Flyers Hawks Game 2

Now that was a hockey game. That was a playoff hockey game. The first game was "Open Hockey." Pick sides and play till you drop. So the Hawks held serve at the United Center. They say a series doesn't start until a team loses on home ice. I don't buy it. I say this series has started and the Hawks are up 2-0. Philadelphia outplayed Chicago for most of Game 2. They were downright frenetic in the third period when they threw 14 shots at Hawks goalie Antti Niemi. He was the difference in this game. If he has an average game the Flyers win. But Niemi stole one. The Flyers are far from dead. You know all about the 3-0 comeback against the Bruins. The Flyers have to know that they are the Hawks' equal. They've lost a pair of one-goal games. Game 3 isn't a must-win game, but it's pretty darn close. A must-win game is when you're facing elimination if you lose. The Flyers know all about must-win games.

Lakers-Celtics

Boston-Los Angeles. What's not to like? Boston is seeking their 18th NBA title. Los Angeles is vying for their 16th NBA championship. It's the premier rivalry in sports; as compelling as Yankees-Red Sox. Two years ago the Lakers were abused by the Celtics in six games (131-92 in game 6). This series is storyline central. Where do we begin? During the 2008 championship series the Lakers were missing two critical pieces: Andrew Bynum and Trevor Ariza. Both were injured. Now, Ron Artest replaced Ariza, and he remains one of the best defenders in the league. At least at the start of the series Artest will guard Paul Pierce, the MVP of the 2008 championship series. Bynum has a torn meniscus, but he should be able to provide quality minutes. The Celtics are missing five key reserves from their 2008 title team, but they still have a strong bench. The coaches are another storyline. The Lakers Phil Jackson is about to become a free agent. The Lakers want him to take a pay cut. He's also contemplating retirement. If the Lakers win the series it will Jackson's 11th NBA title, two more than Red Auerbach. Celtics coach Doc Rivers has publicly stated that he wants to spend more time with his family. But the best storyline, of course, involves the best player, Kobe Bryant. A win in the finals would give him five rings, just one shy of Michael Jordan. Mike Wise, the respected columnist from the Washington Post, suggested that if Kobe wins his fifth title in the next two weeks and wins two more championships before he retired to give him seven rings, he has to be given the nod as the greatest individual talent to ever play in the NBA. Pretty heady stuff. But while such a statement provides a healthy debate, this series is not about a single player's legacy. At least not at the start. In the 2008 series the Celtics knocked Kobe around and limited him to 40 percent shooting in the series. But this time around I think Kobe is going to get more room with a stronger Gasol guarding his back. I think Artest will be a huge factor on the defensive end, and as he has shown, he can score. I think Bynum, despite the knee injury, will be effective. But the Celtics starting five remains intact from 2008. They are 7-0 in playoff series since 2008. Rajon Rondo is not a role player anymore, he's a star. I don't think the Celtics window has closed, but I think it's closing. But I don't think this series comes down to age. I'm not a big prediction guy, but I think the Lakers win this series. I'd be stunned if it doesn't go seven games. OK, just slightly stunned. It's going to be a breathtaking series. It has to be. It's Lakers-Celtics.

Stanley Cup Finals

I've read all i can read about the Stanley Cup finals between Philadelphia and Chicago. There is nothing else for me to do except write a few sentences about the way I feel about this series. I know this: this series can go either way and no one should be surprised at the outcome. This has seventh-game potential. I know all about Philadelphia's Chris Pronger's size and intimidation. I know about the 3-0 comeback against Boston. I know all about the skill of Chicago's Patrick Kane. I know all about the goalies and how neither of them was the starter at the beginning of the season. Thus far both teams have been very polite. That will change in a hurry. I'm pulling for the Hawks because this franchise was left for dead less than three years ago. Their season ticket base was down to 3,400. Two seasons ago they missed the playoffs. Then they changed the way they do business. They drafted well. They selected Kane as the number one overall pick and he's turned out to be even better then advertised. They reconnected with their fan base. They brought back legends Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita and made them ambassadors. They brought back goaltender Tony Esposito into the fold. This franchise hasn't won the Stanley Cup in 49 years. It's time. I don't think either team is a great team, but I do think it will be a great series. In a previous blog I mentioned that if the Flyers win the Stanley Cup, I'm moving to the Congo. That still applies. In fact I've already called my travel agent to make arrangements. But I don't plan on booking a flight. It's just not going to happen. It's that time people. It's time to drop the puck.

