Random Sports Musings #1
If only Barry could pay my kids' way through college: Despite my distaste for Barry Bonds, I do wish I was at AT&T Park this week to possibly catch his 714th or 715th career home run. Oh, I'd boo; I'd boo until my lungs climbed out of my mouth and fell to the floor. But after that, I'd sell those balls--with or without Bonds' signature--and collect a pretty penny.
I don't buy the argument that the public's general distaste for Bonds outside the Bay Area or the steroid allegations surrounding the Giants slugger would de-value the balls; if anything, Barry's infamy could drive the price up even further. Mark McGwire's 70th home run ball in 1998 eventually went for $3 million; chances are, Barry's home run balls will go for more, most likely because they'll have the name and spirit of the Babe on them.
So if I could sell one, or even both, think of all the money I'd rake in. Pay off my student loans, buy a house and a Mustang...put my kids through college (once I have kids, anyway)...I may hate Barry Bonds, but I would profit off his artificially-induced milestone in a heartbeat.
That doesn't make me a bad person, does it?
Does Ricky know pot's legal in Canada?: I say let suspended Miami Dolphins runningback Ricky Williams play the 2006 season in the CFL for the Toronto Argonauts. He won't be able to play in the NFL--his grand prize for losing the NFL drug-testing game for a fourth time--so why not let him go somewhere else to play football and keep himself in shape for a possible 2007 return?
I realize pot's legal north of the border, which might distract him. I also realize CFL fields are like concrete with endzones, and Ricky could seriously hurt himself. But honestly? The risk of injury is great for any runningback, regardless of where he's playing. Ricky's just as likely to get hurt in the Arena League or NFL Europe as he is in the CFL. So I say let him take that risk; let him play in the CFL next season, keep himself in shape, because it's apparent he still wants to play football.
And if it makes him a better runner in '07, what's the big issue?
Nash Bridges: I have no problem whatsoever with Steve Nash winning his second consecutive NBA MVP award. Although LeBron James is the only thing in the Association I care about, I can't knock Nash for the things he's done this season. Everyone buried the Phoenix Suns once it became obvious they'd be without Amare Stoudamire and management inexplicably let Joe Johnson go to the Atlanta Hawks. But the Suns managed the No. 2 seed in the playoffs this year, and are a good bet to advance to the Western Conference finals for the second straight year.
You could argue that Kobe Bryant has done more with less than Nash, but Nash doesn't have the personal baggage or the intense scrutiny Bryant does. Nash is a stand-up guy who's also a hell of a ball player, and he makes everyone around him better. Give him Smush Parker and Kwame Brown and they're potential All-Stars. With Kobe, Parker and Brown are also-rans, cameos in the one-man opera that is Kobe Bean Bryant.
Steve Nash is the league's MVP, and the kind of player the NBA should be glad to peddle to the masses.
Freak of Nature: This just in: Albert Pujols is a freak of nature.
And I mean that in the best way possible. For all the talk of Barry Bonds and how he's still getting intentionally walked, even with chewing gum and paper clips holding his knee together, I'm baffled as to why anyone is still willingly pitching to Phat Albert. The man's the fastest ever to 16 homers in a season, and he could hit a golf ball into southern Illinois if a pitcher grooved one at him...so why pitch to him?
If we're so intent on looking for someone to challenge Ruth and Aaron once Bonds is retired, I say look no further than the new Busch Stadium. Injuries aside, I see nothing keeping Albert from staying on this power binge and making a play for 700--and perhaps more.
I don't buy the argument that the public's general distaste for Bonds outside the Bay Area or the steroid allegations surrounding the Giants slugger would de-value the balls; if anything, Barry's infamy could drive the price up even further. Mark McGwire's 70th home run ball in 1998 eventually went for $3 million; chances are, Barry's home run balls will go for more, most likely because they'll have the name and spirit of the Babe on them.
So if I could sell one, or even both, think of all the money I'd rake in. Pay off my student loans, buy a house and a Mustang...put my kids through college (once I have kids, anyway)...I may hate Barry Bonds, but I would profit off his artificially-induced milestone in a heartbeat.
That doesn't make me a bad person, does it?
Does Ricky know pot's legal in Canada?: I say let suspended Miami Dolphins runningback Ricky Williams play the 2006 season in the CFL for the Toronto Argonauts. He won't be able to play in the NFL--his grand prize for losing the NFL drug-testing game for a fourth time--so why not let him go somewhere else to play football and keep himself in shape for a possible 2007 return?
I realize pot's legal north of the border, which might distract him. I also realize CFL fields are like concrete with endzones, and Ricky could seriously hurt himself. But honestly? The risk of injury is great for any runningback, regardless of where he's playing. Ricky's just as likely to get hurt in the Arena League or NFL Europe as he is in the CFL. So I say let him take that risk; let him play in the CFL next season, keep himself in shape, because it's apparent he still wants to play football.
And if it makes him a better runner in '07, what's the big issue?
Nash Bridges: I have no problem whatsoever with Steve Nash winning his second consecutive NBA MVP award. Although LeBron James is the only thing in the Association I care about, I can't knock Nash for the things he's done this season. Everyone buried the Phoenix Suns once it became obvious they'd be without Amare Stoudamire and management inexplicably let Joe Johnson go to the Atlanta Hawks. But the Suns managed the No. 2 seed in the playoffs this year, and are a good bet to advance to the Western Conference finals for the second straight year.
You could argue that Kobe Bryant has done more with less than Nash, but Nash doesn't have the personal baggage or the intense scrutiny Bryant does. Nash is a stand-up guy who's also a hell of a ball player, and he makes everyone around him better. Give him Smush Parker and Kwame Brown and they're potential All-Stars. With Kobe, Parker and Brown are also-rans, cameos in the one-man opera that is Kobe Bean Bryant.
Steve Nash is the league's MVP, and the kind of player the NBA should be glad to peddle to the masses.
Freak of Nature: This just in: Albert Pujols is a freak of nature.
And I mean that in the best way possible. For all the talk of Barry Bonds and how he's still getting intentionally walked, even with chewing gum and paper clips holding his knee together, I'm baffled as to why anyone is still willingly pitching to Phat Albert. The man's the fastest ever to 16 homers in a season, and he could hit a golf ball into southern Illinois if a pitcher grooved one at him...so why pitch to him?
If we're so intent on looking for someone to challenge Ruth and Aaron once Bonds is retired, I say look no further than the new Busch Stadium. Injuries aside, I see nothing keeping Albert from staying on this power binge and making a play for 700--and perhaps more.
posted by Jeff Cunningham at 7:41 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home