John Rooke - Thinking Out Loud
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Thinking out loud…while wondering if there’s a cure for Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison’s anger management issues…
• Associated Press writer Jim Litke p***ed me off this week, when he wrote a column about improving MLB’s All-Star game – by ending it. But the more I think about it, the more it might make sense…ratings are down, no one seems to like “playing for home field in the World Series.” It would be a bold move. If we can just get past our nostalgic feelings for it…
• I understand that injured players need time off…but would it have really killed Derek Jeter to make an appearance at the All-Star Game in Phoenix this week? Especially since MLB wanted to celebrate his 3000th hit? Sorry, that’s a snub, any way you look at it…
• Not for nuthin’…but did anyone else notice that four of the five missing All-Star players from the festivities were Yankees? Jeter, C. C. Sabathia, Alex Rodriguez and Mariano Rivera were all MIA…for various reasons, of course…
• And one more observation from the All-Star Game…I got the impression that the injured American Leaguers alone were a good enough team to beat the National Leaguers who actually PLAYED the game…and won. The NL’s home field advantage in the World Series will be a factor, if the Red Sox are fortunate enough to be there…ok, Mr. Litke, you’ve won me over. End it, already…
• And then, end the Pro Bowl, NHL and NBA All-Star games, too. Meaningless games, all of them…and players keep trying to find ways to NOT play in them. After they’re gone, we’ll all learn to appreciate them more…
• The Red Sox chances of holding off the Yankees and Rays, and actually getting to a World Series, are based on one not-so-small item – HEALTH…
• And I’ll say this about Roger Clemens…he is one lucky son-of-a-gun…
• Sign of the times…this week, the NBA Players’ Association told its members to consider going overseas to play next year, the league office laid off 114 employees, and the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats laid off their radio play-by-play announcer. Don’t worry, college hoops will be here before you know it…
• Not exactly a campus-brochure moment at West Virginia…linebacker Branko Busick, son of former WWF wrestler “Big Bully” Busick, was arrested this week on an armed robbery charge. Oh, he’s also been dismissed from the team…
• Be careful what you ask for…Auburn head football coach Gene Chizik asked the NCAA why there was no announcement that the Cam Newton investigation (into his illegal recruitment) was finished. The answer? “You’ll know when we’re finished. And we’re not finished.”
• In the “it’s gotta hurt” department, former Ohio State #1 recruit Kyle Kalis is now going to – wait for it – Michigan. And Ohio State is being sued by ESPN, of all things, for not making public records available. When it rains, it pours…
• Former PC assistant basketball coach Chris Davis has landed as an assistant at UC-Davis, under former Bradley coach Jim Les…who may be suing his former school for not paying him what he was owed when fired…
• The “pay for play” argument in college athletics is slowly gaining momentum, even though a system that would fairly distribute payments to players seems a long way off. Still, the discussion continues…and don’t be surprised if an enterprising group of student-athletes decides to – wait for it – sue somebody someday soon…
• Sheesh. I’m out of the loop. Apparently, I need to get me a lawyer and sue somebody. Any takers?
• I actually looked forward to watching a soccer match this week…and it didn’t involve the US women’s team (although I watched them, too). Do yourself a favor and watch a team like Manchester United play the game…you might be surprised how much you enjoy it…
• I’ll say it, even if you won’t. The Patriots should give Randy Moss another shot…
• Some good news to share this week, too…former Rutgers lineman Eric LeGrand, who was paralyzed making a tackle against Army last October, stood up this week. Twice. After his injury, doctors thought he would never come off a ventilator…
• Clear eyes. Full hearts. Can’t lose. The Friday Night Lights TV series has ended after a five-season run, and I will miss it greatly. Not for the football, which was pretty well done, but for the characters. I lived Texas high school football. This show – unlike so many – was reality TV, and did a magnificent job of creating characters you cared about…
• A rookie wage scale has been agreed to…a salary cap has been agreed to…but the NFL players say nothing is agreed to until THEY vote on it…you tell me. Who wants pro football back more – the players or owners?
• Steelers’ linebacker James Harrison came off of his meds this week, and called NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell “a crook,” and “a devil” in a magazine article. Perhaps the $100K he was fined last year for illegal hits wasn’t enough? He also called former Patriots Rodney Harrison and Tedy Bruschi “clowns.” Now, them’s fightin’ words…
• Harrison also made some legitimate points about the NFL’s attempts to increase safety on the field…but how will he ever get anyone to take him seriously if he keeps up with the insults? And Thursday, he offers apologies and says he was “taken out of context?” Please. The guy seriously needs a new brain, or an agent, and a PR makeover…
• The mailbag question this week comes from Joe in Cranston, and he asks “do you think the Stanley Cup will come to Rhode Island at some point?” Excellent question. This week Providence mayor Angel Taveras announced the city, state and Providence Bruins are in conversations with the Boston Bruins to have the Cup in Providence…sometime in September. The 1st annual Boston Bruins Black & Gold game will be played at the Dunk on September 20…
• Interested in having your questions on local RI sports (including the Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics) answered in a somewhat timely fashion? Send ‘em to me! It’s your chance to “think out loud,” so send your questions and comments to [email protected]. We’ll share mailbag comments right here!
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