Eagles: Take Your "Vick"

Yesterday, The Philadelphia Eagles signed Michael Vick to a 2 year contract. The first year's salary is $1.6 million with an option for a $5 million the following year. Team after team passed up on Vick (some teams I think sorely needed him) and were concerned with how his presence would impact the fan base. I'm glad Andy Reid and the rest of the Eagles have a bigger heart than the rest of the league.

Michael Vick served 23 months in prison, committed some heinous acts and has come back truly remorseful. He's done his time, he's been humbled in the time he spent in prison. He didn't get a slap on the wrist like Dante Stallworth got, he took a major shot to his ego and he took a major shot to his wallet. Bankruptcy can humble even the most big-headed player.

With the ever-dangerous Wildcat offense, why would you pass on a player who can run a 4.3 and with explosive play-making abilities that Vick possesses. Now for all you doubters out there who say that he's been sitting on the pine for 2 years, he's a bargain. A player of his quality for only 1.6 million? Are you serious? Even if he's awful, he's trade bait. If he's just as explosive as when he left, or half as good, he's even better for trading.

For the social aspect of Vick, he has an incredible chance to repent. Philadelphia has its own set of dogfighting issues. If Vick were to step up and make a stand against dogfighting, it would prove that he's learned a thing or two while sitting in a cell for nearly 2 years. Don't get me wrong, I feel that he regrets what he did. But, there is a big difference between regretting your decisions and repenting. He needs to prove to the masses that not only does he bear the guilt for his heinous past, but also that he's willing to use his past to educate and assist the Humane Society in their efforts to stop the dog fighting rings.

All in all, I feel that the Eagles made a steal. Andy Reid hung with Donovan McNabb (who stepped up and said to give Vick a chance) for the past decade and with his ups and downs. I have no doubt that Andy Reid can step up and take Vick under his wing and model him into a QB for some team's future.

Vick, I've stuck my neck out for you. You have an amazing second chance. Don't make those of us bloggers who stand behind you look like fools.

Photo Credit: http://rememberthesonics.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/vick.jpg

MMA's Added Danger

Just as UFC and other MMA branches attempt time and time again to clean up their act, someone had to drop the ball. An article in today's Los Angeles Times by Bill Dwyre stated that a fighter was allowed to fight on March 7th in Tulare, CA despite testing positive for Hepatitis C and having no previous tests for HIV.

Way to go guys. According to Dwyre's article, the California State Athletic Commission (SCAC) did not send the memo to Al Joslin (promoter for the fight) or any of the fighters that were on the card that night. I find this bizarre and a slap in the face to everyone involved that night. From the fighters and promoters, to the fans and the ring girls, they all had a right to know the added danger they were in. To add salt to the wound, the fighters pay the state to be protected from these circumstances.

What genius in the commission thought that this whole thing was a good idea? Let's let a fighter who has a life-threatening blood borne disease fight and not tell anyone. What a great idea! Even better, in another 4 months, we'll send a memo to some people (probably those that give money to the state) but not the fighters that bring in the crowds. That'll show we're responsible and protecting people. Never in any sport have I seen such a lack of respect for its players. When Vicente Padilla was diagnosed with swine flu, the Texas Rangers GM didn't hold onto this and just tell the coach, the entire team knew. It's called protecting your investment. Maybe Dave Thornton, the Interim Executive Officer and author of the memo, should have taken some notes.

To make the commission look even worse, they refuse to comment or be contacted. Dwyre's article states the Times have attempted to contact Thornton and have come up empty for the past 3 days. It's difficult for me to fathom any of the fighters giving any money to the commission after this.

My recommendation for the fighters and promoters, fight elsewhere, as much as it pains the Californian in me, I cannot justify my own selfish desire to see MMA live for the safety of the fighters and people involved.

Dana White of the UFC has managed to take his sport from the equivalent of human pit bull fights, to a respectful sport that tours the world and holds events overseas. On top of that, White takes care of his fighters and offers health care benefits to all of his fighters. Someone inside the commission should give Dana White's business card to Mr. Thornton.

Bean Bean, the Magical Pitch

It's been the biggest thing in baseball for as long as I can remember. Pitch comes high and tight, the opposing pitcher comes in high and tight. It's the biggest testosterone show in any major sporting event.

My example comes from the August 4th Dodger/Brewer game in which Guillermo Mota plunked Prince Fielder in the meat of the thigh in a 17-4 game. I'll repeat that, a 17-4 game. Why? There's 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th and you have an insurmountable lead! Every L.A. writer and their grandmother will hide behind the "protect our batters" line. Let me tell you, when I think of the best batter on the Dodgers, I don't think of Man-Ram, I haven't thought of the cheater as the premier batter in L.A. ever. I think of Matt Kemp, I think of Andre Ethier, the guys that kept the Dodgers floating when Man-Ram decided that he needed steroids in order to become a big hitter. The point I'm making is that Man-Ram is indefinitely the biggest face on the dodgers, he's got the biggest mouth, the biggest ego, and when he talks, it's not coherent.

Fact: Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier were more productive in the Brewer slaughter. Matt Kemp had 5 RBIs and including a homer and a double. Seems like a better target.

But let's talk about the shot on Manny Ramirez, should I say the acting job. It grazed his jersey, yes that is technically a hit batsmen, but it happens in nearly every game. That high inside pitch that backs a player up so the pitcher can have the outside half of the plate. It's a pitching technique, it had no intent of hitting Manny, Smith just wanted him to back off.

But here comes Mota and what does he do? Drills Fielder with a mid 90's fastball. Give me a break. When you win by 10+ runs, the brewers' pitchers needed some protection.

Moral of the story: Leave with pride, you destroyed your opposition, there was no need for Mota's patented beanball (Maybe that can be a pitch selection in future MLB: The show games?)

The Opening Statement

For years I have watched sports and wondered why sports anchors never say what's on their minds. Why the writers from Los Angeles can't say that Manny Ramirez tested positive for steroids and should be burned at the stake like every other positive tester that they threw under the bus. So it's come to my attention that someone should step up and tell the sports stories the way they should be, with complete objection.
For those of you who think that my own sports influences might inhibit this, let me assure you, they won't. I have been an Oakland Raiders fan since I was born, a raider bear in my arms in my crib. I have watched them as a kid struggle through their L.A. stint and continue to watch them fail because Al Davis has gotten so old he cannot coherently run his business anymore.
I have loved sports for as long as I have been alive, and I have hated the subjective behaviors of sports writers who cannot seem to talk bad about their own teams.
So for the sports fans who love baseball for the minor leaguers that still love the game and hate the overpriced, under accomplished players, this is your blog. For the fans who stuck with their teams even if they lost every game, this is your blog. This blog is for the fans way up in the nosebleed seats, who know everything about every player on the field but can't afford the soundproof luxury boxes.
So for those who stumble upon this blog, I hope you stay, because this is where the real fans are.
Welcome to the nosebleed seats.