Well, here we go again. We have another baseball player who tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. It was Manny Ramirez this time. You remember Manny. This is the same guy who went out of his way to tank it while playing for Boston so he could get traded. The same guy who held the Los Angeles Dodgers hostage over a contract that dragged out through the winter only to see the same numbers when it was all said and done.
This is the same player who is certainly different from your run of the mill pro athlete that he shows and says what is needed in order to get what he wants. OK, I get it only this time when Manny tested positive he had a priceless excuse. It was better than the dog eating his homework, even when you have gold fish instead of a dog.
Manny tested positive for a women’s fertility drug. A drug that is also used by steriod users to cycle off the using period, along with helpng with erectile disfunction. So, let me get this straight. Manny would never use this drug to enhace his play on the field so it has to be he needs to get a few more swings in off the field. Or, he may be looking to challenge the “Octomom”. Lord knows he has shown signs of instability in the past much like the woman who thought it was a good ida to have eight kids without any visible means of support.
If you choose any of these choices, it makes you wonder how big of fools does Manny and his agent Scott Boros think America must be? But then again does America care? Aside form the normal talk show “I told you so” banter most have come to the conclusion that game has a problem that cannot be fixed because no one trusts the leadership from the commissioner to the union. In all, if you look at the attendance, in the midst of some of the prior scandals involving performance enhancing drugs, it has gone up. Fans have just taken the notion that it is what it is.
The unfortunate element here is that this generation will be under scrutiny for quite some time. In the eyes of many, most are guilty until proven inocent. It is sad, but true. Today’s players have been selective in speaking out about this issue because they may be lockering next to a user whereas he may help their team win. Or, it may be a friend or they may be using themselves.
Did you ever notice how when the Manny thing came up, there were just a small number of players who spoke out about it to the point they were glad Ramirez was caught cheating? In the end, it’s all window dressing for those who could have an impact on how much money can be made in the future.
Few fans have said they will not follow the game anymore because of players testing positive. How many fans will turn in their season tickets in protest to players still testing positive? Seldom, if it ever happens at all. Until that happens, or major sponsors elect to not support the game will you see anything really happen. Then, when you think about it, there will be some fan looking to get on board as well as new sponsor to take the place of those who have left. In short, it’s business as usual.
Hey NBA Refs, Here Comes Another Bus
Is it me or everytime I finish watching a NBA playoff game, the league is issuing a statement saying their officials missed a call or didn’t penalize a player after the fact?
This is the only league that routinely throws their officials under the bus. The reason is simple. After the betting scandal involving an NBA referee last season that saw him throwing games, the league is certainly conscious of trying to get the call right… after the fact. Wonderful. Nothing like being told the next day that they blew it and you still lose.
So here is my question. Are the NBA refs that bad or is the NBA just too honest to let you know that they are human? Surely, the worst officials don’t reside solely in the NBA. The other sports have their fair share of bad guys, but the NBA just wants you to know that they know who they are, and thats really
Comforting, especially after you have been eliminated.
In the end, had the teams who are always whining made another shot or played a little harder on defense, perhaps the outcome would have been different. It is strange though to see a league throw their guys under the bus. What is really ironic is when a coach or a player points out that same flaw after the game to media, the fine starts at $25,000.
That’s retty pricey to be right and to have the league later agree with you. Oh well, if there is one group of players and coaches that can afford it, it might be the NBA. It doesn’t make it right, but this is he hand they have been dealt.
There are a few things to take into account here. Being an official in any pro sport is harder now than ever. Because TV has so many angles and cameras at games, it is too easy to be second-guessed. The other item is there are too many games and not enough good officials. Have you ever noticed how the officiating in the first round of the playoffs is suspect? The reason being the less games you have the more good officials
you have availiable. That is not counting the ones who sit at home and officiate.