Return of the Big Unit?

At 6'10'' Randy Johnson has been an intimidating presence on the mound during his tours in Montreal, Seattle, Houston, and Arizona. Prior to the 2005 season the Yankees wanted the dominating lefty to impose his stature and incredible fastball on AL opponents as their ace. While he still has not fulfilled that role, he took important steps in last night's victory towards gaining more respect from AL Opponents and Yankee enthusiasts everywhere. Johnson pitched effectively through 6 1/3 innings before being ejected for throwing high and tight to Indians outfielder Eduardo Perez. He looked sharp throughout, and more importantly, showed confidence in his pitches. At times this season he has shown his frustration and demonstrated lapses in his focus. Right up until his last pitch it was apparent that he had complete command.

In the bottom of the sixth both teams were issued warnings when Indians starter Jason Johnson hit Jorge Posada on the elbow, infuriating the Yankee catcher and leading to verbal jousting between the two. While it certainly did not seem intentional, Posada escalated the situation with his displeasure. Once the Yankees opened up a 6-1 lead, it became obvious that retaliation was coming. With one out in the top of the seventh, Randy Johnson brought a high fastball in on Perez that made its way to the backstop. As expected, the Unit was tossed but greeted by the Yankee fans with a standing ovation and roaring "Ran-dy" chants. For several reasons, last night could have been his most important start as a Yankee. First of all, he began to erase doubts that his head may not be in the game. He did not moan over every call that he disagreed with and remained focused on every pitch. There has also been concern that he does not feel comfortable having Posada as his battery mate. Not only did he pitch effectively, he stood up for his catcher after Posada got hit by a pitch. The statement Johnson made as an intimidator would have been satisfactory for any of his teammates, but backing up a player he has been at odds with spoke volumes.

Sounding off on Mike and The Mad Dog

For more than a decade Mike Francesa and Chris Russo have ruled the New York airwaves on all sports related matters. The duo better known as Mike and The Mad Dog have gained such prominence from their daily radio show on WFAN 660 that it is simultaneously broadcast on the YES network. Once a major source of my sports information, their close-minded opinions and extreme arrogance has become unbearable. While I continue to look for steady employment (if your reading Dad, it has been a tireless effort), I've had time to tune in to their show. My least favorite portion of the show has become when they take phone calls. Once an opportunity to give the common sports fan a voicebox, it has taken on new meaning with Mike and Chris. The segments of the show dedicated to calls have become little more than a chance for Mike and Chris to slap you over the head with their supposed knowledge and berate many people who might have a decent opinion if they were allowed to get out more than three words. If radio executives had shut them up as quickly as they tune out their callers, they'd be just another pair of the smug sports nuts they regularly hang up on. The regularity with which they shut up their listeners would leave you to believe they have the perfect opinion on every sports story, which in only five minutes of viewing today, I could completely disagree with.

For Mike and Chris, the producers of the show like their contrasting, combative personalities and their difference in loyalties. Mike is a noted Yankee fan, while the Mad Dog enjoys his reputation as a Yankee hater. That aside, their discussion of the Yankees never seems to be on point. Today's program featured some harsh words for Derek Jeter in light of the A-Rod scrutiny. Both men felt that Jeter could make Rodriguez' reception in the Bronx easier but allows an alleged rivalry between the two mask his responsibilities as captain. They have more insider information, so I will not comment on whatever feuding they refer to, but what in the world do they expect Jeter to do? Come out before the game and ask fans politely to stop booing. Is Joe Smith from New Jersey who paid 150 bucks to attend a game not going to voice his opinion because Derek Jeter asked him not to? I agree that Rodrriguez' recent treatment has been unnecessarily harsh and that expectations are too high, but to suggest that Jeter is not acting as a captain by "allowing" this to happen is absolutely ridiculous. As if that wasn't enough, Mad Dog confidently asserted that Yankee fans gave Giambi "the cheat" a free pass. He argued that it was inexplicable that the fans could allow a "cheater" to go through a far worse slump than A-Rod without any complaint. If this were true, he'd be absolutely correct. However, any Yankee fan can tell you that he was booed nearly as much as Rodriguez has been throughout his recent struggles and absolutely did not just receive a free pass.

