Saturday, August 29, 2009

Sad day for area football

I, along with most of you all, was a bit disheartened to learn Rondout would not be able to field a varsity football team this year.

Growing up in Ellenville, Rondout was our natural rival, and, no matter what the sport, a victory over the Ganders made that particular team's season.

It's sad to know a Class A school, albeit the smallest A school in Section 9, still could not have enough players to field a team.

Let's hope for everyone's sake, when the 2010 season rolls around that Rondout, whether it's in Class A or B, will once again take the field in football.

Monday, August 17, 2009

World turned upside down

The Philadelphia Eagles sign Michael Vick.

Tiger Woods loses the PGA Championship after going into the final round with a two-shot lead.

Talk about surprises.

The Vick signing is intriguing since it came completely out of the blue. I had him pegged as an Oakland Raider or a Cincinnati Bengal, since those are two places you'll probably find a lot of convicted criminals.

What will his signing mean for Donovan McNabb? The first time McNabb has a rough start, will the chants of "We want Vick" start? And, having spent most of my summers growing up in Philly with my family, I know how tough that town can be.

I'm all for second chances, but Vick better not blow this one.

As for Tiger, we saw he actually is human. Watching him yesterday, you could just get the sense early on he would have a fight on his hands. You just never thought it'd be from a virtual unknown in Y.E. Yang. But Yang played, well, Tiger like, while Woods looked like so many of his competitors flailing away at shots and putts when they are paired with him.

What's next, the Jets winning the Super Bowl?

Monday, August 10, 2009

Take a side

Isn't funny how those who hate the Yankees are coming out of the woodwork after the Bombers' impressive sweep of the Red Sox to once again bring up the Yankee payroll.

I know their payroll is far superior than any other team in the league, but a couple of months ago -- when the Yankees were five, six games out of first -- all Yankee fans heard was how money can't buy a championship.

Now that they're playing well, it's that they should win with their payoff.

C'mon folks, you can't have it both ways.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Stop this madness

I think my head is going to explode.

Now we can add David Ortiz to the list of athletes caught using performance-enhancing drugs who blames legal over-the-counter supplements and vitamins for the reported positive test.

For once, can someone who gets caught just admit it.

Here's where I give Alex Rodriguez an ounce of credit -- and those who have read my previous blogs know I think A-Rod deserves all the negative press he has received for being a cheat. But A-Rod, when the report of his name being on the list of those who tested positive for performance enhancers surfaced, at least admitted to taking steroids.

It was a clunky admission that still left plenty of questions, but it was still an admission of guilt.

And by the way, reading the statements of outrage from the players' union and MLB about Papi's name being leaked and how the reported 104 on the list might not actually all be positive tests, made me ask one question: "Where was all this support when A-Rod was outed?"

I don't recall the players' union attorney sitting next to A-Rod at his press conference like he was at today's Ortiz' press conference. And I don't remember the players' union when the A-Rod news broke saying they never told anybody who tested positive that they were on the list like they were saying today. In fact, if memory serves me, A-Rod said he was told my someone in the players' association he might have been on the list.

And I certainly don't recall the MLB disputing the number of reported positive tests.

I guess when it comes to baseball and performance-enhancing drugs, not all players are created equal.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

I love a parade

So, Eli Manning gets a nearly $100 million extension and Antonio Pierce avoids getting indicted for helping Plaxico Burress after Burress accidentally shot himself in the leg at with an unlicensed handgun in a nightclub last year?

It must be good to be a New York Giant these days.

Makes you wonder what would have happened to Burress if he were still with Big Blue today -- a slap on the wrist or maybe a parade in his honor? I'm going with a parade.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Don't look now

Memo to Yankee fans.

Your team has lost two straight games. Your fifth starter -- Sergio Mitre -- does not appear to be the answer for your rotation, and with Joba Chamberlain on an innings limit (you, know, the Joba Rules,) unless the Yankees can be creative on how to use him down the stretch, your developing phenom might not be much help at season's end.

Your lead over the Red Sox is down to 1 1/2 games, and the Rays just refuse to go away.

Oh, and by the way, Boston greatly improved its team by acquiring All-Star catcher/first baseman Victor Martinez and Casey Kotchman at the non-waiver trade deadline. The Yankees got utilityman Jerry Hairston Jr. to help with their bench, while not addressing any of their pitching needs.

Still feel confident the Bombers will make the playoffs? Just wondering.