NFL Picks

Going into the final season of the regular
season, I hope to capitalize on a perfect
3-0 week from last week and go into the
playoffs strong. The record now stands
at a nice 30-12 and a strong .714 winning
percentage. So here I go again

Cleveland

Miami

Denver

But,honestly I'm only guessing here, because
in the final week you never know who's gonna
come to play.

To Win Or Not To Win

When the NY Giants host the New England
Patriots Sunday night it probably may turn
out to be the worst the NFL has to offer.
The Giants have clinched a playoff spot and
have nothing to gain other than a spot in history
if they knock off the 15-0 Pats. This school of
though here is this; if they try hard and get a
key injury, then they jeopardise a possible
Super Bowl run, and if they lose in the process
it looks even worse. Even if they win many say
no one will care, but I say that this is being said
only because no one believes that they really have
a chance to win this game, NOT because no one
will care. I assure you that if the Giants pull this
off, it will be BIG, and it will be be big if for no other
reason than the fact the the Pats and Bill Belicheck
WANT it, otherwise they wouldn't be risking their
own Super Bowl run, which incidentally has more
legs than the Giants does, and that goes without
saying. I hope the Giants do give this their all,
because they do not have a strong chance at winning
it all, and this may be the closest they get to saying
they beat the eventual Super Bowl Champs. They
will also be the team that stands out in years to come
when this ALMOST perfect season is looked back on,
and no one can say that the only reason they won is
because the Pats where being cautious not to injure
key players. It's obvious they want this, so why not
make them earn it. Keep in mind that if they suffer
a key injury and these two meet in the championship,
then it will be to the Giants advantage the Pats egos
where to big to let up on what is a fairly meaningless
stat unless you win the whole thing, and until that is
done, the Dolphins still sit on top of the perch.

M e r r y C h r i s t m a s

It's always a good time to be grateful, and
you're never too big to do so. I only hope
that some of the athletes and owners grow
closer with each passing day to realizing this.

I wish you all a Happy Holiday Season,
whether you celebrate Christmas as I do,
or some other Holiday during this season,
and more importantly thanks for your
support, I hope it's been enjoyable for you.

Thanks, V D, always in my heart, R.I P.

NFL Picks

27-12 and feeling the squeeze of the season
closing to an end. Last week 2-1 and this
week I'm screaming for 3-0 again. Here goes.

Arizona

Detroit

San Diego

Feliz Navidad

Deadly Doses

MLB Did anyone, ANYONE, expect Roger Clemens
to admit to steroid use? Is the public delusional or
just plain STUPID?
NHL Chris Simon just set another NHL record, yaaay
Tod bad it's for longest suspension in league history,
and kicking a fellow league player with a sharp blade
when he was down.
NBA Knick fans keep calling for Isiah Thomas's head,
but the Miami Heat, with Pat Riley, Shaquille O'neal,
Dwayne Wade, Alonzo Mourning and Co have a worse
record than the Knicks do. So now that the ship is
sinking in Miami perhaps Riley can get Stan Van Gundy
back from Orlando so that he can "retire".

Steroids, HGH, And The Excuses

Andy Pettite and Fernando Vina say they didn't
take HGH to gain a competitive edge, but rather
to heal faster. Well if you heal faster is that not
gaining a competitive edge? Fifteen years ago
Barry Bonds looked like Jose Reyes and Roger
Clemens like John Maine, and we needed the
Mitchell report to tell us that they were in some
way involved with performance enhancing drugs
of some sort? It certainly didn't seem strange at
at when Roger threw a sharp and jagged edge at
an opponent and claimed that he thought it was
the baseball. Can anyone say 'roid rage?
Lastly keep in mind that the only confessions thus
far, i.e F.P. Santangelo. Andy Pettite, and Fernando
Vina are all from players that are in no way risking
Hall Of Fame inductions, i.e. Mark McGwire, Barry
Bonds, Roger Clemens. I wonder if that's just a
coincidence or the $money$ talking, I wonder.

NFL Picks

Finally my 3-0 has arrived again, and
I don't wish to be modest to the point of
faltering again. The record is 25-11, and
I'm looking for more, much more.

This weeks winners are:

Tampa Bay

Cleveland

Seattle

Here's Your Fat Contract, Now LEAVE !

I mean isn't that what everyone does these days?
No reason for a contract if your not going to honor
it, is there? Maybe I'm wrong, perhaps I should ask
Nick Saban, no wait how about Dennis Erickson, I
would ask Bobby Petrino, but he's a little busy right
now signing a contract he must certainly intend to
get out of. It has become an absolute disgrace, and
moreover shameful.

Everyone that knows me knows I'm a huge Raiders
fan, and have been for 32 years, and the reason I bring
this up is because reports have Lane Kiffin being a top
candidate for the Arkansas job before Petrino got it.
Why not Kiffin then? Well Al Davis the Raiders owner
wanted too much compensation. and frankly I don't
blame him. These guys leave and nothing, Atlanta
for instance has it's thumb up it's butt. Keep in mind
that they had to make an entirely new rule for how
savvy Mr. Davis is. When Jon Gruden was TRADED
to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Raiders received
two first round picks, two second round picks, and
$8million in cash, after that trades like that were no
longer allowed. He basically cleaned them out, which
is why after taking Tony Dungy's team to a Championship
they were horrible for a few years, they had nothing.
It's time that they start to pay for moves like this,
make the coaches pay too. They leave for greater
riches, make it cost something. When a coach gets
fired it's usually for losing, actually almost always,
but when a coach leaves it's usually because he's
looking for more money, and I'm sorry these guys
are not at a level of poverty I need to sympathize
with. BE A MAN, KEEP YOUR WORD ! ! !

Bad, Badder, Baddest

BAD----NFL
It's possible that after the Steelers were embarrassed
by the Patriots on Sunday that the best course of
action for Mr Guarantee himself Anthony Smith
was to not egg on the Patriots for when they might
meet in the playoffs. Just a thought.

BADDER----NBA
Whether it was his fault or not, it might have been a good
for Isiah not to blame the fans for the Knicks poor
performance after agreeing to a settlement deal earlier
in the day to sexual harassment charges. Even if it
was David Sterns idea.

BADDEST----NFL
Michael Vick, 3-10, Bobby Petrino debacle.
Need I say more?????

NFL Pcks

I'm not going to give in, I will get my 3-0
These are LOCKS ! The record is 22-11

Seattle

Jacksonville

Dallas

Perfect Twice

If the Miami Dolphins go winless this season
I am venturing to guess that they will be the
first team in major sports history to go winless
and undefeated. I'm not really sure whether
or not that's something to be proud of, but
at least it's a silver lining, and they get the
number one overall pick to top it off. Not bad.

Would You Hire This Guy?

The Athletic Director of Pitt was just recently
FIRED by Nebraska. The thing most responsible
for his being let go was probably the atrocious
and dismal season that the Cornhuskers
football team had had, where they suffered
their most embarrassing and lopsided defeats.
Just prior to their major collapse he proceeded
to sign now ex head coach Bill Callahan to a
contract extension.

So a month and a half later, Steve Pederson the
aforementioned AD signs Dave Wannstedt
another former NFL coach by the way the
way, to a three year contract extension.
The Pitt Panthers are coming off their third
consecutive losing season, and have not been
to a bowl game in his tenure, something his
predecessor did manage to do .

Did Pederson not learn his lesson? Is this a
round hole square peg thing?, or should we
blame whoever hired him instead?
It just doesn't make any sense!

Cowards All Of Them

The booth officials reluctance to overturn the
Patriots late touchdown vs the Ravens when it
was clear that possession wasn't certain and the
field officials attention was on the receivers feet,
and not possession was another cowardly move by
the NFL and their officials. The ruling on the field
clearly could have been overturned, but the booth
officials care to hide behind the irrefutable
evidence loophole. I do wish to be fair however,
the broadcasters where even more spineless.
Not a word was uttered when the question of
possession was raised, it was like a silent movie
in there. What a bunch of cowards for a group
of bigmouths.

