Who is the best team of all-time? The 1927 New York Yankees? No.
The 1972 undefeated Miami Dolphins? Doubt it. How about the 1980
USA Olympic hockey team that produced a spine-tingling, goose-bump
filled miracle on ice? Close, but not quite. All those teams earned
the right to be mentioned among the best ever assembled, but only one
can be called the greatest.
Navy Seal team 6 staked their claim as the best team of all-time after
their daring mission in Pakistan on Sunday night. Through the cover of
only darkness, this squad had one of the toughest assignments in the
history of our country. Their task: capture or kill the number one
terrorist in the world.
Before we get to their defining moment, let's rewind the tape and
see what defines Navy Seal team 6. They became an expansion team
back in 1980 after the debacle in Iran that saw a rescue mission end
in tragedy and embarrassment as the United States tried to rescue
the hostages taken by Ayatollah Khomeini, another despicable leader.
Navy Seal team 6 became the elite of the elite. They are so secretive,
the government doesn't even admit they exist. They are "black operatives",
who work outside of international law and do not have any records
on the premise that if they are ever captured or killed, the government
will not claim them.
They are the best trained and conditioned people in the world. Navy
Seal team 6 can do an Ironman for breakfast, an Ultra-marathon
for lunch, and conduct an underwater demolition for dinner in 58
degree water with nothing but shorts on. Pressure? They are addicted
to it like most of us crave Facebook. Stress? Navy Seal team 6 laughs
in the face of it.
This all-guts and no glory squad consists of people who were high
school, college, and even Olympic stars. But you'll never hear about
their accomplishments or see their names in the sports section of
USA Today, because they don't really exist.
But they existed on Sunday night, didn't they? Their mission to hunt
down Osama bin Laden went so smoothly that we forget how it could
easily have gone wrong. Just look back at the rescue mission in Iran in 1980
when eight members of the military were killed when two helicopters
collided. Iran paraded the disaster for the entire world to see. I'll never
forget the gruesome image of a charred soldier on the cover of Newsweek.
It was a dark moment for our country and then President Jimmy Carter,
a fiasco that defined his legacy as the commander-in-chief of the United States.
The covert operation in Pakistan could have gone the same way. Navy
Seal team 6 didn't really know what they were getting into. Oh, the
intelligence told them bin Laden might be in the compound, but then
again, that great intelligence team told us that Saddam Hussein and
Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. How'd that turn out?
This could have been one big booby trap. One that could've embarrassed
our country and doomed President Obama. That compound could
have been rigged with explosives that could've turned bin Laden's house
into a tomb for Navy Seal team 6.
But thanks to 24 brave members of Navy Seal team 6, it didn't. After
a long helicopter flight, they were dropped down into bin Laden's
compound. They were on closing in on the biggest prize in the world,
or so they thought. Team 6 didn't really know if bin Laden was actually
even there, they were just following orders. The mission proceeded
and the Team 6 engaged in a fire fight that saw them eliminate everyone
standing in their way.
When they arrived to the top-floor of the compound, it was bingo,
bin Laden was in their sights. With a double-tap, they took him out,
eventually setting off the biggest celebration in the United States
since Team USA upset the Soviet Union in hockey during the 1980
Olympics. bin Laden was dead. Justice was served.
There will be no ticker-tape parade for Navy Seal team 6. They won't
be riding down the canyon of heroes in New York City. They will
return to their headquarters and train for their next daring mission
in anonymity. But Navy Seal team 6 has been burned in our consciousness
forever.
The next time ESPN counts downs to the greatest teams of all-time,
they better be sure to include Navy Seal team 6. When USA Today
releases their "team of the decade", Navy Seal team 6 should be at
the top of the list. And when we think of the most spectacular squad
to grace this earth, Navy Seal 6 should always be on the tip of our
tongues, and shouted out with great pride and enthusiasm.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
REMEMBERING PAT TILLMAN AND ALL THOSE KILLED IN ACTION..
On early Sunday evening, I was watching a feature about a wounded
warrior on "Dateline NBC" that brought tears to my eyes. A 21-year
old man who had fought in Afghanistan was trying to adjust to life
without two legs and brain damage after an roadside bomb tore through
his military vehicle.
