The Starting Five: Week of August 6. 2007
Posted by Jason Goodman on 08.08.2007
No fluff, No filler. Just good, ol' fashioned TALK. Oh, alright, and some SMACK-talk, too.
NOTE: Hey All, the following is a panel discussion which took place on Monday Evening. Of course, as we all know, Brady Quinn has FINALLY signed a contract with the Cleveland Browns. I don't care, we had so much fun discussing things last night, I'm not gonna cut anything out. Not a bit. Except some of our spelling, but that doesn't count. So, on with it, then...
Welcome back to an all-new edition of The Starting 5, where I've decided to shake things up a bit. Instead of just writing my random thoughts on the sporting world, I've brought two great friends along to do it for me. Now, pay attention kids:
First off, fresh from another 2 hours of pure, unadulterated, turntable mastery, please welcome the one and only DJ Stealth!
DJ Stealth:wikki wikki (thats my turntable sound) hot right?.....no?.....ok
And joining him, is a man rising in the ranks of 411 superstardom, the instructor presiding over Scene Anatomy 101, and the host of the UBS Evening News, George H. Sirois!
George H Sirois: Fresh from another 2 hours of pure, unturntabled adulterated mastery. Actually, I'm not, but I couldnt resist.
DJS: Gimme a G
"G!"
DJS: Gimme a H
"H!"
DJS: Gimme a S
"S!"
DJS: Who's initials are those?
"GEORGE! I mean, GEORGE'S!!!"
DJS: George H Serious
GHS: SIROIS!
DJS: Aka… G-Diddy? Sirosis? Bah, no matter… go ahead, Jason.
Jason Goodman: Thank you, good DJ. Guys, we've seen baseball history made this past weekend, First with the tying of one of the most important individual records in all of American sports. Of course, that is the hitting of home run #755 by Barry Bonds.
DJS: good ol' B squared
JG: So, despite all the controversy, how does this rank for you as a moment in baseball history? Stealth?
DJS: Well considering the amount of controversy involved it ranks pretty high but unfortunately for the wrong reasons… HE tied the record, he tied the record. But the media circus that has surrounded this event, not to mention, the analysis by numerous people… this just is something that will forever have a scar on it; not a good look.
JG: The milestone tying of this record has been marred by the reaction, not of the fans, but of the media, it's a very interesting view I think many share. What about you, George?
GHS: I look at the whole Bonds ordeal in the same light as the Bush Administration… there's so much wrong going on, yet everyone is taking it in such a casual manner because everyone believes that we'll eventually get through it. Even if he breaks it, we know that it's only a matter of time before that record falls.
JG: And by that, I'm sure you're referring to...?
GHS: A-Rod
DJS: Yes Sir
JG: Well bringing up A-Rod's name has soothed many a Bonds-Hater in recent weeks, but it still doesn't change certain things: Barry's homerun surge came out of an time that has come to be known as the Steroid Era. Are we going to devalue, or simply ignore every accomplishment from that period?
DJS: Well a lot of it has been marred as it was. Look at McGwire: that whole homerun battle between him and Sammy[Sosa]. And I'm sorry, maybe I'm just old fashioned, but someone as physically huge as Barry Bonds should not have the voice of a 6 yr old girl.
GHS: Valid point
JG: Two good points. Now there's an excellent subject, right up until that congressional testimony, he was still the MLB's "golden boy," and now, it's a question of "if" not "when" he will be voted into the Hall of Fame. And Barry, we all know he looks like he actually EATS whole people now but, what is it about THIS particular period that irks people so much? Is it the fact that we just cheered along like nothing was wrong?
DJS: Because it was assisted heroics. These guys shot balls into different zip codes, but not on their own merit it, lessens the value.
GHS: Well, the fans were simply responding to what was going on during the home run race that was one-half of what saved baseball in 1998.
DJS: Oh, dont get me wrong! When the race was going on, we were all glued, but the issue of roids came up after.
JG: Well -
GHS: Not quite, there was talk about McGwire using another "substance" during the chase, and that that "substance" wasn't illegal.
JG: Okay, so is this just the kneejerk reaction of fans, and a league who just kinda sat by and let it happen?
DJS: Thats right
GHS: Selig should have done something a lot earlier if he wanted to make an issue out of this.
DJS: Well now what happens if Bonds is found to have taken steroids, will his career share a fate similar to Chris Benoit's, where to say the name is heresy?
JG: That is a GREAT question! Despite all the talk, nobody's been able to prove anything except, of course, that Jose Canseco loooves book revenue. Nobody really knows what to do, until something has been proven.
DJS: Which is probably why we are stuck in "rumor mode"
GHS There are plenty of pieces to the puzzle that are just sitting there for everyone to see, but if bonds was accused, then he could turn around and sue, is that right...?
JG: Another good point, we can only wait and see, can't we? Now, George brought his name up earlier, and people have began to take it for granted that Alex Rodriguez, who is in the midst of his second MVP caliber season with the Yankees, just became the youngest player to hit 500 hundred homeruns, and will be the one to break whatever the new record is[when Bonds retires].
DJS: I'm callin it… in less than 5 yrs if he stays healthy, he'll break it
JG: 5 years?
DJS: 6, I'm picturing.
JG: well, give him a couple of 50-run seasons, and that could actually happen.
GHS: I'm thinking 6 to give him his time to get through the occassional slumps.
JG: So, my questions to you are the following: Will A-Rod still be in a Yankee uniform when it happens? AND, forget 755, will he come close to breaking the WORLD mark set by the Japanese great, Sadaharu Oh of 868? George, we'll start with you this time.
