I can understand the outrage over Michael Vick right now. Heck, plenty of folks hated him long before the latest allegations that he was a heavy hitter in dog-fighting circles came to light. He's an easy target for any number of reasons, from his race to his win-loss record.So fans are angry, and that's OK. But the immediate media backlash is absurd. Have we learned nothing in the wake of the Duke Lacrosse scandal? How many of the same media members who jumped aboard the bandwagon, vilifying the easy targets at Duke, are the same ones ready to crucify Vick before he's ever spent a day in court?We live in a society of instant analysis, and it has burned the media time and time again. From projecting the presidential results in Florida too early in 2000 to Dan Rather's slander against Bush a few years later to the over-the-top criticism of the Duke Lacrosse players last year, it seems the media never learns its lesson.I realize a wait-and-see approach doesn't sell newspapers and it doesn't get ratings. I realize that being first gets a reporter more notoriety than being right. But how many times does the media need to screw things up before they learn their lesson? How many times do we as consumers need to be misled before we demand a change? How many innocent people need to have their reputations demolished before we decide that responsible journalism is better than sensational journalism?The facts haven't been presented. The jurors haven't been selected. The information just isn't available. So why are we already trying Vick in the media?I'm not saying Michael Vick is innocent. I'm just saying no one should be calling him guilty just yet.
- David Hale
Friday, July 20, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
MLB Teams to Watch
More than a few teams around the bigs are working their way back into contention, whether or not you’re paying them any attention. Some just had bad luck in the first half. Some are ready to welcome back injured stars. And some, well they just can't play much worse.
Here's the breakdown on five teams to watch as baseball heads toward the postseason.
1.) The New York Yankees.
Flatly, if you wrote the Yankees off in the first half, you’re an idiot. Sure, they were wallowing below .500, but if Darth Vader can build a second Death Star, surely this Evil Empire can erase a 10-game deficit in the second half.
The writing was really on the wall all along, with two indisputable facts going in the Yankees’ favor. First, a simple look at their run differential shows the Yankees record hardly reflected their overall play. As of the All-Star break, New York had scored 70 more runs than they had allowed. Seventy! That should have translated into a 50-35 record, but the Yankees entered the break with just 42 wins – one game under .500.
Then look at their schedule: Tampa Bay, Toronto, Kansas City, Baltimore, the White Sox, Kansas City again and Toronto again before they’ll play another legitimate contender (Cleveland for a three-game set starting Aug. 10).
Need more reasons to think the Yankees will still be playing well into October?
The Red Sox have hardly set the world afire after a strong start to the year. Boston is just 19-22 since June 30, and while the Yankees haven’t made up a ton of ground – well, this is still the Red Sox we’re talking about. Aside from that four-game run in October of 2004, what in baseball history makes you think they’re NOT going to choke the division away?
True, the Yanks will still need some help, but they’re the one team guaranteed to go out and get it. Phil Hughes should be back soon, Robinson Cano, Bobby Abreu and Johnny Damon can’t possibly be this bad in the second half, and hey, Joe Torre has been screwing up bullpens for years. It hurts in the playoffs, but the Yanks will cross that bridge when they come to it.
2.) The Minnesota Twins.
Just when the AL Central looked like a two-team race, the Twins go out and win their first four games of the second half.
The Twins young pitching is finally in place, including Matt Garza, who looked great in a 2-1 loss to Detroit on Tuesday. Without a bunch of stiffs taking up rotation spots in the second half and with a healthy (hopefully) Joe Mauer and a red-hot Justin Morneau to go with the always wonderful Torii Hunter, Minnesota has all the makings of a big run. Oh, and anyone remember when the Twinkies were 47-39 and 11 games back of the Tigers at last year’s All-Star break? How'd that turn out?
The Twins are just seven games back now in the ultra-competitive Central and are closing in quickly. Don’t forget, this is a team that has gone to the postseason in four of the past five years. They know how to win.
3.) Philadelphia Phillies
Hey, I’m from Philly, so I’m well aware that this won’t actually happen. But during the past few seasons, the Phils have been a second-half team (going 45-30 after the break last year and 43-30 in 2005, 40-35 in 2004), and unlike those campaigns, they didn’t have nearly as much ground to make up this year.
The Phils are hampered by injuries to Jon Leiber, Freddy Garcia, Brett Myers and Tom Gordon, which also kills what would have been their biggest trading assets, but don’t be surprised if the front office does whatever it takes to get over the hump this year and add an arm or two (or three or four).
In his ESPN.com column, Keith Law points out that the Phillies’ farm system is all but bare, and that with a group of sluggers (Utley, Howard, Rollins) all in their absolute prime, it’s win now time for Philly. If they can add the arms they need in a deadline deal, watch out. They’re every bit as good as the inconsistent Mets or the equally injury prone Braves.
4.) Chicago Cubs
I don’t want to jinx anything, but the Cubs are finally playing like a team that spent $300 million in the offseason. The young kids are finally getting to play, Aramis Ramirez has been excellent, Alfonso Soriano has come on strong and the pitching has actually been pretty good, with Carlos Zambrano finally re-establishing himself as one of the league’s top starters.
Like the Yankees, Chicago actually has a run differential that indicates their record is a bit of an anomaly. The Cubs have outscored opponents by 40 runs this year, virtually the same amount as first-place Milwaukee. In fact, the Cubs' expected record is actually a half-game better than the Brewers'.