He made close to the ultimate sacrifice as many serviceman and
woman have over the last ten years and I thought to myself, "It's
really sad that so many Americans have forgotten about the real
heroes overseas, fighting a war that many of us were thinking would
never end." Teenagers would be coming home in boxes with American
flags draped over them, and the only people who felt the impact
of their sacrifice would be the immediate families who've had the
lives forever changed. It was sad, real sad.
A a few hours later, sorrow turned to joy when news broke that
we had gotten Bin Laden. The war may not be over, but we have reason
to celebrate with Osama Bin Laden's death. Celebrations broke out
all over the country to mark the occasion. Just as everyone knows
exactly where they were on 9/11, all of us will remember just where we
were on 5/1, when news broke out that the number one terrorist
in the world was served justice.
As we celebrate one of the greatest moments in our country's
history, let's take time to remember the men and woman of our
armed forces who made tremendous sacrifices to protect our
freedom and eliminate the most despicable human being to
walk this earth since Hitler. They left their families and went
to a foreign country to fight a war that many of us didn't really
believe in. They had to deal with roadside bombs, suicide missions,
and ominous threats EVERY SECOND of their lives. Imagine
not only the fear, but the stress they had to endure. Thousands of
them cannot celebrate the scintillating moment of Bin Laden's
death, as they were killed defending our country and freedom.
Let us not forget Pat Tillman, who gave up an NFL career and
the riches that come with it. He said good-bye to the Arizona
Cardinals, his family, and his wife, whom he had just married,
because he wanted to fight for his country. Tillman wanted to get
Bin Laden. He wanted to get justice for the more than 3,000
people who perished in the Twin Towers. Tillman had a chance
to get out of his military commitment after making one tour
in Afghanistan, but he declined it, waving off the "special treatment"
for the NFL star.
Tillman wouldn't make it back to the United States or the NFL.
He was killed by friendly fire during a mission in Afghanistan.
It sucked the wind out of many in the sports world who had
known Tillman and covered him. Tillman's family will never recover,
no matter how much time passes. But they can take solace, like
all of the families who lost loved ones fighting the war, knowing
that the sacrifice their sons and daughters made, were not in vain.
This is a day that brings tremendous joy to everyone in the United
States. It's a moment that will unify the country once again, and give
us hope that things will get better. There will be high-fives, celebratory
messages flooding Facebook, Twitter, and IPhones, IPads, and
everything in between. But as we celebrate, let's all too, remember
those who made the ultimate sacrifice, who helped make this all
possible.
warrior on "Dateline NBC" that brought tears to my eyes. A 21-year
old man who had fought in Afghanistan was trying to adjust to life
without two legs and brain damage after an roadside bomb tore through
his military vehicle.
He made close to the ultimate sacrifice as many serviceman and
woman have over the last ten years and I thought to myself, "It's
really sad that so many Americans have forgotten about the real
heroes overseas, fighting a war that many of us were thinking would
never end." Teenagers would be coming home in boxes with American
flags draped over them, and the only people who felt the impact
of their sacrifice would be the immediate families who've had the
lives forever changed. It was sad, real sad.
A a few hours later, sorrow turned to joy when news broke that
we had gotten Bin Laden. The war may not be over, but we have reason
to celebrate with Osama Bin Laden's death. Celebrations broke out
all over the country to mark the occasion. Just as everyone knows
exactly where they were on 9/11, all of us will remember just where we
were on 5/1, when news broke out that the number one terrorist
in the world was served justice.
As we celebrate one of the greatest moments in our country's
history, let's take time to remember the men and woman of our
armed forces who made tremendous sacrifices to protect our
freedom and eliminate the most despicable human being to
walk this earth since Hitler. They left their families and went
to a foreign country to fight a war that many of us didn't really
believe in. They had to deal with roadside bombs, suicide missions,
and ominous threats EVERY SECOND of their lives. Imagine
not only the fear, but the stress they had to endure. Thousands of
them cannot celebrate the scintillating moment of Bin Laden's
death, as they were killed defending our country and freedom.
