It was a rough week for cultural icons. The Gloved One and Farrah going down on the same day was cosmically tragic. This perpetual live coverage of death featured Michael Jackson with Farrah as a soft undercurrent for many of the Yard loyalists. As we watched the impromptu celebration in front of the original Jackson Family home in Gary, Indiana, we could not help but wonder who among them had any of Jackson’s classic songs on their iPod that they played in that hood the previous week?
We grew up watching Michael Jackson grow up. He turned out a bit different than the parameters of his gene pool and other social mores but his song deck is on this parental iPod. In 1970, twelve year old MJ was shaking it on the Ed Sullivan Show for the nation. On another November night in this seminal year, this thirteen year old was shaking before the tribunal council of my parents, Sister Leona and Mrs. Salisbury at Incarnation Elementary School. Jackson had defined his path on his way to becoming the King of Pop. My inquiring parents and educators wanted to know how much more of my youth would be wasted on idle musings and quixotic ramblings about nonsensical things in effort to elicit laughter. There were more questions than answers that night in 8th grade.
Farrah was a tougher blow. We shared an intimate relationship that went beyond the red bathing suit poster. It was introspective and special at a level that only 11 million other teenage boys were enjoying with that angel of Charlie. We broke it off before college without any hard feelings but her passing was a difficult day nonetheless.
Back at the Yard…Laker Fan, we cherish the championship; hope the doctor can keep the band together because the future looks bright. But it is time to lower the purple and yellow flags off the passenger windows of your car. We never quite got on board with Laker Flag Nation but supported the enthusiasm. It is time to store the flags for next May and get out the blue foam finger. Check that off for this holiday weekend.
L.A. Times and Bill Plaschke, enough about the outrage of Manny playing tune-up games in the minors. He paid more for his sins than any other MLB steroid offender ever. Barry, A-Rod, Clemens, Cansecidiot, and the rest of the unindicted legions who never paid a dime while garnering big salaries at ages when most Generation IX Hall of Famers have long retired without recompense. Ramirez is paid by the MLB game so he is not paid while playing in the minors. The Yard argues that is a boon for Albuquerque to have a player like Manram playing before the local fans. It was good for local and national baseball and Manny did not profit. He was docked fifty games pay and he is coming back. We do not need the mea culpa story or the reason just a home run threat in the three spot. We are more concerned about the chemistry of a young team that has played better without him than his confession of a sin most would commit given the skill and the chance.
While all current potential hall of fame players will have their career scrutinized for traces of performance enhancement, Donald Fehr and Bud Selig should be equally scrutinized for their glaucoma laden leadership. Commissioner Bud Selig and Donald Fehr should have asterisks next to their names when and if they come up for election to the hall. They were at the helm for the start of the abuse. Bud Selig became commissioner of the MLB in 1992. Don Fehr has been the Executive Director of the Major League Baseball Players association since 1985.
In March 2005, Buddy Selig testified before congress stating that he had no personal knowledge of any PED abuse and that the MLB owners supported the Drug Free Sports Act. Bud knew full well that the players association would fight mandatory testing and that no reliable tests for the HGH existed. He threw down the limp gauntlet towards a players association that was profiting as much as he and the others owners were. He had already cashed out of the pyramid scheme twelve months earlier as an owner. Bud Selig now earns $18.3 million per year as the commissioner of baseball, not bad for a car salesman from Milwaukee!
In May 2005, Fehr as has the head of the players union testified before congress that he felt that the Drug Free Sports Act was a threat to the nation’s most widely held beliefs?! We are still researching what widely held beliefs mandatory drug testing would subjugate these well paid athletes but his patriotic outrage has been well noted. Attorneys testifying to attorneys can be a clever exercise among the smartest a-holes in the room arguing about verbs. Fehr and the boys on the hill did not disappoint.
