As of this writing, Barry Bonds stands just 14 home runs shy of equaling Henry Aaron's all time MLB record of 755. He could likely end the season with anywhere from 760 to 770, putting his name at the top of baseballs most hallowed record. Of course, it is not when he does it that has people talking, but how he did it.
Throughout his career, Bonds always had above average power, yet prior to 2000 had hit 40 or more in a season only three times. From 2000 to 2004 however, he hit 49, 73(the all time single season record) 46, 45 and 45 respectively. Problem was Bonds was over 35 years old. His body was supposed to be breaking down and instead he was hitting the ball harder and farther than ever before. A man built like guide wire suddenly ballooned into a mass of upper body muscle almost over night and whose entire body mass changed right before our very eyes. How did this happen?
Simple really, following the season of 2000, Barry hooked up with a man named Victor Conte, who ran a company called BALCO. We all know what happened afterwards, the cream and the clear, HGH all that good stuff. Many have pointed the finger at Bonds, Conte and others like them declaring them the enemies of fair play and good sportsmanship. Of course, like all finger-pointers, they are merely trying to cover up their own involvement.
Bonds could never have gotten away with cheating his was into the record books without the aid of Commissioner Bud Selig, the owners, managers, trainers, sports writers and most damning of all, the MLB Players Association. They all had a hand in Bonds cheating and would like nothing more then to have their own culpability swept under the rug.
In 1998 baseball needed a shot in the arm. The aftermath of the strike of 94 was still going on and MLB knew they needed something to draw the fans back. Enter Sosa and McGuire, chasing down Roger Maris' magical 61 home runs. Both surpassed Maris, with the Talking Neck McGuire setting the record at 70. Both were also shooting themselves full of steroids, something neither would admit to yet would embarrass themselves years later in front of a Congressional hearing on the very subject. No one questioned how these two managed such an incredible display of power, and who would? The owners raked in millions, the players got their slice and the reporters got their press. Win win all around. Thus the silent collaboration that would lead to the BALCO scandal was born.
Selig and the owners knew something was up, but also knew that the long-ball was the golden goose. TV ratings were up, attendance was climbing and advertisers were suddenly calling again. All this new money meant that the players would see pay increases and why mess with that? Managers simply shrugged, what were they supposed to do after all? They could have done a lot, but chose not to.
Of the three major sports in the USA, baseball was the last to implement a serious steroid testing policy. Basketball had one, football still has the most thorough yet baseball had nothing until recently, and their first attempt was so pathetic it bordered on insulting. The owners never fought hard for a policy and the players refused to add one. While abusing drugs and alcohol could result in suspensions and gambling with a life-time ban from the game, steroids were strangely left off the list. Gee, I wonder why?
The players certainly were not going to bring one to the table. Performance enhancing drugs were upping their salaries on a yearly basis. Who cared if you died at fifty, you made all those millions didn't you? New Yorks Jason Giamboid was reportedly ingesting so much artificial testosterone that he had to start taking birth control pills to try and balance out his hormone saturated system. In the end he missed nearly an entire season with a laundry list of medical problems that to this day have never been fully explained.
Owners refused to fight for a testing policy because steroids and HGH meant more home-runs, which meant higher ratings and attendance numbers. Selig, in bed with ownership from day one, stuck his head in the sand and pretended nothing was happening. And the whole time not one sports writer dared speak up, or even seemed to care. Reporters who are around these athletes every day for months never once looked into the issue.
But then something funny happened. An egotist named Jose Canseco wrote a self-serving book that blew the lid off baseballs little game. While never taking the bold step of exposing just how high up the chain the don't ask don't tell policy went, Canseco managed to get peoples attention despite his megalomaniac reasons behind his autobiography. A Congressional hearing was even called on the subject. Suddenly people started writing articles and even books about Bonds, BALCO and cheating in baseball.
Baseball initially came up with a testing policy, but it was so impotent that nothing really changed. It was deliberately filled with gaps that would allow players to slip through the cracks, get cleaned up, then keep right on going. Baseball contracts are guaranteed, so once they had the multi-year, 50 million dollar contract, who cared if they never hit 30 home runs again? By the time MLB implemented a strict policy that would ban a player indefinitely after three positive tests it had given cheaters like Bonds, Jason Giambi and Sammy Sossa the chance they needed to get clean.
