Who is Kenny Williams?
He could become the second black man to do what?
By Mike Claiborne
For the St. Louis American
Funny that the national media has yet to mention that the Chicago White Sox’s general manager, Kenny Williams, has a chance to be the second African American to be the GM of a World Series championship team. Williams could join former Yankees’ GM Bob Watson as the only two men of color to have that distinction. The White Sox, who had the best record in the American League in 2005, face the Los Angeles-Anaheim Angels in the American League Championship Series.
A former player, Williams was trained and developed by Jerry Krause. Yeah, the same Jerry Krause who was the GM of the six-time NBA world champion Chicago Bulls. Krause took Williams under his wing and showed him the way. When it was his time, Krause spoke up for Williams to Jerry Reinsdorf, who owns the Bulls and White Sox. It makes you wonder how many other African Americans can get the job done if someone gives them the chance. Thanks, Jerry, and good luck, Kenny.
Martz the scapegoat?
Mike Martz’s taking a leave of absence due to a heart ailment creates a new problems for the Rams. Before his announcement, the team had just been defeated by a team they had no business losing to. The fans have become restless with a team on the brink of being .500. Questions on why certain players play and why others don’t can no longer be avoided. This team is in trouble, and there is no relief in sight.
Don’t be surprised if the Rams look for a scapegoat. Martz could be it. Now you hear terms such as “resignation” and “stepping down,” which could lead you to believe that if he were to go away, some at Rams Park would not shed a tear.
If you want to say that Mike Martz is part of the problem, you won’t get an argument from me. Is he the problem? No. This has been a team effort, and there is enough blame to go around.
We shall see what this team is made of in the next few weeks. Don’t count too much on the Colts game on Monday because of the emotion that surrounds this week. How this team plays after Monday night will be a better indication.
Tony gets it right
I questioned Tony La Russa about using Matt Morris as a starter in Game 3 of the National League Division Series in San Diego. As it turned out, Morris pitched well and the Cardinals clinched the series. Nice going, Tony. Guess you knew that situation better than some of us. The Astros will prove interesting. Cards in 6.
Blues stay blue
One streak will end, and another will continue. The Blues’ streak of making the playoffs for 25 consecutive years will come to an end this year. They have shown early in the season not to be very good, and I do not anticpate that changing in the near future. With respect to a streak continuing, there will be no Stanley Cup in St. Louis for the 38th consecutive year.
Shame on SI
Former Alabama head football coach Mike Price settled out of court with Sports Illustrated last week. Price, who is currently the coach at UTEP, sued SI for defamation of character for printing that he was drunk and kicking it with a stripper before they retired to his hotel room to partake in some off-field hanky panky drills. Once an Alabama court decided that SI could not hide behind the confidential source law, they were done. All the information from the story was determined to be hearsay. Bully for Mike Price. Shame on you, SI.
