Notes From the Sports Week

Just some random notes from this week in sports.

1. ARod and the Yankees
Alex Rodriguez is apparently set to sign a 10 year, 275 million dollar contract with the Yankees. So basically, in spite of the fact that they have won NOTHING since aquiring ARod and in spite of the fact that they said straight up they'd never resign him if he opted out of his contract, the Yanks have gone ahead and signed him anyway. And for the second time in 8 years, ARod has signed the biggest contract in the history of American sports. I think I'll do a full blog on this in the future but to make it quick, GOOD. I'm glad Rodriguez signed with the Yankees. They deserve each other. The ultimate "me over the team" baseball player back with the ultimate "chemestry? we don't need no stinking chemestry" baseball team. I respect the heck out of the Yanks for paying whatever they can to add talent but at some point they completely abandoned the value of a TEAM in favor of a bunch of overpaid individuals. I hate the Yanks and I hate Arod and so it makes me pretty happy inside to know that they not only have each other for 10 more years but also that they will win ZERO World Series titles as long as ARod is in pinstripes.

2. Mavs DESTROY Spurs
It's still early so of course, it matters little. BUT, the Mavs played the Spurs tonight and completely destroyed the defending champs. They outplayed the Spurs in almost every facet of the game. Devin Harris made Tony Parker look stupid, Jason Terry (again) hit every important shot, and Dirk Nowitzki had maybe the best defensive game of his career. Since Avery came on as the coach of this team, they've tried to model themselves after the Spurs (minus the whining and flopping). This season it looks like it is working because Dirk is truly taking on the Tim Duncan role. His scoring numbers are down but every night he's putting up a balanced stat line. Tonight was 17 points, 8 boards, 5 assists, 4 blocks, and a steal. This is after the 21 points, 12 boards, 8 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals against Philly. If the Mavs need him to go for 35 he still can but on your average night he's able to contribute in every way instead of just scoring and rebounding. Championship baby!

3. The San Fran Witch Hunt
Look, I'm biased. There's no question. I freaking love Barry Bonds. I think he's the greatest player in the history of Major League Baseball and frankly, I don't care if he was juiced for a couple of years or not. I'm so sick of this WITCH HUNT that MLB and Congress and whoever else have engaged in against Barry. EVERYONE from 1998 to 2003 was juiced. EVERYONE!!! I'm completely beaten with the arrogance of MLB and the ignorance of the national media laying the entire consequence of the Steroid Era at Barry's feet. The way he's been portrayed you'd think that sometime back in 1996 Barry thought "You know what might make this thing awesome? What if I developed some sort of drug, we'll call it a steroid, that makes me stronger and faster! Then I'd go from best player in the league to best player in HISTORY! Better yet I'll let all my opponents in on it so we can ALL be freaking awesome!" then went into his secret laboratory and used his master's in chemestry to develop anabolic steroids, HGH, and whatever other crap these guys used, then passed it around to everyone in baseball, AND somehow got Bud Selig to never make a rule outlawing the use of steroids. Did he cheat? Ya, except for the fact that this wasn't even illegal in the sport. Still, ya he cheated but so did 90% of the people he played with and against, including the pitchers who he was batting against (75% of the those who have tested positive in the last 3 years are pitchets). MLB screwed up by not nipping this crap in the butt when they knew it was happening and now Barry's got 900 fingers pointing at him because he's the one who's actually had the ability to stay in the league after all the other steroid guys have crashed and burned. It's a witch hunt and it makes me sick. Baseball can't EVER get ANYTHING right. Down with Selig!

4. Grant Hill
I love Grant Hill. Ever since his days at Duke he's been one of my favorite players in the NBA. He's as classy as they come, nicest guy in the world, and one of the most talented guys to ever put on the uniform. If not for extreme and unjust injuries, Grant would be included with Michael, Magic, and Larry in the pantheon of all time greats. But since 1999, Grant has been afflicted with an unfair share of injuries. Since 2000, his games played in each season have been: 4, 14, 29, 67, 21, and 65 (out of 82 each year). It's been one surgery after another for Grant and that combined with his wife's life threatening illness, he's nearly been pushed into retirement a number of times. But he decided to make one last attempt this year and signed with the Suns. Tonight was the first time I've gotten to watch the Suns this year and it was GREAT to see Grant out there. He was running well and looking good. He even had a strong, two handed jam off a Nash pass that looked a lot like the type of thing he would have done pre injuries. Grant is a true ambassador of the sport and if anyone deserves a productive and injury free season it's him. I wish my best to Grant and hope he has a great year, though he's going to be watching the Finals from home.

5. Sour Grapes
Every year the members of the 72 Miami Dolphins get together and toast themselves after the last unbeaten NFL team loses. EVERY YEAR. They are the only team in NFL history to go through an entire year undefeated. A great feat to be sure. But in my opinion, it has gotten old now. 35 years of this junk. Now it looks like a team might REALLY make a run at the perfect season. The Patriots are possibly the best team ever and they have a coach that will do anything he can to spit in the face of anyone who opposes him so you know they're going to work hard to get that 16-0. A couple days ago one of the members of the Dolphins went off on a reporter about how he was tired of being questioned about it and talk to me when they're 14-0 not 9-0. Look, there's some truth to that. The media really should just leave it alone until they get close. But realism is not the strength of the media. And more to the point, this guy was all upset about being questioned, like he never even thinks about the unbeaten record. Could it be the fact that you jokers get together every year and make a big deal about drinking champagne and smoking cigars in honor of remaining the only unbeaten team? That probably has something to do with this staying in the public eye. Anyway, after 35 years haven't you had your fill? At some point it's going to come to an end and I think it's pretty sorry to act like a bunch of fools every year. And even more to the point, I hope you enjoyed last year's cigar because this is when it ends. The Pats are going 16-0 and winning the Super Bowl and that's all there is to it. And the 72 Dolphins can fade into history where they belong.