Welcome to the Inaugural WWE Power Rankings, as of 8-26-2013 RAW

Welcome to my first on-going segment.  Under the traditional Power Ranking format, each entry is based on his, her or their individual performance(s).  

1. HHH – He’s been able to make the transition to the “Vince” character and done it well.  He’s always been a great heel and now he’s an even better heel that doesn’t need to wrestle.  Also, he’s still in shape where if he wanted to mix it up, I’m all in to see a HHH match.  What also helps to put him at the top of this list is the new mix of his theme music (I can be a sucker for new sparkly shiny things).  
2. Randy Orton – Finally he’s the heel we want to see.  None of this nonsense with him being crazy or snapping due to some mental issue.  He’s the epidemy of the “traditional WWE champ” and to play this up is perfect.  He easily falls into place as the jock who’s just better than the rest of you.  Without having a match, he’s become the champ, risen to #2 on this list and gets booed with barely a word spoken.  He’s the perfect example / use of nepotistic entitlement.  He’s a perfect heel for HHH just because of looks and heritage, and let’s not forget he has the ability to put on solid matches (check out his hardcore match with Foley early on as proof that he’s got talent or at least balls).  Less is certainly more with RKO right now.
3. Daniel Bryan – You’d have to say he’s the top face in the company right now.  I was worried about how long he could play this underdog card.  I’m sorry for any wrestler who has a real injury but it really played out perfectly for the WWE to have Cena go down at this moment.  The Cena / Bryan feud was starting to get old (and came out of nowhere, thanks to Totally Divas).  This was a perfect way to keep up, make sense of and push Bryan’s underdog story.  This could and most certainly will last through Royal Rumble and into ‘Mania.  Where can I bet on a Daniel Bryan Rumble win?
4. Dolph Ziggler – The hardest working man in the biz.  “He who can put anyone over, will be doomed to the mid-card.”  His in ring skills almost work against his status in the company.  He makes everyone else look so good, it’s hard for the WWE to let him win consistently.  Has a horrible outfit, horrible gimmick (at this point, what is the gimmick?) and he still is the best wrestler in the ring.  I’ll watch any match he’s in right now.   
5. The Shield – Collectively and separately they’re really coming into their own.  They’re not ready to split just yet.  They still have a while to go and things to do.  Ambrose is doing great but to have the Shield together and all with belts AND being HHH’s “private security team” works for all parties.  Groups like DX or NWO were never hurt by staying together.  It’s usually better for these groups or cliques (I had to) to stay together too long than to cut the group off too soon.
6. CM Punk – Normally would be higher on this list but it tells you two things; 1) there’s a lot of quality going on in the WWE writing and wrestling right now and 2) we need Punk to quickly transition back to heel / outsider.  I’ve enjoyed the Paul Heyman plot but I don’t want it to end as Punk being a face and being stuck as a good guy.  If he is, he’s got to be the Austin-like face where he’s the rebel you cheer for.  I’d have rather seen him submit to Heyman and go back under his “wing”.  Let Paul do gloat-y Paul things.  Have CM Punk rise the ranks and right before his “big win” (whatever that turns out to be) double cross Paul and get his ultimate revenge.  Have the student become the master. 
7. Paul Heyman – Doing Paul Heyman-y things.  For sure I thought he was bringing out Brock to destroy CM Punk monday night as Punk was tied up.  It all still worked out in the end and Heyman once again proves to be the greatest professional agitator.  Even the smart fans who will always love Heyman for ECW, can’t help but boo him.  They boo out of respect.
8. Wyatt Family – Should be higher but didn’t wrestle on RAW.  Is there anyone who does not want to see the eventual Wyatt Family vs Shield run?  They’re on opposite ends of the show right now and so far from even crossing paths right now but WWE has to figure that out before they break up the Shield.
9. Rob Van Dam – RVD is back.  He’s doing RVD type of things.  He’s the whole fucking show.  Maybe he’s too high (which in RVD’s case that can mean a few things) but I’m still basking in his return.  
10. Alberto Del Rio – Falling into place and picked a good opponent to grow his heel character.  Abandoning his valet.  Winning the Smackdown belt.  Putting on solid matches.  He’s never going to be the good guy against a returning RVD.  So again, WWE is working it perfectly to strengthen his heel persona.  He’s one or two good promos or matches away from shooting up this list.
11. AJ Lee – I can’t believe I’m putting a woman, other than a McMahon, in the top 20 but that promo by AJ on RAW was as good as any.  Not on the level of CM Punk’s “pipe bomb” shoot a few years ago but very good.  Now she has to do something with it.  If I have to suffer through Totally Divas but get a work by AJ like this, it might just be worth it.
12. Christian – Working the “I’ve been there / done that / I’m good because I’m still here” is fine for now.  It seems like he and Y2J just swap scripts.  Are we sure they’re not the same person?  I don’t think we’ve seen the two of them in the same room for the past 5 years.
13. Curtis Axel – Don’t let this midland rank fool you.  He’s young and we’re not 6 months into this gimmick / character for him.  He needs a little bit of refining on the mic.  Great job to put him with Heyman (and in turn Brock if need be).  He could be in the 10 – 20 range for a while but that’s fine as he gets better and really fleshes out his character in and out of the ring.
14. Fan-Dan-Go – I’m not going to lie, I don’t understand his popularity any longer.  It was cute for the night after WM but now I’m confused to what I’m supposed to think of him.  Are we supposed to like the arrogant jerk or dislike the vicious wrestler with a bad gimmick (the hot Kelly Kelly look-a-like doesn’t hurt)?
15. Prime Time Players – I like that the WWE hasn’t made Darren Young’s revelation that he’s gay part of their gimmick.  Nothing good would come of it.  The WWE is not known for it’s tact regarding social commentary so playing it like everything is normal is probably the best.  Besides, they’re working their way up the ladder.  Titus O’Neil is a beast (while you’d have to say Young is the better wrestler).  
16. The Miz – He should be grateful to be back in the ring.  This was a headliner and the heir to the figure-4-leg-lock who up until last week hadn’t wrestled a meaningful match in months.
17. Zeb and the Americans – I can’t tell if Zeb Colter is overshadowing Zack Swagger and AC or if they’re underperforming?  Either way, I’m fascinated to see how far the WWE goes (or let’s the leash out) with Zeb’s promos.  I’m amazed he hasn’t crossed a line at some point.  Credit a good writing staff and performer who walks the tightrope of a Tea Party crazy. 
18. Kane – Always getting the top spot but loosing for the betterment of the WWE.  It must be his vacation time.  His head being “smashed” by the triangular steps was one of the worse stunts in a while. 
19. Mark Henry – Second biggest jobber to Kane.  He’s on here because even though he’s lost a lot lately, he’s been a beast in the ring and the new camera angle when he comes out makes him look like a mountain.  I’m not too big to give “cool points” on this list.
20. Funkasaurus and Sweet-T – I might be the only adult who likes the Funkasaurus’ song and dance.  I only put up with it because I can sing…Somebody call Byrd’s momma (my cat’s name).  