And so here we are, with Bonds about to make history and no one outside of the bay area caring. There are times I feel bad for Bonds, not because of his childhood, the negative media or even his family problems but because of what MLB has turned him into. A sacrificial lamb, the Christian to the lions of the media and the fans. Selig and the owners have offered him up as their pound of flesh and the media that once refused to debate the issue now uses him as their whipping boy. All this done in a concerted effort to wipe their fingerprints off of the syringe. Make no mistake, Bonds cheated to make it this far, but he never could have done it alone.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Opening Day Double
Here we go folks. First weekend of this blog so I might as well start with a double header.
We Don't Want the Spotlight.... Really. The Game the Refs Play.
When David Stern suspended senior official Joey Crawford indefinitely earlier this week some breathed a sigh of relief, some wondered what took so long, others worried it would come back to haunt the Spurs in the post-season and some shook their heads thinking it wouldn't accomplish much. Frankly, it's a little of everything.
The fact is officiating in the NBA has been suspect to downright outrages for so long most people have come to expect it. When was the last time you saw a travel called? Or a double-dribble? Offensive fouls are becoming increasingly rare and I can't remember the last time I saw charge called when a player plowed over a defender for a dunk. It's painfully obvious to those who follow basketball that the refs have been instructed to put the whistles away for certain situations or players in order to create a flashier, more offensive game. By that same token, they also tend to send certain players to the line more then others regardless of contact.
I'm all for giving players the benefit of the doubt when they drive to the net, but as any non-Heat fan will tell, sometimes the number of free throws handed out is simply outrageous. And what did the NBA do? Instead of correcting the problem, they gave the officials more ability to hand out technical fouls and changed the suspension rules further compounding the problem. It took until the last week of the season, but it eventually came back to bite the NBA in the ass.
Joey Crawford's ejection of Tim Duncan on two straight technical fouls exemplifies not only the problem with the rules, but the problem with the men enforcing them. Far to often, particularly in the play-offs, the men with the whistles take center stage and the new technical foul rules gave them even more power. NBA officials go out of their way to call fouls or other violations just to remind the players, coaches and even the fans at the arena just who is in charge, to the disgrace of the game. But they are far from alone.
Ask any NHL fan what their biggest gripe is and to a man they will tell you the officiating. Inconsistent penalties, un-explained trips to the sin bin and the all to familiar make-up call. When Kerry "Hairspray" Fraser was not included on the list of play-off officials some said Garry Bettman had finally wised up. Yeah, sure he has, that's why Mike McCough, the worst ref since Andy Van Hellman, was kept on board for the Stanley Cup drive. NHL referees are infamous for calling ticky-tack penalties early then putting the whistles away late, and don't even ask for a penalty in over-time during the play-offs. The excuse of course is that they don't want to interfere with the outcome of the game. B.S. and they know it.
As with any sport, hockey, basketball, football, baseball, the decision not to make a call affects the game just as much as a whistle does. Be it a hook, pass interference, traveling or even balls or fan interference(just ask any Cleveland Indians fan), not making the call impacts the game by either denying legitimate scoring plays or allowing illegal ones, giving or taking away ball possession and a laundry list of other situations.
So why do it? Because they can't help themselves. The refs love the spotlight, not to mention the power they wield over millionaire athletes, coaches and owners. If they didn't we wouldn't see Joey Crawford attempting to goad Tim Duncan into an altercation. We wouldn't see NHL refs skate over to a teams bench after shafting them, turn their backs and just stand there daring them to say something. Nor would we see umpires change the size of the strike zone should the fans dare to voice their displeasure over a call.
Does David Stern have brass for suspending Crawford? Some would say yes, but not me. Had Stern done his job properly he never would have had to force his most senior official into early retirement.
Long Summer on Long Island
A year ago Charles Wang, the owner of the New York Islanders, shocked the hockey world by announcing former journeyman back-up goaltender Garth Snow would be taking over as the new General Manager of the team. Snow had only retired from hockey two months earlier and many laughed at the idea of him leading the sad sack Islanders back to the post-season.
