I wonder what Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown will do regarding Marvin Lewis.
Lewis is in the last year of his contract as head coach and there some clamoring for Brown to extend Lewis' contract now.
Brown should take the wait-and-see approach before deciding whether to keep Lewis or move on. It has nothing to do with the fact that the 2011 season may or may not happen. And my feelings have nothing to do with all the off-the-field things because a head-coach has very little control over his players when they leave the stadium.
Lewis, a defensive-minded coach, was hired to turn around the beleaguered franchise that was the punch line of many jokes during the 1990s and 2000s.
Has he done it? I don't think so.
Not yet at least.
Lewis' record heading into this season is a paltry 56-55-1. He has 2 division titles and two playoff losses, both in the wild card round, at home. Forget the "Carson Palmer Injury Game." Had Kimo von Oelhoffen not punked QB Carson Palmer early in the game, I really think the Bengals would have won.
But they didn't and life goes on.
Under Lewis, the Bengals have had 2 winning seasons and have finished third in the 4-team AFC North three times. Thank goodness for the Cleveland Browns, huh? Cincinnati is averaging 8 wins a season.
So under Lewis the Bengals typical season is mediocrity.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Can I get a T?
I wonder if this will be the only time there is technical-foul controversy in the NBA that doesn't involve Rasheed Wallace.
OK, all joking aside, what in the world is going on in the NBA? Boston Celtics center Kendrick Perkins received two technical fouls -- nos. 6 and 7 of the playoffs -- in game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Orlando Magic, meaning an automatic one-game suspension.
The media dropped the hint that the league could review it. And of course, given that the media thinks the NBA needs an LA-Boston finals (which I think is BS), the powers-that-be reviewed the calls and rescinded one technical, meaning Perkins can play in the suddenly important Game 6. Funny thing is that the technical foul that was rescinded was not the accidental elbow slip when he tried to help up teammate Rajon Rondo. The disappearing technical was the one Perkins picked up in the second quarter for complaining about a foul.
This is not your father's NBA.
OK, all joking aside, what in the world is going on in the NBA? Boston Celtics center Kendrick Perkins received two technical fouls -- nos. 6 and 7 of the playoffs -- in game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Orlando Magic, meaning an automatic one-game suspension.
The media dropped the hint that the league could review it. And of course, given that the media thinks the NBA needs an LA-Boston finals (which I think is BS), the powers-that-be reviewed the calls and rescinded one technical, meaning Perkins can play in the suddenly important Game 6. Funny thing is that the technical foul that was rescinded was not the accidental elbow slip when he tried to help up teammate Rajon Rondo. The disappearing technical was the one Perkins picked up in the second quarter for complaining about a foul.
This is not your father's NBA.
Monday, May 24, 2010
This, that and the other thing
I wonder if I will ever start a blog by writing something other than "I wonder ....."
OK, now with that out of the way, the Cleveland Cadavers, uh, Cavaliers, fired coach Mike Brown today, Monday May 24, after 5 years.
It was a move the Cavs had to make for several reasons. The least important of which is to try to get LeBron James a coach under whom he can flourish. Doesn't matter who they hire because James is going to opt out and become a free agent July 1.
Another reason Cleveland had to part ways with Brown is the offense, or lack thereof, that really had no imagination. With James, the Cavs needed to run more.
But the real reason is simple. The Cavs went to the NBA finals in 2007. Since being over-matched against San Antonio, they have lost in the conference semifinals twice and the conference finals once. They have taken giant steps backwards in the playoffs despite having one of the best or the best record in the NBA. They are getting it done in the regular season but not in the playoffs.
Folks, that's coaching. I don't buy the "no supporting cast" argument. They gave James a still-serviceable Shaq and the consistent Antawn Jamison this season.
Just as a side note, of the Cavs 19 regular-season losses this season, all but 4 came against playoff teams.
