Maybe it's the fact that I am a tad hungover (The Missus and I have decided to finish off our mostly empty or already refrigerated bottles of libations rather than move them...makes sense right? Probably, until you have one -- one -- glass of Chardonnay from a bottle that probably should have been opened some time ago, and the next morning you feel like you had done shots of Tequila all night), but there is a lot going on in sports that has me a bit tight:
Link: ESPN.com - MLB - Bonds was on 24-hour IV.
There is no answer to when Bonds might return because he is no longer dealing with the aftermath of "just" a baseball injury or "just" a knee operation. He is dealing with a potentially serious post-operative infection that left him essentially immobilized at the time.
This latest development in the Revenge of the Roids pretty much convinces me Barry Bonds was a heavy steroid user. Sure, most decided that long ago, but I really do hold to the innocent-until-proven-guilty concept. Having a larger than average mellon just wasn't enough for me.
But depression (remember his odd impromptu press conference during spring training?) and a weakened immune system are all signs of withdrawal from steroid use. This for me is the last straw, the needle that broke the camel's back, etc.
However, no matter how you feel about Bonds, you should be concerned about his overall health. Not only is the infection serious, but so are the side-effects of being on such heavy duty anti-biotics.
Link: ESPN.com - League chiefs oppose 'one size fits all' drug testing bill.
The commissioners of Major League Baseball, the NBA and the NHL said Wednesday they want stricter drug policies -- and told Congress they have concerns about a "one-size-fits-all" steroid-testing law that would govern all U.S. pro sports.
Me too. Each sport has unique issues that are inherent to their particular sport. To think that a blanket drug policy for all is rather obtuse thinking. It's the classic over-reach of government.
Link: Lofton can't stand negativity in Philly (phillyBurbs.com)...And frankly, neither can I. Look, no one thought this Phillies team was going to have a good year more than me, and so I'm just as disappointed as the next person. However, I think everyone that "boos" should try and remember what it was like to put effort into something only to not succeed. It's happened to all of us, have some sympathy.
Don't misunderstand, I'm not settling for losing, and people should be held accountable. If David Bell, Mike Lieberthal, et al truly can't play good baseball anymore, then the situations need to be addressed. But please stop booing players who are obviously trying their best to do much much better. Boo laziness, not physical limitations.
Probably what has me thinking this way is last night's Balls, Sticks, & Stuff game thread/chatter. There were 131 comments made, the clear majority of which were by Cardinals fans (thankfully, Enrico carried the Phillies phlag). It's one of the many signs that they support their team. Admittedly, I am jealous of the type of enthusiastic fans that teams like the Cardinals can claim as their own. And don't think it is merely because the team has a long history of winning that their fans are supportive. Just take a look at the loyalty and enthusiasm being displayed every night in RFK.
Speaking of negativity on the part of the media:
Link: With game on line, red-hot Abreu fails to deliver (phillyBurbs.com)...What kind of headline is that Randarino? He is the best offensive player in baseball right now, and you make it sound like the loss was his doing. He homered again! The ninth time in ten games. Later on in the article, Randarino (sounds like the name of a Saturday Night Live caricature) passes on some probable Phillie roster moves:
To make room for Thome and Lofton, the Phillies are likely to drop to 11 pitchers for the first time. The best bets to go are rookie first baseman Ryan Howard, who was a late scratch on Wednesday with a sore left hamstring, and rookie right-hander Rob Tejeda.
I can probably go along with demoting Howard if the hamstring injury (the team is cursed by the way) truly limits his effectiveness, but demoting Tejeda is nothing more than Wade and Manuel's distaste for non-veteran players. During last night's game, Tejeda pitched three scoreless innings of relief against a very good lineup. Have they not noticed that the bullpen is not exactly full of players that can do that?
My other ideas for the team: Obviously, this is the type of thing that One Chair would say in his "King of the World" columns, but if it was up to me, I would have everyone -- with the exception of Chase Utley and Bobby Abreu, because if it ain't broke, don't fix it -- take hours of batting practice hitting the ball to the opposite field. And then, when they have no more strength in their bodies, I would make them watch hours of footage of Tony Gwynn at-bats.
Opposing pitchers realize that nearly every hitter on the Phillies is "pull-happy" and uses it to their advantage. Baseball is a game of adjustments and the Phillies have to adjust if they have any hope of curing their offensive ills.
Endy Chavez is a perfect example. He wore out the grass on the right side of the infield in last night's game by continually rolling over pitches in an attempt to pull the ball. That's not his game, he needs to hit low liners and hard grounders to the left side if he is going to stay in the Bigs. I actually regret the double he hit in the eighth inning off the right field wall last night because now, the pull-habit will be even harder for him to break.
I think I'm finished now. After much venting and three cups of java, I'm feeling a bit better.