So why is Chicago trailing by 4.5 games in the division? In one-run games, the Cubs are 12-15. Milwaukee, on the other hand, is 16-11. The Cubs are also just 1-6 in extra-inning games this year. Part of the team’s struggles in close contests has to do with an inconsistent bullpen, but much of this is simply luck and will even out over the course of a season.
The big question for the Cubs now, however, is ownership. With the team up for sale, fans have to wonder if the front office will have the leeway to make the big trades necessary for a run into October. The Cubs desperately need a bat who gets on base in right field and bullpen help is an absolute must.
5.) Seattle Mariners
The Mariners are sort of a mystery. Tucked away in the Pacific Northwest, they’ve been largely ignored on a national basis, but take a look at the standings: Seattle is just two games behind the Angels and sport the fifth-best record in the Majors.
Unlike the teams we’ve already mentioned, however, Seattle’s secondary numbers look bleak. The M’s have only outscored opponents by 15 runs, and actual record is five games better than their expected mark at this point in the season.
Still, there’s reason for hope. Jeff Weaver won’t be getting many more starts, and with a 6.82 ERA, that’s a good thing. Felix Hernandez is once again healthy and pitching like an ace. Ichiro has a deal to stay in Seattle. The Mike Hargrove distractions are in the past. Richie Sexson can’t possibly hit .202 the rest of the season. And Adam Jones (no, not the "Makin' it rain" Adam Jones) looks like he’s ready to be a late-season call-up that makes some big noise down the stretch. And let’s not forget the AL’s best closer in J.J. Putz.
Hey, on paper, Seattle’s nowhere near the same class as the Angels. But the beauty of baseball is the games aren’t played on paper.
That’s good news for the Mariners as well as the Yankees, Twins, Phillies and Cubs. Because while they were written off by most observers a month ago, they should be feared by the teams watching them grow ever closer in their rearview mirrors now.
- David Hale
Here's the breakdown on five teams to watch as baseball heads toward the postseason.
1.) The New York Yankees.
Flatly, if you wrote the Yankees off in the first half, you’re an idiot. Sure, they were wallowing below .500, but if Darth Vader can build a second Death Star, surely this Evil Empire can erase a 10-game deficit in the second half.
The writing was really on the wall all along, with two indisputable facts going in the Yankees’ favor. First, a simple look at their run differential shows the Yankees record hardly reflected their overall play. As of the All-Star break, New York had scored 70 more runs than they had allowed. Seventy! That should have translated into a 50-35 record, but the Yankees entered the break with just 42 wins – one game under .500.
Then look at their schedule: Tampa Bay, Toronto, Kansas City, Baltimore, the White Sox, Kansas City again and Toronto again before they’ll play another legitimate contender (Cleveland for a three-game set starting Aug. 10).
Need more reasons to think the Yankees will still be playing well into October?
The Red Sox have hardly set the world afire after a strong start to the year. Boston is just 19-22 since June 30, and while the Yankees haven’t made up a ton of ground – well, this is still the Red Sox we’re talking about. Aside from that four-game run in October of 2004, what in baseball history makes you think they’re NOT going to choke the division away?
True, the Yanks will still need some help, but they’re the one team guaranteed to go out and get it. Phil Hughes should be back soon, Robinson Cano, Bobby Abreu and Johnny Damon can’t possibly be this bad in the second half, and hey, Joe Torre has been screwing up bullpens for years. It hurts in the playoffs, but the Yanks will cross that bridge when they come to it.
2.) The Minnesota Twins.
Just when the AL Central looked like a two-team race, the Twins go out and win their first four games of the second half.
The Twins young pitching is finally in place, including Matt Garza, who looked great in a 2-1 loss to Detroit on Tuesday. Without a bunch of stiffs taking up rotation spots in the second half and with a healthy (hopefully) Joe Mauer and a red-hot Justin Morneau to go with the always wonderful Torii Hunter, Minnesota has all the makings of a big run. Oh, and anyone remember when the Twinkies were 47-39 and 11 games back of the Tigers at last year’s All-Star break? How'd that turn out?
The Twins are just seven games back now in the ultra-competitive Central and are closing in quickly. Don’t forget, this is a team that has gone to the postseason in four of the past five years. They know how to win.
3.) Philadelphia Phillies
Hey, I’m from Philly, so I’m well aware that this won’t actually happen. But during the past few seasons, the Phils have been a second-half team (going 45-30 after the break last year and 43-30 in 2005, 40-35 in 2004), and unlike those campaigns, they didn’t have nearly as much ground to make up this year.
The Phils are hampered by injuries to Jon Leiber, Freddy Garcia, Brett Myers and Tom Gordon, which also kills what would have been their biggest trading assets, but don’t be surprised if the front office does whatever it takes to get over the hump this year and add an arm or two (or three or four).
In his ESPN.com column, Keith Law points out that the Phillies’ farm system is all but bare, and that with a group of sluggers (Utley, Howard, Rollins) all in their absolute prime, it’s win now time for Philly. If they can add the arms they need in a deadline deal, watch out. They’re every bit as good as the inconsistent Mets or the equally injury prone Braves.
4.) Chicago Cubs
I don’t want to jinx anything, but the Cubs are finally playing like a team that spent $300 million in the offseason. The young kids are finally getting to play, Aramis Ramirez has been excellent, Alfonso Soriano has come on strong and the pitching has actually been pretty good, with Carlos Zambrano finally re-establishing himself as one of the league’s top starters.
