Bill Plaschke of the LA Times, and a frequent guest on "Around The Horn" thinks it's preposterous that baseball does not play in a warm neutral site for the world series.(http://www.latimes.com/sports/columnists/la-sp-plaschke22-2008oct22,0,2135305.column) Hey Bill do you ever think like a fan instead of a pompous annoying sportswriter. So what we had to suspend a game for the first time in 100+ years. Where should we play Bill? California, what about earthquakes. Florida, Texas, what about hurricanes. Baseball is a game. It is played in each and every U.S. state. Hey Bill those people in Alaska playing baseball, what a bunch of nuts huh. Believe it or not weather is part of the game. It's a sport that's supposed to be played outdoors.
Rewarding the fans, now that's a novel concept. I'm pretty sure that Phillies fans aren't sitting here this morning wishing that the games were in Corpus Christi. Hey Bill if covering the world series is too cold and wet, stick with the PGA tour then. Leave Baseball to us, the fans. You know what we're not sitting in the lavish press boxes with catered food. We're sitting in seats that are too small, and paying $7 a beer.
The world series isn't the super bowl. It's America's game and it should be played in America's cities.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
$100 Bills
I love when guys come into the pro shop and ask loudly in front of their buddies, "Do you have change for $100." We're a golf course that charges $55.00 for golf and a cart. What do you think. If you want your buddies to know that you have a $100 bill just tell them.
Prime
What is your prime. In sports it occurs at different times.
Baseball - You reach your prime somewhere in the 27-31 range. You become smarter as a player, and kind of figure things out. Baseball isn't necessarily based on pure athleticism so knowledge of the game combined with athletic ability is when you reach that point.
Ken Griffey Jr. best years were between the ages of 26-29.
Football - Football it varies by position. I think that it's well known that for Running Backs the age of 30 has proven almost without exception that is the beginning of the end. But for lineman and QB's it's kind of the baseball thing. Where running backs have to rely on instinct alone most other position need that "knowledge of the game"
Marshal Faulk best years were between 25-28
Steve Young, Joe Montana, and John Elway's best years were all after the age of 30
Basketball - Basketball really depends upon the position. Point Guards rely more on instinct and athletic ability so they peak at a much earlier age. Centers have throughout history have peaked in their late 20's and haven't done much later in their careers. I think obviously that has a lot to do with their size, and the bodies ability to handle the stress. Forwards peak in that coveted 27-30 range because their games need that mental ability to match their athletic ability.
Shaquille Oneal had his best years in his late 20's
Kevin Garnett was dominate from 27-30
John Stockton and Jason Kidd really got good when they were 25.
Hockey - I think Hockey players have the longest prime. Because I think the good ones can get by on athleticism early in their careers, and meanwhile they are figuring out the ins and outs of the game. By the time they've lost a step they figure out better angles, they figure out when and where to spend their energy. They don't waste time going around people, they set up the plays more.
If you look at Mark Messier which is one of the greats I know, he found a way to sustain a point per game avg. for 15 years with one exception. But even that year he averaged .98.
What about other sports
Tennis you're done when you reach your mid 20's
Gymanstic's you're best years are when you're a teenager.
Golf you're in your prime throughout your 30's unless you're Vijay Siingh
What about us average folks. When is our prime? My best years athletically were in high school. I'm not a gymnast. So why did that happen. Obviously it's the lack of being forced to work out, and eat healthier. So what are our best years. I think it's different for each person. Some of us it was high school. Some of us it's when you become a parent. Some of us it's when you are working your way up the corporate ladder. I think each person has a different prime. We're not all meant to be athletes, students, parents, spouses, coworkers. So whens your prime?
Baseball - You reach your prime somewhere in the 27-31 range. You become smarter as a player, and kind of figure things out. Baseball isn't necessarily based on pure athleticism so knowledge of the game combined with athletic ability is when you reach that point.
Ken Griffey Jr. best years were between the ages of 26-29.