GHS: I'm not 100 percent if he'll be in a Yankee uniform when it happens, because he would HAVE to have his ring by then, and then he'll go where Boras takes him.
JG: Ahh, Scott Boras. I don't think another name has been so revered and reviled by a sport since David Falk in the 90's, at least, as far as agents go.
GHS: He's in Arliss Michaels territory, that's how reviled he is.
JG: Stealth, any predictions about Rodriguez?
DJS: I see him doin 800, i think he'll get close. Whether or not he'll be in a Yankee uniform… as a fan i'd like to see it, but who knows
JG:Money is a powerful drug, so it is ultimately up to who's willing to pay the price, I imagine. OK! One more in the Baseball world for ya: Tom Glavine just picked up his 300th win on sunday night. Many are saying that he may be the LAST 300-game winner for many decades to come. Do either of you see any currently active pitcher eventually joining this oh-so exclusive club? Stealth?
DJS: Well, is randy retiring?
JG: It looks like it, with this latest setback in his health.
DJS: That sucks because he's 16 away… 284 right?
GHS: He's very close, but he's already got his world series win AND a co-MVP AND a perfect game; he's already a lock for the Hall of Fame. If he wants that last honor, he should only go for it if he's 100 percent he can still go.
DJS: Moose might have a chance
JG: Mike Mussina, with 246 wins. Do you think he has enough in the tank to reach? He's struggled the past two years, after all.
DJS: I think he can.
GHS: I'm not sure, I think he'll hit 275, but I'm not sure if he has it in him to get to 300. I'd love to be proven wrong, though
JG: As would I, seeing as he's one of my all-time favorites. Any young pitchers out there who look like they may get there some day? My first instinct would be to yell out Johan Santana's name, of course.
DJS: But the new watching of Pitch Counts might hinder Pitchers from gettin those big win years
JG: This is true, pitching coaches are watching the counters more than ever, and there's always that 5-man rotation.
GHS: Pitchers now seem to be conditioned to only go for 6 innings
JG: This is also true. So Glavine may be the last of an dying breed of pitcher, and that's somewhat sad. Okay, let's go to the NFL for a moment. My first question off the bat: is Brady Quinn SERIOUS???
DJS: Seriously Delusional
JG: Thank you! He MUST be! But, truthfully, are things now at a level SO LOW, that rookies, who haven't even TOUCHED professional grass, are holding out? Stealth, we all want to see them get paid, but is this good for the sport? George, tell me what's up with this guy!
DJS: This is ri-damn-diculous, all this show… He's just showing his lack of worth by holding out.
GHS: I'm just flat out disgusted that this is the kind of player that the system is breeding right now. He looks like a "take the money and run" kind of player.
JG: Well this is all true, and Quinn STILL has to compete for the starting job! Now, does the same mode of thinking apply to JaMarcus Russell, especially considering that the Raiders have already signed Daunte Culpepper?
DJS Yup. I mean, lets say it like it is: #1 pick, congratulations… That doesnt mean you get to hold out!
GHS: AMEN!
DJS: You have yet to prove anything in the pro's. How many #1 picks have become a bust?
GHS: Hell, just look at the Giants' luck with #1 picks
JG: Well, let me ask you two this: How is, if even, Larry Johnson's holdout on the Chiefs any different?
DJS: Larry has proven his worth.
GHS: It seems like veteran players that have proven to be worth the extra money have to fight for every cent in this salary capped sport, and its understandable that guys like Larry Johnson would try to get their hands on some of that money as well, but Brady forgot the first step to holding out: you have to give them a REASON for them to pay you!
DJS: Exactly! See, you have to SHOW and PROVE.
GHS: All brady's shown and proven is that he's a dumbass who's sabotaging his own career for the sake of a few extra bucks
JG: Well, I don't think I could've said that any better myself.
DJS: If he gets his money and then goes bust, he'll end up in the world of that Hasselbeck guy, and i don't mean the one on the Seahawks
JG: Are you referring to that guy kept locked up in the basement underneath Giants Stadium?
DJS: Yeah, THAT guy
GHS: "Bring out the gimp."
WALKIN' OFF...
Oh, yeah... the three of us are adamant Yankees Fans... did you think for a SECOND
I'd post something different?
JG: Well I do believe on that note, we can bring things to a close for this edition of the Starting 5. Did we even cover 5 topics? We might've squeezed in 5.
GHS: I'm sure it happened somehow
DJS: 5 is possible.
JG: I really want to thank you for joining me, you've been as insightful and humorous as I hoped.
GHS: Our pleasure.
DJS: Well as they say in my country: oh hey no problem, glad I could help!
JG: Guys, I'll leave the floor open to you for any plugs you'd like to make: Stealth, would you like the first honor?
Second: The Radio Show "Stealth Mode Radio" Online Radio every monday night 8pm to 10pm on www.takeovaradio.com
And that's it for me.
JG: Great! George, anything?
GHS: This Wednesday, Scene Anatomy 101 will be covering 1987's Dragnet.
This Thursday, Issue #25 of the UBS Evening Movie News.
This Saturday, celebrating my 31st birthday at the Coyote Ugly in NYC. And this Sunday, will be interviewing a member of Senator Joe Biden's presidential campaign.
JG: Well, hell man! People, if you're in downtown NYC this weekend, buy that man a drink!
DJS Buy me one too.
JG: Yes, and buy one for DJ Stealth too, while you're at it! Gentlemen, thank you once again, and I'll see everybody next week with another edition of the Starting 5!