NFL Picks

2-1, 2-1, 2-1 How mundane

I NEED 3-0 AGAIN ! ! ! ! !

And this weeks picks are................

Carolina

Minnesota

Cleveland

BCS = Big time College Stupidity

Take these facts into account, Missouri is
rated number one by the BCS with a record
of 11-1 and their opponents have a winning
percentage of 554. West Virginia is ranked
number two at 10-1 and their opponents have
a 529 winning percentage. Florida has a 9-3
record and is ranked 10th in the BCS polls,
the Holy Grail of polls, but Hawai'i who is 11-0
is ranked 12th because their opponents have
367%, or at least that's the justification that is
used when explaining why they are not ranked
higher.

You play who you play, some of these big time
time programs such as Michigan even put
Division II teams on their schedule and when
they lose it's a travesty. You may argue and
rightfully so, that Hawai'i probably wouldn't
beat a big time school. An argument I made
myself just two weeks ago. However shouldn't
they be given that opportunity being that they
may end their regular season 12-0 if they beat
Washington this week, who by the way despite
their losing record is a so called big time program?
Also keep in mind that last week they beat the
number 17 BCS ranked team in the country,
who at the time had the number three ranked
pass defense in the country, and passing is all
Hawai'i does, and did that night. Boise St a team
that got no respect for the same reason last year
did play in a big time bowl, though not for the
Championship, won the game they weren't
supposed to and managed to finish the year ranked
number three in the BCS, but in this years
preseason rankings again got no respect and were
ranked in the 20's to start an all but impossible
climb to the top.

Lastly the New England Patriots have a shot at
going undefeated this year, but perhaps they to
shouldn't got a shot at their league's crown
because their opponents have a winning percentage
of .452 and a record of 80-97, not to mention they
face the 0-11 Dolphins twice and the 2-9 Jets twice.

It's clear that either the NCAA institute a playoff
system and stopping lying to the public about the
fact that these athletes are students first or they
give teams like Hawai'i a chance to win the brass
ring like everyone else. By the way does the fact
that Division II get to play in a playoff system
make them any less studious?

Time To Point Fingers

Sean Taylor's tragic death this week raises flags
once again. Flags that have plagued primarily
the NFL and NBA, and not so much or as much
the NHL and MLB, but none the less flags.
The questions are these, where have we failed
these rich youngsters? Is it at the High School
level? The College level? or more probably in
the home, aka in the community they come from.
Do we idolize them too much? Should student
athletes be this revered and famous as they are,
and as Sean Taylor was? Though I am fully aware
that many of you may point out that this was a
possible attempted robbery, I am sure you know
that it is also possible that this was retribution,
and that this wasn't his only run in with trouble.
This certainly no time to kick a man when he is
down, or in this case dead, but let us not forget the
price that is ultimately paid for hailing athletes
for playing a game, a game we all wish we could
play and get paid to do it. We as a society really
need to take a long hard look at ourselves and
wake up, because these problems aren't about
to go away.

NFL Picks

20-10 on the season, and such mediocrity.
These picks were supposed to be locks,
and even though I understand that there
will be bumps in the road, I still hate it.

This weeks winners are:

Arizona

Cleveland

Oakland

How About Now?

The Oakland Raiders have equaled last
years win total already, with six weeks to
go in this years season, but that's where
the good news ends. They have two wins.

This week they have a chance, when they play
the Kansas City Chiefs, and after showing an
abysmal run defense vs the Minnesota
Vikings last week, to surpass last years win
total. They also get lucky this week, as they
can get a chance to make that run defense look
good at the same time, even if it isn't true .
Larry Johnson, the Chiefs leading rusher and
an NFL top back is out with an injury, and
Christmas came early for the Raiders because
the Chiefs second leading rusher and former
NFL elite RB decided to end his comeback
and retire this week. This is a perfect case
of, the door is open, now walk in.
So, "How About Now?"

Happy Thanksgiving

To all who support Mad Stork Sports,

THANK YOU !

Remember to bookmark us and pass it on.

Have A Great Thanksgiving, and remember

all you have to be thankful for.

Mad Stork Sports

Stop The Presses

NFL It's a amazing how some of the
more successful coordinators get head
coaching jobs and then can't even get
their teams to excel on the side of the
ball the were coordinators at.

Cases in point: Marvin Lewis an
excellent defensive coordinator in
Baltimore can't get his Bengals team
to stop a Pop Warner team. Norv
Turner won Super Bowls with the
Cowboys, revived the Chargers and
Dolphins offenses when he was there,
and his Chargers are grossly under
performing under his watch as head
coach. This list is longer, but I really
don't want bore you. I just wish I
could understand why. Maybe I
should ask Charlie Weiss.
NFL II / NCAA Football
I checked out the latest BCS rankings
tonight and noticed that even after
trouncing Buffalo 56-10 yesterday
and beating the Super Bowl Champs
the game before that, New England
wasn't able to crack the top 25.
I guess no BCS Bowl bid for them.
I don't get it, poor Bill Belicheck
those pols are biased anyway.
MLB Tom Glavine in essence just took
$5million less to sign a one year deal with
the Braves instead of allowing the second
year of his contract to kick in with the
NY Mets which was his option.
Things with the Mets must have been
real, real bad. Real, real bad.

NFL PIcks

OK 2-1 and last week, but I guess the Rams
had to win eventually, however that's no excuse.
The record has dropped to 18-9 and .667% is
not what I consider a "lock" type of percentage.
Marching on, here goes


Green Bay


Dallas


Pittsburgh

Dinks And Dunks

NCAA Football
After watching Hawai'i win a squeaker vs Nevada
on Friday, it was clear to me that this team was
ranked 16th in the BCS polls despite the undefeated
record of 9-0 for a reason. Even though they were
playing without their star and Heisman Trophy
hopeful, Colt Brennan, and this has been a strange
year even for teams that are supposed to win easy,
they showed me that they would be crushed like a
bug if they played a big time program like an
Ohio State or LSU. Don't get me wrong, I love
a good underdog story, I liked it with Boise St.
last year and, I'm pulling for Hawai'i this year
but if they don't finish strong against the
aforementioned Bosie St. who is going to be
their only high ranked opponent this year,
they will be no better than any other non
BCS school.

NCAA II I attended the Harvard Yale game
today, and all I can say is that only in a rivalry
game can a 9-0 team like Yale get crushed
37-6 by an opponent on their own field.
It was a great experience, but would have been
much better to see a team finish their season
undefeated.

NBA The NY Knicks are way too talented to be this
bad, and Stephon Marbury has been on way too
many underachieving teams for this to be a
coincidence. Something has to give, and I won't
even begin to suggest what.

NHL The New York Rangers have turned their
early season struggles around, and the have a
really strong choice for first half MVP, and that's
the fabulous Swede Henrik Lundqvist and his
1.71 Goals Against Average.

Correction/Addition The previous post
titled Boston (W) Tea Party mentioned many
Boston and New England teams, I did
however fail to mention that the New England
Revolution will be in the MLS Cup final on
Sunday in Soccer, and since then Harvard
beat Yale to go undefeated in the Ivy League
and win the Ivy League Championship.
Man talk about a hot, hot, hot city/region.

Scott Boras Is The Devil, Well, Maybe

This week A-rod decided to negotiate his own
contract with the Yankees after reportedly
receive some advise from Mega Trillionaire
and all around smart guy Warren Buffet.
Friday pitcher Kenny Rogers fires Boras,
and announces he will negotiate his own
contract as he is a free agent.

It's easy to that this has been a pretty bad
week PR wise for Boras, and you have to
wonder how he will survive this hit, now that
he is being treated like the plague.
Frankly it couldn't happen to a nicer guy,
sports wise that is

A-Rod vs Barry Bonds

No, I don't mean the home run chase either.
The last couple of days they have been in
a race for the headlines, intentionally or not.

