Sports Views

But, this last week, after seeing Barry Bonds come back on his homer-a-day chase — fueled in part by whatever animus he has against Babe Ruth, and perhaps hoping to pass him this year, and perhaps fueled in part in other ways — I got to wondering.

Barry, you’ve actually been lucky. If BALCO owner Peter Conte had not agreed to a plea bargain, you might have been hauled into open court and asked some pointed questions about your use of performance enhancing substances. And you can’t just stonewall, or not answer questions, or go on the offensive like you’ve done everytime the media has broached the subject. Look at Jason Giambi; he had to come clean (no pun intended) under oath because he didn’t want to be the best home run hitter in prison.

It wasn’t very crowded and we were able to get very close to many of the players. Caleb got autographs on his hat from Vijay Singh, Retief Goosen, Adam Scott, Tim Clark, Mike Weir, Nick O’Hern, Mark Hensby, and Trevor Immelman. Yes, those are all international players; he wasn’t able to get any autographs from the US side.

It was a hell of a win, and the play of Robinson Cano over these past 2 weeks has been remarkable. Randy Johnson got unjustly ejected, but the Yankees didn’t suffer much because of it; yes, the bullpen was expended (including Mariano), but it was a game the Yankees had to win (since every game is indeed a must win). Unfortunately, both the Red Sox and Indians won tonight, meaning the Yankees did not gain any ground in either of their races; but by winning 4 straight games (especially under the circumstances—Randy Johnson being ejected in the 2nd inning), the Yankees sure are making a statement. Robinson Cano, Hideki Matsui, Jason Giambi, and Alex Rodriguez could not have chosen a better time to start hitting (althout truth be told, A-Rod has been hitting all season long). Even the bench players (John Flaherty, Bubba Crosby, etc.) are getting the job done.

It was, however, a problem in Philly, where Brown never quite figured out what to do with AI. While Starbury is no longer considered to be the foundation of the franchise — at $10 million per it’s Brown — he does present some of the same problems — a me first mentality, shoddy work habits, disinterest on defense — that Brown faced, and ultimately never solved , in AI. Eventually, dealing with Iverson wore Brown down so he quit.

So what can Bush do? Everything! He’s the president! How about he looks into why the city of New Orleans skimped out on the levee building? How about he looks into why the gasoline prices went up 60 cents in the state of Delaware when 70 percent of our gas comes from ocean tankers and NOT the Lousiana refineries as they are lying telling us? How about he closes up shop in the Mid-East and brings our troops home? There is so much he could be doing but doesn’t want to because of the kick-backs and the sheer ignorance he possesses. Unfortunately we have to see that right now Bush doesn’t have to do anything. He’s on cruise-control for another 3 years unless the U.S. Congress decides to impeach him for crimes against the citizens of the U.S. He’s got no re-election to worry about, he’s already done 2 things his daddy didn’t (get Saddam & get re-elected), and he’s made his billions off the oil gouging his buddies are responsible for. I always used to say that the easiest job for the most pay was backing up Indianapolis Colt’s quarterback Peyton Manning because you might take 6 snaps a year (mostly mop-up). Now I see the easiest job is Dubaya’s job: He’s raping the country and we can’t do a damn thing about it.

So, yeah: for the next month, all I have to look forward to is spending time with the specially abled folks at E$PN and telling drunk fat gambling-addict slobs the difference between a curveball and the f*cking nuts they’re scratching. Nothing makes the Bushmills go down quicker and sweeter than having some Vanilla Ice-looking jerk in a Men’s Warehouse hand-me-down ask me what I thought about David Ortiz and his fat head, or f*cking Ageless Steroid Poster Boy Roger Clemens and his close personal friend Jesus F*cking Pettite, or Those Surprising And F*cking Stupid Racist Cleveland Indians, or (f*ck me) the chance that the San Diego Bismarcks have of not sh*tting themselves stupid for three whole games.

