Friday, July 20, 2007

Friday 07/20 A.M. Quickie:
Bonds 752-3, Tiger, Vick, Beckham, NCAA Racism, More!

NBA Ref Gambling and Game-Fixing Scandal! Wow, even if it's just one ref, this story (broken by the NY Post) could be the worst scandal in the history of the NBA. Huge huge story. Wow: NBA game-fixing, NFL star-indicting, MLB record-tainting. The scandal trifecta!

Bonds hits 752 AND 753: That puts tying Hank Aaron (two more) and breaking Aaron's record (three more) within reach this weekend... in Milwaukee of all oh-my-god-the-irony locations. (Bud Selig doesn't really have much of a choice whether he's going to show up now, does he?)

As soon as he gets to 754, it's time for the stop-what-you're-doing live cut-ins. No matter how you might feel about Bonds, it's still sports history.

Woods hits 90-footer at British Open: You know, if that happened in baseball -- given the major golf headline of the week -- people would be wondering out loud: "Steroids?"

(Oh my god: Consider for a moment if Tiger Woods was exposed to be on steroids or some other form of PED.)

David Beckham makes MLS debut... or NOT?: After all that build-up, it looks like he won't even play this weekend against Chelsea. So, will they not put the game on TV at all or will the "Beckham Cam" simply track him meandering along the sidelines?

Vick Watch: Forget the prospects of going to jail or being suspended for part (or all) of the upcoming NFL season. The real signal that Michael Vick is in trouble is that Nike shelved the upcoming release of Vick's signature shoe. (h/t Rovell on the scoop).

Meanwhile, Falcons owner Arthur Blank is "saddened and distressed," but apparently not so much that he'll cut Vick immediately or personally. It's not an easy position to be in: Vick IS his team's signature player and he IS still, until further notice, popular with fans. (Where is the poll showing that, since the indictment, Vick's popularity has plummeted? Haven't seen it yet, so if you have any info, let me know. UPDATE: From a quick-thinking email tipster, the word is that it's 50/50 among Falcons fans... for now.)

College Football: Called out as a Florida bandwagoneer! There's this phenomenal new blog, Lake the Posts, devoted to Northwestern football (which badly needed a phenomenal new blog), and as part of his ramp-up, the LTP blogger (a close friend of mine) has been counting down the greatest NU football moments of the last two decades.

Today's entry is particularly good, even if you don't care about Northwestern football, because the blogger takes a front-handed swipe at my Gator bandwagoneering (so-called) and provides the definitive parable about my Northwestern-Florida fandom schism. Here's the link to the post (and if you're a Northwestern fan, this blog is a daily must-read).

Daunte Culpepper meets with the Bucs: That could be a good fit. I'd like to see Culpepper and Chris Simms room together in a reality-TV show.

NFL Camping: Rookies are starting to trickle in (the Jets rookies arrived yesterday) and camps really ramp up next week. Your long wait is over.

MLB Dud: Chris Carpenter, whose elbow problems are so severe that he isn't just done for this season, but he's probably screwed for next season, too. If he's even able to ever come back, the Cards should make room for him in the bullpen. Or maybe they can try him out as a minor-league outfielder. That seems to be their m.o. on rehab projects.

MLB Stud: CC Sabathia, who picked up win No. 13. He's the new Chris Carpenter! (OK, maybe not, but how could I resist the "new" comparison?)

College Sports: NCAA Racism/Classism? I'm confused by this story about the NCAA allowing tennis players to accept pro-style prize money before enrolling in college.

How can they possibly create this rules loophole, yet insist that college hoops or football players not take any money before (or during) college?

I'm no fan of paying college athletes – if a tennis player wants to accept prize money as an amateur, that's their decision; they shouldn't be allowed to play college sports, if college sports want to maintain any remaining facade of "amateurism."

You can make money as a teen pro or you can have a college scholarship. Seems pretty simple. To allow a loophole for tennis players smacks of implicit (hell: explicit) racism AND classism. Quite a double-play by the NCAA.

If they allow tennis players to get paid like pros before they enter college yet still retain athletic eligibility, the first thing I would do as a star high school football player is go get a $10,000 "prize" from EA or Nike, then sue the hell out of the NCAA if the NCAA attempts to keep me from entering college and playing football.