The Super Bowl comes to NY/NJ

So Super Bowl 2014 is coming to NY/NJ. It will be the first outdoor Super Bowl played in a cold-weather city. GOOD. I say It's about time. Who said the Super Bowl must be played in Miami, New Orleans or California? The coldest outdoor game in Super Bowl history was Super Bowl VI at Tulane Stadium in 1972, with a game-time temperature of 39 degrees. Tulane Stadium is located in New Orleans. The average high temperature in NY/NJ on February 2 (the date of the game) is 37 degrees. Do you know the only people unhappy that the Super Bowl is being played in a cold-weather city? The sports media. The Chris Russo's of the world are going crazy with the notion that a Super Bowl is being played in cold-weather. The sports media doesn't count. The fans count. They can adjust to the weather. They will adjust to the weather. The events leading up to the Super Bowl are going to go on as scheduled. People are going to be thrilled with its efficiency. The game will be played. It will be cold. So what? You're not going to melt. Just one word of advice: make sure you layer.

A Mixed Bag

The Flyers are in the Stanley Cup finals and I have a severe case of agiata. If Philadelphia beats Chicago and wins the Cup I'm moving to the Congo. My new favorite athlete is Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith. On Sunday night he took a puck in the mouth and lost seven teeth. Seven! Can you imagine if a baseball player lost seven teeth? He immediately would go on the 60-day disabled list. Steve Nash is my runner-up. The other night Nash played with a broken nose and scored 17 points with 15 assists. Did you see the image of Nash on TV trying to "adjust" his nose back into its proper place? Tough guy. It shouldn't surprise you that Nash is from Canada who once aspired to play in the NHL.

Excellent piece of journalism in the Seattle Times on the very-troubled Milton Bradley. Whatever your thoughts are on Bradley, and everyone has an opinion, you have to feel for the guy. Any time suicide is mentioned as an option it deserves immediate attention. Bradley is at the cross-roads. Let's hope he takes the right path and gets the right help.

Eddy Curry is not from this universe. The man is going through life playing with monopoly money. He owes $17,000 per month in rent. He owes another $30,000 for "household expenses." He owes $425.00 for satellite TV. His parents, sister and father-in-law get another 16,000 a month. And relatives have driven away with some of the 12 cars that he's purchased. Every month $207,000 gets garnished from Curry's paycheck. Does this man have an accountant? Does this man have a financial planner? Does this man have a brain?

Well, that's enough blogging for the day. I'm still trying to write more economically. Bear with me. I'll get the hang of it.

Potpourri

From where I sit...
There is not much difference between Floyd Landis and Sammy "The Bull" Gravano. OK, a few minor differences, but on balance pretty much the same...They should rename the French Open the "Rafael Nadal Invitational..." Something is very wrong with Mr. Wright. David Wright has struck out 58 times. He's ahead of last year's pace when he whiffed 140 times...Helio Castroneves won the pole for the Indianapolis 500. There was a time when that would be considered major news. In Sunday's New York Daily News it registered a paragraph. One stinkin' paragraph...There's a part of me that's pulling for Milton Bradley...I almost forgot to mention that Nadal leads the head-to-head rivalry with Roger Federer 14-7, which goes to show you that styles make fights...I'm not saying fans of Derek Jeter should be worried, but he's batting .267...At least for the moment the Cincinnati Reds are baseball's "It Team." They've won 10 games in their final at-bat, the most in the majors...Bradley seems to feel that his worth as a human being is connected to his ability to hit a baseball and that's just sad...I'm having a hard time wrapping my mind around the idea that the Flyers are one game from advancing to the Stanley Cup finals...A 16-year old kid, just a junior in high school, shot a 67 in a PGA Tour event...It's been a good week for teens with that kid climbing Mt. Everest...On Tuesday afternoon, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell may announce that the 2014 Super Bowl will be awarded to New York. Just bring your overcoat and stop whining...The arrival of Stephen Strasburg reminds me of the arrival of the shark from Jaws. You know it's coming, but you just can't stop it. I can even here the music...Nice little dust-up between Albert Pujols and Tony LaRussa...This is the 14th season of inter league play. Some say its lost its luster. I'm not one of them...Back to Strasburg. He has two ex-Secret Service agents guarding him. He only talks to the media after his starts. He cannot be approached at his locker for an interview...Tampa Bay has just a $72.8 million payroll, but they're threatening to run away with the entire American League.