      Honorable Mention

Sandow and Rhodes – These two are poised to have a long feud.  It seems like it’s going to run on Smackdown, which means less people will see it.  I already know their matches will be brought up to me the next time my Wrestling Crew gets together for a PPV and someone will tell me how great their matches have been and that I’m missing out.  I don’t see why Rhodes had to shave the mustache?  I’m too lazy to jump on Tout to find out why.  

Side note - out of all the good things that WWE is doing, they still don’t know how to cut and run from financial failures.  Is there any question that WWE has some sort of stake in Tout and is financial vested in it’s continued existence?  The WWE is to Tout, as what Mexicans and sexual predators are to MySpace.  They’ve already embraced Twitter, have a YouTube channel and have their own app.  Ditch Tout and let us bury it with Beniot’s championship records.

That’s all for the first installment.  Let’s hope I can keep this up.  I also hope to add a few surprises to this.  We’ll see...

Thanks and feel free to leave your ranking opinions

Russia, Olympics, Gays – What Should We do?

The question is so stupid and the answer is so easy. I don’t even want to give this topic the energy to pontificate a long response. Here’s the solution:



You Go

You Win

You Shove it in their face

History will dictate who was right.



Every time, EVERY TIME, there’s a civil / human rights issue that comes up it’s always best to respectfully and gloriously protest. Whether it’s Germany in 1938 or Mexico City in 1968 the best way to enlighten the world and change minds is for the oppressed to go, participate against the odds and most importantly win. Documentaries are made about the bold; footnotes are for the silent boycotters.

A boycott may work on a local or financial level. The Olympics are not going to loose any money by gay athletes not participating. The only people who would loose out are the athletes who’ve worked their whole lives for this opportunity and the fans who want to see sport played at its pinnacle.

Another saying that I like is ‘history is written by the winners.’ You know why we don’t know much about the Mayan civilization? Because they’re all dead. Do we celebrate “white history month” and have statues erected of great slave owners and wave the flag of the south…ok, I see this isn’t the best example. If the Crusades of the Catholic Church hadn’t been some sort of successes (I hate to muddy civil / human rights with religion) but if the Crusades had been a gigantic failure, everyone had died and the Catholic / Christian word had not spread, I don’t think the Church would have its own country and be an influential part of current society. History books are not written by the losers of the war. Little children in Kansas aren’t using chopsticks to eat their sauerkraut sausages because we lost WWII.

Quickly, name every protestor who used a boycott to win over a global decision… You can’t. Does anyone remember Kareem Abdul-Jabbar boycotting the 1968 Olympics? Or do you remember Tommie Smith and John Carlos? Who made the more historical impact? I’ll let you pick two of the three men. Did you pick the one who is arguably the best basketball player to ever live? Didn’t think so.

In sports the answer is easy. Show up and Win. There might not be a greater platform to have than to be the best athlete in your sport. Obama is only president for eight years. Michael Jordan will be Michael Jordan for the rest of his life. Lebron James and Tiger Woods will be forefront in people’s lives for the next 10 years. Even after Obama and the president after him, it’s likely we’ll still be talking about what James and Woods are doing and report on what they’re saying.

Fighting for equality is not easy. It’s hard and scary. If this was easy, you wouldn’t have to “fight” for your rights. If you’re two choices are to either boycott Russia because of their views on gays and gay rights or to go and participate in the games and win (let’s not forget, sometimes showing up to participate can be a win as well); I’m sorry, get off your gay ass and ride that rainbow to Sochi and do your best to win. You may not even have to say one word. Tommie Smith, John Carlos and Jesse Owens (before them) didn’t have to say a word to make the loudest noise.

From Worst to First in a Month!

The “What if’s?” of sports are endless…

What if Jordan was drafted 1^st or 2^nd instead of 3^rd to the Bulls?

What if the Red Sox never traded Babe Ruth?

What if the “tuck rule” had not been used and the Raiders beat the Patriots to go to the Superbowl?

What if’s can be as big as player movements from team to team or draft picks or as small as one call that changed the course of a game.  The ripple effects can last for games, weeks, seasons, years or even the life a sport.

By the middle of the 2013 MLB season, I think the biggest “What if” is, What if the Dodgers had any kind of health luck.  Unlike the Angels or Yankees, who have had health issues of their own, whose marquee players have not lived up to hype that was in place for those teams regardless of injuries.  When the Dodger players have been healthy and in games, they’re doing well.  Matt Kemp came back for one game against the Washington Nationals, went 3 for 4 with a home run, and is now back on the dreaded Disabled List.

