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Tonight (or rather Sunday morning in China), Michael Phelps won a record eighth gold medal at the Beijing Olympics as a member of the victorious U.S. 4×100-meter medley relay team. With this win, he breaks a tie with Mark Spitz for most golds in a single Games. Phelps has now won a career total of 16 medals (14 gold), more than any male Olympian in history! Only Soviet Gymnast, Larysa Latynina, has won more medals, winning 18 in the 1950s-60s.
Way to go! See ya in 2012, Mike!
President Bush’s arrival in China to attend the Olympics opening ceremony comes on the heals of some pretty harsh words concerning the country’s dismal human rights record. Speaking to a group of students and business leaders in Bangkok, Thailand, Bush said that cooperation with China on economic ties, negotiations with North Korea and relations with Taiwan put the U.S. in “a better position to be honest and direct on other issues,” like human rights.
“We speak out for a free press, freedom of assembly and labor rights, not to antagonize China’s leaders, but because trusting its people with greater freedom is the only way for China to develop its full potential.”
Of course, many are criticizing the President for politicizing the Olympic games, while others are saying he could have sent a stronger message by foregoing the opening ceremonies altogether.
Of course, a presidential boycott of the olympics is simply ridiculous. I believe President Bush is absolutely doing the right thing by bringing attention to China’s restrictions on individual liberty.
So, what is China’s reaction?
Qin Gang, a spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry said that China has
“consistently advocated dialogue and exchange on the basis of mutual respect and equality [and] We firmly oppose any use of human rights or religious issues to interfere in internal affairs.”
Right! I’m sure the Tibetans would argue otherwise!
Major League Baseball is putting the screws to little leaguers who play under the names of the big league teams. How ridiculous is that? Essentially, MLB is telling uniform makers that not only are the big league logos trademarked, but the actual team names, as well. Which means, if the little leaguers wanted to use the name “Red Sox,” for instance, it would be required to pay a licensing fee to MLB. Not only that, they would be required to buy their uniforms from the big league team’s “official” supplier.
So, gone are the days of community baseball where local sponsors support local kids enjoying the great American pastime. Gone also are the kids who grow-up standing in the shoes of baseball greats like Mantle, Ruth, DiMaggio and Gehrig.
I suppose I can understand MLB’s point-of-view. After all, who wants a kid to establish an affinity with a specific major league team? Who needs a life-long fan?
Obviously, MLB doesn’t! They should be ashamed of themselves!
I would be interested to see how lawsuits such as these, brought against the innocent, will affect MLB’s antitrust exemption? The big league should tread lightly, as I have warned before, baseball stands to loose a great deal more than licensing fees should Congress decide that baseball is, in reality, a multi-billion dollar industry and not just a game.
There have been numerous calls, recently from Senator Hillary Clinton, for the United States and/or its elected officials to boycott the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. Bad move! Although I decry the Tibetan human rights abuses perpetrated by the Chinese, to boycott the Olympic games as a form of national protest will not accomplish anything. In fact, I believe it will only serve to marginalize our influence. After all, did our boycotting the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow have any influence or impact on the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan? Nope. Nada. Not at all. It was the U.S. and its allies supporting, training and supplying the Mojahedin, that ultimately (after 10 years of fighting) led to the Soviet withdrawal. Boycotting the Olympic games only served to deprive American athletes of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete and test their mettle.
The Olympic games are supposed to be apolitical and rightfully so! However, a nation-state can allow its athletes to compete while simultaneously denouncing the actions of the host government. For example, President Bush can and should attend the opening ceremonies, but he should not pay his respects to the Games’ oppressive hosts. In 1980, several countries joining the U.S. in the boycott, allowed their athletes to compete, but they marched under the Olympic flag instead of the flag of their home country. Never! Our athletes will compete proudly and fiercely under the U.S. colors! Winning athletes can achieve political victories. Remember Jesse Owens at the 1936 Olympics?
