Month: May 2010

Perfect In Everyway

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27 up and 27 down.  That is the definition of perfection in baseball.  You go through the entire game getting every batter out in their 3 at-bats.  It’s rare that you get someone who has a story that is perfect for this kind of achievement and was being chastised by everyone for his “unwritten rule” blast on one of the games best players.  Dallas Braden (pictured above) pitched a gem against the best team in baseball the Tampa Bay Rays on a day in which he doesn’t look forward too very much.

Just a junior at Amos Alonzo Stagg High School in Stockton, California, Dallas was sent to live with his grandmother Peggy Lindsey.  His mother Jodie Atwood was diagnosed with skin cancer at the time.  Just a year later, Jodi succumbed to the disease and Dallas has since been playing with a heavy heart.  His grandmother Peggy has been the motherly figure for him ever since and it showed in the aftermath of him pitching only the 19th perfect game in MLB history. 

What cinches this story for me is what lead up to May 9, 2010.  In a game played on April 22, Oakland was hosting the New York Yankees.  During the game on a foul ball hit by Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano, Alex Rodriguez was running on the pitch going for third base.  When it was ruled foul, A-Rod took the quickest route back to first by cutting across the infield.  What he didn’t know was that Dallas Braden doesn’t take too kindly to someone stepping on the mound.  Braden was adamant in letting A-Rod know how he felt when the inning was over, but A-Rod wanted none of it simply waving Braden off.

I love the fact that a pitcher won’t take anything from hitters nowadays.  That’s old school baseball.  The kind I wish were still around.  However, Braden’s claim that there is an “unwritten rule” about stepping on the mound is a stretch.  A-Rod has done some stupid things i.e; screaming “HA” while running to third base on a pop fly to get someone to drop the ball, slapping the ball out of then Red Sox pitcher Bronson Arroyo at Yankee Stadium, oh and testing positive for PEDs.  This isn’t even on the radar for me.  What I really loved was the back and forth between the two afterwards.

“He just told me to get off his mound. I was a little surprised. I’d never quite heard that. Especially from a guy that has a handful of wins in his career … I thought it was pretty funny actually.” – Alex Rodriguez

“He should probably take a note from his captain over there and realize you don’t cross the pitcher’s mound in between an inning or during the game. I was just dumbfounded that he would let that slip his mind — being someone of such status.  I don’t care if I’m Cy Young or the 25th man on the roster, if I’ve got the ball in my hand and I’m on that mound, that’s my mound … He ran across the pitcher’s mound foot on my rubber. No, not happening. We’re not the door mat anymore.” – Dallas Braden
I could understand if Braden was still on the mound when A-Rod stepped on the rubber, but in A-Rod’s defense (can’t believe I just said that) he didn’t do that.  Braden actually had people sympathizing with A-Rod for once.  Rightfully both sides cooled off and were willing to let this blow away.  That is until Mothers Day.  
Grandma Peggy Lindsey was quoted after the game saying “stick it A-Rod.”  Beautifully said.  Now it never erupted to what it was, but you gotta love that.  She’s sticking up for her grandson of course, but it just added another sub-plot to the whole saga.  
Regardless of what happened before or what is yet to come, you have to love a good story when you see it.  Dallas Braden pitched a perfect game near his hometown of Stockton, California.  He got to share the moment with his grandmother and in the process stuck his tongue out at A-Rod and said, “this is my mound punk.”  Not quoted of course, but you can bet that it did cross his mind.  Well done.

Idiocy Reigns Supreme

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 I like most fans will cheer or egg on a fan who has run onto the baseball field because I know I won’t be the one going to the slammer right after his 15 seconds of fame.  Most of the time the fan is tackled rather poorly by the rent-a-cops who are out of shape.  Rarely will you get to see a guy get pummeled or even slammed by a mascot.  Those are the best.  I now have a new favorite.  Tasered.
The genius pictured above, who shall remain nameless because he has gotten enough publicity, has caused a stir with him being tased by the police officer also pictured above.  I love it.  Simply from a fans and safety perspective.  If you’re not drunk or just plain stupid, you will now think twice about jumping the fence and running onto the field.  I could watch that video over and over again on youtube.  I only wish the idiot had a funnier fall when he was zapped.
Unfortunately in this politically correct society right now, we have to worry about the idiots safety.  My question is why?  I’m not for beating the crap out of the guy, but those who cried brutality acted like he was shot or beaten with a night stick.  That would be an extreme, but getting an electric shock is the same thing.  Please.  It is the safest thing for both the runner and the ones chasing.  Who could argue against that?
Enter the everyone should have a right to do whatever they want whenever they want crowd.  Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell is part of that crowd.  For him to question the officer’s action is an insult.  He’s protecting your fellow citizens Governor.  The ball players.  Why should we have fences?  As a matter of fact why should we even have nets behind home plate?  That’s as much sense as this makes to me.
Let me remind those who don’t want quick action to remove these rule breakers of a few incidents that definitely warranted at least a taser.  Tennis star Monica Seles was stabbed on the court by a fan in 1993.  Kansas City Royals first base coach at the time Tom Gamboa being beaten by a drunken father and son at Cellular Field in 2002.  The Pacers-Pistons brawl at the Palace in 2004.
Every single one of those incidents warranted that kind of action seen in Philadelphia.  Would tasing those people have stopped or even slowed them down?  Probably not.  All I’m saying is don’t yell and scream that it was wrong and don’t you dare say that he’s just a 17 year old learning a lesson.  So what.  If my son (don’t have one) calls and says I’m gonna go onto the baseball field.  My response, “prepare to be tased and you can bail yourself out.”  Harsh sure, but my son would know better.  I hope this kid does.  Too bad he learned it the hard way.