A-Rod Planned or not he pushed the Devil
aka as Scott Boras aside and decided to take
the reigns in his contract talks with the Yankees.
Bonds May keep to his word and not attend
possible Hall of Fame ceremonies after all.
He may be busy doing up to 30 years in the
federal penitentiary.
A-Rod Claims that he is willing to accept a
below market offer from the Yankees in order
to show he is serious in wanting to make things
right. $275 million for 10 years, oh boo hoo,
how will he ever feed his family? Perhaps he
should ask Latrell Sprewell, or just admit that
the money he and Boras were seeking just wasn't
out there as they had originally thought.
Bonds Now that the federal charges might
actually have teeth will he still insist that his
record isn't tainted?
A-Rod Is a choirboy compared to Bonds,
but neither have been able to win the big one,
and you have to wonder if Red Sox fans
insistence that they didn't want him played a
part in his realizing that he couldn't pit the
two teams into a bidding war.
Bonds Supposedly at the time of the
indictment he was hunting. I wonder if he's
gonna pull a Dick Cheney and accidentally shoot
someone in the face?

These two are getting real boring, a real Paris
Hilton, Lindsey Lohan headline battle of the
chumpions, but I had space to fill and this is the
best I could come up with. The truth is, whether it's
Alex or Barry, Lindsey or Paris, this is our fault
for giving them so much importance in our day
to day lives. Time to wake up and smell the
$5 latte. We're being hoodwinked !

Boston (W) Tea Party

Since the start of the World Series the
Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics have a
combined record of 19-0 and even if
you add in the terrible records of
Boston College (8-2) and the Boston
Bruins 8-6, that's still 35-8.
Life in Boston is Good !

Snap, Crackle, And Pop

MLB
After looking at the numbers of the top four
vote getters in the AL Cy Young race, it was
amazing anyone could make a decision.
It was so close. They were all deserving and I'm
surprised a tad bit that Carmona and Lackey
didn't at least pick up one first place vote,
they all had merit in one aspect or another.


CC Sabathia
W-L ERA K Walks
19-7 3.21 209 37
Josh Beckett
W-L ERA K Walks
20-7 3.27 194 40
John Lackey
W-L ERA K Walks
19-9 3.01 179 52
Fausto Carmona
W-L ERA K Walks
19-8 3.06 137 61


NFL
Pac man Jones gets a plea deal, I'm sure the
guy who wound up in the wheel chair is thrilled.


MLS
With Ruud Gullit taking over as coach of the
LA Galaxy, it is certain that David Beckham will
soon be more comfortable and involved in a
more suitable style of play for him.
This is also the first sign that the latest LA Galaxy
is the 21st century version of the NY Cosmos.


NASCAR
Another reason why I find NASCAR so absurd reared
it's ugly head today. As I watched ESPN News and
the headline ticker informed me that Jimmie Johnson
needed to finish 18th or better to clinch the Nextel Cup
Championship. 18th or better??? Championship???
C'mon ! ! !

ESPN News
I can't see how Lipscomb beating Fisk by a score of
123-22 is "Breaking News", do you?

NFL Picks

After back to back miserable weeks of 1-2
In will no longer be referring to picks as
"I don't want to pick the easy ones",
because there are no easy ones.
I now intend to add to my 17-7 record.

New Orleans

Seattle

Pittsburgh

3-0 here I come!

World Champions?

Today I saw a headline on the internet that
former major leaguer Jim Lefevbre will be
coaching China's national team in the
Beijing Olympics. So that made me wonder.
Bobby Valentine manages pro baseball in
Japan, and the KC Royals newest manager
Trey Hillman did as well, the NBA is full of
foreign players, and Major League baseball
has been for much longer than that, though
Asians are only now starting to really make
their presence felt. Hockey aside from the
Canadian influence is full of foreigners, and
Soccer needs to be in order to survive, at
least in this country. It seems that the NFL
is the only "Major" sport in this country that
has been able to elude true foreign influence,
and that may stay that way for awhile, though
some foreigners have been sprinkled in during
recent times.

I guess the whole point of this is, Is any team
truly a "World Champion" if they only face teams
based in this country/continent? The Stanley Cup
in name alone does not pretend to name the
"World" Champion, and neither does the "Super
Bowl", and I guess the NBA Championship gets
a pass as well, but is it time to change the title
of "World Series"?, or is it even fair to say that
the others should not be considered "Champions"
of the "World" as many athletes often like to say
soon after winning their respective titles?
Remember theses leagues began in a time where
travel by bus was considered rapid transit,
so it is understandable that you couldn't really
face opponents from other countries, let alone
incorporate them into your leagues, and that
was probably an even better reason not to be
considered world champs.

It is fair to say that it might now be time to
get the Champions of the best leagues around
the globe to face each other to decide the
best of the best. Soccer does something similar
in Europe with it's Champions league tourney,
and even beyond that. The World Cup of Soccer
goes beyond that to show National supremacy
ala the Olympics, but a little more interesting
because the names are more familiar. Other
World Cups don't seem to draw the same amount
of interest, with the exception of Rugby in other
parts of the world. Let's face it, the money will
be made, and American audiences will certainly
get into something like this if you can package
it right, and hopefully not water it down with
glitz and glam. The World Baseball Classic was
a nice start, but this was like the Olympics with
pros, now we need something with club teams.
You know like the Detroit Tigers vs the Yomuiri
Giants for the whole ball of wax. Then their
will be a true "World Series"

Blow To The Head

Eric Lindros very quietly and without much
fanfare retired today. He was once one of
the NHL's mega stars, the next Next One.
But like Steve Young and many countless
others, including his younger brother a
player for the NY Islanders, concussions
did them in.

The only question that entered my mind
as I heard the news was, how many players
in past times had concussion that were
treated as much more minor ailments?

I can't help but wonder how that drive and
ego makes these athletes dismiss health,
take steroids, and become guinea pigs for
human growth hormones, and so on.
Are we guilty for pushing them or is
it just the human condition that brings
this about? Either way it doesn't seem
as though it will end anytime soon.

Marion Jones confesses, the Russian are
accused of poison in the name of the
Davis Cup in Tennis, and the Mitchell
investigation rolls on. Kind of makes
the exploits of Pac Man Jones seem
like little more than mischievous play.

Super Hot Stove

Though it seems that the NFL has become or
may become the number one sport Americans
love, it is clear by this years post season
activities that MLB is never closed.
The Hot Stove as many love to call the
trade/free agent/ GM meetings/Winter
meetings, and all things rumoured is
definitely in high gear.

Where will A-Rod Go?
Will Glavine go back to the Braves?
Will the Yankees trade for Miguel Cabrera,
or Johan Santana? Will they be able to
resign Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, or
even Andy Pettite?
What will Brad Lidge to the Phillies mean
to the NL East?
And or course what may be a party pooper
this year, What will the Mitchell report reveal?

I could certainly go on and on, and though
it's clear that the NFL Draft Trumps the
MLB Draft by far, baseball certainly stirs
up postseason attention like no other sport.
Isn't this fun?

Stray Bullets

MLB
I find it amazing as a New York Mets fan
that David Wright won Gold Glove for
his excellence in fielding. I am as big a
David Wright fan as there is, and the way
he carries himself off the field is a real breath
of fresh air, but was the National League so
third baseman deprived that they gave a
guy with "24" errors a Gold Glove?

MLB II
All kidding aside, it's nice to see someone take
less money to stay and play where they want
to play. Curt Schilling won't starve on eight
million a year in Boston, but he could have
gotten more and worked less in the NL,
i.e. Piladelphia.

MLB III
Last week when Andy Pettite was asked whether
he'd be following Torre L.A., he responded by
saying that it wouldn't be right after the Yankees
invested so much money in him. Yesterday he
opted out of his contract, not to go to L.A., but to
either retire or of course get more money from the
Yankees. It's good to see a man of God with such
a deep conscious as he behave with integrety.

