Too Much Power

                The All-Star game has always provided many memorable moments, no matter what sport it's in. From Michael Jordan's final shot in an All-Star game as a Washington Wizard in the NBA, to Wayne Gretzky's final bow in his last NHL All-Star game, to countless memories in both the NFL and MLB All-Star games as well. One memory this writer will never forget is seeing Sandy Alomar, Jr. of the Cleveland Indians hitting what turned out to be the game winning home run in the 1997 mid-summer classic. In spite of all these timeless pieces of time, the All-Star games in all 4 major sports have one major flaw in them. The flaw is that the fans are able to vote for the players they want to see in the game. Now I'm all for Democracy in sports. However, it bugs me just a little when I see guys like Derek Jeter and Albert Pujols as leading vote getters despite what they do on the field. I'm not saying that either one of those players aren't good ballplayers. When players like that are struggling to hit .300 and are still considered All-Stars, something needs to change and fast. I hate to say it, but it's gotten to the point where even American Idol has more validly in their voting process then any All-Star game. At least American Idol is actually based on talent. What it comes down to is that the All-Star game is nothing more than a popularity contest. If you want proof, look at the current leading vote getters for MLB's version this year. The players and teams that they represent are all from big market teams. Last time I checked, in the American League, the Yankees have three players represented just in the infield. I wasn't sure if they were showing the vote leaders in the All-Star game or the next Yankee game. In the National League, you always have Ryan Howard and Albert Pujols represented despite the numbers they produce on the field. Especially this year since, as of this writing, Pujols is on the Disabled List. In spite of this, Albert will probably be named the starter of the game. This will be in spite of the fact that he will not be able to play in the game. I feel this takes away the true meaning of the game which is to put the players with the best numbers in the game. This rings true especially now since the winner of the All-Star game has home field advantage to begin the World Series. What needs to happen is all four sports need to take the voting out of the fans hands slightly. I would have the fans vote make up for 50% of the overall vote. Have the other 50% be a collection of the fellow players and Major League Baseball officials. To make it even more interesting, have the umpires weigh in on who gets to go to the game. Yes, the various All-Star games do provide lasting memories. Unless we fix the way the players go to that game, the game as a whole will be a forgotten memory.        

Misguided Anger

                I'll be honest. I don't like the NBA. Ever since the lockout happened in the 98-99 season, I feel the game has lost some of its luster. I'm more of a MLB guy. I love anything and everything about the Cleveland Indians. In fact, the one year, my Uncle was shocked at my loyalty when I told him I listened to the first game of Spring Training that year on the radio. With all that being said, when a city acts out of line without merit, I'm the type of person that will call them out on it. I feel certain cities need to be called out on this whole LeBron James issue. New York, Chicago and Cleveland all got their wish. LeBron James lost the NBA Finals last Sunday to the Dallas Mavericks. Joy in mudville. The joy is justified, right? WRONG! Let me give you a little scenario. Guy meets girl. Both fall in love with each other. Couple stays together for 6 years. Everything's great within the relationship. One day, guy sees another girl somewhere. He starts talking to her. Finds out she has everything her current relationship is lacking and  more. After weighing the pros and cons, guy breaks up with long time girlfriend to pursue what he feels is a better relationship. Girl is devastated. What does she do? She nitpicks everything that he does every time she sees him or hears of him being happy or having a good time. This nitpicking is even though when they were together, she thought everything he did was cute no matter how immoral or classless it is. Then, when she finds out something bad happens to him, she says things like "Good for him." He deserves it." Meanwhile, she's still single and is now jaded and bitter. Sound familiar? EXACTLY. This is exactly how the Bulls, Cavs and Knicks are acting. They are all bitter because LeBron James did more this past NBA season. Now again, if you have read my previous posts, you know that I am not a LeBron sympathizer. I think it's horrible what he did to the city of Cleveland. The fact is that if LeBron did this in any other city, that city would think nothing of his antics. If Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade and LeBron would have had that pre-season celebration in any of those three other cities, that city would have been excited and would have celebrated right along with them. If Wade would have coughed during the Finals while playing for Cleveland, Cavs fans would have thought it was cute. Guaranteed. All this comes down to is nothing more than misguided anger. The cities that James snubbed on July 8th, 2010 are simply angry because the "Big 3" aren't doing these childish antics in their town. Conversely, if they were doing these things in any of the other cities, Miami would be just as angry as the other cities are now, if not more. If people wanted to root against LeBron, they should have done it from day 1 when ESPN was foaming at the mouth over him in the St. Vincent St. Mary's gymnasium. Now it's simply too late. Don't boo him now. Don't root against him now. Simply try and make your team better to keep these 3 superstars out of the Finals. That and only that will be the best revenge possible. Now since that topic is laid to rest, I simply have one question. Are you in the Tribe?