The reality: Considering China has financed the majority of U.S. debt, how likely is the U.S. government to make a political statement at these Olympic games?
(not very)
MORE:
Mike Tippitt at Wake up America provides an interesting perspective and questions the inconsistency of a politician’s outrage. After all, was Saddam Hussein’s treatment of the Kurds really any different than China’s treatment of the Tibetans?
In his five-hour Senate testimony today, Yankee pitcher and seven-time Cy Young award winner, Roger Clemens, denied under oath that he ever used steroids or human growth hormone (HGH). This, of course, contradicts the sworn testimony of Clemen’s former trainer, Brian McNamee, who says he did. So, one of them is lying and has perjured himself before the U.S. Senate. But who? I pretty much think both men are sleazy and therefore, equally capable of lying: McNamee comes off as a snake oil salesman; while Clemens is a dirty politician who spent the past week lobbying congressmen (passing out signed baseballs, no doubt).
However, in light of the deposition provided by Clemens’ longtime friend and teammate, Andy Pettitte, I believe the Yankee pitcher is lying. Evidently, Pettitte’s testimony corroborates McNamee’s story and what’s more, Pettitte is believable! (Pettitte has already admitted to using HGH and has nothing to gain by lying). Of his friend’s testimony, Clemens said Pettitte must have “misremembered”.
It’s sad when a player in the twilight of his career has to resort to performance-enhancing drugs to eke out a couple more years.
There’s certainly no joy in Mudville today.
Hall of Famer, Cal Ripkin, Jr., was called on by the State Department to serve as a Goodwill Ambassador. According to the State Department, as a special sports envoy, Cal will “promote cross-cultural dialog and increase understanding of the United States by sharing his impressive personal story and life experiences,” as well as reach out to a “worldwide audience of young people while visiting their schools and clubs, hosting baseball skills clinics, and sharing the keys to his success: character, hard work and perseverance.”
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice formally announced Cal’s appointment and referencing his record of 2,632 consecutive games said, “Cal, I assume that whenever I call you, you’re going to be hard at work for America.” His work begins in October with a visit to China!
Regarding his appointment, Cal said, “This isn’t a political statement for me, necessarily,… This is about kids … and using baseball for good reasons. I know it is not probably going to be easy in some environments. Sport — baseball in particular — is very magical. It can go across cultural lines.”
I’ve said it before, Cal Ripkin Jr. is a class act! He’s a sports figure that kids can look up to and he brings honor to the game of baseball. He’s what every man should strive to be.
Congrats, Cal!
Barry Bonds moved into the top spot last night, passing Hammerin’ Hank Aaron, as the all-time home run leader. Bond’s hit his record-breaking dinger (his 22nd of the season) over the right-field fence, in the bottom of the 5th inning, off a 3-2 fastball thrown by Washington Nationals Mike Bacsik.
Hank Aaron, to my surprise, offered his congratulations via a video message played to a home town crowd in the Giants’ AT&T stadium in a small ceremony after Bonds crossed home plate…
It still doesn’t change the fact that Bonds’ achievement is tainted by his use of steroids and his home run count in the record books should be marked by a very prominent asterisk (756*).
Bonds hit his 755th home run tonight in Petco Park, the home of the San Diego Padres, tying Hark Aaron’s all-time record. Bonds hit his dinger over the left field fence, in the top of the second, off a 2-1 fastball thrown by Padres’ Clay Hensley.
{ yawn }
UPDATE:
Aug 5, 2007-9:08am: Baseball commissioner, Bud Selig, made the following statement last night after Bonds hit his homer and left the game for a pinch runner:
“No matter what anybody thinks of the controversy surrounding this event, Mr. Bonds’ achievement is noteworthy and remarkable. As I said previously, out of respect for the tradition of the game, the magnitude of the record and the fact all citizens in this country are innocent until proven guilty, either I or a representative of my office will attend the next few games and make every attempt to observe the breaking of the all-time home run record.”
