tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38683562014723979502024-03-19T04:26:57.014-04:00Ron Rosner, Sports Editor, Daily FreemanRon Rosnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480098150096059207noreply@blogger.comBlogger337125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868356201472397950.post-84364905826108087102013-08-07T11:24:00.001-04:002013-08-07T11:24:46.940-04:00Punishment fits the crime?So, we're a few days away from D-Day for A-Rod and one thought crosses my mind.<br />
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Can Major League Baseball actually make this 211-game suspension stick? On the surface, without having any knowledge about the inner-workings of the decision other than what was in Bud Selig's statement, I kind of think Alex Rodriguez will get off with less than 211 games.<br />
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Make no mistake, I'm not saying A-Rod doesn't deserve the ban, what I'm saying is given the rules set forth by the collective bargaining agreement, 211 might be a stretch.<br />
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Rodriguez has yet to fail a drug test (you cannot count the one is 2003 because it was essentially a "test" test to see if testing would even be implemented. When outed by the Selena Roberts' piece, he admitted to taking performance-enhancing drugs from 2001-2003, a time when — in the eyes of baseball — PEDs were not illegal.<br />
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I think that's an important distinction.<br />
<br />
The evidence MLB reportedly has against A-Rod is voluminous and overwhelming. There are allegations of obstructing MLB's investigation into Biogenesis, lying about taking PEDs, and recruiting fellow players to that now-closed Florida anti-aging clinic.<br />
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OK, fine. If true, it would be more than enough to make up for not failing a test.<br />
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Still, remember, we're bypassing 50 games and going right to 211. Brewers' slugger Ryan Braun, who tested positive for PEDs in 2011 only to have the ruling overturned on a technicality, agreed to a 65-game suspension for his links to Biogenesis. At the time his positive test was overturned before the 2012 season, Braun claimed he didn't use PEDs, so he lied as well.<br />
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Many people think Braun got off light, and they may be right.<br />
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I think Selig might be overreaching when it comes to A-Rod, and Selig might even know 211 games won't stick when A-Rod's appeal is heard. As his tenure as commissioner winds down, Selig is concerned about his legacy, especially when it comes to the steroid era.<br />
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He can certainly say to fans that MLB has taken great strides in eliminating PEDs from the game and if the A-Rod suspension is reduced during appeal, at least they tried.<br />
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Like it or not, don't be surprised to see sometime in the next two-three months, a ruling comes down cutting the A-Rod ban to 100 games.<br />
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Not saying it's fair, but it might be right as far as the CBA is conceerned.Ron Rosnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480098150096059207noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868356201472397950.post-65011923245270225022013-05-06T15:09:00.000-04:002013-05-06T15:09:20.668-04:00Understandable choiceLet me start off by saying, if I had a vote in selecting the NBA's Most Valuable Player it would have gone to LeBron James. No one player has stood head-and-shoulders above his peers in the league like LeBron since Michael Jordan played.<br />
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That said, I have no issue with the rationale from the Boston Globe reporter, who was the lone writer out of 121 not to vote for James. Gary Washburn said he voted for Carmelo Anthony because "meant more to his team" this season. I disagree, but it's not an outrageous reason. Melo led the Knicks to their first division title in nearly 20 years and made basketball at Madison Square Garden relevant again.<br />
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But the King is the King, and in my mind, has no equal.<br />
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It goes to the age-old question we have here on a local level when selecting the Freeman's top players after the football, basketball and baseball/softball seasons of whether you're picking an MVP or a Player of the Year. The two selections could be completely different.<br />
<br />
If memory serves me correctly (and I am getting up there in age), years ago we picked an MVP. But how do you quantify an MVP <br />
<br />
What criteria goes to selecting an MVP?<br />
<br />
Can you have an MVP on a team below .500? <br />
<br />
If you take the Globe/Carmelo example and apply it locally, does a player whose team has been the doormat of whatever league it is competing in, have a great season and lead the team back to respectability deserve as much/more/or less consideration than the best player in the league who's part of a talented team that wins year after year.<br />
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That's what makes picking an MVP so difficult and why we pick Player(s) of the Year.<br />
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In the history of the NBA, there has never been a unanimous MVP selection and I bet that won't change.<br />
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Maybe the league should consider switching to Player of the Year. A unanimous pick would probably come the first year.Ron Rosnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480098150096059207noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868356201472397950.post-18740955630376202722013-04-30T17:48:00.002-04:002013-04-30T17:48:38.794-04:00It's about timeSo much has happened since the last time I had the chance to speak to you, but I want to touch upon the new that veteran NBA center Jason Collins became the first man in major American professional sports to come out as a gay.<br />
