I haven't posted anything but comments on other posts for awhile because I've been very busy with hockey season and new responsibilities at work. Also, there hasn't been much going on that I felt like writing about. But lately tings are getting heated in a few areas and I can't hold my tongue any longer. Those of you who have been enjoying my absence will probably wonder why I had to come back. Those of you who have missed me...well...at least you can give a guy his delusions. Anyway...
...Clemens vs. McNamee and the need for Congress to be involved. ARE YOU FREAKIN' KIDDING ME? Doesn't our government have more important things to do? Isn't there anything they can do about gas prices, health care costs, social security, the budget or troop movement in Iraq? Well, obviously, they have either done all they can do, or all they are going to do, about those issues so they now need a new issue to work on until after the election. Frankly, I couldn't care less what Roger Clemens had injected into his hind quarters, why he had it injected, who injected it, if his wife did it, with or without his consent or if all of his kid's names start with a K. Really! Has this become so huge that it needs government attention? Why do we really care if Clemens did HGH or steroids or lidocaine or B-12 or shot saline solution into his rump. Because we feel like we, as baseball fans, are being cheated? Who is being cheated? Baseball fans or students who don't have the necessary tools and teachers to help them get a decent education because money is mis-spent in education. Or pulled from education for other things. Who is being cheated? Baseball fans or the elderly whose health care costs are so high that any kind of retirement income they worked all their lives for is taken from them so they can live out their lives living in assisted living centers or nursing homes with inadequate health care and services that don't supply them with what they rightfully earned during their lives. Well, of course it is the baseball fan. ARE YOU FREAKIN' KIDDING ME? I couldn't care less if Roger Clemens is guity or innocent as long as any family members I have fighting in a war most of the nation doesn't believe in are home safe and sound. I would rather see the elected officials that I put in office work on something meaningful and helpful to this country. Worrying about what Roger Clemens or Barry Bonds or Chuck Knoblauch (Chuck Knoblauch for cryin' out loud???) had shot into their bodies or who shot it. ARE YOU FREAKIN' KIDDING ME?
Speaking of the strong work our politicians are doing! Thank you Senator Arlen Spector ( if I spelled it wrong...so what?) for making sure you get all over the Commissioner of the NFL for destroying taping evidence of New England Patriot's coach Bill Belichik...after he fined him and the team. AE YOU FREAKIN' KIDDING ME? The Commissioner caught the team and the coach and disciplined them. Why is this still an issue? Move on and do what you should be doing. My guess is the glorious senator at one time or another lost money because of this practice by Belichik. In the meantime your little investigation is costing money. Whose money? Well, Mr. Senator, I'm once again going to guess that it is me and my fellow countrymen who are footing the bill for this wasted, a$$inine investigation. I can't sell my house for what it is worth right now Mr.Senator because the economic situation in this country is not conducive to buying a house...or selling one. Why might that be? I'm sure I will be told it has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that our elected officials are spending way too much of thier creative resources on HGH/Steroids and cheating in major sports leagues. ARE YOU FREAKIN' KIDDING ME?
