Lance-A-Crap!

We saw on Sunday why being a Devil Ray All-Star isn't all that impressive. With a comfortable and commanding 5-0 cushion in the 9th inning against the lowely Padres, Grady Little proceeded to insert the struggling Lance F'n Carter in for some work. Surely, he isn't bad enough to let the quiet Padre bats get back into the game, is he? As Mike Cameron singles to start the inning and Brian Giles singles him to third, Mike Piazza stands in the batters box facing the listless pile of Tampa garbage. A 3-2 counts runs to ball four and suddenly the Dodgers are in a mess, bases loaded with no outs.

Danys Baez is brought in to restore order, but he is wild and unable to find the plate, walking in two runs after he gives up a basehit, the final run to tie the score in the inning scoring in a high fly ball to center. Now, I'm still going to back Baez because it's not really his fault. He inherited a full boat, and the lack of being able to work all zones of the plate makes it difficult for any pitcher. He has to have some room to operate and that is simply not possible when you pretty much have to throw strikes to everyone you face. Plus, the Dodgers used him in back to back games, and realistically he should have been able to take the day off because of the five run lead. In any case, at the end of the afternoon the Dodger relievers managed to waste a great outing by Derek Lowe and the great hitting performance of Nomar Garciaparra and Bill Mueller.

I'm sure that given the same situation, nine out of ten pitchers make the requisite outs and put the game in the books. Even if you give up a couple of runs, it's still a win in the record and you get to go a game above .500 hundred. Carter, however, found a way to royally screw the pooch on this one. Putting the team in that situation, with the perfect game they have played up to that point, and then letting the game slip away is down right unexcusable and Carter should have immediately been put on a flight to Las Vegas, not Phoenix. What a way to truly let your team down.

Reading the AP story, there is no mention of Lance Carter's pitiful performance, and from the way it is written, it makes it sound as is if the 9th began in the bases loaded. For those that stuck through this game however, we are left with the sinking feeling of knowing that there is a spot not being filled in the bullpen, as Carter is a clear hole in the 25 man roster. Eric Karros noted in the post game that he still thinks that Carter can snap out of it, a little confidence is all he needs. This coming from a guy that used to always say that games in April and May had no real bearing on a season to excuse his and the team's slow start to campaigns. I guess that is why he only lead the Dodgers to 2 post season births.

In the end, I think we would be better off with D.J. Houlton or even Jonathan Broxton, or Kelly Wunsch. I mean, they were all on the big club last year and have experience, and quite frankly, if I'm going to have some jag off come in and ruin a great game, I might as well go with a dead arms that I already know, and not some throw in, player to be named later piece of shite that is as effective as I am on the mound. At least Kobe came through for the City, and for that, along with my bottle of Xanax, I am eternally gratefull. It's a long season, God bless pharmaceuticals indeed.

The Crumbling Trojan Horse

It has been a week to forget for Pete Carroll and the USC Trojans. In a week that the program should be celebrated for the five or so first round draft picks that will be selected in Saturday’s NFL draft, the Trojan program has come under serious fire for allegations that Hiesman Trophy winner Reggie Bush’s family accepted housing from media wannabe (scum bag) Michael Michaels, who was allegedly working on behalf of San Diego based player agent (scum bag) David Caravantes. The PAC 10 commissioner, Tom Hanson, has indicated that the conference has been contacted on behalf of the Trojans to investigate the alleged infractions, although at this point it seems unclear what exactly will transpire.

Yesterday came another bombshell, when red-shirt freshman quarterback Mark Sanchez was arrested for sexual assault following in altercation with a female student. Bail was set at 200 thousand dollars and Mark Sanchez has been placed on “interim suspension” by the university pending the LAPD investigation. Needless to say, this latest blow comes at the wrong time for the program, when the entire nation’s sport media is concentrating on NCAA violations and draft superstars.

Nothing may come of the Reggie Bush situation as he is under no pressure or obligation to cooperate with the PAC 10 and the NCAA. However USC does face possible forfeiture of games during the 2005 season, negating their PAC 10 title and Rose Bowl appearance, for playing Bush as an ineligible participant. Bush, for his part, maintains his innocence and has stated on ESPN that he was not aware of the living situation his parent and Michaels had worked and Bush never signed with the agent that Michaels was steering him to, however many speculate that it seems pretty unlikely that Bush would have no knowledge of how his parents were suddenly living in a 725 thousand dollar home in Spring Valley, CA. For all intents and purposes, Reggie more than likely knew his parents where living in a house that they could not afford and knew of the arraignment that was made with Michaels.

