The Starting 5: Week of July 23, 2007
Posted by Jason Goodman on 07.25.2007
I took a vacation, and the sports world lost its mind. I can't leave you guys alone for a minute, can I???
Hi Everybody,
Let me just start off by saying that Time Warner is... special. That's all I'm gonna say about them. It would, however, appear that my internet problems yesterday were a blessing in disguise, as so much has taken place since. I'll spare you my constant gushing over the incredible seventh Harry Potter book, and the awesome fifth movie, and my elation about the Yankees edging closer into playoff contention. Let's just get right into it for this week, shall we?
The Starting 5: "Not-Quite-Midweek" Edition!
Vick Banned From Training Camp:
I wanted to talk about Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Michael Vick being arraigned later this week, but then this juicy quote came up, courtesy of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell:
"While it is for the criminal justice system to determine your guilt or innocence, it is my responsibility as commissioner of the National Football League to determine whether your conduct, even if not criminal, nonetheless violated league policies, including the Personal Conduct Policy,"
Vick will be banned from training camp until the NFL completes its own review of the dog-fighting ring charges against him. I can't help but feel the right thing is being done here. Of all the NFL players to have legal troubles over the last couple of years, Vick is definitely the most high-profile, and there is going to be an absolute media circus around him. The NFL needs to have a concrete position here, whether to support or not, and this gives them the time to do so. For a while, nobody thought this would ever go to court, or that charges would even be brought up. Now that they have, Goodell absolutely cannot look like he is showing favoritism toward Vick's celebrity, especially when he has come down so hard on other players.
In my heart of hearts, I want to believe that Vick has just been put in a bad predicament due to his trust of the wrong people. That still makes it a tragic story, and serves as a warning to all young athletes as they cross into the professional realm. I only look at it that way, because I have such trouble believing that a person could have that much money thrown at them, and still risk it all for what? For a few extra dollars? We'll see where this takes us, but for now I shall practice the mantra of "innocent until proven guilty." It's a good exercise.
In a side story, Falcons cornerback Jimmy Williams was charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession. If I was watching my team's star QB possibly throwing away his – and my team's – season away, I'd probably be ready to light up too.
Saying Goodbye:
This week he learned that two beloved figures from different sports will be saying goodbye at the end, and the beginning, of their respective seasons. Craig Biggio, less than a month removed from his 3,000th hit, has announced he is finished after a 20-year career. Biggio, 41, is a 7-time All-Star and a 4-time Gold Glove winner at second base. He currently stands at 3,014 hits and a .282 batting average entering today's game against LA. It's always great to see a player, in this age of free agency, start and finish his career with only ONE team, in this case the Houston Astros.
Curtis Martin, the #4 rusher in NFL history(14,101), will officially announce his retirement this week as the New York Jets begin training camp. He leaves the NFL as a 5-time Pro Bowler, and one of two players(?) with a streak of 10 straight 1,000-yard seasons. More importantly, in my opinion, he has a twice-restructured contract which allowed the Jets necessary salary-cap room to make important moves in the off-season, including the trade for Thomas Jones. These are two people who only enhanced their sports, and their locker rooms, and knew when it was time to leave. Good luck to them both.
WNBA Has New TV Deal:
The WNBA announced a new 8-year deal with ESPN/ABC that, for the first time, will also give the league rights fees. This is a big step in the progression of televised women's sports, because it shows a major financial commitment in the future of the league and faith in its merchandising ability. I am elated to see the WNBA taking this step, and look forward to seeing what else comes of it.
David Stern is on Damage Control, too:
The way we watch NBA games may have changed. We always used to argue over which players were favored, why rookies couldn't get calls, and the famous "Knick Bavetta" remark from Tim Hardaway. Now, however, people can honestly sit and wonder if the refs are intentionally fixing games AND organized crime's level of involvement. That's supposed to be an idea reserved for movies and television series.
Tim Donaghy has single-handedly given every single person a reason to second-guess a referee's integrity when the whistle blows, and David Stern just happened to be captaining the ship at the time. Stern gave a press conference today, explaining how they wanted to fire Donaghy right after learning of these actions, but the Feds wanted him on the job a bit longer, to aid in their own investigations. I can buy that. What I don't believe is that major US sports organizations don't have their own investigators keeping track of this sort of thing, and if they didn't, they will shortly. It's the organized crime aspect of this which bothers me so, because it immediately becomes an issue of life and death, which is utterly ludicrous. I would love to believe that something like this will never happen again, but it always does – be it point shaving, throwing games, or betting on your own team while managing.
The rub? Phoenix Suns fans are STILL screwed out of a possible Finals appearance.
The only funny thing about this is the level to which relations between the league and the referees will continue to devolve, but that's only funny for a few minutes when you realize the horrible effect this will have in future relations with fans.
A solemn moment:
Take a moment and bow your head for Mike Coolbaugh, 35, a AA first-base coach who recently died after being struck in the head by a line drive while standing in the coach's box. Condolences to his surviving family, Wife Amanda, Sons Joseph and Jacob, and their coming sibling. I hope this will encourage all base coaches to wear some sort of protective gear, as they are in a dangerous situation every at-bat. Seeing that kind of lesson is the only way I can ever make sense from these types of tragedies. I really don't know what else to say about this, except that he will be missed by all of those who knew him, and it is a sad loss.
Walking Off:
This could be what we see tonight… twice.
Tonight, Barry Bonds turns 43. Tonight, Barry Bonds could come that much closer to breaking Hank Aaron's MLB All-Time HR record. He'll be at home, the Commish will be watching. I believe he can do it, but even more, I believe this will be one of the most entertaining climaxes to a story in years. If he does it at home – jubilation. On the road – rage. A commissioner, in Bud Selig who made the following statement:
"Out of respect for the tradition of this game, the magnitude of the record, and the fact that all citizens in this country are innocent until proven guilty, I will attend Barry Bonds' next games to observe his potential tying and breaking of the home run record, subject to my commitments to the Hall of Fame this weekend. I will make an additional statement when the record is tied,"
I hear some people could pick up the sound of his teeth gritting with their microphones. Records are meant to be broken, and this is your time Barry. Besides, we'll be listening to all the A-Rod haters in about 5 years, and hopefully he'll be wearing some nice navy blue and white pinstripes at the time.