Like the Yankees, Chicago actually has a run differential that indicates their record is a bit of an anomaly. The Cubs have outscored opponents by 40 runs this year, virtually the same amount as first-place Milwaukee. In fact, the Cubs' expected record is actually a half-game better than the Brewers'.
So why is Chicago trailing by 4.5 games in the division? In one-run games, the Cubs are 12-15. Milwaukee, on the other hand, is 16-11. The Cubs are also just 1-6 in extra-inning games this year. Part of the team’s struggles in close contests has to do with an inconsistent bullpen, but much of this is simply luck and will even out over the course of a season.
The big question for the Cubs now, however, is ownership. With the team up for sale, fans have to wonder if the front office will have the leeway to make the big trades necessary for a run into October. The Cubs desperately need a bat who gets on base in right field and bullpen help is an absolute must.
5.) Seattle Mariners
The Mariners are sort of a mystery. Tucked away in the Pacific Northwest, they’ve been largely ignored on a national basis, but take a look at the standings: Seattle is just two games behind the Angels and sport the fifth-best record in the Majors.
Unlike the teams we’ve already mentioned, however, Seattle’s secondary numbers look bleak. The M’s have only outscored opponents by 15 runs, and actual record is five games better than their expected mark at this point in the season.
Still, there’s reason for hope. Jeff Weaver won’t be getting many more starts, and with a 6.82 ERA, that’s a good thing. Felix Hernandez is once again healthy and pitching like an ace. Ichiro has a deal to stay in Seattle. The Mike Hargrove distractions are in the past. Richie Sexson can’t possibly hit .202 the rest of the season. And Adam Jones (no, not the "Makin' it rain" Adam Jones) looks like he’s ready to be a late-season call-up that makes some big noise down the stretch. And let’s not forget the AL’s best closer in J.J. Putz.
Hey, on paper, Seattle’s nowhere near the same class as the Angels. But the beauty of baseball is the games aren’t played on paper.
That’s good news for the Mariners as well as the Yankees, Twins, Phillies and Cubs. Because while they were written off by most observers a month ago, they should be feared by the teams watching them grow ever closer in their rearview mirrors now.
- David Hale
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Carrying the Rock
The draft order for my long-running fantasy football league was released this week. It’s a league my friends and I have been doing for nearly a decade now, one in which I’ve assembled many a fine franchise, making it to our title game two of the past three years, but not since my now infamous 16-1 season in 2001 have I managed a championship. This year, I vow to get over the hump. Or at least blow off a lot of work trying.
So I’m of the belief it’s never too early to start talking fantasy football, and my first order of business was figuring out some draft-day strategy. Generally I subscribe to the theory that you should draft running backs early and often, but after some quick perusing of the RB scene, I’m not so sure that the strategy holds up this year.
Last year, I bemoaned the influx of “running back-by-committee” systems around the NFL. The true, workhorse back seemed like a dying breed. But after some offseason moves, it appears that almost every team has a set No. 1 runner this year entering the season – a very good sign for fantasy buffs. Travis Henry to Denver, Jamal Lewis to Cleveland, Willis McGahee to Baltimore, Thomas Jones to the Jets, Corey Dillon’s retirement – it has all helped even out the number of talented starters around the league which, hopefully, means a clearer picture for owners on draft day.
Having said that, however, there may still be some steals among potential backups at running back. While so many starters seem entrenched, there are a handful of benchwarmers that could end up carrying you to a title. Here’s a few names to watch out for:
Brandon Jacobs, NYG. The Giants brought in Reuben Droughns to replace much of Tiki Barber’s production, but it will be Jacobs who is the star of the show by season’s end. Droughns is serviceable, but he’s not a game-changer. Jacobs, on the other hand, has all the potential here, and it won’t take long for the Giants to realize it.
Ladell Betts, WASH. While Clinton Portis battled through one problem after another last season, Betts proved he was capable of carrying the load. He won’t have a secure job as a starter entering the season, but my guess is Portis is crazy enough that something is going to happen to him along the way and Betts finds his chance to post some significant numbers.
Chester Taylor, MIN. Everyone seems to be sleeping on Taylor with the arrival of Adrian Peterson to Minnesota’s backfield. That’s a mistake. Peterson had injury issues throughout college, he didn’t play for most of the latter half of his junior season last year, and Taylor showed he could be a workhorse despite a dreadful quarterback situation with the Vikings in 2006. Plus, you need look no further than New Orleans’ duo of Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister to see that two running backs can split touches and still both put up numbers. Besides, raise your hand if you think Tavaris Jackson is going to be chucking the ball downfield much. Didn’t think so. There’ll be plenty of carries to go around in this offense.
Jerious Norwood, ATL. OK, so I’ve said this each of the past five years, but this is the year Warrick Dunn breaks down. His numbers have decreased significantly in the second half every year, and Norwood showed last season what he’s capable of. He’ll be getting the bulk of the carries by Week 6.
Brandon Jackson, GB. Please tell me what the heck Vernand Morency did to earn starter status. Jackson has looked solid in preseason camps and there’s already a pretty good amount of buzz surrounding him. Don’t be surprised if he’s supplanted Morency by the end of the preseason.
Michael Bush, OAK. I don’t really recommend taking anyone from Oakland’s offense, but Bush may be worth a flier. If he can prove he’s healthy, he may become the steal of April’s NFL draft and the steal of your fantasy draft.
