Because there aren't enough sports blogs
It took a couple of days but they finally got it done. Philadelphia beat Tampa Bay 4-3 to win its first title since 1980. Cole Hamels was named series MVP.
Hm.
The last time the Phillies won the union was in political and economic turmoil.
2008, well you know.
Plus ca change…
Diego Maradona, the soccer god, was named coach of Argentina – a bona fide soccer super power.
Sit back and enjoy because I have no clue where this is going.
By Sal Marinello – Health and Fitness Advice
According to news reports eight NFL players have tested positive for banned substances under the league’s steroid policy, and four of these failed tests involve a diuretic called Bumantanide. The cover story being floated by the players alleged to have failed the drug tests is that the diuretic – or water pill – was being used as a weight loss supplement, and news accounts report that this drug enables people to lose weight.
This is nonsense.
Bumantanide is a diuretic that is used by people suffering from edema as a result of heart failure, liver disease and is also prescribed to treat high blood pressure. This is a potent drug that needs to be taken under strict medical supervision. The weight that occurs from taking this medication is water weight that is the result of a patient’s diseased condition, and is not a weight loss supplement in the truest sense of the word.
As the NFL attempts to come to grips with yet another spate of failed drug tests, expect loads of misinformation and disinformation as this story develops. Don’t be fooled by the weight loss cover story that is being fed by the league and regurgitated by the media.
Diuretics are used as a masking agent – a drug that masks the use of another, usually elicit drug – to help a drug user avoid failing a urine test. Simply put, diuretics produce an increase in the volume of urine and as a result hide traces of some illegal performance enhancing drugs. The problem is that an athlete can get busted for using this category of drugs when there is no valid reason for them to have it in their system. In the case of Bumantanide it is ludicrous to assert that a professional athlete would need to take this drug for weight-loss purposes. It will be interesting to see what the connection is between the players who got caught using this diuretic.
The NFL has a huge problem on its hands whether or not any sports journalists care to really report on the matter. For the past several years there have been plenty of signs that the NFL has an out-of-control PED problem. Erratic on and off-field behavior, instances of infections, failed drug tests, suspensions and drug use have been commonplace over the past three decades, with both big name players and bench-warmers from every team and at every position being caught for being drug cheats. Rodney Harrison, a star defender for the New England Patriots, was suspended for his involvement with a human growth hormone (HGH) scandal without failing a drug test. There is not a urine test that can detect HGH use.
On top of the failed drug tests there’s the issue of ever growing, ever getting faster professional football players. Guys are getting bigger, faster and stronger every year and some experts, like Dr. Charles Yessalis of Penn State University feel that the problem of PED use starts at the college level and that what we know about PED use, “is just the tip of the iceberg.” Over the past 25 years the average size of NFL linemen has increased by 90 pounds, and Dr. Yessalis and others – myself included – are of the opinion that off-the-field training, nutrition and legal modes of supplementation cannot be given credit for the ever growing NCAA and NFL players.
When you look at the totality of events, from the infections to bizarre personal conduct and failed drug tests, it’s hard to make a case that the league doesn’t have a bigger PED problem than major league baseball. The fact that the public may not care isn’t the issue and doesn’t change the facts and indications that the NFL is sitting on a powder keg.
The BALCO Laboratory scandal served as notice that there was a coordinated doping effort at the highest levels of sport and kicked off the era that resulted in baseball’s cover being blown with regard to steroid use. As this “Diuretic-gate” story develops, the NFL could be facing their BALCO moment.
By Kellex
Utah Jazz
Coach: Jerry Sloan
Projected Finish: 57-25
Projected Starters
C – Mehmut Okur (14.5 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 0.4 bpg)
PF – Carlos Boozer (21.1 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 0.5 bpg)
SF – Andrei Kirilenko (11.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 4.0 apg)
SG – Ronnie Brewer (12.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.8 apg)
PG – Deron Williams (18.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 10.5 apg)
Key Reserves
F- Paul Milsap (8.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.0 apg)
F- C.J. Miles (5.0 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 0.9 apg)
Analysis
Deron Williams will start the season on the injured list, but should be back after the first two or three regular season games. They have two Team USA members in Boozer and Williams, plus the always dangerous Andrei Kirilenko. Amazingly Jerry Sloan’s message never gets old, even though he is the longest tenured coach in the Association.