A month ago every Dodger fan was enraged that Puig was not in the All Star Game.  The savior of the 2013 season and a possible Mickey Mantle-esque future superstar was being overlooked for the likes of Freddie Freeman.  While I’m sure Mr. Freeman is a swell gentleman, other than his friends and family, have you every heard a single baseball fan clamoring for more Freddie Freeman. 

When I had season tickets, there would be games that I would perk my ears to.  I know this is a bad time to bring this name up but in 2007 / 2008 when the Brewers came to town, they had this budding superstar named Ryan Braun that was from here in the San Fernando Valley and I wanted to check him out.  He had his own section of fans in the outfield.  He played well.  He hit a homerun.  It was quite the show.  Whether helped by testosterone enriched gummy snacks or whatever he was taking, it was quite a show to see.  In subsequent years, he led his team to the playoffs and won the league’s MVP.  He was someone you wanted to go to a game to see, even as an opposing player.

I’m pretty sure Freddie Freeman doesn’t come with the same fan fare when the Atlanta Braves are touring the country.

That was my only real argument that Puig should have been in the All Star Game.  Never mind the naysayers who bemoaned that he’d only played for six-plus weeks and didn’t deserve to be in the All Star Game.  Well by that theory, no rookie or even second year pitcher should ever be in an All Star Game because they only pitch every fifth day.  Matt Harvey of the Mets started the All Star Game and he only “played” in less than 20 games.  “But Harvey is a phenom and an attraction”, well so was / is Puig.  Of course he’s not going to continue hitting .430 and hitting homers every other game.  But during the short time he's been in the majors, he has been electrifying.  He was all anyone wanted to talk about.  While the Dodgers were drowning in last place and Mattingly’s job seemed as if it was on the line game by game, the legend of Puig was growing.  Why deprive the fans of baseball the chance to watch of the most exciting players in baseball.  God forbid Puig gets an AB in an All Star game and then turns out to be a bust.  We must not have such a blemish like that tarnish the MLB record books.  Nary a liar, nor cheat, nor racist, nor felon, nor etc. has ever graced a baseball field; and they never will corrupt America's pastime, by-golly.  We can all agree, the sacred history books of baseball have other problems to worry about than a potential superstar getting a few chances to swing the bat at an All Star Game.

It’s always fun when your team has, not just great, but exciting players.  Sunday, July 28^th, Puig had 3 strikeouts going into the bottom of the 11^th.  With one swing and crack of the bat, GAME OVER.  There was no question, that ball was gone.  A game winning homerun was exactly what the Dodger’s needed and all the Puig haters to shut up.  Later on Sunday, I was at a family dinner and there was a Padre fan in attendance.  He was amazed at how great Puig looked and how fast the Dodgers had turned their season around.  He implanted the “What if” the Dodgers had been healthy all year scenario in my head.  Immediately I ran off five “What if’s”:

Puig starts the whole season?

Greinke doesn’t get hurt and has to sit out for most of the first half?

Hanley Ramirez doesn’t start on the DL and plays like a potential MVP for the whole season?

Crawford’s inconsistent return from injuries?

Finally, Matt Kemp’s constant battle with the DL?

I’ve seen more of Anthony Weiner’s Louisville Slugger than Kemp on a lineup card.

Amanda Bynes and Lindsey Lohan have had more court appearances than Kemp has plate appearances.

C’mon, do a third one…umm…well…I’ll try… The only thing that's had a worse showing than Kemp this year was R.I.P.D. (That's too cruel.  I love you Kempy, I can't compare you to that train-wreck.  Just please get better and stay healthy.  Don't even watch Contagion or Outbreak.)

Kemp, find Kobe and just do whatever he's doing.  Don't ask, just do it.  If he's in Germany, I want you in Germany.  If he's taking stem cells from fetuses, I need you taking the same stem cells.

Enough fun and games, we’re talking “What if’s” here.  We finally have a roster that is almost healthy.  Aside from Kemp and Crawford, our lineup has been consistent and when ever these two players can contribute, the Dodgers become playoff favorites.  We’ve got 3 ½ quality starters, one of which might be the next Colfax (you can calm down Greinke, I’m talking about Kershaw).  Imagine if Kemp could play and be at least half the player he has been for the past few years?  The only things We’re (yes the Royal We) is a good third baseman and a steady / more reliable bullpen and closer.  I’m not sure that Carlos Marmol, who by all accounts the Cubs couldn’t wait to get rid of, is who I’m banking a World Series run on but I’ll take it.

I’ve tried to temper my Dodger fever but after a 20 strike-out game, featuring the SO hat-trick by 4 players, for Puig to rock a walk-off homerun is just pure enjoyment and excitement for the rest of the year.  These are the games that great seasons are made of.  Taking 3 of 4 from the Reds, a top tier team in the NL for sure, is something not to go unnoticed.  The Reds were seen as World Series contenders at the begging of the season.

The most impressive stat is the 8-0-3 series record over the last eleven series played.  Baseball is not about being perfect.  All great teams are beatable.  Any team can be on the wrong side of the other teams pitching Ace and you’re going to loose 9 out of 10 times.  It’s what you do with the rest of the games OR the 1 out of 10 times you beat that Ace. 

Here’s a side question for you seam-heads.  What’s worse, winning 2 of 3 but you’re beating say the 4^th and 5^th starter on the Astros OR winning the one game against a teams Ace but loosing the other two games to go 1 for 3 on a series?  I say it’s worse to win the two games.  The reason is, those are games you should be winning.  If you’re a middling team, then yes, all you’re trying to do is rack up wins however and against whomever you can.  But if you’re trying to show that you’re a World Series team, you want to beat 1^st and 2^nd starters.  If you’re good / lucky enough to make it into the playoffs, you’re going to see the other team’s best pitchers.  You need to know that your pitchers can keep up with the other Aces (which Kershaw and Greinke can certainly do) and you can score just enough runs to win the close games. 