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For that, I have but one question. What took so long?<br />
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For as advanced a society as we all would like to think we are, the thought that it took this long for a player from MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL just boggles my mind. The sexual orientation of an athlete should be the farthest thing from anybody's mind.<br />
<br />
I know as a fan, I have never once cared the least about any aspect of my favorite players' personal life. Just hit a game-winning home run, throw a touchdown pass on the game's final play, hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer, or score the winning goal in the shootout and I am a happy person.<br />
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Right now there's a lot of positive vibes coming from Collins' declaration. I hope those vibes don't fade away with time. I know there are many out there, straight or gay, that will look at Collins as a role model. I only hope we'll get to a place where Collins' story won't be a big deal anymore.<br />
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We've waited far too long to get this far.Ron Rosnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480098150096059207noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868356201472397950.post-15158952543275497872013-02-04T14:22:00.002-05:002013-02-04T14:22:56.804-05:00Super nightAs far as Super Bowls go, Sunday night's game was quite entertaining.<br />
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There was so much to digest in the Ravens' 34-31 victory over the 49ers, from the thrilling finish, to possible blown calls by the referees, to the power outage, to a rout that became a tight game following that outage, to the coaching Harbaugh brothers to Ray Lewis' final game, to the commercials and Beyonce's halftime show.<br />
<br />
There was something for everyone who tuned in to what seemed to be 100 hours of pregame, followed by the Super Bowl itself.<br />
<br />
Did the better team win? I'm not so sure.<br />
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Did the better team that night win? Definitely.<br />
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The enduring images from the game — and everything that surrounded it — will linger for quite some time.<br />
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If future Super Bowls can match the thrills and excitement of this one, the NFL's future is brighter than ever.Ron Rosnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480098150096059207noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868356201472397950.post-71466817064358079172013-01-10T14:05:00.000-05:002013-01-10T14:05:03.118-05:00Swing and a missBy now I'm sure you've heard everyone else's opinions and formed your own, concerning the MLB Hall of Fame pitching a shutout on potential nominees.<br />
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So here's one more person's take.<br />
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I understand what the baseball writers' looked to do by not voting in anyone in this 2013 class, which included steroid-tainted stars such as Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa. I, too, believe anybody who cheats the game does not belong in the Hall.<br />
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What I disagree with is the notion of making a stand against legitimate Hall of Fame candidates, like Craig Biggio and Mike Piazza. I'm sure both will soon, maybe as early as next year, have their Hall of Fame tickets punched, but in reality this should have been their year.<br />
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Biggio is a member of the 3,000-hit club, long considered a benchmark for making the Hall. In fact, of the 28 players in MLB history to have 3,000 hits, only four are not in the Hall. Pete Rose (banned from baseball for life for admitting to betting on baseball), Rafael Palmeiro (another steroid-tainted star), Derek Jeter (still an active player) and Biggio.<br />
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Biggio deserves to be taken off that last list.<br />
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Piazza is considered one of the top hitting catchers, if not the greatest hitting catcher, of all-time. Considered an average defensive catcher at best, his lifetime marks of a .308 batting average, 427 home runs and 1,335 RBI would be good enough in most years to warrant a Hall selection. In Piazza's case, there have been whispers (I repeat WHISPERS) of possible steroid use, but that's all they are at this point — whispers.<br />
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Innocent until proven guilty, I say.<br />
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The Baseball Hall of Fame should be for the best of the best and by not allowing two truly great players in, the baseball writers did an injustice to the Hall no matter how noble their intentions might have been.Ron Rosnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480098150096059207noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868356201472397950.post-24115241337667142702012-12-11T19:22:00.001-05:002012-12-11T19:22:31.196-05:00Strange happening for YanksPending a physical, Kevin Youkilis and the Yankees have agreed to a one-year, $12 million contract.<br />
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Could this have been a more strange offseason for the Yanks?<br />
<br />
While many teams broke open their checkbooks, the Bombers have shown fiscal restraint so far. They re-signed Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera and Hiroki Kuroda (all good moves), while letting Russell Martin, Eric Chavez and Andruw Jones walk. Nick Swisher is seemingly headed elsewhere, while the future of Raul Ibanez is unknown.<br />
