Not So Fast, My Friend...

by Matt Brannen

It wasn't a good end of the week/weekend for ESPN and its analysts, as baseball talking head Steve Phillips found himself engulfed in the public disclosure of a reported extra marital affair with an ESPN female staffer and college football commentator Bob Griese said a potentially offensive comment regarding NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya during a live telecast. What? Did you think I was writing about a sports prediction of some kind? As ESPN college football analyst Lee Corso is so fond of saying on the air: "Not so fast, my friend."

The week of turmoil for "The Worldwide Leader" started with the story breaking that former New York Mets General Manager Steve Phillips allegedly engaged in an extra-marital affair with an ESPN production assistant. The lurid details also came into the light, as the female employee reportedly pursued Phillips and attempted to contact his wife to let her know about the relationship. Now, word late this evening is that the network has fired Phillips for no longer being an "effective representative" for ESPN.

http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=ap-phillips-affair&prov=ap&type=lgns

I would like to write that this is all an unfortunate turn of events and that Phillips and his family should be able to deal with the situation in private. However, this is not the first time that Phillips has been linked to possible professional misconduct. Over 10 years ago, Phillips reportedly settled a sexual harrassment case out of court while he was the Mets GM. Furthermore, this is not the first time that an ESPN analyst has been accused of inappropriate contact with a fellow employee. Long-time analyst Harold Reynolds was let go after he allegedly had an inappropriate encounter with a female intern (It should be noted that Reynolds sued for wrongful termination and later settled on a severance package with ESPN) and there have been anecdotal evidence of other possibly questionable behavior over the years. Now, ESPN finds itself in another embarrassing situation with an on-air talent that they knew had previously had difficulties in this realm.

Compounding things further, former NFL great and current college football analyst Bob Griese finds himself in a maelstrom after comments he made on the air during a game this past weekend. The long-time football analyst, while trying to promote parent company ABC's NASCAR broadcast the following day, attempted to answer a question about where Colombian driver Juan Pablo Montoya was in the stock car playoffs by stating "(He's) out getting a taco." Later in the same broadcast, Griese apologized for the comments and ESPN aired a taped statement with another apology in its Saturday night game.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news?slug=tsn-executivecallsgriese&prov=tsn&type=lgns

Like the Steve Phillips sex scandal, this is not the first time that an ESPN college football analyst was in trouble for a questionable and potentially ethnically insensitive comment. Last year, it was former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz strangely comparing the leadership style of Michigan head football coach Rich Rodriguez with Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler. As I have wrote in previous columns about incidents where announcers say incredibly dumb things, what shocks me is that it still continues to happen.

I must admit that it has to be very difficult to run the monstrously huge conglomerate that ESPN has become. However, I find it hard to believe that the network continues to have these unnecessary and concerning controversies come up, seemingly year after year. In the past, some critics have accused ESPN of being a massive ship without a captain. What I have to wonder is how ESPN will respond to the Griese comment, now that they have apparently relieved Phillips of his responsibilities. My concern is that, even if Griese is fired or sanctioned (which is a decision for ESPN to make and should do so considering Griese's long history with them as an announcer apparently without previous incidents): Is it going to make a difference? I mean, am I going to end up writing another column like this in 6, 8, 10, or 12 months from now? I'd like to write that I won't. Yet, as Lee Corso says, I'm not writing that so fast, mis amigos.

The Franchise Must Go Down And Go Down Hard...

by Matt Brannen

The Oakland Raiders used to be the forerunner of all NFL franchises. Owner Al Davis was considered a maverick genius that not only beat fellow teams on the field, but the league itself in the courtroom. However, since the team's last Super Bowl appearance in 2003, its descent into NFL mediocrity has been swift and without pause. The most recent controversy of current head coach Tom Cable and his alleged assault of a defensive assistant has driven the franchise into greather depths of embarrassment, making one wonder if "Just Win, Baby!" has been replaced by "Just A Loser, Baby!" as the team's official motto.