To win series after series, or in this case not get beat in a series, the team has to be locked in every game.  There are no nights off.  Sure, you’ll loose a few games here and there but you’re not letting the losses pile up.  To win series after series, no matter who the opponent is, that means you’re winning the easy games, tough games and lucky games.

Starting tonight, the Yankees are in town.  The Yankees, albeit not Murder’s Row, are still “The Yankees” and to win a series against them will only boost the Dodger’s confidence.  This series will be telling because Yankee / Dodgers will be a high profile series.  We’ll see if the team is ready for the bright lights (which can be as intimidating as a good pitcher).  The Yankees are a team the Dodgers should beat.  In the next week or two, if the Dodgers can stay hot and put some distance on the rest of the NL West, then to have Kemp come back (hopefully for the rest of the year), we’ll be in a great position for a post season run. 

Lastly, I have to address this picture of Puig sliding in on his game winning homerun.  He’s the spark that this team needed.  Who cares if he runs to third base when he hits the ball or doesn’t stop running until he’s tagged out or has never seen a pitch he doesn’t like. I’d love to see an over / under on Puig’s pitches per plate appearance, it’s got to be 5 pitches?  Regardless, Puig is awesome.  “Wild Stallion” was a perfect call by Vin Scully on Sunday.  You never know what you’ll get but Puig is going to put on a show.  Unlike most cases, I think it’s an advantage to be so young, doesn’t speak the language, is in Los Angeles (transplant / Spanish speaking central) and isn’t the only superstar in the city like if he were playing for Kansas City, Cleveland or Arizona where he’d be the biggest celebrity in town right now.  Also, the LA press isn’t as desperate to create and destroy players like Boston or New York.  Those towns would be scrutinizing every over-run base or quick strikeout.  These “pluses” should help allow him to grow as a person and a player without all the pressure that other young studs like Bryce Harper or Matt Harvey must be under.  Also, the Dodgers have a roster of better players like Kemp and Kershaw that will take some of the spotlight away from Puig.  If we could live with Manny being Manny, we certainly can live with Puig being Puig.

All-in-all, the Dodgers have come around to being a great story and something that the LA sports scene has needed in 2013.  We don’t have football (Which by the way NFL, this is fine with 99% of the people who live here.  We don’t need a new team or some other city’s throwaway team like the Jags.)  and our basketball teams (Which is what this city is, a basketball city) both experienced huge disappointments this year.  The Kings doing well is great but no one really cares until they make a decent run for the cup, but they ended on a whimper.  When the Dodgers are rolling, there’s a special fire that gets lit under the city.  Vin Scully seems to be coming out of every speaker and Dodger blue starts to cover all the city’s woes for a few hours a night.  As Vin would put it, “It’s time for Dodger baseball!”

What's the Puig Deal?

For a player that has had, arguably, the best six week debut in baseball history; Yasiel Puig has caused a massive debate over whether he is worthy of being in an All Star Game and assertions regarding his attitude and the roll of a rookie player.

I love baseball.  It’s the most American of sports (it’s slow and lazy, has no time frame, you can be 100 pounds overweight and still be a great player, talent trumps everything and if you’re the best there is no limit to how much you can make).  It’s the oldest of the four major sports in America and it’s the one that has changed the least during its time.  Other than the recent (and current) steroid debate, the reason why baseball’s record book means so much is because the sport is essentially the same as it was 100 years ago.  If, we can table the steroid debate for just this article and agree that you could have horse testosterone pumping through your veins, being “stronger, faster, bigger” doesn’t help you “hit the ball, throw the ball or catch the ball” which are the three staples of baseball. Mickey Mantle would be one of the best players today and conversely Miguel Cabrera would be a Triple Crown threat 60 years ago.  Do you doubt that if the Dodgers put out Sandy Colfax and Clayton Kershaw as their one/two pitchers, they wouldn’t dominate in any decade?  You couldn’t take football players from the 40’s and put them in the NFL now, they’d get killed.  Would the Minnesota Lakers win even one game against the 2001 or 2011 Los Angeles Lakers in a seven game series?  The games have changed and the players have changed.  In baseball, you still need to hit the ball and no steroid in the world can help you with that.  The “traditions” of baseball are where we run into the debate and issues people have about Yasiel Puig.

The debate this week is, “Should Yasiel Puig be an All Star?”  The reasons for is that he has burst onto the scene like no one who has ever played before.  In just the first few weeks in the majors he’s been electrifying and we could be seeing one of the best players to ever play the game, of course he should be an All Star.  The reasons against is that he’s barely played 40 games in the majors and a player who may just be riding a hot streak shouldn’t be put into the All Star Game.  There’s no evidence that he could be out baseball in two years.  To become an All Star, you need to show that you’re the best of the best and if not for your first year but at least for the entirely of the first half of the season.  Some people would debate that no rookie should be in the All Star game at all but if they are, they should have had to play since opening day.  Puig was brought up late to the majors (mainly because of MLB’s CBA rules and bringing up a rookie after a certain amount of games already played allows the team to have control over the player’s rights for an extra year) and has played about half as many games as all the other participants in the All Star game this year.

As of July 11, 2013 Puig’s number are .392 average / 1.054 OPS / 8 HR / 19 RBI.  The only thing low is the RBI but he’s hitting 2^nd and considering he’s gotten over 50 hits, we’ll excuse his low-ish totals (extrapolate his RBI over a full season, you're still looking at a number over 80).  Double all these numbers for a full half and you’re talking about MVP numbers.  Puig has a cannon for an arm and runs like the wind.  Unfortunately he “runs until he’s tagged out” so sometimes he can frustrate you with his decision making.  Consider that he’s going to be 23 years old this year and that this is his first year of “American” baseball (he’s a defector from Cuba) all his shortcomings can be easily corrected with time and coaching. 

