Grading the Red Sox trade targets

Interesting what you find on Twitter. It's kind of little sneak peak into the machinations of some of the sports worlds more interesting characters. For example, I follow Chad 'Ocho Cinco' Johnson on Twitter, and I have to say, really entertaining individual person to 'follow'.

Another interesting 'feature' is the bucket loads of trade talk you come across, as we get closer to the Major League baseball trade deadline.

Let's have a look at the guys the Red Sox have been linked with the most. We will give them a grade of anything between one and five stars, depending how much we like the trade prospect.

Let's get it on.

Jose Guillen

Couple of things worry me about this one. First off, he is no spring chicken at age 34. Secondly, he plays for the Kansas City Awfulness. How would he react in the pressure cooker that is Boston? We say, badly.

Jayson Werth

Yes, yes, we'll have some of that, thanks very much! A fierce competitor with good speed, a great arm and a potentially thunderous bat. Werth could make hay in Fenway Park. Werth looks ready to move on also, his body language indicates he is ready to try a fresh challenge. Tellin' you right now, this kid would rake at Fenway Park.

Scott Downs

Totally understand this is just a gut feeling on this one, not a fan. The stats suggest Downs is a desirable 'piece' for anyones bullpen. However, having watched him pitch the last few nights on MLB TV, there's just something about him that doesn't work for me. This sounds simplistic, but, he seems to throw to the meaty part of the plate, for me. Could just see, too easily, a late inning disaster happening here.

Kerry Wood

A luke warm 'yes' if only for this memory

Kosuke Fukudome

Interesting, but, why trade for a guy when we already have a number of players having better seasons in the outfield? Pop quiz, who would you take, McDonald or Fukudome? I like McDonald.

Chris Iannetta

No, no, no, no, no. No. There is just no need for this. First things first, Iannetta plays in a home stadium that has been inflating averages for average players for years, and the guy is only hitting .214. No thanks. Most of all, there is no requirement because V-Mart and Varitek are both due back soon.

Leo Nunez

Now we are talking. I have watched Nunez pitch a few times on MLB TV and the kid is the real deal. He has genuine swing and miss stuff, and seems fearless too. He has 43 strikeouts in only 40 innings and would be a fantastic addition to the struggling Red Sox 'pen. Throw him in with Papelbon and Bard and suddenly you have a very scary Red Sox bullpen. Pull the trigger, Theo.

David Aardsma

5.04 ERA, no thanks! Just trade for Nunez already!

Adrian Gonzalez

Doesn't really matter what we say here. If San Diego, in first place, trade their only legitimate superstar, there would be riots on the otherwise peaceful streets of San Diablo.

That slimy, dirty, greasy feeling..

Interesting poll from Harris Interactive being thrown around the major sports web sites this evening. Basically it is supposed to reflect the 'favorite American sports star.'

According to 2,227 adults the following individuals are the top two favorite American sports star

Favorite American sports star 1

One of the greatest slime balls of all time, an egotistical monster who cheated on his wife and children with approximately 13 women over the course of a couple of years. His arrogance led him to believe he would never get caught, until the weight of his transgressions eventually brought his house down. If you are ever in any doubt about this individual, if you think he is getting a tough time from the media, unfairly perhaps, just check out this brilliant independent documentary on him. He is a narcissist on Michael Jackson levels.

Favorite American sports star 1 (tied)

This guy forced himself on a woman, and then paid her off in civil court (do you pay someone off if you are innocent?) and then, to rub it all in, came up with this as his written apology, possibly the single worst apology in the history of the universe; "Although I truly believe this encounter between us was consensual, I recognize now that she did not and does not view this incident the same way I did."

In case you haven't guessed as yet, ladies and gentlemen, the favorite American sports stars, Tiger Woods and Kobe Bryant! Yes! Great! Let's all feel good about that.

You know, we all make mistakes, we all regret actions, and this piece may come across as sanctimonious in tone, which is definitely not the intention. It's just the sheer, nuclear level of their arrogance. Tiger Woods using his deceased father in a completely bizarre Nike ad, post drama? Kobe's sneering, ugly, arrogant 'apology'. Nice work guys. Superb role models! These two slime balls do not deserve to be top of a list of a global phenomenon, the sharing and enjoyment of sports, particularly when they are 'leading' the field on which so many children's hopes and dreams hang.