Back to baseball for a second. Bud Selig and George Mitchell got together and did their own investigation about performance enhancing drug usage in their sport which is MLB. When they conspired to do this they included Selig's predecessor, Faye Vincent, in order to get his support. Vincent is on record as saying he supported the investigation under certain conditions. One of those conditions was that the need for an investigation was to determine how wide spread the use of performance enhancing drugs were in MLB but, it was not to identify those who had used them. I wonder how Faye Vincent feels today about the state of his sport which is MLB. Pressured by the infamous Court of Public Opinion and virtually every sportswriter (I'll try not to waiver and remind you of what I think of them) in the free world names started flying out of this investigation at a record pace. ARE YOU FREAKIN' KIDDING ME? In my humble opinion, Selig didn't need to take any pressure from anyone because it was his intention all along to make sure that the names of the players involved was public knowledge. His legacy to his sport will always be that he ruled the game during the steroid era. Coming on the heels of contraction, embezzlement, cancelled season, no World Series and a tie in an All-Star game one would think things couldn't get much worse for Bud. Knowing that the two guys who revitalized your sport for the public by swatting record numbers of HR's, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, may have been using performance enhancing drugs wasn't much of a concern. Until Barry Bonds starting getting close to the coveted all time HR crown the performance enhancing drug usage was only whispered about in the private recesses of conference rooms across MLB. When it broke and it was Bonds then Selig had a fawn to blame. Bonds is not well liked and apparently doesn't like too many people anyway. Bonds became Selig's crutch to limp into the steroid age on. He is using the Mitchell Report and the player's who weren't supposed to be identified to scream through it under the radar. Problem is that his ego won't let him keep quiet. He now claims, again, that MLB can police itself. ARE YOU FREAKIN' KIDDING ME? Obviously it can't. See, United States Congress. I will always wonder if Bud had stayed within the guidelines Faye Vincent suggested if this would have been handled effectively and quietly. Now you have players who, right or wrong, are compelled to lie to protect their legacy in their sport. Now you have slime balls creeping out of the woodwork who, while knowing they were wrong, still supplied and injected performance enhancing drugs into professional athletes. Now you have a situation where MLB and the MLBPA bicker and argue about who is at fault and cannot come together on a cohesive plan to monitor and eliminate the use of performance enhancing drugs in this sport which is MLB. You have a Commisssioner whose legacy won't be record revenues, expansion and great new stadiums to play in but will be that he ruled the sport in arguably it's darkest days. I often think Bud is alright with that.
Bloggers are a strange breed, aren't they? We have on our site here a contributing writer to Fox Sports who kind of built a major following by being a woman and writing, rather knowingly, about college football. Often times we agree with what she writes and there are times when we don't agree with what she writes. She is a huge and very passionate fan of the USC Trojans. I, on the other hand, am a huge and passionate fan of the Oklahoma Sooners. She, we, have written things that we do agree on and that we don't agree on in the context of our passions for these teams. She likes to stir the pot now and then and she will get me going when she lets Sooner coach Bob Stoops have it for one thing or another. She recently wrote a post about Bob's brother Mike the head coach at Arizona. I responded as I generally do and asked he if she would perhaps be able to rip Papa Stoops (meaning Bob and Mike's dad) to which she responded as she generally does. Making her point and moving on. As usual I was willing to let it go and did. A few days later I went back to that post and couldn't believe the personal assaults on her character and suggestions that she remove certain things from her mouth. The majority of these were from proclaimed Sooner fans. ARE YOU FREAKIN' KIDDING ME? Most of the Sooner fans I know carry themselves with class and have some kind of evident dignity. Some of these people did nothing but give the rest of us a bad name. It's a freakin' blog people! While you may feel it is a venue to express your opinions and feelings that is fine. When you feel it appropriate to assault someone's character and suggest she take certain parts of anatomy from her mouth you look ridiculous and ignorant. No wonder people llike kellyscott (not trying to offend you kellyscott just making a point) can't get past OU-UO game a couple of seasons ago. People like the ignorant OU fans that make comments here give him ample reason to carry on. Blog here all you wish...just have a little class and act like you didn't come from the gutter or the back room aat some sleazy stripper joint. Oh, and Lisa, while I respect you as well...comments about the Sooners or the Stoops boys, particulary Bob, will generate a response from gcoach. No matter how you spin it. AWAYS!
Viking head coach Brad Childress just reassured every Viking fan that rookie phenom Adrian Peterson can still get better. Thanks, Brad! ARE YOU FREAKIN' KIDDING ME? Of course he can still get better. He was a rookie. Hey, Brad, why don't you worry about your QB situation and leave the RB's to Eric Bienemy, the guy you hired to do that job. And after making that fantastic comment make sure you keep him surrounded by big, fast linemen who will help him get better. Hey, Brad, would you get upset if Peterson told the media not to be too hard on you because, "Coach Childress can still get better." Coach your football team and quit talking to the media. So far you have told us that all the player's can get better. Is it all on them or can their coach get better as well? Just curious.
