Welcome to the Ump Show

At what point did umpires decide that they were the stars of the show? Last time I checked, I watch baseball to see baseball players; yet for some reason those goofy umpires (with their dramatic hooks, and perfectly choreographed spin moves) seem to be vying for the center stage spotlight.

Case-in-point, Todd Tichenor, the 32 year-old umpire of yesterdays Red Sox/Twins game decided to, quite theatrically, eject Ron Gardenhire, Mike Redmond, Terry Francona, and Jason Varitek all within the span of ten minutes.

Granted, I have no idea what was said to prompt each ejection; but four ejections stemming from separate arguments within a single inning? It looked to me like Tichenor had quite the itchy trigger finger. Coming up from the minor leagues (Triple-A Pacific Coast League), he was either nervous and attempting to maintain control by “laying down the law”, or he was showboating his authority in search of his fifteen minutes of fame. My gut leans me toward the latter.

Again, officials in all sports need to maintain order; but they need to do so while fading into the background. I don’t need to see a seven minute Broadway dance number every time a guy strikes out; and unless the benches clear and fists are flying, I most definitely don’t need to see the “ejection jig” four times in a single inning.

The Premature Crowning of King James

My condolences to David Stern, as well as to the mass sports media. It would seem that your man-crush is on his way to watching the NBA Championship series from his living room.

Don’t get me wrong, I like LeBron James: he’s a tremendous basketball player, but I am completely over the media whirlwind praising him as the next (or better than) Michael Jordan. Come on guys… really? How many rings does James have? Again, he’s good, really good; he has the potential to be the best ever, but at this moment he is no where near Jordan. Let the man play, and let the future play out.

I love watching the Cavaliers go down 3-1, and yet still during every commercial break see three out of five commercials hailing Kobe and LeBron as the national championship match-up. What in the world are Nike and Vitamin Water going to do when LeBron is eliminated, and all of those “NBA Champion LeBron James” commercials (which you know have already been filmed) are essentially worthless?

The New Magic Act From Orlando

Ever since the drama of Game 5, the Orlando Magic have stepped their game up. Perhaps all that they needed was a little star player/coach throwdown. Whatever the cause, the Magic have owned the role of underdog, and accomplished what many have called impossible.

This newfound heart began with the amazing comeback from being down 3-2 to the defending champion Boston Celtics; to not only winning the series, but taking game seven in the Garden: a feat which had never been accomplished (Boston, until now, was a perfect 32-0 when up 3-2 in a best-of-seven series). This amazing win fueled the fire, and paved the way for last night’s stellar performance.

I kept hearing from everyone, “How are the Magic going to stop Lebron James?” The answer, after last night’s game, is pretty straightforward: you don’t have to. James, even with his playoff career high 49 points in last night’s game couldn’t lead the Cavaliers to victory. It proves what I have believed forever: a team cannot be built around one player.

So, last night’s Magic win was indeed a huge one, but will this momentum carry over throughout the series? It very well could, and the mighty Cavaliers could very well fall; but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. One game at a time, and we might have the biggest upset of the season on our hands. Do you know what I would love? NBA Championship: Nuggets vs. Magic. It’s not out of the question, but it will depend on who shows up to play, and who wants it more.

Michael Vick's Return to the Land of the Free

Michael Vick was released this morning after spending the past 19 months in a federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas. Vick will be making the journey back to his home in Hampton, Virginia where he will spend the next two months under house arrest.

With his future in the NFL still undecided, my take on it is simple: if he can still play, let him play. He has served his time, and by doing so paid his debt to society. Therefore, if he wants to go get a job in the NFL, and someone is willing to hire him; more power to him.

While I’m on this topic of Vick getting an NFL job, I need to make one point very clear. Yes, playing in the NFL is a job, and I am so sick of the morons who like to throw around, “playing in the NFL is a privilege.” Shut up and sit down…no it’s not: it’s a job; and quite a difficult job at that. No one is going to “bestow the honor” of playing football at the NFL level upon Michael Vick. He will have to work, interview, and prove himself just like any other NFL prospect. So what, if instead of an NFL quarterback Vick was a computer programmer for Microsoft; would anyone say, “there is no way he should get to go back to work. Working for Microsoft is a privilege?” Absolutely not, but because Mike Vick happens to work in a high profile field, and because PETA is a bunch of attention seeking nutjobs willing to step on everyone in order to use them as a platform; we want to crucify him.

Don’t misunderstand, I think that what Michael Vick did was beyond reprehensible, but he served his time. The Courts decided on a set amount of time as being an appropriate punishment for this particular crime. In two months, that amount of time will have been satisfied (along with three years of probation), and if a team wants him (there are many that should), they have every right to hire him.

The Yankees are Coming!

There are two types of people in the world: those who love the Yankees, and those who hate the Yankees. I happen to fall into the latter (and for all of you Yankee fans, that means the second one), however, I am not above giving credit where credit is due.

I can't help but wonder if the New York Yankees are beginning their trek to the top of the AL East on the heals of this six game winning streak, the return of Alex Rodriguez, and new found pitching consistency. Sitting pretty between the Boston Red Sox (22-16) and the Tampa Bay Rays (20-20), the Yankees (21-17) are looking better with every game (too bad they can't sell any tickets behind home plate).

Could this be the season for the pinstriped boys from The Bronx? Could A-Rod actually have transcended the whirlwind of drama that is his life? Will Teixeira take the MVP, and Sabathia the Cy Young? All I can say is... I hope not.

Rachael Alexandra: I am Woman

She did it! Rachael Alexandra becomes the first filly to win the Preakness since 1924.