Whatever about those two people, and the lives they live, what does this say about us, the sports fans who deify these two clowns? What does it say about a society that has actively placed these two at the top of a poll as the favorite sports stars?

Think about it too much, and you just end up with that slimy, dirty, greasy feeling.

Interestingly enough, the rest of the list is chock full of stand up individuals, who by all accounts are not only superb athletes, and winners to boot, but also incredibly hard workers for their communities and charities. Jeter, Manning, Brady and Brees, four stars who can all be commended for their work in terms of children and the community, and they are all champions too.

Drew Brees

Even LeBron, he of the curiously bad decision making lately, is frequently lauded for his work with the children of Ohio and other charity groups.

Those top two though, they stick on your pallet like bad sea food.

As a segue, check out the poll section dealing with the favorite sports star for the group known as Generation X, those 34 to 45 in age. None other than Brett Favre. No, seriously. Check it out. How funky is that?

.

In running diary: Red Sox v Rangers - Lackey v Lee 17.07.10

Anyway, what's the first thing you think of when you think of Andy Pettite? For me it would be the permanent five o'clock shadow he has going on so effortlessly. Imagine my shock to see the Yankee lefty as the new front man for Dove, and their fine men's care facial comfort products! Just fantastic. He looks so smooth in the advertisements!! He could walk right out of that photo shoot and straight into a Gillette one. We can legitimately change his nickname to, 'The baby faced assassin'. Andy Pettitte and Dove Men Care, just fantastic.

Suddenly, Cisco hit me with a crazy asian man going insane over something' advertisement and if that doesn't wake you up, don't know what will. So, this morning we have the 'Condensed game' highlights from MLB TV for Boston v Texas, with Lackey v Lee on the hill. Let's get an 'In running diary' going!

• Previous in running diaries

Enough with the chit chat. Let's get it on.

Top of one
Cliff Lee, great, just what the Sox need to break out of their slump. Even better, single and stolen base to start the game for the Rangers. Funny quirk about the CG (condensed game, abbreviated military style for the purposes of this speedy little venture) is they say they cover every single batter of the game, but no, oh no, they don't really, they fast forward occasionally. And who are we to take them to task. Sometimes it's a bit jarring though, if you are trying to live in the moment and get the entire 'feeling for the game. This top of the first, great example, single and steal to lead off game, next thing you know Lackey is striking someone out and the half inning is over. Nice!

Bottom of one
Wait a second, is that McDonald leading off? Whoever it is wallops one off the wall to start things for the Sox. Suddenly without warning from the almighty CG there is one out, and Ortiz slaps a double to right. Ortiz is en Fuego, no? Can everyone who wrote and argued vociferously in April that his career was over now slap themselves in the face a few times? Thanks. Youk!! Youk!! Single to right and the big man scores. Red Sox take a 2-0 lead. If there was commentary, and remember in CG there is no commentary for some reason, just crowd noise, they would be reminding us that a 2-0 lead over Cliff Lee is like a 47-0 lead over any other Joe Punter pitcher. Beltre hits into a double play and the inning is over.

Top of two
Josh Hamilton strikes out, and slings his bat into the stands in doing so. CG shows us replays of this four times. Four times. We see Ortiz's double one, we see Hamilton throw his bat in the stands four times.

Seems proportionate.

Unusual end to the inning. Bill Hall makes a nifty play to make it two outs. Then as Lackey wipes his face in his sleeve, the dirty little knacker Cruz tries a sneaky steal of third. Oh no you don't! The catcher (Cash? Not sure, remember, no commentary!) spots it and Lackey spins and throws Cruz out. They had two on and they try that? Unusual, to say the least. Anyone else fully believe in this Rangers team? No, me neither.

Bottom of two
Why do they show Mike Cameron striking out twice? Was that vital? now I understand, it was, apparently the only interesting part of the half inning.

Top of three
The almighty CG gives us nothing. Apparently nothing happens in the top of the third.