Richard Zednik almost lost his life in a National League Hockey game last week when he was accidently cut in the throat, through his carotid artery (not completely or doctors said it would most probably have been fatal), by a skate. Fortunately, after surgery it sounds like he will survive. A report last night was that he is awake and alert. This is fantastic news. Where am I going with this? Right after the incident the calls for new rules on equipment went way over the top. Based on this incident people all over the place are talking about new neck wear to protect player's throats. ARE YOU FREAKIN' KIDDING ME? This game of hockey, the great game of hockey, has been played on skates for longer than any of us has been around to watch it. It is fast and wreckless and that is the pull for many who play it. It is physical and demands great skill. Other reasons why people play it. Injuries like this are rare in the grand scheme of the game. While frightening it is again...rare! Why do we feel the need to change the world and re-invent the wheel whenever we see an injury like this? And it isn't even that we change the wheel...we demand that it be changed. Why don't we just let those that feel threatened make accommodations to protecting their throats. I have to wear a helmet now when I coach kids in our youth program because some guy got a wild hair up his #### and pitched to USA Hockey that 6 coaches in some outlandish period of time had either been seriously injured or killed during practice of their youth teams. We're talking lke 20 years or so...across North America. While hockey may not be the most prominant sport in North America that is still a significant number of youth programs and hockey playing communities. No mention of the skill level of the 6 coaches in question. Like were they parents with no experience or skilled skaters. See what I mean. There was no real support for his argument. Now, I wear a helmet when I play because the level at which I play is conducive to protecting my dome. In practice...not so much. So, having skated for roughly 45 of my 50 years...why should I wear, or be forced to wear, a helmet while I coach? When playing I understand the need. In coaching I find it uncomfortable and confining. Why can't I just sign a waiver stating that I understand the risks of skating without a helmet and will hold no one responsible for any injury, or death, that I may suffer because I don't want to wear a helmet when I coach.
Could it be that we don't trust anyone anymore? Could it be that some people need to feel like they are the great creators of change and couldn't care less about what they are a changing. Could it be that their way has just got to be better than the way it has always been...even if they aren't always right? Change isn't always a good thing just like it isn't always a bad thing. I don't have all the answers but I think I know who does...especially for things like this. Just let me call my congressman...they'll get to the bottom of it all.
gcoach, this is outstanding. I agree with every point you have made. It is no wonder our country is in the situation it is in. Apparently we have the dregs of society that desire to be politicians. As you and a couple of others have pointed out, it (the hearing) takes focus away from the miserable job the politicians are doing. With the NoChildLeftBehindAct it is going to take every train, plane, boat, and automobile in the world to move the kids forward. Let's put our focus on baseball and football instead. What a joke and what a sham. Thank you for stating what I feel.
Last edited by volfan69 on February 14th at 11:38 AM.
Gcoach, count me as one of the people who are glad you decided to put up a post. While I don't always agree with everything you say I love your passion....
Two thoughts:
1) I don't understand Faye Vincent's support for what he had to know was going to be a tell-all report. I also don't understand his unwavering support for Bud Selig, who hasn't been half the commissioner Vincent was before he was unceremoniously dumped by the owners because he wouldn't be their willing toadie. There has to be more to the story than I am aware of....
2) Great job on your blogger paragraph. Lisa stakes out controversial territory sometimes, but she doesn't deserve the #### she takes a lot of the time, especially the personal stuff. She's a stand-up gal and we should all be as loyal and gutsy as her. Needless to say, she's one of my favorites and it's gratifying to see someone come to her defense. I didn't see the post you referenced or I would have said something too....
Nice blog Coach! I totally agree with just about all of it, especially the call for changes in hockey safety. These guys know the risks before they ever made it to this level.
Gcoach...I was stunned when I read this. Thanks for having my back. You and I go head-to-head on a lot of things, and we disagree a lot, but I have always held the highest respect for you. You are a class act. (Ok..I admit it, you tick me off, but more likely than not, it's because you make me think, and that's a good thing) :)
I do not consider the offensive comments from whatever team indicative of that team's fan base. They are typically idiots who hide behind a keyboard and wouldn't have the stones to say that person-to-person. I have family in Oklahoma, and they are the sweetest, salt-of-the-earth, warm-hearted folks I know. I don't judge fans from blogs.