Sanchez is another animal all together because his involves actual charges that are going to be filed by the district attorney in the coming days. Worst case scenario, Sanchez is found guilty and his career as a quarterback is over as he will have to do jail time. Best case scenario is that nothing come of these allegations, however the stigma that will be attached to him will be hard to shake. Eric Wright, former USC defensive back, found himself in a similar situation two years ago and had to leave the university to get a second chance at UNLV. In short, there is no easy way for Sanchez to recover from these revelations and this latest slip up has opened a window to the shady dealings within Carroll’s program.

It has been reported that one of the problems with the USC program is that Carroll treats the players like NFL superstars, working them hard in practice and not really caring about what happens off campus. It has also been speculated that there is a serious problem with alcohol among the team and that underage drinking, binge drinking, and public intoxication is a major issue. Last season, Bell Garden police arrived to the scene of a domestic disturbance where freshman linebacker Ray Malaluga was seen swinging an unloaded gun in the air and yelling “I OWN THE LAPD!” It was later determined by police that Malaluga was intoxicated at the time and was later released on his own recognizance. Malaluga was reinstated by Carroll, much to the chagrin of critics, and played a pivotal part in SC’s run to the Rose Bowl. In any case, the revelation that the 19 year old Sanchez was spotted at the 901 Club, a 21 and over establishment, is another indicator that there is too much access to booze on or near the campus for the football players. It also sheds new light on Carroll, who is looking more and more like an absentee coach, asleep at the switch of his program.

With all these problems surfacing, the Trojans still have to worry about the team on the field. With the recent oral commitment to Notre Dame by Jimmy Clausen, the Trojans look to field a team with John David Booty, who may or may not be fully recovered from his backiotomy, and Michael McDonald who had some mop up duty in the Arkansas blowout but other then that, no real experience in an NCAA game. If Pete Carroll has any brains left in his head, he will patch up any ill will he has with Steve Clarkson, Clausen's personal quarterback coach, and get Jimmy into a cardinal and gold uniform. From a report filed by L.A. Daily News USC beat writer Scott Wolf, the Carroll and Clarkson fued began with a pissing contest to see who was going to run Matt Leinert's workout during the USC pro day held a few weeks ago. Clarkson won that battle, but the beef carried over to Clausen's decision to choose Notre Dame.

Pete Carroll is a brilliant tactician, the Rose Bowl’s final drive not withstanding, and two straight national titles and a possible third is proof of that. However the allegations against Carroll’s program might be an opening to sanctions that SC fans best pray never come true. SC fan, you need something to keep you up at night? Just look at how long it’s taken Alabama to come back to some prominence after their NCAA infractions. As for the Holiday Bowl, you better start making plans to go to the Las Vegas Bowl with a 7-5 record.

Dodger Blues

So far so good, in what can be considered an off-season full of questions Ned might have answered at least one question. While the signing of Bill Mueller may be an immediate solution at third base, one has to wonder what the future holds. Keep in mind Mueller turned thirty five during spring training. Don't get me wrong, he's a gamer. He appears to be everything that is expected out of a veteran ball player. However, one has to wonder if he will be able to keep it up.

My skepticism is not unfounded. Shortly after Mueller turned 35, I turned 32. For as long as I can remember third base has long been a problem position for the club since the Penguin left for the Windy City. In the time since, the hot corner at the ravine has played host to a number of distinguished name along with some not so distinguished.

Class acts such as Bill Madlock and Tim Wallach. While both had been bench marks on their respective clubs, both were also in the twilight of their careers when they arrived at Stadium Way. Madlock was 34 in 1985 and five years removed from his .341 batting title winning season. Wallach was 35 when he arrived in 1993 three years removed form his last solid year with the Expos.

Madlock's three seasons in blue were nothing special. The best he could muster was .280, 10 bombs, and 60 RBI in 1986. Of his four seasons in blue, Wallach's sophomore season was the only one of note. Showing flashes of old, he hit .280, 23 bombs, and drove in 78 runs. He never again came close to matching those numbers.

