"Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the King's Horses and all the King's Men couldn't put Humpty together again"
Substitute Tiger Woods for Humpty Dumpty; the corporate sponsors for the King's Horses and his loyal followers for the King's Men, and you've got a nursery rhyme that all adults can benefit from. (Did you know that "Humpty Dumpty" was a cannon that was used during the 17th century in the English Civil War? It fell off of a wall during the battle of Colcester and was so heavy that the "Royalists" could not get lift it back onto the wall. The town eventually fell to the Parliamentarians)
STOP PUTTING PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES ON A PEDESTAL AND MAKING THEM THE ROLE MODELS THEY DON'T WANT TO, OR DON'T DESERVE TO BE
Can it be any clearer after what's gone down with the "great" Tiger Woods. Here was a prodigy who could play the sport of golf better than anyone in the world. So what? Because he can do something that millions of frustrated players cannot? Great, so he can play golf better than anyone in the world. Does that make him better than anyone else? Of course not which is why the "fans" are to blame for the Rise and Fall of Tiger Woods.
Tiger Woods is a human being, not a God, so stop treating him like one. Unfortunately, there are millions of stories of adultery in any society so is Tiger any different than millions of others who succumb to their human emotions.
I see this adulation first hand at the ballparks and the arenas. It's unbelievable to see grown men practically down on their knees in the presence of these athletes. I hate to say it but some of these guys deserve to be "smacked" in the face for the way they treat their public. There are alot of good people amongst the pro athletes as well but some of them really don't deserve this idolization.
Take the "Tiger Scandal" and use it the right way. Look for your role models from real life heroes, like the ones who died on 9/11, or who continue to sacrifice their lives for our country overseas. Those are role models, not pro athletes.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Deal For Granderson Makes Sense For Yanks
It's not official as of this posting time, but the Yankees made a smart move in acquiring Curtis Granderson. Let's examine the effects of this deal.
Getting Granderson means it would be a surprise if Johnny Damon is back. The Yankees feel that Damon will not accept less than four years so Granderson makes it easy to let him walk.
The Yankees will play the 28 year old in centerfield and will likely move Melky Cabrera to left, which makes them a whole lot better defensively in the outfield.
The trade also makes them younger and more athletic in their everyday lineup which is essential to the immediate future of the team.
Granderson will likely bat second in the order. "He can't bat second", say the skeptics of this deal. Why not. It's a small sampling but Granderson is 6 for 17 (.353) in his career batting second. In this Yankee lineup, he'll hit second behind Derek Jeter and in front of Mark Teixeira. Do you think he's got protection. He'll have to see more fastballs because of Tex's presence and even if Granderson steals second to open up first base, teams won't just walk Teixeira because A-Rod is batting fourth. It sets up as a "delicious appetizer" for their lineup.
Granderson was bad against left handed pitching last year but he hasn't exactly had great success against southpaws in his entire career. You also have to take into account where he played most of his games. Comerica Park does yield more doubles and triples than other parks because of its expansive outfield but it also takes away as many hits because speedy players can run down balls that would otherwise be hits.
A caller to one of the local radio shows compared Granderson to when the Yanks acquired Paul O'Neill. The popular Yankee rightfielder had the same rap that he couldn't hit lefties and look what happened there.
I hate to see the Yankees give up Phil Coke. Too many people were down on him because he had a sub par post season but it was his first time around in the playoffs and he came up big during the regular season. You can't have too many lefthanded relievers these days.
Austin Jackson is a nice prospect but there are many out there who don't believe he's going to be a 20-25 homerun guy in the bigs. Detroit is getting a similar player to someone who's already on their roster, Marcus Thames.
This is a 3-way trade that could work out for all three clubs involved. The Tigers improved themselves with the addition of P Max Scherzer from Arizona and Coke improves their bullpen because he provides some balance.
The Yankees get Granderson and the Diamondbacks get Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy. If one of those pitchers can turn into a dependable member of Arizona's rotation, it turns into a good trade for them as well.
Yanks are not certainly not done. Brett Gardner becomes the fourth outfielder and pinch runner off the bench but it wouldn't be a shock if he gets dealt before spring training.
Getting Granderson means it would be a surprise if Johnny Damon is back. The Yankees feel that Damon will not accept less than four years so Granderson makes it easy to let him walk.
The Yankees will play the 28 year old in centerfield and will likely move Melky Cabrera to left, which makes them a whole lot better defensively in the outfield.
