BARRY ZITO IS A BUST
The Giants gave Zito a contract as disproportionate as Mr. Mets' head. San Francisco spent $126 million on Zito, a cost that does not include how long he will set back franchise recovery. The Giants will be one of the worst teams in baseball this season, and Zito will be a leading reason why.
After leaving the American League for the 300-thread-count soft National League West, Zito figured to benefit. He has not.
His bloated ERA last season was 4.53, the highest of his career. He also pitched less than 200 innings for the first time since becoming a full member of a rotation.
Zito will be 30 in a month, and anyone who can trade him on name recognition alone would be wise to do so.
CARLOS GUILLEN IS UNDERVALUED
Three hits, including a home run, on opening night for Guillen. He drove in 100 runs last season, and stole 13 bases for good measure.
When Curtis Granderson returns to the Detroit lineup, Guillen will benefit. He won't move up in the lineup, but he will have Granderson at the top and Edgar Renteria behind him. Guillen is in a perfect spot hitting sixth for Detroit. He has Miguel Cabrera in front of him, and may benefit the most from that offseason acquisition.
One hundred runs and 100 RBIs are reasonable goals for Guillen.
IT'S NOT TOO EARLY TO THINK ABOUT CHRIS GOMEZ
Who? The guy at the top of the Minnesota order, that's who.
Gomez was a big piece of the Johan Santana deal with the Mets, and the reason was his speed. He told Sports Illustrated he often beat Jose Reyes in a 60-yard dash.
Gomez put his ability on display opening night. He reached base three times, stole two bases, and scored two runs.
Gomez will benefit from the Metrodome's fast track. The 22-year-old needs to cut down on his strike outs, but only needs to hit around .280 in order to have fantasy owners benefit from his wheels.
CONOR JACKSON IS GETTING AN ENORMOUS CHANCE
The Diamondbacks hit Jackson in the cleanup spot opening night. Coming out of spring training, he was slated to hit third, but now is in an even better position. His power is in question, but a substantial improvement in walk/strikeout ratio last season means his pitch selection is getting better, allowing him to hit his pitch more often, and, as a result, see a rise in power.
Jackson, a first baseman like Guillen, could allow the movement of a more prominent name at first base to fix a bad spot on your roster. Jackson went undrafted in many large team mixed leagues. He may be the waiver grab of the season.
TODAY'S BEST MATCHUP
The Tigers vs. Kansas City's Brian Bannister. Last season Bannister was 2-1 against Detroit with a 2.55 ERA in three starts. Those numbers are misleading.
The Tigers hit .307 against Bannister, who threw 17 2/3 innings against them, allowing 23 hits. That is a precarious line. Sit Bannister, start any Tigers.
TODAY IN LOU
To the Chicago Tribune:
"It was a good ballgame. It was well-played, tough conditions. But somebody had to win, somebody had to lose, and they won the ballgame."
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Kobe speaks up about Darfur
The news broke last Tuesday. Folks using Miracle Ear powered by a nuclear reactor probably didn't hear.
Anyway, there was Kobe Bryant, one of the NBA's rock stars, not talking about his new shoe, but using words like murdered and mutilated. He was wearing a black sweatshirt, talking about changing the world.
Bryant recorded a public service announcement for Aid Still Required, a non-profit group attempting to raise awareness about Darfur, and, ultimately, a peaceful resuscitation of the country.
Joining Bryant are Steve Nash, Tracy McGrady, Baron Davis and a dozen other NBA players. Each recorded a PSA for the group.
Taking a political stance is rare territory for professional athletes these days, though there has been a recent uptick in their societal participation.
Former Cleveland Cavalier Ira Newble was the first to lend his name in an effort to better the situation in Darfur. Last season he wrote a letter to the President of China, Hu Jintao, asking the Chinese to influence the situation in Darfur. China has been accused of supplying weapons in exchange for Darfur's oil, which it denies.
Twelve of Newble's teammates signed the letter. The notable of three exceptions is LeBron James. James said at the time he needed more information. Apparently his Internet connection is still down.
But James' choice not to participate isn't a surprise. He's the face in the middle of Nike's dollar bills. As Nike and the NBA push to expand in China, speaking out against government activities is a tricky situation for him.
Equally unsurprising is the lack of media coverage. No mention on SportsCenter. No mention on the nightly news. Kobe dropped 52 on Dallas Sunday, and we all heard about that. He went ballistic against Sacramento two days later, and we heard about that, too.