So, the question is: can a jockey win a triple crown? Calvin Borel, the jockey of Mine That Bird for the Kentucky Derby victory, made a great call when he decided to ride Rachael Alexandra over Mine That Bird in the Preakness.

Generally, the Belmont is not all that exciting when a Triple Crown is not possible, but this time I think the excitement is mounting. We have a 50-1 shot taking the Derby, and the first filly in 85 years taking the Preakness; both of which have stirred up incredible fan support. Imagine another sport which leaves the choice: the underdog, or the underdog?

Who is my Belmont pick? I say that the filly takes two out of three Triple Crown events, and wins the Belmont by at least one length. So much for a man’s game.

Losing the Magic

After two days of choking, I’m pretty sure the Orlando Magic are dead.

Let’s recap: the Magic led by ten with six minutes left in the fourth quarter, and lost by four-- now that’s impressive. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to completely fall apart like that.

By now I’m sure that you have all heard Howard’s postgame whining about not getting the touches that he should have, and I’ve got to say that I agree with him. However, if you are the star player you have to demand those touches. Make yourself available, open, and heard. If you have questions about the game plan: speak up during the game, and before you lose; not in the post-game press conference (you see Dwight, postgame means “after the game.” Hence, the game is over and there’s nothing you can do anymore). That being said, there is absolutely no reason for your star player to go without the ball for the last six minutes, in a critical situation, during a critical game.

Though Howard is the headline, I find Stan Van Gundy’s comments the most entertaining. "I thought that we were trying to run out the clock," Van Gundy said. "We would not push the ball up the floor. Four minutes ... that's forever in a NBA game.” You know what Stan? You’re right. Someone should have told them that…someone like…oh I don’t know…their coach?

I can’t help but think that the great prophet, The Shaq, was right on target when he foretold the postseason coming of “The Master of Panic.”

Long Awaited Man Ram Comments

I will make this short and sweet: Manny Ramirez is either a complete idiot or a complete liar.

So, he claims that his doctor prescribed the medication that caused him to fail the drug test, and that he (Ramirez) was unaware that the substance was banned. Really? You didn't know?

Let's just say that Manny is telling the truth, and he really had no idea that he was taking a banned substance. How hard is it to get a definitive answer?

Manny: Hello Office of Major League Baseball, this is Manny Ramirez, and my doctor just prescribed for me x,y, and z. Can I take these?

Major League Baseball: Well, no...actually those are on our list of banned substances.

Manny: Okay...thanks.

Wow...that was rough. Look, I know that Manny is a busy guy, but come on: it is part of your job to know what you are putting in your body, and whether or not it's a banned substance.

Manny Ramirez Suspended for Positive Performance Enhancing Drugs Test

Manny Ramirez will serve the first of a fifty game suspension tonight as the L.A. Dodgers take on the Washington Nationals. What do you think about that? Expect my comments shortly (I want to see how Man Ram himself explains it all).

For the complete L.A. Times article, visit the link below:

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-manny-ramirez8-2009may08,0,6324894.story

Brett Favre...Retired?

So...Favre as a Viking? Really? I mean, I know that's the team he wanted to go to last season, but he's retired for good, right? I'm not so sure anymore.

Do I think Favre still has game? Absolutely. Do I think he is still starting quarterback material? Absolutely. My issue with Brett Favre is this: if you want to play, then play; if you want to retire, then retire.

I understand that people see last season as Brett's failure, but come on. Remember that the Jets finished 9-7 last season, and the only reason that they didn't make the post season was because of a couple of critical losses toward the end of the regular season. Losses that were not entirely Favre's fault. Let's not forget about the Jet's defense, or lack thereof. So it is entirely unreasonable to throw the entirety of the blame onto Brett's shoulders.

During Brett Favre's season with the Jets, he fulfilled the job description of an NFL quarterback: the scapegoat of his team.

For the complete story of Favre's potential comeback check out the following link, and post some comments. Let me know what you think.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=chadiha_jeffri&id=4121065

Countdown to Derby Day

The Run for the Roses is upon us. This years Kentucky Derby boasts a close field of 20 with I Want Revenge rounding out as the favorite in the absence (due to hoof injury) of Quality Road.

My bet, however, goes to a young colt, Pioneer of the Nile, who currently maintains a four race winning streak over synthetic track. Among these four wins include two victories over the Derby’s favorite, I Want Revenge. The key for Pioneer of the Nile is, of course, making the switch from the synthetic track to the dirt of the Derby.

In Monday’s workout, Pioneer of the Nile turned in a time of 1:01 over five furlongs. Not the most impressive of times; but for a colt who has never run on dirt I think that it’s more important for Pioneer of the Nile to get comfortable on the new surface; and the speed will be there on Derby Day.

Noah and Miller: the Stars of Game Six

Just when you think that this series can’t get any more riveting; the boys from Chicago come from a double digit deficit late in the fourth quarter to pull a triple overtime win, and force a game seven. Clearly, both of these teams deserve major credit. Plain and simple: the Chicago Bulls and the Boston Celtics are clutch.

That being said, the star of last night’s game six was, hands down, Joakim Noah. How many guys are going to (in the third overtime mind you) steal the ball, drive the length of the court, hammer a dunk, get fouled (a foul that benched Paul Pierce), and turn a three point play all within four seconds? This guy was explosive last night.

A close runner up to Noah, of course, was Brad Miller who more than made up for his bricked free throws at the end of game five. He got his payback with interest in this one.

I think that Chicago has given Boston all they can handle in this series, and I believe that game seven belongs to the Bulls. Chicago has the drive and determination to take this series, and have clearly proven that they refuse to stay down. I predict a close Bulls win in the eighth overtime of the series.