Fire Joe Morgan

I recently read that Joe Morgan received an article that said "Bob Costas, Joe Buck, Cris Collinsworth and Joe Morgan were honored as outstanding sports personalities... Morgan as an event analyst for ESPN." So, basically Morgan won a Sports Emmy, but I am not quite sure why. I know that he announces the Sunday Night Baseball game on ESPN, but is there something else that he does? There is no way he could win an Emmy for his baseball game announcing. The guy is the worst analyst I have ever heard. Thank goodness for Jon Miller and his announcing abilities or else Joe Morgan would be fired. Morgan has no clue as to what pitch the pitcher threw. I have seen him time and time again call a fastball a change-up and a curve a fastball and a change-up a curve. Furthermore, he is so negative about the game of baseball and players today. He never has anything good to say - and plus he never has anything smart to say. A couple of weeks ago I was watching the Sunday night game, and the center fielder made a great diving catch. Miller went on and on about the great play, but Morgan added "Well, frankly that is what center fielders are paid to do." What an idiotic statement. Give the player some credit. Additionally, Morgan always talks about how great he was, and how great his team was, and how great the game of baseball was back in his day. Baseball analysts should analyze the game and talk about the players from the game they are currently discussing. Frankly, Morgan is probably the worst analyst/broadcaster in the game of baseball right now (besides Tino Martinez - but we will give him some time to get his feet under him. Remember how Harold Reynolds was when he first came to ESPN), and I have no idea why ESPN keeps bringing him back. I do not believe there is a true baseball fan out there that respects Morgan for his broadcasting abilities - and most didn't care for his baseball skills and "flapping arm" when he was at bat.

While looking for some material on Joe Morgan I came across a website that is probably the sweetest website I have ever seen. It focuses a lot on Morgan's weekly chat on ESPN and then analyzes everything he says. I don't think I have laughed so hard as I did when I read the things posted on this website. If you get a chance, then check it out www.firejoemorgan.blogspot.com. I think you will get a kick out of it also - especially if you are a true fan of the game of baseball.

Ozzie vs. LaRussa

Growing up, there was one baseball player that I wanted to be like – Ozzie Smith. My baseball jersey’s always had a number 1 plastered to the back. He comprised amazing defensive abilities, uncanny athleticism, and flare for the dramatic. There has never been (or ever will be) a shortstop that played with the skills, abilities, and charisma of the Wizard of Oz.
As the years past, I knew the inevitable was bound to come to pass - The Oz would have to retire. Only on the Field of Dreams can a person play baseball forever. But I was not alone, all fans of the St. Louis Cardinals dreaded the day when the player they embraced for so long, the player who was the face of the Cardinals, would step away from the game. At the age of 41, the great Ozzie retired from the game of baseball in 1996 and he was just as quick and just as nimble as ever.
Which made Tony LaRussa’s decision to platoon the shortstop position between Ozzie and Royce Clayton so disturbing. Here was the greatest shortstop ever and the most beloved player to hit St. Louis since Stan “the Man” Musial and Bob Gibson, and LaRussa was essentially ‘benching’ him. Of course, LaRussa claimed it was to protect Ozzie because of injuries the previous year and to slowly integrate Clayton to that position. Critics may agree with LaRussa, but he should have given Ozzie the chance to prove himself. If Ozzie could not compete, then Ozzie would have relinquished playing time, because that is the type of person and player he is. Now there is a clash of pride between The Wizard and LaRussa that we are currently reading about in the news – a feud that has lasted these 10 years. Ozzie felt hurt because of the way he was treated his final year in St. Louis, and he rightly deserves to feel that way. However, he could be such an influence to the Cardinal organization. I hate to say this but Ozzie needs to humble himself and rekindle his relationship with “management.” LaRussa needs to take a few steps forward in repairing his hurt pride along with Ozzie’s pride. LaRussa is a great manager (though he sometimes has questionable strategies because he ‘thinks’ too much), but he did not handle this situation well in 1996 and he is not handling it well now.

