tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

Bonds Found Guilty; What About Selig & Union??

Let me start out by saying that I believe that Barry Bonds used steroids.  I also believe that many others in major league baseball were using steroids or other performance enhancing drugs.  I also believe that Major League Baseball and the Major League Players Association knew that players were using steroids and performance enhancing drugs and did nothing about it until BALCO. 

So I'm not sure what the guilty verdict on an obstruction of justice count means when looking at the Bonds case.  The jury was deadlocked on the perjury charges.  If Bonds is guilty of obstruction of justice how is he not guilty of perjury???  One account I read was that the jurors were not sure that Bonds knew that he was being injected with steroids. Hmmm.

It's gotten to the point for me that I really don't care anymore.  Bonds biggest mistake was his arrogance in that he wouldn't just come clean.  The same can be said for Roger Clemens and that's why the feds are going after them so hard.  Both men could have avoided all of this by just telling the truth.

The bigger issue, and this has been the bigger issue for me all along, is that baseball and the union knew that this was going on and did nothing about it.  In fact, I contend that baseball and the union was quite happy with the results: a home run chase by Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, more home runs and higher scoring games.  Remember there was a fan backlash prior to the home run chase because of the the 1994 - 1995 baseball strike.

What irks me is that MLB and the Union are not being held accountable.  They could have put an end to all of this right away but didn't.  At best, they both just looked the other way.  At worst, they were willing accomplices.  Do I condone what Bonds, Giambi, McGwire, ARod, Big Papi, Manny, (that's right Red Sox fans...maybe Schilling too) etc. did??  No!!! But MLB and the union knew and they have gotten off scott free.  A big joke and a disgrace!!!

Will Ohio State Do The Right Thing???

The Jim Tressel story continues to unfold as reports have come out indicating that Tressel sent e-mails to an advisor of Terrell Pryor back in April 2010.  Of course, we know that Tressel did not tell the university anything.

At a press conference on March 9, 2011, Ohio State University Athletic Director Gene Smith quickly cut-off Tressel after the coach was asked whether he forwarded e-mails to anyone else.  What a joke!!  This is a cover-up.  The university knows that they have trouble on their hands.  Their respected head coach has been caught in a lie.  Moreover, he in essence was complicit in activity that is in violation of the NCAA.  Yet, he is going to receive a five game suspension and life goes on.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=maisel_ivan&id=6232153 The 5 game suspension is a joke as indicated in the article attached.  Tressel will continue to work during the week preparing the Buckeyes for the five games he will not be on the sidelines.  And life will go on in Columbus, Ohio. 

What bugs me about this whole thing is Tressel's high and mighty status while in essence he's nothing more than a win-at-all cost hack coach.  Someone of his stature should have blown the whole thing in once he knew about it.  But to do that would have meant that he may have had to blow up the 2010 football season, a season that some had the Buckeyes winning the national championship.

Tressel had the resume' to do the right thing.  He has won a national title, numerous Big Ten titles and has a 9-1 record against arch rival Michigan.  His job would not have been in jeopardy if he came clean.  Yet, he decided to look the other way.  The sad thing is that despite not doing the right thing, his job is still not in jeopardy.  Ohio State is a joke.  Jim Tressel is a joke.  Here's hoping that the NCAA investigation sheds more light that will cause the university to do the right thing: Fire Tressel

The Madness Continues

It's probably a good thing I didn't share my brackets last week because it was blown up big time with the losses by Pittsburgh, Louisville and Notre Dame.  Call it the curse of the Big East!!!  So I will try again with the Sweet 16 and look to these at your own risk.

East Regional

I think Kentucky could give Ohio State a run for their money but the Buckeyes should prevail but it should be close.  Marquette's run will come to an end against North Carolina.  In the East Regional Final, I'll go with Ohio State in what should be a fun game to watch.

West Regional

I'm going to predict an upset:  Arizona will knock off Duke.  I was impressed with Arizona and I think Duke was fortunate to beat Michigan.  UConn has been red hot since winning the Big East Tournament however I like San Diego State to move on.  In the West Regional Final, I'll go with the Aztecs.