Well sports fans, that's it. I'm done blogging for the day. I think I'm going to start blogging a couple of times during the week instead of nearly every day. Additionally, I think I need to write shorter blogs. It's just taking me too much effort to compose a satisfactory blog. I ask you to please bear with me while I experiment. I'm in new territory.

Are the Tampa Bay Rays that good?

So what are we to make of these Tampa Bay Rays? Yahoo Sports! published a piece on Friday that suggests the Rays are on par with the 1998 Yankees. Really? The 1998 Yankees? How can you compare the Rays to a team that has already won a championship? And this was not just any team. The 1998 Yankees won a total of 125 games. Are the Rays that good? I'm not going to overload you with statistics, but you should know that the Rays are 30-11 overall and 17-4 on the road. If you've seen Tropicana Field you know why the Rays play better on the road. Ouch! Cheap shot. But I think before we anoint teams we have to see them play for more than 30% of the season. Right now, everything is going Tampa Bay's way. Their scoring runs, their preventing runs and their pitchers are working deep into games. But c'mon people, it's not even June. Let the season mature. But I will say this: catch this team while you can because they have the ability to make this a one-horse race. This they can do.

Don't tell me it's the Flyers again

I should state right off the top that I'm not a fan of the Philadelphia Flyers. Let me clarify that: I'm not a fan of their history. As a die-hard Rangers fan in the early-mid 1970's, the Broad Street Bullies caused me much anguish. They intimidated my Rangers. They beat them up. Brad Park, my favorite Ranger, was one of the few guys who could go toe-to-toe with any Philadelphia goon. But Park was only one man. The Rangers were a little soft. And the Flyers feasted on soft. They ended up winning back-to-back Stanley Cups. I've been in intense psychotherapy ever since.

Now the current version of the Flyers are two wins away from advancing to the Stanley Cup finals. They are doing it with a goaltender who was picked up off the waiver-wire. Michael Leighton has posted back-to-back shutouts over the Canadians. Philadelphia has won six straight playoff games, but their team leader says they aren't even playing their best hockey. Somebody please tell me this isn't happening. Somebody please call Brad Park. But this time make sure he brings a friend.

Stephen Strasburg: The Phenom

I'm not sure where this "blog" is heading. The Yankees dramatic win over the Red Sox is an obvious topic, the Lakers dismantling of the Suns in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals has appeal and then there is minor league pitcher Stephen Strasburg, who is being dubbed the best baseball prospect of all-time. Yes, of all-time. But Steve, no pressure. Since his minor league career began a month ago, Strasburg has started seven games and has allowed just four earned runs. He has yet to allow a home run. Wayne Gretzky knows what it's like to be a phenom. He was dubbed "The Great One" before he was old enough to drive. Mickey Mantle was the "Commerce Comet." And Bob Feller made his major-league debut before graduating from high school. The Washington Nationals signed Strasburg to a record $15.1 million. Washington has lost 100 games in back-to-back seasons. If there is a team that needs a Strasburg, it's the Washington Nationals. Strasburg's work ethic has caught the attention of the Nationals. He married his college sweetheart in January, then managed to squeeze in bullpen sessions every other day while on his honeymoon in Hawaii. Strasburg throws four pitches for strikes. He's on pace to make it to the big club before the start of the summer. The scouts tell us that Strasburg is not going to be a flash-in-the pan. They tells us the kid has the right stuff. They tell us the kid is going to be special. They said the same thing about David Clyde. Clyde was top pick of the Texas Rangers in 1973. He didn't play a minor league game. He lasted only five years in the majors. Is Steve Strasburg a David Clyde or a Bob Feller? No one knows. At least not yet. I can't wait to see what all the fuss is about.