All you need to know as to if he should be an All Star is two things.  One, re-read the first line of the last paragraph.  He’s a monster player.  Maybe it’s only for a season or two but right now he is all anyone can talk about.  Henley Ramirez is hitting .400+ since coming back from injury for the Dodgers and that would be the headline in every newspaper if not for this Puig kid.  The Dodgers were 9 ½ games back in the division and after sweeping the Diamondbacks, they’re now just 1 ½ games back.  He’s the hottest name in the league, on a historic franchise.  He should be carried on the backs of other players to the All Star game.  Secondly, the All Star game is an exhibition game.  It’s to show off the best in baseball and it’s for the fans.  People want to see this guy play.  Since he wasn’t officially on the All Star ballot, people had to write in his name.  Puig received the highest amount of write-in votes in the history of the current All Star voting process.

The two rules that are the most ridiculous rules in baseball are that the All Star game winning team decides which league, NL or AL, will get the home field advantage for the World Series.  The other is that every team gets a player to represent each team.  So, even the dreadful Houston Astros have someone from their team who is an All Star.  This rule alone diminishes the brand “All Star”.  There are at least half a dozen guys playing in the All Star game that are solely there because their team MUST have a representative.  Whether he ends up being a one season wonder or an all time great, he’s on fire now and MLB should trot him out there to entertain the crowd.  Let’s not forget, the whole point of having sports, AND having an All Star Game to begin with, is to entertain the audience.  This is an exhibition game for the fans to see all the best players at the same time.

I’m sure Freddie Freeman is a fine man and he’s got decent stats.  But no one gives a shit about seeing Freddie Freeman at the All Star game.  Due to some half assed plan, cooked up by the Toronto Blue Jays and the Atlanta Braves where they both voted for each other’s candidates, Freddie Freeman is going to the All Star game.  I could write 1000 words on this travesty and how this damages the integrity of baseball more than any steroid issue could but I’ll leave it to this one quip… This Toronto / Atlanta team-up sounds like the fifth Lethal Weapon movie.  The white pot smoking cop that doesn’t play by the rules, teams up with the black no nonsense southern cop that has a chip on its shoulder for being passed up for promotion because of the color of his skin; they get together to figure out who was secretly behind the fleecing and grand theft of the Miami public’s money when its baseball team was held hostage for a new stadium and tax incentives.  This episode would be called, Maple Town Freaknik and the case of the slippery Marlin.

Here is the true problem.  If this was a white player that had come up through the traditional farm system or out of college, MLB would find a place for him.  The truth is that Puig is an enigma to everyone.  He’s as black as Hispanics get.  He doesn’t speak English.  He’s literally “off the boat.”  He’s seen as a totally raw talent that doesn’t listen to authority.  He’s eccentric.  He’s seen as not giving the proper respect to veteran players.  His translator has been reprimanded for trying to get women’s phone numbers on behalf of Puig.  He rarely does interviews.  And the sin of all sins in sport, he’s cocky while being young and hasn’t won anything.  I don’t play the race / ethnic card very often.  In fact I despise it 99% of the time.  But let’s face it; race and baseball have had a long history.  As we celebrate Jackie Robinson, let’s also remember why we have to.  Puig is Mike Trout with better numbers.  He’s Bryce Harper but with consistency.  Matt Harvey is the Mets’ pitcher who will be starting the All Star game this year.  He’s a rookie as well but he’s played the whole first half.  This is not to knock Harvey, who looks like he’ll be apart of the Cy Young talk for the next 10+ years, but he only plays every 5^th day.  He’s played in less games than Puig but he gets to not only be in the All Star game but will start because it’s in Mets CITI Field, and guess what… he happens to be white.

Puig is young, rich, doesn’t speak the language, he chases women, likes to party, he’s new to Los Angeles (one of the most dangerous cities to be all the above in) and plays a reckless exciting brand of baseball.  If you had all these things going for you, what would you do?  How would you act being a defector to a new country?  How did all of us act at 23 years old?  Should his punishment be to be left out of the All Star game?  If he continues his current play, he could very well be the MVP or lead the Dodgers to at least the playoffs.  Then we’ll look back at the 2013 season and be dumbfounded that this guy, who sparked a drowning team, saved the coach from being fired and set the league on fire, didn’t make the All Star game?

He should be in the All Star game without all this debate.  The plus side of the debate is that he’ll probably get more recognition than if he’d just been voted into the game normally.  God willing, he’ll keep up his awesome play for the rest of the season.  As a Dodger unabashed “homer”, if Kemp can get healthy, we’re looking at a lineup with Puig, Gonzalez, Kemp, Ramirez and whatever you can get out of the Ethier / Crawford duo as the heart of the lineup?!  Nothing could make me happier or sounds scarier for opposing pitchers. 

Sports have become Religions, Corporations and Monopolies.  Writers, enthusiasts, owners, players (mostly veterans and retired players) and management all forget what is at the heart of sport.  It’s supposed to be fun and entertaining.  My favorite line is from Tim Kirchen, an ESPN writer / analyst, is “Every time you go to a game, you’ll see something you’ve never seen before.”  With Puig playing, you’re chances of that “something” being amazing multiplies by 1000%.   

Then again, looks who’s talking.  My blood runs Dodger Blue.  I could be bias.

When success becomes a problem. What a bad season for the Kentucky Wildcats means for their program.