NFL
Now that the NFL has cleared the Colts on
the noise accusations made by the Patriots
following Sunday's contest. Perhaps the
Pats should consider accusing the Bills of
pumping in snow if their streak should end
in Buffalo or Eagles fans for cussing.

NBA
Now that most teams in the NBA have jumped
on the foreign player boat, you have to wonder
if the ones that haven't got the memo that some
of these guys can actually play.

NHL
Now that the NY Rangers have gotten back on
track after a slow start they have no one to
thank more than their Swedish net minder
who has four shutouts in the young season,
and an impressive 1.49 goals against average.

MLS
Bruce Arena teams dominated soccer in the
MLS early years. Tuesday he "resigned"
from the NY Red Bull. After a disappointing
National Team experience you have to wonder
how history will judge his legacy in later years.

Pot Calling Kettle, Come In Kettle

So now that the bad guys (Patriots) won
they've decided to accuse the Colts of
cheating, Ha ! They claim that the Colts
have been pumping in crowd noise to
throw off their opponents. True or not,
I wonder how it feels to fight an uphill
battle?

NFL Picks

A real letdown last week bringing my hot streak
to an end. That being said my record for the
season is still a healthy 16-5. Time to pick up
the pieces and I won't avoid the Big Game either.

Oakland

Pittsburgh

Indianapolis

Now let there be wins !

Say It Ain't So Joe

In what could be a legacy defining moment,
Joe Torre has accepted the job as manager
of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Obviously it
isn't about the money, he definitely took
less, although he didn't come cheap.
He will be under the microscope though.
Questions will be a plenty, especially by
the Yankee fans that wanted him gone,
and non Yankee fans who have always
contended that Torre success was a product
of his $200,000,000 payroll. If Joe Torre
fails to produce anything less than a
World Series appearance, his performance
will be considered a failure. Though the
Dodgers may not think so, his detractors
most certainly will, and they will dance
in the streets.

Good Luck Joe.
Way to put a bulls eye on your back.

A-Rod Saves Baseball

With a little cooperation from all parties involved
that's exactly what can happen. You see opting
out of his contract can do exactly that.
If the owners don't drop the ball, no pun
intended, this could be just what baseball needs.
By opting out of his contract, the possibility
actually exists, and a realistic one at that.


Alex Rodriguez was due approximately $75
million dollars on the remainder of his deal,
basing that on three years left on a $252 mil.
10 year deal. If owners realize that he is
actually kind of stuck between a rock and a
hard place and don't offer him any more than
$25 million per, and don't give him another
10 year deal, then it could pave the way, if they
want to pave the way that is, for a more
responsible spending trend. Twenty five
million dollars should almost never be
preceded by the word "only", but this will
insure that his opting out won't get him
more money, and hopefully make maggots
like Scott Boras think twice before advising
their clients to opt out of contracts such as
his, when it was clear that the Yankees
would have made him richer by extending,
and padding his present/past contract

Look, let's not fool ourselves, I'm not, by
thinking this is easy, but if the owners
really want to ensure that prices don't
continue to spiral out of control, then
to make an example of the biggest fish
is the best way. Offer him what he was
already making, what's he gonna say?
How am I gonna feed my family on $25
per year? Stupid like Latrell Sprewell
doesn't happen everyday.

Two things that immediately come to
mind though is this. Now we know why
he was willing to take less money from
the Red Sox to make the trade from
Texas go through.; Boras knew he could
opt out of his contract and shoot for more
money later. The other being that he does
NOT want to be a Yankee, period, don't
BS us into that garbage. Alex can also
reflect back on one other thing if he never
wins a WS ring. If the Baseball (Devil)
Union would have allowed him to take
less money from the Red Sox, he might
have a ring, for now he doesn't, and any
team that over pays to get him will most
probably not be able to afford to put
together enough players around him
for A-Rod to ever win a ring.
Perhaps that will be the most poetic
justice of all, because for all the money,
many of these athletes can't stomach it
when they are tagged as losers, just
ask Dan Marino, or Charles Barkley.

Hits, Runs, And Errors

What a week in baseball, and not all of it
good either. Let's take a look shall we?

Hits
First off I got the chance to listen to a piece
Don Mattingly's conference call with the
media today, and one thing was very, very
clear. He is one super super classy man.
I grew up a Met fan and what I remember
is that no matter how much I hated the
Yankees, I never hated him. It's easy to
see why that was.

Runs
Grady Little resigned today amid his name
being further dragged into the mud by the
Dodgers GM Ned Colletti, as he continued to
negotiate with people to fill the position of
Dodgers manager while the position was still
held by Little. Grady Little may not be the
best manager out there, but he certainly
seems to deserve the respect that he has
shown during his career.

Errors
Scott Boras is the snake in the Garden of Eden
that was once baseball. What a lame ass
apology for his A-Rod opt out announcement
in the middle of game four of the World
Series. Immensely disrespectful to the
Red Sox and the Rockies. Even if you are
his client you have to have lost some respect
for him after one more in a line of many
underhanded moves.

Yankees, Red Sox & The Sports Spage

At the start of the Yankees managerial search they
had three candidates. Mattingly, Girardi, and Pena.
Of the three many thought Mattingly was a slam
dunk to get the job, for no other reason than the
fact that he was a Yankee, not that he was actually
the best candidate. Girardi was the bonus choice
because of what else, he too had Yankee ties, but
a better choice because in his one year as a major
league manager, he won manager of the year
honors with the Florida Marlins. Tony Pena was
supposed to be the token minority interview, but
turned out to be far more than that because he
was the best qualified of them all. Pena too was
once manager of the year, but managed for a longer
period of time with an overachieving KC Royals
team, and was loved by his players.

Today the Yankees offered their job to Joe Girardi,
and as of this writing he has yet to accept, but they
are in negotiations. I wonder, if Giradi and the
Yankees were not to agree to a deal, and they are
out on Don Mattingly, because he has already stated
that he doesn’t want to return because he wasn’t
offered the job, would they then offer it to Pena?

They certainly made sure they moved quickly to steal
that sports page from the Red Sox winning another
World Series, didn’t they?

A-Rod Opts Out & The Red Sox Rule

Now that A-Rod has opted out, will the Yankees
keep their word and not negotiate with him or
did they bluff, and he just call it?

More importantly, now that the Red Sox have
begun their dominance of the 21st century can
the Yankees afford not to deal with him, and risk
having the Red Sox land him now that Mike
Lowell is a free agent? It's clear that the Yankees
are way too far ahead the Red Sox in total
number of titles to be threatened, but you and
I both know that all that matters to "The Boss"
is the here and now, and as long as he is even
mildly coherent, this is going to be a big deal.
Let the drama begin.

NFL Picks

OK three straight 3-0 weeks for me, and I
want more. The record now stands at 15-3
and even I didn't think it would go this well,
spread or not. Here we go again.

Indianapolis

Chicago

Denver

There were easier ones, but I didn't want to
seem greedy about it.....................Good Luck

A Different Boston Tea Party

It's a great time to be a New Englander/
Bostonian these days. Number two in the
college football rankings, Boston College
won last night to break a three game losing
steak for teams that have been ranked
number two this season and improved
their record to a perfect 8-0.

The Boston Red Sox won game two of
the World Series last night as well, and
took a commanding two games to none
lead over the Colorado Rockies.

The New England Patriots seem to be
invincible after a 7-0 start and look to
be heavy favorites to have a perfect
season if they get past the Colts next
week.

And last but not least, the Boston Celtics
are heavy favorites to represent the East
for a shot at an NBA title after some heavy
and substantial trades this off season.

The Bruins better hope no one is watching.

Quickies

NHL
Now that the New York Rangers have decided
to spend money like the NY baseball teams
they better at least start scoring like them.
Back to back shutouts and a 2-5 start are no
way to show a return on your investment.

MLB
So Barry Bonds says he's a tad bitter about his
departure with the Giants. He says he was
fired. YEAH ! The nerve of them pretending
he was steroid free ! ! !