My next point of contention is in a near-daily segment they run on picking apart Yankee radio announcer John Sterling. Now anyone who has been near me during a Yankee radio broadcast knows I'm never a huge fan of his work, but this portion of the show is not even remotely amusing. While Sterling certainly frustrates me, as well as many other viewers, with such gems as "it is high, it is far, it isss caught" in his trademark homerun call, I'd love to see Mike and Chris try and call a game. Although the mistakes are glaring on the radio, it can not be easy to spend three hours describing what you see. The biggest problem I have with this tag team is how arrogant they've become after controlling sports radio in New York. After reading an article in the New York Post suggesting the same, I know I'm not alone. The best solution I can think of: support Michael Kay's daily show on 1050 ESPN radio sharing the same time slot. Hopefully some stiff competition can humble this once entertaining duo.

Backlash from Big Ben's Bruises

Three days and seven hours of facial surgery later, Ben Roethlisberger is starting to recover from his horrific motorcycle accident but the ramifications will reverberate through the sports world for quite some time. Now that it appears the reigning Super Bowl Champion Quarterback will make a healthy recovery from his injury, talks run rampant on what control sports franchises should have on the recreational activities of their athletes. With career threatening injuries to promising young stars such as former Duke basketball standout Jay Williams and current Browns tight end Kellen Winslow II, along with Big Ben's scary collision, teams have had to reflect on how to keep their players on the field. It also begs the question, are dangerous hobbies such as riding a motorcycle worth the risk of losing millions of dollars?

From an outsider's perspective, it seems unfathomable that players would risk their careers and livelihood for the thrills of riding a bike. Of the three players mentioned, all of them were relatively fresh out of college and had the abilities to make millions in the pros. The recent trend started with Jay Williams, the 2002 NCAA National Player of the Year and number 2 overall pick to the Chicago Bulls. In videos released on SportsCenter over the last few days, Williams knew full well he shouldn't own a bike and understood its dangers. His accident has taken several years off his career at best, and he is still a longshot to make it back to the pros. Last summer the talk focused on Kellen Winslow II. Being the son of former NFL great Kellen Winslow, expectations were high for the freakishly athletic Tight End. After losing his rookie season to a broken leg suffered in his first regular season game, his sophomore campaign was lost after a crash last summer. Becoming the second high profile player to suffer such a fate, teams warned against such dangerous activities. Roethlisberger in particular became a point of focus as he was a noted motorcycle enthusiast. When asked about it last summer, he stated he didn't wear helmets and would continue to ride. Despite strong criticism from Terry Bradshaw in which the former Steeler great pleaded with Big Ben to save it for retirement, the young quarterback stuck to his guns.

So why do athletes continue to risk their careers for thrill-seeking? Conventional wisdom suggests it's the mentality athletes need to have. Certain activities, especially high risk ones, are often most appealing to athletes who constantly are trying to gain an edge. It's that competitive drive that makes them so successful on the field that often leads to the worst decision making off the field. Although I rarely agree with the often less than intelligent Bradshaw, his sentiments are correct in this situation. Save that stuff for retirement, stay focused on your career while you still have many good years ahead. The next important thing that stems from incidents such as these are how much control management should take over their players.

Most teams work clauses in to their players contracts prohibiting them from certain high risk activities. If a player is injured during one of the restricted activities, the team has the right to forfeit the contract. The activity does not even necessarily have to be "high risk", the Yankees were able to void their obligations to Aaron Boone after he tore his ACL in a pickup game of basketball. While player's associations for the major sports will look to keep as much money as they can in the pockets of the players, it is absolutely the right of owners and general managers to regulate the activities of their stars. With contracts as high as they are today, the owner should be able to ensure that his dollars are not being thrown away for a young thrill seeker. While I do not believe Roethlisberger's accident was a joy-ride, his inexplicable insistence on not wearing a helmet leaves him open to criticism. His opposition to keeping himself safe was wreckless and hopefully will serve as a lesson to not only athletes, but also force other riders to think twice before hitting the road without a helmet.

Miami Heat Back In A Flash

Since Michael Jordan stepped away from basketball for the final time in 2003, NBA enthusiasts have tried to annoint the "next Mike". In case you haven't considered him before in this discussion, insert the name Dwyane Wade. Wade single-handedly removed the Heat from the verge of playoff extinction last night with a spectacular perfomance that re-defined clutch. He tied a playoff career high with 42 points, along with a personal best 13 rebounds. As if that wasn't enough, he did it on a bum knee and with five personal fouls. Despite those obstacles he continued to attack the basket and make the unique plays that have transformed the former Marquette superstar in to a premiere NBA two man. More importantly, he did most of his damage when his team needed him the most. In the fourth quarter he poured in 15 points and grabbed several key rebounds. He led the Heat back from a 13 point deficit in the fourth quarter to a critical two point victory. His points came in a variety of ways; taking hard at the rim, tough mid-range jumpers and even from beyond the arc. Fittingly, he touched the ball last as he broke up a pass at the rim intended for Josh Howard.