Southwest Regional

In what will be a mismatch, Kansas ends the one-half of the Virginia Cinderella story by defeating Richmond.  VCU and Florida State should be an interesting contest as VCU's high scoring offense meets the number one defensive team in the country.  Remember VCU had to participate in a play-in game to get into the Big Dance.  I'm going to go with VCU as I don't think that Florida State will be as good offensively as they were against Notre Dame.  In the Southwest Regional, my pick is Kansas.

Southeast Regional

The Butler-Wisconsin game should be another good one to watch.  Tough one for me to pick but I'm going to go with Butler to advance.  The other game in this region also should be a good one.  Another toughie for me to pick, but I'll go with Florida over BYU.

Final Four

Based upon the above, Ohio State will take on San Diego State.  The Aztecs have had a great year but I don't see them being able to pull this one off and I'm going to go with Ohio State.  In the other semi-final game, I'm leaning toward Kansas but would not be surprised if Florida pulled it off.

I don't think it's going to matter because I'm going to pick Ohio State to win it all.  Old Brutus will celebrate a championship which will be more than the football team will do this fall.

A Deafening Silence From Pittsburgh

Several weeks ago Mario Lemieux blasted the NHL for not taking action about the head shots that have been prevalent in the league and has resulted in the best player in the game, Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby, being out since early January.  Yesterday, repeat offender and lack of respect, Matt Cooke deliberately elbowed a New York Rangers player in the head.  It wasn't a hockey play.  It wasn't a clean hit.  It was a deliberate elbow to the head with intent to injure.  By the way, Matt Cooke plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins.  The Pittsburgh Penguins who lead the league in penalties.  The Pittsburgh Penguins who continue to put up with the antics of Matt Cooke.  Curiously, I have heard nothing from Super Mario or Ray Shero, general manager of the Penguins.

If Lemieux and Shero wanted to send a message that something needs to be done to protect players like their own Sidney Crosby then here's what they should do:  Whatever, the NHL suspension is, tack on another 5 games.  They do this in the NFL why not in the NHL.  If they are serious, put up or shut up.

Now I'm sure this will not be appreciated by the hockey establishment.  Already today I'm reading on twitter hockey writers and analysts saying that its not right for Cooke to get suspended based upon past indiscretions since in this case the Ranger player continued to be in the game.  Are you kidding me???  Becuase the guy wasn't knocked out cold, Cooke should get only 6 games??  If the message is we are not going to tolerate this anymore then regardless of what happens to the other player, the offender should get hit hard.  10 games minimum regardless.  If we are going to base the penalty on what happens to the injured player, then Matt Cooke should have missed a lot of hockey as a result of the hit he put on Marc Savard which probably has ended Savard's career.

I do agree with a suggestion that Super Mario made which was to also fine the team if one of their players commits such an act.  Right away the establishment said, "that won't work.  what about the teams that are losing money how could they survive."  Well maybe the Islanders wouldn't dress all those goons if Mr. Wang was having to shell out some cash.

Please don't misunderstand me.  I love the hitting in the game.  I love fighting, I think its part of the game.  But I have no tolerance for the miscreants like Matt Cooke who are ending people's careers.  I loved hockey in the 70's and don't remember this sort of nonsense. 

Don Cherry is right on two points: Do away with the instigator rule and the NHLPA and the League need to look at the equipment that these guys are wearing.  Shoulder pads now look like football shoulder pads.  Elbow pads are weapons. 

I have to tell you that I'm sick and tired hearing about these commissions that the NHL has with Brendan Shanahan chairing them.  Who the hell is he???  His all-star nonsense was a joke and now he's going to meet with some others to examine the issue of head injuries in the NHL.  The same Brendan Shanahan who was on the committee to make the game more wide open after the lockout.  How did that work out since scoring is not up.

How about some common sense.  Do something about the equipment.  Do away with the instigator rule.  Nail an offender with a minimum 10 game suspension and fine his team.  The fact that Sid the Kid has been out half a season, the fact that Marc Savard may be done for good is a disgrace!!!  Wake up Mr. Bettman!!!

