Owens Blindsided... really?

 

Warning! Another story from the "I just don't get it" department. 

This time NFL wideout Terrell Owens makes the headlines again. In a recent interview number 81 stated that he was "blindsided" by his release from the Dallas Cowboys after signing a 4 year $34 million contract. Speaking with Jerry Jones, the owner and GM of the Dallas Cowboys, Terrell Owens had the impression that he was wanted and his job was secure. In addition to that he believes that voices in the ear of Jerry Jones impacted the decision heavily. If I were presented with the same situation as stated above I too would feel blindsided by the decision. However there are several factors that lead up to his release that Terrell Owens has not taken into account. 

In order to fully grasp this concept we need to back-track a few years. The year is 2004 and the Eagles have made it to the Superbowl. Terrell Owens had been out of the mix for quite some time due to an ankle injury. Expected to miss the entire postseason, Owens surprised everyone when he not only played in the Superbowl but was a valuable asset to the team that night. Unfortunately the Eagles lost and thus began the media circus that was the T.O. show. In a string of events that included T.O. calling out quarterback Donovan Mcnabb, to an indefinite suspension, and, believe it or not, an interview which was conducted while Owens was performing crunches and other exercises, Owens time in Philadelphia was fading quickly. After a brief period of indecision the Eagles cut Mr. Owens for his inability to work as a team player and being a distraction in the locker room. Cut to 2008. Establishing themselves as the Dallas Correctional Team, the Cowboys signed Adam "Don't call me Pacman" Jones and resigned Terrell Owens. As the season progressed Terrell Owens showed signs of aging and, at the trade deadline, Jerry Jones went out and got WR Roy Williams who can best be described as a younger version of T.O. After missing the playoffs Mr. Owens decided it was time his voice was heard by calling out Offensive Coordinator Jason Garrett. Some analysts believed this constant calling out of Garrett would eventually lead to Garrett's dismissal but no such move was made. 

Quick recap. Owens released in Philadelphia for calling out quarterback and general distraction in locker room. In Dallas he calls out his offensive coordinator creating a distraction, with his replacement playing for the team already. 

Were you really "blindsided"? I'll admit I was surprised you got released. However I also wouldn't say that this news was completely unexpected. Hell people were saying that Roy Williams was your replacement when he got traded mid season. So I ask you ... were you REALLY "blindsided" or just embarrassed that its deja vu all over again. 

Curt Schilling in Bronze?

Curt Schilling has officially retired ending his 20 season career. His career record is 216-146 with a 3.46 ERA. Schilling started in 436 games having pitched in a total of 569. Of the 436 he has 83 complete games and 20 shutouts. Schilling showed his depth as a pitcher in 2005 when he helped the Boston Red Sox by becoming their closer for much of the season starting only 11 of 32 games. Over that span Schilling collected 9 saves in 11 opportunities, and collecting 22 saves over the course of his career. The strength of Schilling's game came in strikeouts. Schilling compiled 3116 strikeouts in 3261 innings pitched. He had three seasons of 21 or more wins, his career high being 23 in 2002 going 23-7. Although Schilling never won the Cy Young Award, he was the runner-up 3 times and in the discussion 4 times. However this all took place during the regular season. Where Curt Schilling truly shined was the postseason.

 In the postseason Curt Schilling is 11-2 in 19 games, going the distance in 4. Schilling threw 2 shutouts and had a 2.23 ERA with 120 strikeouts and 25 walks. In his five years in the postseason he won 3 world series with two different teams (Arizona and Boston). Highlighting his postseason experience without question is the bloody sock game. Game 6 of the 2004 ALCS in Yankee Stadium. Schilling pitched seven innings allowing one run, a home run to Bernie Williams, with no walks and 4 strikeouts. The Red Sox were down in the series 3-2 after starting the series off 3-0. This game deflated the Yankee balloon, ultimately killing the Yankees hopes of making it to the World Series. 