      

 

He's Still Winning

                Based on the title of this entry, some people may think this is somehow a column about Charlie Sheen. A title that sates "He's still winning." often makes people think of the outrageous, out of his mind actor. This entry is not about him. This entry is about LeBron James and Cleveland's desperate and sometimes pitiful attempt of quick revenge at any and all costs. You see, as of this writing, the Miami Heat are down 3 games to 2 in the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks. Due to what happened on July 8th, 2010 when LeBron James "Took his talents to South Beach" to play for the Miami Heat, many people, especially Cleveland fans, were happy with Miami's 112-103 loss to Dallas on Thursday night. To me though, that jubilation on the part of Cleveland fans is not only annoying, but it's also unwise and slightly immature. I'm in no way condoning what LeBron did on any level. The "Decision process" that James orchestrated last summer was wrong on so many levels. Plus, the party they had afterwards at Miami's American Airlines arena looked like something out of a Kiss concert. I didn't know if the big 3 of Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron James were going to announce their arrival or if they were going to belt out a couple of lyrics to "Detroit Rock City". With that being said, I believe it's equally or worse to actually be happy when James loses, especially with the state of the Cavs right now. Due to our horrid 2010-2011 win loss record, the Cavs now have the #1 pick in the 2011 NBA draft. With the way the NBA Lottery works, you have to be one of the worst teams in the league to even get a chance at that pick.  The NBA puts ping pong balls in a hopper to pick the teams. Almost like you're going to win something. When Cleveland won the first pick, you would have thought THEY were the ones playing the Mavericks and actually beating them. The combination of how the draft is constructed and the way Cleveland was celebrating, they were basically telling the world "Hooray, we stink and here's the proof." Meanwhile, Cleveland's former hero, LeBron James, was doing something the Cavs have never done. WINNING FINALS GAMES. Does that sound like the city of Cleveland is actually winning? If it does, maybe we need to re-write the definition of the word "Winning" in the dictionary. The fact is that until the Cleveland Cavaliers has a better record than the Miami Heat, LeBron will ALWAYS be the one winning this battle between he and the Cavs. Until Dan Gilbert  fulfills his prophesy that he made on the night James made his "Decision" that the Cavs will win a championship before LeBron will, LeBron will ALWAYS be winning. Let's not forget, the Cavs willingly gave LeBron  the maximum $50 million that he was guaranteed only if he stayed in Cleveland. Knowing all these facts, let's recap here. As of this writing, LeBron James is 2 wins away from an NBA Championship. He was paid the maximum amount of money he was allowed to have with a new contract. Even though they had one of the worst records in the NBA, Dan Gilbert still says the Cavs will win a championship before the talented Miami Heat. Cleveland celebrates a #1 overall pick in the draft which proves they're a bad team. Yeah and Charlie Sheen is the crazy one.    

           

is Winning Blind?

                                  Everyone has heard the saying "Love is blind". On Memorial Day, I found out that winning is blind as well. On that day, Jim Tressel resigned from the Ohio State University. Tressell resigned amidst controversy filled with lies and cover ups. Now some people say that the source of this controversy is Terrelle Pryor. Pryor was caught selling his memorabilia in exchange for discounts on tattoos among many other things. However, what very few people realize is that Tressell was caught in the fires of trouble when he was the head coach at Youngstown State University. Even with all this shady activity, Jim Tressell still has many followers that support him. For a while, I wondered how anyone could support a man with such a bad reputation. Then, after overcoming my bewilderment, I discovered an awful truth that is very disturbing. The state of Ohio is so obsessed and desperate for a championship that we are willing to look the other way as long as a coach or player can bring us a championship. Want proof? I will gladly give it to you. When LeBron James played in Cleveland, he could literally do no wrong. From when the purchasing of his Hummer was in question, to him having multiple kids out of wedlock, all of the responses from avid Cleveland fans were all the same. "Leave him alone. He's a good man". Then, once he took his talents to Miami, he was public enemy number one in Cleveland. This is a classic case of Ohio fans being blinded for no other reason than they want any kind of championship we can get. Now, that blindness is happening again for Jim Tressell. This man withheld information from investigators. He made a fool out of the university and a mockery out of College Football. Yet, due to the magical year of 2002-2003 when they won the National Championship, people still have the guts and audacity to support Tressell like he has done nothing wrong all because he hoisted the crystal trophy on that fateful January night. To further illustrate my point, I have 2 simple words for you. John Cooper. If this filth with Tressell happened with John Cooper, everyone in the Ohio State community would have ostracized him to the high Heavens. Why? It's simply because he did not reach the brass ring that is a National Championship. What we need to do is open our eyes as a state as a whole. When any person in our beloved sports does something wrong, we as a state need to call them out on it and say simply "This is wrong." Apparently, because of our past "Heroes", winning is blind. However, it doesn't have to be.