I want you to know...I think you are awesome, and you have taught me a few things about football..it's always a learning experience, and you have given me invaluable input. And yeah, we disagree, sometimes passionately. But guess what? I think it's great!
Yes, I stir the pot, but usually because I want to get a gut-reaction from readers....sometimes I get more than what I bargained for. It's the internet.
Lucky for most bloggers, they don't read half the bad comments I get...I try to delete them as fast as possible, but sometimes I can't. (Whoops!)
And yeah, please continue to keep me on my toes! I look forward to it!
Nice read gcoach, glad you're back with us. That Zednik thing was crazy and I agree, If players want to adapt safety equipment then let them on an indiviual basis. Also agree that the government should stay the hell out of sports period. Nuff said.
GCoach, Too damned long I tell ya. Always fun to read your patented " Are you Freakin' Kidding Me". That sentance brings together better any point that anywone has put together.
Fear not, Oklahoma will be No. 1 next year. What a quarterback.
On the hockey skate, the last time I saw something like this is about 20 years ago a goalie got slit across the throat too, and the blood spurting on the ice was sickening. He made it though.
Outstanding insight and well inspired passion. I particularly enjoyed the opinions concerning the elderly and our troops currently at war. Hopefully this brings back what is truly important in life and help us to see the errors of our selfish ways.
I still want to, and will enjoy athletics, but this has helped me to remember that,bowl games, ridiculous congressional hearings, and media driven controversy are far lacking in comparison
to issues of morality and humanity.
gcoach thumbs up... i think this thang is a waste of time... getting old!!!!! he did it he didnt i did he didnt makes me think of 5pm traffic a big traffic jam..... or someone said a train wreck
volfan69 - I get frustrated when I see this kind of stuff going on. I don't vote to have my elected representatives debate the ethical and moral issues of an overpaid and arrogant professional athlete who may or may not be injecting himself with a performance enhancing substance. And I really couldn't care less if his wife has rock hard abs after having 4 kids. To be honest with you they have resources (money and time) that most of us do not and can spend that money at facilities that can help them have that appearance outside of shooting themselves up with HGH. I do what I do and they do what they do and I'm not effected by what they do. However, my elected representatives can't get anything done over things that will and do effect me in many ways...every day! Misguided loyalties I would say. Thanks for visiting and commenting. Have a good one.
Half - thank you for that. You have been here probably longer than I have and you keep posting very good stuff. I appreciate your response. Vincent, while a much better commissioner than Selig, still towed the company line. However, I think the owners couldn't totally control him like they can their newest "puppet on a string." I think he chose to ignore the whole Rose issue after Giamatti died and that is turning out to be a better thing than Selig dangling the HOF carrot in front of Rose..if he admits to who knows whatever else he hasn't already admitted to in the fashion Selig wants him to admit to it. Thanks again.
Lisa - I understand and appreciate that you don't consider the entire fan base of the ignorant who spew forth their venom. However, as a supporter of the Oklahoma Sooners I, at times, am embarrassed by the comments that come from supposedly intelligent people who support that program. Can't help it. For whatever you post and whatever response you are trying to get I have never seen one thing from you that should garner you the kind of response you received on the post I mentioned. You make a point intelligently even if I think you are out of context sometimes. Basically I think you just give credit where credit is due. You know of what you speak and you present whatever it is in an intelligent manner. Props to you. You also have longevity on this site and that deserves some kind of, I don't know, respect as well. So even if I disagree with you and anger you sometimes, and vice versa, I appreciate you. I will give you the credit I think you are due. And I will call out the ridiculous and ignorant responses as well...especially if they are in the name of the Sooners. If we can all go back and forth over our agreements and disagreements respectfully and intelligently then I would blog here forever. Unfortunately, not everyone has that capability. As long as most of us can then I think we owe it to each other to step up and say something to those who can't. Lisa, keep doing what you do...you are one of the reasons I keep coming back. Thanks!!!!
