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

Tuesday’s Thoughts

While cursing the weatherman who is calling for 2 to 4 inches of snow tomorrow, here's what I'm thinking about this morning:

The NHL issued a 10 game suspension to Penguins rock head Matt Cooke plus suspending Cooke for the first round of the playoffs.  It's a good first step.  Ray Shero did come out in support of the suspension and supposedly Mario Lemieux has had a conversation with Mr. Cooke.  Now what needs to happen is two things: 1.) the Penguins need to add to the suspension and the NHLPA needs to back it and 2.) the League needs to institute financial penalties to the teams when one of their players commits such an act.

It seems the Yankees have awarded the No. 4 spot in the rotation to 24 year old Ivan Nova.  I think its the right move and hopefully the kid can have a good year.  My understanding is that there is no innings limit for Nova.  The No.5 spot is another story.  The team is impressed with Bartolo Colon and not so much with Freddy Garcia.  I have some concerns about Colon.  I'd almost go with Garcia and leave Colon in the bullpen or send him down to Scranton.  Colon's overweight and needs to get in shape.  Funny how Cashman hasn't indicated concern over Little Andre the Giant's huge gut but came out guns a-blazing about Joba Chamberlain.

This past week we had the two most ridiculous statements made by athletes when Jalen Rose called Grant Hill and every black Duke basketball player an Uncle Tom and Adrian Peterson equated the NFL players to slaves.  With respect to Peterson, maybe Adrian didn't take any history classes or watch Roots because blacks who were slaves weren't driving fancy cars, living in fancy houses and wearing designer clothes.  They were in chains and at the whim of their masters.  Somehow I don't see the same scenario for NFL players.  I'm on the players side in this situation but when you hear this garbage from Peterson it makes you wonder.  As far as Rose goes, I think that he is a disgrace.  Hill, Johnny Dawkins and others are not "black enough" because they had the opportunity to go to Duke University??  Quite frankly, the idolization of the Michigan Fab Five is a joke and Jalen Rose should be thankful that he has had the opportunity to play basketball for a living.

The Maple Leafs signed Tyler Brenner, a power forward from R.I.T.  Brenner is 6' 2 200 pounds and scored 26 goals in 37 games this year.  Five teams had been scouting Brenner.  Not sure how this kid will pan out but once again Brian Burke has dipped into the college ranks to get a prospect.  Prior to Burke, I never remember the Leaf organization doing this.  Keep it up Brian.

Yesterday it was announced that the University of Tennessee fired head basketball coach Bruce Pearl.  Pearl was in hot water for lying to NCAA investigators about a cook out he had at his home with high school seniors.  Pearl brought the Volunteer men's team back to the NCAA Tounament several times, including a Sweet 16 appearance.  He had a record of 148 - 65.  My question:  How is this any different than Jim Tressel??  Tressel lied to NCAA investigators and to Ohio State.  If a player did that he would be suspended and probably thrown off the team.  Tressel should be fired.  But Ohio State doesn't have the guts to do it.

Last night while walking the dog I was thinking about how I can't wait until the weather warms up and I can sit outside with a cool drink and a cigar and listen to a baseball game on the radio.  Radio you ask??  Try it if you get the chance this summer.  Before Extra Inning packages and cable TV, you followed your team via radio broadcasts.  There's nothing better!!!

Here's hoping Curtis Granderson has a big year in 2011.  There's not a better guy in all of sports.  This guy has his head screwed on straight and does a lot for the community and is an excellent goodwill ambassador for the game.  In an era when you have many spoiled and pampered athletes, Granderson is one of the guys who understand what a privilege it is to play a kid's game and earn a great living.

And finally, sports fans finally won one with the coverage of the NCAA Basketball tournament.  The four network partnership allowed fans to watch every game without having to purchase a premium package through your cable or satellite provider.  Too bad my bracket didn't do as well. 

It's looking like a Ohio State - Kansas final.  Not a fan of either team but what else is new.  Oh well, enjoy the rest of the toournament.