Bottom of three
Michael Young makes a superb play to start the half inning, ranging to his left and then throwing a very slow running batter out, could be Mike Lowell, not totally sure, is he off the DL? Will find out shortly I guess. Not having commentary has some advantages, like being able to hear the players and managers curse like soldiers in the 7th Cavalry, but on the whole it's pretty confusing. Scutaro strikes out and we're done with the third. Forever!

Top of four
Big Bad Vlad slaps a single, then tries a steal but gets gunned down by Kevin Cash, confirmed sighting!! Turns out to be as big deal, next batter doubles. Odd decision by Big Bad Vlad, and a big potential rally killer. I'll say it again, does anyone else really believe in this Rangers team? Sure, they are ploughing through the 'hot' part of the season, but don't you see some of these brain dead moments catching up on them? While I Jibber Jabber the half inning ends. Someone grounds out, or something.

'He's behind you!!!' Everyone in the park, including Tito, spots Cruz attempting to steal

Bottom of four
In CG's opinion, nothing happened in the bottom of the fourth! At least nothing we're worthy of seeing.

Top of five
Yes! A 'get out of your seat' play by Scutaro, sliding to field a ball, popping up and throwing the guy out at first. Sweet, I like Marco. We get to see that one less time that Hamilton throwing his bat in the stands. That's all for the fifth.

Bottom of five
Cameron doubles off the wall, one of those scrapers. Cliff Lee gets two very dubious looking corners and the inning is over.

Top of six
Lackey looks like he is really zoned in. They shows a strike out to start. Just when I say that, snowball!! Snowball!! CG can do that to you sometimes. Suddenly there are Rangers all over the bases. Lackey looks like General Custer, surrounded by Rangers (who represent, you know, Sioux and Comanche etc..). Youk makes a nice stab to save a throw from third and the half inning is over, but not after the Rangers take a 2-1 lead.

Bottom of six
Damn you CG. There are already two outs, two away. This half innings doesn't look like it's going to be very beneficial for the Sox. Big Papi strikes out, and my fears are confirmed.

Top of eight
Wait, what, Eight? Oh man. Daniel Bard on the hill. Nice half inning from the young man.

Bottom of eight
Great catch. Inning over. Thanks CG! Man, what's their hurry! At this stage I notice there is 9:26 elapsed of a 13:26 minute highlight reel. Four minutes left, probably no chance of a Sox comeback all things considered.

Bottom of nine
They skip the top of the ninth completely. Maybe Okajima struck out the side!! Maybe, right? Onwards and upwards. Yes! Scutaro singles to start the inning. I like Marco. Sacrifice bunt and he's in scoring position. Papi grounds to third. Yes!! Youk, double to left! We're tied at 2-2. This Red Sox team has a pulse! Phew.

While I am trying to calculate the Sox chances of winning against the time showing (11:06 against 13:26) we are suddenly whipped along by CG to...

Bottom of ten
Cameron, denied!! Denied by a great catch at the wall by Cruz, his second great catch of the game. That would have been a game winner. he had to reach over the wall to get it and all. Gosh darn it. Most dramatically, they show that the same amount of times as the Hamilton bat throwing incident!

Top of eleven
CG is rolling downhill like an out of control train car at this stage. They give us one play from the top of the eleventh. Nice diving stab by Hall and a throw to Youk at first to end the inning. Nice.

Bottom of eleven
Marco at it again. Walks to start the half innings, gets to third as the Rangers throw the ball around on the attempted bunt. I am going to say it again, anyone buying this Rangers team winning it all? Ortiz is walked, to get to Youk, wow. That's an interesting one! Scutaro, easily the player of the game, trundles home with the winning run.

Great to see this Sox team 'Cowboy up' and beat one of the best pitchers in the game, in Lee. Great to see something resembling a pulse in what looks like it was a superb, tight game. Can't tell completely, thanks to the Vagueries of CG, but hey, got the general idea.

One final note, without Marco Scutaro, the Sox do not win that game.

Just saying.

Your game MVP, Marco Scutaro

Back into action: Quick hits

As a sports fan, this period around the All Star game is really brutal. We're still weeks away from the English Premiership and the NFL, the NBA is long since over and there's no baseball either, with the four day sabbatical around the All Star festivities. Pure boring.