Super idea
Mike Golic and Colin Cowherd, on their own shows on ESPN Radio today, ripped the soon-to-made announcement that the Super Bowl in 2014 will be in New York at the Giants/Jets new stadium.
They say the weather will make it a horrible game. They argued fans will be sitting in the stadium in freezing rain, sleet, snow, wind, etc.
OK, now with that out of the way, the Cleveland Cadavers, uh, Cavaliers, fired coach Mike Brown today, Monday May 24, after 5 years.
It was a move the Cavs had to make for several reasons. The least important of which is to try to get LeBron James a coach under whom he can flourish. Doesn't matter who they hire because James is going to opt out and become a free agent July 1.
Another reason Cleveland had to part ways with Brown is the offense, or lack thereof, that really had no imagination. With James, the Cavs needed to run more.
But the real reason is simple. The Cavs went to the NBA finals in 2007. Since being over-matched against San Antonio, they have lost in the conference semifinals twice and the conference finals once. They have taken giant steps backwards in the playoffs despite having one of the best or the best record in the NBA. They are getting it done in the regular season but not in the playoffs.
Folks, that's coaching. I don't buy the "no supporting cast" argument. They gave James a still-serviceable Shaq and the consistent Antawn Jamison this season.
Just as a side note, of the Cavs 19 regular-season losses this season, all but 4 came against playoff teams.
Super idea
Mike Golic and Colin Cowherd, on their own shows on ESPN Radio today, ripped the soon-to-made announcement that the Super Bowl in 2014 will be in New York at the Giants/Jets new stadium.
They say the weather will make it a horrible game. They argued fans will be sitting in the stadium in freezing rain, sleet, snow, wind, etc.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
My top 10 sports moments
So my main blog page explains that I used to be a sports writer. I worked for a couple suburban newspapers and the metro paper in the Dayton area.
I have covered everything from youth baseball in Beavercreek to "Major League" Baseball in Cincinnati and everything in between.
I've witnessed a lot of great moments, interviewed a lot of famous people and probably ticked off a lot of athletes being brutally honest. Letterman likes to give his Top 10 list nightly, ESPN counts down top plays of the week, top sports moments of all-time, etc.
So here I give you, for the first time, my top 10 moments as a sports writer.
10) In 1994, the UD Flyers were dead and nearly buried against visiting St. Louis, coached by the venerable Charlie Spoonhour. Down 33-13 at one points, Shawn Haughn, a freshman, scored 25 points in a span of 8:40 to lead UD to an 82-77 upset of the No. 17-ranked team in overtime. Haughn hit 7 of 7 from 3-point range in that stretch. St. Louis actually had to hit a shot at the buzzer just to send it to OT. After the game UD Coach Jim O'Brien looked like they had lost the game. They won the game but he lost the battle and was fired later that year. If I'm not mistaken, his last game was against St. Louis in the Great Midwest Conference tournament.
9) In the early 2000's I made the road trip to Chicago with Dayton Daily News Bengals writer Chick Ludwig to write a sidebar story on the Bears-Bengals pre-season game. Before the game, Ludwig and I went on the field and he introduced me to a couple Bengals. I met kicker Neil Rackers and asked him a simple question, looking for an obvious answer. The question was which kicker I should take in my upcoming fantasy football draft. I was expecting him to say "take me, of course." Well, his answer shocked me more than his inability to make a field goal. He told me to take a kicker who kicks inside, like Mike Vanderjagt of the Colts. What, no confidence in yourself, Neil? He must have been looking at his stats before we met. In all fairness, Rackers turned out OK after he left the Bengals. I also got to meet Mike Ditka.
I have covered everything from youth baseball in Beavercreek to "Major League" Baseball in Cincinnati and everything in between.
I've witnessed a lot of great moments, interviewed a lot of famous people and probably ticked off a lot of athletes being brutally honest. Letterman likes to give his Top 10 list nightly, ESPN counts down top plays of the week, top sports moments of all-time, etc.
