The Gravytrain searches for intelligence
"Beam me up Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here" used to just be a cheesy bumper sticker. In the sports' world today, it's a reality.
The days go by and I keep waiting for some sign of intelligent life in the sports' world. Don't worry, I won't hold my breath.
It started last week with news of Allan Houston getting $99 million from the Knicks, and it continues with news of Todd MacCulloch getting $33 million for six years from the Nets. Absolutely ridiculous. Yes this is the same Todd MacCulloch who we saw average 4.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per game in 2000-2001. Those numbers dipped to 3.1 and 1.6 in the playoffs. It's a complete waste of money and time for a franchise who needs a little more presence in the middle than that. Hasn't anyone learned from the Sonics insane signing of Jim McIlvaine? Oh yeah, they had him too.
The Nets began to have a productive off-season by trading for point guard Jason Kidd, but once again have made moves that boggle the mind. Remember when this franchise was rising with the likes of Derrick Coleman, Kenny Anderson, and Drazen Petrovic? Me neither.
Shifting gears to baseball and the news that Devil Rays first baseman Fred McGriff has vetoed the trade that would send him to the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. What ever happened to the days when players wanted to win? Sure there are probably contractual concerns that influenced his decision, but to CHOOSE to play for the Devil Rays right now is inconceivable to me. It hurts the integrity of the game when a player consciously chooses to play out the string and take his lumps when he has an opportunity to play on a winning team with a shot at the playoffs.
The Cubs are currently leading the National League Central, and even if the Astros or Cardinals catch them, they'll probably vie for the Wild Card spot. How any player, especially one who's on the short end of his career, could turn down the opportunity to play in the post-season, spits in the face of every fan of the game.
Just when you're head is spinning like mine, remember that the International Olympic Committee awarded the 2008 Summer Games to Beijing. The Olympic Games are supposed to be a celebration of the human spirit. Giving the games to a nation that attempts at every turn to stifle the very existence of that spirit insults the intelligence of everyone who might have watched the Games. These Games will become a political hot spot, and detract from the athletes themselves. The IOC should have known better.
It started last week with news of Allan Houston getting $99 million from the Knicks, and it continues with news of Todd MacCulloch getting $33 million for six years from the Nets. Absolutely ridiculous. Yes this is the same Todd MacCulloch who we saw average 4.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per game in 2000-2001. Those numbers dipped to 3.1 and 1.6 in the playoffs. It's a complete waste of money and time for a franchise who needs a little more presence in the middle than that. Hasn't anyone learned from the Sonics insane signing of Jim McIlvaine? Oh yeah, they had him too.
The Nets began to have a productive off-season by trading for point guard Jason Kidd, but once again have made moves that boggle the mind. Remember when this franchise was rising with the likes of Derrick Coleman, Kenny Anderson, and Drazen Petrovic? Me neither.
Shifting gears to baseball and the news that Devil Rays first baseman Fred McGriff has vetoed the trade that would send him to the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. What ever happened to the days when players wanted to win? Sure there are probably contractual concerns that influenced his decision, but to CHOOSE to play for the Devil Rays right now is inconceivable to me. It hurts the integrity of the game when a player consciously chooses to play out the string and take his lumps when he has an opportunity to play on a winning team with a shot at the playoffs.
The Cubs are currently leading the National League Central, and even if the Astros or Cardinals catch them, they'll probably vie for the Wild Card spot. How any player, especially one who's on the short end of his career, could turn down the opportunity to play in the post-season, spits in the face of every fan of the game.
Just when you're head is spinning like mine, remember that the International Olympic Committee awarded the 2008 Summer Games to Beijing. The Olympic Games are supposed to be a celebration of the human spirit. Giving the games to a nation that attempts at every turn to stifle the very existence of that spirit insults the intelligence of everyone who might have watched the Games. These Games will become a political hot spot, and detract from the athletes themselves. The IOC should have known better.
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