Time For PGA Players To Belly Up To Rule

As everyone has said this is a complicated issue and certainly a slippery slope for the PGA R&A and USGA. Be that as it may, the fact is that although these putters have been in place for a long time they definitely represent a change in the way people are allowed to play the game. The old guard in general was not allowed to use long putters and therefore competed in a way that current players are not required to adhere to, making the dynamics that are necessary to win a tournament different today than they were in the past. We have all missed our share of 2 and 3 footers and if we think about it more often then not the reason is nerves. There is no question that in every sport that is part of the game that players have to master to lessen that demand lessens the game and the accomplishment itself. The fact that the putters have been integrated into the game to this degree is unfortunate, the issue in my opinion should have been dealt with long before today. If the purity of the game and the traditional way of playing it is based in part on a free swinging club, then that's the way the game should be enforced, if for no other reason than to keep the structure and format uniform moving forward. There are other issues and concerns for the governing bodies of golf to address such as driving distance, restricted flight balls etc. For better or worse this is the hot topic of moment and the reality is the lag time until 2016 should give all those afflicted more than enough time to adjust to a normal conventional putter. Golf is a great game and it's experiencing the most popularity and worldwide growth in it's history, hopefully this controversy will not derail that growth so here's hoping for the best...

And The Beat Goes On...

Once again the general public is being asked to tolerate another offensive ignorant slur upon the innocent. This time it comes in the form of a baseball manager who in the past has already shown his propensity to not only exacerbate a situation but create his own controversy just because he's Ossie. He has mentioned Castro before, and his famous tirade against a Chicago reporter is legendary. Between using every gay slur he could use against the reporter and using the F word, constantly he shows a complete lack of class and integrity. He was required by MLB to complete sensitivity training after his gay bashing incident, obviously it didn't take. Ossie identifies with Castro because he views himself in the same manner. A controversial leader who has a me against the world mentality, How else could one identify with a despot like Castro who has been killing, executing, imprisoning and excelling Cubans for 50 years. The only difference between the truly horrific dictators like Hitler, Kohmeni etc. is he managed to survive for all this time. Ossie looks at that as some sort of great achievement. A very twisted analysis of those 50 years.

For all those who think this is a freedom of speech issue, wake up. Gullin exercised his freedom of speech rights in spades, if he was in Cuba he would have been executed by his idol. Freedom of speech exercised does not guarantee favorable results.

Firing or not firing Gullin will be a result of how badly the Marlins are affected at the gate. The sad thing is that a man with such limited emotional capabilities has been given this position of authority and is being paid so much money for his ignorance. If one was to consider the source of these comments it would be easy to chalk it off to a complete lack of education, intelligence and sensitivity. That's who Ozzie is and has been forever..A carnival barker who keeps your team in the limelight (Rex Ryan anyone). Unfortunately when Ozzie speaks people get hurt. The Marlins may be stuck with him due to their financial guarantees of his contract, which is their penance for hiring him to begin with. As usual the pain incidents like these cause don't really go away they just leave scars. Ozzie has scarred the Miami community, the Marlins His Family, Baseball, and Himself, but the enablers will give him a pass (Mike Lupica) because he said he's sorry. Sorry only works when you learn from your past mistakes, sorry Ozzie you haven't learned....

Hail Brittanica

Isn’t the BritishOpen supposed to be the Holy Grail of Golf? Isn’t it supposed to be the romantic history of this silly game we all wish we could play? Well I used to believe that, but now I’m not so sure. Yes the Scots invented the game and yes they should be given credit, but now the Open championship seems to be determined more by the weather than the competition... I’ve always enjoyed the fact that a little wind and rain presented a challenge and made golf more romantic in its endeavor. The Open was different for that reason and therefore truly unique and storied. That’s fine, but where do you draw the line. 40 mph winds and torrential rains is not romantic or competitive.

Player’s scores are determined more by their tee times than how they play. I’ve watched Tom Watson play in a monsoon in the morning and Mickelson play in 60 degree sunshine in the afternoon. That certainly is not a level playing field. How sad it was to watch Sandy Lyle a past Champion walk of the course a few years ago because the conditions were so severe. Basically he said playing in those conditions was ridiculous.

Most recently Rory McElroy had similar comments. It’s not that weather can never come into play as I said weather is part of the Open, but the R&A needs to know where to draw the line. They seemed obsessed with never halting play no matter how bad the conditions. The biggest problem is the credibility of the tournament. You can’t have people playing 2 extremely different weather related courses, and consider it a fair and level playing field. The winner of the “Holy Grail” should not be decided by his Tee Time

The Long And Winding Road

AJ, AJ, AJ…..The time has come. AJ Burnett’s most recent performance has made it abundantly clear it’s time for the Yankees to move on and make any decision that’s necessary to sever their ties with Mr. Burnett. This isn’t personal or reactionary; I have been a supporter up until now and believe Burnett has actually pitched more consistently this year, until his most recent meltdowns. The issue for the Yankees is to evaluate what to do now. Burnett’s recent implosion against what amounts to be a minor league roster (Twins) was completely unprofessional. There is really no excuse to go out and pitch without any focus, and have no ability to throw strikes at all. What this proves to me is that after all the cajoling from the coaching staff, all the support from his manager and teammates, and the patience that has been shown to him, AJ Burnett is incapable of performing at the major league level for any consistent period. of time. Like Forrest Gump said about his famous Box of Chocolates “You never know what you’re gonna get”. Forget about the fact that that the Yankees are more than 100 games over .500 during Burnett’s tenure and he is under .500 with wins and losses, or that he hasn’t won a game in the month of August for 2 years. The basic definition of a professional athlete is his ability to perform regularly at the same high level from day to day. That’s what separates them from the rest of us wanna-bees. Burnett has proven over time that he cannot do that. That’s why the Yankees need to somehow get rid of him, Maybe a trade where they absorb some of his contract, maybe an outright release, and eat the contract, They are better off bringing up one of the Killer B’s from their farm system and giving them some experience. Like Michael said to Sonny, "It’s not personal it’s strictly business"…