Let us not forget Pat Tillman, who gave up an NFL career and
the riches that come with it. He said good-bye to the Arizona
Cardinals, his family, and his wife, whom he had just married,
because he wanted to fight for his country. Tillman wanted to get
Bin Laden. He wanted to get justice for the more than 3,000
people who perished in the Twin Towers. Tillman had a chance
to get out of his military commitment after making one tour
in Afghanistan, but he declined it, waving off the "special treatment"
for the NFL star.
Tillman wouldn't make it back to the United States or the NFL.
He was killed by friendly fire during a mission in Afghanistan.
It sucked the wind out of many in the sports world who had
known Tillman and covered him. Tillman's family will never recover,
no matter how much time passes. But they can take solace, like
all of the families who lost loved ones fighting the war, knowing
that the sacrifice their sons and daughters made, were not in vain.
This is a day that brings tremendous joy to everyone in the United
States. It's a moment that will unify the country once again, and give
us hope that things will get better. There will be high-fives, celebratory
messages flooding Facebook, Twitter, and IPhones, IPads, and
everything in between. But as we celebrate, let's all too, remember
those who made the ultimate sacrifice, who helped make this all
possible.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
WILL CAM DISCOVER NEWTON'S LAW OF GRAVITY IN NFL DRAFT?
Cam Newton's equipped for the NFL's fast lane. He has the body
of an H3 Hummer, runs like a Ferrari, and shines like a meticulously
detailed Bentley.
But get out of the Car Fax and you'll see that he has some serious
damage under the hood. There was the arrest for stealing a laptop
at Florida, whispers of a cheating scandal, and that pay-for-play
drama with Mississippi State that monopolized the headlines in the fall.
Still, scouts are drooling over Newton like a 13-year old goes
gaga over a high school teacher who has all the "tools". The former
Heisman trophy winner is gifted with a bazooka for an arm, legs
that can cover forty yards in 4.5 seconds, and a body that is 250lbs
of twisted steel.
But Newton's ability to play quarterback at the next level has been
seriously questioned by anyone and everyone who has and has not ever
played the game. They say he played in the spread at Auburn, didn't
have to drop back or read a defense, but rather the numbers off a card
that the offensive coordinator displayed on the sideline.
As you read, there are a lot BUT's and HOWEVER's with Cam Newton
because he's a mega-talented star with lots, and lots of question marks.
As John Gruden demonstrated in his coaching session with Newton on
ESPN, just calling the plays can be like learning a foreign language. How
about: 3 set, triple right, kill option zone, z post, x fly, y cross, on one,
ready break. In that session alone, Newton's head was spinning like a top
on the playground.
Does a team like the Carolina Panthers really want to invest about $50
million dollars in a player who may not be a able to read a defense or
call an audible? Newton admitted in his meeting with Gruden that
he NEVER called an audible at Auburn. Never? How is he going to
do when James Harrison is frothing at mouth while showing blitz and
Troy Polamalu is sprinting up the middle like a heat-seeking missile?
Oh, the Panthers will probably take Newton cause their franchise,
which is on life-support, needs Newton to be its defibrillator. Somebody
who can spark ticket sales and sell sponsorships.
Plus, every coach and staff thinks they can "coach up" a player.
Didn't they think that with JaMarcus Russell and Ryan Leaf, two
gifted college QB's who didn't have the brains or moxie to play QB
in the NFL. They turned out to be two of the biggest busts in the
history of the league.
A QB is the CEO of the team and the face of the franchise. Can
the Panthers trust a player who was stealing laptops in college? Can
they teach a guy who never learned how to read a defense in college,
to break down the sophisticated, Star Wars defenses of the NFL?
Matt Ryan was a ready made NFL QB coming out of Boston College.
He started for three years, ran a pro-style offense under Jeff Jagodzinski,
who was an offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers.
In his pre-draft meetings with the Atlanta Falcons, he was breaking
down defenses and making sight adjustments better than the coach
who was grilling him. Newton is nowhere near as advanced as Ryan,
and even Ryan struggled in his second year when teams adjusted to him.
Newton will be a project to which team drafts him. He'll need a
good two to three years to develop into just a solid back-up. That's how
Aaron Rodgers developed after being drafted in the first round. He sat
behind Brett Favre and learned the ropes. And when he was called
upon, Rodgers proved he is one of the best QB's in the NFL. Carson
Palmer sat behind the immortal Jon Kitna in Cincinnati for a year after
being the first overall player taken.
