Every once in awhile I just need to rant.  Usually there are four or five things that are not worthy of a whole post, but combined I can use to vent and then enjoy the rest of my afternoon.  Feel free to disagree and chime in with your own comments.

Barry Bonds:  The guy is the best baseball player I have ever seen.  If he wants to play next year he might well pass 800 HR if they will just pitch to him.  He is batting .349 with 6 HR's and 11 walks.   He is on pace to have well over 120 walks and that isn't even playing every day.  Pitchers are afraid to pitch to him and rightly so.  At this rate he will surpass Hank Aaron long before the All-Star Break.  Good luck Barry!

Jeff Gordon:  As I read other NASCAR posts, I am amazed at the hate for number 24.  All he does is win and yet people continue to spew venom in his direction.  He has 76 wins people.  At least acknowledge that he is a good driver and a winner.  It is impossible that NASCAR hands him wins as is being suggested.  If anything I would think NASCAR wants Little "E" to win more, but NASCAR does not fix races.  The simple truth is that Gordon is probably a better race car driver than both Earnhardt's combined.

Is there any doubt that Steve Nash is not the MVP again this year?  It will be unprecedented for him to win three years in a row, but I believe he probably will.  Watching him play today against the Lakers just confirms what I already knew.  The guy is an amazing basketball player who truly makes everyone on his team better.  While Kobe was choking in the second half with 13 points, Nash was coming through with key baskets and passes.  Meanwhile Kobe was forcing up bricks instead of passing up the rock to open men under the basket.

Shaq gets no love from the officials.  He was set in the lane twice yesterday when little guards ran right into him for what would have been a charge if it had been any other big man.  But because these guards bounce of the Man of Steel, he is called for blocking.  Shaq can not win.  If he is standing still he gets called for a foul and if he is active and goes for the block he is called for a foul.  No other basketball player that I have ever watched is given such a double standard when it comes to getting fouls called.  He can literally go up for a dunk with three men on his back and get a no call because he is so strong officials stand in awe and watch him dunk.  Meanwhile, if he breathes on another player he gets called for a foul.  If the Bulls win, chalk this one up on officiating.

NFL Draft:  I do not understand how the NFL Draft has become such a big deal.  Most of these guys drafted will all become busts and the fact is that Detroit, Oakland, and Cleveland will still be lousy next year.  I feel sorry for JaMarcus Russell and Calvin Johnson because the weight of the world will be on their shoulders next year as the top two picks and both will be on horrible teams. 

That is it for now, but feel free to join in.

SoCalSportsFan

This whole steroid debate is about to break wide open.  Anyone who thinks that Barry Bonds is the only one violating the steroid’s policy is wearing blinders.  Let me also say that steroids are here to stay, and they have been here a lot longer than we care to admit.  Since the early 1950's, steroids and their precursors have been used in bodybuilding, weightlifting, running, cycling, swimming, football, baseball, hockey, and probably in basketball .  I will also say that drugs like amphetamines have been used as performance enhancers for many years but I will save that for another post at a later date.  For now,  let me paint a scenario that has probably already happened but I can not prove.

Human growth hormone, or HGH, is produced naturally in the pituitary gland inside the brain.  It is a naturally occurring hormone which is produced throughout our lives.  Normally, it lessens as we get older and sometimes it produces more quantities than at other times.  This is why we sometimes have “growth” spurts when we are younger.  Once our bones fuse the amount of HGH being produced is minimal.  This is one reason it is being touted as an anti-aging formula.  Many doctors are using it with older patients to try and rejuvenate them and to aid in healing.  Unfortunately, when given in too high doses certain bones begin to grow again; mostly in the hands, feet, and skull.  Because of Barry's huge head this is one of the reasons many believe Bonds has been using HGH. 

