Major League Sports Can Take Lessons

While watching the Inaugural and listening to the comments about our peaceful transition of power; I was struck by how "uncivilized" power transitions are in sports. The outgoing manager, coach, etc is unceremoniously fired; there may or may not be bad comments from the departed manager or the team that fired him. And even when a manager leaves of their own accord to retire or go elsewhere, there is this air of hostility.

Granted American politics is hostile. However it is also democratic. On inauguration Day, the losing and winning parties smile at each other an d behave like civilized humans beings. They may have tossed barbs at each other before or after the election, but for the sake of the greater good they behave like ladies and gentlemen.

While the wining party may have to clean up after the departing party, they just do it. They try and not blame it on their predecessors as it does not accomplish the end goal. It wastes time and they just dig in and get the job done with their new rules. There are few if any temper tantrums. Unfortunately we can't say the same for sports.

Picture this scenario: Woody Johnson, Eric Mangini and Rex Ryan appear on ESPN and calmly announce Eric is leaving for the good of the team and Rex is taking over. There is no public firing and sulking, second guessing and speculating by the sports press on the new head coach; it just happens. But I guess that would result in a lot of dead TV and radio air. It would take away topics from the overpaid sports talking heads. Gee what would they do...well maybe they would actually analyze the teams for a change, instead of playing armchair coach.

Since the next round of end of season mass coach executions will be in the NBA, I challenge the NBA team owners. Leave the sports talkies wagging their tongues, call a press conference and fire the outgoing guy and announce his replacement at one time. Start a trend so we can get rid of this incessant run off on the mouth of weeks of speculation of who the successor will be. Think of all the phones calls from reporters you won't get.

The Great Ticket Relocation

As I previously blogged, the Yankees will invoice me when they get me a set of seats for 41 games. My last communication was the one back in the Fall, that was basically you'll know when we invoice you.

As such I have been watching the ticket relocation page. Last Sunday, it said the full season relocation was done and they were in the 41 game relocation. Well that must be an error, because when I checked today, the Yankees stated they were back on the full season relocation and the 41 game relocation had not begun.

Well I am not particularly anxious to part with my money to the Yankees; I am eager to see where I will be sitting. When I originally dove into season ticket ownership, The Yankees called me the 1st week in January; offered me my seats; then promptly invoiced me.

Despite the age of computerization, the Yankees appear to be doing seat assignments with a pencil and eraser. Its very frustrating; its getting closer to Opening Day, and I hate offering my guest a ticket at the last minute.

On that note, this year, I will be soliciting for an Opening Day guest through a letter wrintng contest; those of your who want an early jump; you will have to state why you deserve to be my Opening Day 2009 guest. Details will follow in another blog shortly.

Nothing About Baseball or Sports

The country has been besieged by “Sully Mania”; Sully being the nickname of the Captian Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger, III of US Airways flight 1549 that ditched in the middle of Hudson River on Thursday afternoon. What is so special about this man that all, young and old are fixated on him; outside of the hero part; he is a symbol of hope in bleak times; he may even overshadow the Inauguration of the new President.

On Tuesday Barack Obama will be the 44th President of the United States. In a period of hard economic times, record unemployment and business failures; he promises change; he promises to put America back to work. However for those of us waiting to see what the new administration will bring; we remain hopeful, but guarded; Washington has a way of working; and generally it is not to the benefit of the majority of American voters, but to the benefit of the few. Americas are skeptical that we have become a country of “me first, you later”. Captain Sullenberger represents the hope that “me first” can be banished from our society.

If the new President restores the US economy he will go down in the record books as a hero. He has a lot to overcome, because he is up against a crowd of rich and powerful me first people, Wall Street. To fix the economy, bad trading, lending, and business consolidation practices need to be stopped. Wall Street has been artificially inflating stock prices for years based on earning reports. Stock has been used like cash in business merger; one of the primary reason our economy has plunged. Stock like credit cards has no value unless the business succeeds.

So on Thursday afternoon, when Captain Sullenberger choose a water landing on the coldest day in NYC, he showed that there are still many Americans who aren’t “me first”. He represents the ability of people to make the better choice; the choice that will benefit the majority, not the minority. There could have been losers Thursday US Airways, lost an airplane and got a lot of negative crash publicity. However the plane will be covered by insurance and all the crash publicity has been countered by the ability of a flight crew to get everyone back to their families alive.

On Tuesday the new administration will ask all to make some sacrifices; while they fix the economy. Wall Street and big corporate executives need to take the biggest sacrifices. Much of our economic waste starts at the top of companies, with extravagant salaries, perks and bonuses. I say this; if one man could make a life or death decision based on what is best for all; then a handful of powerful and rich people can make a decision to sacrifice their extravagance to benefit the a majority.

“Sully Mania” is the promise that it might happened; that Americans will sacrifice to benefit the majority.

And for those of you people who still treat out soldiers like lepers. Remember this also; sacrifice is the heart of military personnel. They give up a lot for our freedom with the hope to protect those who cannot. Captain Sullenberger was one of those military men, before he became a commercial pilot. Maybe that made his decision easier Thursday; he was use to sacrificing.