Monday Notes

I enjoy "blogging" on Monday. You're coming off the weekend, so you have plenty of material. Today I'd like to "blog" about the following: Mariano Rivera, Jerry Manuel and the Flyers. First Rivera. On Sunday afternoon he walked in a run (hasn't happened since 2005), and then he gave up a grand slam (hasn't happened as a reliever, since 2002). With two outs in the eighth inning, and the Yankees leading 3-2, Jason Kubel took Rivera's best pitch and hit it of the park. Case closed. These things happen. Even to the great Rivera. But Kubel is not a 'Punch and Judy' hitter. He's hit six grand slams in his career. He was a former top prospect who seems to be coming into his own, although he's gotten off to a poor start in 2010. He still can't hit lefties, but in 2010, 26 of his 28 home runs came against righties, and of course, Rivera is a righty. It's not as if Kubel is some 'Joe bag of doughnuts.' Two words to describe Rivera: He's human.

A New York Post columnist feels that it would be best if the Mets fire manager Jerry Manuel. Keep in mind the Mets had an eight game winning streak in April. 16 days ago they were in first place. But, according to the N.Y. Post columnist "the Mets season is spinning hopelessly out of control." What? The Mets have played 38 games and they are two under .500. Yes, they've lost five straight, but that's not "spinning out of control." That's New York journalism for ya. Only in New York can a team be two under .500 and a columnist is calling for the manager's head.

The Flyers. My least favorite team in all of sports. It blows me away that they are three wins from playing in the Stanley Cup finals. Who are these guys? Goaltender Michael Leighton may be the most anonymous player in playoff history. It seems like the Flyers have beaten the Canadians and the series just started. "It's easy to hate the Flyers," Montreal's Hal Gill told the Montreal Gazette. "They've been the Broad Street Bullies, their fans are loud and obnoxious. If you're from Philly, that's great. If you're not, you hate them."

Oh, almost forgot. Two more quick items: Preakness Stakes winner Lookin' at Lucky will not race in the Belmont Stakes in three weeks. Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver will not race in the Belmont Stakes in three weeks. How weak is that? Only twice since 1970 has the Belmont Stakes lacked the winners of both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness (thanks Boston Herald). The Belmont Stakes have officially become irrelevant.

If you've been following my "blog" you know how I feel about former professional athletes trying to play professional golf. It doesn't end well. For some reason these guys think they can compete on the PGA Tour, or the Champions Tour. Well Jerry Rice has come to his senses. He's retiring from competitive golf even before he played competitive golf. In his first two rounds of a recent U.S. Open qualifier Rice shot 92-82. Well at least he's going in the right direction. If there is a former professional athlete that has the ability to play professional golf it's John Smoltz. Tiger Woods has said that Smoltz is the best non-PGA Tour golfer that he's ever seen. Whether he can make a career out of playing golf remains to be seen. Technically Smoltz hasn't retired from baseball, so it's going to take some time before we know just how good Smoltz really is. As for Jerry Rice. Well done.

That's it. I'm done "blogging" for the day.