The 1997 season began with a huge up-side. In came Todd Ziele at 31, in the prime of his career. Ziele went on to have a very productive season. While only batting .268 he managed to hit 31 bombs and drove in 90 runs. Problem solved right? Wrong! Instead of building on Ziele at third, he was promptly shipped-off to the Marlins who shipped him to Texas. Amazingly, Ziele the consummate pro, still had a productive season batting .271 with 19 bombs and 94 RBI. Just imagine if he had stayed in blue.

Back to square one. This time around, the club decided to build from within. Thus dawned the Adrian Beltre era. At times it appeared that all our troubles were over for the next ten years. In his first full season in the show, he hit .275, with 15 bombs and 67 RBI. All at the ripe old age of 20. A true break in recent Dodger third base tradition. Not since Ron Cey patrolled the line had there been so much optimism about our stability at third. Beltre had an even better sophomore season batting .290, with 20 bombs, and 85 RBI. Surely this time we thought the problem had been solved.

In subsequent seasons, Beltre launched 21 and 23 bombs, but batted .257 and .24o along the way. Oddly enough, in his all important contract year he finally put it all together. What an amazing year. Beltre batted .334, led the senior circuit with 48 bombs, and drove in 121 RBI. As we all know, Beltre packed his bags and set-off to the Mecca of Grunge. Who new he was all about coffee and Cobain.

In came 35 year old Jose Valentin. Poor Jose, who knew his weary bones wouldn't hold up past opening day. Perhaps the fact that he was born in the summer of love should have been some indicator. Which brings us back to Mueller. Since 1982 third base has been a revolving door at the yard. For every one of the aforementioned ball players who did themselves justice in Dodger Blue, there were those who were plain and simple mistakes. It pains me to recall names such as Jeff Hamilton, Mike Blowers and Bobby Bonilla.

As of this evening Mueller was batting .323, with two bombs, and 13 RBI. He is now three years removed from his stellar 2003 season in which he won a batting title hitting .326, with 19 bombs and 85 RBI. Consequently, that was his last .300 season.

Professional Student Athletes

Part 1 of 2

Since discovering that live television could be a good thing, the major sports leagues and college athletic associations have found a way to take full advantage of the power a television camera holds. Baseball teams like the New York Yankees even go as far as to create their own television stations to broadcast games, and ESPN has grown from the home of chess and spelling bee competitions, to major television partners with the NBA, NFL, and Major League Baseball, not to mention all the exclusive contracts with the NCAA. Indeed, sports have become serious business and with the media expansion, there has been an explosion of television and concession dollars that have been sewn into the fabric of the games.

With more money, as Puff Daddy put it, comes more problems. The respective leagues have ballooned to astronomical heights, paying their athletes thousands of dollars per second to play a sport and live a life that the common Joe only wishes he could. There was one refuge however, college and prep sports was the untainted territories where the average sports fan could indulge in the simplistic nature and honest innocence of a game.

With the college game reaching a point where it is the number one Vegas draw for gambling degenerates and the passive internet bettor, the NCAA has taken giant steps towards the money signs that engulfs the pro game. College sports, with their multi-million dollar paydays for teams that make a bowl game or the NCAA tournament, has become as corporate as the pro game, down to the sponsorships and sweetheart shoe deals, not to mention the all booster money that flows to recruits and players like Patsy Parisi greasing the local building inspector. More money, more problems.

So we are left with the honesty and wholesomeness of the prep game. The last place big money and big influence can lay its greasy hands, the prep game is a place for us to go and root for our true hometown heroes. The kids that are going to shape our world and be a beacon of hope for humanity, surely the prep game is where we can still hold all the greatness of sports and the spirit of competition without putting a price tag on the integrity of the sport. Yeah Right!

In a true working example of “Voodoo Economics,” the prep game has been touched by the dirty hands of corruption, incompetence, and flat out greed. High schools with winning programs sport state of the art training and practice centers with teams of medical and training staff. Football stadiums are at times the same size as the entire school and more successful programs sport seating capacities that would put minor league baseball teams to shame. Even more disgusting, the “industry” has started to borrow from the corporate world.

As reported by Scott Wolf on insidesocal.com, one of the main reasons that Oaks Christian High School top recruit Jimmy Clausen chose Notre Dame was because of a run in Clausen’s personal quarterback coach, Steve Clarkson - proprietor of Air 7 Football Academy, had with USC head coach Pete Carroll during USC’s pro day a few weeks ago. The disagreement involving another Clarkson product, Matt Leinert, more likely then not influenced Clarkson’s “council” to Clausen. Here in lies the problem.