-- D.S.

49 comments:

CMFost said...

MLB Dud - Terry Francona - when your pitchers is over 100 pitches and has walked 3 straight batters it is time to pull him from the game not leave him in to give up the game losing hit. This is my biggest problem with Francona, he is horrible at knowing when to remove his pitchers.

CMFost said...

I for one will not be watching when Bonds breaks the record and hope that he waits until he gets back to San Francisco to do it that way it will happen late at night while half the country sleeps.

CMFost said...

Golf Stud - Sergio Garcia - opening round -6, even par so far today.

DUD - To the Media for focusing on Tiger who starts the day 4 shots behind the leader. It is almost like he is in first place already when he is not.

Luke Bell said...

I will be at the game on Saturday, so Bonds is more than welcome to tie/break the record then (as long as my Brewers still win the game).

He's an asshole and probably took some PED's, but he is still the best player I have ever seen.

kuff6 said...

What about breaking story that feds are close to arresting NBA ref who bet on games, including ones he was working? That seems like a HUGE deal. But I guess it didn't involve Kevin Durant in a summer league game, so it's not worth discussing...

Unknown said...

Why would the Bucs be lokoing at Culpepper, they already have Simms, Garcia, Gradkowski, and the rights to Plummer....seems like a waste to me, also has any else noticed that the Red Sox are not playing the same as before the all-star break? If I were part of RSN I would be scared...

CMFost said...

jamn - As a Red Sox fan I will not panic. They are just in a slump and every team go through a slump. Thanks to the nice lead they have built up they could afford a slump.

CMFost said...

For those of you who have played golf in the New England area take a look at my blog, my first 3 nominees for best course in New England are up.



check it out

TBender said...

In case you all were wondering, that loud thud you heard last night was Cardinal nation collectively jumping off the Arch.

What's next, Pujols gets hit by a bus?

Tim said...

The Falcons are hosed this season!
Like it or not, Vick may be at an all-time high for unpopularity, but he is still innocent until proven guilty. Which puts Blank and the Falcons (and the NFL) into a corner. How does the image-conscious League show toughness on this behavior, without having bias or discrimination? Oh, and wait for the NFLPA to get involved too.

Darklawdog said...

I wonder what Jeremy Bloom thinks of the NCAA allowing tennis players to receive prize money up to $10,000 and over $10,000 to cover expenses incurred.

Matt T said...

Dan-
You want any indication of Vick's popularity in town? Check out the ajc.com articles and comments. He is getting killed. I doubt it keeps season ticket holders from going though.

Stud: Julio Franco. Who received a standing O his first at bat, and in his third AB hit a 2 run single.

chipp said...

Is a slump defined by being under .500 since the end of May? A month and a half seems like a long time to be slumping.

Records like Aaron's usually wind up being pretty boring at the time they are broken. We know it will happen, just not when. So as soon as Bonds hits 755 we'll say "Oh, he hit it, now he has to break it." When he hits 756 we'll say "Oh, now he broke it." A lead-up record is always more anticlimatic than people think they will be. Not just because of Bonds, but because of the nature of the record.

Similar to Ripken's streak: although happening in BAL, they did a great job of playing it up. Everyone knew a year early (barring injury) what day it was going to happen.

It will be a small moment in time, but nothing to etch in my memory forever (unless I happen to be at the game, but I don't see SF on SEA's schedule anytime soon).

mcam09 said...

I was horribly disappointed last night when I turned on Baseball Tonight for its usual quality highlights and got about 20 minutes of Bonds coverage. WHO CARES??

I got Dusty Baker, Orel, and Orestes talking about what it means to the Giants, the team is awful. Sabean has put together the worst set of position players I've seen in a long time. Theres not a guy you would want your team to acquire from them. Give me a break already. They are just a lousy baseball team.

Honestly, just disgusting. I don't know one baseball fan who cares about this. Hopefully A-Rod will keep playing like this so he can take back this record in a few years.

I understand this is what ESPN does but I mean come on. Ok, got that rant off my chest this morning.

chitown italian said...

At least the Cubs won't give up 755 & 756.

