For those wondering where i've been (all 3 of my fans), the Saint has been on the road again and this time has landed in the Greensboro NC area (Dudski all the way! I saw that on the back of a car yesterday, it was probably Dudski himself).  Well, it's time again to test my sporting aliegences pitting my orginal hometown teams against my new hometown teams.

Sixers vs Bobcats - There aren't many teams the Sixers are better than these days, the Bobcats however are one of them.  In fact the Bobcats remind me of the post Barkley teams of the Sixers that made me swear off basketball for years after.

The Sixers take this easy.

Flyers vs Hurricanes - Ouch, toughie here.  The 'Canes have three of my all-time favorite Flyers in recent history, Brind'amore, Williams and Recchi.  The 'Canes have always been my number 2 team, and will stay that way.  But their enjoyable brand of hockey will be watched often for sure.

Cards vs. Panthers - Many will criticize this, but It's the Cards for me.  As you may remember the Cards won me over as my only Arizona flip-flop.  This is another easy call for me.  I hate the Panthers.  I generally dislike any one player overhyped team.  That was the Panthers to a tea last year.  It might be rough come football season around here, but to escape too much persecution, i might just claim to be one of the leftover skins fans around here when asked at the sports bars.

Phillies vs. Braves - HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA right, like any diehard Phillies fan is ever going to route for the Braves, ever.

No other draft pick in sports has been seconded guessed more than that of the Trailblazers selection of Sam Bowie at number 2 over Michael Jordan.  We’ve all lamented over this seemingly bonehead move, hindsight is always 20/20 of course.  But, let’s look at things from a different prospective.  What if the Blazers actually did select Michael Jordan?  How would the Bulls, Trailblazers, NBA and the world be different is they did pick him?

 

            Scenario 1 – Jordan and the Trailblazers win 6 NBA titles.  This isn’t a real stretch.  The Trailblazers were a competitive team even playing against Jordan’s Bulls in the NBA finals.  So how would things be different?  Obvious but important statement alert!  Portland is not Chicago.  Gee thanks, we didn’t need to be told that, but it is important to the over-all scheme of things.  Name some Trailblazers?  Walton, Drexler…… Pippen, problem is that are these guys really remembered as members of the Portland Trailblazers?  Pippen was and always will be remembered as a Bull.  Drexler comes close to being remembered as a Trailblazer but he won his rings in Houston thus wiping out the average fans recollection of him as a Trailblazer.  Walton is maybe the most recognizable player as a Trailblazer. That is if you conveniently forget that he also won a championship with the Celtics or could even remember him as a player and not a loud-mouth announcer. 

 

            Playing in the West those days meant almost anonymity unless you were playing for the Lakers.  Sure, there are always exceptions to the rule, but overall it was a sea into which many players would get lost.  Having said that, in all likelihood Jordan and the Trailblazers could have won more than 6 championships.  If not they would have been to more NBA finals playing in a then weaker conference.  But, let’s get back Portland is not Chicago.  One of Jordan’s lasting memories apart from basketball is his endorsement deals. 

 

            Back then Nike signed Jordan to an endorsement deal and the rest is history.  Nike has become the most popular brand of shoes and their Jordan line a smashing success.  Even after his playing days customers still shell out $125 + for his line of shoes, classic Jordan’s and even new ones each year.  He’s spawned his own Brand Jordan line-up which currently includes Carmelo Anthony and Derek Jeter.  The big question is would this have happened if Jordan played for the Trailblazers? 

 

            Jordan signing with Nike while playing for the Trailblazers most definitely could have happened.  Nike got started in Oregon, seems like a perfect fit right?  At first thought, yes.  But, let’s look at this from a marketing prospective.  Portland is not Chicago.  I really can’t say that enough.  What would be more appealing to a company looking to further its influence across the nation.  Signing a local NBA player to a deal or choosing a player from one of the top markets in the country.  Nike would have been looking to do just that, Jordan might have been on their list, but they wanted to broaden appeal and escape a regional market in the Pacific Northwest.  Taking this into consideration Jordan most likely would not have been their target for an endorsement deal.  So who would they have targeted for their poster boy? 

