called throwbacks most cats wear. I sometimes wear the chain my mother gave me over my shirts, sometimes tucked in. I can't stand pink or lavender on men OR women. Yet, it does not mean that they fit this negative image that David Stern works to avoid. It doesn't always fit any stereotype that we (including myself) may have about players or just plain folks. But beyond the racial waters that we are shoulder-deep in, we need to think about the business side as well. Stern may want to listen to Suns guard Raja Bell: "I understand they're making it out to make us look better to corporate and big business. But we don't really sell to big business. We sell to kids and people who are into the NBA hip-hop world. They may be marketing to the wrong people with this." *

Damn right.

Say What?!?!: For those who don't think that the NFL should impose its own code, think about how the league denied 49ers Head Coach Mike Nolan permission to wear a suit when coaching in an actual game as his father, Dick Nolan did or Tom Landry or the late Hank Stram? Why? Because of the league's exclusive contract with Reebok requires all personnel to wear teamwear created by Reebok. So, as my brother thought, what if the players actually showed up in their uniforms, ready to go to work as their football bretheren? What could Stern do? He'd promote the league, the equipment provider and the team all at once? What, Carmelo Anthony is going to rob me because he's flossing HIS OWN JERSEY?!?! And how can that be fined if he's ready to play?

Instant Replay Is Needed

Major League Baseball needs instant replay. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

There have been many columns written by baseball writers and writers in general telling people that instant replay takes away the human element of the game. These writers have said that instant replay takes away the beauty of making your competitors pay for mistakes.

The human element argument is a joke.

With instant replay, there is still the human capacity for mistakes. But why not limit the mistakes to a minimun? The advocates of instant replay are not talking about using it for every single close call. But late in the game, when you want to be sure the call is right, why not have something there to make sure?

One writer says that the Immaculate Reception would not have happened if there was instant replay.

Yeah and so what?

Read the columns around the country that tell you instant replay doesn't belong in baseball. The human element argument has nothing to do with the beauty of the game. It has everything to do with helping legend-making, "purity of the game" obsessed sports writers with material for stories.

The only human element in sports that is beautiful are the athletes. The umpires and officials are not the story and should never be the story.

Don Denkinger recieved death threats after his blown call in game 6 of the 1985 World Series. Go ask him if he finds the human element "beautiful."

On another note: Doug Eddings talked about his umpiring "style." Maybe there should not be a style. Maybe there should be a universal call for balls, strikes and strikeouts. I bet that if there was a clear-cut, universal way of doing things...A.J. Pierzynski would have never ran to first base.

One more note: Michael Bamberger is an idiot. I thought journalist were supposed to WRITE the stories and not BE the story. The job of a journalist is to report what you see, not alter it. I'm just happy that it happened to someone like Michelle Wie. Wie showed a lot of class with the way she handled the situation. I don't think anyone else would have handled the situation with such grace.

Worse

WARNING: This post contains content of a graphic nature, including gratuitous errors by third basemen, fumble-itis, behind-the-back passes that inflict violence upon spectators and tripping over one's skates.

There is nothing worse than a team having a losing season and not being competitive at all. Oh, but wait, there really is. There's a team having a losing season and by the grace of the sports gods, still wins the division! Ah, but that means that the remaining teams in the division are many degrees WORSE. Call it competitive balance or overexpansion. I'd call it BS (and not my high school alma mater, Bronx Science). I bet the Philadelphia Phillies were asking themselves how the hell they missed the playoffs and the San Diego Padres clinch the division and a playoff spot. Of course, this does prove to be irrelevant as that team shows their flaws under the lights. It seems to happen much more often in recent memory. It made me think of which divisions in the major sports deserve to be blown up, if only for a season.

Major League Baseball's Thrilling National League West: My, my, my. What big bats you have... sans Barry Lamar Bonds. We know that this season, the Padres clinched the proverbial division title with an 82-80 record. Let’s see how the rest of the standings balanced out: Arizona finished with a 77-85 record behind San Diego. San Francisco actually threatened the Padres at season’s end with a 75-87 record. The real team from Los Angeles, the Dodgers, finished 71-91 and Colorado finished with a Rocky Mountain High record 67-95. Was there too much California sun? Is it truly the travel schedule, having to travel thousands of miles most of the season? Not really. Many thought that the division would come down to San Diego and L.A. The Padres, with the offensive talent and solid pitching, underachieved greatly, but injuries did play a role (Mark Loretta and Khalil Greene missing substantial time). The Dodgers spent more time calming the waters between Jeff Kent and Milton Bradley than shoring up pitching. The Giants couldn’t manufacture runs, let alone go deep without Barry most of the year. The D-Backs flirted with potential then decided to bury themselves in that whirlpool in the outfield. Reminded of the great baseball of the 1995 AL West only without the strike the season prior.