Calvin Borel pulls a Joe Namath

After winning the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago, jockey Calvin Borel proclaimed that his horse, Super Saver, would win the Triple Crown. Pretty ballsy-stuff considering that the Triple Crown hasn't been won since 1978. Only 11 horses have won the Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont. That's it. 11. But here's Borel tapping into his inner Joe Namath. Borel has since toned down his act even though his horse is the 5-2 morning-line favorite. I wish he wouldn't have. I want more bravado. The sport could use more swagger. Ratings for the Kentucky Derby were the highest since 1989, but the horse racing industry is not strong. Young people are going to the casinos, not the race track. The sport needs more Calvin Borel's. Maybe he just got caught up in the moment two weeks ago. Or, maybe, he has a special horse. Maybe he has the right horse at the right time. Maybe Joe Namath is going to have some company.

LeBron's Legacy

Face it, the NBA playoffs have been a major dud. Some of the games have been completely devoid of competition. The most blatant example took place in Game Five of a second round match-up between the Celtics and Cavaliers. Boston won by 32 points. It was the Cavaliers worst playoff loss in history. In Game Five LeBron James scored 15 points on 3-for-14 shooting. He made one "outside" shot. He didn't make his first field goal until late in the third quarter. King James was a complete non-factor. Even worse, he was uninvolved. He looked spiritless. Rarely has such a big-time player come up so small in a big-time game. Game Six is tonight in Boston. There are rumors that LeBron is weak due to allergies. If so, the Cavaliers can only hope that the pollen count will be low in Boston. This will be a legacy-defining game for LeBron. As you know, he becomes a free agent on July 1. After seven seasons this could be his last game as a Cavalier. What a dagger that would be to a city that hasn't won a major championship since 1964. Published reports suggest that LeBron may sign with Chicago and bring with him, coach John Calipari. Right now, that doesn't matter. What matters is Game Six. It's simple. Will LeBron be up for the challenge, or will be disappear like he did in Game Five? He hasn't won a ring. He hasn't won a single game in the NBA Finals and he got blown out of a pivotal playoff game. His legacy is on the line tonight. Basketball in Cleveland holds its breath.

The last post was on the demise of Ken Griffey Jr.

Folks, I forgot to put a title on my previous blog. The blog is about Ken Griffey Jr. We may be watching the end of his career. I was never into the backward hat thing, but man could this guy play ball. The prototypical five-tool player. Read on.

In April 1989 I went to Ken Griffey Jr's first major league game. In his first at-bat, against Oakland, Griffey crushed a Dave Stewert pitch off the left center field wall for a stand-up double. His Hall of Fame career had officialy begun. But are we now watching the end of Griffey's Hall of Fame career? Through the first six weeks of the season he hasn't been able to run or hit. Through Tuesday he's batting .208. That huge, high-wattage Griffey smile is nowhere to be found. Now two players have told the Tacoma News Tribune that Griffey was unavailable to pinch-hit on Saturday because he was taking a nap in the clubhouse during the game. Griffey denies, and so does Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu. The Mariners need a lot of halp. Through Sunday they rank 28th in team batting average (.229). But back to Griffey. Are these his final days in the major leagues? Will he be able to leave on his terms? Can this end gracefully? Now, I'm not writing Griffey off. He may still have a little pop left. He's still a huge clubhouse presence. But at the moment Griffey is not helping his team win. He's taking up a roster spot. This must be killing him. This is the same guy that was named to the All Century Team by the time he was 30. Now, ten years later, he may not make it through the summer. Griffey will go into the Hall of Fame on his first try. Let's remember how much fun he had playing ball. I won't forget the double off the wall off Stewert. Let's forget the nap. You'd fall asleep too if you were forced to watch the Seattle Mariners.