Brutus Buckeye Gets Sacked By Jim Tressel

I briefly commented on the Jim Tressel situation on Tuesday.  Needless to say Ohio State was taking a beating in the joke of a press conference that took place and the minimal suspension, 2 games against The Little Sisters of the Poor and Valley Tech and a $250,000 fine, that Tressel received from the school.  Now Tressel asked for and is receiving a five game suspension, similar to what the players received.  However, the NCAA is still investigating.

It needs to be pointed out that similar infractions as the one that Tressel committed resulted in the firing of 11 coaches.  While young athletes need to be held responsible for actions that they take, so do coaches who break the rules.  In fact, Jim Tressel lied.  He lied twice to NCAA  investigators and one would have to believe that he lied because he knew it would impact the Buckeyes 2010 football season.

What Tressel did is the worst example that you can give to any young athlete: win at all cost even if it means lying and cheating.  Have you seen that commercial where the high school basketball player tells his coach that the refs made the wrong call because the ball went out of bounds off of him??  His teammates aren't happy but the coach tells the kid, " good call" and the refs are informed of what happened.  Now if Tressel is the coach in the commercial, what would he say???

This whole incident is a black eye for Ohio State and for the NCAA.  What irritates me even more is that Tressel comes off as Mister Clean and Ohio State portrays itself as a clean athletic program.  Moreover, what kind of example does this send to all of those young Buckeye fans. 

If Ohio State wants to do the right thing, Jim Tressel should be fired before the NCAA starts digging because they may find more things out about the Buckeye football team.  And believe me that could be much more serious than Rufus the Bobcat's hit on Brutus Buckeye.  This hit on Brutus will be from his own sideline.

Cliff Lee Is At It Again

As everyone knows the New York Yankees tried to make a trade with the Seattle Mariners for Cliff Lee but were thwarted when the Mariners used the Yanks to get Justin Smoak from the Rangers.  Then in the off season, the Yankees targeted Lee as the guy they wanted in free agency only to have the southpaw sign on with the Phillies.  At the time, Lee said that he went with Philadelphia because he enjoyed his time previously playing there. But now Lee gives another reason why he chose the Phillies: the Yankees are too old. http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/yankees/young_at_heart_ibNRipxclGWEfcr7YAe8iN  

So in the interest of fairness, let's take a look at how accurate Mr. Lee is. Philly players over 30: Jose Contreras 39, Roy Halladay 33, Cliff Lee 32, Brad Lidge 34, Roy Oswalt 33, Carlos Ruiz 31, Ryan Howard 31, Placido Polanco 35, Jimmy Rollins 32, Chase Utley 32 and Raul Ibanez 38.  Philly players 30 and under: Joe Blanton 30, Cole Hamels 27, Shane Victorino 30 and Ben Francisco 29.

Now lets look at the Yankee players over 30: A.J.Burnett 34, Mariano Rivera 41, Rafael Soriano 31, Jorge Posada 39, Derek Jeter 36, ARod 35 and Freddy Garcia 35.  Yankee players 30 and under: Phil Hughes 24, Ivan Nova 24, CC Sabathia 30, Russell Martin 28, Robinson Cano 28, Mark Texiera 30, Brett Gardner 27, Curtis Granderson 30 and Nick Swisher 30.   Hmmnn.....

It's apparent that Cliff Lee doesn't know what he is talking about and should just think about pitching instead of taking the time to try to justify to his union brothers why he turned down the bigger money offer.  I was not crazy at the length of the contract that the Yankees were reportedly offering him based upon his age and his injury history.  At the end of the day, the Yankees may be better off that Lee ran to the Phillies.  They have not had good luck signing 30-something pitchers, especially those with past health problems.

With the development of the kids down in Trenton and Scranton, the Yanks in the long run will be that much farther ahead without Lee.  Besides he never wanted to be a Yankee because quite frankly I don't think he could handle the pressure.  Hopefully, the Yankees will get a shot at him in October.  Until then, make sure you take your vitamins Cliff!!!

