On Tuesday New York Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez addressed the media in response to the recent developments that recently came out regarding a positive 2003 performance enhancing drug test. To Rodriguez's credit he is one of few athletes to openly discuss his own use of performance enhancing drugs. Many stars such as Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, and Roger Clemens have avoided openly discussing allegations of their own use of performance enhancing drugs, tainting their respective careers and records more so than had they addressed the allegations in a much more candidly. So the question that remains in the wake of Rodriguez's press conference is whether or not he really was sincere as well as telling the truth.
Over a week prior to the news conference, Rodriguez sat down with ESPN's Peter Gammons to openly discuss the positive test for the first time. When asked what he tested positive for, Rodriguez claimed that he was not sure what he had taken that had triggered the positive test. This of course makes little sense seeing as Rodriguez is a professional athlete; a professional athlete who makes more money than any other player in his respective sport, so it is difficult to believe him when he claims he wasn't sure what he was putting into his body. After all, it is his body's ability that allows him to make such an obscene amount of money.
Tuesday's news conference brought new details from Rodriguez who admitted that the substance that triggered the positive drug test was a steroid called “boli” or “bole”. When asked about his denial of the name of the substance in the Gammons interview, Rodriguez responded by referring to his 2007 interview with Katie Couric thus avoiding coherent response to the question. Much of the news conference was full of such artful dodging.
In his opening statement Rodriguez addressed how he obtained the illegal substance through his cousin. The substance was obtained in the Dominican Republic and could be purchased over the counter. Rodriguez also admitted in his opening statement that he was told that the substance would give him an energy boost, but minutes later he claimed that he was “not sure what the benefit was” when receiving the injections. Not only did Rodriguez begin to contradict prior statements during the news conference but he also attempted to put forth the idea that he didn't know what he was putting into his body at the time. Once again this goes back to the absurd claims made in the Gammons interview in which Rodriguez wasn't sure what the name of the product was that he was injecting himself with. Regardless if you're a world class athlete or a poor college student living on Ramin and frozen pizza, chances are you know what is being injected into your body and what the benefit is going to be.
Rodriguez's main reason as to why he didn't know what was being injected into his body was because he was young and naive. When he began using the performance enhancing drugs in 2001 Rodriguez was 25 years old with seven years of major league experience. It is difficult to believe that such naivety can exist after seven years on the job. With that said, it is easier to give Rodriguez the benefit of the doubt when he claimed that the pressures of performing to the expectations of the highest paid player in baseball history is what caused him to use the substance in the first place.
Throughout the news conference it became apparent that Rodriguez was attempting to downplay his illegal actions from 2001-2003. Beginning with his age and claims of naivety, one gets the feeling that Rodriguez is searching for a scapegoat to help take some of the blame of his own actions. It wasn't the highest paid player in baseball history, nor was it the potential future home run king that used performance enhancing drugs. The young, naive kid was the one who injected himself in an attempt to gain an edge on the competition.
Rodriguez continues to try and downplay his use of performance enhancing drugs as he repeatedly points out to the media members his “best seasons”. According to Rodriguez his best seasons came in 1996 and 2007. In '96 Rodriguez burst onto the scene in his first full major league with a career high .358 batting average. In the other two triple crown categories, home runs and RBI, Rodriguez's '96 season totals were more more pedestrian in comparison to the rest of his career. His 36 home runs are the ninth highest single season total of his career and his 123 RBI's are the sixth highest total of his career. His other self proclaimed “best season” came only two years ago when he put up a career high 156 RBI's. His 54 home runs and .314 batting average were the second and third highest career totals in their respective categories. Rodriguez does make a legitimate point when bringing up his 2007 season totals as being his best overall season of his career so far, and if we understand that he has been clean since his positive test in 2003, Rodriguez's 2007 season was done so enhancement-free.
But what statistics such as this brought up by Rodriguez do for us is get us further away from the impact performance enhancing drugs had on him from 2001-2003. In those three seasons in which he claimed to have used, three of Rodriguez's five highest single season home run totals came in consecutive seasons. There is no denying the fact that the performance enhancing drugs that Rodriguez injected did precisely what they were intended to do: enhance an individual's performance. No matter how far he tries to steer the public away from the fact that he used an illegal substance to gain an edge, the statistics will always show an abnormal spike in performance from 2001-2003.
What many fans and media members were hoping to see from Rodriguez by the end of his news conference was some form of a sincere apology. What fans and media members received was an artful dodger attempting to minimize the trouble he had caused himself already. At one point Rodriguez claimed that, “All these years, I never thought I did anything wrong.” We know that this was bold-faced lie simply because prior to this statement he admitted to bypassing team doctors and trainers when obtaining the substance from outside the country. What could be more shady than a deal performed behind your employer's back in almost a thousand miles outside your home country? Later in the news conference Rodriguez talks himself in another circle when he stated, “I knew that [the drug] was something potentially that perhaps was wrong.” Even though it isn't a very straightforward statement, similar to the rest of the news conference, it is easy to see that Rodriguez is trying to save face throughout.