So here I give you, for the first time, my top 10 moments as a sports writer.
10) In 1994, the UD Flyers were dead and nearly buried against visiting St. Louis, coached by the venerable Charlie Spoonhour. Down 33-13 at one points, Shawn Haughn, a freshman, scored 25 points in a span of 8:40 to lead UD to an 82-77 upset of the No. 17-ranked team in overtime. Haughn hit 7 of 7 from 3-point range in that stretch. St. Louis actually had to hit a shot at the buzzer just to send it to OT. After the game UD Coach Jim O'Brien looked like they had lost the game. They won the game but he lost the battle and was fired later that year. If I'm not mistaken, his last game was against St. Louis in the Great Midwest Conference tournament.
9) In the early 2000's I made the road trip to Chicago with Dayton Daily News Bengals writer Chick Ludwig to write a sidebar story on the Bears-Bengals pre-season game. Before the game, Ludwig and I went on the field and he introduced me to a couple Bengals. I met kicker Neil Rackers and asked him a simple question, looking for an obvious answer. The question was which kicker I should take in my upcoming fantasy football draft. I was expecting him to say "take me, of course." Well, his answer shocked me more than his inability to make a field goal. He told me to take a kicker who kicks inside, like Mike Vanderjagt of the Colts. What, no confidence in yourself, Neil? He must have been looking at his stats before we met. In all fairness, Rackers turned out OK after he left the Bengals. I also got to meet Mike Ditka.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Where are the fans?
I wonder where the Reds fans are.
Cincinnati has a first-place team, a bunch of young players who haven't realized they should be playing for their next contract, not for the love of the game (that'll change) and an empty stadium.
OK, not totally empty. But Tuesday's comeback win over Milwaukee was witnessed by around 17,600 fans. The ballpark was 41% full, but I suspect it was only around 20% full when the bottom of the ninth began with the Reds losing by a pair.
Capacity at GABP is listed at 42,059 and through 22 home games, the Reds are averaging 21,535. Only 7 teams are averaging fewer fans and I don't think any of those teams are in first place. In fact, all but 5 of the teams ahead of the Reds are in first place (duh).
I can't figure it out. I have made it pretty clear that I'm not a big Reds fan. But I have to admit, they are exciting to watch and so far have a knack for comebacks. That's cool. There should be larger crowds.
I don't buy the "small market" argument. More than 2.1 million people live in the Cincinnati metro area and throw in the Dayton area you have another 700,000 fans who live within an hour of the park.
I realize Tuesday was a day game but there's still plenty of people who could have gone to the game. And they have had only a handful of day games during the week. Except for the Diamond seats, prices are not outrageous.
Let's hope some fans start showing up while the Reds are still in first place because it won't last. Remember, Dusty Baker is their manager.
Is Hanley Ramirez the new Milton Bradley?
What in the world is the Florida Marlins ultra-talented shortstop thinking? He accidentally kicked a ball Monday then moved at a snail's pace to try to get to it. Ramirez blamed it on a nagging injury and said he tried his best.
Manager Fredi Gonzalez didn't buy it and benched Ramirez Tuesday.
Cincinnati has a first-place team, a bunch of young players who haven't realized they should be playing for their next contract, not for the love of the game (that'll change) and an empty stadium.
OK, not totally empty. But Tuesday's comeback win over Milwaukee was witnessed by around 17,600 fans. The ballpark was 41% full, but I suspect it was only around 20% full when the bottom of the ninth began with the Reds losing by a pair.
Capacity at GABP is listed at 42,059 and through 22 home games, the Reds are averaging 21,535. Only 7 teams are averaging fewer fans and I don't think any of those teams are in first place. In fact, all but 5 of the teams ahead of the Reds are in first place (duh).
I can't figure it out. I have made it pretty clear that I'm not a big Reds fan. But I have to admit, they are exciting to watch and so far have a knack for comebacks. That's cool. There should be larger crowds.