MLB II
It was only game one, I know, but the rout is
already on. And oh, if the Sox do lock this this
Championship up can we stop looking back
at the 80 plus year drought, since this one
will give them seven, and they will trail only
the Yankees and Cardinals in that dept.
I think that whole sympathy thing is now
a little played out.

NFL
Can some one please tell Bill Belichek that he
isn't being rated in the BCS poll or the coaches
poll, and running up the score will not improve
his ranking.

NBA
Hey it's a good thing that Greg Oden, and Kevin
Durant are slated to save the NBA since they will
be able to see it first hand from the sidelines.
Uh, What's plan B for 2007?

Red Rocks

The World Series starts this week and much
is being made of the fact the Rockies have had
eight days off. Have they cooled off? Have they
lost there momentum?, etc. Much is also being
made of the fact that they handed Josh Beckett
his first loss of the season and that they won
two of three at Fenway during inter league play
this season.

Well let's not get disillusioned here, MLB
would love for you to believe that this will
be a great match up, and from a Red Sox nation
standpoint it will be. That's where MLB's rating's
are going to come from. A Cleveland Indians vs
Colorado Rockies World Series would have been
bad for both MLB and of course FOX Sports.

That's where the Cinderella story ends.
Realistically the Rockies have no chance,
hot or not, there run ends here. Sorry to
be so harsh, I applaud their run, grit, and
perseverance, but that fat lady has sung.
The Rockies are over matched in every
category, and that will show up in a
hurry. This series will end quickly.
I firmly believe that this will be a sweep
in four straight, I am however of the
school that believes it is possible for it to
go five, but my number is still four,
so let's see shall we.

Red Letter Day

I know you might expect me to start with
the Red Sox following that story title, but
I'll get to them, I promise.

Kimi Raikkonen and Ferrari kick started
Sunday's "Red Letter Day". Ferrari
known by their fans for their fiery red
color, showed that fire when they made a
seemingly improbable comeback to win
the Formula 1 title by one point, when at
the start of the day they trailed by eight.

After enduring a spy scandal that knocked
McClaren Mercedes out of the Constructors
championship and should have knocked out
the McClaren drivers as well for gaining
advantage from the information, they stayed
strong and steady. They trailed for the entire
season except the last day when it counted
most. Congratulations to them.

The Red Sox then capped off a three games to
one deficit to the Cleveland Indians by
making a comeback of their own and
winning game seven an advance to their
second World Series appearance in four years.
Though their Japanese import Dice-K was
slightly better than average this time out,
he was able to manage a victory.
Congratulations to them as well.

NFL Picks

After my second 3-0 week in a row the record
is now up to 12-3 and the term NFL Locks is
living up to it's name. Get ready for another
shot at perfection;

New Orleans

Washington

Seattle

Their were easier ones, but I didn't want to be
accused of really hamming it up, so these should
at least pose some challenge..........Good Luck

Tough Guys

Now that the Yankee brass has shown Joe Torre
just how tough they can be, by low balling their
EX manager, and calling it respectful, let's see if
they can manage to stick to their guns with A-Rod.

The Yankees have come out publicly and said that
if Alex Rodriguez opts out of the final three years
of his contract, they will not negotiate with him.
Why? Well THAT is simple. The Yankees have had
their way with A-Rod while the Texas Rangers
foot a hefty chunk of that contract as a part of the
trade that was made for him, but if he opts out and
re signs then they are on the hook for the whole
ball of wax. I like their stance on this one, but can
they stick to it. This is the same ownership that
said they would not bring back Torre if they lost
to the Indians in the ALDS, and even though it was
a low ball offer that they made to Torre, it was an
offer, albeit a backhanded one.

Guys like Scott Boras have had their way with
owners George Steinbrenner for as long as I can
remember now, and I hope I'm starting to see a
trend in the opposite direction. The Oakland Raiders
made a point of sticking to their guns when it came
to the number one overall pick in this years draft,
and though I still think they gave too much in the
end, they definitely made him, sweat, wait, and
give some stuff up. Al Davis and company are
without question a much more savvy group than
the Yankees, and though Championships might
say otherwise, they don't just try to buy a ring,
and actually have a REAL salary cap to work with.

I really think that they might show some guts if
they stick to their guns on this one, as opposed to
being as spineless as they were with Torre. I mean
they can always take the stance that they didn't
fire him to their fan base, and save their face, but
we know that the NY sports fan is much too savvy
for that load of garbage.

I also believe that A-Rod, as big as his numbers were
this year would be taking a HUGE gamble if he opts
out and the Yankees are out as players for his
services. I can't see him making more than $20
Million per outside of NY and if owners are smart
they'll see that he is stuck between a rock and a hard
place as far as millionaire ballplayers go, so he can
be had for similar numbers, instead of inflated ones.
I CAN'T BELIEVE I JUST WROTE THAT.

I do however expect some idiot like Tom Hicks to
come along and bid against himself and give the
farm away when it isn't necessary. They may be
loaded, but I will argue that they ain't always bright.

This should be interesting.

Bombs and Blasts

MLB

The Rockies just keep wining, but did they
win too fast? I personally think they don't
have a good shot at winning it all, especially
with their pitching depth. Now with all this
time off, it sure is gonna be hard to get
things revving again.

NCAAF

Nebraska Athletic Director gave Bill Callahan
a contract extension during this season and
heading into the USC gave at home it looked
well deserved, but USC blew out the Huskers,
the team is 4-3 and has dropped way out of the
top 25, now the AD is gone and Tom Osborne
is in as interim AD. How long do you think before
Nebraska decides to eat Callahan's contract and
move on? After all in today's sports economy
it's quite small by standards.

NCAAF II

You have to wonder if the apple has lost it's shine
for Charlie Weiss in South Bend. The Irish this
week will start their third different QB, they lost
their fourth player to transfer, well fifth kind of,
one of them returned, and they have only one win,
losing to such rivals as BC, and Michigan, with USC
just around the corner.


NFL

Eric Mangini last year took the NY Jets to
10 wins, this year they get out of their own
way. Easy schedule last year or are teams
more aware of his tactics this year?
One thing is certain by the sound of the NY
sports talk radio shows, no ones calling him
"Man-genius" anymore.

NFL II

With 25% of the starting quarterbacks already
out due to injury this year, you have to wonder
how long it will take for the NFL to implement
a two hand touch rule for the QB position.

Diced K

Before this years baseball season began the Boston
Red Sox were in a huge bidding war with other teams
for just the rights to negotiate with Japanese phenom
Daisuke Matsuzaka, and after that was done agent
Scott Boras wanted then to pony up additional
millions to have him sign with Sox.

In August he "Suggested" that the Sox might want to
cut his innings because he wasn't used to that many
innings or starts in Japan, and knows that Daisuke
would never ask for reduced work.

Well Scott why didn't you mention this when you were
trying to suck the life out of the Boston coffers.
Don't worry baseball fans he's not done yet.
Boras is presently trying to convince A-Rod how
lucrative it would be to opt out of his Yankees contract.
Well after Matsuzaka's 14-12 4.40 ERA season and
a less than sub par post season he should be able to
get A-Rod a BILLION easily.

Sounds like "rookie" of the year honors to me folks.

NFL Picks

Working on 75% after a 3-0 week last week,
but I have to keep this up if I want to keep
the title of "locks" for my picks. OK so I'm now
9-3 and off of my second 3-0 week, so here goes.

Jacksonville

New England (Not wimping out here)

Philadelphia

and let me tell you, this is one tough week.

Rockies & Rolling

The Colorado Rockies just keep chugging along,
and as a bonus they have done something that
hasn't been accomplished in about 30 years.
Not since the "Big Red Machine" Cincinnati Reds
has anyone won the first five games to start the
playoffs. Add to that the fact that their streak of
wins is now at an impressive 19 of 20 going back to
the final two weeks of the regular season.

