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.