Don Fehr is retiring and garnering praise for his stalwart leadership. Bud can not be too far behind him. It is hard to imagine that these leaders of the owners and the players union had no idea of the size and scope of the performance enhancing drug issue. MLB Players salaries went from an average of $964,979 per year in 1995 after the last labor strike to $3.3 million this past year. Don Fehr made millions and fought drug testing for years. Bud bought the Brewers for $13 million and sold them for $180 million in 2004 before these scandals under his leadership became public. Turning a blind eye was minimally invasive and extremely profitable for Bud, Don and their minions.
The rain is famous for falling on the just and unjust alike, but if I had the management of such affairs I would rain softly and sweetly on the just, but if I caught a sample of the unjust out doors I would drown him. Mark Twain
Monday, June 29, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Yes, we need a parade!
Kobe Bryant is a polarizing personality in LA sports history. He is loved more than hated but either emotion breathes fire and presence in the bearer. His basketball brilliance is at times overshadowed by his relationship with Shaq and a certain concierge in Eagle Colorado. Kobe Haters are as a rabid as his local supporters. Many of those haters are former Laker Fans who will never forget the aftermath of the debacle in Detroit. The Yard is a fan of his basketball brilliance and has a different perspective on the Shaq era. Regardless, Sunday night was a championship for the Lakers, history for Phil Jackson, vindication for Kobe and a reason to celebrate in LA.
In the past twelve months, Bryant has played in two NBA finals and the Olympic Games. His team lost to the hated Celtics last June and he wanted to face them this June. Kobe will be back to the Finals but the Celtics might not again during his era. Before time could heal the defeat by the hated, the Beijing Olympics called a new Dream Team. Basketball USA needed the US back to get back to the top against a formidable world. On a Saturday night last August, Kobe buried Pau Gasol and his Spanish team mates on the way to the gold medal. This past Sunday night, Kobe and Pau partnered to win the NBA gold medal. For many, that is great career. For Kobe, it was a great year. Yard speak suggests he is not done on the career thing.
While news pundits across the basin debate the merits of hosting a championship parade during this economic downturn, may we focus on the host and not the merit. The merit was earned in Orlando against an opponent that was dispatched with purpose and resolve. The city needs a champion and a rally and a damn parade…make it happen.
Jack, Leonardo, Dustin, and the rest of the celebrity fans that root for the Lakers while navigating the best camera angles, step up. Is it better to be photographed in soup kitchens or Darfur or to pony up some dough to Tony V and the team downtown to host this event? Probably not but LA needs a reason to celebrate that does not have a voter interest. Jerry Buss already committed $1 million from the Lakers to subsidize costs. If the city gets close, call Jeannie not Jerry for the last hundie. Dr. B is half asleep most of the time and Jeannie looks like a good time waiting to be financed.
You can argue that such frivolity is out of line with these dire economic times. Shall we wallow in despair and fret or embrace a heroic effort by a much maligned team in a beleaguered city that delivered in prime time to the nation? See the merit, find the hosts.
In the past twelve months, Bryant has played in two NBA finals and the Olympic Games. His team lost to the hated Celtics last June and he wanted to face them this June. Kobe will be back to the Finals but the Celtics might not again during his era. Before time could heal the defeat by the hated, the Beijing Olympics called a new Dream Team. Basketball USA needed the US back to get back to the top against a formidable world. On a Saturday night last August, Kobe buried Pau Gasol and his Spanish team mates on the way to the gold medal. This past Sunday night, Kobe and Pau partnered to win the NBA gold medal. For many, that is great career. For Kobe, it was a great year. Yard speak suggests he is not done on the career thing.
While news pundits across the basin debate the merits of hosting a championship parade during this economic downturn, may we focus on the host and not the merit. The merit was earned in Orlando against an opponent that was dispatched with purpose and resolve. The city needs a champion and a rally and a damn parade…make it happen.