My Bulging Disc

Tiger Woods withdrew from the Players Championship with what he says may be a "bulging disc" in his neck. I'm not sure where you stand on this, but I'm not comfortable discussing any parts of Tiger Woods' anatomy that has the word "bulging" in it. Win McMurry, a Golf Channel reporter, said that "Woods has been playing with a bad neck for about a month and thinks it could be a bulging dick." Holy faux pas Batman. Murry wasn't alone. Paul Azinger sent out this tweet: "Could this (the neck injury) have been prevented with a good Swedish massage?" Woods's wife, Elin, is Swedish. The sudden end came on the seventh hole while Woods was 2-over par through his first six holes, with no shot at contending. Maybe the injury was a convenient explanation for Tiger's poor performance during the tournament. Prior to the event, Woods was asked if he had an physical issues. He respended "No, zero. Absolutely 100 percent." Is this another case of Woods not being truthful? Could he have toughed it out? Or, is his body actually breaking down? With Tiger you never know the real story. The Players Champioship was one by a diminutive South African, Tim Clark. In nine full seasons on the PGA Tour he was 0-for-205. Sadly, the 2010 Players Championship will be remembered for who didn't finish the tournament, instead of for the man who won it.

Panic in Boston

Sorry, I forgot to leave a title on my last "blog" about the down-and-out Red Sox. This was my first blog on my new laptop, so I'm a little unsure or myself. Thanks for reading. Have you noticed that I'm blogging with more regularity? This is fun.

The Red Sox are 15-16 through 31 games, and already there is panic in the streets of Boston. It doesn't take much for the locals to get all bent out of shape about the Red Sox. But this time it may be justified. The Red Sox are 7 games behind the Yankees and 7 1/2 games behind the Rays. It's only May 9. The Sox have lousy pitching and defense. Adrian Beltre already has seven errors. Actually, they're hitting, although David Ortiz is batting .178. His bat looks slow and tired. Meantime, the Rays and Yankees have gotten off to excellent starts. They are a combined 8-1 against the Sox with all nine games played at Fenway park. Boston has lost 13 out of 15 against New York dating back to last year. The Yankees, and this is a beat-up New York team, have opened the season by winning nine of their first ten series. The Rays, to steal Emeril's line, have kicked it up a notch. Their pitchers are leading the league in era and their hitters are second only to the Yanks in scoring. That said, the season is just 20% complete, and the Red Sox are just one game under .500. But their next 17 games are against New York, Toronto, Detroit, Minnesota, Philadelphia, and Tampa Bay. As I type this, all of those aforementioned teams are playing over .500. But something tells me the Red Sox aren't going to run and hide. They have too much quality and too much character. Finding it seems to be the major issue.

The Ageless One

Jamie Moyer, the 47-year old ageless wonder, is up to his old tricks. On Friday night, in Philadelphia, Moyer threw a two-hit, complete-game shutout against the Braves. At one point he retired 17 consecutive batters. I know, the Braves are offensively-challenged, but a two-hitter is a two-hitter. Moyer surpassed Phil Niekro as the oldest pitcher to throw a complete-game shutout. His fastball topped out at a whopping 83 m..p.h. Moyer is the first pitcher in baseball history to throw shutouts in four different decades. The first one he threw was 24 years ago on August 16, 1986. Moyer is the Phillies fifth starter and you have to wonder how much longer can he pitch? Can he pull a Satchel Paige and pitch at the age of 59? Probably not, but just when you think Moyer is running out of steam, he pitches a two-hit, complete-game shutout. According to Baseball Prospectus, "most 47-year old pitchers are pitching coaches or insurance salesmen." Something tells me that Moyer isn't ready to change careers.

Thoughts on Lawrence Taylor

I really don't want to "blog" about Lawrence Taylor, but I guess I have to. Taylor is the "IT" topic of the moment, and it's not going away anytime soon. But there are other issues that deserve attention. I would like to pay tribute to Ernie Harwell and Robin Roberts. I would like to wax poetic about the greatness of Roy Halladay. And, there was an interesting piece in today's Wall Street Journal that I wanted to discuss. The article speculated that wouldn't it be fair to have all baseball teams compete against one another all season, without concern for geography? From where I sit that's interesting stuff. But it all takes a back seat to Taylor. What was Taylor doing in a hotel room with a 16-year-old girl? Why was he sleeping when the cops came to arrest him? Why wasn't he getting the young lady medical attention? We've been told that for the past 12 years Taylor has been drug free, but these are not the actions of a lucid individual. Taylor will have his day in court on June 10. He's entitled to due process. At his arraignment on Thursday he looked pathetic. He once cut such an impressive pose. Now he looked like pond-scum. For the past thirty years he's been a human train wreck. Taylor is one of the all-time NFL greats, but his character has been exposed and it's not pretty. For people who consume sports, it's been one hit after another. First, Tiger Woods. Next up, Ben Roethlisberger. Then, a University of Virginia lacrosse player is accused of murdering his former girlfriend. Now Lawrence Taylor. When do we get a break from this crap?