Newton won't be sitting behind a Favre or a Jim Kelly in Buffalo,
if the Bills do take him. Newton will be thrown into the fire right away.
But Newton has been thrown into the fire a lot over the last year,
hasn't he?
Tonight's NFL draft should be very interesting and guaranteed to
draw some big ratings, thanks to Newton and his mystique. The man
who wore number 2 at Auburn is most likely to be taken first overall
by the Carolina Panthers, but don't be surprised if he keeps falling, and
falling, and falling and drops a lot further than expected.
of an H3 Hummer, runs like a Ferrari, and shines like a meticulously
detailed Bentley.
But get out of the Car Fax and you'll see that he has some serious
damage under the hood. There was the arrest for stealing a laptop
at Florida, whispers of a cheating scandal, and that pay-for-play
drama with Mississippi State that monopolized the headlines in the fall.
Still, scouts are drooling over Newton like a 13-year old goes
gaga over a high school teacher who has all the "tools". The former
Heisman trophy winner is gifted with a bazooka for an arm, legs
that can cover forty yards in 4.5 seconds, and a body that is 250lbs
of twisted steel.
But Newton's ability to play quarterback at the next level has been
seriously questioned by anyone and everyone who has and has not ever
played the game. They say he played in the spread at Auburn, didn't
have to drop back or read a defense, but rather the numbers off a card
that the offensive coordinator displayed on the sideline.
As you read, there are a lot BUT's and HOWEVER's with Cam Newton
because he's a mega-talented star with lots, and lots of question marks.
As John Gruden demonstrated in his coaching session with Newton on
ESPN, just calling the plays can be like learning a foreign language. How
about: 3 set, triple right, kill option zone, z post, x fly, y cross, on one,
ready break. In that session alone, Newton's head was spinning like a top
on the playground.
Does a team like the Carolina Panthers really want to invest about $50
million dollars in a player who may not be a able to read a defense or
call an audible? Newton admitted in his meeting with Gruden that
he NEVER called an audible at Auburn. Never? How is he going to
do when James Harrison is frothing at mouth while showing blitz and
Troy Polamalu is sprinting up the middle like a heat-seeking missile?
Oh, the Panthers will probably take Newton cause their franchise,
which is on life-support, needs Newton to be its defibrillator. Somebody
who can spark ticket sales and sell sponsorships.
Plus, every coach and staff thinks they can "coach up" a player.
Didn't they think that with JaMarcus Russell and Ryan Leaf, two
gifted college QB's who didn't have the brains or moxie to play QB
in the NFL. They turned out to be two of the biggest busts in the
history of the league.
A QB is the CEO of the team and the face of the franchise. Can
the Panthers trust a player who was stealing laptops in college? Can
they teach a guy who never learned how to read a defense in college,
to break down the sophisticated, Star Wars defenses of the NFL?
Matt Ryan was a ready made NFL QB coming out of Boston College.
He started for three years, ran a pro-style offense under Jeff Jagodzinski,
who was an offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers.
In his pre-draft meetings with the Atlanta Falcons, he was breaking
down defenses and making sight adjustments better than the coach
who was grilling him. Newton is nowhere near as advanced as Ryan,
and even Ryan struggled in his second year when teams adjusted to him.
Newton will be a project to which team drafts him. He'll need a
good two to three years to develop into just a solid back-up. That's how
Aaron Rodgers developed after being drafted in the first round. He sat
behind Brett Favre and learned the ropes. And when he was called
upon, Rodgers proved he is one of the best QB's in the NFL. Carson
Palmer sat behind the immortal Jon Kitna in Cincinnati for a year after
being the first overall player taken.
Newton won't be sitting behind a Favre or a Jim Kelly in Buffalo,
if the Bills do take him. Newton will be thrown into the fire right away.
But Newton has been thrown into the fire a lot over the last year,
hasn't he?
Tonight's NFL draft should be very interesting and guaranteed to
draw some big ratings, thanks to Newton and his mystique. The man
who wore number 2 at Auburn is most likely to be taken first overall
by the Carolina Panthers, but don't be surprised if he keeps falling, and
falling, and falling and drops a lot further than expected.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
TOP 10 THINGS BART SCOTT "CAN'T WAIT!" FOR.