As a blue chip recruit, Clausen was guided to 3 CIF championship seasons under the guidance of Clarkson. Clausen is considered the best at his position for his exceptional mechanics and football smarts, which he no doubt perfected under Clarkson. I am sure that it’s all fine and good for Clausen; he will be a big time stud in college and perhaps in the league. But what about the other thousands of kids that don’t have the means to use a private quarterback coach? Is it really a level playing field, and can we really call the CIF honest in their attempt to promote honesty in their athletics, when there are clearly kids that are getting more reps, more gear, and more training? Or is it just another fact of life that the rich get richer, even on the most honest of stages. The class wars have spilled over to the modern battlefields, and it is as apparent as the mismatched socks some teams sport on the field, the playing field is slowly tilting against the inner city athlete that does not have all the resources to compete in today's CIF. Those that have, use it; and those who don’t get left behind. Indeed, more money, more problems.

Part 1 of 2
It's Not Cheating if No One Knows

Planet Dutch

A recent episode of HBO's Real Sports featured a piece on Darren "Dutch" Daulton. The teaser featured a handsome Dutch pressing the flesh during a Grapefruit League game, little did I know that this was far from a baseball piece.

Twelve years removed from his playing days, Dutch still looks like he could strap on the tools, call a game and somewhere in between go yard. Like most retired ball players, Dutch is in the process of writing a book. Unlike most ball players, Dutch's book has nothing to do with his all-star career. His is a story of meta-physics and conversations with little green men on the beach.

During a taped interview, Dutch spoke to correspondent Mary Carillo in detail about his many out-of-body experiences. He spoke about many travels through time and space, his numerous conversations with lizards, and if that wasn't strange enough he spoke about his daily battles against dark and demonic forces.

Wow, what a shame! What a shame that a man who was once at the helm of a pennant winning club seems to be out to lunch. By no means a piker during his playing days, Dutch was a respected ball player more so, a respected leader. Having shared the club house with the likes of Nails, Kruky and Wild-Thing Williams one would imagine that you have to be a little off the chart. Dutch isn't off the chart, he's off the map!

Since hanging 'em up, Dutch has been through two divorces, been brought up on domestic violence charges, done time and to top it off, claims to have blown the $25 million he made while crushing the pill. Dutch, get help. You once did the impossible in endearing yourself to Philly-fan. If you choose to do so, you can get through this as well. Many of us once thought that you'd go on to steer a club. From the looks of things you might be more interested in steering the Enterprise.

As a caring fan, I offer the following advice:

• Check out of K-Pax and check into AA
• The tan looks good enough, get off your can and get a job
• Stop being a dead-beat dad
• In the morning rinse with mouth wash not vodka
• Try cream in your coffee instead of whisky
• There is an actual human being under the Fanatic costume
• Star Trek was just a campy tv show, not a way of life
• Finally, remind yourself are Dutch Daulton not Captain Kirk

More Coke Than Cola

For the better part of the last two years, the U.S. Men's National Team has rubbed elbows with the creme de la creme of the world's soccer powers. At the turn of the new year, the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking listed the MNT as the number seven team in the world.

Since January the MNT has lost seven of its 767 points yet climbed to fourth, place ahead of three time world champions Germany(19) and Italy(14). And that's just the top 20, we'll get to the top ten later in the show.

In recent head to head competition the Germans then ranked 22nd met the MNT then ranked fifth in the world. Billed as a "friendly," there was nothing friendly about the match. Ze Deutsche were coming off a 4-1 drumbing at the hands of Italians then the 12th ranked team in the standings. The MNT on the other hand, was riding high after defeating the mighty Poles then ranked 26th. The line for that match was 1-0.

In their last pre-World Cup tune-up, the Germans were looking for blood. The buzz surrounding the match was that if ze Deutsche fell to the Yanks, it would be the gaffer Klinnsman's blood that they'd be looking for. Arena on the other hand thought that he could have-a-go at it across the pond with his MLS laden roster of last minute fill-ins. After all, a portion of his roster was filled out by European contingency of the MNT. How bad could it be? We go, we have a look around, have a brat or two, and oh yeah we'll stop in and kick the rock around.

For 45 minutes it wasn't bad, but the jury was still out. Too bad there was anther 45 yet to be played. In the second half the Germans drove thru the American defense as if they were Panzer tanks. Often out played and out classed it was clear that the MNT was no longer facing the CONCACAF minnows that it has come so used to feeding on. The final line for the match was 4-0. Afterward a punchy Arena declared "we never should have accepted this match." Gee Bruce, how do you figure? He later added "some players have taken themselves out of World Cup contention with their performance tonight." No s*#t Bruce!