Vick's screwed either way. He's tainted, see Nike.

NBA ref betting on games and impacting the outcome. Just another reason to not watch the NBA.

The NCAA is a sham. They are very hypocritical. They are letting tennis players take $$$ but wouldn't allow Bloom to receive a dime when it was clear the $$$ would go to his expenses. He should sue for discrimination.

CMFost said...

Chipp - How long did the Yankees play under .500 ball? And most people said they where slumping but they would get it going. what was 3 1/2 months.

verbal97 said...

I will be ignoring Bonds...it'll be almost like he doesn't have the record at all. Just like there is no Rocky V or Caddyshack 2.

hskr dave said...

How is the tennis thing racist? Because only whites play it and all football and basketball players are black? I know that that is a majority of truth, but why pick on the big sports. All sports in college are diverse, and they would/should be affected by this decision, not just the money makers.

Sheldiz said...

yeah.... i'll maybe buy "classist" in an argument re: tennis players getting money, but i don't think you can call it racist just because the majority of tennis players are white.

BD said...

How can everyone miss the irony of Bonds breaking the record in the stadium with an Aaron statue outside?

Boomhauertjs said...

I can't believe Dan missed the NBA ref fixing story. He is really slipping. Did he finally get a real job?

This story is not what the NBA needs. I can only imagine Mark Cuban's reaction.

Big D said...

Uh Oh...

The thing is, with the rise of Internet gambling that is conducted in a fairly anonymous format, there is no longer any way to truly police this kind of activity.

Players can have friends place bets for them. Same with managers, Owners, GMs, Refs, Umpires, janitors, assistants to the travelling secretary - anyone can place a bet online without any type of accountability.

What happens when that shoe drops?

Ftrain said...

I wouldn't say I care but I am interested in Bonds breaking the record. Which is what i think most sports fan feel. No one really cares when a record or milestone is reached but they are interested. It's a notable event.
and I'm ok with Barry breaking the record.

The NBA referee thing is big. I know they say it affected point spreads not necessarily outcomes but a part of me hopes it was the same ref that called that phantom foul on Dirk in Game 5 of 06' finals. That was bs.

David Kippe said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kurt said...

cmfost, just one time, worry about YOUR team. Stop being one of those Red Sox fans who follows the Yankees more than they do the Red Sox.

Mega said...

I'm wondering if this is the same ref that did the games for the Lakers/Kings and Lakers/Blazers a few years back.

Ftrain said...

It's Joey Crawford. It's the real reason he was suspended. Cmon he ejected Duncan b/c he was affecting the spread too much. Just sayin'

and Stern knows all.

CMFost said...

sorry Kurt I was just trying to make a comparison to go against what Chipp was saying

Johnny b said...

Tiger on PEDs is just not going to happen Dan. He's been vocal about wanting drug testing in the sport. Tiger's not cheating and we don't need somebody to tell us to wonder "what if" about it

Melbye said...

Dan--

Ok, I understand that Aaron played in Milwaukee, but I don't see the irony? He didn't hit it in Milwaukee, he didn't hit it against Milwaukee? Irony would be Tiger topping a record number of wins or something by Jack at Jack's Tournament (The Memorial)in Ohio. Or if Barry hit 756 against the Pirates or the Braves or even the Yankees, that would be ironic, but you're digging deep to connect this one.

Brian in Oxford said...

I kinda hope he does break the record at this point. Look at it this way, plenty of people don't like A-Rod, if we have to start "celebrating" him when he gets close to Bonds, that'll be just as fake as us celebrating Bonds now.

ESPN had a silly stat, since Bonds has 9 postseason HR to Aaron's 6, he's one ahead "overall" at this point.

Well, at least we all have credible evidence now that the NBA's fixed. Dee-de-dee.....

The heroin sheik said...

I saw a poll somewhere about what ATL should do with Vick and the majority we in favor of cutting him and in another poll the majority were saying they would get rid of his jersey. A friend of mine in the ATL says everyone is pretty shocked and angry with Vick as it seems like the majority of people in the south are dog owners.

There is nothing worse than missing a big game because of some lame ass function. I am going to miss the UF UT game this year because my fiance is the maid of honor in a wedding up here. But then again the reception is in a casino so maybe I can find it on TV.