 

A New York player, how about the nations 4^th largest market, Philadelphia, Charles Barkley entered the draft the same year.  L.A. would be of interest but, being on the west coast would not have expanded Nike’s market as much as a large eastern city would.  Barkley does indeed have a deal with Nike, but instead of being second fiddle to Jordan the roles easily could have been reversed. 

 

Nike opened up further endorsement deals for Jordan.  Would we be saturated with a plethora of sports drinks today if it wasn’t for Jordan and Gatorade.  Gatorade wasn’t new to the market by a long shot when Jordan signed on as an endorser.  However he brought it to the mainstream.  What catchy song would be singing if Jordan didn’t take place with Gatorade, “Like Dominique, if I could be like Dominique….” (or insert other fun names like Chuck, Larry or Ervin).  The world would definitely be a much different place.  (However I believe that people would still buy Haines endorsement deal or no endorsement deal). 

 

Scenario 2 – Jordan and the Trailblazers flop.  This doesn’t seem as unlikely as it sounds.  The Trailblazers were a consistently good team (give or take a few years) over Jordan’s time.  However, sometimes it’s a matter of right player, in the right place, at the right time.  Maybe Jordan doesn’t get to see the playing time he did in Chicago as a rookie.  Endorsement deals wouldn’t be coming his way or for any player coming off the bench.  

 

Maybe Sam Perkins career, or lack of, is a direct result of playing for the Trailblazers.  Jordan could have just been remembered as a great college player and nothing more.  He might have only enjoyed moderate success in the NBA.  Sure we could scoff at that statement knowing what we know now, but it could have happened. 

 

Although the use of athletes for marketing of products was not a new invention, it seems to have helped spawn a multi media marketing frenzy across sports as we know it.  Athletes and company’s seem to go hand in hand these days.  Jordan’s success as a spokesman has played an integral role in that.  All I know is this, had the Trailblazers selected Jordan with the 2^nd pick in the draft that year the world as we know it would be a much different place. 

     Some of you may have been wondering how exactly one receives the nickname “The Saint”.  Well, the most obvious would be a religious context.  Well this “Saint” is anything but.  One thing I have been well known for through-out my days however is my ever changing appearance.  This is how my nickname came about, an ever changing appearance much like Val Kilmer in the movie, “The Saint”.  So without further adieu I will reveal some of the many faces of “The Saint” in some of my most popular roles.

 

 The Saint as…..

Ben Rothliesberger

 

 The Saint as….

Sal Fasano

 

 

The Saint as….

David Eckstein

 

 

The Saint as…..

A young HillBilly Jim

 

 

That’s just a few of the many faces of the Saint... more to come.

            Call me a pessimist, but things aren’t looking good for the Flyers.  Down 2-0 already to the Buffalo Sabres’ things just keep getting worse.  The team was lackluster to say the least in their 8-2 loss in game 2.  Once again the goaltending bug bit the Flyers.  Robert Esche managed to stop just 5 of Buffalo’s 10 shots.  Yup that’s right he only stopped 50% of Buffalo’s shots.  That might be ok if the Flyers only allowed 2 shots the entire time he was in the game.  

 

            Goaltenders in Philadelphia have been the shown the door for much better performances in the recent past.  So barring a major comeback can we already assume that Esche is on his way out?  Given the recent past, I’d have to say yes.  The only way Esche could possibly stay is if he leads the team to the Stanley Cup.  Which is unlikely considering he probably won’t see another start in the playoffs.  Niitymaki should be in goal for the remainder of the series and if they don’t win, there should be no reason, other than injury, to put Esche back in the net. 

 

            The Flyers have been flirting with disaster for some time now.  They struggled to put the division away in the final weeks and slipped once again into their tradition playoff spot of 5^th.  Key injuries, a Flyers specialty, have played a major role in the teams play.  Things definitely are looking bleak for a team that looked to be a Stanley Cup contender coming into the season.  What went wrong?  Besides the injuries, poor goaltending down the stretch.  Goaltending has done the Flyers organization in the past few playoffs, why would it be any different this year.