Discussion of the 2003 draft class usually focuses around LeBron and Carmelo. As difficult as it is for me to admit as a rabid Anthony supporter, Wade continues to distance himself from the former Cuse star and makes a compelling argument for being top of the class. While LeBron continues to be a triple-double threat each night and displayed late game abilities in this year's postseason, Wade's clutch scoring ability may make him the brightest of the three stars. In the pantheon of NBA greats, it is the natural scorers and world champions who are held with the highest regard. At this early stage of their careers, give the nod to number three. These three special players will continue to draw comparisons to the great quarterback crop of the 1983 NFL draft of Marino, Elway, and Kelly. Amazingly, twenty years from now the '03 boys may leave a greater legacy in their sport than those three passing greats.

Driving Duke Athletics in to the Ground

As the Duke campus was finally recovering from the shameful allegations brought upon their lacrosse team, Duke's golden boy of the last few years is just the latest to put Duke athletics further behind the eight ball. JJ Redick, Duke's famed sharpshooter and the all-time scoring in the ACC, is being charged with drunk driving after being pulled over by Durham police near campus early Tuesday morning. Head basketball coach Mike Kryzewski staunchly defends the character of his former star, so this appears to be nothing more than an isolated incident. However, given the importance that is being placed on character on draft boards in all sports, a projected early lottery pick could fall deeper in to the first round. More importantly for Cameron Crazies and Duke enthusiasts across the country is the further negative attention focused on the Blue Devils athletic program. While I am certainly no Duke sympathizer, linking the two distinctly different infractions is ridiculous. The two allegedly guilty parties share a campus, but very likely not much else.

An incident such as this forces general managers and team owners to think twice before selecting a player. As one executive put it, it does not necessarily reflect his character, but it forces the organization to look deeper. In Redick's case it would be surprising to find skeletons in his closet, but to other players a more thorough evaluation could unveil a host of new issues. The growing trend of team's putting an emphasis on character is a welcomed change. Teams are not willing to take on another Ryan Leaf and deservedly so. Not only do character issues often surface on the field, it also helps teams stay off the front pages when a player acts unprofessionally off it. The prime example on the importance of character can be seen in the recent success of the New England Patriots. Having players who make good teammates and work well as a unit is often more important than teams stacked with talented, but individual minded stars. Team chemistry can not be overlooked, and the key ingredient is a team full of good characters. My only point of contention is where you draw the line. For a player like Redick, this appears to be his first infraction and is apparently just a lapse in judgement. This is not to absolve him of his sins, but the incident does not seem to be a true testament of his character. Certain executives feel this will adversely affect his draft status, but the punishment does not seem to fit the crime. However, in an age where sports stars often feel they are above the law, it is important that they be humbled by experiences such as these.

Cincinnati Bengals: The new Trailblazers?

Portland fans can breathe a sigh of relief. There is a new team dominating bad headlines: the Cincinnati Bengals. While it has not become a team epidemic quite like the Trailblazers, Wide Reciever Chris Henry and recently drafted Linebacker AJ Nicholson have caught the ire of head coach Marvin Lewis and media outlets across the country. Henry showed great promise in his rookie year a season ago hauling in six touchdowns as a number three receiver. Standing at six feet four inches, he provided a large target in the red zone and change of pace from starting receivers Chad Johnson and TJ Houshmandzadeh. However, he's been the main culprit in the offseason, registering four criminal offenses ranging in severity. In comparison, their recent draftee Nicholson has been brought up on charges stemming from a robbery involving a former teammate. That news must be resonating well in his new locker room. His future teammates must as anxious to see him as the Yankees would be to welcome back Ruben Rivera. The Bengals used their 4th round selection in this year's draft on Nicholson, a promising linebacker out of Florida State.