Marcel Shipp, ARZ. Just look at Edgerrin James’ numbers last year and then remember that the coach who brought him to the dessert is now unemployed.
Greg Jones, JAC, Brian Leonard, STL and Tony Hunt, PHL. These guys all have pretty established starters in front of them and probably won’t see many carries this season. So why are they on the list? The carries they will see will probably be along the goal line, making them superb bye-week or injury replacements – much the way Jacobs was for the Giants last year. And who knows, and injury to the starter could put these guys in elite status at any time.
So I’m of the belief it’s never too early to start talking fantasy football, and my first order of business was figuring out some draft-day strategy. Generally I subscribe to the theory that you should draft running backs early and often, but after some quick perusing of the RB scene, I’m not so sure that the strategy holds up this year.
Last year, I bemoaned the influx of “running back-by-committee” systems around the NFL. The true, workhorse back seemed like a dying breed. But after some offseason moves, it appears that almost every team has a set No. 1 runner this year entering the season – a very good sign for fantasy buffs. Travis Henry to Denver, Jamal Lewis to Cleveland, Willis McGahee to Baltimore, Thomas Jones to the Jets, Corey Dillon’s retirement – it has all helped even out the number of talented starters around the league which, hopefully, means a clearer picture for owners on draft day.
Having said that, however, there may still be some steals among potential backups at running back. While so many starters seem entrenched, there are a handful of benchwarmers that could end up carrying you to a title. Here’s a few names to watch out for:
Brandon Jacobs, NYG. The Giants brought in Reuben Droughns to replace much of Tiki Barber’s production, but it will be Jacobs who is the star of the show by season’s end. Droughns is serviceable, but he’s not a game-changer. Jacobs, on the other hand, has all the potential here, and it won’t take long for the Giants to realize it.
Ladell Betts, WASH. While Clinton Portis battled through one problem after another last season, Betts proved he was capable of carrying the load. He won’t have a secure job as a starter entering the season, but my guess is Portis is crazy enough that something is going to happen to him along the way and Betts finds his chance to post some significant numbers.
Chester Taylor, MIN. Everyone seems to be sleeping on Taylor with the arrival of Adrian Peterson to Minnesota’s backfield. That’s a mistake. Peterson had injury issues throughout college, he didn’t play for most of the latter half of his junior season last year, and Taylor showed he could be a workhorse despite a dreadful quarterback situation with the Vikings in 2006. Plus, you need look no further than New Orleans’ duo of Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister to see that two running backs can split touches and still both put up numbers. Besides, raise your hand if you think Tavaris Jackson is going to be chucking the ball downfield much. Didn’t think so. There’ll be plenty of carries to go around in this offense.
Jerious Norwood, ATL. OK, so I’ve said this each of the past five years, but this is the year Warrick Dunn breaks down. His numbers have decreased significantly in the second half every year, and Norwood showed last season what he’s capable of. He’ll be getting the bulk of the carries by Week 6.
Brandon Jackson, GB. Please tell me what the heck Vernand Morency did to earn starter status. Jackson has looked solid in preseason camps and there’s already a pretty good amount of buzz surrounding him. Don’t be surprised if he’s supplanted Morency by the end of the preseason.
Michael Bush, OAK. I don’t really recommend taking anyone from Oakland’s offense, but Bush may be worth a flier. If he can prove he’s healthy, he may become the steal of April’s NFL draft and the steal of your fantasy draft.
Marcel Shipp, ARZ. Just look at Edgerrin James’ numbers last year and then remember that the coach who brought him to the dessert is now unemployed.
Greg Jones, JAC, Brian Leonard, STL and Tony Hunt, PHL. These guys all have pretty established starters in front of them and probably won’t see many carries this season. So why are they on the list? The carries they will see will probably be along the goal line, making them superb bye-week or injury replacements – much the way Jacobs was for the Giants last year. And who knows, and injury to the starter could put these guys in elite status at any time.
Fond Farewell
If you listened to his radio show over the past few weeks, it probably didn’t come as a shock to you when Dan Patrick announced he would be leaving ESPN on Aug. 17. Patrick left as many clues about his fate as David Chase did about Tony Soprano’s. Patrick just had the courtesy to give us all some closure before his time on the Worldwide Leader cut to black.
So I’m not surprised to see Dan bid adieu to his role with ESPN after 18 years with the network. But I’m awfully sad to see him go. My fondest memories of sports programming were the hours I spent watching Dan and Keith Olbermann – complete with Magnum P.I. moustache – anchoring SportsCenter before it was all glitz and glam. Before Disney was calling the shots, before the Worldwide Leader had spawned 46 sister stations, a Web site, a magazine, a golf school, a cell phone, a line of women’s lingerie, ESPN the candy bar, ESPN the beer, ESPN the SUV and Chris Berman’s run for the White House – there was Dan and Keith, and SportsCenter was just about sports.
It’s quaint to think about today, memories of a bygone era that seem as distant as the days when MTV played music and Barry Bonds weighed 175 pounds. But like everything, sports changes with the times, and over the years, ESPN has become more and more about entertainment than sports. Rarely does a day go by I don’t hear a true sports enthusiast complain about such things, yet ESPN’s ratings and profitability have never been higher. ESPN, like any corporation, plays to the masses. It searches for the bottom line. And in truth, it’s ESPN’s slanted take on sports, its ability to mix athletics and pop culture, that made the network – and SportsCenter in particular – the juggernaut that it is.