Jack, Leonardo, Dustin, and the rest of the celebrity fans that root for the Lakers while navigating the best camera angles, step up. Is it better to be photographed in soup kitchens or Darfur or to pony up some dough to Tony V and the team downtown to host this event? Probably not but LA needs a reason to celebrate that does not have a voter interest. Jerry Buss already committed $1 million from the Lakers to subsidize costs. If the city gets close, call Jeannie not Jerry for the last hundie. Dr. B is half asleep most of the time and Jeannie looks like a good time waiting to be financed.
You can argue that such frivolity is out of line with these dire economic times. Shall we wallow in despair and fret or embrace a heroic effort by a much maligned team in a beleaguered city that delivered in prime time to the nation? See the merit, find the hosts.
The Har-Rah of it all!
The Yard was participating in the annual Har-rah Cup golf event at La Quinta this past week. This prestigious cup in the brainchild of three Yard brethren in a noble effort to distill wild male testosterone through an alcohol maze using $4 golf balls in pursuit of the elusive first cut of grass. Attempting to quell the voices in your head with Cuban Cigars and Colorado fire water, while fighting thirty mile an hour afternoon winds is not exactly our sweet spot for athletic prowess. Fortunately, there was a team competition and even the last kid picked sometimes ends up on a winner.
It has been a brilliant week in Los Angeles with the Lakers racing to a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals and struggling Andre Ethier hitting two walk off bombs to beat the world champion Phillies at the Ravine. The Lakers hit the wall just outside of the Magic Kingdom in Orlando last night but the Dodgers continue their take no prisoner’s bus ride through the NL West. And last night, Tim Floyd called Arizona to see if there was still an opening after he resigned from “the last job he will ever have” as head coach of the USC Trojans. Under the current tsunami of punishable allegations, the unemployed Floyd might be right about the last job thing.
From Orlando, the Yard is waiting for all of the “We will take it one game at a time” sound bites and the comparisons with all of the other 1-2 comebacks in the history of the NBA. Magic fan visit the Kingdom this week that is as close as you are going to get to a crown this season. The Magic shot 62.5% for the game and held the Lakers to 62% shooting from the foul line. Kobe shot 11 for 25 from the field which happens given the shots he takes. Kobe never shoots 50% from the free throw line as he did Tuesday night. All of those shitake mushrooms and the Magic squeak out a four point win that was not decided until the final moments. The Magic had to win game 3 because no team has ever come back from a 0-3 deficit and the franchise was 0-6 in the NBA Finals. They need to win Game 4 before we all start loosening our seat belts on the bandwagon. Kobe is not going to let that happen.
Lakers win game four with Kobe lighting up three different defenders for 36+. Lamar has a double/double and Dwight Howard does something stupid. Lakers do not show for game five so the good doctor can get another home game in LA and the championship bus rolls down Figueroa on their way to City Hall on June 23. Mark Madsen is already on board to provide the dance moves and Kobe has a DJ gig lined up in NYC night club so he can shout out to ask Shaq how his ass tastes!
Dodgers may not be able to come back to the pack in the NL West. The wolves are getting close to the campfire for some of these teams already. The Padres are a five game losing streak away from unloading Jake Peavey and Adrian Gonzales. Colorado and Arizona are already doing what they do best, rebuild. The Giants are the over achievers who will swoon now that Randy has his 300th win. Giant clean up hitter Benji Molina would not bat clean up for any other major league team. The Dodgers will need some adversity to get to their first World Series since 1988. Winning your division by double digits and coasting in September is a recipe for a first round upset. See Angel Team video from last year. The Dodgers need someone else to hit homeruns and another starter. An ornery Manny is coming back to fill the first job. The trading deadline has been Ned Colletti’s friend the last few years and there will be starters on the block. Adversity has a way of finding the front runners in Yard lore and the Dodgers have been walking on rose petals so far, Manny’s gonads notwithstanding. Many months to go but at least Nomar’s hamstrings are in Oakland this summer.