In the end, one cannot help but feel that this most recent admission to steroid use in baseball was done so by another athlete who rather than being sorry for his actions, is simply sorry he got caught. Rodriguez announced that he would be pairing up with MLB to help send an anti-steroid message to kids. What reason would Rodriguez have to help send an anti-steroid message to kids had he not been caught? It is apparent that he isn't doing so out of the kindness of his heart, rather he's doing so in an attempt to save his image as one of baseball's greatest players. Rodriguez is aware of the demise of former home run king Mark McGwire because of his steroid use. It is a nice gesture on Rodriguez's behalf, but in the end the A-Rod Dog and Pony Show we are being subjected to is merely a personal attempt to save his place in the hall of fame.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Another Spending Spree for Baseball
Many of us can only imagine what we would do with a million dollars, so the thought of turning down a staggering $25 million offer for one year's worth of work is incomprehensible. Only in the circus of baseball's cap-free market can a team do better than $25 million per season. With large markets snatching up any free talent simply because they have the money to spend, baseball's off season often has the rich getting richer and poor getting poorer.
Right-handed slugger Manny Ramirez turned down the Dodgers' one year, $25 million offer earlier this week. For a single season, the offer would have made Ramirez the second-highest paid player in league history.
To help put the absurdity of this offer into perspective, take a look at your local nine. The Minnesota Twins entire payroll comes out to around $62 million and their highest paid player in team history, Justin Morneau, made $8.4 million in 2008. Ramirez declined an offer that would have made him worth nearly half of your hometown team.
Three other teams (Pirates, A's, Rays) are not even worth twice as much as the Dodgers' offer, and had Ramirez taken the $25 million dollar offer, he could have paid the entire Florida Marlins team for their services in 2008 with $4 million to spare.
The Dodger's one-year deal was the third offer declined by Ramirez. Initially the Dodgers offered Ramirez a two year deal worth $45 million guaranteed. According to Ramirez's agent, a short term deal will not suffice. Ramirez is holding out for a long term deal similar to those given to C.C. Sabathia and Mark Teixeira by the Yankees. Because Ramirez will turn 37 at the beginning of the upcoming season, the Dodgers are understandably wary of a long-term deal. Both Sabathia and Teixeira will begin the upcoming season at 28 years of age.
Rumors have began to surface that the Dodgers may choose to pursue other free agents such as Adam Dunn and Orlando Hudson. Together, Dunn and Hudson could be signed for less than Ramirez alone. Dunn has hit 40 home runs in each of the last four seasons while Hudson hit .305 for the D-backs in 2008. Even without Ramirez the Dodgers, a large market team, have the capability to acquire offensive talent.
Without a salary cap, baseball's free agency period is prone to such outlandish deals as the Dodger's $25 million offer for one year of service from a single player, but no team opens the checkbook more often and more willingly than the New York Yankees. As mentioned before, the Yankees have signed two of the top free agents in Sabathia and Teixeira. Sabathia accepted a seven-year, $161 million dollar contract while Teixeira was signed to an eight-year, $180 million contract. Along with these two monster deals, the Yankees also landed pitcher A.J. Burnett with a five-year deal worth $82.5 million. Having added three more large contracts along with the three highest paid players in 2008 (Alex Rodriguez, Jason Giambi, Derek Jeter) it is no surprise the Yankees' payroll tops out over $200 million, the highest in baseball.
But does a high payroll translate into championships?
The answer, in most cases, is yes. Over the last ten seasons teams with top-ten payrolls have made the World Series 12 times. Also, seven of the last ten World Series have been won by teams with a top-ten payroll. It is easy to understand why teams such as the Yankees and Dodgers take advantage of their large markets and deep pockets when much of the time money translates into success. Because of this method of success, it is no wonder owners are willing to throw more and more money at players in today's cap-free baseball market.
Parity in baseball is difficult to come across when teams such as the Yankees have a seemingly endless supply of money to dole out to players each off season. You may argue that the Rays made the World Series last season and other small market teams such as the Marlins, D-Backs, and even Twins have won world championships of their own but it never takes long for the large market teams to swoop in a pick such teams clean of top tier talent. The Marlins lost Pudge, the D-Backs lost both World Series MVP pitchers Schilling and Johnson, and even without a World Series appearance, the Twins were unable to hold onto Cy Young winner Johan Santana.
This off season goes to show what large market teams like the Yankees and Dodgers are capable of when big talent is available, so be on the lookout Tampa Bay. Your recent success just may end in one of baseball's many money vultures swooping in and leaving you to rebuilt once again.