Soon after taking the reigns Snow began making deals. He moved Alexie Zhitnik to the Flyers to free up cap room, then began acquiring other players, notably Randy Robitaille, Marc-Andre Bergeron, Richard Zednik and Ryan Smyth. Suddenly those who had been critical of Snow did a 180 and began one of the years great ball washing sessions. Funny thing was, no one seemed to notice to the giant clouds on the horizon for the Islanders.
First of all, five of their top ten scorers including Ryan Smyth are free agents this summer. Smyth has given no indication of returning, and neither has Zednik, Kozlov, Poti or Robitaille. In January leading scorer Jason Blake all but came out and said "Get me the f@#k out of here." Sean Hill and Chris Simon have said nothing either way, but rumors abound that Hill will be seeking greener pastures. Even with Charles Wang's deep pockets, players are getting ready to jump ship
What it boils down to is Garth Snow assembled a team that barely squeaked into the playoffs and may now fall apart before the end of July. And Snow need look no further then the mirror and the two men behind him.
Charles Wang and Mike Millbury have been joined at the hip for over a decade. Despite Millbury trading away more pure hockey talent in five years then most GMs see in a lifetime he continues to work within the organization. Owner Charles Wang is known for singing two of the most ludicrous contracts in NHL history, the ten year 90 million dollar contract for chronic under-achiever Alexie Yashin and the equally insane 15 year, 60 million dollar deal for Rick DiPietro.
Ted Nolan was brought on as head coach, but is faced with the daunting task of trying to get Yashin and Miroslav Satan to play every night, an all but impossible task even for a coach such as Nolan. These are two of the most finely talented players in the league, yet they feel no urgency to play, being the over-paid brats they are.
Players recognize this team for what it is, a disaster. Many, if not most, of the free agents on Long Island will be gone at the first opportunity. Those that remain will do so for lack of options more than anything else. And even with the expected 250 free agents available this summer, who would want anything to do with the Islanders? Those with the big money do not earn it, and are rarely, if ever, punished for lack luster efforts. The rink is a crumbling ruin, then fans are tired of almost fifteen years of futility and each post-season for the last decade has been an early exit.
Even after all the shake-ups this past year, the problems on Long Island remain the same, with no relief in sight. Some have said Snow deserves and award, but that's to short-sighted. Wang and Millbury should stand behind the podium with Snow and cheerfully explain why they are so proud to have picked up the torch Harrold Ballard dropped in Toronto.
We Don't Want the Spotlight.... Really. The Game the Refs Play.
When David Stern suspended senior official Joey Crawford indefinitely earlier this week some breathed a sigh of relief, some wondered what took so long, others worried it would come back to haunt the Spurs in the post-season and some shook their heads thinking it wouldn't accomplish much. Frankly, it's a little of everything.
The fact is officiating in the NBA has been suspect to downright outrages for so long most people have come to expect it. When was the last time you saw a travel called? Or a double-dribble? Offensive fouls are becoming increasingly rare and I can't remember the last time I saw charge called when a player plowed over a defender for a dunk. It's painfully obvious to those who follow basketball that the refs have been instructed to put the whistles away for certain situations or players in order to create a flashier, more offensive game. By that same token, they also tend to send certain players to the line more then others regardless of contact.
I'm all for giving players the benefit of the doubt when they drive to the net, but as any non-Heat fan will tell, sometimes the number of free throws handed out is simply outrageous. And what did the NBA do? Instead of correcting the problem, they gave the officials more ability to hand out technical fouls and changed the suspension rules further compounding the problem. It took until the last week of the season, but it eventually came back to bite the NBA in the ass.
Joey Crawford's ejection of Tim Duncan on two straight technical fouls exemplifies not only the problem with the rules, but the problem with the men enforcing them. Far to often, particularly in the play-offs, the men with the whistles take center stage and the new technical foul rules gave them even more power. NBA officials go out of their way to call fouls or other violations just to remind the players, coaches and even the fans at the arena just who is in charge, to the disgrace of the game. But they are far from alone.