I’m Taking A Stand

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I’ve gone on record before in saying that politics has no place in sports whatsoever.  In rare occasions it does call for both to come together.  Examples; Jackie Robinson’s number retired throughout baseball, Congress threatening action if MLB didn’t clean up the sport of PEDs, boycotting the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, Russia.  There are countless other examples, but when it comes to a state passing a law that a select few disapprove of, it has no reason to be injected into the sports realm.

Arizona over a week ago passed a law that they hope will help lessen the blow illegal immigration has done to their state.  There is no doubt that it affects them and the other border states (California, New Mexico and Texas).  And in many ways; Economic, Resources, Crime, Medical and on and on.  I will go ahead and tell you what those who disagree loudly with the bill don’t want to discuss.  The bill (which you can read here) doesn’t advocate a police officer to hunt down brown skinned people.  When a police officer asks you for your license and registration when pulling you over for speeding or running a red light, you show him/her that license and registration.  If you do not have it, you’re in trouble.  American or not.  It simply puts emphasis on an already existing federal law.  That’s it.

I would like to ask point guard Steve Nash, Suns owner Robert Sarver and Suns GM Steve Kerr if they read the bill.  If they had, they wouldn’t be making these statements:

“However intended, the result of passing the law is that our basic principles of equal rights and protection under the law are being called into question and Arizona’s already struggling economy will suffer even further setbacks at a time when the state can ill-afford them.” – Robert Sarver

“I think the bill opens up the opportunity for racial profiling, racism. I think it puts the police in an incredibly difficult position that isn’t fair to them. It’s an infringement on our civil liberties to allow the possibility for inequality to arise in our community,” – Steve Nash

“It’s hard to imagine in this country that we have to produce papers.  It rings up images of Nazi Germany” – Steve Kerr

Yeah, there are stupid politicians who should have dealt with this problem a long time ago, but now this issue is coming to the forefront in Arizona.  Sarver has decided to promote the fact that the Phoenix Suns will be wearing their “Los Suns” jerseys tonight against the Spurs.  That’s fine.  You want to promote diversity and goodwill, that’s great.  Don’t try to shove your view on the issue into it though.  Keep it out.

Nash was an adamant voice against the War in Iraq by the United States.  That’s fine too.  I respect your right to protest.  When you state your opinion when you’re about to play a game, you begin to delve into some rough territory.  I could care less of celebrities opinions on certain issues, because frankly they won’t sway my decision.  The same goes for athletes.  No one cares, shut up and play.

Kerr’s came as a surprise.  Trying to stem a problem instead of letting it get worse is considered being a Nazi.  Hmmm.  I have to say, this is probably the worst quote to come from an athlete/GM since Patrick Ewing’s “we make a lot of money, but we spend a lot of money” quote from the ’99 NBA lockout.  You’ve lost my respect as a person Mr. Kerr.  I and those who want to take action are now Nazi’s.  Have fun trying to win a championship as an executive good sir.

Who are the morons that are protesting the Arizona Diamondbacks?  Please go back to the cellars you came from.  The team has nothing to do with a states policies.  Yes, manager A.J. Hinch can’t stand the fact that he has 7 Latin players on his active roster.  GM Josh Byrnes has his scouts avoid the entire Carribean Peninsula to find new talent.  Punishing a team for a states decision is just plain stupid and it should be shunned more often.

Regardless of your political outlook, I for one am sick and tired of this.  Trying to punish or boycott sports teams for politicians decisions is wrong.  Loudly voicing your opinion without knowing or understanding both sides to the issue disturbs me even more.  Just because you have a microphone in front of you doesn’t make you the all knowing power on the planet.  What you spew will not be fact.  I know that first hand.  You must know what you’re going to say and be honest about it.

Please for the love of God, stop spewing crap out of your mouths.  If there’s one thing I’ve learned about life, it’s that you have to know there are two answers to every question or problem.  If we all knew that, maybe things can change for the better.