Football - Football it varies by position. I think that it's well known that for Running Backs the age of 30 has proven almost without exception that is the beginning of the end. But for lineman and QB's it's kind of the baseball thing. Where running backs have to rely on instinct alone most other position need that "knowledge of the game"
Marshal Faulk best years were between 25-28
Steve Young, Joe Montana, and John Elway's best years were all after the age of 30
Basketball - Basketball really depends upon the position. Point Guards rely more on instinct and athletic ability so they peak at a much earlier age. Centers have throughout history have peaked in their late 20's and haven't done much later in their careers. I think obviously that has a lot to do with their size, and the bodies ability to handle the stress. Forwards peak in that coveted 27-30 range because their games need that mental ability to match their athletic ability.
Shaquille Oneal had his best years in his late 20's
Kevin Garnett was dominate from 27-30
John Stockton and Jason Kidd really got good when they were 25.
Hockey - I think Hockey players have the longest prime. Because I think the good ones can get by on athleticism early in their careers, and meanwhile they are figuring out the ins and outs of the game. By the time they've lost a step they figure out better angles, they figure out when and where to spend their energy. They don't waste time going around people, they set up the plays more.
If you look at Mark Messier which is one of the greats I know, he found a way to sustain a point per game avg. for 15 years with one exception. But even that year he averaged .98.
What about other sports
Tennis you're done when you reach your mid 20's
Gymanstic's you're best years are when you're a teenager.
Golf you're in your prime throughout your 30's unless you're Vijay Siingh
What about us average folks. When is our prime? My best years athletically were in high school. I'm not a gymnast. So why did that happen. Obviously it's the lack of being forced to work out, and eat healthier. So what are our best years. I think it's different for each person. Some of us it was high school. Some of us it's when you become a parent. Some of us it's when you are working your way up the corporate ladder. I think each person has a different prime. We're not all meant to be athletes, students, parents, spouses, coworkers. So whens your prime?
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Weak Society
How come there are so many babies out there. It seems like a lot of people these days are just products of a weak society. I see it at work, I see it amongst friends. I'd say that most people can't do anything that isn't easy.
Here's a small example. A guy is asked to work at 1 job at night. The problem is he needs to work at his other job in the morning, at 9:00 AM. So he tells the night job he can't work past 9:00 PM. What a baby, does said person really need the opportunity for 10 hours of sleep? Maybe that's the reason he's working 2 jobs at $10/hour. Now according to time magazine
Studies show that people who sleep between 6.5 hr. and 7.5 hr. a night, as they report, live the longest. And people who sleep 8 hr. or more, or less than 6.5 hr., they don't live quite as long. There is just as much risk associated with sleeping too long as with sleeping too short. The big surprise is that long sleep seems to start at 8 hr. Sleeping 8.5 hr. might really be a little worse than sleeping 5 hr.
There are just so many people out there that all they do is just bitch and whine. Instead of taking it amongst themselves to fix or solve a problem they just continue to bitch about it. Another issue in our lack of society is intelligence. I think a lot of this is just all tied together, which in turn makes our society weak. There are not enough go getter's out there. We'd all just rather sit on our asses and bitch about it. We don't go outside because it's too cold, or too warm, or too windy, etc.
I had a good conversation the other day with a friend, and we came to realize that we could not survive 100 years ago. We started thinking that everything we had done that day to that point, we used something that would not have been available 100 years ago.
Maybe it's just where I'm from. Maybe we're just products of the suburbs. We've always had everything we need, so hard work is not something that is instilled in us. Now when I talk about work, I'm not talking about being a bricklayer, or building houses. I'm talking about staying the course even thought there might be a few bumps in the way. Not always taking the easy road.
There are a lot of ways to define hard work. Hard work is getting your masters. Hard work is starting your own company. Hard work is saving money. Hard work is keeping in touch with your friends. Hard work is a lot of things to a lot of different people. I just think that a lot of us don't know what that means anymore. Hard work is not getting as much sleep each and every night.
We've got everything we need from the insides of our houses. We can have anything delivered, we can watch any movie, and show, listen to any song at any time. We can find out everything we need to know about our friends with out ever having to talk to them thanks to Facebook and Myspace. We can take virtual tours of the Grand Canyon so why do we need to go. We would never want to hurt any one's feelings. We can't tell jokes about people.
