Sunday, August 19, 2012

THE DEEPER YOU GET, THE DIRTIER IT BECOMES

MELKY CABRERA IS NO SAINT
I had previously praised Cabrera because he didn't try to weasel out of his positive test, ala Ryan Braun, but it turns out to be untrue.  Apparently Melky and his entourage planned to initiate a fake website that advertised a vitamin supplement which fraudulently contained a testosterone-like ingredient. The MLBPA has an agreement in place that allows a player to be excused from a positive test if it can be proved that he ingested a banned substance unknowingly, which basically means a substance which  contained a banned substance, without listing it as an ingredient. 
Unfortunately for Melky, people actually investigate those claims and the fake website and non-existant substance were quickly discovered. It was then that Melky "confessed." The Players Association filed a grievance which they ultimately dropped.
50 and 100 game suspensions are obviously no deterrent. We need a one-year or longer punishment to try and stop this.

IT'S NOT BOBBY'S FAULT'
That's what a lot of sports writers are saying. Well. it is his fault. He inherited a team of prima donnas that were uncontrolled and did nothing to change that. In fact, he made it worse. And he still is in a deep state of denial.  Just yesterday, he said he still feels that the Red Sox can make the playoffs and, "...the players I talked to all agree with me."    Which would be fine if he had talked to more than three players, because they're  probably the only ones that are still talking to him.
The owners are trying to spin the player/owner meeting that took place by saying nobody said they wanted Valentine replaced and it was a productive meeting. They also said those meetings take place all the time  and they're always helpful. Wonderful. How come several Boston players said they never heard of such meetings  and have never been invited to one. How can you believe anything that comes out the Red Sox organization anymore?

JOE TORRE IS AT IT AGAIN
Torre has decided that Don Mattingly should be suspended for 2 games for arguing with an umpire. That's like arresting a cop for shooting a criminal because he damaged a bullet. Umpire Angel Campos ejected Matt Kemp for encouraging a teammate ("Let's go Dre."), and then ejected Mattingly for arguing about it. He also ejected reliever Joe Blanton for complaining about the strike zone, AFTER he had been taken out of the game and was walking off the field. This umpire is out of control and Joe's answer was to suspend Mattingly. Campos should have been suspended indefinitely and sent to the Joe West Umpire Remedial Training Course. Not that Joe has ever been there.

THEY'RE NO HELP
In an effort to overtake the Texas Rangers, the LA Angels went out and acquired Zack Greinke. In some people's mind, this made the Angels favorites to win the AL West. In response, the Rangers traded for Ryan Dempster to counteract the Angels move. The only help these two pitchers have been is to improve the batting averages of their opponents.
In three starts, Dempster has pitched 17 innings, given uip 24 hits, 16 runs and 5 homers. He's currently on the restricted list for 'personal reasons.'  If shell-shocked can be called a personal reason, then I understand.
Greinke has been slightly better, giving up 31 hits, 16 runs and 4 homers in 26 innings. Unfortunately for Texas, he's still on the active roster.
For the record, the Angels are in 3rd place, 8 games back of the Rangers. They're toast.

THEY SAID IT
" Out of habit this week wonder if NBC will air the Nightly News tape-delayed at midnight?  --  Janice Hough
"Congratulations to Mexico. They upset Brazil to win a gold medal in men's soccer. And after the Olympics ended, the Mexican soccer team, of course, returned home to their houses here in Los Angeles."  -- Jay Leno
"In 2016, golf will be included as an Olympic “Demonstration Sport”. Swedish Women are already listed as a 6 to 5 favorite to win the 9 iron event."  -- Tony Chong
"Naturally there's talk of Olympic swim star Michael Phelps taking his talents to 'Dancing With The Stars'. As for the perfect dance partner, how about Daryl Hannah in her mermaid outfit?"  -- Dwight Perry
"Police say a man accidentally shot himself in the buttocks at a Nevada movie theater during a showing of “The Bourne Legacy.” Was he wearing a Plaxico Burress jersey?-- Janice Hough

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