When a child is born with an abnormality which prevents the pituitary gland from producing HGH or should this gland be removed for medical reasons, HGH is administered so the child will grow naturally.  Here in lies the problem.  When should the doctor stop giving this child HGH?  When he reaches 6 feet tall?  How about 6 feet and 6 inches or should he stop when the child reaches 7 feet?  (The record for world’s tallest man was 8 feet and 11 inches tall held by Robert Wadlow of Alton, Illinois.  The tallest man alive is Leonid Stadnik who is currently 8 feet 4 inches tall.  He also has a pituitary problem.  Notice his hands in the picture to the right.)

 

What about when someone decides to take HGH even though they do not have a pituitary problem?  Do you really believe that no one has already experimented with this?  Let’s just say that at 5’11” I wanted one of my two sons to top the 6 foot mark so I decided to go online and order some HGH for them to take?  Or better yet, let me find a doctor who agrees with me that being short is a handicap and get him to prescribe it.  (There are plenty of unethical physicians prescribing all sorts of medication and I am sure some team physicians are willing to help.  If not, there are the online pharmacies and of course physicians from over seas.)

It is an ethical question that is already being dealt with by physicians.  Whether you want to believe it or not, possibly some of the hometown heroes you are cheerting for right now in basketball might just be on steroids!  Who’s to say that Greg Oden didn’t take HGH at some point in his life!  Taking HGH may not help a shooter with his FT percentages, but it might help them gain a few inches and make it to the NBA.  What if one of these players does make it and then goes on to set the record for rebounding; should they have an asterisk next to their name?  Should they be banned from playing?  These players will never test positive for steroids because your body makes it.  Eventually there will be a test for abnormal levels of HGH, but if it was taken while still a child, by the time they are an adult playing basketball it will be undetectable.  Even if an abnormally high level is found, can you anyone prove that you are not like Wadlow or Stadnik?  Something to think about, that’s for sure.

 

SoCalSportsFan

Ever watch the Nutty Professor?  In it, a mild mannered chemistry teacher takes a pill that he invents to become a fine speciman that all the ladies want.  (The original with Jerry Lewis was actually much better.) In reality, no pill can do this.  And yet that is what some people think of steroids. 

I have been defending Barry Bonds for over a year now and this new story about Signature Pharmacy will shed light on why I don’t think Barry will ever be found guilty.  He may very well have taken steroids, legally.  No one wants to even accept this as a plausible scenario, but I am telling you it happens.  The trouble is that even when taken legally, you can still be banned in sports.  Runners taking asthma medication are often found guilty of doping, but the medication is legal and so are steroids when given under a doctor's supervision.  Of course Barry has his own personal surgeon and physician and steroids are often given after surgery.  Remember Barry's knee surgery?  How about his ailing elbow?  Is it possible that he was legally presribed steroids?  Mabye.

Steroids are not only legal but prescribed all the time.  Short people are giving HGH to help them grow.  People with immune problems are giving corticosteroids to aid in healing and lastly older people are prescribed hormone replacement therapy or HRT for short.  If you ever get a chance to watch the old episodes of Coach with Craig T. Nelson which is one of my all time favorite shows, there is an episode where Coach is prescribed a testosterone patch.  The results of this patch are nothing short of, well let's just say, Coach became Mr. Incredible.  But that does not mean that they have not obtained them legally and through a prescription. 

The internet has “muddied” the waters so to speak.  You can go online and order Viagra from Canada and it’s all legal and yet you never see a doctor.  You can do the same thing with steroids.  Should it be legal?  Maybe not, but this case will be one that will certainly set some precedents for future ordering of drugs online. 

 

Let me be very clear in that I believe Barry probably used steroids, but he will never be prosecuted for it.  The DA went after his medical records long ago and we never heard what was in them.  Considering everything else that was leaked, I can only surmise that if he was prescribed them the DA knows he can’t win.  That is why he is going after Bonds on perjury and tax evasion charges.  In Barry's own words, he is not worried about the investigation and this may be the reason why.

