http://tinyurl.com/6zb9dz

1) Bo Jackson
2) Ronnie Lott
3) Marcus Allen
4) Barret Robbins*

*Not really, but that was a hell of a party!

If only the food was good

that is my favorite commercial.

"streams of bacon ranch dressing flows right up to your knees...."

>> "It sounds like they're overbidding," Melvin said. "If the speculation is true that we've offered CC $100 million, why would you offer $140 million? Why wouldn't you offer $110 million?"

The answer to that question, according to reports out of New York, is that the Yankees are trying to "blow away" Sabathia with an offer he can't refuse. <<

http://tinyurl.com/6yhwwj

Dodgers should put money for Manny to better use

>> If Manny Ramirez couldn't carry this current team to that final lap during a postseason in which he hit .520, what makes you think he could ever do it? <<

http://tinyurl.com/6xh4tj

I think they still play that Applebee's commercial during March Madness. Such a great commercial! It gets Jason Smith every time.

According to multiple sources, Boston management had drafted an official letter of suspension for Ramirez, and delivered it to him at Fenway Park at around 11 p.m. on Friday night, July 25. For the second straight game, Ramirez had refused to play that evening, and the Red Sox lost 1-0 to the rival New York Yankees in front of a boisterous and sold-out home crowd.

The letter informed Ramirez that the suspension was to go into effect the next day, Saturday, July 26. It said Ramirez was being suspended without pay for being unwilling to play. Copies of the letter were also sent to Major League Baseball, the MLB Players Association and Ramirez's agent, Scott Boras.

For weeks leading up to the July 31 trading deadline, Ramirez had been complaining of pain in his right knee. After he told Boston manager Terry Francona that his knee was too sore to play on July 25, the Red Sox's front office ordered an MRI exam during that night's game against the Yankees.

But on the way to the exam, Ramirez, according to sources, couldn't remember which knee was sore. So the Red Sox had both of his knees examined. The MRIs revealed no damage in either.

Where french fries grow like weeds.

Boston had an opportunity to settle it through suspension and perhaps even legal action to show Manny he wasn't going to get his way, or in a sense show him who's boss.

Instead they chose to take the path of least drama by trading him, and then they wanted to still be able to complain about how things were turning out.

I say, handle the business the best way you see fit, and then shut the heck up. If they didn't like how Manny was acting, man up and suspend him. If they felt trading him made more sense, even if they had to pay his entire (the remaining portion) contract, then trade him and let it be. That is all.

The offer they made to Manny makes sense. Perhaps a guaranteed 3rd year if that is what it would take, but anyone signing Manny for 6 years is just not making smart decisions.

As for CC, $150 million, and that is what it is likely to take if someone else steps in to bid against the Yankees, is just to much of an outlay for "anyone" unless you can print your own money which the Yankees seemingly can do. With the supposed pressure coming from the players union for CC to take the Yankee offer, I don't see how any other team will be able to acquire him.

Peavy would be nice, but not at the cost in players it is likely to take.

Good business decisions. They may not always be sexy. But in the end, they are usually what is best for the team.

In related news, Dodger Management wouldn't let a young player get away with this kinda crap. But veterans can do pretty much whatever they want.

1. It doesn't seem "right" for the players union to pressure any player to sign with a particular team. Not only does that raise the possibility that the union might not have the player's best interests in mind, but it also seems like a reverse form of "tampering" from the standpoint of other teams who might be interested in signing the player.

2. I don't really see how the Yankees giving CC $140 million really sets any kind of general standard for other players and other teams. The Yankees have a lot more money than anyone else, and their contracts don't really apply across the board. Plus, no team is under any obligation to offer any player any amount. Teams can offer what they want.

Well, certainly this is true, but you do realize that players and player agents, at least those for the elite players, look at those contracts that the Yankees give out, and use them as comparison when they negotiate for their players behalf.