We don't fully know all the details of the reported altercation between Cable, the team's former offensive line assistant turned head coach, and defensive assistant Randy Hanson back in August. According to an interview that Hanson did recently with Yahoo! Sports NFL columnist Michael Silver, Cable allegedly attacked Hanson after a dispute over Hanson's coaching of the team's defensive backs during training camp. The incident is apparently being investigated by the local authorities and several news reports have stated that Cable might be suspended by the league, pending potential criminal charges.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Aik9lkK3PuXiXZ5xgn3MVX85nYcB?slug=ms-hansonspeaks101009&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

It should be noted that Cable was hired as interim head coach and ultimately promoted to permanent status after Davis jettisoned Lane Kiffin, who Davis claimed had deliberately usurped his contract by not following Davis' edicts (see below for my column on Davis' press conference that announced Kiffin's supposed breach of contract). In this year's NFL draft, the team took Maryland's Darius Heyward-Bey, a wide receiver that most draftniks predicted was a mid to late 1st round pick, at #7 overall and proceeded to give him a contract that completely redid the salary structure for the bottom half of the top 10 (Note: In his first 4 games this year, Heyward-Bey has only 2 catches for a total of 36 yards). This is not to mention that the Raiders gave free agent cornerback DeAngelo Hall a monster contract prior to the 2008 season and then proceeded to cut him halfway into last year, paying him a reported $1 million per game that he was with the franchise.

http://stsn.blogspot.com/2008/09/just-whine-baby.html

One might think that the Raiders are obsessed by their own ineptitutde and attempting to rectify things, but that apparently isn't completely the case. Former quarterback Rich Gannon, now an NFL analyst for CBS, has not been shy with his criticism of the team and the franchise doesn't seem to appreciate his thoughts on their current well-being. In fact, the team has requested that CBS no longer assign Gannon to its Raiders' broadcasts on the network, which CBS has refused, and that Gannon isn't welcome at the team's facilities. Aside: Gannon's pre-game interviews with Raiders players and coaches for a game broadcast must be pretty interesting, huh?

http://awfulannouncing.blogspot.com/2009/09/raiders-are-not-fans-of-rich-gannon.html

Most recently, former Raiders quarterback Jeff Garcia fired a shot across the bow of the organization by questioning the commitment of his ex-teammates. Garcia, who was released before this season started, claimed that many of the current Raiders were simply there to pick up their paychecks on the 1st and the 15th each month and could care less whether or not they actually won. He also "threw" franchise QB JaMarcus Russell "under the bus" by suggesting that Russell wasn't prepared to be playing every week in the NFL. While Raider backers could easily retort that Garcia's flame-thrower blasts are just sour grapes, but everything else around the team makes it possible that Garcia is squarely hitting the hammer on the nail.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=tsn-garciasaysrussellisn&prov=tsn&type=lgns

I am certainly not a Raiders fan, but it is sad to see what has happened to this once-great franchise. Should head coach Tom Cable get suspended due to the Hanson incident, it only adds another black eye to a team that, frankly, has a swelled up face. At this point, it may have to come down to the NFL stepping in and helping Oakland to re-organize. The old story is that Nero "fiddled while Rome burned." Well, here's my question: Does Al Davis know the violin?

Buy The Ticket, Take The Ride...

by Matt Brannen

Last season was the most productive for the men's basketball program at Binghamton University. This upcoming season may well be the hardest. The university's athletic department announced late this week that 6 of its top players have been dismissed from the team for various reasons, resulting in what the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin called "a house cleaning" of the program. The story, while we may never know all the intricate details of the purge, is truly a cautionary tale for institutions of higher learning that want to balance academic and athletic credibility on the grandest post-secondary educational stage.

This week's shocking events at BU began with the arrest of point guard Emmanuel "Tiki" Mayben in his hometown of Troy, New York. News came down mid-week that Mayben had been apprehended for allegedly being in possession of drugs and, according to early reports from the police involved, with the purported intent to sell. Mayben, a former Syracuse University recruit, was permanently expelled from the team and this, apparently, caused a whirlwind of re-evaluation at the institution. On Friday, the BU athletic department announced that 5 more players, including star guard D.J. Rivera and starting forward Malik Alvin among others, were no longer associated with the team for various past and/or current transgressions.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news?slug=ap-binghamton-playersreleased&prov=ap&type=lgns

The question is: How did it get this far? Unfortunately, the answer is too simple now that the events of this week have unfolded. It may seem like piling on at this point, but some critics of the program have been saying that serious trouble was brewing for some time. In fact, a New York Times college sports blog did an less than flattering expose on the BU men's basketball program and its shortcomings as far back as March during the NCAA basketball tournament, which BU made for the first time this past season. The university, which strongly rallied around the athletic department and basketball team at the time of the spring reports, clearly changed its course this week and has taken a very hard line. This new direction has, potentially, left the BU men's basketball program in a massive rebuilding project and with many unanswered questions.

