Dugout-Talk.Com

So Ken Shamrock popped positive for steriods.  Given today’s age of athletes getting caught on the juice, I can not say I am surprised. I figured it was only a matter of time.  Guess he now has time to go play golf with Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds and swap “war” stories.

Ken Shamrock testing positive would be a bigger deal, if he had not drove his career into the tank by hanging on too long. What a shame.  I remember Those first UFC fights, with him blasting onto the scene versus Royce Gracie and Dan Severn. But I think he will not be remembered like that by most UFC fans.  His fault, nobody else.

In the interest of equal time for points of view other than the one we expressed in our earlier rant on this subject, here is tonight’s Top Ten List from the Late Show with David Letterman. Except we only type fast enough to have gotten seven. We’ll correct this in the morning.

“At least in 2003, he was gooned on the juice,” said Letterman as a prologue:

Top Ten [Seven] Messages Left on Alex Rodriguez’s Answering Machine

10
9 “Joe Torre here, thanks for helping book sales.”
8 “Could you find a steroid that keeps you from choking in the playoffs?”
7
6 “Hi, it’s Bernie Madoff. Nice try, but I’m still the most hated man in NYC.”
5 “Michael Phelps here, got any snacks?”
4 “Hi, this is Sammy Sosa, just pretend you don’t speak English.”
3 “Michael Phelps again, did I call you or did you call me?”
2 “Hi this is Rod Blagojevich…” that sounded like a good one

and the Number One Message Left on Alex Rodriguez’s Answering Machine:

1 “It’s Madonna. You got a phone number for Jeter?”

So Alex Rodriguez tested positive for steriods in 2003. Wonderful…just freakin’ wonderful. Just what the fans need to hear.

Look, I am completely in agreement with Curt Schilling on his take of the situation. “I’d be all for the 104 positives being named, and the game moving on if that is at all possible,” former Boston ace Curt Schilling wrote on his blog Sunday.

“In my opinion, if you don’t do that, then the other 600-700 players are going to be guilty by association, forever,” he wrote. “It appears that not only was it 104, but three of the greatest of our, or any, generation appear to be on top of this list.”
I think he could not be more correct. As a fan, I deserve it. I am owed that. I don’t want to hear any nonsense about “Well, those samples were supposed to be destroyed.”

Sean Casey was quoted on the following statement…”A little bit, because it was supposed to be a survey test and those results were supposed to be confidential,” he said. “The only reason we opened up the collective bargaining agreement was on those terms.”

You know what, screw that. Maybe your fellow union members should not have been as arrogant to think that they could keep using steriods.

And don’t tell me “well, this problem has been going on for longer than you will ever know.”

Tough!!!  You, as a generation in baseball, got caught, and many, many, many other players that do not use steriods are getting thrown into the mix. You steriod players messed up.

And don’t tell me, “Well, you as a fan, don’t understand the pressures that players go through to be the best.” If the pressure is that great, trade jobs (and paychecks) with me and almost every other baseball fan, and deal with our pressure.

Look, I’ll be the first to say that it does not bother me that ballplayers make a lot of money. In this country, you have a chance to make as much as you can, and that includes athletes. All I ask is that the game of baseball stays as clean as possible. And if that means a few bad apples get cleared away from the tree, no matter how sweet that apple is, then do it. Do it now!

It is bad enough that I have to read and listen about Barry Bonds
and his and his unsealed documents, Manny-being-Manny, and Oliver
Perez getting $36 million. Now I have to hear and listen about Joe
Torre’s book. What is it this time…”Roger Clemens might have had
‘Roid Rage. GEEZ!

“I didn’t necessarily tie the two together,” Torre said. “But in retrospect with everything that’s going on, it could very well have been.”

You think?

What do YOU think? Is there too much negative news with spring training and the WBS just around the corner?

Jay Gibbons has been out of baseball since his release from the Baltimore Orioles back in Spring Training. Gibbons was mentioned in the Mitchell Report, and then was canned by Baltimore for reasons related to baseball performance.”

