Well, What do you know!

Walter O’Malley, late owner of the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers was elected posthumously to Cooperstown. I admit to mixed feelings about that. They still hate that man for taking the Dodgers out of Brooklyn in 1958 and he has been dead for many years. I’m sure the Flatbush residents must have burned him in effegy when the selection was made public.But, to be fair, moving the Dodgers to Los Angeles, at least financially, was the right move for the team. O’Malley once said that time would prove them right and it did. He did a lot for the team and guided it along during its golden years. He deserves to be in Cooperstown, but he is still hated in Brooklyn, right after Hitler and Stalin. Now, another right must be made.Now, another right must be made. Owners may despise him to this day for his helping to form and guide the MLB players association to what it is today and for what he did for the players but Marvin Miller was a major contributor to major league baseball in the last 50 years and should be recognized for his major contributions to the welfare of major league ballplayers. It is time for him to be inducted into Cooperstown. 

Congratulations Goose, Skipper!

After a nine year wait, “Goose” Gossage has been given his rightful place in Cooperstown along with one of the better managers, Dick Williams. One of  the most intimidating pitchers of any era, Gossage was menacing to opposing batters. He did have his nemeses’- George Brett and Kirk Gibson come to mind immediately. One thing I didn’t hear mentioned often during the  broadcast of the induction ceremonies was that he pitched for championship teams, which I feel certainly enhanced his chances of being selected this year, although he should have been inducted sooner. But that is a moot point now. Williams was a fine manager who led three teams to four world series appearances and the 1972-73 Oakland A’s to two of their three consecutive world titles. He got the most out of his players and to go in with Gossage, who played for Williams in San Diego, makes it very sweet indeed.  Congratulations, gentlemen. It is well deserved.

BYE, BYE JEREMY!

Well, I am not surprised that the NY Football Giants traded their talented, but troubling tight end, Jeremy Shockey. He made as much news for his antics as he did for his pass catching and touchdowns. Getting in the face of GM Jerry Reese recently will get you traded. Kevin Boss will be a fine replacement for Shockey. He is quiet and goes about his business. Are you getting the hint, Jeremy? Good luck in New Orleans. You will need it. I am sure Reese will put those two draft picks to good use. 

ITS BASKETBALL, LADIES!

I realize that tempers flare in the heat of a game, but what happened in a recent game between the LA Sparks and the Detroit Shock was more like a WWE ppv then a women’s professional basketball game. Rick Mahorn should not be an assistant coach anywhere after pushing Lisa Leslie to the ground and all involved should be embarrassed by this incident.

WHAT AN ALL STAR GAME!

Sure, it set a record for time and tied the record for innings, but what an All Star Game! It had everything: drama, coolness under fire, great plays and fine pitching. What a game to be played in Yankee Stadium’s last season! This will be a hard one to top for excitement. As a side note: when was the last time you saw a Red Sox player cheered in Yankee Stadium? JD Drew was a deserving MVP.

IT WAS QUITE A SHOW!

It may have only been the MLB HOME RUN DERBY, but it was quite a show and with Josh Hamilton the leading man. Yes, he lost to Justin Morneau, but Hamilton’s 28 home runs in the first round(35 overall) was the headline performance. Good for him. He has made a fine comeback from drugs and is playing like the number one draft pick he was a few years ago. He is this season’s feel good story.

MAKE UP YOUR MIND BRETT!

Please, Brett Favre, make up your mind: first, you retire, now you want to play again.This is pathetic! Make up your mind. I ‘ll help you a bit: you have had a great career. You have a Super Bowl ring, three MVP awards and hold all the major NFL passing records and are beloved by Packer fans. Don’t come back and begin to embarrass yourself. Walk away with your health intact.

CONGRATULATIONS VENUS, RAFFY!

An exciting weekend of tennis concluded with the end of Roger Federer’s reign as Wimbledon champ by Rafael Nadal in another classic match. Venus Williams taught little sister Serena who’s boss on the court with a straight set win for fifth  ladie’s title. Congratulations to both.

WHAT A COUNTRY!

Yesterday, we celebrated America’s 232nd birthday. No matter what our elelcted officials try to do to it, it keeps chugging along like ‘ol man river. Yes, we are in the throes of economic strife and likely will be for some time to come. The Liberals are trying to turn our great nation into a socialist society where the governement tells you what to do every waking minute of the day. In the long run, it will not work. Why? We are a nation of individuals who can and will think for themselves. We are not descendent from fearful men and women. We are a proud, independent and at times, defiant nation. We will not be intimidated or threatened. The memory of 9/11 is still fresh in our minds. We will protect what we have built. In 232 years, America has been the beacon of hope for all freedom loving people and those who are our adversaries will suffer the consequences if they attempt to wrest that from us. We have sent men to the moon, fought many wars, created an industrial complex that showed the world what free men and women can do. The cost of freedom is high but we have always paid it. American soldiers are in cemeteries around the globe. They are heroes. We live today because of them. Political correctness has to end. It is time to return to blunt, honest debate about our future. Sure, we have our problems and always will, but WHAT A COUNTRY! 

SHOULD BE QUITE A WEEKEND!

Well, after our great nation celebrated its 232nd birthday, it is back to Wimbledon. The Williams’ sisters, Serena and Venus, will battle it out for the ladies’ singles title, while Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal meet again for the men’s title. Whoever wins really doesn’t matter to me but it will be quite a weekend.