Portland Trail Blazers
Coach: Nate McMillan
Projected Finish: 50-32
Projected Starters
C – Greg Oden (DNP injury)
PF – LaMarcus Aldridge (17.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.2 bpg)
SF –Travis Outlaw (13.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.3 apg)
SG –Brandon Roy (19.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 5.8 apg)
PG – Steve Blake (8.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 5.1 apg)
Key Reserves
G- Jerryd Bayless (Rookie)
C- Joel Przybilla ( 4.8 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 1.2 bpg)
Analysis
They were the “feel good” story of the first half of last season, before fading down the stretch and missing the playoffs. A healthy Greg Oden, along with rookies Bayless, Sergio Rodriguez, and Nicolas Batum should give the Blazers a much better end result this season.
Denver Nuggets
Coach: George Karl
Projected Finish: 48-34
Projected Starters
C – Nene (5.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 0.3 bpg)
PF – Kenyon Martin (12.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.2 bpg)
SF – Carmelo Anthony (25.7 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 3.4 apg)
SG – Allen Iverson (26.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 7.1 apg)
PG – Anthony Carter (7.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 5.5 apg)
Key Reserves
F/G – Linas Kleiza (11.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg. 1.2 apg)
G- J.R. Smith (12.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.7 apg)
Analysis
The Denver Nuggets are a team that may be heading on the downward slope of the NBA mountain. This team has some major issues. When times are going good, you can not find a better teammate than A.I. However when things turn sour, Iverson’s attitude usually does also. Nene is recovering from cancer, K-Mart has had an attitude since playing for Bobby Huggins. Carmelo looked like he would end up in another city, at the beginning of the Summer. Team management assured Anthony, and his agent no move would be made this season. Unlike Utah’s Jerry Sloan, George Karl’s message does get lost after a few seasons. Milwaukee, and Seattle can attest to that.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Coach: P.J. Carlesimo
Projected Finish: 24-58
Projected Starters
C – Nick Collison (9.8 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 0.8bpg)
PF – Chris Wilcox (13.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 0.6 bpg)
SF – Jeff Green (10.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.5 apg)
SG – Kevin Durant (20.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.4 apg)
PG – Earl Watson (10.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 6.8 apg)
Key Reserves
G- Russell Westbrook (Rookie)
F/C- Johan Petro (6.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 0.6 bpg)
Analysis
Could somebody please tell David Stern OKC is not in the Northwest? “The Team Formerly Known As The Seattle SuperSonics” have a lot of young talent on their roster. However it will take some time for them to become a cohesive unit. P.J. Carlesimo may not be the right coach to take this group to the next level.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Coach: Randy Wittman
Projected Finish: 22-60
Projected Starters
C – Al Jefferson (21.0 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 1.5 bpg)
PF – Kevin Love (Rookie)
SF – Ryan Gomes (12.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.8 apg)
SG – Mike Miller (16.4 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 3.4 apg)
PG – Randy Foye (13.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.2 apg)
Key Reserves
G- Sebastain Telfair (9.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 5.9 apg)
G/F-Corey Brewer (5.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.4 apg)
Analysis
Anoter team where the individual pieces are greater than the combined sum. There is talent on the T-Wolves roster, as they head into year two of the post Garnett era. Love will bust his tail, Miller is a talent, but again this is a long term project not an over night success story. Randy Wittman, is one of the nicest guys you could ever meet, but he is not a head coach. He would have problems leading people out of a phone booth.
Boston Celtics
Coach: Doc Rivers
Projected Finish: 60-22
Projected Starters
C – Kendrick Perkins (6.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.5bpg)
PF – Kevin Garnett (18.8 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 1.2bpg)
SF – Paul Pierce (19.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 4.5 apg)
SG – Ray Allen (17.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.1 apg)
PG – Rajon Rondo (10.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 5.1 apg)
Key Reserves
G-Eddie House (7.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.9 apg)
F-Leon Powe (7.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 0.3 bpg)
Analysis
The reigning NBA Champs are still the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. They will miss the defense and clutch shooting of James Posey, who signed a free agent contract with the New Orleans Hornets. Boston is helping that rookie swing man Bill Walker can help fill the void that Posey’s absence has created.
