Ole' 45 Calling It Like I See It

ESPN's 30 for 30 series has been some of the best original programming ESPN has offered. For those of you who aren't familiar with the programming various directors have made documentaries about various events in sports spanning the 30 years since ESPN has been on the air. I haven't watched all of them but everyone I have watched have been excellent. On Sunday I watched the newest episode "The Two Escobars". The movie was about the 1994 Columbian Soccer Team and Pablo Escobar a well behaved Columbian Gentlemen who was the worlds largest distributor of the original Coke. In the World Cup Andres Escobar mistakenly knocked in all goal for the US which played a part in Columbia's elimination. Not familiar with the story I was under the impression the Pablo had Andres whacked for his error but that was not the case. Somehow the documentary made Pablo look like a true Robin Hood and detailed his connection to Columbian soccer. The documentary was excellent and I would recomend it to everyone. From the movie I learned two things. First off the people of Columbia can tolerate a horrendous mistake in World Cup play but never tell a member of the Columbian Mafia to piss off. Secondly Pablo Escobar was a saint to millions and Columbia was better off with him in control or at least that is how the documentary made it seem.


Carlos Zambrano has what will likely be his final meltdown as a Cub. Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse Cub fans. This isn't anything new with Zambrano but it's amazing how your perception changes when the pitchers ERA is above 5. This time Zambrano was angered by what he percieved as a lack of effort by D. Lee on a ball down the line. Lee likely spoke for 2/3rds of the Clubhouse and more or less said suck balls. Zambrano has passed the point of no return and the Cubs would like nothing more than for him to never suit up again. The problem is he is owed about 39 million dollars and has two years left on the deal. Therefore cutting him and eating 40 mil doesn't cut it in today's market and with a team who's ownership has everything they own and more invested in the team. The only resolution one could hope for is that Zambrano returns albeit as a MRP and is effective enough that a team like the Mets, Dodgers(very unlikely because of the McCourts at Court),Phillies or a host of other teams who could need another effective arm down the stretch. Due to the contract you aren't likely to get equal value in return but if you could settle for less in return but shed some of the cost it would be a textbook case of addition by subtraction. Even if Zambrano remains a Cub throughout the rest of this season I see no possible way he is on the Opening Day Roster in 2011.


Stephen Strasburg All-Star? A popular question on the chat box the last couple of days. As a fan I say 100% yes. I watch a ton of baseball but it is very rare for me to circle a day part for must see viewing. That is exactly what I do when the Stras is pitching. I know the novelty will ware off eventually but right now he is certainly one of the biggest stars in the game. Who would you rather see in a 3-3 game in the 8th inning Carlos Silva or the Stras? Nothing wrong with the ground ball out but I'll take 100 and a Bugs Bunny change anyday.


Have you voted for the All Star team yet? It should be mandatory for every fan of the game of baseball to vote for the All-Star teams. I do this every year and I fill out only one ballot. I remember as a child how exciting it was to go to the games and filling out the ballot and stuffing it in the slot. With today's online balloting I no longer do the ballot perhaps I am still fearful of those hanging Chad's but I still get excited seeing the actual ballot at the ballpark. Here is my AL and NL selections.

C AL- Joe Mauer. Considerd voting for Napoli but Mauer edge in AVG was to great to overcome.

C NL- Miguel Olivo. I wonder what the Vegas Odds were to begin the season.

1B AL- Miguel Cabrera. Little doubt at a loaded position.

1B NL- Albert Pujols. A good but not Albert season made this decision a little close.

2B AL- Robinson Cano. The AL MVP up to this point.

2B NL- Martin Prado. Did I really just go there?

SS AL- Derek Jeter. Typically a solid choice but this year it was more by default.

SS NL- Hanley Ramirez. Good season but benefitted from the Tulo injury.

3B AL- Adrian Beltre. How can a Red Sox player hit nearly .350 and not be talked about?

3B-NL David Wright. The power that vanished last season has been found.

OF AL- Josh Hamilton. Goes without saying.
Alex Rios. Last years move could go down as a steal.
Carl Crawford. The Catalyst on the AL's most exciting offensive team.

OF NL- Jayson Werth. Proving that 09 was just about finding his groove.
Ryan Braun. Would have expected more but the NL OF isn't loaded.
Corey Hart. Turn around season earns my first ever Write In Vote.

DH AL- Vlad Guerrero. A return to form thanks to get health and the Ballpark in Arlington.

I really take my time and look over all the stats. Several of the positions have 3 or 4 other players who you could easily make a arguement for inclusion. I encourage everyone to vote. The voting ends today at 11:59PM. It is your civil duty or should be.



NBA Free Agency began at 12AM. More than likley by the time this post someone has signed somewhere. I don't follow basketball college or pro but I really hope Lebron James signs quickly because nothing is worse to me than having my day filled with 45 hypothetical scenarios about where he is going.


Speaking of the mothership of cable networks. I watched ESPN Tuesday Night baseball this week which is a rarity for me. SInce I have the MLB package I generally watch the regional broadcast of every team. Anyway Aaron Boone was the third man in the booth and for as much as I enjoyed him as a player, I hated him as a announcer. Very uncomfortable to watch.


Michael Vick, Tit bar, gun shots. This is not the newest knock knock joke amongst the teen circuit. This was the actual headlines of events last week for the Dog Man. Vick had stated that he wasn't at teh scene when gunshots were fired but video surviellance suggest otherwise. Whehter he was or wasn't isn't the issue. The issue is you are walking a fine line between banishment from your proffesion and a chance to make a comfortable living playing football and you choose to celebrate your birthday at a strip joint till late in the evening. When you are a public figure athelte, teacher, doctor, lawyer and numerous other proffesions you cannot allow yourself to be put in situations such as this. THis may not be fair or just but the reality is some people are held to a higher standard just as they should be. As your life progresses things that were acceptable at 8 aren't at 18. Just as your behavior at 21 shouldn't be a mirror image of you at 30. If it is you have issues and Mr. Vick you have issues. Quit shitting in your pullup and start using the potty before you are cleaning up dog shit as a custodial worker at your local park.