 

            Is there an answer to the goaltending problem?  Niitymaki looks to have a promising career ahead of him.  He played very well all year long as well as in the Olympics.  The best move might be to let him develop, but this move won’t fly in Philly.  The Flyers have had a series of excellent teams that underachieved in the playoffs.  After being swept by the Red Wings in the last Cup Finals appears the goaltending carousel has been in full motion.  Bobby Clarke may be a genius when it comes to garnering offensive talent, but one area that is definitely lacking is on defense. 

 

            The key on defense is the Goaltender, a position it seems Clarke has little respect for.  The Flyers always seem to have great young talent in the goaltending core; however it never seems to stay in the Flyers organization.  Brian Boucher, Maxim Oullette and Jean-Marc Pelliter were all highly touted prospects with the Flyers.  Oullette was the highest drafted goaltender in history (at the time).  But of those 3 on Boucher was given a real shot, remarkable considering he wasn’t even the starter for the AHL’s Phantoms (that honor went to Neil Little).  Boucher made the most of his tenure but couldn’t find a way to win games in the playoffs.  He was shipped to Phoenix, Oullette to Washington and Pellitier to Carolina.  While those guys were developing the Flyers seemed content to try a series of goalies with little playoff success. 

 

Roman Checkmanek, Sean Burke and Robert Esche all posted excellent regular season stats.  All failed miserably in the playoffs, Checkmanek above all others couldn’t seem to figure out playoff hockey.  Esche has had the most playoff success.  Last season’s playoffs saw the Flyers bowing out to eventual champions the Tampa Bay Lightning in game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.  But, Esche has faltered all season long and once again I fear there will be a goaltending shake-up in Philadelphia this off-season.  Who could the Flyers add?  Well there in lies the problem.  Quality goaltenders with a lot of playoff experience are hard to come by, and if you can get them, won’t come cheaply.  Rumors should begin to pop back up about the possibility of Roberto Luongo becoming the next Flyers goalie.  It would be a great addition to the team, but he lacks playoff experience, in fact he has never even played in a playoff game. 

 

So what will this mean?  Luongo to the Flyers very well might happen, but the reality of the situation is that their long term answer should be Nittymaki.  No one would like to hear this though as it probably means lowering the always high expectation of the Flyers organization.  Unfortunately Esche will probably be gone before the start of the next season.  A great goaltender at times, he happens to currently inhabit the wrong position at the wrong time.

     So you've finally decided to do it.  You packed up all your things, made arrangements, house, job, moving vehicle.  You're on your way to a new life in a new place.  You'll miss friends and family, but you knew that.  One thing you probablly didn't count on however is missing seeing your favorite sports teams in action.  Do you struggle, sometimes in vain to keep update with your old hometown teams or do you embrace your new local teams?

     It has been about a year now since I moved out to the desert and I'm still dealing with that dilema.  I grew up a Philadelphia sports fan.  It was easy to follow all the stories and the games, they were always readily available to watch.  Now 2,000 plus miles away from Philadelphia those games are few and far between on the television.  To make matters worse, it is hard to even catch the games on tv when they are on due to the time difference.  I'll always be a loyal Philly fan, but is it really ok to cheer for the teams in Arizona as well?  Let's compair the choices.

Flyers vs. Coyotes : This decision is actually a bit tougher than I ever had imagined.  Back east I could watch every single Flyers game and knew every player on the team as well as 90% of the players with their AHL team the Philadelphia Phantoms.  People can say all they want about Philadelphia being a football town and how the Eagles are the cities top team.  I wouldn't go that far.  The Flyers are always exceedingly popular in Philly, partly due to the fact that they have been consistent winners through their existence.  Especially come playoff time Philadelphia bleeds Orange and Black giving the guys in Green a real run for their money as the top bill in Philly.

     Now on the other hand we have the Phoenix Coyotes.  The 'yotes haven't put together too many winning teams since moving to the desert from Winnipeg.  There is also the obvious drawback of not many people being hockey fans out here.  It's the desert, in fact Glendale Arena during hockey season is the only place in Phoenix where you'll even be able to see Ice.  The Coyotes do hold one major attraction for me though.  The team does hold a large number of former Flyers on it's roster.  So cheering for the Yotes isn't the worst thing in the world.  In a way it is like cheering for your old hometown players who made the move to the desert just like you did.  (It is no wonder why the team has so many former Flyers, the staff is litered with former Flyers/Sixers personel)

Decision time : I'll always be a Flyers fan.  Maybe if the Coyotes were on TV more than 25 times a season it might be a harder decision.  But, I can also cheer for the Yotes, which I will do, since the teams play in different conferences and only meet 1-2 times per year.