I don’t proclaim to be the best college sports fan.  As with everyone, I root for jerseys in college sports.  It’s the nature of the beast.  Especially in basketball when players are one-and-done or leave anytime after their first year.  I don’t subscribe to ANY high school watching.  I never watched a Lebron high school game, sure I took note of this up and coming kid, but I just don’t believe in watching any nationally televised High School anything unless I have some personal interest or investment in that school. 

The closest thing that I may do is watch the All-American football or basketball games where it’s basically graduated / graduating seniors at an all star game where these are the kids that we’ll be seeing at the next level.  Most of my attention is to how each kid choose his school (again, not that I care because they often don’t turn out to be anything) and to see the family reactions.  I loved this kid on last years Underarmor football game, sitting with his whole family, the happiest day of his life, he’s thinking he’s making the best choice / announcement of his life and goes, “I’ll be playing for Alabama” then looking at his mother, let’s just say Momma wasn’t happy.  She wanted her baby boy to go to LSU (I could have the schools flipped, but it doesn’t matter).  When mom’s not happy, no one is happy.  I often wonder if he still went with his choice or had his mind changed.  Also, because I’m cynical of all these choices that are made by (or for, in most cases) these children, I wonder if the mom was pissed because one school was better than the other academically and knew that the reality of her son playing football was still just a dream and he should take advantage of the only thing that is truly given to these players (a free education) or was she more sold that going to her choice of school would insure that her son have a better chance to make it to the Pros?  Or she could have just been a big LSU Tiger’s fan.  Maybe LSU’s colors worked better her wardrobe.  What was most curious was that all the other family members agreed with the kid.  Mom was the ONLY one who didn’t want her son to go to Alabama?  Surely she knew ahead of time and you’d think the whole family would be together on this decision.  It’s not like USC vs Florida where he would be so far away she’d never see him.  I need to know more!  Other than that, I won’t spend two seconds of thought on High School CHILDREN. 

Having said all this, I know that colleges need to get their basketball players from somewhere.  You can’t just pluck them off the street courts via creepy old guy street agents who roam the parks and rec centers for young boys who are good at playing with balls (yes, I compared street agents to child molesters.  Come after me street agents.). 

Without getting into all the good, bad and ugly of the NBA’s age limits or the notion of one-and-dones and all the other bad parts of college sports, this is a thought about the problem Kentucky basketball is going to have in the wake of all of their recent success and the nature of their success.

For the past few years, Coach Calipari has done an excellent job of turning Kentucky into the best NBA factory.  For how much I despise how the kids are treated leading up and through the farce of college sports, I actually admire Coach Cal.  He’s performing his job within the boundaries of the NCAA and NBA rules (at least at Kentucky…and at least so far).  Not for a second do I believe when Coach Cal is listing the top 5, hell top 10, reasons to go to Kentucky basketball do the words, “you’ll graduate with a great education” ever pop up.  Maybe he slips up once or twice and HAS to say it, like you HAVE to say I love you to your girlfriend / wife when you leave the house.  Trust me, “later bitch” doesn’t have the same welcome when you come back home.  But I am sure he says, “Keep your nose clean, we’ll help you get through at least the first semester so you’re eligible.  Don’t worry, not every class at Kentucky is algebra or English lit, we have easy bullshit classes just like every other school.  If you work hard enough, you could be a lottery pick in the NBA. THAT I guarantee.”

This is all fine.  Again, I don’t blame Coach Cal.  He’s a great recruiter and a great coach.  He really does turn these kids into great players.  Here’s a list of players that were drafted to the NBA just since the 2008 NBA draft:

Derrick Rose

Joey Dorsey

Chris Douglas-Roberts

Tyreke Evans

Robert Dozier

John Wall

DeMarcus Cousins

Patrick Patterson

Eric Bledsoe

Daniel Orton

Enes Kanter

Brandon Knight

Josh Harrellson

DeAndre Liggins

Anthony Davis

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Terrence Jones

Marquis Teague

Doron Lamb

Darius Miller

That’s twenty (20) in … hold on…I’m counting my fingers…I think that’s what, 5 years?  20 players DRAFTED in just 5 years.  More impressive, is to look at their names.  These aren’t just lucky mid to late round picks.  You’ve got some of the best and future NBA All Stars.  Give me Rose, AD, Cousins, Bledsoe and MKG against any team made up of players drafted in the last 5 years.  You could make a second team up from the leftovers and almost make the playoffs.

Here’s the problem.  So far, in 2013, his kids aren’t that good.  Inherently, you’re going to have a year or two where the Wall’s and Rose’s of the world aren’t passing through.  Not every prospect fulfills their potential.  Not every NBA or NFL draft has Luck and RG3 waiting at the top of the list. 

On average it seems that Coach Cal is turning out 4 – 5 players to the NBA each year.  This leaves space for the next crop of all stars to come in to take their place.  The Kentucky team only has one (1) Senior and one (1) Grad Student.  Let’s just say one of them has 17 minutes of playing time so far this year.  Not average, but total.  If you’re getting regular playing time, you’ve gotten about 450 minutes so far this year.  My point being, with a 12 – 6 record, no one fears that this team will win the championship again.  Again, that’s fine.  That’s the way it should be. 

What about next year?  There’s a whole graduating class of High School Seniors that have their dreams of going to the NBA and a handful of really talented ones want to go to Kentucky, knowing that’s the school and coach that will help get them to the NBA.  But let’s assume that only one player leaves this Kentucky team early.  Assuming the Sr and GS students leave as well, that’s only 3 open spots. 

With the success that Coach Cal has created and the drive that kids have to get to the NBA as fast as they can, I’m sure there are more than 3 five-star recruits looking to join the team next year.  So what do you do if you’re Coach Cal?  My heart tells me he’s a good man and he’s not going to kick off a sophomore or junior that’s working their tails off and getting good enough grades to stay eligible.  However, say you’ve got a group of kids that consists of the next Rose / Wall and AD / Cousins and MKG?  How does he make that decision of who he wants and who will have to “rough it” at North Carolina or Kansas or UCLA (or god please, SDSU)? 

