Life goes on.
It is uncommonly warm in New York this weekend. Today, it is in the mid-Fifties and people are out on the streets. The snow is melting. And though the cold is sure to return, you can feel the buzz of the springtime in the air.
The Alex Rodriguez news is depressing, though not altogether shocking. It’s another chapter in a continuing saga. More stars are sure to be exposed, sooner or later.
As I’ve mentioned already, I think the whole thing stinks, and there is plenty of blame to go around.
But it’s not the end of the world. Most of us will continue to watch baseball and follow the game with enthusiasm. Some of us will turn away and find something else for distraction and entertainment.
But for what it is worth, it is a beautiful day in New York. And I intend to enjoy it.
In four months, this will probably just be background noise as we all discuss AJ Burnett's latest injury.
Ah, baseball in New York. Even with the highs and lows, Is there anything better?
BTW, anyone have any idea when tickets go on sale?
Count me in as one who will find a new form of entertainment for the time being.
I was outraged by how all this came down and what it meant to baseball fans at first as you know, and the outrage had crossed into physical distress. It's not good to care about something as trivial as sports so much that it causes me physical, never mind mental pain.
I wanted to say something on the last couple of threads, but I was too sad. I think Ms. October hit on exactly how I feel (trust). And ultimately all the self-serving reporting and grandstanding means nothing to me, as I still have rent to pay and dreams to achieve. If this is the most important thing about baseball at the moment, I can easily lay it aside and wait until people start paying attention to the action on the field again, however long that takes.
Today my roommate and I are driving up to the middle of nowhere in CT to watch "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". When the action on the field matters again, I'll be back. Peace!
Chyll Will
[2] I am a partial plan holder and was told my (potential) chance to relocate will not come until late February. Hal has been quoted as saying single game tickets will go on sale some time in mid-March, which is incredibly late for the Yankees. What that tells me is the Yankees anticipate selling out most of the ballpark in season plans.
Don't worry, Will. Pitchers and Catchers report Friday and I'll do my best to keep it "between the lines" as it were with my usual Spring Training coverage.
I'm in the vast minority who has like barely more than zero interest in Spring Training. Its way too long and largely pointless for my taste, particularly in a year where the big story is which of our lousy centerfielders will beat out the other.
I will watch occasionally to see the likes of Austin Jackson and such though.
I still can't believe writers would actually already be claiming they would never vote for AROd for the HOF. Honestly, do these people ahve any knowledge of what they are actually paid to write about? My God, its mind boggling.
[7] Arod will not be eligible for the HoF for probably another 15 years. Many of these writers could be dead by that time. Also, the Hall voting process could change. So, there is a chance that their ignorance will not come into play. Still, I agree with your point. A lot more information about the era will unlikely unfold, so yes, it is foolish to make such broad proclamations.
..meanwhile the San Diego Chargers best defenseman Sean Merriman (sp?) gets suspended for a positive drug test..he goes to the Pro Bowl and is still widely considered the best in the NFL..no one cares....
Interesting and valid arguments by everyone on the Banter. I enjoyed reading them. REALLY ready for the season now though, and just cannot manufacture any outrage over this. As someone pointed out, the leaking of confidential information here should be the story, and the reporters should be held accountable for it.
The reason I like ST is to watch (and monitor, since many games aren't on TV) the development of prospects. This year, the young player I most want to see is Melancon, who I think could make the ML staff if given a chance.
My god..check out ESPN today. "A-Rod has destroyed game's history"...I mean, really..am I Simon of the Desert out here or something like that?? A great baseball player failed a drug test and now the history of the game is destroyed?? I really must be missing the whole point..
[11] If Alex was a member of the Sox, ESPN would be investigating why Selena Roberts only revealed Alex's name, even though she reportedly knows the names of other players who tested positive, and whether there is an improper connection between that selective release, her upcoming book on A-Rod, and her sources. That is the story that merits the most attention.
I was disappointed when I heard of the steroid allegations concerning Alex, not because he may have used them at some point, but because of the commotion I knew it would cause and the bashing he was going to be in for. The veritable tsunami of judgemental, finger pointing, holier than thou vultures aka journalists knocking their wives, mothers and kids off the computer chair in their eagerness to fire off an ARod bashing piece is enough to make me throw up.
IMO, Alex, like so many other pro athletes of this era saw something that could improve his game. Many of his peers were trying this, so why not? MLB players have been cheating for decades. Prescription amphetamines were used commonly way back into the '70s when they were prevalent across society. And I guarantee you that if steroids were around back in the day of Babe, Ted, Joe, Mickey, Hank, and Stan the man, some of those guys would be using them.
I find it rather ironic this story came out of Sports Illustrated, and have to wonder if Tom Verducci, Joe Torre's new best friend, was behind this in some way. Wasn't Verducci dumped by the YES Network in the not to distant past? Why only ARod? 103 other players but SI was only interested in ARod. Makes you wonder.
This whole situation will not cause me to root for ARod one bit less. The way I see it, he's a human being, and we make mistakes. He didn't do anything that many amongst us wouldn't do in the same situation. Right now, because of who he is, the money he makes, who he plays for, his persona, it makes him one big easy target for any fool that chooses to go after him. Hopefully, he'll come clean on whatever he did, and though it will take a long time, this will eventually blow over.
Bah! More corruption in MLB victimizing the Yankees. I'm not surprised.
At least for the moment the weather has broken.
It's always something!
In other news, Elin and Tiger Woods welcomed their new baby son into the world. Score one more for the role models' side, whoever is keeping track!
;)
Anyone for some non-steroid Banter?
Got a copy of Sporting News 2009 Preview Magazine (for the bargain import price of US$23 in local currency..) sad to say it is pretty bad. They pick the Royals for 3rd place this year due to their adding "proven veterans Coco Crisp and Mike Jacobs"...umm, MAYBE Crisp will help them but did they even look at Jacobs stats? They also mention the Twins and their "gritty team of NIck Punto's etc" who all "know how to win"...
No idea if the Sporting News paper is still published (I imagine it is) but this issue was a traditional baseball journalist cliche-a-thon for the most part. It really proved to me once again how glad I am for the more advanced baseball analysis available on the web, and for the excellent work always provided by the Banter. A pox on me for shelling out my drachma for a very weak season-preview mag!