WHY I BLOG?

I started bloggin here because after a few days of coming here and reading what others were saying I figured, "Why not?" So I slowly got involved with this concept and started commenting here and there and eventually posted one of my own. I comment more than I write blogs but that is part of what makes the experience. I have, for the most part, thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I enjoy that back and forth with other bloggers. I enjoy the fact that we can agree or disagree and are adult enough to respect each other and our differing opinions. I started out slowly here by being somewhat cautious because I didn't want to step on too many toes. I think I got more involved with the Duke lacrosse scandal and opened up a bit more when SocalSportsFan starting blogging about it. Socal, I enjoyed the back and forth and the fact that you had your viewpoint and I had mine and that we often disagreed on certain aspects. However, we do agree that this case has been horribly handled by both sides virtually from the beginning. But that is a part of this. Agreeing and disagreeing and sharing opinions.

WHY DO OTHERS BLOG?

 I don't know why others blog. I can only assume that it is for the same reasons I am here. When I started here it was shortly after the first NGS contest. There was a handful of bloggers here and if you entered intelligently and had something to say in response to someone's post you were easily accepted. That is another part of being here. And then they had the second NGS and people came out of the woodwork. A job as a sportswriter and $5,000 will do that. So people were blogging for the back and forth, the agreeing and disagreeing and the opportunity to become Fox's Next Great Sportswriter. Perfect!

BUT IT CHANGED THE COMMUNITY.

Prior to this contest the community of bloggers that were here could agree or disagree or agree to disagree and it was somewhat cordial. Some of them had competed in the first NGS contest and some, such as myself, were just people who liked to share opinions and viewpoints. It was great. Socal and I could agree or disagree. Bafongu could chime in with a dissenting opinion and all was good. UltraMega could be controversial and still have a readership. Wesley Powell could do whatever it is that Wesley Powell does and not be taken so seriously. You could read the Sports Intellectual's stuff without having to navigate through a lot of worthless posts that said nothing but were simply attempts to get people stirred up. If you posted something it was likely to be around for at least a short time and not be wedged out by something that didn't make sense. This contest opened up the doors for some very good writers and some very poor ones.  MeanDovine was a stud and I for one am sorry to see that he has gone. I didn't enter the contest but I continued to blog. This community was cool because virtually everyone could share an opinion, one could agree or disagree, and no one ran from dissenting comments. No one was childish enough to delete a comment because it was important in the back and forth to respond and defend your position. You aways had that option but it was rarely, if ever, used. 

WHY SOME OTHERS SHOULD NOT BLOG!

This community was changed by people who came here to spew forth their ideas and comments who were not able to deal with an opposing viewpoint. This community was changed by people who either comment without reading posts or who don't comprehend the original posts intent. This community was changed by people who could post something and not activate the comments portion of their site, thereby not having to deal with comments that would be differing from theirs. This community was changed by people who have no skills in conferring their ideas or comments without being condescending and when you respond in kind they wither like the class bully who gets his butt kicked by the class nerds big buddy. Example: Yes, I have an example. I wouldn't normally do this but he challenged me to do it so I am.

The following is a series of comments made on a post by Sportsnutzz titled, "714...ARE YOU IMPRESSED."

As you can infer from the title a response was asked for.

Gcoach responded - I've been impressed with Bonds and his ability to crush baseballs since I started watching him play. 714 homeruns is impressive. I smiled. I will smile when he hits 715. I will smile when he hits 716 and so on and so on. To me Bonds is just an adult playing a kids game. It is too bad that is lost on everyone. He is just a man and MLB is just a game. I'm impressed with his ability to play it successfully at the MLB level.

 Sportsnutzz responded - gcoach- I think alot of people have the same opinion as you. To me though he is a man cheating at a kid's game. I don't know if that bothers me as much as his bad attitude though. Sammy Sosa so far is the only juiced homer hitter that was always smiling. He was cheating playing a kids game but at least he was still acting like a kid. He always had fun I wish he had the good roids and was still around.
Glad you can enjoy his homers though gcoach. One last question? Who do you think is stronger Stone Cold or Bonds?

Very intelligent response. Then it got interesting.

