AI & Melo...Striking Fools Good

"Oh my gosh! Allen Iverson is headed to the Nuggets! They are going to be so good for each other!"

The reaction of fans across the country to the AI trade was something similar to this tunnel visioned statement, and at first glance, is almost accurate. Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson are the #1 and 2 scorers in the league and now they are forced to co-exist. Kobe Bryant and Gilbert Arenas would almost be better off.

Allen Iverson pulled an elementary school basketball move. "I don't like who my teammates are....I don't want to play anymore." How did the Philadelphia brain trust respond? "Let's give him what he wants, besides, he won't even come to practice." They shopped him around and waited for the right....how do you say it....opportunity to show itself. How convenient; Carmelo Anthony gets suspended for 15 games. Now the Nuggets need someone to fill their scoring void. Allen fits the part, except for the fact that he ranks 261st in the league in field-goal percentage! This stat may be a little misleading, so let's get to the bottom of this. AI is shooting .413% on the season. He is only 15 spots ahead of the notorious Antoine (no his first name is not misspelled) Walker. When asked why Antoine Walker attempts so many three point shots, he quickly replied "because there aint no four pointers".

Some people are quick to point out that with Carmelo out for fifteen games, Allen Iverson will be able to keep the ship afloat. OK. Is that really all that an NBA franchise wants to do with their team? "Let's have him come here and make sure we don't lose too badly." If Carmelo sits out for 15 games, the Utah Jazz will run away with the division.

Let's forget about the records or actual statistics and just look at the character issues we face here. Anthony has appeared in thug videos and about two years ago was charged with drug possession. Carmelo lucked out when his friend bit the bullet and signed an affidavit taking the punishment. Iverson reportedly threw his girlfriend out of his house naked. So the Nuggets decide to throw these two together. "They will be fine".

When Iverson was in Philadelphia, he controlled the game, took the shots, and was still upset. Now in Denver, he faces the possibility of being the second option. Look for this off season to provide the real "Answer".

Zito or Veto?

Jon Daniels has to strike gold in the oil rich Texas soil. Tom Hicks needs one of his “calculated risks” to actually produce some return. Forget about A-Rod. Forget about “The Ho”. A shortstop with an average glove can not win a World Series. The Ho was never the front line starter that was advertised. Eric Gagne is a great pick-up. Paying $6 million for a pitcher that recorded the most consecutive saves of all time is nothing to turn up your nose at. I’m sure Akinori Otsuka is smiling from his metroplex home.
Kenny Lofton, although twice as old as me, is still two times as fast and hit .301 last year with the Dodgers. Jon Daniels is being smart; he hasn’t let go of any of his potential all-star infielders and hasn’t fallen into the trap of paying an overweight designated hitter $100 million for two more years of solid production. Aggressive, but smart. That has been the Rangers motto ever since The Ho and A-Rod’s true colors were shown.
The $60 million dollar investment in Kevin Millwood last year wasn’t a foolish offer. He was the ERA leader for the American League in 2005. So why not offer a little more dough to a pitcher who has shown he can pitch with success at Ameriquest? Barry Zito has averaged 213 innings a year with the Oakland A’s and has persevered through losing two of his running mates in Mark Mulder and Tim Hudson. If Jon Daniels lands Zito, that would make a starting rotation of Zito, Millwood, and recently re-signed Vicente Padilla. That’s three 15 game winners at the front of your rotation. What other teams in the MLB have been able to score that? Oh ya, the dynasty of the Atlanta Braves during their run of 13 consecutive divisional titles just to throw one at ya.
The time to stop talking and actually make a run at the division is now. Morale was high after the first half of the season. The Rangers were a couple of games in first place even with Mark Teixeira only belting nine home runs. What happened in the second half? The Rangers inexperienced back-end of the rotation wore out and so the slide began. With Ron Washington at the helm, Barry Zito has become very intrigued with the idea of living in Arlington. Hopefully we don't scare him away.

Ya Baby.

Three Strikes & You're Out

The University of Oklahoma football team has dismissed quarterback Rhett Bomar and guard J.D. Quinn permanently. Bomar and Quinn "worked" at an auto dealership for a few hours a week and received large sums of money. Wow. Good call guys. I could just imagine those two snickering at work saying "dang dude we're getting paid for not doing anything!" (insert awkward high five here). Rhett Bomar is no stranger to controversy. He was busted for having a party at his house and a received a Minor in Possession at the Hornets game in his sophomore year. Bomar has created quite a high profile around the greater Oklahoma City area. He was a nationally recruited quarterback coming out of high school, and after multiple recruiting efforts, signed with Oklahoma. He redshirted his freshmen year and took over the starting job in the second game of his sophomore season.
Other than having a somewhat successful end of the season, Bomar did not make any headlines except in the criminal report section of The OU Daily.
The first thing that came to my mind when I was told Bomar was paid for work not performed: Maurice Clarett. How appropriate. A young talent with a big head. Someone who thinks they can take on the world. Well, Rhett, no pun intended, but your "party" stops here.
Thanks for the fun, thanks for the memories, and thanks for the heartache. C Ya Bomar.

