Grumblings - 11/15

Once again spanning the globe to bring you a constant variety of sports…………… Thank you to everyone who responded last week, it was nice hearing from you!

Lets get it started-


1) Soccer- Yes, I know, you’re thinking “soccer, who cares”…… but this is a story I’ve been following that I thought was pretty interesting. Malcom Glazer, the owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has been buying up shares in Manchester United (www.manutd.com) over the past 18 months in an attempt to take over controlling interest in the team. For those of you not familiar with Manchester United, they are the New York Yankees of soccer, and are considered by many to be the most popular (i.e., wealthiest) team in the world. Fans of the team have been protesting Glazer because they feel he is in it only to make money and will make tickets too expensive for the “common” fan. They’ve been protesting overseas, on the internet (http://www.redissue.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=188422) and calling in like mad to sports talk radio shows. Last week, 3 members of the board were let go and Glazer voted against all 3. Apparently he held the swing vote on all of them, and he told them in his best Donald Trump voice, “You’re Fired”! This is going to keep getting uglier.

2) Baseball- The rumors continue to swirl, and here’s some of the latest gossip:

Jose Guillen of the Angels could go to Florida in a 3-way deal, with Randy Johnson going to Anaheim and some good Angel’s prospects going to the desert. If that falls through, look for Guillen to land in Kansas City. As I mentioned last week, the Yankee’s would like to get Johnson, but they just don’t have enough prospects in the farm system.

Adrian Beltre has said he would like to resign with the Dodgers, but GM Paul DePodesta is out of the Billy Beane “Moneyball” philosophy, so it’ll be interesting what offer the Dodgers make. Beltre, is not a high on base percentage guy, so they might not want to empty the bank to resign him. Truthfully I haven’t seen what sort of dollars / years Beltre is asking for but I would think its in the 5yr, $15M per year range(based on comparable players). He’s young and probably his best years are in front of him, so it’ll be interesting. He’s represented by the same agent (Scott Boras) as Carlos Beltran, so once Beltran signs, I think Boras will start actively shopping Beltre.

The Rangers are looking to move Alfonso Soriano. I’m surprised there isn’t more attention out there to this fact, because he is fairly cheap in relation to the numbers he puts up. On top of it, he is only 28. I would think more teams would be after him. Not sure what the Rangers are asking for (I’m sure its starting pitching though). The Mets would like to bring him back to NY, but they want him to play Right Field, and he’s gone on record saying he would never do that….

As I mentioned last week, the Red Sox are trying to keep both Pedro (offered him a 2yr, 25million contract) and acquire Carl Pavano. From what I’ve been reading, Pavano’s parents and sister are pushing him to resign with the Red Sox. Also apparently, growing up, his favorite player was Curt Schilling. I’d be thrilled with a rotation of Schilling, Pedro, Pavano, Arroyo, Wakefield. Yankees are pursuing Pedro though, with Steinbrenner meeting Pedro for lunch on Tuesday afternoon in Tampa. Yankee’s are rumored to be offering 3-4yrs at $14M per. Should be interesting where this goes……….

Troy Percival has narrowed his list of potential new employers down to 6. The Indians, Tigers, Cubs and Giants are 4 of them..

The Seattle Mariners have Carlos Delgado at the top of their wish list, and apparently he seems to hold Seattle in a similar regard.

Sosa is interested in going to the Mets so he can be reunited with their new General Manager, Omar Minaya (who he has a good relationship with). He is willing to reduce his 18 million dollar contract next year, but the players union has issues with it.

Don’t be surprised to see the Braves move Andruw Jones. They’ve soured on him and are trying to unload him. He still has 3yrs and 39 million left on his contract but he’s another young guy (27) still playing great ball.

The Angels picked up the option on Bengie Molina but declined the $5.5M option on Ramon Ortiz giving him his release (Good Riddance!).

Finally in case you missed it, the first free agent signings occurred. Omar Vizuel signed with the Giants for 3yrs, 12.25 million, and the Washington Expos (or whatever they’re going to be called), signed former Twin Shortstop Christian Guzman and former Rockie 3rd baseman Vinny Castilla………


3) Basketball- I discussed Kobe and the Lakers last week, so let me touch on Shaq and the Heat. I feel with Shaq the Heat are now in a 3 team race with the Pistons and Pacers for superiority in the Eastern Conference. I love Dwayne Wade of the Heat and think that with Shaq there, he’s going to have a monster year barring injury (he sprained an ankle the other day following a 37pt, 12 rebound, 8 assist game). Keep an eye on this kid, as he can do everything on the floor, similar to a young Sidney Moncrief in the early 80’s………. ) My 8 playoff teams in the East will be the Pacers, Pistons, Heat, Magic, Raptors, Celtics, Cavaliers and Bucks and my 8 in the West will be Spurs, Mavericks, Jazz, Timberwolves, Rockets, Suns, Lakers and Grizzlies (edging out the Kings and Clippers). I think the 2 finalists in the East will be the Pacers and Heat and in the West, It’ll be the Spurs and Mavericks (watch Nowitzki have an MVP season……). The finals will be Pacers/Spurs with the Spurs winning it all. Look for Manu Ginobili to have a huge year for the Spurs.

4) Gambling - Not highly mentioned in the American press but very important to many football fans, the World Court ruled in favor of the Cayman Islands and Barbados last week in a dispute over whether the US has the right to crack down on offshore sports wagering that uses the internet and default lines in the US. The world court supported a ruling by the WTO and said that the US does not have the right. I am thinking that rather than fight this...the US is going to allow casinos to put up online gaming sites based in the US sooner than later and then regulate/tax them.


5) love em/hate em – Update from last week concerning T.O. is that 78% of you hate him. Not surprising……. This week our athlete Du Joir is Barry Bonds. Coming off his 4th consecutive MVP award (and 7th overall), the man continues to put up some mind boggling numbers. Obviously we have all the steroid rumors, but so far nothing has been proven….. I’ll go with Love Him! Let me know what you think, and remember, no in between, you either love him, or hate him.


Link of the Week – Not sure how many of you remember Calvin Murphy, former Houston Rocket guard from the 70’s and early 80’s, and recent television broadcaster for them. He’s being accused by some of his daughters (and he has multiple ones….actually he has 14 children by 9 different women…..) of sexual abuse, and this is an article during the start of trial. It’s amazing how NBA players propagate….. They’re mobile, agile and fertile! No one even bats an eyelid when you mention the fact we are only 18 years away from Lebron Sr. playing on the same team as Lebron Jr……… Anyway, here you go:

http://www.abclocal.go.com/ktrk/news/110504_APlocal_murphy.html



Until next time,

Bill