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Alex Rodriguez is lost for the first half of the season (at least) after it was revealed he needed surgery on his hip and now the Yanks are set to welcome Youkilis, a one-time star for the Red Sox, who's skills are in decline.<br />
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And just think, we still have two months until pitchers and catchers report to spring training. I can only imagine what else will happen.Ron Rosnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480098150096059207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868356201472397950.post-5710308278377552022012-11-12T19:54:00.000-05:002012-11-12T19:54:13.431-05:00Bump in the roadIt's amazing what a difference a couple of weeks make when it comes to professional football.<br />
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Two weeks ago, the Giants were the team to beat in many experts' minds. They were at the top or near the top of most power rankings.<br />
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Back-to-back losses to the Steelers and Bengals have changed all that. Now Giant nation is in a panic over what they perceive to be a free-fall. Eli Manning hasn't looked like himself. The defense is still trying to find itself, while the running game has been — for the most part — awful.<br />
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It's funny, but I seem to remember the same complaints about Big Blue about this time last year and look where they finished — as Super Bowl champions.<br />
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The Giants, like the Yankees, seem to be one of those rare teams that can turn it up a notch when they need to, as well as play down down to the level of their opponents from time to time.<br />
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Bottom line is, barring some unforeseen circumstances, I fully expect the Giants to be where they are seemingly every year — in the playoffs with a chance to win another Super Bowl.<br />
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Giants fans, take a breath. You have an entire off-week to do so.Ron Rosnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480098150096059207noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868356201472397950.post-29508190148409772242012-10-11T13:18:00.000-04:002012-10-11T13:18:23.698-04:00Great call all aroundCall it gutsy, foolish, a no-brainer, Yankee manager Joe Girardi pulling Alex Rodriguez for pinch-hitter Raul Ibanez in the ninth inning of Wednesday night's Game 3 of the AL division series against the Orioles was one of the boldest moves I've ever seen.<br />
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The fact that Ibanez hit a pinch-hit, game-tying homer run in the ninth and then won it with another homer in the 12th is irrelevant.<br />
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Yes, irrelevant.<br />
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We all know how the Alex Rodriguez of 2012 is not the Alex Rodriguez of 2007, 06, 05, 04 ... He is a shell of his once great self.<br />
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He does, however, had nearly 650 lifetime homers and was hitting third in the lineup. I know many will argue, and I wouldn't disagree, that he shouldn't be hitting there — if at all — but he was hitting third.<br />
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Give Girardi credit for the move. Give Ibanez credit for the heroics. But also give credit to A-Rod for being the teammate he is. He could have very easily been the negative Nelly and pouted and moaned, but there he was celebrating like a high-schooler when Ibanez's shot dropped in the right-field stands.<br />
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I know what you're thinking, "well, how is he supposed to react?" Fair point. But he could easily have been sitting stoically in the dugout, or half-heartedly celebrating what could be the pivotal Yankee win this postseason. Anyone remember how he took being dropped to eighth in the lineup in the 2007 playoffs. He even said after Wednesday night's game, he didn't know how the Alex Rodriguez of 10 years ago would react.<br />
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I am defending A-Rod a bit because I think he has received too much of the criticism of his lack of production on a team that, right now, has many players not producing. His contract and the fact that people just don't like him hurts him even more in these situations.<br />
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That said, Girardi could have played it safe, sent his future Hall of Fame slugger (yes, I believe — steroids and all — he remains a Hall of Famer) up in the ninth to try and tie it. Instead, he bucked conventional wisdom and Ibanez came through.<br />
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No matter the outcome, Girardi's call deserves praise.Ron Rosnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480098150096059207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868356201472397950.post-57795749090224932662012-10-01T14:58:00.001-04:002012-10-01T14:58:53.281-04:00What a finishWas it the Medinah miracle or colossal collapse?<br />
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That's what went through my head as I watched Europe complete its improbable comeback over the U.S. in the Ryder Cup.<br />
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Lost in the Jets' debacle, Giants' heartbreak and Yankees' quest for another playoff berth, golf's biggest event (yes, bigger than the Masters I believe) had an unbelievable finish. In the team event, held every other, year, the U.S. had what was seemed to be an insurmountable 10-6 lead after day two of the three-day showdown.<br />