Phillies vs. D-Backs: Another one I thought would be a no brainer.  Of all teams I've liked, the Phillies have always been number one and have never waivered.  (ok, I'll admit, they shared the title for a brief period of time with the Dodgers due to Gary Sheffield being one of my favorite players.  He reminds me a lot of my all-time favorite player Reggie Jackson).  But with the exception of about a year, there never has been anyone else I've cheered for.  I love all things Phillie. 

The D-Backs: No real love for the D-Backs here.  The only real positive they have going for them in my mind is they play in the National League (American League baseball are  dirty words to me).  They do have the added bonus of being on TV nearly every night.

Decision time:  Phillies still win out. The D-Backs can actually be enjoyable to watch on TV though.  Phillies come first, I'll cheer for the D-Backs except for when the Phils are in town, at which time I will be seated firmly in Chase Field wearing my Phillies gear.

Sixers vs. Suns:  By all accounts this would be one place where I switch my alligences.  The Suns are great, the Sixers are terrible.  In fact the Sixers of the post Barkely era are the reason why I don't watch or follow basketball closely.  They were hard to watch, with their best player being "The Other Shaq" Charles Shackleford.  Being in different conferences could give me the option to cheer for both.  But realistically I don't watch Basketball until the NBA finals.  

Decision time: Neither, I have no real attachment to basketball and I shouldn't even pretend anymore that I do actually have a favorite team.

Eagles vs. Cardinals:  The battle of the Birds.  I like the Eagles but am not the typical Iggle fanatic from Philadelphia.  I'd watch all their games, cheer for them to win, but they were never my top team  (Long time Bronco fan actually).  The Cards are well, the Cards.  They remind me a lot of my beloved Phillies, around forever and just one championship to their credit.  The Cards look to have an exciting team and even through this past season found myself more engorged in Cards games than I ever thought I would be.  

Decision time:  Well, I think I'm actually going to make a bit of a switch here.  I'll still watch and follow the Eagles, but since they were never my top NFL team, They get dropped down to second billing and the Cards will get the majority of my attention as my top NFC team. 

     Moving is tough on sports fans.  After a year I still don't have it completely figured out and looking at the posiblities of changing zip codes again sometime in the next year, it could just get that much worse.  But, for better or worse, I'm still sticking with the teams I've always loved, even if I do feel guilty cheering at games for Arizona teams.  I don't like feeling like a traitor, but if I don't start taking more of an interest in some of these teams the games I do get to see would be pretty boring. 

            The legacy of the Philadelphia Phillies over the years can be summed up as perennial losers with flashes of success from time to time.  They currently have amassed the most losses of any team in the history of pro sports, not just baseball, all of professional sports.  Including today’s loss they are just 118 defeats away from 10,000 all-time (9,882 if you’re counting).  Established in 1883 the team has had little to celebrate.  Now in their 123rd year of existence, the Phillies lay claim to 9 playoff appearances, 5 pennants and just one World Championship.  However, the team has seen a streak of winning seasons as of late, but improved in nearly every way, there is still one position that seems to haunt the Phils organization, the closer.

 

            The Phils have had their most recent post season post season experience back in 1993.  They dominated during the regular season (they didn’t lose back-to-back games that year until sometime in early August) and made their way to the World Series.  In the series they faced the defending champions the Toronto Blue Jays.  It was truly a great series, although for the Phils’ faithful, the ending was disappointing.  Mitch “Wild-Thing” Williams served up the game and series ending homer to Joe Carter and the rest was history.

 

            The closer position in Philadelphia has never recovered.  Williams by all accounts had a stellar season in ’93.  He finished the year with 43 saves and while he did save a lot of games, he had his share of blown saves.  He lived up to his nickname of “The Wild Thing”.  However, after serving up the series ending homerun neither Williams nor the Phillies closers ever recovered.  Williams was run out of town and could not pull together his stuff and was soon out of baseball.  Williams may be gone, but for the Phils Phaithful the memory remains.  No one position in any sport has been as scrutinized since ’93 in Philadelphia (although the Flyers goaltenders come in a close 2^nd). 