However, when asked two weeks ago if he thought Bonds record was legitimate, Selig wouldn’t take a position.
Hank Aaron’s position is very clear: He didn’t attend the game because he doesn’t want to validate Bonds’ achievement with his presence. Aaron has disassociated himself from Bonds since 2003 when Bonds was implicated in documents obtained by law enforcement from a facility involved in steroid distribution. By not attending Bonds’ games, Aaron is making a definitive statement about Bonds’ claim to the home run record. Aaron told The Associated Press on Monday that his refusal to comment on Bonds was his comment.
Last night Barry Bonds hit his 754th career home run off a 2-1 pitch by Marlin rookie Rick Vanden Hurk. The homer came in the bottom of the 1st inning and Bonds smacked it 420 feet over the left-centerfield wall. This shot, his 20th of the season, brings Bonds within 1 of the great Hank Aaron’s all-time home run record. Bond’s dinger was the highlight of the Giants 12-10 win over the Marlins.
So, now what? Bonds will hit his 755th home run and tie the Hammer (perhaps in today’s or tomorrow’s games), and will then surpass him. But instead of being remembered for the homerun record, 7 MVPs, over 500 stolen bases, 8 Gold Gloves and more than a dozen All-Star selection, Bonds will always be associated with steroid use! Fans in stadiums around the country tout signs that scream “CHEATER” or “Barroid,” and some feature just a simple asterisk ( * ) — the symbol many believe, as do I, should sit right next to Bonds’ numbers because of the possibility his achievements were attained with the aid of performance-enhancing drugs.
Of course, Bonds says his accomplishments are a product of God-given talent and just plain hard work.
Nice. But didn’t he reportedly fail an amphetamines test last season?
So, juice-up Barry…just a couple more dingers and you’re through! When you move into the 1st spot on the home run list, there will be no honor in your record.
Aug 1, 2007-5:25am: Last night, a hostile LA Dodger crowd cheers Bonds home run-less streak. Bonds’ pursuit of the Hammer’s home run record stalls as he fails to hit a record-tying 755th home run after 3 games and 16 at-bats!
(photo by Caleb Simpson/US Presswire)
Outfielder Sammy Sosa hit his 600th career homerun tonight against the Chicago Cubs (and his former teammates). Sosa homered to right-center off a 1-2 pitch in the fifth inning. He’s the fifth player to reach this milestone after Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds, Babe Ruth and Willie Mays.
Sosa took a year off from baseball after the 2005 season. The spring of that year he was one of a few who testified before Congress about steroid use in baseball. Sosa, like Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds, was suspected of using performance-enhancing drugs. Hitting just .221 in 102 games, his performance that year wasn’t anything to shout about either.
Six hundred home runs is quite an achievement, but I just can’t help but think Sosa, like Bonds, doesn’t deserve the fans’ adulation. Have we forgotten that in addition to suspected steroid use, he was caught in front of a hometown crowd using a corked bat? I think he’s just another sleazy baseball player who doesn’t have a problem breaking the rules to achieve his goals.
I miss Cal Ripkin, Jr. Now, there was a baseball player with class! He was a player kids could look up to, someone to admire.
I’ve been a fan of stock car racing practically all my life. Although I’ve liked some drivers more than others, I’ve never really had a favorite. I’ve always been a big fan of the Wood Brothers of Stuart, Virginia. They’re the oldest independent racing team and I’m always pulling for whomever drives for them. For the past six years the USAF has been a sponsor of Wood Brothers Racing and it appears their partnership will continue for a seventh. According to Wood Brother’s Racing…
HARRISBURG, NC (December 21, 2006) The United States Air Force has announced that they will be returning as both a primary and associate sponsor of the No. 21 Wood Brothers/JTG NASCAR NEXTEL Cup team. 2007 will mark the seventh consecutive year in which they have backed the famous No. 21 car.