And no one did a better job of toeing the line between sports and entertainment better than Dan Patrick. Along with Olbermann, Patrick ushered in the era of “en fuego,” and paved the way for Craig Kilborn, Rich Eisen, Scott Van Pelt, Trey Wingo and, for better or worse, Stu Scott. Patrick, quite simply, changed our expectations of what a sports anchor should be.
Even as ESPN grew more into the Disney corporate behemoth and less and less the cable start-up that took the world by storm, Patrick maintained the perfect balance. He always seemed more like that somewhat cocky buddy who never worried about espousing his sports knowledge over a few drinks. He had an air of authority, but always seemed like a good guy. He was funny, insightful and at times, self-deprecating. He was entertaining, but always remained a journalist. He was fair, he called stories like he saw them, and he never feared calling out someone who deserved it – whether it was Ricky Williams or David Stern. Sadly, too few “journalists” at ESPN still do that.
So I have no doubt that Dan will be sorely missed. True, his role with the network has declined recently, but his radio show and his NBA coverage remained some of the best programming ESPN had to offer. Hopefully we’ll all see him again soon – whether he’s hosting “The Price is Right,” filling in for Keith on “Countdown” or sliding in next to Babs on “The View.” OK, actually let’s hope it’s not that last one.
- David Hale
So I’m not surprised to see Dan bid adieu to his role with ESPN after 18 years with the network. But I’m awfully sad to see him go. My fondest memories of sports programming were the hours I spent watching Dan and Keith Olbermann – complete with Magnum P.I. moustache – anchoring SportsCenter before it was all glitz and glam. Before Disney was calling the shots, before the Worldwide Leader had spawned 46 sister stations, a Web site, a magazine, a golf school, a cell phone, a line of women’s lingerie, ESPN the candy bar, ESPN the beer, ESPN the SUV and Chris Berman’s run for the White House – there was Dan and Keith, and SportsCenter was just about sports.
It’s quaint to think about today, memories of a bygone era that seem as distant as the days when MTV played music and Barry Bonds weighed 175 pounds. But like everything, sports changes with the times, and over the years, ESPN has become more and more about entertainment than sports. Rarely does a day go by I don’t hear a true sports enthusiast complain about such things, yet ESPN’s ratings and profitability have never been higher. ESPN, like any corporation, plays to the masses. It searches for the bottom line. And in truth, it’s ESPN’s slanted take on sports, its ability to mix athletics and pop culture, that made the network – and SportsCenter in particular – the juggernaut that it is.
And no one did a better job of toeing the line between sports and entertainment better than Dan Patrick. Along with Olbermann, Patrick ushered in the era of “en fuego,” and paved the way for Craig Kilborn, Rich Eisen, Scott Van Pelt, Trey Wingo and, for better or worse, Stu Scott. Patrick, quite simply, changed our expectations of what a sports anchor should be.
Even as ESPN grew more into the Disney corporate behemoth and less and less the cable start-up that took the world by storm, Patrick maintained the perfect balance. He always seemed more like that somewhat cocky buddy who never worried about espousing his sports knowledge over a few drinks. He had an air of authority, but always seemed like a good guy. He was funny, insightful and at times, self-deprecating. He was entertaining, but always remained a journalist. He was fair, he called stories like he saw them, and he never feared calling out someone who deserved it – whether it was Ricky Williams or David Stern. Sadly, too few “journalists” at ESPN still do that.
So I have no doubt that Dan will be sorely missed. True, his role with the network has declined recently, but his radio show and his NBA coverage remained some of the best programming ESPN had to offer. Hopefully we’ll all see him again soon – whether he’s hosting “The Price is Right,” filling in for Keith on “Countdown” or sliding in next to Babs on “The View.” OK, actually let’s hope it’s not that last one.
- David Hale
City of Champions
The baseball stadium at Paul Eames Sports Complex was still a bit of a work in progress when the South Georgia Peanuts opened their schedule in May. I remember reading the slogan on the outfield scoreboard that read “Albany: City of Champions” and thinking how ironic it looked, spelled out in chipped paint on a scoreboard that hadn’t been renovated in more than 15 years. Sure, we’ve had some solid high school teams over the years, but it’s been a long time since “City of Champions” seemed an appropriate tag line for the town.
Just last week on this radio show, we spent a pretty fair amount of time discussing the city’s sports failures, particularly at the professional level. We weren’t alone, I’m sure. Since the departure of the Polecats baseball team in 1994, the general consensus has been that Albany just isn’t a town that can support a professional sports team. There isn’t enough disposable income. The facilities aren’t up to par. There aren’t enough corporate sponsors. The population is too small. The fans are too fickle. You name it, and it’s been said about Albany. Heck, it may have been said by you. Some of the most ardent critics of sports in Albany are also the biggest sports fans.
After this 2007 sports season, however, it will be pretty tough for people to continue their criticism. This is without question a special year in sports for the city of Albany – one that could once again make that “City of Champions” moniker more than appropriate.
After finishing with a 3-13 record in each of the previous two seasons since arriving in Albany, the South Georgia Wildcats had seen attendance start to slip, had fired their second manager in as many years, and people were beginning to wonder if winning was possible here. Enter head coach Derek Stingley and a new group of players, and those questions have been answered.
The Wildcats beat rival Florida for the second time this season last weekend, and their record of 9-4 has them in the playoffs and poised to win the National Conference’s South Division. Make no mistake, this is a serious contender for a title.