10. Can't Wait! to see Brandon Marshall so I can rip him about his
wife trying to gut him like Hanibel Lecter with a steak knife.
Going to send along some fava beans and chianti.
9. Can't Wait! to see Mark Sanchez and explain to him the difference
between a 16-year old girl and a 21-year old. It's usually a dead
giveaway when she says, "wait, I have to put my retainer in before
I go to bed."
8. Can't Wait! to see the new Rex Ryan foot fetish videos. Sexy
Rexy and his wife have been working on two blockbusters,
"Feet gone wild", and "This little piggy went to the market."
7. Can't Wait! to see Antonio Cromartie on Father's day. With
9 kids by 7 different woman, he's going to need some name tags.
6. Can't Wait! to see Tom Brady and rag on him for dancing like
Pee Wee Herman in that video from Brazil. And Can't Wait! to
send him some tissue after seeing him break down in that
"Brady 6" piece cause he didn't get drafted in the third round.
5. Can't Wait! to see Braylon Edwards and congratulate him for
not getting arrested in the off-season. For once.
4. Can't Wait! to see Vernon Gholston. Oh, wait a minute, they
finally cut his ass. He was the biggest failure in Gang Green
since Rich Kotite was wearing a fake nose and glasses on the
sideline. What? They weren't fake? My bad.
3. Can't Wait! to see Tiki Barber and recommend that he keeps
himself retired. You left your pregnant wife with no class,
NBC fired you, and no NFL team wants you. There's always
the UFL.
2. Can't Wait! to tell Rex Ryan to keep his fat mouth shut. The guy
guarantees a Super Bowl win every year and it's getting old. How
can so much garbage come out of his mouth at the same time
so much is going in? At least he kept his shirt on this off-season
and didn't flip anybody the bird.
1. Can't Wait! for this NFL lockout to end so I can cash in on all
this "Can't Wait!" stuff.
wife trying to gut him like Hanibel Lecter with a steak knife.
Going to send along some fava beans and chianti.
9. Can't Wait! to see Mark Sanchez and explain to him the difference
between a 16-year old girl and a 21-year old. It's usually a dead
giveaway when she says, "wait, I have to put my retainer in before
I go to bed."
8. Can't Wait! to see the new Rex Ryan foot fetish videos. Sexy
Rexy and his wife have been working on two blockbusters,
"Feet gone wild", and "This little piggy went to the market."
7. Can't Wait! to see Antonio Cromartie on Father's day. With
9 kids by 7 different woman, he's going to need some name tags.
6. Can't Wait! to see Tom Brady and rag on him for dancing like
Pee Wee Herman in that video from Brazil. And Can't Wait! to
send him some tissue after seeing him break down in that
"Brady 6" piece cause he didn't get drafted in the third round.
5. Can't Wait! to see Braylon Edwards and congratulate him for
not getting arrested in the off-season. For once.
4. Can't Wait! to see Vernon Gholston. Oh, wait a minute, they
finally cut his ass. He was the biggest failure in Gang Green
since Rich Kotite was wearing a fake nose and glasses on the
sideline. What? They weren't fake? My bad.
3. Can't Wait! to see Tiki Barber and recommend that he keeps
himself retired. You left your pregnant wife with no class,
NBC fired you, and no NFL team wants you. There's always
the UFL.
2. Can't Wait! to tell Rex Ryan to keep his fat mouth shut. The guy
guarantees a Super Bowl win every year and it's getting old. How
can so much garbage come out of his mouth at the same time
so much is going in? At least he kept his shirt on this off-season
and didn't flip anybody the bird.
1. Can't Wait! for this NFL lockout to end so I can cash in on all
this "Can't Wait!" stuff.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
CARL CRAWFORD: A DEER IN THE BOSTON HEADLIGHTS
Carl Crawford is already heading into Mike Hampton territory. You
remember Hampton, don't you? He parlayed a 15 and 10 season into
a monster of a contract. The Colorado Rockies gave him an 8-year,
$121 million dollar contract, which was unheard of for a pitcher.
Hampton wore that mega-deal around his neck like an albatross. He
buckled under the pressure of it like Bernie Madoff did after his Ponzi
scheme was uncovered. Hampton was always getting hurt or whacked
around like a Pinata at a 10-year olds birthday party. Over the next 8
years, Hampton won just 63 games. Oh, but he could hit. He finished
his career with a .246 average.