Fox's coverage of the All Star game was hilariously bad, one of those things that was so bad, it was actually entertaining. During the home run derby this exchange actually took place between Erin Andrews and a bemused looking David Ortiz;

• Andrews: 'David, we know you are all about having fun, but, just how much fun are you having?'
• Ortiz; 'Uh, I am having a lot of fun.'

FOX! Incisive!

Finally, isn't it funny to see some genuine dislike appearing in the Major League ranks, sometimes between opponents, and sometimes between former team mates! Is it just me or is this a nice change to the ridiculous, millionaire playboy 'Buddies' clubs they have in the NBA?

Tooting your own Vuvuzela

Someone, who shall remain nameless, wrote this back in March.

Thursday, March 04, 2010 to be exact.

And, they feel good about it.

Original post.

The 2010 World Cup winners! Announced slightly ahead of schedule..

So did you hear? They have announced the 2010 World Cup winner ahead of time.

That’s right. All bookies have paid out, the trophy has been handed over and the commemorative t-shirts are already selling like proverbial hot cakes.

They are playing the tournament in South Africa merely as a formality. And for kicks.

The winners? Spain. In a landslide.

The tournament is there for Spain to take. They are in the middle of a potentially legendary run of form. Last night’s win means Spain have now won 42 of their last 45 fixtures, with their only defeat coming against the United States at last summer's Confederations Cup. They have won 42 of 45. That’s absolutely stunning form. You would expect a number of draws in there, whatever about losses. Spain are winning games at a record rate.

Winning a tournament near you soon

The opposition is ripe for the taking. France? A poor punch line attached to a bad joke, only in the tournament thanks to the hand of Henry and the incompetence of FIFA. They might not make it out of the group stages. In fact, they probably won’t. Brazil? They are paper tigers, Kaka aside, Brazil are not what they used to be. They will actually struggle to score goals. They don’t even know who they are themselves, Dunga their manager is trying to make them a European style, tough to break down unit, and that's not exactly creating excitement at home in Brazil.

England? Give me a break. The only reason England take part is to find new and inventive ways of crashing out of the tournament in flames. Argentina? When your manager is a former cocaine addict things can be exciting, but not really in a good way. Maradona's complete lack of any tactical intelligence at all is shocking considering what a great player he was. Holland? Not enough depth. Germany? The cliché is correct, you never can count the Germans out, however this tournament is a bit of a cross roads for them, youth and experience has yet to blend.

Put it this way, nobody can bring to the table the depth, experience, talent and flair that the Spaniards can call on.

You want goals? How about David Villa and Fernando Torres? If these two guys are ready to go come tournament time, they have the ability to be the greatest strike force the World Cup has ever seen. Big words, yes, but if you haven't seen them play, just wait. Both are relatively young and at the peak of their game.

Last night, against France, Villa scored his 36th goal in only his 55th match for Spain, moving him closer to the great Raul's national record of 44 goals, which were scored in 102 appearances. Torres might be slightly more famous, but Villa has to be a great bet for the Golden Boot.

Midfield? Only the best in the World. Bar none.

Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, Cesc Fábregas, Xabi Alonso. The Spanish manager has an embarrassment of riches, the only issue will be how to integrate them and get the most out of them. Spain has, without a doubt, the finest midfield in World football. After this tournament we may end up with reason to consider it the greatest midfield of all time.

At the back? The twin towers of solidity, Pique and Puyol, both of Barcelona, stand guard in front of one of the best keepers in the world, Casillas.

There is simply no reason to think twice about backing Spain to win the World Cup. Depth, talent, experience, they have it all. For the purists, they play beautiful, flowing football and score plenty of goals. They may be a little arrogant, but you have to possess that edge to be a winning team, so you can forgive them for that.

So there we have it. If you walked into a bookies this morning and asked politely for a price on Spain, 4-1 is freely available out there. Considering you already know the result of the tournament, you would be mad not to back them, no?

Vive Espana!