The Peanuts, too, will be heading to the playoffs. After finishing the first half of the South Coast League season with a 33-11 record, the Peanuts have cinched up the first-half title and will play at least one home playoff game at Paul Eames at the end of the summer. The Peanuts have been far and away the best team in the league, with two former big leaguers on their roster, four players already signed with affiliated organizations, and several more on their way back to affiliated teams soon. They’re fun to watch, they’ve won a lot of ballgames, and most importantly, they’ve proved a baseball team can succeed in Albany.
In addition to their on-field success, both the Wildcats and Peanuts have found a good bit of success at the box office this year, too.
The Wildcats faced an uphill climb, hoping to shed the “loser” label consecutive 3-13 finishes had placed upon the franchise. Attendance at the first few home games reflected the wait-and-see approach many fans were taking, but with wins came fans, and the Wildcats are drawing around 5,000 per game – up significantly from last season and approaching the numbers they drew in their first year in town.
The Peanuts’ expectations weren’t very high in terms of attendance. Ownership had been told how difficult it was to sell baseball in Albany. And unlike their predecessors, the Peanuts would have direct, in-season competition from the Wildcats. More than a few people questioned whether the team would even complete its first season. But guess what – not only have the Peanuts met expectations, they’ve far exceeded them. The Peanuts have averaged nearly 1,400 fans per game – even with wet weather, rescheduled home games and a bevy of doubleheaders dragging down the average.
It’s easy to write off pro sports in Albany. History is usually a pretty good barometer for such things. But this year’s Wildcats and Peanuts have thumbed their noses at history and have helped restore some luster to a town with plenty of good sports fans, but a dearth of good sports franchises. The fact that both teams have had so much success both on the field and at the box office, the fact that Albany has shown it can support not one, but two professional sports teams, and the fact that both teams will be playing postseason games, should earn everyone in town a strong pat on the back. And who knows? Maybe by September, just about the time everyone turns their attention to Monroe and Dougherty and the other gridiron stars, that “City of Champions” logo will seem more than appropriate.
- David Hale
Just last week on this radio show, we spent a pretty fair amount of time discussing the city’s sports failures, particularly at the professional level. We weren’t alone, I’m sure. Since the departure of the Polecats baseball team in 1994, the general consensus has been that Albany just isn’t a town that can support a professional sports team. There isn’t enough disposable income. The facilities aren’t up to par. There aren’t enough corporate sponsors. The population is too small. The fans are too fickle. You name it, and it’s been said about Albany. Heck, it may have been said by you. Some of the most ardent critics of sports in Albany are also the biggest sports fans.
After this 2007 sports season, however, it will be pretty tough for people to continue their criticism. This is without question a special year in sports for the city of Albany – one that could once again make that “City of Champions” moniker more than appropriate.
After finishing with a 3-13 record in each of the previous two seasons since arriving in Albany, the South Georgia Wildcats had seen attendance start to slip, had fired their second manager in as many years, and people were beginning to wonder if winning was possible here. Enter head coach Derek Stingley and a new group of players, and those questions have been answered.
The Wildcats beat rival Florida for the second time this season last weekend, and their record of 9-4 has them in the playoffs and poised to win the National Conference’s South Division. Make no mistake, this is a serious contender for a title.
The Peanuts, too, will be heading to the playoffs. After finishing the first half of the South Coast League season with a 33-11 record, the Peanuts have cinched up the first-half title and will play at least one home playoff game at Paul Eames at the end of the summer. The Peanuts have been far and away the best team in the league, with two former big leaguers on their roster, four players already signed with affiliated organizations, and several more on their way back to affiliated teams soon. They’re fun to watch, they’ve won a lot of ballgames, and most importantly, they’ve proved a baseball team can succeed in Albany.
In addition to their on-field success, both the Wildcats and Peanuts have found a good bit of success at the box office this year, too.
The Wildcats faced an uphill climb, hoping to shed the “loser” label consecutive 3-13 finishes had placed upon the franchise. Attendance at the first few home games reflected the wait-and-see approach many fans were taking, but with wins came fans, and the Wildcats are drawing around 5,000 per game – up significantly from last season and approaching the numbers they drew in their first year in town.
The Peanuts’ expectations weren’t very high in terms of attendance. Ownership had been told how difficult it was to sell baseball in Albany. And unlike their predecessors, the Peanuts would have direct, in-season competition from the Wildcats. More than a few people questioned whether the team would even complete its first season. But guess what – not only have the Peanuts met expectations, they’ve far exceeded them. The Peanuts have averaged nearly 1,400 fans per game – even with wet weather, rescheduled home games and a bevy of doubleheaders dragging down the average.
It’s easy to write off pro sports in Albany. History is usually a pretty good barometer for such things. But this year’s Wildcats and Peanuts have thumbed their noses at history and have helped restore some luster to a town with plenty of good sports fans, but a dearth of good sports franchises. The fact that both teams have had so much success both on the field and at the box office, the fact that Albany has shown it can support not one, but two professional sports teams, and the fact that both teams will be playing postseason games, should earn everyone in town a strong pat on the back. And who knows? Maybe by September, just about the time everyone turns their attention to Monroe and Dougherty and the other gridiron stars, that “City of Champions” logo will seem more than appropriate.