RapidRoy responded - UltraMeg and gcoach, you better do your research before you go running off at the mouth. Babe Ruth didn't hit to right field as often as folks would like to think and when he did, they were usually barnburner shots, not bleepers over the fenceline. Bonds is a disgrace to baseball. He is everything that is wrong with baseball and if your biased butts can't see that, then I suggest you hit the libraries and start citing your references for the statements you claim as gospel. because if you can't, then your throwing out the same kind of trash that ESPN is trying to sell.

 Gcoach responded - RapidRoy - Read my comment again. Where did I ever mention Babe Ruth? Where did I ever quote a statistic? I stated my opinion on Barry Bonds. Maybe you ought to take a reading comprehension course before you go telling people to check things out before "running off at the mouth." I don't get into the comparison game between Bonds and Ruth. It is a moot point to me. And Bonds being everything that is wrong with baseball? Yea, Bud Selig has done a great job as the owner/commissioner/conflict of interest leader of MLB. Keep me out of your disagreement with Ultra and learn to read. He's a big boy and will take care of himself. Leave me alone unless you have something intelligent to say. To this point you haven't proven you are capable of that.

Then RapidRoy went about deleting my comments from his post and wrote one about retaliating and derogatory comments that included some of the following quotes.

Hey folks! I respect those with dissenting opinions from mine, just as long as they are not profane, or mean-spirited.

But, don't come here to my blog and start writing crap about me and my thoughts and opinions and that, "I suck", etc., so forth, and so on. That kind of crap is akin to two 5-year olds facing off and calling each other "doo-doo head". "No, you doo-doo head!" "Uh, uh, you doo-doo head!"

I ripped into a couple of people recently for their slanted, misguided and mis-informed opinions concerning Barry Bonds; I told them that if they are going to report facts, they need to be prepared to cite their references. Well, at least one of those folks has decided to call me a "doo-doo head". Dude, I am not going to stoop to your level. If you've got a beef, then put it on your own blog, but make sure you cite facts before you do. Until then, if I come across your blog and you're spewing unsubstantiated venom at people, then be prepared for what you get in return.

RapidRoy

Roy - I'm doing what you suggested I do. Here be the facts.

Your response to my initial comment on SportsNutzz post = mean spirited. "Running off at the mouth." Another example of mean spirited on your part = "I ripped into a couple of people recently for their slanted, misguided and mis-informed opinions concerning Barry Bonds; I told them that if they are going to report facts, they need to be prepared to cite their references."

Nowhere in my responses to you was I profane. But you deleted them.

I responded on another post you wrote, basically, that my opinion hadn't changed. Nowhere did I say that "you suck." But you deleted them.

Another comment you made was that if you go to my site and post a comment that I don't like I can delete. I could do so if this was my site and not someone elses.

But you know what RapidRoy, I wouldn't do it even then. Even though you obviously don't respect dissenting opinions from your own I still would deal with whatever you had to say unless you were profane. No one called you a, what did you call it, doo-do head! I just said when you could respond intelligently then go ahead. As of yet you STILL haven't responded intelligently. You have over-reacted to a comment on a blog post that you incited. You are deleting comments because the opinions in those comments are different than yours. You wrote a post full of lies and misdirection. You challenged me to cite the facts in a post of my own. Here they are. 

One of the things that has changed since I started here is that I will stand up for myself. When challenged I will rebutt if I think I am right. If I am wrong, I will concede the point. I am an intelligent human being. I am not the best blogger here but I respect those who take a stand and won't run from a differing perspective or from their own actions. This contest brought a lot of people into this community who are different than the community was when I started. I have been told by others that when the contest is over a lot of these people will go away. I hope those who told me that are right.

I rambled here for a bit and will understand if some of you are offended by me using this venue as a forum. I hope you will understand.  As I said before, I normally would not do this but I was challenged. In the past I have tried to be discreet if I mention things from this site in a post. I will continue with that policy if I am challenged by someone who does not post lies and misinformation. This contest brought out the best in some and it brought out the worst in others.

SportsNutzz - Stone Cold in more ways than the physical.

First and foremost I want to point out that "you people" refers only those who have posted about this in support of it and those who have responded to those posts in support of it.

What in the hell are you people thinking?

The other night Barry Bonds went to the plate against the Houston Astros. He was facing a pitcher named Russ Springer. To shorten this up a bit, Springer throws one pitch BEHIND Bonds. He gets a warning from the home plate umpire. In total disregard of that warning he throws a pitch AT Bonds hitting him in the right shoulder. The home plate umpire promptly ejects Springer and gets no argument from anyone.