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A total of 28 points are at stake in the Ryder Cup. Players competed in foursomes and four-ball matches in four sessions the first two days, with 12 singles matches played on the final day. The U.S. has always been thought of as having the deeper team, so the prevailing wisdom has been the Europeans need to build enough of a lead over the first four sessions to hold the Americans off in the end.<br />
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Most thought — myself included — when the U.S. built a 4-point lead heading into singles play, the Ryder Cup was as good as won.<br />
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Boy were we wrong!<br />
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The Europeans played brilliantly on Sunday, while the Americans seemed off their game (to say the least). The Americans were unable to match the intensity and shot-making of the Europeans and when Martin Kaymer converted a 6-foot par putt on the 18th hole to win his match and secure the Cup with what would turn out to be a 14 1/2-13 1/2 win, the Americans were left in shock.<br />
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It's easy to play the blame the game. There's a lot to go around. Tiger Woods, the world's No. 2 golfer, won 1/2 point for the entire event. Captain's picks Steve Stricker and Jim Furyk came up small in the clutch, as did Phil Mickelson, who lost the final two holes in his match against Justin Rose to turn a 1-up lead into a 1-down defeat.<br />
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You could probably name the rest of the 12-player U.S. squad as co-conspirators in the loss.<br />
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You could also look at the miraculous putt Rose made on the 17th hole against Mickelson; the inspiring play of Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia; as well as the steady (when not spectacular) play of world No. 1 Rory McIlroy as the real reasons behind the European victory.<br />
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No matter how you choose to look at it, this Ryder Cup will go down as one of the most memorable of all time. It made for riveting televsion.<br />
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<br />Ron Rosnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480098150096059207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868356201472397950.post-65158419799848908782012-09-10T15:33:00.003-04:002012-09-10T15:33:52.227-04:00Interesting start for Giants, JetsWho would have thought after the opening week of the NFL season, the Jets would be 1-0, while the Giants would still be looking for their first victory?<br />
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A Jets' victory over the Bills might not have surprised some, but what surely shocked most was Gang Green scoring 48 points in the win. Their offense, kept out of the end zone the entire preseason, scored early and often against Buffalo. Mark Sanchez didn't need to look over his shoulder to see if/when Tim Tebow would take over because Sanchez looked as good as he has in his Jets' career.<br />
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The Giants, meanwhile, were still smarting five days after they opened their Super Bowl title defense with a home loss to the Cowboys. Eli Manning looked off most of the evening, while the Big Blue rushing game — for the most part — was non-existent. What proved more costly was the Giant secondary, which faltered because of injuries and ineffectiveness.<br />
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The great thing about the NFL is the ability to turn things around from week to week and I would be very worried if I were a Tampa Bay fan when the Buccaneers come to Met:Life Stadium on Sunday. The Jets, meanwhile, travel to Pittsburgh to play a Steelers squad still smarting from Sunday night's loss to Peyton Manning and the Broncos.<br />
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It all shapes up to be a fun NFL season.Ron Rosnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480098150096059207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868356201472397950.post-63149322841601024082012-08-13T06:48:00.002-04:002012-08-13T06:48:39.650-04:00Olympic courage personifiedWhat a wild two-plus weeks it's been with the Olympics. When thinking about what my favorite story from the London Games, there are so many to choose from.<br />
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The U.S. men's basketball team; the American women's basketball, soccer and gymnastics squads; Michael Phelps; Missy Franklin; Ryan Lochte; Gabby Douglas; Usain Bolt; Allyson Felix; Oscar Pistorius; Jessica Ennis are just a few worthy storylines that come to mind.<br />
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For me, however, I want to focus on the men's 4x400-meter relay preliminaries.<br />
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I will admit, when it comes to track & field, I'm no expert by any means. I never watch any track & field until the Olympics roll around every four years. But there I was, watching intently as the U.S. was looking to earn a spot in the finals. As the race was about to begin, I heard the announcers saying the Bahamas and the U.S. were the overwhelming favorites to not only advance to the final but battle for the gold.<br />