 

In the end, the internet will be highly regulated because of such things.  I am not looking forward to that day because I love the freedom and innovation the internet fosters.  Unfortunately there are a lot of dishonest people who always exploit the system.  In this case it is a small pharmaceutical company that really is pushing nutritional supplements and no other medications.  It isn’t even a true pharmacy in the normal connotation of what a pharmacy is.  Potentially, we are now going to see a whole new list of professional athletes who ordered from this online company.  Don’t be surprised if you see names like Roger Clemens and Andruw Jones pop up.  Evander Holyfield and Gary Matthews Jr. already have.  Just my take on it; what’s yours?

 

SoCalSportsFan

Wikapeadia is becoming synonymous with “the truth” and this is a problem as some are beginning to find out.  Everyone cites Wikipedia.  Students in schools, bloggers online, and the casual researcher are all guilty of quoting Wikipedia as if it were undisputed fact.  The truth is that many things posted are not only false, but they are considered slanderous.

Take this recent lawsuit by Fuzzy Zoeller over statements that were posted to his Wikipedia biography that were false and slanderous.  Over time the statements have been repealed, but for the time that they are posted on the internet anyone who reads them will leave with the impression that they are true.

Overall, Wikipedia gets most things right and as an organization it polices itself fairly well.  But what happens when they do make mistakes?  (And they do make mistakes.) Who is responsible and should anyone be made to pay for those mistakes?  If you or I took out an advertisement in the newspaper slandering a politician or an athlete, do you think we could be sued and/or punished for it?  These are the types of questions that are being asked. 

As a teacher and a father helping my son with research, I try to ensure that students verify all information by using more than one source, and preferably not all from the internet.  It may seem like a small matter, but to Fuzzy Zoeller the loss of endorsement money is not laughing matter.

 

SoCalSportsFan

Sure I am going through NFL withdrawals, but like a heroin addict searching for a methadone clinic, March Madness will keep me going for awhile.  I love this time of year because the NBA begins to mean something after the All-Star Game; March Madness is just around the corner as is MLB spring training.  The Masters is in April and Nascar is gearing up for a new season.  There is a veritable smorgasbord of sporting activities to follow. 

Last year I started a NCAA Blogger Pick’em league for Fox and I will be setting that up again very soon.  As I follow the college games each weekend I am more convinced this year’s tournament will be even better than last.  There is no clear cut winner emerging.  Sure either UCLA or Florida should be in the title game, but watching the WV Mountaineers dismantle UCLA yesterday just proves anyone can win in college on any given day.  Duke, a perennial Sweet Sixteen finalist, is struggling within the ACC losing to Virginia Tech and Florida State both of which might make a run in the tournament.  Kansas, North Carolina, and Wisconsin better not be overlooked either as they are making strong showings as is Ohio State.

 

Be sure and look for the bracket challenge on Fox.  Last year I took second place behind Smoke the blowfish. 

 

SoCalSportsFan

 

As I was watching the Maryland Terpins destroy the Purdue Boilermakers, (The Big Ten is really showing why Michigan was bumped down this year in the polls), ESPN did something totally wrong.  In the "ticker" at the bottom of the screen where they run the sports scores and headlines, they ran one headline which stated that 8 out of 10 players tested positive for steroids from those volunteer samples.  Now without naming names, they just implicated 80% of all of baseball.  The funny thing is what they did not say, Barry Bonds tested positive, but the implication was there. 

Barry's name will not be one of those who tested positive but yet because so many others did, he will take the heat for it in the press.  Legally he will not have to worry unless he has a positive test, which he never has.  But ESPN was wrong to implicate so many because the 20% who did not test positive are now lumped in with the bad guys.

This also goes to show why I think all of Barry's records are safe.  You can not punish him and strip him without stripping records from all of the pitchers of that era.  Barry hit a ton of HR's off of steroid juiced pitchers and Roger Clemens is most likely one of them.  Should Roger lose his Cy Young awards?  How about Barry Zito?  Maybe Pedro is on the juice?  Take  away his Cy Young's.  Nobody will do that and nobody will take away the HR record from Barry.