Driver Ken Schrader will kick-off the 2007 Season by driving the No. 21 Air Force Ford Fusion in the Bud Shootout at Daytona International Speedway on February 10th. Air Force will further their relationship with the Wood Brothers/JTG Organization by activating their primary sponsorship in seven additional events during the remainder of the season. These dates include Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Lowe’s Motor Speedway for the Coca-Cola 600, the July Daytona event, Pocono Raceway, the Bristol Night race in August, Richmond International Raceway in the final race before the Chase for the Championship and Dover International Speedway on September 23rd.
Third-generation driver Jon Wood will be behind the wheel for all but one of the primary sponsorship races in the No. 21 Air Force Ford Fusion.
“Having a chance to represent the United States Air Force next year is an honor for me,” stated the 24-year old Stuart, Virginia native. “To me, it stands for the men and women who put their lives on the line around the world every day so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have,” he added.
The fact that the USAF sponsors my favorite race team is quite simply, the icing on the cake. I’m looking forward to being home for the 2007 season and can’t wait to see Jon Wood’s first year in Nextel Cup racing!
Super Bowl XL is over and the Pittsburgh Steelers are the national champs! I enjoyed the game, although the kick-off occurred at 8 am here in Korea. This is the first superbowl in as long as I can remember that I didn’t drink a beer!!
It was good to see Roethlisberger get out of the pocket and make some plays. I’ve grown to expect to see the quarterback be more concerned about “protection” than “winning” in football games these days. I must say, today’s game was a welcome change and a testimony to the team that really wanted to wear that ring!
Jerome “The Bus” Bettis announced his retirement after the game. Of course, it really comes as no surprise because the rumors abounded in the weeks leading up to the game. I’m sorry to see him go. Bettis has been a class act since he first entered the NFL back in ‘93. During his 13-year career, he played for my two favorite teams: He was drafted in the first round (10th pick overall) by the Rams, where he played for three years (two in LA and one in St. Louis); the remainder of his career he wore a Steeler uniform.
His stats* were very impressive:
I’m pleased the Steelers won the Lombardi Trophy and was very glad to have the opportunity to witness the final game of #36–I’ll miss Jerome Bettis! What a way to go out, winning the biggest game of the year, the biggest game of your career! For Pittsburgh it was the biggest game since 1980, when the Steelers played the Rams for the national championship (Super Bowl XIV: Pitt 31 / LA 19).
* according to the NFL at http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/1152
The NCAA’s new ruling to disallow the use of Native American images by colleges with Native American mascots is the perfect example of political correctness gone amok. I find it terribly ironic that no sooner did the NCAA make this announcement the Seminole’s of Florida and Oklahoma categorically endorsed Florida State University and the use of the Seminole name and image. And this isn’t the only example.
Recently the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, Gerald Murray, denounced the use of the Native American “chief” and any other Native American symbols by active duty chief master sergeants (their term of address is “chief”). The image of the native american chief in headdress has long been held in high esteem by Air Force enlisted men and women for the virtues he espouses. The Native American chief represents the leader many Air Force chiefs aspire to be. Interestingly enough, Chief Murray, sees no problem in the Air Force’s use of the name “Thunderbird” (aircraft performance team), “Tomahawk” (missile) and numerous Native American mascots on unit patches. It seems the one group of people who actually revere the Native American “chief,” are the only people who are disrespecting the Native American culture! How does one argue with this ridiculously faulty logic?
These are just a couple of examples of the way relatively small activist groups infect our culture. Everything offends someone and if someone is offended, everyone must adjust their behavior and line of thought. I’m offended by the fact that too many in our society have no backbone and will not simply tell these whiners to get a life.
Soon, Alabama will be changing the name of its football team from the “Crimson” Tide to something more benign because the word “crimson” offends the color blind!