I don't buy the "small market" argument. More than 2.1 million people live in the Cincinnati metro area and throw in the Dayton area you have another 700,000 fans who live within an hour of the park.
I realize Tuesday was a day game but there's still plenty of people who could have gone to the game. And they have had only a handful of day games during the week. Except for the Diamond seats, prices are not outrageous.
Let's hope some fans start showing up while the Reds are still in first place because it won't last. Remember, Dusty Baker is their manager.
Is Hanley Ramirez the new Milton Bradley?
What in the world is the Florida Marlins ultra-talented shortstop thinking? He accidentally kicked a ball Monday then moved at a snail's pace to try to get to it. Ramirez blamed it on a nagging injury and said he tried his best.
Manager Fredi Gonzalez didn't buy it and benched Ramirez Tuesday.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Time for Notre Dame to join Big Ten
I wonder who will join the Big Ten.
It's a forgone conclusion that the conference will expand. It's all about making a buck, and with more teams, the Big Ten can have a football championship game, fill a stadium (probably Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis) and get a nationally televised game.
Cha-ching!
So who is going to join? I've read about all kinds of rumors from Texas to Nebraska to Rutgers.
Personally, none of them sound good to me. The Rutgers option is intriguing, some talk show experts say, because it would open the Big Ten Network to the New York television market.
Good in theory. But geographically it's not a great fit, especially for Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
I certainly hope the powers that be don't make a huge decision based on the number of households who could potentially watch the conference's television station.
Texas and Nebraska aren't good geographic fits either. Too far west and too far south.
I think it's time for Notre Dame to make the move.
It's a forgone conclusion that the conference will expand. It's all about making a buck, and with more teams, the Big Ten can have a football championship game, fill a stadium (probably Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis) and get a nationally televised game.
Cha-ching!
So who is going to join? I've read about all kinds of rumors from Texas to Nebraska to Rutgers.
Personally, none of them sound good to me. The Rutgers option is intriguing, some talk show experts say, because it would open the Big Ten Network to the New York television market.
Good in theory. But geographically it's not a great fit, especially for Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
I certainly hope the powers that be don't make a huge decision based on the number of households who could potentially watch the conference's television station.
Texas and Nebraska aren't good geographic fits either. Too far west and too far south.
I think it's time for Notre Dame to make the move.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Booing unfair to Castro
Starlin Castro is only 20-years-old. He made his Wrigley Field debut for the Chicago Cubs against the Florida Marlins Monday night and promptly made 3 errors in the Cubs 4-2 loss to the Fish.
The Wrigley Field faithful booed.
Castro is only 20-years-old.
He didn't skip high school and jump right to the Major Leagues.
He didn't politic to make the Big League squad out of spring training.
He didn't beg or plead to be called up from the minors this early.
He has gone about his business the best he could in the minors at DOUBLE A Tennessee so far this season and was being patient.
The Cubs, needing an offensive spark, called him up, mostly on his offensive merits.
The fans' booing was way out of line. I don't care that the guy drove in a MLB record 6 runs in his debut or smacked a 3-run homer in his first at bat against the Reds.
The kid is 20-years-old. He is going to make mistakes.
Shame on the fans for booing him like he was a seasoned-veteran.
I know what you are thinking. The guy is a professional and is getting paid to play the game. Fans pay their money and deserve the right to boo. I normally agree. Not this time.
Boo A-Fraud for, well, you know. Boo Milton Bradley for acting the way he does. Boo Ken Griffey Junior for allegedly napping in the clubhouse when he could have pinch hit in a game. Boo Radley. Oh, sorry. Got carried away there. That's something for my literary blog (which will probably never exist).
You get my point.
Maybe Castro's sparkling debut in Cincinnati raised the bar too high, too soon. The kid played in 26 AA games this year. Last season he played in 94 games in A ball and only 31 games in AA ball.