Right-handed slugger Manny Ramirez turned down the Dodgers' one year, $25 million offer earlier this week. For a single season, the offer would have made Ramirez the second-highest paid player in league history.
To help put the absurdity of this offer into perspective, take a look at your local nine. The Minnesota Twins entire payroll comes out to around $62 million and their highest paid player in team history, Justin Morneau, made $8.4 million in 2008. Ramirez declined an offer that would have made him worth nearly half of your hometown team.
Three other teams (Pirates, A's, Rays) are not even worth twice as much as the Dodgers' offer, and had Ramirez taken the $25 million dollar offer, he could have paid the entire Florida Marlins team for their services in 2008 with $4 million to spare.
The Dodger's one-year deal was the third offer declined by Ramirez. Initially the Dodgers offered Ramirez a two year deal worth $45 million guaranteed. According to Ramirez's agent, a short term deal will not suffice. Ramirez is holding out for a long term deal similar to those given to C.C. Sabathia and Mark Teixeira by the Yankees. Because Ramirez will turn 37 at the beginning of the upcoming season, the Dodgers are understandably wary of a long-term deal. Both Sabathia and Teixeira will begin the upcoming season at 28 years of age.
Rumors have began to surface that the Dodgers may choose to pursue other free agents such as Adam Dunn and Orlando Hudson. Together, Dunn and Hudson could be signed for less than Ramirez alone. Dunn has hit 40 home runs in each of the last four seasons while Hudson hit .305 for the D-backs in 2008. Even without Ramirez the Dodgers, a large market team, have the capability to acquire offensive talent.
Without a salary cap, baseball's free agency period is prone to such outlandish deals as the Dodger's $25 million offer for one year of service from a single player, but no team opens the checkbook more often and more willingly than the New York Yankees. As mentioned before, the Yankees have signed two of the top free agents in Sabathia and Teixeira. Sabathia accepted a seven-year, $161 million dollar contract while Teixeira was signed to an eight-year, $180 million contract. Along with these two monster deals, the Yankees also landed pitcher A.J. Burnett with a five-year deal worth $82.5 million. Having added three more large contracts along with the three highest paid players in 2008 (Alex Rodriguez, Jason Giambi, Derek Jeter) it is no surprise the Yankees' payroll tops out over $200 million, the highest in baseball.
But does a high payroll translate into championships?
The answer, in most cases, is yes. Over the last ten seasons teams with top-ten payrolls have made the World Series 12 times. Also, seven of the last ten World Series have been won by teams with a top-ten payroll. It is easy to understand why teams such as the Yankees and Dodgers take advantage of their large markets and deep pockets when much of the time money translates into success. Because of this method of success, it is no wonder owners are willing to throw more and more money at players in today's cap-free baseball market.
Parity in baseball is difficult to come across when teams such as the Yankees have a seemingly endless supply of money to dole out to players each off season. You may argue that the Rays made the World Series last season and other small market teams such as the Marlins, D-Backs, and even Twins have won world championships of their own but it never takes long for the large market teams to swoop in a pick such teams clean of top tier talent. The Marlins lost Pudge, the D-Backs lost both World Series MVP pitchers Schilling and Johnson, and even without a World Series appearance, the Twins were unable to hold onto Cy Young winner Johan Santana.
This off season goes to show what large market teams like the Yankees and Dodgers are capable of when big talent is available, so be on the lookout Tampa Bay. Your recent success just may end in one of baseball's many money vultures swooping in and leaving you to rebuilt once again.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Defending Super Bowl History
From now until Sunday we will listen to all the so called experts on every major sports station discuss, debate, and argue who will be victorious on Super Sunday. Many Super Bowl picks will be made based on the Cardinals’ potent offense or the Steelers’ physical defense. Some experts may pick their winner based on the expected performance of a specific player such as Larry Fitzgerald or Troy Polamalu.
There are a handful of experts pulling for the underdog Cardinals who have been compared to Rodney Dangerfield in the respect category throughout the playoffs. With upsets over Carolina on the road and Philly at home, the Cardinals have been nothing short of surprising in the playoffs. So, what’s to keep them from one more upset and the crown of Super Bowl champions?
History.
Over the last twenty years one of football’s oldest clichés, “defense wins championships”, has proven to be true year after year. Pittsburgh, long known for their intimidating defense, has the number one defense in the league this year, while the Cardinals rank 19th. Since 1988 only five teams with a lower defensive rank than their Super Bowl opponents have won the Super Bowl. In that same time span no number one defense has lost the Super Bowl and only two teams with defenses ranked 19th or lower have emerged victorious on Super Sunday.