Another point worth making is that the Baltimore
Orioles last night added to their keystone cops
routine by firing pitching guru extraordinaire
Leo Mazzone, and that's important because another
person who shares a similar title is NY Mets
pitching coach Ric Peterson, who's staff was miserable
down the stretch. Well Bob Apodaca's Staff with the
Rockies has an ERA of 1.91, in these playoffs.
Apodaca is a former pitching coach with NY Mets.
________________________________________
On a different note, Dusty Baker interviewed for the
Reds managerial position this week. I can't see him
in that spot, but if he takes it, he should definitely look
up Mazzone, I just think Baltimore is a little unlucky
right now, and I'm sure Eric Bedard will have plenty
of good things to say about him.

Of Note

NFL

Cowboys vs. Patriots Advantage Patriots

The Cowboys are real light 5-0


Romo vs. Brady Advantage Brady

Experience, Rings, Rings, Rings


Owens vs. Moss Advantage Even

Bigger Mouth vs. Bigger Malcontent



MLB Playoffs


The Rockies just keep on rolling, now at 17 of 18.

Their lack of starting pitching should catch up to

them should they get to the World Series, but

we shall see.

The last time the Red Sox & Indians met in the

playoffs Pedro Martinez was making a legendary

appearance out of the bullpen to cap a classic

and storied comeback.



NBA


Kobe Bryant was keeping his mouth shut, but his

genius of an owner had to bring up trade talk again.


The NBA has slated a bunch of pre-season games

vs. foreign teams, just another indication that

sooner or later Toronto isn't the only NBA stop

where you'll need a passport.



NHL


Matts Sundin became the Toronto Maple Leafs

leading scorer last night, but still no sign of his

name on a Stanley Cup yet. Maybe he can be

traded to a true contender at the deadline

someday follow in the footsteps of Ray Borque.

Torre's Replacement

If the Yankees fire their manager now that
they've been eliminated from post season
contention who are the front runners to take
his place. The NY Daily News reports that
reports that Tony LaRussa is a candidate,
but that's just a paper pegging a big name
where a ego maniac owner is in the mix,
so that was an easy guess with nothing to lose.

LaRussa would be a bad mix, with New York,
Steinbrenner, and with a very uncertain job
security situation, something he has never
had at any stop in his career.

Other names include Don Mattingly, and Joe
Girardi. Mattingly is not high profile enough
for George, and might be over matched in his
first assignment. Girardi has at least one go
at it before as Marlins skipper, but that was a
nothing to lose job, nothing was expected.
People also wonder if his loyalties to Torre
would allow him to take the job, but he
turned down the Orioles and Nationals
jobs in back to back years, so I don't think
loyalty is a factor here.

The Wildcard here is Bobby Valentine, and
though we know he can handle it, this isn't
his type of team, he likes to platoon and rest
way too many teams for a star laden line up
like George Steinbrenner teams.

Let the speculation continue, but I say odds
are real good he winds up staying. Just a
gut feeling I have. We'll see.

Timeout!

Three weeks ago Denver Broncos Coach
Mike Shanahan called a timeout a split
second before Oakland Raiders kicker
Sebastian Janikowski kicked an apparent
game winning field goal. Upon retry, after
the timeout the kick hit the upper left upright
and went wide left. The strategy worked, and
the Broncos won.

A week later the Raiders were faced with
the same dilemma after the Cleveland Browns
had driven to within field goal range at the end
of the game to attempt a game ending and
winning field goal. Raiders Coach Lane Kiffin
taught a lesson a week earlier, tried the same
thing, he called a timeout a half second before
the snap and though the attempt would have
been good, it didn't count. Upon retry it was
blocked and the Raiders were the victors this
time.

Last night Dick Jauron, the Buffalo Bills
head coach showed he too was paying attention,
and did the same thing to the Dallas Cowboys
kicker Nick Folk, and after hitting what
appeared to be a 53 yard game winning field
goal, that too didn't count. Upon retry though
he did connect once again and the strategy
failed for the first time in it's most recent birth.

There you have three recent instances were
an edge is trying to be gained by rattling the
kicker. This isn't new however, icing the kicker
is an age old tradition in our beloved NFL, but
only in the past three years has the coach been
able to call the actual timeout, as opposed to a
player on the field. It seems that this is leading
to a trend that may stick around, though many
rumblings are already being heard around the
sports community, especially the burnt fans.
Sports talk radio has already made many a call
for the league to take away the coaches ability to
call these types of time outs or time outs all
together and leave it to the captains on the field.

Whatever the end result, it is obvious that
has found another way to keep it interesting.

Quick Hits

Yankee Doodle Dumb

I agree that it's his money, his team and his choice,
but firing Joe Torre if the Yankees lose to the
Indians in the playoffs, as George Steinbrenner
stated on Sunday, would be pretty D U M B.
Not one Manager presently holding a job has
more than two rings, Torre Has four and 13
straight playoff appearances.

Run Forrest Run

Seeing Marion Jones apologize publicly the other
day kind of makes you wanna forgive her.
That's your choice, but it also makes you wonder
if selling your soul eventually eats you up so bad
inside that it makes you wanna bust. Or maybe
it was the check cashing scandal. I wonder if
the IRS will eventually do that to Barry Bonds.
I'd pay to see that day, for more than one reason.

Sophomore Jinx?

Second year coaches in the NFL this year have
a combined record of 13-29, two of those teams
are winless. The Saints are one of those winless
teams. I wonder how long before the shine wears
off on last years magical season.

Scraping The Bottom Of The Barrel

Jacques Villeneuve made his NASCAR debut
today. He is a former Champion in Formula
One racing, and the F1 track in Montreal is
named after his father. That being said,
the rest of the racing world today either
laughed or just didn't care. Oh how far
he's fallen.

NFL Picks Time

Last week my locks where anything but,
however I'm still a respectable 6-3 on
the season, but not what I would call
a lock. So I have make it good, here goes.

Tennessee

Dallas

Indianapolis

Good Luck,
I won't need any.

Lord of the Flies

An instant Yankee legend and fan favorite the
impenetrable Joba Chamberlain's Achilles heel
may have been found. Swarm him with flies,
lots of them. This prompted Yankee fans to take
to the sports radio airwaves Friday night and
scream their lungs out, and it wasn't long
before fingers were being pointed.

Suddenly not everyone was a fan, and the city of
Cleveland was a trash bin, how amusing.

As you can imagine the accusations didn't stop
there. This was A-rod's fault. No matter that
the team had a total of three hits over 13
innings. A-rod was 0 for six for the two games
with two measly walks and nothing to show
for it. I'm sure the last one to be blamed
here will be Derek Jeter though even with
his one for eight in the two games.

Like fans everywhere when things start to
crumble there is plenty of blame to be passed
around, and even though the Yankees are
plenty capable of turning this series around
and winning it, one thing is sure to Yankee
fans, Derek Jeter is "Lord of the Flies"

Yes You!

Travis Henry of the Denver Broncos has tested
positive for Marijuana use by the NFL, and may
now be suspended for a year according to the
Collective Bargaining Agreement and league
rules on substance abuse.

But wait!

Mr. Henry is sueuing the league to stop the
use of these results against him because he
claims his representatives were not present
during the samples testing. Because You and
I both know that the league is conspiring against
him and the results would have been negative
were his reps present, and of course they
wanted to make sure the they would violate
the CBA so that they could have their results
thrown out.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That was sarcasm for those of you that need a clue.


The truth here is, he is guilty and a repeat
offender, the kind that deserves less of our
benefit of doubt. He is also trying to save his
own behind and year's worth of game checks.
He should have thought of this before lighting
up. I mean if you wanna light up, that's your
business, but don't give me this conspiracy

crap when you get caught red handed.
Perhaps he can get help from Floyd Landis.


This case is now headed to Federal court
because the CBA is covered by labor laws.
Feel free to laugh at any time.

What Happens Now?