Bring your "No-Doze" when watching Yankees-Red Sox

Hello friends,
I'm getting ready for Yankees-Red Sox part deux. But I'm not sure if my body is going to make it. You may recall these two teams opened the season with a three game set at Fenway. The three games averaged 3 hours, 40 minutes. The extended length of the three games prompted umpire Joe West to say it was "pathetic and embarrassing." Major League Baseball has attempted to quicken the pace of its games since early last decade but its not working. The goal is to play a nine-inning, non-nationally televised, routine baseball game in about two hours, 30 minutes. Good luck. West said the Yankees and Red Sox are two teams that "don't try to pick up the pace." Since 2002, their nine-inning games have averaged 3:18, as much as 32 minutes longer than the baseball average. Derek Jeter steps outside the batters box after every pitch. Jeter, as is his custom, holds out his right hand looking for timeout and it's almost always granted. But there is nothing to prevent an umpire from denying Jeter's request. I'm not picking on Jeter, but it's clear he operates on his own clock. It's up to the umpires to speed up play. But they aren't doing it. Starting Friday night, expect another series of plus-three hour baseball games. I have no problem with it. For me, more baseball is better baseball. But I think I'm in the minority. Most people want to watch baseball games in a reasonable amount of time. There's nothing reasonable about the length of games between the Yankees and Red Sox. But for me, I figure if they're going to play it, I might as well watch it.

Pro athletes think they can play pro golf---they can't Jerry Rice tries golf

Jerry Rice is the latest former sports superstar who thinks he can play pro golf. I'm sure Rice can compete for the club championship, but he can't compete on the pro tour. In this case the Nationwide Tour, which is golf's AAA version to the PGA Tour. Rice recently competed in a Nationwide event in Hayward, California. Rice is not the first pro athlete from another sport to play a Nationwide Tour tournament. Just the latest. Rice had high hopes. He figured that he would make the cut. Make the cut? Rice nearly finished last. He ended up tied-149th. Why do these jocks think they can play pro golf? It must be false bravado. Playing on a pro golf tour--any golf tour--is not a hobby. You can't just pick up your bag on Thursday and expect to play with these guys. This is a full-time gig. Pro athletes are under the belief that they can play tournament golf just because they caught a few touchdown passes. In the case of Jerry Rice something like 200 touchdown passes. You can't pick up golf in your thirties and expect to play on the pro tour in your forties. It doesn't work that way. But something tells me Rice will try again. Some guys just don't get it.

I'm sorry for the typos on my latest post.

Beware the islanmd green at the players champiosnhip

The Players Championship starts Thursday at the TPC at Sawgrass. Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy tournament. The Pete Dye course was developed from 417 acres worth of swampland. It's four par 3's are brutal, but the one par three is legendary. It's the par 3 17th, better known as the island green. It's actually a peninsula. How can something so petite be so dastardly? It just may be the most photographed golf hole in the world. It's estimated that there are watery graves for over 250,000 golf balls surrounding the island green. Pro golfers are a confident bunch, but when they approach the island green you can see their legs quaking. I love watching pro athletes get humbled. My game feels so much better when I see their balls go splish-splash. Now, the 17th hole will be broadcast live on the Internet. So pull up a chair. You can make a whole day of it.