The two anomalies of Super Bowl defenses ranked lower than this year’s Cardinals were the 2001 Patriots and the 2006 Colts. A 14 point underdog, the 2001 Patriots’ 24th ranked defense defeated the Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf” in what was the second biggest upset in Super Bowl history behind only the 18 point underdog Jets’ upset over the Colts in 1969. The 2006 Colts struggled to stop the run all season until the return of safety Bob Sanders who’s presence on the field transformed the 21st ranked defense into a stout run stopping force that held each playoff opponent under 100 yards rushing as well as the number one ranked playoff defense. Unlike the 2006 Colts, this year’s Cardinals don’t have the luxury of a returning Pro Bowl player to help bolster an average defense.
You may point out that the Cardinals have improved defensively in the playoffs but they remained average in total defense, ranking sixth out of twelve teams. Their defensive mediocrity showed in the third quarter of the championship game against the Eagles in which they gave up 165 yards and allowed the Eagles back within a touchdown.
On the other side of the ball the Cardinals have the fire power to put points on the board with two pro bowl receivers and veteran quarterback Kurt Warner, but history has shown that even a top flight offense can be grounded by a stellar defense. Take for example Super Bowl XXXVII between the Bucs and Raiders. The Bucs’ top ranked defense shut down the league’s number one offense and passing attack, forcing five interceptions as they rolled to a 48-21 victory.
For all of those who believe the Cardinals’ offense will be able to handle the Steelers’ number one defense, think back to that same third quarter in which the Eagles moved the ball with ease. As the Cardinals’ defense struggled, so to did their high powered offense which found itself stuck in neutral managing a mere five total yards and no first downs. One needs to look no further than this abysmal third quarter performance for a preview of what could be in store for the Cardinals’ usually potent aerial attack.
The Cardinals not only have to go up against the top defense in the league, but history as well. Little chance remains for the Cardinals’ magical run to continue on to becoming Super Bowl champions. So take that bet from your friend who believes in the underdog and ignore any so called expert’s attempt at a legitimate reason for the Cardinals to win. By Sunday night the Pittsburgh Steelers will have their sixth championship.
There are a handful of experts pulling for the underdog Cardinals who have been compared to Rodney Dangerfield in the respect category throughout the playoffs. With upsets over Carolina on the road and Philly at home, the Cardinals have been nothing short of surprising in the playoffs. So, what’s to keep them from one more upset and the crown of Super Bowl champions?
History.
Over the last twenty years one of football’s oldest clichés, “defense wins championships”, has proven to be true year after year. Pittsburgh, long known for their intimidating defense, has the number one defense in the league this year, while the Cardinals rank 19th. Since 1988 only five teams with a lower defensive rank than their Super Bowl opponents have won the Super Bowl. In that same time span no number one defense has lost the Super Bowl and only two teams with defenses ranked 19th or lower have emerged victorious on Super Sunday.
The two anomalies of Super Bowl defenses ranked lower than this year’s Cardinals were the 2001 Patriots and the 2006 Colts. A 14 point underdog, the 2001 Patriots’ 24th ranked defense defeated the Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf” in what was the second biggest upset in Super Bowl history behind only the 18 point underdog Jets’ upset over the Colts in 1969. The 2006 Colts struggled to stop the run all season until the return of safety Bob Sanders who’s presence on the field transformed the 21st ranked defense into a stout run stopping force that held each playoff opponent under 100 yards rushing as well as the number one ranked playoff defense. Unlike the 2006 Colts, this year’s Cardinals don’t have the luxury of a returning Pro Bowl player to help bolster an average defense.
You may point out that the Cardinals have improved defensively in the playoffs but they remained average in total defense, ranking sixth out of twelve teams. Their defensive mediocrity showed in the third quarter of the championship game against the Eagles in which they gave up 165 yards and allowed the Eagles back within a touchdown.
On the other side of the ball the Cardinals have the fire power to put points on the board with two pro bowl receivers and veteran quarterback Kurt Warner, but history has shown that even a top flight offense can be grounded by a stellar defense. Take for example Super Bowl XXXVII between the Bucs and Raiders. The Bucs’ top ranked defense shut down the league’s number one offense and passing attack, forcing five interceptions as they rolled to a 48-21 victory.
For all of those who believe the Cardinals’ offense will be able to handle the Steelers’ number one defense, think back to that same third quarter in which the Eagles moved the ball with ease. As the Cardinals’ defense struggled, so to did their high powered offense which found itself stuck in neutral managing a mere five total yards and no first downs. One needs to look no further than this abysmal third quarter performance for a preview of what could be in store for the Cardinals’ usually potent aerial attack.
The Cardinals not only have to go up against the top defense in the league, but history as well. Little chance remains for the Cardinals’ magical run to continue on to becoming Super Bowl champions. So take that bet from your friend who believes in the underdog and ignore any so called expert’s attempt at a legitimate reason for the Cardinals to win. By Sunday night the Pittsburgh Steelers will have their sixth championship.
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