Let The Madness Begin – Why Basketball and Not Football?

Well the brackets are out and all around the country everyone will be busily filling them out.  The NCAA Basketball tournament has turned into a national event.  People book off work on Thursday and Friday afternoon of the now second round games(more on that in a minute).  Retail stores advertise March Madness sales.  And how many sports bars will have some type of specials going on from Thursday through Sunday of this week.

I love the tournament.  Especially when a St. Mary's upsets a Villanova.  In fact, its the most compelling part of the tournament when the upstart knocks off a perennial power.  That's why I enjoy the early rounds even more than the Championship game.  And I think its safe to say that the NCAA Basketball tournament is far more popular than the NBA playoffs.  So with all this popularity and all of this interest for basketball, why wouldn't there be the same excitement for an NCAA Football playoff??  The answer: there would be.

Of course, the holier-than-thou folks who run the NCAA and the head-in-the clouds school presidents mouth the concern that it would put an undue hardship on these college kid athletes.  Please, give me a break.

I guess there isn't as much concern for the college basketball athlete as there is for the college football athlete.  It's plain flat out garbage.  Moreover, its plain flat out greed.  The NCAA and the schools are all about the money.  That's why we now have 4 play-in games for the basketball tournament which is now called the First Round.  What a joke!!!  These teams have has much chance of winning the tournament as I do owning the Toronto Maple Leafs.  But you know damn well that the NCAA will reel in big money for the four games from the new television deal that has CBS, TNT, TBS and TruTV(are you kidding me)  broadcasting games. (Remember the good old days of ESPN coverage!!)

The NCAA big-wigs and school presidents also don't want to give up the lucrative paydays that they get for the over 30 bowl games that now litter our Decembers and Januarys.  What a joke!!!  6-6 teams making a bowl game.  The fact remains that you could use existing bowl games to establish a playoff set-up with the eventual champion being decided at one of the major bowl games.

This has been a topic of discussion of discussion for years.  Even the President has weighed in on it.  But it doesn't matter.  Can you imagine the week between the NFL Conference Championship games and the Super Bowl a NCAA Football Championship Game???  It would be as popular as the Super Bowl.

Oh well, I can dream on.  I'll have my March Madness predictions on Friday.  Until then, good luck on your brackets.

The NFL is a Disgrace!!!!

As both sides posture to garner public support, I can only blame one side: the owners.  While there is no doubt that the players make a good living the fact remains that most of them have a limited number of years to make money.  The owners???  Are you kidding me???  There is not one owner in the NFL that is losing money.  Including the tight-wad in Buffalo: the decrepit Ralph Wilson.  So why do the owners need to grab more???  The answer: greed!!!

The NFL is a 9.3 billion dollar operation.  The three other major sports (MLB, NHL, NBA) do not add up to that.  Massive television contracts that are spread out across all 32 teams, PSL's, exorbitant ticket prices and an increase in sales of NFL merchandise fattens the league's coffers and the teams that make it up.  Would a publically owned team like the Green Bay Packers be able to make it in the NHL, Major League Baseball or the NBA???  The answer to that question is: no!!!  None of those sports have a national television contract which divides the massive proceeds to all of its teams. 

I have been an NFL fan since I was 5 years old.  That was in the early 60's.  The sport evolved and it captured the imagination of the American sports fan.   But I have to tell you if it wasn't for fantasy football and gambling the NFL would die because the product is crap.  The sport is not exciting, its predictable and boring.  Parity rules the day and its a league with 40 year olds still playing quarterback and in some instances the most important player is your punter.

When the NHL cancelled a season I was sick.  If the NFL cancelled the 2011 season I wouldn't miss it in the least.  I would much rather watch a college football game for pure entertainment enjoyment than watching Jacksonville play Buffalo.  For the most part the pro game is boring.  