Do you mean to tell me that the likes of Jimmy Conrad and Chris Klein aren't up to par with Michael Ballack and Bernd Schneider? And what about Greg Berhalter, did you actually think that this relic could contain ze Deutsche snipers? Buy a vowel Bruce! Dortmund wasn't the time to play a patch-work back line. Maybe next time a non-minnow calls to check on the squad's availability, someone in the brain trust might want to check if it falls on a international fixture date. This way, you don't have to rely on the jv team.

In the weeks since the nightmare at Dortmund, the MNT managed a tie against Jamaica. Again Bruce, gimme a break. Tony Meola! It gets better Steve Ralston and Pat Noonan, were Chelo and Tab not available? What about Cobi and Waldo? Did you think you were lining up opposite Ziggy and the Whailers? I thought the jv team was bad? What's even more frightening is that since then, the MNT is now ranked fourth in the world. In...the... World! This time ahead of two time champ Argentina(8), as well as former champions England(10), and France(7).

For those who thought the BCS was bad, I assure you the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking is a greater hoax. Why you ask? Well take into consideration that the world ranking formula factors in your fixture results over the last eight years. Not to mention that your tournament pedigree factors in as well. What a sham. Lets face it, it's all about the Benjamins.

For much of the American public, soccer isn't on the radar. Sure America loves a Cinderella story, but what do Americans love more than a tear jerker? America loves a winner or at least a shot at a winner. Knowing that, Madison avenue will be watching closely and waiting in the wings, FIFA has once again waved its magic wand in order to bamboozel the American public into thinking that we have a shot at a winner. Lets face it, number four sounds better than seven. On paper we are only three spots away from the top of the heap.

If FIFA really thought that much about the standing of the MNT, then it might have been brighter to have seated the MNT rather than seating Mexico. Instead, the MNT must duke-it-out in group E (Italy, Ghana, Czech Republic) while our southern neighbors got a cake draw in group C (Iran, Angola, Portugal). After all, U.S. v Italy looks and sounds sexier than U.S. v Angola. You can bet the FIFA money machine is well aware of the marketing potential. Amazing that while we got worse, we got better.

FOOTNOTE

For more information, please visit:
FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking

Junk Bonds

Today, Barry Bonds told Sports Illustrated that he doubts his body will be able to let him reach Hank Aaron's record of 755 homeruns. Many dismiss this as simple posturing, a political move to take the heat and pressure off of the steroids popping hitter and let him coast to the feat. It is a very smart ploy, get everyone going one way using the suckers at the media and set up a smoke screen so that you can fly under the radar.

I however believe that this is another ploy, a fabrication by another name but not for the purposes of flying under the radar of the media and get some privacy and normalcy back into his life. I think that this is a ploy to excuse what will shortly be the nightly Sports Center fare.

As we have seen with the corruption in Washington, the same mirrors itself on baseball's stage. Barry Bonds is planting doubt in the minds of the media and his fans because he is probably coming to the realization that his goose if cooked, and the federal grand jury that was convened a couple of weeks ago to pursue a perjury charge has the goods on him. As is the case with ex Vice-Presidential Chief of Staff I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby and his perjury charge for lying to investigators in the outing of undercover CIA agent Valerie Plame, Bonds himself is more than likely planning his exit strategy by stirring speculation that his body is unable to withstand the coming season.

It's a classic move, quit with your dignity so that the cameras don't film you being led out of the Oval Office in handcuffs, or in Barry's case, his entire back wall section of the Giants' clubhouse, where he sits all by himself with his leather LAZBOYS and plasma television. There is no confirmation on the big guy wearing the black t-shirt underneath the black suit and the ear piece, however. This move will be to spare the "intelligent and educated" San Francisco baseball fans the image of Barry being perp walked out of Willie Mays Plaza by our nation's finest. And you better believe Bud Selig is thinking the same thing as well.

Dissecting Intelligence

According to several sources, there are boxes full of evidence seized in the Balco raid that probably lists drugs and dosages for Barry Bonds. Greg Anderson, the indicted former personal trainer and drug dealer of Bonds, has been called to the stand and is probably spilling his guts to save himself from serious time in federal prison. Kimberly Bell, Bonds' former mistress has been also called by the grand jury to testify on her knowledge of Bonds' drug use. With the mountains of evidence piling up, it has become increasingly clearer that Bonds' number may be up and he is going to have to face the music.