On one hand, I suppose the university should be applauded for saying "enough is enough" and reaffirming itself to its commitment as an institution of higher learning and athletics. The university, in its edict to the men's basketball team and all other sports, ordered that student-athletes will be held to the university's code of conduct and punishments will be meted out if necessary. However, I must also wonder why BU's athletic department and overall administration continued to allow the alleged off-court problems and self-reported attitude issues to become such a concern that a sizeable chunk of the roster is no longer on the team now. While there will be much speculation as to why that happened, it seems like BU was willing, at least for awhile, to make itself as competitive as possible in Division 1 men's basketball as fast as it could, regardless of the off-court outcome. Head coach Kevin Broadus, a successful Georgetown assistant prior to coming to BU, announced early in his tenure that he believed strongly in giving second chances to student-athletes that played at other schools but didn't pan out for one reason or another. Now, the athletic department has stated that Broadus will not be made available for public statements about this current situation for an indefinite period of time. What appeared to the beginning of Binghamton's ascent to national basketball recognition is now very much in doubt. At the end of this very unfortunate story, it seems like the entire BU men's basketball program is going to need a second chance.

Saving Money In Less Than 15 Minutes...

by Matt Brannen

There is an insurance company (that has cavemen and lizards as their spokespeople) that claims it can save its customers money in less than 15 minutes. If this is, indeed, true, perhaps the NFL and NBA should find out this formula when it comes to their drafts. This is because teams in both leagues take about 10 to 15 minutes to make their 1st round picks and find themselves this year locked in negotiation battles with their respective picks over rookie contracts. The Minnesota Timberwolves and San Francisco 49ers rolled the dice, literally, by taking Ricky Rubio and Michael Crabtree. Given the public posturing in each case, there is a chance that Rubio may play his pro ball in Europe next year and Crabtree will not be signed prior to the upcoming NFL season. Both situations only underscore the weakness of each league's rookie salary structure and the NBA's relatively new fascination with foreign born players.

Let's start by addressing the Rubio situation first. The slick 18 year old point guard from Spain was the talk of the NBA draft, as much so as #1 overall pick Blake Griffin. However, all the teams in the league knew, going into the draft, that Rubio was signed to play professionally in Europe and that there was a large buyout clause (perhaps as much as $8 million). The week after the draft, rumors started making their way across the Atlantic that Rubio might not want to play right away in the NBA, that he might extend his contract with his European team, and/or that he would not play for the Timberwolves (one of the worst teams in the league last year). The Timberwolves and Rubio's management almost immediately quashed those stories and announced that they would begin talks to bring the teenager to America. Fast forward a few months after the draft...Rubio's contract situation has not been resolved. In fact, Minnesota president David Kahn refuted a report last week that one of his franchise's potential building blocks had not signed an extension in Europe. And to think that the L.A. Clippers are considered the big laughingstock in the NBA!

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AhMDBwEvA8DPe3C_fo3O5MS8vLYF?slug=ap-timberwolves-rubio&prov=ap&type=lgns

I should point out, as the T-Wolves did this past week, that they still have plenty of time to resolve the European contract and get Rubio "across the pond." However, the whole sordid mess is proving that NBA teams should be focusing on amateur players from other countries or professional players from other countries that are not currently under contract. Should he not play in the NBA during the 2009-2010 season, Minnesota will undoubtedly spin that Rubio staying in Europe will "season" him more to the pro game and allow him to build up his body further. Yet, what does that do for a Timberwolves season ticket holder right now? Exactly.

The NFL's San Francisco 49ers are dealing with the rookie holdout of Texas Tech star Michael Crabtree. Perhaps best known for his other-worldly game winning touchdown catch to defeat the University of Texas last year, Crabtree was considered the top rookie wide receiver until he revealed at the scouting combine that he had a serious foot injury that would have to be surgically repaired. After watching several teams that needed a wideout pass by Crabtree in the draft, the Niners snagged him at #10 in the 1st round and took the accolades from several draft analysts for a terrific pick. However, the next part (about signing Crabtree), has been a problem area for the team.