Curt Schilling's career stats alone are not terribly impressive despite being a member of the 3000 strikeout club. His postseason stats are phenomenal and could quite possibly push him over the edge. Something Curt Schilling has to sway the voters is the infamous bloody sock game. One huge moment in the postseason can make a huge impact on voters. You want an example, no problem: Bill Mazeroski. Bill Mazeroski hit one of the two World Series ending homeruns in 1960 game 7.  Bill Mazeroski is in the Hall of Fame with a career batting average of .260 with 2016 hits and 138 homeruns. On top of that he had 853 RBIs and 27 stolen bases. However Mazeroski hit that homerun to win the World Series for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Without that homerun Bill Mazeroski would not have even been considered for the hall. Therefore I believe that Curt Schilling on the weight of his postseason career and game 6 of the 2004 ALCS will be enshrined in bronze in Cooperstown, New York. Not a first ballot Hall of Famer but I feel he is going to the hall. 

Wake up Mr. Rodriguez its the point calling

Today an interview on the YES network aired between Alex Rodriguez and Michael Kay (radio personality, and voice of the YES network). In the interview Alex Rodriguez addressed the 103 other positive tests in 2003. Speaking truth, Rodriguez stated that the other 103 names would not make his journey easier and for that reason they should not be  released. Unfortunately Mr. Rodriguez kept talking. He went on to say that he hopes those names are never released because its HIS journey and HIS opportunity to grow. WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG. Yes, Alex you can grow from this road block. However you seem to be forgetting that there is a steroid problem in BASEBALL, not just your gluteous maximus. The only reason this story actually matters is because baseball wants to clean up the steroid problem. Think about it, why was the survey taken in the first place: to determine if there was a steroid problem in baseball. Not, so Alex Rodriguez, owner of the largest contract in the history of baseball, can grow from a future experience. 

Those names need to be released. Why? The answer is simple. So we can do to steroid users what Peter Ueberroth did to Pete Rose, ban them from baseball ... forever. Now I believe that Pete Rose should be in the Hall of Fame, but that's another story. In order for baseball to fix, and by fix i mean get steroids out of baseball, these steroid users should be treated the way lepers were treated in Biblical Times. That's right. Name every steroid user the day they test positive regardless of their mark on baseball. Then slap them with a 162 game suspension. Should they be so moronic as to be caught again make sure they will never defile the name of baseball again by banning them forever from the game of baseball. And so as to make sure no one is going under the radar test everyone, not random people, and at random times unbeknown to the player, not set times told to the player a week in advance. 

Regrettably the MLBPA (Major League Baseball Players Association) would never ever ever agree to such terms. Steroids are a big enough problem without the MLBPA attempting to protect the players too much. To say that the MLBPA protects their players the way a lioness protects her cubs would not be a stretch. The current steroid policy was fought for tooth and nail and was by no means an unreasonable policy. What I truly do not understand is that sure the players are willing to admit that there is a problem with steroids in the MLB, however their lack of willingness to correct the problem is overwhelming. To me this indicates something I am hoping is not true. It indicates that the population of steroid users is so great that for them all to be named or for a policy of actual repercussions to be enacted would make a devastating impact on baseball. 

Baseball has entered a time of darkness. Due to the public being burned in the past, it is unclear if anybody will be able to have any type of success without some allegations of steroids. Simply look back two or so years when Rick Ankiel made his comeback. Everyone saw him as a hero for being able to come back from a complete implosion. Baseball and its fans had not had such a feel good story in a long time... then the clock struck midnight on Cinderella. HGH. I fear that something similar will happen with Josh Hamilton. Hopefully the players and Bud Selig will realize that integrity of the game is bigger than the players. Just ask commissioner David Stern.

Congratulations Japan

The 2009 World Baseball Classic is in the books. Japan toppled Korea 5-3 in ten innings effectively defending their title. Ichiro, after struggling throughout the entirety of the classic, came through with a 4-4 night. None of his hits bigger than his tenth inning 2 run double giving Japan the lead for good. Props to Japan.

