That strange mix of chemicals and oil in the Gulf of Mexico must really be affecting the minds of sports athletes because this past sports week was filled with an inexplicable amount of wackiness!
SEC: Where’s The Party?!
The NCAA is currently investigating players from Alabama, South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia for dallying with agents. In May of this year, an agent in South Beach threw a party for some college players who project to be drafted next year by the NFL. Over the past weekend, it seemed like a new name was being dug up on a daily basis.
The players that are currently being questioned from the party in Florida are Alabama DE Marcell Dareus, South Carolina TE Weslye Saunders, and Georgia All-American WR AJ Green.
Green has flat out denied that he was at the party and left this gem as a quote. “I have my circle, and I know who to trust and who not to trust. I’m at the point of my life right now that I don’t need to make any new friends. I’ve got to keep that same circle I’ve had since Day 1 and not let anybody in that.”
Green appears to be ready for the NFL with that diva quote. He will not be your friend. He will be a jerk to you.
Saunders admitted that he was at the party, but that he did nothing wrong. Duh, going to a party funded by an agent was wrong.
Dareus was the most egregious offender. It was reported by ESPN that he went to the party on May 15th while his mother was dying. His mother died on May 18th. Rest In Peace. What was he thinking? His distorted logic convinced him that it was OK to go to a party on South Beach while his mother was on her deathbed. Football players are stereotyped as being dumb, but this type of decision-making goes beyond the pale.
Florida may have to forfeit its Sugar Bowl victory against Cincinnati due to allegations that former offensive lineman Maurkice Pouncey received $100,000 from an agent before the bowl game.
As of now, all of these allegations are ongoing. If one of the players involved in the South Beach party are forced to miss games, then it would devastate their respective team’s chances of winning the National Championship.
In the case of Dareus, Alabama head coach Nick Saban is incensed because Dareus is only one of three starters returning on defense. If Dareus is suspended this season, then Alabama can kiss their repeat hopes goodbye. Saban referred to the agents as pimps. However, all college football coaches receive lucrative contracts based upon exploiting young men who are not allowed to receive one penny more than the weekly stipend given to them. College sports are exploiting the youth so much that it is slowly becoming the 21st century version of slavery. Nevertheless, the players don’t care. They are just looking for where the next party is at.
Weird Stuff In Arlington
On Saturday July 16th, Rangers C Bengie Molina hit for the cycle in their 8-4 win against the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox should be ashamed for letting a catcher get a triple in a game.
More strange events occurred on Tuesday night when Texas defeated Detroit 8-0. Rookie pitcher Tommy Hunter is 7-0. It is the first time in Rangers history that a starting pitcher started out his career 7-0 in a Texas uniform. In the past, this organization was known for having offensive firepower with no regards for pitching. However, the Rangers front office has now also placed an emphasis on solid pitching as well. Because of that philosophical shift, the Rangers are now six games ahead of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the AL West.
Nevertheless, even more weird things could happen in the future for this ball club because the team will be auctioned off on August 4th. The team is currently bankrupt so the team will be sold to the highest bidder on that day. Over the past few weeks, a group of people including pitching legend Nolan Ryan has been the favorite for becoming the new owners. However, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has thrown his name into the ring. If Cuban becomes the owner, then the Rangers will definitely be in the Twilight Zone.
Pirates Break Out Of Offensive Slump
The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Milwaukee Brewers split a four game series this week. However, the way the Pirates won the games on Tuesday and on Wednesday was absolutely remarkable. The Pirates are the worst team in Major League Baseball in run differential. Yet, on Tuesday the Pirates won 11-9 and on Wednesday 15-3! The key to the offensive output has been rookie 3B Pedro Alvarez; he hit two homers on both days.
Please Don’t Hit Me Any More! Waaaaaaah!
That whining that you hear is from Milwaukee Brewers manager Ken Macha. On Friday and Saturday, Milwaukee defeated Atlanta on both days. However, Prince Fielder was hit by a pitch on both days. The Brewers have been hit by more pitches than any other team in the majors. On Saturday, Macha whined to MLB umpires about their players getting hit by pitches.
However, the reason why so many players from Milwaukee are hit by pitches are because of the hotdogging that is done by the Brewers whenever someone hits a homer. After Ryan Braun hits a homer and reaches home plate, he does a goofy handshake with Prince Fielder. After Fielder hit a homer on Saturday, he takes a hop and carries his bat halfway down the first base line. Of course, the other team will plunk them because they continue to showboat. The biggest offender is OF Carlos Gomez. Every time Gomez hits a homer, he flips his bat as if he really did something that will impact the destiny of this earth. He only has 17 homers in four seasons as a pro. What is this scrub thinking?
Instead of getting in the players’ faces and telling them to show proper sportsmanship, Macha covers up for them. A manager is supposed to manage and is not supposed to coddle the players. Maybe that explains why he was fired from Oakland even though his lowest win total as a manager in Oakland was 88. Stop being a sissy and man up towards the players you manage.
