True story: two weeks ago, my office building put up a huge advertisement for the Dodgers with a picture of Manny Ramirez and the headline "Mannywood" on our parking garage. It is still there, but for how much longer is any one's guess.
I would like take this opportunity to dust off my soap box for a few minutes and wax poetic about recent events. The news of Manny's fifty-game, $7.6 million, suspension (I hope payroll checks never expire . . . see paragraph 3) broke yesterday morning. It took all of about 3.729 seconds for the sports commentators and bloggers of the world to begin the Manny-bashing parade, a parade that has at least continued on through the night and into this morning. It was not long before even life-long Red Sox apologist Bill Simmons was questioning the 2004 and 2007 World Championships his boys won. So, let me get this part out of the way. Am I disappointed by this recent development? Yes, I fell in love with "Manny being Manny" as much as every other Dodger fan. Do I believe he did not know what he was taking? Of course not, I am not dumb. But do I blame him for doing what he did? No way.
Everyone wants to say that the fans are the ones who are getting hurt the most by this. Give me a break. When fans go to a game, they want to see the long ball (I'm definitely in the minority of fans who love a good pitchers duel). The fans know what is going on in locker rooms and training facilities all over the world. You know who gets hurt the most by this? Barry Bonds (wait, what?). I was at the Oakland Coliseum for the last out of the 1994 season, as the players' strike began. That strike really hurt baseball, and it has never been same. When the strike was resolved, fans did not come back (the NHL should have taken notes). It was not until the Summer of 1998 that fans began returning; not until Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa began their "epic" chase to break the single-season home run record, which both would ultimately do. Nobody seemed to notice at the time that both McGwire and Sosa's uniforms were practically bursting at the seems. It did not matter, because baseball was fun again and two of its most likeable players had put it back on the map.
But everything was different for Bonds. Bonds had the type of personality that tended to rub people the wrong way (myself included). So when he broke the lovable Mark McGwire's record in 2001, all of the sudden we had to start questioning how he did it. And just like that, Bonds became the scapegoat for Major League Baseball. League officials and team owners turned a blind-eye for years because they were making money like never before. And rather than point the finger at themselves, they started a which hunt and pointed their fingers squarely at Bonds. It only got worse for Bonds as he approached, and ultimately broke, Hank Aaron's career home run record. And now the guy will never play in the big leagues again. Do not think for one second that I like Barry Bonds, I do not. But it is for reasons completely unrelated to his juicing. Major League Baseball got exactly what it deserved when Bonds broke Aaron's record, and it is getting what it deserves every time a big-name player tests positive for performance-enhancing drugs. And you want me to feel bad for the fans or for the game itself?
Give me a break. When Ramirez returns on July 3rd, he will be welcomed back with open arms. More scrutiny, yes, but open arms nonetheless; just like A-Rod tonight. Hell, Ramirez's name still appears on the All Star Game ballot. In fact, I want you all to join me in my quest to vote for Manny Ramirez so that he is selected as a starter, by the fans, for the game. How are you going to explain that one Mr. Selig?
Okay, enough of that, I am getting all fired up. While I try to calm down, here are some other things you might have missed:
- Thirteen days to finish a marathon? You, sir, can take all the time you want.
- Need some hitting advice? Go see this blind dude . . . wait, what?
- Dear Mr. Bettman, We are broke. Love, The Coyotes.
- Oops.
- As an avid gambler (should I be admitting that?), this pains me greatly.
- For some reason, I am not surprised that this is only a misdemeanor in Alabama.
- John Wall signs letter-of-intent to play for N.C. State.
- Zach Greinke, a winner on and off the field.
- Matt Garza, Bristol Palin, and Hayden Panettierre walk into a room . . . stop me if you have heard this one before.
- The best toilets $51 million can buy.
- Apparently high prices are not the only reason seats are empty at the new Yankee Stadium.
- Sorry ladies, Bruce Pearl is off the market.
- "But I’ve never been as passionate as I am now. Before a game, I’m crazed, sending mass e-mails: ‘Please pray for Tony’s protection.’" Wow, that Tony Romo is one lucky dude.
- They do things a little different in international hockey.
- You stay classy, Steelers fan.
- I have got something I would like to see Natalie get off her chest as well.
- The hottest bike trick right now: face plant to bike throw.
- I am a sucker for a good love song as much as the next guy.
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