July 1 - Fourth of July Fodder

Some Independence Day thoughts:

Is Richard Scrushy insane? The recently acquitted looter of HealthSouth is now asking the company’s board to reinstate him as CEO. This is a bit like O.J. Simpson asking Avis for his job back or Robert Blake asking CBS to cast him in Baretta Returns. Hey Dick, just because some crackers down in Birmingham let you slide, doesn't mean you are innocent. The Justice Department really screwed this one up since trying Scrushy in Alabama is a bit trying a Nazi in Munich. Heck, if Himmler had been tried at the Berchtasgarden for war crimes, he would have walked on every major count except slander. Sometimes these prosecutors jsut refuse to acknowledge that there is something called a home court advantage in things other then sport. With that said, god help Chuck Dolan if he is ever caught stealing from Cablevision because there is not a jury in his home town of New York City that would shy away from locking that clown up for life.

Kudos are in order for whoever said they were surprised the Portland Trailblazers didn't select Baylor outside shooter Carlton Dotson. That is good stuff.

Here is a quote from Yankee President Randy Levine regarding Gary Sheffield: “We APPLAUD Gary Sheffield for appealing this [suspension]” What the hell is this – the House of Representatives where words like applaud and commend are tossed around like sea bass at a Seattle fish market. Take it easy Randy – Gary’s pro forma decision to appeal his two-game suspension was not exactly heroic. In fact, it is just about as routine as those fly balls that Bernie has made a habit of dropping. Just imagine what Randy what have said if Gary have rescued a cat from a tree. "Today, Gary Sheffield performed an act of heroism that makes everyone in this organization proud. If it weren't for Gary's selfless act in the face of great danger, we may have lost Whiskey for good."

Speaking of suspensions – Steve Kline was outraged the league gave him a four game hook for arguing a balk early this week. “It’s a joke, I’ve seen worse then what I did.” Yeah, so have I but guests on Springer don't count. Steve totally flipped out the other night over something that was correctly called. If I were Bud Selig, I would give him a fifth game for ignorance and invited him to appear on the next MLB installment of "When Ballplayers Attack."

I love this little brouhaha going on between the Yanks and the Mets over who approached who about trading Gary Sheffield. The Yankees are obviously going out of their way to convince their sophomoric star that the Mets conceived the trade while the Mets are telling the New York Post that it was the Yankees who got this whole ball rolling. Listen, I am not sure who started this whole thing but both side’s motives are clear. For the Yankees, the last thing they want to do is let Sheffield think they don’t want him. Once that happens, its game over – the Yanks will have the most insufferable player in baseball starting in right field. If you think he is a butcher out there now – just wait until he starts dogging it. Meanwhile, the Mets are clearly trying to convince New Yorkers that the Yankees are the desperate soul at this dance. Tired of being portrayed as the ugly bitch, the Mets are trying to paint the Yanks as the ones who came with hat in hand. The one thing I really like about this story is the Post not letting it die simply because the Yankees said it was over. Its odd, but these press savvy guys in the Bronx just don’t understand that reporters don’t like being told they are wrong – especially when they are right.

Texas was right on the verge of being knocked out of the AL West this week before they rallied to beat the Angels on Wednesday and Thursday. Alfonso Soriano had gone 1-22 in the previous five games against the Angles, but he perked up by going 5-11 in the Rangers two big wins this week. Mark Texiera had a huge month for Texas – Slugging .611 with nine bombs and 29 RBI. He should not only start the all-star game but he should play all nine innings.

ESPN came out with their ridiculous ESPY award nominations this week and it got me wondering how in the world they did not nominate the beach volleyball tandem of Misty May and Kerri Walsh in the best team category? Over the past two years, Maya and Walsh have won 19 of the 26 professional tournaments they entered. Oh yea, they also won an Olympic gold medal. They may not have punked the Steelers or come back from a three game to zero deficit against the Yankess, but they, along with the U.S. Women’s softball team, were probably the most dominant teams in sport last year. So why am I not marketing the softball team for a nomination. Simple - I would rather look at Walsh then Lisa Fernandez and that 225 pound slugger who played third base for Team USA.

The Arizona Diamond Backs are doing a great job right now of proving April was a fluke. By losing last night, the rattlers finished June at a not so pretty 9-19. One problem for Arizona has been starting pitching, which aside from Brandon Webb, has been downright lousy. Jay Vasquuez, in particular, had a miserable June, posting an ERA over six. He gave up ten or more hits on three occasions over the past month. Imagine where this team would be without super-sub Tony Clark. He may finish the first half with 50 RBI in less then 175 at bats. That extrapolates out to a 150 RBI year with a full complement of plate appearances. That isn’t too bad for a guy who I thought should be teaching sixth grade.

It is pretty hard to imagine of any player in baseball who had a worse month than Dodger Cesar Izturis. Take a look at these numbers. Cesar hit just .105 in June while slugging a geriatric .116. Further, he was 9-86 with zero RBI, one double and just five runs scored. Both Dennis Kozlowski and Iranian Reformists had better months then Cesar.

Carlos Lee is my NL player of the month – He hit .377 with 10 bombs and 28 RBI. The General gets the nod over Chad Cordero who seemed to earn a save every night last month. Let the record show that Cordero had 15 saves in June – throwing 16 innings without giving up a single run. If George Bush were smart, he would hightail it down to RFK and hire Chad to save his Social Security reform effort before it goes down the toilet. On second thought, that can’t work since you can’t save a game you trail 16-3.

The Oakland A’s have got it going right now as they open a big three game series with Chicago tonight. They went 19-8 in June and in the process, they have climbed their way back into the wildcard hunt. Harden is a good for a win tonight and it will be interesting to see if they can get one off either Garland or Buehrle on Saturday and Sunday. Danny Haren probably wishes June had 40 days since he had a perfect 5-0 month. Over the last 11 games – Oakland starters are 10-0 with an ERA around 1.50. Since when did this staff become the 1963 Dodgers?

You think the Yankees are still pining for Jon Lieber? The Gas Can is now just 8-8 with an ERA over five after getting knocked around yesterday at Shea. He certainly has been a victim of that rat hole they call Citizen Bank Park, but he has not exactly been a road warrior either. Since April, Lieber has simply been Milton-esque.