 

        Closers have come and gone from Philadelphia in the past 13 years, but as the team has seen those recent successes, they have come close, only to be let down by their good friend, the closer.  Jose Mesa was filling the closer roll when the Phils began to become winners again.  Mesa posted 42 and 45 save seasons in his first two campaigns with the Phillies (2001, 2002).  Great numbers but Mesa seemed to collapse at the most in opportune times and the Phils could not hit post season pay dirt.  2003 was the end of the road for him, managing only 24 saves.  Mesa, the once dominant closer looked rattled at best most of the time.  The media and the fans came down hard on him for his blown saves, despite posting back to back season of over 40 saves.  Mesa left Philadelphia and the very next year was back to his normally confident self and had 43 saves for the Pirates in ’04.  So, was it Mesa after all who was to blame?

 

            Enter the next victim, Billy Wagner.  Wagner was signed by the Phillies to be their savior in the pen.  An established closer (so was Mesa at the time he was signed) Wagner was expected to come in, shut things down and get the team over the hump that had plagued them for so long.  Wagner had great numbers in Philadelphia, but was not overly impressive with his save totals, just 21 his first season and 38 last year.  But even with the likes of Wagner, closing out games for the Phils always seemed to be an adventure.  Why is this?

 

 

            Besides the pressure of fans and media, there is something else going on with Phillies closers, the coaching staff.  Wagner posted 38 saves last year, but the shocking statistic is that he appeared in 75 games last year.  75 games!  It seems a bit high for his save total.  The fact is there has been mismanagement of the pitching staff in Philadelphia over the past several season.  Man times over the course of Wagner’s tenure he was trotted out to the mound in non-save situations, only to have the team be in a save situation the very next day, only to have a tired Wagner who was worked 2-3 innings the night before.  In 2004 he had a similar game to saves ratio, appearing in 45 games and saving 21. 

 

            Wagner wasn’t the only one.  Mesa appeared in over 70 games each of his first two seasons as a Phillie.  His final year he appeared in 61 games and saved 24.  Although his last season there his confidence was definitely shaken after recording a career high of 9 blown saves the prior year (2002, his previous high in a season was 5 and averages just over 3 per season for his career).  It seems that current Phillies closer Tom Gordon is in for much the same fate.  Already much maligned from the outset in Philadelphia, the coaching staff doesn’t seem like it wants to take the pressure off their closer.  In the second game of the season Gordon was put in the game, in a non-save situation and gave up the winning run.  It looks like the start short tenure for Gordon (although this season might seem like an eternity for him). 

 

            So who is to fault here, is it Mitch Williams and him adding even more pressure and attention to an already pressure packed role?  Is it the pitchers themselves?  Or is it the coaching staff, Larry Bowa and Joe Kerrigan both have felt the wrath partly (more like mostly) due to pitching woe’s.  However Charlie Manuel and Rich Dubee appear to be running down the same road, the road to heartbreak and failure….

     When it comes to football two words are hardly ever uttered in the same sentece, Cardinals and Winners.  Look out everyone but it seems that this year the Cards may just be on the verge of being *gasp* winners.  Two recievers returning with over 100 catches, former MVP at QB and one of the best Running Backs in recent history.  If that doesn't sound good also add in a defense that quitely finished 8th last season in total defense.  Not to shabby now is it.  Oh and a kicker who set an NFL record for Field Goals last season (runner-up as the NFL's sexiest man as well). 

     So coming into the draft what exactly are the Arizona Cardinals needs?  Well, it may not come down to needs.  Jay Cutler seems to be on everyone's list to be drafted by the Cards at the 10 spot.  This wouldn't be the worst move in the world, however it is not the best move the Cards could make.  Here's why drafting Cutler should not be the Cards top priority.  QB is not a current need for the Cardinals.  Kurt Warner showed he can still play, when not hurt.  But, more interestingly Josh McKnown showed he could play too.  Bottom line is that with Boldin and Fitzgerald at WR it will not take a superstar QB to run this team.  McKnown is not a bad player, however I doubt that he will have the same success through the air without both those players to throw to.