The overall lack of intelligence out there is unnerving too. We all have the right to vote. But is it right for us all to vote. If somebody doesn't take the time to research the candidates to find out what they stand for then why do they have a say in it? This isn't the NCAA basketball tournament where you want everyone to participate. I guarantee you that you can randomly ask any group of people 18-30 who the Vice President is and you wouldn't get more than 60% that get it right. So some people just are smart enough to make decisions for themselves even. I just think that my generation for the most part is pathetic. There are always exceptions, and I do know some truly smart and successful people. But to me those people are the true minorities.
Here's a small example. A guy is asked to work at 1 job at night. The problem is he needs to work at his other job in the morning, at 9:00 AM. So he tells the night job he can't work past 9:00 PM. What a baby, does said person really need the opportunity for 10 hours of sleep? Maybe that's the reason he's working 2 jobs at $10/hour. Now according to time magazine
Studies show that people who sleep between 6.5 hr. and 7.5 hr. a night, as they report, live the longest. And people who sleep 8 hr. or more, or less than 6.5 hr., they don't live quite as long. There is just as much risk associated with sleeping too long as with sleeping too short. The big surprise is that long sleep seems to start at 8 hr. Sleeping 8.5 hr. might really be a little worse than sleeping 5 hr.
There are just so many people out there that all they do is just bitch and whine. Instead of taking it amongst themselves to fix or solve a problem they just continue to bitch about it. Another issue in our lack of society is intelligence. I think a lot of this is just all tied together, which in turn makes our society weak. There are not enough go getter's out there. We'd all just rather sit on our asses and bitch about it. We don't go outside because it's too cold, or too warm, or too windy, etc.
I had a good conversation the other day with a friend, and we came to realize that we could not survive 100 years ago. We started thinking that everything we had done that day to that point, we used something that would not have been available 100 years ago.
Maybe it's just where I'm from. Maybe we're just products of the suburbs. We've always had everything we need, so hard work is not something that is instilled in us. Now when I talk about work, I'm not talking about being a bricklayer, or building houses. I'm talking about staying the course even thought there might be a few bumps in the way. Not always taking the easy road.
There are a lot of ways to define hard work. Hard work is getting your masters. Hard work is starting your own company. Hard work is saving money. Hard work is keeping in touch with your friends. Hard work is a lot of things to a lot of different people. I just think that a lot of us don't know what that means anymore. Hard work is not getting as much sleep each and every night.
We've got everything we need from the insides of our houses. We can have anything delivered, we can watch any movie, and show, listen to any song at any time. We can find out everything we need to know about our friends with out ever having to talk to them thanks to Facebook and Myspace. We can take virtual tours of the Grand Canyon so why do we need to go. We would never want to hurt any one's feelings. We can't tell jokes about people.
The overall lack of intelligence out there is unnerving too. We all have the right to vote. But is it right for us all to vote. If somebody doesn't take the time to research the candidates to find out what they stand for then why do they have a say in it? This isn't the NCAA basketball tournament where you want everyone to participate. I guarantee you that you can randomly ask any group of people 18-30 who the Vice President is and you wouldn't get more than 60% that get it right. So some people just are smart enough to make decisions for themselves even. I just think that my generation for the most part is pathetic. There are always exceptions, and I do know some truly smart and successful people. But to me those people are the true minorities.
Friday, October 24, 2008
At Work.
I am at work right now. I work at a golf course. It is 40 degrees outside, and it has been sprinkling all day. Needless to say it is not golfing conditions. I have 3 groups out there today. I group just came in on the turn. 5 guys all in the 25-40 age range. First guy walks in and says, "It's hot out there, do you have any ice cream?" The other 4 all burst out in laughter.
I think to myself, nothing about what you said is funny. It's not creative, it's not witty, it doesn't have a good set up or punch line. Everyone knows it's cold out. So why did these 4 other guys laugh?
They laughed because they are all extremely stupid, and haven't had enough truly fun and exciting experiences in their lives to understand the difference between actual humor, and just stupid pointless comments.
These guys are golfing just so they can tell their buddies, that they love golf so much that they golf when it's 40 and raining. They all have bags and clubs that are worth much more than $1000/set. But these guys think that they should golf because that's what men do. They tell jokes because they think that's what men do. In the long run their just a bunch of idiots. But they did tip me $5.