Ask any NHL fan what their biggest gripe is and to a man they will tell you the officiating. Inconsistent penalties, un-explained trips to the sin bin and the all to familiar make-up call. When Kerry "Hairspray" Fraser was not included on the list of play-off officials some said Garry Bettman had finally wised up. Yeah, sure he has, that's why Mike McCough, the worst ref since Andy Van Hellman, was kept on board for the Stanley Cup drive. NHL referees are infamous for calling ticky-tack penalties early then putting the whistles away late, and don't even ask for a penalty in over-time during the play-offs. The excuse of course is that they don't want to interfere with the outcome of the game. B.S. and they know it.
As with any sport, hockey, basketball, football, baseball, the decision not to make a call affects the game just as much as a whistle does. Be it a hook, pass interference, traveling or even balls or fan interference(just ask any Cleveland Indians fan), not making the call impacts the game by either denying legitimate scoring plays or allowing illegal ones, giving or taking away ball possession and a laundry list of other situations.
So why do it? Because they can't help themselves. The refs love the spotlight, not to mention the power they wield over millionaire athletes, coaches and owners. If they didn't we wouldn't see Joey Crawford attempting to goad Tim Duncan into an altercation. We wouldn't see NHL refs skate over to a teams bench after shafting them, turn their backs and just stand there daring them to say something. Nor would we see umpires change the size of the strike zone should the fans dare to voice their displeasure over a call.
Does David Stern have brass for suspending Crawford? Some would say yes, but not me. Had Stern done his job properly he never would have had to force his most senior official into early retirement.
Long Summer on Long Island
A year ago Charles Wang, the owner of the New York Islanders, shocked the hockey world by announcing former journeyman back-up goaltender Garth Snow would be taking over as the new General Manager of the team. Snow had only retired from hockey two months earlier and many laughed at the idea of him leading the sad sack Islanders back to the post-season.
Soon after taking the reigns Snow began making deals. He moved Alexie Zhitnik to the Flyers to free up cap room, then began acquiring other players, notably Randy Robitaille, Marc-Andre Bergeron, Richard Zednik and Ryan Smyth. Suddenly those who had been critical of Snow did a 180 and began one of the years great ball washing sessions. Funny thing was, no one seemed to notice to the giant clouds on the horizon for the Islanders.
First of all, five of their top ten scorers including Ryan Smyth are free agents this summer. Smyth has given no indication of returning, and neither has Zednik, Kozlov, Poti or Robitaille. In January leading scorer Jason Blake all but came out and said "Get me the f@#k out of here." Sean Hill and Chris Simon have said nothing either way, but rumors abound that Hill will be seeking greener pastures. Even with Charles Wang's deep pockets, players are getting ready to jump ship
What it boils down to is Garth Snow assembled a team that barely squeaked into the playoffs and may now fall apart before the end of July. And Snow need look no further then the mirror and the two men behind him.
Charles Wang and Mike Millbury have been joined at the hip for over a decade. Despite Millbury trading away more pure hockey talent in five years then most GMs see in a lifetime he continues to work within the organization. Owner Charles Wang is known for singing two of the most ludicrous contracts in NHL history, the ten year 90 million dollar contract for chronic under-achiever Alexie Yashin and the equally insane 15 year, 60 million dollar deal for Rick DiPietro.
Ted Nolan was brought on as head coach, but is faced with the daunting task of trying to get Yashin and Miroslav Satan to play every night, an all but impossible task even for a coach such as Nolan. These are two of the most finely talented players in the league, yet they feel no urgency to play, being the over-paid brats they are.
Players recognize this team for what it is, a disaster. Many, if not most, of the free agents on Long Island will be gone at the first opportunity. Those that remain will do so for lack of options more than anything else. And even with the expected 250 free agents available this summer, who would want anything to do with the Islanders? Those with the big money do not earn it, and are rarely, if ever, punished for lack luster efforts. The rink is a crumbling ruin, then fans are tired of almost fifteen years of futility and each post-season for the last decade has been an early exit.
Even after all the shake-ups this past year, the problems on Long Island remain the same, with no relief in sight. Some have said Snow deserves and award, but that's to short-sighted. Wang and Millbury should stand behind the podium with Snow and cheerfully explain why they are so proud to have picked up the torch Harrold Ballard dropped in Toronto.
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