Now that I have gotten the formal stuff out of the way, I can zero in on my thoughts about the classic as a whole. I am not opposed to the World Baseball Classic but I also think it has several problems that need to be addressed sometime in the next four years. First let me explain where i feel the classic is a good idea. After the Beijing Olympics closing cremonies ended so to did the olympic events Baseball and Softball. Now the world has no international event that determines the best baseball country in the world. The rules of the olympics prohibit professional athletes from competiting in its events with some exceptions: Basketball, Hockey, etc. Since the World Baseball Classic is an international tournament amongst professional baseball players, two birds are being killed with one stone here. Another positive to the classic is the national display of talent. What i mean by this is that the MLB is being exposed to otherwise unknown players. Prime example of this is that Daisuke Matsuzaka. He blew up in popularity after his display in the classic. One last positive to the classic is the placement. Since several of the players are Major League players it makes sense to hold the tournament in the United States. Moving it to another country would only decrease the involvement of big name players, specifically among the United States players.

Unfortunately the classic is not perfect.  The timing of the tournament is without question THE biggest concern regarding the event. Some people have suggested simply playing it after the world series. However that completely eliminates the two teams in the world series which this year would have eliminated, Akinori Iwamura (Japan), Matt Stairs (Canada), JP Howell (USA), Evan Longoria (USA),  Jimmy Rollins (USA), Shane Victorino (USA),  Willy Aybar (Dominican Republic), and Carlos Ruiz (Panama). Several of these players were integral to their country's teams. Now that just excludes those in the World Series many Boston Red Sox were featured in the classic including the MVP of the tournament for the second consecutive tournament: Daisuke Matsuzaka. Therefore due to a lack of willingness to participate, the classic can not be held after the World Series. The timing of the classic as it is now poses several problems; lack of participation, players not being in game shape, and the worry of teams that their players are going to get hurt. As a result the timing needs to be changed. In my opinion holding the classic later on in spring training would be a better alternative. Make the tournament so that the championship game would be held with a week of spring training left. This would make it so that the players are closer to game shape and probably decrease the amount of injuries due to the players not being in game shape. Also the players would have time to work with their teams to build chemistry. Other problems of the classic include lack of big name involvement (ie. Pujols). This will not be fixed unless those big names decide they want to risk their contracts and play. 

In closing the classic is not perfect and MLB teams will continue to despise the tournament. However much the classic is despised congrats to Japan.

Ridiculous Rules Ruining the Game

Rules run the game.  Every now and again some rule pops up that nobody has a clue exists. Often times people do not know the rule because of the ludicrous nature of that particular rule. In my readings on the Internet I came across a story of North Lawndale College Prep's basketball team. In case you are not familiar with the story, North Lawndale College Prep (NLCP for future reference) received a technical foul before tip off of a semifinal state championship game. The reason they received a technical foul before tip off of a semifinal state championship game was their uniform had a stripe under the armpit that lined the armpit and spilled over into the torso of the jersey. 

Their uniform did not meet regulations due to aesthetics, not functionality, giving them an unfair advantage. The opposing team received two free throws (one of which they missed) and the opening possession of the game. NLCP went on to lose the game by one point 66-65. The team was repeatedly warned before the game that their uniform was not regulation. Obviously this coach agrees with my feelings on this rule as he chose to give the middle finger to the rule and go with the uniforms anyway. However I do believe that he royally messed up. He not only had sufficient time to use uniforms that were regulation but he gave the opposing team the one point they needed to seal their victory. Granted had the uniforms been regulation there is no guarantee the game would have played out the way it did. Given the situation of the game, the extra free throw gave the game to his opponent. 

I fully agree that the rule is beyond absurd. The idea that a stripe on a jersey would even constitute a technical foul, potential points, the opening possession, and possibly the outcome in a game sickens me. There is no physical or mental advantage to having a black stripe under the armpit of a jersey. Its not like a white undershirt for a pitcher which hides the ball or even a corporate logo like the walking billboards soccer players pass off as jerseys. Jerseys are most important in football, as the number of the player indicates their position and therefore aids the referees. In basketball, baseball, hockey, rugby, soccer, etc. the jersey is solely to identify each team and player apart in the context of the game. I think Raider nation will agree with me when I say that some rules should just be stricken from the records. This rule being one of them.

image courtesy of highschool.rivals.com