For some reason this just popped into my head:
We see MLB managers get thrown out of a game, sometimes NBA coaches as well. But has anyone ever seen an NFL Head Coach get tossed?
Friday, May 15, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Manny: Another Sad Story
With today's news that Manny Ramirez tested positive for a PED, baseball was hit with another uppercut to its credibility, further proving that the 'steroid era' is by no means over.
Of course he has already come out with the 'My doctor prescribed it' story, but I don't care. Even if that story has a shred of truth to it (which I doubt), Manny needs to own up and leave his 'doctor' out of this. Everyone affiliated with Major League Baseball has the means to look up what substances are banned and which are not. I know of at least 83 banned substances that baseball tests for. 7 of them are drugs of abuse, 46 are steroids, and 30 are stimulants. If you are looking at taking something which you are not sure about, MLB is very clear as to what is not allowed. Furthermore, if Manny were to have any questions about this 'prescription,' there are dozens of sources at his disposal that he could double-check with first. If he took the opportunity to check first, take second, this would not have happened if you base this off of his story.
That being said, I believe that Manny, like A-Rod, knew exactly what he was taking, how long he has taken it, and what it has helped him achieve on the field. Now that may sound presumptuous, but do you blame me for thinking that? Have any of these stories, be it A-Rod, Bonds, Canseco, Clemens, Giambi, etc. led you to believe anything otherwise?
For those of you who are not so sure if Manny did something on purpose, I'll let you in on a little secret: Nobody takes PED's by accident. The next one that does will be the first. All of the pro athletes that do it know they are doing it and why they are doing it. It is a culture that starts with a few and spreads like wildfire once others realize that they may be costing themselves millions by not doing it.
The bottom line is this; I do not care what story Manny comes up with, he was cheating and got caught, period. In a way I try to view it as a good thing in that we have one less player to wonder if they are clean or not. However, it is sad for baseball because the more these names come out, the more it hurts the game.
There is no end in sight for stopping this short of allowing PED use, which will never happen. How does MLB stop this?
Of course he has already come out with the 'My doctor prescribed it' story, but I don't care. Even if that story has a shred of truth to it (which I doubt), Manny needs to own up and leave his 'doctor' out of this. Everyone affiliated with Major League Baseball has the means to look up what substances are banned and which are not. I know of at least 83 banned substances that baseball tests for. 7 of them are drugs of abuse, 46 are steroids, and 30 are stimulants. If you are looking at taking something which you are not sure about, MLB is very clear as to what is not allowed. Furthermore, if Manny were to have any questions about this 'prescription,' there are dozens of sources at his disposal that he could double-check with first. If he took the opportunity to check first, take second, this would not have happened if you base this off of his story.
That being said, I believe that Manny, like A-Rod, knew exactly what he was taking, how long he has taken it, and what it has helped him achieve on the field. Now that may sound presumptuous, but do you blame me for thinking that? Have any of these stories, be it A-Rod, Bonds, Canseco, Clemens, Giambi, etc. led you to believe anything otherwise?
For those of you who are not so sure if Manny did something on purpose, I'll let you in on a little secret: Nobody takes PED's by accident. The next one that does will be the first. All of the pro athletes that do it know they are doing it and why they are doing it. It is a culture that starts with a few and spreads like wildfire once others realize that they may be costing themselves millions by not doing it.
The bottom line is this; I do not care what story Manny comes up with, he was cheating and got caught, period. In a way I try to view it as a good thing in that we have one less player to wonder if they are clean or not. However, it is sad for baseball because the more these names come out, the more it hurts the game.
There is no end in sight for stopping this short of allowing PED use, which will never happen. How does MLB stop this?
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Brett Favre - Why?
Since the NFL Draft is over and teams are trying to set their rosters for training camp, it must be time to talk about Brett Favre...NOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Seriously though, here is my take:
If you are going to consider coming back, again, why say in an interview that you are not planning on coming back? I would be fine if he said 'Hey, I may still come back, but I want to let the Jets (or whoever he has/will/might play for) move forward as if I am not going to be a member of their team.'
To his credit, he let the Jets do that, but he didn't let the Packers always do that. He drug out the process over the last two or three years he spent by waffling on his decision, which really tainted his image. I always loved Brett Favre. I loved watching him play and respected the way he conducted himself, (especially after getting help for a painkiller problem), but the latest news from Favre is tired. I cannot keep cutting him slack. It seems as if he is addicted to having his name come up on ESPN around this time of year with talk of 'will he or won't he return,' and I'm sure I speak for a lot of people when I say enough is enough.
Why can't you just stay retired?
With this new talk of returning to the NFL with the Vikings, I can't help but speculate that this is to spite the Packers, who I guess after loving him for two decades have wronged him in some way. Could you imagine if Tommy Lasorda went to manage the Giants after he left the Dodgers? Or if Derek Jeter left the Yankees to sign with the Red Sox? How about Magic Johnson and Larry Bird switching teams straight up? It would feel dirty, and this is what this playing out to be.
I can respect someone wanting to still play. And as much as I respect a guy for leaving on a good note (Elway, Jordan (the first and second time), Billy Chapel :) ) I can't say that a guy shouldn't play if he feels like he has something to give. But to drag things out and make false statements only hurts your image and makes people dislike you more.
I guess it doesn't matter to Farve, but I wish it did.
Seriously though, here is my take:
If you are going to consider coming back, again, why say in an interview that you are not planning on coming back? I would be fine if he said 'Hey, I may still come back, but I want to let the Jets (or whoever he has/will/might play for) move forward as if I am not going to be a member of their team.'
To his credit, he let the Jets do that, but he didn't let the Packers always do that. He drug out the process over the last two or three years he spent by waffling on his decision, which really tainted his image. I always loved Brett Favre. I loved watching him play and respected the way he conducted himself, (especially after getting help for a painkiller problem), but the latest news from Favre is tired. I cannot keep cutting him slack. It seems as if he is addicted to having his name come up on ESPN around this time of year with talk of 'will he or won't he return,' and I'm sure I speak for a lot of people when I say enough is enough.
Why can't you just stay retired?
With this new talk of returning to the NFL with the Vikings, I can't help but speculate that this is to spite the Packers, who I guess after loving him for two decades have wronged him in some way. Could you imagine if Tommy Lasorda went to manage the Giants after he left the Dodgers? Or if Derek Jeter left the Yankees to sign with the Red Sox? How about Magic Johnson and Larry Bird switching teams straight up? It would feel dirty, and this is what this playing out to be.
I can respect someone wanting to still play. And as much as I respect a guy for leaving on a good note (Elway, Jordan (the first and second time), Billy Chapel :) ) I can't say that a guy shouldn't play if he feels like he has something to give. But to drag things out and make false statements only hurts your image and makes people dislike you more.
I guess it doesn't matter to Farve, but I wish it did.
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