Cheerios and Steriods

Yard debate this week has centered around whether it was worse for Manny Ramirez to test positive for steroids, be suspended for 50 games, give up $7.5 million in salary and being publicly shamed as a cheat or disclosing to the world that his testicles had shrunk to a level that impaired sexual performance in an effort to divert this shame? Biology is not a Yard competency but we never throw our balls under the bus even when money is on the line.

The Yard has been very patient while the Obama administration has socialized the economy politically and on You Tube. Firing executives and pressuring bailed out companies to rescind bonuses has seemed onerous and manipulative but we watched in silent prudence. But this week when they went after Cherrios, that will just not be tolerated at the Yard. Cherrios are as American as apple pie and as innocuous as the milk we poured on these allegedly deceptive whole grain oats. We fear there will be Senate inquiries and law suits from people who tried to cure heart disease by eating Cherrios!

Laker fan let us all back away from the precipice of despair. The Rockets won a home game that mattered more to them while providing Dr. Buss another date night and an 18,000 fan payday on Sunday. In 1988, the Magic Johnson lead Lakers barely won game five at home against the Jazz. Michael Cooper buried his only basket of the night with five seconds left as the Lake Show took a 3-2 lead in the series. In the aftermath of that scintillating victory Hall of Famers Magic, Kareem, and Big Game James lost at the Salt Palace 108-80 two days later forcing game seven for another Buss Family payday. They gnashed through two more seven game series to finally win their fifth and final championship of the 80’s. This Laker team needs another hero besides Kobe but they will prevail in the west.

Manny abused his “Manny being Manny” hall pass. He was caught, fined and punished.
The Dodgers are going to weather the Manroid storm. The next few weeks will be critical to our seat on this fan band wagon but winning 2 of 3 from the Phillies on the road is a good start. We appreciate all of the input and comparisons offered by the Giant faithful who patronize the Yard. Yard stones had been thrown with extreme prejudice during the Barroid era and the recompense was expected.

After spending two years pretending Barroid never played for the team, there were the Giants trotting unrepentant Barry Bonds out to their adoring fans at the Dodger-Giant game on April 20th at AT&T field. The Yard covered the game and was surprised with the video highlights and hero worship of this indicted pumpkin head. Steroids might cost Barry the Hall of Fame but it never cost him a game, a nickel or a tear. He never conceded anything, offered an apology or any remorse. No one believes for a moment that he did not abuse steroids. Manny has been forced to admit, he will pay and his testicles will never forgive him. Perjury to the grand jury is more serious but apparently perjury to the Giant nation has been forgiven.

The Yard rarely gloats on predictions but USC basketball coach Timmy Floyd has some skid marks in his underwear to explain. Playing second fiddle to the legendary Trojan football program might cause one to take chances while competing with the legendary basketball program of your cross town rival. It is not a job for the weak of heart or scant of ethics. With Reggie Bush going to court in June and Tim against the ropes paying blood money, it could be a long summer at the U in the hood.

“Always do right—this will gratify some and astonish the rest” Mark Twain