Ya Baby.

Training Camp Memoirs

Cowboys training camp is in full swing. Super Bowl aspirations blow in the California breeze. Many of the starters on offense and defense are carrying an "I'm ready for this" attitude. What a difference one, if not two years, makes. Let's reflect.
Quincy Carter was expected to take the Cowboys to the playoffs for the second year in a row. Little did we know of his substance abuse. Lance Frazier was a starting cornerback while Terrance Newman was still trying to adapt to the NFL. Now Newman is poised to make a run at the Pro Bowl. Marcellus Wiley and Leonardo Carson were mainstays on the defensive line. Wiley had 6 tackles for the Jacksonville Jaguars last season.
Just because the Cowboys haven't had a playoff appearance in the last two years doesn't mean they aren't better. They are. With excellent drafting and free agent signings, Bill Parcells has loaded this team with talent and character (still awaiting a flare up from T. O.).
Only one question lingers: Can they put it all together? Bill Parcells has made it no secret he wants to win now, and let's face it, he's not getting any younger. Drew Bledsoe isn't exactly the fountain of youth either. The offensive line has been retooled, once again, possibly starting three new faces. The young defense will have to produce some points of their own if the Cowboys hope to be a serious contender. Bradie James will have to become the leader and show the other players how to play like a professional. Two years ago, James was looked at as an afterthought, now he stands to be the Cowboys leading tackler two years in a row.
So, once again, can it all come together? That's for the 2006 season to know, and for us to find out.

Oh ya, Cool Runnings is one of the best movies of all time.

Ya Baby.

In JD We Trust

Last summer, Jon Daniels and the Texas Rangers were "hoodwinked". The Washington Nationals were able to take Alfonso Soriano from us by giving us the lowly Brad Wilkerson and a few unknown minor league players to take up space in our farm system. Ever since the start of the season, the lineup has been missing one thing: a slugger. Yes, Mark Teixeira was supposed to step into that role and become a legitimate MVP candidate, but so far this season he has done nothing more than you would expect from a #6 hitter.
In an effort not to be seen as "the guy who traded for Brad Wilkerson", Jon Daniels has put together an agenda to greatly improve the team before the trade deadline.
#1A: Add a slugger.
#1B: Add quality pitching.
#1A was fulfilled today with the acquisition on Carlos Lee. The power hitting left fielder from the Milwaukee Brewers was traded to the Texas Rangers along with their top minor league Nelson Cruz prospect for Kevin Mench, Francisco Cordero, and Laynce (yes I spell my name with a "Y") Nix. With this trade comes a solidity in the lineup with that extra punch the Rangers have been lacking all season. Lee is batting .286 with 28 home runs and 81 RBI. Not only do those number eclipse anything the Rangers hitters have been able to muster this year, the number that really sticks out is Carlos Lee has only struck out 39 times this year. Keep in mind, that is 20 less than the Rangers best hitter, Michael Young.
As for #1B, only time will tell. If Carlos Lee continues the output he has established this season, the need for pitching could look less important and maybe make it into #2A. In JD we trust.

Ya Baby.

Anger Management

Two on, one out, and Brad Wilkerson at the dish. Wilkerson is hitting .234 and is 0-3 on the night. Kyle Farnsworth, who has made himself into a career fastball pitcher is on the mound to face Wilkerson. Only one question arises here: why?
Why let Wilkerson hit against Farnsworth, so he can use the lefty versus righty hitting matchup? Wilkerson, who has had to receive cortisone injections for his ailing shoulder twice this season, stands no chance against the overpowering heat of Kyle Farnsworth. Next batter up is (drumroll please) Jerry Hairston Junior!!! Hairston steps to the plate, stares down Farnsworth with a look of "Bring it dude, I'm hitting .207." Hairston battles valiantly, fouling off multiple 98 mph fastballs then finally is fanned with a slider that Hairston was an inning early on. Once again: why?
Why leave Hank Blalock, quite possibly the best fastball hitter on your team, remain on the bench? He's left-handed, lives off of the fastball, and can catch up to almost anyone in the league. So what does interim manager Don Wakamatsu do? Let's him sit on the bench. I hate to sound like a broken record, but why?
So we can mount a charge in the bottom of the ninth inning? To come in and face the best active closer in the game? To only allow ourselves three outs to score 5 runs?Mariano River has broken countless bats due to the effectiveness of his cut-fastball (including Gary Matthews Junior for the first out in the ninth). Donny, baby, give your team a chance to win the game and let Blalock face Farnsworth. Get a clue fellas.

Regretfully, Ya Baby.

Injury a Good Thing?