Crawford could only wish he could hit like Hampton right about now.
After Friday's oh-fer, the speedy outfielder is hitting .135 with an OBP
of under .200. That's not exactly what the Red Sox had in mind when
they signed him to a 7-year, $142 million dollar contract in the off-season.
Right now, Crawford is hitting seventh in the lineup as an outfielder with
not many hits and no power. He can't steal any bases because he never
gets on-base to even try.
Is this a case of Crawford getting caught in the Boston headlights? Is
the pressure of signing the 14th richest contract in sports history causing
his to squeeze the bat so tight that saw dust is coming out? Crawford makes
a cool, $125,000 per game. That is insane!
When Crawford played for Tampa Bay, he never had to be "the man."
Thathonor was bestowed upon All-Star third baseman Evan Longoria.
I was goingto say that Crawford just blended into the crowd, but the
trouble is, there weren't many of them at Tropicana Field. High school
football games had more fans for Friday night football games than the
Rays averaged during Crawford's time there.
In addition, the media down there is softer than the stay-puff
marshmallow man. They would much rather be your friend, than ask
you a tough question or write something bad about you. Crawford had
it so good and so easy down there.There was no pressure, no criticism,
and he could go unnoticed around Tampa and not have to worry about
fans getting all over him if he was in bad slump.
And Crawford's personality was perfect down there. He is just a nice
guy. Nevercauses any waves and is friendly to his teammates, media,
and fans. I wouldn't say he had anything close to thick skin. He is a
ridiculously talented player who was so good at football and basketball
in high school, he could've played just about anywhere he wanted in both.
Now, he's in the Hub of the sports universe. A place where every
game is covered like the World Series, and fans pack the house every
night. If you pick your nose and say you did it with your right finger, the
fans will call BS and tell you did it with your left. Fans in Boston know
the name of the mother of the back-up second baseman of the team's
Class A affiliate in Salem, Virginia.
The media? Uh, we already know that it's tougher than tough. They don't
want to be your friend, but do want to know why you swung at that nasty
3-2 slider in the dirt in the fifth inning with the bases loaded. They are
merciless. After the game, players coming back from their shower will
find a bigger hoard of media than that of a presidential news conference.
Edgar Renteria found out what Boston was all about the hard way.
He signed a 4-year, $40 million dollar contract in 2005. I covered his
initial press conference with the Red Sox and did a one-on-one interview
with him after it. His eyes were bugged out, just like the guy who got
his boat rammed by the big yacht in "Caddyshack". You know, the
holy &^$#! look. Renteria was sweating and his hands were shaking.
I was like, "this dude, ain't going to make it here." And he didn't. Renteria,
once a slick-fielding shortstop made 30 errors in his first season. The
Red Sox had seen enough. They paid the Atlanta Braves about
75 percent of his contract to take him. Please, just take him.
The worst thing that could've happened to Crawford happened. He
got off to a horrendous start. He not only can't hit, but he's having
trouble fielding.The fans are already on him, and he's getting criticized
for the first time in his life in most sports-crazed town in the country.
Crawford's make-up is going to be seriously challenged. There's nothing
worse for a hitter to look up on the board and see your average
hovering near the price of a bottle of water. I know all about that,
I got off to a 2-for-21 start in my second year in the minors, and I
felt like my season was already over.
The mental battle is a tough one and Crawford will have to pull
it together just to finish with a respectable year. He didn't even have
to be the man with the Red Sox. After all they already had established
stars like Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, and Adrian Gonzalez, who is
also having trouble adjusting from life in sunny San Diego where everyone
is laid back, to Boston, where everyone is type-A. But when you're
"the man" with a $141 million dollar contract, there his no place to hide.
On Friday night in Anaheim, some fans sitting near Red Sox dugout
were throwing crumpled up dollar bills at Crawford while he was in
the on-deck circle. Ouch. Good luck, Carl.
remember Hampton, don't you? He parlayed a 15 and 10 season into
a monster of a contract. The Colorado Rockies gave him an 8-year,
$121 million dollar contract, which was unheard of for a pitcher.