The Boston Irish 2010 World Cup team of the tournament

With just the inconsequential final and the wildly inconsequential third place playoff yet to play, Boston Irish would like to announce their 2010 World Cup team of the tournament. We feel well placed to make these selections having watched seventy billion hours of soccer football the last few weeks, and having read four billion man hours of articles based on same.

So, here we are, without Freddy Adu, the Boston Irish 2010 World Cup team of the tournament.

The manager
First things first, you can’t have a football team without a manager. The Boston Irish XI will be playing fast, expansive, free flowing football, and will need a manager who can harness the egos of eleven talented craftsmen. Step forward Bert Van Marwyck of The Netherlands. Always mysterious, shockingly silver haired, smooth dressed and even smoother talking, Van Marwyck performed a minor miracle in molding the Netherlands and their enormous, fiery and colourful egos into a potentially World Cup winning side. He is just the man for the job.

Tactics
Straight forward at the back, two roaming full backs either side of two trusty center backs. Holding midfielders are kind of like Nike runners in the eighties. If you don't have a holding midfielder, you are considered not in fashion. In the eighties when all the cool kids had Nikes, I had 'High Techs’, which looked like something you would buy for five euros in Bulgaria. The Boston Irish XI will be playing with a holding midfielder. Three more midfielders, one of those a number 10 type 'sun' in the middle, everything will orbit around him. He will not just be 'sitting behind the back two’; I hate that phrase, that suggests someone who is only interested in attacking. Our guy is all action, he will tackle back, serve as a link between defence and attack, and, hopefully, chip in a few goals too. Up front? Two lads who will be told, ‘Just go score a couple of goals, fellas. Each, preferably.’

The keeper Tim Howard – USA
Howard was a rock for the USA in the World Cup. He is a superb shot stopper, and one of the few keepers who actually caught crosses, instead of slapping haplessly at them like some sort of cowardly nine year old. His distribution was excellent, a great example would be his forty yard, pin point throw to Donovan to set up the all important goal against Algeria. Plus he has Tourettes, bound to be a laugh in training.

Left back Phillip Lahm – Germany
Kind of like a small, angry dog in defence, nipping at the ankles of attackers. Charges up the wings like a crazed little demon. Made England’s Glenn Johnson look silly a few times. Led by example, captaining Germany further than many thought possible.

Right back Daniel Agger – Denmark
Denmark’s man of the match against Cameroon and possibly their most complete player, Agger was composed on the ball and strong in the tackle. A great proponent of the dead ball, able to score the occasional cracking pile driver from thirty yards.

Center back one Paulo Da Silva – Paraguay
Da Silva was an absolute rock all tournament long. Paraguay’s captain marshaled a defence that conceded only two goals in five grueling games. He won’t get many votes for team of the tournament but he damn well deserves them. Should get more of a look in at Sunderland next season after a powerful World Cup showing.

Gratuitous Sunderland snap

Center back two Gerard Pique – Spain
The Barcelona ace is only 23 years old, but already looks like a skilled veteran on the World stage. Pique is brilliant in the air, always makes his tackles count and shows incredibly good feet for a big man. Superb World Cup showing has only added to his glittering, glowing résumé. The world of football is at his feet.

Holding midfielder Mark Van Bommel – Netherlands
Move over the Mary Celeste. The fact that Van Bommel made it to the final of the World Cup with just one yellow card is now the greatest mystery of all time. Van Bommel is filthier than Lindsay Lohan on a Friday night. Some of his tackles should be X-rated, the rest should be at least top shelf material. To his eternal credit he played the referees beautifully, while protecting a shaky looking Dutch back four, and a wobbly looking young Dutch keeper. Possibly deserves the Nobel Prize, or something, for his efforts. The Stealth Bomber of World football. He probably just raked his studs down your shin as you read this, and nobody saw him.

Van Bommel - actually a nice guy!

Two more midfielders Wesley Sneijder - Netherlands Xabi Alonso – Spain
With wild apologies and all due respect to Bastian Schweinsteiger, who played fantastic. Just couldn’t fit him in ahead of these two. Alonso looks absolutely World class at the moment. His work rate and range of passing is truly sensational, and, for me anyway, he may not be the most celebrated Spanish midfielder of the current crop, however he is the most effective. Alonso never stops working up and down the park, and always fancies a crack at goal. What kind of a year is smooth Wesley Sneijder having? Champions League winner? Check! World Cup Finalist? Check! Sneijder has set the world alight with goals at all levels of football in ‘09/’10. Probably Spain’s biggest fear on Sunday night.