I think to myself, nothing about what you said is funny. It's not creative, it's not witty, it doesn't have a good set up or punch line. Everyone knows it's cold out. So why did these 4 other guys laugh?
They laughed because they are all extremely stupid, and haven't had enough truly fun and exciting experiences in their lives to understand the difference between actual humor, and just stupid pointless comments.
These guys are golfing just so they can tell their buddies, that they love golf so much that they golf when it's 40 and raining. They all have bags and clubs that are worth much more than $1000/set. But these guys think that they should golf because that's what men do. They tell jokes because they think that's what men do. In the long run their just a bunch of idiots. But they did tip me $5.
Media Ratings
Every time there is a major championship we hear about and talk about the ratings. We say things like, "I bet you FOX is hoping it's Boston vs. LA in the world series." But who cares. It's fun and interesting to talk about. If the Twins made it to the world series, I wouldn't care if they played the Benson & Orth softball team, and nobody watched the damn games. I mean Philadelphia is the 4th largest market, and Tampa's in the top 15. So how much better do you want it. As a sports fan I think it might add a little interest if it's Chicago vs. Chicago, or New York vs. Boston. But at the end of the day, I'm going to tune in to the World Series regardless of who's playing. I think that is what the NBA does such a good job of is marketing the players and match ups rather than the teams. I'd love to see Lebron vs. Carmelo. That sounds so much better than Cleveland vs. Denver.
Last year the NHL had what I'd assume was their dream match up. Crosby and Malkin vs. The Detroit Red Wings. And they did a good job marketing it, and the ratings were up for the first time in years.
I just thing far to much time is spent talking about ratings, when all the fans want is a good match up. I think if it's a competitive World Series the rating will be fine, they're a lot of exciting players on both teams that are fun to watch, and it shouldn't make a difference how big their home cities are.
Last year the NHL had what I'd assume was their dream match up. Crosby and Malkin vs. The Detroit Red Wings. And they did a good job marketing it, and the ratings were up for the first time in years.
I just thing far to much time is spent talking about ratings, when all the fans want is a good match up. I think if it's a competitive World Series the rating will be fine, they're a lot of exciting players on both teams that are fun to watch, and it shouldn't make a difference how big their home cities are.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Fighting in the NHL
Who doesn't like fighting in the NHL??? I'll tell you who. It's the same people who don't like to keep score. There are debates each year as to whether or not fighting has a place in hockey. The answer is YES!
Fighting is a way for players to govern themselves. If you take a run a star player you better do it knowing you'll have to pay for your actions. It's as simple as that. Football kind of has it worked in through the non stop physicallity that goes along with it. Baseball kind of does this, by pitchers throwing at batters, then in turn batters retailiating by charging the mound. Basketball, well they don't fight each other, they just fight the fans.
But why shouldn't there be fighting in hockey? The fans love it, the players like it, and the coaches mostly regulate it. So who are those who don't like it?
It's the little momma's boy's running around out there. They don't want to keep score at their kids little league games because they don't want anyone to be losers. Well here's a solution . . . Win. They want the Principal to talk to bullies so they don't pick on their kids anymore. Well here's a solution . . . stand up to them. They don't want to see violence at hockey games. Well here's a solution. . . don't go. Why is it that people have to get involved with everything? If you don't like something bug off!
Some people feel like they have to try and change things. Hockey has been around for over 100 years (with the exception of the lockout). These NHL players are getting paid a lot of money, and they willingly get into fights, and we should stop them. Who are we to tell them they can't do there job. I don't see Derek Boogard going out to a construction sight, and screaming at some guy working on a high beam on the 70th floor, that he needs to stop doing his job, because it's too dangerous.
What we need is for everyone to just mind their own business. If you enjoy something, enjoy it. If you don't like something, don't like, but just don't try and change it.
Fighting is a way for players to govern themselves. If you take a run a star player you better do it knowing you'll have to pay for your actions. It's as simple as that. Football kind of has it worked in through the non stop physicallity that goes along with it. Baseball kind of does this, by pitchers throwing at batters, then in turn batters retailiating by charging the mound. Basketball, well they don't fight each other, they just fight the fans.