Being a fourth round selection, there's no guarantee Nicholson will be on the final roster following a turbulent offseason. The bigger question will be whether Henry's future with the team is in jeopardy. His blend of size and speed makes him a very special wide receiver and a perfect third option in the passing game. However, Marvin Lewis is a hard-nosed coach with very little tolerance for troublemakers. Although Henry has been involved in several different criminal acts, the nature of Nicholson's crime will make his path to the NFL very difficult. It is unfathomable to steal from a teammate and certainly grounds for an immediate release (as the Yankees did with Rivera). Unfortunately, Henry's year-one success and great potential will keep him on the field despite an array of infractions. Although he should face punishments for the leauge for his four indictments since December, it is likely those will be focused on getting him in to rehabilitation groups as opposed to costing him paychecks or playing time. His rap sheet since December reads like a laundry list of typical "thug" behavior. He's been charged with marijuana possession, speeding and drunken driving, weapon possession, and most recently supplying alcohol to minors. One of the minors also alleged she was the victim of rape, but holes in her story led to the dismissal of those charges. Although they have been dropped, there seems to be at least a very likely chance of consensual sex with the minor, which is also known as statutory rape. Henry still stands trial for some of these charges, but likely will get off with fines. Hopefully the league and Bengals will take a firm stance with both of these players. The Bengals finally removed themselves as the doormats of the National Football League, if they tolerate such heinous crimes from their players, they will certainly return to that status.

Baby Bombers Revitalizing the Yankees

The staple of recent Yankee teams have been high priced, veteran superstars. With eleven straight postseason appearances including four world championships, this has been a recipe for success. However, after the string of championships that ended in 2000, the Boss and fans everywhere have been disappointed by the inability of these stars to produce another title. As successful as they've been, something has been lost in recent years. Many of the stars the Yankees have brought in have been past their prime or simply tough to root for because they made a name for themselves elsewhere. The homegrown talent that had become the backbone of their championship teams (guys like Jeter, Rivera, Williams, Posada), were diluted with aging stars who have yet to produce in October. The Yankee philosophy has evolved in to relying solely on high price free agents or trading for stars with contracts their former employers wished to unload. The past offseason followed the same trend as the Yankees refused to allow an unknown player assume centerfield duties. Although the team had high expectations, the Yankees potent offense struggled to find its groove in many early season games. With injuries to slugging outfielders Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui, a dark cloud hung over the Bronx.

However, the injuries have served as a blessing in disguise. With lineup positions made available, young stars Andy Phillips and Melky Cabrera have been given a chance to shine. Behind a make-shift lineup, the Yankees have gone on an incredible tear producing runs at higher rates than the vaunted early season lineup. As Michael Kay appropriately dubbed them in Tuesday night's broadcast, the Baby Bombers have infused the normally "business as usual" team with much needed energy. They've become more fun to watch than any Yankee team in the last several years, playing hard defensively and producing clutch hits. While they may not be the Bronx Bombers of the past few years, their lack of reliance on the longball has helped them win more tight games. It was evident in Tuesday night's thrilling 2-1 decision over the Red Sox when slugger Jason Giambi drew a game winning walk in the bottom of the seventh. To preserve the lead in the top of the eighth, Cabrera robbed Manny Ramirez of the game-tying homerun with the catch of the year. In postgame remarks, Bernie Williams went so far as to say it was one of the greatest catches he has ever seen given the situation and importance of the game. In other words, if it was a September game against the Royals with the postseason clinched in the top of the first, it would have merely been a web gem. But no, this was Boston in a one-run game at the Stadium. The top of the eighth with a reliever in desperate need of more confidence boosting against a hated opponent. For a Yankee fan, the pleasure of seeing someone rob Manny of a home run is akin to the pleasure of a proud parent hearing their son/daughter's first words. To see a twenty-one year old Yankee farm system product make an acrobatic catch to rob Manny? Multiply that by ten. A year ago, after watching Melky struggle, I pleaded with people to give the kid a chance. Although at that point I really only liked him for his name, but I figured the kid deserved a chance. Now he's developing a legion of believers, and you better believe I'm on board. He's pushing Sheffield right out of his 2007 option and I couldn't be happier. The excitement he has brought, along with emerging first basemen Andy Phillips, has been refreshing. They've broken up the monotony of watching Yankee games and given fans a reason to believe in the farm system again. If Cashman can resist the temptation of dealing one of the many young stars (current Yankees Cano, Wang, and Cabrera, along with prospects Eric Duncan and Phillip Hughes), Yankee fans have reason to be excited for years to come. The "Baby Bombers" are capturing the hearts of Yankee fans, and more importantly, triumphing over the Red Sox.