Three teams had notable second halves this year in
Major League Baseball. The New York Yankees,
who had a tremendous second half to dig out of
a first half deficit that was hideous.
The Philadelphia Phillies who coupled with a
huge choke job by the NY Mets made the surge
they needed to overtake the Mets for first place
in the eastern division of the National League.
And last but not least, the Colorado Rockies who
won 13 out of their last 14 games to finish the
season and then a play in game to decide the NL
Wildcard spot against the Padres with a dramatic
three run rally in the bottom of the 13th inning to
make it 14 of 15.

So "What Happens Now?" is the question.
Well the Yankees got crushed 12-3 in their
playoff opener, now that's only one game, but
clearly the second half momentum didn't carry
over in game one. The Phillies opened their
playoff season at home against those very same
aforementioned Colorado Rockies, and of course
the buck had to stop somewhere, and though a
split of the first two games could have easily
occurred, it didn't The Rockies crushed the
Phillies in game two to take a two games to
none lead.

It's still early and much can and will happen,
but it sure is curious how some teams just
keep on rolling and others fine themselves
asking "What Happens Now?"

KA(ra)Z(matic) Rockies

It the play in game for the National League
Wild Card spot on Monday the Colorado Rockies
went into their half of the 13th inning down two
runs and facing a Hall of Fame closer in Trevor
Hoffman. It seemed all but over, and if they had
displayed the heart that the NY Mets showed in
September, let alone Sunday, it would have been.
But up stepped the man Mets fans wanted to get
out of New York so desperately, Kaz Matsui.

In his time in NY the fans expected so much, and
booed so loud when they didn't get it. Well maybe
it's that kind of attitude that drove the Mets to be
so tight in the end, because they seemed afraid of
their own shadows, and their lead off man Jose
Reyes, who know one will argue is truly one of the
bright stars of the game, was any thing but that.

Back to the Rockies though. Matsui led off with a
double, and set the table for a tremendous comeback
worthy of high praise. They made a single out and
scored three runs to erase their two run deficit,
The only out being the sacrifice fly that led to the
winning run. Now you can make a case that they were
destined to win that game, but you can't argue that
the spark that Kaz Matsui gave them just that, a spark.

A wise man once said be careful what you wish for,
you may get it. I have all too often learned that lesson.

Let us not forget that the the Rockies and Clint Hurdle
deserve praise for more than just last night. Down the
stretch the Rockies won 13 of 14 games and put themselves
in a position to be there Monday. Also worthy of note
is that going into the final three games of the season
they still had a shot at first place, but lost the only one
of those 14 games, and in the end made it 14 of 15 with
4 straight over a Padres team that although hurt couldn't
win one at home in a three game series. The Rockies
showed tremendous heart, and had fun along the way
GOOD FOR THEM !!!!! A truly well deserved spot in
the NL Playoffs. now let's see which of these two
juggernauts wins the Phillies Rockies match up.
Either w2ay, it should be fun.

NFL Picks

Last week I was 3-0, which is why they are called "LOCKS".

This brings my record this season thus far to 5-1.

Here are your nuggets for this week, handle with care



Indianapolis

San Diego

Houston


Enjoy !

Nostra-Rollins?

Just before the start of the 2007 baseball season
Jimmy Rollins proclaimed "we are the team to beat",
referring to he and his Philadelphia Phillies teammates.
People laughed, Mets fans gave him the business the
first few visits to NY and beyond, but the question
begs to be asked. Who's laughing, crying tearing, and
choking now? Separate answers to the many choices,
please.

Yes there are two more games left in the season,
and it's only a one game lead, however the Mets
couldn't hold on to that same lead two nights ago.
If you're thinking the Phillies are finishing off
against a sad Washington Nationals team, them
consider this. the NY Mets lost five of six to those
same Nationals in just the past 10 days.

Make no mistake Rollins and teammates, Chase
Utley, reigning MVP and Former rookie of the Year
Ryan Howard, and company are a force to be
reckoned with for a long time. If they can find a
way to compliment Cole Hammels on that pitching
staff the no championship Mets dominance will be
very short lived, very very short lived indeed.

Excitement or Disappointment

If you're a Colorado Rockies fan, or a Philadelphia
Phillie's fan this is a fun time, but if you're a New York
Mets fan, or a Milwaukee Brewers fan this is not only
frustrating but disappointing as well. When you
consider they have spent practically all season in first
place what else could it be?

Also consider that the NLDS may not start until
Friday October 5th this year, because it is still a
mathematical possibility for a 5 team tie at the end
of this final weekend of the regular season.

I for one am disappointed, even though I
have been saying since June that the NY Mets
are the worst first place team in baseball.
I wish they could have proven me wrong,
now they may do just that, by no longer
being a first place team after all.

Hope your baseball weekend is all you expected.

Parity or Paltry

Consider this, there are three divisions in the National
League, East, Central, and West. Heading into the final
weekend no first place team a a larger than two game
lead with four games remaining. The NY Mets lead
over Philadelphia is now one, and have embarrassed
themselves beyond belief, and have made the
Atlanta Braves a mathematical player.

The Chicago Cubs lead by two in the Central, and are
nothing more than a slightly over 500 team who look
like monster of the midway compared the 81-80
NY Mets team of 1973 that made it to game seven
of the World Series Before falling to Reggie Jackson's
Oakland A's.

In the West the Arizona Diamondbacks lead has shrunk
to one over the San Diego Padres and two over the
Colorado Rockies who have been a streaky team at best
all season and are the hottest team heading into Thursday
having won 10 in a row.

I won't even talk about the NL Wildcard, there are still
three teams alive there, and sadly enough the second
place Brewers aren't even one of them

The American League? Divisions wrapped up, no lip
from you Yankee fans ! The wildcard? Stick a fork
in it it's done.

Enjoy, Baseball fans, Enjoy !

What Kind of Representation?

I could just say it's kind of a slow news night,
but the truth is that baseball provided enough
laughter, and tears tonight. I also hate giving
this guy any more print than he's already gotten,
but I got no beef with him tonight.

This is a sports rant, with a twist. Sports because
it involves Michael Vick, and in case you haven't
noticed , he's still on the Atlanta Falcons payroll.

The twist lies here. The DA in Virginia has
decided to pursue charges on Michael Vick.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm all for this guy
doing time for his crime, Bu I am certainly
perturbed over the fact that they are wasting
tax payer dollars on this one. Even though
they are trying him on dogfighting charges,
charges that he was not indicted on in the
Federal courts. Should they find him to be
guilty on these charges, the likely hood that
he would serve any more time than he is
already sentenced to is slim and none.

So why do it?

Another DA trying to make a name for himself?
Uh, can anyone say Duke Lacrosse?

C'mon stop wasting time, money, and resources.
If Michael Vick was going to do more time, I would,
say, hey he deserves it just for the cruelty aspect
alone, but if you are not going to add not even a
single day, then the crime committed here is
this new trial. Why do we stand for this?

And, oh yeah the Royal Bank of Canada is suing
Mr. Vick for 2.3 million dollars, but at least they're
using their own funds for that one, I Hope.

World Series Chumpions

I don't know how you may feel about this, but if
you put your allegiance aside, and I'm trying.
I have to believe that the Angels of the AL
West and whatever town/city/state they play
for, have to be the front runner to win the World
Series. I know Boston got off to a sizzling start,
but now they look kinda ordinary, and many
prognosticators laid their hat on Detroit, but
their eliminated. The Indians have a manager
that can't at times get out of his own way.
Please let's not talk about who the NL
representative might turn out to be.

All that being said, and yes it's still a little
early, and I know I was blowing the
Yankees horn just recently, but the Angels
and Master Sciocia have their number.
I guess what I want to say is, I think the
Angels are set to win it all again. I would
check back though.

Remember talk is cheap, but print costs.

NFL Locks For This Week

Last week I was 2-1, who among you really
thought the Browns would score 51 Points.

L I A R ! ! ! !

OK Here goes:

New England

Philadelphia

Carolina

I never said I was going to pick hard ones. Enjoy !