The House Committee on Governmental Reform has subpoenaed several baseball players and may soon call out baseball officials to answer questions on steroid use by players. Baseball is fighting the summons, and a lot of sports people are complaining that Congress has no business getting involved, and are simply grandstanding for votes. Maybe they are grandstanding, but how quickly we forget that baseball, “America’s Favorite Pastime” was granted an anti-trust exemption by Congress in the early 1900s. Perhaps Bud Selig and the owners should “play ball” with Congress because the anti-trust exemption certainly isn’t in the players (or fans) best interest. It’s Selig and the owners that have the most to loose should Congress decide that baseball isn’t “just a game” and is indeed a multi-billion dollar corporation and not worthy of this exemption.
Seven active or former players, including Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, and Jose Canseco, and four baseball executives, including Rob Manfred, executive vice president for labor relations in the commissioner’s office and players’ association head Donald Fehr, have been told to appear Thursday. Also subpoenaed were Rafael Palmeiro, Curt Schilling, Frank Thomas and Jason Giambi. Canseco has asked for immunity so he can testify fully.
I’m no fan of government intervention, but I welcome these Congressional interviews. Only because MLB isn’t policing itself! If you think I’m crazy consider the penalties for steroid use:
Of course, the suspensions would be without pay.
So what MLB is telling us is that the penalty for the first time caught knowingly “cheating” is counseling? The player has to be caught cheating five times before the organization considers suspending for a season??
And you’re telling me, the Giants are going to suspend someone like Bonds for a year? Gimmie-a-break! He’d be levied the fine and that would be it. Still, $100 thousand is a hefty sum of money, right? Considering Bonds earned $18 million in 2004, that so-called hefty fine represents just one-half of one percent (0.05%) of his income. Ouch!
Dick Pound, World Anti-Doping Agency chairman, slammed baseball’s testing system and scale of penalties for steroid use. Pound told the Associated Press, “I think it’s an insult to the fight against doping in sport, an insult to the intelligence of the American public and an insult to the game itself.”
To put this in perspective, under the Anti-Doping Agency’s code, which has been adopted by most Olympic sports, an athlete faces a minimum two-year ban for a first positive steroid test and a life ban for a second.
Now, let’s see if I can get this straight…
Jose Canseco retires and writes a book. In this book he states that he used steroids and estimates that 85 percent of players do. Ken Caminiti has also admitted to using steroids. So far, these are the only two who have admitted knowingly using performance-enhancing drugs. But recent drug testing revealed 5-7 percent of major league players popped positive for steroids. Incidentally, this test included pitchers who do not benefit from steroids, so the percentages are probably larger for the big hitters, and this test was conducted after the anti-steroid policy was announced in 2003.
And what about Barry Bonds? Who denied using steroids, but during his grand jury testimony in the 2003 BALCO steroid distribution case, he admitted using a clear substance and a cream given to him by a trainer. He reportedly said he didn’t know they were steroids. (BALCO owner Victor Conte was indicted for illegal steroid distribution). Bonds was also said to have received human growth hormone, a very powerful steroid that can’t be distributed without a prescription. Still he categorically denies knowingly using steroids.
So, does Bonds use steroids? I think the answer is as plain as the nose on your face. After all, Barry Bonds became a client of BALCO in late 2000. Since becoming a BALCO client, he gained 20 pounds of muscle, and his performance soared. He jumped from 46 homers to 73 at age 36, and his win shares jumped from 32 to 54 from 2000 to 2001. He has won the MVP every year since, at ages 36-38. According to Stats, Inc. he had never hit a homer over 450 feet before then, whereas he has now done it 21 times. And who says your performance diminishes as you get older?
Truth be told, except for Canseco and Caminiti, we don’t know who uses or has used steroids. What if we find out that Bonds, Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire use them? How will it affect their records? Will their records be revoked? What about the fans? What about the kids who look up to the Sosas and McGwires? What message do these players send to them? If you cheat, you’ll get your name in the record books or better yet, the “Hall of Fame” in Cooperstown!
Shame on them!
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