Unknown said...

melbye-

Actually, Hank Aaron did hit 755 in Milwaukee. So the fact that Bonds could also hit 755 or even 756 there does mean something.

Just for the record, Bonds once hit a homer in 3 straight days at Miller park which would break the record now. Another time, he hit homers in back to back days which, if it happend now, would tie the record. Also, in the All Star game a couple years ago, he hit two over the wall in one game eventhough one of them was caught by Torii Hunter.

Anonymous said...

I think the "irony" is that Milwaukee is Bud Selig's hometown and after all the fuss about whether or not Bud would travel to the game he may not even have to travel to get to the game.

futurelegendvinceyoung said...

Shiek that sucks about the UT/Florida game. When my wife and I were setting the wedding date we made sure that it did not fall on an important Saturday for UT football since she had a bridesmaid who went to UT.

CMFost said...

FYI - On July 20, 1976, Hank Aaron hit his 755th and final home run off the California Angels' Dick Drago at Milwaukee County Stadium.

Kind of Ironic that this happen on Today's date.

CMFost said...

Tim Donaghy, an NBA referee who just finished his 13th season in the league, is the subject of an FBI probe investigating alleged betting on basketball games with links to organized crime - courtesy of Boston.com

The heroin sheik said...

I told my fiance that the only way I would get married during fb season is if it was on new years in vegas. That way I will be able to bet on whatever bowl game the gators area in. I guess I am going to have to give my season tix to my brothers.

Brian in Oxford said...

As George Carlin once said,

That's not irony. That's a coincidence.

Unknown said...

How about golfers doping with testosterone and HGH. We all knew there had to be a few looking for an edge other than a new carbon fiber driver. I actually find it kind of funny. Do you think Tiger ever took supplements to help his workouts? I would give it at least a 50% chance he did.

O

Brian in Oxford said...

Hey, if we're worried about cheating, then don't pay the players. Nobody will give a shit if they're any good, if it doesn't add to their bottom line $$$. Take away the financial advantage and you take away the motivation to do 'em.

It's not like we hear about ultimate-frisbee players juicing....because they won't make more money if they do!

Unknown said...

brian-

You're right about one thing; if athletes weren't paid we would almost never have asteriod problem. But the fixing would be out of countrol. People would still bet, and if the players aren't making the cash the bookies can pay them.

Melbye said...

You know, I went through all this crap on Aaron before I posted and I was so set thinking about 715...not 755. In my mind I was thinking about breaking the record, not setting it. Not to justify myself, but just to explain my thinking process.

The heroin sheik said...

Anyone gonna watch the Wright Hopkins fight? I gotta root for my hometown boy Winky although that has to be one of the weakest nicknames ever. I thought he could have been the Soulside Strangler as he is from the south part of the burg. I wonder how he will do at 170. I hope it doesn't slow him down.

ndyanksfan05 said...

what about all the amateur body builders who juice...maybe a couple get a several thousand dollars a year but certainly aren't making a living that way...

Unknown said...

Congratulations to Greg Willard, Tim Donaghy and Eddie F. Rush for giving us the most atrociously officiated game of the playoffs so far: Game 3 of the Suns-Spurs series. Bennett Salvatore, Tom Washington and Violet Palmer must have been outraged that they weren't involved in this mess. Good golly. Most of the calls favored the Spurs, but I don't even think the refs were biased -- they were so incompetent that there was no rhyme or reason to anything that was happening. Other than the latest call in NBA history (a shooting foul for Ginobili whistled three seconds after the play, when everyone was already running in the other direction), my favorite moment happened near the end, when the game was already over and they called a cheap bump on Bruce Bowen against Nash, so the cameras caught Mike D'Antoni (the most entertaining coach in the league if he's not getting calls) screaming sarcastically, "Why start now? Why bother?" What a travesty. Not since the cocaine era from 1978-1986 has the league faced a bigger ongoing issue than crappy officiating.

Unknown said...

that was a quote from Sports Guy's blog from this years playoffs

Craig Kroeger said...

What does steroids have to do with making a 90 foot putt?

Craig Kroeger said...
This comment has been removed by the author.