Mr 3000

Writing about Derek Jeter and trying to come up with new superlatives and new ways of defining his greatness might be harder than getting 3000 hits. Once again he has reminded all of us of just how special he truly is. Greatness is ever fleeting, but Jeter it seems always rises to the moment at hand. We have seen this for 17 years whether it's a do or die regular season game, a playoff crisis , or the World Series Derek Jeter has built a legacy of clutch performances that make opposing players want him to be the last player they face at the plate when its crunch time. Whether its Gehrig's record, World Series Rings, or just a regular season game Jeter’s focus is always the same. Team first , get it done, whatever it takes. This quality alone makes him very special , especially in this era of me first athletes. But wanting it and doing it are two different things. Jeter is as rare a find as there is in sports , an athlete that wants it and has the ability to do it .and then the class to embrace  it in a humble way. If ever there was a perfect role model for kids athletes and parents alike Jeter just might be it. To say Jeter’s career is special and one of greatness doesn’t fully cover it but it will do for now; and for all those media types and other naysayer who are in a rush to push Jeter out the door...Try and appreciate and enjoy his golden years because you may never see another one like him again.

Transcending Time

To say I am a huge baseball fan is an understatement. I think for the true baseball fan, his involvement with the game is part fan, part critic, part player, and part fantasizer. Baseball is the common thread for many people in their lives; it brings families together or makes them rivals. Baseball loyalties run deep and are the most intense. Baseball truly does “mark the time”. People remember lifetime events around baseball - where they were and what they were doing. People never forget the special moments they experience in baseball; they become emblazoned in their memories for all of time. Annie in the movie Bull Durham said it best, “I’ve tried all the religions but the only one that really fills my soul everyday is the church of baseball”. Baseball is spiritual; it’s generational; it’s a friend that’s with you everyday from spring to the falling of the leaves. Fathers and sons pass their baseball legacies on forever. Can anything ever mean more than, “Hey Dad . . .you want to have a catch?”

     My baptism into baseball was like many other kids - my dad took me to a game when I was 9 years old. It was Yankee Stadium, but it really doesn’t matter where – The first time for everyone is a revelation. The magic of the crowd, the color of the uniforms, the crack of the bat, the cathedral like park...”Baseball marks the time”. Kids keep souvenirs for a lifetime, and then pass them on to their children.  As I grew up, my passion for the game blossomed. I really believe the 50's, 60's, and 70's were the golden age of baseball. Mickey, Willy, and the Duke wasn’t just a song. And then there was Hammering Hank, Stan the Man, The Killer Killabrew, and so many more. Lets not forget Bob Gibson, Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, and Juan Marichal, just to name a few. It seems like a simpler time, and it probably was. And the great radio announcers of the day added to the romance of the sport with their pictures of words.

     As I got older, I played baseball through high school and have coached, from little league to teenage travel teams to high school. Teaching, coaching, and mentoring young ballplayers has always been rewarding and exciting for me. In addition, I also formed a Nationally Ranked fast pitch Softball Team for adults that won numerous local leagues and National championships.  I have written many articles about baseball and the many events and special moments that have affected all of our lives. Some have been printed in area newspapers and some have been blogged just for my friends. I feel they say a lot and hopefully I can continue do that 'til I can't any longer.

2011 MVP Picks

 To pick a league MVP at the start of a season is difficult, at best. There are many variables that come into play - where a team finishes, team offensive support, injuries, etc. As true as this is, there is still a list of elite players that can be considered. Alex Rodriguez, Miguel Cabrera, Joe Mauer, David Ortiz, just to name a few. My pick for American League MVP for 2011 is Alex Rodriguez. The first issue is Alex’s health, which has been an issue over the last two years. It has limited his at bats and probably his power, as well. Even so, last year Rodriguez hit 30 homers and drove in 125 runs. His RBI total was second in the league. Rodriguez says he is healthier now, and his weight loss can only aid in his long term performance. In addition, Rodriguez’s numbers were based on only 135 games. Pro rating that for the season gives him 36 homers and 150 RBI. Another benefit he will have is that Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira. who both had off years in 2010, should bounce back and give Rodriguez more RBI opportunities. Jeter's OBP, SLG, and OPS in 2011 were dramatically lower than his career numbers in those categories and with a little more patience at the plate and a shorter swing should, he should improve those numbers significantly. Teixeira would be hard pressed to repeat his dismal start to 2011. Finally, A-Rod seems more comfortable in his skin now and he knows the Yankees need him to perform. He has his ring and the whole team will be hungrier to win this year, especially after flaming out of the playoffs last year.

My pick for National league MVP is Albert Pujols. It may not be original, but it makes sense. The most relevant thing about Pujols, is that for the first ten years of his career he has hit more home runs and has more RBI than anyone in the history of baseball. He has averaged over 40 home runs and 120 RBI a year for his whole career. Depending on how many years he plays, he could be the king of everything. His OBP, SLG, and OPS are off the charts. Maybe the most impressive thing about him is that along with all his power comes at batting average of .331. He still needs support in the batting order, and Matt Holliday and a bounce back year from Lance Berkman will provide that. The Cardinals need to stay in the race and hopefully Wainwrights injury won’t hurt them too much. Another motivating factor for the pick is the fact that Pujols is in his “walk year” and is playing for a new contract. The National league is not as deep offensively as the American League, which makes Pujols, and his numbers, stand out that much more.