10.28.09 12:25 pm by Bernie
Philadelphia Phillies fans will have their say again on Halloween when Alex Rodriguez steps into the batter’s box. As they did in Game 3 against the Dodgers and Manny Ramirez, they will chant “Steroids” in that long, drawn out way that fans have started using in recent years. It started with Barry Bonds, and is now carrying onto the likes of Manny, A-Rod and David Ortiz.
While I, or anyone else for that matter, cannot stop the Phillies fans from chanting it, it does point to the growing hypocrisy amongst fans these days. Lenny Dykstra admitted to his steroid use and even talked to the Commissioner’s office about it after his playing days were over. So they are not above having a player who used performance-enhancing drugs on their roster either. I am willing to bet that every team in Major League Baseball has, at one point or another, had a steroid user on their team. It wasn’t until recently that MLB finally decided to do something about it, and that was only when the federal government stepped in.
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9.15.09 4:28 pm by Will
The start of the NFL Season means the continuation of the unbearable Brett Favre saga. This terrible NFL Favre-season (a new synonym for offseason) has reminded me of something. I really freaking hate Brett Favre. I hate the way his name is not phonetic. I hate the fact that John Madden and Peter King verbally fellate him at every opportunity. I hate the way he squandered some really Packers teams because he needed to be a gunslinger and throw off his back foot. I hate that he needs to be the center of attention at at times. I hate the fact that he beat the Pats in Super Bowl XXXI. I hate the fact that he and Dustin Keller were two of the main reasons that my team didn’t make the playoffs this year. But most of all, I hate the utter disrespect he is showing towards Green Bay Packers fans, the best fans in the NFL. The citizens of Green Bay own the team, and agreed to a sales tax increase to renovate the stadium in 2003. Not only do they commit to the team financially, but they pack the stadium, which has sold out every game since 1960. The time that would be spent on the Packers season ticket waiting list if one added themselves today is estimated by some to be 100 years. Lambeau Field has been lauded for its amazing game-day atmosphere, rated by Sports Illustrated as being the best place to watch an NFL game. As much as these people are Packers fans, they were arguably even bigger Brett Favre fans. Whenever you would see a shot of fans going into Lambeau, at least 70% of those who wore jerseys had #4 on their back. He was immensely revered.
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8.07.09 11:48 am by Will
DISCLAIMER: Most of this post is predicated on the idea that Jose Canseco is telling the truth, which is a pretty dicey assumption. I would like to mention that I am not attempting to cast suspicion upon anyone I am about to list, which has a history of getting bloggers in trouble. I’m not accusing anyone of using steroids, really. I’m just saying that out of anyone in Cooperstown, almost by process of elimination, it would have most likely been these people. Once again, this is all merely speculation, and I mean no harm. Also, I talk about Bud Selig for a few hundred words before getting to the list, so be patient.
The recent news about Ortiz and Manny was especially painful for Red Sox fans like me. I am going to attempt to be ignorant and believe that neither were juicing in the curse-breaking year of 2004, but that isn’t really feasible. At least I could look forward to the Sox facing the Orioles 6 out of 10 games, and beating them like a rented mule. (I have a irrational dislike for the O’s, for some reason, even though they are perennially under .500 and Camden Yards is like Fenway South. It might be because they were our bogey team during the first half of the decade. Now… not so much.) But anyway, almost as important as this revelation about Ortiz and the 2004 Sox is the comment that Baseball’s Prophet, Jose Canseco, released in its wake: “When you tell me something I didn’t already know, I’ll be surprised,” Canseco told ESPN. “And I’ll tell you this, Major League Baseball is going to have a big, big problem on their hands when they find out they have a Hall of Famer who’s used.”
Uh Oh.
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5.19.09 1:54 pm by Alex
The first quarter of the MLB season is coming to a close and its as good a time as any to take a look back at what we’ve seen so far. First, lets take a look at who might win the end-of-season awards if things ended today:
American League MVP – Evan Longoria, 3B, Tampa Bay Rays – In less than a full season, Longoria has turned himself into one of the elite young players in the league. This year, he leads the league in RBI, and is in the top 10 in HRs and batting average and the Rays, who were off to a slow start, look to be getting back on track. Expect him to contend for the triple crown, if not this season, then in the years to come. Also in the running: Justin Morneau, Aaron Hill, Miguel Cabrera.
National League MVP – Albert Pujols, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals – This was a close one, but Pujols is more likely than the other candidates to keep up these numbers throughout the remainder of the season. His batting average is down a little this year, but his stolen base numbers are up and the Cardinals are right in the mix at the top of the NL Central. Also in the running: Adrian Gonzalez, Ryan Zimmerman, Raul Ibanez.
AL Cy Young – Zack Greinke, SP, Kansas City Royals – No-brainer here. He’s 7-1, with the one loss coming in a 1-0 duel with Joe Saunders, and a 0.60 ERA that leads the majors. With a career ERA near 4.00, It’ll be interesting to see if Greinke and the Royals can keep it up. Also in the running: Roy Halladay.
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