Number 10 Mesut Oezil – Germany
With all due respect to Xavi, Oezil was one of the finds of the tournament. He was admittedly low key against Spain, but completely mesmerized for long periods against England and Argentina. England had literally no clue what to do with him. Beautifully balanced player, with a wide range of skills and a nose for goal. The best part? He is twenty years old.

Striker one David Villa – Spain
Barcelona signed this guy for next season? Not fair! Villa playing on the same team as, to name a couple, Messi, Xavi and Iniesta? No fair! Villa looked sharp all tournament long, and with a bit of luck could have had another three or four goals, easily. He’s consistent too, he was the top scorer at Euro ’08 and will most likely end up at least joint top scorer at this tournament. Brilliant goal scorer, and a feisty little bastard too!

Striker two Diego Forlan - Uruguay
Forlan was the FIFA man of the match against France, South Africa and Ghana. He scored some spectacular goals none more so than the vicious, swerving strike that temporarily scared the clogs off the Dutch. For all the high priced talent on display, Forlan was an engaging, momentous force going forward, and sent some fantastic Twitter updates to boot.

LeBron Bron.

Last night millions of people tuned in to watch some mega egotistical narcissist announce; “I’m going to take my talents to South Beach.’’

You bringing that enormous ego too?

You know, if you think about it, the Cavaliers owner, who went absolutely berserk in the wake of LeBron James’s ‘decision’ to sneak off to Miami, has several very valid points. If you watched the Cleveland Boston series a couple of months ago, it certainly did seem that LeBron did not give his absolutely 100% best. He certainly did not pull a Jordan and throw the team on his back and waltz past the Celtics. Instead he submitted a couple of half assed performances, seemingly biding his time until ESPN validated his outrageous narcissism in a live TV event uglier than no other.

Seriously though, Miami? As Boston knocked Miami out of the playoffs earlier this summer, it was shocking to see a half empty Heat stadium. Not exactly the most dedicated fans in the NBA. Naturally, they will sell out every game this coming season. How do you spell ‘Frontrunners’?

The anger in Cleveland isn’t reserved for just the NBA front office, the general populace is justifiably up in arms. This from a good friend of mine, a Cleveland native;

I was more upset when Albert Belle left. LeDouche gave up in big games. Boston got better, Orlando is still there and you still have to beat Lakers. Never warmed to LeDouche. Don't respect a guy who refuses to shake hands after a game. This is the reality tv world his generation lives in. Did not have to crap on Cleveland on national TV. Great example set for the boys and girls club in attendance. Has anyone been commenting on that? When the Pistons beat Jordan three times he stayed around to beat them. LeDouche will be remembered for taking easy way out. I don't blame LeDouche for leaving. Just the way he did it.

Strong words, softly spoken.

The funny thing about the NBA is, the reliance on one, or in this case two, super stars (Bosh is not a superstar, sorry Miami) is unusual and risky. What happens if LeBron or Wade injures themselves? Miami would be left with the guys they paid the bare minimum in order to make way for the mega bucks they dished out for the super stars.

I wonder what the insurance on LeBron, Wade and to a lesser extent Bosh is?

The bizarre aspects of this wacky side show are the knock on effects. I found myself thinking this morning, I would actually root for the Lakers against Miami in the finals, if my beloved Celtics failed to knock the ‘Huge three’ out. Frequent readers of Boston Irish will know, we are not fans of Kobe and his ugly, sneering act. On top of that, I would count myself a big Dwayne Wade fan. Yet, the manner in which LeBron has turned his back on his home town, a place where he has preached loyalty for the last seven years, is so ugly and contrived, that I would actually root for the Lakers against the Heat in the NBA finals.