We all want a nice comfortable life. But how comfortable must it be? It does not need to be extravagant. We need to make sure we have food, clothing and housing and a salary to pay for it. Being a common person is not a bad thing; however being an uncommon person someone who thinks of their self first and how to be as rich as possible is a very bad thing.

America is the land of the common person; granted our Founding Fathers were men with money and estates; however those men gave up their easy lives to establish this country. Had the Revolutionary War ended differently; all would have died on King George III’s gallows.

Its time for executives and unions to make sacrifices, to help this economy; follow Captain Sullenberger’s example and think of others, and not yourselves.

New Yankee Stadium

As the Yankees gear up the staff by spending too much, construction on the stadium continues. The seats must all be in, finally, because seat assignments have begun. After 4 weeks of filling full season ticket holder requests, the Yankees have moved onto the 41 seat ticket plan holder. People like me. I hope it's not another 4 weeks.

In the meantime, some Yankee management might not get to Opening Day. Subpoenas have been issued to investigate the funding and overspending of public money. It's nerve a good idea to bilk public money when the economy is going to hell and state budgets are being cut beyond the bone. Scandal and rumor about how the Yankees got the funding have been circulating for a year, and now Yankee executives will be questioned.

As to Opening Day... I am looking forward to it, now that the Giants went down to the Eagles last Sunday. Time to pay attention to baseball. As to football, lets go Steelers!!! I can't stand the Eagles.

C.C. Sabathia Deal is not Penny Wise but Pound Foolish

Every few years the Yankees get stung in pitching. I predict that the rumored deal with C.C. Sabathia will sting worse then any before. To spend $160 million for a 7 year deal on Sabathia is pure stupidity. Yes he can pitch, but for how long?

Sabathia has a weight issue. He has talent, but the extra baggage around his middle will eventually wear on his talent and his body. I would not have made the deal. I would offered him 3 years at $15 million a year and NutriSystem.

When the Yankees made a "great deal" with Jason Giambi, it backfired on them. In the end, amid Jason, PHD issues, the Yankees got stuck with s mediocre player. No one would touch the contract to acquire Giambi. I see similar issues coming down the road for C.C, only not steroids, cardio meds for when his CHF kicks in from his weight issues.

The Winter Meetings this year are in Las Vegas. The Yankees are acting like they are already there. They are gambling big money on someone who does not value health.

There are many things I can say about the money given to Alex Rodriquez, Derek Jeter or Roger Clemens, but come their due, they were fit and looked like baseball players. C.C. looks like he should be doing a stint on ABC's "According to Jim" Come to think of it Jim Belushi looks to be in better shape than C.C. Sabathia.

Sabathia is too unfit to even be in the NFL.

Here we go again, can anyone say Kevin Brown.............................. Really Cash haven't you learned anything yet?

Another Fine Mess

In the most recent acts of stupidity of an athlete, NJ Giants Plaxico Burress shot himself in his own leg with his own gun while at a nightclub in NYC on Friday night. Not only that he got NY Giants teammate Antonia Pierce to hide the gun from the police.

1. If you need a gun for protection, then hire a body guard who is licensed to carry a weapon.
2. 
   If you need a gun at a particular nightspot because you feel for your safety, then stay home.
4. If you have to be stupid and shoot yourself, be a man, an down up to it, don't get teammates in on the cover up and don't stand before a judge and plead not guilty to the charges.

Personally I think the Giants should suspend Plaxico for the rest of the season without pay. Actually he should be dismissed from the league and sent to the home for those athletes without a brain. He's be in good company, he would join Michael Vic and Terrill Owens. I am sure there is a fourth out there so they could round a fourth for bridge.

What type of example are these supposed rule models think they are setting? They set a bad example.

It's time the sports leagues, owners and players did something about the behavior of their athletes. Bad behavior in business will get someone fired, even a top performer. Why is this not carried over into professional sports?

Are we required to reward the stupid? No we are not.

As to Plaxico, be a man for once in your life, change your please to guilty because you are stupid. Then go on air and make a public apology to your team and to your sport. You have 60 minutes of fame every week of football season, isn't that enough? Do you need to be on the crime blotter as well as the sports page.

In the end Plaxico was not schedule to play this week, but his act of stupidity got him more press then the Giants got for their crushing defeat of the Redskins on Sunday.

Now isn't that a fine mess mess you have gotten into Plaxico?

Leaving On A High Note

Many are doubting the decision of Mike Mussina to retire. Of course if he stayed and had a bad season, those doubters would be the first to harp on his being too old. Personally, while I will miss Moose, but I have to give him credit for getting out while his star is still sparkling.

Too often players stay too long and are remembered more for their last bad year then the impeccable resume they created. Some players try and come back on their own terms, instead of retiring, Roger Clemens is a good example.

Clemens' career could have ended on a quiet note when he retired from the New York Yankees, however he choose to continue to play. By playing, Clemens got pulled into the spotlight of steroid scandal and linked to a possible sexual scandal. Not the way Rocket should be remembered.

Happy Retirement Moose, hope to see you at Old Timer's Day soon.