Philadelphia 76ers
Coach: Mo Cheeks
Projected Finish: 52-30
Projected Starters
C –Samuel Dalembert (10.5 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 2.3 bpg)
PF – Elton Brand (17.6 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.9 bpg)
SF –Thaddeus Young (8.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 0.8 apg)
SG –Andre Iguodala (19.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 4.8 apg)
PG – Andre Miller (17.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 6.9 apg)
Key Reserves
G- Louis Williams ( 11.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 3.2 apg)
C- Theo Ratliff ( 4.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.4 bpg)
Analysis
The acquisition of forward Elton Brand, has made the Sixers the hot pick in the East for the upcoming season. Questions on center Samuel Dalembert’s health remain an issue, as he has a shoulder strain which has bothered him all preseason. Theo Ratliff is incredibly happy to be back in Philadelphia, but what does he have left in the tank? The Sixers challenged the Detroit Pistons big time in the first round of the Eastern Conference Finals. The addition of Brand now puts them in elite staus in the Eastern Conference.
Toronto Raptors
Coach: Sam Mitchell
Projected Finish: 48-34
Projected Starters
C – Jermaine O’Neal (13.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.1 bpg)
PF – Chris Bosh (22.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 1.0 bpg)
SF – Jamario Moon (8.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.2 apg)
SG – Anthony Parker (12.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.2 apg)
PG – Jose Calderon (11.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 8.3 apg)
Key Reserves
C/F- Andrea Bargnani (10.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg. 0.5 bpg)
F- Kris Humphries (5.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 0.4 bpg)
Analysis
The Raptors decided that Jose Calderon, would be their team’s starting point guard, so T.J. Ford proved to be expendable. In a trade that should help both teams Toronto traded Ford to the Indiana Pacers for disgruntled big man Jermaine O’Neal. O’Neal should be part of a very strong front court alongside Chris Bosh. Calderon, and Anthony Parker, make up for one of the better back courts in the Association. With Bargnani coming off the bench Sam Mitchell has instant offense coming off the bench.
New Jersey Nets
Coach: Lawrence Frank
Projected Finish: 30-52
Projected Starters
C – Josh Boone (8.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 0.9 bpg)
PF – Yi Jianlian (8.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 0.9 bpg)
SF – Bobby Simmons (7.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.1 apg)
SG – Vince Carter (21.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 5.1 apg)
PG – Derin Harris (10.0 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 3.7 apg)
Key Reserves
G- Keyon Dooling (8.1 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 1.8 apg)
F/C- Stromile Swift (6.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.0 bpg)
Analysis
The New Jersey Nets remind me of one of my favorite bits from the Late Great George Carlin. He talked about discovering something in your refrigerator that you could not identify. Is it meat or is it cake? It’s meat-cake! The Nets are not a contending team, nor really a rebuilding team, they are meat-cake. It will be a long cold winter at the Izod Center.
New York Knicks
Coach: Mike D’Antoni
Projected Finish: 27-55
Projected Starters
C – Zach Randolph (17.6 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 0.2 bpg)
PF – David Lee (10.8 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 0.4 bpg)
SF – Quentin Richardson (8.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.8 apg)
SG – Chris Duhon (5.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 4.0 apg)
PG – Jamal Crawford (20.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 5.0 apg)
Key Reserves
G- Nate Robinson (12.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.9 apg)
G- Stephon Marbury (13.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 4.7 apg)
Analysis
The good news is the New York Knicks may have already bottomed out. The bad news is it may take eons for this team to reach sea level. The “Zeke Era” is over in Gotham but it is going to take Team President Donnie Walsh, and new head coach Mike D’Antoni, lots of time and lots of effort to make the Knicks respectable again. Starting lineup is still in flux, Marbury could end up being the starter at point. If you look at the Knicks as individual players, there is talent on the roster. But when it is combined they become one of the most dysfunctional families in the Association.
The rain and wind in Philadelphia were enough to cancel game five between the Phillies and Rays.
What intrigues me is how close the Rays came to actually being eliminated and the Phillies, for their part, being crowned champions.
This scenario was avoided courtesy (and a massive controversy for the Deerman Selig) of a Carlos Pena hit and subsequent RBI that tied the game up at two apiece. This happened in the top of the 6th. According to the rules, five innings is an official game.
It’s all for the best. Did Philadelphia really want to win 2-1? The Rays are a quality team and were certainly capable of winning the game outright.
Now they have a chance to do it.
In the meantime, I can just imagine how many plans have been confused and wrecked thanks to this mess.