Bonds, Barry Bonds

I wish I could compliment the San Fransisco Giants
for doing the right thing, but their greed got in the way
of that possibility. I'm sure they won't lose much sleep
over that though. I guess many of you might think
that the next finger I point will be at greedy corporate
America, but no, we are ALL guilty of that greed.
Yes I know that many of you didn't care for his HR
chase, and like myself even rooted against him, but
many of you would be eliminated from that group
had he played for your team.

You see I would love to make it cut and dry and say
now that they milked Barry in his HR record setting
chase they disposed of him, but the truth is he is as
guilty of using them as they are of using him.

The RIGHT thing to do was for no one to sign this
cheater, yes CHEATER, No one had the back bone
to do that, and more importantly, there was MONEY
to be made. That's usually a bad time to look for
principals.

Now the Giants with two weeks left in the 2007
season say they want to part ways and move in
a new direction. A classless move, but one
befitting them and Bonds. Fifteen seasons,
thanks for the memories, GOODBYE.
You can't make this stuff up, problem is, this
kind of stuff is becoming so commonplace that
I bet many aren't even surprised. I can't
understand why Barry is.

Childhood may never be the same.

O. J.

See here's what I don't get, and maybe it's because I have
never enjoyed major fame like OJ Simpson, but what makes
you get up out of bed and say: "Today I'm an Idiot?"

Here is a guy that got most people including this writer believe
got away with murder. So let me re-phrase. What makes him
get out of bed that morning and say: " Today I, and a few armed
men are going to set up a sting operation to get back stuff that
belongs to me, but really doesn't belong to me because a judge
said that everything I own belongs to the Goldman's to the
tune of up to three and a half million dollars?"

Why would anyone put themselves in such a position, when
you and I both know that he should probably be a crochet
champ by now. Did he think no one would recognize him?
When he got it back did he believe that the courts would let
him keep the proceeds of the sale of these items?
Someone please help me, because I am utterly confused
beyond comprehension. I mean you get away with MURDER,
and this is your follow up. Oh wait, "If I did it" is the follow up.

Nature does love Stupid !

Yankee Doodle Dandy

George Steinbrenner is indeed that, born on the
fourth of July, he is one of two known owners in pro
sports with that distinction, the other being the
immortal Al Davis. This isn’t why I am refer to him
as that. Mr. Steinbrenner whether it be for health
or other internal issues has been for the most part
quiet this year as his beloved Yankees floundered
and flailed through the first half of the 2007 baseball
season. Fire Joe Torre!, Fire Brian Cashman!,
Kill The Ballboy! These were very frequent headlines
in the NY media outlets

But then came the All Star Break

Since after the All Star break the NY Yankees have
far and away had the best record in baseball. They are
44-18, that’s a 71% winning percentage, and as predicted
by this very Blogger, they are breathing hard and heavy
down the necks of the Boston Red Sox, and without
question have been the class of NY baseball this season.

This brings me to another point. The Yankees can in a
small way avenge the embarrassment of blowing a three
games to none lead in the playoffs a few years ago by
doing the seemingly impossible to the Red Sox twice in
less than 30 years, and that’s erasing what many believe
was an insurmountable lead at the break.

The Bonus for you and I? Watching REAL history, not
some fabricated home run record being established.
For the Yankees? Well, actually earning respect from
those willing to acknowledge it, and well earned praise,
because they didn’t cruise through the season, but rather
really earned it. For Mr. Steinbrenner? Perhaps a well
earned smirk on the face of the Yankee Doodle Dandy
that he is.

Oh woe is me, and my beloved NY Mets.

Sheer Futility

I recently asked if anyone from the National
League East deserved to win the World Series
Championship this year, no one responded.
That was until tonight. The NY Mets managed
to get swept by the Philadelphia Phillies this past
weekend allowing them to get within two and
a half games of the lead, while all the while
allowing themselves to be embarrassed in front
of their home fans. This was the third time
Philadelphia swept them this season.

The Mets followed that up on Monday by blowing
a four to nothing lead to the fourth place and
lowest scoring team in the majors, the Washington
Nationals, while setting a team record for futility
by committing four more fielding errors for a total
of ten in their past two games.

Philadelphia could have been the good answer
to that question, however they blew a 12-0
lead over the St, Louis Cardinals. They won,
but none the less in embarrassing fashion 13-11.
I know you have to lose the lead to blow it,
but when you need your bullpen to save the
game after you led 12-0, win or lose, you blew
it.

Shame, Shame, I hope baseball can be spared
the embarrassment of having either of these
two members of the Keystone Cops win it all.

Sudden Death or Easy Way Out?

It Seems that every year the NFL has a weekend
were there is more than one overtime game in the
same week, and that's when the whispers begin.

Though yesterday's games didn't have the usual
three or four games go into overtime, it did have
two
.
In one, both teams had a chance to go on offense,
so no debate there, but in the other only one team
touched the ball, scored, GAME OVER!

What do you think?

Are they doing this to avoid injury to the players
after a long and tiring game (i.e. protect their
investments), or because they are just to stubborn
to try something else. I'm not sure, but I do sense
that the NFL fan base doesn't like this first come
first serve attitude used in overtime.

In the NBA, MLB, NHL, and even Pro Soccer,
all teams get to touch the ball/puck, even in sudden
death situations. A few years back the NCAA changed
how they dealt with ties at the end of regulation.
Where it used to end in a tie, they devised a way
where each team got possession at least once, just
like baseball with a top and bottom of the inning of sorts.

I don't have the solution, but I know I don't like the
answer. You?.............................................I'm all ears.

Mediocrity Flourishes

At the end of August the NY Mets, a team picked by many
to win the World Series, and one that has spent about 99.9%
of the season in first place in the Eastern Division of the
National League went into Philadelphia to face the Phillies
for a four game series with a six game lead. After that series
they had a 2 game lead, they were swept. This weekend
the Phillies came to Shea stadium in NY for a 3 game series
trailing NY by 6 1/2, they had given it all that back and more.
The Mets went on to win 10 of 12 since leaving Philadelphia,
and in the process swept a 3 game series from their main
nemesis the Atlanta Braves in Atlanta.

As of this posting the Mets have lost the first 2 of a 3
game set to the Phillies, the lead is now 4 1/2. If they
get swept again do they really deserve to be marked
Champions should they win the World Series, or is
the Phillies failure to beat anyone else when it matters
their own sign that they don't deserve to be Champions
as well?


Either way if the Champion comes out of the National
League East this year it is just one more sign of how
diluted professional baseball has become, and if you
need further proof, then you need to go back no further
than last years Champion St. Louis Cardinals who won
with their worst team in the past three years.


One more sign that we will settle for almost anything.

NFL Picks

Since this Blog didn't start until after the first week

of the NFL season, we'll pick it up here. I will make

what will be referred to as "locks", and just for fun we

can keep track of them. Feel free to play along at home.

I will pick three, no spreads, just winners and losers.

Think it's easier?, try it then. Here goes.

Cincinnati Bengals

Jacksonville Jaguars

Chicago Bears....................................Good Luck

Appropriate Fines

So Bill Belicheck gets fined $500,000 and the New
England Patriots $250,000 for their part in Spy-Gate.
Do you think that's enough? Well consider this, and
I won't get into the finite details, but in F1
(Formula One) the Maclaren Mercedes team was
fined the points for the entire 2007 season, but their
drivers won't be affected, they had no direct part in this,
and $100,000,000. Yes One Hundred Million Dollars,
as well as the fact that F1 must inspect every aspect
of their 2008 model to ensure that none of Ferrari's
secrets, they team they cheated against, will be
implemented in their new car. Do you think that's
too much?

I say no to the first, because even if he wasn't able
to use it the film info in real time, he knew the rules,
and still he cheated. Yes to the second, but would
certainly like to know what kind of money floats in
those circles that they can levy such a hefty fine.

It makes little sense, but it rarely does.

Introduction

This is my view, spin, opinion on sports.
If you don't like it, chances are there may
be something wrong with you, but I'll try
to listen to what you have to say.

ENJOY!

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