Ye Olde Norris Division: When the NFL realigned in 2000 as the reincarnated Cleveland Browns began play, they must have been thinking that the Norris Division of old would bring back fond memories of that smash-mouth, gritty style of the Fifties. Yet, the NFC North has turned out to be quite possibly the worst division in ALL of American sports. I think if the writers of this blog found a few bodies, we could win this division with a 10-6 record, running the table against the Packers, Vikings, Lions and Bears. Temple University's football squad could win at Lambeau nowadays. It's well chronicled that this division is terrible. Detroit is 2-2, DA Bears are 1-3, the Vikes have managed a 1-3 record and to my personal delight, the Packers are 1-4. Did you know that none of these teams have won a game on the road this season? Take a look at the talent in the division overall. Don’t act like we didn’t see this coming. Besides Brett Favre, and even with Brett Favre, Green Bay is pretty bad. Always an overrated offensive team, no one knows who else to blame besides the defense. Minnesota? HA! Anyone got a deal for a boat big enough for the revamped defense to hide for a while. Where the heck is the offensive explosion in Detroit? The defense isn’t as bad as GB or Minny, but it’s not necessarily helping them out much either. It’s a shame when you have to point out the most talented unit in the division: the Bears front seven. Secondary isn’t too shabby either, but Chicago isn’t going to run the table like the 200 Ravens. Is it mathematically possible for an entire NFL division to finish below .500? Come on, folks, let’s cheer for futility!

Hey, They Still Have the Atlantic Division?: Okay, let me just say this before I discuss the NBA’s Atlantic Division. If you love guard play, this is the best division in the league. Iverson in Philly. Marbury, Crawford and Richardson in NYC. Kidd, Carter and Jefferson in the Swamp. Pierce in Bahston. Yet, last season, Boston won the division title with a 45-37 record, surging after acquiring Antwoine Walker at the trade deadline. Philly finished at 43-39. Jersey finished at 42-40. All three made the playoffs with Toronto and New York (both 33-49) playing for the lottery. It’s been an iffy division for a couple of seasons now, but mostly not of those teams’ doing. As the balance of power begins to shift back to the Eastern Conference, Each team is hoping that their drafting will payoff. Playing younger guys has given these teams new bodies, but at the sacrifice of having a 50-win team each of the last three years (including the last two seasons before realignment). One of the other aspects that make the division look lackluster is that these are large market teams that aren’t performing to large market standards, most notably the Knicks. Do keep in mind that the conferences have shifted their powers much over the last two decades in the NBA. Does the Atlantic pick up some of this steam? Not this season. Only New Jersey and New York look playoff bound in part to moves made (Curry, Richardson to NYC) or not made (Abdur-Rahim doesn’t go to Jersey, but Marc Jackson gives a rebounding body for the Nets’ guard trio).

Yes, there is hockey and soccer and the like here, but since this audience doesn’t care so much for the strange objects, I’ll leave it be. It’s funny, some would look at realignment and blame that for the poor divisions. Some say expansion. Maybe it’s just plain bad luck. Just to say, outside of the States, there are solutions for poor play. In the English Premier League, the worst teams happen to be demoted into the Second Division and have to earn their stripes in a way. Could we adopt a system like that here? Probably not. We are waaaaaaaaaay too knowledgeable of the business to let that happen. Television networks would love for something to keep competitive teams on the screen, but they only hype a handful of teams in each league as is, even when the teams are highly overrated and underachieving. Add to the fact that public dollars fund the stadiums, owners fund the players, yadda yadda yadda… the public may not take in this European idea. We shall see.