In 2008 he played 51 games in the Arizona League and in 2007 he played in the Dominican Summer League. Those two leagues are lower than the the Midwest League where the Dayton Dragons play (not a knock on the MWL, just a reference point).
So you can see, this kid is more than wet behind the ears.
Let's let him towel off a bit before we shower him with boos.
The Wrigley Field faithful booed.
Castro is only 20-years-old.
He didn't skip high school and jump right to the Major Leagues.
He didn't politic to make the Big League squad out of spring training.
He didn't beg or plead to be called up from the minors this early.
He has gone about his business the best he could in the minors at DOUBLE A Tennessee so far this season and was being patient.
The Cubs, needing an offensive spark, called him up, mostly on his offensive merits.
The fans' booing was way out of line. I don't care that the guy drove in a MLB record 6 runs in his debut or smacked a 3-run homer in his first at bat against the Reds.
The kid is 20-years-old. He is going to make mistakes.
Shame on the fans for booing him like he was a seasoned-veteran.
I know what you are thinking. The guy is a professional and is getting paid to play the game. Fans pay their money and deserve the right to boo. I normally agree. Not this time.
Boo A-Fraud for, well, you know. Boo Milton Bradley for acting the way he does. Boo Ken Griffey Junior for allegedly napping in the clubhouse when he could have pinch hit in a game. Boo Radley. Oh, sorry. Got carried away there. That's something for my literary blog (which will probably never exist).
You get my point.
Maybe Castro's sparkling debut in Cincinnati raised the bar too high, too soon. The kid played in 26 AA games this year. Last season he played in 94 games in A ball and only 31 games in AA ball.
In 2008 he played 51 games in the Arizona League and in 2007 he played in the Dominican Summer League. Those two leagues are lower than the the Midwest League where the Dayton Dragons play (not a knock on the MWL, just a reference point).
So you can see, this kid is more than wet behind the ears.
Let's let him towel off a bit before we shower him with boos.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Be careful what you wish for
This and that from here and there .....
I wonder who will be with the Houston Astros longer, Lance Berkman or GM Ed Wade.
Why is this relevant? Well, Berkman recently said that if he were GM he would explore trading any player on the roster, including himself. Wade responded with the typical "no issue" comment and joked that "I were the first baseman, I might want to be hitting .350 right now."
At 10-21 Houston is the worst team in the National League and if not for the Baltimore Orioles (9-23) they would be the Detroit Lions of MLB. They should be looking to trade away some salary and build for the future.
Berkman, by the way, is hitting .194 and has an on-base percentage of .296. At his current pace and based on the percentage of Astros games he has played now, Berkman has to get 153 hits the rest of the season to hit .350. The Astros have 131 games remaining so you do the math.
My vote goes to Wade.
Perfect game, perfectly empty stadium
If a pitcher threw a perfect game and nobody was there to see it would it still count? Well, ask Oakland A's pitcher Dallas Braden. The former 24th-round pick, who played for 8 minor league teams from 2004-2008 threw the 19th perfect game in Major League history in a 4-0 win over Tampa Bay.
A crowd of 35,067 -- all but 12,228 were dressed like empty seats -- witnessed the feat.
How pathetic is that? What a story he can tell his kids. He did the near-impossible and probably could hear the conversations going on in the stands at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum throughout the game.
I love to dummy things down so consider this .....if every student enrolled in Centerville and Kettering city schools were to have gone to that game, they would have had 4,000 more people.
As of the 2008 figures, there are 404,155 in the City of Oakland.
Wonder what could be keeping fans away.
I wonder who will be with the Houston Astros longer, Lance Berkman or GM Ed Wade.
Why is this relevant? Well, Berkman recently said that if he were GM he would explore trading any player on the roster, including himself. Wade responded with the typical "no issue" comment and joked that "I were the first baseman, I might want to be hitting .350 right now."
At 10-21 Houston is the worst team in the National League and if not for the Baltimore Orioles (9-23) they would be the Detroit Lions of MLB. They should be looking to trade away some salary and build for the future.