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The race begins and the lead runner for the Bahamas races out to a huge lead. No shock there, right? But what surprised me was how far back the lead U.S. runner, <span style="background-color: #fefefe; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Manteo Mitchell, trailed. For the majority of the race, Mitchell was in the back of the pack. He rallied late to get near the front of the pack, and the U.S. wound up finishing a close second to the Bahamas in the heat to qualify for the final.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefefe; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fefefe; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">No big deal, right?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefefe; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fefefe; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">I find out later that Mitchell ran at least the last half of the 400 meters with a broken left fibula. Let me repeat that, he had a broken leg.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefefe; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fefefe; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Are you kidding me?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefefe; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fefefe; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Many, many years ago, I ruptured the patella tendon in my knee and was stuck in a leg-length brace for two weeks. Mind you, I'm about as far away from a world-class runner as you could be, but here is Mitchell running on a broken leg. Can you imagine the pain & anguish he was in? He said he felt something pop in his leg, but had to keep going.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefefe; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Obviously, he was unable to run for the U.S. in the final the next day, but his courage is something I will remember for quite some time.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Maybe even until the next Olympics -- the next time I watch track & field again.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefefe; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fefefe; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
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<br />Ron Rosnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480098150096059207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868356201472397950.post-34495933867082958412012-08-04T16:06:00.002-04:002012-08-04T16:06:59.879-04:00Let the debate beginIs Michael Phelps the greatest Olympian of all-time?<br />
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That's the biggest question to come out of these Olympic Games thus far. Phelps has won more medals (22) and more gold medals (18) than anyone in Olympic career. He ended his career in style by winning gold as part of the U.S. 4 x 100-meter medley relay team that also set a world record.<br />
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Since becoming the all-time medal-winner earlier this week, many have come out to say Phelps is among the greatest Olympians of all time, but not the best. Ask 100 different Olympic experts who is the greatest of all time is and you might get 50 different answers.<br />
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What about Jesse Owens, Carl Lewis, Nadia Comeneci, Roger Bannister, Mark Spitz, Eric Heiden, just to name a few? <br />
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But really, who cares?<br />
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I look at the numbers and Phelps as as many golds as Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina (second all-time in medals won) has in total medals. As far as I'm concerned, that's impressive enough.<br />
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When it comes to naming the greatest Olympian of all-time, there will always be much debate. When it comes to who holds the record for the most all-time, there is no debate.<br />
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It's Michael Phelps.<br />
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No argument there.Ron Rosnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480098150096059207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868356201472397950.post-61741969560166396182012-07-24T13:29:00.000-04:002012-07-24T13:35:00.017-04:00Penn State sanctions a tough callI've had a little more than a day to try to digest the NCAA's sanctions against Penn State over the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse case and I'm still not completely sure where I stand.<br /><br />Among the penalties the NCAA hit Penn State starts with a $60 million fine (about the amount of one year's football revenue) that would go to outside programs devoted to preventing child sex abuse; a postseason ban for the next four seasons; the loss of a number of scholarships over the next four years; and the wiping out of Penn State's 111 victories from 1998-2011. Taking away those wins cost legendary coach Joe Paterno his place as college football's all-time winningest coach.<br /><br />I completely understand the argument from those who liked what the NCAA did and those who disagree with it.<br /><br />In the for category, severe sanctions had to be taken and could have resulted in the suspension of the program in its entirety for a specified/unspecified period of time (known in college athletic circles as the 'death penalty.') Those in favor called the sanctions both punitive and corrective, and they make a good case. The actions of Sandusky (Paterno's former defensive coordinator) were heinous enough before you begin to add the non-actions/cover-up of those in power in the wake of the Sandusky scandal at State College.<br /><br />In the against category, a solid case can be made that these sanctions (with the exception of the money) do nothing to help the victims of this crime. With Sandusky in prison presumably for the rest of his life, Paterno dead and those who were in power above him all no longer at Penn State, an argument can also be made that with the loss of scholarships and the postseason ban, the NCAA is further punishing the innocent players and student who had nothing to do with the case.<br /><br />Both sides make strong cases, but the bottom line is no matter what the sanctions were or weren't, nothing the NCAA or Penn State itself could completely make up for what Sandusky did to those young boys in the shower and locker room at Penn State.Ron Rosnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480098150096059207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868356201472397950.post-44411962114820239992012-07-16T14:15:00.001-04:002012-07-16T14:16:22.310-04:00<iframe src='http://embed.scribblelive.com/Embed/v5.aspx?Id=52759&ThemeId=5938' width='550' height='600' frameborder='0' style='border: 1px solid #000'></iframe>Ron Rosnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480098150096059207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868356201472397950.post-10957774049887586982012-07-10T11:55:00.000-04:002012-07-10T11:55:05.481-04:00All-Star nonsenseTypically, the week during the Major League Baseball All-Star Game is one of the most quiet times in professional sports. However, with a couple of things that took place, the All-Star break has become more of a give me a break.<br />