     The Cards not drafting Cutler is not a knock on Cutler's ablities.  The Cards could get at least one more year out of Warner, if he stays healthy.  So why was Warner hurt so often last year.  It has to do with the same reason that the Cards had the worst rushing attack in the league, the offensive line.  They couldn't open holes for Arrington and when the pressure came in the form of a pass rush, well, let's just say that both Warner and McKnown had plenty of grass stains on their uniforms after each game.  So why draft a young QB to come on a team that already has protection problems.  Sure he could be a great QB, but more likely he will suffer the same fate as the Cards QB's last season. 

     The Cards biggest need is someone to protect whoever is under center.  Without the constant pressure Warner should be able to finish out an entire year and he finally has the offensive weapons he once had in St. Louis in his arsenal again.  But an even bigger reason not to draft Cutler, Warner just recently had a similar situation befall him in New York.  Cutler probably wouldn't be ready to start this year, however it would unnessicarily put pressure on Warner and could rattle him, by constantly looking over his shoulder.  So by doing so you would have one QB who isn't NFL ready and another looking over his shoulder each week.  It's not a good situation and looks more and more like a lose-lose scenario. 

     So who should the Cards draft?  I think the best pick would be Winston Justice OT from USC.  (Glad to see that Adam Schein agrees with my mock draft selection)  Justice would give the Cards a solid cornerstone on the offensive line for years to come and would help in establishing a running attack.  Speaking of the running game, James could be in for a disappointing season if the Cards don't make a move for a OL with their first pick.  Everyone had bad things to say about Arrington this past season and some was well deserved. (like his tendancy to shy away from contact) But, it wasn't just Arrington who couldn't get it going on the ground.  Marcel Shipp, who although never posting stand out numbers has always been solid on the ground, could not get much going in the running game either.  Edge should get more yards than those two combined just on his skill, but it could be a career year (the wrong kind of career year) if he doesn't get help up front.

     As for other needs the Cards have, the biggest real need, maybe even more so than on the OL is special teams.  Their special teams last year, with the exception of the field goal unit, were horrible.  However you don't spend first round picks on special teamers.  Another need is at the Tight End position.  With Bolding and Fitzgerald I don't know how much it is really a need, however it could be a great addition to what is already shaping up to be a potent offense.  Lewis from UCLA or Fasano from ND could fill that role nicely for the Cards. 

     Any chance of a draft day trade?  There is always a chance, the only way I'd see them trading their first round pick is if Cutler is still available and they can fill several needs by trading him, but it must include a top flight OL guy.  It could be their best option actually since they would get a proven talent on the OL and might be able to get a tight end or some good help on special teams.  I don't see there being that much on the table though for Cutler.  The only other option is that they move down a few picks if they feel that Justice would still be available.  Again, they might be able to fill some of those lesser needs and still get the guy they want (or at least should want).  The Cards are on the cusp o####reat team and what they do in the draft could make or break the team this season.  Let's hope for the best here in the desert.

Invasion of the PC Police!!!!

 

            The PC (politically correct) police seem to be growing in the world of sports these days.  Any off the mark comment made by a coach, player or even the team grounds crew has these people screaming for their jobs.  Whatever happened to free speech? Anyway, I thought it would be fun to see what the PC police would do with the names of some of our pro sports teams.

 

Let’s start with the NFL and obvious choice #1.

 

Washington Redskins –

 

The nickname has the obvious connotation as a slang term used to describe Native Americans and is deemed “offensive”. 

 

New PC Name – The Washington Americans

 

Kansas City Chiefs –

 

See above, although, slightly better than just being Redskins’ because they are the “Chiefs”.

 

New PC Name – Kansas City Tornado’s (team name later dropped due to it’s insensitivity to Tornado victims in the mid-west and is renamed the Stram’s after legendary coach Hank Stram)

 

New York Jets –

 

The team name once deemed perfectly acceptable, is now deemed “offensive” or in poor taste after 9/11.  The name is also offensive to the residents of New Jersey who have hosted the Jets and their poor play for years without the name recognition. (Even more offensive to New Yorkers who wonder why the team that stinks still has New York attached to it after playing in New Jersey all these years.

