Michael Vick

Well, it's finally time for my soap box on Michael Vick. At work today, I overheard a mother talking about how difficult it was to explain to her 10-year old boy that after two years in prison, Vick would be earning over $1 million for this season. My question is what does this man have to do to earn the right to earn a living.

The man spent two years in a federal prison, losing millions of dollars via his contract and endorsements and yet, people are flabbergasted that he has the opportunity to earn a living. Since when was serving your time and rehabilitating a bad thing? Doesn't the fact he served his time allow for retribution? I'm as much a dog person as anyone, but Michael Vick deserves the chance to play football without persecution for past indiscretions. Just because he can do more with a football than 99.99% of the public doesn't mean he shouldn't be afforded the opportunity to make that much money. That's called life.

What this woman should really have a hard time explaining is how Chris Brown can abuse a beautiful young woman and get 1 day of jail. That's the tough one to figure out.

AL MVP Race

The new rage appears to be the MVP race in the AL and apparently, to my surprise, Mark Teixeira is the frontrunner. Mauer is only a "compelling" candidate? Not to step on Kepner's toes, but Joe Mauer is the clear candidate at this point. The numbers are jaw-dropping, for a catcher no less. What I'd like to point out is that Teixeira is probably 5th in the race at best when viewing it objectively. Consider:

• Mauer is hitting .378/.446/.643....as a catcher. He's clearly the favorite.
• Miguel Cabrera, another 1st Baseman for a contender, is hitting .335/.400/.554.
• Teixeira is hitting .283/.381/.557. But wait. Tex's home/road splits: Home - .308/.397/.634; Road - .258/.366/.483. Gee, I think Yankee Stadium has had a nice effect on Teixeira's numbers.
• Kevin Youkilis and Justin Morneau are two more 1st Basemen outperforming Teixeira. And of the four 1st Basemen in contention, none stand out for defense according to Ultimate Zone Rating (although I'll admit Teixeira appears to be the best defensive player of the four).
• Lastly, two Rays, Ben Zobrist and Jason Bartlett are outperforming Mr. Teixeira...as middle infielders.

So, I'd probably place Teixeira 5th or 6th in this race. He's a fine player who is having a great season that is being buoyed by his home ballpark. He'll probably win the award because he's on the best team and there's something about playing in New York. He just won't necessarily deserve it.

Griffey - The consummate professonal

Just a quick link to an article on Ken Griffey Jr. by Michael Rosenberg at SI. I will always hold Griffey in higher regard than all other baseball players of this era because I respect the grace and humility with which he has played without the hint of suspicion surrounding him. It will be a sad day when he no longer puts on a uniform, if only because we'll all miss that swing.

Indispensable?

Just read an interesting article on SI by NFL Writer John P. Lopez detailing the most indispensable player for each team in the NFC. Although I disagree with a few, one really stood out for me. Tony Gonzalez is the most indispensable player for the Falcons according to Lopez:

Gonzalez has had a very nice camp, adjusting to life as a Falcon and flashing the blocking and pass-catching ability that has made him a 10-time Pro Bowler. He can add the extra dimension to the Falcons' offense that may well be enough to make this team a threat to make a Super Bowl run. At 33, staying on the field could become a problem. If he can, great things could happen.

Tony Gonazalez? Really? I could come up with several players that are more indispensable for the Falcons (Matt Ryan anyone?). I love the addition of Gonzalez to an already dangerous Falcons offense, but this team was going to be potent regardless of the addition of a 33-year old Tight End. The most important players on this team will be a defensive front seven that HAS to get pressure on the opposing Quarterbacks or Matt Ryan will be in for a lot of shootouts this year.

Where'd the Offense Go?

Guess which team is last in the Majors in Runs scored, Batting Average, OBP, and Slugging? Nope, not the Padres. Not those rolling Giants or the lowly A's. It's the putrid Cincinnati Reds. That takes a while to sink in; how is any team last in that ballpark. Consider:

• As a team they're hitting .239. No team save for those sorry Padres are within .14 points of that mark. Don't forget the park differences in those two teams.
• Traditionally, Great American Ballpark has been in the top third of the Majors in Ballpark affect. I should point out this year it is playing fairly neutral (slightly towards a pitcher's park). Probably has something to do with the team playing in it.
• Willy Taveras, the Reds leadoff hitter for close to 100 games this year is hitting .238/.273/.284. You read that right. I don't even have an insult for Dusty Baker that is strong enough.

This is a Cincinnati team that led the NL in scoring in 2005 and has traditionally been in the top half of the league in runs scored. Losing the abundance of offensive talent has finally taken it's toll on the Reds. Once thought to be a dark horse contender in the Central, they're just hoping to avoid the cellar and the minor league affiliate for the Pirates at this point. Oh, those are the Major League Pirates. My apologies.

How many pieces can you split a football team into?

Well, the Miami Dolphins continue to add to their team. And I'm not referring to players or staff. Apparently, they've added a couple more part owners in Serena and Venus Williams. Add them to Jimmy Buffet (naming partnership), Gloria and Emilio Estefan, and Marc Anthony as minority owners. Fairly soon, half of South Beach might have a stake in the team. I know these are minority shares, but I'm starting to wonder if new owner Stephen Ross is not as financially stable as initially thought. And yes, I know Ross claims the part owners are not being added for financial reasons, but it still raises some eyebrows. Six individuals added since he purchased the team in January; at least there's some star power floating around Land Shark Stadium now.

Doctoral Thoughts - Smoltz to the Cardinals

This is a segment that I plan to write often. It will be my thoughts on things that happen during the day.

John Smotlz has apparently signed with the Cardinals to be a fifth starter. Some quick thoughts:

• I know I sound like an American League elitist, but this is a good move if only to get back to the easier league. He was crazy to think he could exceed in the AL in the first place at age 42.
• That said, great move for the Cardinals. He's got better pure stuff than Pedro Martinez and he will essentially serve the same role.
• I love what the Cardinals are doing: Holliday, DeRosa, Smoltz. I even like Lugo in the NL. Plus they were able to ink first round pick Shelby Miller, considered one of the top High School arms available.

Terrific July and August for GM John Mozeliak and his staff; a July and August that likely means an October on the field for the Cardinals.

Don't be mad at Favre...

So all the rage in sports right now is about Brett Bleepin' Favre. Look, I have no opinion on him as a person; he seems to be a prima donna of sorts, but at the same time, he appears to give it his all every time on the field. But this isn't a Brett Favre rant; this is a rant about those angry with Brett Favre. What's the guy supposed to do? Say no to 12 million dollars? Say no to missing training camp and walking in day 1 to first team reps? My goodness, any of us would do the same if we were in position to do so. I know I would. Life is about taking advantage of the opportunities afforded to you. Obviously Favre has earned the ability to secure the above things. All it takes is for one of the parties involved to say no. And the Vikings wouldn't do that regardless of how many opportunities they were afforded the chance to do so. So when you're reading the various pieces about how Favre is a terrible human being, blah, blah, blah, just remember this: he's just taking advantage of the fact that he is a future Hall of Fame QB. It was up to the Vikings to say no and they couldn't do it.

Welcome

I've decided to inject my thoughts on sports upon the world in this space. I plan to opine on just about anything that irks me or spurns a thought, but will mainly focus on the sports world. Hopefully, I will provide commentary that is different than that being spewed about on your national media coverage. I will write something daily and hope to inspire some discussion and comments with my thoughts. Again, welcome and I hope you enjoy.