Not surprisingly, Bonds is in trouble because he is an arrogant narcissist that thought that he was better then the people investigating him. He probably thought that he was smarter then everybody and he thought that no one would know the difference when he told his lies at the Balco grand jury. Guess what Barry, just because you can hit the ball farther then the feds, doesn't mean you can out think them. How big of a fool do you have to be to lie in a grand jury when you have been given full IMMUNITY? Also, that testimony is secret for a reason, so that people can get the truth without the media outing the names of material witnesses. Imaging our legal system if we didn't have this concept. No mobster, gang member, or serial killer would ever be put away because people would be too scared to testify. Barry had no reason to lie, other then to further feed his own inflated ego that is somewhere around the size of his large head.

The scenario will play itself out like this. Bonds will more likely then not play until the end of May, when the grand jury is ready to wrap up, and then end up on the 15-day DL with a "muscle strain" or "knee swelling" or something. Then, if the Giants are in contention, he will probably come back before the end of the season and play sparingly down the stretch. If the Giants are out of contention, then he will sit out the remainder of the year on the 60-day DL. All the while, Bonds will not be on the mend, rather he and his team of lawyers will be planning the best way to defend themselves from the federal prosecutors and the mountains of evidence that will be presented in a trial. We will be privy to "leaks" that will further shape the court of public opinion, as we will start hearing about all the "new revelations" of Bonds and his drug use, tax evation, and alleged murder threat of Bell. All this will lead to news of a trial date set, sometime in 2007, coming the week following the World Series. You don't want to taint the image of the game even more then you have too. However, the trial will never come; Bonds will cop a plea to something and then, with an agreement between the team of lawyers for Bonds and Major League Baseball, he will go away. I'll put a Taylor's steak dinner on it right now if you don't believe me.

Jae is Seo Not the Answer

As I write this post, the Dodgers are well on their way to losing another game to another mediocre team (Arizona Diamondbacks) and it becomes increasingly apparent that the lack of a legitimate fifth starter is going to doom this club for the season. Hasn't it always been the case, however, that the "on the cheap" pitching solution that the post O'Malley Dodgers have employed always end up ruining what will otherwise be a great team. Last season, Dodger fans had to endure the pains of watching a broken down Scott Erickson, a flailing D.J Houlton, an unimpressive Elmer Dessens, and a really old Wilson Alvarez. Combined, these pitching juggernauts were a combined 9 and 19 and I'm not even mentioning the contributions of Edwin Jackson.

This year, the Dodgers gave up (Nomar just scored by the way) Duaner Sanchez and Steve Shmoll for Jae F'n Seo. (Dioner Navarro just popped up again to KILL another rally) F'n Seo looked lights out in the World Baseball Classic, or so we thought. As many call a virtuoso pitching performance in the WBC, I call pitching to Japan league hitters and 7 RAZA plus Euribel Durazo and Jorge Cantu. Coming into tonight's game, Seo's ERA was hovering in the mid 6's, and tonight's performance does not do anything to help that number.

Now, many will say that he had a great performance against the Giants despite the loss. Many will not say that the very reason they did lose was because Seo's brain took a crap during the game and he balked in the go ahead run. How do you throw to first base without anyone covering? I ask this because as a passive observer of the game, I have never heard of anyone ever throwing to a base that a fielder was not covering. I am sure I have not seen a lot of baseball, and that if you have you could say you have seen those types of rarities. I did see the Dodgers win a game once on catcher's interference when Don Slaught, then with the Pirates, accidently picked up a ball in the dirt with his catcher's mask allowing Tim Wallach score the winning run. I guess nobody is perfect. Jae Seo certainly is not, and his good pitching performance is outdone by the one moment of complete idiocy.

The moral of this post, I guess it is just a rant on the sheer ineptitude of the squad and misplaced anger towards a poor guy, Seo, that probably is in over his head. It's not his fault, I know, it's Grady's and Dioner's because they fail to do the basic thing that makes their respective positions with the ball club so different from the other guys in the organization. They don't manage, they don't console, and they certainly don't strategize, they just let the pitcher go out and make a series of bad pitches, to the tune of 5 earned in 4 innings. Another wasted opportunity to build on a solid game last night, and another opportunity to waste the talents of Jeff Kent, J.D. Drew, Nomar, and Bill Mueller.