It has become an unofficial tradition in the league that first round picks don't sign until just before training camp for their respective teams. Another "unwritten rule" is that players (and, just as importantly, their agents) won't agree to terms until the player selected before and/or after them in the draft is signed. So as you can imagine a single car slamming on its breaks in the middle of a busy highway causing a massive pile-up, there is a chance for a jam-up in contract talks and a group of unsigned rookies if several draft picks are not signed in an orderly fashion. Guess what? That's kind of what happened this year. When training camps opened this summer, just a small handful of selections were signed to deals (including #1 overall pick Matthew Stafford, who agreed to terms at the draft). Not to fear though...As the signings poured in over the last month or so, players' salaries got slotted into place and further agreements were made as we quickly approached the new season. All, that is, except for Crabtree.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=rotowire-ichaelrabtree49erspt&prov=rotowire&type=fantasy

Conventional thinking would be that after the #9 selection (B.J. Raji by Green Bay) signed, then the proper financials would be in place for Crabtree's representation and the 49ers to work out a deal. That has yet to take place. According to reports from those close to Crabtree's camp, the receiver and his advisors want a contract along the lines of what Oakland gave #7 pick and fellow WR Darius Heyward-Bey, an enormous deal that exploded the salary structure for the remaining bottom half of the top 10 (Was that confusing? Sorry). San Francisco has chafed at this option and Crabtree's group has yet to find a number that they like from the team. So, this is where we set with less than 2 weeks before the regular season. A player is gambling that the team will need him enough to give into his demands and the team is hoping that the player will want a six or seven digit payday bad enough to give in. Aren't pro sports fun?

NFL teams are notorious for pre-draft testing (psychology, intelligence, etc), so my question is: Why can't teams also run pre-contract scenarios by prospective draftees? Obviously, it would have to be with the players' agent(s) on hand and I'm not sure that answers could be held as legally binding, but if a team can ask a player "What (his) favorite tree is?" then why can't they ask the likelihood of a holdout given certain circumstances? I don't know how my suggestion might fly with the league's collective bargaining agreement, but it seems like an idea that might benefit teams and players. Think about it: Isn't salary one of the areas that is often discussed amongst potential employers and employers? Why does this have to be any different in the NFL? As a side note, I'll be happy to sell this idea to the NFL (or any pro sports league) for the bargain price of a six figure deal and I promise that I won't hold out.

Final comment...Major League Baseball is not exempt from this discussion either. The Washington Nationals literally made a deadline deal with its #1 overall pick, uber-prospect Stephen Strasburg, within the last 2 weeks. The Nats and Strasburg's representation, headed by super-agent Scott Boras, were down to the last possible day of making an agreement before the flamethrowing right hander's rights went back into the player pool for next year's draft. The situations with Rubio, Crabtree, and Strasburg all show the problems with most pro sports leagues and their draft picks. Rookies get mega-million dollar contracts before they ever walk onto the playing field, while veterans a year or two after their prime are unemployed. With the uncertain economic times that we have in America and many leagues' CBA agreements coming up in the near future, it is time to resolve these issues and close the loopholes. The players will remain millionaires, the owners will stay billionaires, and the fans will have the chance to root for their favorite team's new stars right away. Sounds like a win/win for everyone and it took less than 15 minutes to figure it all out.

And So It Is Done (At Least Until Next Off-Season)...

by Matt Brannen

In a "breaking news" segment that could only have surprised those misguided folks that still believe the world is flat, the Minnesota Vikings announced today that they have signed Brett Favre to be their quarterback for the 2009-2010 NFL season. This most recent update has broken my unstated and unofficial "Brett Favre No Fly Zone" policy on the column over the last month or so. In what will (hopefully) be the last column about Mr. Favre's "temproary retirements" for awhile, let's dig into the latest and what it might mean...