 

New PC Name – New Jersey B

 

New York Giants –

 

The nickname Giants is not very offensive (although I’m sure we could find some extremely tall people who would take offense to the term “Giant”).  The Giants name change would be part of a package deal with name change of the Jets (Now New Jersey B)

 

New PC Name – New Jersey A. The A and B nickname will rotate throughout the years as a college style rivalry game will be played each year with the winner claiming the rights to the A nickname and the loser of the game gets the nickname of B.  This is later to be deemed offensive to the letter B since it would now equate that letter with being a loser.  Final PC name change, The New York/New Jersey Bridges and The New York/New Jersey Tunnels.

 

Onto the MLB:  For the sake of time and space I will but all Native American Nicknames into one category with the explanation of why the are offensive as a given.

 

Atlanta Braves & Cleveland Indians –

 

New PC names – Georgia Peaches & Cleveland Rust

 

Kansas City Royals –

 

Name can be considered offensive on two fronts.  The name Royals can be considered a rip-off of the former Negro-League team the Kansas City Monarchs.  In addition the name Royals is offensive to the founding fathers of our country who strived hard to remove our country from any connection to a royal family.

 

New PC name – None, team contracted under the provisions of the Patriot Act

 

Los Angeles Dodgers –

 

Also nicknamed the “bums” (Dodgers comes from the art of dodging trolleys in Brooklyn) the name is deemed offensive to the homeless population of America.

 

New PC name – Los Angeles Palm Trees.

 

Bonus PC name from outside of the US-

 

Arsenal Gunnars –

 

Oddly there is very little clamor about the team name.  However the PC police invade England and…..

 

New PC name – The British Parliament (instantly the new team name causes an uproar through-out England as it is deemed offensive to the residents of the U.K.)

More to come.....

     Well, I've had some mixed emotions ever since Ty let the cat out of the bag about the impending NGS 2 contest.  Am I happy?  Am I sad?  Maybe, I'm just a little bit indiferent about the whole thing.  I remember back to the day when I came across Foxsports.com's blog section.  I noticed that they were having a contest where one blogger would get a writing gig and $5,000.  I've always hated writing, in fact I was a straight D- student in english classes all the way through college.  I was never really interested in what they wanted me to write about.

     But, this was different.  I could write about whatever I felt like writing and about sports.  It's right up my alley.  From my earliest days I played at least 3 sports a year (growing up it was football, wrestling and baseball).  It seemed like a natural fit.  Besides, I spent all that time writing countless Philosophy papers in college, I kinda liked it.  In my circle of friends my opinion on sports was generally well respected.  I lived and breathed sports since my earliest days (Here's the list of sports I've played in my 26 years of life, Football, wrestling, Baseball, Soccer, Swimming, Track and Field, Hockey, Cross-Country, Water Polo and Rugby, did I miss any?).  So I thought I would reasonably be able to bring that experience to the table as well as adding in some of that Philosophy knowledge I paid so much for.

     I didn't make it as a finalist in the competition, I was a little bit disappointed.  But, I realized that having only found out about it a week or so before, I wasn't too disappointed.  It did however do something I never expected.  I actually liked writing about sports.  As I said before, I never liked writing about anything in the past (except for Philosophy for awhile).  This sportswriting thing was pretty cool, and I would check my email quite often to wait and see if anyone commented on my posts.  I was excited about it.

     One thing that those who know me find interesting is the fact that at no point in my life did I ever want to be anything particular in my life.  I never dreamt of being a Fireman, Police officer or Doctor.  College didn't steer me in any direction either, I majored in Philosophy and Economics both due to the fact that by the time I got to my 3rd college I didn't want to spend anymore time there than I had to and I was "closest" to getting degrees in those two fields.  But, this whole thing set something in motion.  I found myself actually wanting to be a sportswriter and something even more uncharacteristic of me, actually working hard to try and make it happen.

     There for some time I wrote and wrote and wrote some more.  The best advice I got was to write as much as possible to really hone my skills.  I was actually serious about it, so I did.  I thought that my writing was improving and more and more comments were being left about what I wrote.  It made me happy.  But, writing has also been a humbling experience for me.  I really wanted to be mentioned with some of the "big boys/girls" of this blogging community, but I never do get those mentions.  It's ok with me that I don't get mentioned with the likes of TSI, Dudski, Norcal, Socal and the likes.  In a way I'm still happy just to get those emails saying someone posted a comment on my blog.