Say What?!?!: Though not much attention won't be paid to it, I am saddened by the passing of Atlanta Hawks C Jason Collier. Here in New York, for those who remembered that there are teams other than the Yankees, questions are being flooded to the Knicks' front office about the recent acqusition of F/C Eddy Curry as he has an irregular heartbeat and enlarged heart. Curry's condition, subsequent omission from the Bulls' roster for the rest of '04-'05 and his departure from Chicago have been well documented. Now in both cities, there is a slight pause in the wake of Collier's passing as there are some fears of another Hank Gathers situation. While this has been debated by a few of us and completely understandable concern, it's hard to forget that this has been happening quite more often in sports in recent years. Thomas Herriman passed away just months ago of his own heart condition. Add some lesser publicized deaths of collegiate, amateur and high school athletes, the fear is all the same. Are these deaths as a resut of regiment? Size? Stress? Collier's passing just might remind folks that because athletes are in greater physical condition than the everyday Joe, Jane and Jaquon, it does not mean that they cannot befall the same manner as us. As the NBA family comes together for a moment in time, fans can only hope that this bad luck streak the Hawks franchise seems to have can at least be shaken somehow for this upcoming season.

Unproven

To quote Timbaland on Aaliyah's 2000 single "Try Again": "It's been a long time... since I left you... without a dope beat to step to..." Been a crazy three weeks, but then again, so has the sporting life. America is in a frenzy four weeks into the NFL season and at the start of baseball's playoffs. Ladies and gentlemen... hold up. There is something on my mind that has nothing to do with shaky pitching rotations and Carson Palmer. You might have blinked and/or didn't care much, but read on and you might.

Entering their third seasons in the NBA, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwayne Wade have something that league veterans such as Erick Strickland, Ron Mercer and Cliff Robinson don't. Well, make that three things; youth, riches (insane riches) and playoff expectations. This past offseason essentially gave James and Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert a new, playoff contending roster that is actually approaching the proverbial salary cap. Anthony and Wade have two playoff apperances apiece, with Wade sniffing the NBA Finals this past postseason. Not to mention being the cover player for NBA Live '06.

I'm not here to talk about expectations, shoe deals or a top starting lineup under the age of 25.

Within the last few days, 15-year old Michelle Wie announced her intentions to turn professional. Wie, the so-called golf phenom who threatens not only her LPGA peers, but apparently their male counterparts as well, is expected to make between eight and ten million dollars based on endorsements.
Indy Car Racing has not captured the imaginations and fuel gauges of auto racing fans in some time, but this season they rolled the dice on Danica Patrick, an easy-on-the-eyes 23-year old who became the first female driver to ever lead a lap at the Indianapolis 500 back in May. She has already caught the ire of fellow drivers, but the hormones of young men thanks to her appearance on several magazines.
Maria Sharapova won Wimbledon in 2004 and for most of the past year has held the number one ranking in the WTA. Sharapova, the 18-year old Russian tennis star, has graced magazines, modeled some clothing and endorses consumer products such as Olympus cameras.

So they're all female, all young and much more talented that I may ever be in their realms. They are also pretty damn savvy at promotions for themselves and their sports. They are also... gasp... unproven. I am not railing on some battle-of-the-sexes tip, I'm one of the few that actually thinks that Becky Hammon, Nykiesha Sales and the exiled Latasha Byears could ball as good as most men at any level. However, I do question the television segments and Madison Avenue spin machine for a bunch of athletes who haven't won anything. Yes, Sharapova did beat Serena Williams at Wimbledon last year, but nothing else. Not even the Police Athletic League summer tournament in the Bronx. Oh, Freddy Adu hasn't exactly catapulted Major League Soccer on his feet, but even he can be separated from this pack of unprovens by playing in a team sport.

Ah, team sport. THAT'S what has irked me about Wie, Patrick and Sharapova. These three play in sports that are as individualistic as they come. This isn't like Mark Prior arriving to save the Cubs from being... well, themselves a couple of seasons ago. When young, unproven players enter a team sport, they enter as a sponge, soaking in not only from observation or even mentoring from veteran players and coaches, but from taking part in achieving the overall team objectives. Those NBA stars mentioned earlier had to enter the court with a mix of experienced players who would set the picks or double team on defense. Mike Williams joins a potent group of receivers in Detroit along with a powerful young RB in Kevin Jones and veteran TE Marcus Pollard to attempt to save Joey Harrington's youknowwhut. Heck, Sidney Crosby's ascenscion to hockey savior will be helped by another former phenom named Mario Lemieux and vets like John LeClair. Yet, these folks are on islands of their own, to reap the benefits and fall hard when they sputter.