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AhfMqpXMYUf4tUbFrVeR7nM5nYcB?slug=ap-vikings-favre&prov=ap&type=lgns

What is curious about the signing is that NFL on Fox's info guru Jay Glazer reported Monday that several unidentified Vikings players told him that they were certain that Favre would be a part of the team at some point this coming season and, poof, Favre was in Minnesota on Tuesday. Was this the Vikings players forcing the hand of the team? Forcing the hand of Favre? Or, more likely, stating publicly what most people suspected since Favre's "I'm still retired" position from 3 weeks ago. It seems to me, without any evidence except for human nature and logic, that the Vikings players either knew this was coming or they 'let the Favre out of the bag' in an effort to move this charade along. While I am sure that #4 was still legitimately rehabbing from his off-season surgery (more on his health later), there has been on and off speculation from former NFL players turned analysts that Favre wasn't being completely honest about his future plans because, as a more than seasoned veteran, he didn't want any part of a grueling Midwestern training camp. By signing in mid-August, this logic goes that Favre can still get in some practice time to shake off the rust and play in a couple of pre-season games to get himself ready to go full-throttle in week 1. When you consider that many veterans will deliberately hold out of camp and pay heavy fines for pseudo-contract squabbles, this position does have merit. You can only imagine the rolling eyes from NFL cynics when Favre said in his introductory news conference that his signing was a spur of the moment decision based on an 'out of the blue' phone call from Vikings head coach Brad Childress to Favre early this week.

What also seemed disengenous during the signing press conference was Favre's statement that he did not sign with Minnesota with the intent of getting revenge on Green Bay, the team that he led to a Super Bowl victory and another appearance over his historic tenure with the Packers even though they unceremoniously dumped him last summer. It has been widely reported (perhaps incorrectly) on pro-Favre media outlets (cough*ESPN*cough) that Favre targeted Minnesota because it uses the Bill Walsh passing offense that he knows so well from his days in Green Bay, Darrell Bevel (Favre's old QB coach with the Packers) is Minnesota's offensive coordinator, and OH YEAH...The Vikings play the Packers twice during the regular season. As you can imagine, the initial response from Packer fans as to the Favre-Minnesota marriage has not been positive. While Favre can talk about his "legacy" being intact as far as he is concerned, it is going to be hard to recognize that if tens of thousands of "Cheese Heads" boo him mercilessly during his first visit back to Lambeau Field as a Viking.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AuaEk2YLSZEgEKn6X3tyIiw5nYcB?slug=cr-favrereaction081809&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Much like his mentor Andy Reid in Philadelphia bringing in Michael Vick last week, Vikings head coach Brad Childress is making a calculated risk by signing Favre. There is a lot of pressure on Childress to produce a long-run in the playoffs or, possibly, a Super Bowl appearance this season with or without Favre. The one glaring weak spot on the roster is, clearly, quarterback. Now, however, the Vikings have no margin for error with a sure-fire first ballot Hall of Famer at QB1 on the depth chart. The heat on Childress and his coaching staff went from "broiling" to "scalding." Furthermore, there has been heated debate amongst NFL analysts about how well Favre played last year. Those that defend Favre claim that his late season arm injury was the culprit for his huge drop-off in production with the Jets over the last month or so of the season. Why is this important? Because an initially overlooked aspect of the Favre to Minny story is that it was reported as a side note that while Favre's shoulder is "okay," he is suffering from a "small tear in his rotator cuff." Don't be shocked if, should things somehow go south for Favre in the Land of Lakes, that rotator cuff becomes a much bigger excuse, urr story, as the season goes on. I'm just saying...

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AsaOx5KV4DRSbKuGLnh_2Yc5nYcB?slug=jc-favreshoulder081809&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

I guess the closing of the books on this chapter of the Favre "(un)retirement" saga is that he has now achieved a certain level of infamy that few football players reach in today's game. #4 used to be one of the most popular players in the league for well over a decade. From his riverboat gambler decisions on the field, his child-like passion for the game, or his "Aw Shucks" charm, Favre was the 'golden boy' of the NFL for many years. In fact, he was almost universally lauded for his recovery (and rightly so) from his self-confessed addiction to pain-killers many years ago when other players are vilified for substance abuse issues (see Irvin, Michael or Carter, Cris). However, by his constant flip-flopping about retiring, his (almost) yearly team hopping, and the seeming half-truths that come with these changes, Favre has become "the player that you love to hate." If he is on your team, then you love him. If not, you don't seem to mind watching him fall flat on his face. In the end, Terrell Owens may have to make room for Brett on the "Most hated player in the game" bench.