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First, Reggie Jackson spouts off about Alex Rodriguez and the Hall of Fame credentials of others, including the late Gary Carter. I think Reggie believes he is more relevant than he truly is, but that's also Reggie being Reggie. I think the Yankees might have made it more of a big deal than it needed to be by telling him to stay away from the team for the time being, but they are also well within their right to do so.<br />
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While Reggie Jackson does not represent the Yankee brand, so to speak, his comments reinforces the belief of those Yankee haters out there that this is how all arrogant Yankees feel toward other teams and their players. Hopefully, this story will be just a one-day story.<br />
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Turning to last night's Home Run Derby, I can sort of understand the reaction of Kansas City Royals fans to Robinson Cano not picking hometown slugger Billy Butler to participate, but really, you're going to boo Cano during every swing and then to give him a standing ovation for him not hitting a home run. In the end, this is a meaningless exhibition. Maybe Cano could have had the forethought to invite the home-team guy, but there were many more deserving of the invitation than Butler (Adam Dunn, Juan Encarnacion, Adam Jones to name a few) and they weren't invited either.<br />
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What I think is funniest about it is the media reaction. They gave the fans a pass, saying this just shows how passionate Royals fans are about their players and that's a good thing for baseball. I only wonder if these same folks in the media would have the same reaction if the roles were reversed and it was Butler who did not pick Cano for the Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium and the Yankee fans booing Butler for every non-home run? Somehow, I think those fans wouldn't get the same pass.<br />
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Finally, on to tonight's All-Star Game. How can you take the game seriously (as Major League Baseball wants us to) and have a manager who's not even managing this year (Tony La Russa) not pick the NL's top pitcher SO FAR THIS YEAR (the Mets' R.A. Dickey)? I'm totally dumbfounded by the decision.<br />
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You can throw all the excuses you want (All-Star catcher Buster Posey might have trouble catching Dickey's knuckleball; NL starter Matt Cain has had a better career than Dickey) and none of them hold water. The honor should be given to the player/pitcher having the best year. And, so far, that would be R.A. Dickey in just about every major statistical category.<br />
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For a game that supposedly matters, there seems to be a lot going into it that makes it meaningless.Ron Rosnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480098150096059207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868356201472397950.post-22951958659969172842012-07-06T16:14:00.002-04:002012-07-06T16:14:42.648-04:00CongratulationA quick congrats to our baseball and softball All-Stars and to all those from the area who made the All-State teams.<br />
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As both Kingston and Coleman Catholic have proven with their state championship victories, baseball in the area is as good as ever and on a par with the best baseball being played throughout NYS. All these players should be extremely proud of themselves that they earned these postseason accolades.<br />
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I look at the announcing of our All-Stars as the unofficial end of the 2011-12 scholastic sports season, and it was quite a good one all around. Let's hope 2012-13 will be just as noteworthy.<br />
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And for those wondering, high school football practice begins August 13, with all other sports starting a week later.Ron Rosnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480098150096059207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868356201472397950.post-41614320584218086192012-06-11T23:10:00.003-04:002012-06-11T23:10:55.837-04:00Title dreamsTwo days later, I still finds it hard to believe not one, but two, area teams won state baseball championships.<br />
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A big congratulations goes out to Kingston and Coleman Catholic on their titles. The Tigers won their first-ever championship, while the Statesmen won their first in 35 years.<br />
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And they won in completely different ways.<br />
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Kingston won it in dramatic fashion, rallying from a three-run deficit to take a 3-0 lead going into the final inning. The Tigers blew the lead in the top of the inning, only to win it on Jake Ryan's hit in the bottom of the frame.<br />
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Coleman, meanwhile, won its title behind the spectacular pitching of ace Mike Smithmyer, who tossed a complete-game, one-hit masterpiece a couple of hours after pitching the final two innings of Coleman's win in the semifinal.<br />