Beware the islanmd green at the players champiosnhip

Golfer shoots 58

How does an 18-year old golfer shoot a 58? Heck, how does any golfer shoot a 58? It happened on Sunday in Japan. The youngster, Ryo Ishikawa, was not playing on some putt-putt course. This kid is playing on a major tour. Also on Sunday, 20 year old Rory McIIroy shot a 62 on the PGA Tour. This was the same event that bounced Tiger Woods after two rounds. Woods shot a 79 on Friday, the second worst round of his career as a professional. Phil Mickelson, although he's going to need help, can take over the number one ranking if he wins the upcoming Players Championship. Woods has held the ranking for the last five years. But right now the focus of the golfing world isn't on Tiger Woods. It's on two kids that made history. Maybe the is better than we thought.

Floyd Mayweather is that good

Well friends, I don't like the guy, but there's no denying Floyd Mayweather's considerable talents. I don't say this lightly, but Mayweather is one of the all-time great boxers in ring history. Last night he dominated Shane Mosley for his 41st consecutive win. Mosley is several years past his prime, but he's still a good fighter. Mayweather made him look like a palooka. Mosley had a brief window in round two where he almost made the fight interesting, but Mayweather tied him up and the round soon came to an end. Take away that snippet of action and Mayweather pitched a shutout. By the midway point of the fight Mosely looked lost. Mayweather probably could've knocked him out, but as we all know, Mayweather closes the show on his terms. Of course, there's only one fight left: Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao. This fight should've taken place by now. In fact, this column should be about the rematch. As a sport, boxing is not doing well. There is no buzz about boxing. This MMA crap isn't helping matters. Yes, I know, the fan base for each sport is different. But boxing is bordering on becoming irrelevant. That's why Mayweather-Pacquiao must be made. And soon. Only Pacquiao can make Mayweather look mortal.

Who is the Greatest Yankee?

The Wall Street Journal recently published an article, "Who is the Greatest Yankee"? (positional players only) For starters, I didn't know the Wall Street Journal had a sports section. Anyway, the first two selections are obvious: Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. At number three is Joe DiMaggio. That's open to much debate, but the most unusual choice was at number four. The WSJ selected Derek Jeter as the fourth "Greatest Yankee." Jeter? Number four? Clearly I don't understand this pick. What about Yogi? Heck, what about THE MICK? For the record, Berra is number five and Mantle is six. I'm not going to break out a bunch of stats that support my argument. I'm just not in the mood. But the primary criteria for a player's worth comes down to runs. Runs created. And unless I'm mistaken, Mickey Mantle created more runs than Derek Jeter. I know, Jeter has more time on the clock. Who knows? Maybe I'm wrong. After all, you can massage the numbers to fit your particular point of view. Make no mistake, Jeter is an all-time great Yankee. He's a first ballot Hall of Famer. I just don't put him in the same category as Mantle. Maybe I've watched too many Mantle "Yankeeography's." Maybe I've been influenced by all the sappy tributes that have been paid to Mantle over the years. Whatever the reason, I can't take this particular singles hitter (Jeter) over this particular power hitter (Mantle). I don't even see how you can make the argument.

NFL Draft

when did the NFL commissioner get all touchy-feely on us?

racism in baseball?

is there racism in baseball? twins infielder Orlando Hudson thinks so. he told Yahoo! that racism might be a factor in the case of Jermaine Dye. Dye, an African American, hit 27 home runs last year, but he remains unsigned in 2010. now, there are plenty of teams that would like a player who can hit 27 home runs, but what hudson left out, is that Dye batted .179 in the second half of 2009. Dye is in rapid decline. he's 36 years old with a slow bat. according to baseball prospectus, Dye "often looked like the guy at work who never gets enough sleep." i'm guessing that some team will take a flier on Dye. baseball would love to have more African-American participation. less than 10% of major league players are African-American. racism is not the issue in the case of Jermain Dye. it's just a case of a guy whose career is swiftly on the downside. Orlando Hudson take note.

i know this is sacrilegious, but i have no interest in the I-Pad. i'm having enough problems with my phone and my computer. do i really need this thing? as you can see, this blog is not confined to just sports. db.

Welcome to My Blog

This is my first entry into the world of blogging. Let's have a good exchange of sports information and ideas!