Sunday, August 10st 2003
A famous Sports Agent once said, "If you are a celebrity, any publicity is good publicity." Jeremy Shockey certainly has grabbed his share of publicity this past week. With his "homosexual" reference to Bill Parcells, The Dallas Cowboy Head Coach, which was obviously tongue-in-cheek. Nevertheless, the comment has sent a shockwave of fanfare throughout the Sports World. Talk radio and National Sports shows have had a feeding frenzy off the comments that apparently were made in an interview last week with New York Magazine. Ironically, I have yet to read a rebuttle by the so-called target himself, Parcells. One gets the feeling Parcells probably takes it with a grain of salt, like the old man who tells the bothersome youngster, "Go away kid, you bother me."

Shockey, who after only one season, can hardly be compared to the great Tight Ends of the past, just yet. Kellen Winslow, Russ Francis, Dave Casper, Ozzie Newsome and Jay Novacek, among others can certainly breathe easy. Although Shockey, coming off a rookie season with 74 receptions and 12.1 yards per catch, has the potential to be great, even though he only cracked the end zone twice in his rookie season.

These comments smell of another attempt to market oneself as a "Bad Boy", spurred by an agent or himself. After all, it worked for Dennis Rodman, did'nt it? It lined his pockets quite handily. However, for every Dennis Rodman, there is a Ron Artest, or a Bill Romanowski. Rodman imposters, who have never quite cashed in on the image. John Rocker makes racial remarks in an interview and went from being a formidable Major League pitcher, to a Major League flop. Since Shockey resides in New York, maybe he would prefer to be compared with "Broadway" Joe Namath, who so boldly predicted the AFL New York Jets upset over the Baltimore Colts in the 1969 Super Bowl. Oh, but here is a little suggestion, if you are going to be a bad boy and make senseless statements, be on a contending team. Not a team that gets eliminated in the Wild Card Game. It makes for much better drama. At least, Dennis Rodman has a championship ring or two.

There are plenty of Bad Boys throughout football history, who acquired the image by what they did on the field, between the lines, without beating their chest. It is hard to think of a more feared player than Dick Butkus in the 1960's. "Mean" Joe Greene anchored arguably the best defense ever with the Pittsburgh Steelers, "Steel Curtain" defense of the 1970's. Both were fierce on the football field and were labeled by their intensity on the gridiron, not by themselves, but by others. Jack Tatum, who destroyed Wide Receivers, made his mark by his punishing hits, as well as Jack Lambert, who was undersized and over achieved and never backed down from a hit. These were legendary Bad boys, who shocked the world on the Football field with their intense play, not with loose lips.

Jeremy Shockey may go on to become an incredible football player. He, certainly has all the tools to be a force for years to come. But he has not earned the right to direct such comments towards Bill Parcells, whose record speaks for itself, with Super Bowls under his belt, and the ability to take less talent and build a contender. Shockey, who has spent the week, denying the comments, then advising that they were taken out of context, then finally admitting to them and apologizing for them, needs to realize one thing. If you are going to make ignorant comments, with the apparent purpose of publicity, at someone else's expense, then be prepared for the backlash that will come, and be smart enough to have your story straight when it does come. Until then, shut up and play football.

Scott Morgan at the plate for the Knights

Last night I indulged in a big slice of Americana, I took in a Minor League Baseball game in Charlotte. The Charlotte Knights took the Diamond against the Norfolk Tides. I was one of 4368 in attendance to watch the Knights, behind two home runs by Joe Borchard, defeat the Tides 8-5. If you ever need to be reminded why baseball is "America's favorite pastime", go to a Minor League ballgame.

Mike at Knights Castle

Despite Major League Baseball's best effort to destroy baseball the way it was meant to exist, by stripping away traditions that have made the game great for a century. Minor League baseball still posesses the innocence and best exemplifies the boyhood dreams of becoming a Big Leaguer. These players truly are players who play for the love of the game, playing hard with the hope of playing on the next level. Smiles are in abundance, no different than that of a Little Leaguer after making a great catch, as the Tides centerfielder, Esix Snead showed after robbing a Knight batter of at least a double on a diving stab. These players haven't separated themselves from the fans, as many Major Leaguers have done, because they are not that far away from simply being fans themselves. The visiting Tides players tossed balls to fans behind the dugout, and were easily accessible to autograph seekers. Even recently demoted New York Mets outfielder, Tsuyoshi Shinjo, couldn't help to smile, as fans behind the dugout sarcastically chanted "Shinjo, Shinjo", as if it was Ichiro stepping to the plate.