If CC is getting $25 million a year from the Yankees and he has back-to-back 17 win seasons, another pitcher who has pithed better in that time-frame and is a free agent 2 years from now is simply going to say "if CC is worth $25 million, then I am worth at least that much, or more".

CC's contract would be out there, and it would be difficult for a team to argue against it. Now, we may get to a point where every team, except the Yankees simply replies, "that may be, but I still can't afford that".

But we certainly are not there yet. And until we are, those Yankee contracts will still be used as a standard for the elite players to negotiate off of.

Not a negotiating ploy for 2 or 3 years versus 6 years.

It's therefore up to Management to ground the discussions in reality by focusing on what the players don't do well, including behavioral problems.

For every glossy photo Boras shows me of Manny hitting a homerun, I show him an even glossier one of Manny looking like a buffoon in left field, or pushing people around, or acting like a spoiled brat on the bench.

Sources said he told the Red Sox that his knees were so sore, he couldn't play for three weeks

Either Manny was lying about his knees, or he has major knee problems.

In either case, I would put Boras on the defensive and make him explain what's going on here. Boras would probably lie and say that Manny's knees did hurt but that now they're 100% and won't cause any problems for the rest of Manny's career.

I then laugh in Boras's face.

I know if I were Boras (wow, I can't believe I said such a thing), and you showed me those pictures, I would ask you, "then why are we even having this discussion?" "It's obvious you have a problem with him, so why are you interested in signing him?"

Boras' job is to promote his client and get him the most money. Teams don't have to sign him (Manny), and if they felt the way you say they should, then they probably shouldn't even be pursuing him. And if they do decide to pursue him, then they can't go back to the things you suggest, because they knew that going in. If you don't like those things, then don't sign him. But you can't use them as leverage to try and broker a better deal. Boras will only point to the stats and say, if you don't like him, then look elsewhere.

As for younger players not getting away with stuff? If only they could produce! Perhaps then, they would get away with it too, no?

But that's my point. I do use those things as leverage. I say that I want Manny, but I want him for less money and years than Boras claims he deserves.

A player with Manny's offensive stats who has no behavioral problems and/or health problems might be worth what Boras is asking. But once you factor in horrendous defense, immaturity, and bad knees, he's not worth as much. That doesn't mean he's worth nothing, just not as much as Boras wants.

And if every GM approaches the negotiations this way, then it will work. I'm not saying GMs need to collude: I'm saying they each need a modicum of intelligence. This stuff is obvious, and it's not too much to expect anyone getting paid 6-7 figures a year to GM a team to figure out.

All of which is not to say I necessarily want Manny, because I'm not sure whether I do or not.

I don't believe you can place a monetary value on behavioral problems. It tends to be an all-or-nothing proposition. At least until the player stops producing at high levels, or that player has pretty much worn out his welcome around the league. Neither of which apply to Manny at this point.

What you are asking for, "sanity in GM's" would be a great thing. Unfortuantely, sanity is a quality rarely found in most GM's. And that is why someone like Boras can become so successful.

Yes, and this is ultimately my biggest complaint. GMs get paid way too much to be stupid, and yet it happens all the time. I think the smart owners are starting to realize this, and are beginning to hire GMs who actually know what they're doing rather than just hiring Good Ole' Baseball Boys.

The Dodgers, on the other hand, have moved in the exact opposite direction.

That doesn't just apply to baseball. My biggest shock as an adult is the number of people I've known and worked with in both high-level and middle-management positions who have absolutely no business being there.

It doesn't surprise me that our economy is underwater.

But you'd be wrong.

His commercials were gold.

From what I've read the players union pressure is tremendous on the player to accept the best offer. Not being a part of the inner circle I have no idea if that is true or that is what is floated so a player does not look so greedy when they take the best offer most of the time.

(That was for you, Eric S.)

I was so excited, I left out the most important word!

Poor Michael Crabtree.

Of course, you probably prefer that to UCLA.