SoCalSportsFan

*On a side note, I have 7 out of 9 picks right in the College Bowl Pick'em, but two of those do not give me points because my teams did not beat the spread.  Rev Rhythm picked the losers in those and is ahead, but he had the spread to cover him.  Good job Rev, but I have you on the most wins so far*

Early in the season when the Lakers went on that big winning spree people were ready to crown them the champions of the west.  Then Phoenix went on a 15 game winning streak before the Wizards cut them down to size.  All the hype about the west being so much better than the East is just that, HYPE.  In the end, the best of the East will face the best in the West and if history is any indicator, the East has fared pretty well in the finals in the last three years winning two out of three times.

I for one do not subscribe to the theory that the Lakers are ready to be crowned champs nor do I believe Phoenix is exactly ready too.  The true championship teams have always had certain key elements in the mix which make them “contenders” for the crown while the “wannabes” usually have a superstar like a Kobe or a Nash.  The Lakers do have a true superstar in Kobe Bryant and the Suns have two time MVP Steve Nash, but what are both teams missing.

Both teams need veteran supporting casts.  The Pistons brought in Rasheed Wallace and they have Antonio McDyess who provide that veteran leadership that does not wilt in the heat of battle.  The Heat brought in Antoine Walker and Gary Payton last year and it seemed to get them over the hump.  The Lakers and the Suns are way too young in the supporting cast spots and by young I mean in terms of playoff experience.

True contenders also need a strong big man.  The big man does not have to be the main superstar, but it doesn’t hurt.  The Lakers of old had Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul Jabar.  The modern day Lakers and last year’s NBA Champion had Shaq on their team.  The Pistons had Ben Wallace who is a great defender and rebounder.   The Spurs had David Robinson and Tim Duncan.  To win without a great big man requires two superstars and a good supporting cast.   The Chicago Bulls never had a “superstar” at the center position, but they always had a serviceable big man and then they had Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen along with a strong supporting cast. The Bird led Boston Celtics had Robert Parish, aka "The Chief", but they also had Kevin McHale and DJ.   

Lastly, championship teams have to have great play at the point guard position.  The Spurs have had Tony Parker who is a great shooting point guard that is a complete player.  Quick to the basket, scores critical goals when needed, and dishes the ball out to his entire team.  The Pistons have had Chauncey Billups at the point guard position for their latest runs at the title and the great team of yester year was lead by Isiah Thomas.  The Lakers teams of the past had Magic Johnson running the show.  The Heat had Jason Williams at the point last year who has flashes of brilliance.  He is not consistent throughout the year, but when he is passing and shooting the ball well the Heat are unstoppable.

 

So who is a true contender this year?  The Spurs and Mavericks out West will be in the mix again because they both have good point guards and a superstar.  I think the Spurs have the edge because they have the better supporting cast, but health and luck will determine which one wins the crown in the West.

 

In the East, the Heat will be there along with the Pistons and the Wizards.  In the end, with a healthy Shaq the Heat will win the East Crown and play to repeat as champions.  Their one weakness is in the point guard position, but if Williams plays well they can win it all again. 

 

The Lakers will make it into the second round as long as Odom is healthy, but their center position is still to young and inexperienced.  Kwame Brown will not improve enough to ever be that great big man they need and Andrew Bynum is still too young.  Kobe can only take you so far alone and Smush Parker is not the answer for a point guard.  The Lakers will be fun to watch in one more year as I do think Jordan Farmar may be that great point guard they need to take them to the next level.  He can shoot and he is athletic.  He needs more playing time and I think Phil Jackson is realizing that as I see him playing more and more lately.  The Lakers are not that far away from being a great team, but they are not there yet. 

The Phoenix Suns have the great point guard in Nash and Stoudemire is a horse in the middle on offense, but no one on that teams plays defense.  They are all too busy cherry picking on the fast break to play decent defense.  In the end, this will hurt them when the playoffs start.  The Wizards proved that the Suns are beatable even when well rested.  If the Wizards who are second in their division behind the Magic can beat them, they are not ready to win it all.  Every year the Suns play this kind of ball only to lose in a best of 7 series.  Teams figure out how to stop them.

These are just my thoughts on what it takes and of course there are always exceptions. Feel free to chime in with your picks for this year's contender. 