This year Coach Cal has constantly, and correctly, said that this team needs time to gel and learn to play together.  Last year’s team was special.  A group of mainly freshmen and sophomores don’t usually learn to play so well together and unselfishly in just a few months.  What if this team and these players need another year?  Or worse, TWO?

Will the NBA factory dry up for a few years?  I have no doubt that if you give Coach Cal even B+ players, over time he’ll turn the group into a solid title contending team.  But that’s not the job Coach Cal has.  He’s supposed to turn out players each year to the NBA.  He’s supposed to be making final fours and “get these kids the fuck out” (my best Eddie Murphy’s drunk father standup voice).  What if that’s not the case for a few years.  What will the Kentucky brand look like?  An actual college athletic program?  It’s, almost, unthinkable.   Maybe Kentucky will only get one new Rose or AD per year.  Maybe they’ll have to be like…DUKE?!  NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.  “I don’t wanna graduate my students, you can’t make me” a manic Coach Cal screams as he’s curled up in some dark hallway in Rupp Arena. 

In the end, all these kids will be fine.  In fact, this could be the best thing for some of the Kentucky players.  Every year, EVERY YEAR, too many kids think they’re ready for the NBA and leave college early to try and make it in the Pros.  Most of them never realize their dreams of fame, fortune and championships.  They’d be better served staying in college.  There are also plenty of other fine colleges that will get who Kentucky can’t and have the coaches to make them into top NBA prospects.  They’ll most likely be one-and-done regardless of the college they go to.  You have to admit; having the Coach Cal label slapped on you sure helps put more eyes on you and gives you the benefit of the doubt.  Would Cousins still be seen as having great potential if not for his time at Kentucky and Coach Cal’s blessing.

Success in the college world is so fleeting for the schools and especially for the players.  That’s why it’s so rare to have schools and coaches that are successful for years, multiple classes, generations or decades.  Syracuse, Duke, UCLA, North Carolina, Kentucky, Kansas and Indiana are such rarities that we don’t often take a step back and see what true success is.  It’s not just one class of freshmen.  We should be judging them on more than the last two years. 

Unfortunately when you’re seen as the NBA factory, you’re success is not just winning but how fast you can churn out winners, mold these talented but raw kids and move them on.  I wonder if Kentucky looses in the 2^nd round of the NCAA tournament a few consecutive years because they’ve been “saddled” with this crop of players for a few years, will Coach Cal still be seen as having success?  His version of success is a lot different than all the other coaches in the NCAA.

Then again, these are good problems to have.   

Peyton's Power

Wanna see what true power is? Look no further than Peyton Manning.

Yes, it’s sad to see him leave the Colts. I don’t know why but it was. He’s not retiring or dead. Both team and player will go on but for a player and owner to put up such a classy divorce is very rare. We all know this was a business decision that was only made because of a hundred rare occurrences had to take place, but a business decision none the less. Here are just a few things that ALL had to happen to lead up to the Colts cutting Manning:

Andrew Luck comes out for the draft in 2012
Manning has not 1, 2, 3 but FOUR neck surgeries
Manning misses an entire season, which before that he played 14 years and never missed a game
The Colts lost 2 games. Winning 1 more would have knocked them out of the first slot in the draft.
For the first time in 9 years I believe they won less than 10 games. You’d think a team like that could at least win 3 games with a backup QB?
Manning just signed a new contract prior to last year which included a $28 MILLION bonus if still on the team March 9th
Only a grainy cell phone video has come out of Manning passing, no other proof he can play let alone throw a football
Almost all of Manning’s “friends” on the team where in their final year as well, i.e. Saturday and Wayne
No other team in the league, Cleveland / Miami / Jacksonville / St. Louis / Seattle / Minnesota, (just to name a few horrible teams) couldn’t have lost more games than a recent Superbowl champion

It’s such a confluence of events that is almost unbelievable. But they all happened and more, which led the Colts to decide on cleaning house and moving forward to a new era in team history.

As I said, Manning is not dead. By all accounts he’s ready, willing and able to play again. This has made him into the most coveted free agent in NFL history. I can probably only think of 5 – 10 teams that shouldn’t blow up their current roster to get this guy and give him everything he wants. From offensive player selection, signing free agents, whom to draft, what coaches he wants and the plays that he feels comfortable with. As head coach, you basically have become a glorified defensive coordinator. Let Manning be Manning if you’re going to let a man, who will be carried into the Hall of Fame, cook the meal than let him shop for the groceries. Done deal. Even if you think you have a potential QB, you don’t…. Unless you have a QB with the name Brees, Manning, Brady or Rogers; you don’t have a QB as far as this is concerned. I know Stafford and Newton look good. I know teams have invested tons of money into first, second and back up’s waiting for their chance QB’s but forget all that. this is Peyton Manning who could be still in his prime who’s had a years rest. If he can play, you do whatever it takes to get him. Because at this point, you don’t have to give up anything in a trade, it’s just money. Unlike in other sports, the NFL is printing money right now. It’s not just the big markets, it’s every NFL team. So spend some of this money and immediately turn your franchise into a Superbowl contender.

This is what true power is. What’s crazier is that the earlier that Manning decides where he wants to play the more power he’ll have; over the draft and free agent signings. If he waited a month, teams would have already made some of these key decisions. But the sooner Manning finds a home the more control / say the team will be able to give him.

Manning is also the biggest domino to fall. He affects every free agent QB. He will affect what ever team he goes to current QB situation (Smith, Kolb, Schaub all frozen in fear). He will affect how and what position players teams are going to draft. Manning is truly the first domino.