But why shouldn't there be fighting in hockey? The fans love it, the players like it, and the coaches mostly regulate it. So who are those who don't like it?
It's the little momma's boy's running around out there. They don't want to keep score at their kids little league games because they don't want anyone to be losers. Well here's a solution . . . Win. They want the Principal to talk to bullies so they don't pick on their kids anymore. Well here's a solution . . . stand up to them. They don't want to see violence at hockey games. Well here's a solution. . . don't go. Why is it that people have to get involved with everything? If you don't like something bug off!
Some people feel like they have to try and change things. Hockey has been around for over 100 years (with the exception of the lockout). These NHL players are getting paid a lot of money, and they willingly get into fights, and we should stop them. Who are we to tell them they can't do there job. I don't see Derek Boogard going out to a construction sight, and screaming at some guy working on a high beam on the 70th floor, that he needs to stop doing his job, because it's too dangerous.
What we need is for everyone to just mind their own business. If you enjoy something, enjoy it. If you don't like something, don't like, but just don't try and change it.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
President
Now I don't claim to be a great political mind, but why can't we find a good president to lead this great country. I don't know who'll be better of the two candidates now, I don't think anyone does. Why don't we make this job appealing to our more promising young leaders of America. Ndudi Ebi get's drafted by the Timberwolves, scores 40 career points in 3 season. He's made over $3,000,000! He's played a total of 86 career minutes. That works out to be $2,097,902/hour
Now the president of the United States. The leader of the free world makes a pedestrian $400,000 a year. So let's compare and that works out to be
$192/hour.
This is assuming that the president works an average of 40 hours a week. Which I'm assuming he does more, but that's all right. So Ndudi Ebi makes
$2,097,710 more per hour than the president of the United States. That makes a lot of sense. What are the benefits of becoming president? You are grossly underpaid. You and your family are in danger of losing your life for every second of every day from the moment you start campaigning until the moment you die. You get mocked and ridiculed around the world and in your own country daily. Your entire life of normalcy completely disappears.
This is why we can't find a great president. The job sucks. You have every single NBA player in the league making more money than George W. Bush. I understand about people coming to watch the athletes play, and buying jersey's and tv contracts. But come on, we can't find a way to attract some great candidates?
Here's what you do. You need to completely revamp the entire system. It will be like sports. Now let's pretend like Governors are AAA, Senators are AA, and Congress is A. Each politician starts out in A, now you only get one term. While in congress you either move up or you move out. You need to beat out what's above you to show that you're worthy. What this does is keep things fresh. I think they're congressman and senators who've been in office for decades. Correct me if I'm wrong but if you were in office when disco was cool, you do not relate to today's issues. Now if you've made it to become a senator same thing applies, you've shown you've got potential. But you either move up, stay the same, or you're gone. You can't go back to congress. We can't waste our time hoping someday you'll make it. We're looking for prospects that can succeed under all situations. Now if you make it through the ranks you become 1 of 50 governors. Being governor is more closely related to President anyway. You actually have to make executive decisions. So now we have a election between 25 states. States alternate terms so that we can get to know our 25 candidates better. We can then look at each governor's body of work. We'll be comparing apples to apples. Let's see how Arkansas was when he got there and how is it doing now. They will no longer be a 2 party system. We'll vote for the man, not the party. I assume that they're be some statehood bias which I haven't solved yet. But I think this process gives us an opportunity to get candidates that have executive experience, and we can compare similar issues. If you can't run Kansas we know you can't run America.
This salary for this will be $1,000,000/year, with incentives. If you leave with a better financial position than when you started you get an additional $1,000,000. You can do many more incentives too, it's very similar to what large corporations do.
I'm sure there are flaws in this system, just like our current system. But I really think that the job of president just isn't that appealing to people. If you are Yale graduate Theo Epstein would you rather become the Executive Vice President/General Manager of the Boston Red Sox, and be worshiped in your home town making 1.5 million/year, or would you rather be George Bush?
Now the president of the United States. The leader of the free world makes a pedestrian $400,000 a year. So let's compare and that works out to be
$192/hour.