degraff - thank you. Government staying out of sports. That is getting to be a noble concept...not a necessary reality. And then if I don't vote I'm guilty of not having a voice in my government...who doesn't listen to me anyway. I keep going to the polls hoping something will change. Maybe we should have a form where we can ask potential candidates how they feel about the importance of performance enhancing drugs among professional or amatuer athletes versus the importance of education and other relative issues. And the instant they put performance enhancing drugs and prima donna athletes in front of the really important stuff...out of office they go. But we would have to get Congress to work on it....and it ain't important enough to them. Thanks for dropping by.
Got a meeting to go to. I will respond to the rest of you a litle later. However, I do want to thank you for stopping in and reading and commenting.
kellyscott - I ran the risk of bringing that up figuring you would say something. But, hey, I'm good with that if my point came across. Talk to you later...got to go!
I may be in the minority, or I may not, but personally I don't care whether or not players used HGH or steroids to get an edge. Why is everyone so surprised about any of this? Baseball brought this upon itself and shoudn't only single out Bonds and Clemens, but EVERYONE that 'cheated.' And government's involved is a total waste of our money and their time. Last time I checked, we do still have homeless people, poverty, a recession and overseas conflict our politicians should be more concerned with.
In fact, I think baseball should just suspend ITSELF and cancel next season altogether. Heck, they did it for the strike.
MLB and other major sports are worth billions in revenues. It's about time that camel known as Congress stuck its head into the MLBPA/NFL tent. Criminals have been hard at work for what, 20 years? Get em' Senator Showboat. I'll get the popcorn ready.
Roger Clemens is toast. The Mrs. has admitted to HGH use. What hubby would let his wife do that, unless...
Vikes? AP get better? Say what? He's already the man. I wear a Paul Krause jersey, thank you.
Zednik? What a freak injury, yet not the first we've seen like this. I'm not watching any replay on that blood spurting.
College f'ball fans dishing hate? Don't worry about it. There's always a lunatic fringe out there.
Rev - the perfect solution. MLB suspend itself. Show everyone they are on the right track to policing themselves. Sorry folks but due to reckless ignorance and generally p-poor leadership we will cancel this coming MLB season in order to get our house in order. The new and better version of MLB will be seen in the spring of 2009. Minus Bud Selig and Donald Fehr. I like it.
Marty - thanks man! I appreciate the support. OU should be right in there. Glad you stopped by.
Fish - they know the risk everytime they step on the ice and have all of their lives. Great point. Thanks for stopping in.
alaskanballa - thanks. Sadly, as husker states in his own way, money is at the root of all evil. That in and of itself makes our politicians think they need to get involved in it. But they will only ruin that much like some of the other stuff mentioned here. Then they will move on to the next "important issue" of the moment. Fix what is broken where it has more dire effects on more people...like the greater citizenry of this country. It is lost on too many of them. And just as sadly is that this is arguably (depending on who is involved in the debate) the best system going. I just try to keep it real.
Last edited by gcoach on February 19th at 7:54 AM.
slshusker - money, money, money...MONEY!!! Too bad. Senator Showboat and Congressman/woman Clown get to be involved...air time don't you know. It's a joke. College football fans dishing hate is one thing and continual boring ignorance with venom and spite is another...especially when they claim to be fans of the Crimson and Cream. I know who I am and what I believe...I don't wish to be associated with that side of the party. That said thanks for dropping in and commenting...BOOMER SOONER!!!
And Paul Krause was the man...back in the day...All Day...like AP...in this day.
Last edited by gcoach on February 19th at 7:57 AM.
I am an educator and a coach. I was a goaltender in hockey until my playing days finished but now coach hockey and soccer. Once a goaltender always a goaltender. I am an Oklahoma Sooners fan, hold most professional athletes in low regard and have no time for prima donna athletes who think they are better than others who were not fortunate enough to get where these guys, or girls, are. I don't think celebrity puts anyone higher than anyone else in any capacity which, I think, is contrary to our society perception.