From all accounts, it is between UCLA and Oregon.

Last week, they trailed 40-0 at the half.

This week, it's only 35-3.

In related news, Isaac Bruce as a 49er is just not right.

http://tinyurl.com/otlbuyerbeware

In other news, Babe Ruth's 1938 Brooklyn Dodgers road uniform sold for $310,500 at auction at the Louisville Slugger Museum. It was the last uniform he would ever wear for major league baseball and he wore it as the team's first-base coach.

http://tinyurl.com/otlbuyerbeware

The cats still have a chance!!!! :(

http://tinyurl.com/6a7b27

http://jobsearch.mlb.careers.monster.com/

Too bad EJ is not as good as his brother.

AROD is a good example of a player not being happy with the highest offer. He had to play for Texas to get that offer.

If CC wants to play in the NL and on the West coast and can get a salary he is happy with, why play for the Yankees? Money should get you what you want and not what someone else tries to get you to take.

I cannot remember which assistant it is.

Thank goodness for that Reed 3 run HR.

Would you accept an offer for twice your salary to go live in Cleveland and do whatever it is you do for the Main Cleveland Library?

I didn't think so.

OMG we suck.

He lead Warriors in scoring in pre-season. Perfect for Warriors system. Just run to three-point line and shoot.

It's not like the Los Angeles Public Library is going to trade me to the Cleveland Public Library for some librarian prospects.

Although the idea is tempting.

Rhode Island was soooooooo close to beating Duke.

I did not know that.

I also don't like college students for the most part.

Not even the cute ones...?

Excuse me, I have to go turn in my finished product to my master to see if I can gain full membership.

Any other city where all three major teams wear the same colors?

Black and yellow, that is.

Boo! Mike Tomlin goes on the obelisk!

Tomlin is off the obelisk!

Then I'm not really sure why they were going to drink champagne, but to each their own I guess.

Go whoever is playing the cowboys! GO, GO, GO!

>> Vince Gennaro, the author of the book "Diamond Dollars: The Economics of Winning in Baseball," told CNBC the top free agents should prove bullet proof to the economy.

"But the middle of the free agent market - the place where mid-market teams usually dabble - could potentially be soft," Genaro said. "Lesser known guys like Nick Punto or Mark Grudzielanek may get less than they would have gotten one year ago. The top quality free agent will get top dollar and the rest of them may be disappointed." <<

http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_10997654

Speaking of DC, D4P is right about VP qualifications. They should be at least 35 years old, white, property owner born in TUS, who comes in second in the presidential election.

Watching Larry Csonka dive into the line over and over and over was awful.

At least it was to me.

That's edgy.

I took a look on replay... that was a good call! Man what incredible vision by the refs to flag that forward lateral by Tomlinson. It looked like a lateral because he was running forward when he threw it, but the ball went forward an inch as it sailed to his left.

Of course, you could call it nitpicking... All I know is that flag hosed my fantasy team (had Pit defense).

How about that? I was watching on NBA tv and the Suns were cruising. Watch the Pistons come back and win the game in the 2nd Half.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Treasury_Stores

That takes me back to the era when the Block at Orange was still The City.

The Giants have "expressed serious interest" in the free agent shortstop. "We've got serious interest in each other. He likes the Giants... He feels they can be competitive pretty quick."

This from Rotoworld:

Furcal is still at the point at which he likes anyone prepared to offer him a four-year contract.

Especially coming from the only baseball toaster site with such a code of conduct and a 'PG' rating…

I remember being taken there as a kid also. I think everything there was wicker and rattan. But it was the 1970s. Was any other material used?

haha! Now I notice it....too funny.

133 Omg that is hilarious. How the...?

---

Wow, has Dontrelle Willis' stock fallen or what. Now he's being rumored in a trade for Julio Lugo.

"I never even knew it was in the rule book." – Eagles QB Donovan McNabb, on his incorrect belief that NFL games couldn't end in a tie.