Sadly, I have to admit that gender has something to do with my thoughts. Not that I believe that they don't have a place in sports because they have done something to earn them. So did Annika Sorenstam. Sorenstam has been one of the most dominant athletes/players in all of sports over the last five years, male or female. Her historical appearance at last year's Colonial was supposed to prove that female golfers can hang. Yet, it seems as if it is all in vain in some ways because Wie will be given (I repeat, given) an invitation to a men's tourney coming up. While I will stay away from discussing the unfairness to Sorenstam about this particular point, I think that this makes a statement to both genders about their selective memories. Since women team sports do not present much sexuality or individual personality, let alone skill, female athletes are chosen very carefully in terms of stepping into the limelight. The breeding ground tends to be in the individual sports. Yet when there are successful names such as Lindsey Davenport, Venus and Serena, Annika, society tends to write them off as successful under handicaps of being women. So we throw in other criteria that have nothing to do with talent. Youth (Wie and Sharapova), cute face (Patrick) and short skirts (Sharapova) all apply when we are looking for a new ripple in the ocean. Male athletes have the same criteria to a degree (Tom Brady), but men have established their sports. Women are stil trying to, but unfortunately, Madison Avenue has interjected the same sets of rules that had limited minority athletes from showing themselves at the same levels.

Yeah, I said it.

If Joe Louis showed that he could think for himself a little more, he may have realized that he was revered because of his light skin and seemingly lack of intelligence. Oh, and he wasn't Jack Johnson. Muhammad Ali will be long revered for being a pretty face with a penchant for the mic. Alex Rodriguez did not experience the same language barriers as Roberto Clemente, nor did he exactly embrace his Latino heritage as much as some would like. As said, Madison Avenue has incorporated some of the same rules. "You have to have a semblance of talent if you are a female athlete in this millenium, but we need something else. Say, look good in a bikini?" Yet, there is still one criteria that the hypsters don't add until it's too late. She has to do some winning.

Remember Anna Kournikova?

For more thoughts on this matter, check out this post from the newest link, Sports Law Blog.

Say What?!?!: This weekend's fight between Antonio Tarver and Roy Jones, Jr. was set in a sunny backdrop of Tampa, Florida with the boxing world abuzz to see if Jones could still hang. Also lingering in that backdrop was the date itself: October 1. Thirty years to the day since the Thrilla in Manilla. It seems to be that mainstream media and fans are looking for folks to fill those shoes of Ali and Frazier as well as present another memorable trilogy in order to remember that the sport that was once as big as baseball still exists. Sadly, the fact that three fighters have died this year is so ho-hum that they are barely mentioned or followed up on news tickers. An interesting thought.

It’s playoff time

It’s that time of year again and as usual anything can happen. In a sport where the last three champions have been wild card teams and the postseason can hinge on the performance of an ace or on the bat of a largely unknown, where those same unknowns become over-night heroes, where the stars get picked on for not turning in superhuman performances and where some men are made legends whose stars will never dim predictions are hard to make and are usually wrong. Nevertheless, I will make my predictions, but more than anything it’s just exciting that the playoffs are upon us.

The playoffs are stacked with good teams and there are good matchups everywhere. The argument can be made that any of these teams could win a short series and any one of those arguments would be right. I like to look at the playoffs from a pitching standpoint and I pick most of my winners due to pitching matchups. It’s just really hard to ignore what two aces can do for a team during the playoffs. The Diamondbacks won a World Series behind two dominant men. The Marlins and Angels won the WS when their cast of largely unknowns pitched better than any other staff. Josh Beckett, a good pitcher but one who has never done anything great in the regular season is revered by many for his performances against the Cubs and Yankees in 2003. This is why I can’t look past the Astros. Pettitte has been the best pitcher in the majors since the All-Star break, Clemens has an ERA under 2, and Oswalt would be the #1 guy for most teams but is a #3 on the Astros. Oswalt finished the year with 20 wins and Albert Pujols said that Oswalt’s stuff is better than anyone’s in baseball. That is a dominant rotation, but people shouldn’t forget that Brandon Backe, the Astros #4, has an ERA around 4.50 and won big games in the playoffs last year. 1 through 4 the Astros are stacked and they have Brad Lidge, the best closer in the NL and arguable the best in the business. Every time I think of what the Astros have, I ask myself “Can the Astros be beat?” And every time I come to the same conclusion. Yes they can be beat, but it’s highly unlikely.