To proclaim it’s been a weird World Series so far is to state the obvious. Four games have been played and we’ve witnessed a few bad umpire calls to go along with mental errors committed by the Rays who suddenly are playing like their age: young and inexperienced.
The Phillies came into the game 2 for 33 with RISP. Terrible.
Yet, they lead the series 3-1. Weird.
Normally, such poor clutch hitting usually leads to losses. Not this year. What the Phillies lacked in RISP prowess they more than made up for with awesome power. They’ve also made Tampa pay dearly for all their errors. Not only that, they’ve outpitched the Rays. When you can send Pops Moyer to the mound and get a sound performance from him you know things are hurling right for you.
After the first inning tonight, it looked like the woeful RISP trend was going to continue. Until, BANG! POP! And WHAM!
That’s the sound of Utley and Howard (who came in with zero HR’s now has 3 including five RBI’s in game four alone) waking up from their beauty sleep. Jimmy Rollins is playing nuts too.
Coming into the series I figured the Rays power tandems were due for a slump. Longoria now thinks he’s Dave Kingoman and BJ Upton, while playing well, isn’t hitting them out of the park with gusto either. On the other side, I thought Utley and Howard were bound to play according to their averages and abilities.
It’s not over. As I type this the Phillies lead 10-2 in the 9th. The Rays are a resilient bunch but they’ll have to fight off elimination against Cole Hamels.
Philadelphians are now closer than ever to tasting a championship.
By Daniel Freer
Flashback: August 2008…
You were sitting with your fantasy buds, discussing the upcoming season. You, or one of your buds, said something like: “Yeah, that Washington State QB is gonna be a fantasy sleeper!”
It’s wake up time. Your Washington State QB (or any of the Washington State QBs) just did not pan out.
While the Texas Tech’s, Tulsa’s, Oklahoma’s, and the Mizzou’s of the world delivered their abundance of fantasy talent…some schools, well, lost their way to the UPS truck.
You know a team is struggling on offense when their best offensive weapon, like UCF CB Joe Burnett (pictured, thanks IconSMI), does not play a single down on offense.
Some of the worst of the worst for 2008:
UCF:
It wasn’t that long ago…heck, last year…that UCF produced the Fantasy College Blitz Fantasy Player of the Year in RB Kevin Smith. No program misses one player from 2007 as much as UCF, for Smith was a sure bet to run 35-40 times per game and break at least a long TD run. These days, UCF struggles to run the ball, and, struggles to pass the ball, also. Youth at the skill positions, and, injuries to the offensive line, have seen UCFs offensive production drop to an NCAA-worst 248 yards per game (total offense). At least its balanced: 121 yards rushing, and 127 yards passing, per game.
One Bright Spot: UCF CB Joe Burnett is a legitimate All-American candidate on defense, and a probable All-American as a kick/punt returner. Burnett has 2 TDs on kickoff returns (tied for first, nationally), ranks third in kickoff return average, and tenth in punt return average. The Knights best offensive play so far this season has been from their return teams, anchored by Burnett. Can he play QB?
WASHINGTON STATE:
Even in years when the Cougars did not produce a lot of wins, they always seem to have a few big producers on offense. This year, there is no Jerome Harrison, Drew Bledsoe, Alex Brink, Hugh Campbell, etc…. going loose in the Palouse. Wazzu ranks 117th in total offense (254 yards per game) and 118th in scoring (13.88 points per game)…and most of those stats were produced in a 48-9 romp over Portland State. However, in that same game, the Cougars lost their best offensive weapon, QB Gary Rogers, to a career-ending neck injury. Twice this season, Wazzu has suffered their worst losses in school history….66-3 to California, and, 69-0 to USC…both at home in Martin Stadium.
One Bright Spot: If someone can get the ball to WR Brandon Gibson, he would be the bright spot. He is a legitimate talent at WR, but with the QB struggles for the Cougars, Gibson is a lonely guy out there. This “Bright Spot” just beat out the season-ending game vs Washington, in the Applesauce Cup…er Apple Cup…game. Wazzu will probably be the dog in that game, even if the Huskies are winless coming in.