In my opinion, there should be a cap on rookie salaries.  Something should be done for retired players.  The 18 game schedule is another money grab for the owners.  And what about player safety???   I guess that doesn't matter since you have the built in farm system , the NCAA, to replenish your team.

I'm glad the players did what they did.  I have no sympathy for the Daniel Snyders, the Jerry Joneses, the Ralph Wilsons or the Randy Lerners of the world.  But take a look at the players when they are done playing.  Bad knees, bad backs, mental health issues, aches and pains.  You tell me who I should cry for.

Then again as the millionaires and billionaires fight, the guy with the bar/restaurant near the stadium will get hit big time with no games, the hotel/motel owners will see a dip in profits and the stadium workers will be hitting the government for assistance.  But who cries for them??  As Larry Fitzgerald said this past week, its a disgrace that we can't get this thing settled when people are hurting trying to make ends meet.  Fitz has always been one of my favorites and now even more so.

What I hope for:  There is no pro football next year!!!  Just think we will catch a break from not listening to all of the talking head experts like Bradshaw, Sharpe and Berman.  I'm liking it already!!!!

2011 Fantasy Baseball Projections – Pitchers

There is a bounty of starting pitchers available to make for a good 2011 fantasy season.

5 Star: Halladay - Philly:  By far the gold standard for pitchers in this era.  Will go high in the draft.

4 Star: Lincecum - SF:  The Freak is a top-notch pitcher.  Last season, started slowly but came back toward the end,  Lester - Bost: This guy is one of the top young pitchers in baseball,  Sabathia - NYY:  CC is an ace and will help your fantasy team,  Verlander - Det:  Top pitcher, could be due for a CY Young season,  Kershaw - LAD:  Another young arm that can be your ace,  Weaver - LAA:  Very reliable and great source for strikeouts,  Lee - Phil:  Hardly walks anybody and should do very well in weak NL,  Hernandez - Sea:  King Felix has nasty stuff.  Should do well for you in all categories, except for wins due to the team he plays for,  Price - TB:  Ends up being ace on a good young pitching staff,  Jimenez - Colo:  This guy was lights out the first half of the season.  Tailed off second half which raises some concerns for me,  Hamels - Phil:  Cole bounced back nicely and I'm looking for a big year,  Johnson - Fla:  Under-rated staff ace.

3 Star:  Buchholz - Bost: Love this kid and definitely a nice 1 or 2,  Haren - LAA:  Dan Haren is one of my favorites,  Gollardo - Milw:  This guy has all kinds of ability but has not yet reached ace status,  Cain - SF:  Be mindful of some health issues this spring.  Has never really been a great fantasy pitcher,  Oswalt - Phil: Should do well on this team,  Hanson - Atl: Could be a breakout pitcher thsi year,  Liriano - Minn:  Injuries are this guy's problems and because of that he scares me,  Billingsley - LAD:  I like this kid a lot.  Could be the year he really distinguishes himself,  Marcum - Milw:  Has pitched really well in tough AL East.  Now goes to NL Central where he should thrive,  Garza - Cubs:  Can be a real stud in weak NL.  Has had some arm issues this spring,  Danks - CWS: Very consistent.

2 Star: Carpenter - STL: With Wainright going down, Carpenter is THE man.  Check out his health,  Latos - SD: Had nice season last year and people took notice.  Watch out for a possible fall back this season,  Hudson - Ariz:  Highly touted youngster.  Would be a nice number 4 on your roster,  Hughes - NYY:  One of my favorite Yankee pitchers.  Should post good numbers,  Shields - TB:  Steady pitcher,  Lackey - Bost:  Lackey took a step back last year.  Should bounce back,  Hudson - Atl:  Tim had a nice bounce back season last year.  Consumate pro and if he stays healthy a nice pick for your fantasy team,  Beckett - Bost:  After nice first year with Bosox, has been up and down.  Not necessarily a sure thing anymore,  Dempster - Cubs:  Quality pitcher who fits in nicely on your fantasy roster,  Lilly - LAD:  One of my all-time favorites.  Love the guy, he's a bulldog,  Floyd - CWS: Nice pick to be your 4th starter,  Gonzalez - OAK: Has the potential to be a real star this year.  Nice value pick,  Jackson - CWS:  With this line-up should post good numbers,  Morrow - Tor:  I like this kid and makes a nice 4th starter,  Vazquez - Fla:  Going back to NL should help Javy big time,  Rodrieguez - Houst:  Very consistent,  Romero - Tor:  Another Blue Jay youngster who can help your fantasy team,  Volquez - Cinc:  Loads of talent but injury issues.  Be mindful,  Garcia - STL:  Nice season last year.  Could take a step backwards,  Lowe - ATL: Nice guy to have to round out your fantasy rotation,  Davis - TB:  Another good young TB pitcher.