When all is said and done, LeBron will undoubtedly hide behind the mantra ‘Just here to win a Championship’ but what he actually means is ‘Just moved to basically print money at my own discretion’. LeBron had everything he needed in Cleveland, an adoring fan base, a front office that was tripping over itself to make him happy and to surround him with as much talent as they could afford and the extra cherry on top that he was doing it all in his home town.

Look at Paul Pierce, who recently signed a team friendly new deal, giving the Celtics room to sign some other good players. Admittedly, Pierce is coming to the end of a very special NBA career, but when all is said and done, he will be able to say he played for one team, and one team only. He brought an NBA title and a lot of joy to a basketball loving city. When all is said and done, when Pierce retires, he will become a legend in Boston. He will forever be part of the City, and the City will forever love him.

LeBron? Is it physically safe for LeBron to even be in Cleveland right now?

Imagine how special it would have been had LeBron brought a title to Cleveland? As a home town boy? Instead he is just another ringer, basically a contract-killer brought in to a soulless franchise that couldn’t even sell half the tickets to its home playoff games this season past. Aint nothin’ special about that, no sir.


Thankfully, for every LeBron in the world, there is a Darnell McDonald



Let’s finish with the Sports Guy, who sums it all up beautifully with;

What a week for LeBron's brand. I just hope he remembers to wipe the blood off the knife after he pulls it from Cleveland's back.

Perspective, please...

It never ceases to amaze. This morning if you go through the various Boston and national online media outlets, you would think the season was ending in a week and the Red Sox were going to miss out on the playoffs. The panic levels are, in the media, at peak level. There is talk of the ‘backup plan failing’, and plenty of suggestions as to who Boston should trade for, you know, to avoid sinking without a trace.

After having seen this happen for years in a cyclical manner, it is pretty obvious that the old saying that ‘bad news sells best’ is definitely still cast in iron in the sporting media world. For those guys, it would appear ‘glass half empty’ makes for better reading than ‘glass half full’.

Wondering aloud, could it be anything to do with the fact that pre 2004 when it came to the Red Sox the absolute prevailing winds in Boston sports writing were very much negative, downbeat and defeatist? After the Red Sox simply wasted the primes of Nomar and Pedro, after the Grady Little debacle in 2003 in particular, reading Red Sox posts by Boston’s sports scribes was akin to delving into a 500 page book on suicide figures in Siberia in the mid Russian winter.

Many of the Boston sports writers simply don’t know any better, Dan Shaughnessy being the Daddy of grim, Calvinist writers. He literally thrives on negative press, drama and bad news.

With that in mind, it is easy enough to understand how many of the writers can not see that Boston are only 3.5 games out of first place in easily the toughest division in all of baseball, the AL East. It’s easy to see how they can not be happy that Boston has done this amidst the worst injury storm in recent memory. Some of the Red Sox injuries have been nothing short of bizarre, and they have all hit at the same time. Any excuses coming from Boston? None at all, they have kept chugging away and are still within touching distance of the Yankees and the Rays.

Considering the dark past of Boston sports writing, it is still easy to see how nobody is really talking about Boston’s incoming cavalry. Check out this list of players that will return this month;

Dustin Pedroia, Victor Martinez, Jeremy Hermida, Jacoby Ellsbury and Josh Beckett

That’s an influx of talent that any Major League team would be drooling over. With those guys back in the lineup and rotation, you would have to be somewhat optimistic, no? Considering how Boston’s minor league back up crew have held the fort, and stayed within striking distance of the top of the AL East?

You have to imagine the Yankees and Rays will hit rougher waters themselves. The Yankees have spent years throwing away their minor league talent in the hunt for over 30s super stars, how will they react to the inevitable injury bug? The Rays are playing on borrowed time, due to lose several key players to free agency in 2011. The sense of panic that will grip them if they hit any sort of a slide could be completely debilitating.

I like to think of the AL East as a three mile horse race. We have just passed the half way point, there is a lot of race track left to cover, and Boston is literally right on the heels of the leaders. How often do you see it, a race where one or two horses take the lead, only to be beaten on the home stretch by a better, more solid rival?

This incarnation of the Red Sox team has so far laughed in the face of incredible diversity, stayed in the hunt for the AL East amidst injuries that would send most other teams into a complete tail spin. With the big guns coming back, how could you be anything but positive and excited about the Sox second half chances?