The trade also makes them younger and more athletic in their everyday lineup which is essential to the immediate future of the team.
Granderson will likely bat second in the order. "He can't bat second", say the skeptics of this deal. Why not. It's a small sampling but Granderson is 6 for 17 (.353) in his career batting second. In this Yankee lineup, he'll hit second behind Derek Jeter and in front of Mark Teixeira. Do you think he's got protection. He'll have to see more fastballs because of Tex's presence and even if Granderson steals second to open up first base, teams won't just walk Teixeira because A-Rod is batting fourth. It sets up as a "delicious appetizer" for their lineup.
Granderson was bad against left handed pitching last year but he hasn't exactly had great success against southpaws in his entire career. You also have to take into account where he played most of his games. Comerica Park does yield more doubles and triples than other parks because of its expansive outfield but it also takes away as many hits because speedy players can run down balls that would otherwise be hits.
A caller to one of the local radio shows compared Granderson to when the Yanks acquired Paul O'Neill. The popular Yankee rightfielder had the same rap that he couldn't hit lefties and look what happened there.
I hate to see the Yankees give up Phil Coke. Too many people were down on him because he had a sub par post season but it was his first time around in the playoffs and he came up big during the regular season. You can't have too many lefthanded relievers these days.
Austin Jackson is a nice prospect but there are many out there who don't believe he's going to be a 20-25 homerun guy in the bigs. Detroit is getting a similar player to someone who's already on their roster, Marcus Thames.
This is a 3-way trade that could work out for all three clubs involved. The Tigers improved themselves with the addition of P Max Scherzer from Arizona and Coke improves their bullpen because he provides some balance.
The Yankees get Granderson and the Diamondbacks get Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy. If one of those pitchers can turn into a dependable member of Arizona's rotation, it turns into a good trade for them as well.
Yanks are not certainly not done. Brett Gardner becomes the fourth outfielder and pinch runner off the bench but it wouldn't be a shock if he gets dealt before spring training.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
D'Antoni Can't Bully Knicks To Be Good
Knicks G Nate Robinson deserves to be benched but Head Coach Mike D'Antoni has gone over the line.
Last night, Robinson was a DNP as the Knicks lost in Orlando. Four days previous, Robinson scored 22 points in the fourth quarter against the same team at the Garden.
We all know what Robinson is all about. He's a high energy player that can drive you to drink but to not give him any playing time serves no purpose and may be detrimental to the developement of the relationship between head coach and player.
The other players have taken notice of the way Robinson is being treated and that can lead to a lack of trust from D'Antoni.
Also, you want Robinson on the floor so his value can be showcased to other teams who would trade for the enigmatic guard.
Chris Duhon has been absolutely awful this season on both ends of the floor, yet he continues to start and get significant playing time.
D'Antoni claims Robinson doesn't play enough defense. Talk about the "pot calling the kettle black". D'Antoni is smart enough to know that Robinson can't defend most of the guards in the league because of his height disadvantage but he can provide an offensive jolt and here's the most ironic part of all this.
D'Antoni has been trying to implement his "up tempo" system but Robinson is the one player who can function within that system.
The Knicks don't need a bully to be the head coach. They need a coach to be the head coach to get this franchise going in the right direction
Last night, Robinson was a DNP as the Knicks lost in Orlando. Four days previous, Robinson scored 22 points in the fourth quarter against the same team at the Garden.
We all know what Robinson is all about. He's a high energy player that can drive you to drink but to not give him any playing time serves no purpose and may be detrimental to the developement of the relationship between head coach and player.
The other players have taken notice of the way Robinson is being treated and that can lead to a lack of trust from D'Antoni.
Also, you want Robinson on the floor so his value can be showcased to other teams who would trade for the enigmatic guard.
Chris Duhon has been absolutely awful this season on both ends of the floor, yet he continues to start and get significant playing time.
D'Antoni claims Robinson doesn't play enough defense. Talk about the "pot calling the kettle black". D'Antoni is smart enough to know that Robinson can't defend most of the guards in the league because of his height disadvantage but he can provide an offensive jolt and here's the most ironic part of all this.
D'Antoni has been trying to implement his "up tempo" system but Robinson is the one player who can function within that system.
The Knicks don't need a bully to be the head coach. They need a coach to be the head coach to get this franchise going in the right direction
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