     The past month or so I have been slipping.  "Paying the bills" work has taken more and more time than "fun" work.  I've made several attempts to take my writing outside this medium.  However, columnist here in Tucson don't seem to change, ever and I'm lucky if I even get an email returned in response to any freelance opportunities.  So I've really been down about writing as of late and a bit over extended (I started writing another blog on MLB.com and have a column on Feature Presentation).  I would write things here just to make sure those who read and write here remembered my name. 

     I really was ready to call it quits here.  My two paragraph posts weren't up to par with what I expected out of my writing.  I was striking out left and right trying to find a paying gig.  I did find one, but I haven't yet decided if that's where I really want to write.  $10 an article isn't a lot and I think it's worth not getting paid to keep my own works.  Besides, it was for a betting website, I had an upcoming interview with a Pro Sports team and didn't want to jepoardize anything by writing for a betting site.   So now comes the word of NGS 2.  I am a little bit hesistant because, I know that this time around, if I don't make it as a finalist I personally would be disappointed.  I know I shouldn't be, but I know that I would be.

     I'm not sure how I would fare.  I don't do pictures in my articles.  I don't write riddiculous things just to stir the pot and get more attention to myself.  I want to be a writer but on my own terms.  I want people to appreciate well thought out arguements.  I want people to appreciate hearing something different on a subject and not the same recycled arguements about the same recycled topics.  I want to be able to be one of those writers who's opinions are respected and acts in an appropriate manner.  However I fear that going that route means not as much attention.

     I had been a bit drained, but now I feel that I have my chance to do the first thing I've ever really wanted to do.  If my best isn't good enough, so be it.  But, I will give it my all and even if the pieces don't fall the way I would like them to, I will continue on.  This is my dream.  I will do everything I can to get there and I won't comprise things along the way.  Good luck to everyone here. 

Go ahead, name the last three starting catchers for the Phillies.  Mike Lieberthal, Darren Daulton.....Lance Parrish?  For those who have followed the Phillies one thing has been pretty consistent over the past 15 years, who is playing behind the plate.  It is a struggle to even remember who held that spot before Dutch took over (I think it would be an aged Lance Parrish who was in the spot before Daulton).  Some things in the Phillies camp seem to change often, the catcher position has not been one of them.

     As opening day rolls around once again it will be Mike Lieberthal behind the plate.  Lieberthal has become a real Phillies icon, always one of the most popular Phillies.  Unfortunately after his second best statistical year in 2003, he has been in a steady decline and last year posted his worst numbers since his first full season behind the plate in 1997. Now entering his 12th year with the club what can we expect for Lieberthal?

     Unfortunately he is no longer able to put up the kind of offensive numbers he has in the past and his power numbers continue to slide.  Which is not a good sign since CBP is one of the premier hitters parks in the league.  Lieberthal's numbers could continue to drop this year and the reconfiguration of the outfield walls could only make it worse.  Defensively he is one of the most solid catchers around.  He has posted a .993 fielding percentage the past two seasons and his assist numbers have been constant over the past 3 seasons (44,43,44).  Age may contribute to a small drop-off in his fielding but don't expect it to be too significant.

     Here's the dilema with Lieberthal, when is club loyalty no longer something to be admired?  Lieberthal has been a solid contributor in his time in Philadelphia, that much is certain.  But, his age is catching up with him and soon it will be time to hand the reigns over to the next Phillies backstop (heir aparent is currently Carlos Ruiz).  I applaud the Phillies and Mike Lieberthal for their loyalty, it is very rare these days.  But, proffesional baseball is a buisness and the teams are in the buisness of winning. 

     Word is that one of the reason Lieberthal is still in town and starting is he is an exceptional guy in the clubhouse.  Very well liked and respected.  The off-season signing of Sal Fasano seems to have blocked Ruiz from getting the big league experience he will need in the very near future.  He is the future and soon the Phillies will need to replace Lieberthal.  So Phillie phans enjoy watching Lieberthal this season, it may be the last we get to do so as the regular starter.