Initially I was appalled at this. This isn't sportsmanship and shouldn't be tolerated. But they ejected him o Ijust assumed it would be over. Boy, was I wrong.

I get up this morning and get to this site and start looking around and find, not one, not two, but three blogs basically cheering the actions of this pitcher. While they bothered me Iwas even more appalledat the comments by some people here, some of who I respected and enjoyed, supporting the action as well.

I always knew, even playing the game in high school that pitchinginside was a part of the game. If I am crowding the plate then the pitcher will push me off of it by pitching me inside. They call this  "high and tight." It is a part of the game. I also understand that if a pitcher hits one of my batters, as a pitcher, it is my job to protect my guys by hitting one of their batters. This is all a part of the game. It has been for years. What Springer did has no place in the game. At least not the game I know and played. And the response is even more absurd.

What in the hell are you people thinking?

Your posts and comments called this guy a hero. They said he had "cajones." They said it was about time someone sent this message to Bonds. They said Bonds is a liar and a cheater and they applauded this clown for having the "guts" to actually throw at Bonds. Bottom line people is that this had nothing to do with the game of baseball. It was one moron throwing an object with force at another person because he thinks, who the hell knows what he thinks.

Regardless of the accusations against Bonds. Regardless of what you peope think of his character. Regardless of how you view him personally. What Springer did was BUSH LEAGUE. And all of you "you people" out there support this action. What in the hell are you thinking?

I have been reading comments on here that Barry Bonds is a liar and a cheater and DOESN'T SEND THE RIGHT MESSAGE TO KIDS. You freakin' hypocrites! What kind of message does disregarding a warning and intentionally throwing a baseball at someone because the "throwee" may be of questionable character send to kids? And what is absolutely worse than that is this. What kind of message does applauding the actions of the pitcher and calling him a hero send to kids? I posted something along the following lines on one of your pathetic posts today. "Hey, junior. That big guy is killing us and I don't like the way he looks. Throw one behind him to get his attention. Then after the umpire tells you to stop it, throw one right at him and hit him. Yea, yea, you'll get ejected from the game but, hey, your mom and I will still love you."

Springer's actions were wrong. He should be fined at the very least. And for those of "you people" who support his actions because Barry Bonds creates issues for you, you should be ashamed. This is not sportsmanship and supporting the actions of Mr. No Cajones Russ Springer makes you worse than Barry Bonds any day of the week. I certainly don't want any of you around my kids.

Does Albert Pujols know what he has done?

He has opened his mouth and told all of those who rip Barry Bonds up one side and down the other to step back and relax. He has openly taken it upon himself to tell people to lighten up. The following comments come from Pujols in an article from the FoxSports MLB home page.

Last year's NL MVP said people have been "too hard" on Bonds. He and the Cardinals play the Giants for the first time next week in San Francisco.  "I know he's probably made some mistakes in the past, but come on, give the guy a break," Pujols said. "Respect the numbers in the career he has put up."

Pujols said in the current climate, players seem to be guilty until proven innocent.

"People talk. That's their job, to write something stupid without finding out," he said. "Like Barry, people are talking about him and they haven't found anything out about the guy. They're talking about making the guy a bad guy. Prove the point first and then you can write anything about it. But before, leave the guy alone."

Where have we heard this stuff before? Players seem to be guilty until proven innocent. Yea, Albert. Tell it like it is. Every word of the statement here is what people should be doing. But, as we all know, it is not what they are doing. And now Albert Pujols is getting into the fray.

Albert Pujols has intangled himself now into the biggest scandal going. In the same article that these quotes come from he questions people who claim that he uses things and that he has lied about his age. For crying out loud, lied about his age! He says he is 26. So who the hell cares if he isn't? What a liar and a cheater.

Albert, how could you? Knowing what you are up against now that you have spoken out in Bonds defense you should have known better than to lie about your age. People will be all over you now. What if he is really only 24? Two more years to assault all MLB records than if he were really 26. What if he is really 28 years old? Oh, my God! All those peple who are betting that Albert shatters every hitting record known to MLB will get screwed because his body will break down before he gets them all.