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The area has a lot to be proud of with these two teams and let's hope these state titles foreshadow next year's scholastic season.Ron Rosnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480098150096059207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868356201472397950.post-74595196270062892972012-06-08T16:04:00.000-04:002012-06-08T16:04:02.326-04:00Triple Crown agonyWhat a blow for the Belmont Stakes and thoroughbred racing in general.<br />
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One day before I'll Have Another took it's shot at history by becoming the first horse in more than 30 years to win all three legs of the Triple Crown, the colt was forced to retire after suffering a tendon injury to its leg.<br />
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More than 100,000 fans were going to pack Belmont, while millions more would be in front of there TVs, in hopes of seeing history. And this horse had a great chance to accomplish the feat.<br />
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Now, horse racing fans will have to wait yet another year to see if there's a horse that can do what Affirmed last did in 1978.<br />
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I suspect there will be quite a few no-shows at Belmont and a lot of TVs tuned elsewhere on Saturday because Belmont is just not the same when a Triple Crown's not at stake.Ron Rosnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480098150096059207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868356201472397950.post-66812431247955957952012-05-20T17:23:00.001-04:002012-05-20T17:23:35.067-04:00We Want AnotherSo two down, one to go for I'll Have Another.<br />
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I'll be the first to admit I'm not the most avid of horse racing fans, but I will be one of the millions of people watching when the Kentucky Derby and Preakness champion looks to win a historic Triple Crown next month at the Belmont.<br />
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The last thoroughbred to win the Triple Crown was Affirmed in 1978, and there have only been 11 horses to ever win all three races.<br />
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Several have tried, but most of them have failed.<br />
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Let's hope I'll Have Another can accomplish what Big Brown in 2008, Smarty Jones in 2004, Funny Cide in 2003 and War Emblem in 2002 failed to do this century alone.<br />
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Horse racing and sports fans in general would have something to tip their hats to.Ron Rosnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480098150096059207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868356201472397950.post-38375310940271366662012-04-29T13:02:00.000-04:002012-04-29T13:04:49.266-04:00Worthwhile eventI recently had the great pleasure of doing a story on Michael Sofokles.<br />
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For those who didn't get a chance to see the feature in Sunday's paper or read it on-line, Michael is a senior at Red Hook High School who tripped and fell down a flight of stairs in his home and suffered a traumatic brain injury.
He was in two hospitals for a total of seven weeks.<br />
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He had several surgical procedures, including having a portion of his skull removed to allow his brain to heal.
As he continued his recovery, students, teachers and coaches in both the Red Hook and Kingston communities stepped up and held a fundraiser football tournament on his behalf.<br />
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A lot of money was raised so far, and a lot more can be donated. See the story on-line for more information.<br />
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I met Michael this week when his mother, Terri, brought him in for an interview. Michael is walking, talking and with the exceptions of the missing piece of his skull (which is to be placed back in the next couple of days) and the lack of use of his right hand, he is every bit the smiling teenager you would find.<br />
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I wish Michael and his family nothing but good health from here on.<br />
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They deserve it.Ron Rosnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480098150096059207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868356201472397950.post-43531183412029563392012-04-09T14:02:00.003-04:002012-04-09T14:09:05.408-04:00No need to panicThree games into the season and many Yankee fans are already beginning to panic.<br /><br />The Bombers were swept by the Rays in the opening weekend series in Tampa Bay, and while there were few — if any — positives to take from the 0-3 start, there is one thing I want to emphasize to Yankee fans:<br /><br />There's still 159 games left in the season.<br /><br />Most sane Yankee fans might laugh at this, but after listening to sports talk radio over the weekend and Monday, you might think the Yankees have already been mathematically eliminated from the playoff race.<br /><br />It was laughable to hear some fans suggest the Yankees fire Joe Girardi and trade the majority of the team.<br /><br />For their sake and the sake of some of their fans, let's hope the Yankees win at least 1 of the next three 3 games in Baltimore. With an 0-6 record heading into Friday's home opener, the Yankees will surely be hearing it from their fans.Ron Rosnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480098150096059207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868356201472397950.post-91654564724761311482012-03-28T12:59:00.002-04:002012-03-28T13:07:20.093-04:00Expect the unexpectedPeyton Manning signs with the Broncos.<br /><br />Tim Tebow lands with Jets.<br /><br />Tiger Woods wins his first golf tournament in more than 2 1/2 years.