After spring training kicked off and was well underway, Gary Matthews Jr was not. He strained a muscle in his ribcage at the beginning of spring training and learned it would sideline him until the regular season began. Normally, an injury keeping a baseball player off the field for the entirity of spring training puts a tremendous amount of undue stress on a his shoulders. Gary Matthews Jr, or GMJ as the fans in Arlington have begun using, didn't feel any of that pressure this spring. Along with getting good at-bats and getting into, no pun intended, the swing of things, preparing your mind for the upcoming season is just as important.
GMJ did just that. Texas Rangers hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo spent countless hours with Matthews talking about Gary's batting stance, mental approach, and visualisation. The result, at the All-Star Break: GMJ is hitting .328 with 10 HR and 47 RBI. Not to mention an OPS (On-Base Percentage plus Slugging Percentage) of .912, higher than Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, and Miguel Tejada just to name a few.
Matthews also gets it done with the leather. I strongly believe most of us have seen his home-run robbing catch of Mike Lamb in one way or another. There is no need as of now to relive that jaw-dropping moment in sports history. With just two errors in the first half of the season, Matthews ranks among the top defensive outfielders in baseball as well.
The Matthews family has celebrated the fact that Gary Matthews Jr. and Sr. have both made the all-star game. Junior hopes to break that similarity though, because his father, "Sarge", as most people refer to him, only made the All-Star game once.
This week in Pittsburgh will represent not only hard work rewarded but also a dream come true.

Ya Baby.

Raise The Red, Blue, and WHITE Flag

On a day where baseball and hot dogs are basically a priority, the Texas Rangers disappointed their faithful fans once again. Roy Halladay controlled the game with control, command, and Canadian power. Another great start by John Koronka against one of the best hitting teams in baseball was negated by lifeless bats. The Rangers rallied in the ninth, but were not able to win the game. Like Michael Young said, rallies don't really matter much unless you win the game.
In their last ten games, the Rangers record is 2-8 and they are hitting an uncharacterisitc .242. Is this simply a slump, or a sign of things to come? The last three years with Buck Showalter has shown a serious let down in the second half of the season. If it happens again, it should be time to raise the white flag and bring in our prospects to give them time to develop. John Danks has been red-hot at Triple A Oklahoma. In his three starts since being called up from Double A Frisco, Danks is 2-1 with a 2.00 ERA and over the whole year he is 7-5 with a 3.71 ERA. It's time to stop protecting young talent such as Danks and letting it get out into the open.


Ya Baby.

Straight Shots for 6-26

Heading into tonight's game against the San Francisco Giants, the Texas Rangers own a record of 40-36 and 1.5 games back in the American League West. While facing the Rockies three nights ago, the Rangers first three batters were Gary Matthews(.332 BA), Mark DeRosa(.342 BA), and Michael Young(.326 BA and current batting champion). As of now, none of them are serious candidates for the All-Star Game in Pittsburgh. Can anyone say big market bias?
Ozzie Guillen is back in the news, nothing good as usual. Homophobic slurs and multiple expletives directed towards Chicago sports columnist Jay Mariotti typically warrant a tv camera or two. The punishment? Sensitivity training. In the words of Blazing Saddles, "Training? I don't need no stinking training!"


1. Regarding the Miami Heat basketball fans: It's pretty sad if you think making 1 out of 2 free throws is an accomplishment (Congrats Shaq!)
2. Manu Ginobili must have had acting lessons provided to him by his fellow countrymen soccer players before the NBA playoffs.
3. I hope Bud Selig doesn't come to college campuses and suspend me for taking academic steroids (adderall).

Ya Baby.

Auf Wiederhesen Boys

At an event that was supposed to launch the United States "football" team into the national spotlight, our countrymen in Nuremberg fell into obscurity once again. A record of 0-2-1 and only 1 goal scored by our team, not to mention an own goal by Italy, in the group stage of the World Cup can have that kind of effect. Is it because we were over confident? Were we overpowered? Or were we outcoached? Yes, yes, and most definitely YES. Our charitable FIFA ranking of number 5 in the world was more of a marketing ploy than actual evaluation.
"A whole new ballgame." Gatorade launched their famed commercial before the World Cup started to stimulate interest and - for lack of a better word - sympathy for the US soccer team before they headed to Germany. After two weeks of high hopes and egos shattered they came back to the states with disappointment rather than pride.
The Czechs were too strong. The Italians were too rough. The Ghanians? (how do you spell it?) were far too athletic. It seemed that at every critical point in each game our men stood there thinking "what do we do to get out of this?". I have no doubt Bruce Arena asked himself the same question more than once. The United States fluke of a run in the 2002 World Cup gave us a cloud of hot air to sit on for four years. As we eventually came down to earth during this journey, we realized something. We are still second tier when it comes to soccer.
Bruce Arena was the longest tenured coach in the World Cup. WAS. With such a young team, what's wrong with having a young coach that has played in those situations and has prior experience? Alexi Lalas anyone? That's a matter for another day.
One thing that our men can be commended for: Passion. Never once was I led to believe that the US team didn't want to win; they just don't know how to yet. Good try guys, maybe next time.

Clint