 

SoCalSportsFan

 

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through Fox

 Not a blogger was writing, or posting his thoughts;


Their keyboards were left by their computer desks with care,

In hopes that a new story would soon be there;


The Clique were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sports stories danced in their heads;

And CarolynT in her 'kerchief, and Socal in my tie,

Had just settled down for a Starbucks’ tall chai,

When out in the newsroom there arose such a din,

I sprang from my bed and turned on ESPN.

Away to my laptop I flew like a ghost,

Tore into the keyboard and typed up a post.

The glow of the screen went all through the room

and kept my wife awake as this story did loom,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,


But TSI, and eight other writers so near

With a clever one, so nimble and free,

I knew in a moment it must be Dudski.

More rapid than eagles their fingers did fly,

As they left comments that would make some of them cry;

"Now, Ramphan! now Shooter! now, Dusty and FP!

On, Demon! on Fatmaw! on, Meando and SouthernCindi!

To the top of the categories! to the top of the wall!

Now blog on! Blog on! but don't spam all!"

As the Giant Maple leaf of Canada goes,

The Dan will write for all up there in the snows,

So after the Blog of the Day they pursued,

With the sleigh full of ideas, and limericks  too.


And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the ‘puter

The ding and the chime of an IM from a suitor.

As I drew in my thoughts, and was turning around,

A post from Gbrent came up with a bound.

It was colorful and classy and hard for me to compete,

With a post so well written by someone so complete;

A bundle of posts came up on the board,

Quicker than Barry Bonds on steroids.

The wit – The intelligence! How they made us all merry!

With poems and  prose about Danny Ferry!

Not all was happiness and bliss,

As there were posts on race and things that were amiss;

DA Nifong and the Duke Lacrosse Rape case,

And Melo’s sucker punch to a Knick's face.

Not to worry as we have plenty of fun,

With writers who know how to write under the gun.

Mooresports, Miracle, LSU, and Edclinch

All know how to write and none are a Grinch;

A few posts and along comes the smiles

As the Braves are glad to be rid of Marcus Giles;

But what of Zito and the NY  Mets,

Who will get him as a free agent?

Of course we can not forget the BCS,

Or Weis and his largesse,

The Florida Gators who get their chance

Because Michigan lost their number two stance!

No blogger on here did I intend to slight,

"So Happy blogging to all bloggers, and to all a good-night."

 

 

SoCalSportsFan

*Please forgive the liberties I took with some of my fellow bloggers.  This is my first attempt at poetry and it was all in good fun.  Merry Christmas to all.

Fantasy golf may not be as much fun as fantasy football or baseball, but it can still be challenging.  I have set up a league on Yahoo for anyone that is interested.  We have four so far, but I would really like to have several more to join to make it more competitive.  The league is "Foxbloggers" but anyone can join.  Here is the ID and password for those that care to join.

 

ID Number 10638

Password:  socal

 

SoCalSportsFan

I alluded to it in my posts two days ago and Jason Whitlock has the gumption to actually call out other sports writers by name.  I for one want to applaud Jason Whitlock for telling it like it is.  I found his article to be truthful, relevant, and the best to date on the Kenny Rogers story. 

Basically, Whitlock asserts that Mitch Albom, author of Tuesday's With Morrie, gave Rogers a free pass for cheating while crucifying Bonds.  I have to agree with him and go a step further and say that most sports writers also threw the spear in Bonds while still on the cross.  I know what you are thinking; Barry is not Jesus, but I would make the case that the "media" much like the crowds of Jesus day can be heard chanting, "Crucify him!" 

Let's hope his employers do not black ball him or try to fire him the way Steve Lyons was fired by Fox.  It takes a lot of courage to stand up to the main stream media, especially someone as revered as Mitch Albom.  I for one will read ever more of Jason Whitlock because of his audacity to stand up to the industry.  I have watched the Sports Reporter's on Sundays on ESPN for many years and I always find what most of them say is pure hogwash, but Whitlock is always a breath of fresh air.  Keep it up Jason.

SoCalSportsFan