Jay Gibbons has since sent out a letter to all 30 MLB teams, asking for a second chance. I am posting this letter below. Read it and see what you think? Does he deserve a second chance? If you ran a baseball organization, would it be worth taking a risk on him?

“All I need is a chance”The following is the full text of a letter written by former Orioles outfielder Jay Gibbons to all 30 major league teams, seeking a minor league contract. Gibbons, who was named in the Mitchell report, has been without a job since Baltimore released him in March.

Writing this letter is both painful and humiliating. It has been almost six weeks since my release from the Orioles and I am still unable to land any opportunity at a second chance to play the game that I love.

I am young, healthy and determined. I have acknowledged and apologized for the mistake that I made and writing this letter should be proof enough that I have indeed suffered for my mistake.

I have faith and hope that some team will give me the chance to prove that I can not only be a productive player but also be a stellar member of their organization. My faith in a second chance has inspired me to work harder than I have at any time in my life. My faith has gotten me through this most difficult period in my life.

All I need is a chance — any chance — anywhere. I am more than willing to begin the process of proving that I can and will be a productive major league player by playing in the minor leagues.

As you know, I have played seven seasons in the big leagues and have hit 20-plus homeruns in three seasons and have hit .277 in three seasons (2003, 2005 and 2006). At 31 years old, I have NO DOUBT that my best baseball is ahead of me.

I know that my agents at ACES have tried to land me an opportunity in the minor leagues but have been met with negative responses by each and every Organization. I am not blind to the fact that I have made a mistake and that mistake has raised doubt about my character and ability. It is important that you know that my indiscretions, while regretful, were made in an effort to heal a nagging wrist injury. I would encourage you to speak with anyone in this game, including players, coaches, front office etc. who know me. I am confident that everyone you speak with will vouch for my character.

I respectfully and humbly request that you grant me the chance to play for your organization.

I am so willing to prove myself as a player, and a person, that I will donate ALL of my minor league earnings to your Club’s charity. In the event that I earn the right to play at the major league level, I will gladly donate a significant sum to that same charity.

Once again, all I need is a chance and I will prove that I can be an extremely productive player and a great addition to your organization.

Please feel free to contact me directly [phone numbers redacted].

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Jay Gibbons

Ok, like many other people, I am tired of hearing about the following….
Steriods, HGH, Clemens, Bonds, where is Johan going to play this coming season….
I want to talk about something else…who I like/liked to watch play the game of baseball. This is my list, for my reasons alone. I grew up in the 80’s and 90’s. The following are who I watched play the game.
1)Pitchers

Dwight Gooden – during his first few years in the majors, he was amazing, NOBODY had a curveball like his “Lord Charles”.

Joaquín Andújar – You never knew what was going to happen with him on the mound, but you knoew it would be fun to watch…he was a competitor.

2) Catcher

Gary Carter – “The Kid” knew how control the game. Glad he wore an Expo hat into the Hall.

Tony Pena – If he wanted a pitch at the knees, and you needed a target, he’d sit on his butt to give you the target.

Benito Santiago – Two reasons. Cool name, and he could throw you out stealing from his knees.

3)1st base

Keith Hernandez – clutch hitter, and great defensive player

Pete Rose – gotta put Charlie Hustle in there somewhere.

4) 2nd base

Joe Morgan – Loved watching him play, love him more as an announcer.

Ryne Sandberg – classic player. Played hard and consistant his whole career

5) 3rd base

Scott Rolen – dude is a human vacuum cleaner at the hot corner

George Brett – one of the greatest.

6) Shortstop

Ozzie Smith – The Wizard, in my mind, revolutionized the postion

Derek Jeter – Winner…enough said

Shawon Dunston – Dude had a CANNON for an arm!!!!

7) Outfield

Reggie Jackson – When Mr. October came to the plate, you stopped whatever you were doing…and watched

Rickey Henderson – One of the last to make running the bases exciting

Willie McGee – If you ever had to chance to watch in play in person, you remember how fast AND quick he was in the outfield and the bases

Ken Griffey, Jr – You just KNOW he loves playing the game.