- David Hale
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
The Bronx is Burning........ Again
In 1977, New York City was in the midst of a year of chaos. The city was on the hunt for the Son of Sam, there was a citywide blackout, a brutal mayor's race and there was the beginning of a New York Yankee era known as the "Bronx Zoo". Jonathan Mahler in his book Ladies and Gentleman, the Bronx is Burning does a masterful job of painting the picture of that crazy year. With all that said, here we are 30 years later and ladies and gentlemen the Bronx is burning.....again. Now I know that there have been no blackouts in New York city, there is no mayor's race to be contested, and the closest thing to a crazy person on the loose throughout the city has been Rosie O'Donnell waiting in line at McDonalds but the New York Yankees are crumbling. The Yankees of 2007 are much different than those Yankees of 1977. George Steinbrenner is up there in age and a shell of himself from 1977, Joe Torre is a far cry from the combustible Billy Martin, and the only flash that resembles that of Reggie Jackson from 1977 is the drunk guy in the trench coat standing on Wall St. The burning that is taking place in New York is that of a much different nature. In 1977, while the Yankees were dysfunctional, they were dominate in route to a World Championship but in 2007, while the Yankees are dysfunctional, they are pathetic in route to an early tee time this fall. With three of there top four pictures over the age of 35 years old and unable to go past 6 innings on a consistent basis, an aging lineup, and a bullpen that makes Paula Abdul look stable, the New York Yankees are done. One can make the argument that with half the season left to play that the Yankees with their offense can make a comeback. While that argument may have merit, you have to look no further than the Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, and Cleveland Indians to realize that this Yankee team is lacking in comparison to the teams that they will have to catch to see the playoffs. Relief pitcher Scott Proctor set his equipment on fire at Yankee Stadium this weekend and as crazy as it was it was also symbolic. As Proctor stood and watched the bonfire, Bud Selig and Major League Baseball had to sit in their offices and see that as the Yankee's season is going up in flames so is the season and ratings of MLB. The Yankees move the number in sports today. Whether you love them or hate them, people show up and tune to watch this team and if they are shopping with ARod's wife for new tank tops in October and not playing baseball then the American public will not be watching baseball. The Bronx is indeed burning again. The flames are different but it is burning and there is no water that MLB, Bud Selig, and George Steinbrenner can do to stop the fire.
Serious Snubs
Maybe I’m in the minority, but I like that each team gets a representative at the All-Star game. Still, the rule always results in a few legitimate snubs. Some of those will be remedied because of injuries or “injuries” -- the latter category representing those players who’d prefer a few days of fly fishing over a trip to San Fran – but a few others could have been cleared up by simply making some better selections.
San Diego’s Chris Young is the most notable on the NL side, though he could (and should) still get in based on the fan vote. Young is 8-3 with a 2.10 ERA through Sunday and is the co-ace of the first-place Padres’ staff. He belongs on the roster.
The solution to the two biggest snubs on the AL side seems simple. Michael Young and Manny Ramirez are both great players who have had great seasons, but this year, they don’t belong.
Instead of Young, Texas’ representative ought to be Sammy Sosa. After being blasted by critics for his comeback bid at the beginning of the season, Sosa has actually been pretty darned good. He’s bashed 14 home runs and driven in 63, and despite a terrible .308 OBP, he’s been a lot of fun to watch this year.
Ramirez, who may not be aware that he’s even on the All-Star team, should be gone, too. In his place should be Angels shortstop and former Ramirez teammate Orlando Cabrera. Cabrera has been one of the best hitters in the AL this year, hitting .337 with 48 RBI, 53 runs scored and an .832 OPS.
- David Hale
San Diego’s Chris Young is the most notable on the NL side, though he could (and should) still get in based on the fan vote. Young is 8-3 with a 2.10 ERA through Sunday and is the co-ace of the first-place Padres’ staff. He belongs on the roster.
The solution to the two biggest snubs on the AL side seems simple. Michael Young and Manny Ramirez are both great players who have had great seasons, but this year, they don’t belong.
Instead of Young, Texas’ representative ought to be Sammy Sosa. After being blasted by critics for his comeback bid at the beginning of the season, Sosa has actually been pretty darned good. He’s bashed 14 home runs and driven in 63, and despite a terrible .308 OBP, he’s been a lot of fun to watch this year.
Ramirez, who may not be aware that he’s even on the All-Star team, should be gone, too. In his place should be Angels shortstop and former Ramirez teammate Orlando Cabrera. Cabrera has been one of the best hitters in the AL this year, hitting .337 with 48 RBI, 53 runs scored and an .832 OPS.
- David Hale
Wheeling and Dealing
One of those rare under-30 pitchers to top the 90-win plateau is Chicago’s Mark Buehrle, a guy the Braves have apparently had their eye on for weeks.
Given White Sox GM Kenny Williams’ love of big-time trades, it seems rather odd that little progress has been made on getting a deal done, however. Here’s what ESPN’s Buster Olney has to say about a potential deal:
“Everybody who deals with Kenny Williams says that he basically targets a player in your system and asks -- how can we get this done? Or, if he doesn't see a player he likes, he just won't get serious. Really, the Buehrle trade talks will come down to who KW really covets.”
So, that likely means two things:
1.) Williams doesn’t see much that interests him in the Braves’ organization, or…
2.) The Braves aren’t willing to part with the guy Williams wants. (Perhaps someone by the name of Saltala-something-or-other.)
Still, pitching looks like it’s the Braves’ top concern – both starters and relievers. The injury to Mike Gonzoles turned out to be a big stumbling block for Atlanta, which built its offseason moves around retooling the bullpen. With a dearth of quality starters on the market, another arm (or two) in the pen may be the Braves’ most likely move. One name to keep in mind: Colorado closer and All-Star Brian Fuentes.