SIDEBAR
Well, I didn't speak too soon. The Dodgers did manage to blow a game with bad pitching and really bad managing. So Nomar had 2 hits and scored a run, yeah yeah. Just when you think that they are going to get that clutch hit to tie the game, they blow another opportunity to waste runners in scoring position.

If something good did come out of this game, I guess it's that Shawn Green really sucks and it's a good thing that the Dodgers dumped him when they did.

Then and Now

Growing up in the shadow of the ravine was magical. It was a time when being a sports fan in Los Angeles was as good as it got. Summer nights meant one thing, Vinnie, Tommy and the boys in blue; either on the tube or in the box.

If you missed it painting the town red, you could always count on Stu to fill you in on what went down. Breakfast meant laughs with 'Mudd, perspective with Murray, and the beat with Bob.

Much like W. Axle and the strip, L.A. peaked early. Pete got out while the gettin' was good, Vinnie only overnights on the coast and Tommy was 86ed only to bring home the gold. Stu went fishing, 'Mudd and Murray punched their tickets, and Bob went national.

What are we left with? The valet and his Blue Sox, Charlie and Psycho on the call while Adande and Plaschke gab with stat boy. Will someone please call in the 101st! We need to storm the beaches of L.A. sports journalism. Get Kilgore on the horn...I love the smell of napalm in the morning!

Jimmy Clausen a Golden Domer

So young Jimmy Clausen, Oaks Christian High Quarterback, has chosen to skip out on the advances from Pete Carroll and go to Notre Dame, where presumably he will take over the reigns from Brady Quinn. I'm sure Jimmy will have a good college career under the guidance of Mr. Frontal Ass himself, Charlie Weiss. Big birthing hips is what he's got, but thats another post for another day.

The media is spinning this like it's another case of Weiss one upping Carroll, much as it was reported during the lead up to the rivalry game last season, with several media outlets reporting that Weiss had made the comment that in the NFL, he "owned Pete Carroll." I guess the media needs another talking point. Sure, Clausen is being called "the Lebron James of Football," but really, is football like basketball when it comes to rating talent? Any number of things can happen to a quarterback on the field, good mechanics or not. One massive hit, and that's all she wrote. I'm not hating on my man, the guy is a legitimate stud and serious talent, 3 CIF titles is proof enough, but does there have to be so much made over a high school recruit? High School ball is not college ball, and the reality is that no matter how much you want to build up a guy, no one has ever seen him do it at the next level, and there is no way to determine his "greatness" just yet. Besides, his Notre Dame team will be without the tools that got them to the Fiesta Bowl, where, oh yeah, they got smoked by The Ohio State University.

The truth is, ole Jimmy would have had to wait a while in the USC system, with Mark Sanchez slinging the rock like a champ in spring football and John David Booty coming back for his senior season. Sure, Booty did have a backiotomy, but that isn't a reason to doubt his ability to sling it for the men of troy. Jimmy would have just been extra baggage, the next Booty waiting in the wings for a couple of years for his shot to take the starting spot, in Clausen's case Sanchez as opposed to Booty's stumbling block, Matt Leinert, the "Greatest Quarterback in NCAA history." (Debate that all you want)

In any case, Sanchez will turn out to be leaps and bounds a better quarterback in the long run then Clausen. Sanchez is a student of the game, and he has, by many accounts, the kind of football smarts and pedigree that make you a legitimate stud at the position. Plus, my man is RAZA, and you got to go with your peep. Only thing that will make me eat my words, is the first massive hit Sanchez takes against the Arkansas Razorback defense that got smoked last season for 70 points and is going to be looking to get their SEC style, big boy hit on the SC quarterback. Then, with Booty possiblly still being out, and Sanchez out, SC has to rely on Michael Macdonald to "Take it to the Street." In any case, you can still make it to the Holiday Bowl at 9-3 Trojan fan.

SIDEBAR
I remember watching the game last year and listening to the commentary made by Pat Hayden on the NBC telecast. I know that NBC are serious homers and that Notre Dame was their biggest sports client at the time, but I remember the comment Hayden made about Brady Quinn and how he was "mentally tough, just like his head coach." See, lest I am losing my mind, I never recall fatso Weiss ever playing college ball or playing in the league. Mentally tough? Maybe when you have to go through the perils of recovering from an infection that you got while getting your stomach stapled because you ate VW bugs full of cheeseburgers for lunch. Unless having to have a conversation with Bill Parcells is mentally taxing, I don't know how you could bring yourself to say that Weiss is "mentally tough." Sure, sure, I am hating, yeah right. At the end of the day however, the guys on the field actually making the plays are mentally tough, the butterballs that call the plays are no more then walking playbooks.