Here is a breakdown of the series, the way I see them.

Angels-Yankees. This is a tough series to forecast. The way I see it the Angels have to win Game 1. Bartolo Colon will get starts in Games 1 and 5 against Mike Mussina. Mussina is coming off an injury and wasn’t very sharp in his last start, but Mussina is a playoff veteran and he has the ability to turn it on at any time. Randy Johnson gets the start in Game 3 at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees will win that game. Paul Byrd will get the start for the Angels in Game 4. The Yankees will win that game. If the Yankees take both those games and they should, they only have to win once in Anaheim. That’s why Game 1 is so big. If the Yankees can beat Colon in Game 1, the series is over right away. If everything plays out to form, this series will hinge on Game 2. The pitching matchup will be John Lackey vs. Shawn Chacon. If it goes 5 games, the Angels are going to win. If it goes 4 games, the Yankees will be the winner. I’m taking the Yankees in 4.

Red Sox-White Sox. A week ago I assumed the White Sox were done. Then they started playing great baseball. They come into the playoffs with a full head of steam and are playing a Red Sox team that had to fight to the last day to get into the playoffs. Games 1 and 5 will see Matt Clement face off against Jose Contreras. Contreras has been the best pitcher on the White Sox the last month and a half, while Clement got off to a great start but has been mediocre at best the last couple of months. The White Sox have the advantage in Games 1 and 5. The White Sox have Buerhle pitching in Game 2 against David Wells. Buerhle is one of the best kept secrets in the majors. He has been a dominant pitcher for the last 3 years. Buerhle is going to get the win in Game 2. In Game 3 John Garland will be opposed by Tim Wakefield. Garland has been good all year, but this game is in Fenway Park and the Red Sox have a slight advantage. Curt Schilling will pitch Game 4 and will win that game. I think the White Sox are going to win this series in either 3 or 5 games.

Astros-Braves. As I have discussed earlier, the Astros have a huge advantage. Andy Pettitte will be opposed by Tim Hudson in Game 1. Since Pettitte has been the best pitcher in the majors since the All-Star break, the Astros have a clear advantage in any game he pitches. Roger Clemens will face John Smoltz in Game 2. This will be a very well pitched game and I don’t want to give the advantage to either team. This is a game that could come down to the bullpen, and the Astros have the better bullpen. In Game 3 the Astros have a clear advantage as Oswalt will face Jorge Sosa. The Astros will win that game. The series could end after three games, but if it does not the Braves plan on pitching Hudson and Smoltz on 3 days rest. The Astros will throw Backe in Game 4 and Pettitte in Game 5. They will win one of those games. The Astros will win this series in 3 games.

Cardinals-Padres. Two months ago the Cardinals were the clear cut favorites to win the World Series because Chris Carpenter was the best pitcher in the world. But two months ago and today are a big difference. Carpenter has had four terrible starts in a row. Those four starts have arguably been his worst of the year, and he has shown no reason to think that he will get back to his dominant self. And the offense isn’t as good as it has been in the past. Pujols is the best hitter in the game, but Scott Rolen is on the DL, Jim Edmonds is having his worst season in St. Louis, Larry Walker and Reggie Sanders are playing even though both are hurt. The rest of their roster is filled with David Eckstein, Abraham Nunez, Mark Grudzielanek (?), and John Mabry. Is that really a scary lineup? I don’t think so. Chris Carpenter will face Jake Peavy in Games 1 and 5. As bad as Carpenter has been and as good as Peavy has been of late, the Padres really should win both of those games. Mark Mulder, right now the Cardinals best starter faces Pedro Astacio in Game 2. The Padres are throwing in the towel for that game. The biggest game of the Series will be Game 3. Adam Eaton faces Matt Morris, who started the year 10-0 and finished it 14-10. If the Padres can win games 3 or 4 at home, they will win this series. The Padres will beat the Cardinals in 5 games.