<br /><br />What a whacky couple of weeks it has been. But that's what makes sports what it is. It will be hard to Tebow wearing green and white. It will be next to impossible to see Manning wearing the Denver logo.<br /><br />It won't be surprising at all to see Tiger slipping on the famed Augusta Green Jacket after the Masters next week, but it would have been six months ago considering just how badly the former No. 1 player in the world was playing.<br /><br />The Final Four is set and if there's a team that went into — and remained — the team to beat in NCAA Tournament, Kentucky certainly is. Bitter in-state rival Louisville awaits the Wildcats in the national semifinals, with the winner of Ohio State and Kansas in the wings.<br /><br />If the pattern holds, you can expect to see Kentucky coach John Calipari cutting down the nets Monday in New Orleans.<br /><br />Then again, ask me two weeks ago and I would have said with as much certainty you would be seeing Manning in the Colts blue and white and Tebow in Denver.<br /><br />Just goes to show, you never know.Ron Rosnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480098150096059207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868356201472397950.post-82914143303395699792012-03-05T17:54:00.003-05:002012-03-05T18:02:26.012-05:00Hooping it up in the postseasonI know baseball spring training is underway and the thought of sunny days and temperatures in the 60s being just around the corner warms my heart, but locally it's still basketball season around here.<br /><br />That said, what a wild weekend we had in the Section 9 finals.<br /><br />Let's start with the champions. Five area teams — Marlboro and Pine Plains in boys and Red Hook, Highland and Coleman Catholic in girls — are on their way to regionals. While Pine Plains, Highland and Coleman had relatively easy times in winning their respective titles, Marlboro and Red Hook had everything they could handle in their finals.<br /><br />The Iron Dukes earned their first sectional title since 1989 by overcoming a double-digit deficit in the third quarter to beat Red Hook in overtime. The boys loss denied Raider nation a sweep of the A titles after the girls squad held off top-seeded Cornwall in their final.<br /><br />Things won't get any easier for either team, as well as the other three as we head into regionals. Defending state D champion Coleman was bounced up to C this year, while Highland faces a familiar foe in Irvington — the team that knocked the Huskies out of regionals the past two years.<br /><br />Let's hope all five of our local teams can ride the momentum of winning sectionals all the way through to states.<br /><br />Congratulations on a great job thus far.Ron Rosnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480098150096059207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868356201472397950.post-52201888273135086272012-02-17T08:21:00.002-05:002012-02-17T08:35:14.443-05:00RIP KidAs pitchers and catchers get set to report to spring training, I would like to take a moment to remember Gary Carter.<br /><br />As a player for the World Series champion Mets of 1986, the Kid brought out a lot of emotions. For Mets fans, he was a God. For others, he was one of those arrogant Mets, like Doc and Darryl and Davey Johnson and Keith Hernandez.<br /><br />When the Mets won it all in '86, I was a junior in high school and all I remember are all those "bandwagon" fans, wearing those Carter jerseys, talking about the Mets, celebrating this Amazin team.<br /><br />I wasn't a Mets fan, so I, of course, was one of those anti-Carter folks and I remember getting into these arguments with my best friend, who to this day is one of the biggest Mets fans there are.<br /><br />Carter, among all those Mets, brought out this type of emotion. But, the one thing sometimes overlooked in all the back-and-forth, was that this guy could play. It's no surprise Carter is a Hall of Famer.<br /><br />When I heard about Carter's death, memories of 1986 came flooding back. Although his career in New York was relatively short, for that time with the Mets, Carter owned the city.<br /><br />Gary Carter lost his battle with brain cancer at age 57. The Kid will be missed.Ron Rosnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480098150096059207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868356201472397950.post-61615589371879525452012-02-05T13:43:00.002-05:002012-02-05T13:55:47.125-05:00Giant paradeOK, so I know you all have been waiting for weeks for my Super Bowl prediction, so I'll try not to disappoint.<br /><br />Giants fans will have plenty of reason to celebrate less than 12 hours from now.<br /><br />I know the Patriots have won their last 10 games, but they are not playing nearly as well as the Giants. New York, which seemed to be playing for coach Tom Coughlin's job about a month ago, come into this game much like it did when Big Blue won the title four years ago.<br /><br />By now, I'm sure you've heard all the comparisons — losing a close game to an unbeaten team (this time the Packers) late in the season. Beating an NFC South team in the playoffs before winning road games at the Nos. 1 & 2 seeds to reach the Super Bowl. In 2008, a Lawrence Tynes field goal in OT (after a turnover) pushed the Giants past the Packers in the NFC title game.<br /><br />This year, a Lawrence Tynes field goal in OT (after a turnover) pushed the Giants past the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC title game.<br /><br />I'm sure I've missed other similarities.<br /><br />I, however, don't believe in this kind of karma. I do believe what I see and what I see is a potent Giants' defense that has gotten better the past four weeks of the regular season holding a Patriots' offense in check. On the other side of the ball, I see a Giants' offense that has found its stride of late having a field day against a very mediocre Patriots' defense.<br /><br />I know the Patriots are a 3-to-3 1/2-point favorite, but don't believe the hype.<br /><br />Giants win this one, 41-27.Ron Rosnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15480098150096059207noreply@blogger.com1