Damn Yankees

Much of the Major League baseball community was elated to see the Yankees start the season off in such a slow fashion and dwell in the cellar position of their division. However, we all knew it was just a matter of time before the Yankees would scrape and crawl their way back to the top. This is largely due to the fact that Mussina is having a career year. He is the only stable aspect of the Yankees right now – except for A-Rod has had some resurgence ever since someone called him a “girl.” (A-Rod: “I’ll show you that I am not a girl.”) Randy Johnson hasn’t been helping the cause – which is sad, because he has been such a dominant pitcher for so long and is one of the only likable guys on the Yankees.

I thought the injuries to the Yankees would hurt them, but it might actually force A-Rod to play better. He has been so complacent for so long because the team is surround by good solid players that he doesn’t have to shine. But perhaps, like Andrew Jones last year when Chipper went down to injuries, A-Rod will start living up to his talent and the hype. I didn’t intend this blog to focus so much on A-Rod, but instead I wanted to ‘bash’ the Yankees a bit.

The Yankees will make it to the playoffs again this year, unless Mussina reverts back to his old form and Randy Johnson never regains his old form. However, Boston has been playing extremely well lately, but that might just be mirage, given the many changes made to their team and lack of playing experience together. Beckett seems to be a quality ‘gamer’ and Schilling has shown some brilliance at times. Even Mike Lowell has improved drastically from last year. Some of Boston’s role players, like Willy Mo Pena and Mark Loretta, have shown steady improvement. Who knows, maybe Boston will sit at the top of the rankings by the end of the season - - and we can only pray for more Yankee injuries. But then they will just go out and buy more players….

MLB and Steroids - Cut Bud Some Slack!

Bud Selig is receiving unfair criticism concerning this whole Major League Baseball steroid scandal. Basically, critics say that Selig either was out of touch with baseball or that he just turned his back on steroids because of the popularity of baseball made by Sosa, McGwire, Bonds, and others. Those that take this position are uneducated and baseball illiterate. The reason for steroids in baseball is because there was no testing mechanism available MLB because player testing is a collectively bargained issue. Testing could not be inposed by Bud without the player's union willing to accept a testing program for any kind of substance use. The Players Association's stance was that testing is part of the rights of personal privacy. There was a steadfast refusal on the union's part for any kind of testing. But thanks to Congress and Presidential intervention and the threat of federal legislation, the Union was willing to sit down with the Commisioner's Office and impose a testing program.

The Commisioner's Office was able to institute a testing program in the minor's, thanks to no union intervention. This program involved the ability to test any player for any drug at any time. The number of incidents in the minors has been minimal due to this policy. I believe with a similar policy in the Majors would have prevented steroid allegations and scandals.
So, let's cut Bud some slack, and start blaming the union. They have continually ruined the game of baseball causing salaries to skyrocket, among other things...but that is a blog for another time.

Will the Rocket Re-Launch?

Like the rest of the world, I have been waiting and waiting and waiting for Roger Clemens to make a final decision as to IF he is going to pitch again and WHERE that will be. Houston is in town this week (Denver) and I am so mad because I should be watching Roger pitch. But, no, the guy can't make a decision in life. Sure he deserves a lot of respect and can basically command any contract that he wants, but this is getting ridiculous. Make a decision already so that not only can I get on with my life, but so can the rest of the baseball world. I doubt that he will retire, because at this point it would be ridiculous. I assume he is going to wait and see who is going to be in the best position to win the world series and then go with that team. The Yankees seem to be in the best position for that, but Houston would definitely be a better fit for him. But the Rocket will pitch again, he is too good, and too competitive not to do it. If he can be dominating for half a season for the next fives years, he should consider trying that out....

Wild Card Standings

As you know, wild card teams have advanced to the last Four World Series with three Wild Card teams winning - Angels '02, Marlins '03, and the Red Sox '04. Is the current post-season format to your liking? Let me know. Personally, I think there should be two wild card teams and these teams should play a one- or three-game playoff to advance to the next round. There the winning wild card team will face the No. 1 seed team. Currently, the No. 1 seed has no better chance or opprortunity to win then the wild card. When you are the best team over 162 games, you ought to be able to 'hopscotch' over the first round. I hate to admit this, but Major League Baseball could learn a little from the NFL.