Berkman, by the way, is hitting .194 and has an on-base percentage of .296. At his current pace and based on the percentage of Astros games he has played now, Berkman has to get 153 hits the rest of the season to hit .350. The Astros have 131 games remaining so you do the math.
My vote goes to Wade.
Perfect game, perfectly empty stadium
If a pitcher threw a perfect game and nobody was there to see it would it still count? Well, ask Oakland A's pitcher Dallas Braden. The former 24th-round pick, who played for 8 minor league teams from 2004-2008 threw the 19th perfect game in Major League history in a 4-0 win over Tampa Bay.
A crowd of 35,067 -- all but 12,228 were dressed like empty seats -- witnessed the feat.
How pathetic is that? What a story he can tell his kids. He did the near-impossible and probably could hear the conversations going on in the stands at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum throughout the game.
I love to dummy things down so consider this .....if every student enrolled in Centerville and Kettering city schools were to have gone to that game, they would have had 4,000 more people.
As of the 2008 figures, there are 404,155 in the City of Oakland.
Wonder what could be keeping fans away.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
St. Louis sans Pujols?
I wonder how much money Albert Pujols is going to get. Probably somewhere in the $35 million a year range.
On Tuesday, ESPN Radio's Colin Cowherd said the St. Louis Cardinals can't afford to pay Pujols that kind of money because there are only 8 Fortune 500 companies in St. Louis. And because of that the Cardinals can't raise ticket prices to cover Pujols' raise.
Blah, blah, blah, blah. Or should I say, blog, blog, blog, blog.
It's what Cowherd went on to say that totally blew my mind. First, let me backtrack a bit. It appeared the topic was going to be LeBron James and NBA Commissioners David Stern's, uh, stern opinion that James should stay in Cleveland.
Cowherd said Cleveland needs James. Without him, Cowherd said Cleveland would basically roll over and die. He didn't use those words but it's pretty much what he said.
Then Cowherd decided to talk about what sports teams/towns could afford to lose their superstar.
Cowherd said St. Louis would be "fine" if Pujols left. He said the Cardinals have (Skip) Schumaker, (Manager Tony) LaRussa, (Matt) Holliday, (Adam) Wainwright.
What in the name of Stan Musial is Cowherd thinking?
On Tuesday, ESPN Radio's Colin Cowherd said the St. Louis Cardinals can't afford to pay Pujols that kind of money because there are only 8 Fortune 500 companies in St. Louis. And because of that the Cardinals can't raise ticket prices to cover Pujols' raise.
Blah, blah, blah, blah. Or should I say, blog, blog, blog, blog.
It's what Cowherd went on to say that totally blew my mind. First, let me backtrack a bit. It appeared the topic was going to be LeBron James and NBA Commissioners David Stern's, uh, stern opinion that James should stay in Cleveland.
Cowherd said Cleveland needs James. Without him, Cowherd said Cleveland would basically roll over and die. He didn't use those words but it's pretty much what he said.
Then Cowherd decided to talk about what sports teams/towns could afford to lose their superstar.
Cowherd said St. Louis would be "fine" if Pujols left. He said the Cardinals have (Skip) Schumaker, (Manager Tony) LaRussa, (Matt) Holliday, (Adam) Wainwright.
What in the name of Stan Musial is Cowherd thinking?
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Random thoughts for this specific Saturday
Just how good of a player is Derek Jeter? He's a first-ballot Hall of Famer. No doubt about it. I know a lot of sports talking heads like to criticize him for various reasons. But they should have his spot in Cooperstown marked already. Get the bust ordered.
Have your doubts about his first-ballot worthiness? Consider this ..... Ken Griffey Junior is almost a lock to be inducted as a first-ballot Hall member. Junior was the best player in baseball for much of the 1990s.