Fear And Loathing In The National Football League

by Matt Brannen

It should be no surprise that Michael Vick is back in the NFL. However, in what might be characterized as a stunning announcement to its fans by the Philadelphia Eagles, the team announced late this week that it signed the former All-Pro quarterback to, essentially, what is a 1-year contract (apparently, there is an option for a 2nd year at a much higher salary). Now, the "City of Brotherly Love" gets to show how true its reputation is to someone that may be the most villified NFL player in quite some time and, truly, has put head coach Andy Reid on the hottest of seats.

I found the press conference announcing Vick's signing to be fascinating. Vick's mentor, former Super Bowl winning head coach Tony Dungy, talked about how sorry Vick was about his past transgressions against dogs and how #7 paid his debt to society by spending around 2 years in prison. Vick also made a statement echoing this line of contrition that Dungy highlighted and took questions from the assembled press, humbly and candidly answering each one posed to him. While it seemed that Vick and Dungy were looking to emphasize Vick's rehabilitation, Eagles head coach Andy Reid moved from the team's due diligence in signing the quarterback to vague comments about Vick's expected role on the team. Reid refused to publicly state how the Eagles might use one of the most prolific running quarterbacks in the history of the league, instead electing to say that reporters should ask other team's defensive coordinators about how they plan on defending what the Eagles could do offensively with Vick. Reid also stated that he made a "promise" to the people of Philadelphia to bring in the best possible players in an effort to win the ultimate prize: The Super Bowl.

By this single move, the most successful coach in the franchise's history has placed a huge bullsize on his back. Immediate response from Eagles' fans seem to be split. There have been impromptu demonstrations by animal lovers outside of the Eagles' facilities and some Eagles fans rushed to the Internet to sell off their tickets for the upcoming season's home games. With wounds still fresh from its franchise not resigning veteran All-Pro safety Brian Dawkins, its admitted "heart and soul," the move has seemingly divided the fan base into pro-Vick and anti-Vick camps. One can only imagine how Philly fans, notorious for its collective/individual behaviors in various sports over the years, will respond the first time that Vick darts onto the playing surface at Lincoln Financial Field.

However, my guess is that Eagles fans will utlimately accept Vick, if he is productive and helps the team win. Reid's comments make it clear that it is unlikely that Vick will be wearing a headset, holding a clipboard, and charting plays like a normal backup quarterback. Furthermore, this is a city and fan base that loved Terrell Owens, until the Donovan McNabb/T.O./Reid soap opera became absurdist comedy that even Monty Python would have shook their head at. Should #7 prove to be "the ultimate weapon" as a slot receiver/running back or "Wildcat" quarterback and make key plays against hated division rivals like the Cowboys, Redskins, and Giants, chances are very good that the expected boos from Eagles fans will turn into wild cheers.

At the signing press conference, Dungy, Vick, and Reid all talked about Vick getting a second chance and that all parties involved know that a 3rd chance isn't an option for the troubled quarterback. Vick went so far as to say that America was a "country of second chances." I entitled this column "Fear and Loathing in the National Football League" based on the famous novel "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" by Hunter S. Thompson. For those that haven't read the book, Thompson's literary alter ego takes a near mythical journey "in search of the American dream." For hundreds of years in this country's history, it seemed that the American dream was promoted as the idea that anyone from any background could be successful, if they had talent and got opportunities. If you look at the Vick situation, with what Thompson called "the right kind of eyes," you might wonder if the new American dream is not to get a chance, but to get a 2nd chance at the American dream. Professional sports over the last several years, with all of its various controversies and issues involving players, have become indicative of this possible change. Andy Reid is, potentially, betting his career that Vick can stay trouble-free and help his team win it all. If it works, Reid will look like a genius. If not, Reid's long-standing tenure in Philadelphia may come to an abrupt end. Reid, Vick, and the Eagles are, apparently, willing to take that chance. There is no going back now. As Hunter S. Thompson also wrote, "Buy the ticket, take the ride."