The beauty of Minor League Baseball is the common thread it has with fans anywhere in the Country. I recently attended a Kannapolis Intimidator game, and the fans of Kannapolis, a town with a population around 38044, are no different in the way they are loyal to their club, as the N.Y. Mets, or Los Angeles Dodgers, cities with populations in the millions. Baseball fans who cheer in Batavia for their Muckdogs, or in Delmarva for their Shorebirds realize the connection they have with the Baltimore Orioles, or the Philadelphia Phillies. And the bond is quite evident, as current Major Leaguers have found themselves in such towns as Erie, Altoona, and Round Rock at one time or another, honing their skills that would eventually propel them to the Big Leagues.

Little Leaguers with Knights in Pregame

It all starts in the Little Leagues as 10 year olds find themselves playing for teams with names like the Braves, and Astros, pretending they are Gary Sheffield or Jeff Bagwell, putting on their jerseys with pride. And therein lies the web of baseball in America. It is a game that touches people young and old. It is a game played in fields in every corner of this Country, by young and old. In cornfields and streets, and school yards throughout. And while Major League Baseball may possibly have lost some of it's luster over the years, go to a Minor League Game and watch the Little kids with glove in hand, hoping to catch a stray foul ball. Smell the hotdogs, hear the crack of the bat, and take that stretch in the 7th Inning and sing, "Take me out to the Ballgame". Watch the Boys of Summer play America's game, and have a big slice of Americana.

It is hard to imagine getting excited about a baseball team which is 3 games under .500, but as a Baltimore Orioles fan, I have enjoyed following this team as much as any Oriole team of late. Seeing as though it has been several years since the Orioles were in a pennant race, any spark of excitement is welcomed.

What makes this team so much fun to follow, is that it is an assembly of players from the Minor Leagues and throw-in players from previously traded veterans, as the Orioles made an effort to strip down the weight of salaries of overpriced veterans. Gone is Albert Belle, Rafael Palmeira, Roberto Alomar, and Mike Mussina. Now taking center stage are the likes of Jay Gibbons, Melvin Mora, Sidney Ponson, and Rodrigo Lopez. With the departure of legendary Oriole Cal Ripken, Jr. and longtime fan favorite Brady Anderson, this ballclub has made a dramatic transformation.

It reminds of the Baltimore Orioles of the 1970's, and early 1980's, who steered clear of free agents and depended on the development of players from their farm system. Although, their team was sprinkled with players acquired from free agency and trades, the core of their teams were home grown talent from the Minor Leagues. Young players who developed into solid Major Leaguers under the care and nurture of the farm, in such cities as Miami, Charlotte, and Rochester. I was witness to the rise of Stars Eddie Murray, and Cal Ripken in Double A ball in Charlotte and watched them become superstars in Baltimore Oriole Jerseys. Even during this era of buying players over developing them, I am fond of teams who still build a solid foundation of players in the Minor Leagues, and are successful. The Atlanta Braves are a prime example. They have, arguably, the best Minor League system, and their success over the last decade and a half is evident.

I realize that this is probably a brief breath of fresh air in Baltimore, with a squad full of potential solid ballplayers rising together. With the Free Agency sharks looming, players like Melvin Mora, Jorge Julio, Jay Gibbons and David Segui will be prime candidates, in the future, to take the money and run to another club. The likelyhood of Sidney Ponson being traded to a contender this year, seems imminent. But I cant help to enjoy this group of young ballplayers fight to finish over .500. The immediate future looks bright for this team, and I can only hope that Oriole Management will lock down as many of these young players as possible, with contracts that will keep them in Camden Yards together, for some time. I don't know if we will witness another Cal Ripken again, an Oriole for life, but it would be fun to watch this group of upstart Orioles together for the next few years. I think they are on to something, and maybe in the near future, I will be beaming with excitement, with this squad chasing a pennant, instead of .500.

It occured to me as I watched the President Bush bashers go after his misfortunate statement during his State of the Union Address, how Politics have seemed to become more important than the good of the Country, and even the World. When I ask anyone if the World is a better place with or without Saddam Hussein in power, nobody will say with Saddam Hussein. Yet, they will attack everything that our Commander-in-Chief did to remove that problem.

Surely the Democrats agree that a Man with a Human Rights record such as Saddam Hussein should not be in power. A Man who murdered and tortured countless innocent people in the most horrific ways. A Man who ruled by fear, who systematically annihilated the Kurdish population by the tens of thousands. A Leader who killed around 40 of his own relatives, who has raped countless women. Certainly, Democratic opposition would not support a man who has been documented as having used chemical weapons against Iraqis and Iranians. It has been stated that in the past 5 years, over 400,000 Iraqi children have died of malnutrition and disease, and Saddam Hussein has refused any type of humanitarian effort such as the "Oil for Food program", and has not allowed Human Rights Monitors into his Country. Politicsaside, is Iraq a better Country with or without this Man?