- David Hale
Given White Sox GM Kenny Williams’ love of big-time trades, it seems rather odd that little progress has been made on getting a deal done, however. Here’s what ESPN’s Buster Olney has to say about a potential deal:
“Everybody who deals with Kenny Williams says that he basically targets a player in your system and asks -- how can we get this done? Or, if he doesn't see a player he likes, he just won't get serious. Really, the Buehrle trade talks will come down to who KW really covets.”
So, that likely means two things:
1.) Williams doesn’t see much that interests him in the Braves’ organization, or…
2.) The Braves aren’t willing to part with the guy Williams wants. (Perhaps someone by the name of Saltala-something-or-other.)
Still, pitching looks like it’s the Braves’ top concern – both starters and relievers. The injury to Mike Gonzoles turned out to be a big stumbling block for Atlanta, which built its offseason moves around retooling the bullpen. With a dearth of quality starters on the market, another arm (or two) in the pen may be the Braves’ most likely move. One name to keep in mind: Colorado closer and All-Star Brian Fuentes.
- David Hale
Baseball Milestones
We witnessed two legitimate milestones last week when Craig Biggio entered the 3,000-hit club and Frank Thomas blasted his 500th home run. But while both accomplishments are impressive – and both players should be headed to Cooperstown – neither club is quite as exclusive as it used to be.
Biggio is the 27th player to reach the 3,000-hit plateau and the 11th player to do so since 1992. Barry Bonds is hot on Biggio’s heals – just 100 hits shy of 3,000 – and Ken Griffey Jr., Gary Sheffield and Pudge Rodriguez all look like reasonably safe bets to eclipse that mark if they play another three or four years.
Thomas was entrant No. 21 into the 500-homer club, but the exclusivity of that group is in serious jeopardy, too. Four other players – Alex Rodriguez (492), Jim Thome (482), Manny Ramirez (481) and Gary Sheffield (473) could feasibly top 500 this season alone. That would mean that 20 percent of the all-time 500-home run hitters collected No. 500 THIS YEAR! Six of the current 21 players in the club have entered within the past 10 years.
So, looking for a number that still means something? Try 300.
Only 22 players in baseball history have won 300 games, and just three pitchers – Greg Maddux, Roger Clemens and Nolan Ryan – have entered the group in the past 20 years. What’s more, after Tom Glavine (297) and Randy Johnson (284) pick up win No. 300 this year or next, we probably won’t see another 300-game winner for at least another decade or two.
The Yankees’ Mike Mussina is next up with 243 career victories, but sporting a 4-5 record, an ERA near 5.00 and at age 38, 57 more wins might be a long shot.
Looking deeper, there are just seven pitchers aged 30 or younger who have more than 90 career wins, a group led by Barry Zito who has 108 wins at age 29. Even assuming he wins 18 games every year for the remainder of his career, he’ll be 40 before he reaches 300. That seems unlikely.
Given the fragile health of pitchers, the lack of innings most starters turn in these days, and the preponderance of specialty relievers, it’s possible that Johnson or Mussina may be the last 300-game winner we see in our lifetimes.
So while it may have been little more than a SportsCenter highlight and newspaper footnote when Biggo and Thomas surpassed a number generally reserved for the immortals, as baseball fans, we should make sure we pay special attention when Glavine and the Big Unit join elite company over the next couple of years.
-David Hale
Biggio is the 27th player to reach the 3,000-hit plateau and the 11th player to do so since 1992. Barry Bonds is hot on Biggio’s heals – just 100 hits shy of 3,000 – and Ken Griffey Jr., Gary Sheffield and Pudge Rodriguez all look like reasonably safe bets to eclipse that mark if they play another three or four years.
Thomas was entrant No. 21 into the 500-homer club, but the exclusivity of that group is in serious jeopardy, too. Four other players – Alex Rodriguez (492), Jim Thome (482), Manny Ramirez (481) and Gary Sheffield (473) could feasibly top 500 this season alone. That would mean that 20 percent of the all-time 500-home run hitters collected No. 500 THIS YEAR! Six of the current 21 players in the club have entered within the past 10 years.
So, looking for a number that still means something? Try 300.
Only 22 players in baseball history have won 300 games, and just three pitchers – Greg Maddux, Roger Clemens and Nolan Ryan – have entered the group in the past 20 years. What’s more, after Tom Glavine (297) and Randy Johnson (284) pick up win No. 300 this year or next, we probably won’t see another 300-game winner for at least another decade or two.
The Yankees’ Mike Mussina is next up with 243 career victories, but sporting a 4-5 record, an ERA near 5.00 and at age 38, 57 more wins might be a long shot.
Looking deeper, there are just seven pitchers aged 30 or younger who have more than 90 career wins, a group led by Barry Zito who has 108 wins at age 29. Even assuming he wins 18 games every year for the remainder of his career, he’ll be 40 before he reaches 300. That seems unlikely.
Given the fragile health of pitchers, the lack of innings most starters turn in these days, and the preponderance of specialty relievers, it’s possible that Johnson or Mussina may be the last 300-game winner we see in our lifetimes.
So while it may have been little more than a SportsCenter highlight and newspaper footnote when Biggo and Thomas surpassed a number generally reserved for the immortals, as baseball fans, we should make sure we pay special attention when Glavine and the Big Unit join elite company over the next couple of years.
-David Hale
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