I got appointed to sit with some muckey-mucks at a luncheon tomorrow with Brian McLaren. My first question will be an easy one: “So, Brian, who got the better end of the trade of Sammy Sosa to the Orioles?” That’ll test his generosity but not his orthodoxy!

I am not a big fan of football but I may have to become a cheesehead after reading about what Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers are doing for Mississippi. As many of you know, Brett Favre grew up the Kiln, a small town about 30 miles from where I live. He has not forgotten the people he grew up with. His Fourward Foundation is a charitable organization that has long helped various groups. Today, the efforts of this foundation are directed to providing relief to hard hit Hancock County, the county in which Mr. Favre grew up. This is the county that had towns such as Lakeshore and Waveland disappear. The town of Pass Christian has been 70% demolished.

Dan thinks that Baltimore fans have so much more integrity because they booed Rafael Palmiero. All I can say is that Rafael Palmiero is no Barry Bonds. I’ve been watching the guy for, what, 13 years now and in all my life, I’ve never seen another player (even before he got big) whose swing, his presence, changes an entire game. Here’s a guy who hasn’t played in a year, no spring training, no nothing, and the pitchers are still afraid to pitch to him, and with good reason.

For those not old enough, or sports fans, Stauback as teh quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys back in their hey day of the 1970’s. Looks like he’s a real estate guy now.

Starting in the AL, it appears to be just a two man race between Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz. Now right off the bat I would have to say that there is no debate to be had here. David Ortiz is a DH. There is no way an MVP award can go to a DH. The position shouldn’t even exist (which deserves a separate column of its own) and plus, they only play half of the game. But for arguments sake, I’ll analyze this a bit more in depth. Taking a look at the numbers at the plate, the race appears very close. A-Rod with 108 R, 41 HR, 111 RBI, .321 AVG, .421 OBP, and .600 SLG. Ortiz with 107, 41, 127, .297, .397, and .600. I would possibly give Ortiz a slight advantage here for his RBI edge, but then you consider everything else. A-Rod plays on the field, Ortiz sits on the bench while his team fields. And not only does A-Rod play the field, he plays it well (.970 FP, 11 errors). A-Rod is the best player in the game right now and has been for some time. As much as I hate the Yankess, he wins the award without a doubt. It doesn’t matter how good his team is or which team is winning the division, he is the best player in the league and thus the MVP.

Shaquille O’Neal provided an assist to police over the weekend, trailing a man who allegedly assaulted a gay couple before alerting an arresting officer.

The Cavs are primed and pumped to make some big noise this year! They started last year strong only fo fizzle at the end. This is the year LeBron and Co finally make it. The Cavs addressed their needs by signing Larry Hughes and Donyell Marshall to free agent contracts. Larry is an athletic wing player that can run with LeBron James and Donyell will do the dirty work. Donyell can hit threes and grab rebounds, play defense and be a presence on the floor. Larry will clog passing lanes, get steals and run and gun. They also resigned Zydrunus Ilgauskas which was big. ‘Z is the second best center in the Eastern Conference and the third best in the league behind Shaq and Yao. Look for the best season yet from LeBron James as he continues his jump into the stratosphere. Congrats Cavaliers fans, you are in the basement no longer!

In both shows, Ponson will receive visits and/or cameo appearances from his friends in the baseball world. Sammy Sosa is expected to be on Ponson’s shortlist, but no other names were available at press time.

No, Sage Rosenthals should be given a shot. He is the same age or a year or two younger than Feely. Yes he's only started one NFL game ever, and thrown less than 50 passes in the league in his lifetime. On the other hand we've seen plenty of what Frerotte and Feeley can do. Feeley split the Dolphin's QB job last year with now departed Jay Fiedler. Enough said. Frerrote has riddent the bench for 7 years.

In Green Bay, Wis., star NFL quarterback Brett Favre spoke emotionally about the devastation in his boyhood home of Kiln, Miss. He said the Packers flew relief supplies to Tennessee on the team plane for distribution in Hattiesburg, Miss., and further south.