Glass half full, baby, glass half full.

Jeremy Grey: That's interesting John, that glass looks half full to me.
John Beckwith: Wow, now that you mention it, it is half full!

F*** you, Luis Suárez

It didn’t really sink in until today, after reading a couple of pieces that agreed with what I felt at the moment it happened. At first it was just an annoyance of sorts, something itching in the back of my mind. However, as the weekend went on and the imagery became more and more vivid in my mind, I was left with one thing that had to be said, and that was;

F*** you, Luis Suárez

A one game ban is not enough for this arrogant little excuse for a footballer. Too strong? Not strong enough, I would argue.

In Friday night’s dramatic World Cup quarter final Suárez kept Uruguay in the tournament illegally by handling the ball on the line, preventing a sure, game winning goal. Ghana’s Gyan missed the ensuing spot kick and Uruguay won the penalty shoot out against a clearly nervous Ghana. Simply put, this was the wrong result. It should be Ghana v Netherlands playing for a place in the World Cup final.

Instead we are stuck with Luis Suárez and his ugly persona.

Why so harsh on the young striker? In baseball they have a saying ‘act like you have been there before’. This comes into play in numerous situations in the game, but most of all it means, if and when you win, don’t rub it in on the opposition, try and win gracefully. Well, someone needs to extol Luis Suárez on the virtues of ‘act like you have been there before’.

The rule in football is if you are sent off you are supposed to go straight to the dressing room. Somehow Suárez managed to avoid this Friday night, and we were presented with the sickening imagery of Suárez celebrating Gyan's misfortune (in missing his crucial kick) in the tunnel like some sort of bratty, infantile teenager who got away with some inane misdeed. To celebrate cheating at this level showed a complete lack of tact or indeed class.

This wasn’t the end of it. Bizarrely Suárez’s team mates stupidly decided to carry him around the pitch on their shoulders in triumph after their cheating ‘victory’ over Ghana. So not only Suárez showed a complete lack of class, his team mates were guilty of it too. They showed absolutely no sensitivity to the fact they had just crushed Africa’s dream, instead paraded around the field in ugly fashion in full knowledge they were only there after cheating of the highest order.

Amazingly the little idiot then compounded everything by talking in interviews about "the real hand of God". Suárez, you little simpleton, you couldn’t hold a candle to Diego Maradona, your entire career won’t add up to five minutes of the most mundane match in the entire career of the brilliant Argentinean. Diego was one of the greatest players of all time. You? Nothing but a dime a dozen cheat. Enjoy your fifteen minutes of fame, and the subsequent Karmic retribution.

See that’s the beauty of it all. The Sporting Karma Gods do not take kindly to the lack of class Suárez showed. There is no doubt in my mind that Uruguay will fall foul to some misfortune at the hands of the Dutch tomorrow night. Rest easy, those of you who didn’t enjoy the arrogant little pup’s ignorant ‘celebrations’, the Sports Karma Gods will have the final say, and for Uruguay, it won’t be pretty.

F*** you, Luis Suárez

You stay classy, Uruguay

Expletives!! Expletives!!

On MLB TV they have a nice feature that I believe is free if you are a customer or not, a condensed game the following day that shows most of the incidents in a given game. They normally take about ten minutes long and are a nice way to watch the game quickly the day after and get a feel for how it went down.

Interestingly they don't have commentary on these condensed games, and you are left with the noise of the crowd, the crack of the bat and the pop of the ball hit the mitt. It's actually pretty cool, for a change.

Another bonus is you hear much of the player chatter, in particular any back and forth between the players/managers and the umpires. Fantastic expletive laden verbal explosion from the Blue Jays manager last night, full of F-Bombs in various shapes and forms! Highly entertaining. Let's just say it's no wonder he got tossed.

You can find that game here, in the 11th inning the Jays score a stack of runs and the manager gets tossed, stacks of fun for everyone.

Note: You can check out the condensed games every day at this location, and again, I think they are free even for non subscribers. If you are watching and don't want to know the score, don't scroll down, as they have the highlights of the same game broken up section by section below the condensed game.