When Jeter made his Yankee debut in 1995, Griffey had 998 career hits. Jeter now has more career hits than Griffey, who had a 6-year head start. I know Griffey has had some injuries and is 40-years old.
Jeter plays everyday and is 35.
Any questions?
As a side thought, it would be hilarious if Jeter retired now and actually went into the Hall before Junior.
Phil and LeBron together ..... in Chicago?
It's unknown if Phil Jackson will coach in Los Angeles next year. But he will coach somewhere. LeBron James will be playing next year, but it's unknown if it will be in Cleveland.
Hmmmm. My beloved Chicago Bulls will most likely be looking for a head coach, their 4th full-time coach since Jerry Krause broke up the dynasty after the 1998 season.
Hmmmm. My beloved Chicago Bulls have the salary cap room to go after one of the NBA's prized free agents after this season. And with a strategic sign-and-trade, they could go after two.
With Krause out of the picture, Jackson could be enticed to return to Chicago. It won't be a rebuilding project, which is what he didn't want to be a part of when Krause broke up the dynasty. There are a lot of solid foundational pieces in place on Madison.
And James isn't necessarily looking to break the bank. He wants a big market (Cleveland is a top-10 TV market, but it's not exactly the cure for boredom) and it's doubtful James and Kobe Bryant can co-exist in LA. New York/New Jersey would be another logical place given LeBron's friendship with rapper Jay Z and his love for the Yankees. But LeBron won't win with either team. And after this season is over, James will still be looking for a title.
He could go to Miami and play with D-Wade but can the Heat afford them both? How about Orlando and Dwight Howard? Probably not enough down there to keep LBJ happy.
So that leaves Chicago.
It is one big player from being a contender. It's is one big market. There's lots to do. And the Bulls have the money. Oh yeah, James has said he grew up a Bulls fan.
Stop laughing now. It could happen.
That's all for now. Cheers!
Have your doubts about his first-ballot worthiness? Consider this ..... Ken Griffey Junior is almost a lock to be inducted as a first-ballot Hall member. Junior was the best player in baseball for much of the 1990s.
When Jeter made his Yankee debut in 1995, Griffey had 998 career hits. Jeter now has more career hits than Griffey, who had a 6-year head start. I know Griffey has had some injuries and is 40-years old.
Jeter plays everyday and is 35.
Any questions?
As a side thought, it would be hilarious if Jeter retired now and actually went into the Hall before Junior.
Phil and LeBron together ..... in Chicago?
It's unknown if Phil Jackson will coach in Los Angeles next year. But he will coach somewhere. LeBron James will be playing next year, but it's unknown if it will be in Cleveland.
Hmmmm. My beloved Chicago Bulls will most likely be looking for a head coach, their 4th full-time coach since Jerry Krause broke up the dynasty after the 1998 season.
Hmmmm. My beloved Chicago Bulls have the salary cap room to go after one of the NBA's prized free agents after this season. And with a strategic sign-and-trade, they could go after two.
With Krause out of the picture, Jackson could be enticed to return to Chicago. It won't be a rebuilding project, which is what he didn't want to be a part of when Krause broke up the dynasty. There are a lot of solid foundational pieces in place on Madison.
And James isn't necessarily looking to break the bank. He wants a big market (Cleveland is a top-10 TV market, but it's not exactly the cure for boredom) and it's doubtful James and Kobe Bryant can co-exist in LA. New York/New Jersey would be another logical place given LeBron's friendship with rapper Jay Z and his love for the Yankees. But LeBron won't win with either team. And after this season is over, James will still be looking for a title.
He could go to Miami and play with D-Wade but can the Heat afford them both? How about Orlando and Dwight Howard? Probably not enough down there to keep LBJ happy.
So that leaves Chicago.
It is one big player from being a contender. It's is one big market. There's lots to do. And the Bulls have the money. Oh yeah, James has said he grew up a Bulls fan.
Stop laughing now. It could happen.
That's all for now. Cheers!
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