WYOMING:
Two years ago, I thought Wyoming was going to be a surprise team, with some great talent on offense. Man, was I wrong. The Cowboys are dead last in the nation in scoring (9 points per game) and are the only non-option team averaging less than 100 yards passing per game. Struggles at the QB position have been a big problem for the Pokes. Still, somehow, Wyoming has won two games this season, but have been clobbered by all their Mountain West Conference opponents this season. But, hey, I still like head coach Joe Glenn and his retro-70’s coach’s TV show. And, cannot forget Glenn’s “This Bird’s For You” at Utah a couple of years ago.
One Bright Spot: Pokes RB Devin Moore has managed to run the ball well, and is the only real threat on offense for UWyo. I mean, everybody playing Wyoming has to be keying on him. On most teams, Moore would be a top fantasy RB with his speed. If the Cowboys can find some improvement on offense in the next five weeks, Moore could still rush for over 1000 yards this season.
OTHERS (NOT) TO WATCH: Florida Atlantic, Mississippi State, Rutgers.
By RJ Elliott
Here are my picks for the NFL’s Week 8:
*SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26*
Tampa Bay 5-2 at Dallas 4-3 – 1:00 PM (Line: Dallas by 3.5)
The Buccaneers have won two straight and are atop the NFC South, but they are just 1-2 on the road this season. The Cowboys are averaging the third most yards per game in the league, but they have dropped their last two.
RJ’s Pick: Dallas by 9
Washington 5-2 at Detroit 0-6 – 1:00 PM (Line: Washington by 7.5)
Redskins QB Jason Campbell has not thrown a single interception in seven starts and has a quarterback rating of 96.3. The winless Lions are ranked dead last in the league in points allowed per game as well as yards allowed per game.
RJ’s Pick: Washington by 28
Buffalo 5-1 at Miami 2-4 – 1:00 PM (Line: Buffalo by 1.5)
The surprising Bills play their first game against a divisional opponent this week. The Dolphins have been struggling with their red-zone offense; they are ranked 11th in the league in yards per game, but just 23rd in the league in points per game.
RJ’s Pick: Buffalo by 6
Saint Louis 2-4 at New England 4-2 – 1:00 PM (Line: New England by 7)
The Rams have won two in a row after losing their first four games of the season. The Patriots continue to be hampered by injuries, as safety Rodney Harrison appears to be done for the season after injuring his right thigh muscle last week.
RJ’s Pick: New England by 2
San Diego 3-4 at New Orleans 3-4 [to be played at Wembley Stadium in London, England] – 1:00 PM (Line: San Diego by 3)
Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson is averaging just 3.6 yards per carry this season, and hasn’t had a 100-yard game or scored a touchdown since Week 4. The disappointing Saints will be without RB Reggie Bush for several weeks after he had surgery on his left knee.
RJ’s Pick: San Diego by 10
Kansas City 1-5 at New York Jets 3-3 – 1:00 PM (Line: New York Jets by 12.5)
The Chiefs have scored just 75 points through six games, the fewest in the NFL. Jets RB Thomas Jones rushed for 159 yards on 24 carries in an overtime loss to Oakland last week.
RJ’s Pick: New York Jets by 21
Atlanta 4-2 at Philadelphia 3-3 – 1:00 PM (Line: Philadelphia by 8.5)
The surprising Falcons have won two in a row and have the second best rushing offense in the NFL. The Eagles are fourth in the league in points scored per game despite having a running game that is ranked 29th.
RJ’s Pick: Philadelphia by 13
Oakland 2-4 at Baltimore 3-3 – 1:00 PM (Line: Baltimore by 6.5)
The Raiders defense is giving up over 360 yards, and almost 25 points, per game. The Ravens have the NFL’s second ranked defense in yards allowed per game.
RJ’s Pick: Baltimore by 3
Arizona 4-2 at Carolina 5-2 – 1:00 PM (Line: Carolina by 4.5)
The Cardinals have won two straight and are enjoying a two game cushion atop the NFC West. The Panthers are giving up the third fewest points per game in the league.
RJ’s Pick: Carolina by 8
Cleveland 2-4 at Jacksonville 3-3 – 4:05 PM (Line: Jacksonville by 7)
The Browns are third from the league bottom in points per game and yards per game. The Jaguars are just 1-2 at home this season.
RJ’s Pick: Jacksonville by 11
Cincinnati 0-7 at Houston 2-4 – 4:05 PM (Line: Houston by 10)
The Bengals are averaging a league low 225.6 yards per game. The Texans have won two straight since their choke against Indianapolis in Week 5.