Heeding The Hall Call...

by Matt Brannen

Stolen base king Rickey Henderson and Boston slugger Jim Rice will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame today in Cooperstown, New York, less than two hours away from STSN's homebase. For Henderson, without question the greatest combo speed and power leadoff hitter in modern baseball history, the Hall's call for inclusion was no surprise. However for Rice, a prodigious run producer during an era when the top home run hitters struggled to muscle 35 to 40 homers a season, it was a much longer wait for an invitation to join the game's best. The election of both seemingly pre-steroid controversy stars into the Hall reminds us of the gulf that exists between baseball, then and now. Just as importantly, the legendary Henry Aaron's call that those in the performance enchancing drug maelstrom have asterisks put on their Hall plaques has brought this issue back into the (at least temporary) spotlight.

The 2009 class of Henderson and Rice is as good as any to bring up the issue of not past, but future Hall classes. While Rice's career didn't make it to the 1990s because of injury, Henderson played into the early 2000s. However, Rice was considered one of the pre-eminent home run hitters of his era (mid-1970s to mid-1980s). With a lifetime batting average of an outstanding .298, the Beantown Basher hit 382 homers and knocked in nearly 1,500 runs in about 14 1/2 seasons in "the bigs." It should be noted that Rice won the AL MVP in 1978 when he hit a career best 46 bombs and knocked in 139. He never would hit 40 homers in a season again (topping out at 39 once before and once after 1978). There is no question that Rice was the cornerstone of a Boston team that never won the World Series, but contended for several during his tenure.

The funny part about Rice's induction into the Hall this year is that it seemed like, for the longest time, that the awe-inspiring numbers players put up since the lockout in 1994 would forestall his Hall call indefinitely. Yet, the continued positive performance enhancing drug test results and confessions of PED users has seemed to change public opinion. Once overlooked greats like Rice have gotten a "second wind," so to write, when it comes to Hall of Fame consideration. Maybe it is that Hall voters now appreciate more what players in the pre-steroids era like Rice accomplished. Perhaps they are trying to "send a message" that previously considered 'automatic induction' statistical accomplishments like 500 home runs, 3,000 hits, and 300 wins will not be necessary for previous generations, but will not guarantee a steroids generation player of making it in. We will only know when the steroid era players, especially those that have been rumored (*cough, Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire, *cough) or caught/confessed (*sneeze, Manny Ramirez and Alex Rodriguez, *sneeze) come up for enshrinement.

It is interesting and honorable that Henry Aaron, the man that many still consider the "legit" home run king, has made a definitive public statement about the Hall of Fame and this recent era of players. At this weekend's induction, Aaron was quoted as saying that there should be special asterisks placed on the plaques of players that tested positive or were suspected of steroid use. "Hammerin' Hank" event went so far as to say that some Hall of Famers may boycott the induction ceremony of suspected/confessed PED users when the time comes. If this is true, then Major League Baseball has a big issue and potential public relations nightmare.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/11986162/rss

I met Henry Aaron at an autograph signing in Central New York when I was a teenager back in the mid to late 1980s. When I asked if he could write "To Matt" on the photo that he was going to sign for me, the assistants at the autograph table jumped in and announced "No personalizations!" before he could answer. Perhaps sensing the unnecessary anger in their voices, he then went out of his way to ask me about my favorite team, who my favorite player was, and why. He seemed like a generally nice man and the positive experience has always stayed with me. Frankly, I rooted against Barry Bonds when he chased Aaron's career home run mark a few years ago. This wasn't necessarily because of the PED allegations against Bonds, but the boyhood memory that I had of Aaron. However, I cannot write that I wasn't somewhat disappointed to learn that he was reportedly compensated for giving a short, taped "Congratulations" speech that played on the videoboard at the Giants' home stadium after Bonds broke the record. Now, Aaron has decided he doesn't want us to forget what players like Bonds and others may have done to become legends themselves.

Major League Baseball will have to face the specter of steroids and PEDs as more and more players from recent decades come up for Hall consideration. Will the MLB heed the advice from its legends and do something drastic like include some sort of note about steroids? Will the league accept steroid-era players into the Hall with no recognition of this special circumstance, the same way it has players from previous generations? Finally, will baseball, as it seemingly did with the issue for over 10 years, turn its collective head to the side and not address it all, hoping it will simply go away? Whatever decision is made and accepted, the 2009 induction of Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice may be one of the final non-steroid controversy Hall of Fame years for a long, long time.