This is assuming that the president works an average of 40 hours a week. Which I'm assuming he does more, but that's all right. So Ndudi Ebi makes
$2,097,710 more per hour than the president of the United States. That makes a lot of sense. What are the benefits of becoming president? You are grossly underpaid. You and your family are in danger of losing your life for every second of every day from the moment you start campaigning until the moment you die. You get mocked and ridiculed around the world and in your own country daily. Your entire life of normalcy completely disappears.
This is why we can't find a great president. The job sucks. You have every single NBA player in the league making more money than George W. Bush. I understand about people coming to watch the athletes play, and buying jersey's and tv contracts. But come on, we can't find a way to attract some great candidates?
Here's what you do. You need to completely revamp the entire system. It will be like sports. Now let's pretend like Governors are AAA, Senators are AA, and Congress is A. Each politician starts out in A, now you only get one term. While in congress you either move up or you move out. You need to beat out what's above you to show that you're worthy. What this does is keep things fresh. I think they're congressman and senators who've been in office for decades. Correct me if I'm wrong but if you were in office when disco was cool, you do not relate to today's issues. Now if you've made it to become a senator same thing applies, you've shown you've got potential. But you either move up, stay the same, or you're gone. You can't go back to congress. We can't waste our time hoping someday you'll make it. We're looking for prospects that can succeed under all situations. Now if you make it through the ranks you become 1 of 50 governors. Being governor is more closely related to President anyway. You actually have to make executive decisions. So now we have a election between 25 states. States alternate terms so that we can get to know our 25 candidates better. We can then look at each governor's body of work. We'll be comparing apples to apples. Let's see how Arkansas was when he got there and how is it doing now. They will no longer be a 2 party system. We'll vote for the man, not the party. I assume that they're be some statehood bias which I haven't solved yet. But I think this process gives us an opportunity to get candidates that have executive experience, and we can compare similar issues. If you can't run Kansas we know you can't run America.
This salary for this will be $1,000,000/year, with incentives. If you leave with a better financial position than when you started you get an additional $1,000,000. You can do many more incentives too, it's very similar to what large corporations do.
I'm sure there are flaws in this system, just like our current system. But I really think that the job of president just isn't that appealing to people. If you are Yale graduate Theo Epstein would you rather become the Executive Vice President/General Manager of the Boston Red Sox, and be worshiped in your home town making 1.5 million/year, or would you rather be George Bush?
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Today
Contrary to popular beliefs, but there are more than just the day before and after the baseball all star that don't have any sports. Take today for example, no MLB, NFL, NHL, or NBA.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Randoms
Why do people that use their credit/check cards a lot think they are special. I've noticed it at the golf course and amongst my friends. But it's viewed upon almost like a status symbol. I just had a customer use a card. When I commented that I could barely read the "ask for picture ID" on the back of the card, he commented, "Ha Ha Ha it's seen it's fair share of credit card machines Ha Ha Ha." Or when people pull out their card they often times comment on the condition of their card, and how much they use it. I just don't get it. It's not interesting to ANYBODY!!!
People that wear bluetooth earpieces regularly should have the ability to reproduce taken away.
Why do Minnesotans say that our state fair is second only to Texas? Second in what? Size, profit, length, funness, fried food, what???
How much money would you need to go out to the part of the ocean that is farthest away from any land, and get dropped off for 24 hours? One stipulation is that you will not be in any danger from animals. You'd only have to fight the mental struggle with being in the most remote location on earth.
I would like to know more about meter readers. Where do they live, and how do they do there job. Is there job just basically walking house to house every day of the month. And then do it all over again? I think there is some stuff we don't know.
Charlie from "Always Sunny in Philadelphia" is the new and improved Kramer.
Tara Reids boyfriend for Van Wilder, and Sac from wedding crashers should be friends.
Who is the leader of ducks and geese that decides it's time to go south, and then come back north? Why don't they just stay South. And is there just a lot of ducks and geese in like Oklahoma in the winter?
People that wear bluetooth earpieces regularly should have the ability to reproduce taken away.
Why do Minnesotans say that our state fair is second only to Texas? Second in what? Size, profit, length, funness, fried food, what???