Personally, I could care less how we removed this Man, or what reason we used to do it. I don't care if we find one weapon of mass destruction, the evidence of barbarianism in the worse degree is enough for me. Whether we like it or not, we are the peacekeepers and Police of the World. As the lone Superpower, we are the only Country capable of this. Having said that, if Saddam Hussein were any person in this Country commiting the type crimes he has, would he not bebrought to justice? Obviously, this played out on a World stage, but the same principles should apply to anyone no matter where in this World they are, when the lives of innocent and Free people are threatened.

Sometimes it is evident, that politics get in the way of what is good and right. Unless you subscribe to the actions of this evil dictator, this isn't the time or place for politics. There will be political battles left to fight another day. But I am not naive, and I know this is the Political Season, and with the 2004 Elections ahead, this is a chink in the armour for the President. It saddens me, though, that with soldiers still in danger in Iraq, the President is having to defend himself for 16 words, out of a speech in which he laid out numerous facts as to why Saddam Hussein must be removed. And make no mistake about it, despite what some of these news organizations "choose" to televise, the Iraqi people are glad Saddam Hussein is gone. While the future may look unclear to them at this time, once the dust has settled on the collapse of an evil regime, it will become increasingly clear. The undoing of almost 25 years of hatred does not happen overnight.

I support our President during these tough times. Some people do not think we should get involved anywhere but at home, some say we should not even deal with other Nations. It certainly would be much easier to just ignore the rest of the World's problems, and we should absolutely take care of ourselves first. However, it takes a strong individual to take an action knowing the controversy that will be thrown his way. But when you fight the good fight, and do what you know is the right thing, you are a man of Conviction. While I have never said President Bush was perfect, he may be rough around the edges, and he will certainly make his share of mistakes. I would much rather have a Leader in place who is at least willing to attempt to do the right thing, rather than one who says all the right things but sits on his hands. President Bush took the initiative to remove a well documented evil dictator, 16 words pale in comparison to this.

David Stern must be cringing. Within a ten day period, Kobe Bryant, Damon Stoudamire, Darrell Armstrong and Jerry Stackhouse were arrested. Chris Webber and Glenn Robinson were convicted of Criminal Contempt and Assault and Domestic Battery, respectively. All prior to Signing Day. A day when the signings of Karl Malone and Gary Payton are expected with the Lakers. Jason Kidd and Alonzo Mourning with the Nets, and a handful of others around the league.

If ever a league needed an injection of positive news, the NBA needs a dose now. Out of all the negative news, the biggest surprise is Kobe Bryant. And, although, the powers to be are still sifting through evidence before determining if charges will be filed, one has to wonder if the allegations will taint one of the leagues most popular Stars. Bryant has been the poster child for the Squeaky Clean, Say all the right things, Positive Image Department of the NBA, until now.

In this perception is greater than reality World we live in, do we really know the athletes we watch excel in the Arena's and Stadiums of the World? That is not to say that there aren't athletes out there who are the way they appear and we perceive them, but quite frankly, we don't know them any more than we know Adam's Housecat.

While I applaud any athlete who takes it upon themselves to be a role model, and make every effort to portray that image, the fall is much harder for those of that mold when they find themselves on the opposite side of the Law. I am hoping that Kobe Bryant will be cleared of any wrongdoing in this case, for the sake of the kids out there who idolize him, appreciate his cleancut image, and try to follow the example he has led.

In a stereotypical society, such as the one we live in, there are the Allen Iverson's of the world and there are the Kobe Bryant's. Whether right or wrong, nobody would be surprised if this was Allen Iverson we were talking about, but it is Kobe Bryant, so everyone is shocked. Maybe Charles Barkley was right when he said, "I'm not a role model". Maybe we should keep these ballplayers in their proper perspective. Even the greatest have fallen short. As great as Michael Jordan was, and as image conscious as he has been, he has found himself in the negative light at times. But, myself, I would rather see an athlete portray a positive image at the Arena's, and when the camera's are rolling, and if they fall short then we will just deal with that if it happens. The Sports World needs more positive influences, because there is no escaping the fact that kids look up to them, and become them on the playgrounds of the World. Let's just hope they pay no attention to the Police Blotters around the Country.