Nothing about the PSA.
Interesting this happened in the NBA. You know that league, the one supposedly full of thugs, gangsters and all those (gasp!) tattoos.
The league mandates certain charitable and community works by its players. Some of it is contrived, causing consternation among those who think professional athletes are spoiled rich kids (which, at times, is the case).
Often, there are good deeds gone unpublicized, though not unnoticed.
Regardless, we always want more from our athletic heroes. More points. More rebounds. More wins. More action.
Speak up. Take a stand. Use your celebrity to endorse a cause instead of well-packaged beverages.
It's questionable if that's fair. Are all the fans changing things for the better at a comparable level? If your voice can reach five people, are you using it?
Many athletes are less educated than the average citizen. Many are not. Yet we feel they are beholden to the public trust because of their unfathomable financial status.
Maybe they should be. Maybe that money and fame makes them more responsible for others' well-being.
Maybe they shouldn't be. Bank account size is the basis for human responsibility? Responsibility level is parallel with global reach?
James does charity work, required and otherwise, though he is dropping the ball here. Nike will still love him. His ultimate financial status will not be challenged were he to join up with the Darfur cause. As the co-dominator of NBA headlines, he could make a push.
Regardless, Bryant is in. Nash is in. McGrady, who actually traveled to Chad refugee camps last summer, is in. Luol Deng is in. Derek Fisher is in. Grant Hill, Emeka Okafor, Andrew Bynum, all in.
It's time everyone was.
Anyway, there was Kobe Bryant, one of the NBA's rock stars, not talking about his new shoe, but using words like murdered and mutilated. He was wearing a black sweatshirt, talking about changing the world.
Bryant recorded a public service announcement for Aid Still Required, a non-profit group attempting to raise awareness about Darfur, and, ultimately, a peaceful resuscitation of the country.
Joining Bryant are Steve Nash, Tracy McGrady, Baron Davis and a dozen other NBA players. Each recorded a PSA for the group.
Taking a political stance is rare territory for professional athletes these days, though there has been a recent uptick in their societal participation.
Former Cleveland Cavalier Ira Newble was the first to lend his name in an effort to better the situation in Darfur. Last season he wrote a letter to the President of China, Hu Jintao, asking the Chinese to influence the situation in Darfur. China has been accused of supplying weapons in exchange for Darfur's oil, which it denies.
Twelve of Newble's teammates signed the letter. The notable of three exceptions is LeBron James. James said at the time he needed more information. Apparently his Internet connection is still down.
But James' choice not to participate isn't a surprise. He's the face in the middle of Nike's dollar bills. As Nike and the NBA push to expand in China, speaking out against government activities is a tricky situation for him.
Equally unsurprising is the lack of media coverage. No mention on SportsCenter. No mention on the nightly news. Kobe dropped 52 on Dallas Sunday, and we all heard about that. He went ballistic against Sacramento two days later, and we heard about that, too.
Nothing about the PSA.
Interesting this happened in the NBA. You know that league, the one supposedly full of thugs, gangsters and all those (gasp!) tattoos.
The league mandates certain charitable and community works by its players. Some of it is contrived, causing consternation among those who think professional athletes are spoiled rich kids (which, at times, is the case).
Often, there are good deeds gone unpublicized, though not unnoticed.
Regardless, we always want more from our athletic heroes. More points. More rebounds. More wins. More action.
Speak up. Take a stand. Use your celebrity to endorse a cause instead of well-packaged beverages.
It's questionable if that's fair. Are all the fans changing things for the better at a comparable level? If your voice can reach five people, are you using it?
Many athletes are less educated than the average citizen. Many are not. Yet we feel they are beholden to the public trust because of their unfathomable financial status.
Maybe they should be. Maybe that money and fame makes them more responsible for others' well-being.
Maybe they shouldn't be. Bank account size is the basis for human responsibility? Responsibility level is parallel with global reach?
James does charity work, required and otherwise, though he is dropping the ball here. Nike will still love him. His ultimate financial status will not be challenged were he to join up with the Darfur cause. As the co-dominator of NBA headlines, he could make a push.
Regardless, Bryant is in. Nash is in. McGrady, who actually traveled to Chad refugee camps last summer, is in. Luol Deng is in. Derek Fisher is in. Grant Hill, Emeka Okafor, Andrew Bynum, all in.
It's time everyone was.
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