RJ’s Pick: Houston by 3
RJ’s Game Of The Week: New York Giants 5-1 at Pittsburgh 5-1 – 4:15 PM (Line: Steelers by 2.5)
The Super Bowl champion Giants possess the league’s top-rated rushing offense; they are rolling up nearly 170 yards per game on the ground. The Steelers have won three in a row, are undefeated at home, and have the NFL’s best defense in terms of yards allowed per game.
RJ’s Pick: Pittsburgh by 6
RJ’s Lame-Game Of The Week: Seattle 1-5 at San Francisco 2-5 – 4:15 PM (Line: San Francisco by 5)
The Seahawks have dropped three straight and have the league’s most anemic passing offense. The 49ers have lost four in a row and just fired head coach Mike Nolan, who has been replaced by NFL legend Mike Singletary.
RJ’s Pick: San Francisco by 12
*MONDAY, OCTOBER 27*
Indianapolis 3-3 at Tennessee 6-0 – 8:30 PM (Line: Tennessee by 3.5)
The Colts have the worst rushing offense in the league, averaging just 70 yards per game on the ground. The unbeaten Titans are allowing just 11 points per game, fewest in the NFL.
RJ’s Pick: Tennessee by 9
[Bye Week Teams: Chicago Bears 4-3, Denver Broncos 4-3, Green Bay Packers 4-3, Minnesota Vikings 3-4]
There’s a debate among Montrealers about whether it’s worth saving the F1 race recently canceled by Bernie Eccelstone.
As sports fan, of course people want to see it stay but how feasible is it? It shouldn’t come at any price and nor should we have to grovel each time whenever Bernie decides it’s time to hold the city hostage.
Eccelstone is simply looking to the highest bidder. It’s nothing personal; it’s just business.
It was interesting to note our municipal leaders flying to London on a begging expedition. At least, that’s how I see it. Sure, for one weekend out of a year the F1 pours in millions (they say 80 million but it’s probably less (but by no means less substantial) in terms of new money injected) into the local economy.
It may indeed be a sound investment but at what price? And by this I don’t just mean financial.
Give me your money, dignity and whores.
We are being told about, as I mentioned, the economic benefits of having the Grand Prix come to town yet we let the Expos go. There was no better free publicity for seven months out of the year than having a MLB exposing the city to the entire North American continent.
For me, all this is a harbinger of things to come. France recently decided to not hold the race citing it could no longer afford it. Something tells me as the nanny states become more difficult and expensive to maintain, more European nations may follow suit. France is a G7 nation with a rich racing tradition. Who’s next? England? Germany? Racing mad Italy?
At which point, the vacuum will probably be filled by the nouveau rich economies of the East; more productive in some areas and drenched in oil in others. You know, the Malaysia’s and UAE’s of this world.
Even if we save the F1 race for next year, when our contract runs out in 2011 (I believe) don’t expect us to have any more money to meet the demands of Bernie Eccelstone.
Meh.
It was a good, speedy ride while it lasted.
I don’t know who will win the World Series and I don’t have to charge $4.99 a minute to tell you this.
ESP inabilities aside, compelling arguments can be constructed for either team. The Rays probably have more depth from top to bottom in pitching. When you can hurl Matt Garza third in the rotation at your opponent things are pretty good for you. Although the Phillies probably have the best starter in Hamels (3-0 1.23 era) and closer in Lidge (five saves and 1.23 era).
Offensively, the Rays have a solid core of hitters in the middle of the line up. Upton (.304 avg., .826 slg.) and Longoria (.262/.762) have 13 home runs between them. One could argue they are due for a slump?
On the flip side, Howard has to explode at some point. Hitting .258 and a limp .323 slugging, Howard has zero home runs this post season. One has to figure he’s the ace in the Phillies sleeve. Same with Utley who has but one home run and is hitting .250. His slugging is around .438. If the Phils are to have a chance they need more production from both. Either can be an MVP candidate in the finals.
Is that an MVP in the sky?
In the brain center known as the dug out, both have great managers and each organization has built remarkably balanced baseball teams.
Who says you need to buy a World Series when you can develop from the bottom up? Then again, that would take too much time, effort and patience. In a me-first, give me everything now type world, sound principles to create a winning organization and environment is usually the first casualty.
It’s almost a shame only one can win, but seriously, this has been a successful season for the Rays and Phillies no matter what.
