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

Tuesday’s Thoughts

While wondering what Nancy Gray is going to next rant and rave about, here's what's on my mind this morning:

* Derek Jeter's perfromance on Saturday was one that I will never forget.  That one game typified Jeter's career: clutch player and a winner.  It's evident where Jeter gets his passion for winning after watching the interview with his dad after Derek hit the home run to reach 3,000.  The first words out of Mr. Jeter's mouth was: we have a game to win today.

* The criticism directed at Jeter over not going to the All-Star Game is ridiculous.  The talking heads at ESPN started the nonsense but others in MLB are very miffed that Jeter did not show up.  Quite frankly, I don't blame Jeter for not going.  He just went through a pressure cooker to reach the 3,000 hit plateau.  On top of the fact that he was just coming off the DL and played 7 staright games.  Derek Jeter is the best ambassador for baseball: he's been a champion and he played the game clean.  Maybe ole' Bud ought to remember that before he has his minions take shots at the Captain.

* Buster Olney on Sunday continued on his ASG rants with a Twitter post that stated that players should be asked in March whether or not they will play in the ASG if they are not on the DL.  If they say they will not play, their name will not appear on the All-Star ballot.  A couple of questions for Olney: 1.) what about pitchers?? and 2.) what if its a situation where a player has not been put on the DL but has been nursing an injury should they be required to go and harm their team's chances to qualify for the playoffs??

* I wonder if Olney and his compatriots at ESPN would be saying anything if David Ortiz elected not to go to the ASG. 

* Take a look at John Harper's article in the NY Daily News about the ASG.  One of the points that Harper makes is the fact that the best pitchers cannot pitch in the game because they pitched on Sunday.  If this game is supposed to matter then how come we can't see the best pitchers???  Yet, MLB is going to go off on Derek Jeter for not being there.  What a joke!!!!

* It's being reported that the NFL lockout may be coming to an end.  The main sticking point seems to be the rookie salary cap.  I can't see that preventing a settlement.  It's going to be interesting to see the free agent activity once this thing gets settled.

* It appears the NBA lockout may be going on for awhile.  Not only are the players and owners at odds but the owners are fighting amongst themselves.  This shouldn't be a surprise as the small market owners are struggling to keep their heads above water.  Unless something gets done for the Charlottes, Oklahoma Citys and Indianas of the world, the NBA might be looking at contraction.

* And finally, congratulations to Robby Cano for winning the Home Run Derby.  He certainly hit some monster shots and what was really nice was the fact that his pitcher was his dad.  Not to mention that Cano beat out Adrian Gonzalez, Boston Red Sox.