C.C. Sabathia Is Fiscal Irresponsibility

Granted Sabathia has a great arm, but that does mean he deserve millions, hundreds of millions that is from the New York Yankees. He's 28, 290 pounds, and been in the majors for 7 years. He's a coronary waiting to happen, and statistically he averages less than 14 wins per season. Come on Brian and Hal, is that the best use of money. This fan thinks not.

Sabathia represents decaying talent, yes he still has some, but how far did that get the Milwaukee Brewers this year? And why has no one gotten his weight under control? Why does he remind me so much of another Yankee mistake....Sidney Ponson. I guess since the NYY Front Office gave Sidney a second chance, a cheap chance, they are willing to blow millions on a pitcher who waning before he has even reached the age of 30.

I say pass on C.C. He's too much of a gamble. Take the money and see what you can trade for. At the very least give some to Pettitte and Mussina. C.C. is not worth it. And to boot he comes with lots of attitude.

C.C. in my mind should not be made a Yankee. He reminds me of another bad free agent deal, the Jason Giambi deal and look how long it took for the Yankees to get rid of Giambi's money.

There may be players in baseball worth millions, but they are rare. Sabathia is not rare and not worth millions.

Tranactions

Six days after declining his option the Yankees have signed Damaso Marte to a new contract. This is part of the Yankees off season pursuit of pitching. Marte appeared in 25 games this past season for the Yankees, with a 5.40 ERA. That however should not be held against him as in his 25 games he struck out 24, walked 11 (10 walks, 1 hit by pitch) and allowed 14 hits resulting in 11 earned runs. Not bad stats when you consider how bad the Yankees played behind him.

According to Yankee owner-son/blow hard Hal Steinbrenner, the Yankees plan to spend in the off season. According to Brian Cashman, the emphasis is again pitching. Numerous injuries and the questionable status of their home grown staff have the Yanks in the pitcher acquisition mode.

The most interesting pitching acquisition was actually Huston Street going to the Colorado Rockies. Street, a promising youngster seesaws more then the Dow Jones Industrials. It will be interesting to see what the Rocky Mountain air does to his pitching stats.

As to Hal Steinbrenner's spending. I hope he keeps it under control. In this economic downturn, the rich have money, but the fans don't. Any more payroll increases by the Yankees will price the common fan out of live stadium baseball. I guess Hal isn't following the global recession.

Sports could actually help the economy by drawing a line in the sand, but they won't. I would like to see a $1,000,000 salary max per year in sports. I am sure Jeter, A-Rod, et al can survive on that; especially with the endorsements. Think of how the fans would benefit: ticket prices would come down, concession prices would come down, and families could once again afford to include a sports event in the entertainment budget.

Were They Wright or Were They Wrong?

MLB has announced their Golden Glove Awards, and as usual everyone has an opinion. In case you missed it the list is to the left.

Most notable ESPN hot air Michale Kay has a problem with David Wright being named. I don't see the problem, Wright played the most innings of all players in his in the National League. Since errors go up with innings played, the award is not without merit on his behalf.

Kay's commentary then went on to claim that Bernie Williams never deserved his Golden Gloves, according to Kay he was a mediocre center fielder. I don't know what games he was watching, but for most Yankee Fans, Bernie commanded the outfield, chasing down balls like a gazelle. Yes he didn't have the strongest arm, but the award is for fielding, not for tossing. But then with Michael Kay no one can be as great a ballplayer as Alex Rodriquez.

Kay's commentary takes the shine off of Wright's award. Awards after all are for achievement. In this case voted by the baseball writers. Kay's negative commentary is reminiscent of how those in society sometimes react to other touted with an award. Negativity instead of acknowledging the accomplishment. Maybe you were up for an award and lost it to someone else. Did you acknowledge their achievement gracefully or go off with a sour puss to pout?

Often their is a lot more pouting then smiling on the part of the loser. Whether that loser is sports, a professional association or politics. The question becomes, why can't we all just be nice and accept we didn't win?

Its not that being gracious isn't in our nature; we start out that way. Somewhere along the line some of us become narrow minded and self centered. It becomes about that individual their needs and those needs being met. Instead of being gracious in defeat, they become mean. Sometimes the meanness become violence.

Tuesday was a day of great change for many people in the USA. The population elected Barack Obama the 44th President of the USA. The winning side is elated, the losing side, well some of them are being gracious and some are being mean. The mean ones need a good kick in the butt.

I'm a registered republican, I voted for Barack. I'm not a traitor to my party, I didn't elect a "nigger" as some are calling him. I voted for him because in my mind, he was the better candidate. One of my siblings voted for McCain, he's graciously accepted Obama as the President Elect, he is willing to give the man a chance.

Michael Kay is a professional hot air balloon. He always has something negative to say, his comments on the Golden Gloves are his style. However his style would be better left off the air. Children mimic what they see or hear. The negativity, even as commentary sets a bad example, begrudging David Wright his award. It can lead to violence in society.

My message is this, so you didn't win the prize, be gracious and acknowledge the winner. Act like John McCain did on Tuesday night, be willing to work with the winner.