By JEREMY ABRAMS
Lots. That's the key word this week, lots. There is so much this week
that I can't even give some quirky, but cute intro. I know you're devastated.
Let's start with the boys of Summer and a little, or lots, of baseball
talk. Nationals' phenom Stephen Strasburg was taken out of the game this
weekend with an apparent elbow injury and in my mind enough is enough. This kid
is supposed to be the future of the organization (remember they were the Expos)
so having an injury for the third time this year and approaching the innings
limit that was set prior to the season should be an obvious red flag. Protect
your investment, you are not in a playoff race, so shut it down now before money
is wasted and more importantly this guy has to get a desk job with a dead arm.
Oh, and hope to the man upstairs Tommy John surgery is not in the near future.
Alex Rodriguez is also on the disabled list and this is the way it should be
handled. He can't run at all and he is not the same player, so sit him down
because you need an A-Rod and the A-bombs come October. Oddly enough, as of
Monday the Yankees are 12-0 without the slugger. Just give them ring number 28
now and save us all the heartbreak. Legendary Dodgers Broadcaster Vin Scully
has announced that he will return next year for his 62nd year behind the mic as
the voice of the Dodgers. From one broadcaster to another I am ecstatic to hear
that he is coming back, and look forward to listening to his classic calls as
long as he is willing to do it, or from the reports, as long as his wife urges
him to do so. Why can't I meet a girl like that? Lou Piniella has retired from
the Cubs as well as baseball, the game will not be the same without him. He was
a very good player with over 1700 hits, he was a great manager with five teams
and one World Series championship in his only appearance and the feistiest man on
or around the diamond at any given moment. The man that made kicking dirt,
throwing hats and hurling bases popular is an absolute hall-of-famer in my book.
Put "Sweet" Lou in next ASAP. Manny is back for the Dodgers which is huge, but
could be a lot better for someone else. Rumor has it the Dodgers could move him
through waivers in the coming week or two. Like him or not he brings another
gear to any team and it is not even debatable. Hits, homeruns, RBI's, drama...
No matter what it is it's good for your team, and any team in contention gets that
much better with him batting third. Derrek Lee going to the Braves is huge,
despite his down season. The fact is the Cubs are bad and he was too good to
stay in Chicago. Roger Clemens has been indicted and faces perjury charges for
lying to congress about taking performance enhancing drugs. Whether or not he
is found guilty and goes to jail he is a first ballot hall-of-famer in my mind,
and one of the greatest pitchers to ever stand on the mound.
The NFL preseason is now underway and I want to let everyone know that
it is PRESEASON football. I am just as excited as the next avid football fan
that Sunday is becoming sacred for another reason, but I am tired of waking up and
seeing all the headlines about football games and players in August. I don't
care that Brett Favre started and took four snaps, I don't care that the Rams
actually won a game with Sam Bradford playing like crap, I don't care that
Albert Haynesworth is a tool and doesn't like playing with the third team
instead of the eventual starters. Take it from Apocolyptica, "I don't care." I
do care about the stories surrounding injuries that could potentially make or
break the season for a team, holdouts, drama, and listening to people predict
division winners. Show me that, not highlights of guys who are already out of
the league but don't know it yet, just show me sports that are actually being
played right now like baseball or golf, or even the WNBA. Well, maybe not the
last one.
It is college football time, so get ready. Preseason rankings are out
and the defending champions down in Alabama are number one, followed by Ohio
State, Boise State, Florida and Texas rounding out the top five. This is the first year
that I have absolutely no idea who will be there when the dust has settled. I
doubt the Crimson Tide have enough to go back-to-back, Ohio State should remain
the only real force in the Big Ten but need to avoid hiccups, and Boise State
came out of nowhere a few years ago to become a powerhouse and have almost the
same team they had last year. It's time to pick, and what is tough is that
evertime I pick against Ohio State (almost every year) they destroy folks and
end up in the National Championship, however I really like this Boise State
team. Here goes; my pick is (big dramatic pause) Ohio State. Golly! I'm a
sellout Illini fans.
Finally, I almost didn't write about it but I feel it's necessary to
make a point. No Tiger Woods did not play golf in a PGA tournament this
weekend, no Tiger Woods did not cover up the headlines with Ryder Cup questions
this weekend, but yes Tiger Woods did officially get divorced from wife Elin
this weekend. The only reason I mention it is hoping that the media will get
the hell out of his personal business. Stop saying that he is not playing like
the Tiger of old because of his "off course issues" and just say he isn't
practicing as much, period. If he plays great then crown him, if he doesn't
then bash him, but leave the kids and ex-wife out of it. I will.
Have you seen the new M&M commercials? Freaking hilarious. The one
with the Orange M&M complaining about the pretzel was funny, but the one with
all four candies in the cabinet throwing stuff at the guy with the bowl is money
in the bank.
"You get in the bowl." Knowledge, insight, and sports folks, see you
next week.