Albert, surely you know what is going to come next. I can hear it now or read it just as soon. "You know that Pujols had a great career going but then he defended that steroid using, media hating, lying and cheating Barry Bonds." "Yea, those steroid users all stick together." "Yea, bunch of freakin' cheaters." "Oh, yes. Like two peas in a pod." "You know I used to like that Pujols kid. Until he lied about his age and defended that hack, Barry Bonds." "That Bonds was a real scumbag but that Pujols takes the cake." You know it is coming. I have heard nothing but positive accolades for this young man (whatever his age is he is younger than me) and his career so far. But with all of the Barry Bonds bashing and hating going on here and there he may be opening himself up to a lot of abuse. It wouldn't surprise me a bit. But you know what?

I have a deep respect for anyone who speaks out against the popular opinion of the day. Especially if what they say makes sense. Albert Pujols is a great baseball player regardless of hs age. I think Albert Pujols is a stand up guy who has voiced his opinion on this subject. Like he said, until you have proof back off and give Bonds credit for the career numbers he has put up. If, and when, it is ever proven (aside from accusations by a disgruntled former major leaguer or a couple of guys with nothing better to do but write crap) then throw the book at him. And for proof please don't show me any more pictures of Bonds when he was 23 compared to Bonds when he was 40.

This from one of Barry Bonds peers. If it is good enough for him, why can't it be good enough for the masses?

Albert Pujols is the man!!!

I WANNA BE A SPORTS AGENT.

I woke up this morning and as I was pouring my first cup of coffee I glanced at the paper and saw an article that was titled, Agent: Gaborik left with no choice but arbitration. I read the article and decided that I am in the wrong line of work.  If I were a sports agent I could do outlandish things that effect peoples lives on a daily basis. I could be controversial and force people to restructure entire business plans on my say so. And I wouldn't even have to be an employ of the firm that I could do this to. How awesome is that? And then when they wouldn't I could just tell them that my client will hold out, not honor their contract, and you will suffer, not my client.

This guy, Mark Hume McCormack, has been given credit for being the first real sports agent. He was the Founder and Chairman of International Management Group, now IMG, an international management organization that handles the commercial affairs for sports figures and celebrities.  McCormack was described as one of the most powerful men in sports. His clients included sports figures Tiger Woods, Pete Sampras, Michael Schumacher, Derek Jeter, Charles Barkley and models Kate Moss and Elizabeth Hurley. He published numerous books, including the bestselling What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School. This guy had it figured out. His firt client was legendary golfer Arnold Palmer. Not only did he get to meet and represent fmous people he ade a ton of dough in the meantime. When he died in 203 his family sold off his portion of IMG for $750 milion bucks.

Now that is some successful career. Managing peoples lives and directing what they should do and what they shouldn't do. And look at his client list. With the exception of Barkley, whose mouth knows no bounds, and Moss, who had a little bit of a drug problem, this looks like the beginning of a Who's Who in the sports world. Sorry all of you Elizabeth Hurley fans out there. Isn't her claim to fame that she is the one Hugh Grant cheated on with a hooker? Woods, Sampras, Jeter! No controversy there. He made them millions with endorsements on top of their playing salaries. No wonder this guy had it so good. But if I'm controlling things maybe I want controversy. Maybe I want to be like this next guy.

Drew Rosenhaus is among the best known American football sports agents. He owns the Miami-based sports agency, Rosenhaus Sports, and is known for aggressive representation of his NFL clients, often generating highly lucrative contracts for them, and recommending that they hold out from practicing or playing when his contractual terms are not met by NFL owners. His approach to player representation has been sometimes controversial, and is a source of great debate in NFL circles. Due to his aggressive dealings, some of Rosenhaus' competitors claim Rosenhaus sometimes violates NFL Player's Association (NFLPA) rules by illegally contacting clients signed with other agents. Rosenhaus and his clients deny this charge. His competitors also claim that Rosenhaus uses players to vigorously recruit other NFL players and prospects, which, if true, also would represent a violation of NFLPA policies. However, there have been no formal findings of violations by Rosenhaus. 