Farmar and Afflalo want to go pro?

An overacheiving bunch they were, however the two UCLA guards are suffering from the same type of myopia that has stricken the likes of other notable busts and never weres in the the Association that thought they could ball on the next level. When matched up against a much more athletic Florida team, Afflalo was completely taken out of his game by double teams and switches that left the swing man with little room to manuever and even less to shoot. He may have played a big part in the wins against Alabama, Gonzaga, and LSU, but Afflalo showed that he has a difficult time creating his own shot and an even more difficult time keeping up with faster opponents.

Farmar on the other hand is a total enigma. When he isn't macking on fat chicks at Westwood parties, he finds time to completely take himself out of games. Up until the LSU game, he was averaging close to 5 points per game in the tourney and sans the great pass he made Luc Richard for the game winning lay up in the Gonzaga game, was really a non factor for much of the tournament. Then he suddenly hits paydirt, with a "great" individual performance in the final despite UCLA being run out of the gym.

The thing that most people won't cop to though, is that the performance in the final was an orchastrated event. Billy Donovan has even admitted as much in interviews. Florida's plan was to shut down the other four guys on the floor, and make Jordan Farmar the main UCLA scorerer because, and this may come as a shock to people, he isn't that good and isn't the type of guy that can completely dominate and take over a game.

When it's all said and done, these two will probably get some play in the league and make a decent run as bottom of the bench type of guys. They have the basketball pedigree that at the very least, gives them some play. However, both of their careers look more like Toby Bailey then Reggie Miller, and they will be hardpressed to make any type of legacy in the league. Another year at UCLA however, with a healthy Josh Shipp, makes them serious contenders for another final four run and a preseason type five "sexy" pick.

Why the Dodgers need a new catcher

You would think that if a catcher was a defensive liability, he would at least be a hell of a batter. We had Mike Piazza, who could hit the crap out of the ball and made no bones about the fact that he was really inept behind the plate. Now we have Dioner Navarro and Sandy Alomar Jr., two guys on the opposite side of the spectrum, one barely starting out, one on the dog's ass of his career. In any case, the two are far from defensive wizards behind the plate, and up until this last homestand, both are pretty pathetic with the stick.

Why is it that everytime the Dodgers have runners in scoring position, Dioner finds a way to pop up or hit into a weak fielder's choice. It is absolutely painful, when you know that hitter/runners have gone through all that trouble to get on base and into scoring position to have this overhyped DePodesta project kill the rally. Is it too hard to ask for a guy like the Braves' Brian McCann? A guy like J. Kendall, or at the very least a fat Benji Molina who the Dodgers could have had on the cheap but let him get away to Toronto because of their love affair with the "second coming of Jorge Posada?" This is absolutely ridiculous! There is no output from any of these guys behind the plate and up until yesterday's game, opposing runners had swiped 15 of 16 bases on these guys.

And don't try to say that it's all the pitchers fault either. I'm not one of those guys that buys into all this "its a pitcher's job to hold the runner on" crap. Last I checked, the majority of the time, a pitcher has his back to the runner, and its on the catcher to let him know Juan Pierre is doing too much dancing at first. Can we please trade for a catcher, someone with an arm that can swing it a bit too. I would even take Brad Ausmus, a guy who has no power but calls a hell of the game and can throw out bastards trying to swipe bags.

Welcome to the SoCal Sport Shop!

In the coming days and months, this blog will be full or rantings and ravings and blasts on everything SoCal Sports, or atleast as much as I and perhaps some hard working contributers can cover. We will run the full spectrum of SoCal Sports, from the foreseeable crappy season that the Dodgers will have to the fact that the Mighty Franklin baseball Panthers have an asshead head coach who is 10 years late calling it quits, to most of the SoCal high school sports news that the big media and supposed "public trusts" are not willing to cover because its not exactly the most money making of propositions. In any case, this blog will be a place for all SoCal sports fans to get that stupid Grady Little move in the 8th inning to lose the game off their chest. Thanks and please stop by as much as possible.