It’s hard to come up with words that have not already been said about this process. For one of the first times that I can remember, this is the most power that any one player has had over any sport. The next few days should be completely fascinating. Then the repercussions of Manning’s decision will also be fun to watch.

The Favre Zombie, but this time it's good!!

It’s that time of year where panic can lead to the improbable to happen. When it comes to the NFL, improbability becomes probably in lesser time than it takes Terrell Pryor to run to the Raiders in the 3rd round of a supplemental draft.



Whether it’s the NFL marketing machine or the fact I like good football and can enjoy excellence for just being excellence or I like cheering for good guys; I’ve always been a fan of Peyton Manning. He’s everything you’d want in a franchise quarterback. I don’t need to go on because if you’re reading this and don’t know all the good things about Manning, then you will never know and probably don’t watch sports or TV at all. Even the most casual of fans has to have seen one of his 20-something endorsements and knows, even peripherally, that he’s a star NFL player and people generally like him.



His “Hall of Fame” ticket is stamped and is waiting for him to retire so that the 5 year clock can start counting down. Not even Tom Brady is as valuble to his team as Manning is. Without Brady a few years ago, the Patriots still where able to win 10 games and make a strong showing. Manning on the other hand is the Colts. Without Manning, can anyone say that they’d win more than 5 games, if that? They can’t run the ball and they’re defense is terrible AND that’s just what their executive say (really, I believe their president, Polian said that this weekend). When their owner, Irsay, tweets that he’s looking for Bret Favre’s street, it blows up the internet.



Most people dismiss this or say it will / would never work. I disagree. For once, I’m on the Brett Favre train. Go get that self-centered egotistical, penis twittering, crock wearing fool. I actually think it’s a great idea.



First off, let’s talk about Manning. Again, HE IS THE FRANCHISE. You sit him and make him realize that this is his neck and no matter what, he needs to come back healthy. In all likelihood they’re not going to the Superbowl. What’s great about Manning is that we can say that today but it wouldn’t be a surprise if they made it, that’s how good he is. He makes the team that good. With a healthy Manning no one would say it’s impossible for the Colts to make the playoffs and go on a 4 game run to end up at or winning the Superbowl. He just signed a new 4 year contract and could easily play a few more years after that. He rarely gets hurt on the field. He hasn’t missed a game, EVER. So as hard as it is, you have to sit him because he’s your meal ticket for the foreseeable future. Even if he were to sit the entire season, if that buys you another healthy 4+ years, you do it. There’s nothing that the consecutive start streak will do for him than he already has going. It’s nice but it’s meaningless in the long run. Favre’s future Hall Pass wasn’t teetering on if he gathered 300 straight starts or even if he had 250. Neither is Peyton’s. It’s a nice feather for your cap but nothing more than a feather.



Why I like Favre in this situation is because



1) He’s a capable QB. He’s smart enough and just enough of a gunslinger that with a dumb’d down version of any offense he can go out there and make plays. No one would expect the clockwork timing of a well run Manning machine but at least he can go out there, read a defense and even if he had to call plays in the huddle could do it.

2) He’s 200% better than any other QB that the Colts have. You know why the Colts haven’t won a preseason game in 3 years? Because their backup QB’s are in them. They’re horrible. The Colts where extremely lucky to get Manning. They’ve drafted well but overall have not put a team around Manning that lessens the load as other teams do. The Colts haven’t had a good defense in 30 years. At best they’ve been able to put together make-shift squads that can last for a few games. Either because of injury or system, they’ve never been able to put a good defense around Manning. They spend most of their resources filling in the RB, WR and TE positions. All meant for Manning to use but seemingly ONLY for Manning to use. I’d pray for Sorji to make a comeback as back up, compared to Painter.

3) Manning is the Alpha dog of the team (credit to Bill Simmons for this theory). What you fear most about Favre is that he comes in and wants to run the team. But this is one of the few teams where everyone knows that as soon as Manning is healthy, he’s the QB. Not even Favre could cause a QB controversy. Even if Favre won every game, a rusty Manning (who may cause a few losses getting his timing back) is worth more than sticking with Favre.

4) There’s a respect for each other and of the game that both Manning and Favre have so that we wouldn’t even have any issues. It’s like when Superman dresses up like Batman. For whatever reason Batman was injured or out of town and Superman had to pose as Batman, there was no question that things would go back to normal the second that Bruce Wayne would return. Even though if Superman wanted too, he could do everything Batman could do and 100 times stronger, it was just a given on whose who and what the respective roles are.

5) It’s sells tickets. I’m sure that the Colts tickets are already sold but it keeps the eyes on the team. If Manning is out for the first few weeks, we will all predict and not care to watch the Colts being dismantled by their opponents. This at least give them and their fans an attraction that isn’t there with any of the Colts current back ups. Also, what owner wouldn’t want a boost of Favre jersey sales? It’s a cheap pop like when a wrestler says, “here in Los Angeles…” and gets a huge pop. It’s cheap and easy but so what.

6) Lastly, it keeps the season alive. As I’ve said, Favre can go out there with any team and at least give them a chance to win. Better than that, the players will at least believe that they can win. As I watch the preseason and interviews, the players seem to know all their hopes ride on # 18 walking back on the field. This way, if they split the first 4 or 6 games, Manning comes back and takes over down the home stretch.

7) Best yet, Favre can walk away quietly and with respect. He didn’t ruin a team. He didn’t throw the game loosing interception in the Conference finals. He didn’t go off as a distraction. Manning is back and it’s time to go back to Hattiesburg.



I’m too tired of hearing the greats and the bads that come with Favre. This is almost a shot of redemption and a way to go off with good will from the NFL fan community for doing a good thing. I think both the Colts and Favre will be better off if they go for this.