Hampton wore that mega-deal around his neck like an albatross. He
buckled under the pressure of it like Bernie Madoff did after his Ponzi
scheme was uncovered. Hampton was always getting hurt or whacked
around like a Pinata at a 10-year olds birthday party. Over the next 8
years, Hampton won just 63 games. Oh, but he could hit. He finished
his career with a .246 average.
Crawford could only wish he could hit like Hampton right about now.
After Friday's oh-fer, the speedy outfielder is hitting .135 with an OBP
of under .200. That's not exactly what the Red Sox had in mind when
they signed him to a 7-year, $142 million dollar contract in the off-season.
Right now, Crawford is hitting seventh in the lineup as an outfielder with
not many hits and no power. He can't steal any bases because he never
gets on-base to even try.
Is this a case of Crawford getting caught in the Boston headlights? Is
the pressure of signing the 14th richest contract in sports history causing
his to squeeze the bat so tight that saw dust is coming out? Crawford makes
a cool, $125,000 per game. That is insane!
When Crawford played for Tampa Bay, he never had to be "the man."
Thathonor was bestowed upon All-Star third baseman Evan Longoria.
I was goingto say that Crawford just blended into the crowd, but the
trouble is, there weren't many of them at Tropicana Field. High school
football games had more fans for Friday night football games than the
Rays averaged during Crawford's time there.
In addition, the media down there is softer than the stay-puff
marshmallow man. They would much rather be your friend, than ask
you a tough question or write something bad about you. Crawford had
it so good and so easy down there.There was no pressure, no criticism,
and he could go unnoticed around Tampa and not have to worry about
fans getting all over him if he was in bad slump.
And Crawford's personality was perfect down there. He is just a nice
guy. Nevercauses any waves and is friendly to his teammates, media,
and fans. I wouldn't say he had anything close to thick skin. He is a
ridiculously talented player who was so good at football and basketball
in high school, he could've played just about anywhere he wanted in both.
Now, he's in the Hub of the sports universe. A place where every
game is covered like the World Series, and fans pack the house every
night. If you pick your nose and say you did it with your right finger, the
fans will call BS and tell you did it with your left. Fans in Boston know
the name of the mother of the back-up second baseman of the team's
Class A affiliate in Salem, Virginia.
The media? Uh, we already know that it's tougher than tough. They don't
want to be your friend, but do want to know why you swung at that nasty
3-2 slider in the dirt in the fifth inning with the bases loaded. They are
merciless. After the game, players coming back from their shower will
find a bigger hoard of media than that of a presidential news conference.
Edgar Renteria found out what Boston was all about the hard way.
He signed a 4-year, $40 million dollar contract in 2005. I covered his
initial press conference with the Red Sox and did a one-on-one interview
with him after it. His eyes were bugged out, just like the guy who got
his boat rammed by the big yacht in "Caddyshack". You know, the
holy &^$#! look. Renteria was sweating and his hands were shaking.
I was like, "this dude, ain't going to make it here." And he didn't. Renteria,
once a slick-fielding shortstop made 30 errors in his first season. The
Red Sox had seen enough. They paid the Atlanta Braves about
75 percent of his contract to take him. Please, just take him.
The worst thing that could've happened to Crawford happened. He
got off to a horrendous start. He not only can't hit, but he's having
trouble fielding.The fans are already on him, and he's getting criticized
for the first time in his life in most sports-crazed town in the country.
Crawford's make-up is going to be seriously challenged. There's nothing
worse for a hitter to look up on the board and see your average
hovering near the price of a bottle of water. I know all about that,
I got off to a 2-for-21 start in my second year in the minors, and I
felt like my season was already over.
The mental battle is a tough one and Crawford will have to pull
it together just to finish with a respectable year. He didn't even have
to be the man with the Red Sox. After all they already had established
stars like Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, and Adrian Gonzalez, who is
also having trouble adjusting from life in sunny San Diego where everyone
is laid back, to Boston, where everyone is type-A. But when you're
"the man" with a $141 million dollar contract, there his no place to hide.
On Friday night in Anaheim, some fans sitting near Red Sox dugout
were throwing crumpled up dollar bills at Crawford while he was in
the on-deck circle. Ouch. Good luck, Carl.
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