Others to watch:  Zambrano - Cubs, Bailey - Cinc, Anderson - Oak, Kazmir - LAA, Santana - LAA, Nolasco - Fla,  Scherzer - Det, DeLa Rosa - Colo, Wilson - Tex, Lewis - Tex, Zimmermann - Wash, Myers - Houst, Guthrie - Balt,  Matusz - Balt, Pelfrey - NYM, Arroyo - Cinc.

Black Balled List:  Pavano - Minn:  Wouldn't take this guy if I was desperate,  Peavy - CWS:  Too many injury concerns, Liriano - Minn:  The same goes for this guy.

2011 Fantasy Baseball Projections – Outfielders (Part 3)

There are plenty of 0ne star players.  I will list them and tell you what I think.  Here we go:

1 star

Bruce - Cinc: This kid could be due for a break out season,   Hart - Milw: Definitely worth being on your fantasy team.  Check out his health situation,   Granderson - NYY:  One of my favorite people in baseball.  Has been on fire since batting adjustments made last year,   Markakis - Balt: Disappointing season last year. He should bounce back,   Beltran - NYM:  Big question mark health-wise.

Victorino - Phil: Gives you some power and provides stolen bases.  Nice guy to have in your outfield,   Ramirez - TB: He's older and prone to long absences,  Pierre - CWS:  One of my old reliables.  Can't beat the steals,  Kubel - Minn:  This guy is a great player to round out your outfield.  Provides home runs and RBI's,  Hunter - LAA: Every time I close the book on this guy he still produces,  Gardner - NYY:  Will get steals and should provide good on base percentage.  Hopefully hits better for average.

Pagan - NYM: This kid should provide steals and runs,  Snider - Tor:  This kid should provide homers and RBI's.  Lot of upside,   Ibanez - Phil:  Serviceable player to round out your roster,   Wells - LAA: Last year was a bounce back year for Vernon.  Be careful,   Lee - Houst(1b elig):  Could bounce back.  I have my doubts,    Ordonez - Det: I've always liked Magglio.  Nice guy to fill out roster,  Soriano - Cubs:  Will get you homers and decent average.  Injuries are a concern.

Bourn - Houst:  Not a better guy for stolen bases,  Quentin - CWS:  Has never reached his fantastic 2008 numbers.  Have to look at him now as someone to fill out your roster,  Sizemore - Cleve:  Health is a major issue.  May be ready by mid to late April.  Very risky,  Span - Minn:  This guy is a solid player.  Steals, runs and average are his fantasy game,   R. Davis - Tor:  Playing on artifical turf should up the steals and the average.

Byrd - Cubs: Consistent player to fill out your roster,  Zobrist - TB: I like him as a player, not so much for fantasy,  Crisp - Oak: Should get you steals if he can stay sober behind the wheel,  C. Young - Ariz:  Could be a 20-20 man this year,  Colvin - Cubs:  I like the kid but not sure I would draft him,  Cuddeyer - Minn (1b): Nice player to fill out the roster.

Players To Watch:  Bruce, Granderson, Pierre, Kubel, Gardner, Pagan, Bourn, Span, R.Davis, Cuddeyer and C. Young.

Black Balled List - Lee - Houst:  I've already spoke to this.  Simply - He killed me last year.  Ramirez - TB:  He's done and he is not one of my favorites.