Source: http://sbnation.com/nfl/2011/7/29/2303062/tom-brady-chad-ochocinco-trade-patriots
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Freitag, 29. Juli 2011
Hideki Irabu's Tragic Death Ushers Need for Change
"Fat Pussy Toad."
Imagine that etched on your tombstone for eternity. For Hideki Irabu one wonders if he could ever escape it as reports out of California today seem to indicate suicide for the former Yankee...
A tragic end to a story that began with such promise.
There was a time not too long ago when bringing a player over from Japan seemed like a sure thing. The instant success stories of Hideo Nomo and later Ichiro Suzuki fueled this notion, following decades of skepticism about the legitimacy of Japanese baseball. With years of experience in the NPB prior to posting, suddenly teams figured they were getting All-Stars with proven track records who could slide into their rotation or lineup each and every time with limited risk.
The boost in recognition through media coverage and merchandise sales back on the other side of the Pacific didn't hurt either as players became celebrities known as much for their quirks/personalities as their performance on the diamond across two continents.
Win win for everybody...case closed.
Unfortunately for Irabu, signing with the Yankees proved anything but a solid fit. Yes the Yankees won and Irabu picked up two World Series rings, but on a personal level he really never could live up to the hype.
A similar story seems to be unfolding in Boston as Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched well early on and helped the RedSox win a title, but has also been frequently hurt and at best an enigma.
Kei Igawa's story by comparison is worse, as one has to wonder if the journey was worth it?
For position players it's a similar story as for every Ichiro or Hideki Matsui, there are a handful of other players like Tsuyoshi Shinjo, Kaz Matsui, Kenji Johjima and Akinori Iwamura who left Japan as All-Stars and found coming to America a mixed bag at best, eventually returning to Japan with the hopes of resurrecting their careers.
Some blame the rigors of the Japanese system taking a toll, while others point to the isolation and culture shock of being an expat, yet pride and determination continue to drive these players to make the leap. (Money doesn't hurt either as these players are well compensated, but keep in mind they are also paid well in back home and enjoy rock-star treatment.)
The attraction and allure of playing on the world's biggest stage also is what entices many, but where does this leave the next batch of stars in Japan contemplating a move stateside?
Players like Yu Darvish, Norichika Aoki and Hiroyuki Nakajima would be a welcome addition to just about any lineup or rotation, yet...
Will these players be able to earn as much as their predecessors or suffer from guilt by association?
If they do sign, will they too burn out?
Perhaps the rhetoric and expectations need to be toned down, but does that hurt their asking price when approaching potential suitors?
Sadly these players are often left at the mercy of handlers (agents and company owned teams) and reduced to caricatures made to sound mystical/cryptic through translators offering quotes that most often baffle fans and writers alike; thus making it difficult to get their true thoughts and feelings across.
What is clear is that "Big in Japan" under the current construct doesn't seem to be translating anymore. One can only hope Hideki Irabu's death is a signal to all parties involved that significant changes need to be made. Ideally this would help benefit the teams and players not just in the transaction phase getting players to America, but long term supporting both their physical and mental health as well.
Otherwise Hideki Irabu's memory becomes nothing more than another sad George Steinbrenner punchline.
Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/782585-hideki-irabus-death-tragic-end-ushers-need-for-change
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Rodney White accused of growing pot (AP)
A former college basketball star has been arrested and accused of operating a sophisticated marijuana growing operation from his North Carolina home. Thirty-one-year-old Rodney White was scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday in Iredell County. White is facing conspiracy to manufacture marijuana and other charges.
Brad Davis Logan Morrison Mike Stanton Baltimore Orioles Boston Red Sox Chicago White Sox
Donnerstag, 28. Juli 2011
O.J. Mayo: Top 5 Destinations for the Troubled Memphis Grizzlies Guard
After nearly dealing O.J. Mayo to the Indiana Pacers at the NBA trade deadline, the Memphis Grizzlies' message to Mayo was clear: we are fine without you.
Mayo experienced two phenomenal seasons with the Grizzlies to start his career, but in his third year he dropped out of the starting lineup and saw his numbers, consistency and confidence all plummet.
Not only did Mayo's efficiency drop, but he was also involved in a number of off-court issues. Mayo was suspended for the first 10 games of the 2010-11 season after testing positive for steroids, and engaged his teammate (and competitor at the shooting guard position) Tony Allen in a fight over a debt related to a card game.
Mayo's inconsistencies last season made it clear that he is unsatisfied with a bench role, and there are plenty of teams in the league where a player of his talent could be starting. The following five destinations, in particular, would be excellent fits for Mayo.
Tracy McGrady Yao Ming Luis Scola Jonathan Albaladejo Andrew Brackman A.J. Burnett
NFL Free Agency: Washington Redskins Turn Back on Past, Look to Future
The Redskins (and especially Dan Snyder) have been horrendous for the last few years. The last time the Redskins made the playoffs was in 2007, when they were 9-7 and somehow trickled their way in.
The Redskins seem to be trying to correct some of their more recent mistakes. Let it be known: Signing Albert Haynesworth to play in a system he is not good in nor will actually play in for $100 million is a bad idea. Bringing in a quarterback that could one day cement himself in Canton, and treating him like he's a backup to Rex Grossman and John Beck is downright stupid.
The Redskins have traded McNabb for a sixth-round pick this year, and a conditional sixth in the following year. They've ditched Albert Haynesworth for a fifth-round pick, shipping him to the New England Patriots (for which I'm sure we'll praise Belichick's genius for years).
In my eyes, this is a necessary move by the Redskins. They paid big for these two players, and it just didn't work out. Get up, get out, get on with life. That's the policy of some of the top personnel managers in the league. They know when a mistake's been made and they're willing to cut their losses and get back to business.
The Redskins' rebuilding has begun. It started with a very solid draft strategy, where they traded down and stockpiled more picks, building the depth of their roster and making good selections. They're cutting loose the pieces that just didn't work. They've thus far signed Barry Cofield and Stephen Bowen, two big upgrades to their defensive line. They've brought in cornerback Josh Wilson from Baltimore, a solid signing that will help out the secondary (despite the glaring need to cut DeAngelo Hall).
However, while the Redskins are bringing in some good solid talent, they still can't seem to quite get it together. Their starting quarterback, at this point, appears to be John Beck, a quarterback so well known that security at Redskins Park do not recognize him.
They also signed Kellen Clemens today. That brings the total depth at QB to John Beck, Rex Grossman and Kellen Clemens, a trifecta of quarterbacks Satan would keep in his inner circle.
And it doesn't stop there. Don't get me wrong, the receiving corps in Washington last year was horrendous. Santana Moss has always been underrated, but he's getting up there in age. Anthony Armstrong is a dim ray of hope, but apparently the Redskins didn't think that much of him, going out and signing three fifth-string wideouts in Jabar Gaffney, Donte Stallworth, and Brandon Stokely.
The receiving corps are officially a group of possession geezers. Hopefully Armstrong and Hankerson (who was drafted this year) are actually what they've been made out to be. Otherwise, the zombie receiver known as JaDondon Gaffstalley will be on the field all too often.
The Redskins seem to be headed in the right direction with some of their talent. However, if they put John Beck out there with that offensive line, and those receivers, they should be expecting to draft Andrew Luck next year. I'm not sure that isn't their strategy.
Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/783742-nfl-free-agency-redskins-turn-back-on-past-look-to-future
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