Maybe that is what I want to do. Stir up the pot. Make my client the most hated S.O.B. in their respective sport so that they can continually apologize for their behaviors and actions while we laugh all the way to the bank. I want to have my clients sign big, long term contracts one year and then tell their organization the next year that my client wants to renegotiate that contract. Something about the last one just wasn't right. I don't know, not enough money. Not enough say in player personnel. I don't like that guy and he makes more than my client. My client needs to see the ball on 90% of plays from scrimmage. My client needs to have guaranteed playing time even if he is only hitting .198 with no HR's and 1 RBI in 75 at bats. Maybe we will wait for the organization to make numerous offers to us and then we will not respond to any of them. And then I will go to the local paper where my client performs their services and comment that we have no choice but arbitration because the club has left us that as our only alternative. Why not?

What started all of this was the aforementioned article that deals with Marion Gaborik and the Minnesota Wild. The agent is willing to turn this into an ugly and drawn out negotiation. Of course, like coments from the attorneys in the Duke lacrosse scandal, we will never know who is telling us what. Ron Salcer is Gaborik's agent. Apparently Wild GM Doug Risebrough has made two different offers to Salcer to which Salcer has ot replied. Well, lets say he has not replied to Risebrough. Instead he contacts the Minneapolis Star Tribune or St. Paul Pioneer Press and tells them that the Wild are leaving he and his client no option but arbitration. Risebrough say he wants to sign Gaborik to a contract that both parties can be happy with. Timing is an issue.

Gaborik is eligible to file for arbitration on July 4. He can become a restricted free agent on July 1. Also on July 1 the NHL salary cap is expected to increase to about $45 million. The maximum NHL salary will increase from roughly $7.8 million to around $9 milion. According to Salcer, That's very factual. If they choose not to have discussions with us because they are looking to get him at what I think is a bargain price, then that's not going to happen." Gaborik is considered an elite player in the NHL. It is recognized by many, and pointed out by Sacer, that Gaborik plays in a defensive system with the Wild and still scores 30 goals a year. The Wild last offered  5 years at $5.5 million a year.

Can you see why I want to be a sports agent? Look at the havoc I could reap on the spreadsheet of an NHL franchise that has to sign my client and had better start getting some people who can score to help this team get into the playoffs. They have enough pressure on them without me. But, hey, my client comes first. That and my 3% - 10% of whatever I can get him. Show us the money. But, hey, even if you do we probably going to want more next year, just so's you know!

Actually, I could never be a sports agent. I used to work in the collection department of a finance company. I found out I had a conscience. Beside that I love teaching kids and coaching them. I'll take them while they are young and when they are eager to learn, both, in the classroom and in the athletic arena. I will try and help their parents instill values and integrity in them as well as to develop their skills. I will encourage them to work hard, study hard and get the most from their experiences. And I will hope that some of that stays with them if they ever get to the point where they are a  professional athlete or singer or actor. And I will hope that all that they have learned will eventually make them realize that loving the game and respecting the people around them will win over the greed and egos and questionable business practices of those they may chose to represent them. I'm sure not all sports agents are scumbags and neither are all GM's. But there are enough of them out there that are that make me worry about the lost lessons of their youths and those that they represent.

(Sources for this came from wikipedia and the Minneapolis Star Tribune.)

There have been quite  few comments lately on Bonds and the media. These comments have mentioned that media coverage is over the top. There have been comments about how the media spins things regarding Bonds to get the reader or listener to their product. This is what the media does. After reading a few of these I was scouring the Foxsports home page and ran into something that spurred my interest.

On the home page, at the very lower right part of the page there is a section titled, "Hot topic of the Day."

This is an interactive poll regarding input to the following question:

What will be your reaction when Bonds hits No. 714?

The answer options are:

I'll celebrate a historic event.

I'll watch it, but won't care much.

I'll watch it, but only to boo Bonds.

I'm avoiding it at all costs.

To me, this is an example of the media and their spin. With the exception of the first one, none of the answers have a positive spin on them.  That said, most people don't recognize it as a historic event because they either dislike Bonds, think Ruth will always be the number two, oops, number one, well wait a minute...at any rate it is not really a historic event, not like going to number one would be. And "won't care much", "only to boo Bonds", and "avoid it at all costs" are all pretty negative. Therefore, Bonds passing Ruth for second place on the all time homerun list is a negative thing.

If they were even going to consider being fair, maybe the second answer could have been something like, "I'll watch it and enjoy the moment."

But, then again, why should we expect fair in this?