How much money would you need to go out to the part of the ocean that is farthest away from any land, and get dropped off for 24 hours? One stipulation is that you will not be in any danger from animals. You'd only have to fight the mental struggle with being in the most remote location on earth.
I would like to know more about meter readers. Where do they live, and how do they do there job. Is there job just basically walking house to house every day of the month. And then do it all over again? I think there is some stuff we don't know.
Charlie from "Always Sunny in Philadelphia" is the new and improved Kramer.
Tara Reids boyfriend for Van Wilder, and Sac from wedding crashers should be friends.
Who is the leader of ducks and geese that decides it's time to go south, and then come back north? Why don't they just stay South. And is there just a lot of ducks and geese in like Oklahoma in the winter?
Friday, October 3, 2008
Manny Ramirez
My favorite non MN Twins baseball player for years has been Manny Ramirez. My favorite sports writer is Bill Simmons. Much to my pleasure Simmons did a feature article on Manny! I think Manny Ramirez is the type of player everyone wishes they had on their team. Manny has been the best hitter of our lifetimes. You can also debate where he ranks all time, and you wouldn't go very far down the list before you got to Manny. Manny has played for three teams now in his career. Those three teams have one thing in common, they win. Cleveland hadn't been to the playoffs for forty years until many got there. Boston which hadn't won a world series in 90+ years, won 2 world series with Manny. The Dodgers were going nowhere until Manny got there, and now they're world series contenders.
Manny is the player who has fun when he plays. He's not the cocky self promoter that a lot of athletes are these days. Manny is in a group with Ozzie Guillen and Randy Moss. This group of guys are far to honest. Most fans and media don't like honesty in their athletes and coaches. They want cliches and lies. They want to be told every thing's all right even when it's not. Sure Manny has made his mistakes, and doesn't do everything right. But who does. I understand that he has millions upon millions of dollars in his career, but is that his fault. Manny is the guy you work with that has fun while at work. He is the guy at your job, that doesn't put in 100% each and everyday, but it doesn't really matter because in the long run he is one of the better workers. Manny is the guy who doesn't clean everything perfect because he knows it's just going to get dirty again right away. It's not Manny's fault that some owner is willing to pay him 20 million a year. It's not his fault that 45,000 people pay money to watch him do his job everyday. In football Brett Favre had this mentality, and is worshiped for it.
Manny Ramirez is a kid playing baseball. When I play softball each week, and I hit a slow grounder to second (which is often) I don't go 100%. When I'm at work I don't always want to be there, I don't always do my best. I think we'd all be lying to ourselves if we said we did. So don't hate on a guy because he does the same thing at his job.
People talk about his fielding, I think we can look across the league and find many players nearly as bad as Manny and none of them can hit like him.
All the guy has ever done is win, and hit. So I wouldn't mind having the guy on my team.
Manny is the player who has fun when he plays. He's not the cocky self promoter that a lot of athletes are these days. Manny is in a group with Ozzie Guillen and Randy Moss. This group of guys are far to honest. Most fans and media don't like honesty in their athletes and coaches. They want cliches and lies. They want to be told every thing's all right even when it's not. Sure Manny has made his mistakes, and doesn't do everything right. But who does. I understand that he has millions upon millions of dollars in his career, but is that his fault. Manny is the guy you work with that has fun while at work. He is the guy at your job, that doesn't put in 100% each and everyday, but it doesn't really matter because in the long run he is one of the better workers. Manny is the guy who doesn't clean everything perfect because he knows it's just going to get dirty again right away. It's not Manny's fault that some owner is willing to pay him 20 million a year. It's not his fault that 45,000 people pay money to watch him do his job everyday. In football Brett Favre had this mentality, and is worshiped for it.
Manny Ramirez is a kid playing baseball. When I play softball each week, and I hit a slow grounder to second (which is often) I don't go 100%. When I'm at work I don't always want to be there, I don't always do my best. I think we'd all be lying to ourselves if we said we did. So don't hate on a guy because he does the same thing at his job.
People talk about his fielding, I think we can look across the league and find many players nearly as bad as Manny and none of them can hit like him.
All the guy has ever done is win, and hit. So I wouldn't mind having the guy on my team.
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