USC Fan, your wolves are getting close to the campfire as well. The myopic fire still burns bright with National Championships and March Madness victories spiking the flames of the chosen ones. The Reggie Bush civil suit looms with your erstwhile Heisman winner being deposed under oath to explain his relationship with those pesky sports agent plaintiffs this summer. Tim Floyd resigning is just the first domino in that maelstrom of allegations, payoffs and lack of institutional control. When all is quiet after the NBA playoffs, you do not want to be the lead story. USC Sports has already been on the front page of the LA Times twice in the past two weeks for all of the wrong reasons. Wait until the real games begin with the NCAA suits start sifting through the trash. USC will be on the front page of all of the nation’s newspapers for all of those same reasons.
It has been a brilliant week in Los Angeles with the Lakers racing to a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals and struggling Andre Ethier hitting two walk off bombs to beat the world champion Phillies at the Ravine. The Lakers hit the wall just outside of the Magic Kingdom in Orlando last night but the Dodgers continue their take no prisoner’s bus ride through the NL West. And last night, Tim Floyd called Arizona to see if there was still an opening after he resigned from “the last job he will ever have” as head coach of the USC Trojans. Under the current tsunami of punishable allegations, the unemployed Floyd might be right about the last job thing.
From Orlando, the Yard is waiting for all of the “We will take it one game at a time” sound bites and the comparisons with all of the other 1-2 comebacks in the history of the NBA. Magic fan visit the Kingdom this week that is as close as you are going to get to a crown this season. The Magic shot 62.5% for the game and held the Lakers to 62% shooting from the foul line. Kobe shot 11 for 25 from the field which happens given the shots he takes. Kobe never shoots 50% from the free throw line as he did Tuesday night. All of those shitake mushrooms and the Magic squeak out a four point win that was not decided until the final moments. The Magic had to win game 3 because no team has ever come back from a 0-3 deficit and the franchise was 0-6 in the NBA Finals. They need to win Game 4 before we all start loosening our seat belts on the bandwagon. Kobe is not going to let that happen.
Lakers win game four with Kobe lighting up three different defenders for 36+. Lamar has a double/double and Dwight Howard does something stupid. Lakers do not show for game five so the good doctor can get another home game in LA and the championship bus rolls down Figueroa on their way to City Hall on June 23. Mark Madsen is already on board to provide the dance moves and Kobe has a DJ gig lined up in NYC night club so he can shout out to ask Shaq how his ass tastes!
Dodgers may not be able to come back to the pack in the NL West. The wolves are getting close to the campfire for some of these teams already. The Padres are a five game losing streak away from unloading Jake Peavey and Adrian Gonzales. Colorado and Arizona are already doing what they do best, rebuild. The Giants are the over achievers who will swoon now that Randy has his 300th win. Giant clean up hitter Benji Molina would not bat clean up for any other major league team. The Dodgers will need some adversity to get to their first World Series since 1988. Winning your division by double digits and coasting in September is a recipe for a first round upset. See Angel Team video from last year. The Dodgers need someone else to hit homeruns and another starter. An ornery Manny is coming back to fill the first job. The trading deadline has been Ned Colletti’s friend the last few years and there will be starters on the block. Adversity has a way of finding the front runners in Yard lore and the Dodgers have been walking on rose petals so far, Manny’s gonads notwithstanding. Many months to go but at least Nomar’s hamstrings are in Oakland this summer.
USC Fan, your wolves are getting close to the campfire as well. The myopic fire still burns bright with National Championships and March Madness victories spiking the flames of the chosen ones. The Reggie Bush civil suit looms with your erstwhile Heisman winner being deposed under oath to explain his relationship with those pesky sports agent plaintiffs this summer. Tim Floyd resigning is just the first domino in that maelstrom of allegations, payoffs and lack of institutional control. When all is quiet after the NBA playoffs, you do not want to be the lead story. USC Sports has already been on the front page of the LA Times twice in the past two weeks for all of the wrong reasons. Wait until the real games begin with the NCAA suits start sifting through the trash. USC will be on the front page of all of the nation’s newspapers for all of those same reasons.
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